Chapter 9

The newlyweds floo-ed into the quaint Italian Ministry of Magic building. They hurried out after inquiring about where magical folk might stay. They looked at the maps that they were given. Hermione completely forgot to consult the travel agent at the ministry back home. They looked at the map questioningly.

"Uh, Severus love, can you read Italian?" Hermione asked.

"Afraid not, just French and Latin," Severus replied.

They turned right back around and went to the receptionist. They pointed to the map and shrugged. The witch behind the desk looked to the two then lazily tapped her wand on the map. The words transformed to English. The witch then handed them a booklet of English to Italian phrases. Hermione glanced at it and said,

"Grazie?" Hermione ventured.

"You're welcome," the Italian witch said.

They checked into an inn in Rome. After a romantic dinner of spaghetti and wine, they retired to their room for the evening. Hermione was admiring at the large bathroom with the huge in-ground tub.

"Severus, that was the best dish of spaghetti I've ever had," Hermione said gathering her things for her bath.

"Well my dear, we are in Italy," Severus replied. "Hermione, I have something I've been meaning to ask you for a while," Severus asked. He wanted to have a little fun with her.

"Yes?" she said.

"What do you want me to call you?" Severus said.

"I don't quite understand what you mean. Mrs. Snape or your wife I hope," Hermione said questioningly.

"Well, you seem to have quite a few nicknames. What do you think of me calling you Herms?" he asked.

"I'd rather you not," Hermione told him.

"Shorty?" he teased.

"Not if you want me to answer," she retorted crossing her eyes at him.

"Hermy G?" he dared.

"If you like being hexed," she said pointedly.

"Okay, how about Mione?" he stated.

"That will do," she said kissing him lightly on the lips.

"How about you?" she asked in return.

"There's not much that you can do with my name," he said.

"Oh? Let's see, sweetie pie?" she suggested.

He snorted.

"Love muffin?" she asked.

He put his hands over his ears.

"Sugar lips?" she dared.

"Why do all your suggestions revolve around food?" he inqured.

"Because I want to eat you up," she replied.

"I see, my lady direct " he said smiling.

"Really, will Sev do?" she asked.

"That will do," he said. "Bathtime."

As the two laid together in the tub, they talked and reminisced about the past year. Hermione was laid back against the tub and Severus laid back against her so she could encircle him.

"Sev, do you remember the first time we made love?" Hermiome asked rubbing her fingertips on is chest.

"Of course," he said rubbing her feet.

"What were you thinking?" she asked.

"My dear, at the time I was in such a lust filled haze that I wasn't thinking that clearly, but I do remember how willing you were," Severus said. "Lovemaking coaxes out your true nature Mione. How giving you are, your passion, your diligence and eagerness. I feel fortunate to be the recipient of these gifts."

Hermione was silent. Severus turned around to face her.

"Severus, make love to me like the first time you did," Hermione said cupping his face with her hands. Wordlessly he started to oblige then paused then looked at her. "Don't worry, I'm back to full strength, you won't hurt me," she whispered.

They caressed and kissed and stroked each other. They listened to each others breathing, moans and whispers. Severus hitched her up to the side of the tub. With a nod from her, he grabbed her hips and slowly entered her. She moaned with longing at the feel of the hot water combined with his thrusts. She surrendered to the moment and laid back baring her entire willing body to him. He could only think of one word,

"Heaven," he muttered as his thrusts knocked water out of the tub.

Hermione had her legs wrapped around him and was pulling him towards her. She was writhing and groaning below him begging for him to go deeper and faster. He needed no more urging as he grunted and groaned fulfilling her request. Her back arched as she came with a moan, a gasp and then a shout. She kept her legs wrapped around him, pulling him towards her still, pleading with him to pound into her. He pulled her closer to him and circled her waist with his arms and thrust even faster and harder.

"I'm.. .com…agai.." she sputtered as she was climaxing again. Severus came a second later with a gasp and deep shudder. They laid there again in perfect silence for a few minutes listening to the sound of each other's rapid breathing. He slowly rose up and pulled her back into the water with him. He lovingly washed her then got out of the tub. Hermione watched him as he dried off then he held out his hand for her. He assisted her out of the tub, chuckling at the small pond of water on the floor. He slowly dried her off with a towel, working from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet.

"Thank you husband," she said demurely.

"My pleasure, wife," Severus replied softly kissing her.

They slipped under the covers of the bed and fell asleep, Hermione's arm thrown across his chest. She was snoring softly in minutes.

Till the day I die, I will wonder what have I done to deserve this. he thought inhaling the fragrance of her hair.

Severus woke up early the next day to try and find some breakfast. She would wake hungry and enjoy breakfast in bed. He took the map and left the room. Half an hour later, he returned with a tray laden with breads, fruits, cheeses and a cappuccino. He tried one and thought them too strong, but thought Hermione might like to try one. He waved the cappuccino under her nose to wake her up. Her nose twitched and she opened her eyes.

"Good morning to you, sweet," Severus said.

She sat up tiredly, her hair falling across her face, sheet falling from her shoulders. She moaned and stretched her arms, causing her breasts to enticingly sway from side to side.

"Mione, you keep that up and I'll have to delay breakfast," Severus said.

