Hermione stirred and squirmed in the cream colored sheets with a giant yawn as she stretched in her silky slip. Her hair was wiry and wild against the pillows as she proactively decided to wake up.
"Would you like some tea in bed? I can request for Yachy to bring some," Vincent rumbled as his rough fingers ran down her spine.
How many days has it been of holding the smitten werewolf off? She lost count. "Zelda said she needed help with Damien," Hermione hummed.
Vincent groaned and moved closer to the witch. "No, not yet, printsessa. Stay with me," he huffed as he nuzzled her revealed skin.
She sighed and swayed her head. "I have duties," Hermione murmured.
"Enchantress," Vincent said as his hand ran over her abdomen.
Hermione maneuvered with grace and precision as she pinned him to the bed, straddling him. "Vincent, you aren't going to do this today," she growled, holding his wrists in her hands.
He snarled with a smirk and reversed the embrace, placing her wrists in one hand while stroking her cheek with the other. "I could, and you wouldn't disagree," he reminded her.
Hermione's cheeks were aflame as she sneered at him. "Not very noble of you."
"Just once, printsessa," he implored; his Russian nickname for her was going to get old.
The animagus knew she was pushing her limits. Kindness was only dished out to the deserving, and she would soon fall out of grace if she didn't give him something. A morsel to cling to… Gone were the days of politely holding the witch at a distance, Vincent was growing comfortable with how tight he held her bindings of freedom. Hermione reminded herself of the personality traits she picked up from the alpha and used them as needed. This time she would have to play her hand gingerly. "Well, how about we play a game?" She inquired as her torso pushed toward his form.
"I enjoy a pleasant intrigue," he mused with a playful expression.
Hermione nuzzled his neck while fighting his restraint. "You let me socialize, and I will grant you permission to indulge your artistic nature later," she murmured before tracing his jawline with her tongue.
He shuddered in the slightest as his hips pressed toward her scantly guarded center. "A sketching of my own delight?" He mumbled as his fingertips sought her neck.
Hermione sounded agreement as her teeth touched his stubbled jawline. "Yes, however, you would like to draw me."
She knew she had his attention long before her bait. His secured limb only grew against her. It was a game, and Hermione was learning how to play it well over the last week. Vincent was an alpha in his own right but indulged deeply on the chase. He loved the hunt and not giving him his prize was an even larger gratifying gesture than her succumbing to what seemed like the inevitable. The heat at her center despite her situation was an announcement of it alone.
"I will enjoy that immeasurably," He grumbled and shifted her further to the bed.
Vincent nipped and suckled at the flesh around her neck as a hand slipped under her clothing. Explorative, dominant, and claiming, but he knew she would not be his. Hermione could feel it through his fingers and their covetous actions that he could not brand her as his own until she agreed. The animagus would hoard the very few cards she had to play with until all was lost and she was alone.
The promise in her mind caused her to regain a hold on the moment. She fell out of the lust tinted emotion and jerked at his hand tracing her knickers. "Vincent, I must get up."
He pulled away from her and rocked his head as he sat on the bed. "I know."
Hermione crawled to her end of his bed and exhaled slightly as she sat there. His hands ran over her shoulders once he appeared next to her. "I understand, limitations are very distinct, Hermione," Vincent whispered as he kneaded her skin.
"I miss them," she murmured.
"My darling girl, I wish you wouldn't pine. After next full moon, we can get you prepared for what's to come. A few months to spring and then we can have a try at your own," Vincent said with a smirk.
Hermione tucked her face behind her hair as she sighed. "You know I can't."
"Can't yet, Hermione. Lycanthropy works wonders against poisons."
She glanced over at his indigo eyes. "How do you know about that?"
Vincent shrugged his shoulders. "There would be no other reason that an alpha female wouldn't be a viable child bearer."
The rules were different here than in her most recent exposure to female werewolves. Zelda, Vera, Galina, and Anna all were the females of the pack. Zelda had Damien four years ago, and he had yet to show signs of lycanthropy, but the odds were against every pairing. She would not have another one; the pregnancy was too rough. Vera was not interested in male partners and therefore opted against it vigorously. Galina and her companion hadn't had any themselves, and Anna was still young and youthful, only being seventeen-years-old.
He didn't speak as he kissed her temple. "There is a large chance it wouldn't take," she reminded him.
"A chance you wouldn't desire to take?" He questioned. They were at this level of their… relationship?
Hermione frowned and huffed. "I don't know."
"Alright," he responded.
The animagus glanced over at him and noted his peaceful expression. He smelt content with her reception. "And if I don't want to?"
"Then we won't. I just want you at my side, printsessa," Vincent murmured as he stroked her neck.
Hermione stood up and paced toward the wardrobe, but the thump on the ground behind her drew her attention. Vincent had climbed to the floor and laid on the plush rug below with a pout. "Hermione, don't leave me yet," He finished as he rolled on his back with a crooked smile.
The witch giggled at the very abnormal and dysfunctional behavior. He was charming. Dashing and intelligent… the best parts of Remus and Sirius. Her mind babysat her to her relief in reminding her of the companions waiting for her. She bent down and kissed his forehead before returning her task at hand; avoiding his courting behavior. Hermione wasn't confident how long she could keep the randy werewolf at bay, but she would try.
Draco was holding his coat closer to his body as he entered the tavern. The snow had fallen the night before, leaving the air still crisp and rough on his lungs. The pub was warm, inviting and seeing familiar faces relieved him immensely. Looking around for werewolves was harder than he thought.
Remus waved him over and handed him a pint as he sat down. "Any luck? I doubted we would run into anyone, but it was worth a try."
Draco shrugged and sighed as he took in the pensive expression of the redheaded Potter. "Ginerva, please don't look at me like that. I did sincerely check the shops."
