Duncansby Head

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o 19 o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Duncansby Head

~H~

Hermione was absolutely terrified about the angry tone of Severus' voice coming from the Patronus. She gripped the workbench as if the world was falling out from under her feet. The thundering footsteps on the stairs preceded the arrival of the others. Thankfully, Harry and Neville entered first. "What – how did Snape get down here?" Neville asked, looking around, his face pale and his wand drawn. "Hermione?"

Harry rushed over to her, and Hermione hugged him fiercely. "Oh, my gods, Harry! He's furious! He'll... I..." she stammered, panic stricken.

"His voice came from a Patronus," Luna explained as Harry asked softly, "Didn't you tell him you were taking a holiday?" He was trying to disengage her so he could look at her face, but Hermione didn't want to let go, needing the comfort of her friend.

Hermione shook her head. "I forgot. I don't have an owl, and I forgot to ask if I could borrow one. When I do, I borrow one from George... but with all the planning and such, I forgot."

Luna touched her back reassuringly. "You can send him a message and tell him you were with us."

"Kreacher," Ginny's voice rose from the back of the room. A crack announced the immediate arrival of the elf. "Did Hermione receive any letters or notes while we were away?"

"Yes, miss," Kreacher replied, bowing stiffly. "I sets them in master's friend's room."

"Please get them for me," Harry asked. In two seconds, Kreacher was back, holding four folded pieces of parchment, which Harry passed to Hermione.

Hermione opened the first one with shaky hands. It was a lunch invite, direct and to the point but otherwise rather amicable for Severus, considering their previous outing. Hermione read the proposed offer to see the Stacks, the Rock Clefts and Sclaites of Duncansby Head with a smile that widened at the mention of seeing the black Ferrin gulls and the Bluepike crabs, and then frowned at the mention of flying on brooms to collect said crabs and the unhatched eggs and eggshells from the empty gull nests.

"Well?" Ron asked.

"Let her read them," Harry said, trying to peek at the letter in her hand.

Ron tried to move forward and was unintentionally blocked by Ginny and Neville. "I want to know what the git wants with her," Ron said.

"RONALD," Ginny admonished him, sounding quite a bit like her mum.

Hermione was too engrossed in her letter to pay attention to her friends. She smiled warmly as Severus mentioned eating lunch on the cliffs, and her grin widened when he suggested that she braid her hair. She folded the first letter and opened the next. The tone of the second was firmer, much more curt, offering to 'reschedule the lunch for today,' which meant he must have sent the second note yesterday morning. She smiled as she read that he still wanted to take her to see the gulls and then bit her lip as she read that he was expecting an immediate reply. He'd signed it pointedly 'your husband,' with a small perforation tear at the final stroke of the D.

Neville turned around to look at Ron. "Can't be bad – she's smiling."

"Hermione, give – what does he say?" Ginny asked, trying to edge her way closer to her other side.

"Let her read them, and then she will tell us," Luna said patiently as Hermione handed Ginny the first letter.

Ginny quickly read the invite, her smile widening by the time she reached the end. "Oh, this sounds like fun!" she said, handing the letter to Luna.

Neville leaned over Luna's shoulder so that they could both read the letter. "Oh, you'll get to see the Seanorcampus up there too," Luna said, handing the parchment to Neville.

Luna's comment barely registered with Hermione as she read the third letter. She felt the blood drain from her face from the letter's tone. He was furious that she'd not answered the first two posts, demanding that she meet him that night to explain her actions. The writing was messy, some words tighter and harder to read instead of his usually meticulous slanted script as if the words had been hastily scrawled, clearly showing his frustration. It was dated yesterday.

"What's wrong?" several voices asked at once.

Wordlessly Hermione gave Ginny the third letter, apprehensively opening the last one.

Ginny blanched after reading the lambasting letter. "I think this one was sent Saturday," she said softly as she passed it to Luna.

"So, what does the git want?" Ron asked, snatching the first letter from Harry.

"This isn't so bad," Luna said, giving Hermione back her letter. "He just didn't know you weren't here. Just write him an apology and clear things up."

Hermione absentmindedly took the letter as she read the final one. The last note was obviously written in anger, saying that he'd be by at eight to pick her up and that not even Potter would prevent him from seeing his wife. "He's coming by tonight to get me," Hermione finally said. She looked at the clock on the wall and covered her mouth as she noticed the time. "Oh, gods! That was over an hour ago! He's been here and gone already!"

Ginny snatched the last note and scanned the message, her brow furrowing. She grabbed Hermione's wrist. "Quick! You and I will go see George and borrow an owl. Neville and Harry can help Luna make the Burn Paste."

Hermione nodded and quickly followed Ginny. "Wait, what about me?" Ron called up the stairs.

"Stop being a git!" Ginny shouted back.

