tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78484453651346779042024-03-19T05:51:40.834-05:005 Degrees of WeirdnessThis blog is all about me and how my different beliefs and perspectives make me weird. At first, I had no intention of posting my stories to my blog, but now that seems to be the biggest reason people visit my blog, lol! So come read about me, and let me know what you think!Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.comBlogger757125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-45538716634576668252020-07-26T20:01:00.000-05:002020-07-26T20:01:19.893-05:00Just Like a Cat
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
roommate reminds me of a cat. When we first moved in together, I
didn't think anything of the fact that he seemed to be a bit of a
loner. He was quiet and that's probably what I liked most about him.
We both go to college, though I'm three years older than him and he's
only a freshman.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During
the interview in which I was looking for a suitable roommate, I asked
him why he wanted to share an apartment with me rather than just use
a dorm and he said that he could afford an entire apartment all by
himself, but that he couldn't find one so close to our college with
such conveniences that was available any time soon. Then he asked me
why I wanted a roommate and I told him that it was because my
previous roommate had just moved out and I couldn't afford the
apartment all on my own. All in all, it seemed like our needs lined
up fairly perfectly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So,
I let him move in and – to be honest – I haven't really seen much
of him. He really is a loner in that he stays in his room most of the
time doing his homework, but when he's bored, he comes out and sort
of haunts the apartment. I mean it's his home too, so there's nothing
wrong with him wandering around it aimlessly, but it sort of makes me
a bit nervous and I don't really know why.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thankfully,
the weirdest thing I've caught him doing so far is sleeping naked on
his stomach on the floor in the sunshine. I had come home early from
class, figured that he hadn't expected me home yet, and since he was
asleep, I simply went to my room and did my homework before leaving
for work. Still, I have to admit that seeing that surprised me. It's
such a cat thing to do!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
so, it seems I have found myself a pet cat that can pay half the rent
and his share of the bills. I suppose that if that's all I have to
complain about, I should just keep my mouth shut. Still... would it
kill him to actually talk to me at times?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe
I'll just have to, I don't know, initiate a conversation or
something? Invite him to play GTAV with me? Maybe have a drink.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
a bartender, I tend to work late at night. I also tend to have a lot
of girls interested in me. They're usually college students like me,
and so I know them. Previously, I'd take them home when asked, but
ever since I got my new cat, that has seemed weird. Almost like I was
afraid he'd judge me, but still, I'm a healthy man with needs, and
so, when I just couldn't take the celibacy anymore, I started
bringing them home again. To my surprise, he didn't seem to notice,
much less say anything judgmental.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then
again, he's so quiet, I'm not sure he'd say anything even if it did
bother him. This is crazy! I need to stop feeling so awkward around
him! I was going to get him to open up and become a proper friend if
it killed me!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
how?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
my guest for the night left one morning – well probably more like
afternoon, we had been up until dawn after all – I paced back and
forth in my room trying to figure out a way to strike up a
conversation with Elian until a decently brilliant plan came to me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
wandered out to find him, thanking my luck when I found him staring
into the fridge as if thinking that if he simply stayed there long
enough, the perfect meal would make itself for him. Oh if </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>only</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hey
Elian?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yeah?”
He asked with mild interest even as he continued to search the
fridge.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
just wanted to warn you that I plan to have a bunch of friends come
over tonight – since it's Friday. But don't feel like you have to
leave or anything. In fact, I'd like it if you hung out a bit.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Why?”
He wondered curiously, even turning to look at me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
shrugged. “Well they're my friends and I plan to have various
combinations of them over from time to time. It would just be easier
if you already knew them so that you wouldn't feel weird if they came
over before I got home – for example.” I explained, and even
thought that </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>was</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
true, it wasn't the main reason – which was that I wanted to get
him out of his shell a bit.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
gave a half shrug as he shut the fridge. “Whatever. I'll probably
stay in my room for the most part, but I'll come out to meet everyone
when the pizza arrives.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pizza?”
I questioned stupidly. Honestly, pizza was the perfect food for an
impromptu party.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
gave me a tiny smile. “Don't worry, it'll be my treat. How many
people should I order for?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
rubbed my chin as I thought this over. “Hmm... I think... about
12.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alright
then,” he stated as if this was now a fact set in stone. Then he
grabbed an apple from the basket on the table and chomped into it as
he returned to his room.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Crap!
Now I not only have to invite people over, but I ALSO have to get out
of working tonight! Lucky for me that one of my coworkers owes me a
big favor.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Later
that night, after the party was in full swing, the doorbell rang and
I answered it to find a delivery girl staggering under a stack of a
dozen pizzas. Elian emerged from his room to accept and pay for the
delivery without even being told that it had arrived. I was surprised
to find a nice variety: meat lovers, veggie, cheese, etc. Watching
curiously, I was also surprised to see him act gracious as my friends
all treated him like a conquering hero – or a popular celebrity.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
he had a couple of slices on a plate (one chicken bacon ranch and one
meat lovers), he took a step back and grabbed the cup out of my hand.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Um...”
I muttered, wondering if I should stop him. He was only 18 after all,
and I could be legally liable if the cops were called out at any
point. But he downed my long island iced tea before I could say a
word. He didn't cough or make any indication that the alcohol
bothered him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is good,” he said instead.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
it's one of my favorite drinks, and being a bartender, I know a lot
of them. I made it the way I like it best,” I explained, not
entirely sure why I felt off balance and didn't just say thanks and
leave it at that.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
friends were having a blast, drinking and dancing to the music. They
all made a point to meet and chat a bit with Elian, but then went
back to fucking around as they got a bit drunker. Meanwhile, Elian
stood off to the side, sort of drifting around a bit, watching them
all with the fascination of a scientist conducting an experiment.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
winning an impromptu dance contest – since I was the only one still
sober enough to remain on my feet – I finally decided that it was a
good time to chat with Elian.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey,”
I began as I gestured for us to sit at chairs around the table that
were sort of in the corner and seemed to offer a bit of privacy even
as we were able to see (and be seen by) everyone.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah?”
Elian asked curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Can
I ask you something?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sure,”
he permitted with a careless shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
are you always so quiet and alone if you have no problems chatting
with people and hanging out like this?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
tilted his head to look at me, once again bringing to mind the mental
image of a scientist being curious. Or a cat being curious. “Well...
I guess that the short answer is that I just don't want to get close
to people.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
frowned in concern. “Why not? Do you come from a shitty home too?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shook his head. “Not at all. My dad loves me and always gives me
whatever I want. It's just...” He looked away and I could see him
take a deep breath and hold it as he thought things over for a
moment. Then he exhaled a mildly aggravated sigh. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
I pressed curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
looked at me again. “It's just that the first time I fell in love –
puppy love, you know? I was only 12 and the girl I liked liked me in
return. We sort of dated a bit, as much as 12 year old kids can,
until she died in a car accident. I was... utterly crushed and
withdrew into a shell. I've had a lot of therapy, so I can think
about it from a detached perspective, I suppose. Anyway, my mom urged
me to take the time I needed to grieve, and then find someone new.
Just when I think I was ready to do that, she died from cancer.
Lymphoma. So...” He shrugged and looked away again. “I decided
that getting close to people just wasn't worth the risk of being hurt
if they died in an accident or from a disease.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>shit</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
That's a lot deeper than I expected!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
rubbed the back of my neck. “Oh, um... sorry...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shook his head. “It wasn't your fault.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
nodded because it was true. “Still.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Maybe
he felt like the air around us was weird now, because he seemingly
tried to lighten the mood. “But I don't </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>hate</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
people either. I can get along with almost anyone if I have to. Do
group projects. Play team sports. Things like that. I just don't seek
it out.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
had to wonder how much therapy he'd actually had if he could say
these things so calmly – as if they weren't about him but about
someone he knew but didn't really care about.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
smirked at me almost meanly. “Bet you're sorry you asked now, huh?”
With that, he stood up, grabbed a slice of hawaiian pizza, and ate it
as he walked to his room. I was tempted to go after him and ask him
more questions, but he shut the door and that seemed like a pretty
clear signal to leave him alone.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that, the party devolved into a series of hookups. I ended up having
a threesome with a girl and her boyfriend. I wasn't exactly bisexual,
but I'd tried it once or twice and found it to be nice enough, thus I
had no problems switching back and forth between the couple. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Strangely
enough, I woke up to see Elian poking his head out his bedroom door.
He was looking around as if wondering if he really wanted to come
out, and if so, did he need to avoid stepping in anything. Truth be
told, he probably did need to avoid spilled drinks and possibly even
puddles of vomit. Ugh! That's the WORST part about hosting a party!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Carefully
picking his way over to the bathroom, he pulled out his phone and
whispered softly to whoever he called: “Hey, do you think you could
come over to my apartment today and clean up a complete mess? We
threw a party last night and I don't want to </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>know</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
what might be on the floor now!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Huh...
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Who</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
would agree to clean up another person's apartment like that? If
someone really did, I'd be so happy that I'd be tempted to hug and
kiss them!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
it turned out, a woman in her 50s or 60s arrived about 2 hours later
and didn't even attempt to scold Elian for the mess. She simply made
a motion like rolling up her sleeves (she was wearing short sleeves),
and threw herself into the task. Just as I had mentally promised
myself, after I got out of the shower and felt less hungover, I threw
my arms around her, kissed her cheek, and thanked her so much for
cleaning the place up.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
rolled her eyes at me. “Flatterer! Go kiss your girlfriend and let
me get on with it!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
winked at her. “Don't have a girlfriend. Interested?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
looked like she wanted to roll her eyes again but shook her head
instead. “Sorry but I'm happily married, and you're far too young
for me. I wouldn't be able to keep up with all your energy!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
shrugged. “Your loss!” Not that I was serious, I just liked to
flirt. It came in handy as a bartender.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I spotted Elian come out of his room in search of food – which once
again did NOT magically appear in the fridge for him – I walked
over to him and grinned. “Your grandma is nice. I like her.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Huh?
Oh! That's not my grandma. That's Gina, our housekeeper since before
I was born. Although, I suppose that she's more like a grandma than
mine is, since all my grandma does is bring me on a two week trip
each year.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nice!”
I exclaimed appreciatively, wondering what that must be like.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
Hawaii was nice,” Elian stated with a shrug. “But Rome was a bit
crowded and overly religious for my taste. I could go for Japan again
this year. It's been a while. Huh...” he trailed off and pulled out
his phone, rapidly typing (he was standing so that I could see it
over his shoulder): </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hi
Grandma. How are you doing? I was wondering if you would be willing
to take me to Japan for our next trip, but rather than Tokyo again,
maybe some of the more rural areas?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
wondered how long it would take his grandma to reply and was a bit
surprised that it happened almost right away. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'll
look into it and see what I can do.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lucky
bastard! Then again, his grandma hadn't said anything like: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hi
love, I'm well, how are you? I miss you and can't wait to see you
again.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sadly,
since it was Saturday, I had to go to work soon.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">About
a month later, I had an actual Saturday night free from work. The
night before, I'd brought a woman home. She was in her thirties and
wailed dramatically about her husband getting so mad at her for
staying out all night when she woke up the next morning. I wanted to
tell her that maybe she shouldn't be cheating on him if she was so
concerned about upsetting him, but I kept my mouth shut because I
didn't want to get involved in things that weren't my business. It's
not like she had told me beforehand that she was married.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
taking a shower, I wandered out to the living room to find Elian
sitting on the couch a bit weirdly, half hanging over the side so
that he could bask in the sun. Shaking my head at him because he was
always doing weird things like that, I sat down on the couch and
turned on my PS4.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hey,
you mind if I throw another party tonight?” I asked, not really
thinking he'd have a problem with it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whatever.
I can buy pizza again, or if you'd prefer, some restaurants have a
sort of catering take out menu,” Elian offered.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
sounds expensive man, you don't have to do that. We can make do if
everyone brings chips or something to share,” I declined while my
game loaded.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
gave me that curious but somewhat cold cat look of his again. “Why
not? I have to eat too, and I'd rather have food to chips.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
gave him a small smile. “If that's the case, do whatever you want.
I'm not picky.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Same
amount of people?” He asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Probably,”
I replied as my game finally loaded. “Maybe a couple more.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Alright
then,” he murmured as he pulled out his phone and started browsing
the internet – presumably for menus. Sure enough, just as my
character was in a shootout with the police, he made a call. “Hi,
I'd like to order enough food for twelve people tonight.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
wasn't really paying attention, so it was a bit of a surprise that
night when he left and came back with Olive Garden. Basically, he'd
gotten bread sticks, salad, more than enough pasta to feed 12 people
(more like 20 people), and a variety of sauces to go on it – such
as regular tomato with meat, chicken alfredo, even seafood! As for
that, he practically hogged the seafood, but since he'd paid for it,
no one had the heart to protest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
again, he interacted with all my friends like he was used to being
the popular kid at the center of attention, but I could see that it
was all basically an act. He didn't give out personal information of
any kind, and he didn't ask for any either – although he did seem
to listen as people told him things. Almost compulsively, but that
was because of the alcohol.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
said, a girl sat down next to him at one point and asked about his
classes, and he visibly turned on like a Christmas tree as he told
her all about his engineering classes. It seems that he had gotten
into MIT, but since he didn't want to go too far from home, and since
he wasn't certain he wanted to be an engineer, he'd chosen to start
with a closer school. He figured that he could always transfer later.
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Based
on how much he seemed to like his classes, I was certain he probably
would transfer after this year. That said, our school had a decent
engineering program, so maybe he'd stick with it. Either way, I
suppose that it was none of my business.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not
surprisingly, the girl started to look thoroughly bored after about a
half an hour, only she didn't seem to be able to just say so or make
an excuse and run away. After another 15 minutes, I took pity on her
and loudly called out over the crowd a challenge to see who was a
better dancer. She immediately jumped up and promised to slay me in
the contest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
we all got drunker. I watched Elian watch us for a bit before he
stood up, stretched side to side, and slipped off to his room. He
stared at a couple that had just hooked up in the corner as he went,
so I had to wonder if he just didn't care to see anything like that.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which
made me wonder if he had a girlfriend, boyfriend, or even just a sex
life. I mean he almost had to, right? He was certainly good looking
enough and had girls interested in him. So... was he just too shy?
Then again, he </span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
said that he didn't like getting close to people.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing,
I ran a hand through my hair and conceded defeat in the contest –
since I hadn't been paying full attention anyway. I really had to
stop being so concerned about my roommate. He clearly wasn't going to
stick around that long anyway. All he needed to do was figure out
that he genuinely did love engineering, and then he'd be off to a
better school. No need to get attached to him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">About
two weeks later, it was a Wednesday night and not only did I not have
to work, but the plans I'd made for the evening fell through. I sat
on my couch playing GTAV with a feeling like I actually wished I had
homework so that I'd have something constructive to do. After
completing my second or third heist, I tossed my controller aside in
frustration.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Damnit!
I'm horny! I should probably go take a shower...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
my embarrassment, I hadn't noticed Elian standing in the kitchen, in
essence right behind me. He finished drinking from his glass of
water, rinsed it out, and set it in the clean rack.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Didn't
you have a date tonight?” He asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah
but she canceled,” I grumbled.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
can just say no if this is too weird, but I noticed you play around
with guys too. I'd be willing to take care of your horniness if you
take care of mine,” he suggested, looking almost bored by the
prospect.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was taken back a little. “You... you're gay?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shook his head. “I don't think so. Don't really feel the need to
have a label. I'm just horny – like you said – but I don't have a
bunch of friends I could just call over to help me out. I figure that
it would be a useful exchange for both of us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
was a bit cold, but I couldn't deny that most of my encounters were
basically easy ways to get off and go to sleep. The offer was
tempting and I didn't think I could find a better one on such short
notice.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
alright. Why not?” I agreed, then I sniffed myself and wrinkled my
nose. “Let me take a quick sower first. I went for a run earlier
and am all sweaty and stinky.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alright,”
he murmured, stretching as he returned to his room. “That'll give
me time to finish up my report.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
took one of the quickest showers in history, nearly yelping when I
returned to my room to find him lying in my bed. He was already naked
and seemed asleep. It was sort of odd how he seemed to be able to
take naps at the drop of a hat, but since he also seemed to be up on
and off each night doing things, I suppose he needed to make up for
it somehow.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
drying off, I tossed my towel in the hamper and climbed into my bed.
Gently, I nuzzled and sucked on his neck until he opened his eyes to
look at me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
so you know, I always top when I play around with guys,” I informed
him because that was pretty important to me.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
merely shrugged. “Whatever.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Relieved,
I skipped straight to the part where I prepared him for safe entry.
This meant using my fingers and plenty of lube to stretch him open
and soften him up a bit. As I did that, I continued to suck on his
neck until I felt like shifting to suck on his perky little nipples.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm...”
he moaned, shifting a little and spreading his legs a bit wider.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
other hand shifted to stroke his shaft a couple of times, but I
didn't want to get him off just yet. Unless he masturbated whenever I
wasn't looking, he had to be backed up, and thus, ready to go off as
soon as possible. Deciding that he was fairly well prepared, I pulled
my fingers out of him, wiped them off on a hand towel, and then
grabbed a condom. It took about a minute to put the condom on and
lube it up, but then I shifted to enter him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Opening
my mouth, I planned to ask him if he was ready, or if he needed me to
prepare him a little more, but nothing came out as I realized that he
was looking at the ceiling with an expression like he was seriously
trying to figure out a puzzle. Or... was he doing math??? Either way,
it suddenly seemed a bit awkward to say anything, so I just pushed
into him as slowly as possible in order to give him plenty of time to
tell me to stop if necessary.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happily,
he not only didn't tell me to stop, but he dug his fingers into my
back and pulled me into him insistently. That was all I needed to
stop being so cautious and basically let my body take over. Sucking
on the other side of his neck now, I ground into him with a medium
pace that packed a powerful punch. He made noises of both pleasure
and surprise, continually digging his nails into my back and trying
to meet me thrust for thrust. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I felt the end nearing a while later, I pulled back a little so that
I could jerk him off before I orgasmed and passed out. Blissfully, he
arched his back and pumped out a thick mess between us. This
coincided with magical little ripples on my shaft that triggered my
glorious orgasm. Rough cries turned into a blissful sigh as I pulled
out of him and rolled onto my back next to him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
kissed my cheek. “Thanks for that,” he said as he sat up and
stretched. “I think I'll be able to concentrate on my project now.”
Then he slipped from my bed and padded to his own room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">For
a while there, I really thought he was a virgin – at least as a
bottom – but the way he just thanked me and left made me wonder if
that's how all his encounters ended. He certainly seemed used to it.
Sheesh! I don't think I'll </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>ever</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
be able to figure him out!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
week or so later, I was once again playing GTAV since I'd finished up
my homework and usually didn't have to work on slower week nights.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Elian come out of his room,
yawn, stretch, and grab a glass of water. Then he walked over to the
couch, sat down next to me, and watched me play for a bit. After a
while, he shifted so that his head was laying in my lap. I waited for
him to say something – such as: please stop playing the game and
talk to me? But he didn't say a word.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I finally couldn't take the curiosity anymore, I got to a good place
to save and quit, and then looked down at him. He seemed like he was
asleep, and for some reason, this made me want to make fun of him by
petting him like a cat. I ran my hand through his hair a few times
before stroking his spine.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
started making a soft sound like a hum or a purr, and then rubbed his
hand against my shaft – which was already perking up with hopeful
interest. Encouraged, I basically grabbed him and dragged him to my
bedroom. It didn't take long at all to prepare him so that I could
get inside him. To my surprise, there was just something about him
that felt really good. Like... I'm not sure I've ever felt this good.
And weirder, I wasn't even doing anything particularly special.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Also
a surprise was the fact that I was able to keep going for several
hours. By the time we were finished, we were </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>both</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
making babbling erotic noises like: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Uh!
Uh! Fuck! Yes! Uh!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I thought for sure that we were both going to pass out the moment we
were done, but despite the fact that I collapsed on top of him after
roaring out my orgasm (he'd already had his), he simply waited for a
minute or so for me to move. When I didn't, he gently pushed me off
him, kissed my cheek, and thanked me before slipping out of my bed
and leaving my room.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Huh...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's
not like I thought we were going out now or anything, but he didn't
have to be in such a rush to leave my bed. I wouldn't get mad at him
for sleeping a bit first. Whatever...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two
days later, I decided that if he was willing to have sex with me
whenever we were horny, I might as well take advantage of it. So,
after having a ham sandwich for dinner, I slipped into his room and
silently watched him writing a report for a few minutes. About five
minutes later, he pulled up a browser and typed in a search for
robotic mechanisms, so I thought it might be a good time for him to
take a break. I put an arm around his right shoulder and gently
sucked on the left side of his neck.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
pushed me away from him rather roughly. “Go away.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
–” I protested, feeling a little disappointed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
busy!” He growled harshly, pointing to the door even as his other
hand clicked on a link and he muttered almost silently as he read.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing,
I left his room and scrolled through my phone to see who might be
interested in coming over for a booty call. Ironically, it was
hearing my neighbors come home that inspired me. They were a couple
who had been married about five years and occasionally liked to play
around. I called them and asked if they were up for it, and to my
delight, they came right over.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
term finals just around the corner, I actually felt a little bad for
Elian. He was clearly a full time student that needed to study almost
constantly. Whereas I was only part time since I needed to work to
pay my bills – hence me working as a bartender. This meant that I
only had four classes a week, and in turn, didn't have to devote
quite so much time to studying.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every
time I saw Elian these days, he looked a strange combination of
utterly worn out and entirely way too happy about it. He had some
sort of engineering project to work on in addition to homework and
tests. All in all, I was grateful that I was only going for a nice
simple degree.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
tell the truth, I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my
life, so I was just getting my generals out of the way while I worked
toward a basic associate's degree. If I decided to pick a major at
any point, that would change, but for now, I just... didn't really
care.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
went for a jog after my classes, then decided to shower before
flopping on my couch to play games for a bit to unwind before doing
my homework. To my surprise, the moment I got out of the shower,
still naked and dripping but planning to dry off in my room, I was
faced with a bit of a shock. Elian stood outside the bathroom,
looking pretty pissed off (and I'd never seen him look that way
before), with bloodshot eyes and wild hair.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Uh...”
I droned as I desperately searched my brain for ANY idea of what I'd
done to make him mad.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Without
a word, he grabbed my hand and dragged me to my bedroom. Baffled, I
watched as he stripped off and jumped on my bed. Then he tossed the
bottle of lube at me with a look that promised to murder me if I
didn't prepare him as quickly as possible.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Um...”
I muttered, seriously wondering why he thought it was okay to expect
me to just drop everything and fuck him. On the other hand... why
not? It's not like</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>
</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>I</b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
was in a bad mood. “Alright.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
climbed onto my bed and got to work right away. He sighed in relief
and closed his eyes even as he spread his legs a bit wider for me. I
wasted no time in getting him ready for me. Then I sank into him with
a surprisingly relieved sigh of my own. Now that this was happening
for the first time in over a month, I really wanted to take my time
and enjoy every second. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elian
had other ideas. He not only urged me to speed up, but when I clearly
wasn't going fast enough for him, he kicked me off him so that he
could straddle my lap and ride me at a rough and demanding pace. I'd
have protested but it felt too damn good. As he bounced and ground
onto me, he also rapidly stroked his shaft. My toes curled as he got
oh so tight around me. I gripped his hips and gasped as my orgasm hit
me with the force of a Mack Truck. A warm tickle on my chest let me
know that he was right there with me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing
in relief again when it was over, Elian collapsed onto the bed next
to me and swiftly passed out. Happy about this, I tried to snuggle up
to him for at least a few minutes before I either passed out too, or
got up to do my homework. Unfortunately, touching him pulled a growl
from him, and trying to snuggle with him only increased the growl as
he tried to push me away with his shoulder.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing
in defeat, I got out of bed and decided that a sandwich or something
was necessary before I could even attempt to do my homework.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
school out for the holidays, I expected Elian to go home and visit
his dad. And come to think of it, I had no idea if he had any other
family. I'd never asked and he'd never said anything. I personally
HAD to go visit my family, but I was only going to do so on Christmas
day, and even then, ONLY for the exact smallest amount of time I
could get away with. My family was... complicated...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even
so, Elian didn't leave right away. The first weekend, we threw a
party. This time, Elian insisted on having it catered by Red Lobster,
which probably was expensive, but maybe not as much as it could have
been since it was mostly fried things such as calamari, clam strips,
and fish fillets. In fact, had there not been those seriously
delicious cheddar biscuits and garlic mashed potatoes, I'm not sure
anyone would have noticed that it was Red Lobster food as opposed to
Long John Silver's. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
party was as fun as always. Until I noticed Elian go into his room
with a woman. Even though he had SAID he wasn't gay and didn't need a
label, I had actually assumed that he was. I mean come on! He'd only
had sex with me since moving in – as far as I knew – and I really
didn't think he was out of the apartment long enough to do anything
other than go to his classes. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
any case, I was a little concerned that maybe she was forcing herself
on him somehow, but a quick peek assured me that if she was, it was
with her mouth on his shaft to his vocal encouragement. In other
words, not likely. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Feeling
a little odd, I shrugged it off and returned to the party so that I
could find my own hookup. Which was how I ended up in bed with two
women who were into each other every bit as much as they were into
me. Which means that I had something nice to watch even as I had a
hell of a lot of fun.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
next morning – or whenever it actually was – I crawled out of bed
desperate to down a pot of coffee and a bottle of painkillers.
Figuratively. I just really had a hangover and didn't want to think
about anything. To my surprise, Gina was already cleaning up our
atrocious mess. She laughed at me mercilessly and handed me some
Advil and a glass of water.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ow...”
I groaned pathetically.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
got really close to me so that she could whisper in my ear. “I just
want to thank you for getting Elian out of his shell. He's been such
an introvert for so long that his father was beginning to despair.
You're more than welcome to come with Elian for Christmas – if you
don't have any other plans.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
do. But thank you, I was hoping for another chance to flirt you into
my bed,” I embellished with a cheeky grin and a laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
rolled her eyes at me and smacked my ass as she pushed me away. “Oh
go on! Take a shower and get rid of the stench of alcohol and sex!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
a bartender!” I informed her with a cocky scoff. “I ALWAYS smell
like alcohol and sex!” Even so, I took her advice and got into the
shower.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
very cat like roommate very much remained in character by shocking me
a little bit. The moment the water was up to temp and I was sighing
happily under it, he came into the bathroom to use the toilet. That
wasn't so shocking; what </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>was</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
was the fact that he then pushed me to the back of the shower, turned
up the temp to scalding, got in, washed his hair and body very
quickly, and then got back out while I was still confusedly lathering
up my hair.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah!”
I gasped when I realized how hot the water was. It took far too long
to go back down in temperature, and I thought for sure that I'd have
to go to the hospital for burns, but no, I was soon fine.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
whole week before Elian left to visit his family passed strangely.
With no classes or homework to do, it seemed like Elian got bored.
I'd be minding my own business and doing something – such as
playing a game – when he'd come out of his room, lay his head on my
lap, and lightly brush his fingers over my crotch. After doing that a
few times successfully led to sex, he changed things up by giving me
blowjobs when I was actually trying to concentrate on something –
such as the time I was on the phone with my mom, to my mortification!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
even got bold enough to straight up sit on my lap and put my hands on
his ass while he sucked on my neck. Alright, message received, sex it
is then! As much as I enjoyed these encounters, it was a little
disappointing when he returned to his room the moment we were
finished. That said, I hadn't had such frequent sex since the last
time I had a girlfriend, and that had been nearly two years ago, so I
wasn't exactly going to complain.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
night before he was set to leave for his dad's, I wondered if I could
actually spend the night with him by joining him in his bed for a
change. Thus, I went into his room around 10 PM to find that he was
doing something on his laptop while sitting in bed. Curious, I
wondered if he was watching porn or something.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
my amusement, he was actually watching the last 15 minutes or so of
the Avengers movie. Since he had headphones on and probably wouldn't
hear me anyway, I decided to pull a trick from his book and simply
give him a blowjob. Even better, he was actually naked (one of the
reasons I thought he was watching porn), so I had easy access to his
lap. However, things did not go as planned.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stop
that!” He growled.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing
in frustration, I decided that waiting for his movie to finish up
wouldn't be unreasonable. So, I shifted until I was laying on his bed
next to him and watching the movie too. He didn't say anything until
I tried to lay my head on his chest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Get
off me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Alright...
I shifted a bit and tried to get comfortable next to him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stop
moving the bed!” And a minute later when I was still fidgeting just
a bit. “Go away already!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even
more frustrated, I crawled out of his bed and went to my own room. It
looked like I might actually need to go on a hookup app and see what
was available at the moment. I was scrolling along and not really
finding anyone interesting – even though there were a lot of good
options – when Elian came into my room, crawled in bed with me, and
lay his head on my shoulder so that he could see what I was looking
at. Based off the current time, his movie had probably just ended.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
pointed at a profile. “If you're planning on inviting someone over
for a booty call, I kinda like her. She's... beautiful.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
say that like you're not sure beautiful is the right word,” I
pointed out with a laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
I was going to go with sexy, but I felt that might be objectifying.
In this instance, beautiful is too, and clearly she wants to be
objectified, but still, it didn't seem right to me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
so weird sometimes!” I exclaimed with a slight shake of my head.
“Can I ask, how many women have you been with?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">One,
why?” Elian wondered with a curious frown.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
sort of thought so. You didn't seem to have any sort of experience
with them considering that they keep coming onto you at parties and
you obliviously talk to them about your studies.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
they ask!” He exclaimed defensively.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Only
because it's more politically correct to ask: 'how're your classes
going?' than: 'how about you take me to bed and fuck me raw?' But
basically, if a girl sits really close to you and shows an interest
in anything about you at all, you can assume that she's probably
interested in having sex at some point. Er, well, maybe not assume,
but at least try to steer the conversation in that direction and see
what happens,” I advised.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shifted so that he could look me in the eyes. “And what about you,
Richard? How many women have you had?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Um...
I've sort of lost count...” I said with a strange sense of shame.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
probably a lot then,” he said with a nod of acceptance.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
shrugged. “Probably, but what you have to understand is that my
first time was sort of not entirely consensual. I didn't feel ready
and the girl pouted and told me that if I loved her, I should want to
have sex with her. I thought I loved her so I eventually gave in and
did it, but I didn't really feel good about it. And afterwards, I
found out that she had poked a hole in the condom in an attempt to
get pregnant, and that made me feel disgusted. SO – after I dumped
her – I went out with a girl that was into pot, and she'd get me
high and have sex with me, and then invite her friends, and at that
point, I didn't really care either way. And that led to more drugs –
stronger drugs – and MORE meaningless sex, until I very quickly
couldn't tell you who I had done or how many times.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...”
Elian murmured, looking like he wasn't quite sure how to take that.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
felt strangely compelled to keep talking to him, now that we were
having an actual conversation. “On my 16</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
birthday, I woke up to find that I had crabs. My mom – who's... a
piece of work, and that's probably an understatement – was
surprisingly supportive in taking me to the doctor to get treated.
The doctor tested me for all the STDs, and then lectured me on how
lucky I was to have gotten something so relatively easy to treat. It
wasn't a lifelong disease, and I wouldn't have to worry about
spreading it if I treated it and waited a week or two before having
sex again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
said, it scared me a lot. I NEVER wanted to be in the position of
catching something again, so I made a vow to never do drugs again –
at least not in conjunction with sex – and ALWAYS wear a condom. I
mean I thought I already insisted on that part, but clearly I either
hadn't, or I'd gotten crabs despite wearing one. But that's also why
I keep things well groomed down there.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm...”
Elian hummed in thought, biting his lip. “I guess I don't have to
worry about that.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
do you mean?” I wondered, because EVERYONE had to worry about
protecting themselves during sex.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shrugged. “Just that you're so diligent about using condoms that I
don't have to think about it. You just do it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Yeah... but what about others?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
others?” He asked with a look like he honestly couldn't figure out
what I was talking about.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait...
Surely there's been others!” I protested, freaking out for some
reason even though I had suspected this all the way back during our
first time together. He'd been too... curious, I suppose.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shook his head. “I haven't wanted sex. Just a little masturbation
from time to time. But then you said you were horny and I'd seen you
have at least one threesome in which you were with a guy, and I
thought: Why not?” He shrugged. “I had an opportunity and I was
in the mood to take it. And it turned out really nicely. So I had no
problem doing it again.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
have some strange – I don't really know what to call them – about
sex. You lost your virginity to some guy on a whim, have </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>mostly
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">had
just one partner, but then don't really seem to care about things
like love or monogamy. Like seriously! Are we dating or not?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
scrunched his nose up in confusion. “Why would we be dating? We
don't go out to dinner or anything. We don't talk all that much. I'm
usually too busy with my schoolwork, and you've got school, a job,
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
a bunch of casual lovers. What would be the point of dating?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
sighed in defeat because he had a very valid point. “I just... I'm
so </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>confused</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
by you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
snorted. “So stop being confused and just fuck me already.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">For
the first time, I was tempted to tell him no. But... I oddly didn't
have it in me to say that word to him. Melting a little, I pulled him
close and nuzzled his neck. My hands shook as it fully hit me that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
had been his first! That I had almost been his </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>only</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
lover! Wasn't that... supposed to be special?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
mind was all over the place in a turmoil even as my hands and body
got to work. One of the things I felt bad about was that I had at
least half assumed that he'd had special sex with someone else, and
so, had mainly been fucking him, but didn't he deserve the whole
package at least once? So, with that in mind, I didn't rush straight
to the main event. Instead, I took the time to explore his body with
my hands. Lick his nipples and areolas. Kiss a path down to his shaft
before giving him a blowjob. Flip him over and lick a trail up his
spine. Massage his firm ass, and even try eating ass for the first
time.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All
in all, it was at least an hour before he was mewling and </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>begging</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
me to hurry up and fuck him already. Biting the back of his neck, I
did. Oh...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Damn!
Why the hell it is always so amazing with him??? Is it because he's
basically innocent and I get to be the one to corrupt him? That's
probably it, sigh.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
pounding into him from behind for an eternity, I had a strange urge
to see his face. I wanted to watch him as he reached his climax. So,
I pulled out and flipped him onto his back. To my delight, he held me
close and made a purring sound as I alternated thrusting with biting
his neck. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
had no plans until I had to go to work tomorrow evening, so I had no
reason </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to take my time. And take my time. And keep right on having fun with
him until dawn. By the time we were done, I'd had two orgasms and
he'd had at least three. I was exhausted and he passed out so hard
that he couldn't even protest when I pulled him into my arms and
snuggled him as I slept.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Even
so, it was probably only about two hours later when he pushed himself
free from my arms – only half waking me in the process – and
slipped from bed. When I fully woke up – nearly running late! –
he was already gone and hadn't left a note or anything. Not that I
expected him to. But... maybe I was hoping for a sweet little: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Went
to dad's, thanks for the sex, see you when I get back.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sigh...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Clearly</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
this wasn't a relationship. Just... sex. When in the goddamn hell had
I started wanting more?!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing
again, I fell out of bed and rushed to get ready for work before I
actually was late and got into trouble.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
Christmas, exactly as planned, I went to my parents' house, argued
with my brother and sister, took turns having a fistfight with our
dad, chatted with mom about this and that, got mildly drunk which led
to more arguing and fistfighting, and eventually opened presents.
Naturally, that led to a round of throwing the cheap stocking
stuffers at each other and calling each other the worst names
imaginable. Then drinking a little more, followed by a shouting match
that got the cops called on us. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You
know, the usual. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
any case, I made it through the obligatory dinner and packed up my
share of the leftovers (at least mom's cooking was pretty good), and
was finally able to yell that I was leaving when my sister managed to
punch our dad unconscious in the middle of screaming at him for being
drunk all the damn time. Not entirely sober yet, I only drove down
the street to a neighbor that had long since given me permission to
sleep off family events before having to drive home.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that, I spent every day until New Year's Eve working. It was one of
the best times of the year to be a bartender, and I made a shit ton
of tips. Not to mention, the sheer number of people who wanted to
come home with me was staggering. I'll admit that it wasn't my best
week in that I got drunk a bit more than normal, and followed that up
by having meaningless sex with a lot of people, but at least I DID
use protection. Judging by the trash bin in my room, lots and LOTS of
protection.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even
so, I feel like I should probably go get tested soon.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Friday after New Year's, I threw another party and this one had an
end of the world feel to it in that everyone was a college student
who'd have to go back to classes on Monday. Clothes came off fairly
early on and stayed off as people hooked up left and right. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I woke up the next morning – afternoon, whatever – I was in the
middle of a pile of naked bodies and couldn't tell you exactly how
many of them I'd done. Cracking an eye open, I spotted Elian sitting
at the table, drinking something (coffee???) from a mug, and looking
highly amused at the sheer number of naked people on the floor.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
had no idea why, but I felt extremely guilty and had to spend the
first five minutes – while attempting to will away my hangover –
trying to convince myself that I wasn't dating Elian, and therefore,
was free to have sex with whoever I wanted and not feel guilty about
it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cracking
my eye open a tiny bit more, I looked at Elian again and wondered how
long he'd been home. Had he arrived at some point when the party was
still going and joined in, or just a few minutes ago?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Seeing
me squinting at him suspiciously, he smirked and held up a McDonald's
bag. Then he pointed to a fresh looking pot of coffee. Lastly, he
pulled a bottle of Advil out of his pocket and shook it at me
knowingly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
was the temptation that proved too much for me. I gently pulled free
from all limbs and crawled my way over to Elian. He gave me the Advil
first, along with a glass of water. Then he handed me the bag, which
turned out to contain a mouth watering steak and cheese bagel. As I
inhaled it with happy grunts, Elian fetched me a cup of coffee,
petting my head like a dog, before heading to his room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On
Monday, since my only class of the day was in the afternoon, I was
able to make an appointment to see a doctor and get tested. The bad
news was that I had caught a minor infection. The good news was that
I had been tested so soon that it hadn't even presented symptoms yet,
and so, might even avoid having symptoms at all if I took the
medication right away. The not so good news was that I was ordered to
abstain from sex for at least a week to let the infection respond to
the medication. The worse news was that the medication could react
badly with alcohol, so I was ordered to abstain from that too.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
I suppose I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>could</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
use a bit of a break from it...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
I gotta tell you that being a bartender really sucks when you can't
have a quick drink after getting off of work to relax and unwind.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elian
had immediately gotten caught up in a complicated project, and so, he
was almost as busy as he'd been during finals. As a result, he was
shut in his room at all times again. Thus, it was nearly Valentine's
Day before I had a chance to see him for more than a couple of
minutes at a time, and those were generally him having to go to the
bathroom and remembering that he was human and needed to eat from
time to time.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Actually,
it was a bit alarming how little he ate when he got busy working on
something. As a result, I felt I had no choice but to make him
things. Nothing complicated, I couldn't really cook after all, but
things like sandwiches and chicken fingers seemed easy enough. At
least they had to be better than almost nothing at all. The next time
I saw Gina, I might have to ask her if his family also had a chef or
something that could drop off weekly meals so that Elian didn't get
malnourished long before graduating.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
probably did, come to think of it. He seemed like a spoiled rich kid
that had never really had to take care of himself before. It's sort
of a miracle that he hadn't starved to death long before now. I also
had to wonder how he got his laundry done. Did Gina come get it each
week and I just hadn't noticed???</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
any case, with Valentine's coming up, I had an insane urge to go on
an actual date with Elian. NOT on literal Valentine's Day – because
that would be obvious and might even make him mad with what I was
implying – but the day before. Dinner shouldn't be too suspicious. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
then we could have sex. Hopefully. He hadn't come to me at all since
the time before Christmas. I was getting strangely desperate to have
him again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happily,
my plans worked out. The night before Valentine's, I managed to catch
Elian on his way to the kitchen. As usual, he rummaged around the
cupboards and stared in the fridge as if hoping that if he just kept
looking, food would eventually make itself for him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey,
you hungry?” I asked casually, as if I had not made plans in
advance and had no ulterior motives.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes!”
He exclaimed, a hand pressed to his stomach.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
why not come with me? I was just about to head out to my favorite
restaurant.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Where's
that?” He asked with interest.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fuji's
Japanese Steakhouse. They have a hibachi – which is pretty cool
actually. A 'private' chef grills your meal right in front of you and
puts on a bit of a show while he's at it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'd
like that,” Elian said with a small smile. I was actually glad to
see the small version because whenever he had a big smile or a grin,
it was usually when he was pretending to be a popular guy rather than
a loner. Such as at one of our parties.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
we got there, I let Elian park his car as I went in and let them know
that I'd called ahead. Which meant that by the time Elian joined me,
we were already being seated. I tilted my head at him curiously.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
long have you had your car?” Because even though he'd had it as
long as he'd lived with me, I hadn't ever been inside it before. I
hadn't realized based off it's rather plain exterior that it was
actually rather luxurious on the inside.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
shrugged. “I got it for my 16</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
birthday. My dad chose it because it has a nice balance between
safety features and comfort.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
looked away so that he couldn't see me thinking: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Oh
sure, I got crabs and he got a car. Life just isn't fair sometimes!</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
seemed entertained during dinner, but not surprised. In fact, this
probably wasn't his first time coming to a place like this, even
though I had hoped to show him something cool and different. Oh well,
what can I do?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Even
though I was cleared to drink alcohol again a while ago, I only had a
single cup of sake (which those cups are </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>tiny</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!).
That said, I did have a lot of pop and water, and so, after I
finished most of my food, I excused myself to go to the bathroom.
When I got back, Elian handed me a box.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
asked for containers so we could pack up our leftovers.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
looked at my calamari, veggies, and fried rice. I'd eaten about half
what I'd been given and there was </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>no
way</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that I'd pass up finishing the rest off later. “Good call!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
waited for a few minutes for the bill to arrive, but then got antsy
to go. “I should ask them to bring the bill. Usually they would
have by now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,
is that what you're waiting for? It was brought out when you were in
the bathroom, so I already took care of it,” Elian informed me.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
I blurted out, strangely upset.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
wrong?” Elian asked in concern.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nothing
really, just that I invited you and I wasn't expecting you to pay at
all, much less for me,” I explained.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shrugged. “Whatever. You can always pay next time.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing,
I accepted that there was nothing I could do about it at this point,
so I just let it go. On the way back to our apartment (he let me
drive his car), I decided to make a stop.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why're
we here?” Elian wondered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
just want to go in and get some chocolate. Want some?” I offered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
opened his door. “I might as well go in with you then. I'm really
picky about the chocolate I'll eat.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Really?
Me too!” I said, a little surprised since most people just ate
whatever candy they had.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inside
the store, we both headed to where the premium chocolates were. As it
turned out, he insisted on a organic brand that was free from all
allergens. I personally preferred a brand called Endangered Species
because they had a nice variety of dark chocolates that had things
like sea salt and almonds in them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Damnit!”
Elian grumbled petulantly. “I gotta run to the bathroom. I was
hoping to hold it until we got home, but I can't.” He handed me his
chocolates and ran off.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Grinning,
I not only took the opportunity to pay for all the chocolate, but I
also got one of those reusable bags that you couldn't see through,
and a single rose. One of those that were yellow but looked dipped in
red. I loved that color combination for some reason. The rose fit in
the bag and couldn't be seen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was waiting for Elian outside the bathroom when he came out. “Ready?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
eyed the bag and then seemed to mentally come to the conclusion that
I must have already paid for everything. He also looked a bit unhappy
about this for some reason, but shrugged it off. Then he gestured
toward the door, silently saying: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Let's
go</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
we got back to our apartment, he scratched his messy head and smelled
himself.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ugh!
I've been so busy working on my project that I can't remember the
last time I showered. I'm gonna go do that!” He announced.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Have
fun,” I bade with a smirk. While he was in the bathroom, I put my
chocolate in the freezer (it tastes better frozen, for some reason),
put his chocolate on his bed, and put the rose in a glass full of
water on his headboard.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
really too bad that he never seemed inclined to invite me to his bed,
because it was a plush and comfortable thing, whereas mine was old
and getting worn out. I should probably save up to replace it soon.
Great! One </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>more</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
thing to add to the list of things to buy when I have money to buy
things. Sigh...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trying
not to get my hopes up, I sat on the couch and surfed what was
available to watch on Netflix without really being interested in
watching anything. To my delight, he sat his naked ass on my lap
after he finished up his shower and had dried off a bit. I pretended
to be oblivious.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Want
to watch something with me, or would you rather just go to bed?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
made a great show of thinking this over. “Hmm... I think we should
just go to bed.” And with that, he took me by the hand and
practically dragged me to my room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Once
I threw all my clothes off and joined him in bed, I once again wanted
to take all night if I could. I didn't want it to be over quickly,
and I was aiming for him being too worn out to leave my bed when he
was done. Actually, if I could get away with it, I had a powerful
urge to do nothing but cuddle with him all night long. Sadly, based
off all previous indications, he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>really</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
didn't like being touched unless he was specifically in the mood for
it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead,
I focused on what I could do. The licking. The caressing. Sucking on
his neck. Everything but the main event.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
chuckled unexpectedly, making me neurotically self conscious. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
I demanded.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
shook his head. “Nothing bad. Just that my dad noticed that I had
hickeys when I went home for Christmas and he asked me if I was
actually in a relationship. He had a tone like this was the last
thing he would expect from me. So I fucked with him a bit by telling
him that no, I had simply picked up a person off an app for the
night. He </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>really</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
had no idea what to do with that!” This made him laugh. A real
genuine and rich laugh that I'd never heard from him before.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
made me happy even as I felt rather grumpy. “Would it have been so
bad to tell him that you've been sleeping with me?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
looked confused. You know, for such a smart guy, he sure got confused
over the simplest things.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
no... but why would I do that? He'd only jump to the conclusion that
we're serious enough to get married, and then he'd want to meet you
and pressure you into signing a prenup. Seriously! I'm only 19 and
still in college!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
was floored by this information! “You're 19??? I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>swear</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you said you were 18.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>yeah</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
I was, but I turned 19 in October.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">WHY
DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT?!?!” I roared angrily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
difference would it make?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
sighed out a frustrated hiss. “Whatever.” I was rapidly losing
the mood. Then I happened to look over at the clock and notice that
it was after midnight, and thus officially Valentine's Day. Pushing
my irrational anger to the side, I smiled at him mysteriously before
giving him a kiss and resuming our quest to wear each other out in
the best possible way.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
looked puzzled for a moment and pressed his fingers to his lips. Then
he squinted his eyes as he thought that over, before literally
shrugging and grabbing my head by the hair and giving me a kiss in
return. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>That's</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
when it occurred to me that if his first love had died when he was
only 12 and he'd basically been a loner ever since – to the point
that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'd</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
been the one to take his virginity – then... </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
that had probably been his first kiss. I felt like a complete asshole
for doing this in the entirely wrong order, but it's not like he had
been forthcoming with </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>any</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of this. Also, he'd never asked me for a kiss either.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
order to calm down and stay in the moment, I had to tell myself that
he'd kissed the woman he'd been with, and thus, I was just over
thinking things. But still... I had to wonder...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
doing nothing but kissing for a surprisingly long time, Elian broke
off and shifted to gently bite on my ear. “Will you please just
fuck me already?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Oddly
grumpy again, I nodded and grabbed the lube so that I could properly
prepare him. I gasped in surprise when I finally pushed inside him.
It had been a few months, and so, I'd forgotten that being with him
was always better than anyone else. I was unprepared for how good it
felt and nearly lost it right then and there! I had to pause and take
a few breaths to control myself.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
Elian seemed to get downright impatient with my slowness. He rolled
us over and huffed happily that he was now able to ride me at
whatever pace he liked. Which was fast and hard. God! I could barely
catch my breath!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
toes curled and a tingle traveled up my legs and down my arched spine
to gather in my groin. “Oh God!” I shouted out loud as I dug my
fingers into his hips and tried to stop him before I lost all control
and pumped him full, but he wouldn't even slow down and it was
already too late.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
felt like I was floating on an ocean of bliss for several long
moments – or maybe a quick eon or two – as he finished getting
himself off too. Then he got off me and gave me a soft kiss.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks.
I feel really good right now and plan to get a good night's sleep. I
hope you sleep well too,” he said right before slipping out of bed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
held my breath until he was out of my room, and then felt a stinging
in my eyes. Goddamnit! I KNOW that he thinks of this as nothing more
than a casual series of stress relief sessions, but more and more I
just want to be with him! This...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
casual thing is actually starting to hurt...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
next morning, I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth when I heard
him on the phone.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hi
Alli! What's the problem?” There was a pause as the other person
talked. “Huh? Really? Well I guess Happy Valentine's day to you
too. Did you call dad? Oh? You're going to be in town today? Sure, I
guess I can go out to dinner with you – wait... Dinner...
Valentine's Day... Chocolates... A rose... huh... What? Oh, nothing,
I just realized something I apparently was too dense to notice. Yeah
yeah, I know! Whatever, I'm going to hang up now, but just text me
when you get into town and I'll meet you wherever you want to go.
Yep, love you too. BYE!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
with that, he must have hung up because he went silent. After
brushing my teeth, I hopped in the shower. When I was done, I
traveled in the direction of my room as I dried off. I had just
tossed the towel in the hamper when I turned toward my dresser and
nearly yelped as I saw Elian standing in the doorway out of the
corner of my eye.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
Richard? I just wanted to let you know that one of my sisters is
going to be in town later, so I'm headed out to go buy her stupid
things that make her happy. You need me to pick up anything while I'm
out?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Um...
not really,” I mumbled. Then I perked up. “Wait, one of? How many
sisters do you have?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
looked put upon all of a sudden. “I have four sisters and two
brothers, and I'm the youngest out of all of them. Thankfully, most
of them were already off in college and the like before I was in
middle school. I CANNOT IMAGINE how embarrassing it would have been
to have all of them in the same school as me, meddling in my life and
trying to get me to make friends. Ugh! They're all outgoing too! So
they were things like cheer and football captains. Nearly all of them
were student body president in high school too! It was enough to make
me want to rebel! But... that would have required me going out and
actually rebelling, so I just never did it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
snorted in amusement. “I can easily picture you sitting in your
room under a poster that said: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Rebel!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
With one right next to it that said: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Maybe
Tomorrow</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
got him to chuckle, which made me inordinately proud of myself for
some reason.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Anyway,”
he said. “Since I'm not going to be home for dinner, you should
probably order take out or something. Looks like neither one of us
remembered to go grocery shopping.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!”
I exclaimed, feeling stupid. “Right. I was distracted thinking
about something else. I'll probably go do that today.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a tiny smile, he waved at me and walked away. “Later!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Later,”
I mumbled in return.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Later
that evening, he returned home with his sister. She was... damn! She
was hot! I couldn't help but drool over her even as I tried to stay
in my room and NOT be in their way.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is where you live? It's... not bad actually. I thought for sure that
you'd be living in some crappy little place because you didn't decide
to move here until the last minute.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks
Alli,” he grumbled unhappily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
took a good look around the kitchen and living room, but didn't
actually go so far as to snoop through things. Then she rounded on
her brother. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>So</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What???”
Elian asked in bafflement. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tell
me about your girlfriend! Dad said you said you picked someone up off
an app, but there's NO WAY that you'd do something like that! You
can't stand being around strangers! So there HAS to be a girlfriend
and you just don't want dad giving you shit about it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elian
laughed and shook his head. “Nope, no girlfriend. And you're right
about the app thing, I haven't quite done that yet. I just... well
we've had a couple of parties and... things have happened...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Oh</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">???”
She asked avidly. But when he made his face blank and stared her
down, she broke out into a smile and hugged him tight. “EEE! I'm
just so happy that you've had things happen! We were all really
worried about you, you know!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
rolled his eyes and pushed her away. “Stop it!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nope,
not gonna!” She denied and seemed to hug him all the tighter.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alli!
Let go damnit!” He roared, trying to fight her off. He hissed in
aggravation. “WHY DO YOU GUYS ALWAYS HAVE TO HUG ME AND STUFF!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
roared with laughter. “If we didn't, you'd NEVER let anyone hug you
and give you kisses on the cheek! You'd never let anyone TOUCH you!
You'd think you were a germophobe or something!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No!
I just don't like being touched when I don't want to be!” He
argued.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
no one likes being touched when they don't want to be. The problem is
that you NEVER want to be!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">THAT'S
BECAUSE YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP!!!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
because you never say yes even if we ask you! If you just let us give
you a quick hug and hugged us back, we'd let go right away!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ARGH!!!”
He roared, still struggling to fight her off.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
finally relented and let him go. Then she put him in a head lock.
“Now, before I go, show me your room!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing,
he capitulated and she released him so that he could lead the way.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tidy,
but that's not surprising. Is this what you're working on? Cool! I'm
in PreMed, so I don't get to play with toys like this!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They're
NOT toys, Alli!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sorry,
I didn't mean it like that. I think it's so cool that you're
interested in things like this. Maybe you'll be hired by NASA and
help design future rovers!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That'd
be cool!” Elian gushed happily, apparently forgetting that he'd
been mad at her a moment ago.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
is your roommate hot?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
dunno. I guess so. He's a bartender and always seems to have new
lovers whenever he wants.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh?
So he's easy? Great! When do you think he'll be home?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ugh!
I don't want to be here to hear it if you fuck him! And I don't know.
I didn't think he had to work today, but he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>did</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
say he had to go grocery shopping.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Damnit,
I don't really have time to wait around. I have a long drive ahead of
me and I should really get home in time to get some sleep since I
have class tomorrow. I just haven't gotten laid in about three months
and really want a quick and sure thing.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elian
laughed. “Well, from what I've heard, there's no such thing as a
quick thing with Richard. Even if he came home right now, you'd have
to give up any idea of going home tonight.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm...
That's so tempting!” Still peeking through my barely open bedroom
door, I saw them come back out into the living room. “But I really
have to go. Give me his number and I'll text him the next time I plan
to be in town.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
would I have his number?” Elian asked in genuine bafflement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Huh...
I guess we'd never exchanged that.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why,
wha- oh nevermind. I guess I should have expected that. You don't
have </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>any</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
numbers on your phone that aren't family. Whatever. Bye El!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Bye
Alli!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Give
me a tiny hug!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing,
Elian gave in. After a very quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, he
practically pushed her out the door. “Love you Alli!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Love
you too!” She declared in a syrupy tone before taking off. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Elian
shut the door and leaned against it with a profoundly relieved sigh.
“Man! She's </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>exhausting</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!”
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Suddenly
his phone rang and he groaned as he checked it. “Hi Eileen. Yeah
yeah, Happy Valentine's day to you too. Alli just left. What??? WHY?!
I just saw you all at Christmas! Yeah alright! Spring break, got it!
Stop nagging already! I said I'd be there! Where are we going?
Alaska? That's new. Might be fun. Alright, see you then.” He hung
up and grumbled to himself: “I'd better text the rest of them
before they ALL call me!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Still
muttering to himself, I watched him walk back to his room. That's
when I opened my door wide enough for him to see me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey,
sorry, I wasn't exactly trying to listen in,” even though I totally
was. “But you were both pretty loud, so... Anyway, I just wanted to
let you know that no matter how easy you think I am, I'm not actually
the type to sleep with siblings. Couples, sure, but even I think it
would be weird to do a guy and then his sister.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
gave me a weird look. “Allllriiight....”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
honestly wouldn't care if I did?” I asked incredulously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shrugged. “My sisters often fought over boyfriends and ended up
dating each other's exes. I guess I don't really see what's wrong
with it. I mean it'd be different if it was cheating, but it's not.
And besides, Alli doesn't like to take no for an answer, so...” He
shrugged again and finished walking into his room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
had to bite back a roar of frustration even as I ran my hand through
my hair. I know I KNOW! We're not dating! But could we please just
date already?!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
next time we had sex – about a week later – he didn't immediately
jump out of bed when we were done. He stayed and even let me cuddle
with him as we fell asleep. I counted it as progress in my mind even
though he still woke up a couple of hours later, pulled free from my
embrace, and left to go to the bathroom. I was just awake enough to
hear him tinkering with something in his room after that, so I knew
that he was working on his project again and wouldn't be coming back
to my bed. Still, it was proof that if I kept hoping, things might
actually turn out alright in the end.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elian
straddled my lap and gave me a nice kiss. For a change, it was me
that was writing a report and him that had finished up all his
homework for the day. I tried my best to ignore him until I was done,
but he had his hands roaming everywhere and his mouth had shifted to
my neck.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Smiling,
I kissed him again. “Alright, what's on your mind?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
gave me another kiss. “Spring break starts the day after tomorrow,
so I assumed that you were going to throw a party, but you haven't
mentioned it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
shrugged. “I just haven't felt like partying lately.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
frowned just a little, which looked like a pout. “Were you planning
to wait until I left for Alaska with my family so that I wouldn't be
here for it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Crap!
I'd forgotten all about that!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,
actually, when are you leaving and how long are you going to be
gone?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Eileen
says that we're only going for an extended weekend, so I'm leaving
Thursday night and should be back by Tuesday night or Wednesday
morning,” he explained.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
which one of your sisters is Eileen?” I wondered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
had to think about this a moment. “Well, Elliot is the oldest, then
Ellen, Arlene, Allen, Eileen, Allicia, and me – so she's the fifth
child and two sisters above me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
with all the L names?” I wondered, because it seemed odd to me.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Huh?
Oh! My mom loved them. Her name was Alexis and she said that it had
been a tradition in her family for generations to name their kids
like that. In fact, all of us were named after family ancestors. My
dad's name is John, so he felt that so long as she wasn't picking
common names that you can find a dozen of everywhere you go, it was
fine with him.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
hesitated a moment and I decided to wait and see if he continued.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My...
my name means light. My mom always told me that I was the brightest
light in her life because I was – well I was weird I guess, even as
a child. I always did my own thing, mostly conducting experiments
like a little scientist.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
smiled at him, running my hand up and down his back. “I can believe
that. Listen, I'm not planning to have any parties. I'm actually
planning to work as much as possible during spring break because
everyone else will be partying, which means I'll probably earn a lot
of tips.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Do
you need more money?” He asked with a curious frown. “Are you
short on your half of the rent or something?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
shook my head. “No, I'm actually okay on money, I just realized a
while back that my mattress is old and worn out and I should probably
replace it. So, I'm saving up. The more tips I get, the better!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...”
he murmured, and then must have decided that he was bored with
talking, because he latched onto my neck and gave me what felt like
an impressive hickey. Deciding that my report could wait an hour or
two, I scooped him up and carried him to my bed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
summer approached, I started feeling a vague sense of panic. Part of
that was probably the fact that even I had to spend a bit more time
on my studies so that I could pass all my finals. But... It had
occurred to me to wonder what was going to happen next. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">See,
I was still working my way through college, so nothing was going to
change for me. Elian – on the other hand – could still decide
that he'd rather transfer to MIT. In fact, I was currently about 80
percent certain that's what he was going to do. The idea of him
leaving me hurt more than anything I'd ever felt in my life.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
here I was, laying in bed watching him sleep. He'd been staying in my
bed after sex – or at least trying – ever since Valentine's Day.
Not to mention, our sex life had increased until we were having sex
at least once a day, but not always at bed time. Thus he's was only
actually in my bed an average of two or three nights a week. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Still...
I counted it as progress.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
usually never made it until morning, waking up either to go to the
bathroom, or because he felt stifled and needed to get away from my
clingy arms. Last night, it had been just a little too hot to cuddle
with him, so I ended up keeping a little distance. In return, he'd
actually spent the entire night in my bed. I was tempted to pinch
myself!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over
time, I'd learned that if I treated him like a cat by basically
letting him have his space when he needed it and giving him plenty of
attention when he wanted it, well, he'd open up more and come to me
more often. The moment I tried to chase after him a bit by asking –
or even just hinting – about dating or relationships, he'd either
look at me like he had no idea what I was talking about, or he'd
retreat into his shell again for a while. So, despite the ENORMOUS
amount of patience it took, I never pushed and just basically let him
come to me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
now, finals were literally two days away. He hadn't said anything
yet, but I could easily picture him moving back to his dad's within a
week, and then deciding to transfer to MIT a week or so later, after
his dad had a chance to talk him into it. The worst part was that I
wanted what was best for him, and clearly, getting an education that
would make him in demand at all the highest paying jobs would be best
for him. But still...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
heart was breaking into a million tiny pieces.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
opened his eyes and looked at me. His expression went through a
couple of changes. First it was like: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Oh
hey, I know you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Then it was like: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mmm,
I really like you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Then there was: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>what
the hell am I still doing here</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?
Next was: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Damnit!
I still have so much studying to do</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
Ending with: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Fuck
it! I'm too lazy to move at the moment</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was tempted to laugh, but my heart was still rather heavy and I was
also far too close to tears.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Since
he had decided to stay put for the time being, he stretched out a bit
and then snuggled up with my pillow – which he must have stolen
from me at some point during the night.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey,
I've been thinking,” he murmured.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
what about?” I asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
I'm going to have a rather busy summer later on, what with Grandma
taking me to Japan and Eileen getting married, so I think packing up
to move sooner rather than later would be for the best.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
had to hold my breath to stop myself from gasping in dismay and
crying. I knew this was coming. This is not news to me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah?”
I finally managed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
even though I have found a lot of apartments online, I think we
should look at them together,” he continued, seemingly oblivious of
my sudden mental crisis.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait...
what? Why would we need to look at apartments?” I asked in total
confusion. More importantly, what sort of cruel bastard would make me
help him choose where he was going to live without me? Although, he
was still a bit, um, hopeless when it came to taking care of himself.
He probably felt he needed someone who'd been through the process
before.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shrugged. “Well, I suppose we don't NEED to, but I thought that we
should. This place is smaller than I like. It's really meant more for
students who want to be close to school but live on their own or
share with a roommate.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah...”
I murmured in confusion, because that's exactly what we were.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
even though I've still got several more years of school, I don't
really want to stay in such a tiny apartment. Now that I know the
basic layout of the city, I'll feel comfortable living a bit farther
away and driving.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was still lost. “Uh...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
got out of bed and went to the bathroom, then rummaged around for a
bit, before returning with his laptop. He had it open so that when he
climbed back into bed with me, he could show me something.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
like this one the best. The complex has a built in gym and a pool.
The apartments are larger, and they allow pets. I was thinking about
getting a cat.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
raised a brow at him because he basically WAS a cat. I looked at the
specs. It was a one bedroom with a closet so spacious that it could
almost be a second bedroom.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even
though my heart was still twisted in knots, something important
occurred to me. “Wait! So does this mean that you're planning to
stay in school?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course I'm planning to stay in school. Why wouldn't I?” He asked in
confusion. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,
I mean </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>this</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
school! I thought you were going to transfer to MIT,” I reminded
him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shook his head. “Nope, I really like this program, and I've gotten
to know a few of my classmates. Transferring now would just be a pain
in the ass. Besides, I can get my first four year degree here and
THEN go to MIT for the advanced stuff – if I want. Not sure,
honestly. I sort of like the jobs I'll be qualified for with this
degree.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Alright...
sounds like I might have some more time to work on him; to make
myself such a big part of his life that he never wanted to leave me.
Although, him being so much like a cat, I could see him actually
leaving at some point, and then realizing that he's lonely and that
he misses me. THAT would hurt too, but at least it might end with him
coming back.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
guess I'm still confused. If you're planning to stay in our school,
then why move? Do you REALLY need a gym and pool that badly? There's
plenty of actual gyms nearby, and actually, I think we can get a
membership to the YMCA at a discount as part of our student perks.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
tilted his head at me in confusion. “If you don't want to have
access to a gym, there's this one.” He pulled up the page for a
different apartment. The only thing I could really see at first was
that it was also a one bedroom. “The apartment is actually even
bigger, and it's apparently in a quieter neighborhood, but it doesn't
have a gym or a pool. I just love swimming and thought I should get
SOME exercise since I study so much. And I think I'll be studying
even MORE because the next classes I'll be signing up for sound
fairly challenging. I honestly can't wait!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
pressed my lips together, trying hard to be supportive even though I
HATED the idea of him moving out. He actually seemed to notice my
mood though, since he frowned in concern.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Do
you REALLY not want to be farther from school? I mean it's not THAT
far. It would add maybe 20 minutes to our commute. And I know you
like to go jogging to get a bit of exercise. There are jogging trails
by both of these places, so I would think you'd like that. This one
actually has paved biking trails, which I thought would be nice –
oh wait! Are you worried that you can't afford half the rent? I mean
sure, it's a bit of an increase, but I don't want you to worry about
that.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now
I was confused for an entirely different reason!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Uh...
wait! WHY would I be paying half?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
just said! You only need to pay what you already are! I don't expect
you to pay more just because </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>I</b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
want to live in a better place!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But...”
I felt like he was speaking an utterly foreign language.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
if neither of these seem right to you, there's always this one,”
Elian rushed forward, bringing up a third page. “It's a little
closer, has a gym and a pool, but it's not as big and the reviews are
all complaints about it being over crowded and not kept in good
shape. It would barely be a step up from this place.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Suddenly,
all the little tidbits seemed to collide in my head to make a sudden
sense. “Wait! Are you saying that you want US to move?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now
he looked like ***I*** was speaking a foreign language. “Yeeeah...
of course I am. WHY would I want to move without you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was exasperated now and flung my hands out. “WHY do you want to
move?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
ALREADY SAID! I WANT A BIGGER PLACE!!!” He shouted in clear
frustration.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">YEAH,
BUT YOU NEVER EVEN ASKED ME HOW I FELT!” I pointed out. “HOW WAS
***I*** SUPPOSED TO KNOW YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT US MOVING TOGETHER?!
AND!!! THESE ARE ALL ONE BEDROOMS!!!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
looked like a cat slinking away in shame all of a sudden. “Well...
I guess we can get a two bedroom, if you really want, but I just
thought...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
suspicion entered my mind and wouldn't let go. “You thought what?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
grumbled and deflected a bit, even going so far as to turn away so
that he wasn't looking at me and I couldn't see his face. “I
thought that you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wanted</i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to be with me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
felt like a professional boxer pulled on a glove made out of pure
hope and punched me in the chest with it. “Uh! Wait! You mean
that?!” I mean that</span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>
</b></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>I</b></i></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
was all in right about Valentine's Day, but I'd been trying my best
not to smother him with my expectations. And with him not being the
most observant of guys, I really thought he hadn't even noticed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
when I realized that you'd stopped bringing home lovers and kept
trying to get me to do things with you – such as going out to
dinner once a week – I sort of assumed that you wanted to date me.
So I've been giving it a try, and I don't know. I kinda like it. My
only real concern is that if we do this and only have one bedroom,
I'll have nowhere else to go when I feel like I need to be alone for
a bit.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
smiled and ran a hand down his spine. “I uh, I don't think I'll be
able to afford even half of the rent of these one bedrooms, but if it
means that much to you and you're serious, I'll pitch in as much as I
can and we can even get a two bedroom, but rather than have separate
bedrooms, the second room can be like a home office or a study. That
way you'll have a place to go when you need to be alone. It'll also
give you a place to do your homework so that you're not basically
shut in our bedroom all the time doing it. Although, I suppose that
you could always do it at the kitchen table.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
tended to do my homework on the couch, but he seemed to need a much
more structured and organized place.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
was quiet for a long time. Long enough that I began to wonder if he'd
changed his mind after all. Then he gently set his laptop on the
floor so that he could turn and attack me. He knocked me onto my back
and kissed me so demandingly that I almost felt like he was sucking
out my soul. Both our hands caressed the other's body, and being
already naked from the night before made it abundantly clear that we
were both ready to go.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then
he pulled back and looked at me with so much seriousness that I
braced myself for some sort of blow. “But I'm warning you now!
Since our room will be big enough for it, I want to get a King Sized
bed! I NEED to be able to push you away and get some space while
sleeping! You have this habit of trying to sleep on top of me and
it's annoying!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
laughed and grinned at him. “If it means that you'll be in the same
bed as me, it can be the size of the room! And actually, that would
give us a lot of room to wrestle around,” I informed him with a
grin that let him know I meant that in the most sexual way possible.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good!
Now will you just get inside me already?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kissing
him, I wasted no time grabbing the lube and getting him ready.
Happily, he was still a little prepared from last night, and so, I
didn't have to spend ages. Just a little lube and – Ah! As always,
he was the best thing I'd ever felt!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Almost
lazily, I thrust in and out of him, concentrating more on our kissing
than on trying to get off. I think I would have spent the whole day
exactly like this, but he started growling about 20 minutes later.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Would
you hurry up?! I've got studying to do! And I'm hungry! Gah!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rather
than wait for me to follow orders, he rolled us over so that he could
ride me at his preferred pace. It was fast and hard and very quickly
turned my brain to mush. After I pumped him full, I felt like I was
floating on an ocean of bliss and seriously debated just going back
to sleep.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
my surprise, Mr. Impatient was laying on me, panting and purring
happily. He ALSO seemed like he was half asleep, but then he kissed
me tenderly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
should get something to eat. Then we should focus on studying for our
finals. We'll go look at apartments next week and...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
forced myself to focus, opening my eyes and looking at him. “What?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And...
after we move in, maybe we should invite my family over for a
house-warming and... and tell them... that... we're together...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
grinned, feeling so happy that I almost thought I had a heart attack.
I hugged him to me and gave him a demanding kiss. “I just love you
so damn much!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
made him gasp in surprise. “You do???”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wasn't
it obvious?” I wondered, because at this point, I don't think I was
hiding it very well at all.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;">“<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
maybe... but I thought that maybe I was just seeing things that
weren't really there,” he murmured. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shaking
my head, I kissed him again. “I don't know exactly when it
happened, but I've been in love with you forever now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
smiled faintly. “I think... I might be too.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
smiled at him in return. “It's okay, you don't have to say it. I
know how much you hate getting close to people.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
frowned. “I'm not just trying to tell you what I think you want to
hear. I just genuinely don't know for sure. All I know is that when I
think about being with you, I'm happy, and when I think about NOT
being with you, I'm really upset, so... isn't that love?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
made ME purr! “Aww! Close enough for me!” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that, I pulled him close and kissed him until that turned into
another round, which he was happy with until he realized that he had
wasted so much of his studying time. He jumped out of bed and ran to
his room shouting: “AH! I'M GOING TO FAIL EVERYTHING!!!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Laughing,
I had to wonder how long it would be before I felt comfortable
introducing him to MY family. I... might just have to teach him to
fight a bit first...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"> </span>
</div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-42935555473637612722017-12-16T21:53:00.002-06:002017-12-16T21:53:32.620-06:00Pro-Vaccination - A Satirical Analogy<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please remember that this is intended as Satire and that it should be taken with a grain of salt. My thoughts and beliefs do not have to be yours, and you don't have to get mad at me for having them.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The current, nearly dogmatic stance taken by Pro-Vaccinators feels a bit like this:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pro to other person: "So here's how it works:</span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You're
going to have sex – whether you want to or not – using a condom
made out of mercury... full of holes... with a person we <i>know</i>
has syphilis. Before you do this, we're going to reassure you that if
anything goes wrong, there's a national organization specifically to
compensate you for the problem. After you do this, if anything
actually does go wrong, that organization won't actually compensate
you because you cannot PROVE that what's wrong with you is a result
of this fully protected sex we forced you to have and NOT the
unprotected sex you had with your spouse. And best of all, the reason
we're forcing you to have this unwanted sex is because if you <i>don't</i>
and get this disease this is supposed to protect you against, you'll
probably give it to me and everyone else who <i>has</i> done this.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Got
it?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other
person: “Uh...........” o.O</span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-42488335942009475092017-02-13T16:09:00.005-06:002017-02-13T16:09:44.145-06:00Morning Sickness - A Drabble
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
woke up in a rather pleasant mood. He stretched and yawned before
rolling over to find Harry and hopefully take care of some morning
wood. Only Harry wasn't in bed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a disappointed sigh, Draco got out of bed and padded to their en
suite bathroom. He immediately found Harry, who was draped over the
toilet having an unpleasant conversation with it about the fact that
he was pregnant. This sight churned Draco's stomach a little, but he
was able to ignore his discomfort to focus on being sympathetic.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Until
Harry heaved up something to add to the toilet. Draco had less than a
second to conjure up a bucket before he vomited. When he was done, he
sat on the bathroom floor and pressed a hand to his roiling stomach.
He wasn't even the pregnant one!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
heaved again and Draco added more to his bucket. When he was done, he
took a few deeply calming breaths. Then he glared at Harry.</span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"> “<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
blame <i>you</i>...”</span></span></span>
</div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-14227127728349877312017-01-27T18:27:00.000-06:002017-01-27T18:27:01.695-06:00The Misunderstanding
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
have something for you, catch,” Draco ordered as he tossed a small
box at Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
caught the antique yet expensive jewelry box and stared at it in
surprise. “Oh wow! Already? I thought I was going to have to talk
you into it a lot more.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What?”
Draco asked in confusion.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
just that you didn't seem ready yet. The answer's yes, by the way.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Er...”
Draco droned in confusion for a moment. “I get the feeling that
we're having two different conversations.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
frowned. “Alright... What are <i>you</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
talking about?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
gestured to the box. “I found a ring in my vault that is positively
</span><i>layered</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> with
protective charms, and since you're an Auror, I thought it might come
in handy.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,”
Harry murmured with a blush as he rubbed the back of his neck.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why,
what were you talking about?” Draco asked, still more confused than
anything.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Harry said, unable to come up with a good evasion, so he simply
opened the box and smiled at the ring. “Thanks for this.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait...”
Draco murmured, his eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Were you... Did
you...” Then his expression changed to one of pure shock, making
him gape at Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Feeling
far more embarrassed than he probably should, Harry spun around in
order to flee the room. But before he could escape, Draco tackled him
to the floor. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
no! You're not getting away that easily!” Draco exclaimed, fighting
hard to keep Harry from wriggling free. Harry eventually gave up his
struggle and let Draco pin him to the floor, flat on his back and
with his hands above his head. “You said </span><i>yes</i><span style="font-style: normal;">...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
couldn't decide if that was said reverently or as an accusation. “Er,
well, as you said, we were having two different conversations.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
said yes,” Draco repeated, and this time, there was definitely awe
in his voice. He seized a kiss so demanding that Harry nearly
sacrificed his ability to breath for the greater good before he
pulled away.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Harry repeated in a soft whisper.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes!”
Draco hissed happily, releasing Harry's hands so that he could
smother him in an exuberant hug. “YES!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
chuckled at that, returning the hug and stealing a kiss from Draco in
return. Had he known that Draco would be this receptive, he might
just have asked that question a while ago. With a grin, he decided it
didn't matter since – happily – the end result was the same.</span></span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-50908620325554872252016-09-23T05:03:00.002-05:002016-09-23T05:04:50.490-05:00What the Hex is Going on?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was just after dark and the gang was driving along a road in a rather
dead and eerie looking forest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was behind the wheel, a fairly attentive driver since he'd just got
his muggle license not too long ago. He looked around at the road
signs and nodded his head. “Well, we're almost to the Parkinson
Estate,” he informed them conversationally.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
hummed as she consulted the map. “It surprisingly nice of Pansy to
ask us up here for the weekend. And we have a chance to take a road
trip while we're at it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco shrugged
indifferently. He was sitting in between Harry and Hermione in the
front seat of the gigantic vintage cargo van, and he was getting
impatient to arrive. He muttered <i>why couldn't we just apparate</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
under his breath before making an effort to be nice.</span> “There
are so many interesting things to do in the area. I'm sure we'll have
a lot of fun.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
was sitting in the back of the van, about to eat a tall sandwich that
he just finished making. They could all tell that he was hungry
because it seemed to be all he could think about. “Yeah? Like what?
Swimming and eating? Tennis and eating?” Gregory Goyle – also
sitting in the back of the van – surreptitiously reached for the
sandwich. “Driving and eating? And eating and ea – huh?!” Ron
exclaimed when he went to take his first bite and realized that Greg
had stolen his sandwich.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
gulped the sandwich down practically in one bite and made a show of
licking his fingers clean. Ron was devastated and a bit horrified.
“How do you like that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
slowed down and pointed out his window. “Hey, look up there!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
all shifted around to look and see a creepy old mansion. It was
shaped like an L or a 90 degree angle. The middle – where the L or
the angle formed a point – had a round tower-like room. Since it
was night, it looked dark brown. There was a grassy court yard. Sort
of elegant or refined.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was an ominous feeling and a slight fog in the air, plus moaning,
wailing, and creepy calling. Off to the right of the house, there was
a graveyard with a small mausoleum. A bat flew away from it,
screeching shrilly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
man in a brown business suit with a white dress shirt and black tie;
with short brown hair and a well-groomed beard, and thick, circular,
black glasses walked through the graveyard. His hands were stretched
out in front of him like a zombie, but his steps were rather quick,
if a bit stilted. They watched the man until he was walking right in
front of the house.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
shuddered lightly. “Merlin and Salazar! Someone's going into that
rundown old mansion. Don't they know that it's probably full of dark
curses from long dead pureblood families?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
frowned and scratched his head. “Whoa... Who'd do a mental think
like that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
shook his head slowly, baffled. “I don't know.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
arrived at the Parkinson Estate about twenty minutes later, which –
even in the dark – looked gleaming white and pretty. The entryway
was tall and spacious with roman columns for decoration. It was a
rectangular building with two levels. To each side of the entrance
was a pronounced wing – which people with normal sized houses
simply called sides. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Surrounding
the mansion was a rather nice, well-groomed yard with decorative
bushes, but also some scraggly looking trees. This was rather
surprising on a magical property where charms helped the plants
thrive no matter the season, so Hermione was willing to bet they had
some sort of tree disease. Too bad Neville wasn't with them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Inside
the parlor, Pansy greeted them with a sneer. “Gee, it sure took you
long enough! I could have gone to the spa and had a mudbath in the
time it took you to arrive!” She had her hands clenched into fists
and pressed into her hips as she glared at them. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
was wearing a simple, sleeveless, above knee-length summer dress in
turquoise with a black belt. Draco knew that she had thrown on
something casual to wait in until they arrived. They'd likely change
into something sexier when they figured out what they wanted to do
first. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
<i>do </i>hope this wasn't the wrong weekend for you to come up
here,” she growled softly to let them know that she had reached the
limit of her patience.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
frowned curiously. “Why's that, Pansy?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr.
Parkinson, her father, sighed a bit wearily. “Well, the last few
nights, we've been hearing a lot of strange noises.” He was wearing
shades of blue with a slightly lighter dress shirt and a darker
jacket and matching trousers. He was also smoking a pipe.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
rolled her eyes, not quite able to believe that her father thought
that was the important part. “And now, it looks like my Uncle
Stewart has vanished.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
yelped nervously at that.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
stroked his chin in thought, wanting to help his best friend. “Could
it have been him that we saw going into that old mansion down the
road?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr.
Parkinson tilted his head to the side as he wondered what Draco was
referring to. “Do you mean the Kingston Mansion? Maybe we'd better
go over there and see.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Uh-uh!”
Greg said in a tone of slightly scared denial. He shook his head and
adamantly repeated. “Uh-uh!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
next thing Greg knew, they were all standing outside the creepy old
mansion. He sighed in reluctant acceptance.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
called out in clear concern for her favorite uncle – even though he
was eccentric and practically a squib. “Uncle Stewart! Uncle
Stewart!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
looked around carefully. He thought that something felt off, but he
couldn't put his finger on what. “You know, there's no sign of him
<i>anywhere</i>.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
noticed something and pointed his wand at the underside of the
central tower so he could cast a Lumos. “Look! Someone's in the
shadows!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
mildly creepy, haggard older man with a brown suit, white hair/beard,
and thick black glasses startled them. He looked rather shaken up.
Greg yelped in alarm.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
exclaimed in shock, dismay, and a bit of horror. “Uncle Stewart!”
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr.
Parkinson murmured in surprise: “He's become an old man...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back
in the Parkinson Mansion, Stewart was now sitting dejectedly in a
high back purple armchair. His right hand was holding the side of his
head while his left was clutching the arm of the chair.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr.
Parkinson stared at his brother in concern. “What happened,
Stewart?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stewart,
sounding and looking depressed, didn't even glance up. “It started
when a ghostly voice called out from the old mansion. I had to obey
it.” His eyes went vague and far away as he remembered what
happened. “It drew me out of the house. I was in a trance. I went
past the Kingston Mausoleum … and finally, into the old mansion. …
And there... is where I saw the ghost of Elias Kingston. He... He
appeared as a man with black hair, alarmingly blue skin on his face
and hands, beady black eyes, and he was wearing a brown trench coat
reminiscent of that old fictional muggle detective: Sherlock Holmes.”
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now
Stewart looked up for a moment. “The Kingston Mansion was full of
large cobwebs. The furniture was covered with sheets to protect it
from dust, and yet it looked rather clean and elegant in places; the
chandelier sparkling and the curtains drawn open. In other places,
things are just lying around and it's quite derelict.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stewart
looked down into his lap. “The ghost of Elias said: The Parkinson
Fortune belongs to me! Unless it is returned to this mansion before
morning, the entire family shall suffer this terrible fate! Then he
waved his hands at me as if dramatically casting a spell – without
his wand! I turned from the middle aged man I <i>was</i> to the old
man you see now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stewart's
right arm was now propped on the arm of the chair, holding up his
head. He looked a cross between depressed and resigned. A heavy sigh
escaped him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
glared at everyone for a second as if daring them to make fun of her
favorite uncle so that she could hex them. “What are we going to
do?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr.
Parkinson walked over to his fireplace. “First of all, I'm going to
call the Aurors.” He put his hand in a bowl and grabbed a pinch of
powder to toss in the fire, but then nothing happened. “That's
strange; the Floo's dead!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
frowned in thought as she cast spells to see if she could reverse
Stewart's age – to no avail. “Why don't you Apparate to the
Ministry and get an Auror, Mr. Parkinson? We'll wait here.” She
gave him a look meant to seem helpful and reassuring. Calm and
unafraid.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded in agreement. “We'll keep an eye on Uncle Stewart until you
get back.” He looked concerned and determined and serious. Every
bit a leader/person in charge.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr.
Parkinson was hesitant. “Are you <i>sure</i> you'll be alright?”
He was still staring at the fireplace as if hoping it would
miraculously start working again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded confidently. “Sure, and just to make sure nothing else
happens, we'll all take turns standing guard.” He was still
determined and serious, reminding them all of the time that he
defeated Voldemort. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked torn between being bored and resigned to the inevitable.
Hermione looked ready for anything. Ron had a slight smile, probably
because he didn't think they could get into too much trouble in this
nice safe mansion where there was probably food. While Greg looked
alert and a bit happy for some reason.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
decided to play along and looked at Harry. “Who's going to stand
the first watch? And why can't we just set a monitoring spell on
Uncle Stewart once we've put him to bed and warded his room?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
answered the first question first. “Who else? The Watchdog.” He
smirked playfully as he pointed in Greg's direction. Then he
muttered: “And who said we wouldn't have a ward against intruders?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
looked over at Harry. “Right, the watchdog,” he agreed, and then
it hit him what Harry meant and he did a double take of apprehension
and dismay; one hand rubbing over the other in a self soothing
gesture. “That's me?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was still pointing at Greg, but now it was rather sternly. “That's
right! That's you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione,
trying to be reassuring but sounding a bit gleeful, added: “Just
think Greg, no ghostly voice will get past your keen sense of
hearing.” This was a reference to the reason that Greg was so good
as a low skilled security guard for a muggle company. All he had to
do was walk around the building he was guarding (at night) and listen
for anything out of the ordinary. He <i>always</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
caught intruders, even when they thought they weren't making a sound.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even
so, Greg was a bit of a coward at heart. He promptly took off running
away from them. Also an incorrigible practical joker, he grabbed a
prop – an old horn meant to aid with hearing – returned, and held
it to his ear to pretend like he couldn't hear what they had said.
