Chapter Five: A Kind of Magic

Chapter Five: A Kind of Magic

Hermione leaned against the bathroom sink as she contemplated the previous night's activities. Her body still ached delightfully from the ways the two men had pleasured her, ways that she had barely dared imagine previously. The three had developed a rapport that had transcended their previous relationships. However, she had noticed that the two men, while ostensibly only interested in her body, were trying over hard to avoid touching each other's. She had decided they needed a little nudge in the right direction. Having made sure she woke them with her departure from the bed, she fully intended to stay in the bathroom long enough for nature to take its course.

As the door closed on Hermione, Lucius reclined against the pillows and glanced at the wizard beside him.

"You do realise, if it wasn't for that adorable witch in the bathroom there would be no way I would be here in bed naked with you, old man."

"Nor I, Lucius. I'm not the in the least interested in men," Severus drawled, unable to drag his gaze from the point where the sheet draped low over Lucius's hips.

"I've never been that way inclined, myself," the blond asserted firmly as a betraying finger strayed to the black locks on the pillow beside him. "All that muscle and hardness..." He gasped as the other man turned towards him, a knee brushing his inner thigh as they unaccountably drew nearer.

"I can't see the attraction myself." Severus's words were at odds with his wandering hand, which had somehow decided to examine the texture of his friend's chest and nipples.

Lucius's cheeks stained red as the sheet, which had barely concealed his burgeoning arousal, slipped further down his body. "No... not at all," the blond breathed as their lips met at last, defying their heterosexual sensibilities. Vying for dominance, each wizard suckled and thrust with his tongue, their bodies becoming inexorably closer until the heat and hardness of another male rubbing against his own erection became Lucius's undoing. Reaching down between their entwined bodies, he grasped the object of his interest. A low moan escaped Severus's lips as he returned the favour.

"Oh, Merlin, don't. Don't... don't stop!" Lucius groaned as his best friend took him in hand and did unspeakably pleasurable things to him.

"Gods, Lucius. You do know that is the most clichéd expression known to man?" Severus gasped, his mellifluous voice lost in arousal.

"Fuck it, man. WHY DID YOU STOP?" He flushed as he followed the line of Severus's gaze, transfixed on the witch who had just re-entered the room.

"Don't mind me, boys," she purred softly.

"Would you like to join us, my dear?" Lucius put on a good show of nonchalance despite his body clamouring for release.

"Oh, I think I will just watch for now. Carry on." She grinned wickedly as she settled herself into a nearby armchair, one hand drifting down her body to rest in her curls.

"Well, I suppose we could force ourselves, if that's what our lady desires," drawled Severus as he took Lucius in hand once more.

"If we must." Lucius smirked and succumbed to the dark-haired man's expert touch.

***

After a month spent with Lucius and Severus exploring Britain's lesser-known roads, listening to great music, and having fantastic sex, Hermione knew it was time to announce their relationship. She could hardly hide away with the two men for the rest of her life, not that it would be such a trial. She re-read the parchment that had been delivered by Hedwig. Well, this is it. Time to dispel the good girl image, once and for all.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Hermione? I am not sure my presence would be welcome at Harry Potter's birthday party." For once, Lucius's confidence had deserted him.

"And why could we not change into our usual attire?" Severus glanced down at his jeans and partly unbuttoned shirt.

"My invitation specified Miss Hermione Granger and Partner. You are both my partners, and they will just have to get used to it. And let them see what fine specimens of wizards you are. I'll go in first, though. Don't you two dare run off!" She squeezed both wizards' hands and knocked on the door. Slipping in before her companions were seen by an exuberant Ginny, she was engulfed by the warmth and noise filling the previously austere Black house.

"Hermione!" Ron shouted from across the room, waving a half-eaten sandwich.

"Hi, Ron! Harry! Happy Birthday!" She hugged the birthday boy and his girlfriend as she made her way across the room.

"So, where is this mysterious man you met in Brighton?" asked Molly Weasley, somewhat miffed that Hermione had not given any more details when she had replied to the party invitation.

"Er... Outside. I just wanted to greet you all first to avoid overwhelming the poor..."

