(A/N: contains some smutty goodness…so if that's not your thing you can skip to….the next chapter, really. Just skip this altogether.)

Disclaimer: Not mine, never been mine. I'm not making a single knut.

Severus sighed to himself as he walked into his sitting room. He was dressed for relaxation: some worn, comfortable sleep pants he'd had for years and a long sleeved black thermal shirt with a deep, stretched out neckline. He was hoping he wouldn't be called from his room tonight. He was feeling his age today. He had briefly considered telling Hermione it was his birthday but ultimately decided against it. He knew if he did, she would feel compelled to get him something, especially since he was the one telling her. No, it was best if everyone forgot it.

Of course, everyone didn't. Albus still came down and paid him a visit that morning, bringing his traditional present of scotch and socks. Another birthday come, and another pair of thick green socks. The headmaster was obsessed with giving socks to his employees, thinking that one never had enough. Snape disagreed, and had put them in the drawer filled with the rest of the socks Albus had gotten him over the years. The scotch he kept out.

From Minerva, she had given him a new notebook charmed to repel stains, wear, tear, and theft. It was perfect for his research, even if she had made it a brilliant scarlet red with gold pages, enlisting Flitwick's help to combine transfiguration with a permanent charm so there was no way he could cover, change, or alter the colors in any way. He was impressed, even if he was loath to admit it. She also got him a gag gift of catnip, just as he gave to her every Christmas and birthday. Although a panther, he had enough feline in him to appreciate the smell of it, which Minerva found hilarious. Very few people knew how close he was to the witch; she wasn't quite like a mother to him, but more of that favorite aunt you have that can be disciplined but is an enormous amount of fun.

The rest of the staff had given him the usual: a potions book from Madam Pince, herbs for potions from Poppy and Pomona, quills charmed with red ink inside them for grading from Filius, etc. All in all, it was a fairly satisfying birthday.

He settled into his favorite chair with his new book from Madam Pince and two fingers of scotch with a sigh. Just as he was getting comfortable, however, there came a knock at his door.

This had better be good, he thought, thinking of his Slytherins making trouble in the common room. He would flay them where they stood.

Taking a second to put his most harsh, intimidating snarl on his face, Snape flung open the door with a dramatic flourish. It was all for nothing, however, when he eyed the young girl standing in front of him, clearly not intimidated in the least.

"Hermione?"

XXX

Hermione had to stop herself from laughing outright in Severus' face when he flung open the door; it was just so dramatic.

"I'm sorry you wasted your facial expression on me, Severus. For the record, it was very scary and intimidating," she said as she ducked under his arm and into his rooms.

Locking and warding the door, Snape turned to face her.

"What are you doing here?"

"Hello to you too, honey," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes and walking up to him. When she stood toe to toe with him, she ran her hands slowly up his arms and ended by cradling his face. Pulling slightly to show she wanted him to bend, she stood on tiptoe to receive his kiss. She sighed into his mouth when she felt his arms come around her waist.

Breaking the kiss, Hermione kissed her way up his jaw and towards his ear, where she whispered, "Happy birthday, Severus." She smiled when she saw his eyes widen and he pulled back, disengaging himself from the embrace.

Walking over to his chair, he picked up his scotch and took a sip. "How did you know?"

"Oh, I've known for awhile actually," she told him, chuckling slightly at his raised eyebrow.

"Albus," he growled, and she shook her head. He closed his eyes for a second, and then opened them up just to roll them. "Minerva," he sighed, and she just shrugged. "I hope you didn't get me anything. I don't need your presents or your pity." He sat down.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione gathered up her famed Gryffindor courage and straddled his lap in his chair.

"Well, that's good because I didn't bring either. However, Draco and Harry both send their best," she said, watching as his eyes darkened with the close contact they were making. She knew her robe was giving him an ample view of her cleavage, and she couldn't wait for him to see what she was wearing under it. "And, although I didn't bring anything for you, I do have some plans worked out." He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"Melly!" Hermione said, loud and clear. A second later, an elf popped into the room and quickly set up, leaving again in less than a minute.