“Eh?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
grabbed the horn and smashed it onto Greg's head. “That old hard of
hearing trick isn't going to work tonight, Greg.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
grinned and laughed sheepishly – also shrugging as if asking: <i>well,
can you blame me for trying?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Maybe
a half an hour later, Stewart was dozing in the purple armchair while
Greg was laying on a couch, sound asleep and snoring. An open french
style patio door let in a rather strong breeze and the insistent
ghostly moaning/wailing from earlier. Stewart – now awake – sat
up abruptly, looking a bit pained to hear that horrible sound again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ghostly
voice called out: “Come! Come!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stewart
stood up and started walking toward the open door, his hands once
again stretched out in front of him like a zombie. Greg had charmed a
tiny stuffed bear to let him know if anything happened, and it tapped
him until he woke up and saw that Stewart was no longer in his chair.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Greg
was immediately alert and confused. “Huh? Where'd he go?” He
looked around thoroughly. Not finding Stewart, he rushed to grab a
horn off the wall – under a curved short sword – and sound an
alarm. Comically standing at attention like a soldier.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
called out after they all Apparated into the room. “Hey, what's
with the bugle call, Greg?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Greg
rolled his eyes and scoffed. “What do you think? He's gone!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
tutted. “Uh-oh! It looks like Uncle Stewart is gone again!” She
appeared to be smirking as if she was having fun now that something
interesting was happening.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
glared at her. “He's not the only one; Pansy's gone too!” He was
genuinely concerned about the disappearance of his best friend,
touchy bitch though she may be.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
where could they be?” Ron asked, also wearing a look of concern.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We'd
better get ourselves up to that old mansion,” Harry stated,
looking a bit angry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
fast!” Hermione agreed, still looking rather eager.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
at the old Kingston Mansion, the gang was walking along in a group,
except for Ron, who was wearing skates and rolling behind them. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed, still very worried about Pansy. “I don't see any sign of
Pansy, Uncle Stewart, <i>or</i> the ghost!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
snorted in amusement. “Maybe we're in luck and he's out haunting
another house.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
tilted her head to look at her boyfriend over her shoulder. “Say,
what've you got on your feet? Muggle roller skates??? Why are you
wearing those silly things?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm
not taking any chances,” Ron said with a solemn shake of his head.
“If we do see that ghost, he'll never catch me!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Er
Ron... You know that ghosts can't really hurt you, right?” Hermione
pointed out with a frown.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
rolled his eyes. “You don't really think I'm so thick as to think
it's a <i>real</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> ghost, do you?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
looked away to hide the fact that he thought exactly that. He also
muttered very softly: “</span><i>Well...</i><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled at his boyfriend's subtle insult. “Come on, let's keep
looking.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
was sneaking along, looking like he was pretending to be a
bloodhound. “Huh?” He murmured as he noticed a tall, wide curio
cabinet/book shelf with glass doors containing a lot of books.
Something about it seemed weird to him, but he couldn't figure out
why.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
continued walking past it – Greg having decided that it wasn't so
weird after all. After they'd gone past, it slid aside to reveal a
secret room. In the room, Pansy was sitting on a plain wooden and
unsurprisingly uncomfortable chair with her hands tied behind her
back and a gag in her mouth. The blue skinned ghost peeked out of the
room, looking at Pansy's friends, who were oblivious to what was
going on.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
ghost decided to quietly follow them, and the cabinet slid back into
place – closing up the secret room. At this point, the gang drifted
apart without saying a word about it. They didn't even realize they
had done it, as evidenced a moment later when Ron talked to Hermione
as if she was right behind him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
had stopped rolling along to bend over in front of an empty fireplace
and look in a medium sized pottery vase. “I wonder if ghosts can
hide in little pots?” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
very blue ghost picked up a small bellow sitting in front of the
fireplace and squeezed it to send a gust of air at Ron's rear. He was
startled so much that he went skittering across the room. He cried
out <i>Wa</i> and <i>Whoa</i> repeatedly as he desperately tried to
regain control over his skates. His arms were flailing and trying to
maintain balance at the same time.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
ended up skating into a separate room and landing in a bathtub. Since
this was an old Wizarding home, the shower hanging over the large,
deep, claw foot tub was charmed to turn on when entered, thus it
abruptly began showering him even though he certainly hadn't turned
it on. He didn't have <i>time</i> to turn it on as he was landing on
his butt. He laughed and shivered – because the water both tickled
and was cold. He had no ability to get out of the tub – which was
rapidly filling – without slipping and falling. So, he had to take
the time to remove his skates, all the while chuckling and muttering
abut his luck.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
the same time, Greg was looking through a door warily, as if he
expected an attacker to be lurking around the corner. He exclaimed in
delight when he realized that he'd found the kitchen. “Woohoo!
Food!” He repeatedly licked his lips hungrily; after all, he hadn't
eaten since he'd stolen that sandwich from Ron in the van.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
ran up to the Wizarding equivalent of a refrigerator – an ice box
charmed to stay cold, when it worked. Excitedly, he yanked it open,
only to find a large soup bone covered in cobwebs. This did not deter
him as one might think. “Oh boy oh boy oh boy!” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
grabbed the bone, obviously happy to have it. He then blew the dust
off of it. A short but mean sounding gray pitbull entered the kitchen
and snarled at him. Without giving it even a moment of thought, Greg
shoved the bone in the pitbull's mouth and took off running. The
pitbull crunched the bone in one bite and gave chase.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
hid under an overturned half barrel, and then tried to sneak away
when the pitbull wasn't looking. The blue hand of the ghost emerged
from behind a curtain dividing the kitchen from the larder or cellar,
and pointed at Greg with a hissed: “Psst! Psst!” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The pitbull cleverly
got the hint and looked over at Greg – who was just now making his
way out the kitchen door that he had initially come in through. The
pitbull gave chase once more as Greg managed to go through another
doorway and hide off to the side – just in time to slam the half
barrel on top of the pitbull, thereby trapping him and possibly
knocking him out. Greg walked away feeling rather proud of himself,
even chuckling in glee.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
pitbull recovered himself with a shake, but couldn't get out from
under the half barrel. Instead, he tried running around blindly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
Ron had just barely emerged from the bathroom, looking at himself and
his sopping clothes in mild disgust. “Wow, how soggy can a bloke
get?” He cast a drying charm and sighed in relief when it worked.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
trapped pitbull came barreling into Ron, knocking him all the way
back into the tub. Which of course reactivated the shower. The tub
was still rather full from before, but at least now, the water was
decently warm. Ron draped his right arm so that it was resting on the
side of the tub along with his left elbow. He then propped his chin
on his left hand as if resigned to the inevitable, not surprised in
the least to find himself in a tub with a strange dog – who didn't
seem upset with Ron – despite being an intruder. Actually, the
pitbull was rather embarrassed and dismayed to find himself in a
bath. He yelped as if crying out: <i>Sorry</i>!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
grumbled to himself wryly: “If there's one thing I can't stand,
it's taking a bath in a haunted house.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Later
on, the gang had reunited. Harry had his fists pressed into his sides
in determination. Draco had his hands resting calmly at his sides and
looked like he was trying to look sexy and distracting while
listening to his boyfriend. Hermione had her hands behind her back,
looking attentive and ready for anything. She also looked amused,
like she knew a secret the rest of them hadn't figured out yet. Both
Ron and Greg looked to be in a good mood, having light smiles.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
grinned and congratulated Greg. “Whether you know it or not, Greg,
you found our first clue!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
looked baffled and surprised. “I did?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione,
now rather serious, for once, tried to reassure him. “Sure! Whoever
heard of a ghost needing a watchdog to scare anybody away?” She
looked from Ron to Harry and then back to Ron again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron,
looking more disappointed and upset than relieved like they assumed
he would be, asked: “You mean there <i>aren't</i> any ghosts here?”
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smirked, <i>finally</i> looking like he was in a good mood. Possibly
happy or mischievous, or maybe just smug because he seemed to be
figuring things out. “Well, I haven't seen any. Yet.”
Inexplicably, he pointed to the ceiling. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
held back a laugh as he assumed that Harry was just trying to
playfully wind his best friend up. Then he remembered that Pansy was
still missing and sighed. “And we haven't seen Pansy or her Uncle
either.” He was currently standing so close to Hermione that they
could be arm in arm. Hermione was frowning and finally looked like
she understood that the situation was tense.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On
the other hand, Ron was looking puzzled and a bit morose. “Hey, was
Uncle Stewart wearing a blue suit, red tie, and tennis shoes?” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Actually,
he wasn't. He was wearing a brown suit, black tie, and black dress
shoes. It was Mr. Parkinson who was wearing a blue suit, blue shirt
with no discernible tie, and black dress shoes. It was very unlikely
for any pureblood worth his salt to wear tennis shoes. However, no
matter how much Ron tried to correct himself, some sort of minor
curse made it impossible to say anything different. Fortunately,
everyone seemed to understand his predicament.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
looked over at Ron curiously. “Yeah. Why?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shaggy
covered his eyes and pointed down at a chair off to his side. “Then
I think we found him, only he looks a little <i>older</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
now!”</span> </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was another purple armchair – strangely, <i>exactly</i> the same as
the one he was sitting in before, back in his own home. However, he
was now a skeleton, a very dry and old looking skeleton.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
had his left hand casually in his pocket. He didn't look surprised,
although he sounded it. “Well! I guess that ghost wasn't kidding!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione,
now standing next to Harry and calmly looking at the skeleton,
remarked with a wry little laugh. “That's just about as old as you
can get!” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
whimpered a bit loudly when he saw the skeleton. He never did like
being around anything dead. Or dying.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
frowned and sighed in frustration. “It sure would help if we could
find another clue.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
droned for a second or two. “Er... Uh-huh, I found one.” He was
pale and a bit freaked out as he pointed over his shoulder – which
now had a blue hand resting on it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
grinned. “Brilliant! What is it?” He looked over at Ron
expectantly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
rolled his eyes and shook his head, thinking: <i>duh</i><span style="font-style: normal;">!</span>
“Him.” This drew everyone's attention to the stern looking
'ghost' with morbidly blue skin.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry,
Draco, and Hermione exclaimed in unison: “It's the ghost!” They
were alarmed and surprised to see something solid standing there.
Meaning that someone was trying to swindle the Parkinsons and doing a
terrible job of faking a ghost.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
was gaping at the 'ghost' in shock, not remembering that he had seen
many a real ghost at Hogwarts and wasn't particularly afraid of them.
“Ghost!” He cried out in genuine fear and promptly ran away. He
hid in a closet and placed a hastily conjured 'out to lunch' sign on
the door before he slamming it shut.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
rest of the gang was gaping at the fake ghost during his ultimatum
with their mouths open. Ron looked rather puzzled, like he was
wondering why the so-called ghost hadn't attacked him earlier. Harry
was downright gobsmacked, probably because he had believed that this
whole thing had been an entertaining but mythical mystery – until
now. Draco looked mildly astonished that the ghost was a real being
of some sort, and Hermione had her lip curled in disbelief. She
couldn't – literally <i>could not</i> believe that this blue man
dared to call himself a ghost.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
thing claiming to be the ghost of Elias Kingston was glaring at them
menacingly. “This is the last warning! Either the fortune is here
by morning, or all those in the Parkinson house shall grow old. Now
go!” He commanded and then walked away rather smoothly, as if he
wasn't worried in the slightest about being chased or disobeyed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
snorted dismissively. “Horrible old blue face really said a
frightful mouthful!” She gave Harry a look like she was wondering:
<i>What now?</i> </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
Harry was looking at her as if she had all the answers. A moment
later, he clenched his fists in determination. “Well, we're not
going to let that absurd threat scare us.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
gaped at Harry a bit incredulously. “We're not?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled at Ron, trying to be gently reassuring but also firm in his
stance. “No Ron, we're going to <i>solve</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
this mystery.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hey,
where's Greg?” Hermione asked as she looked around the room for
him. “Oh! I bet he's in that closet. Hmm, out to lunch,” she
murmured as she read the sign.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
walked over and opened the door.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
chuckled softly, sounding like she was mentally rolling her eyes
fondly. “Can you imagine? Hiding in the closet!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was now holding the door open. “Yeah, with Greg, I wouldn't be
surprised.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
were now all standing in a group looking into the closet. To their
surprise, Greg was merrily eating a plate full of chicken legs at a
small table covered with a light blue cloth, by candlelight, with a
rose bud in an elegant vase. He chuckled a bit sheepishly but also a
bit roguishly, as if he was thinking:<i> sorry, not sorry</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
scoffed, looking hurt and a bit offended. “How do you like that? He
didn't even invite me!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
few minutes later, outside the mausoleum, the gang watched the
'ghost' go inside and shut the door.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
pointed this out just in case the rest of them had somehow missed it.
“You all saw that, right? The blithering idiot that wants us to
believe he's a ghost...” He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“I'd say it was a muggle doing it, but I can't believe...
Seriously, not even a muggle can think ghosts look like that!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
chuckled in agreement. “Yeah! They'd have to be pretty gullible.
Anyway, he went into the mausoleum, so we should try to get close
enough to look inside.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
cleared his throat decisively, sounding like he thought some of them
might try to run away if he didn't take charge. He glanced at Ron and
Greg. “Come on, let's see what he's up to.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
walked right up to the closed door, casting spells as they went to
detect any repelling wards, unpleasant curses, or nasty hexes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pointed at the doorknob. “Okay Ron, use Hermione's fingerprinting
kit and dust for prints.” This was purely to give the two of them a
chance to play around with a few of her muggle toys. More than happy
to have such an opportunity, Hermione dug the kit out of her tiny
beaded purse.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
opened the box Hermione held out. “Right Harry, I'll give it the
old Sherlock Holmes Touch.” Both he and Hermione exchanged grins,
letting everyone else know that they were definitely having fun
playing detectives. Ron used the black powder puff on Hermione's
hand.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
smirked playfully at his girlfriend. “Like wow! Look at all those
fingerprints!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
gave him a light glare even as Draco sighed, crossed his arms over
his chest, and impatiently tapped one foot. “Not my hand, silly,
that door!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
snickered at his friend, delighted to not be the blatantly stupid
one, for once. Ron happily ignored him and applied the powder to the
knob with the fluffy black puff. It revealed a lot of fingerprints.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
crowed smugly. “Harry! We got something!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded in satisfaction. “Just as I thought; fingerprints!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
growls, not quite able to believe that they were acting like idiots
when his best friend was missing. He used a highly sarcastic fake
stage voice to play his part. “Wait a minute! <i>Ghosts</i>
wouldn't leave <i>fingerprints</i>!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
opened the door and a single bat – probably the same one they'd
seen earlier – came flying out, screeching indignantly. Harry
ducked to avoid it getting caught in his wildly messy black hair. The
gang kept their cool and stared after the bat curiously.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
raised a brow. “Maybe he can turn into a bat?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
rolled her eyes and chided him. “Don't be silly, Ron!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was full of confidence again, and turned his vibrantly green eyes to
Greg. “Okay Greg, go in there and sniff around for that 'ghost.'”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
narrowed his eyes suspiciously, like he was thinking <i>you gotta be
kidding me.</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> He drew back and
curled into himself, shaking his head. “Uh-uh! Uh-</span><i>uh</i><span style="font-style: normal;">!”
He gave Harry a flat and stubborn look.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
stared him down firmly. “Would you do it for a chocolate chip
biscuit?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Scooby
shook his head again, but now he was standing normally and looking
calm and slightly interested. “Uuh-uuh!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
decided to up the ante. “I'll give you one, how about two, three,
four?” As he said each number, he made another small round biscuit
appear between the fingers of his right hand.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scooby
changed from adamant refusal to happy and even eager. “Yeah yeah
yeah yeah...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
reached over and stole the biscuits from Harry's hand. Harry gave him
a little glare. Ron briefly returned his glare, unable to believe
that Harry had been holding out on him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
then popped all four of them in his mouth and promptly munched on
them, moaning happily at how good they tasted. “I'll go!” He
swallowed his pilfered snack happily, stuck out his tongue at Greg,
and half sang a teasing: “Scooby-dooby-doo!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
frowned and grumbled unhappily, both because he was being deprived of
Harry's homemade and super delicious biscuits, <span style="font-style: normal;">and
because he had no idea was Ron was on about. Harry and Hermione
snickered softly because they </span><i>did</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
catch the reference, but Draco simply stared at them as if he was
wondering how he had gotten stuck with such weirdos.</span> </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
walked into the mausoleum. He was hunched over slightly and looking
around warily. A faint grin stretched his mouth as he muttered to
himself: “Like, there are times when I'll do <i>anything</i> for
one of Harry's homemade biscuits.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not
finding anything to be concerned about, Ron called out to his
friends. “It's okay! Come on in!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
rest of the gang walked in through the open door. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sniffed haughtily. “There's no 'ghost' in here.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged indifferently. “Well, we know he came in.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There's
something on that table!” Hermione exclaimed, instantly spotting a
big blue book on an old wooden worktable off to the side. It was
titled: Crystalomacy. “Hey, this might be a clue! It's a book on
Crystalomacy. Er... I think it's supposed to mean <i>Crystalo</i><span style="font-style: normal;">man</span><i>cy</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.”</span>
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
scratched his head in confusion. “Crystal O'Macy? I used to know a
Crystal O'Nerdlinger.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
was now holding the book open and reading from it. She cast a <i>look</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
at Ron.</span> “It's not a girl, Ron! It's a book about how to use
a crystal ball. You know, like Trelawny tried to teach in her
ludicrous Divination class.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed in aggravation. “You mean that not only are we dealing with
a fake ghost, but now he's pretending to use a crystal ball; the kind
that charlatan muggle fortune tellers use?” His hands were on his
hips and he looked thoroughly annoyed that they'd found something so
stupid to work with.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
gave him a tiny smile since she happened to agree with his
sentiments. “Right.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
had his arms crossed in front of his chest, looking rather satisfied
to have a new clue to mull over. “Say, there's an old Swami place
in town. Maybe there's some kind of a connection.” He then had to
explain to Greg that a Swami was one of the many names muggles who
identified as new age witches and wizards – despite not having
magic like they did – called themselves. As he was talking, the
blue hand of the 'ghost' reached out from outside the mausoleum,
grabbed the knob of the door, and pulled it shut.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
reacted first when he heard it clang. “Merlin's moldy toe nails!
The door!” He ran to open it, but of course, it was locked. “Hey!
We're locked in!” He braced one foot against the wall and yanked on
the door as hard as he could. Hermione and Draco both pushed him
aside and cast unlocking spells on the door, without success. Then
they tried to Disapparate, but still, no luck.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed in frustration. “Most of these old pureblood mausoleums are
warded to prevent anyone or anything from getting in or out when
someone activates the ward.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged, staying calm so that no one else gave into the urge to
start freaking out. “Well, let's hope there's a secret way out of
here. Start tapping on the walls.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded because it made sense for a pureblood family to have a
multitude of secrets hidden all around – even and maybe especially
in their grave yard. He was the first to pick a wall and start
tapping on it, but he found nothing. With a soft sigh and growl of
frustration, he kept looking for any little detail that might help.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Ron and Harry silently walked to the far walls. Hermione also found
nothing as she tapped on her wall, but Greg was startled to find a
false wall. When he tapped on it, it rotated in a circle, sweeping
him into the secret room on the other side. No one noticed at first –
despite his yelp of surprise. However, the wall made a sort of
banging noise that caught Ron's attention. He looked over his
shoulder curiously.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hey,
like what happened to Greg?” Ron wondered with a frown.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
shrugged, puzzled and more than a little alarmed that the second one
of <span style="font-style: normal;">his friends had suddenly
disappeared.</span> “He was right there a second ago.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
walked over to the false wall, quickly joined by the rest of them.
They all leaned closer to the wall to inspect it, Harry tapping on it
– which was the trigger for it to rotate again, putting them in the
secret room while Greg was now out of it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
was crouched next to the wall and trying to hide his face under his
hands. “Huh?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
wall rotated again and again and again until it built up enough
momentum to fling all of them – even Greg – across to the other
side of the secret room. They landed in a tangled heap against the
far wall.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
looked and sounded delighted. “It's a secret passage!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was also delighted, but for a different reason. He was relieved that
they weren't actually stuck inside that mausoleum until someone came
looking for them. Also, he wanted to keep looking for Pansy. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
appeared to be holding back giggles while Harry looked like he was
thinking: <i>Well, that was unexpected</i>. Greg was still trying to
hide under his hands, as if that would protect him from any and all
harm.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
exclaimed in congratulation: “You did it Greg! You found the way
out!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
perked up, peeking out from under his hands. “I did? Yea!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">
</span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">About
a half an hour later, the gang was driving into a nearby city. Even
though it was dark out already, they had every expectation that it
wasn't too late to visit the Swami's shop. Apparently, Harry loved to
drive so much that he insisted on doing it again rather than Apparate
like Draco wanted. Draco reluctantly gave in simply because Harry
promised to do naughty things to him when they finally managed to go
to bed. As a result, they were all currently crammed into the front
seat – except for Greg, who was sitting in the very middle of the
back seat and leaning forward so that he was part of the
conversation.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
needlessly reminded them of what they had just learned because she
was happy to know about a useful secret. “That secret passage was a
shortcut to the Parkinson Estate! Who would have guessed that the
Kingstons and the Parkinsons had a secret connection like that. Maybe
the ghost impostor is telling the truth when he claims that the
fortune rightfully belongs to him.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
stared vaguely at the ceiling as he thought over everything that made
him curious. “I wonder if that passage has anything to do with
Pansy's disappearance? And surely <i>they</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
must know about it, so why didn't they have it warded against
intrusion in the first place? If it was, in fact, used as a way to
snatch Pansy...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pointed as he pulled to a stop. “I don't know, but maybe we'll find
some answers here at the Swami's place.” It was a slim and unlikely
chance, but they didn't have any better ideas at the moment.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
shop appeared to be empty. It was unlocked, but since it was late, it
was probably closed for business. Even if it was, there was nothing
to keep them out. This more than anything prompted them to shrug off
their misgivings and go inside.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
inside, they walked around and looked about the shop curiously for a
few moments – discovering that the most prominent feature was a
round table perfect for four people eating a light lunch. However, it
was only accompanied by two high-backed, dark green armchairs with
horns protruding from a wooden crown-like decoration on the top of
the back of the chairs. The sides of the back of the chairs were
intricately carved wooden wings, and the ends of the armrests were
carved to look like sharp claws.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
harrumphed. “It looks like the Swami is out Swami-ing somewhere
else.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged and gave his best friend a cheeky grin. “Then I guess he
won't mind if we take a look around.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
immediately went over to the door marked storage and opened it. “I
wonder what's in here?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
was equally curious for a second, as if she was analyzing all the
details of the shop and sorting for clues. She suddenly realized that
something was wrong. “Draco, not the storage closet!” If their
luck from similar past events carried over, then...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
pile of things came tumbling out of the now open closet door, landing
on Ron and Greg, who look resigned, like they were thinking: <i>Yep,
should have known</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
sighed as if yielding to the inevitable. “Well Draco, you did it
again.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
snorted in amusement, but clearly wasn't sorry. Nor did he bother to
help them out. Instead, he simply walked away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
door to the shop opened, ringing an annoying bell. Ron and Greg were
already back on their feet thanks to a quickly cast decluttering
spell from Hermione. Panicking without really knowing why, Ron
decided that hiding was the only option that made sense to him at the
moment. “Uh-oh! Sounds like someone's coming!” He exclaimed in a
whisper and rushed to disappear into a hiding spot. Not really sure
why, everyone but Greg followed him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An
older – white haired and plump – woman entered the shop. She was
wearing a calf length lavender dress with dark blue accents and a
matching dark blue hat with a white feather sticking straight up out
of it. In her right hand, she was holding a pair of fancy glasses to
her nose the same way that people held lorgnettes at an opera. Around
her neck was a large gold locket with matching dangling earrings.
Clutched in her left hand was a fashionable black purse. Lastly, she
had on stylish high heeled shoes that matched her purse.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yoohoo,
Swami! Oh Swami!” She called out in a sing-song voice. Spotting
Greg sitting in one of the armchairs, dressed up as a fortune teller,
she drawled happily: “Oh! There you are!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
rest of the gang snorted in amusement from where they were now hiding
behind a curtain off to the side of the table. Greg silently stared
at the woman in confusion. He had no idea what to say or do!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
well knew that his friend was a complete idiot and was probably the
<i>worst</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> person to try to
pretend to be a fortune teller.</span> “Oh no! A customer!” He
sneered in dismay and frustration that their quest to find clues and
figure out what happened to Pansy kept getting delayed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
smirked in delight. “She thinks Greg is the Swami!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
lit up, grinning like he just had a brilliant idea. He whispered in
Ron's ear. “Ron, you'd better throw your voice and make Greg sound
like a Swami.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Intrigued
by this prospect, Ron nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I'd better.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
woman was simpering rather sickeningly. “Oh Mr. Swami, I have
something to ask you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
cupped a hand alongside his mouth. “Good evening, please be
seated.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
looked over his shoulder in surprise, then winked when he saw Ron
ready to help out. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
woman continued with an eager grin. “Oh Swami, tell me, what do you
see in the crystal ball?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
answered far more honestly than he was supposed to as Greg mouthed
like he was actually speaking. “My reflection.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
customer frowned in disappointment. “Your reflection? My word!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
remembered a tiny bit of divination class and started swirling his
hands around the ball.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
hastily revised his initial response. “No wait! I see a tall
handsome man in your future.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
woman giggled merrily, obviously enjoying this prediction.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
added: “And you're dancing together cheek to cheek.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
giggled some more.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
was really getting into the spirit of things. “Now he's whispering
something to you...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
leaned forward eagerly and asked: “He is? What is the dear boy
saying?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
stopped rubbing the ball and cupped his hand around his mouth as if
to impart a secret.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
continued, opting to try a dancing joke. “Get off my foot.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scandalized,
the woman sat up rigidly straight. “Oh! Enough of this! I want my
palm read.” She held her right palm out to Greg.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
responded a bit hesitantly. “Yes Ma'am.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
surreptitiously conjured and then pulled out a gallon-sized can of
red paint from under the table and used a large brush to paint her
palm red.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
gasped “Eek!” and glared at him murderously. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
did his best to hold back an impertinent laugh. “You did say red.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Furious,
the customer got up and marched over to the door. “How <i>dare</i>
you?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
snorted, and then managed to sound disappointed. “How about that?
All that advice and she didn't even pay us a dime.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
door opened briefly to let her out before slamming shut; the bell
jingling noisily again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
merely shrugged, never having any real respect for divination anyway.
“I hope that's the end of the customers for a while.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
few moments later, they all came out of hiding.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled encouragingly. “Okay gang, let's get on with our
investigation.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
looked eager; Ron looked bummed; Draco looked bored; and as usual,
Hermione looked like she had a brilliant idea. In excitement, she
pointed over at the table – which had a rather plain table cloth
over it in shades of light blue.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
grinned. “Hey look, the table's floating!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
snorted in amusement. “<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Merlin's
palsy shaken hands!</span></span></span> It's the goony ghost!” The
blue face was now clear for all to see in the crystal ball atop the
floating table.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
fake ghost growled threateningly. “You did not <i>do</i> as I said;
now you shall pay!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
table went flying in their direction.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
quickly looked around in concern. “Hey, look out! Duck!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
all flung themselves out of the way.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
squealed as if she was a child at a muggle theme park. “It's after
us!” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
table flew by over their heads and they leapt to their feet to watch
it as it eventually stopped and changed direction to chase them
again. This time, it seemed like a better idea to run away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
– in the lead – cried out a warning. “Here it comes again!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
– left fairly far behind – yelped out: “Yikes!” As the table
nearly ran him over.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione,
now alarmed rather than amused, exclaimed with a shake of her head.
“I've heard of flying saucers, but this is ridiculous!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
so-called ghost – still inside the crystal ball – cackled
ominously. “Run, run, run!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
gang – aside from Greg, who must have flung himself to the floor –
arrived at an exit (not the same door as the entrance with the bell),
and Harry opened it. This action made the table go flying harmlessly
outside. Harry hastily shut the door to keep the table out.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
cheered sarcastically. “We got rid of it! Now what?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
table flew by an open patio door off to the side.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
gulped apprehensively. “Er... We did?” The table flew back into
the room. “Then, like, what's that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
'ghost' laughed triumphantly. He gleefully gave chase once more. This
prompted the gang to go running away from the flying table again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
harrumphed and rolled her eyes. “He's a <i>real</i> joker!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
agreed with his girlfriend's sarcasm. “I'm not laughing!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
cried out when the table got close to them once again: “Duck!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
all squatted and hunched over so that the table went flying over
their heads. It was then that Ron noticed something that made him
shout: “Look out Greg!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
table roughly scooped Greg up so that he was now riding on top of it,
whimpering in fear. The table flew back and forth for a couple of
moments before thoroughly annoying Draco. He pulled out his wand and
cast: “Arresto Momentum!” Which had the rather unfortunate side
effect of the table crashing. Thankfully, despite being under the
wreckage, Greg wasn't hurt.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
gaped at Greg in surprise. “Greg caught the table!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
pointed at the wrecked table. “Man, this thing flew like it was jet
propelled.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
frowned over the fact that Ron correctly used a muggle term. Then he
smirked a bit smugly. “You mean like fan propelled!” Which
brought all of their attention to a common table top fan strapped to
the bottom of the ornately carved wooden table. “See? A fan type
motor gave it the power to fly.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
suddenly looked like he was suffering from indigestion – or more
likely – like he didn't appreciate Harry subtly insulting his
intelligence. As it turned out, Ron was actually concerned for his
friend Greg. “Are you okay, Greg?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
perked up, even though he was still trapped under the table. “Huh?
Oh! I'm okay.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
was now looking toward a corner, pointing excitedly. “Hey look,
suitcases!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
suggested in a dry and reasonable tone – which meant that he was
actually fighting the urge to roll his eyes. “Maybe somebody just
moved in.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
had his hands behind his back, swaying slightly and looking like he
was wondering what to do now. Meanwhile, Harry had his left hand in
his pocket and was looking around as if he suspected that there were
more clues to be found near the ceiling.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
decided to try and crack a joke in response to Draco's sarcasm, but
it was lame. “Then let's move out.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
look what I found,” Draco said, blatantly ignoring Ron as he opened
up a blue case full of jars. “A professional make up kit.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
what's that?” Ron asked as he pointed at an approximately six inch,
rectangular, black Camcorder. “It looks like one of those muggle
thingies – er... a TV camera?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
went over to stand next to him and take a look at it. “You're
right, Ron,” she admitted, sounding surprised.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yeah,”
Ron confirmed a bit proudly. He gave her a brilliant smile and a
quick kiss on the lips. “It's a miniature TV Camera. Hey, smile
Greg!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled and smiled, also a bit proud of himself. “That's how the
'ghost' got on the crystal ball. Closed circuit TV.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
Greg was really overdoing his smile – grinning and hamming it up
for the Camera.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pointed to the crystal ball, which had rolled to a stop at Greg's
feet. “See Greg? That's how you look on TV.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
looked at the ball, realized that he could see himself moving in real
time, and started pulling a variety of wacky faces – such as
growling or sticking out his tongue. He also waggled his eye brows
alternatively.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
a ham!” Ron pronounced with a tone of fond exasperation.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed and tried to hold back his impatience and frustration. “Look,
well, we've got a lot of clues now. Right?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
looked over at him in surprise. “Huh? We do?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
looked deadly serious again. “My sexy boyfriend's right! We now
have enough clues to turn the tables on that 'ghost.' Now, here's
what we're going to do.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Later
on, once they'd driven back to the Kingston Mansion, Greg was walking
along hunched over with a wooden treasure chest about a foot wide on
his back that Ron was holding steady. Ron cupped a hand along the
side of his mouth and called out: “Yoohoo! Mr. Ghost, I'm here with
the fortune. Yoohoo!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greg
echoed: “Yoohoo!” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
stopped abruptly. “Uh-oh!” There was now a blue hand on his
shoulder from behind. He slowly turned his head to look behind him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
so-called ghost of Elias Kingston was looking a bit pleased with
himself. “Ah good! You've brought the fortune. How fortunate for
<i>you</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.” He took the chest off
Greg's back and set it on a nearby task table with a ragged purple
table cloth. “Stay, until I see it with my own eyes.” He opened
the chest to reveal a toy popping up like one from a jack in the box.
The toy was a clown with a plastic flower in its lapel that conjured
water and squirted the Ghost in the eye. He growled angrily. “It's
a trick!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
the same time, Ron and Greg took off running. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I'll
turn you to bones!” The fake ghost called after them threateningly
before giving chase.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
plan's working, Greg,” Ron called out rather needlessly in a
gleeful tone.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You
can't get away!” The 'ghost' shouted.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
hissed urgently at Greg. “Quick! Get behind the curtain.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
made a rather loud scuffling sound just after they disappeared behind
a ceiling-to-floor length purple curtain. A second later, a pair of
thick black shoes came poking out from under the curtain. The 'ghost'
peered at them suspiciously.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Winking
at Greg and cupping his hand along his mouth, Ron said in a loud
stage whisper: “Shh! Greg, I hope the ghost doesn't find us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
'ghost' smirked like he was thinking: <i>heh heh</i>! He rubbed his
right hand over his left fist and prepared to attack or confront
them. He gave them no warning as he put all his strength into
punching his left fist through the curtain, only to howl and wail in
pain when he hit an anvil that the boys had set up specifically for
that purpose.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
grinned and held up his shoes. “Perfecto! I've got my shoes; so
let's join our mates.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
minute or so later, the so called ghost was still crying out in pain
while the entire gang was at the top of a grand but worn out
staircase. It had a rundown wooden balcony at the top to give people
a place to stand as they looked down at the room – which might have
once been a smaller ballroom or perhaps a formal dining room.
Hermione had a projector set up and was smirking conspiratorially at
Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
hear the 'ghost' coming,” Harry informed them, though they could
probably all hear it themselves. “Get ready for phase two.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
turned to look across the balcony, holding up the Camcorder to film
Ron. “All set, Ron?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yeah,
let's go!” Ron responded enthusiastically. He was now running on
top of a small and hastily put together treadmill.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
announced a moment later: “He's in the hall!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded in understanding. “Turn on the projector.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Down
where the fake ghost was – he had thankfully stopped wailing – a
projection of Ron ran around the room. The 'ghost' raised his right
fist above his head and shook it furiously.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stop
or I'll mummify you!” His fist uncurled and he used those fingers
to point at the projection of Ron accusingly. He then scrunched up a
little as he prepared to run after Ron. As he was running – unable
to catch up with the projection of Ron – two more ghosts of him
appeared next to him, as if running with him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
skidded to a stop and stared at them in surprise. “This place
<span style="font-style: normal;">really </span><i>is</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
haunted!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
was now manning the projector. He whispered with a tone of childlike
excitement: “Now watch what he does when he sees the tape of you,
Greg.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah!”
Greg cried out in agreement, looking eager.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
'ghost' gaped fearfully for a second when he noticed a giant ghostly
Greg looming over him. “Oh no!” He exclaimed in terror. The giant
Greg growled menacingly. “That does it!” The 'ghost' cried out
just before he took off running.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
working, Pansy!” Harry gloated to Draco's best friend, who was now
standing next to the gang on the balcony, watching the resolution.
She had capably managed to free herself a while ago and let them know
about the hidden room she'd been held captive in. Draco had hugged
her tight in relief for nearly a minute straight before she rolled
her eyes and pushed him away.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
bloody idiot's going into the secret room where he had me tied up,”
Pansy informed them as they watched the fake ghost run into the
opening behind the bookcase. The cabinet slid shut behind him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Inside
the secret room, the 'ghost' made sure the wall was sealed shut.
“Well, little miss Pansy, I still have you and the fortune shall
yet be mi–” He cut himself off abruptly when he turned around and
realized that he didn't have Pansy tied to a chair behind him, but
rather the purple armchair with the skeleton of her Uncle Stewart.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Clearly
surprised, he roared: “How did that get here?!” Now spooked, he
added: “Let me out of here!” And ran out of the secret room the
moment the sliding wall/cabinet full of books opened again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Here
he comes!” Ron announced excitedly. He was standing on the balcony
with Harry, Draco, and Hermione – all of them holding a net.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
smirked almost evilly. “Salazar! He's running as if a ghost was
after him.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now!
Throw it!” Harry ordered. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Bombs
away!” Ron exclaimed as they threw the net down onto the impostor
ghost. Who fell to the ground with a loud thud and some anguished
struggling. He fell silent when he looked up and saw them watching
him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
guess that about wraps up the ghost story!” Hermione announced
gleefully.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ha
ha, ghost story,” Greg snorted, getting the joke.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
a little while later, the gang was back in the Parkinson Mansion with
Pansy, the 'ghost' tied to a chair, and Mr. Parkinson, who had
finally returned from fetching an Auror. Although, the rather long
delay must have been because the Auror refused to believe or
accompany him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
held up a cleaning rag and said: “Mr. Parkinson, this </span><i>ghost</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
really doesn't </span><i>need</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
any introduction. As soon as we clean him up...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
sprayed a can of cleaner on the 'ghost's' blue face and Harry swished
the rag around the face fairly roughly. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
sure you'll recognize him,” Harry continued with a proud smirk at a
job well done. “There! Look familiar?” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
gasped in recognition. “Uncle Stewart!” The blue was completely
gone, revealing a middle aged man with normal skin color, brown hair,
and a well groomed brown beard. His thick black glasses were on his
face, implying that they had been hidden by the paint somehow.
Probably via a glamour.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Like,
in person,” Ron confirmed with a grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
thought he could scare you into giving up the Parkinson Family
Fortune,” Harry explained, although that part had been rather
obvious since the beginning.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
ghostly wailing was only a recording,” Draco added.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
by a clever use of muggle stage make up, he made himself look old,”
Hermione informed them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">When
I came downstairs to investigate a noise, I saw Uncle Stewart's wig
blow off,” Pansy murmured, sounding like everything was finally
making sense. “I knew he wasn't old!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
he </span><i>had</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> to take you
prisoner?” Mr. Parkinson stated more than asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
shrugged indifferently, and then looked at Draco. “But how did the
Swami shop enter into the scheme?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
better way for a swindler to disappear?” Draco asked, but it was a
rhetorical question.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Uncle
Stewart!” Pansy admonished in deep disappointment. “Why did you
do it?” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Her
father harrumphed before her uncle could say a word. “Well, I guess
he can explain it to the Auror when he gets here.” He then looked
over at the table, which was utterly laden with food. “I bet you
kids are starving.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Salazar
yes!” Pansy exclaimed crankily. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Merlin's
crooked teeth!</span></span><span style="font-style: normal;"> That's
all for me!” Ron insisted, remembering that he hadn't eaten more
than a couple of biscuits in probably six or so hours. He rushed over
to the table before anyone else could to lift up the large cover
keeping the food warm and pest free. Instead of food, he found a note
propped up on a platter that said: </span><i>Gregory Goyle was here</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.
“Hey! What's this? … Gregory Goyle was here. The whole turkey!
Gone?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Greg
popped up with a mischievous smirk at the other end of the table and
held up a single uneaten turkey leg, which he promptly devoured with
obvious enjoyment. “Heh heh heh heh!” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Everyone
groaned, rolled their eyes, and shook their heads. Leave it to Greg
to be three steps ahead of them when it came to food!</span></span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-34041738559534722662016-08-30T02:18:00.002-05:002016-08-30T02:18:49.145-05:00A Change Most Terrifying
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
upon a time, there was a war in the Wizarding World. On the one side,
there was a powerful Lord who championed keeping magic pure and
strong. He ruled through fear and appointed as his generals the
purest and most noble witches and wizards.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On
the other side was a boy. The Boy Who Lived, to be precise. The only
person the Dark Lord could not kill. The person who – in the end –
defeated the Dark Lord and saved the Wizarding World from tyranny and
fear.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sodding
Harry Bloody Potter – Chosen One and Savior. Sigh... And Savior is
an accurate description because no matter how much I didn't deserve
it, he saved my life too. From an out of control fire that would have
killed me in the most horrific way. After that, he saved me from a...
</span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>colleague</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that didn't seem to care that I was related to the Dark Lord's most
trusted – well, trust might be a strong word. Aunt Bella was
unquestionably loyal though.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
was then – completely wandless and on my own – that I decided
that it would probably be for the best if I just found a place to
hide until the battle was over. I mean </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>really</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
what could I do without a wand?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
luck was not on my side. Another so-called colleague found me, and
maybe there were rumors that I had defected, or maybe the Dark Lord
simply wanted to punish my father (and me) and passed out orders to
deal with me. Or </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>maybe</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
these lower ranked Death Eaters just didn't like how close my family
was to the Dark Lord. In any case, this lunatic who wasn't even
bothering to wear a mask found me, and with an insane glint in his
eyes, cornered me and cursed me.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
had no idea what the curse was. I still don't even though I know full
well what the curse </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>does</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
I pray every day that it was something he created himself, because
then the curse died with him. Either way, I'm stuck with it and all
the best Healers agree that there is no way to get rid of the curse.
I simply have to deal with it...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which
is not always easy to do.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
the war, my family managed to get out of trouble – just as it
always does. I'm not ungrateful, but I do feel that it's a bit unfair
that my father is perhaps one of the worst criminals when it comes to
things done in the war, and yet he walked free. Off hiding someplace
warm and far away so that the ministry can't suddenly change its
mind. He honestly doesn't think that he deserves to be in Azkaban.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There
are times when I think that even </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
should be in Azkaban and I thank whatever deity I can that my mother
– perhaps one of the most innocent of the Dark Lord's sympathizers
– was not sent to prison either. She helped Harry Potter, so that
worked in her favor.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
mother has always done everything for me. Even now, I am her biggest
concern. As much as I love it, sometimes I hate it too. Sometimes I
wish she would just leave me alone.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
then there's Harry... The first time I saw him after the war, he came
to Malfoy Manor to return my wand, which he had taken from me at one
point and then used to defeat V-v-v – the Dark Lord. We had a
seriously </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>awkward</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
conversation. We were both trying our best not to argue, and to our
great surprise, we didn't.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
not to say that we agreed on everything. That first meeting between
us after the war was the first time that we had ever had a normal
conversation. We </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>talked</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
About anything and everything that crossed our minds. We bickered
about Quidditch and argued about the future of Wizarding Britain.
That first visit lasted </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>hours</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which
prompted another visit a week later. Harry confessed that he was
tired of people who treated him like he was a hero. The only respite
he had from the attention was when he went to his pseudo family's
house or was home alone. And sometimes, he just wanted to do
something different. So he came to visit me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
mother wanted to turn him away. Apparently, she had kept him away for
weeks before the first time he came over and was apprehensive about
letting him come back. My curse had manifested quite often by that
point, and she was afraid that I might accidentally hurt Harry. Her
concerns were very valid even though they grated on my nerves. I felt
like I was five years old being told that my friends couldn't come
over because I was grounded for being naughty.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fortunately
for me, Harry was able to charm my mother and she wasn't quite able
to say no to him because he was... as you might have guessed... Harry
Potter, Savior of the Wizarding World. Rather handy title, if you ask
me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
some point during the next few months, our conversations led to
kissing. It was clear from almost the very first kiss that Harry
wanted to do whatever I would let him, which was a heady thought. To
be perfectly honest, I wanted him just as badly, but unfortunately, I
was cursed and it might be very dangerous for the both of us if I
lost control. So I pushed him away and told him what I hadn't quite
had the courage to tell him yet.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
I was cursed and that I could not let him go any farther than
kissing. We also agreed that my mother would worry and likely not
allow Harry to come back if we told her what we were doing. So we
kept our sort of relationship a secret.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Healers continued to try to treat me, but of course, nothing worked.
They couldn't even determine what triggered the particularly nasty
effect of my curse, although I had a vague idea. Suffice it to say
that my room as well as the rest of the Manor were now protected by
the most powerful fire proofing charms in existence because when my
curse triggered, I could easily destroy everything and I wouldn't
even know I was doing it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was scary to think about!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
the months passed, I was all alone in my own little world except for
the constant presence of my mother and the fairly regular presence of
Harry. If not for Harry, I may well have lost my mind! I suspect that
he kept me calm enough that my curse remained dormant. Enough that I
trusted him to make a habit out of taking both our shirts off so that
we could stroke and pet each other as we kissed. Nothing </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>too</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
tempting, just a couple of hours of lazy snogging.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
usual, Harry loved the tattoo I had gotten right after the first time
my curse activated – before my mother decided to keep me
practically locked up in the Manor for my own protection. He loved to
play with, stroke, and kiss my tattoo almost as much as he loved to
kiss me. If I'm honest, I love it too, but I couldn't let him do it
too long, because inevitably, I'd want his hands and mouth to go
lower, but that was out of the question. Too risky. I might lose
control.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was currently kissing the inked dragon twisting its way up my side,
from my hipbone to my armpit. It's a Muggle tattoo, so the ink
doesn't move; the gray dragon etched onto my side just stayed exactly
where it was, day in and day out. It was absolutely beautiful to me;
done in countless shades of gray that made the dragon look as if it's
half in shadow. It's not a friendly-looking creature; Harry always
fancied it looked protective somehow, claws holding tightly onto my
skin and pale eye carefully watching should anyone approach. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
first time he saw it, I told him that I did it because it made me
cool. He sort of rolled his eyes at me for that, but didn't argue. I
have no idea why, but I couldn't just admit to him that getting the
tattoo was the only thing I felt I could do to give me just a little
bit of control over my life and my body. I think maybe he understood
anyway.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Have
we got time?” Harry asked, subtly hinting that he wanted to play –
and while I trusted him not to push me too far, I also knew that he
wanted to expand my boundaries just a little. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
were both almost 19 – for Merlin's sake! Of course he wanted his
secret boyfriend to let him go just a little further, and so help me,
I did too. If only I could be sure that my curse wouldn't activate at
the most inopportune and rotten time!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
said she'd be back at three,” I replied, referring to my mother.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took this as permission to lay directly on top of me as we snogged,
my hands in his hair and one of his stroking my side. My shirt was
off but his was still on. It was simply safer to leave a little bit
of clothing between us. But safety wasn't quite on my mind at the
moment. I abruptly tugged his shirt off and tossed it to the side
where mine was laying.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
groaned in appreciation of the feel of his bare chest pressed to
mine, but I was getting dangerously caught up in the moment. I
shifted my hands down to his waist so that I could unfasten his belt
buckle. A moment later, I unzipped his trousers so that I would have
access to grope him – the furthest I have ever let this go.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
sudden knock on the door had Harry leaping off the bed in a mad dash
to grab our shirts – which he tossed at me. Then he frantically
fastened his trousers and fumbled with his belt as the door opened
and my mother stepped into the room. In my panic, I hadn't been able
to untangle my shirt and put it on, so I jumped out of bed and held
it in front of me as I looked to the floor. My cheeks were burning
from embarrassment, and I once again felt like I was five years old
and being caught misbehaving.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco,”
mother said, her voice tight with disapproval. I found that I
couldn't help but cringe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mr.
Potter,” she continued, her voice now trembling with fury. “A
word?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mother,”
I tried to protest, but she shot me a look so closed off and
unwilling to listen to me that I fell silent.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
Harry silently pulled on his shirt and straightened his glasses, my
mother gave me a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>look</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
and snapped: “And we will discuss that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>thing</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
on your side later!” Harry then followed my mother out of the room.
She shut the door behind them so that I couldn't hear, but I pressed
my ear to the door and tried to listen anyway.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
couldn't hear them at first because they were both whispering, but
then Harry must have gotten fed up.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
"I'm not taking advantage," he cried out indignantly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
they argued for a while, too softly for me to hear. Slowly,
stealthily, I opened my door so that I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>could</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
hear them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
I know. And I still want him," Harry replied, sounding a bit
shocked at his own words, as if he couldn't believe that he just said
that to my mother. "I don't care.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
have to care," she snapped angrily. "I will not let
anything happen to him just because you've decided you want a little
danger in your life. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,"
Harry stated stubbornly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm
not leaving." </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
will go," mother insisted, her hand drifting towards her hip,
towards her wand. "You will not come into this house, take
advantage of my son and lie to me –" </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
don't want him to go," I blurted out, surprised to have done so.
Even more surprisingly, no matter how nervous I felt, my voice was
strong and determined.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
of them fell silent and looked at me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
want him to stay,” I clarified, tilting my chin stubbornly in a
very elegant and Malfoy way. I learned this look from my father
before I could walk or talk. "I'm of age; I can decide who I
have in my room." </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
stared each other down for a long time and I could see my mother
quickly calculating everything. She wanted to protect me but she knew
that I was right. I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>am</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of age which meant that I could up and leave if I so choose. The only
reason I haven't yet is because I know that my mother is helping me
keep control over the danger that lurked inside me.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
argued, rather pointlessly in my opinion. I yelled things like: "I
spend twenty hours a day in that room, and if I'm lucky Harry turns
up for one or two of them!" And: “I can't just stay alone for
the rest of my life!” Eventually, I let this embarrassing bit slip
out: "Mother, if he wants me…" </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a sigh, mother suggested that we take this discussion to someplace
more civilized. As she walked away, I grabbed my shirt and pulled it
on. This gave me an excuse to not look at Harry as I mumbled: “I'm
sorry.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
leaned in and gave me a gentle kiss. “Would you want me to stay?"
Harry asked against my mouth, running his fingers through the short
hairs above my ear, as if tucking away an imaginary lock.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
wouldn't want to hurt you," I said with difficulty. "But
yes. Yes, I want you to stay. I always want you to stay, but –"
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
kissed me again. "Come on, we'll talk her round." </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
bloody likely," I muttered and Harry laughed softly, pushing me
forward with a hand in the small of my back. I let him guide me,
trusting him completely. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
Harry first visited me, I was still so angry; tightly wound and
upset; unable to accept what had happened to me. As we've grown
closer, I've grown calmer. Now, I only feel frustrated when he's not
around. I would do whatever it took to keep him by my side.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
we joined my mother in the nearest parlor, staying close to my room
for safety reasons, she tried to distract me. She suddenly wanted to
talk about anything else. Perhaps she thought I'd forget my stance if
we didn't talk about it before it grew late enough that she could
send Harry home for the night.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
talked about my condition. She asked about my tattoo and I confessed
that I'd got it the last time I was allowed out of the house, before
we knew that my curse was permanent and she decided that it was too
dangerous for me to be around other people. Then I insisted that we
talk about the fact that she wanted to send Harry away and never let
him return.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
got angry again when it seemed like she wouldn't listen to reason. “I
fucking wish this had never happened!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Language!”
Mother chided with a sharp look.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was so beyond frustrated and angry that I just snapped. It came out
as an odd laugh. "Or what? You'll ground me? Never let me see my
friends? Fuck, fuck, fuck. Do as you fucking will. The only thing you
can take off me now is my bed!" </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mother
stared at me for a long moment, and then got to her feet. "I
will not talk to you when you're like this," she said, and then
left the room. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
left me alone with Harry, who listened to me rant for a few more
moments before cutting me off with a hard kiss. I couldn't help that
I felt angry and frustrated. Helpless. Useless. Worthless.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
vaguely remember kissing Harry, but it felt a bit like I was on
autopilot with my eyes shut. Something was slowly taking over. I
suspected that it might be my curse, but it had never felt quite like
this before. Previously, it happened so quickly that I didn't really
remember anything but pain.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco?”
Harry questioned, having noticed that something was wrong. It took
far more effort than it should have, but I opened my eyes to look at
him. He looked... distorted... “Fuck!” He exclaimed in panic.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
first thing Harry did was let go of me and sit back, but then he
grabbed my face and tried to get me to focus on him. “Fuck, Draco,
don't you dare do this now,” he cried out desperately, but I
couldn't respond. “Draco, come on Draco – Narcissa!" </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
think he was shaking me, but I'm not exactly sure. Things were
rapidly becoming a blur. My body started to feel like I was in the
shower and someone was perversely alternating the temperature between
freezing cold and boiling hot.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
am pretty sure Harry was trying to drag me back to my room, but the
very last bit of my sanity was concerned that he would get hurt if he
didn't get away from me, so I lashed out at him. Trying to kick him
away. Even so, he didn't give up. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
honestly don't know what happened next, aside from the pain and
screaming. I can only assume that my curse took over and changed me,
because when I finally did have a coherent thought – who knows how
long later – it was to see that Harry was trapped in my room with
me, looking rather terrified and panicked. Can't exactly blame him
since I fucking terrify myself when I'm like this.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
skin had turned to cold hard scales. It's a variegated mottled gray.
My body was now so big that it's lucky that I have a huge bedroom,
and even it seemed like a tight squeeze at the moment. I had leathery
wings and breathed fire.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
mother buggering curse had changed me into a dragon!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
animal instincts had taken control, making me rear up and flex and
stretch my wings even though it damaged the ceiling. I also roared
because my dragon form was elated to finally be allowed out to play.
A startlingly alluring scent caught my attention, bringing me back
down onto all four... feet? Paws? Talons?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not
having the space to move properly and still suffering from a fair bit
of lingering pain, I limped forward and prepared to attack, but then
I stopped. The incredible and tantalizing scent that I just wanted to
devour and breathe in forever belonged to Harry. This realization
gave me just enough control over my dragon form that I reined in the
urge to bite him and find out what his blood tasted like.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Previous
experience told me that I wouldn't remember most of what was
happening right now, but that wasn't really a comfort at the moment.
If my control slipped and I harmed Harry – or worse, killed him –
my human self would </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>never</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
forgive me. I'd have no reason to go on.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
would almost certainly kill myself, which is something I have
considered doing many times. Only my love for my mother has stopped
me before. And Harry. My growing infatuation for Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I stood there – just a foot from Harry, my mouth slightly open as I
breathed in his delicious aroma – Harry seemed to gather up his
courage. He opened his eyes and looked at me. I could hear his heart
hammering in his chest, and the instincts of my dragon were crying
out for me to claw his chest open and lick his heart oh so gently as
it slowly stopped beating.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Horrified,
I firmly forced my dragon urges into a box in the back of my mind.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco...?”
Harry croaked, his knees suddenly giving out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
didn't even think about it, I simply leaned forward and stopped him
from falling by pressing my snout into his chest. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Sweet
Merlin</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
His scent filled my nose stronger than ever and it was all I could do
not to lick him like I was a dog!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
god, it's you," Harry managed to choke out, wiping his eyes with
the back of his hand and struggling to stay upright. "Oh my
god."</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco,”
Harry said again, and the fear in his voice made me pull back
abruptly. I sat on my hind legs and gently flapped my wings at him.
It was the only way that I could communicate, and I hoped that he
understood that I was telling him to leave the room since I couldn't
guarantee that my dragon instincts wouldn't take over and eat him
slowly and with great relish. And </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>fuck</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
He smelled so damn good! </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took a few hesitant steps forward. “How have you done that?"
He asked, his voice trembling. "How –" </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
ducked my head and pushed him back, accidentally sending him
sprawling. Apparently he didn't understand my message and needed me
to get my point across by shoving him out of the room if I had to. He
looked strangely hurt, as if he just watched me kick his puppy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"What
the fuck?" Harry gasped, trying to push himself up. He was
barely on his knees when I shoved at him again, roughly pushing him
with my snout. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stop
it," Harry shouted, shoving back ineffectually at my snout. "If
that's you in there I'm not going anywhere! I said I'd stay with you
so I fucking well will!" </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
was flabbergasted – if a dragon </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>could</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
be flabbergasted. I also felt like my heart was going to burst from
happiness. My dragon immediately irritated the hell out of me by
delightedly insisting that I eat my prey while it was being so very
willing. I swished my tail in agitation and decided that I had better
try again, but Harry countered by going for his wand.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pointing
his wand at one of my eyes, Harry growled as menacingly as he could
considering that he was facing a dragon. “I'm not going anywhere,"
he stated fiercely. "Stop it." </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
found that I couldn't move. There was a battle going on in my head.
Half of me wanted to sink my teeth into Harry; to tear the flesh from
his bones and then chew on and suck the marrow from his bones until
there was nothing left. The other half of me was overjoyed that Harry
was so fucking heroic that he'd literally face a dragon just to be
with me. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
this moment, I wished I was cursed to change into a dog instead. If I
was, I'd promptly roll over and insist that he rub my belly while I
licked his face and hands. And then I could chew on his fingers and
lick the blood that pours from them until – oh wait, that's my
dragon half again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Slowly,
I lowered my head to let him know that I understood and that I would
do my absolute best to keep my dragon half under control and </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
eat him. Not even a little. Not even a tiny bite.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took a cautious step forward and I was so happy that my wings flapped
without my conscious desire to make them. That made him pause, but
then he continued. When he could, he knelt before me and ran his
trembling hand all over my snout – a look of near wonder mixed with
fear in his eyes as he discovered what my new skin felt like.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unexpectedly,
he suddenly looked a bit overwhelmed. Getting to his feet, he took a
step back, but now that my dragon half had accepted that he couldn't
eat Harry, he had decided that just having him very close was enough.
That way, we could smell Harry as much as we wanted. So, without
thinking, I grabbed his shirt with my teeth and yanked him forward.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of
course, fine movements are rather beyond me at the moment, so Harry
fell to the floor and his wand went flying. The moment he sat up, I
roughly pulled him to my side and curled around him, like I was a dog
curling in on myself as I laid down to go to sleep. Only it was also
a bit like I was a child clutching a teddy bear.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
ended by gently placing my head in Harry's lap, making him laugh
unexpectedly. Only it was one of those laughs that's equal parts
crying. He even had tears running down his face. I wished I could
comfort him, but I didn't dare so much as lick him in case my dragon
half took that as an invitation to bite him too.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Alright,
I said I'd stay so I'll stay," Harry said, and I found myself
making a noise that sounded oddly like a purr, a rumble deep in my
chest that Harry must feel vibrating his entire body. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
ran his hand down my head, between my eyes and along my nose. My
nostrils flared and my eyes closed, so Harry repeated the motion and
we both felt another rumbling purr vibrate through our bodies.
Harry's fear was fading; I could tell because his heartbeat was
slowly returning to normal. I was glad and tempted to lick him again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
leaned forward, draping himself over the top of my head and resting
his cheek against my flat, silvery scales; placing one palm against
my jaw and the other near his own face atop my head. I moved my head
minutely and the rumbling noise in my chest continued, now oddly
comforting. I could feel myself drifting off to sleep. It was no
surprise that I'd be tired since the transformation must be a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>huge</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
drain on my magic – and thus my energy in general.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
seemed like only a moment had passed, but...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
next thing I knew, Harry was kissing my forehead. I shifted in my
half sleep, slinging one leg over his legs. This caught my attention.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry?”
I whispered hoarsely, still not opening my eyes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
I'm here,” Harry whispered back, sounding rather emotional.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
happened?" I wondered, my voice and my body trembling. "I –
I remember not being able to talk, and you were shouting my name-"
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
changed," Harry told me, holding me tight, his mouth brushing my
temple as he spoke. "And you recognized me. Didn't hurt a hair
on my head." </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
– what?” I asked in confusion. While it is true that I never
remembered much after one of my transformations, he couldn't be
telling the truth because he was still </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>here</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
With me. Not dead!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
laughed and pulled me even closer for a brief moment. "You
changed, but you were still you. I've been with you all night,"
he said, then pushed himself up onto his elbow. I sat up shakily as
well, and then realized that I was utterly naked. I pulled my legs up
as I felt my cheeks turn a blotchy pink from embarrassment. This was
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
how I pictured Harry seeing me naked for the first time!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I asked about my mother, Harry helped me to my feet, and then held
the blanket just a little off my bed so that I could slide in and
cover up. This made me want to hug him for being sweet and
gentlemanly – bloody Gryffindor! As he was tucking me in, my mother
arrived to check on us.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
short conversation ensued, and she was so relieved that we were both
fine that she relented and gave permission for Harry to stay with me
before she left. Harry wasted no time joining me in bed. His hands
stroked my dragon tattoo, staying in areas he had prior permission to
touch. I wondered if he was thinking about the fact that I had drawn
– for my tattoo – what I looked like in dragon form; the best I
could considering that I had to watch one of my mother's memories in
a pensieve in order to see it. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'd
actually </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to see it to believe the curse was real at first, but then after I'd
seen it, my mother's terrified but loving expression made total
sense.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
thought occurred to me as I was drifting back off to sleep. “Now I
know what I need to do next time I want to get my own way," I
joked, my voice sounding like I was holding back a yawn. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shook his head – and probably rolled his eyes. Then he tucked my
head under his chin and promised to kiss my dragon tattoo later on.
He sounded sleepy too, which made me wonder how long we'd slept on
the floor for if we were both still so tired.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
pressed a couple of light kisses to the hollow between his
collarbones, feeling calmer and more at peace than I could ever
remember feeling before. I had my Harry here in my arms and he had
every intention of staying with me despite knowing exactly what
terrible danger lurked inside me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a happy sigh, I fell asleep.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">When
I woke later that morning, the sun was streaming in through my
windows so strongly that I suspected that it must be close to noon.
More importantly, Harry was still in bed with me. I could have
squealed from happiness, but Malfoys </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>do
not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
squeal.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Instead,
I let my hands roam all over Harry's body. Sadly, he was still
dressed while I was embarrassingly naked. I decided that this was
just not on and needed to be remedied immediately.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
moaned sleepily as I unzipped his trousers and slipped a hand inside
them. He squirmed into my hand and moaned again. Seriously impatient,
I grabbed my wand from under my pillow and banished all his clothes
to the other side of the room. Much better!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
hands immediately returned to where they had been. Now that Harry was
naked, I could feel how smooth and silky his hard shaft was. Looks
like someone was having an interesting dream! I stroked him slowly,
playfully, until he gasped in surprise and opened his eyes to look at
me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
morning,” I greeted him softly, and then gave him a kiss.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>very</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
good morning!” Harry agreed with a grin. His hands roamed my body
until they came to rest on my rigidly erect shaft. Our breaths came
out hot and heavy as we wanked each other. This was a test to my
theory...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
had noticed that every time I transformed in the past, it was usually
preceded by strong emotions of anger, frustration, and even fear. It
had never happened – that I remember – when I was calm and in
control. Which might be one of the reasons that Harry had never
witnessed my change into a dragon before; he tended to make me calm.
Cheerful. Happy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
now, my mother – who must also suspect that I changed when I lost
control of my temper – must have decided that the key was losing
control, full stop. She probably thought that the emotion I lost
control of didn't matter. Thus she had warned me not to have sex of
any sort with anyone (before she found out about Harry and me
yesterday) because she hypothesized that an orgasm would trigger a
change.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
yes, that had been an </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>excruciating</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
conversation!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
any case, I had listened to her because I didn't want to risk her
being right. That said, I'd wanked from time to time with no
transformations... that I knew of... So I figured that it should be
safe enough for the two of us to use our hands on each other.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happily,
Harry was in complete agreement. I think he might have a bit more
experience at wanking than me because his hand felt like sheer heaven
on my shaft! I was having trouble concentrating on returning the
favor.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
knees started shaking and I could feel the telltale signs gathering
at the base of my spine. To my surprise, Harry went first, coating my
hand with his spunk, along with our stomachs. I found this so erotic
that I followed him, a low and prolonged groan escaping me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
I could even catch my breath, Harry kissed me, his tongue swirling
around mine slowly. Searchingly. I felt my groin tug as if it wanted
to keep going, but I ignored it for now.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
we snogged, I tried to remember when was the last time I'd kissed
anyone other than Harry. It had been... over a year ago. About a
month or two before the final battle, I'd shagged someone, probably
Blaise. It had been a quick way to relieve stress. I remember
thinking at the time that he was a good kisser, but honestly, those
kisses had been </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>nothing</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
compared to these. I could stay right here in bed forever if it meant
that I could keep snogging Harry!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
then his stomach growled hungrily. Harry pulled back with a blush.
“Sorry...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
smiled at him. “Don't worry, I'm sure that we can order breakfast
in bed.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds good,” Harry moaned blissfully.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
if on cue, a house elf arrived with a fancy note card which he
respectfully handed to me before leaving. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>My
darling son, please resist the temptation to linger in bed all day
and join me for tea at your convenience. Harry is welcome to stay and
join us.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
grinned and handed the note to Harry. He read it with a light blush.
“Do you think she had one of the house elves spying on us so that
she'd know when we woke up?” He asked in a whisper, looking around
as if he expected a house elf to be lurking in a corner.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
laughed. “Probably not. Er Maybe? I might have to ask, actually.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
made Harry laugh and give me another slow and lingering kiss. “She
did say at our convenience,” Harry murmured. “Which means we have
time to finish snogging first.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
was rather hoping that he would say that!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
I was wondering,” Harry informed me unexpectedly as we were curled
up on a blanket in the garden, looking up at the gorgeous dusky sky
on the day before my 19</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
birthday. “Have you ever </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>tried</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to change on purpose before?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
would I do that?!” I asked, aghast.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think that it might make a big difference,” Harry suggested with a
shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
sighed heavily. “Harry, my mother has only been letting me out of
the house for about a month now. If she thought for a second that I
was considering changing </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>on
purpose</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
I really think that she'd lock me in my room for the rest of time.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was Harry's turn to sigh. “Just think about it, alright? Try it
when you're all alone in your room so that you can't hurt anyone, but
try it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Why</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?”
I questioned a bit incredulously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Because
the way it stands right now, you're so terrified of changing, of
turning into a dragon and hurting someone, that you're letting your
mother keep you a prisoner in your own home,” Harry explained
softly, giving me a calm but serious look. “I really think that if
you learn to do it when you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>want</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to do it; when you are in control of it, you'll learn not to be so
afraid of it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm...”
I hummed in thought, not quite ready to admit that it made some
sense. “I'll think about it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good,”
Harry stated, and then started kissing me for the first time in about
a half an hour. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
moaned happily and tangled my fingers in his wild black hair. I am
rather alarmingly becoming addicted to having him in my arms.
Pressing my nose to his neck, I took a deep breath and felt my inner
dragon perk up with interest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Lick
bite drink</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
he urged. With a smile, I ignored him. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Smell
him again?</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
My inner dragon asked tentatively. I inhaled for so long that I grew
dizzy from it. Then I decided to compromise by licking and nipping at
Harry's neck, giving him dark love bites that marked him as mine.
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mine...</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
my dragon growled possessively. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Ours</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
I suggested. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Ours</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
he agreed, content to remain in the background and purr as I kissed
Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled against my lips. He took a moment to kiss each of my eyes, and
then tapped a finger against my chest. “You're purring and your
eyes have shifted back and forth a couple of times, so I know you're
considering what I said. I'm glad because I really think it will help
you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
eyes shifted?” I inquired in confusion.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Harry responded with a serene smile. “I've noticed it happen from
time to time. Your eyes are normally a soft shade of gray, but when
you're a dragon, it's your skin and scales that are gray while your
eyes are golden yellow with reptilian slits. At times when you are
calm and definitely you, I'll see your eyes change as if the dragon
is taking a look around for a moment.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh?”
I didn't know that. “Hmm... I'll have to think about that too.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
do that,” Harry whispered against my lips before kissing me again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
responded by running a hand up inside his shirt. His hand drifted
down to my trousers. A house elf arrived, squeaked in dismay, and
handed me a note card.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Darling,
if you're going to do that, please do it in the privacy of your room
as opposed to right out in my garden where I tend to look while
sipping on my tea.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
didn't know whether to groan in frustration or laugh at the thought
of her spitting out her tea when she looked out the window and saw us
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>in
flagrante delicto</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Harry giggled and did his best to </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
look to the window she was likely watching us from.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come
on,” I invited, getting to my feet and holding a hand out to Harry.
“Let's go back to bed.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
an excellent suggestion,” Harry agreed with a grin as he got to his
feet. “We can eat dinner, play a card game, and just generally chat
until midnight, and then I can try to wow you for your birthday.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
provoked a groan of longing from me and I felt my dragon perk up with
interest again. We both definitely liked this idea. In fact, tonight
might just be a good night to let Harry shag me. Or me shag him. Not
sure which one sounds more appealing. Who knows? Maybe we can do it
both ways. Oh yes, this idea was worth exploring!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
see, you're doing it again,” Harry pointed out, brushing his
fingers very gently from my forehead down my eyes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm...”
I moaned, feeling filled to the brim with lust. “Then it probably
happens whenever both me and my dragon want you so badly that I can
barely think straight.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
often?!” Harry asked in surprise.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Suddenly,
I didn't want to go back to my room. Grabbing Harry's hand, I pulled
him to a far more private place at the back of the garden. This was
an alcove set up a long time ago for chaperoned visits between young
ladies and courting gentlemen. I'm willing to bet that my mother saw
us come here and was even now writing another note letting us know
that even though she couldn't see us, this was still not an
appropriate place for a shag.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not
that I really cared at the moment. However, that's not what I had in
mind. I had this powerful feeling in my chest that nearly overwhelmed
me. A feeling that Harry might be right...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Taking
a deep breath, I stared Harry in the eyes and felt myself go into a
light trance. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Alright
dragon, if you can promise me that you won't harm so much as a hair
on Harry's head, I'll let you out to play for a bit.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
inner dragon sat up to full attention at that. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Play</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?!
He sounded so eager that I smiled. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I
promise, no hurting our Harry</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
moment later, I felt my entire body ripple. A sensation like cold
water pouring over me made me shiver, and then I warmed right back up
as a fire seemed to travel along my spine. Bones shifted, seeming to
melt. To my astonishment, there was no unbearable pain. Yes, it was
still disconcerting and uncomfortable, but not truly painful. It felt
a bit like... stretching and contracting.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I was done, I flexed my wings and turned around in circles to try to
get a good look at my dragon body. As I had changed, I heard Harry
gasp, but didn't really pay any attention to him. Now he put a hand
on the spot where my wing met my shoulder and stroked me reverently.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Draco</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...”
he exhaled in awe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Apparently
my inner dragon took the suggestion of </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>play</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
seriously. I bounded around a bit like an overeager puppy for a few
minutes, purposely trying to knock Harry off balance every 30 seconds
or so. He took this in stride, laughing and running around with me
like we were playing tag.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Suddenly,
I caught a whiff of a new smell and whipped around to snarl at the
intruder. One of the house elves squealed in terror and flung himself
to the ground. I continued to growl at him even though I felt bad for
scaring him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wilfy
is being sorry, Master Draco! Mistress Narcissa sent Wilfy to ask
what Master wishes to eat for his birthday dinner tomorrow!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
stepped between me and the Wilfy. “Master Draco says that he will
answer your question later. Please go assure Mistress Narcissa that
everything is under control and Master Draco is just fine.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes...
Master Harry Potter, sir,” Wilfy managed to say despite his clear
terror. He promptly left.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
was impressed. The strange thing was that he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>knew</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that there was nothing to fear from house elves, and yet his dragon
self could not stop from growling at the poor creature. And it wasn't
a protective growl or a warning growl, it was a clear and definite
growl of: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>leave
me alone now or I will bite you in half.</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Which would be a tragic waste of a very valuable house elf.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shaking
off the interruption, I turned back to Harry, burying my snout in his
chest as I inhaled deeply. Then I started purring, giving into the
temptation to lick him. He choked back a gasp, and then looked at the
damp patch on his shirt.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can't decide if that is you being friendly or you wanting to eat me,”
Harry remarked wryly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both!
Thankfully, he couldn't hear me thinking. I'm really not sure what he
would think if he knew that my dragon half was constantly urging me
to bite him. I licked him again, this time on his neck. He shuddered
uncontrollably, and I instinctively understood that this was because
he was more than a little repulsed by my long and snakelike tongue.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Changing
tactics, I carefully used my teeth to grab his shirt and jerk him
toward my side.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you going to curl around me again and take a nap?” Harry asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of
course, I couldn't answer him verbally, so I did the next best best
thing. I crouched and tried once more to nudge him to my side. It
took him a moment to work out what I wanted.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Do...
Draco, do you want me to get on your back?” Harry asked a bit
breathlessly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
snorted out a long plume of hot flame. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Is
that a yes or a no?” Harry asked warily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
dipped my head in a short nod.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
alright, I'll try it,” Harry said and carefully climbed onto my
back. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
waited patiently for him to settle into a secure position, and then
for the very first time since I was cursed, I took off running until
I could leap into the air and take flight. To my relief, I had the
power and strength necessary to carry Harry as I flew around. Not so
unexpectedly, Harry whooped with joy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Flying
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
always been one of his favorite pastimes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not
having anywhere in particular to go, I confined my flying to the
property around the Manor. It was great fun to soar and plummet; to
sway side to side; to form a vast infinity sign in the sky. I loved
the feel of Harry clinging to my back. He was clearly enjoying most
of it, although the plummeting seemed to cause him some apprehension.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eventually,
I started to feel a bit tired. As I came back down to the ground, I
noticed my mother watching us. She was standing at the edge of the
garden and looked torn between worry and wonder. I purposely landed
right in front of her.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
looked at me for a long moment, and then watched Harry slide from my
back. Her smell was tinted with fear, worry, and even a little bit of
pride. My need to reassure her was stronger than anything else at the
moment, so I told my dragon that playtime was over.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
grumbled for a moment, but actually didn't argue because he was
tired. I felt him recede, my body going cold, hot, and then melty all
over again. When it was over, I stood before my mother, naked as the
day I was born.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rather
than let me feel embarrassed, she burst out in tears of relief and
joy, flinging her arms around me. “Oh my precious boy!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
returned her tight hug. “I'm alright. I'm just fine.” And better
yet, I remembered everything. Hopefully, I'll still remember it after
I get a good night's sleep. Speaking of, a huge yawn escaped me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!”
Mother exclaimed as if she was a hostess who had forgotten her
duties. “Of course you need your rest! Go on.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
pulled free from her with a nod of agreement. Without another word,
she kissed my cheek and then Disapparated. I turned to Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
was amazing!” Harry crowed joyously as he also threw his arms
around me. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
all because of you,” I whispered, feeling awed. “You keep me...
myself. You're right, I needed that. I... I'm not afraid anymore.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a smile of something that looked suspiciously like pure love, Harry
brushed some hair out of my face. “I'm glad.” Then he kissed me
so passionately that my toes literally curled. Merlin help me! I
think I'm might be hopelessly in love with this man!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Entwining
my fingers with his, I tilted my head toward the house. “Come on,
let's go to bed. You can work on wowing me like you promised.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
grinned, and without a word, Apparated us both straight to my bed.
Unfortunately, my extreme use of magic and energy caught up with me
and I passed out. As I did, I heard Harry chuckle. He tucked me in,
promising to wow me tomorrow.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
that to look forward to, I'm certain I grinned all night.</span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-84962794922993578322016-07-27T22:26:00.000-05:002016-07-27T22:26:09.310-05:00Growing Up Potter - Part Six
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mother</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...”
Padma growled. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All
I'm saying is that I don't understand why you two insist on living
here,” Mrs. Patil pointed out. “It'll be hard enough finding
husbands now that you have babies. The fact that you are living with
their father will likely scare away any suitable man who is
interested.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mum!”
Parvati hissed. “This is not something we should be discussing
now!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mrs.
Patil waved her hand to indicate everyone sitting at the massive
table. “I'm sorry if I am embarrassing you, but it needs to be
said, and when else can I say it? You wouldn't speak to me for more
than five minutes a day via firecall!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
because you keep nagging us to get married!” The twins burst out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mrs.
Patil ignored their outburst. “And you didn't even invite me here
to witness the birth of my grandchildren. At least the Malfoy boy had
the decency to invite his parents!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Narcissa
reached across the table to take Mrs. Patil's hand. “It may be true
that we were here for the birth, but as I understand it, you at least
found out about this whole situation before it was reported on in the
paper. We had no idea until we opened the Daily Prophet that day.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
didn't?!” Mrs. Patil asked in horror. She turned to look at Draco.
“Shame on you! Do you have any idea how a mother worries about her
children?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mum!”
The Patil twins cried out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
shut it!” Pansy roared, getting to her feet and slamming her hand
on the table. “At least your parents care about you! So what if
they're terrible nags and controlling pricks! At least they're here!”
She clutched Pearl to her chest as she extricated herself from the
long bench. Then she stomped out of the room.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pans!”
Draco called after her. He thrust Scorpius into his mother's arms,
and then rushed after his best friend.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Molly
cleared her throat. “Eat up, there's plenty more. Shall I brew
another pot of tea?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was a general murmuring of denial, and then Padma sighed. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Listen,
mum,” Padma said, obviously trying to be patient. “I'm not
planning to get married anytime soon. I'm in training to be a Healer
and I have a new baby to look after. I simply don't have </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>time</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to date!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Me
neither!” Parvati added.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
let us arrange a marriage for each of you!” Their mother insisted.
“I'll do all the work and then you'll be happily married.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Parvati
let out a prolonged groan as she pulled on her hair. She decided to
utterly scandalize her parents. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Fine,</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
if you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>insist
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">on
making me say it out loud... I am perfectly </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>happy</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
in my shared relationship with Harry! I live here with him because
there's nowhere else I'd rather live. He's family!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled politely at Mrs. Patil. “That much is very true. I consider
Padma and Parvati to be precious members of my family. With them
living here, all the babies will grow up knowing each other, and the
ten of us? Well, we look out for each other.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly!”
Padma exclaimed. Then she frowned ever so slightly. “Oh, looks like
one of your twins is starting to fuss. Do you need me to feed him,
Harry?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,
I think this one actually needs to be changed,” Harry murmured.
“Would you mind holding James so that I can take care of Al?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Padma
reached across the table. “Sure, and I'll keep a hold of him so
that you can eat more. Though I must say that I'm impressed by your
wordless and wandless levitation charm work.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled. “It's the only way that I'm going to have a third hand
when needed!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Andromeda
kissed Harry's cheek and took Albus before Harry could get up. “You
eat; </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'll</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
change the baby.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lucius
was now holding Scorpius and looked mildly upset. “He's not in need
of a change, but he's fussing.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He's
hungry,” Luna observed. “Usually Pansy feeds him, but I can do
that.” She passed Pandora over to her father so that she could take
Scorpius. She then pulled one breast over the top of her shirt and
helped him latch on.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lucius
looked away, a bit ashamed to feel a blush sting his cheeks.
“Shouldn't do that where everyone can see it,” he muttered under
his breath.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
all heard him and ignored him. Ginny even went so far as to loudly
exclaim: “Oh! Looks like Lily's hungry too!” Then she also pulled
out a breast and held her baby to it. Lily sucked so greedily that
Ginny inhaled a pained breath. “Does this ever get better?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Molly
clucked sympathetically. “Yes and no. I was nursing for so many
years that I'm not entirely sure if it stopped hurting or if I just
got used to the pain.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Narcissa
took everyone in the room by surprise when she spoke. “It shouldn't
hurt. I know the recipe to a salve that has been passed down through
my family for generations that will help. Not even Andromeda knows
it, although she might know of something similar.” Narcissa
shrugged. “I can make some and bring it by later on. I didn't think
to do so already because, well, Draco won't be needing it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
Ginny could respond to the rather shocking and unexpected offer, Mrs.
Patil drew everyone's attention again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Parvati!
That is not the correct way to nurse a baby! You'll get sore nipples
and probably mastitis!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mum,”
Parvati growled. “I'm nursing just fine; see?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mrs.
Patil simply rolled her eyes and reached over to adjust the way her
daughter held the baby. A second later, Parvati looked surprised.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...
I can </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>feel</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the difference!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
clearly need to leave the room,” Lucius remarked once he found that
he really couldn't look around without seeing a breast with a child
attached to it. He was happy that he'd finished eating. Sheer manners
kicked in. “Thank you for this excellent meal, Mrs. Weasley.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
are very welcome, Mr. Malfoy,” Molly replied politely, but with a
warm smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come,”
Arthur invited, getting to his feet. “Why don't we men move to the
parlor where we can sit in comfort and wait for all these babies to
finish their breakfast.” This was purely a diplomatic gesture since
he was completely comfortable with public breastfeeding after
fathering seven children. Lucius, Mr. Patil, Xenophilius Lovegood,
Ron, and Mr. Granger took his suggestion, most seeming eager to
escape the room.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
left Harry in a room full of women. He would have been disgruntled by
Ron abandoning him, but a quick look proved that Ron was actually
trying to help his dad out a bit, so Harry couldn't stay mad. Even
so, he felt a bit embarrassed to be the only man in the room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Andromeda
returned with Albus and handed him back to Harry. “I'll go look in
on Pansy now,” she murmured, kissing Harry on the cheek. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks
Gran!” Harry called after her, giving her a big grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Susan,
Hannah, Luna, Ginny, and Hermione had taken their tops off completely
now that the uncomfortable men were out of the room. Susan looked
over at Harry. When she saw that he was rubbing noses with a fussy
Albus, she grinned.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
trade babies with you, Harry,” Susan offered. “Little Amelia has
finished eating and is dozing off, and it looks like Albus is getting
hungry.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks
Suze!” Harry stated. He then walked over to Susan to make the
exchange.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mum,
you're just going to have to hold Rose for me!” Hermione burst out
in frustration. “Hugo is squirming too much for me to keep a hold
on both of them while they nurse. She'll probably fuss, but I'll
finish feeding her in a few minutes.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mrs.
Granger took Rose and delighted in kissing her all over.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Actually,”
Hannah interrupted. “Remus is more asleep than he is eating, so I
could feed Rose for you,” she suggested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
would be great!” Hermione accepted with a grateful smile. Her
mother decided to switch babies and cuddle with the little boy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
sort of name is Remus anyway?” Mrs. Granger asked curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hannah
smiled. “He was one of my favorite Professors. Not my </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>favorite</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Professor, but I liked him a lot. However, I really thought I was
having a girl, so I didn't think of any boy names,” she ignored
Hermione's muttered: I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>told</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you that you should have asked what sex the baby was! “So when I
had to name a boy, Harry suggested Remus because the Professor was
very close to Harry. Harry's the Godfather to Remus' baby Teddy.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Who
was currently taking a nap, although he had been running around quite
loudly earlier. Mrs. Granger frowned in thought. She looked around
the room for a moment.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Teddy
is that little boy with the constantly changing hair, right?” She
asked, frowning when she realized that he wasn't in the room. “Where
are his parents anyway?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
wasn't the only one to sigh sadly, but she was the one to answer her
mother. “They both died in the War. Teddy lives here with us
because his Grandmother Andromeda decided to come live with Harry for
many reasons. The best reason is that Teddy will grow up loved among
many children rather than mostly alone.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
see,” her mother murmured, and then fell silent.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
exclaimed softly in triumph. “Hooray, now that Lily is asleep, I
can take a bath! Mum, will you keep an eye on her?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course love!” Molly stated with a tone like she was amazed Ginny
thought she had to ask.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!
Mine too!” Luna insisted, handing Pandora to Molly and Scorpius to
Narcissa. “A bath sounds lovely!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
and Draco both entered the room just then, Andromeda a step behind
them. “I'd kill for a bath,” Pansy murmured. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Andromeda
took Pearl from her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Go on then.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you coming, Draco?” Pansy asked, slipping her hand in his.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked over to find his mother holding his son. “Will you be
alright with him?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course,” Narcissa assured him with a smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
yes, Pans, I definitely need a bath too,” Draco stated.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Call
Ron back in here to hold Hugo so I can join you!” Hermione called
after them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
big is this bathtub?!” Mrs. Granger asked incredulously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
snickered, knowing that her mother was scandalized but trying to hold
it back. “The tub is plenty big enough for all of us. We could even
bring the babies, but I am positive that none of us wants to risk an
accidental drowning just yet.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
should just conjure a couple of bassinets and let our mothers watch
over the sleeping babies,” Padma suggested, and then did exactly
that. She and Parvati each lay a baby in the bassinet, but since one
of them was James, this meant that Padma's actual baby was currently
in Mrs. Patil's hands.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
not seriously going to take a bath with a man, are you?!” Mrs.
Patil asked her daughter incredulously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We're
19, mum,” Parvati pointed out. “And we have babies. I am pretty
sure that you can assume that we've seen naked men before. Especially
these two.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Padma
chuckled at their mother's expression. “And actually, it's so much
easier to all bathe at one time than to have to wait all day for the
bath to free up.” She then smiled at Harry. “You coming?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Susan
and Hannah had also conjured bassinets and were now baby free and
tugging on Harry's arms. “Come on!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
not sure I could stay awake long enough to take a bath,” Harry
protested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cheer
up!” Parvati encouraged him. “Even if you fall asleep in the tub,
your last sight will be of a naked Draco.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Washing
up,” Padma added with a smirk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry's
eyes glazed over for a moment, and then he perked up. “Er, yeah! I
think I will have that bath!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
room was silent for a moment after they left before Molly giggled.
