Work Text:
Hermione felt the imminent need to drop. She knew it was going to happen soon; her head felt like a bowling ball resting on a toothpick, filled with cotton. The relentless demands at work, the looming deadlines, and the pressure to excel had been giving her whiplash. She should have confided in Draco days ago, but the overwhelming workload and the stress of perfectionism took precedence.
As an omega Hermione needed a drop or release when certain emotions became too overwhelming – guilt, sadness, stress – anything that brought the omega’s mood down. A release brought the omega’s biochemistry back to normal levels. If it didn’t happen, omegas could become extremely sick or, in the worst-case scenario, die. Usually, omegas stay level by being dominated by their alpha, but when mood-dampening emotions become too much, a release is necessary on top of the domination.
Now, as she stumbled through the front door of Grimmauld Place, clutching her bag and work papers, the consequences of her silence began to manifest.
"Hermione love? You're home early?" Harry called from the kitchen. A small whine escaped her throat at the sound of her beta's voice. Harry stuck his head out of the kitchen into the hallway. "Love?"
He approached her cautiously scenting the air as he drew closer. His eyes narrowed slightly, "Hermione are you dropping?" She stood a little straighter and attempted what felt like balancing her head on her neck.
"I'm fine Harry, I think I just need to go and have a lie-down." He stepped closer to her and rested a hand on the back of her neck, Hermione leaned into the heat of the touch suppressing another whine as she took in his scent taking comfort in its familiarity.
Beta scents while not as strong as an alphas could still provide a source of comfort for omegas in distress. They were often used to calm environments that could potentially be hostile which was why betas were often used as negotiators or for conflict resolution.
Harry sighed a little and started prying her bag and papers out of her hands. “Do we need to make a new rule about suppressing drops?” He questioned, she whined a little they most certainly did not.
“No.” She replied, annoyed at the fact he could tell when she was purposefully putting off her drop.
Harry nodded, “So let's try again, are you suppressing or refusing to drop?” He asked as he placed his fingers under Hermione’s chin to lift her eyes to meet his.
“Yes,” she whispered, unable to bring herself to lie to him again. He hummed lowly in his chest, a sound that her mates had learned brought comfort to her. Now that Hermione had admitted it, she knew she was going to drop soon. Her body felt tingly, and her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton.
“Alright, love. Let’s get you taken care of. I promise you will feel better.” He placed a kiss on her forehead and led her through the doors and into the living room.
He sat her down on her favourite armchair and pulled his wand out of his back pocket. His stag appeared as he flicked his wand and she could hear him muttering for a moment before the stag bounded out of the room.
"Alright love, I've called Draco he'll be here soon. I just need you to hang on for a little bit longer." Harry turned and took in the sight of her curled up on the chair with her head resting on one of the arms. He began rubbing her arm in a comforting motion. It was as if the moment one of her mates had begun giving her attention, her whole body felt on fire.
The fire consuming her body would not go away, her skin felt tingly, and her head began feeling fuzzy. Hermione knew realistically a drop was on its way, and from everything she had read about dropping, she should have dealt with it days ago when her emotions truly began getting too strong for her to handle. Of course, she didn’t, and now she was dealing with the mood swings that came before a drop.
The muffled sound of the front door opening and closing in the entrance hall caught Harry's attention and he stopped rubbing her arm. They both listened to Draco’s sharp footsteps as he strode down the corridor, waiting for him to appear in the doorway to the living room.
His broad physique filled up the doorway and Hermione had to work hard to focus on their alpha. It felt as if she were watching him through the wrong end of one of those telescopes she had as a child, the kind that made people look far away, but actually, they weren’t. She blinked slowly, her head feeling like it was stuffed with cotton. When her eyes opened Draco’s face swam into view in front of her, his eyes filled with concern
He lifted a hand to cup her cheek and she leant into it and basked in the warmth that it gave her. His lips quirked knowingly and he brought his other hand up to smooth the wild chestnut curls out of her face.
“Oh, you’re dropping fast aren’t you sweetheart?” He asked as he continued to stare into her eyes. Her body felt as if it was dipped into a pit of lava at the pet name.
A sharp pang of guilt cleared her head for a moment and she felt tears stinging her eyes.
"Draco I'm sorry," She whimpered. "I know I should have said something but I had so much to do and I thought it would be ok for another day and then that turned into two days and-" Her babbling was cut off by Draco wrapping his long fingers around her throat, squeezing gently.
“Breathe,” he commanded. She had frozen completely still, mouth still open cut off mid-sentence.
"Alpha." The single word was paired with a deep whine ripped from the back of her throat.
"Easy, Omega." He rumbled, his thumb stroked up and down the side of her throat, the gesture slightly soothing her guilt.
"You're not angry?" Her voice came out small. He huffed quietly and leant his forehead on hers. She inhaled his scent and he answered her question.
"No sweetheart, I'm not angry with you. I should have seen it coming. It is my job to look after you, not the other way around." Draco's firm yet gentle tone lingered in the air, his thumb continuing to stroke the side of Hermione's throat. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead before continuing, "Your well-being is my priority. We face challenges together, sweetheart."
