The Devil Is in the Details

Finally, Harry rumbled, "Fuck me, that was brilliant."

Hermione snorted and said, "Jeez, Harry, you have to give us time to recover before we can do that."

Snape's incredulous laughter burst forth, shaking Harry and Hermione where they lay on either side of his chest.

Harry realized what he had said and lifted his head to stare at Snape and Hermione, his face red with embarrassment. "That's... not what I meant. I..."

Hermione rolled up onto one elbow and frowned at Harry's reaction. Snape stopped laughing immediately in response to Harry's comment and carefully pushed himself up to a sitting position, understanding that this was something that had to be taken seriously, especially with a trebled dynamic to navigate.

Harry gazed at them, his expression one of ill-concealed awkward discomfort. Snape deliberately distracted the others by Summoning a damp flannel, warming it with a charm before cleaning himself up with a matter-of-fact air. When he was done, he Scourgified it and offered it to them with a pleasant, "Who's next?"

Harry seized the flannel and copied Snape's process, averting his red face from Hermione's searching gaze.

When it was Hermione's turn, Snape shifted to pile pillows against the headboard and sat back, gesturing for them to join him and get comfortable as he said, "Let's have a little chat, shall we?"

Hermione Banished the flannel back to the bathroom and snuggled on one side, leaving Harry to curl up on the other. Snape sighed in pleasure at the heavy warmth of the two young people pressed against him and lightly grazed his fingertips along their skin in a subtle soothing attempt.

Clearing his throat, Snape ventured, "As delightful as all that was, it seems we must come back down to earth and make sure we're all on the same page about what's going on here."

Hermione squirmed, squeezing tighter against Snape, and murmured, "I thought we made that clear. We love you and we want to be with you."

Harry peered sheepishly up at Snape and reached across to lace his fingers with Hermione's and rest them on Snape's chest. "You're not going to kick us out now, are you?"

Snape snorted faintly and flashed a smile. "No, I'm not. You may want to Disapparate once you know what I am about to say, but I most certainly do not plan on sending you away." At their puzzled expressions, Snape settled his shoulders and said, "Now, into the breach I go... Harry, Hermione's comment clearly made you uncomfortable. So, if you wouldn't mind clarifying why, we would appreciate it."

Harry flushed again and stammered, "I-I don't know what you mean."

Snape flicked a glance at Hermione's searching gaze pinned on Harry's face and was taken aback when she said, "In all the things you've ever told me, you never mentioned if you preferred to top or bottom."

Harry stiffened, and Snape increased the pressure of his calming strokes down the younger man's back. "There, that didn't mince words, now, did it?" Harry stared at them, seemingly unable to respond, so Snape continued, "All right, I'll start. I have experienced both and enjoyed both, so my preference is subject to person and situation. That being said, it has been a long time since I have participated in either, regardless of gender, so the possibilities before us are enticing, indeed."

Harry ducked his head and mumbled, "Viktor said you guys didn't shag."

Snape's brows shot up and he said, "Did he?"

Hastily, Harry said, "Oh, he didn't just blurt it out or anything. I... I kinda asked when he came home that morning over Christmas holiday. He did say it wasn't any of my business, but he said you didn't shag and that you were really good in bed and that you had a good time. Gods, the images that he set off in my head! I can't believe I'm actually here to find out for real now."

Snape preened under the double compliment. "Yes, well, considering that penetrative sex isn't automatically the assumption with two men like it is with a man and a woman, it's often easier to enjoy other things without having to have these sorts of discussions...much like we just did."

Hermione nodded, her expression thoughtful. "From what I understand, it takes some preparation. It's not exactly as easy as, say, fucking me, for example."

Harry voiced a choking noise and Snape stifled a chuckle. His tone teasing, Snape said, "So are you saying you're easy?"

Hermione grimaced at him and said, "Very funny. Actually, I meant that it'd be easier to fuck me because you two get me so wet."

Snape sucked in a breath at the surge her words stirred in his groin. Harry uttered a low groan and inched across Snape to pull her into a fierce kiss. When they broke apart, Hermione murmured, "So, Harry, your turn. Have you fantasized about fucking either of us? Or having either of us fuck you? I have."

