Every couple of weeks as their schedules allowed, Hermione and Ginny met in Diagon Alley to have coffee at a cafe that they started frequenting in school. They didn't see each other often in their day-to-day lives, so this filled their innate need for feminine interaction.

"I can't believe you would do that!" Ginny exclaimed, sitting down with her cup across from her friend. "You can't just send me an owl about how you and Severus are dating and then not say anything else about it!"

Hermione smiled over the rim of her cup, playing the demure girlfriend as she sipped her drink. She knew that the longer she delayed talking about her relationship, the more it would drive Ginny crazy.

"Hermione!"

"Alright, alright! I'll tell you!" Hermione laughed. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything!"

"I don't know what that means, Gin. You already know most of it. I just asked him to dinner one night and it just kept going."

"You asked him?"

"Yes I did! There's nothing wrong with me asking him!" Hermione replied defensively. "Anyway, I was tired of waiting."

"So, what do you think? It's been, what a month? Where is this going?" Ginny asked, her cheek perched on her hand as she leaned across the table.

"Three months, actually. And yeah, it's good," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Really good, actually. We talk a lot. We stop by each other's work almost every day. I feel like it's right, Gin. I never felt like it was right with Ron or anyone else I've dated. I'm just comfortable being around him. He isn't intimidated by how smart I am. We argue and debate, and then move on to another topic. He makes me feel beautiful and special, but ordinary at the same time. He doesn't treat me like I'm someone famous. He just treats me like a woman."

Ginny knew how important it was for Hermione to feel normal. All through school, she was the smart, perfect one and treated thusly. After school, she was part of the Golden Trio and a hero to the Wizarding World. Everything she did publically was newsworthy. She was invited to parties and galas, awards ceremonies and dedications. Harry and Ron had excuses with their rigorous Auror training, extensive travel for their jobs, and mountains of paperwork. Hermione on the other hand was a teacher. She had weekends off and most evenings to herself. If someone really wanted to ensure that she would be at an event, they just had to ask Minerva what Hermione's schedule was, and Hermione would all of a sudden find her schedule cleared and an obligation to attend a party she had no desire to go to.

It was impressive that their relationship has stayed quiet for so long, and Ginny took that as a sign that it was serious.

"Do you love him?" the redhead asked softly.

Hermione thought for a moment, her teeth worrying her lip.

Do I love him? she asked herself. She'd never felt as comfortable with anyone as she did with him. She was herself and he allowed it. He made her feel like life after the war wasn't some far fetched dream that would take years and years to reach like she did when she was with Ron. She could see herself having his children and raising a family with him. She found that she wanted the things that he could offer her and would be happy. He was gentle and kind, patient from his trade as a potions master and teacher for so many years. There was very little that she didn't see herself doing with him.

"I...don't know. Maybe," Hermione responded with a grin. "I think I do, but I'm not sure."

"Have you had sex with him yet?"

"Ginny!"

"What?" Ginny asked with a lecherous smile. "We all want to know what's under our elusive Potions master's robes."

"You're disgusting, Gin," Hermione said with a laugh. "And no, we haven't had sex yet. We're waiting to see if this is something serious before we do that."

"You're just scared, aren't you?"

"Terrified," Hermione admitted. "What if I'm not good enough? What if I disappoint him or something? I mean, he must have much more experience than I do."

"You'll be fine, hon," Ginny said with a pat on her friend's hand. "You're Hermione Granger. Everything comes naturally to you. Don't over think it and you'll be just fine."

"Mmm," Hermione sipped her coffee, not quite believing her friend. "He's been asked to go to Romania for a few weeks to do some work. I suppose spending time away from each other is the best way for us to know if this is something that'll last or not."

"How long will he be gone?"

"About a month."

"Will he be back to take you to the wedding?"

Hermione nodded.

"He should be back long before that. He promised that he would escort me so I'd better not accept any other invitations."

Ginny smiled, bringing her cup to her lips.

"Good man."


It was the eve of Severus' departure and they were sitting on the floor of her room, a bottle of wine half gone and their homemade cheese plate sitting between them.

