Adventurous Hearts Part III: Merlin's Tomb

Epilogue: Happily Ever After







For five years Dr. Hermione Granger-Malfoy had taught Magical Legend and Theory to Seventh year students at Hogwarts. She spent her days teaching and hanging out with her best friend and soul mate then went home every night to her husband, the man who she still loved more than life itself. She could not complain about her life, though on occasion she did miss the thrill of the find.







She stood beside Severus on the edge of a lake at the base of a pyramid in South America. The bottom was undetectable and at one time it had been used as a sacrificial pool. Virgins were chosen from among the young women in the tribe, dressed in their finery then brought to the pyramid where they were sacrificed to the gods, their bodies thrown into the bottomless pool. Over time their jewelry had washed ashore periodically, some of the symbols hammered into the gold had been of interest to the magical community and as luck would have it, it was the summer holiday so Hermione was given the project.





“Why did I let you talk me into this?” Severus asked, his hands on his hips.







“Because you love me and you would have been miserable if you had to spend the entire summer without me?” She said smiling.





“Well there is that.” He said. “You don’t expect me to dive do you?”







“No, I hired aquatic archaeologists to tend to the lake. You and I are going to deal with the pyramid.” She said, pointing to the large stone structure behind them.







“Haven’t the muggles already been inside?” he asked.







“Yes, but you know yourself that muggles can not detect magic. If this was a site used by ancient witches and wizards then only another magical being will be able to discern that.” She said.







“I suppose.” He said with a resigned sigh. “Why isn’t Lucius going in with you?”







Hermione looked over at the shady area near the edge of the jungle and smiled. Lucius was standing in the shade watching them with a smile on his face. He was wearing khaki trousers and boots and a white shirt. Along with an infant carrier holding their son, Alistair Severus Malfoy.







“Because he won’t leave Alistair for longer than it takes him to use the loo.” Hermione said with a laugh. “Do you know he took him to a meeting at Gringotts the other day and when the Goblins complained he threatened to withdraw all of his galleons and keep them under the mattresses in our home?”







“It would make for a very uncomfortable night’s rest.” Severus said, shaking his head as he watched his friend with his newest godson.







“Yes, well he is determined to do a better job with this child than with Draco, though why he thinks taking the baby everywhere with him is necessary I have no idea.” She said. “Draco is more than happy to tend to him when Lucius has an appointment and I am at work, he adores his baby brother, but Lucius won’t hear of it.”







They walked towards Lucius and Alistair, Severus smiling when they got close and the baby turned his head in his direction, smiling brightly when he saw him.







“My son is too fond of you, Severus.” Lucius said, smirking when he saw the baby’s grin. Alastair was a handsome boy and Lucius was more than proud of his child, even if he was a bit on the plump side with whiskey colored eyes and only the slightest bit of peach fuzz on his head.





“You will understand why when his hair comes in,” Severus drawled. “he will look good with black hair.”





Lucius glared at his friend and patted his son’s bottom, bouncing the baby. Hermione laughed and kissed Lucius’s cheek then kissed the baby.







“Be good for Daddy, Al, Mummy and Uncle Sev are going to be busy for awhile.” She cooed. “If you decide to go back home before I return just leave word with Claire.”







“And leave you alone with him? Absolutely not. Alistair and I will be waiting right here for you to return.” Lucius said as he took a seat in a camp chair.







“Suit yourself.” She said as she fastened her utility belt around her waist.







Lucius felt a sudden surge of desire for his wife at the sight of her in the soft leather trousers, knee high boots and cotton tank, her hair in that long sexy braid trailing over her shoulder and curving around her breasts. Motherhood had added a whole new level of softness to his wife, her hips and thighs just a tad more lush, her breasts fuller and round.





“Alright, Minute, let us get going, it’s getting hot out here and the insects are beginning to annoy me.” Severus said as he swatted at the flies buzzing around his head. “I don’t want to be riddled with insect bites when we go into town tonight. The ladies might think I am pox ridden and that will surely ruin any chance I have of getting some…unless you have had enough of blondie and are ready for something darker.” He waggled his brows at her then lurched when Lucius gave him a swift kick to the arse.







“Ah, well your offer is very sweet, but when he actually puts Alastair down he is still quite capable of making the earth move, in our bedroom at least.” She said. “I will see you later, Lucius. I love you.” She said smiling as she turned and headed off towards the pyramid with Severus. Lucius was slightly disappointed not to be going on the adventure with them but when he looked down at his smiling, happy child he couldn’t regret staying behind. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about Hermione, Severus would take care of her.







Besides, it gave him time to plan a little private adventure for him and Hermione later that night.









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Thank you all so very much for reading all three of the Adventurous Hearts tales. I loved writing it, exploring the complexities of the relationships, the friendships and the hard decisions people make in the name of love. I have to say thank you to the loyal readers. I know not every plot appeals to every reader but you read anyhow, even if the story itself doesn’t appeal and you give honest feedback about the writing itself instead and I appreciate that. And thank you all again for being so wonderful!!!







Utopia - yes, darling, the "chastity boots" were for you LOL