A/N: So, this is fun…We're all still trying to figure out who it is…:D But first to all of you have added this story to their alerts: diamondsr4evr, jasmine-leigh, and supernaturalmuse thank you! I appreciate it!
Brazuca- I have decided it is not Fenrir Greyback, although, that was a great idea.
Jasmine-leigh- Not Snape either…that pairing has been done so much, I want to try something new!
Supernaturalmuse- You are going to have to wait and see what's up with Ron and 'Mione. I'm sorry you're going insane
So, I guess without a further adieu, the next chappie!
Chapter 3: Intoxicating Fears
"I think it's time we had a few words," Harry plopped his bag down on the table across from Hermione, looking at her expectantly. "What has been going on with you?"
Hermione feigned innocence and met his gaze. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Harry narrowed his eyes at her, his left brow rising above his squint. "You may have been able to convince McGonagall, but don't forget," he leaned in conspiratorially, "I saw into your mind. Who is he?" He sat back in his chair, relaxing, waiting for her to break the uncomfortable silence between them.
Hermione sighed heavily, placing her head in her hands. "I don't know who he is, Harry." She glared at him when he scoffed at her words. "I don't. He's been terrorizing me for a few weeks now."
Harry's eyes softened as he watched her face contort between sadness and another unknown emotion. "Your eyes say otherwise…" He trailed off and looked down the table. Everyone was at lunch between lessons. Hermione had been given the day off by McGonagall's instructions; it looked like she had been at the Gryffindor table since that morning. Ron was sitting down at the other end of the table; his eyes kept roaming down the table to Harry and Hermione. He was so worried about her, but since the previous night's hug, he had been too nervous to ask how she was doing, so Harry had said he'd talk to her.
Hermione sighed again. "He's scary…but he's seductive, too." Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "I want to get away, but I don't. It's like this huge oxymoron I can't get away from."
"Hey," Harry's voice softened as he grasped her hand. She stared at their interlocked fingers on the table top as Harry rubbed his thumb on the soft skin of the back of her hand. He didn't know what to say to her to make her calm down. He'd never had a stalker in his dreams before…Voldemort didn't really count. He was more of a mortal enemy than a stalker, anyway. So he said the only thing he could think of: "Ron and I will look after you."
Hermione laughed hollowly. "What can you and Ronald do?" She pulled her hand back, hugging herself. "He only comes at night, Harry. When I'm alone. Sleeping." She looked him straight in the eye. "How can you protect me from my subconscious?"
"Hermione, we both know that this is something magically enhanced. No one can have the same exact dream over and over for three weeks straight. We'll find him and we'll make him stop. Do you have any ideas as to who it could be?"
Hermione's locks went flying in all directions as she shook her head at Harry's question. "I haven't really had anyone come tell me they love me lately." Hermione's face flushed as she glanced down at Ron. He caught her gaze and turned bright red; he returned his attention to Neville and Seamus.
Harry smiled. "Why don't you just ask him out, 'Mione?"
"Harry, I'm in no state to be seeing anyone. This mystery man his wreaking havoc on my mental state. I don't think I could get involved with anyone anyway." She left it at that as she stood and headed out of the Great Hall.
Ron got up from where he was sitting and went to sit next to Harry. "What did she say? Does she know who it is?"
Harry shook his head, eyes still on the door Hermione had just left through. "We've got to find out who he is soon, Ron."
"I know. We can't let him have her." Ron's eyes got cloudy.
Harry stood and glanced out at Ron. "He already has her: he has her interest. It won't be much longer until he has more than that." Harry walked away.
Ron glared off into space. "No one will have my 'Mione. Except me," he murmured under his breath.
"Oh, what a funny boy," he drawled, hearing Ron's last words. "He thinks she's his. I know I have her heart. It won't be much longer. She will be mine."
He turned his attention up to the library. At a table, in the middle of two dusty shelves of books, sat the most beautiful sight for him to behold: Hermione, head on her hands, her back slowly rising and falling. Her beautiful eyes were closed; it was time for their date. Only once more darling, he thought to himself and you will be all mine.
He heard in his mind the door to the library slid shut. His attention turned to the door. Ron was standing there, craning his neck around, looking for the sleeping beauty three aisles away. He rushed through the aisles, eyes on alert, glancing here and there. Soon, he found her, and rushed to her, shaking her gently.
"'Mione? Wake up." He pushed her hair away from her face, brushing her cheek slightly.
She jumped slightly. Glancing around her, she noticed Ron beside her. She smiled at him sweetly. "Hmm?"
He returned her smile, pulling a chair beside her at the table. He held onto her hands. "You shouldn't fall asleep alone."
"Are you suggesting I sleep with you?" Hermione had no idea what made her say such a coy thing to him; ever since these intoxicating, seductive fears had developed from her nightmares, she'd been feeling very flirtatious and looking for an outlet. It was about time she let her feelings for Ron show.
His face flushed as red as his hair as he stammered for something to say. "That's not…you don't…but you shouldn't…I didn't…" He swallowed the lump in his throat sharply. Then braving a look straight into her deep eyes, "If that's what we need to do."
Hermione smiled and leaned toward the red-head. She slowly closed her eyes, puckering her lips slightly. Ron mirrored her movements, squeezing her hands lightly. The kiss was magnetic; an instantaneous jolt of electricity shot through them both. Their kiss deepened; Ron's hands moved up to her neck, pulling her closer. Hermione was almost on his lap, eagerly increasing the pressure of her lips on his. He tasted sweeter than Pumpkin Pasties. He was getting more drunk off their sweet, grasping embraces than on butterbeer.
They broke apart. Hermione was breathing heavily. Ron was working as quickly as he could to pull her closer, not wanting them to linger on this momentary break, but to focus on the things they could be doing. "Oh, Hermione. I've wanted you for so long."
Something clicked in Hermione's head. She'd heard that before…he had said it the night before. She pulled away from Ron, trembling in fear. She had been wondering at her recent wants; wanting to touch him, to taste him. It all made sense now.
"Stay away from me," she growled.
Ron came out of his hormonal auto-drive. "Wha?"
"Don't come near me ever again, Ronald. I don't want to see you anymore." And, she ran from him without explaining what had just happened.
Ron leaned his elbows on the table, propping his face into them. "Women…"
"All my work…it almost all came to nothing!" He was fuming; if someone got to Hermione before he could, it would put him back at the beginning. Thank God Ron had said what he had. Granted, it was a common statement men made when they'd been sexually attracted to a woman for a long time. But that did not stop him from being extremely pissed about the whole situation: his love, his woman, his world was almost taken from him. He would have to work harder to insure that Hermione would be his.
He followed her to her room, where she was still trembling. "A few more days darling…then we'll be together forever."
A/N: I don't know how much longer this will be…but I think I may have decided who I'm going to make it…You'll all probably be so mad at me…lol…I'm also sorry this chapter isn't as good as the others…I just wanted to update…the next one will be better, promise! XO Nelli