Harry Potter and the Womb of Requirement NOW CODED

Part Three: The Power of Ten

23

School started in earnest the following day. Double Potions, a single Arithmancy. A History of Magic seminar, then lunch. All the co-conspirators meeting up again. Hermione had a free afternoon, which she was determined to spend in the library. She glanced at Harry and Draco leaning together and her brow furrowed slightly, then cleared. She was going to write their final bonding. She leaned in and kissed Ginny on the cheek, then left.

Harry and Draco exchanged a look as she left. Harry just shrugged and smiled at his bond-mate, {She’ll figure it out. I have every faith in her}. Draco grinned in his turn, {I know. She’s loads brainier than me.}.

Later that afternoon, Ron and Blaise made their way to the library, both feeling guilty for not doing as much school work as they should have done over the holidays, and settled down to apply themselves. Ron heard a soft sob muffled as if someone was deliberately trying to keep quiet. His head lifted, he recognised the sound. He stood and peered through the grille separating the main library from the Restricted Section. He went from booth to booth, until he faced a three-sided stack of books, a lower back only, bent over the desk, visible between the stacks, shaking with obvious sobs. In a heartbeat, Ron was through the gate and gathered Hermione into his arms. There was a piece of parchment before her covered in strange symbols and several sheets containing what looked like Potions recipes. Her tears were making the ink run.

She turned as soon as she felt Ron’s arms about her, and buried her face in his chest, weeping, {Oh, Ron they’re not permanent. They’re not for ever}. Ron was bemused. He cast a glance to his beloved. Hermione raised her head in time to see the look, {No. You don’t understand. The bonds we have made?. They are not permanent. They are bonds of requirement only. When Harry has killed Voldemort, erm, or, the other way around. Then our bonds will dissolve. But it gets worse. All our new powers will vanish with them}.

There was a passing reference to Magi in the Potions book open before her. That, according to lore, a Mage or Magi could ‘create’ an Elemental and her job was to attend to the writing of rituals, the creation of the Bonding Potion even the raising of a private army if needed. But once these things were done then the bond between Magi and Elemental and any other cohorts would dissolve and any enhancements in the Magical powers would dissolve as well as the bonds, returning them to their previous levels of Magic unless they also were of the Higher Magical classes who, apparently would automatically retain their new powers. The book then veered off into how to intuitively select ingredients suitable for a bonding Potion

Ron was aghast, {No, surely not. Oh, bugger}, at Hermione’s determined stare. {Oh, no}, his face crumpled, {I know. I thought this was permanent too}, Hermione started crying afresh.

Then something cut in to her brain. She retreated a little in Ron’s arms, staring into the middle distance over his shoulder. Call it a flash of intuition, whatever. But Hermione smiled slowly, withdrawing her arms, steepling her two forefingers together over her mouth. An idea had just struck. Her eyes widened. Ron caught the look and smiled cautiously, {What?, ‘Mione}. She slowly smiled behind her fingers, her mind racing, {There may be a way, but it’s not pretty. I need to think a bit more. And I need to talk to Professor Snape}. The shy smile had become a full-on grin that met her eyes, as she raised her eyes to Ron’s. He caught the wicked look and grinned right back, a bit unsure.

Hermione arrived as the fourth years were leaving their Potions class. Severus had a couple of his hapless pupils clearing up the mess. “Yes, Miss Granger, and what can I do for you?”, he drawled. Hermione stood in front of his desk and placed a neatly written list of ingredients on it. {I need these}, she sent, even her mental tone brooking no nonsense.

Snape cast a practiced eye over the list. {And the second potion?. The larger one?}. {That’s for all of us, not just Harry and Draco. Our bonds are not permanent, and we may wish to make them so}, Hermione could not lie in her sending. She dipped her head, but Snape detected no submission. Hermione reached over the desk, pressing a small soft bag of money into Snape’s hand. {This has to be done with love and it will be}, she sent cryptically. Severus Snape felt himself answer, instinctively, before he could stop himself, {I wish you had been in Slytherin, just as Harry nearly was}. Hermione felt herself blush, then sent a feral look straight into Snape’s eyes. {There are reasons I’m a Gryffindor. Sir}, this last was sardonic. He quailed and looked away. Hermione resisted the urge to laugh. He took the list and the money, {I will let you know when the ingredients arrive}. She thanked him and left.

