A/N: I must heartily apologise for the fact that I have been absent from this story for three months. It was by no means intentional but a combination of writer's block, writing other stories, work, chatting endlessly with Dash and Claw (my coven witches of ideas, support and Slytherin goodness), not to mention wanting to do this justice when I returned to it; the weeks just slipped by and I lost track of the story. It is now back though and I am more that pleased with the direction this story is taking. Well, I think you've waited long enough… enjoy!
Chapter 19 – A New Start
In the darkness of dreamless sleep, Hermione allowed her mind to rest. It had been so very active for so very long that now that she was cuddled in the arms of a man she surprisingly loved more than her heart could bare, she felt safe in letting her endless control slip. The sweet all-encompassing darkness was a beautiful freedom she had scarcely imagined possible; it felt like floating, gliding through the currents of an inky black abyss… so stunningly reminiscent of Severus's liquid gaze.
It took time to realise she was quite literally gliding through that inky abyss; perhaps hours until her consciousness caught on to how her body, as in the astral plane as it was, seemed to be sluiced in graceful movement through endless depths of cosmic waters. She felt very large even though the elegance of her swimming was unencumbered by the hefty size.
Hermione was surprised that she didn't feel cold; if she was truly in water, they must be above her body temperature. Of course this consideration led to the wonderings of whether her body was actually of a standard temperature or whether it was somehow cooler or warmer than usual. She wished there was a mirror or another being with her to gain such knowledge. It was beginning to annoy her, despite the serenity of her location. She decided to take stock of her surroundings and see what she could figure out on her own.
Okay, let's see… large, heavy body but can clearly swim magnificently. I'm not cold but that doesn't mean much as maybe I'm regulating external cold, would that mean I'm reptilian? Oh Severus is going to love that… WAIT! Severus… he's with me. Physical plane, literally right next to me and a Master Legilimens. Maybe I can reach out to him; can he reach my mind in his sleep?
"Severus!" She tried to call out but no sound emerged from her astral mouth.
She focused on feeling for his mental presence and it took barely any time at all to realise that she was already within it. Her inky abyss was the liquid depths of his beautiful molten onyx gaze – the eyes are the doorway to the soul and she was quite happily swimming around in his. She had no doubt he was aware of this… perhaps he was seeing as a dream, like she was. It was intoxicating to know that she was in his soul, swimming around in his mind as if she were a Master Legilimens herself.
Suddenly very uncaring about her appearance in this new form, her inquisitive mind relaxed completely and she chose to simply enjoy being accepted into him in this way. It was intoxicating and as her mental and emotional self revelled in the envelopment of him, her physical body, which lay snuggled against Severus Snape breathed a contented sigh and shivered with the excitement of not a sexual anticipation but soul-filling one.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
The physical sound had Severus grumpily pulling away from enjoying his witch swim around in his soul. He had no idea how she got there mentally but he wasn't complaining. Her astral or soul form was unexpected and the reason for it required more thinking but he would talk to her about it and get her opinions when she awoke.
Owls shouldn't even be able to get through my damn wards. Too easily intercepted. With the Ministry in disarray, I have no intention of letting those bastards haul me away to Azkaban to await trial. Potter isn't as powerful as he thinks if he thinks he has enough sway to keep me from that fate.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
"Alright, alright! I'm coming, keep your feathers on." He grumbled under his breath as he peeled himself away, begrudgingly, from his soul-mate.
Opening the window and letting in the snowy owl, Severus rolled his eyes. She looked like Potter's owl but he was sure Hermione had told him that Hedwig didn't make it through the war. A shame really; she had been a beautiful specimen and had donated several feathers to his potion stores over the years. The owlery was such an excellent resource of scavenging for a Potions Master.
He took the envelope from the bird without ceremony and began to break the seal, assuming it was for him. Only Potter and McGonagall knew Hermione was with him. Oh and Weasley and Lovegood. But he could think of no reason for any of them to contact him so soon. It wasn't like any of them cared for him. Not in his mind, anyway.
The owl snapped her beak at his fingers and he realised he had made two mistakes… the first, opening a letter addressed to Hermione; the second not feeding the bloody bird. He summoned an owl treat and quickly rectified the latter, closing the window as the snowy owl turned away and took off into the low, grey light of a cloudy and blustery morning.
