Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers

Chapter 5

Hermione's POV

I stared at the cabin that Ky and Ginny entered minutes ago, worrying more about the former than the latter. I usually wouldn't worry about Ky being in a Snake pit, considering she was one of the only people I knew that could actually deal with them, but considering her present state I worried that one of those slithering idiots might just take advantage of her. I sighed, take advantage of her, what am I thinking, the way she was flirting with Zabini, she'd be taking advantage of him.

"They should be out any minute."

I glared at the slithering idiot next to me, "Like you said five minutes ago. And like I replied, you can go inside. I'm perfectly capable of looking out for myself."

Yes the darkness was setting in and the trees were looking more and more like many handed monsters and there was that howl a few minutes ago, but I would rather get attacked by a wandering werewolf than be in Theodore Nott's presence a moment longer.

"So how has your holiday been?"

I glanced at the glowing hazel eyes beside me, "Holiday? That would imply resting and fun, none of which I have had considering, how can one rest when one friend is hunted by a Dark Lord and another is pursued by his demented side kick. And what fun, pray tell Nott, can I have, when every damn night that I go to sleep, or attempt sleep, is littered by sounds of the night that I mistaken for a death eater attack considering I am the poster child for muggleborns and therefore my parents, my poor parents who have done nothing offensive in all their lives, are a tantalizing target to make an example of by demented imbeciles like your parents!"

I breathed heavily after the rant, not meaning to say so much yet at the same time feeling slightly lighter for it, I may not be drunk like Ky, but that Danahagh really loosened my tongue. Nott's face was expressionless, not even a smile, his eyes calculating and I sighed.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"Don't, don't do that. You've always been genuine in my eyes, honest, don't ruin that with lies." He sounded disappointed and I never took disappointment well.

"I…I…" I wasn't sorry, he was right. "I may have meant what I said, but I should not have said it. You…your parents…I had no right to…I mean…"

"It's quite alright Hermione, no offense taken. You're quite right about one, he is a demented imbecile, and well the other can't be offended considering she's dead."

I sharply inhaled, a cold feeling drenching my body as what I had done settled in. "Nott, I am so sorry, I had no idea."

"It's quite alright; she barely existed in my eyes so I can't really defend her. She died when I was born, I don't know if she would have been a demented imbecile, she fell in love with one though so I guess maybe she was."

I looked horrified at the boy characterizing his dead mother…death eater or not, she was his mother. Was he doing this to impress me? "If you're trying to impress me Nott, you are failing dismally. No matter what your mother was, she gave you life and to speak of her in such a way is absolutely horrid."

He stared at me as I spoke, the night setting in and his green hazel eyes glowed but it gave nothing away but colour. "I'm not trying to impress you by speaking offensively against death eaters, I'm just being honest. I thought you valued that."

I bit my lip, he was so hard to read, how would I even know whether he was being honest at all?

I glanced back at the cabin, the conversation making me uncomfortable, I was usually a solid judge of character. This is why Theodore Nott annoyed me, I never could be sure of what he is thinking.

"You know the original Malfoys' lived here before they moved to Britain. Back then they were called Malfoi and Armand Malfoi, who Draco is a direct descendant of, called this place home until they left Bella Île for Great Britain. The blood wards on this place that prevent your entry must have just been put up just to prevent the muggles that live in the village from being able to enter the cabin. To them this is just a clearing, the cabin isn't even visible and upon close enough distance they would recall something they had forgotten to do and turn and walk away. Even though you can't pass the boundary, you still see the cabin, because you are a witch but at the same time you have muggle blood in your veins and that prevented your entry."

"I am NOT ashamed at being muggle born!" I snapped, entranced by the history of this place like he knew I must have been until the last part which made my skin crawl with disgust.

