Warning: This chapter has everything from smut to angst!

Bad Blood

If we're only ever looking back

We will drive ourselves insane

As the friendship goes, the resentment grows

We'll walk our different paths

Thorfinn woke first, damn near being suffocated by Hermione's hair. He huffed, smoothed it down and then pulled her closer before drifting off to sleep again. When he woke later, it was to Hermione shuffling beside him. He squeezed her hip, silently begging her to stop knowing she was innocently unaware to the havoc her movements were causing him. Still she moved and his grip tightened.

"Stop moving, Duchess," he said gruffly.

She huffed, "I have to go," she said in a small voice.

Thorfinn frowned trying to temper down on his panic, "Where?" He asked worriedly, cracking open eye open to look at her.

"Bathroom," she giggled and then used his distraction to slip from his hold, scampering off to the bathroom.

Thorfinn sighed, settling back against the pillows, his hand reaching out to feel the warm spot she had been occupying. Thorfinn's mind was cast back to the recent play of events. He could hardly believe it himself. That his mate had most miraculously come back into his life and in turn the constant pain that had been rumbling within his chest for the past few days was now pleasantly had much to talk about but for now he wasn't going to push too hard, merely appreciate the fact that she was simply back. He heard the bathroom door open and her soft footsteps as she made her way back to him. Thorfinn sighed, placing on hand under his head as he waited for her to join him again. But when he didn't feel the bed dip, he looked up with a small frown, to see her standing there waiting at the foot of his bed.

"Do I have to tell you to get in again, Duchess?" he asked with a raised brow.

Hermione giggled, "No, I was just enjoying the view," she admitted, because what a view it was.

Thorfinn smirked and then took a moment to appreciate his view. His witch, with her hair wild and all over the place, from the countless times he'd buried his hands in them, standing dressed only in his Quidditch jersey – because he very much doubted she wore anything else underneath that jersey – at the foot of his bed. Merlin, she's gorgeous, he thought. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he had failed to realise she had been walking towards him. He looked up a little shocked, when he felt the bed dip and then he watched with wide eyes as she walked, slow tantalising steps across the bed towards him. Hermione threw a leg over his hip and then plopped down, straddling him. Thorfinn's hands shot out to grasp her waist firmly.

"So…" she said almost shyly. His lips turned up ever so slightly but he didn't say anything. "About what happened earlier… I …."

"Do you regret it?" he asked softly. His hands were skimming her skin causing little goosebumps to rise.

"No!" she answered quickly. "Of course not!" and then a terrible, embarrassing idea crossed her mind, she frowned and blushed at the same time, "D-do you?"

"No," he answered gently tugging her down to press a lingering kiss against her lips.

"Was it… well I mean –" she stumbled nervously and then shockingly started biting her fingernails in obvious nervousness.

Thorfinn reached up and stilled her hands, though he noted that she refused to look at him. One hand buried itself into her curls, tugging her closer. She squeaked in surprise but followed his lead nonetheless.

"You doubt that it wasn't good for me?" he asked softly.

She didn't answer, the red flaring up even more across her cheeks. She bit her lip, her eyes averted from his as her fingers deftly traced the Rowle crest tattoo on his chest.

"Hermione," he said a little firmly stilling her hands and forcing her to meet his gaze. "Tell me," he implored.

She huffed out a nervous breath before steeling her Gryffindor courage. "I… it was … this part of the relationship, it's always been a little difficult for me."

"Difficult how?" he asked. His fingers ran along her cheek soothingly and she sighed in response.

"I've just never felt completely comfortable with anyone," Hermione answered. 'I mean there hasn't been that many … but it still's… I don't know.' She finished lamely.

"Not even Weasley?" Thorfinn asked though not angrily but more curious.

"Not even Ron," Hermione answered. "It always felt …" she paused thinking it over carefully, "incomplete. It always felt like something was missing."

He watched as she bit her lip, still blushing a little. "Did it feel incomplete last night?" he asked doing his best to dampen down on his own nerves. He wanted it to mean as much to her as it did to him.

Hermione leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his, "No, it did not." She answered. "For the first time it felt right. The bond… it's happy because I'm happy."

