Persistent Enchantment

*Warning this is explicit with graphic sexual situations.*

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Persistent Enchantment

~H~

It had taken a week for Harry, driven by his own lust from the mutual connection in the dreams to begin to slip into Ginny's room and seek out her out, although Ginny later confessed that he was shy and reluctant, nevertheless, things were progressing between them and she was thrilled. For five nights, Ginny had placed wards and silencing spells on her door and walls in anticipation of his visits, and Hermione had brewed a sleeping draught of Deep-Sleep Potion, placing a vial of it under her pillow in anticipation of the visits as well. The fifth night was like any night in which Harry slipped into the room. The magic of the wards immediately activated, and Hermione had quickly, and slyly, taken her potion. Harry had never been the wiser, and Hermione had, thankfully, slept through most of the embarrassing moments of Harry's conjugal visit.

~MoM~

Maggie Whitmire entered her office that morning, in the Magical Marriage and Birth Registration Office and noticed a glow coming from the Marriage Registration ledger. She walked over to peer at the large tome and saw immediately that the entry: Ginevra Molly Weasley and Harry James Potter had changed. The entry now read: Bonded. She smiled warmly and sat down at her desk, pulling out the required Magically Bonded Certificate, and quickly filled in the details as given by the ledger. She enclosed the form letter, instructing the newly magically Bonded couple to sign and wand verify the certificate and return it to her office to be filed. A gilded and embossed certificate would be owled to them upon her receipt, and the union would be official. As if a magical Bonding Charm can ever be unofficial, she laughed to herself, still delighted over the union of the new couple. Oh, how I wish I could deliver this in person. Imagine, Harry Potter Bonded to Miss Weasley – oops, no, it's Mrs. Potter now, isn't it? She giggled like a schoolgirl.

She quickly drafted another note.

I am very pleased to announce that Mr. Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Weasley have officially been magically Bonded, the sixteenth of June, at approximately 11:59 P.M. Signatures and certification are still pending upon registration of the signed and wand verified Magically Bonded Certificate.

Magical Licenses and Certificates Department

Mrs. Whitmire checked her facts against the ledger carefully, then magically duplicated it several times before sealing it, and carried the notices to the owlery. I think I'll deliver this one in person, she said, holding up the original. I can't wait to see the look on Agethia's face!

~H~

Harry and Ginny's Bonding was announced in the morning edition of the Daily Prophet. Harry's reaction to the article was utter disbelief; however, his reaction to the owl sent from the Magical Licenses and Certificates Department and to the owls that carried congratulatory letters from Shacklebolt, McGonagall and Hagrid caused an uproar in the house. At first, Ginny was rather giddy at having received the papers from the Ministry, but she'd broken down into tears when Harry began yelling at her, accusing her of performing Dark Magic to trap him. He was furious at her for what he perceived as a deception, angered at being magically ensnared when he'd had full intention of marrying her anyway after she finished school. Moreover, he couldn't believe he was suddenly Bonded with Ginny simply because they'd shagged.

Oddly enough, it was Ron who was able to calm Harry down enough to talk to his parents and sat with his parents as they tried to explain what the Bonding Charm was and what being Bonded meant while Hermione consoled a distraught Ginny in her room. After finally calming Ginny down, reassuring her that Harry was simply overreacting, as he tended to do, and assuring her that Harry loved her, Ron knocked on the door telling them that Ginny needed to go down and talk to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, too.

When Hermione followed Ginny back downstairs, the look on Mr. and Mrs. Weasleys' expressions told her that she and Ron should dismiss themselves and let them talk privately to Ginny and Harry, so she pulled on Ron's arm to get him to go outside with her. Besides this gives me the perfect opportunity to have Ron alone for a while and possibly, just possibly see if things can work out between us...

Deep in thought, Hermione led Ron into the apple orchard and far enough from the house so that they wouldn't be disturbed. As soon as they sat down, Ron pulled her into his arms and started kissing her. His kisses were firm but wet. Instead of gentle caresses or like the sensual kisses Snape gave her, Ron's were hard and crushing. In addition, Ron had somehow gotten the impression that Hermione had him out here for other reasons and immediately began groping her, squeezing and kneading her breasts roughly.

After a few minutes of groping, slobbering and struggling, Hermione realized that she'd simply had enough. "Ron, I can't! I don't know why – but I can't," Hermione said, sitting up, pushing Ron away. It feels wrong. This – he – us, feels wrong... like I'm cheating on Severus!

"Why? I know you love me. Ginny and Harry are doing it," he whined.

Yeah, whine about it. That will help! Augh. I can't, that's why. "This has nothing to do with Harry and Ginny and you know that!" she exclaimed, now completely annoyed. "They are engaged now! Everyone knew that they would be someday – even you. This – we – it's different." But he's right; Harry can hardly keep away from Ginny. At least I have the sleeping potions so I don't have to hear them shagging tonight!

