Chapter 11
Draco sat quietly behind his desk, listening to his best friend ramble on about her encounter with Severus. She sounded absolutely pissed off, but Draco also detected a hint of frustration and sadness in her voice. After what felt like forever, she finally sat down.
He waited until he was absolutely sure she had finished, to comment. "You sure you aren't over reacting?"
"Overreacting? You would take his side, wouldn't you?"
"Draco sneered, "I'm not taking anyone's side."
Hermione sighed, "I know I'm not being fair. It must have been a shock."
"He could have turned you away. Some might say he treated you better than he has ever treated anyone."
"I know, Draco." Hermione sighed, "But it isn't enough. Not for me."
"What is it that you want from him?"
"I want him to love me. Really love me. Not because he has to, but because he wants to."
"Hermione, when has Severus ever done anything because he had to? Why do you assume he doesn't love you? "
"He knows a lot about Veelas. He knows that we cannot live without our mate. If rejected, we will die. Maybe he feels sorry for me?"
Pity is not an emotion Serverus possesses."
She nodded, "Speaking of emotions, how's your love life is?"
Draco shook his head, "Not talking about that."
Hermione nodded, wrapping her arms around him, "When you are-"
"You will be my first owl." Draco smirked, "And that is my point exactly; destiny has decided for both of you. If only the rest of us were so lucky. You don't have to search for true love. It was handed to you."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Tell that to my heart. It feels broken- Ow ow ow."
Severus strolled into Malfoy Manor. He'd been meaning to check up on Draco after the lunch disaster earlier in the week. The way Draco stormed off, surely he would have to do some damage control. He would have come earlier, only he got so caught up in his own problems that he had forgotten. He hoped Draco wasn't too angry with him. Surely Luna and he had worked things out by now.
The sound of laughter echoed through the halls. He made his way towards the voices, stopping behind the door to listen; Not wanting a repeat of the last time he showed up unannounced, as interesting as it was.
"He knows a lot about Veelas. He knows that we cannot live without our mate. If we are rejected, we will die. Maybe he feels sorry for me?"
He knew that voice. He'd know it anywhere. He held his breath and listened.
"-You don't have to search for true love. It was handed to you.."
"Tell that to my heart. It feels broken-"
Severus brought his finger to his forehead and pushed down, chuckling. That'll teach her to talk about him behind his back.
"Ow ow ow."
"What's wrong?" Draco asked, confused.
Hermione shook her head, "Headache. Damn thing just won't go away."
Severus smirked. A headache; she had an explanation for everything.
Draco arched an eyebrow, "You're a witch or did you forget?"
"I tried; two potions." Hermione answered annoyed.
Serverus chuckled quietly; this was going to be fun.
"The brightest witch of our time can't brew a simple pain potion?"
She pounded on her head, "Forget it. I'm fine."
Draco shrugged, "The world must be ending."
"Draco! I am not in the mood!"
"Okay, so… how do you intend to make Severus proclaim his undying love to you?"
Serverus leaned in closer; desperately wanting to hear her answer.
"I'm not. I am not making him do anything."
Severus' face fell. She wasn't even going to try? Was he not worth it?
"He doesn't have a choice. The laws are clear in this matter. If he refuses you, well, it's back to Azkaban."
He'd die before he stepped a foot back there.
"I found a loophole."
What loophole? Why was she looking for a loophole.
"Loophole?"
"Well, if I don't come out as a Veela…-"
"Hermione, you can't hide it forever. It's becoming stronger every day. How long do you think you can control it?"
Severus curled his hands into fists. Damn her. She was not going to get rid of him that easily.
She nodded, "I know, but what if I refuse to reveal who my mate is?"
She's ashamed of me.
Draco pondered her statement, "There are ways to find out, without your cooperation. The ministry is not that dimwitted." He took her hand, "You know what will happen if…-"
Hermione smiled at him, "I know, but what can I do? How can I force him to love me?"
Force? She thought she had to force him?
"Who said anything about force?"
"You didn't see his face, Draco…When I asked him. You didn't hear his reply or the way he said it." Her eyes began to water, "He was so cold."
I didn't mean it, I didn't realize.
Draco wiped her tears away, "Maybe you misunderstood?"
Yes, it was a misunderstanding; a stupid misunderstanding.
"No! He doesn't love me and I won't force him."
You don't have to force me.
"Hermione, you don't know that."
You don't know. It's not true.
"Maybe, but it's too late."
Why? Why is it too late? No! No it's not! Shut up! Shut up!
"Ow ow ow."
Severus pushed the door open and walked in, "Draco."
Draco stood, "What are you doing here?"
Severus casually glanced around the room. "Am I not allowed to visit?"
"Yes, of course. Um, Hermione was just visiting also."
"Of course she was." He turned to her, "Hermione."
She stood and hugged Draco; ignoring Severus's greeting, "I should really get going. Thanks."
"Ok." Draco answered nervously.
"Perhaps, I could walk you out." Severus offered.
"No need. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you." Hermione replied coldly.
Severus pushed down on his forehead again, that'll teach her to get lippy with him.
"Ow ow. Damn."
"Something wrong…?" Severus hid a smirk.
"No. Nothing that concerns you," she retorted.
Severus cleared his throat, "Well, it would not be an inconvenience at all. Draco seems to be fine, so I shall be on my way."
