By the time the last full week of June rolled around, the students were ready for the school term to be over. Summer break loomed large in front of the student population, but it didn't devour them wholly. There's still the final task the champions need to perform. Then summer term can consume everyone's thoughts in full.

On the day of the final task, Hermione worried herself over Harry. He hasn't been right since late May when he "saw" Voldemort in divination class. That concerned the Gryffindor girl so much that she talked to Marcus about it. Knowing his father had been one of Voldemort's death eaters, she explained the vision in the strictest of confidence. Upon hearing the information, Marcus ran a hand through his short hair and asked, "Are you sure it's Voldemort he saw and not something else?"

Carefully, Hermione said, "He saw him, Marcus. Not some ghost or some waif, but Voldemort. Harry wouldn't make it up. That's not who he is."

Pursing his lips together, Marcus thought about his father. Over the Easter holidays, the older Slytherin had been requested to come home. Per the order, he went and hated it, as usual. But it did afford him time to instruct his house elf, Topsy, to send the majority of his belongings to his grandmother's majestic cottage situated on the Welsh coastal highlands.

No longer needing to be under his parent's authority, Marcus is moving into the smaller eleven-bedroom home after graduation. His Gram, Cecilia Fawley, gave the French-style summer chateau to him outright, stating it was part of his graduation present. For this gift, he's grateful, considering he won't have to live at the Flint manor house anymore. In his spacious bedroom, Marcus used his wand to mark which items to ship, and Topsy delivered them quietly, effectively.

However, as the Slytherin thought back to the Easter Holiday spent at home, the one thing that stood out, like Professor Trelawney's garish outfits, was that one day in his father's study. After a large and hearty lunch, Marcus and Marshall had been told to follow Maxwell into his home office. After shutting the door, the boys were given the yearly speech on following family duties. Marshall got the brunt of this talk since he's the heir and Marcus is just the spare (thank goodness).

Hearing his father drone on and on about "carrying on the Fint family name and legacy" made Marcus tune the old man out. Instead, his mind wandered to Hermione and summer vacation. Hope like wildfire spread throughout his muscular body because it would be nice if his girlfriend spent some time at the chateau. They can go to the private beach at the back of the property, visit the quaint coastal muggle town, and just enjoy the general freedom of being in each other's company.

During his father's talk about the family vaults and pureblood heritage, Maxwell Flint went rigid. In an involuntary movement, his firewhiskey glass dropped from his hand and shattered into pieces on the hardwood floor. Suddenly, Marcus's father clutched his left arm and promptly sat in an oversized, brown leather chair. Thinking the tall man was having a heart attack, both boys rushed to their father's side and began loosening his tie from his neck and whatnot.

Just as Marcus said he'd floo to St. Mungos, Maxwell spoke in his deep, authoritative voice. "You'll do no such thing. I'm fine. It's not a heart attack, only something that's remained dormant for over a decade now." The brown-haired, dark-eyed, broad-shouldered man rolled up his blue shirt sleeve and stared at his arm. His two sons did the same thing; all three men gazed at the grotesque dark mark.

Right there on their father's arm is the mark they've seen for years. It's nothing new to them. They know what it means too. However, the thing that is new is the fact the mark is moving. Having been too young during the first war, Marcus had never seen the ugly thing move, but Marshall had. Marshall, wide-eyed, pointed at it and stated, "It's moving again just like it did during the first war and when he'd summon you." Marshall had been in his first year at Hogwarts during that time and remembered the events well.

There was no confusion as to whom the "he" Marshall was referring to. Even Marcus knew that, but he didn't know was, "Why is it moving?"

His eyes looked to his father for answers. Still staring at the horrible mark, Maxwell responded, "I don't know yet. Keep this quiet. Neither of you is to say anything to your mother, sister, or wife, Marshall. I don't want the women worrying unnecessarily. And above all, you do not tell anyone outside the family about this. Am I clear?" Both boys nodded. Marcus had a horrible feeling as to what the movement meant but didn't want to think about it.

Now though, it appears he has to think about it. So, the youngest Flint conjured a sofa and sat his girlfriend on his lap. Then he did what his father had told him not to do- he explained what happened that day in Maxwell's study. When Marcus finished the account, Hermione caressed his face. "Marcus, please, no matter what happens, don't get one of those marks. I don't want you to destroy your beautiful soul," she begged.

Kissing her cheek, Marcus pulled back and looked at his girl. Her hair was in one of those messy buns, and her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. His voice portrayed his honesty, "I promise I won't. I have no desire to get one, especially since I've renounced what it stands for. I think we both know the movement on my father's mark means the Dark Lord is back in some form or another. I'm pretty confident my brother will get a mark if prompted. I also have no doubt my father will try his best to threaten me into it, but once I graduate, there's nothing he can do to make me."

