A/N: I'm so excited to have so many new followers! I know that this fic was pretty slow on the uptake, but I'm really hoping to finish it soon. This chapter was REALLY hard to write. I honestly think I would rather get a root canal than have to write it again. It's about twice as long as the others, but it is full of information and action.
TRIGGER WARNING: Fans, there is an almost-rape scene in this chapter. Though it is not fully perpetrated, there was no way I would ever post this without a warning first. If you would like to know what happens but feel you cannot read this chapter due to triggers PLEASE PM ME. I will gladly work to produce a trigger-free copy without losing plot. It isn't until the very end and you will see the warning signs so, if you would like to stop and PM me for the ending I will give it to you, sans details. Please R&R! Enjoy!
Hermione passed the day with Draco in the library with only a short break for lunch. Draco summoned a House Elf to bring them a picnic basket to the Astronomy Tower. Hogwarts was most beautiful just before autumn fell across the grounds. They finally forced themselves apart for dinner. Their relationship would be spectacle enough in the coming weeks; they didn't see a need to expedite the process.
Entering separately to keep the rumor mill quiet, Hermione and Draco walked into the Great Hall minutes apart with Draco taking the lead. As Hermione entered her eyes went directly to the Head Table where she found George already partaking in his meal. He met her gaze with a smile and winked at her.
God I missed her. I'll take the late arrival of her and Draco to mean they talked…neither of them seem devastated so I'll take that to mean it went over well. Merlin's beard this is strange, now I'm involved with not one but TWO students here. Ah, well, it's probably best to not make Minerva abreast of that part.
Hermione took a seat at the Gryffindor table next to Ginny, far down from Ron. He looked less than pleased, to say the least.
"Looks like Ron's good mood hasn't carried from breakfast, eh?" whispered Hermione to Ginny.
"Right? He went plain nutters when you didn't show up at lunch. I told him you had probably gotten too caught up in finishing one of the new text books and lost track of time. And now he's just sitting and glaring at everything. Strange bloke, my brother."
As dinner ended Hermione went to head George off and ask him to talk later.
"Georgie! Are you busy tonight?" she said with a smile.
"I was planning on finishing up the Charms textbooks so I can give the first and second years reading assignments on Monday. And then I have to do lesson plans…shh, don't tell Minerva I don't have those yet."
"Well, could you make time for me?" Hermione whispered.
George cocked and eyebrow and the familiar mischievous glint appeared in his eye. "Darling, I can find all the time in the world for you, especially if that time involves you in that skirt…."
Hermione playfully slapped his arm. "George, REALLY? We are in the Great Hall for Merlin's sake."
"I'll owl you when I get a bit more done, love. Should I send it to the library or your tower?"
"I honestly don't know…let's assume the common room. I have a conversation to wrap up and then I'll most likely be back in Gryffindor Tower."
After exiting the Hall together Hermione gave George a swift kiss on the lips and headed back to the library. Draco was already at their table.
"Draco, I have something for you…" said Hermione, digging in her bag as she sat down.
He waited patiently as she pulled out a quill and put it on the table in front of him. Draco sat and just stared at the quill, unsure as to why she was giving it to him.
"Well, take it then, go on," she urged.
Picking it up, he noticed that it had a beautiful gold inscription on a cherry wood stem with a golden feather at the top. Looking up at Hermione he saw she was holding one just like his, but with a dark green wood stem that bore a silver inscription and feather.
"Thanks, lovely, but I don't understand why I get the Gryffindor one…" he said, clearly puzzled.
"Draco, the inscription is a spell. Anytime you write with that quill it will cause mine to glow and then the message will appear when I put my quill to parchment. The same will happen if I write something with mine."
"So, what I'm getting is that I shouldn't write a ten foot essay with this pen," said Draco, clearly smirking.
"Of course that's what you come back with. Here, watch."
Hermione pulled the parchment she had laid on the table closer to her and began to write, not allowing anything to be visible to Draco. As soon as she signed her initials the words disappeared from the parchment and Draco's quill began to glow with a muted gold light. Sliding the sheet across the table to him, he put his quill to the parchment, holding it lightly. It carried his hand across the surface as Hermione's neat script filled the top of his page.
