Warning: The following chapter will briefly explore 'non-consensual' sex which some readers might find uncomfortable.
A/N: Sorry for the long break. Unfortunately for the past couple of months, I've been suffering a serious 'Writer's Block'. I have NOT run out of ideas. Truth be told, I already have Right and Easy planned out entirely and I know how I want this story to end. I have every single big event noted down and ready to be written. My main problem has been connecting these big events with background story, introductions and conclusions. I kept feeling that my writing was becoming too repetitive. But hopefully, now I can make words flow. Also, this chapter will contain some of my personal takes on the Veela and their magic. Not all of it might be accurate to JK's HP lore.
While I'm here, I really wanted to use the opportunity to thank a reader called 'Colonialnymph' for their incredible review recently on this story. I've read many amazing reviews here, and this one also really warmed my heart. It also made me feel guilty for updating so rarely these days. I'm sorry and thank you. That should be the motto of my profile xD
Chapter 42: The Spell
It was the middle of the night when Harry woke up again. Silver rays of the full moon awoke him. He scratched his head and sat up. Somehow, his glasses managed to stay on his nose. He felt hot under the covers. The common room was pitch black with only a tiny dying amber flame coming from the fireplace. He stood up form the couch, stretched, and folded the covers. After picking them up, he headed upstairs to the top floor of the Gryffindor tower. As Harry climbed up the stairs, he started to think back on what happened before he fell asleep. The last thing he could remember was light. Blinding light. And he felt strange, as if something was sinking through his skin, strange energy of some sorts. He could remember a lot of dark brown hair. Although Harry would hardly describe this as brown hair; Hermione had light brown hair, and this just wasn't it. Not even close. The colour was so much darker and shaded, it could very much appear black to the ordinary eye. But for some reason, Harry could see a slight tinge of brown in it. And It made him feel oddly anxious. Another thing he could remember was the voice.
"I can take care of you."
Harry couldn't remember whose voice this was. It didn't sound like anything he heard before. It was soft. So incredibly soft, and warm. But at the same time, something strange could be felt between the words. A sense of falseness. A sense of hostility. What the hell is going on? Harry thought to himself as he carried up the steps.
Eventually, he got to the top of the tower and walked through into the room on the right; his room. A sudden great warmth invaded his entire body as he looked at his bed.
Hermione was sleeping right in the centre, with only her legs covered. She was tightly hugging Harry's pillow and her eyes were shut tight. That's when Harry realised that she didn't like sleeping alone. In fact, it usually gave her nightmares. Luckily, this was Hogwarts. She usually felt safe at Hogwarts. But it must've still been a change for her to sleep alone all of a sudden. Harry wondered why she didn't wake him.
He quietly approached the bed and gently slid between the covers. Hermione owned most of the bed and his pillow. But it wasn't all bad. Sleeping with Hermione could never be bad. He made a move to put an arm around her and that's when she jumped awake.
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Hermione studied herself for a moment before looking at him, "It's alright. I was just having a weird dream. I'm glad you're here." She informed and buried her face in his neck.
Harry smiled, "You should have woke me up."
"You were in a very deep sleep. It was almost as if someone… put a spell on you or something." She told him.
"That's… oddly specific."
Hermione looked up at him, "What do you remember?"
"Well…" Truth be told, Harry wasn't sure. His mind was all over the place. "The last thing I remember was us walking back to the common room. I think we met someone on the way… but I really can't pinpoint who it was." It felt strange.
"It was Maria. We bumped into Maria."
"Oh, right!" Harry could remember her now. That's when a flash of that light appeared in his eyes again. Traces of brown on her hair. Those deep brown eyes. A gentle smile formed by those soft lips of hers. He was sure it was just his head playing tricks on him, but the details of Hermione's face were changing. Probably because of the dark. He could also no longer move his legs. That was alarming.
"Remember anything else?" Hermione asked, patiently waiting for him to locate those moments.
Harry shook his head as if to physically throw the thought out through his ear. "I feel really strange, Hermione. It's like my head is being invaded by a stranger's thoughts."
She bit her lip. "You're a tough one, Harry."
"I'm what?" Harry asked. He could no longer move his arms. Or his torso. His breathing was becoming unsteady.
