Okay. First I have to say how much I enjoy your reviews...
I will not be able to update until wednesday, because I am making a diving course so I made this chapter longer..

Have fun and tell me what you think...

Phoebe

Severus decided that he had heard enough and returned to his bed. Who would have thought that the Granger girl was so romantic? He himself hadn't thought about sex, yet. Well, okay, he had but he totally had ignored the fact that she indeed could get pregnant. And she was right. During the consummation of a handfasting, contraception charms didn't work. A child. Maybe he would become a father. Severus flinched at the idea. How horrible. He had never pictured himself as a father. Severus wasn't even sure if he liked children. And the risk. He didn't even dare think what it would mean to Hermione's or to his reputation. And what would Voldemort say? A half-blood child. All his ancestors were probably turning in their graves right now, screaming out in pain; he could almost hear it. The noble and ancient house of Snape infiltrated by a Muggle. Even worse, the bloodline could possible be carried on by a half-blood. Severus almost smirked at the thought. He fell asleep haunted by images of wet diapers, toys and little children disturbing him in his work.

When Hermione woke, she found herself in the arms of her Potions master. This wasn't new to her at all. She had discovered that they quite often moved together in their sleep. Normally, she would snuggle just a bit closer and fall back asleep but not this time. This time, Severus was already awake and he was staring down at her. She felt herself blushing as she took in the position in which they were lying. Her head lay, as always, on his chest while one of her legs had slipped between his and her arms were draped over his chest. His arm encircled her and he held her other arm with his hand.

"We're doing this a lot, lately," she whispered before she closed her eyes again.

"I know."

Neither of them seemed willing to move first. "Thank you for not crushing me with questions, yesterday."

"You're welcome." Suddenly she started giggling.

"What is so funny?" he asked, irritated.

"You, me, this whole situation is so surreal!"

He didn't reply.

After a while, she spoke again. "Is it okay with you if I go out tonight?"

Severus snorted. "Would it matter at all if it wasn't?"

She smiled up at him. "Not really. Not today. But I would rather leave in peace."

"What are you going to do?" he asked.

"The girls and I want to have a last night out before - you know - before the…the handfasting."

Severus hadn't missed the small break before she spoke the word handfasting but he decided to ignore it. "To my disbelief, I can't say anything reasonable against it."

"Thank you." She hugged him before she remembered what she had wanted to ask him. "Where is your brother? I haven't seen him in days."

"He went to stay with an old friend. When will you be leaving?" h e asked, changing the subject.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not really sure. Ginny and I want to go shopping before. You know - woman stuff." She yawned.

"Tired?" he asked gently.

"Yes, you?"

"Yes."

Together they drifted off to sleep.

-

Severus and Hermione had breakfast together before she Flooed over to Ginny Weasley's. Ginny was alone at home. Hermione was very grateful for that. She couldn't picture herself in a question and answer game with the boys or, even worse, Ginny's mother.

"So, ready for the shopping?" Ginny asked and Hermione nodded.

Together they Flooed to Diagon Alley. After three hours the shopping was finally over and they sat down at a small table in Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
"How did you spend the summer?" Hermione asked while she ate her ice cream.

"The usual. Driving the boys nuts, trying to get Harry into my bed."

Both girls giggled at that thought.

"Oh Ginny. Please don't tell me you still want Harry."

"Goodness, no! But I really like to tease him with it. After all, I figure that he isn't my type."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at that. "Really? So who's your type?"

Ginny leaned toward her. "Promise not to tell?"

Hermione nodded.

"Malfoy." Her face went red and Hermione's eyes widened in surprise.

"Well, that is a surprise. Malfoy? As in Draco Malfoy?"

"Isn't his hair gorgeous? And that smile? I know that he's one of the bad guys but I can't help myself," she confessed slowly, returning to her normal face color.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "Look. Here we are, one in love with a going-to-be Death Eater and one going to be married to a real one. What a pair!"

Both burst out into laughter again.

Soon, they returned to the Burrow and made themselves ready for the party.

-

It was four o'clock in the morning when her party finally ended. Hermione and Ginny Apparated back to the Burrow; from there she would Floo to Severus's room. He had promised to leave the passage open for her.

"Thanks so much, Gin. I had a lot of fun!" she said, hugging the other girl.

"Anything. You deserved that. Shall I bring you home?"

"No, you don't need to. Severus left the Floo passage open for me.

