A/N: Apologies for the wait for this chapter. Just a heads up for some readers…the last third of the chapter is a bit steamy (Once you reach Theo's perspective). Much Love! :)

Disclaimer: Characters and world belong to J.K Rowling. No copyright infringement is intended.

Into the Black

Chapter 35: Malfoy Manor – Part II

Hermione straightened out her dress as she looked at herself in the mirror. She, Theo and Regulus were about to floo to Malfoy Manor for dinner with Draco and Narcissa. Hermione was nervous, and rightfully so.

The last time, and only time she had been at the Manor she had been tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange. Aunty Bella, Hermione thought to herself dryly. She shivered at the thought of her psychotic relative and pulled on her thin jumper over her dress.

She had chosen a navy blue, V-neck, knee length dress that she had purchased a few summers previously, pairing it with black tights and ankle boots. She finished buttoning up her black jumper and began fiddling with her curls that she had piled up in a messy bun on the top of her head.

She couldn't put it off any longer, she needed to leave the safety of the loo. She needed to go to Malfoy Manor. Hermione didn't want to go – didn't want to set foot in that place, but understood it was important for her to do so. She understood it was part of her healing.

She was being petulant. She frowned at herself in the mirror before pulling the door open and heading towards Regulus and Theo waiting for her by the fireplace.

"Alright?" Regulus said to her in greeting. A worried expression on his face.

Hermione shook her head. "No…I really don't want to go there. But let's just get it over with, shall we? The sooner we show up, the sooner I can leave."

Regulus frowned and gave her a nod of his head as he grabbed a handful of floo powder, stepping into the fireplace. "Malfoy Manor!" he called out, disappearing in the green flames.

Theo squeezed Hermione tightly, trying to bring her some comfort. "She's dead, Hermione. No one at the Manor will hurt you."

Hermione nodded. "I know," she said as she took a single step closer to the pot of floo powder. "I understand that, I do. I just don't want to go there. To that place. I remember it being so cold. So lifeless. I don't want to go back."

"Narcissa has been able to renovate most of it. The dungeons, drawing room, and dining room are in the process of being completely changed."

"The place is…it should be a museum. A tourist attraction for muggle tourists who point at things on display and take loads of pictures, trying to build up a fairy tale for themselves. It's a castle…not a home." Hermione swallowed tightly as she finished her rant.

Theo's eyebrows were raised high on his forehead at her rudeness. "So…you don't want to go to Malfoy Manor for dinner because it's too…big? Too impersonal?" He looked over at Hermione. "Do you not care about what's happened there? I honestly thought you were dragging your feet because of Bellatrix, sweetheart. I didn't realise you were dragging your feet because the home of the Malfoy Family for the last few hundred years is not to your taste."

Hermione looked down at her feet, ashamed. "I am nervous…uncomfortable about what happened. I'm not going to lie. I just…" She didn't know what more to say.

"You just decided to pick apart their home?" Theo supplied to her. His eyes sad. "That's hardly fair to Draco and Narcissa…they saved your life. Yours and Harry's and Ron's. Luna, Dean, and Ollivander as well. They both went out of their way, risked their lives for all of you."

"I'm sorry," Hermione said quietly. She couldn't look at Theo, couldn't meet his gaze. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't know why I said that about the Manor."

Theo wrapped his arms around Hermione. Holding her close. "No one has judged you because of Grimmauld Place," he told her quietly. "Even though it is probably one of the darkest family homes in Britain."

Hermione nodded in agreement. "Molly…Mrs. Weasley used to pester Sirius about it when we were all hiding there the summer before our fifth year." She snorted, shaking her head. "It was like…even though he had been locked up in Azkaban for twelve years, falsely accused, on the run from the corrupt Ministry, trying to protect Harry – the fact that the house had a few questionable artifacts, and a few dark creatures scurrying about, was all Molly focused on. It was her proof that he was an awful godfather to Harry. It was all the proof she needed to convince herself that he wasn't a good person. Even though he fucking ran away when he was sixteen."

