Chapter Ten – The Wedding Machine Starts Moving
The next morning came with alarming speed, and Hermione blearily opened her eyes wishing she could stay asleep. She was still so sleepy that she wondered what had woken her. Then she heard it again, a soft knocking on her bedroom door.
"Yes?" she managed sleepily.
The door opened and Draco's head came around it.
She smiled. "Good morning, my love," she said quietly. "Come in," and she opened the bed covers to him in invitation.
He wasted no time in accepting, slipping in beside her. "I couldn't wait to see you any longer," he admitted as he shuffled towards her.
Her smile grew, and her arms wound around his neck. "You're over dressed," she told him, and without a word she slipped his sleep pants off with her feet as he started kissing her.
He groaned as his already rigid member was rubbed over the waistband of his pants as it passed on the way down his legs. "I want you, all of you," he declared.
"Then you shall have me," Hermione responded in between kisses, as she somewhat desperately pulled him closer. "I've waited too long for this moment," she whispered. "I'm yours," she affirmed, and sighed as he proved it. There was no need for foreplay, they were both ready.
"Oh, so good," he muttered, and he claimed her mouth again as he started moving. She'd felt ready for him, and it felt like bliss finally being her with her.
She arched her back and started moving to meet him as her world condensed to the point where they were the only two in existence, and somewhere in the back of her mind she spared a thought for Lucius. She was so pleased that he was giving her and Draco this time alone, because he would be aware of Draco's movements within his house. He was the lord of the manor, and that came with certain privileges.
Then her higher order thoughts short-circuited with Draco's perfect strokes, and she was running her hands mindlessly over his back, feeling his taunt muscles moving as he moved, and she screamed as pleasure filled her. It was so intense it felt like all of her nerves had fired at once, and she started babbling nonsense words.
Draco kept moving through it, feeling her internal walls fluttering and squeezing around him, and soon his strokes became erratic as pleasure started to make him mindless as well. After several frantic strokes he tore his mouth away from her and groaned a guttural noise. "Perfect," he murmured, panting slightly, as he settled beside her.
"Yes," she answered. "That was, and I could do that all over again."
He smiled wickedly. "Then on your knees, beautiful."
Scrambling to her knees, Hermione grinned at him as she stuck her bottom in the air.
He gave her the appreciation that she was looking for. "The perfect picture," he declared, coming around behind her. "Beautiful," he whispered, lining himself up once more.
Holding her hips still he started thrusting into her, and her already sensitised flesh quickly started roaring towards another moment of bliss. Her legs went weak and they shook violently in utter delight. This time, the only thing holding her up was Draco's grip on her hips, and she felt entirely boneless with pleasure.
Collapsing on the bed, they lay there in a tangle of arms and legs as they recovered from their excursions, and finally Draco said, "I suppose we better shower."
Hermione groaned softly, and opened her eyes. "I don't want to get up yet," she groaned.
"Neither do I, but we have another busy day today."
She nodded. "Will you shower with me?" she asked.
Draco grinned wickedly, but then glanced at the time and said, "I don't think we have time for what would turn into round three, Mandrake will be waiting for us soon." and he got himself out of bed, pulling her along with him.
Hermione felt energized and exhausted at the same time. After all, it was unusual for her to have sex twice before breakfast, but she managed to drag herself out of bed at his urgings and started towards her shower. She had to say that she was impressed at Draco's sense of duty, so she acquiesced happily. She didn't think Draco's sense of duty was as strong as Lucius', but it was very well developed, but she tested it, kissing him and rubbing herself against him once she was up right.
He kissed her back, but then took a step away, and allowed his eyes to pan over her lovely body. "I'll see you at breakfast," he said before disappearing with a small pop.
xox
It was fair to say that Hermione felt incredibly sexy this morning, after her delightfully satisfying start to the day, and she picked a cheeky outfit to wear because of it. She knew that whatever she chose would have to be suitable for going into town in, and for her meetings throughout the day. She smoothed on body lotion and chose lacy but modest underwear, and buttoned up the blue cotton shirt she'd chosen to wear.
