A/N: Finally another chapter, sorry it took much longer than I would have liked. It was school holidays here in Australia and Easter, so I didn't have as much time to write as I would have liked. This wasn't the chapter I had aimed to write but Ron and Christian kind of hijacked the chapter so to speak. Ron being jealous and discovering a secret and Tom having an intense emotional moment at the end but I felt he needed a bit more fleshing out.

TSAGAAN OVOO

RON POV

The British Ministry of Magic

Behind a pillar in the lobby

6:45am

14th February 2014

I watch as Hermione and Christian walk through the lobby of the Ministry hand in hand and wheeling their suitcase behind them. It's so domestic and sickeningly sweet that I want to vomit in the potted plant next to pillar I am discretely hiding behind.

Part of me knows I am in denial… about this relationship….whatever the fuck it is. I am still adamant in my feeling that something is not right with this Christian character. He is even weaselling his way into Harry's good graces with that blasted portrait. Sure, I don't begrudge Harry being a little grateful because it is his parents. But having a portrait done 23 years after they were murdered is a little suspicious to me. I am determined to prove that he is not what he seems. He is too dark and too….charming. I caught his little show with Petherbridge and that should have sent up alarm bells, it was cold and bordering on cruel. He had a glint in his eyes that I didn't like and that smile….I shiver. He plainly unsettles me which I will never admit to anyone, ever. I get the feeling that he is the kind of guy that would murder you in a back alley and dispose of the body creatively. Not leaving a trace.

I adore Hermione and I will not go down without a fight. I will prove to everyone that he is not right for her no matter how long it takes me. I will not let that smug prick one up me. Watching them interact grates on me so badly that I have trouble containing the white-hot anger that flares up in my chest. I have to clench my teeth and close my eyes to attempt to calm myself down. Now is not the time for a confrontation.

Oh, no I have plans.

Yes, as stupid as it may seem I am going to break into Hermione's place again. I have been watching them over the last few weeks and Christian spends more time there than at his own place. I am not game to break into his place; he probably has it booby trapped with some gruesome curse that wold obliterate my internal organs. Hermione's is safer. I am more than hopeful that there has to be something there, no matter how small.

I pull out my pocket watch and check the time, they should be just about to leave which means her apartment is available for me to start snooping.

I enter her apartment 20 minutes later and it is eerily silent. That blasted cat however is still here, I shoot a well-placed stupify at the sleeping feline, I really don't need it hissing and scratching at me for this. I head to the office first, figuring most likely any damning evidence would be in there. It is as I remember it, from when I lived here, the bookcases overwhelmed by the sheer number of books crammed on to the shelves and the piles of manila folders stuffed full of notes stacked on her desk. The only differences I can see are the small personalised touches of Christian, yuck I even hate to say is his name in my own head. A coat strung across the back of her chair, some fountain pens that Hermione would never use and a muggle picture of the both of them, where Hermione is looking at the camera or rather holding it and Christian is kissing her cheek. It is in a simple wooden frame, which if it wasn't so obvious I would like to set it on fire. Yes, it is petty and pathetic but it would be oh so satisfying.

Most of the stuff in here in just work related and other personal projects Hermione would spend her free time doing. Unfortunately, nothing to do with Christian. I decide to check the bedroom, not that I think I will find anything because I have a feeling any damning evidence will be in the death trap of an apartment. This is not going the way I would have hoped it would. Why can't anything in my life be ever easy? I'm not smart like Hermione or naturally adept at law enforcement like Harry, and he is also a little smarter than me. I always get relegated to be the dumb friend. The one with anger management issues and an inferiority complex. Hermione was mine, the one thing I had to hold on to and I fucked up, I think? Well that is what everyone has been saying. Personally, I don't really know where it went all wrong. What was so wrong about wanting to have a family with her? I was willing to compromise, and I wanted to provide for her! Everyone treated me like I was being ungrateful and too traditional. Sure, I didn't want her to give up her career…just put it on hold for a few years. My parents have a good relationship so why not follow in their footsteps? When not if I find something, then everything will fall into place and I will be heralded a hero…well maybe not a hero but certainly I will get to say 'I told you so'. I feel a self-satisfying grin come over my face and rub my hands together. Yes, I will be right for once.

