Triumph

Pairing: Draco/Hermione/Blaise

Author’s Note’s: Zephyr - I am humbled to write this for you, you are one of my favorite authors. I truly hope you enjoy this. I am sorry this is late, my muse and RL conspired against me. Ann~ thanks for the Beta you’re the greatest.

The title is from the following quote: Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence by H. L. Mencken.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione shut down her computer, saving the last of her documents. Once again, sending a small prayer to the gods that the wizarding world had decided that some muggle inventions were worth their time and attention. It helped that Malfoy Enterprises had insisted on the listing of Dell, Apple, and Microsoft, among others on the WSE, Wizarding Stock Exchange. That had gone along way to smoothing the road for “data reform” as Hermione liked to think of it, in the Ministry. She shuddered to think what it would be like to organize her research, monitor her staff’s work, and joggle her schedule of meetings without her PDA and trusty Mac powerbook.

Thinking of all that Malfoy Enterprises had done to help wizards bridge the gap between their world and the muggle one, Hermione lamented that Draco had apparently joined that new pureblood extremist group Arisen. The groups work to limit the access of muggleborn witches and wizards, to actually test them and rate their magical ability before allowing them access to the magical world. This action seemed antiquated and hysterical. It smacked of the prejudice that Voldemort had run with a decade ago. Hermione, on days like these, could even admit her personal disappointment in Draco. She thought that their relationship had meant something to him and had affected his views on muggleborns. Although no one knew of their relationship during their 7th year at Hogwarts, Hermione felt that they had truly meant something to each other. Hermione sighed quietly. She still missed Draco, after ten years.

“I suppose it is because there was never any closure, with the war and all.”

As she put her winter cloak on and prepared to leave her Ministry office, Hermione’s mind turned to Blaise. His joining Arisen was even more confusing. Until 6 months ago, he had worked with her at the Ministry; they had actually discussed the polarization going on within the Ministry caused by the new group. Some felt that Arisen was just another Death Eater organization in disguise while others cautioned freedom of thought. Hermione and Blaise had many debates as to the impact it would have on wizarding society. She knew that he, and Draco if truth be told, was one of the few pureblood offspring to not isolate themselves after the second Voldemort war. She knew that there were some political machinations around joining Arisen and who was involved. In reality, being a muggleborn hindered her knowledge and understanding of the group. No one seemed able to relay the facts to her, the information always being couched in rhetoric.

“Humph,” grunted Hermione. She was thoroughly sick of all of it. Blaise had given up a perfectly good career at the Ministry and Draco seemed to be hell bent on undoing the last ten years of technological progress all because of Arisen. It frustrated her completely. Just because she no longer spoke with either of them didn’t mean she didn’t care; didn’t mean she wanted them to throw their lives away.

Making her way out of the lifts and heading through the atrium towards the phone booth exit, Hermione resolved to put it all out of her mind. There was nothing she could do and she had enough on her plate. Being the youngest department head at the Ministry had both advantages and disadvantages. The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures allowed Hermione to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all magical beings. Blaise leaving his post as Spirit Division head had taken quite a long time to fill. Consequently, things were piled up.

Exiting the phone booth and starting her walk to the Underground station, Hermione was mentally listing her To Do list for the next day when she was hit with Petrificus Totalus followed closely by an Accio Hermione. She felt herself slowly drifting deeper into the dark alley she had been in front of when hit with the spells.

“Who would have thought Crabbe and Goyle would have gotten so good at Charms?” Hermione wondered as she recognizing the voices of the spell casters. Hearing the strange incantation of the Bewitched Sleep charm Dumbledore had used during the second task of the Tri-wizard tournament in fourth year, Hermione fell fast asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco caught Blaise’s eye from across the meeting room. He absolutely loathed these meetings, they reminded him of some of the more moronic prefect meeting from Hogwarts. He truly could not listen to the debate on the soundness of muggleborn testing tools one minute longer. Standing abruptly, all eyes turned to Draco.

“I’m sorry to interrupt but I have a business meeting in the morning, can we table this discussion until there is more definitive information regarding these techniques?” Draco asked.

Slowly turning her head towards him, Marietta Edgecombe, president of Arisen acknowledged Draco’s request.

“As we all know about your Muggle involvements, I am not sure you would recognize definitive information if you saw it,” responded Marietta.

Draco could feel every muscle in his back clench at the implied insult. Taking a deep breath, Draco answered, “Marietta, I do know that this discussion is going nowhere for tonight. Neither of these methods of assessment has even put through any scientific testing to prove they measure magical ability. Until that has been determined, this discussion is moot.”

Scowling, Marietta replied, “You sound like Hermione Granger, that uppity little muggleborn who is heading up the Magical Creatures Division. She is exactly what we are talking about. Although she has talent, her complete lack of respect should have barred her from the magical world long ago. One Oblivate would have solved her problem.”

Forcibly unclenching his fists and schooling his features into bland annoyance, Draco retorted, “I simply am stating fact. There is no need to insult me Marietta. Let us adjourn until next month.”

“Very well, it is late. Meeting adjourned. Same time and place for meeting next month,” announced Marietta.

Amid the shuffle and leaving, Blaise sidled next to Draco and whispered, “Are you all right?”

Sliding his eyes towards Blaise, Draco nodded in the affirmative and in the process of gathering his papers made sure to brush Blaise’s hand. Feeling the slight quiver from that brief touch, Draco simply raised an eyebrow in Blaise’s direction. An answering smirk was enough to let Draco know that he would be seeing Blaise later.

“Draco, may I have a word with you?” asked Marietta.

“Certainly,” replied Draco and turned to give her his full attention.

“I did not mean to imply any insult, Draco. Nevertheless, even you must realize that your business holdings present a problem for Arisen. Open interaction with Muggles as well as hiring them and muggleborns indiscriminately is problematic to our cause. If we are to cleanse the wizarding world of the imbeciles that populate it now, only purebloods can be assured standing. All others need to prove their worthiness to be included in our society. Your hiring practices and business dealings go against the basic premise of Arisen,” Marietta declared.

