Hermione

The air is crisp, the last traces of winter still clinging to the breeze as Draco and I make our way towards Hogsmeade. The sun is beginning its slow descent, casting the castle in a warm glow behind us, but my mind is anywhere but on the scenery.

"We need to get into her office," I say, tugging Draco closer to me.

Draco hums beside me, squeezing my fingers lightly. "Agreed. But rushing in without a plan is a great way to end up in detention or worse."

I glance up at him. "We already know she'll keep it guarded with more than the standard wards. We'll need a way past those."

His grip tightens slightly. "Getting through them and breaking into her office is most likely the easy part. It's figuring out when to get in that's the problem. We need her out of the castle."

A group of students passes us on the path, their chatter filling the space between our conversation. I wait until they're out of earshot before continuing. "She leaves some nights, doesn't she? We've seen her go."

Draco nods. "I'll have Blaise keep an eye on her. He's good at blending in - he can track someone without ever looking like he's doing it. I'll also ask him to dig up any maps or blueprints of the castle, though it'll be hell with how everchanging the castle is."

I nod thoughtfully. "We need every advantage we can get."

"And that's always about connections, darling."

I give him a small roll of my eyes in response.

He tugs out his wand and murmurs a quick incantation, summoning a scrap of parchment from his pocket. With a flick of his wrist, he scrawls a quick message, his handwriting sharp and efficient.

Hogsmeade. Need you. - D.M.

He taps his wand against the note, watching as it folds itself neatly before vanishing with a faint crack of displaced air.

"There. That should get his attention," Draco says smoothly, slipping his wand back into his sleeve.

I roll my eyes, bumping my shoulder against his. "I don't suppose you'll tell me how he'll know where to meet us?"

He shrugs. "He'll figure it out."

We walk in silence, the only sound coming from the squish of our shoes on the ground. My mind is still running through the logistics of the plan. Breaking into a professor's office is one thing, but breaking into the office of someone who's actively working against us, with enough dark magic at her disposal to rewrite history, is another entirely.

A different thought tugs at me, quieter but persistent. I reach out and brush my fingers against his arm. "My heat's next week," I murmur, not quite meeting his eyes. "Just… don't forget."

He slows, barely, and when he looks at me, there's no confusion - just something steady in the way his gaze settles on mine. "I didn't forget."

I nod once, then add a little more quietly, "I still want you there. If you still want to be there."

His expression softens, something warm flickering behind his eyes. "I want to be there," he says. "Of course, omega. It's not something I'd ever forget."

The low rumble in his voice sends a sharp pulse of heat through me, and my body responds instinctively. I shift closer without meaning to, craving his touch, his steadiness. But I rein it in, focusing on the reason I brought it up in the first place.

"Which means," I say pointedly, "we need to have some sort of idea of our next steps. For Onyx. For her office… because I want to be able to only focus on us." I pause before adding, "And you. Not whether we missed something important."

His fingers thread through mine, and he casts me a knowing look, somewhere between amused and deeply, devastatingly fond. "I'm your alpha. I'll handle everything - especially you."

I roll my eyes, but the fondness in my chest flares. "Thank you, sweet alpha." I purr, leaning in just slightly.

He hums, pretending to consider it. "Could stand to hear that again, if I'm being honest."

"Hm?" I glance up.

His silver eyes gleam, clearly entertained. "Say it again. The bit where you want to focus on me."

I giggle, nudging his shoulder. "You're impossible."

"And yet, you love me." He slows just enough to make me glance up. "Go on, omega. Say it."

I lift my chin, feigning nonchalance. "I love you." The words fall easily, but there's a thrill behind them. It's something primal and certain, it curls low in my belly when I see the way he looks at me.

His smirk vanishes, replaced by something softer, deeper - something that makes my heart stumble. He stops walking altogether and gently pulls me with him. Then his lips are on mine in a slow, lingering kiss that steals my breath. His fingers slide into my hair while the breeze stirs around us. But all I feel is him - his warmth, his claim, the press of his body against mine like it belongs there. "I love you too," he hums against my lips. "Even when you're bossing me around."

"Especially when I'm bossing you around," I correct with a quick peck.