Thorfinn smiled, her words making his heart soar. He closed the small space between them, kissing her with all the tenderness and love he had. Hermione smiled, the bond humming in response as she moved to deepen the kiss. He didn't object and simply held her firmly against him. His fingers wove into her curly mess of hair. She nipped at his lip and he growled in response. She did it again, giggling a little before gasping in surprise as he flipped them so she was on her back and he was hovering just above her. His hand moved to caress her cheek and Hermione leaned into the touch, relishing in every tender gesture. Her hands ran down his bare back as she pulled him closer. Thorfinn reached down, gathering his pilfered quidditch jersey in his hand before swiftly pulling it over her hand and throwing it aside. He nudged her legs a little further apart and Hermione was instantly aware of his nakedness. She grinned which quickly turned into mellowing sighs as he kissed down her neck and between her breasts. He was teasing her, she knew, kissing and touching her everywhere but where she needed him the most. Finally he took a pert nipple into his mouth and Hermione dug her fingers into his hair, anchoring herself to him as she arched of the bed. She craved more and so she curved a leg around his hip, and they both groaned at the feel of her exposed heat pressed flush against him. She rocked against him and Thorfinn groaned, releasing her nipple from him mouth and he looked up at her. He was painfully hard and he feared what would happen if he didn't have her right then.

"Gods, witch," he whispered huskily against her flushed skin as his fingers skated further down south. "You're perfect. So fucking perfect," he whispered hotly into her ear.

Hermione whimpered when she felt his fingers tease her. She was about to scold him when he sank two fingers into her warmth and then she was melting beneath him.

"Thorfinn!" she cried breathily.

He moved his fingers expertly, rhythmically in and out, driving her practically mad with need. She felt the scratch of his beard as he kissed along her jaw and when she reflexively tightened around his fingers, he growled. His fingers dove in again, harder, more sure thrusts as she panted and begged beneath him. She wondered if he was teasing her with her release, because she could feel it just within her grasp but she couldn't reach it.

"Thorfinn! P-please," she implored throwing her head back against the pillows.

He braced himself on his elbow, and then kissed her, almost roughly. Pulling at her lips with his teeth and when his fingers drove in again, pressing at just the right spot she fluttered around his fingers, groaning appreciatively as she found her release.

"Gods, Thorfinn! Yes!" she groaned in pure delight.

"Merlin, Duchess," he rasped out watching her beautifully fall apart on his fingers. In that moment he couldn't think of anything more beautiful and he knew he couldn't wait any longer. "I have to have you." He told her, "Say I can," he all but pleaded.

"Yes," she cried. Her fingers ran through his hair as he shuffled slightly between her legs.

Hermione felt his throbbing member against her thigh and she pressed the leg she had thrown over Thorfinn's waist a little more, pushing him closer.

His hand delved into her hair again, kissing her with demanding lips and then without any preamble, he swiftly thrust into her warmth. Hermione moaned and her warmth clung so desperately to him that Thorfinn dropped his head into her shoulder and groaned. He didn't waste any time, pulling out and thrusting back in. Hermione gasped, clutching to him as he set a punishing pace.

"Fuck Duchess!" he growled, "Perfect, absolutely perfect," he kept mumbling, never losing his rhythm. "You're mine mate," he said huskily into her ear. She groaned, nodding as he bit affectionately at her earlobe. "Say it," he demanded, "say you're mine. Tell me you won't leave." He didn't stop or slow his movements as he spoke.

If she was of capable of rational thought in that moment Hermione figured she might have been a little upset of his demanding nature, she might even be ashamed of how desperately she needed him but all those irrelevant notions were quickly cast aside with one simple thought. This was her wizard; and she would want him for the rest of her life. In that moment there was nothing to be ashamed of because as much as she needed him, he needed her just the same. She would be safe and loved and treasured in his arms, always. This she knew as easily as she knew her own name; for he was hers and she was his.

"I'm yours! Merlin Thorfinn! I'm yours!" she rasped out. "I-I'm not going anywhere." She vowed and then looked into his grey eyes, pressing her forehead against his as she spoke. "I'm yours," she said without hesitation. "And I'm not going anywhere," she promised.

