Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 5: Marked

"Are you so obtuse you don't recognize sarcasm when it's laid out in front of you Malfoy? Will you be letting your needs out a bit at a time? Will there be any more small parts after this? Just tell it all to me in one. Please."

Draco stared at the annoying witch across from him as he spoke his mind. "First. There isn't any more to it. Second. Will you please give my surname a rest. It's bloody annoying. Malfoy this. Malfoy that. Malfoy, Malfoy, Malfoy. You know my given name. Use it. Third. Either speak to me in a reasonable tone, or write it out on parchment. Last. I have been ordered to find and deliver The bloody, fucking Vessel. As previously stated, I believe our books may contain answers. Can we get on with it?"

After the telling off, Draco sat back to wait for Hermione's explosion. However, there wasn't one. Hermione sat there looking at him with her mouth wide open.

"Feel better now Mal….. Draco?" She asked. "I may have been a tad harsh. My apologies. Just put it down to me almost being burned in my skin. Since we are now down to first names, you may call me Hermione. With that settled, can we move on to something more interesting before the sun rises?"

Draco smiled down at his hands. This witch would annoy the trousers off Merlin, if he wore any.

After clearing his throat, Draco responded with a cheeky answer of his own. "Yes Hermione. Let's get to it, because as you've said, you wouldn't expect me to be out in the sunlight."

Hermione let out a soft huff which sounded like the word prat as she reached for Being The Receptacle Volume 1.

/************************************************************************

Chap 6: Finding The Receptacle

The first decision they made was to move everything back to the living room where they'd each have better access to the books. Once they settled down, Hermione and Draco decided to start back at the very beginning of Volume 1, chapter one.

Hermione got a tad bit prickly when Draco moved in closer so they could read together.

Draco loved aggravating this thorny witch so he pretended not to notice her thinly veiled irritation.

With a wide smile, Draco suggested they tear the books apart paragraph by paragraph. Hermione concurred. BellaBlue also seemed to concur as she lifted her head to let out a soft purr.

"Well, I guess it's settled. We all concur." Draco replied with his Malfoy smirk smartly in place.

Hermione rolled her eyes but slid forward on the couch to get closer to the book.

/*/

The first pages were nothing more than introductions, but being Hermione, she had taken Draco at his word by studying each paragraph in depth. The smile disappeared from Draco's face as he waited for Hermione to devour every single word. He finally snapped out.

"I didn't mean you had to take time to translate each word into five different languages. Can we just get on with this?"

"Was I taking too long Draco? I was convinced from the smirk on your face you expected nothing less."

Draco huffed under his breath. If this wasn't so important, I'd leave her arse sitting on this couch trying to figure the shite out by herself. Then he had a second thought. No, I wouldn't. As sad as it is, I need Hermione Granger. His only response had been touché.

/*/

As they read through the first chapter, Hermione began to feel a little odd. Not odd in the sense of feeling ill, but odd in the sense that the words held meaning for her. As though forgotten things were trying to push their way into her mind.

"I seem to…."

BellaBlue was now pacing up and down in front of the couch giving both Hermione and Draco what appeared to be the kneazle version of fish eyes.

"You seem to what?" Asked Draco turning to look in Hermione's face. "Not going to break out in flames again, are you?" However, when he saw the consternation on her face, Draco Accio'd a large glass of water. Handing it to Hermione, he became solicitous. "Drink this then take a deep breath. Have you read something that has meaning to you? Did you remember something? What was it?"

Hermione held up her hand as she drank the water. "A minute Draco. Please give me a minute to finish off the water you shoved into my hand."

Draco sat back. Was this some kind of breakthrough, or was Hermione just being her arbitrary self? He didn't know.

When Hermione finished the water, she answered Draco's questions, somewhat. "Yes Draco, bits and pieces of something are popping up in my memory. Blue flames, red flames, sparkly shite."

"That's great." Replied an energized Draco. "Perhaps more memories will pop up as we read along."

"They aren't memories Draco. They are bits and pieces of nothing signifying nothing."

"Be as cranky as you like Granger, but they are bits and pieces you didn't have before we began reading. Let's go with that."

Hermione thought about it. "You're right Draco. The bits must mean something. Shall we continue?"

Draco was still a bit skeptical not knowing what it all meant, but if bits and pieces would help him get closer to The Vessel, he'd take it.

"Yes, let's."

/*/

As they returned to Volume 1, neither Draco nor Hermione thought about the time. Even though it was coming on 10:00 pm, they were in it and would remain in it until they found something solid.

