Hello, darlings, today's ending is a bit of a cliffie, but think soap opera cliffie, not will they be alive cliffie. The end could be a little triggering for emotional manipulation. Just putting that warning out there. Nothing graphic, just implications.
Chapter 23 Wedding Follow Up
Hermione and Marcus began circulating to bid farewell to their guests. Lavender Brown introduced the couple to her fiance, William. "Congratulations, you two. Hermione you look divine. I predict you're going to start a new trend in wedding attire."
"Thank you, Lavender. And nice to meet you, William." She turned to move on.
Lavender placed a hand on her arm to stop her. "I don't want to make a big deal out of it here, but we both wanted to thank you. Without your little present, we probably wouldn't be expecting a little bundle in August." She smiled tentatively.
Hermione gave a loud cry of excitement and pulled the other witch into a tight embrace, drawing attention. Lavender excitedly shared with Padma and Adrian why they were so happy. The news spread quickly amongst the remaining wedding attendees. Veronica seethed. She wasn't allowed to share her news, but someone else got to. When Ron looked like he intended to go celebrate with this ex-girlfriend, she drew his attention, "I'm tired. We should go to bed. And Hugo's asleep. Let's go back to the room."
"Sure," he picked up his son. He wanted to object, but his father's advice kept him from saying anything. 'Acting in the moment without thought has led to regret later. You have to work on that. You have a son to think about now.' And he was right. Being immature had cost him everything. He had to do better. "Lead on, my dear." Together they exited the banquet hall.
The impromptu celebration prevented the newlyweds from escaping before one in the morning. Regardless, at the doorway to their room, Marcus opened the door and swept his bride up into his arms, "Have to carry my love across the threshold."
"I don't appear to have much of a choice."
"You do not," he kissed her and walked into the room. "Alone at last." He placed her on her feet. "What to do? Really the question is do I ravish you in the dress, or out of it?"
"The dress hides most of the scars and stretch marks," she answered.
He looked at her with hooded, lust-filled eyes, "You mean all the sexy things that show you're strong? Naked it is." She swatted his arm, "What? You talked me into it."
He began unclasping the tiny hooks holding the dress closed. Starting at the base of her neck, he pressed kisses along her spine as he exposed skin. Briefly, she contemplated teasing him by holding the dress up to impede his progress. But discarded the idea. She shivered when he knelt to kiss her lower back. She felt his smile against her skin as the dress fell to the floor. She stepped forward out of the pool of fabric. She turned to face him. Marcus swallowed hard at the sight of her bare breasts and lacy knickers. "You, sir," she said running her fingers over his closed shoulders and towards his chest, "are wearing far too much clothing."
"I'm not finished assuring you that I find my wife's scars sexy." He brushed a knuckle across a scar on her stomach and a few stretch marks.
"I promise you, she is aware. She's more interested in seeing her husband naked right now." She spun on her toes and sashayed to the bed, rolling her hips seductively.
"On it," he followed her shedding clothes as he went. She sat on the bed, a naked Marcus stopping in front of her. His erection bobbed in front of her, demanding attention. She licked her lips as she leaned forward. She gave the tip a soft slow lick. He groaned and planted his feet. She took the tip into her mouth and sucked hard, inflicting a moan. She released the pressure to continue down the shaft at a leisurely pace, then just as slowly pulled away. She gripped the base and matched her twisting pumps with the movement of her mouth. She alternated the slow movements with three of four hard head bows. Marcus fisted his hands on her hair and growled, "Are you trying to kill me?"
"No, just drive you insane," she sassed.
"Mission accomplished." He swiftly collected her and moved them up the bed. He ripped the knickers down her legs. He ran his fingers through the curls at the apex of her thighs to feel the wetness at her clit. He buried himself in her. "I love you, Mrs. Flint."
"I love you, too, Mr. Flint," she kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on as he pounded into her. She cried out her pleasure loudly. He continued the pace until her walls clamped down on him and she screamed his name. His orgasms chased hers. He collapsed next to her, face down on the bed. She rolled over and drew random designs on his skin. "Doesn't feel that different, does it?"
He lifted his head from the pillow to regard her, "What doesn't?"
"Married sex, felt just like single sex."
"Are you saying you are unsatisfied, madame?"
"On the contrary, good sir, I am quite satisfied, as always. I am making an observation. I'm sure you'll do your best to change my mind."
"Oh, that I will, be assured," he rolled onto his back and pulled her to him. "Tomorrow, because last night was too short and today too long. Sleep now." He snuggled around her as the big spoon.
"Brilliant idea."
Veronica glowered through breakfast. She refused to speak to anyone and radiated annoyance. "What's got her knickers in a twist?" George asked his little brother.
Ron shrugged, "Other than her monthly visitor arrived? No clue. I'm ignoring it."
"Rather mature attitude," observed Fred.
