The First and the Last

Chapter 5: The First and the Last

"Aren't you coming, Hermione?"

"Go ahead, I'm going to be late," said Hermione, uncertain whether to go or not.

She had planned to meet Mr. Malfoy and work on Numerology. Then the letter arrived that Mrs. Malfoy would bring her mother to the village. 'What's Mum doing with the Malfoys?' Yesterday, a letter from her mother said she couldn't make it, but she and Narcissa had persuaded Mr. Malfoy to meet her.

'Persuaded?' thought Hermione. 'Oh, don't put yourself to any trouble, sir.'

'It's their fault I'm confused,' she decided. Half her wardrobe lay strewn across her bed, and she couldn't ask any of her dorm mates for advice since they were already giving her strange looks. She wasn't certain what she was dressing for. It certainly wasn't to entice Lucius Malfoy. She finally decided that she should look mature for a session in Numerology. Luckily, the Numerology book was small and hid easily in her purse. Her dorm mates didn't need to see that fashion accessory. Looking in the mirror, however, she decided she had achieved the desired mature effect, and the Numerology monograph put the finishing touch on the ensemble.

She made her way to the village, determined to be polite but formal as befitted someone unwanted but mature enough to take it in stride.

"Oh, Miss Ganger, my apologies for the mix-up, you must feel that no one wants to see you," said Mr. Malfoy, seeing her to his table and ordering a coffee for her. "I can understand if you're unhappy with us."

"It's unfortunate circumstances," she said. "It's no one's fault."

"I'm glad you're here, Hermione, very glad you're here. If you're not angry with me, we can relax at my home and try some Numerology."

Hermione looked up from her coffee and smiled. "Oh, yes."

As Lucius and Hermione discreetly made their way to the Malfoy Manor, there was another discreet meeting. This one in the castle dungeon.

"Severus, I've been thinking about things."

"From your tone of voice, you've come to a sad decision about our relationship."

"I'm not sure you could understand," she said.

Severus made an intuitive leap. "After you rescued the Grangers, how did everyone get along at the Malfoy Manor?"

"Very well."

"How did Lucius and Hermione get along?" he asked.

"You'd have sworn she was his daughter," said Narcissa.

"Have you been thinking how nice it would be to have a daughter, how well she would get along with Lucius, how she would warm up the Malfoy Manor?"

"Yes."

"But you want to be certain that Lucius is her father."

"Yes."

She paused. "We could still ... once more ... if you wanted to."

"No, your heart wouldn't be in it. All the other times your heart was in it ... at least partially ... at least I thought so."

'He's giving me up pretty easily,' she thought. 'He has a new cookie. I wonder who she is. It can't be that chit, Draupadi. She's married. Hermione was fawning on him at hospital, but she's a student. Who is it, Severus?'

"Do you wish to leave now, or did you want to stay for one final refreshment?" asked Severus.

"You're being such a gentleman that I'm inclined to stay, but you might want me to go."

"Not at all. Have a chair, and I'll bring out the caviar and champagne." He arranged everything on the table. "Besides, who else would I serve caviar and champagne to?"

'Not to the cheap Draupadi or the tasteless Hermione,' thought Narcissa.

As Severus played the gracious host, Lucius did likewise.

Hermione was holding Lucius's hand and walking from the gate to the house when he asked if she would like a broom ride.

"Yes," she said because he was being friendly and because he sounded enthusiastic. 'What am I doing? A broom ride? Will I agree to anything he says?' She also thought the ride would be cold in her mature outfit of blouse and skirt. 'But I'll have a short ride,' she thought. 'It'll get the blood moving to my brain, and then there'll be plenty of hot tea, and I've picked out the algorithm I want to work on.'

Inside the broom room, Hermione felt warm and removed her cloak. She noticed that Lucius appreciated her mature study outfit. She slowly unfastened his cloak. It felt mature to do so. She was taking care of him, keeping him from getting overheated. She placed her hands on his solid chest, and then laid her head against him. He lightly placed one hand on her back and the other on her hair. She moaned. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. She felt her breasts rub against him.

