A/N- Nope, still don't own Harry Potter. And I can't and don't make money from this.

When he finally could return after making the Order turn tail and flee, capturing three of its members in the process, Hermione was already in bed asleep. He stripped down and climbed into her bed. Hermione immediately moved against him, whimpering. "Hermione? What's wrong?"

Voldemort touched her cheek and she woke, shaking, "V-Voldemort?"

"What's wrong? Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?"

"N-no," she whispered, snuggling against him, "I had a nightmare," she said. He kissed her, "You came back."

"I said I would hold you tonight, Hermione. I intend to stay here and do just that."

"You have your boxers on," she said, looking up at him confused.

"You said you wanted me to just hold you," he kissed her again, softly. "Do you feel better now?"

"Now that you're here," she nodded. He smiled and they kissed lazily for a bit. When they finally stopped she snuggled against him and closed her eyes. He felt so safe. So protective. She loved that feeling. She never felt it during the day. Hermione didn't feel like sleeping though. She felt safe with him but in her mind he wouldn't be there.

Voldemort knew she wasn't asleep. He mumbled a spell and the bath filled. He mumbled another and candles glowed in the bathroom. "Hermione? Are you awake?"

"Yes."

"Let's go take a bath," he got up and picked her up, "you can massage me since I massaged you earlier."

"Okay," she nodded, letting him carry her out of the room and into her bathroom. They climbed into the tub and she rubbed his back. He was very tense. "What happened at your base?"

"I caught three Order members. As soon as I arrived they all turned tail and ran. Cowards." Voldemort sighed. Hermione felt good. "That feels great."

"I love you," she whispered. "We never got to finish our talk."

"That's true."

"I….I'm…I'm confused, Voldemort. When we were together, alone, this summer everything was great. But then we came back and you left and I was left here alone…It's hard, remembering how it was this summer. How good it was. And you are impossible to read. I never know when you're playing with someone's emotions and when you're being sincere. I love you Voldemort. And part of me says you can never feel for me what I feel for you."

"If you want your reward to be leaving me, that's fine. Your reward will be whatever you wish."

"Even if that reward is you letting me go?"

Voldemort didn't respond. Hermione let the question go. He'd respond in time. "If that's what you want," he whispered finally.

"Is it what you would want?"

"I just want to be immortal," he said, his voice cracking as he spoke.

"Liar," she called him out, "you don't want me to leave you."

"No I don't," he whispered. "Everyone always leaves me. You're the first that hasn't, even though I've given you the most freedom. I want you to stay with me. Forever."

Hermione moved around to face him and kissed him fiercely. She knew he was still experiencing things for the first time. Emotions were as foreign to him as torture and violence were to her. They made out and she finally stroked him, "I want you inside me."

"I like the sound of that," he kissed her and they got out of the tub, drying off and moving to the bed. He lay down on it and she lowered herself onto him. Both of them groaned and she leaned down, kissing him wildly as he thrust into her. Hermione always felt so good to him. He could not tire of her body against his. They fucked slowly, but both felt the intense pleasure of their coupling. "Mine," he gasped as they got closer to his orgasm.

"Yes," she moved her mouth to his neck, sucking and licking it. He groaned and climaxed. Hermione came as well, biting his shoulder when she did. He hissed at the sudden pain and when they both finally came down from their high she saw the bite mark she'd left on him. She'd never marked him before. He marked her all the time, always where it would be hidden. This mark would not be hidden though. His shirt would still show it. She blushed, "Sorry."

"I'm not opposed to being marked by you on occasion," he shrugged, kissing her. "Time to get some sleep, my sweet." Hermione nodded and shifted to get comfortable, closing her eyes and falling asleep.

Last night she had feared falling asleep, but when she woke the next morning she felt refreshed and very happy. She leaned up and kissed his cheek before getting up, "I love you."

"I know," he mumbled, eyes still closed. "What time is it?"