Hermione disagrees. "There's plenty he can do. Being a death eater, your father could curse you into it. He could imperius you or worse, and I don't want to think about that. It's too painful to ponder because you would be hurt, and that hurts me. Or your father wouldn't even have to do that. He could disown you, cut you off the family tree, and out of the vaults." Those things hurt as much as, if not worse, Harry's problems.

Thankful for someone in his life that cares about his well-being, Marcus reassured her, "If my father disowns me, burns me off the family tree, or out of the vaults, I will be okay. I have my personal vault full of money I've saved and invested. Its accrued interest and grown exponentially. Plus, I'm my grandmother's heir, not her children. I stand to gain the Fawley estates and family vaults. That's a lot of resources, Hermione. So even if my father does those things, I'll be alright."

That's all well and good, but "What about the other things? What if he tries to curse you?" The cursing is what concerns her most. Marcus told her he could withstand the imperio because his father had used that on him before. The more the man used it, the better he got at blocking it. As for the crucio, the Slytherin did not care to tell that Maxwell used that one on him too. But he had no choice because Hermione sussed it out of him.

Then she cried at the story, and it was weird. Having someone cry for you is a totally different thing. It's something Marcus hasn't experienced often; usually, it's only his grandmother. But through Hermione, he's learned there are different kinds of crying.

There's a type where people weep about something terrible that has happened to them. And then there are tears for all the awful things that have happened to others. That's the crying that cannot be weakened by a brave act or a kind word, but only by someone holding the person close as their shoulders shake and tears run down their face. That's the crying that calls to the heart.

Having Hermione cry for him is noble and loving. It makes him feel worthy, even though she's a far better person than himself. Her tears are pure and beautiful, like her spirit. His Gram has often said, "Tears are true love's greatest gift. Treasure it." At the time, he didn't know what that meant, but now he does, and it makes perfect sense. Because when you love someone, really love someone, you bear their hurt. That hurt makes you hurt, and the heart weeps. At least that's how he feels about Hermione; it must be how she feels about him too.

Crying because Marcus was crucioed by his father made Hermione resolve to find a spell or something that would protect him. Wiping her eyes, the petite girl wrapped her arms around him and rested her head over his heart. The rhythm it pounded soothed the hurt in her own, and his eyes always seemed to hold an endless love for her.

They vowed to meet after the conclusion of the final task. The couple also promised to spend as much time together as possible before the last feast. When Marcus and Hermione parted ways, Hermione went to Gryffindor Tower to change for the task. She heard a couple of girls talking about Rita Skeeter and how the woman would be at Hogwarts writing about the event. Perfect! This is just the type of circumstance Hermione has been waiting for.

All the students sat to watch at the viewing stands, which are at the entrance to the maze. The final task was to be the first champion to touch the Triwizard Cup in the maze's center. To do so, they have to navigate the treacherous labyrinth. Hermione sat with Ginny, Luna, the twins, and Ron. She wanted to sit near Marcus but knew doing so would not be wise with his father's dark mark being alive. However, Ron commented, "Why is that troll looking over here at you, Hermione? He's been doing so all school year. It's like he's waiting for the right time to hex you or worse. No one likes Marcus bloody Flint."

Following the path of Ron's narrowed, hate-filled eyes, Hermione caught Marcus's eyes. They were the opposite of Ron's in every way. Mainly because the voice of his eyes is more resounding than all the gifts and sweet notes he's given her. He broke their eye contact when he laughed at something Zabini said. But Hermione reminded Ron, "I tutored Marcus. He's not as bad as you think, Ronald. And remember, if you can't say something nice, then don't speak. It's not nice calling him a troll all the time."

Ron took vexation at those words. He didn't speak to her again until after the final task, for which the curly-haired witch was thankful. Considering he's been nothing but a complainer all school year long, him not talking is a good thing. Instead, she tried to focus her attention on the champions.

Ginny asked, "How do you think Harry will do?" Her hand twisted her bracelet around and around.

Knowing that Ginny has harbored a crush on Harry for the longest time, her brunette friend answered, "I think he'll be fine. He's as prepared as the other three. The only one that I think could actually beat him is Cedric."

Luna added, "There wrackspurts around Krum and Fleur; they won't do well. Harry should perform fine since snozzguzzlers are with him. He has one on his shoulder." Her spectrespecs were in her dainty hand.

Both statements from her friends made Ginny calm. But deep down, Hermione worried. Her gut tells her something nefarious will happen before this thing is over. She clutched at the bracelet Marcus had given her for comfort. And the bracelet became ever more comforting once Harry exited the maze. Amid all the clapping and cheering, the bracelet served to ground her because Hermione knew something was wrong with Harry.