"But you're not Molly Weasley, are you? You're better than that." Theo grinned. "I mean…you talk to classmates outside of your house, outside of Gryffindor. I'm pretty sure Molly doesn't do that unless she is forced to. And she's been out of Hogwarts for a while." He peered down at her. "The fact that you are giving people outside of Gryffindor a chance…me, the Malfoy's, Pansy, Luna, Blaise…and even Regulus, tells me that you are better than that. It shows that you understand there is more to a person than their last name. That there is more to a person than the house where they grew up. Where they live."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry," she apologised once more.

Lips met her forehead. "I know. Let's go eat some food and spend some time with family and friends." Theo grinned at her as he reached into the pot of floo powder. "And if you are uncomfortable because of Bellatrix, if you are scared because of her – we will leave. No hesitation. Just say the words and we will come back here." He pulled her into the fireplace with him, wrapping his free arm around her body to hang onto her.

Hermione held him tightly and gave him a single nod. She was ready.

Theo threw the powder down. "Malfoy Manor!"

…

…

"Surprise!" Ginny greeted the couple as they tumbled out of the fireplace.

"What're you doing here?" Hermione asked as she began dusting off both her and Theo.

Ginny and Harry chuckled at her shock.

"We thought we'd surprise you, 'Mione," Harry said to her with a grin. "Narcissa invited us the other day. We couldn't pass it up."

"I invited Mr. Potter to show my appreciation for all he has done, Hermione dear." Narcissa stepped towards Hermione and greeted her with a kiss on both of her cheeks. "I informed him to bring Miss Weasley with him, I understand that the three of you are quite close and I wanted you to be comfortable while you are here."

"Oh…thank you. That's very kind of you." She didn't know what else to say. She was caught off guard by the presence of her friends. They hadn't mentioned anything to her at the Burrow a few days prior. She caught Theo's eyes and gave him a small smile.

He responded with another kiss to her forehead. "Alright?"

Hermione nodded shyly. "I'm good."

Theo grinned. His attention turned to Draco as he stepped into the room to greet his friend.

Regulus slipped into the room behind him.

Narcissa clapped her hands together. "It's time to eat. This way to the kitchen. I hope you don't mind that this is a casual affair – Draco and I really aren't comfortable eating in our dining room just yet. Too much history." She led the group through the manor and into a large kitchen with a small table. A pair of house elves were hovering by the stove. They had made a feast.

"Don't get any ideas, Black…they are paid and have days off." Draco sneered at her, trying to hide his grin.

Hermione huffed, amusement in her eyes. "No ideas. I promise."

The group dug into their meal. Salad for starters. Followed by a ham and scalloped potatoes. The group made small talk with each other – Narcissa curious about both Harry and Ginny's plans after they finished Hogwarts.

"I'm leaning towards being an auror actually," Harry admitted. "I needed some time to think about it more, and I think it's the job for me. I was talking with Remus and Tonks over the break and they agreed."

"Are your grades good enough?" Narcissa asked not unkindly.

"They are very good." Regulus cut in. "The professors are a bit surprised at the change. Not that you were failing out of anything Harry. They have just noticed the improvement."

Harry nodded in agreement. "It's different not having a raging lunatic living in my head, or having said raging lunatic attempting to kill me by year end." He frowned. "It'll feel odd not having something happen at the end of the school year I think."

Hermione nodded in agreement.

"And you, Miss Weasley?" Narcissa asked Ginny. "What do you plan to do once you finish Hogwarts?"

"I'd like to play quidditch professionally," Ginny admitted to the host. "My favourite team is the Holyhead Harpies – it'd be a dream to be able to play for them."

"Ah quidditch," Narcissa smiled at Ginny. "Draco has said you are quite good. Good luck to you, both of you on your endeavors." Narcissa turned her attention to Theo, frowning. "How is my favourite son doing?" She sipped her wine as she awaited his response.

Theo grimaced. "Better. Not one hundred percent, but I'm doing well." He reached over and gave Hermione's hand a squeeze. "I have a good support system."

