Harry Potter and the Womb of Requirement NOW CODED

24

Harry and Draco were aware that the level of sexual energy had risen around them, and indulged themselves accordingly. They were no longer alone in a kind of Magical Purgatory, even while they knew they were being protected for their own good.

They could feel their friends all about them. Said friends were all tuned out right now. Enjoying their new space and each other, legally, no threat of expulsion hanging over them for loving and being loved. They all indulged to the max. Cries and groans carrying to the rafters, until a shouted, {Silencing Spells, please guys}, entered all of their heads. Harry and Draco giggled sending a {Yes, Ma’am}. Hermione laughed a reply, {Not you. But these other unruly gits....}.

Silence suddenly reigned, {Sorry}’s being conveyed to their Sergeant Major in the end room. The wing went quiet. Suspiciously quiet. Harry quirked an eyebrow at Draco, {Can you blame them?. How did we spend our first day up here?}. In reply, Draco pulled Harry to him, kissing him hard, {Making sweet love. How else?. Now come here.}.

Dobby’s services were now required for ten instead of just two. As they surfaced later that evening, Harry ordered a huge Chinese spread for everyone, and Dobby rose to the challenge admirably, providing them all with an unforgettable feast and smuggled in lager to oil the wheels of their first night together.

Blaise knew his way around chopsticks, feeding his lover, morsel at a time. Hermione, it seemed, also knew the erotic art of dining from two straight sticks, her and Ginny feeding each other. Seamus and Pansy demanded chopsticks, then demanded to be taught, and after a few minutes to master technique, were feeding their lovers succulent morsels, coated in rice, rolled in sauce. Seamus looked deep into Lavender’s eyes as she ate a succulent king prawn from the chopsticks. Then he knew. She didn’t yet, but he did. He was stunned, but, for now, kept it to himself.

Hermione read her house-mate, keeping quiet. This was all working out just fine, thanks, and she didn’t want to mess it up. It was all part of the Grand Plan, and she grinned wickedly at no-one in particular as she and her beloved ate. Ginny sent, {You’ve sensed someone, haven’t you. Okay, which one?. Lavender or Seamus?. My guess is on him rather than her}. Hermione nodded, {You’re right, my Girlie. I’ve picked it up. Let it play itself}. She sent her Girl such a gaze as to melt granite. {What do you desire, my Mistress?}, Ginny was sitting on her heels, her head slightly bowed in the attitude Hermione liked. Tonight, she simply cupped Ginny’s face in her hand lifting it to hers and kissing her, {Let’s just go to bed. No games tonight, just me and you}. They excused themselves and departed.

The door hadn’t quite closed as Hermione pushed her lover into the wall, claiming her mouth with her tongue. She raised Ginny’s arms above her head, pinning her to the wall, a leg pushing Ginny’s apart. A thigh pressed into Ginny’s groin as they kissed long and hard, Hermione’s free hand roaming up inside her lover’s t-shirt. Draco grinned as he shut the door. Just such a move had forced him and Harry together at last. He leaned his back against the door, his mind contracting around the memory, his eyes closing. Harry read him perfectly and called a halt to the evening, their friends leaving, sensing the change in atmosphere.

Sometime deep into the night, as Lavender slept on his chest, Seamus cautiously tried a wandless spell. It worked. He chuckled softly as he fell asleep, roaming lips kissing his lover’s hair.

As dawn rose, Hermione untangled herself from her lover and dressed. She allowed herself a good long gaze as the rising sun caught Ginny’s hair and set it aflame. Her breath caught as she looked, and she nearly gave in to the temptation to leap straight back into bed, but placed a small note on her pillow, kissed Ginny softly, grabbed her satchel and an armful of books and left their room.

She made her way to her new laboratory, clutching the key, a smile playing with her mouth. She let herself in. Good, no-one there. Her eyes glittered as they adjusted to the gloom, the sun didn’t get to this side of the castle until later in the day. She lit a couple of tapers, feeling the excitement start to build as she surveyed the room, her mind focussing. She laid parchments and lists on the long bench. Then started extracting equipment from the cupboards. In moments she had set up a quite complicated distillation unit with controllable flow of ingredients, along with mixing cauldrons, fermenting pans, test tubes.