In the back on my find I know what I am doing is wrong, but it's a means to an end. Rifling through her draws like a creeper is not my finest moment but girls tend to hide things in their underwear draws, don't they?

I open the second draw to her bedside table and I nearly choke when I see all the plain knickers next to a small pile of lacy lingerie. Hermione never wore lace panties for me only those granny virginal panties. I groan as I lift up the red item on top, it's barely their scraps of lace strung together by two small pieces of string, leave little to the imagination. Merlin's beard. I quickly shove it back it and slam the draw shut. I never thought Hermione would be…so… sexual. Has this what his influence has resulted in? Hermione doing things so out of her character?

I slowly open the bottom draw almost expecting a trap or some other vulgar muggle sexual item. Instead I am greeted with a plain black male t-shirt, cotton boxer shorts, two pairs of socks and some deodorant. I lift up the clothes checking around the draw, and notice two items….. a picture of Hermione….oh fuck! Could that be anymore disgustingly hot and really bad at the same time? The photo is black and white and again a muggle picture, I can't tell what colour her knickers are but sweet Merlin above she is posed in a rather provocative way. Jealously swells and I grip the photo fiercely….I can't believe she would do this! Looking so fucking gorgeous but at the same time a little too whorish. Is he collecting blackmail material? Yes, that must be it Hermione would never do something like this. She would be mortified!

I look back down to the other item I discovered and it…was well looked at first glance to be a blank piece of paper. Thick almost like card thickness. I tapped it with my wand…mmm goblin paper. I turned it over to look on the other side and at the bottom of the page I see a smear of blood and a name underneath. I think my brain blanked, for a few seconds failing to process the letters I was looking at. I sucked in a deep breath. I was simultaneously filled with diabolical glee that I could destroy this fucker and scared absolutely shitless. Godric's left ass cheek I threatened Voldemort….the Dark Lord!. I could feel the blood drain from my face. I took a moment to calm down and I realised that I had an advantage, he didn't know I know and he isn't in the country for the next 3 days…Harry and I could plan to ambush him when they return or maybe I keep this too myself for a little while and reveal it when the time is right. I may not be Slytherin but I could certainly imitate one when I needed too. I need to think on this some more….but I seriously couldn't believe my luck!

Things were finally looking up.

Hermione POV

14th February 2014

I was really excited about this morning, going to a country that I would probably never in a million years visit not because I have anything against the Mongolian people. But without this opportunity it isn't exactly high on the travel destination list. I'm practically vibrating with nervous and excited energy, tapping my foot continually all through breakfast, I ended up annoying Christian that much that he put a silencing spell on my foot just to block the noise. I pouted and tried the puppy dog eyes, but he was not swayed by that. Cold hearted man. But my cold-hearted man.

Last night was intense and I have never felt closer to another human being, the feeling was indescribable. I'm so glad we decided to do Valentine's Day last night instead of waiting until tonight, it just makes it more special to have our own day.

I am pulled out of my thoughts by a wine bottle being shoved into my hand, well at least the portkey is not a rusty tin can this time. I lace my fingers with Christian while we wait for the portkey to activate and that feeling of being sucked through a tiny hole take over.

A familiar sense of Deja-vu fills me as I once again lose my balance at the other end of the portkey and topple over essentially face planting the ground. Christian as graceful as ever, manages to stay upright even while holding my hand.

"Sorry", I say as I spit the dirt I somehow got into my mouth, mixed with the nausea from the portkey it was not pleasant. I rolled over and stared straight up at the sky, it was clear and a lovely shade of blue that reminded me of Christians eyes.

