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.)
The Forest of Dean, 24 December 1997
Draco's Point of View
"You have your offering gift?" I queried Dan. We were preparing to depart the cabin. Midnight would be upon us before too long, and the ritual had to begin right as the new day arrived.
"Are you absolutely certain this will suffice?" Dan inquired as he held up a key ring with a tooth as the centre and little planets surrounding it on metal rings. He had shown me earlier in the week that on the little metal rings it says, 'The best dentist in the molar system.'
"If the item has any significance to you, it will be fine. If it hasn't been claimed by a child by close of day tomorrow, it will turn to dust and return to the earth," I told him.
"An elderly patient, whom I had been treating for years, gave it to me as a joke," he elucidated with a spark of warmth. "Usually, I don't like such gaudy things, but I was moved by the gesture none the less. It wasn't long before it became the key ring I used for the practice."
"And you won't mind losing it?" I inquired.
"To be honest, I am incredibly excited to be part of another magical ritual that I was willing to part with almost anything," he explained, reminding me once again of Hermione. She really was her father's daughter.
"Are you sure you won't accompany us, Uncle Ian?" Dan queried, casting a glance towards the ghost who was brooding by the door to the stairs.
"So I can see the damage you have done to my lovely, secluded piece of forest. Never!" he said, and then fell backward through the door. Dan let out a sigh, gave his head a shake, and then began to make his way towards the front door.
"Tell me again why children don't participate in this?" He inquired as we both stepped out onto the porch.
"There are two reasons. The first is that until the age of fifteen, all children feel compelled to claim a gift during the daylight hours, but the second is much more important. Until the age of eleven, we have no control over our magic whatsoever. I am certain you experienced that with Hermione," I commented, and he gave a thoughtful nod. "Even once we acquire our wands and begin to gain the ability to direct our magic, it still takes time to learn how much magic to put into spells and even potions. If a child participated in this, they could accidentally drain themselves without meaning to."
We then proceeded in silence towards the tree that stood in what had become the middle of the village. People and creatures were coming from every direction, most exuding quiet happiness, while others engaged in hushed excited conversations.
"Do you remember what to do?" I drawled, my eyes glancing towards my father-in-law. He nodded, his gaze sweeping across the gathering crowd.
"I pierce the tips of my right hand's fingers with my pin, then I press that hand to the tree trunk and place the other on your shoulder. Vasanos will rest his hand on my other shoulder. A pair of individuals behind me will position their hands on my back," he articulated with a tone of self-assured knowledge. When we had discussed it previously, I had come to the conclusion that he should use blood as he did when activating potions. Unlike a wizard, he didn't have a natural conduit for his magic to flow through.
"Yes," I agreed. "Don't attempt to force anything. I am unsure how this will work exactly for a squib, but I am aware that squibs have done this in the past. Even Muggles once had a version. Simply let the magic from everyone behind you flow through you and into the tree." He nodded again, barely containing his excitement.
"I do wish Emma could have been here," he said.
"I'd hoped the swimming would help her combat the magic sickness, but she appears to be getting worse lately," I commented.
"She'll be alright," her husband said with a surprising lack of worry. "She is looking forward to lunch tomorrow, however. She always did enjoy social functions." I was familiar with the sentiment. My family had always been important enough to be invited to all the best social gatherings, and the connections made at those were always invaluable in some way.
"Mars has chosen to shine with particular brilliance this night," Vasanos proclaimed as he, along with Magorian and Ronan, made their approach. The majority of their herd trailed behind them, all dressed warmly against the cold, but they began to disperse to go speak with those they were friendly with. I noticed that Vasanos's eldest daughter, Irale, went over and greeted Greg Goyle. We didn't spend a lot of time together these days, but we did catch up at least once a week, and we often saw each other when we did our patrols.
"A fight, one bringing our world closer to the ultimate battle, shall unfold this very night," intoned Morrigan with solemnity as he cast a glance towards the distant celestial body, causing me to arch an eyebrow.
