Insufferable Attraction

SeverusxHermione

Rated NC-17

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling

Insufferable Attraction

Chapter 19

Two mornings later, Severus sat at his kitchen table with a cup of black coffee reading the Daily Prophet, chuckling darkly at the main headline.

Ronald Weasley Kicked Out of Auror Training Program

The article in short told of how the redhead had been dismissed of his Auror training duties by the Minister himself due to him verbally assaulting Hermione (Lady Prince as stated in the paper) and attempting to strike Severus (Lord Prince) with a spell, only to be intercepted by Ms. Luna Lovegood. The main picture showed a struggling Mr. Weasley being escorted out of the Ministry by two Aurors, Shacklebolt walking behind them. Picking up his cup of coffee, Severus took a sip of the hot, dark liquid before starting up his chuckling again.

Hermione, having come down the stairs after getting ready for the day, stopped abruptly at seeing her husband sitting at the table while reading the Prophet. Normally that wouldn't have made her stop, but it was what he was doing while reading the paper that made her pause. Severus was chuckling darkly with a smirk on his lips and an evil glint in his eye. Warily she asked, "Why are you laughing like that?"

Black eyes looked up at the brunette standing in the doorway of the kitchen and he answered, "The Prophet. Its main story is rather amusing."

Frowning, Hermione walked over to the table and looked at the front page, her brown eyes widening in shock. Picking the paper up, she read it and asked, "Ron got kicked out of Auror training?"

"Yes, and can't return to training for five years." Severus took another sip of his coffee.

"Why not? Most people that get kicked out of Auror training either return after a year or two or aren't welcomed back at all. Five years seem a bit excessive."

"Perhaps, but Mr. Weasley attempted an attack on me and verbally assaulted you. Normally it wouldn't be such a big deal, but since I accepted my inheritance to the Prince family fortune and whatnot—making me a Lord and you a Lady by marriage—it is a big deal. His actions against a Lord and Lady caused this. He honestly probably wouldn't have been welcomed back at all after being kicked out, but I'm sure Shacklebolt is being as lenient as possible and is allowing him to return after five years."

Sometimes Hermione forgot that Severus was now technically Lord Prince and she was now Lady Prince. Of course, she wasn't going to throw the power she now possessed around, but it did make her feel somewhat uncomfortable with the title. Ever since marrying Severus, she had gone from someone normal despite being a war hero to someone of status and importance. Thinking of this made her then remember that they were to move into Prince Manor at some point. She had to admit, she was looking forward to seeing her husband's ancestral home, but Severus seemed to be in no hurry to move just yet. But with the Bloodline Restoration Act representatives breathing down their necks, it wouldn't be long before they checked in to make sure they had moved to the manor.

Looking at the older man, Hermione asked, "This is your doing, isn't it? This is what you spoke with Kingsley about, right?"

Severus said nothing, just simply looked at the brunette in return. After a silent stare-off, the man put his coffee back on the table and stood up. Looking down at Hermione he said, "Mr. Weasley's actions needed to be punished, and I made sure of it. Partly for my own personal enjoyment, but also because what he said to you was uncalled for. I simply let Shacklebolt know that I wouldn't stand for Mr. Weasley thinking he can do or say whatever he pleases to my wife and get away with it."

The Potions Master walked out of the kitchen, announcing he would be in his Potions lab before leaving completely. However, unbeknownst to him, Hermione was standing with a bright blush on her face, her mind whirling with what he had just said to her. Severus had pretty much told her that he retaliated against Ron on her behalf and referred to her as his wife. Of course, there was nothing surprising about that because it was true, but it made her heart race all the same. To know that Severus had done that for her when he didn't have to, when it wasn't even his fight to begin with, it made her feel all giddy inside. Not only that, but to find that he was protective of her—at least a little bit—made her stomach do flips. Her attraction to Severus was growing by the day, and to top it off, she found that she was beginning to fancy him. It did make her wonder though if she already fancied him a bit, seeing as they had only been married for about a month now. But what did it matter, really? All she knew was that she did, and it made her want to shake her head in silent denial.

Tapping on the window brought her out of her thoughts, turning her head to find an owl hovering outside of it. Walking over, she opened the window and took the letter from bird, it flying off as soon as she had the letter. Closing the window, she saw that the letter was from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, specifically the Bloodline Restoration Act. Rolling her eyes, she sighed and opened the envelope, taking out the folded piece of parchment and began reading.