"Are you right there my dear, do you need help getting up off the ground?", he leaned over me trying to catch my gaze. I took a deep breath, trying to settle my stomach.

"Hermione Granger is not here at the moment please leave a message after the tone", he laughed unexpectedly that it made me jump slightly. He didn't laugh light heartedly all that often so it was a pleasing sound when heard.

"Come on Hermione, we need to get moving. Plus, I doubt you really want to roll around in the dirt. Once we get to the town and set up our tent I'll run you a nice bath. How does that sound?", that sounded like absolute heaven. Why people hated baths I'll never know. Heathens the lot of them.

"Wonderful. Alright help me up", I jiggled on the hand that was holding mine indicating he needed to hoist me up. Once on my feet I proceeded to brush as much dirt off me as I could, and Christian flicked a quick scourgify at me so I was somewhat clean.

"Where are we exactly? I thought it would be the ministry not…." I spun in a circle with my hands flapping about "not out here", I was still feeling strange from the portkey so my brain had yet to get itself into gear so to speak.

"We are in a reserve next to the Ministry", Christian points to a rather colourful building to our left, "we will have to enter similarly to getting in to our ministry, except there's no flushing toilets thank god. It's a large green wheelie bin that we have get into, so really not much better"

"A bin? Well I suppose that is inconspicuous" I felt the urge to brush my pants off again at the thought of climbing in a bin. It better be bloody empty.

"Come on let's walk around the back to the loading area", Christian starts in the direction of the building pulling our suitcase along.

"So what is this building?"

"Ahh, Department of City Services if I recall correctly"

"Well I can certainly see why they choose this building, being on the outskirts of town", I had a better look around, there was nothing next to the building which is why I gathered we landed there and some cafes and such across the road and then nothing just vacant land. It was interesting. Looking at the ground you could tell not much grew here, barely grass grew, certainly no trees or any other vegetation; too cold I guess in winter.

I would hazard a guess of around 20 minutes later we found ourselves in the loading dock of the government building, it was attached to a shopping centre. Christian pointed to a symbol above the bin that was on the end, it looked clean, but that was probably also because it was a recycling bin. We disillusioned ourselves and walked over to the bin. He tapped his wand to the side of the bin and waited. Slowly the side of the bin dissolved and revealed a rather cramped looking set of stairs. Too bad if you were claustrophobic.

"Lady's first", Christian ushered me closer to the stairs. With a quick glare I reluctantly stepped inside and started to descend the stairs. It wasn't so cramped once you got past the first few steps. I waited for Christian to enter with our suitcase and he tapped the side of the bin again so the 'door' could close up. Nothing was said as we made our way down, eventually I could make out noises, so we must be getting close to where we needed to be.

Entering the visitor lobby was a underwhelming experience. It was nowhere near as busy as our Ministry which I guess is to be expected. The floor was a simple off white tile, the walls were also white and had accents of simple wood panelling. It was set out much like a muggle airport security but there only being two lanes. I also couldn't make out a lick of English, it was all in Mongolian which was close to Russian. I let Christian deal with whatever it was we needed to do because I had no idea where we were even going. I just looked around listening to the various people interact and wondered what it was they were discussing.

"Hermione, are you coming?" I was startled by Christian touching my shoulder pulling me out of my day dreaming.

"Ahh sure", I smiled at the witch waving us past and pointed to a booth further down the corridor.

"What are we doing?" I whispered to Christian.

"Going to the booth that will take us to the wizarding village we are going to. There aren't many wizarding villages here so they can have a permanent set up to take visitors straight there. Yes, we could apparate there, but it still is a fair way away", I nodded along at his reasoning.

"So, what is the name of the town village we are going to?"

"Tsagaan Ovoo. North Eastern Mongolia, it is remote. I hope the priestess is still there or someone who still has the book, that I looked in as Voldemort", for all our sakes I hope so too. Deep in the pit of stomach I felt that this wasn't going to be as easy as doing a spell and then all our problems would be over. No this was the kind of thing that wrecked lives.