~S~

Severus sat in the chair by the fireplace with his leg crossed comfortably, his foot twitching irritably every so often, reading a very old tome and sipping on a fine French brandy. Except for the soft drumming of his fingers, he was the picture of serenity.

Lucius sat comfortably in an identical chair, across the alpaca fur rug, watching his friend slyly while reading his own book and sipping a glass of the Framboise brandy.

Draco squirmed again, shifting in his seat, oblivious to anything going on in the room except his own boredom. He turned the page of his book, trying to concentrate on the words, all the while appearing as if he had somewhere else to be at the moment.

"Draco, if you don't like that one, get another," Lucius said dismissively. "Or find something else to do."

"Like what, exactly? I am stuck here. I can't stand just sitting around, doing nothing. This is so unfair," Draco moaned.

"Then go to bed," Lucius snapped.

Draco rose, strode across the room to return his book to the shelf and turned to face the men by the fire. "Thank you, father. Severus, good night."

"Good night, Draco," Severus nodded while smirking at the boy's feigned manners.

Lucius waved him off and returned to his book.

"I'll just say good night to mother," Draco snorted as he left.

"He's feeling the strain of confinement a little too acutely," Severus said smoothly as he turned the page of his book.

"Apparently," Lucius stated with a subtle sneer to his lip. "He doesn't like Narcissa smothering him, and he's restricted on who may come to visit. Many of his friends are being investigated. Flint and Goyle were arrested. Montague is likewise under house arrest, and Miss Parkinson is only allowed to visit in the afternoons."

Severus suppressed a laugh. "He ran with the boys in the Dark Lord's circle, but he was never really one of them."

Lucius' eyes turned a steely grey. "No. He was weak, overly cocky, and otherwise influenced. The good thing is that he will be acquitted."

"Most likely. He didn't really do much, except make three failed attempts on Dumbledore's life and allow Death Eaters into the school," Severus replied, smirking at Draco's recent fall from his father's good graces.

"Speaking of school, how is your wife these days?" Lucius asked, clearly wanting to redirect the subject.

Severus set down his book, feeling his annoyance toward Hermione surface again. "I haven't spoken to her."

Lucius closed his book. "No? I thought that you were resolute to work things out?"

"She was not at the house," Severus said softly, his jaw set firmly as he clamped down on his emotions.

Lucius' eyebrow rose at the remark. "I had a most interesting correspondence from Rita Skeeter. She's under the impression that Hermione is going ahead with the annulment."

Severus knew that Lucius had seen the pictures of his last outing with Hermione. "No, we are not," Severus said, a bit more sharply than he intended. "She was apparently unavailable this weekend."

"And yet you didn't know her plans? Is she not taking this Bonding seriously?" Lucius asked, tracing the cover of the book on his lap.

"No," Severus stated, and Lucius raised his eyebrow at him again. "I don't know how seriously she is taking it. Our last encounter did not go as planned, as you well know. The Minister and a few Ministry officials told her that the Bonding could be reversed. She doesn't believe me."

"Why ever not?" Lucius asked.

Severus snorted into his glass. "Our previous associations were not always... amicable."

Lucius laughed softly. "No, I am well aware of how you treated the girl." He looked at the fire for a moment. "It may be that she simply needs to be informed," he said thoughtfully.

"She will not believe you either," Severus pointed out. "She has even less reason to trust you."

Lucius looked at him, a deep crease appearing between his brows. "Then what would make her believe?"

"Books," Severus said with a subtle sneer. "She believes what she reads in books."

"By all means, lend her one and get her in hand," Lucius suggested, picking up his book again and opening to the marker. "In the meantime, I'd appreciate a favor."

"Ask," Severus said cautiously.

Lucius handed the book he was looking at over to Severus. "I'm thinking about creating one of these."

Severus looked at the picture of the stone basin with markings interlaced with ancient Aramaic and ancient runes. "A Pensieve?"

"Yes." He crossed his leg over the other and laced his fingers together. "Between the two of us, we should be able to create it. I have been working on translating the letters and runes."

A house-elf entered the room, bowing low to Severus. "Sir, this is come for you."

Severus read the groveling apology from Hermione, and his lips curled up into a sneering smile. "From my wife."

Lucius cocked his head and smirked.

"It appears that she regrets not getting my notes. It seems that we are to have a second attempt at reconciliation. If you'll excuse me," he said coolly, rising, "I'd like to borrow an owl."

"By all means," Lucius said, raising his glass in toast, then sipping on his brandy.

Severus returned the book to Lucius and walked to the owlery. He took a sheet of parchment from the writing desk just outside the owlery door and dipped a quill in the expensive ink.

~H~

Hermione and Luna had their arms crossed on the table as they leaned forward over the game board, laughing at the word Neville had put down while Harry tried to find it in the Scrabble dictionary.

"Give it up, mate," Ron said, leaning back in his chair, languishingly holding his butterbeer in his fingers. "If the girls say it's not a word, it's not a word."

