Playing the game

Cory and Tony are caught off guard. Yaxley brings news and orders. Thorfinn warns Hermione.

Hermione tried to maneuver to where she could watch Yaxley and Dolohov try to pull off an impossible feat. Thorfinn had other ideas and seated her in his lap. He knew if they succeeded, he'd be hearing about it later. All he was currently interested in was the girl held in his arms. He put up a wandless Notice Me Not charm so they wouldn't be disturbed.

"So, sweetheart, how are we going to do this? I know you'll want to finish your schooling. There still might be a war, even with the deception I just threw at Cory's dad." Thorfinn waited for her answer, hoping she wasn't about to reject him.

"So that WAS a deception, then? You didn't just send me this necklace to neutralize Harry?" Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. After hearing him speak so casually about them, she'd grown afraid that he meant it. That it was all just an act to him. That's when she realized she was already in over her head. If he wasn't serious about her, there would be no moving on for her. She might as well find a little house and cram it full of as many cats as she could find. No longer would she be 'Hermione Granger, Brightest Witch of her Age.' No, she'd be known as 'Hermione Granger, crazy cat lady, rejected by Thorfinn Rowle!'

"No, I was dead serious with the necklace. One way or another, you and I will be married, Granger. You're not getting away from me any time soon! But there is a war brewing and you are still in school. I'm a Death Eater and you are Harry Potter's best friend, part of the Golden Trio. So, I'll ask you again. How do we make this work?" he asked.

"Very carefully, Thorfinn, very carefully. We have to actually make him think he's won. At the same time, we still try to take him down, right?" she replied. He agreed emphatically. He knew Hermione would never be out of danger as long as Voldemort lived.

Hermione turned around, straddling his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Thorfinn slouched down in the seat, keeping her pressed against him. "Have I complimented you on your dress yet, Granger?"

"No, but this isn't my dress or my heels. Both are borrowed." She laughed. Parvati had certainly known what dress to put her in. Thorfinn tilted his head at her. "One of my friends let me borrow this outfit, just for you."

"Hmmm. Either way, I like this dress. It's almost as pretty as the one you wore yesterday." Thorfinn was already thinking about sending her some dresses.

"Almost? How does the one yesterday win over this one?" Hermione was biting her lip.

"The one yesterday was shorter, sleeveless and black." He told her with a gleam in his eyes.

"You remember what that one looked like?" Hermione was astounded. He hadn't even SEEN the dress yesterday until right before he left her at the gate! How had he remembered the details of it?

"Of course, I remember it. You were gorgeous! I had to go take an extremely cold shower last night after I left you! That reminds me, we definitely need more of those dresses in your wardrobe. We can go to Gladrags Wizardwear and get your measurements taken." He murmured softly to her. "Think your friends will notice if we slip out?"

"Definitely! They have a bet going as to how long you'll last before dragging me off to a dark corner!" Hermione giggled. "Of course, some of them have already lost because you've managed to last longer than five minutes!"

"Oh, really?" he raised his brows. She stroked a hand down his face. He had woke up early and shaved off the small beard and moustache. He had trimmed the ends of his hair but left it in the braids he wore constantly.

"I have some new hair ties that I've been using. Can I put some of them in your hair? I've sort of grown out of unicorns." She smoothed the loose strands framing his eyes. He nodded and kissed her. He'd been waiting all night and all day today to kiss her again. He wasn't about to miss a single opportunity!

Hermione sighed with contentment as she relaxed into the kiss. She smiled and leaned back as she asked him. "Remember when I kissed you right before I left the past? You were so shocked and surprised when I did that!" he laughed. Yes, that had shocked him! He'd been totally caught off guard by the little minx!

He pulled her back to him. "Thorfinn, we should be careful. After all, I AM still in school, even though I am seventeen now. There's a reporter and a photographer over at the bar. I've had run-ins with her before. Anything she prints about me is usually one line of truth and the rest of it will be rubbish. If she splashes a trashy story across the Daily Prophet, it could hurt your Quidditch career. If your fan base even thought you might be messing with an underage school girl-!" the rest of her sentence was unspoken as Thorfinn kissed her again.

Across the pub, Harry was having much of the same concern, having spotted the reporter as soon as she walked in! "Ok, you lot. Listen up. Rita Skeeter is here! We CANNOT allow her to catch sight of Hermione, especially with Thorfinn. She'll smear Hermione's name across the news again and probably take Thorfinn down, too. We can't let that happen! We have got to keep her attention as far away from the two of them as possible. Blaise, as soon as you see an opening, get over there and get them out of here!" Blaise nodded. He leaned forward, watching for his chance.

