Hello All,

Sorry for the long wait, but here's another chapter and the other one is being written right now.

Thank you all again for the support!

And a friendly reminder that this story does not have a beta, so if you'd like to help just PM me or leave a review.

Now onto the story.

I own nothing.(Except Jack)

Chapter Seventeen

Jack and Abraxas decided to return back home a day before they were supposed to. The last three days were spent buying the house and the apothecary space with Nick firmly at their side. The trio talked more about their future together and agreed that they would keep in touch because Nick could handle everything until Jack's apprenticeship with Slughorn was complete. Abraxas' birthday had come and gone as well. It was spent watching a French Quidditch game with Jack and doing an assortment of other manly things.

Abraxas thought that packing this morning would be the usual easy going affair, but it was proving to be difficult with Jack in his room. He had packed the night before and now felt the need to terrorize him while he folded his clothes into his old trunk.

"Must you take so long to pack?" Jack asked with annoyance as he lounged on the ruffled bed sheets, his black boots handing off the end of the bed.

"I'm almost done, you wanker." Abraxas answered, giving Jack's stomach a slap as he walked by the bed to the bathroom.

Jack clutched his stomach in pain. "You better be. I think I've grown a full beard from waiting so long." He said moving his hands from his stomach to his face, as if he were feeling for the beard he had now supposedly grown.

"Don't be so dramatic." Abraxas said as he came out of the bathroom with his toiletries in hand.

"If I wanted to be dramatic, I'd go stand on the balcony and threaten to jump off unless you were ready in the next five minutes. In fact, I think that might be a good idea." He said rising from the bed.

Abraxas rolled his eyes. "I'm done, I'm done. Keep your knickers on." He said as he shut the lid to the trunk and levitated it over to the waiting trolley.

They checked out of the hotel quickly, and then walked to the valet stand. The valet helped them load the car and then they hit the road. Jack took his time driving through the city, then out through the suburbs to the remote countryside. He pulled over when they were far enough and used another portkey from the Ministry to get them back to the outskirts of Hogsmead.

They rode up the deserted looking street and came to a stop in front of the large white-bricked house. They made sure they hadn't been followed and Abraxas stepped out of the car. He was surprised when Jack didn't join him and leaned down to talk to him through the open window.

"What are you doing?"

Jack gave him an unimpressed look with his dark green eyes. "Does it look like I want to be there when you two have your lovers reunion? Just get her gift out of your trunk and I'll send your things to the Manor when I get home."

Abraxas would be lying if he told Jack that he didn't want to be alone with Hermione. He had missed her terribly while he was away and was now itching to see her again. They already agreed to meet tomorrow to go looking for furniture for the new house, but right now all he wanted was to hold her in his arms again. So without another word he did as Jack told him and then came back to the window when he was done.

"You're sure you don't want to come in?" He asked more as a polite gesture than from actual want.

Jack chuckled. "Go see your witch, brother. I'm sure she missed you too."

"See you tomorrow." Abraxas said tapping the top of the car and watched it drive away into the distance.

Abraxas felt his heart pounding against his chest in a way that he would inwardly curse himself for later. He walked to the house at a measured pace, trying to calm the rapid pounding of his heart. He had a feeling that once he saw Hermione, he would practically pounce on her. But he knew if he did that he might scare her or make her fall to the ground with the force he might use. So he resolved to calm himself in order to be gentle with her.

Reaching the front door, he took a deep breath before opening the door and looking around. She wasn't in the living room, so he sauntered over to the kitchen and frowned when he found it empty too. He looked out the nearest window to make sure she wasn't outside and was pleased to find she wasn't out there dueling.

Where could she be? He mused silently and then an unwelcome thought surfaced. What if she left the house? No, she promised you she wouldn't. Just check the upstairs.

He wanted his arrival to be a surprise, so he didn't yell for her. He simply made his way to the stairs and began to climb. Each step was forced calmness, afraid that if he let himself go at the pace he wanted, he would trip over himself. Calm down, she's probably up here. If she isn't you'll message her on the coin.

When he saw the beginning of another hallway, he quieted his footsteps, not wanting to make his presence known yet. His feet quietly set foot on the landing, and saw two doors along the wide unfamiliar hallway. He approached the room with the open door as quietly as he could and took a peek around the doorframe.

