Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

A/N: Yeah! Love getting reviews. How cool to know that there are people from far away lands reading your work! I find it a little mind-blowing, I must admit.

To redlady27: If you are shocked at recent developments, imagine how Sev and Jo feel! … chuckles to herself…

Also please take note once again that this chapter contains scenes of a sexual nature. So, if you are not 'legal', come back another day…

Chapter 43

September rolled into October. Although Jo couldn't play Quidditch, she never missed a practice. When some of the other students had asked her why she wasn't playing this year, she simply replied that she was getting too old. They seemed to accept this reason and soon no more questions were asked. She encouraged Harry and Ron to start up the pick-up games, just as she had done the previous year.

"You don't need me to play to continue with the games," she said.

The boys had their doubts, after all she had been the driving force behind the whole thing, but they finally agreed to start up again. As it turns out, she had been right. They did have fun, even without her. Naturally, Jo was there for each and every match. Severus admonished her often, trying to make her sit quietly and watch. This was an impossible task. She did as she had always done; she was on her feet cheering, jumping up and down, having a good time.

"Stop being a mother hen, Severus. I'm not made of glass you know," she said.

After awhile, he gave up trying.

Jo's pregnancy was going very well. She was fortunate and did not suffer any morning sickness. She was eating like a horse and had begun to put on weight. Poppy was monitoring her very carefully and so far everything was on schedule. At one visit, Poppy asked them if they would like to know the sex of the babies.

Severus and Jolicia looked at one another and said simultaneously, "No."

Jo added, "As curious as I am, this is one thing I am going to be patient about. I want a surprise." Severus agreed wholeheartedly.

Soon Halloween arrived. There was the usual excitement in the air. This was one feast that all looked forward to, student and teacher alike.

Jolicia couldn't help reflecting on where she was now as opposed to last year. She looked at Sev as they walked along together to the Great Hall. Last year on this night, they didn't even know they were in love. Life is funny sometimes.

"What are you smiling about, Jo?" Severus asked.

"Us, love," was her simple answer.

He gave her a quizzical glance. He thought it would be better not to ask. Instead, he pulled her close. His hand found its way to her stomach, which was starting to get quite round. He rubbed it slowly as he kissed her deeply.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" he asked. It was his favorite question.

She always replied the same way, "You might have mentioned it once or twice. I never get tired of hearing it, if you'd like to say it again."

He laughed and said, "I love you. Let's go. I'm starved, as I am sure you are as well."

"You know I am, after all, I am eating for three!"

It was an outstanding feast. The decorations were especially spooky this year. In addition to the usual crop of bats, this year there were vampires and hobgoblins at every turn. The vampires were actually good friends of Dumbledore and had been hired by the old man to add a little spice to the festivities. The hobgoblins were not real for they were just too nasty to participate and could not be trusted. They had been conjured by Professor Flitwick. He had done a fine job too. Everyone thought they were real.

After the feast Draco and Hermione snuck off to their way to their room, just to have a little quiet time together. They had been spending more and more time hidden away, finding it difficult to be apart. Draco had jokingly said that they were making up for the time they had lost over the summer. Hermione did not disagree.

Neither felt like studying, after all, it was a holiday, so they cuddled up on the sofa. They talked and talked, never running out of subjects. Draco pulled her even closer and they began to embrace. It began as light delicate kisses, tentative and teasing but it quickly progressed to something more. Their tongues intertwined, dancing and thrusting into the other's mouth, searching.

When they finally broke, Draco breath was short of breath as he said, "We better go." He stood up to leave.

"No. I don't want to leave, Draco."

"But Babe, you don't understand, I have to leave now or else..."

Hermione looked up at him and said, "Don't you want to?" She was blushing as she said the words.

Draco ran his hand through his hair, realizing what she meant. He suddenly felt very nervous.

He swallowed hard and said, "I don't know what to say."

She stood up and hurried passed him saying, "I get the message. You don't want me. You've never wanted me." Her eyes were bright with tears.

Draco grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back. "Whoa, why did you say that?"

"It's obvious isn't it? You don't fancy me enough to sleep with me. You'll shag anybody but me. Is it true that you've had almost all the Slytherin girls?"

He sheepishly shook his head.

"And a lot of the girls from other houses as well?"

Again he shook his head.

"So there's your answer. Let me go, Draco!"

"Wait, Hermione. Let me explain. Please?"

"I'm listening."

"You think I don't want you? Look." He took her hand and placed it over his erection. She pulled back as if she had been burned.

"You did that to me Hermione. I want you so much, I can't stand it. Those other girls, they never meant anything to me. It was sex, that's all. I want something more with you Hermione. I want to make love with you. I've never done that. I want to make love with the girl that I love."

"So why haven't you?"

"I was afraid to scare you off. I wanted to make sure you were ready. I know you've never done it before, so I wanted to be sure it is what you wanted too. Why do you think I always leave like that? I didn't want to get in so far I couldn't stop."

Hermione whispered, "I don't want you to stop, Draco."

He grabbed her face in his trembling hands and kissed her.

"I promise I won't hurt you. If you say stop, I'll stop, no matter what. Okay? You can trust me. I promise to make it good for you, love."

He kissed her forehead as he began to loosen her tie. He threw it across the room as he then pulled her jumper over her head. Looking deeply into her eyes he began to unbutton her blouse. He saw her tense.

