A/N: Hello everyone and welcome to another installment of BtR! Okay, jokes aside, this chapter was taking a while to write because it's actually massive. I really enjoy side pairings as well as group dynamics so my stories tend to have a lot of character interactions beyond the main pairing. There isn't much interaction between H & T but more about Hermione's friendships. I'm still writing the fun parts of what should have been in this chapter (it was not supposed to be as long as it is turning out to be, but my muse is wordy and likes to argue.) I hope you enjoy this chapter as it is and hopefully the next chapter will come together sooner rather than later.

Peace, Love, and Slyther

Gimi aka Jess

"Hermione, are you serious?! Why the bloody hell not?" Ginny Weasley cried out. Hermione and Ginny were bringing out refreshments out to their group of friends a week after the kiss in the garden. "Hermione, it's been months! You haven't shagged Rowle?"

"Ginny," Hermione scolded, placing the platter of drinks down in front of her friends. Three of which, began to chuckle. They had all decided to have a game night at LeStrange Estate. The boys would be arriving later as well as Thorfinn, Ingrid, and Adrian. Luna was also joining them for the evening.

"What?" Ginny said unembarrassed, sitting down and grabbing her own mimosa, "Gods, when did we become ladies like our mothers?"

Hermione snorted in amusement, "I highly doubt that Molly Weasley would sit with Narcissa and drink cocktails. Or talk about shagging."

"GAH! Hermione please!" Ginny cried shuddering, "That is my mother you are talking about, she does not shag my father."

Astoria began to laugh, as did Pansy, "Your mother has seven children, that is one woman who knows her way around a cock!" Pansy teased. Ginny groaned as everyone laughed.

"We were talking about Hermione. She hasn't shagged Rowle yet," Ginny said, avoiding the topic of her mother's overactive ovaries.

"No?" Pansy said surprised, "That must be a record for Thorfinn, I remember, he had my cousin Violet out of her knickers with just Hello."

Hermione snorted in laughter and Astoria almost fell out of her seat.

"Pansy Love," Daphne said with a badly disguised laugh, "Far be it for me to speak ill of family, but I'm not sure Violet knew what knickers were, much less wore them. Not according to the boys in her year."

The girls all laughed and Pansy rolled her eyes, conceding to the point, "Fine, my cousin was a slag of epic proportions, but she was a good person. Far better than I was in school."

Hermione and Ginny both cackled at their friend, Luna frowned at her two friends, "Pansy was a lovely person in school."

Hermione snorted once again, remembering how she truly disliked Pansy for most of their school career. Not that it was one-sided, the feeling was mutual up until the final year, they had to be or Pansy would have faced the wrath of her unstable father.

Ginny smiled at Luna, the one person who had never been jaded by war. She continued on as dotty as she had been in school, she was also instrumental in forgiving everyone who had a part in the war. It had been the day she walked up to Draco Malfoy in the library and asked him if any of the elves had survived the anger of Voldemort after their group escaped, that Hermione saw the truly selfless heart of Luna Lovegood.

"You're right of course Luna, Pansy is a lovely person," Ginny said with a smile, the now need not be spoken as the girls continued drinking their drinks, "But I still want to know why Hermione hasn't climbed that beast yet."

Hermione groaned as all eyes revolved back to her, "Ginny, it's not like we have such a positive history."

"No, but you are a grown woman," Daphne pointed out the obvious, "A grown woman with a positively edible fiancé. I remember Rowle from school, and more than once, he starred in a fantasy." Pansy and even Astoria nodded in agreement, all being from Slytherin house and from the same social circle as the Rowle family.

"Yes well, climbing aside," Hermione pressed on, "It's not the same as Ron and I is it? Rowle and I had never had a nice word exchange in school, not a glowing meeting during the war either. You know, with him being sent to bring me to my death and all." She said sarcasm etched into every word, "You can hardly expect me to rip my clothes off and mount the man. I barely began tolerating him until a few weeks ago. And what about Ron? Am I just suppose to forget about him? I loved him for years and it's only been a few months," Hermione could feel the tears threatening to fall.

