Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from this story, it is written purely for the fun of working with such wonderful characters.

sSs

A/N:- This is a long chapter, I've amalgamated chapters 9 and 10 because I shortened chapter 10 for posting here. If you're also following this story on AO3 you'll find it as two chapters there. I hope you enjoy, thank you for the wonderful response to the last chapter, there were many reviews, you've all made me very happy with your kind words. So, onward dear friends…

hHh

Chapter Nine – How to Upset a Demigod

It was another beautiful morning, the sun was pouring in the through the open great outside doors as Severus and Hermione emerged from their hidden hallway. "Well, first thing this morning I must visit Diagon Alley," Severus was saying, as they discussed their days.

"Oh, me too," Hermione cut in.

"Excellent we will go together." They were entering the doors of the Great Hall, too busy trying not to smile at each other to notice the looks being cast their way as they approached. Hermione was well aware that the way Severus treated her was their private business and no one else needed to know. She waited for him to show her how he expected her to act.

When they were seated, Minerva handed Severus the Prophet, he looked at the front page, Hermione leaning in to see over his elbow. Today's headline stated,

Albus Dumbledore speaks!

"About bloody time," Severus muttered to a gobsmacked Hermione. She took the paper and started to read aloud,

"Albus Dumbledore sitting in his portrait in the Minister of Magic's office yesterday, finally broke his silence regarding the incident involving the split of the Golden Trio ten years ago. It has to be questioned, if the further escalation during the Anniversary Ball on Saturday evening is the course of his unexpected admission. The former headmaster of Hogwarts informed this reporter that Hermione Granger had been on a covert mission for him during the last stages of the second Voldemort War. In addition to her other duties, she had been working under an unbreakable vow to him, to complete a mission and keep it secret. The task she had undertaken involved clearing the way to freedom for the spies the former Hogwarts headmaster had utilized in this engagement. It was unfortunate, he went on to say that her involvement had not been met with more support from her peers or for that matter Wizarding Britain. The fact that the two men who had both bravely diced with death as spies for The Order Of The Phoenix were not given more recognition for their efforts, was also unpardonable. After all without people such as Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Granger, Harry Potter would never have had the opportunity to rid the world of the menace that was Tom Riddle.

It is rumoured that The Minister for Magic escorted Ronald Weasley to Dumbledore's portrait on Saturday evening after the incident at the Anniversary Ball and that he then summoned the head of the aurory, Harry Potter, sat them both in front of the portrait for the former headmaster to enlighten them to the facts, concerning this case..."

Severus watch Hermione continue to read quietly, observing her once more stressed exterior, he mused. Damn the old Bastard, why couldn't he have done this years ago?

His thoughts stilled as her eyes met his. "Why now?" It was a simple question.

Severus sighed, and covered her hand under the table. "Because he has to be accountable, he knows Lucius and I are back and he has to appear transparent."

"Oh," she gushed in a staccato burst of air. "That's what I thought." Hermione studied her empty plate contemplatively. "Do you think he knows the position he put me in?"

The raven-haired wizard knew the answer to that question would bring her no joy. He looked to Minerva, who tried for quiet resignation when she spoke. "Does it really matter dear? After all," the Headmistress stated cautiously, "it's all in the past now."

Hermione glanced over at her mentor. "I guess you're right," she shrugged, but was looking back at Severus and squeezed his hand as his thumb caressed her knuckles under the table.

Severus was glad of the distraction when the morning mail arriving. It appeared that Wizarding Britain had been very busy over their breakfast, as literally hundreds of owls soared into the great hall. Eventually when the rain of letters and packages didn't stop Severus cast a shielding charm over Hermione and himself. Some of the packages that bounced off his charm broke open, suddenly there were several love hearts hovering in the air around them. Declarations of love and marriage for both of them, making both parties turn their lips in matching scowls and growl.

The other occupants of the table had to stifle their amusement when the obviously disgruntled professors rose at the same moment and started blasting holes in the offerings. "Bloody cheek," stated Hermione, then looking at Severus she said. "It's either famine or feast. What are we going to do to stop this?"

