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Music is my Muse:
Song for this Chapter: Never Enough; Loren Allred (The Greatest Showman Soundtrack)
Lyric of Choice: Take my hand will you share this with me, because darling without you... all the stars we steal from the night sky, will never be enough.

"Well, obviously Remus we are having tea with Kings and needed you to do a vow for him. Shall I conjure you a chair or are you going to stand there all night?"

Remus shook his head and sent off his Patronus to Tonks. She had to see this; there was no way a pensive memory would do this justice.

Riddle This

Chapter 34
Never Enough

Hermione slipped into the room and shut the door throwing up her own wards as fast as she could. She turned and smiled at the sleepy wizard who was blinking at her through the dark.

"Hermione!"

She set the lamp on the dresser to low so she could see as she rushed over to a still sleepy Draco.

"I missed you," she said as she made it to the bed.

He sat up and stopped her from climbing in with him his face full of confusion and worry, "what are you doing here? Is everything okay?"

Hermione sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed, realising that her idea of quickly distracting him was not going to play out. "Yes, I am fine."

Draco nodded having looked her over and hugged her to him tightly. "Merlin, I missed you too. Your father is doing his best to keep me away from you," he pulled away and studied her frowning. "Which begs the question; how did you get in here and away from him?"

Hermione snorted. "I can take down his wards."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I am sure you can. But what has him so distracted that you got away with it tonight?"

Hermione fidgeted. "Well, Harry and I went to see Kingsley, so father and everyone is meeting with him at the moment. Nagini tipped me off that I could make a break for your room."

She watched Draco go pale and his arms cut into her shoulders. "What? You did what with Kingsley? What were you thinking? He tried to kill you! Do you have any idea how horrifying that was to watch? You were alone with him?"

Hermione quickly started backpedalling as fast as she could. "No! Draco calm down. Harry was with me."

Draco gave her a disgusted look and shook his head. "He was with you last time, and that didn't stop you from trying to be a damn hero and almost dying."

Hermione had to work not to curse her fiancé. "Don't be a prat. Now will you listen to me about this or should I leave?"

That threat worked like a charm, Draco let out a long sigh and gave a tight nod.

"Harry and I went to see Kingsley tonight. We had a long chat, and after hearing everything we had to say, he has agreed to help us."

"Us, who?"

Hermione shrugged. "Harry, I suppose. Me, indirectly. He spoke with Remus and Tonks after speaking to us and saw all the pensive memories we have. They were comparing notes on Dumbledore and talking about who they think might also be under compulsion charms or willing to listen to our story when we left. Professor Snape arrived and threw us out to head to bed; we met everyone else as we came back up. They were all on their way down."

Draco sat staring at her for a moment before he blinked once, twice, and then said softly. "Wait? What?"

Hermione grinned. "Kingsley is helping us. I don't know if he will fight with us, and he has no idea about my father being the Dark Lord, and Lucius wasn't with them, but your mother was as was her sister. Did you know Kingsley dated your mother in their fourth year? Tonks was teasing him about that. Apparently he also had his eye on Lady Krum at some time or another, obviously, that means Lord Krum is not his biggest fan. I think he might have given your father a run for his money from the stories they were telling."

Draco blinked at her in confusion. "Wait so is the real Lord Krum down there or your father transfigured into Lord Krum?"

"The latter, of course. Father wouldn't miss this meeting. He trusts Kingsley about as much as you do. It helps that he doesn't have to pretend to like him either, seeing as Lord Krum and Kingsley fought over Lady Krum."

Draco stared at her a moment before he shook his head his face still troubled. "Hermione, are you sure we can trust him?"

"No, not really. But, Kingsley was Dumbledore's right-hand man, even if he doesn't fight with us, he has a lot of information I am sure we can use."

Draco let go of her shoulders and shook his head wiping a hand down his face as shock filtered in his beautiful eyes. "Wow, Merlin, that is incredible."

Hermione grinned. "Right? So, needless to say, father is distracted, Harry is pleased, Nagini is making sure no one bothers us, so I snuck into your room. Now, do you want to talk some more or can you get on with snogging me?"

Draco gave his signature smirk and scooted over, pulling her into the bed with him. "Snogging, huh?"

