Chapter 27- Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?



Tonight you're mine completely

You give your love so sweetly

Tonight the light of love is in your eyes

But will you love me tomorrow

Is this a lasting treasure

Or just a moment's pleasure

Can I believe the magic of your sighs

Will you still love me tomorrow

Tonight with words unspoken

You said that I'm the only one

But will my heart be broken

When the night

Meets the morning sun

I'll like to know that your love

Is love I can be sure of

So tell me now and I won't ask again

Will you still love me tomorrow

Will you still love me tomorrow

Will you still love me tomorrow

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Carole King

Waiting with bated breath, the two professors sat down next to Ronald Weasley, ready to hear his report. Ron had already told Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore what he had been doing that day, seemingly trying to make the whole situation more dramatic by replaying every detail since the time he woke up, to the time he slyly took guard behind the gargoyle statue in the corridor. Niceties that weren't important to know, and both Aletta and Severus were grateful for missing those irrelevant facts.

Severus and Aletta had just walked in when Ron was explaining why he was spying on the two Mafloys'.

"-because I swore I heard Voldemort's name," he was no longer anxious to speak the name, "So I stood there, a perfect view of the whole scene, considering it was a view of Malfoy. Anyway, Mr. Malfoy was telling Draco that it was only a few weeks more when they would finally be able to take Draco into their group. But Draco told his dad that he didn't want to be apart of it, and Mr. Malfoy beat him with his snake stick thingy. So, with all my luck, I sneezed. Mr. Malfoy saw me and I didn't even get out a word before he cast the curse on me."

Aletta couldn't help her chuckle, even though it was such a serious situation. "Thank you, Ron. You told us your story with much . . . alacrity and . . . information."

Dumbledore chuckled also, his eyes glinting. "You may go and report to your friends, if you wish," Severus gave the headmaster a look and Albus added, "I could never stop Mr. Weasley from telling the other two, so he might as well leave and tell them now."

"Oh no, he isn't!" Madame Pomfrey scorned with a pointed finger. "You will spend at least one more night here, just to make sure you have no nasty side effects from the potion."

Ron groaned and Dumbledore said, "Speaking of which, Aletta and Professor Snape are the reason that you have regained your memory, Ron. The two went out into the Forbidden Forest to find the difficult ingredients needed for the potion. And of course, dear Professor Snape brewed it for you."

Snape glared at the older man for mentioning his deed, but he doubted that Ron would thank him.

"Then I owe you a bunch of thanks!" Ron said joyfully to them, though he was looking more at Aletta than Severus.

"It was my pleasure, Ron." Aletta said as she opened her arms for a hug.

Ron stood up and hugged her tightly, a little too tight for Severus' comfort. He turned to Snape, about to give him a hug on impulse, but quickly remembered who the man was. He brought his arms down and held out his hand. Severus reluctantly took it, and they shook hands firmly.

"Thank you, professor," he said very respectfully, clearing his throat afterwards.

Severus nodded since he was not a person to return respect verbally, and Ron snuggled back into his bed reluctantly as Madame Pomfrey brought him a dreamless sleep potion.

Aletta turned to leave and told Ron to sleep tight before she did. Severus followed her soon after.

"It's great to look at Ron with his memory back, knowing that we were the cause of it," Aletta said happily as she and Severus strode through the corridor toward Severus' rooms. "Though it was mostly you that helped him. All I did was accompany you on the trip."

"And you were a pleasing attendant, as I soon realized."

Aletta turned her head to look at him, and he realized she had a little grin on her face. "If that isn't a compliment, I don't now what is."

Severus turned to her, realizing that she looked exceptionally beautiful. Her eyes were aglint like starfire, and her robes were tight enough to reveal her desirable curved body. He deeply wished she was in his bed at the moment.

"Ah, Aletta?" he asked cautiously, and she turned her angelic face to him as they entered the dungeons. "It pleases me to cook, and I have recently come up with a tasteful recipe that I wish for you to try. Therefore, do you think you would be available for dinner tonight in my private quarters?"

Aletta chuckled inwardly at his very respectful and somewhat nervous way of asking her, considering what they have gone through together.

Taking advantage of this uncharacteristically vulnerable man, Aletta decided to play around a bit. "Just the two of us?"

Aletta swore she hinted a flash of nervousness in his usual brooding eyes, but it was gone as soon as it peeked out.

