CHAPTER 12

The bathroom door blasted open creating an explosion that rivaled Hermione's scream. Wand extended, Harry stormed through the splinters and dust created by his blast and charged into the bathroom.

Startled, Hermione was torn from her nightmare, spilling bath water onto the tiled floor. Her nightmare ended but her screams wouldn't stop. Caught between sleep and wakefulness, she was shaken to her very core and was both confused and terrified. Her body was quaking, jostled back into reality by a frantic Harry, who held her with his two strong arms and relentlessly shook her.

Vulnerable, she stared at Harry, too shocked to speak. She was cold, wet, and scared. She didn't know how long she lay in the tub, but the water was cold and she was trembling. As she stared at Harry, she saw his frantic appearance. His grave concern for her was evident in his eyes. And she reacted physically. She held onto her stomach as pain attacked her. Defenseless and unable to scream, Hermione cried.

"Hermione?" he asked with trepidation. "Please don't cry. Tell me what's wrong?"

She met his gaze but responded only with sobs. She was finding it difficult to control herself. She knew her nightmare was just a dream, caused by her stress, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong with her.

"It's okay, darling. I'm here and you're safe," Harry said soothingly. As he sat on the edge of the tub, he reached out and pulled her wet hair out from across her face, smiling down at her encouragingly. She couldn't help but smile in return. She loved him. Hermione's sobs ebbed, as she responded to Harry's calming tone.

"Hermione, what happened?"

"Sorry, Harry, I must look a fright!" she said warily.

"Well, no more than usual," he jibbed and she slapped him playfully, splashing more water onto the floor.

"I had a nightmare, strange one really."

"As much as I like having a naked woman in my tub, I think you should get out of there, you look frightfully cold," he said as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Hermione looked down at herself and realized all the bubbles were gone and she was completely exposed to him. Yes, her nipples were a clear indication of how cold she was.

Hermione didn't hide herself from Harry as he helped her into his comfortable bathrobe. She tied the sash and turned toward him and realized that the time for a serious discussion had arrived.

Harry guided her through the rubble and into his bedroom, just on the other side of the destroyed door. He sat her on the edge of his bed and joined her. For a long while, neither one spoke but only stared at the wreckage Harry left behind. Hermione enjoyed the quiet comfort. Harry apparently knew that what she had to say was serious, and he didn't push her. He waited patiently for her to be ready to tell her tale.

"I left Remus." It was a simple straight forward statement. There seemed to be nothing more to say.

"My home is your home." Thankfully, Harry didn't need more. He was a true friend.

"But if I live here wouldn't I be interfering with your love life?"

"You are my love life."

"That's pretty sad, Harry Potter."

"Don't I know it." A few moments passed, each allowing the quiet to provide comfort. It was both soothing and reassuring. Each only needing the other's presence to provide succor and ease the distress.

"Harry?"

"Huh?"

"I'm confused," she said while pointing to the debris, "Couldn't you just use Alohamora?"

"That would've been too easy."

"Of course, and much less macho."

"Definitely, and I'm nothing if not macho."

"Definitely," she sarcastically agreed. "So, what happened to your guest bedroom and where am I going to sleep?"

"It was a nice guest bedroom, but what was the point when I didn't have any guests? Plus, the pinball machine is much more entertaining." He reached out and grabbed her hand. Smirking, he brought his lips to the back of her hand and gave it an open mouth kiss. It was exciting and disgusting all in one. "And you will be sleeping here, in my bed."

"But Harry, where will you sleep?"

"Here, in my bed."

"You'll not get in my knickers again, Harry Potter!"

"You're not wearing knickers, Hermione Lupin," Harry teased as he fingered her robe, sliding it aside to get a peak at her breasts.

"Okay," she said as she moved away from him, "I think it's time that I put on some clothes. I'll be back."

"I never have any luck." She heard him mutter as she walked away to retrieve her clothes. She couldn't conceal the smile that graced her lips. Harry was funny and he made her happy.

xxxxxx

"Hmmm, oh Harry, this is wonderful!"

"Yes, I know, I do it good don't I?"

"You are so full of yourself!"

"Now, you are full of me."

"Huh?"

"No matter, keep eating your lunch. I just thought it would've been nice if it were true."

"Weren't you dating… um, um, sorry, but I seem to have forgotten her name. You know, the brunette with all the teeth."

"Sarah, yes, well, she liked to bite and little Harry began to get very nervous around her."

"Little Harry?" she laughed so hard that her drink threatened to make an appearance through her nose. She pinched her nose tightly, encouraging her body to control itself. "Seriously, Harry. I do not want to be in your way. Maybe we should create a system or something so that when you want to have the flat to yourself you'll just send me a signal or an Owl or something."