Next came a heating area, with small oil-fired burners along with gas powered bunsens. She turned to the long side bench. A weighing and chopping area, a zone for dealing with liquids, then another bench to accommodate powders and dry stuffs. She found some cleaning materials and gave the rather grotty sink a clean. She dried it down and it gleamed.

Then, with a dry mouth, she unlocked the store cupboard. For a Potions Master, the stuff of dreams. She was letting her eyes play over the stocks, when she heard the rattling at the door, {It’s open}, she sent, as Snape walked in. {Good Morning, sir}, her send breathy and amazed as she surveyed the riches before her, her eyes wide. Snape caught the rapturous look on her face as he approached, {This is incredible, sir}, she whispered.

He allowed himself a small smile. Hermione’s eyes continued to rove the shelves. {Everything you need is in there, Hermione. The materials in the blue sacks are the special ingredients you requested from Knockturn Alley, and the sterile phials you asked for are in the cupboard next to the sink}, his send was uncharacteristically soft. She turned to him then, {Thank you, sir, I’m very grateful for this, you know}, she smiled as she saw Snape’s expression, then caught herself, {Oh, no, I said I would work at night. Am I interrupting you at anything?}. Snape shook his head, {No, I just come in here to think, sometimes. Please, go ahead with whatever you were about. Don’t let me disturb you}. This was the gentlest tone she had ever heard from her Professor. His face was almost wistful. Hermione frowned slightly, {Are you all right, sir?}.

Snape cocked his head slightly to one side, his gaze and send holding neither guile nor malice, {I’d like to assist you, if I may}. At that, Hermione couldn’t help herself, she gasped in surprise, {Really, sir?}, he smiled then, a real smile that reached his eyes, {There has only been one occasion in all of recorded Wizarding history, that something of this magnitude has ever been tried before}. Hermione shrugged, {Yes, I know. The Founders of this School, but it all went wrong for them, didn’t it?}. Snape nodded, suddenly deep in thought. Then he crossed to a drawer under the long bench, pulling out a sheaf of parchment. {I know you are still under age, Hermione, but I think you need to see this}, handing it to her.

Hermione stared at the title in awe. {The missing chapter, sir. To ‘Hogwarts A History’. Oh my word. Thank you. I will read it in this room, sir, it does not leave here}. Snape was right to trust this girl, she knew the value of books. {Sir?}, she queried. {Yes}. {You know that in Potions of this magnitude, no-one but the Elemental and their bond-mate may touch the ingredients?}. Snape nodded, {And nor would I, Hermione}. She inclined her head slightly before looking into his coal-black eyes, {Then I accept any assistance you can render me, sir, with thanks and gratitude}. It was somewhat formal, but it seemed to please Snape no end.

An idea struck her, {Sir?}, she sent. She realised that she was pushing it a little. Snape’s gaze became inquiring, {I’d really like to enter the first two Potions for my NEWT project if I may. I know they will be finished after the exams, but I’m not exactly in charge of the timing here, and I think they would make an excellent project from an academic point of view, if I could obtain an extension, erm, sir?}.

Snape regarded her wryly, was she just taking the mickey?. But when he thought past the resentment he’d previously held for the smartest pupil in the School, he took a deep breath. This was surely the most exciting project for a NEWT final that either of them could imagine, the most intense to do and if it went well, could be awarded the highest Outstanding mark in History. Suddenly, he thoroughly understood. It had been Hermione who had solved his Potion puzzle in her First year, not to mention he knew of a certain Polyjuice Potion she’d brewed at the age of twelve, the girl was a Natural, not to mention an Elemental with itchy Potion fingers. He stared around at the lab she was already building and nodded, {I’ll see what I can do, Hermione, and I think these would make an excellent project for your NEWT’s. I’ll Owl the relevant body this afternoon and run interference for you. Just make the Potions worthy}. She smiled ruefully, {This isn’t about me, sir, or the exams. This is about the boys, their baby and our army}, her tone soft but serious. Just at that moment, he received a flash of her doubt and uncertainty, the weight she felt on her shoulders as she sighed, staring into space.

With a {Don’t be late for breakfast. You need to keep your strength up}, he left, a whole new opinion forming about a certain Miss Granger. In spite of himself, he was beginning to like her.