When all the hubbub was over, Cedric had been killed. It was a dark stain on Hogwarts. As the crowd began solemnly filing out of the viewing area, Ron pulled Hermione to follow, but she shook him off. Her eyes scanned the crowd for Marcus and saw him milling about with Pucey, Montague, Higgs, and Bole. His eyes lifted and found hers. He motioned with his head, and she nodded.

The two walked away from the crowd and close to the Black Lake. They cast charms all around them, sealing them in a protective cocoon. Virtually invisible and unhearable, the couple embraced. Hermione cried on his chest. "How could that have happened? How could Cedric have died like that?" she asked.

Rubbing circles on her back, Marcus mentioned, "I think I have an idea. You won't like it, though, especially if I'm right."

Her head lifted, and she pulled away just a fraction. Their eyes locked again, and hers encouraged him to continue. "I overheard Crabbe and Goyle talking earlier. Their fathers are Death Eaters too. Apparently, their fathers told them about some mission they were going on tonight in a cemetery in Little Hangleton. Pucey, Montague, and I suspect it had something to do with the Dark Lord. Pucey's father is a Death Eater, too, and his mark started moving, the same as my dad's mark did. I don't know, but I suspect that has to do with Diggory's death."

Hermione does not like the sound of this. It chilled her to the bones, even though none of it was surprising. Again she pleaded, "Please protect yourself, Marcus. I don't want anything to happen to you. It would hurt me immensely, and please don't put yourself in a position to be harmed." Then she wondered, "Are Pucey and Montague going to take the ugly mark?"

After taking her hands and putting them around his waist again, Marcus told his girl, "They don't want to. Graham's father isn't a Death Eater but gave money to Voldemort's cause. Really he had no choice but to contribute money under threats, you see. But Adrian is a different story. His father took the mark. His older brother, like mine, probably will, and then the two of us will be expected to take it too. I know I won't, and Adrian doesn't want to either. He doesn't care for what it stands for anymore. But the penalty of death and threats and curses can make even the most resolute person weakened."

That's when Hermione cried again. She cried for Cedric Diggory and his family. The witch wept for Marcus and all he's been through. Then she shed tears for all of the Slytherins who may have no choice like Adrian. Finally, her tears became a prayer for Adrian, Graham, Higgs, Warrington (who she still hasn't met), and Marcus's friends- that they would have the determination to withstand the pressure to get a dark mark.

Following the final task, it turned out that Mad-Eye Moody was actually Barty Crouch Jr under polyjuice. He received the dementor's kiss as a result. And the students avoided Harry at all costs. Hermione listened to what Harry had to say, and Marcus's intuition was correct. Voldemort is back, and he's the one that had Cedric killed.

The Gryffindor girl spent the remaining time at Hogwarts in the library. Spending time there is not unusual for her, but it did seem a little peculiar with the tournament and exams completed. Despite light teasing for how she's a swot or a bookworm, Hermione has an objective. And it's for that reason she took to scouring every section imaginable, looking for protection charms or spells. In her quest, copious books on warding were found. A few she checked out and read, and a few other titles she sent a school owl with an attached note to Flourish and Blotts to purchase. Those ones she'd read over the summer.

Finally, three days before the end of the school year, Hermione found what she was looking for. A book titled, Protection: More Than Protego drew the girl in. Checking it out, she spent the whole afternoon reading the text. While the book extensively covered all the protego charms and fidelius charm, it also dove into ones from ages past. Obscure protection charms that most of the wizarding world had forgotten in favor of the modern ones. There are five that she filed away in her mind to use: tutela, integumentum, arx, umbra, and vindicaie.

Each charm is similar but varies in usage. The tutela charm is used more for the overall perimeter of a space or shelter. It's identical in thought to warding but easier to use and cast. Integumentum is used to launch a covering or a shield over a person or object. Arx is simple as it protects a fortress or stronghold itself- in other words, it keeps a home safe. That leaves umbra. With this one, a person can cast it to obscure anything. How the caster articulates and voices the word can vary in the level of protection. It either provides a shade, a shadow, or total darkness.

The last one is the one she's using as soon as possible. Vindiciae allows the caster to cast protection on an object. Then the object, in turn, protects the person. It's total protection. Although, it cannot protect against Aveda, which made Hermione shiver.

On the train ride home, Marcus and she set a time to meet in an unused train carriage. There's usually some close to where the prefects organize. The Slytherin told her he'd find one and wait for her around lunchtime. So, just before lunch, Hermione excused herself to meet with Marcus. This made Ron agitated, and he voiced that frustration. "You hardly spend time with us anymore. It's like you're hiding something. And if you want to read, you can do so here with us."