Mentally consigning his mother to hell for at least the hundredth time since she had pressured him into joining this ridiculous group, Draco rejoined haughtily, “I can not simply remove Malfoy Enterprises from the muggle world. I am examining how to resolve this issue but am not prepared to halt my business dealings and take a substantial financial loss simply because Arisen feels I am not moving fast enough. I have stated that I am addressing the matter and I expect the Malfoy name still engenders enough respect to assure you of my intentions.”

“I meant no such disrespect,” sputtered Marietta.

“Well then I see we have resolved this satisfactorily,” stated Draco. With that, he turned on his heel and left – before he did bodily damage to Marietta Edgecombe.

Draco let himself into the flat he rented in Muggle London. His spacious flat overlooked Hyde Park. Leaving the lights off he gazed over the barren trees envisioning the Serpentine. He was not startled when he felt a pair of strong arms encircle his waist. Leaning his forehead against the window glass he said, “Explain to me again why we have to be apart of this moronic group?”

Blaise hugged him and stated, “I know that I am stuck. I don’t know how to please my family and myself. They seem to think Arisen is nothing more than a political group. I know that there are those extremists involved that could rise and cause as much destruction as Voldemort did years ago. The polarization in the wizarding world is wide. What’s a young pureblood to do?”

Draco chuckled, “Except for the whole woe is me bit I agree with you whole heartedly. Those who don’t see that people like Hermione add to our world are fools.”

“Ah, so this is about Hermione, not just nameless and faceless muggleborns,” said Blaise. “Why don’t you contact her?”

“Why don’t you? She believes you walked away from your job. You didn’t even tell her the truth of your leaving, that Amelia Bones called you in and gave you an ultimatum,” responded Draco. He turned in Blaise’s arms and slid his hands around the dark haired man’s neck to tangle in his curls.

“Neither of us have contacted her and for the same reason. We’d have to face one of the most terrifying women we know. And we’d have to own up to being pushed around. We both caved in when we know Hermione would never have done such a thing,” lamented Blaise.

“You’re right. At least your blunder was recent. I have tens years of explaining to do,” retorted Draco.

“But you are especially handsome when you grovel,” smirked Blaise. Lowering his head and taking Draco’s pouting lower lip into his mouth and worrying it with his teeth, he soon had Draco arching against him. Blaise could feel Draco’s strong hands cupping his skull and let go of the pouty lip to allow Draco’s questing tongue entrance to his mouth. Rubbing his tongue against the velvet softness of Draco’s, applying a slight sucking pressure to it, he could feel the blood in his body head south. Rubbing his erection into Draco’s answering hardness, Blaise broke off the fierce kiss to whisper, “Let’s move this to the bedroom, alright?”

Showing his agreement by simply grabbing Blaise’s hand and yanking him towards the bedroom door, Draco simply mumbled, “Yes.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione awoke in a cold, dark, and damp room. She found herself on a lumpy and musty mattress. Checking her pockets immediately for her wand, she was not surprised to find it gone.

“Why is it that whenever someone is kidnapped they wind up in a place like this?” Hermione though. “Why can’t you be held in a four star hotel with room service and cable on the telly instead of rat central?”

Chuckling at her own irreverence, Hermione surveyed her surroundings. Dingy room, table and chair – plain wood, windows with old and thick curtains, small bed with slightly smelly sheets, privacy screen in the corner with what she assumed was a commode. Assessing the situation and the potential resources, Hermione decided the room she was housed in was part of a larger house, and had once been very nice. It looked has if it had been abandoned and in disrepair for more than a few years. Still, the table and chair looked to be made of a rather hard wood, she could possibly use them as weapons. She rose from the bed and moved towards the window. She pulled back the draperies and could see nothing but trees. As she touched the windowsill, she received a rather strong shock.

“Well, shan’t be exiting through the window,” she said to herself. Crossing to the door, she received the same shock upon trying the doorknob.

From the position of the sun and the shadows, Hermione guessed that it was late afternoon or early evening.

“That means someone will have noticed I am missing,” she said. “The larger question is will anyone associate me with Crabbe and Goyle? I can’t imagine they would. I don’t even know why those two oafs nabbed me.”

Hermione started pacing in her prison as the sun set. As time went by, Hermione noticed that she was quite hungry. The room also appeared to have no heat and no fireplace. Pulling her cloak around herself and wrapping up in the blankets, Hermione fells asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione was awakened later in the night by a large shape looming over her. To her credit, she didn’t scream. Ascertaining that one of her captors, she couldn’t tell which in the dark, was peering at her; she feigned sleep. One meaty hand shook her roughly.

“I’ve brought you some food and water. Don’t try nuthin’as then you’ll have no food,” threatened Crabbe.

“Why am I here Vincent?” asked Hermione.

Shocked by the use of his given name, Crabbe replied, “We were ordered to get you. You’re the figurehead of the whole problem with muggleborns. If we could just show you was all stupid we could get rid of you. End of problem.”

“You’re from Arisen? That’s why you’ve taken me?” queried Hermione.

“Some of ‘em in that group know the answer and are not going to sit around and discuss how to legislate what should be a pureblood’s right – to cleanse the wizarding world of your dirty blood,” responded Crabbe with more emotion than Hermione had ever seen in their seven years of schooling at Hogwarts.

“That’s ridiculous. Are you just going to just wipe out everyone besides purebloods? Purebloods are a minority in the wizarding world. Muggle and Wizards are interdependent, even if neither realizes it,” stated Hermione flatly.

Furious, Crabbe made a move towards Hermione but stopped. “See how dependent you are on me when I don’t bring you food for the next few days,” he yelled as he turned and slammed the door as he left.

