AN: Congrats to TheySayItsCrazy who guessed what was to follow! Warning for the smut that follows in this chapter! Enjoy!

Perfect

I know we'll be alright this time

Darling just hold my hand

Be my girl and I'll be your man

I see my future in your eyes

It strummed through her, their bond, making her magic sing, more than ever as the distance between them remained so small. She had now given up trying to ignore the pull of their bond. She felt the hum of approval as she moved through Rowle Manor looking for her mate. She didn't get very far as she heard the gentle tinkering of the piano echoing through the empty house. She followed it and found that it lead to the drawing room. The room which had been dressed in soothing colours of beige and cream was now bathed in soft sunlight. She had not been gone for too long but oh how she missed this room with the large sofa's that filled the space before the fireplace. And his impressive black piano which sat before the window at the far end of the room. He was seated before it now, his fingers dancing expertly across the keys as the gentle music filled the room. She knew the moment he realised she was there, his back stiffening just a little. But he didn't turn around or acknowledge her, he merely continued playing. Hermione didn't say anything, simply kicking off her shoes as she padded across the carpet towards him. With each step she took towards him, she felt her magic pulse a little faster.

She came to stand beside the piano with keen eyes watching as he played. His eyes were closed she noticed, a serenity that she had missed and no doubt was absent in the time they had spent apart. Hermione took the time then to take in her mate. Though he looked serene, no doubt their bond somewhat appeased by the distance she had closed physically, Hermione could see it was not the whole truth. His muscles usually relaxed were now taut with tension. His long blond hair which was just a wild as hers which she had come to love, she noticed rather amusedly was tied in a bun again. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone and she could see his Azkaban tattoo peeking out. His sleeves rolled up to sit comfortably just past his elbows with his mark on full display. It was faded and looked far less imposing that she could ever remember.

He could feel her heavy stare on the ugly blemish on his arm, his eyes opening immediately catching hers. She didn't back down, only looking at him more intently. He stopped playing then wondering how much it bothered her.

"Don't stop," she requested gently, "it was beautiful."

And it was. Hermione released then what a gifted musician he was. Despite his burliness and distinct Viking like appearance, he possessed a great deal of grace and gentleness. It was clear through his music, gentle notes that spoke volumes of all the things he couldn't.

Thorfinn nodded and smiled when she shuffled to sit down beside him on the bench. He played two more pieces for her, neither saying a word as they simply enjoyed the music. When he hit the last note, it echoed and lingered in the air for just a moment longer, he turned to her with curious eyes.

"You ran away, Hermione," he said plainly. It was his tone more than his words that pained her.

Hermione felt her stomach twist but couldn't bring herself to deny it. She noticed with a heavy pang that he had called her Hermione rather than his preferred nickname. He didn't say anything for a long moment and Hermione wondered how angry he was at her. Their bond told her that it was excruciating for them to be apart. What she suffered, he suffered too and she wondered just how forgiving her Viking could be. She felt his finger under her chin as he tipped it up so she could look at him; her chocolate eyes meeting his grey.

"Why?" he asked.

"I got scared," she mumbled.

He felt his heart crumble at her words, "Of me?" he asked in a low voice.

"No!" she cried quickly, "I know you won't hurt me. Oddly enough you're the one person I trust to never hurt me."

"Then what is it?" he asked confused.

"The bond," she answered. "It scared me. It's all so much to take in and it was happening so fast." She explained.

"That is the nature of love and magic, Duchess," he said softly.

"I know," she said. "I'm not afraid anymore."

Thorfinn smiled, his hand cupping her cheek as he ran his thumb across he cheek. "I was so worried about what this bond would do to me and what I would be with it that I didn't think about what it would mean if I didn't have it," she said reaching up to grasp his bearded cheeks. "I completely forgot that I'm a witch and should trust my instincts." She said with a little laugh.

"And what do your instincts tell you?" he questioned.

"To trust the bond," she answered, "To trust you."