He could see a tiny smile on Maria's face. NO, IT WAS HERMIONE'S FACE!
"But you'll fall to my charms soon enough. They all do." Hermione said, smiling wide at him now. "Can you feel it? How your head is slowly starting to crumble apart? I'm about to rearrange your brain." Maria added. No! Hermio… Herm… It was… what was her damn name!
The blinding light flashed in Harry's eyes again. He looked back at his girlfriend… but she wasn't there anymore. It was Maria… naked.
Maria shook off the covers and sat on top of Harry. He could see her breasts, he could see everything, all of her.
"I do suppose it isn't very ethical. Truth be told, my mother forbid me from doing it while at school. But I just can't help myself." She was shifting up and down on his lap, grinding against him.
Harry couldn't even move. He was trying to, with all his strength he was trying to move his arms but he was frozen and stuck to the bed.
"Let me explain what exactly is taking place right now. This isn't really happening. It's all in your head. But you see that's exactly where I needed to reach. Now that I'm in your subconscious, I'm just going to simply enchant you to my will. You're going to become my puppet. And any sort of emotion you've ever felt towards her will be multiplied and targeted at me." She giggled, continuing to rub against him. He didn't know when it happened, but his trousers were gone too now. He was naked too.
"Now you might be wondering how in the world this is taking place, but it's quite a simple process. I placed my Veela spell on you and it's currently doing its magic as you sleep. When you actually wake up, you won't remember any of this. All that you'll know is that you love me. Unconditionally."
Harry needed to find a way to counter this. It felt similar to his sessions on legilimency with Snape, but Maria was creating her own projections at her will inside his head.
She bent down over him, allowing for her breasts to cover his mouth.
"I can feel your resistance, Harry. You should stop. Before this is over, we're going to fuck way harder than you ever did with her. You see I might not be here in person, but my subconscious is present too. And I'm planning on fully enjoying myself before the spell does its job. Sadly neither of us will remember this. Although you are slightly different. So it could be your little late wet dream, eh?"
She took hold of his length and started running her hand up and down, feeling him through. "My my, you're quite selfish aren't you. Leaving all of this for one girl to enjoy in all of Hogwarts." She laughed. Then she started kissing him. Her saliva felt like poison in his mouth, it made its way into his throat. He could feel it taking him over from the inside.
YOU NEED TO FIGHT THIS, Harry called to himself.
"No, you don't. You're going to love this once I start invading the right places. You see no one can explain how exactly Veela powers work, everyone thinks it's to do with our looks. But the real magic takes place beneath that."
Harry could feel himself tense up as she put his length in her mouth. He was almost lost. He could feel himself fading away. But then he remembered something, someone. Who was it? What was her name? He could see tiny details. Brown eyes. That cute smile. Those tiny freckles on her nose.
"Look, Harry. You really need to stop fighting. You're making me feel embarrassed. I should be done by now. You should have succumbed to my magic already. You see, because I'm only half Veela, I don't have the full capability, I can't just enchant you with my gaze. That would take seconds, which is why I needed you to be tired and sleepy. But your subconscious seems way tougher than anyone else I've seen before. You're gonna make me do work. And I'm only here for the pleasure."
She moved up and adjusted herself above his length, just teasing herself, enjoying the moment. "God, I forgot how amazing this usually is. I can't help but stretch it out a little more." She bent down again to kiss his neck.
Get a grip. Throw her out! You fought Voldermort out of your head, now fight her! Harry screamed in his mind.
"I promise you one thing Harry, the sex we're gonna have tonight will be nothing to what you've had with Hermione." HERMIONE! That's when he felt it. The resistance within him. He could envision it. She was right there, hiding in his head. She was the solution he was looking for. HERMIONE GRANGER!
"Alright, you're starting to confuse me now. What in the hell are you doing?" Maria wondered. She stopped smiling.
"Why are you doing this?" Harry asked. His control was coming back. He could feel it. "I love Hermione. Why are you trying to force me to love you?"
Maria was shocked. Right there as she sat on his naked lap, she looked almost terrified. "How are you speaking?"
