A/N: Nothing really to say, it's almost Christmas, I can't believe the year is almost over. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for reading what goes on in my head when no one is looking.

Peace, Love, and Slyther,

Gimi aka Jess

Three weeks had passed since Hermione's first outing with her father and Thorfinn. Hermione fell into a chair by the fireplace in her parlour at LeStrange Estates. She had just returned from a trip with the girls to Paris to look for a dress, and she was exhausted.

Narcissa was in her element, as Hermione had expected. Rodolphus had tagged along with the girls on this trip, and he was to be with a member of his family at all times, and all members had accompanied Hermione. Well, except Draco and Lucius, but Rodolphus was not allowed in Lucius' presence without his daughter. Ex-Death Eater and all.

Rodolphus had gone to the front parlour when they returned. He sat on the sofa with a tumbler of firewhisky in his hand, thinking about the day's events. It was a surreal experience watching his daughter pick out wedding dresses. He smiled at the memory of Hermione trying on, what seemed like hundreds of dresses. Long, short, off-white, something called champagne blush, lace, silk, and everything in between. Narcissa had finally decided that she should have a dress made from scratch and sent a bewildered Hermione home with samples and books of styles to look at. These were all currently taking up space on her table in her parlour when he walked past the room.

"Rodolphus?" Hermione called out from the stairs. He could hear her footsteps approaching the door, also hearing the laughter of little Teddy coming from his chambers upstairs. The sounds of a family made the man smile, he had not heard that often enough in his life, "I'm leaving. Andy is in her chambers with Teddy."

"Okay, Hermione," he said from his place on the sofa. Hermione had been trying to spend more time with Thorfinn the last few weeks. Ever since their evening with Ingrid and him, she had been more inclined to spending time with the Viking of a wizard.

Rodolphus smirked at the thoughts of his daughter and her fiance, the two were prone to arguing and Hermione was not afraid to pack a punch if needed. She would never use magic against him as he was defenceless, but that didn't mean she allowed him to use his size to his advantage. She had told Ingrid she was not afraid of Thorfinn, she had dealt with a lot in her young life, a brute of a man was no different. Rodolphus was sure that the man might admire the witch who wouldn't cave to his bullshit.

OoOoOoO

Hermione left her home, flooing to The Leaky Cauldron, where she was meeting Thorfinn. After the day she had with her aunts, father, and friends looking for her new improved dress, she wasn't honestly looking forward to this outing.

It wasn't that she didn't think it was a bad idea, Thorfinn and she spending time together, he wasn't the worst company to spend time with. Their outings after the initial one were all pleasant, but she was extremely busy these days. Even after quitting her job with Gringotts, she was still required to be at Malfoy Manor almost every day of the week for every detail of the wedding.

Narcissa Malfoy was not allowing her to shirk her duties as the bride. Even if she said that Narcissa could throw a much more grand affair than she could even imagine; a compliment that had Draco howling for days over. Narcissa insisted that the wedding was not a Malfoy event, but a LeStrange, and more importantly, the wizarding world would be picking at it with a fine tooth comb because it was Hermione Granger. Her engagement party as well as her wedding had to elegant and sophisticated and most importantly, represent her as a witch.

Even the date she was going on with Thorfinn that evening was a tasting for their engagement party that was to take place at Malfoy Manor in two weeks time. Narcissa and even Molly had said, the menu should represent the bride and groom. When Hermione stated she wanted roast and mince pie though, well let's just say, Narcissa was not impressed.

As she stepped out of the grate and began to syphon off the soot on her gold flowing dress, she noticed that Thorfinn was already there waiting for her. Looking up from the last of the mess of her clothing, she saw that he had also dressed up for the occasion, dressed in a grey muggle suit, his hair pulled back.

Without thinking Hermione made a face at his hair pulled back, she didn't want to admit it, but the man looked better with his long hair loose and free. She shook her head at the raised eyebrow and smirk on his face as she walked over to him.

"I hope you weren't kept waiting long for me," She said with a tight smile.