She turned as she reached the door, {Sir?}. Snape looked up. {I’m going to need a place to prepare these}, her gaze was level. His eyes narrowed as he rose, crossing the room to a door in a side wall, unlocking it and beckoning her over. She bit her top lip as she approached. No-one, to her knowledge, had ever been in here. Snape’s own private laboratory. Hermione’s mouth went dry as she crossed the threshold.

A long bench in the centre of the rectangular room. A fume cabinet and a sink on one wall. On the opposite long wall, surprisingly, a window as well as shelves stacked high with phial after phial, neatly labelled in Snape’s crabbed handwriting. Hermione gasped and made a bee-line for them, touching the bottles gently, reverently. She passed to the shelves curving around the corner across the narrower end of the room. Jars full of ingredients, drawers let into the cabinet below the shelves containing more. At the far end of the lab stood a door letting onto the ingredients store. She opened cupboards beneath the central island. Equipment. Test tubes, alembics, phials. A wooden rack festooned with hooks winched into the ceiling held cauldrons of all types and sizes.

She was amazed and let it show on her face as she faced her Potions Master leaning in the doorway. {You’d really let me work in here.?}. His sneer was back in place, but his eyes told a different tale. He nodded once, {Given the circumstances, how could I, in all conscience do otherwise?}. She smiled slowly, and the sneer dissolved, {Thank you sir, but I’ll need a key, or the opening spell, please?}. Snape rummaged in a pocket, producing his one spare key. He handed it over into Hermione’s opened palm. She couldn’t believe this was happening, but remained cool. {I’ll probably work mainly at night. The first will take at least twelve weeks to complete, so I’ll need to get cracking, the second a bit longer, but I won’t need it until later}. She was almost thinking aloud, her mind in overdrive. Snape lost her. She snapped back to herself, {Sorry, sir. Thank you for this}, she bunched her fist around the small key, then grinned until her eyes lit, turned on her heel, and stalked off in triumph.

Dinnertime. Hermione entered the Hall to a subdued group. Ron and Blaise had clearly spread the news. Harry and Draco looked equally glum. Hermione sat down, helping herself to food, before looking around at her friends. She breathed deep, calling them all to attention. Her tone was stern but quiet, {There is a way, but it’s a bit bloody primeval}. In return she received various, {I’ll do it}’s. She held up a hand, {No. You need to think about this for a while. It’s permanent. No fucking about here. This is serious}. She looked at all the earnest faces pointed towards her, meeting all of their eyes as her gaze travelled around the table. She held out her hand revealing the key, {Snape’s private lab. I’ve been given carte blanche. I’ve ordered the ingredients just in case}.

The three Slytherins were stunned. They knew how closely Snape guarded his territory. Draco sent a stuttering, {How....?}. Hermione grinned evilly, {Pure Gryffindor charm, my dears. I start as soon as the materials are here}. Nine shocked faces. Draco cautiously sent, {Just what exactly are you planning, ‘Mione?. It’s not what I think it is, is it?}. Hermione shot him a look, {Depends on your thoughts, m’dear}, the gaze positively lascivious. Draco’s mind was awhirl. {No. You can’t mean...., oh fuck...you are aren’t you?}. She grinned and purred into his mind, {I’m your Elemental, and I will do anything...., indeed it is my given role...}, she left the rest unsaid. Draco looked shocked. Hermione sent, {Nothing ‘til Saturday, okay?}. Draco nodded in a stunned silence.

The rest of their end of the table was going mad, {What?. What’s going on?}, came at Hermione and Draco from all sides. Harry included. {Tell you on Saturday}, was all she sent. Draco, his head bowed, kept his own counsel. Harry didn’t pry, although he was deeply curious.

