AN – I own nothing!

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Chapter 20

Severus and Hermione ventured around Rome riding on a scooter like a lot of the locals do. Hermione was seated behind Severus, with her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. She was all smiles when riding through the streets of Rome. It was her first time to see the city, and the first time to ride a scooter. And with Severus along her side as her personal tour guide, it was all wonderful.

They visited some of the landmarks around Rome such as the Pantheon, and the Sistine Chapel. Hermione's jaw dropped a few times as she gaped at old buildings, sculptures, and paintings. They looked so much better seeing them up close and personal than in pictures in books or the net. History itself was around her.

Severus enjoyed watching Hermione reactions when her eyes widened as she took in everything in sight. There was also a glimmer in her eyes that he didn't miss. Hermione sure loved to learn and let her brain try to process everything knowledgeable. He wouldn't be surprised if she did, after all, she was the most intelligent witch in her school year. Hermione somewhat reminded him of himself when he too was a student at Hogwarts. Craving and starving for knowledge.

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The sun was about to set and the both of them where at the Trevi Fountain. Hermione was seated at the edge of the fountain, with Severus directly in front of her, slightly between her knees. Hermione looked at all the coins in the water as Severus took a sip from the straw of lemonade flavored Italian soda.

"There are thousands of Euros thrown into the fountain every day," Severus informed her. "The government collects it and uses it for the needy. Though there are a few that try to steal the coins."

"That's terrible," Hermione said, allowing her fingers to dip into the cool water.

"Don't tell me you're going to try to steal a few coins!" Severus hissed.

Hermione smirked and thought of something to counter his joke. She then raised her hand up from the water quickly and splashed it on Severus. She started to giggle at him.

Severus just flinched when he felt the water hit him. He didn't expect that. Hermione's Slytherin qualities were surprising him. She would have also fitted well in his house. "Hahaha! You think that was funny?" he drawled sarcastically glaring at his wife.

"Don't be so sour Severus," she giggled. She reached up and then unbuttoned the first two buttons of his white, yes white, polo. This allowed the top part of his chest being slightly exposed, along with a few sparse hairs.

"Woman what are you doing?" he hissed.

"I like you dressed this way Severus. Casual and relaxed," she answered. Hermione raised her head a bit, and planted a small kiss on his exposed skin, then inhaling his scent. She turned her head and allowed her hear to lean on his chest, hearing his heartbeat.

This morning she had asked him not to shave and keep his stubble, and now it was his shirt. Yet again, Severus couldn't complain. Yes, he felt so relaxed with her. He wrapped at arm around her and rested his chin on her head. He felt her arms wrap around his waist and hold him close.

Someone caught Hermione's attention. On the other end of the fountain was a blonde woman with green eyes, roughly in her late twenties she guessed. And for some odd reason, she was glaring daggers at Hermione. The woman then tapped her companion on the shoulder, and told her something. Both pairs of eyes were examining Hermione from head to toe, and then started to laugh.

"What's their problem?" Hermione murmured.

"What? Who?" Severus asked sensing her uneasiness.

"Those women," Hermione answered never taking her eyes of them.

Severus followed Hermione's gaze. He then saw the two women. The blonde one gave him a wink and a flirtatious wave. He wasn't stupid, he knew the girl had crush on him. The woman had been trying to catch his attention earlier.

Hermione frowned. Now she understood. She turned her head the other direction, but didn't let go of Severus.

"You alright Little One?" he asked.

"The bitch apparently likes you," Hermione murmured.

"So it seems."

"She's pretty," Hermione said. The blonde looked like a model out of a magazine.

"With that fake Prada bag of hers," Severus snorted. It was a joke to lighten Hermione's mood, but the bag was really fake. He had an eye for spotting those things for they had a lot of imperfections. She was probably a gold digger, or a plastic social climber. "I think not."

"Do you like her Severus?" Hermione asked softly. She was getting jealous.

"My Little One," Severus sighed turning away from the blonde bimbo. He planted a kiss on Hermione's temple. "She may be pretty, but you are more than that. You are a beautiful Goddess, one that is pure at heart. I don't like or want anyone else. All I want is here in my arms. I am yours Little One, as you are mine, do you understand?"

"Yes," she nodded.

Severus made her look up at him, and cupped her face in her hands. He gave her a small smile and kissed her softly on her lips. "Do not be jealous Hermione, there's no need to. You are all I want." He got her hand, and looked down at the rings on her finger. "No one else."

"No one else," Hermione also said.

"Now let's leave the two bitches and grab some dinner. What do you say?" Severus smirked. "We'll hop back on the scooter, and have some pasta. Right after some gelato for desert, and perhaps something more at home," he said with a grin.

Hermione smiled brightly up at him. She took the hand that he offered, and hopped up the steps towards the scooter. As Hermione got on the scooter, she turned her head and looked back at the two women, most specifically the blonde. She wrapped her arms tightly around Severus's waist as he started the motor. She pulled herself up firmly against him, with a smirk, and snuggled up to him like she was holding a teddy bear. She ignored the angry glares of the bitches. Severus was all hers.

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AN – Severus was jealous before. Now it was Hermione's turn. Review!