Not Today

There she goes right in front of me

Take my life and set me free again

We'll make a memory out of it

With each step that they took, Hermione felt that familiar pull from their bond. The rune had enhanced whatever connection was between them. But more than that, as it was still raw and very much in the process of healing, it called out for them both to recognise it. The rune would help settle their magic and themselves in each other.

They floo'd to Rowle Manor but before they could run into either Evie or Draco, Thorfinn grabbed her hand and all but pulled her towards their room.

"Thorfinn!" Hermione scolded as she tried to keep up with his brisk pace.

He turned back, grinned wolfishly at her and then decided to help her keep up by picking her up bridal style. Hermione let out a squeal of surprise but that didn't deter him. Her arms looped around his neck securely as they ascended the stairs and he all but sped through the hallway. He kicked the doors to their bedroom shut and then gently tossed Hermione onto the bed.

She giggled, "I guess Liam was right about emotions running high," she teased as he crawled up her body. She shivered with anticipation. His hands raked up her sweater and then pulled it over her head. Hermione huffed in annoyance when her hair momentarily got caught in it, but she merely tugged a little harder and then the offending article of clothing was being thrown across the room.

"Oh this has nothing to do with what Liam said," Thorfinn corrected as he kissed along her jaw and then down her neck.

Hermione whimpered in delight. "It doesn't?" Her hands slipped under his shirt, her fingers tracing the delicious planes of his torso.

"No, this," he said rolling his hips forward just a bit so she could feel the evidence of his arousal against her leg, "this is just you."

Hermione laughed, slightly breathless, as he kissed his way down her sternum. "Just me?" she questioned.

"Hhm, just you," Thorfinn husked as he fought with the clasp of her bra before that too went flying across the room.

"So the present was a success then?" she asked breathily.

Thorfinn pulled away from her tipping her chin up so he could look into her eyes, "Hermione, what you did today and you did it for me…" he swallowed as he dropped his head into the crook of her neck. "I don't even know how to say thank you. It doesn't feel like it's enough."

Hermione ran her fingers through his hair, holding him closer, "You don't have to say thank you. I didn't do this for a thank you. I did this because I love you."

At her words, he inhaled and then, with fervour, moved down, kissing the hollow of her neck as he went.

Hermione let her head drop against the soft sheets as her heart beat fiercely and suddenly there were too many layers separating them. He brought her leg up and curled it around his waist as she finally managed to get rid of his Henley. She fell back against the sheets, his skin burned against hers as the tingle of the bond hummed in tandem with their rune all in harmony with just them.

"Thorfinn," she mewled.

There was that deliciously familiar scratch of his beard as he kissed down along her abdomen. His hands splayed across her back before he started pushing down her jeans. He growled when they did not come off as quickly as he wanted, cursing that he couldn't just vanish the blasted thing away. He kissed and nipped his way down her quivering body, along her hip and along her inner thigh, at her knee and all the way down to her ankle, everywhere but where she craved for him the most.

"Viking," her voice was husky and strained as he kissed her inner thigh again. Her fingers dug into his hair tugging on it to emphasise her desperation.

"Easy there, Duchess,' he grinned deviously. "I've got you."

She tugged on his hair again, pulling him upwards. That wicked tongue of his traced a path over her abdomen and between her breasts as he moved up her body. She moaned in delight, throwing her head back and grasping desperately at his back as he took a nipple in his mouth.

Her hands ran down the expanse of his back as best they could before skimming the top of his pants. With desire thrumming through her fingers, she tried to make quick work of the button and zipper, but it was more difficult than she thought. Hermione huffed in frustration at this but all thoughts were driven from her mind when he lavished that oh so sweet spot at her neck. She whimpered and her hands were once again in his hair, holding him closely to her heated body.

"Oh!" she breathed as he nipped at her before running his tongue over it. "Pants. Off. Now!" she commanded.

He chuckled at her command and she growled when he failed to obey. "If it pleases My Duchess," he smirked.

"Thorfinn," she all but begged.

"Do you trust me?" he asked as his hand explored her curls. He kissed her hungrily.

"Yes," she rasped out without hesitation. He smiled and then he was moving away from her. Hermione frowned, "No," she objected trying to reach for him.

"Shh," he said gently as his fingers hooked into the delicate lace, pulling them down in one swift motion. Hermione mused that she should have been thankful that he didn't rip them of this time.