"We must be sure not to allow evil to enter our home," Ronan concluded, his voice carrying the deep, prophetic resonance typical of the Centaurs. The other two nodded in agreement, while Dan and I watched them without any comprehension of what they were talking about.
"The hour of midnight draws near," Vasanos said to Dan as if he had not spoken of anything else. "Are you prepared, my friend?"
"Wouldn't miss it," Dan responded. The five of us approached the tree, and a surge of excitement ran through me. I had only participated in one of these rituals, and now, reflecting on it, I understood that it was the Dark Lord's favour towards my father that had granted the Malfoy family and their allies and vassals the permission to conduct the ritual and even hold our annual Christmas ball that year. The Dark Lord, however, had not been present, having been off on one of his quests for power and consolidating his forces in another part of the world. My mother entered my thoughts for a moment, but I quickly pushed those emotions away with a bit of Occlumency, not wanting anything to dampen this night.
Dan stood to my right, and Magorian stood on my left. The residents of Haven spread out behind us in concentric circles, with left hands on shoulders and the right touching someone's back to form the link. I pressed my hand flat against the grey bark of the ash tree. Its naked branches spread out above our heads.
Everyone fell into a hushed silence, waiting. Then it happened. The tree woke, for lack of a better term, opening itself to accept our Offering. I nodded at Dan, allowing a trickle of my magic to flow down my arm and into the tree. In the next instant, I felt the magic from the two behind me seep through my body and into the tree.
In rhythmic pulses, I felt the magic coursing through me, flowing into the tree. It filled me with a warmth that... 'embraced' was the only term that appeared to encapsulate the sensation. Dan let out a soft noise of surprise when the tree woke, his grin widening as the magic coursed through him.
With every pulse of magic, the tree began to glow, initiating from the top and working its way down. The once ordinary tree grew magical silver leaves that shimmered on its glowing white branches. Every tip glowing as if touched by starlight, and the very top shone like the brightest star in the sky. We all stood in silent awe until the final traces of magic were eagerly absorbed by the tree. When it was done, we dropped our hands.
I couldn't help but smirk at the sight of rapture on Dan's face, feeling a similar sense of joy myself. Along with everyone else, I began to sing the Song of Offering.
Oh, Offering tree, we bring to thee, Magic freely given by me, An offering to feed the earth, Renewal, joy, and endless worth.
In the heart of winter's night, Underneath the silver light, We gather 'round the Offering tree, Returning some magic to thee.
As the stars begin to dance, In this sacred, ancient trance, Roots will drink the gift made light, Sprout the spring from this Yule's night.
Oh, Offering tree, we bring to thee, Magic freely given by me, An offering to feed the earth, Renewal, joy, and endless worth.
Through the roots, our magic flows, With hearts and spells, we now bestow, A gift that only Yule can know.
Many began on another song, but I was content to move on. I took the stone from my pocket, the one I had worked on for days. The transfiguration had taken but moments, making the redstone heart I had found by the river resemble that of a heart-shaped rose. As soon as I had seen the unusual heart-shaped stone in the water, I had thought of Hermione, and it was for her that inspiration came to me for my offering gift.
The heart was my love for her. The rose was because she loved them, and I had enjoyed gifting them to her. The runes of protection I spent days carving into the back of the stone were because I wanted nothing more right now than her safety. I also added a small clasp to the back and used a leather tie to make it a necklace. Examining it in my hand once more, I sent up a prayer to any deity that was listening for her safe return to me and hung it from a glowing branch. Dan hung his key ring on another, his expression betraying his dissatisfaction with his offering when he saw what others were leaving.
Vasanos placed a hand-carved bow, adorned with intricate depictions of a hunt, against the tree trunk. Magorian contributed a wooden decoration, skillfully carved into the shape of two doves. Ronan left a lidded clay jar beneath the tree. I was certain it contained something, but I understood it would be impolite to inquire. The five of us respectfully stepped aside, making way for others to leave their offerings even as the singing continued on, although already much quieter.