“Oh dear, I think I fucked that up royally,” sighed Hermione.

Moving over to the sack on the table, Hermione found a sandwich, an apple, and a small jug of pumpkin juice. Wondering how to make her food last, Hermione bit into her sandwich. Before she knew it, she had finished the entire sandwich. Realizing she was ravenous, Hermione wondered just how long she had been gone. Going to stand by the window, Hermione watched as the clouds passed in front of the moon.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At the emergency Arisen meeting called the following week, the uproar was almost out of control. Draco watched as the various groups around the table plotted, schemed, and denied all knowledge of Hermione Granger’s disappearance. Marietta fought for control of the meeting.

“Excuse me,” Draco announced. “I was wondering if we were going to have a meeting or if we were all going to run around with our heads cut off?”

The shocked silence bought Marietta the time she needed to take control of the meeting. With a thankful nod in Draco’s direction, she announced, “Arisen has issued a statement denouncing the kidnapping of Hermione Granger. While she is an example of muggleborn witch, we wish her no personal ill will. She is a competent, if discourteous member of wizarding society.”

“Considering she got the highest marks Hogwarts has seen in a century, I’d say she’s more than competent,” murmured Blaise, who was seated next to Draco. Nodding his assent, Draco concentrated on the meeting.

After the discussion of the abduction, it’s coverage in the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly and The Quibbler, which for once had a rather serious and sane explanation for Hermione’s abduction, the meeting was adjourned. Draco and Blaise exchanged looks that clearly said: what was this meeting really about? With no clear answers, only more questions and a rising concern for Hermione’s well-being, Draco and Blaise prepared to leave. Blaise, his gaze caught by the clearly uncomfortable exchange between Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Terence Higgs. There seemed to be some disagreement between them and they all appeared more jumpy than usual. As Marietta passed them, they became suspiciously silent and then began talking furiously when she passed.

All this screamed guilt to Blaise, and he wondered if they had anything to do with Hermione’s disappearance. He decided immediately that he would be doing some detective work. Blaise made his excuses to Draco and made sure to keep them all in his sight. When they separated , with Higgs taking the Underground and Crabbe and Goyle taking flight on their brooms, Blaise decided he would needing his broom also. Silently thanking his father for his anal-retentive nature, Blaise pulled his miniaturized broom from his cloak pocket, enlarged it and followed the two men.

After flying for at least two hours north, they sent down near what appeared to be a deserted country manor. Landing silently, Blaise inched as close as he dared to listen to their conversation.

“I’ll go in but I don’t think she be any better. She’s been feverish the last four days,” said Crabbe. “She’ll be no good to us dead. It’ll make us look bad. People will feel sorry for her.”

“She’s too much of a pain in the arse to die, just go leave her the food and we’ll go. She be just fine,” Goyle replied.

Crabbe walked away and entered the house, returning shortly.

“She’s really sick Greg. If she dies, we could get charged with murder. Even though she’s a mudblood, the Ministry will blame us and we’ll go to Azkaban. This will be worse for the cause,” worried Crabbe.

“I said quit worrying, she just has a cold, and she’ll get over it. We’ll check on her every night from now on,” responded Goyle. “C’mon, let’s get out of here. People will talk if they see us out here.”

Mounting their brooms, they flew off.

Blaise, deciding he needed help, flew off to the Kensington flat he shared with Draco. Draco was the planner, he was the information gather. He needed Draco to devise a cunning plan to save Hermione. But what would happen after they saved her?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I can’t believe those two louts did this,” exclaimed Draco at the end of Blaise’s tale.

“Yes, I also think it is terrifying but we can’t just let Granger stew there. We have to do something,” replied Blaise.

“But that will be the end of Arisen for us if we do, “ responded Draco. “Not that I care overly much but there will be a cost, are you prepared to pay it?” He eyed Blaise surreptitiously, the financial cost to Blaise much higher than to himself.

“Of course, this is basic what is right and what is wrong,” answered Blaise. “No matter how we feel, Hermione is an innocent in this megalomania. I know you don’t believe the drivel that these idiots spout anymore than I do. You want peace with your Mum and I don’t want to loose my inheritance. But all that pales in comparison with Hermione’s life – don’t you think?”

“Absolutely!” stated Draco, on the verge of shouting. “I could never forgive myself if she was hurt and I could prevent it. Why are we even discussing this?”

“Well, I think I don’t give a flying fuck what my family might do, including disinheriting me. But you’re the head of Malfoy Enterprises; your past relationship with Hermione might come out as well as our relationship. Are you ready for that?” Blaise countered with a steady gaze at Draco.

Without blinking, Draco responded, “I am not ashamed of our relationship nor do I care if my past with Hermione is brought to light. I love you both.”

Blaise met Draco’s stare. “I believe you when you say that. And the sad thing is that I also love Hermione, as much as I love you - I think. I am not sure what to do about that.”

Calmly assessing each other’s thoughts, Draco and Blaise gazed into each other’s eyes. I myriad of thoughts cascaded and collided behind each man’s stare. Silently coming to a mutual decision, each lowered their head’s looking anywhere but at each other.

“Let’s worry about that when we get Hermione out of captivity. Although Crabbe and Goyle have shown improvement in their magical skill, I have not seen any advancement in their common sense,” stated Draco flatly.

“The abandon manor house is northwest of Manchester, a good three hours flight from here,” responded Blaise. “I don’t know what we’ll find when we get there. It is pretty horrible conditions if they didn’t have the sense to clean the place up first…”

“Then there is no time like the present. Let’s fly,” pronounced Draco, clutching his broom and stepping out on to the veranda.

The moonlight was unobstructed as Draco and Blaise flew. Draco’s thoughts were consumed with Hermione’s welfare. It surprised him that his feelings were so strong after so long. He recognized the irony of loving Blaise and Hermione – that there would be a choice soon in his future, one he did not want to make. But *that* option, choosing between Blaise and Hermione was unacceptable. He had no idea of how to resolve it. But Draco recognized he needed to be completely focused on the upcoming situation, not gathering wool about his relationship issues.

