Chapter Twenty-Four: Solstice Celebration

(i) Thank you everyone for staying with this story until this point. Your kind reviews have meant the world to me. Please do continue to let me know what you think. I really would love hearing your views. It's the lovely reviews I receive that keep me writing.

(ii) The characters and world of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this. Pity, I could use a bit of loot right about now.

(iii) And last but by no means least, a big thank you to my lovely, amazing beta, Queen_of_Stars. You've been the most amazing source of motivation, and I know that I would have found it much harder to complete this story if it wasn't for your support.

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Severus was understandably annoyed when he heard about Ronald's behaviour. Pulling Hermione into his arms, he said chidingly, 'You should never be afraid to tell me about your annoying friends, my love. The worst I can do is yell, and you're used to me yelling.' The dark man smirked down at his pouting lover. 'You know this meeting in the public eye is much worse than my blustering. What if you weren't able to handle him? What if there were some idiot Death Eater sympathisers, or even some fool people who thought you needed to be punished for being with me? You have to realise how precarious your position is, Hermione. Most people are dunderheads, and they will believe all the tripe they hear or read in the papers. You can't take risks. I couldn't survive without you by my side, my love. I know I am a selfish bastard, but you are my life. You must take care.'

Hermione's eyes filled with tears at Severus' confession. She knew how much it cost him to show her his weakness. He, who never spoke of his emotions, was laying himself bare. 'I know, my love,' she said, covering his face with kisses. 'I won't do it again. I just thought...' She sighed in annoyance. 'I just thought Ron would be able to show some level of maturity. Harry was so grown up, I just thought Ron would be too. I won't do it again. I realised as soon as I met up with him that it was a mistake, but I didn't want to walk out immediately. That would have caused even more of a scandal. Can you imagine him running after me, yelling or something?' She laughed in wry amusement. 'At least this way, he looks like the git, and I did have a good natter with Percy.'

At Severus' raised eyebrow, Hermione narrated what happened next with Percy. She was a little surprised to see her lover accept the older boy's behaviour with only a nod of agreement.

At her own look of surprise, Severus explained. 'He's always shown some level of sense. He never jumped to suppositions and wild imaginings, and while he did come to erroneous conclusions, he did the best he could to follow what he thought was the most knowledgeable opinion. He may have made mistakes by placing his faith in the Ministry, but then, if you look at it through his eyes, he placed his faith in the supposedly most well informed institution. I can see how he would now want to put that part of his youth behind him. Dumbledore never shared information; he never allowed the others to know what was being planned. For a young man who wanted something more than promises and words, it would have seemed foolish to go by what an old man said purely on trust. I told Albus repeatedly that he should allow others in the Order, if not myself, to know what was going on, but he couldn't, wouldn't let others know what was going on. Secrets and lies. That's what he fed all of us. No wonder a bright mind that was used to logic and reasoning refused to believe a blundering old man and a group of people who did things solely on his word.'

Hermione nodded. 'Yes, I do see your point. I knew Harry, and so it was easier for me to believe what was being said. But for Percy, it would have been so much harder to place all his trust in a child who had no gift for rational thought, for clear expression. When questioned, Harry would just end up getting angry or speaking irrationally. I think Percy's really changed since the war. He's loosened up a bit, but also, he's become more his own man. He's no longer as wont to suck up to people.'

Severus chuckled darkly. 'And how is sucking up a bad thing, pet? You know how much I enjoy it when you do it to me.'

Hermione giggled. 'Beast. I didn't mean it in that sense.'

'I'm sure you didn't,' purred Severus, drawing her into his arms and allowing his hands to slide down to cup her bottom. 'However, a little demonstration to show how well you've learned your lesson in not doing things without informing me might be useful, don't you think?'

Hermione pouted, but it was more in the way of inciting Severus to take action.

And take action he did. He swooped down to claim her lips in a mind-numbing kiss before hoisting her into his arms as if she weighted nothing more than a feather. Hermione was about to complain and insist he put her down, when she heard him murmur the Featherweight Charm. Hermione giggled.

'What?' asked Severus grumpily. 'Do you want me to put out my back, merely to prove my manliness and strength? I'd much rather I prove those qualities once I have you safely in bed, my pet.'