Hermione took a calming breath and let it out slowly, "I understand he is handsome, I'm not blind. But it's just too much, I mean I'm getting married in eight weeks time, to a man I am just getting to know as someone who isn't just a death eater, my aunts and Ingrid insist on a wedding that would be the envy of the muggle world, the wizarding world is still reeling over the fact that their muggle saviour is a daughter of two high ranking death eaters as well as the niece of others and fiancée to another. And you expect me to tear off my clothes and rutt against him like I am not still processing the shit storm that is my life? When? Before or after Bellatrix, my torturer and my mother comes home to live with me?" Hermione took a deep breath, her friends all dead silent around her. Lifting her glass to her lips and taking a sip, she wished that it was something stronger than the fruity beverage she had made, wishing for tequila or vodka, or at the very least, elven wine.

Glancing around as she swallowed, Hermione continued, "Look, sex is not high on my list of priorities right now. Going from orphan to a family with a questionable reputation is hard. Not to mention a wedding."

The girls began to nod in agreement when Luna spoke up, "I agree with Hermione, but you'd have to admit, you could really use the stress relief and multiple orgasms will have such a good effect on your aura. From what I've seen of your betrothed, I think he'd be more than willing to help you scratch that itch." Luna brought her face closer to the table. Instinctively the witches all did as well, "He was well known in the Ravenclaw towers as well. I believe his wand is rather revered by some. Though, I dare say his tounge is also properly praised as well."

"Luna," Ginny scolded, a knowing grin on her lips, "I didn't believe you listened to gossip."

Luna sat up, a serene smile on her face, "It wasn't gossip, the girls of his year can attest to it. They said he had a wicked way of making a girl wet just by eating fruit. I never got to test that theory, but there were many girls who left his company with a smile."

Hermione groaned, "Can we change the topic at hand? The boys will be here soon."

"Fine," Ginny said, "But Hermione. Ron knows that you are going to be married to Rowle, he knows you will be his wife in every sense of the word. You don't need to punish yourself by abstaining because of Ron."

"I'm not," Hermione denied, "Look, I know it seems like I'm okay with everything. I'm planning this wedding with my aunts and his sister. And we have had a few steamy kisses, but I'm not ready. Not yet. Whether that means we wait til the wedding or until an hour from now. It has to be right."

Pansy nodded in understanding, followed by the rest of the women as the men began to file out the door. Andromeda had taken Teddy and Rodolphus over to Malfoy Manor for the evening while Hermione had her get together.

"I don't know the correct procedure," Hermione whispered to the witches around her as the men were grabbing drinks from a nearby table where Cheeks had left them. "I don't want to rub this new thing in Ron's face."

"You are thinking too hard Hermione," Pansy whispered back, "Ron is a pureblood, he knows the traditions. He knows about these types of bonds. He will understand, if he didn't, he would have run away with you." Pansy put her hand down on top of Hermione's, "Ron would have spent your last few months together, not caring about the bond. He loved you enough to not be selfish. He wouldn't allow you to forfeit your life for a measly few months. He would much rather have you in his life as a friend than to mourn you as his lover. Stop torturing yourself and the men in your life by not being able to move forward."

"Pansy's right Hermione," Luna's melodic voice reached Hermione's ears, "Ron gave you a chance of life, of getting to know your true family, of having one of your own soon enough. He will not expect you to remain faithful to a relationship that could never be. Give Finn a chance, try and open your heart to him. Ron won't be able to move on if you don't."

Hermione saw Ingrid, Adrian, and Thorfinn walk through the doors. The giant of a man gave her a flirty smile and continued walking over to Draco who had been laughing at a conversation he was having with Blaise.

"Oh Hermione," Luna spoke out loud with a smile, "I hope you don't mind, but I invited an extra person."

Hermione shook her head and grinned at the blonde, "Of course, not Luna, the more the merrier." Luna gave her hostess a smile of thanks.

Astoria sat up, "Oh yes, Hermione, I apologise, I did as well and I forgot to tell you."

