All of Harry Potter and anything related to it are the sole property of J.K. Rowling.
(Each title is derived from a song that, I believe, complements the overall narrative, if not the individual chapter.)
Somewhere on the edge of London, 12 July 1997
Draco's Point of view
The hospital staff and the Grangers practically had to pry me away from Hermione and Aiden only an hour after he was born. Hermione and Aiden were both asleep, and I was being told that I needed to get some rest too and shower and change my clothes that were stained with sweat, blood, and other things. I went along reluctantly, but not before ensuring that Jomny was present to shield them from any potential harm. He nodded at me with a proud smile, his large eyes shining with tears of joy.
Once back at the Grangers' house, they insisted I join them for a breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and tea. They kept casting amused glances my way, no doubt due to my heightened state of excitement. I couldn't stop talking about how wonderful both Hermione and Aiden were, and I even expressed my gratitude for all the older couple had done for me.
The Grangers listened patiently, smiling and nodding, occasionally interjecting with questions or offering me advice. Mr. Granger even shook my hand, and Mrs. Granger hugged me. They were just as taken with Aiden as Hermione and I were. They informed me of their intention to catch up on some much-needed sleep once we had finished eating and suggested I do the same.
I thanked them once more and went up and had a shower. It was while I was under the hot spray of water that I realised that the draw of my son and his mother was too strong for me to resist; I had to return to them. I dried myself quickly and got dressed in a clean set of clothes before getting one of the Vitamix Potions from Hermione's bag. It wasn't as potent as a Pepperup Potion, but it lacked the ridiculous side effects, and I had always made a point to avoid self-embarrassment where possible.
Aquila, my beloved eagle owl, and Potter's snowy owl were both slumbering peacefully in Hermione's room. Aquila was perched freely, while Potter's owl was confined to her cage to prevent her from returning to her master. Since my arrival, Aquila had spent most of her time outside the confines of the house. I had been taken aback by her presence here after I had abandoned her at Hogwarts. I hadn't wanted to take her back to the Manor with me only to witness the Dark Lord ruthlessly end her life as a retribution for some imagined insult or failure.
Once I was prepared, I ventured into the backyard, ensuring the house was locked up. I then Apparated as close to the hospital as I dared in a Muggle location, before summoning Jomny to come take me into the room. The sight that greeted me was breathtaking. Hermione was still asleep, but her nightgown was unbuttoned, and my son was asleep in the valley of her breasts even as she had a hand on his back supporting him.
"Jomny," I whispered with awe, unable to take my eyes from the sight.
"Lord Draco?" He whispered equally as softly.
"I need a camera," I told him. He popped away and was back with one in a moment. I had no idea where it came from, and I didn't care. My sole concern was to ensure this beautiful sight was captured. I snapped the picture, and then her eyes opened, and she smiled at me sleepily. She appeared radiant; her brown eyes sparkled with love and happiness. I took another picture.
"What are you doing?" she whispered with amusement.
"Taking photos of my family," I informed her, and she beamed at me before casting her gaze down at Aiden's head.
"We are a family, aren't we?" She said, sounding pretty awed herself. I went over to them and kissed her and then Aiden's warm bald head.
"Thanks to you," I told her sincerely.
She grinned but said, "I'm pretty sure you helped."
"Perhaps this is why it is referred to as making love," I muttered softly with contemplation.
"What was that?" she inquired just as softly.
"I am simply realising that I am witness to the manifestation of love, and we made that," I told her, and she gave me a shy, but pleased smile at that. "How did this come about? When we left, he was asleep in the little clear basinet," I told her as I rubbed my hand up and down his little back.
"A nurse came in to see if he wanted to feed, but he hasn't been interested yet. When the nurse went to return him to the basinet, he became upset, so I said I'd hold him longer. He seems happy here, don't you think?" She queried, gazing down at his head again with a tender smile.
"Yes," I breathed. He woke then, his eyes squinting open as if he had heard my voice, and he turned his head, attempting to focus his gaze. "Hello, beautiful boy," I said to him, gently touching his soft cheek. His features were delicate, and the eyes were a deep blue, like the ocean that we were told was common in newborns.
"Do you want to hold him? You haven't had much of a chance," she said.
"Okay," I agreed, and then I was unsure how to proceed. I kind of ended up laying my hand along his back and up to his head, then using the other to roll him onto my arm. I then scooped him up towards me, where I held him against my chest. He felt so light and fragile in my arms. "He is so tiny," I breathed, feeling his heartbeat against mine.
"He didn't feel tiny not so long ago," Hermione laughed, and I shared a smile with her. She shifted up the bed with a wriggle and pressed a button to raise the headrest. She made a little groaning sound as she adjusted her position.