"Are you sure you can like me?" Hermione asked Lucius. "I'm only an inexperienced girl."

He put his hand on her cheek. "Do you think I'm an expert? Do you think I don't stumble and fumble?" He looked at her bright shining eyes. "It's not the fumbling or finesse. It's who you're with."

Hermione hadn't known she could want anything this much...that reason would be blotted out and consequences forgotten. She simply wanted.

A narrator of sensitivity would close the veil on our inexperienced heroine's earnest efforts.

Hermione did not rush anything. She let her lover relax and adjust to her. She let him achieve peace with a world that included Hermione. Slowly enough that he was barely aware it was happening, she wrapped herself around him in a total embrace. She let him draw in deep, relaxed breaths until he could smell only her aroma. She held him until he could not remember the feel of any other woman.

Narcissa did not rush anything. She began by deciding that sitting in different chairs while eating caviar on toast and sipping champagne was too formal. She moved over to Severus's lap. Now she could feed him tidbits as she had done many times in the past...as a mistress should. Besides, it was comfortable in his lap even on a melancholy occasion.

Narcissa was running her hand through his hair. She demanded tribute since she was between him and the goodies. For each sip of champagne, he must kiss her lovingly. For each piece of toast and caviar, he must nuzzle her and confess her beautiful.

"Are you sure you like me?" asked Narcissa. "I'm such a pure-blood, rich bitch."

"You're more understanding and loving than you realize," he told her.

Narcissa hadn't known she was this susceptible...that she was this eager he have her...that it was what she really wanted.

A kind writer would draw the curtain on the departing pair and their anguish.

Narcissa felt a welcome familiarity. Her lover let her relax, let her brush her lips across him, let her brush him lightly with her breasts, let her hold him in her arms, let her fill his nostrils with her aroused scent, let her fill his lap, let her show her softness and willingness, let her part her thighs in invitation, let her be the only woman he could think of.

Hermione felt a welcome relief when Lucius explored her with his hands. She hadn't known that she had been aching for his touch, that his touch would soothe and reassure and comfort her.

Narcissa sighed with pleasure when Severus caressed her. She hadn't realized how much she missed his touch, how much she ached for the feeling of his hands on her.

Hermione was glad when Lucius's hands found her breasts. She kissed him as his welcome touch ran through her entire body. Her nipples pressed against her bra and made small peaks in her blouse. She pressed against him as his hands ran down her legs, under her skirt, and up her thighs. She became warm. She became aware of a tension that was starting to ask for release.

Narcissa nibbled Severus encouragingly as his hands cupped her breast and his fingers found her nipples. She became flushed. She wanted him to rip off her bra. She rubbed her blouse-covered but erect breasts against him as his fingers traced their way up her open legs. She knew she was starting to writhe.

Hermione helped Lucius unbutton her blouse and remove her bra. She pressed his mouth to her breasts. She made small noises. She moved her hand down to hold him. She wanted to hold him closer. She unbuttoned his trousers. She thought it was the most marvelous thing she had ever held. She moved down to kiss him. The intimate contact made her ache as she had never ached before. Hermione Granger tugged her panties off, placed her hands beside her head, and spread her legs for Lucius Malfoy.

Narcissa removed her blouse and bra. She made a low sound in her throat when Severus kissed and tongued her breasts. She ran her fingers through her lover's hair as he made her feel special. She was on her knees beside him and opening his trousers. She engulfed him with her warm, wet, tactile lips. She felt an overwhelming, aching need as she rose and tugged him to the side of the bed. Narcissa Malfoy slid her panties down, lay back on the quilt, and opened her thighs for Severus Snape.

Hermione moaned as Lucius began his entrance. She had hoped it wouldn't hurt; she had hoped it would feel good; but she had no idea it would be this good. Hermione groaned again and again as Lucius gently worked his way inside her. She had been afraid he wouldn't want her. She had been afraid he would be dominating and brutal as he ravished her. But Lucius did want her. He was being gentle and loving and considerate. He was watching her carefully. He was concerned about her. When he was all the way in, Lucius paused to hold her.