"We'll give it the response it deserves," he turned to blast more packages, "we ignore everything we don't recognise." Once they had disposed of all the foreign packages they both sat again. Severus poured Hermione a cup of coffee, then one for himself.

It was then that the pair became aware of the eyes watching them. Minerva cleared her throat. "Is there anything that either of you would like to tell us?"

The couple glanced at each other then turned to look at the rest. "No, I don't believe I have anything to say," Severus stated imperiously. "Do you, Professor Granger?"

"No, Professor Snape," Hermione graced the table as a whole with an innocent look. "I can't think of a single thing that might be of interest to anyone. Would you pass the toast please professor?"

"Certainly, professor."

So began a merry dance. Severus having hinted in a moment of weakness the night before to Minerva of some feelings for Hermione, and the headmistress knowing that the Arithmancy professor's feelings had remained unchanged, put two and two together. However, it seemed neither of them were going to admit anything now in the light of day. Never the less, the elderly witch thought, time will tell.

xox

Hermione hadn't entered Flourish and Blotts for many years. She had instead frequented the tiny bookshops on the fringes of Diagon Alley. The management of the well known book store had sided with the so called saviour of the Wizarding world and had been made very plain to her that her presence in their shop was no longer welcomed.

She had never understood why, because she was the only one of the three who had spent every last galleon she could save on books from their humble establishment. How had they put it, yes that was it – We are a family book store, Miss Granger. At the time Hermione had had no conception of what they meant. Now, she understood it only too well, and she was starting to plan her revenge. The only thing that would have made it more perfect was if Lucius had been there as well.

She and Severus had apparated to the Leaky Cauldron, and much to her surprise, had immediately encountered exactly the person she had just been thinking about.

"Good morning to you both," Lucius drawled in his typical aristocratic style. He motioned for them to sit with him. "Some shopping?" His enquiry a casual one, as his eyes took in their laced fingers and proximity to each other. "I see the pleasing change of dynamic is now public."

Severus held his steady gaze. "I believe you may be correct," the Potions master acquiesced,

but immediately changed the subject. "Did you receive much post this morning?" he asked, his eyebrow sailing up. Tom, the barman hovered until they gave him their order, once he'd left, Lucius leaned forward and answered. "My dear man," his countenance displayed his almost feral grin, "enough to sink a battle ship," he glanced a moment at Hermione. "If I may say so, there were some very interesting suggestions contained within it too."

They had been sitting quietly for a while, just talking, when both men noticed a sudden change in Hermione. Severus felt her tense then shuffle over, while Lucius saw the same action. "Please let's leave," she pleaded.

The men scouted the room before their eyes landed on what had to be the cause of her upset. Stalking towards them was Harry Potter, with his wife and three children trailing along after him. Severus turned to the obviously frightened Hermione. "We are either side of you, don't let him worry you."

"Severus is correct, we will support you, my dear," Lucius added, quietly patting her hand.

The three friends stood from their table in the utter silence that had descended and waited, as did the rest of the pub to see what would happen. They didn't have to wait long, as Harry acting like he owned the place, stormed over. Ginny could be heard trying to dissuade him timidly.

Potter pointed at Hermione. "I want to talk to you, Granger," he growled.

"Well, I have no desire to speak with you Harry," Hermione stood quietly and spoke with all the calmness she could muster.

"Well you are going to talk to me. How dare you. I don't know what you and these two did to get Dumbledore to say all that garbage," he looked at Severus and Lucius like they were something he should wipe off his shoe. "But you're not going to get away with it."

"Harry come away, please Harry," Ginny pleaded quietly, she was pulling on Harry's arm.

He shoved her callously out of the way and she over-balanced. Starting to topple, Ginny let out a startled cry. Lucius could see her desperate face as she tried to stop herself falling on her little daughter. He made a grab for her arms and Severus bent down and snatched the now terrified little girl from behind her.