Severus cleared his throat and said carefully, "You and I," Aletta humored herself with the idea that he knew the song that he had just finished off, "Is that a problem? I suppose if you don't want-"

Aletta laughed, ashamed of herself for practically turning him into a stuttering boy who had just asked someone out on a date for the first time. Aletta snorted at the thought, aware that this probably was the first time he had ever asked a woman on a date. And for that, she was glad. Aletta couldn't stop the jealousy the sprouted in her when she even considered that there have been other women in his life.

Severus hated being laughed at, "What is so amusing?" he asked, deadly serious.

Aletta shut up right away. She knew the different tones of his voice, and that one meant that she was treading in dangerous waters.

"I'm sorry, Severus," she said, ending her chuckles with some difficulty." The two of us, dinner in your rooms, and a dinner that you will cook! It sounds perfect," she ended with a smile.

Severus nodded his head as they stopped in the corridor where their chambers were, "Good. You may come at seven."

"And I will," Aletta said with a grin.

Severus smirked back at her, not knowing whether to kiss her or just turn around and enter his room. They had not shared a kiss since the day they returned. Though it had been chaste, much to the staffs relief. He suddenly noticed that she had already entered her room, without a single good bye or wave. What was he supposed to have done?

The whole ordeal confused him. He and Aletta had confessed their love in the forest, and he had been so sure of it. But now, it all seemed like a foolish fairy tale that didn't really exist. It all just seemed too perfect. Severus knew he loved her, deep down of course, but now he felt like they were drifting apart. Was all of the passion and love that he experienced in the forest just a side effect from being that deep in? He knew that there have been theories, theories that explained the middle of the forest to be brainwashing. But he had feelings for her before they even reached that spot, therefore he must really love her.

Maybe this is what love was; confusion, doubt, and passion all mixed up to define the emotion. He certainly felt all those things, including fear. Something he had never really felt. When he attended the meetings with Voldemort , he had not felt fear, but bravery and determination. Even when he was in the most dire of all situations, he never essentially felt fear. But now, he felt fearful that she didn't really love him. Fearful that all of this was some big mistake and that none of it was real. But he remembered when he saw Aletta bitten by the snake, and when he held her, dying in his arms. That was when he felt the most fear the had ever experienced in his life. A fear that he would lose someone, someone that had been close to his heart, even if he had only known her for a short time. A fear that the only woman who had ever understood him, would diminish from his pitiful, lonely life.

He barely knew her, but somehow he knew what she was about. A deeper love that he felt for her, and that he no longer doubted. From a sinful death eater to a forgiven spy to an accomplished Potions Master. It's funny how life works, he thought, and I am glad it has now led me . . . into the heart of an angel. And he hoped he would remain there forever.

* * * * *

"Brady, you will fetch me a baguette, 12 ounces of fresh black olives, and capers. When you return you will pit the olives, rinse and drain the capers, and cut the baguette into slices," Severus ordered the house elf sternly.

He was pleased that they offered to help, and he knew that it was only a matter of time until Aletta would arrive. The dinner he was going to cook for her would not get done unless he had helpers.

"Hanley," he turned to the other house elf to his right, "You will fetch me a chicken, about three and a half pounds, it may be a bit bigger if need be, but not smaller. I need country bread, and you will slice it as well as toast it, understood?"

The house elf nodded and bustled away, ready to fulfill his orders perfectly. In the meantime, Severus boomed through his kitchen door, gazing around at the beautiful place. He had a kitchen that only a chef could dream of.

"Oven, preheat to 400 degrees," Severus instructed in a strong voice, and a sound of rushing air fulfilled the oven.

Severus walked over to an enormous teak wood cupboard, flipping the doors open, revealing a massive inventory of herbs and spices along with other ingredients. He pulled out bottles of freshened thyme, rosemary, sage, flat-leaf parsley, unground pepper and garlic. He floated them to the enormous counter in the center of the kitchen with his wand, and walked over to a smaller cupboard. From inside, he pulled out an oval earthenware large enough to hold the chicken that Hanley just plopped onto a counter, along with the toasted country bread. Severus nodded at the house elf just as Brady entered with the other things Severus ordered.

"Good, now Brady, I want you to rinse these anchovies under cold water and rub them to remove all traces of salt. Separate them into fillets, removing the head and backbone. Then cut each fillet into small pieces."

The elf nodded and grabbed the sardine can on the counter as Severus turned to Hanley, "Now I believe I will make the dessert simple. Therefore I will make it when she has already arrived and we are seated for dinner. I plan on making a Sorbetto Al Limone, which is lemon sorbet. Simple, yet appropriate, don't you think?"

Hanley nodded nervously, not believing that the formidable Severus Snape was talking to him like he was a human being. "Yes, sir."