As for the first mistake… what to do… as much as he hated to admit it, and he barely did so even to himself, Hermione's infinite curiosity and her need to know everything was rubbing off on him to some degree and he was itching to know what was in the letter. Would it be good or bad news about his pardon? Were some of the Order warning her off of him? Had they found out about Tempest?
He took a deep breath and pulled on his occlumency shields for the first time in three days, trying to stamp out the urge to read her missive. It was criminal to read someone else's mail; not just an invasion of privacy but an actual crime. Granted it was one of the lesser laws but on the precipice of Azkaban as he already was, he surmised there was no point adding fuel to the already towering pyre of his misdeeds over the last twenty years.
The curiosity wouldn't be kept at bay for long though. He left the letter on Hermione's bedside table, called Weston to make tea and toast for in fifteen minutes and went for a shower to freshen up.
The hot streaming jets of his muggle-installed power-shower eased his tired muscles and allowed his mind to drift a little as he washed his hair thoroughly with his home-brewed pepper and cedar wood shampoo. Black pepper oil was what accounted for the 'shine' of his hair which was the subject of his much discussed greasy appearance. Unfortunately he was unable to change it to 'dry out' the appearance of his hair. Black pepper was the only ingredient he had found to combat his excess dandruff problem. With how dark his hair was, if he didn't use the black pepper, his hair would look as if it was made of clean but think strands of snowflake obsidian – not a look he wanted. He was too young to look ironically, like salt and pepper. He'd stick with greasy git – it suited his role as the formidable potions master and at least he could blame it on the potions.
The water sluicing down his body as he soaped along his arms and over his chest, reminded him of Hermione's little foray into his dark soul and the form she had taken…
So, three forms: the lioness, the phoenix and a water dragon. All three so very powerful. The lioness makes sense for Little Miss Gryffindor, a connection to her house; a true Gryffindor – brave and courageous in both standing by Potter, going on the run, living off the earth. Not to mention coming to my defence after all the crap of the last year. A little Hufflepuff of her maybe but even so badgers are symbols of earth too - an earth connection too then maybe. And the phoenix would connect her to both air and fire elementals… oh dear sweet Salazar, she's being accepted by…
"Severus…"
Severus's thoughts were abruptly cut off by the sound of his little witch tentative peering around the shower curtain and giving him an appraising once-over with a slight smirk.
Gods, she's sexy when she smirks like that.
"What some company?" she asked with a coquettish smile.
He held out an arm to her in answer and she stepped in to the shower and his embrace as naked as the day she was born.
Their actions did not turn steamy right away. She nestled into his embrace under the cascade of beautifully hot water and sighed happily.
"I never knew I could feel this kind of happiness. It feels as if you and the Universe conspired to put this sweet, warm, bubbly feeling inside me and I don't even have to hold onto it amazingly tightly for fear it's going to get away. In fact the more I just allow myself to feel it, the stronger it gets." She said quietly into his chest as fingertips lightly stroked up and down his back, her breasts positioned on his abdomen. She really was very tiny.
"You are too good to me Hermione but I'll be damned if I let you go now." He said in reply, drawing her tighter into his embrace. "I too do not feel the need to hold onto the feelings you give me in a vice like grip but I am going to nonetheless. They, much like you, are too precious to just release."
"Speaking of release…" she let her voice and her hands slip lower, until the backs of her fingers ghosted over his beautifully taut bum before grabbing it whole-heartedly and pulling him very determinedly flush against her.
Severus groaned at her forcefulness, knowing that it was a good sign that she was so forward in initiating their intimacy. He knew he would grow bored all too easily and quickly if he was to always be the one to prompt their couplings. It seems that was not to be case and he thankfully allowed his groan of pleasure to end in a relieved sigh.
"It appears you woke up rather frisky this morning, Miss Granger."
"The sight of you naked in the shower made me frisky. I woke up feeling very relaxed and then slightly disappointed that you weren't next to me to take advantage."
She reached up on her tip toes to kiss at the join between his shoulder and neck as her hands weaved into his hair, rubbing herself seductively against his growing erection which rose impressively between them.
"So, you decided to come and take advantage of me? How delightful!"
"Absolutely. I couldn't…" she began kissing along his chest, "possibly let an opportunity…" licking over a nipple that made him shudder, "pass to enjoy your nakedness." She moved over to his other nipple and just as she gave it a very healthy suckle, Snape's knees buckled and he let out a straggled moan which he apparently uttered without the go ahead from his brain.