She pulled on black stay-up stockings and stepped into a short flouncy charcoal coloured woollen skirt that just came down over the stockings enough to cover their lace tops, and she grinned as she tucked her blouse into the hem of the skirt. Knowing she would be on her feet for a fair amount of the day, she chose brown leather boots that would be easy to walk in and wrapped a red woollen scarf loosely around her neck. She finished her outfit with bronze coloured studs in her ears and a leather look bangle with a gold medallion on it. Finally she swished her curls into a messy bun, put on some light makeup and stepped back to appraise the effect in the mirror before she left her rooms.
She was determined to make her own way down to the morning room this morning, but she met Lucius after the first flight of stairs.
"Ah, hello, my little witch," and before she knew it his arms were around her, and he was backing her up to the wall. "Bid me good morning, my sweet girl," he murmured, his lips mere millimetres away from her.
"Good morning, my lord," she replied cheekily, and it seemed to light a fire somewhere inside him.
His lips descended on hers and he kissed her almost savagely.
All thoughts of making it to breakfast scampered from her mind and she moaned wantonly into his mouth and wound one leg around his hip. "I love having the two of you," she told him as soon as their kiss broke and he started exploring her neck with his mouth. He also took advantage of the invitation of her leg around his hip and his fingers quickly found their way around her underwear and sank into her slippery heat.
Her hands were not idle either, they were quickly opening his trousers, and she groaned as they finally reached their goal. "Oh, please," she groaned.
His head came up from adoring her neck, even though his fingers plunging in and out did not stop their actions, and their eyes met. "Please, what?" he said, with a smug smile.
She'd been stroking him, but her hands stilled, and he watched as she started to keen. "Please, inside me," she managed to gasp.
He obliged almost instantly, and lining himself up he quickly sank into her.
She groaned a breathy exhale and shuddered in delight.
Lucius knew he was large, and he waited inside her for a moment to allow her to grow accustomed to him, and also because her already fluttering internal walls had started squeezing his member as soon as it was in her. "Did Draco come to you this morning?" he asked.
"Yes," and she hissed in a breath as he started to move. "And now I'm having you," she groaned.
His mouth descended on her and their tongues battled passionately as he slowly flexed his hips in and out.
"Oh god, this is perfect," she moaned, as soon as she managed another breath after their kiss.
Lucius chuckled, and started to thrust up into her more strongly, driving her higher.
Hermione felt that she was on the verge of breaking from the pleasure she was experiencing, and she clung to him as he continued to drive himself into her. Then she was lost, and this release was even better than the two just so recently had.
Sensing her emotional collapse, Lucius started pounding into her to finish himself off. "My beautiful little witch," he crooned before his mouth formed an o and the tendons on his neck rose in stark relief to the column of this throat. He groaned and he grunted with each pulse of his seed deep inside her.
Hermione had more pleasure than she'd ever had before, and she vaguely wondered if it was because she was standing up. She would have to experiment with this position more, and she clung to Lucius as he stood there pressing her against the wall. However, soon duty started to filter back into her mind, and she knew that they should be getting to breakfast, but she didn't care if they ever did.
She was fairly certain that she dozed on his shoulder for a moment, but finally she felt his member slither out of her, and he took a step away to straighten himself, holding on to her until he knew that she could stand. She then felt the tingle of a freshening spell, and he started straightening her as well. "Our first time, and it was against a wall," he told her, seeming a little upset with himself. "I'm afraid you're just too delicious, and I got carried away." He sounded apologetic, but he chuckled decadently, and then kissed her. "Come, little love, we have a busy day, and Mandrake will be here soon."
xox
Her legs were still very shaky as she walked into breakfast hand in hand with Lucius, but she was beyond happy. "Good morning, everyone," she purred, gazing adoringly at Lucius and then melting into Draco's arms as he rose to greet her.
"I missed you as soon as I left, kitten," Draco whispered to her.
