WARNING: This chapter contains lemons and language. Also, DISCLAIMER: yes, my characters smoke occasionally, but it's a bad habit and I'm not promoting it's use through this work. :D

Chapter Ten:

Another Dream

Someone is talking… lower voice, male? Talking… angrily.

I sigh heavily and try to pull my arms together… it feels like my entire body is floating, bobbing in the dark. I struggle against the sensation, but nothing comes of it. Panic bubbles in my chest but I shove the feeling away, focusing instead on how to combat this. I mouth lumos, but no light comes to me. Nothing happens.

The feeling isn't altogether unpleasant, but not exactly comfortable. I make my peace with it for a moment to concentrate instead on what that voice is saying. From what I assume is the density of whatever I'm floating in, I only catch every other word.

"You can't…think…wake it up! …not know… destiny."

Another voice, male as well, responds. "She's... need. Otherwise…come after us."

The voices grow stronger, as if they're moving closer to where I lay.

"He won't… that. This mission is too…for us…die."

"Die? …too simple. Torture…more likely."

An odd clicking sound pervades my prison. I twist to see what it is, but my body won't move. "What if she's responsive?"

"Are you joking? This long in stasis, she's probably completely out of it."

Without warning, a bright light blinds me. I stubbornly keep my eyes open to glean whatever I can out of my surroundings. A man with dark hair clouds my vision, then jumps back. "Her eyes are open!"The other voice leans closer. "Relax, they were probably open when she was put in here, don't you think?"

My eyes flash to the second man. A familiar face… one I know… he's… Rodolphus?!

They both jump back at the movement. "She's looking at you!"

Rodolphus glares down at me, his wand pointing right between my eyes. "She won't be for long."

"Dammit, Hermione, WAKE UP!"

I push away at the hands shaking me and sit up holding my head. "What time is it?"

"Seven thirty, we're going to be late if you don't get your bushy hair under control in the next five minutes."

I push him again to move out of my way as I stand and stretch. "We don't have to be at the embassy until eight, we'll be fine." I stumble my way to the bathroom and shut the door with a smart click without even offering him a glance.

Draco follows me to the bathroom, however, and stands outside the door with what I imagine to be his hands on his hips. "Fuck, Granger. Usually you go into a tizzy when you're late. What's up with you?"

My eyes flick up to the mirror and… bad idea. My hair is in complete disarray and under my eyes looks blacker than my best dress. "Had a rough night sleeping is all."

"Did you take your potion?"

I slam the cabinet drawer a little harder than necessary. "I forgot."

"Well that's rather stupid of you."

"You don't think I realize that?" I wave my wand over my hair while brushing my teeth, the comical thought of children rubbing their heads and patting their bellies coming to mind. Feeling more and more ridiculous by the second I cast my eyes to the sink and ignore my reflection completely.

Draco sounds like he has his ear up against the doorway, his voice being more muffled and sounding closer to the wood. "Oh, I'm sure you know all about it. I'm just saying, it was stupid of you."

I slather cream under my eyes to cover up the worst of the bags and mutter, "No shit, Sherlock" before slapping on makeup.

"Well fuck you, Granger."

I sigh heavily and pull open the door to find his face altogether too close to mine. "It's Watson."

He arches a perfectly-blond eyebrow at me. "Got a name change, did we?"

"You know what I'm talking about." I turn around to resume my makeup, and this time he follows me. "Why are you in here anyway?"

"Figured you'd hear me better from in here than on the other side of the door."

"Who says I want to hear you? Why are you in my room, Malfoy?"

He picks up my compact with feigned interest. "I thought that was rather obvious. I maybe should have let you sleep for ten more minutes, you need all the beauty rest you can get."

"Don't make me throw foundation at your suit jacket."

Draco pretends to cringe in horror before putting down the compact and picking up my mascara. I lean closer to the mirror to put on my eyeliner and speak to him out of the corner of my mouth. "Okay, so you woke me up. Why are you still here?"

When he doesn't answer I look at him in the mirror to find him intently watching my process. Realizing he's caught, he clears his throat and continues fiddling with my makeup. "Why wouldn't I be?"

I cap my eyeliner and take the mascara from his hands. "I'm not sure, might have something to do with all of the giggling I heard last night."