She knew what was to come, that hungry look in his eye spoke volumes. She closed her eyes, practically melting into the sheets as he finally made good on his word. She gasped and buckled under his ministrations, his teasing taunting tongue driving her to the brink of sheer madness. Thorfinn cupped her hip, squeezing gently.

"Fuck!" Hermione moaned and she felt, more than heard his chuckle. He worked at eliciting more from her as her teased her lips then delved one finger into her warmth. He was rewarded with more than just sultry moans as her fingers found purchase in his hair again. He was thorough in his worship of her body. Every touch, every caress, every thrust of his fingers was performed with deliberation until she was practically whimpering under him.

"Oh!" she praised over and over again, his name getting caught in her throat as she fell apart. He didn't give her much time for a reprieve though, pulling away and shucking off his pants. His body covered hers then, pulling a leg over his waist. They both nearly succumbed at the friction caused.

"Thorfinn," she whispered.

He kissed her sweetly and, not wasting another moment, in one powerful thrust he sank into her.

"Fucking Merlin," he swore, his head falling to the crook of her neck.

Hermione scored her nails across his back as he began to move, each thrust of his hips more powerful than the last.

"Hermione," he groaned huskily, "Fuck. You're perfect," he whispered.

She had no words left, no sense of anything but Thorfinn. Her hand brushed over the wolf tattoo and the new rune there. Immediately she felt it and she knew he did too. They both felt the power of their runes pulling them together, forging the bind forever but more than anything she simply felt Thorfinn as he encompassed everything around her. She leaned forward, pressing a kiss on his shoulder, then his chest over the Rowle crest and then on his jaw. They moved in sync then, the merging of their runes and magic to create something truly beautiful. Every snap of their hips, every hitch of breath brought them closer. Thorfinn leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, their heavy breaths mingling in the small space between them. He clutched at her curls, tilting her head back so that he could look into her eyes. The love she saw reflected in his grey eyes, the devotion and pure trust he had in her astounded Hermione. She was left breathless. They both gasped as they felt their respective runes grow hot, as it accepted each other's magick completely. It wasn't long before Hermione threw her head back, arching into Thorfinn as she, once again, found her release.

"Oh god! T-Thorfinn!" she cried out.

Hermione's release triggered his own and the steady rhythm he had set faltered as he spilled himself in her, with a guttural groan. Their runes burned again, brilliantly and beautifully encompassing them in its protective might. She felt completely boneless and entirely too spent to move, not that she had any notion of doing so. Hermione revelled in the weight and feel of her precious Viking of a wizard, so intimately close, she didn't want to put any distance between them just yet. So instead, she peppered him with delicate little kisses along his shoulder and his jaw. Her hands smoothed over his beard in that very familiar act. He leaned into her touch his nose nudging against hers and smiled, kissing her fingertips as they caressed his lips.

He shifted, the strain of not crushing her becoming too much and she pouted when he pulled out and rolled them over. Hermione fidgeted and then the blanket was being pulled over them. Hermione cocooned herself in his arms, so much so that she was practically laying under him. Thorfinn tucked a curl behind her ear. He looked very thoughtful but Hermione didn't push him, she knew he would speak when he was ready.

They stayed like that; wrapped up in each other for the longest of times. Hermione had her head tucked under his chin as Thorfinn traced invisible, delicate patterns on her bare back. She shivered as his fingers danced over the rune on her back.

"Hermione," he said hoarsely.

"Hmm?"

"What you did today…" he started and she could hear the awe in his voice, "deciding to take the rune in such a permanent manner… you –" he stopped and she could hear his heart beating frantically beneath her ear.

She pushed herself up so that she could look at him. "I told you I don't regret it."

"I know," he said. "It's just -" he struggled to get the right words out.

"What is it?" she asked with a small frown.

"Witch, you've completely changed my life," he whispered. He cupped her cheek, bringing her down, pressing their foreheads together again. She felt herself tear up just a little as this tender sweet side of her wizard that no one else knew existed. It was almost like it was just for her. "I didn't think anything would ever come from that day," he said thinking back to that moment during the final battle.

"You saved my life that day, Thorfinn," she said smiling.

"And you've saved me every day since then," he replied.

"What is it?" she asked again when she realised there was still something else on his mind.

"You do realise that by all counts, we're essentially married right?" he asked cautiously.

Hermione thought about it for a moment, "Merlin, I suppose we are!" she exclaimed.

