The sound of rain's pitter-patter on the windows was what pulled her from the deep sleep, her limbs languid and muscles aching in places she didn't know how to begin stretching out. She buried her face in the pillow with a groan, realising it was Sunday already and they would have to go back to the realities of their world outside this lovely place.
Her arm reached out to feel the bed beside her for her mate but came up empty with only wrinkled sheets for companion. There was a moment when panic squeezed her heart and she wanted to rush out to find her but instead honed her hearing in and spotted the sounds coming from the kitchen around the corner from the bedroom. She let out a deep breath and sank back into the mattress, turning over to lay on her back and stretch properly.
The past three days had been a wonder. The nervous energy before their mating turned into a night she would never forget. The moon had been so bright, the magic of the circle and the welcome into the Parkinson family and magic blessed by the Goddess. They were truly mated, and after the powerful magic subsided and the harpy within her was appeased to be bonded to her mate, it was just the two of them for the rest of the night. The runes kept them protected from wildlife and warm throughout the night as they rested in-between making love, each act of pleasure and subsequent orgasm an offering to the magical circle. They barely managed to stagger a few steps away from the circle before apparating straight inside the house and falling to bed in exhaustion. They slept through most of the day Friday, bodies and magic exhausted from the exertions of the previous night, only rising to clean up and fuel their bodies in between resting.
She groaned, realising her bladder would not take no for an answer and shuffled into the adjoining bathroom, hissing at the cold toilet seat and trying to wrestle her curls into a semblance of a plait as she peed. She still felt a bit uneasy about yesterday but at least they knew what to expect when they returned to the real world. Saturday had brought with it a challenge. They needed to find out how far the new bond would stretch, so Pansy decided to head to the nearest town to buy them a couple of cakes to have with their coffee that afternoon.
Hermione had felt her absence keenly, the creature within her still wanting her mate as close as possible with their bonding so fresh, but she managed to stay still and distract herself by going for a fast walk in the small patch of woods. After casting a magical barrier to repel muggles and hide herself from view, she dropped her shirt and let her wings out, practicing their movement and strength as she soared up nearly to the tree line. She was still a little unsteady but she could now fly fairly well, and even practiced lift off with a stone that easily weighed fifty pounds - successfully. Feeling a bit sore and tired after the flight, she had returned only to find Pansy looking anxious and holding the note she left behind. It was clear that their magic and bond were still quite fresh and they would both feel the separation anxiety a while longer.
"Morning," Pansy nudged the door open with her hip, carrying a large teapot and floating a tray up to the bed just as the brunette returned to the bedroom.
Hermione admired the curve of her body, now so familiar to her, and the little pink marks left behind by her eager lips in a few places. "Good morning," she greeted and scooted back, unbothered by the blanket barely covering her hips as she settled back against the pillows to make space for the tray.
"I can't believe it's Sunday already," Pansy sighed and slipped in beside her, allowing herself to be pulled into a gentle kiss, her usually stern lips stretching into a soft smile.
"Me neither, a part of me thinks another week would be helpful," Hermione admitted as she reached for the teapot and poured them each a cup, adding a dash of milk into both and half a spoon of sugar into her own.
Pansy picked up her phone and scrolled through her itinerary for the week thoughtfully. "You know I kept this week light and I could do some of these meetings on FaceTime…." she mused.
Hermione contemplated it for a moment as she reached for the cut up apple. "How will we explain being away at the same time without drawing too much attention to ourselves though?" she pointed out.
Pansy reached for her cigarettes and lit one up, exhaling the plume of smoke towards the window to her right which was cracked open to take the smoke out. "Well, we could always go to the continent, just for different reasons and on different days," she pointed out.
The planning didn't take long. Hermione called Neville to let him know of the development, pleased when he confirmed they will help them get some more time. The story was that she was traveling to France and Germany to do some more research and pick up some useful ingredients for the experimental lab and for his greenhouse, as he's been the head botanist for this line of products. Kyra was on board, agreeing to keep things off email and get in touch with video calls as and when she was able to work.
