A/N: Hi everyone! I know this chapter is insanely late, but RL had other plans for me. Family emergencies and writer's block is real and my only excuses. I have been trying to work on this chapter for, what feels like forever. I finally finished it and once again, here it is unbeta'd. I hope you all enjoy it, I'm hoping for more soon.

Peace, Love, & Slyther,

Gimi aka Jess

Ingrid Pucey was pacing the rug when the grate of the fireplace was filled with her older brother. Looking up quickly, she sighed in relief at the sight.

"Thorfinn, where have you been? You should have been home an hour ago!" She said quickly, pulling him out of the hearth and began syphoning off the soot. Thorfinn snickered at his sister as she mothered him.

"I was with my intended Ingrid, where should I have been?" Thorfinn said with a cheeky grin.

Ingrid pursed her eyebrows at her brother, "Don't you give me that Thorfinn, not when I've been worried for the past hour, scared they'll take you back to that damned island."

Thorfinn put his hands on Ingrid's shoulders and held her still, "I'm fine Iggy, I was with Hermione and the head auror. I'm not going back to prison, you silly witch. There was an emergency and I went with Hermione to the hospital. That Weasley bloke was injured, she had to be sure he was okay."

An owl flew into the house with a missive. Ingrid retrieved it from the creature as it swooped low and landed on a table. An official ministry letter from Auror Potter explained the situation and voided the need for punishment or warning. Ingrid let out a breath of air and relaxed. It wasn't that she didn't trust her brother, but she didn't trust the ministry. Though, she now realised that being betrothed to Hermione Granger would make trusting a bit easier for her brother.

"What happened," Ingrid asked and Thorfinn led her into the parlour and told her everything that he knew. She was surprised at her brother. It was not like him to be so easily swayed when it came to his witch. Especially when it came to men, but maybe he had grown up a bit. She didn't know, it had been years since she had spent any time with him. Maybe he was not as possessive as he once was. Though, somehow she wasn't sure that was the case.

Ingrid watched amused as Thorfinn's face softened when he was speaking of his dinner with his betrothed. It seemed that the days of arrogant smirks were something of the past. He smiled softly when he spoke of their conversations at dinner and their talk on the sofa before she saw Weasley.

"Bloody hell Thor," Ingrid said with a grin, "You're falling for her."

Thorfinn scowled, "What? Of course, I'm not." He denied, shaking his head adamantly.

Ingrid sat back in her chair and snickered, "No? Then what is with that smile? What is with that far away look? What is with that secretive smirk? You have developed feelings for Hermione Granger."

"Hermione LeStrange, Ingrid," Thorfinn corrected. Not answering her questions, she wasn't expecting an answer as it was.

"Whatever her name is now," Ingrid said as she stood to pour a glass of elven wine, "Does not dismiss the fact that the girl was raised, Hermione Granger. She will always be muggle raised Granger and you don't seem to mind that fact."

Thorfinn got up and took a tumbler of firewhisky, "You sound surprised. Should I continue to sneer at her upbringing? I thought you wanted me to get along with the chit Ingrid?"

Ingrid took a sip and gave her brother a smile, "Of course I do Thorfinn. I do not care if she had been raised by wolves, the girl is sharp and keeps you on your toes. I'm just surprised it didn't take as long as I thought it might."

Ingrid left her glass on the trolley and turned to leave the room, "Good night brother, I'm glad you are starting to realise that this does not have to be the worst thing of your life. See you in the morning. I believe there is more planning at the Malfoy home."

Thorfinn groaned as he finished his drink. Leaving his tumbler there as well, he walked upstairs and decided a shower was needed. He needed a moment to contemplate his new relationship with his bride to be. More importantly, he needed to think about those soft lips of hers as they touched his own. Yes, his future had started to look brighter now as he climbed the stairs, Hermione was certainly brighter.

OoOoOoO

Hermione awoke the next day, earlier than she wanted. Cheeks had come in and opened her drapes, letting the morning sun in and dance on her eyes. Hermione groaned, silently cursing the elf and pondering how to sneak the little cherub-cheeked creature an article of clothing without the elf trying to kill herself. Laying on her back, she dismissed that thought almost as quickly as it came. Cheeks was never going to accept freedom and while she might be the Mistress, Cheeks was very much, in charge.

As Hermione walked downstairs, she could hear Teddy giggling and the adults chuckle. Walking in the sunroom, where breakfast was normally served, Hermione got a glimpse of what her life would have looked like with her parents. Andy was an almost identical replica of Bellatrix and Rodolphus had taken to young Teddy immediately. Teddy sitting there, eating his porridge, his hair the inky black like his grandmother. Hermione could see it in her mind's eye. The little family before the war, when it was just a child and her loving parents.