“I'm not sure that I'll ever get used to the fact that my daughter
regularly bathes with two men who are so besotted with each other
that they don't even notice her anyway!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Narcissa
snorted in amusement. “Imagine how I feel knowing that my son is
sort of the half father to 12 babies and seems to know all the
mothers quite intimately.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Molly
laughed. “I can imagine actually as I do think of Harry as one of
my own. When he and Ginny explained what had happened, I was tempted
to cast an infertility spell on Harry to prevent him from doing
anything like this in the future!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mrs.
Patil snorted, sounding pleased with this idea. “That would have
only been a fitting punishment!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mrs.
Granger frowned. “Would that actually matter? As I understand it,
the lust and fertility potions they were given were so potent that it
would override an infertility spell anyway.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Molly
tilted her head to the side and looked at Mrs. Granger curiously.
“I'm not sure, actually. I assume that Hermione told you that?”
At the nod of her head, Molly continued. “Well, she would know.
She's not only the smartest witch I've met, but she's the one that
did all the research on what happened. I should probably contact
Minerva to see if I can take a look at that diary.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mr.
Weasley entered the room with the rest of the men.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Where's
Ron?” Molly asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Arthur
shrugged. “Apparently taking a bath with Harry.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Him
too?” Mrs. Patil asked, holding her hands to her face in mild
shock.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Him
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>too</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?”
Arthur wondered curiously, not sure who else was being referred to.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Molly
giggled. “They're </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
in the bath!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All
of them?” Lucius reiterated as he looked around the room and found
it full of sleeping babies and women looking after them. He was also
surprised to find his wife and her sister eyeing each other
speculatively. Both seemed impressed by the other's willingness to
accept this bizarre situation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
silence was awkward now that none of them had children in the room to
talk to or harass.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
er...” Molly fumbled to find something to talk about. “Anyone
want more tea?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes!”
Mrs. Patil cried out in relief.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tea
would be lovely,” Narcissa agreed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
I was saying,” Arthur stated as if he had been in the middle of a
conversation. “England United is the most likely to win the
Quidditch Cup this year.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
disagree, Bulgaria is clearly still the favorite,” Lucius argued.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
broke the ice and led to a surprisingly in depth debate on the
various teams and their chances at winning the World Cup.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
in the bathtub, 11 exhausted new parents – including Ron who was a
parent because of his relationship with Hermione – were soundly
asleep.</span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-37725892631783202022016-07-24T19:14:00.002-05:002016-07-27T22:26:59.083-05:00Growing Up Potter - Part V<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sat up in bed with a gasp. “Oh Merlin's repugnant flat nose and
horrid red eyes!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think that was the Dark Lord,” Draco corrected sleepily, rubbing
his eyes. “Actually, I'm sure of it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Jesus Mary and Joseph!” Harry cried out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Who?”
Draco wondered with a frown.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ow
ow ow ow ow ow ow ow! Oh mother fucking son of a bitch! Just kill me
now!” Harry was rocking back and forth as he cradled his stomach in
his arms.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
finally caught Draco's attention and he sat up. He watched Harry with
deep concern. “Harry?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Seriously
Draco! Find your wand and Avada Kedavra me right now!” Harry
insisted, curling forward even more. “Fuck it! I think I'm dying
anyway!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was far more scared than he had ever been in his life. He stumbled
out of bed and waddled toward the door as fast as he could. A soft
curse escaped him when he stubbed his toe.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ANDROMEDA!”
Draco shouted at the top of his lungs. “Harry says he's </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>dying</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!!!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,
must have gone into labor then,” Ginny remarked from the doorway of
her bedroom down the hall.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From
the room behind him, Draco – and likely the whole house – heard
Harry let out a low roar of pain that continued on for eons. Draco
felt all the blood drain from his body and nearly fainted. Pansy
caught him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I've
got you,” she assured her best friend.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Andromeda
had finally emerged from the bedroom she shared with Teddy on the
first floor, and was now rushing up the stairs. “I'm coming love,
calm down!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
sat Draco in a chair and firmly told him to: “Stay there!” She
had just enough training by this point that she could assist
Andromeda as needed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Andromeda
entered the room and tossed her medical bag on the bed. She promptly
used her wand to scan him. “Yes, he's definitely in labor. Those
babes need to come out now. Pansy? Please give him a pain potion and
a numbing potion.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
Ma'am,” Pansy responded, complying quickly. As she did so,
Andromeda used the strongest medical grade cleaning spells possible
to disinfect her arms. When Harry's cries calmed down a little, she
cast a very precise cutting hex across the bottom of his abdomen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
had to look away as he was sure the sight was going to make him vomit
in short order if he didn't. He felt dizzy, and the room seemed to be
spinning. Just when he thought he was going to faint for sure, he
felt a hand slip into his.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
a few more minutes,” Hermione assured him. She rubbed his back
sympathetically. “Andromeda is working really fast, so it will be
over in practically no time.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
stood on Draco's other side, but he was facing the wall. “I can't
watch either.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked up at Hermione. “You don't look so well.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
was pale and a bit shaky, but gave him a tiny but genuine smile. “I'm
fine. Just tired.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
watched something ripple across her face, her eyes closing briefly as
she held her breath. “Are you sure?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Positive,”
she affirmed breathily. Then she decided that this would be a good
distraction for Draco after all. “Unlike with a male pregnancy –
that is created and sustained by potions and magic – mine is
normal. This means that when the magic or fate or whatever decides
that it is time for the male pregnancy to progress to labor – it
does. Bam! So long as someone can cut him open and pull the babies
out, everything is fine and it's soon done with.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
took a breath, still rubbing Draco's back with one hand as she held
his hand with her other. “It might be painful – from what I could
see and hear – but it's over quickly. As for me, well, I have to go
through labor and delivery the normal way. My contractions are
minutes apart and may only be practice contractions at this point. It
could still be days before I go into active labor.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,”
was all Draco could think to murmur before a tiny wail distracted
him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
healthy as expected!” Andromeda announced. “Hold him close and
keep a monitoring charm on him, Pansy.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
nodded and cast the charm. The babies were born early, although at 32
weeks they could survive without magical help. Even so, often these
babies that were considered full term but early had trouble
maintaining their temperature. Pansy's current job was to see if this
was the case.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
she did so, Andromeda pulled the second baby from the womb and handed
him to Padma – who was also studying to become a Healer. Padma
promptly cast the same monitoring charm. Then both trainees watched
closely as Andromeda cast a few spells to safely remove the magically
created womb from Harry's body without damaging him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lastly,
she held the womb up so that the blood could drain from it into the
two babies it had sustained for eight months. Padma and Pansy were
both fascinated to see how the babies went from looking pale and
probably healthy to normal and definitely healthy. Andromeda cast a
diagnostic spell on each of them after signaling her helpers that it
was time to clamp and cut the cords.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Definitely
well formed. Nothing wrong. They're healthy!” Andromeda announced
with a proud grin. She magically created a tag for each of them
detailing their date and time of birth down to the second. After
attaching the tags – which would also help everyone know which one
was which – she gestured to Draco.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
and Padma carefully handed the babies to Draco to occupy his
attention as Andromeda and her helpers finished up healing Harry.
Harry was conscious and watching his babies, but he also felt a bit
out of it. Even so, it made him smile to see the expression of
adoration on Draco's face as he thoroughly inspected the babies.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
and Hermione each took a turn holding them for a few moments before
Draco made some adorably anxious sounds and insisted on taking them
back. Harry felt so much love flowing through him at the moment that
he really thought he was going to float off into space. Draco looked
over at him with watery eyes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry...
They're </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>beautiful</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!”
Draco whispered in awe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Andromeda
had just finished with him, and so she helped Harry to sit up. Harry
now felt much more focused, so he held out his hands. “Let me see.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
very carefully got out of the chair and slid into bed next to Harry.
Harry noticed that Hermione and Pansy were both watching them with
tears in their eyes. Padma, Ron, and the rest of the people living in
the house – aside from Teddy, who was still asleep – wore happy
smiles.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">One
or both?” Draco asked, holding the closer of the two babies out to
Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">One
is good for now,” Harry said, taking the baby and cradling him as
Draco shifted the other so Harry could see him better. Harry kissed
the one he was holding and stroked the soft peach fuzz on the one he
wasn't.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
one was first,” Draco informed him, pointing to the baby in Harry's
arms. Harry realized that someone must have wrapped them in blankets
at some point.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know you don't like the names I've chosen, but we all agreed that the
person carrying the baby got to name him or her,” Harry reminded
him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed in reluctant acceptance, and then nodded.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So,
this one is James Sirius Malfoy-Potter, and that one is Albus Severus
Malfoy-Potter,” Harry announced.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
raised one eyebrow. “Remind me again why you chose Severus?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Because
he was the bravest hero I ever knew,” Harry stated, feeling
emotional for so many reasons.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
felt his heart melt just a little at that. He gave Harry a kiss on
the cheek. “Well... it's starting. In just a month or two, there
will be more babies in this house than adults! Unless we don't count
Teddy, then it would be equal.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
tried to stifle a soft moan, but everyone looked at her anyway. “I'm
fine.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Andromeda
cast a diagnostic spell. “Yes,” she agreed with a grin. “You're
fine </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
well on your way to delivery. I estimate another 10 or so hours
before the first one is born. The second twin usually takes a few
hours after that.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is really happening!” Ron blurted out, wringing his hands in worry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
rubbed his back. “Breathe... It's fine. I'm fine.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
babies!” Ron protested. “We're going to have babies!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
giggled and shook her head. “Yes, but we already knew that.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Merlin's crooked teeth!” Ron exclaimed, feeling faint.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
gently pushed Ron out of the room. “Come on, I've only got a few
hours left to rest, and I'm going to need every second of it!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Almost
exactly 24 hours later, Hermione was sitting in her bed after her
ordeal. She and Ron each held a baby while Harry sat in a large
armchair next to the bed. Draco stood behind Harry, and they each
held a baby too.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
looked up at Ron with a huge grin of accomplishment. Then she looked
over to Harry. “Meet little Rose and Hugo Granger-Potter.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They're
beautiful,” Harry assured her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
groaned from where she stood with the rest of the people living in
the house. Andromeda smirked at her and cast a diagnostic spell.
“Seems like you'll probably pop before this time tomorrow.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Wonderful</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,”
Pansy gritted out in a way that indicated the exact opposite.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
chuckled. “At this rate, Harry, you're not likely to get any sleep
at all for the next eight days!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
winced as he wondered just exactly how much more inventive Pansy
could be than Hermione when it came to threatening Harry's life for
putting her in this situation. Harry glared lightly at Hermione
rather than remind everyone that it was actually </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>her
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">fault.
But really! The way that Hermione had cursed up a blue streak during
her labor and threatened to murder Harry for doing this to her was
just not fair!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was only 20 hours later when an exhausted Pansy held up her new
daughter for Harry to see. “Pearl Parkinson-Potter.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Merlin's
inverted nipples, that's a mouthful!” Draco muttered as he held
Harry's twins.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took Pearl in his arms and gave Pansy a soft smile. “She actually
looks more like me than any of them have so far.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
not necessarily true,” Draco denied. “I think the twins you gave
birth to look exactly like you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled. “See, when I look at them, all I see is you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Merlin's
moldy toe nails!” Parvati cursed loudly as she clutched her
stomach.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Padma
was panting and groaning and clutching her stomach too. Through
gritted teeth, she swore: “Merlin's raunchy hole!” She then burst
into language so foul that even a member of the American mob would
blush.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...”
Andromeda murmured as she cast spells on them. “Looks like I am
going to need to call for an assistant or two to help me.” She
smiled at Pansy. “I'll let your supervisor know that you've had the
baby.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Patil twins now seemed to be vying for who could swear the most
creatively. Harry winced as at least half of it was threats to cut
off or severely damage a certain part of his anatomy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
also let your supervisor know you're in active labor,” Andromeda
informed Padma as Ginny and Luna ushered the twins into their shared
bedroom.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No
sooner had help arrived than the twins delivered. Thankfully for all
concerned, Parvati went a few minutes after Padma. As he had with
Hermione and Pansy – Harry sat between them holding their hands. He
was pretty sure that he'd need to take another Skelegrow Potion as
soon as this was over.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
as Harry sighed in relief – and downed that potion – Andromeda
warned her assistants not to leave just yet.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not?” The younger trainee Healer asked curiously, looking from
Padma to Parvati and then back again. “They're definitely done.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Andromeda
smirked knowingly. “Would you please do us all a favor and take the
twins from Draco?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was currently clutching the twins tight because he was deathly afraid
that he was going to drop them. His face was paler than usual and his
legs were wobbling like jelly. A pain slowly knifed through him like
fiendfyre.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
assistants each grabbed a baby before Draco slumped backwards into a
chair. “If I so much as see a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>hair</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
from Hermione's bushy head, I'm going to hex it into oblivion! The
next time we come across a secret room, I'm running the other way!
This hurts worse than breaking a bone – or hell! </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>All</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the bones in my body!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
wished he had more time to look at the Patil-Potters, but he felt
like he couldn't breathe. “Draco! Are you in labor?” He asked as
he rushed to help Draco back to their room.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
was right! What wizard in his right mind would ever </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>willingly</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
go through this?! Harry, I'm telling you right now, if you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>ever
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">want
more kids, you're carrying them yourself! And that's </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>if</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I let you near me again, which at this point, is not very likely! And
you'll be lucky if I don't just cut it off!” Draco roared as they
entered their room and Harry settled him into bed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled wryly. “You'll have to wait in line. Everyone wants to
murder me!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
well they should!” Draco cried out. “What sort of evil man forces
eight innocent women and an even </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>more
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">innocent
me to endure this sadistically horrible torture?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took his twins from the assistants and settled them into their
bassinet. They were currently awake, but hadn't been the type to fuss
unless they were hungry, so they would be fine. Plus, Luna and Ginny
volunteered to look after them if necessary.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
crawled back into bed with Draco and took his hand as the assistants
gave Draco pain and numbing potions. “It'll be over soon.” Harry
promised.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
you dare leave my side!” Draco insisted, squeezing Harry's hand
even tighter than any of the girls had so far.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
won't,” Harry assured him as Andromeda finished her disinfecting
spells and prepared to cut into Draco. Harry forced Draco to look at
him. “I saw how pale and nauseous you looked when it was me
delivering, so don't look at what Andromeda's doing. Just keep
looking at me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded fervently, really not wanting to see his stomach opened up. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I've
brought your parents as you asked,” Susan informed them softly, and
then added: “You should probably sit over here, out of the way.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
barely even heard his parents murmur in agreement. He was too busy
crying out as a contraction hit him. “I thought the pain potion was
supposed to stop me from feeling like I have a kneazle clawing its
way through my insides!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
may actually be me,” Andromeda informed him. “But don't worry,
everything is fine.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Breathe,”
Harry reminded him, stroking his cheek.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then
there was the sound of a newborn's cry. Draco gasped out the breath
he was holding. “Is he okay?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He's
lovely!” Andromeda assured him. “Healthy and perfect.” She
handed the baby to one of the assistants to hold while the womb was
dealt with.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
forced Draco to keep looking at him. This was fine by Draco as he was
certain the sight of all the blood would probably make him faint.
Draco clung to Harry's shirt with the hand that wasn't holding
Harry's.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
did it...” Draco murmured.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pressed kisses to Draco's forehead. “You did, and he's beautiful.
He looks just like you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
the baby was ready, Andromeda handed him over to Draco before using
his distraction to finish healing him. Draco looked ready to burst
into tears of sheer joy. Harry stroked the baby's peach fuzz.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
did you decide to name him?” Harry asked in a soft murmur.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
smiled up at Harry. “Scorpius Hyperion Potter-Malfoy.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled at him. “I love it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
you're wrong, he looks just like you,” Draco added, stroking
Scorpius' face with a finger.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
laughed. “You think the twins look like me too when they </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>clearly
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">look
exactly like you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
narrowed his eyes and twisted his lips. “I've just realized that
you're blind as a bat!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Susan
groaned, interrupting anything Harry might have said. Andromeda was
prepared for this and scanned Susan with a diagnostic spell. “No
worries! I predict that we have another six or so hours before this
one pops. I suggest that everyone gets as much rest as they can in
that time!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sighed in profound defeat. “I'm not sure I know what rest is
anymore.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
carried Harry's twins over to him. “I'm going to bring them to
Padma and Parvati's room. They promised to feed these two and take
care of them so that you can rest up. Also, cheer up, there's only
four of us left now. It's almost over!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
kissed each of his twins, and then kissed Ginny. “Thanks Gin!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
walked to the other side of the bed so that she could kiss Draco.
“Congratulations!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
you, Ginevra,” Draco replied with a genuine smile. Luna replaced
Ginny when she stepped away.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
take charge of little Scorpius for you. Pansy volunteered to feed
him, and I'm sure that your parents would like to see him,” Luna
said in her soft voice that sounded almost like she was humming.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
you Luna,” Draco murmured, giving her a kiss when she leaned her
face next to his.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
my pleasure,” Luna assured him. “I already know that I will have
to wait for last, so I may as well help when I can.” She gave him a
kiss, and then took the baby from him. “Aww! He's so adorable!” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
sat on the edge of the bed and beckoned Lucius and Narcissa over.
Both looked quite teary eyed at having witnessed such a miracle. They
took turns hugging Draco. Narcissa even congratulated Harry, pulling
him close for a kiss on the cheek. However, Lucius maintained a civil
politeness for his future son-in-law.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
talk with you later,” Draco promised his parents when he saw how
exhausted Harry was.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
nodded in understanding, then followed Luna out of the room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
less than 48 hours, the entire ordeal was over. Luna was right in
that she delivered last. Which was probably a good thing since it
meant that no one other than Harry – and Neville and her father –
was in the room with her. Her labor and delivery were so easy that it
felt a lot like a tea party.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
Harry's astonishment, Luna did not curse him. She didn't curse at
all! She didn't scream or cry in pain. All she did was hum serenely,
then set down her cup of tea and gasp: “Oh dear!” when the baby
crowned and it was time for Andromeda to go to work.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
the time that Luna set little Pandora Lovegood-Potter in Harry's
arms, he wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. Instead, he
kissed Luna and gave her a huge grin. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She's
brilliant!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
grinned at him in return. “I know.” She then took her daughter
back. “Go on and get some rest. I'll come feed the twins when they
get hungry again. You know, in the future, I'm going to have a pair
of twin boys myself.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
wasn't sure if this was one of those times when Luna seemed to know
everything, or if she was telling him about a dream she'd had. It
didn't matter to him either way, so he simply smiled.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
good,” he said as he handed Pandora back. After that, Harry went
back to his bedroom. Ginny intercepted him on the way. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Can
you look after Lily Luna for a while? I need some sleep and mum is
making up a feast for everyone.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took the baby girl from Ginny's arms. “Sure. I'll send my Patronus
to wake you if she gets hungry.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks!”
Ginny exclaimed before promptly spinning around and returning to her
room.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
settled into his bed with Draco and their three sons. Draco was only
half dozing, and the boys were all sort of looking at each other.
They weren't silent, but they weren't fussing either. They were
making soft little noises that only newborns could make. Harry set
Lily on the bed with them, and she seemed happy enough to squirm
until she was in a pile with the boys. Like puppies.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was beyond grateful that his bed was huge. Even so, Draco shook his
head and chuckled. “This is too many babies!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
giggled. “And it's not even all of them!” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
should take a picture of them tomorrow,” Draco suggested. “Just
them. And maybe you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
then a picture of all of us with them,” Harry added. He reached
over and brushed a stray hair out of Draco's face. “I love you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
smiled, his eyes closed. “I love you too. Now shut up and go to
sleep before one of these tiny monsters decide to start squalling.”
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smirked and closed his eyes. “I can do that.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: teal; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/07/growing-up-potter-part-six.html">Go To Next Part</a> </span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-82756087523638102602016-07-17T21:39:00.000-05:002016-07-24T19:35:58.158-05:00Growing Up Potter - Part IV<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
belly is too big!” Harry whined. “It's in the way if I try to do
you or you try to do me!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed. “Yeah, mine's in the way too, but that doesn't mean that we
can't do anything at all. My hands still work, and so does my mouth.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
lay on his side and watched as Draco shifted around on their bed
until he had his head between Harry's legs. With their bellies in the
way, Draco was not close enough to Harry's mouth for him to return
the favor, but Harry could still reach Draco's shaft with his hands.
Draco's mouth was talented enough that Harry had a hard time
concentrating on manipulating Draco's shaft.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Even
so, Draco'd had a kinky dream and was more than ready to squirt.
There was enough force behind it that he nearly got it in Harry's
eye! Harry stuck a finger of spunk in his mouth even as he thoroughly
enjoyed Draco's moans of pleasure on his own shaft. Harry was </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>so</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
close!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Their
door burst open and Pansy stomped in angrily. “Draco, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>darling,</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
if you don't hurry up and come down to breakfast, I'm going to send
the howler up here!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
groaned in disappointment as Draco's mouth moved away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked over at Pansy. “What are you talking about?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Our
lovely interview from yesterday has already made its appearance in
the Prophet, and there's a rather tenacious eagle owl carrying a
howler addressed to you that won't let any of us eat in peace!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
bugger!” Draco exclaimed as he jumped out of bed and rushed to
clean up and get dressed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
felt like crying a lot more than he wanted to admit to. “But
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Draco</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Take
care of it yourself!” Draco called out absently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
stood next to the bed, smirking at Harry. “I'd offer to take care
of that for you, but I rather think that Draco would kill me for it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
wasn't really paying attention to them at the moment, so he replied
honestly and without thinking. “Not so much since I am willing to
let Harry have whatever he wants.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Harry and Pansy stared at him in astonishment. Harry recovered first.
“Thanks anyway Pans, but I think I should probably get dressed
too.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
shrugged and walked away. “Suit yourself.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
seemed to realize what he had said. He stood up a bit straighter and
glared at Pansy. “What I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>meant</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to say was, don't you dare touch my boyfriend or I'll have to hex
your hands off!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
smirked at him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Sure</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you did!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
waited until Pansy was out of the room, quickly finished tugging
himself off, and then threw on a bathrobe so that he could follow
Draco – who was already rushing down the stairs from their third
floor bedroom. As he approached the dining room, Harry watched Draco
stop short just inside.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
in the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>world</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
did she find me here?!” Draco wondered incredulously, referring to
his family's majestic eagle owl.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
shrugged as she devoured her breakfast. “We adjusted the wards a
while back to let in owls from family for all of us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco's
hands shook as he took the steaming red howler from the owl. She bit
one of his fingers angrily for making her wait so long, making Draco
suck in a sizzling breath, swear hotly, and then try to push her off
her perch.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I've
never gotten a howler before,” Draco muttered nervously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
really is better if you open it before it explodes,” Ron reminded
him, surprised to find himself feeling a bit of sympathy for the
snarky git.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a deep breath, Draco ripped open the howler.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">DRACO
LUCIUS MALFOY! HOW DARE YOU HIDE SUCH IMPORTANT NEWS FROM US, AND
THEN PUBLISH IT IN THE DAILY PROPHET WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A WARNING!
YOUR FATHER THOUGHT IT WAS A HORRIBLE PRANK TO BRING SHAME UPON THE
MALFOY NAME UNTIL HE SAW THE PICTURE OF YOU LOOKING OBVIOUSLY
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>PREGNANT</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>WHEN</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
WERE YOU PLANNING TO TELL US?! AND JUST WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN
AND SALAZAR SLYTHERIN WERE YOU THINKING?! DATING HARRY POTTER!!!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
howler paused as if to take a breath, and then calmly turned to face
Harry. “And Harry, I'm glad to see that you are doing well. Not
even something as scandalous as this can make me regret saving your
life. Please come with Draco to the Manor when he finally shows up to
explain himself.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
with that, the howler tore itself into tiny pieces, which disappeared
with a series of small poofs.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
stopped looking at where the howler was and looked at his boyfriend.
He couldn't stop a smirk from twisting his lips when he saw the pale
and vaguely nauseous look on Draco's face. “So, I guess I was wrong
in assuming that it's me they'll want to kill.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
was really hoping that they'd never find out,” Draco murmured,
still shaking just slightly as he stared at the spot the howler had
been.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pulled Draco into a warm embrace. “Why not?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mostly
I figured that after I moved here – a place that they couldn't find
me – that I'd be able to live my life without them trying to tell
me what to do. They've been trying to arrange a 'good marriage' for
me for years, and I figured that if I stayed away, they couldn't
pester me. Also, I thought the shock of me dating you might kill
them,” Draco explained.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
laughed rather cruelly. “So naturally, you let them find out about
it in the Daily Prophet!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
glared at her. “I was planning to go tell them today before the
article could appear in the Prophet. I guess I should have known that
it wouldn't wait even a day!” He sighed and slumped a bit.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">News
concerning Harry never does,” Ginny murmured as she grabbed yet
another slice of toast off a plate in the middle of the table and
slathered thick apple butter on it. And then layered a sunny side up
egg on top.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
looked around, still finding it a bit amusing that all eight of the
pregnant women had ultimately decided to live in his house with him.
Ginny had originally planned to stay with her parents, but it turned
out that Molly had baby fever something fierce and wouldn't leave
Ginny alone about it. Thus Ginny moved in for a bit of quiet. Well...
relative quiet.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
Luna – being the only one of them that didn't have any reason
whatsoever to live with Harry – had decided to do so anyway. She
still saw her father everyday as they worked on the Quibbler
together, so she felt it only fair that she join in on all the fun.
Harry chuckled as he remembered that Luna had actually called it
that. Fun. As if the copious bickering that happened when nine women,
three men, and little Teddy Lupin all lived in one house was actually
a form of relaxation.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Speaking
of, Teddy was bouncing around like the ball of energy he was. His
hair changed color at least every 30 seconds, and he got as much food
on the floor as he ate. At about a year and a half old, he still felt
like the world and all the people in this house revolved around him.
He clapped happily when Harry looked at him, and then stood up in his
highchair and flung himself into Harry's arms, provoking a pained
ooph!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
hugged him tight, murmuring: “I'm so happy that you and 'Dromeda
decided to live here!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Luv
you 'arry!” Teddy announced, kissing him on the cheek. Harry just
about melted all over the floor.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
pulled out a chair and helped Harry sit down. “Let's try to eat
something before we go visit my parents.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
could eat a dozen chickens!” Harry exclaimed as his stomach
growled. “I still think it's unfair that my body is supposed to
make room for two growing babies and yet somehow, I still need my
stomach to work despite it being pushed up into my throat!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
rolled her eyes at him. She was unsympathetic because she was also
carrying twins. “Rather than complain, only eat one or two chickens
right now and pack the other ten or eleven up to take with you. It </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>is</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
okay to eat constantly, one bite at a time.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
ignored her, shifting Teddy forward on his lap since Teddy kept
accidentally jabbing him in the stomach. “Ooo! Bacon!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
make sure you at least eat some eggs to go with that bacon,” Draco
stated, narrowing his eyes at Harry as if daring him to disagree.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
hummed, taking another egg onto her plate before slurping the runny
yolk right out of it. “I'm not sure if I've said this yet, but in
the Chinese culture, an expectant mother would eat as many eggs a day
as she could afford in order to have a smart baby. Except the yolk
had to be runny, otherwise the nutrients in the yolk that develop a
baby's brain are destroyed and eating the egg does nothing special
for intelligence.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
have a similar belief in our culture,” Padma murmured as Parvati
nodded in agreement. They also tended to eat at least two eggs each
morning for breakfast.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Really?”
Hermione asked, sounding both intrigued and a bit offended that they
hadn't told her this earlier. She served herself another egg. “That
actually makes sense when I think about it. I was researching infant
nutrition, and a lot of the nutrients that formula makers try to
fortify their formulas with – for brain health (she air quoted
this) – come from eggs.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
smiled at her. “The Malfoys believe in the power of eggs too. One
of the reasons that we breed peacocks is that there is an old legend
that Hera – Queen of the Greek Gods – would bestow her favor on
any man that consumed a peacock egg each year on his birthday. That
said, peacock eggs are not very tasty. They have a strong, gamy
taste. My mother always had the yolks of mine whipped into a pudding
to hide the taste.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
smirked at him. “And you breed </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>albino</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
peacocks because you're a bunch of vain gits!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
snorted. “Actually, I have no idea how long we've been breeding
them albino like that, but I would not put it past one of my
ancestors to think that turning them blond elevated </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>him</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to the status of a God!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
giggled. “Actually, if that were possible, that would make him a
Goddess. Perhaps you are not the only Malfoy who also likes men.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm...”
Draco hummed speculatively as he stroked his chin. “Something like
that would be hard to figure out since society once expected a man to
get married and produce heirs no matter what he might prefer. Not to
mention, my family usually tried to keep quiet about affairs.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
was a bit confused. He gestured at his stomach. “If </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>this</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
is possible, then why isn't it common for wizards to marry men if
they want?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Padma
sighed. “I think I have perspective on this since the culture my
family came from before moving to Britain – before we were born –
is </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>still</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to this day mostly against same sex relationships. Perhaps the reason
why it isn't common even though it is possible is that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>muggles</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
are against it, and thus it would be dangerous – historically –
for wizards to get pregnant whenever they wanted.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
nodded in agreement. “And the wizard would have had to remain
secluded for the duration of the pregnancy so that muggles didn't see
it and think he was a minion of the devil or a specimen that needed
to be studied for science. I presume that such a thing would be
harder in times before we had large wizarding communities.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
snorted in amusement. “I think you're all rather forgetting that it
would take a rare and possibly insane man to </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>knowingly</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
get pregnant!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
and Draco looked at each other with expressions that clearly stated
that Ron may have a point. Then Harry shrugged. “I don't know.
Maybe if I wasn't carrying twins, I might feel a little more
comfortable and I might actually like this whole pregnancy thing.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
me! I'm beyond delighted that I am able to have my heir without
marrying someone chosen by my parents, but I don't think I would have
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>ever</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
chosen to do this voluntarily,” Draco informed them all in that
posh accent of his that made almost everything sound like a sneer.
Then he sighed a bit morosely. “I'd have chosen a woman to
co-parent with eventually since I am not adverse to having sex with
them. I just don't want to marry one.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pushed his empty plate away and set Teddy on his feet. The toddler
was rubbing his eyes sleepily – likely from having gotten up much
too early and then running around all morning like an eager
greyhound. To Harry's relief, Teddy wobbled and toddled over to his
grandmother, who picked him up and carried him off to take a nap.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
should do this now and get it over with,” Harry suggested, getting
to his feet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed in reluctance. “You're right. We should.” He got to his
feet and linked his hand through Harry's. “Nervous?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,
but I think probably not as much as you are,” Harry stated with an
encouraging smile. Harry tilted his head in confusion. “Out of
curiosity, where do your parents think you've been living?” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
told them that I was staying in a flat with Pansy,” Draco stated
with a shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
giggled and shook her head. “How very Slytherin to lie by telling
the truth!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mostly,”
Pansy added with a grin. “Not sure most people would consider this
big old house a flat.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Probably
a good thing that your aunt 'Dromeda is currently not speaking to her
sister,” Luna observed with a dreamy smile. “Or your mother would
have known ages ago.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
point!” Draco exclaimed with a considering look. “Although, maybe
that would have been better in the long run than this.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stop
stalling,” Harry urged, tugging on Draco's hand. Draco followed him
at a sedate pace toward the fireplace designated to floo travel.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Care
to explain to me why my mother seems to like you so much,” Draco
asked grumpily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
gave him a careless shrug and a charming grin. “I don't know why,
but mothers always seem to </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>love</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
me!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Ron and Ginny snorted at that. “Yes, they do!” Hermione nodded in
agreement since her mother had also taken quite a shine to Harry when
they'd met.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No
matter how much Draco tried to drag his feet and delay the
inevitable, they were soon stepping out of the fireplace into Malfoy
Manor.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
really thought that my mother might have forgotten to adjust the
wards to let you through,” Draco muttered, then shrugged. “It's
good she didn't though as I can throw you to the wolves – so to
speak – if they start badgering me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled and slung an arm around Draco's shoulders so that he could
use that hand to turn Draco's face toward him and give a quick kiss.
Draco smirked and snogged him in return.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
could always turn around and go home,” Draco suggested. “Go back
to bed and stay there forever.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled. “Forever seems a bit excessive. Besides, we'd eventually
have to get out of bed when these bundles of joy arrive.” Harry
stroked Draco's belly with the hand not still pressed to Draco's
face.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
so,” Draco denied haughtily with his nose in the air looking
adorably snooty. “I'm quite certain that we can hire a nanny to
look after them while we lounge around.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
snorted. “Maybe </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
can, but I couldn't stay in bed for very long. If we weren't sleeping
or having sex, I'd be so bored that I'd have to go do something.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Is
that honestly all you can think to do in bed?” Draco asked
curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
What else is there?” Harry wondered with a puzzled frown.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
could read you an interesting book or you could draw on my back or we
could have a picnic featuring strawberries. Mmm... a pie; some
pudding; a cake. Merlin's mangy hair! That sounds so good right now!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
snorted. “It does! And you know, all those suggestions sounded a
lot like sex to me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Only you, Potter.” He turned
so that he was facing Harry just a bit more directly, and then pulled
on Harry's shirt as he kissed him. Harry moaned and opened his mouth,
preparing to take the kiss to the next level.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Really
Draco! Are you planning to stand there snogging in the entryway all
day?!” Lucius demanded after loudly clearing his throat.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
turned to find both of Draco's parents watching them with strange
expressions. Harry wondered how long Lucius and Narcissa had been
standing there. Or more importantly, how long they'd been able to
hear Harry and Draco talking since they were apparently quite
stealthy, even in the privacy of their own home.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
I say all day, will you leave us to it?” Draco asked pertly. He was
fighting a deeply embarrassed blush over being caught by his parents
– despite being 19!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lucius
looked a bit put out, like he dearly wished to sigh and roll his eyes
but was fighting it. “Come. Let us have tea in the parlor.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Narcissa
took this as her cue to smile and pull Draco into a tight hug as she
kissed his cheek. “I missed you so much!” She then turned to
Harry and gave him a brief and mostly impersonal hug as well. “It's
nice to see you again, although, I'm not entirely sure how I feel
about this situation.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
decided to just go with it when Narcissa slipped her hand into the
crook of his arm. She gave him a puzzled frown as they followed
behind Lucius and Draco. “The Daily Prophet reported that you are
carrying twins, and while you are noticeably bigger than Draco, you
don't look big enough to safely be carrying two babies.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled at her. “My Healer assures me that they are growing within
the healthy range. They are a bit smaller than the other babies, but
that is common in twins.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh?”
Narcissa asked with a tone of mild disbelief. “And who is your
Healer? Perhaps you need one more qualified when it comes to wizards
carrying twins.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Harry flushed and rubbed the back of his neck as Draco blurted out:
“Is there such a Healer?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
understand that it's not all that common, but considering that these
two carry Malfoy blood, a little extra caution can't hurt,”
Narcissa insisted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er,”
Harry awkwardly tried again. “Well my Healer is the best and I
trust her implicitly.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Implicitly?”
Draco questioned with a brow raised. “You continue to make me
wonder if Granger made you swallow a dictionary.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
rolled his eyes at Draco. “As it happens, she did back in our third
year when she was tired of me grunting like a caveman.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
snorted. “Why does that not surprise me?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
decided not to let himself be sidetracked. “And besides, even you
agreed that she's a skilled Healer.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
because I know how motivated she is to keep my bloodline alive and
thriving,” Draco stated with a careless shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Who?”
Narcissa politely asked again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Draco drawled hesitantly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
gave him a look that was clearly asking if he should confess or keep
it a secret. Draco sort of looked away evasively, not entirely sure.
Harry sighed, and then gave Narcissa a determinedly cheerful smile.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
grandmother... Andromeda Tonks.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wha...?”
Narcissa blurted out in surprise and shock. She stopped short,
looking back and forth between Harry and Draco. They felt quite sure
that she thought they were trying to put one over on her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lucius
gestured into the parlor. “We may as well sit for this discussion.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
all remained silent as they walked into the parlor and took a seat.
Harry was pleased to note that the room was arranged so that there
was a comfortable and roomy loveseat facing two overstuffed
armchairs. He wasn't sure which he was intended to sit on, but he
plopped onto the loveseat before anyone could object. Draco sat next
to him without being asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
house elf served them tea and a plate full of strawberry tarts.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes!”
Draco hissed, grabbing the plate, which he then tried to keep out of
Harry's reach.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
now!” Harry protested. “I'd share with you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Which
just makes you a bloody Gryffindor! If you want one, you have to earn
it like a Slytherin,” Draco informed him, and then shoved a bit of
a tart into his mouth as if proving a point.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
put a finger to his lips and looked to the ceiling as he thought this
over. Both Lucius and Narcissa were torn by being appalled by Draco's
lack of manners and being impressed by his very Slytherin attempt at
manipulation. Narcissa opened her mouth to insist that Draco share
while Lucius opened his mouth to remind everyone that he could always
have a house elf bring them more. Both parents ended up being too
curious about how this would play out to say anything.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm...”
Harry hummed, a sly look crossing his face. “How about,” he
whispered the rest in Draco's ear.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
flushed, nodded, and promptly handed over the plate after taking just
one more tart.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smirked at him. “Didn't I ever tell you that the sorting hat spent
a good ten minutes trying to persuade me to go into Slytherin? But I
stubbornly refused.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
gave him an appraising look as he ate another bite of his tart. “That
means that our boys have a good chance of all going into Slytherin
after all.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
chuckled. “And Hermione and Padma think </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>their</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
kids are going to be a dangerous combination of rule breaker and
genius!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked supremely pleased. Harry had a point. A trio of Slytherins
with Gryffindor tendencies could be very dangerous indeed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They'd
be rule breaking </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>evil</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
geniuses!” Harry teased.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. “You know, I think that
they'd get the evil bit from you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
merely shrugged as if saying: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hey,
what can I say</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Narcissa
finally decided that she had an opening to bring the conversation
back around. She took a demure sip of tea, and then delicately placed
the cup back on the saucer. After that, she smiled at Harry as
sweetly as she could.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry,
care to explain how my estranged sister is suddenly your
grandmother?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
gave her one of his brilliantly charming grins. “It's not a blood
connection, as I'm sure you know, but I consider her a member of my
family for two reasons. First, Sirius was my godfather and he made me
the sole Heir to the Black fortune – thus connecting me to
Andromeda as a cousin at the very least. But then Tonks and Moony –
er, Remus Lupin – named me as the godfather to their baby before
they both died. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So,
when I found out that we were all pregnant and needed a private
Healer, I asked 'Dromeda if she'd move in with us. It didn't take
long before she jokingly told me that I acted like a big kid myself
and I just grinned and called her gran. We both know that she's not
really old enough to be my grandmother, but the way she clearly cares
for me and the babies inside me – and </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the babies and those who are pregnant – well, she comes across very
grandmotherly. So, we've sort of adopted each other,” Harry
finished this explanation with a fond grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
have to agree,” Draco murmured as he sipped on his tea. He'd
stealthily asked a house elf to bring him some more tarts and a bowl
of fresh strawberries and cream, and was now eating his way through
the berries. “About Andromeda caring, that is. She does an
excellent job of monitoring our pregnancies, but she's also there for
us anytime we need an ear to complain to, a bit of wisdom to stop us
from panicking, or just some tea and scones because we're hungry.
Again.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled and wrinkled his nose at Draco in a way that was utterly
adorable – although he was going for impertinent smirk. “And she
doesn't try to intervene every single time some combination of the
ten of us are bickering!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
smirked at him in return. “Haven't you noticed? Now that Pansy is
off training so much, there's less bickering in general. Pans likes
to wind people up.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
put a hand on his chin in thought. “Now that you mention it, yeah.
The house is almost... I was going to say quiet when she's not
around, but I think quiet isn't the right word. Maybe still chaotic
but less argumentative?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded in agreement. Then he noticed his father giving him the
strangest look. “What?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
just trying to wrap my head around the idea that you are living in a
house with eight pregnant women, and you're dating the only other </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>man</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that lives there,” Lucius remarked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Unless
you count the weasel,” Draco added, and then decided to try to wind
his father up. “And I'll have you know that all of us have become
quite close since the orgy. I'm sure you'd really rather not think
about what we get up to.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Lucius and Narcissa looked as if they couldn't decide whether to be
intrigued by that statement, or repulsed because their son was
involved in the implied naughtiness. Harry snickered a bit
secretively for a moment. Then he decided to back Draco up.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">For
example, while there are a couple of small loos, there's really only
one bathroom. Fortunately for us, it's </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>huge</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
I really have no idea what the builders were thinking when they built
the house with only one bathroom – and I suspect that it's been
added onto with an extension charm or two – but the tub can
comfortably fit at least 20 people. Which is for the best really, as
once all the babies are born, we're going to need all that extra room
to take a decent bath,” Harry explained. The funny thing was that
he was being honest. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's
not like a set bath time was announced and then everyone piled into
the tub. Instead, it seemed that – at any given point in the day –
someone would decide that they needed a bath, and then at least half
of the people living in the house would shrug and announce that since
a bath was being drawn anyway, they may as well not let all the water
in that huge tub go to waste. Thus, Harry wasn't lying when he
implied that they all tended to bathe together.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even
Ron had gotten used to what basically boiled down to the same lack of
privacy as living in a dorm, except with eight pregnant women and two
pregnant men. It was a godsend that he had such a sense of humor,
because Ron could often diffuse a tense situation with just a joke or
two. He once told Harry that he was completely used to lightening the
mood because Harry and Hermione were both such serious or intense
people that if he left them to it, they'd probably never laugh at
all.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
had to admit that he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
been an intense and serious person back during the war, but that was
because he was always so stressed out by trying to save the world.
Now that he had defeated Voldemort and won the war, his playful side
was coming out. There was a reason that Andromeda thought of him as a
big kid!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lucius
sighed and visibly pushed away all thoughts of possible inappropriate
behavior. Then he gave Draco a serious gaze. Draco tensed up when he
noticed this.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Son...
we would like for you to remember that after you've played happy
families for a while – say a couple of years – you should still
get married to a suitable witch and move back into the Manor.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked crushed. He sighed to give himself time to think of a
response. Anger took over, but he tried to control it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Happy
families? You think that I'm simply playing around?” Draco ground
out, trying to sound mild but not quite managing it. “Is this your
way of telling me that the child growing inside my belly will not be
my Heir in your eyes? Do you plan to snub him? Or what about them?”
Draco pointed to Harry's belly. “They're mine too!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lucius
was feeling so many conflicting emotions that he was at a loss.
“Draco... I just want what is best for you. I know you don't
believe it now, but there is a deep comfort in being married. In
knowing that you will always have someone there for you, no matter
what happens.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lucius
reached out and took his wife's hand. “Believe it or not, children
eventually grow up, and then what will you have left?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
had been attempting to pretend to give them a bit of privacy by
asking a house elf to bring him some fresh cherries and a vanilla
pudding to dip them in, but he was listening to every word. He was
shocked to find that he thought Lucius had a valid point. None of
them had really thought about the future beyond the necessary: what
will happen when the babies arrive?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
rolled his eyes. “So your solution to a problem that may or may not
exist in 20 years is to try to marry me off to a pureblood witch?
That's what you've been trying to do since I turned 16!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
moaned as the cherry dipped in pudding practically melted in his
mouth. As he took another cherry and dipped it, he murmured: “Draco
could always marry me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
gasped in astonishment and Harry looked up to find all three of them
staring at him in shock. Harry gave them a puzzled frown and set his
food aside. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...
couldn't you? Or is there some sort of law in the Wizarding World
that forbids it? If so, I'll set Hermione to changing the law,”
Harry stated in determination. “And actually, now that Kingsley is
Minister, I could ask him to either help change the law or grant
special permission.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
serious?!” Draco exclaimed with a tone that was both incredulous
and happy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
yeah, why wouldn't I be?” Harry wondered, confused. “You said it
yourself; we're a family. I'm carrying your children and you're
carrying mine. It would be agony not to be together!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
– showing possibly </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>the
most</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
emotion that he ever had in his life – flung his arms around Harry
and buried his face against Harry's neck. “Oh Harry,” he murmured
softly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled nervously, sliding an arm around Draco's back. “Is that a
yes then?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
straightened up, his face already a cool Slytherin mask. “That's a:
You had better get me a damn good ring and ask me properly, you
arsehole!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
snickered. “Oh. So I guess that makes you the girl then. You plan
to wear a dress too?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
grabbed the pillow from behind him and hit Harry over the head with
it. “I most certainly will not! How dare you suggest such a
thing?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Narcissa
was watching them with an expression of happiness and parental pride,
but Lucius looked aghast. He desperately wanted to protest! However,
he couldn't recall seeing his son look so happy since he was 11 years
old and about to go to Hogwarts. And oh </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Merlin's
scraggly beard</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
Draco actually looked like he was in love!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
so did Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
snatched the pillow from Draco, using the motion to pull him close,
and then gave him a kiss. Draco blushed and turned his head so that
he was looking behind Harry. “Not in front of my parents,” he
mumbled.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Narcissa
laughed. “Oh Draco! I assure you that we will not be so scandalized
that we burst into flames if we see you kiss your boyfriend.” She
sobered up a moment later. “Is that why you didn't tell us? Were
you afraid that we'd be so upset that we'd disown you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked down at his lap and tilted his head to the side as he
shrugged. “Maybe. Probably. Yeah, I think so.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Narcissa
got to her knees before him. “Oh my darling boy!” She lay her
head in what remained of his lap and slid her arms around him. “Don't
you know by now that your happiness </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>is</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
my happiness? I love you so much!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mother...”
Draco exhaled in awe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lucius
cleared his throat and looked like he was trying to swallow something
acidic and bitter. “I... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>suppose...</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that you could do worse than marrying the Savior of the Wizarding
World.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
was gobsmacked. “Did... Did you just... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>give</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
me your blessing?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lucius
sighed. “Yes, I suppose I did.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
gently pushed his mother off his lap. “I need some air!” He then
Disapparated without another word.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So,
er...” Harry mumbled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Any
idea what Draco might consider a good ring?”</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: teal; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/07/growing-up-potter-part-v.html">Go To Part V</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-4861847869656214412016-07-12T22:00:00.001-05:002016-07-17T21:40:02.858-05:00Growing Up Potter - Part Three<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
in the ever loving </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>hell</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
did I let you talk me into this?!” Draco demanded in a growl.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
necessary if any of us want to show our faces in public again,”
Harry said with a resigned shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
it's not!” Draco snapped. “We're doing just fine hiding out here
in Grimmauld Place!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which
was true enough. The house – which was fairly large even before the
Blacks selectively enlarged portions of it – was three stories plus
a basement. The entire third story was full of bedrooms – including
the master bedroom Harry and Draco shared, along with the slightly
smaller bedroom Ron and Hermione shared.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
second floor had a few bedrooms, as did the first floor. Thus,
everyone living with Harry had their own room (unless they wanted to
share). The rooms were big enough that the impending babies would fit
just fine. Beyond that, there were lots of other rooms to keep them
occupied – such as the library, the drawing room, the ballroom, and
the kitchen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">All
of which meant that Draco was right. They theoretically </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>could</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
continue to live here and never go out in public again. Even so,
Harry gave him a flat look.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Draco...</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
growled and sighed, and then growled and sighed again. This repeated
a few times even as he finished dressing. Their bedroom door flung
open.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
swear to God that I will straight up </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>murder</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you two if you aren't ready in five minutes!” Hermione informed
them seriously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
glared at her as he held his arms out to the sides so she could look
him over. “Whaat? I'm ready!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
snorted in amusement and kissed Hermione on the cheek. “I'm ready
too.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
looked them over for a moment, and then nodded in approval. “Good!”
She grabbed an arm from each of them and dragged them to the parlor
where Luna was finishing up the cozy atmosphere.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think this will do nicely,” Luna announced in satisfaction. Aside
from the two or three strange items no one could identify, everyone
had to agree.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
Draco could grumble too much, Ron called out from just inside the
door to the house. “We're here!” For today only, the fidelius
charm had been adjusted to allow a stranger through the wards. Even
so, they didn't actually want information about Harry's home getting
out, so the man was blindfolded until he was in the parlor.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
was literally this man's lucky day! He was the one reporter that
Harry felt tried to report the news honestly and reliably, and he had
a fairly good reputation. He was funny and engaging and had a loyal
following of fans. All in all, he was </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>loads</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
better than Rita Skeeter.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thus,
he was being given the opportunity of a lifetime. Something that
could launch his career into the stratosphere! An exclusive interview
with Harry Potter mere months after Harry had left Hogwarts and only
a little more than a year after winning the war.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Randy,”
Harry greeted him with a friendly smile, his hand outstretched.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Randy
looked exactly like a kid on Christmas morning. He shook Harry's hand
enthusiastically. His sharp yet merry eyes took in Harry's appearance
for a moment before looking around the entire room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
didn't actually believe this interview was real until just now,”
Randy admitted. He was clearly shocked to see Harry with a large baby
bump, but he didn't comment on it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
answered his unspoken question anyway. “I had Ron and Hermione
contact you to arrange an exclusive interview because I have big news
to share, and I want it done right. Thank you for meeting with us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Us?”
Randy asked, taking another good look around at all the people
watching him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yep,”
Harry confirmed. “First, I am going to tell you our story, and then
you can ask questions. After that, you can take a few pictures to
accompany the article in the Daily Prophet.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sounds
like a plan to me!” Randy agreed easily. “Would you like us to
sit down?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
nodded, taking the seat Luna had arranged for him. It was on a cozy
loveseat with just enough room for two pregnant men. Placed around
him were other comfortable chairs so that four women sat on either
side of him. Not directly around him – but still sitting in the
room – were two more chairs; one for Ron, and the other for
Andromeda Tonks (n</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">ée</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Black).</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
they could begin, the pleasantries must be seen to. Andromeda offered
and then poured tea for everyone. Harry took a few sips, and then
held his mug in his hands as he smiled at the reporter. Randy also
took a few sips, and then gave Harry an attentive look.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
all ears,” Randy promised with a small laugh. “And I'm going to
use my automatic quill to write down everything you say. I assure you
that it writes exactly what is said, and is really for my reference
only. I will write the actual article later based on the interview.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded in permission. In the past, Rita had used a similar quill, but
hers had a tendency to write poetic nonsense that Harry never said.
He wasn't necessarily comfortable with the auto quill, but he decided
to trust the man since he was considered fairly honest in general.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">To
begin, I'm sure it must be pointed out that I'm sitting next to the
bloke who was my rival throughout school,” Harry said, giving Draco
a tiny smile. “Even in 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year, we didn't get along, but we at least tried since the 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
years shared a common room, bathroom, and our dorm rooms were right
next to each other.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
paused to take a sip of tea, and Draco stared off into space as if he
was completely disinterested in the story.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">One
day, my best friend, plus the girl I tried dating for a while during
the war, and well, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>everyone</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you see here,” Harry said as he gestured around him. “Almost all
8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
years from all four of the houses, well anyway, we discovered a place
that locked us up for the night, giving us all both fertility potions
and lust potions.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Randy
sat up a bit straighter, intrigued. Before he could ask anything,
Harry held up a hand to prevent him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
all decided that it wouldn't be wise to give out too many details
concerning that. Sorry,” Harry said with a tone that let the
reporter know that he wasn't really all that sorry. “Suffice it to
say that the lust potion was </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>powerful</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
and the fertility potion worked exactly as it was supposed to.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Suffice?”
Draco questioned, looking askance at Harry. “Did Hermione write a
speech for you or something?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know what suffice means!” Harry protested with a little glare.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
Harry wouldn't </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>let</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
me write a speech for him!” Hermione added.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
comes across more naturally this way,” Luna murmured with a soft
smile. “Though I still think that we should have run the story in
the Quibbler.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Luna,”
Pansy muttered dryly. “We want people to believe this story!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
wouldn't they believe the Quibbler?” Luna wondered, sounding like
she honestly didn't know the answer.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Because
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>dear</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,”
Pansy drawled snootily. “Your magazine has a habit of reporting on
things that do not exist.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Everything
we report is 100 percent factual,” Luna insisted. “And besides,
you may recall that we ran the exclusive on Harry Potter back in 4</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
or 5</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year, and people believed it then.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
reached out and took hold of Luna's hand. “I'll have Hermione write
up a piece for you to run in the Quibbler. Something smaller and more
personal – like a letter.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!”
Hermione gasped excitedly. “I have the perfect idea!” She then
looked at Randy and stopped abruptly. “But we'll talk about that
later.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled at Randy, who was watching everything with an amused grin.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
I was saying, due to a combination of fertility and lust potions, the
ten of us are now pregnant. Again, details not so important – and
probably not suitable for a general audience anyway. All you really
need to know is that I am unquestionably the father to all of the
babies. That means that everyone sitting here with me is carrying my
child,” Harry stated, driving the point home by saying it more than
one way.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Randy
seemed shocked – even more so than when he had looked at Harry and
noticed the baby bump in the first place. “So... You're having ten
babies all in one go?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed, looked away, and scratched the back of his neck. “Well
actually...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
giggled with a mischievous smirk. “He's having 12!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded. “Hermione and I both had two of the fertility potions, and
so we're carrying twins.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
my...” Randy murmured when he found he had nothing to say.
“Twelve...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed again. “Imagine being in my shoes!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
made everyone in the room laugh.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you then implying that you are dating all of the lovely ladies in
this room?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nope!”
Harry denied, shaking his head. “Actually, I'm in a very serious
relationship with Draco.” He took hold of Draco's hand, and Draco
unsuccessfully tried to stifle a blush.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
wait,” Randy had to wrap his mind around this. “You – Harry
Potter – are in a serious relationship with former death eater
Draco Malfoy?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Harry confirmed with a somewhat hard expression. “And will you
please not put the whole death eater nonsense in the article?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
squeezed his hand. “I don't mind if he mentions it, so long as he
doesn't focus on it and make a big deal out of it. It's true after
all, and it doesn't make sense for us to be in a relationship.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
gave Draco a loving yet concerned look. “Are you sure?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Very,”
Draco stated with a firm smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
laughed. “I'm not sure which would make a bigger scandal: Harry
dating 8 women at the same time – each having his baby – or Harry
dating Draco Malfoy. Whose also having his baby.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled and turned his head to look at Pansy. “Actually, Pans, I'm
rather hoping that the biggest scandal will be the fact that I am
carrying twins for Draco!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
is that going to work?” Padma asked curiously, speaking up for the
first time since the interview started. “Is his baby going to be
named Potter, and your two named Malfoy? Or all Potter? All Malfoy?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
looked at her. “Just as I said when I talked to all of you, I
really want all the babies to have Potter in their name. So, if you
agree, yours would be Patil-Potter. Mine will be Malfoy-Potter.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
mine will be Potter-Malfoy since he will be my heir,” Draco added,
also looking over at Padma. He gave her a smile – which was rather
rare as Draco liked to save all his smiles – or at least most of
them – for Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
I agreed to Patil-Potter,” Padma stated, also smiling.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
waved at Padma to get her attention. “And I agreed to just Potter
since I plan to marry Ron and become a Weasley at some point. It
would be sort of weird for my child to be Granger-Potter while I'm a
Weasley.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
could always go with Weasley-Potter like I am,” Ginny suggested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Merlin's saggy balls!” Pansy blurted out. “I just realized that I
more or less agreed to Parkinson-Potter!” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
laughed. “That is rather a mouthful!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
could just name them all Potter,” Luna suggested. “It rather
avoids complications. Such as Lovegood-Potter... Lovegood-Potter,”
she repeated slowly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
smirked at that, sniggering softly. “Love. Good. Potter.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Love
Potter good,” Susan muttered, catching onto the joke.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Love
Potter </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>really</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
good!” Ginny burst out, laughing into her arm. Susan was laughing
outright too, but the rest were merely giggling. The giggles carried
them all away for a good minute before they calmed down again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
rather how we got into this mess,” Harry stated with a grin. Of
course, this renewed all their giggling.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
finally they all calmed down again, Parvati sat up straight since she
had something to say. “Maybe Luna's right. Maybe it is rather silly
to give our babies two last names and we should all just pick Potter.
One cohesive family name.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
all well and good,” Draco sneered with an expression like he was
smelling something foul. “Until they all go to Hogwarts and are
sorted into their houses, have double potions, and the Professor
snaps: Potter! Tell me which potion can send you into such a deep
sleep that you appear dead! And half the class looks at each other in
confusion as to </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>which</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Potter the Professor is referring to.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
lost it again, this time laughing so hard that she found it hard to
breathe and started coughing. “Imagine... Snape!” She manage to
choke out.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Snape
teaching a class with 12 Potters!” Hannah gasped out before
covering her mouth with a hand. She then whispered: “Oh... he must
be spinning in his grave...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
snorted. “Maybe we should take a family photo after the babies are
all born and send it to McGonagal so that she can show it off to all
the portraits!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Ah! I want to be
there to see the look on Snape's face when he sees it!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
spoke up from where he was sitting in the corner. “I'm actually
still trying to picture McGonagal – or whoever actually conducts
the sorting 11 years from now – holding up the list and reading off
names, and they're </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Potter!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Surely
not more than half!” Hermione gasped, a bit scandalized by the
thought. “I know that the student population varies, but there were
approximately 40 students in </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>our</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Imagine
if they're all sorted into Gryffindor!” Ginny called out, sounding
excited beyond belief.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked a bit ill. “All except for my Slytherin – thank you very
much!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
rest of them were laughing. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No!”
Susan cried out, holding her sides in an attempt to soothe the ache
of laughing too hard. “They really </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>are</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
all sorted into Gryffindor, and thus the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>entire
Gryffindor class</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
for their year is nothing but Potters!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Professor!” Hannah gasped, leaning on the arm of her chair and
reaching out to hold Susan's hand as she tried to stop laughing.
“Taking roll call! Potter. Potter. Potter.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
should totally </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>do
it</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!”
Parvati cried out a bit maniacally. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!
Oh! What if they all have wild black hair, green eyes, and look
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>exactly
alike!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”
Susan burst out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hogwarts
won't know what hit it!” Hermione sniggered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Especially</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
if they all have their father's careless disregard for the rules,”
Draco added with a sneer, although his eyes were twinkling and he was
chuckling along with everyone else.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
sobered Hermione up instantly as she pressed the fingers of her hands
into her temples and looked at the floor. “Oh God! My children are
going to be </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>rule
breakers!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cheer
up, 'Mione,” Harry encouraged, looking over at her. “They'll
probably take after you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
could be worse, actually,” Padma pointed out. “Having Harry's
sense of adventure and disregard for the rules, and Hermione's sheer
genius – or mine, for that matter. They'd have everything planned
out so that they never got caught.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Merlin's
hairy chest!” Ron swore in awe. “They could break into Gringott's
and get away with it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Didn't
we already do that?” Harry asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
gasped and ground out: “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Harry!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er,
right!” Harry stated with a nervous gulp. “I keep forgetting,
that was just a dream brought on by my over active imagination.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was giving him a strange look. Harry couldn't decide if it was
disbelieving or impressed. Draco wasn't the only one looking at him
strangely, and the laughter was dying down. Harry firmly looked to
the ceiling.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...
aren't we supposed to be having an interview?” Harry asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Randy
had been having so much fun just listening in that he hadn't spoken
up in quite a while. Now he decided that it would be prudent to
change the subject.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry,
you seem to get along pretty well with all the mothers and father of
your children; do you think this will continue as your children grow
up?” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled and looked around. “I hope so. I'd like to think so. I'm
pretty sure I consider each and every one of them good friends by
this point. We're all going on seven months along, and so naturally,
we've been busy getting the house ready for the babies. Each baby
will sleep with his or her mother, but the entire house needs to be
baby proofed at some point.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Merlin's scrawny arse,” Draco muttered and put his hand over his
forehead. “I just realized that means that we're going to have
three babies in our room with us! </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>How</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
are we going to fit five people in one room?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged. “So we Tardis our bedroom, no big deal.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
does that even mean?” Draco asked in confusion.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Bigger
on the inside,” Harry answered as if this explained everything.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
took a bit of pity on Draco. “He means that we'll use a few
extension charms on your room to make it a bit roomier than it
usually is.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
that's not fair!” Pansy growled grumpily. “They've </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>already</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
got the biggest room in the house!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
house,” Harry reminded her with a mildly evil grin. “Besides, who
said you couldn't do it too?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">God
you're such a smug bastard,” Pansy grumbled.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!
Sounds like it's time for some food!” Harry interjected. “Before
Pansy looses her sanity and goes on a killing spree!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
I'd kill for a snack right about now,” Hermione stated in
agreement.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wow
Hermione,” Draco drawled a bit snidely. “You've been plotting
murder all day. Should we all wear Protegos and stick together so
that you can't pick us off one at a time?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
heavens no!” Hermione assured him. “If I wanted you dead, I'd do
it while you were sleeping!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
gaped a bit and unconsciously scooted closer to Harry. Harry put his
arm around Draco and pulled Draco's head onto his shoulder. Draco
snuggled even as he kept a wary eye on Hermione.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry, I'll protect you,” Harry murmured soothingly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
snorted. “Mate! I think not even </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
could stop Hermione if she were determined enough!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Damn!”
Pansy exclaimed in appreciation. “That's so Slytherin it's sexy!”
She leaned over and gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek. Hermione
looked inordinately proud of herself.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
disagree,” Luna purred softly. “I think it's rather Ravenclaw to
kill someone in their sleep. It's the smart thing to do so that they
don't fight back. The Slytherin way to kill someone would be to have
them drink poison and think it was their own idea. Whereas a
Hufflepuff would probably give them a pleasant tour of the back
garden, hit them over the head with a shovel, and then bury them
before anyone knew they were missing.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Everyone
was silent for a moment, except for Susan, who muttered: “Actually,
they'd feed them to a carnivorous plant,” and then Harry couldn't
help himself. He just </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to ask: “Er... And how would a Gryffindor do it?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
a duel, of course,” Luna stated, and this actually made a lot of
sense, so most everyone nodded in agreement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that, they ate the sandwiches that Andromeda had Kreacher bring them.
Then they answered a few more questions from Randy, such as: “Not
that I think you'd make this up, but how can I verify that you're
telling the truth?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">About
the which part?” Harry wondered curiously. “Because if all you
need to verify is that I am in fact pregnant – and thus so are we
all – you can talk with Andromeda. She's sort of the closest thing
I have to a grandmother, and she's also our live in family Healer.
She's monitoring all our pregnancies and can confirm that we are
actually pregnant. She has permission to give you a few details about
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
pregnancy if you need it, but the rest are confidential.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
see,” Randy murmured with a smile. He then moved onto photographs,
getting a lot of pictures that he promised to send them whether they
appeared in the Prophet or not. After that, he left via the floo so
that he wouldn't see where he was leaving.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
the end of the long and inexplicably exhausting day, Draco and Harry
crawled into bed and snuggled up to each other. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
suppose that could have gone worse,” Draco said with a sigh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think it went rather well,” Harry observed with a smile. “I had
fun.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
shrugged, unwilling to confirm or deny the possibility that he'd had
fun. “So... do you think we should tell my parents before or after
they read about it in the paper?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sat up abruptly with a gasp of horror. “Merlin's wrinkly old prick!
We're going to have to talk to your parents!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
tugged Harry back into his arms. “Yes, well, we can wait to do that
until at least tomorrow. I don't think I could be civil to them with
as tired as I am right now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco...
they're going to kill me, aren't they?” Harry whispered in dismay.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry,” Draco murmured soothingly, rubbing a hand up and down
Harry's arm. “I'll protect you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled at him for a moment. “Good!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
snogged until they fell asleep – for once, too tired to get hot and
heavy. As Harry drifted off, he vowed to make up for it in the
morning.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: teal; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/07/growing-up-potter-part-iv.html">Go To Part 4</a> </span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-19473917809051741482016-07-07T20:37:00.001-05:002016-07-12T22:01:33.556-05:00Growing Up Potter - Part Two<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">This is the sequel to the <a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/07/what-happens-in-amoris-room-doesnt.html">Amoris Room</a>, which is why this says part two when there isn't a post titled part one.</span> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Potter!”
Pansy roared as she burst into the room that Harry shared with Draco.
“If you back out on me, I will literally <i>kill</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
you, and I don't even care if Draco then kills me!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eye. “I'm not going to back
out on you,” he murmured as he sleepily blinked in her direction.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
could have fooled me! My interview is in a little more than half an
hour and you're not even dressed!!!” Pansy roared as she levitated
his glasses in front of his face. Harry put them on.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pans...”
Draco growled warningly. “Some of us are trying to sleep.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
don't sodding care!” Pansy shouted in near panic. “The rest of my
entire bleeding </span><i>life</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
will be determined today, and you can always sleep later!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
got out of bed, not even caring that he was completely naked and had
a small baby bump. He pulled Pansy into a hug, and then kissed her on
the cheek. “Calm down, love. Everything will be fine.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
harrumphed but visibly stopped panicking. With a flick of her wand,
she sorted through his wardrobe, even as more flicks cast cleaning
spells on him. “Wear this, and yes, I </span><i>know</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
it's Draco's!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
purred happily from the bed where he was lounging while trying to
maintain a half sleep as he watched Harry standing there naked. He
watched Pansy impatiently dress Harry like he was a rebellious
toddler. “I always thought he'd look good in that.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Unlike
was implied by Pansy's treatment of him, Harry was </span><i>not</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
a rebellious toddler. He was cooperating as much as possible, finding
it easiest to just act like a doll while she futzed and fiddled with
his clothing. Finally, he was wearing a really nice set of green
robes with gold accents.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you sure you can do this?” Pansy asked, stroking her own baby bump
in a way that betrayed how worried she was.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you sure </span><i>you</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> can do
this?” Harry asked with a pointed smirk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can,” Pansy vowed. “I'll prove it!” She used her hands to hold
Harry's head in place as she kissed him far more thoroughly than
necessary.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
held back a growl for the first five or so seconds, and then he
cleared his throat very significantly. “Ahem!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
chuckled and pulled free from the kiss. “You know I love you
Draco,” he affirmed with smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
turned his head away toward his pillow and grumbled very quietly. “I
love you too.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Before
Harry could say anything, Pansy seized Harry's hand and dragged him
from the room. “</span><i>Come on!</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
We're going to be late!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
followed along compliantly as Pansy dragged him to the floo, called
out St. Mungo's as she threw a pinch of powder in, and then when they
were at the hospital, he followed her to a particular hallway. They
sat in chairs outside a door and held hands. Pansy rested her head on
Harry's shoulder.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
so nervous!” Pansy confessed, but Harry knew that this was not an
actual admission so much as an act. Well... Maybe both.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There's
nothing to be nervous about,” Harry assured her. “You're
brilliant.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know,” Pansy stated with a smirk. Out of the corner of her eye, she
could see the woman who was going to interview her watching them from
down the hall. The woman </span><i>had</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
to be able to hear them; even though they were talking softly, the
sound carried in the empty hall. Pansy put her hand on Harry's cheek
and kissed him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">By
this time in Harry's life, he had learned how to snog fairly well, so
he leaned in and gave her a kiss that made her quite breathless. She
broke off a moment later and whispered in his ear. “Gods! Sometime
I wish you really were mine! Gorgeous </span><i>and</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
a good kisser?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
whispered in her ear. “I thought you were determined to steal
Hermione from Ron.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
shrugged nonchalantly. “That too. No reason why I couldn't have you
both.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
decided to tease her, and went to lick or bite her neck, but she
pushed him away. </span><i>“Harry</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,”
she murmured in feigned protest. “I'm here for an interview.
Behave!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
gave her his puppy dog eyes. “But I'm just trying to wish you
luck.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
throat cleared directly behind Harry. “Save it for later,” the
woman stated firmly. They both looked up at her; Pansy tried to act
innocent while Harry managed to look half guilty and half
unrepentant.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sorry,”
he drawled in a tone that was clearly not sorry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
woman had to visibly steel herself against Harry's charm. “Well,
Mr. Potter,” a look flashed in her eyes that let him know she was
trying very hard not to act like a fangirl around him – despite
being in her early 40s. “As hard as you may find it to wait for
your – er – </span><i>girlfriend</i><span style="font-style: normal;">,
this interview might take quite a while. You'll probably find the
wait easier if you go find a cup of tea.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
got to his feet and helped Pansy to hers. He gave her a kiss on her
cheek. “I'll go get some tea as suggested. Anything you want me to
get for you and the baby? Still craving pickle flavored ice cream?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
didn't have to fake the mildly green look on her face as she covered
her small baby bump. “Ugh, no! I'm more into mashed potatoes and
gravy at the moment, thanks!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
luck,” Harry wished her, kissing her hand before giving it a
squeeze and letting it go.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Healer about to give Pansy an interview eyed them speculatively.
Pansy looked to the floor to hide a triumphant flash in her eyes. The
woman seemed to be asking herself if she could really afford to deny
the mother of Harry Potter's child a chance at the Healer training
program.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
moment later, Pansy was ushered into the office. The Healer gave her
a sour look. “I'll be frank; I wanted to deny your application
without ever interviewing you, but I ethically couldn't because your
grades and aptitude are clearly suited to the health profession. That
said, I'm not sure there is anything you could say to make me want to
spend months teaching you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy's
confidence faltered. She looked to the floor again, this time to hide
her disappointment. </span><i>So, even my plan to shamelessly flaunt
Harry Potter didn't help me...</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
see,” Pansy murmured, focusing on the Healer's nameplate so that
she had something – </span><i>anything</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
– to think about. Healer Rowe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Healer
Rowe sighed. “Lucky for you, </span><i>I'm</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
not the only one capable of taking on trainees. If I decide you're
worth taking a chance on, I do have one Healer who is willing to work
with the Slytherin who quite publicly wanted to hand Harry Potter
over to Voldemort in the final battle.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
sighed, knowing that there really wasn't anything she could say to
excuse her behavior at that time. Yes, she had been terrified for her
life, but so was everyone else. Saying that would only be seen as
self serving.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know this isn't professional in the slightest, but I have to know...”
Healer Rowe faltered for only one second, and then finished her
question. “</span><i>How</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> did
you manage to snag </span><i>Harry Potter</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
as your boyfriend?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
didn't want to lie outright, since that would definitely come back to
bite her in the arse later. “Harry is a very forgiving person. He
doesn't hold grudges. He knows full well the sort of person I am, and
yet, he's willing to give me a chance at being the mother of his
child.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">None
of this was a lie. Rowe didn't need to know that Harry had gotten
Pansy pregnant during an orgy fueled by lust and fertility potions.
After they'd all found out, Pansy had offered to give the baby to
Harry outright, but Harry had persuaded her to try joint custody for
a while first.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...”
the Healer responded, and then decided against saying any more. For
the next half hour, she grilled Pansy on knowledge Pansy should
already know, and when Pansy managed to impress her, she had no
choice but: “Ms. Parkinson, I sincerely regret to inform you that
you are brilliant and have given me no excuse to kick your sorry arse
out of the building. You may train to be a Healer. You'll start
Monday, and the first thing you'll have to do is consult with the man
who'll be training you as to how far along you are, and when you'll
likely be needing maternity leave.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
Ma'am!” Pansy exclaimed happily, forgetting to be a bitch in return
after all that horrible attitude. “Will I have to stop seeing my
Healer? Harry engaged her for us specially.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
no!” Rowe replied with a smirk, as if she felt Pansy was being
silly. “You can see anyone you want, it's just that your pregnancy
will </span><i>also</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> be a focus
of your training and that of your peers. I daresay that you'll feel
sick of being poked and prodded in no time at all!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
harrumphed at that, but then faced the floor so that she could hide a
tiny smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Slytherins,”
the Healer muttered with a shake of her head. She stood to escort
Pansy out of her office, surprised to find Harry actually waiting for
them. After the initial surprise, she'd rather decided that Pansy had
pulled in some sort of favor or blackmail to get Harry to show up and
give everyone the wrong impression. She really thought he'd have
taken off once his part was over.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well?”
Harry asked anxiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
grinned and threw her arms around Harry's neck, careful not to jostle
the plastic takeaway container of mashed potatoes in his one hand,
nor the travel mug of tea in his other. “I got it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
wonderful Pans!” Harry exclaimed, trying to return her hug with his
hands full – without spilling anything. They gave each other a
fairly chaste kiss compared to their morning practice session.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
should go home and tell the others,” Harry suggested excitedly as
he handed her the container of mashed potatoes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Aww,
you even got me extra gravy!” Pansy gushed, hungry enough to shove
a bite in her mouth right away. At four months along, she'd hit the
hungry stage of her pregnancy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Others?”
The Healer asked, watching them in fascination. They actually were
</span><i>not</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> pretending, as far
as she could tell.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Our
family,” Harry informed her with a beautiful grin. “They're all
waiting at home for the good news.” He held out his now free arm to
Pansy. “You ready to go home?” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Healer made a sound like: huh! “I really thought that you were
having me on when you listed your address as a secret you could not
give out because Harry Potter had it under a fidelius charm.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,”
Harry assured her. “I really do have my house under a fidelius
charm.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Healer
Rowe laughed. “That part I believe!” She left the rest unspoken,
but they understood it anyway. Both chose to ignore her subtle snub.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Arm
in arm and acting almost high from giddiness, Pansy and Harry
returned home to find Draco pacing in front of the floo fireplace. He
almost seemed more nervous than Pansy had. They barely had time to
exchange a look before they conspired to put one over on Draco.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
turned to look at them and took note of their somber expressions.
“You didn't get it?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
interviewer was a right bitch!” Pansy complained.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
didn't even seem to care that I'm Harry sodding Potter!” Harry
added.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
snorted. “Oh, she cared, she just thought it would be the
professional thing to ignore it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Seriously?!”
Draco roared in outrage. “You listed </span><i>Harry bleeding
Potter</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> as one of your
references, and then bring him with you to the interview to prove
that you aren't lying, and she </span><i>still</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
wouldn't give you a chance?!” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Apparently,
she finds it hard to believe that Harry would actually let me live
with him,” Pansy stated, her arms crossed defensively over her
chest.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
sighed morosely. “Ah. She assumed this was all some sort of
Slytherin plan. Did she actually accuse you of putting Harry under an
Imperius?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
shook her head. “Not quite, but I'm sure she wanted to. Instead,
she told me to start on Monday and make sure to tell the Healer in
charge of me when I'm going to pop so that I can arrange maternity
leave.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She...
what?” Draco asked in confusion. He looked from Pansy to Harry, who
both continued to look solemn and serious for another few seconds.
“What??”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
broke first, trying to suppress a snicker. A moment later, Pansy
giggled. After that, Harry laughed outright.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
should see the look on your face!” Harry gasped out between laughs.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
so funny?” Hermione asked as she entered the room.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
got accepted!” Pansy announced with a squeal, throwing her arms
around Hermione. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
wonderful!” Hermione congratulated, rewarding her with a brief
kiss.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Meanwhile,
Draco punched Harry's shoulder. “You complete shit! You utter
bastard! How dare you make me think she didn't get it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
tried to defend himself while still laughing. “It wasn't planned,
it just sort of happened!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
started laughing again, coming up behind Draco and throwing her arms
around his neck in an attempt to rescue Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
</span><i>you</i><span style="font-style: normal;">! You slag! You
cow! Do you have </span><i>any idea</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
how worried I was for you?!” Draco roared, pulling Pansy in front
of him. They hugged onto each other as if they never planned to let
go. Pansy buried her face in his neck and started to cry just a
little.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">For
a while during the interview, that bitch really did make it sound
like I didn't have a chance, and I had no idea what I was going to
do!” Pansy wailed softly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Shh
love,” Draco hushed, rubbing her back.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
few moments passed with the only sounds coming from Pansy – soft
cries – and Draco – murmured reassurances. Eventually, Hermione
put her hands on Pansy's shoulders. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
gave me permission to congratulate you in a very special way if you
got into the program,” Hermione informed her softly. A bit huskily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
chuckled, still finding it amusing how much Pansy and Hermione seemed
to like one another. Pansy gasped in giddy astonishment. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Really?”
Pansy demanded.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
barely had time to nod before Pansy was dragging her from the room.
Draco shook his head with a wry smirk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
must admit, all of us living here is... </span><i>interesting...</i><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
laughed. “I know!” He pulled Draco close and snogged him
senseless. “So... You need me to bring you back to bed and remind
you that there's no need to be jealous of Pansy?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
gave Harry an unhappy look, but inside, he knew that he would always
have to share Harry with the eight women he'd gotten pregnant during
the orgy. Therefore, being jealous about it would just be pointless.
He pursed his lips.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
I suppose a little reminder couldn't hurt...” Draco admitted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
grinned at him, grabbed his hand, and dragged him to their bedroom.
As they passed Pansy's room, a very loud gasp made them both cringe
for a moment, but then only 30 seconds later, they were safely in
their room with the door shut, locked, and a silencing spell in
place. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
slammed Draco up against the door and seized a greedy kiss. When
their lips eventually broke apart, Draco panted heavily as he
smirked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
know, Potter, in just a month or two, I'll be too pregnant for you to
manhandle.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
smirked against his lips. “Shut up and kiss me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Rather
than argue, Draco kissed him.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: teal; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/07/growing-up-potter-part-three.html">Go To Part Three</a> </span></span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-69849892492303558022016-07-04T23:04:00.000-05:002016-07-12T22:02:34.199-05:00What Happens in the Amoris Room Doesn't Always Stay in the Amoris Room<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Dear Readers, I know I haven't been updating my blog as much recently, and it's because I got lost in the world of Harry Potter Fanfics, and after reading for a few weeks, I was suddenly overflowing with ideas! In the last month, I have written six different one-shot short fanfics. All of them are Drarry (Draco and Harry getting together) or at least sort of half Drarry half poly. I know not everyone is into fanfics, and also not everyone Ships Drarry, and so I've only posted a couple so far... cuz they were HOT!!! lol! That said, this one seems to be popular, so... enjoy :-D </span> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shh,
quiet!” Susan Bones hushed in a whisper. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
answered her in a whisper just to keep her calm. “I'm fairly sure
that we don't have to worry about anyone hearing us. No one ever
comes to this part of the castle.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Susan
snorted in amusement. “That's what you think, but I know for a fact
that a </span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>lot</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of couples come this way when they want a bit of privacy for
snogging.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
looked to Luna to see if this was common knowledge and only Hermione
hadn't known about it. Luna merely shrugged as she continued to smile
serenely. “I'm not sure that it makes a difference either way.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
Abbot nodded in agreement. “It's not like the rumors say the room
was forbidden from student usage. We're not doing anything wrong.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know that!” Hermione exclaimed in a harsh whisper which told
everyone that she was afraid of breaking the rule even if there
wasn't a clear one to break.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So,
er...” Harry interrupted, startling them all as he came up behind
them. “Did I miss a S.P.E.W. meeting notification or something?” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione,
Hannah, Susan, Luna, Ginny, and the Patil twins – Padma and Parvati
– all whirled around to look at Harry. He grew even more curious as
he noticed that they all looked inexplicably guilty. Aside from
Slytherin, all houses were accounted for.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Or...
is this a house unity thing? A </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>secret</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
house unity thing?” Harry wondered with a puzzled frown.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
er...” Hermione droned hesitantly. It wasn't that she didn't trust
her best friend with the information, it was just that it was a bit
embarrassing to admit.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ow!
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Pansy...</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”
Draco Malfoy growled in frustration as Pansy Parkinson dragged him
closer to the group.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
look, it's a reunion of Hogwarts most pathetic losers!” Pansy
snooted, although her eyes showed that she was dying to know what was
going on.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Susan
turned to Hermione. “See? I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>told</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you that this corridor was the one where all the couples hide when
they want to snog!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
lay off,” Padma interjected with a sigh. “Hannah is right, we're
not doing anything wrong, and since Hermione stated that the room is
hidden at the end of the hall, I vote we just find the bloody thing
and be done with it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
room?” Harry asked, secretly proud of himself for not starting an
argument with Malfoy out of sheer habit. Now that everyone had
returned for an uninterrupted and possibly even relaxing 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year – seeing as how Voldemort was defeated and the war was over –
the two rivals were trying their best to be civil to one another.
Although sometimes, it was almost physically impossible to keep his
mouth shut around the infernal git!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
refused to look at him as she walked to the end of the hall. She
placed her hand on the wall and sighed, muttering in determination.
“It's here, I know it is!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
gave Harry one of her big and dreamy smiles as she took hold of his
hand. “The Amoris room.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
held no meaning for Harry. “The Amoris room?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
inhaled in awe. “I've heard a legend about that...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We've
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
heard a legend about that!” Padma Patil stated a bit grumpily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
I haven't!” Harry exclaimed, also a bit grumpy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Neither
have I,” Draco added in a murmur, sounding very slightly
interested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
– still with a hand on the wall – turned her head to explain.
“The Amoris room –” but whatever she was going to say next was
cut short when the wall slid open and revealed a large room. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
entire group filed in, looking around curiously. The room was
somewhat plain but had an interestingly cozy atmosphere. The walls
had hundreds of small round tea candles each, which seemed like it
should make the room hot, but it was the perfect temperature. Other
than the candles, there was only one huge but extremely plush cushion
in the middle of the room. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
moment the last person was fully in the room, the wall closed up
again and wouldn't let them out no matter how much they shouted or
pounded on it. They gave up after only two minutes, most heads
turning to glare at Hermione.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
drooped as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders, and then
sighed. “There's nothing to worry about. The room probably just
wants to do its job before it lets us out.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
what job is that, exactly?” Harry asked, trying hard not to get
angry or panicky.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
gestured to the very large plush cushion. “May as well get
comfortable while I explain.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
looked around again, and then nodded. He sat next to Luna simply
because Luna was still holding his hand and he thought she might need
some comfort. Ginny sat on his other side. Hermione sat on the side
of the cushion to the right of Harry, along with Parvati and Susan.
Padma and Hannah sat on the side of the cushion to Harry's left, and
Draco and Pansy sat across from Harry. The cushion was massive enough
that the center of it could have been a table and it would have held
a feast.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
took a deep breath and exhaled as a way to visibly calm down. Then
she smiled and focused on Harry. “The Amoris Room is a legend –
much like the Chamber of Secrets was a legend – about a hidden room
in Hogwarts that allows people to find out who their true love is.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
gave Hermione a look of amused disbelief. “Er, Hermione? You </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>know</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
who your true love is.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
rolled her eyes at her best friend. “Well, yes, but I just want to
be absolutely sure. Ron has hinted that he wants us to get very very
serious the moment we pass our N.E.W.T.s and finish school. I guess I
just wanted to know if I'd be making a mistake by marrying him right
away.” As she admitted to this last bit, she looked down at her
school robe, picking at a hair and some lint.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
I wanted to know if Neville is serious about me,” Luna informed
Harry with a smile so dreamy that Harry wondered if she was actually
in love with </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>him</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
the rest of us basically just wanted to satisfy our curiosity,”
Parvati stated with a shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Except
for Draco and me,” Pansy added with a strangely calculating grin.
“We just got caught up in my curiosity at your group sneaking
around all guilty looking.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,
well, anyway,” Hermione took back the conversation. “I'm not
entirely sure how, but once the room does its job of showing us what
we need to know, I'm sure it'll open up and let us out.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...”
Harry looked around yet again, trying to see if there was any sort of
clue as to what they needed to do. “Now what?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
anyone could come up with an answer to that, a sharp female voice
echoed from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. “Who is the
chosen one?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Without
giving the question even a second's thought, all hands pointed to
Harry and all voices said either Harry, Harry Potter, or – in
Draco's case – just Potter. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
you wish,” the voice stated, sounding cheerful and perhaps a bit
eager.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
rolled his eyes and his entire head in frustrated aggravation. “Oh
come on! Why can't someone else be the chosen one for a change?! I
vote that Malfoy be the chosen one for today!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
would swear that he felt hands ruffle his hair and stroke his cheek
for a moment. He looked at both Luna and Ginny to see if it had been
either of them, but both of Luna's hands were holding Harry's, and
both of Ginny's hands were in her lap.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
voice came again, this time sounding positively delighted and just a
bit mischievous. “As you wish.” The candles all flickered as if a
gentle wind circled the room, and then went back to being steady. “It
begins.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that somewhat ominous announcement, the voice never spoke again, no
matter how much they demanded more answers. Instead, a small silver
plate and matching goblet appeared in front of each of them. They all
looked around at each other uncertainly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is probably what we need,” Hermione stated, trying to sound
confident and sure of herself. “It will likely give us visions to
answer the question of who we are meant to be with.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Knowing
that everyone else was skeptical – especially the Ravenclaws and
Slytherins – Hermione decided to prove that she was definitely a
brave Gryffindor by taking a bite of the chocolate covered Petit Four
on the silver plate. She followed it with a sip of the wine in the
goblet. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited to see if
something weird would happen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm!
