A/N: Pardon the wait, it takes a minute for me to find time with my schedule….

The next morning Severus was vaguely aware of something tickling his nose and when he opened his eyes he grinned at the soft, fuzzy curls on his face. Never had he ever had a woman resting so comfortably on his chest. She looked quite angelic, a contrast to the impish things he knew his lovely witch was capable of. She could be quite the hellcat in bed, but he lived that she wasn't as prudish as many people often claimed. She was a deep sleeper though. Which he found somewhat adorable and it worked to his advantage in many ways. Like yesterday when he teased her pussy until she awoke; or today when he eased out of bed, intent on fetching breakfast for Hermione. To some, this act may seem out of character, but Snape knew that little romantic acts were the gateway to getting what you wanted. Plus, he was admittedly quite taken with the young witch and he didn't want to fight his growing attachment anymore.

Pulling on a monogrammed Slytherin green, silk robe, Severus made his way out of his master bedroom suite and lazily strolled to his kitchen. Snape Manor was a newly acquired home he purchased using the money he received along with his Order of Merlin. It was on the scale of Malfoy Manor, but happily without the dark cloud of having hosted the Dark Lord and several other atrocities. He did; however, own a house elf. "Lola?" He called out, and smirked at the refined looking elf in a dress made of leftover fabric from the lace dining room curtains.

"You's needing Lola, Master?" She inquired humbly.

Severus nodded. "I have brought my…. friend, Miss Granger home today and she will need breakfast when she wakes. So will I. Could you bring some to my bedroom please?"

Lola's eyes went wider with each word he had spoken. "Ohhhh Master has brought a special friend to the Manor. Lola will fix the best breakfast for you and Miss!"

"Please don't over do it Lola," he drawled, amused.

"I'd not listening!" Lola jokes, racing excitedly about the kitchen. "I's too busy making best breakfast for Master's special friend!"

Chuckling, Severus just shook his head and headed back to his bedroom. He knew from experience not to discourage Lola when she had something special in mind. Not only would she think she did something wrong but it would further damage her confidence and self esteem. He was proud that she had gotten to a place where she would openly tease him. When they first met, she had been beaten nearly to a pulp at the Lestrange Mansion and she was dreadfully shy. Severus was still unsure about what led him to free the elf and risk his position, but he supposed he took pity on the poor creature. He'd stolen a pair of socks from Rabastan and handed them to the elf, healing her and offering it a place at Hogwarts. Much to his surprise, Lola pledged her services to him personally and he'd been stuck with her ever since. Although stuck with wasn't the right term, after all she had helped him as diligently as she could both around his chambers and then now at Snape Manor. He just hoped Hermione wouldn't be too upset.

Wincing, he padded gently into his room, not wanting to wake his sleeping lover. In the time that he left, she had taken over his side, the sheets in a tangle between her legs, leaning the top part of her gorgeous figure bare. His dark eyes drank in the sight thirstily and he couldn't help but to slide into bed and press kisses along her warm, sun-kissed skin. He heard Hermione moan and she shifted in her spot. "Good morning Severus, have you been up long?"

"Not too long," He answered, drawing her lips to his own. She sighed and melted into his embrace, kissing him so tenderly he wondered at what she was feeling. Although given the almost dreamy expression she wore he needn't have wondered too long. Was she as addicted as he? "I was thinking, while I'm sure that I cannot monopolize your time the entire weekend; do you have time for breakfast?"

Hermione gave him a huge grin that made Severus feel like a schoolboy again. "Of course I'll stay. Besides, after last night I'm famished. Did you need any help?"

"Actually, I have someone I need to introduce to you, Lola!" He called and smirked as Hermione scrambled to cover her nudity with the sheets. Within a blink the small elf was at his bedside, a huge smile on her face, bobbing with anticipation. His smirk deepened when she blushed prettily at the knowing gaze of his elf. "Hermione, this is my elf Lola, Lola, this is Miss Granger."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss," Lola greeted with a deep bow.

Hermione threw him a quick glare and then waved to the elf, "Nice to meet you too Lola. And please, call me Hermione. Severus says you're making breakfast for us?" The elf nodded, "That's very kind of you, thank you. Do you like working for Master Snape?"

"You call him Master too?" Lola blurted before sputtering and tugging at her ears in embarrassment, "Er, I mean yes! Lola is grateful for Master Snape. He is Miss Lola's hero."

Hermione's embarrassed smile turned warm and she reached for his hand, causing him to quit chuckling. Arching a brow he was surprised to hear her agree with Lola. "We have that in common Lola. And yes, I call him Master sometimes, especially when he's been good."

At this point his brows were going to reach his hairline. Clearing his throat, he steered the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Lola, is breakfast nearly ready?"

"Yes Master Snape! Lola is going to fetch it now!" And just as quickly the elf was gone.

"I like her. She's adorable. And obviously very fond of you," Hermione teased, "I just hope she doesn't mind sharing you."

"Are you going to lay your claim, Miss Granger?" He purred, half amused, the other half aroused.

Hermione seemed to take this a lot more seriously than he originally intended and with a sober, yet warm smile she nodded. "Indeed I am. I want you to be mine, Severus."

Pulling her into his arms, Severus stroked her cheek softly, his deep, dark eyes meeting hers and they just stared at each other for a while. On his end he hoped she could see the sincerity in his face as he replied, "You already have me Hermione."