She pulled out a stool and slumped down onto it, staring into the freshening light. Snape was a funny old bugger, but, with a small grin twitching at the corners of her mouth, she realised that they were going to get on well. Her Elemental magic was loosening him up, She mused, ‘I think that finally we will all see the real Severus Snape’. This thought widened her grin as she collected herself, and rising, she went back to the store cupboard and began assembling ingredients.

A light tap on the door. Hermione didn’t hear it, engrossed. A second. Her head whipped round. The latch clicked and the door opened slowly. Ginny. Hermione grinned beckoning her lover to her. Ginny looked around, her eyes saucer-round. Hermione took Ginny into her arms, and they looked together. {Incredible, isn’t it?. And I get free rein. Oh, and Snape’s being really, um, helpful}. Ginny gazed into Hermione’s eyes, {Missed waking up with you, lover, and as for getting Snape onside, you could charm the hind legs off a donkey}. Hermione laughed and gathered her Girlie to her kissing her, {Good morning to you too, my love}. Ginny pulled away, {Come on, you, it’s breakfast time}. They kissed again and Hermione turned and adjusted the flame under her first alembic, {I need to check this again after school. It’s okay for now}. They left, Hermione carefully locked the room and they made their way to the Dining Hall.

Amidst the general euphoria that the Ten as a group generated, there was bound to be a backlash. And it came a couple of days later as the remainder of the DA who weren’t involved in the Ten arrived at Harry and Draco’s door looking extremely pissed off one evening. Harry summoned the rest of the Ten and there was a tense few minutes as Hermione tried to explain what was going on. Draco’s bump was somewhat prominent, he was now five months gone. There were no remarks about pies this time. Secretly Dean was delighted that all four of his dorm mates had moved out. It left him the seventh year boys dorm to himself, at first it had been a bit lonely, but, well, he was coping!! With Susie Bones. Who snuggled into his side as they sat on Harry and Draco’s settee.

One by one, the remnants of the DA realised that this group was special as their status was revealed by Hermione. She left out a few salient points, but Justin Finch-Fletchley spoke up, “Are you going to do the, erm, Founder’s Spell?. The one they got wrong?”. Hermione quirked a smile at the Ravenclaw, “Yes, but this time, we won’t cock up. It was Salazar’s fault last time. He was greedy. I’m not”. And there ended the matter for now. Various shocked and worried faces, including the other nine. Hermione tuned it out. “I cannot tell you. I have just begun to build the tools that we need”, her voice was sepulchral and dark in tone. The others tacitly accepted that this was the end of the DA for now, and a subdued troop of disappointed folk straggled back into school a while later.

Hermione’s shoulders sagged, and she sat down hard. Ginny sitting at her feet, her arms around Hermione’s waist. Hermione sunk her face into her hands. Harry sat to her other side and threw his arms about her shoulders. She burst into tears, {They all hate me now, don’t they?. I was too harsh, wasn’t I?}. Harry conceded, {You were a bit hard on them, seeing as how we’ve trained together since fifth year, but I think we’ll be forgiven. Oh, and if you need two more, I’d consider Dean and Susie}. Cheered, Hermione lifted her face to Harry’s and smiled. She closed her eyes and sent. To Dean and Susie. Also to Justin and his boyfriend. Whose name kept slipping her mind. Her apologies for being a git, also her wishes that, should the Ten ever need their special services, would they.........?. In short order she received several forgiving and heartfelt yeses.

xxxxxxx

In the depths of the night, Hermione awoke, sobbing, battered by doubt, sitting up and wrapping her arms about her shaking knees, feeling the sheer enormity of the tasks ahead. She felt sleepy arms around her, gently tugging her down, laying her head to Ginny’s chest, she howled at the hugeness of it all. Ginny’s long arms held her as she sobbed, her mouth raining kisses into her Missy’s hair, she felt her own eyes fill and overflow, and held tight to her beloved. She felt the sobs lessen to snuffles as Hermione raised a tear-streaked face to hers, {You’ll do this, Missy. You won’t fuck up where the founders did, letting one person have the power. Oh, yes, I’ve read the chapter, too, my Missy. I know what you’re trying to do, and what it means. I know you’re trying to rebalance the rest of the Magical Community. We are Harry and Draco’s weapons for the war with Voldemort. But afterwards?. You have a much larger scheme of things in the works, don’t you?}