He leans back against the doorway. "We didn't do anything besides kiss. She was drunk enough I let her sleep on the couch. What kind of man do you take me for, anyway?"

I throw on some finishing powder and brush past him to get my pantsuit on. "I'm not sure what to think of anyone anymore, Draco."

He leans and gently grabs my hand, then patiently waits for me to turn and look at him. "I know what I said before, and I mean it, don't take anything personally when we're not alone, or believe it for truth. There's too much at stake for us to behave in any other manner."

I sigh and take my hand back to get dressed. "I know, and I believe that part. What I don't understand is all of the extra jargon, or how you haven't explained everything to me yet."

He hesitated over his words while moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "Did it ever occur to you that your thoughts may be compromised as well?"

I don't turn around as I remove my pajamas and pull on a bra. "Yes, it has, but I don't really know why my thoughts are any less safe than yours."

"I think it has something to do with my 'status' as a wizard, whatever you want to call it."

My hands begin to shake as I button up my blouse. "Oh, just say blood. You and I both know what it means coming from the other."

I turn around as I pull on my slacks. Draco has his arms crossed and is staring pointedly at the floor as he speaks, "Sure, but I like to avoid drudging up bad memories if I can help it."

"Understandable. So, you're not going to tell me what's going on because you're afraid that my mind is compromised?"

He shrugs stiffly. "Pretty much."

"Great. Guess that just makes things all the better, now, doesn't it?" I pull on my jacket and work the buttons. "Regardless, we need to go. We can hash this out later."

He pushes himself off the bed and heads to the door. "Finally."

I just shake my head as I shrug on my robes and follow suit, carefully placing my room key in my shirt and my lipstick in my already transfigured-to-match handbag. "What's our first meeting?"

Draco knocks on Kramer's door, then Puckett's. "With the secretary, or assistant, whatever his name was."

"It's Russo." I pin my blood-red broach to the front of my robes, effectively holding them together in the front to lay the way I want them to.

"Right." Draco knocks on Puckett's door again. "Let's go pretty boy, we got a meeting to go to."

Kramer exits his room and heads down the hall to call the lift just as Puckett swings his door open. He glares at the two of us, which is undercut by the toothbrush hanging out of his mouth and the loose tie around his neck. "Who are you to call me 'pretty boy'?"

"I'm Draco fucking Malfoy, that's who. If you aren't ready by the time the lift gets up here, we're leaving you." He snaps his cloak and turns towards the lift at the same time that Puckett slams the door shut.

I trail behind, throwing a few more pins in my hair while holding the extras in my teeth. I grumble around them, "Great, now he's going to be in a terrific mood."

Rikton chuckles. "He's always in a bad mood, I don't know how you stand working with the guy."

I arch an eyebrow. "You can talk, what about Ron?"

Rikton only shrugs and steps into the lift. Puckett jogs out of his door while simultaneously doing his tie and holding his wand between his teeth. Rikton holds the lift's doors, and Puckett huffs in.

"Why are we leaving so early? We're going to be waiting for, like, twenty minutes."

I give him a look. "No, we're not, and it's always good to make a decent impression. We are representatives, after all."

"What do you think any of us did to that prat to deserve… whatever the hell that was?"

I sigh heavily and hasten Rikton to lower his voice. "It sounds like there was some mischief at the party last night and it's part of his job to figure out who did it and why. Don't take it personally, it's all part of protocol."

Draco straightens his suit jacket and sniffs. "Be that as it may, the 'protocol' he embodied was rude as shit."

"Malfoy! Honestly, we're going to be properly dismissed at the rate you two are going."

We pause in the Italian atrium and look around for a spot to rest until our next meeting. Draco picks a section of benches that seem slightly distanced from other passerby, and we make ourselves comfortable as we can. Puckett fidgets with his briefcase, looking for an itinerary.

"When do we meet Cattaneo again?"

I glance at my (now corrected) watch. "Here in about an hour. The meeting with Russo didn't last as long as I anticipated."

The noise in the atrium had seemed soothing yesterday, but today it only served to irritate my already-frayed nerves. I rubbed my temple as Rikton and Puckett hashed out, once again, how annoying Russo had been and decide that firewhiskey would be in order for tonight. Sick of the noise, I stand and make an excuse that I'm getting some coffee.

Draco stands and sighs heavily. "I'll follow. Nothing better to do here, anyway."

