They woke the next morning cold and sore. Severus sat up and disappeared the ashes and replaced them with fresh logs and relit the fire. He then looked down at Hermione who was lying on her back and looking up at him. She was a sight to behold in the morning and her nakedness caused his morning wood the get harder. Severus lay back down and kissed her soundly on the lips.

"Good morning Severus." she whispered between kisses. Severus grumbled something as he nuzzled into her neck. His tong flicked out and licked her neck sending a stab of pleasure to her core. She could feel herself getting aroused and as much as she wanted him to have his way with her again the floor was hard and not forgiving. Hermione moved from Severus and stood up.

"What's wrong?" he asked alarmed. Hermione looked at him and smiled.

"Nothing is wrong, I just figured it would be much more comfortable to go to your room and continue this." She said giggling. Severus shot up off the floor causing Hermione to squeal and run up the stairs to Severus bedroom. She jumped on the bed and rolled to her back as Severus jumped on the bed and lie on top her. Severus this time kissed his way down to her breasts where he laid soft kisses on them then he moved down to her belly then to the apex of her thighs where he buried hi face and licked at her clit. Hermione's mouth fell open with a moan of pleasure and her eyes slid shut as she buried her fingers in his hair. Severus alternated between licking and sucking her clit as he slipped two fingers inside her.

It wasn't long before Hermione screamed out her orgasm and Severus lapped at her juices. When she had calmed he kissed his way back up to her lips. Hermione liked the way she tasted on his lips.

"I'm going to take you now." He whispered as he slipped his cock inside her and she wrapped her legs around him and he pounded into her. Last night was for being slow and sensual but right now they both needed to be a little rough. Severus propped himself on one elbow as his other hand grabbed her hips as he pistoned in and out of her. he watched her rapt face and bouncing breasts. Hermione could feel that knot forming at her core wanting release again and Severus had just angled his hips the right way to hit that spot that was now sending her over the edge with another scream of Severus name and her hands shooting up and grabbing at the pillow her head was on. Severus pistoned a few more times before he spilled more of her seed inside her and then collapsed on top of her. Hermione wrapped her arms around him and held him close.

"We need to do this more." She whispered. Severus grunted in agreement and wrapped his arms around her as he rolled them both on to their sides, Severus never slipping out of her. they lay there for an hour before they got up and bathed. It was nice taking a shower with her as they alternated between lathering each other up and washing each other's hair. Once clean they got dressed and went down to the kitchen for breakfast.

They sat besides each other and had their breakfast. Severus had draped his arm around her waist and had her close to him as he read the Daily Prophet. Hermione leaned against his shoulder as she cradled her cup of tea in her hand. It was a pleasant beginning to the day. Then they heard a knock at the door. Both froze and looked at each other as if to say they weren't expecting anyone.

"Stay here." whispered Severus. Hermione nodded and had her wand out just in case. Severus had his wand in hand as he stalked to the front door. On the count of three he swung open the door and had his wand out. But at the end of his wand was a very scarred looking Harry Potter who had both hands up in the air wandless. "Potter what are you doing here?" he asked as he put down his wand.

"I have news." He answered.

"Fine, come in." Harry put down his hands and entered the house and took off his coat and hung it up. He saw Hermione at the kitchen door with a smile on her face. He walked up to her and hugged her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked smiling in his arms. For a moment Severus felt a twinge of jealousy but he quickly tamped it out.

"I have news regarding Ron." He answered and Hermione's face fell. "Come lets sit down." They all sat around the kitchen table while Hermione poured Harry a cup of tea.

"Where is he?" asked Severus.

"We've found him." He answered but they could see the hesitation on his face. "But it seems we were not the first." Both Hermione and Severus looked at him confused. "It seems news some how traveled fast of what he did to you Hermione and we found him in Romania. It seems Krum found out what he did and confronted him. In front of about fifteen other wizards Ron drew his wand to attack Victor but as we all know Victor is stronger and faster. They got into a duel and Victor won. Ron is dead." The room fell silent.

"Did Krum use an unforgivable?" asked Severus.

"No, thankfully. He used some spell that caused his head to snap around thus killing him. As it was an act of self defense Krum will not get in trouble for it thankfully." Hermione sat in her chair and in a fit of hysteria started to laugh. Both men turned to her and stared. Tears ran down her face.

"I'm free now. My ex boyfriend killed by good for nothing husband who tried to kill me. I'm free and safe." She said smiling.

"Than why are you crying?" asked Severus as he whipped away her tears.

"Tears of joy." She whispered as she stopped crying. "I lost all love for Ron the minute he locked me in the house and started to beat and rape me. I wanted his head after that. There is no love lost and when he is buried I think I'll dance on his grave." Severus raised and eyebrow. He couldn't fault her. if put in the same situation he'd probably do the same.

"So you're okay Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Does his family know?" she asked.

"I told the whole family. They were silent for a moment but they had pretty much the same reaction as you. The irony of your ex boyfriend killing him was too much for Fred and George to take and Angelina and Ginny just stood there shaking their heads at the twins. Molly and Arthur didn't really mourn, as they disowned him a while ago. And I'm glad actually." Hermione nodded in understanding. "I thought I should let everyone know before it was in tomorrows paper. But I have to go now." he said as he stood. Then he stopped and looked at Hermione and Severus. Severus was holding her hand and sitting very close together.

"You two are together I take it?" he asked staring.

"Yes, we are." She answered.

"Good, it seems being with Severus has made a world of good for you. Take care of her Severus." he said as he looked at the potions master. Severus stood to walk Harry out. Before leaving Harry too Severus hand. "Thank you for taking care of her." Severus simply nodded and Harry turned and walked out and apparated away.

Severus closed the door and then felt Hermione wrap her arms around his ribs from behind and her head rest on his shoulder.

"So we're an item?" he asked Hermione.

"Can we?" she asked as he turned to look at her.

"Yes sweetling." He answered as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. He wasn't kissing or making love to a married woman anymore. She was a widow now but there was no love lost. She was free and maybe they could continue this thing and be happy for a while. Severus and Hermione returned to the kitchen and continued what they were doing. Reading the paper and staring out the kitchen window.

Their reverie was once again broken when a small dark owl pecked at the window. Hermione stood and let the owl in and took the scroll from its foot. Hermione gave it a treat and watched as it flew away before turning her attention to the scroll. She unrolled it.

Dear Hermione,

After talking with you and seeing your need for knowledge and you interest in this field of work I have requested you as an apprentice if you are willing. I have attached the contract and information for you to peruse as you see fit and make an informed decision. I hope you accept.

Sincerely,

Garrick Olivander

Hermione read the letter than passed it on to a curious Severus. She proffered the other parchments and sat beside Severus to look them over between sips of tea. Severus read the letter and looked over to Hermione. Garrick didn't have children or any family for that matter. The profession of wand maker had always been passed down from parent to child male or female. Hermione would be the first apprentice wand maker. The first person, if she succeeded which he had had no doubt, to become a wand maker outside of a family.

Severus was thoroughly impressed with this turn of events. Things were going well. He had his own place and business that were successful. He had a witch that wanted to be with him that was now free to do as she pleased and that same witch was now offered a once in a lifetime position that no one else could be offered. Things were going well for once.