Daphne perked up at this news, unaware of her sister's new acquaintance, "Oh, who have you invite sister dear?"

Astoria blushed, "Just Marcus, he came to visit father last week. We've been to lunch a few times and dinner the night before last."

Pansy shrieked in excitement, "Astoria! You have been holding out on us! Marcus Flint? I thought you were seeing Lee Jordan?"

Ginny laughed, "Lee Jordan is currently sailing around the Mediterranean with Katie Bell."

Astoria nodded in agreement, "Yes, Lee and I were never matched correctly, he was far too preoccupied with quidditch for me. Marcus, while heavily in love with the sport, has made an effort to quell it slightly as to keep me interested."

Daphne grinned at her little sister, "Does that mean that he has made an effort to keep you interested with his tounge?"

"Daphne," Astoria admonished, turning bright red, "A lady does not speak like that in public."

Hermione snorted, smirking herself, "Not five minutes ago, you were all looking for details about my fiance's abilities and now you decide that it isn't ladylike?"

Astoria's complexion turned as red as Ginny's hair, "That is different," she said waving a hand in the air.

"Why?"

"Because you are already to be bonded, whereas I am still a single witch and it isn't proper."

"So the answer has to be yes," Pansy whispered across the table to the listening witches, "And Marcus must be bloody good at it too because I've never seen Astoria turn this red. Good for you Stori! I was certain you would end up with Draco."

"What is wrong with ending up with Draco?" Hermione asked curiously.

Pansy snorted and gave Draco a smile as he glanced at the witches at the table before turning his attention back to Blaise and Adrian. Pansy sat a bit closer, the women all leaning forward conspiratorially, "Well I don't know about now, but let's just say, if we were given O.W.L.S for oral exams, poor Draco would not be advancing to N.E.W.T levels."

Hermione grimaced as Ginny and Daphne both burst out laughing.

"I don't know," Luna said a bit dreamily, licking her lips, "While never sampling Draco in Hogwarts, these days, I'd think he's quite mastered the oral."

"Luna," Hermione exclaimed amused. Pansy clapped her hands at this new piece of gossip, "When did you sample my cousin's talents?"

"Last year at your engagement party Ginny and Blaise threw for you and Ron," Luna stated with a knowing smile, "We found ourselves locked in a tiny room off the back bedroom. Ginny and Blaise have a fascinating collection of shackles hang-"

"Luna," Ginny all but shouted, gathering the attention of the group around them. Turning pink, she groaned and dropped her head to the table.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of Ginny, a healthy sex life is vital to good health. Just looking at Blaise's abs, I'm assuming you are both in excellent health."

Pansy began to guffaw at the look of incredulity on Blaise's face.

"Draco is also in perfect health, did you know he has got the most symmetrical peni-"

"LUNA!" This time Hermione shouted her hands over her ears. Unable to ripped them from her head as she finished Luna's sentence in her head.

"Honestly Hermione," Luna grinned, "You just found out he was your cousin, you mean to say you've never wondered what Draco packs under his Quidditch uniform?"

Hermione shook her head, "I've never really thought of him as a match for myself. We never got along in school long enough for me to consider it and once we did, I only had eyes for one wizard."

Daphne snorted, "Hermione, you were missing out. Draco does look nice under his robes," she whispered to her friend, catching her husband's eye and giving him an innocent smile.

Hermione groaned, "Has everyone here seen my cousin naked?" As everyone nodded, including a red-faced Ginny, Hermione glanced at Draco and said, "Malfoy, you slag!"

Draco jumped, startled, as everyone chuckled, "What the bloody fuck did I do?"

"Is there anyone here other than me that you haven't slept with?"

Draco smirked at his cousin, "Besides Potter? No,"

"Oi!" Harry yelled, "When did you sleep with my wife?"

Daphne laughed, "It was years ago Love, we were sixteen I think. Just the once was all I could handle. The boy was a sobbing mess."

Blaise laughed at the description and Draco frowned, "Yeah well, I had just gotten marked by a crazy person set on killing me, not the best motivation for a mind-blowing shag yeah?"

