Hello All,

I know it's been awhile, but I've finished this chapter along with the next one.

This one is on the short side because the next two are long and this one sets off the next two. So here it is.

I own nothing.

Chapter Twelve

After their kiss, they danced to the rest of the song and Abraxas decided it was time to get her home. She took his arm and he led them outside. The cool air was refreshing to the both of them, seeing as they were both still a little hot under the collar. Once they were safely out of view, Abraxas apparated them to her home.

Hermione didn't say anything as they walked down the path to her front door, which was fine with Abraxas. His mind was still thinking of the way her lips felt on his and the warmth that he got from holding her close.

Her mind was also on the kisses they shared and the feelings that emerged because of them. She still couldn't believe how wonderful it felt to kiss him. And against her better judgment, she hoped they would kiss again soon.

He led her down the path and they reached the front door. She murmured the unlocking spell and stepped inside. The first thing she did was kick off her shoes and set her bag down on the floor. Abraxas followed her lead and his gaze followed her as she retreated to the living room.

Abraxas watched as she took a seat on the couch and motioned over for him to do the same. He joined her and waited for her to speak. Silently praying that she didn't tell him that he went too far tonight.

She looked at him as a rose color flowed over her face and she took his large hands within her smaller ones. "I wanted to thank you for a wonderful birthday. I think it's one of the best one's I've ever had." She said truthfully and looked into his eyes.

He was surprised since he hadn't expected her to thank him. He looked at their intertwined hands and couldn't help the smile that stretched across his face. "I'm happy you enjoyed yourself and you don't need to thank me. Plus it's not over yet." He said still grinning.

Abraxas reached over to the coffee table to pick up one of the plainly wrapped presents that he knew held the gag gift for her and handed it to her. Hermione returned his smile and saw how he expected her to open it now, so she let go of his other hand and slowly ripped open the package.

With timid fingers she opened the box and her brow creased with confusion as she lifted a dark gray Quidditch Jersey out of the box. It had the Falmouth Falcon's mascot on the front with white stripes and she could see the number nineteen on both of the sleeves.

She stared at it for a minute and then looked to the man across from her in utter confusion. The man knows I'm not a big Quidditch person.

"Turn it over." He said trying not to laugh at the face she was giving him.

Hermione did as he told her and couldn't help the large smile from creeping over her face. On the back, where the last name was supposed to go, was the word POPPET in bold white lettering. She looked up to see him hiding his laughter behind his hand with his gray eyes filled with mirth.

She gave him a small smack on the leg. "Very funny."

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Once the idea popped into my head, I just had to do it. I know you're not a huge Quidditch fan, but I'm hoping you'll eventually learn to love it and support my team with me." Abraxas said pushing back a piece of her hair around her ear and gave her a smile.

"If you like them, I'll happily support them. Now that I have a fabulous new jersey, how could I not?" She teased causing him to chuckle as she put the jersey on the side table near her and out of the way. Hermione thought it was endearing that he bought her a jersey with his nickname for her on the back. It was interesting to see this man's funnier side.

He reached over and plucked the last present off the table. "That was just a gag gift, which I found quite amusing." He said while handing her smaller box and sat back to watch her open the next present that he was unsure of.

He held his breath, waiting to see if she liked it. Abraxas knew that she loved to read, but he didn't know if she would be interested in the book he got her.

Seeing a book, Hermione turned it over to scan the title and inhaled sharply. It was a very early edition of Hogwarts: A History. She loved reading different versions of the book and learning all about the secrets of Hogwarts. She knew by the look of the book, that it had to be very old and she knew that this had to have been a rare copy seeing as she didn't recognize it. Her eyes met his.

"How did you know I like to read versions of this book?" She asked still in shock.

He grinned in relief. "I didn't. I just saw it and thought you might like to read it, since you told me you read the newest version when we were cooking the other day. Do you like it?" He knew she did, and it baffled him why she was so happy over an old book for a school she never attended.

"Of course. I love reading these books. Abraxas, this looks terribly old, it must have cost you a fortune, you didn't have to buy this for me."

He chuckled at her despair and once again found himself falling more for the woman. She knew who he was and still made a fuss over him spending money over her. It was such a refreshing and unfamiliar thing to him.

"It wasn't at all expensive. I found it in the library at the Manor and it isn't as if anyone else will read it. I wanted you to have it." He said honestly.

She met his eyes again after looking through the ancient book. He gave me a book that I love without even really knowing who I am.

"Thank you Abraxas." She had no idea what to tell him, but the way he seemed to know her without knowing her past astounded her.

She wanted him to understand just how much she appreciated all the thought and effort he put into her birthday, so she did the only thing she could think of. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. She brushed her lips against his gently, letting what she felt pour into the kiss.

He closed his eyes and moved his lips with hers. He was surprised by her reaction to the book, but was in no way complaining now.

He brushed his tongue against hers while still keeping up with her slow and sweet pace. She slipped her arms around his neck lightly and let her body find his, enjoying the warmth he was radiating. One of his arms came around to keep her close against him as his other hand cupped her soft cheek.