Eventually, when the time is right, she supposes she must tell Ron about Marcus. He's sure to have ten thousand slugs right on the spot. But now isn't the right time, so Hermione explained, "I'm meeting with someone important. We're going to discuss matters pertaining to what Harry saw. Now don't press me further."

She exited before the red-head could complain again. Her walk led her to the Slytherin section, where Malfoy called her "A no-good mudblood who's a perfection slag." But this time, Montague did something the Gryffindor didn't expect.

In a clear, loud voice, Graham said, "Malfoy, lay off already. She wasn't bothering you, just passing through. You really ought to control your impulses, or they'll get the better of you." Then sounding much like Hermione herself, Marcus's friend added, "Think before you speak." The guy gave her a slight nod and returned to his card game with Pucey, Higgs, and Bole. It left the whole Slytherin car stunned.

Hermione scrambled down the hall and into the compartment containing Marcus with a secret smile on her face. He rose to meet her, and she launched herself into his arms. They briefly kissed and sat side by side. They warded the compartment shut and silent. She told him what Graham did on the way here, which made Marcus puff up with pride. He's glad his real friends have his back, especially when it comes to his girl.

Then Hermione motioned with her hand to his Flint signet ring. "Marcus, tell me about that ring. Does it come with family protection charms? How does it work?"

Taking the ring off, they both stared at the manly signet ring in Marcus's hand. Set in gold with a large onyx oval at the center, it's simple yet distinctive. Mainly due to the onyx magically clouding over and revealing a sizeable F for Flint. He explained, "The signet ring is part of the Flint family heritage. Every male, spare or heir, gets one upon starting Hogwarts."

He twisted the ring around in his hand, stared at the thing, then spoke. "My Grandfather Flint told me it comes with family protection charms. I'm not sure what they are, but I can find them in the family history book. Every pureblood family has something like this. Why do you ask, Hermione?"

Lifting her eyes to meet his, she clarified, "Because I care about you. The ring hasn't protected you from any of your father's curses. I don't like the thought of you as a sitting dragon, unprotected. So, if you're alright with it, I'd like to cast my own protection charm on your ring."

Swallowing thickly, unable to speak, Marcus nodded his consent. He knew this was one of those serendipitous moments that forever changes a person. Holding his hand out with the ring lying on it, Hermione began to utter the word vindiciae. He's never heard that before, nor has he heard of this spell. But she repeated the word stronger and more precise, with more force behind it. Then the ring began to warm up and glow. No sooner had it done that than it was over.

They stared at the ring again, and carefully, Marcus held it between his fingers. Hermione asked, "How does it feel? Any different?"

Turning to her, he stated, "When you uttered the word a final time, it heated in my hand. The ring feels different. It feels lighter, unrestrained, and complete. I believe that whatever you did, the ring will truly protect me."

When her Slytherin slipped it on his finger, Hermione held his hand. Then she recounted how she researched protection charms and ended by saying, "I felt compelled to want to be able to help you. I, too, think this will work. Tell me about the chateau you'll be living in. Does it have wards?"

Mind racing to catch up with all his girl is saying, Marcus feels overcome by the love she's showing him. It's hard to think about wards when the person you love is freely giving you their protection. "Umm, yes. It has the Fawley wards," he mumbled.

That's when his girlfriend specified, "When I visit you, I want to add my own layer of wards. Is that alright with you?"

Angling himself to see her better, Marcus laced their fingers together. "If you want to, it's fine with me. But you do realize what you're doing, right? You're offering me your protection. By doing that, it's binding me to you. Not formally or legally, but in a way, it's like you're saying I'm yours. Are you sure you want to do that? You're destined for greatness. I'm destined for the quidditch pitch, at least I hope."

Just like that, Hermione calmed any doubts lingering in Marcus. "The heart knows when it's found a home. You light my spirit on fire every time I look your way. And even though I'm unsure about some things concerning the future, I'm sure that I love you. As you've said, maybe not today, tomorrow, or next year. I hope we have a conversation about our future together. So yes, I'm offering my protection to you."

Marcus drew her into him and whispered, "I'm the luckiest guy alive to have such a rare gem in my life. Before you came into my life, even as my tutor, I never knew what it meant to look at someone and smile for no reason. At some point, a ways in the future, we're having that conversation."

Then for the briefest of moments, the world seemed to slow down. The only thing between them is the anticipation of their lips meeting. The moment was so intense that it hung in the air and sparked. It seems to always hum with electricity in the air between them. In their whole lives, they have never been kissed like this. For the two of them, it's worth losing everything for.