"Bloody hell," Daphne said, her memory catching up with her, "You're right, pass giv- hey, Stori! You never told me you and Draco hooked up!"

Astoria groaned, "We didn't really hook up, it was more of mutual beneficial rubbing." She defended herself, eyes wide, "We probably would have if Blaise and Ginny hadn't been looking for a place for their own culpulation."

"When?" Daphne pressed.

Astoria looked down, guiltily, "Harry's birthday two years ago. All the noise was a bit of a mood killer."

"Fucking slag," Hermione said grinning at her cousin, "You just wormed your little cock into all of our friends?"

"Oi, our friends are Slytherins," Draco argued, "We didn't spend our time baking cauldron cakes and telling bedtime stories in the dungeons like some houses," Draco smiled, "And they can all tell you, there is nothing little about my cock."

The entirety of the group all groaned as Draco chuckled.

"The size of Malfoy's imagery cock aside," Harry said, walking over the Daphne, lifting her up and setting her on his lap, "Which house was that? I'd have killed to be in that house, all I ever did was fight for my life every year."

The group all made their way to the table, the men following Harry's lead and setting their witches on their laps as well. Thorfinn, taking care to sit Hermione across both his knees as he held her legs to him.

Hermione stared at him in surprise as he caressed her knee with his fingers.

Blaise snorted as he twirled Ginny's hair around his finger, "Yes Potter, The Great and Powerful Harry Potter, we know. You risked your life to save small kittens and didn't you kill a man by blinking prettily at him?"

Hermione laughed, relaxing slightly into Thorfinn's chest. No matter what she told her friends, she was acutely aware of how long it had been since she was properly thrashed between the sheets and her fiancé was not hard on the eyes. He certainly feels nice under me, she thought as she wiggled slightly trying to find a softer bit for her bum.

Thorfinn sucked in a breath, pulling her closer as the table around them threw insults back and forth. He nuzzled into the back of her neck, "Keep still little witch," he whispered softly into her ear, "I can't be responsible for my reaction to your movements." He grounded her bum firmly into his lap and she jumped slightly in surprise at the bulge, conveniently situated right between her butt cheeks.

Hermione couldn't stop the small wiggle she made, essentially rubbing her ass against his cock.

Thorfinn groaned silently, "Witch, if you don't stop, I'll take my hand to your backside and you'll be a pretty shade of pink when I'm done."

Hermione smiles and looked over her shoulder. He was so close, they were about nose to nose, "I'm terrified," she said with a tone of amusement.

Thorfinn gave her a sultry grin and said, "You should be. Just wait Little Witch, once we're married, I'll keep that promise. You'll learn not to cross me again."

Hermione continued to smile, enjoying the light-hearted banter. Something she was not expecting when she brought her friends together that evening. She brought a hand up to his long blond hair and began to run them through, scratching his scalp in the process. She could see the list forming in his eyes, his pupils began to dilate and she grabbed hold of the long locks and pulled his hair back, lifting his chin to her face, "You seem to be under the impression that I am a meek young girl with no real experience of the sexual nature to speak of. Let me set you straight, while there may be times where you will get to play Dom, don't be surprised if I have you licking my boot a time or two Finn."

The Viking raised an eyebrow at this flirtatious behaviour. He had not been expecting her to be accepting of his advances. He had thought of that kiss in the garden multiple times over the past week. He had not expected the softness of her lips to be so inviting. As if drawn to them, his blue eyes went to her rose coloured lips. Her tounge darted out to moisten them and the urge to ravish them ran through his body.

Suddenly a coughing fit overtook the group and Hermione was brought out of the private conversation she had been having with her fiancé. Jumping slightly, she looked around at the amused faces surrounding her and the one face that meant the most to her. Harry, her best friend through it all. Her smile fell as she jumped out of Thorfinn's lap and walked swiftly into the house.

Thorfinn began to rise, to chase after his Witch when Harry lifted his wife off his lap. Waving the wizard back to his seat, he walked into the manor in search of his friend.

