Chapter 12- This Kiss
Severus arrived at Hermione's home shortly before seven. He heard Hermione and Wesley laughing about something before he knocked on the door. As he brought his hand up to knock, the door opened and Hermione stood there in jeans, trainers and a pale pink t-shirt with "SIMPLY MAGIC" splayed across the front in silver glitter.
Of course she looks beautiful! he thought.
"Come in Severus, we are just about ready," Hermione said and went into the kitchen.
He stepped into the living room and looked around the tidy, quiet house. Wesley scampered into the living room then to the kitchen not noticing Severus standing by the fireplace.
Goodness, does the child ever walk? Severus thought grinning at the child.
He heard Hermione tease Wesley for not noticing Severus. "Wesley, aren't you going to greet our guest?"
Wesley peeked into the living room and scampered to him. "We go to Magic Pizza?" he asked Severus.
As many times as he had been to Diagon Alley, he had never seen nor heard of an establishment by the name Magic Pizza. Hermione walked in and noticed the quizzical look on Severus' face and chuckled.
"Don't worry Severus, Wesley knows where it is blindfolded."
"Shall we go then?" Severus asked.
Minutes later, they appeared in Diagon Alley. Wesley took their hands and led the way. He looked at his mother then looked to Severus knowingly. Wesley ushered Severus to his level as they walked.
"We have to walk the same with mummy because of her cane," Wesley said softly.
He proudly crooked his arm in Hermione's.
"Such a little gentleman," Hermione said ruffling Wesley's hair.
It feels good being with them! Severus thought.
"Thanks again Severus for the invite," Hermione said.
"Here it is," Wesley said stopping in front of a restaurant.
Wesley opened the door for Hermione and the three walked in. Magic Pizza was a cozy place, smelled a bit like garlic and was patronized by families most of the time. Wesley led them to a table, pulled out a chair for his mummy, and they all sat down. A waitress soon came to the table.
"What can I get for you?" she asked.
"Do you mind if I order?" Hermione asked.
"That would be best, seeing as how I've never been here and I rarely eat pizza," Severus said.
Wesley looked at him as if was an alien.
Hermione turned to the waitress and said, "Three fruit punches and a large Ton-o-Meat pizza, bowl of ranch on the side," Hermione said.
All Severus understood from that order was the fruit punch.
"Mummy, can I go play the wand game?" Wesley asked.
"Sure, just come back when the pizza gets here," Hermione said. Wesley scampered off.
"I take it you come here often?" Severus asked as the fruit punches arrived.
"Let's put it this way, Wesley considers pizza a food group," Hermione said with a laugh.
"I have to say he certainly is solicitous this evening," Severus said.
"Blame it on Harry. Wesley overheard Harry telling James about being a proper young man at James' birthday party this afternoon and Wesley is taking it to heart. He is also trying to impress you," Hermione said sipping her punch. "But don't worry, he will remember that he's five tomorrow."
The pizza arrived and Wesley came back to the table. Severus looked at the round steaming pizza. The last time he had pizza was in Italy, and it looked nothing like what was currently on the table. It smelled good however and the punch was delicious. Hermione put a piece on Wesley's plate then a piece on Severus', ending with one on her own. Wesley took an inhumanly large bite of his pizza and waved to someone across the room. Hermione took the bowl of ranch dressing and drizzled some on her pizza, folded it longways then took a bite. Severus picked up his slice and carefully took a bite. He was pleasantly surprised.
"Good huh?" Wesley asked.
"Yes it is, I taste five distinct meat flavors," Severus said taking another bite. "And you add salad dressing to yours?"
Hermione nodded and offered the bowl to him. He tore off a bit of pizza and dipped it in the bowl of dressing. He carefully took a bite. He looked at Hermione.
"Good huh?" Hermione asked.
"What an interesting combination, quite tasty." Severus said.
He took the bowl and drizzled some on his slice as well.
"Yuck," Wesley said looking at the two adults.
An hour later, with two slices of pizza left, they left the restaurant.
"May I see you to your home?" Severus asked.
"Yes, that sounds good," Hermione said.
Minutes later they stood in front of the house and Hermione was opening the wards. Wesley was yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"Would you care to come in?" Hermione offered.
Severus hesitated. He wanted to but was not sure if it was appropriate.
"Severus, I'm not asking you to hop in my bed. I have a potion idea to run by you," Hermione said. "Give me a few minutes to get Wesley into bed."
Hermione and Wesley went down the hallway to other parts of the house and Severus took a seat on the sofa. Ten minutes later Wesley came into the living room, shook Severus' hand and thanked him for the evening.
"Good night," Wesley said.
Hermione gave him a hug and kiss then he went to bed.
"Hermione, he's a fine boy, you should be proud," Severus said.
"Thank you, it hasn't been easy to do this on my own," Hermione said.
"And that is what surprises me the most. Surely men must be lining up hoping to catch your eye," Severus said.
