Summary: The potion is perfected.

A/N: Thanks for your interest in this story! Updates will be weekly, and this is complete on my computer. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

It took Severus three days to find the ingredient that the spell had made explode. It was the Abraxan hair, which was surprising because Abraxan hair usually mixed with everything. He spent another two days researching what he could use in the brew instead and finally settled on Granian hair. It was the most stable of anything he'd considered. It did not cause any explosions when the spell was cast upon it, and it would give the same effect of inducing a visionary state so the future could be seen. He sighed as he packed up his testing items. He'd start the new potion the next day, but right now, he had somewhere to be.

He quickly made his way to his room and hurriedly showered, changing into black trousers and a dark green jumper when he was done. He combed his hair and rolled his eyes at his reflection in the mirror. It was what it was. Hermione seemed to like him despite him not being very attractive.

He set out to get his date, climbing up the stairs to the Arithmancy classroom and standing in front of the hidden door which led to Hermione's quarters. He hesitated a second before knocking briskly. She soon opened the door and smiled at him. Moving aside, she let him pass in.

"I'm ready," she said.

He turned to her and furrowed his brow. His insecurities had set in the second he saw her. How could someone as lovely as she want to spend time romantically with him? He looked into her eyes. She seemed to be excited about their date. Brushing away his fears, he offered his arm. She grasped it.

"Shall we, then?" he asked shyly.

Her smile floored him.

"Let's go," she said.

"You look lovely, by the way," he said as they moved through the castle.

She gave him a bright smile. "You're quite handsome yourself," she remarked.

He arched his eyebrow at her.

"No, really, you are."

"Thank you," he said as he turned and tried to keep a blush from tingeing his cheeks.

Making their way out of her quarters and down the stairs, they soon found themselves outside the castle at the gates. He spun them both around, and they snapped into existence in front of the Three Broomsticks. Entering the pub, Severus led them to a table near the back, and they settled in.

Rosemerta came up to them right away, smiling brightly.

"Hello, Professors. How are you both today."

"We're good, thank you," Hermione said.

Severus nodded at Rosmerta. "Rosie," he greeted.

She looked between the two of them, took their orders, and bustled away.

"So, how is your research going?" Hermione asked. "Have you figured out how to counteract the explosion?"

"Yes. Granian hair doesn't explode when I cast the spell on it."

"I assume that because it's also from a winged horse that it would be easily interchangeable."

"For the most part, yes. I'll need to use a little bit more of it, but preparation is the same, and it should have basically the same effect."

"That's wonderful, Severus. When will you brew it again?"

"I'll probably start tomorrow. I'll be ready to cast the spell on it in a week."

Hermione extended her hand to him. He took it within his grasp.

"You'll be careful, right?" she asked.

"Yes, of course."

"Can I be there when you cast it… just in case?"

"I will be behind a shield. I should be fine."

He noticed her worried look and squeezed her hand.

"But if you want to, you may observe."

She grinned at him. At that point, Rosemerta came with their dishes. She stared at their hands grasped together as she placed their dinner before them–fish and chips for Severus and beef stew for Hermione. She arched a brow at Severus as she placed his plate before him.

Severus looked grumpily at her. "Yes, Rosie, this is a date. I would ask you to keep it to yourself, please."

Rosie beamed at the two of them. "You make a fine couple. Congratulations and your secret is safe with me."

"Thank you," Severus said.

She left them to their meal, and they both dug in.

"Mmm, this stew is delicious. Do you want a bite?"

Severus looked at her strangely. "I… suppose…?"

He grabbed his spoon and gingerly reached over, taking a small bit and popping it into his mouth.

"Yes, it is nice."

"You've never shared food with someone before, have you?" Hermione asked.

"Why would I?"

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. My family always does so we can try a little bit of everything."

"Do you want a bit of my fish?" he asked sharply.

Hermione sat back and looked down at the table. "No, that's all right."

"Hermione."

She looked up at him.

"I'm not upset. I'm just not used to doing this. I have no issue with it."

"You're sure?"

"I am. I didn't mean to sound abrupt."

