Chapter 12

Saturday July 20

The summer passed by quickly for everyone. Harry was well into auror training, Ron and Draco were enjoying their work at MLE, and Severus was preparing lesson plans for his classes. Hermione was plugging away at work, making slow but steady progress on the protection potions she was researching. Hermione and Severus also did something else during the summer to everyone's amusement: they had "lover's quarrels." No one was surprised that much. The temper and stubborness of the two led to fireworks when they locked horns. Yesterday, Severus and Hermione had another row, and Severus apparated out after he dodged a book thrown at his head. Hermione packed an overnight bag and popped in on the Weasleys, mad and upset as the devil.

"There is no way in hell I'm staying there tonight with him," she fumed, flopping down on the sofa.

"I see dear," Mrs. Weasley said. This is the fourth time this summer, isn't it? Mrs. Weasley thought.

Noon, Diagon Alley

Ginny and Hermione walked around Diagon Alley getting Ginny's school supplies for her last year. Ginny, sensing Hermione current state of glum, tried to re-direct Hermione's mood.

"Hermione, can we go to the bookstore next? There won't be such a long line at this time," Ginny said.

Hermione took Ginny's list. She bit her lip.

"Hmmm, interesting. They have some new books required this year. I have some suggestions for supplemental books that would help for your newts," Hermione said.

"That's great Herms, thanks," Ginny said.

An hour later they left the bookstore and headed to Wandwavers for a bite to eat, taking a booth in the corner. They both ordered chocolate cake and Ginny started eating. Hermione wasn't touching hers.

Must have been some row this time! Ginny thought.

Hermione stared at the cake. Her lips were quivering.

"Gin, how could I have been so mean? I love him more than life itself, but he said..." she was sniffling,"..then I said...I just got so mad and threw a book at him..." She was so upset she was unable to make coherent sentences. She finally broke down. Ginny jumped up, joined her on her seat and held her while she cried.

Same time, Hogwarts

Severus was pacing Dumbledore's office. Albus sat at his desk, fingers steepled, letting Severus rant.

"Albus, I said something I shouldn't have. She vexed me so. I love my wife more than life itself, but she said..." Severus cleared his throat, "then I said...then she tossed a book at my head..." he said flopping down in a chair. He was so flustered he couldn't make complete sentences.

"Severus, I am quite sure that no married couple on the face of this planet gets along one hundred percent of the time. Everyone knows the love you share, but the temper and stubborness you both have sometimes gets the better of you," Dumbledore said quietly.

"I know, I know," Severus stated.

"I once told you that you would have your hands full," Dumbledore said chuckling. Severus just nodded.

That night at the flat

Severus apparated back to the living room. He saw Hermione's overnight bag on the couch and some new books on the sofa table. He smelled spaghetti cooking. He thought he heard soft snoring from the back of the flat. He followed the sound to Hermione's office. Getting to the office, he looked in. His anger and frustration went away at the sight of her sleeping. He noted a small pile of used tissues, and she had been writing something on the parchment. The quill was still in her hand and the ink had made a big blot on the paper. She fell asleep while writing. Sniffing dinner once again, he let her sleep a bit longer then went to the kitchen to finish preparing dinner.

After the dinner was on the table, he went back to the office to rouse her. He gently rubbed her back, which was the best way to wake her. She shifted, sighed and opned her eyes. When she lifted her head up, a piece of parchment was stuck to her cheek. She slapped it off, looked up at Severus with big tearful eyes and said,

"I'm sorry I was so mean Severus." A large tear fell down her cheek.

He knelt down to her. "I am sorry as well, love." He wiped the tear from her cheek.

She jumped up. "OH SHIT! The spaghetti!" she exclaimed.

"It's taken care of Mione," Severus said. They went to the kitchen and sat down picking at their food.

"Severus," she said setting her fork down, "I'm really not that hungry anymore. For food that is."

"Mione," he said setting his fork down, "I too have lost my appetite. For food that is."