"I'm gaining back control. All you had to do was say her name. Can't you see? I'm sure you can. I can see it. My love. It's right there, roaming around the mind, connected to my heart through all these little tunnels. Can't you see how it shines, can't you see how much I love her? She's everything to me, why are you trying to tear her away from me?" Harry demanded, his eyes shut tight. All he could see was her now. Hermione. He remembered his vision. He remembered Hermione… on the couch. He could remember the muffled voices of their kids. He saw his future, and he had to fight for it.
Everything around them started falling apart. Walls and furniture started turning to ashes. It was just them left, in the dark. It was over.
"You're very powerful, Harry Potter. Don't waste this love. It's the purest I've ever seen."
And then everything went dark.
Harry awoke violently, shooting up from the couch.
"Harry!" Hermione called as she walked over from the nearby chair.
The common room was empty, it was dark.
"Are you alright, Harry?" She asked.
"I'm fine… I… what time is it?" He asked.
"Coming up to 3 in the morning. I felt it was best to not wake you up, but I didn't want to leave you, so I fell asleep on the chair." Harry smiled and grabbed Hermione into a tight hug.
"I love you." He said.
Hermione chuckled, "I love you too. Are you sure you're alright? You look shaken up."
"I think it's best if we talk about all this in the morning. Right now I just want to go to bed. With you."
"Alright." Hermione smiled and led him up the stairs.
They got into bed together, not bothering to undress. Harry tied his hands around her waist and buried his face in her neck. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
He hesitated, he didn't even mean to say sorry, it just slipped out. "For making you worry."
"Don't be silly, love. I'm just glad that godforsaken potion didn't harm you."
"I love you." He said again. "Good night."
"Goodnight." She answered and kissed his forehead.
Hermione asked Harry about last night first thing in the morning, but he stalled their conversation further by saying he was hungry. Which wasn't a lie at all; Harry didn't feel this hungry ever since that time he woke up after the battle of Hogwarts. He ate his breakfast quietly next to Hermione who was eyeing him with caution. It was unlike them to not talk. Harry knew very well that he was making the situation at the table tense. She definitely knew he was hiding something and that he was reluctant to share.
The moment he was done with his breakfast, Harry started scanning the great hall when he saw her, leaving, and in quite the hurry too. He got up and trailed after Maria straight away. Hermione was too preoccupied trying to figure who he was chasing to call his name. Harry rounded the corner outside the great hall's doors and saw Maria making her way towards the grand staircase. His eyes tracked her like a hawk, almost as if she was a snitch on the quidditch pitch. They ended up in a corridor on the first floor. Maria knew she was being followed because she started walking faster until she walked into a random classroom. Harry checked the door before entering after her. Muggle studies. It was empty at this time.
He stepped through the door and saw her, facing the window, away from him. For a second, Harry's battle instinct activated and he started scanning the corners of the room, almost feeling like this was a trap. But then he realised he was tailing a seventh-year student at Hogwarts and his auror like instinct toned down. He couldn't remember when exactly his reflexes got so good, but it must've been during the Horcrux hunt.
"Before you ask. I don't remember anything that happened to you last night." Maria informed, her back still facing Harry. "We were supposed to both forget. But even I can feel some of it. The sheer energy. The power."
"Why did you do it?" Harry asked. He couldn't help the anger in his voice. He was furious.
"Because it's who I am. I wanted something, and I tried to get it my way. It always worked and I never had to face the consequences of it not working. I should've known that it wouldn't work with someone like you. But I was too thrilled about the idea of it." Maria confessed.
"Look at me, Maria," Harry demanded.
Reluctantly, she turned around to face him. Her eyes were full or tears. She was ready to burst out crying. She looked weak and defeated. And whether it was right towards Hermione or not, Harry felt slightly sorry for her.
"Harry… nothing I ever do will be enough to make up for what I tried to do to you."
"What you tried? Maria, you might not remember anything, but I do. I remember every detail. How am I supposed to live with myself… how am I supposed to live alongside Hermione with those memories in my head?" He asked, feeling more betrayed than ever before. He had no idea a fellow Gryffindor would do something like that to him. Him and Hermione.
"We'll tell her the truth. I will. I'll tell her that I put a spell on you. That I tried to work my way into your head… into your heart. But please… please don't tell the headmistress. If I get thrown out of Hogwarts, my parents… I'll become a disappointment to them." Maria pleaded.