Harry hadn't noticed the Prophet reporters having a quiet meeting, and before anyone knew it everything had all been captured on film. Harry still didn't see them, and came forward throwing more words as he drew his wand. "You bastards, get your filthy hands off my family." The two men had been making certain that Ginny and little Lily were all right and ignoring his tirade. Hermione was straightening the little girl's clothes and reassuring her that Mummy was just here, and no harm had been done. Lucius was apologising to Ginny for grabbing her so firmly as he settled her in the chair he'd vacated. They were all so busy that none of them saw Harry as he turned on Hermione. "You bitch, this is all your fault. These bastards should be rotting in Azkaban not accosting my family."

Severus handed Lily back to her mother and was just turning towards the irate man when Harry's wand arrived in Hermione's face. "This is how it felt when you did this to me, mudblood," he spat at her and sent a point blank stinging hex at her. Both men heard the sizzle of a hex flying through the air and Lucius just managed to get a shield around the shocked woman before it hit. However, because it was so close some of the spell still penetrated, and Hermione staggered blindly into Severus, hands over her face with a squeal of pain.

The dark Wizard had had enough, clutching Hermione possessively to him with one arm, his other hand fisted and without a second's thought connected brutally with Potter's face. All the time the Prophet reporters had been taking photos, but the next voice they heard was a high pitched male voice. The voice sounded very much like Harry used to when he was younger, and they realised it was trembling with anger.

James Potter stepped forward, his arm around his young brother in comfort. After watching the whole spectacle, he could no longer keep quiet. "Dad, how could you?" He looked at his father sitting on the floor, knocked senseless, his glasses smashed and blood pouring from his broken nose. "You've just caused mum to fall and almost squash poor Lily - not to mention the baby - and what you've done to these three people with your accusations."

Harry was still very disorientated, but gazed at his son in disbelief. Fury lining every crevice of his face, but he was still too dazed to do anything about it.

Ginny rose, panicked. "No Jimmy, please don't say that. Come here I'll take you all to Uncle George," the redhead kept casting fearful glances around.

Severus was trying to cool Hermione's stinging face. She had buried her head in the crook of his arm not wanting to be seen with her face all swollen and distorted, and was trying valiantly not to cry. "Let me see, love, I'll cast a cooling charm on it."

Lucius came to stand in front of his friends, protecting them while they were occupied. He was listening avidly to the young boy speak, as was the gathered audience, including the Prophet reporters.

James looked at his mother. "No mum, enough is enough," he was talking to her now. "I asked Uncle George and Uncle Bill separately about what happened, and independently they both told me the same thing. Dad's wrong, Professor Granger did a good thing. Neither of these men deserved anything but praise, and I have seen no evidence here today to change my opinion. This feud has gone on too long and we are all over it, it's only Dad and Uncle Ron who seem to not get it." The young boy looked at his mother, pleading for her to say something.

It was the sound of the quietly shaking middle child Albus speaking that finally made James lower his eyes. "I want to go to Uncle George now, please."

Ginny was plainly frightened and in an unsteady voice said. "Come here, both of you." She still had Lily on her hip, and wrapped a protective arm around Albus as well, while James stood in front of her. Lucius watched her glance from her still senseless husband with little compassion, to Hermione, obviously taking in the red and swollen welt distorting her former friends face as she tried to hide it.

She was about to move closer, when a hand arrived on her arm. "Perhaps not now, Mrs. Potter, it may be best to just leave," Lucius instructed.

Ginny nodded her understanding. "I'm sorry," she said, her lip starting to quiver. "Thank you for catching me Mr. Malfoy."

Lucius merely nodded, but said gently. "I think you better go and concern yourself with your children's well being." Lucius didn't call her by name again, because he'd seen her flinch the first time he'd used her title. The aristocrat glanced in Potter's direction then turned to James. "How old are you son?"

"Ten, sir," James replied evenly.

"Ah, the same age as my grandson, Scorpius," Lucius turned to the still jumpy Ginny. "Let's hope this generation doesn't make the same mistakes, ay my dear."

