Make your bed and lie in it
By Lady Alice Kyteler
Summary: Snape and Hermione are having trouble in the bedroom…
"Is it in yet?" Hermione asked as her husband writhed on the bed.
He merely grunted in reply, pushing a stray lock of hair out of his face as he continued to try. Hermione watched his face, loving the way he looked when concentrating so hard, the way his eyes were unfocussed in absorption, the sheer single-mindedness of his struggle.
"Can I help, Severus?" she asked eventually.
"No! Dammit, Hermione, I am your husband and there are some things a man should be able to manage on his own!" he snapped, anger flashing dangerously in his eyes.
Hermione gave a small mental shrug and let him get on with it. Three years of marriage and he still refused to accept any help from her. His stubborn pride was one of the things she loved most about him but it could be frustrating at times. VERY frustrating. She sighed and asked again.
"Are you sure you don't need any help?"
He paused and lay still. She could see the internal debate behind his eyes - should he accept the offer? It would be so much more satisfying, but could he bring himself to admit that he, Severus Snape, Potions Master, Head of Slytherin house, ex-Death Eater and spy for the good, needed help…especially in a matter such as this.
After a long silence he muttered that "Yes, perhaps, a little assistance may be…necessary."
Hermione smiled and bent to help him.
A very few minutes of frantic activity later, they collapsed on the bed to lie in each others arms, breathless, sweaty, and satisfied.
Hermione turned to her husband and grinned.
"Don't you think, Severus, that at your advanced age" - at this, he scowled and snorted in mock-disgust - "you would be able to put a duvet into its cover unassisted?"