"But Hagrid uses it all the time," Neville said in defense, although he removed the game pieces.

Kreacher entered the kitchen, carrying a letter to Hermione. She took it apprehensively and opened it. It was acerbic and curt, demanding to know where she'd been.

"One guess who that's from," Ron sneered as Neville placed the tiles to spell criers on the board instead.

"What does he say?" Luna asked, ignoring him, laying wardrobes off his R.

"It's from Severus. He's really mad," Hermione moaned. "He wants to know where I was and demands that I be available to meet him tomorrow."

"Git," Ron snarled, putting down the letters to spell taped on the board.

"Use both P's, Ron." Ginny suggested as she produced a quill and parchment. "Here, write him back, and we can have Kreacher take it to Severus," she suggested.

"Just tell him you went to Staffordshire for my birthday," Harry said, adding Gurg to the board.

"To ride rollie-coaters," Ron added. "He might even know what they are."

Hermione quickly drafted a response.

Severus,

We went to West Sussex and Brighton Friday afternoon for Harry's birthday, after stopping to pay his respects to his parents' graves in Godric's Hollow. Saturday and Sunday we were at Alton Towers in Staffordshire.

"And that you've planned on this for months," Neville suggested, peering at the parchment from across the table.

"But forgot to tell him because you were too wrought up from him yelling at you," Ron added.

"Let her write it so she can make her play," Luna admonished the boys.

Hermione smiled, shaking her head, but added, Harry and I had planned on this trip for months now. I'm really sorry I forgot to tell you. Yes, I will meet with you tomorrow. What time and where are we going? She signed the note and handed it to Kreacher. "Thank you, I appreciate you..." she started to say, but he'd vanished with the letter as soon as he'd grasped it. She just finished laying down houl to make ghoul off Harry's G when Kreacher returned with a reply.

Hermione,

I do not condone the fact that you went on a date for the weekend! That is completely unacceptable.

As for where and when, I have already told you where I want to go and the time. You have inconvenienced me now twice, and I expect you to be ready tomorrow at eleven when I come to get you. No excuses and no disappearing. We will discuss this date you went on then.

Severus

She looked up to see Ginny grinning as she added the word Veela to the game board.

"Miss, he is wanting confirmation," Kreacher croaked.

Hermione flipped the parchment over and quickly wrote her reply.

Severus,

I'm sorry that you felt inconvenienced by my absence. But as we had no definite plans to meet, I cannot understand why you are so upset. I simply went away with my friends for some fun, for which I have apologized to you, although I don't really see that I've done anything wrong.

I will gladly meet with you tomorrow at eleven. Am I to assume that we are still going to Duncansby Head tomorrow?

Hermione signed the note and handed it to Kreacher.

"Is anything wrong?" Harry asked as Neville toyed with his letter tiles.

"Severus apparently doesn't like the idea of his wife going on vacation without his consent. He's probably very old-fashioned as well as quite proper," Luna stated, beaming up at Neville wistfully. "Neville, eikon, E, I, K, O, N, is a word."

"Luna, you're not supposed to help them," Hermione admonished her. "That's a double word score!"

"Oh, it's okay. I want to use the K," Luna replied as Neville laid down the letters to spell eikon.

Luna beamed at him as she quickly added W, R, A, C, S, a blank tile, U, R, and a T on the board.

"But that doesn't spell anything!" Ron complained. "Wracks is okay, I suppose – but urt isn't! I know that's not a word, and Hermione said we can only put down one word at a time. I wasn't allowed to use acid pops."

"She's using a blank as a letter," Harry said, his brow wrinkled in confusion. "Not as a space like you did, mate."

"It's wrackspurt," Luna replied serenely as Kreacher returned with another house-elf, both tugging on the note addressed to Hermione.

Hermione grasped the letter as Kreacher stormed off, grumbling angrily.

Hermione,

It was our agreement that WE would be together every night. I even reluctantly agreed to inform you of our rendezvous in advance and allow you to continue residing at Potter's, against my better judgment. I have upheld our agreement. It is you who have not.

I have delayed my trip to Duncansby Head twice now, on account of you. I intend to go there tomorrow, as was originally planned, and expect you to accompany me. I expect you to be ready to leave promptly at eleven. Do not make me come and hunt you down, again.

Severus

"Apparently I'm going to Duncansby Head tomorrow to see the black Ferrin gulls," Hermione stated, relieved and unsettled. If he were still keeping to the same plans, it meant she'd have to fly on broomstick. "I can't believe he still wants to take me. I need to borrow a broom for tomorrow," she said, trying to sound light and fight down her nervous anticipation at having to fly.

"No problem, you can take mine," Harry said. "Luna, isn't that some invisible creature that makes someone's brain go fuzzy?"

Luna looked at him quite pleased. "They're not invisible, they're tiny, and they float into your ears, making you confused or forget things."

