3A/N: Thank you to Krystle for helping me out with this. My claimed character was Severus Snape for Draco's Den Celebration of Beltane event in 2022.
Content warning - referenced fertility issues
Disclaimer: JKR owns the world and characters of Harry Potter, not me. I'm not making any money from the posting of this story.
Their First Beltane
"Are you sure this is right?" Hermione hummed as she looked around the backyard of their small cottage. Looking at the back of the cottage, she hummed when she saw the windows and doors decorated with yellow May flowers. "Do we need more?"
"Hermione, stop stressing," Severus murmured, putting his hands on her shoulders as he came to step behind her. "We have the food cooking, the altar is set, and the space for the bonfire is prepared." He pressed a kiss to the top of her curls. "Everything will go well."
Hermione glanced at the altar. "Does it need more flowers? Maybe a few more candles?"
"The house is overflowing with fresh flowers," Severus muttered. "I swear, Hermione, my sinus cannot take anymore fragrant flowers in our house."
Hermione turned in his arms. "Sorry," she said sheepishly. Leaning up on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to his nose. "Thank you for putting up with me… And all of this." She blushed.
Severus gave her a small smile. "I should have known that you'd be over the top with it." He shook his head but didn't stop smiling.
"You know I thoroughly research everything," she pointed out. "One of the many reasons you love me," she teased.
"Yes, it is." He brushed his lips against hers tenderly. "Now, why don't you go and get changed? Potter and the Weasley's will be here shortly."
"Oh, Merlin! Look at the time, I still have to braid my hair and-"
Severus cut her off with another kiss. "Relax, Hermione, and go get ready."
She opened her mouth to talk, but Severus gave her a gentle push. "Okay, okay," she said, dashing into the house to get ready. She knew that it would only take Severus a moment to change into his green robes.
Entering their bedroom, she paused to take a deep breath. She didn't know why she was so stressed about the Beltane ritual. She wanted it to be perfect.
Of course, she knew she wanted everything to go perfectly because Severus and her wanted to have a baby. She wanted the celebration to bring growth and fertility into their lives. Severus had assured her even if she didn't get pregnant, it wouldn't change things between them, but Hermione felt the pressure. She wanted to be able to get pregnant. Dolohov's curse had left some unwanted effects on her, but hopefully, the magic of Beltane would counteract the dark magic of his curse.
"Let's do this hair," she said, going into the bathroom. Using her wand, she quickly finagled her hair into a loose braid. Once she assured that her hair was styled the way that she wanted, she got the flower crown she had made earlier that day.
The crown was beautifully done. The lace and ribbons woven throughout the flowers were a nice touch. Fixing it atop her, she positioned it just right.
"Now, the dress." Sliding into the emerald dress, she loved the way it looked on her. The dress had long sleeves, with lots of fabric that flowed as she moved with it.
Between the dress and flower crown, Hermione thought she looked like a fairy. It was exactly the vibe she was looking for.
"You look ethereal," Severus said from the doorway, his eyes wide as he took in her appearance. "Like a beautiful goddess of spring."
"You think so?" Hermione asked, turning to face him. "It's not… Too much?"
"For the extravagant celebration we're doing here? No, it's perfect." He crossed the room and kissed her lightly. "I finished everything else. We just need to light the fire and set the table."
"Perfect," Hermione murmured. "Why don't you get changed, and I'll meet you downstairs?"
"Sounds like a plan, sweetness."
Her stomach was floating with butterflies as she slipped down the stairs. Everything is going to be fine, she assured herself.
Hermione swayed to the soft music, staring at the warm glow of the fire. The evening had gone incredible, in her opinion. The lamb had been cooked to perfection, and even Molly Weasley had said that she did a wonderful job with the meal. She had even seen Severus sneak seconds and thirds of her hot cross buns.
"Beautifully done, Hermione," Ginny said, coming over and resting her head on Hermione's shoulder. "Tonight was beautiful."
"Really? It wasn't… Too much?"
Ginny laughed. "Of course it was, but we all expected that it would be. But seriously, even my mum loved the food."
"That will certainly be one of the best moments of my life," Hermione said with a giggle.
"Well, it's getting late and Harry and I will be heading out," she said. "Hopefully take advantage of this Beltane magic," she said with a wink. "I've been hoping for baby number three."
"Oh, Merlin, are you hoping to start your own Quidditch team?" Hermione teased.
"Merlin help us all," Severus grumbled, coming up behind them and wrapping his arms around Hermione's waist. "Two little Potters are enough. Hogwarts won't be able to handle three."
"Yes, but this way, you're little one will have a friend the same age," Ginny teased, winking at Hermione. "But I'll be rounding up everyone so you two can engage the rest of the night in peace."
"Thank you, Ginny," Hermione said, giving her a smile.
"Oi! Potters and Weasleys, let's move it out!" Ginny shouted, looking around the backyard.
There was a chaotic moment of everyone saying their farewells and shortly after, it was just Hermione and Severus in their backyard.
"Shall we go upstairs?" Severus whispered in her ear as he kissed her neck.
"Can we do it here?" She asked, letting out a breathy moan as his hands caressed her body. "Something about being here in nature is calling to me… It feels right."
"Your wish is my command," Severus said, turning her to face him. He claimed her lips in a bruising kiss before lowering her to the ground, where the two of them celebrated the renewal of life and, hopefully, their coming fertility.