Blaise, on the other hand, was running all the permutations of Draco’s declarations through his head. He admitted that although he had never acted on the attraction he felt for Hermione during his employment at the Ministry, he absolutely wanted to now. But what did that mean for his relationship with Draco? He would not sacrifice it for Hermione or anyone. He could imagine sharing Hermione, perhaps even having Hermione as an equal partner in his relationship with Draco. But what would that really mean and how would every one else react to that *unconventional* idea – to say the least. As they were nearing the manor house Blaise put away his speculation, needing to be fully present for the upcoming events.

Both men landed silently on the overgrown lawn and stealthily advanced to the main building. Hiding their brooms in the shrubbery next to the front door they found the front door unlocked. Entering the building and noticing the high level of disrepair present, they advanced quickly to the through the house. Not finding Hermione on the first floor, Draco lead the way up the stairs and Blaise opened the doors.

With a simple Alohomora, Blaise and Draco entered the dirty room where Hermione had been imprisoned. Huddled in the corner, wrapped in one threadbare blanket she shivered and slept. Kneeling beside her, Draco touched her forehead.

“She’s burning up, I wouldn’t hazard a guess as to her temperature,” cried Draco. “We’ve got to get her out of here immediately.”

“I agree, but where to. Because we are known Arisen members we are suspect?” concurred Blaise.

“To the Malfoy holiday home in Glasgow. The Scots are not as involved in all this as the rest of Britain. We’ll be able to keep a lower profile and Hermione may not be as recognizable,” responded Draco.

Bundling the semi-conscious woman in the blankets they found in the house, Blaise and Draco took off towards Glasgow; Blaise carrying Hermione for the first leg of the journey.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione awoke to find herself tucked into a warm and sumptuous bed. Slowly swimming to consciousness, Hermione determined she was in a rather demure cotton nightshirt, her hair cleaner than had been usual of late, and she was huddled into the center of the largest bed she had ever seen. She suspected she could lay crossways with her arms over her head and just touch the sides. Not knowing how she came to be where she was but feeling too comfortable to examine it all, Hermione snuggled down into the down comforter and dozed more.

Blaise entered the master bedroom and set down the sandwiches and hot chicken soup that Draco had prepared in the kitchens. All the Malfoy servants had been dismissed, a holiday of undetermined duration so that there would be no prying eyes. Draco followed and once again felt Hermione’s face.

“I think the fever has truly broken this time. That healer that father used came in handy. Considering he had to take care of father’s Death Eater injuries a flu should not have been all that challenging,” remarked Draco.

“Well that and the potion Snape sent when he figured out we were up to something,” muttered Blaise. “But I agree, Hermione is doing splendidly. What are you going to tell her when she awakens? You haven’t said a word to her in a decade.”

“Well she thinks you walked from the Ministry,” retorted Draco, “instead of being told not to let the door hit you in the arse on the way out.”

“I agree, we both have a lot to say. The issue is how are we going to say it?” asked Blaise. “And I know you have come to no conclusion about all of this…”

To emphasize his point, Blaise leaned over and kissed Draco full on the lips. Draco wove his hands through the raven colored curls on Blaise’s head. Slanting his head to fit better over Draco’s lips, Blaise gently probed the seam of Draco’s lips and gently pushed inside the wet warmth that Draco’s mouth provided. Draco gently scraped Blaise’s tongue with his teeth and sucked fiercely on the invading muscle. Draco could feel Blaise’s soft shudder as he closed the gap between their bodies.

Hermione, being awakened by the chatter between Blaise and Draco, couldn’t decide if she had died and gone to heaven or hell. Never in her life had she been such a close audience to two men kissing. Sure she had friends who were gay but comparing them to Draco and Blaise was like comparing kittens to panthers. She had no idea what she should do. How does one interrupt two snogging men, one an ex-boyfriend and the other an ex-coworker? Is there etiquette for this?

As Hermione mentally conversed with herself, the other thing she realized albeit slowly, was that this little show in front of her was one of the hottest things she had ever seen. The warmth pooling between her thighs and the rapid increase in her temperature alerted her to this fact. Watching the men in front of her try to climb inside of each other was simply dead sexy. Overwhelmed with her response, especially the slack-jawed and open-mouthed reaction to the sight before her, Hermione must have made some noise to indicate to awakened state.

Springing apart as if they had suddenly been burned, Draco and Blaise released each other’s mouths with an audible pop. Flying apart and smoothing their hair and clothes only waylaid the inevitable for so long. Draco was the first to look at Hermione’s face. He saw her pink cheeks and confusion. That was followed quickly by the thought that he’d love to kiss that expression off her face; it humbled him. Blaise, simply shifted into best buddy mode, being that he had never acted on his attraction to Hermione.

“Say there luv, good to see you back among the living,” Blaise said.

Hermione deliberately forced a rather weak smile to her face. Deciding not to comment on anything seen, heard or done in the last few minutes she simply changed topics, “Where am I? What are you doing here?”

“You’re safe. We’re in Scotland. Seemed like the best place to bring you considering the uproar around your abduction,” responded Blaise.

“But what…Why…Scotland?” Hermione sputtered. “Why didn’t you just call the authorities?”

“Well, considering our membership in a certain group, we thought it better to see to you ourselves. We thought when you were better you could help explain the whole mess to everyone” replied Blaise.

“You wanted me to cover your arses?” yelled Hermione. She was vaguely aware of displacing her anxiety about what she had just seen onto Blaise’s explanation. “Making sure your vile hides were safe was more important than making sure I didn’t die?”

“Now wait a minute,” interjected Draco. “We saved you – you ungrateful wretch. Crabbe and Goyle were showing you such hospitality you were starving and had a temperature of 40.5 degrees. I’d expect something better than a screaming banshee in response.”

