Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: so sorry for the wait!
Great Circe, what's that noise? She wondered, shifting in bed. There it was again, the pounding. Who's banging around? She opened one eye and shut it quickly after a blinding pain in her head exploded. "uuugghgg," she moaned.
She lifted her hand, which felt strangely detached from her body, and moved her hair out of her face. She yawned and stretched wincing as the pounding in her head got louder and more pronounced.
The noise again. It was different than the painful rattling in her head this was external and it seemed to have a purpose. She stiffened when a voice she didn't think belonged in her bedroom invaded her senses.
"Sweet Merlin, someone let that blasted bird inside," the deep voice pleaded in a whisper.
Apparently he was as unused to waking up to people in his bed as she. They both turned quickly to face the intruder then cringed as a result of the pain from the action. "Granger?" Blaise asked trying in vain to remember what had occurred last night.
She lifted the sheets as discreetly as she could to check on her state of dress. Sighing she dropped her head back on the pillow. She was fully clothed; in fact, it looked like they had just fallen into bed without eithers routine ablutions. This train of thought was interrupted by Marcus lifting his ruffled haired head from behind her. "You two are noisy. People are trying to sleep!" he grumbled and lay back down gingerly.
"How much did we drink?" she asked and giggled quietly when a voice from the floor answered.
"Too much," Draco mumbled, and then, "Where are my clothes?"
She heard and felt the deep chuckle coming from the muscled chest against her back belonging to Marcus. It was warm and comforting and she wondered briefly if waking up to him would always produce feelings of comfort and peace.
Blaise snorted. "Please tell me you're at least covered."
"He is," Ginny replied for him further surprising Hermione. "Ginny?" she asked.
The red head chuckled. "Yes, it's me and I'm clothed and headed to the loo. Can we get one of the elves to make coffee and breakfast?" she asked opening the door and walking into the hallway, not toward the loo, but in search of an elf.
They all heard the pop of the elf and then Ginny speaking to him in soft terms. She reentered smiling. "Strange little guy, but he's getting food."
Adrian Pucey entered the room looking chipper and undisturbed. "I have Pepper Up Potion," he announced.
Hermione was surprised. It wasn't like they were planning to get completely pickled and then sleep together. Answering their unspoken question, he said, "I brewed some this morning except for Draco. For some reason Tequila makes his clothes fall off."
Hermione sighed. "Remind me to thank you profusely."
"Me too," Draco added.
"Me three," Blaise said from under the pillow.
Adrian chuckled and walked out of the room in search of the little witch that had been racing around his mind all morning. He'd woken up with the little red head snuggled up under his armpit seeking heat. Draco had been closely behind her with his face in her hair. It was, by far, the strangest most satisfying morning in his life.
***!***
Marcus had pulled Hermione close and was now spooning her, his large body dwarfing her small one. He was snoring softly making Hermione smile though she had closed her eyes again to ward off the sun shining through the windows. The comfortable position and relaxing heat his body was emitting only served to keep her body in sleep mode and not it's-time-to-wake-up mode.
Blaise furrowed his brows and decided to join the cuddle party as he wasn't ready to wake up yet either. He slid closer to her slowly so as not to alarm the pretty witch now breathing evenly. She had pulled Marcus' arm from resting on her stomach to just under her chin like a blanket.
He moved his leg in between hers and brought his torso as close to hers as possible without pulling her out of Marcus' grasp.
Marcus felt the movement and opened one eye. Their eyes met and Marcus smirked and again closed his eyes comfortably.
Blaise settled down being able to feel her body heat. He smiled as she sighed in her sleep and tossed a leg over his hips. She scooted closer to his heat while dragging Marcus with her. They both chuckled softly at the possessive actions of a sleepy Hermione Granger.
Draco had found his clothes and the last thing Blaise heard before drifting off was the amused snort from the platinum blonde as he left the room.
***!***
Two hours later Roland popped in holding three rolled parchments. "Missy Granger?" He spoke urgently in hushed tones.
"Hmmmm?" she asked without opening her eyes. Her nose lifted and turned with her face seeking out the spicy masculine scent of Bergomot that would be forever associated with Blaise Zabini.
"You have messages. You must reply, the owl is quite peeved you aren't answering and me's thinks he looks hungry," Roland pleaded holding up the parchments.
Marcus groaned. "Give 'im an owl treat and leave us alone," he grumbled rolling closer to the small brunette.
"No, no. He's Master Malfoys owls, he is!"
Blaise sighed and moved his leg bringing his hips closer to hers. It was all out of comfort they did this. "Tell Draco," he said.
Roland sighed heavily and if it was possible, rolled his eyes in frustration. "Not that Master Malfoy, the other Master Malfoy!"
Hermione finally opened her eyes and pushed on Blaises chest while pushing out with her bum so she could sit up.
Marcus grunted. "You keep doing that Princess and you'd better clear your schedule."
She twisted her neck to look at him quizzically. His eyes darted to where her bum was pressing and it was just then that she felt the hard length against her backside. "oh!"
