Chapter 27 (Part 2)
(This chapter rated for more kissing 'n cuddling between consenting adults)
A restful silence fell between them until a light rain began falling, and when Hermione heard the sound of it upon the roof, she glanced towards the window.
"I hope Crooks is all right if he's still out there," she said. She didn't know if the sound the cat flap made would be audible at all up here, but she certainly hadn't heard him come back into the house. Of course, she had had other things on her mind since coming into Severus' bedroom…
"I shall take the tray down and look out for your cat," Severus said dryly as he rose from his chair, the tray floating over to his beckoning hand. "At least you do not have a dog that sees fit to mark everything it sees," he said to himself.
"Look, I can come down and call out for Crooks myself," Hermione said as she got up from her chair, but her mouth betrayed her by yawning.
Severus looked down at her with an amused expression on his face. "I think not," he murmured. "I shall not be long."
Hermione would have argued, but then it had been a long day, and the idea of going downstairs and looking for her cat did not seem so appealing now that she was standing again.
"All right," she said, capitulating just this once.
"He will need his cat basket though," she added in a no-nonsense tone as she hurried over to one of her bags and retrieved a small bag that contained a shrunken cat basket.
"If you don't mind taking it down," she said belatedly to Severus as she turned back to him.
"The things I do for you," he said dryly, but nevertheless held out a hand for the bag.
Once Severus went downstairs and into his kitchen, he found Crookshanks sitting there on the floor. Not surprisingly, there was a tiny feather by the cat's mouth – obviously its hunt for food had been successful.
There was an almost annoyed look in the cat's eyes though, as if it had now realised the full extent of the affection his mistress had for Severus. But then, at the retreat the cat had seemed more interested in sunning itself on any available steps than noticing another focus for Hermione's attention.
The cat would just have to get used to the new situation, Severus thought as he put the bag down on a bench. The truth be told though, dealing with the jealousy of a cat was far preferable to dealing with jealousy from Potter or Weasley…
He was not inclined though to be cruel to cats, and once he had quickly dealt with the dirty dishes, he went to a cupboard (with a spell that kept his food cold and preserved, of course) and brought out some milk. Once he had put some in a saucer, he put it down on the floor.
Crookshanks deliberately turned his back on the saucer though, and started washing his paws.
"Please yourself," Severus said aloud as he took the shrunken cat basket from Hermione's bag and restored it to its normal size. With the basket in hand, he then swept from the kitchen, looking for a suitable place for the cat to spend the night. He then promptly felt Crookshanks dart past him and head for the staircase, obviously following the scent of his mistress.
"No, you don't," Severus said darkly to himself as he waited.
After a moment he then heard the sound of something hitting a barrier, and then a series of hisses and yowls.
Severus shook his head and walked out into the corridor to see Crookshanks scratching in vexation at an invisible barrier that blocked him from going upstairs.
"You will not be going upstairs tonight," Severus said calmly. He had anticipated this earlier on in the evening, and unbeknownst to Hermione had placed a cat-proof barrier at the bottom of the stairs. "And no, Hermione will not be able to hear you, either."
Crookshanks yowled at him.
"You," Severus said as he continued to address the cat in the same calm tone, "will be sleeping on this, or outside if you wish. It is up to you."
He opened one of the doorways in the hallway to a room that contained various odds and ends, and placed the cat basket just within the room, keeping the door open. Not surprisingly, he saw Crookshanks then head back stiffly towards the kitchen.
Severus shook his head in irritation and then ascended the stairs. His disagreeable mood faded though when he walked back into his bedroom and saw Hermione smile at him from where she was standing by the window, having just drawn the curtains. The two candlesticks he had had over the fireplace had been placed on the small tables that were on either side of the bed, their flames making the bedroom look more intimate.
There was a darkly pleased look in Severus' eyes when he noted that Hermione had placed the contraceptive potion he had made for her within easy reach on one of the small tables, as well as the necklace he had given her.
"Did you find Crookshanks?" Hermione enquired as she walked towards him. A hand of his reached out to Hermione of its own volition, and with a sparkle in her eyes she approached him so they could embrace again. It was impossible not to want to hold her, even after so short a time apart, Severus thought to himself. Even though he now knew that she was quite cuddly in her dressing gown as she was in those pyjamas.
"Your cat had found its way to my kitchen, and I took the liberty of putting out some milk. I've ensured that his basket is in a suitable spot for the night," Severus replied calmly against her brown hair.