"Yet we need to freeze it now, so you will boil, let us say . . . one cup of water with one cup of sugar for five minutes. Stir in . . . three cups of fresh lemon juice and let it cool. Then place it in the freezer over there," he said, pointing to an expensive-looking, muggle freezer.

The elf nodded and headed off. Now it was time for the main course, Severus thought. He walked over to the chicken and sprinkled it with salt inside and out. He then stuffed the chicken with some thyme, rosemary, sage, and celery. He added the parsley and four cloves of garlic. Placing the remaining herbs and celery in the oval earthenware, he added the oil, salt, pepper, and remaining garlic cloves. After rolling the chicken in the oil to coat on all sides, he covered the pot and placed it in the oven. One and three fourths of an hour would do.

Just as he finished this, Brady ran over to him with the sardine fillets on a plate.

"Good, now combine the anchovies with the olives, garlic, and capers in the food processor. Add the mustard, cognac, pepper, and half of the oil and blend it to a thick paste. While you continue to blend it, add the rest of the oil. When it is finished, transfer it to an appropriate serving bowl. When you are finished, you may leave."

The elf nodded and ran off to do his job. Now all Severus had to do was wait for Aletta, which would be another unbearable hour.

* * * * * *



Severus long form was lounged on his black leather sofa, sleeping peacefully before a blazing fire. He had meant to read his Potions Weekly magazine, but was lulled to sleep by the soft music that gently played in the background. Music was always a perfect remedy for his insomnia, which he experienced almost every night. Though he would end up waking about five times during the night, unable to enter the world of peaceful sleep. So a midnight walk through the corridors usually brought drowsiness to him.

Suddenly a light tapping noise was heard at the door, but failed to rouse the occupant of the room. A few more light taps were followed by knocks, but Severus snoozed on. A rap on the door, and Severus bolted upright, his wand in hand. He chuckled to himself when he realized he had fallen asleep beautifully at such a wrong time. Another rap was banged onto his door and realization dawned on him again. Aletta was waiting for him outside. He was suddenly angry at himself, and he brushed a hand through his tousled unkempt hair, but made no improvement to it. He hadn't even dressed yet. He was still in a normal pair of black pants and a white shirt, which were crinkled from his slumber.

"Severus, are you there?" he heard her somewhat annoyed voice ask hopefully from the door.

"Coming!" Severus somewhat yelled from his distanced spot on the couch.

What could he do? First of all, he couldn't answer the door in his tousled appearance.

"Severus, I was getting annoyed so I just came in."

He heard her soft voice over by the door and looked over at her in confusion. Severus was about to ask how she got in, but his mouth literally dropped open when he saw her form. His messy appearance was almost instantly forgotten as he stood to greet her.

"What, is the party over already?" she asked in reference to his appearance.

Severus couldn't take his eyes off her. She was dressed in a sparkly, strapless white dress that reached to her knees and hugged her desirable features.

Fortunately, the chicken had just finished, hence the ring that disrupted Severus' thoughts. He didn't hear her earlier question and brushed off to the kitchen without saying a word. Aletta furrowed her brow in confusion as she saw his awkward form move away from her. But almost jumped from her sandals when he entered right back into the room, almost instantly after he went into the kitchen.

"The food still needs to cool, so I think I'm going to go get dressed," he said quickly as he started toward his bedroom, though he stopped swiftly and added, "And I apologize for my appearance. You see, the music you hear now is to blame. It lulled me to sleep while I was reading my magazine."

"What kind of magazine?" Aletta asked jokingly as she tilted her head to the, a curl escaping it' tie on the back of her head.

Snape smirked at her and walked over to her to brush the tendril of hair behind her ear. "Those magazines are usually in Black's possession," he said as his glittering dark eyes stared at her, "And for your information, it's Potions Weekly."

Aletta made a mock gasp, but wasn't able to finish it as Severus' soft mouth covered her own. She opened her mouth for him and his tongue was very much obliged as it dueled with her own. Aletta was about to circle her arms around his neck when he pulled away.

Severus cleared his throat, "I think I should go get cleaned up. But in the mean time, you may help yourself to the bar."

Aletta smiled sensuously and nodded at him. He nodded back with a smirk and swept off to his bedroom.



* * * * * * *

Twenty minutes later, Severus emerged from the kitchen, a plate of bread in one hand, and a bowl of spread in the other. Aletta was quite smitten with his appearance. He had on black slacks and a white chemise. Simple, yet elegant.