Draco gently guided her out of the chair manoeuvring them so that she stood in front of him while he took her place in the chair. He pulled her closer and gestured for her to climb over his lap.
Hermione looked at him one last time for reassurance, and she saw nothing but the sincerity and love in his handsome face. Satisfied, she allowed herself to be guided over his lap, knowing that the forthcoming moments would bring the comfort she desperately sought.
The comforting rhythm of the spanking began. Left, right, right sit spot, left sit spot, left lower thigh, right lower thigh. Draco never missed a beat; the familiar pattern provided the subconscious security that omegas needed during these moments.
Amid the firm swats, Draco whispered words of reassurance and praise, reminding Hermione of her worth and strength in vulnerability. The room filled with the rhythmic sound of his hand meeting her skin, creating a sanctuary within the shared space.
Draco's voice was a soothing undercurrent that accompanied the discipline. "You're doing so well, sweetheart. I've got you." His words formed a protective shield, shielding Hermione from the lingering guilt that had plagued her.
Hermione’s head was tingling, her heart rate began picking up pace, and she felt a sudden pull in her chest and head. Draco continued with the pattern, scenting her pheromones beginning to peak and listening to her breathing beginning to even out. As the spanking continued, she felt a shift within herself. The weight of suppressed emotions lifted, making room for vulnerability.
As the wave of the drop engulfed her, Hermione's senses were overwhelmed by a cascade of sensations. It was as if the ocean of emotions had reached its peak, crashing over her with an irresistible force. In that moment, the boundaries between the physical and the emotional blurred, and she felt herself descending, sinking into the depths of her quiet ocean.
The descent was swift, a free fall into the recesses of her mind. Images and fragments of thoughts danced around her like luminescent sea creatures, each representing a facet of her consciousness. Yet, despite the tumultuous descent, there was an odd sense of calm, a surrender to the currents that carried her.
As she sank deeper, the sounds of the outside world grew distant, replaced by the gentle hum of the ocean. The weightlessness enveloped her, and Hermione felt suspended in a timeless expanse. It was a journey inward, a retreat to the core of her being.
Suddenly, the descent halted, and she found herself cradled in warmth. The transition was seamless as if the ocean had transformed into a protective cocoon.
She floated in this serene pocket of existence, a quiet observer of her thoughts. The emotional tides that had pulled her under were replaced by a tranquil sea, and Hermione allowed herself to be carried by the gentle currents. The worries that had plagued her moments ago were now distant echoes, and she existed in a state of serene detachment.
Minutes felt like seconds, and hours felt like fleeting moments. The boundaries between reality and the abstract blurred, creating a dreamscape where emotions were fluid, and the distinction between self and surroundings faded.
After a while, Hermione was aware of being wrapped in a blanket, snug and secure. The firm and warm foundation surrounding her offered a sense of stability amidst the fluidity of omegaspace. She knew subconsciously she was floating, but she honestly didn't care. She focused on taking in the scent of her Alpha. He smelt clean and warm, like clean linens, worn soft leather on a warm spring day and the slightest hint of mint.
She felt warm and safe, bundled up against him. His strong heartbeat drummed in her ear, pushing her further down into her serene little pocket. Her head felt too light for her body like it was going to float away. Hermione giggled at the thought, and her alpha let out a rumbling chuckle.
“What’s so funny, darling?” He asked, hoisting her up a little in his lap so she could see his face.
Everything was a little blurry, she had to focus hard to see his face. She brought her hand to his face, feeling the stubble there feeling his cheeks move as he smiled.
“You feeling a little floaty down there sweetheart?” He asked, still smiling. Hermione liked his smile, he had nice teeth. She liked her Alpha, no. She loved him. She loved her mates, she had another mate. Where was he? She whimpered a little, confused at everything going on. Deciding that was a thought for another time, she laid back down on his chest.
The shirt he had on was grey and soft. She grabbed it, rubbing the fabric between her fingers and bringing the fabric that was completely saturated in his scent to her nose. She vaguely registered another voice in the room, but they sounded so far away.
“Finally got her down, huh?” The voice was closer now. Beta scent filled her senses, she didn’t need to move from the spot on her alpha
"Yeah, she needed it badly. She was suppressing her drop. Isn't that right, sweetheart?” Draco asked softly before looking down at her. She continued playing with her Alpha’s soft shirt, purring in response when she felt his chest vibrate a little from him talking.
Hermione looked up from her place on his chest and noticed someone was standing behind him. Again she had to force her eyes to focus on who it was. He had wild black hair, and glasses sat slightly crooked on his nose. She immediately liked the hair and reached out to touch it.
As if knowing what Hermione wanted, he leaned over the back of the sofa to come closer to them. “Hello love, look at you, you're down far, huh? Is Draco taking care of you?”
They sat in silence, other than Draco whispering the occasional sweet nothing into her ear. He continued with his hold on Hermione, keeping consistent pressure on her back to ground her and keep her dropped. At some point, the beta's muffled voice was talking again, but no part of her could care about who it was. Until a pair of lips pressed a kiss to the crown of her head.
