The next morning came too quickly for Hermione who was snuggled comfortably under the softest sheets. For a moment she'd forgotten where she was, but memories of last night came rushing to greet her. The club, the confrontation, the admissions and the exquisite pleasure of what came after. Hermione never knew she could feel so sated, so content...but here in this moment she sighed in bliss, feeling a strong arm tighten and pull her back into the warm heavenly body of Julian Sark.

"Morning my love," whispered Julian into her ear, nibbling on it and making Hermione squirm pushing her bum back into Julian's erection.

"Hmmmmm, it is morning and you're still here." Hermione replied cheekily, waking up a bit more and purposefully arching herself into the man behind her, making her desires clear.

Julian smirked into Mia's neck and soon the hand that was holding her waist lowered to much warmer and wetter territory as he fondled her expertly. His other hand grasped a full breast, twisting and tweaking until Hermione was bucking back into him, desperate and wanting. She arched her head back onto Julian's shoulder and whispered his name in a husky pleading tone which just caused the smug git to dip two fingers between her folds while he continued with his ministrations.

Hermione was all sensation, and she was moaning and pleading with Julian for relief but he seemed just fine with teasing her relentlessly, working her into a frenzy and then just before her release he'd stop and start again. This went on for what seemed like forever, and Hermione was getting frustrated much to Julian's amusement. In a move he didn't see coming, Hermione waved her hand and Julian was lying on his back with her on top of him, looking down at him with a smug smirk on her face. Smirking up at his beautiful Mia, Julian chastened, "Not fair love."

Hermione giggled and shrugged her shoulders, biting her lip mischievously. "Who said I fight fair?"

She then starting rubbing her dripping center over Julian's erection and the friction was exquisite. Julian gripped her hips and watched his Mia as she kept sliding up and down his body, working his hardness against her folds but not taking him inside her. "Take me inside my Mia." Hermione looked at Julian and he thought he could see uncertainty behind her amber eyes. Blinking, he realized that perhaps his Mia wasn't quite as experienced as he thought.

Blushing profusely Hermione sighed, "I've never had sex this way."

Julian's eyes widened momentarily, but he quickly reigned in his baser instincts. "Do you wish to try it?" He inquired softly. At Hermione's shy nod, Julian gripped his hands on his Mia's waist and pushed them up into a sitting position with her straddling him. He showed her how to grip him and then helped her position him properly. When the tip of him was inserted inside her, he gently guided her body, slowly lowering her onto him. He watched in utter fascination at the look of pleasured pain on her face. She was glorious and fearless as she moved up and down on him carefully, gripping his shoulders and keeping eye contact with him. Suddenly she dropped her body so that they were completely joined, throwing her head back and moaning in abandon.

"Julian," Mia whispered brokenly, "Please." She begged.

Utilizing every ounce of control he was famous for, Julian Sark gripped his Mia's hips and helped her adjust to the fullness overwhelming her. She was shaking from head to toe and her eyes were closed, head back and mouth open moaning in desperation. He pushed her hips up and then helped her slide back down. The nails gripping into his shoulders would surely draw blood and the thought made Julian that much harder.

No one could ever say that Hermione Granger wasn't a fast learner. Once Julian showed her how to move on top of him and once she adjusted to being so utterly and completely stretched open, Hermione took over, bouncing up and down on Julian's cock with abandon. Nails clenching on his shoulders, she opened her eyes and looked down where they were joined and moaned in such pleasure it caused the man inside her to grip her arse cheeks hard. She moved forward and kissed him passionately, which he returned with equal ardor. Breathing each other in and out while their lower bodies were doing a dance older than time itself. Hermione could feel her stomach clenching and that desperate feeling building up inside her. When Julian pulled her arse cheeks apart and put pressure on her back hole she slammed down, threw her head back and screamed his name in euphoria.

Julian Sark had been with his fair share of women, but none had ever made him feel as nearly whole and compete as he did balls deep inside his Mia. Once she realized the control was hers to take, she did so with fearless abandon and he realized he was most likely the first man to ever see her in such a state. He could well imagine his Mia living her life with the same control he did, never allowing or giving away too much. But right in this moment all her walls were down, as were his and he felt humbled and honored to bear witness to such beauty. When he pressed on her tiny rosette, he was floored at the reaction it invoked. His Mia slammed her hips down on him screaming out his name on a broken sob and forcing his own completion out of him. No woman had ever managed to do so, but he couldn't stop his bodies reaction. The feel, scent and sight of her losing complete control in that moment was more than he could take and he came harder than he ever had before in his life groaning out his Mia's name like a prayer.

Hermione's head fell forward onto Julian's shoulder and she buried her head into his neck quietly sobbing at the emotions that were so overwhelming. Their bodies were still joined, but Hermione was shaking with the release of adrenaline and endorphins. Julian gathered her closer to him and wrapped a blanket around her, whispering soothing words and telling her how amazing she was.

