A/N- Hello all! Sorry it's been a while since my last update, but a least it's a longer chapter. The last few weeks have been a bit crazy. So, there'll be some intimacy in this chapter. Also, this one will be a bit on the lighter side of things once again. But don't worry, we'll be getting into the grit of it soon enough. Enjoy, and as always reviews are appreciated.

Part 1: The Return

Chapter 3: Aftermath

July 5th, 1995

Mid-morning light poured into the room, despite the drawn curtains. From the bed came a frustrated groan as Hermione Granger clenched her eyes tightly, pulling the sheet up higher to try and block out the light. Finding it a futile effort she sighed and gave up, her brown eyes opening slowly. It took only a moment for her to realize she wasn't alone in her bed.

She froze instantly, terror flooding her system, ice pumping through her veins as her powerful mind began to race. Had it all been a dream? Please, please god let it not have all been a dream.

As quickly as it had come her fear dissipated as her bedroom came into focus. She was not back in that god awful flat with Ronald Weasley snoring loudly next to her, likely to wake up and start beating her for some random transgression. She was safe. The tension melted from her body as she pressed herself backwards into Harry's chest with a sigh. His arm had wrapped around her middle in the night, and she reached down and lightly took his hand into hers, breathing deeply. She laid there quite a while, allowing her mind to remain blissfully blank as her sleeping lover held her close.

Finally she rose, gently extricating herself from Harry's embrace so she wouldn't rouse him as she left the warmth of the bed behind. After everything that had happened the night before, she couldn't blame him for needing his rest.

Glancing around the room quickly she picked up her clothes, unable to prevent the blush that rose on her cheeks as she realized her current state of undress. She was wearing Harry's t-shirt and her knickers and that was it. It was her normal sleep attire, but she could still remember Harry's reaction to her disrobing the night before. The thought made her cheeks burn and warmth pool in her belly, but she shook herself out of the memory. That hadn't been the only thing that had happened the night before.

Harry's rage had been righteous and the power he had used had shaken them both to the core. It simultaneously excited and terrified Hermione to think it, but she knew this was only the beginning. Death had promised them gifts, and it seemed Harry was the first of them to begin to unlock them.

Hermione crossed the room silently and entered her bathroom. Absentmindedly she switched on the shower, using the time it took for the water to warm to strip herself naked and grab a clean towel from the cabinet. She groaned as she stepped into the shower, relishing in the feeling of the hot water loosening her tightened muscles.

They would have to talk, and it would have to be soon. They hadn't had the chance the night before, everything had happened so quickly. But she needed to tell Harry what she'd seen during the confrontation with his relatives.

Harry hadn't known where to take them when he'd apparated them out of Number 4, so he'd simply taken them back to the place where this had all started. In the dark, it had taken Hermione a moment to realize that they'd returned to the Forest of Dean.

"Why are we here, Harry?" Hermione asked, turning to face him. She recoiled slightly as she took in his face. The rage was still there, and his eyes still glowed with power. A light sheen of sweat had formed on him and he was breathing raggedly. His magic was still pouring out of him, making the air around them feel charged and heavy. It was almost suffocating. Hermione did the only thing she could think of. She slowly, not wanting him to instinctually take her as a threat and lash out, freed her own magic. It rose to meet his, and just as it had a few days prior as soon as it made contact with his Hermione felt her heart sing at the sensation. This time it was intentional, and they were almost the both of them overwhelmed as they felt each other's presence so completely once again. "I'm here, Harry." She whispered. "I'm here."

It took several long, tense moments but Harry's magic began to calm, slowly going from a heavy torrent around them to a calming presence that gently wrapped around her.

"Hermione…" He'd started, struggling to find words as his own mind raced to understand what had just happened. What he'd just done.

"Don't say a word Harry." Hermione said soothingly, taking his face into her hands. "I know what you're feeling Harry. I do." She said, moving closer to him. Harry's hands rose to cover hers, clutching to them. He refused to meet her gaze. "I felt the same thing when I cursed Ronald." Hermione continued. She took another step towards him, now so close she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. With her hands she forced him to look her in the eye. "They deserved it. Just like Ronald did. Just like he and all of the rest of them still do."

Her words cut Harry to the quick. He'd said almost the exact same thing to her just before Death had sent them back, when she'd broken down in his arms after she'd fled from Ron. He took a few deep breaths, his hands falling from hers to wrap around her hips as he pulled her flush against him. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and Harry nuzzled into her own. When he spoke, his breath on her neck made skin tingle.

"You're right, of course." He said softly. Hermione was about to respond when Harry's lips pressed against the warm flesh of her neck, making her mind come to a grinding halt.