I roll my eyes but refrain from commenting. After glancing around the atrium I realize that there isn't the odd muggle-inspired coffee stand that I'm accustomed to in our own Ministry of Magic. Draco notices too, and hooks a hand on my elbow to drag me towards the entrance.

"I think I saw one just around the corner when we first came in."

I shake my arm so he'll drop it and take up an easy pace at his side. "Fine by me, I just need caffeine at this juncture. A fag wouldn't hurt, either."

For once, he doesn't comment. And, true to his statement, a little coffee stands right around the corner from the entrance to the Ministry. We got our cups and settled into one of the small tables, facing one another and moodily sipping our drinks.

"You look like hell, Granger."

I scoff into my coffee, "Sure, and you look like picture-perfect peaches and cream every day of your life."

His voice level drops and he casts an eye out on the crowd. "No, I'm serious. How bad were the dreams last night?"

I frown into my drink and pat away a strand of hair the breeze had blown free of my bun. "Weird, honestly. I'll tell you more about it later, but it was the first dream I had that didn't involve Bellatrix. At least, not directly."

He contemplates for a moment before leaning back into his seat. "Promise me you'll remember to take that sleeping draught from now on, please."

I carefully set my drink on the table and avoid his gaze. "I'll do my best."

His sharp eyes didn't miss my minute hesitation. "What is it?"

"It's nothing, I already have it handled." I dig into my purse looking for my fags only to come up empty handed. "Shit, I must have left them in the hotel."

I look up to see Draco proffering one instantly. "I figured you might, given that I had to wake you up to ensure our timeliness."

I take the damn thing and allow him to light it for me, relishing in the first drag as the nicotine instantly calms my system. "Give it a rest, I barely slept and the hotel is too warm for my liking."

"Hermione…" the intensity of his voice instantly brought my eyes to his face, "what's wrong? What aren't you telling me?"

I watch him light his own fag and follow the smoke as it disappears into the breeze. "The hotel elves had to dispose of my potions because they weren't on the hotel-sanctioned list."

Draco leans forward onto his elbows and frowns heavily. "They shouldn't have been able to do that. You had a doctor's note with your file clearing their use, they should have known that."

I nod but continue to stare blankly past his shoulder. "That's what I thought too, but there's nothing to be done about that now. I've contacted Ron to see if he has some to spare, or to speak to Healer Tenbus to see about a new order. Until then I'm just going to have to do my best and sleep as well as possible. Or not at all."

"This is unacceptable." He huffs and leans back into his chair. "When did you notice that they were missing?"

I take another drag and speak around the smoke. "Right before bed. The elves had unpacked my things before I had arrived, so I didn't immediately notice their absence."

He stiffens. "The Ministry had included specific instructions that none shall touch our possessions given the sensitive nature of the files that we carry. No one should have unpacked your things, Hermione."

I choke on the sip of coffee I had just taken. As soon as my airways are clear I practically screech, "What?!"

Draco stamps out his fag and stands, his hand held out for me to take. I quickly follow his example and trail next to him as he leads us back to the Ministry doors. "I'll call Kingsley when I get the chance. For now, act normal. Rikton and I will sweep the room when we get back to the hotel this afternoon."

My steps feel leaden as we walk through the atrium and come up to Rikton and Puckett, seemingly still engrossed in their dissection of Russo's behavior.

Draco drops my arm and leans closer to murmur, "Act natural and don't worry about it. I'm sure everything is fine, and the hotel elves simply mistook room numbers."

I nod woodenly and resume my seat. The others don't pay us any mind as we settle in to wait the remaining twenty minutes to see Cattaneo.

Cattaneo's office is unchanged from yesterday, the files we had presented still sitting on the corner of his desk and his ashtray still overflowing. We take the same chairs as we did the day before and wait patiently for the Italian Minister to turn around.

He stares into the fireplace for some time, taking a drag from his cigar occasionally without comment. After what seems like fifteen minutes Cattaneo turns and takes his seat without preamble.

"We had an incident early this morning. My sister-in-law was kidnapped from her bed, taken while my brother slept beside her and her children laid peacefully in their rooms. I want to know how this happened."

We sit in stunned silence. As the lead, I realize it's my job to be the head of our end of the conversation. "I'm sorry to hear about this, Signore. Have your aurors found anything of note?"