It read:
My love,
This is for those times when life will keep us apart, from classes and meals in the Hall to anything more dire that might arise. Keep this close and I will be close. I am never more than a heartstring away, but now I needn't try to read your mind.
Ever yours,
Hermione.
Smiling broadly Draco put his quill into the pocket of his school robes and stood, taking Hermione's hand as he did, pulling her up with him.
"I do think you really are an angel. My angel. Or, really, our angel, if I'm going to go along with this whole threesome we've agreed upon. I assume you're telling George tonight? I saw you go to him before I left."
"Yes, I'm headed back to Gryffindor to wait on his owl. He's been slacking on his planning so he needs a little more time to prepare. But, I assure you, I'm only a thought away."
Draco tugged Hermione closer, moving one hand to her waist and another into her beautiful, tamed curls. "You've never been far from me, even if you were gallivanting all over Europe with the Golden Dweebs last year." And then he kissed her. After having spent all day with her, looking at her, feeling her presence and praying that he would finally be able to show her how much he loved her, he took the only chance he saw before she left for the evening. His hands held her flush with his body and he poured everything he had felt for her that day into her through her lips. As a groan escaped her throat Draco deepened the kiss, pulling her hips into him more. One of his legs slid between hers and he felt the damp heat that was coming from her core. His trousers began to feel tighter across his groin, and he realized he was going to have to stop this if he didn't want to try shagging her for the first time in a corner of the library.
Pulling away from the kiss he pulled her to his chest as they waited for their heart rates to drop.
"Draco," sighed Hermione "I can't…tonight. Not yet. I need some time to talk to George and settle into this arrangement before I…give myself to you for the first time or to him again. But, soon we can. I promise."
Draco nuzzled the top of her head with his cheek and whispered "I've waited this long, surely I can go a little longer. All in good time, angel."
They walked out of the library, hand in hand, and parted with sidelong glances a little ways past the door. Hermione, so dazed by her snog with Draco, didn't notice when Ron appeared in the corridor in front of her.
"Oi. Hermione. We need to talk."
"Oh, Ron, I'm sorry. My mind is with…it was somewhere else. What's on your mind?"
"Well, I want you to give me another chance, if I'm being honest. My brother isn't good enough for you. And I don't care what you have to say about it but I know you and that damned Death Eating Ferret are sneaking around behind his back. Clearly you're no better than how you perceived me. I see no reason for you not to give me another go, seeing as you're just as flawed as I am here."
Hermione was stunned. If you think I'm cheating on George, a better man than you, why the hell would you assume another go with you would work… Christ, he's dim.
"Look, Ron. Things are not as they seem with Draco and me, nor George and me. I'm being perfectly loyal to him. And, even if I wasn't…with all due respect this isn't about my flaws. Me ending things was about me not being happy with you and you cheating on me with Daphne. It wasn't just because you were fucking that slag behind my back. Look, it's over. I'm not interested in you like that, Ron. We're better off friends, I do think. Please, can we just settle this and move on? I hate feeling like this is hanging between us."
"You dumb whore. You're loyal to George? Really? You're full of shit and I'm not that dumb. I'm not done with this. I'm not done with you. I'll have you back, one way or another," he growled at her and stormed off into a passageway behind a tapestry.
Thoroughly shaken, Hermione hurried off to the Tower to seek refuge from that rather unsettling argument. The only other time she had been scared of Ronald Weasley was the night he stormed out of the tent and disappeared for months. She had a feeling this would not end as well as that had.
After an hour of re-reading Hogwarts, A History in the common room, George's owl, Wendell, appeared at a window. Opening the window and taking the roll of parchment attached to his leg, she read the short note:
Hermione, I feel I am in far over my head with all of this mess. Sadly, I don't think meeting tonight would be beneficial to me being a decent professor come Monday. I know that we would probably be busy all night long and I would never get back to work. ;) I am so sorry, precious. Please let me know how things with Draco went. All my love, George.