"Sore?" I inquired, concerned.
"Yes, but it was my back. It's nice to sit up a bit," she told me, smiling weakly.
"I'm sorry," I couldn't help saying again.
"I feel like saying the same thing. Now that all is said and done, I am kind of horrified at what you must have seen down there," she said, blushing with embarrassment.
"It was the most amazing thing in the world, and you were perfect," I told her.
"Come sit by me," she said, and she scooted over a bit so there was room. Once I was seated next to her, she rested her head on my shoulder, and we merely watched Aiden for a time while he appeared to watch us. It was quiet, peaceful, and perfect. Later, we would learn that Jomny had been taking some pictures of this too.
The door opened, intruding on our time, and I frowned, but the nurse who came in was another overly cheerful one. I pondered if they were all given potions to create the effect.
"Time to feed baby," she said, scooping him out of my arms without so much as a by your leave. Hermione chuckled at the expression on my face and swiftly pecked my cheek. "Are you staying, Dad?" the nurse inquired. It was the first time I had been referred to as such, and it sent a thrill through me.
"Yes," I said to this woman, who appeared to be comfortable manhandling people. She placed Aiden in Hermione's arms and then pulled her nightgown open, exposing her breast to the room.
"What…?" I began to protest, but a glance from Hermione silenced me.
"We have to get this little fellow to latch, or he will have to try the bottle," the nurse was saying. She took Hermione's breast and proceeded to rub the nipple on Aiden's lip. This manhandling was too much for me, so I rose and began to pace the room. I really didn't like this woman being so casual with Hermione's body. "That's it," she abruptly announced, causing me to stop midstep to turn and observe what was happening. My body tightened, and then shame hit me. I was aware I was a pervert, but the sight of my son drinking from his mother instantly turned me on. I shook it off, aware that was too much, even for me.
"That feels so weird," Hermione said even as she ran a finger over Aiden's cheek. He was gripping her skin tightly in his little hand.
"Does it hurt?" I inquired as I returned to the side of the bed.
"No, just strange, and his nails are surprisingly sharp," she commented.
"Mittens are recommended when they're this age," the nurse said. Aiden let go of the nipple with a little pop, and Hermione cast a worried glance at the nurse. "Time to switch sides," the nurse said without concern, letting Hermione adjust herself this time. Aiden's little mouth was already hunting around for the nipple and then latched on with no assistance. I felt that tightening below the belt once more and sat quickly in the chair so nobody would notice the problem I was having. Hermione smiled at me with happiness again. When he was done, the nurse took him and changed his nappy then went to put him in the basinet again, but he instantly cried, his little face turning red.
"I don't believe he's fond of being in there," I told the nurse.
"Perhaps not, but his mum needs rest too," she said, placing him in it anyway.
"I'll take him," I declared with a frown of disapproval at the woman, and I went around to scoop him up. He immediately calmed down and snuggled into my chest, making a contented sound. I felt a warm glow in my heart as I gazed upon his peaceful face.
"I'll be back later to see how you all are. He should be alright for about four hours now, so I suggest you get some sleep, Miss Granger," she told Hermione in a brisk but cheerful tone.
"Alright," Hermione agreed, and we watched in silence as the nurse left the room, closing the door behind her.
"I do not like that woman," I stated emphatically.
"She's just doing her job," Hermione countered, attempting to inject some rationality into me.
I walked around with Aiden for a while, and Hermione dozed, but her eyes opened again as soon as Aiden let out a distressed noise.
"Is he alright?" she inquired, concern lacing her voice.
"I believe so," I reassured her, but the crying became insistent, and a tiny fist was hitting at me. Hermione propped herself up and held her arms out for him. At a loss as to what else to do, I took him over. She took him in her arms, and he immediately stopped. "Playing favourites already," I chucked as he snuggled against her once more. "That's alright, little dragon. She's my favourite too," I told him, planting a kiss on his head and making Hermione laugh. It had only been half an hour, but he was already hunting around with his mouth.
"Do you think it is alright if I try again?" She queried, sounding unsure.
"I don't see how it could hurt," I stated. "Do you need any help?" She nodded, and I unfastened the buttons she had done up only a short time ago and valiantly ignored anything that was happening below my waist. Once again, Aiden had no difficulty locating what he was after, but only after two sucks he fell asleep, making us both chuckle. I picked up the camera from the little table and took a quick photo.
"That one better not be seen by anyone," she said with mock anger.
"As if I would share it with anyone," I told her.
"Good, now kiss me. I am dying to feel even just that much of you," she said, and my cock sprang to full life. Still, I wasn't about to deny her, so I spent a good, long time kissing her until she was too sleepy to carry on.