Thorfinn took her hand and grinned. He turned it, palm up, and placed a delicate kiss on her wrist, his smile getting more full at the hitch of her breath from this action. It was his own personal game with Hermione LeStrange. Little touches to get a reaction from her. Ever since that ghost of a kiss those weeks ago, her responses seem to fuel his budding interest in the muggle raised girl.

He looked up, staring her in the eye, grin on his lips, "Not long at all Miss LeStrange, only just arrived myself."

Hermione pulled her hand back as if he scorched her, the skin on her wrist burning, she could almost see the blood rushing to the area. She rolled her eyes and walked ahead of him, his large, warm hand resting on the small of her back. She ignored the stares and the whispers around her, knowing the entire pub was watching her. It had been months now, she had thought she would be old news, but apparently not. Channeling her inner Narcissa, she held her head up high and walked out of the pub and into the streets of Diagon Alley.

The restaurant they were going to visit had been around since the time of Merlin from what they said. Hermione could care less, but Narcissa had been smug about that when she had set up the tasting. As the daughter of two well to do dentist, one an oral surgeon, in the muggle world, Hermione was not unaccustomed to fine dining; but she was sure that this type of dining would be more what she expected was for royalty than a middle-class girl like herself.

As she expected, the wizard handling the reservations looked down his unusually large nose at her, as well as Thorfinn until she mentioned her family name as well as Narcissa. Hermione rolled her eyes once more as the two of them were brought back to a tasting room, where three witches waiting to begin their dinner.

Thorfinn smirked at the looks of anticipation on the witches faces as he walked over and pulled out Hermione's chair. He had heard them begin a whispered conversation behind him as he sat down.

"Oh my, he's delicious!"

"He's a Death Eater, Livie!"

"So what? He can eat-"

"Persia!"

"What is he doing with her?"

"She's a war heroine."

"She's a LeStrange, they are no good."

"Livie, he's a Death Eater."

"A gorgeous one."

Hermione rolled her eyes once more at that last bit as Thorfinn looked about to burst into laughter, "If you are quite done disparaging my parentage, can we begin? I have better things to do than to listen to you talk badly about my family and talk about how my fiance can feast on your kneazle!"

The three girls gasped in horror as Thorfinn roared with laughter. Hermione took a sip of her sparkling gilly water and pulled out her wand. She then sent a patronus to the maitre D that she required new wait staff as the three that were there were too dim-witted to know that their charges, indeed had ears. She also mentioned that the new team should be told to keep their lowly opinions of her family to themselves if they would like to keep all their limbs intact and without boils.

Amusement danced in Thorfinn's blue eyes as three wizards brought out their first samples. A quick quotes quill and parchment were on the table taking down their chosen selection. They went through several courses picking this and that, some of which Hermione wrinkled her nose, others that smelled putrid, and some that were just divine.

The couple had made it to the main course where they sampled dragon steak tartare which Thorfinn thought to be delicious but Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Charlie Weasley eating one of his favourite magical animals, some sort of lamb dish, chicken and pasta, and a salmon course.

Hermione was full by the time dessert came up, she refused everything but a decadent seven-layer chocolate cake. Being the daughter of two dentists, she was never allowed such rich desserts, even after they knew she was a witch. Good oral hygiene rules still applied.

Thorfinn watched as Hermione took a forkful of her cake and placed it in her mouth. His trousers tightened slightly at the almost pornographic moan that came from her small mouth. He watched her eyes roll somewhat and her tongue dart out and lick her rosy lips free from any chocolate. The woman was almost orgasmic at the taste of cake!

She has to know what she is doing, Thorfinn thought to himself as he took a bite of his trifle. He glanced over at the three wizards who were serving them and glared at all three were watching Hermione's mouth intently as she went in for a second bite.

Hermione sat back in her seat, savouring the chocolate as it melted on her tongue, "This is so delicious, I could bathe in this chocolate."

Thorfinn took a second to imagine a naked Hermione sitting in a tub of melted chocolate, and his mouth began to water.

Blinking away the image for another moment, preferably alone, he chuckled nonchalantly, "That good? I'm assuming you would like that as part of the dessert selection?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, it's too rich, but you should try it." Without thinking, she brought a forkful up and to his mouth, looking at him expectedly.