When she pulled back, she met his gaze as his scent surrounded her. The musky scent almost caused her eyes to roll back with pleasure as she breathed him in. She saw his gray eyes that were slightly glazed over with desire and she felt herself blush under his gaze.

He let her go slowly. They both eased back into the couch before their mutual desire took more than they knew they weren't ready for.

Hermione took a deep breath and willed herself not to blush as her brain slowly started to kick on again. She kissed him again and it was just as wonderful as it was on the dance floor. She knew she needed to stop and think about her actions, but at the moment she just couldn't muster up the strength.

Her hand reached up to slowly rub circles into the skin of his neck. "Thank you so much for today Abraxas. You really are a wonderful man. I don't think anyone has ever made me feel this way and I'm glad it was you. I really don't deserve you."

Abraxas frowned at her last statement. He didn't understand why she felt that way and could see a hint of sadness in her eyes. He was enjoying the way she was rubbing his neck, but it wasn't helping with the erection he hoped she couldn't see.

Once again, he couldn't help himself.

He leaned in and softly pressed his lips against hers, with her hand still on his neck. He kept the kiss soft, not wanting to deepen it.

They spent the rest of the night on the couch. Hermione making a quick trip upstairs to change into something more comfortable while Abraxas transfigured his own clothes while staying in the living room.

They cuddled up together on the couch and enjoyed the feeling of being with each other. They alternated between talking and sitting in a comfortable silence.

It wasn't until much later, hours after Abraxas left, that Hermione was lying in bed about to fall asleep that she realized she was falling hard for this man. Now that she had kissed him, it would be very painful to leave him.

The days passed by quickly for Abraxas. Two weeks went by in record time and now October had arrived. He divided his time between Jack, Hermione, and his parents.

At the last family dinner Abraxas attended, he finally plucked up the courage to tell them about Hermione. Of course his mother was happy to hear that her son had found a witch to make him happy and his father insisted on her coming over for a meal. He promised he would talk to her about it, while his Mother started harping about wedding plans, much to his Father's amusement.

Jack was still working on his apprenticeship with Slughorn, which meant most of his time was dedicated to brewing and doing Slughorn's bidding. Abraxas would stop by Hogwarts, before he went to see Hermione, to see how his best friend was doing. It usually ended in Jack ranting about how moronic Slughorn was and Abraxas laughing loudly at his rage. A few times he took Hermione with him to visit Jack and she ended up helping him with his potions. He was very thankful that the two got along so well.

In the days that passed, Hermione taught Abraxas the unlocking spell to the front door. He was humbled by how much she trusted him and relished in the fact that he would no longer have to wait outside for her to answer the door.

Now when he would come over, he would find wherever she was, wrap his arms around her and pull her to him for a kiss. She hadn't been able to resist his kissing him back either. A few times, their kissing got a bit heated, but he always backed off before he went too far. He was itching to take more, but he remembered his promise to take things slow and let her direct him when it came to their intimacy.

He taught her the basic skills of flying, but was now waiting for her to get at least a full three feet off of the ground. He was very patient with her, knowing that he shouldn't yell at her for her being scared. He did his best not to push her and occasionally took a few rides with her on the broom. He loved the way she would wrap her arms around him as he flew through the sky.

In return, his cooking lessons were kicked up a notch. He was now learning how to make different kinds of sauces for things like pasta and enchiladas. Hermione encouraged him every bit of the way and he was always happy when he saw her face light up, as she tasted something he made. He knew he was improving and felt like he was learning more and more from his little witch.

Abraxas had just left Hermione's house from a long day of flying and cooking. He gave her a long kiss goodbye and swiftly apparated home to his room in the Manor. What he was not expecting was Jack to be sitting on his bed reading a magazine.

"Jack, what are you doing here?" He asked while stepping out of his shoes.

"Can't a man just visit his favorite brother?" Jack asked not bothering to look up from his magazine.

He chuckled. "Sure he can, but not at eleven at night, with no warning." He said while shrugging off his shirt and went over to his dresser to retrieve some pajamas.

Jack didn't answer him as he changed into his pajamas and sauntered over to the other side of the bed to sit on. He leaned back against the headboard as Jack was doing and looked over to take a good look at him.

His clothes were extremely wrinkled and his hair was disarray. His usually tan face was considerably pale and his eyes had a haunted look to them. Something is obviously wrong.

"How long have you been here?" Abraxas asked lightly knowing that Jack would push him away if he said the wrong thing.

He shrugged. "Thirty minutes, give or take." He said indifferently still not looking at Abraxas.

"Okay. Where did you come from?"

"Hogsmead."

Abraxas forehead creased with confusion. "Why were you in Hogsmead at this hour?"

"Because Slughorn is such a fucking idiot, I had to go retrieve him from the local pub." Jack growled and slammed his magazine down to the floor.

"Why was he at the pub on a school night?" Abraxas asked trying to keep his laughter in check. Then why is Jack here and not with Slughorn?

"He wasn't! I walked all the way down there, just to be told from some snippy little barmaid that he already left! He must be sleeping it off somewhere else, so if he doesn't show up for classes, I have to teach the bumbling idiots!" He yelled still not looking at Abraxas.