"Okay, now cover your eyes," Hermione commanded. Severus looked at her dubiously before slowly bringing his hand over his eyelids, peeking surreptitiously through his fingers. Hermione laughed before bringing her own hand to cover his. "No, cover them!"

"Okay, okay! They're covered!"

"Open your mouth."

His lips barely parted.

"More."

The crack between his lips widened further. With a smirk, Hermione loaded up a grape with a piece of bleu cheese before quickly slipping it between his lips.

"Now chew."

"Ugh! Gods, that's awful!" he exclaimed, taking a swig of wine and shoving a piece of the French baguette beside him into his mouth. Meanwhile, Hermione was practically rolling around on the floor, cackling from her little trick.

"What was that?"

"Bleu cheese. Terrible stuff by itself. It's magnificent on salads and pizza though."

"I don't believe you. That horrid stuff can't possibly be any good in anything but the compost," Severus muttered, wiping his tongue on a napkin.

As her laughter subsided, Hermione sipped her wine, watching him over the rim of the glass. She couldn't help but feel a bit melancholy about his departure. He was scheduled to go for only three weeks, but was warned that it may wind up being longer. She didn't say anything, but she desperately hoped that it wouldn't be that long.

"Stop worrying," he said softly. "I'll be back soon."

"I know. I'll just miss you," she replied.

Severus leaned over, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear and pressed a kiss to her temple. Hermione sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder, shuffling closer still. He turned his face toward the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her hair so that he may remember it during his time away.

Internally, he was chastising himself for acting so soft. He was only to be gone for a few weeks. There was no need to get so worked up over such a short amount of time. But he found that he didn't want to leave as much as he wanted to stay and that had all to do with her. He wanted to spend his days talking with her and working with her, spend his nights cuddling with her by the fire debating something they experienced during the day. The only reason he would want to go to Romania would be if she were going with him. His fingers brushed down her arm as he felt her fingers close around his bicep.

"I'm going to miss you too, Hermione," he whispered. "I'll be back before you know it."

The clock struck 11 over her mantle. With a resigned sigh, they separated as he rose to leave. He swung his cloak over his shoulders and turned toward Hermione. The firelight bathed her features in golden light, her curls glinting with copper and her cheeks rosy. It seemed that each time he looked at her, she simply became more and more beautiful.

"I must go. My Portkey is early in the morning and I still need to pack," he murmured, leaning down and pressing a kiss to her forehead. He straightened and turned towards the fireplace.

"Severus."

Her words halted him and just as he turned back to face her, her arms went around his neck. Her lips were pressed urgently against his, fingers knotted into his hair. Her entire body was pressed flush against his and his hands held her waist tightly against him, not a breath of air between them. Her tongue brushed against his lip, stroking against his in a desperate fashion. She felt the desire growing in her belly with each touch of their tongues, every tug his fingers made in her hair. She dragged breath in through her nose, unwilling to separate from his mouth even for something as necessary as that.

Sooner than she would have liked, their lips pulled apart and their foreheads pressed together. Her gaze met his and she saw the naked desire in his eyes, his ragged breath brushing her damp lips.

"I love you."

His expression didn't change a bit as her words left her lips. Their breaths mingled as his other hand came up to cup her cheek.

"I love you too."

Their lips met softly this time, languidly caressing against each other. It was a kiss of lovers, of care and understanding. It was a kiss that was seared into Hermione's heart and told Severus that he would always return to this woman, no matter what.

"I really must go, Hermione," Severus said roughly after pulling away.

Hermione bit her lip and was toying with a button on his shirt.

"Are you sure? You could stay here with me tonight."

With a groan, he pulled her flush against his body again.

"I would love to," Severus replied.

With barely an ounce of effort, Severus lifted her to wrap her legs around his waist. Her lips pressed against his again as she felt the heat of his belly against her. His hands came up and pushed her cardigan off her shoulders, revealing her braless figure through the skimpy tank top she wore underneath.

Confident, though unguided, Severus brought the couple the edge of Hermione's bed where he dropped her onto the comforter. She laughed and looked up at him through heavily lidded eyes. Her skirt had bunched itself up around the top of her thighs exposing a long line of pale flesh interrupted only by the black garter belt holding up her stockings. Her breasts heaved against her top, nipples showing clearly through the thin material and making his mouth water. Her reddened lips were parted, and her cheeks flushed from the passionate kisses.

