Previously on Love Vessel Chapter 11: Two No's And A Maybe
With Blue on her heels, Hermione hurried to her bedroom hoping to have the entire recipe in order by the time Draco arrived.
Speaking of Draco, Hermione knew he must be close because Blue had gone to sit by the front door waiting patiently for her da.
The bookmark was there in all its scarlet and gold beauty. Better still, she was right. The entire recipe was there just as she remembered, seared into the bookmark's fabric. Now they had something to work with. Hopefully, the recipe was something that didn't have to simmer for a month.
/*/
Instead of going to his flat, Draco had thrown a refresh spell over himself in the men's at the end of the workday. He didn't want to waste time. He and Hermione had important shite to do and important matters to discuss. As much as he wanted to see Hermione, Draco wasn't looking forward to the conversation they would need to have. Releasing Deidra from the transfiguration was a daft idea. Unfortunately, it would be him who would have to make Hermione see reason. With a last look in the mirror, Draco let out a huge sigh.
"Make Hermione Granger see reason. As if."
/************************************************************************
Chapter 12: Change Of Heart
When Hermione opened the door, Draco was inundated by his two females. Hermione grabbing his arm while Blue tried to run up his leg.
"Ladies. Ladies. Your attention is appreciated, but please, give a wizard the chance to step all the way in the door before overpowering him."
With everything right in Blue's world now her da was there, she made one more turn around Draco's ankles before sauntering over to her bed.
Hermione quickly removed her hand from Draco's arm, but replied in a level voice. "Overpowering you? In a less than stellar mood then Malfoy? If you have more important or happier places to be, by all means go. I've looked over the recipe. I'm certain I can do this alone."
"First, haven't we discussed your habit of calling me Malfoy? My name is Draco. Use it. Secondly, I'm in a fine mood, and the place I want to be is here. I apologize for my poor choice of words. Overpowering is not what I meant. Lastly, you can drop the arbitrary stance. We agreed to brew together which is what we'll do. However, before we get to recipes and brewing, I think we should discuss Untransfiguring Deidra."
Hermione gave Draco a wicked glare. "Well, Mr. Draco, I'm in a fine mood, I just used a wrong word, Malfoy. We'll brew together. However, the other issue is moot."
"The other issue being Deidra. Why is she a moot issue Hermione?"
Hermione hesitated for several seconds, so Draco repeated the question.
"Why is she a moot issue Hermione? You haven't gone ahead and released the miserable cow, have you? I asked that we discuss this. You know as well as I. She can be dangerous. Tell me you haven't."
"Dangerous my arse. We have her good and proper. I have released her, but everything is under control. Deidra won't be causing any trouble. Check the study to see for yourself."
Draco hurried to the study flinging the door open.
"See." Hermione called out in a sing song voice. "Does that look dangerous to you? Draco?
No answer.
As Hermione headed towards the study, the door slammed shut in her face.
Bam!
Blue shot out of her bed and made a run for the bedroom.
"DRACO! Answer me," shouted Hermione turning the door knob. "Open this door. Accio wand. "
With her wand in hand, Hermione decided against using the more tame Alohomora to force the door open. Instead, she drew her wand back over her shoulder and screamed Bombarda. The door burst open, but the room was so foggy and dark, Hermione couldn't make out a thing. It was like someone had thrown Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder into the air. Proceeding slowly with wand held out in front of her, Hermione took a few steps. The chair that had held Deidra was empty.
Suddenly, Deidra shouted out. "Crucio."
The question flit through Hermione's mind regarding how Deidra had gotten Draco's wand. It had to be Draco's…. Draco? Where was he?
As fast as Deidra thought she was, Hermione was faster, and Deidra's spell casting weak.
"Protego, Expelliarmus. Draco's wand came flying into Hermione's hand?
"Got you bitch. You're wandless now. Come take your beating."
The fog had begun to clear, but all Hermione could see was Draco lying on the floor. Keeping the Protego charm in place, Hermione checked the entire room. Deidra was gone. How, Hermione didn't know. She rushed to Draco's side where Blue was laid across her da licking his face.
Sniffing the air for even the faintest scent of dark magic, Hermione gently pushed Blue away. "Move away sweetie. Mum has to fix Draco."
Blue gazed at her mum, let out a soft meow but continued to lick Draco's face. Hermione picked Blue up and put her down away from Draco.
Hermione couldn't smell any dark magic. "Thank Merlin. It's not dark magic." She mumbled as she tried to assess the problem. "There's no sign of damage or wounds. Rennervate."