He kissed her soundly with each thrust of his hips going deeper. Hermione threw her head back against the pillows when Thorfinn thrust, hitting a sweet spot. He pulled out all the way and then thrust back in burying himself completely in his witch. His hand pulled the leg wrapped around her just a little higher as he went a little deeper, earning a throaty groan from the witch beneath him.

"Thorfinn… I…. gods I…." she begged prettily.

"I know, love," he soothed and then his hand snaked down her down body to her clit. He swiped his thumb over it once and then twice and then she was falling over the edge, crying his name out as she came.

The pull of her climax triggered his own and he was soon spilling himself in her. "Gods, Hermione," he swore as he found his release.

They lay there, a heaving mess of tangled and sweaty limbs. Hermione was very much content to lay beneath her wizard, basking in the afterglow of what was undoubtedly breath-taking sex. She didn't want Thorfinn to move just yet so she raised her leg a little higher up around his waist and he groaned promptly dropping his head into her shoulders. She felt him throb, still buried in her and she sighed.

"I'm crushing you," he murmured though he made no attempt to move.

"No, you're not. It's perfect," she told him.

They stayed like that for some time as he placed lazy kisses all over her body. When his arms cramped from the restraint he had been using to avoid crushing her, he rolled over onto his back, pulling her flush against him. They lapsed into a comfortable silence then, as Hermione rested her head on his chest listening to his steady heartbeat. Her legs were tangled with his beneath the sheets and his arm snaked around her waist as he drew lazy circles on her hip. Hermione looked up at him to find that his eyes were closed. She knew he wasn't asleep though. She wondered if she should ask him. Hermione wanted to know and more than that she wanted him to know. Her hand reached out to comb over his beard and she saw his eyes flutter and it was only when she heard the nearly inaudible sigh that she decided what to do.

"Thorfinn?" she called softly.

"Hmm?" came his response.

"About the night before I … left," she started uncertainly.

He didn't say anything for a beat and then, "What about it?"

She moved a little, placing her palm flat on his chest and then bracing her chin over it so she could look at him. He opened his eyes then, watching her keenly.

"I said I think I might be falling in love with you," she said slowly. She ignored the tingling of the bond on the way he reacted to her words. He looked at her as if his grey eyes were staring into her soul.

"What about that?" he asked cautiously.

"I wasn't lying," she said. "I meant it," she told him truthfully.

Thorfinn didn't say anything for a moment, his mind trying to catch up with his heart. But then he felt her fingers twitch against his beard and he smiled down at her. A true, honest smile.

"Were, uh, were you telling the truth too?" Hermione asked nervously, "About what you said?"

"Aye love," he answered without hesitation. "I meant every word."

She grinned and then said, "You're mine Thorfinn Rowle."

He grinned rather wolfishly at her, "I really do like the sound of that Duchess."

She giggled and when she looked at him again, meeting his gaze with her own, they both felt the bond shift a little. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple and Hermione held him there, just for a moment longer. Nothing else needed to be said. They stayed wrapped up in each other until the grumbling of their hunger forced them to move. Hermione stole his quidditch jersey – well hers now - while Thorfinn slipped on a pair of pajama bottoms and a simple wife beater. She was almost sad to see him cover up, a thought she realised he must have been aware of – if the knowing smirk he gave her was anything to go by. Making their way downstairs and into the kitchen, they weren't surprised to find that neither Evie nor Draco were awake yet. Apparently Draco was now something of a permanent feature at Rowle Manor.

Hermione set about making breakfast while Thorfinn provided them with some much needed coffee. He helped her assemble their breakfast and then they settled in the sunroom. It was the perfect place for the peace and warmth she had been feeling radiating through their bond. Thorfinn pulled her feet into his lap once they were seated on the lush sofas. Draco stumbled in first, sometime later as they each held a section of the paper in their hands, reading quietly. She had to give him credit, he didn't look all too surprised to see her there.

"Always knew you were a secret Slytherin, Granger," he teased immediately noticing her attire.

"Jealous that I were the colours better than you, Malfoy?" she said smirking back at him.

Draco laughed, "You're very pretty love, but we both know that's not possible." He helped himself to some coffee as he noticed the paper in Thorfinn's hand. "Anything good in there?" he asked.

