A Curse of Ancients
C20: Yule Time
A couple of days later Fabian and Hermione woke up to the smiling face of Gaia, once again in her human form. "Good morning Mommy and Daddy. Grammy Cissa asked me to wake you up, it's almost time for breakfast."
The couple groaned softly at that as they sat up. "Of course she did. We'll be down shortly sweetie. Could you tell your grandmother that there will be no need to drag us down the stairs naked."
Gaia nodded and pressed a kiss to both of their cheeks before skipping out of the room. "Would Cissa really do that?" Hermione asked after kissing him.
"She's done it before, so I would say yes. When I was twelve she actually carried me naked down the stairs because I was half an hour late for Christmas breakfast, and the best part of it was that it wasn't even my fault, but Dora's. She managed to be on time though, so I was the only one who had to suffer the indignity of sitting through breakfast naked, although I doubt they minded that." He said with a soft smile.
Hermione giggled at that as they got dressed in their best Christmas clothes, and Fabian made sure that he had the ring hidden in his pocket. "Do you think I look presentable, baby?"
"I would say you look absolutely perfect baby, but I might be a bit biased." He said with a loving smile.
She smiled and kissed him softly as they made their way downstairs arm in arm, walking into the dining room together where they were met by Narcissa, who looked them over with a critical eye. "Immaculate as always. I'm glad you remember some of my lessons. Fabian. Of course I had no doubt about you Hermione."
She smiled at the blonde. "Thank you Cissa, I wouldn't dream of showing up to one of your special meals anything less than fully prepared, and I know Fabian wouldn't want a repeat occurrence of a couple of years ago."
Narcissa smiled at her. "I think that would be very counterproductive for breakfast, come let's sit down and eat. It's the first time we are finally complete as a family."
Hermione and Fabian both smiled as they took their seats. Fabian at the head of the table, since he was now Head of House Black, with Hermione and Gaia on either side of him. Next to Hermione were Bellatrix and Pandora, who on her turn were flanked by Luna and Ginny. Next to Gaia was Aithusa flanked by Morgana and Andromeda, with Nymphadora next to her and Fleur at the other end of the table.
Fabian then clapped his hands and smiled as breakfast appeared on the table. "Won't the elves eat with us Fabe?" Hermione asked softly.
He smiled and shook his head. "No, we have offered multiple times, but they always say that they are happy to serve our breakfast on Christmas, and that Christmas doesn't really has a special meaning to elves, so we always give them a little bit extra pay on Christmas, to show our appreciation for everything they do for us."
Hermione smiled at that. "I still think it's admirable that our family has done so much to try and better the situation of your House Elves."
Narcissa smiled at that. "Not a lot of people know this about our family, but that's mostly because we are a very private family which is because of the Curse."
Hermione smiled at the blonde as they ate their breakfast in silence, sharing soft conversations with each other as they just enjoyed each other's company before they would give each other their gifts.
After breakfast they reconvened in the living room, where a giant stack of presents was set up next to the equally giant tree. "Now Fabian, it is your duty as Head of this house to give the first gift." Narcissa said with a soft smile once everyone was situated.
He smiled and nodded as he gave Hermione a soft kiss before walking to the tree and picking up his gift for Bellatrix. "Mom, as a thank you for everything you have given Hermione and myself this year, we got you something special." He said with a soft smile.
Bellatrix smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek as she accepted her gift. "Thank you sweetie." She said softly as she opened her present, being presented with a leatherbound book that was clearly very old, but very well taken care for. She flipped through the first couple of pages and smiled. "Thank you sweetie. I think Pandora and I will make generous use of this."
He smiled and kissed her cheek softly before retaking his seat next to Hermione who cuddled back into him. "Which book was that?"
"The book you suggested baby, the book of mostly forgotten spells and rituals. If anyone can decipher them, it will be Mom and Pandora." He said softly.
Hermione smiled at that as they watched the gifts being passed around, receiving a few of their own in turn and when only a few gifts remained and she was the one to give a gift to her lover, she had to smile. "Well love, it's finally time to sate your curiosity. My gift to you is something from Morgana's Vault that I am sure you will enjoy."
He smiled and kissed her softly as carefully unwrapped the gift, which was a necklace showing two serpents in emerald and ruby eating each other's tail, the symbol of Ouroboros. "It's beautiful love. I will wear it proudly."
She smiled at him. "It's also a symbol for my love for you, and it will allow us to share our magic easier, as well as allow us to apparate to each other, regardless of wards."