Hermione swallowed a sob as she made her way to her chair. Looking up and seeing her, Teddy immediately changed his eyes to the same shade of grey as Hermione.

"Morning Hermione," Teddy said with a messy grin, a bit of porridge falling off his spoon and back into his bowl.

Hermione smiled brightly at the young boy, "Good morning Teddy," she said as she sat down across from the young boy. She looked at Rodolphus who gave her a warm smile. Hermione felt her heart warm slightly at the man. It amazed her how different her life had turned out. That people whom she was sure were evil, weren't, at least her father wasn't. He was no saint, he had done his fair share of atrocities, but he was trying.

"How was your evening Hermione," Andromeda asked, her grey eyes on her niece, "I believe I heard the floo late last night."

Placing a croissant on her plate along with some fresh fruit, Hermione nodded, "Yes, I was later than I intended. There was an accident and Finn and I went to St Mungo's."

Rodolphus looked over his daughter critically, "Are you okay? Were you hurt?"

"No," Hermione said quickly, a small smile graced her lips, " No, Ronald was injured while on assignment. Pansy sent word to me and I had to go and make sure he was okay."

Andromeda raised an eyebrow, "Thorfinn allowed you to go to his side?"

"Allow me? Andromeda, I'm not his property," Hermione said while she buttered her pastry.

"But you are," Andromeda said plainly, looking at her niece, "Just as he is yours. That is essentially what your bond is, you belong to each other. And knowing how pureblood men are, he will be very protective over what he covets as his." With this, she looked over at Rodolphus.

"Are you telling me, I am not my own person, just because I'm bonded to Rowle?" Hermione bristled at the mere thought.

"No," Rodolphus said immediately, "No, what she means is Rowle is a selfish man and does not like to share. He knows you would have been in a relationship with Weasley and to have you go to his side would be out of character for him."

"Well as nice as that sounds," Hermione said rolling her eyes, "He was perfectly fine with the situation. He was the one who rushed us out of the restaurant and who told me to go in and see Ron. I was expecting him to be more trouble actually, but he was the complete opposite."

Rodolphus nodded, sharing a pleased look with Andromeda.

"Besides," Hermione said with a chuckle, "I am sure I could have handled it if he had tried to puff out like a peacock."

Andromeda laughed, sending Rodolphus a look of satisfaction, "I'm sure you could have my dear."

The four of them finished their breakfast and then the three adults went to floo to Malfoy Manor while Teddy stayed behind with Cheeks. It was another wedding planning event. Hermione has no idea what was left to plan, she was sure Narcissa, Ingrid, and even Andromeda had planned at least three weddings.

Letting that tidbit slip to her father last week, he chuckled and informed her that her mother had started a wedding book for her, it was located in her old nursery and was almost as tall as Cheeks. Hermione stood gobsmacked at the thought and promptly stopped complaining. The wedding was turning into a muggle circus, she had briefly wondered if Narcissa was going to have her arrive at the venue by a dragon. That thought had made her laugh at least, the thought of Thorfinn's face as a Welsh Green came gliding out of the air at him tickled her a bit. Aside from the fear of flying, she rather enjoyed shocking the man.

Stepping out of the floo, Hermione looked up and smiled at Thorfinn who was standing there as if he were waiting for her. Walking over to her, Thorfinn smirked at the soot on her shoulder, he brought his hand up and wiped it away, enjoying the softness of the silk beneath his fingers.

"Hello little witch," Thorfinn said with a smile on his lips, "Ready for more planning?"

Hermione groaned as she took his arm, "No. Isn't this wedding over yet? It feels like we've been planning for ages now, I swear I died last week and am just a ghost. I'm almost certain that Narcissa would stop planning if I died."

Draco chuckled as he walked up to the couple in the corridor, "Doubtful Granger, I'm pretty sure mother would bring you back to see you walk down that aisle. Besides, weren't you planning your wedding to the Weasel for over a year?"

Hermione snorted, "The Ministry planned that one, along with Molly. The only thing I had a say in, was my dress."

"I thought all girls dreamed of their wedding day," Thorfinn teased. The three young people continued down the corridor towards the muffled voices in the parlour

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Please if it were up to me, we'd be at the ministry weeks ago and forget the ceremony."

"That eager to get me into bed kjæreste," Thorfinn asked with a salacious grin. Caressing her hand that laid on his arm, "You know, all you had to do is ask. I'd be more than happy to show you what you have to look forward to."

Hermione shook her head as she chuckled, "Thanks for thinking of me, Elske, but I think I'll pass for now. I just prefer not to make such a fuss."

Draco laughed, "You have always been a weird girl Granger, most girls love this shite."

Hermione just shrugged, "I'm not that complex when it comes to these things, Ron and I would have eloped if it wasn't for Kingsley, he wanted another to do. I just wanted to be married."

