Chapter 9

After her date with Lucius, Hermione had attempted a few simple spells in the safety of her flat. After her successful Apparition earlier that day, she'd hoped she might be able to manage her magic again.

But nothing went as it should, and she was forced to resign herself, once again, to acting without magic. She couldn't contain her disappointment, however, and let out an anguished sob before throwing herself on her bed. Something was seriously wrong, and it was more than just a fluke. She couldn't deny it any longer; she knew she would have to see a Healer.

She'd known about magic for longer than she'd been a simple Muggle, so while it wasn't as difficult to cope without magic as it would be for a Pureblood, it was nearly impossible to function in the Wizarding World with faulty magic. Unless she wanted to risk death by Wizarding Elevator or some other ignoble demise, she would have to toughen up and seek help.

With that decision made, Hermione ungracefully shucked her clothing without leaving the comfort of her bed and fell asleep with thoughts of an unidentified blond wizard in her mind.

Lucius also turned in for an early night. It was unlike him to get to sleep without even looking at his work for the night, but he felt he deserved a night off. After all, he had a very uncomfortable talk with his son coming up, and he would need his strength. Draco's temper was legendary, surpassed only by Lucius' own, though both had been tempered slightly in the intervening years since the war. Still, there was no sense in taking chances, so Lucius mentally prepared his speech to his heir, hoping Draco would forgive him or at least hear him out.

He wasn't exactly afraid of his son's reaction, but he was anxious. Draco's decision to stop pursuing Hermione made the entire thing easier, but Lucius couldn't be sure of the circumstances surrounding that, so he planned to tread lightly.

When sleep came upon him, he dreamt of both Draco and Hermione. They were embracing passionately, as if after a long absence. But rather than feeling jealous, Lucius was drawn to them. He felt like he, too, had been parted from the young couple and was in need of a reunion. When he approached them, he was met with excitement and joy from both his son and Hermione.

In the middle of the night, Lucius awoke with feelings of anxiety and all-encompassing clarity. Things had just become infinitely more complicated.

Draco was also having a difficult time staying asleep. He hadn't been dreaming, that he could recall, but he'd been awoken rather rudely by an odd sensation. He almost felt as though he wasn't alone in his room, though the ample moonlight made it clear that no one was there.

He shrugged off the feeling and burrowed deeper under his silk sheet, desperate to fall back asleep before his mind turned on and rest became impossible. His last waking thoughts were of an adorable, bushy-haired witch and the irrefutable idea that everything was going according to plan. Whose plan, though, he didn't know.

"Draco, a word please?"

Draco looked up from his papers. He'd left work early that day, feeling distracted and anxious and somehow knowing he'd get more work done in his own study. Now his father was standing in the doorway with a decidedly nervous look on his face, one that Draco was absolutely certain had never graced his features in all the years Draco had known him. The nervousness was immediately passed onto the younger Malfoy.

"Of course. Would you like to have a seat?" He gestured to the sofa and chair that were situated by the lightly glowing fireplace across the room. He felt a little silly being so formal, but he'd always responded to his father in kind; whenever Lucius was official, Draco felt as though he should be as well.

Lucius nodded and took a seat on the chair. Draco followed him, sitting on the end of the sofa closest to his father.

Lucius sighed a little dramatically, and Draco had the impression that something important was on his mind. He tried to nod encouragingly, but his father wouldn't meet his eyes. Draco's eyes narrowed; this was out of character, indeed.

"Draco, have you continued to experience a strange disruption in your magic?"

If Draco was shocked by the somewhat incongruous topic, he didn't show it. "Actually, yes. But it comes and goes, and to be honest, I've been ignoring it in the hopes that it will work itself out. Why do you ask?"

Lucius looked as though he had already known the answer to that question, and Draco tried not to get frustrated. He wished his father would come out and say what was on his mind.

"Because I believe I know the cause, and yet I wanted to delay telling you until I was certain, but things seem to be getting more and more convoluted."

Draco tried to riddle out this response but to no avail. He looked blankly at Lucius until his father took pity.

"Let me say what I need to say, and don't interrupt. This is not going to be easy, for either of us, but you need to know the truth so we can make an informed decision."

Draco was starting to become extremely concerned; his father was acting as though Draco had a terminal illness or something. As soon as Draco thought that, he paled. What if he was sick, really sick? It made sense, after all; his magic was unstable, he was having odd dreams, strange sensations, and even compulsions to do things entirely against his nature, like leave Hermione alone when he wanted her more than anything. Draco's breathing became shallow, and Lucius immediately noticed.

"Nothing is wrong, son, not really. Everything is reparable. We can get through this, I promise. Don't panic just yet." Draco took a deep breath and found comfort in his father's reassuring words. If nothing else, Lucius was honest with his son, to a fault at times. He would not sugar-coat something important. He gestured for Lucius to go on, feeling a little embarrassed by his reaction.

