Merry Christmas, darlings! And Happy New Year! If you don't celebrate Christmas, then the greeting of your celebration to you. Thank you for all the expressed sympathies and everyone's patience. I am posting the whole chapter not just the little touch of lemon, you can thank GingerPotter79, it was her Christmas wish. That said, the lemons will remain age appropriate, Hermione is 16 and Theo is 15, so don't expect much. If you want to skip-it pretty much the middle where they have a little date.

On a side note I have to say-1303 followers and 630 favorites is beyond my wildest dreams- thank you all so much for reading.

Chapter 31

After a blustery end to February, the weather relaxed its hold on Scotland. The aurors conducted an intensive investigation into Carrow, finally concluding he had nothing to do with the staircase incident. Draco told her most upper classmen in Slytherin were questioned, even himself and Theo. Some complained quite loudly, a few to Hermione. Others, like Pansy, seemed to decide the best thing would be to be polite until it all died down. Pansy almost seemed friendly as time passed.

Despite the continuing oppression by Umbridge, the pranks slowed down on the girls. While not the social butterflies they once were, both Ginny and Essence were no longer completely ostracized. Lachlan confided in Harry that he had decided to ask Honey on a date when the next Hogesmeade weekend rolled around. Hogesmeade being the only place that students could spend time together besides broom closets and empty classrooms.

Harry remarked on the restrictions becoming increasingly annoying while heading towards the Room of Requirement with Theo and Draco one evening.

"Too right, mate. You never know which ones are all ready occupied anymore. Bloody nuisance. And how is dragging a witch into a closet romantic, or respectful?" Theo complained.

Draco snorted. "You don't have to worry about that, you drag a bird anywhere and my lovely sister will end you."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "Drake, I meant Hermione." The blond stopped walking, causing Harry and Theo to pause several paces ahead. "Are you coming?"

"Hermione does not do those sorts of things."

Harry bit back a bark of laughter. "Is it nice where you are?"

"Huh?"

"In this delusional fantasy land, where Hermione isn't snogging her boyfriend breathless the every chance she gets, is it nice?"

Draco resumed walking, glaring at the other two. "She does not."

"Why on earth do you think that? When has she ever acted like she isn't as interested in those sorts of things as every other teenage girl?"

"Shut up." They continued on their way, Draco muttering under his breath about sisters and broom closets the whole way.

The door all ready existed when they arrived on the seventh floor, indicating that Hermione arrived before them. Draco continued to sulk, glaring at his sister when she hugged Theo in greeting. "What's wrong with Draco?"

"He has this fantasy that you have no interest in the amorous side of relationships."

She wrinkled his nose. "Why would he think that?"

"We have no clue." Harry told her laughing.

As a reward for their hard work the last month Harry introduced the patronus charm, reminding them that the charm was notoriously difficult. It gave most fully trained wizards trouble. By the end of the night several students managed to produce foggy silver wisps. "Great job, everyone. Watch your coins for the next meeting."

As they waited their turns to slip away, Theo drew Hermione to the side. "Tomorrow would you like to spend a little alone time with me?"

"Sure, where? The prefect bathroom tends to be just as busy as the broom closets these days." Hermione shuddered remembering several times she had wanted a nice private soak and walked in on someone else's fun time. She had seen more of Cedric Diggory than she ever wanted to, thank you very much. She hated broom closets for different reasons. Having cleaning supplies fall on your head, or trip you destroyed ambiance created.

"Here."

"Here?" She paused, thinking. "Merlin, how did I not think of that?"

He kissed her forehead. "You have been stressed thinking about everything else."

"If you say so. Regardless, yes. I would love to."

Before dinner Hermione returned to her dorm. It way have been a Thursday at school, but Hermione wanted to make the evening special in a small way. With Tangle and Crookshanks watching from her bed, she perused her wardrobe. After deliberation she selected a chocolate brown tunic dress with leggings. She chose brown dragon leather boots to complete the outfit.

She applied just enough makeup to accentuate her eyes, and add a touch of shine to her lips. She smiled at her familiars, snuggled together on the bed. "What do we think?" Crookshanks stared at her unblinking, then meowed. He curled up on her pillow.

Tangle brushed against her mind affectionately. Tangle has the prettiest witch.

"Do you want to come with me?"

