Heya peeps, I honestly thought I posted the next 3 chapters already, and have had a few life bits occurring that have kept me from having a spare second to sit and sort. See this is why I can't have nice things xD But here you go, another chapter and a few more on the horizon! This is definitely going to be over 25 chapters long…maybe by the time we are all old and grey I'll finish the bleeding thing But for now, enjoy! (Also I post this on AO3, and I was kindly nudged for more HermEric content. Wells, all I can say is as you wish ). Chapter warning for ze naughty naughty, and a wee bit of green leaf enjoyment.

Chapter 22 - If These Walls Could Talk

Told my new roommate not to let you in

But you're so damn good with a bobby pin

Now you gon' play me like a violin

Hittin' these notes

Halsey - Walls Could Talk

Hermione Granger could never be accused of being the impractical sort. Although, she could be accused of sometimes leaning heavily into the category of a "brazen Gryffindor", over the years she had seen a little bit of each house in herself, in the way she handled her life. She had the intuitive reflection of Ravenclaw, the loving warmth of Hufflepuff, and she could not deny the influence of Slytherin cunning and sharp insight. If she were truly honest, looking back as an adult with all the experiences her life had given her, she was more of a Slytherin than a Gryffindor in many ways. Each had its good and bad qualities, each founder their own views on how the world should be, and these combined informed her of the best way of moving forwards to bring about real, tangible change to the wizarding world. She still had dreams of one day becoming Minister for Magic, shaping the world to be a better place for all who lived within it.

All that being said, however, she still felt an eerie sense of unease when she returned to Hogwarts as an adult, the place she had first discovered such wonders. Even when it had been for post-war ceremonies and events, the history weighed heavy on her, the memories flashing by like the snowflakes that clung to the window panes. She could not truly put into words the sorrow she would feel when walking the familiar path to Hagrid's hut, or up to the Owlery, as memories of fights and feuds and friends loved and lost would bombard her. It was bittersweet. Yet, it was still home. Having her friends and family here made her all the more nostalgic, and the unfolding mystery of the events before them a tantalising reminder of the early years. She had sat in front of the fire in her guest chambers, wrapped in the arms of her lover, telling stories of all the things that had happened to her and the others during their time at school. Eric had quietly listened, occasionally asking questions or prompting her to continue when she mentally wandered away from the here and now, drawing slow circles against her naked skin and dropping soft kisses along the valley of her neck when her mood seemed to veer too close to the dark. Turning around to look into his icy blue eyes, she knew she was safe and that all that had happened or all that may happen yet were inconsequential when what she had now was in front of her, in her arms.

Eric knew Hermione's soul needed this moment. With the impending future being once again in the balance, for reasons that the morning would mark the start of discovering, tonight he only wished for her to relax and enjoy the precious time they had together. When she would cry, he would kiss each tear, when she laughed he would hold her tighter to him, as if the warmth she radiated would somehow restart his heart and warm him, too.

"Eric…" Hermione began as her face fell slightly, the corners of her eyes crinkling with worry.

"Hmm?"

"...I've been thinking, about the faerie we caught during the ceremony. There must be a link to what attacked you all as you were making your way here. You told me once Sookie saw the closing of Fae herself, but if one door closes do they all close, or could it be more likely that only the one linked to her and her family? I've done some research…"

"I would expect nothing less!" He chuckled, positioning her as if she were made of air into a straddling position in his lap so that they could speak face-to-face. She swatted him lightly on the arm but allowed him to manhandle her with only a quick yelp and a giggle.

"Yes, well, suffice to say there is very little on the nature of Fae culture, more just general descriptions. Wizarding literature can sometimes be a little…thin…when considering other magical creatures, if not downright biased at times. No offence to Sookie, but after a few small chats with her I get the impression her knowledge will not necessarily enlighten us on more. Was asking you to bring them here a mistake? Am I just marching more people to the guillotine?".

Hermione was fretting with the hair at the back of his neck as she spoke and her eyes lowered in thought as she worried her bottom lip between her teeth. To him, she looked like utter perfection, the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He smiled to offer comfort, holding her by the shoulders and looking into her molten honey eyes to make sure she knew he was serious.

"Vennen, hear me now. We do not know what will happen as we don't yet know what is happening. So far, we have had 2 separate fae attacks, neither have seemed linked. But knowing you as I do, I know you would never put your loved ones, or mine, in danger. Nor would you not be able to work out this mystery, on your own if you had to. However, even if Sookie may not be as knowledgeable, her experience alone will offer some insight. I must admit I am not too versed in Fae culture myself, in honesty I've never been that interested, but you have Severus and Remus, and the staff here, even the portraits and ghosts. With so much here to help you, I have no doubt we will all get through this, because YOU will get us through it. You are so strong, you would have made a great Valkyrie!".