After a few moments of searching, her form came into view. She was wearing a red t-shirt with dark jeans and was barefoot. She was lying on the large bed in the room, an arm over her eyes and her breathing uneven. Judging from her breathing she must be awake, just resting for some reason.

He was now standing fully in the door frame watching her and froze when he saw her rise from the bed to a sitting position, not bothering to open her eyes, and began to rub them with her fingers. He noticed with delight that she was wearing the bracelet and necklace he had given her.

Abraxas' voice shook with nerves and happiness at seeing the beautiful vision in front of him. "Hello, Hermione."

Hermione's fingers screeched to a halt in their ministrations and just as quickly as her hand dropped from her face, her eyes sought out him. She had fallen victim to dreams just like what she was experiencing now and needed a moment to make sure that this just wasn't another one she would wake up from. She blinked several times and then her searing amber eyes looked over every inch of him. "Abraxas?" She asked in shock and almost disbelieving. He's not suppose to be back for days, how is he here now?

Abraxas felt his spine shiver at the sound of his name on her tongue, and just nodded in response. Merlin, I missed her.

Hermione got off of the bed and made her way over to him. There was a hitch in her step as if he were a rabid animal, but really she was afraid that he was a just another dream that would just disappear if she got to close. Frowning at her hesitancy, he took one of her hands and pressed it to his recently shaved cheek.

"I'm really here, Poppet. We just came home a day early."

Whatever doubt and disbelief Hermione had seemed to be vanish without a trace after hearing his deep rich voice and feeling his soft cheek in her hand. Her other hand came up and now she was holding his face in her hands as a dazzling smile flashed across her face as her eyes danced with delight. "Abraxas!"

"Hermione!" He said with just as much enthusiasm, his smile reflecting her own.

Her name had barely left his lips before he covered hers with his own. He kissed her desperately pouring every ounce of his heart into their kiss. She responded just as strongly and equally, her arms wrapping around his neck to bring him closer to her. His hands descended from her face to wrap around her back, and before she knew it, he was lifting her off the ground and spinning them both around.

Their lips parted and they both laughed like lunatics, until they collided with the side of the bed and fell onto it. Then the ended up just laughing harder, their hold around each other never loosening, if anything they just held onto each other tighter.

Abraxas pulled her with him upwards on the bed, so he was sitting against the unfamiliar headboard and he was now cradling her in his arms. Their faces buried into each other's necks, each taking in the other's scent, finding comfort in the other's smell. They stayed just like that for what felt like an age, just holding each other in the silence.

Finally, Hermione pulled her face back when she felt him pull away from her neck. Abraxas' face was one of pure happiness and her heart beat fast in her chest. Circe, I missed him. Oh, this cannot be good… Stop it Hermione; just enjoy your time with him!

"I missed you." She said weakly, giving him a smile and a small kiss to his jaw.

"I missed you too, Poppet." He said, his hold tightening around her. "But I'm here now."

It wasn't long before Hermione began to pelt him with questions. "So tell me everything: how did your business deal go, how was France, did you guys find what you were looking for, so how…"

Abraxas chuckled and put a finger to her lips. "Slow down, Poppet. One question at a time."

Hermione frowned against his finger. "Fine, start with the first one then, dear." She said using her own term of endearment for him sarcastically.

After chuckling at her cheek, Abraxas told her the story that he and Jack had agreed that he would tell her when he got back. Since he couldn't tell her that he had really been with Nicholas Flamel, they had come up with an alternative story to tell her until the time was right.

As he spoke, Hermione had one hand interlaced with his and the other hand was rubbing soothing circles into his neck, her eyes on him, almost forgetting to blink. When he finished his story, she bent forward to place a kiss on his lips. "Abraxas, why didn't you tell me you were coming back early? I could have made us lunch or at least done something with my hair."

He chuckled and pecked the top of her head with affection. "I'm sorry. I wanted it to be a surprise. Plus I quite like your hair." Especially when it's mussed up because my hands were buried in it.

Hermione gave a relieved laugh. "You better since there is really no way of ever changing it."

Abraxas gave her one of his famous smirks. "Oh, there's a way." He said suggestively as a plethora of memories of her hair messed up came to the surface of his mind, the best one being their exploration on the couch.

