His wings hovered around them, closing in as he crowded her. Hermione reached out, brushing her fingertips tentatively over his stygian feathers. He shivered under her touch, closing his eyes, pressing his forehead to the top of hers. His wings stretched out, shaking out with a flap, then wrapping around her in a protective cocoon. Hermione was lost in the feeling of safety and security provided by the untamed creature standing in front of her, surrounding her in his darkness. The one who would bow before her—if only she dared to ask.