The Luckiest Man on Earth

The Luckiest Man on Earth



Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and no trademanfrinfringement is intended or implied - not to say that I would not like to but please do not sue.



Chapter 19: Bacchanal



The Slytherin Dungeons:



Marcus held Katie’s hand tightly as they entered the Slytherin common room. Several heads turned when they came through the door. Marcus could see the relief on Alec and Adrian’s face clearly. There was a small group of his friends in the quiet common room.



“See,” said Terrence Higgs triumphantly. “I told you Bell would be able to find him. It’s spooky. They are like homing owls. They know where the other one is all the time.”



“All right Flintskedsked Adrian diffidently.



“Yeah,” said Marcus just as casually. He led Katie over to the leather couches near the fire. He didn’t let her hand go. They sat down.



“Tough luck,” said Alec as he nodded towards the paper on the table.



“Yeah,” said Marcus with a pensive glance at the paper.





“It was,” said Katie with a soft smile at Marcus’s mates. They knew just how to handle Marcus and his prickly temperament.



“Snape’s been by,” said Alec. “Wants to know if you would like to use his floo.”



“I will,” said Marcus with a far away look. “I’ve sent an owl to my mother but I don’t expect a reply until tomorrow. I think I’ll wait until then to use the floo. She would have ed bed by now if….” Marcus broke off and looked into the fire.



“I’m sure she would have,” said Katie soothingly. “I bet she’s gone to see your grand mere in Paris.”



“Yes,” said Marcus with a tight grin at Katie.



The Slytherins seemed to know not to ask Marcus about his father.



“Honestly though,” said Adrian with a slight frown. “I had no idea that your mother was that good-looking, Marcus. Great picture. I mean I have met her and all but I don’t think I’ve ever really looked at her.”



“At least,” teased Terry. “Not like that.”



“Adrian,” asked Derrick with a smirk. “Is that all you think of – women?”



“Not all,” said Adrian with an eyeroll. “Occasionally, I do homework.”



“Merlin Adrian,” said Marcus with a reluctant laugh. “Stop looking at my mother like that.”



“Fine,” said Adrian with a melodramatic sigh.



“Well,” said Alec briskly as he got to his feet. “We have piles of work to do before eight so I suggest we get moving.”



“What are you on about?” asked Marcus.



“Oh,” said Tarquin as he sprung to his feet. “I had better go get the refreshments. Derrick, are you coming, mate?”



“Yeah,” said Derrick as he got to his feet with a grin at his best mate. The two beaters left the room with the intent air of wizards on a mission.



“What’s happening?” asked Katie with a confused look at Terry.



“Oh,” said Alec with an air of mystery. “Snape has an unexpected meeting in London so we are going to have a party.”



“Today,” said Marcus with a skeptical look.



“Of course,” said Adrian as he began to transfigure the chairs into padded benches and Terry began to move furniture around the common room. Adrian also transfigured the tapestrieso loo long black and green filmy panels around the room creating little alcoves of privacy along the walls.



“Can’t let the bastards grind you down,” said Alec softly as he stood in front of Katie and Marcus. “It was Tarquin’s idea. He said that when we found you, we should throw an old fashioned spring Bacchanal. Fortunately, luck was on our side when Professor Snape told me he had to go to London.”



“Why?” asked Katie.



“Tarquin said that with all the scandals that are going to erupt tonight with the mixture of liquor, spring fertility rites and teenagers,” said Alec with a wide grin. “No one will be talking about you tomorrow Marcus.”



“Yes,” said Terry with a thoughtful nod. “Tarquin’s not as thick as most people think. People write Tarquin off as a thick rich yob. But he has a good heart.”



“Yes,” said Adrian as he arranged the tables by the fireplace for a bar area. “He also puts his galleons where his mouth is too. He’s springing for the firewhiskey and mead. He’s bribed the owner of the Hogs Head. They’ve gone to pick up the ‘butterbeer’.”



“I have never thought of Tarquin as thick,” said Marcus with a slight frown. “It’s only outsiders that think that. You know how flighty he can be. That’s all they see.”



“I think that your mates were talking to me,” said Katie with a perceptive look at the Slytherins.



“No,” said Terry with a placating grin. “We were just letting you in on the secret that Tarquin is not what he tries to make other people think he is.”



“You mean he hasn’t shagged almost every girl in Ravenclaw House,” asked Katie dryly.



“No,” said Marcus with a grin. The rest of the Slytherins exchanged smug grins. “He has.”



“Or just the ones you missed?” asked Katie tartly. She looked at Marcus sternly.



“I think the word you should be using is ‘shared’ Katie,” said Marcus with a raised eyebrow.



“You tart,” said Katie with a dark look at her man.



“Ex-tart,” corrected Marcus. He hauled Katie up aga his his side on the couch as she struggto wto wriggle away.