Ginny's smile was small and quivering. To tell the truth she still just looked plain scared, and Lucius was fairly certain it wasn't of him. But she managed a reply even though her voice broke doing it. "No, Mr. Malfoy let's hope not. Good day, sir."

"Good day, my dear," he bowed politely.

Lucius turned to Severus and Hermione. "Bring Hermione to the Manor. The shopping can wait til later." He followed them to the pubs floo, still watching Ginny tap the bricks, her wand hand shaking violently. He saw her move herself and her children safely into Diagon Alley and he turned away.

Giving Potter another look, Lucius found him getting unsteadily to his feet. The blond wizard watched him reaching for his wand, his face a mask of rage, and Lucius felt his own wand hand twitched. Severus felt the shielding charm erect and a glance saw Potter advancing on them once more. Knowing it could only end badly if he engaged him again, the Potions master activated the floo, he whispered a discrete spell to protect Hermione's injured face and sent her into the open floo.

Hermione felt like her face was on fire, she followed Severus' instructions with her eyes trained on the floor, she could barely see out of them anyway. He beckoned her to leave with a hand on her elbow, murmuring. "We'll be there momentarily."

Hermione had enough presence of mind to move away from the floo as she span out onto the heath in Lucius' rooms, before collapsing in a sobbing heap. The tears hurt her more, but she couldn't help it.

Back at the Leaky Cauldron, Severus and Lucius were being set upon by an angry Harry Potter. Both men knew better than to retaliate, so just kept deflecting his volley of hexes and curses. Finally the Potions master drawled. "I grow bored of this little game, Potter, I have better things to do." The friends glanced at each other and strengthen their mutual shield, Severus turned away and span out of sight in the still active floo. He was quickly followed by Lucius, who locked it as he entered.

As Lucius span away he heard a yelled, "Cowards," followed by an explosion, and the scene behind him went silent. The blond wizard would have laughed out loud had he not been travelling by floo. Floo travel was undignified enough, without getting a mouth full of soot as well. The blond wizard's mirth stemming from the fact that Potter, like Weasley on Saturday evening, had just cut his own throat, and given them evidence enough to hang him.

xox

Sobbing plaintively in a heap on the floor, Hermione felt gentle hands lifting her and cool fingers quickly removing her cloak then loosening her high neck line. Severus could see her face was hot and stinging again from her tears as he carefully lowered her to the lounge. "Shh little darling, don't cry," he smoothed. He removed his protection spell and added another cooling charm on top of the first one. "Your tears will only sting the burn, angel," he warned. Conjuring a cold cloth for her face, he gently dabbed at her tears. "Accio burn salve and pain potion," he stated and a bottle slapped into his hand, quickly followed by a vial.

Severus had administered the potion and was carefully applying the cream to the now shivering Hermione, when Lucius arrived beside them. Swiftly transfiguring his cloak into a blanket for Hermione, he tucked it around her. "I'm so sorry I couldn't have blocked more of that, pet. But I didn't want the shielding spell to bounce off your pretty face and cause more damage," he was standing behind the lounge holding her hand, stroking it as Severus worked.

"It's okay," Hermione managed in a thick hick-upping voice. "I understand," she sobbed.

"It's starting to settle now, angel," Severus said' stroking her hair as he watched the salve do its job. Hermione nodded and tried to smile at them, but her face was still sore and her lip quivered.

"I'll get lunch organised for later," Lucius stated getting up. "You rest there, pet, I need to steal Severus for just a moment though."

Hermione was reluctant to let his hand go, but the Potions master assured her he would only be within calling distance.

"This whole business is perverse," Lucius stated as Severus now removed his own cloak and they were out of ear shot. "I remember the day Hermione put that stinging hex on Potter, it saved his worthless bloody hide. If the Dark Lord had gotten hold of him, not to mention what the charming Bella could have done…" he sneered, but his words drifted off as he gazed back to Hermione laying with her eyes closed. "Do you think she's all right?"

