Nineteen

Disclaimer: I still don't own the characters and am unlikely to ever do so. The belief that the earth...or any planet...is hollow and inhabited is not new. No paper was wasted in creating this tale. However, the electrons are as impressed with being worked so hard as Hermione was with some nitwits wanting to take over the wizarding world.

When Hermione woke up, her first thought was, Tonight is full moon. The world as we know it will cease to exist.

"That's a very dramatic thought," Severus said, yawning. "Good morning, love." He stretched.

"Good morning. But it's a true..." Hermione stopped and looked at him, frowning. "How did you know? You weren't using Legilimency."

Severus chuckled. "I have no need for it here. When one follows the Divine Law, there is no hiding of the truth."

"But I didn't even know about any of this until yesterday!" Hermione's face wore a look of incredulity. "How can I follow a law I'm not even aware of?"

"Because it is a knowledge that is rooted deep within us. We are part of the whole...everyone is. So you may not know it consciously, but certainly instinctively," Severus explained.

"And you've never been self-serving either, love," Lucius said on the other side of her.

Upon Lucius's predatory glance, Severus frowned. "I suggest abstinence until the moon rises."

Lucius pouted, and Hermione was unable to suppress a snort. "Aw, poor Lucius" she purred. "You know... you could make breakfast to take your mind off frivolities."

Severus grinned. "What an excellent idea!"

"I suppose I don't have a choice, do I?" Lucius grumbled and made a show of getting up very slowly.

"Look at it as an exercise of service to others." Severus smirked.

*

Much later in the day, the trio went outside to watch the sun set. As if the inner sun knew of the importance of the day, it offered a spectacular performance of rainbow colours dancing in the sky. Spellbound, the three watched the splendid display of hues interacting playfully, melting, joining to reappear in another colour, continuing until the setting sun faded completely to offer darkness its nightly chance to rule.

"Come. Let's go inside and save the world." Severus's voice sounded far too casual.

Hermione's insides were roiling. "You are so laid back about it," she said, her voice shaking.

"Am I really?" His eyes glinted, but his voice was not as steady as she was used to.

Lucius was silent during the short walk back home. As they entered the bedroom, he lit all the candles and then turned to Hermione. "My lady? Allow me to undress you."

Hermione nodded her consent, her mouth too dry to speak.

Lucius carefully...reverently...took off Hermione's clothing while Severus started to take Lucius's layers off. When both were naked, Hermione and Lucius shared the task of ensuring Severus to be equally undressed before all three moved to the bed in one smooth movement.

"The goal. Let's focus on the goal." Severus leant against the headboard and pulled Hermione into his arms.

She worried momentarily that focus might be impossible, but then, a wave of powerful magic washed over her, embraced her, and took her worry with it as it dissipated. "May Divine Law rule the planet," she whispered as she relaxed against Severus.

Lucius echoed her words and bent his head to capture first Hermione's mouth and then Severus's. Next he bestowed feather-light kisses along her neckline and down her torso while Severus's fingers encouraged her nipples to stand up. Hermione shivered with pleasure and sighed contentedly.

"The focus. Don't forget the focus," Severus reminded her in his lowest rumble.

"Divine Law..."

Lucius shifted her slightly so she was next to Severus, with Lucius now focusing on her core and Severus placing kisses on her midsection, his hands slowly moving downward.

Then, one finger inside her, one thumb circling, only to be pushed away and replaced by another thumb, equally determined, yet equally gentle, as if afraid to cause harm if applied too firmly.

Severus moved on top of her, facing her core. Her right hand moved to grab him, and she took him in her mouth while her left went in search of Lucius, who instantly guided her to her destination.

Her mouth licking, laving, sucking, her hand rhythmically moving up and down, occasionally squeezing, while two mouths and four hands tended to her body's wants, including those she'd never known it had, it did not take long for the world to shatter around all three of them, closely followed by a wave of the most extraordinary magic either had ever experienced.

Their arms and legs still tangled with each other, Hermione, Lucius, and Severus fell into a fitful sleep.

*

When Hermione woke up, it was still dark. She smiled when she felt Severus's arm on her stomach, his hand holding Lucius's. She'd never tire of waking up between the two. Wistfully, Hermione wondered what the future would bring, now that the trio's task was accomplished. Then she wondered if it was at all.