Hermione grimaced at the thought of using Harry's Firebolt. "No offense, Harry, but yours is way too fast for me. Ginny, I know yours was damaged flying to Hogsmeade; do you think I could ask George?"

"Oi!" Ron exclaimed, sitting up. "What about mine? Not good enough for you?"

Hermione felt her cheeks burn. "I didn't know if you would – thank you, Ron. I would really appreciate it. I'll be really careful with your broom, I promise."

"All right, then," Ron said, but she knew his feelings had been hurt all the same. "It's as good as George's – even if his is newer."

"A-hem, pardon me, miss," the house-elf in a pillowcase said. "I is to take your reply to him."

Hermione flipped Severus' letter over, writing a quick assurance that she'd be ready on time, while Ron rearranged his letter tiles, his eyes sweeping the board as he decided on which word to play.

~S~

Severus reread Hermione's notes again, trying to ascertain the subtle implications of what she'd written with that which she hadn't been forthright about. He'd already confirmed that she had been at Godric's Hollow and had been surprised to learn she'd been in West Sussex, Brighton, and Alton Towers in Staffordshire. He could very well imagine Potter wanting to go to the seashore, but what allure Brighton had for the boy still eluded him. Severus had never heard of Alton Towers, and it now piqued his curiosity. What interested him more were the general locations of their weekend romp. Something about them nagged at him. She clearly stated that she had been to these places with her friends, so his suspicions that Miss Weasley and Mr. Weasley had been with her and Potter were confirmed. That really irked him. It had been couples.

He looked up to check the time as he pocketed the notes in his cargo trousers. The clock on the mantle showed 10:57, so he picked up the picnic basket and brooms, walked to the foyer, and Apparated to the top step in front of Potter's house. The elf answered his knock, although Severus was pleased to see Hermione standing in the entryway, holding a broom. His gaze swept over her, critically eyeing her tight jeans, Muggle top, and zip-up hooded jacket. She wore good walking boots and had her hair tamed into a braid. "Are you ready?" he asked softly, keeping his tone as neutral as possible. He flicked his wand at Draco's broom, sending it back to the Manor.

She was staring at him, examining his appearance. "Yes," she replied, swallowing nervously. He held out his hand, making her walk to him. As soon as she'd grasped his hand, he Disillusioned them and Apparated before she could start asking him questions.

They arrived on a stretch of grass between the lighthouse and the cliffs. "Come with me," he said smoothly, keeping his ire suppressed, and pulled her over to a corner of the lighthouse. After checking that they were not observed, he removed the Disillusionment Charm. He allowed her a few minutes to look at their surroundings before giving her hand a slight tug. "This way," he said with a tilt of his head. He turned south and led her down a well-trodden path that led over the highest part of the landscape to the cliffs. Hermione followed, obviously taking in everything around her, impressed by the surrounding landscape. As they reached the cliff edge, Hermione's eyes widened as she got her first view of the Sclacites.

He stopped several paces from the edge of the cliff and turned to look at her. Now is the time for answers. "I want to know exactly where you were this weekend and why you went on a date with Mr. Weasley."

Hermione involuntarily took a step away from him, backing away from the cliff, her eyes wide. "It wasn't a date! I went with my friends to a few places Harry wanted to go to for his birthday, that's all."

Severus crossed his arms and stared down at her. "Mr. Weasley was with you and the Potters, was he not?"

"Yes, so were Ginny, Luna, and Neville," she replied, still gaping at him as if surprised by his question.

He fought down the anger at her admission, grinding his teeth a little, and his hand tightened on the broom he was carrying. "So it was three couples."

"No, it was six friends," Hermione said defensively.

"Are not Harry and Ginny a Bonded couple, as are Luna and Neville?" he asked, using their first names for the first time. Hermione looked at him surprised and nodded. "So, it was the Longbottoms and the Potters with you and Mr. Weasley, your ex-boyfriend. Am I correct?"

"Technically," she admitted, looking up at his stony expression. "Okay, yes. Luna and Neville are getting married, and Ginny and Harry are engaged. So what?"

Severus dropped his hands to his sides, flexing the fingers of his free hand so as not to make a fist, but the hand holding the broom was throbbing from the tightness of his grip. "They are Bonded couples, Hermione," he snarled, "just like we are."

"It was an innocent holiday with six long-time friends," she said defensively, fidgeting slightly.

He exhaled to control his tone. "One of whom you had an intimate relationship with."

"Ron and I were never intimate!" she exclaimed.

He looked at her surprised and quickly controlled his expression to the stony indifferent mask he'd used for years. "Precisely where were you Friday and Saturday night?"

She looked him in the eye. "Friday night we stayed in Brighton and Saturday at Alton Towers at the Splash Landings Hotel," she said, unflinching, her expression one of honesty.

