Hermione spent the complete recovery from the wound at Marcus's home. For an independent girl, being waited on hand and foot was challenging. It's hard to rely on others because you're often left disappointed with the results. It's like with Harry and Ron. She's usually the one left doing the heavy lifting, especially regarding their academics. And to what end? Neither has owled to see how she's doing since the Department of Mysteries. It stings like the scar of the curse on her chest, and that's why the witch usually does things for herself. However, Hermione is learning in this season of recuperation that she can't do it all. She needs the assistance of others to do the things she can't accomplish, as her body still aches and hurts.
That led the witch to think about life in general and came to the same conclusion. It's possible that she needs others to help accomplish her goals. Even the best of ships don't rely on a single anchor. It takes the crew and other elements to get it to its destination. Her mind alone cannot take her to the mountain peak. She can carry the map, but others can hold the supplies. So, Hermione stopped begrudging the house elves and Marcus with their care.
Her stay at the chateau also led to other discoveries. She and Marcus are at a place in their relationship where the kissing grows hot and heavy. They're left with this void that cries out for more, a certain longing. For the past two weeks, being so close has created tension between them.
Something Hermione calls the za-za-zu. Either you have it, as a couple, or you don't. It's the key ingredient in every love story she's ever read, especially Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth have the za-za-zu. And she and Marcus have it too. It's so electric the air is always fraught with possibilities and ripe for romance.
For example, one afternoon, when she was finally able to begin moving about again, Marcus came to help her get to the upstairs sitting room. Dotty, the house elf assigned to tend to her recovery and needs, had dressed Hermione. It was only a simple pink tank top and cotton pajama shorts, but who knew it could be more than that?
Her athlete had entered the spacious guest room and took hold of her hand, which he kissed. He wrapped his strong arms around her slender frame to help her rise to her feet. His warm breath, smelling of fresh mint, massaged her cheek and ear. A shiver coursed over her, forgetting how the scar on her chest no longer burned but caused a minor sting. Then as if unable to help it, his luscious lips grazed her jaw, causing the hairs of his stubble to brush her sensitive skin. Another shiver coursed through her body, and he thought the coolness of the house had done it.
As they finally started to move in tandem, the calloused hand on her hip felt heavy. It also made her want that hand fastened to other places on her body. However, she'll never say that out loud (at least not yet). But slowly making their way to the room, they stopped to let her catch her breath. Who knew recovery would take her breath away?
She had thought that would be done by things more sentimental in nature. Regardless, as they stopped, he palmed the small of her back. The solid tips of his fingers sank into the dip along her spine. And that was just as sensual to her as anything because Hermione felt a blazing heat rush through her. Their closeness mixed with the za-za-zu made it hot really fast.
In an effort to cool herself, she began fanning with her hand. Marcus noticed and asked, "Are you okay?"
That single question created a problem. How to answer that without giving anything away? Hermione tried to ignore the real reason by saying, "It's hot in here. Don't you think?"
His dark eyes lit up and took in her flushed face. "No. I actually think it's rather cool." Then his hand reached out to feel her forehead. "Do you need to go back and lie down?" he questioned.
In a quick response, his witch remarked, "Merlin, no. I'm tired of lying down. That's all I've been doing. I'm just a little hot from... from walking all that way. I'll be fine once we get to the sitting room."
Without warning, Marcus scooped her up into his arms and carted her off to the room. That made the butterflies in her tummy take flight, and her heart quickened. Upon reaching the room, he sat her on his lap, which was not where she thought he would deposit her. And that wicked hand of his, the one she wants all over her body, rested heavy, burning on her thigh. It's as if he knows her thoughts and is doing this to drive her crazy. The touch of his hand on her leg sets fire to her mind and other places.
He began talking about the two of them going to his Gram's beach house in Fiji. "I thought we could go in July. Maybe we can even see if the guys want to go along too-" He did not get to finish the statement because her lips fell onto his.
