A/N: Another friendly reminder that I'm no longer posting on this website (apart from this fic). You can find my on AO3 (and tumblr) by the same username. I have some invite codes left to AO3, so if anyone want one just hit me up on tumblr.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Hermione woke feeling warm, Severus' naked body pressed against her back. The events of the previous night washed over her, making her cheeks flush and her core throb. Shifting, his hard cock pressed against her arse, and she bit her lip. He'd been inside her last night. More than once. She giggled softly.
"What can be amusing you this early?" came Severus' voice – drowsy with sleep – behind her, his arm tightening slightly around her waist.
"Just thinking about last night," she replied, moving her arse back against him.
"Oh?" he purred, hand cupping her breast and rubbing her nipple.
She gasped. Twisting her head, Hermione found his mouth and kissed him deeply. She managed to roll over without breaking away from his mouth, and she threw her leg over his hip. He squeezed her arse firmly as his hips ground against her, and she gasped. How had they gone so long without doing this?
Hermione pushed against him, and after some resistance from his part, she got him to shift onto his back. Straddling him, she redirected her kisses to his jaw and neck. He let out a low growl when she traced the scar tissue on his neck with her tongue, hips pushing against her. She sucked lightly on the skin, and he whimpered. Heat pooled in her stomach. He tried to angle her hips so he could enter her, but she ground down.
Kissing and nibbling her way down his chest, she enjoyed the sounds he made and the way his hands clenched. As she knelt between his spread thighs, she paused and raised her eyes to his. They were clouded with lust but fluttered closed when she wrapped her hand around his cock.
"Tell me if I do something wrong," she said, then lowered her mouth over his head.
She didn't get the opportunity to taste him the previous night, and she wasn't about to waste any time as she moved her head up and down. As it turned out, having a cock in your mouth wasn't terribly difficult and by the sounds he was making he seemed to be enjoying it very much. She couldn't fit all of him in her mouth, but she tried her very best – making a strangled noise leave his throat – but ended up gagging. She might save that for when she got some more experience. She opened her eyes, and seeing him coming undone like that because of her made her moan.
"Hermione," Severus gasped, hips moving helplessly. His arm was slung over his face, the fading dark mark a stark contrast to his pale skin.
From his groans and the way he swelled in her mouth she gathered he was close, but she had no intention of stopping. She had always been thorough. His hand found hers, resting on his stomach, and he tugged on it to pull her away. But she persevered, bracing her hand on his hip and taking him deeper while hollowing her cheeks more. Despite the warning, his climax took her by surprise. His gasps and groans filled the air as he emptied himself into her mouth. She swallowed and made a face. The taste wasn't the most pleasant thing, but she could get used to it. Especially if it meant reducing the usually stoic man to a whimpering mess. It was a powerful feeling.
"Fuck," Severus groaned, removing his arm from his face and lifting his head.
"I can do better with some practice," she said, touching his thigh. She was fascinated by the way his cock slowly deflated.
He chuckled. "You'll be the death of me. I mean it. I'll have a heart attack and you'll have to explain to the authorities that you blew me to death."
Hermione bit her lip and crawled up the bed to lie by his side. "Really?"
Severus ran the back of his finger over her cheek. "Yes. Now," he purred, moving over her body. "Let's see how loudly I can make you come, shall we?"
The answer to that was quite loudly.
–
Despite how much she didn't want it to, Sunday arrived too soon.
The memorial ceremony was due to start at noon, but Hermione and Ron were meeting up with Harry at Grimmauld beforehand before arriving at Hogwarts as a unified front. She would much rather stay in bed with Severus, but needs must.
After applying some light makeup, Hermione pulled her curls into a low bun and reached for her hairpins to tame some of the more unruly pieces.
"You don't have to go," Severus said from the doorway to the bathroom.
Her eyes met his through the mirror, and she fastened the last pin. "I do." Turning, she leaned back against the sink. "I can't abandon Harry and Ron. They're counting on me."
Sighing, he entered the room and clasped her waist. "You're a good friend, Hermione."
She rested her forehead against his shoulder, hands gripping his arms. "I just want this day to be over."
He guided her chin up. "I'll be here when you return. Whatever you need, just let me know."
In a strange sort of irony, the robes she had purchased – after panicking and realising she didn't own anything appropriate for such an occasion – were black and severe with tiny buttons on the cuffs and neckline. Severus quirked an eyebrow and looked amused when she came downstairs dressed and ready to go.
She rolled her eyes. "Stuff it." Then she chuckled. "If I'm lucky they might think I'm you but polyjuiced and leave me alone."
Severus snorted and adjusted her collar. "Just keep scowling like that and they'll run for the hills."
Stretching up, she brushed her lips against his. "I'll see you later. I'll miss you."
–
Ron and Harry's faces matched how she was feeling.
"We'll get through this, yeah?" Ron said, trying for a smile.
"We will," Hermione agreed, sounding more confident than she felt. "Have you got your speech?" she asked Harry, who was looking slightly green.