"We'll think about it later," Lucius advised sleepily. "Go back to sleep, love."

Laughter from outside woke her up next. Light flooded into the bedroom through the quartz ceiling.

"Ah. I think we have visitors." Severus got up and Summoned his bathrobe on his way to the front door.

Hermione smiled when she heard her son's excited voice. "Please, Severus! Come with us! Karl said we can even stop in London!"

"I guess it really is time to get up, eh?" Lucius asked, his smile almost regretful. "I could happily not get up for another few hours."

"Yes, same here," Hermione agreed, failing to suppress a yawn as she headed to the bathroom. "But judging by the light, we've had lots of sleep."

Severus returned to the bedroom, looking pleased. "Karl wants to go up to the surface to inspect our... handiwork."

"Great idea." Hermione had re-entered the bedroom in time to hear Severus's words. "I've always wanted to travel in a flying saucer." She grinned.

"Can we stop by the Potters'?" Lucius asked as he finally left the bed.

Severus quirked his eyebrow. "Surely, you can't be that keen on the Potters suddenly, Lucius?"

"Idiot." Lucius's tone was affectionate. "I'd like to see my son."

Hermione was pleasantly surprised when she entered the kitchen. Hugo and Karl were putting the finishing touches to a breakfast befitting kings and queens.

"This looks wonderful," Hermione said. "I didn't realise I was hungry."

Karl laughed. "We ate about twice as much as usual this morning. Mind you, we all deserve it!" He looked exceptionally happy.

"Food. Excellent!" Lucius said as he and Severus entered the kitchen.

"And coffee," Severus added and poured three cups before sitting down opposite Hermione and Lucius.

Lola and Rose arrived. "That craft is the most exciting form of transport," Rose said with utter conviction.

Lola smiled. "Better than brooms, yes?"

"Infinitely." Rose nodded.

"Are we going, then?" Hugo asked, his face shining with excitement.

"Yes, we'll go as soon as we've eaten."

Travelling in the large, disc-shaped craft was a new, exhilarating experience for Lucius, Hermione, and the children. The temperature inside was pleasant, and none of its passengers noticed the climate becoming progressively colder as they neared the largest exit to the surface. They travelled along the shore of the inner ocean, and gradually, the vegetation turned from luscious green to sparse until chunks of ice replaced the flora entirely. Then, the craft ascended, and one moment, they stared in awe at the large ice-shelves beneath them, just to find themselves above the Andes the next, flying so fast it was impossible to make out more than shapes.

"Please slow down," Rose begged. "I want to see where we're going."

"We will shortly," Lola promised. "Out here, there really is not much to see but ragged mountains. As soon as we reach interesting territory, we'll slow down and descend."

Minutes later, mountains decreased to hills, interchanging with deep valleys, until the hills faded to mostly flat countryside. Hermione noticed a city in the distance, and before she voiced the question of where they were, Karl said, "Let's make a quick stop at El Paradiso and hear what Pedro has to say."

As if navigated by unseen hands, the craft landed in the garden of the hotel.

"Ah, the earthlings are back." Pedro stood between his back door and the craft as the group climbed out one after another. He grinned and embraced first Lola and Karl and then everyone else.

"Come in. We've been celebrating since around midnight."

"Do I hear tango music?" Lucius quirked his eyebrow at Pedro, who snorted.

"Of course you do. This is Buenos Aires, my friend! Come in, come in, join the festivities!" He motioned for the group to follow him inside.

Karl smiled indulgently at Lola and took her hand. "Come. I know you cannot resist."

Lucius took Hermione's hand. "I believe it's my turn. Severus had that pleasure recently. Must ensure the balance."

Inside, the lobby had been magically enlarged to accommodate the many local wizards and witches who had all flocked to Pedro's hotel as soon as the profound change in energy had become evident.

Lucius led Hermione to the dance floor, and finally, Hermione noticed the change in the atmosphere. The hotel had been a relaxing place when she and Lucius had visited previously, but now, there was a palpable air of freedom and joy. "I wonder if London will feel the same," Hermione mused as Lucius led her expertly across the dance floor.

"Yes, me too," Lucius said. "Argentina, at least the wizarding part, has never been as subjected to draconian measures as we in the northern hemisphere. No doubt we'll find out soon."

The impromptu dancing session finished far too quickly for Hermione's taste, but Karl was insistent. "We want to check out other parts of the surface world, too," he said and smiled. "You can come back here any time, you know?"