Severus was silent a moment, then said. "You know, I had a chat with Minerva last night," the dark wizard was watching his love carefully. "Hermione had a complete break down after we left. Lost it totally, Minerva put it down to stress and…" Severus stopped talking.

But Lucius pushed. "And what?"

Severus looked at his friend for a long time. "Regret," he finally said.

Lucius' eyes opened wide. "What that she helped us?"

"No, no nothing like that," Severus took a deep breath, "That she let us go away," he finally said sadly.

The intake of breath Severus heard was very sharp. "Do you mean to say she loved you even back then and she didn't say anything?"

"Apparently," Severus said as he gazed lovingly at the lounge for a moment. "The abuse of her two idiot friends didn't start until after her breakdown, and as you can see by today's experience they've broken her, she's very fragile at times now."

Lucius had been fixing drinks, while listening to Severus speak. He finally patted his friend's arm. "Well, now we are here, and I think both her tormentors have had a taste of what will happen to them if they persist, and better still too many people have now seen the abuse for them to hide it."

"I believe you might be right," Severus replied flexing his still painful hand.

"We are going have to be careful though, there are children involved, and the bespectacled idiot doesn't seem to care about them. Did you hear what his son had to say, I was impressed." Severus didn't reply. "However, it's also bothering me; do you think Potter is an abusive spouse?"

"I suppose it's possible, he's always let his temper get the better of him. Look at the state he got himself into this morning over nothing."

Bill Weasley's a professor at Hogwarts too isn't he?"

Severus nodded. "I think so, why?"

"I must check something, pardon me, I wish to speak with Minerva."

Lucius left for his study, after saying. "Severus, take Hermione to your rooms, make her feel better. I think she's waited long enough, don't you?" He'd handed Severus two champagne flutes and something green like a Midoré mix in a pitcher, which the Potions master looked dubiously at, making his friend chuckle.

"Mmm, indeed," was the dark wizard's thoughtful comment.

"Lunch is in two hours," Lucius didn't wait for a reply doubting there would be one.

xox

Severus wandered back to Hermione deep in thought. His friend had posed some uneasy questions. Gazing down at Hermione's face, it looked almost back to normal and she appeared to be dozing, but she smiled faintly when she felt the lounge dip slightly. "Hello, my love," she sighed opening her eyes.

"Are you able to sit up?" Hermione pushed herself into a sitting position and smiled more brightly at him. Severus happily returned the expression and handed her a glass. "Here, one of Lucius' special lunch time mixes."

Hermione was about to take the glass when her eyes landed on Severus' knuckles instead. "Oh no, Severus darling, you're injured too," her hands instinctively wrapped around his. One hand taking the glass and putting it on the table, the other pulling his bruised and swollen knuckles towards her.

"It's nothing Hermione, just the price of standing up for my witch," he asserted putting his own glass down.

Hermione brought his hand to her lips, and she softly kissed his knuckles while whispering a wandless healing spell. "Well it means everything to me," she said finally when she'd finished. "You mean everything to me Severus."

Severus lent forward and gently captured her bottom lip between his. Hermione shivered and pulled him tighter against her, trapping her between him and the lounge, and groaning her pleasure at the feeling of it. Tightening his hold on her, Severus deepened the kiss just for a moment before shifting their positions and allowing his hungry mouth to devour hers. He felt the same urge for resolution he'd felt earlier. The one that had him pinning her to a corridor wall.

Hermione moved without breaking their kiss and was now straddling his lap, rhythmically flexing her hips against him. Her rubbing became more insistent, and he heard her almost begging. "Severus, take me to your room, I want you," she moaned, rubbing her core against his already prominent erection.

"My thoughts exactly, angel," he didn't need to hear that offer twice. Placing his hands on her backside Severus slid himself forward on the lounge. His mouth worked its way round to her ear and he murmured. "Wrap those beautiful legs around me, little angel," she groaned against his neck and scooted further up against his now desperate manhood, his hissed breath in her ear, only made her groan louder and him more desperate.