After the run-in with Ron in the corridor Hermione was slightly relieved to not have to leave again. She was also grateful that she didn't have to fend off George's advances this evening. Though he knew just how to push her buttons, Hermione felt she needed more even footing before she could engage in sexual relationships with both of her men. And carrying on one before starting the other was just cruel and unfair, especially since Draco could feel what was going on.
Turning the parchment over she replied:
Georgie,
I quite understand, I wish you luck wrapping that up. But, this is what you get for procrastinating, dearest. Things with Draco went well. He's not thrilled (granted, you aren't either I don't believe) but he is willing to do what it takes to make this work. I am a lucky woman to have two of the best men I've ever met as my own. I'm just a bit worried over how the…physical aspects are going to work. That will come in time, I suppose.
Also, I had a run in with Ronald earlier this evening. Your brother is an asshat, in case you were not formerly aware. Tell him to take a potion and back off, if you will. Missing you, 'Ne
Rolling up the parchment she attached it to Wendell's leg and sent him back to George.
Checking the clock she realized it was only 10:00 but, after the lack of sleep she got the previous night, Hermione decided to call it a day a tad early. After washing her face and changing into her pyjamas she pulled out some parchment and her enchanted quill. Might as well say good night to Draco, seeing as she had a way to.
Hey, handsome. I'm getting ready to go to sleep; didn't get much last night and today has been a long day. I had a run in with Ron after I left you earlier. Quite unsettling. Are you in your quarters? I wouldn't mind a quick chat before I throw in the towel. HG
A few minutes later her quill began to glow. Putting it to paper, Draco's note began to appear.
Forgive me, did you say you had a problem with that half-wit ginger weasel earlier? What the bloody hell did he do? Are you OK? I'll storm that fucking Tower and drag him out by the short and curlies and whip his arse if he hurt you in any way. And, yes, I'm available to chat with you. I'll make myself available anytime for you, perfect. xDM
Hermione replied quickly to assuage this worry.
Draco, breathe. He didn't touch me. Just scared the pumpkin juice out of me. He accused me of shagging you behind George's back and then demanded I get back together with him since, clearly, I'm "just as flawed as he is." He really isn't quick on the uptake, I know. I just wish he could come up with a better insult than calling me a whore or a slut. It's unoriginal. HG
Hermione felt intense rage moments after sending her message. Draco was not pleased…and this was not going to be pretty for Ron. Her quill glowed once more.
HE CALLED YOU WHAT?! I WILL FUCK HIS ENTIRE WORLD UP. HE WILL PAY. NO ONE TALKS TO MY HERMIONE LIKE THAT. NO FUCKING ONE. NOT EVER. I. WILL. END. HIM.
Are you sure you're ok, love? I'll come to you. I'll meet you somewhere. I want you to feel safe. Please, Salazar, tell me you're safe. I will find him tomorrow and explain to him how to treat a lady, MY lady, at that. He. I. Goddammit I'm furious.
But, I love you and being away from you because I end up in Azkaban isn't my idea of a good time. I suppose I'll leave him alive. Did you tell George he threatened you? But, really, are you safe? xDM
Hermione shook her head. This man was one ingredient short of any potion ever when it came to her. Note to self: don't tell Draco anything ever regarding another man hitting on me. Unless I want him dead or seriously injured.
Sweetheart, please calm down. I am safe. I feel safe, though I wager I'd always feel better in your arms. George is going to talk to him, I think. Please don't get yourself taken from me, I've only just gotten you. Also, remember to use inclusive phrases like "Our Hermione" and "Our lady". If I don't break the habit now you and George will be fighting for my honour and I just can't have that. I'm climbing in to bed now. Please write me in the morning. I'll be up early, even if it is Saturday. I love you, Draco. Always and forever. HG
Calm flooded through her and Hermione assumed Draco had read her message. Her quill glowed silver for the last time that night.
Don't tease me with thoughts of having you wrapped up in bed with me. It just isn't fair. I feel better every time you say you love me, no matter how furious or upset I am. You're a blessing. And, no matter who I'm…ugh…sharing you with, you're still mine. Just as you are also his, somehow. I'll see you tomorrow around lunch; I'm so exhausted that getting up before noon is highly unlikely. I can't wait to see your beautiful face tomorrow, whenever I do pull myself out of bed. Sweet dreams, angel. I love you. xDM
And, with that, Hermione fell into a deep sleep without the help of any potion. It had been a long time since she slept that soundly.
