Uncharted Territory

* L *

In the cool night air, Lucius and Astoria made their way down the dark, crooked street of Knockturn Alley, abruptly making a sharp turn on the nearest corner. Lucius helped Astoria carefully walk down the steps leading off the main pavement to an alcoved path.

She had felt her stomach lurch and the acid of alcohol surge upwards upon Apparating, but with every ounce of conscious control, she had swallowed down the burning liquid threatening to come up. I will not be sick!

As they slowly entered into a high alcoved foyer of a looming gothic building, she saw and felt her surroundings sway but realized, No, it's me!

She clutched on to Lucius, asking, "This is it?"

Lucius assessed her. She's turning green around the gills. "Yes, the entrance to the Mewling Quim. A clandestine proprietary club known fondly by word of mouth amongst certain wizards and witches of the night."

He checked once more on her inebriated determination. "Are you positive you wish to enter?" His silver eyes flashed. "Last chance to turn back."

"Any house of ill repute good enough for Draco is good enough for me, yes?" she countered as Lucius gave her a cool look and opened the door for her to enter. Her senses were hit by the sensual scents of heat and sex saturating the air as her eyes adjusted to the dim sconced lighting and hazy mist of pungent incense and exotic tobacco filling the air.

"Ah, Mr Malfoy, how lovely! It's been ages since we've seen you. Some of your inner circle are here-are you to join them this evening?" asked the club's handsome host and victualer, a transgender wizard with mercurial shoulder-length hair, which softly fell on his bared, sculpted shoulders. Giving an acknowledging look to Astoria, a soft smile crept onto the host's face as he asked, "Or are you in need of a private room? Your presence here anonymous?"

"To join them," uttered Astoria. She could barely breathe.

"Ah, yes," chortled the host. "I see, lovely." The victualer gave a graceful wave towards the inner rooms. "Enjoy your evening."

Lucius gave the club's proprietor a terse smile and then motioned to Astoria. "Shall we?" He held his arm out; she took it. He led the way.

The sound of background music, a hypnotic, pulsing beat and flow, evoking a sensual sensation of energy, registered with her, and Astoria clutched Lucius, feeling wambly. The sensation passed, and she took a deep breath, saying, "Yes, you lead."

She was clinging to him, and even though he smirked, Lucius placed a protective arm securely around her waist, guiding her beside him, their bodies touching and pressing against each other as they weaved their way carefully through the crowded, active spaces.

And caution was needed. Astoria grasped Lucius tighter as predaceous looks were given them by others. Lucius seemed oblivious to the rapacious gazes of passing individuals or various couples pausing to invite them with an understanding nod, a silent promise of reciprocation. For the pulse and energy of the clientele seemed to hum with movement and rhythm, clumps of twosomes or threesomes engaged in various levels of frottage and onanism here and there as they winded their way further into the back.

With bated breath, Astoria continued to follow Lucius deeper into the den, only to be suddenly stopped by an imposing figure of a wizard.

"Lucius? My, my, nice to see you show up here this evening. It's been some time since you've graced this place with your presence."

Astoria felt herself pressed against the tall, powerfully built figure, recognizing his distinctively trimmed black beard and gravelly voice. It's Albert Runcorn, or as Draco has called him, 'one of Lucius' cronies'. She had seen him around the Ministry, of course, and knew him as a professional acquaintance, although his reputation had always preceded him and prevailed as one having done things that were unbelievably underhanded in order to achieve his high rank in the Ministry.

"Haven't had the need, Albert," replied Lucius coolly.

Runcorn gave Astoria a salacious look. "I can see why."

Astoria found herself staring up into Runcorn's eyes, sending a thrill throughout her with their intensity. He's easily more than six feet...even taller than Lucius!

"I had looked forward to getting to know you better the other day at lunch, but Lucius told me that our dearest Draco had protested. Such a little hypocrite sometimes, isn't he, my dear?"

"Why would you say that?"

Runcorn smiled. "Denying you and us of..." He swooped his head down, and she thought he was going to whisper something, but his head went lower below her ear, pressing against her neck. She could feel him begin to suck and swirl and gasped at his brazen forwardness.

"I think perhaps ... a presentation for our novice, Runcorn. You're primed for action; however, she's a bit too soused for her own good, a bit too delicate, understand?"

Albert looked Astoria up and down, as if to assess her inebriated state for himself when none other than Pansy Parkinson slinked up and curled herself into Runcorn, cooing at Lucius, "So you came... and actually brought her with you?"

"Who am I to deny another's curiosity?" replied Lucius smoothly.

Pansy smiled a dark smile, saying, "She won't be able to handle it. She's not Daphne."

Albert pulled Pansy into him with an iron grip. "Lucius wants a presentation. Are you game for me this evening, Ms Parkinson?"

She undulated against his powerfully built frame, pressing her groin against his. "I'm game for you any time, any place, Mr Runcorn. You should know that by now." Pansy gave him a wicked grin. "For your ignorance, you'll have to be punished."

Runcorn made as if to kiss her, but she shoved against him, snarling commandingly, "Don't touch me! Only when and where I say!"