"Of course you are not. I never thought having muggle blood in your veins is anything to be ashamed of. I just thought you would find the reasoning behind the wards interesting. Armand Malfoi chose to stay in spitting distance of a muggle village, while his brother and the heir to the family name lived in a magical village in Brittany with the Royal Family. Makes you think that once upon a time there lived a Malfoy who didn't hate and despise muggles. Who knows, maybe that could happen again?"

I stared at the cabin, taking in what he was said, "Why are you telling me this."

He was silent for a moment but I didn't turn to him, looking at the cabin and imagining a man that looked like Lucius Malfoy walking through that door after having drinks with the local muggles. Could it possibly be that Armand Malfoi never meant for his family to turn into blood supremacists, where did they go wrong then?

"I don't know, I tend to talk a lot when you are around. Anyway, I guess I'm trying to put in a good word for my friend." He chuckled, "OK, that's kind of a lie. I guess I'm just being selfish."

I furrowed my brows at him, "You think anything you say would help me convince Ky to date Malfoy? Are you trying to make him redeemable in my eyes?"

"Hermione, we both know nothing either of us can say will convince Kitten to do anything she doesn't want to do. All I'm saying is, if Dumbledore's granddaughter and the Malfoy heir can date, who's to say a no name Nott and a muggleborn can't?"

I scoffed, "I think I can say considering my say is highly imperative to the situation."

He smirked, "Of course it is. And what is your say in the matter?"

"I don't care who Armand Mafoi was, or what Malfoy's family was once. I know what they are now, I know who he is now and I would never put in a good word for the boy."

"We both know that wasn't the opinion I was requesting Hermione…maybe your discomfort in bringing up the matter speaks volumes."

I bristled, "I didn't bring up the matter because I don't have an opinion on matters so doused in fiction it would be a waste of time to even consider, no-named Nott or not, this muggle born would never date you."

He leaned in and I fought the urge to step back, taking a deep breath at his closeness, his hazel eyes in line with mine, his lips in a wicked grin, "It seems that one can value honesty, but not have the courage to wield the weapon herself."

I stepped forward, how dare he call ME a liar!

"Granger, stop slutting it up with Theo and give me directions to your destination, She-weasel can't remember and this one isn't able to even try."

I scuttled back in shock at the new voice and then composed myself at the recognition and glared at Malfoy as he walked towards us, Ky asleep on his back, Ginny and Liam following him.

"You managed to bore her to sleep I see."

His usual potent glare was marred by an unidentifiable expression, if I had to guess, it looked distinctly like disappointment. Why would Ky falling asleep be disappointing to him?

"She actually passed out, I managed to wake her up long enough to take the Sober-up tonic which has poppy seeds which means it-"

"Contains codeine and therefore causes sleepiness. I'm well aware of the side effects of a Sober-up potion Malfoy, but of course not as much as you."

He glowered at the comment, obviously somehow hitting home, that really was a shot in the dark, I didn't know Malfoy had a problem with alcohol. But I wouldn't blame the guy, if I was Malfoy I would drink just to forget who I was.

"I'd rather be a drunk than a disgusting mudblood."

"I'd rather be a mudblood than a repulsive Malfoy."

"And I'd rather be inside near a fire than standing here listening to you two argue, so Hermione will you please just lead the way."

I turned to Ginny as she moaned and she stepped back at the angry expression on my face, "Ginny take Ky, we don't need an escort."

"But she's heavy Mione' and it's dark…" She added softly as I glared at her.

"Just carry her over to me, I will carry her the rest of the way! I'd rather do that than have to put up with-"

I stopped, Malfoy stormed forward and I grabbed my wand but I never used it as he walked straight passed me. I turned to Theo who shrugged.

"Down to the village, or turn left here Granger?"

I blanched, Malfoy almost sounded polite as he hovered on the path in the forest we had come out from.

