An hour later, Severus, Remus, and Hermione found themselves in Hermione's living room in France.
"Well, welcome home," Hermione said, staring at the equally unsure men before her. Unable to help herself, she began to shake, the events of the day overwhelming her as her knees gave out. She was caught by men on both sides before she hit the floor. It was too much. She was essentially a married woman. A woman with itwo/i husbands who were in love with each other. She didn't know whether that made her the luckiest or saddest woman alive. If only they loved her as well.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Remus asked, brushing her hair from her eyes.
She offered up a weak smile. "Yes, I guess I was just a little overwhelmed. I never imaged having one husband, yet alone two at the same time."
"Do you want two husbands?" Severus asked silkily.
"It's a little late to change my mind," she laughed.
"No, Hermione," Remus clarified. "I believe he's asking what you want from us."
"I don't want anything," Hermione protested.
"Really?" Severus purred, running his hand up her arm.
"Nothing?" Remus echoed, his actions mirroring Severus'.
Hermione's eyes flashed from one man to the other. They certainly couldn't mean what she thought they did. Deciding she was obviously misinterpreting the situation, she found herself in need of space and a moment alone to gather herself. "Tea anyone?" she asked, jumping up from the sofa and heading to the kitchen, not waiting for a response.
As she set about boiling the water and searching through her cupboard for tea leaves, Hermione chastised herself for even considering the possibility that either man may be interested in her. Yes, she and Severus had a thing a year ago, but it was one night. Who knew how many "one nights" he and Remus had shared. Sighing heavily, she set cups down on the counter. It would be nice to have a real marriage, even if it were unconventional. Shaking her head, she inhaled deeply, forced all unreasonable thoughts from her mind, and returned to the waiting men.
After a few uncomfortable moments of sipping tea and searching for conversation topics, Hermione gave up and suggested the men get settled in their new life.
"This is your home now, as small as it is, but I'm sure we'll figure out how to make it work," she assured them. "Shall I show you to your room? I think I'm going to turn in early. It's been a long day."
The men followed her up the stairs. Hermione regretted having to sacrifice her personal haven of a library to create a bedroom for the men, but ultimately, she figured it was a small sacrifice. She could always use magic to create another room downstairs for her books. She opened the door and ushered them in.
"Of course you are free to redecorate as you wish," she said gesturing to the room which now contained a large four poster covered with caramel-colored linens that complimented the mahogany wood that dominated the room. "There is a wardrobe for both of you," she said, gesturing unnecessarily to them.
"We're sharing a room?" Severus asked, eyebrow raised.
"I…I thought that was what you wanted," Hermione stuttered, feeling stupid.
"It's fine," Remus assured, hugging her. "You've done so much for us Hermione. We couldn't ask for more."
She looked over Remus' shoulder to Severus. "I didn't mean to assume… I am sure we can work some magic to create more room. You can have my room."
Snape walked up beside Remus and hesitantly put his arm around Hermione. "There is no need to offer up your room until you're ready. This will be fine."
Confused by his words, Hermione gave up trying to figure anything else out until she had some sleep and distance from the life-changing actions of the day. Excusing herself, she bade the men a good night, leaving them alone in their room.
"This isn't going to work," Snape sighed as he collapsed on the bed.
"Ever the pessimist," Remus said, crawling onto the bed next to Snape. "I am pretty sure this will work just fine," he said, running his hand lightly up Snape's thigh.
"Not that, you prat," Snape said, swatting Lupin's hand away. "I meant us and Hermione. She's too young, too innocent to want what we're offering."
"She may surprise you," Remus said as he nipped at Snape's neck. "After all, she's already taken a tumble with you, and, according to your unquestionable Legilimency skills, she wants to do the same with me." Remus began to unbutton Snape's robes. "Is it really such a large leap in logic to assume she might be interested in both of us together?"
"I thought I was the one assumed to corrupt young, impressionable minds."
"Well, yes," Remus said, finally baring Snape's chest and dragging his tongue from bellybutton to throat. "But this time, you'll have help."
Severus moaned and cast a quick silencing spell at the door as he pulled Remus' head toward him and devoured his mouth as two sets of hands worked to divest their bodies of unnecessary and unwanted clothing.
Reveling in the feel of skin against skin, the men became a tangle of limbs, each relearning the lines of a body that had been gone too long from his touch, enjoying the gasps and moans that tongues and touches brought.
The sensation of finally being together again, of being one was too intense for either to last long. With a grunt from Severus and a strangled cry from Remus, the pair found their nirvana before collapsing breathlessly and satiated on the bed.