Read. Enjoy. Review.
Shout out to Liidg for being an awesome beta and sounding board.
Happy V-day
(That's right double update)
Hermione arrived back at the tower and headed straight for her dorm. Lavender and Parvati were beginning their usual first night back ritual of gossiping into the wee hours of the morning. Fay Dunbar had been speaking with their other bunk mate about a quidditch match she attended over summer, falling asleep after a rousing recreation of the final minute of the match. Hermione walked over to her bed without a word and drew the curtains, casting a silencing charm. She took a calming breath and pulled out the vials Severus, no Professor Snape had given her and slipped them under her mattress. She then started to change. Pulling off her school robes and uniform and grabbing a night shirt and shorts, but didn't put them on right away. Slowly she rubbed her hand over her left shoulder. The skin there looked smooth like the rest. She had told everyone about the attack, but she never showed them the scars. Only three people had seen them, Severus, Remus, and Fleur. "They'll never go away." Remus had told her. He carried the scars of not only his attack, but also those he did to himself. A mark left by creature or magic stayed on your body no matter what. Harry was scared by magic, Remus by creature, like Severus was, like she now was. Shaking the thoughts from her head she pulled her shirt and shorts on and laid down hoping for a peaceful sleep.
She however would have no such luck.
As consciousness fell away her mind was able to focus on its favorite subject. Fleur. A sleepy smile spread across her face as she dreamt of their first night.
Hermione and Fleur apparated into the living room of Shell Cottage. The fire roared to life upon their arrival and cast a soft light on them. Fleur looked up into Hermione's face, better able to see her in this light. A small gasp escaped her as she took in the girl. Her jaw was no longer held the soft feminine line it once had, in fact none of her body resembled the girl she knew. She was now tall, muscular, her skin tone was darker, and harsh lines now defined her face. Through all this though Fleur could still see the girl from the great hall she had met a few years earlier. Sadness filled her as she looked at what had become of her.
"Do not pity me." Hermione said, once again holding the french girl close to her. "It is not as bad as it seems."
"But what happened?" Fleur asked as tears began to fall from her eyes.
"There was an attack, but I survived. I don't want to talk about it if it is upsetting you." She told the girl in her arms. Something in Fleur forced her to hold back further questions.
Lifting her hand up to Hermione's face she caressed her cheek and said, "If you do not wish to talk, then what is it you wish to do?"
Hermione looked down at her, lust flooded her vision and she pulled the veela to her kissing her deeply. Fleur wrapped her hands around Hermione's neck and pulled her as close as she could. Large hands roamed Fleur's body as the veela relished every second of it.
"Your room, or I will take you on the floor." Hermione growled out when they finally pulled apart. Fleur moaned at the sound of her voice.
"Upstairs, last room on the right."
Hermione wasted no time, quickly scooping the blond up in her arms and nearly sprinted up the steps. Fleur was nibbling on her neck the whole way up. Heightened senses meant Hermione could smell the lust growing in her mate and only drove her passion to further hightes.
On the way down the hall Hermione passed Bill's room. She paused for a second, a sudden anger growing inside her.
"He is nothing to me. You are all I need." Fleur said to her, pulling Hermione's attention back to her.
Slowly she climbed out of Hermione's arms and pulled out her wand. With one swift movement she stood naked in front of her mate.
"You are all I need." She said again.
A dull pain ached in Hermione's pelvis, but she was too enraptured by Fleur to pay it any attention. A low primal growl emitted from the back of her throat and once again she swept the veela into her arms and carried her to the last door at the end of the hall. Kicking it open she quickly found the bed and laid Fleur on it. Kissing and tasting the blondes body as her hands busied themselves tearing her clothes off. Fleur moaned and squirmed as Hermione licked nipped and kissed her chest and torso. Fleur let out a frustrated groan when she suddenly stopped.
"What is it mon amour?" Fleur asked raising up on her elbows to look at her mate.
Hermione stood and Fleur gasped.
" That's new." The witch quipped as she examined her new flesh.
"Has it not happened before?" Fleur asked.
"No."
"Perhaps it is because our magic has claimed us as mates." The veela theorized.
"Is that possible?" Hermione asked.
"It is very rare, but not completely unheard of."
Hermione didn't say anything more after that. The wolf had decided enough talk had been had for the night. Drawing her eyes up Fleur's body Hermione memorized all she could. Meeting her eyes Hermione watched as bright blue was enveloped in black. Hermione sensed a shift in the girl. One her wolf recognized. The veela had come to the surface.
"Please." Fleur breathe out.
Hermione couldn't hold back any longer and gave into instinct.
"Wake up Granger, we're gonna be late! Merlin even Ron is up and ready." Ginny's voice rocked Hermione back to consciousness. Letting go of a low growl she opened her eyes to glare at the young red head. Ginny smirked and stuck her tongue out at the girl before disappearing from her sight. "We'll be waiting in the common room." She heard her friend call out followed by the sound of a door shutting.
Letting out a groan of irritation Hermione through the blankets off herself and began to get ready for the day, taking care to drink one of the vials Snape had provided her. True to her words when Hermione made it down to the common room Ginny, Harry, and a very hungry Ron were the last ones left waiting.