“Yes,” said Terry as he arranged the side tables. “Much to the vocal sorrow of Ravenclaw House.”



“Not helping, Ter, ” said Marcus. He refused to let Katie slip away so Katie eventually gave up. Marcus was just too strong. She continued to shoot Marcus little death glares.



“Honestly Bell,” said Adrian with a snort. “I personally heard Marcus turn down this delicious blond fifth year last month. You know the one with the uhhhhh…big…uhhhhh…nice jumper. He’s mad for you. He’d have to be to turn down a piece of that!”



“What blond fifth year are we refering too?” asked Katie sweetly.



“I don’t remember,” said Marcus blandly. He shot Adrian a quelling glare. “And I don’t care.”



“I want her name,” said Katie with a glint in her eyes.



“You aren’t going to do anything rash, are you love?” asked Marcus.



“Not at all,” said Katie innocently.



“A Gryffindor would never do anything rash,” said Adrian with a snicker.



“You would not let me hex Davies even through he deserved it,” said Marcus reasonably. “And I don’t even remember who that girl was. Adrian only remembers because you know how much he likes…ahhh…nice jumpers.”



“Speaking of Davies,” said Alec with a lazy grin. “Why don’t we hex him for fun?”



“No,” said Katie with consternation. “What’s he done to you?”



“Something he will regret,” promised Alec.



Alec thought of Mariah and the palpable air of unhappiness that clung to her lately. He thought that maybe it had something to do with Davies because he saw them whispering together outside the Great Hall yesterday. It made him angry to realize that he felt a touch jealous. He did not have the right. But it didn’t make the feeling go away. He wondered pensively if Mariah would ignore him tonight in favor of Davies. His heart tightened.



“What fertility rites does Tarquin have in mind?” asked Katie with a touch of concern.



“Merlin knows,” said Terry airily. “You know how unpredictable Tarquin can be. Anyway, I think everything is ready. The girls have sent out the owls so everyone who wants to come will. We even sent an invitation to Gryffindor this time. I charmed it to make sure Percy Weasley couldn’t read it though. He’d turn us in for sure. Git.”



“Time to change,” said Alec as he surveyed the room with satisfaction.



“Change,” asked Marcus.



“Yes,” said Adrian with a shake of his head. “Tarquin says it is going to be a real Bacchanal with a more British twist.”



“Togas, tunics and stolas,” said Marcus with the beginnings of a genuine smile.



“Yes,” said Alec. “To represent the Roman roots of many of the old families. Your and Tarquin’s family are the most prominent of the clans that trace their roots to the coming of the Romans.”



“I still want to know about the fertility rites,” said Katie with a suspicious look at the Slytherins.



“So do I,” said Adrian with a mock leer.



“I’ll explain, love,” said Marcus as he got up and led her towards his room.



“Wait,” said Katie as she twisted around to face Alec. “Now Alec, are you going to make sure that the younger members of your house are not going to see inappropriate things?”



“Already taken care of,” said Alec with a languid wave at Katie. “The little snakes know that they have to be in their dorm rooms by ten and they know that I’ve charmed the liquor to turn to water if they even try to sip it.”



“Snakes,” said Katie repressively. “That’s not very charitable.”



“Katie,” chided Marcus. “Snake is not an insult in Slytherin House. Besides the little gits know not to cross Alec.”



“You Slytherins are completely mad,” said Katie with consternation.



“Thank-you,” said Terry with a grin. “That’s the nicest thing a Gryffindor has ever said to me.”



“Besides, ‘please don’t stop, Terry’,” said Alec with a sly grin.



“There’s that,” agreed Terry. The Slytherins began to snicker as Marcus led his Gryffindor away.



Marcus’s Room:



Katie giggled as Marcus wrapped her in one of his silk sheets.



“Shouldn’t I take off my bra,” asked Katie. He had made her take everything off except for her underthings.



“No, you are not going to wear a toga,” said Marcus with a snort. “No other man is going to catch a glimpse of those treasures, kitten. They are mine. You are going to wear a stola like a proper Roman matron. I think a greeny blue would be a nice color for you. “ Marcus took out his wand and transfigured the sheet into a dress that fastened at the shoulders and covered Katie in folds of blue-green silk. Then he transfigured another sheet into a blue filmy wrap and arranged it across her shoulders with a slight grin.



“I have no shoes,” said Katie as she looked down and felt the folds with a curious finger.



“It’s a bacchanal,” explained Marcus as he tossed his clothes off. “No shoes.”



Katie watched with fascination as Marcus stripped nude then transfigured two sheets. One into a dark blue tunic that only came up to his muscled thighs and covered his chest but was fastened at the shoulders like her stola. Then he wound the other silvery sheet around his body in intricate folds with his wand. He muttered a sticking charm then held out his arms to Katie.



“Well,” said Marcus.



