A/N - You might notice the chapter name...Chapter 14 had the incorrect name, and I didn't catch it until I started to upload this chapter. So 14 is now corrected and 15 is right from the get go.
I made a small reference to the marauders and being bullies. When you read what they did to other students, I think that is what they are. Bullies typically don't change overnight so to suddenly believe James was this great guy (with regard to the stuff he did with Sirius to Severus) seems a bit off. NOW, having said that, the guy was "killed", has been living in a nursery for almost twenty years and then was forced to spend months with the kid he abused. After finding out that kid protected his son. A bit of a bitter pill. So it won't be discussed in the story, but here is what happened...Severus was not initially pleased to see James Potter. Lily forgave Severus for calling her that name after discovering what James and Sirius were going to do to him (tunnel, werewolf...). James eventually got Severus to not hate him (not sure Severus can forgive the whole trying to kill him for kicks thing). Plus can you imagine the awkwardness? Anyway, Harry and James have a long discussion on what James did and how it was not right. There you go.
I read 'Savior' and I liked her take on the whole thing. It's a good story - complete too if you wanted something to read while waiting for your Cyber Monday stuff to be delivered..
Also for those of you waiting, this is the first chapter with some citrus. I appreciate you all waiting. Draco is a little upset he had to wait. He whines a lot when he doesn't get his way. I blame it on him being an only child.
This is the longest chapter yet. Enjoy.
' - - - - - - - - '
With that revelation the doors started to open again.
"Draco we have to get out there before Harry comes in. He is going to need a little warning or he will not handle this well." The duo took off towards the doors and as they opened Harry was there.
"'Mione you're ok!"
"Yes, Harry, I had Draco. Listen there is something I need to tell you." She grabbed Harry's wrists and started to pull him away from the doors.
"Narcissa finished the story we all know. And it's great that you two found each other."
"It is but that isn't what I needed to tell you. I don't think that Cissy knows this either. The room has saved individuals who it thought were pure from death. My parents are in there." She allowed the gasps to die as Narcissa and Louisa ran into the room and met their best friend again. "I'm not done Harry. I need you to stay here and let me finish, there are four other people in there."
"Who?" For the first time in some time Ginny spoke up. She sat next to Harry holding his hand. Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny for strength. Theo was sitting next to Harry and Ginny with a look of utter astonishment. With a nod from the three she continued.
"Dumbledore and Snape are in there." Hermione paused letting the shock work its way through him.
"Who else?" Hermione took a deep breath and felt the doors open a little wider. It was readying itself for another reunion.
"Your mother and father." Hermione leaned to the side to show Lily and James Potter standing in the doorway looking at their son. Harry was at a loss for words as he made his way towards the door. The family embraced in a hug that seemed to last. Ginny and Hermione were crying for lost time while Draco and Theo had tears also but theirs were painful. Theirs were for the love their fathers had never shown them. Finally the Potters pulled apart and all went into the room. Harry happily introduced Ginny to his parents. Lily and James spoke of Molly and Arthur in glowing terms and knew this girl would become their daughter-in-law and they were happy.
' - - - - - - '
No one had paid attention to the time until Twinky popped in and asked if she should prepare rooms for the guests. It was then that Narcissa realized it was well after midnight.
"I think it is time we all went to sleep. It's late and the children need to go back to Hogwarts in the morning." Narcissa said more to the children than to the adults. Those that were awake gave Narcissa a look that said they were not children. Hermione had nodded off on Draco's shoulder almost an hour earlier and Ginny was trying to stifle a yawn herself. As everyone walked out of the nursery they were stunned by the change. The Manor was no longer dark and ominous. There was a lightness to the place that Draco had never sensed.
"Mother what happened? I love it but it is so different." Draco clutched tightly the sleeping Hermione who was in his arms.
"Dear this is what the Manor felt like before the Dark Lord took it over. I don't understand what happened though."
"Severus and I have a theory, the amount of magic it took to keep the room hidden and us safe made it impossible to keep the darkness, driven by what Tom and others were doing here, from overtaking the rest of the Manor. Once Miss Granger sorry, Miss Phoenix opened the door the light magic overtook the darkness and pushed it out." Everyone seemed to agree it was the most likely theory and headed toward their rooms. After more hugs and tears, goodnights were finally finished and everyone found their beds.
