I'm really sorry if you were inundated with thirty-five update emails. I made a big, big oopsie and pretty much erased this whole fic. Its taken me all evening as I watch the Oscars.
It pretty much sucked.
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There was indeed creme brulee at the end of dinner, complete with little fireworks shooting off red, blue and green sparks in honor of locating the last horcrux.
At Hermione's request, the troops stayed around their two long tables after the last bit of brulee was served and the hot coffee and tea had been poured.
"Thank you for staying after dinner for these short announcements," Hermione said over the soft mumbles of her troops. "I'm giving the honors tonight to the newly promoted Second Lieutenant Major Ginny Weasley."
Scattered applause met Ginny as she stood and she took three comical bows, one to each side and one to Hermione, "Thank you, thank you," she laughed. "First, I would like to welcome back two of our heroic number, Remus Lupin and Kingsley Shacklebolt!"
More applause, more raucous this time for their comrade's return. Dr. Atwell clapped loudest of all- strangely at peace with his place in this ragtag bunch.
"Excellent," continued Ginny. "I would like to give you the information that will change the course of this war- drum roll please-"
Fred and George immediately began beating on the tables, shaking the coffee cups.
"Thank you, Gred and Forge. Today, while newly minted - Snape and I were wandering Diagon Alley, these-" she held up the stack of letters high, "were given to us, hoping that we would safely courier them to our beloved commander-"
More cheering, to which Hermione blushed fiercely.
"And that said beloved commander-"
The pounding continued, this time spreading through the Order and to both tables.
"Would consider their aid!" Ginny finished triumphantly. She let the cheering subside before continuing, "Therefore, any assignments you received earlier today are now null and void- we no longer only have two Magical Governments pledging support, we have Germany! Italy! Greece! Spain and France!"
Severus shouted from his seat, slinging his arm around Hermione's shoulder, "And don't forget the ever wished for letter from the States!"
"Brilliant!" Ginny cried. "Don't we think that's brilliant?"
To that, Fred and George began singing a version of the Hogwart's School Song, to which the whole table joined in, excepting the slightly confused, but very happy Jesse Atwell.
"But wait, there's more," announced Ginny, "I have in my hands here the division of troops- anyone want a bit of a holiday?"
Chorused of "Me, Me!" resounded but were easily silenced with Hermione's glare.
"All right, quiet down," Ginny coaxed theatrically, "Heading the team in Spain is Malfoy, joining him is Charlie, Lovegood and Thomas- I hear it's warm this time of year. I'm leading the team in Greece with Gred, Forge and Longbottom- guys, we're going to get a tan. Italy is being led by Ron with Shacklebolt, MacMillian and Abbot. Germany with Tonks is Bill, Jordan and Papa Weasley and finally, the French team is being led by the Professor with Delacoeur, Mama Malfoy and Bell. Mama Weasley, Mama Tonks and Patil twins are our home guard. Commander Granger will be dropping in on all of us at any time she wants, so be on your best behaviour. And directly from the Commander herself, Charlie, Dean, if Luna and Malfoy are getting too frisky, you're allowed to do whatever it takes to separate them."
Draco looked nonplussed and leaned over to Luna, whispering something in her ear which she serenely nodded to.
"He's a bit of an exhibitionist, Commander," she related, chewing on the ends of her hair. "I'll be sure to make him be good."
This time, Malfoy did flush brightly and there was a rowdy whoop from the gathered.
Hermione laughed, nodding at Ginny, who sat back down next to Dr. Atwell and the twins. "All right, everyone. Next, I'm going to let Lieutenant Colonel Weasley announce the firearm squad. After that, Hannah would like me to let you know that there will be a showing of Titanic directly after dinner in the sitting room. Lupin and Kingsley, I need to see you this evening to mark you with the Phoenix, and Bill or Gin, if you'd be so kind. Also, Charlie has so kindly volunteered to be your designated driver should you like to go downtown to several bars or night clubs. He's leaving at exactly nine pm, so if you would like to be heathen American muggles wearing barely nothing to dance in for the evening, you'd best be there."
"Parvati, I'm looking at you," Charlie called, gesturing from his eyes to her. She girlishly giggled and said nothing.
