18 - ATONING
Standard disclaimer - I own nothing in the Harry Potter Universe and am making no profit from this work of fiction. See Chap 1 for all warnings!
What will be the outcome of the tiff? Separation? Marriage? Massive apologies for delay in posting - let's just say former ISP & I have parted ways & all you readers owe thanks to my benefactor for new equipment. And secondary apologies for delay; Muse went off on a tangent into the television world, lusting after a tall, dark police captain in the south…
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Thursday - still
She studied the wizard in front of her. He seemed defeated and lost as he stared straight ahead. This was the last time she ever wanted to see him in such a state. The journey would be long and difficult, but hopefully worth it in the end if her friends were to be believed.
"We will talk after lunch and discuss the reasons behind each of our actions this morning," she began. "Afterwards, we should read through some of the papers Mary brought - together. Before any of that, I would like to enjoy some quiet time with you."
"For what purpose?" Lucius asked, continuing to stare forward.
"I find comfort being near you, and hope you find my presence equally consoling," she explained, patting his knee.
His hand grasped hers and he leaned forward while placing it against his cheek. "I do, Christina. Should I take your return as acceptance of our situation? Please do not make me wait for your answer - or beg for it," he implored her.
The witch grabbed her wand and changed her jeans into a skirt. She then pushed him back against the sofa and climbed into his lap. Holding his face with both hands, she kissed his forehead.
"If I give you an answer, can we then have a few quiet moments to just sit here?" she asked. His head nodded. "It is going to be a challenge which requires much hard work from us both and if you love me as I love you, we shall start today," she answered.
The light returned to his eyes as they focused on her. "Yes," was the only comment before pulling her body closer to his.
They hugged each other tightly, her right cheek pressed against his. Lucius was busy concentrating on the feel of his mate being so close and trying not to say a word - he had promised quiet time and he was enjoying this. After a quarter of an hour, his traitorous brain planted the thought that quiet did not mean he could not move. His hands smoothed up and down her back, finally stopping on her bottom and gently squeezing. He was relieved when the witch was the one to interrupt the silence.
"I do believe I am experiencing déjà vu," she whispered. "I was very attracted to a man who was holding me just like this."
"Oddly I am experiencing the same phenomenon and was equally attracted to the witch I was holding," he whispered back. His hands moved down to the hem of her skirt and caressed up her bare thighs.
"You are a lecherous pervert, my love," Christina teased and bit his earlobe.
His hands encountered nothing but skin while moving back to her bottom. "And you are a knickerless vixen, my love."
"All of our problems cannot be worked out with bedroom sport, Lucius," she said, sitting up and placing her hands on his shoulders.
"I agree, but it can serve as a reminder of our attraction and regard for each other as well as an interval of détente when we are upset," he countered.
"It does seem to relax us both," she confirmed.
"As you have said, it is the rare occasion when only one of us is in need of such."
"You do seem appreciated of my quest to become the perfect fellatrix" she told him.
"I encourage your pursuit of perfection in that activity," he responded. "You seem to enjoy my lingual explorations."
"In case the noises I make leave you in doubt; I enjoy your lingual and digital explorations immensely," she confirmed.
Lucius caught a whiff of alcohol and did not think it was from his breath. "Have you been drinking?"
"I had a shot at the pub. And yourself?" she inquired.
"One or two Irish coffees. Strong drink is probably best kept for evenings from now on," he replied.
"Agreed - just don't deny me the occasional Mimosa with brunch or glass of wine when I become one of the 'ladies who lunch'," she countered.
"How else would you tolerate those sycophantic witches?" he teased.
They shared a laugh and then quickly kissed. The quiet was interrupted by the sounds of her empty stomach, which made the witch blush. Lucius glanced at the clock on the mantle and saw it was nearly lunch time.
"I could have the elves serve luncheon in the natatorium. We could even open the patio doors and enjoy the day," he offered.
"You have an indoor pool and have not shown it to me?" Christina pushed against his shoulders and started to slide off his lap.
His arms tightened around her hips. "Please, stay here a moment," he requested. She settled back down. "We have a swimming facility in our home. It is one of many features I have been remiss in showing you. I leave it to you when to see the rest of your new home. Perhaps in the morning we can take the Abraxans out to see the grounds," he offered.
"In reverse order; riding on the morrow sounds lovely, the ground floor rooms after dinner and I do think it is time for a meal - and high time that I get to see you in your cozzy," she answered, getting off his lap and holding out her hand. "Let's go change." She used her wand once again to change the skirt back into jeans.
"Are you sure that is not too many costume changes in one day?" he teased.
"I don't know about you, but I am putting these clothes back on after we swim." She laughed at his shocked expression while pulling him up the stairs.