Hermione sighed as she cuddled into him under the thick covers and waved her wand, so the lamp dimmed even more. "Well, I wouldn't mind more than snogging."

Draco snorted. "I would like to live to see my next birthday."

Hermione groaned. "Draco! We are of age. We are engaged. He can't do anything."

Draco pulled her on top of him and kissed her nose. "Actually, love, he can do rather a lot."

Hermione pouted but then sighed when he just stared back at her not moving to kiss her. "Draco, please."

"Hermione, you almost bleed to death. I am fine snogging you, but I don't know if we should do any more than that right now. I don't think you understand how fucking worried I am. I have nightmares. You. Almost. Died."

He was breathing heavily as he finished speaking and Hermione felt her heart speed up as she looked at him, really looked at him. Draco looked exhausted. He had dark circles under his eyes, his lips were chapped, his hair was a mess, and he had a wild look in his eyes she had never seen before.

"Draco," she said reaching up to push his too long hair out of his face. "I had no idea you were so upset."

He gave her an angry grunt and wrapped his arms around her. "Of course you didn't. You are one brilliant witch, but you can be rather dense sometimes."

Hermione stiffened before she reluctantly agreed with him and settled back into his arms letting out a long sigh. "Fair. Although, I am not dense per say, just busy; and I am really sorry. I wish you had said something before. I don't like that you are upset."

"I don't like that you almost died," he countered in a hard tone.

Hermione closed her eyes and petted his chest. "Well, it happened, and I can't change that."

He was quiet for a moment before he started rubbing circles on her lower back. "Hermione, if anything happened to you. I- I don't know what I would do. I love you. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I want to have children with you, grow old together… I- I saw that almost disappear before my eyes. All my dreams, my hopes, could have ended at that moment. I never imagined my life would be what it is now- what it is because of you. I wouldn't make it without you, Hermione."

Hermione sat up so she could look at him and blinked back tears. "Oh, Draco. I love you too, so very much. I can't imagine a life without you either. I-I want everything you do. But, we are in a war, Draco. Please don't make me sit on the sidelines; I couldn't live with myself."

He hugged her to him and buried his head in her neck. "No, I don't want you to be on the sidelines; but if you could not act like you are invincible, that would be very helpful."

Hermione shivered and nodded. "If you could stop acting like I am going to break, that would be helpful too."

Suddenly she was flipped over onto her back and looking up into stormy desire filled grey eyes.

"Sometimes you are a total shrew!"

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and gave a small smile. "I know," she said running her hands through the hair at the base of his neck. "But, I love you."

Draco groaned and dropped his forehead to hers. "I love you too."

"So? Snogging?"

Draco tangled his hands in her hair. "For a little bit, then you go back to your room and get some sleep."

Hermione kissed him and shook her head. "I am staying here. I have nightmares too. We can hold each other."

This caused a low moan and for her fiancé to start shaking. "I couldn't sleep next to you and not ravish you, and regardless of what you say, your father is the bloody Dark Lord, Hermione. He can break through any wards we put up and is absolutely a mood killer."

Hermione snorted out a small laugh as she kissed along his jaw. "Fine, half hour of snogging and I will run off to my bed like a good little witch."

Draco let out a relieved breath. "Half hour," he mumbled between drugging kisses as his hands moved down to palm her breasts through her shirt.

"Right," Hermione said arching into his hands and yanking at his pyjama shirt. She just wanted to feel his skin on hers.

What neither of them counted on were hormones. Logic and hormones were like oil and water. Once Hermione got Draco's shirt off, she started yanking off his pyjama bottoms. Once he pulled off her shirt, he took off her bra. As she shimmied out of her bottoms and knickers, he was taking off his shorts. Soon, snogging wasn't easing the ache. A few whimpers, rather a lot of moaning, and about thirty seconds of begging had Draco not caring if they stopped at all.

Hermione for her part registered this was probably a bad idea, but as soon as his mouth settled over her core, she was lost.

It wasn't her fault though; Draco did something with his tongue that should be outlawed. Then he was kissing her again and rubbing himself in her slick folds, and she was coming down from her second orgasm, and she arched just right-

"Damn, how are you so perfect," Draco panted as he settled into her slick warm heat.

