Hello, my darlings. This chapter starts with a little lemon, so if you don't like those skip down a few paragraphs. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 23
Limbs tangled, they fell from the fireplace, lips fused together, hands groping frantically. With a groan, Hermione wrenched herself back, pushing against Viktor, halting his attempt to remove her top. "Annika is upstairs, and neither she nor Harry will appreciate us leaving a trail of clothes through the house or having sex on the stairs."
"We are having sex on the stairs?"
"We will if we're both naked by then."
"So, no being naked until our room?"
"Correct."
Viktor nodded before throwing her over his shoulder. "Easily done." Hermione squirmed trying to get down. "You need to be holding still. Or you will get dropped." He headed for the staircase.
"Or you could put me down."
"And miss this view? It is perfection." Hermione rolled her eyes, fully knowing he couldn't see her. "Always imagined doing this."
"How can I protest that?"
"Very difficult," he agreed.
"You owe me one fantasy."
Mounting the stairs, he answered, she heard the smile in his voice, "We will fulfill them all, sunshine." He walked into their room, turning on the lights. He deposited her on the bed. "Look, our room. Now we can be naked."
She chuckled, "Do you want to do the honors, or should I?"
"I love unwrapping presents," he leered. "Allow me." Slowly Viktor pulled her shirt off, tracing along behind his progress with his tongue. He paused to suck at each nipple through her satin bra. "I'll be back to open these later." Resuming his journey along her body, Viktor tugged down her jean shorts. He grinned up at her upon discovering her matching knickers. He pulled the shorts down her legs and completely off before tossing them aside. He yanked his shirt off before returning his attention to her legs. Gently, he pressed soft kisses to her skin, caressing them as he worked his way up one leg. A whimper escaped her lips as he neared her center. It morphed into a whine of disappointment when he moved back to her feet and made his way up the other leg. He chuckled against her skin, "
Patience, sunshine, I wish to lavish attention on you, worshiping as I go."
"I suppose I'll just have to endure." She reached down, running her fingers through his hair and down along the shells of his ears. "Though I intend to return the favor."
"The things one must do to keep wives happy."
"I assume you mean wife. I do not share."
Instead of responding Viktor turned his attention back to his exploration of her legs, primarily where they connected to the rest of her. He skimmed the outside of her satin covered core with the back of his fingers. Hermione spread her legs wider allowing him better access. His hum of approval earned him an answering moan. He exhaled slowly releasing the warm breath against the moist fabric. Hermione squirmed, "Viktor! Stop teasing."
"Not teasing, savoring."
"Just remember: revenge is a dish best served cold."
"Noted, love, noted." To Hermione's surprise, and pleasure, Viktor changed his pace, ripping her knickers down her legs, diving in to lick at her center, sucking on her clit. She keened in pleasure, feeling everything tighten under his attentions. Two fingers slid into her slick channel, pushing her over the edge. She cried out as she came, clenching down on his fingers. He withdrew, sitting back on his heels. Maintaining eye contact he licked his fingers cleaned.
"As soon as I can think straight..." she started.
A deep chuckle from her husband cut her off, "Not intending to let you recover thinking."
He removed his trousers and unclasped her bra. He leaned over her, covering his frame with his. "Like being the man to leave you breathless, unable to think." He ground down against her. He kissed her fiercely before moving to run his tongue along the shell of her ear. At her neck, he kissed and nipped the tender skin. She moaned, low and deep, rubbing against him, panting. Lining himself up at her opening, he thrust forward sharply, filling her with a snap of his hips. He began pumping in and out, slow and steady at first, then more erratic as he increased in speed. She thrust her hips up to meet him.
"Oh, fuck, Viktor!" she shouted, pleasure exploding throughout her body. Her orgasm triggered his, and he followed her with a similar cry seconds later. He collapsed next to her. "I like not thinking."
"Good to know." She rolled to her side, resting her head on his chest. He kissed her forehead, "Sleep now, sunshine, long day tomorrow."
She snorted sleepily, "Every day is a long day right now." She snuggled against him. "Love you," she murmured.
"And I, you." He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer, "Good night, Hermione."
"Night, Viktor," she whispered as she let sleep claim her.
Hermione retrieved her list: Bea asked for a different perfume, hers attracted hornets. Molly requested she pick up a fresh floral arrangement, something about garden gnomes raiding the decorations. Fred wanted muggle Prozac for Molly, but Hermione intended to ignore that one. She stored everything in her beaded bag, along with all kinds of sundry items. She adjusted her peach-colored sundress. She looked over to Viktor. "Ready?"
"Da, Harry, and Annika are on their way down the stairs."
"Good." She grabbed a handful of powder. "Meet you at the Burrow," she yelled into the house. She threw the powder and declared her destination.
Arthur greeted her warmly when she emerged from the fireplace. "Good morning, Hermione." He hugged her, stepping them aside to make room for Viktor to enter the room. "Welcome, Viktor."
"Arthur," he nodded in greeting. "Harry and Annika should be right behind me."
"Fine, fine."
Fleur rushed into the room, "Tell me that was Hermione."