"Sleep. I'll watch over the both of you," I told her.
"I'm afraid I'll drop him like this," she said. I climbed back onto the bed fully and dragged her back against my chest. Aiden was supported by both of us then. "Thank you," she murmured, and promptly fell asleep. I merely watched them. Aiden almost came awake a few times but merely hunted for the nipple, barely had it in his mouth, and would fall asleep again.
"Jomny?" I whispered, and he popped up on the other side of the bed. "What do you think of our family?" I queried with a proud grin.
"They are perfect," he said with a big grin of his own. And we were. Jomny, Hermione, me, Aiden, and the Grangers. I harboured hopes that my mother and Sev would also be part of this new family of mine, but for the moment, I staunchly resisted contemplating beyond that.
Hermione's Point of view
I was released from the hospital just a day after Aiden's birth, much to Draco's relief and satisfaction.
It took three days before Aiden would allow me to put him down for any longer than a few minutes. I hadn't minded. Those three days of holding him to my breasts even as he slept were perfect. I felt his soft breaths on my skin, his tiny fingers curling around mine, and his warm weight comforting me. It made getting out of the bedroom hard, and we did go downstairs a few times, although Draco and I were content just to sit with him in the room Draco alone had previously occupied and made it our bedroom.
We watched Aiden with wonder and love, and Draco was so cute as he whispered sweet stories to him and sang him little songs. He had a terrible singing voice, but Aiden seemed calmed by it. I was glad to find there was something he wasn't good at. I was becoming convinced that he was talented in everything he put his mind to doing.
After five days of Jomny keeping both Draco and me clean with refreshing charms, I was dying for a shower just to feel human again. My mum and dad were exceedingly happy to take Aiden for a bit of cuddle time when I brought him downstairs that afternoon. Leaving them to their own bonding, I returned to the bedroom to find Draco looking through a book.
"I need a shower. Come with me?" I asked him, and he looked at me in surprise.
"Are you certain?" he asked.
"Yes," I said, and I went over to grab his hand and drag him after me. He undressed reluctantly and turned away from me, which made me smile behind his back, but my face was neutral when he glanced at me over his shoulder. I went and looked at myself in the mirror and marvelled at what I saw, running my hands over my shrinking belly. It was the first time I had been fully naked since Aiden's birth, and I couldn't believe that it was already looking almost like none of it had ever happened. Well, besides the breasts, but I wasn't going to complain about those.
I heard him start the shower and even knew when he climbed in by the sound of the water hitting his body. I turned and climbed in the shower too, and he looked over my body as I did. I pulled him into a hug that I badly felt like I needed, and he dropped his head onto my shoulder. I felt his penis stiffen between us, and he tried to lean back from me.
"Sorry," he said, sounding embarrassed. I wasn't used to this being something he was embarrassed about.
"Shhh, it's alright," I told him, meeting his eyes now. Then I leaned up on my toes and kissed him. He moaned at the same time I did. "Will you wash me if I wash you?" I asked. He grinned, but still looked hesitant. "You can't hurt me with soap," I told him, and he seemed to relax at that. Those potions may have been literal works of magic, but my body was still bleeding a little. According to my mum a woman could bleed up to twelve weeks after childbirth. I doubted I would have to worry about it for that long.
We spent time reacquainting each other with the feel of our wet, naked bodies as we cleaned away days of stress, pain, and unbelievable joy. He went to turn off the shower when we were as clean as we could get, but I stilled his hand with mine and shook my head. I leaned up and ran my tongue up the column of his neck, avoiding the still-healing scar. I had to stand on my toes and hold onto his shoulders to reach, but he shivered and then looked down at me with heat in his eyes when I dropped onto my feet again.
"I am going to lick every part of you," I told him, and he shivered again. He grabbed my face and kissed me deeply.
"You don't have to," he said with his forehead pressed against mine, but I knew he wanted it.
"Would you deny me this?" I asked and ran my hands down his tight stomach. He sucked in a breath at the slight ticklish sensation.
"I wouldn't deny you anything you wanted," he told me.
"Good," I smiled. "Now lean back against the wall and let me work." I did exactly as I promised, and I had him humming in pleasure and growling at me when I avoided the place he most wanted my lips. I went back up and licked around his belly button, using the tip of a finger to push him away from my mouth. He growled again, and I giggled in response.
I then kissed lower, still dodging around that part of him standing proud and incredibly tight with arousal. I came back at him from underneath and licked his balls, which made him hiss and clench his hands, but he kept his eyes on me. I gently took his balls into my mouth and sucked, making him gasp and visibly shake with need.
"If you don't stop teasing me, I am going to cum all over your face," he threatened me.
"I like teasing you," I told him seductively.
