Hermione Granger roamed through the empty corridors. It was another moon lit night, the halls silent except from the mufgled noises her steps made on the hard floor.
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She looked down at the worn out map in her hands and the moving name of her favourite professor and new headmistress. For a second the golden girl hesistated, didnโt dare to move from her spot in the middle of the hallway, but then she could hear the echo of heels just corners away. Before the catlike eyes could find her, the girl ducked behind the statue of a centaur. All broad shoulders and greasy hair he hid her small frame perfectly and while she sometimes complaint about her rather small height, she couldnโt help it but be happy about it now.
Once McGonagall rounded the courner and her steps vanished again, Hermione continued her nightly walk through the castle.
She walked past the great hall, towards the library, but purposely avoided the door to her right. Last time she set foot in that part of the castle the memories had hunted her for weeks. The blood on the walls, gathering in large puddles on the ground, making the tiles glimmer, while the liveless corpse of Lavender Brown lay only meters away. Hermione remembered the moment she had found her, the moment all the jealousy, anger and sadness her classmate had caused her over the years flashed through her mind and how it all had disappeared when she found the joyfull shimmer in the girls eyes forever gone.
She remebered how she ripped Greyback and his grabby hands away from the girls body without even touching her wand, just led by the pure disgust and hatred for the deatheater that infiltrated every last vein of her body. Moreover she recalled how she had picked up her wand from the floor, where she had dropped it out of shock and the fact that it took her several hours the process this detail. And what followed was mindchanging. Hermione Granger had been laying in her tent, cuddled up in a tight ball, clutching her wand, feeling afraid, not only of the war, but of what it made her do, what it made her become .
Her curly hair bounced when she shivered like she wanted to brush off the memoryโฆ.it didnโt work, it never did.
Nonetheless she carried on with her prowl, finally reaching the portrait with the Fat Lady, guarding the Gryffindor quarters. It had been so many less then the years before the war, not only the ones fallen during the battle or previous crimes, but also everyone who had edcaped the country, didnโt trust the school or like Harry and Ron left early to make the best off their abilities and strength as early as possible.
The thought made her stop, her peach coloured lips freezing in their movement, when the familiar feeling of loneliness washed over her.
She took a step back.
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She knew she wasnโt alone.
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Ofcourse she wasnโt. Neville was here, Luna and Ginny.
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She was overthinking, just this morning she had talked to the dark haired boy.
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Until some flirty 5th year hat interrupted their conversation, gripping Nevilles biceps almost painfully, while demanding his attention. After that she had sat in silence.
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Silence, because Ginny had talked to her Quidditch team, joking and laughing away.
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And Lunaโฆno she deserved some healthy friendships, someone supportive and kind, even when that someone wasnโt Hermione, didnโt matter how much she wanted to.
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All her friends earned their happy moments, hundreds of thousands of them. Nevertheless she couldnโt understand why she had to be alone, why the digging feeling that seemed to tear the remains of her heart away bit by bit, couldnโt go away. It was tiring.
In an last attempt to escape another night in her dorm crying for help, sniffling and begging for her friends locked away in her dorm, the golden girl chose the path to the astronomy tower.
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Every single on she was familiar with, had she walked them so many times while trying to prevent her thoughts from circling.
One foot after the other. Time lost its meaning, the way seemed to stretch, before it shortened again and suddenly she could breath again. She thought it was funny. The astronomy tower didnโt held any less horrible memories, but still it was the one place in the castle that offered a bit of safety. Surpressed laughter slipped her lips, making her cringe, as it was soon followed by endless streams of tears. Her graceful fingers tried to sweep them away, still they just kept coming. Sniffling she climbed the last few steps of the stairs, finally reaching the top.
Hermione took a shivery breath, inhaling the cold night air , filling her lungs with dearly needed oxygen. Her eyes focused, skimming the place. It was a lovely night. No clouds covered the bright shining stars, the moon a slim crescent against the dark sky. When she spotted a black silhouette leaning over the iron railing, her brows lowered in confusion.