"Me too. You're amazing," she whispered back accepting his kiss, and then glancing at Lucius still holding her hand. "Both of you, and I feel wonderful." She tore her eyes away from her wizards. "Isn't it a lovely day?" she said to her mother and Severus who were watching on silently.
Both Helen and Severus were dressed to go out, and Helen smiled the same smile that Hermione was wearing only she glanced at Severus. "Yes, it is a very wonderful day," she agreed.
Seeming to know that her mother shared her sentiment exactly, Hermione flitted away from her wizards to kiss Helen's cheek before grinning at her new sister and kissing her head as well, and smiling at Severus.
Helen watched her happy daughter as she then walked back to her spot between the two blonds and Lucius held her chair out for her. She had a real confidence in her step that she hadn't seen before, and regardless of whether Helen was still having trouble thinking of her daughter marrying two men—when she'd always only ever envisaged one in her future—she knew that this was right for her. She covered Severus' hand and smiled at him. "You were right to allow this, Severus," she said quietly.
Severus laced his fingers through Helen's. "Yes, it is an excellent match," he confided, and he turned his attention back to his newspaper again, after taking a moment to notice that Hermione, Lucius, and Draco had obviously deepened they relationship since he'd last seen them.
They'd sat, and together they were perusing the same paper he was as they ate breakfast, but Severus could see by the equal smug expressions on Lucius and Draco's faces and the new confidence in Hermione's step that they'd both consummated their relationship, and he was pleased about this, because this now sealed Hermione's safety.
You see, having sex in the wizarding world, combined with the saying of specific bonding vows as in an engagement bond, was a declaration of intent that sealed those uttering the vows into a state that no man, wizard, or other could break without the persons involved agreeing to terminate the bond.
He glanced at Helen and then his beautiful little daughter, and his heart constricted with a lovely peace he thought he'd never know, and he knew he also had to act to secure his own future, especially after last night. Last night had been the most perfect night of his life, and he had several things to organise this morning in light of it. He picked up his coffee to drink what remained in his cup and he smiled at Helen as she glanced at him.
Helen saw Severus' smile, and she smiled at him as she remembered the feel of him sinking into her body last night. If she'd thought that her first time with him had been wonderful, then last night had been a revelation. Obviously she hadn't been with a man since Severus, and she'd had a baby in between. He'd been so careful, making certain that she was comfortable before allowing himself to lose himself in her.
This time there would be no accidents. However, she couldn't imagine life without Serena now, but she'd already had a contraceptive injection before she'd left Australia, and they'd also used a spell that Severus had performed on himself. Male contraception, who'd have thought, she chuckled to herself.
Helen and Severus were brought from their thoughts by Hermione asked, "What are your plans today, Mum?"
Helen smiled. "Severus is taking us to see Prince Manor," she replied.
"Oh," Hermione gasped, looking disappointed. "We're going to Gringotts and then into London to shop. I was hoping for your help with that."
"Kitten," Draco said softly, seeing her disappointment. "Father and I will be there, and you have not met our contact at Harrods, Armando, yet. You'll like him, he has wonderful taste in everything."
"Yes, our appointment at Harrods is at eleven thirty. It would be no trouble to owl Armando to tell him that we have guests coming with us. After all, you'll need a dress for Saturday night, Helen," Lucius said practically, taking a sip of his coffee.
"That is true," Severus agreed. "There are also some other items that Serena will need too. Perhaps we could meet you there," and he looked to Helen for her agreement.
She nodded. "Yes, we could, but only after Serena's had her nap."
"Great!" Hermione cried excitedly, happy to have her mother and Severus coming too. Then she reached into her pocket and pulled out some parchment and a pen and said, "Now we have to make a guest list before you and Severus go. I promised Mandrake that we'd give it to him this morning."
"Well, we only have each other, but I'm sure you have some wizarding friends you'd like to invite, dear," Helen said.
"Okay," Hermione nodded, and started writing names down. But then her head came up again, and she looked at Lucius. "Severus is going to be your best man, yes?"