Meanwhile over at the bar, Skeeter and her photographer were watching Cory and Tony as the two chatted up Madam Rosmerta. They were amused to see the two youngsters actually thought they had a chance with the pub owner.

Cory was almost dancing with delight. This was it! He knew it! This was the day he and Tony were finally going to have Rosmerta! They were so close! Anytime now, she'd take both their hands and lead them upstairs to her bed! He leaned in close as she leaned her head back. He paid no attention whatsoever to the ringing bell over the front door. Then he heard it. The unmistakable voice of his father was talking to Rosmerta!

"Ah, darling Rosmerta! I see these two little scamps have warmed you up for me! Many thanks, boys, I'll take it from here." With a smirk firmly in place, Corban Yaxley plucked Rosmerta right out of the arms of Cory and Tony. Both boys stood frozen in shock. Tony recovered first. Signaling for a new bottle of Firewhiskey, he grabbed Cory's collar and hauled him to the front door. Swinging by the booth where they had left Thorfinn and Hermione, he hissed, "Thorfinn, courtyard, now!" as he got Cory outside before he started cussing.

Thorfinn, who had been blissfully engaged in kissing Hermione, jerked when he heard that quick whisper. He knew they had failed yet again but this was the first time Tony had recruited him to help calm Cory down! He stood up, dropped the charm, pulled his hood over to shadow his face and walked Hermione across the room to Potter. There, he stole one last kiss, told her he had to go help Tony and would talk to her later.

Hermione sat down to a great deal of teasing from her friends. Harry leaned over and quietly asked her why Thorfinn had left. She giggled as she told him about Cory and Tony and their obsession with Madame Rosmerta! Harry covered his face as he cackled out loud. Seeing as everyone was finished eating, he suggested they go out and explore some more or go see if they could help calm Cory down.

As they exited the pub, they passed a clearing beside it. It was here that Tony and Thorfinn had dragged the angry Cory. The younger Yaxley was cursing a blue streak and glaring daggers at the Three Broomsticks. "Bloody hell, bloody hell! We almost had her, Thorfinn, we ALMOST HAD HER! He walked in and grabbed her away! Bloody hell!"

"Now, now! There will be more times to try, Cory! We're not done here yet! I have a courtship to conduct and you two have to make sure I stay out of trouble!" Thorfinn looked around at them. Hermione walked closer and he smiled at her.

"Is he going to be ok? He's awfully upset." She peered around him at Cory, still pacing and muttering.

"He'll be just fine as soon as he calms down a bit. I'm more worried about how fast his father returned. Where his dad goes, mine and Tony's dads are never far behind." As if on cue, there were two whooshes heard and the senior Dolohov and Rowle were back. Tony leaned back on the short stone wall surrounding the clearing. Cory moved over and hopped onto the wall beside him, pulling Tony closer to him. Dolohov briefly tracked them before returning his own gaze to Thorfinn and Hermione. He stood back as Ivor Rowle strode forward. Thorfinn pushed Hermione slightly behind him as his father approached.

"Have you already been in contact with your mother, boy? Why the devil would you be that stupid? You know what she will do! Now we'll have to play host to the little Mudblood!" he snarled at his son.

Thorfinn narrowed his eyes. "That MUDBLOOD is going to be the mother of your grandchildren someday! I suggest you show her some respect, FATHER! Yes, I already contacted mother! She needs to know so she can plan our betrothal dinner. No doubt, she'll be contacting Hermione soon."

"This whole thing is nothing but a travesty, boy! You are ruining our good name! I'll not pass my title down to a BLOOD TRAITOR! That's what you'll be! I'll strike you off the family tapestry!" he bellowed.

"GOOD! I never liked how I was pictured on the bloody thing anyway! I don't need a title to play Quidditch! And I don't need a title to marry the future mother of my children! Call me blood traitor all you want, father, see if I care! I don't need your approval anymore! So long as I have her approval, that's the only thing I need!" he gritted angrily. He could feel Hermione pressed against him, rubbing his back soothingly. It was the only thing keeping him calm enough to not throw Fiendfyre at his father.

"ENOUGH!" everybody jumped when Corban Yaxley yelled. "Ivar! If you really feel the need to threaten someone, go back and threaten the new recruits! Antonin! You couldn't have stepped in?!"

Dolohov shrugged. "Not my son, not my issue!" he then turned a threatening gaze to HIS son. Tony gazed back at him defiantly.

"Merlin help me!" Yaxley muttered to himself as he rubbed his temples. Hermione smiled as she gazed at him sympathetically. More than once, she'd found herself doing that very same action, in regards to whatever stupidity Harry and Ron had just pulled. "Ivar! The Dark Lord has already given his approval to their marriage! Antonin, for the love of Merlin, your son isn't bent! Even I can tell he's faking! Both of you go back, NOW!" HE gazed threateningly at both of THEM.