"Yes, Mistress," the tall wizard concurred in a low voice, letting go of her immediately.

"Come, then. The others are already enjoying themselves." She waved her forefinger at Astoria, beckoning her to follow. "Welcome to my world."

Determined to handle anything Parkinson could throw her way, Astoria followed Pansy through a curtained-off area, the lighting even dimmer in an effervescent soft shade of burgundy.

"Sit here on the side with me," instructed Lucius in a low voice, motioning to a long, low couch against the nearest wall in the shadows.

She sat, the soft cushions contouring around her form as Lucius relaxed beside her, saying, "What happens in the Quim, stays in the Quim. A code of the utmost secrecy, my dear."

Runcorn took off his long leather jacket and laid it beside Astoria, whispering, "My eyes and actions will be commanded by her, but I'll be thinking of you. You look so tasty."

"Runcorn, come to me. Kneel!"

He moved from in front of them and went to Pansy, kneeling.

Astoria was then able to take in the rest of the space, gasping softly as she recognized others in acts of sexual activity, oblivious to the world around them.

She made out the form of Rookwood, knelt between an unknown wizard's legs, giving head. Kissing this same wizard who was being pleasured was Blaise Zabini, lying in a half-reclined position. Astoria turned her head sharply from them only to see on the other side of the room closer to her and Lucius something that made her freeze at what she saw. Daphne! And Neville...

She watched her sister, who was on all fours, being taken from behind by Longbottom. The two were deep in the throes of oblivious passion, Daphne's groans and escalating whimpers of pleasure filling the air, blending with the throbbing, rhythmic music in the background.

All too aware of Lucius' body heat as he spooned up beside her, Astoria averted her eyes back to Parkinson and Runcorn, who were acting out a much slower play of teasing and taunting right in front of them. Pansy's wand had been transformed; extended at the end was a short whip, comprised of three lashes, and she was commanding Albert to touch and kiss her in different places, from her toes to her inner thighs, around to her buttocks. She toyed and teased him, ordering different number of times, different ways-she had just told him to roll her skirt up, slowly and all the way so that her muff would be exposed. Parkinson gave a confident smile to Astoria, seemingly proud that she was knickerless.

Astoria could make out Pansy's cleanly shaved pink lips and gave a look to Lucius. Oddly enough, he wasn't watching Parkinson and Runcorn, but rather keenly watching her.

She found herself under his keen scrutiny, his silver eyes glinting and unfathomable in the dim light, his breath hot and fast on her neck. She was wondering what he was thinking and why he wasn't watching Pansy; she was wondering many things as she again gave fleeting glances at Rookwood with his male ménage-a-trois and Neville fucking her sister's brains out; she was wondering why her knickers had dampened so wetly as suddenly Runcorn was laying down Parkinson beside them on his leather coat with her legs wrapped around his head which he had burrowed between her thighs.

As Astoria watched Albert swirl and suck Pansy, his eyes looked up at Astoria, giving her a piercing look, and she was mesmerized. This seemed to be the impetus Runcorn needed to finish inducing Pansy's mounting climax as he even more fervently focused on suckling at her clit until she cried a cry of release. But even as Parkinson curled and touched herself, seemingly reveling in the aftermath of her climax, Albert bowed his head low to Lucius, rasping, "Please, Master, may I have just a small taste of her? Just a taste? I'm so hungry this evening."

Lucius gave Runcorn a blank look, contemplating something, and finally, slowly said, "Just a taste." In a flash, Lucius had his wand out pointing its tip directly in Albert's face. "If I even glimpse your cock, Albert, you'll wish I hadn't. She's Draco's..." Lucius seemed to consider something else and continued, "But a little cunnilingus is harmless," he gave Astoria a terse smile, "if the lady wishes."

The heat of Lucius' look, of Albert's, even Pansy's incongruous support mixed with the heavy sex in the air and sounds of the others engaged sexually, clouding her thoughts. The cognac still coursed fiercely through her veins, and she felt lost, raw, and in dire heat-in need of some kind of release. "I-I don't know," she whispered, unable to make a decision or let herself give over to the moment.

"Perhaps, now, Master?" implored Runcorn to Lucius.

"Slowly, Runcorn, very slowly," warned Lucius.

Astoria suddenly felt fingertips under her skirt, barely touching, and then ever-so-gently stroking her inner calves above her boot on one leg. This sensation was followed by her skirt being gently lifted and then the unmistakable presence of Runcorn's head between her legs, slowly nudging her knees then her thighs apart, wider and wider. Runcorn lifted and draped her right leg over Lucius' lap while placing her other on his shoulder even as the feel of his hair and facial stubble caused a tickling sensation to spark through her. Her heart was beating faster and faster as he carefully peeled the crotch of her knickers to one side, the feel of cool air momentarily on her sex before the feel of his hot mouth pressed against her sex.

She clenched her eyes shut. What am I doing?

But Lucius was there, monitoring the situation, whispering, "Try to relax and enjoy."

