Chapter Three

London, 11th August 2003

Hermione looked up as Harry entered her office. He was carrying a rolled up newspaper in his hand and looked slightly nauseous. He gave her a glare both angry and disgusted, and immediately started pacing back and forth, back and forth in front of her desk. Hermione felt her heart flop.

"Don't look at me like that, Harry."

"How should I look at you?"

"Like you always have?"

"I can't. I don't think I know you anymore."

"I'm still the same person, Harry."

"Are you really? The Hermione I know would've never appeared in a Muggle newspaper snogging the living daylights out of the Death Eater she's supposed to be arresting!" He threw the paper on her desk.

"It wasn't like that."

"Oh? Care to explain what it was like? Wait, no, scrape that. On second thoughts, I really don't want to know-"

"Hot."

"I beg your pardon?"

"It was hot, Harry!"

"What the hell do you mean, it was hot? Are you mental?"

"You asked what it was like and I'm telling you! It was hot! Burning scorching hot! It was also wrong, unethical and it was forced upon me!"

"Good to know that. By the way you were clutching his hair, it almost seemed consensual!"

"Very funny, Harry."

"Actually, I don't find it amusing at all."

"Listen… I'm sorry that you had to see that. I'm sorry that he got away. I'm very sorry I messed up! I'm-"

"But you are not sorry you kissed him."

"He kissed me!"

"Same difference."

"No, it's not! You are not being reasonable. I had him. I was bringing him in. He did what he had to do in order to escape. It threw me off balance just long enough to allow him to. And that's all there is to it!"

"If you say so. I really don't want to know. What did Shacklebolt say?"

"He's given me a written warning. No so much for the kiss after I explained what happened. Mostly for using the Imperius curse."

Harry stopped his pacing, turning so sharply to look at her it must have given him whiplash. "You cast the Imperius on him?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, Merlin, this is so fucked-up on so many levels!"

"I know."

The pacing resumed, Hermione's eyes following him back and forth, back and forth in front of her desk.

"Have you thought about what we spoke last time?"

"Yes. You were right. Possibly. I told Shacklebolt to find somebody else."

"And?"

"He said he'll look into it. I'll be replaced as soon as a suitable substitute can be found."

Harry looked immensely pleased. He walked around the desk, reaching out to pull her into his arms. "It's the right thing to do. I'm so relieved, Hermione. Everything will be back to normal in no time, you'll see."

She closed her eyes, breathing in Harry's familiar, calming scent.

London, 2nd September 2003

Her body was on fire. Her thighs trembled as she felt his tongue tasting her juices, little cat licks that were driving her insane. He sucked hard on her clit, and she felt fingertips caressing her, lightly stroking her folds, opening her up.

"Stop," she moaned, "please, stop. This is a dream, isn't it?"

He groaned on her clit, and the vibrations sent shockwaves to her centre. He lovingly kissed her thigh, then crawled up her body, cleaning his face of her juices with the back of his hand. She looked into luminous grey eyes and sought his lips with a desperate need.

"Make love to me." A clear, delighted laughter warmed her heart. "I know you."

He entered her in one hard, unapologetic thrust, then stilled.

Hermione sat up wide awake, foreboding chasing drowsiness away.

Pennsylvania, 25th September 2003

The tiny town of Devon was nothing like she would have imagined. It was a lattice of narrow, gently sloping streets flanked by thatched roofed shops and antique cottages. As you walked away from the centre, they led to wide residential avenues blanketed with old stately mansions, complete with rolling lawns and shady, sleepy woods. To Hermione, the place seemed frozen in time, the sights and smells reminiscent of times gone by. She took a deep breath, for once feeling exhilarated to be out of London and the oppressive mood at the Ministry.

The International Dressage at Devon Horse Show was in full swing. Wherever you looked there were horses and riders and horse drawn carts. People chatting and laughing while enjoying cocktails or aperitifs. Camera flashes, balloons and festooned piquet fences. And hats, hats everywhere.

Her department had received an anonymous tip listing Malfoy as a competitor in at least one of the categories. Hermione had gone straight to Shacklebolt to query why she had requested her replacement over a month ago and still hadn't heard a word from the powers that be. To her dismay, she had been told in no uncertain terms to take the assignment and run with it, as no replacement could be supplied at this time.

She was tense. Riddley and Abbot had her back again, despite the fiasco in Monaco. Currently, they were both inspecting the grounds, although Hermione had ordered that any attempts to capture him were to take place after the actual competition. If he were to disappear before competing, it would surely create a stir and spark an investigation by the Muggle authorities. Hermione had had enough controversy to last her a lifetime. Today everything would be done by the book.

The tests went on and on. As someone who had no real interest in all things horsey, Hermione had no idea a competition of this magnitude could have so many different categories, or even the sheer number of participants in each. She had tried locating Malfoy, since his name was listed for the test for three year old horses that was starting in about twenty minutes, but if he was competing he certainly wasn't hanging about. She just couldn't spot him anywhere. Again. Merlin, must I spend my life looking for that man? Maybe I'll be lucky and he won't show up, she thought. All she could do was wait and boy, did Hermione hate waiting. It's too hot for September, anyway. Definitely not in a good mood.