Lucius nodded, seeming to rally himself. "In the Wizarding World, there are couples that are a little more special than most. They are not unlike what some call 'soul mates,' though to name it that is a little simplistic. Perhaps a better definition would be 'magic mates.' Every wizard's magic is attuned to that of a witch, or in some cases, a wizard; it can change if a wizard does not find that specific witch, or if he does find her and she dies or vice versa. It is usually signified by an alteration in one's magic, which becomes erratic or volatile. Usually when the two members of the couple unite, the magic settles as it recognizes itself in the other person.

"However, very rarely..." Lucius paused to take a deep breath, and Draco listened avidly. "Very rarely, there are more than two members of a match. Sometimes, there are three, or even four. These types of relationships are often unbearable for a number of reasons, not the least of which being a propensity for monogamy in our society. Such triads rarely last, but when they do... when they do last, Draco, they are formidable. The power of each member feeds and grows off the others, not only increasing the strength of the magic, but also the abilities of the wielder. For example, longer life spans, faster healing abilities, increased physical strength and endurance, to name a few.

"But there is always a downside. The reason so few of these matches exist is because most people need only one other person. In cases of triads, the magic needs two other people because the members themselves need the others. They can only be truly happy in the triadic relationship, and this frightens people because it is poorly understood and, of course, judged. If the triad fails, the members are essentially condemned to life without either of the other members. A duo cannot be formed between two members, leaving out the third, because the imbalance becomes precarious and the magic will not stand for it. The only other option is an outside relationship without a magic match, which is a poor substitute indeed. The only way for... the people involved to be truly happy is to remain a triad."

Draco absorbed everything his father was saying, watching the emotions play across Lucius' face. He seemed a little nervous, even scared, telling Draco all this. While Draco found it fascinating, he had no idea what it had to do with him. He'd heard of what Lucius called 'magic mates,' even knew of a few. He also knew what triads were, how rare they were, but hadn't quite gleaned on to how it applied to him. Yes, his magic was acting up... but the rest just didn't apply. He only wanted Hermione....

Lucius could see his son struggling with what he was telling him. He pursed his lips, uncertain of how explicitly he should explain.

For once in his life, Lucius opted to plunge ahead rather than allow Draco to infer his meaning.

"Our magic...yours, mine and Hermione's...wants the three of us to be a triad. Together. In a relationship." Lucius couldn't really go any further with his explanation, but the blank look on Draco's face was almost enough to make him think up more synonyms for 'together.'

Slowly, ever so slowly, Lucius' words sunk in. Oh, my gods....

"Your magic wants you to fuck me?" Draco exclaimed, utterly scandalized and equally nauseous. This cannot be happening....

"Draco, for Merlin's sake, language! And no!" Lucius looked insulted and a little outraged by Draco's comment. "No, Draco. I don't think that's what is happening. I believe Hermione is the link between us; I can honestly say I have no desire to...." He gestured between the two of them, finding himself unable to vocalize the rather disturbing idea of being intimate with his son.

Draco heaved a sigh of relief, laughing nervously. He knew he had not handled that well and hoped his father was not insulted. Attempting to repair the situation somewhat, Draco laughed and said, "I mean, you're very handsome and all..."

"Enough! Draco, do you understand what I've said? I believe you, Hermione and I could be a triad. We could be immensely powerful, and, I believe, very happy."

Draco sobered immediately. He knew he cared about Hermione, and obviously he loved his father. Could he share her? Could he handle a relationship with his father, even if they weren't necessarily together sexually?

"Father, I'm sorry. I don't think I could handle that. It's too much, I..."

"Please, Draco. Don't make a decision right now. I know this seems like a lot to absorb, and indeed, it is. But you won't do either of us any justice by making a hasty choice. And I think Hermione needs to hear everything, too. It should be her decision as well."

Draco knew his father was right, but couldn't get over the image sharing a bed with his father, even with Hermione in the middle.

"Are you going to tell her?"

Lucius nodded. "Yes, I think that would be best. I doubt you could be... objective about the situation. Just tell me you'll think about it, and I'll take care of Hermione."

Draco stood up, nodding. "I will think about it, Father. I promise." He bit his lip, wanting to say more, but feeling incredibly awkward. "Good luck with Hermione." You'll need it.

Lucius remained in the study for a little while, thinking about what had happened. As soon as he'd realized the importance of the dream he'd had, and exactly what the implications of the three of them having faulty magic were, he knew he could waste no time. It was incredibly difficult to manage without perfect magic. He suspected that if he and Draco both made the decision to leave Hermione alone, their magic would settle down and return to normal. After all, they wouldn't be punished forever for not choosing the triad. After Narcissa had left, he hadn't experienced a disruption, which led him to believe that as long as one or both pursued Hermione separately, they would experience difficulties, but if both they either accepted her together, or they each decided to go separate ways, the magic would immediately begin to look for another suitable match, most likely not in the form of a triad.

Lucius had to admit he was intrigued. The thought of the power they could wield was somewhat intoxicating, certainly. But more than that, having Hermione by his side was a delicious thought. Even the idea of being with Draco, not sexually but certainly more than father and son was appealing. It meant he could keep Draco with him always, and that was something to fight for.

Now, if only Hermione and Draco would see it the same way....