"Look, we made the front page."
"Don't bring that rag in here..."
Hermione chuckled softly when Severus put his arm over his eyes. It was still rather early for him given that he'd nearly stayed up all night watching over her sleep. She had been plagued with nightmares through the night that she'd been unable to wake from due to the other potions she was on. Though, throughout each one Severus had entered her mind and calmed her dreamscape turning a twisting it into something much more pleasant.
Hermione bent down on the edge of the bed next to him, holding the paper up to her face taking on a swotty reporter like tone. "Miss Hermione Granger, pictured above, was valiantly escorted from the catacombs under the ministry by none other than Mister Harry Pott-ah!" Hermione let out a squeal of laughter as Severus took her around her waist pulling her down into the messed covers with him, tickling her to get her to release the paper. Hermione did her best to keep reading but fell victim to his attack easily enough. She let him pull the paper away and happily accepted his kiss of distraction. She let out a soft mewl stretching out under him as he shifted his weight over her keeping her pinned to the bed beneath him.
"Mmm...valiant indeed." Hermione smiled even more as he let out a snort and squirmed against his traveling fingers. His lips buried themselves in her neck and she couldn't help but allow herself to fall into the sensations they brought with. Her hands pet the back of his head mindful of the nice lump that had formed near the crown. Her legs shifted wider, making room for him in the tangled mess that was their bedsheets.
"How's your head...?" Her question ended in a mewling that turned into a deep moan as he suckled the junction near her shoulder. Her hips rose on their own and she felt his deep growl against her stomach.
"Fine..." Severus kissed his way along her jaw, pausing taking in her radiant beauty, "How's your heart?"
"Beating a little fast," She teased running her nose along his, though the concern at the corner of his lips calmed her playfulness, "It's fine, it doesn't hurt at all." She had received a very thorough check between the Minstry and Madame Pomphrey after their valiant esacpe. She had beem touched and poked in places she never believed possible before she was finally released in the late hours of the evening. Thousands of questions answered or diverted to other persons, she had been released a free woman if only from the pressure by the reporters scrambling for any piece of information that could scrape together.
Hermione breathed out slowly lowering her eyes before pulling him into another soft kiss. She wasn't used to this more, assertive nature, but she wasn't complaining in the slightest.
"We need a shower." Severus shifted his weight onto his forearm letting his other hand run along the curve of her waist. He smirked slightly when she squirmed beneath him, still sensitive from his tickling and shifted his knee to part her legs just a bit wider.
"Mm...bath...I want a bath...with you." Hermione forced her eyes open smiling at the smirk on his lips and ran her hands over his bare shoulders. Her brow ticking slightly at the bruising, "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine, nothing a long," He pressed a kiss to her forearm, "warm," another kiss to the crook of her elbow, "bath," His lips trailed along her jaw, "wouldn't cure." He captured her lips again letting out a slow breath of his own before carefully pulling himself from her and the bed.
Hermione let out a soft whine but adjusted to make his movement easier, her eyes raking up and down his nearly nude form. "I think, next time, no boxers."
"I think, you better go start the bathwater," Severus smirked and gave her calves a pull, bringing her to the edge of the bed with a mirthful squeal. "Behind the shelf next to the shower stall is a door. Go through it." He pulled back out of her reach as she sat up. With a hand to help her to her feet, he gave her a gentle guiding pull towards the door before releasing her and turning away to open his bedside table's drawer. He had a few potions inside that he was sure would cure the low throb at the back of his skull from the diverted blood flow. He gave her a sideways glance before shaking his head to her come-hither smirk and pushed a few things inside the drawer aside.
He found the vial he was looking for and pulled it free. He tossed it back without a care and set it back inside the drawer when a soft pop from his sitting room caught his attention. With a frown, he picked up his slacks from the floor and stepped into them before making his way to the joining door. The sound repeated itself by the time he pushed the cracked door open and his eyes snapping to the coffee table by the fireplace.