"Hermione," he begged with incredible strain. I licked up the length of his penis then, and his shaking increased. I took him into my mouth quickly and worked back and forth a few times before swallowing him down the back of my throat. His hands came down onto the back of my head, and he held me there while he spasmed and pumped a little. I was on the verge of choking but was turned on too, and didn't care as I felt his orgasm hitting the back of my throat and sliding down. He let go of me, and I slid my mouth back off him slowly and with care while he gave a few last spasms of pleasure.
"That…" he said, breathing hard, "you can do anytime." I smiled back at him. "We should get out now. I am certain your parents won't be happy we have been in here so long."
"Probably," I agreed, but I didn't really care what they thought.
"I need to talk to you about something," he told me as we each got dry. I just looked back at him and enjoyed the sight of him drying himself, his penis still slightly stiff. "Hermione, please," he begged me, and I smiled at him again, knowing I was teasing him, but I couldn't help it.
"Stop looking so delicious, and I'll stop," I told him seriously.
"You need to stop," he said with dead seriousness.
"Why?" I asked breathily.
"Because I am this close to fucking you on the counter, and I am well aware it is too soon," he told me. I had to close my eyes to compose myself.
"Yes," I agreed, and knew I meant that in more ways than were good for me. "Your right," I added when I opened my eyes to see him looking back at me heatedly. The last was to remind myself more than him. He swallowed, then nodded and turned to get dressed. I got dressed as well, and we were both silent, but the tension was astonishing. "You needed to talk to me?" I managed to say reasonably as I was pulling my jeans on. He looked at them with a frown but didn't comment.
He nodded and said, "I need to talk to both you and Jomny." I raised my eyebrows in surprise at that.
After we left the bathroom, he went and got the soul magic book he had shown me once before, and then we went downstairs, where my parents were sitting in front of the TV, and my dad had his shirt unbuttoned and Aiden asleep on his chest. He had a hand supporting his nappy-covered rump, and my mum was running a hand up and down his bare little back while they both spoke softly to each other, looking at each other lovingly. Not wanting to disturb them and smiling at the reverse of what had been Draco and my existence the last few days, I took Draco out into the backyard so we could sit in the sun. It felt fantastic after days without it; the warmth seemed to seep down to my bones.
Draco spent a while showing Jomny and me the ritual that Snape had suggested we perform. It took a while to get to why Jomny needed to know, and when it was outlined, I blushed furiously. I had never seen a House Elf look uncomfortable, but I swear his ears and nose darkened in colour too, in his own version of embarrassment. House Elves were used to taking care of the intimate needs of their witches and wizards, but this was so much more than making sure a bedridden master didn't make a mess or magically changing their clothes.
Another reason it was necessary for all of us to discuss it was because the ritual required absolute agreement from all parties, even the servant. The ritual was based on love, trust, and commitment. Jomny couldn't be hurt, but Draco and I could if we didn't have complete faith in each other. A tiny bit of doubt could cause all kinds of problems. We had to be sure that this was what we wanted and that we were ready to bind ourselves together for all of this life and the next, whatever that may be.
We had to stop talking about it for a while when I went in to feed Aiden. Draco made sure he changed him. I had yet to change a nappy thanks to everybody else. Draco looked worried, and Jomny was outside, sitting in the sun with a look of concentration on his face.
"Jomny will do it," the little Elf said at once when we went back out to sit with him at the outdoor table by the pool. He looked up at us with his big eyes, full of loyalty and resolve. "Jomny is a good House Elf and wants his family to be safe." I just looked at him and swallowed. I wanted to be as brave as him, and yet I was uncomfortable with what he would have to do.
"Thank you, Jomny," Draco told him softly, but he looked at me, and I knew he was picking up on my discomfort. Jomny nodded and popped away. He had decided he wanted to start a deep clean of the house, which was almost bare of items now but held a lot of boxes. "There is more," Draco said when I met his eyes again.
"How can there be more?" I asked in disbelief. He grimaced and then turned a page in the thick book that lay on the outdoor table. He pointed down the page, and I read all the negative side effects that people had suffered when they proved unable to complete the ritual. The most common ones seemed to be infertility, followed by death. Another troubling one was the number of people who seemed to find that the love they thought they felt completely dried up and turned into animosity. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"If you are not certain…" he started, his voice gentle.
"The only part I have any problem with is knowing how much Jomny will see. It is downright embarrassing thinking of the things he must do, but don't imagine for a minute that I don't love you," I told him, looking into his grey eyes. "I also wonder what my parents are going to make of this. They are going to wonder why they suddenly need to babysit for more than thirty-two hours," I added, biting my lip in a bit of amusement at that. He still frowned as he looked down at the page, his brow furrowed.