She felt Lucius' hand on her arm that had reached out to grasp something supportive, his thigh, as she moaned softly. He won't allow... She gasped, her thoughts broken off, for Runcorn's tongue was fucking her, the exquisite sensation causing her mind to go blank as he swirled and sucked, breaking only to rhythmically dart his pointed tip in and out of her. In and out... She couldn't help whimper in pleasure as the swelling sensation of his oral ministrations on her cunt tingled through her.

He suddenly changed his angle and decisively latched on to her sensitive nub, causing her to begin to undulate and uncontrollably grind. She was going to come; the wizard's skilled ministrations were coaxing her speedily on towards that. She turned her head sharply towards Lucius as her hands grasped wildly for the next solid thing to grab onto. She squeezed Lucius' muscular thigh even harder, and with the other hand she latched on to something firm yet soft, shapely and... Pansy's arse!

Runcorn was sucking and flitting the tip of his tongue on her clitoris, then sucking harder while holding her hips in place, urging her to release herself, demanding that she come in his mouth.

And so she did. She gave a cry of release as never before.

She gasped for air, whimpering, as Runcorn kept lapping and licking as if determined to savour every drop of her.

She was lost in new sensations as her body thrummed, and she heard others cry out in ecstasy as Runcorn was thanking Lucius.

Neville and Daphne! Her head was in a whirl. What have I done?

Like a flash of lightning, Astoria jolted up to a sitting position, everything becoming a blur, and all she knew next was that she was running out, jostling and pressing through the crowd, desperate to get out of that place. I need fresh air, I need... She bolted pass the transgender wizard and out the door, gasping, feeling a wet stickiness between her thighs and the cognac coming up in her throat.

She gave a small shriek as a hand grabbed her arm and turned her around.

It was Lucius, giving her a curious look.

"Take me home." She gulped hard but it didn't help. "Take me home now!"

And as he gathered her to him to Disapparate, she became sick on him.

* A *

They Apparated directly to her chamber.

Before she could even apologize, she vomited again on him.

But just as equally startling was a voice saying, "What the fuck has been happening? Where have you been?"

They both turned and saw Draco sitting in the sofa chair in front of the lit fireplace, fuming. He had apparently been there a while as the Firewhisky bottle appeared almost half empty.

Draco knocked back the remainder of his shot glass and stalked over to them.

Before either Lucius or she could answer, Astoria heaved again, this time grabbing and clutching onto Draco.

"Your wife," replied Lucius dryly. "She's ill."

"She's totally pissed." Draco huffed and Accioed for his wand, dispensing a Scouring Charm on them all. "And why is that, father?"

"You should know," hissed Lucius icily. "You're the reason for this."

"How so?" sneered Draco.

As Draco and Lucius started in on each other, Astoria slowly made her way to her boudoir, clumsily undressing and running the bath water. She could hear Lucius condescendingly explaining, "We came upon Longbottom and Astoria dining together. Pansy let it slip that she'd been with you earlier..."

"Parkinson? At a Ministry meeting..."

"And that you had promised to meet up with her, Daphne and... Rookwood. For an evening of leisure with them all."

There was silence from the bedroom as Astoria slowly rinsed off. Finally she heard Draco saying, "I told her I'd try to meet them-just out of fucking politeness, not because I intended to. I wanted to get home as soon as possible."

"Really?" drawled Lucius. "Parkinson was quite specific and confident about it. How is it that Parkinson knew of your whereabouts, returning and being back in London, and your wife didn't?"

"I wanted to surprise Astoria."

"How quaint. Well, the girls took Longbottom off with them... Out of concern for where and when you would show up, I stayed with Astoria at the restaurant to keep her company until you did... A witch in her condition shouldn't be left alone. However, she seemed to prefer drinking than conversing with me. I humoured her until she started turning green around the gills."

There was again silence for several seconds as Astoria slowly lowered herself to sitting as the water started filling the tub higher and higher.

"Then I insisted we return; she could wait for you here," continued Lucius.

Astoria heard Draco sniff. Or was it Lucius?

"If you'll excuse me, you have a wife to attend to, and I'm in need of a bath. Cleansing spells are nice, but nothing beats the real thing when it comes to getting rid of the sensation of being vomited on."

There was another awkward silence that was broken by Lucius, jibing, "Your gratitude is overwhelming."

Slipping down a few inches and lying in the warm water fully, Astoria heard Draco say, "Thank you, Father. Could you please send the house-elf here with restorative potions? As you found out, Astoria's not used to hard liquors."

"Yes, she seems to not be used to many a thing. Pity."

Then Draco lashed out loudly, "She's my wife! She'll be the mother of our children. She's not Pansy or Daphne."

* L *

Lucius smiled upon hearing 'our children'. Exactly!

He gave Draco a supercilious look, offering, "Man to man advice, Draco. Just because a witch becomes a mother, she'll never stop being a woman... with needs. Ask your mother if you don't believe me."

Draco snarled, "No, thank you. That's the last thing I wish to be lectured about from mother." Draco was standing in the bathroom doorway, and he gave Astoria a quick glance before addressing Lucius. "I can handle my wife myself."

