She Was Vanilla NC 17 D/H/B
Title:She Was Vanilla Chapter One
Author:Naira
Pairing:D/H/B
Rating: eventually NC 17
Warnings: Threesome, Slash, slight Ron and Harry bashing, AU afer HPB
Summary: “Lavender said that Hermione is vanilla, she is safe, constant, and reliable. She is the type of girl that an average guy can spend his average life with. She isn’t filled with passion, or wildness, or even a drop of spontaneity. Its like when you go to buy ice cream and there are all these exotic flavors that you have never tried out and then there is vanilla. If you are adventurous you will choose the unknown one, but if you aren’t you choose Hermione, you choose Vanilla.”
Author's Notes: All the warnings and rating may not apply to every chapter
Beta Credit: Logical Quirk
Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish upon a shooting star I will never be the rightful owner of Harry Potter and Co.
It was about a month after Dumbledore’s death when the Golden Trio and Remus Lupin decided to move away from Grimmauld Place and train in the Dead Forest near Wizard London. They had done field training to improve agility, stealth, stamina, and equilibrium. Running through a forest which was filled with creatures just waiting for the precise moment you dropped your guard to feast on you was more than enough motivation for even Ron and Harry. Harry and Ron had begun training with swords: if their plan worked as they hoped, magic would not help them. Hermione had learned a variety of spells from the elves who hid the woods from the Muggles, and was learning how to modify spells along with how to shoot a bow and arrow. Remus had become a great teacher and during the full moon he had inadvertently taught Hermione how to tame a werewolf. Ron and Harry had recovered form that night fairly well; they only carried the bruised egos of being saved by Hermione yet again.
They had greatly improved their physique, which Harry and Ron showed off whenever they could. Hermione was more discrete; she still wore the same clothes as always, but Remus could tell they were looser in some places and tighter in others. Hermione had grown up, and the only ones who seemed to notice were the elves with whom she trained, and Remus. She, Harry, and Ron spent little to no time together during the day since they didn’t train together, but they made up for it during the mornings and nights when they spent almost every waking moment together. They had got closer, or at least Hermione thought that they had got closer. The boys talked to her more, teased her less, and even shared a tent with her, a Muggle tent. The training had been hard, but it had improved all aspects of their lives, right down to cooking - after all, you couldn’t get a takeaway in the middle of the forest. After the month they had all agreed that it was time to go back home, or the only home Harry had left. However, the great return they were expecting didn’t exactly happen as planned.
“I’m hungry! Why did you make us carry all the equipment, anyway?” Ron complained to Remus as they walked into the deserted house; well, almost deserted house.
“Because Hermione …” Remus’s voice died out as he saw the three unlikeliest people standing right in front of him.
“You!” Harry growled as he took out his wand and pointed it at the tallest person.
“Professor?” Hermione asked, dropping her bags; the others followed and put theirs down. Right in front of them, looking almost nonchalant, were Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy, and Blaise Zabini. “What are you doing here?”
“What the hell does that matter, Hermione, they are here and soon they won’t be at all,” Ron said as he pointed his wand at Draco Malfoy.
“What is going on, Severus? You wouldn’t be stupid enough to return here without a damn good reason,” Remus said as his hand clenched.
“I told you this was a bad idea,” Blaise said as he looked at every single one of them. His eyes stopped and rested on Hermione for a fraction longer than the others, but it was enough to get Hermione to react. She reached out and attempted to lower Harry and Ron’s wands.
“Hermione, what the hell are you doing?” Ron asked, clearly pissed off.
“Stop taking their side; be on my side for once!” Harry pleaded as he turned towards her. Hermione softened her look and smiled.
“I’m always going to be on your side, Harry, but right now we need to find out why they are here,” she said softly; she attempted to lower their wands once again, but they remained fixed on the three Slytherins.
“You are always taking their sides, whether it’s Krum or Snape. I can’t believe you always choose the enemy over us! What’s next, are you going to become You-Know-Who's whore?” Ron asked angrily. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize what he had said in time to stop himself. The Slytherins realized Ron’s mistake way before he had any time to react and anxiously awaited Hermione’s reaction. They knew that whatever was about to happen would not be pleasant for Ron. After all, they knew very well the rage of one Hermione Granger. Hermione gave him a cold look, but the last thing he saw was her wand pointed right between his eyes. Within seconds he was on the floor, Harry right next to him, trying to make sure he was okay.