Without another word he charmed the drinks to follow them and lifted her from the lounge. "Come with me, you're right it's holidays we deserve time to ourselves for whatever we chose to do." He walked with her to his bedroom and heavily warded the doors. Hermione pulled back and gave him a puzzled look. "Lucius, he loves watching," Severus felt her shiver at this development before he placed her on the huge bed, the drinks taking themselves to the bedside table. Toeing off his boots, Severus climbed on after her as she scooted to the centre. "He does, does he?"

She definitely sounds intrigued by that possibility. Severus raised an eyebrow. "He most certainly does," he gave her a tender kiss, "and I want you completely to myself right now, so he can go find his own fun."

Severus sat back on his heels beside Hermione, facing her. Leaning in he stroked her cheek, "How does your face feel now?"

"Perfectly normal, and very kissable," she murmured a little coyly.

He laughed, "Does it now?"

Hermione nodded, "I love your laugh, it's such a precious jewel of sensation," and coming forward off the pillows she captured his face in her hands, seeking his lips more firmly this time. "My mirror told me this morning that you wouldn't disrobe me last night," she gifted him with another kiss. "Thank you for respecting me." Planting a row of kisses towards his ear, she whispered. "The mirror is very cheeky; I bet he even tried to convince you as well?"

"He did, and I was sorely tempted, but I told him the first time I saw you naked would be for our mutual pleasure," he kissed her for some moments. "Not just a sneaky look for your bloody randy mirror."

Hermione laughed merrily. "Yes, I guess he is that," she ran her finger over his bottom lip. "But he has served me faithfully over the years," she took an audible breath, "I want you to know that I would have enjoyed knowing you had seen me naked, even if I was asleep."

Her heated look went straight to his groin. "The mirror told me you would," this time they kissed more heatedly.

"Severus would you like to undress me now?"

"Most certainly, I would like that very much. I think layer by layer, slowly revealing you." His kisses between words were meant to enflame.

Her chest was heaving and her breathing already ragged. "Oh yes, I would like that very much. I want your eyes on me."

Laying back against the pillows to give Severus access to her, Hermione stroked his face, and he kissed her hands as she did. Severus started on her jacket. "Even though the colour of this coat is definitely too Gryffindorish, it still has my many buttons." He was slowly undoing each one, "Why do you like coats like this and the one you wore yesterday?"

Hermione's answer was plain, "Because they remind me of you, my darling. Maybe it's strange, but I felt at least some link with you."

Stroking his face with both hands, she gave him a frightened look. "I was starting to think I'd been wrong to let you go, I couldn't stop…" she cleared her throat, "You are the only man I've ever wanted." Laughing breathily and trying to make light of it, "Does that make me obsessive?"

Severus had undone all the buttons and was helping her out of it, "No, angel, it makes you special," he was kissing each piece of fresh flesh that was exposed as he undid her blouse. "It makes you single minded," his mouth worked its way around to her ear, "and it makes you mine," he breathed into it hotly. All the buttons were undone and he pushed the silk open with knowing fingers. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her red lace bra. His hands ghosted over the contours of her breasts, and she arched into his touch.

"Skirt next," Severus insisted heatedly, his eyes sweeping her body hungrily. He was already standing with his hand offered to assist her up. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed she stood in front of him. As he undid the zipper, Severus started kissing and licking her exposed neck and shoulder. The skirt fell to the floor, and she heard him gasp as she took a step away from him. Her equally lacy red knickers were French cut; she also wore black stay up stocking and red stiletto heels. His eyes took in her long legs, following her hands as she smoothed them over her perfumed thighs and up to push her breasts together.

Severus' breath caught in his throat, before he buried his head between the eagerly offered mounds. His mouth following the contour of her bra around, "You taste divine," her head fell back and she pushed her breasts further forward, hands rising to her hair. Hermione moaned when he took the hint, and pushed the lace cup out of the way exposing the flesh with its rosy tip to his eyes and mouth. Both her hands came back to hold his head in place when he took a nipple into his mouth and suckled.

Rolling the pebbled flesh around with his tongue, he heard, "That feels wonderful," she moaned breathily.