"By all means... I'll send the house-elf." Astoria heard Lucius leave.

Draco walked over and took a bathrobe, crossing over to Astoria. "Here, let me help you."

Grateful for his gentler demeanour with her, she realized how weak she felt as he helped her up and how relieved she was to be back home... and so very relieved to have washed the rancid stench away and the sweat and stickiness from her own body. But the feel of Runcorn's lips on her vulva and clitoris was still there, and with a dull throb deep within her, she fleetingly thought, That, I don't mind remembering...

However, as Draco held her in his arms, she realized was also relieved to be away from what had happened earlier at the Mewling Quim. It already seemed like it almost had not happened or either happened long ago. Her ears were ringing, and she suddenly felt overwhelmingly exhausted as Draco loosely wrapped her in her robe and helped her to their bed.

A tray laden with restorative potions and salty and sweet scones was beside the bed.

As she sat up against the plump pillows in bed, Draco placed the covering over her and handed her one small glass to drink. "For the nausea."

"I can't drink anything else."

"You must. You'll thank me later."

She knocked it back.

"And now this, just a bite to absorb some of the stomach acid."

Astoria let Draco coddle her. Several minutes passed this way with Draco, ending with him coaxing her to take a final shot of a restorative potion for restoring her energy and hydration. She now felt wonderful, relaxed, and like the earlier events of the evening were a strange dream. Erotic but strange...

Draco slowly rose from sitting on the bed by her side and crossed over to the mantle, staring into the fire with his back to her.

"You're coming to bed?"

"Oh, yes." Draco had a hardened look on his face as he turned and walked over to pour himself yet another shot, knocking it back. "I've wanted to go to bed since returning. But you weren't here." He slowly started undressing, pulling out a small, wrapped present from a pocket, placing it on the bed. "I was eager to give you this."

As Draco continued to undress, she unwrapped and opened the gift box. Placing the box on her bedside table, she took out the piece of jewellery. It was a pendant brooch in the shape of an elongated teardrop, embedded with rare gems. Emeralds on black pearl...

"Draco, it's exquisite."

"Malfoy men always bring their wives something very special upon return from travelling." He threw back the covers forcefully, climbed into bed and leaned over to Astoria. Without saying a word, he peeled back her bath robe so that her torso lay nude from her breasts down to her Venus mound. He took the brooch from her, reaching across her and impatiently tossed it on the bedside table, and then began to stroke her neck, letting his fingers explore down in between her breasts, down to her navel, and then the soft, sensitive skin leading to her vulva and between her vaginal lips.

"So, what did Pansy say to upset you enough to drink like a mad banshee?" he asked, continuing to touch and lightly stroke her up and down.

Astoria could smell the whisky on his breath, causing a twang of something distasteful to cross her taste buds but then fade, mixed with his scent and cologne.

"Nothing."

"I don't believe that," he commented lightly caressing and teasing a nipple with his fingertips, watching it become puckered and pointed. "She's very jealous of you. Of us."

A tingling sensation spread all over her as Astoria felt the tip of Draco's tongue feather lightly flick and lick her nipple before randomly placing soft kisses on and around her breasts. He was softly mumbling, "It all ended with her years ago when we married; actually, after we became troth-plighted. You shouldn't have let her ruffle you in that way."

"She didn't..."

"When you gave yourself to me that day completely... in the Room of Requirement, I knew... you were the one... Since we were children, I knew..."

He was going lower in between her thighs, lifting one upwards and kissing her around a lower buttock, coming up behind her, nipping her roundness. Gently but decisively, he rolled her onto her side, simultaneously spooning up behind her. She could feel his erection pressing up against her.

"Draco... I'm not feeling... my best tonight."

"Shhh, you're perfect, always perfect; just like this."

He pushed his member inside her from behind, guiding her outer leg over his by pressing his knee and leg between hers, even as his cock pressed deeper up and inside her.

It was then and there that something clicked inside Astoria. It isn't his fault... How is he to know that I've had more sex in the past twenty-four hours than...

She grunted as his thrusting became harder, more intense, more fiercely rhythmic.

"You're tense tonight, thought the potions would relax you enough... and dry," he whispered in her ear, his hot breath scented with whisky caused her to undulate, turning her face away. "What's the matter?" He paused, his cock deep inside her, as his hand moved from clenching her hip to between her legs, feeling between her vaginal lips to the top of her opening, finding and rubbing her in circular motions which grew smaller and smaller as he zeroed in on her clitoris.

As he was gently tapping her highly stimulated and overly sensitized nub, she whimpered, "Oh, Draco." She twisted away, inadvertently bucking and pressing her buttocks jerkily back against him.

"Mmm, so that's what you need tonight?" He pulled his cock out and guided her to roll completely over, face down, placing a pillow underneath her abdomen.

Kneeling behind her, he momentarily laid on top of her, pressing her into the mattress, whispering, "Just relax." He slowly slithered down her back, nipping her skin with impatient pecks until he reached her arse.