"Harry." She breathed, pressing herself against him as his arms tightened around her. Harry pulled back briefly, only to lean forward and capture her lips in another searing kiss. Hermione groaned as his tongue slid against her lips and opened them willingly, deepening the kiss. Harry held her to him tightly as he kissed her, his thumbs slipping under her jumper to touch her skin. Bolts of electricity shot through Hermione as he found her flesh.

"Where?" Harry asked huskily when they finally broke.

Hermione met his gaze, eyes blazing. She didn't answer him, instead letting her magic take control as they instantly folded in on themselves and disappeared with a thunderclap. Barely a second later they appeared in her darkened bedroom in the Granger household.

For what felt like hours the two simply stood there, holding each other close as they continued to explore each other. Harrys hands continued to caress the sliver of exposed flesh he'd found before, Hermione's alternating between raking through his raven hair and his neck and shoulders.

"Harry…" She purred as he left her lips to make his way down her throat. Hermione moaned softly as he latched onto her pulse point, tilting her head back to give him better access. Emboldened, Harry allowed his hands to travel further up, feeling the heated flesh of her sides. His right slipped around to the small of her back and his left coming to rest just below her right breast.

The proximity to her chest made Hermione freeze. The familiar feeling of fear and panic began to bubble up within her and try as she might, she couldn't quite block out the memories of Ron.

Ron on top of her, Ron touching her.

She started shaking.

Noticing her sudden change in demeanor Harry stilled and pulled back, his expression one of concern. He opened his mouth to speak but Hermione silenced him with a forceful kiss. When she pulled back the trembling had stopped, and her breathing had settled.

"I'm fine, Harry." She whispered, pressing her forehead against his as she took a few deep breaths.

"We don't have to do anything you're not ready for Hermione." Harry said softly. Hermione smiled as he ran his fingers through her hair, her heart bursting for him. She hadn't said a word about what she was feeling, but he'd known exactly where her fear had come from.

"I do want you Harry." He said softly, meeting his eyes again. "I just…"

"I understand Hermione." Harry assured her, smiling softly.

"Soon." She said, her words a promise as he captured her in his green eyes. She pressed herself against him, melting into his embrace as his arms wrapped around her.

All at once they both felt the strain of the day's events take hold. Hermione could barely keep her eyes open and Harry's shoulders slumped as he fought the urge to yawn.

"We should try to get some sleep." Hermione said, giggling softly as Harry tried to stifle another yawn. Harry simply nodded looked down, toing off his trainers. She took a step back and bit her lip, thinking for a moment before throwing caution to the wind and slipping off her own shoes. Harry was looking around her room, likely for a blanket to curl up on when she called his name softly.

When he looked back to her his mouth went dry.

Hermione had removed her jeans and her jumper and was now standing before him in nothing but her undershirt and her knickers, her face crimson. Harry's eyes raked over her form, from her toned legs to the soft swell of her breasts under her shirt, covered by the lacey bra clearly visible beneath. She'd loosed her brown hair from its ponytail and it now fell freely around her shoulders, framing her face.

"Give me your shirt." She commanded softly. Dumbstruck Harry complied. He took off the light jacket he was wearing and stripped off his shirt, handing it over to her. Hermione found herself fighting the urge to jump him as his quidditch honed torso was presented to her. Smiling shyly Hermione took it and turned away from him. Before Harry could speak, or she lost her nerve again Hermione lifted her undershirt over her head and undid the clasp to her bra. Using one arm to preserve her modesty she pulled on Harry's shirt. When she turned back to him Harry nearly groaned at the sight of her, the tops of her breasts erect and clearly visible under the thin material.

"You're beautiful, Hermione. Truly." Harry said softly.

"Into bed." She commanded, her face still a brilliant crimson. Harry climbed into her bed and, after taking a breath to settle her nerves, Hermione climbed in next to him. Laying a hand on his chest Hermione kissed him soundly, groaning at the heat radiating off his bare chest as his arms encircled her.

"I love you Harry." She said softly, pressing herself against him. She grinned at the shudder that made its way through his body at the contact.

"I love you too Hermione." Harry breathed. The lay there for some time, alternating between simply looking at each other and gently kissing. Finally, as Harry drifted off, he barely heard Hermione's whisper.

"Soon."

Harry awoke to the sound of the shower coming from the other room. For the first time in what felt like years, he'd awoken rested and relaxed. No nightmares. No visions of Riddle. No memories of the past-turned-future that he'd come back to prevent. His mind had been gloriously blank, and he'd been grateful for it.

Realizing that it was likely Hermione in the shower Harry grinned. He debated the merits of going into the bathroom and joining her but ultimately decided against it. Despite the fact that they were now without any shadow of a doubt beyond the bonds of platonic friendship, he didn't want to rush things or make Hermione uncomfortable. He new she was still trying to cope with what had been done to her in the future, and what would've been done to her if they hadn't been sent back. They would get there, he was certain, but only when she was ready.

