Severus led Hermione through a graceful waltz, admiring the sight before him. No pureblood witch in her right mind would have done what Hermione did without a hesitation. Their obsession with perfection was too hard to ignore after years of socialisation and dedication to always being more and better than others. There were many witches in excellently tailored robes and dresses tonight, their hair coiffed without a single hair out of place. And yet they all paled in comparison to the brave and beautiful witch in his very arms.
When Potter first suggested showing up at the Ministry ball as a united front against their antics, he didn't yet know that Hermione will be the one to make the biggest wave. And as Severus inconspicuously looked around, he found that nearly every set of eyes in the room was looking at them. Usually he would have been glad to stay under the radar to get it over with, but he felt nothing but pride as he easily led Hermione into an elegant turn.
When she came down the stairs that night, he couldn't help himself but stare. The silver velvet dress was serving two purposes; making him rather speechless (no pun intended), and most certainly making a point. The sleeves were three-quarter length, revealing her smooth right forearm, and the left that clearly showed the still furiously red 'Mudblood' carved into her soft skin. The fabric barely skimmed the top of her shoulders before dipping down into a moderate cleavage, the wide, puckered scar left by Dolohov's curse clearly on display in a prominent, jagged line between her collarbone and the valley between her breasts. The fabric came in a little at the waist before falling beautifully to the floor.
Her hair was pinned up into a simple chignon, and Severus nearly protested the confinement of such a mane. That was until she twirled around and showed him the back. The dress dipped down, brushing her spine around the 8th Thoracic vertebrae, showing off that lovely neck of hers, and the intricate criss-cross of silvery, thin lines left by Avery's Sectumsempra during the final battle. When she turned to look at him again, Severus noticed the fire and the pride in her eyes, and realised rather fiercely that he was in love with this magnificent human being.
He stepped closer and pressed a kiss to her knuckles gallantly. You take my breath away with your beauty this eve, madam.
Hermione positively beamed at the adoration he caressed her mind with. And you look most handsome yourself, sir. She reached up and smoothed the collar of his robes. Do you still desire for me to be your companion for the ball, knowing now how I wish to attend it? she asked, determined to show that a war survivor looked far from perfect and polished, but didn't want to compromise Severus' own situation.
Without thinking too deeply about it, Severus pulled her closer into his body and leaned down to join their lips together for the first time, in a firm yet tender kiss. Hermione sighed contentedly, knowing in all honesty that the kiss was months in the making. They have grown closer steadily as friends, as colleagues, and the intimacy of mental communication only aided in strengthening their bond. There was an underlying tension to some of their interactions, Hermione could feel it. She knew they came to mean to each other more than they appeared, but did not wish to overstep. It was not unheard of for a Master and their Apprentice to get romantically involved, but her own ethical conduct have warred with her desires for a few weeks now. Not tonight. She felt no scruples, only the warmth of Severus' thin lips as he held her closer. When they pulled apart, there was no need for words as they felt the other's affection through their mental bond.
And Severus was a rather delightful dancer, as Hermione soon found out. Their entrance was first met with a shocked silence, followed by the rise of murmured gossip.
"Granger and the Death Eater?"
"What happened to her?"
"Is she under the Imperius curse?"
"Look at the scars! Do you think they're real from the war?"
"How ugly. I knew she was a tasteless mudblood…."
Neither of them paid the remarks any mind after years of riding the tide of public opinion. After saying a brief hello to Harry and Ava, Severus whisked Hermione off to the dance floor, much to her delight. She felt the looks and the glares, heard the malicious whispers all around them, and yet she felt comfortable.
It's a pleasure to dance with someone who has a talent and appreciation for the art, Severus whispered to her senses, the words caressing her mind tenderly.
Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand gently as he led her into another graceful turn. I miss it sometimes. The last time I danced was at the Yule Ball years ago. But before then, mum and I would always dance in our living room. She was the one who taught me, she explained.
Severus remained his neutral expression, yet his eyes held warmth at how freely she opened up to him still. Perhaps we may yet make a habit of it on days when we do not feel like working, he proposed.
Perhaps, Hermione agreed just as the song ended and the orchestra switched to a soft blues tune which had Severus pulling her closer into his body.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, not wishing to irritate the scars on his neck which were already somewhat chaffed by the pressed shirt under his robes. Severus' hands were placed respectfully at her lower back, but she caught a hint of desire in his eyes and pressed but an inch closer into his warmth.