Then she felt him hoist himself up, only to immediately feel him massage her buttocks again, slowly, firmly, slowing down to spread them apart, exposing her anal and vaginal openings. She uncontrollably squealed as she felt him lunge and lick her from the vagina up to anus, feeling his tongue slowly but decisively enter the puckered opening.

"Draco..." she started to protest.

His response was a terse spreading of her legs further as she felt his face nuzzle in, down and around her most intimate areas. Concentrated between her thighs, he was tongue-fucking her, first one orifice then the other; then when she was panting, her quim contracting wildly with anticipation, he burrowed his face so his mouth and tongue could latch on to her clitoris. He held her around her backside in a tight grip, only his jaw and lips and tongue grinding into her.

She was mewling loudly, clawing at the sheets, feeling her body tremble uncontrollably as the tension swelled from deep within her. All of sudden she felt herself release. She felt her come flowing out of her and grew limper and limper, not having a worry in the world. She only knew her cunt was wet and swollen with stimulation as Draco moved slowly from her clit back up towards her anus; he seemed to revel in spreading the soft, sensitive rubbery opening with his tongue, round and round, in and out, only to slowly replace it with his thumb. She lay in delirious but passive expectation as his thumb pressed deeper and deeper into her, rotating, gently spreading her wider and wider until her muscles seemed to adjust and relax around the digital probing in and out. She was lost in the intense, pleasurable sensation, but at some time, he removed his thumb only to replace it with two fingers. She gasped as he pressed and felt deeper and again probed her in and out, conditioning her muscles to expect being entered.

Everything blurred as she felt him remove his fingers only to feel the tip of his cock at her entrance. With a firm push he had spread her open and paused waiting for her contracting anal muscles to relax a tad and adapt to his girth before he pushed further in, and then more further, deeper, inch by inch. She cried out as he sheathed himself fully inside her, clutching and biting the sheets in response to the unique pain.

Then ever so slowly Draco started moving, fucking her arse slowly in miniscule circular motions. She felt him pausing and then the weight of him lowering his torso down on her; he scooped an arm under her chest, clenching her tight as his thrusts increased in intensity. Then his hand lowered slowly, strenuously down to her cunt again, his fingers spreading her vaginal lips, finding her clitoris again, rubbing it.

A shot of electrical stimulation went through her, causing her to begin to buck and rut; suddenly the pain of being arse fucked transformed and felt incredible and wildly liberating. Wishing him to fuck her harder and harder as she rutted against him, their jarring movements were causing them to move across the bed until Astoria found herself using and pushing against the headboard for counter force. Draco apparently reached a plateau as she felt his teeth nip hard into her neck, and then he exploded, coming inside her.

oOoOoOo

Astoria had slept late, staying in her room until she hoped all had left the manor for the day. She felt sore and achy from all of the different sexual activity she had had and decided to bathe again. She needed time to think, but the more she thought about all of the sexual goings...on she had encountered and participated in during the last few days, the more she kept coming back to the same conclusion, I must become pregnant, then this madness can stop.

Drying herself off, she stared at herself in the mirror, thinking, True, it was mostly all pleasant... She noted the dark circles under her eyes. But I don't know what's happening to me. Who I am...

She took a deep breath and reminded herself, You are Astoria Malfoy, a supervisor and researcher, handling Potions restrictions in the Department for the Regulations and Control of Magical Properties, wife, and future mother of the heir of the House of Malfoy... Someone who obviously enjoys sex... Someone who has very serious obligations, controlled by... Lucius? Draco? Me?

Relieved that it was her day to not go to the Ministry but work from the nursery, she threw on a thick house robe over her chemise and made her way languidly down to the botanical conservatory.

She was watering and analyzing plants and flowers, pausing to measure the growth and patterns of a group of Scorpiris flowers when Narcissa's voice was heard, calling out, "Astoria, we have a guest."

Narcissa appeared at the entrance with a tall wizard by her side.

It was Neville Longbottom.

As they walked towards Astoria, Narcissa reminded her, chatting, "Remember, we invited Professor Longbottom to see your lovely conservatory."

"Please don't..." he implored bashfully.

Cutting him off with a playful tone, Narcissa continued, "Also, Neville has a proposal for Lucius. A very generous one, even more so considering our history, that we will announce publicly at the charity dinner ball tomorrow evening."

"What sort of proposal would that be?" asked Astoria, her curiosity piqued.

Neville explained, "A venture together. If Lucius would be interested as a liaison between shipping, importing and exporting for the Ministry, the Department for the Regulations and Control of Magical Properties, in particular, the compounds needed for the ingredients in rare specialty potions. For example, exporting your Iris sanguinea, the Blood Iris, would be very lucrative... They're very rare, quite a specialty."

Astoria shook her head slightly trying to understand. "He'd be working in my department?"

"With me as a joint consultant. Lucius would be the internal controller and I, an outside one; along with my Hogwarts duties and my wife's family primarily running the Leaky Cauldron, my time would be limited, but..."

"Your name and reputation go a long way within respectable wizarding circles," blurted out Astoria.

"Exactly," added Narcissa coolly. "We should be very grateful."

