Chapter 10

Relief flooded me. I moved closer to him and run my hands up his chest. I will never get over how strong he was mentally as well as physically.

Feeling like we needed to lighten the mood "can I just say, if anyone from school saw you in your combination of clothing right now" looking pointedly at the flip flops "they would die! I added mischievously

He tilted his head back and laughed a real laugh and I loved the sound, he brought his eyes back to my face, his black eye glistening "I love you Mrs Snape".

I tilted my head to reach his lips his strong arms fitted around my waist and pulled me flush against him, he deepened the kiss and I could feel his excitement growing.

I slid my hands to the hem of his t shirt and said into the kiss "to many clothes" we parted just for a second whilst I pulled his T-shirt over his head and he removed my dress in one movement.

Standing in front of him in just bra and knickers him still with his shorts and flip flop on, my hands shaking goes to the top button of his shorts and his hands covers mine " I look up to him and he gently says "only if your certain my darling" my urgent kiss back to him is all the encouragement he needed before I realised I'm laying on my back in my bed with him kissing every inch of my exposed skin.

His shorts are gone he's only in his boxers, he must have lost the flip flops along the way.

I've lost my bra and my knickers were in the process of being pulled down. I'm now bare for him to see.

"Beautiful Hermione, he whispers "so fucking beautiful" I mew in anticipation "Please, Severus please" I beg I can't wait any longer he positions himself at my entrance and with eyes locked he makes us one.

Laying in the bed still with the sun streaming in over us, I must have fell asleep in his arms and for the first time in a long time I felt truly safe.

I wake with a start, I heard a cluttering in the kitchen area. It's still day light. I flip from my stomach to standing in on fluid motion.

Severus hearing me appeared in the doorway " hey hey it's ok it's me he said hands in front of him trying to calm me. I let out the breathe " I'm sorry" I said embarrassed "I'm just not used to anyone being here"

"no it's my fault I was just trying to make us some tea"

I laughed what a pair we are! He comes fully into the room and leans down and kisses me on my forehead.

"I'm going to jump in the shower" I see a wicked glint cross his face, where I read his mind "he thinks he might join me" but instead he playfully slaps me on the arse as I walk past and he turns to return to the kitchen.

I come out feeling refreshed, I throw on an old pair of shorts and tank top and I go through to find Severus sitting eating some toast. I grab a slice off his plate and squeeze onto his lap. " I'm sorry about my over reaction."

"Don't be absurd your bound to be jumpy. " Anyway, your lucky I didn't hex you when I first woke up, I've not slept with anyone for the last 6 years"

"Really" I ask? Surprised "Of course Hermione you may not have been aware but I took our vows very seriously."

"ah". I go to get up, he pulls me back "Hermione I don't want you worrying about every little school girl fumbling you've had, i know what we have is much deeper than that, give me some credit"

My cheeks go pink " I know but it feels so icky"

"I'm sure I've got nothing to worry about regarding Mr Weasley!" He says with one raised eyebrow - I laughed "yes your are quite right, absolutely nothing to worry about in that department."

He kisses me on the lips "

"Not to say I didn't have the opportunity!"

I snack him on the arm. He lifts his hands in mock surrender " I'm sorry, I'm sorry no need to get physical" we both laugh god I've missed laughing!

I get an idea. "Do you want to see what I've been doing for a job?" "Sounds intriguing? He questions.

"Come on I'll take you for a little tour around and show you"

After severus finds is flip flops we head back out into the evening sun, it's still quite warm but nowhere as hot as earlier.

I take severus around the corner of the apartments to my lock up and from the outside, it looks, just well like an ordinary lock up including the weeds. I open up the door and we both go inside.

I flick the lights on and a separate door is in front of us. I close the outer door first and with a flick of my wand the door springs open and a flight of stairs going down is in front of us. "Intriguing" severus says and I proudly walk down in front of him"

Once on the lower level one flick of my wand and the lights down here aluminate the whole area.

I'm literally bouncing on my toes, he's face was a picture " it's, it's superb Hermione". He's praise made me feel 10 ft tall! "My I". He asks, I nod.

He quickly, lifts lids and fingers each jar on the shelves , he touches every cauldron, he stops in front of the pewter one " he lefts his eyes to me " Hermione" this is wonderful!

You like it? "Errr obviously"he says deadpan!

He sees the seal of the completed orders on the workstation…. He gently lifts one of the bottles examining the label and the contents inside " I nod" as I couldn't speak even if I wanted to he was bursting with pride and I could feel it from here.

His fingers trace the label SHS Potions

He looks to me questionably?

Err " I was going to go with just my initials but I thought I'd use our joined initials"

It's perfect Hermione, I love that"

Relief filled me, " your not mad?" "No of course not. This whole set up is amazing Hermione truly!"

"So" He places the bottle back and leans into the desk with hand on hip looking at me. "Any chance of a job" he asks one eyebrow raised.

I squill and jump at him, he catches me and lifts me so that I'm sat on the bench he stands between my legs. " you are one remarkable witch" he states

He cups my jaw and kisses me with such tenderness, I hook my heels around his arse and pull him closer.

I proceed to show him how remarkable I can be!

3 months later

It's nearly Christmas and me and Severus have been living in my little apartment in complete bliss.

We had written to Minver to tell her we were stay put and that Severus would not be coming back to hogwarts to teach. That news went down like a cup of cold sick,but to be fair, she was gracious and understood that I wasn't coming back and Severus would not leave me.

I wrote to Harry and we've exchanged a few letters now, nothing amazing he finds it all a bit weird but he's trying and I won't stop trying to be there for him. I'm no longer the young girl from his time, but our time together was real and he was truly my very best friend.

And Ron…. Well Ron is Ron and all I can say is that I wish him well, I wrote to him to try to open up a line of communication but he's never responded so I'll let sleeping dogs lie.

All the puzzle pieces are finally coming together, the transition has been hard but we know it will be worth it.

We both know how happy we were before so that keeps us going when the two timelines clash and they do from time to time.

And Severus, he's fitted into our little community well he's normally found chatting to Mick & Tracy and he's a wonderful friend to Pepa who has taken him under his wing to teach him Spanish- Ellie and little Dominic are always welcome guests and Dominic has shown a flair for science which Severus loves to indulge.

We are happy " what are you thinking about? " he breaks me from my daydreaming "mmm that would be telling I smugly reply"

I was laying with my head on his lap whilst we cuddled on the sofa, we were watch Spanish muggle TV, Severus was absently mindedly playing with my hair.

He reaches over fingertips brush my face " I smile at him " I was just thinking I'm so happy, I know it's been hard giving up everything you know but I'm so happy to be here with you Severus"

"What your not missing a cold damp castle and the fantastic weather at home?" He laughingly replied…. "We'll yes that and our home and old acquaintances".

"Hermione, none of that's important, I'm just happy I got a second chance at this. He runs his fingertips up and down my arm as I lay there.

" I never in a million years thought I could get the right you and the real me back again, I was so desperately unhappy back then."

He paused his fingers and lifted them back to continued to play with my hair.

"We've both got through two wars and my whole life has been me fighting, I finally feel I don't have to fight anymore."

I smile, realising how happy that statement made me.

He spoke tenderly "I love you Hermione."

"and I you." Was my reply.

Fin

Quick message:

Thank you for all the kind messages of support and to those who liked and favourited / took the time to review this, my first EVER story!!!! It really means the world to me!

All this was done via mobile, so I appreciate the formatting my not be perfect and I've got a lot to learn. You have given me the courage to carry on and try to get better.