Thorfinn smiled and then his lips were on hers, claiming them with a ferocity that had her magic singing again. His one hand delved into her hair while the other wrapped around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer. Her fingers scratched at his beard earning an appreciative growl from him. There was some shifting and then she was straddling him across the bench. His fingers dug into her legs as her muscles clenched around him. He kissed her fervently as if she were the very air he needed to breathe. The very thing he had gone without for far too long. Her hands moved from his beard into his hair and she growled in frustration when she found it was tied up and away from her hungry fingers. She didn't have time to think it over much as his lips left her, dancing along her jaw and down her neck. She felt the obvious reaction rub against her heated centre. Moaning in delight, Hermione rubbed herself against his straining cock and he groaned, unable to stop the rocking of his own hips.

Hermione needed more, craved more and it was with that that her fingers deftly worked the buttons on his shirt. He grinned at her eagerness and didn't object when she started pushing the shirt down his arms until it fell to the floor. Her fingers scraped across his bare chest earning a growl from him. Thorfinn's hands delved under her shirt, his fingers teasing at her skin until he swiftly caught the end of her jumper, pulling it over her head and throwing it to the floor with his shirt. He smirked appreciatively when he took in the black lace bra. His hands skimmed down her sides until they grasped her buttock and then he was standing, holding her securely in his arms as he walked them to the couch. Hermione wrapped her legs around Thorfinn's broad hips.

Hermione felt him lower her to the couch, her legs still wrapped around his waist; his hard length throbbing against her thigh. His lips moved along her neck down her chest as his hands ran the length of her back expertly unclasping her bra and flinging it aside. She moaned as Thorfinn kissed his way down her body. Hermione gasped, arching her back of the couch as he took a pert nipple in his mouth. The weight of him felt glorious as he pressed her further into the couch. She gasped again as his tongue flicked her nipple while his other hand skimmed patterns across her abdomen. She groaned in frustration when she felt him move away.

"Thorfinn," she pleaded softly.

"Shh love," he soothed his voice rough with unbridled lust.

"Why did you stop?" she asked breathily.

"Because I'll be damned if the first time we're together is on the couch in the middle of the drawing room" Thorfinn told her.

"I don't care," Hermione assured him reaching for him and trying to pull him back to her.

"But I do," he said gently. He grasped her hands firmly in his, holding her still.

Hermione looked up at him and she was left speechless as the tenderness in his touch and the thoughtfulness he was currently showing. He leaned down and kissed her again, deeply and without any reservations. His hands moved down her body, guiding her legs to wrap around his waist once more and then quite suddenly, he rose from the couch, holding Hermione firmly to him. She gasped in surprise and clutched at him out of instinct. She knew he wouldn't drop her and the heat of his skin pressed flush against her as he held her was all she could focus on. He started walking then, with her wrapped around him like she weighed nothing at all. He kissed her all while walking them out of the room, surprising her when they didn't bump into any furniture. His lips trailed along her jaw as he began climbing the stairs. She moaned appreciatively and without much thought rocked against him. The simple action had him groaning and then Hermione felt herself being pressed up against the wall. Thorfinn let his hands grip her buttocks, his fingers pressing into the denim of her jeans. Hermione whimpered when his lips danced over a particularly sensitive spot on her neck. Her hands wrapped around his neck, anchoring her to him and her head fell back, softly hitting the wall.

"Thorfinn," Hermione whispered. "Bed. Now." She gritted and then gasped when he squeezed her thighs again. "Now," she all but pleaded.

He didn't need to be told twice, pulling them away from the wall and walking them to his bedroom. With little fuss, he managed to open the door and then kick it shut with this foot. He paused then looking up at Hermione as he held her firmly within his arms. They were both breathless and panting heavily. His witch donned a pretty blush and her hair was as unruly as ever. They never looked away as he walked them to the bed and Hermione's finger's grazed his cheeks gently. He placed her in the middle of the bed and she didn't waste any time in pulling him closer, their lips meeting in a familiar dance. His mouth moved down to her breasts, taking in her nipple in his mouth once more. His fingers trailed along her abdomen once more, over all the little scars she had acquired during the war before they settled on her waist. His fingers gripped her waist securely before they moved, flicking open the button of her jeans. He released her nipple and Hermione groaned but then he was kissing his way back down her body and tugging her jeans off as he did so. Hermione gasped when she felt the cool sting of his belt against the heat of her skin as he reclaimed her lips. She rocked her hips against him and he bit her lip in response. Her fingers danced over his taut muscles, along his shoulders and down his arms. Thorfinn looked down at his witch, stealing his breath again. He followed her eyes as they took in the true build of him with his tattoos on full display. His Azkaban prisoner number had been tattooed a little high on his right peck while the Rowle family crest was on his left, just over his heart. His dark mark was the one he hated the most. He had braced himself over her, his hands supporting him in such a way that they were placed near Hermione's head. She smiled, that beautiful smile of hers and then turned and pressed a gentle kiss atop his dark mark. Thorfinn gasped in shock as he watched her. She leaned up, pressing another kiss to the tattoo of his Azkaban number and then lastly she placed her lips over the tattoo of the Rowle family crest; over his heart.

