Day Twenty

Ready for another week of work as her manager, Rabastan was already out of bed making breakfast when Hermione got up. She sincerely hoped that she didn't actually keep him up with her snoring. It wasn't horrible, but once or twice she thought she should probably see a Healer about the very occasional bouts of snoring she sometimes had or get a new pillow to help stop it. Weren't there spells that could work? She didn't want to admit to being a little embarrassed by it all. Being alone for a long time meant she never had to think about the person sleeping next to her.

When she went into the kitchen, Rabastan looked up from the eggs he was scrambling to smile. At least he didn't seem like he had been unable to sleep. Would he be too nice to actually tell her the truth?

"Did you sleep well? Or did my snoring keep you up again?"

With a big smile on his face, he kissed her good morning. Still in the middle of cooking, he wasn't able to make it as passionate as it had been other mornings. Or perhaps he was trying to keep a level head. Neither one of them had been entirely innocent in recent days.

"I was only teasing you about your snoring. It was adorable. It didn't bother me."

"If you didn't mean that, did you mean what you said in the shop yesterday?"

His devilish grin caught her by surprise.

"Every word."

The way he said that short phrase and then looked her entire body up and down was proof that she had just doomed herself to another day of uncomfortable squirming. How could she be expected to think of anything else than his plans for the shop? Rabastan loved the effect he had on her too. She knew it would only get worse before it got any better. There was every possibility that it would be a long day.

In the shop it didn't take long before there was nothing left to do. Every corner had been cleaned, sometimes multiple times. Every section was organized. Rabastan made certain that all spells were removed from the accounting books. He wanted to be sure that they had an accurate picture of what the state of the shop's finances were really in.

"Maybe we should take a class together to learn more about how to do the accounting for the shop."

"If we learn from Muggles, we may need to think about getting a computer. That seems to be what they do everything on now."

Hermione was surprised to see that her husband was more intrigued by the notion of getting a computer and learning to use it than horrified. He definitely wasn't the wizard she assumed he was. It reminded her to be careful about judging people she didn't really know. Everyone could stand to relearn that lesson from time to time.

A couple of hours into the shop being opened, she had nothing left to do but stand at the counter and flip through a catalog one of the magical publishing houses sent her about their upcoming releases. She didn't see much point in ordering new books for customers that weren't coming into the shop. Each flip of the page she grew more annoyed. At the rate they were going, new books would just sit and gather the same amount of dust as the old ones. Despite trying very hard to keep up a positive attitude, she let out a frustrated sigh.

Rabastan moved to stand behind her. He placed both of his hands on the counter on either side of her, effectively trapping her between his arms. Curious to know what he was doing, she looked over her shoulder. His grin was almost feral. He lowered his lips to the outside of her ear to whisper.

"You said there was a lot we could still do without activating the bond."

Suddenly with one sentence, she didn't even care about her business failing. Her mind was focused on more pleasurable thoughts. What was going to happen next? She could hardly breathe anticipated his moves.

His large, elegant hands were made for caressing the keys of a piano. Perhaps in another life he could've been the greatest musician, but when he placed them on her waist, she only cared about that life. One hand slid into the waistband of her trousers. Her heart beat rapidly against her chest. She wished she'd worn a dress or a skirt that day instead but Rabastan didn't seem to mind. He was able to easily get his hand inside her knickers. Right there in the middle of the store where anyone could walk in and see them, he chose to return the favor from the day before.

First, his long index finger traced the outline of her slit. He was in no rush. Why should he be? No one was going to walk in on them. He dipped his fingertip in, barely touching the sensitive flesh. Very slowly and methodically he slid his finger up. She nearly screamed right there. After so long of not being touched by anyone other than herself, she was ready to burst. His amused chuckle should've shamed her if she hadn't been too anxious and far gone to care. It wasn't like her to allow a man to touch her in such a private way in such a public place.

"You're already so wet, my darling, and I've hardly even touched you."

He kissed the side of her head as he pushed his finger into her folds just a little bit further. A gentle brush against her clit sent shockwaves through her entire body that he didn't miss at all. Wanting to see it again, he pressed a little harder, lingered a little bit longer. She had to remind herself how to breathe. How did a simple touch feel so fucking good? Her moan excited him. He pulled her tighter against his body allowing her to feel just how much he wanted her too. At the first torturously slow press of his finger inside her body, she had to close her eyes. He moved in and out, mimicking what he planned to do with another part of his body in the near future. Slow and steady to start. The more she moaned, the faster his hand moved.