Snape stared curiously at the enlarged table next to his chair and at the giant silver serving cover. Hermione tapped her wand on his chair, magically widening it so her knees were more comfortable on either side of his legs. Taking the scotch from his hand, she set it on the table and finally grabbed the top of the cover, revealing what was underneath.

Snape's eyes widened slightly and his mouth quirked upwards at the edges as he took in what he was seeing: strawberries. There were dozens of perfectly ripe, juicy strawberries, all arranged perfectly around a small pot of chocolate.

"I know they're one of your favorites; an…indulgence you rarely let yourself have. But if you can't go crazy on your birthday, then when can you?" Hermione asked him, picking up a plump strawberry and bringing it to her mouth, keeping eye contact with him. She slowly put her lips around it and bit, closing her eyes in pleasure at the wonderful taste. She was going to have to remember to thank the house elves again. Opening her eyes, she saw that his eyes had further darkened after watching her, and she felt a telltale stirring under her that let her know he was enjoying it.

Picking up another, she dipped it halfway in the chocolate, letting the excess drizzle back into the pot before bringing it to Snape mouth. He slowly parted his lips, watching her the whole time, and struggled not to close his eyes as he tasted the perfect fruit.

She grabbed another, and repeated the motion, except she "accidentally" let some excess chocolate drip onto his chest and chin as she brought the berry to his mouth.

"Oops," she said, unconvincingly, and dipped her head to his chest where she licked a slow line, thoroughly making sure she got all the chocolate. She heard his quickened breath and met his dark eyes and she bent forwards to lick a light, slow line on his chin. Instead of bringing her head away, she let her tongue travel the extra few centimeters to his mouth, where she proceeded to kiss him, letting him taste the chocolate with her. He groaned into her mouth as she rubbed her whole body against his.

When she finally sat back, both of their lips were swollen from kissing. Keeping eye contact, she reached out and dipped her finger into the warm chocolate, and then brought it back over. She trailed it from his chest up to under his ear, and went to town licking it up. By the time she got up to his ear, his hands were on the cheeks of her ass, and he was squeezing.

"Hermione…," Snape said, half pleading, half warning. She didn't want him to hold back anymore, though. She wanted him; all of him.

"I think your shirt is getting in the way, Severus," she said by way of response. She was going to slowly peel it off, but she found that she getting impatient. Instead, she ran her hands down his chest and closed her eyes. When she opened them, his shirt was off and folded on the chair next to them. "Much better."

Suddenly, his face was clouded over and he stiffened. She cocked her head slightly. "What's wrong, Severus?"

"I wish for my shirt back on," he said, through gritted teeth.

Hermione tried not to let the hurt show on her face. Carefully, she went through recent events in her head, but she could think of no reason for him to be acting like this. She knew, however, that he had a way of making something insignificant to others mean a great deal to him. But what could make him so uncomfortable? He was fine a moment ago. Why would being shirtless be so horrible? Sure, he had some scars, but so did she. Almost everyone did, these days. Maybe it was a scar or mark she hadn't seen yet and he was trying to hide it from-

Oh, she thought. Her eyes darted quickly to where his left arm lay on the arm rest. She slowly moved her right hand to cover it and felt him stiffen further, if possible. Slowly, so slowly, she tried to turn his resisting arm over. The whole time, she kept her eyes on his face. Finally, he arm began to turn over. She looked down and saw his mark, faded grey against his pallid skin. It no longer scared her, however. She had seen the marks up close when they burned black and writhed. This one lay dormant and faded.

Keeping one hand on his arm, she looked back up at his face as her other hand once again dipped a finger in the chocolate. His eyes widened in disbelief as she trailed it across his left forearm. He was too shocked to do anything as she bent down, finally breaking eye contact, and licked the mark clean.

Looking back at him, she said, "Severus, it's clean now." She hoped he understood what she was putting behind her words, but just in case he didn't or was too stubborn to believe it, she opened her eyes wider, opening her mind as she did so. She knew by the slight hitch in his breathing that he was seeing into her head. She quickly brought forth everything she wanted to say but didn't know how to articulate.

