When I awoke, I was a little disorientated. I didn't remember how I had ended up in Barty's bed, or what had happened last night, as my mind was still riddled with the haze of a long needed sleep. I stretched my arms and legs, staring up at Barty. He looked so peaceful. I smoothed several stubborn strands of hair out of his face, watching him as he moved closer to me in his sleep. I untangled my arms from his as I continued to watch him in his sleep, at his most vulnerable point.
"Mione…" He whispered softly, wrapping his arms around my waist, stopping me from leaving. I huffed and shook him lightly.
"Barty. Wake up and let me go, I've got to go get dressed. Barty!" I hissed, shaking him lightly. He continued to sleep, ignoring my pleas. I gritted my teeth together and growled with annoyance.
"WAKE UP!" I shouted in his ear. He bolted upwards, letting me go in the progress, causing me to fall off the bed and onto the floor with a loud thump.
"Thanks, Barty." I commented dryly. He leaned over the side of the bed and stared down at me, a quizzical frown written into his features.
"What are you doing all the way down there?" He asked, clearly fighting the urge to grin. I glared at him and sat up.
"Having a tea party. What do you think I'm doing down here? You bloody pushed me off! Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go get dressed before I end up late for class." I huffed, slamming the door behind me. I heard Barty chuckling to himself as I stormed out, muttering several obscenities under my breath as I did so.
"Bloody men."
"So, I heard you and old Barty boy had a spat last night." I rolled my eyes at Regulus and continued to sketch the unicorn that had brought in, resulting in the rest of the girls fawning over it.
"It's nobody else's business."
"Actually, your relationship with Barty is everybody's business. Especially HIS. He was intrigued, as Barty had never before shown any interest in women besides the odd fling which normally last about a few days, maybe a week if they're lucky. All the Slytherins are interested to see how this turns out, as all of a sudden, Barty announces that he's engaged to the girl who just appeared out of nowhere." I looked up at Regulus, intrigued. Regulus lowered his voice as he continued to speak.
"You-Know-Who had heard about you the very day you arrived, and wanted Barty to bring you along with him. I'm sure you've heard of what happens to those who disobey You-Know-Who. Barty asked you, but I knew he wasn't going to push you. He may not show it, but he does feel for you. I'd say he might even love you. Barty was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve. Not after how his father continually pushed him away and refused to give him the attention we all crave as kids. His mother is the only one who has ever cared for him in his entire life, Hermione. We all use him in one way or another, and don't give anything back in return. He needs someone who won't just use him like everyone else. Clearly, in Barty's eyes, that someone is you." I stared at Regulus like he had just admitted that his mother was an octopus that did ballet and his father was a hamster.
"Regulus, you have more depth than I ever thought a Black would ever have."
"Is that a compliment or an insult?" I laughed and looked up at him.
"Are you still up for that duel, Black?" His eyes glimmered at the prospect of a duel and I laughed again.
"No outside help. Just us and our wands."
"No wandless magic or Animagi use." My eyes widened.
"How?" He smirked arrogantly.
"Please, Hermione. Give me some credit. I'm not as stupid as my idiot brother. That bite mark on your neck? Came from another Animagus. I'm guessing the Barty from your time, as he hid it with a hickey. His claim on you. You give off little signs as well, aspects of having an Animagi form. I should know. I am one myself, after all." I blushed and he chuckled.
"What are you?" I asked softly, intrigued.
"As ironic as this is, I'm a lion." I laughed and analyzed his name.
"It makes sense. Regulus is a star in the Leo constellation." He nodded and I grinned.
"And what are you then , Mione?"
"Same as Barty." His eyes widened and I flushed.
"Wow. Talk about made for each other." I scoffed and stood up to hand in my finished work to the Professor.
"I don't believe in Divination. It's a very wooly subject, in my opinion." Regulus chuckled and I frowned.
"What?"
"I stand by my point." He grinned, turning away to hand his own work in. I grabbed my book bag and headed back up to the Castle, Regulus's words on my mind. I needed somewhere to think. I headed for the Room of Requirement.
When I arrived there, I didn't know what to ask for. I know that I needed a place to think to myself, but what was I in the mood for? A replica of the library? I waited impatiently as the big doors swung open, anxious to see what the Room of Requirement had provided me with.
"Barty?" I was taken by surprise. It wasn't the Barty I had been around. It was the Barty that I had lost my virginity to. I hadn't quite expected to see the mature version of Barty standing there. The Room of Requirement had given me him when I needed to think? What the bloody hell was it thinking?
"Hermione… it's a wonderful room, isn't it?" He purred softly, standing before me, cleaner than I had ever seen him before.
"What the hell did you do?!" He chuckled darkly, reaching out to pull me into his embrace. I gasped when I realised that he was actually a physical being.
"How are you here?" My curiosity took precedence. He growled lustfully, tilting my chin up to kiss me hungrily. I gasped at the now all too familiar touch, unable to stop myself.
"Yes, my vixen, open up for me." He hissed, pressing me into the closest wall.
"Answer me! How are you here and how did I get here?!" He stroked my cheek and smirked arrogantly.
"All is going to hell on the Light's side. They were nothing without you, goddess. My little vixen, you were the source of their information. They were using you, as they used me. You may know of Dumbledore's manipulation, but you have no idea of the extent of it. And how am I here? Well, that's a secret that you must uncover. I do remember how much you loved your puzzles." He whispered huskily, sending a delightful shiver down my spine. He nuzzled my ear, nipping it softly as he traveled down my neck. His hands fumbled with my skirt, his cool fingers pressed up against my underwear. I jolted. He laughed darkly.
"It scares you, doesn't it? No matter which Barty I am, it scares you that I have such a hold over both your heart and your body. Answer me, Hermione!" He roared, his eyes gleaming with madness.
"Yes!" He stopped his onslaught and lowered his head.
"Tell me, Hermione- have you fucked me yet?"
"What?! NO!" He chuckled softly, nuzzling my hair. I pulled back, staring him in the eye.
"Why are you so pushy?"
"Why are you so smart?" I huffed and crossed my arms.
"Why is it so important that I look up my family?"
"Dumbledore has deceived you. I must right that wrong. I may be manipulative in my own way, but it is only fair. The Gods gifted me with you as my reward, but you are so reluctant to let me in. if I am correct, you have only just admitted to yourself that you love me. The younger version of me did not show up today, did he not?" I nodded, a little wary.
" He's in the Hospital Wing. Master's curse is finally taking effect. You must comfort him."
"But, I-" He was beginning to fade.
"The counter curse is Drak Feir." He kissed me eagerly, almost lovingly, before he faded into mist. I stared at the spot where he had just been. I picked up my book bag, thinking on what he had said, and deciphering the counter curse. Drak Feir. Dark Fire. My eyes widened in shock, and I swore, forgetting about my book bag, running for the Hospital Wing as quickly as possible. I hoped that nothing to serious had happened, or that I wasn't too late.