A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting. I'm trying to finish up a painful semester in my M.S. program. None of the characters belong to me. All are property of J.K. Rowling. I just enjoy playing with them. Thank you to my betas, Jestana and Silvana.

Chapter Six: Blocking and Hoping

"Albus, may I see you after the feast?" Dorian asked politely.

"Certainly, my boy. I will expect you. My password is 'Kit Kat'."

Dorian left through the staff door, trying not to flare his robes so much. That was Severus, not Dorian. He couldn't stay in the Great Hall any longer.

He returned to his quarters, and passed the time pacing. After a reasonable period of time had passed, Dorian made his way to the Headmaster's office.

After moving past the gargoyle and up the stairs, Dorian raised his hand to knock. Instead, he heard Dumbledore's voice, "Dorian, come in, come in."

Opening the door, Dorian moved into the office, and sat in a chair in front of the desk.

"I haven't quite mastered that trick, yet." He commented wryly.

"When you go back, ask me how I do it." Albus chuckled.

"Very well. What I asked to see you about is my bond."

"I saw something during the feast. Miss Granger is your bonded, is she not?"

Dorian shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, and my half of our bond is trying to reach out to her, but she is too young. This is not the time or place. I need you to help me seal away my half of the bond for now."

"Of course, I'll help you in whatever way I can. I'm not sure what you want me to do, however."

"Basically, I need you to hide Miss Granger from my bond. There is a shield charm that can be cast. Usually, it was used to protect the younger of a bonded couple, either because they were too young to complete the bond, or the other partner was in a dangerous situation and didn't want their bonded to feel any injuries they might incur."

"Ahh. And since in this time, Miss Granger is too young, you want to use this charm."

"Exactly. I cannot cast it myself because I am the other bonded. Also, Charms was not my strongest subject, and I haven't improved that much. I can do what I need to for my potions work, but this is beyond my capability."

"Very well. Do you have the charm with you?"

"Yes. I wrote it down, along with the wand motions to go with it." Dorian handed a piece of parchment to Albus.

Albus studied it, going over it to make sure he could remember it.

"All right. I believe I have it. Stand in front of me." Albus got up and came around his desk. Dorian arose and stood in front of him, about two feet away.

With the appropriate wand motions and words, Albus cast the charm.

Dorian felt the blunting immediately. The tugging inside he had felt ever since he saw Hermione in the Great Hall eased considerably. The relief was great.

"Thank you, Headmaster. That helped considerably."

"I'm glad I could be of help. Now, since I have an Order meeting in an hour, I must wish you good evening."

"I understand. I wish you a good evening as well." Dorian left Albus' office feeling more at ease than he had all day.

His sense of ease was almost immediately tested. As he came down the stairs from the Headmaster's office, Hermione Granger was walking along the corridor, on her way to the library.