Hermione laughed, then, and the worry lines left her face once more, drawing her away from the anxiety abyss she was about to fall into. Eric drew her to him, offering her the distraction of a searing kiss. As it became more heated, he unfolded his long limbs and stood whilst balancing her, placing his hands under her to prompt her legs to wrap around him.

"I think, although this is a lovely rug, and a lovely sitting room, a lovely bed is where you need to be, Miss Granger. It is 3 in the morning, it will be sunrise soon and I intend to have you at least once more before I let you sleep and I go dead for the day."

Before she could reprimand him for his choice of words, Eric recaptured her mouth, shuddering as she ran her tongue along his now protruding fangs, moaning softly as he tightened his grip on her glorious backside. Taking that as a yes, he effortlessly walked them into the large bedroom they had been provided, depositing her softly onto the plush mattress and moving his mouth to the milky column of her neck where he nicked and nuzzled, running his sharp teeth lightly over her jugular and revelling in the beautiful shiver and whine the move elicited. Slowly, he outlined the Mate's Mark he had left there, his body humming with the primal pleasure of being in her presence. His mate.

"Mine" he growled between his menstruations, slowly trailing his hand along the planes and curves of her body, between her breasts, over her soft navel, and dipping into the treasure trove that lay between her thighs. His fingers deftly traced the outline of her rose petals, intensifying Hermione's moans with their cold yet inviting movements. Her body slightly arched into his touch, and he grinned against her throat as his thumb began to draw painstakingly slow rhythmic circles over her most sensitive of parts. She was ready for him, in so many ways and he was drunk and dizzy on the aroma of her arousal that enveloped him as he moved his mouth further down to her breasts. Hermione gasped as he took her pert nipple into his mouth, suckling softly at first before glancing up to her exquisite face, her eyes closed in ecstasy as he began to speed up his actions. Hermione dragged her fingers down his back, digging her nails in deep with wanton abandon as a sign that she needed more. Eric was so aware of his lover's body that he obliged to her wordless request and slipped his now love dampened fingers inside her, eliciting a hiss and groan of absolute abandon and pleasure.

"Eric, more, please!" Hermione practically begged, wriggling beneath him in need. Never one to deny his mate, Eric positioned himself against her and removed his fingers, lining his hard length against her entrance and swiftly entering her the way he knew she craved. Her eyes opened wide at the intrusion of his cock filling and stretching her, and she bucked her hips to create the friction she needed, matching his movements as they both picked up speed. They met each other's eyes, then, and the intensity of the moment felt almost too much to bear. Her chocolate eyes filled with tears, and she pulled him closer to him, enjoying the feel of his weight over her, protecting her from everything outside and inside her mind. The tension within her core was building fast, and it would not be long until she unravelled beneath him. Leaning up to him, Hermione took his ear between her teeth and dragged her teeth along it's length, making him growl into her ear and pick up even more speed until his movements were almost a blur. She took it all, whispering dirty loving nothings between her own gasps of delight. She was so close now, and she threw her head back exposing her neck fully too him. She locked her fingers into her hair, dragging his mouth to the mark on her neck, encouraging him to bite and make her his once more. Of course, he was all too happy to oblige, and the sensation of his sharp teeth breaking through the skin threw her over the precipice, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as her orgasm erupted around his still pounding member. Eric, encouraged by the beautiful woman beneath him, soon followed suit and together they intertwined their limbs in post-coital bliss.

"Eric?" Hermione breathed, suddenly feeling sated and exhausted.

"Hmm?" Eric pulled the blankets up over their naked bodies against the cold that instantly seemed to elicit soft goosebumps over his lover's creamy skin. The time was now dangerously close to dawn, but the room had been enchanted to keep out the sunlight so he languished in his bliss.

"I love you." She managed to murmur as she curled into his side and let sleep sweep over her.

"And I love you, Hermione." He responded with ease, pulling her into an effortlessly comfortable cuddle. Although he had rarely uttered the words to others, it felt almost unnatural to not say it to his mate often and proudly. He wasn't sure what was ahead, but he was damn sure he would protect this woman for as long as she was his, and if anyone tried to harm her or those she loved, he would rip them from existence. For never in his long immortal life had he felt as deeply, never truly loved as strongly, and he would be damned if this was taken from him.