Narcissa sighed as Severus parted her folds. She couldn't believe how good it felt. She had been afraid he would be angry and brutal. She was afraid he would bang her in an impersonal manner. But he was making love to her. Narcissa moaned for him as he slid into her with practiced ease. When he had mounted her, he paused to look into her eyes and run his fingers through her hair.

Hermione was recovering from the shock of entry. She became aware of his skin against hers, the feel of his legs between hers, her breasts pressed against him, her breath mingling with his, his fingers in her hair. The best was his affection. 'It's more than moving parts,' she thought. She ran her fingers through his hair, his lovely hair, and kissed him with the sweetness she felt...kissed his loving face.

Narcissa lay gasping with the pleasure of being entered. She enjoyed the possessive look in her lover's eyes. 'He really wants me,' she thought. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and held him close as she moved for him.

Hermione was on the gentle plateau of sex. Everything was heightened: her skin against his, her legs around his, her breasts against him, her breath mingling with his. She had no idea how pretty she was.

Narcissa was in the middle ground of pleasure. She was only aware of Severus pressing against her and filling her. She had no idea how lovely she was as she moved like a sinuous animal.

Hermione's gentle pleasure was coming to an end as deep desire spread through her. She held Lucius tighter, became slick with sweat, and grunted as his sex had its way with her.

Narcissa left the pleasure plateau. She was squirming for the wild look in her lover's eyes. She was panting with lust as his sex took possession of her.

Hermione groaned and thrashed for Lucius.

Narcissa whimpered and writhed for Severus.

Hermione was flushed and sweaty and smiling helplessly.

Narcissa was flushed and sweaty and smiling helplessly.

Hermione cried out at the explosion in her brain. Her back arched as her entire body clenched Lucius again and again.

Narcissa gasped as a white flash blanked out her mind. She gave a choked sob as her entire being rippled and squeezed Severus.

Lucius held Hermione until her contractions subsided. Then he put her legs in the air, held her hands beside her head, and watched himself slide in and out of her. 'Where did a schoolgirl get such a lovely shape?' he thought. He took in her adoring gaze. He felt her get slicker for him. He heard her squishy noise. 'She likes it that I'm holding her and screwing her,' he realized. "Take me," whispered Hermione.

Severus waited until her spasms stopped before untangling himself from Narcissa. 'How can an elegant woman have such a nice figure?' he wondered. He arranged her with her feet in the air and her hands beside her head. He reveled in her loving looks. He felt her get slimy for him. He enjoyed her sloppy sounds. 'She wants me to hold her and screw her,' he mused. "Yes, darling," sighed Narcissa.

The bushy-haired girl was irresistible. 'I'm fucking Hermione Granger,' thought Lucius as he squirted into her. 'Gods, she's incredible. I want to keep her.' He sank down on her and held her.

The elegant lady was irresistible. 'I'm fucking Narcissa Malfoy,' thought Severus as he gushed into her. 'Gods, she's great. I want to have her.' He lowered himself onto her and cuddled her.

It was the first time and it had been wonderful. Hermione wore Lucius's shirt. She sat misty-eyed in his lap sharing a cup of hot chocolate. Lucius held her. She didn't want to leave.

It was the last time and it had been glorious. Narcissa wore Severus's shirt. She sat misty-eyed in his lap sharing a snifter of brandy. Severus held her. She didn't want to leave.

There was no reason for Hermione to leave. When she finished her chocolate, she fetched the textbook from her purse, and she and Lucius settled into the reason for her visit: Druid Numerology.

"I found this great chapter on prime numbers and coding," she said.

'Spies and kids and secret codes,' thought Lucius.

The day passed quickly for Hermione with Lucius letting her intellect wander and treating her like an adult. 'If he were a student,' thought Hermione, 'he would be too proud to copy my homework. And he wouldn't need to.'

Before she returned to school, Lucius had an adult conversation with her.

"Your friends are going to worry about your spending time with me," said Lucius. "We need to tell them something besides Arithmancy. Astonishingly enough, some people would find it hard to believe that you're having fun."

