Summertime, it was a song and a season that lived inside Marcus. It's the time of year when he can soar on his broom for hours in the clouds, where the wispy wind wraps its arms around him like a cozy blanket. And the world smells of roses and English wildflowers. When the golden sun is shining, Marcus can do anything on the back of the broom. No mountain is too high, no valley too low-no trouble too challenging to overcome. It's his favorite season, and like any summer wayfarer, he spends most of his time doing nothing and everything.

First is the time consumed with Hermione. Without the need to hide their relationship anymore, life has been good, loving her in the open. And love her he has with little touches and gestures meant for her alone. Besides those, they hold hands during Diagon Alley outings. He can secure an arm around her shoulders and pull his witch close to his side, and now Marcus can kiss her soft cheek and lips. It's incredible not hiding anymore. But the best has been at the quidditch preseason games.

That is another thing he's spent a lot of time on- quidditch training. During player introductions, Marcus intentionally flies to where his fiance' sits and moves the broom super close to the rail. Hermione leans over it, and he kisses her, and she always wishes him a happy game afterward. It's their thing and something they've grown fond of doing. Often their pregame kiss is broadcasted on the stadium's jumbo "Player Cam." The crowd usually cheers loudly at seeing the two be affectionate, and Marcus gets heckled by his teammates for it. Does he care? Not at all. His love for his woman will always win out over teasing any day of the week.

Although the athlete must say that after the Cosmo article came out, he's received some disappointed fan mail. Apparently, witches from all over thought they had a chance with him, which is laughable. Why in Merlin's name would he date someone he doesn't know? That's exactly like those antiquated betrothal contracts. You never know if you're going to end up with a crazy witch, a money-loving one, or a complete twit. Besides, it has been almost five years since anyone has had a chance with him. Even then, it's not like anyone wanted one. Regardless, he's completely taken and in love with his wonderful witch.

But Hermione clucks her tongue and tells him, "Be kind to your fangirls. They help make you money and keep you as a star athlete by purchasing your merchandise and hanging your posters all over their bedroom walls. It's part of the fantasy, Babe."

Well, Marcus thinks they should get another fantasy. It's a little weird believing himself to be the star of other witches' daydreams, especially when girls so mercilessly mocked him during school. It's unnerving to walk into the stadium and have his name shouted by dozens of screaming fans, all clamoring for an autograph or picture. He's never been one to want the spotlight settling for playing his hardest and letting his work speak for itself. All of Marcus's freedom resides in the behind-the-scenes role of sharing the spotlight with others.

Unfortunately, what he does for a living puts him front and center despite his feelings for it. With that comes intrusion of space and privacy, but luckily the chateau and his other living estates are warded to keep unwanted visitors out. However, there is another downside to all this star power. It comes with more of a leadership role within the Arrows organization. He, Haney, and King Rex still garner the most fan mail, merchandise purchases, and celebrity than any other person on the team (save for Mulvaney). The three are yet again top in the league with preseason statistics, despite a handful of other players on different teams like Oliver Wood.

Since Marcus happens to be the more mature one among the Appleby trio, the Arrows team president gave the chaser another team role. This role is known as a player representative. The position includes a myriad of duties, all of which are trivial compared to just playing the game he loves. It also involves a lot of outside work, so much so that he's had to hire an assistant. That in itself is strange, having someone to follow him around and organize his daily schedule.

Hermione (bless her) was with him during the interviews stating, "We're looking for an intelligent, organized guy who can take this workload and help make you look good." Her expression closed the discussion when he asked why his assistant needed to be a man.

Once Robert had been hired, the guy began organizing the representative work. The methodical man designed, developed, and helped Marcus implement a player induction pack for newly recruited Arrows team members. It's also Marcus's job to assist the media, marketing, and commercial department with all player appearance requests, ensuring the players understand what is required of them, where they need to be, and what they need to bring to the media appearances. So, Robert put together binders and folders for that as well. But the main thing this additional position requires is for Marcus to be present in all Arrow stakeholder meetings, which his assistant loads into his schedule log.

Oh, how the quidditch star loathes those meetings. They are the most boring, grotesque show of wealth the chaser has ever had to sit through. The irony is not lost on him that these meetings are similar to wizard gatherings at The Red Dragon Smoke Room. It's a men's club in Diagon Alley where the membership is exclusive. It's usually packed full of men from old pureblood families who love to flaunt their riches. Like Lucius Malfoy and both LeStrange brothers, Maxwell Flint was a member. That says it all: Marcus wouldn't be caught dead inside that place, and neither would his close friends.

Nevertheless, the Arrows club's investors are mainly wealthy, pureblood wizards (except for one older witch), and these people expect a great deal. They anticipate the team to make the playoffs, a certain level of elite recruitment to take place, team volunteer service days (which aid in making them look wholesome), and team functions (like the Jingle Bell Ball at Yule time). The meetings are mind-numbing for a guy who only wants to play quidditch. More than once, he's complained to his witch about it when he steps through the floo shucking off his coat and tie.