"It's the Prophet," Thorfinn snorted. "There is no mention of the Malfoy's in today's edition." He said answering the unspoken question, "but they did mention your friend, Nott," He added.

"Bastards won't leave him alone," Draco grumbled.

"They will get bored and they will leave him alone, eventually," Hermione offered.

"You really believe that?" Draco asked and Hermione nodded. "I wonder, Granger, do you hide all that naivety in your hair? Is that why it's so big?"

Thorfinn laughed and Hermione huffed. Reaching over she swatted Draco upside the head.

"I was trying to be optimistic," she argued.

"It doesn't work that way, love," Thorfinn said softly. "You know this."

"Alright," she grumbled before insisting they change topics.

So they did. Draco left to fix himself a spot of breakfast and when he returned it was with levitating plates of food, a fresh pot of coffee and a happy Evie in tow. The four of them settled down and more coffee was passed around.

"I'm so glad you're back," Evie said to Hermione. "It… it was awful without you here. We were so worried… and Finn was in so much pain which meant you were in pain! It was …"

"I'm sorry I left Evie," Hermione said quickly stopping her. She looked over to Thorfinn who was talking with Draco but she knew he was listening. "It was just happening so fast and I panicked."

"I know. It was a lot to ask of you. I just hope you won't be leaving us anytime soon," Evie said.

Hermione realised that as much as her time away from Rowle Manor had been hard for Thorfinn, it had been difficult for Evie too. Hermione had after all begun to think of the other witch as a dear friend – if not her best friend.

"I'm really sorry Evie," Hermione said again. "I promise I'm done running away."

Evie gave her a brilliant smile before pulling her in for a quick hug and then just like that they all settled back to enjoy their breakfast.

Thorfinn was alarmed at how perfect it all seemed to be then; having breakfast with the woman he loved, his dear sweet sister and the unlikeliest of friends. Evie gave him a knowing smile when she saw Hermione's attire but he merely rolled his eyes and tugged a little on her braid. The day seemed to pass in just about as much ease as breakfast had. The four of them were able to laze around Rowle Manor, doing nothing other than enjoying the company of each other. Hermione had curled up with a book some time after breakfast, basking in delicate midday sun as it filled the drawing room. Thorfinn playing gentle soothing notes at the grand piano behind her. It hadn't occurred to any of them, even as Thorfinn joined Hermione in the drawing room for an afternoon nap how easily it was to forget about the rest of the world when it was just them.

It was in the late parts of the afternoon when Hermione and Thorfinn joined Draco and Evie again in the sun room. Evie had brought out a bottle of exquisite elf wine and an assortment of delicious desserts. Hermione was curled against Thorfinn, a glass of wine held delicately in one hand as she ate from the piece of decedent chocolate cake he held out between them. She hummed in delight when she felt his fingers skimming the edge of yet another pilfered shirt of his. She turned to look at him and merely rolled her eyes at his all too smug expression. He knew exactly what he was doing to her. They eased themselves back into the conversation when they all stopped, feeling the disturbance.

"Is that what I think it is?' Hermione asked frowning.

"Yes, it seems somebody is trying to enter the grounds," Evie answered. She looked at Draco with worry.

"It's probably Theo," Draco said trying for nonchalance, "I'll go see."

"Yes, I'll come with," Evie said quickly grabbing her wand. She was about to leave when she realised they were all planning on following her.

"No," she said stopping them, "You two stay here," Evie instructed pointing at her brother and Hermione – any pretence of acting normal now gone.

"Evie! It could be dangerous!" Hermione argued.

"Or it could be nothing," Evie countered.

"Evie," Thorfinn said evenly.

"Look I'm not going alone. Draco's with me." She tried reasoning. "You two need to stay here. Finn, you don't have a wand," she reasoned hating the look on her brother's face as she said so, "and if either of you get hurt it will hurt the other. Stay here please," she pleaded.

"It's most likely Theo, trying to escape from that horrid little article Skeeter published," Draco assured them.

Hating every moment of this, they still both nodded and then Evie and Draco were leaving the sun room. They waited long, tense moments, neither of them saying anything. It was Draco who returned, slipping easily through the slightly ajar door, with a scowl she had not seen in a long time on his face.

"You're not going to like this," he warned before the doors to the sun room were thrown open again.