"Granger?" He snapped and I stormed forward, leading him to the beach house and hoping that Ky would wake up by the time we got there…I ignored the crunching footsteps next to me, knowing it was Theo and not wanting to engage in uncomfortable conversation with him. I glanced behind me, Malfoy the easiest to spot of our party with his white blonde hair like a lamp in the dark and my breath hitched as I spotted him staring down at Ky's face with the corner of his eye, as her sleeping head was cushioned by his shoulder…his steely eyes unfamiliar and terrifying in its softness. I shivered, Ky loved Harry, she would never date Malfoy.

I shivered again, hugging myself against the chilly night as a chillier thought crossed my mind, Harry loved Ky, he would never cheat on her…yet he did…I guess nothing is set in stone. I caught Theo staring at me and glared back, except that. This muggleborn will never date Theodore Nott. Never.

Ky's POV

I felt the specks of sea spray flicker onto my face, I let the many tiny specks fuse into a large drop that fled down my cheek, hydrating it as the wind dried it out, the same wind that tossed my hair up into lifelike tendrils that whipped at my neck and back. I pressed my chin into the little hollow between my two knees as I sat on this large rock with my legs pulled into me, the soft liquid sound of lapping water that broke at the bottom of my rock the only noise that interrupted the silent night.

The eternal ocean that rested before me reminded me of Bournemouth in its tranquility, but just like Belle Île was in a completely different country, the memories were just as distant and different. Where one was littered with song infused nights, seated next to someone that I eventually fell in love with, and the other…my present moment…of utter loneliness.

My feet hit the ground and I staggered, a hand steadying me as I blinked the sleep out of my eyes.

"We can take it from here." I felt softer, smaller hands grab my wrist and pull me forward, "I said we can take it from here, go Malfoy. Before someone sees you!"

"Bane! Miss Granger!" I blinked again, turning to the voice and staggering again.

"Minnie?"

I watched as Minnie ran forward, ashen faced, she turned momentarily, "They're over here!" She turned back to me, all relief at my arrival gone and I stepped back, aware enough that I was nowhere near ready enough to make up lies, especially with the dull headache that interrupted my thoughts.

"Professor McGonagall! We're so sorry! We dozed off while sunbathing and when we woke up it was nightfall!"

"That was highly irresponsible Miss Granger, I expect more, especially of you. Anyway, we will deal with this matter later, the guests have already started arriving and if Miss Brown asks me if there would be any boys coming to this party one more time I might very well transfigure her into one. Now come."

I followed quietly, biting my tongue at the urge to tell Minnie to lower her voice, why was she screaming? I visually cringed once we entered the house, Merlin my brain was going to explode as the sound of seven girlish squeals fused and stabbed at my brain.

"Happy belated birthday Ky! L-l-l-oook I sssssaid iiiittt without st-stut-stutering!" I ignored the pain and smiled at Angelique, hoping it didn't look like a grimace.

"Godric!" I swore as my body shook as someone jumped on my back, I could tell who it was before I saw the red hair or heard the voice considering there was only one person I knew that had such huge boobs. Juliette ruffled my hair, laughing something into my ear that I couldn't hear a thing she said as Bobby and Parvarti were both talking to me at the same time. I managed to extricate myself and found Mi, grabbing her by the sleeve to get her attention away from the Puff girls.

"What is it!"

I took a step back, clutching my forehead. "Shit, why are you screaming!"

"I AM NOT SCREAMING!" I looked up at her, was I still drunk or was she actually screaming. I could tell by the confused look on Hannah's face that she was indeed fucking with me.

"I get it, lesson learned, I will never drink again, now can you please give me a hangover tonic." I pleaded disgruntled, thankful that all the adults were busy preparing the table for supper.

"Hangover tonic? Are we wrackspurt baiting? They're attracted to the scent of Hangover tonic, did you know that as well? Good thing I packed my kit then, and daddy said I might not need it!"

I didn't know what to answer first as the blonde girl smiled at me and I couldn't help but laugh at the look on Mi's face which made me clutch my head and groan in pain.