A small box was taking up the space and he glanced around the otherwise empty space before making his way over. A card sat on top and he grabbed it thumbing it open.
Severus,
Here is a small supply of Hermione's daily potions and a few for yourself to get you through the day. You may use the potions lab to your needs to make anything else you desire. Please know Poppy has taken her holiday leave and aside from myself the castle is now completely empty. Though Hermione will be receiving a visit from the ministry by evening so if you wish to remain hidden please send her to the great hall alone at 5.
Minerva
P.S. Poppy said to go 'easy' on any 'funny business'.
Severus snorted and set the card down opening the lid of the box, he pulled out the small black vial first, then the sickly pink one. He slipped them into his pocket before turning back towards the bedroom.
He followed the sound of running water into the bathroom and through the door that led into his private bath. He'd hardly ever used it during his time as a professor. Now, however, it was the perfect place to relax. The tub was large, at least room enough for six people and deep. With benches along the side with jets of water charmed to work out every muscle in your body.
Severus tilted his head slightly at the view awarded to him by Hermione bent over the taps. He took the moment to just enjoy, though the prize was hidden beneath another of his stolen shirts, the flare of her hips was just as beautiful. He had made the choice, not withhold any care for her any longer. He'd almost lost her again, and he wasn't about to waste any more time that they had. He hadn't forgotten the deal he had made with the devil and he was almost sure that she'd never stay knowing what he had to do. Her heart was too pure, her soul too kind.
"Sickle for your thoughts?" Hermione had turned to face him, a hidden smile hidden in the corner of her eyes.
"You, only you." Severus closed the distance between them wrapping her up in his arms so completely. He rested his chin down on the top of her head feeling her eyelashes brush against his skin.
"I love you, Severus."
"I love you, too."
"Always?"
"Forever."
oOOo
"I got approval."
"That was fast." Minerva raised her glasses to her nose looking over the paper Potter had just handed her.
"Yeah, well no one is really saying no to me in light of everything."
"I'm sure that'll change soon enough, and the council approved this too?"
"Yes, I caught a few of them on their tea break and played on their guilt."
"How very, resourceful of you." She gave him a light disapproving look but let the issue drop turning the page.
"The team of builders said they could finish it in two weeks, any design that they'd want."
"Wonderful." Minerva sat the paper back behind her on the desk. "I'll make sure to discuss it with them if they actually leave their rooms for lunch."
"They holed up in the dungeons?"
"Where else?"
Harry smirked a little giving Minerva a knowing look, "I think they're going to be late for lunch."
"Quite."
oOOo
"I think that particular part of my anatomy is clean."
"Mm, I don't think so, there's a little something right...here..."
Severus let out a small moan letting his head fall back onto one of the cushions along the top lip of the tub. His barely open eyes watched her hand move just a bit lower, running along the sensitive line around his length. His thigh jumping when her palm rested against it.
"You... don't have to do this..."
"I don't have to, I want to." Hermione gave him a soft look shifting closer. The water level was just at his waist and when she lowered herself near the surface she was able to rest comfortably between his legs, floating slightly on her knees, with her head perfectly above the water. She leaned in farther pressing her chest against him as her hand worked along the space between them. Her lips kissed along the water's edge before raising up just a bit farther.
Severus let his eyes close, falling into all the sensations she brought with. The heat of the water combined with her silken skin was enough to drive him mad. His hand ran down the back of her shoulders and down along under her arm. He felt her shift up farther and his hand moved to her silent request, taking her soft flesh into his palm.
Hermione pushed off the bottom of the tub slowly, sliding her legs along the outside of his. When his head lifted up, she arched upward offering him what his hand had already claimed. A deep moan passed her lips and her hand skipped a beat before she felt her wrist being guided away.
They adjusted flawlessly, hands gliding over shining skin in the dim light of the lake bed illuminated by the late morning sun through the large windows that encircled the room. It was beautiful and secluded from the rest of the world, down in the depths of a fantastic microcosm all their own.