Lucius was ready first, a terry cloth robe covering his swim trunks. He checked with his mate for approval on the menu he planned and went to the kitchen. Christina twisted her hair and clipped it on top of her head. One last glance in the mirror to make sure the retro, two-piece suit was fairly modest and she donned her own robe.
The animals followed the couple out into the yard from the kitchen. The wizard insisted it was a shorter route than through the house. The half-dozen patio doors were all propped open and Christina was amazed as they entered. The floor was covered in limestone squares in hues of white and cream, left rough to give wet feet purchase. The walls were dark bronze - as were the supporting columns that ran close to the house and at either end of the pool. And the pool itself was spectacular - almost four lanes wide end to end, with a large half-circle of steps down in the middle. She smirked when her eyes reached the black capital M on the bottom.
Lucius walked up behind her. "That was placed there by the one who built this room - my great-great-grandfather. Now, would you like to dine or swim first?"
"Swim, I should think. Do you swim often?" She turned to face him and untied her robe.
"Not since Draco moved out. We used to start each morning with laps." He removed his robe and moved to assist with hers. "What in Merlin's Name are you wearing, witch?" Lucius stared at the woman before him. She was wearing deep red garments that looked like a brassiere and knickers, albeit rather modest ones.
"My swimming costume - well, one of them. I have several. Most have two parts like this, but I didn't want to shock you with a skimpier one," she answered sweetly. Her eyes raked over his bare chest and down to his modest trunks. The print made her smile - wildly-colored tropical flowers and leaves. They covered his form down his knees and she wondered how he would look in a Speedo.
"Do I pass inspection?" he asked, smirking.
"Always, love. Is the water heated?" Christina looked back at the pool.
"Let us find out," he answered, grabbing her in his arms and jumping into the pool.
Thankfully, the water was warm. The witch swam away from him as soon as she surfaced and began doing laps. He joined her and matched her speed. They did the Australian crawl and breast stroke together, then she swam sidestroke and admired his form while doing butterfly. The last lap was backstroke. Christina ran out of steam mid-length and swam over to the steps to rest.
She studied the natatorium. It was a lovely thing to have an indoor pool in this climate. The dark walls and sconces would make for wonderful night swimming. The room was rather stark with just a few lounging chairs and one bistro set. None of the swim toys she associated with pools were visible, nor was a diving board or slide at the deeper end.
A strange feeling came over her, and she stood up to look around. A movement caught her eye and she saw Lucius swimming underwater towards her. Smirking, she climbed up to the edge of the pool and quietly slid into the water behind him as he approached the steps. Once underwater, Christina reached out and grabbed the nearest ankle. The owner of the ankle turned over and faced her. Strong hands held on to her upper arms as they surfaced. Her arms wrapped around his neck as her legs did the same around his torso.
"Thought to sneak up on me, did you?" she asked.
"Never. I was just enjoying the view of your lovely legs." He gave her a quick kiss.
"I do believe you are fibbing," she declared, letting out a little squeak as he spun them around and laid her on the steps gently.
His body hovered over hers, supported by his arms. "And what will you do if I am?" His left eyebrow cocked up in askance.
"I believe I will spend the next century or so trying to convince you not to do that," she answered.
He smiled widely at this. "There is a possibility it will take longer." They kissed again. "Are you ready to eat, love? I am feeling peckish and you must be famished!"
"Most definitely - my energy gave out halfway through the last lap." He pulled her up and helped her up the steps.
"Do you have towels?"
He summoned two from the cabinet near a column and handed her one. They dried off quickly and the witch walked past him towards the table, giving his arse a quick pinch as she did. Conversation was light during the meal, with Lucius giving her the history of building phases at the estate. He complimented her swimming and was pleased when she requested that they swim together several times a week year-round.
When they finished the meal, Lucius showed her the rooms adjacent to the pool after they donned their robes. There was a small dressing room with an en suite on each side, one for each gender. The middle door led to a hallway that took them past the pantries, storage rooms, kitchens and on to the family parlour. From there, Christina had her bearings.
"Let's go in here," she told him, taking his hand and leading him into the parlour. Once he was settled on the cushion next to the arm rest, she climbed up into his lap sideways and leaned back against the arm.
Her cheek pressed against his shoulder and she began talking. "I want to tell you about my last serious relationship. I thought I was in love - that we were in love - and therefore ignored many warning signs. After months of domestic bliss, I said something about household chores one day and it set him off. He grabbed me, threw me around the room while screaming obscenities and ended the episode by hitting me." Lucius tensed at this and her right hand began rubbing his shoulder.
"It was the first and only time he ever laid a hand on me - and certainly the last I saw of him. My training kicked in and I attacked him in return. While he was unconscious, I called friends and they helped me pack up my belongings. I left on assignment to South America a few days later. Then it was on to Mexico, training in Denmark and then Germany.