I think we made a good point tonight, but maybe we could head home early? she asked, as two dances and their previous mingling were considered an appropriate effort in compliance with the Ministry request for attendance. Well, without giving into their rules too much.
Severus nodded as they swayed slowly. What would you have us do the rest of the eve? he asked, not sure he wanted to see her out of that gorgeous dress just yet.
Can we read in bed? Like we did on our trip to Wales? she asked, but saw that he caught on her unasked question.
Their weekend in Wales remained one of her fondest memories of all times. Their time there had been so peaceful, and somehow sleeping so close to each other was not discomfiting in the least. But it was a one-time occurrence due to their booking mishap, and they kept their space upon returning home. They would occasionally fall asleep on the sofa while reading in the evening, and always woke in a tangle of sleepy limbs. But it was never deliberate, never discussed or made a big deal. This time however, Hermione was asking whether he was comfortable in sharing his bed with her that night without the pressure of forward insinuations or expectations.
Severus did not answer, as the song ended with a smooth saxophone note, and he took a step back, bowing to her as was the etiquette at the end of the dance. Hermione curtsied slightly and took his offered elbow, the pair striding out of the large ballroom elegantly to the sound of outraged tongue-waggling.
Hermione gently knocked on his open doorframe and smiled at the sight of the man already in his cotton pyjamas.
May I? she asked, motioning at his bed.
Severus nodded, sweeping his hand in an open gesture towards the luxurious bed in a silent invitation. Hermione padded over softly on bare feet, and crawled under the warm fleece blankets in her knickers and top. She never believed in lingerie, finding it rather pointless and impractical. She was who she was, and Severus knew her better than anyone. If he could live with her simple tastes and scars, she could live with his intense personality. They were human, not perfect. She let her hair fall down and pulled her glasses down from the mane to her nose, sighing in regret at her eyesight finally giving up on her after so many years of studying by odious lighting. She was far from blind but the strain caused her migraines, so she gave in and got the blasted reading glasses. At least she wasn't the only one, Hermione grinned, looking at the small pair of oval glasses in an elegant silver frame by Severus' bedside. She rarely saw him wear them, but when he did, she would catch herself occasionally studying his features.
Severus Snape may not be a handsome man by most standards, his features somewhat harsh still despite filling out over the years. But Hermione found the large Roman nose rather fitting in the setting of his face, and the intensity and expression in those espresso eyes always made a delightful shiver travel the length of her spine. Each to their own, as the saying went.
Severus settled beside her, his gaze flicking momentarily to Hermione's chest where she knew her nipples were possibly denting the soft cotton of her top. She merely smiled and continued to read Isherwood's compelling story, leaning somewhat into the warmth radiating from Severus' body. He suddenly raised his arm and slid it around her shoulders, pulling lightly to offer her better closeness. Hermione shuffled a little, her back pressed to his still slightly distinguishable ribcage, and felt the man's arm wind around her waist before settling comfortably on her belly. She leaned further into the embrace and laced their fingers over her stomach, leaving them each with a hand to hold the books and turn the pages. It was what both of them always wanted more than anything; peaceful companionship. And it appeared they finally found it in each other's arms.
Severus's callused thumb was absent-mindedly stroking Hermione's flat belly a few hours later before she yawned and closed her book in resignation. She felt the arm around her momentarily tighten on reflex and turned her head up to offer a sleepy smile. May I stay? she asked hopefully. Severus took off his glasses and closed his own book, nodding for her to get comfortable. Hermione set everything on the bedside table and looked for her hair tie to get the riotous mane out of the way.
Let it live. You would have lost the tie at night anyway, Severus' chuckling response caressed her mind.
Hermione huffed a bit but shuffled lowed under the warm blankets, stretching out comfortably and most readily to get some rest. She looked at Severus for a moment before shuffling closer to the middle of the bed and smiled when the man turned to lie on his side and pulled her body close until he was stretched out along the length of her back. How he managed to sleep without her hair suffocating him, she didn't know and probably never will. But it was her hair that he always ended up breathing in while they slept, so she made the offering freely. They didn't even manage a good night before darkness consumed them.
1st June 2000
Hermione grumbled a little, waking slowly to something tickling her shoulder persistently. Oh. Severus chuckled against her shoulder blade and moved away, encouraging her to wake up.
What time is it? she asked sleepily, the connection between their minds easy and a bit lazy due to the early morning.
Only just passed 5 o'clock. I thought you may wish to wake slowly and have breakfast before we head to Paris, he caressed her side while she stretched languidly before curling into his warmth.