"Well, bring him in for Merlin's sake, woman!" George ordered. "We can't wait to see what brave soul has taken you on."

Hermione opened the front door and reached out to take Severus and Lucius by the hand. "I believe you all know Severus. And this is..."

"Malfoy!" A shattered glass silenced the din as Arthur Weasley realised who had just entered.

"Yes, Arthur. Lucius Malfoy. My partner, as invited. My partners, as a matter of fact." She held her chin high as she stood between her two men, one arm around each, her hands low on their denim-clad hips leaving no doubt as to the intimate nature of their relationship.

"Hermione! Both of them?" Ginny spent a moment checking out the two wizards. "You. Lucky. Witch!" she whispered, then giggled. "I want all the details!"

Hermione grinned back, then turned to the rest of the still silent crowd. "Well? Is this a party or not? Luce, can you find us a drink? Sev, I think the food is that way." She pointed toward the kitchen as they each smiled and left to please their witch.

"Luce?" Harry looked at Ron.

"Sev?" Ron shook his head.

Ginny just chuckled. The male members of the new trio had no idea what they had let themselves in for.

"Well, Hermione. Did you reach any conclusions about your future while you were on holiday?" inquired Molly as she served dinner a little later.

"Actually, I have," she replied with an excited smile.

"And you are going to tell us sometime this week?" Harry teased.

"Yes, Harry. These two reprobates here and I are planning to work together as sort of Wizarding Private Investigators. With my research skills, Severus's talent as a spy, and Lucius's charm, we will be able to offer our services as trouble-shooters and investigators for all sorts of problems. The biggest advantage will be complete independence from the Ministry of Magic. We even have a name. B.P.K. Investigations." She smiled at the two men in question. "And we know we work well together..."

Several hours later, everyone had finally had enough alcohol and food to ignore the fact that the erstwhile goody-two-shoes Granger was comfortably ensconced on the sofa of the sitting room, head resting in Lucius Malfoy's lap as he ran his fingers through her hair, feet being massaged by a slightly tipsy Severus Snape. Most of the couples were participating in similar activities in various corners around the house, even Arthur and Molly had found an excuse to disappear for a while. The few unattached witches and wizards were steadily becoming loudly intoxicated in the kitchen, where various drinking games were in progress.

"Er... Hermione? Could I have a word?" Harry interrupted as the three were passing around their shared glass of somewhat dubious punch.

"Sure, Harry. What is it?"

"Were you planning to stay tonight?"

"We will stay. If you have a room for us," she replied, smiling wickedly at his discomfiture.

"Um... I guess we can find one suitable."

"We can always enlarge the bed," she suggested innocently.

"Hermione, dearest. Don't torment the poor boy; it's his birthday," Lucius chided.

"Spoilsport." She poked her tongue out at him.

"Save that for later, witch." Severus could not resist deepening the younger man's blush.

"So, Hermione. Where are you planning to live?" Harry elected for a safer topic.

"Good question. I'm not sure yet. Lucius has suggested the Manor, but I have some reservations, given the events that transpired the last time I was there." She glared at Lucius, who spread his hands in silent apology. "However, I have been considering it, and I think with some stipulations it should be acceptable."

"Anything, my sweet harridan, anything," Lucius soothed.

"Prat. I want that drawing room stripped bare and redecorated. Red and gold, I think. And the dungeons will need cleaning out and refurbishing. I'm sure we can find a more pleasant use for them." She smirked at his fleeting look of horror before he managed to compose himself.

"Certainly, darling."

"And I want complete control of the décor," she demanded while gently caressing the blond's inner thigh.

"Anything. Anything at all," he groaned.

"Just a moment. If we are to live at the Manor, I would like some input also." Severus joined in the negotiations with a wink in Hermione's direction.

Lucius sighed. "What exactly do you want, Severus?"

"The master bedroom. I shall choose the décor for that room. After all, we shall be spending an inordinate amount of time in there..." He ran his hand up the back of Hermione's calf, well aware of the stare of the Boy Who Did the Deed.

