Chapter Text
The first real heavy snow of December arrived overnight, blanketing Nott Manor and its sprawling grounds in a thick, glittering untouched white. By morning, the sky was a soft, bright blue, the kind of winter day that seemed made to exist only in memories.
Theo had left early for the hospital.
Hermione had woken slowly, feeling the delicious ache of well-used magic and the gentle hum of the bond, steady now, even without both men near.
She wandered from the bedroom to the balcony in thick socks and a borrowed Slytherin sweater, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
She gasped in awe.
The orchard, the fields, the small hill that sloped toward the frozen pond — all of it sat quiet and untouched under a layer of perfect, puffy snow. It glittered like powdered starlight. The kind of snowfall that begged to be played in.
A voice spoke behind her:
“You’re thinking about going out there, aren’t you?”
She turned to find Draco leaning against the balcony doorway lazily.
His blond hair was slightly mussed from sleep. He wore a charcoal cashmere sweater and loose trousers, mug in hand.
She tried not to stare at how stupidly gorgeous he looked in the morning light.
“I might be,” she said with a shy little shrug. “It’s beautiful.”
His mouth curved. “We could… sled, if you want.”
She blinked. “Sled?”
He lifted a brow. “You do know what sledding is, Granger.”
“I didn’t know you did it.”
His eyes twinkled. “I’m full of surprises.”
Hermione laughed softly, breath fogging in the cold. “Well… yes. I’d like that.”
Draco looked almost boyish with how pleased he seemed.
“Give me ten minutes,” he said, already turning. “I’ll get the old Malfoy toboggan.”
Draco returned bundled in a dark green wool coat, gloves, and a ridiculous Slytherin winter hat Hermione quickly swore she’d never let him forget existed.
“Not. A. Word.” he warned.
Hermione grinned. “I would never—”
“Yes, you would.”
He levitated a long wooden toboggan behind him — sleek, enchanted to glide with only the gentlest pull, the Malfoy crest burned elegantly into the curved front.
“This was enchanted by my grandmother,” he said as they stepped outside. “She believed winter sports were character-building.”
Hermione bit her lip to hide a smile. “Did it work?”
“Absolutely not.”
Snow crunched under their boots with each step as they approached the small hill overlooking the frozen pond. Draco paused halfway up, conjured a warming charm around her, and brushed snow from her shoulder.
Hermione stilled at the gentleness of it.
“You ready?” he asked softly.
She nodded.
They settled onto the toboggan, Hermione in front, Draco behind her, his legs bracketing hers. His arms reached around her to grip the sides, and for a moment, the closeness made her breath stutter.
“Lean when I lean,” Draco murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
She shivered and he stilled.
“You cold?”
“No,” she whispered. “Not at all.”
A faint pink touched his cheeks that had nothing to do with the cold.
“Alright then,” he said quietly. “Hold on.”
He nudged them forward, and the toboggan shot down the hill. Hermione shrieked with wild laughter as the wind whipped around them, the snow sparkling, the world blurting past in white and silver. Draco’s laughter — rare, warm, unguarded — untamed right behind her ear.
At the bottom, they skidded to a stop, Hermione breathless and glowing.
“That—” she panted, “was amazing.”
Draco’s smile softened into something warmer, deeper.
“I always loved it,” he admitted.
Her expression gentled. “I think… I’m starting to learn you weren’t all irogant asshole as a child after all.”
After several more runs — each one faster, louder, filled with Hermione’s laughter echoing off the pond — Draco dragged the toboggan back uphill while she brushed snow from her mittens.
On the fifth trip, she scooped up a handful of snow and packed it into a tight ball.
“Draco,” she called sweetly.
He turned.
She threw.
It hit him square in the chest.
He just stared at her.
Hermione froze. “Oh no.”
A slow, wicked smile spread across his face. “You’re done for.”
She squeaked and sprinted across the snow.
Draco was faster.
Snowballs flew, expertly aimed on Draco’s part, less so on Hermione’s, until she managed to duck behind a statue and catch her breath, cheeks flushed, curls damp with snowflakes.
Draco rounded the statue, breathing hard, hair dusted white.
“Truce?” she panted.
“Never.”
He tackled her gently into a drift.
They landed in a puff of snow, Hermione laughing uncontrollably as Draco hovered above her, bracing himself so he didn’t crush her. For a long moment they froze there, his face inches from hers, their breath mingling in the cold.
Hermione’s laughter softened.