He sensed Hermione's smile. "Crooks will probably think it's strange not sleeping near me tonight… still, it won't hurt him," she said against his chest.
"No, as tonight any of your attention will only be towards me," Severus murmured wickedly besides her ear.
Hermione chuckled. "Why, were you wanting your back washed?"
Severus stifled a groan at the thought of her washing any part of his body, let alone his back. He swallowed and then was able to speak again.
"I think I will wait until tomorrow to take up such an offer," he said softly, a hand of his caressing her hair. "But I believe it is past your bedtime."
He heard Hermione laugh and say, "I usually go to bed much later than this, you know."
"Ah, but I did say before, did I not, that you should ensure you get a good sleep tonight?" he purred.
"Well, I…" Hermione started, then paused to consider his words. She admitted to herself that she did like the idea of going back to bed with Severus, with the various opportunities for kisses and caresses before sleeping making themselves known to her mind.
"I suppose it wouldn't do any harm," she said in a deliberately off-hand way, trying to ignore the amused look upon his face.
Severus then looked down at her sardonically. "I daresay you will want to use the bathroom first? Females often do, and for hours on end, of course."
"Thanks. But look, I'm not in a habit of spending hours on end in a bathroom, you know," Hermione said scoldingly.
"So you say."
"I do say."
"I shall get a timer, shall I?"
"You can do what you like," Hermione said lightly, the effect spoiled by another yawn.
"Another reason for you not to dawdle," Severus said smoothly, and Hermione decided not to dignify that comment with a reply as she went to the bathroom.
When Hermione came back to the bedroom, she blinked and then looked on with interest when she saw that Severus was in the middle of pulling on a grey nightshirt. It fell just below his knees once it was completely on him, and Hermione couldn't help smile at the way some of his black hair was standing in all directions. Severus raised an eyebrow when he saw the expression on her face.
"So, does my nightshirt meet with your approval?" he asked dryly.
"What, no dark green silk?" she said lightly.
The corner of his mouth twitched. "I think I shall leave such decadent tastes to you," he said. "Or perhaps that should be… cuddly tastes," he added blandly as he went to hang his clothes up in his wardrobe.
Hermione huffed at him, while thinking at the same time that she hadn't noticed before how oddly elegant his bare feet looked.
"Temper, temper," Severus said smoothly. "Five points off."
"You can't do that anymore," Hermione laughingly protested, her hands on her hips.
Severus paused as if in contemplation. "I believe you are right. For once. Therefore, I shall only require a kiss from you as payment when I say that," he said smugly.
Hermione shook her head sadly as she approached him, but nevertheless was only too happy to have him promptly bend down and brush her lips with his.
"Now, I hope you did not leave a mess in the bathroom," Severus said smoothly after he drew back from her.
"No, dear," Hermione said with deliberate sweetness.
Severus raised a mocking eyebrow at her and then left the bedroom.
Hermione then took off her dressing gown and slippers and got into 'her' side of the bed. A smile came to her face as she resisted the childish urge to bounce up and down, or at least snuggle down under the covers and pretend she was hiding when Severus came back in. It was hard resisting the feelings of joy that would still bubble up inside her like champagne bubbles.
Surely Lavender's eyes would nearly pop out of her head if she could see her now in Severus' bed, Hermione thought, as she propped up her pillow and then leaned back against it. She found herself reluctant though at the thought of immediately telling her friend that she and Severus had started sleeping together, as if talking about it straight away would cheapen it somehow. There was also the faint chance that Lavender would let a detail slip in a conversation with the others… and Hermione could just imagine the disgusted looks on Harry and Ron's faces. But no, she didn't want to think of what sort of names they would call her behind her back, and she didn't care, she thought resolutely.
When Severus came back, the simmering look in his eyes for a moment when he looked at Hermione brought answering warmth inside her body, and she forgot about her friends.
"I see you were quick to make yourself comfortable," he murmured, though his mouth had gone dry at the sight of Hermione awaiting him in his bed like she was. She wasn't looking at him or sitting in a deliberately seductive way, but the warmth, and yes, a sparkle in her brown eyes seemed just as beguiling in its own way. He wasn't going to think about those pyjamas of hers, of course.
It was all he could do not to instantly hurry to the bed, making himself go instead to the fireplace and give the glowing coals a final (and a bit too vigorous) shove with the poker. He then heard Hermione make an appreciative sound behind his back as she had earlier.