"That doesn't scare you?" Thorfinn asked raising a brow.

She thought about it for a moment, "No, that doesn't scare me," she answered honestly.

"Really?"

"I'm not afraid of a life with you, Thorfinn," she replied, her voice light and happy. "It's a life without you that I can no longer imagine."

Thorfinn didn't know what to say then. This witch was like nothing he could have ever prepared himself for. He would always wonder what he had ever done to deserve someone like her but he would never let go of her either. His hand traced her naked form, and she sighed, closing her eyes and basking in his gentle caress.

"Heart," he whispered, his fingers trailing over her heart. Her eyes flew open watching him keenly, "mind," he continued, his fingers dancing their way up to her temple. Her breath hitched in realisation but he didn't stop. His fingers ran along her nose – very reminiscent of the first time he had done this, tracing her slightly swollen lips and along her cheeks. "And soul," he whispered against her lips before claiming them with his own.

She felt the tears escape her then as he kissed her, but she couldn't care. He pulled back just barely and brushed them away. He pressed a kiss to her temple and Hermione held him closer to her.

"My brilliant, beautiful, brave duchess," Thorfinn whispered reverently.

Hermione cupped his cheek, the scratch of his beard now so very welcome as she thanked everything from the gods, to fate, to the magicks that Thorfinn Rowle had been there to save her life that day.

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

Evie squealed in delight when they told her about their runes. Thorfinn merely rolled his eyes at his sister's dramatics as she asked, more like demanded in his opinion, to see it. Hermione grinned and lifted her shirt to show her friend the rune. it was almost healing, still feeling a little raised against the gentle caress of Thorfinn's attentions that morning.

"Oh," Evie said looking at it. "It's beautiful."

"Thank you Evie," Hermione replied but she was looking at Thorfinn.

"I still can't believe the Minister allowed this!" Evie commented surprised.

"He didn't have much choice," Hermione said nonchalantly. "It was what was owed to us." She looked up at the slightly shocked expression on Evie's face. "What?" she asked confused.

Evie didn't say anything, just shook her head. But Thorfinn chuckled.

"We might just make a Slytherin out of you yet, Duchess," he teased.

"You say that like it's a terrible thing," Hermione replied.

"Some might think so," Evie snorted.

"Well I don't care what they think," Hermione insisted.

A strong resolve settled within the occupants of the kitchen as they continued their idle chat. Everything felt normal and for Thorfinn, that was rather surreal. He listened, and hummed in response at all the right cues as Evie and Hermione chatted away until Evie said something that caught his attention.

"We should do something to celebrate!" she squealed in delight.

"Celebrate for what?" Hermione asked.

"You two! And your bond," she answered with a grin. She sighed rather dramatically, "Oh come on! This is such an important moment! We should honour that."

"I thought we did that already," Thorfinn whispered in Hermione's ear. She chortled and then smacked his arm.

Evie wrinkled her nose playfully before continuing, "It's a really big deal. It almost like… well shit it's almost like you're married!"

When neither of them looked too surprised by that she let out another little squeal. "Oh, sweet Merlin! Are you?" she demanded.

Thorfinn and Hermione looked at each other before Hermione answered. "Not traditionally, but magically."

"What does that mean?" Evie asked confused.

"We're bonded. Soul-bonded and we've received our runes… we're about as married as you can get in the magical world." Hermione explained. "So, no traditional wedding but I suppose we're married in all the ways that count," She added biting her lip in thought.

She looked at Thorfinn only to find he was already watching her. He grasped her face gently in his hand, his thumb running along her bottom lip, releasing it from her ministrations.

"Wow," Evie murmured and they both turned to look at her. "I'm a little surprised you're both so calm about this."

"I don't see why we should be anything else," Hermione answered. "We all knew there was no undoing a soul-bonding." She turned back to Thorfinn, "And I wouldn't want to."

Thorfinn smiled at her before capturing her lips in a hungry kiss. He kissed her as if he hadn't spent the last few hours fortifying their bond.

"Oh gosh! Ew! Ew!" Evie lamented. "Alright enough of that from you two," she huffed.

They pulled apart reluctantly looking only mildly sheepish.

"Well I see this as all the more reason to celebrate! I mean you two are about as married as you can get." Evie pressed on.

"What do you have in mind?" Thorfinn asked.

"Nothing too out there. We could go out, tonight, and celebrate." Evie answered.

Thorfinn looked somewhat hesitant, but he turned and looked at Hermione.