Hermione groaned, taking an involuntary step back as an enraged Ron, a red – face Ginny and an equally disapproving Harry stormed in. At the sight of her blatantly angry friends, Hermione drained her glass of elf wine, before turning to them.

"Wh-what in the devil?" she asked shocked.

"What the fuck, Hermione?" Ron asked seething. His mood had no chance of bettering once he took in Hermione standing there dressed in what was obviously one of Thorfinn's shirts.

"What are you lot doing here?" she asked.

"No, the question should be what are you doing here?' Ron yelled.

Not wanting to answer that just yet, she instead asked, "Why are you here?"

Ron sneered, "What the fuck is going on?" he demanded and then gave her no chance to explain as he continued on his rant, "you can't seriously be in a relationship with him! Tell me Hodges was wrong and that you're not shacking up with the likes of him!"

Hermione scowled, "Hodges had no right to tell you such things!"

"So it's not true?" Ron asked snidely.

"It's not the whole story Ronald!" Hermione snapped. "Hodges told you what he believed was the truth. It's a lot more complicated than it seems!"

"How can it be complicated? You chose him over me!" Ron yelled.

"It's not like that!" Hermione scolded.

"Of course it bloody well is!" He cried and then threw down the morning paper on the table.

Hermione picked it up and noticed that it was from a week ago. But they had all been so caught up in Hermione's departure that none of them had even bothered with the papers. She felt her heart clench as her stomach twisted; because, there on the front cover were pictures of her and Thorfinn. The headline she quickly noticed was something tacky, "Golden Girl's dark affairs". She growled at that but it wasn't what caught her attention. No, it was the picture that took up a great portion of the front page. It had been snapped at the restaurant. The picture showed that moment at the table, when Hermione had been teasing him over her dessert. The picture Thorfinn leaned down to take a bit and then it quickly shifted to Hermione running her thumb along his lips. She gasped, feeling the flush of embarrassment but mostly rage as something that had been just for them was now splashed on the front page. She read the footnote at the bottom and practically tore the paper as she flipped to page four. Hermione growled, her anger growing with each passing photo she saw in the page. Page four had a lovely spread of them all, dancing and drinking at the club. There at least two pictures of Thorfinn and Hermione as they danced and one more of Draco and Hermione and even one of all four of them leaving the club.

She looked up, having forgotten about their angry guests for a minute. Hermione felt Thorfinn reach for the paper, his eyes scanning over the pictures and lewd by-lines Skeeter had added. His jaw clenched as he threw the paper down.

"What the hell is going on, Hermione?" Ron growled taking a step towards her.

Thorfinn stiffened beside her watching his every movement with calculating eyes. He did not trust the red head's anger anywhere near his witch.

"It's a bit of a complicated story Ron," Hermione said.

"Well you'd better start explaining then," he demanded in reply.

Hermione growled, doing her best to control her anger. She had to remind herself that she hadn't exactly given her friends an explanation as yet. But a lot had happened and she wondered not where but how to start.

"Hermione!" Ron cried angrily when she said nothing.

"Weasley," Thorfinn warned menacingly.

Ron took a step back but his anger did not melt in any form.

"Just tell him, Hermione," Harry said clearly irritated.

Ron turned to look at his best friend with wide eyes. "You know what this is all about?" he asked disbelievingly.

"Not by choice," Harry bit out with a scowl. "Tell him," Harry insisted looking at Hermione, "Or I will."

Hermione huffed but soon realised getting angry would not help the situation much. She took a deep breath before looking at her friends.

"We're bonded," she simply said. Her statement was met with suffocating silence. Sweet mother of Merlin. This was not how she wanted them to find out. She had hoped for more time to explain, to ease them into this thing that had been so life altering for her alone.

"What the bloody hell does that mean? You're bonded? To Who?" He demanded. "That's not an explanation Hermione!"

"Thorfinn and I are bonded," she clarified.

"Like a marriage bond?" Ginny questioned.

Hermione faltered realising for the first time that it was almost exactly like a marriage bond. She felt Thorfinn tense beside her but she didn't hesitate in her answer. "Yes."

"Wh-what? How?" Ginny asked perplexed.