She looked from the tray to Severus. Biting her lip in thought, she waved her hand at him and his clothes fell from his body.

"Breakfast can wait," Hermione said.

Severus set the tray aside and let her have her way with him. Twenty minutes later after a primal session of sex, they lay panting and sweaty on top of the sheets. Hermione's stomach growled loudly.

"Food, I need food," she said reaching for the tray.

Looking at the tray, she pointed to the small looking coffee cup.

"Is this coffee?" she asked.

"No, cappuccino," he said.

She tapped the cup with her wand and it warmed up. She took a sip. Her eyes opened wide.

"Delicious," she said. "Try some?"

He held his hand up. "I have already tried some. I thought it a bit strong for my taste."

They shared the tray of breads, fruits and cheeses.

"So what is on the agenda today Mr.Snape?" Hermione asked.

"I thought we would just walk out of this inn and see where our feet take us," Severus said.

"I'll be ready in ten minutes," Hermione said going into the bathroom.

She emerged ten minutes later to see Severus in sandals, gray slacks, a white polo shirt and his hair was pulled back in a small ponytail. She put her hand over her mouth.

"Who are you and what have you done with Severus," she declared.

"You like?" he said turning around.

"Absolutely," she said.

"I used to wear my hair back like this when I was your age. I think I might start wearing it like this from now on," Severus said.

She had on a sundress and sandals. Grabbing her clutch and sunglasses, she held out her arm and said, "Shall we?"

That night at a restaurant, they were happy but exhausted. They had munched on biscotti during the day, toured the Forum, Colosseum, St. Peters Basilica, took pictures by Trevi Fountain, and gazed up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling. For dinner they both had mouth-watering calzones. After a bubble bath, they curled up together and fell asleep. They spent one more day in Rome then traveled to Venice. After a delicious dinner of chicken alfredo, they strolled along the canals of Venice.

Severus wasn't fond of boats, but Hermione convinced him to go on a Gondola for a moonlight serenade. They didn't understand a word of what the fellow in the striped shirt was singing, but after a few minutes they didn't care. The melody in his voice, the gentle swish of the oar against the water was almost enough to lull them to sleep until Snape felt moisture on his feet. He looked down and saw water in the bottom of the gondola. He nudged Hermione, who was looking up at the moon listening to the singing. She looked down and said,

"That's not good," she said.

They gestured to the gondola man (they didn't know what else to call him) and pointed to the water. He looked down and exclaimed something in surprise. Suddenly, the bottom of the gondola cracked and water started coming in from the bottom. Hermione and Severus were frantically gesturing him to steer to the side of the canal that was about six feet away.

"Hermione, I'm not the bestswimmer," Severus said calmly but grabbed her arm..

"Don't say that, we're almost to the side of this canal to climb out. Besides, I can swim well enough for the both of us. If all else fails, we can levitate out of here," Hermione said to him. "There will be no drowning on our honeymoon," she teased.

"I'm glad that you can see the humor in this," Severus said.

The gondola driver was swearing as he tried to steer to the side. Hermione and Severus were now sitting in water. The driver yelled to some people along the canal and they jogged over. He gestured towards Severus and Hermione and brooms came from somewhere and were extended to the couple.

"Grab one," Hermione said quickly.

Severus and the gondola driver grabbed brooms and the gondola was pulled towards the canal side. The gondola driver hopped to the canal sidewalk. People were helping Severus out of the gondola when it snapped in half. Hermione fell into the water with a shriek as she grabbed at a broom. Some people snatched Snape onto the canal landing just before he went in the water.

"Hermione!" Severus shouted.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking," Hermione said scowling and treading water.

She cursed and slapped away a piece of the gondola that had drifted towards her. She swam towards the side of the canal and grabbed a broom that was lowered her way. She was pulled from the canal to the urgent apologies of the gondola driver. She held up her hands and nodded and after a few minutes, they left the scene. It took every single ounce of restraint Severus had not to laugh his ass off at his soaking wet Hermione muttering curses as they walked (her stalking) back to their hotel. Walking through the hotel lobby, Hermione looked straight ahead and ignored the wondering looks of the people in the lobby at the sight of her.

During the elevator ride, she quipped, "At least we got our money back."

When the elevator had reached their floor, they went to their room and Severus went to run a hot bath straight away. He heard Hermione sneeze from the bathroom.

"Bless you dear," he said chuckling. He had to finally say something.

"Kiss my ass love," she said lightly, stepping into the hot bath.

They left Venice the next morning. Hermione did not want to spend another minute there than she had to. They took a bus tour through the Tuscan Valley and toured some wineries. They stayed in the region for a couple of days taking long walks through the hills, touring the rustic villages around the region. They made love once in a small grove of trees situated next to a small stream. The softly babbling water, the chirping of birds and the rustle of the leavesfrom a light breeze blewaccompanied the cries of their passion. Years later they would remember that as the single most romantic moment of their lives.

The last day of their honeymoon found Hermione standing in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

"Sev, I know it seems trite. But I've always wanted to have a picture of me standing in front of it. Please? You owe me for the gondola," she pleaded.

"I fail to see how the gondola debaucle is my fault, but if this makes you happy, so be it," Severus said. He snapped a picture of his new bride in front of the large leaning tower.