"This would be an enterprise with all of us working and consulting together, as needed." Neville gave Narcissa an admiring look. "Your husband will have an established livelihood back within the mainstream wizarding world, separate from his past. He can start anew, reinvent himself."

"I think it's rather wonderful and very noble of you," purred Narcissa. "Everything kept in the family." She gave Neville an appreciative look, saying, "Well, our own little circle, shall we say?"

"It's my pleasure."

Narcissa gave him an ingratiating smile and then said, "Let me go see if Lucius has returned."

Astoria was speechless at this unexpected turn of events.

Narcissa paused at the doorway, asking Astoria, "Could you cut and prepare some samples of our Blood Iris'? After discussing final issues with Lucius, Neville and I will take and register our initial samples for patenting at the Ministry. I would like everything to be approved and official before any formalities are stated in public."

She left, and there was an awkward silence between Astoria and Neville.

Neville had a slight embarrassed look, seeming to not know what to say yet wishing to; she had a hunch it wasn't about the newly formulated business enterprise proposed.

Astoria took the initiative, saying quietly, "I don't know if you were told, but what happens in the Quim, stays in the Quim."

"Um, yes, the girls...Daphne and Pansy mentioned it... afterwards. As I started sobering up, I realized what I had done." He gave her a sheepish look. "I suppose I was a bit panicky. They were very kind about helping me put things in perspective."

Astoria gave him a small supportive smile, instinctively touching his arm. "You're not the only one. If it helps, I spent the night being sick all over everyone," she selectively shared in hopes to relieve his apparent stress.

Neville noted her touch and then looked into her eyes. She slowly withdrew her hand, trying to ignore his curious expression. Then he abruptly turned his head away staring around the nursery. He took a few steps away and then stopped.

She liked Neville very much, had always respected him as a colleague and admired his professional accomplishments and secretly had cheered him on, happy that his life had turned out so well with his professorship at Hogwarts and his and Hannah's marriage and entrepreneurship with the Leaky Cauldron. And, of course, his courage on the battlefield had shown everyone his true colours. No longer the funny, odd boy carrying around a toad in his pocket. He showed everyone... With a slight tremble, she looked back at a large Scorpiris flower and touched a petal...the image of him and Daphne intensely fucking last night at the Quim flitted through her mind.

"Neville, I consider us colleagues and, well, friends on some level... and I consider us able to trust each other, especially after last night, both of us being drawn into some clandestine club that neither had planned to be a part of and experience... What's on your mind?"

He turned to her, considering whether to speak or not. Deciding to, he slowly uttered, "On one level, I don't regret what happened last night at all... I suppose, well, I didn't know how much I needed... You see, since becoming pregnant, well, Hannah's pregnancy was very delicate, and she had this morbid fear of losing the baby... So she even didn't want me to touch her..." He swallowed hard. "Didn't allow me touch her in anyway." He shrugged, confessing, "Amazing what drinking and flattery will do to a man if given the opportunity." He gave her a look. "And I was given an opportunity."

Who am I to judge him? Looking up into his sincere eyes, Astoria felt something coil and tighten deep within her as she tried to be as objective as possible, replying, "Nine months without intimacy would be trying for anyone, especially someone like you, newly married and..."

"No, that's not quite it." He gave her an intense look, his cheeks flushing red, as he bluntly said, "If I ever imagined committing infidelity with anyone, it wouldn't have been with Daphne. It would have been with you."

"Me?"

"Yes. But you know that, don't you?"

Astoria took a sharp intake of breath, detecting a barely concealed anger in his voice.

"Don't worry, Astoria. Platonic relationships with women have been my staple in life... Excepting my wife, who I love very much..." He paused, visibly flustered. "But there seems to be many different kinds of love, and I'm rather confused about why I'm attracted to you in that way..."

"Oh, Neville..."

"I've always admired your commitment and knowledge to Herbology and horticulture, so similar to my own principles about these areas... But I won't bother you with unwanted intentions. Suppose I'm just human after all, and you unfortunately are someone that I... quite admire."

As Astoria was trying to process everything that Neville was saying to her, Narcissa entered, followed by Lucius, who remained standing in the doorway.

Neville crossed and met Lucius offering his hand first to shake. Some brief words were exchanged between the men with Lucius saying, "We'll withdraw to my inner study. Narcissa, if you'd like to join us?"

Astoria caught Lucius' eyes for the briefest second as he ushered Neville out to follow him; Narcissa followed, only pausing to let Astoria know, "Our evening dresses arrived from Madam Malkin's; yours has been placed in your room."

Astoria thanked her and slowly went to the back wing of the greenhouse to clip samples and label them for Narcissa and Neville. She could barely concentrate on what she needed to do as many things churned through her mind. Focus, Astoria, focus!

She nipped and snipped, affixed and categorized various stages of the Scorpirus' in bloom, labeling the samples with the more commonly known category Iris sanguinea: Blood Iris. Gathering a sufficient amount, her thoughts quickly went back to contemplating matters as she packed them in a small wicker box.