He did appreciate her apparent truthfulness, but her admission was one that nearly sent him in a rage. "I am to assume that you had separate accommodations," he said firmly, barely controlling his temper, although he had the edge of a question to his voice.

"No, not exactly. We all shared the room." She flinched when he gave her a scathing glare. "Girls in one bed, the guys in another – it's less expensive that way? What?"

"My wife is not to be in a hotel room with any male other than myself – ever!" he snapped at her, his temper flaring.

She recoiled at the anger in his tone. "Don't you trust me?" she gasped, her expression earnest.

"Trust is gained, Hermione, not given," he snarled venomously. "Respect is earned. You'd best remember that."

"I have no problem respecting someone and giving them my trust if I feel they are worthy of it," Hermione stated, looking at his hands.

He snorted in disgust. "For Gryffindors maybe, but not for Slytherins. Nor is it acceptable for a wife to romp around with ex-boyfriends in such a manner. You and I have been much in the papers lately. I'm just thankful that you were not photographed on your weekend jaunt," Severus explained coolly. "I want to know precisely what happened."

Her gaze snapped back up to his face. "I just told you!"

"You will show me," he said firmly. "Legilimens." He plowed through her memories as she tried pushing him from her mind. She was surprisingly capable at nearly shoving him out, but he found the images he sought each time he forced his way back into her mind. It was how she described; except for an argument on a riverbank, and sitting next to him on various amusement rides, she hadn't been alone with Mr. Weasley. The activities were mostly juvenile, the kind of activities Potter would have wanted to do, and he could see that Hermione had greatly enjoyed most of them, too. The sleeping arrangements were as she had stated. The connection broke just after he caught an image of her parading around in a construction of tiny green triangles of cloth and string–thing that barely covered her body and made his penis involuntarily twitch. "What was that green string thing!" he growled menacingly.

She jerked, involuntarily taking a step away from him, obviously too frightened of him to complain about the assault on her mind. "A-a bathing suit!"

He turned and stared at the ocean, seething. He didn't know what to say. He'd seen girls in them before and knew about them, of course. But seeing her in one, knowing she had been prancing around in front of Potter and Weasley in it, infuriated him.

"Muggles wear them to pools, lakes, water parks, and the beaches all the time," she tried to explain, but he couldn't look at her. "It's nothing."

"Precisely, it's nothing," he snarled, rounding on her. "You might as well have been naked!"

"It's – I've always..." she started to say, and her voice faltered as he glared at her.

He turned, crossing his arms and stared at the ocean. He was so angry he could feel his powers surge slightly, and he tried to calm himself enough to clamp down on them. He noticed that she had turned to face the ocean, occasionally glancing at him in fear. After a long silence he turned to look at her. "If I ever find out that you are wearing one of those bikinis things in front of Weasley – any Weasley again..."

"You'll what? Kill me? Liked Azkaban that much, did you?" she asked obstinately. "It wasn't inappropriate. I wear it to swim. Loads of girls do! It's not socially unacceptable. You're making a big deal out of... nothing." Her voice trailed off again under his furious glare.

He narrowed his eyes and gave her the darkest glare he could master. "You'll never be so scantly attired again in public, in front of another man, as long as you are my wife."

"Fine. I'll find a more conservative swimsuit," she conceded. "Besides, Ron was far more concerned about Ginny's bikini than mine." He raised an eyebrow at her remark, and she continued undaunted. "Harry really loved seeing her in it, but Ron kept trying to force her into a T-shirt to cover up. The guys were actually wrestling over it – it was comical. And if you're remotely concerned about Neville, he couldn't take his eyes off Luna, making him trip over everything all morning. It was hilarious! Besides, they both fill out their bikinis far better than I do."

Severus smirked. Then the boys were blind! he snarled mentally, his penis twitching again as the mental image of her so scantly clad crossed his mind again. He stared out at the water, trying to resolve the irritation he felt. He couldn't shake the image from his thoughts, and his body reacted accordingly. He mentally reviewed her comments to what he'd seen in her mind. She was not being deceitful, but she also didn't see the error in her actions. Nothing in her memories showed any inappropriate interactions with her friends, except for the bikini – thing. Once again, the image of her in the swimsuit crossed his mind and made his blood boil and his groin tighten. There was nothing he could do about what happened other than insist it not be repeated.

"I didn't appreciate that, you know," she said, her voice low, obviously trying to control her anger.

He looked at her, her statement interrupting his excogitation. "I wanted to know the truth," he said simply, giving her a look that meant he wasn't going to defend his actions. "It was the fastest way..."

"It's an invasion! It's practically a type of rape," she spat. She flinched when he glared at her. "I didn't lie to you!"

"But you were not forthright with me either," he snapped, angry at her choice of words. He knew it was an invasion, but it had been necessary. At least he thought so.

