Hermione Granger had very little regard for snoops and peepers. However, right now was absolutely not the time to even think about her moral views on the matter, should she deem herself a hypocrite.
Hermione pressed her back hard against the beech tree she was hiding behind, trying to convince herself to simply walk away, but something held her back: she figured it was most likely her wayward – and, more often than not, ignored – libido.
She lifted her face to the sky and closed her eyes, resting her head back and not caring if bits of bark stuck to her bushy curls. Her mind was too distracted to enjoy the warmth of the summer sun dancing over her eylids through the canopy of leaves above.
A short distance behind her she could hear whispers and sniggering, followed by a deep, male groan of desire that caused her eyes to snap open wide.
Should she dare to look? Would they see her in the shadows? What would happen if she was caught?
Before Hermione could come to a decision on this particularly conflicting dilemma, a musical laugh reached her ears.
"You're tickling me, Theo."
It was Draco speaking. Hermione had never heard him laugh like that before, and it made her stomach flutter. He sounded so carefree and happy, a far cry from the usual emotionless mask he wore when he was around most people. Even though she was quite close to the two wizards, she had not heard him behave so casual and vivacious.
The war was over, and Hermione had decided to return to Hogwarts for her final year. She had soon discovered that others had chosen the same route, including Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott. They had been nothing but proper gentleman this year. Draco no longer called her names, and Theo actually paid attention to her.
At first, the trio had been cordial, and soon, after realising how academically similar they all were, they had developed a good friendship. Studying together often and exchanging notes with them was something Hermione particularly enjoyed, because, as much as she loved her best friends, Harry and Ron were never much into the curricular side of school.
Ginny was not the study-buddy type either, and spent much of her time owling Harry anyway. So, for Hermione, it was wonderful to finally have like-minded peers, studying together, instead of her trying to push her friends to keep up with their homework.
Yes, things had definitely changed.
Because she could not see the boys, Hermione tried to imagine what Draco's face would look like: all lit up in a smile that would reach his eyes, unguarded and vulnerable, but she could not picture it properly in her mind's eye.
Well, there's only one way to find out, I suppose.
It had been too long to reveal herself to them now, that would be weird, so it didn't take much to convince herself that she had no other choice but to stay where she was anyway. Hermione silently turned around to face the tree, and, very slowly so as not to blow her cover, she peeked around the trunk: her greedy eyes hungry to see the two boys in front of her.
If anyone had been looking for someone hiding behind her tree – and if they were looking very closely in the shadows – they would have seen some loose, frizzy curls and a chocolate-brown eye, intently peering at the Slytherins. However, much to Hermione's relief, no one appeared to be paying any heed in her general direction.
The sight that beheld her was not one of disappointment: two figures were on a deep green and silver picnic rug, with the Great Lake sparkling in the sunlight off to their side. Sweet william, nigella and cosmos flowers peppered the lush grass around them in a flurry of colour. It truly was a dazzling sight, and it took Hermione's breath away.
Draco was lying on his back, propped up by his elbows. Theo was lying beside him: his lanky form positioned on his side as he stretched in the sun, raising his arms above his head, exposing his stomach.
Draco reached over and ran his fingers along Theo's bronzed skin, savouring the firmness of his abdominal muscles.
Circe, I am lucky. Draco thought to himself, and images of the night before flashed through his mind: it hadn't been their first time together, but the experience was more special than the others, somehow. It had been slow and unrushed, as if they both wanted to take their time exploring their lover's body, feeling and tasting each other
Theo guessed where Draco's thoughts were. He, too, had come to realise that Draco meant more to him than some fling: the sex was incredible, but Theo wanted more, and he suspected Draco felt the same. That was why, post orgasm last night, as they floated back to earth after a blissful evening of intimacy, Theo kissed Draco tenderly before asking the other boy to go on a date with him the following day.
Draco had readily agreed, crushing Theo in a tight hug, which had then turned into another session of passion.
Theo smiled at the memory and draped his torso over Draco's chest, pushing him fully onto the rug, and he nuzzled into Draco's neck, enjoying the fragrance eminating from Draco: an intoxicating concoction of a sandlewood, apples, and his natural scent.
Draco let out another peal of laughter and pushed his hands up to Theo's chest, playfully shoving off the other boy.
Theo sat up, mock-glaring at his lover.
"Excuse me," he complained, "I was enjoying that."
Draco shrugged.