Thorfinn latched a hand into her curls, pulling her closer as his kissed her; hard. He kissed her hard and with all that he had as he pushed her back onto the sheets. He felt her fingers fidgeting with his belt and then she was unzipping him. He growled against her lips and rocked his hips against her as she scraped her fingers across his abdomen. Thorfinn hissed and buried his face into the crook of her neck when she reached down and grasped his cock in her hand.

"Fuck," he groaned into her ear as she pumped him once and then a second time.

She didn't have time to gloat as she felt his fingers squeeze her hips almost in warming before gathering her lacy panties in his fist. She gasped in shock when she heard the tearing of fabric.

"Thorfinn! I liked those," she scolded, though its heat was lost when he bit down on the sweet spot on her neck and she gasped in delight.

He chuckled, "They were in my way," he said letting the ruined undergarment fall to the floor.

Hermione scowled but whatever response she had died on her lips when she felt his fingers tease along her inner thigh. She looked at him, his grey eyes drinking her in. His hand sneaked closer and closer to where she needed him and she found she was on the precipice of begging. He smirked and moved down to kiss her inner thigh. Her breath hitched as she felt his lips move closer and closer.

"Thorfinn Please!" she finally cried out.

Much to her chagrin he chuckled and then she rocked her hips against his hold. He seemed to have had enough of playing with her because the next time she cried out he gave into her demands.

"Gods, Thorfinn please!" she cried.

He grasped her thigh, pulling it a little further apart before his mouth descended on her. She gasped, her fingers digging into his shoulder and then moving to his hair; her fingers working to finally free his hair from its bun. Hermione felt the scratch of his beard against her delicate skin and revelled in the roughness of it. Her hips buckled under his ministrations and then he withdrew his tongue drawing a long whine from his witch.

"No… don't stop, " she begged.

He kissed the inner of her thigh before looking up at her. Thorfinn thrust one finger into her wet warmth and Hermione threw her head back onto the soft mattress. He thrust two and she was grasping at his hair almost painfully. He pumped his fingers in a steady rhythm, drawing it out in slow long thrusts. He kissed her hip as she rocked against him and then his tongue was delving into her warmth again. A few careful thrusts and a wicked flick of her clit with his tongue and Hermione was crying out her release. It stole her heart and breath and when she looked down, she saw him watching her lose herself in the pleasure he had brought her. He kissed his way back up her body, as he pulled his fingers from her, his mouth nipping and sucking at the gentle, supple flesh as he moved.

Hermione ran her hands down the toned chest of her Viking before tugging at his jeans. He got the message and soon was shuffling out of it and throwing it to the floor. She wasn't at all surprised at his lack of underwear. Her hand found his hardened length once more, this time pumping with more force. He gritted his teeth at the glorious feeling of her hands around him. She looked down, biting her lip with trepidation as she took in his size. Thorfinn pressed a kiss to her head, gaining her attention once more.

"We can stop here," he offered softy. Though his grey eyes were ablaze with need, and despite the fact that he wanted nothing more than to bury himself in his witch, he wanted her to want it just as much. If that meant stopping here now until she was ready, it was something he would willing do.

"No," Hermione said, "I don't want to stop. I want you. All of you." Thorfinn kissed her, his hand grasping at her curls. "It's just … you're so big… I…" he kissed her again stealing her worries from her.

"We'll fit," he promised, "It will be perfect."

Hermione nodded and then continued to pump his length until she felt his hand stopping hers. He moved her hands aside, his fingers teasing her clit as he did so, making her moan. He grasped her left leg, wrapping it around his waist as he aligned them.