' - - - - - - - '
Early the next morning Hermione awoke. She remembered the events of the day before and realized she had not learned the identity of the couple who raised her. After finding a robe and slippers, Hermione grabbed her wand and padded out in search of Dumbledore's promised, well implied, explanations. To her surprise she was able to navigate the Manor with little issue. She easily found the stairs leading to the main level. After searching a couple of rooms she found her quarry happily eating breakfast.
"Miss Phoenix, you are awake. How did you sleep?"
"I slept well, thank you. If you don't mind, would you please tell me who raised me?" This was an expected question and one with which he decided to tread lightly. He knew how she reacted to surprises.
"It seems only fair. As you know pureblood families can have a squib. No one really understands the full reason but it is generally believed that it has to do with inbreeding and a reduction in the genetic variation. Muggles have really taken to understanding such things and I hope someday our world will also include that science in the school curriculum; however, that is not a discussion for now." Albus smiled at the young witch knowing she would listen, but she was hoping he would get to the point soon.
"The people, who raised you; who brought you up as their own and treated you as their blood are actually from this world. They are squibs. As for specifically who they are; they are your Aunt and Uncle. When I say Aunt and Uncle I mean that you are related to both of them. Jean is Percy's sister while Richard is Stephanie's brother. When a squib is sent into the muggle world their memories are adjusted so that they fit better into that realm. Jean and Rich had met by a fluke of fate and fell in love. I believe that even though they were not magical, magic brought them together. They had been in the muggle world for about five years when you were born. They had struggled to have children of their own and decided to adopt. It was easy to place you with them and have their memories altered so that they believed you to be their flesh and blood. If a family ties spell had been done it would show that you were related to them. There would never have been a reason to dig deeper. They do not remember they are squibs, just that their daughter is highly magical and they are very proud. At least that was what they knew until you removed yourself from their memories. At this point they have made their life and I do not know that informing them of their true history would be the best. Both were very sad about having to leave the magical world but happy to have found each other."
Hermione nodded. She was glad they would remain in her life but she wasn't sure if she could continue the lie. She had yet to locate them in Australia and until Britain was safe she refused to put them in any danger.
"Now my dear I believe you have some additional questions for me. I've finished with my breakfast and tea and will answer any and all questions to the best of my ability."
"How did you know that I would have been sorted into Gryffindor? My father is Slytherin."
"The hat is really just that good." Albus nodded happily before continuing. "Oh, and I told it that you needed to be in Gryffindor." Hermione sat stunned for a moment.
"Do you know the history of the Phoenix family?"
"I do. As does Percy and I believe he would be a better person to tell you the history of your family."
"Is he as good of a man as Narcissa made him out to be?"
"Yes, Hermione. Both of your parents truly believed in the same future as the other members of the Order; so much so they sent their daughter away so she could thrive in a safe environment until it was her turn to join the battle. I can't express the anguish they went through the day you left. I promised them I would watch and protect you until it was time. They had expected to see you during school but that never happened. When I arrived in the room the first thing that both your and Harry's parents wanted to know was how you each were. It took a bit of time to get through all the stories."
Dumbledore smiled remembering how proud everyone was. He had left out some of the more dangerous portions of the story.
"Lily was not happy that Harry had been given all those items by Sirius but James and Percy thought it was quite funny. They were very proud of what you had accomplished but when I told them what you and Harry would be doing that next year they were very worried. Severus arrived informed us of the battle and that the light had won; however, we were unsure of who did or did not make it. We also did not understand why the doors remained closed. Apparently the room was waiting for you."
"At what point did you start to suspect there was something more wrong with Ron than just reacting to the war?"
"Not until Mr. Malfoy brought the wand into the office. I suspected that Tom had found someone but I had thought it would have been one of his followers. I should have realized something was wrong with him when you told us the story of that night. I did not believe any of you would be so weak. I admit to knowing a lot of the goings on but this was a surprise to me."
"It was a surprise to us all. How did you know about what happened at the Burrow?"