"What can I say, I am in a particularly ticklish mood."
Draco's smirk quickly disapeared from his face a second later when he saw the twinkle in Theo's eyes. He instantly regretted the admission.
Before Draco could protest, Theo was up on his knees, bending over Draco, and attacking his ribs with his fingers.
Draco guffawed out loud, his teenage voice cracking with his shrieks of laughter, and tears forming in his eyes.
"Sh-shtarp!" Draco managed to cry out mid-laugh.
Theo stopped immediately and put his hands up, palms facing forward in submission. His grin was wide and his bright blue eyes danced with obvious joy at Draco's expense.
Draco took a few breaths before smiling madly and grabbing Theo's wrists.
"Come here," he hissed through gritted teeth, and a devilish glint in his silver-grey eyes. In one swift motion he had Theo on the rug beneath him as he leaned over the brunette on all fours, gripping Theo's wrists in his slender fingers on the soft green fabric of the rug, one on either side of Theo's head.
Draco was still breathing heavily over him, trying to catch his breath when their eyes locked. Theo's irises visibly changed to a darker shade of blue as a wave of lust coursed through his body. He loved seeing Draco like this, all dishevelled and panting. Theo lifted his pelvis up to grind against Draco's groin, and the blond's eyes widened momentarily before a smirk pulled at his lips.
"Oho, no you don't," Draco snorted, "no distractions ...not yet."
And with that, Draco sat down, pushing Theo's bottom back on the ground, and released Theo's wrists. Draco then tickled Theo with great enthusiasm, causing Theo let out a strangled laugh.
Before Draco could continue, though, Theo braced his arms on the ground and bucked his hips up, sending Draco flying off to the side.
Theo lunged at Draco, and they both grabbed each other: limbs tangling as they rolled around, wrestling for dominance while laughing and grunting. After a few minutes, they both stopped and lay on their backs out of breath, before both of them burst out laughing.
Their laughter died down and they were lost in thought. How glorious it was to be free. As survivors of the war, each of them would never take advantage of their freedom.
Draco eventually broke the silence.
"It is a good thing I charmed the picnic rug to stay in place," he said, "Imagine the state we would be in if it had moved around with us." And he scrunched up his nose at the thought of grass stains on the clean, pressed white shirt he wore.
Theo hummed, and he propped his head on his elbow to look down at Draco. He suspected Draco had put an anti-wrinkle charm on it as he looked as immaculate as ever.
"I don't know," Theo murmured, "I quite like that idea, though: rolling around in a blanket with you."
He relished the light blush that tainted Draco's cheeks, and, picking up Draco's hand, interlacing their fingers as he bent down, his lips sought Draco's.
Hermione was stuck, she couldn't pull her gaze away. The boys looked serene in the sunlight: Theo with his sun-kissed skin and brown curls that clung around the base of his neck, making her want to play with them between her fingers. And Draco with his pale skin and platinum hair that was uncerimoniously tousled in the summer breeze, himself looking so carefree and relaxed.
Theo pulled away from their kiss, and the Slytherin boys were now both smiling adoringly at each other, lost in one another's eyes. Hermione suddenly felt like she was intruding on an incredibly private moment.
The whole situation sunk in, and she realised how very wrong her actions were.
Hermione had come to enjoy the company of the two Slytherins so much so, that she found herself automatically searching for them anytime she entered a room. It had become such a habit that her eyes would even glance around the Gryffindor common room when she would step in there. Her brow would then pucker into a frown at her ridiculous behaviour, because of course they wouldn't be in there.
And now, Hermione had found herself here: watching Theo and Draco – on Valentine's Day, of all days – without their knowledge.
Of course, she hadn't deliberately sought them out to spy, she was not that desperate. Hermione had been innocently enjoying one of her favourite muggle books, Jane Austin's, Pride and Prejudice, under the beautiful beech tree, when she heard the boys wandering along the waters edge, discussing their next quidditch game against Ravenclaw.
They hadn't appeared to have seen her as they found a spot, merely metres from her, and began pulling out objects from their pockets, which turned out to be their shrunk down picnic accessories. Theo whispered the engorgement charms, and passed them on to Draco to set up.
To her knowledge, this was likely their first date. Judging by how intimately acclimatised they were with one another, Hermione had suspected for some time that there was more than just a friendship between the two. They were quite handsy with one another, and it was so very distracting.