"That was undoubtedly the most remarkable thing I have ever seen," Dan said, sounding a bit breathy with his awe even as he glanced back at the large glowing tree once again.
"Are you alright?" I questioned him. He turned a magnificent smile on me.
"If honest, I think I feel a touch intoxicated, yet with none of the usual dulling of wits or unseemly urges to make a fool of myself. I feel energised, fantastic, and..." His words were interrupted as the three Centaurs laughed and Magorian slapped him on the shoulder in good spirits.
"A fortuitous state of being, considering we must now commence work on the pergolas and the adornments for the morrow's gathering," Magorian informed him.
"How many are remaining to help?" I queried the three Centaurs.
"Close to a score and a half, thus none amongst us shall be awake for an undue portion of this night," Vasanos responded.
"I'm not impressed that it consistently appears to be the same group who are always first to volunteer. I had hoped for a broader participation tonight," I remarked, observing many retreat into the night, returning to the safety and comfort of their temporary homes.
"Perhaps they would if you weren't so detached with them," Dan suggested, punctuating his words with a slap on my arm.
"I have been perfectly cordial with all those I have conversed with," I informed him, and all four laughed at me.
"Yes, they all agree you have been cordial," Dan said with slight sarcasm.
"And I suppose you are the epitome of open friendliness," I said to Dan.
"I don't need to be nice to everyone. I am not the face of Haven," he told me, and the other three nodded. I went to respond, but Mr. Lovegood and Luna approached.
"Remember the camera, Daddy," Luna was saying to him as they reached us.
"Just a few more snapshots to go," he replied to her with a dreamy quality in his voice. "I'm also quite eager to capture the pergolas' creation. It's my wish to document all the wonderful ways Haven comes together, demonstrating our collective spirit," he said, his smile spreading like a gentle wave as he turned to the five of us. I saw a camera hovering not far away, making a snapping noise and emitting a flash of smoke as it took a photo of Haven's residents leaving more gifts on and under the tree. "Truly, this occasion has unfolded with as much splendour as promised," Mr. Lovegood remarked, his gaze lingering on each of us with a soft sparkle of joy.
"What did you leave as an offering?" Dan inquired of the wizard, and I had to fight not to react to the faux pas. Thankfully, neither of the Lovegoods took offence, but I was aware that I would have to mention that it wasn't appropriate to enquire of another what their offering had been.
"Ah, the conundrum was quite profound! To choose between the first draft of my previous Quibbler edition or a talisman representing the Deathly Hallows. Alas, in the end, I choose to leave both," the wizard replied excitedly.
"I wasn't aware that more than one gift could be left, and I have no idea what the Deathly Hallows are, but they don't sound pleasant," Dan commented, not losing any of his excitement for the night.
"It is simply a children's story," I told him even as I nodded at departing people who said goodnight as they walked past.
"Oh, but the Deathly Hallows, they are..." Mr. Lovegood began, his voice filled with an air of mystical reverence. However, before he could delve further into his eccentric ramblings, Luna deftly interrupted, gently wrapping her arm around his and meeting his gaze.
"Perhaps Mr. Granger would delight in a discussion of such curious matters at a later time," she suggested to her father with a serene gentleness. "For the present, there are tasks that beckon our attention. Why don't you interview a few more of the residents before we lend our hands to the noble endeavour of raising the pergolas'?"
"I look forward to it," Dan told him happily.
"As gracious as your daughter," Mr. Lovegood acknowledged with a nod, then after giving his daughters hand a quick pat, turned and made a beeline for Greg and Irale. I couldn't help but let out a sigh of irrational jealousy that the wizard had spent time with Hermione.
"What did you leave, Luna?" My father-in-law queried, and I was cognisant that I could not let this continue. Even the Centaurs moved with discomfort at his query.
"I am sorry, Luna. I should have explained this to Dan," I told her.