"I'm not certain I want you to take this risk," he told me, and he met my eyes, fear evident in his.
"I don't want that monster to ever be able to touch you again. I can suffer embarrassment for any amount of time if it means you are safe from him," I told him seriously. He seemed to sag in relief.
"Just when I believe I couldn't possibly love you any more than I did a minute ago, you go and say something like that," he said intensely, and then looked at me, and suddenly we were kissing, and I had no idea who started it. I ended up in his lap, my legs either side of his, and one of his hands was rubbing up and down the naked skin of my back under my shirt while the other was under my backside.
"I already have one grandchild; can you hold off on another?" My dad's voice sounded uncomfortable and disapproving from behind me. Draco chuckled as I got off his lap. "Your mother wanted to know if you wanted anything in particular for dinner," he told me when I looked at him.
"Anything is fine. Draco and I have news to share, so if we could all sit together," I said, and he looked curiously between us but then nodded and went back into the house.
Turning back to Draco, I asked, "Do you think it can be performed somewhere here in the yard, or will we have to find somewhere else?"
"I'll walk the grounds shortly; attempt to feel it out. Sev might have a different idea, but if we have a location or two, it might help," Draco said, getting up from the chair and taking my hands in his, linking our fingers together. I grimaced at Snape's name. I was going to have to get past it for now, though. Not only was he Draco's godfather and someone he loved, but the wizard was going to have to perform the ceremony that starts the ritual that will hopefully bind our souls together.
"Alright," I agreed, then stepped into him for another kiss before forcing myself to turn and go into the house.
Hermione wasn't sure if she was dreaming or just awake enough to hear the things happening around her. She was so unbelievably tired still, even days after the birth of Aiden. And now, between the potions she was taking and having to be awake every four hours to feed her beautiful baby boy, she was exhausted.
In her dream, she felt Draco slip out of bed and walk on almost silent feet over to their son's bassinet at the end of the bed. She then heard him chuckle and say, "You won't be getting anything from there, little dragon." Even in her sleep, she smiled at the visual that brought to mind.
She felt the bed depress next to her, and then a tiny, warm body was laid against her. "Let's allow your mother to sleep, shall we?" He whispered, and then gently lifted her breast so Aiden could suckle. She frowned in her sleep and wondered if she should feel like a cow, but then instantly dismissed it because the love she felt for her son made feeding him perfect. Draco must have noticed the frown because he stroked his hand over her brow until she relaxed again.
She heard him whispering softly to their son, but it was so soft that she couldn't make out the words. The dream seemed to skip for her then because the next thing she felt was being rolled slightly and Aiden being laid across her chest, where he latched onto the other nipple. She opened her eyes and met Draco's.
"Go back to sleep, Love. We have this," he said, looking proud. She smiled but closed her eyes again and was completely asleep again before they finished. She became aware again for a few moments when she felt Draco's fingers softly rubbing the nipple cream on her. Between his touch and the tingle of the healing cream, she moaned and felt a clenching down below. Draco chuckled and kissed her forehead, but then everything disappeared again.
When I woke, it was morning, and Draco was sleeping peacefully on his side facing me with Aiden tucked against him. Aiden's little mouth had left little wet, milky kisses all over Draco's bare chest, but Aiden always seemed happiest when his skin was next to somebody else's. I used the moment to pick up the now ever-present camera from the bedside table and took a photo of the beautiful scene. Then I got up quietly and headed to the bathroom to freshen up for the day, knowing Aiden would be hungry soon.
I didn't bother putting on any clothes after my quick shower; besides my knickers and pad, just wrapped a towel around my body and walked back into the bedroom we all now shared. As I entered, I heard a soft whimper from the bed and hurried over just in time to head off an impatient little cry.
I dropped the towel and climbed back into bed, gently lifting up my beautiful baby and bringing him to my breast. He latches on immediately and started to nurse, making happy noises. I let out a content sigh and stroked his bald little head. His hair was already starting to grow in wispy strands, but it is almost invisible and incredibly soft. I turn my head to see Draco watching us sleepily.
"Still happy to do the ritual? To become my wife?" He asks me softly, his smile reaching his eyes.
"Yes," I answered without hesitation, but then frowned and looked down at Aiden. "I suppose that means he will have to be bottle-fed from now on."
"I'm sorry," he said.
"Not your fault," I told him softly, and then I looked away from Aiden and back at him, looking all deliciously sleep rumpled. "I am happier than you can imagine. Happier than I ever imagined I would feel about being married to anyone."
"Me too," he agreed with a warm smile. "I always thought I was going to be married to Pansy one day, and that was something I had never relished the thought of." I frowned, ignoring the flare of absurd jealousy and not wanting to think about that.
