Author's note: A huge thank you to the guest who leaves a comment on every chapter. Your encouragement and thoughts keeps me posting it regularly. I appreciate it, really I do. Thank you.

-Maybenotahufflepuff

As they walked into her en-suite he looked around then met her eyes. There were many questions there and she let herself think for a moment. She didn't want to think anymore today, just be. However it seemed she couldn't have that, with him, unless they talked some of this over. She let herself spend a second looking forward to a bit further down the road, when things were more normal and they didn't need to be so careful. Would know what they needed to be careful of.

"I don't know how to explain what I feel exactly. Or what I want right now. I don't feel uncomfortable at the idea of taking off my clothes in front of you or having you see me naked. If you aren't comfortable with this then I'll shower and we can lay around together clothed for a while." She had been looking at him and watching his face. Not a whole bunch showed but he was paying attention. Then his brow furrowed.

"It's not any one thing. You can't regret anything." He seemed reluctant to say this. She wasn't sure why.

"Okay. What else?" She wanted to cross her arms but didn't, instead she hopped onto the vanity counter and when he didn't reply she pushed a little. "Are there other concerns you have?" This hadn't been what she expected when they came up here. Maybe he wasn't going to respond at all. She would wait a minute. He was worth the time to her. Even though she was tired and wouldn't have chosen this time for this. Whatever it was.

"I only get one chance." This was said without eye contact and she cocked her head in question.

"We will have other days. Other times." She sounded as uncertain as she suddenly felt. He looked as if he wasn't sure she was right. Hair had fallen from behind his ear and she wanted to tuck the gold strands back behind it.

"I don't understand." She offered. With a sinking feeling that this wasn't going well. Maybe she should have given him more time or just said no. He seemed happy enough with her, in the few times they had spent alone since this started. Even before that he had talked more openly than this.

"Ask me what you need to know. I'll answer." She met his eyes in the familiar challenge between them and he leaned back against the opposite wall.

"What do you want? From me." The challenge was in his bright blue eyes and she knew that she could answer or really tell him. That was risky.

"Generally?" He shook his head. Good thing she was a Gryffindor.

"I want to just be me and you, together. Comfortable and certain. Know that even when we are busy or things are crap that we will at least have each other. I haven't wanted anyone, like this. All of a person." That was all she could say. That was hard and keeping his eye contact was harder. Why would this wizard want her, like that. He could have anyone. Gorgeous and talented. Funny and a hundred other things that she loved. A few she didn't like too and that made her feel slightly better. Perfection would be daunting.

Nothing changed on his face and he tensed. So it wasn't to be then. Surely it wouldn't hurt like this forever, there were other things to do and eventually maybe someone else. Even if it wasn't as passionate as she felt now.

"Little witch. Hermione." He looked as if he didn't know what to say and she nodded understandingly and gave him a small smile. Hopping down of fthe counter she turned to the door and then stopped when he grabbed her wrist.

Unlike the last time someone had done that, she wasn't angry and her magic didn't surge. She was tired and maybe tomorrow it would hurt worse than this. It had been a good day too, mostly. Trying to look at his face didn't work and she only made it to the collar of his shirt.

Then his fingers were under her chin and she let him tilt her face up until her eyes met his. Her heart started to pound at the look in his eyes.

"This is what you want. Just us together." He seemed to be checking and she nodded slightly, against the pressure of his fingers. Perhaps she would have blushed, she had earlier but she just couldn't. Either he wanted them, or he didn't. Not enough anyways. It was better to know now.

"You don't seem to understand. You are what I want. I wouldn't have said yes after that insulting beginning to our last conversation. I don't know what you thought I meant. Having you here. Sleeping with you. There isn't anything I can do if that isn't enough." Hermione let herself shrug slightly and stepped away from his touch.

"You'll tell me, if things are going to fast or if you don't like something. Anything at all. In bed and out." She nodded and frowned a bit at him.

"I would have anyways." What was wrong with the man. "Could you just tell me what's wrong?" Some of her exasperation showed through because he grinned a little bit at her. She didn't return it. He was frustrating sometimes, so was she.

"I'm not sure how to do this. Be in a relationship. I've never done it and then the first time it's you." This was said as if it explained everything. It didn't but it did give some context.

"So you do want this? Me?" This time it was her checking and he nodded, the grin widening.

"Somehow this is different from our last conversation?" This seemed important.