Hermione sighed against the top of his head pulling away to run her fingertips lightly over his sallow cheeks. His hands traced the underside of her thighs slowly taking her hips. His breath was like a cool autumn wind against her wet flesh and she couldn't help but shiver and arch closer to him. Her legs pressing his own tighter together as she tried to adjust to the feeling tingling down her stomach igniting a gentle heat in her core.
"Are you sure?" Severus' voice was deep with need. His dark eyes completely filled with his desire to become one with her again.
"I want nothing else in the world right now, but you." Her voice was strong and sure, the bashful girl who had first come to him now a fully blossomed woman.
Severus turned his head and pulled his arm from his waist towards where he'd left his slacks. It was a small challenge to focus his wandless magic when he felt her press even closer, the heat of her body pressing his already fevered flesh tighter against his stomach. A silent summoning spell and a small flick of his fingers brought the two vials from his pocket and into his waiting hand.
"These first." He smirked softly at her pout and uncorked the pink one first holding it to her lips.
She swallowed it down without complaint, licking her lips slowly to catch the small little drop near the corner of her mouth. She rolled her hips slightly, making the man underneath her moan before looking at the black dropper. "What exactly is that?"
"A very good stress reliever." He pulled the dropper free and waited for her to open her mouth.
"It makes me feel funny..." Hermione gave it a suspicious look.
"I might mention that this specific strength of potion is, in fact, illegal, but it's one of the best."
"If it's illegal why does Madame Pomphrey have it?"
"It's not hers. It's mine."
Hermione watched with raised brows as he brought the dropper to his own mouth and placed a small drop upon his tongue. She felt his reaction to it pressing into the soft flesh of her stomach and slowly opened her mouth for him. He placed the drop on her tongue and she felt the delicious sensation flooding through every nerve ending she possessed.
The mood that had dimmed, reignited with like a fiendfyre neither one knew they were capable of. The sound of glass carelessly rolling against slanted stone was easily drowned out by their passionate sighs and battling lips. Hands and lips moved almost in slow motion, exploring all the new sensations the potion's brief window bestowed upon them.
Hermione hadn't ever felt anything so exhilarating; it was like their very first time. Every touch, every whispered kiss sending a thousand bolts of pleasure straight to her core. Her hips rocked against him, now under her wanton command, her eyes barely able to remain open as he guided her home.
When they connected the world exploded in colors she had never seen before. She was quite sure she could taste sound. The combination of the potions in her system and his wandering limbs made her melt around him like warm caramel. The water rocked around them as she took complete control of both of their pleasure. Her head fell back offering all she had and was not in the least bit unattended to. His tongue moved with such precision it could have cut diamonds, yet was so soft, like melting chocolate. His hands ran up the muscles of her back kneading the flexing muscle and spurring her on to a faster rhythm.
When her legs held onto him tighter Severus released his current conquest for her panting lips, calling out her name in a deep reverberating whisper along her jaw. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders but the pain didn't register through the fog of pure pleasure. He couldn't hold out much longer and when her cry of ecstasy pierced his ears, he joined her in the fall.
Both came crashing down back to earth. From their release, and their potion induced euphoria. Deep breaths and gentle caresses rocked the boat just a little longer before Hermione's head fell down onto his shoulder. Severus tilted his head just a bit, watching her eyes roll closed and relished in the small tremors that continued pulse around him. He pushed her wet hair from her neck and ran his thumb along her cheek, receiving a soft kiss to the pad. His own body felt like jello, but he knew they couldn't stay in the bath forever.
He waited for her heart rate to come back down, his hands rubbing soothing circles over her lower back. When she finally came down enough to form a weak plea for their bed, he took great care in adjusting their position before wrapping his arm under her thighs. The water was easily banished away and two towels wrapped around them. Hermione whined softly trying to keep her arms curled between them but Severus managed to guide them around his neck. He felt her take hold and carefully lifted them from the bench. With one arm under her legs that wrapped around his waist and another under her shoulders, he made his way through to the bedroom. Several warming charms and a few drying spells later they melted back into the sheets.