"It's not important, Hermione. There is no one in my life now, but yes, I promise to create a system with you if it will make you more comfortable."

She smiled and continued eating. She was concerned that living with Harry would interfere in his life. She didn't want to be a burden on anyone. However, she believed him. She would not be bothering him. Quite the opposite, frankly. He seemed to enjoy having her with him and she enjoyed being there.

"What about your love life?" Harry asked as he cleaned up the kitchen.

"I have none," she said and moved to help him. "I am determined to take my time to think about Remus and Severus. I need to be away from them both in order to really consider my options. They both want me, Harry. But I don't know what iI /iwant.

"I love them both, in my own way. Remus is my husband but he hasn't acted like a proper husband should. Last night when I came home, Harry, he was frightening and I restrained him and ran away. I... I went to Severus' and spent the rest of the night there. But before coming here, I returned to my chambers and I overheard Remus speaking with Ron."

"Ron?" Harry asked surprised. "What was Ron doing there?"

"I don't know, Harry, but I heard Remus telling Ron how much he loved me and how he regretted everything."

"Wait, you said Remus was frightening. I want to hear more about that."

"He was angry and it looked like he was about to lunge at me. I didn't take any chances and I bound him and left him there."

"Bound?"

"Ahuh. Although, I returned several hours later and released him and, well, he cried…. Harry, he cried!"

"What did you do?"

"What did I do? What could I do, Harry? I hugged him and we were almost intimate when Severus came barging in to save me! I don't know if he was saving me from me, from Remus, or saving me for himself!"

"He barged in?"

"Like my very own hero!" she snickered. "If I wasn't so confused, I'd be completely turned on by that!"

"What's going on with you and Severus?" Harry always seemed jealous of Severus. Although, he wasn't jealous of Remus and she didn't know why. Regardless, he was doing his best to be partial. That's all she could ask for.

"Nothing is going on that shouldn't, Harry. Well, we did a bit of kissing earlier today but that's it I promise!" she avowed and attempted to pinky-swear with him, but he waved her pinky away.

"Severus loves me and wants to marry me but he's already had his opportunity and ruined it. He's promised me he's changed and I believe him." Harry entwined his fingers with her and led her toward the living room. Although she hadn't had any alcohol since last night, she felt drunk. Dizzy and weary from emotional exertion. She didn't want to think about this anymore.

"Maybe I can take your mind off of both of them," Harry whispered suggestively into her ear and… nibbled.

She turned toward him and smiled adoringly. She had great affection for him, but her life was already complicated enough without adding him to the mix… again.

"Harry, I know that this is my decision, but what do you think I should do?"

He apparently realized the seriousness of her question because he moved back a reasonable distance and asked, "Are you scared of Severus?"

"No, of course not!" she answered, taken aback by his absurd question.

"Then you have your answer."

xxxxxxx

IT twitched.

Severus rolled over on the crisp cotton sheets, but the ache increased.

Blood that IT was draining from his body, mainly from his head if his increasing lightheadedness was any indicator, engorged ITs eager, yearning flesh.

Suggestive synapses played their part. Images of what IT wanted swam in the dizzying pit of his addled mind.

IT desired.

IT would have.

IT was angry that it could not be sated.

He smelled his pillow but all trace of her was gone. He wanted to talk to her, tell her anything, everything, but when he opened his mouth he faltered, remembering his solitude.

IT was sordid and depraved in its method, but IT was right. He wanted her, they wanted her.

"Hermione!" he grunted as turned over and lay on his front, straddling his pillow.

Ready, IT pointed magnetic North. IT didn't know she wasn't there because Severus wanted to believe so badly that she was.

IT was convinced. And IT was so excited IT never noticed Severus' hand grasping IT firmly. Nor did IT mention the strokes IT made in his palm, not her sweet, warm, pussy. As sweet as honey. So wet, so ready. Every time. Three times a day. On his bed. On the floor. On her hands and knees. Crying out. Grinding her hips against his.

With a grunt, IT came. Severus milked his pleasure over the pillowcase, imagined he could smell the musk of her hot, quivering sex. His sweating forehead leaned down onto the headboard and his eyes closed in defeat.

IT needed to be sated. IT needed the woman, the only woman, that could make IT happy. It was a hard taskmaster, but IT knew what was best for them both.

It must be obeyed.

A/N: IT's back! You just gotta love IT! Thanks for your awesome reviews! You all rock! Much love to my beta and friend, Wartcap.