Perhaps because I'm... well, childless, Neville and others think I, we...Draco and I are only living for our pleasure and interests... Perhaps if and when I become pregnant and have a child, other wizards won't think that I'm interested or available in that way...

She huffed and thought of Lucius, Draco, and then of Lucius again. If we're to conceive a child together... and we need to do so quickly before further madness can happen... She sighed, realizing, I don't want any further new sexual experiences or partners; I want... Lucius to... I need a child for us, for Draco... something to complete our bond... all of our bonds together. I want things to stay as is...

"Astoria, dear, have you any samples ready?" It was Narcissa.

"Yes."

Narcissa had a nervous excitement about her, a rare quality for Astoria to witness, as she asked, "Perhaps a few more Blood Iris'? We'll take these on...can you bring the other samples directly to Regulations? I have a feeling more will be needed, and I wish to be utterly prepared for their requests."

"Yes."

Narcissa's eyes were shining as she impulsively grabbed Astoria's hand, saying, "I want everything to be perfect tomorrow evening, which means we Malfoys need all of the Ministry officials in our pockets, rather, on our side before we arrive."

She had barely left in a flurry when Lucius entered.

They stared at one another until Astoria said, "I have to prepare a few more samples."

"I can keep you company."

Many thoughts were whirling through her mind about last night mixed with this newly ordained partnership with Longbottom and what Lucius' true feelings were about it as she slowly walked back to the side wing of the greenhouse. She heard Lucius follow her, but couldn't bring herself to initiate small talk or ask him directly anything as a dull ache throbbed through her temples.

Lucius leaned and watched her as she silently cut and affixed further samples for several seconds before bluntly stating, "It amazes me how my son thinks he can conceive a child by taking his wife in the rear."

She slowly looked up at him. "You watched? From your enchanted mirror? That's... That's..."

"Don't upset yourself, my dear. It was the last time. In fact, I removed the enchantment."

She stared at him, too flustered to speak.

He slowly rose and crossed standing near her, saying, "You see, I couldn't bear watching him touch you anymore. Actually, I have found it difficult watching anyone else touch you... in any way."

She remembered in a flash turning to see Lucius scrutinizing her last night instead of watching Parkinson and Runcorn. "Is that why...?"

"I wanted to see, allow you to experience something light and new, but I didn't enjoy watching you being touched by someone else as I thought I would." Incongruously, he asked, "Can you forgive me?"

She was taken back by his question and could only nod, shrugging her shoulders slightly and turning back to her plants and flowers, wondering what had brought this change in attitude about.

"I hope it wasn't an utterly unpleasant experience at the Quim?"

"It wasn't," she hesitated but then spoke her mind, "but I don't want to experience it again."

Lucius' features hardened as he said, "Good."

He watched her fiddle around with her pots and plants for several seconds, before pressing, "And with Draco? Was it unpleasant?"

"I don't want to talk about..." He grabbed and jerked her around; Astoria saw his jaw muscles were clenched and a scrutinizing eyebrow rose as he searched her face for an honest answer.

She hesitated and then said softly, "As you said, it's not a way to conceive a child." She turned away from him.

"Ah," commented Lucius, and she felt him standing behind her, close behind, her buttocks and back barely grazing his chest and groin, aware of the heat radiating from him. "No. No, it's not," he whispered softly in her ear.

She closed her eyes as she felt his lips feather lightly kiss her cheek and neck. Lucius had placed one hand on her lower right hip and with the other cupped her face on one side while continuing to plant light kisses on her neck and shoulders and back up to her cheeks, she tilted her head towards his lips with each kiss.

"Astoria," she heard him whispering, his voice low and husky. Then she felt him turning her around, more frontally towards him, his lips gently touching hers. She reciprocated as the pressure of his lips became demanding, forcing hers open and causing her to match his intensity in searching, searching, searching.

At some point his hands had started stroking her breasts, cupping them, as he moved and pressed himself into her from behind. His lips were kissing, swirling around on the sensitive skin of her neck causing her to undulate in pleasure. "Mmm," she heard him hum as she instinctively pressed back into him, rubbing against his hardened member. "What do you want?"

"I want... I want," she twisted around halfway and kissed him passionately, but she broke away as his hands began to open her house robe. Lucius placed a hand on her Venus mound and pressed another hand on her lower abdomen, continuing to kiss her neck in alternating soft kisses then intense nips. He was gently stroking her quim even as their bodies seemed to groove in a slow dance-like motion. They were swaying together as he increased his stroking but playfully paused or pressed a finger inside her for a few seconds before pulling it out of her again. They were dancing a slow erotic dance as she reached back stroking his cock through his trousers, and he continued to touch and tease her.

She began to softly whimper, becoming impatient, and clumsily undid his trouser buttons in between their swaying and grinding and groping. His cock was released, and she had the impulse to turn around and go down on him, letting her outer house robe fall to the floor, only her thin thigh-high camisole left, but he kept her facing away from him and grabbed her tightly so that her back was against his chest, against him, placing his cock below her buttocks and began rubbing it and pressing it to go in between her thighs, searching for her vaginal opening. Finding her entrance, he pressed his tip inside her just enough to let her know he was going to fuck her cunt from behind, but then he paused and placed ardent kisses on her shoulders up to her neck again whispering in her ear, "Move with me, Astoria. I want you to want this as much as me."