"I can't wait until it's my cock filling you up. I'm going to make you scream your throat bloody."

There was no doubt in her mind that he had the power and the skill to do just that. He knew just where to touch to make her shiver and pant. Feeling her body tense as she felt the intensity of her climax building, he showed how merciless he could be in the next second. His free hand unbuttoned and unzipped her trousers and pushed them down to her thighs to give him better access. One finger was joined by a second and she did cry out at the sensation. He kept up a steady rhythm with his thumb never leaving her clit, working her up into a frenzy. She wanted to drag him up the stairs, fuck their agreement.

"Your pussy is so tight and wet for me. I want to bend you over this counter, fuck you from behind, prove to you that you belong to me. Do you want to show me how you can come for me, my darling?"

Did he expect actual words in response? She could just moan again. Satisfied that she understood what was expected of her, he didn't stop moving his hand until she was seeing stars in her vision and on the verge of screaming. Only the reminder that she was technically in public kept her mouth shut. Her inner walls clamped down on his sinful fingers and the trembling began.

"Yes, there you are, my darling good girl. Come for me. Come all over my hand."

Rabastan held her tight through her orgasm. She would've slid to the floor otherwise. Every couple of seconds he pressed his lips to the side of her head and whispered how good she was, how beautiful she looked when she came. She was in awe. If he could do that just with his hand, what else was he capable? He seemed reluctant to finally remove his hand from inside her knickers. When he did, however, her husband made a dramatic show of tasting the two fingers he just had inside of her with a deep groan.

"Delicious."

Hermione spun around and dropped to her knees without giving it much thought. Something about the man inspired her to act without thinking. She reached for the zipper on her bulging trousers. Rabastan stared down at her with wide, unblinking eyes. It was his turn to breathe hard. Moments before she could do anything more than carefully slide the zipper down, the bell above the shop door rang. Of all of the bloody moments for someone to finally come inside!

"Hello there. Can I help you with something, miss?"

Rabastan tried to keep his voice steady when greeting their newest visitor.

"Would you like me to go outside and wait a few minutes? I don't mind. Would ten be enough?"

Luna Lovegood's voice was unmistakeable. Even as an adult it hadn't lost its dreamy quality. She was so calm and matter of fact about her offer to come back later. Hermione looked up to realize in horror that from the angle where Luna was standing, she could see right behind the counter. There was no question what Hermione was on the verge of doing. Instead of being horrified like so many others might be in a similar situation, Luna sounded almost bored. Unable to stay down on her knees another second, Hermione cleared her throat and stood up with a little help from Rabastan who quickly zipped his trousers back up. Hermione had to pull up her own, hoping that Luna didn't notice on the other side of the counter.

"Hello, Luna. No, that won't be necessary."

It wasn't hard to tell that Rabastan was on the verge of disagreeing and taking those ten minutes she offered. Hermione gave him a frustrated look and slapped his stomach gently. He only laughed.

At least she knew that Luna wasn't there to lecture her on her choice of husband. That was a small comfort, especially after the scene she stumbled upon. She was the reason the two of them ever started exchanging letters in the first place. It would make her a hypocrite if she disapproved, something Luna most definitely wasn't.

"It's wonderful to see you. This is my husband Rabastan Lestrange."

Under the counter, Rabastan cast a cleansing charm on his hand discreetly before he shook Luna's hand. Hermione felt her cheeks burn at the reminder why he needed to do something so courteous.

"And darling, this is Luna Lovegood. She's the reason we started writing."

Rabastan's smile was bright.

"Then a handshake isn't nearly enough."

He leaned over the counter to kiss her cheek. Luna liked him immediately.

"Are you aware there's a repulsion spell on your building?"

Hermione and Rabastan were confused. What was she telling them?

"It's subtle, very well done, but there. I wanted to come to the shop to see you, Hermione. I just returned from Sweden yesterday. But I also wanted some books my friend suggested. As soon as I got near the shop, I didn't want the books any longer. But I still wanted to come inside. Maybe it's a spell to repulse customers who want to buy."

