"Was this all really necessary?" Hermione asked as she set her backpack down in the front entrance of the beach house. Draco had rented them a beach front villa while they searched for lethifolds, not knowing how long it would take. There were large floor to ceiling windows that would let in enough light that would kill him if he were sitting in the main room at noon. But the view of the ocean in front of them was almost enough to make Hermione's jaw drop.
"Of course," Theodore said, admiring the moonlight spilling in. "My dearest Draco and I were due for a romantic vacation on the beach. Don't tell Daph though, she'll be so jealous."
Hermione laughed softly, seeing Draco's visible annoyance at Theodore. "I don't think she'll have to worry, he'll be dead in here by the time the sun rises," she pointed out.
"Plenty of room in the closet for me to get work done. The two of you can enjoy your time away from the bitter cold," Draco replied.
"We'll need to be little vampires ourselves, Hermione," Theodore noted as he sat upon the couch that faced the view of the water. "Night time is optimal for lethifold hunting."
"That doesn't mean you're skimping out on sleep, Granger. At least seven hours," Draco scolded her as a father would to their child.
"Yes, sir," Hermione sarcastically replied. Draco smirked, looking amused as she uttered the phrase. Between the both of them, there was always a back and forth. One day, she would be in complete control of everything he did, with him practically groveling at her feet. The next day, she would be totally controlled by him, on her hands and knees, doing everything she could to please him.
When she woke, she would never know which to expect. It was true that she was a very domineering person, often left at the helm because of how well she could fill the role of leader. And though it would suit any career she would have pursued and had been a vital piece to the Order's success, it often spilled into her personal relationships.
It would cause some men to feel belittled by her, but Draco seemingly loved it. It drove him wild when she would tell him exactly what to do, and the more demanding she was, the more he enjoyed it. When she hurt him physically and verbally, or at least attempted to, he would beg her for more. She would bite and scratch him, and he'd tell her to do it harder and harder.
Shamefully, she liked it when he was rough with her too. She had never been with someone who could kiss her so softly and then fuck her like a whore. Binding her, spanking her, spitting on her, using her. It wasn't something she would have ever dared ask anyone to have done those things to her, but she would beg for it from him. The thought of his hand on her throat, squeezing down as she reached ecstasy was enough to make her knees weak. But the thing she wanted most was to feel him drain her blood again.
"Well, I'm going to take the room as far away from you both as possible," Theodore announced as he brought his bags along with him down a hallway off the living room. "I'm exhausted from traveling, and I know the lot of you don't sleep. Don't want to be woken by your night time activities."
"Good night, Teddy," Hermione called to him, and he winked back at her before closing the door.
Draco led Hermione to a large bedroom that overlooked the beach. She watched as the waves crashed onto the sand, the light of the moon reflecting perfectly in the dark waters. It was beautiful to see, but she began to close the curtains, as when morning came, the sun would shine directly at them.
As she moved them, Draco's hand stopped hers, pulling them back open. "It's a nice view, Granger. Enjoy it."
"But the sun," she protested.
"No buts, I'll be in the closet before it rises. Don't you want to wake up with the sun shining in here? I bet it would look beautiful on the water," he said as his arms wrapped from behind her, kissing her neck. Moaning softly, she felt his hands fall to her waist, pushing down on her pants.
"Draco," she murmured, her face going red as she grabbed onto his hands. "I'm on my period."
He laughed softly against her skin, pressing his lips to her ear. "You think I don't know that?"
As he unbuttoned her jeans, she let them fall to the floor. Since being on birth control, she had relatively short menstrual cycles that didn't cause very many issues. Usually, it would only last two or three days and oftentimes, not even occurring at all. "It's almost over, we can fool around in a few more days."
"You don't want to fool around now, Granger?" he asked, his fingers hooking into the waistband of her underwear. She let those fall to the floor as well with little protest, her pad falling along with it. Draco traced his cold index finger along her slit, covering it in her blood. Bringing his finger to her clit, he rubbed it softly as she swelled at his touch, covering it in red. Embarrassment felt like it was creeping, but the way his finger pressed against her, completely wet from her ichor, made it fade away.