The air got smokey when she closed the distance between them, the spark of curiosity growing every second. Just before she coild reach the silhouette, he turned his head and suddenly Hermione faced Theodore Nott. The joint between his ridicously white teeth, lit the surrounding space, illuminating his messy curls and the from the wind flushed cheeks. Both of them took sharp breaths, trying to process the unexpected company. However in contrast to the Gryffindor girl, Theodore didnโt wrinkle his nose in irrritation or narrowed his eyes, hiding all emotion, no, the ex-deatheater curled his lips into a snarky smirk, skimming his eyes over her frame while rising his brows in question. After a moment of silence his dark voice cut trough the air, bringing hermiones attention to his lips.
>>>Hermione Granger<<< he said it like a kind of greeting, his full lips caressing each syllable. The Gryffindors eyes were locked on his mouth, when he lifted the joint to his lips and inhaled the drugs.
>>>If I wouldnโt know better Iโd say youโre actually sneaking around past curfew.<<<
It was fascinating amd terrifying at the same time, how he managed to make jokes, curl his lips into this boyish smile, when they had just barely survived the war. If Hermione was completely honest it was not only unbelievable but also unfair. She had to suffer, her brain spinning endlessly, while everyone else seemed to move on. For merlins sake even the deatheaters themself got over what happened, returned to their normal lifes and daily routines. It was unfair because there was nothing she craved more then shutting down her mind for just a few minutes. Her hazel eyes focused on the joint in Theodores veiny hands, his long fingers twirling the paper, while his blue eyes watched her curiously.
She asked before she could think about it.
>>>Does it work?<<< her voice was a bit whiny and she hated herself for it, grew to hate that weak, vulnerable part of her each minute more.
The Slytherin boy looked taken back, surprised by her question, not topic related at all. Eventually he followed her stare, the little wrinkles between his eyes smoothing out, realisation washing over his face.
>>>Depends what you use it for.<<< he explained, exhaling the last bit of smoke, making Hermione crinkle her nose. >>>So why does the golden girl need the sweet relief of muggle drugs?<<<
Theodore snipped the joint away, the shine fading into the dark, as it fell into the depth.
>>>Distraction<<< she answered simply, unpatiently tapping her food on the stone floor.
>>>So can you give me one?<<<
His stare brushed over her body and she couldโve sworn she felt where it touched her, made her skin burn, hot, lustful flames. As soon as his eyes met hers once again, she gulped.
The glimmer was no longer barely visible, but seemed to consume her. For a second she imagined worry crossing his face, something more soothing and caring hiding behind his iris. Then he leaned in. The Slytherin boy moved forwards, his face only inches away from Hermiones. She could feel a stray strand of his hair tickling her forehead and while her mind told her to back off, the new found rage made her stay in place.
Theodores lips nearly brushed hers, teasing her when he answered.
>>>I donโt think so<<<
There was the distance again. Hermione had taken a step back, looking with disbelief at the boy in front of her who smiled welcoming, almost pleased with himself. It took her a moment to process what he had just said.
>>>I donโt ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฌ so?<<< she asked.
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>>>What do you mean you donโt ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐ฌ so?<<<
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Her chest was rising and falling furiously. Giving into this burning feeling within her, she extended her hand, slim fingers gripping the tie that hung loosely around his neck. The silver green cotton crumpled, whilst Hermione pulled the Slytherin boy forcefully down to her height. Their lips met in a violent mix of scraping, sucking and biting, accompinied by their quiet moans.
After a moment shadowed by anger and rage they broke the kiss, both gasping for air.
>>>Youโre such an asshole<<< she claimed finally meeting his dark eyes. They were a pool of brokeness, fury, fault and loneliness all mixing together into this painfully beautifull ocean colour that made her heart skip a beat and suddenly she believed to see herself in him, all the emotions she hid each and everyday openly displayed in his blue eyes.
Their foreheads pressed together and it didnโt seem to matter how long they waited, neither was able to catch their breath. The fist around his tie had loosened, her hands falling down to his chest, holding onto the shirt with dear life.