No, Tangle will nap with the fluffy one. He is warm.

Hermione quietly made her way across the castle. The door to the room appeared as soon as she approached. She grinned, entering the room. Hundreds of floating candles illuminated the room. Theo stood in the center holding nine white roses, the tip of each petal red. Before she could say anything he handed them to her. "The red rose whispers of passion. And the white rose breathes of love, I bring to you a cream white rose bud, with a flush it's petal tips. For the love that is purest and sweetest has a kiss of desire on its lips."

"John Boyle O'Reilly. And you left some out."

Theo grinned repentantly. "I left in the important bits."

Hermione used the room to summon a vase and filled it with water for the roses before setting them aside. "Thank you, they are gorgeous." She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him.

"So are you." He traced her lips with his tongue before pulling back. "I wanted to set up romantic lighting, but didn't want to presume about seating arrangements."

"That's sweet." She stroked his cheek the ran her hand down his chest. Moments later a replica of her dorm bed appeared. She took his hand and lead him towards it. Kicking off her shoes she climbed onto the bed, lying on the thick bedspread. She looked up at him.

Theo swallowed hard. "Are you sure, sweet?"

"I don't think we're anywhere near ready for sex, or rather the possible repercussions of sex, but I'm want to explore more if you are." Swallowing hard, he nodded, climbing onto the bed to join her. Cupping her cheek in his hand, he kissed her tenderly. She responded by wrapped an arm around his waist, letting herself get lost in the sensations of the kiss. He moved his hand down her neck, across her chest over her shirt. She worked his shirt loose from his trousers, running her fingers across his bare back.

Taking her actions as unspoken permission, Theo bunched up her dress and moved his hand underneath. He paused, his hand flat against her stomach, looking for more explicit permission. She granted it with a nod.

When his hand reached her lacy clad breast, she arched into his caress, causing him to groan. She slowly kissed down his neck, pausing at the crook to gently suck on the pulse point there. He massaged her flesh more firmly in response. Instinctively she rubbed against his leg, seeking friction to ease the building burn. She moaned, her lips brushing against his skin.

Theo removed bis hand from her breast and tentatively moved his hand to her waistband, again looking to her face for permission. At her slightly nervous smile, he inserted his hand into her leggings, brushing against her core through her knickers. She responded by moaning louder and spreading her legs, allowing him better access. He rubbed harder, the fabric moist against his fingers. Hermione laid back on the pillows, her eyes closed and breathing heavy. Gently, slowly, giving her ample time to stop him, he dipped his fingers inside her knickers.

Hermione tried to keep her hips still when she felt Theo's fingers begin exploring her soft skin before slipping into her channel. "Oh. Oh, Theo." she babbled. As the delicious pressure built, she began moving her hips against his hand. He responded by matching her rhythm. Keening softly, Hermione chased her release. Experimenting, Theo crooked his fingers, rubbing them against the sensitive bundle of nerves. She clenched down on his fingers as her orgasm exploded. "Oh, gods, Theo!" He withdrew his fingers, looking smug as he moved to lay next to her. Hermione lay panting, running her fingers through his. "That was. That was. Yeah." He chuckled lowly. She gave him an annoyed look.

In a blur of motion, Hermione lunged up, pushing him onto his back. Aggressively she plundered his mouth while working his trouser button open. He moaned when she actually touched his member. She marveled at the velvety feel of his skin over the rigid muscle. She ran her hand up and down the length before grasping him to pump her fist over him.

Groaning, Theo bucked up into her hand. She added a twist on the down stroke. "Faster, please." he begged. Hermione increased her pace. ""Oh, Merlin, oh, sweet. Hermione!" His release covered her hand and his pants. Smirking, she grabbed her wand and cleaned both of them up. She lay back down, resting her head against his chest, draping her arm over his chest. He kissed her forehead. "Utterly amazing that, and you." He kissed her forehead.

"I agree, made all the better for not occurring in a broom closet." They both laughed.

"Don't tell your brother, but I think this might be my new happy memory."

She giggled. "Like I want to listen to him go on and on about it. He needs a girlfriend."

"He needs something." muttered Theo. They cuddled and alternated between snogging and talking for hours.

"Come on, sweet, curfew. Can't get caught out. Umbitch has it out for you. Don't want to give her an excuse."