“Looks brilliant,” said Katie with a bright smile. “I have never been to a bacchanal. I’ve heard that they are very….pagan.”



“Yes, they are,” said Marcus as he folded Katie up into his arms. “Promise me two things, kitten. One, do not leave my side. And two, do not drink anything I haven’t given you.”



“Okay,” said Katie with a slight shiver. “Is it going to be like Beltane or the solstice ceremonies?”



“A little,” said Marcus.



A few minutes later, Katie and Marcus walked into the Slytherin common room. Katie gave a start of surprise when she felt her toes sink into what felt like grass. She pulled her wrap closer as she felt what she thought was a warm springeze.eze.



“Marcus,” gasped Katie as she looked into the room. She saw a maypole with ribbons in the middle of the cleared common room. Soft flute like music filled the room.



“Maypole,” said Marcus with a grin at Tarquin who was surveying the room like it was his kingdom. “Nice touch.”



“I know,” said Tarquin as he gave Marcus ivy wreaths to put in their hair. “My little British touch.”



Marcus helped fasten the wreath in Katie’s hair. He pulled her hair down from her pins and arranged it around her shoulders.



“Drink?” said Adrian as he sidled up to Marcus. He handed Marcus a cup of mead and tried to give Katie a cup, as well.



“No,” said Marcus. “I’ll get her water or juice. I assume you have drinks for the children Tarquin?”



“Marcus,” said Katie feeling a little insulted.



“Sorry,” said Adrian to Marcus. “Forgot about the sprog.”



Marcus dragged Katie over to the laden tables and got her a glass of pumpkin juice. He sniffed at it suspiciously before he gave it to Katie.



“Marcus, what is on the tables,” asked Katie in surprise. The usual party fare was not there.



“Hard boiled eggs, the first fruits of the spring, and honey cakes,” said Marcus. “Are you hungry? I’ll get you a plate. Tarquin was serious about the spring fertility rites.”



“It’s a very pureblood thing this bacchanal, isn’t it?” said Katie a touch apprehensively. “I remember now that a muggle born from Gryffindor attended one once. She said it was extremely shocking and very pagan.”



“It would be for a muggle born,” said Terry as he joined them at the table. He picked up a piece of fruit and popped it in his mouth. “Their whole religion wiped out any trace of the old ways from Britain long ago. And any traces of the Roman ways lon long gone as well. The bacchanal has its origins in very ancient times. The wizarding world is the last bastion of the old earth based religion in Europe.”



“My parents are not very religious,” confessed Katie.



“Neither are mine,” said Marcus as he grinned at Katie.



“Mine are batty with it,” sighed Adrian. He picked up a pile of honey cakes and gave a small sigh of satisfaction. “One of my earliest memories is the taste of honey cakes. I still love them.”



“My father finds solace in the rituals,” said Tarquin with an eyeroll. “I think he just likes the drinking. I know I do.”



The room began to fill with representatives from all the houses. Katie held on to Marcus’s hand tightly as students who passed gave him speculative looks out of the corners of their eyes. Marcus ignored the looks but gave a snotty glare at the gawkers every now and again. But his hand never left Katie’s. She jumped when she felt a tug on her robes.



“Kates,” said Angie with a smile. “You look so beautiful.”



“When did you get here,” said Katie with a grin.



“I came with the boys and Ally,” said Angie who gave Adrian a secret little grin. Adrian winked at her. “You would not believe how many Gryffindors are coming. We’ve never been invited to a Slytherin bacchanal before. Everyone knows it’s because of you we’ve been asked.”



“Fred, Lee and George are here,” said Katie with apprehension.



“They promised to behave,” said Angie with an eyeroll. “Fred said his mum would never let him go to an old style bacchanal. This may be his only opportunity.”



The party continued and the levels of noise got louder as the firewhiskey and mead barrels got lower and lower. Katie giggled, as every now and again, she would find Marcus’s hand on her ass. She pushed his hand off once again as he turned his alcohol clouded passionate eyes on her. Katie shivered as she saw the blatant desire in his very dark blue eyes.



“Remember,” said Marcus throatily. “No wandering away.”



Katie jumped a few minutes later as Alec charmed his voice to boom over the sound of the crowd, “Little snakes, time to go.” She surpressed a grin as a young Slytherin boy pouted near her as he left the room.



Katie watched curiously as Tarquin, Terry and Adrian picked up four spring daffodils each and went around the room. Adrian made to hand Katie a daffodil but Marcus stopped him with a hand on his wrist.



“The flowers are only for unattached women,” said Marcus. “I agree that Katie is the most beautiful girl in here but she is unavailable, Adrian. Chose another.”



Adrian gave Marcus a rueful nod, and wandered over to a very pretty blond Hufflepuff girl and handed her a daffodil.



“What are the daffodils for Marcus,” asked Katie.