They moved through the pages at a slightly faster pace, but Draco had cottoned on and could tell each time another bit affected Hermione. Feeling as though it was counterproductive to stop every time Hermione caught her breath, Draco kept things moving along. However, by the end of chapter one, Hermione was catching her breath so often, BellaBlue was smooshing herself into Hermione's side. It was at this point Draco called a time out.

"Alright Hermione." He said, rubbing Bella to calm her down. "You are nearly sobbing. This is where we call a temporary halt and take time to assess."

Draco was more than surprised when he glanced over at Hermione to find her eyes full of tears. Regardless of what tripe he'd told himself about not getting close to Hermione, Draco leaned in to put his arms around her shoulders.

"What is it Hermione?" He asked as she leaned into his shoulder. "What have you learned?"

Hermione remained silent allowing tears to roll down her face.

"Please Granger. You have both me and your kneazle in an uproar. Tell us something."

Hermione simply replied. "I know what I did. I know what I did."

Draco was puzzled. She knows what she did. What the bloody fuck does that even mean? In a soft, level voice, Draco voiced his concern. "What is it you've done that would cause a vale of tears such as these? Not to be an arse about it, but I had no idea you could cry. You shout. You scream. You give a telling off. Sometimes you smile. But cry, that I never knew." He finished off his supposed bit of humor by summoning a wet cloth from the bathroom and handing it to Hermione.

The little bit of humor was just what Hermione needed. Reaching for the cloth, she smiled before calling Draco a big prat with a faulty sense of humor.

"My humor might be faulty." Draco replied with his arms still around Hermione. "But it made you smile. That in itself should get ten points for Malfoy."

Draco let his arms fall away when Hermione sat up straight.

"You are too right."

"About what?"

"Ten points to Draco."

"Finally Miss Granger, we are on the same page." He replied with a wide grin. "Even BellaBlue has calmed down. We just might get some things sorted before time to appear at work."

This time it was a giggle escaping from Hermione. "With what I have to say and the discussion that might ensue, I believe it would be best if we both called out to work. This might take a while."

Having forgotten all the rubbish he'd thought about pulsating sores and pus filled eruptions, Draco could only see the beautiful, brilliant, smiling witch he'd like nothing more than slip next to in bed. It was time for him to have a bathroom break because his libido was trying to act up, which would not sit well with Hermione no matter how wide her smile.

"If you'd get me quill, parchment and envelope, I'll gladly send an early Owl to let my Assistant know I will be out for the day. I would also appreciate the use of your facilities as well, if you don't mind."

"I can get you the quill, parchment and envelope, but you'll have to use the facilities on your own."

Draco laughed out loud, not only because of the humor of it, but also because interacting with a happy partner was sure to get more accomplished than with a sullen one.

"I'll take that into consideration." He replied, shooing Bella away from his heels. "Sorry little lady. Nothing but wizards in the loo."

Hermione smiled as she called BellaBlue to her. "Come to mum Blue. Still after Draco then? He really can be quite charming when he tries."

Then, she made a deep sigh. The pieces that had come together told a story she hadn't remembered existed. Had she drunk a strange potion or signed on some dotted line to become part of a fun group? She thought she had.

/*/

Draco returned from the bathroom carrying a small cup. "I took the liberty of having a bit of your Pepper-Up Potion. I brought a bit out for you as well. I hope you don't mind. There'll be no work done if we are both too sleepy to understand."

Hermione reached for the small cup. "That wouldn't do at all. Thank you Draco. You must try to be more careful. I'm beginning to think you are as charming as BellaBlue thinks. Before we resume, would you care for tea and an early breakfast?"

Draco was a bit chuffed. The normally prickly witch was handing out compliments. I'm making points, he thought. "I'll have tea but decline breakfast for the moment. I'm anxious to hear what your story entails."

"Certainly. It'll only take me a moment to brew the tea. Talk to BellaBlue. She loves you."

Another compliment.

Draco watched Hermione walk to the kitchen with all sorts of retorts on his tongue. However, his prowess with females was not something he should bring up, especially when things were going so well.

/*/

Hermione was back with tea in no time at all. Then once again, she and Draco sat side by side with a very contented kneazle in between.

Initially, Hermione hesitated. However, with a bit of prodding from Draco, she began to share what she thought she knew.

Gazing glumly at Draco, Hermione shared her first thought. "I believe there is a Volume 4."

Draco jumped up from the couch startling both Hermione and BellaBlue. "A fourth volume? Are you sure? Are there more than four?"

"I believe Volume 4 is the final volume. I can only tell you the bits I've seen, and some of those bits were marked, Vol 4 Fin which I'm taking to mean Volume 4 Final. I'm not sure, but that's my reasoning."