Pansy simply called Constance and let her know she was going to extend her leave to go see some friends in Aix-en-Provence for a couple of days before staying in France to attend the launch of the new Lancôme product line she had been invited to a few weeks back. It was the perfect cover, and it would allow them to test the bond for more than an hour of separation throughout the week with Pansy's two events, and Hermione's visit to Bavaria and the Black Forest for ingredients to bring back home with her. It was ambitious to pull off but it would give them until Wednesday morning to hole up in Pansy's house in France and have some time to themselves and then until Saturday to come back to Britain, hopefully more settled.
"Thanks, Constance. I'll rely on you to hold the fort in my absence," Pansy smiled, her assistant's voice clear and bright despite it being Sunday morning.
"Of course, I'll email across your amended itinerary on Monday," she promised and clicked off with a final goodbye.
"That is one formidable young woman," Hermione pointed out.
Pansy smiled proudly. "She started out so young but her talent is unrivalled. And her loyalty is very much valued. I honestly don't know what I would do without her," she admitted.
What she wasn't aware of was that by the time they finished their breakfast, a WhatsApp message reached a man whom she hoped not to have to deal with for a long while.
"TWINS?!" Hermione nearly dropped her phone when she heard the news, hearing the happy laugh from Kyra when she finally managed to right herself. "As in two babies?"
"Yes, Hermione, that is what twins usually means," she teased the brilliant witch, looking a bit more rosy in the cheeks and happy, despite still leaning against the pillows at her back.
"But how did they miss it?" She asked, taking a seat on the plush bench, hiking up the long dress so she could cross her legs comfortably.
She shrugged. "Couldn't see it well on the sono and the magical test only says positive or negative with little else. I went for another check up to the muggle friend of yours, and he confirmed there are two. I had Poppy check if she can tell as well and it's thumbs up all around."
"No wonder you've been feeling so terrible, your body is dealing with two parasites," Hermione pointed out thoughtfully.
Kyra snorted. "That's exactly what the doctor said. I thought he was being rude at first but apparently my body is reacting this way because it feels like there are two intruders to my usual balance, so my blood pressure is none-existent and I can hardly keep anything down. Honestly, Neville has been so good to me. Even began growing bananas so I can eat those, and all I've been fancying is rice pudding and mangos," she admitted with a little self-deprecating smile.
"There's an amazing supermarket here ran by a Vietnamese couple. Fancy some frozen mango treats?" Hermione asked with an amused smile at the sight of her friend's face brightening so much.
"Yes please! When are you back by the way?" She asked.
They'd taken the decision to give Kyra something else to focus on and told her the full truth of her and Pansy's situation, and ever since the young Potions Mistress had been impatient for her to come back and show her the wings and talk about her trip.
"In a couple of days. But first, I need to pick a dress," she sighed, already feeling the headache coming on. "You ready to help?" She asked.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to get us distracted. Show me this one?" She suggested and Hermione leaned her phone on the shelf on the wall and stepped back to show off the full length silver gown.
Pansy was attending one of the events she needed to, so Hermione decided to do a bit of shopping for a dress for the upcoming gala where they would be announcing their relationship. And who better to help than Kyra with her discerning eye and need to escape the boredom?
"I don't like the sequins," Kyra shook her head dismissively.
Hermione sighed and went back into the changing room, coming back out in another piece, a lovely navy gown that sat high on the neckline in the front but swooped into an open back. "I like the way this sits but not sure it's the right dress for the occasion," Hermione fussed as she twirled on the pedestal in the middle, looking this way and that before turning to see Kyra's reaction.
The blonde nodded in agreement. "I think you're right. This would be great for a Christmas gala or one of the winter balls but perhaps not for this one. Do you have anything black in the pile you took to the changing room?" She asked.
"Does the Earth rotate around the sun?" Hermione asked with a cheeky grin, the answer far too obvious.
"Then put that one on. You wear black so well, it suits your colouring and keeps it simple while your other assets shine," she pointed to the mass of wild curls piled atop Hermione's head.
"I should have tried a suit instead…" Hermione mumbled to herself.