My alpha growls low in his throat, playful but laced with intent, dipping down as if he's about to kiss me again when a deliberate cough cuts in, sharp and unwelcome.

"Ahem."

Draco's head snaps up at the sound, his expression shifting from teasing to thoroughly unimpressed. He lets out a much louder, more irritated growl, his grip on my waist tightening for just a second before he turns toward the source of the interruption.

"Now, now, don't let me interrupt," Blaise says, stepping up beside us. His grin is all sharp amusement, eyes flicking between us like he's debating just how much teasing he can get away with. "Though, I will say, when I got the note telling me to meet up, I expected something a little more clandestine. Less snogging, more scheming."

I huff, stepping back, though Draco doesn't let me go entirely. "And yet, here you are. Rather quickly, I might add."

Blaise gives him a sarcastic smile. "What can I say? I live to serve. Plus, anyone with a nose could find you two." His lips twitch before he glances at me, giving a mock bow. "Granger."

"Blaise," I say, shaking my head slightly, a small giggle escaping me.

"Zabini," Draco says, clearing his throat. "You know the project I've mentioned? The one Hermione and I are working on?" Blaise nods as Draco continues. "We need you to do us a favor. Can you pull any old blueprints or maps of Hogwarts? Study the areas around Onyx's office to see if there are any recent changes?"

Blaise arches an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "Blueprints, hm? Sure, I'll see what I can dig up. I'll write to my mother, see what she can send me from the home library. And I'll check the library here for anything useful."

Draco gives a satisfied nod. "We also need you to keep an eye on Professor Onyx. Figure out when she's away from her office and how long she's gone for."

"Of course," Blaise replies, all too eager, "I'll make sure to track her every move." His grin widens as he leans in slightly. " Anything else, dragon?"

"Perfect," Draco says dryly, rolling his eyes.

"Thank you, Blaise. I appreciate it," I smile, squeezing Draco's arm a little tighter. "We both do."

Our friend flashes us a wicked grin. "Meet me at the library after dinner. I'll have something ready for you."

"Are you sure?" I blink, a little surprised. "You don't have to rush."

"Please, Granger, when have I ever not been ready for action?" Blaise wiggles his brows, flicking his fingers like it's nothing. "You two don't make it easy to get anything done with all the... distractions." He winks and walks off, leaving us behind.

"We aren't rushing. You said you wanted this settled before your heat. You want to be able to focus on me," he whispers, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. "And what kind of alpha would I be if I denied my omega?"

A blush spreads across my cheeks, and I can't help it. "Good thing I have the best alpha," I purr, nuzzling into the curve of his neck.

—

After a peaceful afternoon in Hogsmeade, we made our way back to the castle. The time between dinner and now is spent soaking in a hot bath and studying by the fire in our room, hidden away. For the first time in a while, I feel a genuine sense of ease. We're making small but steady progress.

Draco's arm rests comfortably around my shoulder as we stroll to the Great Hall. Blaise isn't at dinner, which I had expected. We take our usual seats at the blended table with our friends, the conversation flowing as we settle into the familiar rhythm of the evening.

After dinner is finished, we make our way toward the library. The halls are quieter now, the usual bustle of students winding down for the night. Draco's hand is warm in mine as we walk together. When we reach the library, I spot Blaise right away. He's tucked into a secluded spot at the back, a few books scattered in front of him. His usual mischievous grin flickers as he looks up at us, his eyes gleaming.

"Hogwarts had quite a few things for me to pull," he says, motioning to the stack of books and papers laid out in front of him. "You'd be surprised how much they've kept tucked away over the years. Some of it's a bit... ancient, but it should be helpful."

Draco raises an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Like?"

Blaise nods, flipping through one of the dusty pages. "I took a look through these blueprints," he says, shifting some papers around and laying one flat. He taps a particular section with his wand.

A faint shimmer appears, highlighting a hidden space connected to Onyx's office.

Draco's brow furrows. "That… isn't just a storage room?"

Blaise grins. "No, it is not. And I'd bet every Galleon I own that there is more than one way to enter because," he pulls out a set of older blueprints. "Here," his finger traces over what looks to be old tunnels or corridors.

My heart races.