"7:30," she answered, sliding her dressing gown on. Hogwarts was so chilly now that winter had come early. "Do you want to shower with me? It'll help me warm up."

"I know how to warm you up," he smirked, opening his eyes. Hermione rolled her eyes at him and walked into the bathroom, "How long should I keep the girl?"

"Not as long as you kept me," she answered, satisfied when he joined her in the shower, "please come here as often as you can."

"I'll make sure of it," he said, kissing her. Hermione smiled into the kiss. She liked this side of him.

Their shower was non-sexual, and after they were clean and dried off he kissed her goodbye and took the notes she and Blaise had made before Disapparating. Hermione finished gathering her things and went down to breakfast with Blaise. She would never have thought they would become such good friends. They chatted as they entered the Great Hall before they said goodbye to one another. Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table near the first years, as she always did. They talked about their studies and she helped them with their homework if they needed assistance. Hermione liked the first years. It was nice, being appreciated and admired for your intellect. The only other person to ever do so was Voldemort.

School that day was business as usual. Hermione walked to Potions with Blaise, both having stopped to pick up their potions books in their room before walking down together as always. "I bet you're going somewhere exotic for winter break, huh Blaise?"

"Yeah, the Caribbean. What about you?"

"A certain someone wants to take me with him on a surprise vacation."

"And he won't tell you where?"

"Says he likes whisking me off my feet," she shrugged, "and he likes trying to impress me."

"A tall order for someone of your intellect."

"Not that big," she mumbled to him. "Anyway, I like letting him try to impress me." They sat down inside the classroom, next to each other. They were lab partners in Potions. She liked working with Blaise. They worked cleanly and quickly together. Blaise liked having Hermione as his lab partner. She was the most brilliant student of their year. That helped alot.

When class ended they walked until Harry stopped her, "Hermione? Umm, I wondered if I could talk to you."

"Sure Harry. What is it?"

"D-do you…do you have a boyfriend?"

"Yes," she nodded, "I met him this summer while I was abroad. He's very wealthy, and from Italy." She and Voldemort had created a cover story, if the need arose. Blaise thought it was hilarious. Voldemort had created a fantasy tale for Hermione to tell. Moonlit night, gondola ride…the sweetness was so thick you could pour it on waffles. Hermione told Harry the tale as he walked with her back toward her rooms.

"Sounds like a great guy."

"He is," she nodded, "he doesn't care about anything to do with Voldemort, and he makes me happy. We talk all the time and when the time comes, I'm going to see him for Christmas. It's great. I can stay away from England and Voldemort and have a real relationship with a man I like."

"He's older?"

"Yes."

Harry nodded as they walked, "Are you happy with him?"

"Yes. Why the questions?"

"I heard you talking to Zabini…well I still worry about you. I want to know you're happy, and safe."

"I'm very safe when I'm with him. Actually, I feel safest when I'm with him," she smiled.

"Just…can you tell me if Voldemort hurt you when he kidnapped you?"

"He told me he doesn't rape. And no, he never hurt me. Mostly he just taunted me. I can't give you specifics though."

"Do you think she's safe?"

"Well as safe as you can be when you're kidnapped by him." Harry looked at her worriedly, "Harry, he's unpredictable. But based on my time with him, I think Ginny is relatively safe."

Harry smiled sadly at her, "I'm sorry he took you, Hermione."

"I'm…well I'm not. I met Ezio, after all. I can't imagine not knowing him. He's so fantastic. If I hadn't left the country this summer to be away from Voldemort, I never would have met him."

Harry nodded, "I guess I can understand that. Hopefully we find her soon. I don't know what he'll do with her when he's done with her."

Hermione stayed silent. She didn't want to say anything about that. Voldemort would release Ginny when he was ready. Once she entered her rooms she started her homework. If Voldemort came she wanted to have time to be with him, not be studying during it.

A/N- Confession time. When I wrote this fic I was playing Assassin's Creed II for the first time. I really liked the name Ezio. So that became Voldemort's name when Hermione wants to introduce him to others.