She smiled at his arrogance and pressed her forehead against his. "I think you forget that my hair isn't the only one that gets mussed up." She said freeing one of her hands and tried to inch its way into his raven hair.

He batted it away before it got anywhere near his hair and took her face in his hands gently, pulling her head away to look into his eyes. He couldn't help himself from kissing her forehead, her nose, and across her cheek, as his hands caressed the sides of her neck softly. "Abraxas…"

He made no verbal response, but continued to stroke every inch of her face with his lips for a while, until he breathed into her ear huskily. "You don't know how much I've missed you." He took her earlobe in his mouth and began to play with it sensually.

Hermione's hands grasped navy shirt as her breathing became shallow. "Probably as much as I missed you." She moaned.

The tone of her voice made the member in his jeans grow harder and he knew Hermione must have felt it. He moved his head back and both of them cooled off a bit. Eventually, Abraxas brought up something that would put their minds elsewhere, not quite feeling that the time was right for what he had in mind. "So tell me what you did while I was away? I hope you weren't terribly bored."

Hermione smiled, feeling somewhat relieved. She enjoyed what they had done so far, but was not yet ready to go that far yet; there were things she needed to know first, things to consider, and she would prefer that it be at night as well.

She shrugged in his hold. "There really isn't much to tell. I stayed here like I promised and got the occasional owl from Minerva and Albus."

"You really did stay in the house?" He asked with mocked suspicion.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, I just told you that so you wouldn't be angry. I secretly went out to party with my imaginary friends. I should introduce you to them sometime."

"I look forward to it." He said with a chuckle, summoning the gift he had gotten her that was accidentally left in the kitchen when he was searching for her. It floated to his waiting hand and he beckoned her to take it from him.

"Abraxas, you didn't have to get me anything." She said looking at the small bag between them with interest.

It was his turn to roll his steel colored eyes at her. "How did I know you were going to say that? Once again, I didn't have to because I wanted to. Just open the gift, Poppet."

Knowing that there was no arguing with the man, she tore the tissue paper out of the bag and giggled when she pulled a 'I heart Paris' t-shirt. She looked up to see him motion her to continue, she set the shirt to the side and dived back into the bag.

Now in her hands she held a snow globe of the Eiffel Tower. She swirled it around watching the white flakes dance around the scenery on the inside of the crystal bowl.

"Since I couldn't take you to Paris, I'd bring a little piece of it to you." He said softly like a child who was telling the honest truth.

"Thank you." She said feeling tears brim her eyes at his tone and thoughtfulness.

"There's no need to thank me, Poppet." He said ghosting a hand across her cheek, his comment bringing up a thought in Hermione's mind.

"You're right I don't have to thank you, because I got you something too, birthday boy."

She hopped off of the bed, escaping Abraxas hold, and made her way over to the closet. Her earlier fatigue making an appearance again, since she had woken up very early and not being able to go back to sleep for fear of more nightmares. She opened the door to the walk in closet and found what she was looking for on one of the shelves. Hermione went back to the bed, and put the big present on his lap as she lay back against the headboard with him. Abraxas instantly pulled her against his side, his arm snaked around her waist, with a kiss to the side of her head.

"I thought you told me you didn't leave the house?" He asked her warily, eyeing the wrapped present in his lap with interest.

"I didn't. The last time you had to go to a family dinner, I had Jack go with me to help me pick out a present for you." She said plainly.

That had been an interesting trip indeed. A few days after her birthday, she was with Jack in the lab after Abraxas had volunteered to go get them something to drink and Hermione took the opportunity to ask Jack if he would help her go find a present for Abraxas. He agreed, but not without a few snarky complaints. Together they went to store after store until Hermione found something that she thought he would like.

Abraxas gazed at her, delighted that she had still kept her promise and was now anxious to see what was inside the long parcel. He tore off the packaging and looked in surprise at the case.

"Happy Birthday." She whispered.

He smiled softly opening the case in front of him. The case in his lap contained a new Lake Placid blue Fender Stratocaster. He instantly began to ghost a hand across the instrument in front of him, reluctantly taking his arm off of her waist to do so.

"Wow." He murmured and before she knew it, he took it out of the case and placed it in his lap. His fingers touched the wood at the top, running slowly down the neck plucking one of the strings. A deep sound vibrated through the room.