His eyes flicked down to her lips.
She went for it, bringing her lips to his. He took the bait, settling his to swallow her groans as their tongues fought gracefully. His pants grew tighter, and she ground herself against his groin, he lost himself for a moment, grinding back on her.
And then he cleared his throat abruptly and pushed himself up, offering her a gloved hand.
“Cocoa?” he asked, voice thick.
She nodded.
Back inside the manor, they peeled off snowy layers and Draco led her to the sitting room where a fire crackled warmly. House-elves brought two large mugs of cocoa topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.
Hermione wrapped her hands around her mug, feeling warmth seep through her fingers.
Draco sat close — not touching, but near enough she felt the pull.
“You look happy,” he murmured.
“I feel… happy,” she admitted. “In a way that feels familiar. Like muscle memory of the heart.”
Draco swallowed hard. “Hermione…”
She looked at him.
“Today was…” he stopped, then tried again. “I’ve missed hearing you laugh like that so much.”
Hermione’s chest tightened. “Thank you for today. Truly.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” he said softly. “I’d give you the whole world covered in snow if it made you smile like that again every day.”
Hermione’s breath hitched.
The fire crackled.
The bond hummed warmly between them.
Slowly, carefully, she leaned her head onto his shoulder.
His hand came up, hesitant, resting over hers on the mug.
Hermione closed her eyes, letting the comfort of him, the softness of the moment, sink deep.
“Draco…” she whispered, her voice breaking just a little. “I think if I had never remembered, I’d still have fallen in love with you again.”
Draco made a strangled sound, then whispered:
“Good. Because I never stopped falling.”
And they stayed like that until the cocoa cooled.
The front doors of Nott Manor opened with that particular soft click Hermione had learned meant Theo was home.
Draco looked up immediately from the sofa where he and Hermione were curled, not touching intimately, just sitting close enough for warmth and comfort.
Theo stepped inside the sitting room still wearing his healer cloak, cheeks slightly pink from the cold. When he saw them, his entire face eased, relief first, then something warm and aching.
“You two look comfortable,” he murmured.
Hermione smiled, moving slightly so there was space between her and Draco for Theo to sit.
Theo eased down beside her, kissing her cheek lightly a careful, tender gesture, still annoyingly mindful of her recovery.
“How was your shift?” she asked.
He exhaled, rubbing his face. “Long. But no emergencies, so I’ll take the win.”
Then he looked between them and added gently, “Everything alright here?”
Draco and Hermione exchanged a look.
Theo immediately straightened. “What is it?”
Hermione reached out, placing a hand on his knee. “It’s nothing bad,” she said softly. “Just… something we’ve been talking about early today.”
Theo’s eyes flickered with worry. “Okay. I’m listening.”
Draco cleared his throat.
“Mate, before she… before everything happened, Hermione and I were exploring some rougher things together.”
Theo’s shoulders tensed, not in anger, but in discomfort and maybe a little apprehension.
Hermione spoke quickly, gently.
“Theo, we’re not bringing this up again because just Draco wants it. I’m bringing it up because… I want to understand myself. My desires. My comfort. What I like. What I don’t.”
Theo’s gaze softened at her honesty.
Hermione squeezed his hand. “I know you weren’t a fan of what we did that day, but I was comfortable. And I wasn’t afraid. I’ve actually thought a lot about it… and I want to explore it because that day felt good.”
Theo nodded slowly, still quiet.
Draco continued carefully, “She said she might want to explore a bit before pregnancy. Nothing extreme, nothing unsafe. Just… to understand herself again. Obviously, she doesn’t want to go down that path pregnant, so time if kind of of the essence.”
Theo looked between them, confusion flickering.
“And where do I fit into this?”
Draco inhaled. “You fit into everything. This bond is the three of us, always. But—”
He swallowed hard.
“Rougher things affect the bond. They push it. They can trigger protectiveness in you. It’s not your fault, it’s how the bond works. With your personal history we both understand why this isn’t something you want to partake in and that’s perfectly fine.”
Theo winced. That was the part that always made him feel guilty.
Draco added quickly, “And Hermione doesn’t want to do anything that hurts you emotionally. So… I suggested that maybe she and I take a short trip. Somewhere neutral. Where you wouldn’t feel the pull in the same way, where we can easily dull the bond for you.”
Hermione nodded, her voice soft but steady.
“Draco mentioned back to Vienna. Just for a couple days after the new year. Only if you’re comfortable with it.”
