Harry was the one who finally asked the question on everyone's mind. "Alright Kings, what's this all about?"
Kingsley looked around the men seated in the room. Sirius and Harry shared a couch closest to him. George was slumped down comfortably in the matching love seat. Draco sat in an armchair by a fireplace with a small blaze burning in the grate. All of them were staring at Kingsley expectantly. He made his way to a bar located on he side, poured everyone a tumbler of Firewhiskey, and finally made his way to the open armchair across from Draco.
All the men on room were starting to get slightly concerned. When Kingsley began to sip his drink, showing no sign of starting whatever conversation he intended to initiate, it was Sirius who spoke up this time. "Well?" he exclaimed impatiently.
"As you all know, we are getting married to Hermione on Friday. As part of completing the ritual and bonding, we must each consummate the marriage with Hermione." Sirius, Draco and George were all nodding their heads. Only Harry looked surprised.
Harry interrupted, not able to stay silent. "Does Hermione know? Do we all have to sleep with her on the wedding day? How does that even work?"
Kingsley met Harry's eyes, sensing the deep caring he help for Hermione, even if he hadn't entirely come to terms with their current situation. "I discussed it with her today. That is why I wanted to speak with you all this evening. It does not all have to happen on the wedding night. In situations such as this, magic allows a day for each spouse, in this case husband, wed. That does include the wedding day."
Harry looked uneasily back at Kingsley before responding. "Why isn't she here?"
Kingsley glanced around the room before proceeding. "What I imagine you know Harry, and you might be aware, and I suspect George is as well, Hermione is a virgin." Her paused for a moment and took the time to meet the eyes of each individual. Harry and George both nodded, indicating this was not a surprise to them. When he looked at Sirius and Draco they both looked somewhat shocked. "Not only has she never had sex, but the most she's ever done is snog one wizard. You understand my concern.
"We spoke today, and she understands the implications of the wedding and wedding night. I asked her to decide who she wanted to spend her first night with, and she said she did not think that was a conversation she could be a part of.
"She has asked that we decide for her. She assured me that she is very attracted to each of us, and would be fine with whomever we decide. She even suggested we might draw straws again. I thought it might be prudent to discuss concerns and suggestions, before we resort to... drawing straws."
After a moments pause, Sirius took a long sip of his drink and spoke, "As much as I am looking forward to being with Hermione... it's been so long since I was with a woman. First there was Azkaban, then after I escaped and was on the run it's not like I particularly had time. Then I was in hiding, and all the pretty birds were taken. I've been in the veil since then. I don't trust myself to take care of her the way a gentleman should. I think I'm out of contention, at least for her first time." When he was done, Sirius Black was blushing. It was the first time any of them had seen that occurrence, and he quickly downed the rest of his drink, before going to get himself another. "Anyone need a top off?" he asked. A few heads bobbed, and he walked around, refilling glasses before finally returning to his seat, bottle placed at his feet for easy access.
George spoke up next. "I've no concerns about myself, to be honest. I'm not the most experienced man in the room, I'm sure, but I've had a chance for encounters with a few witches. Besides that, Hermione and I did discuss this topic, so I think she would be comfortable with me. Unless anyone has any concerns, I'd like to stay on the list."
Kingsley gave him a nod, and decided he would be the next to go, as Harry and Draco weren't looking ready to speak up quite yet. "I have had quite a few witches in my bed. I know I would take care of her well. It would be an honor to share her first time with her. I'd also like to stay on the list."
Eyes moved to Draco and Harry, the only two who had yet to speak. They glanced at each other, and Harry nodded to Draco to go first.
Draco kept his face impassive, "I don't think I'd be a wise choice. She is already skittish around me, and considering our less than pleasant history, I don't want to make it worse. Not to mention that I have very limited experience in these areas, as I am also a virgin."
Every eye on the room was already upon him, but at this final statement Harry laughed out loud. "You have to be joking!" he exclaimed. "You were the sex-god of Slytherin! Everyone heard storied of your exploits, and you're telling us it was all fake?"
Draco's stoic countenance stayed in place, though his cheeks did turn slightly pink. "My parents instilled from an early age that respectable wizards did not sleep around. They encouraged experimentation of other kinds, but sex was very strictly frowned upon. Out of respect for them and my future bride, I have not had sex. I have done plenty of other things with a witch or two, but mostly those rumors were started by girls who wanted me to stoop to their level. Everyone wanted a piece of the Malfoy heir, even though I wasn't for sale."
The room sat in stunned silence for a long moment, during which Draco drained his glass, levitated the half empty bottom from Sirius's feet, and poured himself another glass which he also made a sizable dent in.
Harry was finally able to pick his jaw up off the floor. Harry's inner monologue had been somewhat the same since Kingsley brought up the marriage bonds and ceremony. Am I mad enough at her to not even want to share something this special with her? I've loved her for so long, and only since this whole mess began have I started to look at her with something more than friendly affection and objective admiration. I want to rebuild the trust we have, and put this whole mess behind us.
"I've only ever been with Ginny." Harry began after another moment of silence. "We ended things recently, but it was a mutual decision. The chemistry we share is amazing, but that's all we have. I am so incredibly attracted to Hermione, and I know she trusts me. I think I could make her first time special and memorable, so I'd also like to stay in the running."
Kingsley gave a nod, and took a moment to organize his thoughts. "So, George, Harry and I all believe we would be good choices for Hermione's first time. Before we make a final decision, are there any concerns about the parties put forward?" He waited an interminable thirty seconds for someone to voice an objection. When no one did, he withdrew his wand and conjured three shells and a pearl, handing them to Sirius and Draco.
"Sirius and Draco, since you have withdrawn your names, one of you will mix up the shells, and the other will decide the choosing order. Once we have chosen who Hermione will spend her first night with, we can ask her to decide if she wants to choose an order for the subsequent nights, or allow it to happen organically."
Sirius and Draco walked to the bar. Sirius hid the pearl beneath one of the shells, and Draco chose the order. "Harry first, then George. Kingsley, you're last pick.'
Harry stepped forward first. He chose the center shell, and was disappointed when the space beneath was empty.
Next up was George. He took a moment to glance at the shell to the left, and the one to the right. He chose the shell on the left, and when he turned around, he held the pearl in his hand and had a huge smile lighting up his face. "No hard feelings, yeah?"
Harry and Kingsley both came to shake George's hand, and confirmed no hard feelings, though both delivered messages that if he hurt her, they would hurt him in turn.
"Why don't you tell her in the morning," Kingsley suggested. "She had a long day today, and will be with Harry tomorrow."
George gave a solemn nod of response. "How was your date Kings? Where did you take her?"
With that, Kingsley recounted the events of the day, glossing over his brief but glorious kiss with Hermione, and focusing instead on the locations and Hermione's reactions. After he was done, the men sat around discussing various subjects amicably. While Draco could have been left out, Kingsley and George made a conscious effort to include him, even if Harry and Sirius did not.
One by one, the men left the room. George was the last to leave, having spent a few minutes in quiet contemplation, focusing on how he would tell Hermione the news that they would be spending their wedding night together. He couldn't wait until the next morning.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I love to read your reviews, especially about what I'm doing with Draco (and will do...). Let me know your suggestions/predictions for George's telling in the morning, Harry's date tomorrow, and anything else you'd like to see in the next few chapters.