"Explained what?" he questioned, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"It is considered very rude to enquire about what somebody left. The Offering gifts can be very personal," I told him.
"I see," he said, a frown creasing his forehead. But at that moment, my entire body jolted to attention, and a familiar, pleasant tingle began in my arm. A glow radiated out from under my sleeve, but I barely paid it any attention as I turned to gaze at the forest just a little further up from where our cabin was located.
"She's here!" I said, and in the next moment I was running as an intense need to get to her thrummed through me. She was here! She was close by, and I had to get to her.
"You must halt," Ronan said from my side after I had been running for a few minutes, keeping up in an easy trot. I heard the distinct sound of hooves from behind me, but my focus was all on getting to Hermione.
"She's here," I repeated, only briefly meeting the young Centaurs blue eyes. I heard Vasanos talking behind me but had no time to listen as I ran faster. In the next moment, however, Ronan grabbed me by the arm and, with a lot less effort than should have been needed, pulled me to a stop.
"Release me, Centaur," I demanded, my voice a low growl.
"You shall not be kept from your mate. You simply need to be patient," he replied, his tone dismissive of my urgency. I dropped my wand into my hand, about to use it, when the sound of Dan's voice stopped me.
"Don't, Draco!" His voice warned with concern. I glanced back to witness a sight that caught me off guard. There was Dan, perched on Magorian's back, attentively listening to Vasanos' hushed yet assertive words. I was aware that Centaurs took offence to being ridden as if they were mere horses, and yet, here it was, happening before my eyes. Dan quickly swung his leg over Magorian's back and slid to the ground, even as he nodded at whatever Vasanos was saying to him.
"Let me go to her," he insisted, locking eyes with me. He walked past me at a brisk pace, even as I saw Hermione run into view. She cast her gaze around in confusion, and I made another attempt to extricate myself, desperate to reach her. She moved forward again and tripped over something, sending her to the ground. I pulled my arm free and surged forward to get to her, but Ronan quickly took hold of me again.
"Permit her sire to greet her. He shall make sure it is safe for her to enter," he told me, and I glared at him even as I continued to struggle. Ronan gave an impatient sound at my refusal to remain still, moved behind me, wrapped his free arm across my chest, and pulled me back against him in a further attempt to keep me from getting away. In the next moment, Potter, the Weasel, and a kid came running into the area, and I was less than pleased with the way Potter spoke to her.
Hermione's Point of View
I ran uncaring through the dark forest, desperate to follow the way my soul bond tattoo urged me to. Each step was a leap of faith, guided by the invisible threads of our bond. I could feel his presence drawing near, a comforting warmth amidst the cool shadows and colder snow.
"Hermione!" The voices of Harry, tinged with pain and annoyance, and Ron, laced with concern, echoed from somewhere behind me. I tripped over an unseen obstacle but didn't let that stop me as I got up to continue running. A surge of excitement and energy coursed through me, knowing Draco was so close. The thought of finally being able to speak with him, kiss his lips, or stare into those gorgeous grey eyes fueled my determination. I pushed myself harder, exhilarated by the anticipation of our reunion. It wasn't long before I stumbled again, falling to the ground, which allowed Harry, Ron, and Rick to catch up, all looking like themselves now.
"What are you doing?!" Harry demanded, even as he and Ron took my hands and pulled me to my feet.
I was about to respond, but at that moment my dad stepped out from behind a tree and another surge of excitement coursed through me. I hadn't thought I would see him or my mum anytime soon, assuming they had still gone to Australia. He opened his arms to me, and I launched myself into them with more relief than I had imagined possible, ignoring the alarmed cries of Harry and Ron. His arms wrapped tightly around me even as he kissed the top of my head.
"You are in so much trouble, young Lady," he told me, his voice full of emotion.
"I'm sorry," I whispered into his chest, feeling his grip tighten for a moment before he gently eased his hold to look down at me.