Theo froze.
Not angry.
Not jealous.
Just very unsure.
Theo’s voice was low when he finally spoke.
“Hermione… be honest with me.”
He held her gaze, eyes searching.
“Is this something you want because you remember wanting it… or because Draco wants it and you feel like you should?”
Hermione’s heart cracked a little at the question, because it was so very Theo.
So protective.
So selfless.
So desperate not to be the reason she forced herself into anything.
She leaned forward, cupping his cheek gently.
“Theo. I swear on everything between us, I’m not doing this for Draco. I’m doing this for me.”
His eyes flickered, vulnerable. “For you?”
She nodded.
“I want to explore who I am. My desires. My boundaries. Before pregnancy changes anything, I want to understand what I like — fully and honestly.”
She swallowed, cheeks warm.
“But I won’t know unless I explore it. Safely. With someone I trust.”
Draco lowered his eyes, suddenly emotional.
“And I would only ever go as slow as she wants. Stop the second she wants. Talk through everything. Nothing would happen that she didn’t actually want.”
Theo exhaled shakily and looked back at Hermione.
“But you just went through a traumatic experience you’re not even healed yet.”
“My core is already back at 98%, in a few more weeks it’ll be perfectly normal again.”
“Are you afraid at all?” he asked.
“No,” she whispered. “I’m curious. Really and genuinely. And I’d regret it if I didn’t try to understand myself more before starting a family.”
She squeezed his hands.
“You’re my heart, Theo. You always have been. You were my first emotional connection… my first love. Exploring another part of myself doesn’t take away from that.”
Theo’s eyes went glossy.
Theo drew a long, steadying breath.
“Okay,” he said quietly. “If this is really what you want… then I’ll support it.”
Draco’s expression shifted, relief, gratitude, something almost like awe.
Hermione leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Theo’s forehead, a kiss filled with trust and love and deep emotional intimacy.
Theo closed his eyes at the touch.
“But,” he added, voice gentler, “I want us to talk about boundaries. All three of us. Before you go, now, and maybe in more detail before leaving.”
“Of course,” Draco said immediately.
“And,” Theo continued, “I want to make sure I’m not shutting myself out of this part of your life. I don’t want you to feel like you can only explore with Draco because the bond makes me react.”
Hermione felt her heart twist. “Theo… that’s not true. It never was.”
Theo’s voice cracked. “I know. I just… sometimes I feel like the weak link.”
Draco moved closer, shaking his head. “You’re not. You’re the anchor, Theo. You always have been.”
Hermione took both their hands.
“We’re going to navigate all of this together,” she whispered. “Every part of it.”
Theo finally nodded, still a little hesitant, still tender, but willing.
And that was everything.
After dinner, the three of them sat cross-legged on the large rug before the fire in their shared suite, not touching yet, but in the soft triangle they naturally formed when they needed honesty.
Hermione tugged her blanket more tightly around her shoulders. The fire painted her cheeks pink, but there was a nervousness there too, anticipation mixed with embarrassment.
Draco leaned forward just slightly, elbows on his knees. He looked calm, but Hermione could read the underlying tension in him: worry for her comfort, excitement he was trying to hide, and protectiveness threaded throughout.
Theo sat very straight, healer-calm, but his hands kept clasping and unclasping on his knees.
Hermione breathed deeply.
“Thank you both for… being open to talking. I know this is delicate.”
Theo shook his head softly. “It’s necessary. And it matters to you. So it matters to us.”
Draco’s voice was steady. “We do this right. All of it. Together.”
Hermione nodded and pulled the blanket tighter.
She drew a breath.
“I want to explore rough intimacy because… pieces of me seemed to like it. Really like it. The vulnerability, the power play, the tension, the lack of control, the line between pain and pleasure.”
Her eyes flicked to Draco.
“But I also don’t want anything too overwhelming or too fast. I know I’m not going to be into any of the super heavy dark stuff.”
Draco gave her a warm, grounding look.
“It’s not about pushing limits. It’s about finding the edges of pleasure safely.”
Theo swallowed thickly, “And it’s about communication, Hermione. Especially for you, after everything. You’re allowed to red-light anything at any moment. No judgement form Draco.”
“I know,” she whispered. “And I want that structure in place. For my peace of mind. But also…”
She blushed.
“I want to understand what I like and what I don’t.”
Both men softened.
Draco reached out, palm up, waiting for her to choose contact.