Rapidly running his hands through his hair in nervous energy, Draco declared that his work, their work had just gotten exponentially harder. Another bloody book laying around Merlin knows where, containing Merlin knows what and just might hold the key to both their problems. Bloody perfect.

"Not to drive you all the way spare Draco, but I also believe I have signed on the dotted line."

"Dotted line Hermione? Please make sense."

"For fucks sake Draco! What do you think I mean? It appears I was invited into Fantasm, and I accepted. No one forced me into anything."

Draco plopped back down on the couch looking more excited than he should. "That's the first good thing I've heard tonight. At least I know we have one thing right. This isn't some fluke. You are part of the circle and we've been brought together to find The Vessel. What we took as attacks were simply ways to get our attention. Although an Owl would have been a much easier way of communicating."

Draco's bit of humor didn't work quite as well as the last time.

"This is not the time for humor Draco. There's more. I believe I joined the circle then walked away with something that didn't belong to me. Something that wasn't needed until the next Blue Blood Super Moon appeared. Which will be this coming Saturday. Scattered thoughts lead me to believe I might possibly be The Vessel for which you are searching."

Draco was astounded by this admission, but quickly dismissed it as Hermione being overwhelmed by the bits, pieces and memories flooding back into her head. "Slow down love. Slow down. I think you are projecting my needs onto yourself. You know I am desperate to find a vessel, so in your mind, you've become it. Let's just have another tea and think this over."

/*/

While Hermione and Draco were conversing, Bella had begun to move from lap to lap. Back and forth, forth and back until both Hermione and Draco reached out at the same time to slow her down. Hermione got hold to the kneazle first, so Draco pulled his hand back.

"Bad girl. Mum and Draco are trying to talk," scolded Hermione as she carried Bella to her bed. "Why are you so agitated? Stay there and be a good girl."

/*/

Hermione went through to the kitchen, this time returning with an entire tea set up. "I'll leave the tea on the table. Please help yourself."

Draco thanked Hermione, but was more than ready to get back to their discussion. "Before we go any further, I have a suggestion which might make things easier."

Hermione was for anything which would make their task easier. "Okay. Let's hear it then. We need a way to bring order to the mess."

Draco explained how they should document any memories that had already emerged and the rest as they come. "You're a brilliant witch. Cast a spell."

After a bit of tweaking, Hermione had done just that. From there, she reviewed the memories while Draco continued to study the book. However, nothing more conclusive emerged from the jumble until…..

Until Draco got to the last paragraph of the last chapter in Being The Receptacle, Vol 1.

"Have a look at this Hermione. There's a casual reference to some kind of seal. Have you come across any bit of information relating to a seal, or remember anything about one?"

Hermione shook her head then asked quite a profound question. "If we are meant to be a team, why does it have to be me who controls the seal? Perhaps it's you Draco. Do you remember removing anything from the circle?"

Draco hadn't looked at things in that light. He hadn't ever absconded with any seal, but after one extremely raucous weekend, he had ended up with Being The Receptacle, Vol 2. What a dolt. Hermione had fallen upon, or absconded with, Vol 1 and he had done the same with Vol 2. It had to be the books.

"I think you've hit upon something Hermione." Draco replied, trying to contain his excitement. "I did remove something from the circle as did you."

"I'm not seeing your point. Right now, all I see is us going in circles."

Draco let out a chuckle. "We may not have taken it deliberately, but we both ended up with …."

"….. One of the Volumes," finished Hermione. "And I've come across another Volume. We have three out of four."

"Exactly," answered Draco, reaching for brandy instead of the tea. "Early morning or not, this revelation calls for a drink. Care to join me?"

"I'll pass on the drinks. All this calls for a clear head."

Now that they had something to work with, the big, Granger brain went into overdrive. "It would seem Mr. Malfoy that I've done my part by finding two of four. It is now up to you to find the last. The heat is off me, so to speak."

Draco was about to give a slightly rude answer when he turned to see a smiling Hermione reaching for the wine. "Look who is making time for humor. We have deduced certain things relating to the books. However, there isn't any formula which tells us if we are even on the right track. I suggest we both try to find the last Volume then go from there."

BellaBlue's head had shot up at the inflection in Draco's voice as though she wouldn't stand still for any nonsense. Both Hermione and Draco noticed and smiled in her direction.

/*/

Draco glanced at his Wonder Wizard Watch. It was coming up on 10:00 am. They'd been at it for more than twelve hours.