The next morning, Hermione was rapping gently on Professor McGonagall’s study door before breakfast, sending, {It’s me, Professor, Hermione. May I have a brief word, please?}. Minerva bade her enter. She was sitting in an armchair before the fire, and she indicated to Hermione to take the one opposite. She sat. {Professor, I need your help, please}. It wasn’t a question. Minerva arched a brow, {Yes, Severus told us last night that you had already enlisted his assistance. I must confess to nothing short of amazement, that he is letting you use his private laboratory. Neither Albus or myself has ever crossed it’s portals. Though he did show concern at some of the ingredients, Hermione. Apparently some of them are only to be obtained from Knockturn Alley. I need to know a little of what it is you plan, Miss Granger, but I will certainly assist in any way I can }.

Hermione haltingly tried to explain, holding Minerva’s gaze, blinking a lot and chewing the inside of her cheek. She watched her House-Mistress’s eyes widen, {Hermione, this is highly dangerous, not to say, volatile Magic you are devising here}. Hermione nodded and broke the gaze, looking down, her send quiet but determined, {I know, Professor, That’s why I need your help}. Minerva regarded the girl before her. Her friends all trusted her with their lives, she was the brainiest Witch in generations, and she was an Elemental to two Magi. Minerva smiled, this was extremely old and inchoate Magic this young woman was proposing, but if anyone could do this, then she could.

She leaned forward, {Then how may I be of assistance, Hermione?}. Hermione raised her head, and looked into Minerva’s eyes, {There are two books that I need, they are housed in the Ministry’s Restricted Section, and I am not of age yet, so I may not view them}. Minerva smiled, {And you wish for me to take notes for you?}. Hermione glanced down then back, a guilty look on her face, {Actually, no, erm, I want you to steal them. I need a lot of information from them. Too much for note-taking, and as for ripping pages out...}, she shuddered, {No, I’ll find a way to return them, erm, afterwards. I promise. I’ve never stolen a thing in my life, Professor, but these books can’t be checked out, as they may give the game away to an astute Minister, but I truly need them}. Her pleading eyes spoke volumes. Minerva regarded her again, {Do you have the titles?}. Hermione grinned and handed over a, by now, rather sweaty piece of parchment, that she’d been clutching in her palm.

Minerva straightened it out, reading it, {Ah, I can quite see why checking these tomes out might arouse curiosity}. The titles, A small treatise on Bonding Potions, the other on Specialist Bonding Rituals for Higher Magicals. {Yes, these would rather, as you say, give the game away, would they not?}. Hermione allowed a cautious smile as her House Head pondered. Minerva looked up and nodded, {I’ll go this afternoon, and I’ll ‘send’ to you to collect them. Until later then...}, she inclined her head, dismissing her. Hermione stood, {Thank you so much, Professor}. On an impulse, she leaned down, catching Minerva’s face between her palms, then kissed her on both cheeks and departed. As the door closed, Minerva sank back into her chair in shock, her hands gently rubbing her face. Then she laughed. Long and loud.

xxxxxxx

Hermione allowed herself a moment of supreme smugness as she sat down to breakfast, then swallowed it and ate like a horse. Various questioning sends came her way, but she resolutely kept her mind shut as she ate. The others desisted eventually and let her. School that day was a bit of a washout for Hermione, but Ron sensed that something big was on his friend’s mind, so for a change, he was the one who diligently took notes, he sent to his beloved, who performed the same task in Arithmancy for her. She was sent for just as afternoon school finished. She rushed to the kitchens first, grabbing a snack from a willing Dobby. Then she scooted to McGonagall’s study post haste.

Minerva opened the door before Hermione knocked. She went in. Minerva had a haunted look on her face as she handed over the two texts, {Please. Never ask me to do that again}. Hermione could see the strain on her teacher’s face. She laid her palm over Minerva’s burning cheek, {I thank you all the same for your efforts. Believe me, it will be worth it. Don’t feel bad about it, this was one of those occasions when, erm, the breakage of rules seems justified}. Minerva looked into her pupil’s dancing eyes and had to smile, {Just like you three have done throughout your school careers}. They both laughed. Hermione let herself out, clutching the volumes against her chest and made her way to her dormitory to examine her treasure in peace and quiet.

