Hello lovelies! So sorry it's taken me so long to revisit this story. In all honesty, I got overwhelmed with how long it was getting and decided to table it until I could give it the attention it needed to live up to your expectations. This is a shorter chapter, just setting the stage and I think 2 more chapters will make it a complete work. Thanks for hanging in there with me and all your feedback! No steaminess in this chapter, but eventually our fated mates will get there!

Chapter 13

Hermione awoke with a knot in her stomach. Nerves tensing every muscle in her body.

Today was the day. The day Voldemort would finally be obliterated with no chance of return. Her magick would make sure of that. Her power was terrifying in its sheer might, but it was effective and thorough in eradicating its target.

She knew where she'd have to go: back to the drawing room. The place that held every nightmare, every terror that threatened to overwhelm and neutralize her. But she was determined. This would be the end. Finally.

Hermione rolled over to look at her bedmate, the Greek god who had decided he wanted her. Lucius was asleep on his side, sheet barely covering his hips, an image that made Hermione's throat go dry. With every deep breath, that powerful chest would rise and fall, his abs peaking out beneath the taunt skin. Gods, she wanted to lick her way down that dusting of blonde hair that was his happy trail, leading her to a beautiful end goal.

A deep chuckle graced her ears and her eyes snapped up to find his silver gaze fixed on her face.

"Little mate, please don't ever stop looking at me that way," he murmured as he reached out to stroke her face, his voice thick and raspy from sleep, a sound that wrapped its way around her lower region with a decadent warmth.

He searched her face, his expression somber and serious.

"Are you ready, love?"

Absolutely not. But there wasn't time to get ready.

"As I'll ever be."

"I'll be with you. Every step of the way." His voice was quiet, but held a strength in it that washed over her bones, giving her some extra support in her Gryffindor spine.

She met his gaze. Like this, it would be so easy to love him. An open and honest, beautiful man like the one that lay before her, lending his strength and support in such a way that she was still her own person but that she knew he knew she could succeed. He was steady, sure.

And he loved her. That knowledge wrapped itself around her heart in a protective shield. He loved her. It made her want to fall even faster.

The past day had been beautiful agony of exploring bodies, with gasps and screams and groans, whispered names like prayers, sweat, and passion. They claimed each other to the extent they could. Not once did she feel used. Not once did she feel like it was just physical. Every time they touched, it felt deeper, more intimate, their connection growing in a way that was frightening, exhilarating. He was her mate. Her protector and her steady anchor. A dominant male in the bedroom who took what he wanted but could also surrender every now and then to her own control. Perfection.

"I always wonder where your mind goes when you get that faraway look." Lucius's gentle, sensual baritone broke her from her thoughts. She opened her mouth to speak, but was silenced by a finger over her lips.

"You can describe that place later, love. For now, go get ready. Those aurors and that Unspeakable will be here soon." He smiled gently at her as she nodded and slipped out of the bed, moving towards the bathroom. She needed to get ready, alright. Use this time to place her armor back on piece by piece if she was going to come out of this whole.

Gods, she hoped she'd come out of it.

/

Lucius took his time getting a shower and getting dressed for the day. His shoulders were tense and no amount of hot water could undo the stress that wound its way around each muscle. He was concerned for his mate.

He was sure this would take the most energy, the most effort, to exterminate the last bit of that parasite that desperately clung to the remaining bit of demonic life it had. Since Hermione had been able to lock his energy down within the drawing room, it had almost been easy to forget that terrible presence that had hung in the atmosphere of the Manor since what was supposed to be the end of the war.

It had been easy to forget about the real world while his mate took him down her throat too.

But now the real world, as usual, came in to rip the oasis of a pleasurable respite away to dump the sobering thoughts of war, evil, and death back in their laps.

He had suggested for them to get ready separately, knowing that it was all too easy to get caught up in passion when it was time to prepare. But oh how he wished he hadn't.

Lucius was about to come out of his skin in worry for Hermione. His Veela thrashed, seeming to recognize that there was a threat to his mate, desperately clawing to get out and protect her at all cost.

But this was something that had to be done. Something that couldn't be ignored. A mission that he couldn't protect her from or keep her from accomplishing.

Lucius rolled and flexed his shoulders, willing his Veela to calm as he slowly passed each button of his shirt through its respective hole. Usually, he would use magic to get dressed, but the methodological nature of dressing was somewhat helping his sense of control in a completely out-of-his-control situation.

He took the time to tuck in the tails of his crisp, white button down, rolling the sleeves up to grant him access to move how he wanted, and took a deep breath.

She'll be alright. She's strong. And she can take as much of my power as she needs.

He repeated those words in his mind like a mantra, willing it to calm the worries that fisted his heart in a vice-like grip.

He had just found her. She had just welcomed him in. He couldn't lose her now.

He wouldn't lose her now.

Merlin, he couldn't wait until this was all over.

/

Hermione squared her shoulders and walked into the foyer where they had all congregated two days prior when she had been able to isolate Voldemort's remaining energy in the drawing room. She was startled to find it packed with people.

