20 Mar 1999
"I'll see you tonight, love," Severus said to Hermione as he pressed a kiss to her lips.
It was the morning of the Spring Equinox and Snape was letting Hermione and Draco leave for the weekend so they could perform the Ostara ritual with Lucius as the moon rose that evening and she was beyond grateful. Professor McGonagall had approved their leave and had told her she better return alive.
"You two are nauseating," Draco said, already opening the jar containing the Floo powder. "You're not going to be disgusting tonight, are you?"
"Seeing as how we have a ritual to perform, I doubt we'll have time to annoy you with our affection for each other," Hermione teased him.
After talking things over and reading her letter from Lucius, she still wanted to perform the Ostara ritual and she had asked if Severus could join them. She wanted all of them to be as strong as possible and if this would help him even a tiny bit, she would take it. There was nothing more important than all of them surviving this war.
Severus ignored Draco's words — after their shared night together they had no secrets and Draco knew how she felt about Severus— looking between them, his face was serious. "You two are ready for this. Your Occlumency shields are strong and as long as you act as you did before, the Dark Lord will have no reason to question you. And I will confirm that you have large projects if anyone asks why you're studying so much. No one there has taken R.A.V.E.N. courses so they won't know what to expect."
"Hopefully they'll leave us alone while we're in the library," Draco said. "If not, my room is warded and Hermione and I can hang out in there. Plus, it is just overnight. We'll be back here tomorrow so I don't think much will happen. You ready, Granger?"
"As ready as I can be," Hermione said, twisting her hands. "I'm a little worried Dolohov will try to sleep with me. He mentioned it at Christmas. I don't know if he'll be at the manor tonight."
Severus studied her face and she could see the annoyance in his eyes. He had told her he had no issues with the idea of her performing the ritual with Draco and Lucius, and he had been open about how much he liked watching her with other people but for some reason, he tensed whenever the Russian man's name was mentioned. He'd had no problems with Draco after they destroyed the Horcrux, but Antonin seemed to be a thorn in his side.
"Do me a favour," Severus said. "Pretend to be in love with Draco. Dolohov is known for slipping anti-contraceptive potions into women's drinks before he sleeps with them. He likes the idea of impregnating everyone he can."
He walked to the cupboard in his office and pulled out a small phial, handing it to her. It was labelled as an emergency contraceptive. She gave him a questioning look at the unfamiliar brew but put it in her purse. It wasn't like she didn't trust him and she would take whatever he gave her.
"It is meant to be taken the morning after unprotected sex," he explained. "Take one tomorrow morning, just in case. I will brew you more tonight so you have enough for the Easter holiday next week."
The idea of someone sleeping with her without her permission made her skin crawl. But if Bellatrix could control her for months, she had no doubt Antonin could enter her room and remove her memories of it after. She would ward her door and if she still felt unsafe she could always sleep in Draco's room. Merlin knew the beds in that house were large enough to share.
"Thank you, Severus."
She moved towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck before pulling him into a rough kiss. He groaned into her mouth and pressed his tongue against her lips until she opened up to him. Draco made a gagging noise from behind them and she lifted her leg to hook around Severus' hip and began to thrust against him. His hands grabbed her arse and he lifted her, backing her up against the wall.
She was wet and panting when he broke the kiss less than a minute later and placed her firmly back on the ground.
"Be safe, little witch," he said directly into her ear so only she would hear.
"I will," she promised him. She ran her finger down his nose and tapped his lips. "I love you."
"As do I." He raised his voice so it would carry to Draco. "Get out of here before Draco dies of blue balls."
Hermione stepped out of the Floo and into Malfoy Manor and was pleased to see that only Narcissa and Lucius were there to greet them. They hugged their son before Narcissa pressed a kiss to each of her cheeks. When Lucius hugged her, she whispered thanks into his ear for her letter and told him all was forgiven.
She relaxed when he informed them that Voldemort, Antonin, Bellatrix and the Lestrange men were in Russia meeting with some prospective Death Eaters and wouldn't return until after she had Draco had returned to the castle. They had the house to themselves but with so many portraits, she knew they had to keep up appearances. Most of them wouldn't say anything to anyone outside of the family, but they all talked and the one of Abraxas had no qualms about reporting what was happening to the Dark Lord.
She couldn't imagine how hard it was for the Malfoys to not be able to be themselves in their own home. The four of them walked up the stairs and Draco and his father went to his room to deposit his trunk, but Narcissa followed her into the room she thought of as her own in the manor.