"You're wearing far too many clothes, Severus."

Her soft words broke him out of his shameless ogling, and with sure fingers, he slid off his overcoat and started unbuttoning his waistcoat. He hooked his thumbs into his suspenders as Hermione rose up onto her knees to aid in the removal of his shirt. With a growl of impatience, she gripped each side of his shirt and pulled. The click of his buttons hitting the floor caused her to grin and run a fingernail down the center of his chest. He hissed at the sensitivity, shivering slightly.

Her tank top was the next to go. Her breasts were beautiful. They were pert and full, with nipples the color of ripe peaches. His thumb caressed the firm nub, causing a shiver of delight to course through her body. Her back arched enticingly as he closed his mouth around the little pebble, his tongue laving across the top as his teeth played against her areola. She was so lost in sensations; she almost didn't notice her skirt being pulled down her legs and her panties being removed underneath her garter.

"You may leave this on. I quite like the way it looks on you," Severus murmured huskily, his finger running along the edge of her garter belt.

With a cheeky smirk, Hermione rolled flipped them over, leaving Severus prone on his back. Her fingers started undoing the buttons on his trousers and yanked them off roughly. Her hand wrapped around the hard length of his shaft without hesitation, pulling and tugging as her thumb swiped across the head. He groaned at the sensation of her soft palm rubbing the underside and he gasped when he felt her fingers on his balls.

"Gods, Hermione. That's so...ungh! Oh fuuuuuuuck..." Severus moaned as her mouth descended on his cock. His hips bucked slightly as his the tip of his cock bumped against the back of her throat. His fingers dove deep in her hair, holding her head down against him as her rumbling moans sent shockwaves through his balls.

Without a word, he pulled her up off of him and flipped them over in one fluid motion. His lips pressed hard against hers as he hooked her legs over his elbows and slid his forearms under her shoulders. He surveyed her vulnerable position with a grin before placing his purple, swollen tip against her soaking wet core. With a slow, gentle press of his hips, the head of his cock slipped into her, causing them both to moan appreciatively.

"Ungh, you are so tight!" he murmured against her ear, as he plunged his cock deep into her, each stroke rubbing against her g-spot. Her head flung back against the pillow as her hips gyrated beneath him, urging him to move again.

"God, I need you Severus. Please, move!" His fingers bit into her shoulders as his hips pistoned roughly forward and back, adopting a fast and ferocious pace. He brought his hands around to pluck at her nipples as his lips nibbled against her neck. His warm breath caused tingles to go across her skin, her back arched further to press her breasts into his hands. His cock filled her so perfectly, stroked against her so completely, that she felt her climax approaching quickly. Her fingers clenched on his shoulders, nails biting into his skin as she let out a soft keen. "Ugh, so good, Severus! So good! I'm gonna come, yes!"

He felt her walls quiver around him as her body tensed, preparing for her release. He knew he wouldn't last much longer either and was determined to bring her first. With renewed vigour, he thrust harder and, deeper which earned him a squeal of pleasure from the woman beneath him. He watched as her mouth fell open, little gasps making her breasts bounce tantalisingly, her eyes rolling back in her head. He felt her tense upon his length as she wailed her orgasm, back arching further than it had yet, her legs shaking over his arms. He felt her nails dig deeper into his skin as his balls tightened.

"Yes, Hermione, yes!" He released himself deep within her with a final thrust, his breath coming in short pants in time with each spurt of come. A final shudder went through his body as his arms gave out. He nestled his face into the crook of her neck as he willed his breathing to slow. After a moment, he rolled himself off to the side and gathered her into his arms.

"You're amazing," he whispered into her hair.

"Mmm, you are too," she murmured back, a pleased smile on her face. She snuggled herself against him as her eyes drifted closed. His fingers caressed her arm and he pressed a kiss against the top of her head, completely content. Within moments, they had both dozed off in their blissful aftermath.

Oh dear. Oh me, oh my.

Well then.

Yes.

XX Willow