"How did exit from the kitchen when you were in your bedroom?" Aletta asked, fascinated with the man before her.

Severus' brow scrunched up in thought and he mused to himself, "I don't know. . . "

Aletta smirked and said, "You are truly a wizard, Severus."

"Now I wouldn't say that just yet," Aletta arched a brow. "There are many other things you will soon learn about me. My flawless culinary talents. My talent on the cello. And my talented passion."

Aletta was being extremely turned on by his silky voice, and they had not even gotten started. "Then I look forward to learning your talents, especially the latter."

Severus smirked. "Follow me, milady."

Aletta grabbed her glass of wine and followed him into a small, but gorgeous dining room. She took a seat at the small mahogany table in the center of the room as he set the platters onto the table. Aletta admired how he decorated it, with candlelight and roses in the middle. Her attention, however, was mostly drawn to the delicious-looking spread on the table.

"It's called Tapenade," Severus purred as he sat down across from her. "The name of this dish, the first course, derives from the word tapeno, which is the Provencal equivalent of capers," he started to spread some elegantly onto a piece of bread. "In fact, Toulon capers are an indispensable ingredient of this wonderfully flavored sauce."

Aletta's nether regions were already aching for him, and the way he explained the dish, with such passion and wit, was enough to bring her to the edge.

Severus set a small plate of the sauced bread onto her plate. She saw Severus take a bite of his, nodding in approval, though not boasting. Aletta brought her own bread to her mouth, and took a bite. She had always been one to try new things, and ended up loving them. Though this dish, was making her melt. He had not told her that olives were in them! One of her favorite foods, and tasting it with the capers and garlic was mouth-watering. She expressed great approval of this dish, and Severus smiled with ease.

The main course soon arrived with a snap of Severus' elegant fingers, and Aletta's eyes were graced with a delicious-looking chicken, surrounded by garlic cloves and celery stalks.

"Oh Severus, it looks delicious!" Aletta exclaimed as he started to cut it with expertise.

"In Provence, where it is called the poor man's truffle, garlic is the basis of the local cuisine," he purred again in a velvety rich voice. "Braised en chemise, 'in a shirt' in other words, the garlic cloves become soft and creamy, making a delicious puree that enhances the flavor of poultry. And it always needs to be accompanied with a white wine."

It is very uncomfortable to be aroused when eating dinner, Aletta thought as he served some chicken onto her plate. He placed a slice of bread onto her plate, as well.

"For the bread, you may use the Tapenade, though I find it pleasing to crush the garlic slightly to remove the skin and spread the wonderful fragrant puree that is left onto it."

Aletta nodded in amazement. This man was truly genius when it came to cooking, as well as potion-making.

After they finished eating the delicious meal, Severus suggested to move to the couch.

"I would love to," Aletta said with a smile as she finished off her white wine.

Severus stood swiftly, like a sly cat, and they both walked leisurely to the black, leather couch. When they sat down, Aletta turned to him, her eyes widened with acceptance.

"Now I understand why you fell asleep," she said humorously. "This sofa is very comfortable."

Severus smirked and said, "I got it from a muggle store in London. I feel that my taste in furnishing products leans more toward the muggle side."

Aletta nodded and said, "As I've seen since you have your own muggle kitchen. I didn't take you for a muggle-lover."

Snape glared at her with his onyx eyes, but it was soon brushed away as Aletta planted a soft kiss on his soft lips. "Relax, I'm only joking."

Severus glared at her again. "I hate jokes."

Aletta laughed and said, "You're quite a joker yourself.'

Severus smirked and swept his lips to her own. It was a kiss almost tentative, very tender, testing. She kissed him back so lovingly, so willingly. She kissed him as she did when she finally gave into his drugging kisses in the forest. But there was no doubt or hesitation involved here. She kissed him because she wanted to and for no other reason.

As their lips parted, Severus said in a rugged voice, "How is that for a joke?"

"Oh, that's no joke," Aletta said breathlessly as Severus smirked.

The shadows of the flickering flames in the fire covered them, causing the lust in both of their eyes to flicker as well. Aletta wasn't discomforted by his desirable looks. They had been alone so many times before. But it had never been like this. It had never felt like this.

"Straddle me, Aletta," he said, his eyes almost dangerous-looking.

It was a shocking suggestion. The sort that should have got his face slapped.

Instead she rose from her chair and hurried herself onto him. She hesitated in front of him as if uncertain of what to do or how to proceed. Gingerly she lowered her backside to his knees.

Rome refused to allow her such reticence. He was sure that any moment they would both come to their senses. He was not willing to waste these few fleeting moments by faltering.