With one last snarl and a cold look at their children, the two fathers vanished. Yaxley let out a deep breath. "Now, on to what I'm really here about. Thorfinn, I didn't lie to your father just now. The Dark Lord sends his congratulations and approval of your match. He likes the plan you outlined and wishes you to keep Harry Potter neutralized." Hermione heard the emphasis on the words plan and neutralized. She looked at Yaxley who gazed back knowingly. He knew Thorfinn had lied to him and there was no plan but he had played along with them, just the same. It made her have some hope that the whole war could be avoided, if they played their cards right.

"He does, however, wish to meet Miss Granger." Yaxley removed a bracelet from his pocket. "He also wishes me to present this to your young bride. I'm told it was a Riddle family heirloom. It places Miss Granger under the protection of the Dark Lord." He stepped closer to Hermione. "I've gone over it a dozen times, my dear. There is no dark magic on it, only blood magic. When you put this on, you will basically be recognized by his magic. It will place you under his protection." He reassured her.

Hermione looked up at him, then Thorfinn. Thor nodded at her and she held out her wrist. Yaxley fastened it into place and stepped back. "You will soon be contacted by his mother. She will want to have a betrothal party and the Dark Lord will be there. No doubt she will be instructed to also invite Potter and any other friends you wish to have there. While you are still in school this year, you will be allowed to still go to your own parents for holidays. The Dark Lord wishes to see the two of you wed at the end of this school year. Therefore when this year is over with, you will be required to go to Rowle Manor until your wedding. Once you and Thorfinn are married, you will be back for your seventh year of school. Thorfinn will be touring with the Bats. Cory and Tony will accompany him. Once your schooling is over, you will likely be set up wherever Thorfinn decides the two of you will live. From there you will either continue your higher education or begin your family as Thorfinn continues to build his career. As you can see, the Dark Lord has pretty much taken control of your life. This is the precise way he outlined your future."

Hermione nodded. "It appears that way. Tell the Dark Lord I'm greatly relieved by his approval. Thank him for this lovely present. I look forward to meeting both him and my future mother in law. Tell him Thorfinn and I are very appreciative of the interest and concern for our future."

Yaxley turned to Thorfinn. "Say your goodbyes. You, Cory and Tony are to return with me. He wishes to meet with you. Then you will be allowed to return." Thorfinn nodded as he pulled Hermione close to him. Very quickly she reached up and pulled the unicorn ties off of his braids. She reattached new hair ties and he lifted her onto her toes. They kissed, then he lowered her down and followed behind Cory, Tony and Yaxley, Sr.

Hermione stood there a moment, staring after him. Harry stood behind her, one hand on her shoulder. She turned and flung herself into his arms, sobbing. "How are we going to do this, Harry? I can't lose him, I just can't! Before, I couldn't have cared less if he lived or died. But now, I've been in the past with him, we were so close, Harry, before I even came back! I got so close to him, I didn't want to come back! I wanted to stay there, in the past, with him!" Harry held her as she cried. He could see how close the two of them were. He knew that it was going to be a hard road ahead for them. But he knew one part of Thorfinn's 'plan' was true. He personally would not be making any moves against Thorfinn nor his two friends. Not because he was 'neutralized' but because he could see they didn't want to be in the position they were in.

Thorfinn and the others popped into view behind Yaxley. They were just outside the gates of Malfoy Manor. They crossed the barrier and entered the house. They went up to the dining room. There stood the Dark Lord, waiting for them. "Thorfinn. Such a pleasure to see you. Come here, my child." Never having heard the Dark Lord refer to him as a child before, Thorfinn was understandably wary about approaching him. Finally he stood before him. Knowing he was about to be subjected to Legilimency, he pulled a memory he had thought of just for this moment. As the Dark Lord entered his mind, he forced that memory to stay in place.

Hermione had said she would meet him but she might not be alone. Sure enough, Harry and the rest of her friends were with her. She walked towards him as he stood there, frozen in awe. She looked up at him. He rubbed her hair, wanting nothing more than to snatch her up and run away with her. They spread out all over the store, her friends, giving him and her a decent amount of space but still keeping their eyes on them. He knew better than to try and take her from the shop but he was content to let her browse through the books. Harry stayed the closest, the wary expression making it clear he didn't trust Rowle any further than he could throw him.

The Dark Lord pulled back, cackling happily at the expression on Potter's face as he realized he'd been outmaneuvered. Thorfinn kept all expression off his own face except for smug satisfaction. He knew a lot of whatever plan his girl came up with would depend on HIM playing his part, making the Dark Lord think he had won.