"Love, look at me," he ordered gently. Hermione's eyes flew open to meet his grey. He pressed their foreheads together and then pushed into her warmth. Their magic hummed at their unity, filling the air around them. Thorfinn stilled, inhaling sharply, allowing Hermione the chance to get accustomed to him. Her warmth was divine and he had to strongly resist the urge to buck his hips a little more firmly at that moment. Hermione gasped having never felt so content before. It ached for a moment, the size of him something she had never had before. But then the ache became more of a humming need and all she wanted was for him to move again. He kissed fervently along her jaw and at the hollow of her neck. He bit down once and then licked it over and then Hermione rocked her hips against his.

"Move," she whispered urgently.

So he did. He pulled out and thrust back into her. She moaned throwing her head back as he pulled out again and then promptly thrust in. He set a slow almost tortuous pace, revelling in the feel of her wet warmth around him.

"Fuck," he swore and she met his thrust with equal fever. Again and again and again. "Gods woman, you're fucking perfect," he groaned huskily into her ear.

Hermione threw her head back, releasing a throaty groan as he hit a particular spot. His hands found her breasts once more, squeezing them as she wrapped her other leg around him.

"Thorfinn," she sang her voice low and quivering, "More! Gods! Yes!" she cried as he thrust harder.

His hand moved down her body, grasping her hip firmly in his hold. He held her down and pulled out looking at her then. She whined opening her eyes ready to scold him but the look on his face had her words falling away almost immediately.

"Thorfinn," she whispered and then he kissed her; so sweetly and delicately that she thought she might cry.

Hermione grasped his face in her hands as he kissed her, her fingers scratching against his beard. He pulled back only to press a kiss to her forehead before thrusting back into her.

Hermione moaned, her fingers slipping from his face to his shoulders and then along his back. "Thorfinn… p-please… faster…" she begged. Her hand slipped over her favourite wolf tattoo and Hermione swore she felt it tingle beneath her hand.

He complied, driving deeper thrusts into her and hissing when he felt her nails deliciously score against his back.

"Gods yes!" Hermione cried as she met his faster thrusts. His fingers tightened their grasp on her hip before they slipped further down. "T-Thorfinn!" she gasped when she felt his hand sneak down between them.

"Fuck duchess!' he groaned as his rhythm fell more erratic. Their magic sang and hummed and bathed them in the protectiveness and love of their bond. They were uniquely aware of each other in that moment. Aware of every gasping breath, of every taut muscle, of every kiss and touch and of every frantic heartbeat they shared together. The tightness of her cunt, the pull of her muscles around his cock was a call to him. Hermione groaned at the twitch of his cock and Thorfinn knew she was close. His fingers picked up their pace, playing with her clit as she clutch at his shoulders, nails scraping down his back once more.

"Let go," he told her pulling out, "Fuck love let go and come for me," he demanded thrusting into her hard once more.

"T-Thorfinn!" Hermione cried desperately grasping at her Viking. She heard her heart pounding in her hears, its heavy beat matching every hard thrust of his.

"Yes! That's it love. Let go!" he ordered kissing the sweet spot just below her ear. "Come for me, Hermione," he murmured against her skin.

Hermione threw her head back against the soft blankets, crying out, "Oh Gods! Thorfinn!" as she fell apart on his cock. Her release was staggering and all consuming.

His rhythm lost to them then and it was her name falling from his lips that had him joining her in completion; white light flooding their senses as Thorfinn spilled himself in her as they found nirvana together. He collapsed then and Hermione hummed in delight as the feel of him flush against her. He pressed kisses to her jaw and into her hair as his heart raced against hers. Thorfinn looked down at his witch, flushed and sweaty from their love making. He cupped her cheek and kissed her tenderly both grinning when they felt the familiar hum of their bond.

"Promise me Duchess," Thorfinn said sincerely, "You'll never leave me. Promise me you won't run from this. I… I don't think I can handle this pain again." He said absently rubbing at his chest.

Hermione stilled his movements with her hand, "I promise my Viking," she said with a small teasing smile though her eyes expressed the serious of everything, "I'm done running."

"You sure?" he asked.

"Yes I'm sure," Hermione told him, "This is where I belong," she said her words falling against his lips as she rocked against him. He growled and she felt his cock twitch still buried deep in her.

"Promise?" he demanded his lips a hairs breath away from hers.

"I promise. I'm yours Thorfinn Rowle; now and until the end of time," Hermione vowed.