With one hand on her hip and the other on her thigh, he turned her so she straddled him correctly, her backside on his lap and her legs resting on the couch beside either of his thighs. It felt right. It felt perfect. So naturally her arms slid around his neck. The front of her bosom was against his chest. Her round, firm buttocks were atop his erection. This was how it felt good. This was how he wanted her in his arms.

"Kiss me," he told her. "Kiss me like it will cost you everything that you might ever possess."

She did. After a short afternoon of practice, their mouths sought each other with welcome and confidence. She tugged and playfully bit at him. He answered with equivalent urgency.

Severus arms wrapped around her, and she didn't show any reluctance as she had done in the forest. In fact, as the kiss deepened, she pressed herself to him.

Lovingly he ran his hand upward from her waist to the side of her breast. He wanted to touch her, but he dared not. He had been so demanding in the forest, not caring whether she wanted him or not. But now, he felt like he had glass in his arms that he would break if he tried anything to sexual. Though he smoothed his way back to her waist again, only to retrace his journey once more. Finally, as she opened wider for him, allowing his tongue its will to exploration, he moved his hand across the top of the smooth roundness of her.

In truth, he could feel virtually nothing. There were not many layers of clothing between his hand and her flesh, but he still had no clue to her shape or size, the warmth of her skin or the site of her nipple. But she gasped, from modesty or pleasure he did not know, but the sound of it went through him like fire, stirring his loins.

Aletta ended the kiss, hiding her face against his neck.

He squirmed on the couch.

She sat up. "Am I too heavy for you?" she asked him.

"Oh, no," he answered truthfully.

His movements were more an opportunity to press himself against her than to relieve himself of her weight. Relief was not what that offered. The more pleasurably he sawed himself upon her, the more need for relief was required.

They kissed once more, expressing with their mouths the things they were afraid to say in words. Severus loved the taste of her, he loved the feel of her. She had become his in a way he had not expected. It was a dream and he didn't wish to awaken from it.

He continued to caress her breast. But the frustration of all the clothing began to grate upon him. With his other hand he began unzipping the zipper at the back of her dress.

"What are you doing?" she asked him, her lips against his neck. "Are you removing my dress?"

She hadn't told him not to. She'd simply asked if that was what he was doing.

"Of course not," Severus assured her. "I'm . . . I'm simply going to loosen your dress a little."

"You're going to loosen my dress?"

Once more it was not a protestation.

"Yes, you . . . you are breathing heavily. I can't have you fainting from my skilled caresses."

"You pompous prick," she said, bringing her lips eagerly to his once more.

Her enthusiastic passion was so unexpected, so lustful, he feared he might faint himself. His whole body seemed to have turned to jelly. That is, except the part that was a throbbing, aching ramrod.

Once the zipper was unzipped, he began peeling the garment down her arms. He'd had enough experience with women's clothing to know that while a bra could be taken off over the head, it could be done away with entirely if a man could get his hands upon the front hooks.

Naturally she would never allow him to do such a thing, he reminded himself. And she certainly shouldn't, if she didn't want to. If he were a true gentleman, he should stop right now. He didn't behave as one.

He pulled the pretty white dress down off her bosom. Her strapless bra cover was virginal white, lacy and pretty. Nothing sensual and seductive about it. The sight, however, had him adjusting in the chair once more.

She looked down and what he had done. And then looked up to meet his gaze. In the dim light he could see her lower lip tremble and the glow of perspiration upon her brow. But it was the expression in her eyes that held him. An expression of both desire and fear. She wanted him, but she was afraid.

"I should let you go, Aletta," he said.

She didn't even glance toward the door. "We should go to your bed," she told him. "You should take me. Take me, Severus. Make love to me."

He did not need to be asked twice. With one arm beneath her knees and one behind her shoulder, he rose to his feet in a swift, sure motion. She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him closely as if to protect her modesty from the eyes so intent on assailing it.

When they reached the door, it was her hand that opened it. He crossed the threshold with Aletta in his arms and then slammed the door loudly behind him with his heel.

She was trembling again, this time clearly in fear. Either of them might awake to good sense any time. It was paramount that he reassure them both while they were still so foolishly out of their minds. He kissed her. Long and lovingly, he kissed her. She returned the gesture with equal fervency and pressed her bosom to his chest.

"I have never . . . never felt like this," she whispered.

"Neither have I," he answered and realized as he heard the words that he spoke the truth.