He smiled and kissed her softly. "Then I think that will my next gift even more appropriate." He said softly as he got down on one knee. "Hermione Jean Le Fay, will you do me the honor and the privilege of having your hand in marriage?" He asked as he pulled the box from his jacket and presented her with the ring that had belonged to his grandmother.
She smiled a teary smile and kissed him deeply. "Of course I will marry you love."
He gathered her into his arms and kissed her softly. "I think you made our mothers the most happy women in the world. Since I think we would both be okay with letting them plan the wedding."
She smiled and nodded as they were swept up in a wave of congratulations and hugs from their entire family. "Somehow I expected this today." Luna said with a bright smile as she hugged them."
He smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "You do know me better than anyone, Moon. I'm sure I showed some signs that you picked up on."
The blonde smiled at him as they sat down again. "Now that our darling son has given us the gift of planning a wedding, because yes, we heard that and we would gladly plan the wedding of the century. It'll give us all something to do while you and Hermione are in class." Narcissa said with a smile.
"I know that you all will make this the best wedding our community has ever seen, and we are completely confident in your ability to make our dreams come true." Hermione said with a soft smile to the blonde.
Narcissa smiled and hugged her. "Of that you can be sure sweetie, but I will of course ask you and Fabian for a lot of input, because we want to make sure everything is exactly to your wishes."
Hermione nodded at that. "Then as a first, I want to include some of the Le Fay customs as well, and mother, I hope you would do us the honor of marrying us. It is because of you I am who I am after all."
Morgana smiled and pulled the brunette into her arms. "Of course sweetie. It would be my honor."
Hermione smiled at her. "Could we do the wedding following Old Religion traditions?"
Morgana nodded at her. "It will take a while for me to find the correct ones, but yes, I think that should not be a problem."
"Now that we have our official sorted, it is still a long day, and I doubt you two want to talk the day away with questions about your wedding. Come, let us retire until it is time for lunch." Bellatrix said with a soft smile.
Everyone nodded before dispersing through the house. "Would you like to join me for a walk in the garden, my love?" Fabian asked with a loving smile.
Hermione nodded and kissed him softly before taking his offered arm and following him out into the snow covered garden.
…
Even though it was late December, it wasn't as cold in the garden as it had been a couple of days ago, and that's why Fabian and Hermione were fine with going out without coats.
"So, now that we are alone, how about we talk about that proposal. How long have you been thinking about that?" She asked with a smile.
He smiled at her. "To be very honest for more than a year. When you punched Ron in the face last year, I knew that I wanted to marry you and call you my wife."
Hermione blushed a little at that. "While that is a surprising time to realize such a thing, do you want to know when I knew that I wanted to marry you?"
He nodded at her, a bit nervous about her answer. "It was when you told me that if it had come down to it, you would have chosen me over your family, which now knowing your family as intimately as I do is even more impressive to me than it was at the time. But the fact that you were willing to leave everything for me, a Muggleborn, was what made my mind up."
Fabian smiled and kissed her softly. "It has always been you 'Mione, no matter what my mother would've said, I knew in my heart that you were the only one for me."
She smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. "You're an amazing man Fabian Black, and I'm honored to be your fiancee, but I do have a confession to make. Remember that I told you that my mother had a special gift for you that I needed to bring from the Island?"
"To be honest I was wondering about that. It seemed like it was something important." He said with a smile."
She smiled at him. "It is, but it's not really as much as a physical gift. What I needed to get for her was one of her books, which apparently contains that gift, because honestly I don't know what it is. All I know is that she needed to be alone with you when she gives it, and I think it's about time I got you to her."
He smiled and kissed her softly. "And what will my darling fiancee do in the meantime?"
She smiled at that. "I'm going to prepare my own surprise, my love, which you will get later tonight, and I am very sure you will enjoy."
He smiled at that. "Is there anything I need to do to prepare myself for that, baby?"
She smirked at that. "Shave your pubic hair, it will be something you will never forget." She said with a wink before walking back to the mansion, making sure to put a bit of swing in her hips.
Fabian watched her walk away a bit dumbfounded, but also very turned on, although that was something he was used to with his gorgeous fiancee.
Figuring it was best not to keep his future mother in law waiting, he made his way back to the mansion, mostly wondering what Morgana had planned for him.
Walking into her library a few minutes later, he was shocked to see the state of dress the raven haired witch was in. she was wearing a near transparent gown, and was bare beneath it. "Good afternoon dear Star. What's with the shocked look. You act like you haven't seen me naked before." She said with a smile.
"I was merely surprised, my lady. I didn't expect this state of dress." He said kindly.