"Yeah. Totally. I didn't know what you wanted. I just wanted something and it seemed like you did too. Maybe enough to try. A witch who has turned everyone down, everyone, is a daunting prospect." He seemed like the last was a costly admittance. She rolled her eyes and leaned against the door.

"So you are good now? We can talk about it again. I'm sure you'd notice though, if I wasn't interested or didn't want something. I don't really know exactly what you mean." Hermione was thinking he was a bit more complex than she had thought. Also she had no idea what had been going on in his head. "I don't need you to be so careful, of me. I like how you are with me usually." He nodded and put his hands in his pockets.

"Is the shower idea ruined then? Should we just try again tomorrow?" Even though this had distracted her she could smell the smoke and knew until she washed, she would feel the stone against her legs.

"I don't want to leave." He spoke as if he was being brave and she smiled at him a bit and stepped toward him. Letting herself tuck the lock of hair behind his ear.

"I don't want you to. I want you to get in that shower with me and let me lean against you while I get clean and then we can assess the situation, verbally even, if you want." The last was a bit of humour, so much wasn't said in their daily lives.

"Little witch." There was heat but also softness in his eyes and she flushed then. In relief and anticipation. He wanted to stay.

Deciding someone needed to begin, she stepped back and peeled her sweater off. Leaving her in a tank top and jeans. Then her jeans and her top. In her bra and underwear, she turned to the shower and without looking at him, turned it on and stripped off the last of her clothing.

The water was hot and it felt so good. Her wand cleaned her teeth and removed the body hair she wanted too. Then she began lathering her conditioner into her hair and the door opened. Then a burst of cooler air followed by the heat of his chest against her back. His naked body behind her. She squeezed her eyes shut and held in her moan.

He turned her and pulled her hands from her hair. When his began rubbing her scalp she let herself lean against him and wrapped her arms loosely around his torso. Feeling the hair on his chest against her cheek. He was tall. She couldn't even reach him.

"You are so fucking beautiful. Your eyes, and the mane of your hair. Your curves are delicious and it's so hard not to stare at your ass all the damn time. I want to wake up with you and watch you fall asleep. Bother you while you read and play games together." His voice was low and she had never heard so much emotion in it. It was easier for him to speak when she wasn't looking at him, that would bear remembering.

Scenebreak replace and remove.

Hermione sat up and pulled the arm off her reflexively when the floo chime rang through her home. A wandless tempus showed it was a quarter to eight in the morning and she let herself pout. Then she looked over at the wizard beside her who had thrown his arm over his face and wasn't moving. She chuckled and would have done the same if there wasn't someone in her home.

Sighing she grabbed a pair of leggings and a hoodie, then a hair tie and walked to the stairs. When she got there she knew it was Theo and smiled slightly even though she wasn't pleased to be woken on a rare day of sleeping herself out. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, his head was just looking into the foyer. He smiled at her and then his smile faltered a bit. He was observant, more than average even. Not more than the people she usually spent her days with now so she wasn't surprised. She gave a slightly weak honest smile.

"What have you been doing Hermione?" He sounded concerned and even apprehensive. That brought out a grin and she chuckled lightly.

"He put me through a scavenger hunt yesterday. It was amazing and crazy." Meeting his eyes she let it show, the magnitude of what she had done. He raised both dark brows and looked her over again.

"That's all that might be of interest to me?" As if there was a screenplay directing the timing, Rowle reached the top of the stairs and she didn't let her internal groan show. Having known he was coming, it wasn't her that set this up.

"There's that too. He didn't magically wear me out though." Her tone was light but her eyes caught his and held them. She made her stand and lifted her chin. Theo was not as explosive as Draco but he was passionate in his own way. She cherished her friendships and this wizard was one she definitely wanted to keep. It took ages to get anywhere with these Slytherins and she knew him well enough to know that this was an honourable man. He chose to be. It also told him she was sure and wouldn't tolerate any shinanigans.

"I see. Rowle." Theo looked away from her and met the wizards eyes as he descended the stairs.

"Nott." His tone was even and he didn't sound defensive. A quick glance told her he was fine if she was and she smiled in relief.

"Since your up and clearly not on your way out as usual, have you got a minute? I'll host." His tone made it clear that both were invited and he didn't really think they would take him up on it.