"I think we've made progress. I'm going to make a quick stop by the office then get a few hours sleep. We can resume this later this evening. Perhaps something will come to us if we step away for a bit. Shall I stop back by around 7:00?"

Hermione thought about it. Draco was making a good point. Sometimes stepping away was as good as getting a hint. "Alright. Let's do that. Thank you for spending your night with me. I'll see you at 7:00."

This time, Draco didn't hesitate to offer a bit of cheek. "Ah! Spent the night have I? Those are words I never thought would come from those lips."

Hermione blushed crimson while BellaBlue let out a loud songlike purr.

"Back to being Malfoy is it then?" Asked Hermione.

"I never stopped being Malfoy Granger. I'll see you at 7:00 pm. Have a good day."

When Draco moved towards the door, Bella jumped from her bed to follow him. Draco leaned down to pet the little dear before opening the door.

"I'll see you both at 7:00."

/*/

Hermione called an Evanesco on Bella's litter box before replacing it with fresh then put down fresh food before heading to the bathroom for a pee and a shower. Twenty minutes later, Hermione was snuggled under her blanket with BellaBlue by her side.

For several minutes, Hermione laid there trying to make sense of all she and Draco had uncovered. It could mean everything or nothing. If the books meant something, where in bloody hell was the final Volume? She dozed off with a litany of nonsense hiding places running through her mind.

/*/

For once, Draco's brain was working faster than Hermione's. He had made an appearance at his office and fully intended to Apparate back to his flat when a strange idea formed in his mind. What if…..? Adjusting the destination in his mind, he landed in front of The Menagerie. Draco knew this might be a rubbish idea, but it wouldn't hurt anything to check. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.

Laurie recognized Draco Malfoy right off, but wondered why the, too good for normal shops, wizard was in her shop.

Draco stepped forward. "Good afternoon Laurie. It is Laurie, correct?"

"Yes. I'm Laurie." She replied, wondering how or why Draco Malfoy knew her name. "How can I help you?"

Draco didn't miss the slight confusion when he called the proprietor by name. He knew her name because Hermione knew her name. When a wizard is interested in a witch, he makes it his business to know what the witch liked, and Hermione liked The Pet Menagerie and its owner Laurie.

"I have what might seem like a strange request. An acquaintance of mine recently purchased a lovely, blue kneazle from your shop. I am here hoping to purchase the remaining toys or belongings that were with BellaBlue when she arrived at your shop, if there are any. They are to be a gift for Miss Granger."

Laurie hesitated before answering. "Hermione named the little minx BellaBlue then? What a lovely name. As far as accoutrements, there were several things I initially figured to put in the bin, but after some thought, decided to save them until the next time Hermione came in. They are in the back. Give me a minute. I'll get them."

Draco was chuffed. He stood there hoping he was correct in his thinking that BellaBlue somehow fit into the whole thing.

When Laurie returned with a bulky looking bundle, the excitement drained from Draco, but returned when Laurie explained. "She came with a blanket, several small toys and of all things, a book. Sometimes there's no accounting for what people send in with their unwanted pets. I've also enclosed some extra food as a gift to one of my favorite customers. Please give Hermione my regards."

Draco was feeling a level of excitement he hadn't felt since… since Hermione had agreed to go on a date. Of course, his dumb arse had made some moves and ruined the evening, but that was then. This was now. Now, he might help the girl, help himself and get another chance.

"I will definitely give both Hermione and Bella your regards. Thank you."

/*/

Draco Apparated to his flat intending to check the bundle for himself instead of opening it in front of Hermione and being shown as a fool. Draco's feet had barely touched the floor of his bedroom before he was pulling off the wrappings. There was a squeaky thing, a scratch post and a small blanket wrapped inside a larger blanket. Laurie had mentioned a book. Where was it? Then he shook the small blanket and out fell, Being The Receptacle, Vol. 4 Finite. Draco fell back into a chair. There it was. Whatever the connection to The bloody Vessel, he and Hermione now had it. All they had to do was put the pieces together.

It was only 2:30 in the afternoon. He and Hermione had agreed to meet at 7:00, but Draco was too restless to have a lie down. Instead, he took a massive dose of Pepper-Up Potion then sat down to review the volume which would hopefully bring everything into perspective.

/*/

The more Draco read, the more antsy he grew. It appeared that someone or something would have to be sacrificed in order to bring The Vessel to power. With his mind racing, Draco read and reread the chapters, but couldn't get a sense of what the sacrifice entailed. Finally, at 6:45, he showered, dressed, then grabbed the book and was presenting himself at Hermione's door at 7:00 pm.