"Now that I would like to see!" Kyra called after her, waiting patiently for her friend to emerge. When she did, she tried not to laugh at the pinched expression on Hermione's face. "I mean…"
"Don't," Hermione raised her hand and turned around, looking at the back. "I mean there's a good side of the 90s and a bad one, and this is definitely in the latter category," she mused. The black velvet initially drew her in but the construction was all wrong.
"Can I see you in a suit now? Or a tux maybe?" Kyra suggested.
Hermione wasn't happy with having to shop around for hours but she would get this right. If they were doing this, then she would make sure to feel as good as she can on the night. For Pansy.
"Right, let me get changed. Thankfully this is Berlin, I think there's a young designer with some suits and tuxedos on the corner of the street," she hiked up the edge of the skirt and headed back to the changing room for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Remind me, how did I get so lucky again?" Pansy whispered in her ear as they waited in line to enter the ballroom.
Hermione grinned and raised a brow, her burgundy lips stretching into a pleased grin. "For some reason you fancied a scarred potions mistress with hair big enough to eat you," she mused, though the beast was tamed for the night in an elegant up-do with only a few curls framing her face.
They'd agreed to come out as a couple in style. Pansy looked sharp and radiant in an elegant black silk gown that sculpted her toned curves. Hermione's favourite was the elegant little cut that allowed for the occasional hint of knee and thigh as she walked. Pansy Parkinson was gorgeous and she bloody well knew it.
Hermione had surprised her with her choice of a well-fitted feminine tux, as Pansy had previously seen her mostly in elegant dresses, but it was undeniable that the sharp lines of the black trousers and blazer fit perfectly, and the details with the red-soled Louboutins, red lipstick and small garnet earrings showed her Gryffindor side. Individually they were certainly captivating. Together, they were a sight to behold.
"My gorgeous potions mistress with hair that will try to bite me later," she murmured softly to not be overheard.
"Ready?" Hermione asked as the couple in front of them entered and they were up.
Pansy took her hand in hers and squeezed gently until Hermione looked at her and they smiled at each other just as their names were called and they stepped into the ballroom.
They stood still for a couple of photographs, the flash blinding as they ignored questions from reporters before stepping inside and making their way around to find their seats. "Oh thank Merlin," Pansy murmured when she spotted Draco and Astoria at their table, as well as a couple of their colleagues from Switzerland.
"Madame Granger," a dear colleague who ran his own beauty business greeted them warmly first, Pansy indulging Astoria in a big hug, the blonde smiling brightly at her.
"Jean-Luc, Hermione please," she reminded him and kissed his cheek before they moved along the table, and she offered Lady Malfoy her hand. "Lovely to see you again, Lady Malfoy," she offered, keeping a pleasant smile on for the flashing cameras.
"You too, Madame Granger, we're happy Pansy finally brought you to meet us," Astoria offered, giving Pansy a pointed look she ignored with a roll of her eyes.
Draco stepped up next and shook her hand firmly. "Granger," he greeted simply.
"Malfoy," she nodded, seeing him regarding her with curiosity, his gaze travelling the path of her scars.
She didn't care, Malfoy was no longer the frightened boy who bullied her, and she wasn't the annoying little know-it-all who challenged his worldview. They were both adults and she hoped they could get along without trouble.
Dinner was...interesting to say the least. Pansy was humouring Astoria who chatted about the children and the latest gossip, holding onto Hermione's hand under the table for comfort as the brunette engaged with the other side of the table and discussed the latest potions discoveries with Jean-Luc.
It was when the time for dancing was announced by a change in the music that Hermione felt a slight shift in the Malfoys as the two couples headed for the dancefloor.
"How are you so far?" Pansy asked softly to not be overheard as Hermione took the lead and swept her into a turn and back towards her chest.
"Manageable. I feel like the Malfoys have something up their sleeve," she mused, not sure if she was reading them correctly.
"I wouldn't be surprised. Astoria is laying it on thick," she sighed.
"Of course she is, they love you, you know?" Hermione pointed out, her nose touching Pansy's cheek gently as she swallowed the instinct to nuzzle her mate and hide her from the flashing cameras.