She slid her hand into his.
Theo exhaled.
Draco stared into the fire for a moment before speaking.
“I’ve thought a lot about this. A lot. Before your memories came back, and now after. If we explore that side, I want to know exactly what you’re looking for. We can go through some lists, see how you feel about trying different things. Only do what interests you. And it will be safe.”
Hermione nodded.
“And,” Draco continued softly, “I won’t touch you in any way that causes pain without you specifically giving permission first.”
Theo’s jaw tightened. Hermione laid a gentle hand over his knee to show she wasn’t frightened.
Draco added,“And when pain is used, it’s controlled. Measured. Never to hurt — only to heighten sensation. The line between pleasure and pain is thin, but it’s real. And the only way to explore that is with structure.”
“And safewords,” Theo added immediately.
Draco nodded. “Naturally.”
Hermione felt her stomach somersault, not with fear, but with an aching anticipation she tried not to show too obviously.
Theo cleared his throat, sounding almost too clinical.
“Safewords need to be simple. Instinctual. Something you can say without thinking.”
Draco smirked faintly. “Healer mode suits him.”
Theo rolled his eyes. “This is very serious.”
Hermione smiled softly.
“I agree. Simple is best.”
Theo scooted a little closer to her. “Traditionally it’s green, yellow, red. But we don’t have to use those.”
Hermione nodded slowly.
“Green for ‘keep going,’ yellow for ‘pause,’ red for ‘stop immediately.’ That works for me.”
Draco added:
“And your body language will matter too. If you freeze, even without saying a word, I stop. Period.”
Hermione’s chest warmed at the certainty in his tone.
“And you’ll have a physical tap-out as well,” Theo added. “Three taps anywhere on either of you.”
Draco nodded. “Good.”
Hermione swallowed.
“Okay. That… actually feels very safe.”
Theo finally reached out, resting his hand over hers.
“That’s the goal.”
Draco leaned back against the sofa, taking a slow breath.
“We should also talk about emotional limits. What you’re curious about, Hermione. What feels too much for now. Right before we leave we can walk through the specific list, but for now generals are fine.”
Theo’s gaze flicked between them, clearly nervous but also wanting to be supportive.
Hermione licked her lips, shaky.
“I’m curious about… tension, edging. Dominance. The line between pleasure and pain. Restraint, maybe. Being a bit out of control with each other, rougher than normal. But not anything too extreme. And not anything that makes me feel powerless or degraded. Absolutely no mudblood, deatheater shit.”
“Good,” Draco murmured.
“That’s a healthy line. And we’ll keep checking in. No surprises. No pushing.”
Theo let out a long breath, visibly calming.
“That makes me feel better.”
Hermione bit her lip.
“And no humiliation play. I know I don’t want that.”
Draco nodded immediately.
“That was never on the table.”
Theo squeezed her hand. “We stick to what’s intimate. Not damaging.”
“Exactly,” Draco agreed quietly.
Hermione let out a small exhale of relief.
Theo shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable but willing.
“And I need to set a boundary too.”
He looked at Draco, then Hermione.
“I don’t want to be present for the rougher parts. Not yet. The bond might react… unpredictably.”
Draco nodded with surprising gentleness.
“That’s why Vienna was the suggestion, so you wouldn’t be hurt by the bond flare.”
Hermione took Theo’s hand once more, voice soft.
“But I still want you involved. Emotionally. And I want to talk to you about everything. Before and after. Nothing hidden.”
Theo’s eyes went warm.
“I want that too. And I want you to send updates, don’t make me wonder for days if it went badly.”
Draco added, “And I won’t do anything unless both of you feel steady about it. Consent from the whole triad.”
Hermione blinked rapidly, touched.
“That means everything to me.”
Draco reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind Hermione’s ear.
“You’re always safe with us,” he murmured. Soft. Quiet. Intense.
Theo took her other hand and held it firmly between both of his.
“We’ll move at your discretion,” Theo said, voice thick.
Hermione looked down at their hands entwined with hers and felt the bond pulse warm and steady a deep, quiet thrum of connection.
Her heart swelled.
“I love you both,” she whispered. “I trust you. I want to explore this — not to rush into anything, but because I’m ready to understand myself better.”
The fire cracked softly.
Draco’s thumb stroked her knuckles.
Theo rested his forehead briefly against her temple.
And for a long moment, the three of them simply breathed together, the bond humming warmer, steadier, clearer than it had since before her kidnapping.