That was it, he thought.
"Right!" he said sternly, putting away the poker and drawing himself up as if he was about to chastise a room full of unruly, rule breaking students. Gryffindors, naturally. He then turned and stalked towards Hermione's side of the bed, a glint in his black eyes.
"This is enough of that sort of behaviour," he said with a severe look on his face.
"What sort of behaviour?" Hermione protested, laughing as she immediately scooted into the middle of the bed.
Seeing that his delightful prey sought to elude him, Severus quickly moved to the foot of the bed, looming over it.
"Blatant disrespect, for one thing," he said meaningfully.
"It was not!" Hermione asserted as she eyed him. "It's not my fault if you have a wonderful looking bo-"
Severus immediately put a knee upon the bed in reply and Hermione squeaked, moving back against the pillows. Inspiration came to her and she grabbed one of them with both hands, holding it in front of her like an impromptu shield.
"I've er, got a pillow and I'm not afraid to use it!" she declared as she waved the pillow determinedly at Severus.
Severus' eyes lit up in an almost unholy way as he climbed up upon the bed and started slowly crawling towards her (the effect somewhat lessened by an accompanying creak from the bed).
"Threatening a superior, another," he breathed as he concentrated for a moment. Hermione then felt an unseen force yank the pillow out of her hands.
"What superior?" she countered, turning to quickly grab the other pillow. "And what do you think you're doing?"
"Administering… punishment," Severus purred as he reached out and grabbed one of her arms.
"Well, you didn't ask me first…oh!"
Hermione's words were cut off as he leaned down and kissed her with unexpected tenderness. With the covers between them they were both in slightly awkward positions; she was still sitting up with Severus now partially straddling her thighs, his nightshirt having ridden up slightly. Hermione obligingly put her arms around him as best as she could, enjoying his kisses nevertheless.
"The things you do!" Severus grumbled between kissing her, his hair brushing against her face. "Ogling me… threatening me with a pillow."
"I still love you, you know," Hermione assured Severus with a smile on her face.
At that, Severus kissed her with a bit more passion. "Is that supposed to make everything better?"
"Definitely," Hermione said firmly.
"I see," Severus murmured as he drew back from her slightly, both of them silently regarding each other and secretly pleased at the animation in each others eyes.
Hermione reached for one of Severus' hands and tugged gently at it. "You'll get cold if you don't get into bed."
"Now you are even ordering me into my own bed," he said severely, giving her a last kiss before climbing off the bed. Hermione quickly rearranged the pillows for them both to sit up against them just as Severus got into the bed.
Hermione found herself yawning again and Severus made an amused sound as he slipped an arm around her waist, holding her close. The light from the candles gave a cosy glow to the bedroom, softening everything that had sharp edges.
"I have concluded that this is the ideal way to keep an eye upon you," Severus murmured against her bushy hair.
"Why?" Hermione replied, sleepy interest in her voice.
"Why, this way I know you are not somewhere else, plotting mischief," Severus replied sleekly.
Hermione lightly poked him in his side.
"I'll leave that to you," she informed him.
"Impertinent woman," Severus grumbled. Then in a low tone that sent a delicious tingle through her, he said, "I presume that you approve of the way the day has ended?"
Hermione turned her head so that she was looking at him properly. "Yes," she said softly. "Fifty points to Slytherin," she added firmly.
Severus had to laugh at that, his black eyes looking both pleased and amused.
Hermione went and brushed her lips against his cheek. "And you?" she enquired.
"Exceedingly," Severus said quietly, his arm tightening momentarily around her waist.
After a time in which nothing really needed to be said, Severus murmured against her ear, "If you are tired, I have no objection to putting out the lights and us both lying down."
Hermione blinked. "But that wouldn't be fair on you," she countered, even though the temptation to lie down was getting hard to ignore. "You're not that tired."
"I may find it hard to sleep anyway with you beside me," Severus said dryly. "But I have spent too much time in beds without you," he added softly. "Allow me this..."
Hermione couldn't find it within herself to argue with him. "All right," she conceded.
She put down her pillow so that she could lie down, with Severus doing the same and then putting the candles out simultaneously. He was a dark, warm shape beside her, and when she lay down she felt him draw her close so that they were lying together, side by side.
"Sleep well, and don't snore," Hermione heard him murmur as he put an arm around her. She made a face and snuggled against him.