I added, "I don't know if I want to be known as Mrs. Malfoy."
"You won't," he replied at once, his eyes sparkling with mischief while I looked at him in confusion. He continued, "No, you are Lady Malfoy." Then he paused again and looked considering, and then smirked at me. "Well, if you want to be specific, you are the Marchioness of Malfoy, but we rarely use those titles since the Statute of Secrecy."
"Oh," I replied lamely, and glanced back down at Aiden with a frown, not sure I liked that either. It sounded so alien and antiquated. "Why aren't the titles still used?" I asked and knew I sounded unhappy.
Draco sighed and sat up in the bed. My eyes instantly turned to him because I honestly couldn't not look at him, especially when he was naked, and I followed his skin down until the sheet pooled in his lap. He laughed and jerked my eyes back up to his.
"You did that on purpose," I accused, but I wasn't unhappy.
"Absolutely. I love the way your eyes linger on me," he agreed, and leaned forward for a quick kiss. Aiden finished feeding on that side, so Draco picked up the baby bag from down his side of the bed so he could quickly change him.
"We stopped being subjects to the rule of the Muggle monarchy with the statute," he explained as he expertly changed the nappy and then wrapped Aiden back into his light little blanket before handing him back to me. I had used the time to think and become more confused. Aiden started to feed again, and I looked back at Draco, who was watching Aiden and me with the strangest look on his face. He seemed to blink it away before I could grasp onto what it was.
"I thought the Black family was higher in class than the Malfoys?" I asked even as I still tried to figure out what the look had been.
"Yes, but not in a rank that ever pertained to the Muggle world. The Blacks were the personal guards of the last magical king," he informed me.
"Seriously?" I asked in astonishment. As far as I knew, guards didn't have titles of importance. They were just loyal servants who protected their leaders.
"Yes. If you want to be even more precise, Sev would be the nearest we have to a prince," he expounded, his tone becoming more serious.
"Come again?" I asked in disbelief and confusion. He smiled at the tone.
"Before the last king was the last king, he was a prince with a daughter he loved very much. She was his youngest and most beloved. The laws of primogeniture… laws of legacy," he corrected himself with a wry smile at me, "left little for this daughter, besides a dowry that would make all those of the lower classes envious. Her father didn't like the idea of his daughter having to take the name of a lesser wizard, so he created a new one solely for her."
"He gifted her with a new family line, and she became the head. Her husband then had to take her name and be subject to her rule. The Prince family is a maternal line. Severus's mother was the last of that pure-blood line and the last descendant of the magical king. She was disowned by her mother for marrying a Muggle. It severed the family line because there were no more daughters."
"Sev could conceivably reclaim it, but he would have to find a witch he could love and trust enough that he would allow himself to become subject to her rule. Once he is deceased, the line will officially become extinct, with no way to resurrect it." He paused and looked at me intently. "Did you know that Sev's family once owned Hogwarts?" My mouth had been hanging open at so much of that, but that last bit was just too much.
"Okay," I said, pointing at him. "Now I know you are messing with me." He grinned smugly and looked like he was enjoying my disbelief too much.
"Nope," he said, and leaned forward to kiss my nose. "But it was only their summer residence, and they didn't need it." He explained, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to give away a castle. I was gaping at him again, unable to process his words.
"Close your mouth, Love," he said with an amused chuckle. "I should also mention the family was already in decline then, and I believe the handing over of Hogwarts wasn't as charitable as it has been made to sound over the subsequent centuries."
"Uh huh," I said, still disbelieving, and then looked back down at Aiden, where he was asleep again. He hadn't let go yet, and he looked so peaceful and innocent. "Who was the last magical king?" I asked; it was just one of the many questions that had popped into my head.
He looked at me with a sincere expression and said, "You are brilliant, but I'm curious if you, as a Muggleborn, would have ever heard of him. Does the name Arthur Pendragon mean anything to you?"
"No. Absolutely not," I said, shaking my head. "You must be making this up. Everyone knows that King Arthur and the sword in the stone are just fairy tales." He seemed taken aback by my answer.
"What about dragons and unicorns?" he queried; his head tilted in curiosity.
"Alright, I see your point," I acknowledged. He flashed me a self-satisfied grin.
"So, you are saying the Blacks were the personal guard of King Aurthur?" I asked.
"Yes," he answered at once.
"As in Merlin?" I pressed.
He shook his head and explained, "No. Merlin was an adviser and personal friend of our King. The Blacks are descended from a mysterious wizard only ever referred to as the Black Knight. That wizard had a fearsome reputation but allegedly died in the same battle as our King."
"Allegedly?" I asked.
He shrugged and said, "His body was taken by Merlin and never seen or mentioned again."