"Yes," Lucius agreed.
"Then who's going to give me away?" she asked.
Everyone looked at one another, but no one had an answer. Harry was going to be in the wedding party, and Severus would be occupied.
Finally, it was Lucius who came up with a possible solution. "As much as I cannot believe I'm saying this, how about Arthur Weasley?"
"I'm not certain that would be best," Hermione said. "It might make trouble for him. I don't think I'm the most popular person in that household at the moment." She chewed her lip for a moment, and then said, "Why couldn't Harry do it? He would still be walking down the aisle, it would just be with me instead of by himself."
Severus gave her a considered look. "We'll see what Madam Doyle thinks. She's the expert after all."
"Okay," Hermione conceded easily. "I'll ask her," and she watched Severus rising, he looked smart in his normal frock coat, and strangely at home with a baby in his arms and her mum on his other arm.
Of course, Helen Granger was still a very beautiful woman, and even though her body looked ever so slightly lived in, she still had lovely curves. Today she was dressed in flared jeans, a cream lace top that finished in a scalloped hem at the top of her legs and a tan hip length leather jacket complimented with jade jewellery, and Hermione smiled as she watched them leaving to start their day.
"We'll see you at Harrods," Severus told them, and then they were gone.
xox
Mandrake happily received the small guest list that Hermione had constructed as breakfast ended. It was true that they had no other family, but Hermione invited most of the Order members, even those who had been critical of her engagement.
"The engagement invitations will be owled out by lunch time today, and the wedding invitations by dinner tonight," Mandrake told them.
The wedding planner, Celia Doyle, perused the list Hermione had handed over as well, and she nodded. "Very good," she said as she glanced at her list in front of her. "Madam Malkin has indicated that she will be available to measure and fit your bridesmaids and yourself this evening after dinner." When she was met with blank stares she added, "I assume you will be having dinner after the cocktails this afternoon?"
"Oh, I haven't thought of that," Lucius said. "Mandrake?"
"It is already underway," the secretary indicated.
Hermione leaned close to Lucius and whispered, "But we had…" She saw his head tilt slightly and acceptance in his eyes.
"We can go out to dinner another night, little one," he murmured, only for her ears, and he looked back to Mandrake. "What have you organised?"
"Flossberrys are available to cater, if you wish."
"No, I believe Pike and his elves can accommodate such a small party," and he looked to Pike standing in the corner.
"Yes, master," the elf nodded. "We would be very pleased to serve you."
"Excellent, then we will speak once we are finished here."
"Very good, master," the elf said, and returned to standing and observing.
"Umm, Madam Doyle?" Hermione cut in. "We've had some discussion about who is going to give me away at the wedding ceremony. As my pater, Severus normally would be the chosen person, but he is Lucius' best man, and I was wondering if I could asked Harry to do it. He's in the wedding party…" but her words trailed off.
Celia nodded, "No, I understand you predicament, I believe it would be perfectly proper for Mister Potter to give you away." However, then she inhaled again, obviously preparing to continue to speak, and she had a wary expression on her face. "There is another issue though that I feel I should mention. I have managed to keep this out of the media so far," and she cut her eyes quickly to Hermione. "Miss Granger, Headmaster Snape is your pater, but it has been revealed—only within this circle thankfully—that he and your mother, Helen, have a child and they are unmarried," the wedding planner stated cautiously.
Hermione instantly saw red regardless of Celia's caution. "What do you propose that he could have done about it?" she demanded, rocketing to her feet so fast that her chair skidded back. "We were forced to send my mother away for her own safety during the war, and although he may not have wanted to, I know, as our spy, he had to remove all memories of her until after the war. Had there not been a war in progress I'm certain that they would have been married before my sister arrived."
Lucius and Draco rose to their feet either side of her, and Lucius' eyes narrowed and he growled at Celia, as his hand found Hermione's. "Insolent witch!" he told her, as he squeezed Hermione's hand gently. "I am certain that Headmaster Snape has this consideration under control, and that he will not allow it to damage to our fiancé's reputation."