Draco

Hermione inhales sharply beside me, her eyes darting between the map and whatever thoughts are currently storming through that overactive mind of hers. "First things first, I need to figure out what it's warded with. I'd rather us know before we do a full break-in so we can get in and out quickly… so that means getting close and inside two different times."

Blaise leans back against the railing, arms crossed, watching us with lazy amusement. "So, what's the plan then? You both going to throw yourselves at the door and hope for the best?"

Hermione shakes her head. "Not exactly."

I sigh, already anticipating whatever madness she's about to suggest. "Go on, then."

"I'm going to request an early test for my flying evaluation," she says matter-of-factly. "Say something about wanting to clear up my schedule to focus on more intensive coursework."

Blaise raises an eyebrow. "That sounds… painfully responsible?"

"It is," I mutter. "Which means there's a catch."

She ignores me. "While I do that, you," she looks pointedly at me, "are going to test the perimeter of her office."

Blaise chokes on a laugh. "Oh, that's brilliant. She gets to play the role of star student while you risk being exploded."

I fold my arms, narrowing my eyes at her. "So I'm just supposed to snoop around Onyx's office, see if I trigger any particularly nasty hexes, and then report back, assuming I survive?"

Hermione tilts her head, feigning deep thought. "Essentially, yes."

Blaise claps me on the shoulder, barely suppressing his grin. "That's rough, mate."

I exhale through my nose, biting back a smirk. "And what happens if I set something off?"

She hums. "Well, if you do survive, I imagine you'll tell me about it after my test."

Blaise laughs outright. "Outright cold!"

My jaw tightens, but there's something so her about the whole thing that I can't even pretend to be mad. I step closer, lowering my voice. "You owe me for this, omega."

Hermione's lips curl into a knowing smile. "I'll make it up to you later."

I don't miss the way her scent spikes, her pulse quickening slightly. And suddenly, the inconvenience of possibly dying via Onyx's security measures is a little easier to stomach.

Blaise groans. "Fuck, do not start with the thing. I'll finalize the blueprints before you two get even more disgusting."

Hermione watches him go, then turns back to me, eyes alight with determination. "You really think this is going to work?"

I give her a mock smile. "I think you'll find out after your test."

Hermione

The moment Onyx agreed, I knew I'd won.

It had been a calculated risk; asking for an early test in front of McGonagall, where Onyx had no choice but to agree without looking unreasonable. She tried to mask her irritation, but I caught the pursing of her lips and the sharpness in her gaze as she nodded.

"Very well, Miss Granger," she had said smoothly. "Your evaluation will be tomorrow morning at seven o'clock."

First thing. Of course.

Now, back in the comfort of our room, I collapse onto our bed groaning and rubbing my temples. "Why did I think this would be a good idea?"

Draco, lounging lazily at the foot of the bed, gives me a less-than-sympathetic look. "Because it is. You just didn't account for having to wake up before the bloody sun."

I throw a pillow at him. He catches it effortlessly, setting it behind his head. "You're a prat."

"And yet, you love me." He grins, silver eyes glinting. I love it when he reminds me.

I huff, but my lips betray me with a smile. "Unfortunately."

He shifts, propping himself up on his elbows. "Come on, then. Let's get some flying in."

I groan again, louder this time. "Draco, I just convinced Onyx to let me take this test early, and now you want me to risk breaking my neck the night before?" I know I'm being dramatic, but with my heat only a few days away, I was hoping to steal some personal time with my alpha.

He sits up fully, rolling his shoulders like this is all perfectly reasonable. "Exactly. If you're testing tomorrow, I need to make sure you don't embarrass yourself."

My jaw drops. "Excuse me?"

His sly grin widens. "You heard me. Up."

I glare at him, but it lacks any real heat. I know he's right, I haven't flown properly in ages. If I don't at least attempt to practice tonight, I'll be a stiff mess in the morning.

Sighing dramatically, I shove off the bed. "Fine. But if I crash into a tree, I'm haunting you." I yank on one of his jumpers and adjust my sweats.

Draco stands, reaching for my hand. "Looking forward to it, pet."

The night air is crisp as we step onto the pitch, the stars scattered overhead like pinpricks of silver. Draco hands me my broom, and I grip the smooth wood, feeling the thrum of magic in the grain. I take a steadying breath, adjusting my grip as I swing my leg over. It's been a while, but the moment my feet leave the ground, muscle memory kicks in. The wind rushes past me, cool against my flushed skin.