"So why was the family line named Prince and not Princess?" I asked, jumping the conversation back a bit.
"You expect me to explain the logic of a wizard who lived thousands of years before I was born," he replied with a shrug. I thought for a moment, and then I thought of my friends.
"And the Potters? What are they?" I asked.
"Rich," he replied at once.
"They don't have a title?" I asked with some perplexity. I had always assumed that the Potters were one of the oldest and most respected families in the wizarding world.
"Not really. They were but humble yeomen… small landowners," he corrected, seeing my confusion, "and then became impressive inventors," he said.
"But they have a seat in the Wizengamot?" I remarked, still confused, and he laughed.
"Of course they do. You don't have to be titled to be an ancient and noble house, or even merely a noble one. They were among the founders of the Wizengamot, along with Prince, Black, Malfoy, Weasley, and other prominent magicals. The Wizengamot is merely a council of witches and wizards that enacts the laws of polite society. Before that, people were cursing each other and creating blood feuds all over the place," he said with amusement.
"And yours and the Weasleys curses and blood feud? Before or after the Wizengamot was established?" I enquired.
"The Wizengamot was never flawless, and our Houses have ever been at wands drawn. It was always commonplace for those who shared borders," he explained, his voice laced with disdain. I smiled at how even more old-fashioned his speech sounded at the moment. He did that sometimes, and I didn't think he even noticed. I found it adorable.
"I didn't know you lived close to the Weasleys?" I asked.
"We don't. They lost those lands long ago," he answered.
"And before that? What where they?" I asked, fascinated now, despite how the conversation started.
"They were a rank beneath us. Now nothing. And that is no spiteful remark, just a statement of fact," Draco said, sounding vexed to be talking about them. He looked away from me, as if he wanted to avoid my gaze. It was my turn to lean forward for a kiss, hoping to soothe his irritation. He smiled as I pulled away, his eyes softening. Then something else occurred to me—a question that made me anxious.
"Is the curse going to affect me?" I asked, suddenly upset by the idea. I loved the Weasleys like they were a part of my family. They had welcomed me into their home and treated me like a daughter. How could I bear to be hated by them or hate them in return? Draco sighed and leaned back into his pillow.
"No," he said with reluctance, as if he wished it was otherwise. But then he looked smug and said, "Aiden, on the other hand, won't think much of them."
"Please be nice," I said, not liking the idea.
"Sorry, Love. You know I will try for you, but you can't understand what it is like unless you live with the curse. The Wea.. Weasley won't have any easier a time getting used to me," he said, and he did sound sorry for me. I looked down at my beautiful baby boy and hated that he was going to despise people I loved. I shook it off for now and got back on topic.
"So, you're telling me that Snape's last name is actually Prince?" I asked, recalling that stupid potions book Harry had used last year and how it had almost cost me all this.
"It would have been if his mother hadn't been disinherited," he agreed with a nod.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I exploded, making Aiden startle in my arms, and Draco raised an eyebrow at me.
"Why would I do that?" he asked calmly but with curiosity as I adjusted Aiden so I could burp him.
"I told you about that stupid book Harry was using. If you had just told me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt," I said, and then my eyes landed on his neck, and I blanched and felt sick. I had to blink away the tears that stung my eyes. It wasn't only Harry who almost took him away from me. Draco pulled me into his arms, so he was holding Aiden and me both.
"Love," he said carefully. "You never said anything about the name to me. It isn't even a conversation we had that I recorded in my diary. You mentioned attempting to find out who somebody was, but at that point we really attempted to avoid giving away much of each other's lives."
"Oh," I said lamely, feeling foolish for blaming him for something he didn't know. He chuckled again and kissed the top of my head.
"We should get up," he suggested gently. "I'm not certain when Sev will be arriving; any day now I hope, and I want as much ready as we can get it."
"I'll be sure to bow to his highness," I said sarcastically, and Draco laughed again.
"He'd probably find it amusing," he told me.
"Is Snape even capable of being amused?" I asked with doubt. I had never seen him smile or laugh, only sneer and scowl. He was the most miserable person I had ever met, and I hated him with every fibre of my being now. I had always tried to give the man the benefit of the doubt, but killing Professor Dumbledore—even if it really had been at his own insistence—I wasn't sure I could get past that.
At the same time, I knew I had to try. Things were so much bigger than my feelings on this topic, and I had to remind myself once again that he was important to Draco. I also reminded myself that he had saved Draco, and that, I thought, I could hold on to. Bringing Draco back to me was no small thing, and for that, I reasoned he deserved an ounce of forgiveness.
"You'd be surprised," Draco replied, unaware of my thoughts.