She looked down as if unable to meet his eyes. "I would have answered any of your questions honestly," she said, the emotional hurt evident in her angry voice.

He sighed. "That I do believe." He turned his head slowly to look over his shoulder at the surroundings, relieved that there were no other tourists visible.

"Which are the Ferrin gulls?" she asked. "I don't see any black ones."

He hoped that her change of topic meant that he'd not have to justify himself to her anymore. "The primane feathers on their wings are black, unlike the seagulls whose primane feathers are white, and they have a black V just above their tail feathers. They are also slightly larger. They're not as prolific as common seagulls because occasionally the eggshells are too thick for the chicks to hatch." Severus scanned the birds, pointing out a pair flying below them over the water. "There's a pair. The one to the right is a female. Their feathers are dull, but they still have the dark wing tips and black V above their tails." He looked at her again, smirking at how effectively she'd distracted him. "Come, we need to go this way," he said, indicating the direction of the rock cleft.

They walked in silence, Severus still contemplating Hermione's actions and their relationship in silence. It was apparent to him that she still harbored resentment of his invading her mind, but she seemed to have let the matter drop. When they reached the huge cleft in the cliffs, Severus laid down his broom and pocketed his wand so it would be easy to reach while flying.

Hermione looked down with a look of pure wonder, clearly impressed with the view. "Severus, have you ever heard of a Seanorcampus?"

He was taken aback again by her question. "Yes, why?"

"Luna told me that they live around here," she said, still gazing down at the spectacular sight of the thousands of seabirds in the deep crevice. "With her you never know if it's a real creature or not."

He was surprised she didn't know about them, but then they were class XX and not Hagrid's preferred level of creature. "They are about the size of a medium seal but twice as aggressive. They have small tusks, which can grow about the width of your palm, similar to a walrus. They more closely resemble a seal, although they're frequently mistaken for a young walrus by Muggles. They prefer the colder waters, but some come to the uninhabited Orkney and Shetland Islands to bear their young. I have seen them here occasionally. They are generally afraid of humans and especially avoid Wizardkind."

"Why?" she asked, looking at him with the inquisitive expression with which he was so familiar.

"Their tusks have magical properties, although not much. Ladies like to have combs made from them, and their fur is used to line hoods, gloves, and boots. I also believe that the bones in the flippers have been used by Seers, because they resemble human hand bones somewhat," he explained, aware that she was hanging on his every word. "Narcissa has a comb. She says it helps keep her hair silky. I think Lucius uses one, but he'd never admit it. They are very expensive and rare, because hunting the creatures is tightly controlled."

He indicated her broom. "Shall we?"

"Shall we what?" She looked frightened. "Down there?"

"Yes," he said, perplexed. "It's where the nests are." He explained what the nest looked like and how to extract the eggs, handing her a pouch from a pocket in his jacket. Hermione listened carefully, looking like she was fighting back the urge to throw up. "What is the problem?"

"Ihateflying," she admitted quickly. "I can't feel the broom, and I'm afraid I'll fall off."

"It's the Cushioning Charm, it pads the broom handle for comfort." He fought the urge to smile, watching as she squeezed her legs on the broom handle like she was fighting back the urge to urinate. "Didn't you ride the Thestrals to the Ministry your fifth year?"

"Yes," she replied, relaxing her grip on the broom.

"And how did it feel between your legs?" he asked.

"Like an anorexic horse," she replied, obviously perplexed.

"Sit on the broom handle like you did the Thestral," he directed her, "and cross your ankles. Now, do you feel a difference?"

"Yes," she admitted, hovering next to him. "But now I can't feel the broom handle very well."

He shook his head at her. "It is supposed to feel like a pillow, not a stick. Just keep your balance, and don't try to race around. Trust the broom and you won't fall."

"Harry did," she retorted.

He nearly smirked, remembering the game she was referring to. "I'll catch you."

Severus cast a Dissimulata Charm on them so that any Muggle tourists that might come wouldn't see them and led her into the cleft. They soared slowly as he pointed out the Ferrin gull nests. The various birds, also slightly affected by the Charm, soared around them as if they were simply huge seabirds themselves. Hermione caught on quickly, hovering and dipping smoothly on her broom as they checked the nests for eggshells, although still she still held onto the broom handle with a death grip. Severus stayed close enough to her so that he could catch her if she tumbled. He pointed out the Seanorcampuses swimming in the water, watching her relax as she watched them play and hunt for food. Severus led her lower over the water, showing her how to immobilize the Bluepike crabs and levitate them into a second bag. They flew among the cliffs and cleft for over an hour, and by the time he was getting hungry, they'd procured quite a collection of sizable crabs and even a good number of unhatched eggs.