Hermione wagged her finger at them mockingly, "Also remember to sign out and to either glamour your phoenix mark or cover it with clothing. If a single mark is left in view when you leave this house, you will be grounded- literally- and will not be able to leave the house- not even to go outside- for a week."
'And you don't want to be punished by her," Ron joked as he stood up, taking the final list from Hermione and began, "Its not pretty. So, let me get to the point so that we can go get kaylied and grind with American girls. I know most or all of us wanted the chance to work with the guns, and for the most part, you're going to. But if you didn't get picked to be part of the squad, it is definitely because you were needed elsewhere, not because we didn't think you would make the grade in the firearm squadron."
He cleared his throat twice and began reading, "Commander Granger, Me," he shrugged cockily, "Ginny, Snape, Bill, Malfoy-"
Draco cut him off with a prolonged, "Brilliant!"
"Neville, Luna, Dad, Fleur, Katie and Dean," Ron finished, senting a glare Malfoy's way.
"Thank you," Hermione called out over the din. "This impromptu meeting of the Order of the Phoenix is adjourned. No need for notes, Padma."
What Hermione hoped was the last round of applause for the evening broke out and she began helping Dr. Atwell to clear the plates.
"How are you this evening, Doctor?" Hermione politely inquired.
He grinned broadly, scooping silverware into a cup, "To be honest, this is the coolest thing that's ever happened to me. I've always loved fantasy novels since I was a kid- oh, fantasy novels are-"
"Its all right," Hermione assured. "I'm a muggle born."
"Right, your parents weren't magical, right? And that's pretty much what this whole war is about," confirmed Atwell.
Hermione hedged, "Sort of. That's like saying that the American civil war only happened because there were slaves. But you've got the idea."
Nodding, he took the stack of dirty plates Hermione was offering, "I bet there's wondering where I've been at work, though."
"Probably," Hermione agreed. "You can go back and come here at night and stay on your off days or we can get you assigned to Bolivia or something- it would be easier to explain to your friends and family."
Atwell goggled, "I can't believe that I've been chosen to help with a magical war. This is so insane."
"You would understand, then, how I felt when I got my letter from Hogwarts when I was eleven," replied Hermione wryly.
He laughed rather self deprecatingly at himself before divulging, "I used to run around with a stick trying to make things fly when I was a kid."
Hermione considered, "Do you want to try?"
"Try what?" replied Dr. Atwell, his hand stilling over a drinking glass.
"A wand- we keep extra ones in case ours get snapped, which they regularly do," Hermione explained. "I'll let you look at them after we've put the dishes in the sink."
"Thanks," he blushed. "Wow, its still so weird that magic is real and all."
"No big deal," Hermione waved him off, then turned her head towards the sitting room and yelled, "Malfoy! Come in here."
He came trotting in a moment later, a bottle of muggle beer hanging casually from his hand, "What's going on, Granger?"
"Thought you'd do the dishes this evening. The bathroom where the survivors were quarantined wasn't cleaned today," she smirked.
Draco sighed, exchanging a look with Dr. Atwell, "How long are you going to hold that little thing over my head? He's even happy here for Merlin's sake."
"Until you get the picture that every single tiny, infinitesimal thing you do must be cleared with your commanding officer first, in this case, Captain Weasley, who would then report it to me," explained Hermione calmly, piling some plates on top of Dr. Atwell's waiting stack. "Until that point, you're my bitch."
"Can I use magic because it worked out well?" he wheedled.
"No," she replied shortly, "You're not using magic because it did work out. If it hadn't, I would have taken pity on your failure and let you use it."
"I'll give you a hand," Atwell said, "If that's all right with you, Commander."
Hermione gave her assent, carrying a load into the kitchen and depositing them into the sink. "Pretty boy probably doesn't know how to do them by hand."
Draco scoffed, "How do you think I did them while I was at Spinner's End? I used as little magic as I could."
"Granted," Hermione retorted. "With both of you working, you should be done with plenty of time to prep and get ready for the outing with Charlie tonight."
"I'm allowed to leave the house?" Draco confirmed.
Atwell laughed, "I was about to ask the same thing."
"Both of you are given leave into the care of Captain Weasley. Don't do anything I would do, got it, boys?" smiled Hermione. "And, Doctor, we can do the wand thing tomorrow. We're going to have a few down days now."
"How many times do I have to tell you that Jesse is fine?" he asked, mock shaking his finger at her.