He closed the gap between them, kissing her hard and full of passion. Hermione ran her fingers through his hair. He pulled away, grinning at her before they finally pulled apart. Thorfinn reached for the blanket, pulling it over them.

His fingers intertwined in her hair as he brought his lips back to her, kissing her languidly. Hermione sighed in content and then turned ever so slightly to look at him.

"Should we really get so comfortable now?" Hermione asked him, "Where is Evie?"

Thorfinn chuckled, "Evie's not due back till much later tonight. We'll be okay."

Hermione snuggled against Thorfinn, laying her head on his chest. The steady hum of his heartbeat soon melted into a hushed lullaby as his fingers drew lazy patterns on her skin. She felt her eyes droop and the last conscious thing she remembered was Thorfinn pressing a kiss to her head as she finally gave into sleep.

}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{

It was much later when she woke. She shuffled a little beneath the warmth of the sheet and smiled when she felt his hand reach for her, pulling her closer. She rolled over and saw that Thorfinn was still asleep. It had ben unconsciously done, reaching for her like that. She rested her chin atop his chest, taking him in as he slept. He looked completely at peace.

"You're staring," he mumbled sleepily though not opening his eyes.

Hermione laughed, "It's kind of hard not to," she admitted.

He opened his eyes at this, smirking at her words. Hermione rolled her eyes immediately sensing she was giving too much to his ego.

"Is that so?" Thorfinn teased.

"Hmm, you're very pretty Viking," Hermione said with a little giggle.

Thorfinn scowled and pinched her hip causing her to gasp in surprise.

"I am very many things love, but pretty is not one of them." He told her feigning offence.

"Is that so?" She mocked him.

He rolled them over until he was hovering over her, "Yes,"

"What would these very many things be?" She asked coyly.

"Hmm well sexy would be a good start," he said placing a kiss below her left ear, "handsome ... devilishly handsome actually," he murmured against her skin as he placed a kiss below her right ear, "irresistible," he said with a cocky smile as he kissed the hollow of the neck over the mark he had made earlier. Hermione's breath hitched as his tongue traced over the mark. "dangerous," he said this with a little bite to her soft skin, "sinful," he murmured running his tongue over the bite mark. Hermione hummed under him, her skin tingling with need. He kissed her again, gently nipping at the delicate skin. She gasped, her hands running into his hair to hold him against her, "See many many things. Not pretty," he told her. "Pretty is for little boys. I am no little boy," he said with a devilish smirk, rocking his hips against hers as a reminder. She bit her lip, holding back her moan as she looked into eyes, the beauty of the grey startling her a little.

"You forgot one more thing," Hermione said huskily.

"What's that?" Thorfinn asked.

"Mine," she replied.

"Yours ?" He asked.

"Hmm you're mine." She said wrapping her around his neck.

Thorfinn grinned down at her kissing her sweetly.

Hermione took the moment to flip them so he was on his back and she was straddling him. Thorfinn was only momentarily shocked before settling back against the covers. Hermione grasped the sheets around her trying to cover up and Thorfinn laughed. "I've seen it all duchess," he reminded her.

Hermione rolled her eyes and swatted his chest. He was quick to grab her wrist though holding it against his heart. He placed his other hand under his head as he watched her. Hermione bit her lip in thought as her eyes grazed over him properly. The hand he held fell flat against his chest and she wriggled it a little until she was tracing over his tattoo again.

"Did it hurt?" She asked gently.

Thorfinn sighed watching her finger trace over the Azkaban tag forever marring his skin.

"Not as much as the things I did to deserve it," he replied remorseful.

"How did they? I mean was it like when you took the mark?" She asked uncertainly.

"The charm they use to engrave the numbers is a quick one. It hurts but it's over fairly quickly. Can't have your prisoners exposed to wand work for too long," he all but sneered but then quickly recovered, "Not at all like taking the mark." He told her.

"And it can't ever be removed?" She asked

"No," he said bitterly, "being convicted to Azkaban is very serious. It's not done lightly ... or rather it shouldn't be done lightly. The ministry likes to keep track of those who've been inside and come out. This is their way of making sure we're always a reminder of our crimes. It's their way of keeping us in line so to speak."

Hermione inhaled sharply at the blatant prejudice of it all, "That's not fair! How can you learn to be better if you're constantly reminded of your past mistakes?"

