Luna stood with Rabastan outside her home and watched Harry apparate away. He had been quiet and she had noticed his contemplation increase as the day progressed. It had been amazing to see her friend as she really was. A gift certainly.

Absently she began to walk to the curved front door of her tall round home. As usual, she wished she didn't live there alone, but then reminded herself of the people she did have and the full life she lived. When she reached the door alone she paused and then realised Rabastan hadn't followed. Allowing herself a moment, she closed her eyes. Thirty six times this had happened. He had seen her home and then just watched her walk away.

"Will you have dinner with me?" It was as if everytime she asked him in was the first time. Every invitation was received with the same slight air of disbelief. Like she might be speaking to someone else. Maybe one day, she reminded herself and waited for his footfalls to sound behind her.

As she entered the kitchen she turned on the lights and the fire was crackling as the early nightfall began to cloak the outdoors in darkness. Closing the door firmly on the night, she turned to the man behind her.

"Today was so many things. Will you eat with me and let them settle in before opening such a vast topic?" Having never felt the need to filter her speech around this wizard she didn't start now.

His smile was genuine, if a bit pained, and she knew it wasn't because of what they had witnessed today. It was something else and it lay there between them. As they spooned soup into their mouths and spoke about the moon cycles effects on her orchards, she hoped with desperation that maybe he could smile at her, wholly, one day.


Thorfinn sat at the kitchen island in her cottage and let himself really think about that day. Dolohov would want to speak to her and it could be quick or take a while. He could wait. Wanted to wait. Wanted to see her before she could clear too much from her face or her appearance. There had been fine hairs escaping her braid by the end and he had seen her fading energy. It was the first time that he could so clearly see it and it made him feel a bit differently about the witch.

It made her vulnerable, and that was a new way to see her. Usually she was capable of what felt like anything. He thought she shouldn't have to put up with things, or deal with them but she could. Just now, she couldn't or shouldn't and he wanted to be with her. Knowing she was with the both of them made him sure she would get here safely. Neither would risk her. Today showed clearly the investment and real connection between them. Even himself. Clearly on the inside of that part of her life.

It was the way he wanted it. He would keep it too. The more intimate knowledge of that part of her. The witch, her magical side. It was fucking mind blowing, seeing her wield magics like that. Watching her mind work. The expressions on her face and her reactions. The moments of single minded concentration and the ones of fierce determination. Sometimes people and the papers spoke about the little witch, as if she were somehow not responsible for her successes, and today was an excellent example of the effort she put into being able to do what she could.

He wanted that witch. That woman. He was screwed. It hadn't been long, he hadn't even known her for very long, not really. In any way that counted. Now he felt like he did know her. Could see her. She was stunning. Magically and physically. More so, or equally so, was the personality behind those two things. The certainty that this witch was it for him, was daunting in the extreme.

All that she was, all that she would be. He felt a bit panicked at the thought. How could he keep her? It was really only a matter of how long would she want to stay. This wasn't a witch you kept. The reasons he wanted her, knew he would always want her, were not there if it was a matter of holding her where she didn't want to be. Thorfinn knew he was a capable wizard, and wasn't very self conscious usually, but she was out of his league. That changed nothing. He wanted her. Knew that one day in the not too distant future it would grow into needing her. Loving her. Having never loved a witch beyond a crush or sexual interest, he was nervous about what might happen. The lack of control he would have over his own happiness. It would be her, or connected to her.

The little witch, his witch. He would offer one day, he knew and he hoped he would feel less like that was a potions dream by that time. They had a ways to go before that. He would have some time before she wanted anything like that. Her apprenticeship was intensive and he knew that if he didn't understand it as well as he did, he wouldn't like it. Wouldn't like sharing her attention or her near devotion to another wizard. He knew though, that she didn't want Dolohov like that. He might be the most respected person in a certain way but it wasn't in a sexual or intimate way. It was clear that the wizard was someone she looked up to and wanted to please, it was good for them both, or so it seemed to him.

The magic and the work riled her up. Eventually, when they passed the hurdle of negotiating all the firsts, he could envision some hot sex after a mind intesive day. Showering with her, or bathing her. Stretching out on her couch or eating a quiet dinner. Waiting for her mind to shut off enough that her physical wants would come through. The witch was passionate as hell, more than he had dreamed in his most erotic fantasies. The look on her face as she used those little hands to make him cum and how she had licked her lips had been the last straw and he had come with a force that shouldn't have surprised him.

He could see, even in this short time, how much she had been hiding. It was impressive. She seemed so open, and often was, but she had hidden most of her sexual interest in him well. He had noticed her appreciation of his looks and his magic. Even his thoughts on things. She liked debating with him or straight out arguing. The little witch had been having all sorts of naughty thoughts about him though, about them. The look of near wonder when he had relented and let her touch him had been an eye opener. It wasn't that she didn't want a wizard, she just didn't want any that had offered. Cold, calculating, frigid. Contained. Reserved. All were used to describe her. Alongside allegations of sleeping with everyone under the sun. As far as he had been able to find out, through Rabastan via the blond, there had been three muggles and that was it. Not a wizard since school and nothing serious then. She had been basically alone and now wanted him.