She found herself drifting down one of the secluded tree-shaded lanes surrounding the rings, and had to admit this part of the Cub wasn't that bad. Most people were watching the tests, so there was hardly anyone here. She strayed into a small grove of ash trees and honeysuckles, where the air was pleasant, sweet and cool. Leaning against a tree, she closed her eyes for a minute.

"Granger."

Hermione spun around to find Malfoy standing next to her in full riding attire. He had his riding gloves and his wand held loosely by his side, and he was tapping rhythmically on his thigh. Slowly, she lowered her wand. She let her eyes take in his whole appearance; high black boots, white breeches, black shadbelly coat, white stock tie. Tousled hair falling over serious, intense grey eyes. He looks like sin wrapped in chocolate, she found herself thinking. She let out an amused chuckle.

"I'm glad you find me entertaining."

"Sorry, Malfoy, I was thinking about something."

"You don't say. I can see clearly what you were thinking about, the way you-"

"Oh, for Godric's sake, don't start again with the innuendo, it's getting old! And what the hell are you doing here, anyway?"

"I've been waiting for an opportunity to talk to you. This was it."

"You knew I was coming."

"Of course I knew. I notified your office!"

"Why?" she asked curiously.

He hesitated then, averting his eyes. "I want to know what kind of spell you cast in Monte Carlo."

Hermione gave him a confused look. "You know very well it was the Imperius, Malfoy."

"Then you cast it wrong. I want you to lift it."

"What are you on about? The curse was lifted the moment you… kissed me." She looked at him sharply, realisation downing. "You feel it too, don't you? That's why you're here!"

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"Come on, you know what I'm talking about. That surprisingly, it turns out there is chemistry between us. Go figure."

"Chemistry?"

"Alchemy."

…

"What does that even mean?"

"You know, that our… elements are so compatible that if we combined them under the correct conditions and transmuted them, we would achieve… perfection.". She cleared her throat, colouring brightly.

"I don't… I see. So you think there is Alchemy between us?"

She laughed bitterly, in spite of herself. "I know there is. I also know it doesn't change anything. My body may want yours, but I don't like you, Malfoy. You are still a wanker of monumental proportions. You think your name and your money and your pretty face place you above the Law, but you know what? Nobody is above the Law. You killed and you maimed and I don't care I you feel you had no choice, I will bring you to justice if is the last thing I do. I don't have a choice either!"

"Oh, come off your high horse. You enjoy gallivanting all over the world after me. Is it fun, Granger? Does it get you off? Why can't you just leave me be? You don't know me at all, yet you preach and you criticise and you see the world in black and white! Well guess what: I can guarantee you will never get me, no matter how hard you try. Don't doubt for a second that I will do what I must to get away. Consider yourself warned, Granger."

For several long minutes they stood there staring at each other, breathing hard. Neither of them was leaving first, and the situation was turning from charged to awkward fast.

"Why aren't you trying to arrest me?"

"I will, after you finish the competition. No need to cause an upheaval."

…

"So… this is a truce."

"Of sorts, I guess. A temporary ceasefire."

…

"So, you think I have a pretty face, do you?"

"Sweet Morgana give me patience! Is that the only thing that registered in that small mind of yours?"

…

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"I'll be mounting my colt, Magick."

"U-huh."

He is pure Carthusian. Damn good horse.

"Oh. Good."

…

"Will you watch?"

"Yes."

…

"Do you mind if I check something?"

"It depends what it is, Malfoy."

He was slowly leaning towards her. He's going to kiss me. Ohmigod! He's going to kiss me in cold blood! Her heart was racing, but she tried not to react in any way as he got close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. Then he hesitated and stopped.

"I've got to go. I'm up in ten minutes."

"I know."

"Granger?"

"Mmm?"

"This Alchemy, does it ever run out?"

"If it ran its course, I guess… I wouldn't know."

His mouth was a hair's breadth from hers. She closed the gap.

It was chaste, sweet, no more than a caress of lip on lip, arms hanging loosely by their sides. But his lips were dry and catching on hers, so she wet them with the tip of her tongue. He whimpered, seizing her tongue and suckling it into his mouth, and Hermione moaned. Abruptly, he ended it and took a step back, as if startled by the sound.

"Stop, I can't… I've got to ride."

"Yes, I know."

"No, I mean, I have to be able to ride."

"What do you… oh. Oh!"

"Yeah, well, there you are. Wish me luck, Granger."

He walked away before she could answer. Just like that, the truce was over.

"Riddley, crouch down. Where is Hanna?"

"She's in position by the stables. Hermione, what are we waiting for? You said we'd get him after he performed. Well, he performed. Shouldn't we be making a move?"

"Scott, listen to me and listen carefully. I don't want anything to go wrong this time. He's surrounded by Muggles and has his stable hand with him. We wait till he puts away his horse, you hear? Then we ambush him on his way to the waiting area."

"But what if he escapes?"