Nothing. Draco remained stiff and immobile.
Hermione didn't want to panic, but she could feel a ball of fire beginning to form in her chest. In the back of her mind, she was also thinking it was a good thing the Crucio hadn't made contact. Otherwise, the Aurors would have been at her door asking for an explanation.
"Finite Incantatem."
Nothing. Draco who had been out for approximately ten minutes still remained stiff and immobile.
"I'll bring you out of this Draco. I promise. Even though I'm going to hex you blind for letting a poor excuse of a witch take your wand. Alright, alright, stop talking foolish Hermione. Think. If Finite Incantatem didn't bring him around it must be some of that bloody Priestess shite. After this, if I have to track her for the rest of my life, I'll find her, or maybe I'll find The Coven. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to curse her arse."
Hermione knew this entire fuck up was her fault. Draco had asked her not to Untransfigure Deidra, or at least wait until they'd discussed it. She had been so smug, Untransfiguring Deidra then binding her. For all intents and purposes, the binds would have held if Deidra hadn't been able to get hold to Draco's wand and free herself. Draco would never let her forget this. Well, he wouldn't let her forget it if she was able to sort him out.
Hermione conjured a blanket and pillow for Draco, and levitated him to the couch in the study. Then she was out for blood. Deidra's blood. Hurrying to the living room, Hermione paced the floor trying to bring something, anything she had ever read about the siren song.
Out of nowhere, one of Hermione's Fantasm nights appeared in front of her face. It was a night The Priestess was doing her worst. Hermione remembered it clearly. Some dark haired wizard had been the target of her lust this particular night. He hadn't shown enough deference so Deidra had drawn him to her with his wand and sung something in his ear. Hermione remembered other members jokingly calling it the siren song. That had to be what happened tonight. Even though he knew better, Draco must have let his guard down, and presto. Deidra had him, and his wand.
Now Hermione had a lead. She knew it wasn't really about a Siren. Just a piece of shite witch who was very strong with certain spells that were primarily used against men. It was obvious. Deidra had used one or more of her wizard dragging spells, but which ones.
/*/
Draco had now been out for about thirty minutes, and Hermione was concerned. The longer any witch or wizard was compromised by a spell, the more spell damage that could occur.
"Okay, okay. The bloody Priestess was fond of using the Summoning charm, the Confundus charm, and….. I am such an arse. I've called the spells out of order." Rushing into the study, she pointed her wand at Draco and called out, in quick succession;
"Finite Incantatem; Rennervate."
Hermione nearly smiled as Draco's body jerked as it did when he was ready to orgasm, but he was awake and moving.
"What in bloody, fucking hell happened? My bloody head feels like it was stomped by a Hippogriff."
"You were hexed. I wasn't in the room when it happened. However, since Deidra has gotten away, I imagine you allowed her to use one her Priestess, bull shite spells to immobilize you and take your wand."
Holding his head, Draco rolled his eyes at Hermione which made his head hurt even more. "Allowed? I allowed. I walked into the room, felt a pull then everything went dark. Are you trying to imply this is my fault because…."
"Of course not…"
"My head is trying to come off my neck Hermione. Please get me a pain potion. Then you may tell me how very much this isn't my fault. Did I hear you say Deidra has disappeared from your flat? Where's my wand Hermione? Did she make off with my wand?"
"Here's your pain potion. Only a few sips. It's extra potent. Deidra and I had a small battle. She threw a Crucio at me, but I cast Protego and Expelliarmus. Your wand is on the living room table."
"I'm relieved about that. Thank you and thank you." Draco answered, before taking three quick sips.
/*/
Hermione watched as the frown lines disappeared from Draco's face. "Head feeling better then?"
"Yes it is. Thank you."
Blue glanced over at Hermione from her place beside Draco's thigh, and let out a small meow. Draco took a few seconds to run his hand through Blue's fur and ask her a pointed question. "How could you stand by and let mum get me into this predicament? It is my recollection that your mum and I would discuss matters before anything was done."
Meow, meow.
Hermione sat at the other end of the couch patting her foot. "Alright. I admit it. I made an error in judgment. Perhaps if we had the opportunity to discuss Deidra before I Untransfigured her, we would have discussed how good she is at calling wizards."
"Is that supposed to be some smart assed remark, some back door insult? Had Deidra remained a bone, I wouldn't have had to remember how good she is at calling wizards to her."
"No Draco. My words weren't meant to be anything more than an explanation. I've apologized and you've accepted. Let's please move on to other things."