I sounded the name of the village on my tongue "Ts-a-gaan O-voo". The air was still fresh here in Ulaanbaataar and I had a feeling that the village was going to be a touch colder. We strode up to a wizard behind the booth that had the name of the village on it. He checked over our documents and stamped them and handed us a key ring with the Ministry emblem on it.

"This will allow you to use the floo on the other end when returning", his accent was incredibly thick, I struggled to understand what he was saying. "Now when you are ready step in". This was a different set up than what I was used to but I guess that this floo only had one destination, so you didn't need to yell out where you were going. We squeezed together in the fireplace along with the suitcase and waited for him to do whatever it was he needed to do. He walked over next to the mantel and pulled a lever down. It felt like the floor was opening up like a trap door and the familiar whoosh of green flames made an appearance.

Stumbling out of the fireplace on the other side, it looked like a house turned solely into a place to depart and arrive here in Tsagaan Ovoo. It was quaint, although perhaps I should amend the word house, a rectangular box that was perhaps a touch wider than a shipping container is a more apt description.

The town or village was bigger than I expected although it was hard to tell because nothing was set up like what we were used to- here you just kind of settled where there was space and then the road was dug to accommodate you. Yes none of the roads were paved just a dirt track. The air was clean and crisp, refreshing. It had that hint of pureness that you can't replicate in a city with all the pollution. I felt lighter here if that makes sense, there was no urgency in actions everything was done when it was done. It was the complete opposite to living in the city. We wandered around in silence until we reached the edge of the town, somewhere we could set up our tent and not be in anyone's way. It was already inching towards 5:30 here and the sun was hanging low on the horizon ready to set. We wouldn't have much light left to do what we needed to do.

"Maybe we just set up here and if we need to in the morning we could just move further out if we have to?", I didn't feel like walking any further I just wanted a bath. I was far from ready to go to sleep as my body still on British time and it was still Valentine's Day after all. Perhaps a long soak together in the bath tub is just what we need.

We set everything up together and I still have a hard time even after all these years not to appreciate the magic that goes into these tents. Now I know Christian didn't skimp on this one, because is by far the nicest tent I have been in. It's not huge by any means, like one of those ones that pops up in a massive two storey house. No this was a small cottage sized one, and much sturdier on the outside than the flimsy looking one we had on the run from Voldemort during the war. The inside was fitted out with luxury and comfort in mind. A small galley kitchen off to one side, the bedroom and bathroom on the opposite side, with a living and dining area in the middle. Everything looked plush and cosy, it was a small slice of heaven.

"Wow this is lovely Christian. It's not big but just enough space for the both us to feel comfortable and not cramped"

"Of course, Hermione, that's what I was thinking about when I purchased it. What was the point of buying one of those monstrosities? Other than to show off, they are utterly pointless. Now why don't you get settled and I will run the bath for the both of us", He whispered the last part in my ear and made me shiver as his bottom lip grazed the shell of my ear. His eyes held so much promise and made me feel naked under his gaze even while fully clothed. That's just the kind of man he is, I swear if he tried hard enough, he could probably get me off without even touching me, using words only.

I ventured into the kitchen space to see if anything was in the cupboards, they were fully stocked not that I expected anything less Christian is nothing if not prepared at all times. Generally, nothing gets past Christian he has back up plans for back up plans.

After snooping around for a few minutes while drinking a glass of water, I checked out the bedroom and unzipped the suitcase. I divided everything up between us and put our clothes into the large chest of drawers this bedroom offered as the only storage.

"Hermione", Christian poked his head out of the bathroom and called out to me. I turned and walked the short distance to the bathroom; I could smell the lavender oil before I even passed the threshold.

"This smells divine… very relaxing and indulgent", the room was gently lit with a few fake candles, as I had mentioned to Christian once that the problem with having so many candles in the room is that all the smoke builds up and then everything ends up smelling like smoke.