Hermione nodded against Ginny’s breast. {Then, Missy, I have absolutely no doubt that you will set right what was wrong}. Hermione gazed into those certain eyes, that held such trust, and felt her confidence rise like bile in her throat, clasping at her throat to contain the feeling, letting it build. She sent, {But people depend on me, Gin}. Ginny smiled and kissed her beloved, {Lover, people, namely my brother and a certain Harry Potter have relied on you for years and you have never let them down. You won’t this time either. Your magic is fifty times stronger, and you’ve even charmed Snape, for heaven’s sake. C’mon, baby, feel your power}.

Hermione stared off into the distance until her bond-mate pulled her back to the present, kissing her like she meant it. Then made gentle love to her until Hermione gave it up, then finally relaxed into her lover’s touch, her tension melting.

That night, many uncertain lovers held each other. The enormity of their undertaking seeping in. Making them just a little bit afraid, but, sinking into each other, they forgot the pressure for awhile.

As Spring advanced, every spare moment not spent in class or doing her revision, Hermione spent in the lab. At the moment, she was making the building blocks only, then the real potion-making would begin.

Madam Pomfrey summoned Draco and Harry to her one afternoon at the end of April. She greeted them warmly, and gently hand-dowsed Draco asking him about his physical symptoms. He looked extremely healthy. He had the glow about him. Madam Pomfrey laughed when he told her he thought Cariad was trying to kick her way out. She finished her examination and turned to a side table. “Today, gentlemen, I need to teach you the basics of the birthing itself, and find out any preferences you may have, Draco”. They smiled at her and Draco withdrew the now rather battered pregnancy guide from his bag, passing it over.

The top of the book bristled with bookmarks, and she flicked through it, noting the accuracy of the diagrams, the photographs, even comments positive and negative from parents. The boys sat on one of the Infirmary beds as she read. Harry leaning against the bedhead, Draco between his legs, back to chest. Harry was gently massaging his belly.

She glanced up at them, “This is a very useful volume, Muggle too, I’ll be bound”. Harry nodded, “A friend gave it to us. It has been a mine of information”. She regarded them both over the tops of her spectacles. Draco spoke up, “Madam, I would really rather not go into St Mungo’s if at all possible. I would like to give birth here. Also, I read about giving birth in water? I would like that too. Oh, and I want Harry present throughout. Hermione too if she’ll consent. She’s been teaching me stretching and relaxation breathing and it’s really helping, and I would really like another scan in a couple of weeks or so”, he ran out of breath and subsided.

Madam Pomfrey came over to them. Draco moved his feet so she could sit on the end of the bed. “Well, boys. You may be in luck. As it happens, I’m half Magical, half Muggle. When there was no training place at St. Mungo’s, I entered a teaching hospital in Manchester and did most of my medical training in an exclusively Muggle environment. I am not an obstetrician, but I am a trained midwife, although my skills have not been called upon very often since I came to Hogwarts. If you wish it, then I will be your attending midwife, although I would ask that Dr Maestus be at least in the vicinity during the birth, and if any complications ensue, then you can be Floo’d to Hospital. Is that agreeable?”.

Harry felt some of Draco’s tension ease, “Yes. Thank you, Madam”. She continued, “As to giving birth in water, if that birthing stool will fit in your bath, then I see no reason why you cannot give birth at ‘home’ so to speak. Also, if You-know-who is planning any machinations, then it will please me to know we are in the most heavily defended place in Hogwarts”.

They looked over at the strange wooden stool with the hole in the middle. Harry planted a shy kiss on Draco’s shoulder, {That’ll fit in our bath, won’t it, love?}. Harry felt Draco’s head loll against his shoulder and he smiled into Draco’s eyes, reading the evident relief there. They both turned to the Healer. Draco expressed his relief and gratitude. Harry sent, {And this time, we get permission to leave for your scan. No sneaking off}. Draco grinned into Harry’s mind and nodded. Madam Pomfrey never ceased to be amazed at their Telepathic abilities. It was one skill that she’d envied of the higher Magical folk. She sighed, then started clean off the bed as she heard Harry’s voice in her mind.

