Author's notes: Wow! Such a response after the last update! Thank you to everyone for the lovely reviews! And to all the messages and reviews of congratulations on the weight loss. I've only lost 2lbs this week but still every pound gone is a step in the right direction! For those who had concerns over the speed of it, I lost 16lbs of it in the first two weeks but since then it has slowed down to a more healthy rate. I was starting with about 4 stone to lose so that's probably why the speedy start. Anyway, on a more relevant note – Severus and Hermione...about to take some pretty big steps in their relationship. The beginning scene was actually inspired by the events between my husband and I when we first realised that we were serious about each other and loved each other. He is one of the least romantic and tactful people I have ever met but I love him to bits...which is a good thing considering it's been six years since we had that conversation that inspired this. Also again a huge apology for the gaps between updates but I've been soooo busy that writing has to come bottom of the list. I'm going on holiday this week also and will be gone for over a week so I suspect it'll be another couple of weeks before another update arrives but I will do my best.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters books or films etc.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The door slammed with a resounded bang behind them, leaving them stood in a dark silence in his rooms. He was eyeing her intently as if waiting for some signal.

"I thought about what you said..." she said softly. His face gave nothing away, it made her nervous to continue.

"Hermione Granger, thinking...who would have ever suspected such a thing." He smirked.

"Oh do shut up, I'm trying to say something." She muttered, her courage resurfaced in the face of their usual banter. "Trust Severus Snape to suck any remote possibility of romance out of a situation."

"I believe you beat me to the punch by turning up in brightly coloured pyjamas and soaked from head to foot but do go on." He retorted.

"See, that right there." She said, poking him in the chest. "That is something that any other man would have overlooked seeing as how a soaking woman in their rooms would usually mean they were going to get something out of it if they didn't screw it up." She couldn't help but laugh at the situation as she tugged off a soaked coat and kicked off her cold wet boots. She walked straight past him and flicked her wand towards the fireplace so that she could warm up. He looked on incredulously as she made herself at home on his sofa. "Where was I? Oh yes, I thought about what you said...and I know that you probably won't ever be willing to offer some of the things that I would ideally like in life...but life is generally a bitch. I think you're worth the chance. I could have all the things I want with some other man one day, except one thing...the most important one...you. You're the one that I want and you're the one that I love, so as long as you'll have me I'd rather take my chances with that. After all...Severus Snape doesn't go charging into Molly Weasley's kitchen after just anybody now does he?" He marched over to her and bent down, glaring at her daringly.

"Why you insolent little-" He never finished his sentence. Hermione had grabbed hold of his collar and tugged his lips down to hers. That was enough to stop his train of thought completely as he took a moment to taste the young witch's mouth thoroughly. "I suppose someone has to want you." He grinned. She couldn't help but let out a slightly joyous laugh at the uncharacteristic expression on his face. How many people had ever seen the dark potion's master smile? Actually smile, as opposed to smirk.

"I think I should get out of these wet clothes." She said, standing up.

"You are a witch are you not? That is what drying charms are for." He told her. She ignored him and pulled her damp pyjama top off over her head. His eyes flew to her bared breasts in front of him.

"Are you going to make me figure out how this all works by myself or are you going to help?" she asked shyly, chewing her bottom lip and praying that this time he wouldn't turn her away. She need not have worried though, as he clearly didn't need telling twice. She felt her body being crushed against his as he kissed her again. His hands trailed her sides and his lips roamed to her neck and shoulders before drifting lower to her breasts. She grabbed the front of his shirt and tugged him upright enough that she could hastily undo the buttons on it; her hands helping him shove it off of his shoulders and discard it before returning to feel the flat plain of his stomach. His lips returned to hers as he unfastened his trousers, causing them to drop to the floor at his feet. He didn't hesitate before slipping his fingers into the waistband of her pyjama bottoms and tugging them down her hips leaving her stood in only a pair of plain black cotton underwear...she momentarily wished that she had put more effort into her appearance after all.

He loosened his grasp on her for a moment and she saw the hesitation on his face. He opened his mouth but she quickly cut him off with her hand.

"Hermione I-"

"No." She said firmly. "No talking, you'll only stick your foot in it. Just to clarify I know that you aren't nor do I expect you to suddenly turn into Prince Charming and I still want you away. I am more than capable of making up my own mind so could you please stop protesting and kiss me?"

Sure enough he bent down to press his lips to hers again, softer this time. "Now who's the romantic?" he murmured against her lips, before gripping her thighs and lifting her up to wrap her legs around his waist. "Bedroom then."

Her eyes flicked nervously to his as he lowered them onto the bed, which was still unmade from his hasty exit when she had woken him. His were smouldering, she felt herself heat up under his gaze alone. They were both nearly naked and skin pressed against skin and it felt so good. What on earth could feel better than feeling his lips against hers, his body covering hers protectively, possessively?

"Please..." she pleaded with him. She just wanted him, needed him. She didn't want to let her nerves get the better of her and cause her to back out, she didn't want him to come up with more protests about not being worthy of her, being too old for her. All she wanted was him. She saw him lean up and tug his underwear down, they were just plain grey boxers but then she wasn't interested in the underwear was she? Her own underwear followed as he hooked his fingers around the damp material between her legs and dragged them down. Once free of any and all clothing he moved back up to her kissing his way along her stomach and chest and shoulders. She gasped as she felt him slide two fingers smoothly into her.