"Uh yeah. Wait." He patted the pockets of his robes. "Yes, it's here." He dragged his hand through his hair. "Blimey, I don't want to do this."
Ron clapped his back. "Same, mate. Let's just get through the day and we'll go for a pint later, yeah?"
Harry chuckled. "A pint, yeah, agreed. Do we have time for one now?"
Hermione snorted. "We don't." She checked the time. "Are we ready?"
The boys nodded, and they clasped hands before Apparating.
They appeared just outside the open Hogwarts' gates, which gleamed in the sunlight. Despite the beautiful weather, the wind was cool against her face and hands. She'd almost forgotten how chilly spring in the Scottish highlands could be. Several Aurors were positioned around the gate area and up the road to the castle. Hermione was sure there were at least a half dozen wards in place too, for extra security.
"I told Lavender I'd meet her up by the podium," Ron said as they started walking. "My family should be here somewhere, too."
"How are they doing?" Hermione asked. She hadn't properly seen the Weasleys since Ron's birthday, though she had bumped into both Arthur and Percy when she was researching at the Ministry.
Ron shrugged. "All right. At least mum's not crying constantly anymore, though she got a bit emotional when I moved out. You still haven't come to visit," he said pointedly.
"I know," Hermione said. "Just let me get through the hearing tomorrow and maybe the NEWTs and I'll come over."
"Are you nervous about the hearing?"
"More like terrified," she chuckled. "It's people's lives at stake; I don't know what'll happen if they reject my proposal."
Ron nudged her shoulder. "I'm sure they won't; you're the most brilliant witch I know."
"Thanks, Ron," she smiled. "But this is a bit different than essays or OWLs."
"You've done what you can; the rest is up to them, now," Harry said. "But they'd be bonkers to reject it."
"Severus said the same thing." She ignored the way Ron's eye twitched and Harry grimaced. "Oh, grow up."
"It's still weird," Ron muttered.
Hermione rolled her eyes but didn't comment, as they had reached the area for the ceremony.
The memorial garden had been erected behind Hagrid's pumpkin patch, near the Forbidden Forest and the eastern shore of the Black Lake. The white tomb where Dumbledore was buried stood out like a beacon. Rows and rows of white chairs were set up next to the memorial garden, with a raised platform by the entrance where Hermione assumed the speakers would stand.
Several hundred people littered the lawns, and she kept close to Harry and Ron. It didn't take them long to find the Weasleys – the cluster of gleaming red hair stood out like a sore thumb. Ron headed straight for Lavender, and Hermione spotted Ginny and Luna, the latter sporting a set of mint green robes and yellow ribbons in her hair.
Ginny embraced Hermione tightly.
"How are you doing?" Hermione asked as she pulled back.
Ginny shrugged. "I'm doing all right. How about you?"
"I'll get back to you on that one," Hermione said.
She received similar hugs from the rest of the Weasley clan – bar a gentler one from the eight-month pregnant Fleur – and then Kingsley's amplified voice echoed over the lawns asking people to take their seats. Hermione ended up in the front row with Harry, Ron and several other prominent figures during the war such as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick. Turning her head to see who else she recognised, she locked eyes with Theo Nott. He nodded slightly in greeting, and she gave a grimace-like smile back.
It took a few minutes for everybody to find seats and settle down, and once it had quieted down Kingsley took the stage.
He pointed his wand at his throat. "Sonorous." He looked out over the crowd. "Welcome all, to this commemoration of the brave souls who lost their lives in the Second Wizarding War against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Today also marks the unveiling of a memorial garden, which will be open to the public after this ceremony has finished. To start off, I would like to ask you to bow your head and take a minute of silence."
Hermione bowed her head and closed her eyes. All she could hear was the rustling of leaves in the wind and birdsong, then the silence was broken by a trumpet-like sound as Hagrid blew his nose. At her side, she heard Harry trying to suppress a laugh. She bit her lip and exhaled sharply through her nose. The Prophet would have a field-day if they burst out laughing during the moment of silence.
Kingsley cleared his throat. "Thank you. I want to welcome someone who – without him – we would not be here today. Mr Harry Potter."
Harry took a deep breath and stepped onto the platform. "Thank you for the kind words, Minister," he said after casting a Sonorous, "but I'm afraid I disagree with you there. There are plenty of people who did more for the war than I will ever know. Some are still with us today, and some are not. It wouldn't feel right for me to stand up here speaking without mentioning them. Without these people, I could not have got the opportunity to finish Voldemort off. I don't know all of you by name, but I will be forever grateful that you decided to fight for what was right; for our free world." He paused, and his eyes met Hermione's for a second. She tried to look encouraging even as her eyes welled up.
"I'm grateful for Alastor Moody," he continued, "for Tonks and Remus Lupin, who gave their lives to make this a better world for their son. I'm grateful for the Weasleys, who lost a son but never stopped fighting." He took a deep breath. "And I'm grateful for Severus Snape, who risked his life time and time again for twenty years to provide us with vital information to win the war. Without these people, and countless others, I could not have succeeded. They are the true heroes."
