After breakfast Severus and Hermione headed back to their rooms. "Severus?" Hermione asked when they closed the door shut behind them

"Yes Mione," He looked into her soft brown eyes.

"Do you think they will leave Cicely alone for a while? I mean she is just a little girl," Severus wrapped his arms around her.

"I think for the time being they will," his look softened as he nuzzled her hair, "Mister Burtleby seems like a good protector,"

"He hardly ever leaves her side anymore," Hermione whispered as she held onto Severus.

"And you know my love that I will never leave your side ever..." Severus whispered into Hermione's hair. "Nothing can separate us..." with that he swept her off of her feet and carried her to their bedroom.

Severus lay Hermione gently on the bed and stretched out next to her. he brushed his lips against her and wiped away a small tear. "Why are you crying?" he whispered as she opened her eyes.

Hermione sniffed, "Because I never thought I could find anyone who loves me like you do Severus," She buried her head in his shoulder.

"Shhh love," Severus wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck lightly, "I will always love you, I will never leave you..."

Hermione wiped her tears away and smiled at Severus, "I know and that means the world to me," she kissed him lightly on the lips, then a little harder... **********

Cicely and Philip sat on the brassy bank of the lake and watched the giant squid as it lazily sunned itself, "Philip? Promise me that no matter what we'll always be friends..."

"Oh, Cici, Of course we'll always be friends," He took her hand in his and held it tightly, "I will be there for you no matter what, I promise."

Cicely leaned her head on his shoulder, "Thank you Philip thank you for being such a good friend..." **********

Carmilla sat on a mossy rock close to the path to the lake, "Aww how sweet our little pet has a boyfriend..." she muttered sarcastically. She stood up and swept her blonde hair away from her face, She was meeting Draco in Hogsmeade and she was going to be late if she didn't hurry....

Draco was standing outside of the inn where he kept a room waiting for Carmilla, "You're late," He said when she ran up to him, nearly out of breath, and kissed him passionately on the lips.

"I am sorry love, I got caught up watching our little pet and her new boyfriend,"

"You leave her be, I for one do not wish to have the girl mad at me," Draco ushered her inside the inn and up to his room. "She is more powerful then any of us thought and I don't want her using those powers on us...." He caught sight of the ring on Carmilla finger and smiled before clasping her too him and edging both of them to the bed.... *********

Severus lay his head on Hermoine's shoulder. They both glistened softly with sweat and trembled. Hermione ran her fingers through his hair and sighed, "I am definitely glad we decided not to go anywhere today,"

"We did go somewhere, Mione, We went back to bed," Hermione started to laugh causing Severus to laugh which caused Hermione to have hiccups. "Gods woman, keep that up and I'll have the hiccups..." He grabbed her and started to tickle her.

"I'll give you more them hiccups if you keep that up Severus Snape," She wrapped her legs around him and tried to push him off of the bed.

Severus wrapped his arms around her waist as he teetered on the edge of the bed, "If I go off this bed you're going with me," He leaned back and pulled her off of the bed as he fell off, "I told you,"

Hermione giggled as she tried to stand up, "Severus, Lets go take a soak in the tub, It's been ages since we've done that,"

"Lead on oh great and giggly one," Severus replied sarcastically as he chased her into the bathroom...

TBC

A/N: Sorry for not updating sooner, little hard to write these days seeing as I have a new person in my life and I am preparing to move in with him and trying to find a job when the unemployment rate is ine of the highest in the states, and the added fact I am four days back from a trip new mexico, and I am still not used to rain again.... Anyways thanks for all of the reviews and the continued support. I will be updating sooner writer's block is almost completely gone and all my other stories should be updated soon.... SHOULD being the key word.

adieu all

Raven