The brunette turned to face the blonde, "It was."
"Magnifique. Teddy teased Victorie about her dress. And she refuses to believe us that she looks lovely."
"Whyever not?"
"We are her family, we have to think she is pretty."
"Where do I come in?"
"Aunt Mine is the smartest witch she knows, just ask her. And you would never lie, or tell her something that wasn't true, even to make her happy."
Hermione pulled three vials of perfume out of her bag. "Give these to Bea." She then handed the flowers to Arthur, "Molly asked for those. Tell Fred you need a healer's orders for Prozac. When he arrives have Harry talk to Teddy about girls."
"I will. Torie is in Bill's old room."
"I'm on it." Hermione made her way upstairs leaving Harry to deal with their godson's misguided childish displays of affections. She knocked on the closed door before opening it.
Five-year-old Victorie sat on the bed looking out the window. Her flower girl dress beside her on the bed. She looked over her shoulder, "I'm not wearing it. Teddy said I looked like a puffy possum."
"How many possums do you think Teddy has seen?"
"I dunno," the small girl shrugged.
"And why do you assume possum aren't cute?"
Her small face lit up, "Are they?"
"When they look like you? They are adorable."
"Why are boys so mean?" Victorie pouted.
Hermione picked up the teal colored dress. "Girls can be mean, too."
"Ivy's mummy says they do it because they like you."
Hermione fought to keep from rolling her eyes as she helped Victorie into the dress. "Maybe some, others probably not. Some people are just mean."
The smaller girl plopped down in a cloud of tulle. "Boys are complicated, Aunt Mine."
"Tell me about it."
"You have Uncle Viktor. He's nice. He isn't mean."
"Boys like to tease their friends, and little boys don't understand that girls don't like it. Next time someone is being mean, tell them you don't like it what they said or did, and if they keep it up you won't play with them anymore."
"Ugh, why can't people just be like, 'hi, I like you. Let's be friends,' and they are."
Hermione chuckled and picked up a hairbrush, "That would be nice, wouldn't it?" Alright, let's finish getting you ready."
"Can I still have flowers in my hair like Mummy offered?"
"Let's go ask her, shall we?"
The simple, elegant ceremony spoke to Bea's ability to blend the ideas of others. As the two dragon tamers exchanged vows, Hermione squeezed Viktor's hand. He smiled at her, love shining in his eyes. 'Love you,' he mouthed. She nodded in agreement.
After the officiant declared them Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, the guests stood. Wands flicked several times and the reception area took form. Harry, Annika, Ron, and Moira joined the Krums at a table. "One down," Harry stated.
"only a hundred to go," Hermione replied.
"Do you think people will be upset when you publish your research?" Annika asked.
"Some will, but making conception easier doesn't increase the population on its own. England has also been very careful. If, after getting to pick your partner, you still don't want to be paired for life, you can separate, or make some kind of other arrangements. My research lets them do that sooner, or rather it will. Wanting doesn't make any of this go any faster. And it could still fail on a larger scale, or specifically for some couples."
"Enough shop chat," Viktor declared.
"You mean shop talk," Ron laughed.
"No more work talk. Hermione is off duty the rest of the day. She needs to dance with her husband."
"Oh, does she?" Hermione asked in a cool tone.
"She does after he finishes asking her romantically." He took her hand, "It would give me the greatest delight, and highest honor, if you would deign to grant me at least one dance, oh radiant one."
"That absurdity will get you at least two turns around the floor, Mr. Krum."
"Thank you, Mrs. Krum. You have truly made my night."
"If that's all it, you should raise the bar, mate." Ron laughed.
Harry turned green, "Let's not talk about my sister like this."
Viktor smirked, "The bar could never be too low or high with you, every moment of perfection."
Harry snorted, "Laying it on a little thick there, mate."
"And perhaps you could try to be more lyrical about your affection." Annika told him, then burst out laughing, "Come dance with me." She pecked his cheek.
Hermione danced to two songs with her husband. Ron claimed her for a dance next. Viktor smiled and went in search of Fleur. The redhead smiled down at her, "Marriage looks good on you, Mrs. Krum."
"No complaints so far."
"That's good to hear."
"You ready for your big day?"
"As I'll ever be. Moira and her mum have done most of the planning. Charlie and Ginny have thrown themselves on the Mum grenade. Told George and Fred we owe 'em up. Though Daphne hasn't confirmed any plans, she's open the idea of the Burrow."
"That's nice. Though, I think your father has been the greatest victim."
"Yeah, we're taking him to a Muggle gardening expo in Manchester next spring."
"He'll enjoy that."
"We hope so. We plan on telling the vendors he's lived in London his whole life and now has the country home he's always dreamed of."
"Clever cover."
"Thanks." They revolved several times before he spoke again. "Malcolm mentioned the idea of us living at the manor with the rest of the family, but I don't think Moira likes the idea."
"What do you want to do?"
He shrugged, "Whatever makes Moira happy."
"Then politely refuse."
"I tried. I think their mum put him up to it. She doesn't want her baby to leave."
"Which is part of why she wants to."