Thorfinn was taken back, it was uncommon for witches and wizards to share so openly in public. As a child of a well-off wizarding family, there was never need to share, if he wanted something, there was always plenty. It seemed that, in Hermione's upbringing, it was common for people to share their food off their plate. It was nice.

Thorfinn opened his mouth, letting her stick her fork in his mouth. He could taste the rich, almost bitter, taste of the dark chocolate begin to coat his tongue as she scraped her fork against his lips. It was delectable. The sponge must have been soaked in some sort of liquor because the intense flavours of coffee and caramel began to mingle with the chocolate and almost danced in his mouth. She was right, the cake was the best thing they had that evening.

Hermione chuckled a bit, pointing to his lips. His tongue darted out trying to lick the stray dessert off his face, but he missed it again. She reached up and wiped her small finger on the side of his upper lip, collecting the chocolate from his face. Before she pulled away, Thorfinn caught her hand and put it in his mouth. The giant of a man, a man whom she was just beginning to look at differently. He sucked on her digit, licking it clean of the sweet flavours while staring into her blue/grey eyes.

Hermione's breath hitched at the sensual movement. She was sure she should have felt violated, the man was sucking on her finger like he was expecting firewhisky to come flowing out. But she couldn't deny that the action hit straight at her core.

She wasn't sure when the two of them went from enemies to this. They had been spending a lot of time together over the weeks, in public as well as privately. They occasionally flirted, mostly argued, and a few times Hermione had to put him in his place for manhandling her. Overall, they were getting along, but this. This was next level.

"Mmm," Thorfinn said as he released her hand, "That was certainly decadent." He winked at his witch. Blushing, she rolled her eyes, and he watched the quick quotes quill check off the cake as part of their menu. He gave a small chuckle as the plates rose in the air and made their way to the kitchens.

Hermione and Thorfinn continued talking after the plates were removed when an ethereal white swan floated into the room. Hermione stared at it, fear in her eyes, "Hermione," Pansy's voice permeated the room, "You need to come to St Mungo's quickly, It's Ron."

Hermione gasped and got up quickly. Thorfinn stood as well and grabbed Hermione's arm. He raced to the maitre d and dropped more than enough galleons into his hand as he rushed Hermione out of the restaurant.

Thorfinn wasn't exactly sure why he was moving so quickly. He knew this was his fiancée's former lover. In reality, he should be refusing her to go, he was within his rights as her future husband. But he knew he couldn't do that to her. He had remembered seeing her with her friends in school, knew they had the bond of real friends. It was the same sort of relationship he shared with Adrian or even Marcus. He knew that trying to keep her away would be pointless.

Hermione didn't even say anything, she just held onto Thorfinn and the two of them twisted into nothing.

OoOoOoO

The two of them landed in the alley by Purge and Dowles Ltd. still holding his hand, Hermione whispered who she was there to see and they walked through the display case into the hospital entrance.

Walking past the welcome witch, Hermione made her way into the Accidents and Casualties department and found Pansy standing with Molly and Arthur Weasley. Hermione finally lets go of Thorfinn's hand and ran to her surrogate parents.

Seeing Hermione, Molly drew her into a bone crushing hug, "Oh Hermione dear, I'm so glad you're here, Harry will be here soon."

"What happened? Where's Ron? Pansy?" Hermione asked looking at each Weasley and then her friend. Thorfinn stood behind Hermione, his hand had found its way onto the small of her back, and he was subconsciously drawing circles on it.

Pansy looked sadly at her friend, "His partner said they were on assignment in the East, I don't know the details, but he was cursed with a slicing hex. It happened yesterday? The wound won't heal and is festering. Bill is in with him now, trying to gather information on how to counter it."

Hermione gasped and put a hand to her mouth, stepping back right into Thorfinn's arm. He grabbed her waist to steady her, and once she was steady, he pushed her into the matriarch. Thorfinn should not have been there, he didn't care a fig about the Weasleys, especially not this kid who almost married his witch. He felt unable to comfort her while she worried about her ex. He could also feel the judgmental eyes of the Weasley parents on him, but while he couldn't comfort her, he would still be there. She needed him, and over the last month, he was beginning to enjoy her company, well when she wasn't smacking him for something.