Not bad at all,” Hermione stated with a smile. “In fact, that's
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>really</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
good!” She took another bite – basically finishing the small cake
– and then followed it with a sip from the goblet. “I could
actually go for another.” In response, another cake known as a
Petit Four appeared on her plate.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was the type to support his best friend no matter what the danger, so
he sighed and shoved the chocolate cake in his mouth. “Mmm! That's
fantastic!” He exclaimed when the cake seemed to burst with
perfectly dark and velvety chocolate all over his mouth. He took a
sip of the wine in his goblet, not because he actually wanted to wash
the lovely perfection out of his mouth, but because he literally
could not stop himself. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna,
Ginny, and Parvati were encouraged by his enthusiastic reaction and
ate their Petit Fours next. They also gushed obvious enjoyment before
drinking their wine.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
is this?” Pansy asked after she ate her cake and slowly sipped from
her wine. “It's delicious but unlike any wine I've ever tasted.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
tastes like apples to me,” Hermione said, moaning in enjoyment. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
taste a hint of blueberries,” Hannah informed everyone with a sigh
of contentment.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
feel really good,” Harry added with a grin. “Relaxed but not
drunk or even slightly drunk. And my wine tastes like... Oranges
maybe? I can't put my finger on it. It's a sort of citrus and herb
flavor, I think.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was the last one to give in. Part of him wanted to refuse out of
spite and stubbornness, but two things changed his mind. One,
everyone seemed to love the refreshments provided. And two, he had a
feeling that none of them would ever get out of the room if he didn't
do it. Even so, he sniffed the cake and wine suspiciously, and then
tasted them so cautiously that everyone just knew that he expected
them to be poisoned. However, since no one seemed to be suffering
from any ill effects, he eventually finished his cake and gulped down
his wine.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
asked for a second cake as he sipped his wine. The others debated
asking for seconds as well, but the moment the last drop of wine was
gone, they no longer had the option. All of the silver plates and
goblets disappeared as if they had never existed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Hermione ventured after a moment of surprised silence.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
looked over to her to see if she had any ideas about what to do next,
but got distracted when a haze filled the room. He looked around to
see if the haze filled every bit of space, and then realized that it
wasn't like a mist or a fog around the room. Rather, it was something
wrong with his eyes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...
Maybe I'm about to have that vision,” he murmured to himself.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry,”
Ginny whispered, clutching his sleeve urgently. When Harry turned to
look at her, she kissed him. He was so surprised that he gasped. He
and Ginny had kissed a lot in the past, but not so much recently. She
had told him that she was thinking about dating Dean again, and he
was giving her time to decide.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
tug on his other sleeve prompted him to break off his kiss and look
over at Luna. She grinned at him in a way that was both strange and
ever so slightly creepy, and then grabbed his head and pulled him
close for a shockingly thorough kiss. After that, another curious
look around the room showed that his hazy vision was worse than ever,
but he could still see just enough to know that everyone was kissing
someone. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
glance over at Ginny showed that she had moved over to Susan while
Hermione was kissing Parvati. Over to his left, Hannah was kissing
Padma, and across the cushion, Pansy was kissing Draco. Before he
could form any opinions at all about this information, Luna grabbed
him by the hair and forced him to look at her again. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
they were kissing, but not just any kissing! They were doing that
passionate kissing that was basically a silent message saying: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I
must have you now!</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
would have been nervous if he could think at all. Somewhere inside,
he knew that he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>should</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
have been nervous. And somewhere in the corner of his brain, a tiny
voice reminded him that he was not interested in Luna in that way. At
that very moment, it did not matter; she took everything he gave her;
demanding more than he normally would have allowed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
haze grew hazier, and then everything passed in a bit of a blur. He
realized that his clothes completely vanished at some point – as
did all the clothes in the room. He realized that Luna was naked and
riding him in a way that felt incredible, and he couldn't find it in
him to care that his virginity was now gone despite his former
decision to save it for the right person.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that, events blurred even more. He seemed to drift along on an ocean
of pleasure, his body simply doing things by instinct. His partner
changed almost as often as his mood and his position. When he
realized that he was inside Malfoy, he was surprised enough to try to
pay extra attention. Even more surprising, Malfoy made noises that
gave Harry the impression that he was extremely good at this.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
then, just after Harry pumped Malfoy full, Malfoy rolled Harry under
him and resumed the kissing that felt like liquid lava in his veins.
Malfoy – whom Harry silently decided to refer to as Draco since
they were rather astonishingly having sex. Draco carefully inserted
his fingers inside Harry, opening him up and preparing him for what
was to happen next. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
this point, Harry knew that he had had sex with literally everyone in
the room. Even Pansy Parkinson. Even Hermione. But at the moment, it
all seemed like a vague memory compared to how he felt having Draco
slowly enter him. Harry felt something shift inside him; something
deeply profound.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...”
he breathed out in a tone that should have told everyone that he'd
just had an astonishing and breathtaking epiphany, except that no one
was paying any attention to him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike
every moment up 'til now, Harry felt like each and every second that
passed was etched in his mind like a swirling design on glass. Every
slight movement that Draco made felt like sheer bliss! Harry would
gladly give up breathing before he ended this! To prove his point,
Harry grabbed Draco's arms and gripped them tight so that Draco
couldn't change his mind.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was also in a haze, but the hard grip on his arms – each finger
sure to leave a bruise – prompted him to pause and truly look at
Harry. Harry squeaked in dismay and pushed his head up closer to
Draco's so that he could take possession of Draco's mouth. Draco
smirked, a tiny chuckle escaping him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry,” Draco whispered in Harry's ear. “I'm not going anywhere
for a while.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded in acceptance, feeling far more relieved than he should. In
fact, an extremely not helpful yet somehow sober braincell reminded
him that he and Draco were rivals that had hated each other for years
prior to the end of the war. Harry took a deep breath, exhaled that
thought away, and relaxed completely so that he could simply feel. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
practically no time at all, Harry was making all the same noises that
Draco had. He whimpered, gasped, moaned, and begged. Draco thrusting
in and out managed to hit a spot that Harry hadn't quite believed
actually existed, but it did, and stimulating it felt a good hundred
times better than everything else that had happened.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well...
everything but that blowjob he was pretty sure that Hermione had
given him, but he didn't want to think about that right now.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now
Harry was convinced that he was about to either float on up to heaven
– possibly dying first – or simply explode into a thousand
pieces, never to be found again. He wrapped his arms around Draco and
held on because he didn't want to die or shatter before this glorious
sex was at least three days old.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Had
Draco been able to hear Harry's wish for their sex to last at least
three days, he would have burst out laughing. As it was, he was
rapidly approaching climax. With a devouring kiss, Draco tried to
bury himself as deeply as possible, his thrusts small and shaky as he
flooded Harry with wonderfully wet heat. Harry squealed a little as
he arched up into Draco, his body shaking from an orgasm that he
simply didn't have the fluids left to accompany it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
the two of them were done – having each had sex with everyone in
the room – they were so worn out that Draco simply collapsed on top
of Harry. It took maybe half a second for them to pass out. Had they
been capable of looking around, they would have seen that almost
everyone was drifting off to sleep. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Only
Hermione and Pansy were still awake, but not for very much longer.
Hermione's head between Pansy's legs soon produced a loud squeal that
echoed around the room for a good five seconds before Hermione's
fingers between her own legs rewarded her with a loudly vocal orgasm
as well. After that, they too passed out, and the room stayed
remarkably cozy despite the fact that all ten occupants were
completely naked and sleeping.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
my God!” Harry cried out the next morning after very clear memories
played out in his mind as he drifted awake. His eyes flew open to
stare at the ceiling because he was rather afraid to look around the
room – especially since a solid weight pressed him into the very
comfortable and plush cushion.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
my God!” Hermione nearly screeched as she also opened her eyes. She
actually sat up quite abruptly and looked around.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Granger,
shut it,” Pansy groaned in complaint, tugging Hermione until she
lay back down. “I'm not ready to wake up.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna's
soft and fluffy voice was soothing to everyone. “I'm rather
enjoying the memories of what happened and wish to linger over them
for as long as possible.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
my God,” Harry murmured, repeating his earlier statement. He
carefully looked around without shifting his body. Even though he
didn't dare confirm that it was who he thought it was, he didn't want
the weight to move. He rather liked that weight and wanted it to stay
there forever. Even so, he needed to look around and sort of reassure
himself that everything he remembered had actually happened.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
expected, the room contained eight naked women – or are they still
considered girls because they were still in school, despite all being
at least 18? This look around also confirmed who the weight on him
was, even though he still didn't dare to look. It was just obvious
that if all eight of the ten people in the room who were female
happened to be in sight, then the only other male had to be laying on
top of him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">About
25 percent of Harry wanted to jump up and start shouting at Malfoy
for being Malfoy, naked, on top of Harry. However, another 25 percent
of Harry wanted to kiss Draco and recreate </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of the memories featuring the two of them the previous night. The
remaining 50 percent of him wanted to simply hold Draco tight, growl
the word </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>mine,</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
and glare at anyone who tried to argue.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
situation was so far from anything Harry could have ever expected,
that he just did not know what to do. It seemed like he only had two
choices; cry... or laugh. And honestly, crying came with too many
side effects – such as nasty headaches – so that really only left
one option.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even
so, he was surprised when the laughter bubbled out of his mouth. The
room had been filled with small noises – gasps of surprise, groans
of shame or mortification, and purrs of delight – but it fell
silent. Slowly, one by one, everyone joined in on the laughter.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
had a laugh that sounded like pure and soft harp music strummed by
angels. She also had a mind so unique and different from all the
others that no one was surprised when she asked: “What are we
laughing about, Harry?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
took Harry a moment to calm down enough to speak coherently, but then
he turned his head so that he could look Luna in the eye. “I don't
know about all of you, but </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'm</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
laughing because I walked into this room a virgin, and while I can
clearly remember having sex with everyone here, I can't quite
remember who took my virginity.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,”
Luna replied with a tone like she was high on life. “I do believe
that was me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
huffed a small laugh. “You're probably right.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Damn...</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”
Pansy burst out, clearly delighted by the information. “I can't
decide if I should be jealous or not! I mean, who else can honestly
say that their first time was during an orgy with practically the
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>entire</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No
one knew exactly why, but it seemed like their shared ordeal had the
lingering effects of not only honesty, but a strange compulsion to
volunteer private information.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
went first. “I lost mine to Neville back in sixth year.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
lost mine to Ron while camping in the Forest of Dean,” Hermione
stated with a wistful smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Speaking
of Dean,” Ginny added wryly. “I lost mine to him back near the
beginning of </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
sixth year.” Referring to the fact that Dean was a year ahead of
her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Susan,
Hannah, and the Patil twins – who, according to everyone's memory,
did </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
have incestuous sex with each other at any point – each volunteered
who they lost their virginity to and when. Then Pansy gave a strange
sigh that no one could quite interpret.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
lost mine to Draco some time in either 4</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
or 5</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year,” Pansy stated with a hum that suggested she was remembering
it and that it was a happy memory.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
shifted so that he was now resting his chin on his arms which were
draped across Harry's chest. “I suppose if everyone else has
shared, I can too... I lost mine near the end of 3</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">rd</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year to two 7</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year Slytherin boys and a 6</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year Slytherin girl that no one here would even remember anyway.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Whoa,
really?” Pansy blurted out in astonishment. “I had no idea!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
you didn't ask,” Draco replied a bit defensively. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
cleared her throat in a way that let Harry – who knew her so well –
know that she was trying to be both delicate and disapproving. “Isn't
3</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">rd</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year a bit... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>young</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to have sex?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
shrugged. “Not that it's any of </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>your</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
business, but when it started, I didn't really have much of a choice.
I'm just happy that they went to great lengths to make sure that I
was very willing by the end of it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco...”
Harry murmured in sympathy, putting a hand on his cheek. “That's
not right...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
gave him an odd look, both amused and a sort of snide disbelief.
“Says the boy who lost his virginity without prior consent during
an orgy in a room that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>clearly</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
is not actually intended to bestow visions of one's true love!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
truth of the matter finally caught up with Hermione, making her groan
and press a hand to her head as she sat up. “Oh... what am I going
to tell Ron?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
usually find that the truth works best,” Luna replied brightly, but
before she could enlighten them to her idea of what the truth was,
Ginny took over.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry, I'll stand by you and back you up as you explain it to him,”
Ginny assured her. “I won't </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>let</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
him think badly of you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Parvati added. “I'm a Gryffindor too, and if the three of us can't
convince him –”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Four
of us,” Luna interrupted softly. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
the four of us,” Parvati tried again, but this time Harry
interrupted her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Actually,
five of us,” Harry stated. He looked over at Hermione. “You
didn't think I planned to leave you to explain it on your own, did
you? I figure that he'll get mad and I'll let him punch me until he
feels better, and then he'll hear you out before storming off to
think things through for a while.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
then he'll come back and let you know that he forgives you,” Ginny
assured her friend, reaching across the center of the cushion to take
Hermione's hand. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Considering
that they had started spread out along the sides, it was fairly
interesting that all ten of them were now more or less piled in the
center of the cushion. Harry was half certain that the reason that no
one had bothered to actually move was because this cushion was so
damn comfortable that no one </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wanted</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to move yet. Besides, so far, they all felt this lingering joy that
held the possibility of a repeat or continuation. If even one of them
got up to maybe look for their clothes, they were all more than a
little afraid that the good mood would be broken.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No
one wanted to truly break the spell or whatever it was that made them
all feel like they'd had 10 mind blowing orgasms followed by the best
sleep of their lives. Harry frowned. He very slowly shook his head as
he looked around again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Draco wondered, secretly ignoring both the fact that he was still
laying on Harry </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that he was happy that Harry hadn't tried to push him away yet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
can't be possible,” Harry murmured. He squinted his eyes at each
girl one at a time.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
not possible?” Susan asked curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">10
orgasms... or would it be nine actually, but still! That can't be
physically possible!” Harry insisted, not sure why it made a
difference. “And yet if I focus on you individually, I can remember
all of them...” And when Harry looked at Draco, he remembered
having two, and so yes, he'd had 10 in total.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think I only had three...” Draco murmured, biting his lip in
thought as he looked around. “Pansy, Hermione, you... and then you
again, so four...” he counted so softly that he was nearly
whispering. “And yet I know I had sex with everyone else too...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
girls all looked at each other with slight blushes and knowing grins.
Most agreed that they'd had between five and ten orgasms. Luna wore
an even dreamier expression than normal.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think I had twelve!” She announced, and then proceeded to count
softly. “Harry, Hermione, Susan, Parvati, Ginny, Padma, Hermione
again, Pansy, Draco, Pansy again, Hermione once more, and then
Hannah.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
raised a brow and chuckled as he looked over at his best friend.
Hermione was blushing the deepest shade of red – one so deep that
it didn't seem humanly possible. She scratched at the back of her
neck and looked to the ceiling. “Errrr.....” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
laughed and tugged Hermione back onto the cushion before kissing her
cheek. “You made me scream and then pass out, so you're definitely
on the list of the six or so orgasms I had. And I'm pretty sure that
you gave yourself one at the same time, so... If you took as many as
you gave out, you must have been –” She cut herself short with a
laugh.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Patil twins shook their heads and laughed. “She's on my list!”
They both exclaimed in unison. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
mine!” Everyone else echoed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
covered her face with both hands and let out a prolonged but low
squeal of mortification. Everyone laughed, but it wasn't meant to be
mean. Even Draco was laughing because he found her embarrassment
adorable.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
does this embarrass you?” Draco wondered as the thought occurred to
him and sobered up his laughing. “I'd think you'd be proud of the
fact that your tongue can do things that make a person's toes curl
and arch their back as they –” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Squeal
and cry and call out your name,” Ginny took over with a wink at
Draco.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
to mention beg the Gods for you to never stop,” Pansy added as she
stroked Hermione's back. Hermione now had her face buried in Pansy's
chest.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
I don't want that skill!” Hermione protested. It was muffled by
Pansy's ample breasts, but everyone heard her anyway.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
reached over and pinched her right buttock near her hip. “Dare I
ask how you even </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>acquired</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that skill?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
turned over and rested her head on Pansy's shoulder as she stared up
at the ceiling. She took a few deep breaths to calm down and very
determinedly did </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
look at anyone. “Well... Once Ron started hinting that he wanted
to... you know... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>have
sex</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,”
she whispered as if those words were forbidden to be spoken in this
room. “I, well I didn't want to be bad at it! So I... I found a
book... and I studied techniques... and then I practiced on, well,
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>things...”</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
she could try to explain any more. The room devolved into giggles
again. Harry patted Hermione soothingly even as Draco shook his head.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
know, I think you might actually be the only person I have ever heard
of who actually learned phenomenal sex skills from a book!” Draco
stated with a grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
sat up and pulled Hermione into a hug that would have made Harry a
lot more intrigued to see if he wasn't looking at two girls he
normally had zero sexual interest in. Luna purred knowingly as she
stroked Hermione's cheek.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah...
so you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>do</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
want those skills!” Luna exclaimed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
rolled her eyes and rested her head on Luna's shoulder. “Well... I
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>suppose</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I do. I just meant for them to be used on one person only.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
me!” Pansy insisted, trying to pull Hermione back on top of her.
“Please say that you'll convince that lug of a boyfriend of yours
to let me have you from time to time! I'll even let him do me too if
that helps to convince him.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
blushed. “Er... no?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled because it was obvious that Hermione wasn't sure she wanted
to refuse Pansy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
not into girls at all,” Parvati stated abruptly, and then grinned
at Hermione. “But </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
would literally pay good money if you'd consider doing that to me at
least once a month, Hermione!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
sighed in frustration and flung her hands out as if smoothing
unwanted debris away from her. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'm</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
not into girls! If it wasn't for whatever was in our wine – a lust
potion, I'm almost certain – I wouldn't have done any of this!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
finally, reluctantly, pushed Draco away, blushing just a little when
he felt Draco's limp shaft unstick from the dried evidence of what
had happened – his anus puckered slightly as if protesting the
loss. They both made unconscious sounds of unhappiness at being
separated, so Harry pressed a very quick kiss to Draco's cheek before
rushing over to his best friend. He pulled Hermione into his arms and
stroked her hair soothingly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
wanted to say shh or maybe assure her that everything would be
alright, but those things sounded trite. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is all my fault,” Hermione whispered, but it was still loud enough
for everyone to hear. “I discovered the room while studying
your...” She gave Harry a significant look that he understood to
mean his Marauders' Map. He nodded in understanding. “And then I
assumed that the legends were true, and I dragged everyone here! If
not for me, none of this would have happened!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was nothing Harry could say, so he simply held her close, rocking her
just a tiny bit as he stroked her hair. “I know...” he murmured
very softly. “But I'm not upset. Nor am I sorry. I don't regret a
moment of it, even though things happened that probably shouldn't
have.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
he talked, all the others sat up and circled around. Everyone but
Draco placed a hand on Hermione's body somewhere to try to comfort
her. Meanwhile, Draco was distracted by Harry's hair; running a hand
through it to see if it actually could get any messier. Or perhaps
neater? Harry closed his eyes and did his best not to shiver in
pleasure and lean into the touch.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
don't blame you, Hermione.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
don't regret it either.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Perhaps
we should all simply agree that what happened in here was so out of
the ordinary that it was just a dream,” Hannah Abbott suggested
with a shrug. “A </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>really</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>good</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
dream, but... That way, there's nothing to feel guilty about.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
took Hannah's hand. “I know you're just trying to make me feel
better, but in all honesty, I woke up in a room full of naked people
after a night of seriously brilliant sex. I'm pretty sure I'm
required to tell my boyfriend about it!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Besides,”
Pansy added with a slightly evil smirk. “I don't think I could keep
this a secret if I was bound by an unbreakable vow!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Me
either,” Luna stated with a mischievous grin. “I plan to describe
it in excruciating detail to Neville later on, and though I am not
sure he will believe me, at least my conscious will be clear.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">By
this point, what Harry liked to think of as some sort of spell over
them – keeping them relaxed and open – seemed to have dissipated
just enough that it was starting to become weird for 10 people to be
lounging around naked in a room. Harry looked to the ceiling as he
wondered about this. Considering that all the 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
years shared one dormitory, it was actually fairly common to see most
everyone is a state of undress bordering on naked – or actually
naked in the boys' shower room – but... not actually </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>this</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
naked! Harry had a feeling that he should be freaking out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
all, his possible girlfriend, his best friend, Luna, and a bunch of
other girls that he didn't normally talk to were all naked in front
of him, after a night of astonishingly good sex. Which Harry hoped
and prayed was normal because he didn't want to have to take lust
potions every time he wanted really good sex!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
Harry was starting to have a potential mental crisis, Hermione
finally pulled herself together. She sighed, wiped a bit of moisture
from her eyes, and then looked around.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Do...
Do we just ask for our clothes back?” She asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
room subtly changed. No one had noticed during the night when the
candles had disappeared and a long series of windows had stretched
across the top of one wall, but that was how they knew it was
morning, at the very least. Now that clothes had been asked for, one
wall slid open to reveal a closet full of soft and fluffy bath robes.
A corner of the room underneath the windows slowly formed a large
bathtub.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
bath?” Susan asked no one in particular.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not?” The Patil twins asked in return. “Can't be any kinkier than
what already happened.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
true...” Hannah murmured as she inspected the bath and found it to
be the perfect temperature. She purred and sighed happily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
does seem to be big enough for all of us,” Harry remarked as he
boldly entered the tub. “It doesn't have any strange smells and...”
He picked up the sole bar of soap to smell it. “This smells like
herbs to me. Hannah?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
took the offered soap and smelled it. “Smells like herbs to me
too.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
lust potions smelled and tasted different for each of us, right? So
if we're both smelling the same thing, that means it should be safe,
right?” Harry asked, looking over at Hermione.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
suppose so,” she answered uncertainly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
stepped closer to Harry. “It wouldn't really matter. If it was
laced with a variant of the lust potion that effected us by smell, it
would do so if we were in the same room with it whether we used it or
not. So we may as well take the bath.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
smiled at Draco as he slipped into the tub and settled next to –
but not </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>too</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
close to Harry. Hermione sighed and stepped into the tub so she could
sit on Harry's other side and rest her head on his shoulder. She
huffed an ironic laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
made it through months of camping alone without anything like this
happening, only for it to happen now,” Hermione muttered softly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
snorted in amusement. “To be honest, I really thought the two of
you must have been shagging constantly. Ron thought it too...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pressed a kiss to Hermione's temple, and then shrugged as he looked
over at Ginny. “Nope. The locket was...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
it was...” Hermione agreed vaguely, a slight shudder of horror
passing through her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Like
a tiny dementor that we had to bring with us everywhere we went,”
Harry finished with soft grimness in his voice.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
felt her eyes go far away as she stared vaguely in Ginny's direction.
“If you wore a piece of the Dark Lord on your chest, would you
really feel like having sex?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...
Probably not,” Ginny admitted, then shrugged. “Or maybe I'd be
desperate to do it so that I felt alive and... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>good</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
Otherwise it might have just been too sad and depressing to carry
on.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Harry and Hermione looked haunted now.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
now! I'm too damn hungry to reminisce, so...” Pansy growled at the
sudden melancholy in the room and decided to change it. She knelt in
front of Hermione in the tub and leaned forward until she could give
Hermione a surprisingly skillful kiss. When she broke it off, she
leaned back with an impish grin. “If you don't cheer up, I'm going
to have to insist that we do some of the things that put us to sleep
last night!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
actually chuckled at that. “And here I thought you said you were
too hungry.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
am! Which just means that you'd owe me an </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>immense</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
favor for putting you back in a good mood!” Pansy insisted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
I understand it, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'd</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
actually be putting </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
in a good mood!” Hermione teased.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
too,” Pansy replied with a shameless shrug and a grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that, the group finished their bath, dried off with luxuriously
fluffy towels that appeared next to large tub, and then slipped into
the bathrobes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can't say that I've ever spent a more enjoyable morning,” Draco
murmured to himself. “And strangely, I was naked for all of it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
overheard him and laughed. “I know exactly what you mean!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
moment the last person pulled on the provided bathrobes, the wall
that originally let them into the room finally opened to let them
out. To their surprise, Ron, Neville, Dean, and a couple other 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year boys were waiting in the hall; sitting along the walls as if
they had been there a while.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Harry began, feeling like he should probably be the one to explain.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
okay!” Ron gushed happily as he leapt to his feet and threw his
arms around Hermione.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
did you find us?” Hermione asked, clearly astonished to be
confronted by her boyfriend so soon.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
mar – uh, er, you know...” Ron mumbled with a blush, looking over
to Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,”
both Harry and Hermione stated knowingly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Padma
– as a Ravenclaw with a strong desire to know everything she
possibly could – frowned, crossed her arms, and then demanded:
“Wait a minute! This is not the first time that a vague reference
to something used to locate the room has been made. I want to know
what you're talking about!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
sighed as if she was being forced to give up the secrets of the
universe. “I found a book of Hogwarts legends that has an
astonishingly detailed map of this part of the castle in it. I was in
such a hurry to find the room that I left the book open on my bed.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Ron backed her up. “And when I went looking for my girlfriend, I
saw the book on her bed and figured that a secret room was as good a
place as any to find a few missing people.” Ron then blushed and
scratched the back of his head. “But I'm an idiot! I, er, I brought
the book with me only to realize that I lost it at some point.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Ron...” Hermione sighed as if she was completely used to such
behavior. She kissed him, which was a bit awkward because she was now
feeling very guilty. Meanwhile, Harry was impressed that they could
come up with such a plausible cover story so quickly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Padma
accepted the explanation with a shrug. “No matter, the house elves
will probably find it and bring it to the library sooner or later.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those
who had been waiting anxiously couldn't help but notice that the
group that had been missing all wore bathrobes and seemingly nothing
else. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So,
er...” Neville began after hugging his girlfriend. “What
happened?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
question caused a sharp intake of breath as everyone instantly
understood that Luna would answer the question far more bluntly than
any of them wanted at the moment. Harry solved the problem by
snatching Luna and covering her mouth with a hand.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er,
Luna?” Harry questioned, but didn't move his hand so that she could
answer. “Perhaps we should tell it, er...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tactfully?”
Padma ventured.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Gently?”
Hermione suggested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
laughed and slapped Harry on the back. “Go on, let her blurt the
whole thing out! I want to hear the roars of outrage and disbelief!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
pressed a hand to her head for a moment, and then squared her
shoulders. “Oh for heaven's sake! Here's what happened. I
discovered a map to a secret room in Hogwarts called the Amoris Room,
and I thought that it would confirm that you are my true love and
destined future husband, so I went looking for the room and everyone
sort of came with me, and then – ” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
let go of Luna and took hold of Hermione's hand to shake her a bit.
“Hermione, you're saying it so fast that I'm not sure that Ron will
be able to understand a word your saying. Calm down.” Harry looked
up at Ron. “So, after finding the Amoris room, not knowing what it
was or what it did –” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Aside
from a legend that it could give you a vision of your true love or
future spouse,” Parvati interrupted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Which
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
had never heard of,” Harry added before continuing. “We very
quickly discovered that we were trapped inside the room, and then...”
He looked to Hermione.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
then...” she reiterated, looking to the floor.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>And
then...</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”
Ron pressed, a puzzled frown letting them know that he was not used
to them being so evasive with him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Luna
took over because she could say it without blushing or dying of
embarrassment. “And then we unwittingly ate and/or drank a powerful
lust potion that made us </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
have sex with each other all night long followed by a refreshingly
deep sleep, followed by a lovely conversation in the morning, then a
bath, these robes, and now we're talking to you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">God!
She made it sound like we were studying or something!” Pansy
blurted out incredulously. “I mean I can understand her not
dwelling on the copious screaming orgasms, but to say it as if saying
that the sky was blue –” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
the sky is blue,” Luna interrupted, sounding almost childlike with
innocence and confusion. “And the orgasms were screaming. How else
was I supposed to say it?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
I don't know!” Pansy growled loudly, feeling strangely angry for
some reason she couldn't figure out. “How about saying it like
this: We fucked each others' brains out until we passed out from
sheer exhaustion!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy!”
Hermione chided sharply.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
thought we were going for tact!” Padma and Parvati exclaimed in
unison.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>told</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you that we shouldn't have said anything at all!” Hannah
interjected. “It's really no one's business what we did in that
room last night!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
was a bloody lust potion!” Susan cried out. “It doesn't matter
who we tell because we didn't really do anything wrong! If this was a
case brought before the Wizengamot, it would be determined that the
only one at fault is whoever created that room!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Founders</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
created that room!” Hermione shouted rather passionately. “But we
can't exactly hold them accountable, can we?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
held up his hands and roared: “Hang on a second!” He looked
around to see that Draco was smirking – clearly enjoying the show.
The rest of those wearing bathrobes were bristling with pent up
nervous and or passionate energy, and the ones who had been waiting
for them were watching and listening in various states of shock and
disbelief. The hall fell silent. “I think we might all be missing a
very important question...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
had all eyes turn to him. He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Er, well, isn't the important question actually this: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>why</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
would the Founders create a room in a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>school</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that seems to intentionally give the people who go inside it a lust
potion? Don't you think that's a bit weird to have around, er,
minors?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Luna
laughed as if Harry was being silly. “Well the room </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>is</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
called the Amoris room, which is one way of saying love in Latin. I
suppose that maybe they considered the name enough of a warning.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Susan
shook her head. “Not really. Harry's right, this is a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>school</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Full of </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>children</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
Horny teenagers to be specific...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
rather think that knowing that there's a room that hands out lust
potions would actually be an incentive for the students to seek it
out,” Padma stated with a knowing look on her face.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
put a hand over his face as he was overwhelmed by another one of
those moments where he could either laugh or cry, and once more, he
chose to laugh. His chuckles burst forth, shaking his whole body. He
still pressed a hand to his head as he slowly shook his head back and
forth.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
giggled, though she tried to stifle it. Luna giggled as musically as
ever. Pansy snorted, and then suddenly, those wearing nothing but
bathrobes fell into helpless chortles of laughter.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
was the first one to regain the ability to speak, although she was
still giggling merrily. “I'm going to go drag my boyfriend
somewhere private and give him an excruciatingly detailed account of
what happened until he is overcome by lust and tears my clothes off.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
Gods woman!” Draco burst out incredulously. “After all that, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>how</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
can you possibly be ready to have sex again so soon?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
Luna did say that she'd had 12 orgasms, so it's really a miracle that
she can even walk,” Parvati pointed out with a grin as she wiped
the tears of laughter from her eyes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
just makes it all the more unbelievable!” Draco insisted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
must admit that I agree,” Hermione stated almost timidly, giving
Draco a soft smile. “I don't want to be looked at – let alone
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>touched</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
for at least the next 24 hours. I have </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>no
idea</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
how you could be ready again so soon!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
simply shrugged. “I think I could have sex 24 hours a day and still
want more.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
insane!” Pansy, Hannah, and the Patil twins exclaimed in unison.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Luna
merely smiled at them serenely. “You all think </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'm</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
unbelievable? I'm a girl... I could theoretically be half asleep
during it – not that I'm saying you'd ever take advantage of me
like that, Nev – but take a moment to think about Harry...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All
eyes swiftly turned to Harry again. Draco pinched his own chin in
thought. “Yeah... now that you mention it...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Harry asked defensively. “I'm the one who can't believe that's
physically possible, and I'm damn certain that I will not be able to
do it again for several days!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
hummed a bit deviously. “Perhaps you should go to the boy's shower
and test that theory out...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
goggled at her incredulously. “What? Why? If I can't, I don't
really want to know, but if I can, then I'll be alone with no way to
test it anyway. What would be the point?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
could help you test it, Harry,” the Patil twins offered in unison –
as much of their statements were.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Harry flushed in embarrassment.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hannah
also blushed, but decided to be bold. “Not so fast! Girls should
not be in the boys' shower, but if we dragged Harry into the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>girls'</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
shower with us...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Harry droned again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Great
idea!” Susan cheered, patting Hannah on the back.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
laughed. “Well, while you're all off testing that theory, I think
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'll
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">have
to go ask McGonagal about this room. There's got to be a clear record
of it somewhere, and I think Harry's right. We need to know why the
Founders created it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Please
don't!” Susan begged. “If you tell her about what happened,
she'll have to tell my parents, and I don't want them to know that in
just one night, I got shagged by Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Luna
Lovegood, Pansy Parkinson –” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
yes! We were all there, remember?” Parvati huffed impatiently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fine,
I'll </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>try</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to not give many details,” Hermione capitulated. “But I really
think we need to find out everything we can about why Hogwarts has a
room filled with a lust potion so powerful that it made every single
one of us forget that we're straight!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Speak
for yourself,” Draco drawled in amusement. “I happen to be
bisexual.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Aside
from you,” Hermione acknowledged with a respectful nod of her head.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
sighed impatiently, grabbing Hermione's hand. “Well loves, this has
been fun, but I wasn't kidding when I said I was starving. I'm either
going to drag you off as I suggested about an hour ago to do that
thing again that made my toes curl, or I'm going to go eat.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
kissed Pansy on the cheek. “You go eat. I really have to go see
McGonagal.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
you're no fun,” Pansy muttered. She waved over her shoulder as she
walked away. “I expect you all back here next weekend for another
go!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
only doing it if Hermione does!” Hannah, Susan, the Patil twins,
and Ginny exclaimed. Hermione blushed the deepest shade of red again
and buried her face in her hands.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'd
show up even without Hermione, but I suspect it would be more fun to
drag her along,” Luna added.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
looked to the ceiling with a severely put upon expression. “Why
me?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
laughed mercilessly and put an arm around Hermione. “Because as you
said, that lust potion may have made us all forget that we're
straight, but you could seriously convert a girl if you wanted to!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmmhmm!”
The rest of the girls agreed with nods.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Hermione droned, unable to think of anything to say.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
pretty sure you converted Pansy already,” Padma reminded her
sensibly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
had been keeping an eye on Ron and the others, who were still staring
in silent shock. Now, Ron looked like he was reaching his boiling
point, and since it wasn't actually aimed at Harry at the moment,
Harry had the strongest desire to run away before it was. Without
thinking, he slipped his hand into Draco's and tugged while literally
everyone else was staring at Hermione.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Come
on,</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Harry mouthed silently, pulling Draco after him as he made his
escape. Once they were far enough away, Draco pulled Harry into a
hall that led toward the 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year dorm. Then he located an empty alcove and pushed Harry into it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why'd
you escape like that?” Draco wondered. “You had practically all
the girls offering to get you up and off again...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
er...” Harry began, looking to his feet as he blushed lightly. “I
was actually hoping that I could test the theory in either my bed or
yours with at least half a dozen privacy spells and perhaps a hex or
two should anyone dare to touch the curtains around the bed.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked away as if he was far less interested in the subject than he
actually was. “I'd say we should probably go to your bed since
Blaise is most likely in the dorm we share and he'll bug the fuck out
of us until we either let him watch or join, so your dorm might be a
bit more private.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Harry agreed with a smile. “It seemed like everyone who is normally
in my dorm was in that hall waiting for all of us to reappear. So...
we should probably hurry before they get back!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
should!” Draco agreed with an eager grin. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They
rushed to the 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year dormitory and managed to avoid any real attention as they walked
through the common room and up the stairs. They nearly ran into
Blaise as he returned to his dorm from the boys' bathroom, but
thankfully avoided him. After that, they burst into Harry's empty
dorm and slammed the door shut. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
cast a silencing spell, a locking spell, a notice-me-not spell, a
stinging hex, and a genital wart curse on the curtains of his bed.
After that, he cast a spell that literally made appear the words:
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>warning,
do not disturb on pain of nasty curses</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
that was accomplished and the curtains were closed with the two of
them inside, Harry gave Draco a nervous look. “So, er...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
smiled and cupped Harry's chin. “I think that this doesn't have to
go quite as far as the lust spell made us. I mean, if that's not what
you want.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled in return, feeling much better. “Well, I think we should
start with snogging and see where it goes.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
murmured in agreement as he pulled Harry close and gave him the
hottest kiss he could manage. It was hot enough to make Harry moan
and melt onto the bed, pulling Draco on top of him. Despite their
agreement to just see what happened, things escalated very quickly.
Their bathrobes both disappeared after just two minutes, and Harry
was cupping Draco's firm arse with both hands, trying his best to
pull Draco into his body.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">God,”
Harry whispered when Draco broke off the kiss to throw back his head
and moan. The two of them were rubbing their shafts together in a way
that felt just electric. “Theory confirmed, apparently I can!”
Both of them chuckled at that. “I... I just want you inside me.
Now! </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Please</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Draco...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded, then pulled back just enough to look Harry in the eye. “I
know a spell that can prepare you for me if you literally mean now.
Otherwise I can use my fingers like I did last night.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
stopped breathing for a moment as something occurred to him. “I
uh... I didn't know about that. I didn't uh, I didn't hurt you, did
I? When I...?” Harry trailed off when Draco shook his head.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nope,
you didn't,” Draco assured him. “For a couple of reasons. First,
lust potion or not, I know how to wandlessly prepare myself at the
last second if necessary, and, well, er...” Draco blushed. “I
tend to have someone in my bed often enough that my body is used to
it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...”
Harry murmured, then smiled wryly. “That's probably because you're
gorgeous and everyone wants you.” He then stroked a hand down
Draco's spine. “I really did mean now, so use the spell.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Okay,”
Draco agreed with a soft smile. “This will feel weird.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which
was exactly how it felt, but Harry didn't care. He did whatever was
necessary to get Draco inside him as soon as possible, and then
focused on kissing Draco as Draco focused on thrusting at just the
right angle to stimulate Harry. Harry chuckled after a good ten
minutes of them both moaning and groaning happily.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You've
had a lot of practice at this too, haven't you?” Harry asked, still
chuckling lightly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
blushed and tilted his head side to side as he nodded, as if saying:
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Well
can you blame me</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'd
love for you to teach me everything you know about pleasing a lover,”
Harry informed him with a grin. “I promise to practice until I'm
really really good at it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
felt his eyes cross unexpectedly as he thought about how much
shagging that would entail. “Er... yeah. I think I can make time to
teach you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Say...
every night in my bed. Or yours.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
laughed and gave Harry a kiss before answering. “I suppose that
depends on who is already in our respective dorms before we decide to
go to bed. I'm warning you now, Blaise is going to want to join in,
and well...” Draco shrugged.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah,
so he's the one usually in your bed,” Harry stated, loving how they
were able to have a conversation while in the middle of some fabulous
sex. He twirled his fingers through Draco's hair, perversely
satisfied with messing up the normally perfect locks.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
and he's good too. He's also a player, hopping from bed to bed as
much as possible – both boys and girls,” Draco explained, finding
that after his night, he had a lot more stamina that he usually did.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Is
bed hopping a Slytherin thing?” Harry wondered in between heavy
kisses.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
I suppose it is,” Draco admitted. “By 7</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year, pretty much everyone in the year has had sex with everyone else
in the year at least once. Well, aside from those who are completely
straight or completely gay. They've only visited half the total
beds.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
nodded in understanding. “Being the so-called Chosen One made it
hard for me to have a stable relationship, so as I've already
established, I had no prior experience. That said, I am fairly sure
that everyone in Gryffindor paired up by 7</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year to shag as much as possible. I'm also sure that most pairs
stayed couples with only a few breakups here and there, probably to
maximize their chances.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
laughed. “Two very different answers to the age old question of:
who am I going to sleep with tonight?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ooo!
Please say it's me!” Harry feigned begging, even going so far as to
try to sound like one of the many younger girls who were always
trying to capture Harry's attention. As intended, Draco laughed,
which made Harry smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their
conversation lulled for about an hour as they alternated between
heavy snogging and lazy thrusting, but eventually, both were more
than ready to reach their climax. Harry ended up going first, making
Draco groan as the delightful spasms triggered his own orgasm. After
that, they were both too tired to talk any more and settled
comfortably to take a nap before someone dared to wake them for
dinner.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
it turned out, no one dared to risk touching Harry's curtains with
the warning he'd placed on it, so they were able to sleep until their
own gnawing hunger woke them. Thankfully, it was already dinner time
in the great hall, so there was no one around to see them crawl out
of bed and stumble around like drunken sailors. With a quick kiss,
Draco took off to his own dorm in order to get dressed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
stared at his boyfriend across the hall two months later. They hadn't
tried to keep their relationship a secret, but neither had they
announced it for the world to hear. Which meant that so far, only the
8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
years knew for certain that they were together, and all of the 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
years were shockingly loyal to each other since they had all survived
the war.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
said, it was probably obvious to anyone with eyes that Harry and
Draco were boyfriends. They usually stared at each other when they
were in the great hall, and they also sat together in all their
shared classes. Most telling of all was the fact that they had a
shameless habit of giving each other a copious amount of love bites.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
stroked the bruises along his neck fondly as he stared at his
gorgeous lover. It didn't take long to realize that not only was
Draco not looking at him, but he was also picking at his food and
appeared ill. Harry frowned in concern.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Does
Draco look sick to you?” Harry whispered to Hermione – who was
also looking a bit off and playing with her food. “Or is something
wrong with breakfast?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Harry...” Hermione murmured, her eyes watering as if she thought he
was the saddest thing she had ever seen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Harry asked slowly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
have something I need to tell you, but not now,” Hermione hissed in
a whisper. “Meet me outside in 20 minutes, and yes, I know this
means that we'll be skipping a class, but it's important.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
God!” Harry blurted out, slowly filling with a sense of dread. If
Hermione was willing to skip a class, the world must be soon coming
to an end!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Hermione agreed vaguely, as if she'd read Harry's thoughts. She
patted him on the shoulder before getting to her feet and rushing
off.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
the matter with her?” Ron asked, but Harry could only shrug
helplessly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
eyed Ron warily. Just as Harry had predicted, Ron had gotten angry
enough to punch Harry several times, but then cooled down and stormed
off to brood for a few days. After that, he admitted that both Harry
and Hermione were under the influence of a strong lust potion and
would have never had sex with each other had they been sober. That
meant things were currently more or less normal between the two best
friends, but Ron still looked deeply hurt when he thought no one was
looking.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
noticed that Hermione was talking to Hannah Abbott over at the
Hufflepuff table. That made his brows draw together in puzzlement
because Hannah also looked a bit ill. A slow look around showed that
enough people looked ill that Harry wondered if something was going
around. Dragonpox maybe?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
Ron,” Harry prompted with a nudge to his best friend's shoulder.
“Do witches and wizards get the basic muggle flu?” He couldn't
remember off hand because he himself had usually been fairly healthy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
but then Madam Pomfrey gives them a Pepper Up Potion, and they're
usually feeling better again in no time,” Ron reminded him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,
so that's probably it then,” Harry muttered to himself.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">See
you in class,” Ron stated as his stood up. They had the same class
of course, but Ron was heading out a few minutes early because he
thought it might impress Hermione – who he'd noticed had been
fairly quiet the last couple of days.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Twenty
minutes later, Harry was waiting on a bench under a tree. Draco
joined him, looking miserable. He slumped forward a bit and groaned.
Harry frowned sympathetically and rubbed his back.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Did
she tell you?” Draco asked, although Harry had a hard time
understanding him with his face buried in his hands.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tell
me what?” Harry wondered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
a no then,” Draco stated, still muffled by his hands.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?
That you are sick? I figured that out for myself just by watching you
during breakfast,” Harry informed him. “Did you go to Madam
Pomfrey yet for a Pepper Up?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Actually
yes, that was my first thought,” Draco muttered sounding both
snarky and too miserable to care.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
in the world?” Harry asked, distracted from his boyfriend by the
arrival of Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Dean, Luna, Neville, the Patil
twins, Hannah, Susan, a couple other 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year boys, and Pansy Parkinson of all people.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
shuffled from foot to foot nervously for a moment before just
blurting it out. “So I decided that I needed to call a meeting.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
I'm noticing,” Harry murmured, feeling that sense of dread again.
“What's going on?” </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>And
why am I always the last to know?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry...”
Hermione practically whispered, looking at him again with that
expression like the world was about to end.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“</span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hermione...</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”
Harry growled, rapidly becoming frustrated.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
I know it's taken a couple months, but McGonagal finally tracked down
more information regarding that room,” Hermione stated after
visibly steeling herself. “I spent all last night reading and
rereading every single word that Roweena Ravenclaw herself wrote in a
diary hundreds of years ago, and as it turns out, well...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
didn't get a chance to finish her explanation because Ginny just
couldn't take the suspense anymore. “I'm pregnant!” Ginny gasped
out dramatically.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?!”
Both Harry and Dean roared in disbelief.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
wonderful,” Luna stated with a tone of clear congratulation. “I'm
pregnant too.” Neville gasped and looked faint.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
am I,” Hannah and Susan said.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
am I,” the Patil twins added.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We're
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
pregnant!” Hermione finally shouted in order to prevent them from
doing it one or two at a time. However, at that point, only Pansy was
left.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
felt like the entire world was spinning, but then he realized that it
was only him that was swaying in circles. Draco sat up so that he
could rub Harry's back. It didn't really help since Harry still felt
like he couldn't breathe.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait!”
Ron cried out. “What are you saying? I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>know</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that we're damn careful about using the contraceptive spells!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
both Neville and Dean added, looking at their girlfriends with
puzzled frowns.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
sighed. “You see, back when Hogwarts was first founded, one of its
many goals was to ensure that those with magic – especially </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>strong</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
magic – pass it on as much as possible. That means that after
reaching a certain age, witches were invited to visit the Amoris Room
with Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor in order to consume lust
potions and fertility potions. And it wasn't just students either.
Whenever any of the Founders came across powerful witches or wizards
in their travels, they'd be invited to the Room. Long before
pureblood was even an issue, the main concern was simply making sure
there were a lot of...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Babies,”
Padma stated, understanding the situation instantly. “They wanted
as many magical babies as possible.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly!”
Hermione exclaimed in agreement. “That's why there's suddenly a
noticeably larger amount of children born for the first three hundred
or so years after the school was founded. And most telling, many of
the children were born to witches who were abruptly married to squibs
or even muggles, but the babies were full of strong magic – often
founding many of the pureblood families of today.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...”
Luna murmured knowingly. “I see, the witches still lived in a time
in which being a witch or an unmarried mother were equally likely to
get a woman killed, and so they were impregnated by the most powerful
wizards of the time, married off, and as far as records know, their
children were the products of their marriages. Clever actually.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
also why the room was eventually abandoned,” Hermione continued.
“Times changed just enough in the magical community that it was no
longer necessary to have so many babies. Plus, there were eventually
enough magical families to pass the magic on.” She sighed abruptly.
“</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>And
then</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
all that pureblood nonsense started up, but that's not really
important here. What </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>is</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
important is that the room was created specifically to make us all
fertile and in the mood to create babies, and we did.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was silence for a long moment as everyone tried to absorb this
information. Eventually it was Ron who spoke up again. He cleared his
throat first, and looked a bit like he was trying to swallow someone
else's vomit.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
What you're saying is that... You're pregnant, with Harry's child...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
sighed and rubbed her temples to try to ease her headache. “Yes.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Or
Malfoy's child,” Neville suggested nervously, looking at his
girlfriend. Luna smiled serenely at him, patting him on the back
reassuringly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Draco droned on in thought for a moment. “Well I suppose that I
might be the father of Pansy's child, but I couldn't be the father of
any of the others.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
latched on to this one sentence that his brain could actually
process. “Wait, I thought you said that you had an orgasm with
Hermione too.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
I did, but I would be entirely shocked if it resulted in a child
since I was not inside her at the time.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
cleared her throat, her face red with embarrassment. “I am not sure
whether you'll find this good news or bad news – Draco – but
actually no, you cannot be the father of any </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>other</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
child except for one... That I'm not actually sure exists yet. You
see, we were all asked only one question while in that room, and not
that it matters, but that voice was some remnant of Roweena
Ravenclaw.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!”
Parvati and Padma exclaimed as one.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!”
Pansy exhaled in understanding. “We were asked who the chosen one
was.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
we thought she was asking about Harry!” Susan blurted out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
we all said Harry!” The girls – except for Hermione – cried out
in unison.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fuck!”
Harry exclaimed as he tossed his head down into his hands, which were
resting on his knees.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
cleared her throat very significantly. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Draco</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed and looked away from everyone. “I answered Potter to that
question and then I also consumed the Petit Four containing the
fertility potion, and so...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sat up to look at Draco curiously. “And so what? Wouldn't that not
matter since no one said your name?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
that, Hermione actually laughed. “Well actually...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Parvati
and Padma both squealed. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>You</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
said his name!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Luna
giggled in that way of hers that sounded like harp music. “I
remember that quite clearly, you complained that you were </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>always</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the Chosen One and that you wanted Draco to be the Chosen One for the
day!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,”
Harry murmured in confusion. “I'm not following you. What does that
have to do with anything?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed, shook his head, and then gave Harry a wry smile. “It means
that because we took fertility potions and then chose each other, we
are also pregnant.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
was so absurd that Harry was positive that they were all playing a
joke on him. He burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that his sides
eventually burned and ached. When he seemed to finally be calming
down, Hermione stood up and towered over him imperiously, her hands
on her hips.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
want you to watch my wand very carefully, Harry,” Hermione
instructed. “I'm going to cast a pregnancy test over all of us. If
the person lights up yellow or golden, the test is positive, and if
it lights up black, it's negative.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Harry murmured, feeling rather like he'd been drunk and was now
suddenly sober.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Gravida
Probatur!” Hermione cried out as she flicked her wand decisively
and then pointed it at her stomach. She immediately began to glow, a
vibrant yellow aura that made her look a bit like a mini sun walking
around. She quickly cast the spell on all the other girls that had
been in the room that night.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now
I'm going to prove to you that a person has a black light if they
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>aren't</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
pregnant,” Hermione stated firmly before casting the test on first
Ron, and then Neville. As promised, they both were promptly
surrounded by a hazy black light that looked a bit purple in the
spots that the sun shone directly through it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then,
without warning, Hermione pointed her wand at Draco. “Gravida
Probatur!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
as Harry felt his mouth gape in astonishment that Draco was
surrounded by a golden light, Hermione cast the spell over him and
heard everyone gasp in astonishment, despite half expecting it. He
also saw a look of delight settle onto Draco's face. Harry tilted his
head side to side in confusion over the look on Draco's face, but
then slowly held out his hands. Despite his continued disbelief that
this just </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>was
not possible! </i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
definitely had a golden yellow glow around him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wha...?”
Harry tried to ask, but suddenly he felt woozy and the world slowly
went black.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry!”
He just barely heard Draco cry out, his voice oozing concern and
edged with just a little bit of panic.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
then Harry was not aware of anything until his eyes slowly opened.
The world was blurry and his head ached. Someone handed him his
glasses and helped him sit up.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
happened?” Harry asked, looking around to see that he was in the
hospital wing with only Draco, Hermione, Ron, Madam Pomfrey, and
McGonagal standing around him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
fainted,” Hermione informed him with a mildly evil smirk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you sure, because I feel like I had the strangest dream. There was
this room where fun but terrible things happened, and then suddenly
everyone I know is pregnant, and supposedly </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'm</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
pregnant, but I'm a boy and boys can't get pregnant!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
chuckled softly. “You forgot the part where you're the father to
all the babies.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,
did I talk in my sleep again?” Harry asked, wondering how else
Draco could know about that part of his dream.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
Harry, it wasn't a dream,” Hermione informed him. She was still
smirking in a way that reminded him of the Mona Lisa, and he wondered
when she would stop trying to put one over on him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
Hermione,” Harry said in what he hoped was a very firm voice. “I
can't possibly be pregnant.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
but you can,” she assured him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
I can't!” Harry insisted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
you can, and you are,” Hermione stated every bit as firmly as he
had been.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
that's impossible,” Harry informed her slowly and clearly because
she obviously wasn't understanding him. Or basic human physiology.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
assure you, it's true,” Hermione stated.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
wonder how long this will go on,” Draco whispered to Ron.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Likely
all day,” Ron whispered back. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Right!”
Madam Pomfrey interrupted then as she had no desire to wait until
Harry stopped being too stubborn to listen to his best friend.
“Harry, as a fully qualified Mediwitch, I'm afraid that I have to
confirm what Miss Granger is telling you. All of it. I am a little
dubious of the details, but from what I understand, nearly half of
the students in 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year decided to take a combination of a lust potion and a fertility
potion, and now there are 10 babies due to be born a few months after
you're all done with school. Thank the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Gods</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that you'll all be done with school before any of you are far enough
along to warrant me reporting this to St. Mungo's!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">McGonagal
cleared her throat and gave Madam Pomfrey a significant look.
“Actually, none of them have done anything wrong. I know that
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>sounds</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
unbelievable, but it's true. They were all of age – even Ginny –
and the room itself has been strongly warded at some point to ensure
that no one under the age of consent can gain access to it. There's
no actual rule against pregnancy, and so, they really haven't done
anything wrong. It's just hard to stomach...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
was sure that Professor Dippet made pregnancy an offense punishable
by expulsion,” Madam Pomfrey murmured, clearly lost in thought.
Hermione squeaked in alarm.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,
I double and triple checked,” McGonagal informed her. “When he
was Headmaster, Professor Dippet did actually try to discourage
unplanned teenaged pregnancy by expelling the girls unfortunate
enough to find themselves up the duff, but it was never an official
school rule. The Founders themselves have it actually written in the
bylaws that a witch may not be denied her education due to pregnancy.
Of course, in those days, girls were likely to be married and
expecting while still quite young.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes...”
Madam Pomfrey murmured vaguely since she recalled being outraged by
such facts when she was young and still in school learning history.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
any case,” McGonagal continued. “Professor Dippet was dismayed to
find that his strategy did not work. No matter how many girls he
expelled over the years, more would accidentally get pregnant. So
when Albus took over, he solved the problem by making sure that all
students are taught the necessary contraceptive spells in their
fourth year – which is hopefully before they are needed but also
hopefully still fresh in their minds a few years later when they are
needed. And there hasn't been an accidental pregnancy since. Well,
until now...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
now there's 10 of them!” Madam Pomfrey stated cheerfully. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
God!” Harry blurted out as the reality hit him all over again and
he suddenly felt nauseous. His hands drifted to his stomach. “So
I'm really...?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Draco informed him with a soft smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
you're really?” Harry asked, giving Draco a tentatively hopeful
smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Draco stated, sounding a little less than pleased this time.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
God...” Harry repeated, but this time it was exhaled somewhat
reverently. Harry didn't really know what to think. This all seemed
to be happening so fast! “What am I going to do?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
first, you're going to rest,” Madam Pomfrey stated bruskly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
then all 10 of us are going to get together again and talk about
this,” Hermione informed him. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Okay,”
Harry murmured with a sigh of relief. He was feeling inexplicably
tired again, so he simply laced his fingers through Draco's as he lay
back down and closed his eyes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By
the time Hermione reconvened the meeting, Harry had decided what he
wanted to do. He knew that the most important decision wasn't really
up to him, but he wanted to do everything he could to ensure that the
right decision was made. Therefore, he looked around at everyone as
solemnly as he could.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">When
all is said and done, there's only one thing that I am truly afraid
of, and that's, well... Family is extremely important to me since I
don't really have one. A little part of me would die inside if I knew
that any child of mine was purposely gotten rid of, so if any of you
do not want this... If any of you are thinking about abortion, I
would far prefer it if you just carried to term and then handed the
baby over to me,” Harry informed them firmly, looking around once
more. He lingered on Pansy, whom he thought might be the most likely
to have an abortion.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
he didn't see any objections, he continued. “I have a big house, so
if any of you need anything – especially a place to stay – all
you have to do is ask.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
surprised him by responding first. “Fine, I'll admit that I was
considering abortion. I am going to have a hard life for the next few
years no matter what I do, and honestly, a baby will just make
everything far more complicated. That said, I know a little part of
me would die too if I did such a thing, so I'm grateful that you'll
take responsibility. In fact, maybe we can make a deal: You allow me
to tell the truth to anyone who asks – that I'm carrying a child of
the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Savior's</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
– and also allow me to see my child as much as I want, and I'll
give you sole custody of the baby once it's born.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can agree to that,” Harry murmured with a tiny smile. He wasn't
happy that she wanted to use his name to make her life better, but he
couldn't blame her for doing what she felt she had to in order to
survive.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Padma
and Parvati spoke up next. “Well, our culture is... different...
Theoretically, our parents moved us to Britain so that we could make
our own choices, but in reality, they still expect us to form solid
marriages before we have children. It might be easier for us to do as
you suggested and actually move into your house for as long as it
takes for our parents to accept the fact the we are both carrying a
child from the same man, and thus cannot get married to correct our
mistake.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded. “I want you to know that I really don't mind. I want to be
able to see my kids as much as possible, so you living with me will
just make that easier.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
slipped her hand in his. “You know that Ron and I were planning to
live with you for a while after we're done with school anyway, so you
don't have to worry about that. I know that he's not here right now,
and that probably worries you, but I asked him to stay away for this
meeting because it really needed to be just those of us who are
pregnant. In any case, I've talked this over with him, and he's
decided that this doesn't really change anything, so...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
grinned. “Just let him punch me some more and then everything will
be okay again.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
growled. “If he dares to punch you now that you're pregnant, I will
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
look the other way!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
gave him a fond smile and shook her head. “He wouldn't, not really.
Maybe just a light tap to the arm or something, but he knows better
than to risk hurting an unborn child.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
and Susan exchanged significant looks and shrugs. “The two of us
were planning to find a flat in London while we go into specialized
training programs, so moving in with you will actually save us a lot
of money,” Susan said.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Hannah began hesitantly. “Do you plan to provide some sort of
childcare? Such as baby sitters for while we're working?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course!” Harry exclaimed, stunned that she thought he would let her
live with him, and then expect her to care for the baby all on her
own. “I'm actually getting the big family I always wanted, and so
of course I plan to take care of it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,”
Pansy interrupted before anyone else could speak. “Does this mean
that you were serious? You'll actually let </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>me</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
live with you too?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
you want to, yeah,” Harry confirmed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
looked to the sky with an expression of half suppressed hope and
longing. “Living with </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
carrying the child of the Chosen One... I might actually be accepted
into the Mediwitch training at St. Mungo's!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
sat on Harry's lap and kissed his cheek. “I don't know that I will
have to live with you since my father is likely to be every bit as
overjoyed by this as I am, but I do promise to come visit all the
time. Maybe I'll stay over on weekends so that you get to see us as
much as possible. And I'd like it if you came to all my Healer's
appointments with me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
chuckled. “Actually, we should probably hire a private Healer to
come visit us all at Harry's so that he doesn't have to practically
move into St. Mungo's for the duration!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
provoked laughs from everyone.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
grinned at Harry. “I think I will continue to live at home, but of
course you'll see me all the time, so that won't be a problem.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded at her, and then took a deep breath before turning to face
Draco. “And what about you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
also took a deep breath to steady his nerves. “Well... I am not
good at living with others. Sharing a dorm room is a constant source
of irritation to me since I was an only child raised in seclusion out
in the country. Which means that I don't think I will be particularly
pleasant to live with, but...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
reached over and squeezed his hand, knowing full well how hard it was
for him to admit to his feelings.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
took another deep breath and continued. “But I want this. A family,
I mean. I'm carrying your child and you're carrying mine. It would be
agony to not be together, sharing each milestone; the first steps,
the first words...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
you'll live with me?” Harry asked hopefully.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah...”
Draco murmured, giving him a soft smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pulled Draco into a tight embrace that Draco only resisted for a
moment before clinging to Harry in return. “I'm glad!”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/07/growing-up-potter-part-two.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Go to <span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Part Two</span></span> </span></a></span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-51460872217013564282016-06-22T14:25:00.000-05:002016-06-22T14:26:53.383-05:00Playdates for Fun and Relaxation<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">W<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">arning: This is a<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Harry Potter fanfic known as Drarry - in which Harry and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Draco hook up. If this is not your ship, you might want to leave now, that said, this is a super fun and funny story, so I really think you'll like it :-D</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
slipped a hand up Ginny's skirt as his mouth made her feel almost
drunk from kisses. Ginny moaned and arched her back so that his hand
had better access. Just as he was slipping a finger in the side of
her panties directly over her vagina, she put her hand over his to
stop him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
don't have time to go all the way right now,” she informed him
between heavy kisses.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
know we're just barely hidden by the forest, but I'm fairly sure that
no one will bother us,” Harry reminded her since they'd had sex
here before.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's
not that,” Ginny stated after she pulled back a little so that she
could think straight. “Actually, the thought of someone catching us
having sex rather makes me hot.” Ginny grinned and her eyes went
faraway and dreamy for a moment before she shook her head. “But no,
I meant what I said. I just don't have time. I promised my friends
that I'd meet them in Hogsmeade this weekend since I spent the last
two weekends with you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
frowned suspiciously. “And by friends, do you mean Dean and
Michael?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
laughed softly. “Not specifically, no. Remember, I promised that
I'd be honest with you, so if I was planning to meet up with Dean or
Michael for a date or some snogging, I'd just say so.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled at that and gave her another kiss. “I know you would, it's
just that if you </span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>were</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
planning to meet up with either of them, then I'd want to finish this
first so that you smelled like me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm...”
Ginny moaned with a happy smirk. “I think I like that idea too.
Maybe I'll plan it out so that next weekend, I'll have a date with
one of them, but we'll have sex first and you can smear your spunk on
my neck or something so that they </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>have</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to smell you if they kiss me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
was Harry's turn to moan, far more turned on by the idea than he
thought he would be. He knew that they had agreed not to be exclusive
during this last year at Hogwarts, but so far, she'd been the one
seeing others while he mostly focused on studying. After the war,
studying seemed a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>lot</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
more relaxing – or at the very least less stressful – than it had
before he took a year off to defeat Voldemort. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
any case, he wanted to test her. “Well, if you're going to be in
Hogsmeade, maybe I'll find someone to play with and take care of this
huge need you've created.” He pressed her hand to his groin, which
was bulging through his pants.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm...”
Ginny moaned with a mischievous smirk. “Well, if you do, I'd like
to hear all about it later on. Perhaps tomorrow, right here where we
can reenact the best parts.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds like it could be fun,” Harry murmured in her ear as he
licked her neck.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Brilliant!”
Ginny exclaimed, and then pushed him off her. “But now I really
have to run.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alright,
see you later,” Harry murmured reluctantly as he really had been
hoping that maybe she would give him a hand-job or something before
she took off.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Later!”
Ginny affirmed as she fixed her rumpled clothes and tried to pick any
debris out of her hair. Before Harry could tell her that there was a
clump of grass sticking to the back of her head, she literally ran
off in a way that was half bouncing and half skipping. She was even
humming joyously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
stood up with a disappointed sigh and brushed his back off as much as
possible before pulling his school robe on and fastening it so that
it mostly hid his almost painful erection. A moment later, he walked
out of the forest, his pace distracted and sedate. He used one hand
to riffle through his hair in case he also had grass and whatnot in
it. In his distraction, he nearly ran smack into Malfoy.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
now, Potter. Don't you look thoroughly shagged? I'm fairly sure I
just saw the weaselette skipping out of the forest and glowing like
the sun. You must be pretty good.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
frowned as he picked apart those words and tried to decide if there
was an insult among them. Aside from the slightest of sneers when
he'd said weaselette, Malfoy hadn't been offensive in the slightest.
This shocked Harry so much that he answered honestly despite the fact
that he was talking to </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Malfoy</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er,
well, actually I'm not at the moment. She had to go before we could,”
Harry admitted, and then blushed and looked away. “Not that it's
really any of your business.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
not,” Malfoy agreed easily. “I'm just curious, to tell the truth.
I saw her snogging Michael Corner last night, so I was under the
impression that you two had broken up.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Part
of Harry wanted to simply shrug and walk away, but another part
realized that this was the longest civilized conversation that the
two of them had ever had. He was rather astonishingly curious to find
out how long they could continue the conversation before it turned
sour and they started hexing each other. Insulting at the very least.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No...
still together, just not... exclusive. We both figured that we should
have some time to just be, er, curious and adventurous. Before we get
serious, I mean,” Harry explained awkwardly. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
blushed again when he realized that he was unconsciously scratching
an itch where sweat was drying under his balls. He stepped back and
turned a bit to the side so that he wasn't looking directly at
Malfoy. “Sorry!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Malfoy
smirked at him in that way of his that was usually cruel and evil,
but today seemed to be bright with amusement. “Don't be. We live in
a boarding school and share dorms with quite a few horny teenaged
boys. I'm fairly sure I've seen someone scratching his balls at least
once a day.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er,
yeah. Me too,” Harry admitted, but he didn't really feel any less
embarrassed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Besides,
it looks like you've got quite a predicament there,” Draco drawled
in that posh accent of his. A strange air of disinterest settled over
him. “I could help you out with that, if you'd like.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was so surprised by this offer that his mouth was slightly open and
emitting a low droning sound for several moments before his brain
could fully process what had been said. “Oh... Okay,” he agreed
hesitantly. He was then tempted to brace himself for the inevitable
spiteful teasing or the painful hexing that was sure to come.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Really?”
Malfoy asked, sounding just slightly hopeful.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er,
yeah. If you're serious,” Harry stated, sounding far more confident
then he felt. “It would just be a bit of harmless stress relief,
right? So why not?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Malfoy
tilted his head to the side for a moment as he thought this over.
Then he smiled. “Exactly. Harmless stress relief.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Still
half certain that he was going to be hexed the moment he turned his
back, Harry gestured toward the forest where he'd just been. He took
a step back but kept his eyes on his one time rival and now... He
wasn't sure exactly what. Friend maybe. Especially if they actually
played around with each other. They'd almost have to consider
themselves friends.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
way. There's a clearing a few feet behind the big trees.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Malfoy
nodded, following as Harry gathered the courage to turn around and
lead the way. The moment they were in the clearing and out of sight
of anyone walking along the trail they'd just come from, Malfoy
stopped.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Here
should work just fine,” he said, dropping to his knees in front of
Harry. “After I do this, you think you could return the favor?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...
yeah...” Harry whispered, his eyes faraway as if he was lost in
thought. “Yeah, I think I would like that.” He then impatiently
flicked his right pointer finger downwards in front of his school
robe. It magically opened in an instant, which allowed Harry to
unbutton and unzip his worn and faded jeans.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Malfoy
inhaled softly at the sight of the wordless and wandless spell. Such
magic was not impossible, just rare. Usually, every witch and wizard
knew at least one wandless spell – a verbal accio for their wand if
it wasn't on hand – but that was mostly it. It took far too much
effort to learn either wordless or wandless magic, and so most people
just didn't bother to learn. To see both together and done so
effortlessly literally took Malfoy's breath away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
freed his rigidly erect shaft, and then looked over to see the awed
look on Malfoy's face. “What?” He tangled his fingers in his robe
self-consciously.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However,
Malfoy didn't feel like he could speak coherently, so he shook his
head and muttered: “Magic.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,”
Harry murmured, actually understanding what was being referred to. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
he could think of anything to say, Malfoy grabbed Harry's shaft and
stroked it several times to get a good feel for it. Malfoy smiled
softly, clearly remembering something happy. Probably a previous yet
similar experience.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
cried out almost silently when Malfoy swirled his tongue around the
puffy, mushroom-shaped head of his shaft. He was suddenly grateful
that he was standing in front of a tree and could lean on it for
support if he needed to. His knees trembled just a little.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Malfoy
quickly proved that he not only knew what he was doing, but that he
was </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>very</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
good at it. Harry tangled his fingers in Malf – actually, Harry
felt strangely bad for referring to him as Malfoy in his head
considering what was happening. Harry tangled his fingers in </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Draco's</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
hair, rather perversely pleased to mess up the usually carefully
maintained perfection.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco's
mouth created havoc on all of Harry's senses for at least ten minutes
before Harry felt the end draw near, but he didn't want this to end
so quickly. “Wait!” He gasped out.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
paused, frowning up at Harry. His hands continued what they were
doing, which was a bit frustrating, all things considered. “What's
the matter?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
far too close,” Harry admitted through ragged breaths. “And I
want to do something else first.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked both wary and interested. “Such as?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pulled his robe completely off and tossed it aside where they could
lay on it. Then he tugged his plain but well worn red tee shirt over
his head and tossed that aside too. Just as his hands were moving to
his jeans to push them down, Draco held up his hands.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Whoa
whoa wait! I don't go all the way the first time I play around with
someone,” Draco informed him, sounding just slightly panicked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled at him in response to that. “Good to know. That means you're
careful. Also, that's not what I had in mind.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,”
Draco murmured, and then flushed when he realized that he sounded
disappointed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pushed his jeans down – not noticing that Draco was interested by
the fact that he wasn't wearing any underwear, which was because he
had expected to not need them for his meeting with Ginny. For the
same reason, he had been wearing shoes that were so worn that he was
able to slide them off almost as easily as if they were sandals. This
meant that he was completely naked so fast that Draco didn't really
have time to react.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
knelt, and then swiped his finger down the front of Draco's school
robe, which promptly opened. Underneath was a crisp, white, button up
shirt that Harry tended to think of as something to be worn on
special occasions or with business suits. A repeated swish of his
finger had the shirt open in an instant – without damaging it in
the slightest. Harry pushed both off Draco's shoulders rather
abruptly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Draco droned, far more flustered than he thought possible.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry,” Harry assured him vaguely, and then did not elaborate.
Instead, he pushed Draco onto his back, atop Harry's discarded robe.
After that, Harry licked along the side of Draco's neck before his
mouth latched on and sucked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm...”
Draco moaned almost helplessly. His fingers tangled in Harry's hair.
The longer that Harry sucked and nipped his neck and chest, the
bolder Draco's hands grew. He kept one in Harry's hair as the other
stroked long lines down Harry's back until both decided to cup
Harry's firm arse and pull him closer. Draco ground their groins
together, groaning in frustration as he realized that he still had
too many clothes on.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled softly. “Does that mean I can strip you completely naked
without you hexing me into oblivion?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
growled, clearly not amused. “It means that if you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>don't</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
remove the rest of my clothes this instant, I will hex you blind and
then use a binding spell to hold you captive as I do terrible things
to you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
laughed, grinning. “That sounds like it could be fun. Now I'm
tempted to wait and see if you actually do it. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>However</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,”
Harry paused to softly bite one of Draco's nipples, and then lick
along one of the scars Harry had to purposely forget giving to Draco
back in sixth year – otherwise the mood would be utterly ruined. “I
think that's more of a second playdate type activity.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
Draco could fully think about all the possibilities associated with
the words: second playdate; Harry had moved on to actually removing
the lush black trousers with faint gray pinstripes that Draco was
wearing. A grin of both amusement and delight stretched Harry's lips
as he stroked the sinfully sensual silk boxers that Draco wore.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">These
feel like you're wearing a cloud!” Harry exclaimed, also pleased to
note that Draco was definitely hard and ready to play.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Draco agreed with a smirk. “That's why I like them.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
decided to lick Draco's scars some more to distract from the fact
that he used more wandless and wordless magic to turn Draco's boxers
intangible just long enough to remove them from Draco without having
to shift the two of them around awkwardly. Then, he bit back a
devious grin as he levitated the bunched up black silk into the inner
pocket of his robe. As planned, Draco didn't notice anything other
than the fact that they were now both completely naked and pressed
together quite intimately.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
groaned, his hands back on Harry's arse. The friction was both good
and bad as their shafts rubbed together. Draco spent several seconds
wishing that he had brought some sort of lubrication with him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
I read a book while camping last year that, well,” Harry paused
hesitantly, and then decided to go for it. “Do you trust me?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Draco murmured, having to truly think this over. “Well you did save
my life and you are the Savior of the Wizarding World. I think that
if you wanted to hurt me, you wouldn't bother trying to get me off
first, so... yes. I guess I do trust you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good,”
Harry stated with a happy grin. He held up his hand a moment and
whispered a spell. His hand immediately filled with a fragrant oil.
It took Draco a moment to decide that the oil smelled citrusy –
like lemons or limes – and a bit herbal. Verbena came to mind,
though he wasn't sure why. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
he could bring himself to care, Harry rubbed the oil on Draco's inner
thighs. Then Harry repeated the spell and rubbed oil on his own
thighs. Lastly, another repetition of the spell provided enough oil
to thoroughly coat both of their shafts. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was dying of curiosity by the time Harry finished preparing them. Not
to mention the fact that Harry didn't simply rub oil on Draco's
shaft. No, he gave Draco an astonishingly wonderful hand-job that had
Draco on the verge of begging very quickly. His knees shook and his
fingers dug into Harry's arms as he whimpered and bit his lips to
stop the shameful begging that wanted to burst forth.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
before Draco was convinced that he was going to lose all control,
Harry stopped what he was doing and shifted until he was fully on top
of Draco. Harry sucked on Draco's neck again for a moment before
looking him in the eye.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
part is supposed to be a bit tricky, but...” Harry trailed off,
using one hand to adjust the angle of both their shafts until Harry's
was between Draco's thighs, and Draco's was between Harry's. This
bent them both down into a slightly awkward angle, but because there
was so much oil, the friction was smooth and perfect. Harry thrust as
if he was inside Draco, and Draco responded by doing the same.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...!”
Draco exhaled an exclamation of surprise. “That feels really good!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
agree,” Harry murmured, biting his lip in thought as he
concentrated on finding the perfect pace. The strangest thing was
that the way they were pressed so tightly together combined with the
oil to make it feel like Harry really was inside a vagina. Except for
the hard shaft thrusting between his legs that reminded him that this
was definitely not a girl. He discovered that he rather liked this a
lot more than he thought he would!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
had trouble finding a pace that satisfied both of them, but then once
they did, it was like magic. Harry nearly finished within seconds of
finding that magic pace, but he closed his eyes and thought of
anything he could to delay the inevitable. A few glorious minutes
passed in near silence, aside from their heavy panting, moans, and
gasps.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eventually,
Draco couldn't hold out any longer either. His first instinct was to
squeeze his eyes shut and just revel in the feel of the impending
orgasm, but then he realized that he wanted to see the look on
Harry's face when it happened.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry,
look at me,” Draco whispered, staring at Harry's face. Startlingly
vibrant green eyes opened to look into Draco's gray ones. The look in
Harry's eyes was erotic enough that Draco felt flung over a cliff
into an ocean of pleasure. He cried out as his body trembled and his
spunk coated the back of Harry's legs with a sticky mess.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
gasped, surprised by the way that Draco's orgasm ripped one from him
as well. The look in Draco's eyes was something primal. Like pure
bliss, and it was enough to make Harry cry out much louder than he
normally did as his shaft pulsed. He arched his back, feeling like he
was spinning uncontrollably for an eternity, and then collapsed on
top of Draco.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
clung to each other as the pleasure slowly faded and their breathing
returned to normal. Draco wanted to hold onto Harry all day, and that
scared him. So, he shifted as if uncomfortable and tried to pretend
like he was actually trying to push Harry away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took the hint and rolled off Draco to lie next to him. He frowned as
a thought occurred to him. There was an opportunity here that Harry
might never have again. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
shifted so that he was laying on his side facing Draco. Had he
allowed himself any time to think about it, he wasn't sure he'd be
able to do it. So instead of thinking, he reached around to the back
of his legs and gathered what he could. Harry's spunk was normally
clear and gelatinous, so he was interested to discover that Draco's
was thicker, whiter. Harry examined it curiously for a moment, and
then stuck it in his mouth.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
gasped in surprise. “Please don't do that again because I think my
body won't care that I need a few more minutes before I can do
anything else if I see you do that again!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smirked knowingly. His own shaft had tried to twitch with interest
over Harry's actions. He was torn between wishing it could and simply
basking in what had already happened. Even so, an imp crawled inside
him and made him want to try to unsettle Draco. He pushed Draco's
legs apart, found a glob of clear spunk, scooped it up, and then used
a clean finger to pry open Draco's mouth before shoving the covered
finger inside.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sucked Harry's finger curiously. “Hmm... That's... different,”
Draco murmured.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know,” Harry agreed with a soft smile. “Yours seems to be saltier
than mine.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yours
is almost tasteless, but with a slightly acidic after taste,” Draco
said, looking at his legs as he tried to decide if he wanted a second
taste to confirm his evaluation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
didn't know what Draco was thinking, so he conducted his second
experiment. With his entire right hand, he gathered what he could
from the back of his legs before gathering what he could from between
Draco's legs and sort of mixing it together. Then Harry stuck two
fingers in his mouth to taste what he could, ignoring the easily
identifiable taste of the oil.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm...
that sort of works well together...” Harry whispered to himself.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
grabbed Harry's hand and licked his palm. “It does...” he agreed
after a moment. Then he tried to arrange his face into a sneer of
superiority. “Which you must know means that we have to mix our
spunk together as often as possible to see if it actually does work
well together, or if it's just because of this oil.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
realized that it was a flimsy excuse, but he smiled anyway. “Yeah.
If I remember correctly, the second playdate is supposed to feature a
blinding hex, a binding spell, and lots of terrible things. Seems
like that would be the perfect time to force feed me a mix of however
much we can manage to squirt out.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Gods!” Draco blurted out, the mental image so erotic that he'd
almost swear his shaft just got hard again. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled and stroked him. “Seems like you like that idea.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked away to hide how very true that was. “So... What? You think
that me doing that to you means that you can shove it up my arse on
the third playdate?” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think that's a strong possibility that we could discuss later on,”
Harry answered with a solemn expression.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
decided that Harry was serious, and that gave him a little bit of
hope. “Good, because I'll have you know that I don't bottom for
just anyone.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged. “I've never bottomed for anyone. Actually, this is my
first experience with a bloke. However, I liked it enough that I'm
curious to try everything. Which means that I suppose I'd be willing
to bottom if you don't want to. On our third playdate, I mean.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
smirked, inexplicably happy to hear that. “So... when do you plan
to have these playdates?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Give
me time to go take a shower and then meet me somewhere with a bed?”
Harry suggested hopefully.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Gods
I'd love to!” Draco blurted out, and then flushed at how eager he
sounded. “Unfortunately, I promised my mother a fire call – which
I'm probably running late for – and then Pansy and Blaise insist
that I help them understand their potions enough to pass that exam on
Monday.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tomorrow
then?” Harry asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tomorrow,”
Draco confirmed. “I'll skive off going to Hogsmeade, which means
that my dorm should be empty for a few hours.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Aha,
a place with a bed,” Harry grinned in understanding. He was tempted
to kiss Draco, but didn't know if that would be allowed. After all,
they were only playing around to relieve stress, and kissing could be
considered far too intimate. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To
avoid the topic entirely, Harry got up and cast spells to shrink his
jeans and tee so that he could shove them in the pocket of his robe
containing his wand. By this time, Draco had shifted off Harry's robe
and watched him curiously. When Harry pulled the robe on over his
naked body while shoving his feet into his shoes, Draco sat up and
shook his head with a wry smile.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Do
you walk around naked under your robes often?” Draco asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged. “Not so very often, just when I'd rather have a shower
before getting dressed again. Listen, I'm going to go because I
really do want that shower since I'm shite with cleaning spells. I'll
see you tomorrow.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded in understanding and agreement and watched Harry walk away for
a moment before focusing on getting dressed. A frown quickly covered
his face. “Hey! Do you have any idea where my boxers went?” He
called out before Harry got too far away to hear him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
idea!” Harry called back to him. He then gave Draco a strange smile
and a wave goodbye before continuing on his way.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
searched everything at least three times before giving up. “An
animal must have ran off with it while we were busy,” he grumbled
unhappily. Then he muttered a few cleaning spells before slipping
into his trousers.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
was sitting on the floor of the Gryffindor common room, resting his
head on Hermione's knee as she sat in one of the comfortable arm
chairs. Ron sat across from them, about a foot beyond Harry's legs.
He was giving Harry a look that was clearly torn between asking why
Harry looked so dreamy and well-shagged, and </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>really</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
not wanting to know.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
entered the common room before Ron could make a decision either way.
She walked over to Harry and straddled his lap. Her fingers twirled
around in his hair as she kissed him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
gave a tiny cough to let them know that he was uncomfortable, but
otherwise stayed quiet. Hermione continued the explanation she was
giving Ron about their upcoming exam, not caring in the slightest
that her friends were snogging while leaning against her.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
frustrated,” Ginny informed Harry. Her voice was soft enough that
it wouldn't carry to the entire common room, but not so soft that Ron
and Hermione couldn't hear it if they wanted to. “Michael happened
to run across me </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>just</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
as I ran into Dean in Honeydukes, and because Dean was in the middle
of asking me if I wanted anything, Michael thought we were on a date!
He got mad at me, saying that if I wasn't spending time with you,
then I should be spending more time with him.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
when does he think you'll have time to study?” Harry wondered
curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
have no idea,” Ginny stated with a wry smirk. She kissed Harry
again. “Anyway, I told Michael that if he wanted to spend time with
me so badly, that I'd meet up with him tomorrow.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
then, why are you frustrated?” Harry asked, running a hand down her
hair. She tilted her head a bit like a cat, enjoying the way he was
almost petting her. Her fingers twirled through his hair even more.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Because
I was hoping to spend tomorrow with you making up for running out
before we could do anything fun,” Ginny admitted. “Also, to tell
you in more detail what happened with Dean after Michael left us.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
grinned at her knowingly. “Oh... so you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>were</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
on a date with him.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
not at first,” Ginny answered with a shrug. “But after the
incident with Michael, it sort of turned into a date.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
don't worry so much,” Harry advised with a smile, his hand still
stroking her hair. “I ran into someone right after you left and had
a fairly interesting afternoon myself. I also have plans for
tomorrow, so you can spend time with Michael. We could probably meet
up after dinner and compare stories.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
looked far more excited than Harry would have thought she'd be, had
he had time to think about it. She gave him an intrigued grin,
unconsciously wiggling on his lap.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Did
you really? Do you really? Who? What happened?” She demanded.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
gave her a wry smile and shook his head. “You think I'm going to
tell you any of the details out here where everyone can overhear
them?” Especially Dean, who was looking over at them a bit
petulantly. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Besides,”
Hermione added distractedly as she read over Ron's history essay.
“That kind of information should be kept private, not spread about
like gossip from the back of the Daily Prophet.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
basically ignored her. “Oh come on! Give me </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>something</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
felt one side of his lips twist from genuine yet dark amusement. He
leaned over so that he could murmur in her ear. “First time messing
around with a bloke.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
gasped as kinky images burst into her mind. “Who?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
gasped as she hadn't expected to hear something like that so bluntly,
not that she was supposed to hear it since it had been stated very
quietly. She simply had excellent hearing. She blushed and pressed a
hand to her forehead.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Ron asked curiously, still not entirely sure he wanted to know
anything about the subject. However, since he knew for certain that
Harry wasn't talking about Ginny, his curiosity overrode his normal
hesitation when discussing Harry's sex life.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Hermione drone awkwardly. “I'm not sure you'd want to know, Ron.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
the same time, Harry was shaking his head with a smug smile. “I'm
still not telling you who, Ginny. Not until we are alone, and maybe
not even then.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,”
Ginny said with a frown. “We promised we'd tell each other
everything.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
I will, just maybe not that since I didn't exactly ask for permission
first. He might not be comfortable with others knowing,” Harry
reasoned.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...”
