Ritual Seduction

Chapter Nine: The Fates take the Task in Hand

The Fates watched on from their bower. Their newest mated Gancanagh had taken form and claimed his mate. As the sun began to rise in the mortal world the new lovers had fallen asleep in each other’s arms.

Klotho watched on with a skeptical gaze.

“Sisters, I have my doubts of this match.” She said to her companions.

Lachesis looked at her surprised, “She had passed all the tests with ease.”

“My point sister,” countered Klotho. “I have never seen a mating go so well. She gave in quite easily to our Draco’s wooing. His father was down to the wire by the time Narsissa agreed to the mating.”

“But Hermione is far more logical than most.” Atropos piped-up, “Logically it makes sense to give in and move the mating along. The choice is obvious, is it not?”

“I am beginning to see Klotho’s point, perhaps the tests were not hard enough, she is the brightest witch of her age, and she runs and apothecary. The possibilities of his blood could not have been overlooked.”

“Perhaps a final task?” Atropos suggested munching on some grapes.

“To be administered here, where we can keep an eye on our little witch.” Klotho added.

“What should the task be theen sister?” asked Lachesis

“Perhaps we should use the tried and true trails of the past to measure her sincerity.”

“Shall I wake the Sphinx?” Atropos asked and her sister laughed.

~~

Lucius woke that Friday morning with an overwhelming feeling of dread. He reached out and found his mate and wife of over three decades sleeping sound in their bed.

He knew Draco had completed his mating, full bonded Gancanagh who are related can sense each other over thousands of miles, and Draco was only in France.

Then why all the trepidation? Perhaps the Fates had caught on to his plan?

He would have to call Siofra and make sure everything was going according to plan.

‘What harm could a little calming potion do anyway?’ he wondered as he rose to ready himself for the day.

~~

Draco woke in complete and utter bliss. He had finally come into his Gancanagh inheritance; he had his mate beside him, and a bright future ahead.

He felt so blessed to have found a witch so willing to accept the fate she had been given. His father had warned him it would not be easy, and so had the vision of Hermione.

Come to think of it, it had gone too smooth to be true. But he was not going to question his good fortune.

His cock was already hardening at the though of being within her again. He moved in close so her back was flush against his chest, reached down and caressed her thigh as he lifted her leg over his own.

Hermione woke to the sweet sensation of Draoc’s erection sliding over her already dampening folds.

“Are you too sore?” he asked, they had made love numerous times the night before

“Only a little, just go slow.”

And he did, entering her with care and using his fingers to heighten her arousal.

They came together quietly as they sighed each other’s names to the early morning light.

~~

Severus was returning from a successful night of collecting herbs to find a web weaved above his door.

‘Now what do they want?’ Snape wondered as he entered the kitchen to find a scroll resting on his workbench.

*Bring us your charge and his mate, there are matters that need to be dealt with.*

“For the love of Merlin,” he mumbled as he opened the floo connection to find his godson and his lover.
~~

Hermione was curled up on Draco’s lap enjoying breakfast on the balcony in their pajamas. The rays of the sun moved over the markings making them shine and giving the Dragon the illusion of movement.

“Mo anam,” she murmured into his neck.

“Mo croí,” he answered back, moving his hand in slow circles down her spine.

She traced the smaller dragon around his eye and then kissed down his jaw. They had spent the entire night touching and making love and still she could not get enough of her mate.

“Draco?” the deep voice of the Potions Master called out.

“On the balcony Uncle.”

Snape walked out and looked at the pair with concern in his eyes.

“You have been summoned to the Fates again I’m afraid.” He greeted them.

“When must he leave?” Hermione asked.

“You are to go with him Ms. Granger. They sent me a note saying ‘there are matters that must be dealt with’ in person.”

Draco’s silvery eyes darkened with concern. “What has happened?”

“I do not know, but I have no doubt that Brocc will be here shortly to transport us to the Fates.”

“You are coming to?” Draco asked, now really concerned about the matter at hand.

“Yes, now go prepare yourselves.”

Draco and Hermione made their way into his chambers. He slipped off his pajama pants and slid on his green Gancanagh robes.

“Here wear this,” he said transforming one of his white shirts into a robe for her to wear.

When they returned to the balcony Snape was draped in a black robe embroidered with looked like spider webs.

“Ready?” he asked the pair who nodded.

Brocc arrived shortly after and Draco climbed on behind his godfather.

“Come my mate,” he coaxed his love onto his guardian, he had seen her fear of flying during the mind meld.

Hermione slowing made her way onto the dragons back and wrapped her arms around Draco in a near death grip as Brocc’s powerful wings carried them into a realm far beyond their own.

Hermione did not move her face from its hiding place in Draco’s robes until they had landed.

When she finally looked up she found herself on a mist covered Isle.

“Come,” beckoned the Potions Master as he led them into a cave, which opened into a grand chamber, draped in the finest of tapestries depicted all life on earth could be.

“Ah you have come.” Came a melodic triad of female voices.

“Fates,” Severus bowed as the three materialized upon cushions around the center hearth.

“Your services may still be required Severus, do not rush off.” The one with red hair and green eyes said, laughter in her voice.

“As it pleases you mistress.” Snape all but snared as he stepped to the side to give way to the three weavers of destiny.

Hermione was in complete awe of the three. One had hair red as sunset and eyes greener than Harry’s. Another had hair as black as ravens wings and eyes the color of the Caribbean Sea. The last had hair of late harvest wheat and eyes the color of storm clouds.

“We have some concerns Draco, about your mating.” The black haired one explained

“What concerns?” He asked holding Hermione close to his side.

“Have you no worries about how easily your young witch gave into you?” The blonde Fate asked.

“I was surprised yes, but we completed the mind-meld, I know all that she feels.” He explained.

“You expect her feeling to be real?” the red head asked as she moved closer to circle the pair.

“I have made my promise to Draco, I love him.” Hermione said, looking each of them in their brilliant eyes.

“Such conviction.” She commented lifting Hermione’s wrists to her mouth and licking the smooth skin there.

“Yet, Draco is not the only Gancanagh I sense in you.” She continued her beautiful eyes filled with shadow.

“I do not sense it!” Draco exclaimed, how dared she insinuate Hermione was unfaithful.

“Open up your connection Draco,” the blond spoke “Make the Gancanagh connection.”

Draco did as he was bidden and reach out his senses to Hermione. First he felt her, then deeper he felt himself. He kept searching deeper and deeper before he felt something different, yet very similar, to him.

“Father?” he said in shock.

“Very good Draco,” spoke the redhead. “Severus go and fetch Lucius, we have ourselves a small chat with our senior Gancanagh.”

~~
A/N Things are never easy... Thanks to all my reviewers, you are wicked awesome!

Just to clear up some things, Snape is not a Gancanagh he has his own little back story with the Fates.

And I love making magical loop holes- fair warning.