"I'm out of ideas."
As the song drew to a close she grinned impishly, "I have one, but I'm not telling. It will only work as a surprise."
Ron nodded, "Plausible deniability, but I trust you."
"After everything we've been through? I should hope so."
After her dance with Ron, Hermione went in search of Weasleys, finding George. She explained Ron's dilemma and suggested her solution. He agreed and they separated to share the plan with the rest of the family. Each quickly agreed to help. Bill and Fred agreed to start the necessary arrangements.
Viktor pressed a kiss to her temple when they returned home. "Mama says to assure you she has everything well in hand for the reception: decorations, food, music. Very nice woman at shop helped pick out beach formal? She assured me was perfect for informal outdoor wedding."
"Did she now?"
"Yes, guaranteed to leave you speechless."
"Challenge accepted."
"Challenge?"
"To leave you similarly stunned."
"You do that all the time."
"You have a very silver tongue."
"I do try. I have been told it is very talented."
"Have you? I'm going to need you to prove that."
"With pleasure."
Monday morning she met with the Hughes. Blossom showed her the guest room. "Rem felt funny about you inspecting our room, so..." she trailed off somewhat embarrassed.
"Say no more, I completely understand. I want you to be as comfortable as possible. If you were willing to have sex in the kitchen, you could have set up there. I expect some couples to insist on using their family circles. No judgment here."
Blossom gave her a grateful circle. "Remington should be home any minute. Would you like some tea?"
"Certainly. Have you had any trouble tracking your cycle?"
"No, you wrote out very clear instructions. And the tests are very simple to use."
Remington joined them just as the kettle whistled. He kissed his wife in greeting and nodded to Hermione. He sat as his wife served each of them a cuppa. Hermione pulled out a notepad and pen. "The runes look correct and have a faint feeling to them, which is good. Now, I have some rather personal questions, they are going to form the basis of the wording of the ritual. Rituals use the words to form the intent of the magical working, they give the energy directions."
Remington shifted uncomfortably in his chair, "Mistress Krum, I'm not going to lie to you, standing around in the starkers chanting isn't really something I think I can do."
"Call me Hermione, please. And let me reassure you, there will be no chanting. The purpose of chanting is to raise the magical energies, the runes take the place of that. This will be a couple of lines, a short paragraph at the most, based on your answers."
He nodded, "I could do that."
"Or Blossom could. It doesn't have to be both of you. I would volunteer, but I don't want to be present for the second step, any more than you would want me there." The three laughed.
"You would be correct." Blossom smiled. "So, these questions?"
"How long have you been married?"
"Fifteen years," Remington smiled at Blossom.
"How long have you been trying for children?"
"Seriously trying? Probably ten years. After five we figured we just weren't meant to have children." Remington answered.
"We never used any kind of protection, regardless," Blossom shrugged. "When Kingsley told us about your work, it seemed like our last chance."
Hermione nodded, "Should the ritual itself not work the first time, I intend to add a potion regiment to the next phase. Should you fall into that category will you be willing to continue and use the potions?"
"Blossom is young enough to fall under the law, we would have to."
"And we want to help all the couples like us who desperately want children and can't seem to have them without help," Blossom added.
"Wonderful. I will check back in with you in two weeks. I want to make sure the runes are filling properly and we'll go over your enchantment." She stood. "Thank you for your time and hospitality."
"You are most welcome." The Hughes stood as well. "We'll see you in two weeks."
Hermione conducted similar interviews with the other couples. The other four couples' answers were different from the Hughes, and more similar in nature. They were all younger than the other couple, and while having similar difficulties, had been trying for less time. She made small notes for each of their files, including her first thoughts for the releasing spells. Finishing with that, she reviewed Cassius's notes on the clients he had been focusing on. Approving of his conclusions she signed off on them and returned the files to Cassius's desk.
Katie popped her head in, "Your mum sent me a message to make sure you put down wedding dress shopping next Thursday."
"I did. I'll be out of the office from Wednesday on. Shopping Thursday, Cassius's party Friday evening, then his wedding Saturday."
"And your own the weekend after."
"Then Neville's the weekend after that." She sighed. "Then Harry's two weeks after that. Ron's the next week. George's two weeks after that, and Ginny's two weeks after that. The only Weasley without concrete plans is Fred."
"I wonder why?"
"No clue, who has time to ask."
"That's true."
"Have you and Adrian made any plans?"
"We're going to do something at the last possible minute. It's driving his mother crazy, and mine think it is hilarious. Apparently, she annoyed my mother back when they were at school. So..." she shrugged.
"As long as the two of you are happy."
"We amuse ourselves by coming up with the worst possible plans."
Oh, these I have to hear."
"The best is having a monkey carry the rings." The girls laughed.
"Have you suggested a traditional skyclad ceremony, yet?" Hermione asked.
"No, but that's going to happen now." Katie chuckled evilly.
A/N:
Um, my muse has had a scathingly brilliant idea for another story, and keeps wanting to work on that. I am not abadoning this story, I will never do that. But if the updates slow down, bear with me. I will finish.