That's when Marcus's heart thudded like a drum, and his knees got weaker by the second. He could only focus on how soft her lips were against his own. How beautifully and wonderfully she invaded his senses. The touch of her skin made him feel alive like he's flying through the air.
Keeping his eyes half-open to look at her, he couldn't help but wonder if this was a trick of his imagination every time he took air. Heat rose from his stomach to his chest. His whole body tingled at the feel of her frame against his and her fingers running through his hair. His mouth is hungry, but not for food.
No one else existed in this moment except the couple, and their shadows twined on the wall. Nothing mattered except this delicious, savory, starving kiss. They sat there kissing and cuddling. Then Hermione pulled back and looked into his eyes. A mixture of calm and storm, light and darkness. And she began to place sweet, tender kisses on his face.
It started with his forehead, where she kissed his worry lines away. His girl kissed every inch of his face, even an Eskimo kiss to his patrician nose. And finally, back to his lips, where she claimed them as her own. Every kiss, big and small, was her saying the words, I love you.
And he loves her back. He needs her like he needs his broom. But more than that, Marcus wants her. He wants her so badly, everywhere- her and no one else. He wants that sleepy, confused look she gets when waking up and the radiant, soft smile that follows. He's seen that in the days she's stayed at his house recovering, making his mornings brighter and lighter. That's just one of the things he desires, forever.
When Hermione pulled away, his lips chased hers, and his hand dug into her thigh. Right now, he wants more. That's when the floo roared to life. With a smile just for him, she whispered, "It's the right idea, but not the right time."
Same as before, Pucey, Montague, and Warrington entered. Adrain assessed the situation and declared, "Is it just me, or is there a lot of sexual tension in here? I think I saw sparks." Everyone groaned, especially Marcus, who told him, "I'm currently destroying you in my head."
Then Warrington raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "She makes you smile like a complete loser, Man. It's disturbing," he remarked. Marcus threw a sofa pillow at him.
After that day, Hermione and Marcus were more aware of each other than ever, which is more temptation than a guy and a girl could ever need. Luckily the healed witch was cleared to gradually do things for herself again, which led her to walk downstairs. The need to rely on Marcus and the elves was becoming minimal. However, just because she can do things again doesn't mean she's actually doing them. When she walked downstairs, Dotty was by her side the whole way telling her, "Careful, Missy Mione. Dotty's not be wanting you to go back to bed."
No, Hermione did not want to go back either. So she heeded the advice. The elf and witch duo made it to the living room, where she sat on the sofa with Dotty covering her legs with a blanket. Several magazines, including the new edition of Quidditch Today, lay on top of the coffee table. Typically sports magazines have zero interest for her, but the publication caught her curious eye. On the cover, in bold type, are the words Rookie of the Year and a handsome picture of Marcus accompanying them.
Immediately Hermione grabbed it up and flipped to the article. Sure enough, on page twenty-three, the magazine declared her boyfriend the winner. It stated, After reviewing the tabulations from players and coaches around the league, the award for quidditch Rookie of the Year deservedly goes to Marcus Flint. The Golden Arrow helped to lead his team to the quidditch playoffs for the first time in over seven years. That, coupled with the assists and scores that Flint racked up throughout the season, shows why he should be named Rookie of the Year. The guy is an offensive wizard on the pitch.
Flint has acclimated himself to the league exceptionally well. His humble attitude off the pitch has made him a fan favorite, especially endearing himself with charity work. The guy is known to frequently pop up at the St. Stephens Impaired and Debilitated Center for sick children. The Arrows understand what they've got in Flint by inking the rising star to a contract extension worth at least three hundred million galleons. He looks to be a legitimate threat who could be a fixture in Appleby's toolbox for much of the next decade.
How did Hermione not know this? How did she not know that Marcus had been chosen as Rookie of the Year? Further, how did the witch not realize her boyfriend does charity work with St. Stephens? Of all the things she did not know, that one stung the most because the children's hospital tries to advance cures and means of preventing catastrophic pediatric diseases through research, development, and treatment. Through charitable donations from the magical community, no child is denied treatment, and families don't have to pay anything. That right there shows Hermione what a big heart Marcus has. For lack of better words, the article left her gobsmacked.