"I don't snore, thanks," she mumbled.
"So you say… cuddly one," was the silky reply.
"Slytherin," she sighed.
"Gryffindor."
"Mmm," Hermione agreed before closing her eyes, but only for a second, she told herself. Only for a second…
Severus heard the change in Hermione's breathing when she fell asleep, and his eyes in the dark where no one could see were soft. Despite himself, it wasn't long before he slipped into sleep with her, even the darker parts of his heart content.
Severus woke early the next morning, as was his habit, and was aware of having slept unusually well. He could feel a sleeping Hermione snuggled against his back with an arm loosely around his waist, and an amazed - then satisfied - look came to his face as memories of the previous day returned to him.
The sound of Hermione's steady breathing and the feel of her warm (and cuddly) body pressed against his, as well as the tickle of her hair against his neck, made him feel oddly… protected, and safe. Lulled back into sleep despite himself, he did not fight it and his eyes closed.
Sunlight was spilling into the room through gaps in the curtains later on when Severus awoke again. His body was profoundly aware that Hermione was still lying pressed against his back, but she was now moving restlessly in her sleep against him, her previously steady breathing having taken on a ragged quality. The thought came to his mind that she was having a bad dream, and so Severus stroked her arm that was still around his waist, but now fitfully clutching at his nightshirt.
"Sshh…" he said soothingly as he half-turned his head to her, tenderness for her briefly welling up from within his heart.
"Severus," Hermione sighed in her sleep in return, and Severus was rendered speechless when he heard the yearning and yes, need for him present in her voice. She was having no nightmare… and hearing such confirmation of her desire for him was headier than the most intoxicating of brews for Severus. A stifled groan escaped him as his body hardened for her in response, a surge of dark and delighted desire running through him.
Severus turned his near-shaking body around carefully to face her, his unblinking and now heated gaze taking in every detail of Hermione's features. Her brown hair was an untamed mass upon her pillow as she continued to sleep, but an expression of frustration was quite apparent upon her delicately flushed face. Severus swallowed at that, wishing nothing more now than to ease her frustration. Repeatedly.
Even asleep, her body registered the change of his position and a knee of hers bumped futilely against his legs for a moment, her hips arching restlessly against his. Her whole being seemed to wordlessly beg for relief… and when a whimper escaped her lips after a moment, Severus was unable to see her continue in such a state. Trembling, he bent his head and brushed her lips softly with his own ones for a moment, an arm of his slipping around her body.
"Hermione," he said in a voice that sounded low and ragged to his ears. "Wake up."
There was no response and unable to resist he kissed her again, more firmly this time, and drew back. At that, Hermione awoke with a startled movement, her brown eyes wide and unfocussed. Then when her gaze properly registered his presence, she blinked a few times, her head tilting up at him.
"Good morning, Hermione," Severus whispered, making himself move back further to give her some space, mesmerised though by every new movement of hers in his bed.
Even though she had just woken, it was impossible for a still sleepy Hermione not to hear the dark heat in Severus' voice despite his customary formal greeting. A heat she realised that seemed to match the one she was feeling in the pit of her stomach… she knew instinctively that she was awake now because of him, the vague impression of a kiss in her mind.
Perhaps she should have felt some discomfort at waking with Severus looking as if he was ready to pounce on her any minute in that grey nightshirt of his. But the thought of being woken as if she was a Sleeping Beauty – her! – by Severus made her eyes blink again, and then an unashamedly wide smile appeared on her face. She stretched her body to get any kinks out of it, mindful of the way Severus caught his breath for a moment as she did so.
"Hello," she said with sleepy warmth, and Severus could only stare at her wordlessly, knowing that this was something he had craved for so much when he had been in his lonely bed, to have Hermione wake up beside him and be glad to see him… to see him as something wonderful. Lovable. He wanted to possess her utterly, to remind her that she was his for always, and to give her all that he had…
"Pleasant dreams?" Severus then asked her as he moved close to her, pressing closer. A hand of his reached up to caress her face. There was a husky note in his voice and his black gaze was now fixed unerringly upon her face.
"I…" Hermione began, fragments of her recent dream of him obligingly (and vividly) running now through her brain, making fresh colour flood her cheeks. As well as feeling warm and cosy in Severus' bed as morning sunshine spilled into his bedroom, she was also belatedly aware of how close Severus' body was now to hers. His very aroused body… even with the material of her pyjamas and his nightshirt between them, Hermione could feel the hard heat of him against her.