If it was possible, Hermione turned even redder, unfortunately not from embarrassment but now from anger. “Why you nasty little ferret-faced bigot. If it wasn’t for you and people like you who believe I am nothing short of one step above filth, I would never have been abducted. Apparently you learned nothing 7th year. How did you manage to convince yourself to give me a go? Just wanted to slum it then return to the manor?” Hermione screamed.

Draco strode to Hermione’s bedside and lowered his face to her. “How dare you begin to judge something you know nothing about? The bloody war was coming to a head and my family was on the losing side of it. Who do you think picked it all up and pieced it all back together? Who made Malfoy a name to be respected once again? Who knew that wizards and muggles alike need each other to survive? And who figured out a way to get the majority of the wizarding world to accept it? WHO DO YOU THINK I LEARNED IT FROM?” thundered Draco.

Before either Blaise or Hermione could react, Draco spun around and left the room, punctuating his exit with a fierce door slam. Hermione, for her part simply sat there stunned. Blaise, having seen Draco in a temper before, waited for Hermione to recover.

“But he’s never spoken to me since Hogwarts. I didn’t know any of that. It’s just that - he left me,” murmured Hermione sniffing. Before long the tears that she had been holding in since her whole ordeal began came flooding out. Blaise quietly sat on the bed holding Hermione while she cried.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Blaise walked the corridors searching for Draco. Blaise had succeeded in calming Hermione, getting her to eat some soup and seeing her tucked back into bed for a nap. Now Blaise hoped Draco had cooled down sufficiently to speak to him.

Figuring that the most likely place to find a sulky Draco was the library, Blaise made his way there and was not surprised to find Draco hunched in a wing chair in front of the fire, an upside-down book in his lap.

“Well, I’m not sure what you were trying to accomplish with that outburst but you made her cry. Not very gentlemanly you know,” chastised Blaise.

Scowling at Blaise, Draco responded, “Bloody Hell, I really fucked up this time. I wanted to let her know why I was doing the things I did. How important she was in that process. Not terrify her.”

“Well I don’t think you scared her, but I don’t think she understands your reasoning either. Do you think you could try honesty with her? Discuss it calmly without the Malfoy temper getting in the way?” commented Blaise.

“You should talk, I think you have a couple of things to tell her as well,” snapped Draco.

“I don’t deny it but I just didn’t reduce her to snivels and sobs. We both have quite a bit to talk to Hermione about,” replied Blaise. “But before we talk to her, I think we have some discussion for ourselves. As in did you ever get over Hermione?”

Looking Blaise directly in the eye, Draco stated, “No, I don’t think I ever did. If I could have figured out a way to have her and keep her safe I would never have left her after graduation. But hear me, that does not change how I feel about you. I love you. I love Hermione too.”

The need to squirm that Blaise had been feeling when Draco started speaking left him in a rush as Draco ended his statement. Blaise was surprised to find out how important it was to him that Draco be able to articulate his feelings for himself and Hermione.

“But, Hermione knows how I feel, at least how I felt ten years ago. You have to tell her how you feel about her – none of this I’m your buddy bollocks,” warned Draco.

Blaise began to pace, lightly running his hand along the mantle as he passed in front of the fire.

“We’re a package deal right?” Blaise asked. “I can’t choose between you or Hermione. Can you?”

“No,” assured Draco. “I refuse to choose. I hope that our unconventional Ms. Granger will live up to her reputation and take us both on. Merlin knows I think she’s the only one who could.” Draco smiled.

Blaise settled himself on the floor at Draco’s chair, resting his head on Draco’s knees. “I think we should just focus on Hermione getting well for the next few days, then we can have to big discussion.”

“Very cunning plan there Blaise,” chuckled Draco ruffling his hair. Blaise shoved at Draco’s knees playfully.

“But very sound,” Draco added. “Let’s settle in here and then we can attack that issue.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next few days passed calmly enough. Draco apologized for his outburst to Hermione and Hermione accepted without any discussion. It seemed as if the unspoken agreement between the occupants of the cottage was to avoid tender subjects for the time being. But it was always there, under the surface, tension that continued to ratchet up as each day passed. While Draco, Hermione and Blaise passed the time reading, playing wizards chess as well as some muggle board games, Hermione recovered from her captivity in both body and soul.

As Hermione began to strengthen, the tension began to rise. Each of the three knew that there was a very large elephant in the room and each did their best to ignore it. But as so often happens with this sort of issue, things began to leak out, slowly at first but then more so. The situation came to a head one day after lunch, while Hermione and Blaise were playing chess and Draco was reading by the fire.

“Is she going to trounce you again?” asked Draco conversationally.

“Bugger off Draco,” Blaise growled.

“Yes, this will be the forth in a row,” replied Hermione with a smirk.

“You would think that you would know her tactics by now, Blaise,” Draco responded.

“Since I haven’t slept with her I don’t know all her strategies,” sneered Blaise.

Both Hermione and Draco just stared at Blaise. As Hermione opened her mouth, Draco cut her off.

“What the fuck is that about?” barked Draco. “That has nothing to do with this.”

“Yes it does,” ranted Blaise. “I sick of all the tension in here. Dancing around each other like we’re here for a mini-break rather than hiding from Arisen as well as the authorities. I can’t go on like this. I want to know what we’re going to do.”

Blaise punctuated his statement by overturning the chessboard and scattering the pieces; one particularly outraged pawn cursing as it rolled under the squashy chair Draco was seated in.

“What do you want?” Hermione said cautiously. Blaise was traditionally the quiet one and rarely let his fiery Italian temper loose.