That's when Hermione takes to reminding him that "The price of excellence is responsibility. You have been given a gift with your athletic skills, which have landed you a bit of notoriety. And now you've been called upon to use that fame for good purposes. I have no doubt it's as boring as listening to Malfoy tell a story in the Slytherin common room, but you get to be a voice for your teammates in these meetings. That's a good thing." Then she kisses him, and the boredom is lifted like a quaffle in the air.

The final thing Marcus has spent time this summer on has been overseeing the removal of dark objects from his ancestorial home. With the help of Adrian, Graham, and Cassius, the four have disposed of many items. Of course, Hermione wants to help, and he lets her as much as possible, but there are some things he just doesn't want her to be near. Some items have so much darkness attached to them that he doesn't want them to taint her beauty and inner light. And that's when she recounts, "Don't be silly. I destroyed horcruxes, Marcus. If that didn't taint me, I'm not sure what will. Besides, I'm good at removing dark objects. There's nothing your ancestors have that I would be shocked to learn about."

Except she was surprised. She blanched and fell into the sofa cushions when her four favorite Slytherins shared their findings regarding Magnum Flint. "Oh, dear Merlin," the witch remarked. The pains of severe headache were coming on strong. After reading and hearing about the Blazing Brew, Dumb Dust, Powder of Life, and Water of Oblivion, the young lady closed her eyes and said, "Just when you think it's safe to go back into the water..."

But then Hermione learned about The Lazarus Diaries, and that's when her arm began to burn, at least that's what she thought. It's like dark magic calls to dark magic. It all congregates with each other. The more she read about the diaries, the more it made her skin crawl. Voldemort was the tip of the iceberg. You kill one dark wizard and learn there are many others available to take his place. It's never-ending evil.

The younger witch is reminded of what Professor McGonagall would tell her during those times of self-defeat. "Hermione, you must carry your light into every dark corner and let it shine. Remember, light must come from the inside. Darkness only leaves once the light is turned on. Those who fear the dark have no idea what the light can do," the older lady would say.

And that's the truth. Darkness cannot exist without light. It may cover the light for a while, but that's not the same as totally extinguishing it. However, all the light needs to do to crush the darkness is have life, even if it's small. So, Hermione told the guys to hold off on doing anything about the wicked Lazarus Diaries. Instead, she thought over the information and what to do about it, which made her consider Harry and the Auror department.

Now they could turn the information over to them and be done with it. But all evil needs is one willing accomplice- one person hungry for power, fortune, and fame to succeed. So, it would be best to keep this knowledge to themselves for the time being. This means the five of them must go to Flint Manor and see precisely what's in the basement and speak with the severed head inside Maxwell Fint's safe. Never did Hermione ever think she'd utter those words: speak with a severed head. It's too creepy to dwell upon.

After much debate, raised voices, a few tears, and a make-out session later, Marcus and Hermione called the guys. The three of them stumbled through the floo, and it was a surprise when Pucey brought Luna. He explained, looking annoyed, "She was with me. You interrupted our date."

Cassius rolled his eyes and told him, "Adrian, life is never fair. Why don't you save your annoyance for the bedroom where it belongs. Now, where's the bourbon? I feel we'll need it before this conversation is finished." He wandered off to the mini bar and poured himself a glass of something.

Graham ignored both Adrian and Cass. He went straight for the comfortable armchair and sat before summoning a glass of firewhiskey. It left the two new lovebirds looking a little out of place, but that quickly sorted itself out when Hermione motioned for Luna to sit on the other side of her. Then it was only Pucey looking irritated. He moved to sit beside his girlfriend and pointed his finger at Warrington. He told his friend, "Apologize! Your sarcasm was uncalled for."

But Cassius reminded him, "The only person I've truly apologized to was my mother, and that was court-ordered. So, no. I won't."

Hermione had to stifle a laugh. However, she was curious. "Cass, why were you court-ordered to apologize to your mother?"

Warrington explained, swishing the ice around the amber-colored liquid, "Because the woman is a miserable piece of work. She's a little like Zambini's mother, except mine doesn't kill her husband. Instead, she just makes him distressed in all areas. The vulture finally moved out of the estate a couple years ago and into another family home in France. That's where she lives now, which is fine since I don't have to see her. But I lied about her under oath, and the court made me apologize. So, you see, that makes her the only person I've ever apologized to because I must."

Hermione thought that was sad, but she didn't tell Cassius. It made her realize all the more that pureblood families are so fake. Everything is for show. That's why she declared to Marcus that their children will be raised in a loving environment, and they will not know how wealthy they are until much later. He agreed wholeheartedly, stating, "We're a team, and we'll raise our children knowing that. It won't be you against me. It'll be us parenting them together." It's important to them that their children know they're loved, wanted, and cared for.

After Adrian and Cassius stopped fussing at each other, which ended with Luna telling Pucey, "It's okay. We can make love later." The whole room grew silent, and many eyebrows were raised at the blonde's words, especially Hermione's, who gave her friend a look that said we'll talk about this tomorrow.