"I tell you all of this so you understand that this morning, even though you have never given me cause to even flinch, I was scared. My instincts took over and rather than fight I took flight."
His arms closed around her torso as she softly cried. No apology had been offered, but the wizard did not want to hear one. Knowing this information, he realized how she perceived the situation. After several minutes, the witch on his lap calmed and he began speaking.
"The newspaper article quoted several bystanders who witnessed the event as saying they were within moments of drawing their own wands to assist the Aurors and attack us, without even knowing the circumstances. The fact that you were nearly hexed - or worse - is what upset me. Truly, I did not mean to direct any of my anger at you." He lowered his right hand to rub her mark. "I was so in fear that I might have lost you, the warning pain from my mark was ignored."
"So what have we learned from this?" Christina asked quietly.
"I have learned to take note of pains emanating from my mark and to be more forthright when we are having a discussion. And you?"
"I will also pay closer attention to such pains and learn how to recognize when you are worried or concerned. So, we need to move forward. Do you have suggestions?" she asked.
"Other than the one concerning positions we could try on this couch?" he teased and she laughed. "The invitations were sent out yesterday evening after I spoke to Draco. If you agree, we shall continue on and the announcement party will be Sunday, the binding the following Sunday."
"That's fine. I agree. Do you have many appointments next week?"
Lucius shook his head. "Only one on Monday afternoon. Then I am free for the next two weeks."
"I cleared my calendar also, not knowing how much of my time the planning would take. It seems we shall have much free time and nothing to occupy ourselves with," the witch said in a light tone.
"Even a thorough background on our guests for the party and potential questions they might ask will only take half an afternoon. That still leaves us in a quandary," he told her.
"You did say something the first morning we woke up together about building up our stamina. We might want to do that for the next eleven days in preparation for the trip you have planned after the wedding."
"I suppose we could swim twice a day, or run - you enjoy that, don't you?" Lucius winked at her.
The witch on his lap laughed. "I should torture you and say that we shall have a strict exercise routine three times a day - that would make you too tired to chase me around the bedroom every night."
"That will not occur for at least fifty years. And you must confess that you do the chasing some of the time," he corrected her gently.
"Am I allowed to ask about this trip we are going on after the binding?" she asked. "I only bring it up because there are some countries it is best I not set foot in again."
"I had thought about that after you shared information about your work. It will remain a surprise, but know that it is a place you have wanted to visit and there will be no complications," he answered mysteriously.
"Have you been sneaking into my thoughts?"
"Perish the thought. I simply made a few discreet inquiries of acquaintances and gathered information. But while we are on the subject of reading thoughts - where did you learn?" Lucius had wondered about her abilities.
"Well, from Mary of course. She is very talented - with L & O, and with teaching."
"I confess when you slipped into my mind in the library while we were talking with them that Saturday, I was shocked," he candidly told her.
Christina gave a silly grin. "You covered it well. It was the quickest way to come to a decision without leaving the room."
"Agreed. Possibly you can give me an indication before doing so again." His tone was light, but the expression on his face was serious.
Her hands rested on his cheeks. "I do not wish to violate your privacy in any way. If you noticed, I only grazed your conscious thought - that was intentional. I would only use it to communicate silently with you, never to gain information.
"We can work out a signal to use. The Invokation might allow either of us to initiate it. Just imagine the fun we can have commenting to each other when in boring situations." She laughed.
Lucius looked away from her. "I appreciate your restraint with your gift. It may take some time for me to feel comfortable communicating in that way." His eyes closed and his head rested again the back of the sofa.
"I understand. Would this work? If we are able to see each other, I will warn you by blowing a kiss in your direction. Others will see it as a sign of affection - which it will be - but you will know it is a warning," she offered.
"Yes, that will be fine. What if we are not in close proximity?"
"If I am very upset or in danger, you will have already felt it via your mark. Should it be one of those, I will only tell you where I am. For something as simple as rescuing me from a socially awkward situation, what would you suggest I do?"
Lucius thought for a moment. "It would be useful to know who has cornered you. Perhaps just tell me the name and wait for a response. I might be able to offer a way out. That would strengthen their opinion of you. Then it would not appear as if you have need of rescue since I will not be present."
The witch stared at him for a minute. "Maybe we do not have as much free time as I originally thought," she finally said.
He laughed. "Nonsense. We will have an abundance of time to devote to increasing stamina. In fact, we do have some free time now," Lucius hinted.
"That would be lovely, but there is the beginning of a massive headache starting in the back of my skull-" she began saying.