Her muscles began to spasm and clench for him to go deeper inside her; she became aware that they were swaying together, in synchronized movement. For every thrust he gave, she countered; yes, they were synchronized, in unison. He's fucking me like he and Narcissa...

"Oh, Lucius," she moaned and grasped for something to press against.

"No, don't go away, stay with me, Astoria," he whispered fiercely, clutching her more determinedly, causing her to use his body as a lever in her growing throes of passion. She was grinding up and down, spreading herself, inviting him to go deeper and deeper inside her, for him to pound his cock into her as he wished.

"No," he grabbed her, stilling her as she moaned, and then she heard him whisper, "Make love to me, Astoria... Make love with me."

"Ah," she cried, writhing in his arms, turning her head around enough so that their lips clashed hungrily. His arms were wrapped around her in a bear hug, one clamped under her breasts and the other around her waist as he began to fuck her in hard thrusts, grunting loudly each time he rammed her upwards.

She couldn't help herself and needed something more concrete to hold onto and push against, wanting Lucius to fuck her as long as he wanted. She could feel the edge of a shelf counter and grasped it for life. He also seemed to feel the need for anchorage as he slowly allowed her to bend forward.

"Mmm, yes, Lucius, yes!" She moaned as she began to tremble as her quim's muscles began to contract wildly, tighter and tighter, squeezing his cock madly. "Oh, god, yes!" she cried out, her eyes tearing up, clenching and coming.

"My sweet..." She heard him gasp in climax only to freeze, spilling his seed deep within her; they were both frozen in time, his cock burrowed within her up to the hilt, her vaginal muscles wildly contracting around his cock, squeezing it for every drop she could. He made the slightest movement, and she threw an arm clumsily back feeling his firm thigh still, pressing it to encourage him to stay in position.

"Don't move, don't leave me!" she whispered in her post-coital haze. She felt him lean forward carefully as if to also keep his cock inside her as long as possible and felt him kissing her back slowly, languorously.

"Don't worry, my dear, I have no intention of ever leaving you." She whimpered as he pressed his fingers between her slickened vaginal folds, pressing in slow circular motions on her clit, "I want to keep myself buried in your sweet sex again and again, my love."

Then the tears began to flow down her cheeks. He said, 'my love'... Does he...?

"Mmm," she whimpered, unable to speak, and Lucius seemed to take this as a cue for her wanting him to keep continuing with his haptic ministrations.

"Here we go," he whispered, rubbing in between her vaginal lips slowly only to tease her clitoris at stops and starts; she was mewling softly as her vaginal muscles began to go wild again, and as he felt her mounting climax coming on, he teased her sensitive nub until she bucked, calling out his name, coming again. The intensity of it caused her to clench so hard she pushed his cock out of her.

"Lucius, Lucius..."

"I'm here." He was gently guiding her around and gathering her into his arms and then slowly kissing her.

She felt their come running down her thighs as he was gripping her tightly again. She didn't know how long they stood and stroked and slowly explored the contours of each other's body, only with Lucius causing them both to pause when he stopped to insert a finger or two inside her. He suddenly dropped to his knees and ever so slowly kissed her vaginal lips, ever so lightly flicking his tongue inside her. "Oh, Lucius," she was so wet, so surprised at his ardent attention and gentler lovemaking towards and with her. He is all attentiveness...

He paused from his oral ministrations to look up at her stroking her womb, saying, "One of these days, I want us to fuck properly in an actual bed."

She ran her fingers through his hair, and then touched his face, stroking his stubble. She heard herself saying, "Let me know when and where, and I'll come to you." She whispered, "If you want, I'll come to you here, your bed." She hesitated, "When Narcissa isn't..."

This seemed to incense Lucius...in a salicious way, for he began to suckle and swirl, eating her muff with ardent passion. He held her thighs firmly in place, partially watching her reactions as he stimulated her until she was grinding and writhing in pleasure again. Only when she came yet again, and he could suckle her sweet nectar directly, did he slowly stop and allow her to dress again and composed himself as well.

And it was just in time. Draco's voice was heard, calling out for Astoria.

"Let me go see what he's so impatient about; I'll deter him."

"I'll Disapparate to my room; I must wash your scent from me," she whispered frantically.

"But not my seed," he whispered back, giving her a taunting look.

Astoria left with a soft pop, and Lucius checked that his hair was in place, running a palm over its smoothness.

Flicking a Scouring Charm over himself for good measure, he made his way out of the nursery and back into the main rooms of the manor to find an excitable Draco pacing in the inner-drawing room.

oOoOoOo

A/N: My deepest thanks to SnowflakeBeautiful, who has been kindly, patiently checking on and nudging me to continue on over the year(s). Thank you, dear readers, for continuing to read; I should be updating more regularly now that real life has calmed down a bit.