"She wants to fight so she can play the victim and this is not the place. I'm surprising her with a side trip on the way home. If she still wants to fight later, then we can fight. Time to grow up and work on the wedding she wanted so badly."
George looked at his twin, "When did our little Ronniekins get so smart?"
Ron gave a bitter laugh, "When I destroyed my perfectly fine world in a bout of self pity." He tickled Hugo. "Though I don't regret this little man one bit."
Much like married sex, married life changed little. Christmas and New Year's passed in a blur of activity. When it came time to depart for their honeymoon, Hermione balked at leaving the boys. "We can go on one later, in a month or five."
"We can't," Marcus told her.
"Yes, we could."
"Hermione, my love, we have to go now," he told her firmly.
"But babies," she protested.
"Will be spoiled by our families while you're gone and can't stop them."
"Tch, fine," she folded her arms, huffing.
The portkey delivered them to a copse of trees at the edge of a covered meadow. She looked around, "This looks familiar."
"It should," he turned her around and pointed to the ice hotel and lodge they stayed at a year, and a lifetime, ago. "Two nights in the igloo then the last eight days inside. I wanted to recreate our first nights together, but I'm not freezing for ten nights."
She flung her arms around him, leaping at him, he caught her. "This is amazing, you are amazing." She kissed him passionately. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He lowered her to her feet. "Shall we? This time we're snowmobiling and doing the river trip in addition to the sleigh ride."
"All of the outings sounded fun, honestly."
"Good, we're doing most of them with days in between for relaxing, sightseeing, and shopping." With a cheeky grin, he cast her translation charm on both of them before leading her down to the hotel to check in.
The theme for this year was legendary beasts. "You have your choice between the Dragon room and the Pegasus. Do you have a preference?" asked the sweet-faced receptionist.
"The Dragon," answered Hermione. "It was our school mascot." The receptionist nodded.
"Have you stayed with us before?"
"Yes," confirmed Marcus. "Pushed us from work acquaintances to something more."
The girl's smile brightened, "How wonderful. So, I have you in the Dragon room for two nights, then to room 315 for the remainder of your stay. The room is empty, would you like to place your things there for ease? You can also use the bathroom there for showering. No extra fee."
"That would be nice, thank you," Hermione said. The girl made notes on the computer and made some notations on a piece of paper. She reviews their reservations with them.
"Enjoy your stay."
Tucked in thick fluffy pajamas the newlyweds snuggled under the thick wool blankets and fur rugs. Marcus tugged her closer until her head rested on his chest. "Last year ago, when we were here, I intended to enjoy being close to you for as long as it lasted."
"I was sure that I would be lonely forever. Forced to stand on the outside looking in at the life that should have been mine."
"Do you still wish it could be?"
"No, that he cheated so easily suggested it was a matter of when not if he cheated. He's grown up a lot in the last year. If she hadn't shown up pregnant and stolen him, I don't think he would have ever matured as much as he had. He wouldn't have needed to."
"Good to know," he hugged her tightly.
"I love you."
"I love you more," he told her.
Marcus worried he would find snowmobiling as difficult as driving, but not having to worry about roads or oncoming traffic made the experience easier. Watching Hermione fly through the snowbanks laughing, made him believe her fear of flying directly related to her fear of falling from heights. She was a fearless speed demon. They spent the afternoon racing one another. When the teenagers in their group started a snowball fight they joined in leading their team to victory. "Man, you are awesome. My older sister is sitting in the hotel pretending to enjoy some snotty book to look grown up," declared one of them.
"Being a grown-up is horribly overrated. And life is too short to go around
pretending to enjoy things. Do what you enjoy," responded Hermione. "Like this." She flung a loose snowball at her husband's face and raced off.
Marcus stood stunned for a second before taking off after his wife, "It is on, witch."
"Only if you can catch me," she yelled back. The teenagers cheered both of them on.
Eventually, Marcus tackled her to the ground. "Caught you," he smirked down at her pink face.
"Oh no," she laughed, "whatever will happen to me, now? I am so afraid," she said in a flat, teasing tone.
He laughed and flung her over his shoulder, "No clue, let's find out, shall we?" He waved to the teenagers as he carried her back towards the ice hotel. Hermione saluted them as she rested her elbows on his arse.
They decline the invitation to join the fishing trip, opting to take the scenic floating trip. The guide would often remark how spectacular the banks would be during the autumn and spring. "To entice you back," whispered Hermione in response. Marcus gave a rumbling chuckle that she felt rather than heard. They watched the fish swimming under the boat as it moved through the icy water. She leaned back against Marcus's chest, wiggling to get comfortable. "Still this is lovely."
"I agree." She swatted him when she realized he meant her not the riverbanks.
At the formal restaurant, the host led them to a secluded table for two in a dimly lit alcove. "Reception noted this is your honeymoon. Enjoy." The waiter arrived with the house specialty, "Complements of the house." Rather than argue, Hermione smiled and accepted the glass the man poured for her.