Walking into the closet, she placed her beaded bag down and pulled her jumper over her head, leaving herself in a vest and jeans as she began to thumb through the racks of clothes. She settled on a dark blue lace top, her standard leather trousers, and a pair of black heels. She would only be wearing them around the manor, but just having them in her hands made her feel different.
Narcissa wanted to have an elf unback her bag, but Hermione told her she hadn't brought anything that needed to unpack with her except her toothbrush. The closet and bathrooms were always stocked for her. She wanted to ask the older witch about what Severus had learned from her Lucius; if she really did want to break away from the Death Eaters and join Phoenix Rising, but she resisted. She trusted Severus to have made sure that they were telling the truth. Instead, she asked a different question.
"It doesn't bother you that I'll be doing the ritual with Lucius tonight?" she asked.
She had been with Lucius before, but the first time on Halloween they didn't have a choice and the second time, she was the only one that could help the Malfoy men with the ritual. This one seemed different since she had been the one to suggest it. Well, technically Severus was the one that approached Lucius, but she had told him more than once that she thought they should do another one.
"Lucius and I have a very open marriage, my dear," Narcissa told her. "And just because he's going to be with you tonight doesn't mean I'll be alone."
"Peony again?"
"And her husband and his brother Pierre from France." Narcissa winked at her. "I promise you that I will be too busy having my own fun to be worrying about you."
"We've never talked about how you felt about us being together and I didn't want you to think that I was trying to take him from you or…"
Narcissa put her hand on Hermione's face. "As beautiful as you are, I promise you that I have never once worried that you would take him from me. It may not seem like it from the outside, but our love is strong. We just enjoy sex with other people."
"It never bothered you when he'd been with someone else or vice versa?"
"There have been moments, especially in the beginning when I would be jealous, but not anymore. Are you asking because it's something you want to try with Severus?"
"You know about that?" she asked.
"The Dark Lord was most pleased when you were finally successful and told his Inner Circle. Lucius and I have no secrets," she explained.
Hermione felt her cheeks warm as she blushed. It would be nice to tell Narcissa all about how she felt about Severus, but she wasn't sure she was ready to tell anyone besides Ginny how she felt. Well, technically Draco knew how she and Severus felt, but they'd never told him. But it had to be obvious from the way they were around each other. And Draco had made more than one comment about how disgustingly in love they were.
"Even if I wanted to, the number of partners available to me is small," she said cautiously, "but it's always good to get first-hand knowledge of different lifestyles."
Narcissa called the elf Willow to straighten Hermione's hair as soon as she was done changing. She explained that they weren't expecting company tonight but that it wasn't uncommon for a few of their ranks to stop by uninvited for a quick chat around dinner time. It was paramount that they always be on their guard and act as if nothing had changed any time they were in the public parts of the house. The only places that were truly safe were Draco's room and the master bedroom since they were protected by ancient wards that blocked all monitoring charms. And devoid of all portraits.
Narcissa took her by the hand and led her over to the sofas by the fire. She sat down and Hermione joined her. The older witch was quiet for a while, long enough for Hermione to wonder what was wrong. Just when she was about to ask, Narcissa turned towards her.
"I want to apologise for what happened in my home over the summer," she began. "I won't apologise for my sister; her actions are not my own. I found out that you had been brought here just minutes before you joined us at dinner that first night. I should have been stronger and found a way to sneak you out. I should have delivered you to the Weasley's and told them what happened. Will you forgi–"
"Narcissa," Hermione said, cutting her off. "There is nothing to forgive. Yes, you could have done those things, but you have the Dark Lord living in your house. Lucius was in Azkaban and you had to worry about the life of your son. As much as I wish I had been given freedom earlier, I hold no ill-will towards you for not jeopardising your family."
Hermione spoke honestly. She really didn't hold anything against Narcissa. Everything that had happened to her had been because of Bellatrix and Voldemort. She wasn't a mother so she couldn't grasp the deep need Narcissa would have to protect her son, but she knew what it was like to love someone unconditionally. She knew she would go to great lengths, or even let someone else suffer, if it meant Harry or Severus were out of harm's way. It might not be logical, but love seldom was.
Narcissa took her hand and squeezed it. "After dinner, I'll be leaving for the night to go to the Parkinson's and you, Draco, and Lucius will complete the ritual. It's the same one as before but do you have any questions?"
Hermione shook her head. "I remember it."
"Good. Let's head downstairs for brunch. Best not to keep my son waiting when there's food to be had."
