The girls danced and laughed and drank while the wizards watched them dance and watched Quidditch and drank. They even joined the girls every once in a while on the dance floor. All too soon it was time to leave the club, "How are we getting home?" Ginny asked/slurred.

"Our porky… " Draco shook his head, that wasn't right. "Port. Key." He reiterated clearly, "Leaves t'morrow morning."

"uh huh. So…. " Pansy queried hoping they wouldn't make her say the rest of the sentence aloud…she wasn't sure she could do that.

"Flints got a house here. We're staying there." Blaise said laughing at Harry and Draco leaning on each other to keep from falling.

"You knew?" Hermione asked of her date.

He looked down at an intoxicated Hermione and shrugged, but didn't say anything.

"Awwww, I don't wanna go to bed!" Ginny whined.

"We can stay up, but the club's closing right now." Adrian answered concentrating on speaking clearly.

Hermione looked up to Marcus and scowled, "Are we apprating…apperating?" she asked, "'cause I just don't think that's a good idea right now…" she said in a sing song voice wagging her finger back and forth.

Unfortunately, Draco was paying much too much attention to her wagging finger making himself dizzy since he was unable to follow her finger with just his eyes, instead his whole head was moving back and forth.

Marcus shook his head and signaled to Blaise and Adrian to get coats, wraps and other accessories. They did and the group walked out into the temperate weather.

A few blocks of walking in the cool breeze and everyone felt more alert and less drunk.

They reached a gate and Hermione recognized the place immediately, "You own a home here?" she asked excitedly

He nodded and smirked.

Blaise heard her question, "A Penthouse. Muggle's can't buy here and there are only a few wizards that own one of them. Flints family has owned it for years and when he turned 21 his father gave it to him as a birthday gift."

Clearly irked by Blaises dialogue on Flints life he spoke, "Thank you Blaise." He said each word dripping with disdain.

Blaise smiled, "No problem."

"What is this place?" Ron asked

"Poble Espanyol, which means Spanish Village; it's a famous tourist attraction." Hermione said with ease looking around at the now closed shops with breathless anticipation.

Marcus opened the door by pressing his hand against it and murmuring a spell that Hermione could barely hear, but identified it as an Ancestry Recognition spell.

He opened the door letting her in first and then everyone else, "Lincoln!" he called.

POP!

The dark skinned house-elf with huge blue eyes and hairy ears bowed in greeting, "Master Flint."

Hermione had the sudden urge to pet his hairy ears, but restrained herself blaming her lowered inhibitions on the alcohol.

"Prepare the beds for sleeping and send Lola up to the study with drinks and snacks." He said gruffly.

"Yes Master Flint." Lincoln bowed again and blinked out without a sound.

They made their way up to the study and when Hermione entered the room she stopped and took it all in with her lips parted in awe and her eyes wide with excitement.

"Easy there 'Mione, the books aren't going anywhere." Ron teased walking into the study causing her friends to chuckle.

The room was large with ample comfortable seating, a fireplace, and three solid walls of book shelves filled with books floor to ceiling.

She finally regained her composure and at Marcus' gentle urging sat down on the couch next to Ginny and Luna.

After everyone had eaten and drinks had been refilled Luna sat up excitedly, "I have the greatest idea!" she exclaimed.

Marcus looked around – there's that look again, the one reserved for wild animals he thought when he noticed no one moved when she spoke. They were all just waiting for her to drop whatever strange bomb she was going to drop.

"Let's play truth or dare… or 20 questions! It'll be fun! Which is it going to be?" she asked clapping her hands.

There was a general sigh of relief as her suggestion was fairly benign, "I say 20 questions." Harry offered.

Everyone seemed to nod in agreement, "Ok Luna you're up; who are you asking and what question is it?" Harry directed.

"Draco, How did you parents react when you told them you were with Harry?"

"I'm pretty sure my father slipped into cardiac arrest. He recovered quickly with a nod of his head, but he doesn't speak of it. My mother doesn't care."

"Ronald, how old were you when you lost your virginity?" he asked.

Ron looked down avoiding his wife's interested gaze, "Lavender Brown our sixth year."

Harry and Hermione already knew that. Draco wrinkled his nose in distaste.

Ron looked up at Marcus, "Did you fight in the war?"

Marcus returned Rons piercing gaze (no one was expecting it to get quite as serious so quickly, apparently this has been plaguing Ron for a while).