"I know Draco, but it's going on the end of two weeks. We need to find her," Ginny murmured, forking some of her food.
"Now, Smith said he sends his letters to the inn. We might have a run in if we're lucky," Sirius piped in with a motion of agreement.
"How are the others doing?" Harry asked as Remus glanced down at the parchment.
Remus hemmed after sipping his tea. "The twins are managing the store well, with Lily's help. James has been there almost every day from open to close. I think by the end of all of this, they will likely insist on continuing their work, despite what Hermione says."
"Good, very good," Ginny murmured.
"Have we talked about what we're going to do when we find Zacharias?" Draco questioned with an arched eyebrow.
Remus's stare turned dark as his teeth shown through his parted lips. "I will make it clear that unless he wants us to haul his arse back to London for the abduction and placed in Azkaban for being unregistered and biting someone… he will do as we say," he growled lowly.
"We might be walking into a hoard of them, Moony," Sirius reminded him.
"Which is why we're staying behind with one of these," Harry said and placed an old Dumbledore's Army coin on the table.
Remus held up the other one and smirked. "Any sign and I'll give it a rub. Being on holiday and getting captured are grounds for Kingsley to step in if needed."
"I just hope she's alright. Who knows what that, that, monster is doing!" Ginny snapped with a glare.
The werewolves at the table cringed, and Sirius snorted. "Ginny, love, be careful, they're touchy."
They turned to a calmer conversation as they ate their lunches. It was difficult to think that they had only two more days until they needed to return to England. Just forty-eight hours. It was hard even to imagine going home without their little animagus arm in arm.
"Another load today?" The barkeep questioned, drawing the attention of the werewolves.
The smell was more evident as they glanced in the direction of the counter. "Yes, well, potions for a village as they say," the cloaked man murmured as he patted the bar.
The older man poured him a pint and hemmed. "What's this noise about? You have received several letters from England," he responded and placed a bundle of envelopes down.
"Probably the minister nosing about in my business. My father is likely complaining about said minister nosing about in his," the stranger responded.
It was then that Remus identified the man, along with Draco. They gave each other a mirrored expression and drank deeply from their cups. The culprit in the flesh. It was almost too easy, and Sirius picked up on the cues of the wolves swiftly.
"Just be careful. Your master won't take too kindly to you getting mixed up with that. He invests in my town, and I refuse to let anyone damage that," the innkeeper warned with a narrowed gaze.
Remus gestured subtly for them to return to dropping their interest and forked up some of his food. The only two that seemed oblivious of the werewolf standing at the bar were the Potters. However, Harry noted the stiffened motions of the others and swigged from his mug. It was on. Where ever their target was, he was within reach of the werewolves.
Zacharias finished his polite conversation with the older man and wandered over to the girl playing the piano in the corner. He flirted as she sat away from the keys and let the magical instrument keep its tune. Draco watched from the corner of his eye as he scarfed his lunch. They wouldn't move on him in the pub; it was too obvious. They would snag him before he made for the exit point.
It didn't take long. He was being shot down by the young witch in the most polite way. The werewolf smelt of rejection and angst as he set his mug down and moved to the entrance. Remus nodded and left some coin on the table before standing, the others following suit. Harry and Ginny just motioned approval as they pursued the young werewolf. Only one shot at this.
Sirius formed into a dog once they were outside and raced after the cloaked stranger in the avenue. Remus tucked his coat tighter to himself as they nearly jogged after the dog, following Zacharias beyond the town limits. He would duck behind something to disapparate. Sirius sprinted after him and launched himself behind the beaten up building.
A yell and scuffle were heard as the werewolves closed into the location. When they rounded the corner, they saw Sirius grappling with Zach on the ground, reaching for his wand. "Get the fuck off me!" He hissed and attempted to punch the animagus in the face.
"Stop," Draco ordered, pulling out his wand. "Unless you want to receive worse than a dog bite."
"Malfoy?" Zacharias questioned as he jerked to the direction of the voice.
Draco smirked and shifted his weight. "Didn't think we were going to find you out here, Smith?"
Remus exhaled as he held up his wand. "Stand up, boy. I haven't the patience in this weather," he grumbled.
Sirius crawled off the werewolf and snagged his wand off the snow. "Well, well, well. So glad we found you, boy," he snickered as he straightened his jacket.
Zacharias' eyes grew, and he scrambled off the ground. "Listen, I was trying to protect her," he attempted.
"No, that isn't going to bear weight. She's been captive for weeks," Remus growled.
"Here's the thing, we don't give two fucks about your royal pack, we just want our girl back," Sirius spat.
The blond shook his head with a scowl. "I can't help you there. I'll surely be exiled if I bring you to the castle."
Draco paced forward and stuck his wand right under Zach's nose. "Don't think I won't hex you for all the trespasses you have done to my son and me. I owe you a great deal of pain!" Draco shouted with his teeth bared.
Zacharias held up his hands and gulped. "I just," he paused when Remus' posture changed. "Okay, alright. I'll take you there, but I can't guarantee your safety."
"You let me worry about my pack," Remus said with a nod. "Starting with my she-wolf."
"Okay," Zach murmured with a nod. "I just wanted her safe, professor. I never meant for this strife."
Draco snarled and flicked his wand away from the blond. "What I wouldn't give to torture you to bits."
"Whether he's lying about his intentions matters little, Draco. What matters is we get to her," Remus reminded him as they dropped their defensive posture.
Zacharias exhaled and bobbed his head. "We'll apparate, but I can't promise you safe passage after."
"You do this, and we're even, Smith. I just want her back," Draco conceded with a nod.
They all gripped the werewolf and popped from existence; to where the Marauders and Malfoy hadn't a clue. At least they were one step closer to seeing her again.