Thorfinn sighed and his hand reached up to cup her cheek, "No, what I did was unfair. It was cruel and evil and I deserved what I got."

"But you're not that man anymore," Hermione argued.

"Perhaps not," Thorfinn conceded, "but it doesn't change why I'm a convicted criminal."

Hermione reached for his hand still cupping her cheek. She held it against her face and then turned her face to press a kiss to his hand. She noticed then that it was his left hand. Slowly she brought it down and held it firmly in both her tiny hands. Her fingers moved along the shape of the faded scar. Tracing it delicately. She heard Thorfinn's breath hitch as he watched her intently.

"Do you regret it?" She asked looking into his blue eyes.

"No," he answered and Hermione noted he didn't look ashamed just sombre. "I joined to save my sister. I'd do it again if I had to. There was no choice about it." He explained.

"You sacrificed yourself for your sister?" Hermione asked awed. They had never truly talked about his time as a Death Eater.

Thorfinn closed his eyes hoping Hermione would understand but knew he couldn't blame her if she didn't. "My father failed the dark lord and one of us was made to join."

"As punishment?" Hermione clarified. She frowned as she thought of Draco and knowing he was made to join because his father had failed the Dark Lord too. She wondered how many others had been forced the same punishment.

"Yes. To show we were still loyal to the cause. If I didn't join he would have taken Evie. Put this horrid thing on her arm and done much worse things to her than he ever did to me." Thorfinn explained. "I couldn't let that happen." He cleared his throat and then continued, "So no I don't regret that I had to take the mark. I'm just sorry that I had to hurt so many people in the process of protecting my sister."

Hermione smiled fondly, "You love your sister very much."

Thorfinn grinned, a light filling him as he thought of his sister, "She's been my whole world. The only reason I survived being a Death Eater is because of her," he explained honestly. "Evie's been the only good in my life for a very long time. I asked her once, how she'd ever forgive me for all the horrible evil things I was doing"

Hermione leaned forward resting her chin on his chest as she listened to him, "What did she say?"

Thorfinn chuckled, "She said I needed to quit whining; that it was war and there were far worse monsters doing far worse things. She …" he sucked in a deep breath perhaps still in awe of his sister, "She said I should be worried about surviving because what she'd never forgive is if I died."

Hermione laughed a little at that, "Hmm that does sound like something Evie would say."

Thorfinn threaded a hand through her curls as he met her steady gaze. He seemed lost in his thoughts. They couldn't have been too pleasant as a frown grew, upsetting his otherwise handsome face. While she didn't want to interrupt him, Hermione couldn't stand the pained look on his face. Her fingers reached for his face, caressing his beard gently. He looked down at her, as if forgetting for a moment where he was. She didn't say anything, merely waited for him to share whatever it was that was weighing so heavy on his soul. She felt it through their bond, the uneasiness growing harsher with each passing moment.

"She forgave me," he half whispered, "I became a monster to a monster and she still forgave me. Still looked at me like I was her big brother, still believed I hung the moon and stars if I told her so."

"She loves you," Hermione simply said. "She forgave you because she knew that despite it all, whatever you did was because you love and wanted to protect her."

"Can you?" He asked running his thumb cross her cheek.

"Love you or forgive you?" Hermione asked.

"Both."

"I forgive you, Thorfinn," Hermione said. "I forgave you some time ago."

"Why?" he wondered.

"You did a lot of things that you're not proud of and perhaps I wouldn't be too happy with, but it was war. There's no other explanation for it." She explained.

"How?" he asked baffled, ""How can you forgive me? Your friends aren't wrong. I am not a good man, Princess. What I am is a selfish awful man who did terrible things, terrible evil thing –"

Hermione placed her hand over his mouth to stop him, "You are a good man Thorfinn. You might be many things but evil is not one of them. You made mistakes like everyone else. Your saving grace is that you do feel guilty over it. That tells me you aren't evil but was simply left with no choice."

"You can't possibly believe that," He scoffed.

Hermione frowned, "Are you questioning my intelligence Rowle?"

"In this case I might be," he snipped.

Hermione scratched a little harshly at his beard. "I'm not saying you didn't make mistakes or bad decisions. I'm simply saying I chose to see you as the man you are today rather than the Death Eater you were."