"My father didn't want me walking down the same path his father forced him to walk so he contacted a friend in the Bulgarian Quidditch League and I was recruited for the duration." Marcus said and looked at Pansy, "How many men have you been with… intimately?"

She blushed, "Four." She glanced at Ron who smiled at her, he didn't care, she was his now.

She slumped a little in relief, "Ginny, how long have you and Luna been …together?"

Luna snickered, "Since the war ended. We found each other on the battlefield right after, you know when we were counting… "

She put her head down in memory, "…the dead. It was Luna and her bright blonde hair that pulled me. I saw her standing there looking at the sunrise – dirty and shaking- her wand dropped by her side and thought – beautiful, just beautiful."

Luna had tears in her eyes; she took Ginny's hand and squeezed it.

"Hermione, when you and Harry were alone on the run, did you ever…do it?"

Harry scrunched up his face and Hermione laughed.

Marcus watched her closely for tells, he didn't see anything but humor, "No, we didn't… though I did wash his underwear by hand … in the river and that was just… gross!" she said smiling at her friend.

He smiled back, but it didn't reach his eyes. She knew he was remembering those times – as was she.

Marcus watched her humor fade and her eyes glaze over with memories of that time. He wanted to know, but would wait until she was ready to tell him.

"Blaise, describe the perfect girl for you."

Draco rolled his eyes, "you're so cheesy Granger!" he said.

She laughed and took another drink of fire whiskey, "I know!" She giggled some more which made everyone else laugh.

He sighed, "I want smart – not just book smart, but one that can understand nuances and solve problems without always looking for someone else to do it. I would like someone confident bordering on cocky, but not aggressive about it; I don't want someone who hangs on me constantly. Someone with an open mind and is willing to try new things, both in general and in the bedroom. Someone who understands and enjoys my sense of humor and … I think that's it." He finished taking a drink.

Hermione smiled at him, he didn't mention physical attributes once.

"Adrian perfect date."

Adrian frowned a moment, "first date or just a date in general?" he asked.

"First date."

Adrian took a drink, this would be painful… he thought, "The Opera, it doesn't much matter which, but I love the Opera. Afterwards, a walk around a park or just a quiet location to sit and talk." He said.

It was at that moment that Hermione realized that Adrian and Blaise were desperately searching for someone they could fall in love with. They wanted to settle down… of course Adrian's next words dissipated any recurring love thought for them, "…and then wild sex right after."

"Wow, you had me going for a minute; I thought you had turned into a sap!" Draco teased.

Nope. It's there, Adrian was serious and the sex comment was to save face. She watched his cheeks tinge and his eyes glide to his drink.

He looked up when he felt her eyes on him; he knew that she knew at that moment. He also knew she wouldn't say a word to him or anyone else about it. He saw no judgment in her eyes only concern and knowledge.

Marcus watched the exchange between his witch and his best mate. Marcus was a possessive man by nature, but something told him that there was no attraction other than as friends… still…

"Luna, have you ever been with a man sexually?"

She looked up surprised, "yes." she said and looked to Harry.

"Have you ever been with a woman?" she asked.

His eyes bounced from Draco to Hermione to Ron (his three closest friends), "No."

Harry smiled evilly then and looked at Marcus, "Did you really do it with Professor Hooch while in school?"

All eyes were focused on Marcus when he dropped his head back and laughed, "Yes."

Draco, Blaise and Harry stood, "NO WAY!!!"

The girls were shocked as well, "How did you know to ask, Harry?" Hermione asked never having heard any rumors.

He laughed and slapped Marcus on the shoulder, "It was a rumor in the Quidditch locker room, even written on the wall to mark the occasion! I had to know, mate." Harry said in apology.

"I wrote it on the wall." Adrian told the group with a triumphant smile.

This provoked another round of guffaws from the group.

After that died down Marcus turned to Ron, "Why didn't you and Hermione get together?"

Hermione stiffened, but Ron just smiled wistfully and held Pansy's hand, "because I'm an idiot… and we wanted different things." He said and left it at that.

Hermione smiled at him.

He turned to his wife, "Have you and Draco ever had sex?"

She looked at him for a second, "Yes."

"Hermione, worst experience ever."

Hermione just stared at her- her previous smile fading. Ron and Harry tensed and Draco grimaced.