Hermione was just about to smirk at having apparently found a very sensitive spot on her lover when she was hoisted off her feet and thrown against the cool tiled wall that had been at least eighteen inches away. She squealed in excitement at his show of masculinity and unbridled passion. She may be a feminist but she was still impressed with his dominant showing… maybe even a little wooed.
Her legs instantly came up around his waist, her feet hooking together at the base of his spine, one heel digging into his rather delicious rump as her arms came up to rest on his shoulders and she leaned her diminutive weight against the wall behind her.
His hands were warm as the massaged and kneaded her own pliant bottom as he attacked her face, neck and ear with kisses. Those gorgeously big, calloused and curious hands were also working their way to her molten centre with each squeeze and as they reached her slit, pulling her open with fingers slipping both over her pulsing, throbbing clitoris and into the liquid heat of her core, Hermione keened, arching her back and moaning at his welcome intrusion.
"Don't make me wait… please." She begged. "It's been too many hours since you were inside me. Please. I need to feel you… fucking me… now… please."
Her words were broken by her short gasps each time his fingers slid up over her clit and beckoned against her g-spot at the same time. And just when she was seconds from giving herself over to the delicious mounting pressure he was creating within her, he thrust upward hard and she saw stars… the sweet precipice of ecstasy shattered and she corralled off of it explosive bliss.
Entering his witch as her pleasure exploded was the most satisfying moment of Severus's life. Nothing had ever felt quite as wonderful as joining with his witch while she clenched and constricted around him. It was a struggle to fully penetrate her convulsing so strongly as she was but he powered through and was rewarded with the wailing scream of his name coming from her lips.
He stayed quite still as he watched he slowly catch her breath and just as she was about to open her eyes, which he knew would be like smoke over honey, he began an agonising slow withdrawal, making her mewl with loss and pleasure at the dragging friction.
"Fuck me…" she whispered.
He held himself three-quarters of the way out of her and said in as much of his teacher tone as he could muster…
"What was that, Miss Granger? You must speak up if you want me to hear you over all of your panting and…"
"I said… FUCK ME…" she screamed the last words in both frustration and amusement at his teasing. "Professor. It's time to endorse foolish wand waving, or in this case, I believe the term would be wand-thrusting, siiiiiiir."
Her sentence ended on a wail as he heeded her advice as thrust high and hard into her anxiously waiting sheath.
His pounding was relentless and Hermione felt every thrust, every flick of his hip echo through every fibre of her being as she met his hips on every pounding they gave her. She bounced on the invading Slytherin force with equal parts of enthusiasm and determination, fighting the feeling of bonelessness which was a languid side effect of her last orgasm and powering through to the next like the true Gryffindor she was.
Her fingernails dug were digging into his shoulders as she held on for dear life and as she began to consciously clench her walls around her… moaning at the added friction, a groan escaped him as his balls tightened ominously and he ground into her with everything he had.
Sensing his impending completion and wanting to be soul instigator of his utter lack of control, Hermione focused all of her attention of tightening around him like a vice, knowing that his orgasm would trigger hers when she felt his essence spill.
"Fill me with your essence, Severus. It makes me so hot when you come inside me."
With a growl at her sinfully debauched words, his last thrust was almost painful as he came with the force of a steam train… hollering her name so that it ricocheted from the acoustic walls of the unwarded bathroom.
Her breathless second orgasm followed, as predicted, as she felt his warm seed splashing against her cervix. His name tumbled from her lips in a low, primal voice that could hardly be recognised as hers and her body jolted and jerked as she fully embraced the pleasure of Severus Snape being inside her. With a final shudder, she rolled her hips one last time before hazily opening her eyes.
"I want to do that for the rest of my life." She whispered.
Severus gave her hips a squeeze of appreciation before replying.
"That is very good to hear because I intend to do that for the rest of your life." He whispered back.
"There's no point whispering now, brother dear. Your morning caterwauling shagfest with the mudblood has woken the entire house. I've cancelled your tea and toast in bed with Weston… it sounds like you've worked up an appetite. Full breakfast in twenty minutes."
The voice from behind the bathroom door made them both freeze instantly but the amusing words set Hermione into a fit a giggles as Severus snorted.
"Will you please stop giggling? We apparently don't have time for another round now my sister has taken over Weston's orders and if you don't stop, I will be starting all over again."
"Yes dear." She said with an over exaggerated and loud kiss to his lips.