"When we get to London, we should look in on Kingsley, too," Lucius said as they sat down in the craft once more. "But first, Draco."

The craft rose slowly, and suddenly, Rose giggled. "Look, people are staring at us!" She pointed down to the street where groups of people gawked in wonder at the flying saucer above the houses.

Lola smiled. "People on the surface of earth associate our type of craft with extra-terrestrials. I trust they will soon learn the truth."

"No cloaking?" Severus asked with a frown.

Karl shrugged. "The powers that no longer be cannot hide the truth, so there is no need for us to hide. They were the only ones who threatened us. Most people are naturally curious and will sense that we're no threat to them."

Rose frowned. "When we return to Hogwarts, will you take us in this craft?"

"Oh, yes, please!" Hugo exclaimed. "That would be so cool!"

Karl and Lola smiled, but Severus snorted. "You didn't strike me as an attention seeker, young man," he said disdainfully.

Hugo blushed. "I didn't think of it that way. It's just that it's such a great form of travelling."

Hermione ruffled his hair when she saw Hugo's stricken face. "Don't worry. I know you didn't think it great for the potential of gaining attention."

Lucius bent down and whispered something in Hugo's ear, which seemed to cheer him up considerably.

"All right, we're approaching the British Isles. Time to slow down again," Karl said, and the craft descended once more as they reached low hills of the English countryside.

"Just how fast is this... thing?" Lucius asked. "We can't have left Buenos Aires more than half an hour ago."

"That sounds about right," Lola said. "You see, once you're no longer locked into gravity, it becomes very easy to travel across time and space at speeds greater than light." She smiled and added, "I'm sure you will comprehend some time. Conventional physics, as taught here on the surface of earth, deny many possibilities."

The craft had now reached the outskirts of London and, minutes later, landed in the back garden of number twelve, Grimmauld Place.

"Rosie!" a voice squeaked excitedly, and a much younger version of the boy who lived flew into Rose's arms.

She laughed. "Albus Severus Potter! I'm glad to see you've not changed one bit!" She hugged him tightly.

"Did I hear that right?" Severus asked Hermione, his voice filled with utter disbelief.

Hermione grinned. "You did indeed. His name is Albus Severus."

Severus sighed. "Poor boy." He was cut short when the kitchen door opened to reveal the Potters and Draco, all grinning.

"Come in, let's party!" Draco made an inviting gesture while Harry and Ginny walked towards Hermione who was standing next to Severus.

"Professor Snape! I had trouble believing Harry when he said you're alive, but I'm so happy!" Ginny said and then turned to greet her friend while Harry shook hands with Severus and then Lucius.

After introducing Lola and Karl, the adults headed for the kitchen, which these days showed more of a resemblance to The Burrow's kitchen than the cold atmosphere of the former Black residence. The Potter children ran up the stairs with Rose and Hugo in tow.

"Have you been out yet?" Lucius asked Draco.

Harry and Draco grinned. "Oh, yeah," said Draco. "It's like being in a fairytale world. Muggles are no longer miserable. They smile at everyone, and you don't even hear any snarky comments about robes or cloaks. It's rather a novelty! People seem to be genuinely happy."

"That is good to hear," Karl said. "We were hoping for that effect."

Lola nodded, then looked at Severus and started, "I wonder if..."

He smirked slightly. "Yes. We should convince Kingsley, perhaps, to set the trial after the next full moon. It should take no longer than one lunar cycle for the energy to set..."

Karl's eyes widened. "As mischievous as ever when it's least expected," he muttered as Lola laughed and Severus's smirk widened into a grin.

Ginny served tea and biscuits when the door flung open and Scorpius ran into Lucius's arms. "Grandpa! Rose only just mentioned you're here, too!"

Lucius hugged him tightly and then held him at arms' length. "Look at you! You've grown at least a foot since I last saw you!" His voice was filled with obvious pride. Next, he pulled him closer again and ran a hand through his grandson's hair, which was reaching down to the boy's shoulders. "Good, good. Your hair is as soft as mine, unlike your father's." He looked satisfied, and Hermione could not help but grin. She'd never thought of Lucius as a grandfatherly type, but she'd evidently been wrong, and for the moment, she thought fondly of the Malfoy trademark hair. Lucky girl who catches Scorpius...

