Rose Among the Thorns: The Third Evans Sister

By Jedi Blu, Lady at Large

Standard Disclaimer Found In Previous Chapters

Italics are thoughts, emphasized words, or letters.

IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE: Ladies and gentlemen, what took place on the wedding night of Severus Snape and Rose Evans is in fact in this chapter. However, I realize that some may find the explicit material, that such an event could contain, somewhat offensive. I have, therefore, tried to leave most of this evening to the imagination. As a result of my decision, this story is still PG-13.

-JB-

. : ; ' " j e d i b l u " ' ; : .

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: The Honeymoon

. : ; ' " j e d i b l u " ' ; : .

Severus stood next to Rose, watching her reaction out of the corner of his eye. The moment her eyes had taken in the bed he saw her cheeks turn crimson and her eyes quickly lower to the floor.

'She's inexperienced,' Severus reminded himself sternly. 'And probably petrified.' He slipped an arm around her waist and bent to kiss her, trying to do so gently, on a blushing cheek. He whispered in her ear, "I thought it the only practical piece of furniture for now, because I certainly do not want to sleep on the floor. We'll furnish the rest of the place as we can afford to."

Mutely she nodded and then pulled away from him to go towards her things. Her school trunk, Oberon's empty cage (he was probably flying around outside somewhere), all the shopping bags from earlier that day. She would still have to collect some things from her parents' home, but that could wait for now. In the meantime, she busied herself digging through her things until she came up with a bath towel, soap, shampoo, and other toiletries. When she had gathered the necessary items, and one shopping bag, in her arms she turned to see Severus staring at her with open curiosity.

"It's been a long day," she said hastily, "so I'm going to take a quick bath. I won't be long." Rose flashed him a quick smile and then darted through to the bathroom, shut and bolted the door, before he could even blink.

Severus stared at the door with a measure of amusement and worry. What exactly had happened there? Was Rose really in so much of a panic when it came to sleeping with him? The thought was both amusing and insulting.

Musing silently to himself, Severus went out into the main room to build up a fire in the hearth. He needed something to do, after all, and every good wizard always kept a blaze going in his home. You never knew who might need to contact you or drop in for a visit, and while it wasn't necessary to have a fire going for such things it was practical.

He settled down on the floor, staring into the orange and yellow flames, trying to think of a way to make Rose feel more comfortable. Perhaps he wouldn't even touch her this night, allowing her to get used to the idea a bit more.

But once she lay beside him in bed, her warm, slim body so close, Severus wasn't sure he'd be able to keep his hands (or anything else) to himself. Rose had been a strong enough temptation at Hogwarts, but sleeping beside him in the same bed, in their bed, could prove to be too much.

'But I'm stronger than that,' he reminded himself with determination. 'And I won't do anything to frighten or hurt her. It will be fine.'

He argued with himself for the next half hour, willing himself to show Rose that he wouldn't be demanding, wouldn't hurt her. She was a strong young witch, but that didn't mean she had to dive head-long into anything for his sake. Severus knew he meant a lot to Rose, but there was a line to be drawn and he drew it mentally.

Severus was concentrating so much on his thoughts and inner decisions that it took him a moment longer than usual to sense someone else in the room with him. His eyes immediately snapped up when he sensed her, towards the doorway leading to the bedroom, and his jaw very nearly dropped.

Standing in the doorway was a beautiful woman, with long dark red curls (still damp from the bath) hanging freely around her shoulders and down her back. She wore a white gown of satin which almost brushed the floor, leaving her small bare feet to peek out from under the hem, and with the firelight teasingly illuminating her he could see that the gown was nearly sheer. It hung on her from two small straps at her shoulders, and cupped her breasts in lace flowers, the pattern giving him tempting, teasing glances at the soft pink skin lying underneath…. There was a slit that started at the top of her thigh and trailed all the way down, giving him a glimpse of her trim, shapely leg. The gown was one of false innocence, showing her every curve to best advantage but simple in style and white satin.

Rose Snape looked as if she had stepped out of one of her new husband's fantasies. Indeed, that had been her goal.

She was also hoping that, while this sensuous piece of nightwear beckoned her husband it would also remind him that she was, at least in this one thing, very innocent and inexperienced.

The wizard came to his feet, slowly, his eyes roaming up and down her figure for a few moments before he came towards her. He didn't rush his approach; he met her uncertain green eyes unflinchingly and did not stop moving towards her until they were but a breath apart. Rose lowered her eyes, gathering her courage, before looking up again to meet his. Neither spoke, he did not move to touch her, she stared quietly up at him.

His black eyes were smoldering with desire, and looking into them filled her body with a sudden heat as she felt an answering desire growing inside of her.

Rose was the one who moved first, reaching one hand up to stroke his cheek. "Tonight, Severus," she whispered, voice unintentionally husky with emotion and feeling, "you're the tutor again." Rose, with the uncanny knack of a woman, knew that she was not the first Severus would touch in such a way. But she would be the last.