Severus set her down gently onto his large bed, marveling at her wonton look as she laid her head back against his pillow. Severus sat beside her reclined position. He touched her lips with his own, lightly, gently, three times. Then he kissed her again, this time with the passion they'd shared on the couch. She met him, his equal in devotion and desire.

He smoothed her thin, girlish bra over her breast, swallowing the desire it evoked. He wanted to see her breasts. He wanted to kiss them, caress them.

"Aletta, if you don't want me to touch you-"

"Touch me," she answered, guiding his hand to the hooks on the front of her bra. "Please touch me."

Rome couldn't deny either of them. He made hasty work of the three strong hooks that kept her bound so tightly. He pushed the offending garment away as he clasped her breasts in his hands. Finally flesh against flesh.

Her breath came through the depths of her throat, deep and impassioned. Severus caressed her naked bosom, marveling at its size and firmness. Her nipples were thick and hard, begging him to handle and tease them, begging him to taste them. He did.

She gasped at the touch of his tongue upon her, drawing up her knees. It was a fortuitous move. Severus slipped in between her thighs, spreading her before him.

He took turns suckling one breast and then the other as she squirmed and writhed beneath him, moans of earthly carnality emitting from her throat. Never had any woman felt so sensual, so desirable in his arms. Never had he wanted a woman as he wanted this one.

He whipped her nipples with his tongue. A sensation that she greatly enjoyed, judging by the flailing of her head from side to side and her inability to keep her legs stilled.

Severus grabbed her knee and bent it, curving her leg around his waist. He allowed his hand to traverse the length of her thigh. He slipped his hand under her dress. The flesh there was so soft, so welcoming, he nearly moaned aloud.

She did exactly that. Begging for more with phrases like, "Oh, please!" "Yes, Severus." "Please, Severus." "Yes! Please! Oh! Severus!"

He knew what she needed. He knew what she wanted. Even if she did not know herself. He brought his thigh up tightly into the crux of her legs.

At first she didn't seem to know what to do. It was as if she were waiting for him to explain the rules. In her innocence, she did not know that desire has no rules. He leaned down to nibble lightly upon her neck. Ever so gently, he rubbed his hand against her and then whispered into her ear.

"Do what feels good," he told her. "Move as it feels good."

She hesitated.

He swirled his tongue into her ear and then whispered again more breathily, "Find pleasure, Aletta," he said. "I want you to find pleasure with me."

Tentatively she began to move. Ever so curiously, she eased herself against the hardness of his thigh. Severus urged her on with words, caresses and kisses.

"That's it," he praised her. "Yes, my precious, my love. Yes, that's it."

Little whimpers of needs were escaping her. He held her fast, glorying in her. He slipped his hand between them. Down past her waist, along the seam line of her panties, pouty lips so near his knee. She was close. She was very close. Just a little push would send her over the edge. Just a tiny push and she would know pleasure the way a man could give it to her. The way Severus could give it to her. He wanted to give it to her. He wanted to do it.

Her cries and words and pleas were coming faster now. Her body was squirming beneath him, riding him.

As his hand moved lower she fought between the desire to spread herself for him and the urge to clutch him to her more closely. He understood what she wanted. He wanted it too. He wanted it so badly, he ached from it. There could be nothing more pleasurable than being inside her. Buried deep inside her. Being one with her. That was what he wanted. But he wouldn't take it. He wouldn't take it now.

He moved his hand lower and lower along the front of her panties until he caressed her intimately.

She whimpered his name. Begging for what she did not know. But he did. Softly, gently, he touched her, mapping her, appreciating her. Then he slipped his hand under the fabric, pressing her labium together between his last three fingers and the ball of his hand, forcing the tiny nubbin to squeeze outward and reveal itself to his touch. He grasped her between his thumb and forefinger, and manipulated her with painstaking tenderness.

Her orgasm was like a thunderbolt, sudden and intense. Then, like an earthquake, there was more in the aftermath. She cried out his name.

Aletta was trembling and he pulled her closer. Kissing her eyes, her cheeks, her chin, her lips. He unfurled the dress that had ended up at her waist and brought it up to cover her. After he zipped her up, he removed his trousered leg from the wet warmth it had so recently awakened and straightened her skirt more modestly. He sat beside her upon the bed. It was full darkness now and he could not see her face. But he could hear her breathing and he comforted himself that there were no tears or recriminations in the sound.

"I'm going to go get dessert," his said finally, his own voice sounding strange to his ears.

"Wasn't that it?" Aletta asked breathlessly as she sat up too. "Though I don't think we've quite finished."

