The Search Is Over,
Chapter 148, A Playdate To Remember
It was one of those rare days when Kreacher and Regulus didn't have to rise right away to check on what the children were up to. This was because the twins had a Saturday playdate at the Snapes' with their daughter Serpensortia and Albus and Bera's son, Wulfric.
Though Wulfric was nearly five years older, he got on well with the other three children. It was comforting to know that an older child was there to keep an eye on things and keep the younger ones safe. Wulfric was a studious yet friendly and sociable child. Regulus and Kreacher liked him quite a lot. Both believed he would be a great wizard someday just as their own Loughness would.
Of course they had equally high expectations for Serpensortia and Hydra. All the children showed great promise and it was wonderful that they'd struck up a close friendship as it meant they could grow their skills together.
Today, Kreacher and Regulus had time to work on their own friendship with no children to see to and they began this process before rising from bed.
"Good evening," Regulus murmured against the soft skin of Kreacher's lips as the elf pressed close, twining his arms around Regulus's neck as he slid his fangs into his throat.
"Ummm," Kreacher agreed.
Regulus felt himself stir as Kreacher drew slowly on his jugular. Running a hand down Kreacher's back, he arched beneath him. Kreacher's tongue flicked out, tantalizing the skin of Regulus's neck as he drank. The sound this elicited from Regulus was nearly desperate.
"Please," Regulus managed and Kreacher detached his fangs to slide lower.
They'd fallen asleep after a night of passion, so were still naked. This meant that there were no bothersome clothes in the way when Kreacher slid low enough to take Regulus's erection into his mouth.
"Love you," Regulus managed, before all words abandoned his mind as Kreacher's fangs sank into his shaft. As he drew on Regulus's erection, he satisfied his own blood lust, which also felt amazing. Waves of pleasure assaulted Regulus's body and mind simultaneously. He may have forgotten his own name, but he eventually recalled Kreacher's as he spilled into the elf's mouth.
"Gods, you're amazing," he managed weakly after several seconds.
Kreacher gave a low chuckle as he made his way back up to snuggle in at Regulus's side.
"Kreacher is...yes," he murmured distractedly.
His lips were pleasantly red, and the tantalizing sight had Regulus stirring once again. Grasping his hand, Kreacher placed it insistently on his still unsatisfied erection. With a chuckle, Regulus kissed him before sliding lower in the bed to have his own blood breakfast.
The two were snuggled together simply enjoying the aftermath and a bit of quiet when a banging on their bedroom door caused both to start. Whatever was the matter, Regulus wondered, sitting up in bed to stare at the closed door.
"Yes," he called out questioningly.
"I'm coming in!"
The voice which called back through the door belonged to Hydra. Kreacher and Regulus hastily drew the blankets even higher to cover their naked shoulders as the door burst open.
"Daddies! It isn't fair. Severus is evil," Hydra began her tirade, not even bothering with a greeting.
"He spanked all of us and I didn't even do anything. I should not have gotten spanked, because I didn't do anything," she reiterated.
"Why are you still in bed," she demanded, at last appearing to take in her surroundings.
"We were just sleeping in while you had your play date," Regulus said.
"What happened, then?"
Hydra scowled.
"I just told you," she said, speaking slowly as if to someone who may not be extremely intelligent.
"Severus spanked everyone! Especially Sortia and Loughness. He put both of them over his knee in turn and drum rolled on their asses!"
"Hydra! Don't swear," Regulus snapped.
She frowned down her Kreacher like nose at him, tossing her long black hair.
"Grandmother says ass. She says never to say arse, because it's classless, but we never would say arse, because who does that? Daddies, were you listening about me being spanked when I didn't even do anything?"
Regulus sighed as Kreacher's eyes narrowed.
"Severus is not the sort to spank an innocent child, Kreacher thinks. Hydra should tell more," he said.
"Well...It started when Sortia and Loughness wanted to play potions. They knew what they wanted to mix and Wulfric and I didn't really care so much about playing potions so we just watched them.
When they decided to use this one ingredient, Wulfric told them not to use it all, and he stopped them just in time before the bottle was empty but that didn't spare him. Severus spanked him too, but he didn't spank either of us like he did Loughness and Sortia. He just popped us a few times on the behind while we were still standing up. He didn't drum roll on us."
She frowned in open disapproval.
"It still hurt, though, and it was unfair."
"Did he believe you were all playing potions," Regulus asked, still attempting to put the entire story together.
Hydra shook her head.
"No. He knew Wulfric and I weren't playing. He spanked Wulfric because Wulfric said he did good by saving some of the very rare ingredient, but Severus said saving barely any at all doesn't count and that he should've stopped them from using any of it. He said Wulfric knew better and as the eldest should not have allowed them to use anything in their potions game without checking with him first."
"Did he explain why he spanked you," Regulus asked.
Hydra nodded, her frown deepening.