Then the discussion centered on Magnum Flint and how to handle his black, wicked objects. The males and the females had different opinions. The guys wanted to rush into the Flint basement and cellars full force with their wands ready to destroy everything. However, the girls want to take a calmer, more thoughtful approach. Only some things need to be eradicated, not all of them. The majority should go to the Department of Mysteries for further investigation, and then some should stay with Hermione and Marcus for the couple to examine.

But Cassius did not see it that way. He's determined that his way is right, which caused him to tell his friend's fiance', "Hold up. Let me overthink this. It's okay if you disagree with me, Hermione. I can't force you to be right."

She rolled her honey-colored eyes at him. "Must you always be so sarcastic, Cass," she asked?

His blonde head shook while his green eyes stared her down. He replied, "No. Sometimes I'm sleeping."

At that moment, Graham decided, "I think being abducted by aliens might be the vacation I need at this point." Adrian agreed with him.

So the group put it to a vote, and the more thoughtful approach ended up winning. Cassius blurted out, "You women folk only won because you have my two friends wrapped around your fingers and nether regions."

With her arms folded, looking cross, Hermione told him, "Stop interrupting me while I'm ignoring you."

But Warrington ignored her statement. He pointed his finger at her and declared, "You're using sarcasm. I demand you cease at once. My sarcasm will out sarcasm your sarcasm, and you'll cry."

"Oh, shut up!" the witch remarked loudly.

Marcus gave Graham a nod toward the floo room, which his quieter friend caught on to. Montague turned to Cassius and said, "Didn't you want to pick up witches at that new bar? If we leave now, we'll have plenty of time to work our magic on the unsuspecting ones."

Warrington's eyes lit up at the possibility. He clapped Graham on the shoulder and reminded him, "Here's to hoping you can be a better wingman than the last time." Before Montague could respond, Cass stood up and wished everyone a good night. Then, he stopped at the entrance of the room and proclaimed to Hermione, "I'm sorry my sass was too much for you to handle." A pillow was thrown his way, which he dodged perfectly.

Luna pulled Adrian off the sofa, hugged her friend while Pucey said bye to Marcus, and together they left. On the way out, she muttered about aphrodisiacs and warming oil. Hermione hid her head in her man's shoulder and commented, "I really do not want to think about Luna and Adrian having sex. Yet, it's hard not to after knowing what they're fixing to be up to."

That made Marcus chuckle. "True. It is a somewhat awkward thought. So, let's do something about that," he mentioned.

Then his fingers started to dance across her arm and run up her thigh, leaving a trail of burn marks and goosebumps in their wake. Hermione courageously looked at Marcus's face. That's when she saw the fire in the athlete's eyes. They seemed to shout what his lips wanted to say. It's too intense to look long into. There's an intimacy there, making her consumed with a need for him. Being near him does that to her. So, she forced herself to look away. However, the touch of his hand sliding down her arm to hold her hand dragged her back in.

He kissed her then, which left her giddy and bright-eyed. The room became full of wants and needs. But his witch pulled back and started to caress his neck. She asserted, "If you go on kissing me, I might catch fire."

Marcus swiped his fingers tenderly across her jaw. "Good. Let's burn together," he suggested. Standing, he stretched out his hand to help her up. She took it and stood close to him. The sweet flowery scent of her hair wrapped around the strong chaser, encapsulating his senses. His arms did likewise around her waist, trying to regain control of himself. She sighed, and a hush, a stillness, formed in his heart.

In the quiet of the moment, their hearts understood each other. The silence spoke of confidence and strength. It was good because there were no words for what was going on in Marcus's mind, much less his heart. But it drew them together. It connected them in peace and spoke in a hundred silent ways. All of it whispering love.

Past insecurities crept up on him and snatched him back to reality. That's because Marcus remembered a long-forgotten conversation with Graham when he thought of love. One that had him saying, "She deserves better than a lame-brained Slytherin, whose only value is hitting quaffles."

His friend let him know how wrong he was. "Marcus, you're value isn't in what you do. It's in who you are and how you love her. You love Hermione with all your heart. She's not marrying you for your intelligence or your athleticism. Your witch is marrying you because she loves you."

Those words are valid; Hermione loves him, and well... She has claimed him, body and soul. His mind is always on her. It never strays too far, and his body hungers for her with a passion he's never known before. Then he spoke words of adoration. "I woke up this morning wanting your lips on my own, your arms around me, our hands laced together. I woke up wanting to swim in the deep pool of your caramel eyes. I woke up wanting you, My Love."

Sweeping Hermione into his muscular arms, Marcus carried her way to their bedroom. He laced their fingers together and proceeded to leave her breathless. Some of life's best moments are those you can't tell anyone about. It would be unseemly, but they show by the expression on their face. Sometimes it glows, which Hermione did. She glowed. And in the still of the night, they held each other and loved each other as only two lovers could. That's all they want. Each other. Always.

But all good things come to an end, and summer is no exception. Right around the corner is the season that loves to knock those easy, lazy, loving days off her pedestal- fall. The thing about falling is before something incredible can happen, some good things have to fall apart. Being grounded can lead to groundbreaking.