Obviously she had revealed quite clearly while asleep before that she had been dreaming of Severus… and not in a chaste way, either. But how much exactly had she revealed to him? Hermione felt embarrassed, and yet she felt a thrill of excitement inside her at the same time. A surge of desire went through her, banishing more of her sleepiness. She told herself hastily that as she often dreamed of Severus, after last night it would surely have been impossible not to keep on doing so. Severus had only himself to blame for inciting such dreams in her, so it wasn't her fault at all. Of course.
Without thinking, her tongue darted out to lick her dry lips, and she saw Severus immediately look down at her lips in response, his eyes simmering as he shifted momentarily against her. He was now radiating an intense, tightly wound up energy, but noting the flushed appearance of his sallow face as well, Hermione remembered that for all the power he had over her, she had some power over him as well…
She smiled again, and Severus' eyes narrowed at that.
"Yes, very pleasant," she murmured.
The corner of Severus' mouth twitched in response as his black gaze rose to meet her eyes again.
"Indeed," he said meaningfully, as she felt his hand run lingeringly along her hip. "Are such dreams - of me it would seem - a regular occurrence for you?"
"Maybe," Hermione allowed, a gasp escaping her as she felt his hand slip between her legs, his long fingers finding and stroking her tenderly through her pyjama bottoms.
"That is not an acceptable answer," Severus replied softly, delight coursing through him at her response and the feel of her. Already the morning was full of delicious possibilities, and there was no rush, after all.
"Let me rephrase my question, my dear. Do you often have such dreams that leave you in a… certain state?" He took care to caress her even more intimately as he spoke.
"Yes," she admitted in frustration, his touches making her squirm unashamedly. "Yes, oh yes, damn you."
"Then I feel avenged," Severus said in hoarse triumph, words tumbling from his mouth as his aching body shifted restlessly against hers again in an effort to find relief. "You have invaded my dreams too many times, leaving me wanting you when I woke. Hermione…"
The thought of Severus constantly dreaming of her in the way she dreamed of him, made Hermione very glad she was lying down. In an effort to stop Severus from winding himself up further, Hermione reached down blindly to find the hem of his nightshirt, tugging it up when she found it. She heard Severus groan as her hand found his underpants and then where he was tenting them, her hand cupping and stroking his hard length tenderly. Mine, she thought.
"I'm here," she whispered.
"Yess…" Severus hissed, thrusting hard against her caressing hand. He heard her whimper of pleasure and he thrust again, almost helplessly. "Stop that," he panted as his hands clutched at her, wanting to feel the heat of her body surround him again. "What have I told you… ah!... about your wandering hands?"
Hermione laughed softly, and then after reaching for the contraceptive potion and quickly taking some, she busied herself with the job of pulling his nightshirt up properly over his body, which quivered for a moment at the touch of her hands. "I think you said you liked them a lot," she told him.
Severus tried to glower at her, but failed upon seeing the warmth and desire for him in her eyes. "I said no such thing," he growled, but nevertheless shifted his body to help Hermione in her effort to remove his nightshirt.
Hermione kissed his lips softly. "Lift up your arms, so I can take this off properly," she asked, hearing a husky note in her voice.
Severus' eyes glinted at her. "So demanding," he breathed. "Try and persuade me better than that…"
At that, Hermione reached for one of his hands and softly kissed the back of it, before directing her attention to his long fingers, feeling them twitch in her clasp as she slowly yet tenderly kissed each one. A faint smile appeared on her face before she kissed one of his fingertips and then gently suckled the end.
A growl escaped Severus and he pulled his hand back from Hermione.
"Very well," Severus said roughly and he sat up, yanking up his nightshirt in his haste until he had completely pulled it up and off himself, hissing underneath his breath as he did so.
There was a sparkle in Hermione's eyes when she regarded his bare chest, the covers having fallen down from him.
"What?" he grumbled, unwilling to wait any longer in claiming her.
"Wait," Hermione said, a hand of hers gently pushing at him so that he was lying down on his back, his body obeying her out of surprise. His eyes narrowed but then became more intent as he observed her sit up beside him, pausing momentarily to rub sleep out of her eyes. She then looked down at him thoughtfully; her eyes softly alight in a way that Severus felt made him surely harden further… and wonder what she was planning.