“I don’t want to be your buddy who sits around all day playing games. I don’t want to have to go back to that idiotic group,” Blaise declared while he returned to stand directly in front of Hermione. “And I am sick of pretending I feel nothing for you when all I want to do is this-”

Blaise quickly wove his hands through the hair on either side of Hermione’s head and lowered his mouth to hers. Slanting his lips to fully cover hers, Blaise began to nibble at Hermione’s lower lip. Making a low humming sound in the back of his throat, Blaise licked at the seam between Hermione’s lips, seeking entrance into her moist heat. Hermione, herself dumbfounded by Blaise actions, allowed the entrance. Blaise smoothed his tongue over the dormant muscle in Hermione’s mouth; curling his tongue around Hermione’s and stroking it, as one would suck a peppermint stick.

Blaise dropped to his knees in front of Hermione and wrapped one arm securely around her shoulders, bringing her body flush against his. Hermione’s hands were trapped between their bodies as she knelt in front of Blaise. In an effort to remove then, Hermione slid them up Blaise’s chest, eliciting another moan from him. Fully intending to push against Blaise and ask him what the hell was going on, Hermione found herself clutching Blaise’s shoulders instead. Tentatively, Hermione moved her tongue into Blaise’s mouth and explored its depths. He tasted slightly of chocolate, from his cocoa earlier. Feeling lightheaded, Hermione broke the kiss, only to find that Blaise licked his way to her ear lobe. Blaise gently exhaled, the movement of air against Hermione’s damp flesh causing goose flesh to rise along her spine. Blaise was tenderly biting Hermione’s earlobe as she breathed out her groan.

Both were jolted out of their reverie by the dropping of Draco’s book onto the stone floor. Wearing identical expressions of chagrin, Blaise and Hermione stared at Draco.

“Oh my Gods,” Draco muttered, breathing hard.

“Draco, I’m sorry. Blaise, I didn’t mean to…” Hermione stumbled through her explanation. Her gazed alternated between the men. “I mean I know you two are together. I would never come between you…”

Draco replied, “Funny, that’s exactly were I’d like you to be.”

He smirked as he knelt in front of both Blaise and Hermione. Taking Blaise’s hand and weaving their fingers together, Draco turned and gently placed his other hand against Hermione’s face. Leaning in slowly, Draco brushed his lips against Hermione’s. Increasing the pressure while continuing the slow slide of flesh against flesh, Draco rubbed his nose against her nose. Responding to the remembered tradition, Hermione opened her mouth to caress Draco’s tongue that met hers halfway.

Hermione wove her hands into Draco’s platinum locks, feeling the silk spill over her knuckles. Hermione tenderly sucked on Draco’s lower lip, licking and nibbling her way further inside his mouth. Draco stroked the roof of Hermione’s mouth, tasting the cocoa left behind by Blaise. Draco growled and ground his erection against Hermione’s stomach.

Through her sensual haze, Hermione felt hands on the back of her hair. Before she could gauge what would happen next, she felt the humid warmth of Blaise’s breath on her neck, followed quickly by his lips. Tracing patterns along her skin, Hermione almost thought they were letters. Blaise moved against her back, sandwiching Hermione between the two men. Hermione could feel Blaise’s arousal, pressing against her backside. Realizing Blaise was making his way around her neck towards her cheek, Hermione broke the kiss with Draco.

Not hesitating, Blaise captured Draco’s mouth while grinding his hard-on against Hermione’s ass. Draco, for his part, continued to pump against Hermione’s stomach. The rhythmic movements caused heat to pool low in Hermione’s abdomen, creating the desire in her to rub her thighs together. Watching Draco and Blaise kiss, both struggling for dominance, was extremely arousing. With half lidded eyes, Hermione watched as Blaise scraped his teeth along the side of Draco’s tongue, causing a shudder to ripple across Draco’s body and consequently hers.

Both men broke apart in response to Hermione’s gasp. Looking at her flushed face and half-closed eyes, Draco realized they had to have their talk NOW. Pulling away and re-adjusting himself in the process, Draco sat back on his heels. Blaise moved from behind Hermione to her side.

“I’ve never stopped loving you ‘Mione. Not ever in the last ten years, but I always thought you were beyond my reach because of the abrupt end of our relationship. I have known Blaise since I was in short pants. I love him too. Incase you haven’t figured out Blaise feels more than friendship towards you. I think we all could love each other, be together and it would be bloody fantastic. But you need to know some truths about us. This may change your mind,” said Draco.

Taking a breath he continued, “I stopped everything 7th year because I was afraid for your safety. We both know who my father was, what he was capable of. The only way to assure you wouldn’t be harmed was to end it before he found out. I couldn’t have lived if I had been the cause of your harm. But I also didn’t tell you or give you a choice in the matter, for this I am sorry, luv.”

Blaise coughed to draw Hermione’s attention from Draco. “I too have to apologize. For not letting you know how I truly felt, for not telling you that I loved you and for leaving without a proper explanation. Just as Draco was try to keep peace by joining Arisen so was I. My family made it clear I was expected to join so I chose the path of least resistance. I should have said no as I know they are wrong. Instead it cost me my job.”

“What do you mean?” asked Hermione. “I thought you resigned.”

“There are all types of resignations, luv. You know that,” replied Draco.

“But I am the department head!” Hermione said indignantly. “The Minister can’t pull those shenanigans in my department. I won’t stand for it!”

“Hermione, now is not the time, can we talk about that issue later?” Blaise chided. “What I want to know, need to know is what you think of our idea. I love you. I love Draco. I want us all to love each other, together.”

Hermione looked at Draco and Blaise, indecision plain on her face. “I’ve never been in a ménage-a-trios. But I love you both; I realized it when you both were gone from my life. I want us to be together, but you mustn’t keep things from me. I am not made of glass and I need to be an equal partner in this if we want to make this work.”

“I promise to let you know my concerns, I won’t simply act on them without your knowledge again. But I can already anticipate our disagreements,” said Draco.