Ginny nodded and Hermione went into the fireplace, throwing the Floo Powder and shouting the address.

Just seconds later, she reappeared in Severus's bedroom. He wasn't in bed. Thinking he was probably just working late, she brushed the soot from her dress and decided to take a bath. She wasn't really tired yet. She filled the big tub and added bubble and bathing gel into the water, which instantly turned it blood red. After she had undressed and lit some candles, she turned out the light and slipped into the hot water. While her body relaxed in the hot liquid, her mind was racing. Just two more days until the handfasting. Hermione was glad that she hadn't to do anything except choose her wedding dress. Molly Weasley would arrange everything else. Just two more days until she would be bonded to Severus Snape: professor, Death Eater, double agent. Two more days until they would have to sleep together. Not that she would mind. After all those weeks of kissing and pretending she was curious about the rest. What was bothering her was that it just doesn't seem to be right. The handfasting would leave them no other choice. They would have to do it. The spell would force them whether they wanted to or not. Within 24 hours of the handfasting, they needed to have sex. Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard the door opening.

"Hermione?"

"Come in." She looked down quickly and was relieved that the red water hid everything.

Severus came closer and sat down on the edge of the tub. "I hope you had a pleasant day," was all he managed to say. He had entered the bathroom because he had thought that she might be drunk and needed his help. He hadn't expected to find her in the bathtub. Naked. He suddenly had trouble keeping his breath even. The sight of her pale body in the red liquid with the warm light of the candles, hit him hard. Closing his eyes, he tried to rid himself of the vision of her with her slender legs around his waist. When he would take her.

"Would you like to join me?"

He could barely hear the soft whispered words. "I beg you pardon?" Had he said anything out loud?

" I have been doing a lot of thinking…"

He snorted. "What a surprise!"

"No, seriously. I thought about the handfasting and then it hit me that we…well you know," she ended lamely.

Severus smirked. It wouldn't hurt to have some fun with her. "No, I don't."

She cleared her throat. Damn man. "Well, I mean, after the ceremony we will have to...to consummate the handfasting."

"Oh, that. And?"

"I don't want it!" she blurted out.

What? He could have sworn that the girl wanted him. So, she didn't want him. What else should he have expected? The silly girl finally had noticed that he wasn't much more than a wreck. Severus's body tensed up and his voice dropped a few degrees when he spoke next. "I can assure you, Miss Granger, that I will try to do it as fast and as painless as possible."

Her eyes flew open. "No! I didn't mean it like that." She rose up a bit so that she was able to turn around to face him, unaware that she was giving him a perfect view of her naked breasts. "What I meant was, that I don't want to do it like that. It should be my decision. It should be under my conditions and not because of some stupid ancient spell!"

Severus stared at her. Did she know what she was offering? He swallowed and his gaze wandered to her bare breasts before he looked into her brown eyes again. He could tell that she was afraid. Afraid to be rejected. Afraid of what would happen. He stood up and opened the first buttons of his trousers and smiled to himself as she spun around, her face blushing. When he was undressed, he stepped into the tub, behind her, and sat down. He wanted to make her first experience as pleasant as possible.

"Come here." He pulled her back against his chest. Hermione tensed a little at the first contact of their skin. She had never been so near to a naked man before. She was sitting between his legs and his arms were around his waist. She blushed even more as she felt his semi-erect cock against her back. Hermione tried to relax and finally let her body sank against his. "So, tell me, Miss Granger," he whispered mockingly against her ear. "Is there anything I should know?"

"Erm, no, I mean, I'm still a virgin, if you mean that." She closed her eyes and shivers went down her spine as he chuckled lightly before he started nibbling on her earlobe.

"I imagined as much. What I meant was that I want you to tell me if you want me to do anything special? Because you give yourself freely to me and because this will be your first time, I am willing to do whatever you want. Tonight, Miss Granger, you can lead the way and I will follow your words. But just tonight."

Oh goddess, the man was crazy! How was she supposed to know? Well, okay, she had had her share of sexual fantasies about this. About him and herself. She had also read some books about this particular matter but he couldn't really expect that she tell him what to do. She couldn't. It was just too embarrassing. "You may continue what you have started," was all she managed and, even then, she felt her as if her face was on fire.

Severus was a little disappointed by the young Gryffindor. But, as he had said, he would do what she wanted him to do. He continued to kiss and lick her neck and throat. Her shoulders. She jumped a little when he first brought his teeth in the game.