"We're having a wonderful time," protested Hermione. 'A balanced program of mental and physical exercise,' she thought.

"I know I am," said Lucius.

"What about spying?" he asked.

"Spying?"

"Spying covers a multitude of sins," said Lucius. Lucius let Hermione think it over before he said, "Let me give you something worthwhile, something you wormed out of me with your feminine wiles: Alastor Moody moves like a ghost, but we've discovered how to track him."

Hermione was intrigued. "Really?"

"We watch the rats and alley cats," said Lucius. "They know his aura. They've learned that if anything twitches he fries its ass. Moody is at the center of an ass-saving exodus."

"Cool," said Hermione. "Let me think. What can I give you?"

"You don't have to give me anything. I'm protecting you from your friends."

"No, I want to be fair," she said, hugging him.

"I don't know if this is worth anything or not, but the Order ..."

She paused.

He held her hand reassuringly. "It's okay, love. I know you're in the Order of the Phoenix, and they meet at the grim old place."

"Last summer, I brought the Arithmancy book you gave me there, and while we ... er, I was in the kitchen ..."

She paused again.

"Molly Weasley's in the group, and of course everyone meets in the kitchen," he said.

"It's going to be hard finding something you don't already know about us," she accused him.

"It's another secret society. They're all alike."

She looked skeptical.

"Mrs. Nott bakes the best chocolate-chip cookies," he informed her. He had almost blurted out that it was Narcissa, but decided that bragging about his wife's cookies with Hermione in his lap would be in poor taste...one cookie at a time.

"You're getting me off the topic," she complained. "They were all in the kitchen when I brought in the Hadley Numerology book. They were upset when they heard I got it from you, and they wanted to make certain it hadn't been jinxed. We found the pages of a manuscript hidden between the pages of the book."

"I didn't know that," he said.

She gave him a satisfied smile. "Everyone got excited about the manuscript. They thought it was a description of an old Druid ritual."

Hermione frowned. "But I probably haven't given you anything useful. Everyone looked at it for a few days, decided it was in a secret code, and put it in a box in a kitchen cupboard. They haven't looked at it since."

"I'm not very good at this," complained Hermione.

"Nonsense, you traded innocent information about a worthless document for valuable information about tracking an Auror. You outfoxed me. You're Mata Harione."

"You're sweet," she said.

It didn't seem possible for her to snuggle any closer, but she managed. 'Damn,' thought Lucius. 'Let's trade more secrets.'

'Severus missed that episode with the documents,' thought Lucius. 'Severus and I were busy covering our butts with the Death Eaters because we had protected the Grangers during the shopping-square raid. We both had howled in outrage. "Who was the numbskull who sent Dark Wizards, Demons, and Spectres after the Grangers!? If they had succeeded, there wouldn't have been anything left of the Grangers but a grease spot! You can't torture a grease spot for information! Who's responsible? I'll personally eviscerate the son of a bitch!" The Dark Lord finally calmed us down. He agreed that our pretended friendship with the Grangers was valuable. We both believed the Dark Lord was the son-of-a-bitch numbskull. There's a reason we're constantly outwitted by school kids.'

After she left the Manor and arrived at the common room, Hermione discovered that Lucius was correct. She had been spotted talking to Lucius Malfoy, and the demeanor of her interrogators said they weren't going to accept any story as flimsy as working on Arithmancy.

"Yes, I let him chat me up," she told Harry and Ron. "I played the innocent schoolgirl impressed by a big, bad Death Eater. If I let him continue to impress me, he's going to spill some secrets."

"What about you spilling secrets?" asked Ron. "And he's dangerous. He's going to try to get something from you, Hermione."

"That's ridiculous, Ron," said Hermione. "You know the Order doesn't tell us kids anything."

Ron was adamant. "He's not going to tell you anything unless you tell him something."

"Honestly, Ron, what do you think Mr. Malfoy and I would do? Have a rational discussion about the information we'd trade? Did you think I would make an agreement with Lucius Malfoy and expect him to keep it?"