Ron twirled a finger in her hair, pulling the strand slightly. "But I thought that you wanted me, too? Isn't that why we came out here?"

Hermione looked forward, deeper into the orchard. "No, we came out here to have some time together, alone, just you and me. I thought we'd talk..."

"Talk? You came out here to talk?" Ron looked at her in disbelief. "We could have done that in the house!" He ran his fingers in her hair, snagging them on a knot.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, grabbing her head.

"Mione, I'm sorry," he said, trying to put his arm around her again. He leaned in and tried to kiss her.

Augh, this just isn't working! Hermione turned her head slightly, and his lips landed on her cheek.

He cupped her face, his fingers pressing into her jaw, and turned her, his mouth landing on hers. She let him, trying to caress his lips softly with hers in a seductive kiss the way Severus did in her dreams, and Ron pressed his mouth roughly to hers, their teeth coming into contact painfully.

"Ouch, Ron, you bit me!" she exclaimed, pushing him away again. Oh, for crying out loud! Doesn't he know how to kiss? When Severus kisses me, it's fantastic! The dream – in the dream when I kiss him, it's... Oh bugger! This is real! Ron's not a fantasy – he's real. She looked at Ron, reconsidering.

He looked back at her, confused.

Okay, try again. You love Ron. That's all there is to it – so just kiss him. She placed a hand on his shoulder, gently pulling his shirt as she leaned toward him and cupped his face with her other hand as he met her halfway. Gently, she brushed her lips across his, kissing his lower lip and sensually caressing them with hers. Ron grabbed her, pulling her roughly to him as his mouth crushed hers again. His kiss was wet, sloppy, and hurting her.

"Stop! Stop... Ron, please... No, you're hurting me," she uttered, finally breaking his grip. "No, this is all wrong. I'm sorry, I just can't."

"Mione, tell me what's wrong?" Ron pleaded. "Tell me, and I'll do better."

"Please, leave it alone," she said, curling her knees up and crossing her arms around them. Why does this feel so wrong? I liked his kisses before. Didn't I? There was the kiss at Hogwarts... No, I kissed him... A crushing kiss... in the heat of the moment, like he's doing this time. He kissed Lavender, and she liked his kisses – except it looked like he was devouring her face, stuck to her like a leech. It's not the same...

"So, you were only leading me on, is that it?" he asked angrily. "Why did you kiss me in the first place? Eh?"

"Ron, I wanted to be sure. I had to know if what I feel for you is the same," she pleaded for him to understand. One look at his face told her he didn't. "I wanted it to – I needed to know, all right? I'm sorry. I like you, really... but I'm not in love with you." She rubbed her face with her hands, exasperated. "It's not you. It's something to do with me. I'm confused. I'm tired. I'm not sleeping well." I want you to kiss me like Severus does.

"Ginny said that you've been dreaming nearly every night?" he said accusingly.

Would Ginny betray my confidences? "No, she didn't," she scoffed. "Ginny wouldn't have said that." Harry might have, but not Ginny.

"So it's true then! You are having the same kind of dreams Ginny and Harry are having?" he asked confrontationally.

Hermione looked at him angrily. "I don't know what kind of dreams Harry is having – he hasn't said anything to me about them!" She pulled away as Ron reached for her again. "No, Ron, no. Look, yes, I dream at night. Loads of people dream at night. It's nothing to get your wand in a knot over." She stood up, brushing off her bum. "I'm going back to the house. If it amuses you, ask Ginny to describe her dreams to you, and then we'll compare mine to hers. However, considering that Ginny and Harry are now officially magically Bonded and engaged – she probably dreams about him. I can assure you, Ron, I do not dream about Harry!"

Hermione stomped off frustrated and angry. I just don't get it! Why can't he be gentle with me? Ginny said Harry was klutzy and awkward at first, but he was eager to make her happy and slowed down, started kissing her how she wanted, and now he's apparently the best kisser she's had. Why can't I get Ron to kiss me the way Snape does? Well, like dream Snape does. Although, it's not fair to want Ron to be like Snape, is it? Merlin, this is so messed up! Harry's in there angry because Ginny did the Match-Matching Spell and they're now Bonded, and I've just angered Ron by trying to make him act like Snape! And Ginny keeps reassuring me that this will all work out.

She looked up at the Burrow, seeing the soft lights in the windows and billowy smoke from the Floos that used to give her such a welcoming feeling, the magic of this house, built with love, that made this house such an inviting retreat to her and now seemed to mock her. I should've read up on this Moon-Song Spell before casting it; then I would've known what we were in for. Instead, I simply went along, and now look at what's happened! She looked up at the clouds in the afternoon sky. If you're listening, if you're there, I'd really appreciate it if you could help me, help us... I could really use some guidance right about now. I just don't know what to do.