"During the final batt –"

"That's not important Ginny!" Ron interrupted and then turned to her again. He opened his mouth, no doubt arguing some more but she heard none of it. She was far too distracted at the sight of her dear friend so unexplainably angry.

This was exactly what she feared as Ron stood before her, raving and screaming awful, horrid things. As the words fell from his mouth, each like a poisonous dart to her heart, Hermione felt her own rage grow. But it was when she took a step back and felt the hard press of Thorfinn behind her that she was reminded of more than her own anger.

"Goddammit Hermione! Do you have any idea what you've done? A fucking marriage bond! With this scum!" Ron swore, "How could you do this? He's a fucking Death Eater! He tried to kill you! He tried to kill us all!"

"I know that Ron," Hermione gritted. She really wanted to explain but he wasn't giving her a moment. Besides it wouldn't do her much good now, Ron was far too angry to listen to reason.

"Oh let me guess," Ron mocked, "You're going to tell me he's changed. He's a better man now? That he didn't mean to hurt us, it's just that he didn't have a choice?" He taunted, his voice taking on a cruel cold malice she had never heard before. "How could you be so foolish? First Draco fucking Malfoy and now… this!" he cried.

Hermione sucked in a breath and it was only the gentle touch of Thorfinn standing tall behind her, that had her exhaling rather calmly.

"I said nothing when you decided to befriend Parkinson. I said nothing when Nott and Malfoy started coming around for drinks, I even allowed you your little attempt at doing whatever the fuck it was you were trying to do with Malfoy, but this? I won't allow this!" he roared.

It had been the wrong thing to say. Possibly the worst. Even Thorfinn winced at Weasley's unfortunate words. He knew that it was probably best for Weasley to shut up or run the risk of Hermione's wrath.

"You cannot keep dragging these people into our lives Hermione! The war is over, so let them go!" He yelled not noticing Hermione narrowing her eyes at him, "Fucking hell! You refused to marry me for him? No! I won't have it! At first it was rather amusing, comical even, like one of those stupid pet projects you take on. Your very own SPEW for Death Eaters but now it's lost its charm. This …phase of yours has gone on too long. End it now or –"

"Or what Ronald?" Hermione fumed. "Just what are you going to do?"

"This isn't funny anymore Hermione!" Ron yelled, "End it now!"

"I will not!' she cried vehemently. 'We're not dating anymore. You don't get to demand such things of me!" she shot back.

Ron scowled, "We're not dating because you decided it so!" He glared at her and for a moment, Hermione was shocked at the venom behind it. "Was it so you could fuck the Death Eater without guilt?" he sneered nastily.

His statement was met with a resounding slap across the cheek. Everyone stood frozen.

"How dare you!" Hermione demanded.

"How dare I?" Ron asked, his hand touching his cheek. Her hand print still blazing angrily across his cheek. "How dare you?" he accused. "How can you stand there trying to act all innocent and self –righteous when you're fucking him!" Ron roared pointing a finger at the burly wizard standing behind Hermione.

"You haven't given me a chance to explain Ron!" Hermione cried. "There is more to this than what you think! You just assumed the worst and won't listen to reason!"

"There's nothing reasonable about this!" Ron argued. "I'm not going to stand here and listen to you trying to defend this murderer! Call me when you've come to your senses again!" he said turning and walking away. "That is if he doesn't kill you first!" he called nastily over his shoulder.

Hermione was quick to her senses, turning around and placing a hand over Thorfinn's chest, stopping him from doing anything rash and foolish. Ron might deserve it but Hermione was not about to lose her love over Ronald Weasley's insensitive words. Instead, she leaned forward, burying her face into his chest. She felt his arms close around her and the familiar tense of his muscles as he pulled her close. She heard the murmurings of her other friends but she didn't care. She just needed a moment; before more curses and horrid accusations were thrown at her.

"Duchess?" he whispered in her ear. It took a moment but eventually she looked up meeting his grey eyes. She sighed as he pressed a kiss to her head and suddenly Hermione felt exhausted. The weight of everything came down and she was grateful that Thorfinn had his arms around her, holding her up.

"This can't be happening," Ginny said reminding them that she and Harry had not stormed off like her brother. "Tell me this is some sick little joke you're playing with us?"