"Calm down, it's not the end of the world. At least you'll be able to have some leverage over the man, maybe you can threaten him with this incident so you don't have to grade his papers anymore." Abraxas said willing Jack to look at him. He's not telling me the whole story; this still doesn't explain why he's here.

He snorted. "Yes, I've already thought of that and I will bloody do it if I have to."

"So, why are you here?" Abraxas asked.

Jack sighed. "Do I need a reason?" He asked looking at Abraxas for the first time since he arrived. His green eyes still had that haunted look to them, but there was some other emotion mixed in with it.

"No, but you have to admit that you being here at this time of night is strange." He said giving him a worried look.

Jack closed his eyes and ran both hands through his unruly dark blonde hair. He did come here for a reason, but had trouble with sharing his feelings. He didn't like to come off as weak to anyone, even Abraxas, but he did come to his house for a reason.

"I was followed by Death Eaters tonight." He said grimly and opened his eyes to see his friend's face turn to shock at his words.

"What?" He asked harshly.

"When I left the pub, I knew I was too angry to go back to Hogwarts to confront Slughorn so I decided to go home. I was walking to the Apparition point when I heard someone following me." Jack said remembering the earlier events of his night.

Abraxas crossed his arms in front of him. "Go on."

"When I heard footsteps, I ran down the street and dillusioned myself in an alleyway. Two men soon followed after and I heard their conversation." Jack said as he watched Abraxas face grow with more worry with each word he spoke.

"What did they say?"

"Basically that 'The Dark Lord' wasn't going to be happy with them since they lost my trail. Apparently, they were to bring me to him and make me swear allegiance. I was going to be put under the imperious curse if I refused." He said solemnly.

Abraxas felt all the blood leave his face. "Why does he want you?"

Jack shrugged. "For the same reasons as he did the first time. He wants me to make potions for him since I'm apparently the best there is or since I have connections at Hogwarts. I don't know how the psychopath's mind works brother. All I know is I apparated five different places before coming here. France is looking better everyday and I for one cannot wait to leave."

Abraxas nodded his head silently and thought back to their conversation about the trip they were going to make to France. He knew that dark times were coming and now he was convinced that running away from their problems was the best option. He didn't want his parents or Jack to suffer at the hands of Death Eaters and more importantly he didn't want Hermione to either.

"When are we going on that trip you spoke of? It's October and now more than ever I want to have somewhere to run once things get worse." Abraxas asked lost in thoughts of protecting the people he cared about.

"I'm talking to Slughorn tomorrow, we will probably leave in two days. Since I have to give notice a day early and then the next day to pack." He said putting his hands behind head.

Abraxas nodded silently. "I'll have to tell my parents and Hermione." He said softly.

The idea of leaving her made his heart do strange things and he knew he would miss her while he was away. Then there was the thought of her leaving while he was away, that made his heart pound profusely in his chest. He knew from the way his body was reacting to these feelings that his feelings for his witch were getting deeper.

"What will you tell her?" Jack asked breaking the silence. He watched the way Abraxas's face grew more worried by the minute and knew that he was thinking of his witch. Hermione had become part of both of their lives and Jack knew he would also do his part to protect her.

"That I'm going with you to France to check out a future business endeavor. Do you know how long we'll be gone?" Abraxas asked.

"A week. Meaning we will be back a day or two after your birthday." Jack said already thinking of plans for his brother's birthday.

He groaned inwardly at the thought of being gone that long, but knew it was necessary. "Okay."

"Abraxas, I think you should advise her to stay inside while you're gone. She shouldn't leave the house unless she has an escort, and I know you mentioned to me that she likes to go out sometimes." Jack said knowing that nowhere was safe for an unattended witch.

"Yes, I will tell her that. I know you'll probably say no, but there isn't a way we could just take her with us is there?" Abraxas asked with a false sense of hope.

Jack shook his head. "No, Nick only agreed to meeting you and I don't want to push my luck with him. He's a good man and an excellent Potion's Master, so I would be an idiot to piss him off. I wish we could take her with us, but I'm sorry we cant." He said apologetically.

"It's okay." Abraxas said while covering a yawn with his hand. "So do you plan on spending the night?" He asked while making his way inside the sheets of his bed.

Jack chuckled. "Is that an invitation?"

"Oh for pity's sake, do you have to be sarcastic this late?" Abraxas said while rolling his eyes at him as he laid his head down on his pillow.

"Afraid so and yes I think I will spend the night." Jack said rising from the bed to transfigure his clothes to sweatpants and a t-shirt. He crawled to his own side and let his head fall to the pillow.

"Okay, well stick to your side. The last thing I need is to wake up spooning with the likes of you." Abraxas sneered amusedly as Jack chuckled and waved his hand to douse the lights.

"Oh, yes and you know what spooning leads to. I'm afraid my poor virtue might be in danger." Jack said sarcastically as Abraxas barked out a laugh.

The two friends turned to their respective sides and quickly fell asleep. Both thinking about what France might hold for them.

Hope you enjoyed it. Please Review.