Hermione moaned and scratched her nails down his back. "Move, please."

Draco obliged her, and she lost focus as the sensation of him moving inside of her seemed to chase everything out of her head but him. His smell, his warmth, his amazing kisses.

"Hermione, please don't ever try to die on me again."

Her eyes blinked open, and she hazily focused on her lover as he moved in her at an increased pace. His face was full of a tenderness that had her catching her breath. Slowly she cupped his face and nodded before she was lost in a sea of lust again.

Draco watched her as her face contorted with pleasure; he was trying to make sure he didn't hurt her. That she didn't get too tired. It would be easier if he weren't half sure he would die from how amazing she felt. Nothing compared with making love to Hermione. It was a spiritual experience. She was a fucking goddess. He paused as she let out a low moan and dropped his head onto her chest.

"Damn, if you moan like that I won't last."

"I'm going to come, Draco."

Draco sped up. "Okay, screw lasting."

"No, screw me."

He smirked into her collar bone and then groaned as she started tightening around him. "Fuck!"

"We are," was whispered in his ear as she bit his earlobe and he lost it.

Three thrusts later he was slamming into her and having one of the most intense orgasms of his life.

Breathing heavily, he rolled over with her and reached for his wand so he could perform a contraceptive charm as well as a cleansing charm. Although he hated to have to leave her to do that. He waved his wand and redressed them before he cleaned the sheets and cleared the air. Call him paranoid, but he would bet all of his gold in his vault that if her father or his showed up to a room reeking of sex and them naked together, it would be about as pretty as one of that half giant's blast ended things from school.

Hermione, for her part, seemed oblivious as she burrowed her face into his chest and left open mouth kisses on the skin she could find. She was still trembling, and Draco did his best to try and calm her down.

"You okay?"

"Mmm, tired."

"You should go back to your room."

She let out a stuttering sigh. "No, comfortable, just sleep a bit."

Draco bit his lip and then pulled her closer waving his wand at the light on the dresser. "Well, let's hope everyone is too busy to go looking for you."

"Yes, busy."

Draco grinned as she started snoring. He would wake up before dawn and send her on her way. And, if worse came to worse, he would take whatever anyone dished out as punishment. Holding her was probably worth death anyways.

OoOoOoOoO

Tom Riddle sat back in his chair and stared at the pensive on his desk. He had set up memories of the meeting with Kingsley so that Lucius could be caught up and also so that he could review what they had learned.

Rubbing his fingers along his bottom lip, Tom looked up at the faces around him. "Although informative, he gave us nothing we can use in a trial."

Lucius nodded his eyes swirling with contempt. "I don't trust him."

Tom inclined his head. "Nor do I."

Remus Lupin was pacing. "He is too smart not to figure out you are Hermione's father and I don't see him working with you in any way. He might give us more information, but he will never fight beside Lord Voldemort."

Tonks snorted. "Can you blame him? I have no idea why I am helping him," she gestured at Tom and scowled.

Tom raised an eyebrow. "I am not perfect, but please do not allow yourself the delusion that you, Kingsley, or Albus Dumbledore are either."

Narcissa spoke up now, her voice soft. "Both sides have made mistakes. We can all agree there."

Andromeda Tonks wrapped her arms around her middle and closed her eyes. "We need to focus on what is going on right now, daughter. Right now, Albus Dumbledore is trying to send a young wizard off to die and trying to murder a young witch. I can't overlook that."

Tonks glared at her mother before deflating. "No, either can I."

Andromeda shook her head confusion showing in her eyes. "Why is he so set on forcing Harry Potter to try and kill Lord Voldemort? Who made this prophecy about Harry?"

"Sybil did, Dora," Severus said his voice hard. "The only one she has ever made to my knowledge- sober or not."

Narcissa shook her head. "The prophecy has been filled though. Lord Voldemort was vanquished. He gave the boy the power to talk to snakes and marked him with that scar. Once I had heard the full prophecy it was rather obvious," she turned to Severus. "Did you not try to speak to him about this?"