"Ron's not stupid, Hermione," said Harry. "He knows nothing like that happened."

"We only want you to be careful," said Ron and Harry.

"And stay away from Lucius Malfoy," said Ron.

Hermione thought about giving them the information about Mr. Moody and the alley cats. 'But what if that lets Mr. Moody ambush Lucius? I can't let that happen. After all, my first duty as a spy is to protect my source of information. The Order of the Phoenix expects professional behavior from me. I can't let anything befall my source. I'll show them that even if I'm a schoolgirl, I have what it takes.'

The Death Eaters, like Ron and Harry, were worried about a member of their group. The raids on the Ministry and the shopping square had the Ministry abuzz. If they ever realized that Mr. Nott had been injured the same time the Ministry raid occurred, he could be arrested on suspicion and thrown into a prison that was essentially a torture chamber. It would overwhelm an old and crippled wizard, and he would tell his captors anything to be released. Partly out of compassion and partly out of self-preservation, the Death Eaters were sending Mr. Nott into hiding on the continent. This evening was a combination farewell party and fund raiser for his trip. The attendance was large and the contributions generous. He was a brave and loyal man. His friends had spent the last several months helping him tidy up his affairs and place them in the hands of his business-like wife. Mr. Nott was looking forward to basking in the sun in a more benign climate.

Severus was there to mingle with the group and wish Mr. Nott a happy voyage. Severus thought it petty to think about his relationship with Draupadi in the face of Mr. Nott's tragic injuries, but he was thinking Mr. Nott's leaving changed everything. Draupadi would be a woman alone, not a wife with a husband at home. There was no predicting her reaction. Severus had been formal, even distant, with her all evening.

He was alone at the refreshment table when Mrs. Nott approached him.

She was not happy. "Are you enjoying ignoring me?"

"Good evening, Mrs. Nott."

"Don't you 'Mrs. Nott' me," she said.

She paused. "Did you have fun the other day?" she hissed.

Severus offered her a cup of punch.

"Don't try your polite manners, either," she raged at him. She stood quietly for a while before she said, "I didn't want it to be with someone I liked."

Severus was still processing that piece of information when she spat out more.

"I've never loved my husband, and he has no use for me, but I thought it would be with some gross old man who groped me ... maybe with some young stud as I had one last fling."

"I gave myself to you, and I loved every minute of it," she said. "I don't know what to do now." She gave him a disdainful 'I hope you're proud of yourself' look and rejoined her husband.

Severus watched Draupadi rejoin her husband and persuade him to leave. 'Perhaps she'll have a good romp with him,' he thought. A sharp pain shot through him as he saw her leave with another man...even though the other man was her husband.

Severus made his way to the bowl of spiked punch. He could use some pain relief. Someone was by his elbow.

"Are you angry with me?" Draupadi asked him.

"No ... yes ... no," he said.

"Do you want to see me again?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "Very much." He racked his brain for ideas but the only thing that came to mind was the feeble, "Have you looked at the plant life north of here?"

"Maybe this Saturday," she said, glancing at her husband taking his leave. "I have to run. I'll be in touch."

Severus tried not to stare at the classy lady crossing the room to join her husband. He would quit the party as soon as he could gracefully manage. He was beyond what spiked punch could do for him.

Severus joined the group of well-wishers saying goodbye to the Notts. He considerately helped Draupadi with her cloak. "Meet me at your back door in one hour," he whispered.

She turned to look at him one last time as she and her husband left.

An hour later, Draupadi was leading Severus to a warm place in one of her greenhouses. She placed him in a comfortable chair and sat in his lap with her head on his shoulder. Severus thought about an old man groping her. He stroked her hair and cuddled her. He thought about her having a fling with a young stud. He stroked her hair and cuddled her. He saw her to her back door and left. 'I'm a wimp,' he thought.

As he climbed into his bed he thought that Draupadi surely regarded him as a wimp. 'I am a wimp,' he thought, 'and I'm going to lose the lady.'

Next Saturday, they would spend the day looking for plants in the countryside north of the school.