Hermione walked into her closet, looking for the ceremonial robe she had donned on the last two rituals she had partaken in. She startled when someone came up behind her and settled their hands on her hips. The smell of Lucius' cologne washed over her and she instantly relaxed. His fingers moved her hair over one shoulder and lips pressed against her neck, causing shivers to run down her spine.
"I'm looking forward to tonight, darling," he whispered in her ear. "It's been far too long."
Heat flushed through her body at his presence. As much as she loved Severus, she still enjoyed being in Lucius' arms and was looking forward to being with both of them and Draco tonight. She had tried to explain it to Ginny but her friend didn't understand that, to Hermione, being with more than one person didn't change her feelings towards Severus. Wanting to sleep with other people didn't make what they shared together any less important. If anything, it made it more important.
"Help me change?" she asked Lucius.
"Of course."
He turned her around and held her steady as she took her heels off and set them back in their place. Lucius opened her trousers and let them fall to the ground before undoing all the hook and eye closures on her top. As soon as it was open he dropped it onto the floor. His hands found her knickers and they joined the rest of their clothes.
Picking her up, he sat her on the table in the middle of the room and pressed kisses to her neck. She moaned and lifted her legs, wrapping them around his hips and pulling him into the cradle of her thighs. His fingers worked their way between them and he began to run his digits up and down her already wet slit.
She turned her head, taking his lower lip between her teeth and biting down gently. His moan filled her mouth as two fingers slid into her. Her back arched and she tugged on his lip, causing him to growl until she released it.
"The things you do to me, darling," he whispered.
Her reply caught in her throat as he began to pump in and out of her, the tips of his fingers finding that place deep inside that drove her mad. His free hand wrapped tighter around her back, pulling her as close to him as possible. It only took a few moments for her pleasure to peak and she cried out as she came.
"Fuck you're gorgeous when you come. I can't wait to see you tonight with all three of us. Are you looking forward to it?"
Hermione could only nod in reply as she tried to catch her breath. Lucius spelled his hand clean then reached up and pushed her hair out of her face. He smiled at her then called one of his elves to come and braid her hair as he stripped his own clothing off and summoned his ceremonial robe.
"Draco said tonight's ceremony will be just like the other one," she said. "Is that true?"
"The ritual is the same but it will feel a little different because Severus will be there. He is not family but our family magic recognises him as Draco's godfather. The power of the ritual changes slightly when you bring another person in."
The elf was done with her hair so she thanked them and Lucius helped her down from the table. He wrapped the robe around her body and secured the tie.
"When things slow down I want to learn more about family magicks. It's so fascinating."
"If there is time during the holiday I will teach you a few things. And you can always owl me questions when you're at school. I know the Hogwarts library doesn't have much information on them because it's all housed in the family libraries. Anyone may read your letters, but it doesn't mean you can't send them. The Dark Lord will not question your motives if you ask about the old magicks."
They began to walk out of the Manor and towards the wooded area that held the ceremonial site. Lucius told her more about the types of magicks that were housed in the family grimoire and for the first time she was jealous that she was not a pureblood. The sheer amount of knowledge that was passed down through the written and spoken word was almost overwhelming.
As they approached the stone circle, movement caught her eye and she saw Severus standing there. He looked so different in his light taupe robe that she had to do a double-take to make sure it was him. As soon as her brain confirmed it was the man she loved, she dropped Lucius' hand and in a very un-Hermione like fashion, ran and jumped into Severus' arms, wrapping her legs around his hips and kissing him deeply. She heard Lucius' chuckle from behind them.
"He must love you to let you jump on him," Lucius teased then laughed harder when Severus sneered at him. "Draco and I will set everything up. You two have five minutes."
"Hi," Severus said, not letting her go. "Have you enjoyed yourself so far?"
"The house is empty, I had a nice day with the Malfoys, then Lucius fingered me in my closet," she told him. "And now you're here. So all in all it's been a good day."
He groaned and she felt the vibration of it. "I'm sorry I missed that last part. I can't wait to see you between all three of us tonight." His hand shifted and he pressed a finger against her arsehole through her robe, rubbing gently. "I want you here tonight, little witch."
"You can have any part of me, Severus."
"You're too good to me."
"I know. Still love you though."
"I love you too." He set her down on the ground and took her by the hand. "Are you ready?"
She nodded. She was more than ready to experience the ritual. Especially now that she was no longer under Bellatrix's hold. As much as she had loved what they had done at Yule, she was positive that this time would feel different because she was in her right mind.