Hmmmmm we really should…but I really don't want to move yet… she pressed her forehead against his breastbone and breathed the man in. Bergamot, sandalwood, sleep, and something solely Severus, her most favourite scent in the world.
Severus chuckled and pulled her closer into his body. I can make breakfast this morn if that is your wish, he suggested, but hardly wanted to get out of the warm bed and away from the sleepy woman in his arms.
Noooo, stay a bit longer? she asked, giving him the option.
Severus gladly obliged and nudged her thigh, enjoying her sleepy chuckle as she swung it up around his hip and pressed him back into the mattress to better settle atop his lean frame. He couldn't help himself but map the curve of her soft-skinned hips down to her plush bottom, squeezing the cheeks to pull her closer. Hermione looked blindly for a hair tie to get her mass of curls out of her face but it was no use. Severus sometimes cheekily vanished it just because he loved her looking like Medusa. She couldn't even complain with the man being a Slytherin….
With a sigh she sat up astride his hips and pushed her curls back, summoning a sturdy hair clip to secure them back. Severus raised an unimpressed brow but Hermione merely rolled her eyes and leaned down to catch his lips in a kiss. That certainly sweetened the deal and Severus wrapped his arms around her once more, enjoying the soft weight of the young woman atop him. Ever-since the memorial ball a month ago, they've opened themselves to the one avenue of closeness and intimacy that they haven't explored yet properly; physical affection. Hermione now rarely slept in her room, the comfort of having someone to keep the bed warm with and hold affectionately was unmistakeable and hard to relinquish. So she didn't. And Severus was more than happy to share this part of himself with someone after so many years without companionship.
It was two years ago that he actually started to get to know his ex-student and the woman Hermione Granger became over the years. However actually sharing a home with her, seeing her many talents and passions, and her greatest imperfections equally, allowed for him to share himself on a level he had never shared with another human being. She had no illusions, knew who he was and how difficult he could be to live with sometimes, and yet she respected him for himself. It was a new feeling but he slowly grew to appreciate her for it even more. Having the freedom to appreciate her body along with her brilliant mind was truly a pleasure, and he offered his own in turn, which she accepted readily.
They have been entirely too busy over the past few weeks with specialty potions and further research into their combined thesis, which meant they rarely managed to do much more than crawl into bed utterly exhausted. They completed most of the workload on Monday, crashed for a day to rest, before getting on with preparations for a potions conference in Paris starting that Friday afternoon.
Hmmm… we need to finish packing, get ready, check in, and look properly at the program. I need to know what I'll have to wear and if we'll have any time during the weekend to see the city! Hermione mused excitedly through their mental connection while enjoying a languid kiss.
Severus decided her cognitive ability was entirely too focused still and slid his hand under the hem of her sleeping shirt, traveling up to cup a modest but perky breast. Hermione hummed in pleasure, arching into his warm, callused hand as she rolled her hips gently to tease back. Oh, now that wouldn't do. Severus rolled them over until he was hovering over the young woman and deepened their kiss while his dextrous fingers worked on getting the blasted t-shirt off. Right now.
Hermione had no qualms about wiggling up to get the t-shirt off, huffing irritably when she finally got it over her head but found her vision obscured by her hair. Severus chuckled at her predicament and she would have given him a right glare, if he didn't nip her nipple at that very moment and forced the breath out of her. It's been entirely too long…. They never got there with Ron, something about their kisses never quite managed to motivate her enough. She was by no means completely inexperienced, but it has been a while and her body was throbbing with heat for the touch of another.
Severus could smell her arousal and continued to toy with her soft breasts while hooking his fingers in the waistband of her sleeping shorts. Hermione raised her hips in encouragement and he pulled the cloth off, groaning in delight when he leaned back down to kiss her and her hips rubbed against his belly. The coarse curls at the apex of her thighs were damp with her need and Severus couldn't help himself but leave their kiss to taste her. They knew of each other's body, there was no embarrassment about nudity or modesty when it came to healing. But to familiarise themselves with each other's body like this was a kind of intimacy Severus wasn't privy to in his life before. Especially since their minds were still connected and their pleasure mingling together.
Uhh….OH…big nose…good… Hermione's thoughts all jumbled in pleasure made him chuckle against her quivering core. He was well aware what his sizeable nose was rubbing against. Yes, there were indeed some perks to having a big nose.
You are aware that I can hear you, my dear… he drawled huskily, teasingly in her mind and watched her pupils dilate further.