"Have you been talking to Ginny?" Hermione teased. "She says the same thing."
There was silence for a minute as Hermione listened to ensure that Wesley was in bed.
"You mentioned a potion you were working on?" Severus asked.
"Yes, it's in my lab," Hermione said.
She led Severus into the basement of the house that she had renovated into her own private laboratory. Severus was impressed. In the corner of the room there was even a children's play potions set arranged.
"What do you think? I'm rather proud of it," Hermione stated. "It's almost a replica of my lab at work."
"Impressive, you have ingredients here that are rather difficult to obtain," Severus said looking at her cupboard.
"Ahh yes, one of the perks from working in the Department of Mysteries," Hermione said with a raised eyebrow.
"And you use glass cauldrons. I've been trying to convince Albus to let the students use glass for brewing, it might make the potions easier to work with," Severus said.
They took seats on the stools and engaged in a discussion about the progress on the Cruciatus potion.
"I shouldn't be doing this, but I think I can trust you. What I am about to tell you, will you take a wizards oath on it?" Hermione asked.
He agreed and the oath was said.
Hermione took a deep breath and said, "We finished the Cruciatus counter potion." Severus was speechless.
"We have been testing it on rats and small animals, but it's not getting the results we hope for. We don't know if it's because of their size or biological makeup," Hermione said. "Plus, we hate to keep casting the curse on the poor little things."
"I can see where that can cause a problem," Severus said looking over Hermione's notes.
"Now we come to the part why I wanted you to take a wizard's oath. We are petitioning the ministry for permission to test on people," Hermione said hesitantly.
"But that would mean-" Severus started.
Hermione nodded and said softly. "Yes, someone would have to have the Cruciatus cast on them."
"The problem being finding someone to cast it, and worse finding someone to endure it," Severus stated.
"Which is why we are getting ministry approval. It will be conducted as safely as possible," Hermione said. "This is one of the most important developments in our world, it needs to be done. As much as I hate to say it, sometimes progress is painful."
"How many people know about this?" Severus asked.
"Not many. My department, the minister and a five wizard committee that is overseeing the testing," Hermione said. "Albus is on the committee. And now you know."
"Thank you for trusting me with this," Severus said.
"You're welcome. Now change of subject, enough shop talk. I want a glass of wine, would you care for one?" Hermione asked.
"Certainly," Severus said following her into the kitchen.
She poured both of them a glass and they went to the living room taking a seat on the sofa. Hermione stoked the fireplace with an iron rod and sat down.
"This is odd," Hermione said, breaking the silence.
"What is odd?" Severus said.
"Us, sitting here in my living room, with wine, chatting as if we were..." Hermione started then stopped.
"I apologize if I made you uncomfortable," Severus said gently.
"I'm not uncomfortable. Well, maybe just a bit. Unsure? Oh, I don't know," Hermione said letting out a breath.
Severus set his wine down on the sofa table in front of him and moved closer to her.
"Let's examine this from another angle. What do you know for sure?" Severus asked.
Hermione thought for a moment and put her wine down as well. She cleared her throat and faced him. When she looked into his eyes he froze. She leaned towards him and barely placed her lips on his then pulled back. Severus had stopped breathing.
"Take a breath Severus," Hermione said lightly.
"That was unexpected," Severus said. "But not unpleasant."
"Not unpleasant? I can do better," Hermione teased.
"Hermione, I did not mean to imply-" Severus started but was cut off by another kiss from her.
She did more than barely place her lips on his this time. This kiss was something she was sure of. Hermione decided to quit thinking and lost herself to the kiss. Severus was lightheaded feeling her soft lips demanding his, the scent of her hair and the feel of her hands on his chest. It had been long, too long since a willing woman had paid him this kind of attention. Severus ran a hand up her back and held her there with the hand behind her head, his fingers working through her soft hair massaging her head. The other one he left lightly on the small of her back. Their tongues caressed each other's and Hermione sighed into the kiss. Just as Hermione had pushed him back against the back of the sofa, "Mummy!" was heard from the back of the home. Hermione pulled back and looked like she was in a haze. Severus chuckled.
"I've never thought about putting a silencing charm on that kid until now," Hermione muttered.
"Go see to him," Severus said.
Hermione was mumbling to herself walking down the hall. Severus decided it was time to leave before things went too far, too fast. Yes, he wanted to be with her, and yes she had taken the initiative with the kiss. But he wanted her to be absolutely sure about what she was doing, because he knew he wanted her; her mind, her heart her body. Severus went to the door and put his cloak on. Hermione came into the living room.
"You're leaving?" she asked.
"Regretfully, yes. We have an early staff meeting," Severus said. "I do however want to see you again. Just the two of us. Can you find someone to watch Wesley? Next Friday at eight?" Severus asked hopefully.
"Yes, I would love that," Hermione said softly.
"Thank you for today," Severus said, leaning in to kiss her lightly.