"Relax, Babe," he whispered. As he slipped her blouse off her shoulders he groaned, "You are so beautiful." He ran his hands over her breasts. She shivered.

Draco knelt down to remove her shoes and knee socks, stopping to remove his own as well. Her skirt slipped to the floor. She stood before him, clad only in her bra and panties. Draco was on fire.

"Undress me now," he urged.

She followed the same pattern he had used on her, removing his tie, and jumper and then began to remove his shirt.

His arms were strong and well muscled. Quidditch had made his body into that of a god. She ran her hands over his smooth chest and leaned in to kiss his neck. He moaned appreciatively. It spurred her on. She undid his belt and slowly pulled down his fly. Her hand brushed his cock and again he moaned, this time louder. The pants fell away and left him standing in his boxers. Those too were soon discarded. They sat down on the bed.

Hermione had never seen a real live naked man before, let alone one fully aroused. His body fascinated her. It was so different from her own.

"Go ahead, Hermione, love. Touch me. I need you to touch me."

She very tentatively ran her fingers up his length. His breath hitched. It was amazing! It felt like velvet and yet was so hard. Feeling slightly bolder, she grabbed his cock and squeezed.

"Oh, yes. That is so-o-o good. Do it like this." He showed her how he liked to be touched. Hermione had always been a fast learner, and this was no exception.

Draco was so excited that he could no longer hold himself.

"Hermione. I'm coming. Hermione. Yes!!"

Again she watched in fascination as he came. She liked how he had called her name. He had tried to keep his eyes open but could not. She would have sworn that he was in pain as he reached his climax from the way his face contorted, but she knew just the opposite was true. He had loved it! And she was the one who had pleasured him! Her head was spinning.

When he finally opened his eyes, he grinned a most wicked grin and said, "That was bloody fantastic. Thanks Babe." He cleaned himself up with a wave of his wand and then turned to Hermione.

"Your turn now, love."

She blushed when he removed her last pieces of clothing. Draco groaned when he saw her. She was exquisite! He began to kiss her, running his hot lips from her own down her neck and onto her breasts. He sucked her nipples softly at first and then he pulled on them harder. She groaned. It felt so good!  It was difficult for her to master her embarrassment; after all, no one had ever seen her like this. The attention he was showering on her body was so delicious that she finally pushed the awkwardness aside and allowed herself to let go.

His hands explored every inch of her body. Her skin was like silk. She responded to every caress, every stroke. She gasped when his hand finally found its way between her legs. He knew exactly where to touch her to send her into ecstasy.

"Dr…Draco. Oh Merlin!"

"Is it good Hermione?" he asked silkily. He already knew her answer.

"Yes-s-s! So good."

He took delight in her pleasure. He coaxed her slowly, slowly to her peak. Finally, sensing that she was oh, so close he began to move his fingers faster and faster until she cried out. She arched her back and called his name.

"Draco! Yes!"

He held her until the wave subsided. She smiled at him shyly. It had been wonderful.

"I told you I'd make it good for you, Babe. When you're ready, we'll continue."

They held each other, neither one saying a word. Slowly Hermione began to kiss Draco, her hands exploring his body. She felt him harden anew. He once again began to tease her, to prepare her body to receive him. When he felt it was time, he positioned himself between her legs.

"Are you sure, love?" he asked.

"Yes, don't stop now," she answered.

He took his time and entered her little by little. He then gave a quick thrust and sheathed himself fully inside her. She cried out in pain, a tear trickling down her cheek. He didn't move. How Draco had changed! He had taken many a girl's virginity and taken it roughly. He had always been concerned with his own pleasure, never stopping to consider the poor girl's pain or pleasure. This time it was different. He wanted desperately to make sure that Hermione would always remember her first time as something wonderful.

"It's over Hermione. It won't hurt anymore. Relax, love," he said kissing away her tear.

When he felt that she had grown accustomed to the feeling of him inside her, he began to move. His thrusting was a little painful at first but then she began to like the sensation. She told him so. He began to move faster. Suddenly, he stopped moving. His eyes were closed and he seemed to have stopped breathing. Hermione wondered if she had done something wrong, and asked him so, squirming beneath him as she spoke.

He looked at her through heavily lidded eyes and said, "Don't move, Hermione! I'm too close!" After he regained control he continued, "God no you haven't done anything wrong! Just the opposite; I am just trying to stop myself from coming. I want us to enjoy this for as long as we can."

Hermione nodded. She realized that there was a lot for her to learn about sex. There was much more to it than just the pure mechanics of it as she had read in the textbooks. All of the books in the world could never do it justice. It was more complex, more delicious than she had ever imagined.

Draco had begun to move inside her once again. He was murmuring words of love and encouragement in her ear, telling her how good it felt. He was rapidly reaching the point of no return once more.

"Are you close?" he panted.

"No, are you?"

"Merlin, yes. Ye-s-s-s!"  Draco came inside of her with a scream of delight.

He rolled off, cleaned them both up, and performed the contraceptive spell.

"Sorry you didn't come the second time, Babe. It was so-o-o good, I couldn't last another second."

"That's okay, I loved it anyway. It was amazing to feel you inside of me. Thanks for making it wonderful. I love you Draco.

"You're welcome," he smiled. "Wait 'til next time. I promise it'll be even better. I love you too, Hermione.