"Hermione, that may not be your dad," Harry insisted, his voice tinged with concern. I looked back to see Ron nodding; both their wands aimed our way. Rick looked uncertain, his eyes darting between us. My dad was frowning at them but otherwise met my eyes again, and the love and relief in them just confirmed what I was already sure of.
"He's here," I said as I looked up into my dad's face. Without releasing me, he turned his attention back to where he had come from, nodding curtly while his frown deepened in disapproval of whatever caught his eye.
Looking back, he acknowledged, "Harry, Ron," each with a nod, only partially releasing me from his embrace, keeping an arm around me and greeting Rick with a polite, "Hello."
"Hello, Dr. Granger," came the responses from Ron and Harry with bewilderment, as they dropped their wands. Their words barely made an impression on me. I rubbed my tattooed arm anxiously, knowing Draco was so close and yet seeing no way to get to him. With a swallow, I turned my gaze back to my dad, my emotions in turmoil.
"How are you here? I thought you would be in Australia," I asked eagerly even as I couldn't stop looking into the trees at nothing, hoping to see Draco.
"I'm sure you did, and regarding your question, this is all your husband's doing," my dad replied, his voice a blend of censure, relief, and approval, which drew my focus back to him. "We'll have a serious discussion about all this later. Regardless of your marital status, you are still my daughter, and you lied to me."
"I'm sorry," I repeated now, feeling ashamed along with my anxiousness and excitement. I ignored Harry's disbelieving scoff. Once again, my eyes drifted towards the woods where I could feel Draco so close. The sound of my dad's sigh reached my ears, and I met his gaze once more as he tenderly touched my cheek, a look of understanding reflecting back at me.
"We've missed you, Honey," he said warmly, his voice filled with affection. He gently removed his hand from my face and retrieved a piece of paper from his coat pocket. "Take this," he urged, sliding it into my palm. "Your husband is waiting for you." I unfolded the paper, revealing two different styles of handwriting.
"Regrettably, I've been informed that it's unsafe to invite your friends inside at the moment," he stated, but I was barely listening, even as I could hear Harry and Ron beginning to voice their objections.
I felt him take my bag from my shoulder even as I read in my dad's handwriting, 'Uncle Ian's cabin is in the Forest of Dean.' Beneath that, in someone else's hand, was written, 'You are invited to enter the Haven provided within the Forest of Dean.' I looked up and gasped as my eyes met Draco's, barely registering that he was being held back from me by a Centaur and completely overlooking the significance of my dad being a secret keeper. I felt a smile split my face, and without a second thought, I started to run, barely hearing Harry and Ron calling after me once more. Nothing mattered more than being in his arms now.
He was running in the same moment, his determination mirroring my own. I leapt into his arms, wrapping my arms and legs around him as he slid onto the forest floor on his knees. His mouth came down onto mine, slanting across without difficulty, since I moaned at the first touch. It had been so long, too long, since I'd kissed him, and the searing flash of heat that flowed over me was almost shocking in its intensity.
His tongue caressed my lips briefly before twining around mine and seeking my depths with ruthless sensuality. My heart pounded so fiercely I was sure he must be able to feel its pulse in my mouth as I responded, pulling him closer and digging my nails into his back. The kiss deepened as if that was the only way we were able to breathe, even as he sucked on my tongue and I returned the gesture, drawing on his tongue with erotic hunger.
Then his hands were on my bare back, and I felt the clasp of my bra snap open even as my hands were under his shirt, gripping tightly to the skin of his waist. He leaned forward over me until I could feel the cold ground against the skin of my back, but it was inconsequential compared with his warmth covering my front. Everything inside me was throbbing with unbearable need, and then we both moaned as his erection pressed against me.
I vaguely registered indistinct voices coming from somewhere close by, but nothing mattered more than Draco and his warmth right now and my frantic need to reacquaint myself with his body.
"I didn't think humans liked to mate with an audience?" A voice mused.
"A rare few are exhibitionists," another commented.