I removed my hands, all pain disappeared as a new voice floated over and I turned around deliberately, stunned. His smile widened at the look on my face and my feet left the ground as Linus flung his arms around me. And in true brotherly fashion I was placed down for two seconds before I was scooped up again by Len, who twirled me around but this time there was a difference, as for the third time I was embraced yet this time it was distinctly different than the first two times, in its feminine nature but there was no change in the love expressed as I held Nessie back tightly.

I let go of her, taking her in…she was finally out of St Mungo's! She had taken an exceedingly long time to recuperate from the spell that Bellamy had placed on her, but at the same time it was no surprise considering the amount of damage the curse that actually is equivalent to being struck by lightning… the healers at Mungo's said we should be grateful in her existence. She was a few shades paler than she was a month ago, and her bare face, although a more common appearance in the past year was still strange to see, having been used to her usual glamour model look. She looked thinner, but not as frail as the first time I went to see her in hospital.

"How are you?"

"Great!" She smiled widely, her turquoise eyes warm, "And you?"

A strange thing happened then, it was as if my mouth went dry and I couldn't speak the lie, she looked at me, worried and I turned quickly instead to my brothers, the urge to cry suddenly taking over me.

My breath hitched though as I actually took them in, Linus, the epitome of the metrosexual man with his constantly clean shaven face and tailor made suits, had facial hair in that region that lay between ruggedly and homeless man. Len, whose facial hair was long but not as long as Linus', sported dry cuts across his face and an especially long one that was way too close to his jugular. He rolled his hazel eyes before I can say a word, "You should see the other guy."

Linus stepped forward, I could see much fewer scrapes on his face but it made sense, he was a distance dueller, engaging in long range spells whilst Len liked to add a few kicks and punches in when he could. "Hey, don't you worry about us Kid, those mutant freaks are nothing we can't handle. It's like DC versus Marvel, nothing we can't handle." He winked at me.

"Don't you mean Marvel versus DC, in no universe am I a DC character, Tony Stark, yes, but Bruce Wayne, hell no."

"Of course you're not Batman, I'm Batman. You're robin."

I giggled as Linus rolled his eyes at Len while the latter glared at him, "OK in no universe am I YOUR sidekick, if I had to be a DC character, I would totally be Batman, and you, my dainty little brother would be Robin. Anyway it makes more sense for us to be Thor," Len pointed to himself, flexing his muscles while doing so and the room was infused with high pitched giggles, "And you're Loki."

"Loki is the bad guy." Linus stated flatly, with a frown.

"We prefer the term, misunderstood."Len said placating him, with a hand on his shoulder.

"No, I'm pretty sure everyone understood him when he wanted to take over the world that one time."

Len rolled his eyes, "Fine, Captain America. And look, we have our Pepper Potts right over here," He pulled Nessie into a side hug, "I must say, the comic books do you no justice, Gorgeous." Len pulled me under his other arm, "And our little Iron Man, and of course with the tendency to change into an epic beast Lupin will be Hulk and-"

"Nessie can't be Pepper if I'm Captain America, she'll have to be…wait whose Captain America's girlfriend?"

"Fine she can be Black Widow and you can be Hawkeye."

"In no universe am I Hawkeye, all the guy does is sling arrows."

"Why don't you guys be a team of DC characters and Marvel, like instead of being in competition with each other you guys can be friends!" Mi stated, a smile on her face, probably the only girl there aside from me who was laughing and actually knew why, "Like you can be Superman and you can be Captain America."

Len stared at Mi, a frown on his face, patting her head affectionately, "Ahhhh most brilliant witch of our age, but she just doesn't get comic books."

Mi blushed and Juliette and Bobby looked like they would give their right arms for Len to even talk to them let alone stroke their hair.

"Supper is ready!" Minnie shouted, having everyone scuttle to the table and end the debate end would just one of her looks.

"Ky, are you OK?"

I nodded slowly at Nessie, leaning into her as she had her hand on my back, not really wanting or being able to get into anything right now. Her blue eyes remained worried but she didn't push the subject and I was grateful of it.