Hermione scowled, "Why is it such a terrible thing if I'm bonded to him?" she asked crossly.

"You can't seriously be asking me that question!" Ginny replied.

"Yes, I know he was a Death Eater," Hermione said sounding almost tired at that accusation, "But there is more to him than that." Her hand rubbed over her chest, it aching with the malice thrown at her from her friends for something they haven't even bothered to try and understand.

"You don't even see it do you?" Harry yelled in frustration. "You've completely changed. This bloody bond has made you into a completely different person."

"That's not true, Harry," Hermione objected.

"Of course it bloody well is!" Harry spat back, "You've become this love sick fool blinded to reality! Look at you!" He shouted pointing at her, "you can't even be more than ten feet from him without rubbing at your chest. When did you become so dependent on another person? It's like you're not even your own person anymore! It's disgusting!"

Hermione gasped at the angry words of her friend.

"We don't hear from you in weeks. We've been trying to reach you all fucking week Hermioen! Right after Skeeter printed this blasted article. Only to now find out that you're too busy wrapped up in him to remember the rest of us!" Harry cried. "He's taken over your life! And you're just sitting there a quiet spectator to it all! Gods dammit Hermione! The old you would never have let this happen! And you don't even realise what this actually means for you!"

"Harry," Hermione began teary-eyed.

"No! Gods Hermione, I had so much hope for you and Ron!" Ginny interrupted angrily, "Ron really loves you! The worst part is you didn't even try to find a way out of this! And I don't know why. He's a dangerous man! A Death Eater and you're so happy to shack up with him! What kind of life will he give you? Yes he's got money but do you honestly think people will let you live in peace? And your children, do you think they will be accepted? People will see them for what they really are! A fool's chance at proving Rowle's nothing more than a murderous bastard!"

"Enough Weasley," Draco warned. He eyed his friends, noticing with great worry that Thorfinn was uncharacteristically quiet. Though Thorfinn's silence was a little puzzling, his rage was evident. He looked every bit the murderous man Ginny had just accused him of being. Had it not been for the silver bracelet around his wrist trapping his magic, Draco wondered just how differently this conversation would go.

Harry scowled, "Oh fuck off Malfoy! This is between Hermione and us!"

"And now it's between you and me seeing as you've made my friend very upset." Draco countered.

Harry glowered, "Look at this! Look at your bloody life! Death Eaters crawling from every corner! I know you're all about redemption and what not but there is a limit! Ginny's right! We had such hope for you and now it's all bloody wasted!"

"At what point in my life did I have to start living to your hopes and dreams Harry?" Hermione asked seething, "don't I get a say in my own happiness?"

"And you think he's going to be your happiness?" Harry scoffed mockingly at the notion.

"You haven't even bothered to ask if I'm happy!" Hermione snapped, "You accused me of being so 'wrapped up in him' but you haven't even bothered to ask why that is."

"Gods Hermione," Harry pleaded almost yanking at his hair, "look at these people around you. Look!"

"I am looking Harry!" she cried vehemently. "I have been looking, closer and closer each day. You think I am ignorant and foolish because I've chosen to keep these people in my life but the reality is it is you two who are ignorant and foolish!" Harry and Ginny scowled at that. "We fought a fucking war! Not so that we can could come full circle to judging people on assumptions or worse their past mistakes. There is more to them. You just haven't taken the time to listen!"

"Spare me the crap, Hermione. I don't need it," Harry dismissed.

'Don't you dare blame your short comings on me, just because I was able to move on! You haven't even bothered to try!' Hermione accused. 'You were always terrible at judging a people.'

Harry sneered, 'A bit hypocritical coming from the woman surrounded by nothing but Death Eaters!' Harry shot back nastily. 'You think you've judged them so well when you can't even see they're just using you!'

Hermione huffed. She did not want to get into that argument with him. "What do you want Harry?" Hermione asked angrily.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked instead of answering her question. "Why are you punishing us?"

"This isn't about you!" Hermione cried angrily. 'Not everything I do is about you!'

"No this is about the family you're leaving behind!" he argued.

"I'm not leaving anyone behind!" Hermione defended. "I'm trying to keep both my families happy but –"

"Oh so they're family now?" Ginny asked snidely.