Hermione sat up suddenly and poked the dark wizard in the chest. "No snakes. No chains. No black! Got it, Bat?"

"You wound me, woman. Do you not trust me?"

"Oh, I don't trust you boys any further than I could hex you when it comes to interior decorating. However, I am prepared to give you a chance. Don't disappoint me, Snape."

"Have I ever disappointed you, witch?" he asked, his mouth bare inches from hers.

"Mmm. No. Not recently, anyway. You have been performing quite nicely, thank you," she replied as she closed the gap and met him for a scorching kiss. "Harry. I think we would like you to show us our room now." She turned to meet the stunned gaze of her host. "Harry. Harry!"

"Oh. Sorry. A room. Sure." He led them up the stairs to an unoccupied bedroom and left hurriedly as clothes began finding their way to the floor before his eyes.

"So, Harry. What exactly do you think B.P.K. stands for?" Ron asked curiously.

"I'm not sure I want to know," Harry replied weakly, reaching for a stiff drink.

***

10 years later

Hermione sat at her desk, contemplating the two wizards playing chess in front of the fireplace. She smiled indulgently as she noted the occasional hand straying beneath the table to caress the other's thigh, contrary to their appearance of concentrating solely on the board. Despite their close friendship for so many years, it had taken a long time for the two men to become comfortable expressing intimacy outside of the bedroom. They had remained reserved in front of others, preferring to express their devotion to their witch rather than each other, but in their own home even the taciturn ex-Potions master had relaxed and learned to enjoy a close, loving relationship. After ten years, she still felt privileged to share a side of these two powerful wizards that no-one else saw.

Minerva McGonagall had long since forgiven her ex-student for seducing Severus away from teaching; her delight at his newfound happiness easily overcame the inconvenience of finding a new Potions professor. The Weasleys and other friends had eventually stopped blushing whenever they saw the three together, and regular invitations to the Burrow or Grimmauld Place had ensued.

Draco's opinion on his father's relationship was swiftly revised after he and Harry became an item. He still blamed heredity for his proclivity towards a same-sex partner.

B.P.K. Investigations had flourished, mostly by word-of mouth from satisfied clients. After the trio had solved the perplexing case of the disappearing interdepartmental memos in the Ministry of Magic, their renown had had them turning cases away by the dozen. It would not have done to allow work to interfere with their regular road trips in the DB5.

Hermione sighed as she realised the time had come. She could not keep her news from her lovers for any longer. Moving to the sofa closest to the chess table, she interrupted their game. "Er, boys. I have something I need to talk to you about."

Lucius reached over and pulled her to sit on his lap while Severus listened attentively. "Yes, my sweet. What is it?"

"I... er... that is... I'm..." She couldn't voice the words.

Severus came to her rescue. "I knew it, Luce. She's pregnant! I told you there was a reason she was spending so much time in the bathroom in the mornings!"

"Really? You are carrying our child?" Lucius caressed her lower abdomen while kissing her tenderly, eyes moist. "I never thought I would have the opportunity again." He looked at Severus. "Congratulations, old man! We are going to be fathers!"

The dark wizard sobered. He looked at his witch and wizard, and slowly a smile crept over his face. Embracing and kissing them both, he placed his hand over Lucius's and squeezed. "Finally, a real family of my own."

Hermione frowned, confused by their reaction. "But, aren't you worried about which one of you two is the father? I was terrified it would change everything between us."

Lucius kissed her frown away. "It doesn't matter whose seed impregnated you, love. It could have been either of us. The important thing is we are all together in this, and whether this baby is blond or brunette, or anything in between, he or she will be a part of all three of us. Isn't that right, Severus?"

"Absolutely, Lucius. Absolutely."

Their daughter turned out to be the spitting image of her mother, with masses of curly brown hair and eyes to match. Her fathers did not know which of them was her biological parent and were never inclined to find out. She was their beloved little girl, and that was all that mattered.

The End

A/N: House points for anyone who can guess what B.P.K stands for. Many thanks go to my beta, rdholmantx. This was written for the lovely PajamaPants for the first ever LM/HG Exchange on LiveJournal.