Which she did, the curtains closed and charmed about her bed. Until she felt a weight land on the mattress beside her, the Invisibility cloak shrugged off to reveal Ginny, the charms re-laid. Hermione carefully stashed the books under her bed as she stayed on her back and pulled her Girlie to her, kissing her long and deep. Ginny pulled away first, {Missed you at dinner. So?. What’s going on?}. Hermione pulled her back, urgency in every touch, in her kiss, {Can’t say yet. Need to do more research, but I think I have what I need. I’ve got McGonagall and Snape eating out of my hand.....}. She laughed.

Ginny was thoroughly confused, but glad to be with her Missy. They kissed again. Long teasings with lips until a shy tongue licked at Hermione’s mouth and she opened up on a groan and let her beloved in. They lost themselves in each other. Ginny could feel such heat, literally, radiating from her lover. Hermione let her lead, bestowing permission. She murmured a, {My safe word is ‘shoebox’, okay?. Now do your worst}. Ginny grinned evilly, then fished around in their toybox hidden in Hermione’s trunk, laying her tools out before her on the bed with surgical precision. Hermione’s eyes widened as she partially divined the treats her lover would bestow, Ginny deliberately keeping her mind closed.

She first divested both of them of clothing, then moving up beside her lover grasping each limb in turn, arms first, then legs, securing them firmly to the four bedposts, but with long straps to allow movement. Then she bound Hermione’s eyes. Nothing touching her lover except her mouth, forcing her to feel more intensely. Then the kisses disappeared. Hermione could hear a small rustling. Kept quiet. She lay, spread-eagled, bound and blindfolded and waited. Smelled a familiar pungent odour, felt the joint between her lips, she pulled, then Ginny placed her mouth over Hermione’s, and she took the second-hand hit. This continued until the spliff was finished.

Then Ginny grew wild, she had such riches spread before her, she felt the weed hit her, she played her bond-mate, eliciting moans and groans with her hands and tongue. A quick climax for starters, preparing her. Then slowing down, kisses long and languid, a sensuality creeping in as a soft mouth took a brown nipple in, sucking, then a tongue over the rest of her breast, then little kisses on the sensitive full area below the nipple. She worked her way down, dipping into her navel, Laying a flat palm over Hermione’s wet sex as she tongued a quivering lower belly. She could feel Hermione coming undone beneath her and grinned as her tongue found a wet hardness between Hermione’s wide spread thighs. She reached behind her grabbing the dildo, placing it against her body to warm it as she made love to her Missy with her mouth.

As she felt her lover approach her climax, she pulled back, letting her cool down a little, kissing her so she could taste herself on Ginny’s lips, her tongue.

She tied on the dildo, fitting the little cleverly placed nub, where it needed to be, then entered her Missy, slowly at first, getting the feel of the toy, then harder. She could hear Hermione’s gasps in her ear, as she speeded up, both of them so close. She slipped a hand between them a soft fingertip gently touching just behind Hermione’s clit. Her lover unravelling below her, {Yes, oh fuck, Girlie, Please. Like that. Don’t stop. Please}. {Come for me Missy}, and Hermione exploded, seeing stars as she felt Ginny come in long waves above her. Her blindfold was removed and trembling hands released her bonds. She wrapped her arms around her shuddering Girlie as they came down from their giddy heights and held her tight. A tremulous send, {Was that all right, Mistress?}. Hermione could barely see straight, burying her head in Ginny’s shoulder, {That was more than just ‘all right’, my love. I must let you top more often. That was incredible, and I must say to my shame, that I can feel sleep claim me, forgive me, it’s been a hectic couple of days}. In moments, Hermione was deeply asleep. Scant minutes later, her mouth buried in Hermione’s hair, Ginny followed.