Hermione giggled again and kissed the tip of his nose. 'I'm just laughing at your romantic streak, my love. I can walk, you know.'

'I know,' growled Severus. 'But I enjoy having you in my arms. I'm just not that far gone in sense to risk my back while partaking of something I enjoy.'

Soon though all levity was forgotten as passion ignited between them. Reaching their bedroom, Severus wasted no time in divesting Hermione of her clothing. He loved her naked body. She was so young, so delectable. It did something to his darker impulses to have her thus, naked, while he was still completely clothed, completely in control. 'On the bed, on your knees, pet,' he growled. He knew she loved it when he took her from behind.

Hermione scrambled onto the bed as fast as she could. She could hear the dark possessiveness in his tone. Heat gushed into her core, and by the time she was arranged the way she knew he wanted her, she was dripping in anticipation.

Severus gave himself a long moment to observe Hermione waiting, exposed and vulnerable on the bed. Her arousal was clearly visible, dripping as it was out of her core. He breathed in deep, allowing the scent of her to etch itself deep into his psyche. He loved the way she smelt. Slowly, still clothed, he moved towards her.

Hermione moaned in anticipation. She was desperate for him to do something, anything. This waiting was driving her crazy. Finally, she felt the bed dip as Severus crawled on to it behind her. Then, she felt him blow across her heated flesh. She gasped as she felt the air stroke her. Then, she felt him lick her. Slowly, with long, lush strokes, he caressed her with his tongue before allowing his nose to press hard against her clitoris. She moaned desperately, 'Oh, God, Severus. Please, please, just fuck me.'

Severus chuckled and his tongue dipped deeper into her. He loved the taste of her, and he knew that the longer he took, the more impatient his beloved became. She was not one for slow love-making. She always seemed to want him, hard and fast. It amazed him. No woman had ever desired him so completely. She didn't need to be coaxed, to be aroused, she just wanted him, all the time.

Hermione groaned in agony as he continued his slow ministrations. 'Can you please, for once, stop mucking around?' she asked twisting and turning on the bed. 'I need you, Severus. Please, just fuck me now.'

'Soon, vixen,' he said, sliding three of his fingers deep into her. 'You know I love to watch you come. Let me pleasure you.'

Hermione just moaned again in response. His three long fingers inside her felt divine, and she nearly exploded as she felt his tongue brush against the tight hole of her arse. 'Oh, God,' she groaned. Severus had never taken her arse, but she'd been reading about anal sex, and she was more than willing to try it. It seemed so illicit, so utterly deviant and therefore utterly delicious.

Severus had been testing Hermione's reaction, but he hadn't expected her to be so amiable to being fucked in the arse. He nearly came with the sound of her obvious delight. 'Are you sure?' he asked, almost disbelieving.

'Yes, oh, God, Severus,' she moaned in response.

Severus growled and thrust his tongue into her waiting hole, while his fingers buried themselves even deeper into her cunt. She was so tight. He could just imagine how she would feel wrapped around his cock.

Hermione could not believe the sensation of having his tongue in her arse. She had never realised she'd enjoy something so much. She arched her back and ground herself against his invasion. She wanted more, much more.

Severus seemed to understand what she wanted. A quick spell was all it took to divest him of his clothes. Then, finally naked, he slid a lone finger into her arse while at the same time plunging balls deep into her cunt.

Hermione groaned. She loved the feeling of him plunging into her, but she'd been anticipating his cock in her arse. She was, to say the least, disappointed. But before she could protest, he was fucking her in a blinding, pounding rhythm. She was almost there, she could feel it. 'I'm going to come,' she gasped, frantic. 'Oh, Severus, bloody, fucking hell.'

Severus groaned and pulled out of her.

Hermione nearly cried as she felt him leave her. She couldn't take anymore of his teasing.

Severus pulled out of her before she could come. His cock was liberally covered with her juices. Not needing any further lubrication, he plunged his cock straight into her arse.

Hermione had just managed to moan a 'What the fuck...' when she felt him thrust into her arse. She screamed loudly at his penetration. She hadn't expected it, and though it hurt, it felt very good. She had never felt so full in her life.