Harry's eyes closed and he licked his lips. Snape feathered his fingers through Harry's hair as he watched him gather his courage. Voice ragged, Harry said, "I've thought about it all. I have no idea if I'd like it, but I want to find out...if everyone's willing. It's just... kinda overwhelming."

Hermione hummed in encouragement. "You're safe with us, Harry."

Snape grunted in agreement and tugged Harry up to meet his eyes. "We have the rest of our lives to explore, Harry. There's no rush. We'd never do anything to push you or hurt you. The time for hurting people we love is over."

Snape sealed his promise with a gentle kiss, but Harry quickly deepened it, one hand scrabbling to hold onto Hermione at the same time. When they finally ended the kiss, Snape gathered both Harry and Hermione into his embrace, and they lay there, content to just be together for a while.

The peaceful lull of three heartbeats syncing was eventually interrupted by a huge yawn from Harry, and Snape's lips quirked in fond amusement. Hermione glared at him as she followed suit, growling, "Stop that; it's contagious."

Harry's expression turned petulant and he retorted, "I can't help it! I had Firewhisky, Calming Draught, and a bloody spectacular orgasm...what do you want from me?"

Snape laughed, and both Hermione and Harry shifted to sit up, away from his shaking chest. "The man has a fair point, Hermione. You've had a long, stressful day, and he has been influenced by three rather potent soporifics. Sleep should certainly be the next step here."

Tossing her tangled hair, Hermione said, "Fine. So we sleep. Where? How? With whom?"

They all exchanged startled glances, and Snape murmured, "I only have the one spare bed."

Harry said, "Hermione and I can share. Seems fitting now, at least. But that begs the question of whether you want to go back to your own bed, Severus."

Snape blinked, unprepared for the intimacy and domesticity of the situation. Voice small in uncertainty, he said, "I don't know that there's enough room for us all to sleep comfortably in this bed. What if people aren't close sleepers?"

Hermione favoured him with a withering look and said, "Are you or are you not a wizard, Severus? Surely the bed can be enlarged if that's really your concern."

Harry grimaced wryly and said, "And now she's got a fair point. Making the bed large enough for all three of us to sleep comfortably isn't an issue. But whether or not you would want to sleep with us...not just shag...is an issue."

Snape's expression was sober. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "I... have never actually slept with anyone. This is completely new territory to me."

Hermione smiled tenderly at him and caressed his cheek. Harry flashed a lopsided grin and gripped Snape's thigh as he said, "There's a lot of new territory being explored tonight."

At that, they all exchanged delightedly bashful looks, and Snape whispered, "I think... I'd like to stay here with you, yes."

Hermione beamed at him, bounced off the bed, grabbed her wand, and enlarged the bed, giggling at both men's comical expressions of concern as they gripped the sheets while the mattress shifted. Then, just as deftly, she doused all the lights except the small lamp on the nightstand and climbed back into the bed, Summoning a third pillow from Snape's room down the hallway.

Snape and Harry watched her settle onto the purloined pillow and tug the covers to her chest. When she was comfortable, she rolled onto her back to look at them and said, "Well? Come on, then."

Snape shot a wary glance at Harry, who shrugged and nodded toward Hermione. Heaving a calming sigh, Snape slid down under the covers behind Hermione, feeling greatly daring as he spooned against her and wrapped a possessive arm around her torso. Hermione hummed a pleased sound and wriggled back into his embrace.

Once they had settled, Harry did the same and squirmed down to take up his position behind Snape, pressing himself against the long lines of Snape's back. Snape stiffened in uncertainty for a moment, but Harry dropped a gentle kiss on his tense shoulder, squeezing around Snape's ribs, and Snape relaxed again.

Hermione cast a faint "Nox" at the light on the nightstand, and it winked out, leaving them in comforting darkness.

Snape was torn between feeling deliciously warm and sleepy, sandwiched between the two young people he had so unexpectedly come to love so dearly, and feeling desperately aware of the significance of all that had happened and wanting to stay awake to savour it. However, as he listened to the slow, steady breathing enveloping him from both sides, soothing him like a lullaby, he allowed the comfort of sleep to win the battle, wonderfully secure and safe in ways that he had never been before.

