So I'm back!! Thanks for all the great reviews, they make me really happy! (There's nothing better than seeing that little botfanfiction return address when you check your email.
The story ended up being 14 chapters in all (one more chapter than I said I'd have!), I don't really know if that's short, long, or decent length. I was thinking of writing a prequel (if you've noticed from the 'journal excerpts' I have my own ideas of how everyone ended up here) and focusing 50/50 on Hermione and Remus' experiences. Or should I stick with focusing on Hermione? I'm not sure. What do you think? I'd love some feedback. I'm already considering formatting possibilities (flashback, present state, whatnot). I'm concerned about writing too seriously though…if you can't tell I'm a lighthearted sort, so the really intense scenes with Hermione that I've hinted at might not turn out right.
Avestia & GISingerJayne—you two are awesome!! It's like having personal cheerleaders (especially when I think a chapter might be weak…).
Nissy Padfoot—I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and very excited that you chose to review!
Anyways, the author's note is rapidly outpacing the chapter itself. So…Chapter 12.
And here we have sex scene number one. Sorry if it seems fanciful…this is what happens when I experience an extended dry spell.
--Aimes
Callah hobbled over to Snape, hauled him up, and proceeded towards Remus.
"Where should we apparate to?" She asked exhaustedly.
"Your place," Snape grunted. "Can't make it back to the UK." She nodded and teleported out, followed closely by Snape, apparating.
Remus concentrated carefully then apparated with Hermione.
They appeared in the living room of the Villa. "And the end comes back to the beginning," Callah mumbled.
Suddenly they were mobbed.
"Where the hell were you? We've been worried sick! First Snape and 'Mione come knocking, looking for resurrection spells, then disappear not to be seen again!" Harry and Draco were livid, till they saw the condition of the bedraggled group.
"Alright, everyone to bed," Draco ordered. "We've taken over the guest room, Pops, so you and Callah use her room. Remus, take Hermione up to her room. And no funny business! I'll be up in a few minutes with some restorative potions and ointments. Then it's sleep for all of you!"
"Dear God, give me Lucius."
"I heard that, Callah! Go!"
Callah and Snape stumbled up to her room. She closed the door behind him and turned to face him with a wan smile.
"You look like hell." She kicked off her boots and socks and stretched her toes.
"Likewise." He removed his own footwear methodically and placed it in the corner.
She walked towards him and unbuttoned his robe, letting it fall in a flourish of black cloth to the floor. Callah gestured at the bed. "How nice of Draco to bring your things." Snape didn't take his eyes off her.
Callah reached up and caressed his face once again. "Are you still in love with me, Severus?"
"Yes." He looked pained.
"Do you know why I left all those years ago? Because they had my sister. I had to help her, Severus. I had to leave the magical world because I hadn't stopped to make sure everything was safe in the muggle one. And I failed. I lost my sister, I lost you, I lost everything. And when it was all over, I couldn't bear to try return to you again. I wasn't good enough. So I immersed myself in my work in the muggle world because it's all I had. I…" her voice was soft. "I failed so miserably I just didn't think anyone in their right mind would want me and you..."
"I confirmed that thought, like the idiot I am…I was selfish. I took it personally when you left. I thought you'd left me. That you'd finally come to your senses and realized I was worthless. When you came back and tried to explain, I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to hear you say that you didn't love me. I was so caught up in my own anger that I never realized…I never knew…" he was distraught.
"I know," she replied softly.
"Do you still love me?" he asked quietly.
"Yes." She let the truth of it fill her features. "I still love you Severus. I've always loved you. And pretending like I didn't was the hardest thing I've ever done." She'd closed her eyes to brace herself as she said it.
Snape moved so close to her they were almost touching, then leaned down.
"Open your eyes, Callah," he whispered.
Their gazes locked and he bent to kiss her, keeping his eyes open. He closed the millimeters of space, resting a hand against her lower back and letting his other hand roam her body. There was a knock at the door that they both ignored.
They pulled apart after minutes that seemed like seconds and she smiled up at him. His desire for her burned in his dark eyes; he reached up and trailed his fingers through her hair. Never breaking his hypnotic gaze, he let his hands settle down at her waist, then slip under the tank top she wore.
"Severus…" her smile broke into a full, dazzling grin. "I need a shower." Her breath caught and her eyes widened as he caressed her breasts.
"It can wait," he replied softly, tugging her shirt off and unhooking her bra. Callah began to unbutton his shirt, taking her time and running her hands across the expanse of skin revealed. Thin white scars traced the lean, muscled torso and she traced them unconsciously. Sense memory began to kick in and every touch of every moment they'd spent in bed together came rushing back to both of them.
Severus' hands slid to her waist and unbuttoned her jeans. With a quick push, they were down around her legs and he lifted her out of them and stepped back.
He said nothing but drank in the sight of her, bruised but not broken…beautiful. Callah watched the adoration and amazement wash over him, then slid off her panties and walked toward him. "Looks like I'm making all the advances today, Sev." A small smile flickered across his face. He remembered nights of gentle teasing and laughter and passion and a million other things.
"You always were an aggressive sort. My tigress." He ran his hands over her body, trying to mind the brusing, and bent to nibble on her neck. She smiled ferally.
"If I'm the one in control," she gasped, "Why do you still have your clothes on?" She felt him rumble with laughter against her. Her hands found their way to his belt buckle and began working nimbly on said obstacle. Within moments, Severus too was naked and she stepped back to absorb him as he'd done to her. The smile of joy transformed her features. Severus covered the distance in two steps and crushed Callah's body to him. He lifted her and carried her to the bed. She nuzzled into his neck, kissing, nibbling, sucking.
"You're amazing," he murmured. He set her down on the bed and began to kiss her chest, moving down suck on her breasts. Callah moaned with pleasure as he rediscovered the sensitive spots on her body. Severus moved lower, but she grabbed his head and pulled him up.
"Plenty of time for that. I've gone without this for years; you're not making me wait." Callah caught him in a kiss and wrapped her legs around him, shifting to allow him to enter her. Severus laughed at her uncharacteristic impatience and caught her in a deep kiss, letting years of pain and longing and lust and love flow into an endless dance of mouths.
Severus thrust into Callah and paused, waiting for her to adjust. He kissed her eyelids and her throat. Callah began to grind into him the moment he entered her, moving in the perfect rhythm. "My body still knows you," she murmured. Their pace increased and he pulled back to stare into her eyes. They came simultaneously, never breaking eye contact, in an almost eerie silence. He collapsed, and shifted so his weight was not directly on her.
"My body still loves you," Severus whispered.
"My everything loves you," Callah replied.
They fell into a deep sleep.