Narcissa hummed in understanding. "Cravings?"

Theo shook his head. "Not yet…it's only been a little over a week since I've had alcohol. I'm a bit nervous about that though. I don't know how I'll react," he admitted quietly.

"We'll figure it out…together Theo," Hermione informed him quietly. "You aren't dealing with this by yourself."

"She's right," Draco insisted. "I think everyone here is someone who wants to help you."

Ginny and Harry nodded in agreement.

Narcissa gave Theo a kind smile. "It's important to have a good support system in place. To help you through the difficult times." A pause. "I have to ask though…when you were drinking, are you certain no one knew about it? Or could someone have figured out what was going on?"

"I – I think Lavender must have seen something." He looked over at Hermione. She gave him a small nod of her head in agreement.

"Lavender?" Narcissa questioned.

"Brown," Draco answered her. "Lavender Brown, Gryffindor girl that was in my year. She didn't come back for her eighth year. I assume she's working somewhere."

Narcissa just nodded her head at the information she got from her son.

"Wait…" Ginny blurted out. "That rubbish she said at the Burrow on Christmas…that was true then?"

Theo nodded solemnly. "I got a bloke to purchase a few bottles of Firewhiskey for me during our last Hogsmeade visit. From the Hog's Head. I waited outside while he went in to get me the bottles." He frowned. "I didn't see her around there, but I honestly wasn't really paying much attention."

"She brought up what she saw to get back at me," Hermione told the occupants of the room quietly. "She really doesn't like me very much. She hasn't for as long as I can remember."

Narcissa pursed her lips in annoyance. "Well then…she really is a stupid little girl. Going after the Heiress of the Black Family." She shook her head at the daftness of the girl, rolling her eyes.

Regulus chuckled. "Hermione reminded her of that from across the table. I heard it all the way at the other end."

"What did she say? What did you say?" Draco asked Hermione, curious about what he had missed.

Hermione sighed. "She just said that Theo was probably drinking because he had to spend time around me for the break. That he wouldn't be the first person to need to drink to stand spending time with me." She shrugged to herself. "That, or he bought bottles of Firewhiskey for his time spent with his other girl. Just baseless garbage."

"And then…" Ginny cut in loudly, "Hermione reminds her that she's a Black not a Granger like Regulus said. Lav-Lav keeps calling her Granger – probably intentionally. Hermione brought up Blaise and Lavender fuuu...being intimate…when she was still with my brother." Ginny scowled at that. "And then mum banished her from any future Weasley shindigs. Even called her a…bitch." She nodded as she finished the tale.

"Don't forget your perfectly executed non-verbal bat-bogey hex," Harry chimed in, taking a drink of his pumpkin juice.

Draco burst out laughing and turned to look at Ginny. "You're good at that hex." He rubbed his nose at the memory.

Ginny snickered. "I have six older brothers…I've had to be."

"Are you familiar with the Brown Family?" Regulus asked Narcissa.

Narcissa hesitated. "Not particularly. We aren't in the same social circles." A pause. "I know of them, but never really associated with them for anything. They aren't really considered to be an important enough family to have to associate with. They aren't really in a position of power, so there was never a need to play nice with them."

"What do the Brown's do?" Hermione asked. "What does Mr. Brown do for a living? Mrs. Brown?"

Narcissa frowned once more. "Henry Brown works in the Ministry, in the Magical Transportation department – in broom regulation if I recall correctly. Lavender's mother is a secretary in the same department – Violet is her name. The Brown Family is a pureblood family. They never put too much emphasis on the importance of being pureblood, so there are halfbloods and muggleborns married into the family quite regularly. Much like the Weasley Family." She gave Ginny a small smile. "The family, like the Weasley's, is quite old…but I don't believe they're considered to be a noble family. Just an ancient one."

"Do they have a seat on the Wizengamot?" Hermione asked carefully.

Narcissa shook her head. "No. They have no political clout whatsoever."

"Which was why Lavender was boink…with…Ron," Ginny shuddered at the thought. "She wants more influence, more standing than what she has and he's one third of the golden trio. Can't get higher standing than that."