Thorfinn frowned, but Pansy put a hand on his arm, "Let them have a moment. Sometimes they just need a moment to talk amongst them." The man nodded in understanding, he was beginning to understand, he would not be the only man in his wife's life.

Harry found his friend pacing in the parlour, tears fell from her eyes as she wrung her hands incessantly.

Hermione looked over at her friend and guilt clouded her grey eyes, "Harry, I- I don't- I-" she was so distraught that she couldn't finish her thoughts.

Harry walked over and gathered the girl into his arms. One of the only people who mattered the most to him, his Hermione. No matter the changes in her appearance, she will always be that little girl who stood by him all those years ago.

"Hermione," Harry said, looking into those familiar eyes, "You don't have to explain anything to me, you certainly don't owe me any explanations for flirting with your intended."

"Really Harry, then why do I feel like a traitor?" Hermione asked as tears ran down her face.

Harry chuckled lightly and wiped her face with his hands, "Because you are a loyal woman and no matter what, you spent seven years with Ron. That doesn't go away instantly. But you are not being disloyal to Ron trying to find happiness with Rowle."

"Why does everyone say that?" Hermione all but whined.

Harry smiled, "Because you are a stubborn witch Hermione. You aren't doing anything wrong. You can't be with Ron, you will literally die if you tried past your birthday and you are not a cheater so there is no chance to marry Rowle and still see Ron. So stop feeling guilty. Everyone can tell you are not as adverse to this union as you once were. I could see the tension between the two of you. Stop holding back because of Ron. He will be fine. We aren't fifteen any longer, he won't stop talking to you because you marry your betrothed."

Hermione sighed and chuckled in defeat, "That is basically what Pansy said. The girls are surprised that all we've done is kiss."

"I don't need details," Harry said with a fake grimace, "It was bad enough knowing about my two best friends, but I don't need to visualise sex between the two of you." Harry brought her in for another hug, "Seriously Hermione, no more guilt. You will be married soon, you need to let him in. We will all adjust, Ron too. Now, I don't mean go back out there and jump the man, but a little physical affection wouldn't be unheard of."

Hermione gave him a small smile, the weight lifting off her shoulders a bit. She knew Harry was behind her when it came to her family, but this was the first he had spoken about her betrothal. As much as she was aware of her friends' acceptance of her bonding, she would be lying if she said that the ones who mattered most weren't Harry and Ron. They were her oldest family, Harry was her brother in all but blood and Ron… well, while no longer her husband to be, he was still the man who meant the world to her. She supposed she wouldn't get his approval any time soon, but having Harry's, that was the first step.

OoOoOoO

The two friends came back outside, their group now including Marcus Flint and surprisingly, Padma Patil. Padma looking a bit more out of place than Marcus if Hermione thought about it. Padma gave Hermione a smile, sitting next to Luna and Hermione gave her one in return.

The group sat around for a bit longer, talking and drinking until tea was called and they all reconvened in the formal dining room.

"Hermione, how is your mother doing?" Ingrid asked during the main course. A hush fell on the room as all eyes fell to Hermione.

Hermione swallowed her food, trying to stave off the tension that was trying to resume in her shoulders every time Bellatrix was mentioned.

Ingrid saw the look on Hermione's face and sat back guiltily, "I'm sorry, it's just, I was thinking about the party and wondered if she'd be well enough to be home by then."

Hermione shook her head, "She's doing better, she was able to speak with Rodolphus last visit, but even if she came home, I can't have her at the party. While I am getting used to the thought of her as a mother, she and my father are still considered major supporters of Voldemort and she, especially, will not be well received. Though Pansy says she'll be ready to come home next week."

"How will you deal with her being in your home?" Padma asked, "I mean, she's killed our friends, she's a murderer."

Hermione looked over at Padma, trying to contain her glare. Padma was not a normal member of their group of friends, she was not privy to the many conversations that Hermione had had on this same subject. That, however, did not stop Hermione from bristling at the question, like she was unaware of the atrocities her family had committed around the wizarding world.