Ginny murmured in understanding. She felt a little bad because it was
true that some people were uncomfortable or embarrassed by their
sexual differences. Especially if they were just satisfying a
curiosity.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>He?</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Ron mouthed to Hermione, who nodded with a significant look which
confirmed that this was the information she'd heard.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
kissed Ginny to reward her for not pressing the issue. Ginny sighed
happily and leaned into the kiss. When Ron cleared his throat
grumpily, Ginny broke off the kiss and whispered in Harry's ear.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
slip into your bed tonight after Ron goes to sleep, and then we can
talk in private,” she said.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sounds
good to me,” Harry agreed huskily. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
mentally sent up thanks that every student learned privacy spells to
ensure that no one would overhear them – not that the Professors
wanted to think about what the students did with the privacy spells.
He also thanked the Founders that girls were not magically kept out
of the boys' dorm like boys were kept out of the girls' dorm. It made
for some very interesting nights.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
stood up and ruffled Harry's hair. “I've got to go shower first.
See you later.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Later,”
Harry called out softly as she walked away.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ugh,”
Ron exclaimed in disgust. “You two are mental!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled, and then shrugged. “Maybe, but at least we're getting all
this madness out of our system before we try to settle down and have
kids.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
tilted his head side to side as if Harry had a valid point. They were
technically supposed to be done with school already, but since
Voldemort had made it impossible for anyone to get a good education
last year, almost the entire 7</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year had returned for an 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year. This was good for their education, but it also meant that they
were all stuck in a boarding school during a time when most new
adults were exploring other things. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Which
was why Ron wasn't arguing too hard with Ginny's idea that she and
Harry have an open relationship for the time being. He knew Harry had
no experience other than her, and even the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Chosen
One</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
deserved to make a few mistakes every now and then. It just felt
strange to think about his sister dating at least three boys at the
same time.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
looked at his hands, which were bound to Draco's headboard with a
couple Slytherin neckties – as opposed to by magic binding spells.
He and Draco had been having playdates for months now, and the end of
school was fast approaching. Both were currently taking advantage of
a fairly quiet weekend caused by almost everyone deserting the castle
in an attempt to take a break from constant studying.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
decided to take advantage of Harry's bondage by pressing his arse to
Harry's face, straddling Harry's body and facing away. “Lick me!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
complied with a smirk, deciding to only whimper in protest rather
than pretend to refuse. Draco was so turned on that his body trembled
from the pleasure. He dug his fingers into Harry's hips and
contemplated giving Harry a blowjob just to distract himself from the
impending climax.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Gods!” Draco cried out. When the pleasure became too intense, Draco
turned around almost frantically. “I'm going to shove myself in
your mouth and choke you with my spunk!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
opened his mouth and tried to prepare for the ordeal. Draco often
forgot to be careful when he got excited. To Harry's surprise, Draco
only managed to get the bulbous glans in Harry's mouth before
gushing. He gripped the headboard and groaned so loudly that Harry
wondered if the silencing spell would contain it. Harry hummed a
laugh as he swallowed every drop.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
soon collapsed next to Harry to rest for a few moments. When he felt
like he could breathe again, he looked over at Harry. A smirk twisted
his lips.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Poor
thing... you haven't gone off yet. Shall I increase the vibrations?”
Draco asked, trailing a finger from Harry's neck down to his navel.
Unlike their first playdate, it was now Harry that was covered in
love bites.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
squirmed at the reminder. He'd been doing his best to ignore the
magical sex toy in his arse, but Draco's words pulled a longing
whimper from his mouth. “No! Yes... I don't know...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Or
perhaps you'd rather have my hand...” Draco illustrated his point
by gripping Harry's shaft and stroking it slowly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
squirmed and whimpered all the more. “Yes!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Or...”
Draco whispered, his hand stopping quite abruptly as he thought. “Or
maybe...” He grabbed his wand and shifted until he was straddling
Harry once more, whispering a spell as he did so. Then he slowly
lowered himself.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco...”
Harry exhaled in awe. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Aside
from their 6</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
or 7</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
playdate, Draco had never offered to bottom. He absolutely </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>loved</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
being inside Harry, and Harry didn't mind. That one time had been
incredible, but bottoming was also incredible. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah!”
Harry gasped, very rapidly losing himself. Between the vibrating toy
in his arse and Draco riding him, he felt like he was about to
shatter into a thousand pieces. “Ah! Oh God! Oh God! </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Draco</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!”
He cried out in a thoroughly embarrassing way that sounded
suspiciously like a squeal. His body bowed dramatically as he arched
his back. Had his hands been free, he would have dug all his fingers
into Draco's hips as he pumped his lover full.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
moment the world stopped spinning, Harry slumped, feeling like he had
just melted into the bed. Draco grinned at him smugly, reaching back
to remove the toy from Harry. It slide free with a distinct and
strangely wet noise.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,”
Draco drawled, supremely pleased with himself. “That sounded bloody
glorious!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
was,” Harry murmured, honestly surprised that he was capable of
talking. More than 90 percent of him wanted to pass out and sleep
until Monday morning. However, a thought occurred to him that made
him look up at Draco – who was still sitting on him. A faint smile
and a faraway expression told Harry that Draco was paying close
attention to Harry's shaft slowly shrinking inside him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
Draco,” Harry began hesitantly. “Will you untie me in a few
minutes so that I can have you do something special?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
Gods! You think you can do it again so soon?!” Draco asked
incredulously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed. “Er, no. I have something else in mind.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded, tilting his head to look up at the curtain above his bed. He
exhaled as if he was utterly relaxed, and then closed his eyes. The
look on his face let Harry know that he was still enjoying the fact
that – apparently – Harry had not gone completely limp yet. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
had almost fallen asleep by the time that Draco slid off and untied
Harry. But a rather rough hand yanking his hair woke Harry back up
again. “Hmm?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
snorted in amusement. “You said you wanted me to do something
special.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!
Right,” Harry stated as he rubbed his wrists. He twitched his
fingers to summon the bottle of oil Draco had tossed aside near the
beginning of their playing. It flew to his hand as expected and Harry
dipped a finger in it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Draco droned, both amused and horrified by Harry's actions. “I
really don't think that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
can do anything more so soon. Let alone you,” the mutter let Harry
know that Draco was amazed Harry thought his body could get up again
after having </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>just</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
gone limp.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Without
a word, Harry smeared the dab of oil across his lips, and then tossed
the bottle aside. “Grab your wand.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wand</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
wand, or...?” Draco asked, confused. Harry still seemed to be
referring to something kinky and sexual.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
laughed. “Yes, your </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wand</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
wand.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Okay...”
Draco drawled slowly as he summoned his wand. It was still the only
spell he could do wandlessly. Fortunately, it was only stashed under
the pillows.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
rolled his shoulders a few times to ease the mild soreness from being
tied up. Then he lay so that his shoulders were perfectly flat. Next,
he turned his head toward his left shoulder and kissed it – right
on the front, just above the crease of his armpit.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
see that spot?” Harry asked, pointing out why he had oiled his
lips. “I want you to carve your initials with a cutting hex; just
exactly as if you were signing your name.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait!
You want what?!” Draco asked in alarm. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Why?</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Because...”
Harry stated with a genuine smile. “We're going to be done with
school in a little over two months, and then Ginny and I will
probably get married and have a dozen fat and happy babies. You'll
have to go through with that arranged marriage of yours and have an
heir. I just figured that if you put your initials on me, I'll always
be able to look and see them, and then maybe this won't seem like a
big long dream ten years from now.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry...”
Draco exhaled a whisper of awe. “I thought this was just playing
around.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sighed a bit sadly. “Well... it is, more or less. But it also means
something to me. I hope it means something to you too.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked away as he thought this over. Then he shrugged and tried to
pretend to be disinterested. “It started to mean something to me
right about our fourth playdate when we did nothing but snog for
about an hour before falling asleep.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah...”
Harry murmured in agreement, happy to remember that night.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
took a deep breath, knowing that this would take an extraordinary
amount of precision. He glared at the slightly shiny spot on Harry's
shoulder, preparing to literally cut into him. Harry grinned.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">One
more thing, just after you cast the cutting hex, concentrate on your
favorite color, and then cast: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>inkus</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
a frighteningly direct spell,” Draco muttered dryly. “I'm not
sure it's a good idea to conjure ink into an open wound.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed. “Don't worry. I consulted a professional tattoo wizard,
and he assured me that – just like anything conjured by magic –
it's not only sterile, but safe. It's how they do magical tattoos.
Only, they add several other spells depending on what the client
wants.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah,”
Draco uttered succinctly. He closed his eyes so that he could focus
completely on what he needed to do. If he did it right, it shouldn't
be a deep wound gushing blood. He just had to imagine the cutting hex
scratching rather than gouging. When he felt like he had all the
parameters set in his head – including how he planned to write his
initials, and what color he wanted to use – he opened his eyes and
stared at the spot.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
sure?” He asked, just barely allowing his mind enough space to
listen for the answer.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
sure,” Harry affirmed calmly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
stared at the spot until he could see the finished result as if it
was already there, and then he wiped the oil away, muttering a quick
cleaning spell, followed by a disinfecting spell. Lastly, he used his
wand like a quill as he cast first the cutting hex, and then the
inkus spell. When he was done, Harry's shoulder oozed blood from
under the finished emerald green tattoo. Harry examined it with a
smile.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #00ae00;"><span style="font-family: "pristina" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;">DLM</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco's
hands now shook for several reasons. First, so much could have gone
wrong, but didn't. Second, he was amazed that he was able to sign
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>skin</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
as easily as he signed parchment. And last, he was shocked by how
much he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>liked</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
having his initials on Harry. He felt like Harry was wearing a brand
declaring him as belonging to Draco. It was powerful and heady in a
way that Draco did not expect at all!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I...”
Draco began, and then cleared his throat when he realized that
nothing had come out. His eyes were dark with lust as he stared at
the tattoo. “I think you should do that to me. With your initials,
I mean.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you sure?” Harry asked with a frown. “You've had no time to think
about it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
absolutely certain,” Draco confirmed. “In fact, I will likely hit
you with stinging hex after stinging hex until you agree if you don't
do so in the next five seconds.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smirked. “As long as you're sure.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
sat up to kiss Draco's cheek and ruffle his hair. Draco glared at
him. No one had permission to muss up Draco's hair, but he often
tolerated Harry doing so because it usually happened when they were
both focused on other things. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stop
that before I cast a hex to break your fingers,” Draco warned, his
voice dripping in venom.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Okay,”
Harry acquiesced. He then pushed Draco so that he was lying on his
back. “Get comfortable. Make sure your shoulders are normal – as
opposed to hunched up.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded in understanding and complied. When he was ready, he took a
deep breath. “Okay. Do it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
squeezed his eyes shut, absently fiddling his fingers until his wand
flew into his hand. A few seconds passed in silence. When he opened
his eyes, he focused on the same spot on Draco's left shoulder,
glancing at Draco just once to confirm that it was where he wanted
it. After receiving confirmation, Harry cast the same cleaning and
disinfecting spells – twice! – in order to make sure everything
was as safe as possible. Finally, he carved out his initials in an
icy yet vibrant blue ink.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
thought your favorite color was Gryffindor Red,” Draco stated as he
inspected the new tattoo.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0099ff;"><span style="font-family: "mistral" , cursive;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HJP</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
my favorite color to wear because I look rather good in it,” Harry
informed him with a smile. “But my actual favorite color is that.”
This was only partially true. His favorite color was a sort of
silvery gray – which just so happened to be the color of Draco's
eyes. But since that exact shade would not look good on such pale
skin, he got as close to it as he could with a blue that would show
up nicely. After all, there was no point in doing it if it couldn't
be seen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
here?” Draco asked as it occurred to him that the shoulder was a
strange place for such a small tattoo.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
shrugged and tried to pretend that it wasn't important. “It's a
place that I will be able to see easily, and yet also be able to
cover up if I want to.” </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>And
also be able to kiss if I want...</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh.
That makes sense,” Draco murmured absently. He was surprised to
find that he was enchanted by his new tattoo. His eyes rounded on
Harry and narrowed in suspicion. “Did you add any other weird
spells to it?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nope,”
Harry stated seriously, wondering what sort of spell Draco thought
he'd added.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm,”
Draco harrumphed, pursing his lips. “Well, no matter. I like it,
even if you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>did</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
enchant it to be unnecessarily appealing to me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
didn't!” Harry protested, and then smirked. “Wait, you think I
enchanted it?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
pushed him grumpily. “Unless you plan to stay here for the rest of
the afternoon, evening, and night, I suggest you get out of my bed
and get dressed before someone shows up and notices you in the
Slytherin dungeons!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">God!
I really want to, but unfortunately...” Harry let a bit of silence
increase the drama. “You've worn me out so much that I'm ravenous!
I think I could eat an entire woolly mammoth all by myself!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
snorted. “Good luck persuading the house elves to go back in time,
hunt one down, and then cook it up for you!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
kissed Draco even as he rolled his eyes. “If it were at all
possible, they'd do it for me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
that – and because it was infuriatingly true – Draco released all
the privacy spells from the curtains around his bed and pushed Harry
onto the floor. “Go away already so that I can get a nap before
Blaise and Pansy return from Hogsmeade and insist I go to the great
hall for dinner!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
scrambled to his knees so that he could rest his arms on the bed and
his head on his arms. “Okay, I'll go, but only if you snog me
goodbye.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
groaned and sighed as if it was the most onerous task imaginable, but
then shifted so that he could wind his fingers in Harry's hair and
give him a thorough kiss that left both of them breathless. Harry
moaned softly as he returned the kiss. It rapidly turned into a
competition to see who could snog better.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
noise outside the dorm prompted Harry to snatch his invisibility
cloak from the pocket of his robe and throw it over his shoulders.
Draco just barely had time to watch all of Harry's belongings fly
under the cloak and disappear before the door opened. An amused smile
settled on his lips as he wondered whether Harry would remain naked
under the cloak while he walked back to Gryffindor Tower.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blaise
grinned wider than he ever had before – as far as Draco could
remember. “Well well!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
giggled while Theodore Nott and Gregory Goyle groaned and turned to
look away. “Draco, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>darling</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!
Whyever are you lounging around completely naked on your bed in the
middle of the afternoon?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Since
Draco was lying on his stomach and quite comfortable – despite
being angled strangely because he'd been snogging Harry – he felt
no urgent need to get up. Pansy had seen him naked before. Actually,
they had </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
seen him naked before since three out of the four of them shared a
dorm room with him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
drawled as if bored. “Because Pansy, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>darling</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
I had a positively delightful afternoon so far, and don't quite have
the energy to get up and go shower.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blaise
roared with laughter. “I'm so sorry I missed it! I bet it was quite
the show!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
shrugged, shoving a pillow under his chest for comfort. “Of course
it was! Not that I had the curtains open so that you could see it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
inspected the foot of his bed suspiciously before sitting on the edge
near the footboard. “Who was the lucky girl? Or was it a boy?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
telling!” Draco stated in a nearly sing song voice. “But I will
tell you this, it was dirty and kinky and fabulous in all the best
ways!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now
I'm definitely jealous!” Blaise cried out. “I haven't been
shagged like that in over a month!” He pounded Draco on the back.
“Any chance you could go again?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Maybe
later,” Draco evaded as a huge yawn escaped him. This gave him the
perfect excuse. “I'm too tired right now.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
would,” Pansy informed Blaise with a sympathetic smile. “But I'm
afraid that I have to finish my stupid essay so that I can go on my
date tonight.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Blaise
kissed her cheek as she kissed his. “That's fine. I should probably
do my homework too.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
leaned down to kiss Draco on the cheek, but paused. A frown wrinkled
her brow as she stared at his pillow. “Darling... why is there
blood on your pillow?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
abruptly sat up and clutched the pillow to his chest. “Er... I
think I should probably take care of this in the bathroom.” He was
off his bed and running to the shower area off to the side of the
room before anyone could say anything.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
did not take this for the final answer, and followed him. She deftly
managed to get inside the bathroom before he shut and locked the
door. Then she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him
imperiously.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy...”
Draco growled threateningly, still clutching the pillow to his chest,
but otherwise completely naked. “Please get out. There are some
things that I'd prefer to keep private.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
snorted. “You haven't kept anything from me – aside from your
secret orders from the Dark Lord – since we were in 2</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">nd</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
year!” She didn't wait for him to try to evade her or come up with
a plausible excuse. Instead, she yanked the pillow from his chest,
and then gasped at the sight of the blood oozing from the obviously
fresh tattoo. “Draco...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
she did anything else. She summoned a jar of ointment and slathered
it on the wound so that it would heal without magically disappearing.
As she did so, she got a very good look at the blue ink. When she was
done, she put the cover on the jar with a sigh.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
that's who you spent the afternoon with,” she murmured, and then
proved that she didn't judge him by kissing his cheek. “Why did you
let him do that to you?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
felt enormously relieved that she wasn't beating him up about his
shocking affair, and smiled at her. “It's not what you're probably
thinking. He asked me to do it to him, and after I did, I decided
that I wanted him to do it to me. No matter what I said to
incriminate myself earlier, this wasn't some kinky branding during
sex.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pansy
smiled tightly, never one to hold back biting insults. However, she
also knew how Draco had felt about Harry for years, and so decided to
bite her tongue just this once. She hugged him instead.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
know I'll be there for you after,” she stated.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After?”
Draco repeated in a whisper.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After
school is over and he goes off to marry that redheaded slut he's
dating,” Pansy clarified.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
merely sighed. “Pot kettle, darling.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
pretended to be offended and pushed him back a couple of inches. “I
may be considered easy, but at least I have </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>standards</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know,” Draco agreed with a smirk. “Now be a dear and grab me some
clothes. I'm positively starving!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pansy
smacked his arse and shook her head at him. “Maybe later you'll
tell me more about the kinky stuff. I must confess that I'm </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>dying</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to know what he's like in bed!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
kissed her cheek. “Maybe.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hrmph!”
Pansy harrumphed as she walked away to fetch some clothes for him.
“Prat!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cow!”
He called after her with a fond grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
whooped with joy as he ran around the Quidditch pitch. He'd finished
his N.E.W.T.s and even felt he'd done a good job on them. Now that he
didn't need to study, he was free to relax until the Hogwarts Express
took everyone home on Sunday. That meant the rest of Thursday
afternoon and evening, all of Friday and Saturday, and most of Sunday
morning.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
a result, all of the 7</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
and 8</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">th</span></span></span></sup></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
years – those who had finished their exams, not everyone had yet –
were piling out of the castle to let off some steam. Harry had
suggested an impromptu Quidditch game since he hadn't been allowed
back on the team this year, and thus hadn't played since the last
free form game at the Burrow during Easter Hols. His idea was
embraced enthusiastically by almost everyone.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which
was why a good thirty students were running around the Quidditch
pitch with him. Harry took it upon himself – since it was his idea
– to appoint team leaders and make sure that all the teams had an
even amount of players. Normally, the game was only played between
two teams, but since this was an informal game, they were going to
play with four teams.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
meant that Harry had to hastily create two more sets of goal hoops,
but that was surprisingly easy to do. It also meant that most of the
students played for their “house team,” but since there were only
a couple of Slytherins willing to join in, Harry appointed extras
from other houses onto the team.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
much as he wanted to play, he decided that he'd be the Referee –
which would allow him to fly around watching the game and breaking up
fights as necessary. It would also allow him the freedom to basically
do as he liked, flying or looking for the snitch, or even winding the
other players up.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
flung her arms around him when he appointed her the Captain of the
Gryffindor team, and then kissed him so thoroughly that he nearly
forgot what he was doing. He broke free of the kiss and started to
pull her toward someplace private, but Seamus laughed and pounded him
on the back. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">None
of that now! If the Ref and the Gryffindor Captain take off, then how
will the rest of us play?” Seamus asked with a knowing smirk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Huh?”
Harry asked in confusion, his mind still dwelling on dragging Ginny
off. “Oh! Right...” He cleared his throat. “Everyone have
brooms?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Between
copious heckling and sniggering, everyone managed to get on a broom
and in the air. It was such a hot day that it wasn't long before most
of the boys took off their school robes and shirts, shrunk them down,
and stuffed them in their back pockets. The girls – not allowed to
show their breasts (even though they were all pretty sure no one
could be expelled for it now that they were officially done with
school anyway) – compromised by removing their robes and stripping
down to tank tops and or bras. Most bras were more covering than
bikini tops anyway, and so no one protested.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
game continued – no one finding the snitch – until well after
dinner had been served in the great hall. By this time, the cheating
and rule violations were so rampant that Harry had no idea who was
actually winning, but it didn't matter because they were all having
fun and no one had actually fallen off their brooms from the near
constant stream of hexes flying about.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
sent a stinging hex at Harry when he called her out for trying to hex
the Slytherin Keeper off her broom. Harry returned her hex, and then
gave her a stupid grin. “Love you!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
just lucky I have better things to do than murder the Ref at the
moment!” She shouted after him, shaking her fist.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
rammed into Harry so hard that he went spinning around the axis of
his broom several times. “Too bad you're not playing Seeker!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
finally managed to stop spinning in time to see Draco racing after
the ever elusive tiny golden ball. The other Seekers had spread out
enough during the game that none of them were quite close enough to
stop him. However, that didn't stop them from trying.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
poor guy that had volunteered to comment on the game – as if the
stands were full of spectators even though there were only a few
dozen students from other years watching – tried his best to keep
up with the chaos of four teams all playing against each other. He
held the microphone in a death grip and talked at top speed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
Ravenclaw has earned another violation by trying to douse one of the
Gryffindor Chasers with an Aguamenti. Hufflepuff has scored another
30 points – I'm not exactly sure, but I think that puts them in the
lead, and oh! Wait! Can someone tell me if Draco Malfoy is playing
the Slytherin Seeker, because I think he's nearly got the snitch!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">OW!
That's got to hurt! Shameful of the Gryffindor Captain to set the
Slytherin beaters' brooms both on fire, but I'm sure they deserved
it. I mean! I'm sure it was an accident! The Hufflepuff beater
actually managed to knock a Gryffindor Chaser off her broom, and the
Ravenclaw Keeper has just tossed his shoe smack dab in the middle of
the Slytherin Captain's forehead! Meanwhile, I think the Ref has
tried to blind the Ravenclaw Keeper in retaliation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
none of that matters!” The announcer roared, jumping up excitedly.
“Just as the sun was beginning to set – providing a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>lovely</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
tint to the sky – Draco Malfoy has caught the snitch! Seeker or
not, I declare Slytherin the winner!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
pointed his wand at his mouth and cast a sonorus to amplify his
voice. “Hey! </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I'm</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the Referee! </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
get to be the one to declare Slytherin the winner! Congratulations
Malfoy for finally catching the snitch after all these bloody years!
I'd buy you dinner, but the house elves provide it for free!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Up
yours, wanker!” Malfoy shouted at him, giving him a two fingered
salute.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
snorted derisively. “You wish!” He released the sonorus spell and
bit back a grin over their covert flirting. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
had plans to spend the night together, and if he was lucky, they
might even be able to sneak in some snogging in the locker shower
room just off the pitch. He watched Draco land, noticing that he was
the only boy still wearing a shirt. It was unbuttoned and open all
the way down to where it was tucked into his posh trousers, but he
was already buttoning up again. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Maybe
we won't meet up in the showers,” Harry murmured in disappointment.
He slowly lowered his broom to the ground, taking the longest because
he had been up the highest. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
pitch was a scene of utter chaos as everyone tried to both
congratulate those playing for the Slytherin team – which actually
had at least one member from each house – </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
chatter about the game simultaneously. It was widely agreed that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>that</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
had been the most fun any of them could recall ever having while
playing Quidditch. Ron and Seamus promised to provide drinks in the
Gryffindor common room to commiserate losing, and someone from each
house promised their team the same. Except that Slytherin had won,
and so was promised a rather shocking amount of alcohol to be
delivered to their common room as a reward.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took the time to vanish the extra goal hoops, and then cleaned up the
mess created by a good half the students forgetting to put away their
brooms. He also made sure that all four quaffles, all eight bludgers,
and the sole snitch that they had used for the game were put away. A
grin refused to leave his lips as he remembered how interesting the
game had been – especially considering that there was only supposed
to be one quaffle and two bludgers. It really had been pure chaos!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
was waiting for him with a gorgeous smile. “I think we should go
spend some time in our favorite part of the forest.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ha!”
Ron snorted, having waited with her. “If you're thinking what I
think you're thinking, you should really wait until he's had a chance
to take a shower...” Ron trailed off with a frown.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
tilted his head curiously at Ron until he realized that Ron was
staring at his left shoulder. Ginny was also curious about Ron's
sudden quiet, and looked between them to see what was going on. She
laughed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Uh-oh!
Looks like you forgot to cover that with a glamour when you took your
shirt off!” Ginny swirled one of her pointer fingers over Harry's
tattoo. “Hey, I've been meaning to ask, do I get my initials
tattooed on your other shoulder?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
smiled at her. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Maybe</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">DLM?”
Ron muttered once he realized that Ginny was referring to the tattoo
as initials. “DLM...?” His frown increased until his eyes widened
almost comically. “DLM!!! </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Please</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
tell me that I'm thinking of the wrong person!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Probably
not,” Ginny giggled as she patted her brother on the back.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But!
But!” Ron protested. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Malfoy</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">???”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sighed. “I don't expect you to understand, Ron, but I really like
Draco. He's fun to spend time with, and I'm really going to miss him
after we all leave here.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
groaned and pulled at his hair with both hands. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Fine</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...
I suppose I don't have to like him to accept the fact that you do.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Aww
Ron,” Ginny purred as she kissed his cheek. “That's very grown up
of you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Harry agreed, feeling inordinately relieved. “Thanks!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
sighed, sounding a bit melancholic. “No problem. What are friends
for?” He then straightened up with an almost eager look. “Does
Hermione know?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged. “I never told her specifically, but knowing her, she
probably knew ages ago.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
going to go ask her!” Ron called out as he ran off toward the
castle.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...”
Ginny drawled with a grin. “Forest?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Forest,”
Harry confirmed with a matching grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Gods!” Draco cried out. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
chuckled and whispered in his ear. “You </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>did</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
remember to cast a silencing spell, right?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Twice!”
Draco confirmed breathlessly. “Now put your mouth back where it was
before I hex you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
complied, thinking that it might actually be hilarious if Draco </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
forgotten the silencing spell. They'd mostly hidden their delightful
“friends with benefits” relationship quite successfully the
entire school year. Now that it was the last night before they left,
it would be interesting to see what happened should everyone find out
about them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However,
considering that Blaise, Theodore, and Goyle had entered the room
some time ago and gave no indication that they could hear anything,
Harry was sure that the silencing spell was working. Unless the
brightly flashing warning to not disturb them on pain of severe
hexing was terrifying enough to make them keep their mouths shut.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Gods!” Draco cried out again, even louder this time. Harry just
loved that a little tongue action on Draco's tightly puckered hole
was enough to reduce him to a quivering pile of squeals. “Don't you
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>dare</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
stop now!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
was tempted to do just that in order to ask: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Or
what?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
nearly devolved into actual blabbering, incoherent crying, but just
when Harry thought that he was going to do that, Draco abruptly sat
up and pushed Harry onto his back so roughly that Harry nearly hit
his head on one of the posts at the foot of the bed. The bed actually
shook and creaked from their abuse – which </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wasn't</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
covered by the silencing spell.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sounds
like Draco's having fun in there,” Blaise remarked from his bed,
where he was reading a dirty magazine.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
might've just turned over in his sleep and kicked the post
accidentally,” Goyle suggested with a shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Right...”
Theo snorted in amusement. “Keep telling yourself that if it'll
help you sleep tonight.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Want
to take bets on whether it's a boy or a girl?” Blaise asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
would we find out?” Goyle asked. “Whoever he's been bringing to
bed with him lately has disappeared in the middle of the night while
we're all sleeping.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ugh!”
Blaise groaned in complaint. “I wish I'd found someone willing to
play regularly this year! Hey Theo, we should go invite Pansy in here
to keep us company for a few hours.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Theo
stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Yeah... we should...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ugh!”
Goyle groaned in disgust and covered his ears. “I don't want to
hear about it!” He abruptly left the room so that he could go ask
the same thing of Millicent Bulstrode before they could think to
invite her too.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Finally!”
Draco exclaimed when the room fell silent again. He wished there was
a way to keep sounds out, but if there was, he didn't know it. He was
just glad that no one could hear him as he thrust in and out of
Harry. “Uh! So tight!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Deeper!”
Harry urged.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
good,” Draco moaned as he tried to bury himself as deeply as
possible.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Uh!”
Harry chanted with each thrust. “Oh God! I think I'm close!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
yet,” Draco hissed insistently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
whined. “I can't help it! You're hitting the right spot!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
yet!” Draco forced himself to stop moving completely. He couldn't
stop himself from whimpering along with Harry in protest. “Not
yet...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
panted breathlessly. “But I want it so badly. Draco... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>please?</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Shh,”
Draco hushed him gently. “If we take our time, it'll feel so much
better.” To prove his point, he continued his thrusting, but at a
very slow pace.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sighed in relief. Now that the urgency had retreated, he rather
enjoyed these slow strokes. He wrapped his arms around Draco's neck.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
do you plan to do now that we're done with school?” Harry asked the
question he had avoided all year.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think I'm going to apply to be a Healer with an emphasis on potions,”
Draco replied.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled. “At least St. Mungo's is in London. You could visit me when
you have 10 or 20 minutes.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
about your girlfriend?” Draco wondered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We've
decided that we like our relationship open, so she won't object,”
Harry explained, shifting to give Draco a better angle. “She thinks
she might even want to try to play Quidditch professionally for a
while before we get married.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
about you?” Draco asked with a curious frown. He settled himself
comfortably so that he could kiss Harry with each lazy thrust.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged. “I used to think that I wanted to be an Auror, but now I
think I might want to do something else. The problem is that I have
no idea what.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
I suppose I could try to help you figure it out during those times
that I find I have 10 or 20 minutes to visit you,” Draco suggested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
grinned so brightly that it was almost painful to look at.
“Brilliant! I'll have Hermione write down my address and give it to
you tomorrow on the train.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was momentarily confused. “Why would – Oh! It's unplottable and
she's your secret keeper.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly,”
Harry stated, and then focused on kissing Draco. He soon grew
frustrated with the leisurely pace, and solved the problem by rolling
Draco under him. This made the bed wobble and shake as Draco fought
him slightly and they nearly fell over the side.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
cast the privacy spells again just in case they'd somehow broken
them. Then he shook his head and gave Harry a wry smile. Harry
smirked in triumph as he sat on Draco's lap and rode him so
vigorously that he needed to hold onto the railings holding up the
curtains of the four-poster bed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
a beautiful sight!” Draco exclaimed appreciatively. “But try not
to pull the bed down on top of us.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
laughed. “I make no promises!” He then had quite a bit of fun
seeing if he actually </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>could</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
make the top of the bed fall down on them. However, despite his best
efforts, the bed was still intact 20 minutes later.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
liked the grinding pace Harry had set – which shook the entire bed
– but it lacked something that he couldn't put his finger on. So
when the frustration had started to annoy him, he growled, dug his
fingers into Harry's hips, and then rolled forward so that Harry
nearly hit his head on the footboard this time. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
swear you want to knock me out!” Harry exclaimed with a laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nah,”
Draco assured him with a shake of his head. “What fun would that
be?” He then shifted his position ever so slightly a couple of
times until he found the spot that drove Harry crazy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
God oh God oh God!” Harry chanted as Draco pounded into him. He
also wrapped his arms around Draco and sucked on his neck between
gasps. The headboard startled them both when it actually banged into
the wall. They laughed for a moment before resuming their fun.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
blushed when he heard Blaise mutter: “Anyone want to place bets on
how much longer they're going to take?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
long has it been?” Pansy asked, having apparently come into the
room at some point.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Forever!”
Goyle groaned. A giggle suggested that Millicent had actually
accepted his proposition. “And I'm about to be too busy to place
bets.” A curtain loudly slid shut.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
should just not bother with privacy spells since everyone else has
their curtain shut anyway,” Pansy stated. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Theo droned. “That's disturbing because then everyone will hear us
even if they are behind their curtains.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
game,” Blaise stated with a grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
curtain slid open so fast that it sounded like a door slamming. “If
you don't at least use a silencing spell, I'll take the spell off my
bed and let you hear as Millie squeals every five minutes!” Goyle
threatened.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Blaise
sighed in disappointment. “I think I speak for us all when I say
that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>nobody</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
wants to hear that!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Here
here!” Draco pulled his curtain open about half an inch so that he
could cry that out, and then pulled it completely shut again and cast
the silencing spell for good measure.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
wonder what hexes he put on his bed?” Blaise asked no one in
particular. “Do you think it would be worth risking a peak?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,”
Pansy stated firmly. “He knows a particularly nasty one that will
make your scrotum burst out with hundreds of painful boils over the
course of the next several days. And frankly, my dear, that would
rather spoil my fun tonight.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Do
you really?” Harry asked from inside the safeguarded bed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yep,”
Draco confirmed. “And Pansy is correct. It's one of the ones I put
on the bed.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Too
bad I can't place a bet on how long this will take,” Harry murmured
with dry humor. “Because at the rate they keep interrupting us,
we're </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>never</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
going to finish!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
harrumphed. “Don't really know why, but I'm so close.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
purred and squeezed Draco's arse. “Actually, I am too. You keep
hitting that one spot, and I just want to burst into flames and die!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
that would be a terrible waste,” Draco drawled with wry smirk. “And
even worse, I'd then be sent to Azkaban for killing the Savior with
pleasure!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
wanted to laugh at that, but a gasp burst forth instead. “Oh God!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was perversely pleased to realize that he was banging the bed into
the wall again. This continued for an impressive five minutes before
Harry arched his back and dug his fingers into Draco's back. His
grunts sounded a bit like he was trying to catch his breath.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry's
climax made him so very tight around Draco's shaft. This made Draco
groan and bury his face in Harry's shoulder as he flooded him with
wet heat. They both melted into a puddle and passed out.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
next morning, a loud roar dragged them from their blissful sleep.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">DRACO
LUCIUS MALFOY!” Pansy roared. “If you don't wake up this instant,
you'll have no time to finish packing before the train leaves! The
Hogwarts Express waits for no one, not even you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah
bollocks!” Draco cried out. He then removed all the spells from his
bed, making Pansy sigh in relief as she watched the flashing warning
disappear.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
just so you know, everyone has returned from breakfast to finish up
packing, so you'd best give up any thought of privacy now,” Pansy
warned.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Bollocks,”
Harry whispered in a sigh. “Well, this is going to be awkward.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
you have your cloak?” Draco whispered in his ear.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
yeah,” Harry whispered back. “But they all know I'm still in
here, so if I put the cloak on and sneak out, I may as well wear a
sign that says: the boy who owns an invisibility cloak was here!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
chuckled. “I suppose that's true!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pulled his thoroughly worn out jeans and raggedy tee shirt out from
inside the pillowcase – where they'd been shrank and stashed so
that they couldn't get lost. The bed shook quite a bit as he shimmied
into them, and then he leaned over to kiss Draco before he took a
deep breath. When he felt ready, he pulled open the curtains and
slipped out of bed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">See
you on the train,” Harry stated. “I'll try to snag a basket of
food to make up for sleeping through breakfast.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
snorted in amusement. “Don't bother! I saved some from dinner last
night so that I could sleep in.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled, waved, and then silently walked out of the dorm room. He
had to bite his bottom lip to stop himself from laughing at all the
astonished faces staring at him. Only Pansy looked like she'd known
he was in bed with Draco – and since she was Draco's best friend,
such knowledge wouldn't surprise Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Outside
the room, Harry slowly walked around the crowd of Slytherins of all
years rushing around, trying to get ready before the train left.
Those that weren't already in the hall or on the stairs rushed to
exit their dorm rooms to stare after him. Nearly half of them rubbed
their eyes in disbelief.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Is
that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Harry
Potter</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Slytherin</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Covered
in </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>love
bites?”</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
blushed at that and fought the urge to press his hands to his neck.
The whispering continued until he finally managed to exit the
dungeons. He leaned against a wall and took another deep breath so he
could exhale the nervous tension that had filled him since waking.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then
a thought cheered him up immensely. “He said he'd visit me!”
After that, he practically ran back to his dorm so that he could make
sure his packing was finished and give permission to the house elves
to send his trunk to the train.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
took almost twenty minutes to reassure Hermione and all his dormmates
that he was fine. That he hadn't been abducted. That he was actually
fully packed. It wasn't until Ginny giggled and brushed her hand
along the bruises on his neck that they all fell silent.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
do you let him do that to you?” She wondered since they had never
been inclined to do that to each other.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged. “I don't know. I guess it feels good at the time. I do it
to him too.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
simply grinned and handed him a small bundle. “Here, I saved you
some breakfast.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks
Gin! You're a lifesaver!” Harry exclaimed before pulling a flaky
bun out of the bundle and shoving it in his mouth.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Contrary
to their expectations, Harry and Draco didn't really see each other
on the train. It wasn't exactly a surprise because each of them sat
with their friends in different compartments. Even so, Harry started
to feel panicky by the time they reached King's Cross Station.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
dragged Hermione along so that they were practically the first people
off the train. Ron grumbled unhappily as he rushed to follow them.
Harry looked around to make sure that Draco hadn't left yet – which
he hadn't, as evidenced by the fact that Narcissa Malfoy was waiting
for him, accompanied by four Aurors. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
wondered if they were there to protect the Malfoys, or to harass
them. He soon found out when the Aurors saw Draco coming and stepped
forward so that Draco could not avoid them as he stepped off the
train. A frown of concern covered Harry's entire face.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
Malfoy, as per the terms of your probation, we're here to escort you
directly to your home where you'll be expected to stay until you have
approved activities,” the Auror in charge of the group informed
everyone who was pretending not to listen.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait
a minute!” Harry protested, surprising Draco. He marched up to the
Aurors. “This isn't right! Draco was cleared of all charges.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Aurors were visibly uncomfortable and shifted from foot to foot. “Mr.
Potter, sir...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
does he need a so-called escort?” Harry demanded.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Auror in charge cleared his throat. “Believe it or not, it's also
for his protection. A lot of people still think he should be rotting
in Azkaban with his father.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
growled in frustration, and then turned to face Hermione. She came
forward when he beckoned. It seemed like the entire station was
silent as they watched what was happening.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
hesitated for only a moment before deciding to back up her best
friend fully. She smiled as confidently as she could under the
circumstances. “Draco, as Harry's secret keeper, I need to hand you
this personally. Read it, memorize it, and never forget it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
took the small piece of parchment from her and read it over
carefully. Just when he was fairly sure he had it memorized, it
jumped out of his hand and burst into flames. Even though he had been
expecting it, it still startled him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There!
Now you can visit me whenever you want,” Harry stated with a smile.
He then turned to glare at the Aurors, who all bristled under the
obvious disapproval of their Savior.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
regained his attention by grabbing Harry's hand. “Thanks. It means
a lot to me that you'd do this so publicly.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course,” Harry stated, waving his other hand dismissively. “You
were cleared and don't deserve to be harassed like this.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
shrugged. “It really is part of my probation. So long as I don't do
anything illegal, and submit to questioning under veritaserum should
I do anything suspicious, my probation will be over in a year.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?!”
Harry burst out angrily. All the lights in the station flickered
dramatically.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry,
it's okay,” Draco murmured, giving him a look that clearly said:
don't make trouble for me.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
it's </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">okay!”
Harry roared. “I'm going to visit the Ministry tomorrow and make a
fuss until someone fixes this!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
I'll help,” Hermione stated, glaring at a man she recognized as a
reporter for the Daily Prophet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Aurors made the wizarding world equivalent of crossing themselves as
they muttered about crazy boys who defeated Dark Lords. Harry stared
them down until they stopped. The lights all dimmed rather
significantly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>point</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of a legal system is to decide a person's guilt or innocence. One
they have been cleared of all charges, they are no longer considered
guilty. You have no right to treat him like this in public. All it
does is encourage others to harass him too.” Harry turned his head
to stare at the reporter. If he was going to be in the paper for
making a scene anyway, he may as well make sure that he was
represented correctly. “And that had better appear </span></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>exactly</i></span></span></span><span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
as I said it so that no one misunderstands me!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
reporter nodded even though he wouldn't look Harry in the eye.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Auror in charge sighed. “Whether or not I agree with you, it is
still my job to make sure that Mr. Malfoy gets home safely.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
lights all flickered dramatically for a few moments while Harry
regained control of his temper. Once he did, he sighed and nodded his
head in understanding. He looked at Draco.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
come over after I visit the ministry tomorrow to let you know how it
went.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded in acceptance, not really optimistic that anything would
change. He squeezed Harry's hand, and then tried to let it go. Harry
held on tight just long enough to tug Draco closer. After that, he
gave him a quick kiss. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;">“<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
mean it,” Harry affirmed. Then he let go of Draco's hand and walked
away. The entire station watched him in silence – both awed and
surprised.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
was waiting for him with her brother and parents. She grinned at him,
taking his hand in hers. “I'm so proud of you. Always standing up
for what is right, no matter if the entire world is against you.”
She waved over at Draco. “I expect that I'll be seeing you around.
I hope the rest of your day goes better than this!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
returned her wave, too surprised and flustered to be a prat at the
moment. “Thank you. Yours as well.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: teal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sent Draco one last smile, and then followed his informally adopted
family out of the station. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-38674402017309821662016-05-30T02:22:00.002-05:002016-05-30T02:22:57.110-05:00All it Takes is a Good Blindfold
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Are
you wanking again?” Hermione asked with a smirk as she entered the
room to find Harry making a suspicious movement under the blanket
near his groin.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed, his voice rich with genuine amusement. “No, just
scratching an itch. I wanked about five minutes ago, but don't worry,
I got rid of the mess.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Good!”
Hermione smirked as she crawled into his bed and lay down so that she
was resting her head on his shoulder as she looked at the ceiling.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Good
morning,” Harry greeted, kissing her temple before absently
stroking her wild hair with the hand she was almost laying on.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Morning,”
she murmured vaguely, clearly thinking about something else
completely.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Morning,”
Ron added with a huge yawn as he trudged into the room and crawled
into the huge bed. He promptly curled into something resembling the
fetal position as he rested his head on Hermione's stomach. She
hummed very softly as she ran her fingers through his hair. “Me and
'Mione have something to tell you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh?”
Harry asked with a tone of intrigue, even though he was fairly
certain he knew what they were going to say. “What's that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We've
decided to get married,” they informed him in unison. It really
sounded as if they weren't sure how he'd take the news.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled softly. It was exactly as he suspected! “Congratulations!”
He praised them, kissing Hermione's temple again even as he lay his
other hand on Ron's shoulder. It was a touch meant to convey his
sincere happiness for them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
could sense that Harry was trying his hardest not to sigh and frown.
“What's wrong?” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged. “Nothing's </span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wrong,</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
per se. I'm just worried how Ron will take </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
news.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
shifted slightly so that he could look at his best friend. “Whatever
it is, mate, you know I'll try my best to be understanding.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
the past, Ron had done some terrible things when he and Harry weren't
in agreement, but ever since he had abandoned the two of them during
their search for the Horcruxes, he had made a determined effort to
never be closed minded again. In this moment, he truly meant what he
said.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
sighed and nodded just once in acceptance. “Ginny and I have
decided that we are not in love. However... We're going to get
married anyway.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Hermione asked softly. She was more confused than anything.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed so softly that neither of his best friends could tell if it
was in self-derision or genuine humor. “You both know that ever
since the final battle, I've done nothing but try to figure out what
I want to do with my life, right?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Ron confirmed, still confused but also curious.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
I've decided that there's only one thing I have ever wanted. One
thing I never had...” Harry paused to catch his breath. “And
that's a family. I want kids, and so I need a woman for that. I
prefer to do it the right way and get married, and </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
just because my life will be reported on in all the papers, but
because it just feels like the right thing to do. That said, there is
not a woman in the wizarding world that I trust to be the mother of
my children, except for Ginny. Well, and I guess you, 'Mione, but
that's something I'd rather not think about actually.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Agreed,”
Hermione stated with a laugh as she turned her head to kiss him on
the cheek.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,”
Ron blurted out with his face red from embarrassment. “I always
assumed that you two had sex after I abandoned you. Why would the
thought of 'Mione carrying your kids upset you?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Harry and Hermione laughed and shook their heads. Harry looked to
Hermione with a clear question in his eyes. Hermione shook her head
and nudged him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Clearly,
Harry would be the one to answer Ron's </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>real</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
question. “We never had sex, but not from lack of trying.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
did try,” Hermione admitted softly, her voice almost a whisper
because she was just a little bit afraid that Ron would get mad at
her for confessing to the crime.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
we just couldn't,” Harry finished. “We'd make out and go down on
each other – trying like hell to comfort one another and keep our
mood up despite that damn locket!” He damn near spit that out, his
face clearly showing that he hated thinking about that time. “Even
so, when it came to having actual sex, it felt far too much like
trying to do my sister.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly,”
Hermione stated with a single firm nod. “I remember the one time
when it seemed like we might actually go all the way. I just lay
there numbly looking at the roof of the tent, thinking that I'd let
him if he really wanted to, but that I'd feel dirty afterwards –
like I'd just let my brother have his way with me. I think I started
to cry!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
did,” Harry confirmed softly, kissing her temple once more. “Which
made it easier than ever for me to realize that I could never do that
with you. Everything about it just felt wrong.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Whoa...”
Ron exhaled almost reverently. “I'm glad you told me that, because
I really believed that you guys fucked like bunnies to – as you
said – comfort each other and try to cope with that damn locket.”
He looked away on purpose so they couldn't see the expression on his
face. “I felt it was only fair considering what I did, so I
resolved myself not to be jealous in the slightest.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They
were all silent, each thinking their own thoughts. The thing about
their camping trip from hell was that it wasn't </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
hell. The three of them had had to deal with a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>lot</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of crap, but they'd also had a lot of time together to simply bond as
friends. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
hadn't even been a single week before they'd all become comfortable
with sharing a bathroom, having grown up in a boarding school with no
real privacy. In fact – despite being a magical tent – there was
really only enough hot water for them if they either showered hours
apart, or all together at the same time. And very quickly at that!
Since they had a lot of things to do, they really didn't have the
luxury of waiting to take showers when the hot water was ready again,
and thus got used to taking a shower together each morning before
starting their day.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
was a tradition that they had continued on simply because it was now
rather weird not to. The good thing was that since they now all lived
in Harry's house – Number 12 Grimmauld Place – they didn't have
to rush. They still didn't have an endless supply of hot water, but
they did have enough that they could take a good 20-25 minutes. This
turned out to be the perfect amount for the three of them to get
clean.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shaking
his head clear of bad memories, Harry continued. “So anyway, as I
was saying, I don't trust anyone else. I told this to Ginny straight
out that I didn't love her like that, but that I wanted her to be the
mother of my children – and I don't want to wait for them! She
sighed in relief, smiled, and agreed that she didn't love me like
that either, and that yes, she wants to have kids right away too. So
we're getting married as soon as we can.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
was silent for a moment before sighing heavily. “I really don't
know what to think about you marrying my sister out of convenience,
but I suppose that if she's willing and it'll make you both more or
less happy, I can keep my mouth shut and look the other way.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks,”
Harry stated with a smile. “That means a lot to me.” He patted
Ron's arm as if trying to comfort him. Harry knew that Ron was
probably a lot more upset about the prospect than he let on.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
wait,” Hermione nearly whispered, frowning. “What does Ginny get
out of this? I can see how it works for you because you'll get the
children you want, but she already told me that she doesn't want to
be a stay at home mother like Molly.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
grinned and poked her in the cheek. “Always so smart, you are.
You're right, she doesn't want to be like that, so that's what she
gets out of this marriage. I'll be the stay at home parent –
because it's the only thing I want to do anyway, and it's not like
I'll need an income. Meanwhile, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>she'll</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
get to do whatever she wants. We agreed to have the first baby as
soon as possible, and then she can do whatever she wants. I'm pretty
sure that she's going to train to be the best Seeker ever, so that
the next time a team is in need, she can pass the try outs.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Ron and Hermione sighed and frowned just slightly. Harry noticed this
and frowned himself. “What's wrong?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
both shrugged, but it was Ron who answered. “We have no idea when
or if we'll have kids. We both have important things we want to do,
and kids'll probably just get in the way.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
gestured around his bedroom – although he was actually indicating
his entire house. “Do you plan to move out right away after you get
married? Because I have to admit that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>that</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
will feel really weird.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
no,” Hermione admitted, looking a bit puzzled. “Why do you ask?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
grinned brilliantly. “Because if you live here and I'm living here
– staying home with </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
kids – then why wouldn't I naturally stay home with </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>your</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
kids too? I don't think you have to worry so much about it. Just let
it happen when it happens.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Ron and Hermione burst out with radiant grins. “I can't believe I
didn't think of that!” Hermione exclaimed as Ron lightly smacked
Harry's arm and softly roared: “That's brilliant, mate!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was almost insulted by the way they looked so overjoyed by his
suggestion. He frowned ever so slightly. “We're family... aren't
we? Why wouldn't you think I'd help you if you needed me to?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
both tackled him in an enthusiastic hug. “Of course we're family,
you git!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
wrestled around on the bed playfully for a few minutes before Harry
was laughing so hard that he fell out of bed. “I've got to use the
toilet!” He announced as if begging them not to pounce on him
again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
sighed a bit morosely. “And we should all really get out of bed and
shower so we can start our day.” She and Ron had plans to apply for
various programs. Ron was determined to be an Auror while she was
wavering between a couple of Ministry positions and becoming a
Healer.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
merely shrugged as he picked himself off the floor and wandered into
the bathroom attached to his room. It – being part of the master
suite – was enormous. Easily the best bathroom in the entire house.
As he used the toilet, he heard his two best friends making out in
his bed. Part of him thought he should be disturbed by this, but
mostly he was already so used to it that he didn't care.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two
minutes later – just as Harry found the perfect temperature in the
shower – Hermione and Ron entered the bathroom. Both quickly
stripped and tossed their sleepwear onto the dirty hamper in the
corner. Kreacher would pop in the moment they left the bathroom and
launder the panties and cami Hermione had worn along with the boxers
from Ron and Harry. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...”
Ron began conversationally as he wet his hair in order to wash it.
“When do you think we should have the wedding?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
looked to the ceiling in thought, already lathering up her wet hair.
It thankfully wasn't nearly so wild when wet. “Hmm... I guess that
depends on how soon you want it. And also, your parents just hosted a
big wedding for Bill and Fleur not </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>too</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
long ago. I'm not sure they could afford another one so soon.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Would
it sound terrible of me if I suggested that you coordinate with
Ginny? She's going to be planning ours for as soon as possible, and
if she doesn't mind, maybe we could have a double wedding. That would
save you two and the Weasleys a lot of money since I was planning on
paying for our wedding anyway. Two for the price of one, so to
speak,” Harry suggested with a wry chuckle as he used a
fantastically herby smelling soap to lather up his body.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry...”
Hermione murmured softly, not sure she liked having him offer to pay
for everything like that. She took the soap from him when he held it
out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...”
Ron interrupted her with a nervous tone. “He has a point. If all
four of us are getting married soon anyway, planning two separate
weddings will just be a pain. So long as Ginny doesn't mind, why </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
have a double wedding?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
glared at him and he held up his hands to ward off a potential angry
explosion. “I'm not saying that Harry should have to pay for
everything!” He then rinsed the shampoo from his hair so that he
could avoid her narrowed eyes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
harrumphed and continued her glare for a moment longer before letting
the matter drop. “I'll talk to Ginny and see what she thinks about
it.” She then pushed him aside slightly so that she could rinse
off.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
it turned out, Ginny thought it was a brilliant idea. Therefore, in
just two little months, the four of them got married in a gorgeous
ceremony held at the Burrow. As expected, far more people than they
actually wanted there managed to finagle an invitation, and so the
wedding was a huge event. It was also featured on the cover of every
paper in the Wizarding World, but that wasn't important to any of
them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
was important was the fact that they were finally starting on the
rest of their lives – free from the pressures of the war with
Voldemort.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is a bad idea!” Muttered tall, blond, and gorgeous as he exited the
fireplace.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
is not!” Ginny hissed at him. “It's a brilliant idea, so stop
complaining!” She tilted her head to the side as she dropped her
small bag on the floor. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
followed suit, not really wanting to carry his bigger bag a moment
longer than necessary. “Is so...” he insisted in a whisper.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sounds
like they're still in bed, but I'm fairly certain they're awake by
now,” Ginny informed her companion with a smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
feel like I'm awaiting my execution,” he stated dryly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come
on,” Ginny insisted, dragging him to the kitchen and pushing him
into a chair. “Wait here. I'll go tell them the news. And...
Well... Don't be surprised if they completely ignore you at first.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
nearly glared at her. “It would only be a surprise because I am
certain that one or all of them will hex me within an inch of my life
the moment they see me!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
giggled. “I promise not to let that happen. Be back in a few
minutes.” Without waiting for a reply, she ran up the stairs
leading from the kitchen to the bedrooms. She didn't feel the need to
worry about waking up the kids because they had silencing charms on
their room to prevent noises from waking them. Even so, she </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>did</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
want to surprise her husband, brother, and best friend, so she snuck
forward as quietly as possible.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
as she assumed, the three of them were curled up in the massive bed
in her and Harry's room, talking softly about their plans for the day
before the kids woke up and destroyed the quiet. She pushed the door
open silently and walked into the bedroom. A smirk twisted her lips
over the fact that Kreacher kept the house well maintained now that
he had a family to dote on again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
as she reached the foot of the bed, the three occupants looked up and
noticed her. “GINNY!” They all roared in delight as they grabbed
her and pulled her into bed with them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
screamed loudly in surprise even though she had expected this sort of
welcome. They all tickled her as she laughed, screamed, squealed, and
tried to fight them off. “Stop! Stop I say! PLEASE STOP!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
ignored her as she knew they would. Finally, she pulled out her wand
and hexed them all so that their hands pressed to the nearest body
part and stayed there. “Ha!” She crowed in triumph.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
wiggled his pointer finger to prove to her that her hex wasn't the
smartest idea she'd ever had since the nearest body part to that
particular hand had been the inner part of her upper thigh. “Ha!”
He smirked softly before he kissed her. “I thought you were still
out until tomorrow night.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
squirmed as his finger continue to tickle her thigh, but since it was
a very tiny movement, she could mostly ignore it. “Well yes, but I
convinced my coach that this was very necessary.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
wrong?” Ron asked with a frown, glad that his hands had been near
her stomach rather than anywhere perverted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nothing's
wrong!” Ginny assured them hastily. “It's just that I have good
news... that you are all going to think is the worst news
possible...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Hermione asked with genuine curiosity.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
you all know how we needed to find an Alternate Seeker since I'm
pregnant again?” Ginny asked hesitantly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah...”
they all murmured, wondering why she was being so weird. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After
giving birth to their first son, Ginny had been hired on as an
Alternate Seeker – which was fine during her second pregnancy
because she didn't have to worry about overtaxing herself by playing
in any games unless the main Seeker had an accident of somesort. Now,
however, she </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>was</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the main Seeker and so the team had to accommodate her pregnancy.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
we found one and he is just </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>brilliant!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I am confident that should he need to take over during the later
months of my pregnancy, our team will still kick the pants off all
the others!” Ginny announced with a happy grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
how is that bad?” Harry wondered, his finger still wiggling
slightly just because it could.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
it's because... he's Draco Malfoy,” Ginny finally confessed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">WHAT?!?!”
Ron roared in outrage.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now
Ron...” Hermione murmured, trying to calm her husband. “I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>know</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you've read enough Quiddich magazines to know that he's actually a
good Seeker.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
doesn't mean I have to like it!” Ron yelled, obviously still upset.
“He's never had a nice word for any of us, and I'm supposed to just
accept him around my sister?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
actually...” Ginny looked away from him with a guilty expression.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry,
having watched her expressions as he tried to figure out how he felt
about this turn of events, noticed that she seemed to be hiding
something. “What is it?” He asked softly in concern.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
promptly ignored her brother and his wife to focus on her husband.
She released her hex as she did so, trusting that no one was in the
mood to tickle her anymore. “We agreed that this will be our last
baby, right?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Harry stated, puzzled as to how this was relevant.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
you must realize how </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>important</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
it is to me that I do whatever it takes to play as long as I can. You
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>know</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
how much I really don't want to lose my job! Right?” Ginny asked
fervently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Harry confirmed, still not understanding her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
because this is so important to me – because I am one of the two
people who </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>chose</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Draco as my Alternate – I really want this to work out!” Ginny
practically hissed as if it was necessary to prove her point.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">O...kay...”
Harry replied slowly, frowning because this was clearly important to
her. “So you want me to approve the choice?” He asked, wondering
if he had a valid reason to deny her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,”
Ginny denied with a deeply offended glare. “I am not asking for
your approval since I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>know</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
this decision was for the best. What I am asking for is that you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>help</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
me! We all know that the moment word gets out that Draco is my
Alternate Seeker, the press is going to go bananas! I just want you
to go to lunch with him and me – in </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>public</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
– so that the press will see us all together getting along, and
then the news of his position on the team will not be a big scandal.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,”
Harry blurted out softly, trying to wrap his head around this
request. “You want me to have a public lunch with </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Malfoy?!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Ginny confirmed in a hard tone that let him know that she would not
accept any arguments.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Harry droned, unable to come up with anything to say.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come
on, Harry!” Ginny begged lightly. “Have I ever truly asked you
for anything?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
no. You haven't,” Harry admitted. He'd been the one to do all the
asking in their relationship. Aside from when they'd first sat down
to come up with the ground rules that they would both follow to make
sure they they both remained as happy as possible without creating
scandals in the pressed every other week.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly!”
Ginny exclaimed. “So please just do this for me. Have lunch with
us, and better yet, dinner too! And then the press will see that
there's no animosity between you two anymore, and then they won't
care quite as much when he's announced as my Alternate during my
pregnancy.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
dragged a hand through his perpetually messy raven hair, and then
sighed in defeat. Even so, he couldn't prevent a whine from escaping.
“But Ginny, I don't know if I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>can</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
act like there's no animosity between us any more!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
can,” Hermione stated firmly, rejoining the conversation now that
it seemed to be settled. “And we will help you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
'Mione!” Ron protested, a definite whine to his voice too.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron...”
She growled softly as she shifted to look him in the eyes. “Do you
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>honestly</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
want to let our best friend face this on his own?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...”
Ron began, clearly trying to decide on the right response to the
question. “It's </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that I want him to have to face Malfoy alone, it's that I really
don't think I can be civil to him.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
simply ignore him,” Ginny suggested, biting her lip to hide the
huge smirk that threatened to overtake her face. Things were going
almost exactly as she thought they would. “We'll all get out of bed
and start on breakfast before the kids wake up, and hopefully by the
time lunch comes around, you'll all be used to him enough to start
talking to him. Even if all you can manage is the barest of civility,
that's </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>still</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
better than the speculations that will run wild if we don't do this.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“</span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>You
mean he's in our house?!”</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Ron and Harry both blurted out in alarm. Ron – being an Auror
(which was much like a police officer) – immediately tensed up as
if he needed to defend his property from intruders.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
couldn't help but giggle at their expressions, and after a moment,
Hermione giggled too. Ginny rolled her eyes and shook her head in
amusement. “Yes he's in our house. I had to bring him with me today
because we need to do the lunch – </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and
dinner</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
– today so that the announcement can be made first thing Monday
morning.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Ginny, this is a bit much to deal with all at once...” Harry
murmured, not comfortable with having Draco sodding Malfoy in his
house.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
sighed, just a tiny bit tired of always having to be the responsible
one. “It's fine. We'll do as Ginny suggests and ignore him unless
we can think of something civil to say. We'll go down and start on
breakfast – because you know the kids will wake up any minute now.
Then we'll do what needs to be done.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
needs to be done?” Ron parroted in confusion.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
yes,” Hermione stated with a frown that suggested it should be
obvious. “You and I will both have to take the day off of work.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,”
Ron murmured, realizing that she was right.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
I already sent an owl to mum to let her know that I need her to watch
the kids later,” Ginny added with a warm smile, grateful that
Hermione was on her side. She grabbed her best friend's hand and gave
it a squeeze of thanks.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
good,” Harry murmured in agreement. “Having lunch in public with
Malfoy would be so much harder and more stressful if we had to
wrangle the kids too.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
agree!” Hermione exclaimed with a soft laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
you so much!” Ginny cried out happily. She promptly returned all
their tickles to lighten the mood again. Of course, she was aided by
a quick tickling hex to make an impression.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah!”
Hermione screamed at the top of her lungs as she rolled around the
bed. Hysterical laughter made it very hard, but she managed to shout:
“Ginny Potter! You take that hex off me this instant!” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Both
Ron and Harry were also rolling around the bed, making them all fall
onto the floor with a series of loud and disturbing thumps. Harry
just barely managed to reach his wand on the bed-side table.
“Finite!” He had been too distracted to end the spell wandlessly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All
three sighed in relief as the incessant tickling stopped.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
smirked at them from the bed. “Breakfast first, shower later!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Hermione agreed as she slowly got to her feet. “The kids will be up
any minute so there's no time for a shower now.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
abruptly pulled her into his lap so that he could kiss her. “I
don't know why, but that sounded almost sexy!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
giggled before deciding to kiss him in return. Ginny took this as her
cue to kiss her own husband. With her intensive training and
traveling schedule, she barely saw him once a month. Therefore, when
they were together, they were disgustingly affectionate – according
to Ron.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
helped his wife to her feet, and then put an arm around her shoulders
as they slowly left the room. Neither were looking forward to seeing
Malfoy – despite their dedication to helping the day go well. Both
could only pray that he kept his tongue civil as well.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
grabbed the side of the bed to help himself stand, but was prevented
from doing so by Ginny. She giggled as she climbed onto his back, and
then clung to him as he stood up, wobbled briefly before regaining
his balance, and then supported her as he walked out of their room.
He was close behind Ron and Hermione, who looked back and started
laughing as they saw Ginny riding Harry's back like a child. Harry
and Ginny couldn't help but laugh as well.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Most
of the way down the stairs to the kitchen, Ron noticed Draco Malfoy
sitting at the table. His Auror instincts kicked in, making him stop
abruptly with an arm preventing his wife from going any further.
Harry hadn't expected them to stop and nearly bowled them over, but
fortunately, Ron had anchored himself well enough to stabilize Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
all stared at Malfoy for a moment in silence as he looked up and
returned their stare.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Erm...
hi...” he greeted very lamely since he still expected at least one
of them to hex him into next week. He nearly let them see his
surprise over the fact that they were all wearing very little. Had
the situation been reversed, he was </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>certain</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that he would have gotten fully dressed before meeting with any
undesired guests.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Taking
a deep breath, Ron reluctantly released his grip on Hermione, which
allowed them all to continue down the stairs.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hi...”
Hermione murmured very softly, not quite looking at Malfoy directly,
but also not able to ignore him completely either. She promptly
turned toward the refrigerator. Without a word, Ron followed her,
standing next to the stove as she located and handed him some bacon
and sausage.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
hesitated for one extra moment – giving Ginny time to wave at
Malfoy with a triumphant smirk. Then he shrugged and followed after
Hermione, accepting a jug of milk she held out. He set Ginny on the
counter where she normally sat when she was home, and then grabbed a
few containers out of the cupboard. A moment later, he handed Ginny a
loaf of homemade bread.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
set it aside for the time being so that she could tickle Harry's ear
while he quickly assembled the batter for pancakes. Meanwhile,
Hermione set a large basket of eggs on her workspace before taking
the milk back from Harry now that he had used it and returning it to
the fridge.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cheddar
or Parmesan?” Hermione asked as she dug around in the fridge once
more.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Parmesan,”
Harry stated. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Both?”
Ron asked curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Both!”
Ginny agreed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not?” Hermione asked with a smile. She set both of the cheeses next
to the basket of eggs, and then steadily cracked almost a whole dozen
into a bowl so that she could grate the cheese over the eggs and whip
them together with a fork.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
she did that, Ron was busy using a very long griddle to fry up a
large quantity of bacon and sausage, and Harry was using another long
griddle to make pancakes. Ginny used her wand to magically slice the
bread thinly as they liked so that the slices could go into the
toaster and come out crispy and lightly golden without burning.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
watched this mostly silent exchange with deep curiosity. It was
obvious that they were long used to the routine. Not even Ginny –
who was only home on occasion – needed to be told what to do. She
also seemed to be the only one who used magic to do what needed to be
done. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Guess
what I did last night!” Ginny demanded with a grin, eager to
relieve some of the tension.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Harry asked curiously, turning to look at her since he had to wait
for the pancakes to cook a bit anyway.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Triplets!”
Ginny announced with a knowing nod.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds fun,” Harry remarked with a mischievous grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds hot!” Hermione exclaimed as she paused her scrambling of the
eggs and cheese so that she could hold up her hand and give Ginny a
high-five.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“</span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Ginny</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,”
Ron groaned. “You </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>know</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I don't like to hear about things like that!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
cast a silencing charm on your ears, Ron!” Ginny insisted, sticking
her tongue out at her brother. “Accio Tablet!” A moment later,
her 10-inch computer tablet flew out of her small bag in the other
room, zipped over to her, then landed in her hands. She fiddled with
it just long enough for it to wake up and play a video clip.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
still had time to kill so he moved next to Hermione so that they both
had a good view of the video. “Holy hell, that's hot!” They
exclaimed in unison.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
want to do that!” Hermione cried out a moment later.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?!
You want to do triplets?” Ron asked in surprise.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
silly,” Ginny retorted with a laugh. She paused the video and
turned it towards him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
not watching your twisted porno!” Ron protested with a blush.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
safe; I'm not in this part,” Ginny assured him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sighing
like he didn't trust her to tell him the truth, Ron braced himself to
look at the tablet. As promised, the paused video showed three
gorgeous men with no Ginny in sight. Each of the men were wearing
scanty black leather outfits, and were tied up with rope. They were
even gagged.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
raised an eyebrow and looked at his wife. “You want to do </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>that</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
please!” Hermione gushed, grinning at him with a pleading look in
her eyes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'd
love to do that to you!” Ginny stated as she bounced in excitement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'd
love to see that!” Harry responded honestly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey!”
Ron protested with a deeper crimson blush. “For one, my </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>sister</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
may not have sex with my </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wife!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
And for two, if the world went insane and it somehow happened, you
don't get to watch because there's no way in </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>hell</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I'm watching that!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry,
Ginny, and Hermione all laughed at that. Ginny then pouted. “Aww...
That's too bad...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
caught her impish smirk and leaned forward just as Ginny leaned over
to kiss her. The kiss was </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that of sisters or friends. Harry knew that they were both trying to
tease Ron, and so simply laughed as silently as possible. Ron made
choking noises as it seemed like his sister and wife were going to
keep kissing all day.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
now!” Ron roared, pulling his wife into his arms. He gripped her
chin firmly and looked at her with something not quite a glare. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
smirked at him. “She started it!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Did
not!” Ginny denied with a bigger smirk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
simply shook his head, still silently laughing as he finished
flipping all the pancakes. He noticed that Hermione turned the burner
off with one hand since the scrambled eggs were done and Ron was
still demanding her attention. Harry pointed his finger at the
griddle full of bacon and sausage, and wandlessly turned it off since
that was all done too.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
growled softly. “Never with my sister.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
nodded, smiled, and gave him a kiss. “I know.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Anyway,”
Ginny recalled their attention. “If </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
can't tie you up and whip you until you scream from pleasure –”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There's
whipping?” Hermione asked with interest.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course!” Ginny stated as if there were no other possibility. She
unpaused the video and fast forwarded it a bit. “See?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
my,” Hermione murmured with a flush of arousal coloring her cheeks.
Harry was next to her again as he waited for the pancakes to finish
cooking. He was being mildly affected as well.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fuck...”
he exhaled in awe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
did you manage to find triplets?” Hermione wondered in a soft and
breathy voice.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There's
almost </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>always</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
a fair few fans in the hotels. So long as they sign the unbreakable
contract, I basically have my pick,” Ginny replied with a shrug.
“</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Thank
you so much</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
for creating that for me!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
smiled and flapped her hand as if saying: no problem! As a sort of
law expert for the Ministry, she well knew how to make magically
binding contracts – such as the one that Ginny used to make sure
that her conquests could not talk about it with </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>anyone</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
Literally. No matter how much they tried, they could not speak of or
write about anything they did with Ginny.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I've
gotta stop watching this before a situation happens I can't deal with
at the moment,” Harry announced as his eyes were very much glued to
the video.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
laughed and pulled the tablet away, stopping the video. She kissed
him thoroughly. “We'll watch it together tonight when we can both
do something about it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds like it'll be fun. It's a date!” Harry promised eagerly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Unfortunately,
that still means that I won't be able to do that,” Hermione said
with a mildly disappointed sigh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
we could try it, I just don't think I'd know what I was doing,” Ron
offered with an intrigued smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
practically jumped to the ceiling in her excitement. “I have a
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>brilliant</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
idea! Let's all go to a kinky muggle sex club tonight!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“</span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>What?!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”
Ron spluttered in astonishment. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>They
have those?!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
yes,” Ginny assured him. “Lots of them!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sounds
like it could be fun,” Harry replied with a smile as he leaned over
to kiss Ginny again. After that, he started transferring all the
pancakes to a serving plate. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
tried not to look at her husband as she poured the scrambled eggs
onto a serving plate – Ron didn't really notice this as he was
already more than halfway done moving the bacon and sausage to a
different serving plate. “I think it sounds really fun too,” she
said.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
best of all,” Ginny added before her brother could say anything.
“You could find an experienced person who isn't me to help out with
this.” She tapped the tablet that was now in sleep mode.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
sighed and looked at his wife. “You really want to go?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
really do,” Hermione confirmed with a soft smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alright,”
Ron said in agreement. “I suppose there are worse ways to spend an
evening.” He pointed the spatula he was holding at his sister. “So
long as I am nowhere near you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
laughed. “I promise! The place I have in mind is pretty big. Big
enough that all of us could probably avoid each other if we really
wanted to.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well
that's no fun!” Harry pouted playfully. “You know how much I like
to watch you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm,”
Ginny purred. “But I was thinking that tonight, we could...” she
whispered the rest in his ear.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
cleared his throat but still sounded a bit breathless when he
replied. “Yeah. Sounds fun.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
smirked over at Draco as he watched them in silent fascination before
holding up her wand and giving it a firm flick. Instantly, dishes,
glasses, and silverware flew out of the cupboard and drawer and
landed gently on the table.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
looked around with a frown, both relieved the strange conversation
seemed to be over and wondering why there were so many places set. He
usually ate alone and couldn't imagine having three or four people
around – let alone the extra three plates, two of which sat in
front of small chairs. Then he mentally smacked himself and rolled
his eyes as he silently called himself an idiot.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The
kids, of course!</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Unlike
Harry Potter – who had decided to hide from the world by becoming a
stay at home dad (in Draco's opinion) – </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>he</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
had allowed his wife to raise their son while he attended to various
business and trained in all his spare time to become a professional
seeker when the opportunity arose. He fully intended to either steal
Ginny's spot away from her, or gain a good reputation so that an
equally good team would finally give him a chance. Ginny knew this
and was confident enough in her own abilities that she didn't worry
about him stealing her spot.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
as serving plates were fully piled high, a wail that a banshee would
be proud of pierced the relative silence. It was joined by a
cacophony of cries.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
they're awake,” all four parents announced with a sigh of defeat.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
get them,” Ginny volunteered, sliding off the counter since she was
done with her task anyway. She raced up the stairs, excited to see
her sons and niece.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mummy!”
A happy shout cut all the other crying short.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They
never stop like that for me,” Harry muttered almost jealously. Ron
and Hermione simply laughed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">James!
Do </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
run down the stairs!” Ginny commanded imperiously, and her oldest
son skidded to a halt before actually arriving at the stairs. He
nodded and gripped the back of her tiny athletic training shorts that
were honestly not much bigger than most pairs of panties. Over each
hip, she carried a toddler.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Little
Albus seems to have a slight cold, but Rose looks healthy,” Ginny
observed, giving first her son and then her niece a loving smile and
a kiss on the cheek. “I'll try to remember to give Al a potion
before Mum takes them.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
had a potion last night and probably shouldn't have another so soon,”
Harry informed her with a smile as he helped Hermione carry the
serving plates to the table. Ron grabbed the jug of milk and three
pitchers of juice out of the fridge.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
– as a Ministry official – had the most experience talking
politely to people she didn't want to be nice to, so once again, she
took the initiative. Still not looking directly at their guest, she
gave him a tiny smile. “Would you prefer orange, apple, or grape
juice with your breakfast?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Or
milk?” Harry added, also trying his best to be nice.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
looked surprised that they were actually talking to him. Before, when
he realized that Ginny </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
actually gotten them to ignore him rather than hex him, he had
assumed that he would probably have to manage to obtain and eat
breakfast without any interaction – except for from Ginny, as she
had already accepted him when she and the Coach had chosen him as her
Alternate.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Or
water,” Ron added in a near whisper, sounding almost choked up.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...
orange juice,” Draco opted. It was his favorite breakfast drink if
tea wasn't available. He watched a bit suspiciously as Ron set all
the containers he was carrying onto the table except for the pitcher
of orange juice, which he quickly poured a full measure into the
glass in front of Malfoy. The next second, Ron poured some of the
orange juice into Al's glass, then switched to grape for Rose, and
ended by pouring milk for James.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
and Hermione busily dished food onto all the plates while Ron
continued to pour drinks into glasses. Ginny fussed over the kids by
making sure that the toddlers were secure in their highchairs with
bibs on. She ended by giving James a kiss on his cheek as she pushed
the four year old closer to the table. He sat on a regular chair with
a booster and couldn't maneuver the chair himself.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Who're
you?” James asked Draco suspiciously, using a fork to point quite
rudely since he had been about to poke it into a sausage.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is a friend of mummy's,” Ginny explained with a smile. “He's
going to help me look for the golden snitch if I get too big with the
baby in my tummy to do it myself.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">James
shifted his attention to his mother. “Will the baby in your tummy
be coming out soon?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everyone
but Draco and the toddlers laughed at this. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No!”
Ginny answered, kissing his cheek again before sitting in the chair
next to him. “To you, it will probably feel like years before the
baby is born, but to me, it might feel like no time at all.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">How
is that possible?” James asked incredulously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Do
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
start trying to explain time differentials to him!” Ron ordered
with a groan, knowing that his wife was probably eager to do just
that.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not?” Hermione asked, offended that her husband didn't think she
could explain it to a child in a way he could understand.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Because
I don't care if he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>does</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
understand, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
don't want to have to think about it!” Ron exclaimed passionately.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed. “Seconded!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
huffed indignantly, but kept her mouth shut.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
are time differentials?” James wondered, looking around at his Aunt
and Uncle curiously. Hermione beamed like a flood light.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They're
–” She was cut off quite abruptly as Harry placed a hand over her
mouth.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Auntie
'Mione will explain it all to you later, but for now, please eat your
breakfast,” Harry pleaded with his son.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alright,”
James responded with a shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
I was saying,” Ginny resumed as if the topic had not changed. “This
is my friend Draco. He's new to my team and will play Seeker if I
can't for any reason.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">James
swiveled his head to look at Draco, squinting his eyes suspiciously.
“Draco...” Everyone stopped breathing as they wondered what the
four year old might possibly know and say about Draco Malfoy.
“Doesn't that mean Dragon?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was not the only one to sigh in relief, and Draco quietly observed
this before replying. “Yes, that's correct.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">James
suddenly grinned as if he had been handed a new toy. “I have a book
on dragons! I like to pretend that I'm a Hungarian Horned Tail
because I have a miniature version of one that sometimes wakes up and
flies around the room for me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
blushed and looked away to hide the fact that he actually didn't know
his son pretended that. However, since Harry had been the one to give
him the miniature dragon – a sort of prize from his participation
in the Triwizard Tournament – he couldn't exactly complain if his
son played with it. He quickly took a drink of his grape juice so he
wouldn't have to say anything when James glanced at him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Which
dragon do you like to pretend to be?” James asked Draco with a
brilliantly curious expression on his face.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
one with the biggest hoard of treasure!” Draco stated with a
serious expression, although James could see the mischievous sparkle
in his eyes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">James
nodded as if this were the correct answer. “My Uncle Charlie works
with dragons in Romania.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know,” Draco murmured simply, tactfully opting not to say anything
at all about the Weasley family – whom he still rather disliked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Despite
the conversation, James had practically gulped down his food. Ginny
sighed and shook her head, worried that he might get sick. She also
wondered how he had managed to taste anything while eating so fast.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
you are done eating, you should gather up some things to bring with
to Grandma and Grandpa's house,” Ginny suggested with a smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hooray!”
James cheered, clearly excited to visit them. He slid out of his
chair and ran off to locate all his favorite toys.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
no running on the stairs!” Ginny called after him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
mum,” James muttered with a frustrated sigh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
fate would have it, Molly arrived just as James reached his room.
Seeing her reminded Hermione that she and Ron still had to send owls
to their bosses to request the day off. She quickly kissed her
mother-in-law on the cheek, thrust Rose into Molly's arms, and dashed
off to take care of the messages.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mum!”
Ginny greeted happily, rushing to kiss Molly on her other cheek. “I
feel like I never see you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
because you never do!” Molly stated somewhat acerbically before
smiling at her only daughter and returning the kiss. “I am positive
that you are carrying a girl this time.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think so too,” Ginny admitted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Really?”
Harry asked with interest, standing up with Al in his arms. “I'd
love a little girl to keep these two on their toes!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
sure she will!” Ginny agreed with a smirk. After that, she rushed
off to gather anything Molly might need for the kids.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
love!” Molly greeted him, juggling the children in both their arms
so that they could hug and kiss each other on the cheek.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
rolled his eyes and quietly muttered: “May as well not even be in
the room!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Ron, no need to be so dramatic,” Molly chided, her voice full of
love. “Well come on then, give me a kiss!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
mum,” Ron replied as if he was reluctant, even though he wasn't. He
gave her a hug and a kiss before kissing his daughter. “You be good
for gran, you hear?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rose,
at just shy of two, still managed to have a rather flippant attitude.
She rolled her eyes at him and said: “Yes da.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
worries! Rose is always an angel for us! Aren't you, my love?”
Molly cooed as she kissed her granddaughter.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
gran...” Rose murmured while giving her father a look that nearly
guaranteed that she was lying.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
you little! Did you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>see</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that?!” Ron asked incredulously. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
roared with laughter. “I'm certain you imagined that look...” He
looked over just in time to see Malfoy bite his lip and look away
while shaking with silent laughter. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Maybe
he isn't so bad anymore...</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
just a few short minutes, all three kids were made ready to go, and
then left with Molly – who gave all four of “her kids” another
hug and kiss before leaving.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
sighed with profound relief. “Hooray! An entire day off with no
kids!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
laughed and nudged her with his shoulder. “You make it sound like
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
are the one who stays home with them everyday!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hermione
returned his nudge playfully. “Well I feel like I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>have</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to complain since </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
won't!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shrugged. “What's there to complain about? I love my job!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione,
Ron, and Ginny all snorted at that.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ha!”
Ron burst out. “I'll remind you that you said that the next time
they all three come down with something and do nothing but cry for
hours on end!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
glared at Ron. “Try it and see how fast I hex you!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
rapidly dashed under the table since he hadn't seen a need for his
wand yet this morning, and so was empty handed – not that he was
wearing anything with a pocket to carry it in. Sure enough, the table
blocked a hex that sounded very ominous.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Have
I mentioned that I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>hate</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
it that you can do wandless magic like that!” Ron cried out. “I'm
not even armed!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry, big brother,” Ginny called out sweetly. “I've got your
back!” She pulled her wand out from where she had stored it between
her breasts (since her outfit also did not have a pocket big enough
to store it in), and quickly cast a hex at Harry, who leapt back just
in time to avoid it. This left a fairly round pockmark in the floor a
few feet behind where he had been standing.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
burst out laughing. “Ron, catch!” She had grabbed both their
wands earlier to sign their time off requests with their unique and
verifiable magical signatures, and so had them tucked into her snug
panties. With a blush, she pushed away the thought that she had
completely forgotten to check to see if her panties even preserved
her modesty before coming downstairs the first time, but thankfully,
they did.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
caught the tossed wand and blew her a grateful kiss. “Thanks love!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
tossed a hex at Hermione to punish her for coming to her husband's
aid, but she had spun out of the way long before he decided to do
this. Ginny took the opportunity to send a hex his way while he was
distracted, and Ron emerged from the opposite side of the table to
send his own hex at Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait
a minute!” Harry protested as he just barely dodged all the hexes.
“Why am </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the bad guy today?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
snorted. “You well know that if any one of us teams up with you,
the other team may as well forfeit!” He then cast another hex for
good measure.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah
but, I didn't even do anything!” Harry exclaimed in protest as he
narrowly avoided it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
cast the first hex!” Ginny reminded him in a singsong voice as she
cast a tripping jinx at him – or rather where she figured he would
be once he moved to avoid everything. It worked and he fell flat on
his face. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ow...”
Harry grumbled and pointed his finger at her. She was too busy
laughing her arse off to avoid the stinging hex.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey!”
She cried out, offended.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
didn't have time to smirk as he had to roll to avoid Ron and
Hermione's next round of hexes. He then quickly leapt to his feet and
took cover next to the fridge so that he could fire back at them.
Finally, he had a moment to speak.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come
on Ginny, you know my hexes never hurt quite as bad without my wand,”
Harry reminded her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
say!” Ginny insisted in a tone that clearly stated that she hadn't
forgiven him yet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
I'm not sure I buy that either,” Ron agreed as he and Harry
exchanged quite a few nasty spells. Hermione subtly moved until she
had a clear shot at Harry. Ginny knew that he couldn't see her, so
she jumped onto the counter and literally climbed over the fridge
until she had her wand pointed down at his head.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
tried to expel Ron's wand, but Ron side stepped the spell. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stupify!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stupify!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Petrificus
Totalis!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Fuck!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Harry thought as he fell to the ground. Ginny had gotten him first,
and he hadn't even realized that she was there! But it was Hermione
that had better watch her back later for casting that last spell at
him. Feeling like a piece of driftwood was never fun...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
couldn't stop himself from laughing raucously at this childish
display. It reminded him of a few admittedly rather fun skirmishes in
the Slytherin common room. Considering that the majority of
Slytherins had no qualms about casting hexes for every little
offense, there was often a mini battle going on in the common room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Careful
Malfoy,” Ron growled in warning. “I'm an Auror and if you tried
to hex me, I could have you hauled in!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
stopped laughing but was still amused enough to smirk at him. “I
don't even have my wand in hand, surely even </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
can see that I intend to do no such thing!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron
sighed, clearly wishing that Malfoy </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>would</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
give him an excuse. He growled very softly, and then put his wand
away.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
big brother,” Ginny purred with a softly deadly tone. “Had you
hexed my Alternate Seeker, I would have had to Bat Bogey you!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
unconsciously covered his nose and took a step back. “Notice how I
put my wand away!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
ended the spells preventing Harry from moving. Stepping forward, she
helped him to his feet. “So... what do we plan to do until it's
time to get ready for lunch?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
waved his wand at all the leftover food, which sent it into
containers which then flew into the fridge. After that, he waved his
wand at the dirty dishes until they all flew to the over-sized sink
and began to wash themselves. “I vote against more sparring since I
get enough of that at work.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
second that!” Harry promptly agreed, rubbing the back of his head
where a small bump was forming. He'd hit it when he landed earlier.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Aww,
let me see that,” Ginny insisted from where she was still laying
across the top of the fridge. She reached out and ruffled his
unavoidably messy hair until she found the bump. With a surprisingly
loving smile, she cast a healing spell on him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
smile made me nervous,” Harry admitted wryly. “For a second, I
really thought you were going to hex me again.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
shrugged unapologetically, propping her chin up with one hand. “Hey,
I have an idea –” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
it's anything like the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>last</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
idea,” Ron grumbled to hide the fact that he was secretly amused
that his little sister always had the naughtiest ideas.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Shut
it!” Ginny growled, waving her fist at him threateningly. “</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Anyway</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">,
the last time I managed to come home for a weekend, we tried learning
a new dance. I simply thought it might be nice to finish it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
a great idea!” Hermione agreed with an excited grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You'd
better do it,” Ron said, patting Harry on the back. They both knew
he was referring to partnering up with Hermione to demonstrate the
dance to Ginny. “I'm still not my best since that hex that cut off
my foot two weeks ago.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?!”
