Author's Note: Tymberwolf, I hope you're happy!
XOXOXOXOXOX
Severus moved from his chair and drew Hermione into the bedroom without a word. She followed silently, relieved to have him take on the more dominant role in this situation. He had her sit on the bed while the fireplace came to life with a simple wave of his wand.
Then, he moved over to her. "Are you sure?" he breathed, tracing small circles over her arms.
Hermione shook physically, but answered with confidence. "Yes, yes, I-." Severus silenced her with a kiss. He slid his hands around her back and began lowering the zipper of her dress. He pushed the dress off her shoulders, and it fell to the floor, an unnoticed sheath of material.
Hermione felt exposed standing before him in her bra and panties, but knew that there was no way around the nudity required of them both for tonight. She pushed away self-conscious thoughts, Severus didn't seem to find her lacking in any way as he pulled her to his chest and kissed her neck. Severus experimentally tilted her head just so, and kissed her deeply.
Hermione turned in his arms to return his kiss, but he pulled away. Severus took a deep breath and willed his body to remain calm. He didn't want to take her roughly. He reminded himself that he must always be in control and move slowly, for her sake. Severus watched as Hermione's eyes glazed over a bit and she brought a hand to her swollen lips. She had kissed boys before, but never a man. Severus sat down on the edge of the bed and led her to stand before him. Rather than say anything, he smoothed his hands up and down her sides to calm her.
Hermione moved to stand in front of him, her hands shaking as she unbuttoned his shirt, the blue shirt she got for him on holiday, and took it off. She threw it down atop her dress. She hesitated a moment after, then proceeded to his white undershirt.
For an academic man, Severus appeared surprisingly fit. Then again, playing a double agent against the Death Eaters for years on end would require a great amount of strength. Hermione raised her hand to his face, stroking his temples.
Carefully, she touched the side of his face before giving him a small kiss on the lips. She grazed her hands over his chest. Severus moaned, a deep sound emanating from his chest. Severus's hands smoothed up and down the length of her back, the tips of his fingers grazing on the edge of her bra straps and her panties. He wanted he to remove them, bare herself fully to him. He opened his eyes and issued this silent command.
She was nervous, no man had ever seen her naked, not since her father when she was a very young child. Severus was her first, in so many ways. Hermione's eyes never left his as she stood to remove the two remaining pieces of clothing from her delicate frame. Fear was present by the fidgeting of her fingers, but she remained calm otherwise.
Small, pert breasts were freed from the lace bra, soon followed by her naked sex.
Desire filled Severus's eyes and thoughts. He regarded Hermione's body and her lovely face for several long moments, and to his surprise and relief he no longer saw her as his former know-it-all student. She was a woman, his woman. His friend, his wife. She stood before him, watching him make the assessment of her. Severus was afraid of what he might do if he were to rise from the bed, so he remained seated on the edge.
"I'm glad it's you," she shyly whispered.
Severus leaned forward and kissed her again, determined not to make Hermione regret her statement.
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
Hermione woke the next morning, sore but contented. Severus had not been in bed when she awoke, and there was no note to clue her in to his whereabouts. It was the weekend, so she knew that he could not be teaching…but then again, he was Severus Snape, long regarded as a workaholic.
She rose up from the bed and put on her panties and bra before she put on her robe, tying the knot securely around her waist. Severus was nowhere to be found, and she was hungry. She could have had a House Elf bring her breakfast, but in hr own way, Hermione could be a bit old fashioned, and liked to cook for herself on occasion.
The kitchen was not far from the bedroom, only a few doors down the hall. Since she had moved in, it had not received much use by either one of them, as food can be conjured easily, or the House Elves would bring them meals. More often than not, Hermione would find herself studying at the kitchen table rather than eating at it.
Through the door and Hermione found Severus. He had made breakfast, enough for them both. He had been sitting at the table, reading a newspaper. His plate was full and still steaming, obviously he had just settled down to eat when she came in. Suddenly Hermione felt awkward and nervous around him. She hadn't even glanced at a mirror, she was sure that she looked a mess.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just-"
"Have a seat, Hermione, I'm sure you're hungry."
Whether that was meant as a simple invitation to eat or as a lewd comment on what they'd done last night, she could never tell. Slytherins were known for their forked tongues, after all. Severus held her eyes with his as she fixed herself a plate and sat down across from him.
"Is something the matter?" he asked, cutting to the heart of the matter.
Hermione swallowed her bite of food and blushed deeply. "I…um, no."
"Don't lie to me. What's the mater?"
Even after having eaten a little, Hermione was far too drained from what they'd done the night before to carry on a lie. It would be smart now to be honest, especially since they had been so intimate. "I just am not…used to, ah, well-"
"You were never this inarticulate in the classroom. Spit it out."
"I feel awkward, I don't know really how to deal with this situation. How am I supposed to act the next morning towards someone that saw the birthmark on my thigh? I feel embarrassed!" she said.
Severus nodded. "I understand, but you have no need to worry. I've been a many things, but a gossip has never been one of them. What happened between us last night was meant to stay between us. And there's no need to feel awkward around me, though I do understand."
Severus continued, "It's only natural to feel a little embarrasses, a little awkward when you have so little experience. You're my wife, after all. It's only natural that I should see you naked from time to time."
Hermione smiled. "How often is 'from time to time'?" she asked, feeling much of her initial embarrassment melt away at Severus's words.
He raised a dark eyebrow at her. "Well, as I'm sure you can imagine, I've not been in a serious, steady relationship since before becoming a Death Eater…and even then it was no great affair. As for how often, well, we are still considered newlyweds, aren't we?"
Hermione smiled at his jokes. "Thank you Severus, you've put up with a lot these last few months."
"And will for the next many years, I'm sure." He remarked.
Hermione finished her breakfast and rose from the table, "I'm not that bad, am I?"
"No, but your family is."
"I'm sure it'll get better with time."
"I may have to hold you to that." Severus said as he followed her back into the bedroom.