Hermione sighed and Rabastan clenched his jaw. It was so simple and so devious.

"I bet Nicholas cast it. He told me he wanted to buy the shop. Thought he would get his chance soon if we continued to not have any customers."

"With your money he stole from you."

He was furious. To try to calm him down, Hermione reached for his arm. After a few moments when he had better control, he kissed her cheek.

"I'm not going to seek him out if that's what you're worried about. I know it would put my parole at stake and I have far too much to live for outside of prison now."

She couldn't deny she was relieved to hear him say that. No one could blame him for being angry enough to hurt Nicholas. The man was slime and deserved to be eviscerated.

"Nicholas has been stealing from you?"

Hermione nodded to answer Luna's question.

"I had to fire him. He's been doing it since I bought the shop apparently."

On the outside to anyone who didn't really know Luna, she looked calm, but Hermione knew she was furious. Rabastan suggested the three of them go outside to see if they can figure out how to remove the spell.

"Usually in spells like these that the caster wants to last a long time, they will carve a rune somewhere to make it stronger."

Hermione stopped her searching to stare at her husband. Luna smirked and turned to Rabastan.

"She's attracted to men who use their brain. Women too, I suppose. There was that night in the library when we were studying for our Arithmancy NEWT and she was stuck on a formula. I helped her and she was so grateful she kissed me. I enjoyed it. I often wonder what might have happened if Justin didn't interrupt."

Luna shrugged her shoulders and kept looking for any sign of the rune on the front of the building. Rabastan stared at his wife with a big grin and she felt a little embarrassed.

"What? Justin has always had terrible timing."

His loud laughter made her cheeks burn again. No doubt he would want to know more about that night in the library when they were alone again. She kept her focus on searching for the rune. At least it gave her an excuse not to look at his smirking face.

The rune was very tiny at the bottom of the front door. Hermione was the one to find it. Even though the door had just been repainted days earlier, it wasn't a surprise that it was missed. Carved into the wood, it took a great deal of effort for her to find it. Furious and wishing it was Nicholas' face, she found joy in blasting the rune off the door. Immediately after it was destroyed, Luna smiled.

"I want to buy those books again."

Rabastan held the door open for both of the ladies. They were hardly inside when the door opened again and they had their first customer in days. Was it really all that simple? Hermione threw her arms around Luna.

"Luna, thank you. I could kiss you again."

"Don't let me stop you. I don't mind."

She gave her husband another annoyed look. Far from being ashamed by his statement, he only laughed harder.

"I bet the same rune is carved into the door of the Rowles' teashop."

He nodded.

"I'll go check right now. Luna, dear, it was a great pleasure to meet you. You are always welcome any time of the day or night."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but laughed. She pushed him towards the front door that opened again to admit another customer. After so long without any, she almost forgot what it was like to have people in her store. Once she was certain that her husband was off to help the Rowles, she helped Luna find her books. The two women hugged, making promises very soon that they would see each other.

Every customer that came into the shop was friendly like they had always been even before she married a known Death Eater. It was incredible. One witch told Hermione that she'd been meaning to stop in for weeks but every time she came to Diagon Alley, she forgot. She blamed her faulty memory on her age, but Hermione knew better. If she ever had the misfortune of crossing Nicholas' path again, it wouldn't be pretty.

Nearly an hour passed before Rabastan returned to the shop. He was pleased to report that they were able to find the hidden rune carved into the teashop's door. As soon as they got rid of it, customers returned. They were already filling up the shop before he could leave.

"Mrs. Rowle said that from now until we die, anything we want is on the house."

"That was generous of her. I wonder who did it to them. Do you think Nicholas wanted to buy it too?"

"I doubt it. My guess would be the old bitch across the street. Doesn't like the competition and doesn't like Death Eaters."

When she looked at him confused, he admitted he'd tried to go into the shop the day before and was rudely kicked out.

"Apparently, she'd already told my wife we weren't welcome."

"I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to get upset."

With actual customers in the shop, the rest of the day passed quickly. To celebrate the success of uncovering the devious spell, they went out to dinner in Muggle London again. Hermione suspected that most of that was an excuse to keep them out in public as long as possible. Clearly they couldn't trust themselves to behave when they were alone. She was very careful with her goodnight kiss before bed.