Lord and Lady Prince,

I hope married life is treating you both well. This letter will be brief, so as not to waste your time. We will be checking in within three days' time to make sure that the transition into the Prince family ancestral home has occurred. Also, it is required by the act that once in the ancestral home, you two begin sharing a bed if you are not already, as to help aid towards the production of future children. We hope to be in touch soon.

Sincerely,

The Representatives of the B.R.A.

The Department of Magical Law Enforcement

A bright blush appeared on her cheeks as she reread the part about sharing a bed with Severus. Could she do it? Was she ready for that? The thought of it made her nervous, but she did wonder what it would be like to sleep next to the man she called her husband. After all, she hadn't really shared a bed with him since their consummation and even then, Severus had left afterwards. Remembering the rest of the letter, Hermione huffed in annoyance before leaving the kitchen, making her way down the hall to the basement where Severus was sure to be brewing. Reaching the closed door, Hermione knocked on it before opening it, calling out, "Severus?"

Silence met her call at first, but then Severus's deep voice responded, "Yes?"

"We have a letter; it's from the B.R.A."

She heard the Potions Master curse, causing her to giggle softly before hearing footsteps ascend the stairs. She backed away from the door as to not get hit with it when Severus stepped out of the basement turned Potions lab. Soon Severus was stepping through the door, moving to stand near her. As he did, the brunette couldn't help but stare. The man's hair was pulled back from his face in a half updo, making his suddenly look younger than he was. Not only that, but it seemed to show just how handsome Severus really was. Hermione couldn't help but stare, her mouth going dry as she took him in, suddenly thinking how lucky she was to get to see this sight in front of her.

Ignoring his wife's staring, Severus took the letter from her hand and read it over, an annoyed sneer appearing on his face. Folding the letter again, Severus put it in his pocket before looking down at the brunette. Looking her in her brown eyes, he said, "I suppose we should start packing and gathering our things."

"Right now?" Hermione asked, still looking at Severus with his pulled back hair and handsome features. Honestly, how could she have thought this man was frightening as a child?

"Not now, I suppose. But if they are only giving us three days, then we should start early. And the sooner we move in, the sooner they will leave us alone about it. I can also give you a tour of Prince Manor, if you'd like."

Hermione blinked and nodded saying, "I'd like that."

Nodding in response, Severus turned back around and headed back into the basement, leaving Hermione to herself once more. Hermione decided to begin pulling things together, excited to see Severus's family home. Of course, his home would soon be their home, but it was something she found herself excited for and surprisingly looking forward to the future. And unbeknownst to her, while he worked in his Potions lab, Severus had a small smile on his face as his mind thought of the same thing.

Three days later, Severus and Hermione had moved into Prince Manor and were getting settled. Hermione wasn't really surprised to find the manor under heavy protection wards, the wards keeping the manor from view from both Muggle and wizard kind. Severus, while showing her the manor and the grounds, had explained to her that the Prince family were very prestigious and well respected, even though they had died out. Of course, him being the heir to the Prince family and having accepted his inheritance, it put him on the same level that his late grandfather had been, though Severus knew that some people would always oppose him despite his new status. It wasn't like he cared though, he never had. He did have to admit that he liked the larger space, though. And the location of the manor being unknown to anyone but himself and now his wife, it meant for privacy like he never had before from meddling people. He supposed he had to thank the B.R.A. for this; it did have its perks, after all.

Sharing a bed with Hermione for the first time (not including their consummation) had been an interesting experience. It had been obvious to him that the brunette was nervous about it, and he himself felt ridiculously nervous about it as well. It would be normal for a married couple to share a bed, but ever since they had married, they had been sleeping in separate beds. And for Severus, he liked it that way because it kept him from acting out on the fantasies that sometimes ran through his head. Yes, he found his wife attractive and found himself wanting to explore the wonders of her flesh again, but he couldn't allow himself to do that, not when he knew Hermione didn't want to. After all, they only did so the first time because they had to. And the possibility of his wife wanting to have intercourse with him again because she wanted to was zero to none. But he did find he liked sharing a bed with her, liked feeling her presence next to him after so many years of lying in bed lonely.