Saturday dawned warm and clear. All ten made it to breakfast. Seven anxious faces turned to Hermione. She tuned them out, simply barking, {Eat} into all of their channels before she closed down. After breakfast, they all trooped outside, following Hermione’s determined stride as she led them all away from the castle to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, instinct guiding her to the glade she sought. A small well-lit clearing that held none of the usual menaces of the Forest. Instead of being surrounded by malevolent old trees, this glade held strong young saplings not yet mature, a single large oak at the edge. Hermione sank onto the grass at the centre of the clearing. The others, including Ginny arranged themselves around the edge.

Harry gathering Draco into his arms. Ron, Blaise. Pansy, her Neville and finally Seamus and Lavender. Hermione made a silent plea and Ginny joined her, holding tight, her legs across Hermione’s lap.

Hermione opened her channels, quietly commanding all of them to listen to her. They did. {You know that these bonds of ours are not permanent? Although Harry and Draco’s bond is?} A chorus of sad ‘Yesses’. reached her, {And that after the battle, our powers will diminish?}. The same sad sends. {Well, there is a way, that we can, erm, do this. Open your channels to me, all of you}. She tuned up and down to detect Seamus and Lavender, but did so with ease, then sent her last two days, unvarnished and unafraid, sending after it, {It’s the only way, people, and I’ll make something that will make it easier}.

The first send. Harry. {Are you sure, ‘Mione?}. She rolled her eyes, {Of course I’m not sure Harry. You’ll just have to trust me. I know this is heavy Magic, Harry, but you’ve trusted my instincts before...}, she let her send trail.

{Look}, she sent, to the company at large, {I’ve got both Snape and McGonagall on our side. For pity’s sake, my House Mistress stole two books for me from the Ministry’s Restricted Section yesterday, not to mention that Snape has given me the run of his private lab that no-one has ever been in before. Let me do it. Let me be a real Elemental}. Her eyes glittered and each and every one of them felt the pull.

Of course, Seamus and Lavender were reserved, {C’m on ‘Mione}, her housemates begged, {We only just got together}. In reply, Hermione cast a knowing grin over them, {We have a whole term before us}, she sent cryptically. Harry was next, {I. Erm, don’t feel we should take part, it’s, erm, oh fuck I dunno, I just can’t take the idea of seeing anyone else with my Dragon}. Hermione soothed him, {It’s a ritual, Harry. Nothing more}. The next anxious sends were Ron and his sister’s all at once, {No, Hermione, for heaven’s sake, I’m her brother. This Magic is for older folk}. Blaise sent his own concerns, {I’m just not into girls. I mean, I like you and all, but, well, you know}. Hermione soothed all the ruffled feathers that she could, but was determined to press ahead with this.

{We don’t have to do everything with each other, but}, she glanced at Ginny, {the ritual has to end with Draco, Harry and me. Then my lovely Girlie}.

Draco could feel how difficult this was for Hermione, and moved in Harry’s arms to embrace her between then, sending to her and his beloved, {If this is what it takes, and you all genuinely want to do this, then we’ll do it}. She had her Magi onside. They moved away. Ron moved towards her, taking her in his arms. Blaise on her other side, feeling the power between them, {We’re with you, ‘Mione}. She breathed in her mind, {We can be so awesome if we do this, guys}. As they stepped away, she was approached cautiously by Neville and Pansy, she kissed each one on both cheeks, sending a warm welcome, Neville sending a {We’re in. You can count on us}. Seamus extended his hand, Hermione took it, squeezing it gently. She released the hand as Harry moved towards her, taking her in his arms, placing a big closed-mouth kiss on her mouth, then pulled away. {‘Mione, I have trusted you with my life on many occasions. This being one of them. Do what you have to, babe, and we’ll follow}. She had the tacit support of the group for her plan, as they all looked up to see Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall approaching across the grass.

One or two made to pull away from their partners to a sent, {Stay} from Hermione. They stayed. Ron and Blaise hadn’t even noticed, deep into a kiss. As they drew apart, to Hermione’s sent polite cough, they turned and started to separate, to be stilled by Hermione’s waved hand, as their teachers sank onto the grass with them, for now choosing to ignore their pupils’ various indisposition. Dumbledore noticed straight away, confirming his earlier decision. He harrumphed politely, commanding the attention of them all.