Later that afternoon, we had been studying the magical baby bottles and breast pads that went with them. The breast pads had roman numerals on them in small print, so the pair always matched. The instruction claimed that they would send the milk to the corresponding bottle. The bottles also claimed that the teats had real nipple flavour, which I found confusing. How could nipple be a flavour? Draco asked Jomny to clean and sterilise the bottles earlier in the day. Now we were back in the bedroom for feeding time, and Draco thought we should experiment.
While Aiden drank from one breast, Draco placed a breast pad on the other. The sensation was strange. It didn't appear to be moving at all, but I could feel a massaging sensation that drew my milk down. We watched in amazement as a bottle started to fill with milk in Draco's hand. He smiled at me, but I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I didn't want Aiden going over to the bottle, but I also knew he was going to have to since I still had things I had to do to ensure our son had a safe future ahead of him.
"Do you think there is a range limit?" I asked softly, not wanting to have to do this. Draco picked up the instructions and read them again.
"It doesn't really say, but it also claims to work at large distances," he said, and then looked at me with his own worried expression that mirrored mine.
"We should buy some formula. Just in case," I said as I looked down at Aiden, who had his eyes open, looking at us even as he fed. Already his eyes were getting heavy again, though, and his tiny hand gripped my finger.
"What do you think real nipple flavour means?" he asked as he still read over the bottle instructions.
"No idea," I said with a shrug, and Aiden let go of my nipple. I handed him over to Draco, and then he did something so outrageous that I gaped at him. He leaned down and licked my still damp nipple, and then stuck the bottle teat into his mouth.
"Yum," he said, and grinned at me. "Exactly like the real thing," he added, and then offered the bottle to Aiden.
"I… You… That can't have been necessary!" I exclaimed even as I watched in disappointment as Aiden took to the bottle easily.
"Strongly disagree. My son deserves the best, and that is you," he told me. My mouth opened in disbelief. He leaned forward and stuck his tongue in my mouth, and licked at me until I kissed him back. "I want to fuck you so bad," he said in a strained voice.
"I can't believe you just said that in front of our son!" I said in outrage, feeling my face heat up with anger. He grinned at me while holding Aiden in his arms as he drank his bottle. He was already falling asleep again.
"While I have no doubt he will one day be as brilliant as you, I highly doubt he understands what we are saying now," he told me, and then muttered something under his breath.
"What was that?" I asked with annoyance, and he looked at me with frustration.
"If you can regard me with such condemnation now, there is no way I want to tell you what I have been imagining," he told me.
"Would you have told me in the room?" I asked him, and he seemed to think about that.
"I don't know," he answered honestly. "There were times we were able to stop ourselves from saying things, but it came with effort."
"There was no way to force the truth?" I asked, and his eyes flashed to mine with worry.
"I never want to hide things from you, but I don't wish to perceive you casting your gaze upon me with disgust," he told me.
"It can't be that bad?"
"Promise you won't think less of me, and I will tell you," he demanded.
"I do promise. I don't think there is much you could ever say or do that would make me think badly of you," I told him.
"Fine," he said, but it was resigned and sounded like he was ready for the inevitable. "The first time I saw you feeding Aiden, I became turned on. Even I was appalled with how perverted I was. But since then, I keep having this dream. It isn't even erotic really, but it is definitely sexual in nature. In it, you are feeding him, and I am kneeling between your legs with my cock buried deep. I'm not moving; I'm merely watching you both. It feels as if I need to be a part of it, as though the three of us are connected in that moment," he confessed.
I stared at him with wide eyes and was breathing a little hard. He was right; I was horrified, but not at him. At myself because I loved the visual I had in my head of that. I could understand his need to be part of the bond that Aiden and I got to share. I opened my mouth to say something but couldn't. I had to swallow, and my chest was still heaving.
"And there it is," he said, sounding disappointed. I looked at him in disbelief.
"That…" I said breathily, having trouble catching my breath. "I…" I shook my head, trying to get a hold of myself, feeling my face flaming. "Yes," I said, and then shook my head again and swallowed while his eyes bugged out of his head. "I mean, that sounds beautiful." Then I covered my mouth and started to laugh hysterically. "Oh Merlin, having a baby has turned me into an insane person," I laughed, and soon he was laughing too.
"Merely so I have this straight; we are not doing that, right?" He asked, still sounding amused.
"Definitely not," I laughed. "But I love you for wanting it, for wanting to be so involved." He grinned and kissed me again, softly and sweetly.
Author's notes: - Rkook1210, kukuhimanpr , Coni Salinas Rios, and the guest reviewer, thank you all for reading and leaving reviews.
: - I also released a new short story this week called 'This is Me Trying.' It was inspired by my hatred of Harem fanfictions.