Hearing the floo roar to life, she quickly tucked her feet under her legs and thought about what to say. When Marcus entered the room, all thoughts flew away. Holding the magazine up, Hermione waved it around. "Why did I not know about this? How does the wizarding world know you won Rookie of the Year, but your girlfriend does not? And why haven't you told me you visit St. Stephens?"
Holding his hands up, Marcus declared, "You caught me." He moved to the sofa, giving her a peck, and sat, making himself comfortable. Then he explained, "I didn't deliberately keep it from you. I honestly didn't think about it, considering everything going on at Hogwarts, the death eaters, the punishment you endured, and almost getting killed. Those have been front and center in my head. I literally found out last week, and it just slipped my mind. And I didn't think my visiting St. Stephens was a big deal. In fact, I'd rather no one know about it because I'm not looking to gain fame from it."
Hermione can understand his reasoning for all of that, but "In the future, I'd like to know when you win an award. That's a huge stinking deal, and it's important to celebrate those kinds of things with you. Plus, you signed a contract extension. That's major, Marcus."
Slumping into the couch cushions and propping his feet on the coffee table, the wizard remarked, "I suppose it is, but for me, it's all about the love of the game. Everything else, like awards or contract extensions, is secondary. I do promise to alert you in the future for any of those things. There's supposed to be an awards banquet for the Magpies winning the league championship. The runner-up is always invited to go, which would be the Arrows. And it's there the league MVP, Personality of the Year, Unsung Hero, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and the Golden Snitch Awards will be handed out. It's a black tie event. I'm not sure why I'm telling you this because the likelihood of you being able to go is minimal."
He said the last part with longing in his voice, which Hermione noted. It prodded her to say, "Well, maybe I could go. I could use polyjuice of some muggle woman, or there's the fact no one really knows me. So, I could possibly go as myself. I want to support you but don't want to cause trouble for you."
Marcus would love for his girl to go, but Voldemort has returned. With that in mind, coupled with the top death eaters knowing what Hermione looks like, thanks to the Department of Mysteries fiasco, it would be sudden suicide for her to show up on his arm. But then she suggested, "What if we changed my hair color and I straightened it instead of keeping it wavy? Then no one would suspect a thing, even if my picture was plastered in every gossip rag from here to Japan."
That's when Marcus raised his eyebrows at the thought of her hair being different. "I don't know. It might work," he told her. The hope was evident between the two of them. They decided to curtail discussing the event, opting to enjoy the evening that lay in front of them instead.
As the summer weeks progressed, so to did the death eaters. An attack on Millineum Bridge in Muggle London left parts of it destroyed. The only good thing that happened was the fact Lucius Malfoy was imprisoned in Azkaban. However, the death eaters wanted to add to their ranks. So, Marcus continued to be pestered by his father, which greatly annoyed him.
And the athletic wizard thought about the curse Dolohov gave Hermione and the destruction the evil Dark Lord wants to bring upon muggle-borns and the wizarding world. For a brief moment, Marcus thought about taking the mark. The only reason he'd do so is for her- to keep her safe, to protect her at all costs. At some point, he has to confront Maxwell, which he's been successful at putting off so far.
By mid-June, Hermione made it a point to teach her boyfriend the Patronus charm, especially with all the growing unrest in the wizarding world. They stood in the chateau's ballroom and began practicing. First, she cast hers, and the playful otter bounded around, ending by hugging Marcus's legs. It made Marcus chuckle and Hermione smile. "It suits you," he told her.
Then she stood beside him and told him, "Think of a very joyful memory. A strong one."
The last time he tried alone, years ago, he thought of quidditch and flying. It was enough to produce whisps. Maybe if he used the quidditch memories he has now, it could turn into something more. So, he thought of playing with his teammates, scoring the winning goal to advance to the playoffs, flying on a sunny day, and enjoying the game. With those thoughts in mind, he called out, "Expecto Patronum."