Harry came running up that next moment, he already had the details of the incident from his auror. Thorfinn was sitting on a chair in the lounge while Hermione and Mrs Weasley sat on a sofa. Harry had gone to talk to Pansy, and Mr Weasley sat next to the former Death Eater. Thorfinn glances over at the man.

"I knew your father growing up," Arthur Weasley said matter of factly.

Thorfinn nodded, not exactly knowing where the talk was going.

"He was a year ahead of me in school, Slytherin of course, as all you Rowles are.

"Ingrid was a Ravenclaw," Thorfinn interrupted.

Arthur nodded, "Yes, she took after your mother."

Thorfinn snorted with a derisive laugh, "Ingrid is nothing like my mother, my mother makes Bellatrix look warm. The woman may have been a Raven, but she was as cold as a snake."

Arthur just nodded, "Hermione is family," He continued, "She will always be a daughter to me. She has a lot of men that would give up their lives for her, if you hurt her in any way, they won't know where to find your body."

Thorfinn almost smiled at the threat. He was under no delusion that the man wasn't dangerous, but it was almost comical how many times he was to be threatened when it came to keeping his witch happy. The witch did not need anyone to take care of him, he was sure that she would kill and dismantle his body without any help from any man. Thorfinn pursed his lips and gave a curt nod as Harry walked in with Pansy and Bill. The four waiting all stood and gathered around the newcomers.

"Bill," Molly said quickly, "Were you able to find out what curse it was?"

Bill nodded, "Yes, the countercurse requires a potion as well. He will be here for a few weeks while it brews. Draco has been called in to do it."

Harry snorted, "That should be fun. You know how much Malfoy loves to heckle Ron."

Molly smacked Harry on the chest, "You leave Draco alone, he's a good boy."

Harry raised his hands in surrender and Thorfinn hid his face in Hermione's hair. Well, he tried… Hermione was almost a good six inches shorter than him even in heels. Even Hermione grinned at that statement. Draco was still a Malfoy, once Ron was better, he would never live it down. He needed a Malfoy's assistance. Hermione could almost hear the hexes fly over her head from the bickering. Twenty-somethings or not, the men in her life were mainly seven-year-olds.

"Can we go see him?" Pansy nodded and led the group to his room. Hermione stood back while the Weasleys, Harry and Pansy entered Ron's room. Bill had gone ahead and made his way home. Her chest felt as if there was a dragon dancing on it. She hadn't seen Ron in months, not since she found out she was a LeStrange. She wasn't sure what to do, Hermione was acutely aware that she was in fancy dress on a date with her fiance as her ex whom she still loved, lay hurt in A&E.

She walked passed Thorfinn and back into the lounge, sitting on the sofa once again. She could feel her dessert wanting to make a reappearance.

"Shouldn't you be in there Little Witch?"

"Yes," Hermione answered softly as Thorfinn sat with her. He was not used to this apprehensive looking woman.

Thorfinn looked at her confused, "Well?"

"You wouldn't understand Finn," Hermione said absentmindedly, "Ron- I-"

"You're scared," Thorfinn mused, "Faced Death Eaters and didn't flinch. Tortured by the hand of your own mother and walked away, almost unscathed. But some ginger git and you're about to shake out of your knickers." he let out a small chuckle.

Hermione looked affronted and was about to rip him a new arsehole when she noticed he was not saying anything that wasn't true or even particularly mean. He was just stating facts, in his usually Rowle way.

"I know you were always planning on marrying for status Finn," Hermione said sarcastically, "But I was planning on marrying for love. I loved him, I loved him, and he left for assignment when I needed him most, and now he's hurt, and I don't know how I'm supposed to act."

"Well, you normally hit," Thorfinn teased, caressing her hand in her lap. Hermione snorted and let out a chuckle as he took her small hand in his larger one, "But I don't recommend that considering the git is in the hospital. Just do what comes natural, except kissing. Don't kiss him. I may not be your first choice as fiance, but I won't be held responsible if I have to tear him apart for touching what's mine."