They landed on the clifftop fields with a stunning view of the Thirle Door and the Stacks of Duncansby. Hermione watched as he pulled out the picnic bask from a pocket, and she conjured a large, thick blanket. Severus set the basket down, pulling out the dishes of Cornish game hen breasts, salami slices, fruit, cheese, sliced warm baguette, and an herb butter spread the house-elves had prepared for them. He cast an Anti-tipping Charm on the wine glasses, offering her one.

"Severus, what are the eggs used for?" she asked, accepting the glass. "I don't mean the eggshells. They're used in cures for various rashes, psoriases, and eczema. But the unhatched ones – why are you interested in those?"

"The eggs become sulfuric after a while. I have found them useful for strengthening potions for severe bronchitis, constipation, and rheumatism, although I've yet to publish my findings," he explained as he spread some herb butter on a piece of bread.

"Have you ever considered writing a book?" she asked, nibbling on a strawberry.

"No," he lied and then shook his head. "Yes, but with my history no one would take it seriously."

"You might be surprised." She ate a bite of cheese as she regarded him thoughtfully. "You should, you know. They would be brilliant. You could update the school Potions books, for example, improve the directions, fill in the missing steps and ingredients."

"Explain," he said smoothly, wondering why she assumed the school books were so inadequate, then remembered that Potter had his old Potions book.

"Just a thought," she said, lowering her gaze, apparently not willing to admit that she knew about his book. "I just assumed that with your skills and knowing that you experiment... If you ever did, the books would be brilliant."

Severus knew that was a close to a confession that Potter had his book that he was going to get from her. He considered her suggestion thoughtfully. "After lunch I'd like you to accompany me to the library at the Manor," he started to say, and she looked up at him, her eyes flashing ready to retort. "I have to attend to the crabs before they spoil. I'd appreciate the help."

"We can do it at Harry's," she suggested, and he snorted. "It would be preferable."

"My lab is currently set up at the Manor," he stated, and she huffed as she turned her head. "What is it about the Manor that you detest so? You will not be harmed."

"Oh, yes, I'd be so welcome there. Both Draco and Mr. Malfoy hate me. Mr. Malfoy has tried to kill me. He maliciously sneers and scowls at me with total disdain whenever I've seen him, and he calls me a Mudblood. Narcissa Malfoy treats me no better. The last time I was at the Manor I was tortured with the Cruciatus – severely," she ranted angrily. "It was like they enjoyed watching me scream in pain!"

"It was Bellatrix, I believe, who used the Cruciatus on you," Severus stated pointedly.

"They were in the room, watching!" she spat angrily. "Lucius Malfoy looked on with a smug expression, and Narcissa Malfoy was smiling."

"She was smiling because Narcissa knew that you hadn't broken into their vault – well, at least up to that point." Severus knew by Hermione's smirk that she didn't believe him. "I admit that Lucius wanted to simply hand you over to the Dark Lord, but it was only to gain an advantage in the Dark Lord's favor to protect his family. Truth was both Lucius and Narcissa were becoming disenchanted with the Dark Lord at the end, after housing him... That was a very rough time for all of us. Things are much different now."

She scoffed at him. "Regardless, I won't go back under any circumstances. You can forget it."

Severus watched her as he turned his head slightly, appearing to be gazing at the grassy landscape, angry at her refusal. They ate in silence. Hermione stared at the view, occasionally glancing at him, then looking away when she realized he was watching her.

"So what's next? We go home after this?" she finally asked.

"Is my company so distasteful?" he asked, wondering if she was eager to be somewhere else.

"Pardon?" she asked, turning to look at him.

"That you want to leave," he said, keeping his tone even to hide his disappointment. "Is my company so unsatisfying?"

She flushed as she stammered, "I, er... I just meant – never mind. I didn't know if you had anything else planned after lunch."

He shook his head curtly. "I need to clean the crabs and separate the midgut glands, testes, and gills. If the females have eggs still, I use them as well, although Narcissa likes them also." When Hermione didn't reply, he turned the conversation to Alchemy, engaging her in a discussion of algebraic equations in regards to Charm convergence. Hermione's eyes lit up during their discussion, comparing methodology of various current Charms theories. She still paraphrased the books she'd read, but their discussion was enjoyable.

Afterwards, they walked along the path, stopping occasionally as Hermione gazed at the stunning view of the rock arch called the Thirle Door and the tall jagged sea stacks and architecture of the Geo of Sclaites from the clifftop. He checked the Stasis Charm on the crabs, knowing he'd have to attend to them soon. Reluctantly, he decided to try reasoning with her again. "You do know that the Malfoys are wandless. The Cruciatus cannot be cast without a wand."

"I will not go there," she stated firmly. "You are more than welcome to come to Harry's. His workroom is more than adequate."

"You won't even need to see any of the Malfoys," Severus argued, hoping he could actually pull it off if she relented. He didn't want to go to his father's house. The kitchen is too small for the task. The empty jars in the shelves need to be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized before I can use them. My best knives are at the Manor and... "Narcissa's elves make the best crab bisque and croquets," he said aloud. His mouth watered at the thought.