Insufferable…man…oooh right there… her hand slid into his hair and clutched at his raven locks, encouraging him further.
Severus relished her lack of shyness, and the freedom with which she opened to the pleasure he was giving her. Her breath hitched and he felt her thighs tensing around his head before she arched with a hoarse cry, tightening around his lapping tongue for a few shaky seconds. She flopped back against the bunched up blankets, trying to catch her breath and urging Severus up over her body. She chuckled a bit breathlessly and leaned up to lick his nose cheekily, tasting herself without a care for the world. Severus was admittedly enchanted by how comfortable she was with him. Hermione caught his lips in a kiss as her hand reached down to the hardness tenting his pyjamas, smiling at the feel of his eagerness. He groaned when she wrapped her slender fingers around his length and ground his hips into the touch.
I want to feel you… Hermione's mind whispered to his, the spark of arousal lit once again within her.
Severus reached towards her with his mental touch, their need, passion and pleasure merging and enhancing one another as they grew impatient and quickly disposed of the last remaining garment between them. Hermione rolled them over and settled astride his hips, her breasts just barely brushing his chest as she kissed him once more and straightened up.
Slowly, it may hurt, he warned her and she nodded, having read up on the possible effects of hysterectomy on her sexual life.
Bear with me, she warned, taking a deep breath as she felt him nudge her entrance.
Severus held onto her hips to help steady her, and had to grit his teeth at the incredible feel of her as she began to descent his length inch by torturous inch. Hermione frowned for a moment at she felt a little sensitive and tender, his girth stretching muscles that haven't been used in a while. But once she was settled, she found there was no pain, and very little discomfort. Some women suffered the loss of pleasure in penetrative sex after a hysterectomy, but it seemed she was lucky.
She wiggled her hips a little to make sure she was settled and Severus' fingers dug into her soft flesh in restraint. I'm alright, come here… she urged, until he sat up and she could wrap her arms around him.
No pain? Severus asked, but she could feel the strain, the pleasure slowly eroding his cognitive coherence.
Just you and I, she reassured and pulled him into a kiss as she began working her hips.
Their minds remained connected without focus or effort, so used to being open to one another that they let themselves just feel. Severus knew he won't last, it has been too long, and Hermione's sensitive body was gripping him and pulsing around him with her approaching orgasm far too early. He pressed her down against the bed and thrust into her a little harder, pulling a hoarse cry from Hermione's lips as the pleasure shook them. Higher and higher they climbed, Severus' pleasure feeding hers and making her body all the more tighter. It was an incredible high to be connected like this, and the string snapped entirely too early for both their wishes when Hermione tensed beneath Severus with her climax and he followed her mere seconds afterwards with a dry cry of his damaged throat.
Severus separated their bodies carefully and rolled to lie beside her, both of them taking a moment to stretch and catch their breath. He quickly checked for any blood but there was none, and Hermione seemed to be doing well. Still no pain? he asked, reaching out to caress her belly in simple affection.
Hermione hummed and squirmed a little. Just a tad sore but nothing unbearable. I think I should be fine long-term, she offered a contented smile.
Severus summoned a clean flannel and a pot of soothing salve, slathering one side of the soft cloth before parting her thighs and quickly cleaning her up, setting the salve to soak into her tender flesh. Keep it for a few minutes, he advised and closed her thighs again gently.
Hermione reached up and cupped his cheek, pulling him into a gentle kiss. Thank you, love, the words so natural she didn't even pause to think them through before caressing his mind with them. Severus felt his heart beat just a little faster for a moment, the loving words causing a reaction in his whole being. He leaned down to share one more kiss before carefully covering her cooling skin with the warm blankets.
Any chance for breakfast in bed before we hit the shower and finish packing? she asked hopefully, her tummy grumbling a little hungrily.
Severus got up and cast a quick cleaning charm over his form while pulling on his sleeping pants. Any special orders?
Ooooh coffee please, the Turkish one with cardamom. And eggs…no, actually some toast and jam….wait, no… she teased as he rolled his eyes at her cheek and started on his way to the kitchen.
Make me a sandwich, my strong, old man! she called, even her mental voice shaking with laughter. She yelped a moment later at the well-aimed Stinging hex that hit her foot. "Severus Snape! You did not just hex me!" she called in mock-outrage.
Severus snickered quietly. Oh I'll make you a sandwich alright, dear, he thought to himself easily as he set the cafetière on the hob. What a way to start the day…