Disclaimers: See Chapters 1 and 2 for all disclaimers

Many thank yous to…

Wyall Jared… Thanks. I like how Tonks and Kerry work together, too. It was unexpected, but that's the fun of writing… sometimes two characters just WORK. And I don't think it will hurt Severus to have some wild women in his life… even if they will give him heartburn from time to time.

Mercury Gray… The dancing? I wanted Severus to have an unexpected side and I thought ballroom dancing would open up some interesting avenues. The way Rowlings writes him and Alan Rickman portrays him, I think his precise nature as a Potions Master would make him well-suited for the intricacies of dancing, and that his temper hints a creative flair that's so necessary for a good dancer. Maybe I'm just seeing what I want, but that's what I see.


Evenstar Elanor… I think I've said it before… I know Snape gives you the willies so thanks for suspending your disbelief for the duration of my stories. And yes, I believe that even Severus Snape at his most ornery and cantankerous still ought to have someone who loves him for who he is… even if he hides that part away from the rest of the world.

Chapter 14: Buttons Undone

Stepping out of the Great Hall, Severus set his wife down on the ground. Along the path, small glass globes with candles in them flickered, casting a delicate white light along the ground leading from the Hall to the cottage. The candles had been Mina's idea and she and Dobby had rounded up several other House Elves to make sure all the candles were lit before midnight. Hand in hand, Serena and Severus walked down the path. When they reached the cottage, Severus scooped her up in his arms again and waited for the door to swing open.

"You're such a traditionalist," she laughed.

"The groom is supposed to carry his wife across the threshold," he said firmly, "and that's exactly what I shall do." He stepped through the door and after it closed behind him, he set Serena down again. "Welcome home, luv."

Serena turned within the curve of his arms and unbuttoned Severus' jacket, sliding it off of his shoulders. He watched her with a bemused smile and a slightly cocked eyebrow. He would have liked nothing better than to shed all of their clothes within a matter of moments and toss her down on the sofa... He may have put on a façade of cool control for the past few weeks, but he had missed being with Serena. However, he fully intended to savor the night. They would, after all, only have one wedding night and he wanted it to be more than simply a rampant shag.

One at a time she undid the buttons of his shirt and when it fell open, she leaned in and kissed Severus in the hollow where his collarbones came together. He groaned softly and she looked up with a smile.

"I was beginning to think you were made of ice," she teased.

"Not ice," he said. "Far from it. The heat generated from my dreams alone these past few weeks have made ice impossible."

"Your dreams, aye?" The look in her eye became more heated than simply mischievous. Severus took her by the hand and led her to the couch. He sat down and looked at Serena expectantly. She shortened up her skirts a little and settled herself into his lap.

"Better?"

He held her hips and pressed Serena against him in answer to her question, and like that very first night, she could hardly mistake his intent as he shifted beneath her. She bowed her head.

"Take my hair down?" she asked.

Severus slowly unpinned the headpiece, setting it on the table to the side of the couch. Then he gently ran his hands through Serena's hair, taking out hairpins as he found them, and a few minutes later, her dark hair tumbled down and draped over her shoulders.

My god, she is beautiful. Severus felt his body tighten in response. He loved her long hair and it looked dark and glossy against the white and pearls of her dress.

Serena cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. Gently at first, but then she asked for more, parting her lips and felt Severus do the same. A chill raced through her as his hands slid up her waist and his fingers ran over the curve of her breast. He was rewarded with a soft moan and he smiled. Serena leaned down and kissed him again. Their lips parted and she opened her mouth, drawing Severus in. The kiss made them both feel lightheaded and they were breathing heavily.

"Shall we retire to the bedroom?" Serena's voice was husky.

"Absolutely." Severus leaned up and kissed her throat.

The bedroom was fully prepared for the newlyweds. Mina had put new sheets on the bed and turned the covers down. There were vases of flowers and clusters of candles that flickered to life when Serena and Severus came in the room. There was a bottle of raspberry butter wine and a platter filled with chocolate-covered strawberries.

Keeping his arm around Serena's waist, Severus circled around behind her. With his free hand, he brushed the hair away and started to kiss her neck. She rolled her head back and then he gently nipped at her, turning her groan turned into a husky laugh.

"Fresh…" she murmured. "Don't stop…"

Severus smiled. "As you wish…" He brought his hands around to her back and unbuttoned the first button, kissing her neck. The next button snapped free and Serena felt Severus' breath on her back just before his lips brushed her skin. She moaned and reached her hands back towards him.

"Shhh," he whispered as he avoided her fingers. He grabbed her waist and held her firmly, not letting her turn around. When she acquiesced, his fingers went back to the buttons on her dress.

"Tonks said you'd do this," she said as he undid one more button and kissed the bare skin beneath it. She kept her eyes closed, savoring the touch.

"I'd do what?"

"As soon as she saw all the buttons on the dress, she said you'd probably undo them all by hand…"

"Smarter than I gave her credit for, that one…"

Another button undone, another kiss. Then another. And another. It took a delicious eternity for Severus to reach the last button. He ran his fingers up Serena's back and she leaned into him with a sigh. He slid his hands under the shoulders of the dress and pushed them forward a little. Serena raised her hands, pulled the shoulders down and peeled the sleeves off of her arms. Without support, the dress sagged to the ground. She stepped out of it and turned around.

Severus looked at Serena in her lacy ensemble with her dark hair tumbled down, and then he tore his eyes from the curves of her body to look at her face. The look in her eyes stunned him for a moment. It was unvarnished desire. She took a step towards him and hooked her fingers into the waist of his pants, pulling him a step closer. His head swam as she allowed her fingers to linger on the button and zipper of his trousers. Moments later, their world dissolved into the feel of warm skin and passionate touches.

Always an ardent lover, Serena kissed and caressed her new husband until he thought he would die from his desires. He pulled her close and rolled her on the now disheveled bed sheets. Severus supported himself with his arms and gazed down at her. She relaxed, trusting him utterly, feeling him press against her, wanting her. Raising her head she kissed him again on his throat, his cheeks, and his lips.

She ran a foot along his calf, feeling the weight of him on her. He pressed forward more, balancing precariously on the edge of the moment. She gripped his shoulders and gasped as he paused.

Leaning his head down, Severus stared into her eyes. "Yes?" he asked softly.

"Yes," she answered in a breathless whisper.

This time, Severus did not pause or hesitate, and it was utterly delicious.

It was…

Perfect.

Perfection is relative, and the pursuit of it can be an everlasting quest that yields only frustration for when perfection is unattainable, the pursuer feels diminished and inadequate. Every now and again, however, perfection sneaks up upon you as you lie unaware. And if you are so fortunate as to recognize perfection when it graces you, you have captured a gift that often eludes even the most ardent crusader.

Wrapped in Severus' arms, Serena spoke in a soft, sleepy voice replete with satisfaction and fulfilled desire. "It has been a perfect day, hasn't it?"

Lying on his back, Severus kept his arms wrapped around Serena. She was right; it had been a perfect day. He lay awake long after she had drifted to sleep, replaying the day in his mind, and savoring the moment, and knowing how fleeting perfection was.

Okay… what did you think? Those of you who have read my other work know that I struggle with scenes like this. I'm shooting for steamy and romantic without too much graphic detail. Please read/review; I'd really like your feedback!