He nodded slowly. "They picked up on the same traces of an unfamiliar portkey that your auror, Rikton, spoke of. The reports are identical in a lot of ways." He takes a large puff and leans forward onto his elbows, eyeing us each individually. When he speaks, the smoke drifts over into our faces. "Where were each of you at three o'clock this morning?"

The pause thickens. I, again, take the lead. "In my hotel room, Sir."

The other three confirm the same. Cattaneo bristles. "Is there anything that can back these claims of yours?"

My heart begins thundering in my chest. "With all due respect, Signore, I'm sure that the hotel cameras can legitimize our statements."

"We shall see. I do not like accusing guests within twenty-four hours of their arrival, but you can understand the need to question."

I nod once. "Completely."

"I will have Russo pull the security footage to verify, for propriety's sake."

I refrain from glancing at my companions. "Of course."

"Now that it's settled," he relaxes further into his chair, "Shacklebolt contacted me to explain that you have witnessed what you believe to be the stronzo behind this mess, is that correct, Signorina?"

I pull my statement from a file in my suitcase. "It is indeed. This contains copies of my testimony and witness account, as well as an approximation of how the individual appeared to me."

He flips through it and stops on the drawing of the robed man. "He wears a mask?"

"He wore one when I saw him. Unfortunately, it seems only muggleborn can see him. I had my best friend, Ginevra Weasley, with me during the encounter, and she couldn't see him. We speculate that because she is pure-blood he was invisible to her."

Cattaneo is quiet for a moment. "This does complicate things. Beyond their blood-status, have you noticed a pattern?"

Puckett speaks up, "My partner, Krammer, is working on that now back at the Ministry of Magic. He is tasked to update us with any new information that they come up with on that front."

The Ministro doesn't look up at him. "My people have found much the same. For now, we have issued an emergency warning to all muggleborns in the country, and to keep alert and notify us with any suspicious activity. The disappearing are rapidly growing in number, and we have yet to find a way to stop it." He stands and turns, once again, to the fireplace. "At least now we have a picture of the bastardo."

I caught a glimpse of the silver mask staring up from the open file and suppressed a shiver. "What happened with your Muggle Relations employee? The one that was attacked a few days ago?"

Cattaneo shakes his head. "Medical personnel are tending to him. He didn't disappear like the others, but his wounds were quite significant. He has yet to regain consciousness and to detail who his attacker is."

Rikton frowned. "You said that he was muggleborn?"

"I did, indeed."

The auror cast a glance at the rest of us and spoke slowly, "Sir, I believe that sounds like a warning from the attacker. As far as we know, he would be the only muggleborn to not be kidnapped after being targeted."

The Minister turned to face us. "You have none that survived the encounter?"

I hesitated. "Well, 'survived' is a strong way to look at it because we have no way of telling if the disappeared are alive or dead. But as for the occurrences, we haven't had a single instance were a muggleborn escaped. Your man would be the only one."

Cattaneo took a final puff on his cigar and threw the remains in the fire. "Then it's all the more imperative that Moretti wakes up."

We had spent the rest of the meeting discussing the remainder of our plans and meetings, and had left Cattaneo's office exhausted and stressed. We walked back to our hotel in silence, none of us sure what to make of the equal amount of accusations and involvement in plans. Draco was the first to speak in the lift.

"Rikton, if you wouldn't mind, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Name it."

Draco cast a look over Puckett and myself before turning back to Rikton. "Granger was talking about how her hotel elf had unpacked her things for her without her knowledge, and given the security that was detailed for our arrival, I figure we should take a look at it."

Puckett sneered, "Why? Big boss lady can't take care of herself now?"

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "If something happens to her, we're all fucked."

Rikton was the first to leave the lift. "I'll make a sweep and see if anything pops up. Is there anything missing?"

My face began to feel rather warm. Puckett looks at me inquisitively, but I dodge Rikton's question by making a show at opening my room. Rikton enters ahead of the rest of us, but as Puckett makes to bring up the rear Draco blocks the doorway.

"Why don't you stay out here and make sure no one disturbs us?"

"So what, I'm a watchdog now?"

Draco smirks, "Try to keep the barking down." Before he could reply, Malfoy shuts the door in his face and casts a silent muffliato. "Hermione, I know this is a personal matter, but as an auror he needs to know.