*****

During the night, Harry rolled away, sprawling onto the far side of the bed and leaving Snape comfortably wrapped around Hermione. Even though he was asleep, his body apparently was aware of the enticing situation it was in and as dawn loomed, he unconsciously ground his morning erection into the cleft of Hermione's arse.

Hermione woke to the sensations and gasped as memories of the previous night's activities crashed over her. Heat coiled in her centre and she rocked back against Snape's cock, smirking at his reactive squeeze of one breast and a slow roll of his hips. She squeezed her legs together and felt the slippery tickle of her juices seeping between her lips. A flare of arousal sizzled through her so forcefully that she stifled a moan as she squirmed to turn in Snape's grasp.

Snape woke, disoriented, at the jostling. Opening bleary eyes, he stared in surprise at Hermione rolling toward him, her expression predatory, and sucked in a startled breath at the feel of her leg curling over his hip and her damp curls sliding against his hard length.

Barely whispering, Hermione said, "Severus, I want you."

Snape shook his head to clear it, not quite able to believe his senses. Then Hermione snaked a hand down to grip his arse and pull him closer against her, and his eyes rolled back in surrender. She leant forward and kissed him, pulling him over her as she rolled onto her back. Her hand scrabbled between them, wrapping around his erection and stroking gently, forcing a low groan from his throat.

Still trying to gather his wits, Snape rumbled, "Hermione?"

She guided him closer, rubbing the head of his cock along the slick seam of her pussy, and purred, "Severus, please. I want you. Please. Make love to me."

His mouth fell open in a silent moan as he pushed forward, delving deep in one long stroke. Hermione's sigh of satisfaction ghosted warm against his face and he dipped down to kiss her again.

It was slow and languorous, tender and exploratory. Breathless words of query and encouragement blended with the soft, wet sounds of their joining, and they drew out the pleasure of discovery long enough that Harry eventually woke, turning to see them rocking together in a sensuous rhythm.

His voice was a croak as he said, "Bloody hell, that's gorgeous."

Hermione and Snape both turned to look at him watching, his hand moving down to fondle his rapidly swelling cock. He stayed where he was though, content to drink in the sight of them without interfering with their actions.

Spurred on by the intensity of Harry's gaze, coupled with the steady climb toward their peaks, Hermione urged Snape to thrust harder and faster, eliciting squeals and moans of approval. Sweat beaded and trailed down Snape's spine, and his panting breath grew more ragged. Harry's hand was nearly a blur as he stroked himself, entranced.

"Hermione, I can't... much longer..."

Hermione voiced a voluptuous coo and smiled, one hand creeping between their bodies to circle her clit. "Don't hold back, love. Come with me."

Snape looked down at her busy fingers brushing against his belly as she tilted her hips up into his thrusts. It was enough to tip him over the edge, and he let loose a deep groan as his body contracted, shuddering and bucking as he spilled deep within her. Hermione's fingers danced and her other hand clutched desperately at his shoulder as she arched back, a quavery cry bursting from her throat. Harry muttered a string of profane worship as his come shot over his knuckles onto his belly.

Snape collapsed against Hermione, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him, burying her face against his neck. Harry fell back onto his pillow again, sucking in deep breaths. After several long moments, Hermione eased her grip on Snape and allowed him to back away enough to withdraw from her soaking cunt, but pulled him down for a thorough snog.

Finally, Snape rolled to the middle of the bed again, falling flat on his back, his expression dazed. Hermione immediately curled up along his side, revelling in the continued contact. Harry, having furtively cleaned himself up, shot a hesitant glance at the pair beside him.

Snape cast a sidelong look at Harry and noticed his awkward tension. Turning to meet his gaze, Snape lifted his arm and beckoned for Harry to join them. The relief and pleasure in Harry's eyes sent a throb through Snape's chest, and he pressed a kiss to the younger man's forehead, trailing his fingers through Harry's untidy hair.

After a few beats, Snape said, "Well, good morning to you both."