They bolted up from their seats, leaned over the table and attacked each other with a ferocious kiss. At the same time, they swept the dishes and food from the table (onto the floor) and fell onto the table. Hermione laid below Severus and with a growl he ripped the t-shirt off her. She gasped in surprise. He growled again when she accidently scratched his belly unbuttoning his pants in her haste. There were no words said in the frantic battle to remove each other's clothes. The hair on the backs of their necks were standing up as the magic and arousal between the two was felt. This was going to be a primal session of raw sex! Severus grunted when he took hold of her hips and thrust in, deep and hard. She cried out and her back arched and all she could think (if that was possible) to do was grip his ass with both hands. Severus bucked in surprise, as Hermione had never done that before. She wrapped her legs around him and urged him to go harder, deeper. His thrusts were becoming more urgent, and he focused her whimpers of pleasure and the slapping of their skin as he pounded into her. He gripped her hips harder, (his signal that he was approaching orgasm) which caused her to look at him. His eyes were scrunched shut as he gave everything he had, pouring all his emotion into every thrust. Hermione felt the familiar orgasmic pressure build up in her, and she bucked harder meeting his thrusts as they came together. He came with a shout, moan and shudder; her with a wail of pleasure and continued to whimper softly, still lifting her hips, riding the climax out. They laid there for a minute listening to each other's panting. The whole fast and furious encounter lasted for a whole three minutes. Without a word, Severus got up, lifted her up and carried her to the bedroom. They made love this time, whispering admonitions of love and affection between the kisses. It lasted longer than three minutes this time.

The next morning they showered together. They lathered each other and teased each other by "accidently" brushing hands against their more sensitive parts. Severus raised an eyebrow, got on his knees, buried his face in her pussy and pleasured Hermione with his tongue, licking and sucking her to orgasm. He stood back up to see her head back, smiling and gripping the shower curtain.

"You're welcome," he remarked stepping out of the shower.

Later they were chatting and eating breakfast as if they had never fought.

"So Mione, what do you have planned today?" Severus asked her.

"I don't know, visit my parents maybe. I haven't seen them since the wedding," Hermione said.

"If you would like, you may accompany me to Hogwarts. I need to finish the preparations for the term and would welcome your help," Severus offered. "You could peruse my personal library as well," he commented off-handedly.

Severus knew that would do the trick. She had seen his personal library once, that night her sixth year when he was injured and helped him back to his room. She had wanted to see more of it ever since.

"I guess I could "accompany" you for a bit," she said lightly.

Later at Hogwarts in the potions classroom, they organized the apothecary, (Hermione checked the asphodel, for one can never be too sure!) and ensured that the class cauldrons were clean.

"Without going into detail, I was going to incorporate your earlier potions error in a lesson plan, with your permission of course," Severus said.

"Yes that's fine. Anything to help the students," Hermione said. She was swishing her wand around the classroom, trying to clean up more. She gave up after a few minutes. Shrugging her shoulders, she said, "Well, it is a dungeon."

Hermione was sitting on the edge of his desk, flipping through one of the books from his library. Severus stood before her and chuckled at her.

"Enjoying the book?" he asked.

"Yes," she said biting her lip looking at a page.

He ran his hands up her thighs. "Enjoy that?" he whispered.

"Yes," she smiled still looking at the page.

He scratched at the crotch of her pants. She shivered. The book wavered.

"Enjoy that?" he asked again.

"Yes," she whispered.

He lowered her to the table, running his hands down her sides.

"Sev, are you taking a libido potion of some sort?" she teased.

"If I was?" Severus replied.

"I'm not complaining, I'm ready for a go if you are," she said huskily. As Severus raised his wand to shut the door, they were startled by a loud "Ahem."

"I was sent to fetch you two for lunch." It was Minerva, who was blushing with a trying-not-to-smile look on her face. The two lovers jumped up and straightened themselves up. Severus was thankful he had worn his robe because he was sporting an erection large enough to knock someone over.

"Severus, I was really enjoying this book. May I take it with me to read later?" Hermione asked lightly.

"Certainly," Severus replied.

"I'm glad to see you two have made up," Minerva quipped as the three left the classroom.