~S~

He was reading in bed before dinner, and a deep, drowsy headiness overcame him. He closed his eyes, laying the book on his lap and pinched the bridge of his nose, unsure why he suddenly felt so sleepy. His body relaxed against the pillows that propped him upright, and he breathed heavily. Gentle fingers touched his shoulder, gliding down his arm. 'She's back. Reaching out to me again, Hermione? Surely you're not sleeping now, are you?' He slid down on the bed and waited. 'Okay, witch, come.' Severus could feel her as her body seemed to materialize over him, closer than an arm's length, and he grasped her arms, pulling her toward him, feeling her body land on his, but without the crushing weight he'd expect. Her hands landed on his chest as his mouth met hers in a crushing kiss while her arms wrapped around him and he embraced her. 'This is madness!'

His release eased into euphoria, followed by a sense of completion as he braced himself above her. He loomed over her, his arms extended with his elbows locked straight, his hands on either side of her head as their eyes locked onto each others, and he smiled, knowing he'd just blew her mind.

Severus woke up again, sweating and panting in post ejaculate bliss. He hadn't moved much; he was still sitting, propped up in his bed, the forgotten book having been shoved aside. This is some kind of curse! More than just Lustful Dreams Spell or a Dream Fantasies Spell. There is Dark magic to this curse. Irritably, he called for a house-elf to change his sheets and give him a change of pajamas. I'm going to find out what you did, witch... or who did this to us. But I will find out – trust me.

~H~

Hermione woke up on her cot, gasping, her heart pounding and head swimming. She had been having recurrences of the lovemaking dream practically each night. It had started out the same the first few nights, floating in water as if she were a water nymph, then changed with her hovering over Snape like a ghostly apparition. Lately, the dreams took place in other places, most recently a four-poster bed with the dark blue, silky sheets, which was obviously his bed or her mind's creation of his bed. Only I've never given his bed any thought before. I'd assumed that he slept in a regular bed, not one so lavishly appointed with thick, plush pillows and silk sheets.

The bed, or what she could remember of it, was large, with gossamer hangings and dark blue drapes that matched the dark blue silk sheets and white down comforter. He'd even had multiple pillows, two in dark blue pillowcases, two in white and two in a soft gold fabric. It isn't the kind of bed I'd have imagined for him... Even if I would've tried to imagine him in a bed at all, it certainly wouldn't have been that bed! Something all shrouded in black possibly with green accents or all green for Slytherin – no, all black, like he dresses. The room beyond the bed seemed airy and light. As if I'd imagined only the bed and had it up in the clouds somewhere!

Another night they'd been outside under the covered walkway of a garden. I would never have agreed to having sex outside in the open – where just anyone could walk up on us! Tonight she'd been floating with him again as if in a cloud, then settled down onto soft grass. She could still feel the texture of the grass on her skin, could still feel the throbbing inside her as if he were still making love to her. Her nipples were still hard and standing out erect from his suckling, and she could still feel where his hands had grasped her hips as he plunged into her. This is maddening! It's so real, yet so surreal. Ginny still slept soundly in her bed, oblivious, thankfully, that Hermione had been dreaming of Severus again. Again!

His hands on her body were artful, and he was quickly learning her every sensitive spot and took pleasure in driving her mad with desire either before or while he was plunging into her. Still, it was incomplete. I can feel him, touch him, but not hear him. I can feel the vibration of his low, growling laugh on my skin when he's pleased or feel him laugh against my mouth when he kisses me. But it's silent, like in a silent movie show, or like actually being underwater and being able to breathe. She wasn't growing gills or fins, so she knew that was just part of the dream. Snape liked having her straddle him, either lying down beneath her or sitting up, looking up at her as he watched her move, sliding and grinding on his stiff penis, grasping her hips as he helped her movements by thrusting up into her. His rhythm was usually in perfect sync with hers.

She was amazed at how often he varied their position and astounded that she was completely unable to resist him. He controlled their lovemaking, he positioned her, and he took charge. It's like he's really here, or I'm there – and we're really together. I fall asleep, and my mind seems to reach out to him, finding him, and without any words as if it's simply understood, I shag him. Oh, gods! What if it's like Ginny and Harry's dreams? What if he feels everything I do – senses me, sees me! She covered her mouth to keep from screaming. Ginny said that she and Harry had the same dreams – every detail – as if they were actually together. Does he? Could Severus be having the same dreams? Are we truly connecting in these dreams?

She began to panic. He'll murder me! If he's alive – he'll kill me! If he's alive... but I saw him. He was dead when we left the Shrieking Shack.

She pulled out her vial of Sleeping Potion and took a large sip, just enough to quiet her nerves and allow her to fall asleep and not dream about him. She waited to feel the effects of the potion before she closed her eyes. I'm going to have to talk to Luna. She'll be able to....