"It's a risk we'll have to take. But I don't think he will. They haven't given out the score cards yet, and you know how he likes to brag!"

"I see him. Approaching from the left."

"Good. Go around behind him to cut him off. I'll approach him from his right. Wait until the girl takes the horse away."

"Will do."

"And Riddley? Be patient."

Hermione had taken only a few steps when a movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention.

She turned sharply and saw Riddley standing where she had left him, wand pointed, swishing, performing a sequence she knew very well. She ran to him, screaming.

"SCOTT, NO!"

She threw herself at him as he finished the incantation.

"CONFRINGO!"

Draco was not in a good mood. Alchemy indeed! The way his mind –and his body, to be honest- had been preoccupied with her lately, he still wasn't a hundred per cent convinced Granger hadn't used some sort of dark spell to unsettle him. He just didn't trust her supposed Gryffindor goodness any longer. After all, she'd had the audacity to cast an Unforgivable on him. And what a shock that had been. He had to hand it to her: she had surprised him, caught him unawares and almost captured him. He couldn't begrudge her a little admiration. But Alchemy? That was pushing it.

He started back towards the stables, half lost in his ramblings and listening with half an ear as Magick's handler nattered away. The horse had performed beautifully, and if he may say so he hadn't done so bad himself. In any other circumstances he would be having a great time. But he knew an ambush was coming any minute now, and he was getting antsy.

He heard a commotion to his right. Somebody was shouting. As he turned, he saw Granger running, hurling herself on a man who was clearly in the middle of casting a spell.

CONFRINGO!

He spun back just as it hit the tree behind them. His horse spooked, shied to the side and reared, knocking his handler over.

"Whoa, whoa Magick!" He managed to grab the horse's head and then rubbed his forehead over and over, whispering softly to him until he was sure it was safe. While giving him a treat, he looked to his stable hand, who was clutching her arm with a pained expression on her face. "Are you hurt, Lia?" His heart was still hammering in his chest.

"I'm alright. I'm alright, just a bruise."

He turned then, feeling rage rise through him like Fyendfire. Fucking asshole! Bloody fucking dickhead! What's he thinking!

He stormed towards the place where the dimwit was standing, the swallowtails of his coat flapping behind him. Granger was giving the stupid half-wit a dressing down, by the looks of it. He recognised him immediately.

"RIDDLEY, YOU FUCKING WANKER!" He shoved Granger to the side and punched the moron right on his face. "Why were you trying to kill my horse? He's worth more than you earn in a year, you bloody asshole!"

"Fuck you, you DISGUSTING DEATH EATER SCUM! I WAS TRYING TO KILL YOU!"

Punches were flying left, right and centre. They were both rolling on the ground, and it was starting to look more and more like a cat-fight. People were fast gathering around them. "SOMEBODY BRING A HOSE!" Hermione shouted, totally incapable of separating them without using her wand. She was tempted, oh, so tempted! but it wasn't worth the shit she would be getting at the Ministry.

"All right, let us through! Break it off, gentlemen!" Three judges were approaching fast, easily parting the crowds. They physically grabbed the fighting men, pulling them off each other.

"Let go of me, you pompous ponce!" Malfoy shouted, struggling against the judge. "He almost killed my horse!"

"Oh, boohoo, Malfoy! You fucking know –"

"Gentlemen! Enough! Mister Malfoy, you will act in a way befitting a participant in this competition. Public house brawls will not be tolerated. Do I make myself clear?"

"But sir! He threw a… a…-"

"Firecracker." Granger muttered.

"That dickhead threw a firecracker at my horse!"

"Mr Malfoy! You are about one swearword away from being disqualified! Please refrain from getting into any more trouble!"

"Pffff! He's good at that, the snobby shit!"

"And you sir! I don't know who you are, but we don't tolerate troublemakers here. Please kindly leave the grounds."

"But Judge, sir, with all due respect, the wanker bit me!"

"After he almost killed my horse! And my stable hand!"

"Yes, Mr Malfoy, we are aware of the circumstances. However –and this is only friendly advise- we would recommend that you use more civilised methods of dealing with nuisances."

"Nuisance? You are calling me a nuisance?! HE IS THE FUCKING DEATH-"

"RIDDLEY!" Hermione cut him short. The stupid moron was about to blab in front of a bunch of Muggles! How on earth did she get saddled with him anyway? "Riddley, that's enough." She turned to the judges. "I apologise on behalf of my friend. He's had a bit too much to drink and it clearly went to his head. We'll be leaving now. If you'll excuse us."

She grabbed Riddley's arm and proceeded to pull him along towards the entrance. She could see Hanna looking at her from the side-lines and gestured for her to follow.

"Granger!"

She turned to face him.

"Just wanted to say what a pleasure it's been meeting you here. So sorry you failed again. Told you you would, didn't I?"

"Run along then, Granger. Chop chop, off you go!" And with a little snicker and a mocking wave of his fingers, he sauntered behind the judges towards the Clubhouse.

Ohhh, bloody hell, shit, fuck, bugger, pooh! I hate his guts!