"No, little darling it is wonderful," by this time her bra was gone. Severus was lathing both cherry tips alternately with his tongue and fingers.

Sliding one hand down her belly to cup her, he moaned around a mouthful of breast. "Oohh you're so wet," one finger strayed under the lace.

She groaned, "Please, I want you to see."

"Then lay on the bed," Severus' voice was husky and demanding. He gazed hotly on her as she presented herself.

The sight of her writhing on the bed while fondling herself had his cock so hard he was surprised it didn't break right out of his pants. "Off with these," he commanded and the soaked red lace vanished. The sight before him had him quickly divesting himself as well.

Severus knelt on the bed between her legs just gazing, much to Hermione's joy. Before running his index finger the length of her, he watched her puckering wildly then pushed her legs as wide as they'd go. The first swipe of his tongue on her had her squealing her pleasure. He could tell she was so aroused she wouldn't last long. He attached his mouth to her and sucked hard. She keened and screamed as it sent her over the edge. Delving his tongue in as far as he could and feeling her delicious tight velvet walls clamping around him, he lapped at her honey eagerly. She howled trying to thrash on the bed as his strong hands held her in place. My God, it was never this good, Hermione thought before her brain shut down completely.

Severus moved his attention to her clit and inserted his longest finger in place of his tongue. Within moments she felt another earth shattering climax approaching. Now two fingers were pumping in and out of her and his mouth was sucking and licking her little bud of pleasure. Hermione howled and screamed through a second, more intense orgasm than the first, this one was so powerful she saw stars.

This time Severus crawled up beside her, and sat watching her while bouncing his rock hard shaft in his hand. "Tell me my angel, have you ever had a man?" His liquid silk voice enveloped her completely, as his hot eyes ate her up. "Talk to me my little minx, tell me your secrets," he continued when she failed to answer him.

Hermione finally got her breathing under control and sitting up starting stroking Severus' shaft lovingly, he let her explore it. Finally she said, "No, I've never even seen one before. You're so big, it's beautiful, so velvety soft yet so hard," she took in his dark laughing eyes, watching her stroke him. "I'm not still intact, I accidentally got too enthusiastic with my dildo."

Severus was moved by her honesty, and shuddered as she kept stroking him languidly with one hand, a little like you would a cat. The other hand was exploring the softness of his heavy sack. "It feels so soft and delicate, like silk," her eyes were wide and her pupils so dilated the cinnamon of her iris' were almost gone. She traced one finger through the thatch of black hair and up the trail on his stomach. Suddenly she asked, "May I suck you?"

"Of course you may," he watched her lovely lips come closer. They closed around the head of his dick, and he hissed a breath through his teeth, heaving a rough sigh. Severus took himself by the base watching her head bobbing up and down his length. "That's my girl, Merlin you're perfect." She was in between his legs and he was sitting up against the pillows, looking past her there was a mirror, his eyes were mesmerized by her backside moving in time with her head.

Suddenly he rose up tearing himself away from her mouth. "Ah," he groaned "I can't stand it." He accioed his wand and whispered a contraceptive spell, before placing it on the table and neatly rolling her onto her back in one liquid movement. Pushing her legs wide open he rubbed his cock up and down her slit. "Are you ready for me, angel?"

Hermione felt the head enter her body. "Severus I've been ready for you since my sixth year, finally make me yours, my darling."

Hermione screamed in ecstasy as Severus fully seated himself in her in a single stroke, he held still a moment to allow her to become use to the feeling then started moving. Each time he thrust Hermione thought she would die from happiness, and yelled her appreciation to him. Soon she was moving to meet him each time. "I'm not going to last long," he panted hotly in her ear, "you're just too delicious." He was right it only took seven more strokes and they both came with a shout. However Severus made good use of those seven thrusts asserting, "You're mine," over and over. Hermione reciprocated each time with pleasured groan.