She smiled at him. "That is something I had expected, but it is necessary. Your gift includes a small ritual, and it will require us both to be as close to naked as possible. I have a gown for you too, if you wouldn't mind changing."
He nodded and vanished his clothes with a flick of his hand, putting on the see through gown with a slight blush.
Morgana merely smiled at him and gathered him in her arms. "There is no need to be embarrassed in front of me Fabian. We are family now, and from what I have noticed no one in this family is particularly shy about their bodies."
"I can't help it, it's still a bit new for me to share such contact with one of the most powerful women in history." He said softly.
Morgana smiled at him. "Once I perhaps was, but the world has changed. Hermione is so much more powerful than I ever was. I have read the tales they have written about me, but most are very exaggerated. Just think of me as any other woman in the family, because that's the truth. It is up to you and Hermione to lead the new world."
He smiled and nodded at her. "I know, and I will try to be more comfortable with this, but I hope you will forgive me if I forget sometimes."
"Of course, my sweet Star, and I think we will have plenty of time to get comfortable with each other, but I think it is time for your gift, please kneel." She said kindly.
He nodded and knelt down, waiting for what was going to happen.
Morgana then placed a hand on his shoulders as she joined him, pressing her lips against his forehead, and sharing a considerable amount of her magic with him, forever connecting them through magic.
Fabian felt a heat spread through his body which was not unpleasant, but not entirely comfortable either.
When she pulled back she smiled sweetly at him. "What I have given you is a considerable amount of magic, like I have done to Hermione. You two are now probably the most powerful magic wielders in the world."
"Will you be okay Morgana. I couldn't live with myself if you exhausted yourself for this." He said softly.
She smiled and kissed his cheek. "I'll be okay Fabian. Before Merlin and Arthur came I cast a spell on myself that would prolong my life indefinitely. I have now give that up by channeling it into you and Hermione, and the house itself. Everyone in this house will live a very long time."
He smiled and hugged her, feeling her nipples poke him in the chest. "Thank you Morgana, but may I ask why you would give up immortality for us?"
"That's simple my sweet Star. You and Hermione have given me the family that I have always craved. I don't want to walk this earth without Andromeda or anyone in our family beside me and you especially have shown me what it is to love another person." She said softly.
He smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I couldn't imagine what that would be like, so thank you for this amazing gift."
Morgana smiled and pressed him to her chest. "You do not need to thank me Fabian, but I think we should get dressed again, otherwise my wife and your fiancee might come looking for us, not to mention your mother."
He nodded as he flicked his hand, returning their clothes to them with a smile before offering his arm as they made their way back towards the living room.
…
When Fabian and Hermione were back in their bedroom later that evening, the brunette smirked at her lover. "Now that we are alone, here is what's going to happen. For the remainder of the night I'm going to have some fun with you."
He smiled and kissed her. "I'm all yours love. You know I will never mind getting down and dirty with you."
She smiled and pushed him to the bed, binding his hands to the bedpost. "I know, and I love to do the same with you, but Morgana's influx of magic has made me feel a bit dominant, so I hope you are okay with being my slave for tonight." She said with a sultry smile.
"With Curse-Night coming up, I think I can live with that tonight." He said with a soft smile.
Hermione smiled and vanished their clothes with a flick of her hand. "I promise to not go too far love. I won't do anything you might be uncomfortable with. I just want to have you at my mercy for once."
He only smiled and groaned as she straddled him, teasing his cock with the tips of her fingers while she let the other hand roam across his chest lightly tweaking one of his nipples.
"Enjoying yourself lover? Trust me that I have only just begun. You'll be begging me to let you cum by the time I am done with you." She said with a smirk, her eyes swirling with molten gold.
He groaned as she slowly started to stroke his cock while she also kept teasing his nipples. "I love how hard you always are for me, Fabian."
Fabian smiled at her. "It's all for you, Princess. You know I have never had trouble with getting hard for you."
Hermione smiled at him as she let his cock slip into her. "Oh I know, but that doesn't mean that I don't like to remind you how much I love you and your huge cock, especially when said cock is so perfect at stirring up my insides." She said sultrily as she started riding him slowly.
He groaned at the tortuously slow pace she set and he so desperately wanted to touch her, commit her body to memory once again, but let her have her fun. He knew she wasn't a cruel woman when they had sex and that she merely needed an outlet for the control she wanted.
She noticed the look on his face and bent down to kiss him. "What are you thinking about baby?" She asked softly.
"Nothing much love, just how much I would love to touch you right now." He said with a smile.