Putting a hand to his face, Hermione tenderly stroked Draco’s cheek. “I have no doubt we will have our arguments, but please let’s talk them through.” Hermione turned to Blaise and took his hand in hers. Blaise nodded his assent as Draco turned his head and gave Hermione a brief kiss in the palm of her hand.

Deciding that to stop there was foolish; Draco took her wrist in hand and began to kiss up the inside of Hermione’s arm. Closing her eyes to more fully enjoy the sensuality of Draco’s actions. Hermione didn’t notice the brief smirk shared by Blaise and Draco.

While Draco resumed his ministrations, Blaise quietly stood and left the room. As Draco reached Hermione’s neck, her head fell to the side to allow easier access to the sensitive skin under her ear and along her collarbone. Humming as he gently nipped along her neck, Draco mentally calculated if Blaise had enough time to ready the bedroom. Draco had to admit he was very distracted in his task. Hermione had pulled the shirt out from the waistband of Draco’s pants and was now sliding her soft hands up his bare back, leaving a trail of tingles in their wake. Moving upward to again capture her mouth, Draco thrust his tongue through Hermione’s lip’s to caress her. Hermione, taking control of the kiss, curled her tongue around Draco’s and began to suck in conjunction to the pattern of grinding their hips were providing. Groaning, Hermione broke off the embrace to whisper, “ Gods I’ve missed this, I’ve missed you Draco.”

“And I you,” returned Draco. “Let’s go see if Blaise has everything ready for us, shall we?”

Rising from their position in front of the fireplace, Draco took Hermione’s hand and led her to the bedroom she knew Draco shared with Blaise. As Hermione’s steps slowed, Draco turned to her and read the apprehension in her face.

“Luv, there’s nothing to worry about. You are not getting cold feet now are you?” asked Draco.

“I’ve just never done anything like this, what if I do something wrong and you both hate it?” Hermione said as she chewed her lower lip.

“There’s nothing right or wrong about love, Hermione. It just is. And if you are expressing what you feel, honestly and sincerely, then there’s nothing to worry about,” replied Draco. “If it helps you, Blaise and I have never done this either. It is all virgin territory for us.”

“Yes. It does help,” answered Hermione.

“Ever the Gryffindor know-it-all,” stated Draco with a chuckle and a smirk. “Go in and see if Blaise is ready.”

Giving Hermione’s hand a gentle squeeze and guiding her through the doorway, Draco propelled her into the room. Enchanted candles hung in the air throughout the bedroom. A fire was lit in the huge hearth, casting a flickering orange glow to complement the candlelight. The large bed, directly opposite the blazing fire, was turned down and in the middle of it was Blaise in black silk lounge pants. Hermione vaguely registered that she heard Draco move off to the side and begin to undress. Hermione continued across the room towards Blaise and the bed. Blaise for his part rose and crawled to the side of the bed, so that when Hermione arrived he greeted he with a warm kiss.

Untying the lounge coat that Hermione had taken to wearing during her convalescence, Blaise was surprised to find a stretchy tank top with spaghetti straps and matching lounge pants underneath. Curiosity getting the better of him, Blaise was on the verge of asking where Hermione had gotten her pajamas when she placed her hand in the middle of his bare chest and slid it over his pectoral muscles. Lightly teasing his nipples, Hermione flicked each one with her fingernails, receiving a moan for her efforts. Leaning in to follow her fingers path, Hermione kissed Blaise’s sternum and licked her way across to a one of his flat nubs. Shaking off her robe and hearing it slither to the floor, Hermione resumed petting Blaise’s chest, worrying the nipple she was not nipping and sucking.

Blaise, feeling the desire settle in his groin and the answering erection grow, whimpered in response to Hermione’s attention. His hands were moving between weaving in her hair and stroking her shoulders, a constant dance that left a trail of fiery sensation on Hermione’s skin. Hermione switched nipples, caressing further down Blaise’s abdomen while the cool air caused the damp areole to pucker even more. Finally Hermione slid her hand over Blaise’s tented lounge pants, eliciting a louder groan from Blaise and a soft hum of satisfaction from Hermione. Rubbing firmly up and down, Hermione could feel the blood engorge Blaise’s cock.

Licking her way up Blaise’s chest to bite softly on the soft flesh between his neck and shoulder, Hermione barely noticed Draco’s approach. She simultaneously felt his strong hands grasp her hips while his throbbing groin pushed against her bottom. With the force of Draco’s shove her groin collided with Blaise’s hip, sending tremors of desire though Hermione. Draco’s whisper of, “Gods I’ve always loved your arse,” made Hermione tremble.

Swooping over Hermione’s back to give Blaise a quick kiss, Draco inadvertently squeezed Hermione between them. Hermione’s pubic mound crushed into Blaise’s groin causing him to moan directly into Draco’s mouth. Tightening his grip to an almost bruising level on Hermione’s hips, Draco shoved his cock against Hermione even harder. As Blaise and Draco broke off their kiss, Hermione slid her free hand up to capture Blaise’s face, turning it for her kiss. Draco slid the straps of Hermione’s top down and began to lick along her bared shoulder, moving back towards her spine. Hermione’s tongue danced against Blaise’s in the same rhythm set by Draco nibbles along the back. Reaching down Draco smoothly pulled Hermione’s top down to her waist. Without breaking his thrusts, Draco slid one hand up to clasp Hermione’s naked breast while the other smoothed it’s way up Blaise’s chest. Encountering Hermione’s hand also splayed on Blaise’s torso, Draco and Hermione interlaced their fingers and continued to caress Blaise. Pinching Hermione engorged nipple, Draco heard Hermione whimper.

Realizing that they might be done before they did anything more that dry hump, Draco stepped away from Hermione. Breathing harshly, Draco brushed his hand along Hermione’s shoulder and asked, “Luv, will you let Blaise fuck you?”