"Then I'll have a bite of your fish."

She reached out and grabbed a small bite of it. "Lovely," she said. "So, Lucius never swapped half a watercress sandwich or an escargot or anything with you?"

He gave her an incredulous look. "Merlin, no. He'd have hexed me if I even suggested it. That is certainly not proper."

Hermione laughed. "Of course, he'd think that."

Severus smirked at her. He watched her go back to her meal. She was truly lovely. He never would have thought that the bushy-haired youth she had been would have developed into such a well-put-together person with lovely hair and delicate features.

So beautiful, he thought.

His insecurities decided to make an entrance again as he realized he wasn't worthy of the woman. Why would she care for him? She obviously did, but why?

She looked up and gave him a concerned look.

"You aren't eating. Is something wrong?"

"No… no."

He picked up his fish and took a bite. Hermione didn't seem convinced as she kept looking at him with worry.

"Talk to me, Severus. That's part of being a couple–sharing worries together."

He sighed. "I don't even know why you want to be a couple. I don't deserve someone like you."

"What do you mean–like me?"

He waved his hand at her. "You're brilliant, beautiful, everything wonderful."

She blushed before looking at him curiously. "Thank you. I appreciate you saying that, but why would you say you don't deserve me?"

"Need I explain?"

"Please do. I want to understand your thinking and not make assumptions."

He looked out at the table next to them and stared at a man eating a sandwich.

"I am a murderer," he said quietly. "I am a grumpy old man, and my experience in life has taught me not to expect anything good to come of it."

"Severus," she called out softly.

His eyes moved back to her. "I don't see you as a murderer. Most people don't. You did what you had to do… what Dumbledore wanted you to do. Without you, I think we'd be under Voldemort's rule right now."

He sighed again.

"I'm serious. We've been friends for a while, yeah? You know I don't think of you like that."

Giving a quick nod, he looked back down at his plate. "I appreciate you thinking that way, but…"

"I don't know why your life has been so horrible that you don't think you should be happy, but I want to tell you that you're wrong about that. You deserve to be happy. You've had to endure so much, Severus. It's time you found some happiness in your life."

He shook his head and looked away again.

"Do you trust me?" Hermione asked.

His eyes moved back to her. "Yes."

Her hand was extended again. He hesitantly grasped it and felt her squeeze it.

"Then trust me to tell you how I feel. Trust that I am invested in you and accept that we can work. We can be good together, I promise."

"I certainly hope that is true because I find you enchanting and have been quite elated since we got together."

She smiled at him, and he felt he could survive on just those smiles. Smiling back, he squeezed her hand as well.

"Thank you," she said as her cheeks reddened. "I am hopeful for our future."

"Surprisingly, I am, too."

oooOOOooo

Hermione looked tentatively at Severus. He erected a shield around them that would let spells escape but let nothing enter in. He looked down at the cauldron in front of them; the golden potion sitting within awaited the spell's changes to be made upon it.

"All right," he said. "I think we're ready."

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. He blushed profusely but smiled shyly at her.

"Good luck," she said.

Nodding, he pointed his wand at the cauldron.

"Visionare."

Orange light shot from his wand and into the potion. It glowed for a moment before turning an amber color. Severus waited a minute before lowering the shield and putting his wand away. Taking a ladle, he stirred the cauldron and lifted up some of the draught, pouring it back into the cauldron.

"It's got the right viscosity. I think it worked." He looked at Hermione. "Only one way to find out."

Decanting the potion into a small vial, he toasted Hermione. "Bottom's up."

Downing the potion, he waited for it to take effect. His eyesight became foggy and a vision started to appear. He was in his dress robes. He couldn't see anything else yet. Slowly the fog cleared, and he found himself standing at the head of the Great Hall. He turned to see Hermione coming toward him in a… beautiful lace wedding gown. She held a bouquet of white roses and slowly came down the aisle. A string quartet played in the background as she neared him. He couldn't keep his eyes off her, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, and she evidently was going to become his wife. He smiled as she neared him. Once she'd reached him, they grasped hands and turned to the front of the room. Kingsley Shacklebolt stood there ready to officiate.