Severus was lost to the sensations of Hermione's tightness completely surrounding him. He could hardly move, she was so snug. Pushing even deeper into her, he began to thrust as far as he could into her. Meanwhile, one hand wormed its way into her cunt, four fingers penetrating her as deeply as he could manage it as his thumb did its best to massage her clit.

Hermione was now screaming with each move he made. She couldn't take it any more. There was just too much sensation. Gasping, Hermione came, a hoarse scream of 'Severus,' on her lips.

Feeling Hermione's muscles contract around him, squeezing with a death grip was all it took to send Severus hurtling over the edge. With a growl, he bit down on her shoulder as his seed pumped out of him. He always seemed to have explosive orgasms with her, but this one seemed beyond even their usual magnificence. Barely able move, he pulled out of her and collapsed in a heap beside her.

Hermione, too, could hardly move. She had never felt so possessed by him, not even when he had come upon her, silent and invisible in the Hogwarts' library at the start of their relationship. Slowly, when she felt she could move, she rolled onto her side and cuddled against his still-panting body. 'Jesus Christ, Severus,' she said softly, 'that was amazing.'

Severus smirked at her tiredly. 'Glad you approve,' he said, but his voice lacked the will to be sarcastic. Instead, he just sounded smug and completely sated.

Hermione giggled and kissed his shoulder gently. 'I love you so much. Everything you do to me is utterly exquisite.'

Severus rolled onto his back and drew her to lie against him. 'Well,' he said with a satisfied grin, 'I must ensure my young witch has no cause to go looking for a younger, more energetic lover.'

Hermione giggled softly. 'Idiot. A younger man wouldn't know what to do with me. He'd bore me to tears with his twittering. He'd drive me insane with his need for social stimulation, and he would have no idea of what really matters. A younger man, any other man, would never be able to stimulate me with just one look. You don't even have to take your clothes off to make me want you. A word, a smirk and I'm dripping with need.'

Severus merely smiled. He had felt a moment of worry when he had heard what Weasley had told Hermione. He knew he pleased her, but he had never had anything, anyone that was truly his. He couldn't stop himself from worrying that one day Hermione would wake up and realise she was wasting her youth, her power on an old, bitter man who had nothing to offer her but his position as the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Hermione seemed to read the insecurity that lurked in his eyes. Pushing herself onto her elbows to peer into his eyes, she said softly, 'Look into my eyes, Severus. See yourself as I see you. I don't like you second guessing yourself. You are all I need. All I will ever need.'

Severus was floored by her invitation to look through her mind. He knew she trusted him. Had not the Saxon sex ritual they had performed confirmed it? But to give him access to her mind, to her thoughts, her memories. It was more than he had ever expected. 'My love,' he whispered, pulling her into a ravenous kiss. He didn't need to see into her mind. Her love was shining clearly in the warmth, in the softness of her eyes. Finally, when they drew apart, he stroked her hair and murmured, 'My love, my only love.'

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A few days later, Hermione accompanied Severus to the Malfoys' Summer Solstice soiree. She had almost balked at the thought of attending; it would be a mostly pureblood gathering with all the purebloods families and their descendents being sent an invitation as was customary, but for Severus' sake, she attended.

Severus as a half-blood had always been a part of pureblood gathering, for his mother, despite marrying a Muggle, had, of course, been a part of the Prince family. Her parents may have disowned her, but for gatherings such as this, even if Eileen had refused to attend, Severus' participation was still expected. It was the way things worked. And Eileen, no matter her faults, had made it a point to send him to the gatherings. It was his birthright; even Tobias' worst rages had not stopped her making sure her son had claimed his place in the world she had been forced to leave behind. It was only through events such as this that he had come to meet his distant magical cousins, his snobbish grandparents and the rest of his clan. They may not have liked him, they may not have acknowledged the skinny boy in mismatched clothes, but once his magical power had started the manifest, and it had by the time he was very young, they had welcomed him for his obvious future potential. Now, Severus mused his family's long-term view had paid off. They didn't have to pretend to suddenly learn of his existence. They could bask in their connection with the double agent and current Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Hermione, despite her doubts, did her best to squash her fears. She hadn't forgotten the words of the sorting hat's song. She had vowed to herself then, even before hearing the prophecy that had so changed her life, to help inter-house unity. The war had taught them all of the importance of bridging their differences. She was Severus' fiancée, his future wife; she would make sure the Slytherins realised that she was proud to join them. She had heard enough and read enough of Muggle-born arrogance and prejudice to realise that the fault lay on both sides of the divide. She was not going to turn Severus away from people who had, after all, stood by him. She could not forget that, for all their faults, they had been true friends to Severus. He may have spied on them, betrayed them, but they had forgiven him, for they had found his cunning a move in keeping with their value system. If he had been a Gryffindor and turned against other Gryffindors, Hermione knew members of her own house would never have been able to be so magnanimous. They would have crucified him without a thought or an iota of guilt.