Hermione drew the covers back slightly from him, and then before he knew it, she had moved so that she was straddling his body, if a bit tentatively. Her knees settled on either side of his hips upon the bed, and Severus could only lie there in glorious, immobilised surprise at the feel of her warm body upon him in such a way.
"Would you like a good morning kiss?" she inquired solemnly with a sparkle in her eyes as she regarded him, the mass of her hair falling down over her shoulders.
She adjusted herself slightly upon him to make herself more comfortable and Severus hissed, hot desire surging through him in response. She had no idea what she was doing to him…
"Yes," Severus growled, seizing one of her hands so that he could drag her impudent self down firmly upon him. He twined his fingers swiftly in her hair, holding her close as he kissed her with near frantic passion. Hermione kissed him heatedly in return and he wound an arm swiftly around her back, grinding himself almost roughly up against her softness. An almost harsh smile came to his face when he heard her whimper, her body quivering as she lay upon him now.
"Is this how you want me?" he muttered against her mouth as he pushed a knee up restlessly between her legs. "Is this what you were dreaming of also?"
Hermione moaned. "Yes," she whispered. "Do you mind?" Although her dreams and imaginings had hinted at other, equally delicious ways like this to make love, she didn't want Severus to feel coerced to obey her in such a way. After all, it had been a visible struggle for his reserved self early in their relationship to allow her to show him attention at all, even though he had craved it.
A groan escaped Severus as he wrapped his other arm more tenderly around her, beguiled again by her and her words.
"No," he said huskily as he went to nibble her lower lip gently with his teeth, his hand then moving to caress then cup her bottom. "No, you bold woman, I do not mind if we do it this way. Or against the wall. Or on a chair. Or even on the floor – though I would demand a hot bath with you afterwards. Just let me have you now. Please…"
"Yes," Hermione whispered in answer to the raw need in his voice, kissing him back.
Severus clutched at her pyjama top, and then in his impatience to unclothe her he managed to reach and clasp his wand where he had placed it on his bedside table. Hermione heard him utter a few harsh words, and then she gasped when her clothes – and his underpants – vanished, leaving her naked on her equally naked, and darkly amused, lover.
Despite her earlier boldness, she felt her cheeks start to turn pink, tingling sensations running through her wherever their warm bodies touched… especially where she felt his hardness nudging against her.
"Hermione," she heard him say hoarsely. At that she lifted her chin and then pushed herself carefully back up, her body seeking him.
"Here," Severus breathed, reaching down to guide himself so that his shaft was just brushing her soft entrance, his breathing ragged. "Yes, that's it…"
Hermione, her face alight now, sank carefully down upon him and a groan escaped Severus as the slick heat of her body enveloped him, ah… so tightly.
"Oh," Hermione sighed, her eyes closing at the delicious sensation of being filled with him. She was certainly relieved that it was easier this time.
"Look at me!" Severus said harshly, an almost pleading note in his voice.
Hermione opened her eyes and looked down at Severus. His hair was inky dark over the pillow, his equally dark eyes boring into hers. Severus couldn't take his eyes off Hermione, the way her hair rippled about her bare shoulders and down over her sweet breasts… the way her brown eyes shone in her flushed face as she looked down at him. He should have felt aversion or even humiliation in being in this position at all, but all he felt was heated joy running through his veins.
Seeing the desire and love too in his eyes, Hermione shook her hair back and then began rocking upon him, hearing a rough sound escape his throat as she did so. Severus allowed her to take the lead at first, his breathing ragged at the way pleasure coursed through him with her every tormenting movement.
Then unable to resist anymore, Severus started thrusting into her, his hands clutching her hips as he sought her warmth with increasing urgency. Hermione swayed as the sweet tension built up inside of her, gasps and pants filling the air as they sought completion with each other.
Her body tightened around him in her increasing excitement, and that was enough then to make Severus come, gasping her name as his hips jerked fiercely against her, filling her with his hot release.
"Severus…ah!" Hermione cried out, feeling her body shudder in pleasure as her climax came in turn, collapsing down on Severus afterwards.
Severus held her tightly as their breathing returned to normal, both of them feeling sated and dazed.
When Severus could think coherently again, he nuzzled Hermione's neck, feeling strands of her bushy hair tickle his nose. Lioness, he thought. "That was your idea of a 'good morning kiss', was it?" he asked dryly.
Hermione raised her head and smiled down at him.
"Oh, yes," she assured him.
TBC