Theodores gaze followed hers when she looked at them. Then, after seconds of silence, he lifted hos own hand, carefully covering her smaller one, before moving it up her arm. Once it reached her jaw, his fingers started to draw soothing circles, massaging her soft skin, skimming over her cheek, up to her forehead, along the crook between her eyes, down the other side and finally caressed her swollen lips. When Hermione parted them to speak his eyes found hers again, while his hands settled around her neck. He didnโt put on any pressure, but secured her in his arms, a silent invitation.
>>>Whatโฆ-uhm..<<< she gulped >>>what are you doing Theodore?<<<
Witout hesistating he answered. His voice was deep, nonetheless it vibrated through her, making a new, lighter feeling bloom within her.
>>>Iโm living.<<<
His lips were on hers again. Not as sloppy as last time, not as chaotic, but not controlled either. His movement was soft, offering, inviting her to join, so promising and she couldnโt but follow his lead. Hermione didnโt know what had changed in the last seconds, but she felt slightly lighter, less lonely and while grabbing that feeling in her, she pressed her body into Theos, inhaling his scent.
Somewhere between gasping for air, wet kisses and tender strokes, the Gryffindor girl slung her legs around his waist, Theos hands around her butt, preventing her from falling. They stumbled trough the empty castle. Now and then stopping, so Theodore could press Hermione against one of the walls, kissing her deeply, battling playfully with her tongue. And even though with each step towards the dungeons the light faded more, the one inside her grew, making her heart beat faster.
She didnโt hear it when the Slytherin boy muffled the password, the portrait swinging open with a slight creek. Wouldnโt she be drunk of Theodores lips on her neck and behind her ear, the smell of parchment, his musky perfume and the hint of muggle cigarettes, she had admired the delicate building style of the room. A dome above her head, supported by ancient collumns, the only light coming trough the floor long windows on both sides that stopped the greenish water of the lake from flooding the Slytherin common room. She would have memorized all of that, making herself remember that there was beauty everywhere if she just opened her eyes, but since her face was buried in Theos neck, her curls shutting her out from her surroundings, she missed all that.
It wasnโt until the click of his dorm door shutting behind them, that she looked up from her spot in his arms. Her caramel brown eyes refocused, finding the rather red spot her lips left on Theos pale skin. Suddenly her vision changed. She felt the sleek sheets under her heated skin, slowly cooling her. Above her Theodore appeared, his hair all messy, a few buttons on his shirt open and revealing his chest, lips swollen from their kisses and his gaze passionate, caressing without touching her.
Slowly his fingers started to unbutton her blouse, revealing the countless scars on her once flawless skin. Hermione wasnโt ashamed of them, not anymore. There had been a time where she hid them precisely, didnโt want the world to see what the war had left on her. But at some point she had learned to caress them, a memory that she had survived, a reminder of all those who hadnโt made it.
Now she watched Theodores face, waiting for his reaction. The small wrinkles appearing between his brows made her hold her breath, yet he surprised her when he followed an especially gruesome scar right beneath her bra with his index finger. He traced an invisible line, drawing little stars and abstract patterns on her skin.
>>>You shouldnโt hide this body of yours.<<< he hummed teasingly, finally meeting her eyes again.
Instead of an answer she clipped open her bra, letting it fall down her side. After that Hermione grabbed his hand, cautiously guiding it towards her sensitive breasts. The cold family ring on his index finger made her hiss and a warm chuckle left Theodores lips.
>>>Sorry<<< he muttered, his ocean blue eyes watching how her skin gave in under his touch, only the pink tip of her breast getting harder with each stroke.
Hermione lost track of time while watching him. The only thing on her mind was how his skin felt against hers, how the feeling, burning in her body had settled in her lower stomach, making her squirm under Theos touch.
It wasnโt her first time and she believed it wasnโt Theos either. Hermione was familiar to the wetness that made her thighs sticky and the longing that made her skin oversensitive. She knew it was purely physical. However she imagined to feel something different, something more. There was another feeling, also warm, but not burning, it smelled like bonfire and tasted like the hot chocolate she used to drink when she was younger. It felt like protection, peace and understanding.