Hermione didn't let him go far, pulling him over top of her, she pulled him into another blissful kiss. Her smaller body adjusted back against the pillows and she made space for him between her legs pulling his head down to rest over her heart. He'd barely resisted and had only expressed one concern about his weight before she silenced him against her soft skin.
Severus let out a deep sigh his eyes watching the swell of her chest rise and fall under his cheek before he fell victim to its hypnotic rhythm. His hand came up twinning with hers under his chin, his lips pressing against the back of her knuckles.
Hermione watched him from her inclined perch, her fingers gently pulling back his hair to settle behind his ear. A small flick of her finger rose the blanket over them and she relaxed back. Her eyes wandering up to the stone ceiling before she too fell under the calm that had settled between them.
oOOo
"Could you imagine? A mini-Snape? He'd probably have the glare mastered before he could even talk!" Ginny giggled softly into her teacup at Harry's mortified face no doubt imagining Severus in his toddler form all over again.
"Ginny, I really don't want to think about that right now..."
"Oh, you're so sour. Hermione made an absolutely adorable baby. Her wild curly hair that button nose." She gasped suddenly, "What if the poor child got his nose and her hair!"
"How's Ron?" Harry lifted his head from the table vigorously rubbing his face.
"Oh you know, whining about he could have been a hero too if someone had just given him a chance. "
"We did Ginny, he just mucked it all up."
"Oh, I know, he'd told me what he'd said when mum and I saw him this morning. I think if we'd been at home she would have throttled him."
"So he's back in treatment?"
"Of course, the healer is going to put him back on course, she said hopefully he'd be able to visit by Christmas but she really insists that he stay for another full year."
"I hope this all works out. He was doing so good at the office you know? I'm really going to miss going to lunch with him..."
"It'll be alright Harry, I promise. Noe show me those house designs you were talking about earlier."
Harry leaned back pulling a file from his work bag and set it on the table between them. "So it's got to be something that both of them will like..."
"That's not hard, they both have similar tastes." Ginny pulled a few things out of the brochures of model homes. She rose her brow to the look on Harry's face, "Didn't we already have this conversation?"
"Right...sorry, you're right." He let out a deep sigh and looked at the pictures, "I''m hoping to narrow down a few to take to her this evening, do you want to come and have dinner with us at Hogwarts? I'll be off duty after the ministry officials leave."
"Absolutely."
oOOo
Severus found himself startled awake by a deep growing noise directly under his head. His eyes snapped open in an instant, his body going tense for a brief moment before his brain clicked into gear. Slowly, he lifted his head from where it laid and turned his eyes to the woman beneath him. He felt her hand fall away from the back of his head as he shifted and took in her peaceful appearance. Her head was tilted to the side, the sunlight from his underwater window dancing slowly over her pale skin leaving small rings of light over her dark lashes. Another soft growl turned his head down and he realized that it was her stomach that had woken him. With the grace of a lion on the hunt, he untangled his hand from hers and carefully pushed himself up onto his hands and knees. She shifted beneath him turning her head the other way before letting out a soft sigh, her brow starting to pinch with discomfort. Severus leaned up just enough to run his nose over hers before whispering her name between his upturned lips.
"Hermione."
"Mmmph..."
"You stomach is calling for sustenance."
"It can wait..."
"Doubtable, you're supposed to take the black potion with food..." Severus leaned onto his side gently petting her cheek trying to rouse her gently. Her eyes fluttered open within a few moments and she gave him a goofy smile.
"I could eat something..." Her hand raised up, purposely brushing against his bare chest before coming to rest beside her head.
"I'm not on the menu."
"Pity..." Hermione gave him a small smile before arching her back and stretching out her legs, she winced when her toes popped and made a face looking down at her legs.
"Are you in pain?"
"No...just need a good stretch."
"Come on, let's get dressed, maybe there are still a few house elves left in the kitchens that could prepare something for us."