From the end of his holly wand, more Patronus whisps appeared than before. But still not enough to produce a corporeal one. He shook his wand, frustrated. Hermione took the wand, knowing it was neither him nor it at fault. The holly wood felt weighty at the touch. She's never taken the time to admire her boyfriend's wand for the beauty that it possesses.
And Hermione has to say that the holly is perfect for him because it's rare. She heard Mr. Ollivander say that these wands often choose owners engaged in some dangerous, spiritual quest. That's true of Marcus, as he's had to overcome many things in his life in his quest to better himself. Many things have propelled him to where he is now, and he's still going through his internal journey. Harry also has a holly wand, but where he has a phoenix feather core, Marcus's has a dittany stalk. This combination makes it a protective wood matched with a healing nature. It's lovely to look at, despite being heavy in her hand.
"Marcus, it's not you or the wand. You have good memories, but your chosen one wasn't strong enough. Dig deeper, and find something that embodies what you're trying to produce. I know you can, and so does your wand. Its protective and healing nature wouldn't have chosen you if it didn't think you were worthy," she reminded him.
So he thought some more, and then Marcus realized what all his beautiful memories are made of- her. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, dispelling the frustration. Thinking about every lovely thing that's happened to him since tutoring with Hermione, he concentrated on her. She grounded him. Stretching his hand out, his witch placed the wand back onto the open palm. Grasping the holly wood, Marcus centered himself and tried again.
This time when he called out "Expecto Patronum," a Patronus appeared. It lumbered around the room in a threatening manner, but eventually, the black bear came to rest in a sitting position at Hermione's feet. When it disappeared, he tried it again and could still produce the black bear. The awe Marcus felt lingered even when the bear faded away.
Hermione held his hand and squeezed it. "Babe, you did it," she quietly uttered.
Turning his head slightly, he remarked, "Because of you. I was able to do it because of you. You're my happy memory."
His words melted her heart, and the couple embraced, holding each other tight. Then they pulled apart to cast their Patronuses at the same time: the otter and the bear side by side. The otter swam around his bear while the bear tried to swat it away playfully. Once they disappeared, Hermione grabbed Marcus's hand and pulled him to the library. She summoned a book on Patronus that she had read last summer. Sitting beside him on the rich leather sofa, she flipped to the page about what the animals mean and began reading to him.
"The bear Patronus is one of monumental might. Bear people enjoy their alone time and spend a lot of it in reflection and contemplation. Though, despite this lonerism, they excel in leadership roles. Bears are stable people with impressive inner strength. It's not unusual for a bear to share this trait to help others grow and heal, especially in difficult times." She continued reading about the black bear, particularly how these people enjoy a healthy challenge. May Merlin help anything that tries to broach it because the black bear will come to protect teeth bared, standing like a shield.
"That is so fitting for you," Hermione exclaimed. And she loved it because he is a protective healer who's quite insightful. It flies in the face of what others think they know about him.
Marcus is her bear, and she began telling him so. "Babe, you're my bear- my giant, loveable teddy bear. I just want to wrap my arms around you every time. Your hugs are the best."
Or she'd say, "When the whole world has treated me like a wad of gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe, I can always turn to my cuddly bear."
At first, Marcus felt like a wuss being called a teddy bear. Bears are fierce, powerful, and vicious creatures. He's like that, sometimes. However, as the days wore on and her words sunk in, he decided he could live with being Hermione's teddy bear. Merlin knows his favorite place is in her arms. That's why he turned this whole bear business back on her. "Since I'm your cuddly bear, can I sleep with you?" He gave her a knowing look.
A smile grew large on her cute face. Hermione responded, "One day, soon. But for now, we can sleep together, just not sleep together." She emphasized the last sleep.
He told her again, "I hate waiting, but I'll wait for you as long as it takes. I'm content to be beside you for now." And when a stuffed black teddy bear found its way into his practice bag, the smile on his face never left. It reminded him how he had something (someone) worth waiting for.