"Or at least an easy one." With one final kiss, they parted ways, each heading back to their own common room.

Hermione hummed to herself as she crossed the castle. She decided Theo was right, tonight made for an amazingly powerful positive memory. The Fat Lady smiled at her indulgently when she gave the password. Her good mood evaporated when she saw Ron sulking in front of the fire. With a mental shake Hermione decided to pretend she didn't see him and just go up to bed.

"Typical." Ron snorted. Hermione kept walking. She knew nothing good would come from engaging him. "Too good to talk to us common people now that you're a pureblood princess." He sneered.

Hermione whirled around. "Excuse me? First, you turned on me, not the other way around. Second, you're a pureblood, too. Since last year you have done nothing but mock me, or say vile things."

"You turned Harry against me!" He accused.

"You turned Harry against you!" She shot back. "I did everything I could to encourage him to stay friends. You drove him away. Despite constant provocation, I never said derogatory about you."

Ron's eyes narrowed, his ears and face flush red displaying his anger. "And now Ginny. It's all your fault everyone's been torturing her. You're the reason everyone hates her!" he seethed at her.

"Wrong as usual, Ronald!" Hermione snapped. "But it always has been easier to blame other people, hasn't it? Ginny knew what she was doing was wrong- she just didn't care as long as she got what she wanted. I was never her competition for Harry. He told her repeatedly he only liked her as a friend, and was interested in someone else. But she refused to believe him. Everyone is mad because by lying to the professors and aurors they gave Umbridge the opening the Ministry has been waiting for. They did this to themselves, and no amount of blaming me changes anything. I couldn't make the others stop, even if I wanted to. And I'll be honest, I don't care enough to try."

"I should have shoved you harder. Maybe you would have died." Ron paled the instant he realized what he said.

"Repeat that." she said in a low dangerous tone. She began slowly stalking towards him. "Go ahead. Say it again." Ron looked around nervously, as if someone would pop out and save him.

"I, uh, that is."

"Say. It. Again. Ronald." She ground out through gritted teeth.

"I should have shoved you harder." He repeated in a defeated tone.

CRACK. She punched him in the face as hard as she could, rocking his head back on impact. "Then I might have died. What have I ever done to make you hate me so much?" She whipped out her wand, training it on him.

"You lied..."

"I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS ADOPTED! The Grangers lied to me, lied to the world. I never wanted to stop being friends, with you or Ginny. All you had to do was realize the world doesn't revolve around you, or worry about how this was going to affect you." She fired a stinging hex at his feet causing him to jump.

He looked at his feet. "Now what?"

At his frightened shameful look the the anger drained out of her. "You swear a life debt to me."

"Why?" Ron looked at her confused.

"In exchange for my silence, you swear a life debt to me. Because twenty-five years in Azkaban for attempted murder would end you. I'm saving your life. In memory of our former friendship, and the affection I hold for some of your family." She crossed her arms. "Someday I will cash it in, until then you have no opinion about me. Or rather, you have no opinions you wish to discuss with anyone. Ever. This is a one time offer. Take it now, or forget it."

"I, Ronald Bilius Weasley, swear a life debt to Hermione Celeste Malfoy."

"I, Hermione Celeste Malfoy, acknowledge Ronald Bilius Weasley's debt of life. "

Together they finished, "So mote it be." He remained standing silent as she climbed the stairs to the girls' dorm.

Still agitated she wrenched the door open and stomped in. "Hermione, thank Godric. Tangle just started hissing and trying to get out of the room." Fay told her.

Hermione rushed over to her familiar. "Tangle?"

Bad wizard threatened pretty witch and Tangle was not there. Bad Tangle.

"No, not bad Tangle. You can't be there all the time. Don't blame yourself. I'm fine."

Pretty witch is safe?

"Perfectly."

Tangle will be with pretty witch all times now.

"If that's what makes you happy." The tiny snaked purred.

Author Note: The poem Theo quotes is one my husband and I both gave to one another on our second month anniversary when we started dating. One of us made the card herself. 22 years later it is only kind of roses he has ever bought me.

The red rose whispers of passion,/And the white rose breathes of love./O, the red rose is a falcon,/And the white rose is a dove./But I send you a cream white rosebud/With a flush on its petal tips;/For the love that is purest and sweetest/Has a kiss of desire on the lips. -John Boyle O'Reilly