The summer solstice party at the Malfoys had been a long standing tradition. Neville had been the first to tell Hermione about it when she had asked him in her third year how he had spent his summer. He had said then that, for many years, he had still attended with his grandmother, because with Death Eaters locked up in Azkaban, Gran had felt that not attending would have allowed purebloods like the Malfoys to show their mastery over the people they considered Traitors to the old ways like the Longbottoms. So Hermione expected that she would probably know at least see some of her friends there. However, what she had not expected to find, on arrival, was Percy, Bill and Fleur Weasley. She gaped in shock at the sight of the Weasley trio standing slightly apart near the entrance, as though they were waiting for her and Severus before joining the throng in the Malfoy gardens.

Hermione could not stop herself from reaching out to clasp the hand Percy extended towards her. 'What are you doing here?' she asked in amazement. She knew that no Weasley had attended a Malfoy solstice party in decades.

Percy smiled tightly. 'I spoke to Bill, and he feels as I do. We've allowed the bad blood to continue for long enough. If my parents' generation can't put the past behind them, that's their problem. But we aren't them. We can see the need to mend our fences. So Bill spoke to Fleur, who agrees wholeheartedly with patching things up. So here we are. We were waiting for backup really. I knew having you and Snape would make things go easier. It's going to be interesting as it is.'

Hermione laughed and hugged Percy. Then turning, she hugged Fleur and Bill as well. 'I'm glad to have you here. Now they'll be too busy gaping at you lot to notice me. I was terrified to come, though Severus keeps saying I'm just over-reacting. I can't forget though that I was tortured by Bella in their drawing-room.'

Bill nodded his head in understanding. But he knew that Severus would have not brought Hermione with him if he had, even for a moment, doubted Hermione's ability to fit in, to be comfortable and to shine. 'Trust Severus,' said Bill gently. 'He'll never let anything or anyone cause you pain.'

'I know,' said Hermione, her eyes filled with love as she looked at Severus who was quietly speaking to Percy and Fleur. 'Besides, I know my duty. As the future wife of the Headmaster, I must learn to be impartial. To look at all my students equally, to know them all to the best of their ability.'

'That's why you're such a good teacher,' said Bill with a grin. 'You really care about the little monsters.'

The two laughed. All of the staff seemed to have their own names for their students. Severus had always called them 'dunderheads,' while Bill's chosen name seemed to be 'monsters'. Then, linking arms with Bill, Hermione followed Fleur, who was being led in by Severus, to the arched entrance-way of the rose garden. Percy followed alone.

Narcissa Malfoy's eyes widened at the sight of the approaching Weasley wife on Severus' arm. But good manners insisted that she greet Fleur graciously.

Lucius, though, could not resist raising an eyebrow at his old friend in query. This the Malfoys had not foreseen. He was waiting for the official introductions and greetings to conclude so he could find out what was going on.

Next in line were Bill and Hermione. Narcissa continued to smile graciously, but inside, her mind was buzzing with questions. Had Severus engineered this meeting? What did it mean for the family feud? How was she supposed to behave after this evening? What were the political connotations? Were they here merely as Hogwarts' representatives or as Weasley emissaries? Some of those questions were answered, however, by the presence of Percy. He did not work for Hogwarts. He was obviously present in a private capacity as a Weasley. Musing at the interesting development and what it all would mean, Narcissa tried her best to be as gracious as possible. Indeed, realising that there wasn't anyone behind Percy in the receiving line, she did not release his hand after he had bowed so correctly over hers. Instead, with a glance at Lucius, who was speaking to Severus and Bill, she said, 'Come, cousin Percival, let me introduce you to some of the people I'm sure you don't know. I think we can safely assume my hostess duties can rest for a moment or two.'