"I didn't know the specifics but I knew something bad had to have happened. When Molly flooed looking for you after you left, Minerva was a wreck and I regretted not being there for her. It took us a couple of days to find you. Honestly we should have known exactly where you would be but it seemed so dangerous for you to have been there. None of us thought. It was then I realized you were not caring about what could happen to you. It was as if you thought your life was not important. We had to get you back to Hogwarts, figure out what happened and what we could do to help you. Kingsley set up patrols to make sure that you were safe in that house. If any of those who were still free stopped and thought about it they would have been searching your parent's home each day. That is why Minerva asked you come back so often. She could not stand to lose you. You know that she considers you her daughter?"
"Yes and I always thought of her as the magical mother I didn't have. I guess that isn't right now." There was an uncomfortable pause while Hermione gathered the courage to ask her next question to the old Headmaster.
"Does this, my parents I mean, make me less of a witch?" She wanted to continue and talk about how everyone placed her in a different category because she was muggleborn and yet so apt with magic. How she worried by her parents and her by extension being pureblood would diminish all that she had worked to achieve over the last eight years. Dumbledore sat for a moment to gather his thoughts and to how best address the young witch in front of him.
"I will be honest with you. There are some people out there who will take this as an opportunity to say they knew there had to be something else because muggleborns are not this powerful. And while on one hand you do prove that statement. There is another side to the story. For eleven years you had absolutely no idea magic existed or that you could control it."
Hermione nodded in agreement. That day, the day she discovered she was a witch, was burned into her memory as one of the best and scariest moments of her life.
"Your power is a gift from your father. Your bravery is a gift from your mother. Your cunning, that my dear is a combination of your father and your uncle. Richard, had he gone to Hogwarts, would have been either Slytherin or Ravenclaw. You know how intelligent he is."
Hermione's head nodded in agreement. The man who raised her and until a short while ago she believed was her father, was scarily intelligent. He could read something and just know it.
"His love of learning, desire to understand how everything works is one of his gifts. You came to Hogwarts knowing more about being a witch than most of the other students who had known about the life their entire lives. His other gift was something both your mother and father struggle with. Patience. Your mother is a Gryffindor and like Harry, will jump at moment's notice to avenge some perceived wrong. Your father, while not as straight forward in his actions, will get his revenge right away. There is no "letting people stew", he does what he needs to do. Richard is a plotter. And this is why you were and are one of the most important pieces to the last eight years. Your ability to hold Harry and Ron back until the time was right saved them more times than you even know."
Hermione was pleased she asked the question. Dumbledore had this uncanny ability to make you feel better even if the news wasn't always good. She understood there would be detractors and those who dismissed her contribution because she wasn't a muggleborn.
"I tell you all this because it is important for you to understand that regardless of your true parentage, when you arrived at Kings Cross you were the same as every muggleborn there. You had to learn it all. And learn you did. You bested your year and scored some of the highest scores on both the OWLS and NEWTS. Don't ever doubt your worth because you are priceless to our world."
For the first time in too long, a relieved smile (albeit small and fleeting because there was still much to worry about) flickered across Hermione's face. Hermione was lost in her thoughts when Dumbledore continued speaking.
"Hermione, dear, I didn't tell you the truth about your prophecy."
"What is the truth?"
"That you will be the one to bring peace and safety to the world; however, the cost for you will be great."
Hermione slowly thought about this revelation. The only way to do this would be to destroy Ron and how could she do that without being positive of his turn? She knew what the map and Draco had told her but what if they were wrong? For the rest of the day Hermione thought about what would need to be done. No one was aware of the amended prophecy. Draco didn't insist that Hermione tell him instead they sat to together in companionable silence.
' - - - - - - '
After everyone was awake and had eaten Narcissa attempted to floo the school to find that the headmistress's floo was indeed locked. A quick owl and response confirmed that the Ministry had put the school on lockdown. Lucius had been spotted in Hogsmeade and that was too close to the school. In addition to the lockdown a number of aurors had been placed at the school as a defense. There was no need for them to attempt to return as classes had been canceled until further notice. The Ministry must believe something was going to happen and soon. The rest of people in the Manor enjoyed catching up and discussing future plans. Stephanie and Percy watched with worried eyes as their daughter seemed to be feverishly trying to figure something out. During one of Hermione's pacing sessions Draco made his way to her parent's side to explain Hermione's tendencies.