"Oh, God!"

He smiled against her skin. "You like that?"

She just nodded and he bit her again, licking over the light mark. He was rewarded with a soft moan that escaped her parted lips. Hermione soon got frustrated when he wouldn't let go of her neck. She wanted those talented lips on other parts of her body. Needed them to be elsewhere. She took his right hand and placed it on her breast. Severus immediately started to fondle her soft flesh. He was very pleased to discover that her breast fit perfectly into his hand. He brought his other hand up and cupped her other breast. He was now simultaneously playing with her erect nipples and caressing her sweet breasts.

She flung her head back against his and her body moved in its very own rhythm. The feeling of her skin against his was driving her crazy. She needed more. "Please, please touch me…" she whispered, flicking her tongue over her dry lips.

"Show me where."

Hermione was beyond embarrassment now. She didn't care. She took one of his hands, parted her legs further, and guided him between her parted thighs. Severus slowly parted her soft folds and started to arouse her further with his talented fingers. Her moans went deeper and longer, one of her hands was gripping his thighs and the other was grasping the edge of the tub. He could see her knuckles whiten as she grasped onto the tub. Her noises and movements were driving him crazy but he held himself back. One hand continued to pinch and caress her nipples, while his mouth never left her neck. The assault on her senses was too much. His licking and kissing, biting and stroking, finally brought her over the edge. She pressed herself harder against his body while she experienced her first orgasm at the hands and lips of Severus Snape.

He continued to caress her until she had recovered. Hermione turned around, facing her Potions master. Her gaze fell on his lips and she realized that he hadn't even kissed her.

"Kiss me!" She had barely finished her sentence when his lips came crashing down on hers. Hermione immediately parted her lips and welcomed his probing tongue.

Soon they were fighting over dominance. She flung her arms around him. One was stroking his back while the other was deeply buried in his hair. Severus embraced her and pressed her soft and willing body tighter against his own. He moaned into her mouth as her soft breasts pressed against his chest. They kissed each other as if there were no tomorrow, only the need for oxygen parting them.

"Make love to me, Severus!" She sounded breathless and lustful. Severus also realized that this was the first time she had called him by his given name.

"That I will do, little one."

He stood up and took her with him. Once they were out of the tub, he murmured a quick drying spell before carrying her into the bedroom. Severus gently lay her down on the cold sheets and covered her body with his own. They started kissing again as his hands went over her body, caressing her. She responded eagerly to his kisses while she stroked his back. Hermione closed her eyes in bliss when he started to kiss his way down her body. When he arrived at her breasts, he gently ran his teeth over her erect nipple before he sucked and licked it while he fondled the other one with his slender fingers.

"Please…" Hermione wasn't entirely sure what she was pleading for but obviously he did because he kissed his way further down and settled between her legs.

"Look at me!"

She reopened her eyes and what she saw made her gasp. There he was. Severus Snape was kneeling between her spread legs on the edge of pleasuring her with his mouth. She had never seen anything more erotic in her whole life.

"Watch me pleasuring you, Hermione." He wasn't quite sure why he told her to observe him. Maybe he just wanted to make sure that she knew that it was he who gave her those pleasures. His head bent down and he opened her slick folds with his fingers before he let his tongue dance over the little bud.

Hermione soon lost herself in the wonderful feelings he was creating. Sporadically, he looked up and was pleased that she still watched him. Her breathing was quite irregular now and he was sure that she stood before her climax.

"Do it, little one. Come for me!"

She shook her head. "Please, Severus, come in me. I need you. I need you now!"

Again he obeyed. Kissing his way back up, he positioned himself between her legs. He reached down and guided himself into her while she gripped his shoulders, preparing herself for the pain, a pain that never came. He slowly entered her and gritted his teeth because of the pleasure he felt. She was so tight and so warm. If he wasn't careful, he would lose control. Soon, he filled her completely and remained in this position so that she could adjust to his seize. Their eyes looked and he bent his head to kiss her. Still holding eye contact, he began to move slowly. Sweat was forming on his forehead as he tried to control his movements. Hermione flung her legs around his waist and her hands dug deep into his back; Severus didn't mind. He would gladly accept these new scars. They moved together in harmony, both their moans increasing.

"Say it again! My name, say it!"