I nod my head once and turn to sit on the couch, my face burning red hot.

Draco sighs heavily and takes out his wand to help with the sweep. "The only thing that she's noticed missing are her sleeping draughts. They are medical grade, made specifically for her and her needs. The house elf that tends to her room told her that they were confiscated due to company policy."

Rikton's eyebrows came together as he swept his wand over my bed. "Any medical contents should have been left alone."

"You understand why I asked you to help me today."

The auror glances over his shoulder to where I'm seated. "When did you notice that your things were unpacked for you?"

"When we first got back to the hotel." My blush deepens at the quiver in my voice. "I didn't think it abnormal, and I was busy with preparing for the banquet."

The room fell silent for a moment as Rikton scanned the bathroom and closets. He comes back to the sitting space and shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not finding anything amiss. I'll contact Shacklebolt and Potter about the missing sleeping draughts and see if we can procure some new ones." He casts another glance in my direction. "Not to be forward, Granger, but are these draughts something that you can't live without?"

I shift in my seat and cast my eyes downward. "I won't be able to sleep, and Healer Tenbus believes I should not go without them, even for a night."

"That's good enough for me. And, while I have you two in here without Puckett listening in, is there something going on between you?"

Draco and I are silent, completely dumbfounded. My heart sunk down to the pit of my stomach. I thought we were being careful…

Rikton smiles. "Don't mistake me, you have been handling yourselves rather well on this trip. I work in Potter's office, and had heard about your previous rendezvous. Puckett couldn't care less and hasn't said anything about it, but given that it's my job to ensure your safety, Granger, I think I should know."

I glance at Draco, who seemingly calculates the situation for a moment before answering. "There is something going on between us, Rikton, but for fuck's sake, don't tell anyone about it. There's too much at stake."

The auror nods. "There's a mole in our operation, and I've been working with Potter and Kingsley to determine who it is. We were happy that you picked Puckett, Granger, because of his suspected ties to the disappeared. This way he stays in my radar in case he is the one to blame."

My heart races in my chest, seemingly back from its temporary position in my lower stomach. "What do you mean?"

"It's no secret at the Ministry that he despises you for taking the promotion he was after, and there are some other suspicious circumstances tied to him that we've been keeping an eye on. For that reason, we've all been very careful with what information we give him, and like I said, it's better to have him close at hand because it means that he's under my watch and potentially less-inclined to be as involved with attacks in other countries."

I hold my head, a horrible headache from lack of sleep and the stress taking root. "What does that have to do with Draco and I?"

Draco squats down beside me and takes one of my hands in his. "Think about it this way: muggleborns are disappearing, and there's a vendetta out against anyone who is trying to figure out why or who's behind it. If the head of Muggle Relations, one of the brightest minds on the case, is seen in the arms of a powerful pure-blood, it makes you that much more desirable to whoever is behind these attacks."

Rikton sits in the adjacent loveseat. "He's right. Unless either of you were willing to be used as bait for the supposed attacker, publicly announcing your relationship is the worst idea possible."

Draco frowns, his silver eyes casting to my suitcase. "Did you not read the note that I put in your luggage?"

I slap my palm to my forehead. "I completely forgot, what with the traveling and the banquet and my missing potions."

His eyes flash as he stands and makes his way to the dresser. "Have you seen my jacket since your things were unpacked?"

I force my brain to unscramble my thoughts. "Yes, it was in the closet next to my own."

Rikton and I both stand and follow as Draco comes back holding the note. "I was afraid that this had been 'confiscated' as well, but it seems that my fears were unfounded." He hands the letter to me, his eyes darting to Rikton before prompting me to open it.

I force my hands to stop shaking before unfolding it.

I'm sorry for my behavior, again. Just trust me, it's the only way that

we can ensure you're safe and the mission doesn't end in ribbons.

Puckett is suspected to have ties with whoever is behind these attacks. The biggest

reason why Potter refuses to allow him on the scenes of the disappeared is because of

tampering found linked with evidence he 'collected, not because of the presence of

blood, or whatever excuse you gave him. Whether or not this is due to chance or intent,

we have yet to know. It doesn't help that he also hates you. From his behavior and

the concerns Krammer has given to members of Potters department, we speculate he

may be imperiused to do another's bidding. Depending on his behavior on this trip,

it will determine his innocence or guilt in the eyes of the aurors.