When her breathing returned to normal Hermione just stayed cocooned in Julian's arms, breathing in his delicious scent, which calmed her racing heart. After a moment she felt Julian pull back slightly, taking his hand and guiding Hermione's face so he could look at her fully. She shyly raised her amber gaze to his electric blue and bit her lip. "That was..." Hermione stuttered and Julian finished, "utterly amazing." Hermione looked contemplative and Julian smiled at seeing her mind work over what she wanted to ask him, it really was adorable. "Is it usually like that for you?"

Julian titled his head considering what she was asking. "Hmmmm," he smirked wickedly cupping his chin with his hand, causing Hermione to snarl and smack his shoulder in irritation. Julian laughed at his Mia's display and slowly shook his head. "I'm just teasing my love, but to answer your question, no it is never like that. At least...it hasn't been until you."

"Oh!" Hermione replied stunned and then smiled widely. "Well then...that is good I suppose."

Julian just shook his head chuckling at his Mia's innocence. Even after everything she had been through, she still had this natural innocence that just drew him in. Julian didn't even think she did in consciously, it just was an innate part of whom she fundamentally was.

Gently pulling Mia up, he slid out of her groaning at the loss. Getting to his knees he scooped Mia up into his arms and headed for the shower. She just laid her head on his shoulder and sighed in contentment as he walked across the room and into the bathroom. Setting her down, he turned on the water and once it was at temperature, guided her into the spray. He spent his time washing her thoroughly in between kisses and when her stomach grumbled in hunger she blushed furiously, which caused him to laugh and get out of the shower to get food ready for them both.

Hermione just stood under the spray, washing her hair and going back over the last twelve hours. How was she ever going to explain Julian to her friends, to her brother? Did they even have a relationship? Julian said he was fine with whatever she could give him, but Hermione didn't know what would happen after she returned to England in little over a month. All she knew was he had opened up to her in a way that no one had ever done before and she was awed by him in more ways than one. Stepping out of the shower she wandlessly 'accioed' her beaded bag to her, finished her ablutions and pulled out a fresh pair of clothes to wear. Taking her wand in hand, she dried her hair, place refreshing charms and walked out to see what Julian had conjured for them to eat.

When she entered the kitchen, Julian looked her over and raised a brow questioningly. Hermione just shrugged and showed him her beaded bag, which he looked at with confusion. Smirking, she placed her arm in the opening all the way to her shoulder and then back out. Julian walked over and put his hand into it, but that was it. He turned it inside out, and there was nothing. When he handed it back to Hermione she placed her hand back inside and pulled out a book and set it on the table. It was a copy of Jane Eyre. Julian picked up the book, looked through it and set it back down on the table. When Hermione put the book bag in her bag, Julian just shook his head in amazement.

"That is one amazing magic trick." He smirked, causing Hermione to giggle.

"I suppose you could call it that. It's really an undetectable extension charm, with a featherweight charm for easy handling. I'd imagine Dung must have told you about my year on the run?" Julian's face darkened but he nodded. "This bag was our lifeline. Tent, food, books, clothes...we lived out of it for an entire year. I don't go anywhere without it, ever."

Nodding, Julian silently thought how handy that bag must've been. Her time on the run...they never did finish their talk last night. "Yes, the man you call Dung did tell me about that. He'd mentioned quite a few things actually. Some stories were almost unbelievable."

Hermione smirked. She could just imagine what Julian was referring to. "Yes, well I suppose it's not everyday that you find out that dragons are real."

Julian chuckled in agreement. "Or that the beautiful woman you can't seem to get out of your mind, managed to ride on the back of one after breaking into and out of an unbreakable bank."

Hermione blushed prettily. "Hmmmm," she mumbled uncomfortably, "What else did he manage to share?"

Tilting his head at his Mia, Julian grabbed the plates of eggs, toast and fruit and placed them on the table, gesturing for Mia to sit and join him. "He mentioned your friend Harry Potter," Mia growled and Julian just chuckled at how loyal she seemed to be. "He showed me copies of your newspaper. There was one that had a picture that looked like it was taken on the grounds of some castle, you were bloodied and standing with two boys, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley." Watching her face closely, Mia scowled at the mention of Ron. "He told me about how your parents died, finding out about being adopted and your real family. He also mentioned being captured and tortured during the war."

Hermione nodded sadly, lowering her eyes on her food. She took a bite of her eggs and chewed them thoughtfully before taking a sip of tea. Her eyes raised at the quality of the blend and nodded to Julian. "This is excellent tea."

Julian smiled knowingly. "Now whose trying to change the subject?"

Hermione laughed and shook her head at the blonde Adonis. "I'm not...not really...I just haven't talked about it, or thought about that time in so long."

"If it hurts you to speak of it, say no more. I don't want you to feel you have to share anything painful Mia."

"No, you already know quite a bit of it, and I suppose hearing the rest of the story matters little at this point. Yes, there was a war and I'd imagine Mundungus told you what we were looking for while on the run?"

Nodding again, Julian answered, "He mentioned something about horcruxes and a person called Voldemort. Said they were pieces of his soul."