Severus covered the hand on his cheek with his own only briefly, then slid both arms around her waist with the satin of the gown caressing his skin. He kissed her, gently as if to reassure her. He knew that while it was true there had been other women there would never be another like Rose. Before he knew what he was doing, Severus softly murmured against her lips, "No; I'm you're husband."

He swept her off of her feet, holding her close in his arms, carrying her to the great bed.

The bedroom was aglow with candles, charmed there by the witch, the only thing inside the room other than that bed, and the soft light did nothing to hide the beauty of his bride... indeed the glow only heightened it. Her usually familiar face was rendered mysterious with naught but a soft yellow flickering to show him her expression, and the flames of the candles reflected back at him through her eyes, making it appear as if her eyes danced in merriment and mischief. The whole picture was very becoming to her...and downright torture to the wizard who had promised himself to go slowly and be gentle with her.

As he placed her on the bed he settled himself next to her, unsure of what to say or where to begin. He also couldn't keep his eyes off of her...all of her. Every breath she took caused her chest to move, the swells of her breasts moving up and down... up and down. Even her scent tormented him, that of rain falling upon hot earth, and Severus had to mentally shake himself before he could focus his eyes only on hers.

"Rose," he began, and was alarmed at the deep, throaty tone that was clearly a by-product of his desire. He cleared his throat and tried again, marginally succeeding in sounding normal. "I have something I want you to take." Even in these instances, practicality would serve Severus Snape. He pulled his wand from his pocket, waved it once, and from the direction of the kitchen and laboratory a small vial came floating. Once it was in Severus's hand he held it out to her.

The vial was full of a deep purple liquid, something dark and strange to Rose.

"What is this?" She took the vial and looked at him through lowered eye-lashes, amused. "Bit late for a love potion, isn't it?"

Severus rolled his eyes but could not help the slight blush that stole into his cheeks. He felt most unnatural. "It's not that at all. It's a contraceptive potion. It may not be necessary tonight, but it's best to get in the habit of taking it right away. You must take it again the last day of your next menstrual cycle. When would that be?" he asked, eyes darkened in thought instead of desire now.

'Of course he'd be damn practical about something like this,' Rose thought. It was what made Severus so good at potions; he was methodical, practical, studying every angle and possibility of one subject until he was certain he had it nailed. He knew the oddest references, facts he had found buried under dust left long ago to rot, and he never failed to apply his knowledge in some manner or another.

He was very annoying at that, sometimes.

'Such as now,' Rose thought, biting her bottom lip in consternation. She was all ready nervous as a witch being led to the stake, he didn't need to show her the match and explain its purpose before letting her burn.

"Three weeks," she answered him at last, sighing as she uncorked the vial. She hesitated before taking it, and he raised his eyebrows at her imperiously. "What's it taste like?" she asked, determined to be just as annoying as he. Perhaps they wouldn't get anywhere that night.

"Just take it," he ground out between his teeth, looking away from her again.

Rose wondered briefly how well things were going, having no experience with such things herself, but drowned out her thoughts quickly by downing the potion and setting the vial down carefully on the floor. "There, I took my medicine." She rolled her eyes again and clutched her hands together in her lap, wishing they would stop trembling. She hadn't noticed she was trembling until she put down the vial.

Silence was all that was audible for several awkward moments as Severus tried to puzzle out how best to go about this—he'd lost sight of the plans he made the moment he caught sight of her in that innocently sensuous gown. Rose, in the meantime, was wondering what the devil she was supposed to be doing.

'Seducing him?' she thought, darting a glance at him from the corner of her eye. He was still brooding, ever the scholar lost in his thoughts and heedless of her next to him. She sighed, discontented with the situation.

Severus heard her sigh and ground his teeth together, barely holding on to thought as he tried to determine the best course of action. But then, he had never been much use when it came to romance and Rose in the same sentence. Tumbling in bed with women who didn't mean a thing to him had been easy, careless even, but to take his only true friend, now his wife, and do the same seemed abominable. He respected her too much.

She sighed again, her breasts heaving up and down in one great, frustrated motion.

The wizard at her side swallowed, wondering what was going to get him through this night and keep him from simply tearing into her at any moment.

"This is absolutely crazy," Rose muttered at last.

His eyes darted towards her. "What?" Her voice had startled him from his thoughts.

Her eyes met his, narrowed and dark, as she said again, "This is absolutely crazy. There were times at Hogwarts when you very nearly jumped into my knickers and now you're married to me and all you can do is stare at the floor." She stood up and raised her hand in the air, her lecturing tone appearing in an instant. "I won't stand for it, Severus Snape! I'm not going to be cheated out of my wedding night because you're too busy trying to think of a good approach to the subject."

He didn't realize he was staring at her, mouth agape, until she put the tip of her finger under his chin and snapped his jaw shut.

"Now we're going to discuss the rules of engagement, Severus," she continued, pointing her finger at him in a threatening manner. "There will be no ravishing of the bride, ever, without her consent. There will be no worrying that she is too fragile to be handled. There will be no puzzling out, for endless hours, how best to make the first move. There will also be no light on the first night."