Marcus scowled for a moment when he saw the reactions from her best mates and returned focus on her.

She swallowed the last of her fire-whiskey and it refilled on its own, "Yule ball, after Ron and Harry left, I went out to the courtyard with Viktor. He had a carriage waiting, so we could sit and 'talk'." she said with air quotes, "talking wasn't what he had in mind. Draco found me afterwards trying to get back inside without being seen. My dress was torn and … well you can guess what happened." She said bitterly.

"Have you been with anyone since?" Adrian asked.

Since the night Marcus and Hermione had met each other he had been racking his brain trying to remember when the last time he saw her with … someone. He had come to the conclusion that he hadn't ever.

She shook her head, "No." she said quietly.

Marcus was frozen in place… she was soooo tight, he had had trouble pushing inside her, but she hadn't objected nor given any indication that she wasn't enjoying herself.

Just then he felt her hand on his knee. He looked at her and she gave him a tiny shake of her head. It was ok, they were ok. He relaxed.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" Ginny blurted with an accusatory tone.

Hermione whipped back around, "I couldn't even form the words, Ginny. Draco guessed and then he told Harry and Ron. I never even went to see Madam Pomphrey. No one knew!" she said, "I was so embarrassed and ashamed that I had put myself in that situation, I just wanted to forget."

Marcus found his vocal chords, "Viktor who?"

Hermione stiffened and she cleared her throat, "Viktor Krum."

Marcus was surprised, but didn't react. They could talk about it later.

"Blaise, how often do you fantasize about Luna and Ginny?" Hermione asked wanting to get the attention off of her.

Blaise snorted, "ummm at least four times a day." He said.

"Ginny do you ever fantasize about me or Adrian?" he asked.

Adrian looked up and chuckled and the inclusion, "thanks man." He said

"No problem." Blaise replied and both men returned focus to Ginny.

"Yes." she said laughing when Blaise and Adrian bumped knuckles.

"Luna, are you interested in experimenting?" Ginny asked.

Luna gave a meaningful look to Adrian and Blaise, "Yes." she said.

"Harry, do you still have nightmares?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Draco, is it true you slept with Millicent Bulstrode on the Hufflepuff table in the great hall?" Harry asked.

Draco rolled his eyes, "Yes."

"EWWWW!" came the collective gasp; Millicent was troll-like in appearance and could barely string two words together.

"Pansy, teacher you had a crush on?"

She smiled, "why our head of house of course." She said making every male in the room cringe.

"Snape? UGH!" Ron cried.

"Me too." Hermione added and sighed in memory of his voice.

"Me three." Ginny said making the girls giggle then Pansy and Hermione said in unison completely unrehearsed, "Turn to page 394!" they said in their best Snape impersonation.

The erupted into more giggles, which signaled the time to retire, the girls were done.

Marcus closed the door to his room and sat down on the bed watching Hermione.

She didn't say anything; she just waited for him to ask – she knew it was coming, "Did I… When we… Did you want to too?" he stammered.

She closed the distance between them, "Yes. I wanted you… I want you (stressing the present tense). You didn't hurt me." she said.

They were referring to her earlier confession of being date raped by Viktor Krum and her subsequent abstinence until now.

He stared at her, his eyes almost black now. He pulled her close smelling her scent settle over him, "Let me taste you, Hermione." He whispered rubbing his hands down her back and pressing his face into her satin covered stomach.

Her response was running her fingers through his hair and sighing.

It was a positive response.

His hands traveled down her silk clad legs to her knees and then back up under the skirt of the dress hooking his fingers onto the waist band of her thong and pulling them down until she could step out of them.

He fingered the tops of her stockings – thigh highs- and groaned.

He moved her gently onto the bed, "leave the heels on." he said gruffly as he crawled far enough on top of her to raise her dress.

He bent down and put his mouth on her wet heat gently raising her leg onto his shoulder.

He licked her and sucked her clit making her squirm.

He wanted to give her pleasure… and he did just that.

After a soul searing orgasm where she cried his name and marked his shoulders with her nails; she lay panting, "Marcus… " she said pulling him up.

"Let's go to sleep now baby girl." He said pulling the covers down and pulling her dress off.

She began to protest, "shhhhh. Tonight was for you love." He said and dressed her lovingly in an old T-shirt of his that was far too large for her little body.