Draco hovers nearby, watching. "Not bad."

I roll my eyes. "High praise."

He grins. "Just don't fall off, yeah?"

We fly for a while, drifting lazily through the air, my nerves easing with each lap. But then Draco edges closer, his smirk deepening.

"Race you."

I arch a brow. "You just said not to fall off."

He winks. "You won't if you intend to pass tomorrow."

I don't bother responding. I just lean forward and go. It's not very fast, admittedly, but it doesn't mean I'm not brave enough to try. My alpha worked hard to get me to this moment. I've actually bonded with my broom, and I trust he won't let me fall either.

Draco doesn't outspeed me, though I know he easily could - he stays right at my side, matching my pace.

I cut a sharp turn, forcing him to adjust, giving myself just enough of an edge to slip ahead. But before I can savor the victory, he's suddenly right there, closing the distance effortlessly.

I gasp as his hand wraps around my wrist, pulling me to a stop. Our brooms wobble slightly before steadying, the space between us narrowing until there's barely any left at all.

The world narrows to this: the cool night air, the weight of his hand against mine, the way his pupils dilate as he looks at me.

"You're good," his eyes drop to my lips before coming back up.

I swallow, pulse hammering. "Told you."

His thumb strokes over my wrist. "But I'm better," he rumbles, aiming for a tease, but his voice comes out too husky, too thick with something else.

I part my lips to argue, but I don't get the chance. His mouth is on mine before I can make a sound.

The kiss is slow, deliberate. His hand slides from my wrist to my waist, pulling me flush against him. My fingers curl into the front of his jumper, the heat of him searing through the fabric. We're still hovering, weightless in midair, and it's intoxicating, the kiss, the way he feels, the way he consumes me.

I melt into it, tilting my head, and parting my lips for him. The moment his tongue brushes against mine, a shiver ripples down my spine.

I could kiss him forever.

Draco pulls back first, his breath unsteady. "We should get back before you start begging me to take you right here."

I let out a breathless laugh, my cheeks burning. "Please. If anyone would come up with the bright idea of fucking midair, it'd be you."

He shrugs, utterly shameless. "An assumption, albeit a correct one."

I roll my eyes with another giggle. "Let's get back before I hex you."

The morning air is brisk, sharp against my skin as I tighten my grip around the broom handle. The pitch is empty except for McGonagall, Onyx, and a handful of enchanted quills floating in the air, primed to record my every movement.

I swallow down the nerves twisting in my stomach. I can do this. I've faced worse things than a bloody flight evaluation.

McGonagall glances up from her clipboard, peering at me over the rim of her spectacles. "Whenever you're ready, Miss Granger."

Onyx, standing beside her, gives me a tight-lipped smile. It's all polite on the surface, but I see the glint of satisfaction in her eyes, she expects me to fail.

I exhale slowly and push off the ground.

The broom responds instantly, lifting me into the air with smooth precision. I steady myself, adjusting my grip before easing into the first series of movements: a controlled ascent, sharp turns, speed adjustments. It's mechanical at first, methodical. Just like practicing spells, I tell myself. Follow the steps. Execute cleanly.

The wind rushes past me as I pick up speed, weaving through the first-year course. I can feel McGonagall's gaze on me, and hear the faint scratch of quills taking notes.

Then, a sharp voice cuts through the air. "You're hesitating, Miss Granger."

Onyx.

My fingers tighten around the handle. I don't hesitate. I calculate. There's a difference.

But she's pushing me, daring me to second-guess myself.

No. Not today.

I set my jaw and surge forward, flying faster than I ever have without Draco on the broom with me. Once I finish and land in front of the two women, McGonagall clears her throat, glancing at her clipboard before nodding approvingly. "Well done, Miss Granger. A solid performance for someone who seemingly had no flight ability!"

Onyx recovers quickly, her expression schooled back into indifference. "Acceptable."

I fight the urge to glare at her. Acceptable?

McGonagall eyes her sharply but says nothing, instead marking something down before giving me a final nod. "That will be all. You've passed. You're dismissed."

I resist the urge to let out a triumphant exhale. Instead, I give a polite nod.

