AN: The response to the last chapter was awesome, so thank you all very much for that. Here is the next installment. As always, kind words and reviews are appreciated. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If I owned it…I'd be basking in the delight of my many riches. As it is…I'm not.

Chapter 35: The Stuff of Dreams

When Hermione awoke, the stars in the heavens had long since faded, transforming the sky into the pale pink and grey light of morning. She was warm and sated, her body feeling light as air, and sluggish at the same time. She was in a strange place. This was most certainly not Severus' chambers at Hogwarts. Then, shifting a bit more and feeling an unusual presence on the left ring finger of her marriage hand, her brain started into action and she sat up with a start. They were still on the beach, ensconced in the beautiful little paradise Severus had so craftily and lovingly created for her the previous evening. Looking out at the water, she realized it was probably nearing six in the morning judging by the ever brightening light on the lapping waves some twenty feet in the distance. Looking down at her hand, she gazed in awe at the ring upon her finger. Severus' ring. Her engagement ring. She could scarcely believe it. She leaned forward to admire it more closely. Last night she'd been much too…distracted by the multiple physical demonstrations of his undying love for her to have examined it with any great care. The round center diamond was substantial without being ostentatious, sparkling brightly with almost magical power. On either side, two marquis cut sapphires to represent the month of her birth were of a blue so deep it was almost black. They were set in minute scroll work of white gold that wrapped itself around the rest of the dainty band. It was stunning. And perfect…and she had never felt so honored. And the things he'd said, the way his eyes had looked, and his hands had felt on her body as he'd made her cry out over and over into the night. She would never forget.

The sudden clearing of a throat at her side roused her from her musings and she turned, flushing guiltily to look at her betrothed. His eyes were warm and dark as he reclined, his head propped up against one bent elbow, a satisfied smirk quirking his lips. "Enjoying yourself?"

Hermione smiled, leaning forward to kiss him gently, enjoying the feeling of his fingers in her hair when his hand came up to gently pull her closer. "I was admiring your handiwork. The ring is…incredible. Wherever did you acquire it?"

He smiled as he pulled away, staring at her as she lifted a few errant curls away from her brow, smoothing the crease between with his elegant fingers. "Ah, Im afraid that it is not a very interesting story."

"I'm calling bull-shit," she muttered as she settled into his embrace upon the soft pallate of their bedding.

He chuckled, running his hand down her arm to lift her hand before the two of them. Two pairs of eyes gazed at the adornment, brown and black together. "I spent nearly two full weeks visiting every jeweler in wizarding Britain to find what I wanted. And finding nothing, I returned to the shoppe of an old friend who deals in antiquities. It was my last resort. I saw the ring immediately upon approaching the jewelry counter. And…" he paused, fingering the diamond with his forefinger, spinning the ring slightly with his thumb. "It was perfect. I wanted it to be special. And…I've never bought anything for a woman. Well, at least nothing like this. Do you like it?"

"Severus, don't even ask such a ridiculous question. It's exquisite. Thank you for it."

He rolled her beneath him, staring into her eyes, kissing the rosy apple of each cheek. "I should be thanking you, witch. For all you've given me."

"Nonsense," she sighed as his lips reached her collar bone. "But you may keep doing exactly what you're doing if you truly feel the need to satisfy your conscience."

"Insufferable woman," he growled at her breast, his lips and teeth plucking tenderly at her puckered nipple, pulling and sucking it into his warm mouth, laving lazy circles around the buds with his tongue. The movement sent jolts of pleasure straight downwards to that secret place within her, and her head lolled back against the pillows in ecstasy when his fingers found purchase between her legs, burying themselves in her damp curls.

"So wet," he moaned when his long digits entered her slick heat, probing and thrusting. His hips began to thrust of their own accord, the persistent hardness that he had awoken with was past the point of being ignored.

"Severus," she gasped, her breathing rapid and shallow. The sensations he was giving her were overwhelming. Nothing else mattered-only the all consuming feeling of emptiness, of needing to be filled. "Please I need you."

"Since you asked so nicely…" his voice was but a whisper at her well loved breasts, and with a practiced ease of a man that had long since learned the rules of the game, he slid into her welcoming warmth and tightness with a hiss. They moved together slowly. This time was slow and earnest, with each pass of his manhood he pressed her hips to him tighter, possessing her, wanting to go deeper, needing to be fully sheathed in her. She was his and his alone, and he reveled in the feeling of love, and the completeness she made him feel and the sheer, unbelievable joy he felt at their coupling.

Hermione was lost in his eyes, the way they looked at her so intensely, as if he could see right through her into her very soul. And when she felt the surge of her orgasm begin to pull her under, she forced her eyes to stay trained on his own endless pools of ebony, drowning in them. She brought him with her, and his strangled moan of her name on his lips mingled with the soft lapping of waves at the shore, and Hermione felt that if heaven existed, it was right here, in the arms of this incredible man.