There were Seamus and Dean in the front, speaking in low voices, surrounded by what looked like 10 other stern-faced aurors. Seamus looked up first.

"Hermione!" He rushed toward her with a smile, as boisterous as usual. Dean followed closely behind, his quieter presence almost calming.

"Hi Seamus." She gave him a quick hug and followed with one for Dean. "What's going on? Why are there so many people here? How are they here?" She thought back to the small problem of the old magic protecting the Manor.

Seamus sobered almost instantly. Dean's eyes lost that warmth and hardened in a particularly grim expression.

"Death Eaters."

Hermione blanched.

"What? How? Who?"

Dean shrugged. "We have no idea. Somehow a call was sent out and we're guessing Old Snake-Face had a back up plan that no one ever knew. We don't know who these people are, only that they're incredibly violent and particularly have a taste for killing muggles. They've been on the move since yesterday apparently, but no one knew until the Unspeakables broke their own silence to sound the alarm."

Hermione felt her chest tighten. "They're on their way here, aren't they?"

Seamus's voice was hard, but quiet. "Yes. And you're their target. And we're almost certain they want you alive."

Hermione thought she might be sick. His plan all along, since that night in the drawing room, was to have her. That was the night her magick had awakened. How stupid they were to underestimate him once more. Voldemort always had contingency plans.

"Let them come."

A firm, warm chest met her back, strong hands wrapping around her forearms. Hermione's heart swelled as her mate's warmth soothed her spirit.

Seamus looked at Lucius's hands and angrily opened his mouth, but Dean placed his hand on his shoulder, stopping what would be an aggressive outburst.

"We've been briefed on everything, Hermione. Every team lead has." Dean said somberly, his eyes flicking up to meet Lucius's. Hermione started.

No, that was not how she wanted people to know. She felt Lucius stiffen behind her and suddenly felt ashamed.

He was her mate. A wonderful, thoughtful, powerful man. Someone she was proud of and who was trying to make amends. She wouldn't bow out of that spotlight just because she wasn't able to share her own story herself.

But wait.

"Every team lead? You mean—"

"Harry and Ron know. We had to wrestle them back a bit. They're on patrol now, trying to head off whatever army is coming our way. As our best team leads, they need to be out there, not here."

"Do they—? Were they—?"

"Upset?" Dean's kind voice was gentle. "At this being the first time they heard about it, yes, I think. And I'm sure Ron almost had an aneurysm at the whole mate thing. But they were calm when we shipped out. You probably need to talk with them."

Hermione deflated, her guilt threatening to swallow her whole. She leaned against Lucius for support, his hands tightening on her arms in reassurance. His chest rumbled against her back when he spoke.

"I take it you have taken precautions to ensure Hermione's safety. Particularly surrounding her magick?" It wasn't really a question.

Hermione could see the Irish auror bristle, but he was professional when he responded.

"We've all taken the auror's vow not to utter a word to someone who doesn't know. If anyone speaks it, we'll know who and to whom and that auror will be stripped of all titles, positions, their wand, everything," he said firmly. He looked at Hermione kindly, "Your protection is our highest priority, Hermione."

"There will be no more death, no more killing because of this power," Dean cut in, his eyes flickering with his tightly controlled anger. "And fuck anyone who thinks they can come in a take you."

Hermione gave a small smile, reaching out to grab both of her old friend's hands and giving them a squeeze. "Thank you, guys, really."

Sure, her secret was out, but right now, that wasn't something she even had to capacity to worry about. She had a duty and a task that needed to be accomplished. And she would.

She wouldn't fail.

/

Lucius tried to feel bad that others knew Hermione was his.

He really did.

But he really couldn't find it in himself to give one fuck.

After all, she was his. And every single person in that room could know, he didn't give a shit.

And right now, he wanted to rage. He wanted to go out, find every single fool who thought they could take his mate from him, and obliterate them, rip them apart.

He willed his Veela instincts to calm. Right now, Hermione needed him. She hadn't moved from her position that leaned on him for support, showing her potentially unconscious need for her mate. How he wanted to lift her up and take her away, hide her from what was to be a dangerous and overwhelming day, but they had work to do.

And he'd see that his mate was successful. They wouldn't fail.

The fireplace roared to life and the Unspeakable in his usual corporeal patronus form stepped through. His feline face looked grim (could a tiger look grim?) as he surveyed the room, finally landing on Lucius and Hermione. He delicately slinked through the small crowd, the aurors quick to move out of the way. He stopped and sat in front of the couple as Dean and Seamus shuffled to the side.

"Miss Granger," came that disembodied voice, "I take it you understand what's at stake here." Those curls under his chin shook as she nodded. "Apologies for the override of the Manor's protection spells and the release of certain sensitive information," those feline eyes flicked to Lucius, "but due to extreme circumstances, we felt it was necessary."

"That's quite alright," Lucius said stiffly and Hermione nodded softly in agreement. "It is unfortunate we were unable to tell certain people ourselves, but we understand the degree of risk currently in keeping those that need to know what's going on in the dark. I'm assuming you have replaced such protections?"