The last night they repeated the sleigh ride beneath the Northern Lights, this time without the bonfire story time. Again, Hermione thanked the reindeer. The driver smiled, "Welcome back, light bringer. I am glad to see you looking joyful and at peace."
"I am, too. Thank you for noticing," she demurred.
"I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay," the driver said.
"It's almost over, we head home tomorrow. But it has been as magical as the last."
"Excellent."
After check-out, they ran into town to collect a trinket for the boys. A teenage boy approached politely, "Excuse me, Mrs. Flint?"
"Yes," she answered cautiously.
"My name is Tomas, Malin is my sister. Grandmother said you would be here and to ask if you would take this package to her for us?"
"I would be delighted. If you want her postal address is 12 Grimwauld Place in London."
"Thank you," he nodded. "May luck guide your feet."
"And yours," responded Hermione taking the small package. Malin enjoyed the small Yule gifts and letters from her family. Even more when Harry bought her late Yule present of an owl so she could better keep in touch with her family.
Each triplet grinned and babbled gleefully at their parents. "They were angels," Monica assured them.
Hermione swept up Dominic, "Were you good for Grandma and Gramps?" He laughed and clapped her cheeks. "You were? What about your brothers?" He gurgled. "Well enough then, my little love."
"Grandmother and Grandfather," corrected Monica. Wendell winked at her. She just smiled back.
Life fell back into its familiar patterns. Marcus performed his hit wizard duties. Hermione wrote. Malin assisted her. The triplets grew. Grandfather Dominic and Hermione battled for the title of Scrabble Master. Hermione created a sash for the current record holder. Bill and Fleur welcomed a baby girl named Dominique. Winter began dwindling to an end.
Needing a break, Veronica dropped Hugo off with Molly. She would have gone to the spa, but her reserve income had been diminished greatly by Ron's surprise after the Flint wedding. So no extravagances for a bit. She ran a hot bath and added scented bath oils. A few cucumber slices and it would be nearly as good. At least that's what she kept telling herself. The water began to cool when she heard the swoosh of the floo. Growling with annoyance, she climbed out of the tub and wrapped a towel around herself. "Hello?" she called as she stomped out of the bathroom.
"Hello, Veronica," Jeffery gave her a sultry smile.
"What are you doing here in the middle of the day?"
He sat down on the couch, stretching his arms out along the back, "I wanted to talk to you about something important."
She rolled her eyes, "Fine. Let me get dressed." She returned to the bedroom and pulled on a simple sundress. She went back out, "Now, why are you here?"
"Ginny broke off our arrangement. She's done chasing Potter," he braced one leg against the opposite knee.
"My sympathies. You down seem too broken up over it."
"It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, nothing more. However, it does present me with a dilemma. I've gotten rather used to regular sex."
"I fail to see how this is my problem," snarled Veronica.
"It occurred to me that we don't have to be in a romantic relationship to have sex."
"Jeffery, I am not cheating on Ron with you. We've been over this."
"Veronica, darling, you're missing the bigger picture. You don't have much of a choice anymore. What would everyone do if they knew you used potions to alienate them from each other? How would Ron react if he knew that without your fertility potions, you would have been an indiscretion they moved on from? That Harry would still be in love with Ginny? Your happy ending cost them theirs. And I know all about it. The lengths you went to, how long you really chased Ron. I know you considered running your game on Harry instead. Either you start sleeping with me or I tell them everything." He smirked at her. "Think very carefully about your next actions." He adjusted himself. "Then you can pull off the skirt and get busy. Because you're right, the ends do justify the means if I get what I deserve. You want to be 'famous.' Or at least famous adjacent. I want regular sex."
"Except giving you what you want puts what I want at risk," she hissed.
"Not giving me what I want puts it at greater risk." He smirked at her. "Tick tock, princess. I have just enough evidence to make them doubt."
She glared, "I hate you right now."
"You'll forget about it when you remember how good my cock feels."
She rolled her eyes, "No man's cock is good enough to forget blackmail, arsehole." A desperate plan formed. She moved so that half her body blocked his view of the other half and slipped her wand out of the dress pocket. She spun on her toes and cried, "Obliviate!"
Jeffery stared at her blankly, "Where am I? Who are you?" He blinked twice, and began to panic, "Who am I?"
"Oh, fuck!" Veronica felt panic creeping in. It wasn't illegal to use the spell, but people were going to ask why. She began casting housekeeping charms to clear her wand.
Jeffery began going through his pockets. "Why do I have these photos and letters?"
She turned to see him holding up photos of the two of them doing the horizontal tango not long before she got together with Ron. Without thinking she blasted them in his hand. The blast knocked him unconscious and lit the papers on fire. A plan formed in her head, she let everything burn until she couldn't make out what they were or what they said and extinguished them. Letting the adrenaline and panic set in she screamed and ran to the floo, fire calling for aurors.
A/N: Sorry, not sorry. This deserves some suspense.