And here's another chapter! I've been updating fanfictions like mad for the past few days. Don't you love it when you feel the need to write nonstop? It's so productive!

I'm still offering reviews for reviews. That will keep going on from now until the time that I stop writing... which will be when I'm dead. I love hearing some feedback and I know that you do too! Review, review, review!

I'm giving you fair warning that this chapter is certainly rated M. It's not as graphic as it could have been but it's not rated anything less.

As always, I don't own Harry Potter or any related materials.

She extracted herself from his arms to sit up and stare. "Well… yes, of course. Maybe not at this very moment but you must meet them someday."

"Are you for certain this is mandatory? What are they likely to think of your dating a man fifteen years older than you?" The look on his face held definite distaste as though he was positive of a negative reaction.

Hermione shrugged and said, "When you put it like that, it sounds pretty bad and they aren't likely to react well. You'll just have to be on your best behavior, won't you?" Her smile came back after a few seconds as she regarded his body language. He looked relaxed enough but she could sense the tenseness in his shoulders under his robes.

His expression didn't change and she watched with amusement as his nostrils flared in and out. It was his classic sign of agitation. The witch couldn't help but giggle at him. "You were willing to carry on a relationship against the entire wizarding community but you're afraid to meet my parents?"

Eyes locked onto hers, he said in a low voice, "No one said anything about being afraid. Cautious, perhaps. But certainly not afraid."

With a grin on her face and in one fluid movement, she changed positions to straddle his hips. Her lips descended onto his, capturing them in a passionate embrace. She broke away rather suddenly, her cheeks a brighter red than they had been just a few moments ago. "Don't worry," her voice came out in a sexy whisper, "I think you'll find that they'll approve after a little bit of work."

She could read the amusement in his eyes though he did his best to keep his voice low and gruff. "Oh? Why don't you convince me?"

She lowered her neck to whisper in his ear, lips grazing his skin. "How could I possibly do that?" She travelled to the base of his neck, nibbling as she went, lips as soft as silk, leaving a trail of goose pimples wherever she touched. Her fingers grasped at her wand in her back pocket so she could pull it out. "You're so very difficult to convince of anything."

Hermione leaned back with her wand. He watched her eyes and she read the hunger there. Her wand trailed his jawbone and his breath seemed to quicken. She drew his face up with the tip, almost like she held a knife there, and then she moved down. When the wooden tip touched the fabric of his robes, they peeled themselves away, exposing his pale chest to her in the firelight.

He growled to her now as he grasped her forearms and stood up, letting the robes fall to the stone floor. "If you go about the right channels, you'll find that I'm rather easy to persuade." He went to kiss her but she danced out of his grip and leaped over the couch, showing a nimble nature that he hadn't seen before.

Feeling warm and flushed, Hermione took in the sight of his naked body from head to toe. He wasn't a body builder but his body certainly made her desire him. His arms and chest were thick, strong and, though he didn't have the abdominals of a fitness freak, the skin there was smooth and soft-looking. Her eyes traveled downward from there.

Severus enjoyed the mischievous grin she wore as her eyes made their way down his skin. He didn't feel self conscience or even cold in the dungeon air. Though, he couldn't help but feel like things weren't exactly fair.

Wandless (as it was still in his robes), he muttered a word from the corner of his mouth. Hermione gasped as her robes fell off of her and the couch that sat between them disappeared. Severus didn't waste time in closing the distance.

"How did you-?" Her words were cut short by a kiss that drove her to the wall. Books fell from the shelves and she moaned, feeling his erect member pressing between her legs.

The last time they made love, they took the time to explore each other's bodies, pleasuring each other before the main act occurred. This time, however, there was a different sense of urgency. The heat was hotter and he was harder, seeking entrance to her body.

Lifting one leg, she wrapped it around his waist and drew him ever closer. He took the invitation as she offered it and she breathed his name in the darkness, feeling him fill her completely. From there, the pleasure started building.

This was completely different as he quickened against her, wasting no time in making her climax. He growled against her neck as he followed her in orgasm, thrusts growing weaker and weaker with each movement. Finally, he slipped out of her and stepped back.

Her foot fell to the floor and she leaned against the wall for support, a tired smile plastered to her face.

He laughed deep in his chest and then pulled her towards the bedchamber.

With the hot water running, they took a shower together, wiping off the sweat and various fluids that laid on their bodies. After wards, with another muttered word, Hermione's hair instantly dried and they cuddled into his king-sized four poster bed.

As they laid in the dark, Hermione's fingers traced the skin of his chest. He pulled her closer and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I love you." His voice sounded relaxed and content.

"I love you too… But you still have to meet my parents."

He laughed and pulled her on top of him. There, she propped her chin up on her elbows and used his chest for support. "Do I now? I didn't distract you sufficiently enough?"

Hermione couldn't help but laugh as well. "You did. But I won't forget."

"Indeed you won't." He reached up and tucked an unruly lock of hair behind her ear.

"Promise me that you will. And that you'll keep a positive head about it." The slightly stubborn look on her face made his heart melt, a strange feeling to a former emotionless man. She's beautiful…

"I promise. I can't say no to you." The stubborn look gave way to a genuine smile. "Tell me something though. Answer honestly to the best of your ability."

The smile faded a bit, anticipating a serious question.

And his face reflected just that, that a serious question was about to surface. His lips parted and out came the last thing Hermione expected to hear.

"How did I get so lucky to hold a beautiful woman like you in my arms?"