Hermione didn't remember exactly what her first thought was. It was somewhere between shock and confusion. She was far less intelligent than everyone gave her credit to be. How could she not have seen this coming? She gulped down another glass of wine before wincing and looking to the four men in the room.

"So, how does it work?" Hermione grumbled.

Severus rose his eyebrows. "How does what work, Hermione?"

"This," Hermione gestured a circle and then poured another glass. "I mean, it isn't as if there's a clear answer."

Sirius reached over and covered the lip of her glass. "Love, take it slow. It's a lot to take in."

"Sirius, you just told me I need to have a baby, or no one gets their magic back," Hermione huffed.

"And we all die," Fred mumbled.

"What?" Hermione gasped.

Sirius shot him a glare before touching her face. "Love, just take a moment. This is a good thing."

"How? How is this a good thing? Forcing one of you into fathering a child? This wasn't what I had planned when I took the potion."

Remus walked over to the table and removed things from the area so he could sit in front of her. "Hermione, I think we need to slow it down a moment," he whispered.

Hermione breathed and nodded. "Alright."

"We've spoken quite a length on this. There's agreement among those involved that we won't be arguing over your choice," Severus declared.

"I love you, but the Weasley genes aren't going to be involved in this," Fred announced with a nod.

Hermione breathed and nodded. "Probably best."

"So, shall we talk about specifics?" Remus asked.

Hermione sat up and breathed. "Alright, what shall we do?"

"That's where we get to hammer out the specifics," Sirius declared. "If you allow it, one of us would gladly take care of it for you. You would only have to ask."

"Wait, you're asking me to choose?" Hermione scowled.

"Why wouldn't you choose the father of your child?" Severus asked.

Hermione stared at each of them before shaking her head. "I'm not going to make this decision. That's ridiculous."

"Wait. What?" Sirius choked.

Hermione stood from her seat and reached for her wine glass. "What would be the purpose of choosing someone and forcing them into this situation? It's ridiculous and barbaric."

"We all die if you don't," Fred huffed.

She stood up and felt the alcohol hit her legs. She was well on her way to being drunk. "I suppose that means one of you will have to choose to make that decision," Hermione voiced before swigging her glass and walking away from the sofa.

"Why can't you just tell us who you would prefer? It would make that expeditiously easier," Severus replied.

Hermione groaned as she fumbled toward the fireplace. "I don't know how to answer that question honestly."

"And why not?" Remus asked.

The witch stared at the flames and sipped her glass. The room was silent as she leaned onto the brink above the crackling fire. "It's like being asked to choose a favorite word. I couldn't," she murmured.

"What?" Sirius spat.

"For the first time in my life, I feel secure. You're asking me preferences for something I don't have one of. Part of me knew that what I said at the Burrow was truthful. I didn't see myself being pulled in any one direction because all of you continuously gave me what I never knew I needed."

Each of the wizards in question stared at each other. None of them saw this result. Well, aside from Sirius. He was giddy as he pushed down his smirk. "Love," he began while standing. "What a grand scheme."

Hermione looked back at the animagus and scowled. "What do you mean, Sirius?"

"You don't want to choose, and we aren't going to make you. So by default, you want group participation!"

The witch struggled to pace back to a seat, only to stumble. Remus launched to assistance and caught the sloshed witch in his arms. "Slow down," he reminded her.

Hermione breathed as Remus sat her down in the armchair. "What are you talking about, Sirius?"

"I'm not fucking you, Black," Severus grimaced.

Sirius snorted and waved his hand. "In your dreams, Snivellus. I meant her."

"This wine is clogging my ears. Did Sirius suggest an orgy?" Fred snickered.

"What a concept. Polyamorous on top of a child, I think not," Hermione huffed as she finished her wine.

"Well, why not? You clearly want to shag three of the four wizards in the room," Sirius mused as he grinned. "Some more than others."

Remus shifted on his feet. "It would end this uncomfortable conversation."

"Why is it making you uncomfortable? Nervous to shag a pretty witch?" Fred retorted with a sneer.

"This has quickly gone from being romantic to gritty fast," Hermione huffed as she set her empty glass down.

Sirius pointed to Severus. "You both have a bit of steam, yes?"

Severus arched an eyebrow. "I believe so."

"Well, I know Moony would about do anything for her if she asked. I already told her I'd marry her so the bugger will be taken care of. I think it's pretty clear," Sirius declared with a nod.