Still, he couldn't get the image of her with her back to him, completely bare save for her underwear out of his mind. Her skin had been almost perfect, pale flesh glowing in the dim light. He would've walked into a chamber full of angry Horntails just to touch her then, but he knew then and knew now that it would've been too much for her. Even so, he couldn't help the heat that coursed through him as he relived the memory.

"Back on task, Potter." He grumbled softly as he rose from the bed. He held out his hand absentmindedly and his wand flew into it. Hermione was a woman who enjoyed her showers, but Harry was a pragmatist when it came to daily cleaning. With a flick of his wrist he cast a silent cleansing charm on himself and his clothing. Magic made things so much more convenient, he thought happily.

He sat down at Hermione's desk, shaking his head and smiling at the pile of books and rolls of parchment scattered across its surface. Likely the remains of her efforts to create the loadstone they'd placed the night before. For the next few minutes Harry contemplated their next move. He needed to get to Gringotts as soon as possible, but he couldn't just waltz into the bank. Someone was bound to notice Harry Potter entering, and it would likely get back to Dumbledore before he could complete his task.

He absolutely couldn't allow that to happen. If he could pull this off, he could be free of Dumbledore's interference by the end of the day. At least legally.

The answer hit him like a freight train.

"Dobby!"

Hermione had exited the shower and had just finished dressing when the loud crack of someone disapparating rang out from the other side of the door, making her shriek with fright. She snatched her wand off the vanity and wrenched the door open only to see a very confused Harry Potter sitting at her desk, shirtless and his hands up in surrender.

"Are you MAD?" Hermione growled, dropping her wand once she was sure there was no threat. "You almost gave me a coronary!"

"Sorry love. It was just Dobby." Harry said, rising from the chair. He moved towards her and Hermione couldn't help the blush on her cheeks as he scooped her up into his arms and kissed her senseless.

"Why was Dobby here?" She asked when she'd finally come back to reality.

"I knew we would have a hard time getting into Gringotts without tipping someone off, what with me being the boy-who-lived and all." Harry said, pulling the shirt she'd just returned to him back on. "So, I called him in to help."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Hermione asked, striding over to her dresser to grab an elastic for her hair.

"No other choice." Harry said, shrugging. "If I owled them it could be intercepted. And out of everyone that I met the last time round, I think the only one I trust other than you is Dobby." Hermione couldn't argue with that. "Now we just have to wait."

"What did you get him to do?" She asked, eyebrow raised as she put her brown tresses into a quick braid.

"I can't spoil the surprise." Harry said mischievously. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to the door, trying, and failing to hide her smile at his antics.

"Fine then. We might as well go down and have breakfast while we wait." She said, opening the door.

"Your parents?" Harry asked, hesitating.

"At their practice." Hermione called from the hall. Harry followed her downstairs, admiring the moderately large house as he went.

The two made their way into the spacious kitchen, where Harry took over without a word and went to work on making them breakfast. Hermione enjoyed watching him cook. He worked efficiently with a soft smile on his face. She quelled the whisper in the back of her mind that reminded her of the violence of the night before, and the violence to come.

As they ate Hermione explain to him the wards she'd cast on the house to protect them and keep anyone from monitoring them, as well as the spells she'd used on her bedroom to ensure her parents didn't bother her there unless she wanted them too.

"That explains why I didn't wake up to your father trying to strangle me in the middle of the night." Harry said dryly, making them both laugh and Hermione blush.

"Quite." Hermione said, stifling another giggle. "I've also keyed the room so that no one can apparate in or out except for the two of us. As far as I'm able, this house is secure."

"You're more than able, Hermione." Harry said softly, levelling her in a gaze that made her squirm.

"Harry, we have to talk about last night." Hermione said, changing the subject.

"Which part?" Harry asked.

"The part where you wandlessly levitated your uncle, made him hallucinate, and then wandlessly cast an unforgivable curse on your aunt." She said, frankly.

"Ah. That part." Harry said, setting down his mug of tea and leaning back in his chair. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before he spoke again. "I have no idea where that came from Hermione. I don't know how I did it either. I just… did it." He said, his voice wavering.

"Did you feel anything strange when you did it Harry? Anything out of the ordinary?" She asked him, leaning towards him. "With your body, specifically."

Harry only shook his head.

"What didn't feel strange? I've never, and I mean never used that much power in one go before. Even when I fought Voldemort in the Great Hall, or when I blew up Dumbledore's office to escape afterwards." He leaned back to the table, resting his elbows on the surface and rested his head in against his hands. "Death said he was giving us gifts. I suppose that's what it was." He said.

Hermione thought for a moment before deciding to just tell him what she'd seen.