After supper, Bobby and Parvarti challenged Padma and Juliette to a duel of sorts. A makeover contest that Linus and Len very bravely volunteered themselves in, needless to say Linus now has cuts on his face as Bobby isn't half as good with a shaving blade than she is with a brush. Halfway through their makeover the boys had to leave, a wolf patronus seen flash past the window and they left in such haste you would think they were fleeing after the patronus itself.

I tried to not think of just what kind of situation they were running into as I ran after them, watching them disappear about halfway down the beach with most of my happiness. I stood, leaning against the door for moments; Mi eventually managed to pull me in and sat me down by the fire, which to everyone's delight except my own, Nessie was doing manicures and pedicures.

I stared down at the French tips, an appropriate choice on my part considering our venue, and chipped at the white nail polish with my nail. I let them wrangle me into getting a manicure; I never said anything about letting it stay on.

"I do believe acetone would do a much better job."

I smiled, not even needing to turn around to know the voice, "No, what I need are more guy friends."

He scoffed and I giggled, Sev would never agree on that note. "If the sleepover is not to your taste, it was Minerva's idea hence all her fault. What can be so offensive about a group of sixteen year old girls that would have you out of bed at four in the morning?"

I sighed, "The sleepover is great, I'm having fun."

He scoffed, "Do you want me to chase them away?"

I turned, he was standing next to my rock on the shallow shoreline and I glanced down to see that he didn't remove his shoes, the bottom of his pants getting soaked as the waves hugged it. I rolled my eyes, unseen in the dark and smiled slightly at the fact that he wouldn't even go bare feet at the beach. My smile dimmed as it took in his features in the lunar light, he looked thinner since the last time I saw him, his sallow face looking paler not helped by the dark cloak he was wearing.

"Should I take your silence for a yes?"

I laughed softly, one of the only honest ones of the night, "You would chase a group of sixteen year old girls out into the wilderness in the dead of night?"

He scoffed, "Why is there such uncertainty in your voice, you claim to know me so well Bane, yet you ask such questions."

I smiled, looking up at the black sky above us, littered with twinkling specks of light that smiled down at us. He had been staring at the sky throughout the conversation; I couldn't guess which constellation it was that consumed his attention considering there were so many on showcase, my eyes found the brightest star with ease, without needing to extrapolate an imaginary line from the ever easy to find Orion's belt…The dog star, the brightest star…twice the size of the sun…Sirius.

"Do you like Astronomy, Bane?"

I didn't show my surprise at the question, "I don't think I really have any feeling for the subject. Do you like Astronomy?"

"It was my second favourite subject in school. Professor Huggins was our teacher, she had the oddity of seating students accords to birth date rather than surname or house affiliation." I turned away from the sky and observed him, a soft expression on his face…was it…wistful? He sighed, the expression disappearing as he let the breath out, "It dawned on me that I don't know what your second favourite subject is?"

I looked at him quizzically, where was he going with this? "And I supposed you take it for granted that my favourite subject is Potions?"

"With a teacher such as myself I highly doubt it can be anything but."

I rolled my eyes and thought about the question, "I think it's…Tra…ch…tra…cha…I can't choose between Transfiguration and Charms!" I laughed at the realisation; it was as absurd as picking between Linus and Lenzo.

"What of Defence against the Dark Arts?"

I raised my eyebrows, DADA? Well I enjoyed Defence, thoroughly, but it was always…well it was always Harry's subject…just like transfiguration was Mi's and Potions was mine and well Ron…Ron was good…at things.

"I enjoy it, I will enjoy it that much more now that that Umbit…um…bit of scum isn't there." I stopped myself before I indulged in my favourite nickname for the ghastly woman, knowing Sev would probably wash my mouth out with seawater for it.

He turned and looked at me, his eyes somewhat contemplative…

"What is it…?"