Ginny gasped in dismay.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry,” Ron assured her. “St. Mungo's took care of it, but it
still feels a bit weak. I wouldn't trust it for fancy dancing.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh,”
Ginny murmured, still concerned and now looking at her brother's feet
to see if she could figure out which was the one.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pulled Ginny off the fridge and set her on her feet. “How much of
the dance did we get through?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
thought for a moment, and then demonstrated what she remembered as
the last bit she had learned.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
a little over half way,” Hermione murmured. She bit her lip in
thought before turning her wand on a muggle device that played music.
An entire playlist of songs appropriate for this particular dance
began, which would give them a variety in music as they practiced the
dance to perfection. The music volume was low so that it didn't get
annoying and remained in the background.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
led Ginny through the first half of the dance, and then stopped so
that Hermione could verbally explain the next few steps. She
demonstrated, which Ginny copied.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
then it's the sexy part that I cannot demonstrate alone,” Hermione
informed her with a tiny smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ooo...”
Ginny purred in anticipation. “Show me!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
nodded, and then chuckled. “Actually, it's easier to do with Harry
because he's not as tall as Ron.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Which
is probably the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>only</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
time that it's better to be a bit shorter!” Harry stated in
amusement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
had already warmed up a bit as Harry and Ginny danced, so she felt
confident that she wouldn't hurt herself as she placed one foot on
Harry's left shoulder.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah!
That looks like it hurts!” Ginny cried out in surprise. “Hang
on!” She held Hermione steady as she tried to put her foot on his
other shoulder. “Oh wait, I guess I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>can</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
do it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smirked at her. “I already knew that...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
actually blushed – for once – which interested her brother. “Oh
right, I forgot about that...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Forgot
about what?” Hermione asked, setting her foot back on the floor so
that she could look Ginny in the eye. Ginny also returned her foot to
the floor, and then whispered in Hermione's ear, solely to prevent
her brother from whining. “Oh my!” Hermione giggled before
turning to her husband. “Don't worry, I'll wait until you've
forgotten that you are curious about this, and then I'll show you
what she just said.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
demonstrate the rest of the dance!” Ginny demanded impatiently
before her brother could realize that they were talking about her sex
life again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sure
thing!” Hermione agreed. A moment later, she ran her leg up Harry's
side until her foot was resting on his shoulder again. He took her
hands and supported her until she managed to hop up and wrap her
other leg around his waist. Then he held onto her as she bent
backwards.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
that, she let him set her back on her feet and spin her before
pulling her backside into his front. Ron watched them with a puzzled
frown. Meanwhile, Ginny grinned in anticipation of her turn.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
know, I can't decide whether I love or hate the fact that we're all
still in our underwear for this,” Ron murmured.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
laughed. “By which you mean to say that you're getting turned on by
the sight of your best friend dancing quite erotically with your
wife.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Both
Harry and Hermione laughed at that. Ron rolled his eyes at his
sister. “Honestly, it's better watching </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>them</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
like that than watching him with you. I feel like I should burn my
eyeballs every time he kisses you in a way that suggests that you
either have forgotten that you have an audience, or that you plan to
go shag as soon as possible.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
roared with laughter. “But I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>love</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
when he kisses me like that!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey!
Are you even </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>watching</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
this demonstration?” Hermione inquired as Harry lifted her off her
feet and – even though her back was to him – she wrapped her legs
around his waist as he spun her in a circle.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,
and I think I'm ready to give it a try,” Ginny stated. She waited
just long enough for her best friend to get clear, and then copied
the moves exactly. Including running her leg up Harry's side quite
suggestively.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yep,
I was right! Watching her do that is quite disturbing!” Ron
informed his wife as she leaned into him. She giggled softly as she
nudged him with her elbow. They kissed as a way to divert his mind
from the show, but it was also passionate enough to make them both
forget where they were.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey!”
Ginny called out a moment later. “I'm pretty sure I did that
wrong!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
idea. I wasn't paying attention,” Hermione admitted with no shame
whatsoever.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
noticed!” Ginny smirked. “Come here and show me again. I
obviously missed something.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
Hermione demonstrated the steps again, Ginny paid close attention.
This time, she had a look on her face that she often wore when
searching for the snitch. It was a look of such focused concentration
that nothing escaped her attention. “Keep going,” she hissed
softly when they reached the part they'd stopped at the first time.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
the end of the dance, Ginny insisted that they start from the very
beginning, only this time, she stood behind Harry and placed her
hands on his back so that she could dance with him as he danced with
Hermione. The beginning was fairly tame compared to the end, so this
was possible with no one getting hurt.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
my Gods!” Ron exclaimed about a minute later. “I'm watching them
practically have a threesome right in front of me!” This was
muttered fairly softly even though they all heard him. “Oi! 'Mione!
I said never with my sister!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
made them laugh. Ginny separated from the dance and put her hands on
her hips as she stared at her brother. “Wait! So never with me but
with my </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>husband</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
is fine?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
shrugged. “If they wanted to shag, they could have so many times
over the years, so why worry about it when I know they don't want
to?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Wait
whoa!” Ginny exclaimed in surprise as she whirled around to face
Harry and Hermione. “You meant you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>haven't</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
stopped dancing to stare at her curiously. “Why would you think we
had?” Harry wondered, tilting his head to the side.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Um
hello! The camping trip from hell! You two were all alone for months
upon months. It's really only natural to assume that you totally
fucked like bunnies!” Ginny cried out emphatically.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
what I said!” Ron roared with laughter as he pointed at his
sister's expression.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Not for lack of trying, I
assure you, but ultimately, nope.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
even once?” Ginny wondered, having a strangely hard time wrapping
her head around this concept.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
shook her head. “Not even once. We both decided that trying to have
sex with each other felt exactly the same way Ron feels whenever you
talk about your sex life in front of him.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Repulsed
and vaguely nauseous?” Ron asked humorously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pretty
much!” Harry and Hermione exclaimed in unison.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Huh!
I did not know that,” Ginny murmured, still surprised. “That
actually explains </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>so
much!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Such
as...?” Ron asked a bit warily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Such
as why the three of you crawl into bed with each other every morning
but my darling husband has never bragged about fantastic threesomes.
I really always thought that he was honoring some request of yours to
not discuss </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>your</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
sex life with me since I'm your sister. I also figured that I'd let
that one slide despite our ground rules to be open and honest about
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
extra-marital encounters,” Ginny explained.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
pulled a face of disgust. “Your mind is rather disturbing at
times.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“</span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>What</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?”
Ginny asked in a tone that was equal parts amused and offended.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
was quietly shaking with laughter, supporting himself on Hermione,
who was softly snickering. He managed to calm down just enough to
speak. “Might I gently remind you, dearest wife, that I promised to
inform you of </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
my bedtime activities, and I honestly have no qualms about talking
about </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>their</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
sex life. If it </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>had</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
happened, I would have told you about it in great detail!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
possibly the first time ever, it was Ginny's turn to look more than a
little repulsed. A grimace twisted her face as thoughts raced through
her mind. “On second thought, if that ever does happen, I don't
want to know!” Then an intrigued look settled on her face. “Wait...
maybe I do...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
lost the battle not to howl with laughter, so now it was Harry's turn
to support her.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
going to go firecall mum and ask her if you were adopted after all,
because </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>clearly</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
your mind came from somewhere else!” Ron informed her in an acerbic
tone to hide the fact that he was close to laughing his arse off too.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
repeatedly wiped tears of laughter from her eyes as she tried to calm
down. “Sh-sh-shower!” She finally managed to spit out.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
a good idea,” Harry agreed, still laughing quite a bit himself.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Go
on, I already had one this morning,” Ginny informed them, watching
with a fond smile as her husband followed his best friends, absently
scratching his head through his unruly mop of hair the entire time.
“I'll make reservations and then come up to pick out all our
outfits!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
simply waved a hand at her as he walked away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
smiled at Draco as she summoned a piece of official Harry Potter
stationary and wrote a request for a reservation for all five of them
for lunch at the poshest restaurant in all of magical Britain. She
used her wand to summon Harry's so that the request could be signed
with the correct magical signature. After that, she asked Kreacher to
deliver it before turning to scrutinize Draco.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You!
I know you brought a few different outfits to choose from, so grab
your bag and follow me!” Ginny ordered in a tone that allowed for
no arguments.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
stood to comply, but still grumbled his displeasure. “As much as I
am grateful to not have been hexed to death, I don't see how sitting
through a public lunch with everyone ignoring me will help with the
press.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
waited until he had his bag and was following her up the stairs.
“Don't worry about that. You've been on your best behavior all
morning, and they've definitely noticed. You think we could have
relaxed enough to joke around if you were causing a problem?” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...
no...” Draco murmured, still rather entertained by all their
antics. “But I did wonder if you were all showing off or something
since Gryffindors love attention.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
stopped and pointed her wand at him along with a slight glare. “No...
We don't love attention, we love action and adventure, which usually
comes with unavoidable attention.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
shrugged as if saying: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>same
thing</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
lowered her voice even though she could hear that the shower was now
on, likely making sure no one else could hear her anyway. “If you
honestly think that Harry was seeking attention all those years –
that he seeks it out even now – then explain to me why you think he
withdrew as much as possible from public attention?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
shrugged because he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>didn't</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
have an explanation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
nodded as if he had told her exactly what she wanted to hear. After
that, she finished leading him into the bedroom she shared with her
husband. Kreacher had obviously been in here while they were at
breakfast because it was immaculate.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lay
your clothes out on the bed so that I can coordinate –” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
you think I'm going to match whatever Potter's wearing, you're out of
your mind!” Draco hissed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,”
Ginny stated with a shake of her head. “I'm simply going to make
sure that no one clashes horribly. Stay right here a moment.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
walked over to the bathroom door, opened it just far enough to poke
her head in, and then whistled loudly. “Looking sexy Ron!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oi!
I know your full of it because you can't even see me where I'm
standing!” Ron roared.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah
yeah!” Ginny pouted. “Whatever, I'm just warning you that I'm out
here with Draco coordinating outfits, so remember to wear towels if
you want to cover your naked bits!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
to know!” Hermione called out gratefully.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Meh,
grew up in a dorm,” Harry reminded her. “Not really concerned.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hand
me the soap, mate,” Ron insisted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Can
you wash my back?” Hermione wondered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
you three are honestly surprised that I assumed you were shagging
constantly when I'm not here!” Ginny snorted with amusement, waved
to them, and then shut the door.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
had a brow raised in frank curiosity. “And... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>why</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
do they shower all together?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
giggled at his expression. “Habit. They got used to doing it during
the camping trip from hell, and then moved in here together right
after the final battle. Even I will admit that during mornings when
everyone has things to do, it's really convenient to just pile in the
shower and get it done. We've taken the kids in there with us a lot
too because the bathroom – and thus the shower – is simply
massive and so it's easier to scrub them up when we're all on hand to
make sure that none of them slip and fall or tries to eat the soap.”
She shrugged, figuring that he probably wouldn't understand no matter
what she said.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
didn't take him too much longer to lay out what he had brought. Even
more surprising to him was that she found a good outfit for Harry to
wear that complimented all of it, no matter what he chose – in less
than five minutes! After that, she ran over to Ron and Hermione's
bedroom to search through their closet and grab a variety of options.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think I like this one for Ron...” Ginny murmured to herself as she
pieced together an outfit. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Which
left only her and Hermione. She grinned softly as she thought about
the dresses she had in her arms. A moment later, she opened the
bathroom door a crack again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
'Mione! Do you mind if you and I match?” Ginny asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you talking the black dress or the blue dress?” Hermione called
out, and then hissed: “Harry, you got that in my eye!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sorry
'Mione!” Harry apologized as he wiggled a finger at her to magic
away the rogue shampoo.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
talking the red dress,” Ginny stated.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
thought you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>hated</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that dress!” Hermione cried out in surprise.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
only hate it when I plan to wear my hair down. Today, I'm going to
have it up in a messy bun,” Ginny informed her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
guess that'll work!” Hermione called out in agreement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now
that you're rinsed off, 'Mione, can you massage my shoulders?” Ron
asked. “My partner threw me into a wall yesterday to avoid an Avada
Kedavra.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?!”
Hermione asked in outrage as she promptly ran her hands over his back
as if she could see the nonexistent marks of the unforgivable and
unsurvivable curse on him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
shook her head as she closed the bathroom door. “I don't think I
wanted to know that. First his foot was cut off, and then he was
nearly killed. I'm </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>so</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
glad that I never wanted to be an Auror!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
she muttered this, she lay Hermione's red dress on the bed and tossed
the rest of the options into a chair with the discarded pile of Ron's
clothes she'd grabbed. After that, she walked back into her and
Harry's closet and pulled out the matching dress. She also grabbed
silk ribbons and flowers to adorn the dresses – blue for her and
yellow for Hermione.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
smiled in approval. Unless one or more of them looked drastically
different in their clothes than he thought they would, Ginny had
chosen well. Considering that they were going to lunch in a high
class restaurant specifically to capture the attention of the press,
it was in their best interest to look as good as possible. Draco was
secretly glad that Ginny had insisted on doing this. He carefully
gathered up the extra clothes that he wouldn't need and put them back
in his bag.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
can probably just use Ron and 'Mione's room to change,” Ginny
informed him, pointing toward it. “It's across the hall.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nodded in understanding and thanks before gathering up his chosen
outfit and exiting the room. Strangely, as much as he deeply valued
his privacy, part of him was disappointed that he was leaving the
room to change before the 'golden trio' emerged from the bathroom.
Even without saying much of anything at all, he was starting to feel
like he was a part of their exclusive little group. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Considering
that his two best friends were Slytherins from high society like
himself, they'd never just goofed around like Harry and his friends
were. Their idea of fun was cutting each other with sarcastic remarks
and hexing each other for every little annoyance. Blaise had a wicked
sense of humor that could make Draco laugh, but never the deep and
rich laughs like he had seen today.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
everyone was dressed and ready to go, Ginny decided to send off a
request for a dinner reservation at a different high class
restaurant. As she did this, everyone sat around the kitchen table
drinking tea. Draco noticed that their house elf had obviously
repaired all the damage from their earlier sparring.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...”
Harry began nervously. He was ready to keep his promise to help
Ginny, but still had no idea how he felt about this whole situation.
“Malfoy... er... How have you been since...?” He stopped, not
wanting to mention the final battle or the subsequent trial.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fine,”
Draco replied shortly. He knew he'd have to make small talk, but he
wasn't sure what he wanted to say.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
tried next. “Didn't the papers report a couple years back that you
and your wife had a son?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes...”
Draco admitted, and then took a sip of his tea. “Scorpius...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
– as a parent – felt that this was a relatively safe topic for
him to show his modicum of support. “I'll bet he looks just like a
mini you,” he stated with a tiny but warm smile.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
took a moment to wonder if this was intended as a compliment or
insult, and then decided to smile. “Yes. His mother Astoria also
has pale blonde hair, and so he does have the distinctive Malfoy
looks.” He paused for a moment, feeling like he needed to make an
effort to keep the conversation going. “He's about the same age as
the two little ones, Albus and Rose.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They
were all a bit surprised that he had managed to remember the kids'
names since they hadn't been mentioned often and never directly to
him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er,”
Ginny began hesitantly. “Maybe we should have all our kids come
watch a game a little later on – after I've gotten to the point
where we'll be sharing time during the game.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
could be...” Draco paused to search for the right word, but settled
for: “Interesting...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
wasn't the only one staring at Malfoy in shock, but he was the only
one to show it so openly. “Alright, who are you and what did you do
with Malfoy?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
sighed in aggravation. “Only you, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>weasel,</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
would be so offended by the fact that I am trying my best here not to
start a fight!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah,
there he is!” Both Ron and Harry sighed in relief. It was starting
to feel downright weird that Malfoy hadn't hurled an insult the
entire time he'd been there. With the tension broken just a little
bit, they all managed to make snarky small talk until it was time to
leave for lunch.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
restaurant was very luxurious. Malfoy felt at home since he had been
here often, but the rest of them were mildly uncomfortable. Ron and
Hermione glanced at each other, wondering if they could actually
afford to eat here.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
lunch is going to cost me what we spend on food to feed us for a
month, isn't it?” Harry murmured in Ginny's ear, trying not to be
heard by anyone else, but his companions all heard him anyway.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
laughed. “Not to worry, since this is </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
fault, I fully plan to pay for it. Dinner too.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
thing was that Harry had enough money that he didn't have to care how
much he spent, but as a professional Seeker on a famous team, Ginny
actually did make enough money to be able to afford all the finer
things in life. Harry accepted her decision with a tiny shrug, and
then kissed her temple. Ron sent his sister a grateful look because
while he and his wife earned good incomes with little for expenses
(since they lived with Harry and shared all the bills), neither was
raised with wealth and so felt uncomfortable spending it on things
like this.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
knew this and so she waited to spring her next shock on them until
after lunch had been ordered and served. They all ate in relative
silence for a few minutes before Ginny spoke again. “After lunch, I
plan to kill time until dinner by shopping. We'll go to a couple of
shops for fine apparel and pick out things to wear to dinner
tonight.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
choked at this even as Hermione perked up. Her eyes sparkled as she
looked at Ginny. “Does this mean you're in the mood to buy matching
evening gowns?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course!” Ginny answered with a mischievous smirk.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
we going to dinner somewhere where there is dancing?” Harry asked
as a way to avoid thinking about how much he disliked the idea of
buying stiff and uncomfortable formal wear.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Actually,
yes,” Ginny admitted, not having thought about that when she chose
the place.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
I suppose I can suffer through the shopping,” Harry said with a
heavy sigh. Unlike when he was younger, dancing was now one of his
favorite leisure activities. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Especially</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the sexier dancing...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
me too,” Ron grumbled. “And if my ankle feels good enough, I'll
even dance with you, my love,” he added, kissing Hermione's hand
quite romantically. She purred happily in response.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
spotted the gathering crowd of reporters that they knew would show up
as word spread that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were having a civil
lunch together. She decided to lighten the mood as much as possible
so that the pictures might even look relaxed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
have an even better idea!” She announced.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah?”
Both Harry and Ron asked curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">While
we're shopping, we can stop in at a naughty shop to buy things to
wear to the –” She dropped her voice to a whisper even as she
cast a charm to make sure none of the paparazzi would overhear them.
“Kinky muggle sex club.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Like
what?” Harry asked, looking at her with both clear interest and a
bit of lust in his eyes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
leaned forward as she was interested in this as well. Ginny grabbed
Hermione's hand across the table and grinned at her. “Oh... like a
leather harness for 'Mione.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
nearly choked as he pictured this in his mind. His eyes looked buggy
for a second before he nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that sounds
good...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
agree,” Hermione murmured, a slight blush on her cheeks.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was frankly amazed at how often the conversation seemed to revolve
around sex and couldn't help himself. He laughed softly and decided
to do a bit of light teasing. “Never would have pegged you as the
type, Granger.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
smirked at him playfully. “It's Weasley now, and why not?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
rubbed his jaw without meaning to. “With a punch like yours, I
assumed that you'd prefer to be the one giving rather than
receiving.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled, delighted to remember the time that Hermione had decked
Draco for being an arsehole. He then leaned forward just slightly to
get a better look at his one time enemy. “Well, you know what they
say about the innocent looking ones...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hermione
giggled and finished his sentence. “We're the most devious ones of
all!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think you mean deviant,” Draco drawled in his posh accent. His eyes
twinkled and his smirk seemed almost fond.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
too,” Hermione agreed with a smile and a shrug.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nowhere
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>near</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
as deviant as Ginny,” Ron added, pretending to grumble even though
he was teasing.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">True,”
Ginny agreed with an angelic smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
because they were all in a nearly fantastic mood, not even Rita
Skeeter could destroy their spirits. “Excuse me, Harry.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
one, they all looked up at her with pleasant smiles. Her photographer
captured the photo just then, and since it would record for a few
seconds to loop through on the front page of the Daily Prophet, they
all looked around at each other pleasantly to prove the point that
they actually </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>were</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
getting along. Ginny subtly dropped her charm so that they could now
be heard.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Something
I can help you with, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Rita</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?”
Harry asked, pointedly using her name as a way to remind her that he
had never given her genuine permission to use his name.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
a few quick questions, if I may,” she stated rather than ask. “What
surprising twist of fate has brought the Savior of the Wizarding
World and infamous Death Eater Draco Malfoy to the same lunch table?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
inhaled deeply, determined to not let Rita ruin his good mood. “As
you well know, I spoke at his trial and he was cleared.” Harry
waited for the flicker of annoyance to cross her eyes before she
looked sweet and innocent again. Crossing his arms and smirking in
satisfaction, he decided to half lie. “I simply though it was about
time we set our differences aside.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly,”
Ginny stated with a brilliant smile as she laced her hand through one
of his in a show of support.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We're
all adults now,” Hermione added, also smiling in a show of support.
“Isn't it time we acted like it?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
was all Ron could force himself to say, although he did grab onto his
wife's hand.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
felt it was his turn to add something even as he bit down hard on his
astonishment at how they were </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
defending him in a way. He plastered one of his iciest sneers on his
face. “And we </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>were</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
all having a surprisingly delightful meal until </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
came along to ruin it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There's
no need for a temper tantrum,” Rita informed him with an overly
sweet smile and tone of voice. “I'm nearly finished here. Can any
of you confirm the recent rumors that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy
are teaming up for a lucrative business venture?” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
rumors?” Harry asked with a puzzled frown.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unwilling
to admit that she had made that up on the spot as one of the few
believable explanations, Rita moved on. “Or how about the rumors
that you two are actually planning a duel to the death and wanted to
be seen as friendly first so that no one would suspect the winner of
murdering the loser?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
actually sounds plausible,” Draco admitted with a delighted smirk. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
chuckled. “Yeah, that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>does</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
sound like something we would do. Feel free to print that one, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Rita</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lovely!”
Rita exclaimed happily even though she knew that it couldn't possibly
be true if they had both agreed with it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Last
question,” Rita insisted, knowing that she was about to thoroughly
push her luck and probably be evicted from the restaurant. “Care to
tell me just how many of you have been in bed together?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Without
missing a beat, the two married couples grinned and answered with:
“All of us, of course!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
snorted in amusement because after his morning, he knew this to be
true even if things were nowhere near as kinky as the reporter wanted
to think. It didn't occur to him that Rita was including him in the
scenario until she turned her evil grin on him and said: “Lovely...”
After that, she walked away.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
started giggling first, but it wasn't more than a second before Ron,
Harry, and Hermione were sniggering too. After a couple more seconds,
even Draco got over his astonishment at the implications and joined
in on the laughter. While none of the other reporters dared to get
close enough for an actual interview, what seemed like a hundred
cameras went off to capture the moment that – had anyone dared to
suggest it as plausible just hours ago – someone would have been
committed to the mental ward at St. Mungo's for believing actually
happened.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
chitchat was far more pleasant than it had been earlier after that.
When lunch was over – after they'd lingered to finish up their
conversation for nearly an hour – the five of them started on the
shopping that Ginny had warned them about. Their first stop was an
extremely high end shop, but since almost none of them could
concentrate on anything other than the suggested trip to the naughty
shop, Ginny smiled patiently at the clerk as she explained that they
would return later.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
she led the way to the intended shop – them all walking like
muggles since it wasn't far – Harry finally gathered the courage to
ask a question he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer to.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
Ginny...” He began and she stopped walking so she could look at him
curiously. He stopped as well and waited until there was quite a bit
of space between the two of them and the others – who eventually
realized that they were getting ahead and stopped.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry...”
Ginny inquired softly with curiosity.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Since
you promised to tell me honestly about </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>all</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of your bedtime activities, I was curious...” He paused, looking
away from her but </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
at the others because he didn't want them to see any emotions on his
face when he couldn't figure out how he was feeling. “Have you...
had sex with... </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>him</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
yet?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
immediately grinned, highly intrigued. She was tempted to look over
at the him in question, but restrained herself. “No. Why? Did you
assume I had?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
tilted his head side to side as if admitting that he had assumed
exactly that. Ginny purred and stroked his face. “I assure you that
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>that</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
will be the one instance in which I know to ask for and obtain
permission first!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smiled, feeling inexplicably relieved. “Good!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Linking
her arm through his, she quickly led them the rest of the way to the
shop. Ron and Hermione glanced repeatedly at Harry, curious as to why
he had asked his wife that, but said nothing. They knew they'd hear
more about it later on in private. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All
five of them stopped outside for a moment before going in. The
exterior looked respectable enough, but considering that they knew
that this was supposed to be a store for sex related supplies, more
than one of them was nervous about entering. Only Ginny had ever
really been in a store like this before, the others having bought any
such toys from an online source.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come
on!” Ginny urged, dragging her husband in by his arm.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Welcome
to Hidden Paradise!” The nearest clerk greeted them. “Anything in
particular I can help you with?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
grinned at him. “Yes, we're looking for a harness for my
sister-in-law here. I think she might appreciate a female clerk
helping her with that.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course,” he agreed with a smile, and then waved at a woman dusting
shelves. “Hey Amy, can you help out a bit?” He shifted his
attention to Hermione. “Amy is a submissive and well versed in all
the bondage accessories. She'll be able to answer any questions you
have.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
you,” Hermione whispered with a blush, looking at the floor to try
to hide her embarrassment. Her hand clutched Ron's in a near death
grip. Amy clucked at her sympathetically like a mother hen, and then
ushered the couple to a private corner of the bondage department.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
as for me,” Ginny continued as if nothing had happened. “I'm
looking for something special for my husband.” She leaned over to
whisper it in the clerk's ear. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
immediately lit up like a Christmas tree and cast a wolfish grin at
Harry. “Of course! Follow me sir!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Uh,
Ginny?” Harry asked apprehensively.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
worries!” She assured him. “I'll check up on you in a bit!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
moment later, Draco and Ginny were mostly alone, regarding each other
appraisingly. Draco wasn't all that comfortable in this shop. He
glanced around, wondering why he had agreed to accompany them rather
than meet up with them later for dinner.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...”
Ginny began. “I gather that you have no bloody idea what you are
doing here, and yet for some reason, your feet seem stuck and thus
you cannot simply run away in terror.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
narrowed his eyes at her. “Have you hexed me immobile?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
barked a short laugh. “No! I can simply see it in your eyes. You're
confused and more than a little intrigued by the prospect of visiting
a kinky muggle sex club. Even more confusing, the four of us are
probably the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>last
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">people
you'd consider visiting the club with, but </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>we're</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
the ones presenting the opportunity...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes...”
Draco admitted very quietly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So!”
Ginny continued with a pleased smirk. “Why not buy something to
wear to the club? You can always change your mind later, but if you
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>do</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
decide to go with us, at least you'll be prepared.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
thought about this for a moment before sighing in defeat. “What did
you have in mind?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Here,”
Ginny stated as she dragged Draco to a part of the shop that none of
the others were in. She pointed at an outfit that even Draco had to
admit would suit him – if he were into such things. It was white
and silver and covered everything quite modestly. However, it had a
series of discrete zippers that would allow him to remove large parts
of the pants if he wished. The top was a flashy yet sexy button up
shirt that could be covered with a sort of sport jacket.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I...
might be interested in this...” Draco admitted, trying to sound
bored. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
nodded as if he had said something profound, and then pointed to an
open dressing room. “Go try it on. I'm going to pick out something
for me, and then check on my husband.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
couldn't stop an expression of annoyance, anger, and even a little
frustration from crossing his face at her words.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
She wondered curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nothing!”
Draco snapped, grabbing the outfit and retreating to the dressing
room to try it on. Even to himself, even though he was trying to be
honest, he had </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>no
idea</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
why her words had upset him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shrugging
off his sudden snit, Ginny walked over to the aisle that carried
outfits that might be considered suitable for a dominatrix to wear to
work. She chose a black and red one in her size, and then brought it
to where she saw the male clerk was standing. He ginned at her and
pointed to the dressing room he was in front of.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry?”
Ginny asked softly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you serious about this?!” Harry asked incredulously, unlocking the
door so that she could enter the small room. After she was inside and
had shut the door again, she looked at him and grinned. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
was wearing nothing but a pair of small black satin underwear that
covered everything modestly. It also had tiny discrete zippers that
would allow for the removal of certain portions while leaving the
rest on – if desired. Other zippers would make it easy to remove
the entire garment if the wearer was tied up in a way to make
clothing removal impossible. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
final touch was a stainless steel collar made out of tiny rings in a
style known as chainmail. The collar had a tiny black padlock to
prevent unauthorized removal, and a thick open ring where a leash was
attached. The leash was also made from chainmail and dangled to
almost his knees.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think you look incredibly sexy!” Ginny praised him with a lusty
grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
felt much less embarrassed after hearing that. He returned her grin
as he watched her change into her revealing yet strangely modest
garment. When she was ready, he realized that he was utterly hard.
Her hand caressed his anatomy as she whispered in his ear.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
told you what I wanted to do tonight, and you said it sounded fun,”
she reminded him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
it does,” Harry murmured in agreement. “However, I haven't ever
done it quite in this way before – getting all dressed up for it
like this – so I think I'm more embarrassed by this outfit than by
what we plan to do with it.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
laughed softly. “Think about it this way; you were having breakfast
this morning with Draco Malfoy wearing not much more than that, so
what is there to be embarrassed about? And you were the one who said
that being naked didn't bother you because you grew up in a boarding
school with no privacy.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded, unable to argue with either statement. “It's not that. I'm
not embarrassed about that... It's this collar and leash...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry, darling husband, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
will be the only one with permission to hold the leash, and so you
will be submitting only to me,” she assured him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
chuckled and blushed as he pulled her into his arms and gave her a
kiss. “Well you and the select few you choose to let have me.” He
grinned and put the cushy satin mask on. It was designed so that he
would not be able to see anything so long as it was firmly secured in
place, and he knew that Ginny would probably cast a blindness charm
to reinforce it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
stroked his chest and purred. “We are going to have </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>so
much</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
fun tonight!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
we are!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
a surprisingly enjoyable dinner, with plenty of dancing, Harry was
not the only one shocked to discover that Malfoy had agreed to
accompany them to the club. Considering that his – and Ginny's –
real goal for the day had been accomplished, the golden trio had
assumed that he would leave them as soon as he could. Instead, Draco
calmly walked next to them as they traveled from the apparition point
to the club.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
was also mildly surprised that it was actually </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
named Kinky Muggle Sex Club. Deep down, he had known that that would
be an uncomfortably revealing and possibly illegal name for the club,
but since Ginny had been calling it that all day, he hadn't really
thought about it's actual name. As it turned out, it was called </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Le
Petit Mort.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
little death – a french euphemism for orgasm.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their
first stop was a large coed locker room so that they could change out
of their surprisingly sexy formal wear and into the tiny so-called
garments they'd bought earlier. Draco quickly disappeared into one of
the private changing rooms while the rest of them changed out in the
open in front of a cluster of empty lockers. When they were done,
they took a moment to check each other out.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“</span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Ginny</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...”
Ron groaned softly in revulsion at the sight of her red corset and
black silk and lace lingerie.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Looks
good!” Hermione complimented.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
too!” Ginny assured her as she looked Hermione's red leather
harness over carefully. For the moment, she was wearing all the
modesty pieces, but they were removable, and it was almost certain
that they would be at some point.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
wore a tight black muscle shirt and matching short boxers. He also
held a soft leather multi-tailed whip. Ginny nodded at him in
approval.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
took a deep breath as he held out the blinder to his wife. She took
it and tucked it in her bosom for a moment. He raised a brow
curiously.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Turn
around,” Ginny ordered softly, grabbing something out of her bag.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
craned his neck to see what she held even as he turned his back to
her. “What's that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
was a pair of leather bracers that had been fused together in
opposite directions. Once fastened over his wrists, he would
effectively have his hands tied behind his back. She explained this
as she secured the bracers tightly without hurting him. Both Ron and
Hermione watched this with interest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
looks like it could be fun,” Hermione murmured.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
not sure I really wanted to know that much about you, mate,” Ron
said with a chuckle.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
cast an amused glance at his wife. “You want me blind </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
my hands tied behind my back?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course!” Ginny stated with a grin. She proved this by pulling the
satin mask from her cleavage and fastening it around his head, over
his eyes, and then reinforcing it with a spell. After that, she took
his leash in hand and tugged on it to see if he'd be able to follow
her without stumbling.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
and Hermione shook their heads in amused disbelief before following a
couple who had spent their entire time changing talking about how
they planned to go straight to the dungeon and stay there the entire
evening. Ginny looked over to the private changing room to find Draco
peeking out at them curiously. She waved to him silently before
leading her husband off to a private room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
as she suspected, the long walk to the private room attracted an
enormous amount of attention with both men and women flocking to her
to ask if they would be allowed a turn with the handsome man with the
dark and wildly messy hair. Harry blushed from all the attention, but
kept his mouth shut. This had been a recurring fantasy of his –
well most of it. So far, he and Ginny had only invited a select few
men and women into their bedroom to make parts of it happen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
carefully selected just one man and one woman to start with, and then
led them to the private room. Even though it was called a private
room, it had no door. It was intended to offer only a modicum of
privacy by allowing a small group of people the use of a variety of
thoroughly sanitized vinyl furniture. Other patrons could still stop
by and watch – or join in – but the occupants weren't out in the
middle of the club in front of literally everyone. A bouncer of sorts
stood by to enforce club rules and accept payment for the use of the
room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Meanwhile
Draco was actually agog with shock that this club </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>actually</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
was a place where people came to have sex. In front of everyone! He
walked around in his modest yet sexy outfit feeling like he had just
stepped onto a different planet where people made no sense!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His
curiosity led him down to the dungeon for a bit where he watched
Hermione be spanked and whipped by a variety of people who obviously
knew how to not actually hurt her. Ron stood by her to protect her if
needed. He was talking with a couple who were far more experienced
and gave him plenty of advice on things to try in the future.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
left the dungeon and curiously looked into all the private rooms
where an astonishing variety of sexual acts were taking place. Out on
the main floor, people made out and had mostly vanilla sex – except
for the fact that it was with random partners and in front of
everyone. Before he understood what he was looking for, he found
Harry and Ginny in a room with an unknown man and woman.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
felt his heart stop for a long moment as he watched the unknown woman
sucking on Harry's shaft while Harry was sucking on the unknown man.
Ginny stood off to the side giving out suggestions that bordered on
orders.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Suck
my husband like you know what you're doing!” Ginny exclaimed,
insulting the woman, who smirked, indicating that she liked it. “Make
him moan and groan from the pleasure!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
unknown man had a hand in Harry's hair, using it as leverage to guide
Harry into doing a good job. He moaned, which made Harry moan in
response. Ginny laughed softly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
right! My hubby knows how to please.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
shifted her attention back to the woman, pointing to a multi-tailed
whip on display with various other implements. The woman nodded
eagerly. Ginny grinned as she grabbed the whip and started using it
on the woman.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Deeper!”
Ginny ordered ferociously as she cracked the whip. The woman
responded by bobbing her head more vigorously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
moaned deeply, and Draco was sure that had Harry's mouth been free,
he would have muttered some sort of encouragement. Draco's knees felt
weak! He would never in a million years have guessed that the Savior
of the Wizarding World was a perverted sexual freak!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
strange coil of jealousy wound through Draco, and it took him a
moment to rationalize that it must be from the fact that he and his
wife hadn't had sex – kinky or otherwise – since shortly after
she'd gotten pregnant. They both knew it was because they weren't
attracted to each other and had agreed to have discrete lovers, but
seeing how Harry and his wife supported and encouraged each other
like this... Well, Draco was sure that he had a definite reason to be
jealous.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
he keeps that up, I'm done for!” The unknown man announced.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Select
a condom,” Ginny ordered as she turned to sort through a basket
provided by the club. “Please chose one without spermicide, though
lubrication is fine.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
man nodded, understanding that a lot of people had bad reactions to
the spermicide. He chose an appropriate condom and held it up for her
to see. Ginny nodded in approval, and then handed a different condom
to the woman.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Put
that on my husband.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Gin,
can you do that thing?” Harry asked, using what sounded like a fake
name, knowing that she knew what he referred to.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sure
thing,” Ginny purred with a pleased grin. She looked around and
noticed that Draco was watching from the doorway (and thus blocking
anyone else from looking in). With a conspiratorial wink, she moved
to stand behind the muggles so that they couldn't see her take out
her wand and whisper a spell at Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
felt the spell and groaned in excitement. Draco pulled Ginny over to
him so that he could whisper almost silently in her ear. Her wand was
already hidden in her cleavage again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
did you do?” Draco asked, both curious and concerned that she had
risked revealing their secret to muggles.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
made sure that she spoke so that only he could hear her. “I cast a
spell that will prevent Harry from finishing until he is begging for
it. I will then have to remove the spell, but this way, he has a bit
more control and can play around a lot more.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah,”
Draco stated softly in understanding, now intensely curious about
this spell. It seemed like it could come in handy!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
knew you were the type to watch!” Ginny exclaimed almost silently
even as she watched the couple use the lubricant she approved – an
organic oil – to prepare Harry for sex.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once
ready, the woman lay on her back on something that looked like a
massage table except that it had an adjustable inclining area where
most people rested their head. She quickly grabbed a nearby cushion
to stuff under her so that her bottom was lifted for better access.
Ginny tugged on the leash to guide Harry onto the table/bed, then
stood next to him to offer help and support as he got into position.
The man soon joined them, sliding his long and thin manhood through
the lubricated area of Harry's anus to make sure that he was well
prepared.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
covered his mouth to prevent a gasp of astonishment that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>the
Harry Potter </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">was
calmly and eagerly allowing a man to take him up the arse! Of all the
things he thought he would ever see in his life, this might possibly
have been the last thing he expected! He quickly looked over to Ginny
to see her reaction to this event. Ginny had a look of bliss as if
this was a dream come true.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
has wanted this type of threesome for a while,” Ginny whispered
very quietly in his ear. “We did this a couple of times without the
bondage, but I can already tell you that he is on cloud nine right
now.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think I should probably go,” Draco muttered so quietly that even
Ginny had to strain to hear him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
shook her head and gave him an impish smirk. A moment later, he
slapped a hand over his mouth to cover a gasp of shock as she deftly
unzipped a strategic zipper over his groin. Once his rock hard length
sprang free, she pointed at Harry.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
shook his head, but the protest was weak. With a knowing smile, Ginny
grabbed his hand and dragged him closer to the table. She purred in
her husband's ear.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I've
chosen another to join in on the fun,” she informed him. “Open up
your mouth and prepare to really wow him.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
turned his head to her and opened his mouth. The noises that came
from him made Draco wonder how he would be able to concentrate on
giving head with everything else that was going on. With a glare at
Ginny for putting him in this situation, Draco took a deep breath and
stepped forward. He grabbed Harry's wild hair and slowly slid his
shaft into Harry's mouth.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
made a sound of surprise for a moment, but then shifted his weight
onto the woman a bit more for better leverage, wishing that he could
use a hand to help please the newest participant in this escapade.
Draco once again slapped a hand over his mouth, and then dug his
fingernails into his cheek to prevent any sound from escaping. The
last thing he wanted was for Harry to realize that </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>he</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
was taking advantage of the situation!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
couldn't stop the moans of sheer pleasure. It seemed that Harry had
done this before, and probably a lot since he knew exactly what he
was doing! His mouth felt like a combination of heaven and hell that
made Draco sincerely wish that he wasn't standing during the ordeal.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
was still giving out orders and suggestions, and – though no one
looked over to confirm it – the tone in her voice suggested that
she was playing with herself and getting off on the show. The woman
under Harry was loudly enjoying herself, a hand trapped between them
helped make sure that she was riding on continual waves of ecstasy.
All of it was so erotic that Draco thought for sure that he was about
to lose all control!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
then he did, and the struggle to stop himself from squealing was
almost impossible. It took everything he had to hold his breath as
Draco pumped Harry's mouth full so that he didn't make a sound. In
his mind, he was chanting a prayer or possibly thanks to every deity
he knew.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
thought that Harry would stop the moment there was nothing left to
swallow, but Harry proved him wrong. The so-called golden boy
continued to suck vigorously as if nothing had happened. Draco
wobbled, his knees weak and threatening to collapse. Ginny chuckled
gleefully even as she dragged a stool over for Draco to half sit on.
In this state, it was more like he was leaning on it, but at least it
provided the support he needed so that he didn't melt into a puddle
of goo on the floor.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Though
he didn't know it, the sight of Draco struggling to remain a solid
was so erotic to the unknown man that he lost control of his stamina
and gave a soft roar of triumph as he climaxed. A large part of him
wished that he wasn't wearing a condom as he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>really</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
wanted to feel everything directly, but he knew that safe sex was
important. He jerked his hips a few times as he savored his orgasm.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
reacted to this by moaning and groaning and grinding his hips into
the man's. He also strongly wished to feel the cum inside him, but
settled for the delightful throbbing of the pulsing shaft. Even the
woman loved the sounds coming from the men above her. She gasped
softly over and over in enjoyment.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
smiled as she noticed another man lurking in the doorway. She pointed
to the basket, softly ordering him to pick a condom with no
spermicide. It didn't take long before he was massaging oil onto his
shaft with one hand and stroking Harry's shapely arse with the other.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
nearly groaned in longing as he watched the new unknown man enter
Harry. Especially when Harry made a sound like a happy purr. Draco
gripped the stool with the hand that was not holding his mouth shut
as he knees shook. Harry's mouth was still the best thing Draco had
ever felt!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Long
minutes passed as the woman got ever louder in her gasps and squeals.
This turned the new man on so much that he was grunting and groaning
in pleasure. When he pumped the condom full, Harry finally released
the shaft in his mouth so that he could talk to Ginny.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No
more new ones yet,” he told her. “I want to change positions for
a while.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
stroked his back after the man pulled out and stepped away from the
table to recover in a chair. “What would you like to do now,
darling husband?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
smirked in her direction. “I want to be on my back with this woman
on top of me but facing you while you're between her legs.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
please!” The woman agreed with an eager gasp.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course,” Ginny purred in anticipation. She then helped Harry shift
until he was on his back with a plush foam pillow cushioning his
bound hands/arms so that they hopefully wouldn't fall asleep or grow
too uncomfortable.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
woman straddled Harry in a reverse cowgirl, spreading her legs wide
to give Ginny access even as Harry thrust up into her. Ginny wasted
no time in locating the woman's clitoris with her tongue. One hand
helped please the woman while the other wormed its way between
Ginny's legs. Ginny moaned in pleasure as she wondered which of them
would orgasm first.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
man entered the room and grinned. He placed a hand on Ginny's shapely
rear, shifting her sheer panties to the side so his fingers could
help hers give pleasure. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">May
I have permission to fuck you?” He asked with a confidently sexy
voice.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm...”
Ginny moaned in thought. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled softly. “Sure! This is probably the hottest sex we've had
in a while, and not only are there no cameras to record it, but I'm
blindfolded!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
giggled. “Do you object?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
shook his head. “Not at all.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
looked at the man for a moment, then decided that he was good looking
enough that she had no objections either. “Choose a condom without
spermicide, and then be quick. I'm only half in the mood for
penetration.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
you wish, m'lady,” he agreed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
few seconds after everyone was in position and focused on their
thoroughly enjoyable tasks, Harry turned his head to the side. “Hey
you, I know you're still there trying to recover the ability to walk,
so why not slide your dick back in my mouth? Also, try to yank on my
hair as you do so, and feel free to be as rough as you want.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
gasped softly as those words created the strangest sensation in his
groin. It was like a sharp tugging. Even though he was still fully
hard, he felt like he got a bit harder; his shaft twitching as if
someone had pulled it down and then let it go like a spring.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Feeling
like his body was giving him no other choice, Draco slid off the
stool and braced himself on the side of the table-like bed. One hand
gripped a convenient handle while his other grabbed a large amount of
wild raven hair. Only one uncertain moment passed before Draco shoved
his shaft back into Harry's mouth and fucked him roughly as
suggested. Harry moaned and groaned in obvious enjoyment.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
now fervently wished that she had a camera hidden in the room! This
was something she just </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>knew</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
she was going to daydream about for the rest of her life! Also, she
was elated to confirm a theory that she'd had for years... Draco
Malfoy must have secretly been interested in Harry, otherwise why
else would he have participated in this so easily? Not to mention, he
was more than likely afraid that Harry would find out and hex him,
because he still did everything he could not to make a sound that
could be identified as coming from him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
that moment, Ginny decided to keep his confidence. Unless Harry
somehow guessed that it was Draco and insisted that Ginny confirm it
– which she would because of their honesty agreement – Ginny
would not volunteer the information. She was almost certain that
Harry would assume that everyone here was a stranger to them anyway,
and thus he wouldn't bother to ask.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
unknown woman suddenly squealed in a pitch so high that everyone else
was tempted to cover their ears. Ginny quickly ducked her head to the
side and mostly out of the way as an astonishing amount of fluid
sprayed out of the woman. It thankfully missed Ginny's hair, but did
coat part of her back as it hit the man riding Ginny. He chuckled in
delight and reached forward to tickle the woman's clit.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
shame my mouth wasn't closer!” He lamented with a wry smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
– I'm – done!” The woman announced between heavy pants. She
pushed the man's hand away from her, and then held still – still
impaled by Harry – as Ginny rested on her thigh. Fortunately, the
man was so turned on by the unexpected shower that he climaxed then
and there. He leaned over to kiss Ginny on the cheek.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
you, m'lady.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
pleasure,” Ginny assured him as he pulled out.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Gin?”
Harry asked for her attention – having pulled back from the shaft
in his mouth to signal that he needed a momentary break. He waited
for her to come over and lean her ear close to his mouth. “I'm
nearly ready, and I want this one on top of me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Whatever
you want,” Ginny promised him adoringly, and then kissed him,
releasing her earlier spell as she did so. She pointed to Draco.
“You! Climb between his legs and give his arse a good pounding!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
blushed a good ten shades of red to hear her say that so bluntly. He
looked around for a moment in indecision, and then nodded in
agreement. As he climbed atop Harry, Ginny selected a condom that
would fit his long and wide shaft. Then she helped him put it on,
which made him blush all over again. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
all of his sexual experiences, he had never actually allowed anyone
to touch him like that! He far preferred to be the one in complete
control at all times, and so had no experiences like this. Not to
mention, all of his lovers were semi regular and well known by him,
so he had never needed to use a condom before – although he
understood why such a thing was necessary in this situation.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
oiled up his condom clad shaft, and then slowly pressed into Harry's
well prepared and eagerly accepting hole. A large part of him felt
like this couldn't possibly be real. In no universe could there </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>ever</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
be a situation in which he was fucking Harry Potter in front of the
man's wife and a handful of strangers!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
yet, he was...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a groan of sheer bliss, Draco proceeded to pound the shapely arse as
suggested. He rather astonishingly forgot about everyone else in a
matter of moments. Time passed slowly as the two of them had sex.
Harry wrapped his legs around Draco's waist to both encourage and
help him. Draco responded by sliding his hands under Harry's
shoulders and gripping him tight. And then he kissed him!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Never
in his life had he felt like lightning was striking him down to his
core as Draco kissed someone. And this was no mere kiss. It was
almost more intimate than their sex, which was definitely very
intimate. Both men gasped into each other's mouth as their tongues
caressed each other.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
was positively enthralled! She ushered everyone else out of the room
and quickly cast a spell to ensure that if her brother and his wife
ever made it out of the dungeon (which another spell assured her that
they hadn't), they would not be able to look in on this now rather
private encounter. It would be hard enough to keep Draco's secret
considering that she was already </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>dying</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to talk to Harry about this. If Ron found out, there just wasn't a
way that he could keep his mouth shut. Even Hermione would probably
think that talking about it was the right thing to do.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
yet another careful look at Draco's face told her plain as day that
Draco was in his personal heaven at the moment. It was a feeling that
Ginny wanted to protect, although she wasn't entirely certain why.
Not to mention that the two of them were supposed to work together
for the next year or so, and Ginny didn't want that time to be full
of conflict and strife.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More
than half an hour later, both men reached a shudderingly glorious
climax. Draco inhaled a gasp, and then held his breath as he bit
Harry's shoulder and came so hard that he thought he might pass out.
Harry grunted breathlessly a few times, locking his legs so that they
couldn't shake quite so badly as they had been. He also cried out:
“Oh Gods!” in a way that clearly announced how wonderful he felt.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
rested his head on Harry's chest for a few moments as he tried to
catch his breath. And then it seemed like the world came crashing
down on him. He slapped a hand over his mouth to stifle the gasp that
threatened to strangle him. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I
just had mind-blowing sex with Harry fucking Potter!</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
looked over to Ginny to see that she had given them a bit of privacy
by getting rid of the strangers and casting a charm to repel others
and sort of shield them from view. Even so, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>she</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
had watched the entire thing, and that made Draco feel inexplicably
dirty. In fact, the entire idea of having sex with someone who didn't
know it and would probably never agree to it turned his stomach
almost violently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
abruptly pulled free from Harry – who tried to cling to him with
his legs. After that, he mentally thanked Ginny for choosing an
outfit that made it easy for him to put himself away after removing
the condom – all it took was carefully zipping up the zipper over
his groin. Without a word, and feeling like a sick bastard, Draco
practically ran from the room, all the way to the locker room where
he gathered up his belongings, stepped into a changing room, and then
apparated straight to his bedroom at home.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
Harry grunted in disappointment. “I liked that one. I was rather
hoping that we could have planned an encounter in the future.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
could only purr in sympathy. She was deeply relieved that Harry had
assumed that it was a stranger. She helped him sit up so she could
rub his back soothingly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled. “I feel like an overcooked noodle! I am pretty sure I
can't do anything more tonight, so could you please release my
hands?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course,” Ginny agreed. “Just give me one moment.” She closed
her eyes and mentally cast a spell that was a very rarely used family
secret. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Ron?
Harry's ready to go home soon. What about you and 'Mione?</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
moment passed in silence as she assumed that Ron had to think about
the spell until he remembered it. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Yeah...
uh... we'll be done in a few minutes. Meet you back in the locker
room.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>If
you want to stay longer, we can always go home without you, </i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
offered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ron
sent a mental grunt that indicated that he wasn't sure either way,
and then the conversation was dropped. Ginny then focused on
releasing Harry from the bracers. As he rubbed his wrists –
magically healing the numbness and sore muscles – Ginny removed the
blinder and accompanying spell.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
wonder if we should go looking for Ron and 'Mione,” Harry murmured,
still waiting for his legs to stop quivering.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nah,”
Ginny stated with a shake of her head. She tapped her right temple.
“I already asked if they were ready to go, and they're not. Ron
said that they'll probably meet us in the locker room in a bit, and
if they don't, well, it's not like they don't know how to get home
from here.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
true,” Harry agreed with a deep yawn. He was starting to feel quite
lethargic from his energetic and thoroughly enjoyable sex.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
chuckled and kissed him for a few moments. “Why don't you
disapparate while I still have the privacy charm blocking anyone from
seeing in here? Aim for our bed,” she suggested.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
idea,” Harry agreed with another yawn, and then did exactly that. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
stretched out happily in his bed, drifting in and out of sleep for a
few minutes while Ginny retrieved their things. She popped home and
tossed everything on a chair to be dealt with later just before she
crawled into bed with her husband.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
pulled her close and held her tight, finally falling completely
asleep. Ginny ran her hand through his hair a few times as she pulled
her wand out and cast a few spells to cleanse them both of sweat and
other things. It was mildly uncomfortable to still be wearing her
Domme outfit, but not so uncomfortable that she felt the need to get
up and take it off. Realizing that the real discomfort came from the
leash pressing into her, she gently unhooked it and tossed it to the
floor before finally succumbing to sleep.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">*****</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
little over two months later, Draco had stopped being so apprehensive
that Ginny would tell Harry what had happened. It had taken that long
just to wrap his head around the fact that Ginny didn't plan to cause
strife. He was more than half certain that she was going to use it as
blackmail at some point.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
any case, he had mostly relaxed around her since they had to work
together all the time. He was even starting to consider her something
like a friend. Strangely enough, they worked well together, each
pushing the other to be the best Seeker ever. It was actually much
the same as his games against Harry had been in school.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
are coming home with me for dinner, and that is that!” Ginny
informed him with no uncertain terms.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
raised one brow to form a sardonic expression. “And what about
going home to eat dinner with my wife and son?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
half growled, half sighed. “Fine, I'll convince the Coach to let us
go early so that you can have lunch with me and go home for dinner.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was tempted to whine. “But I'm really not sure I'm comfortable
around...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
pushed him playfully. “Don't worry, it'll be fine!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
groaned reluctantly but nodded his head in agreement. He had to admit
that Ginny always managed to get her way no matter how much he didn't
like it. She was worse than his wife! At least Astoria usually
pretended to let him have his way.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
took a few minutes – while Draco slipped into the locker room to
shower up and change – to go persuade the Coach to let them leave
early. Usually, she made them all practice until dinner time, but
since Draco and Ginny had impressed her earlier, she agreed fairly
easily. Returning to the locker room, Ginny cast a quick Scourgify on
herself as she changed into a clean pair of shorts and a tee shirt.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Coach
said yes,” she informed Draco as he pulled on an expensive dress
shirt and buttoned it up – completing his casual outfit.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
figured,” Draco muttered since the Coach rarely said no to her star
player. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two
minutes later, they were traveling by floo to 12 Grimmauld Place.
Neither had brought anything with them since they didn't think they'd
need anything. Ginny led Draco to the kitchen where she assumed Harry
and the kids would be getting ready for lunch. To her surprise, the
kitchen was empty and the house was quiet. She found a note on the
table.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ron,
if you happen to come home for your lunch break, I asked Molly to
take the kids for the afternoon so that Luna could pay me a visit.
Just ignore anything you don't want to hear or cast a silencing
charm.” Ginny finished reading with an amused smirk. “He even
made a laughing face before signing his name!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
dropped the note back on the table and spun around to look up the
stairs. “Luna's here!” She cried out happily, tearing her clothes
off as she ran up to her bedroom.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Draco softly called out after her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ginny
stopped only a few steps up – already topless – and turned her
neck to face Draco. She put one finger to her lips, and then beckoned
him to follow her. He did so, but </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>only</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
because he was dying of curiosity. Or so he told himself.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
she reached her bedroom, Ginny very quietly and slowly opened the
door. It didn't take long to see that Harry was at Luna's mercy. Ever
since Ginny had owled Luna details of the blinder and bracers Harry
now owned, Luna had been chomping at the bit to try them out. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
it was that Harry was naked with his hands behind his back and unable
to see as Luna stood over him. Literally. She was using one foot to
press him into the bed as she thoroughly described all the naughty
things she planned to do to him. Glistening evidence on both their
bodies suggested that they had probably been at this a while.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Luna...”
Ginny purred, hastily holding a finger to her lips and gesturing to
Draco so that Luna would know to keep quiet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
was obviously surprised to see Draco standing behind Ginny, but she
quickly held a finger over her own lips and grinned as she nodded in
understanding. “Ginny...” Luna returned the erotic purr. “Are
you planning to help me kill your husband with pleasure?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
Ginny,” Harry greeted with a happy smile, his head facing where her
voice was. “I didn't expect you until later on.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
wanted to see you so badly that I just couldn't wait any longer,”
Ginny informed him, only half lying. Ginny turned to Draco and
gestured an invitation to Harry. Draco took a deep breath, held it a
moment, and then nodded. “I brought a friend... Want to play with
my friend Harry?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Is
it Krum again?” Harry asked with interest.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Maybe...”
Ginny answered with a mischievous purr.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm,”
Harry moaned. “Sounds fun.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
blushed when he realized that he'd have to undress in front of both
Ginny and Luna, but the prospect of twisted and kinky sex was far too
intoxicating to decline. Therefore, he used his wand to magic his
clothing off his body and into a chair, figuring that if he just got
it over with, it wouldn't be so embarrassing.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
beckoned to Draco as Ginny summoned the collar and leash she'd kept
to use whenever Harry would let her. She locked the collar around
Harry's neck and tugged him to his knees via the leash. Next up was a
rather lusty kiss.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
Luna ran her hands all over Draco's body just for fun. She also used
some oil to lubricate and fully prepare his shaft. Ginny bit her lip
in thought for a moment as she oiled up and prepared Harry's arse.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry...”
Ginny began hesitantly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm?”
Harry wondered, bending over just slightly to make her task easier.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
trust my friend to be free of diseases,” Ginny said since this had
come up in conversation one of the many times that Draco was begging
Ginny not to tell Harry what had happened. “Do you mind if he
doesn't use a condom? The way Luna has lubed him, I doubt it would
stay on anyway!” Ginny ended with a laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
you trust him, then I don't mind,” Harry said. It was true; the way
the two of them had played around over the years, they trusted each
other with sexual safety implicitly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lovely,”
Ginny sighed softly in a tone of near bliss. She tugged on the leash
and used her hands to guide him until he was in position. Then she
realized that the leash would actually get in the way and unhooked it
so that she could set it aside. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
stopped feeling like a lowly bastard the moment Harry straddled him.
For the briefest second, Draco thought that Harry would end up
hurting one of them, but both Ginny and Luna supported him so that
even unable to see and with his hands behind his back, Harry didn't
wobble or fall. Draco really didn't know where to put his hands, and
almost gasped when Luna touched his shaft again, holding it steady as
Harry literally sat down on it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
soft groan of sheer pleasure escaped Draco as his shaft seemed to
melt into Harry's tight opening. His eyes squeezed shut for a minute,
but then he decided that he wanted to watch Harry ride him. His hands
finally discovered a need to grip Harry's hips, guiding Harry in a
moderate but wonderfully satisfying pace.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
room was more or less silent with only moans and groans providing
sound. Draco only glanced at Luna and Ginny once each before loosing
himself in what was happening. Even so, a large part of him was dying
to know just how often Harry had sex in front of an audience like
this that he didn't even questioned it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">From
either side of them, Luna and Ginny watched them. Harry was really
grinding into Draco, making happy noises that a porn star would be
proud of. After a while, he paused his movement so that he could
carefully lean forward until he was resting fully on Draco's chest –
still impaled. This meant that Draco would have to do all the
thrusting now, which he did as Harry focused on kissing him.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is so hot!” Luna murmured reverently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm-hmm!”
Ginny purred in agreement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Harry
chuckled even as he continued the kiss. Once again – in Draco's
opinion – the kiss was electric and so erotic that he would die a
happy man right then and there if it was his time to go. Even so, he
was beyond grateful that it </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wasn't</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
his time yet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come
here,” Luna ordered, gesturing to Ginny, who responded by crawling
around Harry and Draco until she was lying on top of Luna. The two
women kissed and caressed each other until they decided to change
positions. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was so surprised by this that they managed to distract him for a
moment. His head turned to watch the women, breaking off the glorious
kiss. Close to a full minute passed as he watched Ginny and Luna go
down on each other before Harry chuckled.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They're
tonguing each other, right?” Harry asked, but knew he wouldn't get
a verbal answer, so he used his nose to insist that his lover face
him again. After that, he resumed the kiss that made his toes curl
and his legs feel weak.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now
the entire room sounded like the soundtrack to a pornographic movie,
only less annoying since all mouths were full. Just when Draco was
thinking that it would be easier if he rolled Harry under him, Harry
broke off their kiss to pant breathlessly in his ear. Harry sounded
like he might be close to climax.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Very
softly, so that the women couldn't hear him, Harry whispered. “I
would know that magical energy anywhere, Draco...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
stiffened, gaping at Harry in shock. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>What?!
How?!</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
stop now,” Harry pouted, licking Draco's lips before sucking on the
bottom one.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Shaking
because the situation seemed twice as real now that he knew Harry
knew, Draco quickly came to a decision. Nodding, he removed the
bracers, tossed them aside, and then rolled Harry under him. Harry
moaned and sighed happily, wrapping his arms around Draco's neck and
kissing him as much as he wanted.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
slid his hands under Harry and then up until he was gripping Harry's
shoulders. At the same time, Harry wrapped his legs around Draco's
waist so that when they thrust together, it was as deep as possible.
Both would swear that the pleasure doubled, drawing a startled gasp
out of their mouths.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Heaven...”
Draco whispered reverently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah...”
Harry softly agreed, using one hand to remove the satin mask,
thankful that Luna hadn't felt the need to add a temporary blinding
spell. “Heaven.” The powerful kissing resumed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
and Ginny exchanged knowing smirks before resuming their delightful
mutual tongue lashings. The two women made each other squeal about
twenty minutes later, which surprised the men. They stopped what they
were doing – Draco also very close to climax – to watch as Ginny
and Luna rode out their respective orgasms as long as possible.
Eventually, Luna shifted so that her head was no longer between
Ginny's legs, but between Ginny and Harry's heads. She gave Harry a
kiss before snuggling up to Ginny.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
let us stop you,” Luna suggested with a purr.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled. “Don't worry, you aren't.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Draco
shook his head in amusement. “You have a strange sex life. I
couldn't </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>imagine</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
having </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
wife in bed while I had sex like this.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
raised a brow curiously. “Does that mean you never have sex with
your wife?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
shook his head, and then shrugged. “Arranged marriage. We had our
heir.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah,”
Harry stated tactfully and then changed the subject by kissing Draco
yet again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you gay then?” Luna asked with an understanding smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
reluctantly ended the kiss so that he could look at her. “No.
Bisexual, as I'm sure everyone in this room must be.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Does
that mean that you wouldn't mind giving me a turn?” Ginny asked,
clearly eager for the opportunity.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er...”
Draco said, not sure how he felt about the idea.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh!
Me too!” Luna exclaimed in delight.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
don't mind,” Harry informed him. “We can finish this later.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
thought about this for a moment as he looked both Ginny and Luna over
carefully. “I don't have any objections other than she's your wife
and it's strange enough having sex with you...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed. “Right? I was rather surprised at how good this is
myself.” He then playfully shoved Draco off him, giving him a hard
kiss before grabbing Luna. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After
a bit of jostling, Draco found himself on top of Ginny. “Hi,” she
greeted softly with a big grin, which he returned almost shyly:
“Hi...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
summoned her wand – which was the only wandless spell she could do
– and then used her wand to cast a cleaning spell on Draco's shaft.
After that, she lubed him up again. Draco shook his head with
amusement.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Ginny wondered curiously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
usually never let anyone touch me since I far prefer to do the
touching,” Draco admitted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
you've only had half the fun,” Luna stated as if this was the most
obvious thing in the world. She was already straddling Harry and
riding him quite vigorously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
just means I get to do things like this,” Ginny informed him,
raking her nails down his back. He shuddered delicately, enjoying the
sensation. When Ginny reached his buttocks, she wrapped her legs
around his waist and pulled him inside her. She then scratched his
back repeatedly as he slowly thrust in and out of her.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
good as it felt, Draco just wasn't into Ginny like he had been with
Harry. This meant that he was able to maintain a leisurely pace that
wasn't intended to bring about climax for a long time. The strangest
part of all was that her nails eventually made him so sensitive that
he almost came just from that! </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
sensed this though and cried out: “My turn!” She abandoned Harry
and pulled Draco off of Ginny just before he reached the point of no
return. Next, she cast a cleaning spell on him so that she could
focus on sucking on and licking his shaft.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Uh!”
Draco grunted in surprise and pleasure.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
Ginny, do that thing to him,” Harry suggested as he shifted her
into the position he wanted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sure,”
Ginny agreed with a grin, using her wand to cast a spell on Draco.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
did you do?” Draco wondered, curious both because he wanted to know
and because he realized that Harry had picked an unusual position.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
made it so that you cannot cum until you beg me to take the spell
off,” Ginny informed him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
did that for Harry hours ago,” Luna added with a gorgeous grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now
that Harry was in position, he smirked at Draco. “That spell has
the side effect of making everything from the point you would
normally shoot your load until the spell is taken off feel like you
are about to die from pleasure, but it's so good that you don't
really care.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was surprised to find that he had the ability to follow a
conversation while Luna's mouth rapidly made him feel like he was
going to have a heart attack. His knees shook and he had to clutch
her hair in his hands in order to feel like he had some control over
the situation. Otherwise, he was half sure that he would explode and
shatter into a million pieces.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
the same time, he was interested to note that Harry had chosen to sit
with his legs in a V while Ginny lay on her back facing her husband,
her legs laying over his while his shaft was inside her. Harry had
easy access to her clitoris, which he rubbed with a thumb. Ginny
moaned happily, reaching over to take one of Luna's hands in hers.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
position allowed both of them to watch Draco and Luna. When he
noticed that they were, Draco blushed and looked away, muttering: “I
can't believe I'm doing this!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can't believe we didn't think to do it years ago!” Ginny exclaimed
with an impish laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm-hmm,”
Harry agreed with a soft grin. “Such as Sixth Year, when I stalked
you like a creep.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
knew it!” Ginny exclaimed, letting him know that he had just
confirmed another of her theories. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
knew it too,” Luna said, stopping what she was doing long enough to
climb atop Draco and ride him as vigorously as she had Harry. “Do
you mind if I squirt all over you when I orgasm?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
had far too much information to respond to, so he pushed aside the
revelation that Harry had been attracted as far back as Sixth Year,
and answered Luna's question. “Er... who would mind that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
shrugged only her left shoulder. “It's just that you're always so
tidy that I thought you wouldn't like to get messy like that.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
she's quite the gusher!” Harry added with a smirk. “She got me
twice earlier!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
didn't take long to prove Harry right. All she had to do was ride
Draco in the exact way she liked as she rubbed her clit. Draco could
feel her muscles tighten as if clamping down on him just before she
literally sprayed him like a garden hose with a thumb across the end.
Had Ginny not cast the spell on him, he was certain that he would
have been cumming right along with her. As it was, he cried out from
the nearly climatic rush of energy that shook his body.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
was so turned on by them that she orgasmed right then and there as
well. She didn't have the ability to gush, but she did squirt just a
tiny bit. Harry leaned forward so that he could slide his arms under
her and pull her into his chest. He then held her close and kissed
her.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luna
smirked at Ginny a bit evilly. “That's only two for you. I'm making
it my goal to give you another as soon as possible!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ginny
made sounds that suggested she felt like a sheep being prayed on by a
wolf. Harry laughed and carefully handed his wife to Luna after she
had shifted off Draco. Then Harry winked at Draco.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>told</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you that we would finish later!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
not sure I believed you until now,” Draco murmured dryly. He was
amused, but also just a tiny bit afraid. With the spell Ginny had
cast on him – and Luna on Harry – the two of them might well
continue having sex until they both died of exhaustion!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
was momentarily distracted by his own hair. He was so sweaty that it
clumped up weirdly and itched almost unbearably. After scratching his
head for a moment, he decided to just solve the problem by casting a
cleaning spell on his hair. Draco smirked at him and cast cleaning
spells over both of them until they felt almost as fresh as if they
had just taken a shower.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
how do you want to do this?” Harry wondered. They both glanced at
Ginny and Luna for a second as Ginny gasped from something Luna had
done.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
thought over the possibilities. “I think what we were doing earlier
was perfect.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
nodded in agreement and climbed around the bed until he was on his
back and Draco was on top of him. Draco summoned his wand, cast a
lubrication spell, and then tossed his wand aside again. He was about
to enter Harry, but paused to kiss him first.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think it was Fourth or Fifth Year for me...” Draco murmured.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
laughed very softly. “You know, we both fixated on each other from
the moment we first met. Maybe this was the real reason all along.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Maybe...”
Draco agreed with a shrug. His gray eyes stared intently into Harry's
green ones. Harry shifted slightly to give Draco a clear invitation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just
two or three seconds after Draco entered Harry, they were both lost
in bliss again. They pressed their bodies together as much as
possible because both felt an all consuming need that they couldn't
quite explain. As before, their mouths made love every bit as much as
their bodies did.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
Ginny eventually squealed out her orgasm, they only looked at her for
a second, not stopping what they were doing. Luna and Ginny curled up
to watch them and possibly take a nap. This meant that the room was
fairly quiet again, but no one minded.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
the hell?! Why did you leave the door open?!” Ron demanded just as
Hermione gasped: “Oh my Gods!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before
Harry could stop kissing Draco long enough to say anything, Ginny
beat him to it. “If you were just going to get mad, why did you
come up here when it must have been obvious I was squealing from
orgasm?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">They
all looked over to see that Ron had a hand over his eyes and his head
turned away for good measure. Meanwhile, Hermione was leaning against
the door with an expression on her face that clearly announced the
fact that she dearly wished she had come home earlier, borrowed
Harry's invisibility cloak, and sat in a chair next to the bed. To
tell the truth, Ron would be a whole lot more interested in what he
had seen if his sister </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>and
Malfoy</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
weren't in the bed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Er,
well, the note said Luna was here, so that's who I thought I heard,”
Ron explained, still not looking at any of them. “I didn't mean to
look; I was just going to my room to change, but...” He shrugged.
The fact was clear that his room was across from Harry's and so
seeing something was unavoidable. Without another word, Ron walked
into his bedroom far enough that he couldn't see them anymore.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
was mildly freaked out that no one in this house seemed to care about
privacy. Harry simply stroked Draco's back as if reminding him that
they weren't done, but Draco couldn't stop from returning Hermione's
stare. When she didn't move, he got frustrated.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">See
something you like, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Granger</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?”
He asked with a soft growl, making her name sound like a mild curse.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
she stated with absolutely no shame or embarrassment. Draco sighed,
wondering if he had it in him to finish this with not just Ginny and
Luna, but Hermione watching him as well. Hermione sensed this and
gave him a soft smile. “You have to admit, seeing Harry Potter and
Draco Malfoy having sex is probably the hottest thing ever.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Right?!”
Ginny and Luna asked in agreement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
agree,” Harry murmured, forcing Draco to look at him so that he
could kiss him again.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Luna
made certain that Draco was not looking at her in the slightest
before subtly pointing at something. Both Ginny and Hermione grinned
as they saw a camera sitting on a dresser with a good view of
everything on the bed. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Yes!</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Ginny hissed as softly as possible while Hermione smirked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry,” Hermione assured Draco. “I'll leave and shut the door.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
you!” Draco cried out in relief even though Harry had actually made
him forget that she was still there.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Gin,
take off the spell! I want to feel him cum inside me as soon as
possible,” Harry announced rather suddenly in Draco's opinion.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sure
thing,” Ginny agreed with a yawn of orgasm-induced lethargy. She
grabbed her wand from where she had stashed it under a pillow
earlier, and removed the spell preventing Draco from finishing.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Want
me to remove the spell on you?” Luna asked with a soft purr.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
just yet,” Harry murmured, his hands rubbing Draco's back
encouragingly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not?” Draco wondered, thrusting into Harry so leisurely that he'd
be surprised if he finished any time soon. “I think it would be
perfect if we came together.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
chuckled a bit wryly. “That's just it, if she took the spell off
now, I'd probably cum this second!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Really?”
Draco asked with an intrigued grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Gods!
I've been hovering on the edge for over an hour!” Harry burst out.
He had been serious when he had warned Draco about the side effect of
the spell! Draco realized that this meant that Harry had been ready
to cum from practically the moment Draco had entered him the first
time.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
see,” Draco remarked with a pleased smirk. He shifted slightly so
that he was in the best position to really pound into Harry. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Their
sex was hot and heavy and sweaty in the best possible way. Even
though Harry wanted Draco to finish quickly and pump him full, it
took Draco a relatively long time to forget the many interruptions
and reach that point where climax was inevitable. This simply meant
that they were able to kiss until it felt like the whole world was
spinning.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now!”
Draco gasped out just as he felt like he was about to die from the
pleasure. Luna said nothing as she grabbed her wand and took the
spell off Harry.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Gods!” Harry cried out as he immediately arched his body into Draco
and squirted out a mess between them. Draco had a firm grip on
Harry's hips and was moaning repeatedly as he pumped Harry full.
Neither had an ounce of energy left to move with, so Draco had no
choice but to collapse on top of Harry as they recovered. Harry
didn't mind in the slightest, only moving enough to straighten out
his arms and legs a bit so that they were relatively comfortable.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Despite
this being the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>weirdest</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
sex I have ever had,” Draco muttered when his breathing had calmed
down a little. “That was...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Bloody
fantastic!” Harry agreed before Draco could even say it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
chuckled, wishing he had energy to kiss Harry again. “Yes.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm-hmm!”
Luna and Ginny both hummed in agreement, half asleep by this point.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Draco
sighed, trying his best to gather up some energy. “I should go.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Stay...”
Harry softly insisted as he drifted toward sleep.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
need to see my son,” Draco replied, trying to keep his voice low
and not bother anyone. “I don't see him often enough.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
understand,” Harry murmured. And he really did. In fact, he had no
idea how Draco could do what Ginny did; training and traveling around
the world for weeks at a time. “We should do this again sometime.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“</span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>All</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of this?” Draco asked, slightly incredulous.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
much as you want,” Harry stated with a shrug. “I'm sure neither
Ginny nor Luna would mind, and you'd probably arrive with Ginny
anyway.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm-hmm,”
both Ginny and Luna responded, but their tones implied that they were
too asleep to say anything more.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
so strange Potter!” Draco exclaimed with an amused shake of his
head. He then realized that he had the energy to move, so he kissed
Harry tenderly. “I'll see you again sometime... Harry...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Harry
grinned as if Christmas had arrived early and gave him exactly what
he wanted. “Can't wait, Draco,” he murmured before kissing Draco
once more.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a reluctant groan, Draco didn't even bother getting out of bed or
dressed. He also didn't bother summoning his clothes. All he did was
grab his wand, focus, and then apparate straight to his own bed where
he could rest for a few minutes before getting ready to play with his
son.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After
he left, Harry felt strangely sad. He stretched out, yawned, and then
curled up around Ginny and Luna. Just before he fell asleep, he
realized that Draco had basically agreed to do this again, and that
made him so happy that he literally purred. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Who
knew that my one time rival and enemy could turn into a friend and so
much more?!</i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
with that thought, the world felt like a wonderful place... Right up
until Hermione knocked on the door and announced that the kids were
back and dinner was ready. The three exhausted lovers all groaned and
rolled out of bed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004a4a;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Next
time, we should see if Molly will take the kids for an entire
weekend!” Harry suggested, but deep down, he knew he'd go crazy if
he didn't see them for that long. Even so, he couldn't help but
wonder what would happen if he and Draco had an entire weekend alone.
With a smirk, he decided that he wanted to find out sometime. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-41647512354118116432016-03-30T14:29:00.001-05:002016-03-30T14:29:17.021-05:00Amadea and the Divinity Blade - Chapter 33<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chapter 33</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> True to her word, Amadea soon knelt on a cushion before the shrine to the Gods in the Palace Temple. She took several long minutes to calm down and clear her mind. Then she stared at the statue of the Goddess she had always loved the most.<br /> She didn't realize that her companions had ultimately decided to follow her and now sat in benches just far enough back that they shouldn't disturb her. They had agreed that if she <i>did</i> receive any revelations from the Gods, they should be on hand to support her and help her come up with a plan.<br /> “Oh wise Goddess, please help me to understand my fate. I'm scared!” Her concentration wavered only slightly as a tiny sob escaped her with this confession.<br /> The statue that she stared at started glowing. A moment later, it transformed into a woman. However, unlike a real woman, she was clearly a ghost or other transparent being. She walked over to Amadea and knelt in from of her, stroking her cheek lovingly.<br />Amadea tilted her head in confusion. This woman looked remarkably like the painting hanging in her room.<br /> “Mama?” She whispered so softly that even she didn't hear it.<br /> “My darling daughter,” the woman murmured, trying to hug Amadea even though that was impossible. “It grieved me to no end to have to die while you were still so young!”<br /> Amadea tried to lean back so that she could look the ghost in the eyes. “I'm confused! Why are you here?!”<br /> Even though she was transparent, she tried to wipe a tear from her cheek. “I came in response to your summons. I want so badly to comfort you and answer all your questions, but I can't.”<br /> Amadea grunted in protest. “Why not?!”<br /> “Because...” She shook her head and spread her hands wide. “Even though I am a Goddess, I must not interfere in mortal lives.”<br /> Amadea gasped in sheer astonishment. She suddenly felt woozy and faint. Her body swayed, prompting the transparent Goddess to try to reach out and hold her.<br /> “What do you mean?!” Amadea cried out, practically leaping to her feet and taking a few steps back.<br /> “Amadea, please try to calm down,” her mother suggested in a soothing tone of voice.<br /> “Forget that!” Amadea roared as she paced the area before the statues of the Gods. “How can you expect me to be calm at a time like this?”<br /> “Amadea...” her mother hummed soothingly. “Your companions can see me, but they cannot hear me. However, they can hear you and they are very concerned. If you <i>don't</i> calm down, they may well interrupt our chat and drag you away.”<br /> “I don't care about them at the moment!” Amadea cried out, pointing in the direction she figured that her companions must be if they were watching her. “How dare you say all of that and then just expect me to act as if nothing happened?!”<br /> The Goddess sighed. “I'm so sorry, my beloved daughter... I don't really know what to do either. I just don't want to see you in so much pain.”<br /> “Then tell me what to do!” Amadea shouted emphatically. “Tell me what is going to happen and what I need to do to stop it!”<br /> “I already told you, I can't,” her mother stated, sounding grumpy.<br /> Amadea felt like all the energy in her body left her. She half collapsed as she dropped to her knees once more. She was silent for a full minute, but then she looked up at her mother with icy eyes.<br /> “You're lying... You said that you can't interfere in mortal affairs, but you and the other Gods interfere all the time. You give powers to certain people when they are born. You choose the Imperial Rulers. You talk to people like me and tell me to fight for justice. That's all I want to do! I want to fight, win, and then settle down and be a wife and mother. Why can't you just tell me what I need to do so that I don't die?!”<br /> The Goddess held out her hand so that a barrier formed between Amadea and her husband – who was rushing to pull her into his arms and comfort her.<br /> “I promise you that if I <i>could</i> tell you what was going to happen, I would,” she stated with a sigh. “But since I can't maybe this might bring you some small comfort... I was still a Goddess when I briefly took on a human form and married your father so that I could conceive you.”<br /> “See? <i>More</i> interference!” Amadea interrupted her with a grumble.<br /> Her mother sighed again, sounding like she was close to losing her patience. “I had to die not too long after you were born because my mortal body simply could not withstand my divine power for very much longer. Even so, when I married your father, it was binding for all of eternity, and so now he is here with me. We are both watching over you and will continue to do so.”<br /> Amadea sighed in relief. She had always trusted that the Gods took care of departed souls, but to have it confirmed felt like a great weight off her shoulders.<br /> “Father...” she whispered.<br /> “Neither of us wish to see you die, and for that very reason, I have given you all the gifts I can. Rather than mope and worry about what is to come, return to your husband's arms. Enjoy the clam while you can for the storm will be here soon enough.”<br />With that bit of advice, the Goddess vanished – the statue in its proper place once more.<br /> Amadea exhaled in disappointment and bent forward until her forehead was resting on the floor. Zephyr cautiously approached her, looking around at their companions as he did so. With a gentle touch, he placed a hand on her back.<br /> “Amadea?” He whispered, not sure whether he should leave her alone with her thoughts for a while or if he should gather her in his arms and carry her to their room to rest.<br /> “And this is exactly why I trust Abydos,” Amadea muttered in a whisper.<br /> “What?” Zephyr questioned, certain that he couldn't have heard that right.<br /> Amadea sat up to look at him with tears in her eyes – which was an event so rare that Zephyr couldn't recall ever seeing it before. “The Gods won't tell me anything about my fate that I don't already know. Her best advice was to just enjoy the quiet while I can!”<br /> Zira harrumphed. “Then <i>that</i> is exactly what you should do!”<br /> Both Amadea and Zephyr look at her in surprise for a moment. Slowly, a smile stretched Zephyr's lips.<br /> “I agree. Let's forget about the future for a while and just be here in the moment,” he suggested. Gathering his wife up, he carried her out of the temple.<br /> Amadea was too emotionally exhausted to protest and simply lay her head on his shoulder. As he walked, sleep and a sense of peace descended upon her.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> That night, Amadea woke up while it was still dark out. She looked over to her husband, but he was asleep. Happy for the moment, she stroked his face, kissed his lips, and then fiddled with his hair – which always managed to fascinate her. He still wouldn't let her help him trim his hair, but the metal wire-like hairs always stuck out from his head in crazy patterns that she just adored.<br /> “Don't do that, you'll wake him...” a voice stated so softly that it was almost a whisper. Neither noticed Zephyr open his eyes since he was facing away from them and Amadea now faced their visitor.<br /> “Abydos,” Amadea greeted him softly. She smiled because she was genuinely glad to see him. “Will you tell me anything more about what is going to happen?”<br /> “I'm not sure I should,” he replied with a frown. “If I do, you'll just worry when there's nothing you can do about it.”<br /> “But you know?” Amadea asked.<br /> “Some,” Abydos stated with a shrug.<br /> Amadea slipped from her bed and slowly wrapped her arms around him. She hugged him for a little less than half a minute before she pulled back and looked him in his nearly closed eyes.<br /> “Please?” She begged with a becoming pout. “I need to know.”<br /> Abydos sighed reluctantly. “Amadea...”<br /> “Both Zephyr and Zira tell me not to trust you, but I know that you are going to do everything in your power to help me because you want me alive. You <i>need</i> me alive!” Amadea grinned at him, certain that she was right.<br /> “That is true,” Abydos admitted, happy that she was still half hugging him. “I tell you what, I'll tell you <i>some</i> of what you need to know if you –” <br /> He didn't get a chance to finish because Amadea just knew that he was going to ask for another kiss. She decided to just get that over with right away. Once again, a flash of light told her that he had done something.<br /> He chuckled. “I see that I've become too predictable. In any case, a deal is a deal. Perhaps we should sit down for this. Would it be too much to ask you to sit on my lap?”<br /> Amadea sighed heavily. “If you promise not to molest me.”<br /> He chuckled again. “Killjoy! But fine, all I really want is to bask in your soothing energy.”<br /> They got comfortable in an over-sized armchair, Amadea sitting on his lap as he wanted. She snuggled into him, grateful that she was <i>finally</i> about to get some answers.<br /> “The lesser doorways were all a distraction – of a sort. Oh they also served another purpose, which was to feed the great doorway, but ultimately, they aren't important at all. The thing that you need to risk your life to stop is...”<br /> Amadea gasped in understanding. </span></span></span>Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-44732808338950407452016-03-28T20:10:00.001-05:002016-04-01T00:03:07.458-05:00Amadea and the Divinity Blade - Chapter 32<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">This is the next chapter in a story I started years ago and seemingly abandoned. If you haven't ever read the story, or did but for<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">got it, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2011/07/amadea-and-divinity-blade.html">here's a link to the beginning</a>, and <a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2011/12/amadea-and-divinity-blade-chapter-31.html">a link to the previous chapter</a> if you just want to remember the last thing that happened before this :-)</span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chapter 32</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Whatever Abydos had done to Amadea – twice – seemed to have no purpose other than to allow her to sense him. It took her almost no time to realize this considering that she never had any idea where he was before, but now she knew exactly where he was and literally felt him as he moved around. She was shocked to realize that he liked to watch them from just far enough away that Zephyr and Zira couldn’t sense him.<br /> Even more shocking was that she could now also sense the presence of a few other demons lurking nearby. They made Amadea feel queasy and apprehensive, but since they weren’t bothering anyone, she decided to ignore them… for now. There was too much to do now that all of the monsters for miles around had entered her trap.<br /> Amadea subtly tensed as she felt one of the demons come closer to her. In all the times a demon had ever attacked them in the past, they had always introduced themselves – in a manner of speaking – first, and then tried to kill them. There’s no question that a demon who didn’t warn them of an impending attack first would definitely be able to catch them unawares.<br /> Placing her fist against her palm, Amadea prepared to withdraw her Divinity Blade, but then she felt Abydos’ power flare for a moment, and suddenly the demon about to attack them was gone. Amadea suppressed a sigh of relief and relaxed.<br /> “Is something wrong?” Zira asked. Amadea was the only one just standing around doing nothing at the moment, and Zira couldn’t really do much of anything, so the ghost had decided to stay by the Empress’ side. It didn’t take long to figure out that Amadea was acting strangely.<br /> “I thought I sensed something, but it turns out that I was wrong,” Amadea replied with a shrug.<br /> As a ghost, Zira could usually sense things that most people couldn’t, so she focused on their surroundings. She thought there might be a demon or two nearby, but not close enough so be a threat. She shook her head dismissively.<br /> Amadea continued to focus on Abydos. She felt sick that he had made her promise to have his child someday, but she felt even more sick that without his help, all of her loved ones were going to die soon. There were far too many unanswered questions.<br /> A few days passed as they located and supported any survivors in the area, but finally, they ran out of things to do.<br /> “I keep expecting <i>something</i> to happen!” Boreus exclaimed.<br /> “Same here,” Zephyr muttered in agreement.<br /> Amadea heaved a deep sigh. She had been distracted by Abydos’ lurking, and hadn’t slept well as a result. <i>She</i> kept expecting him to just appear before them and openly join their group. That he didn’t made her jittery and nervous.<br /> She smiled at her husband. “I guess there’s nothing left to do. We should return to the Palace. If there’s something we missed, chances are it will have been reported there.”<br /> No one could argue with her logic, so they all nodded in agreement. No one said anything, but her jitteriness had spread, infecting them all. It almost felt like leaving this place would be admitting defeat, but there was nothing left to keep them here, especially since Amadea had officially dispelled her trap.<br /> With a feeling of heaviness, the group set off to the palace.</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Amadea stared off into the distance through the window. Even though they had been back in the palace for over a week with no reports of trouble, she just couldn't relax. It really didn't help that she could feel Abydos watching her from a distance – once again, just far enough away that no one else could sense him.<br /> “Cousin?” Lillian asked softly. “Is something wrong?”<br /> Amadea turned her attention to Lillian. “I'm sorry. What?”<br /> “Our advisers just finished outlining what I think might be a very beneficial plan,” Lillian explained, looking mostly like she was being patient, but a tiny hint of annoyance let everyone know that she wasn't.<br /> Zephyr nodded. “I also think that the plan could be beneficial to the people. Basically making sure that we are prepared for almost any kind of disaster or emergency.”<br /> Amadea took a moment to purposely smile at everyone in the room. “I'm grateful for all the work you've done on this. I agree with my husband and cousin. Feel free to enact this plan of yours.”<br /> “Thank you, Imperial Majesty!”<br /> “Is there anything else we need to discuss today?” Amadea asked.<br /> The advisers all looked at each other hesitantly. It was clear to all that the Empress wasn't actually paying attention, and so anything they brought up would just have to be brought up again later. Coming to a silent agreement, they all shook their heads.<br /> “No, Imperial Majesty.”<br /> Amadea sighed in relief. “Good, then this meeting is dismissed.” Even as she finished uttering the last word, she seemed to forget they were in the room and turned her head so that she could stare out the window again.<br /> <i> Just what are you doing out there, Abydos?</i><br /> He didn't answer, but she didn't really expect him to. If he was going to tell her anything else, he would have by now. Plus, she wasn't entirely certain he could hear her thoughts at all – let alone from the distance he was.<br /> “Amadea?” Zephyr murmured when he was more or less alone with her. Now that the advisers had left, it was only their traveling group, plus Lillian.<br /> “Hmm?” She murmured without looking in his direction.<br /> “Amadea,” Zephyr repeated, tapping on the table in front of her to get her attention. “What's wrong?”<br /> “There's more to come,” Amadea informed him, turning to look him in the eye. “Both the Gods <i>and</i> Abydos told me that there was something big coming my way, and yet I have no idea what it is. If I just knew something... <i>anything</i>! If I could see the enemy in front of me, I could fight it! But this...” She sighed in depression. “This is driving me crazy!”<br /> Zephyr wished he knew how to help his wife, but nothing he had tried during the last week seemed to make her feel better. He looked away from her with a feeling of guilt. It literally hurt his heart to know that he was powerless to help her.<br /> “Well...” Boreus broke the sudden silence. “How do you know that the big thing they were all talking about wasn't the lesser doorways?”<br /> “I told you, the Gods told me...” Amadea muttered softly, looking out the window again.<br /> Boreus shrugged. “I know that. They told you during your prophecy, but what I'm asking is how do you know that they weren't talking about what we've already done?”<br /> Amadea sighed, feeling both frustrated and aggravated by his question. She wasn't really paying attention to him because she was so focused on Abydos. Therefore, she answered him far more honestly than she would have otherwise.<br /> “Because when Abydos told me more about the prophecy, the Gods got mad at me for making a deal with him. They told me that my fate is still in front of me...”<br /> “What?!” Zira and Zephyr roared incredulously. “You made a deal with Abydos?!?!”<br /> “Uh-oh!” Amadea muttered guiltily as she turned to look at her husband but stopped before actually looking at him. Instead, she turned to Zira. The ghost was so obviously mad at Amadea that looking at her didn't help Amadea feel any better.<br /> “When was this?” Zephyr demanded angrily. “And what was the deal?”<br /> Amadea took a few deep breaths in an attempt to keep calm as she tried to decide how to answer this. “Well...” <br /> She abruptly stood up. “You know what? I just realized that I need to try to talk to the Gods again. I need them to tell me what is going to happen so that we can come up with a plan. If any of you need me, I'm going to be in the temple praying at the shrine.”<br /> She moved quickly to escape the room, but Zephyr was ever so slightly faster. He reached out and grabbed her arm.<br /> “Amadea...” he murmured, incredibly hurt that she avoided his questions.<br /> She still avoided his gaze, instead staring at the floor.<br /> “Please tell me,” he half begged in a soft voice.<br />Amadea sighed and decided to tell him the bare minimum. She looked him in the eyes so that he would know that what she did tell him was the truth. <br /> “After I sealed the last doorway and sent Zira to report back to you, Abydos came to me and told me that the prophecy predicted more than just my possible death. He offered to help me as best he can, and all he wanted in return was... another kiss...” She blushed and looked away. “After that, the Gods got mad at me because they believe – the same as you do – that he has done something nefarious with his kisses.”<br /> “And you don't?” Zephyr demanded incredulously. He was also angry that she had kissed the demon – a being he didn't trust in the slightest – again.<br />Amadea placed a hand on his face and stroked his cheek lovingly. She kissed him to reassure him that she loved him more than anyone and always would. Then she gave him a sad yet brave smile.<br /> “I trust Abydos,” she said.<br /> “So did I!” Zira cried out emphatically. “Sort of. In any case, he abandoned me at the crucial moment, and he'll abandon you too!”<br /> “Exactly,” Zephyr stated in agreement.<br /> Amadea bit her lip in thought. Then she shook her head. “I really don't think the same situation will apply. Abydos will fulfill his vow to help me. I'm sure of it.”<br /> Zephyr growled in frustration, tempted to pull his hair out.<br /> “Now – as I said – I'm going to go pray,” Amadea reiterated, pulling free from his grasp so that she could leave. Just outside the conference room, she leaned against the wall and sighed.<br /> <i> That was close!</i> Until it was certain that she and everyone else would live through the upcoming ordeal, she had no good reason to tell Zephyr the rest of it. Most of all, she really didn't want them all to know that the Gods would rather have them die than have her do what she agreed to.<br /> With a deep breath to steady her nerves, she picked herself off the wall and finished walking toward the temple.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/03/amadea-and-divinity-blade-chapter-33.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Go To <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next Chapter</span></span></a> </span></span></span>Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-44983827867264286702016-03-26T19:03:00.001-05:002016-03-26T19:03:29.933-05:00In a Hotel Hot Tub
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I found myself
in a strange situation. I'd had an unexpected windfall, and so for my
birthday, I posted on the various groups I'm part of that I was going
to rent a hotel room with a hot tub, and anyone who wanted to come
play with me could. I'd splurged too and got a room with a tub big
enough to fit 10-12 people. I figured that if reality proved that it
would be me all alone in the tub, I'd still have fun, so I figured
<i>why not?</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
I warned everyone that it would be a potluck and a BYOB because after
paying for the room, I didn't have any money left for snacks. But I
knew from previous parties I'd gone to that the members of my kinky
groups were pretty good about bringing supplies. Thus, I got to the
hotel room and waited to see who would show up.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
At first, no one did. I started to think that no one would, but that
wasn't all bad. I'd still have a quite night all to myself in a hot
tub. And then my first guest arrived.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
After that, it seemed like someone showed up every five minutes –
give or take – for over an hour. At some point, we all got
undressed and slipped into the hot tub. Which brings me to the
strange thing...</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
Without any sort of planning at all, I found that I was now naked in
a hot tub with 8 men who were all submissives. This meant that I was
the sole Domme with 8 subs at my command! I had never even dreamed of
such a possibility!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
This looked like it was going to be the best birthday ever!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You!