He raised his gaze to look at her. "Do you know what this is?"

"Yes."

"I'm assuming Jack helped you pick out the model."

"Yes."

"And the color?"

"You did say that your favorite was blue."

"He told you I would want this?"

"No, when we passed by the music store I asked if you played any instruments since we've never talked about it. He told me you could play guitar, so I figured why not."

"I learned how to play from my grandfather before he passed away." He said continuing to stroke the strings lazily. "I haven't played since his passing."

He grabbed a pick that had fallen out of the box when he put in on the floor before his hand closed around the neck of the guitar. He closed his eyes and lowered his head slightly as if he was reliving an old memory.

Then he started to play.

Though the tune was soft and unfamiliar, Hermione found him to be a very good player. Lost in the music, Abraxas continued to play all the notes from memory, his technique improving as time wore on.

When he was finished and the last note faded into the room, he stayed in the same position for what seemed like an age. Then he spoke, his voice filled with an emotion Hermione couldn't place. "Thank you."

She gave him a soft smile as he set the guitar on the ottoman in front of the bed. "You're welcome."

Wordlessly, he leaned forward and they kissed languidly, taking their time to enjoy the feeling of their lips mingling. Eventually, they both needed to breathe and Hermione was unable to hide another yawn. "Do you mind if we take a nap? I haven't been sleeping very well and I'm exhausted." She asked sleepily as her eyelids drooped slightly.

Abraxas wondered why she hadn't been sleeping well, but kept the thought to himself. He forced a smile and watched as she laid back down on the bed, her head resting on a fluffy pillow. "Sounds good to me. Jack woke me up at the crack of dawn to pack this morning and then proceeded to keep me up the whole way here, so I'm all for catching a few more hours of sleep. Besides, we both need to be well rested. We are going to go out tonight since you've been cooped up in this house for days. I promise we'll have some fun."

She chuckled and rubbed a hand up his well-muscled chest. "I'm sure we will."

Hermione closed her eyes and took the opportunity to curl up against him, instantly falling asleep in the crook of his arm. Abraxas chuckled at her actions and shifted her head to his chest. Subconsciously she nuzzled her face against the warmth of his body, wrapping her arms and legs around his body.

Thoroughly enjoying the way she was wrapped around him, Abraxas shoved his right hand under the pillow beneath his head. His right arm draped across her hip and had no intention of moving it, not wanting to let her go even while they both slept.

Hermione woke up slowly from her restful nap; her eyes fluttered open slowly and frowned when she found herself alone on her bed. She ran a hand over the space next to her.

Was it all another dream?

Her questioned was answered when she felt her wizard's lips give the corner of her mouth a kiss from behind her. "I thought you'd never wake up."

Abraxas chuckled when he saw her cheeks turn rose as she turned over to lie on her back, her smile widening at the sight of him hovering over her. "For a former Seeker, you have terrible aim."

It took him a moment to realize what she was referring to, but when he caught he gave her a knowing grin before attacking her lips with vigor. Hermione laughed into his mouth when she felt him hoist her up, holding her tight against his hard chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying this moment with him immensely. Silently thanking Merlin that it wasn't just another dream.

"Oh Poppet. What am I going to do with you?" He mumbled stroking his nose against hers slowly, keeping his eyes closed. Circe, it's good to have her back in my arms again.

She grinned, leaning up to kiss him again. After an age, he gently sat her back down on the soft bed, keeping his arms firmly around her.

"How long did I sleep for? What time is it?" She asked when she noticed that the sun seemed to be lower in the sky than she last remembered.

"Quite a long time actually. It's almost six." He replied running a hand through her tousled brown ringlets.

"Merlin's saggy balls, did I really sleep that long?" She replied in shock, oblivious to the loud laughter from the man holding her in his arms. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

Abraxas was still chuckling. Hermione didn't use profane words very often, so when she did it was highly amusing. "Yes you really slept that long and you didn't keep me waiting." He said kissing the top of her head and laying her head to rest on his shoulder. "I woke up a few minutes before you did. I needed to use the loo and came out to find you stirring awake."

"I'm glad." She said, holding him tightly and enjoying the smell of him that made its way through her nostrils. After a content moment, she pulled away took look at him. "So are you going to tell me where you are taking me tonight? Or am I to be left in the dark again?"