Not even the distinct sound of a House Elf appearing was enough to distract us from our need for each other, and I barely noticed that the cold was replaced by a softness in the next moment. We pulled away only long enough to tug off clothes that stood in our way, ignoring the sounds of ripping fabric or flying buttons in our speed.
Once naked, our arms joined as if propelled to do so of their own accord, and the action bowing my back. I moaned again as my nipples brushed his bare chest and our eyes met for just a moment as a spiral of heat wound around our tattooed arms and up to our linked fingers. We didn't need to look to know our bond was holding us as it had months before.
Not bothering to look at the source of the fiery heat, Draco lowered his mouth to mine once more, and a jolt of power went through me at the contact. My intense need for him ratcheted up to a new height, making me moan, and I pulled his body closer with my free hand. All those months of suppressed need came roaring to the surface. I couldn't get close enough to him or touch him enough, and I knew he was feeling the same way.
Draco's free arm moved to my back to crush me almost bruisingly against him. His mouth ravaged mine with a hunger that made my already skyrocketing pulse pick up in tempo, as if my heart was trying to pound through my chest and the throb from below was matching that cadence. Draco rubbed his groin into mine with a hard, friction-filled stroke that almost had me climaxing right then.
Dimly, I knew that we were both voicing words of love and need, mingled with heartfelt expressions of how much we missed each other. Yet even those words were secondary to the sensations of our naked bodies pressing together so deliciously.
I was very aware of the pleasure caused by Draco's mouth leaving a hot trail down my neck to my breasts. A strangled moan tore out of me when he sucked hard on a nipple, but my need to have him inside me had me pulling on his shoulder to draw him back up. Once he was even with me however, my eyes were drawn to muscle I knew he hadn't previously had, and I couldn't stop myself from flicking out my tongue, sliding lower down his chest to follow the hard grooves. With a masculine chuckle, it was Draco's turn to draw me back up.
Once I was eye level with him again, he yanked my head up with force, his fingers tangled in my hair and slanted his mouth across mine for another scorching kiss even as he rocked his penis against my entrance. My cry of need was swallowed by him even as he gave a moan of his own.
"Now! Please!" I managed to get out.
"Can't wait," he said at the same time, and then he thrust deeply inside me. His mouth claimed mine again, muffling my cry at the ecstasy of his hard flesh filling me. Then there was the sweetest edge of pain as he began to move rhythmically, almost roughly, inside me. My mind was seized with a single jumbled rant: Harder, faster, more—yes! It was all I could think as I clawed at his back with my free hand as our other hands held each other in an almost painful grip above my head. Draco's arm was under my bottom, holding me tightly, and I could barely breathe with our mouths fused together, but I didn't care. All that mattered was the escalating passion within that had my nerve endings contracting and twisting in a frenzy.
Ripping my mouth away to gasp in much-needed air, I cried, "Don't stop, don't stop!" But it came out as only a garbled shout against his mouth. Draco must have understood, however, because he ramped up his speed until I wasn't even sure I was still conscious.
Draco's Point of View
I plunged into Hermione over and over again, enjoying the feel of her juices all over my ridiculously hard cock. Her head was lolling to the side, and her mouth was open in a loud, continuous keening.
Still, I couldn't stop, and I needed to be closer to her. Using the arm under her arse, I pulled her tighter to me, clenching her body almost seamlessly to mine. I thrust harder into her, and she made little puffing sounds of excitement into my ear, and her hand on my back gripped me just as tightly.
I felt like I couldn't fuck her hard enough, yet I was pistoning my hips between her thighs at a speed that even I was shocked by. All that mattered was that I was inside of her, and I was still desperate for her. Madness appeared to dance at the edges of my consciousness; I wanted her violently. My heart thundered in my chest so hard I could hear it, and I could feel hers beating equally as hard even as I felt her score my back with her nails, digging in as if afraid I would let her go. Crazed, I drove in and out of her, and still I was frantic for her.
"I am ravening for you!" I managed to roar, and still my hips kept thrusting my cock into her.
Breathily, she said, "Me too."