Hermione felt Draco take her other hand, and she wondered if it was simply for comfort, or if they were attempting to restrain her from hexing the wedding planner, as at their urging she sat back into her seat.
"My apologies, Miss Granger. I only mentioned it so you were aware of how it would appear to the more critical amongst the general populace."
Hermione took a deep breath, but only nodded once that she'd understood what the woman had said; she was still too angry to trust her mouth to say anything more.
"Is there any other business?" Lucius asked Mandrake coolly, retaking his seat.
"Only this," the secretary stated, handing a copy of the latest edition of The Quibbler to Lucius. "I thought that the three of you should be aware of it so you are on your guard."
Lucius opened the paper and read the front page title. It read - 'Ron Weasley – My Secret Heartache'.
Hermione scanned the title and the article and saw that the piece had been written by Luna and it was erroneously stating that Ron had an understanding with Hermione before it had been announced that she'd been betrothed to Lucius and Draco. "Oh, you have to be kidding," she snapped.
"It's all right, kitten, no one reads this rag," Draco told her.
"But it's written by Luna, someone I counted as a friend," she clarified, and her eyes moved to meet Mandrake's steady gaze. "Has Luna replied to my invitation for her to be a bridesmaid?"
"All the wedding party have replied to the affirmative," Mandrake confirmed.
"I see. Mister Rochester, Madam Doyle, would you allow me a moment with my intended wizards, please?"
The secretary and the wedding planner walked out onto the terrace and Mandrake shut the door behind them without another word.
"What do I do?" she asked. "If she's going to write such complete rot, when she should know that it is not true..." Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "He is the very last person I would ever entertain as a suitor. Therefore, Luna has written this with flagrant disregard for my opinion, and she is no friend if she's done that."
"You are correct, kitten," Draco told her.
"So we end this now by helping you write a note withdrawing the offer of being bridesmaid, and explaining exactly why," Lucius added.
"But then the wedding party would be uneven."
Draco turned Hermione to look at him. "Kitten, why did you pick Lovegood over Pansy?"
"She's your ex-girlfriend, Draco," Hermione said, "I thought it would be awkward," but she was surprised when he laughed.
Hermione was starting to look angry again, and Draco quickly defused the situation. He took Hermione's cheeks between his hands and said, "She's never been more than a friend, she's gay, sweetheart. She's been going out with Millie since second year, but she's still a good friend to me, a little like you and Potter… I mean, Harry, and I know that she would step in if you wished."
"Oh!" Hermione gasped. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. We'll send her an invitation to stand up with us," and she smiled, leaning forward to kiss him.
Once things were settled, Lucius wandlessly opened the terrace doors and called, "You can return now," but before he'd closed the doors again, a raven swooped in after them.
The bird landed in front of Lucius, allowing him to take the missive from it before it flew off again. He read through the short note and handed it to Hermione, as he turned to Celia. "Your concern has turned out to be unfounded, Headmaster Snape will be married before the engagement party."
As he said it, Hermione squealed in delight. "I knew they were meant to be together," she crowed, first hugging Draco and then turning to Lucius and doing the same.
Celia nodded her understanding, and shot a look at Hermione, but she'd gone back to dictating to Mandrake her notes for Luna and Pansy, and there was a huge smile plastered on her face as she spoke to him.
"Then I will see you all again tonight when I return with Madam Malkin. May we set up this area as a fitting room?"
"Certainly," Lucius said.
Celia then turned to Draco. "When is your friend Blaise going to be here?"
"He cannot return until Thursday."
"Then we will have the men's fitting night on Thursday evening. Flossberrys have also asked me to have you attend for lunch on Wednesday to approve the menu for the engagement party on Saturday evening."
Mandrake noted all of this down, and he also left with Hermione's notes in his bag to owl as well. "Have an excellent day, everyone," he said, before he stepped into the Floo.