The wizard was far too familiar with this excuse and had hoped never to hear it again. His disappointment was evident on his face. "No matter, love, perhaps when you feel better." Lucius patted her back and looked away.
Christina grabbed his chin and pulled his head around. When their eyes met, she continued. "If you would let me finish, I was going to ask that we retire to our bedroom and that you gently massage my neck and scalp with some lavender oil. Once that tension is relieved, we can alleviate other tensions."
"Truly?" he asked, surprised at her suggestion.
"Yes. I might also take just a little of the potion that is for my back spasms. It should only take a few minutes," she confirmed.
Never in his experience, nor in that of any wizard he had ever broached the subject with, had a witch wanted more than to be left alone when pleading a headache - which was always used as an excuse for avoiding intimacy. He kissed her forehead.
"Put your arms around my neck," he instructed, pulling out his wand. One arm wrapped around her back and the other waved his wand. The couple landed in the middle of their bed, the witch still sitting in his lap. His body leaned sideways as he lowered her to lie on the bed.
"I'll get the pain potion. The lavender oil might be soporific, maybe the peppermint oil would be better," he said. His hand waved and the drapes closed, leaving just one candle lit on each nightstand.
"No, the mint will possibly burn. Is there any almond oil?" she asked.
"Burn? Why would it burn?" Lucius was confused.
"Have you never had mint oil or essence put on your penis?" she inquired.
"No. Should I even ask?" Lucius smiled.
"Just bring the potion and almond oil." Her head fell back on the pillow and she grimaced. He took the hint and after retrieving her wand, placed it with his on the nightstand before heading into the en suite.
He returned and found her lying face down on her robe wearing only the bottom part of her cozzy. Before getting his hands slippery, he took the cap off the potion bottle and poured a small amount into it. "Here, take a bit of this first," he prompted. She turned her head and raised slightly to swallow the blue potion.
Next, he took his wand and Vanished the red bottoms of her suit. When she started to protest, he shushed her. "This way you do not have to move around to remove them after you are relaxed," he told her. A squirt of almond oil, which he had heated, was drizzled across her shoulders.
"You just wanted an unobstructed view of my ass." Her voice was muffled.
He chuckled in response and leaned down to plant a soft kiss on the skin just above her crack. "That is just a side benefit, my dear." His hands began gently rubbing the oil into her shoulders and upper back. He felt the tense muscles at the base of her neck and used just his fingertips to follow the line from the top of her shoulders up to her skull. The pressure increased just a bit with each slow pass.
"That feels so good, Lucius. Thank you," the witch told him.
"It is my pleasure. The opportunity to relieve such an ailment is new to me - usually I am accused of being the cause of it." His thumbs worked the knot at the base of her neck.
Christina laughed. "You might be the cause of this, in a round-about way. I have forgone my weekly massages since all this started."
"Why have you done that?" he asked.
"Besides the fact that things have been hectic? We had the Noctus potion to deal with and I didn't know how you would react to my doing so."
"It is my understanding that witches get massages too," he gently teased.
"Yes, but do they have a masseuse who comes to their home? Possibly I failed to mention that he is a younger man," she responded.
"How young? What do you know of him?" Lucius was on alert now.
"It does not matter. I have stopped getting massages," she said.
He felt her muscles beginning to tense up, undoing all his hard work. That would not do. "Perhaps he can come here. Do you know if he has a partner?"
"Why?"
"I was thinking if we hired the two, they would come at the same time. The idea of a personal masseuse is quite appealing." Her muscles relaxed even more and he prompted her to roll over slowly.
She smiled at him. "I kind of like having you as my attendant."
"After they leave, I could always attend to areas needing extra attention." Lucius winked at her while kneeling over her body.
"Much like you are going to do now?"
He leaned down closer and studied her face. "Feeling better, love?" She smiled and nodded. "Then I do believe there are other areas in need of attention." With that, he sat on her thighs and placed a drizzle of warm oil on her chest. First he continued rubbing the muscles on her shoulders and across her collar bone. Then he worked his way down her right arm slowly and held her hand while massaging each finger. The same treatment was given to the left arm and he bent to kiss her ring finger when he was done.
"You look so relaxed, I almost hate to make overtures now," he said.
"I don't feel up to anything rigorous or demanding."
Lucius chuckled and moved to lie beside her. "If you would like, I can use my fingers to alleviate those other tensions you spoke of. Then, if you agree, I would enjoy bringing myself to orgasm while you tell me a fantasy."
"Oh, my lord, I would enjoy that also."
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Later that afternoon, the couple read through some of the papers about other Invoked pairs and the studies done on their abilities. A tour of the entire ground floor after dinner was tiring, and they retired to their room early.
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The pool at the manor: but you have to imagine the letter is an "M"
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Style of Christina's swimsuit:
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