"Thorfinn, Yaxley has told you of my plans for the two of you? Have you any objections? Does she have any objections?" the Dark Lord watched him closely.

"Yes, we've been informed of your plans. I have no objection. She doesn't either. We're actually glad that there's a clear cut plan for us to follow. It makes it much easier to relax, knowing our future is already planned and all we have to do is meet each goal. She looks forward to meeting you and my mother." Thorfinn told him. Voldemort nodded as he waved his hand at him, dismissing him. Thorfinn stepped back, wanting to leave, knowing he dared not leave just yet.

Cory and Tony stood on either side of him. Their fathers were standing on the other side of the room. Yaxley had been waved closer by the Dark Lord. Severus Snape strode in, pausing a split second as he saw the three youngsters. Then he continued on up to the Dark Lord. He and Yaxley listened closely and both nodding to whatever instructions they were being given. After he dismissed them, they came back to the boys. "All right, boys. You're free to go. You are all to stay based in Hogsmeade until further notice." Yaxley looked at Thorfinn. "Thorfinn, be prepared to court her every Hogsmeade weekend. You also need to meet her parents, get their approval of the courtship. Just a heads up and you can pass the message on to her, Narcissa Malfoy has been assigned the job of planning your wedding. No doubt, she'll be contacting her as well. Wedding dress and all that." Yaxley told him. Thorfinn nodded, resolving to write her as soon as he got back.

They left the Manor and got back to Hogsmeade shortly after dark. After a few drinks at the Hogs Head, which was closer to their house than the Three Broomsticks, they went home and he immediately grabbed his copy of the diary. When he opened it, he smiled. "Hello, handsome, how did your meeting go?" Hermione had already left HIM a message.

"He took up his quill and wrote, "Pretty good, considering nobody was tortured while we were there. Not to say it didn't happen after we left. All he wanted to see us for was to make sure the 'plan' was still in place. Also to make sure you and I were ok with him basically dictating our lives. We're staying in Hogsmeade for now. I'm to be prepared to court you every Hogsmeade weekend, which I would have done anyway, He wants me to meet your parents and get their approval. Oh, and before I forget, I've been told to warn you that Narcissa might be contacting you soon. She's been commissioned as our wedding planner."

"Oh, great! Someone ELSE to obsess over my hair, makeup and clothes! Well, she's more than welcome to plan the entire thing. Anyway, I just wanted to check on you. I miss you. If I knew Harry didn't have both doors booby-trapped, I'd slip out and come down there. Buuuut, I watched him set the traps myself and even I didn't recognize some of them. So, that is out of the question. I'll write to Mum and dad to see when we can get with them. We'll probably be taking Harry with us, just to let you know. Every time I go home, I try to take Harry with me." She wrote back.

"I have no problem with Potter going with us. That will add authentication to the story. We can get Potter to look upset a couple of times and that can be the memory I show him when we get back. Unless my father forbids her from acting, my mother will be also contacting you soon. She will want to throw an engagement party for us. The Dark Lord WILL be there and he will want to meet you." He warned her.

"That's fine. I've been practicing Occlumency for a while now with Harry. I can't wait to meet your mother. I can tell you love her very much. I'll write my parents tonight and send it tomorrow. I should hear from them by the end of the week. I know they'll definitely want to meet you. I'll go ahead and tell you, they won't be happy about us marrying before my seventh year. They'll be trying to talk us into waiting until I graduate. Unless we really convince them that it would be for the best that we marry next summer. We COULD let them catch us in slightly compromising positions, nothing too bad, you understand, just enough that it really would be best for us to be married." She giggled at the thought.

"We COULD but you father might shoot me. I'd hate to die before we were even married. I'm sure we can convince them without any compromising. Of course, that doesn't mean I'll keep my hands off of you while we're there. My mother has been waiting for years to meet my bride. She'll love you. I can't wait to hold you again. Would you wear that little black dress again?" he held his breath.

"Yes, I suppose I could. Ginny, Lavender and Pavarti have already been trying to get me to go to Gladrags and get my measurements taken. I must admit, I do like the thought of having some of these dresses you like so well." Hermione told him.

"You'll probably need at least six dresses while you're at my parents' Manor. The old man INSISTS on dressing for dinner! We'll be able to go flying, though. There's a beautiful meadow that stretches out twice as long as the Quidditch pitch. Perfect for flying and picnics." He smiled at the thought of showing her the beautiful meadow he loved so much. "Goodnight, baby girl, sweet dreams."

"I'm looking forward to seeing that meadow now. Goodnight, Viking, until next time." Hermione held the book close as she thought of him. Then she closed it, slid it under her pillow and went to sleep.