Severus snorted his face showing his contempt. "He never allowed me to hear the full prophecy. I know it because Hermione knew it. Revealing that I knew would have probably resulted in my death."

Remus nodded, still pacing- his wolf was restless. "He was very secretive about it. As far as I know, he only ever told Harry. Did he know Harry would tell Hermione and Ronald?"

Severus shrugged. "I am sure he did. At the time he had many fantasies about the three of them forming a 'golden trio' of light. Granted, he hoped they would die in the fight, but it would have made excellent publicity. That was before the curse of course, and he started planning for his untimely death."

Lucius waved his hand in the air his tone annoyed. "He cannot die."

Remus stopped as he turned to look at Lucius. "No, he can not," turning to Severus his voice was urgent. "Was he trying to get you to murder his body do you think? I refuse to believe he is not aware he has a Horcrux. So, what would he gain from you killing him?"

Severus frowned as he stood up and started to pace. "I- I am ashamed to admit I had not thought of that."

Narcissa spoke up, "he would make Severus into a murderer," she supplied helpfully.

Severus grimaced as Lucius nodded. "True. The order would have never forgiven you."

Tonks was staring at the wall her face confused. "I don't really understand Horcruxes, I will admit, but perhaps his body is failing him, and he simply wants a new one. It's the soul that is split and therefore can not die, not the body."

Narcissa looked over at Tom. "My Lord, the spell you used to regain your body, would he know of it?"

Tom sat back his face carefully blank as his mind raced. Bones of his father, blood of his enemy, flesh of the servant willingly given. Harry would have told the old crackpot exactly what had happened in the graveyard.

"Potter would have told him the spell, yes."

Andromeda made a small snort and then sighed. "What was the curse on Dumbledore from the ring doing to his body? And has it been mitigated by the amputation?"

Severus spoke up, "it was decaying his flesh. My understanding was it would be mitigated by amputation. However, that was when the curse was new, not after it had been working in his body for such a prolonged amount of time."

Tonks gagged and then pulled Remus down when he paced near her, she rubbed his back trying to calm him. "He is vain, Dumbledore," she said thoughtfully as she soothed Remus.

Remus snorted and looked over at Severus who nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, he is vain."

Tom stood up. "Severus, you told me shortly after he was cursed that he sought the opinion of another?"

Severus grew thoughtful before he nodded slowly. "Yes, he did. A Dark Arts Master from Spain. Perhaps we should look for this wizard."

Lucius nodded. "Do you think he went to see Master Zendar?"

Remus grunted. "Only Dark Arts master I know from Spain."

Tom rubbed his hands together. "He is indeed the only Master of the Dark Arts in Spain. He also is an associate of mine."

"Will he speak with you, my Lord?" Lucius asked his face troubled.

Tom looked up and smiled at Lucius. "Oh, yes. I will leave at once. I think until we know more about Dumbledore's motives in meeting with Master Zendar we should hold off on any further baiting of the man. I wish for Hermione to finish her schooling and feel strongly we should let the legal proceedings play out in England. It is clear he is going to wiggle out of everything we throw at him, however, the court of public opinion may be different."

Narcissa stood up her eyes calculated. "I don't think he is stupid enough to try and kidnap anyone again and he has lost most of his Order. I agree with our Lord. We should let him stew for a bit."

Tonks stood up pulling Remus with her. "Not our Lord," she sneered but shrugged, "However, it is a good plan."

Remus grimaced and rolled his eyes. "I think between Narcissa, Andromeda, Lady Krum, and Tonks we can keep Kingsley talking until you arrive back from Spain."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, he does so love the witches."

Tonks giggled as Lucius glared at his wife who rushed out with her sister smirking.

"And what of the Weasley family?" Lucius asked not looking away from the door.

Tom sighed pinching his nose. "We will be sending them back to England for trial as their government has petitioned us to do. Kingsley is held here due to injuring Hermione. However, it would be politically unwise to also keep the Weasley's here."

Severus nodded before sighing. "I agree my Lord. I will work with Lord Krum on the arrangements."

Tonks glared for a moment before she hissed in frustration. "They will probably be let off you know. Dumbledore might be losing popular opinion with the public, but he still has all the sway in the ministry."