"I've never done anything when I've been like this," she whispered, her eyes closed and head leaning back against his chest.
"That's a real fucking shame," he said, swirling his finger with increased pressure. Hermione gasped as he slid deep inside her, his finger crooked exactly at the spot that made her knees turn to jelly. "I've been told it feels even better."
For several seconds, he slowly fingered her, covering himself with her arousal and blood. Hermione mewled under him as he held her upright, kissing her cheek as she coated his hand. He was using her own blood to please her. Using it as lubricant to rub against the sensitive parts and slide his long fingers into her cunt. He must have fed just before the trip for him to act as brazen as he was now. Draco was full, so he could enjoy her.
Draco pulled his finger from her hole, and she saw the bright red blood that coated his pale skin. Without a second thought, he brought it to his lips and slid it in his mouth, tasting her, licking his hand completely clean.
"You taste so fucking good," he mumbled onto her ear. His breath smelt like iron. She turned around to kiss him, curious about what he had just experienced, wanting to know what it was like as well.
It was metallic and slightly sweet, his tongue danced against hers so she could have more of it. Draco lifted her up, setting her down onto a dresser. He held her knees together as he licked up her entire slit, making her groan.
Spreading her legs, he looked into her eyes as he lapped away at her bloody cunt. The way his eyes bored into her was almost animalistic. His nose and cheeks became bloody as he buried his face into her.
"Fuck, Draco," she cried out when she felt his cold tongue dig deep inside her, his nose pushing hard into her clit. Her fingers gripped into his white hair, pulling him closer.
Draco's fingers were pressed into her thighs as she tightened them around his head. The feeling of her reaching bliss was so close and she desperately bucked her hips into him until she climaxed, feeling her warm blood coating his cold face.
She leaned back against the wall behind her, catching her breath. In an instant, his lips were on hers. Draco stared at her as she began to lick the blood off his face.
"After I fuck you, I want you to go do this to my cock," he growled.
"Yes, sir," she breathily replied, watching as he hungrily looked at her.
He slid his cock into her, making Hermione yelp, feeling her blood making his cock slick. "Good. Fucking. Girl," he grunted between each thrust.
The sound of him fucking her was one of the hottest things she's ever heard. It had never sounded so wet, and it felt even better. He was so thick, but knew exactly how to angle her on the dresser so he could hit every point that made her want to scream out.
He held the back of her neck, pressing his forehead against hers as he pumped into her bloody hole. It was splashing around them, spattering against both of their thighs. His eyes were locked onto hers, as she began to tighten around him, feeling his hips bruising her as he continued to fuck her.
"Where do you want my cum, baby?" he asked as he kissed her lips.
She thought about it for a moment, deciding on what would make him stir the most. The feeling of him coming inside of her was something she often begged him for, loving the sensation of the iciness dripping out. But she had other ideas today.
"I want you to come in my mouth," she said breathlessly. "I want to taste your cum and my blood."
Draco's eyes went wide and the intensity of his stare grew. He looked absolutely feral as he pulled her off her makeshift podium and she fell to her knees. The tip of his cock slipped into her mouth, and she sucked greedily in it while her hands slid up and down his shaft, her blood lubricating his entire length.
Draco's hands held her hair in fistfuls, looking into her eyes. She could feel his cock begin to pulsate just as his cum hit the back of her throat. It was bitter, salty, and mixed with herself.
As his cum spilled from the sides of her mouth, she swallowed. Per his request, she licked him clean as it became soft, moving her tongue to his thighs, wiping away every drop.
When she was finished, he leaned down, tilting her chin up, and kissed her deeply. "Have I ever told you how perfect you are?"
"Once or twice," she replied, kissing him back.
Hermione woke alone the next morning, but the sun felt warm against her skin. It was beautiful to see the reflection of it in the water and how it gently rose her from her slumber. She got dressed and made her way to the kitchen where she found Theodore making breakfast. He hummed to himself as he waved his wand, setting the table as he watched the eggs on the pan.
"Coffee is ready, how do you take it?" he asked her.
"Black, please," she said, sitting at the counter.
