Hello everyone. Im glad you liked the last few chapters. Im doing something that I've never done before, well, two things actually, one at the beginning and one at the end.
Soooo, first thing is first. I have actually run across 2 talented writers here on FF that I think you should check out.
The first is by Lady Cailan, a Dramione that I really, really like because it is different and well written, called Crimson with a silver lining. It is actually one of the most original that I have come across in a long time.
The second is called Bonds of Matrimony by gnrkrystle. It's Snape and Hermione and is so far very good and not like the others.
Look for both of them and I think you will enjoy!
Now for the second thing, which I'm leaving up to you guys, is most of you know that I am writing my own book. Ive had a lot of emails asking about it so I was thinking about posting little teaser pieces at the end of chapter to kind of get ideas about what you think…. But you gotta let me know.
Okie dokey, time to get on with the story!
HLS
Hermione's lips twitched. The urge to laugh was almost unbearable as Severus recounted his day. She felt bad for him, she honestly did, but she was torn between being sympathic to his plight and laughing herself into hysterics. Lucius wasn't struggling, he was in full out laughter.
"So you mean to say, the fur around her… womanly areas, was matted?" Lucius wheezed out. Merlin he hadn't had a good laugh like this in a long time.
Severus groaned, "Yes, that is what I'm saying."
"You realize." He gritted out, "That she probably diddled herself into a conniption for the fur to be in that state."
And that was the final straw for her. The twitch of the lips gave way and she lost it, crashing down onto the couch next to Lucius, no longer able to hold any trace of a straight face.
"And when you knocked." Lucius laughed again, "You probably interrupted her diddle and left her in a randy state."
Hermione had tears in her eyes. What she wouldn't have given to be a fly on the wall.
"And when you told her that there was something you both wanted," she added, following Lucius' lead, "She ripped open her fluffy pink robe and tried to mo – molest you."
Severus couldn't believe they were laughing. He was traumatized… couldn't they see that. He shuddered again.
"Did – Did you scream, li –like a little girl?" Lucius barked out quickly, knowing he couldn't control the urge to laugh for more than a few seconds.
"I most certainly did not!" Severus replied with a huff, "Honestly, Lucius, I would never scream like a girl."
"So what did you do?" Hermione asked, trying her best to straighten out.
"I – I told her to put it away – in which I meant herself."
The lips twitched but she remained calm. Lucius was a lost cause.
"Then what?"
"I told her I would end the spell if she told me the loophole. I also offered her the hair removal cream." Severus then rubbed his hands over his face. "Then she asked me if the cream worked on everything. When I questioned, she – she asked if it worked on pubic hair as well."
And just like that, she was once again crashing next to a hysterical Lucius, who was not only turning a vibrant shade of red, but was also crying with laughter and smacking the couch. It was a sight.
Severus wasn't amused.
"Enjoy your laugh. I'm going to shower and bed. Today was not a good day for me."
"Severus…. One more question… was the fur wet? Or was she just getting started?" Lucius asked, knowing he wouldn't answer, but needing to see the cross expression on Severus's face. He was rewarded with the expression he was looking for and a bonus, Severus gagged at the thought.
LSH
The next day….
"It sounds easy enough." Lucius stated. He tried to sit up straighter but his ribs hurt too bad and by Hermione's groan, she was in the same boat.
"But it's not Lucius." Severus stated in seriousness, "It a bloody invasion of privacy, that's what it is. And on top of that, there would be a minimum of thirty people who work in the ministry and it would be open to the public."
Hermione shrugged, "So they ask us how we feel about each other and our level of involvement with each other… most already know those things."
"But that is only a fraction of it. They can ask absolutely anything they want and we cannot lie. The alarms will go off if we try. For Merlins sake, they could ask me how hung Lucius is –"
"I've got nothing to be ashamed of." Lucius interrupted.
"Not the point!" Severus growled, "They could ask what position we prefer, how involved Lucius and I are with each other…. Anything, and we have to answer."
"And to make matters worse, if even one member of the ministry disagrees, they won't allow the marriage."
"That might prove difficult considering neither of us former deatheaters are well liked." Lucius added.
"Exactly." Severus said with a sigh of relief, finally he understood this wasn't easy.
Hermione shrugged again, "I say we go for it. The worst they can say is 'no' and at least we will know we tried."
Severus looked to Lucius who sighed, she was right and they would not deny her.
LSH
Two Weeks later….
Severus, Lucius, and Hermione sat in silence as they watched a large group of ministry officials settle in. To make it worse, the Prophet got a hold of the story and what seats weren't taken by the ministry, were filled with nosy busy bodies, all geared up for the gossip that they would be able to spread once this fiasco was settled.
Hermione was uncomfortable, Lucius wasn't much better, but for once in his life, Severus looked like he was being faced with a hairy, naked Hinsley again. He was a private man and he didn't know how bad this would get. He was on guard and ready to hex… except he wasn't allowed a wand during this thing.
