"Okay, deep breaths, in and out."

Closing her eyes, she filled her lungs as much as she could, letting it out in a controlled stream.

"You know what to expect, so just keep your eyes closed and focus on your breathing. I love you, Mina."

Hermione nodded rapidly, just breathing deeply and evenly, trying not to think. Third time's the charm, she thought to herself, remembering the two previous incarnations of Theo's formula.

The burning sensation, starting at her groin, cut off any more coherent thought. A mewling whine accompanied her breathing now, eyes screwed tighter.

Breathing… just breathe, Hermione, she whispered in her head, feeling the tears leaking from the corners of her eyes.

The first spell settled into her skin, feeling like a branding iron, and she couldn't stop the cry of pain. Theo held onto her hand, and she could almost see his bowed head and agonised expression.

"You couldn't have made it tickle?" she groaned, squeezing her eyes shut tighter.

"I tried," Theo whispered with a tight grin, "but then I worried you would kick the Healers in the face."

"Very wise," she said, her voice lifting as the second spell worked its way through her abdomen. "My god! That stings," she cried, writhing a little against the restraints.

"Not long to go, dear," Alyssia said with a happy titter, poking her head up from between Hermione's legs. "Healer Merton, could you lift the light a little? Perfect, thank you. Healer Sharpe, if you could just control that second spell a little more steadily, there's a good lad; you're in danger of veering off towards the poor dear's kidney!" Alyssia giggled at the thought.

"There are far too many people staring up my fanny!" Hermione hissed, trying to laugh through the pain. "I'm glad my parents waited outside!"

The third and final spell sank deep into Hermione's womb, filling her body with fiery pain, and all coherent thought left her.

"Try to relax, dear," Alyssia murmured, unfazed by the swearing that greeted this suggestion. "We're going to remove the last of the curse now. This will let you feel the pain you should have felt before. Nasty little thing has been waiting for this moment, storing it all up so it can try to overwhelm you and send you off. Try not to do that, okay?"

Five agonised minutes passed, and Hermione counted all three hundred seconds, breathing slowly and evenly. Theo wiped her brow with a cool cloth, whispering encouragement in her ear.

The moment the pain stopped, Hermione gave a sob of relief, burying her face in Theo's shoulder as he hugged her close, kissing her hair repeatedly.

"Well done, darling, you were amazing," he said fiercely.

"And just think," Allysia piped up, brightly, "if all goes well, childbirth will be a cinch after that!"

"I don't see why we couldn't just Apparate straight there," Pansy groused, stepping delicately in her powder blue slingback pumps. The leafy mulch underfoot clung to them, and she gave a moan of disgust. "This is ruining my new shoes!"

"I did say you should wear something more appropriate to walking," Hermione said with a grin, pushing aside a tree branch and letting Theo, Harry, and Pansy pass. "Besides, you could always use a Scourgify charm when we get to the top."

"I'm not using a Scourgify on these!" Pansy almost shrieked, mouth open in shock. "Do you realise how much damage that would cause? I wasn't expecting to be traipsing through a forest. I was promised stunning views of the coast, and the perfect picnic site!"

"And you'll have it," Hermione said, patting her on the shoulder. "But it's quite a popular tourist site for Muggles, as well as energetic octogenarians, so appearing on top of the hill in the middle of a pack of old folk would be a potential health hazard. Not to mention a terrible breach of the Statute of Secrecy!"

She pulled ahead of her, heading forward to lead the way once more, hearing Pansy grumbling under her breath about nature. What she was complaining about was really nothing, especially as the men were, at their insistence, loaded down with all the picnic things. All she had was her clutch, its colour matching her shoes, less the mulch.

"Here's the treeline, Mina," Theo said, stepping out into the bright, warm sunshine. June was proving to be the perfect summer month. He came to a halt abruptly. "Now that's a hill," he breathed, staring ahead, placing the wicker basket on the grass beside him.

Hermione joined him, glancing back at Harry and Pansy as they brought up the rear.