The tiger nodded.

"How bad?" Hermione croaked. Her body was trembling and Lucius wished again to wrap her up in his arms.

"They swept through the country yesterday. We heard absolutely nothing until last night, when the dead started to pile." The Unspeakable's voice was cool, not betraying any emotion. "We're not sure who they are or even what they are."

"Pardon, what they are? We were under the impression it was some sect of Death Eater," he growled. What the fuck did that mean?

"In all actuality, we're unsure if they're magical beings or... something else."

"And that cryptic statement means...?"

"We knew the Dark Lord was dabbling in certain unsavory parks of dark magic. Darker than I think anyone would have thought."

Hermione went rigid.

"Demons," she whispered. Now her trembling was more pronounced.

"We are uncertain—"

"No." Her body went still and her voice was cold. Like it didn't belong to her, somehow older, stronger. "Demons are walking on this plain. He woke them. I can feel them. Desecrating my land. They are the only creatures that can take my power from me. Unnatural scum."

Lucius saw her magick flicker and flame as it raged around the witch, morphing into what looked like a solid shield around her body. Protection. It knew.

Dean, Seamus, and the patronus stared at the girl. The tiger cocked its head.

"Miss Granger, you can feel them?"

"Yes," it was a fearful whisper, much more like his Hermione. "I— I thought it was just his energy here. But now that I know there's something out there, I can feel them. Like they're moving around inside me. It's a darker, evil energy. Powerful." His grip tightened on her arms, holding her up in the only showcase of support he thought she could handle then.

If that fool had unleashed demonic energy, then there was no telling what kind of carnage was heading their way.

"Blimey hell," Seamus breathed his hands riffling through his hair. Dean looked like he was going to be sick.

"Then we need to move. Immediately." The Unspeakable said briskly, "No person can fend off a demon for long, not even our best aurors. Zabini!"

The dark wizard stepped out from amongst the group of aurors waiting in the foyer. Lucius had been so focused on his terrified mate in his arms he hadn't noticed the silence that had overtaken the room as each individual has stopped to hear.

The tiger turned to address the auror. "Find every team lead. Let them know what we're up against. Only containment spells, no aggressive or offensive magic. Any combative energy will just be absorbed. Demons are energy parasites. If they look like they'll be overrun, get the team out of there. We cannot afford to lose anyone."

Blaise Zabini nodded once and, with a loud crack, disaparated to follow his orders.

The big, shaggy patronus head swung back to look at Hermione. Lucius tried to offer a bit of calm to her trembling body through stroking her arms, but it wasn't enough, he needed to touch her skin, lend her his energy.

"Miss Granger, it's all up to you now."

/

Hermione took a deep breath as she stood before the massive door to the drawing room, the room that not only held her very nightmare but also was the prison that contained the embodiment of evil. It practically dripped with sinister energy. She felt Lucius's reassuring presence at her side as he waited quietly for her to compose herself, a small mercy for which she would be grateful her entire life with him.

Ten aurors, all strangers except for Dean and Seamus, were a few paces behind them, waiting silently. Five would go in, to try to contain everything regardless of if what Hermione was about to do was effective or not, and five to stay outside and potentially lock the entire place down should things go horribly wrong. It wasn't the most comforting, but Hermione felt a little better that there may be a least a small second line of defense.

The patronus of the Unspeakable watched quietly as she steeled herself.

One last deep breath.

She bent her arms at her elbows, palms facing the floor. Shutting her eyes, she felt her magick flow around her and down to meet its wellspring. Hermione prayed desperately that it would connect the amount of power she would need to do this. Her body had already begun jittering with power when she finally recognized the evil that was threatening to ravage the world. She hoped, in its sentient way, her magick would draw the amount she needed to actually complete this task effectively.

And then she was consumed. The power roared to life in her ears, her very veins pumped with an energy that threatened to destroy her. The magick sensed the evil that had invaded and it was angry. It cried out for the blood of the defiler. Visions of the black mass of evil traveling over her land crowded her mind, the destruction of muggles laying her soul bare.

End it. Cleanse it. Her magick whispered. We can end it. Cleanse the earth of this unnatural wickedness. Once and for all.

Hermione felt like she would be overcome by the magick, it's rage smothering her rationale. But a cool touch of long and strong fingers intertwining with her own grounded her. Her mate. His magic wound its way around her soul, soothing the aching rage like the relieving kiss of aloe on a sunburn.

She breathed through her nose, steadying herself, opening her eyes to meet the gaze of her mate. The reassuring squeeze was all she needed to brace herself.

She opened her mouth to speak and an unfamiliar voice passed through her lips. The voice that had overtaken her once before upon the realization of demons on earth. A voice infused with unrelenting justice and indescribable power.

"Open."

/

There you go! The next chapter is already written and being edited so I promise no more year long waits.

Let me know what you think and what you enjoy! I do so love hearing your thoughts!