Hermione was starting to get twitchy. She had settled into classes and already finished most of the homework due for the next month. Still, as the moon grew fuller she grew restless. A week out and she had been able to bleed off most of the extra magic dueling with Ginny but it left the redhead exhausted and only took the edge off.
She couldn't help but think of Malfoy's suggestion of sex. It wasn't that she trusted him… or even wanted to listen to a word he said. It was just that her and Theo had continued to fool around over the past couple of weeks and it seemed like a natural sort of progression anyway.
Which would be how Hermione found herself waiting for Ancient Studies to be let out at the base of the Divination tower. Students passed quickly, scurrying to lunch or other classes but Hermione only had eyes for a silver and green tie.
Theo was one of the last to leave the classroom and when his eyes caught hers his face broke into a wide grin. Hermione's heart fluttered and she knew there was an equally vibrant expression on hers. How no one else seemed to notice was beyond her.
"Hey Hermione," Theo said, sauntering up to her.
She had the irrational desire for him to call her 'darling' like he only ever did when they were alone. It was stupid, the first Hogsmeade visit wasn't for two more weeks and the boys would blow a gasket if she didn't tell them first. Still she wanted to drag him to the Great Hall and snog him silly. Just so that everyone knew he was hers.
"Theo," her voice was low and carried that tone that let him know he was about to be dragged into a broom closet. His steps faltered and his eyes darkened, the grin twisting into a smirk.
"I thought we were meeting in the library," Theo said casually. He stopped a respectable distance away, a few nosy onlookers still watching their 'friendship' with rapt attention. She could give them something to talk about.
"Yes well-" Hermione stepped forward intending to grab his hand. Something tickled at her nose, the sensitivity higher than usual. She closed her eyes and inhaled, disguising the movement as a sigh. Smoke… heat… spice… and-
Her eyes snapped open at the smell of roses and lilacs. She had choked on that perfume enough times over the years to recognize it immediately. Her eyes narrowed and Theo watched her warily. It took her a second to realize she was growling.
She spun, locating Lavender a short distance away chatting with Parvarti. Hermione's feet moved on instinct, her temper flaring at the challenge. She vaguely heard Theo calling for her somewhere behind her but all she could focus on was the stupid rose-scented girl a few feet away.
"Oh, hey Hermione. We we're just-"
Hermione cut Lavender off, grabbing her tightly by the wrist, her nails pressing against the skin in warning. Lavender's mouth snapped shut and lurched forward letting Hermione pull her by the arm.
"Excuse you. We were talking," Parvati said. Not that Hermione was listening.
Hermione hauled the other girl down the hall, whispers following them. She didn't care, it was all she could do to keep from making a massive scene in the hallway. Her longer legs served her well, putting distance between them and the rest of the students while Lavender struggled to keep up. Hermione didn't let go of the girl's wrist and Lavender didn't dare pull away.
When they were suitably far away enough she pulled the girl forward, inhaling deeply. Yes, she smelled of flowers, but just under it, barely noticeable and pressed right against her neck. The scent of smoke and spice. Hermione snarled, all but throwing her onto a nearby bench. Lavender whined but kept her eyes on the ground and head bent.
"Apparently we need to have a chat." Hermione was vaguely aware of Theo coming to a careful stop somewhere behind her.
"Dar-" she spun on him with a growl, throwing out a silencing spell before he could finish the statement. Theo's eyes narrowed but he simply crossed his arms and waited.
"Why exactly-" Hermione questioned turning back to Lavender. "-do you smell like Theo?"
Lavender flinched, her eyes fixed on her hands.
"It was an accident," she mumbled meekly.
"I'm sure it was. Look at me ." Hermione growled, her voice pitching dangerously low. Lavender looked up hesitantly, her eyes filled with fear. Every muscle in her body demanded that she hex the man-stealing-bint into oblivion. Hermione should have known she couldn't keep her bloody paws to herself. The girl had already taken what wasn't hers once-
"He's yours. I know that. I promise Hermione," Lavender babbled, her face taking on a glazed expression. "Accident. It was an accident. I'd never take your mate."
Hermione blinked, the human part of her brain creeping back.
"Mate?" she asked. The word swirled warmly in her chest... which was just foolish. They weren't animals and didn't have mates. Theo was her... well. They hadn't really discussed that but she was pretty sure they were dating… or something.
The monologue calmed her enough that by the time she looked back at Lavender the blonde was trembling as she babbled.
"-and I just slipped. He caught me so I didn't fall down the stairs and I am really sorry. I know that you two are-"
"You know?" Hermione whispered, slowly dragging herself back from feral.
"Er…" Lavender slowed, seemingly relaxing as Hermione did. "Yeah… well…"
"How?" Hermione snapped, instantly planning damage control. Owls could fly fast but not faster than gossip. It may have to be a patronus and she could just hope that Harry and Ron weren't in the middle of a DMLE meeting or something.