“Hermione, what did you do?” Harry asked, worried; he was torn between being angry at Ron for what he said or pissed off at Hermione for hexing him. She turned from them and sheathed her wand again. The Slytherins tried to figure out just what exactly Hermione had done.
“He will be fine, take him to the library.” Hermione knew that his worry over Ron would make him listen to her; he wasn’t going to risk losing anyone else. He took him to the library, but was ready to go back to the foyer as soon as Ron was secured. His plan was stopped in their tracks as soon as he left the foyer. “Remus, please make sure they do not disturb us, don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” She turned to him and gave him a sad smile. Remus smiled back and rubbed his knuckles against her cheek in comfort before leaving. She magicked their bags away and started to walk to the kitchen, expecting the others to follow her and only stopping when she couldn’t hear any footsteps behind her. She turned to see that they were indeed not following her. She shrugged her shoulders and kept walking to the kitchen; if they wanted to talk she would be the only one available and willing to listen, so they would come sooner or later. Blaise saw her shrug and pointed it out to Draco; Draco couldn’t help himself and taunted her.
“Look at that: the little Mudblood is all bravery letting the wolves in to dine.” Draco stood and followed after her. In a world where nothing ever made sense he knew that she would, because no matter how much she changed she would always be the same to him. Blaise followed after him, shaking his head, clearly amused.
“You should know that sometimes a wolf hides in sheep’s clothing, Malfoy, although then again sometimes they hide in ferret’s clothing.” She smirked at him and Blaise looked almost amazed.
“Do stop playing, children,” Severus said snidely as he sat on the chair across Hermione. Hermione nodded and got up to start making tea, she needed to keep herself occupied.
“So, what brings you to our lovely abode?” Hermione asked, feigning gaiety. “By the look of this house you probably just arrived maybe a couple of hours ago. Everything is just as I left it except cleaner; I’ll have to thank Dobby for that. You obviously haven’t come here to kill us or we would be dead by now and if you are planning on capturing us we would not be here. If I’m to guess, you three have probably been looking for us and heard we were coming back, maybe from Dobby himself.” She had taken out four tea cups and placed them on a tray; she placed the teakettle in the center and next to it some milk, sugar, lemon, and honey, then carried the tray to the table and let them serve themselves. As if by magic - and it probably was - an array of scones and biscuits showed up.
“So obviously our intentions for coming here must be noble. Really, Miss Granger, how naïve are you?” Severus sneered. Hermione smiled sardonically.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect much from you; actually I don’t expect anything from you, but before Sirius died he and I did a little spell and if you are in this house then your intentions are not to harm us. In any case, no magic you do will harm us.” Hermione smiled mysteriously and inhaled the fragrances of her tea.
“What makes you so sure?” Blaise asked, intrigued.
“Dumbledore’s death,” she replied simply. The youngest males looked confused, but Professor Snape looked almost horrified. She gave him a sad smile and he realized just what she meant.
“Surely you weren’t so foolish as to do it?” Severus asked, troubled.
“I have come to realize that sometimes Dark Magic is better than White Magic, Professor. I had no choice but to do it: if I wanted to keep Ron and Harry safe, during the summer at least, I had to lend my magic to it. Such a forbidden spell took a lot out of me, but it came back twofold during this month. As long as I live in this house and stay near them, the only magic strong enough to kill them is Voldemort’s; the most an Avada from you can do is send them into a coma. Sirius and Dumbledore took great pains to protect them from everyone who could harm them except each other and Voldemort.”
“Why do you keep saying them?” Blaise asked curiously.
“Because it seems the Mudblood pet didn’t get any protection from the Great Dumbledore,” Draco answered.
“You are partly right. The spell was meant only for Harry and Ron, since they are the ones who would be facing Voldemort face to face. Dumbledore decided that my magic would benefit everyone the best if it was used to protect them; after all, my intelligence would stay intact even if my magic drained. Unfortunately, his plan failed thanks to Sirius’ last gift to me.” Hermione looked away wistfully for a moment before she resumed explaining. “He knew that the main focus would always be Harry and maybe even Ron, but I would become so reliable and constant that I would naturally fade into the background. So during the summer before fifth year he enchanted me so that if I was ever faced with having to lose my magic, a small enough portion would be left so that I had the chance to reacquire it.”
“You put a lot of faith in those two fools.” Severus commented icily.
“I only had to put my faith in one. Anyway, we aren’t here to talk about me, but about what you want. I will assume that they -” she pointed to Draco and Blaise, “will need refuge and that you need a liaison with the Order.”
“You are too trusting,” Severus said, shaking his head.