“Twelve of the prettiest girls are going to dance around the Maypole,” whispered Marcus in Katie’s ear. Katie shivered. “The girls should technically be virgins but at least, they must be unbetrothed. They are going to dance and honor the green goddess by winding the ribbons around the pole.”



Katie leaned into Marcus’s warm body as she watched Tarquin hand a very surprised Alicia and Angelina both a daffodil. The lighting in the room started to dim until the light was very murky.



A voice belonging to a Ravenclaw seventh year said in a loud carrying voice, “To the goddess.” Katie watched as everybody drank from his or her cup of mead. She made to take a sip from Marcus’s cup but he stopped her. Then the toasting continued. Katie noticed that the cups never got empty. The music also increased in volume. The air in the room seemed to change as the mead and music continued to flow around her.



She watched as the girls gathered around the maypole. Katie thought to herself that they all looked like they were intoxicated. Their hair looked untamed and their eyes were clouded as they each picked up a ribbon. Besides Ally and Angie, she recognized Daria and Mariah. Then the music changed. It became full of drumbeats and felt untamed. The rhythm of the drums fueled the dancing as the girls began to wind the ribbons around the maypole in a hypnotic intricate pattern.



Katie licked her lips as she saw the maypole slowly get surrounded by young wizards. She looked around and saw the crowd swaying to the beat. She caught glimpse of Fred and Lee in the crowd. Their eyes were fixed on the scene in front of the maypole. She once again leaned into Marcus’s embrace. His hands tightened around her waist as his mouth dipped towards her ear.



“Do you know what comes next,” asked Marcus throatily. Katie shook her head wordlessly. The air in the room seemed to thicken. The lights got dimmer. “In olden times, the girls would dance naked. Then all the wizards in the crowd would take their clothes off too. Then by the light of the moon, they would make love beside the maypole. It wouldn’t matter how many partners or how long until the frenzy of the dance is over. Thus the fertility of the coming crops and the clan is assured. Any child of the maydance was considered blessed by the earth goddess because the entire clan was his or her father.”



“Are they going to -,” asked Katie as she moaned. She could feel Marcus’s thick penis bumping against her back. She gasped as the drums began to speed up and the dancing became frenzied.



“Yes,” whispered Marcus as he lightly bit the lobe of her ear. He then licked the outside of her ear. Katie’s nipples hardened.



“At a banal,nal, it doesn’t matter who you make love too,” said Marcus as he panted in Katie’s ear. “Many people will simply drink, eat and dance. But still others will go into one of the little alcoves and make love to honor the goddess. An old style bacchanal hasn’t happened at Hogwarts in years.”



“That is why you wanted me to stay near you,” said Katie as she rubbed her backside provocatively into Marcus’s hard groin.



“Yeah,” said Marcus as he kissed her neck. “It matters to me. You are mine and I do not share.”



“Same here,” said Katie as she looked out into the crowd. Many people were starting to couple up. She noticed a few witches giving Marcus covert looks. She glared at a few of the girls and grasped Marcus’s hand that was encircling her waist. She stroked his fingers possessively. The witches looked away.



“Marking your property,” asked Marcus with a little chuckle.



“I remind a certain Slytherin that he hasn’t let go of my waist since the drumsrtedrted,” said Katie sweetly.



“Well,” growled Marcus in her ear. “I am marking my territory. You look so beautiful. I see the wizards looking at you.”



Katie only moaned as Marcus began to plant sucking kisses down her neck. She arched her throat so he could kiss her there too. She watched as a Hufflepuff girl and Ravenclaw lad began to exchange sucking passionate kisses in front of her. She looked around and saw the inhibitions of the crowd were dropping away as the drumbeats got louder.


ie gie gasped as Marcus’s hand slipped into her stola to caress her breast. His fingers slipped into her bra and teased her nipple to a hard pulsing point.



“Katie?”



“Hmmm.”



“Let’s go honor the goddess.”



“Yes.”



“My room.”



“Yes.”



Marcus led Katie out of the common room. She gasped as she saw couples kissing and caressing each other as they left. What made Katie so surprised was that the most of the couplings were so unanticipated. Many people who would never even speak to each other were now attached at the mouth. All thought of the unusual pairings left her mind as Marcus got impatient and swept her off her feet into his embrace. Katie wrapped her arms around his neck and did not care if the whole world saw her lover take her to bed.







Author’s Note:



The story was getting a little intense and heavy. I decided to lighten it up a bit. Tarquin had a wonderful idea. The next chapter is going to be pure smut with pairings that are very unusual. No one is going to be gossiping about Marcus and Katie tomorrow morning when the dust settles. I was going to start in this chapter but it got too long.



Reviews are very appreciated. In fact, I tried to break up Terry and Ally but they just would not be broken up. Many reviewers seemed to like their angsty screwed up relationship. Who knew?



Next Chapter Title: Honoring the Goddess