"These are the things you should think about BEFORE breaking the rules… before trying to do something illegal, Maria." Harry answered.
That's when they heard the door open behind them.
"So are the two of you ready to tell me what's going on?" Hermione asked. Her eyes were slightly red. She didn't cry. But Harry knew that face. She was on the verge. Harry knew exactly what this looked like.
"Hermione-"
"I tried to manipulate Harry with my Veela spell." Maria cut him off.
Harry turned back to Maria, shocked.
"What? You thought I was going to wait for you to say it's not what you think?" Maria added.
"You did what?" Hermione asked.
Maria took a deep breath and walked past Harry, up to Hermione. "I wanted to steal Harry away from you. So I placed my Veela encantation on him. You're one of the smartest students here, so I believe you've read about this spell."
"I knew it. I thought about it the moment I saw you levitate over his face yesterday in the common room." Hermione answered, clenching her teeth.
"Granger-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Hermione's hand reached Maria's cheek. She slapped her.
Maria straightened up and held her own hand to her cheek, "I was worried you would hesitate."
"This is the part where you start begging me to not tell Professor McGonagall," Hermione answered, still outraged. Harry hasn't seen her this angry since the time they reunited with Ron.
"Nothing I say will make you feel better. If you must tell the headmistress, so be it. I deserve the punishment. I've already tried to plead with the most forgiving person I know." Maria informed.
Hermione pulled out her wand.
"Hermione, no!"
Before Harry could reach them, Hermione's wand was pointed dead centre of Maria's chest. The room froze.
"If you… or any of your friends dare to make moves on my boyfriend ever again… you best hope that Merlin himself is here to hold me back." Said Hermione, before lowering her wand. "You can go ahead and deliver that message to anyone else who thinks they can steal my man."
Harry was still shocked by what he witnessed, but at that moment, Hermione was a goddess. nothing less.
"I understand. And I apologize." Maria told her, and made her way to the door. Before leaving the classroom, she turned back to them. "Your love… Harry's love for you… it's nothing like I've ever felt. Don't let my mistake ruin it." And then she left.
Harry and Hermione stood there in silence for a moment, then Harry spoke.
"Hermione… I'm sorry. I should have told you. I…"
Hermione walked up closer and hugged him. "It's okay, Harry. None of this is your fault. I understand why this would be uncomfortable to share." She pulled away to look at him, "But listen. Me and you, we're partners, for life, Harry. And the only way we can remain strong is if we share our problems. I want to know about your issues so I can help you solve them. Two is always better than one. Remember that."
"Of course. I love you, Hermione." He kissed her.
She kissed him back and smiled. "And I love you, Harry Potter. With all the bad attention you bring. At least I got to show you my tough side."
"I've seen your tough side plenty, but never when fighting over me." He chuckled.
"I just had to explain that this is my territory." She bit his lips playfully. "By the way, the dream you had. I've read about it. The memories and things you've seen… they will fade over time."
"That's good to know. If you want I can tell you what happened… it's just."
"I think it's best if you keep that and allow your mind to forget it," Hermione answered.
"Right. I just want you to know… THAT didn't happen." Harry clarified.
He wasn't sure if Hermione knew what he meant but she nodded thankfully, regardless.
"You still need to tell me about your vision. I do want to hear about that." She informed.
"How about tonight? At dinner… in the room of requirement?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded. "Fine, but not a second later. And you provide the food."
Harry grabbed her waist. "I'll make the wait worth it. I still have some great connections with the kitchen elves."
"You know I did hear about a certain way to make Veela magic go away." She blushed.
"Oh really? Do tell." Harry smiled.
"Well… you just need to… turn your mind to other things." She giggled, before kissing his neck.
"We still haven't visited the Prefect bathroom. As a head boy, I suggest we check it out. I've only been there once. It's a perfect place to check before Lunch. I also feel like having a good bath.
"That… is a great idea!" Hermione answered before leading him out the classroom.
A/N: This concludes the storyline of Maria for now. She might appear in later chapters but she will not be getting in Hermione's way anymore. I don't know about you guys, but I think our two love birds have had enough angst. For now ; )