Severus was barely cognizant of the ceremony, he was so elated and couldn't believe she was going to be his forever. Before he realized it, they were kissing. They made their way to the back of the hall where the hordes of guests came to congratulate them. They had evidently invited all of Hogwarts, the entire Wizarding world, plus Hermione's parents.

Minerva had the nerve to hug him. It felt nice, but he'd never admit it to anyone. She pulled back, and he was surprised to see her eyes misty with tears.

"I'm so happy for you, Severus. I've never seen you look so ecstatic, and you deserve all of it."

He was stunned by her words. He studied her face, trying to find some deception, but he could tell she was being sincere.

"Thank you, Minerva."

The reception was a whirlwind of activity, and Severus was so busy being enchanted by Hermione, he didn't notice much of what had gone on. Before he knew it, they had Apparated to London and were settled into the honeymoon suite at the Plaza in Diagon Alley. They looked at one another as they stood there in their wedding finery. Severus could hold back no more. He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. He pulled back and turned her around, beginning to work on the multiple buttons that fastened her lovely dress. Soon the dress was on the floor, and she was easing his suit coat off.

The vision from the potion ended with him watching their coupling all through the night. Severus came back to reality and closed his eyes, trying to control his raging erection after witnessing their bonding. Damn, that woman was hot.

"What did you see?" Hermione asked from his right.

He startled, having forgotten she was there with him. What could he tell her? Certainly not that he saw them getting married. They'd only been together a week or so.

"It worked," he said.

She grasped his arm. "Well don't stop there. What did you see?"

His eyebrows furrowed. "It was something private that I can't tell you about. Suffice it to know that the vision lasted for about twelve hours. It started in the afternoon and went late into the night."

Hermione arched a brow at him. He arched one right back.

"Well, you obviously weren't sleeping all that time or you wouldn't remember how long into the night the vision went."

"Clever witch. Suffice it to say that it was an enjoyable vision."

"It was with me, right?" she asked hesitantly.

He debated what to say. She'd already figured it out, so why not hint at what he saw? He didn't need to mention it was their wedding night.

Pulling her close, he admitted, "It couldn't have been anyone else."

He leaned in and kissed her passionately, trying to get rid of some of the sexual tension that had built up with his vision.

"How far into the future did you see?" Hermione asked once they pulled away.

"It was the last day of the school year, but I think it was next year, not this June."

"So a little over a year and a half."

Severus looked at the potion.

"I'll need to do another trial. This time with a time reference and topic in mind."

"You're not going to do that now, are you?"

"I was planning on it."

"It can wait until tomorrow. We need to celebrate tonight."

"Do we?" he asked sultrily.

"Of course!"

"And what do you suggest, Professor Granger?"

She said nothing, letting her actions say what she wanted as she leaned up and kissed him passionately.

"I say we go to your room and… explore one another."

The erection that he had worked so hard to deflate came back with a vengeance.

"Let's go," he said as he took her hand and left his office, moving them both to his room.

The vision had given him the confidence he'd lacked with her. If the potion worked, he didn't need to worry that she'd get fed up with him and leave. She was in for the long haul, and he was ecstatic about that. Unable to hold his enthusiasm back, he pulled her to him and kissed her with abandon, worshiping her with his tongue.

Pulling back, he gasped before asking her the only thing that was on his mind.

"You want to do this?"

"More than anything."

He smirked at her before capturing her lips again. They kissed for a very long time. Hermione's hands worked themselves up, and she unbuttoned his shirt as they were entwined with one another. As she slipped his shirt off his shoulders, he froze. Hermione pulled back and looked at him with curiosity.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I… I'm not… I don't want you to be disappointed."

Hermione's eyes roved over his naked chest. She took her hands and moved them over him appreciatively, tracing a scar that crossed his pectoral.

"I could never be disappointed with you, Severus. And besides, you are incredibly handsome. I could caress your chest for ages."

"Really?"

Her hand moved down and cupped his clothed bulge. "I can't wait to see what you have down here."

