Chapter 35: Wants and Invitations

Severus woke up on New Year's Day with a raging hard-on. He rolled over to see Hermione was still asleep, her face peaceful as it lay haloed by her tousled hair. Severus glanced at the clock, which flashed 11:47, and, figuring it was well past the time to get out of bed, reached out under the duvet and began playing with her nipples, rolling and pinching them with his fingers. He felt Hermione stir under his ministrations, her eyes fluttering open as her mouth loosed a small moan.

"Mmm… good morning, Severus," she said sleepily, blinking slowly and arching under his fingers.

"How are you feeling this morning?" he asked, reaching his hand down to touch the soft curls between her legs.

She grinned like a Cheshire Cat, squirming beneath his touch. "Just fine, thank you," she said. "I'm not going to bother asking how you're feeling."

Severus smirked and rolled on top of her, brushing a stray piece of hair away from her cheek as she spread her legs to greet him.

"I've made a decision this morning," he said, looking at her seriously.

"A decision?" she asked curiously as he planted soft kisses down her neck.

"Mhmm," he said, positioning himself over her opening and nudging himself inside her. "I've decided that you cannot go back to school."

He'd been right about how Hermione would feel around his cock: it was heavenly. She gasped as he moved slowly in and out of her once, her hands coming up around his shoulders.

"Oh really?" she asked between whimpers.

"Yes," he said, moving carefully, not too fast, between her hips. "If anyone were to find out what a hot little minx you are in bed… well, it's far too dangerous."

He pulled most of the way out and plunged back inside her three times. Hermione bucked against his movement, then chuckled softly, her eyelids drooping in pleasure as he moved inside her.

"I'm sure I can handle beating off a few teenagers," she said, moving her hips up to greet him and wrapping her thighs around his hips.

"A few? No, the whole school will be after you, even the ghosts," he said, making her chuckle once more. He kissed her deeply, his tongue lightly flicking into her mouth before he spoke again, moving his hips with a stronger rhythm. "Far better to keep you safe right here, all to myself."

"Mmm, Severus, I am all yours," she said, breathing heavily, her fingers digging into the flesh below his shoulder blades. Severus smiled, enjoying watching her as she turned to putty beneath him, and he picked up his pace, tingles of pleasure emanating from his balls and up his spine.

"And I am yours," he said, capturing her lips in his mouth. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he thrust into her strongly, feeling her wetness on his balls as they swung against her.

It didn't take long before Hermione was screaming his name and he felt her pulse around his length as she climaxed. The fire in his balls began to grow as she shuddered beneath him, her fingers pressing dents into his biceps, and he pressed his mouth and tongue against her swollen lips once more.

"Hermione," he growled, pulling back. Her eyes flew open at her name, staring at him with love and passion.

"Please, Severus, come for me, my love," she said huskily, drawing her nails down his back and then up to his shoulders, pushing him over the edge. Thrusting wildly, he felt the explosion come from his balls, and then his seed was flowing into her as she gripped his hips tightly with her legs. His body trembled with pleasure. So good… always so good.

Thought his orgasm waned and his cock softened, he remained perched over her, letting his body fall forward so their torsos were pressed together. He kissed her lightly as her fingers traced circles on his shoulders and arms.

"See what I mean? Little minx." He grinned.

"Only for you," said said, smiling. "I do wish I could stay here longer though."

Severus carefully rolled to her side, pulling her close to him and pressing his face into her hair.

"So stay," he said softly, surprised at how unwilling he felt to let her go. They had only three more days together, and he was loathe to go back to her being so far away again—not that either of them had a choice.

"You know I would if I could," said Hermione, snuggling herself more firmly against him.

A comfortable silence fell between them for some time, the only sound that of their breathing.

It was Hermione who spoke first. "Do you have any New Year's resolutions?" she asked.

"To make love to you every day before you must go," said Severus silkily. And to find a way to bring your parents back.

Hermione snorted.

"Horny bastard," she said, though she didn't seem offended as she smiled at him.

"What about you?" asked Severus, tracing her arm with his fingers. "What are your New Year's resolutions?"