I thought I was going to die from the overwhelming feelings of love and need and fear and anger that surged through me. I felt dangerous and demented.
"I'd die without you. I'd bloody die," I cried out in frenzy and realised in that moment that it was truth. Somehow, I would not survive if she were never to return to me. She screamed my name as she came, and I was helpless not to follow her, pouring all I had into her and roaring her name so loudly that my throat felt raw from it. She had become limp in my arms, moaning in ecstasy, simply taking my manic fucking until I could finally stop.
Laying her back on the mattress, I took her beautiful face in my hands, stroking it until she opened her gorgeous brown eyes to gaze at me with glazed pleasure still evident in them. It was only then that I noticed the fiery spiral holding us had dispersed once again.
"My wife, my beautiful Love," I said softly, and she smiled. She then appeared to notice our surroundings and frowned as she took in the darkened bedroom, lit only by the glow of the fire. To be honest, I had overlooked our change of location at first myself.
"Where are we?" she enquired.
"Our bedroom," I replied, glancing down with a pleased smile, still stroking her face. So many emotions consumed me, yet at this moment, I simply wanted to love her so much that she never even thought of leaving me again. "I've missed you so much, Love."
"I've missed you too," she whispered back, her eyes brimming with tears. I could hear the tightness in her throat that conveyed the depth of her emotion. We merely stared at each other for a few minutes, and I pondered whether my face displayed as much relief, anguish, and love as hers. She appeared to be searching for words before smiling wryly at me and finally saying, "Hello."
I chuckled at the simple greeting, even as she took my face in a gently caress of her own. She appeared intrigued by the stubble I had let grow, rasping her nails through it while still keeping her touch gentle.
"Hello, Love," I replied softly, allowing all the emotion and the painful longing I had endured without her to remain visible. Her gaze was equally pained, and with it, reignited the need that had remained unsatisfied this night. She obviously felt the same way as she pulled me back down for another kiss and wrapped herself around me as tightly as I had held her.
I sighed in pleasure as she began to plant kisses on my neck and then shivered as she went over my scar that was incredibly sensitive to touch now. Her fingers in my hair felt miraculous to me and I groaned her name before forcibly dragging her back up and delving my tongue between her willing lips.
When she drew away for a breath, I took the opportunity to descend to her responsive neck, making her sigh my name in pleasure as I licked the column, then kissed, sucked, and nibbled; all of it making her shiver and moan in turn.
"You smell so fucking good," I whispered into her ear. She giggled at the words, even as she shivered once again. My fingers were entwined in her messy curls, and I couldn't recall anything more wonderful than being able to touch her and being touched by her.
"Hardly," she responded, her hands gliding over my arms and back, sending shivers of delight through me. "I smell like sweat, and my hair is an absolute mess," she confessed with a hint of self-deprecating laughter even as she tilted her head back so I wouldn't miss any of the spots I was aware she loved being kissed the most.
"You smell and appear perfect to me. All wild and mine. Most importantly mine," I told her, taking her face in my hands once more, so I could gaze into the eyes I had missed so much. Fiercely needing her again, I claimed her mouth anew and felt my hardness grow until it was painfully tight inside of her once more. "Your lips are so bloody soft," I murmured in between kisses. I couldn't keep myself from rocking forward into her and then drawing back in an excruciatingly slow stroke.
She threw back her head on a moan before managing to say, "So are yours, but the whiskers are getting a bit sharp."
"Sorry, I'll shave later," I promised, continuing to explore every inch of her neck with my lips, teeth, and tongue. My stomach muscles flinched as her fingertips found a ticklish spot as she worked a hand down between us. In the back of my mind, I trusted she would enjoy the changes to my body. Meanwhile, I was loving that nothing had altered in hers. She remained so bloody perfect to me as she was.
I was still moving with a slowness that I was aware was torturous to us both, while unwilling to surrender to the impulse to rush this. However, when I felt her fingers spread on either side of my cock, coating them in wetness, I had to grit my teeth, my eyes meeting hers in glazed pleasure, my body rocked by increased ecstasy.