Sweat was glistening on his forehead and she wiped it away, repeating his name over and over like a mantra. He closed his eyes and let his head fall on her shoulders. She whispered his name over and over when she finally orgasmed the second time. He was lost as the tight walls spasmed around him and bit her neck as he finally went over the edge himself.

-

After he had recovered enough strength, he rolled onto his back and took her with him so that she was now lying on top of him. He lazily played with her soft curls and stroked her back.

Hermione sighed. Who would have thought that her grumpy professor would not only be a fantastic lover but also an understanding and gentle one? She snuggled closer to him and smiled. "Thank you for...you know," she whispered.

"The pleasure was all mine. But don't think it will always be like this. I am not a gentle person and I am far from being a gentle lover."

Lover. He was right; they were lovers now. "Is the night over? Or can I still decide?" Her skin was almost burning red as she asked him.

Severus smiled to himself. The sooner she learned that there weren't any barriers while she was in his arms, the better. "You are still in charge, little one."

"Hold me, Severus; hold me as if you really mean it," she whispered and closed her eyes.

Surprised, he looked down at her but he obeyed. His arms encircled her and he held her tight against his body.

-

The next day went by in a blur and also the next night. Severus hadn't returned to their bed and Hermione was hurt. He hadn't even told her why!

The next morning began with Molly Weasley storming happily into her room. "My dear! You are still in bed? Up, up. We have much to do!"

Hermione groaned and tried to pull the blanket over her face but Molly was faster. Before Hermione really knew what had happened, she was standing in the shower while Molly handed her a towel. Since when was the woman so crazy about this marriage? What had gotten into her?

"Hurry up, my dear! I will be back in fifteen minutes."

Hermione rubbed herself dry and went to the armoire to pull her dress out. She also removed a small black bag, which contained her silver undergarments. She and Ginny had chosen the color carefully. They had thought about green but than decided against it because of the red of the dress. They had chosen silver, instead: panties, a strapless bra, and no stockings because she would need to go barefoot. Hermione had just finished fastening her gown when Molly returned.

"Oh, my dear. You look absolutely stunning."

"Thank you." Hermione blushed.

Molly went over to her and waved her wand so that the still damp hair transformed into a shining silken cloud of curls. "Would you like to put it up?"

"No, I will leave it like this," Hermione said; Molly nodded in approval.

"Let's sit down, my dear." They sat down and Molly reached for Hermione's hands. "You know this isn't as bad as you may think. Severus Snape is, after all, a good man. He will provide you with everything you need and he will protect you. I am sure about that."

"I know, Mrs. Weasley."

"You know, in the beginning I had my doubts about this handfasting but maybe it will all turn out good." She squeezed Hermione's hand. "Now, dear. Let us talk about the consummation of your handfasting…"

Hermione couldn't believe it. Molly Weasley gave her the talk.

-

The handfasting took place in the park of Snape Manor. Everything had been arranged beautifully. The garden was full of flowers and everything seemed to be prefect. The Order was present and so were the Weasleys and her parents. Dumbledore would conduct the ceremony. She inhaled deeply as she walked towards Severus who was, as always, dressed in black robes although these seemed to be made of a different fabric. He stood beside Dumbledore, facing her. He offered her his hand and she took it, before they both turned towards Albus.

-

The sight before him nearly took his breath away. Hermione Granger looked absolutely stunning. Her dressed was cut close to her upper body, leaving her creamy shoulders free. It flared slightly before finally brushing the ground. She wore no jewelry or shoes. He appreciated that. She was following the old traditions. Of course, he knew why she had chosen that dreadful red color but he didn't care. His wife was a beautiful, talented young woman. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, after all. She could hold a more than decent conversation with him and they were compatible together in bed. What more could he wish for?

Severus didn't really follow along with the ritual. He couldn't even remember it clearly afterwards. Just the words 'you may kiss her now' brought him back into reality. Hermione looked up t him. He couldn't read her expression clearly but what he saw shocked him deeply. Her eyes were full of excitement and hope but what struck him the most were the other feelings he saw written in their deep-brown depths. Admiration and, could it be - love? The silly girl couldn't possible love him! Severus decided that her judgement was clouded by desire. She simply mistook passion and lust for love.

"You really can kiss her now, Severus!" Albus chuckled. Severus glared shortly at the Headmaster before he bent down to kiss her lightly on the lips.

-

Thursday the next part will be up! I promise!