"Of course they are, Ginny," Hermione answered calmly. Harry had a severely disgusted look on his face and Ginny looked none too pleased about her answer. Hermione sighed both in frustration and exhaustion. "What you two fail to realise is that regardless of how much you disagree with this, these is nothing you can do to change it. He is my soul bonded other half. My complete match."

"No! Ron is your perfect match!" Ginny argued. "This is some lie they've come up with!"

Hermione groaned in vexation. This constant fighting was completely childish and immature and Hermione had just about had enough of it, "You're so busy fighting me over everything irrelevant but – again what you fail to remember is that magic – our magic – chose us for each other."

"So this is all because of the bond?" Ginny tried rationalising, "Is that what you're saying?"

Hermione eyed her for a moment before an ugly thought reared itself in her head. "You want me to choose, don't you? Between you and him?"

"Yes," Harry answered immediately.

"I'd chose him," Hermione answered without hesitation, "Even without the bond, I'd chose him." She noticed they way in which the Rowles and Draco looked at her rather surprised but she pressed on. ' I would chose him,' she repeated.

Harry frowned, "Why?" he asked helplessly.

"Because he never once asked me to choose. Because he makes me happy. For the first time in my life, I actually feel happy. Don't I deserve that Harry?" Hermione pleaded with her friend sincerely.

"So it's him then?" Harry asked bitterly.

"Merlin, Harry, I don't actually want to choose!" Hermione argued. "I want … I …"

Thorfinn hated how helpless Hermione sounded then. "It's a little selfish and uncharacteristically unkind of you to make her choose, Potter," Thorfinn finally spoke. He looked directly at The – Boy – Who – Lived as he spoke, his voice calm but ever so deadly.

They all turned and looked at him rather surprised that he'd finally broken his silence. Hermione was alarmed at how much he looked like the deadly Death Eater he had once been. If not for the protective grip he had on her, she might have been scared. As it was she was slightly concerned Harry would put his foot in his mouth again and say something they could never come back from.

Harry sneered, "You don't know the first thing about our friendship to make such a comment, Rowle."

"But I do," Draco said his famous scowl ever present on his face, "And he's not wrong."

Harry growled angrily at the both men but they weren't fazed. They had served the Dark Lord, Harry Potter's temper tantrums were not in any way or form the least bit threatening.

"What do you want Hermione?" Harry finally asked in resignation.

"I want you to trust me. Trust that I know what I'm doing. I want you to believe me when I say Thorfinn's not a bad person. I just – I want you to accept that this,' she said motioning to herself and Thorfinn. 'Being here with him makes me happy." Hermione all but begged.

"I'm sorry Hermione. I don't know if I can." Harry answered stubbornly.

Hermione felt her heart break and it was something so painful that even Thorfinn felt it through their bond, flinching in surprise. Hermione choked back a sob and Thorfinn quickly reached for his witch.

"I think it's time you leave now, Potter," Thorfinn said making it clear it was not a suggestion at all.

Harry looked at him, perhaps rather alarmed at the quiet rage his voice possessed. He waited almost hoping Hermione would stop Rowle from kicking them out; that she would come to her senses and leave with them but when she pressed her face further into Rowle's chest, seeking his comfort, he knew their friendship would never be the same.

"No Weasley," Thorfinn said firmly, immediately stopping Ginny, "You've said enough for today."

Thorfinn didn't wait for a reply, instead he grasped Hermione's hand tightly in his as he led her out the room, neither of them looking back at they left.

AN: Hello!

So, a very very big THANK YOU to all those wonderful readers who left me a review on the last chapter. I was incredibly nervous about it and knowing that you enjoyed it so much is just wonderful to hear! Again thanks to all for the follows and favourites. Please don't be shy to leave a review even if it's just short, 'good chapter.' Honestly as a writer every little bit of feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

This chapter had a bit of everything, and like i previously mentioned things aren't always going to be smoothing sailing for our couple. Last time Harry and Hermione came face to face it didn't end very well and nothing was really done to rectify that so of course he's going to be even more furious this time around! And let's not forget that famous Weasley temper!

Song: Bad Blood - Bastille

I do hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Until the next one!

Cheers!