Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, but they do live in my imagination.

Shout out to my amazing Beta Carolyn. Couldn't do it without you girl! This story is the quickest I have ever consistently updated a story. I have her to thank and you all for the kind reviews. They keep me going!

Author's Note: I decided to keep this story at T rating. There might be some adult-themes later on but if so they will be posted as a separate story. I will keep you updated.

It was late in the evening by the time she arrived at the cottage with Severus. Harry and Ginny had insisted on taking them out to lunch after the ceremony. Wisely, they dined in a muggle establishment to avoid the press fiasco that would surely ensue if the four were seen together. Also wisely, the Potters kept their questions for another day as Hermione had requested. One should not cross the bride on her wedding day.

While Hermione felt a twinge of disappointment that she did not have all the trappings of a traditional wedding, it was not nearly as much as she thought she would feel. After all the trials she had been through in the last twenty of her thirty years (the time-turner did add a bit to her age), a simple pleasant wedding without frills was just right for her. Especially once Harry and Ginny had arrived, and she had her best friends by her side.

After lunch, they met with their supervisors to give notice of their absence the following Friday and Monday. Snape apparated them both to her flat to pack her boxes for the magical movers to pick up later in the week. She also packed a bag for their honeymoon that would take place over the long weekend. The Ministry stipulated that a four day honeymoon was permissible for new couples paired by the Marriage Law. If everyone who was participating in the program took a week or two off in the same month, then the day to day work of wizarding Britain would suffer. And more couples were paired every day.

Hermione was a bit taken aback by Severus' announcement of their honeymoon timing. How could he have planned something so quickly? He also wouldn't tell her where they were going except that it wasn't too far and she should dress warmly and casually. He had expressed these instructions in more cutting language, but that was to be expected. Hermione noticed that when he neared something akin to romance, he perversely counteracted it with sarcasm or a glare. The behavior being harmless, she wasn't bothered.

After arriving back at the cottage they would now share, thoroughly worn out by the events of the day, Severus showed her how to take down the wards in case of emergency. He also spelled it so that she alone could enter with a simple Alohomora. They then had a quiet dinner in companionable silence.

"Thank you for dinner, Severus."

"You are no longer my guest, Hermione. I do not require your thanks."

"I prefer to give it anyway."

"Would you like a dram of Irish whiskey?

"Oh yes, that would be a lovely conclusion to the day."

He handed her a different glass than before, one that appeared carefully hand-crafted in blown glass. She looked to him expectantly to describe the nature of the vessel.

"It is a Norlan glass," he explained, "they were given to me as a gift long ago, and I save them for special occasions. They do not like to be cleaned with magic, so I have to wash them by hand."

"They are beautiful!" She wafted the smell of the whiskey into her nose and sipped.

"Is this one a bit different than yesterday?"

"Good nose, Hermione. This is the same type of whiskey as yesterday, but aged 21 years rather than 12." Her father being a whiskey drinker, Hermione knew that a liquor aged that long was likely to have quite the price tag.

"I appreciate you sharing it with me. It's delicious."

"It has been a long time since I have sampled it." He gazed into the fire solemnly.

"When was the last time?" He took his time to taste the whiskey again before answering.

"I bought it to celebrate the end of the Second Wizarding War, should I live to see it. That was the first time. The second was when I opened Sertain Solutions. The third I shared with Blaise when I agreed to be his mentor. The fourth was when I first moved into this cottage. And the fifth is here with you." Severus looked back over at her. There was that intense look again. She longed to know what was going through his mind when he did that. He was quite an enigma. She looked back at him and knew how grateful she was that he was going through this with her.

"I'm honored. Truly."

Their eye contact held a few moments. He broke it to look up at the ornate grandfather clock.

"It is getting rather late. We do have work in the morning."

"Yes, you're right," she yawned, "time for rest."