I think we can trust Rikton, he doesn't seem to care much about Puckett as it sits.

However, until we know more I suggest we refrain from divulging too

much with even him.

I love you, my little lioness. I will sneak over as much as I can to see you during

the nights, and give you as much encouragement as possible.

Keep that teddy warm for me.

Burn this when you're done.

-D

I touch the tip of my wand to the letter and scorgify the mess, just as I had with his last letter. Draco and Rikton watch me with silent eyes, taking in my reaction. "It does make sense, but we should wrap this up. Puckett has been standing out there for long enough."

The auror nods and makes for the door as Draco lifts the muffliato. Puckett is leaning against the opposite wall, looking as bored as a wizard possibly can. Rikton shrugs and heads to his hotel room.

"Well? Everything good?"

Draco nods. "Seems like I was overreacting."

Puckett pushes himself off the wall. "Shocking, truly."

Before I shut the door I thank them all, catching Rikton's nod before I retreat to my room.

I flop on the bed and cast another muffliato before succumbing to a waking nap. I'm thoroughly relaxed and staving off the dreams for an indeterminate amount of time when I feel Draco's hand on my head.

"I'm sorry for confusing you so."

I look up to see concern written all over his face. "Don't be, it's necessary in times like these." I look around for the time. "How long has it been since Rikton checked my room?"

"Oh, a couple hours. I was hoping you'd sleep a little."

I snort unceremoniously and stretch, my back popping in a few places. "If only it was that easy."

He settles into my bed and pulls me up to curl up on his chest. "Have you heard anything back from Weasley or that Healer?"

"I honestly haven't checked." I grab my wand and summon my bag from the sitting space. I pull out my mobile and check to see several missed messages.

Ron: that's bullshit! i'm sorry mione

Ron: i need to refresh my own stock, i wish i could send u some

Ron: i'll call on tenbus n c what she says

Pot-Head: everything okay? Rikton mentioned weird stuff at the banquet last night

I mentally compose my thoughts for a moment before tackling the replies.

Me: I know, but there's nothing I can do about it. Heard from Tenbus?

Surprisingly enough, Ron responds almost immediately.

Ron: she got more brewing

Ron: i can bring it to ministry tmrw at the earliest to send to u

Me: Thank you so much! You're a live-saver!

Ron: yeah, i no. u owe me, ur cat is the devil

Me: Your favorite brand of firewhiskey will be delivered to your office when I get home, promise.

"I should have some more by tomorrow night."

Draco hums but doesn't reply, opting instead to rub my shoulder in small circles. I turn back to my mobile and start a reply for Harry.

Me: From what I understand there was some people of import last night that met suspiciously. Couldn't tell you more than that though. Ron is sending me more potions; a hotel elf confiscated mine. Rikton and Malfoy checked my room, nothing else seems amiss.

Pot-Head: yeah, just got a message from Rikton about that. I'm making an appointment with Kinsley now. Keep your eyes peeled, 'kay?

Me: Will do.

I shut the mobile and lean back onto Draco's chest. He hooks his finger under my chin and lifts my face to meet his. The kiss starts out soft, but before long turns more passionate than I think either of us expected. Draco sits up, pulling me with him, to pull my shirt over my head and attack my chest with his mouth. I moan ecstatically and tug his shirt from his pants and begin working it over his shoulders.

He unhooks my bra in a smooth movement, leaving my breasts bare to the air and stiff from his attentions. He pushes me back into the bed to continue his assault, his member straining against his pants while he settles in between my legs. I moan against his ear and grip his shoulders, leaving small crescent-shaped marks from my nails where I squeeze too hard. The sensation seems to spur him on to kiss down my stomach while he pulls my pants and underwear off. He grabs under my hips and pulls me to the edge of the bed in one smooth movement, grinning wickedly up at me while I lay open and bare before him. He hooks my knees over his shoulders, and kisses tenderly up both of my thighs.

I shiver uncontrollably, lost to the sensation of his mouth and breath on my body. Before I can expect it I feel his tongue on the most sensitive part of my body. My back arches, my legs flex, and I lose myself to him. I look down to see his silver eyes glinting playfully at me, which nearly sends me over the edge just with the visual of him there.