Warmth spread over her as she entered the stone circle, the same as it had on Yule. The fires were already burning and Lucius and Draco were quietly talking next to the stone altar, the ceremonial dagger was sitting on top again. They removed their robes as they approached and the father and son duo shed their own. She held onto Severus' hand as the two Malfoy men renewed the blood wards on the property again. Hermione had been surprised to learn that they renewed them four times a year on the solstice and equinox and they had been doing it for well over nine hundred years.
The power that radiated around them as the blood from their palms dripped to the floor was awe-inspiring and she didn't know if she would ever get used to it.
"Are you two ready?" Lucius asked as they finished that part of the ceremony.
"Yes," Severus answered and pulled Hermione closer to the altar.
He picked up the dagger and made a deep cut in his palm. As the blood pooled into his hands, some of it dripped onto the ground and the wards seemed to shift slightly and she felt an intense pressure for a half-second before it lifted.
"What was that?" she inquired.
"Our family magic is recognising Severus as an ally," Draco explained. "Because he is my godfather, our magic sees him as almost a member of the family, but not quite."
Hermione watched as the three men, starting with Severus, painted runes on her body. Unlike last time where Draco had drawn half and then Lucius the other, this time Severus drew the rune then Draco and Lucius traced over it. As soon as they were done, she picked up the dagger and cut into her palm.
"You start on Severus," Lucius directed her, "and we'll follow after."
Severus gave her a small smile before she began to paint on him. "Lucius is using a slight variant. The blood of the person you are closest to is painted first. It increases the strength of the ritual if you're bonded with the person. That's why Draco went before his father."
"So Lucius will follow me and then Draco on your body?" she asked.
He nodded. "Yes. I will go second on Lucius and last on Draco. It seems my little witch has taken my place as a trusted friend in his life."
"Only because we're the same age and have shared trauma. He still loves you."
He said nothing but she could see the snarky comment he wanted to say in his eyes. Shaking her head at him, she moved behind him to finish painting the runes on his body. She allowed her gaze to take in all of him as she worked. It was rare she was able to just enjoy him in his nakedness.
"My turn, Granger," Draco said, pulling her from her thoughts. "Come paint on me."
She took her turn drawing the runes first on Draco and then finally Lucius before healing her palm and cleaning the blood from her hands. Picking up the bundle of herbs she'd prepared from the altar, she followed the men to the large fire in the centre of the circle and tossed hers in after them. The smoke was fragrant from the plants they burned and she closed her eyes and deeply breathed it in.
"Are you ready, little witch?" Severus asked, coming to stand behind her.
His hands wrapped around her waist and his fingers found her still wet folds. He began to circle her clit and she tilted her head back against his shoulder. A few fairies entered the circle and cast their light upon them.
"I'm ready, love," she told him.
Moving his hand from her pussy, he placed it on her lower back and whispered the incantation to ready her arse for his cock, causing her to shiver at the sensation. She felt his smile against her neck as he kissed the sensitive skin. Lucius was already laying on the ground next to the fire, his hand moving up and down his hard cock, waiting for her. Positioning her entrance over the head of his dick, she lowered herself down and allowed him to fill her.
He held her hips still as Severus moved behind her and slowly sank into her arse. Ripples of magic seemed to radiate from the two men surrounding her. As soon as Snape was fully seated in her, Draco moved forward and she opened her mouth to him, taking his cock in until it was brushing the top of her tongue.
They began to move inside her, easily finding the rhythm of the magic pulsing in and around them. Like the last time, she kept her eyes open and watched as the runes on Draco's lower stomach began to glow. More and more fairies arrived, lighting the sacred space. Everything seemed so much more vibrant than Yule and she didn't know if it was because she was free from Bellatrix, because it was Spring, or because Severus had joined them.
"You look so sexy with all your holes filled up," Severus whispered into her ear. "I can feel Lucius' cock rubbing against mine. Do you like that?"
She could only nod in answer as Draco thrust deeper into her, hitting the back of her mouth. He growled as she moaned around him and pushed more, slipping into her throat.
"You're such a good cocksucker, little witch. I want to watch you drink Draco's come. Let him fill your mouth. We're going to fill all your greedy little holes tonight."
"Fuck," Lucius cried out as her cunt began to drip at Severus' words. "So fucking wet, darling."
Fingers found her clit again and she had no idea which of the two men fucking her was rubbing it. It didn't matter. She wanted all three of them to touch every part of her. Being completely filled by them as their magic blessed them was something she wanted to experience over and over again.
"Are you close?" Severus asked. "I want you to come as I fill this tight little arsehole. Come for me, little witch."