He continued staring, "I didn't fail my Defence exam did I!"

He scoffed, "You came out second in the year, all Outstandings if you don't count History of Magic, and who really counts History of Magic."

I smiled, more at the hint of pride in his voice rather than the news.

"So…what did you get me!"

He furrowed his brows, "Get you? Get you for what?"

"I thought that's how it goes, you do well at school, and you get gifts."

He scoffed, "That is most definitely not how it goes, any achievements made in your education are for your benefit, not for mine. Or Minerva's or your brothers' or your grandfather's."

My face fell as he brought up Nonno and I looked at the sky again. He hadn't sent a single letter, and I never had a problem with it, knowing that he must have his fair share of business to take care of…but now that I know he sent Harry a letter…he was obviously not as busy as I thought he was.

"Minerva obviously doesn't feel the same way, nor do your brothers, part of the reason why they had this…get together-" He said the word with disgust, "was to reward you for your satisfactory results. I on the other hand find it unnecessary and if you were not spoiled already, I would think such things would make you so."

I rolled my eyes at the little rant, "I think you're confusing being affectionate with spoiling a child. It's two different things."

"Is that so?" He cocked an eyebrow, "I don't think it is. You know you wouldn't be so troublesome if I raised you, Linus and Lenzo were much too lenient."

I laughed, the thought of Sev having to raise me making me laugh even harder as he scowled, as images of him changing diapers came into my mind. "Have you ever even carried a baby before?"

He looked back at the sky, "Considering the type of people that are allowed to spawn, I don't think it's the hardest thing in the world to do."

"I'll take that as a no then?"

He turned, scowling at me, "You really should be asleep."

Ahhh, so we reached the line. At least I didn't cross it, but I was definitely at the border of his limit of just how much he lets out. I stood on the rock, ready to jump down when he held his hand out for me and I gripped it instead as he helped me down. I laughed as the ice water tickled my bare feet and ran the few steps to the dry beach sand.

He shook his head and I waited for him to catch up, he didn't follow me to the doorstep, hovering at the bottom of the steps, my laughter died.

"You're not staying?"

It wasn't really a question, his black eyes looked sympathetic but his features remained hard, "I can't. No need to climb back up to the bedroom though." He tossed something and I caught it. It was a small emerald velvet coated box that fit into the palm of my hand.

"Happy sixteenth birthday, Bane." And with that and the following click he disappeared.

I looked at the place where he was moments ago, shocked at the sudden exit. I looked down at the box and flipped it open easily. A small note sat in it.

For being outstanding...Your new home away from home

I lifted the note and stared at the small silver key on the black silk cushion, I turned on my heal and placed the key into the door, twisting it, hearing the soft click as it unlocked…

I stood in the doorway, in absolute shock…

"I can't. No need to climb back up to the bedroom though."

His voice echoed in my head and I slowly stepped inside as a tingle went down my spine, as it dawned on me what just happened…

I pushed the door shut behind me and let my back hit it, slowly sinking to the floor. I looked around the house, at the large open planned living area, the weather worn lime green painted walls that somehow added to the natural beauty of the house, the large painting of a deer over the mantelpiece, a doe which was painted a glowing silver against the dark backdrop, like some inverted effect…

I looked back at the small key that lay in the palm of my hand, confused…Sev…Sev who never gave a thing away without tormenting himself first, not emotions, not affection and definitely not actions he deemed would result in my 'spoiling'…yet he so easily handed me the keys to the house I didn't even realise was his…until I felt the tingling of the wards around the house alerting me to the change of master…and somehow I knew he had given me more than a set of keys to his property as I smiled at the fact that he had complained about the sleepover yet was the one that offered venue, my smile widened at the realisation that he had pitched up, even if it was late and just for a bit…he came…just to give me keys to his most personal place… his home…our home…and more importantly…his heart…

A/N: A little bit of Ky-Sev, hope you enjoyed that.

Please review!

Kalina