The gabble struck down, bringing silence to the entire room.
"Today, we are here to decide if Hermione Granger, Lucius Malfoy, and Severus Snape, should be allowed to marry in a three way union. For a hundred years, this type of union has been rejected, but according to section 3.519 of the marriage law requirements, they are allowed to request a trial where they can plead their case and where we, the officials of the ministry, must make a decision as to allow it or deny it.
Now, I must warn all parties involved, that due to the seriousness of this trial, lying will not be tolerated. We have wards in place that will sound if any false information is given. Is this understood to all?"
"Yes, we understand." Hermione piped up, smoothing down her robes as she sat back down.
"Very well. Now, before we begin, considering the circumstances and who this involves, any question asked that I feel is inappropriate, will be stricken and will not have to be answered. We are here to decide on a very important matter and shenanigans will not be tolerated."
He looked to Hermione first and gave a gentle smile, "Now, Ms. Granger. I realize that some of the questions asked will be of a more personal nature. Please understand that it is required as it allows us to see the true extent of the relationship."
Hermione nodded, wiping her sweaty palms on her robes.
"My first question is to you, Ms. Granger. I understand that this relationship started as a result of time travel that was not under your control. Am I correct?"
"Yes sir."
"And when you travelled back, did you know that Mr. Snape and Mr. Malfoy would one day be your professors?"
"I did, sir."
"And did you befriend them with the intentions of gain in your educational career?"
"Absolutly not, sir."
"And did Misters Snape and Malfoy know that you would be their student at a later time?"
"They did, sir, I told them that from the beginning."
"And do you not feel that the relationship was inappropriate considering the future circumstances?"
"Sir, will all due respect. When I travelled, I was taken to a time where I was virtually alone. I knew no one with the exception of a few people and all of them I knew as adults.
The friendship was not started with the goal of a relationship in mind. To be honest, I needed friends and they took the job…. The relationship came much later."
The man smiled again, "Thank you Ms. Granger."
He then looked to Lucius, who looked a little more relaxed.
"Mr. Malfoy. The next set of questions is important as it gages a few different points in your relationship. I give Mr. Snape permission to reply if he feels that he can add anything useful."
Lucius and Severus both nodded.
"Now, when Ms. Granger told you that you would one day be her professors, did you hesitate in forming a friendship or relationship with her?"
Lucius shook his head, "As Hermione stated, none of us knew that our friendship would lead to anything more. It just happened and at the time, I believe we all felt that because we were the same age, the future really didn't matter."
"Very well." The man stated, "and prior to Ms. Granger, had you two, meaning the men, had any sort of relationship? Or did it just happen?"
Severus gritted his teeth, bloody personal questions.
"Severus and I had formed a relationship when we were in sixth year. Again, it wasn't intentional, but our home lives led us to seek comfort and when it came down to it, we found that comfort in each other."
"And do you feel that if this marriage is approved, there will ever be jealousy between you two?"
Severus shook his head, "There has never and will never be any jealousy. Our relationship, all of us, are very much on the same page. We… We love each other the same, there is no favoritism or anything of the like between us."
The man nodded, "Thank you, I will now open this for questions from the members of the ministry. Members of the public, you are advised to keep quiet or you will be escorted out." And with that, he stepped back, choosing a small, chubby woman for the first question.
She stepped up and cleared her throat, "This question is for Ms. Granger. It is well known that you are a muggleborn and that peaks my curiosity considering the two men in question are former death eaters… Do you have any fears or concerns when it comes to a marriage with the two?"
Hermione shook her head, "I have no doubt in my mind that both men would gladly give their lives to save mine. They are private men, but I see a side that no one else does and I know without a shadow of a doubt that they would never harm me. So, no, I have no fears or concerns."
The woman stepped down and the next string of questions were very similar. Things seemed to be going well until a gruff looking man stepped up to the small podium.
"This is a question to Mrs. Granger. I understand that you say you love two men equally, but how is that even possible? Unions are usually between two people, not three… marriages are a symbol of devotion between two individuals who are giving themselves to each other and forsaking all others. Was one man not enough for you?"
Hermione was miffed but composed, "That is a loaded question and unless you have even been in our shoes, you will never truly understand the bond we have. I don't know how to say it any clearer than I already have, but no, in this case, one man was not enough. We are not objects, we are people and you can try as you might, but you cannot always control who you fall in love with. I need each man as much as I need air. They are a part of me, etched into my heart and soul, and I can say without any restrictions that there is no one else out there for me. We are like puzzle pieces in a sense… we fit each other and when put together, we make the complete picture."
The man huffed, still not really understanding it. It went against everything he had been taught.
The main speaker stood again, "I believe, that a wide range of questions have been asked and enough information has been given for us to make a sound decision." He looked to the members of the ministry, "Have you all made your decision?"
The group nodded in unison. They were ready.