He snorted. "As if I'm going to tell you anything." He said giving her a wicked grin. "Why don't you go freshen up and I'll do the same out here."

She smiled, figuring that he would just transfigure what he needed and made her way to the bathroom. She took a quick shower and dried off. After spelling her hair to behave, Hermione went over to where the bathroom connected to the closet and walked in. She looked through her clothes trying to find something to wear.

She settled on a gray dress. The skirt was straight, and ended just above her knees; the top was a ruffled halter, which would tie around her neck and her upper back would be completely exposed. It hugged her curves in all the right places and she just hoped that Abraxas liked it. Hermione turned her back to the mirror and looked over her shoulder, and was glad to see that the glamour charm she had placed was still holding.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione slipped on the matching flats before stepping out into the bedroom. She found Abraxas sitting on the ottoman fiddling with his new guitar and the sight made her smile. He looked dashing in his newly transfigured clothes, now clad in a nice pair of pants, comfortable shoes, and a black shirt with a few top buttons unbuttoned casually.

Abraxas looked up from the guitar and felt his mouth dry at her appearance. She looked stunning and it didn't take him long to abandon his place on the ottoman to kiss her passionately.

Taking a moment to catch her breath when he broke off the kiss, Hermione gave him a shy smile. "Before we go, is there any chance you might let me know where we are going?"

He gave her a cheeky smile. "No."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him before letting out a loud a small chuckle at his antics.

They headed down the stairs hand in hand a few minutes later and after locking the front door wandlessly, Abraxas apparated them to where he planned on going.

The sun was sinking in the horizon when they landed on a winding sidewalk. The air around them was warm and a little humid, but there were breezes that were cold and soothing. The sound and smell of the sea was what caught Hermione's attention as they walked towards the giant rocks that Abraxas was familiar with. She held on to his hand tighter, letting him guide her through the unknown territory.

"Your big surprise was bringing me to a beach?" She asked looking at the unfamiliar area, listening to the waves crash against the shore.

Abraxas nodded, holding her hand tighter when she squatted down and dipped her free hand into the slow lapping water. "The beach is only the start. Since you've been stuck in that house in the woods for a week, so I thought that a change in scenery would be nice."

She grinned at the truth behind his words. The water was warm against her fingers that were resting in the sea. She stood back up, turning to face him and noticed that his silver eyes were focused on her entirely. "How is it that you always seem to know what I need?"

He shrugged. "A good magician never reveals his secrets." He said cheekily as she ran her wet hand through his soft hair, giggling when he sent her a glare as she brushed it back to where it was before they apparated.

Abraxas took her hand gently and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

They made their way slowly down the path that ran along the shore of the sea. Abraxas seemed to be in no hurry as they walked hand in hand, their thumbs stroking each other's skin absentmindedly.

Hermione couldn't keep her eyes off of the sea. It had been so long since she had been to any kind of beach. Since the war ended her life had been so busy with other things that she couldn't remember the last time she had taken a real vacation. In a sense this accident was the closest thing to a vacation she had in years.

Abraxas noticed how her gaze hardly wavered from the sea. "Is this your first time by the sea?"

She shook her head. "No, it's just been quite a long time since I've been to any kind of beach."

"How long has it been?" He asked curiously.

"Two years I think." She said remembering the war and the memory of Shell Cottage that caused her to involuntary shiver.

He cocked his head in surprise. "What kept you from going to the beach? Surely there are some in Texas that were close by?" He had felt the shiver course through her body, but didn't know what was the cause. What could she be thinking about?

Hermione bit her lip in nervousness at his questions as she tried to come up with a lie that was plausible. "There are but I never had time to take a vacation. I was either busy with school, my friends, or Auror training. This is the first time I've had so much free time in a while." She answered carefully.

Abraxas paused midstride and turned her into him. Keeping his hand in hers, he lifted his other hand and cupped her cheek. "Well, I'm honored that you are spending all of your free time with me and am happy that I was the one to welcome you back to the sea."

"The honor and pleasure is really all mine." She said cheekily and was delighted when she felt him chuckle.

"Impudent witch." He smiled at her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and they resumed walking again.

The surprise isn't over yet… ;) hope you all liked it. Please Review.