"Many, many more," replied Hermione, opening the door to her bedroom. "Evening, men."
"Do you want to put one something skimpy and dance with sweaty young men?" asked Severus from her desk, the mouse clicking away as he played a game of mine sweeper.
Hermione barked a laugh, unbuttoning her sweater and hanging it in the closet. "That's amusing, Severus, really. Do I seem the type to frivol?"
"It could be amusing," he turned to face her, a wild gleam in his eye. "Don't you want to see your troops when no one is watching them?"
She slid her shoes off, tucking them under the bed, "And how exactly would you propose to do that?"
He held up a flask, "Polyjuice, anyone?"
"You just happened to have some lying around?" questioned Hermione, taking it from him and unscrewing the lid.
Not directly answering her, he held up two phials, "The long one's for you."
"You assume I'm going to do this?" she laughed, putting a fist on her hip. He said nothing, but continued holding up the flask. "Fine, but for only an hour. After that, I want to get back and work."
Severus grinned a bit, "I picked this for a reason. You're not going to work, I'm going to take you to a hotel and be adventurous with you."
"Who are you and what have you done with Professor Snape?" Hermione laughed. "All right, since you asked so nicely, I suppose I have to."
He grinned wickedly, pouring out a measure into Hermione's bedside glass, gently lifting the single short hair from the phial and-
"Oh, no! Don't!" Hermione moaned. Severus retracted his hand quizzically. She explained, "I forgot, I have to do Phoenix marks for Kingsley and Remus."
Severus swore and banished the potion, glass and all.
"You got rid of my cup!" Hermione cried, glaring at him.
Moving swiftly, Severus pinned her to the bed, grinding his hips into her warm thigh, "How easy do you think it is to do magic with an erection like this?"
Hermione giggled, "You've got to make it up to me then."
"I will," he promised, gently pulling apart the buttons on her blouse, scratching his chin down her sternum until he met her worn, cream colored bra. "I'm going to get you some green and silver lingerie when I go to London next."
"I think mine are just fine," she retorted. "They're practical and comfortable."
Biting down on her nipple through the fabric of her practical, comfortable brassiere, Severus replied, "There is nothing practical about sex, Pearl."
"I wear undergarments because I need them," reasoned Hermione, letting him work the front clasp open. "If I was flat chested like Ginny, I wouldn't."
"I'd like you to go without more often," Severus mentioned, pushing aside the offending practical, comfortable fabric. "You've such lovely tits."
Hermione gasped, "How crass."
He bit her nipple again, this time on her bare breast, "You like it."
"I do," she confirmed, arching her back to meet his teasing mouth. "Please."
Pulling his sweater over his head, Severus pressed his warm chest to hers, relishing the feel of of skin against skin. Maneuvering his hand past the waistband of her denims, he cupped her sex, letting her push against his wrist and palm, desperate for some friction.
"Please?" she asked sweetly, opening up her legs for him, wiggling to get out of her jeans.
He looked torn, but withdrew his hand, trailing moisture up her belly and began to free himself from his trousers. Hermione pulled her own down quickly, depositing them haphazardly on the desk and scooted up the bed excitedly.
When Severus had finished his undressing, minus his socks, he nearly dove at her, leveling his face with her body and eagerly pushing his tongue inside her. He groaned, "I wanted to taste you so bad."
"I don't really mind being tasted," Hermione retorted.
Nuzzling her sex with his mouth and nose appreciatively, he reached over to the desk, groping until he found the box with the earrings. Surfacing, he ordered, "Put them on."
Hermione's hands shook as she opened the box and tried to put the beautiful earrings in her ears while he continued his onslaught, licking and sucking at her in earnest. When they were secure, she laid the box on his upper back.
He took it as a sign and gave her clit a final suck before rearing up and kissing Hermione full on the mouth, mingling her juices around her mouth, leaving her lips red and wanton.
"Beautiful," whispered Severus, brushing her hair away from the diamond earrings. Their lovemaking instantly took a turn- his movements became gentle and reverent, as if the diamonds in her ears made her a different person, one to be loved and craved. "So beautiful."
Hermione keened, digging her nails into the pale flesh of his shoulders.
They had found the last horcrux, the world was getting behind them and Hermione had the man she loved in her arms.