She wanted him to know that he had done more than enough to effectively clean away the mark. He was a hero, and as far as she was concerned, it was only a reminder of what he went through to make up for one misguided decision made at a young age. She wanted him to believe that she didn't care that it was there at all.

Finally, he closed his eyes and breathed in deep. He stayed like that for a few moments, gathering himself, until his eyes shot open in surprise when he felt a warm trickle on his chest, making a line to his stomach. Hermione was using her wand to direct a drizzle of chocolate down his upper body.

Using her finger, she swirled some of it around, then sucked her finger clean. She heard his soft groan and tried not to smirk. When his chest was finally finished, she went to reach for another strawberry, but was stopped by his hand.

He turned her face towards him and leaned forward, hesitating a breath away from her mouth before slowly licking some chocolate she had left on the corner of her mouth.

"This hardly seems fair," he said. "If I have to get dirty and sticky, then you should too."

"I think you're absolutely right," she answered, and stood up. She reached up to unbutton her robe and slowly peeled it away before letting it fall and pool at her feet.

Snape tried to keep his jaw from dropping as he gazed at what the witch before him was wearing; or rather…not wearing. She was naked; completely naked from head to toe.

She straddled his lap again as she reached for her wand. Once again, she used it to direct a stream of chocolate, but this time onto her chest. She arched her back slightly as the warm chocolate ran down her skin, making her moan softly. She grabbed a strawberry and swirled it around some chocolate on her nipple, then brought it up to take a bite, making soft noises of contentment as she chewed.

She was suddenly in the air as Snape quickly stood and held her, pointing his wand at the chair to make it recline almost fully before laying her back down on it. He then proceeded to make sure every speck of chocolate was cleaned from his witch's upper body.

She writhed and moaned under his ministrations, crying out once or twice when he gently nipped with his teeth at a nipple.

She felt the warm chocolate on her body again and looked down to see him holding the pot and slowly pouring it onto her thighs and where she was almost throbbing with desire. He picked up a rather large strawberry and ran it through the chocolate on her thighs before smirking at her swiftly and dipping in between her legs. He swirled the strawberry around her mound, dipping in now and then to mix with the evidence of her desire. Once or twice he skimmed over her clit making her writhe even more.

It was unbelievably erotic to Hermione as she watched Severus bring the strawberry to his mouth and eat it in one bite. It was nothing, however, compared to how she felt when he bent his head to clean the chocolate.

He started from her thighs and worked inwards. When he was done with one thigh, he would switch to the other, always stopping short of where she wanted him to put his mouth the most. Finally, all the chocolate was gone from her legs and he smiled at her fleetingly before bending his head once more.

Ravish was the only word Hermione could think of to use as he continued his assault on her with his mouth. He was proving that his tongue wasn't just for sharpening insults at people.

Soon she lost the ability to think clearly at all as he zeroed in on her swollen clit. Flicking his tongue back and forth on it, he slowly inserted two fingers into her. He groaned around her clit as he felt how tight she was. He started pumping his fingers into her, curling them just slightly to hit that spot that made her toes curl. His other hand was splayed on one thigh to keep her still and prevent her from crushing his head with her thighs.

"Oh god, Severus! Severus, Severus, Severus…," Hermione started chanting like a mantra. He felt her inner walls start to convulse and quickened his fingers, sucking on her clit as she came undone.

Finally, he sat up as she tried to. Both had slap happy grins on their faces.

"This is no fair, really. I mean, it's YOUR birthday, not mine. You deserve the pleasure," she said.

"Trust me. That was pleasurable for me. I haven't heard my name said that many times in a row before. I find I quite like it," he replied, smirking at her blush. He stood to help her up.

When she was sure her legs weren't going to give out under her, she placed her palms on his chest and gently pushed him onto the seat.

"My turn," she said, and smiled evilly. He had just enough time to widen his eyes before his pants were suddenly gone in the same way his shirt was, boxers and all.