Currently, Severus was participating in an activity many would think he wouldn't do: working out. He was out on the patio in the back of Prince Manor, working out in the morning sun. He was sporting black sneakers and dark grey, almost black workout shorts that he had gotten from a Muggle store some time ago and wore no shirt. His long hair was pulled back out of his face in a man bun, though some loose strands had still fall to frame his face. He had gotten up early to do this without disturbing Hermione from her slumber and had been doing so for about an hour now. Having finished up his ten sets of twenty sit-ups, he decided to move on to his ten sets of thirty push-ups. Getting into a proper plank position, Severus began his next workout.

Inside, Hermione walked down the stairs wrapped in a satin robe to head to the kitchen, rubbing sleep out of her eyes and running her fingers through her wild, curly hair. Entering the kitchen, she greeted the House Elf Inka as she did. She hadn't really been happy to see House Elves when they had arrived at the manor, but Severus had explained to her that Inka and the other House Elves were loyal to the Prince family and were happy to be working in Prince Manor. Thinking of her husband, Hermione turned to Inka who was preparing breakfast with another House Elf.

"Inka, do you know where Severus is?" Hermione asked.

Inka nodded and answered, "Master Severus is on the back patio, Mistress Hermione. Master Severus be doing his morning workout routine."

"Workout routine?" Hermione was surprised to hear that. Excusing herself she left the kitchen and headed towards the back of the manor. Reaching the backdoor, Hermione opened it and stepped out onto the patio, her eyes instantly finding her husband. As her eyes laid on him, they widened in surprise and her mouth dropped open.

Severus was working out like Inka had said, but he was gorgeous! He was shirtless, giving her an eyeful of muscle along his back, his muscular arms bunching as he dipped up and down doing push-ups. She could see the muscles in his calves, and it made her wish she could see his thighs. His hair was pulled back again, only all of it this time around, and sweat was glistening along his bare body, shining in the morning sun. The sight was enough to make her mouth run dry and she couldn't help but continue to stare. As she continued eyeing her husband, she realized he was grunting slightly from excursion, the sound sounding more erotic than it should have. Feeling a throbbing between her legs, Hermione clenched her legs together and bit her lip, suppressing a moan that suddenly wanted to escape her mouth. She clearly remembered the night they consummated their bond, remembered seeing the muscle on Severus and thinking he was a sight to behold despite the awkwardness. And his grunting made her think of the soft grunts he had been doing while thrusting into her. Feeling very turned on now, Hermione blushed clenched her legs together tighter and bit her lip harder, suddenly wanting to touch Severus and feel his large hands on her body. However, she had to pull herself from those thoughts. Severus wouldn't touch her again, but it didn't stop her from fantasizing about it. And now she had masturbation fuel for later.

Severus finished up his push-ups and moved to sit on ground, taking deep breaths to control his increased heartrate, his head tilted back and eyes closed, completely unaware of his wife's gaze on him. Embarrassed at the thoughts that had run through her head, Hermione willed away her blush and erotic thoughts about her husband before walking out onto the patio barefoot, quietly walking up to Severus. Once she reached him, she looked over his relaxed features before saying softly, "Severus?"

Black eyes opened and widened slightly at the sight of the brunette next to him, surprised that he hadn't heard her approaching. Blinking he said, "Good morning."

"Good morning." Good morning, indeed, she couldn't help but think. "Are um, are you coming to breakfast? I think Inka has it about ready."

"Yes, I need to shower and change anyway." Severus stood and stretched his arms, Hermione's brown eyes starting intently at his chest and abdominals. Swallowing, she nodded and quickly turned to leave the patio, hurrying inside the manor and up the stairs.

Severus frowned at her quick retreat, wondering just what had her do that. As he walked back inside, a sudden thought occurred to him. Had…had Hermione acted the way she did because she was looking at him shirtless? It hadn't been in disgust, but rather embarrassment, at least it seemed that way to him. But why would she be embarrassed about seeing him shirtless? Unless…unless she liked what she saw.

A smirk appeared on Severus's lips, an amused chuckle slipping through. It seemed that Hermione was attracted to him, at least physically. Well, that was just fine with him, seeing as he found her attractive as well. But being the gentlemen he was, he wouldn't do anything about it, though he figured he might tease her later.