"But wouldn't the bond have killed you?" Thorfinn asked as they reached the door.

Hermione gazed up at her fiancé, "That is neither here nor there considering it will never happen. That was another life, literally. The bond is said to be fatal if not completed. I would have been okay with that, but Ron would never allow it."

Thorfinn stiffened as she said the words. He dropped his arm that Hermione was holding on to, "I'll see you inside Granger, I need some air, excuse me," He said curtly and walked passed the parlour and out the door leading to the garden.

Draco stood next to his cousin as he watched the giant stroll down the stairs towards the lake, "Granger, you may be one of the brightest women of the time, but you certainly are as thick as Weasley sometimes.

Hermione looked at Draco confused, "What did I say?"

"You basically just told him you preferred death to completing your bond. That Weasley is the only reason you are marrying Rowle."

Hermione thought over the last few moments, "He must realise what I meant. He has to know that this is not my ideal."

Draco nodded, "I'm sure he does, but knowing it and having it confirmed that your fiancée would much rather die than marry you certainly does not help a man's ego. I thought you were getting along these days?"

Hermione snorted, "You men and your egos. We are getting along these days, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to swoon at his feet. He must know that if I really meant it, I would have taken off already."

"Hermione, no matter, you are to be his wife, no man wants to hear about his bride's ex-anything."

"Bloody fucking emotional time bombs are you wizards huh?" Hermione teased. She let out an exasperated sigh, "Fine, maybe you have a point. Tell your mother we will be a few more moments would you?"

Draco nodded and Hermione went to find her fiancé. Hermione steps out into the garden, looking around until she sees Thorfinn pacing in front of the lake. She stood back and watched the giant of a man, she hated to admit that he looked almost edible in the dark trousers that moulded to his long frame. His jacket was thrown over a chair and she noticed he had rolled up the sleeves to his dark shirt. The muscles of his forearms taunt under the skin.

Thorfinn ran a hand through his long tresses and Hermione almost snorted with laughter from the romance novel cover standing in front of her, reminded of the tawdry romance novels that were her mother's weakness.

Hermione smiled at the thought of her mother, sitting on the sofa in the lounge, completely engrossed in the pages of her latest book. How her father would tease her mercilessly about her leaving him for a pirate named Javier or an American cowboy named Jake. Then kissing his wife with as much passion as he could muster. Making Hermione blush so hard, her toes went red. Graham Granger would always say, Jean may read about romantic adventures, but he knew that she would never stray because he knew how the French kissed. Hermione smiled even though growing up she would groan and wished she had different parents. At that thought, her eyes watered a bit. If only she had known the truth, she would have never have made that wish. What she wouldn't give to have her old life back.

Taking a seat next to Thorfinn's discarded jacket, Hermione looked over the lake. She could feel the tears in her eyes but was willing herself to keep them at bay.

Thorfinn glanced at the girl, his face angry still. He stopped his pacing at the tears in her grey eyes, even more, irritated that he had even begun to wonder what made her sad now. That she, the Gryffindor know-it-all, had started to wiggle her way into his affections when just months ago he would not have cared that she was bleeding in front of him, now he just wanted her tears to fade away, even though he was ready to throttle her. Bloody hell, he was fucked.

"What are you doing out here?" Thorfinn asked bitingly.

"I came to check on you," Hermione said simply, proud that her voice didn't wobble, "I didn't mean what I said earlier…" Hermione thought on her words and rephrased, "I mean, I did mean it. There's no denying that when I first found out about our situation, I would have much preferred not to have known."

"And now?" Thorfinn asked, moving his jacket and sitting next to the witch, "Now that we are planning this wedding? That you are marrying a Death Eater?"

Hermione looked over at the blue-eyed man, "To be honest?" Thorfinn nodded, a hippogriff dancing in his stomach.

"I don't know. I still don't know you very well. I know you had always figured you wouldn't care much for your bride, pureblood etiquette and all. But I always figured I would get to chose my husband the old fashion way. Even if it wasn't Ron, I figured I would meet a man, fall in love, and then marry. Nothing has turned out the way I planned and I hate it. I hate that my life was planned before I was born, I hate that my parents had to send me away because of their poor choices." Hermione sighed, her grey eyes continuing to look into Thorfinn's.

"I hate that my whole life feels like a lie because I had a lovely childhood. I hate that the man I'm to marry in a fair few months once tried to kill me. That he despised me on the status of blood, that my own parents have done the same. Whose life ends up like this? I keep expecting to wake up from some dream and I'll be sixteen again, laying in my bed in Highgate, listening to my parents' dance in my father's study to soft jazz. Wishing for the day that Ron or any boy would see me for more than just a loser. And hoping that the war will be over quickly and my friends will come out of it unharmed."