"Erm… you… er… smell like each other… a lot." Lavender coughed into her hand, her cheeks red. "Particularly after you have disappeared for awhile."
Hermione cheeks flared. There was the sound of a muffled guffaw behind her. Apparently Theo had broken through her spell. Dear Godric this was mortifying. The biggest gossip in school knew about her and Theo sneaking off and… smelling like each other apparently. Lavender wasn't even a werewolf, she was like Bill...which meant, Neville and Justin and…. Oh God Malfoy knew too.
" You will not say anything about any of this," Hermione growled, her tone one that was not to be ignored. Lavender's eyes glazed over again and she nodded fervently.
"Never. I won't say a word. I'm so sorry Hermione. It really was an accident. Theo was just being-"
"Go!" Hermione spat turning toward the deeply amused wizard in question. Lavender wasted no time in making herself scarce and Hermione could smell the relief rolling off her as she skittered by. As soon as her footsteps faded Theo spoke.
"Well that was a bit of an overreaction."
"I'd be careful Theo," Hermione growled, her temper flaring violently. "This is your fault too."
"How is this my fault?" he shot back, sliding his hands into his pockets.
"You should have let her fall."
"Down a thirty-foot staircase?" Theo scoffed. "Do you even hear yourself Granger?"
She hissed, upset he wasn't just rolling over to apologize. She stomped up to him, growling with her shoulders braced.
"Merlin, I know the moon has you riled up, but you look like you are about to swing on me."
"Maybe I am," she bit out, eyes flashing.
He smirked and that infuriated her. He leaned down, hovering just above her face.
"I'd like to see you try."
Hermione was torn. She really wanted to hit him. To tackle him and run her teeth along his neck until he quivered. To rake her nails down his chest until he whined. But even that was too far for her animalistic mind so she did the next best thing.
She fisted his shirt in her hands and pulled him forward the last few inches, attacking his mouth in a flurry of aggression and dominance. She could feel him grinning, something that just spurned her efforts more as she backed them into a wall, driving her tongue into his mouth to claim what was hers.
When she broke away for breath she kissed and licked down his neck, pressing her body tightly against his and covering that putrid flowering scent with her own. He was hers, and she would be damned if there was anyone who didn't know it.
She bit down hard at the juncture of his shoulder and neck, pleased when he growled and his hands quivered around her waist. She was going to take him, he was hers . She needed a room, or an alcove, now. Otherwise half of Hogwarts would be privy to her losing her virginity in a corridor and she was finding she cared less and less about that as time went on.
As if by magic, an old wooden door shimmered into existence behind them. Hermione smiled, pulling the latch and letting it swing inward. Theo stumbled back slightly before she steadied him, her lips locking back on his.
Before she could properly throw him to the ground and attack an absolutely vile scent rolled through the air. Both she and Theo ripped away from each other grimacing. Even compared to Lavender's scent this was noxious. It smelled like musk and dried flowers with a sticky sweetness that had her pulling away from Theo's arms to gag. He looked no better, his eyes wide and face slightly green. And there… just under it all was the scent of the Forbidden Forest.
"Fucking seriously?" Theo groaned.
Hermione turned, her eyes locking onto the movement just to the left of the door. She genuinely considered avada- ing herself when her eyes came to rest on a flushed Pansy Parkinson straddling Malfoy's lap. Malfoy for his part looked utterly bored but when her eyes met hers he smirked and shifted his hips causing Pansy to moan.
"Oh good God!" Hermione cried trying to hold onto her lunch in the face of her combined disgust and disbelief.
"What's the matter Granger?" Malfoy crooned. "Certainly you've read about this in a book before?"
"Granger?" Pansy said, her eyes fluttering open and she turned to stare at them. Theo growled lowly, his eyes narrowed at Malfoy as he slid a hand around Hermione's waist, tucking her behind him. Pansy's eyes tracked the motion, her eyes widening before looking at Theo in disgust.
"Really Nott? The mudblood?" Hermione's arm shot out to catch Theo around his chest as he made a step forward. She was happy to be defended but currently she was nearly drowning under a crushing weight of disappointment and nausea. "What a waste of your line. I know you hate daddy dearest but aren't there better ways to get back at him? Like joining a monastery?"
"Parkinson." Theo's voice was laced with danger. He didn't even glance at her, his eyes remaining glued to Malfoy. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Interesting choice to judge Nott," Draco spoke coolly, his hands gripping Pansy's waist to what must be the point of pain. Hermione shivered. "You looked to be a few steps away from this yourself. Find you own fucking classroom."
"You absolute fuck-"
Hermione hushed Theo with a weak tug at his tie. Something was wrong and she needed to get out of there. The scent was making her sick and she felt on the verge of crying. Theo must have sensed it because he glanced back at her, his eyes wide with alarm.
"Let's go," her voice was weak and small. Carrying none of the power she had walked in with.
"Please do," Pansy scoffed. Her face pulled into a sneer as she rolled her hips, moaning in over the top pleasure. Hermione flinched and she saw Malfoy frown. He stilled Pansy's hips glaring at the pair.