"When she is stumped by something, she is pretty focused until she figures it out or figures out how to figure it out. Normally she ends up in the library with a mountain of books."
"Draco do you know what is worrying her?"
"No she hasn't said anything to anyone. I suspect it has to do with Ron Weasley. I'm not sure how much of her life and friends you have heard. He is Ginny's brother and best friend to Hermione and Potter. Since the war ended he seemed to have changed and has caused a great bit of drama in their lives. It appears the Dark Lord is using him as a vehicle to continue his quest for power. We just discovered this a couple days ago and it's been hard on all of them. Hermione is loyal and true...a Gryffindor to heart. I'm not sure how I ended up with her."
Draco's eyes were cast on his witch as she paced the room. The hurt in her eyes told him that her troubles were regarding that red headed idiot and that pissed him off. How could one person cause so much pain? This really was the work of him and Draco would make sure no one else would feel this pain. As Draco worked through his thoughts, Percy and Stephanie saw his feelings of love toward their daughter and anger at the situation play across his features and by the end his eyes were aflame with anger.
The Phoenix and Potter parents had been brought up to date, as much as possible when Albus and Severus were brought into the room. They had not been told of the full sacrifices their children's generation had to bear. It wasn't until Hermione removed her sweater that the physical extent of Hermione's sacrifice was seen.
"Percy what is that on her arm?" A frantic Stephanie whispered to her husband as Hermione continued to pace. What Hermione hadn't realized, she forgot to place the glamor charms on her scars. Tears started to slide down Stephanie's face as she realized what exactly was carved into her daughter's arm.
' - - - - - - '
"Hermione?" Percy stood and moved toward his daughter. She didn't realize that someone walked up to her until she felt fingers moving over the cursed scar. Quickly she pulled her arm back and cast a quick charm to cover it, but was too late, both of her parents had seen it. Hermione stood there silently with her eyes closed until she felt the now familiar arms of Draco around her. She was pulled to the couch and opened her mouth a half dozen times without being able to tell them what happened. Finally Narcissa spoke up.
"Stephanie, when they were hunting for a way to destroy the Dark Lord they were captured and brought here. This is my great shame and the reason why the house isn't quite as you remember. After the horrors that occurred here, I have redone the portion of the manor that saw the worst of it. I will tell you, before I begin, you both must understand that Hermione is the strongest witch I have ever seen and is the only reason he was defeated."
Stephanie was looking at her best friend and rubbing her daughter's arm at the same time.
"Cissy I suspect this is going to be as difficult for us to hear as for you to say, but I need to know what happened to my daughter." Stephanie's voice was firm.
"When they were captured they were brought here and tortured. The majority of Hermione's pain was inflicted by Bella. The scars you see are from her blade and we cannot heal them as it was cursed generations ago. While we have been able to make them less noticeable they are none-the-less still present. It has been my mission to figure out how to heal them since the war ended. In addition she was hit, repeatedly, by a number of unforgiveable curses. I was not always present for the torture; however, I heard both Bella and Lucius discussing what else they could do to break her. I was almost caught multiple times when sneaking them food. I could not bear to watch them destroy another witch. Hermione's will power amazed me and when they escaped I thanked Merlin many times over. I don't know of any witch, or wizard, who didn't beg for their death after Bella tortured them. I don't know how much longer Hermione would have lasted if Dobby hadn't distracted everyone." Cissy finished and silently went back to her chair. Percy was the first to respond.
"Cissy we all know you could not have done anything more. What happened to Bella? If she is not dead I swear I will destroy her." The magic crackled from Percy in such a way that shocked everyone.
"I've only seen magic do that when 'Mione is really pissed off. I guess she is like her father too." Harry mumbled to Ginny. Ginny just nodded. Over the years she had learned to be very wary of the brunette witch when she was upset.
"Father, Molly Weasley killed her in the final battle. At least that is what we all believed although I don't remember ever seeing her body. Harry?" Hermione looked to Harry who was trying to avoid his best friend's glare.