"Yes, it is considered very dark magic. Voldemort made seven of them." At this confession, Julian raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Two had been destroyed before Harry, Ron and I were forced to go into hiding. One in our second year, and another in our sixth year. We had no idea what these objects could possibly be and had no idea how to destroy them. We did have a clue on one however, and eventually found it some months later, but still had no way to destroy it, so we took turns wearing it. The evil in it is hard to explain. It feeds on your worst fears and insecurities. For Harry it would taunt him about how he was responsible for everyone dying around him, for Ronald it would feed into his insecurities about not being good enough. For me it is was a combination of things. Guilt for obliviating my parents, fear of abandonment..." Hermione shook her head, trying to clear it of the memories. Julian watching her struggle, reached for her hand across the table and caressed it, giving her an encouraging nod. "When I'd realized how to destroy the horcrux, it was the final straw that broke Ron. We didn't have the necessary item, and had no way of knowing where it was. Ron lost it and accused Harry and I of...well of having a relationship behind his back. Harry is like a brother to me, and my friendship with Ronald had always been a bit complicated. But Ronald became angry and abandoned us. Harry and I were left on our own, with no idea what the next horcrux was and no idea how to get the item we needed to destroy the one we had. It was another two months before we were able to locate the item, a magical sword that was impregnated with basilisk venom, to destroy the horcrux we had. That was how Ronald came back. After that we were captured by snatchers. They were wizards who worked for Voldemort, trying to locate Harry, Ron and I and any other witches or wizards who were trying to hide. Many of those who were born with Muggle parents were heavily targeted."

Julian nodded, "Like you."

Hermione nodded and sighed. "I was 'undesirable No. 2' most wanted after Harry. When we were captured I was able to hit Harry with a spell that changed his appearance, making him nearly unrecognizable. Unfortunately I wasn't, and since I was seen as a mudblood at the time, I was the one chosen to extract information from."

Julian's jaw clenched and he had to use every ounce of his training not to violently react to hearing how his Mia had been tortured. "Dung told me this Mia. You don't have to talk about it." Julian consoled as he gently caressed her hand.

Hermione vehemently shook her head. "No, I think it's time I talked about this. I can't with Harry, even though he was there, he and Ronald had been taken to the dungeons at the Manor we were held in. They only heard my screams."

"And that was when the woman Bellatrix tortured you?"

Hermione looked up with haunted eyes and nodded. "She had seen the magical object we had in our possession, the one we used to destroy the horcrux. For some reason she thought it was supposed to be in her vault at a bank that is used in our world. She used the 'cruciatis' curse, or torture curse on me. She kept asking me how we got into her vault and what else we took. I told her the item we had was a fake, even though I knew it was real."

"You lied under torture, that is most impressive Mia."

"It sure didn't feel that way. When she couldn't break me with magic, she used a cursed blade and cut into my skin."

Julian's eyes widened and he growled angrily causing Hermione to look up at him in concern. "This woman, Bellatrix, is she dead?" Hermione nodded. "That is good." He stated fiercely.

"Ronald's mother Molly killed her in the final battle."

Julian looked thoughtful for a moment and then asked quietly. "I don't understand Mia, I've never seen a scar on you, and I'd like to think I've seen all of you quite thoroughly." He smirked which caused Hermione to giggle and smile and his impudence. Sighing and waving her hand, the glamours dropped and Julian could see a raised scar at her neckline, like a knife had been dragged across it. When Mia turned over her arm and Julian's eyes widened at the raised wording that was crudely carved there. Lifting her arm, he saw the word in its entirety. 'Mudblood'. Bloody fucking hell, he would kill every last one of the bastards who had anything to do with this. Looking up into his Mia's eyes she was watching him closely for any sign of revulsion, but all Julian did was lift the arm and kiss each letter in turn, never breaking eye contact. A single tear escaped from Hermione's eye and she quickly wiped it away. Julian stood up and crossed over to Hermione and lifted her up in his arms and walked holding her, back to their bedroom.

"No more today my Mia. I know you are strong, but I think we need to take a break and concentrate on something much more pleasant."

Hermione smiled, appreciating Julian's thoughtfulness and caring. When they got to their room, Julian began to undress Hermione, who had forgotten that by dropping the glamour spell, all her scars would be revealed. Julian took off her shirt and saw the purple scar running from her shoulder down between her breasts to her hip and he groaned in anguish. Hermione tried to cover herself, but Julian was having none of it. He grabbed Hermione's face and gazed deeply into her eyes saying, "Don't ever hide these from me again. You are perfection, so beautiful my love. These scars are proof of your resilience and bravery. They make you even more beautiful in my eyes."

Tears fell down Hermione's cheeks as Julian kissed every scar on her body with adoration. He whispered words of worship and made love to her as if she was the most precious, beautiful woman in the world. When they were finally joined, their eyes locked, neither looking away. The intensity of the moment became too much for both of them, causing them to climax simultaneously. In the aftermath Julian just kissed his Mia over and over again, not bothering to remove himself from her. He rolled her with him on their sides, still buried within her and the two lovers fell asleep joined in blissful contentment.