"Took long enough." The ginger boy griped and lead the way to the great hall.
Hermione was in a foul mood until she entered the great hall and was hit by an immediate sense of fear. Looking around the room she was once again met with the sight of a terrified Malfoy. The memory of their prior interaction the night before caused a devilish smirk to slide across her face.
"'Mione." Harry's voice shook her out of the happy memory and brought her back to reality. He sent a worried look her way which she quickly brushed off. The four Gryffindors took their seats and began filling their plates. Ron's appetite had returned overnight and it was determined to make up its welcoming feast absence.
"Merlin Ron, give the house elves a break." Ginny said watching her brother attempt to set a world record for most food shoved in ones mouth without magical aid. He stopped for a second and made a noise that sounded like 'what?'
Harry just shook his head at the pair and turned his attention back to Hermione. She seemed better after the incident on the train, whatever potion Snape had supplied her with must have worked, still he could tell there was something bothering her. He was looking for a way to start up a conversation when McGonagall began handing out schedules.
"What did you get?" He asked looking over his own.
"Charms, Arithmancy, DADA, Care for magical creatures, Transfigurations, herbology, and Potions. What about you?"
"Charms, divinations, DADA, care for magical creatures, transfigurations, herbology, and potions."
"Same here." Ron said looking over his schedule.
"I don't know why you two continue wasting your time with divinations?" Hermione huffed, earning a glare from Lavander and Paverati who happened to be walking by.
"Because it's easy, all we have to do is make stuff up." Ron told her.
Hermione rolled her eyes and stood up, "If you'll excuse me I need to make a quick trip to the library." Ron rolled his eyes but kept his mouth shut.
"I'll walk with you." Harry said jumping to his feet and following Hermione out of the great hall.
On the way out he noticed her glance over to the Slytherin table and followed her gaze. He saw Malfoy nearly choke on his juice and turn away. Harry felt his heart drop and his anger rise. His worst fear was that Hermione would be found out and suffer the same treatment as Remus.
Waiting until they were in a deserted hall he asked. "Does Malfoy know?"
"Yes." Hermione said casting a muffilato around them.
"Merlin, has he said anything?" Harry asked, completely oblivious to the spell surrounding him. This worried Hermione now that she knew she wouldn't be training him until she could handle Damon during combat.
"If he wanted to make a fuss he would have by now." She reassured him.
"So why hasn't he?" Harry asked. It would be too easy to get Hermione expelled with some well-placed threats by Lucius.
"I don't know."
"If he starts harassing you I will hex him straight to St. Mungos." Harry said.
"Thanks Harry, but I don't think he'll be doing anything stupid after last night." She said with a sly grin.
"And what happened last night?" Harry asked knowing he is going to like what he's about to hear.
"He tried to corner me after my meeting with Dumbledore. He caught me alone on my way to the tower." Hermione started.
"The little prat!" Harry mumbled.
"Don't worry Harry, he was so scared of he actually dropped his wand." She told him in a bemused tone.
"Really?" Harry asked fighting back giggles.
"Yep. As a matter of fact I think I smelled a bit of piss as he ran to fetch his wand I tossed down the hall."
Harry nearly lost it, the only thing that stopped him in dropping to the floor laughing was the bell that signaled breakfast was over and the new school year had officially begun.
The two walked into charms with smiles on their faces and took their seats near a confused Ron.
The day went as expected. Hermione excelled in every subject, subtly helping Harry, Ron, and Nevile when they needed it. The tasks were painfully boring to the young witch. Over the summer she had far surpassed her year mates as well as school mates. Dumbledore had told her if she were to receive her N.E. she would do well, unfortunately taking them this early would draw great suspicion and they decided to wait until she was 'of age' before having her apply for early graduation.
The real shock came when potions class came around. It was the only class shared with Slytherin. As the students trickled in Hermione noticed a great rift immediately. The Slytherins, usually smug and mocking to their Gyrffindor year mates were largely ignoring them. Instead they focused on their head of house and kept their hand on their wands, like they were afraid. Most didn't notice but Hermione and Severus took this in with observant eyes. Turning her attention to her mentor she opened her mind.
'So how's your day going?'
'Fine, it seems my house was instructed by their parents to shun me.' He informed her.
'Were they also instructed to attack you if the opportunity presented itself?'
Her eyes flicked over to Milicent whose wand was trained on Severus.
'I doubt they would be that stupid.'
'Do you really?' She asked in a teasing tone.
'Remember self-preservation is a Slytherin trait and they all know even all attacking at once they could never take me.'
'Someone thinks highly of himself.'
With a smirk in his direction they ended their conversation. A flick of his wand slammed the door in Goyles face and he began the lesson.
Throughout the class the Slytherin stayed quiet, eyes trained on Snape except one pair. Draco once again found Hermione and focused on her. Harry and Severus became aware of this a few minutes into class. Hermione did her best to ignore the platinum blonde git, but Damon was quickly marking his target for the year.
Severus made it a point to stand in his way or walk by him forcing him to return his attention to the task at hand. As class ended he had one last comment for Hermione.
'Careful. I know he is your least favorite person, but he can still be saved.'
Hermione nodded and walked out with the rest of Gyrffindor.