“But I am right. Think of it as part two of Sirius’s gift. No one who comes here with ill will in their hearts can enter the house.”
“That mutt seems to have come up with a lot of “gifts”; I assume you helped him, of course.” Hermione shrugged.
“It was the least I could do. So tell me. Did Dumbledore ask you to kill him or did you decide that his death would be best for everyone?” Hermione didn’t even flinch at asking him such a delicate question; she needed to know, and it was as simple as that. Severus shook with emotion; Hermione was pretty sure that he would lash out, but she didn’t care. She just cleared the table in case he started throwing things. Draco and Blaise just sat back and watched with mild amusement at what went on between Hermione and Severus.
“What gives you the right to question me? I did what I did and I do not need to justify myself to you, you ignorant girl. The reason I killed him was not a noble one so get that idea out of your head. Not everyone can be saved with your childish notions. I killed him and that’s that; the only reason I’m here is because these two need protection.” He visibly shook, his hands were clenched at his side and Hermione noticed that he had flushed with anger. She gave him a small smile and stood up.
“So he did tell you to kill him.” She shrugged “I thought as much. Do relax, Professor, I didn’t invade your mind or anything of the sort, but your reaction was enough. Now, please follow me and I will take you to your quarters.”
“Insufferable, infuriating, naïve chit,” Severus muttered as he followed her out the door and the others followed.
“Granger one, Snape zero,” Blaise muttered to Draco as they followed behind them. Hermione took them to what used to be her and Ginny’s room and opened the door to reveal three beds and two drawers.
“You have got to be kidding me! Who the hell are we sharing with? Why do we need to share; this house seems big enough for everyone to have their own rooms,” Draco complained as he entered the room. Blaise just flopped onto a bed and tested its comfort.
“You will be sharing with me.” Hermione smiled widely at them and turned back to Severus. “Are you still going to spy on Voldemort for us, or am I going to have to go and find another spy?” She gave him the most charming smile she could muster and watched him scowl in return. Draco and Blaise had been shell-shocked into silence, but she was sure that wasn’t going to last.
“Miss Granger, if possible I think you have got more reckless and idiotic than those two boys you call your friends.”
“I’ll take that as you agreeing to remain a spy.” Her face fell and she was back to being serious. “No one can know about this so we will have to meet outside of the house; this place is going to become a safe house soon and we don’t need the extra drama. Take this; when you have information just think of me and hold it.” She handed him a long, black feather. “It’s not a Portkey or anything so you won’t have to worry about it, it will just react with my feather and I’ll know you want to meet.” Hermione looked back to the men lying on the beds behind her; they were getting ready to pounce.
“What of location, Miss Granger?” Severus placed the feather inside his cloak.
“That will come to you.” She tensed and turned her head. “I think its time for you to go, looks like Harry and Ron have been set free.” Severus didn’t say goodbye or even wave, he just turned around and walked away. This left her with her roommates.
“What do you mean, you are our roommate?” Draco asked, his fist clenching. He didn’t really want to think of what he was capable of with her in the same room.
“I think it means that one of those two beds is hers,” Blaise teased.
“I know that, but why is she sleeping in here? Did Potty and Weasel kick you out of their club? Or are you afraid that we’ll hex them while they sleep?” Draco had a nasty smile on his face, but Hermione ignored it and flopped down on the bed nearest to the door.
“I call this bed, and it’s not Harry and Ron I’m worried about. Anyway your bags have obviously already been brought up so pick a dresser because you two will be sharing.” She looked like she was about to say something else, but the banging on the door stopped her. “Stand back if you know what’s good for you.” Hermione opened the door and quickly shut it behind her.
“Are they in there?” Ron asked furiously.
“Yes; they will be staying with us, its all set,” Hermione replied calmly.
“How can you decide that by yourself, Hermione? This house is mine; I won’t let them stay here.” Harry was pissed off, but she could tell he was holding himself in check for her sake. She loved him more for that; she gave him a sad smile.
“They are refugees, Harry. Voldemort didn’t like the fact that Draco couldn’t do his mission, or the fact that Blaise couldn’t choose a side. We agreed that this house would be a haven for those hunted down by Voldemort,” Hermione explained patiently. By now Remus had joined them.
“They aren’t refugees, they are spies. How can you be so blind? Stop protecting them; that’s all you do, protect them. What about us?” Ron raised his wand and cast the bombarda spell.
“No!” Hermione screamed as she pushed Ron out of the way; however that caused the backfired spell to hit her square on the chest.