Hermione laughed at the serious look on Thorfinn's face. She believed what he said about hurting Ron, but the way he said it, it was almost comforting. She had come to know that the man was highly protective, just like all the men in her life, over what he deemed was his. Not that she could fault him for that, she had just come from a dinner where she dismissed witches for drooling over him. Perhaps she was just as protective. She couldn't remember being this protective over Ron, she wagered it was because she had always known that Ron loved her and would never stray. She could not say the same for Rowle, though that was not a comforting thought.

Harry and Pansy came out of the room and made their way back to the lounge. The friends stood in a bit of a shock at the couple sitting on the sofa holding hands, looking like a happy couple.

Harry cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the couple. Hermione gave a smile to her friends as Pansy sniggered at the pair.

"Ron just needs a moment alone with his parents, and then you can go in Hermione," Pansy said with a smile that Hermione could interpret as we will be discussing this later.

Harry smiled at his friend, ignoring the sight altogether, "Yeah Mione, go right in, I can escort Rowle back to his home before curfew if you want to stay a bit."

Hermione smiled at Harry but said, "Uh, no it's okay. I won't be long, I'm sure he needs his rest. Just as long as you know he's here with me, we can use Pansy's floo to head home."

The Weasleys both left Ron's room, Hermione made her way slowly to the door, only stopping long enough to give the parents a hug in farewell.

OoOoOoO

Hermione walked through the door, and her voice caught in her throat as she watched a snoozing Ron with clean bandages covering his right side. The door closed and Ron started at the noise.

Looking up, Ron was confused at the sight of Hermione. He had almost forgotten about the glamour being removed, his heart ached for his Hermione. Gone were her chestnut locks and warm brown eyes. While her eyes still held love, it was disconcerting to him now.

"Hi," he said apprehensively. They were not on good terms, and he didn't want to be hexed while laying in the hospital.

Hermione moves in slowly, taking in the tale tell signs of a man on assignment. The length of his hair, the new ginger beard, the unusual presence of a rosier complexion. He didn't look like Ron anymore, at least not her Ron.

"Hi," she said stepping into the room further. She moved to stand at the edge of the bed, "How are you feeling?"

Ron tried to smile but winced in pain, "I've been worse."

Hermione gave him a small smile, "I hope you don't mind that I am here, Pansy told me you were hurt, I raced here."

Ron took in her gold dress, "Yeah, she shouldn't have bothered you. Bill had it under control, it looks like she pulled you away from a party."

Hermione's heart sank a bit further, "Ron, it was no bother. We were finished with our tasting. You know I will always be there for you."

Ron grimaced, "I know, but we aren't together any longer Mione, you have other responsibilities."

"No, we may not be together, but we are still friends," Hermione whispered, "No matter what, I still care."

Ron nodded, his face beginning to hurt because of his wounds, "I know Love, I still care for you too, but I don't want you to drop your life because of me. It's not your job anymore. You're fi—" Ron stuttered and swallowed hard, "Uh, Rowle would not like you running to take care of me. It isn't proper."

Hermione choked back her own sobs, "I uh, I need to go. I'm on a bit of a curfew of sorts." She turned away quickly as tears began to fall, "Ron, Finn knows I'm here, he brought me."

She put her hand on the door, "Please don't shut me out. We've been friends far longer than we've been a couple. I will always lo- care for you."

She opened the door, Ron called out her name. She stopped in the doorway but refused to turn around, "I'm sorry Hermione, I wasn't expecting it to be this hard, but I won't lose you as a friend. I'll try harder."

Hermione nodded her head and walked out the door. Pansy was standing at the entrance of the lounge with Harry and Thorfinn but ran to her friend when she saw her wet face. Pulling her Gryffindor friend into her arms for a much-needed hug, something Pansy had gotten used to over the years. She whispered words of comfort to Hermione as she pulled away and walked over to the men still standing there.

Thorfinn offered his arm to Hermione, and as she took it, he pulled the witch to his chest looking at her sad face. He had never really paid attention to Hermione Granger in the past, but he had gotten to know Hermione LeStrange's features reasonably well, it surprised him to realise he did not care for this sadness.