"In a minute. I arrived at the flat at 7:05. My Wonder Wizard Watch is now showing 8:40. Are you telling me I was hexed for more than an hour? You are able to call a spell as difficult as Reparifarge. Why didn't you just un-hex me?"
A blushing Hermione spoke softly. "I panicked and called the spells out of order."
Draco leaned forward and towards Hermione. "Sorry. I didn't hear you."
Turning towards Draco and speaking much louder, Hermione explained herself. "Initially, I panicked, thinking I didn't know what spells, hexes or curses Deidra used. In my haste, I called the two spells out of order. When you didn't wake, I realized what I had done and corrected myself."
Draco thought it over. I'm lucky my witch is as knowledgeable as she is. Things could have gone an entirely different way. He was actually chuffed to be in one piece. "On the one hand, I'm upset. On the other hand, I'm glad you were able to beat the arse off Deidra, again."
A grimace appeared on Hermione's face. "I wouldn't go as far as to say I beat the arse off her. I kept myself and possibly you alive. Truthfully, if I hadn't been quick with the Protego, you might have found yourself needing to revive me."
Nodding his head, Draco told Hermione he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Are those the words of a headstrong witch humbling herself. If they are, I like it. Humble Hermione has such an elegant ring to it."
Hermione chuckled softly. "Don't get ahead of yourself Malf-Draco. I'm not adverse to putting your arse back in magical slumber."
Draco didn't answer Hermione. Instead, he addressed his answer to Blue. "Ah. We are back to normal now. Threats and intimidation are your mum's forte, but we are dating so I won't put too fine a point on it. I will ask how she proposes to get Deidra back here?"
Blue paddled over to Hermione and let out two soft purrs. As though she wanted to know as well.
Giving her baby a pat on the head, Hermione turned to glare at the wizard she was dating. "I have some ideas on getting Deidra back here. They are unconventional so I will not share them with you as you are already fond of calling me threatening and intimidating. Suffice it to say, it won't be pretty. Any more questions?"
"No more questions love, but I'm beginning to think all that talk about us being a team was bull shite. I seem to remember one of your first thoughts after I walked through the door was, I can brew on my own. Now, it's I'll handle Deidra on my own. I understand you might be able to accomplish both. However, don't try to finesse me with some bloody team bull shite because I'm smarter than that. If you can handle the brewing, and Deidra's return alone, I'll make myself scarce. Call if you need the services of some dumb sot. Accio wand. Goodnight Blue. Goodnight Hermione."
/*/
After Draco finished telling her off, said goodnight and headed for the door, Hermione was up like a shot. "Stop right there Draco Malfoy. If I thought you were some dumb sot, we wouldn't be dating. I only date the finest sots. Please, if I've made you feel unwelcome, it wasn't my intention. You do know how my mouth tends to get away from me at times. I need your assistance to get us where we need to be. Now will you take that scowl off your face, hang your jumper then have some dinner with Blue and I. After that, we'll figure it all out. Plan on making this a late night because, we have to decide about the Potion Of The Blood Moon and just how much s-e-x you owe me. Fair?"
"Fair enough. One point I'd like to make. Did you see Blue's ears perk up when you spelled s-e-x. I think she knows how to suss out letters and is now aware you are going to try and kill me again. What's for dinner?"
Hermione began to giggle uncontrollably. "Wash up for dinner you prat. We're having Cumberland bangers and mashed with gravy. Simple but filling. If you like, I'll show you the Blood Moon recipe during dinner. And the next time you think about walking out on me, I'll say the S word out loud."
/*/
Hermione and Draco, with Blue lying under the table had a pleasant meal. By the time dinner was finished, they were back to a relatively happy couple that understood every nuance of the brewing process for the Potion Of The Blood Moon. All they had to do was get the ingredients. If all went right, the potion would be ready Friday night. Draco excused himself telling Hermione that every ingredient on the list could be acquired from the old stores at Malfoy Manor. Hermione nodded, but made no effort to accompany him to his parent's house of horror.
"Will you be gone long? I do want you to know what I have planned for Deidra. It might not work, but if it does, she won't like it. That's all I'll say for now. Go and hurry back. We really need to start the brew tonight."
Pulling Hermione to him, Draco lifted her chin to kiss her lips. I'll be as quick as I can. Will I need anything extra for what you are planning for Deidra?"
"Not a thing love. Everything I need is in my own stores."
"I'll be back before you can say Reparifarge."
"Cute Malfoy. Just get going."
"See you ladies in just a bit."
Picking up Blue, Hermione plopped down on the couch. "And that's how you keep your wizard in line. You may never tell da what I've just said."