Draco nudged Hermione's arm. She rolled her eyes and walked out. They got to the apparation point without a single word from either. He kept pace but stayed a step behind her. She closed her eyes, thinking, "Home." Two arms wrapped around her and pulled her in. Before she could scream the all too familiar pull of apparating took over. Hermione opened her eyes. Severus was holding her against his chest; his face buried in her hair. They were in his house. His bedroom.
"Let me go." She wiggled against him.
"As you wish." He let go. She fell to the floor.
She crawled towards the door. "Ow. Ow."
Hermione turned the knob and pulled. It wouldn't open. "Is there something wrong with the door?"
"No." He replied taking his finger off his forehead.
She tried again. "This is not funny. Open the door."
"No."
"Alohomora."
Nothing.
"Bombarda."
Nothing.
"Bombarda Maxima."
Nothing.
"Let me out."
He smiled, "No."
Hermione sat down next to the door. "Fine."
Severus chuckled, "I didn't expect you to give up so easily."
She didn't reply.
"Oh, I see. We are playing the silent game." He walked over to her and sat down, placing his wand on the floor. "I can wait as long as you can."
What was he doing? Was he going to hold her prisoner here? What the fuck was his problem? Then she got an idea. Hermione smiled, crawling into his lap. "You like playing games, don't you?" She straddled him.
Severus swallowed, confused, "Um…"
Hermione brushed her lips along his jaw. "You smell good."
Suddenly, he forgot how to breathe. "What are-?"
"Shh..." She grinded against him, "I want to play…"
"Hermione, don't-"
Her lips found his ear and nibbled on them. Her hips circled deliciously over his lap. His hands instinctively grabbed her buns and pulled her center against his cock. He threw his head back, moaning and closing his eyes.
She reached down and grabbed his wand, whispering a binding spell. Severus's eyes shot opened, shocked. He tried to wiggle free, but it was no use. "Hermione, let me go."
She laughed, "No. I don't think so. If you want to a play game, then a game we shall play." She took a small vial out of her pocket, "Draco gave me this. A present…" She shook it in his face, "Do you know what it is?"
Severus eyed the vial, instantly recognizing the clear liquid. "Veritaserum. How very unoriginal. What do you intend to do with that?"
"Get some honest answers of course," she unscrewed the lid, "but just to be fair," she poured the whole vial into her mouth and kissed him, slipping half into his. "There, that didn't hurt at all, did it?" She remained seated in his lap. "This was a last resort, but seeing as how you so enjoy drastic measures."
Severus smirked, swallowing. "What is it that you want to know?"
She ran her finger tips across his jaw and down his neck, stopping at the collar of his shirt. "Everything, but first, what do you want from me?"
Severus groaned. The room was on fire. His head felt like it was going to explode. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. The Veritaserum was working faster than usual. Damn bastard must have spiked it, adding a few drops of a lust potion he guessed. "I...I…want you."
She smiled applying more pressure against his cock. "Is that so?" Hermione unbuttoned the first button of his shirt. "Which part of me?"
He squirmed under her, "All of you. Please. Unbind me."
She giggled, undoing two more buttons, "You look uncomfortable."
"Hermione, please…I can't…please." His body bucked under her, he needed more, wanted more. He needed to touch her. "Please."
She smiled, undoing the last button; opening his shirt. Her nails raked thin white lines down his chest, stopping to pinch his erect nipples. "Would you want me if I weren't a Veela? Would you want me… if you weren't forced to?"
He nodded quickly. His voice had become hoarse, "Yes, yes. I've always wanted you. Always. Please release my hands. I want to touch you."
Hermione whispered against his ear, "You want to fuck to me?"
He nodded again, sounding desperate, "Yes. Let me touch you."
She grabbed his nipple and pulled hard, "Have you ever fucked me before?"
He nodded, "Yes."
Hermione stood. "When?" Her tone had changed.
"Every night." He squirmed.
"You raped me every night?" She had his wand pointed to his chest.
"No. Never. I…I meant in my head. I made love to you every night, in my dreams." He thrust against the invisible bindings. He needed to touch her. It was too much. He couldn't fight it anymore, "We…we did other things…but never that. Please."
"What other things?"
" …like that night…the night I came to you….."
She took a step backwards. "We had oral sex?"
He nodded, "Yes...please come closer. Don't…don't walk away from me."
She stared at him. He wasn't lying. He never penetrated her.
"It hurts to need someone so badly, doesn't it?"
"Ask me. Ask me Hermione. I cannot lie. Just ask." He screamed against the binds.
She knew what he meant. He wanted her to ask… if he loved her. She had avoided the question. She was afraid of the answer. Even if he said yes, it wasn't enough anymore. She pointed his wand at the door, "Alohomora." The door swung open.
He started screaming, "No! What are you doing?"
"I want you to know what it feels like to be me…to be in love with someone like you." She closed her eyes and kissed him, whispering through tears, "I love you, all of you. Not because I don't have a choice, but because I always have."
Hermione opened her eyes, meeting his. She smiled seeing the tears roll down his cheeks, "I didn't want you to suffer having to love me. I tried to stay away…to hide this curse, but it is stronger than I am. I'm sorry." She stood up and left. The binds released him. He ran to the door, but she was already gone. The only thing she left was his wand...
