She blinked, and shook her head, she was being ridiculous. She began to reach for the teapot, and carefully poured two cups full of steaming black tea, before noticing a change in the room. As if she could feel another's presence. She set the pot down gently, and slowly turned around. She jumped, finding Xenophilius inches from her, his face stricken with sorrow.

"Please forgive me." he whispered, before taking her face in his hands and pulling her close, and kissing her softly.

She stepped backwards, and he followed her movement, in effect pinning her between the counter and his strong body. She felt no sense of danger, only urgency. Something stirred inside her, deep in the pit of her stomach. It was as if a dragon had lain slumbering, up until this moment, but now it was awake. It breathed a fire throughout her that could only be tamed by more kisses, more feather light touches. It felt as if her very skin was on fire. It was not painful, but it caused her to moan aloud into his mouth. Her lips parted and he slowly and deftly traced his tongue around them, and when she moved her own to meet his, they both shook with something, not quite laughter, but perhaps mutual understanding.

Kissing with open mouths had been strange when Victor had introduced her to it, but now, kissing Xenophilius, it felt as if she was drinking the elixir of life from his breath on hers, and she began to reach out for him, gripping handfuls of his shirt, and pulling him closer. She suddenly couldn't get enough of him.

Thoughts of tea long forgotten, she began tugging on his shirt, directing them towards her bedroom, which was only a few steps past the living room.

He decided the idea of slowly walking there didn't appeal to him, and he parted their mouths, if only to look deeply into her eyes,

"Are you sure?"

Hermione nodded, and he swept her off her feet, into his arms, and he strode quickly in the direction she vaguely gestured to. She was half drowned in sensation, and nearly lost to the real world, as he muttered some spells under his breath to draw the drapes, and lower the lights, she came to again as he gently set her down atop her bedspread.

Xenophilius wasn't exactly sure when this had gone from an interview to an afternoon with the potential for carnal delights, but he wasn't arguing either.

He kicked off his shoes, and watched as she did the same, hardly caring where they went.

She looked up at him, her brown eyes wide with curiosity and lips parted and breath coming quickly, and he could not resist.

It felt rather like he was being seduced, more than the other way around.

Hermione couldn't be sure, but she didn't mind at all. She pulled off her blue sundress, and tried not to care as it crumpled to the floor in a heap, joined by Xenophilius' cotton shirt.

Suddenly she was left in her very plain white underwear, and he in his baggy trousers. She could not be certain, but she was beginning to suspect he wasn't wearing anything underneath his pants.

She smiled shyly at the thought that his current state of agitation and arousal was all because of her.

He tried to ignore his own needs, and began to slowly undo her bra, but she stopped him,

"I'll do it."

He nodded quickly, of course. He was half afraid he would tear her remaining clothing in his haste.

She closed her eyes, and concentrated. He looked down with a gasp, she had used wand-less magic to finish undressing them both. He had no chance to hide himself, and she shook her head, using her hand to gently grip his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze,

"It's okay. I want you."

He gulped, and licked his lips, nodding in understanding.

The rest of the afternoon was a blur of flashes of bare skin on skin, sounds of ecstasy rising from each other's throats. Hands traveled everywhere, with touches that merely stroked the fire inside them both before coming together to soar to intoxicating heights that ended in a crescendo of pleasure that had them both seeing stars.

Like a moth to the flame, that was the only way Xenophilius could classify their relationship. She was a brilliant glowing flame, and he was the helpless moth who had no other option then to fall for her.

Hermione was of the opinion that it was simply logical. Two minds that had unique ways of seeing the world were destined to enjoy it together.

Either way, they had their own glimpse at a happy ending.

The most brilliant witch of her time, and the strangest warlock of his, forged their own future with high hopes.

END

A/N: YAY LAST CHAPTER. Aaand it's complete. I also know i copped out by skipping over the smut. sorry. just wasn't in the right mood. i also wanted it to be mysterious, and dreamlike. Just like the Lovegoods.

thanks for reading!