Harry walked off the platform to thunderous applause, and Hermione was barely aware of the tears streaming down her face as she clapped so hard her hands hurt. As he settled back next to her, she slipped her hand into his. He squeezed it tightly.
Next there were speeches from chairmen from different foundations that had sponsored the memorial garden, but Hermione barely listened. Harry's speech was still running through her mind, specifically the part about Severus. Whether Harry realised it or not, speaking up publicly about Severus would be a big help to him when he rejoined society, especially if he wanted to open an apothecary. People listened to the Boy-Who-Lived.
Once the speeches were finished, the memorial garden was unveiled, and people walked through it in smaller groups. It was beautifully done, with the names of the fallen engraved into white marble stones. Cornflowers and poppies had been planted at the base of the hedge surrounding the garden. It was surreal seeing the names of so many people she had known: students from Hogwarts and residents of Hogsmeade, some people she had known only by name and some she had been friendly with. All of them gone.
After she exited the garden, Professor McGonagall approached her.
"How is Severus?" McGonagall said. "I can't imagine today is easy on him, either."
"He's fine," Hermione said, absent-mindedly fiddling with one of the buttons on her neckline. "Although it's probably for the best that he can't be here; he would have hated Harry's speech."
McGonagall chuckled. "Aye, he would have." She looked down at Hermione over her glasses. "I'm grateful he has someone to count on these days."
Hermione opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by Professor Flitwick. Through their conversation about charms and him telling her about the possibility of an apprenticeship, Hermione couldn't get McGonagall's words out of her mind. Did she suspect something? And if so, why hadn't she tried to talk Hermione out of it?
Two hours later, Hermione desperately wanted to leave. She didn't want to be there, surrounded by the memory of so much death. It was stifling even though she was under the clear blue sky. All she wanted to do was to go home, wrap herself into Severus' embrace and have a good cry. Being there, listening to people talk about losing their loved ones, had made her realise she had almost lost Severus before she knew him, that night in the Shrieking Shack. She could still recall the terrible scream as Nagini's fangs pierced his neck, the noise as his body hit the floor. She shivered.
Harry nudged her side, drawing her attention from her thoughts. The conversation around her kept going; no one had noticed her retreating into herself.
"Go home, Hermione," Harry murmured. "There's no shame in wanting to be with someone you care about."
She squeezed his hand. Wonderful, lovely, Harry. "Send a Patronus if you need me, all right?"
He nodded. "I'll be fine. Now go."
Hermione felt guilty sneaking away without saying goodbye, but she didn't have it in her to play the social game any longer. Once outside the gates, she concentrated hard and Disapparated home.
She found Severus reading in the sitting room. Their eyes met, and he put the book on the coffee table before opening his arms. Hermione practically fell into him, burying her nose in his chest. He shifted, laying back against the armrest and she sprawled out on top of him. His hands drifted up and down her back.
"How was the ceremony?" Severus said, voice rumbling close to her ear.
"Harry made a speech. You would have hated it."
He snorted. "Probably."
Hermione closed her eyes and just breathed him in. "I haven't asked you if you're all right," she said at length. "It's a hard day for you as well."
"I'm all right, Hermione," his low voice was reassuring. He pressed down a bit harder on her back, thumbs digging into her muscles. She gave a low sigh. "I've had plenty of time coming to terms with almost dying."
"I haven't," she mumbled, then tilted her head to look at him. "When Professor McGonagall told us you had survived, I cried. I felt so guilty for leaving you in the Shack. We didn't even check if you were still alive. Had I known..."
"You did what you were supposed to do," he said. "My only goal was to get those memories to Potter. I didn't even entertain the thought of surviving the war."
"Had I known, I would have helped you."
Something flashed in his eyes. "Would you have tried to save me even when you thought I was on the Dark Lord's side?"
"I would have."
The corner of his mouth twitched, and he caressed her face. "Foolish girl."
She nuzzled her face into his chest. "I need to prepare for the hearing tomorrow, but I'm exhausted. Can I just nap here for a bit?"
"You should sleep in an actual bed," he countered, then patted her side. "Up."
Hermione huffed, but climbed off and let him usher her upstairs. Once inside her bedroom, he parked her in front of the bed and reached for the tiny buttons on her neckline. She stood still, allowing him to finish unbuttoning her robes and pull them over her head. She was left in her underwear, and she flushed slightly at his appreciative smirk. He threw the robes on the chair by the desk and gently removed the pins holding her curls up. Once they were all gone, he took out her hair tie and dug his fingers into her scalp, loosening the curls. She let out a small moan.
"Sleep," he said as his hands fell away. "I'll wake you in a few hours."
Removing her bra, Hermione slid into bed and pulled the duvet up. "Will you stay?" she asked when he turned towards the door. "At least until I fall asleep."
Severus got into bed – over the duvet – and sat back against the headboard. He raised his arm, and Hermione leant her head on his chest, snuggling up as close as she could.
Closing her eyes, she could pretend the fate of several hundreds of people wasn't hanging on her shoulders.
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