"Besides making love to you every day before I leave?"

"Obviously," Severus drawled.

"I haven't really thought about it to be honest," said Hermione. "There's things I want to do, but nothing I would call a resolution."

"And what do you want to do?" asked Severus, feeling his cock stir once more as he kissed up her shoulder.

"I want to pass my NEWTs, for starters," said Hermione thoughtfully, and Severus hummed his support just below her ear.

"And I want to make love to you again and then have lunch," he rumbled, nibbling her earlobe and then rolling on top of her once more.

"Horny bastard," said Hermione, tangling her fingers into his hair and drawing his head down to hers.

"Only for you," purred Severus and then he captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

After a lunch of soup and sandwiches, Severus turned his attention to the pile of mail he'd been ignoring since yesterday while Hermione settled down in the sitting room with one of his Potions tomes. Severus sighed as he noticed two identical envelopes in the pile, both stamped with the Ministry of Magic seal.

He dropped the one with Hermione's name on it into her open book as he sat down next to her with a frown. He still did not trust the government, and wondered what they would want from them.

"I am to be given an Order of Merlin, First Class, for my role in the downfall of the dark wizard Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort," said Hermione, who had already opened hers. She looked up at him expectantly. Severus grumbled and tore open his letter, pulling out the parchment.

Dear Severus Snape,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected as an honoured recipient of the Order of Merlin, First Class, for your role in the downfall of the dark wizard Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort.

Awards will be given at an annual ceremony at the Ministry of Magic, Ulick Gamp Memorial Hall, on March 6, 1999. The ceremony will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. Please arrive by 3:30 p.m. in order to be seated and receive instructions.

Dinner and dancing will follow the ceremony at a formal ball, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Formal attire is required for both events.

We look forward to congratulating you in person on March 6. (If you are unable to attend, or wish to bring a guest, please notify the Junior Assistant to the Minister by February 15.)

Sincerely,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Minister for Magic

"The same, apparently," said Severus, tossing the letter aside and rubbing his right temple with his fingers. What a load of dragon dung.

"I haven't been to a ball since the Triwizard Tournament," said Hermione, and Severus could tell her mind was floating back to her fourth year.

"I am not going," he said flatly.

"What do you mean you're not going?"

"Being paraded around in front of the Ministry and no doubt a horde of reporters is not my idea of an enjoyable evening," said Severus truthfully.

"But Severus, it's an honour!"

"Is it really? Have you seen the people they give Orders to?" asked Severus, raising his eyebrows at her. Bunch of arrogant dunderheads.

"Dumbledore received one!"

Well, maybe not all arrogant dunderheads. "But he cared not," said Severus, sidestepping her argument.

"But I thought—years ago, when Sirius and Buckbeak escaped from Hogwarts, you lost your chance at an Order of Merlin," said Hermione, and Severus noticed she blushed. "You revealed that Lupin was a werewolf because you were so angry."

"Honestly, after everything, do you really think I would care about a hunk of metal?" Severus sighed. "I was upset because I lost the chance at revenge against Sirius, who bullied me mercilessly at school, and at the time I believed to be a murderer."

"I suppose that does make more sense," said Hermione, chewing on her bottom lip. "Well, we should still go," she said firmly.

Severus grumbled. "I see no reason."

"Bitter old man," she teased, crawling into his lap and kissing his cheek. "If they gave Orders to us, then they'll have given them to Harry and Ron too, and probably others."

"Oh, well, if Potter and Weasley are there, we simply must go," Severus drawled sarcastically, putting his arm around Hermione and pulling her closer to him.

"Will you come for me, at least?"

"I thought I already did that twice today," he said deviously, making Hermione giggle.

"You know what I mean. Come with me to the ball," she said.

He looked down into her brown eyes, which looked at him pleadingly. He sighed. What a sucker I have become.

"Fine, but I cannot promise you I will enjoy myself," said Severus smoothly.

"Your company is good enough for me," she said, kissing his nose.

"Now, tell me," he said seriously, raising his eyebrows at her once more, "what exactly do you know about when Sirius and Buckbeak escaped from Hogwarts?"