Rub my foot. And you, rub my other foot,” I commanded, stretching
out in the tub for them to do so. The rest of them all took this as
an order too and each claimed a part of my body to rub. I was
supported on a lap as every hand rubbed, fondled, or groped me. I
especially loved them massaging my large breasts. It was so erotic
that I nearly orgasmed right then and there! But I held back. For
one, it's actually not that easy for me to go off. I am definitely a
tough nut to crack.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
For at least two hours, I was massaged and licked until I screamed
with orgasm so much my throat was actually a bit raw. By this time,
we'd moved to a comfortable arm chair, and I practically melted into
it as I tried to catch my breath.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
One of my good friends got on his knees before me, looked up at me
with his amazing blue eyes, and then grabbed my hand so that he could
kiss it. “And what about that thing we talked about, Mistress?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm...”
I hummed in speculation. “I don't know...”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Please?!”
He begged, lightly brushing away a strand of hair that had plastered
itself to my face.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
I sighed, not having the heart to deny him. But the decision wasn't
entirely up to me. I looked around the room curiously at all the
handsome naked men of all shapes and sizes. They were watching me
with happy grins.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">How
good are you all? Will you do anything I command?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
Mistress!” Half of them replied while the other half assured me:
“Of course!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Even
if I order you to tie him up, spank him, and then take turns doing
him up the ass?” I asked with clear challenge in my voice.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
An excited look circled the room as they all looked at first me, then
each other, and then my kneeling sub. “Yes Mistress.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
was actually a bit surprised at that. I had no idea that all my subs
were this sexually flexible. I thought that surely </span><i>some</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
of them were completely straight!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes!”
My favorite sub hissed softly in triumph. He pointed at a bag over in
the corner. “I came prepared... just in case!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
I looked around the room once more, and then smirked. “You, get the
bag. You, subdue him. You, clear off that table.” I called out
orders, pointing to my subs so they'd know who I was talking to.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
Mistress!” They each cried out in happy compliance.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
The men all worked together to rapidly clear off the table, basically
tossing the copious alcohol and bags of junk food on the floor under
it. Two men hauled my favorite sub over to the table like he was a
prisoner and they were police officers. They forced him to bend over
the table face down. His head was turned so that his left cheek
rested on the table, thus I knew that he could breathe.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
I felt a little sorry for him because they were being rough, but I
could tell by the tiny smile on his face that he was loving every
second of it. His hands were forced behind his back and the sub with
the bag handed a pair of handcuffs over to the two “policemen.”
The cuffs were quickly placed on his wrists as his gorgeous blue eyes
stared at me.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
He was just tall enough that his legs bent a little as they dangled
off the table, which looked uncomfortable. A pair of subs fixed this
by spreading his legs fairly widely, and then tying his ankles to the
legs of the table. He was well and truly helpless at this point.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
I stared him in the eyes until he nodded at me almost imperceptibly.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Very
good,” I praised my subs, who all stood ready and waiting to see
what I'd order them to do next. “Who wants to whip him?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
do!” The sub holding the bag of toys volunteered with a grin. He
selected a multi-tailed leather whip – called a flogger I believe –
and then tossed the bag aside. Another sub bent over to pull what
looked like a ping pong paddle out of the bag and hold it at the
ready.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You!
Get me a drink!” I pointed at the sub closest to the bottle of my
favorite wine.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
Mistress!” He cried out obediently. A moment later, he was handing
me a glass of the delicious wine.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You
may begin,” I granted permission after I'd sipped from my wine and
sighed in pleasure.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
the two subs took turns whacking my favorite sub, he responded by
gasping and moaning in pleasure. I looked around at the rest of the
subs and realized that they all looked excited – like they couldn't
wait for their turn. Oh man! This might well be a </span><i>very</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
long night!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You!”
I pointed to one of the two who I'd thought of as police officers.
“Doesn't he look like he needs you to shove your dick in his
mouth?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
he does!” The pretend officer agreed. He then stroked my favorite
sub's red hair as he prepared himself. A moment later, he was sliding
his long and thin shaft into my sub's eagerly open mouth.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
My groin started tingling noticeably at this turn of events. I had to
grab a towel from the table next to me and shove it under my butt
before I got the chair all wet! I moaned in longing.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You!
I need your tongue to dance on my clit!” I commanded, pointing at a
tall man with a bald head and seriously sexy tattoos sprinkled all
over his body.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
Mistress,” he murmured with an eager grin.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
A few minutes passed in glorious near silence as I was not the only
one moaning in pleasure. The man in my sub's mouth looked over at me
curiously. “Am I allowed to cum inside his mouth?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
This was an important question because of safe sex practices.
Everyone in the kink groups were dedicated to making sure they were
tested regularly and also to declining parties until they knew they
were safe. Even so, this really wasn't up to me.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Hey
there love, do</span><i> you</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
want them to cum inside you?” I asked my favorite sub. The man in
his mouth graciously let him speak.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
please! I love it!” My favorite sub exclaimed. “Pump me full
until I am overflowing!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Well
there you have it!” I exclaimed with a grin. “Feel free to make
him swallow every drop!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
Ma'am!” The “officer” drawled eagerly. A few moments later, he
was back in my favorite sub's mouth, and apparently still just about
ready to shoot. I felt an unexpected thrill as I watched my sub
swallow repeatedly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
Now that he was finished, I ordered the “officer” to replace my
sexy bald man so that my sexy bald man could have his dick sucked on
too. I also gave permission for the sub holding the paddle to enter
my favorite sub's ass. He did so with a grunt of satisfaction.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
Watching as all of the men in the room took turns using my favorite
sub was quite possibly the most erotic thing I have ever done! They
also took turns whipping each other as they rode his ass. In between
turns, they'd tongue my clit and/or massage me again.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
By the end of the night, I couldn't walk! But neither could my
favorite sub. We were both carried to bed and snuggled up to each
other. He pierced me with his gorgeous blue eyes.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Did
I please you, Mistress?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
I purred happily, petting his head. “Yes, you were a very good
submissive.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
He grinned at me for a moment before sheer exhaustion set in and we
both fell asleep.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-70268002164770058042016-03-26T14:18:00.001-05:002016-03-26T14:18:20.415-05:00Erotic Short Story - Girl's Night Out
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We were having a
girl's night out and I was having a blast! Getting drunk, playing
cards, and laughing our asses off was probably the most fun I'd had
in a long time. Suddenly, the laughter stopped and one of my friends
burst out in frustration.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“I need a smoke!”
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't smoke
because the smell of it gave me headaches bordering on migraines. I
was also the only one who didn't smoke and they had all been
abstaining out of respect for me.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Do you mind if
we take a break?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“We can go
outside so we don't bother you.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I shrugged. “I
don't mind. I can maybe take a shower or something.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They all gushed
their thanks and hugged me before piling out of the room. I knew from
experience that it would take them at least 20 minutes. Looking down,
I realized that I was still wearing only my bathing suit and a sarong
from when we'd gone swimming in the hotel pool an hour or so ago.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Come to think of
it, while we'd been in the pool, I'd met a few couples who told me
that they were having a sex party tonight. I'd been invited to join,
but originally declined because the rest of my friends were not into
swinging, nor did they have open relationships.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well I have some
free time now, so why not?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I left the room and
walked down the hall to the room number they'd given me in case I
changed my mind. I love sex parties and more than half wished that my
husband was here with me. It'd been a while since we last attended a
party, and he needed it every bit as much as I do. I knocked on the
door.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Hello?” A
woman asked cautiously.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I grinned at her.
“I was invited by a few couples to come play.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Oh! In that
case, come on in!” She invited with a grin, stepping back so I
could enter the room. I looked around with a grin. It looked like the
party was definitely in full swing! The room was actually a suite,
and so there was a surprising amount of space for the many couples to
play.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now wet in
anticipation, I decided to hop in the shower to rinse off first. I
didn't want to ruin the experience by tasting like chlorine after
all. After my rinse, I left my clothes in the bathroom and enjoyed
being naked as I walked back into the room.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“You there!” I
pointed to a man with a short and well-groomed beard and a devilish
grin. “You look like you know how to suck a clit, so come here!”
I was on a bit of a time limit after all, no sense it wasting a
second!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He grinned and
settled himself between my legs with a soft chuckle. “Yes ma'am!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I spread my legs
and used his head to steady myself as his tongue quickly made me legs
tremble. I threw my head back and cried out from the pleasure. This
really was one of my favorite things!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A tall and thick
man laughed and tossed a Hershey's Kiss at me to get my attention. I
am not sure how, but I managed to catch it. I looked over at him
sitting in an arm chair curiously.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Look, there's an
anxiously waiting dick here for you to sit on while he does that,”
he pointed out as he rolled a condom onto his shaft.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“So there is,”
I replied a bit lamely, but I was having fun anyway. I took the hand
of the man who was currently eating me and led him toward the chair.
A moment later, I faced away from the man on the chair as I settled
on his lap – taking his dick inside me as smoothly as possible. It
took a bit of awkward shifting, but soon I was reclining my softly
chubby body against him with handsome beard working my clit with his
tongue once more.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Oh Gods!” I
cried out happily. Between the two of them, I was very quickly on the
edge of a glorious orgasm. My breath caught in my throat as I pushed
against the head between my legs. A squeal let him know that I was in
the midst of a strong orgasm and needed him to stop for a moment.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The man under me
murmured in my ear. “Do you mind if I move to your ass?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Why not?” I
asked breathlessly. I had already seen that he was on the thinner
side and shouldn't hurt. He used plenty of lubrication as he worked
himself into my anal cavity. I gasped in surprise at how good it
felt. Normally I only mildly like anal, but at the moment, it felt
incredible.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“I guess that
leaves you free for me,” handsome beard informed me with a grin. He
placed a condom on his long and wide shaft, and then leaned over us
so that he could shove himself inside me.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was rough in the
best possible way. He managed to hit a spot that very rarely got
stimulated. He also had a ring around his cock that had a squishy,
jell-like bulb on it that bumped into my clitoris in a completely
unexpected way.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Holy fuck!” I
cried out. This was a new experience for me for so many reasons. I'd
never had a dick in both entrances before, and I'd never had anybody
use that ring thing on me either. This was surprisingly awesome!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The man under me
grabbed onto my tits to help give himself leverage as he thrust up
into me. I responded by lacing my fingers together and resting my
hands behind his head. At the same time, the handsome bearded man
held onto my hips as he also pounded into me – the best he could
considering the angel we were at.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I dimply heard a
knock on the door. The same woman – who was volunteering for door
duty because she'd already had so much fun that she could barely walk
– opened the door. I wasn't really paying any attention to her, but
even so, I heard my friends say: “We're looking for our friend...”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Hey, is anyone
here named,” she called out my name, which sent a small electric
thrill through my body.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Yes!!!” I
squealed out. My squeal was long and keening, ending with: “Oh my
fucking Gods Yes!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The woman at the
door laughed. “I think that might be her!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My friends were
probably red in the face at the sight of me, especially since I was
actually rather close to the door and fully visible.
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Two minutes!”
I gasped and panted as I held up two fingers, not caring if they
stayed to wait for me, or left to wait back in our hotel room.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The two guys in me
each grunted and roared in triumph as they reached their climax too.
The handsome bearded one ground into me in a way that set me off like
never before and I clutched his shoulders and screamed as I gushed
all over the place. After that, I practically melted onto the man
under me, who was still mashing my tits in his palms a bit
rhythmically.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A minute or so
later, I stopped shaking quite so much, and tried my best to stand up
and walk to the bathroom. As I suspected, my friends had left. Taking
only a few moments to wipe up the excess fluid, I put my bathing suit
back on and chuckled as I realized that I smelled strongly of sex.
After tying my sarong around my waist, I kissed my lovers goodbye –
as well as a few people who had watched the show and wanted to grope
me – and then returned to the party I was actually here to attend.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I stumbled quite
drunkenly as I walked down the hall, and when I got to the room I was
sharing with my friends, I practically fell into a chair.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“So...” my best
friend began with a soft smile and a shake of her head. “I hear you
had fun.”
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Yes!” I
blurted out dreamily. “Hang on a minute,” I stated as I grabbed
my cellphone from the side table next to me. I promptly dialed my
husband.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He answered
curiously, not expecting me to call him at all tonight. “Hello?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Honey, you'll
never guess! I squirted for the first time ever tonight!” I
announced with a proud grin.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“That's awesome!”
He congratulated me. “How did that happen?” He must be dying of
curiosity because none of my friends were into women. Even so,
picturing me with any of my friends was probably going to keep him
awake and playing with himself all night.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“There's a sex
party down the hall and I was invited and I went and there were these
two guys and they did me together and it was so fucking hot that I
just went sploosh all over the place!” I explained in an excited
rush.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Whoa!” One of
my friends blurted out incredulously. “She literally just told all
of that to her <i>husband</i><span style="font-style: normal;">!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Right?!”
Another agreed. “If I said that to my hubby – even as a joke –
he'd frickin' </span><i>kill</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
me!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
laughed. “Anyway, I'll talk to you later, love you!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Love
you too,” he replied just before we hung up. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
then grinned at my friends. “My hubby and I just love to have
sexual adventures and tell each other about them. You have no idea
how hot is is to turn each other on like that until we just tear each
other's clothes off!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm...”
my most conservative friend hummed in disapproval. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
purposely pretended like she was congratulating me instead and
grinned at her sweetly. “I should totally go back a little later on
and see if anyone else wants to play.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
best friend tossed a pillow at me in mock offense. “I </span><i>told
</i><span style="font-style: normal;">you! You're not allowed to play
around since I can't!” </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
laughed and smiled at her softly. “Okay, since you're the most
important person in the world to me, I'll refrain from playing around
and focus all my attention on you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
shook her head at the way I made that sound a bit flirty, and then
smirked. “Good!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
with that, our girl's night out party resumed as if it had never
stopped. We had so much fun making each other laugh that I honestly
didn't care that I never did get a chance to go back to the sex
party. Even so, occasionally I'd get a dreamy look on my face and my
best friend would have to throw a pillow at me again to bring me back
to reality. With a laugh, I shook my head. Man I love this girl!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-91415389698402152582016-03-22T04:16:00.002-05:002016-03-22T18:15:53.095-05:00Another Very Short Erotic Story<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">This one is the direct sequel to the <a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/03/an-erotic-short-story-sequel.html">two I posted earlier today</a>. Enjoy! :-D</span> </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">So after a good three days in which I had far
more sex than I thought possible, I had to crawl out of bed and get
something to eat before I starved! Well... so maybe that's being a
tad dramatic, but it seriously felt like I hadn't eaten near enough
to refuel the vast amount of energy I'd spent. Rand and his wife
Kayla had a voracious appetite when it came to sex. The kinkier, the
better!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"> Kayla hummed as she thoroughly annoyed the
cook by insisting on making her own breakfast. It was a simple plate
of fried eggs and bacon, but clearly the cook resented having her
kitchen invaded by the Lady of the house.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Oh, go back to bed and do what you're good
at!” The cook growled at Kayla, shocking me that a mere servant
dared to speak to her mistress that way.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Kayla smirked at the cook. “Hush you, or I'll
tie you up and do what I'm <i>really</i> good at!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">The cook blushed and looked away. “Not now...
I have far too much to do at the moment...”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">The two of them got close enough to kiss, but
before they could, the bacon and eggs spit hot grease at them. The
cook clucked in dismay, and then made sure to dish everyone up before
the grease could somehow start the kitchen on fire.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I stared at them curiously as I ate my food,
dying to know if they'd ever actually had sex, or if they were just
playing it up for me. After breakfast, I went to the barn so that I
could wash up and get ready to go. If I dared to use the lush
bathhouse, I'm almost certain that Kayla or Rand would find me and
delay my departure for another couple of days. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, I was having enough fun
that it would be nice to stay a few more days, but if I stayed too
long, I'm almost certain that my father would catch wind of my stay
here, and then I'd be at risk of being disinherited. Before I knew
that there was bad history between my father and Lord Rand, I was
fine, but my father would expect me to leave and forever after avoid
this place now that I knew that the Lord of Ashcroft was definitely a
scoundrel of the worst sort.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">My ingrained sense of duty fought with the
sheer pleasure I'd had while here. If I thought I could get away with
it, I'd come spend <i>every</i> summer here! </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I didn't notice it, but not too long after I'd
stripped to wash up from a trough of clean water in the stables,
Kayla arrived and silently gestured an order for everyone to leave us
alone. The servants here well knew that their Lord and Lady were
perverted, and when they weren't in the mood to watch the perversion,
they gave the couple a wide berth. So it was that I found myself
naked and alone with Kayla.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“By the Gods! Again?!” I asked
incredulously when I saw her gazing at my body lustily.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Mmmhmm...” she purred, her hands now
roaming my body without any shame whatsoever. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“But we literally fucked for an hour before
getting up for breakfast!” I protested in amusement. “Surely I'll
need a bit more time to recover!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Mmm...” she hummed in thought. “Perhaps
you are right.” She stroked my body in a way that powerfully
tempted me to prove myself wrong. As she did this, I was distracted
enough that I didn't noticed her grab a bit of rope until she started
binding my hands together.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Wait, what are you doing?” I wondered
apprehensively. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Shh...” she whispered softly, putting a
finger to my lips for barely a second before resuming her task.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">After tying my hands together in a way that was
surprisingly secure – and yet didn't feel like my hands were being
harmed from lack of circulation – she tucked my hands behind my
head. I wiggled my fingers experimentally as I wondered why I let her
do that. I should have pulled away from her and told her no!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">But my mind had been too busy wondering what
she planned to do next, sigh...</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“My husband was looking for this, not
realizing that I'd hid it out here to surprise him with...” Kayla
informed me, holding up a strange leather harness. It really didn't
look it would fit a horse, but I couldn't imagine what else it would
be used for. “It's adjustable, so it should fit...”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I watched in surprise as Kayla opened all the
buckles and then put the harness on me. I couldn't help but smirk in
amusement. “This doesn't provide any covering at all...”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“It's not supposed to,” she assured me with
a grin, kissing me briefly before finishing her task. “Lean over
that bale please.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Uh...” I murmured in hesitation, not
liking the thought of my face being scratched by the straw. Kayla
didn't wait for me to comply though. She simply grabbed me and forced
me to bend over the two bales that were stacked up – a good three
feet off the ground. This meant that I wasn't bent too awkwardly, but
also wasn't all that comfortable either.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Good,” Kayla praised. She took a moment to
grab something, and then started caressing my buttocks.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“What are you doing?” I asked her,
wondering how she had managed to make it so that my hands stayed
tucked behind my head so firmly. She didn't answer, and then I felt
something pushing against my anus. “Wait, whoa, what are you
doing?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Shh...” she hushed me. “Don't resist and
this won't hurt at all.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Wait!” I cried out a bit panicked. But she
didn't wait. Using some sort of lubrication that felt cold, she
worked something into me that I couldn't quite see as I turned my
head and tried to look. But from what I could see, it looked like
some sort of tail!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I felt her work the smoothly polished wooden
handle – as far as I could tell – into my anus until it was
buried deep. To my horror and shame, it felt amazingly good! I moaned
in pleasure even as I wondered what I could say to make her stop and
remove that.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“There, now you'll grow accustomed to that
for a bit,” she informed me with a smile. A moment later, she
helped me stand back up.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Why did you do that?” I wondered, torn
between wiggling my gluteus muscles in an attempt to push it out and
staying perfectly still so that it would stop feeling weird.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">She laughed softly and shook her head. “You'll
thank me later!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">After that, she fastened a leash to the part of
the harness that formed a collar at my neck, and tugged until I had
no choice but to follow her as she walked around. My butt felt so
weird and yet so good at the same time! When I didn't follow her fast
enough, she took hold of a riding crop and tapped my ass with it.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Ah!” I gasped in shock.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Prance, pretty boy!” She commanded
imperiously.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“I didn't agree to any of this!” I
protested.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">She responded by tapping my ass with the crop
again. “I said prance!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">With my hands tied like this, I have no idea
how I'd be able to stop her. And simply refusing to walk around
didn't seem like a good idea because she would keep on whipping me.
With a sigh of frustration, I decided to just do as I was told.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Prancing around the stables felt strangely
erotic! I both liked and hated the thing in my ass. On the one hand,
it was definitely making me horny, but on the other, it hurt just a
little. Even worse than that, I'd swear that my horse was watching
this scene and laughing at me!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">My embarrassment increased about a hundredfold
when Rand joined us and leered at me with a huge grin. “Looks like
things are going quite interestingly in here!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Oh Gods! I think I'm going to make a nasty
mess!” I announced – feeling both embarrassed <i>and</i> panicked
at this point. If I could, I'd crawl in a hole and die! </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Kayla quickly led me to a clean stall filled
with straw, and then removed the tail. After she did, I could see
that it really was some sort of smooth wood – shaped a bit like a
penis! – with hair (probably horse hair) dangling from it. She
closed the stall door to give me a bit of privacy, which made me
wonder exactly how she planned this to work with my hands <i>still</i>
behind my head.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">When I was finished, I stood back up and looked
warily over to where Kayla and Rand were staring at each other. Once
again, their look was almost enough to set the entire place on fire.
A large part of me wanted to sneak away before they remembered that I
existed, but then I'd have the dilemma of how do I escape my bondage
and put clothes on?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">With a smirk, Kayla helped me out of the stall
and led me back over to that short stack of straw bales. Once again,
she didn't give me a choice but simply bent me over them. This time,
I didn't resist because I really thought that she was going to let me
rest as she unfastened the harness and the rope around my wrists.
Little did I know...</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Rand came up behind me and massaged my buttocks
as Kayla got comfortable in front of me – reclining on another
short stack of bales – and forcefully shoved my face into her
womanhood.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Wait!” I cried out again before I was
muffled by Kayla.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Lick me so good that I damn near pass out
from the pleasure!” She commanded.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I could feel Rand putting more of that cold,
oily lubrication on my anus. Without looking, I just <i>knew</i> what
he planned to do next. I took a very deep breath and held it for a
moment before relaxing.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Fine,” I murmured into Kayla's mound
before doing as she told me to. I can't say that this would have been
my first choice, but I also can't say that I was opposed to the idea
either. To tell the truth, if they had just explained all of this to
me and given me a few minutes to get used to the idea, I would have
probably agreed to try it. Maybe.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">With another deep breath, I tried my best to
concentrate on Kayla as I felt Rand push into me. His shaft was
bigger than mine, so I was prepared for it to hurt quite a bit. To my
surprise, he didn't feel too much bigger than the thing that had so
recently been inside me. Apparently Kayla had been right when she
said that I'd thank her later!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Rand clearly had fun as he had his way with me,
but what shocked me the most were the copious moans of pleasure
coming from my own mouth. I was having a hard time focusing on Kayla
because this felt so good! Thankfully, Kayla was using her fingers to
help me get her off.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Gods... Oh Gods... Oh my fucking Gods! This
felt so damn incredible! My whole body was shaking from the pleasure.
Eons passed in this mind blowing bliss before first Kayla squirted
her orgasm into my mouth. This then seemed to trigger my own climax
because even as I tried to drink it all up, I felt like the whole
world was spinning. I think I even squealed a bit!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Rand grunted from definite enjoyment, his
movements getting faster and faster until I could feel a pulsing that
filled me up. We all seemed to pant heavily for a few minutes.
Suddenly, Rand chuckled.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“I say we give him a few minutes to rest, and
then we string him up and start on the next part of his training,”
Rand suggested.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“That sounds like a brilliant idea!” Kayla
agreed, kissing him.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I was still far too gone to fully comprehend
this. What training? What do they mean string me up? I couldn't
understand them at the moment. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">By the end of that long and exhausting day, I
knew <i>exactly</i> what they were talking about, and if I hadn't
found my own personal heaven at least a half dozen times that day, I
think I'd have felt quite abused. As it was, it was a good month
before I thought to crawl out of their bed again and try to leave...</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-9164282941301839242016-03-21T20:16:00.001-05:002016-03-22T18:15:21.743-05:00An Erotic Short Story - Sequel<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">If you didn't already read it, this story is what happens directly after <a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/03/a-super-short-erotic-story.html">the one I posted earlier today</a> :-)</span> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Was
it all just a dream? I mean what are the chances that a woman would
</span></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><i>actually</i></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
have sex with a complete stranger, and then just walk away? Without
saying a word!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">My horse whinnied as if laughing at me. With a
sigh of frustration, I cast all thoughts of the woman aside and
gathered my clothes up so I could get dressed. I needed to get a move
on it if I wanted to find something to eat before night fell.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">As a traveler, I had started out with full
pockets and a devil may care attitude, but the longer it took to
reach my destination, the less fun it was to keep going. Why oh why
did my father feel that wandering the Kingdom for a year made for a
better – more compassionate – Lord? I shuddered to think of how I
was going to survive the winter!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Maybe if I was lucky, I could find some place
to work for a while to build up my finances again. Then I could
possibly afford to spend the winter in a nice cozy inn before
returning home and claiming that I'd done exactly as expected. It's
not like my father would know the difference... unless he was spying
on me... I would not put it past him.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
got back on my horse, left the clearing, and resumed my journey.
Biting my lip in thought, I stared over my shoulder in the direction
of the secluded pond. I'd had plenty of warm and willing women in my
bed before, but never in my life had I ever </span></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><i>dreamed</i></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that one would just walk up and take a ride as casually as if she was
shaking my hand in greeting. I really think I must have dreamt the
whole thing...</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">The dirt road I was following continued until I
saw a sign that informed me that it was likely a full day before I
got to the next town, but that the local Lord lived off the right
hand fork in the road. With a sigh, I figured that I might have an
easier time if I stopped in for a visit. After all, chances were good
that I had met the Lord at some point during a visit to the Palace. A
good 90 percent of the nobility attended the yearly summer fire
festival that marked the first of the harvest rites. My father –
who was sort of a kiss ass when it came to ingratiating himself with
the King – had made sure that I hobnobbed with all the best Lords;
in his opinion.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">It took surprisingly longer than I would have
thought, but eventually, I arrived in the main courtyard of the local
Lord's sprawling manor. A look around made me shake my head in
amusement as I realized that I had basically traveled in one big
circle that nearly brought me back to the pond I had started at. I
mean I couldn't even see it from here, but if my sense of direction
was right, then it had to be right over there, about a 15 minute walk
from here.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">The Lord emerged from his manor with a frown.
He was clearly lost in thought, and walked toward the stables,
muttering under his breath. I wondered if he was planning to go
somewhere.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
don't </span></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><i>think</i></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I left that harness in the stables,” he murmured just barely
audibly. “I was sure it was in my bedroom somewhere...”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I scratched my head and wondered why he would
have a harness in his bedroom, but then I shrugged it off, figuring
that maybe he was repairing it or something. My horse whinnied
impatiently, calling his attention to me. He stopped short and
studied me with a thoughtful expression.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You
there, my good man!” He called out. “You look like a traveler in
need of a place to stay for the night. If you'd be willing to do me a
favor, I'd be happy to let you stay here. Maybe even for a couple of
days!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I grinned, extremely happy to hear that. “Name
it! If it's something I can do, I'd be glad to help you out.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">He chuckled a bit wryly. “Oh... I'm certain
that unless you have suffered an unspeakable tragedy, you'll be more
than capable of this. Come on, I'll show you what I need done.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I followed him curiously, relieved when a boy
ran out of the stables to take charge of my horse now that I had
abandoned him.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
Barrett, the only son of Earl and Countess Blackwood,” I
introduced. Strangely, this might be one of the very few Lords I
hadn't already met.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
try not to hold that against you!” He stated with a hearty laugh as
he pounded me on the back a couple times. “Earl Blackwood once
accused me of being the worst kind of scoundrel to walk the Earth,
and since I roared out that he was brown noser with a stick up his
ass before I could think to stop myself, I was more or less
disinvited from the palace for the foreseeable future.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
could not help but roar with laughter at that. Just picturing the
look on my father's face during the argument was enough to make me
hold my sides and howl. Gods! I </span></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><i>wish</i></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I had seen that in person!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Ha!
I </span></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><i>knew</i></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
there was a reason to like you!” He informed me with an approving
grin. “I'm Rand, Lord of Ashcroft. I'm only a Lord – not a Count
or Earl or anything like that – so I guess that in the grand scheme
of things, I'm barely considered better than a commoner. But just
look! My estate is a rich little jewel in the middle of nowhere. A
hidden paradise – if you will.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I nodded in agreement. “So... what's this
favor you need me to do?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Punish
my wife,” he stated with a grin. “She hasn't been naughty </span></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><i>at
all</i></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
in days, and so I need to remind her just exactly how I expect her to
behave.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,
what?” I asked incredulously, certain that I couldn't have heard
that right.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Your
straight laced father called me a scoundrel, right? Well he was
absolutely correct. Come, I'll show you!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I didn't really have an option to refuse at
this point because we had actually arrived in front of a door that he
now opened to reveal a woman tied to herself in an uncomfortable
manner on display on the Lord's massive bed. I was beyond shocked to
recognize the woman who had dallied with me just an hour ago!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You're
in luck – my love!” Rand called out to her joyously. “Rather
than put you in a harness and encourage you with a crop, I've met a
stranger to run his hands all over your body until you squirm and
squeal!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">She had a gag in her mouth, but even so, I saw
her gasp in excitement and try to roll over so that she could get a
better look at me. Her husband grabbed onto one of the ropes wound
around her chest and pulled on her until she had no choice but to
kneel, despite her bondage.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
going to ungag you, and then I'm going to sit back and watch as this
man thoroughly has his way with you. When and only when I feel you've
been punished enough, will I consider untying you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I was seriously shocked by this conversation!
What the hell is going on here?!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">The gag came out of her mouth, but rather than
protest – as I expected – the woman pouted. “But baby, you know
how much I love to be tied up! Why would you want to untie me before
you've had a chance to use me yourself?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Her husband laughed wryly. “See? This is what
I mean! You want to be punished, but you never do anything naughty
enough to deserve it!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">So...
I should fuck a stranger? Will that earn me a punishment?” She
asked with a devious grin.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
I suppose that depends on how naughty you are while you do it,”
Rand answered with a shrug. He stroked her cheek until he shoved his
fingers in her mouth. “You should use that talented mouth of yours
on him until he makes your cheeks puff out like a squirrel. And then
you should let him bury your face into the bed while he roughs up
your ass!” He emphasized this with a sharp smack to her left
“cheek.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
my Gods!” I roared in astonishment. “Are you serious?!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">The Lord and his wife were staring at each
other with a look that seemed to set the whole room on fire, but then
they turned to cast that smoldering look in my direction. Rand leered
at me, making me feel strangely hot even as I shifted uncomfortably.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
need you to fuck my wife in every way imaginable,” he told me with
a grin. “I need her to end up so covered in your spunk that she
could be considered deserving of punishment for months to come.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">But!
But!” I protested in shock. </span></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><i>No
wonder</i></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
my father called him the worst sort of scoundrel imaginable!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Stop
wasting time and shove it in my mouth already!” The wife cried out,
still being held up by her husband – who looked strong enough that
her fairly average weight didn't bother him in the slightest. “Show
me what a </span></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><i>real</i></span><span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
man is like! Fuck me so hard that I bleed!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I honestly didn't know what to do! It seemed
like I was inextricably caught up in this bizarre foreplay. I
mentally debated walking away, but two things stopped me. One: I had
already had sex with this woman, and Two: I was seriously hard and
ready to go – inexplicably turned on by this strange and unexpected
turn of events.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“You heard her,” Rand stated – still
grinning. He let his wife fall back onto the bed, helpless to stop
herself, and then stepped over to a chair next to the bed and got
comfortable. He crossed his arms over his chest and dared me with his
eyes to do it already.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">I looked to the ceiling for guidance as she
continued to spout shockingly graphic suggestions.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Well..... if you insist...” I finally
responded. I couldn't quite make myself get naked in front of this
man I had never met before, and so I simply freed my shaft and got
into position behind the dirty mouthed wife. She made me blush with
her encouragement, so I looked over at her husband. I was just about
ready to push myself into her tight ass, but her words distracted me.
“I'd feel better if you put that gag back in her mouth. Or maybe
shoved yourself inside it so she can't speak.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">“Ha!” He huffed triumphantly. “I can do
that!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;">Between the two of us, we most certainly earned
her enough punishment to last for years!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #280099; font-size: large;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/03/another-very-short-erotic-story.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">GO TO SEQUEL </span></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-38539113075205109782016-03-21T16:45:00.004-05:002016-03-21T20:24:05.848-05:00A Super Short Erotic Story<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">The
sun was just too hot at this time of day, so I carelessly tied a
light wrap around my naked waist and climbed a tree so that I could
relax and be protected from the greedy rays of the sun. Summer was my
favorite time of year because all the rush of spring planting was
over and the rush of fall harvest was yet to come. This meant that I
had a few moments here and there to just relax and enjoy the sun.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">As
I sat contemplating my life and how it was surprisingly better than I
had imagined it would be, my attention wandered and I think I nearly
fell asleep. Not too long after that, I heard a noise that demanded
my full attention. I absently scratched an itch on my full breasts as
I watched a man I had never seen before ride into the clearing. He
looked around very thoroughly to see if there was anyone around, but
even so, he didn't spot me in the tree.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">Deciding
that he was alone, he grinned happily as he dismounted his horse. The
horse was given permission to graze as the man stripped down and took
advantage of the pond. He washed up joyously, clearly delighted to
find a place where he could stop to wash up and rest for a bit.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">I
watched him with only mild interest at first. He was a stranger to
me; a traveler simply passing through the area on his way to who knew
where. I was more surprised that he had managed to find my secluded
pond than anything.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">As
for his body, it was nice to look at, but not any better than my
husband's. My husband made it a point to keep in excellent shape, and
so I was actually quite spoiled when it came to having a handsome and
virile man between my legs. That said, this man was no loser when it
came to looks. He had an athletic look that was softened just
slightly by a light layer of pudge.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">The
longer I watched him revel in the water of the pond, the more I
actually wished that I could run my hands all over his body. I wanted
to massage him and touch him everywhere. I wanted to lick him even as
I asked why he was here and where he was going.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">When
he got out of the pond and lay on the grass under a tree to dry off
and nap, I told myself to secretly get out of the tree and leave him
alone, but the sun was shining on him in a way that made him look
glorious! He closed his eyes and fell asleep – as far as I could
tell – but his dreams HAD to be erotic, because his shaft was
clearly rising to the occasion. It was a bit thinner and a little
shorter than my husband, but this was perfect because my husband was
massive and occasionally hurt me when he got overzealous. </span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">I
slowly slipped from the tree to the ground, and then untied my wrap
and let it fall onto the grass. My naked body felt wonderful as I
stretched. The sun caressed me like a jealous lover. One hand quickly
proved that I was quite wet – obviously effected by the show he had
just given me.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">I
silently walked over to him, but rather than run my hands all over
him like I originally wanted, I simply straddled him and guided his
shaft inside me. He made a noise of surprise, and I have to wonder if
he was torn between keeping his eyes shut to enjoy the dream as long
as possible, or opening them to see if this was really happening.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;">I
gently rubbed my pleasure center as I rode him, moaning softly as the
pleasure slowly spread throughout my entire body. I <i>loved</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
this feeling! It was a bit like lava rolling over me; a powerful
force that took its time but never failed to consume me completely.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
clearly enjoyed this too because he gripped my hips in his hands and
held on tight as he moaned and groaned in bliss. He also thrust the
best he could considering that he was on his back under me. His
effort was just the right touch to eventually set me off, but I
enjoyed a good three quarters of an hour before that happened.
However, when I did finally reach my climax, it shook me to my core,
making it necessary for him to hold me steady so that I didn't fall
off him before I was done.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
panted heavily, exhaling numerous sighs of pleasure for a few moments
before I was ready to move. Knowing that I had wasted far more time
than I had planned to, I simply smiled at him, kissed him on the
cheek, and then stood up. Without a word, I walked back over to my
wrap, tied it around my waist, and then began the good 15 minute trip
home.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
prickling alone my spine prompted me to look back at him. He was
watching me leave in astonishment. I'm sure he couldn't decide
whether or not I was real, and if so, what if anything he should do
now. I waved to him, and then finished my trek home. As far as I
know, he eventually resumed his journey. I wonder if I'll ever see
him again? Maybe on his return trip? Who knows? </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
any case, this was long going to be one of my best memories.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://5degreesofweirdness.blogspot.com/2016/03/an-erotic-short-story-sequel.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;">GO TO SEQUEL </span></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-27861816885778211082016-03-14T17:24:00.001-05:002016-03-14T17:24:50.873-05:00Hannah and Teacher
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Just to let y'all know - to help clarify what is going on here, this story is set in the same world as The Ambassador of Pleasure, so... enjoy!</span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Part
1</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hi
Eric!” Hannah greeted her handsome teacher. “I mean good
afternoon, my Prince.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good
afternoon Hannah,” he returned her greeting with a fond smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Taking
a look around the classroom to make absolutely certain that no one
else had arrived yet, Hannah grinned. “My parents agreed to let me
go to Secret Society School this summer.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eric
also took a sharp look around before responding. “I'm not
surprised. I am almost certain that your mother insisted on special
permission to be allowed to join the class even though she also
didn't turn 16 for a month after class started. If anyone was going
to understand why you couldn't wait a little longer, it would be
her.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmmhmm,”
Hannah agreed. “But according to her, my father only agreed because
he likes both you and Princess Elena, and trusts that neither of you
will abuse your position as our teachers.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eric
shrugged. “Your father has been part of the Society for as long as
you've been alive, but he wasn't raised in it like you and your
mother. He still thinks that girls are supposed to save it for
marriage. We had a talk on Saturday night about how he wishes you had
been a boy so that he wouldn't have to think about any of this.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
giggled. “A big part of the reason that he is making such a big
deal out of it is that his mom and dad traveled all the way to our
house from out of state for a surprise visit a couple weeks ago, and
walked in to find my friends and me dancing naked in the back yard!
We're all part of the Society, so it was no big deal – you know?
Just dancing, but we happened to be naked. Grams and Grampa had no
idea that our family practiced nudism, so they had a fit! Mom stood
her ground, but dad turned red from embarrassment and ran to get
dressed.” Hannah giggled again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can only imagine how weird that must have been,” Eric murmured with
a laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">After
they went home, that was when dad started freaking out about my plans
to go to Secret Society School, but thankfully mom talked him
around,” Hannah reiterated with a happy smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
guess that means that I'll be your teacher this summer too,” Eric
stated with an amused shake of his head.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can't wait!” Hannah exclaimed in excitement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Can't
wait for what?” A girl asked as she entered the classroom.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh...”
Hannah shrugged with a breezy smile. “Nothing much. Mr. Stewart was
just telling me that we were going to have a super hard test at the
end of the week.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Only
you would be happy about that,” the girl grumbled unhappily. She
slumped in the chair of her desk. “At this rate, I'm going to need
to go to summer school!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think summer school sounds fun!” Hannah stated, meaning it because
she was referring to the training that she'd have this summer. It was
required in order to become a full member of the Society. Currently,
she was only an underage observer, which meant that she'd been able
to attend rituals and watch as the older members of the Society had
fun, but no one was allowed to lay a finger on her without offending
their Gods.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
would turn 16 at the end of June, but class started a week and a half
before that. Generally, new members had to be 16 before they could
attend class, but occasionally, those who were going to have their
birthday during the time class was scheduled could obtain permission
to attend anyway. Hannah had insisted that it was highly unfair that
all her friends from the Society would be in class this summer
without her, and her mother completely understood.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">More
students filed into the classroom, making it impossible for Hannah to
talk to her teacher about anything related to their Society.
Therefore, she took her assigned seat. A dreamy expression told
anyone who cared to look at her that she was definitely </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
paying attention to the lecture.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
must have found a boyfriend,” one of her friends whispered to
another.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
she did, she didn't tell me about it,” the other whispered in
return.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
God we only have 2 more weeks of school left!” The first girl
exclaimed in a whisper.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ladies,
please try to pay attention,” Eric chided. Both practically glared
at Hannah, as if protesting the fact that he didn't insist </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>she</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
pay attention too. Eric noticed this and chuckled almost silently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hannah,
can you tell me what you think of the book we're reading?” He
asked, just to show he girls that he didn't worry about Hannah
because she was an excellent student.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sure
thing, Mr. Stewart!” Hannah agreed brightly, and then launched into
a detailed analysis of the Scarlet Letter. Eric gave the two girls a
quick look that basically said: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>see</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?
</span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
and her Society friends were all so excited about their impending
class that it was literally all they could talk about from the moment
school let out until class finally started. By this time, no matter
how much her father might have objected, he would have changed his
mind just to get a break from hearing about it! It was secretly a
relief when Hannah went to stay with Princess Elena for the next few
months.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
the entire first two weeks, the class was arranged so that all of the
girls stayed with the Princess while all the boys stayed with Prince
Eric. Their lessons consisted of information they needed to know to
be full members of the Society – however, the vast majority of the
rules they already knew since all of them had been raised in the
Society. Which meant that they had plenty of time to practice the fun
stuff!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Society was a secret because the members dedicated themselves to
worshiping their Gods via sex. This meant that to be a member of the
Society, they had to learn how to be a good lover. To ensure this,
each person who wanted to join attended special classes. To attend,
they had to be at least 16 because not only was that the legal age of
consent, but it was also a nearly universally agreed upon bare
minimum age for learning.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Having
special permission to attend slightly early, Hannah was naturally the
youngest in her class. Others ranged from 16-19. Even though – and
especially </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>because</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
– they were raised in the Society, the older students had waited
until they felt the time was right. One might think that living in
such a Society would place pressure to join the class the first
moment they could – such as Hannah had – but one of the most
important rules was consent... No one was rushed to join before they
were ready because consent had to be clear and unwavering.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
girl that was 19 had actually joined a class back when she was 16,
but when the time came, she hadn't felt ready to participate in the
ceremony to give her virginity to the Gods, and thus she had
gracefully declined. This meant that she was considered an underage
observer at all rituals and events. Now that she was ready to fully
join, she had come to class again because it was so much fun!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
was paired with her for their first practice session. “Hi Leah.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I've
done this before, so let me go first,” Leah suggested with a grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Okay,”
Hannah agreed with a matching grin. She got comfortable on the
cushion provided and spread her legs for Leah. Leah settled herself
with an eager purr.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Even
though I wasn't ready to have sex yet, I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>loved</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
this part of class,” Leah informed Hannah before placing her hand
on Hannah's thigh. This was to give Hannah a moment to acclimate to
an unaccustomed touch.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lucky
me!” Hannah exclaimed softly. “That means that you're probably
really good.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Leah
gave her a smoldering grin to silently say: </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Of
course</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
inhaled in something akin to awe when Leah slid her tongue between
Hannah's labia and located her clitoris. “Oh...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Leah
took plenty of time to work Hannah up. She used her fingers and
tongue to slowly light fires in Hannah's body. Fairly soon, Hannah
was crying from the pleasure, only a little embarrassed to be the
loudest girl in class.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Remember
girls,” Elena reminded those who seemed to be holding back. “It's
scientifically proven that allowing yourself to make noise and cry
out increases your pleasure. Holding yourself back reinforces your
nervousness, which can make it harder to achieve orgasm.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
circled the room, giving out advice and tips as necessary. One
particular girl had her biting her lip and frowning in concern. “If
you feel like something is missing, I can take over for a bit. Or you
can switch partners and try again later when you're more relaxed and
into it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think...” the girl murmured in thought. “I think you should take
over for a bit. I think I'm not feeling the way I should be.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elena
purred in sympathy as she massaged the girl's legs. “Unfortunately,
some girls just never orgasm. If you happen to be one of them, I'll
probably be able to figure that out for you, but I am almost certain
that you are just too nervous. You'll be fine once you feel like you
know what you're doing.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elena
used her excellent skill to please the girl.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah!
Oh my Gods!” Hannah squealed when Leah gifted her with her first
orgasm. She was the first one to do so, but hearing her climactic
cries helped others get closer too. Soon, other girls were crying
from orgasm, which signaled a small break to drink water before they
practiced on their partners.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elena
was happy to discover that the girl she was helping responded to her
touch. The girl grabbed a spare pillow to cover her entire face as
she squealed. Elena maintained just the right touch to keep her going
for a few seconds, and then let her rest.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry that you did something wrong,” Elena told the girl's first
partner. “She's just one of those that finds it hard to do
something like this in front of others. I'll bet that when you two
practice tonight in private, she'll respond to you fairly easily.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
Princess,” both girls murmured, relieved that neither had done
anything wrong.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
Hannah reciprocated the lesson on Leah. “I'm a bit harder to get
off, so don't feel bad if it takes a long time or doesn't happen at
all,” Leah whispered.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
nodded in understanding, but then focused completely on doing her
best. She had practiced on peaches for the last few months, and
prayed that she would be decent. Her eagerness astonished Leah, who
cried out erotically as she gripped Hannah's hair.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Gods! Are you </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>sure</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you've never done this before?!” Leah gasped incredulously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
simply giggled as she continued her task. Leah was soon squealing her
pleasure out for all to hear. A couple of the other girls clapped in
congratulations, mentally making a note to ask both Leah and Hannah
to practice with them later.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those
who wanted to could stay in class longer and practice a bit more, but
those who didn't were allowed to leave class – since the lesson was
officially over for the day. About half the girls left – including
the two that Elena had helped. They mutually decided to do their
practicing in private.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Princess?”
Hannah addressed her with an enticing grin. “May I practice on
you?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elena
grinned at her in return. “Smart! Eric told me that you're a
teacher's pet. You'll all figure out that practicing on those with
more experience is helpful because they can give you excellent
advice. I'd be delighted to let you practice on me. Just try not to
touch my belly. Now that I'm about 8 months along, I just don't like
anyone touching my preggo belly. Not even Jayson!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Jayson's
the baby's father,” Leah informed Hannah, just in case she had
forgotten. Hannah simply nodded because she well remembered drooling
over Jayson at a previous ritual. Elena laughed at the dreamy
expression on Hannah's face.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Once
you're a full member, I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>might</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
let you practice some of those naughty thoughts you're having on
him!” Elena stated with a knowing grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm,”
Hannah hummed in anticipation as she settled herself between Elena's
legs. Careful not to touch Elena's stomach, Hannah focused on doing a
good job. She licked Elena's clitoris and – after obtaining
permission – used her fingers to stimulate the inside of Elena's
vagina.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Elena
moaned and sighed happily. She absolutely loved this feeling and
planned to enjoy it as long as possible. But she also didn't want to
discourage Hannah, so she patted her hair encouragingly.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
amazingly good at this already, but I'm not all that surprised. Your
mother seems naturally gifted as well, so I'm sure you inherited it
from her.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
simply hummed in acknowledgment, concentrating on her task. Despite
Elena wanting to take as long as possible, Hannah's natural skill was
enough to get her close a mere ten minutes later. By this time, the
entire class had returned in order to watch and take notes. When
their teacher cried out with passionate abandon, even the shiest girl
felt better about the noises she made.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For
Hannah's birthday, the girls all asked for permission to practice on
her for the day. Hannah squealed with orgasm so much that she had
trouble walking for a good hour! And then Elena used her full skill
on Hannah... which made Hannah cum so hard that she felt like the
whole world was spinning.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Later
that night, Elena invited Eric over for dinner to plan out how to
handle their next class. The way it usually worked was that Eric and
Elena switched on the day before their two classes merged into one –
with Eric bringing the male volunteers over to Elena's house and
leading the girls for the day while Elena and the female volunteers
went to Eric's to lead the boys. However, now that Elena was about
eight months pregnant, she didn't want to leave her house more than
she had to.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Therefore,
they were talking about how it would work if Elena stayed home. After
suggesting various scenarios, they finally decided that they would
just have it so that Elena led the male volunteers in her home while
Eric led the female volunteers in his house. After that was settled –
and dinner was finished – Eric excused himself to go to the
bathroom.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
was still recovering at that point, in the rooms where the girls
stayed while in training. When she saw Eric through the door, she
subtly excused herself to go to the bathroom too. None of the girls
noticed Eric, because they were too busy practicing on each other,
but if they had, they probably would have wanted to wait outside the
bathroom to talk with him too.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
walked into the bathroom a moment after Eric did. “Hi Eric! Elena
told us today that we're going to be allowed to attend the ritual
next weekend. I can't wait!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hi
Hannah,” Eric greeted her with an amused smile at how eager she
was. They had been friends for a long time because almost everyone in
the Society was friends with each other. Also, because the Society
practiced social nudity, it was not strange for the two of them to be
in the bathroom at the same time. It had happened before. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Happy
birthday,” he added when he realized that he hadn't had a chance to
do so yet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks!”
Hannah said with a grin, then she laughed softly. “The girls all
practiced their oral skills on me today.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds like you had a lot of fun!” Eric stated with a laugh. He
finished up his task and rinsed off with the handheld bidet sprayer
in the sink while Hannah used the toilet. He handed her the sprayer
while he dried off.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So,
I have time before I have to leave to give you a birthday orgasm,”
Eric informed her. “Are you interested?” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
please!” Hannah agreed eagerly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
can use one of the guest rooms,” Eric said, opening the bathroom
door and leading the way to the nearest empty guest bedroom. Elena's
house was big and had a lot of guest bedrooms, which was good because
she often hosted parties and events for the Society.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
the bedroom, Eric gestured for her to lay on the bed while he shut
the door. “Elena knows I planned to do this and won't interrupt us,
but do you want me to lock the door in case the girls get curious and
come to check on you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Nah,”
Hannah replied with a shake of her head. “If they got curious and
came to check on me and found the door locked, they'd just freak out
and assume that something was wrong. If the door's unlocked, they can
just peek in and see that nothing bad is happening, and then go
away.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Okay,”
Eric agreed as he got comfortable at the end of the bed. There was a
thick and plush cushion on the floor for him to kneel on, which made
him chuckle in appreciation at Elena's thoughtfulness. He took a
moment to pull Hannah to the end of the bed and drape her legs over
his shoulders.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ah...”
Hannah sighed happily, even though he hadn't done anything yet.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Eric
– as a Prince of the Society who had vowed to have sex with
everyone who asked him to – naturally had had a </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>lot</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
of practice orally pleasing a woman. He used every ounce of skill as
he did so now, making Hannah clutch the sheets and gasp in awe.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
wow!” She cried out in amazement.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eric
grinned at the compliment even as he continued what he was doing. His
tongue was perfect for stimulating her clitoris, and so it didn't
take him long to get her off. She shuddered and gasped, but didn't
scream or squeal. Instead, she clutched his hair.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
stop!” She demanded, arching into him a bit more. Eric complied
with a soft chuckle of amusement. He licked her through two more
orgasms before she squealed and tried to escape from his grasp. He
immediately took this as his cue to stop, and gently helped her shift
until she was laying fully on the bed once more.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then
he lay down next to her simply so that he could chuckle and tell her
what he thought. “You're very demanding!” He stated with a grin
as he lightly pushed on her nose. “I found it extremely cute.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
giggled. “I'm glad.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
think you might have a bit of a dominant side in you,” Eric
remarked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
shrugged. “Maybe, but I also like the idea of being tied up and
spanked. Not hard! Just... just a little, you know?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eric
nodded. “Yes, some are like that. They want to be spanked, but more
as a sensual tease than as a real spanking.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
shifted to look at him better. “When it's time for me to be
initiated, will you do the honors?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sure,”
Eric replied with a smile. “I'm honored that you asked!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
chuckled softly as she grinned at him. “Well... I've thought about
it for years – you know, who I'd want to initiate me. And the
answer's always been you. Neither King Braedon nor King Andrew –
before he retired – really held my interest. I think it's because I
know you better than I know them.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
makes sense,” Eric stated with a nod of understanding.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
like I plan for you to be my first blow-job tomorrow,” Hannah
stated with a knowing grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Heh...”
Eric murmured softly. “Well, I have to disappoint you then. I'm not
going to be here tomorrow because Elena doesn't want to leave her
home.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Aww!”
Hannah exclaimed with a sad pout. “That sucks!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eric
laughed and made a lame joke. “Or rather, it doesn't suck, ha ha!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
giggled even though the joke was worthy of an eye rolling. Then she
sat up abruptly to look at Eric quite seriously. “Can I do it now?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Well...”
Eric hummed to himself as he thought this over. “I guess there is
no rule against it. I </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>am</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
supposed to teach you girls how to do it anyway. Hmm...” He wracked
his brain for a few more seconds, trying to recall if there was any
rule that would go against him teaching her the lesson a few hours
early. Eventually, he decided that there wasn't. So long as she was
in class and had asked him, he was pretty sure that the vow he had
made to their Gods prohibited him from saying no. “Why not?” He
asked with a shrug and a grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Clapping
happily, Hannah tilted her head side to side for a couple of seconds
to figure out how she wanted to do it. She then shifted until she was
in the best possible position. Her hand reached out to take hold of
his shaft – which was hard already and had been from almost the
first moment they had entered the room.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
right, use your hands to stroke and rub my shaft,” Eric encouraged
her. Since they were having a private lesson with no time limit, he
decided that she could really take her time. “There's no need to
rush into using your mouth. Explore a bit. Satisfy your curiosity.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,
my Prince,” Hannah murmured obediently, calling him by his title as
she was supposed to even though she rarely did. Hannah stroked him
with her hands, feeling how smooth and velvety his shaft was. She
then fondled his balls, giggling softly in delight that they were an
interesting texture.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
really did explore him quite thoroughly with her hands before
exploring him again with her tongue. Eric moaned and groaned in
pleasure, giving her advice as necessary. She thought it fascinating
to lick him like a lollipop for a long time before he encouraged her
to try sucking on him. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
first, she did only that, sucking on him until her mouth got a little
tired. Then he suggested that she use her hands some more.
Eventually, she figured out a rhythm using both her hands and her
mouth that had him rocking his hips and moaning erotically. He also
started producing tiny droplets that almost made her stop. They
tasted strange; mildly acidic. She wasn't sure she liked it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
stop,” Eric begged in a hot whisper. “I'm about to cum. Please
swallow it!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
decided to do as asked simply because he had done exactly as she
asked when it was her turn. Taking a deep breath, she mentally
prepared herself for what was about to happen even as her head and
hands continued to bob up and down.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eric
cried out: “Oh yeah!” As he tightened his buttocks and pushed
into her mouth a little bit more. He pumped her mouth full, moaning
happily when she swallowed it and continued to suck on him lightly.
When he indicated that he'd had enough, Hannah lay back down next to
him. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her cheek. “You did
very well.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
giggled softly and grinned at him. “Thank you!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
see you next week when the two classes merge into one,” Eric stated
before kissing her cheek again, and then rolling away.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">My
Prince?” Hannah inquired, prompting him to sit up and look at her.
She got onto her hands and knees and looked at him quite seriously.
“May I kiss you?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eric
gave her a wry smile, and then nodded. She shifted until she felt
comfortable, placed her hands on his shoulders, and then pressed her
lips to his a bit hesitantly. It was her first kiss with a guy, so
she was nervous. However, she had practiced kissing with the girls in
her class, and so her abundant confidence soon took over. She slid
her tongue into his mouth and gave him a kiss to remember – she
hoped.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Eric
responded with a happy moan. He wrapped his arms around her and
pulled her a bit closer. Eventually, they lay down again and let the
kiss continue until they were both panting from a hot and heavy need.
With a sigh, Eric broke off the kiss.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can't go any farther yet, and you know it,” he murmured.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
nodded in agreement. It was true and she did know it. More than
anything, she was ecstatic and thrilled that he had been her first
sexual experience with a man, and even better, he had agreed to be
her first lover when it was time for the ritual to initiate her into
the Society.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
you,” she whispered with a smile. She was currently so happy –
and actually lethargic after her day – that she was tempted to
drift off to sleep as he got out of bed and walked away. However, she
knew that one of the girls in her class was likely to come in here
and drag her back to her own bed so that she could tell them all
about what had happened. Thus it was in her best interest to return
on her own.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With
a sigh, Hannah got out of bed and followed her teacher into the hall.
He stopped walking just outside the room she was staying in, smirking
at all the girls that were now staring at him quite lustily. Hannah
also stopped walking when she reached the door.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Happy
Birthday again, Hannah. I hope you have fun in class tomorrow,” he
stated, taking her hand in his and kissing it before giving her a
small but gallant bow. After that, he left and grinned the entire
time since he knew that she and her friends would probably talk about
what had happened until they either fell asleep from sheer
exhaustion, or until morning arrived and they realized that they
needed to get at least </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>some</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
sleep before class.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hannah
was last in line as the girls followed Princess Elena into the room
where the male volunteers waited for them. They all tried their best
to contain their exuberance and act like mature adults, but a soft
and constant giggle announced plain as day that they were all a bit
nervous and far more excited than they wanted to admit. The girls
initially held hands, but they broke apart as each girl chose the
volunteer she wanted to start with.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Remember,
ladies; you've practiced pleasing each other for a week and a half.
This is really no different. You'll do just fine, but if you should
doubt yourself, simply ask what you could be doing to make him feel
better,” Elena advised as the girls were choosing. They all nodded
in understanding.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Since
Hannah was last in line, she was basically stuck with who was left.
To her delight, it was King Braedon! “My King! I did not realize
that you would be a volunteer today!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-size: medium;">King Braedon grinned at her.
“Princess Elena asked me to. Of course I could not refuse!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Yes,
my King,” she replied obediently and then bent to concentrate on
her task. His shaft was slightly longer than Eric's, but also
slightly thinner. As a result, it was fairly easy to work on him. As
Hannah did so, Elena joked with the man who was not a part of their
Society but staying with King Braedon for a while.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">I
wouldn't mind another slave around the house,” Elena informed him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">As
he freaked out about this, both King Braedon and Hannah chuckled.
Hannah did my best not to let her laughing diminish her performance,
but she wasn't at all confident yet. A secretive smile from Braedon
let her know that he still liked what she was doing. He had a hand on
her head, stroking her hair.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Soon
enough, Princess Elena signaled that it was time to switch parters.
Hannah was very disappointed that she hadn't made the King cum yet,
but since he had many years of experience, she tried to reassure
herself that he was simply very practiced at resisting the urge to
cum – no matter how good the mouth was.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
took the visitor to their Society in her mouth without any preamble.
He moaned softly in pleasure, which made her happy. His knees
trembled and shook quite quickly, making her feel far better about
her skill than she had a moment before. She half wished that she had
the divine power to make him squirt into her mouth for 10 minutes
straight! But she well knew that only the Gods had that kind of
talent.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #000040;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0066cc;">Princess
Elena chuckled, making Hannah wonder if the Princess knew what she
was thinking. “You're doing well.” She said, referring to both
Hannah and the visitor. The man Hannah was sucking on – Jules –
took a few steadying breaths.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">A pair of twins
helped prepare me this morning. I'm honestly surprised that I'm so
ready to cum again already!” He admitted, looking almost
astonished.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en" style="line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By the way his balls visibly
tightened, Elena knew he meant this literally. She placed a hand on
Hannah's shoulder. “Give him a moment, and if that doesn't work,
gently squeeze and pull down on his balls like I showed you.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Yes
Princess,” Hannah agreed, lightly practicing the trick in the air.
It looked a bit like she was milking a cow. After a good thirty
seconds of nothing happening, she decided that not only did she not
need to use the trick, but that it was probably safe to continue what
she was supposed to be doing. She took him back into her mouth rather
abruptly, making him gasp in surprise. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
really gave it her best in an attempt to make him shoot his load,
trying not to be too disappointed when Princess Elena once again
signaled that it was time to switch partners before he could cum. The
next man more than made it up to her by going off in less than two
minutes. Despte the fact that she still didn't really like the taste
of cum, it soothed her confidence to know that she actually was
capable of getting a guy off. By this point, she was starting to
think that I was really bad at it or something.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">By
the end of the first day of practicing on men, Hannah felt a whole
lot better – more confident. No matter how much people told her
that she was good at what she did, she couldn't quite believe it.
After all, if she was truly good at it, wouldn't she be able to get
everyone off in a minute or two? And not just get them off, but make
it feel like the best they'd ever had? This was her current goal; to
become so good that she'd know how to bring anyone and everyone to a
mind-blowing orgasm in next to no time at all.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">*****</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
so excited! Tomorrow night was her initiation. She couldn't wait to
be a full member of the Society! It would mean that from that moment
on, she would be allowed to participate in all Society functions. She
was even thinking about taking a test to obtain a rank sooner or
later. If she became a Lady or a Princess, she could help host
parties and rituals, and thereby become even closer to their Gods.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">However,
such a step took a great deal of thought. It required making vows
that might not be so easy to keep. So far, she hadn't had to deal
with a person that she wasn't attracted to asking for sex, but if she
became a Princess, she'd have to honor a vow to have sex with
everyone who asked, whether she was attracted to them or not. She
wasn't entirely sure that she had what it took to do that.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">In
any case, because a ton of people from all over the region were
flooding into the area to attend the Initiation Ceremony tomorrow
night, there was going to be a big party tonight. This was not
entirely planned, but whenever more than a handful of Society members
got together, a party was almost inevitable.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Elena,
my Princess?” Hannah asked, tapping on her arm to gain her
attention. “Can I have permission to greet the members at the door?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">What
did you have in mind?” Elena asked with an intrigued smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
explained it to her and she gave her permission with an amused grin.
“Feel free to move a comfortable armchair over there. In fact,
Jayson!” She snapped her fingers just once, and her husband slash
beloved slave responded with an obedient: “Yes Mistress,” before
rushing to move a big and cushy chair closer to the door.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
watched Jayson with a lusty grin on her face, making Princess Elena
chuckle. “The more I see you lust after him, the more I think I
should give you a few extra lessons after your initiation. I know
that a good part of you wants to please your lover – almost more
than you want to be pleased in return. However, I can see in you
strong indicators that you'd make a good Domme. I really think you
might enjoy learning some of the finer points of Domination.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
purred as she said this, not only because it really did sound like
fun, but also because Princess Elena was petting her a bit like a cat
and that made Hannah inexplicably happy. Elena smiled mysteriously
and added honey to the pot.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Of
course, playing with Jayson is involved in this extra training...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Oh
man, Princess! I can hardly wait!” Hannah exclaimed honestly. She
walked over and sat in the chair – making sure to thoroughly grope
Jayson in the process. He chuckled and slightly shook his head at the
cheeky girl.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">My
Mistress must delight in teasing me, dangling such a tasty treat
before me when I cannot truly touch you until tomorrow,” he said.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Ah!”
Elena gasped in mock protest. “You know better than to talk without
permission! I think I'm going to have to punish you for your
impudence... Up against the wall!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Yes
Mistress,” Jayson responded with a pouty look of feigned remorse.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
smiled as she watched them. She </span><span lang="en"><i>loved</i></span><span lang="en">
their relationship! Maybe the Princess was right about her, because
she had fantasies about punishing a love slave of her own someday.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">The
other girls – and boys – in Hannah's class all got comfortable as
they watched the whipping. Jayson so clearly enjoyed what was
happening that a few of the classmates asked if they could give him a
few lashes too. Princess Elena granted permission while she was
still on hand to make sure nothing bad happened, but the moment
guests started arriving, she put a stop to it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">A
boy in the class volunteered to greet people like Hannah was, having
a special chair for women to sit on and a cushion for him placed off
to the side of the door. A few minutes later, they were both having a
ton of fun as men allowed Hannah to welcome them with a quick blowjob
and women sighed in pleasure as he practiced giving them oral as
well.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">To
her satisfaction, Hannah had gotten a lot better at getting men off
quickly. Later on as the party progressed, everyone in the class
decided that it was a good idea to practice their skills as much as
possible, and so it was the first time that any of them – aside
from Leah – had participated in something that resembled an orgy. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">One
man who was new to the Society cried out in frustration at one point:
“Do you have </span><span lang="en"><i>any idea</i></span><span lang="en">
how much trouble I could have avoided as a teen if my parents had
been part of this Society?! I wouldn't have gotten my girlfriend
knocked up – for one – which would have saved me a lot of grief
over the years!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
wasn't sure who he was asking this of, but almost everyone laughed as
a few people assured him that they understood how he felt. Hannah
felt a little sad as she thought his statement over. It always seemed
like a shame to her that she was the source of reason for all her
regular school friends.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Her
school taught abstinence only in Sex Ed class, and so when teens
started messing around, a lot of them heard that they should come to
Hannah for things like condoms and advice on safe sex. The irony at
the time was that Hannah was then – and still would be for another
day – a virgin, and yet because she was raised around a secret
society that worshipped their Gods via sex, she knew far more about
it than they did. Even better, her mom had no problem buying a steady
supply of condoms so that she could help make sure her friends didn't
become part of the unwanted teen pregnancy statistics.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">The
half orgy wound down around 3 am, which gave the class just barely
enough time to get a decent amount of sleep before they had to get
ready for their initiation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">*****</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en"><i>Oh
man</i></span><span lang="en">... Hannah thought apprehensively.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">The
class had drawn numbers to see the order in which they would lose
their virginity, and as it turned out, Hannah got to go first. She
had hoped that she would be second or third so that she had time to
get over her nerves, but when all was said and done, she just wanted
this so badly that it didn't matter when she went. Taking a deep
breath, she walked over to the bed in the center of the impromptu
stage area in Princess Elena's backyard.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Eric
took her hand in his and kissed it. “Are you nervous?” He asked
in a soft whisper.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">I
was,” she murmured with a smile. “But now I'm not.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Good,”
he stated just before he kissed her. A moment later, he lifted her
onto the bed. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">The
Initiation Ceremony was meant to be straight to the point for many
reasons. The biggest reason being that there were usually a lot of
initiates and it would take a very long time if each initiate was
expected to showcase their skills first. Besides, they had all done
that plenty last night!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">In
any case, Eric was used to participating in these rituals, so he
promptly took the lead and spread Hannah's legs wide so that he could
get into position between them. She clutched him to her, happier than
she would have believed possible that he was about to take her
virginity. She'd always had a bit of a crush on him, but in this
moment, she really thought that she might love him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">He
slid his shaft through her juicy wetness enough to lubricate himself,
and then slow slid inside her. She cried out in surprise because she
hadn't expected it to actually hurt. There was a sharp stinging for a
moment, and then she exhaled in relief as the pain subsided and he
moved so that he could thrust again. This time she gasped in surprise
because it felt so good!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">He
repositioned them so that he could rub her clitoris with his thumb
while they banged into each other. This made it surprisingly hard for
Hannah to think straight! She started squealing from an orgasm in a
very short time! Not expecting to climax at all – especially not so
quickly – she felt like it was all she could do to cling to him as
he pumped her full.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">For
time reasons, they were allowed to recover on the bed as it was moved
off to the side and a new one rolled to the center of the stage for
the next initiate. The bed they were on would be wiped down and given
clean sheets in a moment, but for now, the attendants waited
patiently.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Thank
you!” Hannah huffed softly in Eric's ear. She reinforced this with
a kiss.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">He
moaned happily for a moment as she kissed him, but then broke it off.
“My pleasure. I have to get ready for my next initiate.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
nodded in understanding, watching as he accepted a cloth from an
attendant to clean up with. His cloth was wet and the attendant also
held a basin for him to wash up in quickly. As he did this, she
accepted a dry cloth to wipe up with from a different attendant.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Here's
your official necklace,” the attendant informed her a moment later,
placing the stainless steel chain and charm that symbolized her
status as a member of the Society around her neck. He then kissed
Hannah quite thoroughly. “I look forward to getting to know you
better later on.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Mmm,”
she moaned in agreement, smiling at him. “We'll see...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Hannah
then returned to her seat to watch the rest of her class be
initiated.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">When
the last boy pumped Princess Jessica full with an almost surprised
grunt of pleasure, Princess Elena officially closed the ceremony and
granted everyone permission to seak their pleasure as they liked.
Before Hannah could decided on which of the many offers to accept
first, Princess Elena arrived at her side and grabbed her hand.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">You're
coming with me!” She announced.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">I'm
honored!” Hannah exclaimed in astonishment. Despite the Princess
saying that she might give Hannah extra training, she really hadn't
expected her to do so right away. As Elena pulled Hannah after her –
holding up a hand to indicate that she would appreciate it if members
didn't either of them for sex just now – she muttered an
explanation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Eric
and I made special plans for you tonight. You might have noticed that
he slipped away from the ceremony a few minutes ago; well it was
because he didn't want to have to fend off eager would be lovers just
yet.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">My
Princess?” Hannah questioned in confusion.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">He
really likes you,” Elena informed her now that they were alone in
the hall outside a closed door that Hannah knew was Elena's bedroom.
“And I've been his friend long enough that I know he's had terrible
luck with a stable relationship, so I've decided that I want to
encourage him, you know? I can only hope that you'll give him a
chance.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Aww,”
Hannah purred happily. “I really like him too!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Good,”
Elena praised with a grin. She then opened her bedroom door and
pulled Hannah inside before closing it again and locking it. She gave
Hannah a deliciously impish laugh as she pointed to the wall where
both Jayson and Eric waited to be whipped. “I promised you
lessons...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.19in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Plantagenet Cherokee, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="en">Oh
boy...” Hannah exhaled softly in excitement.</span></span></span></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-73039688516696418142016-01-18T15:19:00.003-06:002016-01-18T15:19:36.005-06:00Taming the Wolf
<div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Taming
the wolf</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">The
redheaded woman took a hand from each of her two best friends and
squeezed them fretfully. “I think I have a major problem!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Her
friends could clearly see that she was upset. They exchanged
concerned glances. “What sort of problem, Cassandra?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">The
redhead – named Cassandra – looked down, suddenly afraid that her
friends wouldn't believe her. Or worse, that they'd think she was
crazy! It sounded unbelievable, even to her.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“I've
told you that I'm a witch, right?” She asked hesitantly to delay
saying the crazy thing out loud.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“Yeah,”
her friends murmured. Each raised an eye brow curiously.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“You
helped us do a candle spell when Jinny's ex wouldn't leave her alone,
remember?” The dirty blonde-haired woman reminded Cassandra.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“Which
worked amazingly well,” Jinny added with a smile as she tossed her
dark brown hair over her shoulder. “I really hadn't expected it to
do anything, but he hasn't tried to bother me since.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“Right,”
Cassandra murmured. “Anyway, what I don't think you realize is that
I come from a long line of witches. Jinny... Lena... Things like
Vampires are real...”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Both
of her best friends snorted in amusement. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“Sure
they are,” Lena muttered with a sarcastic smile. Her dirty blonde
hair fell into her eyes as it always did, and she blew it away
impatiently.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“No
really,” Cassandra insisted, squeezing her best friends' hands
again. “I need you to believe me!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
and Jinny exchanged another glance. This look clearly wondered if
they should believe their friend or not. Cassandra wasn't prone to
lying, so they wondered if she was trying to play a prank on them.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“O...kay...”
Jinny murmured diplomatically. “Why?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
sighed in relief. She knew that they didn't fully believe her yet,
but they were willing to hear her out. She pulled her hands free of
theirs and fiddled with her rich and wavy red hair.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“So
Sean and I have been dating almost a whole year now...”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny
immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. She pulled Cassandra
close and gave her a sympathetic hug. “Don't tell me that he
cheated on you!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“No!
Why would you think that?” Cassandra wondered, her expression
clearly upset.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“Because
he's a notorious flirt, and because you are really upset,” Jinny
theorized.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“And
he has a habit of disappearing for a couple of days every month,”
Lena added. “I know you've wondered if he has a woman on the side.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
sighed and nodded her head side to side in reluctant agreement.
“Yeah, I'll admit that I did think that, but I've long suspected
something else. Just recently, he confessed the truth, and...”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
and Jinny exchanged yet another concerned glance. “And?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“He's
a werewolf!” Cassandra blurted out, and then flinched because she
knew that they wouldn't believe her.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Unsurprisingly,
they both laughed. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“No
really, Cass, what's going on?” Lena asked, ruffling Cassandra's
gorgeous red hair.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra's
icy blue eyes shone from a hint of tears. “I'm telling you the
truth! He disappears every month because he turns into a wolf during
the full moon!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny's
green eyes sparkled from merriment. “Oh ha ha! Now I know you're
pulling our legs!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
narrowed her dark brown eyes in concern. “Wait a minute... Are you
serious?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“Yes!”
Cassandra cried out.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Both
Jinny and Lena stared at their best friend until each was filled with
certainty that she was telling the truth. Both paled slightly. Lena
took a step back and put one hand across her stomach.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“That's
impossible!” Lena tried to deny anyway. She impatiently pushed her
blonde hair out of her brown eyes, holding her hair so that she could
try to peer into Cassandra's soul. “Isn't it?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“It's
the truth,” Cassandra murmured, tears slowly leaking from her blue
eyes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“Wait!”
Jinny blurted out. “Then... What do we need to do? Do we need to...
</span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>vanquish</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
him...?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cassandra
giggled ever so slightly. “No! I mean that it </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>is</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
my responsibility to stop him now that I know he's a werewolf, but
he's a good guy! I can't just kill him!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny felt
Lena slip a hand in hers. Both were still hoping that Cassandra was
just trying to play a terrible joke on them. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
– relieved that her friends more or less believed her now –
flipped her red hair behind her and took their free hands in hers.
“Listen. Sean is a good man. He's very charitable and volunteers
his time to help troubled youth. It doesn't matter that he's a
werewolf because that is something that he cannot control. When he is
in control, he does what he can to make up for the things that happen
when he's a wolf.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">So...
how does that work, exactly?” Lena wondered. “Does he turn into
an actual wolf, or a raging monster?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">A
little of both,” Cassandra stated, pushing her emotions to the back
of her mind so that she could deal with this practically. “He turns
into a monster when he's hungry, but an actual wolf when he's full.
He says that he doesn't worry so much because he can just pig out on
the days he shifts, and usually everything is fine.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Then
why are you so worried?” Jinny wondered.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Because...”
Cassandra sighed. “He's still a very dangerous creature. Werewolves
are very notorious for not remembering what happens when they shift,
so even though I trust him not to lie to me, I have no way of knowing
if something happened that he can't remember. And worse! What if he
forgets to eat as much as he should?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">As
a monster, he kills people, doesn't he?” Jinny whispered, feeling a
strange sense of acceptance. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes...”
Cassandra confirmed grimly. “Which is why I have to stop him. I
asked him if he would let me lock him up on the days of the full
moon, but he refuses. He says that if he simply pigs out and then
goes to his cabin in the woods, he'll be fine.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Sounds
like it has worked so far,” Lena murmured with a shrug.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Not
so much,” Cassandra whispered with a shake of her head. “I
checked, and there's been at least one person each year that I am
pretty sure disappeared because of him.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">So...”
Jinny began with a determined frown. “How do we stop him?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
gestured for her best friends to sit on the couch while she poured
tea into mugs for them. After that, she sat down with them. They all
took a sip and sighed happily.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">We
have to trick him,” Cassandra stated. “We can't let him know that
we are binding him, but once we do, he'll be harmless for the rest of
his life.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Bind
him how?” Jinny asked curiously.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">It's
an old spell,” Cassandra began. “I've read it several times over
the years because it always intrigued me. Normally I'd be able to do
any spells on my own with barely a thought about it, but this one is
different. This one requires a coven – the bigger the better! That
said, three is the absolute minimum necessary to successfully work
the spell. Therefore, I need your help.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena and
Jinny exchanged looks once more. This time, they were more than a
little curious. Slowly, they both smiled.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">What
do we need to do?” Lena wondered.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">It's
like this, we need to bind him to the three of us so that when he
transforms, he will basically be obsessed with us and literally
unable to harm anyone else,” Cassandra explained.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">How
will binding him to us stop him from harming others?” Jinny
wondered with a confused frown.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">He
will be compelled to seek us out if we are not with him, and if we
are with him, he'll be like a very affectionate dog,” Cassandra
replied with a shrug. “Or so the notes accompanying the spell
imply.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Okay,
sounds like there's no down side,” Lena stated with a smile. “How
do we do this?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
sighed and looked down. “I have to warn you, there is a big risk
involved. A werewolf turns others by biting or scratching them.