He changed and got into bed next to her pulling her close, "My father wants us to come to dinner tomorrow night. Are you ok with that?" he asked quietly

"Mmmm hmmm" she said sleepily before she drifted into blissful dreamland.

He smiled and let sleep take him as well.

They port keyed home the next morning and nursed various stages of hangovers since none of them thought to brew hang-over potion.

Marcus had a meeting with his coach in the early afternoon, but told her he would pick her up at 5:30.

He stepped into her living room and found Jacks watching him, "Cat." He said in greeting.

"yow." Was his reply and then dismissal from the gray fur ball.

"Hermione?" he called.

"Be out in a moment." She called.

He smiled when she walked out a minute later wearing a pink silk skirt and white ruffled silk shirt, "Is this alright?" she asked in reference to her attire.

He nodded, "We'll need to apperate. Are you ready?"

She nodded.

They landed inside the gates of Flint Estates. It was comparable to Malfoy Manor in size, she was awe struck, "It's beautiful." She said.

He didn't say anything.

When they got to the door she had a flashback of the regal stature of Lord Flint and stopped, "Do I need to curtsy or bow or something?" she had never genuflected for Lucius Malfoy, but one never knew.

He snorted, "No."

The door opened and there stood a house elf waiting to take their coats and lead them to the study.

Cranfield Flint stood as they walked in, "Marcus. Miss Granger, so glad you could make it."

Marcus rolled his eyes, his father was a charmer of the ladies and this one was no exception.

"Lord Flint it's nice to see you again." She said letting him take her hand.

She was holding onto Marcus' with her other hand.

"Mena, come say hello to our guests." Cranfield called.

Marcus didn't move, he just waited to meet his fathers' latest find.

A tall graceful woman, considerably younger than Cranfield, but older than Marcus walked in smiling, "Ah Mena, this is my son Marcus and his lovely girlfriend Hermione Granger. This is Mena Monroe, my consort. "

The woman smiled at Marcus, who took her hand and bowed, but when Hermione was introduced she turned sharply and looked at the witch, "THE Hermione Granger?" she asked.

Hermione tensed slightly and her grip on Marcus' hand tightened, "Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you." She said politely.

She didn't like publicity and she really didn't like it when it came from her efforts during the war.

The woman immediately attached herself to the younger witch by hooking her arm through Hermione's and started dragging her to sit down. This resulted in Marcus being pulled by Hermione, because she hadn't let go of his hand.

Marcus went willingly and sat down next to Hermione while his father sat in a chair by the fire.

"So Hermione, May I call you Hermione?" she didn't wait for an answer, "I would love to hear your stories from the war. It was all so exciting, fighting death eaters, being on the run. Do you still keep in touch with Harry Potter? Oh I can just imagine how brave he must be. You admire him greatly, don't you?" The woman kept talking without allowing Hermione to answer or for Cranfield or Marcus to redirect the conversation to another subject.

Hermione sat ramrod straight and listened, her grip on Marcus' hand tighter and tighter.

"…I met the red head once… Ronald, yes? well, he didn't seem so brave, but one never knows. You know I had entertained writing a book about your adventures and now that I know you it could be a real possibility." She said finally taking a breath looking expectantly at Hermione.

"A book?" she asked; it was the only thing she could say without insulting the woman.

"Yes. About your adventures."

Hermione winced at the word 'adventure'; the woman made it sound like a day at the park with roller coaster rides and all, "It was war Miss Monroe; I'm not sure if adventure is the right word. I don't think I would feel comfortable with assisting you in writing a book." She said as calmly and tactfully as she could.

"I see." Mena sniped immediately offended.

Hermione tried to rectify the situation, "Please, Miss Monroe, I mean no offense, but it's been five years and we're all still trying to past behind us. You understand, don't you? I'm sure you knew someone that was hurt during the war." She asked.

Mena didn't respond immediately and after she did Hermione felt like the woman had the emotional maturity of a 12 year old.

"We should have dinner, Cranfield." Mena said to her consort.

Everyone was tense and it was a brief awkward silence, "Right. Dinner. Shall we?" the Lord of the house asked and stood pulling his soon-to-be EX consort to the dining room.

Marcus and Hermione followed, "I'm sorry." She whispered to Marcus.

He looked down at her and gave her a strange look, "don't be. She's a slag… one of many in my father's life." He said with a bitter undertone.

She returned his strange look and then nodded. Now she was really curious about his mother.