"Mmm...alright..." Hermione turned her face away from his, rubbing her nose.
Severus shook his head slightly and pulled himself from the bed moving over to his wardrobe. He could feel her eyes watching him from the bed but made no show of dressing for her. His own stomach was making itself clearly known now as well, making his movements a bit stiff. He pulled out everything he would need before pausing. She would need clothes too, proper clothes, not transfigured ones. He was quite sure that she was tired of wearing his undergarments at this point and he was more than done with sharing them with her. It just felt, wrong. She needed her own things, her own clothes, her own...everything. It suddenly occurred to Severus just how much the young woman who had come to share his bed had truly lost. His eyes looked down at the white shirt in his hand feeling unbearably selfish at his previous train of thought. Comparatively, he had so much more than she. So many backups and safe havens hidden away with the creature comforts he'd become accustomed to. He still had a home too, should he choose to risk returning to it. It was all still there, all his books, all his potions, and clothes. Everything that he'd accumulated in his life secretly locked away. What did she have? Nothing. Nothing but what he was able to provide for her in the small moments of reprieve that they'd had since her awakening. Sure, she'd gone out and bought a few things during their time at the farm, but nothing substantial. Even those things were gone too, no doubt confiscated by the ministry in their unlawful search and seizure. He still had his coat, the one she had bought for him, but she had nothing. Severus turned around slowly holding two shirts now in his hands, a soft silver one and a bright white one.
"Which one would you like?"
Hermione's brows rose at his sudden offer and she couldn't help but wonder what had truly gotten into him over the past few hours. It was so uncharacteristic of the man she'd come to know. Of course, he'd done nothing she didn't already want him to but it still felt as though he was resigning himself to something else like he was making up for a mistake that hadn't yet happened. It was like someone flipped a switch inside him and she wasn't sure how exactly to take this new side of him.
"The silver one please..." Hermione sat herself up slowly letting her legs hang over the side of the bed as he closed the distance to bring her the shirt. When he got close enough she laid her hand over his and tried to see beyond his eyes, "Severus...is everything alright?"
"Of course." He swallowed slowly, his mask falling into place as he felt her searching inside for something to latch onto. "Why?"
"I...I don't want you to think that I don't...enjoy this side of you, I do very much, but...I can't help but wonder...why...I'm seeing this side of you..." Her hand pulled away taking the shirt to her lap as she watched and felt the walls slam down around his heart and mind. She made her own worried face that she may not have been as clear as she'd have liked to have been and opened her mouth to try and explain herself again. Her words were stopped however when he turned away from her completely and returned to the wardrobe.
"Do you want black...or grey?"
"Black." Hermione let out a heavy sigh but didn't address the issue further. She could tell something was brewing behind his dark eyes and she knew she'd just have to wait until the right moment presented itself so as to reveal what he was hiding from her.
oOo
Minerva looked up from the papers she's brought with her to read while she waited for her two castle 'guests' to arrive for lunch. She lifted her head as the doors to the great hall finally started to open. When Hermione proceeded Snape into the room Minerva could tell there was something a bit different in the dynamic between the two of them. Whether that was for good or not, remained to be seen. She gave both of them a look before lowering her eyes back down to her paperwork.
"You did hear what Poppy said didn't you Severus?"
"We fell asleep, Minerva, nothing more." Severus' tone was clipped but he did avert his eyes looking to Hermione who was blushing softly. She took a seat at the table looking to the plates that were covered in the center.
"You didn't have to wait for us..."
"Oh, don't you worry my dear, I actually had a proper breakfast." She gave Hermione one of her signature motherly faces before setting down the papers she was reading. "Now then, lunch and a bit of new information to go over with the two of you then, a plan on where you'll be staying."
Hermione ducked her head and glanced sideways at Severus. She felt like she was suddenly back at school with the two of them puffing up their feathers at each other. Would it always be that way between them? It was as humorous as it was concerning, even still, it was nice to see some of his former, stern side returning.