"You're easy to please then, should have figured that with you being with Draco and all," he laughed heartily as he plated up food for them and brought her coffee.
Hermione blushed, shaking her head. "Thank you for breakfast, Teddy."
"Anytime, Hermione. I'm going into town soon to get some leads on lethifolds, care to join a friend?"
"Of course, I'd love to join," she replied. "How many do you think we'll find?"
"One if we're lucky, but they're big. I've never seen one myself though," he confessed.
"Are you scared?"
Theodore shoved a forkful of beans into his mouth and grinned. "Not if I got you and Draco. We took on three fucking dragons, what's one lethifold?"
Hermione always saw the charm in Theodore Nott, and it made her feel confident along with him. They made their way into town, where he absolutely worked his charisma for information. Many seemed hesitant to speak about the darkness surrounding lethifolds, not wanting to bring attention to the creatures for fear that they'd become the next victim.
But Theodore found a way to connect with each person he spoke to, making them feel comfortable enough to share their fears.
Perhaps that's why he was so close with Draco and Daphne, two people who were closed off from practically everyone, and Theodore eased his way in. If she did take Draco away, she'd damn one of the kindest people she's ever met to a life in Azkaban away from Daphne. They both would never forgive her, and she wouldn't be able to forgive herself.
It was getting dark as they made their way back, walking along the beach watching the sunset. They laughed the whole way, excited to have gotten information on where to start searching.
"So, what's the plan after we get this thing?" Theodore asked.
Hermione felt the sand between her toes, seeing the beach house come closer as they walked the shore. "Start on the counter curse. Then, if Astoria needs it, we can use it on her. But if it doesn't work, we'll have to find an alternative."
"It'll work, Hermione," he assured, giving her a slight nudge.
"There have been people working on a cure for centuries, groups funded by the Ministry and other governing bodies. I'm not sure if it's really possible for one witch to do it in under a year," she sighed.
"Maybe not just any witch. But you're Hermione fucking Granger. You're going to do it, and win a bunch of accolades I'm sure. Maybe they'll name a quidditch pitch after you."
"Well, I better do it. Or Draco's going to have Astoria kill someone to make a horcrux."
"What if she comes back all weird like Voldemort after? What if instead of being noseless she's got no ears?" Theodore joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"I think we're trying to avoid that outcome. That's why I have to work fast."
Theodore wrapped his arm around her, resting his hand on her shoulder. "So, what happens after that? After Astoria is fine and the war is over?"
"Draco turns himself over to the Order, and you'll get a light sentence. I'll testify for you, make it even lighter hopefully," she said with a flat tone.
"That's not what you want though, is it?" he pleaded. "There isn't a chance you could convince them otherwise?"
Hermione shook her head. "They won't budge and Draco is even less cooperative than they are."
"We can't let him go if they're not even going to give him a chance to prove himself," Theodore took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "I get he wants to be a martyr and all, but he needs to remember that the rest of us aren't his responsibility. Sure, we were just kids when we got dragged into this war. But he was too."
"I know, Teddy. I'm working on it."
—
The three of them walked for hours through the lush jungle, looking for signs of lethifolds. Signs mainly were a feeling of immense dread, the smell of decay, and pieces of its cloak-like flesh strung along branches.
All of them were on high alert, wands drawn, looking in the direction of every movement that happened in the brush. Lethifolds were quick and dangerous, and they would need to react fast if they wanted to capture one.
Hermione was sweating in the humidity of the night. It was hot, and her body was becoming exhausted as the hours dragged on. However, she didn't let it show, and she pushed forward behind Theodore with Draco right on her tail.
A sick feeling overcame Hermione first, like she wanted to run into Draco's arms and have him take her away. It filled her with anxiety, and she wanted to throw up. There was a pit forming in her stomach that felt like it would swallow her whole. Her heartbeats became rapid in her chest and her hands began to shake.
"Granger? Are you okay?" Draco asked.
"I don't feel so good," she mumbled, bracing herself against the trunk of a tree.
Suddenly, a darkness enveloped her, and she was completely surrounded by nothing but fear.