Draco chuckled, {Another one, love?}. Harry asked a stunned Healer to send him something mentally. She clutched the bedrail, her knuckles white, her eyes huge, fixed to Harry’s, {I’ve always wanted to do this}, over and over, until Harry picked her up, {Well now you can. You may not be able to ‘talk’ to everyone this way, but you’ve lived in the outside world, just think about tuning a radio, and you’ll have no problem. There are about two dozen of us now who can talk and read each other. Draco and I can read everybody. Hermione Granger, too. Dumbledore is a Telepath anyway, but Professors McGonagall and Snape can do this now. Looks like we just added you, Madam}.

In reply, Madam Pomfrey tipped her head back and howled with laughter, tears pouring down her face. As she calmed, she moved towards the boys and gave them a brief hug enclosing them both, {This is truly a dream come true. You boys are not Telempaths are you. I’ve had my suspicions for a while, now, but this just confirms it, you’re Magi, aren’t you?}. The boys nodded cautiously. {Look, the speculation is rife through School, and Albus and your two House Heads are very thick with each other. Most are satisfied that you’re Telempaths training a cohort of your fellow classmates, but, well}, she huffed out a long breath as she connected the dots in her mind, {Hermione’s your Elemental also?}. Harry smiled, {Yes. And the very best}. The Healer thought for a long moment, {If I am to be totally trusted, then I would be happier if we did the simple blood-bond between the three of us}, her expression was tremulous.

Harry nodded, {Sure, although you might want to sit down. Bertha, the Auror that’s been training us fainted}. She laughed aloud as she fetched a sterile scalpel, sat on the end of the bed and made a small cut on her thumb pad. She passed it to Harry, who opened a small cut, then Draco. They pressed their thumbs together. Madam Pomfrey felt the crackle of pure energy course through her, tried to hold onto it, but keeled over sideways. To her credit, she came round almost immediately, gazing dumbfoundedly at her two charges. Harry sent, on their private channel, {We seem to have this effect on people, lover}. Draco tipped his head back and pulled Harry to him. The surge of energy through them both rather energised them, while it temporarily disorientated their bondee.

As the Healer shook herself back to consciousness, it was to the sight of Harry and Draco kissing deeply. She cleared her throat politely, they parted, but Harry tightened his hold around Draco, {Sorry, Madam, but the energy, erm, affects us this way}. She laughed, flushing, {Here was I, thinking I’m going to teach two ignorant boys the whys and wherefores, and I end up having the experience of a lifetime, plus finding out that you are preparing yourselves well, which pleases me no end}, she shook her head, laughter taking her once again. She dashed her teary eyes with the back of her hand as her chuckles subsided. {There are still things that I need to teach you. Practical stuff, like how to bathe a newborn, prepare bottle feeds, that kind of thing}.

Draco grinned, {Thanks. I think I’m going to breastfeed at first, so advice there would be appreciated, if I’m capable, that is. Lavender, my classmate has made me a Potion for my, erm, nipples, and the Patel twins have made me an oil for stretchmarks}.

Madam Pomfrey realised at that moment, that a whole panoply of folk were looking out for these two. She smiled inside to be included amongst them. For now, though, the Bonding had tired her, and she dismissed the boys for today, {Take the afternoon off, boys, enjoy, erm, each other. I have a feeling things are going to heat up around here before too long. Keep safe, look after each other.}. Her smile was gentle. They thanked her and stood. Draco ironing out the kinks in his back. She watched them leave, saw them out, arranging the next session for the following week. As she closed the door, she saw Draco pull Harry to him and the teasing start of kisses. She closed them out and giggled again. It was limited, but she had some Telepath power, she had to stuff her knuckles into her mouth to stop herself howling like a love-struck teen.

Harry and Draco barely made it to their eyrie. All the rest of the Ten were at classes. They kissed in every corridor, the feeling building, tumbling into their rooms, ripping the clothes from each other. They made it as far as the rug in front of the living room fire, before Harry claimed his willing, pliant Dragon, eventually collapsing over his back as Draco soaked his hand.