"I have missed this so fucking much. I am going to fuck you all night long," I swore to her.
She laughed even as she said, "I plan on making you keep that promise, and as for shaving, don't. I rather like it. You can shave tomorrow if I change my mind." I grinned at that and then took the hand that was between us and licked each finger clean of her delicious flavour. She puffed out a lusty breath as she watched me do it and then laughed when I gave her a conceited grin of satisfaction.
"Keep talking to me. I've missed your voice," I commanded. She laughed harder, making it difficult for me not to cum from the added pressure of her clenching muscles. I didn't miss the emotion rush back into her face, however.
"I missed you too. I even missed your terrible singing voice," she confessed thickly. However, I didn't want her tears now, and I definitely didn't want her to be sad. I laughed loudly before halting the sound with another claiming kiss until I felt the sad tension disappear from her once more.
Unfortunately, my own emotions were also close to the surface, and I found myself saying with seriousness, "I love you so bloody much. You have no idea how torturous these months without you have been."
"They were unbearable for me too. I love you so much that it is a physical pain to be apart from you even for a moment. I love you, Draco, and I have missed my husband terribly," she confessed, and the tears I had not wanted to witness gathered in her eyes once more and spilt over, but I couldn't help the satisfaction I felt at her words.
"Are you tired?" I inquired, deciding I should probably be a gentleman instead of the Abraxan stallion in rut I was behaving like. I could see the exhaustion on her face, the dark shadows beneath each eye, yet I still felt crazed and was barely restraining myself from taking her hard once more.
"A little, perhaps, but I will give you anything you want this night," she murmured, sounding as sleepy as she appeared while attempting to hold back any more tears. "Besides, I don't think you're finished," she added with a mischievous smile.
"Oh, wife, you should not have said that. I doubt I will let you sleep a wink," I told her truthfully and then pushed hard into her until I hit her womb. She let out a cry of pleasure as I moved with abandon, leaving no room to attempt to speak beyond sounding out our ecstasy.
As promised, I made love to her until the early hours of the morning until she succumbed to her exhaustion. I understood that I would have to give her some potions come morning to keep her awake during the day. It also crossed my mind that I perhaps should have taken my new 'Contraceptive Potion,' although I very much doubted it was needed.
As she slept in my arms, my mind whirled with thoughts of a future I longed to make real. The one constant in my thoughts was our happiness, and I fervently prayed to whatever deity might be listening that it would come true.
Author's notes: - To me, magical people and beings, believe the concept of divinity is deeply rooted in the earth itself. They hold a belief that the legendary figures of history, such as Merlin and Salazar Slytherin as well as many other extremely powerful witches and wizards, whose extraordinary abilities elevated them to the status of gods among them.
Magical's often reinterpret the pantheons of ancient civilizations through this lens. The mighty Greek gods, the formidable Norse deities, the enigmatic Hindu gods, the mystical Egyptian gods, and the powerful Aztec gods are seen not as celestial beings residing in distant heavens but as supremely powerful witches, wizards, and magical beings. Their legendary feats and stories are believed to be manifestations of their immense magical prowess, drawing from the earth's boundless energy.
The Offering, a sacred Yule ritual, is a testament to this belief. It is a time when magical beings gather to honour the earth, which they see as the wellspring of all magical power. By giving back through the Offering, they not only show gratitude to the source of their magic but also foster a cycle of prosperity and abundance. The sites chosen for this hallowed ceremony are said to flourish, basking in the earth's favour, and experiencing a period of bountiful growth and well-being.
This reverence for the earth and its gifts reflects a profound connection between the magical community and the natural world, a bond that transcends time and culture, uniting them in their veneration of the true source of their magic.
: - Rkook1210, Thank you for your continued support. I rewrote this chapter more times than any other I've worked on so far and am still unsure if their reunion is quite right. I look forward to reading your thoughts on it.