"What do you think? It is Valentine's Day after all, we should indulge. I don't think we have ever had a bath together before."

"No, we haven't", I said as he encroached on my personal space. "Undress, I want to watch", his voice was a little rougher than his regular smooth cadence. This was different, most of the time we are undressing each other in the heat of the moment, and I am not thinking about it. Having him purposeful watch me undress made me feel shy and I could feel my cheeks pinken under his directive.

"Her-mi-one", he said in a sing song exaggerated voice. He licked a stripe up my neck and I couldn't contain the thrill that went through me. I wanted to melt against him and let him have his way with me, but I pull back as much as I want to I want something different tonight.

Intimacy.

Too often people misunderstand intimacy as the purely physical part of the relationship and never develop that deeper connection between you. And I want that. A connection where I don't have to hide myself and I hope he feels the same. I already know his deepest secret.

I slowly undress for him. I don't make a show of it I don't think my blood pressure could handle the stress. Semi posing for a couple of quick snaps is one thing but stripping is another.

The air in the bathroom is a little crisp and I immediately feel my skin prick up like a defeathered bird, the cool air wrapping around me. The intensity of his lust filled stare pierced the very depths of my soul, he was the only one to ever look at me and feel like they are looking at me. Stripping me back to the atomic level. Wanting to understand how I work, how I think. Perhaps that is the first step towards the intimacy, the connection I crave with another person.

''Why?", I croak out finding my voice. He tipped his head to the side, I waited to see if he understood what it was, I was asking. He must have come to some conclusion and stepped back in front of me, his eyes roaming my body, more cerebral than smouldering. I lifted his hand and brought his index finger to the hyperaware skin of my collar bone, tracing the line it made. His eyes reached mine again; stormy with emotions I couldn't distinguish.

"Why I want you? Why I chose you above all others?"

"Yes", I balled my fists up, wanting to reach out to him but I didn't want to interrupt this moment. I knew of course the reasons why he liked me and what he found attractive, but I wanted more I wanted why. Most people would be satisfied with what he has already told me, but I was still figuring him out. His mind was still a complex web of interweaving thoughts and ideas, constantly changing and rearranging. He was an enigma that I so desperately wanted the code for.

His finger slowly drew down the valley between my breasts and I could feel my nipples harden at the gentle touch and faint warmth emanating from the skin of his hand.

"When I saw you in the magazine that day in Diagon Alley, I knew right then I wanted you. That tight silver dress leaving little to the imagination, I was intrigued by you. I still am. Get in the bath, if you want to do this now then get comfortable because I will not do this again Hermione", By his tone I knew he would hold himself to his promise. He didn't do emotions well, it was like he was being sliced from the inside out just to voice them, hell even think them. But I was getting this…It was a reassurance that this was real. Stupid I know, because the last few weeks have been fantastic, but my shitty self-worth every now and then still took a nose dive.

I slipped into the hot bath and didn't bother holding back the moan as it enveloped my skin. I could feel the tension release in my muscles as I laid back resting my head on the edge of the tub. I closed my eyes and listened to him undress and his bare feet patter over the tiles to the edge of the bath. I opened my lashes staring at the naked man in my line of vision. I have seen him naked many times, but he still manages to induce bodily responses that Ron never did. I shifted my legs so he could get in opposite me, careful not to splash the water over the lip.

He relaxed back mirroring my pose, except he somehow still manages to look remarkably regal while doing so. I am jealous of his self-confidence.

"I don't know what exactly you want me to say Hermione that I haven't already told you. I adore your brilliant mind as well as your body. I am attracted to your light, you're like a shining beacon as bright as the Sun and I am irrevocably drawn into your orbit. You know who I am, what I am and what I have done. You have control over this relationship, I will be yours as long as you want me. I don't know what else I can say to put your mind at ease that I will not leave at the first sign of discord. You want intimacy, a stronger connection between us. That will build over time my dear, for now we can just enjoy the journey". A comfortable silence fell over us and we both retreated to ruminate over what Christian said.