Draco

The castle is nearly silent at this hour, its usual hum of distant footsteps and murmured conversations replaced by the occasional creak of settling stone. I shift against the wall, fingers wrapped tightly around my wand as I glance down the corridor. No sign of patrols. Good.

"You look like you're waiting for someone to hex you," Blaise mutters beside me, barely above a whisper. His usual drawl is edged with amusement, but I catch the tension in his posture. "Or worse, like you've gone completely mad."

"Just focused," I say shortly, keeping my voice low. "We have very limited chances at doing this. If we fuck it up—"

"I know, I know," he waves a hand, exhaling.

I glance up at Onyx's door. Nothing outwardly unusual. No runes, no markings. But she wouldn't be that careless. A deep breath steadies me before I flick my wand, mumbling a detection spell under my breath.

The air around the door flickers faintly, like ripples over the surface of still water.

"There," I mutter, stepping closer. Blaise follows, eyes sharpening as he watches the magic swirl. "It's layered."

"Naturally," he sighs, crouching beside me to examine the way the wards react. "Clever work. Whoever cast this knew how to mask their magic. Nothing obvious, no bright flashes of light if someone gets too close."

I trace my wand along the edge of the doorframe, searching for weak spots. "Looks like a combination of proximity and intent-based wards. If she's keyed them to herself, no one else could just waltz in."

"Lucky for us, we don't need the door. Remember how I said I was going to look further into those odd passages?" Blaise smirks, already shifting toward the far end of the wall. "An older set of blueprints showed something off about this part of the structure. Look."

He taps his wand against the stone, and for a brief moment, the outline of something appears: a hidden seam in the wall, barely perceptible. A passage. One that shouldn't exist; cutting directly through the castle's foundation and leading downward.

I move beside him, testing the area with my own wand.

"There," I point, showing Blaise. "It connects deeper into Hogwarts."

Blaise lets out a low whistle. "Looks like we've got a little exploring to do."

The air in the passage is thick and stale. My wand light flickers against the damp stone walls as Blaise and I move forward, our steps careful and quiet. This place, wherever it leads, wasn't built for casual wandering. The castle doesn't hum with magic here the way it does in its older corridors. This passage feels… foreign. Controlled.

Blaise runs a hand along the wall. "These stones don't match the others.," he mutters. "Newer."

"Newer, but still hidden," I say.

Onyx's. That thought sharpens my focus.

The passage forks ahead, one path sloping downward, the other curving sharply right. I take the lead, veering right. Something about the downward path unsettles me like it's meant to mislead. Onyx wouldn't make it that easy.

The walls narrow as we move forward. A faint, residual magic hums beneath my fingertips when I brush the stone. Warded. But the layering is off, unfinished in places.

"She's good," Blaise says, noticing the same thing. "But this isn't meant to keep people out. It's meant to hide."

We reach a door of thick, iron-bound wood, reinforced with ancient-looking runes. This is it. This is what Onyx didn't want anyone to find.

Blaise glances at me, his grin sharp in the low light. "Reckon we knock?"

"No." I snort, shaking my head, stepping back from the door.

Blaise exhales through his nose, tilting his head at me. "No?"

"I want to wait for Hermione." I keep my voice even, my fingers still hovering over the magic humming beneath the wood.

His brows lift, but his smug look doesn't falter. "Alright, lover boy."

I shoot him a look. "You don't need to be involved in this."

He snorts. "Right, because I'm not already balls-deep in it. You're the one who asked me to pull the blueprints, remember?"

"That was before I realized she's buried this under more than half the amount of wards than are in the castle," I mutter, flexing my fingers as another pulse of magic snaps at my skin." And my omega isn't here."

Blaise watches me for a long moment before sighing. "So what's the plan, then? Just stand here and admire the door until Granger gives us permission to break in?"

I don't rise to the bait. "No, we need to think about the wards.", I run my hand just above the carved runes. They don't repel me, not exactly. This isn't an active defense meant to keep people out; it's passive. "Some of these are old." I wave, referencing the wards. "Some of this magic was probably here before Onyx.

"But the layering? That's all her." Blaises points out. "These aren't repelling us, just concealing and binding.

"She's reinforcing something," I murmur. "Like she's trying to make it part of the castle itself."