Hermione, breaking off the kiss with Blaise, turned to look at Draco and Blaise. Her hair was wild, curling frantically around her face. Her lips swollen from their kisses and her eyes filled with lust. “Is that what you what this time? Blaise do you want me? Will you take me in front of Draco?”

“Yes, Hermione. More than anything I way to fuck you until you scream,” responded Blaise. “Come here.”

Crawling back from the edge of the bed, he motioned Hermione to follow him. As Hermione began to crawl up on to the bed, Draco caught a hold of her top as well as the waist of her lounge pants and slid them off her body as she climbed up. As Hermione’s arse came level with Draco’s face he leaned over and kissed and nipped it.

“Hey!” exclaimed Hermione.

“Well if you pout something that delectable in front of my face I’m sure as hell going to take a bite,” smirked Draco.

Hermione continued her journey to Blaise and as she approached she was summarily flipped onto her back. Before she could respond Blaise had buried his face between her lags. The licking and sucking was intense, considering her current state of arousal. Blaise used his tongue to delve into Hermione’s nether lips, slurping up the juices coating her pussy. Dancing around her clitoris, but never actually touching it, drove Hermione almost to tears. Just as Hermione thought she might not be able to stand the torment further, Blaise thrust his tongue into he vagina. At the same time Hermione felt Draco’s lips close around her nipple, tugging none-to-gently. Hermione arched her back as she drowned in the sensation; one hand curled into raven hair, the other grasping Draco’s shoulder.

Blaise circled her pussy with his tongue a final time, this time including a final long and slow drag across Hermione’s clit before moving into position to enter her. As if on cue, Draco lifted his head from Hermione’s chest and he grabbed Blaise behind the neck to haul him in for a bruising kiss. Hermione could see Draco licking Blaise’s mouth, attempting to get as much of Hermione’s juices as he could. The frantic movements of the two men caused another gush of lubricant to wet her pussy.

Draco released Blaise as he growled, “You can have her now but I had to taste her. See what she tasted like on you.”

Blaise simply nodded then looked at Hermione. Seeing that she had been watching them all the time he asked, “What are you thinking?”

“That was fucking hot,” replied Hermione without thought.

While Blaise simply smirked, Draco whispered, “Good, because seeing Blaise with his face between your thighs was fucking hot too.” Bending down, Draco gently kissed Hermione and drew his palm across her chest. The feel of his calloused hand abrading her nipples sent another shiver through Hermione. So enthralled was she that Blaise’s thrust caught her off guard. Nothing gentle, Blaise set a pounding rhythm, not slow or fast but full thrusts in and out of Hermione. She could feel the entire length of Blaise’s penis rub in and out of her slit, the bulbous head pulling and rubbing her clit. Turning her head to the side she saw Draco lazily stroking his cock; taking the glistening precum and rubbing it down his shaft to lubricate his wanking.

Hermione gazed at Blaise above her, watching the play of emotions across his face as he slammed in and out of her. Blaise caught Draco’s eye and motioned with his head to come kiss him again. Draco, needing no prompting, came to kiss Blaise. Winking at Hermione surreptitiously, She could see Blaise’s plan from the position of Draco’s body. Inching her upper torso closer to the edge of the bed, feeling all the while the building of her own orgasm, she snaked her arm around Draco’s thigh and enveloped the head of his cock with her mouth. She could hear his groan as Blaise kept his mouth busy. Hermione sucked Draco’s dick into her mouth, loving the feeling of being filled by Blaise as well as Draco. Draco began to gently thrust into the wet cavern of Hermione’s mouth while Blaise increased his tempo in her pussy. Hitching Hermione’s legs higher around his waist, Blaise was pounding into Hermione, forcing Draco’s cock to slide further down his throat. Blaise, Hermione and Draco were rocking in this ancient rhythm, each climbing the spiral of excitement.

Blaise drew his hand down Hermione’s thigh and stroked her arse. Feeling Hermione tense, Blaise gently brushed his finger against Hermione’s puckered hole. Hermione’s whole body tensed and vibrated. Hermione began a constant moaning around Draco’s cock, the vibrations pushing Draco over the edge to join Hermione in oblivion. Blaise released Draco’s lips as he climaxed. Hermione shook as she swallowed Draco’s cum, twin trails leaking out of the corners of her mouth. The clenching of Hermione pussy on Blaise’s cock sent him over the edge as well. Blaise ground his cock into her pussy as he felt himself emptying into her. Shaking with exhaustion Blaise fell to the side as Draco toppled onto the bed on the other side of Hermione. After leaning over and gently licking Draco’s cum off her cheek and then capturing her lips for a gentle kiss, all Blaise could do was hum contentedly. Draco used his finger to catch the drips on the other cheek and held his digit up, raising his eyebrow as if to challenge his lovers. Hermione caught his wrist and licked the cum off his finger.

“This was beautiful,” murmured Hermione. “We’re beautiful together.”

“I knew we would be,” gloated Draco.

“Bugger off, Malfoy. You were as worried as I was that she’d give us the boot,” Blaise responded.

“Yes I was, there are you satisfied?” grumbled Draco. “But the shagging will have to wait a bit, all this fighting and fucking has tired me out. Let’s nap for a bit.”

“Mum-hum,” mumbled Hermione. “Let’s nap then shag s’more.”

Blaise answered by turning and snuggling into Hermione’s neck and curving around her body. Draco wiggled his arm underneath Hermione’s head to cradle her against him. With his free hand he intertwined his fingers with Blaise’s. Blaise drew up the duvet to cover them and they were fast asleep.

--- FINIS ---

~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Name/Pen Name:Zephyr
Pairing of the fic you want: B/Hr/D
Rating(s) of the fic you want: R or NC-17
3 - 5 Things you want your gift to include:
1.Post Hogwarts, Post War
2.A new pureblood group kidnaps Hermione
3.Draco and Blaise are reluctant members of this group
4. They must save Hermione, happy ending
What you don’t want your gift to include: Please nothing truly OOC.