Tom POV

Being in a relationship with Hermione was never the plan initially, just get in and out with the information. However, I guess over our interactions we sparked an attraction and we both couldn't contain our curiosities. We were like two neutron stars spiralling inward until our ultimate collision. Her sweet innocence and fierce determination feed the ravenous beast inside, that had never been sated with anyone else. It purred and stretched, preening with delight at her appraisals and out right asking to be touched at the hotel. From then I was hooked, there was no turning back, every action had to be calculated and coordinated towards the goal of getting her to trust me, want me and the feel of her naked body against mine.

Of course, things never went exactly went to plan, but nonetheless here we are. I had expected her to reject me when she first found out who I was, and I was prepared for the hostile and cold response. But she caved and I was under prepared for the flood of emotion that came along with it. The heart I often wondered if I had at all warmed with a sharp stab of affection, for this woman in front of me. Her honest and open reactions floored me, the electric chemistry we have is addictive. There is no way I can resist her. I am fully under her spell of innate goodness and purity. I couldn't give a fuck either if I tarnished her halo slightly with my darkness. I know I should, but I am a selfish fuck.

I lean forward and cup her cheek getting her attention, we both have been lost in our heads thinking. I rub the pad of my wet thumb in circles over her dry cheek. I resist the impulse to do more. I suck in a deep breath filling my lungs to capacity and let it out slowly preparing myself for what I am about to say.

"Hermione, I adore you. I will defend and protect you. You are mine and not in a mercantile sense, but as an equal partnership. This is what I can offer you going forward, and you need to understand that. I will do whatever it takes to protect what is mine, by any means necessary even if it means killing. I don't often revel in the extinguishing of a life, however as you know there are a few that don't deserve the gift of breathing and I have no remorse or guilt over ending them" I could see her eyes shining with tears and holding in a breath waiting for me to finish. She was holding her bottom lip hostage between her teeth. I moved my finger to pry her lip from its confinement. "As you are also aware, I am cautious and not very trusting. I don't like people getting too close. You Hermione have slithered your way into my soul and have claimed a space for yourself even if you never knew it. So regardless of good or evil or circumstance, I will be by your side fighting alongside you. I will never let you go without a fight either. Does that reassure your self-doubt? I can offer you only as I am as I have said before. I am who I am. Maybe one day you will wake up and that won't be enough for you and you'll move on. Until that day comes just make sure that you are not looking through rose coloured glasses and seeing what you want me to be rather than who I am. If you truly want me then you will take everything that I am even the worst of humanity" I run my knuckles along her cheek bone waiting for her response. We have had multiple conversations about this over the three months we have been together, this relationship will never be simple or easy. We are both strong independent people who are at different points on the moral compass. That will inevitably cause problems. I worry about becoming too invested in this relationship, that perhaps she is not seeing me for me, just who she can mould me into. I don't want to be a 'version' of myself, she wants true intimacy then she has to…love…that fucking word…she has to love even my ruthlessness and understand I may kill again. She must come into this relationship with her eyes wide open.

"Do you understand sweetheart?" I whisper, our lips brushing as I form the words.

"Yes. I'm not naïve Tom" I close my eyes and feel a shiver run down my spine as she uses my true name. It's like a slap to the face, not like before when she was being flooded with desire. In this context the name slices through the air like a knife. Apart of me sighs in relief, that she is not wholly consumed by the identity of Christian.

"I see who you are, and I have since that night you killed that man who hurt that little girl. I'm not going to lie that the thought of you killing again doesn't worry me. But I understand the desire to do what it takes to protect the people you are closest too and I can't fault you for that. Now let's leave all this heavy angst for another time and just enjoy this moment together", she slid into my lap and who was I to deny her anything? We do have plenty of time and a big day tomorrow tracking down the priestess. Somehow I know this may be the last time for a while where it is just us enjoying each other without distractions.