"You what?" Remus growled. "Padfoot, don't tell me you were sneaky about this."

"I wasn't, I was being pragmatic," Sirius sighed. "She needs all of us, whether you like it or not, Moony."

"Okay," Hermione conceded. "Then what do we do now? I'm most certainly not in the mood to get a jump on this tonight."

Remus snapped his vision toward Hermione. "You're in agreement with this plan? I would have thought you'd choose."

"Remus, I'm not going to choose. I don't want to. I'd rather not think of this as a means to an end. It makes the idea of wanting this child to seem selfish in our circumstances. Wouldn't you agree?" Hermione sighed before yawning.

"Hermione, you want me to help you get up to bed? Give these wankers time to talk?" Fred offered as he stood up.

"Oh, Freddy, you know just what to do," Hermione sighed as she fumbled to climb from the chair.

Sirius nodded at the Weasley while he wrapped her arm around his shoulder. "Good night, love. Sleep it off and think on it with some clarity."

"I will. Good night," She murmured.

There were a few other farewells mumbled before the witch and Fred left the room. The three left over were settling back in their seats. "She just left it open," Remus mused.

"Another interesting choice from that witch. I've been amused with her since our return," Severus declared.

"Is this plausible? Does she know what she's asking?" Remus questioned.

Sirius rocked his head while relaxing against the sofa. "Yes, I think she does. We better get used to living together," he teased.

"Joke all you like, Black, but that means we all will be responsible for her wellbeing," Severus noted.

"We have been this whole time! Whether you like it or not, we all play a part in her finding magic again," Sirius snapped.

Remus reached out for the abandoned chocolate on the tray. "Then, we need ground rules?" He spoke before popping the chocolate in his mouth.

"Rules? Do we have to have rules for shagging her? You've been telling me for the last couple of weeks to hold off. I'm not about to write lines for this, Moony," Sirius growled as he folded his arms.

"This isn't just about between the sheets, Black. This is about the commitment to the circumstance. If she wants us all to be at her disposal, then we have to respect space," Severus retorted with a severe glower.

The werewolf agreed as his head rocked. "True enough, Severus. This is new territory."

"Common living spaces are on the forbidden list," Snape grumbled.

"Agreed," Sirius huffed. "Bathrooms excluded?"

"Yes," Remus mumbled as he scrubbed his face. "Remind me, is anyone else a bit uncomfortable by this concept?"

"I welcome the experience," Severus smirked. "I don't have to say no."

"No one does," Sirius said.

"Sirius," Remus mumbled.

The animagus bobbed his head. "I know, I'm here. I won't let you get all wolfy on her."

"Please, Lupin, try not to bite her again?" Severus asked as his expression eased.

"I won't," Remus voiced with a nod. "If it gets too much, Sirius knows what to do."

Severus scowled as he scratched his stubble. "You both communicate well?"

Sirius rolled his shoulders. "Not our first quidditch game, Snape. We know the playbook."

"Alright, then we have a clear boundary. The rest is up to her," Severus nodded.


Hermione awoke on that Saturday to being alone. Had last night really happened? It all felt like a blur. What the hell was she thinking? Well, she knew what she was thinking. Hermione was honest about her feelings. Not one of them was the sole captivator of her interests. Was that selfish? Was it wrong?

A knock at the door provoked her attention outward. "Come in," she grumbled.

Severus slid into the room and crossed his arms over his chest when reaching her bed. "Are you ill?"

"No," Hermione groaned. "Yes, I feel like I was trampled," she corrected.

"May I?" He gestured to the bed.

Hermione rocked her head and sat up. "Can I at least have my tea before you berate me?"

"Berate you? Do you think I'd come up here for that? What a queer thought," Severus snorted.

"We both know this is insane," Hermione sighed.

Severus turned on the blankets to stretch out his long legs. "Well, it isn't ancient runes to be sure."

"Don't mock me, I'm serious," she winced at the pun.

"In fact, I'm not mocking you. I clearly agreed with what you were saying. However, I believe that you're overlooking a factor," he retorted with a bit of smugness creeping into his expression.

Hermione groaned and pressed her head against his arm. "What?"

"You care about each individual you brought back. Every one of us gave you pieces to yourself you've been missing and that you need. You cannot choose what are of equal measure. Even the Weasley boy gives you something- a reconnection to his family. It doesn't have to be romantic to be love."