He wiped her wet face with his fingers and as she looked up in surprise, her grey eyes caught his blue as he leant in and kissed her forehead, and whispered, "No tears, you're a LeStrange. Show no weakness."

Hermione was stunned at this, the shock showed on her face. Harry coughed loudly, which pulled her out of her daze. Looking up into Thorfinn's face, she gave him a tentative smile and nodded, straightening her posture and closing off her emotions from her body except her eyes.

This change was so fast that Thorfinn was sure, this girl should have been a Slytherin. Hermione Granger, She was a true Gryffindor, but Hermione LeStrange, this woman was a snake in the grass. He also noticed that, if it wasn't for the emotions clouding her eyes, she was a dead ringer for her mother and that almost scared Thorfinn. He had just realised, he was soon to be married to this witch and Bellatrix did not seem like an easy woman to live with.

The four of them all walked up to Pansy's office to use her private floo. Hermione noticed once again, they were given a wide berth in the corridor because of her appearance and her fiancé's form death eater status. She looked straight ahead, not allowing the stares to bother her.

Harry floo'd to the ministry to write up an incident report for Thorfinn. As he was on probation, he was expected to be in his home at a specific time, because of the emergency, technically Harry should have arrested him for that violation. But, seeing as Thorfinn was in the presence of the Head Auror the entire time he was violating his probation, Harry could let it slide.

Pansy has walked into her office for a moment to give the couple some privacy to say goodbye. Thorfinn went to grab a pinch of the glittering powder when Hermione pulled him back to her. Holding onto the lapels of his jacket, she pulled him down to her level and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

His blue eyes searched her face afterwards, a look of confusion evident as she said, "Thank you for understanding. I know we don't get along, and we still don't like each other but thank you for understanding that I need him still in my life. As a friend."

Thorfinn stood up straight, nodding his head, "I won't lie and say I understand the relationships you have in your life. Truthfully, I don't have those types of friendships. The only person I've ever truly felt that type of bond with is Ingrid and my friendship with her husband. I've been your fiancé for a short time, and in that span, I've been threatened bodily harm by everyone from the Head Auror, to a couple of ageing fathers, to Pansy Parkinson. I can see you are well loved and not just for being the mugglebo— muggle raised friend of Harry Potter but because you are loyal to them as well."

Hermione chuckled a little as he continued, "I cannot say I will always be okay with how many men are in your life. I am a jealous man, I will be unreasonable, possessive, and unapologetic when it comes to your time and attention. I will say, I will try to keep it controlled, but we Rowles are hot-tempered, so I will most likely fail. Just keep that in mind, and I am willing to try."

Hermione smiled, "I will try and remember that, but you must also remember. I am always going to have these people in my life. Harry, Ron, the rest of The Weasleys, even Draco and my Slytherin friends. They are my family, we have been family since I was eleven years old and we have been through a lot over the years. Most bad, but a lot of good. I was and am still willing to die for any of them, today if I had to."

Thorfinn nodded in understanding and was impressed at how deeply she cared for her family. He leant down and pressed his lips to hers, soft as she had with him, not wanting to push further because of the chaos of her night. Moving away, he threw the powder into the grate and called out his home. Taking her hand and turning it over, he kissed her pulse point, enjoying the thump, thump against his mouth, he bid her a good evening before the green flames pulled him away.

As the man disappeared from her eyes, Hermione let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Bringing a hand to her lips, she realised she had a smile there. Pansy walked into her antechamber with a grin on her own face and wanted to dive into the dirty details, but Pansy knew her friend needed to go home. She gave Hermione a hug and pushed her towards the grate, ordering her to go home and go to bed when Hermione pulled her friend into another embrace and whispered, "Take care of Ron, Pans. I trust you to help him heal."

Pansy nodded her dark head as she threw in some powder. Calling out her destination, Hermione was pulled into the darkness and Pansy was left to finish her shift. She was planning on stopping by Bellatrix's room as well as Ron and make sure that both of them were okay. She promised Hermione, they would be okay.