She looked upwards, taking in the little line of trees that ringed the slope, halfway up. It made a perfect stopping point on the journey, being undercover and out of the sun. Tiny little figures could be seen marching upwards, heading for the summit; it looked fairly quiet from down here.

"I'll confess," Hermione said, taking Theo's hand and giving it a squeeze, "Golden Cap is a lot larger than I remembered."

"Sweetheart, it's the highest point on the south coast." Theo laughed and hugged her. "Wait for it…"

Together they slowly looked around, seeing Pansy struggle past the last of the foliage. She stopped, plucking a twig from her hair, and stared upwards. And upwards some more. They could see the moment she realised that the tiny moving things on the slope were people; her eyes widened, whites showing all around.

"Fuck that!" she gasped.

"Wow," said Harry with a grin, "the view's going to be incredible from up there!"

Pansy goggled at him. "Are you insane, Potter!?" she shrieked. "I can't walk up there in these!" She pointed to her shoes, the heels already starting to sink into the soft grass.

"Only one thing for it then," Harry declared, grabbing Pansy and lifting her onto his shoulder. "Last one to the top's a rotten egg!"

Theo and Hermione watched as Harry ran away from them, staggering up the hill with Pansy over his shoulder shrieking and laughing, the wicker picnic basket held out to one side for balance.

"He's never going to make it," Hermione said, shaking her head.

"Well, I'm not going to let Potter beat me without a fight!"

"What? Theo, no!" she shouted as he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder.

As she screamed with laughter, he scooped the other basket up and started to run as fast as he could manage. "Think light thoughts, Mina!" he gasped, his legs already tiring.

The field sloped gently upwards towards the trees. Although the incline was slight Theo noticed how the trees didn't seem to be getting any closer. Harry stumbled then, Pansy falling to the grass with a scream. Encouraged, Theo pulled a little more from his reserves and kept going, slowly catching the pair up.

Pansy saw them first and started pulling Harry to his feet. The man's face was glistening, the back of his white t-shirt damp with sweat, but resolutely he grabbed the basket as Pansy leapt onto his back, pointing up the hill and yelling encouragement. He managed a slow but steady pace and Theo, desperately trying to maintain his speed, drew level and then past him.

He couldn't spare the breath to laugh as Pansy started spanking Harry on the buttocks, trying to urge more speed from him. "Come on," she yelled. "You're a bloody Auror! You're supposed to be fit and in shape; Nott's a researcher, for Merlin's sake!"

Hermione twisted to look, but the motion pulled Theo off balance, and he tripped, the pair of them falling to the grass. Giggling, Hermione pulled at Theo's arm, trying to get him standing again. "Come on! They're going to beat us!"

"Let him win," Theo gasped, "I'm done in!"

"That's not the fighting spirit, young man!" she urged, pulling harder.

"Okay," he said, rolling onto his front and pushing himself up.

Hermione picked up the basket as Harry puffed past them, Pansy grinning at them astride his back. "Giddy-up!" she shouted.

Theo stepped forward and hopped, throwing himself at Hermione's back. "Okay, go! You carry me."

With a cackling laugh, Hermione set off, one very slow step at a time. "I can't!" she cried as Theo slipped.

"Right, head for the top," he said, drawing in lungfuls of air. "I'll give you a headstart."

Harry was only a few steps ahead when Theo dashed forward and grabbed his ankle. Harry and Pansy tumbled to the floor with a shout.

"Go, Hermione!" Theo shouted dramatically. "Win it for both of us!"

With a laugh, Hermione set off as fast as she could up the slope. It got steeper as she approached the first line of trees, seeing the path that led through to the next field. There were two benches set on either side of the path, the trees forming a canopy over the trail and creating a cool and inviting space to rest.

Suddenly she fell face first to the ground; someone had grabbed her shoulder and pushed!

Barefoot, breathless, and cackling maniacally, Pansy staggered past her, reaching the trees first. With a cry of triumph, she collapsed to the ground, panting.

Hermione looked back down the hill to see Theo and Harry walking slowly towards them, arms round each other, red-faced and puffing. With a last push, Hermione reached the trees, sinking down at Pansy's side.

"Okay, that was a bad idea," she wheezed.

Pansy was too tired to reply, simply nodding. After a minute she pushed Hermione gently. "Still beat you though."

"We're only halfway, Pans."

Pansy glanced uphill. "Oh, bugger. I lost my shoes in our first tumble. I hope no one takes them; they're Louis Vuitton, you know? Very expensive."

"I'm sure they are," Hermione laughed.

It took them a further half an hour to reach the top, having to stop several times to rest. When they finally crested the final peak and saw the view even Pansy had to admit that it was all worth it.

The Jurassic coastline of Dorset spread away to the east and west, waves crashing against sandy beaches and cliffs. Sea birds dove and wheeled above and below, their cries rising above the sound of the waves far below. The sea breeze was warm and carried the scent of the ocean as the vast expanse of the English Channel stretched endlessly to the south.

Pansy stood near the edge, barefoot, arms outstretched, and breathed deeply. "You know, I've never been to a place like this. Never stood on a clifftop and watched the ocean. It's incredible!"

"Just be careful over there," Harry called as he and Hermione unpacked the picnic. Theo laid out the blanket on a large patch of soft, green grass, off to one side and away from the main viewing area, and then helped to set everything up.

Soon they were tucking into finger sandwiches, crisp green salad, scotch eggs, sausage rolls, as well as a selection of olives, sun-dried tomatoes, crisps, and several different dips. It was a large feast for four, but Algie had insisted on there being enough for all of them to eat well. There was even a black forest gateau!

Hermione sniggered. "We only need a dog and some ginger beer, and we can go on an adventure!" The others stared at her in confusion, and she flushed, mumbling, "Nevermind…"

Muggles came and went as the friends ate, and if any of them wondered about their conversation about elves, and auras, they were polite enough to ignore it. Their chat soon turned to Theo's breakthrough and development of the healing spells, Hermione's subsequent operation a few weeks back, and Theo and Hermione's counselling sessions.

"I was so sore for about a week, going to the toilet almost made me cry!" Hermione said with a laugh.

"She laughs now," Theo said with a grin, "but it was a tough few days."

"And?" Harry asked. "Good news, bad news?"

"Bit of both," Theo said with a shrug.

"We had our last assessment earlier this week, and they don't think it's going to get any better than it is. An increase of twenty percent viability," Hermione said.

"That's good though, right?" Pansy asked, reaching out and placing her hand over Hermione's.

"Yes, it's much better than we had," Theo said, "but it only gives us a thirty percent chance overall that any ovulation will have a viable egg. Then there's the miscarriage risk, which has increased slightly."

"And with my periods being completely unpredictable…"

"So," Pansy said, nudging Hermione with a wicked grin, "lots of time with your legs in the air then?"

"Pansy!" she gasped, flushing slightly.

"Or on her knees," Theo said with a grin.

"THEO!?" Hermione shrieked, slapping his arm, her face completely red now.

"Wow," laughed Harry, as Pansy fell back on the grass, cackling. "You've come out of your shell, mate!"

Theo shrugged. "After everything we've been through? Being embarrassed or reticent about my personal life, especially amongst good friends, seems more ridiculous than ever."

"Well, cheers to that," Harry said, saluting Theo with his drink. "How's the counselling going?"

"I've not had a panic attack for almost three months now," Theo said, as Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder.

"That's great news," Harry said. "I've managed to avoid panic attacks too, even when I see how much Pansy's spending on shoes each month!"

"A girl can never have too many shoes," Pansy said primly, then smiled warmly at Harry.

Hermione and Theo exchanged a look and grinned.

"So," said Theo, "when are you two going to admit that you're desperately in love with each other, and stop all this 'it's only a fling' nonsense?"

Hermione choked on her drink and stared at him in shock. Pansy froze, eyes wide. The colour drained from Harry's face. There was no sound except for the wind for a moment; even the sea birds seemed to hold their breath.

"E-excuse me?" Pansy said at last, her voice quavering.

"Theo," stammered Harry, "you know as well as I… I mean, Pansy and me… we're… well, you know…"

They stared at each, almost seeming to truly notice and understand something for the first time.

Abruptly, they both stood and walked quickly in opposite directions. Harry vanished around the corner, downslope a little way, while Pansy stood on the edge of the cliff, looking out to sea again.

"Theo!" Hermione whispered.

"What?" he exclaimed. "Someone had to say something, Hermione! It's been two years! Surely they know what they're doing is more serious than a fling?"

"But what if it is just a fling to them, just one that's still fun! We may joke about it, but we shouldn't interfere. This might make them split up when they realise that they're all but committed to each other!" She scowled and stood. "Go and talk to Harry. Quickly, before he Apparates back to London, or something else equally ridiculous; I'll talk to Pansy."

"Mina..."

Hermione didn't look at him, simply shooed him away as he stood, already moving towards Pansy. He watched as she put her arm around the dark-haired woman, pulling her close.

With a sigh, he turned and started to walk back down the path. He didn't have to go far, and quickly found Harry on the bench set to the side of the path, presumably a final resting spot before the top. The man had his head in his hands, muttering to himself.

Shaking his head, Theo sat down at his side. "You okay, Harry?"

"This is a disaster," came the reply.

"Come on, don't exaggerate!"

"It was supposed to be a bit of fun, no commitment. We've been together for two years, and the thought of not being with her hurts." He looked at Theo, his eyes wide. "Like, physically painful!"

"You love her," Theo said, clapping a hand onto his shoulder. "It'll sneak up on you if you let it. And you did. Were the last two years of fun so bad?"

"No, they've been amazing."

"So what's the problem?"

"Well... it's just... Pansy said, right from the start, that she's not into commitment. And I said the same."

"Things change. You found that you enjoyed being with each other more than you expected, and that actually committing to one person isn't so bad, right?"

"Oh God!" Harry cried, dropping his head into his hands again. "What have I done!"

"Harry, calm down..."

"I'm in a committed relationship! The party is over!"

"Harry, relax... you can still party! You have partied, regularly. It's just that you go home with the same girl that you arrived with..."

"Life's going to be so boring!"

Theo frowned, cuffing Harry on the side of the head.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"You're being ridiculous. I assure you, monogamy doesn't have to be boring! Look at Mina and me? We've had a very exciting couple of years." He grinned at Harry's shocked face. "Yes, I can joke about it now, though I didn't know if we'd ever reach that point. Look, you've made monogamy fun for the last couple of years, right? Outside all of the work stuff, the time you spent together has been enjoyable?"

"Well, yeah, but that's not the normal domestic stuff…"

"You visit family and friends, you have relaxing days, you spend as much time as you can together? I'm guessing there are days and nights that you don't just meet up to have sex?"

"Of course!" Harry said. "We're not rabbits, you know?"

"Has she stayed with you, or vice versa, on those occasions? Slept, literally just slept, in the same bed? Happily?"

Harry nodded.

"Face it, Potter, you're both in a committed, monogamous relationship, and you're loving every second of it! You're even commenting on her spending habits."

"We're looking at buying a place somewhere nearer London…"

Theo waited while Harry processed all of this, a smirk on his face.

"I'm in love with Pansy Parkinson." Harry's voice was filled with wonder, and it made Theo laugh at how surreal this whole experience had been.

"First time you've said that out loud?"

"Yeah… I like the sound of it."

Theo clapped him on the back and stood. "Come on then. Let's go, you can tell her yourself."

Theo led the way back up the hill when Harry grabbed his sleeve and held him back. "What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she's freaking out because I've tied her down, and now she wants to stop seeing me?"