“Hermione sweetheart, do you think you can come back to me now?"
She could, but Hermione didn't want to. For a second she contemplated ignoring the request, but all she wanted right now was to make the alpha that was holding her happy. She was coming up almost before she realised it, though it took a while. Draco petted her arms and shoulders and back the whole time, whispering praise in his ear. Telling Hermione that she was good, so good and that she did everything Draco wanted her to do.
Coming up from a drop was an odd thing, it felt like drifting on the ocean floor one moment, and the next thing being pushed to the surface without a warning. Everything returning to normal. Sight, hearing, feeling, it all came back at once.
Hermione let her body respond to Draco’s coaxing, letting out a shuddered breath when she felt everything return. She was suddenly aware of everything around her once again. Draco's arms wrapped around her in a protective embrace, and the love in his eyes reflected the strength of their connection.
The room slowly came into focus, the muted colours intensifying as the haze of omegaspace lifted. The familiar scent of Grimmauld Place, a mixture of ancient wood and the comforting aroma of shared moments, filled her senses.
Draco's thumb traced gentle circles on the small of her back, a grounding gesture that tethered her to the present.
"You did amazing, sweetheart," he whispered, she snuggled closer in his embrace, his voice a soothing balm. "I've got you." A soft smile curved Draco's lips, radiating reassurance. The echo of the drop lingered, but it was overshadowed by the warmth of his embrace.
Harry knelt beside her offering a reassuring smile. She caught a wave of his beta scent, fresh grass and new parchment paper. "You're back with us, love. How are you feeling?"
She took a moment to collect her thoughts, the ebb and flow of emotions settling into a gentle rhythm. "I feel... different," she admitted, her voice carrying a tinge of vulnerability. "But in a good way. Lighter."
Draco nodded in understanding, his fingers gently tracing patterns on her arm. "That's the beauty of the drop, sweetheart. It cleanses the heaviness, makes room for clarity." Hermione hummed in acknowledgement. His gaze held hers, a silent acknowledgement of the transformative power of the drop. They sat together, basking in the warmth of the shared understanding that defined their unique connection.
The evening unfolded at a gentle pace, the mates finding comfort in each other's company. As the night deepened, Hermione found herself nestled in the centre of their shared space. The echoes of the drop were replaced by the harmonious melody of their shared camaraderie.
In a lull of conversation, Harry's voice cut through the air. "You know, we're planning a little getaway this weekend. Thought it might be nice for all of us to unwind. What do you think, Hermione?"
The idea sparked a glimmer of excitement in Hermione, and her scent became noticeably sweeter. "A getaway? Where are we going?" she asked. Harry grinned and reached behind her to teasingly tug a lock of Draco’s icy blonde hair, earning him a warning rumble from his Alpha in response.
“Careful darling, I can have you over my knee as well.” He drawled lowly. Harry's cheeks grew pink, but he responded with a cheeky tongue-out gesture. Draco, ever the provocateur, unwrapped one arm from Hermione and reached for Harry, gripping the back of his neck and pulling him closer. Their faces were now only inches apart, and a charged atmosphere enveloped the trio.
“This weekend just started to get more interesting,” he rumbled. Harry's exhale was sharp, his scent taking on a spicier note as he rested his forehead against Draco's. The chemistry between them was palpable, a dance of desires that only intensified the closeness.
“Maybe this is exactly what I had planned,” Harry mumbled quietly. He pressed his lips briefly to Draco's, a tantalizing promise that lingered in the air. Hermione watched the exchange fondly, craning her neck to place a kiss on Draco's jaw. The warmth of their connection was a living entity, binding them in a dance of shared pleasures.
Draco released Harry, allowing him to reposition himself. Draco leaned in, breathing in the sweet scent of a happy and relaxed omega. His gaze, fixed on Hermione, held a promise of more shared moments.
"A cozy cabin in the countryside. Just the three of us, away from the hustle and bustle. What do you say?"
Hermione's heart warmed at the thought of an intimate escape with her mates. "I say it sounds perfect."
The prospect of a secluded weekend filled with the shared warmth of their bond ignited a spark of excitement in each of them. Draco's eyes glinted with anticipation, and Harry's playful grin spoke volumes about the mischief he had in mind.
"I've always believed in the therapeutic effects of a countryside retreat," Draco said, smirking down at his two mates making them both shiver a little.
"As long as there's a fireplace and some good books, I'm in," Hermione quipped teasingly.
Both Draco and Harry made sounds of amusement, the noise filling the room. "Consider it arranged, then. A weekend escape to unwind and make more unforgettable memories." He said leaning down once again to brush his lips against hers.
Hermione leaned against both of them, feeling the security of their embrace. The anticipation of the upcoming weekend filled her with a sense of joy.
As night settled over Grimmauld Place, Hermione found herself reflecting on the intricate dance of emotions that defined their existence. The drop, with its ebb and flow, was a reminder of the delicate balance they maintained as mates. Each challenge, each drop, only served to fortify their unity, reinforcing the strength that came from vulnerability.