Aletta felt much more bolder now that they had been so intimate with each other, and she moved over to sit next to him, though he stood up just as she had.

"I'll be back," he said with a smile that she could not see.

When he opened the door, the flickering flames that danced off the walls of the room flowed into the bedroom, giving Aletta a clear view of his ruffled hair and clothes and he walked out. She smiled to herself, remembering how he had stimulated her by not even touching her. He had told her to move against him, a new thing that she had never heard of, though she had found it extremely erotic.

Severus soon returned with two martini glasses full of a lemon sorbet. He gave her one, along with the spoon and explained it just as he had before with the other foods, "Now, lemon sorbet is usually served halfway through the meal because it is an excellent digestive, though it was not ready for that time earlier. While the first course was French, this dessert is Italian. And Sicily is famous for its wonderfully fragrant lemons, certainly the best in the world. In fact, lemon orchards are now replacing most of the orange orchards."

Aletta had finished the delicious dessert right when he ended, "You are amazing, Severus."

As Severus took his last bite, his looked up at her with a smirk and said, "Not half as amazing as you are."

She set her glass down on a nightstand and he did the same, and as she turned to him he lowered himself to her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Openmouthed, she met his kiss with her own.

It was just as it had been between them. Sweet and hot, matched and matchless. The taste of him was oh, so familiar and her body recognized him as well. She curved herself upward from the bed ticking to press herself closer.

He moaned deep in his throat.

"I love you, Aletta," he whispered. "I love you so very much."

He kissed her mouth, he eyelids, her forehead, her cheeks. He tenderly feathered his lips along her jaw line to her ear.

"Love me, Aletta," he pleaded. "Love me, if you ever can."

"I do love you," she answered. "I love you, Severus Snape."

He muffled a shout of joy against her throat.

She arched her neck to give him more access. He took it eagerly, testing and tasting her from the edge of her collarbone to the delicate flesh between her breasts. Such a tender touch took her breath away.

His strong, dependable hands, so warm and soothing, moved upon her fevered skin.

The right hand found its way to her bosom, weighing her breast and urging the nipple to rise, turgid and eager, for his touch. He did not leave her wanting, but took the small, hardened bud between in thumb and forefinger and tweaked it in a fashion that was all pleasure and no pain.

The force of the sensation sizzled down her body to her most secret and intimate places. She gasped from the intensity of it and drew up her legs to try to tamp down the fire.

"Yes," he said, so close to her ear. "Yes, I know what you're needing. I know what you're wanting. I need it too. I want it too."

As if to emphasize the truth of his statement, he drew her hand down between them. Through his trousers she felt the long, hard length of him.

She stilled abruptly.

He kissed her and allayed her with whispered soothing word. "You don't have to be afraid," he told her. "I'll be very gentle. We'll take it very slow. If you tell me to stop, I'll stop."

"Stop," she told him.

There was a moment's hesitation on his part and then he pulled away from her. Sitting back on his heels at the end of the bed, his legs straddled on either side of him.

His eyes were focused completely upon hers. He did not for an instant glance away.

"What are you doing?" Aletta asked him.

"You told me to stop," he said. "So I stopped."

That was good, she told herself. Somehow it didn't feel that way.

"I am your partner," he said, "in everything with you, Aletta. I want what you want."

She was still nervous. She was still afraid. But she did love him and she did want him, very much.

Aletta sat up. She was in a very unladylike position, her clothes all bunched up and her legs spread before him. Bravely, in one motion, she pulled her dress off over her head and discarded it on the floor.

Severus was watching her. His eyes were so intense upon her skin, the look was almost scorching.

She ran hand along his shoulders and to his collar. When her fingers arrived at the first of the line of black buttons down the from of his chest, she hesitated.

"It's been my experience that in any severe and unforeseeable downturn," she said, "and perhaps we can call these loosened bedcovers exactly that, both partners lose their shirts simultaneously."

He smiled at her as she undid all the buttons and peeled the impediment to his bare chest from his back.

"What about undergarments?" he asked her. "Do partners lose their undergarments as well?"

Aletta glanced down and couldn't help blushing at the evidence of his arousal.

"I'm not sure I've heard undergarments mentioned in terms of economic conditions," she told him.

"I don't believe I have either," he admitted as they each explored the naked flesh of the other. "But I have heard it said, Aletta, not to mix economics with pleasure. And what I want to share with you is totally and completely pleasure."

He slid his arms more tightly around her, easing her closer. Warm flesh against warm flesh was enticing, almost overpowering. Aletta shivered, but she was so hot.