The next morning, she woke later than usual since she forgot to set an alarm with her wand.
"10:00am? Merlin's beard I overslept by almost two hours. That's ridiculous. I guess I needed it, though…" With that she rolled out of bed and made her way to the loo, praying there was enough hot water for a decently lengthy shower. She was lucky and managed to go for thirty minutes before the water began to chill. Rinsing the last of her conditioner out of her hair, she stepped from the shower and toweled off before wrapping herself in her bathrobe. Her body smelled ofwarm amber and her hair held the fragrance of vanilla. Since lunch didn't start until 12:30 she wasn't in a rush to get anywhere. After a drying spell and some more cream added to her hair, Hermione completed her simple makeup routine, grabbed her school bag, and decided to read outside until lunch. She had close to two hours to kill, after all.
Hermione savored the feeling of the sun on her skin as she walked the grounds to get to her favorite reading spot. There was a tree on the edge of the grounds by the lake that had the most plush and comfortable grass around the roots. It was perfect for studying or leisurely reading. As she walked, Hermione didn't notice that Ron was watching her from his broom as he floated above the turrets of the East wing of the castle. He had been trying to blow off steam when he spotted her.
This is exactly what I was hoping for. I'll show her what being with a Weasley should be like. I'll make sure she never forgets that she belongs to me, and me alone. I don't give a fuck what my prat of a brother or that Slytherin arsehole has to say about it. She was my woman before and she's about to be mine again.
As Ron slowly crept closer to Hermione in the air, unbeknownst to her, she pulled out her enchanted quill and scribbled a quick note to Draco.
Handsome, I'm sitting under my favorite tree and reading some before lunch. Come find me if you're up early enough. It's the one on the East side of the castle by the lake on the edge of the grounds. I feel sure you already knew that but specification never hurts. Can't wait to be near you again. HG
Ron waited until Hermione had become thoroughly absorbed in her book, ensuring that her wand was in her bag, before landing quietly several feet to her right. Sauntering over to where she sat, he stopped directly in front of her in a wide stance. She had no easy way of escape.
As his shadow fell over her she looked up to see Ron glowering and hovering over her. He was blocking all of her light and her way out from between the overgrown roots where she sat.
"Ron, do you need something? I'm trying to read. If you want to talk we can sit down after lunch with George. He'll help me…" Before could finish that sentence Ron had landed a swift kick into her stomach that knocked all of the wind out of her. She hunched, trying to catch her breath, but Ron grabbed her hair and threw her to the ground. He climbed on top of her as she lay on her stomach and pinned her hands to the ground over her head.
"I told you that you wouldn't get away with shaming me like this. You are my property. You belong to ME. AND I WILL NOT HAVE YOU WHORING YOURSELF OUT TO MY BROTHER OR MY ENEMY. I told you to come back to me. I warned you. But no, you had to traipse around in front of me with them, making me jealous. Making me angry. If you knew where you belonged I wouldn't have to show you. For the brightest witch of our age you are one stupid bitch."
As Ron spoke Hermione began to cry. Not even when she was being tortured in Draco's drawing room had she been this scared. She had expected horrid things out of them. But, this, this was her best friend. Her sob caught in her throat as one of Ron's hands released her arm and begin to caress her side, pausing to grope at the side of her breast.
Panic set in to her chest. No one was outside, no one would hear her scream. Ron was going to rape her and no one was around to stop him.
Meanwhile, in the dungeons
Draco sat bolt upright in bed. His heart was constricting. He felt panic, he felt terrified. He had only been… OH MY GOD. HERMIONE. SOMETHING IS WRONG. He rushed around trying to find clothing; he saw his quill glowing on his bedside table. Quickly he put it to parchment. Her message appeared:
Handsome, I'm sitting under my favorite tree and reading some before lunch. Come find me if you're up early enough. It's the one on the East side of the castle by the lake on the edge of the grounds. I feel sure you already knew that but specification never hurts. Can' t wait to be near you again. HG
Draco grabbed his wand and ran, with nothing but an undershirt and trousers on, out of the dungeons and to the front door. He burst through the doors, the sun blinding him, and ran as fast and hard as he could. He had to get to her. She was in danger.