The reality of the situation fell upon her like a rock. She scrambled out of bed and stood unsteadily near the relieved elf still holding the parchment.
She unrolled one and gasped with concern.
Another elf popped in and bowed. "Missy Granger, Master Malfoy is waiting in the parlor and hes looks nones too happy," the little elf said shaking her head and clucking her tongue in displeasure.
Hermione wondered what the elder Malfoy said to the elf to provoke such disapproval. "I'll just be a moment. Please offer him refreshment and send Draco down there as soon as possible."
"Yes Miss."
She turned back to the two wizards in her bed and opened and closed her mouth. She didn't know what she was supposed to say or do. She was a little surprised at herself really. She'd never brought any wizard home, never shared her bed with another person… ever. Not even Ginny. She'd also never slept very well. Last night was the first night she'd slept deeply. She felt rested and at peace. She wasn't sure if that was the alcohol she drank or the fact that she'd been surrounded by two wizards; two very sexy, very warm and very cuddling wizards. She could definitely get used to this.
Blaise interrupted her thoughts with a smirk. "It's all right, Cara. Go see Mr. Malfoy, we'll be down shortly."
She nodded and walked to the loo uncertain if she should wave goodbye or kiss them as she parted. She twisted her body twice before she actually left the room.
They chuckled at her rather confused departure and flopped back onto the overstuffed pillows. "We need to talk to our fathers… today," Marcus said turning to look at Blaise.
The darker wizard nodded in agreement and shoved the covers off. Stretching before he made his way to the loo in the hallway to freshen up a bit.
After taking the fastest shower she'd ever taken, she dressed quickly, braided her hair and ran downstairs. She threw open the doors to the parlor to face the impatient face of Lucius Malfoy a.k.a marriage advisor/formidable wizard/ all around scary guy when angered.
"I'm so sorry Mr. Malfoy, really, please forgive…"
He held a hand up to stop her babbling. "Apollo Lestrange has petitioned for your hand. I don't trust him."
She wondered if he had ever been this straight forward in conveying a message in his life. "I know. He told me as much when he introduced himself at the Ministry."
"I have no suitable reason for denying him a 'meeting' only to say that I don't believe he has your best interests at heart."
"I'll meet with him, but we both know the …type of wizard…s… that I'm looking for," she hedged.
He smiled.
She stared at his smile with wide-eyed fascination.
"…and what type of wizards were you hoping for, Granger?" Blaise asked from the doorway with Marcus hovering behind him.
Before she could answer Draco stepped through the Floo with Ginny. "We came as soon as we … heard. Father," he greeted sheepishly.
Lucius stretched his mouth. "Draco, good of you to make it."
Adrian sauntered into the room. "You have a visitor, Hermione."
"Well, well, well, the whole gang is here," Apollo drawled with a smile.
He snapped his fingers and a pretty bouquet of lilies materialized. He handed them to her and bowed. She was once again caught up into his eyes. They gazed at her piercing her soul.
Marcus and Blaise stiffened. Lucius cleared his throat drawing her attention back to the matter at hand.
"I hadn't heard from you, love, so I decided to stop by. I hope I haven't …interrupted anything?" he asked looking around.
She shook her head. "N-no, of course not. We just… well, we…"
"She doesn't need to explain her comings and goings with you Lestrange," Marcus answered for her.
Apollo only smiled at the tall wizard. "No, she doesn't. Will you have lunch with me Hermione?"
"today?" she peeped.
He nodded slowly amused by her out-of-character show of shyness.
"I'm busy …for lunch," she said.
"Dinner then. I'll cook. I'll expect you at six at Manor Place," he said walking out the door leaving everyone in the room in silence.
Once they heard the door shut the shouting started. Marcus, Blaise, Draco and Ginny all shouting their outrage at his cocky expectation that she would comply. Lucius pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "She has to go, he's petitioned for her and I suspect he won't leave well enough alone if she doesn't."
***!***
Two hours later Marcus and Blaise were standing in front of Pyxis Nott and Castor Flint. "A triad? This hasn't been done in years," Pyxis commented.
The boys remained quiet. Castor watched the expressions of their sons faces and sighed. "It's not conventional."
"It's not illegal," Pyxis added.
Blaise and Marcus exhaled in relief. If the elder heads of house didn't approve, they would have to wait until they were thirty to submit a petition and by then it would be too late.
Castor looked at his son. "This is what you want, to share a witch?"
Blaise tensed.
Marcus nodded slowly. "This is the only way, father."
Pyxis nodded as well. "We'll draw the paperwork and sign the petition."
"Thank you, Pyxis," Blaise said.
The older wizard nodded. "Your mother would have my wand if I didn't help bring Miss Granger into the fold so to speak."
The men chuckled and Castor nodded in agreement. "Oh boys, I don't suppose you know if Theo found a witch he plans to petition for this year?" Pyxis asked with hope in his tone.
There was an awkward silence before Pyxis nodded in understanding. The 'boys' Floo'd to Malfoy Manor to share the news.