Usually, this is not such a big deal because werewolves are notorious
for killing their prey, and once dead, they cannot turn. For the
spell, however...”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Uh-oh!”
Lena muttered. “I think I know where this is going! We have to let
him bite us!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">We're
going to become werewolves!” Jinny wailed in despair. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">No!”
Cassandra assured them. “If everything goes the way it is supposed
to, none of us will become werewolves. That said, if something goes
wrong... well, that's the consequence.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena and
Jinny looked to the floor for a few seconds as they thought this
over. Eventually, Jinny sighed.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Okay...
so... how do we do this?” She asked, feeling a little like she was
about to sacrifice her life, but since it was for a good cause, she
was willing to consider it at the very least.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Timing
is important,” Cassandra began the explanation. “He shifts the
night before, the night of, and the night after the full moon. But
during the day leading up to his first shift, he becomes a little
wolf like. His teeth will grow a little. His claws emerge – things
like that... and that's what we need for the spell.” She paused to
drink a little more of her tea.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">So
he can bite us...” Jinny whispered nervously.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Nope,”
Cassandra stated with a shake of her head. “So he can scratch us.”
She then held up her hands. “I know that scratches are just as bad
as being bitten, but I swear, so long as we complete the spell, we
will all be fine!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena and
Jinny both sighed in acceptance and took hold of Cassandra's hands.
Jinny smiled and nudged Cassandra playfully.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">It's
fine. If you need us, then the risk is worth it,” Jinny assured
her.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Lena agreed. “I know you wouldn't do this unless it was very
important, so... When do we do it?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">This
weekend,” Cassandra stated with a relieved smile. “Saturday is
the first of the three days. We'll invite him over to my house – or
insist on going to his cabin with him – and once his claws emerge,
we'll begin the spell.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Won't
he be suspicious?” Lena wondered.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">And
won't he refuse because he won't want to risk harming us?” Jinny
added in confusion.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">He
might be, but I'll convince him, no matter what it takes,”
Cassandra stated. “I'll tell him that I need him to use his wolf
magic to cast a protection spell on the three of us – which won't
be too far from the truth since the spell actually will protect us
for as long as we are bound to him.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Got
it!” Jinny remarked cheekily. “We lure him to your place and then
trick him into completing a spell to bind him to us. Sounds easy!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
snorted and muttered sarcastically. “Sure!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
grinned with the same overly cheerful attitude they were exhibiting.
“Yep, we'll have him scratch us up and then have sex with us until
he cums inside us!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Wait
</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>what</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">?!?!”
Lena and Jinny demanded in unison.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
sighed and looked at her hands. “It's how the spell works. The
scratches mark us as the points of the circle and his semen binds him
to us.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Lena repeated in confusion. “You want us to have sex with your
</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>boyfriend?!</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Casandra
rolled her head around a bit. “It's not so much a matter of what I
want but what needs to happen. Don't worry too much about making me
mad or jealous though, I've grown up in a family that is open about
relationships. Considering that this is my first serious love – and
the man that I am pretty sure I want to spend the rest of my life
with – I had originally thought to keep him all to myself, but I'd
rather share him with you two forever than let him be responsible for
any more deaths.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena was
suddenly having second thoughts. She rubbed her temples with the
fingers of both hands. “Wait a minute, I just realized that this
means that we will be bound to him as well. For the rest of our
lives...”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Like
mates?” Jinny asked with a frown.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,
more or less,” Cassandra confirmed with a tiny nod.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena held
her breath for a long moment, and then sighed. “It's a good thing I
really love you then, because this means that we'll be stuck with
each other forever as well.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Ah
what the hell!” Jinny exclaimed, grabbing a hand from each of her
friends again. “Best friends forever, right?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Right!”
Lena and Cassandra cheered in agreement.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">***</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">What
if this doesn't work?” Lena muttered softly. “What if we actually
</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>do</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
turn into werewolves?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">It'll
work,” Cassandra assured her once again. “So long as we </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>all
</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">stick
to it 'til the very end. No chickening out!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny felt
her hands shake and tried to hide this by hugging herself. “What if
he turns before we are done and kills us? We're only 21; we're too
young to die!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
pressed a finger to Jinny's lips. “Shh, don't talk like that! We're
not gonna die!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena put
her arms around both of them. “Shh! I'm pretty sure he just
arrived!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Remember,
he thinks this is a protection spell! Don't let on for a second that
it's binding him!” Cassandra hissed in an urgent whisper.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">We
know!” Her friends whispered back.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There
was a knock on the door, which promptly opened to reveal Sean. “Hey
babe! Are you </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>sure</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
about this?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
ran into Sean's arms to give him a deep kiss. She broke it off in
confusion when she realized that Sean had brought someone with him.
She stared at the stranger with a vague sense of dread. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sean
chuckled. “This is my younger brother, Ryan. He's here because I
wanted to make sure that </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>I</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
didn't hurt any of you.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
Cassandra asked with a confused frown. “You mean he knows?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yep!”
Sean confirmed with a grin. “I tell Ryan everything! He's my backup
plan in case anything goes wrong in general. We usually spend the
days of the full moon in my cabin, eating a ton and drinking beer.
That way, if I turn into a monster and get loose, he can shoot me.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">WHAT?!”
Cassandra blurted out in astonishment.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Ryan
laughed. “With a tranq! Although I have promised to shoot him dead
if he really goes on a rampage.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">My
little bro may only be 18, but he's an excellent shot! A champion
marksman!” Sean bragged proudly.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Nice
to meet you,” Cassandra murmured a little coldly. She didn't mean
to be unwelcoming, but having Ryan here meant that her spell was
going to be even more awkward. “Uuuum... The spell is a bit...
intimate. Are you </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>sure</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you want your brother around for this?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Definitely!”
Sean confirmed confidently. “If there is </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>anything</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I have learned since becoming a werewolf, it's that magic can be
unpredictable. Better to be prepared for the worst.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
looked over at Lena and Jinny, who were both blushing. Then she
looked back at Sean.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Okay,
um... What I didn't get a chance to explain yet is that this spell of
protection is sex magic.” Cassandra blushed herself, but managed to
continue. “You'll need to have sex with all three of us in order
for it to work.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,
what?” Sean asked, tempted to clean his ear out. “I can't have
heard that right!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
serious!” Cassandra exclaimed.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You
want me to have a foursome with you and your best friends?!” Sean
roared incredulously. For the record, he wasn't opposed to the idea,
he just didn't think his girlfriend was serious. He was more than
half certain that she was trying to set him up.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cassandra
sighed and decided to be as patient as possible. “You're a wolf!
Wolves have packs. The </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>only</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
way that the protection spell will work is if you make us part of
your pack, and you do that by having sex with us.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,”
Sean replied darkly. “Do you mean you want me to turn you into
wolves too?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">No,”
Cassandra stated with a shake of her head. “No, if you complete the
spell – despite scratching us – your wolf magic will protect us,
even from turning.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
sighed in frustration and ran a hand through his hair. “Why is this
so important to you?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Your
magic will help protect us from disease and minor accidents,”
Cassandra explained, and even though she was trying to trick him into
a binding spell, this was actually true. “Wouldn't </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>you</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
want to give that gift to your best friends – if, you know, it
didn't require having sex with them.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
sighed in defeat. “Yeah actually, before I knew what the spell
involved, I thought that if it worked, we could do it again for a few
of my loved ones, but no... I'm not interested in having sex with any
of them.” He turned to Ryan. “Sorry bro!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Ryan held
up his hands with an expression of: ew! “Yeah, I'm not interested
in that either!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Taking a
deep breath, Sean looked at Lena and Jinny, and then exhaled slowly.
“So how does this work?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">The three
women were wearing monk-like robes in their favorite colors.
Cassandra wore blue, Jinny wore Green, and Lena wore red. Lena nodded
to indicate that she would go first since hers was the least
embarrassing. She turned her back to them and slowly lowered the robe
to reveal her naked back.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">We
each have a sacred design drawn on our bodies that consists of nine
lines. When your claws emerge, you'll scratch the design so that it
is permanent, and then you seal it by making us part of your pack.
Just to be clear, your semen is the “glue” that makes the spell
work,” Cassandra explained.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Gesturing,
Sean silently asked for permission to examine Lena's back. He bit his
lip in thought as he did so. “You say this is supposed to be a
sacred design, but it just looks like a bunch of claw marks.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
walked over to her book – which was open to the designs because
they had only just finished drawing them about 10 minutes before he
arrived. She held up the book for him to see – since no other
information could be learned from these pages.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">There
were a few variations to choose from, but they all had to be easy for
a wolf to draw with his claws, so yes, even though they look like
scratches, they </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>are</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
sacred designs.” She closed the book firmly and set it on a special
stand. Both the stand and the book were warded to prevent anyone
other than her from touching them.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Well,
if you are all </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>sure</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
you want to do this, then we have approximately 15-20 minutes before
my claws come out. After that, we have five or six hours before the
moon turns me,” Sean explained.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Thank
you for doing this,” Cassandra professed. She threw her arms around
him and hugged him tight. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">The
doorbell rang just then, making Cassandra chuckle. “You said you
need to pig out, right? Well, we decided to order pizza.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">This
lightened the mood quite a bit. A half an hour later, they were all
more relaxed and ready to start the spell. Cassandra took Sean's hand
in hers to inspect his claws – which had emerged almost exactly
when he said they would. With a smile, she blew on them, making them
glow a vibrant shade of red.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Whoa,”
Sean murmured in surprise.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Admit
it,” Cassandra stated with a mysterious smirk. “You didn't fully
believe that I was a witch until just now.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
simply shrugged because he had believed her, but seeing proof with
his own eyes made it seem more real. Cassandra glanced nervously at
Ryan for a moment, and then shrugged. A moment later, she untied the
sash of her blue robe, and then let it fall to the ground.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Ryan
gasped softly in surprise, not expecting her to be standing naked in
front of him. Sean grinned at her suggestively for a moment before
noticing that she had blue marker drawn lines on her breasts and
stomach. His grin turned to a frown.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">That
looks like it's going to hurt,” he murmured in concern.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
shrugged. “I'm sure it will, but it'll be much like getting a
tattoo, I imagine.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Shaking
his head just a tiny bit, Sean examined his claws. They tingled, the
redness pulsing like a heartbeat. He was suddenly a little afraid.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">And
you're </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>sure</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
I won't turn you into a werewolf?” He asked with a concerned frown.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I've
read the spell a hundred times, and it clearly says that so long as
the spell is fully completed – with all three of us – before you
turn into a wolf, we'll be protected. We'll remain normal. Human.
Whatever. The point is that this is not intended to turn us, and in
fact, we should be immune should another wolf ever try to turn us,”
Cassandra informed him.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
nodded in acceptance. “That could come in handy.” He pulled her
close and kissed her. “So all I have to do is scratch you on those
lines, and then have sex with you?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
nodded with a smile. “Yep, until you cum, because your semen is the
glue.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Whoa,
wait,” Sean exclaimed, looking over at Lena and Jinny again. “What
if, you know... If I have to cum inside all three of you, what if I
get you all pregnant?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">The three
women exchanged glances, and then shrugged. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">We'll
just have to deal with that if it happens,” Lena stated.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
can't believe I'm doing this,” Sean muttered. However, one good
look at the hope shining in Cassandra's eyes melted any resistance he
had. He pulled Cassandra into one arm to hold her steady while he
scratched her with his other hand. Three lines on each breast and
three lines on her stomach for a total of nine lines that vaguely
formed an open triangle.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">She
inhaled a sizzling gasp of pain, but held still. When he was done,
blood dripped from her wounds. To show that the spell was working,
the blood and wounds glowed red, pulsing in time with his claws.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean knew
that he was committed to finishing the spell now, so he looked over
at his brother. “Just remember, if anything goes wrong – such as
I change early and attack them – you shoot me!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
will,” Ryan promised with a solemn expression.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">With a nod
of acceptance, Sean scooped Cassandra into his arms and carried her
to her bedroom. He set her on her feet just inside her bedroom door
so that he could get undressed. Cassandra kissed him liberally as she
helped him take off his clothes. When he was naked, he lifted her up
so that she could wrap her legs around his waist, and then carried
her to her bed.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">He sat on
the edge of her bed with her straddling him. They did nothing but
kiss for several minutes, but eventually, Cassandra didn't want to
wait any longer. She reached back and took hold of his shaft so that
she could guide him inside her.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Ah,”
Cassandra moaned softly in pleasure. She rocked her hips into him as
he dug his fingers into them. Maybe the spell was adding to the
experience, because both felt an incredible heat that was more
intense than ever before.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You
feel so good!” Sean informed his girlfriend.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">So
do you!” Cassandra cried out happily. “I'd swear that you were
just a little bit bigger than normal.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
chuckled. “That happens when I'm close to turning. Everything about
me gets a little bit bigger – which I assume is to help with the
change.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">And
you smell so incredible,” Cassandra murmured in his ear just before
she licked his neck.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
moaned, finding her action incredibly erotic. He wrapped his arms
around her to hold her close as he shifted their position. A moment
later, she was on her back with him on top of her. Before resuming
their thrusts, he looked her in the eyes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You
know I love you, right?” He asked seriously. “I'd do anything for
you...”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
smiled. “I love you too! So much that I think I would die to
protect you if I had to.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">This
is the first time that we aren't using protection,” Sean murmured,
kissing her from her ear to her mouth. “If we have a baby, I
promise to be a good father.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You
want me to have a baby?” Cassandra asked just a little bit
breathlessly.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah...
I actually do,” Sean replied with a soft smile.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
Sean!” Cassandra cried out, hugging him tight. They ground their
hips together almost frantically. Both were far too excited to wait
any longer.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
pounded into Cassandra so forcefully that the bed banged into the
wall. Both wanted him to cum as quickly as possible so that they
might conceive, but his body had other plans. He banged the bed into
the wall for at least 15 or 20 minutes before he finally pumped her
full, and by this time, they were both ready to reach the stars.
Cassandra squealed while Sean roared. The red glow got brighter for a
moment before it settled down, making the healed scratches look
almost like they were colored with henna.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Collapsing
into a pile, they lay panting in the aftermath. Cassandra laced her
fingers through Sean's, and brought his hand to her mouth so that she
could kiss it.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
love you so damn much!” She confessed, even though he already knew
it.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
love you too,” he murmured, shifting to kiss her.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">But
you should probably go wash up a little,” Cassandra suggested,
pointing the the bathroom attached to her bedroom.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
still can't believe that you're serious about me having sex with your
friends,” he stated, shaking his head with a wry smile.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not? I love them too, and this is something I was raised around. Most
of my family members have open relationships. More importantly, if
you don't, the spell won't be complete and I'll turn...”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
sighed and kissed her again. “Okay... but I want you to know that I
am only doing this because you want me to. I already said that I
would do anything for you. Even so, I never imagined that you'd ask
this!” He laughed, and then looked away. “But I will admit that I
have fantasized about them. Lena looks so soft and cuddly, while
Jinny has a lush body.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
chuckled. “That she does! Just wait until you see her naked...
She's even better than you can imagine!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Wait,
you've seen her naked?” Sean asked, highly intrigued.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Sure!”
Cassandra confirmed. “She's one of my best friends! Not only did we
draw these lines on each other, but we've been helping each other
pick out clothes and get dressed for years. Girls tend to go to the
bathroom in packs too, you might recall.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
chuckled and kissed her. Cassandra nudged him playfully. “Go on,”
she insisted. “Go wash up. We have to complete the spell before you
turn.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sean
chuckled a bit wryly. “I just realized that that means that I'm
going to have to cum two more times in just a couple of hours. I am
not sure that I will be </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>able</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
to!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cassandra
giggled and kissed him. “We've had a couple of nights that suggest
you will be able to. Just be thankful that I didn't have a whole
coven involved in this spell! There's one account in which a full 13
women performed this spell with a wolf once upon a time ago. I can
only </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>imagine</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
how much magic my ancestors had to use on him to keep him going until
they were all done!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds impossible,” Sean remarked with a shake of his head.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
merely shrugged. Then she playfully pushed him out of bed. “Go wash
up!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">With a
laugh, Sean got out of bed and walked into her bathroom. He simply
stood in front of the sink and washed his shaft thoroughly before
drying off.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
also got out of bed, and then threw on his shirt – only buttoning
enough buttons to keep her reasonably covered. She wandered into the
kitchen almost silently, listening in amusement as Lena talked to
Ryan. She had apparently gotten hot and removed her ritual robe at
some point.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Figure
skating is just like dancing, but on ice. There's really nothing to
be afraid of,” Lena explained as she twirled around on the slippery
floor. Hilariously, she was wearing a pair of ugly socks, but nothing
else.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Ryan
watched her with an expression that stated that he was equal parts
amused by her and in lust. He definitely liked what he saw. He also
glanced over at Jinny, who was still wearing her ritual robe, but was
also hot because she'd opened it to let in cool air, which also
revealed her entire front.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
gained a bit more speed as she sock skated around the large kitchen,
and then performed a triple spin that lifted her a good foot into the
air. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Whoa!”
Ryan blurted out in amazement.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You
want to try it?” Lena asked, holding her hand out to Ryan.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Uh...”
Ryan droned hesitantly. He was fairly sure that he would fall on his
butt and embarrass himself.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">So,
who's next?” Sean asked as he came up behind Cassandra. He was
wearing a towel around his lower half, but nothing else.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Me!”
Lena stated, raising her hand. She skated over to Sean with a smile,
but then focused on Cassandra. “I know it's too late to back out
now, but I have to admit, this feels weird.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
know,” Cassandra murmured before kissing Lena's cheek. “But don't
worry, I won't get mad.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Okay,”
Lena murmured, holding her hand out to Sean. He took it uncertainly,
and then smiled at her. A second later, he scooped her into his arms
and carried her into Cassandra's bedroom.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
smiled at Jinny and Ryan. “I'm going to go take a bath in the big
tub.” Jinny grinned at her, knowing that the big tub referred to a
pretty sweet jacuzzi located on the deck.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Have
fun!” Jinny wished her.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
will,” Cassandra promised.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Meanwhile,
in Cassandra's bedroom, Sean had set Lena on her feet and was
watching her pace the room nervously. He frowned in concern by the
way she trembled just slightly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Is
something wrong?” He asked.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Only
that I haven't done this in a really long time,” Lena confessed. “I
had a boyfriend when I was 16 to 17, but we broke up when we each
went to college, and I haven't had sex since.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not?” Sean wondered curiously.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
shrugged. “I was thinking that maybe I'd try a girlfriend next, but
I haven't found anyone I really want yet.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Then
why agree to do this?” Sean asked.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Because
it's important,” Lena stated with a smile. “And deep down, I
suppose I thought it sounded like fun.” Her smile turned sensual as
she beckoned to him with one finger.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Turning
her back on him, Lena crawled into bed. She pointed over her shoulder
at her back. “I decided to have my design on my back so that if I
wore any skimpy costumes, it could be hidden pretty easily – or
considered an unusual tattoo.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean saw
the marker lines and smiled softly. “Well, here goes...” he
murmured, crawling onto the bed behind her. He held her steady with
one hand as he carefully scratched her with the claws of his other
hand. When he was done, she had a glowing red triple triangle on her
back that oozed blood lightly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lena
moaned, finding it a bit strange that the pain felt good to her.
</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>Really
good!</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
She wiggled her butt at him, looking over her shoulder lustily.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sean
was amazed to find that he was more than ready to have sex with her!
</span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>Must
be because I'm getting closer to shifting,</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
he thought, which was true. He grasped her hips in his hands and
plunged his shaft into her a bit abruptly.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
gasped and moaned happily. “Oh yeah!” She purred encouragingly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean found
that he had stamina to spare because he had ejaculated very recently.
With a grin, he decided that he may as well have as much fun as
possible. Considering that Lena was fairly athletic, it was
surprising that her back and hips were so soft and shapely. Just
looking at her drove him crazy!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Holding
her steady, he decided to pull out and press his shaft into her
tightly puckered anus. Lena gasped in surprise, but then remained
quiet as she focused on what he was doing. It felt surprisingly good!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Play
with yourself,” Sean ordered. He normally would have done so
himself, but his claws made that highly unlikely at the moment.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
located her clitoris and rubbed it the way she liked. A moan escaped
her even as her legs started to tremble. She buried her face into a
pillow so that she could moan and cry as much as she wanted.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Despite a
pillow to muffle her, she screamed quite loudly with orgasm three
times before Sean was able to pump her full. Both were slightly
afraid for a moment that the spell wouldn't work because he was not
in the right hole, but a bright glow assured them that it had. The
glow settled down as they panted to catch their breath.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Unexpectedly,
Lena giggled. “Well now! That was so much better than I expected!
My ex and I never had the imagination to try this.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Sean
grinned at her, pulling out and flopping onto his back next to her.
“That's a shame, because it's a fun position that you clearly
enjoy.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Mmmhmm!”
Lena hummed in agreement. She was ready to go to sleep.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">So was
Sean, but he knew that he had to summon the energy to keep going. He
sighed, a bit reluctant to get out of bed. “I should probably take
a shower this time. I am utterly covered in sweat!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
giggled. “So am I!” She then drew a line down his chest with her
pointer finger. “I think Jinny's going to be very happy with you!
She's been complaining for months that she can't find a man decent in
bed ever since she broke up with her ex. She needs this every bit as
much as I did, even if I didn't realize it at first.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Good
to know,” Sean stated with a smirk. To tell the truth, he had never
been all that confident in his sexual skills until meeting Cassandra.
She'd taught him how to please a woman, and he'd learned his lessons
well.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Kissing
Lena on the cheek, Sean got out of bed. “If I don't go take that
shower now, I'm probably going to pass out.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Mmm,”
Lena murmured in agreement as she snuggled up to the pillow that
smelled like him. “Smells so good...”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">As Sean
stepped into the shower, he had no idea that Jinny was teasing his
younger brother. She had pushed him onto the couch, and was now
practicing her oral skills on him. Ryan moaned and groaned as Jinny
sucked on him. He hadn't had someone that really knew what they were
doing before, and so she quite took his breath away. Even so, she was
only teasing him, so she purposely did not remain consistent. She
would get him fairly close, and then stop to tickle and kiss his
chest for a few minutes before doing it again.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Just when
Ryan thought he was going to go off for sure, Sean laughed. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
see things are fairly interesting out here as well!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Ryan
yelped in surprise and embarrassment. Jinny abandoned him to stand up
and grin at Sean.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
just thought that it was a little unfair that he wasn't having any
fun,” Jinny explained with a shrug. “I guess it's finally my
turn! Judging by the way that Lena kept screaming, I'm pretty sure
that I'm in for a real treat.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny
purred and wrapped her arms around Sean's neck. She had already
abandoned her robe completely, and her body was every bit as luscious
as Cassandra had claimed. He was tempted to pinch himself to see if
he was simply dreaming after all, but settled for scooping her into
his arms instead.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Ryan
sighed in disappointment as he watched them go, but a minute later,
he heard Jinny loudly and playfully demand that Lena get out of bed.
A few seconds after that, Lena emerged from the bedroom with a sleepy
sigh of disappointment. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
was half hoping to watch,” she murmured, and then spotted Ryan. She
saw his blush and realized that he must have heard her having sex,
which made her blush in return. “Ah what the hell,” she whispered
to herself.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Ryan
watched her walk over to the couch he was sitting on and plop down
next to him. She smiled at him encouragingly. He leaned slightly away
from her, not quite believing his luck.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Hi...”
he murmured softly.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Hi,”
she purred in return. “I'm not usually like this, but I feel like I
am in heat or something. Do you want to have sex?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you serious?!” Ryan blurted out incredulously.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
Lena confirmed, reclining so that her legs were laying across his.
She grabbed his hand and used one of his fingers to rub her clitoris.
This made her shudder delicately in pleasure. Ryan grinned, liking
her action.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Meanwhile,
in the bedroom, Jinny pushed Sean onto the bed and climbed on top of
him. She rode him fast to begin with, thoroughly happy to play with
herself until she orgasmed. After that, she surrendered herself to
him, letting him do whatever he wanted to her. </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lucky for
both of them, Sean remembered that he was supposed to scratch her. He
couldn't find a pattern and frowned in confusion until he realized
that the lines drawn in marker all over her body were a sort of
pattern. Jinny chuckled.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
wanted my scratches to look like random scars. That way, they aren't
likely to be noticed unless someone has the time to really study my
body,” she explained.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">With a nod
because this actually made sense, Sean proceeded to make the marks
permanent. There was one line on each of her arms, one line on each
of her breasts, two lines on each of her thighs, and one line on her
feminine mound. Making nine in total.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">After
scratching her mound, Sean decided that it was an excellent idea to
lick the little bit of blood oozing from the lightly glowing wound,
and then focus on pleasing her. He licked and sucked on her clitoris
until she was writhing and squealing from the pleasure. She was happy
to let him continue as much as he wanted, but then the pleasure got
to be too much. Fairly urgently, she tugged him into place between
her legs.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Considering
that Sean had already cum twice, he had a strangely hard time doing
so again so soon. This meant that he got mildly frustrated and
changed paces and positions frequently in order to find what felt the
best. To his astonishment, he didn't feel quite as into Jinny as he
thought he'd be.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">After an
hour, Jinny got a little bored. She also knew that they were running
short on time, so she kicked him off of her and settled herself
between his legs. She was confidently certain that she could get him
to shoot his load in less than two minutes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Sean
groaned happily when she took him into her mouth. His eyes rolled
back when she proved that she knew what she was doing and was </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>very</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
good at it. His knees started shaking a little as he clutched her
soft hair.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
God!” He cried out as he pumped her mouth full. She purposely
continued to suck on him until she had every last drop. His breathing
was heavy and erratic at this point, and he melted onto the bed.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny
watched with fascination during his climax as her scratches and his
claws got fairly bright. They pulsed each time he did, making the
experience interesting. Jinny half wished that she could do it again
immediately so that she could see the pulsing glow again. However,
when he was done, the glow faded until it looked like she had light
red henna tattoos. This made her realize that the scratches were now
fully healed – something she hadn't expected at all!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Without
warning, as his shaft was still inside her mouth, Sean changed shape.
At first he got bigger and grew into a monster-like creature –
which made Jinny gasp and lean back, thus releasing him from her
mouth. She was considering screaming and running from the room, but
before she could, he finished shifting into the form of a large wolf.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Thoroughly
exhausted – even though he was now hungry – he promptly curled up
and fell asleep. Jinny exhaled in relief and smiled at him. “Aww,
you're such an adorable wolfie!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
entered the room a minute later. “I felt him change!” She
exclaimed as she watched Jinny pet him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">It
was amazing!” Jinny admitted. “Even though he grew claws and they
glowed red, I didn't fully believe you about him being a werewolf
until the moment he changed.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
know,” Cassandra murmured. “Despite being raised as a witch and
knowing that these legends are all true, I didn't fully believe it
myself until I felt him change. Part of me was hoping that I was
wrong, and that this spell would just bring us all closer together or
something, but it's real. See?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
held up her hands to gesture to her scratches, they were glowing
vibrantly once more. “The bare minimum of women required for the
spell is three because it's impossible to form a circle – or
triangle – without at least three points. If he shifts while
outside our circle, he will be drawn to the nearest of us, and if he
is inside our circle, he cannot leave. Especially if we are close
enough together. Our scratches will glow and form a barrier around
him.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cassandra
was glad that Sean was snoring away in his wolf form, because hearing
this explanation might piss him off. Though she </span></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><i>would</i></span><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
explain it to him when he was human again. Smiling, she continued.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">However,
now that he's been spelled, he shouldn't want to leave our circle. He
should be completely interested in the three of us and not interested
in hunting out prey. Because of this, we are all bound together. None
of us will die – excepting a horrific circumstance – until he
does. If he – and thus we – are old enough, we'll all die
together. If he's still young and dies in an accident, we go back to
normal.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny
sensed that this possibility truly saddened Cassandra, so she got out
of bed to hug her friend. “Hey... That won't happen! We'll all die
together of old age!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
smiled and rested her hands on her stomach. “I really think he
knocked me up. What about you?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny
laughed. “Not a chance! Not unless he can magically get me pregnant
via my mouth!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Lena
chuckled – letting them know that she'd been standing behind them
for quite some time. “And not unless he can magically get me
pregnant from anal. I then used a condom with Ryan, so I am pretty
sure I'm not pregnant either.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">You
had sex with Ryan?!” Jinny asked incredulously. “Not fair! I want
to have sex with him too!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Both Lena
and Cassandra laughed and pointed out the door. “Go ahead!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Cassandra
then shook her head. “But not me. I would have to talk to Sean
about such a thing first, and I'm not entirely sure I'm interested in
Ryan.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">I
am,” Lena admitted. “But not as a boyfriend. Maybe just as a
friend with benefits.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny
sighed a bit sadly. “I could tell by the way he looked at you that
it's you he likes, Lena. Too bad you're not interested! Oh well, good
for me, I guess!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny
bounced excitedly as she left the room. She found Ryan watching her
from half closed eyes. He was half asleep but perked up slightly when
he saw Jinny. She grinned at him gorgeously.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">It's
time for me to finish what I started!” She announced. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">With a
gulp, Ryan nodded just slightly in agreement. Purring, Jinny settled
herself on him where he lay on the couch. She looked over to the
bedroom to see if anyone was watching, but discovered that no one
was. She was mildly disappointed by this, even as she figured that
Cassandra and Lena must have curled up in bed with Sean.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">As
confidently as she did most everything, Jinny worked Ryan up and
mounted him. He smiled at her, wishing that her mouth was close
enough to kiss. Her glowing scratches caught his eye, prompting him
to stare at her beautifully full breasts.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">They
rocked together for a gloriously long time. Jinny rubbed herself
until she squealed, which sent Ryan over the edge too. He dug his
fingers into her hips as he pumped her full. Afterwards, they curled
up on the couch so that they could sleep, despite there being barely
enough room for the both of them.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Hey...”
Jinny murmured as she snuggled into him. “You want to be my
boyfriend?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-style: normal;">Hmm...”
Ryan hummed in thought. “Yeah... I think I'd like that.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">Jinny
purred happily, shifting until she could kiss him. Blissfully
content, they fell asleep.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-1478292724343016772015-12-14T09:15:00.000-06:002015-12-14T09:15:05.755-06:00Yalera the Brave - Epilogue
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Epilogue</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan sighed in frustration as he tucked a letter in
his shirt pocket and lay on the soft grass under a tree. It was
unusually warm for an early spring day, and the sun was shining
gorgeously. All in all, there shouldn't have been anything for him to
be upset about.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
wrong?” Ando wondered as he sat on the ground next to Baethan.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is the second letter I've received from my father...” Baethan
trailed off. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Both men looked over to Yalera as she shrieked. She was
holding a baby to her chest as she ran from a handful of mostly grown
cubs. The baby was only two months old and belonged to Rohan and
Hannah. Hannah had asked Yalera to watch him for a bit while she took
a well deserved nap. Rohan was busy preparing for their yearly
inspection.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Seeing that there was no reason to be concerned for
their charge's safety, they continued their conversation.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
why does this bother you?” Ando wondered with a curious frown.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan sighed. “Because my father doesn't understand.
He wants me to get married now that I'm 25. I'm supposed to work on
heirs for when I inherit his title someday.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ando knew that Baethan was the son of a Lord, but he
didn't know much else because Baethan didn't like to talk about his
father. So he decided to ask. “What title does your father hold?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He's
a Duke,” Baethan answered with a shrug. “And I'm his only child.
Thus I had a strange childhood. I was treated much like a little
Prince growing up, so when I was first sent to the King's service, I
was shocked to be treated like... well... like a regular person, I
suppose. I reacted by rebelling and often got in trouble. The King
would send me home a lot as punishment...”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ando waited for him to continue, but when he didn't,
Ando sighed. “I was born to servants who worked in the palace
kitchen. I was an only child too... And then one day, there was a
terrible fire that accidentally killed a lot of people who worked in
the kitchen – including both my parents. King Bruno didn't quite
know what to do with me since I was the oldest of a handful of
children who had been orphaned. The others could be adopted or sent
to orphanages, but I was just barely old enough to work and support
myself, so he gave me a job as Prince Crispin's companion. Thus, we
became inseparable. For the first time in my life, I was treated like
someone who mattered!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan sensed that even though Ando had rushed on to
avoid talking about his parents, he had felt anguished over their
loss. He put a hand on Ando's shoulder. “My mother died of a nasty
illness when I was 15, so I know how you must have felt.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ando
nodded in acceptance. “Yeah, my parents were amazingly kind
considering that they had very stressful jobs. It was hard to lose
them so suddenly. Which made me feel all the worse when I felt lucky
to be the Prince's companion. I felt like it was somehow </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
fault they died! I felt like I was a horrible person for being happy
with my life for years...”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan nodded because he knew exactly what Ando was
talking about. “My father would get mad at me for being such a
troublemaker, but he loves me, you know? So he always did what he
could to talk the King into taking me back after a while. It was
important to my father that I become a good man in loyal service to
the King.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan sighed again and rolled over so that he was
laying facing away from Ando. “Even just two years ago, I was still
a childish idiot. I always did things to get into trouble because I
was bored or something. I don't even know! My father threatened to
disown me or maybe murder me on the spot if I got kicked out of the
King's Service again. That's why I jumped at the chance to serve
under Yemry on the mission to Nandia. I thought I could joke and jest
my way to a small commendation from Yemry to get back in the King's
good graces... Instead, I was forced to grow up...”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
now that you have, your father is eager to have you settle down and
act like a future Duke is supposed to,” Ando stated knowingly.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Baethan admitted with a sigh. “He wants me to officially leave the
King's service while I'm still respected, get married, and prepare to
take over for him someday.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
the problem?” Ando wondered, although he was half sure he already
knew what it was.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan snorted derisively. “My father thinks that
I've asked to continue on as Yalera's bodyguard because he thinks
that I think this is a light and cushy job with no real work. I wrote
to him explaining what had happened, but I don't think he believes
me. He doesn't understand that I...” He shrugged, not entirely sure
how to put it into words.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
still have nightmares about what happened and you can't bear to be
away from Yalera because you want to be able to reassure yourself
that she's okay if you wake up in a panic in the middle of the
night...” Ando stated, knowing it was true because he did the same
thing. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The two of them – as Nandia's Princess Yalera's
official bodyguards – had been given permanent cots in Yalera's
chamber. Ronin had initially been concerned about this arrangement,
but once Yalera showed him her healing wounds and insisted that she
didn't feel safe without them, he relented without ever saying
another word about it. To this day, nearly a year and a half later,
she still woke in the night and called out to them, as they often
woke up and called out to her. The moment they were all sure everyone
was safe, they could go back to sleep.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan nodded without a word.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera laughed happily as she ran up to them. She sat on
the grass between them and pointed at Yuna. “I'm so happy that she
decided to chase the cubs around for a bit!” She patted her nephew
in the sling as she kissed his forehead. “And who would have
thought that you could sleep through all that?!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ando chuckled and smiled. “I've heard that infants
love constant motion like that because it reminds them of being in
the womb.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera pulled the baby out of the sling and held him up.
“Perhaps, but I feel a tiny bit cheated that he's been sleeping the
entire time I've been holding him!” She kissed his face at least a
dozen times and giggled when he made unhappy sounds and faces in his
sleep. “I love you so much you adorably precious baby boy!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan – still an incorrigible joker when the
situation probably called for seriousness – sat up and poked her
cheek. “You look so cute holding a baby! You should probably go to
the King and tell him to marry you off again soon so that you can
have one of your own.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yalera
laughed again. “No thank you! I told him that I will not get
married again!” She stroked the collar around her neck. “And so
long as I am considered a Princess, he can't really argue with me. I
mean he </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>could</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
but I wouldn't listen to him. He knows this, so he told me that I
have won the right to choose my own husband someday.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">He
said that?!” Baethan asked incredulously.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yep,”
Yalera confirmed with a tight smile.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
why not marry me?” Baethan blurted out before he even had a second
to think about it.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera stopped everything like she was frozen for a
moment before chuckling nervously. “Oh Baethan... it's not fair to
ask me that...”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not?” He wondered a bit petulantly.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera said nothing as she took the time to tuck the
sleeping baby back into the sling. Once he was secure, she grabbed
Baethan's hand in hers, and then Ando's in the other. Ando was
looking down to hide the fact that he was so sure that Yalera would
accept Baethan's proposal, and he couldn't help but feel hurt by the
prospect.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Because
– Baethan – I could never possibly choose between the two of
you...” she finally answered him with all sincerity. “I've been
so happy that neither of you have asked me to choose before this. I
told myself that neither of you wanted me like that so that I
wouldn't have to think about it, but I've long known from the subtle
jokes that both of you make that... Well... That you both would like
to marry me someday...”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
sighed, dropped their hands, and then turned and crawled just a
little away so that they wouldn't be able to see her face. “I </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>have</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
thought about it. I've thought about it a lot. I've tried to decide
who I'd choose if I had to, but I just can't! One day I'll decide
that I'll just accept the first to ask, and then the next day I'll
decide that I'll refuse no matter who asks. Now that it has come to
it...” She shrugged helplessly and focused on her hands – which
were busy picking at the grass.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ando had definitely perked up during her explanation. He
leaned over and grabbed her hand and squeezed it lightly. “Wait,
you mean to say that you have considered marrying me?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yeah,”
Yalera admitted in a near whisper. “But as I said, I can't choose,
so... I'd rather just not get married at all.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey,”
Baethan murmured softly, tugging on her other hand. “Look at me a
minute.” When she complied by turning back around, he gave her a
tiny but hopeful smile. “Listen, my father wants me to get married,
but I've resisted because I don't want to marry anyone other than
you. Will you </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>please</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
consider marrying me? I mean consider the matter much more seriously
now that I've asked.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera groaned softly. “But what about Ando?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Baethan
and Ando looked at each other. Neither was quite sure how to feel
because they both loved her, but they also liked and respected each
other enough to not bicker and fight over her. Baethan knew that Ando
would accept it if Yalera chose him, and Ando knew that Baethan would
accept it if Yalera chose him. They had long assumed that whichever
one of them </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>wasn't</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
chosen would serve as the best man for the one that was chosen.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">All three of them were silent for a long moment, and
then Baethan shrugged. “If you marry me, Ando will still be your
bodyguard. He can come with us and – ” He stopped talking when
Yalera held up a hand.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Actually,
he won't,” Yalera stated.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?
But I thought... You </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>said</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
that Ando would be your bodyguard for the rest of your life!”
Baethan protested in alarm.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
because the condition was that he would be my bodyguard so long as I
was considered a Nandian Princess. If I get married again, I will no
longer be a Princess, and so he would have to return home,” Yalera
explained. “I really didn't foresee getting married again, so I
said that he would be my guard for the rest of my life.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan looked down in disappointment. “Oh... I see...
So you choose him...”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ando couldn't help but look extremely happy by this
prospect. Yalera studied both of their faces for a few seconds. Clear
emotions radiated from both of them, confirming her suspicion that if
she chose either of them, the other would be devastated.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No...
As I said, I cannot chose between you...” Yalera reiterated softly.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So...
now what?” Baethan asked. “I can only stay here for so much
longer. If – Gods forbid – my father were to die, I'd have no
choice but to return home.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera sighed and shrugged. “I have no idea. I suppose
we will just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan smiled sadly at Ando, then looked away from both
of them. “Actually, not that I am trying to be mean or make you
feel guilty, but as I said, if you don't choose me, you are choosing
Ando because I will eventually have to leave and he will be able to
stay with you. Thus if you don't want to marry me, you may as well
marry him.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yalera
dropped Ando's hand to take Baethan's hand in both of hers. “But I
don't want that either. I </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>want</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
things to stay exactly the same! I don't think I could live without
both of you by my side!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan pulled his hand free from hers and shook his
head. “It doesn't work that way...”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera sat on the ground facing them for a moment before
turning her attention to the still sleeping baby in the sling at her
chest. Ando picked at the grass with an expression of deep thought
while Baethan looked around at the cubs playing so he didn't have to
look at her.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
don't think I'd like it if you married me by default...” Ando
whispered, half afraid to say it out loud because he couldn't bear
the thought of Yalera making her choice after all.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Rohan ran over to them, calling out as he did so. “Hey!
I've got everything ready!” He took a few seconds to arrive, but
when he did, he bent over to kiss Yalera on the cheek and take his
baby from her. As he did so, he noticed the heaviness in the air.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Is
something wrong?” He asked curiously.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">All three of them shook their heads.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Yalera?</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Rohan asked with a concerned frown.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Nothing
is wrong so much as they want me to make an impossible decision,</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Yalera informed him.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Oh...
one of them finally gathered up the courage to ask you to marry
him...</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> Rohan
figured, taking another look at their faces.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera nodded. Rohan responded by pulling her to her
feet. “Cheer up! It's finally that time of year when we get to go
around inspecting the land!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan groaned. This was not one of his favorite
chores. His father had long since assigned it to an overseer, so he
couldn't understand why Yalera loved it so much, but last spring –
after a long and hard to cope with winter that they'd all felt
strangely trapped because of – he had watched Yalera bounce and hum
to herself the entire time they'd traveled her land. Thus he knew for
certain that this really was one of her favorite things to do.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
just going to go give my son back to Hannah so that we can leave,”
Rohan informed them.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Poor
Hannah,” Yalera remarked. “She's going to be stuck here while we
have all the fun.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Actually,
she's learning all the things that dad does. I imagine that this is a
good thing since </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>someone</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
will eventually have to know how to do what he does while we're out
gallivanting!” Rohan explained with a laugh.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
true,” Yalera agreed with a soft smile. She watched Rohan walk away
in silence until a thought occurred to her. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Do
you think I </i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">should
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>choose one of them?</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Rohan
stopped and looked at her over his shoulder. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Had
you asked me that a long time ago, I would have told you to pick
anyone but Baethan, but now... Well... Just as you know how I feel
about my wife, I know how you feel about them. I honestly don't think
you could choose between them.</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
He shrugged and resumed his walk.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera sighed, got up, and walked over to her cat so
that she could be with someone who didn't confuse her for a while.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">After spring turned to summer and their workload calmed
down for a little bit, Yalera and her family were summoned to the
palace to visit with King Eric. They arrived and spent a few days
with Rolanna, Yemry, and their children. Rolanna had a little Prince
running around giggling almost non-stop while Yemry had a baby girl
who could crawl but couldn't walk yet.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera was treated with clear respect by everyone at
court. The Lords and Ladies all deferred to her as a Princess who had
ensured peace, even so, she could hear them whispering behind her
back. Everyone wanted to know if she had really been tortured by a
Nandian Lord. It grated on her nerves enough that she was tempted to
strip down and show off her scars just to shut them all up.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric held a private picnic out in his garden one
day and invited her to attend. The majority of his court was sent off
to play games on the palace lawn, so he knew that only someone
determined to spy on him would dare listen in to their conversation.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera arrived for the picnic with a smile, only to be
surprised to find a Lord she didn't recognize sitting with the King.
She cast them a puzzled frown as she curtseyed to the King. He
gestured an invitation to sit, which she did as her bodyguards took
up attentive yet restful positions near her.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yalera,
my dear,” King Eric greeted her with a reassuring smile. “I've
summoned you to the palace to discuss a fairly serious subject.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
have?” Yalera asked in dismay, afraid that he was going to pressure
her to get married after all, despite his promise.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Duke of Eastshire has a grievance he'd like you to redress,” King
Eric explained.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Duke nodded to her respectfully. “Princess...”
He then looked up at Baethan. “Son.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Father,”
Baethan greeted. His face was smooth and polite, but inside, he was
in turmoil.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera smiled up at Baethan. “This is your father?!”
She turned her grin on the Duke. “It's a pleasure to meet you!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Duke returned her smile a bit solemnly as he studied
her, and then returned his attention to his son. In his opinion, it
was entirely unusual for his son to be so serious. He had never known
Baethan to be less than a chatterbox and a practical joker. Not that
he would admit it out loud, but part of him was deeply worried about
his son.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
pleasure to meet you as well,” the Duke murmured.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera looked to the King and then back at the Duke.
“So... what is this grievance you want my help with?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
want my son back,” the Duke stated bluntly. “I miss him and want
him to come home, settle down, and prepare to walk in my footsteps
someday. I've demanded that King Eric release him from your service,
but he has ignored me so far!”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
not true,” King Eric protested with a pleasant smile. “I've
written to Baethan to ask if he'd like to be released from service.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
have?!” Yalera asked in surprise. “Baethan, why didn't you tell
me that?”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Because
there was no reason to. I will not leave your service so long as you
still need me,” Baethan stated as if this was a fact – such as
the sky is blue – that could not be changed.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera smiled at him a bit sadly. Her eyes watered ever
so slightly. “That's sweet, but if you have a duty to your
father...” She paused, not quite sure how to finish her sentence.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan would not look at any of them as he shrugged.
“That does not matter.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric was not stupid. He knew that there was
something not being said. He was also fairly certain that he knew
what it was.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yalera,
my dear...” King Eric began delicately. “Why not consider
marrying Baethan and becoming the future Duchess of Eastshire?”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera fingered her wedding collar as she thought about
how to answer this question. Taking a deep breath, she looked over at
Baethan – who was still avoiding her gaze (which his father also
noticed) – and then over at Ando. Exhaling slowly, Yalera smiled at
the King.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
promised me that I would be able to chose my next husband some day,
and I have finally decided... I will not get married unless I can
marry </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>both</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Baethan and Ando. I </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>will not</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
choose between them!”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
preposterous!” The Duke roared in protest.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera shrugged helplessly. “Well, now you all know
why I haven't chosen a suitable husband already.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric sighed sympathetically. “I am sure that you
are simply confused because of what happened to you. Perhaps if you
sent them both away for a few days, you could think a bit more
clearly.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,”
Yalera stated softly but firmly. “I cannot bear to be without
either of them.” She turned to look at Baethan once more.
“Baethan... if you decide to go back home as your duty requires, I
will go with you. You don't need to be stuck serving me for the rest
of your life. So please try to make a decision that you feel would be
best for you.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan looked at Yalera, startled by her statement.
Then he looked at Ando. “What do you think?”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ando shrugged. “I go where my Princess goes, so if she
goes with you, then so do I.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Duke realized that his mouth was gaping open in
astonishment and closed it. “Now see here! Surely you all must
realize that I can't allow a young unmarried woman to live with us!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pardon
me, Your Grace,” Yalera said with a soft smile and a respectful nod
of her head. “But I am not unmarried. I am a widow.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
doesn't make a difference!” The Duke insisted. “I need my son to
get married and have heirs. I am fairly certain that he couldn't do
that if you dangled yourself under his nose all the time!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera took a few deep breaths to remain calm when all
she wanted to do was tell the Duke to mind his own business. After a
moment, she smiled at him. “Did you know that there are bonds that
run deeper than those of marriage?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
do you mean by that?” The Duke asked in confusion.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera looked down at her hands so that she didn't have
to figure out what expression to wear. “Try to imagine it like
this; the Gods themselves took a part of my soul, a part of Baethan's
soul, and a part of Ando's soul, and then they tied them all
together. You cannot sever this bond any more than we could if we
tried.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Duke tilted his head as he stared at her in
confusion. “That's... That's not likely...”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera twisted her lips side to side as she thought this
over. Ever since she had first been tempted to show off her scars to
get people to shut up and leave her alone, she had redesigned some of
her dresses to leave her back open. Then she covered the open back
with an elaborately embroidered light jacket because the very idea of
a backless dress would cause such a scandal that she might be
ostracized for the rest of her life. Even so, she wore the dresses
and jacket because she wanted to.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Gathering up her voluminously fluffy skirts, she turned
until she was sitting on the picnic blanket facing away from both the
King and the Duke. Then she removed her jacket and set it aside,
sweeping her long and curly hair over one shoulder. She knew without
looking that both were speechless with astonishment.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
see?” She asked sweetly. “The Gods have bound the three of us
together and I have the scars to prove it. I cannot live without
either of them.” She looked up at Baethan. “So it doesn't matter
if you decide to settle down and get married and provide heirs. I
will not leave your side.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Both of her bodyguards knelt in front of her and
enveloped her in a hug. Baethan looked up at his father as he picked
up her jacket and draped it over her shoulders. His expression was
dead serious, something his father had never seen before.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
right here is why I refuse to leave Yalera's service. I cannot live
without her!”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Neither
can I,” Ando admitted, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her
face. He looked over at Baethan. “And when push comes to shove,
there's no one I'd rather have at my back than you.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly!”
Baethan agreed as he helped Yalera put her arms through her jacket.
“I know I can trust you to walk through the underworld and back
with me!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera took hold of a hand from each of them. She
pressed a kiss to each hand and then smiled up at them. They returned
her smiles; to them, no one else existed.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric and Baethan's father exchanged helpless looks.
Neither was sure what to think. King Eric shrugged.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Perhaps
now you can see that my hands are tied,” King Eric stated. “Even
if I ordered Baethan to go home, I don't think it would do any good.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes...”
the Duke agreed reluctantly, and then sighed. “Which means that I
have to prepare for the possibility that my line will die out after
my son passes on.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The King looked up to the sky in thought. After a few
moments, he bit his lip. Yalera had turned around so that she could
lightly recline against both Ando and Baethan. She saw the King's
look and tilted her head curiously.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?”
She wondered.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
wonder...” the King murmured softly. He continued to think in
silence for a moment. Then he shrugged again. “Why not?!”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not what?” Yalera asked in confusion.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not let you marry both of them?” King Eric clarified. “I'm the
King, aren't I? I could declare the circumstances unique and the will
of the Gods.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
mean that?!” Yalera gasped happily.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,”
King Eric confirmed. “But </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>only </i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">if
they agree. I can't imagine two men actually agreeing to share a
wife.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan and Ando looked at each other in surprise.
Slowly, both smiled. Baethan sent a confident and slightly cocky grin
to the King. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can't think of a more perfect solution!” Baethan announced, feeling
happier than he had in a long time.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Me
either,” Ando added with a smile.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Duke looked like he was going to have a heart attack
for a moment. He clutched his heart and tried to decide which of the
many protests he had to voice first. Then he took a good look at the
expression on his son's face and sighed in defeat.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Fine...
Just please try your best to ensure that your heir is actually </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>your</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
heir,” he murmured, looking away to hide a blush that he'd had to
say such a thing out loud.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “I
think that perhaps we should keep this quiet. I'll simply draw up and
sign a marriage document for the three of you, and that will be
that.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera nodded in acceptance, unable to believe that her
deepest wish was about to come true. Baethan shrugged, but Ando
frowned.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
seems unfair,” he murmured as he cupped Yalera's face in his hand.
“You deserve to have a beautiful wedding like any other bride.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I've
already had one, remember?” Yalera pointed out. “I don't mind so
long as I get to be with you both for the rest of my life.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan shook his head. “Actually, Ando's right. You
deserve a simple ceremony at the very least.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Duke didn't say anything, but secretly, he wanted to </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>see</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
his son get married, so he agreed. King Eric tilted his head side to
side as he thought this over. Finally he nodded.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Alright,
how about this? We'll have a banquet tonight – which I was going to
have anyways – and afterwards, I'll stand up and perform the
ceremony for you in front of everyone,” King Eric suggested.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera looked at first Baethan and then Ando. They each
nodded slightly to encourage her. She grinned, feeling like the
luckiest girl in the world. “Thank you... Uncle!” Yalera
reinforced her gratitude by kissing him on the cheek, and then
throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tight.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric chuckled as he returned her hug. Then he let
her go and shrugged. “I suppose that it's only right. After
everything that's happened, you deserve happiness.” </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">For the rest of their picnic, they discussed logistics.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Why
are you so happy?</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Rohan asked suspiciously during the banquet when he could feel his
twin nearly bursting with excitement.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera simply shrugged and shook her head.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Yalera</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">...
Rohan thought in concern.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>You'll
see...</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Yalera answered enigmatically.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Rohan
pursed his lips as he studied her closely. He was trying to read her
mind, but she wasn't letting him at the moment. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Did
you do something forbidden with one of your guards?</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yalera
giggled and sent him a half embarrassed, half amused look. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>No!</i></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Not realizing that a silent conversation was underway,
Lady Yalena smoothed out Yalera's sleeve. “I'm so happy that you've
finally decided to wear this dress. I think it makes you look very
much like a regal and beautiful Princess.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera smiled at her mother and stroked a hand along her
own shoulder and arm. The dress was a gorgeous creamy silk accented
with subtle golden colored threads. It matched her collar, proving
her mother right. She really did look like a Princess! Yalera
giggled.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
doesn't matter what I look like if I really </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>am</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
a Princess!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Lady Yalena chuckled. “I suppose that's true, but I'm
glad you're finally paying attention to your appearance again.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Rolanna
groaned and pushed her plate away. “This part of carrying a child
is definitely </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not </i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">fun!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera reached out and squeezed her hand. “Maybe
you'll have a little girl this time.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Rolanna looked over at her husband, who grinned at her.
“We hope so too!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric looked around and noticed that most of his
courtiers had finished eating and were growing restless. He stood up
to gain their attention. Everyone paused what they were doing and
looked over at him curiously.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yemry – as a soldier and Knight in the King's service
– looked around to make sure that nothing was wrong. Nothing seemed
out of the ordinary. None of the guards were on alert; not even Ando
and Baethan – who stood at attention (with other guards) along a
wall directly behind where Yalera was sitting. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yemry sat at the head table with the King and the rest
of his family, so he saw the King smirk mysteriously at his sister.
His wife Marlena noticed this too and put a questioning hand on
Yemry's shoulder. Yemry nudged his brother.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What's
going on, Rohan?” Yemry whispered in his ear.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
don't know,” Rohan whispered in return. “I am pretty sure Yalera
knows, but she won't tell me.” Hannah took hold of one of his hands
simply because she thought he was upset about something.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now that the King was sure he had everyone's undivided
attention, he cleared his throat. “Friends, I have wonderful news
to share! … ” He paused for dramatic effect. “My dear Yalera is
getting married!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">He stepped away from the table and held his hand out to
Yalera, who also stood up and smiled as she placed her hand in his.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What?!”
Lady Yalena burst out in a whisper of astonishment. She noticed her
daughter's bodyguards step closer, and decided that they would
actively deal with whatever man dared to assume he could marry the
girl who had suffered so much and deserved to live happily – even
if it meant not getting married ever again. More than anything,
Yalena hated the thought of her daughter being forced to marry
someone she didn't want to after everything that had happened with
her first marriage.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now
that everyone knows why were here, let's get to it!” King Eric
stated cheerfully. “Yalera... I hereby honor the Gods in their
infinite wisdom. As you quite fervently explained to me, the Gods
have inextricably bound you to both Baethan and Ando, and so I hereby
make it legal in the eyes of our Kingdom. If you vow to honor the
both of them as your husbands until death do you part, please sign
this marriage contract.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera signed the contract without the slightest
hesitation. She then sent a happy grin to each of her new husbands.
King Eric addressed Baethan next.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Baethan,
as the Heir to the Duke of Eastshire, do you agree with the Gods and
vow to honor Yalera as your wife with Ando as your co-husband? If so,
please sign the marriage contract.” The King held the contract out
for Baethan, who also signed it without the slightest hesitation.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lastly,
Ando, if you also agree with the Gods to honor Yalera as your wife
and Baethan as your co-husband, please sign...”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ando
signed the contract, and then smiled at the King because Eric looked
almost giddy, like a kid in a candy maker's shop. In truth, he was so
entertained by the gasps and thoroughly scandalized whispered
comments that he was tempted to encourage </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>more</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
unusual marriages just to see what his courtiers would do.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now the King set the contract aside so that he could
sign it so that it was valid. He pressed his seal to it with a smile.
Even though only a moment passed, Yalera felt like it was forever
before he handed the contract to her – with a warm kiss on her
cheek.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now
that the legalities are over,” King Eric addressed his gobsmacked
audience. “We have two different customs to honor here. In Nandia,
the groom gives his wife a collar...” He fell silent as Ando pulled
the leash Prince Crispin had once given to Yalera out of his pocket.
He quickly opened the hook and clasped it to the collar around her
neck.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric resumed his explanation. “And here in
Rubidium, the groom gives his wife a ring...” Baethan pulled a
gorgeous ring – that had once belonged to his grandmother and was a
part of his family's heritage – out of his pocket and slipped it on
Yalera's finger.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan's father stepped forward and handed her the ring
off his finger that he had worn since his wedding day – even after
Baethan's mother had died. She smiled at him in thanks before taking
hold of Baethan's hand and slipping it on his finger.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">With a happy sigh, King Eric finished the very simple
ceremony that they had all agreed on. “And now you may kiss the
bride.”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan leaned forward first, since they still held
hands from exchanging rings, and kissed Yalera very briefly. He
didn't think he'd be able to restrain himself from sweeping her off
her feet and carrying her away if he kissed her any more than a
little smooch. Ando took hold of her other hand and gave her a smooch
next.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera squeezed both of their hands and smiled at them
each happily.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
pray that your marriage is happy and fruitful,” King Eric murmured,
still feeling like a naughty child that had just gotten away with
being troublesome. Now that everyone had come to a sort of acceptance
that he was seriously marrying a woman to </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>two</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
men, they all gaped incredulously.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Still holding a hand from each of her husbands, Yalera
stepped slightly forward. “Now that my obligation to Nandia has
been fulfilled, I was free to marry again, however, the Gods
themselves bound me to both of these two men. King Eric graciously
allowed me to follow my heart and marry them. Thus I am no longer a
Princess, but I will remain an Ambassador to Nandia if I am ever
needed.” She nodded slightly with clear respect to the audience.
“Now if you'll excuse us...”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">She had been given permission to use the King's private
exit in advance so that she could escape before anyone thought to
roar in protest or outrage. She led her two husbands through the
exit, giggling softly as she did so. They also gave into the urge to
chuckle. None of them would ever forget the look on everyone's faces
for as long as they lived.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric calmly walked over to Lady Yalena and her
husband. “I've prepared my private sitting room so that our family
can have a small celebration. Yalera is on her way there now. If
you'd like to join her, please do. I'll be there as soon as I can,”
he murmured quietly to them.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Lady nodded, her shock slowly wearing off. She and
her husband stood up to follow their daughter, as did the rest of
their children and their spouses. Rolanna was the picture of proper
decorum as her husband escorted her out of the room, but once alone
in the hall, she took off running. She burst into the sitting room
with an excited squeal.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You
got married!” She cried out as she threw her arms around her
sister. “I'm so happy for you!” Despite her utter shock at the
situation, it was true. She wanted nothing more than for Yalera to be
happy.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera returned the tight hug with a relieved and happy
sigh. “Thanks Ro...”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Rohan
pulled her into his arms next. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I really
didn't think the King would ever agree to something like this!</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yalera
giggled. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Neither did I!</i></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">They kissed each other on the cheek before Yemry cleared
his throat to subtly demand attention. “I... I... have no opinion
on this...” He murmured, his face clearly showing that he was still
in shock. “Congratulations, I guess...” He kissed Yalera on the
cheek, and then clasped his best friend's hand. A real smile settled
on his face. “I really mean that. Congratulations.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Thanks,”
Baethan murmured with a relieved smile. Yemry completely respected
Ando too, so he clasped hands with him next.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Marlena and Hannah took turns hugging the newlyweds and
congratulating them. Rolanna's husband – Yalera's cousin – hugged
her before shaking hands with the grooms. Eventually, only Yalera's
parents were left. Lady Yalena looked like she was struggling to cope
with this bizarre idea, but Ronin simply smiled. He held open his
arms for Yalera, who responded by crying just a tiny bit and hugging
him.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
hope you're not disappointed in me, daddy...” she whispered.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">No,”
he assured her, squeezing her tight. “I don't really want to think
about it too closely, but I'm not disappointed.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Good!”
Yalera cried out in relief.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Lady
Yalena sighed. “I suppose that I'm not disappointed either...
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Shocked</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
yes, but not disappointed. Come here!” She pulled Yalera into a hug
and then kissed her cheek. “So long as you're happy...”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
am, mama,” Yalera assured her.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Now
what?” Rohan asked with a curious frown. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera smiled at him. “Well, after a few more days
here in the palace, Baethan's going home, and so Ando and I will be
going with him,” she explained.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Rohan nodded sadly. “I understand.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
don't worry,” Baethan assured his new brother in law. “We'll
visit as often as we can. I am almost certain that Yalera wouldn't
have it any other way!”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Of
course!” Yalera stated.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">King Eric arrived just then holding two bottles of fine
wine. His wife looked like she was biting her tongue, but remained
polite. She looked to her husband with a slight shake of her head,
but he ignored her.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Who
wants to celebrate?!” King Eric asked jovially.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">***</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera looked around Eastshire with sparkling eyes.
“Your home is so beautiful, Baethan!” </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan's father sat across from her in the carriage and
snorted softly in pride. Baethan chuckled and kissed her hand. “I
think you might like it here. The winter is not so heavy as it is in
Northinshire.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
could be nice,” Ando remarked with a smile. He stroked the golden
leash around his neck lightly, still unable to believe his incredibly
good luck. “I've never lived anywhere in which winter wasn't long
and heavy.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Duke's
citadel – a rollback from when Rubidium had been at war with their
neighbor to the east. It was a well fortified castle that had been
remodeled over the years to increase their comfort. For example, the
duke's wife had asked for a lovely greenhouse so she could enjoy the
sun even during the coldest days of winter. Provided that the sun
deigned to shine, that is.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The entire household staff was on hand to welcome their
master home. They were all excited to see Baethan for the first time
in a few years. More than one had a hard time believing that their
incorrigible young master hadn't been sent home from the King's
service like he usually was.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ando got out of the carriage first and helped Yalera
out. The moment her feet were on the ground, she turned to look at
the large covered wagon that had transported her cats. They'd been
given plenty of food to eat during the journey, and so spent most of
it sleeping with full bellies. Yuna was old enough now that she
relished the ride, but her cubs were still young and restless. So,
they burst out of the wagon the moment it stopped moving.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera laughed. “It looks like I'm not the only one
feeling cooped up from the long ride!” </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The trip had actually taken a few days from the palace,
thus they were feeling far more cooped up than just the few hours
they'd been in the wagon that day. She whistled enticingly, tapped
her thigh with a hand, and then took off running around the lawn as
the mostly fully grown cubs chased her. They were roughly the same
size as the wild male smilodon – their father – had been, even
though both were female.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Rune – who was at home with Rohan – had given birth
to two males, so Yalera had hope for the future of their species. She
laughed happily as she ran, running a hand along Yuna's back before
grabbing a handful of hair and mounting her. Yuna playfully raced her
daughters for a few minutes before returning to Baethan and Ando's
side.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Feeling
better?” Baethan asked with a chuckle, kissing her hand. Ando
pulled her off Yuna and kept an arm around her back.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Just
a little!” Yalera stated with a grin. She leaned over and kissed
Baethan. The cubs purred as they rubbed their heads against Yalera,
Baethan, and Ando. Both men loved having pet smilodons of their own,
more or less. They knew that the cubs thought of Yalera as an
honorary mom or aunt, but the cats were surprisingly affectionate
toward the men too.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Duke shook his head even as he hid a smile. His
strange daughter in law was like a ray of sunshine. An annoying one,
perhaps, but a wonderful one all the same. He gestured an invitation
to enter his home.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The long double lines of servants waiting to greet them
stared at the smilodons in astonishment. Yalera stifled a giggle,
always finding it funny when someone new met her cats. The Duke
awkwardly explained the situation as succinctly as he could.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Everyone,
my son has finally gotten married. This is his wife – your new Lady
– Yalera... and her other husband, Ando...”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan laughed at the weird look on his father's face.
The household staff cast each other curious glances, wondering if
they had heard that right. One man – the Duke's head of security,
strode forward and clasped hands with Baethan. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Welcome
home, young Lord,” he greeted warmly. “After you've had a chance
to freshen up, would you like to spar with me? I'm anxious to see if
you've improved any since I last saw you.”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan looked to first Ando, and then Yalera. Both
grinned at him, making Baethan chuckle. With a grin of his own, he
nodded.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'll
meet you in the training yard in ten minutes, and you'd better bring
every man you have that's willing to get his rump kicked!” Baethan
boasted.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Duke smiled, also curious to see how his son had
improved in the last few years. The ten minutes were spent getting
something to drink and a light snack. Yalera didn't even bother to
change since her traveling attire was a pretty yet functional dress
over a maneuverable pair of pants. The skirt was designed with splits
to allow for easy movement, and her long hair dangled down her back
in a braid.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In the training yard, the Duke got comfortable in a
raised pavilion so that he could watch the match. The training yard
was a large dirt area in which men could fight – either on their
own to settle an argument, or as part of a group for training. All of
the men who worked as soldiers and guards were excited to see or
participate in the match, and now crowded around the large dirt arena
eagerly.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan held Yalera's hand as he entered the arena. Men
chuckled and cheered as they assumed that she would be kissing her
husband for good luck. Meanwhile, Ando grabbed staves for all three
of them – and a practice sword for him and Baethan. Ando passed out
the weapons without a word.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan pointed at the head of security. “There are
three of us, so I suggested that you select no less than nine men to
attack us!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
my Lord!” The man protested. “You're gentle Lady wife might get
injured if she doesn't sit in safety by your father's side!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan kissed Yalera quite thoroughly before grinning
at her. “What do you say? Would you like to go sit with my father,
or fight by my side?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">By
your side is where I belong, so of course I will fight next to you!”
Yalera exclaimed with a grin.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Baethan
returned his attention to the head of security and half shrugged as
if saying: </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>you see?</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
“As I said, you'd best send at least nine men out!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The man did not look like he could believe what he was
hearing. He turned to his men and struggled to figure out what to do.
Eventually, he picked out the requested nine men.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Meanwhile,
Yalera gave Ando a cheeky kiss to balance out the one that Baethan
had given her. She then cast both of her husbands a knowing grin.
“</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Good luck</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!”
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">They both chuckled in genuine amusement. “And you!”</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The nine men were given the order to attack, and so they
did. Yalera knew that they were planning to avoid her, so she made
the first move by sweeping a man's feet out from under him and
ramming her staff into another's stomach. Baethan roared with
laughter.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Hey!
Save some for me and Ando!”</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Yalera giggled. “Not a chance! I think they're going
to need to send out more men!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Looks
like it,” Ando agreed with a tiny knowing smile.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come
and get us!” Baethan shouted in challenge. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
men had no choice. If they wanted to stand a chance, they had to
practically mob the trio. Yalera whooped in glee, thoroughly enjoying
the battle now that death was </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>not</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
on the line and she had energy to spare. She and her husbands –
before they had gotten married – had sparred often until they knew
exactly how to work as a team. The three of them were nearly
invincible when they wanted to be.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">About a half an hour later, when all the challengers
were too exhausted to fight anymore and Baethan's team was declared
the winner, Yalera cheered and clapped in joy. She threw her arms
around her husbands and hugged them in congratulations.</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">In her opinion, she could not be luckier. Both of her
husbands knew her and did not try to change or control her. Even she
was stunned by how her life had turned out!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
love you so much!” She gushed, kissing first Baethan and then Ando.
These words were like music to the two men's souls. They didn't reply
out loud, but they returned her kisses in a way that let her know
they loved her too.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Holding
her hand – as was Ando – Baethan stepped slightly toward his men.
“Now you know everything you need to know about my wife. She is not
</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>just</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
your Lady and the future Duchess, she is also a capable and strong
woman who can kick your butts if you do anything inappropriate. I'd
keep that in mind if I were you,” Baethan warned with a genial
smile.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
if you see her pointing an arrow at you, </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>run</i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">!”
Ando advised with a laugh. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baethan chuckled as he nodded in agreement. He looked at
Yalera merrily for a moment before winking. Pulling on her hand
lightly, he raised it so he could kiss it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">So,
my Lady wife, how would you like a tour of our bedroom?” Baethan
asked, fairly certain that the servants would have had time to unpack
their luggage by now.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
please!” Yalera agreed eagerly. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Come
on!” Baethan invited with a grin, still holding Yalera's hand as he
rushed off. Yalera naturally tugged on Ando's hand so that the three
of them were soon jogging lightly. Yalera giggled happily the entire
way.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
men in the sparring yard watched them go in astonishment. All were
wondering just exactly what might happen between the three of them.
Yalera swore she could almost feel their thoughts. She paused to
smirk at them, thinking: </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Wouldn't you
like to know!</i></span></div>
Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7848445365134677904.post-49800878682990016432015-12-10T17:09:00.000-06:002015-12-10T17:09:03.865-06:00Rohana - Chapter 6
<div align="CENTER" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chapter 6</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
feel like a cow!” Rohana complained to her husband as their body
servants held out robes for them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
laughed and gathered her into his arms. “You look beautiful!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
I'm only 6 months and I'm already huge!” Rohana protested
petulantly. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
simply means that the baby is healthy,” Felix assured her, kissing
her on the forehead.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
know,” Rohana grumbled. “I'm just afraid that I won't be able to
fit in the palace if I get too much bigger...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
couldn't help but laugh at that. “I'm almost certain that won't
happen, but if it does, I'll simply build you a bigger palace.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
snorted. She knew he was trying to be sweet, and appreciated the
effort, but it was unrealistic. “With what money?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
shrugged but didn't answer. They finished dressing in their robes,
and then sat down at the table in their chamber in order to eat
breakfast. They'd likely go take a bath in a little bit before
getting dressed.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was a
knock at the door and Perdita slipped away to answer it. She actually
stepped out into the hall for a few minutes, but eventually came
back. A secretive smile twisted her lips.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Your
Majesty,” she addressed Felix respectfully as she gave him a deep
curtsey – despite the fact that she was only wearing a tiny garment
that just barely covered her womanhood and left everything else
naked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes?
What is it?” Felix wondered with a smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
Queen's parents have come for a visit,” Perdita informed them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
gasped in surprise, suddenly very excited. “Invite them in!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Shall
we have them join us for breakfast?” Felix suggested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
please!” Rohana agreed with a happy grin.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perdita
curtseyed again before walking away to follow her orders. Rohana
fiddled with her hair nervously as she got to her feet, muttering:
“It's been so long...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A moment
later, her mother was rushing to hug her. “Oh my baby!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mama!”
Rohana exclaimed, hugging her mother tight.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
look at that!” Her mother blurted out, placing her hands on
Rohana's belly. “You must be carrying a big strong Prince!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
didn't get a change to reply before her father pulled her into a hug.
“My precious girl,” he murmured, savoring her embrace.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Daddy...”
she purred softly, her eyes closed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Soft
chuckling called her attention to the third visitor. She opened her
eyes to see who it was. Happiness filled her to her core.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Chyllen!”
She cried out as she pulled free from her father's embrace and threw
her arms around her ex-fiancé. He blushed over the fact that she was
only wearing a robe, but returned her hug for a moment before pushing
her away slightly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
came with your parents because I knew that people would remember me
and let us into the palace without question,” he explained.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Smart
man!” Felix praised sincerely, making Rohana blush over her
rudeness.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
so sorry,” she blurted out as she took her husband's hand in hers.
“I've forgotten to introduce you.” </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He kissed
her hand. “That's quite alright. I must admit I found the sight of
your reunion adorable.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana took
a moment to introduce her parents and remind her husband who Chyllen
was. Her parents each deferred to him with the utmost respect.
Meanwhile, Chyllen gave him a courteous bow.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
gestured around the table. “Please be seated and make yourselves
comfortable. Breakfast should be served at any moment, and then we
can all go to the palace bath together.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
laughed softly. “Remember, in the Valley Kingdom, people bath by
themselves.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
right, I'm sorry,” Felix stated with a tone of chagrin. “I meant
no offense.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">None
taken,” her father murmured, smiling at how well the couple got
along. He had been afraid that Rohana might be suffering despite the
fact that Chyllen had assured them that King Felix was a decent man.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Shall
we skip our bath today, cancel our meeting, and spend the day with
your parents?” Felix suggested.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
frowned slightly as she thought this over. “Can we do that? I
thought today's meeting was important.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
shrugged. “Our advisers would have us believe that every little
thing is dire and needs our immediate attention, but haven't you
learned by now that most of it fairly routine and can wait a bit if
we need to take a day off.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
true...” Rohana murmured, still frowning lightly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
chuckled. “I can see that you do not like the idea of setting aside
our work – even for a day. Then how about we bathe quickly, attend
our meeting with the understanding that only the most important
subjects are to be discussed, and then we can reconvene here with
your parents for lunch and spend the rest of the day with them; would
that suit you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
nodded lightly, a soft smile announcing that she liked this
suggestion much better.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Pongo,
that means that her Majesty will wish to wear something light and
quick today,” Felix stated, knowing that Rohana usually tended to
just wear whatever Pongo felt was best. As he said this, breakfast
arrived and was served by five extremely pretty maids – one for
each of them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes,
my King,” Pongo replied with a slight bow. “I shall look through
the Royal Closet for something suitable.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you!”
Rohana called out after Pongo as he walked away, and then repeated
the phrase lightly to the maid who had served her. The maid curtseyed
deeply, honored to be noticed by the Queen. The moment everyone had
everything they needed, Felix's body servant shooed the maids out of
the room, sounding almost jealous.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
grinned at her mother. “I'm so lucky! We had a late crop of
cherries come in, and I'm craving everything cherry at the moment.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Is
that why we're eating a breakfast of cherry oatmeal, cherry custard,
and... what is this?” Rohana's mother asked with a laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
smiled and shrugged. “I can't remember the name, but it's basically
layers of a very thin bread that are buttered and stacked, and every
few layers, the bread is brushed with honey and a mix of crushed and
depitted cherries and nuts. I absolutely love it!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As they
chitchatted for a few moments, another knock softly resounded through
the room. Perdita rushed to answer it before the visitor could knock
again and disturb her Royal Master. A moment later, she returned to
Felix's side.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Your
Majesty, I'm sorry to disturb you, but the Head Priestess is here,”
Perdita murmured. “Should I allow her in or send her away?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Allow
her in,” Felix stated without hesitation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Head
Priestess entered the room wearing a flowing white dress that both
covered her entirely, and also hinted at the secrets underneath. She
knelt before the table, situated between the Royal Couple. Rohana
smiled at her, wondering why she was visiting.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you here to check up on the baby?” Rohana asked fondly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can, if you'd like,” the Head Priestess assured her. “But the
real reason I am here is to remind Your Majesties that there is a
ritual to take place on the Eve of Gods' day. In two days time, my
Queen, I will come for you and you will spend the day in seclusion
with the Priestesses so that we may cleanse you body and soul.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Don't
worry,” Felix assured her with a smile. “It's not as ominous as
it may sound. I'll be in seclusion with the Priests, who will lecture
me on my duties as a King and a son of the Gods. As I understand it,
you'll be pampered; massaged and anointed with scented oils.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly
so,” the Head Priestess agreed with a smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds a bit unfair!” Rohana protested with a laugh.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
at all!” The Priestess reassured her. “Our King has proven that
he </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>needs</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
lecturing on behalf of the Gods, while you have proven yourself pure
of heart and a favorite of the Gods. I would not be surprised if the
Gods speak to you themselves.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
sighed heavily. “They are not even my Gods! They shouldn't be
speaking to me but to my husband!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Priestess laughed. “Don't let such things trouble you, my Queen.
I'll be back for you in two days, bright and early in the morning,
right after Pongo wakes you up.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
blushed and looked to the floor. Felix and the Head Priestess
chuckled in unison. They exchanged amused grins.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">You're
always so adorable when you blush!” Felix exclaimed, kissing her
hand.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
agree,” the Priestess stated with a grin. She got to her feet and
kissed Rohana on the cheek. “But I must go for now, the Gods have
much they want me to do over the next couple of days.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">See
you later,” Rohana murmured.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The moment
the door closed behind the departing Priestess, Felix smiled at his
wife. “So, shall we go for a small hunt this afternoon with your
parents?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Rohana
looked less than happy with this suggestion. “Hunting? In </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>my</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
condition?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
chuckled. “I suppose not.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
not show them our orchard?” Rohana suggested with a hint of pride.
“It's really starting to do well.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Only
because you have performed a miracle on it!” Felix exclaimed in
praise.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
not a miracle if one knows what they are doing,” Rohana demurred
with a shake of her head, and then turned to smile at her mother and
father. “What do you say, would you like to see our orchard?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That
sounds lovely,” her mother agreed with a smile. She was happy to
see that Rohana had a fairly solid relationship with her husband. She
had always assumed that being a Queen must be a sort of lonely job,
but Rohana seemed to be handling it well.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
pushed her half empty plate away with a sigh of disappointment. “I
know I'll just end up ravenous again in an hour, but I simply cannot
eat any more!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Then
it must be time for our bath,” Felix stated with a smile. He turned
his attention to their guests. “Would you like to remain in our
Royal Chambers waiting for us to finish up with our meeting, or
would you like to be assigned chambers of you own so that you may
relax and do as you like until we are ready?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Chambers
of our own would be nice,” Rohana's father murmured with a smile.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
you wish,” Felix stated, gesturing to his body servant, who rushed
off to relay the order.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pongo
reentered the room and bowed to the Royal couple. He was holding two
dresses. “Which would you prefer, my Queen?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
frowned and wrinkled her nose in thought. “I'm not sure...”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
red one doesn't look good with your hair while the blue one matches
your eyes,” Felix voiced his opinion.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
agree,” Pongo murmured softly, looking to the floor.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Really?
I had no idea that the red one looked bad on me,” Rohana stated in
dismay. “I always liked it...”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
because you seem to have no regard for fashion,” Felix said,
teasing her. “No matter, we can have it sent back to the seamstress
and remade. If she added some blue flowers to it, I am sure it would
look lovely on you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
laughed and shook her head. “I'll take your word for it! Pongo, it
seems we are ready for our bath.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pongo set
the dresses over the back of a tall chair to be dealt with later. “Of
course, my Queen,” he stated with a bow.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana's
mother watched as Felix's body servant returned and gave him a small
curtsey. Then she looked over to Pongo once more. A light blush
colored her cheeks. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Rohana,”
she chided. “I'm surprised at you! Surely you should have insisted
that your servants wear something far more decent!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
blushed and looked to the floor. “I tried...” Which was true, she
did, however, the servants themselves had refused to change their
uniform.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix smiled
and came to her rescue. He took her mother's hand in his and looked
into her eyes so that she could see that he was being serious. “Our
servants wear their uniforms with pride. If they did not like them,
they would be free to wear something else.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
not a matter of pride,” Rohana's mother insisted gently. “It's a
matter of decency.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
Uridian, the body is considered sacred, a divine manifestation of our
Gods,” Felix explained. “There is no shame in any part of the
body. I myself could walk this palace completely naked and not a
person would question this. The same holds true for any citizen.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana's
mother seemed both flustered and confused by this concept. “But
surely you can agree that the sight of a woman's breasts are meant
only for her husband!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix turned
to his body servant and smiled at her. “Perdita? What do you have
to say? Would you like to wear something else?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Certainly
not!” She gasped in horror and then belatedly curtseyed and added:
“Your Majesty.” She looked Rohana's mother in the eyes. “I am
wearing exactly what I want, and my King is right, I wear my uniform
with pride! This purple color proclaims that I am a body servant to
the King himself! Why would I wish to cover my uniform?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Exactly
so,” Rohana's body servant stated in agreement. </span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I'm
sorry mother,” Rohana murmured, hugging her mother and then kissing
her on her cheek. “I have tried to be the best citizen of the
Valley Kingdom that I could be, but I vowed to honor the Gods of
Uridian too. I cannot in good conscious insist that the people here
conform to my beliefs when it is </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">who
have promised to conform to theirs.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Her mother
smiled faintly and kissed her on the cheek. “Which is, I suppose,
the reason you make such a good Queen.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana let
out a small sob of relief and held her mother tight.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Ooph!”
Her mother exclaimed a moment later. “Your child sure can kick!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Tell
me about it!” Rohana exclaimed as her mother stepped back to place
a hand on her belly. Her father also put a hand on her belly and
grinned at her as he chuckled.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Feels
about the same as you did,” he informed her, kissing her on the
cheek. “Always determined, even then.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Daddy...”
Rohana murmured happily.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was
yet another knock on the door. Perdita rushed to answer it. She
smiled and stepped aside so that the King and Queen could see who it
was. She also announced them.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It's
Lords and Ladies Bertram and Darkinian.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The two
couples stood outside the door in their robes. Lady Darkinian waved
cheerfully. She was a softly plump woman with beautifully mocha skin
and amazing light brown curly hair that seemed to flow everywhere.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
you ready for the morning bath, my Queen?” She asked in excitement.
Her hands rested on her belly, which was only a few weeks to a month
less pregnant than Rohana was. Lady Bertram was likely a few weeks
farther along, which made the three of them pregnancy friends.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
laughed. “Why do I get the feeling that you have something you're
just dying to tell me?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lady
Darkinian bounced lightly, and clapped her hands softly. “My sister
sent word that she's with child too and is coming to stay in the
palace for the winter!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">That's
wonderful news!” Rohana exclaimed, rushing to hug her friend.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Except
that it means that the palace will be overrun with babies come the
end of winter!” Lord Darkinian joked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
laughed as he gestured for everyone to exit the Royal chamber.
“That's not so bad. Just wait until our boys are all old enough to
be chasing each other around the halls!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">May
we all be carrying daughters!” Ladies Bertram and Darkinian
exclaimed together, sticking their tongues out cheekily at their
husbands.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rohana
linked arms with the two Ladies, and then gestured to her parents.
She introduced them, and then added: “And you might remember
Chyllen. He was one of the guards who accompanied me originally.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lady
Darkinian smirked at Chyllen flirtily. “Of course I remember you! I
was quite disappointed that you left the palace before I got a chance
to hire you as my body servant!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Her body
servant gasped in dismay from where a group of them waited in the
hall. “My lady wishes to replace me?” He asked, sounding hurt.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
never!” She assured him. “This was before I hired you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Chyllen
chuckled and bowed to her slightly. “I am not entirely sure what a
body servant does, but I could not bring myself to wear such a small
uniform.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lady Bertram
winked at Chyllen. “A body servant is the most important servant of
them all! If you ever change your mind and decide you need a job, I
am certain that there are any number of ladies in the palace who
would love to hire you!”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lady
Darkinian whispered loudly in Rohana's ear. “Are all the men of the
Kingdom Valley so handsome?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Perhaps,”
Rohana replied with a shrug. “But I always thought that Chyllen was
better looking than most.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lord Bertram
shook his head and chuckled. “Do you hear these hens clucking?”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Oh
don't worry, you're gorgeous too!” Lady Darkinian assured him.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Yes
you are!” Lady Bertram agreed, grinning at her husband.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
interrupted before anyone could say anything else and delay them
further. “My Head of Staff here will show you to a suitable room.”
He turned to look at the woman he referred to. “For the Queen's
parents and good friend.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman
nodded that she would of course treat them with the utmost respect.
She then gestured for them to follow her. They took just one step
before Felix spoke again.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
please feel free to stay as long as you like. I know that my beloved
wife would feel happier for your presence,” he informed them,
kissing Rohana's hand once again. This meant that he had taken it
from Lady Darkinian's grasp, and she took it back almost jealously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Flirt
later!” Lady Darkinian chided as she linked arms with Rohana once
more. “We women have many important things to discuss as we bathe!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;">“<span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
if we linger here too long, our bath might grow cold!” Lady Bertram
added dramatically despite knowing that such a thing was impossible
so long as the bath was working correctly.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #0066cc;"><span style="font-family: Euphemia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Felix
chuckled and gestured for her to lead the way. Rohana waved to her
parents and Chyllen over her shoulder, calling out: “See you
later!” She was relieved to see the Head of Staff step forward to
assign her parents to a spacious suite.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.14in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
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Roxanne Packardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18310049854784982846noreply@blogger.com0