Severus barely contained his own groan of appreciation; she was so warm and positively soaking. They had both been thinking about this moment for so long that it was bound to have them wound up by now. She was ready for him, or as ready as she could be. He slowly eased his fingers from her and moved to replace it with his solid length. Hermione sucked in her breath as he slid smoothly all the way into her. He waited for a brief moment before withdrawing slightly and then sliding back to the hilt again. He watched her face, she didn't look like she was agony but he could see the discomfort.

Hermione was trying to relax, trying to breathe...she knew the first time would hurt and she was surprised to find it wasn't quite the horror story she had been imagining but it wasn't pleasurable by any means. She felt impossibly stretched, he stretched her to the point that it stung. Was it his size or was it because it was her first time? She wasn't sure but she found that as he continued to move the discomfort began to ease away fairly quickly.

"Hermione..." his voice called to her. She focused on him and he shifted his hips in a different angle, grinding his pelvis against hers and causing a delightful shudder to roll through her. Her eyes widened, so it could be pleasurable... He continued to roll his hips, grinding against her at a steady pace until she found her lips falling open in a small moan. "That's it, just relax and let me show you." He dropped kisses across her neck and shoulder as he continuing to thrust into her.

To start with keeping control was surprisingly easy despite the tightness, seeing the discomfort of his partner was enough to stay his own enjoyment. Now though, now that she was emitting small mewing sounds and moans it was very difficult to maintain the control not to just plough into her relentlessly, let alone be in control enough to ensure she got some enjoyment out of it. He doubted that she would be able to reach orgasm, very few women did on their first time – he wanted her to at least enjoy it though, then later when they were both more relaxed he could focus on bringing her to her own climax through whatever means necessary.

Hermione felt her stomach clench in strange ways as he moved inside her, words couldn't describe the small waves of pleasure that grew with every stroke. She had been missing out, all this time...these wonderful feelings.

"Oh God..." she panted, as her nether regions started to feel extra sensitive. Tingles of pleasure started and made her tense up. She felt so warm suddenly, like she'd run a marathon.

Severus took in her worked up state, the flush slowly growing across her chest as she panted and tensed up, gripping the covers beneath her. She was reacting to him far better than he could have imagined.

"Relax, Hermione." He murmured against her lips as he kissed her thoroughly. He swallowed her whimper as her whole body started to shake and she tense around him. He was done for, feeling her tightening around his swollen appendage brought on his own release almost instantly. His lips left hers in a half gasp half groan as he spilled into her. He continued to thrust weakly, trying to prolong her pleasure but lacking the strength or motility to do so. He needn't have worried too much as a warm rush ran through him from head to foot and from her shuddering, he knew that she felt the same. It seemed to draw out the moment, to cause their climaxes to linger around them. He lifted his face from her neck to kiss her again. This kiss was lazy and luxurious.

It was Hermione that noticed first. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a slight shimmering in the room. It seemed to fill the air almost like dust or glitter. Magic. She could see magic in the air. He leant up on his arms to see what she was looking at and his jaw dropped. His reaction was more surprising to her than the magic itself.

He had once told her that magic is almost always raised between two magical beings during sex...so whilst it had been surprising to see it for herself she hadn't thought it was unusual. Then she saw his face, this wasn't his first time but he seemed more surprised by the magic than her. He climbed off of her and started glancing over their bodies and she knew. It was her.

Her magic as a pure adult had caused this. She watched him as he knelt on the bed, his gaze riveted on his forearm. She leant up quickly, leaning to see what he was looking at. His mark was gone. She looked closer, his scars...gone. She quickly glanced down at her own chest to find it smooth and unmarred and her own arm...perfect... She could still picture the word so harshly dug into her flesh but it wasn't there.

"It shouldn't have touched me..." he said quietly. It took her a moment to comprehend his meaning. He had told her about sharing power, her power boost had been shared with him... She threw herself forward to kiss him.

"I knew it." She said, covering his lips and face with kisses. "I wanted you to be the one...my first time I-...I knew you were worth the risk." She couldn't help the overwhelming happiness that bubbled inside of her, he loved her – he must do! Their connection was strong enough to gift him with the power they raised...it had to be love.

"I don't understand." He said quietly. He hadn't returned her kisses; he merely remained knelt on the bed looking shell shocked. It was a very rare occurrence indeed but Severus Snape had lost all control and composure. In this moment he felt like the entire world had shifted beneath his very feet.

He looked scared; startled...he felt it too. Hermione continued to buzz around him, excited about the magic that had erased all traces of dark magic from them. It was true, he felt different. Completely different, as if years had been lifted from his life and weights lifted off of his shoulders. He didn't deserve such a gift...he didn't even deserve her innocence but this – this was a gift of pure magic. He couldn't help but feel overwhelmed, all this time he had been fighting and trying to atone for the wrongs he committed. It was over. Gifts like this were not given to dark wizards with ill in their hearts; he had finally been given the clean slate he had wished for, for so long.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Hermione's scream of agony.