Blaise hums, thoughtful. "If that's the case, breaking it isn't about power. It's about dissolving the connection."

I glance at him. "Unbinding it."

A slow grin spreads across his face. "Exactly."

I exhale, already running through the possibilities in my mind. There are ways to loosen magic like this. Spells meant to weaken attachments rather than shatter them. Complex, but not impossible.

Blaise flicks his wand, pulling a small notebook from his pocket and flipping through hastily scrawled notes. "There's a counter-sequence in here that might do the trick. It won't break the wards completely, but it'll loosen them enough that they'll need time to reform."

That's all we need. But I also know my omega, she'll be able to figure something out.

Blaise and I slip out of the corridor, making our way back through the winding passages of the castle to the library. The air still hums with residual magic from the wards, but my mind is already shifting ahead to Hermione.

We step into the library, and before I can even look for her, she's already there, moving fast, curls bouncing, eyes alight with excitement.

And then she jumps.

I barely manage to brace myself before she collides with me, her arms wrapping around my shoulders and legs around my waist as she laughs, giddy and breathless. I catch her instinctively, arms wrapping around her waist as she clings to me, all warmth and enthusiasm, and, fuck, she's buzzing with pride, practically vibrating in my arms.

"I did it!" she gasps, her lips brushing mine as she grins. "I passed!"

"Of course you did, omega," I agree, smirking as I tighten my hold on her. My alpha hums in satisfaction, and I press slow kisses along her neck. "You're good at everything," I mumble against her soft skin.

Blaise snorts. "Gag me." He fake gags for emphasis.

Hermione barely acknowledges him, her eyes locked on mine, slightly blown. She's waiting, no, expecting to be properly praised for her success. My needy, praise-drunk omega.

I chuckle, leaning in close. "Such a good omega," I breathe against her ear. "Such a smart witch." My voice is soft, but I know she feels every word with the way her thighs tense against my hips.

"Good girl," I add in a low tone meant for her alone.

She tilts her chin up, baring her neck in open submission, and my dick twitches in my trousers. I press a lingering kiss there, savoring the way she shivers beneath me.

"Thanks for helping me, alpha," she mumbles, wrapping her arms around me in another tight hug.

I kiss her again, longer this time, swallowing the pleased little hum she lets out before finally pulling back. "Told you you were more than capable," I whisper against her lips.

Blaise clears his throat loudly and dramatically. "Are we done with the ego-stroking, or should I conjure Granger a trophy before we actually discuss what we found?"

Any arousal that was coming from Hermione disappears. She finally turns to him, one brow arched. "You found something?"

Blaise grins and I feel her fingers tighten against my robes, anticipation kicking in just as sharply as her excitement had.

I brush my thumb over the corner of her mouth, my own grin still lingering.

Hermione

After untangling from my alpha, we find a quiet corner of the library where Draco and Blaise are sitting, buzzing with their own excitement. Draco's eyes are still bright with adrenaline, his smirk lingering as he tightens his grip on my knee.

"We found it," he says simply, like it's not the single most exciting thing I've heard all week.

My hand covers his. "Found what, Draco?"

Blaise flops back in his chair with all the theatrics of someone who definitely did not do most of the work. "Oh, you know," he drawls, stretching his arms behind his head. "Just the secret entrance your lovely Professor Onyx went through a lot of effort to keep hidden."

I inhale sharply, my heart lurching. "You're serious?"

Draco nods, his expression sharp. "The passages Blaise found were still accessible. They led us to a door."

I lift my brows, nodding in encouragement.

His hand squeezes my knee, steady and reassuring. "It's warded with old magic. Less about keeping people out, more about making sure no one ever finds it." His gaze holds mine, serious. "We didn't open it. We're waiting for you."

Blaise makes a tsk sound and gives us a look. "He means he's waiting for you. I, personally, wouldn't have minded a head start—"

Draco levels him with a look.

Blaise lifts his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. Yes. We're all very noble."

I can barely contain the surge of energy rushing through me. We need to get back there. Now.

Draco seems to sense it before I even open my mouth. His grip on me tightens, his voice lowering. "Easy, omega. We'll get there."

I swallow hard, nodding, but my mind is already working ahead, thinking ahead.