"Here, or the muggle world?" she asked.

"I'll leave that for you two to decide. Whatever you're most comfortable with." Evie shrugged.

"I think it sounds like a great idea." Hermione said smiling, "and I guess it's the perfect opportunity to try that fancy little restaurant that's just opened in Diagon Alley." She said this looking at Thorfinn.

He sighed. "If that is what you wish, Duchess."

"It is," she replied simply.

"Great!" Evie said happily and then turned to Hermione with a little smirk, "I think this calls for a little shopping trip."

"As if we don't have enough clothes," Hermione teased.

"I know, but as I've already said this is a special occasion." Evie explained.

Hermione did concede to that point. Surprisingly it didn't take much from Evie to convince Hermione to go shopping, if only because Hermione genuinely enjoyed spending time with her friend.

Thorfinn chuckled at their exchange and then turned his attention to the table.

The Daily Prophet had been left at the table and the cover story was once again about his friend. Dolohov looked more menacing and foul in that pictured than he remembered. Fate was a funny, fickle thing, he mused as he was fortunate enough to sit at the table with his sister and beloved and enjoy something as simple as breakfast.

"Where are you going?" he asked finally noticing Hermione moving away from him.

She smiled, "Evie and I have plans in Hogsmeade, remember," she answered. Thorfinn frowned. He hadn't realised she had to leave so soon. His frown became deeper as worry etched on his face.

"It's going to be fine. Evie and I are well trained and we will be careful." She reached for him, her hand cupping his cheek. "We're not going to hide in this house forever Thorfinn. You know I won't do it."

He didn't like it. But she was right, that much he couldn't deny.

"Just… be careful," he said with a sigh looking at them both.

"We will," she promised.

"It's going to be okay," Evie said.

Thorfinn scoffed, "You forget how many people hate us."

"I haven't forgotten," Evie replied evenly. "I just don't intend to hide away from them because they don't like us."

Thorfinn groaned and then with a new teasing quality to his voice, he relented, 'I'll never understand why Merlin cursed me with such stubborn witches that should see it fit to have my will tested on a regular basis."

Evie laughed and Hermione rolled her eyes. "If you think we're bad, just wait till you have daughters, my dear brother!"

Thorfinn was startled at that and could only look at Hermione who was grinning at him despite the slight blush on her cheeks. His reaction only caused Evie to laugh harder.

"And can you imagine what it would be like when she starts dating?" Evie continued to tease.

Thorfinn didn't like that idea. At all. He scowled at his sister's words.

"Evie!" Hermione scolded though she too was now laughing.

Thorfinn huffed, "Can't you just promise to be a good little witch and we can be done with this?"

"Now where's the fun in that?" she retorted.

He reached across the breakfast table and tugged on her braid. Evie yelped and swatted his hand away.

"Fine!" she groused, "It's not like I was ever going to let anything happen to Hermione."

"I know," Thorfinn said smiling a little at his sister.

"Hey! Hermione can take care of herself," Hermione huffed looking between the two Rowles.

Thorfinn chuckled and then pulled her towards him so that she was standing between his legs. "I know you can, but it doesn't hurt to have someone to help," he told her.

She kissed him, would have continued had Evie not coughed, warning them they were not alone. They seemed to have a way of getting lost in each other. With that they spent the rest of the morning enjoying the warmth of the sunroom as they relaxed, and soon after breakfast Evie and Hermione set off for Hogsmeade.

AN: Hello dear readers!

This early update is a thank you for being wonderfully understanding and supportive these past few weeks! I think this story and your response has been the only thing getting me through! With that being said, as I say in every chapter (and will always continue to do) thank you to all of you for giving this story the amazing response it has received. Every favourite, follow and review is so deeply appreciated!

A special thanks to the guest reviewer (you know who you are) who reviewed every single chapter - I can't thank you enough and I am beyond thrilled you're enjoying this story! A number of readers have also mentioned that fanfic and in some part this story has been getting them through the lockdown and i can assure i am entirely grateful for this sentiment! As I've already said, this story and reading your reviews had greatly motivated me. Thank you!

I did forget to mention in the last chapter that Thofinn's wolf tattoo is inspired by my profile picture on this site. If you'd like to view it along with the cover image for this and all the previous chapter you can find them on my instagram account: immortal_dragon_empress

Song: Not Today - Imagine Dragons

Please stay safe!

Cheers!