"Well, go on," he bit out. His voice a tad tight. "I don't offer public lessons."
"Fuck off Malfoy," she managed quietly.
"I am," he growled, even as Pansy huffed indignantly. "Don't worry, we won't reveal your little tryst Theo. Shut up Pans." Pansy's protests were cut off by his glare before he turned back to where Theo was already backing Hermione out of the room. "Just get the fuck out and leave me alone."
She felt Theo's muscles stiffen and she genuinely thought he may attack the blond. She trailed her hand softly down his spine, standing on her tiptoes to reach his ear, she didn't miss the way Malfoy's eyes dropped to her skirt.
"I want to leave."
Theo frowned but nodded, opening the door with a wave of his hand. Hoping it would calm him, she kissed the spot he had bitten earlier, letting her scent drift around him until his shoulders dropped.
Malfoy had completely dismissed them and resumed driving into Pansy headless of the other occupants. It made Hermione shiver, torn between disgust, fear, and anger. Theo let her lead him out, slamming the door behind them with a crack. The sounds of moans and that vile scent drifted away just as the door shimmered back out of existence, the notice-me-not charm they had ignored reforming.
"Hermione." Theo guided her face to his, looking down worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"Okay?" she questioned, trying to figure out what caused the hollow pit in her stomach. Surely not the miss opportunity, she could always just drag them to another classroom… if she wasn't so horrified by what she had just seen.
"Darling?" Theo prompted rubbing his hand down her cheek. It was only as he pulled away she could scent the salty tear caught on his finger.
"Oh!" She hastily pulled away rubbing her eyes viciously. "I am so sorry. I'm fine. I have no idea why I am crying."
The tears disappeared and she grabbed a hold of herself.
"I must just be traumatized," she laughed awkwardly. "How are your oblivion skills?"
"Not that good unfortunately," he responded smiling sadly. Still hot anger boiled just under the surface. "That was shitty of him. I'm sorry."
"Why? It's not your fault he's an arse." Hermione frowned. "Besides, I don't even care. Other than the fact I'll be having nightmares for the next week."
"Guess I'll just have to hold you through the night then," Theo joked, wrapping her in a tight hug.
She stayed there until his scent chased the last of that vile sweetness from her mind and her heart calmed. Reluctantly she pulled away, they had been gone long enough and now that she wasn't so pissed she realized she probably owed Lavender an apology.
"Let's go to lunch. I'm not particularly sure I can keep anything down but I am certainly not in any mood for a snog," she smiled broadly.
"Can't blame you," Theo laughed. "It's going to be damn awkward in the dorm tonight. Can I bunk with you?"
"Tell you what Theo," she laughed, pulling him down the hall by the hand. "If you can figure out how to get past the stairs you certainly can."
"Stairs?" he asked, not understanding her laughter even by the time they made it to the Great Hall.
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Hermione's apology to Lavender was waved off, the other girl muttering something about it not being a big deal. Still, Hermione saw the way she stiffened every time Hermione looked at her and couldn't help but feel a tiny bit guilty.
The rest of the day passed without incident. She arrived to Arithmancy early, making sure she was settled in her seat at the front and was the last to leave when class was over. She sat with her back to the Slytherin table at dinner, ignoring the cooling scent of fog when it rolled through the Great Hall. Theo frowned but she refused to so much as glance at Malfoy.
She really had no right to judge, after all she was about to throw Theo into the exact same position and shag him senseless. It made no sense that she was so bothered by this but she just chalked it up to the incidental horribleness that was any interaction with Malfoy.
Still when she rolled in bed that night, staring at the moon and praying for sleep she couldn't help but think about what would have happened if Malfoy and Pansy hadn't been there. She let her eyes drift shut, imagining the way Theo's hand ran expertly up her thigh. A wave of pleasure rolled through her body as she could almost feel his lips on her neck, biting down in retaliation for the mark he had to glamour before lunch. She could grind back against him, feeling his thick length dig into her sex, sparking desire and want… or maybe he was in front so she could buck her hips against him.
Her brain grew confused and merged the two images together, Theo being impossibly both in front of and behind her at the same time. She wasn't particularly bothered, it was only a day dream after all.
She pressed her legs together, feeling her knickers grown damp as she imagined too many hands roving over her body. A mouth at her neck and another one kissing down her stomach. Just as a his practiced hand drifted over her sex, Hermione saw a flash of steel grey, dark with desire and large pale hands gripping her thighs.
She yelped, her eyes shooting open and her heart hammering against her chest. Ginny grumbled from the bed next to her, peaking out only long enough to be waved away before slipping back inside.
Hermione stared at her bed curtains willing her body to sleep. She clearly was sleep deprived and the whole Malfoy issue today had traumatized her more than anticipated. She glared at the moon one last time before shutting her eyes, swearing she was going to find the password to the Slytherin common room tomorrow and take Theo up on his offer.