Ron had Hermione on her back now. Her shirt and bra were shredded and he was kissing and biting her chest and breasts. With his legs firmly locking her arms to her side, and effectively pinning her to the ground, she had no way to escape. He reached a hand back and ran it up her inner thigh, past the hem of her skirt. Hermione fought the urge to vomit, and instead continued to sob and beg him to stop.
"Please, Ron, stop. Don't do this to me. You were my friend…"
He just gave her a nasty smile and repeated the same line, again. "You are mine. If you knew where you belonged then I wouldn't have to show you."
Ron began to move down her body, one hand already between Hermione's legs.
Please, god, make it stop. I'm scared. This hurts. Don't. That's when she felt it. Rage. Pure, unadulterated rage and fury. Then, she heard his voice.
"WEASLEYYYYYY!" Ron paused his path of destruction down Hermione's body to glance up. There, running full force toward him, was Draco.
"DIFFINDO!"
Ron was thrown from Hermione's shaking and half naked frame as blood began to seep out across his face, stomach, and over his groin, through his pants. Draco came to Hermione and wrapped his arms around her.
"Hermione, are you ok? How badly did he hurt you?" he asked. His heart was racing, his eyes were wide and he was clearly devastated.
"Draco. DRACO WATCH OUT."
Draco turned around to see Ron coming towards him. His wand laid smashed on the ground behind him from where he landed on it.
Draco leapt from Hermione's side and advanced toward Ron.
"YOU NO GOOD SON OF A BITCH. HOW DARE YOU TOUCH HER. HOW DARE YOU COME NEAR HER. HOW DARE YOU HURT HER. SHE DOESN'T WANT YOU, SHE DOESN'T LOVE YOU, AND YOU ARE A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING. I AM GOING TO KILL YOU."
"MALFOY, YOU HAVE NO ROOM TO TALK. THAT BINT BELONGS TO ME. SHE IS MINE. AND I WILL TAKE HER FROM YOU. SHE IS MY PROPERTY."
Draco tackled Weasley's bleeding, limping form and began to beat the ever living shit out of him. As Hermione stayed curled up and whimpering under the tree she heard cracks and the sound of breaking bones. The entire time Draco was yelling at Ron, telling him how much he hated him and how much he would hate his life for even thinking about touching Hermione. Ron's screams turned into whimpers as Draco's movements slowed. He got off the top of Ron and crept backward to where Hermione was cowering under the tree. He took his shirt off and gave it to her. After she put it on he wrapped one arm around her. With his wand hand he grasped his wand and pointed it toward Ron's unmoving body.
"Stupefy! That sorry piece of shit is lucky I didn't Avada him. Or kill him with my bare hands."
Hermione was shaking and sobbing violently into Draco's side. He held her and waited for her tears to stop for a moment. Finally, they slowed.
"Angel. My angel. Can you send your Patronus? Are you able to? I know McGonagall and George will recognize yours."
She nodded weakly, tears streaming down her face.
"Ex…expecto Patronum."
As her otter flew quickly, rather than dancing as it usually did, toward the castle, Draco pulled Hermione into his lap and held her there.
"Hermione. Oh, god, I am so sorry I wasn't here. I am so sorry I wasn't here sooner. I should have known after last night that you didn't need to be alone. I'm here. I love you. I'm here. It will be ok. We will get you through this. You are not alone. You will never be alone. I'm here, angel."
Draco continued to stroke Hermione's tangled hair and whisper into her ear. He heard the sound of running footsteps and then they stopped about two meters back.
"GODRIC'S SWORD! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MISTER WEASLEY?" cried the Headmistress.
George's voice carried soon after. "WHY THE BLOODY FUCK IS MY BROTHER ALMOST DEAD? WHO DID THIS?! WHY?!"
From between the overgrown roots of the tree came Hermione's voice, weak and broken.
"He tried to rape me. Almost did. Draco. Draco saved me."
And then everything went black.