…..

It was strange when they had to get back to reality. An hour or two more of lazily spending time with each other in their make shift beach abode, the sun made its unwelcome ascent into the sky making it necessary for them to depart. They both had classes to resume Monday, and the weekend needed to be utilized for grading, lesson planning and the other daily duties of a Hogwarts professor. She watched with bittersweet emotions as he waved his wand, the large canopy re-folding itself before he transfigured it back into a small pocket handkerchief. She gathered up the glass votives, collecting them in the drawstring bag he provided her, shrinking it into something transportable. They stood together at the crest of the dune, the grass swishing around their legs, gazing out at the water and the sand. "I love you," she murmured, sliding her fingers through his, feeling the warmed metal of her ring against his skin.

"And I you."

"Back to Hogwarts, then?"

He nodded, wrapping her up in his arms and turning, "Back to Hogwarts, Hermione." And in a blur they were gone, leaving no trace of their evening behind them save for the footprints side by side in the sand.

They arrived back at the school with little fan fare. Only the staff had been aware of Severus' plans to propose to Hermione that weekend. The students remained completely ignorant. Hermione smiled softly as they made their way up the main steps and through the heavy oak doors of the school. She knew that-like every other bit of news and drama that a school experienced-their impending nuptials would become front page news soon enough. They made their way to the Great Hall, entering the sparsely populated long room. On a saturday morning only a smattering of students had opted to come down for the school breakfast, a repast that was both enjoyable and optional-many young Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Slytherins still warmly coccooned in their four posters.

As they approached the staff deus, Hermione noted the triumphant gaze of Minerva upon her left hand and she blushed, smiling shyly up at her mentor. Dumbledore was smiling as well, blue eyes twinkling merrily as ever.

"Well my boy," the Headmaster greeted his favorite teacher. "I take it by that stunning bauble on Hermione's left hand that your weekend was a success."

Severus smirked as he pulled out Hermione's chair. "Indeed. I believe there is no other word that will suffice."

"Most excellent, Severus. Congratulations Hermione," Dumbledore said, grasping her hand in his own, his smile genuine and grandfatherly.

"Thank you Headmaster." She grinned then, at the rest of the staff. "I take it you were all in on this little charade of his?" She spared a glance at Severus who was resolutely minding his own business, pouring his coffee with just a hint of a smirk on his face.

"Hermione, my dear, it was most difficult to keep it a secret!" Minerva said. She was clearly overjoyed for her two dear friends. Overjoyed that the two had found happiness. Any reservations she had had over their relationship had disappeared long ago when she'd been a prime witness to their deep love and devotion. "A wedding at Hogwarts! How exciting! Have you two set a date?"

Hermione glanced at Severus, who returned her questioning gaze with a calm expression. "I believe," he intoned, "that we still have many a detail to work out. Be patient with us and I promise we will make you aware of any and all arrangements as soon as they are made."

With that, breakfast commenced, small talk, admiration of Hermione's ring, and many congratulations punctuating the morning meal.

…

"How could you have kept this a secret from me!" Harry winced at the vitriol in his wife's tone, the instinct to cup his manhood quite strong, though he resisted.

He laughed as he looked at his wife's furious expression. "I'm sorry, but Severus swore me to secrecy from anyone outside of the staff. He only wanted the necessary people involved. And you know you can't keep a secret."

"I.." Ginny flushed and sat herself down on the arm chair. "That is not true. I can keep a secret when it is necessary. What about during the war? How many times did I have to cover for you and Ron and Hermione?"

Harry moved to his wife's side, sliding his arm around her gently. "Ah, love, Motherhood has softened you. You wouldn't have been able to contain yourself."

"Well…whatever. Tell me about it? Did she say yes?"

"I dunno. I hope so!" Harry laughed. "I didn't exactly stick around. It was sort of a private moment, you know."

"I know that!" Ginny snapped. "I mean has Severus owled you? Or Hermione?"

Harry grinned. "I think they've both been a little busy."

Ginny smiled then. "It was lovely of you to help them. Whatever possessed Severus to ask you for help with this?"

Harry sighed and reclined on the love seat, playing with a tendril of his wife's hair. "Well, I am the Chosen One after all."

With a slap to the back of his head, Harry laughed, and thought about his dear friend and the happiness she deserved. It seemed that she was finally getting it.

Ginny clapped her hands. "Oh! This is all so exciting! I can't wait to go dress shopping with her! And flowers…and cake…"

Harry grinned at his wife, recalling their own wedding. He hoped that Hermione was prepared for the onslaught that would be his wife. Ginny hadn't inherited many things from her mother. But she did enjoy planning a damn good party.

…..

Okay, I know this was a short one…but right now I'm mired in WEDDING PLANS! I'm getting married in 40 days…holycrapholycrapholycrap….

Erm…anyway…I hope to make the next chapter a bit longer. :) Thanks for reading! REVIEWS ARE LIFE!

SS