Narcissa hummed in agreement, trying to hide her grin at the redhead's poor attempt at watching her language around her. "Do you think Miss Brown will try to come after you, Hermione?" She asked her carefully. "You believe that her mentioning Theo's drinking was to get back at you. To hurt you."

Hermione nodded her head. "That's entirely why she brought it up. Just to hurt me somehow." Hermione hesitated, thinking to herself. Lavender gave her an uneasy feeling. "I do think she will try something to get back at me…I did humiliate her."

"Twice," Harry chimed in.

Hermione turned her attention to her best friend frowning, she couldn't remember the first time.

"Ron muttered your name when he was unconscious from the poisoned mead or whatever that he drank of Slughorn's in our sixth year." He reminded Hermione. "She and Ron were technically together at the time. You were just a friend. I'm assuming Lavender figured it should've been her name that he muttered, not one of his friends. And especially not another girl's name."

"But she was cheating on him with Blaise at that time, wasn't she?" Hermione asked. She looked to Draco and then to Theo.

Theo hesitated. "It doesn't matter…she considered you to be competition."

"Does she know anything that she can use against you?" Narcissa queried.

Hermione swallowed, nervously. She looked over to Regulus wanting to get his opinion. He frowned, hesitant.

"Have you done anything questionable that she may know about? Something she can blackmail you with?" Narcissa asked her. She was looking back and forth between Regulus and Hermione.

"I – I don't know," Hermione said quietly. Unsure. "I never told her anything. Never bragged."

"What have you done that she could blackmail you with?" Theo asked her, disbelief in his tone.

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but Harry beat her to it.

"Umbridge in fifth year – Hermione convinced her that Dumbledore's weapon was in the Forbidden Forest. We actually left her there to get to the Ministry as quick as possible. She got dragged away by centaurs." He looked to Hermione, "we're both guilty about that one." He swallowed before continuing on. "Fourth year she figured out Skeeter was an unregistered animagus, a beetle – locked her in a jar for a bit."

"It was only a couple of weeks," Hermione added softly, looking down at her hands in her lap.

"It was still blackmail dear," Narcissa chimed in, amused. "Anything else?"

Hermione shook her head slowly. "No...not that I can remember."

Narcissa nodded at her. "I don't believe you have to worry about Umbridge and I'm almost certain you won't have to worry about Rita Skeeter. She's too smart to print anything derogatory about you now that it is public that you are the Heiress to the Black Family. It's career suicide, she wouldn't risk it."

"But it was alright when I was thought to be muggleborn…" Hermione said snidely. "I was fifteen when she wrote that vile garbage about me. Fifteen!" She glared at Narcissa. "What kind of person gets off on writing those sorts of lies about a child?" Hermione exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself down. "I hate her."

"And I don't blame you for that, but you can use her if you need to," Narcissa peered at her over her glass of wine. "If Ms. Brown comes out with something to hurt your reputation, you can use Rita Skeeter to clarify or dispel what is said. She is an asset to have in your pocket. You don't have to like her."

Hermione hesitated, remembering her fifth year. "I already have used her though. I forced her to conduct Harry's interview for the Quibbler in our fifth year. Haven't I already played my hand?"

"Not necessarily. An unregistered animagus is a very serious offence." Narcissa shrugged, unworried. "You may have to give her some information, an exclusive if you will. But we shouldn't worry about that unless we have to."

The group continued to chatter with each other. Narcissa's knowledge about the ins and outs of the wizarding world left Hermione in awe. She had always just assumed she was something of a trophy wife carrying more about fashion and appearance than anything else, but she soon realised that Narcissa was the one to pull the strings. She was the one who held the cards and played them when she deemed it appropriate.

It was slightly terrifying.

Hermione, Theo and Regulus eventually said their goodbyes – Harry and Ginny leaving earlier in the evening needing to get back to the Burrow.

"It was nice to speak with you again Hermione dear," Narcissa said to her quietly after Regulus flooed back to his place.