"We don't know what happened to her. It wasn't where Molly said it should be. After today I don't know what happened to her." Hermione shivered with fear. Draco realized that she wasn't scared of Voldemort or Ron but was of his aunt.
"We have a way to know for sure." Draco whispered into her ear.
"Yes, and I'm going to find out." Hermione summoned her courage and the map. She called out "Bellatrix Black LeStrange". The map started to come to life and again zoomed in on Britain. It slowly stopped and was focused on 12 Grimmauld Place. The dot was flickering in and out. Everyone looked to each other trying in confusion to understand.
"Draco we should go to the library." Hermione grabbed the map, Draco and started to head toward the library. Draco followed knowing that until she understood what the map was trying to tell her, there would be no sleep.
"If you will excuse us, Hermione needs to research."
With that the two left the room and Harry spoke up.
"She is going to be in there until she figures it out. We might as well try to help. We probably won't be much help but she will eventually get mad if we don't make an effort. At least she will get mad at me. It's happened before. And while I the property is big enough, I doubt Draco will let me borrow a broom so I can stay away until she cools off." Everyone one stood to follow.
' - - - - - - '
Sometime later in the day Cissy and Stephanie were researching together.
"Cissy?"
"Hmmm?" Narcissa was reading the dullest book on incantations she had every seen.
"Would you recognize the dagger Bella used on Hermione if you saw it again?" Cissy nodded her head. The knife had been a Black family artifact. Bella took possession as soon as their parents were dead. As Bella and Narcissa were the "only" remaining sisters, the inheritance was split between them.
"Good I hoped you would." She slid a book toward Narcissa while tapping her finger on a picture. Tears filled Narcissa's eyes as she recognized the blade. She silently nodded. Narcissa had never known where her family obtained that knife. It had always been in the house and as a child Bella had always been drawn to it. Seeing the blade in the book and reading the history it all made sense to Narcissa. Bella loved to cause pain.
"You know the blade and how it was cursed now don't you?" Again Narcissa just nodded. "Good, we have some work to do and I'll need Severus to help." The witches stood and moved toward the potions master. He looked at the two and followed as they left the room. They silently moved to a room that had been set up as a potion lab.
"What am I making?" Stephanie handed him a potion and list of ingredients. "This is just ditney with a couple of extra ingredients."
"Severus, no questions just make it please." Stephanie turned and left the room. A few hours later Severus left his makeshift lab with the requested vile. He found Stephanie and Cissy sitting in the library not reading but watching the door.
"Thank you Severus." Stephanie took the vile and put it in her pocket before focusing on the book in front of her.
' - - - - - - '
"Draco, I don't understand the fading in and out. It showed her name but not like I expected." Draco, too was confused at the maps response.
"What if we asked for someone else?"
"Who?"
"The Dark Lord." Draco still couldn't make himself say the name. Hermione realized if Bella was in someone then Voldemort's name should appear in the same manner. She stood and opened the map again. Not wanting the rest to hear she whispered his name
"Tom Riddle". Nothing happened so she tried the next name she could think.
"Voldemort" Again the map remained blank.
"Dark Lord." Nothing.
Hermione was getting frustrated. And hungry. Her stomach let out a rumble that everyone heard.
"Love, we need to eat. This will all be here when we get back. Everyone let us adjourn to the dining room for some dinner." With a resigned sigh Hermione allowed Draco to pull her away.
After a wonderful dinner and pleasant conversation and few more fruitless hours in the library the group went to sleep. This day had not been physically exhausting for Hermione and her mind was still spinning making sleep impossible. In addition to not understanding why Bella was showing up on the map, the amended prophecy kept repeating in her head. She wasn't willing to lose anyone she had so recently gained. If need be she would take care of the problem herself. With those thoughts circling in Hermione's mind she carefully got out of the bed and left the room she was sharing with Ginny.
' - - - - - - '
"Draco, are you awake?"
"Mmm"
"Love, wake up"
"What's wrong?" Draco sat up quickly before realizing Hermione was sitting on the edge of his bed and there was nothing wrong and everything, in fact, was right. Perfect kept repeating in his head. She was everything he imagined. Her hair was reflecting the moonlight coming through his window, her eyes were only for him, her robe was not quite closed fully, and he was fully ready for his witch.