She leaned back to admire his body. He was thin, but not to the point of unhealthy. It was more of a thin that came from a high metabolism and genetics. He wasn't just skin and bones, however. You could see the muscles under his skin. Wiry though they were, they were still there. Throughout his arms, chest, thighs, and legs, the muscles were fairly prominent, no doubt honed from the years of spying. A slow spy was a dead spy. Her eyes finally came to rest on the very apparent appendage standing up between his legs. Having only had sex with 2 people her whole life, and could count the number of times on one hand, she didn't have much to compare him to, but knew by sight that he was bigger than the ones she had known. He was definitely larger than average.

"Do I pass your test?" his snide voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see him looking aloof, but with a small spark of what might've been insecurity in his eyes. It was that, more than anything, which made her courage come back full force and smile up at him.

"I say you get an 'Outstanding', Professor," she said, and grabbed the pot of chocolate. His eyes closed as she poured some on his erection, but his eyes shot open when he felt her mouth close around him.

She was too impatient to bother with the foreplay of teasing him like he did to her, and honestly she didn't know how much he could take before he snapped. So instead, she set right to work, swirling the warm chocolate around in her mouth with her tongue and gliding over his head and the rest of his cock.

Soon, he was grabbing her hair and pulling her off.

"The chocolate is gone," he said, sounding breathless.

"I know," she said, smiling.

"If you continue like that, this will be over way too soon," he warned.

"And I have all weekend, Severus," she replied cheekily, and placed her mouth on him once more before he could protest. After a few more minutes, she felt his balls tighten up under her hand and quickened her pace, swirling her tongue and gliding her hand up and down his shaft.

When he came in her mouth, he threw his head back and groaned loud, over and over, with each spurt.

When he was finished, she smiled up at him with a Cheshire cat grin.

"Ready for a shower?" she asked, watching him grin sleepily back.

XXX

The shower had been fun, both parties teasing the other. It woke Severus back up at least. Finally, they decided to get out of the shower when Snape made a comment about drowning while kissing her.

After they had both cast a drying spell on themselves, Snape picked her up and carried her to his room, laying her down on the bed. His mattress was massive and comfortable. It was the kind of bed that made you hate the world for making you get out of it every morning; maybe that was why he hated the world so much.

Lying down next to her, he lightly stroked her stomach, back and forth.

"You've made this an excellent birthday, Hermione. Thank you."

"The night isn't over yet, Severus," she replied, smirking.

"No, but you don't need to do any more for me. This is already miles above any birthday I've had in the past."

"I'm not doing this just because it's your birthday. I'm doing this because I want to; your birthday is just an excuse," she laughed, and he lightly chuckled.

He traced his fingers absentmindedly over a longer scar that went across her abdomen.

"From my fifth year," she murmured.

"Hm?"

"The scar you're tracing, I got it in my fifth year from a death eater at the Ministry of Magic."

Snape stopped tracing it. "Who?"

"Dolohov, I believe. He was Silenced, though, so no one know what curse her used. But Madam Pomfrey believes that it's best because the curse wasn't able to do the damage he wanted."

"No, he was never good with nonverbal spells."

"It's ugly looking, I know. Sometimes I forget it's there, but after I got it, it was the only thing I could look at."

"Hermione, you're beautiful. I have plenty of scars; we all do now. Yours is just a reminder of your bravery," he told her softly, and leaned over to kiss her.

She felt a faint stirring against her thigh and reached her hand down to lightly trail her fingers along his rising erection, making his eyes roll back slightly.

"Hermione," he warned softly, and she glanced up at him. "This is fast coming to a time when we won't be able to turn back, if you don't stop now."

"What makes you think I want to stop?"

Suddenly, he was on top of her. "I'm not a gentle man, Hermione. I'm not a soft, gentle lover either. You should stop, now." As if to prove his point, he lowered his head and began an assault on her neck that had her moving underneath him and panting. When he bit down on a spot he had sucked on for a bit, she hissed and fisted her hands into his head. He inwardly smirked and waited for her to pull him away. It was a shame, but he knew he was right to warn her before they got carried away and she decided no later on. However, the pull never came. Instead, he felt her gripping his hair and pushing him closer.