"Did you ask yourself if this was a morning conversation, Severus?" Hermione huffed.

Severus smirked and chanced, running his fingers through her hair as he adjusted. "I've been up since half-past six."

Hermione closed her eyes as she rested against his chest. "Where're the others?"

"Lupin is sulking, and Sirius is snoring in his room. The Weasley boy went to work," Snape replied.

"Why is Remus sulking?"

The Potion Master rolled his eyes. "I doubt anything will be right with him until he has a private audience with you. He wears his guilt with a heavy robe."

Hermione pulled away and scowled up at him. "Why aren't you sulking?"

"Because unlike Lupin, I know your choices are your own. I deserve what you give because I give something in return," Severus smirked with a shrug.

The witch's brows tensed and tightened as she glanced at the door. "He doesn't understand what I receive from him?"

"Not in the least, and it's been enjoyable to watch him fumble around like a child with too much candy," Severus responded in a jovial tone.

"That's not funny," Hermione grumbled.

"Oh, I beg to differ. He is logical and keen, but nothing gives me more enjoyment than observing someone in the throws of love and fearing it."

Her eyes met his dark orbs. They were calculated and sharp but held mirth. "Your happiness is not in his failure, but the enlightening fact that he still makes human error."

Snape nodded and breathed. "To be human is to error, Hermione. A beast would take without concern to give. It shows his humanity by his internal war against what is good for him. He would have taken the fruit from forbidden trees if he did not live by his constant human instinct to question why."

Her lips peeled apart as she scowled. "You respect him?"

"Yes," Severus said with a nod. "I may not state that to him, but I do."

"And Sirius?"

Snape grimaced as he reached out to touch her face. "He and I are coming to an agreement."

"Is this your way of telling me that this is the state of affairs now?"

"Yes."

Hermione chewed her lips and inhaled through her nose. "Alright, but I'm not going to be some easy witch, Severus. I refused to be treated as a tart passed around from one to the next without consideration."

"Consideration of?" He asked.

"My body, my mind, and my heart. There's no book written on how this will work out, but I refuse to jump into bed with all of you for the sake of our lives."

"Then, your restrictions are?"

Hermione maneuvered to sit on her calves and tilted her head. "I need to have a bit of tradition in this mess. I need some milestones to be reached. If this is the future and there's no going back, then I want to know that everyone involved has feelings of respect, care, and affection."

"That's quite fair. Are you expecting to be wooed? That we must wait like boys in school for secret kisses in the halls or heated moments in empty classrooms?" Severus snickered with a devilish grin.

Hermione's cheeks bloomed with color. "Don't tease me. Sex isn't the only thing I require."

It was a quick reaction. Severus plucked the witch from her neutral station and pressed her to the mattress. His long fingers pressed her arm above her head as his free hand glided over her neck. "Sex? Who said anything about sex? Intimacy is a different subject, as you had stated previously to Black."

Hermione squirmed and puffed as he forced her to stare up at him. "That's not what this is," she murmured.

Severus smiled as his fingers caressed her cheek. "If I wanted to fuck you, Hermione, believe me, I would have done so. I want you to want it more than I first. After all, I'm still Slytherin."

"You always were a controlling," she paused when he bent closer to her.

"I know," he whispered. "But then again, so did you."

Hermione swallowed and attempted to slow the moment down. "You enjoy bantering. Is that your foreplay?"

Severus chuckled. A real, authentic laugh from the rigid man himself. "Yes, it's intriguing to see a woman so determined and fierce. It's attractive and a challenge."

"Is that the only thing you take pleasure in with our situation?"

"No, but it is a suitable additive. Hermione, I won't have you until you beg me to take you. I'm not like your Gryffindor wizards. They would be happy to have you in any capacity. I want release."

"Severus, I have to get up," Hermione huffed.

The Potion Master removed himself from her space and stood up. "Then I shall go finish breakfast," he mused while straightening his jumper.

Hermione sat up and watched the wizard cross the room. "We'll finish this topic later?" She asked.

He glanced back while smiling with a hint of mischief. "If you want, then yes."

"Yes," she sighed while nodding.

Severus left the room, and Hermione collapsed back to the blankets. Her entire world was this new adventure and now… well, she had more than enough reason to indulge just a little, right? With few answers, she climbed from her mattress and snatched up her robe. She knew exactly who to talk to about this. After all, he was the king of indulging. In what capacity, well, she would have to ask.