"You've yet to try Kreacher's cooking," she countered.

"And if I insist?" he said smoothly.

"Don't," she warned. "I will not go willingly."

"Is it too much to want to have dinner with me?" he asked, his agitation starting to rise.

She shook her head. "No. I'll be happy to have dinner with you tomorrow. What time?"

"Seven," he said sharply and sighed. At least we aren't yelling at each other. He stepped closer to her, and she looked at him speculatively as he brushed a strand of her hair from her face, placing his other hand on her waist. "I want to kiss you," he said, lowering his voice seductively, pulling her body even closer to his, his fingers of his other hand stroking her hair with the gentlest of touches.

She stiffened under his touch. "I told you..."

"It's just a kiss, Hermione," he reminded her, cutting her off. He closed the gap between them and leaned forward. "What harm is there in a kiss?"

She looked up at him, and her eyes sought his as if trying to read any untoward meaning. "Just a kiss?"

He held back the snort that she'd be able to even read him or see past what he wanted her to see. "Just a kiss," he affirmed.

"One kiss," she conceded. She swallowed under his intense stare and made one tiny affirmative nod of her head. "I suppose that's all right."

Severus fought back the smile that threatened at her submission. He focused on her face, staring at her eyes as if memorizing each fleck of gold and every shade of brown. His fingers leisurely glided from the back of her head to the sensitive skin just under her ear as he unhurriedly and deliberately swept his gaze across her cheekbones and down her nose, lowering his gaze to her lips. Moving at a glacial pace, he leaned forward as his hand cupped her face and his other hand tightened on her lower back. He placed a feather light caress on her cheek, trailing the tip of his nose on her skin as he brought his lips down to hover over hers, and paused, taking a shallow breath and exhaling while counting to himself.

"What's wrong?" she asked after a while, her voice shaky and breathless.

"I know the satiny feel of your lips, the honeyed taste of your kisses. You have no idea what they do to me... how they undo me," he replied silkily, waiting in anticipation. "I dream about your kiss, Hermione. You have no idea how they – how you haunt me." As his words ended he closed the gap, tightening his grip on her as he kissed her. He heard her gasp and slid his tongue out to caress her lips, before plunging forward. Her hands grasped onto his coat, and he leaned forward, making her grasp onto him to keep her balance. Severus assaulted her mouth with his, feeling himself harden in response.

Hermione moaned, staggering slightly, and he crushed her to him as if to support her. He pulled his head back, slackening the hold he had on her face, lightening the fevered kiss somewhat as he sensually caressed her lips and stroked her cheek with his fingertips. His hand trailed down her jaw to her neck while his tongue danced with hers. His fingers swirled on her skin, his penis straining in his trousers against her as he savored the taste of their kiss. He heard the appreciative sighs and murmurs she uttered, and he claimed her mouth again fiercely, hearing her startled whimper.

He broke the kiss off abruptly. She staggered, her breathing ragged, her lips trembling, and he smirked as her eyes fluttered open, staring at him in utter disbelief. He held her elbow as she gathered her wits and tried to compose herself. Severus smiled as he pulled her back into his embrace. "I don't want this to be over. Come with me," he drawled out slowly.

Hermione nodded, and he smiled. "Okay," she replied, still reeling from his kiss. "Where ... ever."

"You'll come back to the Manor with me," he said softly, "and help me in the lab?"

Hermione stiffened. "I told you no. Not there!"

Severus relaxed his hold on her and stepped back. "So, I can't convince you to come with me to the Manor..."

"No," she said, interrupting him.

He sighed in agitation, really having hoped that he'd been able to change her mind. "Then, I suppose I should return to you Potter's house."

She tilted her head and smirked at him. "It might be best if I went home."

"You're home is at Spinner's End, Hermione," he corrected her, watching her nose wrinkle once in disgust. "Until I say otherwise or procure another residence."

She watched him a moment, obviously absorbing his statement. "Fair enough... for now," she replied, picking up her broom.

He allowed the comment to slide, giving her his arm to Apparate with her. For now, he thought before taking her back to Potter's. Why in heaven's name is this so bloody difficult?

~ T B C ~>

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Author's notes:

Eikon is an image, effigy, picture, or mosaic of a sacred subject; also referred to as an icon. Eikon is used rather in an abstract sense and rarely for a work of art.

The primane feathers are the long feathers on the distal third of a bird's wing and nearly as strong as the tail feathers.

Dissimulata is Latin meaning: concealing, to ignore, leave unnoticed.

Thank you to CourtneyRochelle for being a sounding board when I had a bit of a block, Era1960 for his masculine advice, and my betas, MadBrilliant and Shug, for helping me clean this up and fix all my mistakes.

I also want to give a big hug to Southern_Witch_69 for my banner. I still get that silly little grin each time I look at it.