Remus shook his head his face angry. "It will have to be something we just deal with. I agree that continuing to hold them here will just bring us the attention we don't wish for right now. They are a sacred twenty-eight family and Ginny is still underage."

Tom waved his hand. "I am neither forgiving their actions or forgetting them. Believe me when I say they will regret the day they threatened my daughter."

Tonks flinched but nodded and left leaving Remus standing there with a puckered brow before he sighed and followed her out.

"They don't like revenge as much as you do, my Lord," Severus said dryly.

Tom rolled his eyes. "Justice, Severus."

Severus smirked and turned to leave.

"Lucius, stay."

Lucius stiffened and turned around moving back to his seat. "My Lord?"

Tom waited until the door had closed and then warded it. "You will find that my daughter has snuck into your sons' bed tonight. When they wake tomorrow, you will inform them that they will cease carnal pursuits until they have sat for their N.E.W.T's. Draco will leave to study with his friends from Slytherin, and my daughter will stay here with Mr Potter. Is that understood?"

Lucius went pale and nodded. "It will be as you say, my Lord."

Tom wiped a hand down his face suddenly weary. He would rather be facing a thousand Dementors over having this conversation. "When my daughter protests- and we both know she will- please remind her that her mother was on two forms of magical contraceptive when she conceived. Also, remind my wayward daughter that her mother had already achieved her N.E.W.T's at that time."

Lucius gave a quick nod and stood up. "Draco will be made to understand, my Lord."

Tom sighed. "Good. Try not to be too hard on him. He, after all, did not seek her out tonight. That is why he is being moved. My daughter seems to have very little willpower where your son is concerned and absolutely no foresight into the consequences of her actions."

Lucius allowed a small smirk to grace his mouth before he swept out of the room. He didn't look forward to the conversation tomorrow with his goddaughter and son. Shoulders hunched he headed to his bed. Narcissa would be scandalised if she knew about any of this, he was going to have to come up with a believable reason for removing Draco from the castle.

As Lucius climbed into bed, his wife snuggled into him and let out a long sigh. "Hermione is in bed with our son. Did our Lord have a plan to ensure that they will not continue such actions until after a time they have sat their exams?"

Lucius looked down at her in shock. "He- yes, Draco is to be moved to Russia with his fellow Slytherin's."

Narcissa yawned and nodded. "Perfect. I will have a long talk with Hermione tomorrow. She is far too Gryffindor to think none of us would notice that she breached our son's wards tonight and she needs to understand that contraceptive is not foolproof, even with magic. Her own mother was using the potion and charm when she fell pregnant with Hermione. Magic always wins out in the end. She should be focused on her school right now." She patted her husbands' chest. "You deal with our son, and I will make sure Hermione is kept busy. I think we shall have them married next Spring or early Summer. A June wedding, perhaps?"

Lucius allowed a smile to grace his face as he cuddled his wife into his chest. "Yes, dear, whatever you think is best. I will leave her in your capable hands."

Thank Merlin he had married such a capable woman. He slept the peace of a godfather very happy not to have to deal with an angry teenage witch the next day.

Author's Note:

*Before you get too upset at the impending separation... have some faith in Hermione bloody Granger, please.*

I have rewritten this chapter for about a month now and simply am going to call it good. I have never struggled to write as much as I am the last few months. I can't say for sure it is this story, as across the board I am simply failing at hearing my own muse. After a lot of soul searching I think I am suffering from depression. This seems to have been confirmed by my low Vit D levels. So, I am working through this new reality of simply having no desire to do much of anything and beg your indulgence as I continue through this story. I also wish to thank you for your support and love for this tale. I was so honoured and stunned that Riddle This made it to the finals in the Grangers Enchanted Awards for Best Dark Hermione.

I have thought about what might be going on with my slow updates and I think it is time to ask for some help. An alpha would be appreciated, someone who is familiar with the story. So, if anyone is interested please let me know. I am suffering from some brain fog and I don't want to mess things up. :)

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the chapter. I have to start physical therapy again and hopefully, I will be able to respond to reviews. I loved doing that before.

Cheers,

Cjean

Up Next:
The lovers are separated and Hermione does what she does best. If you said research, you win a prize!