Hermione had quietly got up and stood with her back against the tree while the boys' voices continued on with their happy banter.
Oh my god, what am I doing? Hermione berated herself as the guilt of her actions set in, if I get caught, they will never want to speak to me again.
A sound drifted to her ears once again, cutting off her inner turmoil.
She directed her focus to the boys in front of her again, and saw that Theo was now straddling Draco, leaning over him with their noses almost touching.
Somewhere, in Hermione's brain, she was aware of a voice that was screeching at her, demanding that she leave.
And again, she could not.
Not only was her body responding – as pleasant flutters danced in her lower belly, and moisture pooled between her legs – but her magic was reacting as well: she could feel a strong pull toward Draco and Theo, and, in all honesty, it was getting hard to ignore...
It was very odd indeed, however, Hermione had no intention of investigating that thought right at this moment in time, so she subconciously filed it away for later.
Hermione watched with rapt attention as Theo combed his large hand through Dracos hair, holding a handful in his fingers. Draco's radiant smile of contentment was one of the most beautiful things Hermione had ever seen. Theo obviously thought so too, and he captured his lover's lips in a deep, slow kiss.
Oh, Merlin...
Draco bought his arms up and lazily slung them over Theo's shoulders, while simultaniously dragging his feet closer and bending his knees up towards the sky. Theo released Draco's hair and trailed his fingers along the blond's side to rest on his hip, pulling a quiet moan from the blonde. He then pried his fingers under Draco's shirt, and played with the soft, pale skin there.
"Should we relieve her from her misery?" Draco whispered.
Theo refrained from turning his head in Hermione's direction, but his eyes flickered to the tree, too quick for her to have noticed.
"Or we could give her a show." Theo murmured in Draco's ear. rocking his hips in one fluid movement.
"Not out here." Draco replied quietly, delighting in the shiver that travelled up his spine, "I don't want to be expelled for indecent behaviour."
"I suppose you are right," Theo said, more loudly now, so that their little peeper could hear, "I just want you so badly..."
Hermione watched as Theo then rocked his hips in one fluid movement, illiciting a groan from Draco.
A soft whimper escaped her lips, and she gasped out loud, before clamping her hands on her mouth.
Hermione heard and saw Draco stifle a laugh as he turned his head to see her.
"You may come out now, Granger." Theo called, now looking at her while still leaning over Draco.
Hermione gulped at being caught – also as a response to the raw heat eyes burning in his blue eyes.
Draco composed himself and indicated for Theo to move off of him. Theo slid over and they both sat up, facing her.
"We won't bite," Draco crooned.
"...much." Theo added with a smirk.
Hermione just wanted the ground to open up and envelop her. She wondered if there were any spells that could achieve just that.
She was such an idiot! She had been caught, and would never live this down. Her brain scrambled to say something – anything – to try and smooth over this embarrassing predicament. She had now probably lost the only people she really seemed to click with of all her classmates.
Nice one, Hermione. She admonished herself, you're something else.
Plastering on a smile and mustering up some of her Gryffindor courage, Hermione stepped out and made her way over to the Slytherins, her arms clasped around her book at her chest.
"Funny story, actually," she forced out a laugh as she reached them, wincing at how high her voice sounded. "I was just reading my book, and then you two showed up."
This was terrible: her story sounded so fake, despite the fact that it was true.
"A likely story." Theo snorted, deciding to have a little fun with the poor girl. She looked so lovely with her cheeks pink in embarrassment.
"Regardless, you then chose to spy on us?" Draco casually asked, raising an eyebrow. She was close to them now, and Draco could see honey-gold flecks reflecting the sunlight in her brown eyes.
"Well, I–"
"You could have walked away." Draco interrupted.
Hermione squirmed and her knuckles whitened as she gripped her book tighter.
"You see–" She tried again, but was cut off by Theo this time.
"You could have joined us." He crossed his arms. They were enjoying toying with her.
"What do you have to say for yourself, Miss Granger?" Draco said.
Hermione locked eyes with him, and was surprised to see no coldness or anger in his stormy grey stare. If she were not mistaken, she would have thought she saw desire swirling in his heated gaze.
"More to the point," Theo's words pulled her to look at him, "did you like what you saw?" He asked, a smile pulling at his lips.
Hermione realised they were only teasing her, and she rolled her eyes with humour. The relief obvious in her shy smile.
"I guess I had this coming," she admitted, before becoming serious again. "But, I really was just reading my book. I'm not a stalker."