Percy inclined his head graciously. He had not known what kind of reception their arrival would arouse, but he was glad that the Malfoys, too, were doing their best to be inviting. It could have got rather unpleasant if they had not accepted their presence at the soiree.

There was a moment of shocked surprise on many a face as Narcissa was led into the garden by Percy. But soon, the shocked silence was replaced by excited chatter. They had made, by any stretch of the imagination, a grand entrance.

Narcissa smirked at the glances being thrown her way. She looked up into Percy's eyes, to see the redhead wearing a similarly amused look. In that instance, as the two shared a look of irony at the crowds' reaction, an unexpected bond was formed. She had never thought to have anything in common with the Blood Traitors; she tolerated the Mudblood because she seemed to make Severus happy, but the intelligence she saw in Percival's eyes amazed her. They were in no way naïve or clueless. She suddenly realised that, despite the gulf that separated them, they shared the same blood.

'Is this a clear statement of your political aspirations?' asked Narcissa frankly. She was trying to understand what was going on.

Percy looked thoughtful for a moment. 'It's a start for how I want the future to be,' he replied truthfully.

Narcissa hadn't expected such an honest reply. A Slytherin would not have offered one to her so frank a question. But in truth she realised that wasn't really sure what she had expected. But she knew she was seeing the start of a phenomenon.

Percy could clearly see Narcissa's surprise. She was hiding it well, and no one else would have noticed it. But he was standing right next to her. He could not fail to see the way her eyes reflected the thoughts rushing through her mind. Turning so that his back was blocking the crowds' view of them, he said kindly, 'Let me tell you something about myself. I've always been a loner and have never truly had a friend. My family have never understood me. Neither have any of my housemates. Even my girlfriend, Penelope ditched me as soon as we left Hogwarts. Everyone around me has always seen me as a priggish bore. I wanted so much to be understood, to be valued, to be seen for who I was. It seemed like it was an impossible dream. But then, despite all my actions, all my misguided thoughts, I realised something. I did have a friend, a friend who had stood by me through thick and thin. That person is Hermione. She has from the first been my friend because of a small kindness that I showed to her when she was a first-year. Even when I was a fool and a berk, she did not abandon me. Even when I was a pompous arse, she did not fail to remember me at holidays and on my birthday. That's true friendship. She made me realise that it was our actions as much as Riddle's that caused the last war. Without communication, Riddle's destruction will have achieved nothing. The problems, the fears have not gone away just because Riddle was defeated and the Death Eaters sent to Azkaban. I lost a brother. I do not want to lose another a few years down the road.'

Narcissa was shocked into silence. She could only listen. She had never expected to hear anything of this nature, ever.

Percy seemed to have given his speech a lot of thought. The silence Narcissa was maintaining did not seem to disconcert him. Indeed, it was helping him get everything he had wanted to say out in the open. 'We won. You lost. Big deal. What's more important is that people I loved, cared about, died. The future of the magical world is more important than our collective hates, fears and need for retribution. I don't want to see what happened in my youth, recur again for my children. I don't want ignorance and scaremongering to lead to war. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to ensure we keep the lines of communication open. No bigot is going to destroy this hard-won peace. If that means I as a Weasley need to attend a Malfoy home and speak to a Black, then by Merlin, I shall do so.'

Bill and Severus were having a similar conversation with Lucius. Hermione and Fleur had quietly stepped aside as they saw Lucius engage their men in conversation. Hermione still felt uncomfortable in the Malfoy patriarch's presence. Moreover, she knew that it would be better for Bill to extend the hand of friendship to the former Death Eater without too much of an audience. She was so worried. Looking at Fleur, who was trying to do her best to appear nonchalant and perfectly at ease, she asked softly, 'Are we doing the right thing?'

Fleur nodded. 'It iz for ze best, 'Ermione. We are one family. It iz foolish to let this division continue. It iz not good for ze Malfoyz and it iz not good for ze Weasleys. I don't want my children to be born into a world that iz still divided.'