Pansy knew that on some level, but still wondered whether there would come a time when the couple would stop supporting her decisions as they were throwing them into the controversy of her life as well. She knew Draco worked hard to rebuild the Malfoy name after the war and Astoria being her dear friend wasn't exactly popular. She wondered when he would make his opinion known but Draco wasn't one to be pushed. He would speak when he was ready.
And as if on cue, Hermione felt a gentle tap at her shoulder as the song concluded, noticing none other than Draco Malfoy at her elbow. She stepped aside to give him space to take Pansy for a dance but instead he extended his hand to her. Astoria took Pansy's hand and drew her to the edge of the dancefloor to get more drinks while Hermione had no choice but to accept the blond's hand and allowed herself to be led into an easy waltz they could probably both do in their sleep.
"Go ahead, I can just see you are bursting to say whatever it is you have to say to me," she kept a polite smile on her face and moved her lips as little as possible as he twirled her elegantly.
"Gryffindors…" he muttered but his smile was oddly amused rather than condescending. "Very well. What are your intentions with Pansy?" he asked straight up, seeing that was the only way to go with the Potions Mistress.
"That depends on what day you catch either of us on. Mostly good though her dry wit does get her into trouble sometimes," she replied cleverly, seeing his lips tick up into an amused smile before he could suppress the instinct.
"My wife tells me this is the part where I threaten your wellbeing if you hurt Pansy, but we have enough of a history for me to remember the feel of your right hook. I assume it has only gotten better with age?" he drawled.
"You bet it did," she said almost sweetly. "Look, no need for threats. Pansy is it for me," she said softly but with full seriousness in her tone, her voice drawing his attention down to look at her and nod in acknowledgement. "I'll love her, support her, work with her to help make her ambitions and dreams come true. I wouldn't expect any less of myself as her partner. What I do expect from her friends is to actually let her know they love her because right now she is likely wondering whether you will support her choices. And that's a shame after three decades of friendship between you," she pointed out.
His gaze slipped past her shoulder to look at his friend who was listening to his wife with one ear while keeping an eye on them carefully without being too obvious about it.
"I should hope that is a given," he answered, raising a brow at her in challenge.
"When was the last time you provided clear reassurance?" she countered. "Call me a Gryffindor
but at least we are blunt when we need to be," she shrugged as he twirled her carefully, his hand politely settling on her waist again. "Congratulations by the way, Astoria is looking radiant. How far along is she?" she asked softly, changing the subject completely and putting him on the backfoot.
His gaze narrowed. "How did you-" he paused, his gaze falling to the scars on her face and neck almost accusingly. He probably suspected she had some sort of magical senses or creature power to know.
Hermione just barely managed not to roll her eyes. "She's pretending to drink cocktails but they are alcohol-free, and she touched her stomach subconsciously in protection as she leaned for one of the dishes. I doubt anyone else noticed but the signs are there if you're looking."
Draco was silent for a few moments as the songs changed and he pulled her a little closer for a slower number. "We just found out, she's about eight weeks along so we are not sharing the news just yet in case there are...complications," he finally admitted.
"Your secret is safe with me. I wouldn't take the joy of telling Pansy from Astoria or yourself," she promised and they lapsed into silence again, finishing their dance smoothly.
"We shall be seeing more of you around then, Granger," he bowed slightly in respect.
Instead of curtsying, she nodded in acknowledgment of the gesture and allowed him to take her hand and lead her to the edge of the dancefloor to their partners. Pansy tried to hide the anxiety at their exchange and the relief of getting a break from Astoria's chatter. Hermione squeezed her hand reassuringly before bringing it up to her lips to kiss her palm in a reassuring gesture.
"I'll be right back," she promised and headed for the ladies, glad to grab a moment of peace for herself in the deserted bathroom, hearing the dancing resuming and chatter outside in the main hall.
Her instincts suddenly reared up and the fine hairs at the back of her neck stood on end. But she wasn't quick enough, only hatching a glimpse of a dark figure before pain bloomed in her head and she slumped to the floor, unaware of her surroundings.