/*/
During the time Draco was gone, Hermione put together what she needed to set her trap for Deidra, more determined than ever the witch stand in front of The Coven.
Hermione was writing up the plan when there was a knock on the door. Heading to the door, Hermione wondered why Blue hadn't run to the door.
"Why didn't you just….?" She stopped in the middle of the sentence no longer wondering why Blue hadn't run for the door. It wasn't Draco. It was Harry James Potter.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "What are doing here this time of night? I-I."
"You, you what? I know it's late, but I had to come find out what has set McLaggen's trousers on fire."
"I don't know what you mean Harry. We should probably discuss this tomorrow."
"I've never known you to be an early to bed girl. I'll make it short. Cormac went on a tear after he left your office. He was spitting and fuming about witches who led men on. I thought he was going to scare Romilda out of her knickers. Thus, my question. What did you do to make him act like a madman?"
"Actually Harry, I declined his invitation to the Annual Hogwarts Party."
"And? I know for a fact you've declined his invitations before, so…"
"So, for your information nosy arse. I also revealed that I have accepted the attentions of a wizard and he should look elsewhere for a romantic partner. There you have it."
"I don't believe it. Miss Hermione Granger has settled on a wizard. And just who is this fine wizard? Do I know him?"
"Yes Harry. You do know him. I'm currently in a relationship with Draco Malfoy."
"You're kidding." Harry sputtered, jumping up from the chair. "Malfoy the pureblood, obnoxious, antagonistic bloke who would hex you as soon as look at you. That Malfoy?"
Blue was at the door pacing.
"I don't believe it."
"Good evening Potter. I could hear your dulcet tones all the way down the hall. Let me respond to your statement. Believe it. Hermione is dating the obnoxious, antagonistic pureblood who would hex you as soon as look at you."
"Careful Malfoy," growled Harry. "You are speaking to an Auror in service to the Ministry."
"I won't argue your position, but you will do well to remember I'm not my father. I am a respectable wizard who runs one of the largest companies in magical London. If you don't like me, fine. I don't give a shite, but don't threaten me with your position because I'll go toe to toe with you in front of the Magistrate."
"Enough. Both of you." Hermione shouted, stepping between them. "I love and respect you Harry, but you will not be stepping into my business as though you're my father. I'm dating Draco and will be until I'm not dating him anymore. There you have it. I will now respectfully request that both of you shake hands and act like adults. You don't have to be best mates, but I need you to cordial to each other. For my sake."
Harry tried to grumble, but a scathing look from Hermione made him extend his hand to meet Draco's already extended hand.
"Thank you." Hermione remarked sarcastically. "Now I have two gits who know my business. Would you like a drink Harry? Draco and I have to work on a personal project we….."
Harry jumped out of the chair he had just settled in like a blast ended skrewt had set his arse on fire. "Private time is private time. I'll just let myself out."
Hermione folded her arms across her chest as Draco chuckled in the background. "For fucks sake Harry get your mind out of the gutter. We are working on a project that's due by mid afternoon on Saturday."
Harry grinned at his best friend. "Oh, okay. I'll be on my way anyway. It's late. Night Malfoy. I'll talk to you tomorrow Hermione."
Blue chose that moment to let out a loud yowl.
Harry glanced from Draco to Hermione. "Alright kneazle. Good night to you too." Shaking his head, Harry dropped one last comment before opening the door. "A blue kneazle Hermione? Crookshanks must be turning over in his grave."
Grabbing Blue up in her arms, Hermione nuzzled her baby while assuring her that miserable old Harry Potter didn't mean anything by his comment.
Draco who had been trying to hold back laughter finally let go. Laughing like someone mad, he asked Hermione what was a Crookshanks and why would he be turning over in his grave.
"Never you mind Malfoy. Time is wasting. Shouldn't you be separating ingredients?"
"Of course you're right Miss Granger. If Crookshanks was a mate to Potter, he was probably a wanker. Now that we have that settled, put my daughter down and let's get started.."
"I want some s-e-x before we start."
Draco stared at his witch. "You're joking right? As much as I want you, I'll forego death this evening. We have work. We'll be up until all hours as it is."
Hermione laughed so loudly she scared Blue. "You should see your face Malfoy. I was kidding. You'll forego death this evening. Haha. Good one. I've saved your soldier from getting a case of the scabs. You should be thanking me."
"Yah, yah, yah, Wonderful. Save the jokes for Saturday night. And that timeframe is only if we can appease The Coven."
"Fine my wizard. Let's do this."