"I couldn't sleep and was wondering if I could stay with you?" Her eyes were searching his for understanding. He lay down and opened his arms. Hermione stood, removed her robe and crawled into the waiting arms of her love. Draco watched with a lustful gaze as Hermione removed her robe. The nightgown was a simple silk shift design; it ended at her middle thigh and was edged in lace. The bodice was lace and tight across her breasts; it clearly showed where her hardening nipples were. The straps were thin and were having a difficult time remaining on her shoulders. The silk continued to slip down with each movement Hermione made. Draco was having a hard time not hardening himself. As Hermione fell into his arms he could feel her soft skin against his.
"I love you" Draco groaned softly. Hermione took a deep breath and looked up into Draco's eyes. What she saw caused her insides to melt. Draco's eyes were half-lidded and black with lust. Hermione moved up and heard a low growl from Draco as she settled against him. She lifted her lips to his and this was what a first kiss should feel like. Draco worried about her mental state wasn't going to push. He knew she said she wasn't ready for anything too physical. The best thing was to let her lead. Following Hermione was slowly becoming second nature to Draco. Her lips started to move against his as he responded. Hermione was amazed the softness of his lips and the gentle pressure he applied. She wanted to taste him. Her tongue darted out and moved along the valley of his lips. He felt her warm, wet tongue and moaned. Hermione took advantage of his open mouth and her tongue dove into his warm opening. He tasted of cinnamon, cloves and Draco. There was no way to explain it, he tasted as she had imagined he would.
Hermione was surprised when she felt his tongue begin to move against hers and then slide into to her mouth. The feeling was amazing. This was a man who knew how to kiss. She began to suck gently on his tongue eliciting a deeper moan of pleasure. What she was doing caused him to groan. Slowly their tongues began to battle for dominance and the kiss deepened while the intensity increased.
Draco's hands could not stop moving. They glided along her sides and into her hair. He pulled her body into his. The burning in Hermione's belly started to flare into an inferno. The feelings in her core were overwhelming and she could not think of anything but Draco, his lips, his tongue, and his hands. Soon she had moved on top of Draco and was ravaging his mouth. His hands had moved under her nightgown. Her skin was warm and soft, like satin. He explored her back before beginning to wrap them around to her side. Slowly his hands made their way to her belly and breasts. He felt the weight of her perfect globes for a moment before Hermione stopped and sat up on his chest. Both were breathing heavily. Draco dropped his hands.
"I'm sorry, I got..." before he could continue his apology Hermione swiftly removed her nightgown. Draco was stunned momentarily. His eyes ravished her. She was perfect everything he could have wished for. Her breasts were full and perky. Her nipples were pink and hard. Her chest seemed to vibrate with each shaky breath. Her tongue darted from between her lips as she sat astride Draco and gazed into his eyes. He ran his hands up her arms and into her hair. He pulled her down into a searing kiss. Her chest was pushed into his. He could feel her breasts heave with each labored breath. They could feel the heat burning out of the other. Slowly they rotated until Hermione was under Draco's lustful gaze. His hands moved over her body in a tender and loving dance.
"I want you. Please tell me to stop before it is too late. I don't know that I will be able to stop if you don't stop me now." Draco began to kiss and suck the pulse point on Hermione's neck. Hermione's hands moved before she could respond with her words. Her hands moved down his back and onto his ass. She pulled him toward her and began to whisper.
"Draco I want you. Please. I need you. Make my brain stop thinking." Draco groaned and attacked her breast. Hermione's mind went blank and her instinct took over. Her hands moved to the waistband of his night pants and started to pull them down. Hermione's legs had wrapped around Draco's thighs and pulled his pants down further. Finally Draco was able to remove them using his feet. The sensation of skin on skin was overwhelming for Draco's mind. His fantasies were never this amazing.
Draco's mouth was suckling on her right breast while his hands began to move down her stomach. Hermione felt his fingers move down toward her core. She let out a moan and began to wiggle praying his fingers would move faster to their destination. At least she hoped that was the final destination. "Draco, please keep going." Draco smirked into her breast as his fingers crested her pelvis. He felt the band of her panties. He ran his fingertips along the lace edging before slipping them under and closer to his goal.
