Severus received confirmation of his match to Hermione several days later. They hadn't seen much of each other since that night due to Dumbledore keeping them busy with their different duties. Severus had been preparing himself for the next suicidal mission Albus would send him on. Whilst Hermione was finally sifting through her post and beginning her homework that had been neglected over the week since the students had been home.
It was now the last night and to his surprise Severus was not summoned by the dark lord and wasn't needed by Albus for any reason. He went in search of Hermione, to take advantage of the quiet castle on the last night available to them. Any normal person would look in the library if they wanted Hermione for any reason but Severus knew better and found her in the Gryffindor common room. Or at least he thought he would, but when he requested permission to enter the portrait was being extremely difficult with him and suddenly called for the only individual who was in Gryffindor tower.
When the portrait opened Hermione popped her head out and when met with Severus' face, smiled and immediately held out her hand blocking the door from closing on him. Taking her hand, Severus led them into the room and found the settee covered in paper and books.
"You work too hard," He told Hermione affectionately. She was now clearing the sofa giving Severus a good view of her behind covered in tight jeans.
"Some would say I don't work hard enough," She replied now sitting down. "Although I do wish I hadn't left it all so late."
"We both know you could pass all your essays in a single day with only a few words covering the page." Severus told her as he sat down. Her hair was slightly less frizzy tonight, he noticed. "I haven't anything to do this evening."
"Well I do," She told him playfully leaning forward. He took this opportunity and stole a kiss allowing her to pull back when she wanted to.
Hermione had been working hard to try and get everything done for when she was back in classes and now it was Saturday night and she was just about done but she wanted little extras included. This way her professors would not expect her to be distracted by her new engagement, when it would be announced; or so she hoped. Severus had completely disregarded this plan of hers and was now well truly distracting her.
"I know but you can finish tomorrow," He returned in the same playful tone. "Besides I have about 300 students to order around tomorrow evening and I would like to spend this one with you while we still can."
"How would this evening be spent then?" She asked leaning into him with her back coming into contact with his chest.
"I'm not entirely certain," Severus replied honestly. "I know I just wanted to be with you tonight."
She sat up suddenly assuming his meaning entirely wrong. Severus clicked onto this instantly and placed his hand on her shoulder to reassure Hermione he wouldn't be doing anything remotely close to what she was thinking.
"No," he calmed her. "I wouldn't ever suggest such a thing. Hermione I love you and that means I must respect you as well and I won't do anything with you unless we both consent to it."
"I'm sorry...I suppose I still have the mind of a hormonal young teenager at times."
"I won't comment on that but I will say I didn't feel very different when I was your age. It's just what happens and its nothing to be embarrassed about."
"I'm sorry I made that assumption about you Severus."
Lifting her chin to meet their eyes he spoke softly. "It's alright, think no more of it." She instantly felt relieved. "I received confirmation of our engagement several days ago."
"Oh?"
"Yes," Severus continued. "I only received a letter confirming it but nothing regarding the planning the legalising of our marriage."
"Well we aren't in a rush," Hermione commented. "The world isn't going to end because we aren't married yet. The important thing is we know we have both found another individual who cares for us enough to love us."
"Yes," He agreed. "I know you don't have an engagement ring yet but-"
"Oh no Severus I never expected one." She cut him off. "I'm happy knowing we are going to be married."
"I'm going to give you my mother's ring," Severus murmured quietly. Hermione was shocked and suddenly felt a sense of guilt due to cutting him off mid-sentence. "I don't expect you to accept the gift so feel no guilt if you do not like it."
"Do you not already have it?"
"No, it's in my residence in spinner's end. I have yet to leave the grounds to retrieve it. I haven't yet had the opportunity to do so."
"Ahh I see," Hermione paused. "Well I didn't expect a ring Severus but I would be honoured to wear your mother's ring; especially as it would mean so much to you."
"Thank you Hermione"
The moment was perfect. They had each other and nothing in the world needed their attention. Severus leaned in and gently went for her lips only to be cut of just before reaching them by her cheek. Hermione smirked at him when he pulled away and then gave him a face of pure innocence. Deciding that they both waited long enough for a moment together Hermione finally gave him her lips and went one step further and straddled his lap as she did so. With his hands resting on her hips, Hermione felt the safest she ever had before.
Severus was still in disbelief. He knew there would be an almost impossible chance of him being matched with Hermione and he was sure she wouldn't ever care for him or even love him. Yet here they were in the most heated tonsil tennis session they'd had to date.
The remainder of the evening was spent talking and sharing the intimacy. When Severus had to finally leave in the early hours of the morning, Hermione begged him to stay and almost cried with joy when he finally relented. They had mutually agreed that love-making would not be considered at this stage to allow the relationship to develop at their own pace. The couple were still unsure of how much the ministry would be involved in the practicalities in their marriage so they left their love-making decisions for as late as possible. This was mainly because they had just entered a relationship together so therefore a certain level of intimacy was expected on both sides.
Severus stripped down to his black boxers and Hermione had a certain feeling that she would favour greatly over the coming months. She decided that a strappy top and shorts would be suitable and when she returned from the bathroom she found Severus already lying on the bed. Only he had transfigured it to almost three times the size it was previously and looking pretty proud of himself. He was currently lying in the middle of the bed on his stomach watching her with a rather husky look in his eye.
"Anyone would think it was already our wedding night," Hermione giggled throwing her wash bag somewhere unimportant as she approached the bed. As she leaned forward onto it, Severus turned on his side to allow her to snuggle into him for a moment before deciding they should be under the duvet.
"We don't have to attend breakfast tomorrow morning," Severus whispered. He was gifted with a confused look in return. "The staff are expected to prepare for the coming students tomorrow morning and aren't required anywhere else. I'm sure no one will suspect anything if you don't turn up for one morning."
Severus had a twinkle in his eye and Hermione really loved this cheeky and almost risky side to Severus. Whilst growing up at Hogwarts she had always imagined him to be a very organised and a get-things-done person.
"Severus I need your promise on something," Hermione whimpered.
"Is something the matter?" Severus asked leaning up on his arm to look at her properly.
"Well its partially to do with what happened with Flich." She replied, leaning up as he was.
"I had forgotten about the incident," Severus murmured with his voice significantly deeper on the word incident.
"I don't know what happened to him and honestly I never wish to know," Hermione spoke with a clear voice. "I trust you but I need to know that you won't touch me in places I don't consent to whilst I'm asleep."
Severus placed his spare hand on Hermione's spare shoulder as a reassuring gesture. "I won't touch you in any way that you don't wish me too. As I said I wouldn't touch you unless you asked."
"Then hold me?"
And he did, every time she asked.
Here's the latest guys. Please review for me so I know how I am doing and if you guys are still enjoying this story. This is the most fluffy story I have ever written and I have to say, I am actually enjoying it. Please give me your thoughts and I would appreciate it soooo much. Much love x