"Thanks for the display of manners but if you want to have coffee here you are welcome too. What brings you before work?" She asked and they all headed into the kitchen.

"An invitation of course. Narcissa requests you. For an hour alone as usual and then dinner." It wasn't anything important or unusual then. Just taking the chance she hadn't left before her usual eight o'clock departure.

"Unless you've got plans already." He added. Probably in deference to Rowle but maybe also because she didn't reply immediately.

Magic made coffee take two minutes and she pulled a bag of frozen scones from Roasted out of her freezer and they too were perfect when she sat down. Jam and clotted cream came with the wizards and she smiled at them.

"I can't go to the manor. At least I don't know if I can at the moment and I have to go to the cabin this afternoon." This didn't make sense to Theo and after a moment of watching her think he looked to Finn. She had to try and let herself think of him by his first name. It was one of the things she scolded herself for until just a few days ago. He caught her eye and she nodded slightly. She trusted Theo and he was discreet. Would make it clear without unnecessary information being demanded, to Narcissa at least.

"Needs to recharge and for reasons we can't discuss can't be out of approved wards. Dolohov." The last was in response to the furrowed brow at approved wards. Then he frowned and put down his piece of scone.

"I see. I don't of course but if you tell me you are okay and the situation is under control then I will accept that." Now he met her eyes in the more penetrating way he could. Her shields were up but it reminded her of Snape, though his dark blue eyes made it different enough not to creep her out.

"It's fine. He doesn't take risks." She meant her mentor and that was clear even to Theo, who looked thoughtful.

"It was mentioned at dinner the other night that the lady of the house wanted to invite you and your master to a private dinner. Perhaps a warning via you before she attempts to send an owl." His smile was wry now and all three chuckled. She nodded and then made her offer.

"I don't know how long today but it won't be a lesson. Probably recap, we didn't do that yesterday and some kind of self assessment." She caught Finn's eye and he agreed with her so she carried on. "If they are okay with it, we could do that but here. I'll open the wards so you can bring them. I haven't added them and don't think they've been here. I know Narcissa has wanted to meet and I've been busy. I've also been neglecting a few other things." She was thinking of her need for some potions and her pile of correspondence. She did shrug at their visible question.

"Before I didn't have enough to do. So I filled my life up. Now it's been a process of finding people who want to do the things I did. Charity boards and the minor things I did for people. You know." She gestured absently and then popped the last of her scone in her mouth and sat back with her cup. Rowle didn't she could see but Theo was as usual, thoughtful.

"Unofficial things?" He asked and she knew he was thinking of what she had done for Lucius.

"Some. Some were like that and some were just being communication between people or organizations. Keeping an eye out for candidates for apprenticeships and employees. The Alley and private companies as well as the Ministry. Someone else will recruit for them but the smaller firms and independents need go betweens." She was thoughtful now and added it to speak to Narcissa about. Maybe she would have an idea. Then she had a thought.

"When is Blaise back?" She asked Theo. He smiled genuinely at her.

"Next week. Have you forgotten when Yule is?" She groaned. It was in nine days and she was only half as prepared as usual.

"No. I sent my gift basket lists and they are better than usual this year." She grinned and Rowle looked his question.

"Since she started at the Ministry, she has been compiling tiered lists of people. It's pretty funny sometimes and more thoughtful for others." He looked pensive at the end.

"What else have you been doing witch?" Theo asked her and Rowle scoffed

"What hasn't she been doing. Every now and then she casually drops something seemingly insignificant, like the hunt for a charms professor last month." She had ended up involving the three at the cabin when they seemed interested in that. Minerva didn't want to advertise but needed a list of currently available applicants. Younger ones, Flitwick wanted to retire in the next few years.

"Did she find one?" Theo asked the other wizard.

"Three candidates. What?" He asked her, having caught her absent frown.

"I've got to send a letter to one of them. He offered me an apprentice scroll. Actually sent it to me, with provisions to count my time under Dolohov toward my term. Seemed to think I couldn't be happy and would be willing to admit my mistake." Her tone was a bit wry but both men looked at her with some clear surprise.

They passed another half hour of chatter and her promise to let them know whether she could come to the manor or if she would be hosting. When Theo disappeared in a rush of green flames she leaned further into the chest behind her. Then she grinned. Theo knew, it had been fine and maybe everything would be okay, or everyone else would be okay. She hadn't heard from Harry yet.