She got a playful swat on the bottom for her cheek which made her purr as he went to put her down.
"Do you think you could carry me, please? I don't quite have my legs back yet."
A smug expression clambered onto his face but she didn't begrudge him the feeling of pride. He'd earned it.
Fifteen minutes later, Hermione had managed to use the shower for its original purpose and they were both dressed and ready for breakfast. Tempest had been right; they had worked up an appetite, proven by twin grumbling sounds from both stomachs present.
"What's this?" Hermione asked, finidn an opened letter on her side of the bed.
"Ah yes, I forgot about that. It came before you woke up. I assumed it was addressed to me which is why it's opened but I haven't read it. Do you want to have a look before we go to breakfast?"
"Might as well." She said, picking up the envelope and removing the letter. "Oh, it's from Harry."
Snape internally rolled his eyes. He wouldn't do so outwardly for a while, considering the arrogant little git was her best friend.
Hermione scanned over the words quickly and then read aloud…
"Dear Mione,
Hope this reaches you wherever you are. I thought you could do with an update. Snape's pardon is ready to be signed. Kingsley has been sworn in as Minister for now until they can arrange an official gathering for whoever is left of the Wizengamot. The only problem is that even with my testimony and Kingsley's assurance that Snape was on our side, Rita Skeeter has dug her claws in and the first edition of the re-established Prophet has been rather nasty toward him and as usual she has twisted everyone's words. The public want his blood, Hermione and they're not going to stop until they get it… Skeeter has managed to rally the wizarding world into a flash mob. They're like villagers going after the beast in that Disney film you like.
We need you Hermione. It's time for your downtime with Snape to come to an end. Kingsley wants to see both of you at 2 o'clock; Snape to sign his pardon, you to give your statements and start on giving evidence for the trials. Get to Grimmauld for about 1 and we can talk then.
Oh and just so you know, Ron is planning to give you the silent treatment over you and Snape, or at least pretend you don't exist. I've told him he's acting like a jealous prat but I don't think he listened.
Narcissa Malfoy has been released thanks to my testimony that she saved my life, Draco is on probation given most of the stuff he did was while he was still underage and his help with us at the Manor. He actually shook my hand when I said that. I'm still in shock. Lucius Malfoy's trial is the one everyone is talking about. They want your testimony about everything.
Well I'll see you at lunch time. Hope you and Snape are both okay.
Love Harry
P.S. Did you like the owl? She's Hedwig's mother. Her name is Anouk."
"Well that was a lot of information. It seems our seclusion is at an end." Severus said slowly, pulling Hermione in for a hug.
"Yep. Time to face the world." She replied, resignedly.
"Indeed. But first we must face my… family."
"Oh yes… how could I forget?"
The sun had burned away the clouds of the early morning by the time Severus and Hermione entered the dining room. Eileen was sat at the lavishly dressed table, reading the Prophet with a frown marring her face; Tempest sat rigidly to the left of her mother, facing forward, hands in her lap, like the perfectly bred, expressionless pureblood princess.
"Good morning, everyone." Hermione said brightly, refusing to let the sombre mood spoil her delicious morning afterglow.
"Mudblood." Tempest nodded to her in recognition. "Brother."
Well that's progress. At least she nodded.
"Good morning, my loves." Eileen said warmly. "I'm guessing from the noises that woke us up today, you both had a very good morning indeed."
Hermione had the presence of mind to blush, Severus smirked and pulled Hermione into embrace, kissing her cheek.
"She's just teasing, love."
"Do us a favour, dear brother and throw up a few wards next time."
"Just because you're not getting any, sister…"
"And whose fault is that?"
"Touché! But this is still my house and if I don't want to put up silencing charms so that I can enjoy my witch's echoing screams of pleasure, then I will not. If you don't like it, you can leave."
Tempest rolled her eyes and turned away from the too happy couple. It felt unfair that they got to be all loved up when she was mourning the loss of both her father and her husband.
"The Prophet is back with a vengeance. Rita is being her usual loathsome self again."
"We've heard. Can I see?" Hermione asked her future mother-in-law.
Just at that moment, Weston popped in and asked if they were ready to be served. They assembly of witches and wizard all nodded their assent and they table magically filled with all manner of sumptuous English breakfast foods – sausages, bacon, fried eggs, hash browns, baked beans, tomatoes, black pudding, and fried mushrooms – along with a huge stack of buttered bread and toast.