~S~

Severus strolled out into the garden again just about the time he knew that Hermione would be falling asleep. The garden was dark tonight, the moon barely a sliver in the starry sky. The manicured hedges looked ominous tonight, and the gravel walkway crunched under his boots. He wore only a warm cloak to cover his body, knowing that she would be coming to him again soon. He found three stone benches in a ring of hedges, surrounding a small fountain and smiled. Perfect. Dark, secluded and eerie, with only the trickle of the water and the sound of crickets filling the still night around us. And Lucius won't walk in on us – me. Sitting down to wait, he slid his hips forward and reclined a slightly on the bench, his boots firmly planted on the gravel.

Twelve nights she'd come to him. The first night of the visits was on the full moon, he remembered with perfect clarity. It was the night he'd woken up from his coma after that terrible bite to his neck. Narcissa had their family Healer attending to me, using the potions that I'd brewed in case I or any of the Malfoys were bitten by Nagini. He smiled remembering Narcissa's face looking over him when he'd opened his eyes, the moonlight making her look like an angel. Only she wasn't his angel that night. It was Hermione Granger who'd awakened me that night – my sexual apparition, my ethereal wraith. He could still feel the disappointment from the three nights that she hadn't come to him. Although, one of those was the night of the Malfoys' party when I'd drunk too much and passed out in my room – she'd not visited me then – I think. Or had she and found me passed out on my bed? Would she have used my body anyway? The thought that she would aroused him.

In the dream three nights ago, she'd pushed his hair from his face, her soft, brown eyes locked onto his as he held her straddled on his lap, thrusting into her. She looked at him hungrily, the pleasure of his cock inside her evident on her face, and he loved that. I'll have her do it again. She didn't cringe or recoil when he embraced her in these dreams, always reaching out to him, eager for him. Still, why in all Hades is it Hermione Granger who comes to me in these dreams? Of all the witches I know, why her?

These dreams were becoming constant. He could control them, to a point, varying the technique of his sexual assault on Hermione's body, but he couldn't change her face. It is always her. And now he actually wanted her. He wanted to have her, possess her, to take her willing body and hear her moaning beneath him, to hear her gasping out as he used her, and hear her screaming his name. In the dreams he could feel her, touch her, but he couldn't taste her or actually hear her.

He closed his eyes, his head resting on the stone behind him, listening to the soft night sounds. Within minutes he could feel her presence, and he welcomed her, holding his hand out to grasp hers, pulling her to him. She was dressed in a nightshirt tonight that fell just to her thighs. He smiled. 'So like a child, yet so like a woman.' He opened his cloak exposing himself, and her eyes scanned down his lean frame, unembarrassed until her eyes fell on his stiff penis. He pulled her closer, turning her around and having her sit on his lap. She nestled against his chest, comfortably, allowing him to caress her. With one hand he parted her legs, his fingers caressing her moist lips, fingering her as the other slid up under her shirt to cup a breast. It didn't take long to have her squirming in his lap. He kissed her shoulder as he pushed her off him and turned her around, coaxing her to straddle his hips on the bench. She took the hint easily, climbing onto the bench, her knees tight against his hips. He tugged at her nightshirt, gliding his fingers teasingly on her skin as he raised the fabric up her body. He his penis rubbed against her moist lips, coating himself with her wetness as she held onto his shoulders, and he pushed his tip into her. 'Okay, take me in.' Slowly, she lowered herself onto him, the look of ecstasy on her face as she slid down his penis quite enjoyable to watch. 'Yes, Hermione, I will let you control tonight's union. Ride me. I want to watch you pleasure yourself on me...'

She collapsed on him in post coital bliss, and he wrapped his cloak around her, holding her possessively, still firmly inside of her, waiting until she moved or shifted so he could start all over again. Her hair tickled his nose, so he moved her hair from the side of her face and kissed her. 'Tomorrow. I'm going to find you tomorrow. You're going to be mine. No more dreams, Hermione – tomorrow I will have you – feel you – hear you – and taste you. Tomorrow, it will be for real.' He cupped her cheek as she turned her head to return his kiss, and he allowed her to shift over him and kiss him. 'Sweet, Hermione, so tender and sweet.' She sat up, her fingers pushing the hair from his face to look at him closely. She smiled as he reached down and fondled her breasts. She tried to adjust herself or to rise off him, and he clasped her to him tightly, and he pushed his penis up into her. Her eyes widened, and she bit her lip, rolling her hips along his stiffening penis. 'Yes, that's it, witch, ride me again.' He smiled encouragingly, letting her rub herself against him, obviously pleasuring herself. 'Yes, tomorrow, Hermione – no more dreams – tomorrow I will find you.'

~ T B C ~>

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Author's notes: