Hi Friends! I know it has been almost 18 months since I last updated this story and I am so sorry for the delay! I could give a million excuses and reasons but basically life was a real bitch and stuff was pretty damn tough! We moved to a new state which has also been tough and now all of this craziness is happening! That being said, I finally got into a place and a headspace where I was able to write again and then I also got inspired! I am excited to be picking this story back up and I am dedicated to seeing it through to the end! I already have the next chapter written and waiting for my wonderful and supportive Beta LadyWinterlight to take a look at it! She has been awesome and prodding me without making me feel guilty! She was a huge help in getting this chapter out and encouraging me to keep going even when I couldn't find the inspiration at all. Anyways enough whining… here is Chapter 65! Stay safe out there everyone and enjoy!
Chapter 65
Hermione squirmed, giggled and tried to pretend that she was put out by the way that Sev had scooped her up like a caveman to carry her into the bathroom; in actual fact, she absolutely loved being picked up like she weighed less than nothing. Even more, she adored seeing Sev and Lu laughing and carrying on in a light-hearted way that a few weeks prior would have been unimaginable.
Seeing the smirks that freely graced both of her wizards' faces grow as she pretended to struggle made Hermione feel lighter than she could remember in recent memory. The happiness that bubbled from within her was almost as pure as the feeling she had when she had found out she was a witch.
She remembered the feeling she had gotten when she had finally heard that news, and finally realizing she wasn't so weird or odd after all had been one of the happiest moments she had known. Now, however, that memory paled in comparison to the overwhelming sense of happiness and rightness she felt now with her two wizards.
If it made them happy to carry her off like cavemen to wherever they were headed then, well, she was happy to be thrown over their shoulders. Especially when where they were headed was the bathroom attached to their rooms.
Hermione knew Lucius had always had the finer things in life and was maybe more than a little spoiled, given the money he had been raised with, but she doubted even royalty had bathtubs like the one she found herself in front of. She couldn't believe she had missed this swimming pool that was masquerading as a bath when she had last been in their bath a few mornings ago. She would chalk that up to wanting to get back to her stunningly sexy Sev who had been waiting for her in bed.
Even the tub in her room, which she had previously thought was the largest and nicest bath Hermione had seen, paled in comparison to this one. She was sure if you weren't careful you could probably doze off and float away in this master bath.
She heard Lucius chuckle at the expression on her face but honestly, she couldn't help it. This looked like it could be called a lake, and quite frankly she couldn't wait to dive in. She watched in amazement as with a flick of his wrist Lucius had filled the tub with water and what appeared to be the right amount of bubbles. No fiddling with any knobs or taps required.
Then, before she could even think about what charm Lu had used, Severus had stepped up and over the lip of the tub. Before she could even blink she watched as he was sinking down into the deliciously hot water, picking her up and settling her in the water in front of him.
Hermione moaned at how soothing and wonderful the water felt as it rushed over her and this time it was Sev's turn to chuckle at her reactions. She smiled coquettishly over her shoulder and blushed a pretty shade of pink when Sev all but growled, "You have no idea what your moans and blushes do to me, witch."
Still a bit unsure but willing to tease, Hermione winked at him and giggled as she ground her backside into his very obvious erection while saying, "Oh, I think I have some idea."
Lu burst out into a full-throated laugh as he saw Hermione teasing and the lust glazing over Sev's face. He gracefully lowered himself down into the bath as well and grinned at his two partners. He knew he needed to save Sev from their flirty ingenue, but he didn't mind seeing his normally composed and dour partner let loose occasionally.
Hermione shrieked and giggled and Lu grabbed her ankle and quickly pulled her towards him before positioning her on his lap. "I couldn't let Sev have all the fun during bath time, now could I?"
She nuzzled into him a bit, enjoying the warm water and the soothing effect that his strong arms seemed to have on her. Any concerns she had over sharing baths went right out the window as she sank a bit deeper into Lu's arms.
She tensed slightly as she felt Sev begin to play with her hair and encourage her to lean back. She wanted to explain that he might lose a hand if he played with her mane anymore but before she could even express her worries, Sev hushed her and said, "Sweet Kitten, let us pamper you a bit."
Still a bit unsure, she started to nibble on her bottom lip and, as if having a sixth sense about her bad habit, Lucius swiftly bent down and kissed her soundly. Suddenly all thoughts of her nervous habit banished and she was once again whisked away in the delights of Lu's lips.
Sev continued to softly run his fingers through her hair, gently working out any knots he had found. He chuckled at Lu and said in a husky growl, "Well that is one way to break her of that dreadful habit!"
Lu ignored the darker wizard's comment and said quietly to Hermione, "Don't worry my sweetling, Sev has magic hands. Your luscious curls will be no match for him. Trust us, Hermione. Let us take care of you."
He spoke with such caring that Hermione could only agree to whatever plan they had. She minutely nodded her acquiescence, pausing only for a moment to remember the last time someone, her mother, had tried to wash her hair. She had been so young and it had ended in tears for both of them. Tears of frustration for her mother and tears of pain for Hermione. She doubted that either of her wizards would let that happen to her again.
She allowed Lu to tilt her head back and she closed her eyes instinctively before she felt Sev pouring some of the deliciously warm water all over her hair. She was shocked by how light it remained, normally her copious amounts of hair ended up feeling like it was weighing her down when she bathed.
Instead, Severus had clearly used some unknown charm to make the whole process just a bit easier. She was so lost in the bliss of whatever Sev was massaging into her scalp that she didn't even notice when she started moaning out loud in pleasure. Both of her wizards, however, didn't miss her seductive noises and smirked at each other. This was just the kind of pampering that their witch desperately needed and deserved, and they were more than happy to provide.
Hermione was sure she could have dozed off, given how much their tender ministrations relaxed her. She fought to stay awake, though, determined to enjoy every moment. It still felt strange to her, being the recipient of such care rather than the caregiver. She'd put almost all of herself into taking care of her friends through the war, fighting to keep them alive and always being alert and thinking about what was best for them rather than putting herself first. To be the one who was being taken care of for once, well for Hermione the reprieve was amazing and much-needed.
The feeling of nearly floating away was simply blissful and for once she allowed herself to simply revel in it. She had never felt safer than with her two wizards around her, protecting and caring for her. With each tender swipe of the sponge and gentle kiss or caress, Hermione floated further away onto her own private daydream of bliss. It was a beautiful thing that her wizards could recognize her occasional need for silence. Her need to simply absorb all of the wonderful changes her life had undergone, the love that now belonged to her and the care that was going to always be lavished on her. It was beyond her wildest imagination and yet she was living it.
As Lu and Sev bathed her with an almost staggering amount of reverence for the act of cleansing her body, Hermione could also say that it felt like it was cleansing her soul as well. She silently let that all truly sink in.
Within the span of a few days Hermione had gone from feeling lost and alone to all of a sudden having unconditional and all encompassing love, and Hermione could almost feel herself being swallowed up whole by the feeling. She wanted to cry, almost, with how overwhelming it all was; she also knew she could hardly wait to start on their Forever, bonded as a trio for the rest of their lives.
She thought about the fact it truly only felt like it had been only moments that she had been silently reflecting and floating in what she was sure was pure bliss. However, when she looked at her pruney fingers and her two wizards clearly relaxed, cleaned and simply observing her, Hermione quickly realized that her fantasy had been quite a bit longer and she reveled in the fact that she was able to really let go.
That both Severus and Lucius had been content to simply sit silently and observe just reminded Hermione of how different and special this relationship was going to be. They could be simply comfortable and quiet with one another, even in the most intimate of settings. Hermione had, quite simply, never had that before.
Her intelligence, power, and personality had unsettled almost everyone she had met. Hermione had gotten used to the fact that there were normally two behaviors that groups had exhibited around her. It would either become almost deathly quiet, with people painfully standing around her, staring, judging and afraid of her intelligence and power; or a group would become painfully loud, with everyone around her nervously chatting with anyone but her - or at least it felt that way. She was used to being the one everyone, consciously or unconsciously, wanted to avoid.
Even when it had been simply her, Harry and Ron, it was normally the two of them babbling about anything and everything that didn't involve or interest her. That was, at least, until they needed her for something. Normally to do their work for them. It hadn't always bothered her before, because she really didn't know there was anything better out there available for her. Now, though, now she knew she could and would always have better. Sev and Lu were going to always be her 'better,' and she couldn't help but beam at the thought.
She turned her beatific smile towards Sev first and was graced with his magnificent smile that took her breath away. She was still getting used to the fact that this was not the character he had nearly perfected of Professor Snape but instead her Severus.
Hermione couldn't help herself; she nearly lunged toward her darker wizard. She simply had to kiss him breathless. Hermione couldn't help herself, and quite frankly she didn't want to. She wanted Severus to feel the absolutely all-encompassing love she felt for him, for Lu, for their triad. She put all of those feelings into their kiss and felt Sev meeting her emotions every step of the way.
She faintly registered Lu sweeping her hair up and peppering her hypersensitive neck with kisses. Hermione couldn't help but moan; she broke away from her passionate kiss with Sev and met the liquid silver pools of heat that were Lu's eyes. It felt like Lu was looking right into her soul, such a heady and exciting feeling. She nearly growled as she leaned in for his lips, meeting him in an electrifying mixture of lips and tongue that had her feeling absolutely wanton - and to be frank, she loved it.
For the first time with these two wizards, she knew she wasn't going to second guess her actions right afterward. She knew what she was doing was so very right. Hermione finally felt and accepted and loved the power she had over them. She understood the way her kisses could ignite them and reveled in the fact that theirs did the same to her.
For the first time, she truly felt like a woman. Her wizards had made her recognize that she was truly a beautiful, intelligent and well-loved witch. She would need reminders occasionally, of course, but she knew that Sev and Lu would always be there as the support she needed.
Her wizards truly balanced her, they completed her, they were made for her - just like she was for them. She drank in the sound of Sev moaning as she and Lu continued to kiss as if their lives depended on it, and Hermione knew what she wanted. Thanks to her wizards she finally had the confidence to ask for it, she could only hope they would agree.
She broke away from Lu and pulled back from both of her wizards. She smiled warmly at both of them and she swore she could almost feel herself glowing with happiness. She floated over to Sev and propped herself on his lap in what she hoped was the least suggestive way possible.
She knew that was a rather foolish notion, given that they were both nude in a luxurious bath with their partners, but Hermione wanted her request to be taken seriously. They could get distracted in each other's bodies later, right now she wanted her wizards to listen.
As if he could sense that she wanted to talk Lu placed himself next to Sev on the seat that was carved into the bath. He pulled her legs over his lap so she was draped over the both of them and softly smiled before remarking quietly, "You have gone very quiet on us, Kitten. Hopefully, you were having a relaxing reflection?"
Hermione beamed at her always graceful Lu, "You are right Lu. I was being very quiet and thank you both for letting me just think and be."
Both wizards clearly wanted to wave her off but before they could she spoke again, "I've never had that before, so I won't let you say that it is nothing because I assure you it very much is something to me. My parents were even intimidated by my intelligence."
She felt Lu place a gentle kiss to her temple as she heaved a sigh and continued, "They alternated by trying to put me in as many activities as possible to avoid me being bored, idle and bothering them. It also helped that they were able to use those activities and my ability to excel at them by using me to show me off to their friends, colleagues, and clients…. as if I was some showpiece that people should be impressed by. They loved me but didn't know what to do with me. You two are the first people that allow me to simply be, and so it truly does mean so very very much."
Both wizards were slightly stunned with her admission but their eyes clearly showed nothing but admiration for their little witch and so she continued, "I know we are fated. I understood that on some level but being able to just reflect on it all and being surrounded by your love and care. It was so freeing and grounding at the same time. I have never, in my memory, ever been cared for with such tenderness. I have never really just been able to simply be and think. To be able to let it finally click. I knew I cared for you both, I knew I could love you both very much but being able to relax and let go made all of the puzzle pieces truly fall into place for me. I know what I want and what I need now."
She felt Sev's beautifully warm chuckle rumble in his chest before she heard it, "And what darling is that? You know if it is in our power, you need to only say the word and Lu and I would move mountains to make it happen."
Hermione smiled up at Sev and kissed him lightly before she looked him in the eye and said, "I don't want a ceremony that will be the social event of the year for the Wizarding World. I don't even really want more people there than absolutely necessary. I certainly don't want to look like some sparkle-encrusted meringue or any other type of fluff. I want a simple, beautiful ceremony here in the garden with just our family and the bonder and I want it soon."
Whatever he was expecting Hermione to say, that clearly was not it. In fact, Severus couldn't help but look thunderstruck at what their little witch had said. His face, normally so blank, was struggling to hold back his shock and joy.
Clearing his throat, Lucius broke the sudden silence with a chuckle and said, "Is that all darling? Of course any size or type of ceremony you want, you shall have. It can be as public or as private as you want, Kitten. You just name what and who you want, and we will make it happen."
Looking like the cat that had just caught the canary she smirked as Lu promised her the world. She knew that Lucius was always going to be the smoother of her two wizards. He was going to always have a way of talking himself out of all sorts of trouble and would never hesitate to use any loophole he could to prove his point.
She was sure Sev had focused in on the end of her statement and had quickly gotten over his slight impersonation of a fish that he had played when he gaped when she had added that she wanted their bonding as soon as possible.
Now, he was looking at her a little quizzically and had his trademark eyebrow slightly lifted as if clearly intrigued to see where she was going with this. Hermione also hadn't at all missed the flicker of hope she had seen in Sev's eyes. She was excited to be the reason behind that hope and couldn't wait to bring it to fruition.
"I am so glad you said that Lu. I knew you both would be open to listening, but it is nice to hear that you are not just saying that. I don't want to share you or our bond with people who won't understand or don't really care about us. I am also so glad you are offering carte blanche to me, but I do want us all to have an equal say. This ceremony is going to be for all of us and I want us to all have equal involvement. After all, this is forever, is it not?" She added that last question with a perfect impression of Sev's signature eyebrow that the man in question couldn't help but snicker as she continued.
"That being said, I couldn't help but overhear that you had originally hoped to wait until the Solstice to bond," she said as if it were the most casual statement she could make.
She had to bite the inside of her cheek as the giggles attempted to take over as the realization of just what she had said washed over Lu.
However, whatever attempt she had made at stifling her giggles refused to work as she watched the transformation his face made as shock washed over him. Through her giggles she had to marvel at the fact that she was sure that this was the first time she was seeing Lucius almost completely open for the first time ever.
She made a silent vow to herself that she was going to try and see that open Lu as often as possible. She smiled and nodded as he quietly repeated her last statement as if trying to make sense of what she had said, "Were hoping to wait until Solstice…,hoping to wait? Kitten?"
"Yes Lu, hoping to wait. As in the full moon is in two days and that would provide a different but equally powerful blessing for our bonding. I don't want to wait weeks or months to be sure. I am sure now. I want to be your witch and partner in all ways, Lu. I want our triad to be complete. You, me and Sev forever." Hermione hoped that she sounded as confident about her proposal as she felt about it. She wanted to leave no room for doubt that she was ready and sure about bonding and it's happening as soon as possible.
She felt Sev's arms tighten around her and felt him rest his head on the crown of hers. She could feel him silently shuddered and she simply leaned in and let him release what she was fairly certain were some of the first happy tears the man had ever shed.
Hermione looked at Lu as he just looked at her in shock. Finally, he moved to lift her off of Sev's lap and onto his. With an intensity she had quite frankly never seen in Lu's eyes he simply looked at her deeply in her eyes and upon seeing no hint of deceit or anything other than pure and passionate love, he kissed her breathless.
When they broke apart, gasping for air, Lucius turned his mercurial eyes toward Sev and Hermione watched on with baited breath as they shared a kiss that had her absolutely squirming in need.
They pulled away and both looked at her with a fierceness in their eyes that, prior to this exact moment, she would have sworn was only hyperbole in her mother's paperback romance novels. She thought they were going to devour her, body and soul.
She felt the leonine grin spread across her face, straightened her spine and readied herself for devouring.