"It was nice to visit with you Narcissa," Hermione said kindly. "I've learned a lot from you."

Narcissa gave Hermione a grin and a wink. "I'll keep my ears open for anything Ms. Brown might do. But I wouldn't worry too much."

Hermione and Theo stepped into the fireplace, Theo throwing down his handful of floo powder before calling out their destination. Disappearing in the green flames.

…

…

Theo placed his journal and writing instruments on the table beside the bed. He had begun writing in it almost every night, bringing up concerns he wanted to talk about when he finally began meeting with one of the mind healers at Hogwarts. Psychologists was what Hermione said they were called in the muggle world.

He rubbed his face tiredly. It was well past midnight, Hermione taking her usual shower before bed and he was alone in their bedroom. He stood in the middle of the room in nothing but his pajama bottoms trying to ignore the itch in his mind. It had been present for the better part of a week and he had been able to ignore it for the most part.

He didn't think he could do so any longer. Seeing Hermione in her little dress with the smallest hint of cleavage almost drove him to jump her in the middle of dinner with the Malfoys. The way she nibbled on her food, her lips plump around her fork made him wonder what she would look like with her lips around his cock.

It had been a goal of his since they had begun dating. One that they had yet to reach. Sure they'd done plenty, he wasn't deprived at all. Far from it. They just hadn't broached the subject with each other yet. He wanted her to suck his cock desperately, but he was afraid to pressure her into it. He knew from some girls in Slytherin house that not everyone liked giving blow jobs.

He hoped Hermione wasn't one of those girls. She seemed to be the kind of person unafraid to try something more. Curious about sex. About exploration.

He loved the taste of her. Having eaten her out a handful of times in their few months of dating. He couldn't get enough of her. She was a delicacy. Delicious. And dangerous – he could lose himself in her folds. His tongue lapping up her juices as she groaned her release again and again and again. Addictive.

He hissed as his cock rubbed against his flannel bottoms. Rock hard and desperate for a release. He moved over to the bed and sat down on the edge. He needed to forget about it. He needed to think of something else. Anything else. He took a peek at his lap and groaned in displeasure. His cock stood tall and proud, mocking him.

"Fuck," he muttered to himself, the heels of his hands pressing against his eyes. He hadn't allowed himself release in almost two weeks. He didn't deserve it with the shit he put everyone through.

The shower turned off.

"Fuck," Theo muttered again. He was doomed. She'd be here in mere seconds. There was no hiding his desire.

His hand flopped down on his stomach. Inching its way towards his throbbing appendage. Fingers sliding under the waistband. His hand moving on its own accord grasped his cock tightly.

"Fuck," he hissed as his hand began to move. Up and down. Twisting and tugging. He groaned. Eyes clenched shut.

He heard the loo door open. Steps. The bedroom door creaked open. A gasp. The closing of the door.

He blinked open his eyes and met Hermione's from across the room. Her face was flushed, pink from the heat of the shower. Pink from what she caught him doing on her bed. His hand continuing to move up and down beneath his bottoms. He couldn't stop now.

She bit her lip suggestively and gave him a grin before silencing the room and locking the door.

"I'm sorry," He muttered weakly to her. He forced his hand out of his pajamas. "I'm just so fucking horny I can't fucking think. I can go to the loo if you want. If you don't want to see this." He pleaded with her.

Hermione shook her head. "What do you need?" she asked quietly. She huffed coyly. "I mean…I know what you need," she motioned to his tented pajamas, "I mean what would you like? What would help?"

Theo just blinked at her. His brain could barely function. All he could think of was mouth, tits and pussy like a depraved cave man. His mouth opened unable to form words.

Hermione snickered as she made her way towards him. "I'm quite aroused myself, Theo. It's been a while. So I'll ask you again: what is it you want?"

Theo swallowed, his mouth dry. It was now or never. "Your lips around my cock sucking me as I come in your mouth. Your tits bouncing in my face as you ride me hard. My tongue lapping up your juices as you come against my mouth again and again and again."