Scorpius did not seem to care about the state of his hair. "Grandpa, I want to visit inside the earth, too. Rose and Hugo said it's like paradise, and animals talk, and everyone is friendly." His face now wore the typical Malfoy pout.

Before Lucius could answer, the door opened again, this time to reveal the rest of the children. Hugo determinedly headed for the Potter-Malfoy trio and said, with a mischievous glance in Severus's direction, "I have a question: What kind of teacher was Severus?"

The smug grin on Lucius's face did not escape Hermione, and she rolled her eyes. That's what he whispered at Hugo in the craft...

All three started speaking at once.

"Quite horrible mostly, but we learned later it was all show because he was a spy," Harry said so fast, it seemed his words were gushing out from some compulsion.

"I learned a lot, but he really hated Gryffindors and was very unfair towards them. I only understood some time later that he had to be biased against Gryffindors because of his work as a spy," Ginny said.

"He wasn't bad. We all probably learned more about Potions than any other subject," Draco said and grinned. "But I'm biased. I'm a Slytherin like he is, and besides, he saved my sanity. And my life. Without him, Voldemort would never have been defeated."

Hugo nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you." Then he turned to Severus. "I want to apprentice with you after my NEWTs."

"All right. You know what the deal is," Severus replied with a slight smirk. Then he turned to Karl and Lola. "Probably less than one lunar cycle."

Lola laughed. "And now you have everyone wondering what it's all about." Looking at Harry and Ginny, then at Hermione and Lucius, she said, "Lucius, you didn't expect completely truthful answers to Hugo's question, did you?"

Lucius shook his head. "Not exactly." He shrugged and grinned. "I expected a lot of squirming and no straight answers."

Everyone laughed, but quieted quickly when Lola spoke again. "Only in the third dimension is lying possible. What our... magick did is raise the entire planet sufficiently to enter the next dimension. It may take a few days or weeks for the earth to anchor it, but we are well on our way, as Ginny's, Harry's, and Draco's answer to Hugo's question showed." She smiled and received genuine smiles in return.

The profound change on the entire planet became evident within days, amongst wizards and Muggles alike. Anyone with a conscience, no matter what wrongs they'd committed in the past, had risen to an entirely new level of honesty. Deception, self-serving power gains and miseries resulting from such, no longer seemed to exist. There was a compulsion to speak truth, and only truth, in everybody.

A week after their first visit to the Potters, Hermione, Severus, and Lucius visited again, this time on Merlin's back and with the goal to see Kingsley about setting a trial date for Edwina.

Once Kingsley got over the fact that Severus Snape was alive, he got straight to business. Looking smugly at Hermione, he said, "I have some news for you. A Mr Wilson was caught in your office snooping around after hours."

Hermione grinned. "And? Did he find anything?"

Lucius asked, "Who caught him?"

"Abigail was still there, just about to leave. Mr Wilson walked right past her...he obviously didn't see her...so she followed him and watched him trying to gain access to your computer. Then she put him in a full Body Bind and had him arrested."

"That is a promising development," Severus said, smirking. "If he couldn't see her, it means he's stuck in the third dimension."

"Oh, is that what it is?" Kingsley asked. "You see, Edwina does not appear to be able to see anyone. Everytime someone checks on her in her cell, she shrieks and mutters about Dementors coming to Kiss her." He frowned.

They stayed a while longer, Severus explaining how it was likely for the planet to take a few days or weeks to settle into the new dimension and that it would be beneficial for the trial to be set after that time.

Then Kingsley turned to Hermione. "I know we've done you very wrong. I have, by simply listening to Ron, and I'd like to make it up to you, Hermione. If you don't want to return to MLE here, just pick your job and it's yours."

Hermione frowned. She had not really thought about her future beyond the full moon ritual. She looked from Lucius to Severus and noticed both wizards looking at her intently. "I... I don't know, Kingsley."

"Why don't you give her a few days to decide, Kingsley," Lucius suggested.

"Yes, that would be good," Hermione agreed and heard Severus breathe a slight sigh of...was that relief? What do I want to do? she wondered, but then her attention shifted back to Severus who had stood up. They made their way back to Grimmauld Place and took off on Merlin, back to their sanctuary in the inner earth.

A/N: For prompt details, please see Chapter One.

Most grateful thanks go to southernwitch69 for the beta.