Sunday, July 22

Astoria had gone into full party-planning mode the next morning, and Hermione was in awe. The younger witch moved gracefully about the manor with Tippy and three other house elves trailing behind her as she talked about her vision. To Hermione's surprise, Astoria actually asked Tippy's opinion about shield charms and the arrangement of furnishing and lighting in the gardens.

Scorpius looked less than thrilled at the idea of a black tie reception and seemed relieved when his father informed him over dinner that evening that he could spend the weekend at a friend's home instead. After dinner, Scorpius departed for a quick flight about the manor grounds on his broom, whilst Astoria left to floo call a wizarding company in Shanghai about lanterns for her event.

Draco sat at the head of the dining room table, an amused look on his face as he watched his wife's svelte backside as she left the room.

"It was kind of you to release Scorpius from the party," she said gently. "I can't imagine a 12 year old boy wanting to attend a formal reception."

He smirked at her. "Oh, he'll change his mind if Astoria gets her way about dragons."

Her mouth fell open. "Please tell me you two aren't serious. Dragons? Real ones?"

"Why not?" he shrugged, and she was reminded that the wealthy had a totally different world view and ideas about what was or was not over the top.

"Don't you think it's a bit much?" she prompted, already knowing the answer.

"We're Malfoys. If this is meant to be a show of the business' strength and a reminder that my father is no longer at the helm, a dragon leaves a bloody strong impression."

Well, it was hard to argue with that, she thought.

She watched him take a sip from his wine glass. He turned and glanced out the window, watching his son soar through the sky over the manor grounds, unconcerned about the potential for injury. He rotated his wrist, lightly swirling the pinot noir. He was the epitome of careless elegance, and she hated that just being in his presence was enough to make her want to climb into his lap and grind her body against his.

"You will come to the reception, won't you?" he prompted, still watching Scorpius.

"Astoria seems to want me there," she said with a shrug.

"We both want you there, and I've no doubt my wife would love the opportunity to help you select a dress."

Hermione snorted at that. There was no 'help you' about it - Astoria would dress her like a muggle Barbie doll, no doubt. It was a pity Scorpius had no sisters. Astoria struck Hermione as the sort of witch who'd adore having a daughter. She wondered if the Malfoys had ever considered having a second child.

"Your wife has excellent taste," she said diplomatically instead.

It was Draco's turn to snicker. "If by excellent taste you mean expensive, then yes, you are correct. Let her pick out a dress for you, and let her pay for it."

"Don't be silly, I have my own money."

"Malfoys aren't 'silly,' Granger, and I am well aware you have money. I am paying you, after all. Astoria likes you - a lot - and outfitting you for this event will make her happy. I want her to be happy," he said, finally glancing away from Scorpius to look at her.

"You want her to be happy… so you molest the help when she's not looking? I don't get you, Malfoy." The words slipped from her lips before she could stop herself.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "I recall you being a rather active participant that night in the library, oh pious one. And as I recall, I told you that it isn't cheating if she's there as well."

She stared at him for a long moment, surprised that he was still talking about this whole preposterous idea of the three of them together.

"You're insane," she finally breathed, her eyes locked with his.

He shrugged. "She's always fantasized about it."

"What?"

"You heard me."

"You can't be serious." She stared hard at him, looking for some sort of tell - a hint of a smirk, a wink, anything - that would indicate that he was teasing her.

He met her stare without flinching.

"She could tell you the story sometime, if you ask. She found a dirty magazine in the Slytherin dorms, the sort of thing teenage wizards wank to, and it included some rather scandalous images of two witches together."

"You expect me to believe that your wife saw wizarding porn at Hogwarts and now wants a threesome with another witch?"

He grinned wickedly. "That's exactly what I'm saying. You can't begin to imagine what a turn on it is for a wizard to hear that his wife fantasises about bringing another witch into their bed. It took her a rather long time to admit it, and when she finally did, I swear, I fucked her six ways from Sunday. I don't think we left the bedroom that weekend."

Hermione flushed and looked away, trying hard not to think about the mental picture his words conjured. Then something else occurred to her.

"She's had this fantasy for years and nothing EVER came of it?" she managed to ask. "It sounds like you were obviously willing."

"Her older sister's a right bitch and the controlling sort. Astoria didn't exactly have a lot of freedom in school, and then we married as soon as we finished Hogwarts. She never had the opportunity to experiment."

"So I'm an experiment then. Charming."

"No, Granger - Hermione - you're not. She's fantasized for some time about bringing another witch into our bed, but we've never done it."

She swallowed hard at this admission. "Never?" she whispered.

He shook his head.

"Why not? Your wife gives you a free pass, and you've not taken it?"

He frowned at her categorisation of their situation. "It is not a 'free pass.' We said that if we found someone with whom we both felt comfortable, someone for whom we both held a sincere attraction, then we would be open to the idea of bringing that witch into our bed. We are admittedly both very particular in our tastes, although I can't say that I ever thought you would end up being the witch we both wanted."

She frowned. "Did you… oh my god, did you invite me here this summer for that?!"

"What? Merlin, no!" he exclaimed. "We invited you here this summer because I'd rather not have to spring for an entire new potions lab at Hogwarts when my son accidentally blows it up because he's not paying attention in class. Scorpius genuinely needs help, and you're the best. If you don't believe me, you can ask Minerva McGonagall - I asked for her recommendations on a summer tutor for Scorpius, and you were her top pick. But had I known you looked like this, I'd have approached you sooner."

"It's wrong. You're my employer."

The words seemed prudish and wholly unbelievable on her tongue, but she said them anyway.

He shrugged. "And I won't be after another month or so, but it will admittedly be harder to fuck you if you're in Scotland and we're here."

She watched in wide-eyed silence as he downed the rest of his wine and set the glass aside.

"I think I'm going to head outside and watch Scorpius fly for a bit," he said, a hint of a smile on his face.

She sucked in a deep breath as he paused behind her chair on his way out of the dining room. He leaned over, and his breath was hot on her ear and her neck, and she jumped, startled, as his hand slipped down to faintly caress her breast.

"Think about it Granger. Think about it, and be the Gryffindor I know you are."

He moved back abruptly, and before her brain could put together a response, before she could even think to breathe, he'd thrust his hands into his trouser pockets and strolled from the room.

~oOo~

So sorry for the long wait for an update. I took 9 hours of grad school this semester, on top of full-time work and parenthood. Not one of my better decisions, but I survived. I am getting ready to head out of town for Christmas, but there WILL be another update for this story before the end of 2018. Thank you to everyone who is still waiting patiently and for everyone who has left kudos or taken the time to share your thoughts with me about this story!

Cheers,
Elle