Hermione smiled at him. "This isn't much fun is it? We're not really the people to do this to each other when we have a couple of women in this house that sometimes volunteer for this."
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her as she flicked her hand to his bindings. "There are plenty of things we can experiment with if you want to, Princess. I don't think we have ever done it against the wall for example. A bed gets boring after a while, don't you agree?"
She nodded and kissed him softly. "It is a bit vanilla for us to be honest. I think we can come up with something a little bit more exciting than this."
He smiled at her. "I think I might know something. Trust me?"
"Of course baby. You know I do." She said softly.
Fabian smiled and lifted her against him, while still being fully buried inside of her before apparating them to another part of the house.
Hermione moaned loudly as they reappeared in what seemed to be an abandoned library. "What's this place love?"
"This my Princes, is the old library before mother decided that it would be better suited closer to the center of the house. Now we store our lesser used books here, like the books from my childhood. I figured it could help us fulfill a fantasy of fucking each other in a library without real consequences." He said with a smile.
She smiled and kissed him. "I like the sound of that, and with that said, bend me over a table and fuck me like you mean it."
"Your wish is my command Princess." He said with a smile before laying her down on a table and pulling out of her.
She quickly turned around and spread her legs as far as she could before moaning as she felt him impale her again, setting a relentless pace immediately.
Hermione moaned loudly as he hammered into her as she tried to find anything to hang on to.
Not much later she screamed out her orgasm as the coil in her abdomen snapped and her orgasm washed over her, and Fabian was not far behind as he filled her to the brim with his cum.
"Sorry love, but you were squeezing me just right. I couldn't pull out anymore." He said softly as he pulled out of her, getting another lovely whimper from the brunette.
She smiled and turned around to kiss him. "It's okay love. The magic we received from my mother makes sure that only we will decide when we are ready for children. It'll be safe to cum inside of me until we both agree that we are ready."
He smiled and kissed her deeply, squeezing her butt rhythmically as they made out for a while until they heard the door slam open, revealing Narcissa and Lily in a similar state of dress, the two women giggling when they noticed them. "Why am I not surprised that you two would find your way here at some point. It seems libraries hold an undeniable pull to us all." Narcissa said with a smile.
Fabian smiled at his mother. "I had to get it from someone, and we figured it would be better to do this here than to defile your library."
Narcissa smiled at them. "I'm glad you still have such good survival instincts sweetie, but we'll leave you two to canoodle in peace."
"You don't have to mother. We were just going back to our room. You two can defile this library all you want." He said with a smile before they apparated back to his room.
…
When Fabian and Hermione walked into the living room the following morning, they had to smile at the sight that greeted them, which was a sharp contrast to the sight that had greeted them a day ago. Most of the family was in their morning robes and either cuddled up to or at least close to their significant others. The only ones who were dressed properly were Morgana and Narcissa, which what they had expected, and Hermione couldn't help but smile knowingly at the blonde. "Good morning everyone. I trust you all slept well?"
Everyone nodded as the young couple took a seat next to Fleur and Dora, the latter sound asleep on her wife's shoulder. "Rough night Fleur?" Fabian asked with a soft smile.
Fleur smiled and shook her head at that. "No not really a rough night, just a long one. Dora was especially amorous last night and it tuckered her out, as well as inhibiting my ability to walk or even sit properly today."
Fabian laughed lightly at that. "That's honestly nothing new for Dora. She often forgets her limits when she's horny. Dora and I have the theory it has something to do with her Metamorphmagus blood."
Fleur smiled and pressed a soft kiss to the brunette's cheek, who shifted slightly more against her. "We've had the same theory, but I think it is also more amplified now because of my Veela. Veela are notorious for being insatiable."
He nodded at her as the Floo crackled, showing Snape's face. "I'm sorry to bother you all this early, but I have some important news to share."
Narcissa smiled at him. "Please come on through Sev, but don't be shocked at who you may see."
Severus smiled before stepping through, dusting himself off before gasping softly. "Lily? Pandora? How is this possible?"
Hermione smiled at him. "It's quite a lengthy explanation, so perhaps that is best kept for after we heard your news."
He nodded and took a seat. "So, last night there was an Order meeting, in which Dumbledore has tasked Ron Weasley of all people with the collection and destruction of the Dark Lord's Horcruxes, and he also tasked Harry with opposing Ms. Le Fay wherever possible, as well as everyone that follows her, there was a bit of a split. Sirius, Molly, Arthur and Moody of course fully supported him, but Remus was quite opposed to this course of action, as well as with Dumbledore's actions in general, so you may want to reach out to him if you feel so inclined, but I do advice caution, because even without his magic, Dumbledore still holds much sway over the Order through his words alone."