"Oh this looks amazing. I'm starving." Hermione exclaimed, excitedly. "Weston, you're amazing."
Weston beamed at the complimentary witch. Severus once again became smug at being the cause of his little witch's ravenous hunger.
"I assume the paper is not extoling my virtues?" Snape asked his mother, already knowing the answer.
"No, my darling. It seems Rita has decided you are her new scapegoat for all that is wrong with the wizarding world."
"Don't worry," Hermione said as she speared sausage, egg and beans onto one forkful. "I won't let anyone come near you. I've just had an idea which I think might really put the cat among the pigeons."
"Oh?" Severus asked, squeezing Hermione's knee under table. "Surely that brilliant mind of yours isn't so brilliant as to have found a solution in less than ten minutes?"
"Oh ye of little faith." She teased. "Have you not known me long enough yet to know my brilliant mind can do absolutely anything it wants to?"
Her hand moved to sit on top of his under the table and she moved it further up her thigh until it was at the very apex where his thumb slowly and softly stroked where she was most sensitive. She supressed several shivers as he continued the ministrations throughout breakfast.
"Of course I have, little witch." He replied in whisper against her ear as he kissed down her neck.
A throat clearing had him returning to his breakfast.
"No smooching at the table." His mother admonished.
"Or on the table." Tempest added grumpily.
"Yes mum." Hermione and Severus answered together and then promptly burst out laughing, to which Eileen heartily joined in. Even Tempest smirked a little; although she'd deny it until her dying breath.
After breakfast, Tempest excused herself to the library while Eileen cornered Severus and Hermione about the young witch's idea for combatting Rita's baiting and the subsequent flash mob.
"Well," Hermione said, taking a deep breath and steeling herself, knowing that Severus would not like her idea, "I remember reading something in the restricted section in my fifth year when I was researching the proteon charm for the DA coins."
"You successfully cast the proteon charm in your fifth year?" Severus asked, incredulous at her talents even then. "That's seventh year work."
"Again, ye of little faith. Anyway, back to the point… the charm I am thinking of for this particular little problem is the reflectorium charm. Do you know it?"
"Yes. It was part of my Charms NEWT course. How will that…" He took a breath as her plan dawned on him. "NO! No, no, no, Hermione, it's too dangerous."
"I had a feeling you might say that but it really isn't. No one would dare touch me now, I'm the Gryffindor Princess, the Golden Girl, the brains of the trio who saved the Wizarding World from Voldemort and I will not have the love of my life injured or killed because the same wizarding world can't see passed the end Rita Skeeter's acidic bloody quill. I just saved your life and I'll tell you something for nothing, if they intend to take you away from me again then they'll have to take me down too and they wouldn't fucking dare."
"Oh sweetheart," Eileen exclaimed with a tearful shriek and wrapped her arms around Hermione."
"Are you sure about this?" Severus said, practically resigned to the fact there was no arguing with the protection instincts of a lioness.
"Absolutely. I am not going to let all those short-sighted, prejudice, dimwits take you away from me. You're stuck with me Severus Snape. Forever."
He hugged her then, a tear falling down his cheek.
She wiped his tear away, calling him a closet softie.
"What is the reflectorium charm exactly? It's been a lot longer since I did my NEWTs.
"Oh," Hermione said excitedly, loving the opportunity to explain her choice of magic to save Severus. "When the reflectorium charm, which we will publicise the use of, is cast, anything that happens to Severus physically, happens to me. If he's hit in the arm with a stinging jinx for example, not only we he feel the sting and get a welt but so will I. Publicising that we have the charm enacted means that any attack on Severus is automatically seen as an attack on me and anyone who is willing to attack me will get a one way ticket to Azkaban. I'll make sure of it."
"Shall we get it done then?" Severus asked, impatiently. He wasn't happy with her plan but he appreciated the sentiment behind it and it wasn't as if they had another plan.
"Let's do it!" Hermione replied, excitedly. She'd been dying to try this charm for two years.
A/N: Wow, that ran longer than planned. To be honest, these things usually do. It could have actually ran longer… I was going to add the casting of the reflectorium charm and have Severus think some more about the water dragon dream – there are significant things coming along with that later. However I wanted to post this before work and so I stopped at a good spot; nowhere near my usual cliff hanger standards but I'm out of practice.
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Love & Blessings
Moon Out!