{It would seem as if all of you are now aware of what Miss Granger’s plans are for you all?} A chorus of yeses and nods. {This will also mean you staying here at School over the summer. I believe that this ritual cannot take place until after Draco delivers, am I right?}. Hermione nodded, {Yes, sir}. He turned to Draco, {Your delivery date is when, my boy?}. Draco had to remember for a second, {First two weeks in August, sir, all being well}. Dumbledore smiled. {Your House Heads and I have consulted with each other. We will have to write or Owl your respective parents. When the ritual takes place, there will only be one of you under age, so I’m sorry Ginny, but I may have to obtain permission from your parents before I can countenance your participation in this. It is quite possible, however, that being an Elemental’s bond mate may allow us to bend a rule or two}, he noticed Ginny’s sudden crestfallen look, and Hermione cradling her in her arms,{Actually, love, he’s right. As my bond-mate, you are given my of-age status, please don’t worry lover}, she calmed the girl trembling in her arms, {And, anyway, if you’re bonded to me permanently, then your parents will know, sooner or later, as will all of our families}. Ginny lifted her face to Her Missy for a kiss. In front of her teachers, flushing, Hermione obliged, keeping it chaste.

She wrapped reassuring arms around her Girlie, then they both looked to their teachers, {I have a book on Bondings, sir, and Ginny shares my status.} She felt her Headmaster smile into her mind, {I thank you, Hermione. There is a book in the Ministry Library that I requested this morning, it seems to be missing, that would have given me the relevant information}. Hermione felt the guilt wash over her and she lowered her eyes. {I think I have that one in my possession, sir}, she admitted. She saw his smile widen. He lifted his hands so the palms were towards her, {I don’t wish to know how an under-age Witch obtained such a treatise}. In spite of her embarrassment, Hermione laughed. Not once did she look at her Head of House, but she was sharing a sent giggle with her House Mistress. Minerva kept a completely straight face.

Albus addressed them all, opening his channels, {We have decided to let you have the rooms in the corridor below Harry and Draco, and four rooms are being made up for you as we speak. Your luggage and effects will be moved for you by the House-Elves this afternoon. You will be in the Protected section, but in the layer just slightly less strong than Harry and Draco’s}. They all looked pleased at this piece of news. Dumbledore grinned into Hermione’s mind, {That means you can give Harry back his Invisibility Cloak}, then a chuckle into Ron’s mind,{And you will have more comfortable accommodations than an old storeroom, my boy}. He watched as both turned puce, then rose, {I thank you all for letting us know all of this. While I still have many concerns, not the least of which, is that you are all too young for this, nevertheless, I trust you all, bid you all good afternoon, and hope that your new rooms are to your, er, satisfaction}. At this, all three teachers walked back to the castle, their robes flapping in the light breeze.

There was a stunned silence as the news sank in. Then Hermione pulled Ginny in for another kiss, this one most unchaste, {Let’s go find our new rooms, Girlie. Right now}. This seemed to be the general consensus, and as one the ten rose, Harry and Draco last, as Harry was devouring his Dragon’s mouth just then, pressing them both down to his spread cloak. And then it happened. A hot wave of pain in Harry’s head, making him double over in agony. He snapped his shields into place, but not before Draco had caught a glimpse. Harry reeled back onto the grass clutching his head in both hands. Then half-rising, turning and losing his breakfast. Hermione felt the spike of feeling and turned. Saw Harry’s distress and was running back to them, as the others waited near the steps.