Just before I can climax, he pulls away and stands, unbuckling his pants and drinking in the sight of me. I scoot back onto the bed, my eyes begging for him as he crawls after me. His hand holds the back of my head while he kisses me thoroughly, the taste of me on his lips and mine.

"You're absolutely delectable."

Before I can respond, he enters me fully. I'm thankful for the silencing charms around the room as I cry his name between too many moans to count. The feel of him after coming so close to my climax sent me to the peak of my orgasm within seconds. I crash around him, making his eyes roll up and a low growl to escape his lips.

It's in the middle of this that he cups my face and holds my gaze with his own. What was animalistic turns sweet and tender. I lose myself in his eyes and the feeling of him, and our hands begin to glow again. This time it spreads all over our bodies, lighting the dim room and surrounding us with its warm haze. I feel another peak forming and I can see that his isn't too far behind. We reach our completion together, slowly and passionately, holding each other's gaze throughout. His eyebrows come together, and his mouth parts as mine does, and we cling tighter together as the tremors rack our bodies.

We lay there afterword for quite some time in silence, staring at each other with tender expressions as we hold one another. He strokes a hair away from my face, and kisses my forehead. This is where I belong… right here, in his arms, away from the troubles of the world…

I'm back in the floating sensation. The voices are gone this time, and I spend what feels like eternity just floating in the blackness. I swear I hear footsteps from time to time, but I'm not concerned. Whatever this reality it, it comes without worry, without the pressure of day-to-day life. I can't find myself to care about the disappearances, or where I am, or what's happened to Draco, Harry, Ginny, or Ron…

Wake up.

I start at the sound of the foreign thought. It felt like it was in my own head, but it didn't follow the same timbre of my internal voice. When nothing else comes, I push the thought from my head and resume enjoying the flat nothing and stress-free environment —

Wake up. It's time.

I can't make sense of what this voice is saying, I feel as though I'm conscious, just without any of my senses at the moment given this delectable darkness.

It's all a lie, little lioness.

A jolt runs to my core. Only one person in the world calls me that, and I shouldn't be able to hear him —

I'm coming to save you. Just wake up.

I can't figure what he's saving me from! This darkness is protecting me, and I don't want to leave it just yet. There's a reason why, but it won't come to me at this moment. It's too peaceful, floating here…

They're coming back. Pretend to be asleep. But listen to their words. It's all a lie.

A memory tugs at the back of my mind, but any concrete idea of it fails to form. I sigh in frustration, or at least I think I do, and decide to ignore the voice when footsteps come closer to me from a world beyond my own.

I think I hear voices, but they're muffled and don't make any sense.

"Let's…. awake again."

"I gave… much drugs… won't."

The footsteps pause outside of my little world. "Only… way to… out."

The light invades again, sending the breath from my lungs. I want to scream, to shut my eyes, but the voice comes back in a rush. Don't! Look at them, see the lie, wake up, little lioness. Trust me. I stare back into the faces of the damned.

Rodolphus takes a step back in shock. "How the fuck are you awake?!"

I flick my eyes to the second person, the same as before, but I can't place his face. I turn my attentions back on the husband of my old torturer, my guts twisting at the memory of his laugh and what his wife did to me. I glare at him with all the strength I can muster.

"God damn mudbloods! You give me no end of grief."

He readies a syringe of some sort of blue liquid. I don't know what it is, but it scares the hell out of me. Tell him 'it's time'.

For some reason, I listen to the voice. I force my mouth to open, and I wheeze out, "It's time." The blood leaves the men's faces, which causes a macabre sort of smile to spread across my face. This voice in my head, his voice, combines with my own, directing my dusty vocal chords to say, "Give up. You'll never win."

Their faces blanch as my voice came out distorted and double-layered. I give them another wicked smile just as the needle pierces my skin. "Follow your wife, Rodolphus, and die."

I quickly succumb back to the darkness, dimly aware of my hatch closing again. The footsteps retreat, their words lost to me.

Well done, little lioness. Sleep now, I will come for you.

A/N: I'm so, so, SO sorry I ghosted on you guys for that long. I had a lot of personal stuff come up, and of course college had to be a priority. But I'm out for the summer and only have my stories and working for monies. You know how it goes. For all of you that stayed with the story, even when it dropped off for a few months, I'm so immensely grateful. I promise, we're a while yet from the ending of this one. Again, thank you to everyone, and I hope you enjoy! Chapter to follow!