Seemed invested in them even. He had been surprised and a bit baffled when she asked if she could make him happy. The look in her eyes, like she thought he really might not find her enough for him was totally out of the blue. It was telling though, when he thought about it the next day. In some ways, she was vulnerable and that made him a bit more certain, more comfortable with them as a couple. He could offer her things, be something for her. Safety and support. Someone who saw her as the witch she was and showed her. Appreciated her.

He could do that and wanted to try. Part of him thought that this was as good a thing to do with his life as anything else. The family finances and business would take up some time and his own magical tutoring wouldn't end anytime soon. Hermione could be a focus though, a direction. He decided to keep thinking about these things as time went on, not let himself get too far ahead, or make the future more important than the now. He hadn't had a future this time last year. She had given him one, a priceless gift freely offered. Now she had offered herself and it was humbling. It was with these contemplative thoughts in mind that he turned at the sound of her apparition chime.

Lev had been perched on the stool beside him and hopped down at his mistresse's arrival. He waited, she would know he was here and where he was. The sound of her footsteps moving quicker than usual brought him to his feet. She came around the corner, her braid spinning around with her quick motions, and then she was in his arms. He had barely any time to look at her before her legs were around his waist and her head was buried in his neck. He changed his grip, so he could hold her weight and let her do what she wanted.

That was hold tightly to him and breathe a bit more heavily than usual. He could feel her warm breath against his neck, and let himself run his hand down her back. Then he took out her hair tie and began unravelling her braid with one hand. Her breathing slowed as she calmed down and he felt her sag a little bit as he released the last of the tightness from her hair. A deep breath against his chest and then she leaned back slowly.

He wasn't sure what he expected but the nearly lazy grin was a slight surprise. In a move that was already becoming familiar she traced a finger along his cheek and looked at him before meeting his eyes. There were several things there but he noticed two more than the others. First was the affection and happiness that she displayed so openly as she touched his cheek, he could nearly feel her warm feelings. The other was the way her gaze flicked to his lips and his shoulders. She liked them, he had noticed. It made the thousands of push ups more than the way to put off the deterioration he had been so afraid of. It wasn't the blazing heat he had seen from her in the moments they had shared but more of a longing, one she wouldn't have let him see a week ago.

"Little witch." He said her name and then waited for her to answer the question. Was she okay? Then most of her feelings were overpowered by her smile. It was triumphant and a bit awed. He thought that understandable.

"I can't believe I did that today. That you guys made that for me." The awe was there in her tone and he grinned. He would say nothing about the hours spent on its creation and implementation. The careful way it had been set up to allow for several stopping points that wouldn't be a clear failure for her. Her continuation was an overriding consideration in the set up of all of the lessons and projects they had done. Sometimes Dolohov would simply say it couldn't be that day, and Yax would concur, after something else being done made it clear there wasn't enough ability to succeed or fail to create a balance. He just grinned at her and shrugged slightly. It had been worth it. He was sure the others agreed.

"You're here." She sounded so happy and relieved, he raised a brow asking where else he would be and she smiled shyly at him. The witch was like a kaleidoscope, he had seen one out with her one day. So many facets.

"No magic for three days, well not more than use magics." He nodded his understanding.

"The morning?" He asked.

"Not till the afternoon. If you aren't with me I have to use the coin before going. Not a good time for the challenge to interfere. I'm grounded to the safe houses." She was a bit put out at her restrictions, but didn't seem rebellious at all. Understanding the reasons.

"So sleeping in then?" The witch didn't complain about mornings in his experience, but did enjoy being lazy or sleeping in.

"Are you staying?" She bit her lip and her whiskey eyes didn't plead, but didn't show much else either. He nodded at her, letting a bit of his incredulity at the question out. When she nodded thoughtfully and then bit her lip again he knew another question was coming.

"Will you shower with me?" He looked at her, really looked at the tired witch in his arms. She wasn't miserable but she was worn out. The little witch wanted him to shower with her, he was a bit surprised at her level of openness with him. He would have thought she might be more reserved or shy. She was blushing, but she'd said some pretty brave things in these last few days. Made her wishes known and seemed to want to hear his in return.

"I didn't like waking up alone this morning." He admitted and her small smile was worth the vulnerability. "If you want to shower then we will." He let some of the desire that thought caused show, but also rubbed her back gently as she watched him. So many things didn't make sense, and how he felt about sleeping with the little witch was one of them. He wanted to and wanted to do it more than once. He just wanted to be sure he didn't ruin anything. Wanted nothing for her to be upset about or regret. It was hard though, when she looked at him like that. As if she was picturing him naked or something else she liked the idea of.

Her smile was content as she leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. Then again, with a bit more intensity. When she tried to pull away, he threaded his hand into her hair and squeezed the thigh he was holding her up by gently. She moaned slightly and he felt more of the tension leave her.

"Let's get you cleaned up little witch." He chuckled when she wrinkled her nose in agreement, and he leaned forward to sniff her shirt. It was a strange mix of smoke and earth, with some of the usual smell of her. He took a long blink and reminded himself that ravishing her on the counter here, after stripping her of her clothes, wouldn't be the best for her. There would be time for that another day.