Severus began to shower her with kisses on her face, her arms, her breasts, her belly. She trembled, glorying in the way he touched her.

"Do you remember how you felt earlier?" he asked her.

"Oh, yes," she answered. The words came out more like a moan than a reply.

"I'm going to make you feel like that again," he promised. "Would you like that?"

What a silly question to ask. She didn't bother to answer, but simply sought his mouth with her own in reply.

His hands were not gentle or tentative upon her. He was certain and eager. He wanted to please her and he knew how. He kneaded her bosom and nipped each breast in turn until she could think of nothing else but his mouth there.

When he moved his head lower and the cool air assaulted the raised, damp point, she whined in complaint.

He ignored her as he lay a trail of delicate love bites from her midriff to below her navel. As his face approached the crux of her spread thighs, she demurely attempted to draw her legs together.

Severus would have none of it. He braced a hand on each knee and opened her wide before him. She gave a little cry of astounded shock before he lowered his mouth to the source of her feminine secrets that twitched with immodest eagerness.

Her dismay quickly fled as incoherence took over. She could not think or wonder or even express herself in words. Her head flailed from side to side and the sounds that came from her mouth were indecipherable, except for their origin, which was ecstatic pleasure. As his tongue flourished upon her with rapidity and persistence, she began grinding her hips to get more, to feel more.

When she reached the pinnacle, it was so vivid, so powerful, she tried to pull away from him. But he held to her and helped her through until she cried out his name in ardent passion, shattering her remaining fears and restraints.

He held her tightly in his arms thereafter, soothing her, praising her. He kissed her and she tasted herself upon his lips. He tasted of her and himself and the indescribable fervor they'd shared.

"That was . . . it was . . . I can't believe . . ."

"I know," he whispered. "And there is more."

Aletta sighed and said, "Next time, I will return the favor in the same way," she reached her hand down and stroked him.

"No," he said as he took her hand away. "I don't think I can hold it if you do that. Maybe like you said, next time."

Aletta smiled and asked, "So there is more?"

He drew her hand to her own body, which was now hot and wet and so very sated, it seemed.

"Do you feel that?" he asked her.

She nodded. It was as if the lips of her entrance had opened wide, a puckered, seeking edge raised high.

"You've bloomed for me like a flower," he told her. "I will promise not to hurt you."

Aletta believed him. With no trepidation at all, she unbuttoned the front of his trousers. She had never seen a real naked man before and was a little taken aback by both the difference from herself and the sheer dimensions of his body parts.

"How do you keep something that big in your pants?" she joked truthfully.

Severus gave her a teasing bite and settled himself between her thighs. "I'm hoping that I won't have to so much, now that you are mine."

It was as he had promised. Slow and gentle. He eased himself inside with only the mildest of resistance. There was stretching, accommodating, but somehow it was not uncomfortable. In face, once he was buried completely inside her, Aletta felt a wholeness, a perfection, that brought tears to her eyes.

"Am I hurting you?" he asked.

"Oh, no," she assured him.

"Are you . . . are you sorry to give yourself to me?"

She opened her eyes wide then, hurriedly disabusing him of that notion.

"I love you," she told him. "I have loved you for some time. But at this moment, I love you more than I thought it was possible to love. And I feel more a part of you than I thought possible for one person to feel for another."

The tears slid from her eyes back toward her temples.

"I'm crying with joy," she said. "With immeasurable happiness. I don't ever want you to stop doing this."

Severus' grin was warm and understanding, his eyes bright with the same emotions that she was feeling. But when her spoke, his words were teasing.

"Stop? Aletta, I haven't even started yet."



Afterwards, Aletta felt complete. Complete with the world and Severus Snape.

With her head rested against his muscular chest, she looked up at him with a smile, "That was so incredible, I still feel the tingles."

Severus smiled and tightened his one arm around her while his other rested behind his head. "You were as tight as a vice."

Aletta blushed, "I love you."

"And I you," he answered, kissing her forehead lightly.

Aletta sat up suddenly, wrapping the blanket around her bosom, "But Severus, will you still love me tomorrow?"

Severus smiled as he brought his hand up to her cheek, "Tomorrow . . . and forever more."



THE END

A/N- This was my first attempt at smut, I hope it lived up to your expectations. I did a lot of work on this chapter, as you probably know since I haven't updated in awhile. I hope you enjoyed my story! Thanks for reading, and please review!

I would like to thank Psycho-Kitty-Purra for helping me on stuff throughout the story and for being a great friend!

This story is dedicated to Alan Rickman and the dear departed Richard Harris.