"Yes but the reason was very unfair! He spanked me because I didn't do anything. He said I should've come and told him that Sortia was using his potions ingredients." He was really upset about the explosion Sortia and Loughness's potion made but even more so about that one ingredient."
"What was it," Kreacher wondered, expression suddenly both curious and amused.
"I don't remember," Hydra said.
"It had a long odd name that I've never heard before. I think it was some ground herb, though. It is supposed to be very rare and very expensive and even worse for Sortia and Loughness very hard to find. Probably worse for the two of you as well, because Severus expects you to help pay for replacements. He said so."
They had plenty of money, so this was not a concern for Kreacher and Regulus. Neither commented, however, because they didn't want the children to feel that money could simply be thrown around irresponsible.
"So? Are you going to tell Severus that he was bad for spanking me," Hydra demanded.
"Indeed not," Kreacher said firmly.
"Hydra should not have allowed things to get out of control while she watched on. It was not at all responsible."
"I did not know things would explode," Hydra snapped indignantly.
"Someone could have been hurt," Kreacher said, fixing her with his best severe stare.
"And Hydra did know that Sortia and Loughness were doing something of which Severus would not approve, did she not?"
"Yes, I suppose, but I didn't think any harm would come of it, and I wasn't even truly certain that Severus would mind! He didn't have to spank me or Wulfric."
"He did if you were to remember for next time," Regulus said.
Suddenly, Regulus recalled overhearing a bit of conversation when hunting on a Muggle street a few years back. Some parents were now suddenly strongly against spankings even when they were required, believing it did more harm than good. Likely Hydra and Wulfric would feel the same when they were adults and had children of their own. Then again, perhaps as they grew, they would change their minds about that and find the wisdom in a bit of firm discipline. when required.
"Kreacher believes the fuss over spankings likely began because some wicked Muggles went too far, actually harming their children rather than simply applying a spanking to the bottom. Striking them on other parts of the body such as the face."
Hydra looked startled.
"What?"
"Kreacher is sorry. He was responding to a thought from Hydra's other father," the elf explained.
Hydra frowned.
"Reading minds is weird."
Kreacher nodded.
"Kreacher knows. He tries not to, but if a thought is particularly loud or intense he can not always help it."
He smiled.
"And he very much likes the way Master Regulus's mind looks. He enjoys seeing the way Master Regulus thinks about things. In some ways Hydra's mind works in similar patterns," he concluded, giving her a warm smile.
Hydra smiled back, momentarily pleased by the compliment. Her smile vanished as quickly as it had come, though, and she set both of her parents with a frown.
"So you approve of my spanking?"
Kreacher and Regulus exchanged a look and Kreacher shrugged.
"We could've gone either way, but we understand Severus's reasoning and motivation. He is a trusted family friend, and when in his care, we have already given him permission to discipline you as he sees fit if you transgress. He is not one to generally apply spankings so in the future, respect his potions ingredients," Regulus said.
"He trusted you lot to behave else he'd have warded them, so I am certain each of you disappointed him greatly."
Hydra squirmed, at last looking uncomfortable.
"Oh," she said in a small voice.
"May I go now?"
Regulus's lips twitched.
"Certainly. Where is Loughness?"
Hydra shrugged. She opened the bedroom door and poked her head out.
"LOUGHNESS," she shouted, causing Kreacher and Regulus to cringe and cover their sensitive vampire ears.
"What?"
The reply was resentful sounding and came from the direction of Loughness's room.
"Nothing," Hydra called back, not quite as loudly.
"The daddies just wanted to know where you were."
"Thank you, Hydra," Regulus said, giving her a smile.
"You are welcome," she said sulkily.
'I am going to my room now."
She closed the door behind her and Regulus sighed.
"I suppose we should check on Loughness."
Kreacher nodded and the two got dressed. before exiting their bedchamber. Loughness's door was half open so Regulus knocked once before he and Kreacher stepped inside. Loughness sat on the edge of his bed, flipping through a book.
"We heard you got into a bit of potions trouble with Sortia," Regulus said.
"We were just making a potion," Loughness said darkly.
"Severus spanked me and Sortia and we both cried, but I'm finished crying now. I decided that he can apologize to us by taking us somewhere special. I just haven't decided where yet."
Regulus and Kreacher were momentarily speechless. Never had either heard of an adult needing to make up for a justified punishment. Loughness was truly a unique child if there ever was one, and they had created him together.
"Wulfric is really mad," Loughness continued conversationally.
"He said he's going to be a Slytherin next year when he begins at Hogwarts, and screw everyone over because he is unappreciated."
Regulus couldn't help it. He let out an incredulous laugh.
"He said he was trying to do the right thing by making sure we didn't use all of that stupid herb and because Severus didn't appreciate it, he's done being helpful.
Regulus laughed again. He knew he shouldn't consider the situation amusing, but he couldn't help it.
"Well as long as the boy is set on the right path," Kreacher said with a shrug and small smile.