"Harry, whatever power you used on Vernon, when you used it your right eye did do something strange." She said carefully.

"How do you mean?" He asked.

"It turned blood red."

"Come again?"

"Your iris. It turned blood red. It was only for a moment, when you did whatever you did to make him start hallucinating, but it happened. And your magical signature got all distorted. I didn't recognize it for a moment. But I agree, I think it's Death's gifts starting to manifest."

"That's definitely odd." Harry said, trying to make sense of what she was telling him. "It makes sense though, in a mad way."

"How so?"

"Death's eyes are red. If I'm using his powers, it would make sense for my own eyes to turn red and my magic to feel different. But why just the right eye?"

"I don't know. But we'll need to be careful about how we use these powers moving forward. The last thing we need it the students at Hogwarts or, Merlin forbid, Dumbledore finding out your eyes are changing colors and you're using strange powers." Hermione said, relaxing a little bit. It relieved her that he hadn't panicked when she'd told him. "We'll also need to find a safe place to use them so we can figure out their limits."

They were quite for some time, both lost in their own thoughts until Harry finally broke the silence.

"So, are we going to talk about the other thing that happened last night?" he asked. Hermione blushed crimson.

Thankfully, Dobby reappeared at that exact moment, standing on top of the table.

"Hello Dobby!" Hermione said smiling, both thankful for the distraction but also genuinely happy to see the elf.

"Hello Harry's miss Grangey! Hello!" The elf said energetically. "Dobby is so happy to see you and Harry Potter again!"

"How did it go Dobby?" Harry asked, setting down his tea.

"They have agreed to you request, Harry Potter sir! They have sent this!" Dobby said, handing a sealed envelope over to him.

"Brilliant!" Harry exclaimed.

"How else can Dobby be of service, Harry Potter sir?" Dobby asked, bowing low.

"Erm… Well…" Harry started, embarrassed as always by the elf's worship of him.

"Why don't you go back to Hogwarts for now, Dobby." Hermione interjected, taking Harry's free hand and squeezing it softly. "We'll call you when we need you." She said, smiling warmly at the elf. "Oh and Dobby, don't tell anyone about coming here today or what Harry asked you to do."

"Of course not Miss Grangey. Dobby will always protect Harry Potter."

And with that the elf was gone. Hermione turned to Harry, not surprised when he turned his head away so she wouldn't see the unshed tears in his eyes. The war had taken so much from him the last time. Sirius, Hedwig, Dobby. Each had been a blow to him, but Dobby had been the last straw. What little light had been in Harry had died when the little elf sacrificed himself for him, and Hermione knew it was difficult for Harry to see him.

She didn't speak, only held his hand while he collected himself. After a moment he opened the envelope and pulled out two items: a letter, and a coin fashioned after a galleon, but instead of gold it was obsidian. Hermione had already guessed what it was when Harry carefully slid it off the letter and let it fall to the table, careful not to touch it.

Hermione smirked at that. She was brilliant, but her man was no slouch either when it came to brains.

Harry's green eyes raked over the letter, and when he was down his hand came down and clapped the table triumphantly, a grin breaking out on his face. Hermione held out her hand and Harry passed the letter to her. It read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

Despite the rather unorthodox nature of your request, Gringotts management has approved on the grounds of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter's good standing with the bank. This coin shall serve as a portkey which will take you directly to the office of Master Gartooth, the ancestral House Potter account manager. He shall expect you at no later than midday this day the fifth of July. As per your request this meeting will be strictly confidential and no other party outside Gartooth, your mate, and yourself may attend or have knowledge of it.

Regards,

Office of the Head Goblin

"That's brilliant Harry!" Hermione exclaimed, looking back to him. "They're going to allow us to go right into the bank, without having to go through the Alley or the public floo area."

"Exactly." Harry said triumphantly. Hermione began to worry her lip and Harry looked at her, confused. "What is it?" he asked.

"How did they know I'm your mate, Harry?" She asked, a hint of worry in her voice. Harry took a moment to contemplate this, his hand on his chin.

"Haven't a clue." He said after a few moments. "Goblin magic I suppose. Or maybe they always knew but never told us before because the bond hadn't been forged yet. Soul bonds are rather fragile when they first start, aren't they?"

"Yes." Hermione said softly, still looking ill at ease. "Still, I'll feel better once we've gotten this done and there's no chance of anyone stopping it."

Glancing at the clock, they both saw that it was nearly time. Harry stood and offered his arm to Hermione.

"Then we shouldn't waste a moment." He said. Hermione took his arm and his smile broke out into a feral grin. "Let's go make me a Lord." He said as he reached down and grabbed the coin. Hermione felt the now familiar jerking sensation behind her navel and the two were gone.