As his fingers made their way to her lower lips and he slid them into her heat. Hermione let out a squeak. Draco let his fingers continue their slow journey and until they began to circle her clit. "Yes Draco, gods yes, keep going." Her moans were making him incredibly hard. They continued their torturous expedition and before Hermione could realize what was happening Draco had removed her panties and had repositioned himself between her legs.
Draco's tongue swept the entire length of her slit. His fingers began to slowly thrust into her virginal channel. His mouth was ravaging her clit alternating between sucking and licking. He was relishing her as her hips started to buck. She was wet when they started and over the last few moments her juices were dripping. Draco was amazed at his witch's body.
"Hermione you are so wet. Gods you are so wet for me." Draco was losing his self-control realizing how much she really wanted him. His cock was twitching with each thrust of his fingers. Draco felt her walls flutter around his fingers. He knew that she was very close but probably had never had an orgasm.
"Come for me baby, just let it go." Hermione could no longer handle it and released the pent up emotions. Draco continued to lick and suck her until the final aftershocks of her orgasm were done. Hermione was amazed at her reactions to what Draco had done but she wasn't ashamed. She loved the feeling that Draco pulled from her. Neither bothered to noticed the gold banding that appeared on both of their wrists. Since the bonding was revealed gold color had deepened.
"Thank you Draco." He looked at her with love and satisfaction. She pulled him up to lay next to her. As they snuggled she realized that Draco was rock hard. She had studied the human body and biological reactions and she knew, based on the clinical analysis, he had to be in pain. This was not the first time Hermione had noticed his arousal. She had never been this close nor had he been this hard. She turned in his arms and started to kiss him while trailing her hand down his stomach. Mumbling into his mouth, "I don't know how to please you. Please teach me." She softly wrapped her fingers around his stiffened cock and felt him shudder. Draco had promised himself he would not pressure but follow her lead. He paused no longer than a heartbeat before moving his hand from her hip to her hand. He squeezed until she gripped him tightly and started pull her hand until it began to move toward his tip. He took her thumb and moved it over his dripping head and taught her how to use it as a lubricant. He wasn't surprised at how quickly she caught on. He released her hand as she continued to pleasure him.
"'Mione, yes baby, just like that. Every so often squeeze a little before you move up." Draco was hardly able to finish the lesson before she brought him to completion. Draco was spent and bewildered by the witch in his arms.
"Was that right?"
"Merlin yes love. I'm ok with you practicing whenever you want to hone your skill." Draco smirked while Hermione just hmmed and pulled her, now cleaned hand, around his neck. Draco had succeeded in his mission too and completely made Hermione's mind stop working. Both nodded off to sleep not caring they were naked.
' - - - - - - '
Draco woke to the sound of Hermione giggling. He grudgingly opened an eye to see his witch, his still naked witch, his still naked and extremely gorgeous witch, eyeing him up and down. Like the predator he was, it took only a moment for him to pounce and catch her hands over head.
"What, my love, is so funny?" Draco noticed the love bite on her right side and decided to give it a twin on the left. Hermione was again lost in sensation.
"I was, oh merlin right there, was giggling at your expressions." Hermione could not resist wiggling and started to roll her hips into Draco. She was met with a groan and nip. "You are adorable when you are saying my name in your sleep. Tell me what you were dreaming about?" Draco started to think about his dream and realized that reality was now better than his fantasies. He pulled his lips from her neck, inspected his work and when happy he responded.
"You and what we did, what we are doing and what we will be doing. Gods witch you are amazing." Hermione's smile was shy and didn't quite reach her eyes. Draco realized that she still believed she wasn't worthy. Draco was going to keep working on her.
"Hermione?" Draco started to kiss her neck. "We are going to start today and I will make you realize that I love you, you deserve love and exactly how amazing you are. Now to start with your lips." Draco's fingers slid up into her hair. He moved one hand and his finger ran across Hermione's lips. She surprised Draco by opening her mouth and allowing his finger entrance. She started to suck with a gentle urgency. It took Draco a bit of time to regain his senses and react to her ministrations.