"We know," Draco smirked, "we saw you and decided to sit here."
Hermione gaped at them. Had they set her up? Being the Slytherins that they were, she certainly wouldn't put it past them.
"You did that on purpose?" She scowled.
"You decided to stay and watch, so consider us even." Draco laughed, "We're all as bad as each other."
"Would you care to join us, dear Hermione?" Theo asked, and he reached up and took her hand.
His fingers were warm, but not too warm, and their magics tingled at the contact. Hermione stared at their hands curiously, entwining her fingers with his. It was a pleasant feeling, and she didn't pull away. Her eyes suddenly flickered to Draco, who seemed to be enjoying watching them.
"Um, aren't you on a Valentine's day date?" she asked hesitantly, releasing Theo's hand and gripping her book again.
"Oh, yes." Draco nodded, "but your company will make it much more enjoyable." He patted the rug next to him indicating she take a seat.
Hermione's eyes widened and she sat down automatically, putting her novel aside.
She felt like she had a flobberworm stuck in her throat. What did Draco mean by that, she wondered.
Hermione was like an open book (that thought made Draco inwardly chuckle, considering who now sat in front of them). She was very open with her emotions, and he watched as he saw the confusion in the furrow of her brow and the the faraway expression on her face, he knew she was deep in thought as if trying to solve a puzzle.
Theo, being the ever adorable, but annoyingly blunt person he was, went straight for the kill. Draco knew Hermione was brave, but how would she handle this?
"Hermione, it's like this: we like you." Her eyes shot up to meet Theo's as he spoke, "...as in, like-like." He gave a shrug, as if it was no big deal and he was just giving her a list of what side effects to expect when consuming a deflating draught.
"But, how..." Hermione's voice trailed off, she was a bit surprised. Although, thinking about it, she had seen the signs: glances her way, from each of them, often when the boys were flirting with one another. Unessential physical contact: stroking her arm or hand to get her attention when she was nose-deep in a book. Whispering in her ear, even when there was no reason to use hushed tones.
It was so obvious now, how could she be so blind?
Draco sniggered.
"Well, what happens is, when someone likes someone else – or sometimes it's more than one pers–"
"I know how it works!" Hermione quipped, maybe a little more sharply than she had intended. She cleared her throat, "I'm just a little thrown, that's all."
Theo's face fell, and her heart seemed to stop at his crestfallen look.
"You don't feel the same way," He whispered, barely audible, "about us?"
Hermione looked at Draco, the shutters were down and his blank expression was supposed to give nothing away. However, she knew him well enough to know that when Draco was anxious, a tiny vertical line between his eyebrows would form, barely visible unless you were up close.
The truth of the matter was, Hermione had been drawn to them for some time now. Being the intelligent witch she was, it hadn't taken long for her to realise that watching their flirtatious advancements on each other, right in front of her eyes, was not jealousy stirring within her.
Oh, no ...the emotion she felt was far worse: it was longing, a burning desire to be with them. Both of them.
She had never dwelled on the idea of a thrupple, because Theo and Draco appeared to be perfectly content together.
But the pieces were falling into place, it was all making sense: the pull towards them, it possibly wasn't one-sided. They might feel the same intensity of it, too.
The prospect of being with them sent a shiver of anticipation through her body, and a smile slowly spread accross her lips as it dawned on her that there definitely was some sort of attraction to her.
Theo grabbed her hand, pulling Hermione out of her reverie as his distressed face swam in front of her eyes. He was still worried that the she did not reciprocate their feelings towards her.
"Yes," Hermione whispered, "I do like you," her eyes moved to Draco, who had also shuffled closer, "both of you."
After closing his eyes momentarily in relief, Draco smiled and reached over, picking bits of bark from her wild curls, and flinging them over his shoulder.
Hermione suddenly felt very self concious at the close proximity, and lowered her eyes as she traced her finger over the silver embroidery on the picnic rug, it really was very beautifully made.
"Hermione," Draco said gently, reaching down to take her other hand, "you don't know how happy that makes–"
But his words were cut short because, in that instant of contact between the trio, there was a whooshing sound ringing in their ears as their magics connected, followed by an ethereal veil of a translucent mist-like magic forming around the three, encasing them in a warm glow of colours iluminating their skin. There was no sound now, and they all looked at each in wonder as a peace settled over them, like a warm embrace: this was right, and it was real.
