Chapter 8: Fanatical Temptation

Hermione had resisted the urge to dress up too much. She didn't want to encourage any bad behavior. However, it was a date and the girly side of her won. She wore a simple dress with spaghetti straps and an empress waistline. It accentuated her chest with its shallow V-neck, and hid her hips, which she hoped would keep Harry at bay. Her ballet flats were a pale pink, the same color as the roses on her skirt. Her hair was partially up, off her face. She decided against any make-up, not wanting to look like she was trying too hard to impress him.

At ten minutes to seven, she walked silently to the Common Room. The room was pretty empty still, with most of Gryffindor Tower still in the Great Hall. She had told Ron she was going to be studying all night in her room, so he couldn't distract her. It didn't raise any suspicions, but had earned her a puppy dog pout. She had laughed, and told him he'd be fine without her, but inside, the pout spoke volumes to her guilty heart. Regret again washed over her, but she had brushed it away. Ending this tonight was what mattered most; then she and Ron could have a future.

She slowly made her way up to the Room of Requirement. She saw Harry as she approached, looking handsome in a dark suit jacket and trousers. His dress shirt was also as dark as his hair, and he had worn no tie. It seemed she was the only one who had not wanted to appear to be overdoing it. She smiled weakly at him when she came to a stop by the door he had conjured up. "Hello."

The wind slipped out of him; she left him breathless with her beauty. His heart hammered in his chest, desire almost overtaking him. Patience, he thought, you'll have your way tonight. He knew the room he had imagined the night before was the perfect romantic setting. And, if she still had any defenses, well, he most definitely could force her tonight since she couldn't wake up from reality. It was a last resort, but he was sure as the evening progressed, his patience would disappear and he would have to make Hermione see reason…but that was a thought for later.

Harry opened the door for her. "You look wonderful. Please, after you." He ushered her inside, then followed after. "Shall we?" He offered her his arm once he closed the door, which instantly disappeared.

As Harry led her to the table set for two, Hermione looked nervously at where the door had been. "Um, Harry? How will we get out?"

Harry brushed her comment aside with a wave his hand as he held out her chair for her to sit. "Details. We'll worry about it after dinner." He circled around the table and sat down. As soon as he had, food appeared on their plates. "Chicken kiev with steamed vegetables." He smiled. "I know it's one of your favorites. And for dessert, raspberry cheesecake."

Hermione smiled at him. He had done well choosing things for dinner that she would enjoy. The thoughtfulness of the gesture seemed so unlike the man in her dreams. It amazed her that someone could have the sweet gentleness that she felt was necessary for love, as well as the raw passion that excited her so much.

They ate quietly, the only noises being the sound of the harp and the clink of dinnerware. Harry wasn't really paying attention to his food; his focus was on the enchanting creature across from him. His eyes drank her in hungrily. It seemed like an eternity since he had watched her so closely. And now that she knew of his feelings, he didn't feel the need to look away every time she felt him staring.

"What's the matter?" His staring was making her uncomfortable; she felt like a steak being dangled in front of a starving lion.

"You're just incredibly lovely," he murmured. His hand reached out and grasped her free on, lying on the table. His thumb ran over the back of it softly. "I've missed you so much."

Hermione blushed severely, trying- and failing- to pull her hand away. She didn't know if she should apologize or yell at him. After all it was his own fault. If he had just come to talk to her, tried this approach from the beginning, things might have been different. Now she was nearly certain that she would leave here, return to Ron, and love him for the rest of her life. He didn't have the intense passion Harry had, but then again, the two of them hadn't let their feelings get the better of them yet. He could very well send the same wonderful chills down her spine that Harry did.

"Would you care to dance?" Harry asked, after drinking in more of her.

Hermione shrugged and placed her napkin on the table, standing up. Harry followed suit and drew her to him. He still had a hold on one of her hands, so she placed the other on his shoulder. Harry didn't like the distance, so he pulled her closer, letting his free hand rest on the small of her back. She was so close now that her arm draped across his shoulders. She could feel his breath on her ear, sending shivers throughout her body. Slowly, she relaxed and moved her face so they were touching, cheek to cheek. Harry's eyes shut in ecstasy. He knew much more of her body swaying so close to his and he would lose control.

Wanting to test the waters, he turned his mouth toward hers. The kiss was gentle, probing. The difference between this kiss and Ron's blew her mind; they were both gentle, but Ron's felt safe, warm, and loved, while Harry's was still insistent, still controlling. She wanted to break contact, but her body wasn't listening. She felt strange; her mind was reeling and her knees were weakening.

Harry picked her up and carried her to the bed, placing her on the covers gently. He moved beside her, letting his fingers make trails of fire all over her skin. He leaned over and whispered into her hair. "How do you feel, my darling?"

Hermione tried to focus on him, but her vision was blurring. "I'm…I'm not really sure." She felt disoriented, but aroused. Her mind couldn't decide whether to pass out or give in. "I'm dizzy. I can't focus," she murmured. She tried to move her hand to his cheek, wanting desperately for an unknown reason to touch him, but her limbs were no longer working. "I can't move."

Ah, so that's what the potion did. Harry had spiked her drink before her arrival, hoping the drugs were slow, so he could try to persuade her in more gentle terms to be with him. However, since they were fast-acting, he could now reveal his plan and she couldn't stop him.

"I had hoped for more time to woe you, but alas, thy drugs are quick. And the temptation to make you mine was too great." He let a finger trace her jawline. "I'm going to perform an actual handfasting, Hermione. A wedding ceremony of sorts. And this," he gestured around the room, "this will be our honeymoon suite." He leaned closer and lowered his voice, so it was husky and deep. "You should have known better than to come alone. And in secret. Everything that happens in the dreams happens in real life. I didn't want to force you, but," his hand ran over her breast, squeezing gently. "I can't wait any longer. You'll be mine in only an hour's time."

Hermione was frozen by the drugs, but her mind was still rapidly trying to find a way out. He was right; she had been foolish to come alone, and not tell anyone where she'd gone. Especially considering all the nightmares. She shouldn't have let her past relationship with Harry affect how she reacted to the current situation. And now, she was going to relive those dreams she'd been having for so long. She watched as Harry said some words, and then took a long, white cord from a nearby drawer. He wrapped around their wrists, tying it tightly.

"With this cord, I bind thee to me. Our love will be eternal, our relationship will be strong. No man can destroy two hearts joined so perfectly together." All right, it was a little hokey, but it was the only ceremony he'd been able to find quickly. The fine print said that if two hearts were joined, but one was forced, the only thing to break the ritual was a token from that person's true love. But after consummating the marriage, nothing could break the bond. All he had to do was hope that Ron did not find them before he finished having sex with her, and then she'd be his forever.

Hermione felt no different; she was still scared and unwilling. But with the potion in her body, she could do nothing but watch as her dreams turned to reality and any hopes of being with Ron were destroyed forever…