His words pushed her over the edge she'd been teetering on and her orgasm washed over her. Her magic flared around her, bright blue and swirling like it was caught in a tornado. Her mind went blank as she allowed the three men to chase their own pleasure. In this moment, she felt like she could see eternity. Like she was on the cusp of something beyond her imagination.
"Come in me," she begged, pulling her mouth from Draco's hard cock. "Please! Fill me."
She heard a chorus of moans and Draco pushed back into her mouth. He gently held her head as he began to thrust faster into her. Keeping one hand on Lucius' chest to keep steady, she raised her other one to fondle Draco's balls.
Lucius was pushing into her, rubbing against her G-spot, as Severus pulled out and slammed back in. All of her nerves felt like they were on fire in the best way possible. She felt so close to coming again and before she could ask for what she needed, one of Severus' and one of Lucius' hands found her breasts and they began to tug on her nipples. They pulled and twisted and her screams were muffled by Draco's cock.
His balls became tight in her hands and she relaxed her throat even more, to allow him to spill himself deep inside her. His magic flashed a light silver and joined hers in swirling around them. She felt both Severus and Lucius stiffen against her as their hot come filled her holes and bright silver and purple magic mixed together with her and Draco's.
Magic flared from the fire, a familiar bright white before everything went black.
She was instantly on her feet and moving towards the door before her grand-mère was halfway to her, already expecting to see her loved one again.
"Tu as été si courageuse, mon petit chou-fleur," her grand-mère said, holding her face in her hands. "La guerre arrive. Vous devez vous battre encore un peu."
"I haven't always felt brave," she told her. "And I know the war is coming. I am ready to fight."
"Ma brave petite lionne. J'ai foi en toi."
Tears streamed down her face at her grand-mère's words. If the tiny Muggle woman that was fading away had faith in her, then Hermione knew she needed to find faith in herself.
"Je t'aime, grand-mère," she whispered as her loved one disappeared and the stone circle came back into view.
She was lying on her side on the ground sandwiched between the two older men and Draco was holding the hand of her arm that was draped over his godfather's waist. Severus was searching her face and she felt him relax as she gave him a sleepy smile.
"Welcome back, little witch," he said, kissing her forehead. "You had me worried for a moment until Lucius explained."
"Did you see your grandmother again?" Lucius asked.
"I did."
Severus gave her a look that she knew meant he would ask her about it later. She was happy to share that with him, happy to share anything with him. Already she wanted him to fill her again. Wanted all of them to take her over and over again until the light of the fairies was replaced by the morning sun.
Her heart ached as she knew she couldn't. The Dark Lord could return with his other Death Eaters at any time. Which meant they couldn't risk Severus being in the Manor without being summoned. Voldemort still believed that his spy didn't know she was a Death Eater and they planned to keep him in the dark as long as possible.
"I don't want you to leave," she whispered.
"I don't want to leave you, but I must. Draco and Lucius will take care of you. Have fun with them. I'll want to see your memories of you with them if you do anything after I leave. But only if you're willing to show me"
He leaned down, their lips meeting in a slow and deep kiss that said more than words ever could. Even though he probably wouldn't, she was scared the Dark Lord would return and she had no idea if she would live through her next encounter with him. Not knowing if she would live to see Severus again, she tried to push every emotion she held in her heart through her lips and into Severus' very soul.
"Be safe, my little witch," he told her. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
He helped her stand and the four of them wrapped themselves back into their linen robes. They walked to the edge of the circle and Severus gave her hand one more squeeze before he turned on the spot and was gone with the faintest of pops.
"How…?" she asked. The wards on the property didn't allow anyone without Malfoy blood to Apparate through them. Not even Voldemort.
"That sneaky arsehole," Lucius hissed. "He added his blood to my wards. I thought I heard him whispering something."
Draco chuckled beside her as he took her hand and led her back towards the manor. "You know he did it so he could get to Granger in a second if he needed to."
"He's still an arsehole," Lucius muttered under his breath. "Let's get cleaned up. The elves will have prepared food for us."
Translations:
"Tu as été si courageuse, mon petit chou-fleur," her grand-mère said, holding her face in her hands. "La guerre arrive. Vous devez vous battre encore un peu." "You were so brave, my little cauliflower," her grandmother said, holding her face in her hands. "War is coming. You have to fight a little longer."
"Ma brave petite lionne. J'ai foi en toi." "My brave little lioness. I believe in you."
"Je t'aime, grand-mère," "I love you, grandma,"
A/N: Hi friends! As always when I get towards the end of a story all my patience flies out the window and I start doing 2x a week updates. So look for new chapters on Tuesdays and Fridays.