The Gryffindor grabbed Theodores broad shoulders, clawing at his skin and enjoyed when she heard him hissing slightly. In response he cupped her cheek in one hand, kissing her passionately. At the same time his other hand found the hem of her skirt, not stopping and unbuttoning it, before he pulled it over her butt. For what felt like ages he played with her knickers, dipping his fingertips under the cotton, but never reaching low enough. Hermione moaned, cried out his name, begging him to redeem her.
Nonetheless Theodore took his time, made her suffer the sweetest of all punishments. Then, finally, he stripped off his own shirt completely, unbuckling his belt with practiced movement and then only a thin layer of cotton was between them.
Tedious Hermione unravelled her fingers from the sheets, hooking them under Theos boxers and pulling them down, never breaking eye contact. Not until she felt his cock hard against her abdomen. A quick glance and her eyes returned to Theos slightly widened, but ofcourse he just grinned at her.
>>>Your turn<<< his husky coice demanded. Said and done he pulled down her knickers, kissing each inch of revealed skin, until he reached her knee and shrugged it off the rest of the way.
Theodore moved up to Hermiones face again, his breath tickling her.
>>>Tell me if something doesnโt feel good, alright?<<< he made sure, patiently waiting for her answer.
>>>Okay<<<
Theodore slowly pushed inside her, stretching her whilst she took shallow breath through her nose.
>>>Hermione?<<< he had stopped >>>Are you alright?<<< His warm fingers stroked her jaw, making her open her eyes.
>>>Yes, Iโm sorry. Go on<<<
He hummed in approval, leaving wet kisses on her skin.
>>>Donโt be sorry<<< he whispered against her skin amd pushed further, until there skin was pressed flat against each other.
Theodore gave her a moment to adjust, waited for her breathing to slow down again. Eventually he pulled out again, starting to slowly pump into her.
Surprinsingly it was different from the times Hermione had experienced sex before. With Viktor it had been harsh, as if even though he wanted, he didnโt know how to take care of her. A few years later with Ron it had beenโฆ unsteady. Both of them had been unexperienced, unsure of how to bring pleasure to their partner. It had been their first and last time together snd only weeks later they had broken up, him leaving for the ministry and her returning for her final year to Hogwarts.
Bit by bit she felt her Orgasmus approaching. Each time Theodore hit that sweet spot in her, she didnโt knew exsisted. His pumps got harder, deeper, but never sloppy or uncontrolled. They didnโt kiss, but that was alright, they found peace in holding each other, just proving they werenโt alone in the world.
When Hermione believed her muscles couldnโt get anymore tense, the feeling in her lower stomach would burn her alive, Theodore found her clit, drawing small circles on it. And ultimately she tipped over the edge, feeling all her muscles contracting before loosening again. The Slytherin didnโt stop, drawing out her orgasm and in the end they were clawing at each other, moaning and screaming, while he came deep inside her.
After a few minutes of catching his breath, Theodore rolled off of Hermione. Tactfully covering her with the silk sheets. He himself wandered over to his drawer, putting on some shorts, before getting a second pair and a black T-shirt.
Hermione smiled once he handed both to her, slipping into it.
>>>Thank you<<< she looked at him when he only hummed in response, rummaging trough the bedside table.
>>>No<<< she placed a hand on his arm, suddenly very aware of the muscles that hid under his pale skin.
>>>๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฌ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ, Theodore<<<
His gaze on her was soft and he slipped next to her under the covers, after placing the phiole in his hands on the table.
>>>You need to know, even though it sometimes feels like youโre loosing everyone, like theyโre walking away and your steps are too short to keep up with them, like your left behind in a time of cruelty and anxiety, youโre ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต alone.<<< he placed a soft kiss on her forehead and she snuggled into his side, pushing all her thoughts away for the night, while she fell asleep in the arms of a man she had labeled her enemy just weeks ago.