"Love you are amazing. You are every bloody thing I've ever wanted." Draco was having a hard time focusing and her sucks were getting stronger and he was envisioning something different in her mouth. With a pop she pulled his finger out of her mouth and gave him a saucy wink. "Wow, we are going to practice that also. Do you realize what you do to me without even trying?" Draco took her hand and held it to his rapidly inflating penis.
"I'm sorry Draco."
"Don't be sorry love. This is what your beauty, intelligence and natural talent does to me." Hermione smiled and leaned into her wizard and kissed him deeply.
A sudden pounding on his door stopped them from further explorations.
"Malfoy? Hermione is missing!" Harry yelled into his door. Draco jumped up grabbing his pants and throwing Hermione's robe at her. She quickly slipped it on and tied it tight. Draco took a moment and opened his door.
"Potter it is ok. She is here. We were talking. She had a hard time sleeping with everything. See?" Draco stepped aside and allowed Harry to enter his room. He saw Hermione sitting on one of the chairs by the fireplace. The other thing that Harry noticed was Hermione's nightgown draped haphazardly across the night table. He lifted a brow to Draco and left the room. Draco looked and realized what Potter had seen. "Hopefully he won't say anything." He handed Hermione her gown and smirked. "Go get dressed for breakfast and we will go down together. " Hermione shut the door and dropped her robe before putting on her gown. Draco drank in the sight of a naked Hermione vowing to learn every curve of her body soon.
' - - - - - - '
A week had passed in their forced stay at the Manor; Cissy was happily preparing for the ball. She had spoken with Kingsley and gotten permission for Blaise, Anna and Pansy to be escorted from Hogwarts in order to attend. Hermione had no idea how the witch had pulled that off. She decided to never doubt the power of Narcissa Malfoy. And that related to her magical power and her ability accomplish her goals.
The Hogwarts contingent would be arriving the day before the ball with Kingsley being personally responsible for their travel. He would provide a crew of aurors for the interior while there would be another crew who would be stationed outside. There was always a protection detail for the larger events at the Manor. All those in power assumed the event would draw attract the attention of the former Lord Malfoy. For the aurors it was a 'wait and see' game. No one could predict how Lucius would react.
While Kingsley was worrying about how to protect the children, and not to mention everyone attending the ball, the dresses had come in for final fittings and Hermione felt amazing in her dress. For the first time Hermione felt regal. She was in the most amazing dress with enough jewels to make the muggle royal family blush. Narcissa had done Hermione's hair and makeup before allowing her to see her reflection.
"Cissy, I'd like to show Draco." Hermione stood stock still in front of the mirror while Narcissa got Draco. When Draco arrived he was dumbfounded.
"You are so amazingly beautiful. I don't think I want you wearing this dress any longer. I am sure you will have the pick of any wizard at the ball." Draco was only partially joking. He knew there were decisions he made that could never be reversed. There were lives that had been destroyed because he blindly followed his father. He was sure Hermione could find a much better man than Draco.
Hermione sensing Draco's deeper emotions walked to her beloved and held him. "You are it for me. No other wizard could ever compare to you."
"We should probably practice our first dance. We will need to be the ones who open the ball for everyone else." Hermione nodded and slipped her hand onto Draco proffered arm. When they arrived at the ballroom Hermione sensed the Manor accepting her. The Manor wanted her to feel safe and comfortable here. Draco chanted the charm that opened the ballroom doors.
"The elves outdid themselves Draco. This is amazing." The ball was less than two weeks away and the elves wanted everything to be perfect. They wanted to make sure their new mistress was happy. Neither Hermione nor Draco noticed when the other members of the household followed them into the ballroom. Percy, Stephanie and Narcissa watched as Draco and Hermione glided across the dance floor. Draco wasn't sure if Hermione had learned to dance but now he had no reason for worry. Hermione was light on feet and the grace that seemed to elude her at school was now abundantly obvious. Draco dipped her deeply before kissing her at the end. Percy did not appreciate the depth of the kiss. Narcissa and Stephanie were elated. Draco and Hermione were still in their own world.