Draco was holding his beloved from behind, panic etched in his face, {It’s Him}. Hermione crouched down in front of Harry, stroking his hair. {Harry, it’s me, come back to me, lower your shields}. She felt Harry open to her gradually. He was still a bit green. He was shaking from head to toe. He opened his eyes into Hermione’s, {It was Voldemort, wasn’t it?}, she sent. Harry nodded, then his face crumpled and he burst into angry tears. Draco held him tight as Harry turned into his arms, sobbing against Draco’s chest. {That was revolting, Dragon}. Draco kissed Harry’s hair, {I know, I caught a quick glimpse. And that never happened. Ever}. Harry looked puzzled. His colour was returning gradually. {Then how?}.

Hermione asked Harry to sit up, then beckoned Draco from behind him. She held both of their heads, touching their foreheads with her own. {Tell me, Harry. Show me}. Harry initially baulked, but at Hermione’s insistence and his lover’s encouraging, he screwed up his courage and sent. A picture, moving, of Voldemort mounted on Draco, fucking him hard, the two of them in a deep kiss. Draco’s legs wrapped around Voldemort’s back, clearly enjoying the proceedings. Then a spike of sexual release.

Hermione winced visibly as the mini-movie came to an end, but she was not so emotionally involved. She separated then slightly, her arms still around the two boys. They raised their eyes to hers. She sent, {There was something wrong with the picture}, her send dreamy, slightly out of focus, then her eyes snapped back. {Draco, take your left shoe off}, he obeyed without question. {And your sock}. Harry was curious. But Hermione had her problem-solving face on, so he stayed silent. As she saw Draco’s foot, she smiled, then laughed aloud.

Their faces were a picture, {C’mon, ‘Mione. What’s going on?}. Hermione smirked, gazing off into the middle distance, {Harry, don’t worry. Voldemort has never seen Draco naked. If he had, he would have remembered the strawberry birthmark on his foot, also the scar on his ankle. Both were missing}. If it were possible for the two boys to look more gobsmacked, then they just did. Hermione grinned at them both, {Don’t you see. He had the details wrong. Oh, and your hair’s the wrong length, Draco}. Harry could take no more of Hermione’s teasing, {Please, ‘Mione. For fuck’s sake, what’s going on here?}. She smiled a slow lascivious smile, then sent, {He was fantasizing, and he let his guard down. That’s what you saw. Erm, basically he was having a ‘Sherman’, and you somehow saw it}.

Harry coughed, then laughed, {You are kidding me?}. Hermione was all seriousness, {Do I ever kid, Harry?}. Draco felt several steps behind as usual when he was dealing with the Muggle-trained, {What the devil is a Sherman?}, he demanded of no-one in particular. Hermione giggled, {Sherman tank, Muggle battle weapon, rhyming slang for, erm, wank}. Draco cracked up laughing. {You mean we just caught Voldemort having an orgasm thinking about shagging me?}. Hermione giggled. {It would seem that with your new abilities that you can catch him with his breeches down, so to speak. Not pleasant, I’ll grant you, but it probably means he has no idea of what’s cooking here at Hogwarts. His fantasy of you, Draco, had your tummy distinctly flat. He’s a Mage, boys, and he may be looking for a bond-mate. Erm, one of you two}.

They both faced each other, plainly horrified. Hermione tightened her grip about their shoulders. {Don’t worry too much, he hasn’t a clue yet how protected we all are, nor how joined. Once we do the working in Summer, we can ask him out to play. He won’t stand a chance against us if everything works out okay}. The two boys could do nought but hug her to them tightly, sending variously, {Where would we be without you, ‘Mione?}. Her reply was low and feral, {Up shit creek without a paddle, chaps}. They all laughed and rose. Harry feeling considerably more cheered, although he had the last nasty taste of the encounter in his head for a while afterwards. Until Draco drove it from his consciousness a short while later. Bending him back over the arm of the settee and sucking him to oblivion.

The others had a stand-off on the landing below, until Hermione stepped into the fray. {The biggest room is mine, as the Facilitator here. The others are all identical, so sort it out}. Her tone brooked no nonsense and the others all fell into line. Hermione inspected the rooms, one by one, then the room at the end of the corridor. Wide windows, a large fireplace, and a four poster bed. Oh, and it’s own bathroom. {This is ours}, and picked her Girlie up and carried her, giggling, over the threshold.