He arched a brow at her. Smiling shyly, he unbuttoned his trousers. Before fully disrobing, he reached out and pulled Hermione's shirt up and over her head. His eyes grew wide as he beheld her lovely chest encased in a black lace bra.

"Did you wear that for me?" he asked, his voice filled with emotion.

"I had hoped we might be seeing more of each other tonight."

He chuckled as he pulled her close and kissed her from the neck down to her breasts. Reaching around to her back, he unclipped her bra and let them fall freely.

"Merlin, you're perfect," he muttered as his hand reached out and caressed her breast.

She smiled at him as she reached out and eased his trousers and pants down, revealing his member. Her eyes grew wide.

"Wow."

"Yeah?" he asked tentatively.

Her eyes met his, and she nodded profusely. "Simply gorgeous."

He smiled then as he eased her bottoms off, beholding all of her.

"Hermione… you are so lovely."

She closed the distance between them, pressing herself up against his naked form.

"You feel so good," she murmured as she ran her fingers through his hair while her other hand caressed his chest.

His lips captured hers, and they were enchanted with one another. Pulling back, he grasped her hand and led her to his bed. She sat down on the edge, and he settled in next to her. His hand came up and caressed her shoulder. Easing her back, he showered her with kisses before concentrating on her breasts. Taking her into his mouth, he suckled while his hand reached out and pinched her other nipple. She moaned beneath him, causing him to grin, but he soon got back to his ministrations.

Hermione gently pushed him off her, causing him to give her a curious look. She moved him so he was on his back on the bed and climbed over him, kissing him quickly before moving down to his cock. She grinned sensually as she licked up one side and down the other, causing him to groan and arch into her.

"You are delicious, Severus," she said before encasing his cock in her mouth and sucking away at him.

He groaned again, barely able to put two words together as she lathed him and moved so he was on fire. Tilting his head up, he watched her as she moved up and down, her eyes meeting his. He about came right there with her seductive look. He opened his mouth to say something, but her tongue caught the tip of his cock, and he was once again throwing his head back and moaning in ecstasy.

"Hermione," he ground out. "I'm not going to last long if you keep that up."

"Pity," she said before increasing her efforts.

"Nooo!" he cried. "Please. Let me get in you. I need you."

She smiled around his member, finally disengaging and sitting up. Moving forward, she grinned playfully at him.

"Your wish is my command," she said as she moved forward and sunk herself onto him.

"Uggggh," he said as he felt himself enter her and fill her up fully.

She began to move then… slowly, back and forth. He thrust up, trying to get deeper into her. She leaned low and kissed him, her tongue thrashing with his before she sat back up and looked down at him, licking her lips, making him moan some more.

"You don't know what you do to me," he murmured.

"I can imagine… It's what you do to me, too," she replied before starting to move up and down on him.

"Ohh, you feel so good!" she said as she tilted her head back and reveled in the fullness she felt with him in her. "Fill me up, Severus. Make me yours."

Reaching down, he squeezed his hand between the two of them and began to finger her. Her eyes grew wide as her head came back up and she stared at him, unable to speak. She moved up a little as he massaged her clit.

"Mmmm," she moaned before licking her lips seductively at him.

He squeezed her clit as he pushed up into her, causing her to scream.

He started thrusting then, and she bounced on him, up and down, crying out as he moved.

"Oh God!" she cried. "I'm… I'm going to… Ahhhh!"

He came right along with her, thrusting into her and holding himself as he released his seed. They both tensed as they were filled with euphoria from their coupling. Hermione, totally spent, dropped down onto Severus, still with him in her. Her arms pushed their way around his neck, and she held him close, kissing his chest before lying fully on him.

"You are so amazing," she commented.

His arms came around her, and they embraced one another for a while. His eyes closed as he enjoyed her nearness.

"I don't ever want to lose this feeling, Hermione. I've never felt complete like this before."

Her head came up and she met his gaze. "Me neither. It's like we are made for one another."

He smirked and nodded. "We are, aren't we?"

She nodded, but his lips on hers made it impossible for her to move anymore as they showed their affection for one another over and over again.