He heard Hermione gasp at his statement. Her face was flush. Her eyes dark. He watched as she reached the bottom of her shirt pulling it over her head. Her tits jiggling as she tossed the shirt aside.

"You like my tits?" She asked him as she began squeezing and rubbing herself. Pinching her nipples.

Theo nodded. "Yes," he croaked. His cock jerked in agreement.

Hermione grinned at him. "Take off your bottoms…I want to see all of you."

Theo's hips lifted off the bed as he pushed his pajamas off of his hips and down his legs. Kicking them off ungracefully. His cock bobbing and jerking at the movement. His hand returned to his cock as he began rubbing himself once more. His eyes moving from Hermione's tits up to her face. He needed to focus or he wasn't going to last.

Hermione bit her lip as she watched him stroke himself. "I – I've never given a blow job before," she told him quietly as she tugged her sleep shorts off.

Theo groaned. She wasn't wearing any knickers underneath. How long had she been doing that? He removed his hand once more. Focusing on her statement rather than her bareness.

He exhaled and held out his hand to hers. "It's alright. I can teach you if you like." He pulled her closer to him. She kneeled on the floor between his legs.

Hermione nodded, swallowing nervously. "I've read about it…in a book. So I'm not entirely naïve…just inexperienced."

Theo chuckled. "Of course you've read about it." He paused. "How about you just do what you want to me. What you read about in your book. How does that sound?"

Hermione nodded before reaching out a hand.

Theo clasped his eyes shut. He was going to blow his load if he continued to watch her.

Her hand gently grabbed his cock, her soft fingers wrapping around him as best as they could before she began moving it up and down his shaft.

Theo grunted. His hips jerking of their own accord.

A twist and a pull of her hand. A tentative lick on the head of his cock.

Theo hissed.

A wet kiss on his head before she opened her mouth completely and took him in her mouth.

Theo groaned loudly. Thankful Hermione had the sense to silence the room. Her father would kill him if he knew what his daughter was doing to him right this moment. He'd lock him in a room and pick apart his mind for amusement before disposing of his body in a ditch somewhere when he was finished. And he wouldn't get caught, Theo knew that for a fact.

Hermione began sucking him earnestly. One hand at the base of his cock while her mouth and tongue worked the rest of him. Fuck she was a quick learner.

He blinked open his eyes. He needed to watch her as she sucked him off.

Her hair was all around her face as she sucked and sucked. Tickling his legs.

Theo reached out and pulled her hair in a makeshift ponytail, reassuring her. "Fuck Hermione. Just like that baby." His hand pressed her head encouraging her go take him deeper in her mouth.

She looked up at him. Her eyes bright and lips plump as his cock moved further in her mouth. Humming at his encouragement.

"How much can you take?" Theo grunted.

Hermione pulled her mouth off of his cock and frowned to herself before diving in once more.

He felt his head hit the back of her throat. Feeling her gag reflex tickle his cock for a moment before she pulled back.

She cleared her throat. "About that far," she rasped with a grin on her face before running her tongue along his shaft and over his head. Sucking. Kissing. Groaning.

Hermione was enjoying this as much as he was. She was perfect.

"Fucking amazing," he grunted. Theo focused on his witch. His one hand in her curls, his other reaching down between them to fondle her tits.

Hermione moaned as he ran his thumb over a nipple. He squeezed. Caressed her breast before pinching one of her nipples between his fingers.

"Fuck," Hermione groaned in his lap. Her chest pressed forward in his hand, greedy for more.

Theo chuckled before moving his hand to her other breast and doing the same.

Hermione's mouth returned to his cock. Groaning as he massaged her. Pinching and squeezing.

Theo groaned as she sucked him hard. "Fuck," he gasped. "I'm going to come baby. Pull away of you don't want me to come in your mouth." His hips jerking. His hand behind her head pushing.

Hermione doubled down and sucked him enthusiastically. Her free hand began massaging his balls.

Theo groaned loudly. His hips jerking as he lost control. "Yes," he hissed as he spurted into her mouth.

His eyes clenched tightly as he found his release.