"You'd have known about it long before now if that was the case, Harry. There's no way Pansy would have let you talk to her the way you have been unless she loved you. Purebloods may try and keep everything hidden behind an air of snobbish pride, but we can also read each other fairly well." Theo grinned. "Pansy already knows what colour she wants her bridesmaids to wear, I'd stake everything I have on it!"

As they came in sight of the summit again, they saw Pansy and Hermione stood at the edge of the viewing area, arms around each other. Hermione was patting Pansy on the back. It looked like Pansy was crying.

Instantly Harry strode forward, eyes filled with worry. Seeing him coming Hermione stepped away, Pansy lifting a hand to her mouth and looking across the bay again.

Theo joined Hermione at a distance as the couple met on the clifftop. Theo draped an arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. "He's utterly besotted with her," he whispered.

Hermione smiled and squeezed him tightly. "She's the same. She's terrified he's about to break up with her."

"I think we're about to see that's not the case."

They watched for a moment, before turning away as Pansy suddenly spun in Harry's arms and planted a heated kiss on his mouth. Giving them their privacy, Theo and Hermione took a slow stroll around the edge of the hill.

Harry and Pansy were still locked together when they looked, half an hour later.

"Maybe we'll just… um…" Hermine murmured.

"Yeah," Theo said, turning around and pulling Hermione with him, "we'll just go... see some more of the coast…"

Theo glanced up from his book as Hermione stood and stretched, gazing appreciatively at the skin of her belly as her shirt rode up her body a little. It never failed to stir his loins, and the familiar heat made him grin.

Hermione scratched her head, yawning widely and Theo was sure he heard her jaw crack. She started to move away, heading for the stairs.

"You heading to bed, darling?" he asked, seeing her nod, the yawn still muting her. "Mind if I Slytherin?"

The click of her teeth snapping together made him grin, as did the unladylike snort of laughter that burst from her as she turned to face him.

"Theodore Nott," she said with a grin, "you did not just use that awful line on your girlfriend, did you?"

His smile was wolfish as he swung his legs around, tucking them underneath himself and lifting himself higher. "Oh, come now, Mina," he implored, dramatically, "my love burns for you like a dying phoenix! If you were a Dementor, I'd become a criminal, just for your kiss!"

The witch tried to stifle a snigger behind her hand. "Have you been talking to George and Ron about their new Christmas cracker jokes?"

Theo began to walk forwards on his knees, arms lifting towards her. "Darling," he called, "I know we're not in Flitwick's class, but still you are charming me!"

"Theo," she laughed, backing away from him and fending off his grasping hands. "Pack it in, you nutter!"

"Are you using a Confundus charm on me, or are you naturally mind-blowing?"

"Oh, that one was feeble!" She was starting to back up the stairs now, still giggling at Theo's earnest smile and wide eyes. His attention, despite the awful lines, was starting to turn her on.

"My dear Hermione, please make magic with me! My wand is at the ready!"

"Okay, now you're just being crude..." she began, her crotch burning at the more direct line, even as Theo grasped one of her ankles, slowing her down.

"Hagrid wasn't the only giant on campus if you get my meaning?" he said with a leer.

"Now you're exaggerating, mister!"

"I want to get my basilisk into your chamber of secrets!"

"Theo!" she laughed, calling him on with her eyes. She swiftly kicked off her slippers, backing up the stairs again, faster now. The laughter was bubbling up in her, louder now, and Theo came up the stairs quicker.

"Come on! They'll be calling you Moaning Myrtle after a night with me!" he yelled as she turned and ran down the corridor, shrieking with laughter, pulling off her shirt as she went. "You don't need to cast Wingardium Leviosa to get me up!"

Hermione vanished into the bedroom, and Theo ran after her, naked, his clothes already abandoned in the corridor.

"You must have been drinking Felix Felicis, Hermione, because you're about to get lucky!" he said, diving onto the bed with her and pulling the covers over them both.