Her wand appeared in her hand, and with a wave of it she brought a gust of wind into the room that immediately blew out every single candle. Only the moonlight streaming through the uncurtained windows illuminated anything, and some of the slanting light perfectly spot lit Rose as she continued to stand over her husband with her wand held high.

"I want to learn to do this, Severus," she continued, voice lower, huskier. In the darkness she gained courage, because in the darkness they were perhaps on the same footing. Maybe. And he most certainly wouldn't be seeing her stark naked. "I want to please you."

Again there was a swish and flick of her wand, and Severus felt a sudden breeze as every single button that held his clothing on flew off. He didn't care at the moment, as it would be easy enough to mend...but where had she learned that charm? He wasn't aware they taught the females of Hogwarts such things….

Her shadow lowered the wand, then took a tentative step forward. "There now," she whispered, holding both arms out to him. "It's your turn to take control."

Severus pulled her into his arms and onto his lap and she leaned close against him, laying one palm flat against his chest. Severus wrapped one arm about her waist and the hand of the other came up to stroke her fiery curls. He placed a chaste kiss upon her forehead, slowly, lingering over her sweet scent. "Another rule of engagement," he whispered then against her hairline. "There will be no further discussion until said engagement is completed."

He felt her nod. "I agree. You talk too much anyway."

A wolfish grin met that comment, and then his mouth was bent to her neck, placing a hot, passionate kiss onto the place where her blood pumped eagerly through her veins, pulsating beneath the touch of his lips on her skin. He trailed more such kisses, kisses that tormented her, across her shoulder until he came to one strap of the nightgown. With a quick movement he had that strap undone and hanging, allowing the confining lace clinging to her breasts to loosen.

Rose shuddered, feeling every hot touch. One of his hands massaged her waist, another tangled in her hair, both working their magic with soft, urgent strokes. Fire built up hotter inside of her, in the depths of her body. There was an overwhelming need in her to help him in this, to make herself have a role in what was happening.

She pushed at the shoulders of his button-less shirt, moving them down until he was forced to take it off if he was going to continued his own explorations of her skin and willpower.

His bare chest was hot to the touch of her hands, which she splayed out over him, running her palms across his shoulders, his back, lightly down his ribs—

He reflexively pulled away, and Rose remembered her discovery of his ticklish tendency. Somehow that made most of her nervousness ebb away and disappear as she remembered that this was Severus, the boy no longer but a man who had every right to touch her as he did.

Severus recovered from the reflex movement, narrowing his eyes. Later he would accuse her of touching there on purpose, but for now he would satisfy himself by getting even. After all, he knew more of this ancient art they now practiced than she did.

He pulled them both back further into the bed, one hand running up her thigh where the slit gave him easy access to that tender skin. The other hand stroked her back, then her waist, then came up slowly...slowly...causing her heart to go careening into her throat as she guessed where his destination was. He had touched her there once, long ago.

His hand cupped her breast, his thumb stroking her through what little lace remained. His lips were again pressed to hers, passionately, demanding that she yield to him as she had almost done once before. Her lips parted, he thrust his tongue into her mouth to fully taste her, caressing her sensitive mouth. She responded, wrapping her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his silky black hair, holding the kiss to her as she attempted to stroke his appetite with her own small pink tongue.

Her fingers slipped down to his slacks, and she pushed at them, forcing them down, forcing him free to show her, to teach her, about this desire they both knew, but neither could obtain without each other's assistance....

...And, quote the author, the rest isn't much of anyone else's business...

Much later, when the first of their passion was spent, they laid in each other's arms, breathing deeply to try and slow their erratic pulses and thoughts, delighting in the discoveries they had made and the secrets they had found about each other.

"You all right?" he asked at last, his voice gruff and deep, throaty and all together delicious sounding to the witch.

"Just fine," she whispered, snuggling up closer to him, enjoying the way their bare bodies touched and seemed to easily wrap about each other. She kissed him, gently, then tucked her head under his chin and sighed, smiling to herself despite the soreness of her first time with him. "Thank you, Severus."

That surprised him. In fact, it startled him. "For what?"

But Rose was tired, and she did not want to explain this to him now. It had been a very long day, with recent events giving way to her heavy eyes at last. She fell asleep, curled against her husband, almost satisfied with the world....

Almost....

Sneak Preview: None for now, you blasted readers!

To My Reviewers:

An All Purpose Message: THERE! You have your great and wonderful honeymoon scene! I'm sure I disappointed some of you, and pleased others, but I don't care. I love the way I wrote this. Deal with it. ;-) I haven't time today to respond to individuals, but I just HAD to post since it's been a week without word from me…. To those of you who praised me, you make me blush! To those who want more angst, don't worry, it's coming up fast! To those who hate the story, what one EARTH are you still doing there? You're kidding yourself. You LOVE my story!

That's all. See you next week with more!

-JB-