"No one is guiltless who has been through war," Harry said, looking over at Padma, "Yes, Bellatrix has committed murder, but so have I, so has Ginny. We may have never spoken the killing curse, but the people we cursed during the battle, some have died, by our own hands, no one's hands are clean."

Padma narrowed her eyes and set down her fork, "Bellatrix killed Cho, she killed one of my best friends. Excuse me for wondering about her whereabouts when she is set free."

Thorfinn and Draco dropped their forks, Draco opening his mouth, but shut it again as Hermione looked over at him. Pushing his plate away, he waited for his cousin to fight her family's battle.

Hermione looked at Padma, "Do you think I've forgotten what kind of woman Bellatrix is? The evil things she has done?"

Padma looked around the room at the finery and scoffed, "You seemed to. You sit here in this home of killers, sleeping at night next door to a man who has blood on his hands and are going to marry one as well. You are not the Hermione Granger I knew in school!"

Luna looked at her friend, "Is this why you came tonight? To relieve your frustrations on an innocent party?"

Padma stood from her seat and glared at the blonde, "She isn't innocent Luna! She is a traitor, a death eater spawn! She is marrying one as well! How can you be friends with someone whose family is responsible for so much destruction!?"

Luna looked at her friend and old housemate with an unusually hard look on her face, "Do you realise how hard it is to be Hermione?" Luna asked, Padma scoffed and Luna ignored it and went on, " No, I don't think you do. She had to bury her adoptive parents when we were still in school, she had thought she had lost the last of her family after having to fight in a war where she was the second most wanted witch in the country. Then she finally thinks she will have her happy ending only to find out her entire life was a lie. Not only was it a lie, but she is related to the very people who wanted to see her die at their feet all those years ago. How dare you come here and yell at her for something that she had no control over."

"How can you sit here at all Luna? With these people, these are the people who made our lives hell in school, have you forgotten how Pansy would curse us? How Malfoy's family held you, prisoner? How-"

"Do you think," Hermione said, rolling her left sleeve up, the red scar shining bright and raw, "Do you think that I can ever forget what my life has become? That my parents were Death Eaters? My cousin, my uncle? That my own mother tortured me? Would have killed me if she had the chance that day? Do you think I sleep soundly in my bed and forget what has happened? Do you forget who I am? I am still Hermione Granger, Padma. I am still the muggleborn girl that Draco and Pansy used to make fun of, that both would have laughed if I had died during second year because that was what was expected of them. I'm still that girl that helped save this world, I have not changed just because my appearance has."

Padma stared at Thorfinn, "It sure looks like you have. He's a death eater Hermione and you are just cosying up to the man like he didn't kill people."

"You need to leave," Ginny said, her brown eyes blazing with anger, "You need to leave Padma Patil. Hermione has welcomed you into her home and you sit here insulting her friends and family. She didn't choose this, but she sure as hell won't let it defeat her."

"But-"

"No," A voice said from the door of the dining room, "My sister is right, you need to leave Padma. Leave and don't come back. Hermione is still Hermione, no matter the blood that runs through her veins, you don't know what it has been like for us, for our families and friends. Leave now," the new voice was full of anger.

Hermione paled, "Ron." She said sitting back in her chair as Padma's shoes clicked across the floor in the now silent room.

OoOoOoO

Ginny was the first to jump up and give her brother a hug, "When did you get out of hospital?"

Ron hugged his sister tightly, "Yesterday. I stayed with mum and dad last night and am heading on assignment again, but wanted to see everyone before I did."

"Pansy, why didn't you say anything?" Ginny looked over at her friend.

Pansy rolled her eyes, "Because I didn't know Weasley. I don't normally work in that ward and I'm not his doctor, how could I have told you?"

Hermione stood from the table and walked out of the room. The Weasley siblings watched, a frown on Ron's face as he let go of Ginny and went after her.

Sighing, Ginny caught Harry's eye and he shook his head. The table went back to eating their food. All except Thorfinn who kept staring at the open door.

After about ten minutes of silence, it was broken by the sound of breaking glass. Harry groaned as he and everyone else went running to see what was the matter.