"And you could forgive that too?" He asked, "The fact that I was a Death Eater is forgivable in your books?" he questioned dubiously.

"To save your sister? Yes I think I could forgive that," She answered. "I'd be hypocrite if I could forgive Draco and not you for doing the very same thing."

Thorfinn sighed, "But you're not soul bonded to Malfoy," he said. "Your friends will tell you this is wrong. I am the big bad evil Death Eater, Duchess. They will tell you that you deserve someone better and they won't be wrong."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "They need to learn to trust me more. I am the brightest witch of the age not for nothing."

"Hermione," He said shocking her with his use of her first name, "I am serious."

"So am I," she said evenly. "I told you Thorfinn, I trust my magic. It would not have bonded me to someone who did not deserve my love."

"You think I deserve that?" he asked his voice low and almost hesitant.

"Yes," Hermione answered looking at him.

"Do you?" Thorfinn asked.

"Do I what?" she asked in turn.

"Do you love me?"

Hermione bit her lip, not because she did not know her answer but because she didn't know what his reaction might be. His almost declaration of this very thing had her running nearly a week ago. She knew what his answer would be if she had to ask the same question to him.

"If I do?" she asked instead.

Thorfinn grasped her face a little tighter his thumb teasing her lip, "I told you Duchess. I am a selfish man. Despite what you might believe I know I don't deserve you." He said seriously, causing Hermione to frown. She was about to object when his thumb ran across her lips again, stalling them. "But if you say you do, I am selfish enough to accept it, selfish enough to keep you even though I don't deserve to."

Hermione smiled pushing herself a little up so she hovered just above his lips. Her curls fell in a wild curtain around them.

"Oh my Viking," she whispered softly, "Didn't anyone tell you?"

"Tell me what?" he asked frowning.

"Sometimes, you're allowed to be selfish in love," she whispered, her lips now a hairs breath from his.

"That doesn't sound right," he mused.

"Questioning my intelligence again, Viking?" Hermione challenged.

She felt the rumble of his chest against hers as he laughed and Hermione grasped his face, pulling him closer as she kissed him. He relinquished control to her almost immediately. His hand settled on her hip, rubbing soothing circles as she set the pace of the kiss, slow and full of something unspoken. Hermione pulled away, reluctantly if only for the need to breathe. Her forehead rested against his and their laboured breathing filled the quiet space around them.

"You should know that if we're going to share a life together, there are three things you should never question," she advised.

"And what would those three things be exactly?" he asked trying to ignore his heart soaring at her inferences of a life together.

"My loyalty," Hermione answered holding one finger up, "My intelligence," she said holding up a second finger, "And my love," she finished holding up the third finger. "Think you can remember that Viking?" she teased slightly.

"Seems simple enough," Thorfinn replied, "Heart," he said his fingers grazing her breast bone lingering over her beating heart, "Mind," he continued drawing his finger to her temple, pushing back her unruly hair, "And soul," he murmured his fingers running along her nose and to her lips.

Hermione felt her heart stammer and she sighed wondering who ever told this wizard he wasn't capable of love. She knew in that moment, without needing the complexity of words that he did love her; as she loved him.

"Did I get it right?" he asked tenderly.

She couldn't speak at first so she mutely nodded until she was able to swallow the swirl of emotions rising in her.

"Yes," she whispered, laying her head on his chest. The steadying beat of his heart against her ear was sweet music to her ears and she closed her eyes, "That's right. Perfect in fact," she said trying to keep her emotions from completely flooding her voice. She must not have done a very good job, because Thorfinn simply wrapped an arm around her, holding Hermione to him, tighter and closer than before as his other hand threaded her hair. He pressed a kiss to her head and her eyes fluttered shut.

Absolutely – fucking – perfect.

AN: Hello!

Firstly, I want to extend a warm heartfelt Thank you to all those wonderful people who left such amazing reviews on the last chapter! I am glad that you understood and even sympathised with Hermione's panic attack.

Secondly, I am so super nervous about this chapter because this was actually the first chapter I wrote for this story. This is where it all started and I have been waiting rather anxiously to share it with you. I know this chapter was full of the feels and I can promise that more will come in the future chapter but please bear in mind there is still lots to sort out, so there will be plenty of drama to come.

Lastly, please review and let me know what you think!

Song: Perfect – Ed Sheeran

Cheers!