They all nodded at that. "We'll be careful Uncle Sev. Is there any news from the Dark Lord's side?" Fabian asked softly.
Severus nodded at him. "There is. He's getting nervous and has tasked Draco and Lucius with the restoration of the Vanishing Cabinets at Hogwarts and at Bogrin and Burkes so that he has a way to get his Death Eaters to Hogwarts, because he still believes, even with Dumbledore gone it will be a strategic location."
"Well, he's not wrong there. But aside from Harry being there, is there a reason to put the school in jeopardy?" Hermione said thoughtfully.
"I can see the wheels in your head turning baby. What are you thinking about?" Fabian asked softly.
She smiled at her fiancee. "Do you think you could set up a meeting between our family and the Dark Lord? I'm sure we can come to some favorable agreement for everyone. Let's be honest here, this is all just a gigantic game of wizard's chess between Dumbledore and the Dark Lord, and I believe it is time for complete honesty from us. Dumbledore may have refused to see it, but I think the Dark Lord will be a lot more open to learning the truth."
Severus nodded and smiled at the brunette. "I would agree. I shall see what I can do for you."
Hermione smiled and nodded. "Thank you Professor, and I believe we owe you an explanation. Both Pandora and Lily have been victims to Dumbledore's need for control and given the relationships they had with Bellatrix and Narcissa I thought it was only fair to give them back the loves that they lost to that old goat. I found the rituals to do this in Morgana's book when I had access to them and from the moment we have been home has been in preparation for these rituals, but even with all that preparation I needed help, and once again my mother came through. Professor Snape, I would like you to meet my mother, Morgana Le Fay." She said as Morgana stood and came to stand next to her daughter.
Snape swallowed hard and bowed. "Lady Le Fay. It is an honor to meet you."
Morgana smiled kindly at him. "You must be the Potions Professor my daughter has told me about. It's a pleasure to meet you, and I want to thank you for what you have done so far. I know all to well the strain of having to keep up appearances."
Snape nodded at that. "It is a burden I will gladly carry for a better world, a world I know your daughter and Fabian will build."
Morgana smiled at him before retaking her seat, while Lily came up to hug him. "It's good to see you again Sev. I've missed you."
He smiled at her. "I have missed you too Lils."
Hermione observed them for a bit. "The stories we were told aren't true are they?"
They smiled at her. "No, we do love each other, but more like a brother and sister. James and Sirius were the only ones who thought there was something more going on. Remus eventually figured out that we were only friends."
Hermione smiled at that. "It seems Harry is really a product of his father and godfather then. He is just as oblivious and quick to jump to conclusions."
Lily sighed softly at that. "I was afraid of that, and I'm sure his forced time spent with my sister and that abusive bastard will have helped. You probably know him best at this point Sev. Is it really that bad?"
Severus nodded at her. "I'm afraid he is James' son through and through. Spoiled and entitled from the moment he walked into Hogwarts, Dumbledore made sure to feed that behavior too."
Lily nodded at that as she took a seat next to Narcissa again. "I had expected as much to be honest. That old goat can't just leave well enough alone."
Snape only nodded at her. "That's true, and that has only gotten worse since his sentencing, but I will go report to the Dark Lord and present him your offer. I'll let you know before the Holiday ends."
They all nodded at that as he stepped through the Floo again, all of them turning to Hermione once they were alone again. "Are you sure this is a good idea dear? Actually sitting down to talk with the Dark Lord might be a bit much at this stage." Bellatrix said softly, worry clear in her voice.
Hermione smiled at her. "I think there is more going on than we know, and we need to have all of the information before we can start working on a plan. Of course we are not going to join either side, and I think he knows that, which is why I think, and perhaps hope he will overplay his hand a little and give us some more information, which is why it will be important for everyone to be there."
The entire family smiled at that. "As long as you are absolutely sure about this, and know what you will be walking into, we will of course support you." Narcissa said kindly.
Hermione smiled at her. "Thank you, your support means everything to me, and I have a feeling that we will walk away from that meeting a lot wiser and with satisfaction for everyone. We might even end the war before it starts."
"We can only hope for that sweetie, but let's not talk the day away with what ifs. Today is still Christmas and we will not bring down the mood." Bellatrix said with a smile.
Hermione smiled at her as she cuddled back into her lover, and they spent most of the day just relaxing and enjoying the time spent with the family now that they still had the time to do so, since they all knew everything would be kicked into high gear in just a couple of days.