Hermione swallowed hard, she grabbed Thorfinn's hand, feeling the warmth of his palm against her own, and looked out onto the still lake, "I hate that I feel like everything is out of my control. So yes, I had wished to just leave it, just let the time run out and to die, hopefully peacefully in the arms of the man I love. Because at the time, the alternative seemed impossible to comprehend."

Hermione smiled as she felt the rough skin of Thorfinn's thumb rubbing against her own, "I know it would have been cowardly, it would have been selfish, and completely wrong. The only person who would be at peace with that decision would have been me. You would have died for no explainable reason, Ron and my friends would have had to mourn me, and I would have never known my family. Not just Narcissa and Draco as my aunt and cousin, but Andy, and Teddy, and even Lucius and my father. I can't imagine what life without knowing that Teddy was my family. Now that I have gotten to know Rodolphus, I'm not sure I can see him as anything but the protective man he is. I know he has done some horrendous things in the name of a false belief and due to mental instability, but I don't doubt that he loved me. I can see it in his eyes. I've only ever seen that look in my muggle father's and Arthur Weasley's eyes. The love for a child."

Thorfinn looked down at their entwined fingers, enjoying the feel of her smaller hand his as he felt the tightly wound ball in his stomach begin to loosen. He had not realised how tense his body was until he sat there listening to this woman's rant. He tried to find fault with her words, but he couldn't. He had grown up in this world, he had always expected that one day he would marry for status and not for love. He still expected that now, he certainly couldn't say that he loved Hermione. He felt the flutterings of affection for the witch, but not love.

Living the life of a pureblood child, you are taught at a young age, your life is not your own. Your life is that of your family. What you do reflects on your family and the family name and line must ALWAYS be protected. Family and power, that was the order. Personal feelings did not matter in the pureblood world. Your friends were people you rarely liked and your spouse is there for what they can bring, give, or serve the family, not you. That is the life he was meant to lead. That was the life he expected his bride to come from as well. He had expected not to care what she felt or thought because those do not help the family or their magic.

Thorfinn said as much as they sat there by the lake, holding hands. Unconsciously shifting closer and closer as he talked. Hermione unknowingly cradling his hand in her lap, the softness of her dress soothing him He began to caress her thigh, liking the silky feeling of her dress against the pads of his fingers.

Hermione's eyes began to flutter at this small movement, bringing his hand closer to her inner leg without realising, the soft comforting caress sending tingles up and down her leg, and ending in her apex. She bit the inside of her cheek, her eyes rolling back slightly at a particularly naughty shiver that came with his middle finger dipping low on her inner thigh and traced back up, dangerously close to her centre. She could not believe the reaction she was having to such a simple touch. It had been several months since the last time she had felt a man's hand on her thigh, she reasoned that was why her reaction was so strong. Still, she had to physically stop herself from parting her legs a bit more and letting his long fingers dance along her clit or better yet, alongside her wet folds. Because as of right now, Hermione knew without a doubt, her knickers were damp from this simple thought.

How did they get here, She thought, thinking how she had come out to check on him and here she was trying not to sit on his hand and ride herself to an orgasm. She was not ready to sleep with him, maybe not until they were bonded. It was too soon, she still loved Ron for Merlin's sake, she couldn't have feelings for this man… her fiance. Hermione chuckled at that thought, how her life had completely turned upside down and backwards. She was in love with one man, marrying another. She was one of the intricate parts to taking down Voldemort, but daughter and niece to some of his top supporters, about to marry another.

How did she get from Hermione Granger, poster woman for Muggle-born witches and wizards, to Hermione LeStrange, pureblood royalty? And how could she be sitting here with Thorfinn Rowle, holding his hand, and contemplating if she was ready to let him between her thighs? She glanced over at the man in question, his wild hair blowing gently around his face. His blue eyes met hers and the smile he gave her was just enough to melt her heart.

Hermione found herself standing in front of Thorfinn, wedging herself between his long legs. Bringing her free hand up, caressing the coarse hair of his beard, he closed his eyes at the touch. Bending her head down, she brought her lips to meet his, softly at first, applying more pressure as she felt his hand at her waist, bringing her even closer. Hermione opened her mouth a tad, her tounge moving tentatively against Thorfinn's lips until his opened and his tounge met her own. The tingles that radiated through her body, ran rampant once again. Maybe once upon a time, she would have preferred death, but recently… recently she may just be okay with the man she will call husband.

A/N: Just a quick change of location for Hermione growing up. I don't have any details of this story written, I write completely off the cuff so I forgot that Hermione actually grew up in Highgate and not Kensington.

Also "kjæreste" and "elske" are Norwegian and mean Sweetheart and Love. I don't know if these are actual terms of endearments, it's just what I found in Google Translate.