Raising his head to look at her, he saw her eyes filled with the same desire that he now felt. She wrapped her legs around his back and ground herself against him, making both of them moan.

Positioning himself at her entrance, he looked at her for permission one last time. She nodded her head and he started to slide in.

Snape groaned and had to force himself not to just impale himself in her. She was hot and wet, but so damn tight. Even being as wet as she was, she was still almost too tight to accept him. Inch by inch he worked his way in, pulling back slightly now and then just to drive back in, working his way. Finally he was completely sheathed in her body, but he didn't stop to admire the feeling; he couldn't. He had to move.

Hermione was thinking along the same lines and strained against him.

"If you don't start moving, I'm going to Imperio you," she growled, and he laughed.

Soon, there was no talking. Well, not a conversation at least. Severus found Hermione to be a very vocal person during sex and it turned him on immensely.

He waved his hand towards the head board and cushioned it as the thought of Hermione being in danger of a concussion swept through his mind. Bringing her right leg up, he hooked her ankle over his shoulder and made her lie sideways while he stayed upright, pounding into her.

When he flipped her over and entered her swiftly from behind, Hermione cried out, and fisted her hands into the pillows around her.

Her hand strayed to between her legs and she moaned again when her fingers found her clit. She started rubbing herself faster and faster, feeling her release coming but not being close enough. It was maddening.

"That's right, play with yourself, witch. Make yourself come around my dick."

"Oh, god!" she cried out, his voice washing over her like velvet. "Oh god, Severus, I'm coming!" She felt herself peak, and felt her toes start to curl, and then suddenly she toppled over the edge and into bliss.

Snape felt her contracting around him and tried to hold back, but it was a lost battle. He began to jackhammer into her frantically, feeling his own release coming.

Throwing his head back with a shout, Snape came inside Hermione. When he was finished, he slowed his thrusts until he was still and hovered over her, breathing heavily. He had just enough energy to pull out and move to the side before he collapsed next to her.

For awhile, they just lay there trying to get their breathing back to normal. Finally, Hermione turned on her side, facing away from him and scooted herself backwards until she forced him to spoon her, which he readily complied with.

Both lapsed into a comfortable, sated, and sleepy silence. Snape was tracing her body with his fingers again, and Hermione was smiling into her pillow.

"So, Hermione…," Snape because, sounding too innocent for her liking.

"Yes, Severus?"

His fingers started tracing her hips and ass cheeks.

"I was wondering…," he said, trailing off with his innocent voice again. His fingers started to trace little circles between their bodies on her ass.

Suddenly, her eyes flew open.

"Not a chance, Severus," she said.

"But…well…it IS my birthday, and it was just a question…you didn't even let me finish," he said, keeping the same voice.

"Severus, no appendage of yours is going NEAR MY ASS," she replied.

Snape sighed heavily. "Ok. That's fine, really. I mean, I'm used to birthday wishes not coming true. I'm no stranger to it," he said, dejectedly.

"Good."

"Fine," he growled in his normal voice again and slung his arm across her body. She smirked into her pillow, knowing he was upset she didn't give in to him.

"Did you honestly think I would fall for that, Severus?"

"I was trying to appeal to your bleeding Gryffindor heart."

"You're so sweet," she said, laughing slightly. She paused for a second, and then said quietly, "Happy birthday, Severus."

She felt his arm tighten around her, bringing her closer to him.

"Thank you, Hermione," he whispered into her hair.

They both fell asleep with the hint of a smile on their faces.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: Wow, so, this is the first author's note I've written. Thank you to everyone who has read my story up to this point. This is the first fanfic I've EVER attempted to write, and the reviews I've gotten so far have made me confident that it's worth finishing. Please, keep reviewing. It really urges me to write quicker so I can appease the masses lol.