They both lumbered up the stairs. When they reached the top landing, she said, "Goodnight, Severus" with a small smile and turned to go to the guest room. Grasping her by the arm, he lightly spun her back to face him. She looked at him bewildered. Slowly, he pulled her in towards him. He stopped just short of an embrace as if to give her a chance to change her mind. When she showed no objection, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her fully to his woolen-clad frame. They stood that way, unmoving, for several minutes.

Is it weird that this doesn't feel weird? thought Hermione. Contented, she inhaled in order to release a large sigh.

That is when she smelled it…that unexpected element from her aroma of the Amortentia potion. A combination of wool, perspiration, and whatever else made up this man's personal musk. Desire for the man she was embraced by washed over her. She held on ever so slightly tighter just before he withdrew. Neither of them knew what to say.

"Good night, Hermione." He was gone behind his door in a blink.

She laid on the queen sized bed staring at the ceiling.

My idea worked. The potion worked. Now I know firsthand. Merlin, how is this possible?

She knew the function of Amortentia, unless it was imbibed it had no effect on the person's actual emotions other than to pull up memories and possibilities of desire into the person's thoughts. This was no side effect. She was having genuine feelings for the man she had just married. Vague feelings, but feelings nonetheless.

Hermione tossed and turned for another half hour, her mind reeling.

Ugggggh.

I hate sleeping alone.

During her brief relationship with Ron, her favorite aspect had been the nighttime companionship. Even when she was a child, she often snuck into her parents room and slept between them. In the last few years, she tried to get Crookshanks to sleep on her bed as he had during her Hogwarts years, but the half-kneazle enjoyed his own bed far too much to be tempted.

Exasperated, she flung her fists into the quilt, and got up.

The next day, she would chalk it up to exhaustion, the stress of the day, and that damned scent on his robes. In the moment, however, her reasoning took more of a back-seat as she left the guest room and tiptoed to the master bedroom. She was surprised he didn't wake immediately with his wand pointed at her face, but it seemed the former spy was out of practice and very tired. She hoped he wouldn't get the wrong idea about her presence in the room. Not that he would want that from her. Hermione lifted the corner of the duvet and swiftly slid into the sheets in her silk pajama top and shorts.

Severus stiffened the moment he sensed her join him in the bed. Of course, he sensed her presence as soon as she entered his room, but in the fog of half-sleep he thought he was imagining it. He believed her to be merely a mirage brought on by her irresistible fragrance, that had accosted his senses all day long. But then he felt the covers move. His body went taut. Why was she here? What did she mean by it? Should he go back to sleep? Should he acknowledge her or pretend he hadn't noticed? Should he make a move?

Severus kicked himself mentally for that last question. Of course not. She was likely feeling vulnerable from all the hectic events of the last few days. The relevant question was: should he attempt to comfort her? She seemed to have relaxed moments after settling under the king-sized duvet. Fascinating to think a conscious woman could be so relaxed in his bed with him in it. Her nearness was both comforting and excruciating. Their embrace a few hours ago was still on his mind, and he longed to touch her again if it was remotely welcome.

Lying on his side facing away from her, he listened to the rhythm of her breathing to determine if she was asleep. She seemed restful but not slumbering. Severus felt worry build up in his chest. There was no rush, or at least should not be. They likely had years to grow acquainted with each other's presence, but he felt a distinct urgency that if he did not act tonight then it would be a longer and more arduous process to grow closer. Tentatively, he turned onto his back and reached for her hand. Hermione flinched at the unexpected contact, and he withdrew his hand abruptly like it had been burned. His jaw tightened and berated himself. She was already taking a huge step in sleeping next to him, why did he have to push it? As he was about to turn back onto his side to distance himself, he felt her small warm hand in his. She kept her eyes closed and remained silent. He understood she did not want to talk, just rest.

Severus leaned over and kissed her once very softly, barely touching his lips on hers. Then he laid back, and they both promptly fell asleep.

Author's Notes: Hope you enjoyed this simple wedding night. Fear not, this will not be the extent of their physical relationship. Positive and constructive reviews only please! No trolls in the dungeon. But please leave a review! Your comments make my day. Let's make it extra fun: what would your Amortentia scents be?