Finally they lay together, in a heaving tangle of legs, and Hermione's curly head on Severus' chest. "It's all I've ever wanted, you know," Hermione murmured. She turned her head and was quietly littering his chest with kisses, "You're perfect Severus. You've made love to me just how I imagined it would be. Mirror and I have often discussed it," she found one of his flat nipples, lathing and teasing it with her tongue making him groan and tighten his arms around her.

"Hermione you are absolutely perfect, I love you," his voice was resolute and brimming with emotion.

There was utter silence as she stilled her ministrations, her gazed lifted to his, before she answered. "I love you too," and there were tears trickling down her cheeks, "oh, so very very much," emotion completely overcoming her.

Deftly rolling them both, Hermione found she was under him. Rising to take his weight on his elbows Severus took her face in his hands and let his mouth start to calm her, placing tender kisses in her hair, he said. "Shh, it's all right my angel, shh." His mouth found hers and they kissed hungrily. He asserting his claim once more. "I love you, and you are mine," sighing she opened for him immediately and his tongue explored the warm cavern of her mouth, sliding gracefully with hers in wild abandon like two dancers in a furious pas de deux, her moans into him vibrating directly to his groin.

After their kiss, Hermione smiled at him caressing his face. "That's all I've ever wanted, my love." Looking deeply into his eyes Hermione slowly started exploring Severus' scar stripped back. She'd seen it in the mirror, and wanted him to know it was okay.

She felt him tense, and kept her eyes locked on his face. Her eyes were wide open and shining with tears again. "Do they disgust you?" His question was only murmured as he turned his head away.

She began giving him tender kisses. "No, darling, they make me sad that you've suffered, but they also make me love you more."

Severus kissed her again with more passion than he knew he possessed. This woman was accepting him scars and all, and his kiss in response was laced with the tenderness he felt.

The Potions master had never allowed a partner to touch his back before. He was not in the habit of disrobing completely to show it either, the only other person who had seen it was Poppy Pomfrey in her capacity as a healer. Although he was thankful that she had known discretion in the matter, and never mentioned it to anyone. He refused to spoil his mood by remembering the other person who knew of his punishments in the line of duty, but had continued to send him for them. But Hermione was different. This was his soul mate lying under him. Again he wondered how he'd not realised that until yesterday. This time it was right, this was for keeps. Hermione had suffered terribly, thankfully not in the same way as him, but she needed his total honesty.

His mouth met hers fiercely, both open wide tongues duelling intensely, he could feel her hips grinding up against his quickly inflating shaft, "Severus," she moaned in between kisses, "I need you inside me again." All he heard as her mouth was engulfed by his was her husky moan of, "I love you," and he started sliding into her.

Severus kissed her and growled as he slid home. Suddenly words were flying out his mouth, something he never thought he'd hear himself saying. "Marry me," her answer was lost in the passion of another wild kiss as he curled his hands up under her and around her shoulders, then pulling back to thrust in harder.

They both stilled momentarily, but he knew he'd done the right thing. She felt better around him than anyone ever had or would, it was perfect. He started moving once more. "Yes, oh yes Severus," Hermione answered and moaning his name in long guttural sounds with each of his movements. "Faster.. arh harder." Hermione groaned, and had him slamming into her. When she was tottering and trembling on the edge of the abyss her groans and whimpers became more insistent. Severus' murmured words sent her over, "Let go, little dove, I'm right here with you," he panted breathily into her ear.

He felt her muscles contract and a low shriek that turned into his name as she came, clamping down so hard on him he had no choice but to follow her over the edge grunting his satisfaction in a string of oaths as his seed was thrust deep into her warm body once more. Not wanting to collapse on her and crush her Severus managed to land beside her and roll, pulling her into his arms and up on top of his heaving chest.

Once his breathing had returned to normal, Severus chuckled. "I just can't get enough of you, one hour of frantic love making and my heart asks you to marry me."

"Well does your head want me to marry you as well?"

"All of me wants you to, will you?"

She grinned, "Yes, oh Severus, yes." They lay there tiredly, kissing and caressing one another. Eventually Severus summoned the quilt and they dozed lightly for a while, Hermione had never felt safer or more content.