The moment lasted about a minute before dissipating, leaving the tingling still there where they were holding hands.
"Wow," Hermione beamed, "that was ...surreal.". She had goosebumps on her arms from the sensations she had just experienced, and the connection she felt with the two wizards in front of her.
"We're a triad," Theo whispered, eyes wide in awe.
"And you complete us." Draco breathed, looking at Hermione and bringing her hand up to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of it. His thin lips felt so soft, and she wondered what they would feel like on her own mouth ...or somewhere else.
The thought made her blush profusely, and Draco smiled, unaware of the path her wayward mind was taking her.
The moment was interupted by a loud growl, which was coming from Theo's stomach.
They all laughed.
"Way to ruin a perfectly nice moment..." Theo grumbled at his stomach. "Anyone else hungry?" He added to the other two, reaching over to begin unpacking the picnic basket.
Hermione's eyes widened as Theo pulled out, one dish at a time to avoid making a mess, a feast for at least eight people: there were assorted sandwiches, with turkey and cranberry sauce or roast beef with chutney, as selections. There was a plate of fancy-looking devilled eggs. Hot roast potatoes covered in melting butter and cheese. A large bowl of delicious smelling spaghetti alle vongole. A variety of salads. Then she saw a platter of fruit, with so many different types that she couldn't name them all – some looked quite exotic. A banana and chocolate trifle in a decorative glass bowl. And, finally, some chocolate coated strawberries.
Then came some refreshments: bottles of sparkling water, and pumpkin juice.
Hermione concluded that the basket was much like her bag she had used on the run with Harry and Ron to store all their supplies, which was spelled with an extension charm.
She was quite impressed.
Theo reached in once more and drew out a bottle of a very expensive looking champagne and three silver goblets.
Hermione gaped even more.
"How in Godrick's name did you get alcohol in..." Hermione screeched before stopping herself abruptly. "You know what? Never mind, I don't even want to know."
The Slytherins grinned widely at her and she narrowed her eyes, attempting to look stern, but failing to suppress her smile.
Theo transfigured the goblets into crystal chapagne flutes, and Draco filled them half way with the bubbling liquid.
"It's about who you know, my dearest lady." Theo winked, sending her a smouldering look.
Draco snorted while passing Hermione her glass, which she accepted with a thank you. She had broken worse rules before, and, besides, it was a day for celebration.
Theo raised his drink.
"To our first date. To St. Valentine." He toasted, "And to us." The other two echoed his sentiment, before they all clinked glasses and took a sip. Each one of them felt the tingling of anticipation and excitement for their future, wondering what it would hold.
Theo, Draco and Hermione engorged themselves with the delicious food until they could not move, and sat on the rug: content and full.
Not even realising they were physically connected: each of the boy's had one of Hermione's hands in theirs. It was just so natural, and felt like they had been this comfortable with each other for a very long time. It was a wonderful feeling.
Their conversation flowed to mundane topics – such as what their favourite things were – to the war, to what they wanted to do as a career after school. Then they rested in happy silence against a pile of soft, red and gold cushions Hermione had conjured from some napkins – the boys had rolled their eyes on her colour choice, but enthusiastically settled down on them with their witch none the less.
No words were needed, and each one of them soon became lost in thought again.
...until, Theo broke the silence.
"Something doesn't make sense." He said, eyes squinted as if trying to solve a difficult problem. "We knew Hermione was there behind the tree that whole time, but she didn't know we were aware of her presence." Draco nodded in agreement and Hermione pouted.
"Which brings me to the question," Theo continued, "how can the brightest witch of our year not even consider using a disillusionment charm to sneak away?"
They all said nothing for a moment, before bursting out laughing.
"I was a little distracted, ok?" Hermione giggled.
"That's fair." Draco smirked, and he became suddenly sombre. "I, too, have a question." He added.
Hermione and Theo looked at him expectantly, and Theo recognised the glint in Draco's eyes.
"Are you ticklish, Hermione?" Draco asked with an air of nonchalance.
And before she could reply, the boys pounced and she squealed in laughter as their fingers found her ribs.
"Ok, ok!" Hermione shrieked, sinking between the cushions, and the wizards eased off their tickle attack, "I suppose I had that coming."
She sought each of their hands, relishing the magical zing that she already loved to feel with their connection.
"Happy Valentines Day," she murmured, locking eyes with both boys in turn, "I look forward to many more."
And she truly meant it.