9 January 1977

Even though she knew this was what she wanted, her legs trembled. She was about to cross a line that she had deeply engraved for them, but she didn't care any longer. Hermione loved Severus, and for all she knew, she may not have had much longer with him. There really wasn't much more time to waste.

Severus' head cocked to the side.

"I'm — I'm sorry? You… want me?" he repeated, as if he couldn't believe what she had just said.

She nodded.

"Yes, Severus. I do," then a sudden panic hit her. What if he wasn't ready? "Only — only if you want to?" she added in a rush.

He took one step back. She wasn't sure, but she thought she noticed him losing a bit of color.

"Of course I do. But," he swallowed. "Are you sure? You're positive?"

His obvious nervousness was rather cute, she found herself thinking. It wasn't often when he appeared so out of his comfort zone.

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it, Severus," she told him. "I don't want to wait any longer. I — I want to, you know…" Her cheeks were bright red as she struggled to actually get the words out. "I'm ready."

Hermione was brave in a lot of ways, but when it came to her heart and her body, it required a whole different kind of bravery that she wasn't sure she possessed as strongly. Did anyone really, she wondered?

Severus wore the oddest expression. He looked almost like he was going to be sick, but also like a small child on Christmas morning. Hermione understood. She felt the same way at the moment.

Before moving forward in her decision, Hermione took out her wand and shut the door of the classroom, locking it, and warding it so no one would hear them, or be able to enter. She tried to ignore the way her hand shook as she waved it through the air.

"So, how do we…?" Severus trailed off, as he glanced towards the ground.

How do they begin, she imagined he was trying to ask. Truthfully, she hadn't the foggiest idea. She supposed finding somewhere moderately comfortable would have been a good start.

Without responding, she summoned one of the pillows they had used to practice banishing charms. When it landed between them, she took his wrist and pulled him closer to her, before pointing her wand at the pillow, and casting an Engorgio Charm to make it roughly the size of a small bed.

"I suppose we should—"

Before Hermione could finish her sentence, Severus took hold of her face between his hands, then crashed his lips onto hers. At first she stood frozen, taken off guard by his sudden confidence, but all too soon she found herself melting into his kiss.

Severus was right for just going for it, she thought, as the backs of her legs bumped against the side of her makeshift bed. She was approaching the entire situation as if it were an assignment, thinking of the next logical step in how to move forward. But now, as she fell backwards onto the enlarged pillow with Severus on top of her, not breaking their kiss, she realized how completely absurd that had been.

As he held himself just enough off of her, where she wasn't supporting his entire weight, he pulled away for a moment, and looked at her in almost a feral sort of way. Hermione bit her lip, and felt heat travel slowly from her head, to her abdomen, and even down to her toes.

"I love you," he growled, then ducked his head and began kissing at the side of her neck.

A giggle escaped her when he hit a particularly sensitive spot. She then ran her fingers through his long black hair, and he hummed deep in his throat. He began nibbling softly on her collarbone, and the heat from his breath caused goose pimples to form on her skin. A delicate shiver ran down her spine.

Severus pulled away suddenly, causing a small pout to automatically form on Hermione's face. She cocked her head to the side, when seeing the minute hint of anxiety present in his eyes.

Reaching up to place her palm on his cheek, she whispered, "What is it, Severus?"

His eyes glanced off to the side, before he closed them.

"This is the first — erm… I-I've never…" he faltered.

She assumed as much, from his uncertainty on how to begin, just a few minutes prior. Hermione smiled warmly and coaxed him to open his eyes and look at her. When he did, she leaned her head forward to place a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Me too, Severus," she said, hoping it would have made him feel better.

It seemed to have done the trick. He nodded once, and slowly the fire returned to his eyes.

The two returned to a passionate snog, while Hermione wrapped her legs firmly around his thin torso. His desire for her was clearly present, as she felt it pressing up against her core, as the two rocked against one another in the heat of the moment. All insecurities between them both had now seemed to have been thrown on the window.

Although she was content with what they were doing at the moment, it wasn't enough. Hermione wanted more, she needed more. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. Their clothing felt like an insurmountable barrier that she needed to find a way to overcome, immediately.

She broke away from him, placing the palms of her hands on his chest, giving him a small push.

"Sit up," she ordered.

Severus rocked back onto his knees, straddling her body. Before he could ask her what she was doing, Hermione hooked her fingers beneath the hem of his shirt and tugged upwards.

"Off," she said.

The corner of his mouth turned up in a lopsided grin.

"As you wish," he responded, and quickly pulled the shirt over his head, before tossing it onto the ground.

When she saw his bare chest for the first time, she was completely taken off guard, and had to consciously suppress the gasp that nearly came from her. Just barely visible through the light peppering of dark chest hair, were raised, thin white lines, all across his chest. Her eyes roamed over them briefly as a lump formed in her throat. If she had to have guessed, she would have thought at least twenty scars marred his body. A wave of anger washed over her. How could anyone have done that to him? She wanted to find the person who hurt him and make them suffer, just as they had done to him. She tried not to let her emotions show on her face, however, that was never something she'd excelled at. It was clear he had noticed.

"I would prefer not to talk about it at the moment, if that's alright," he whispered, looking away from her.

Hermione scooted back a bit, so she could sit up properly. She splayed one hand across his chest, and the other cupped his check. Of course her ever curious mind desperately wanted to know how that happened to him, but she knew that he was right. It was not the moment to discuss such matters. She leaned forward, and kissed his forehead.

"Whenever you feel comfortable talking about it, we can discuss it," she said with her lips still against his skin.

"Thank you," he said softly.

She placed her hands on his cheeks and leaned in.

"I love you," she whispered against his lips, before kissing him gently.

Feeling far more sure of herself than she did when they first began, Hermione reached down and began tugging at her jumper. Severus' eyes widened when it seemed to dawn on him what she was doing, and she gave him a coy smile before pulling the garment over her head.

She was glad she had the foresight to glamor the wide purple scar, which dominated a majority of her torso, due to Dolohov's curse she received in her Fifth Year. After what just transpired due to Severus' scars, she was sure that hers would have halted their progression altogether. Also, she was grateful she had the foresight to wear one of her fancier bras. It was black, and lacy, and made her feel pretty, if she were being honest with herself. And the hungry expression on Severus' face, as he stared at her breasts made her feel something she had never felt before — sexy.

"Merlin, Hermione," he said in a raspy voice. "You're beautiful."

Hermione felt a light blush paint her cheeks as she bit her bottom lip. Those words from his lips never failed to make her stomach tingle. She hoped that no matter what happened, he'd always feel that way, and that she'd have the chance to hear those words again from him in the future.

With a tentative hand, Severus reached forward, and Hermione, realizing what he was doing, nodded her consent. When he palmed her breast she nearly lost the ability to think straight. Even just the lightest touch from him caused her body to ignite, and when his thumb softly brushed over her nipple, it sent a jolt of pleasure straight to her core. She reflexively pushed her chest forward, encouraging him to touch her more.

Severus must have read her non-verbal cue correctly, as he then leaned forward, and began to kiss the exposed flesh just above her bra. Hermione smiled down at him, before reaching behind her back, and unclasping the garment. She pushed the straps down her shoulders, feeling emboldened, and more comfortable in her own skin than ever before. Her bra dropped slowly from her body, and barely a second passed before she felt the heat of Severus' mouth covering her bare breast.

The sensations his tongue elicited had been heavenly. It was far better than when she had experimented by herself, attempting to quench her own needs by her own hand.

Hermione arched her back, and ran her hands through Severus' hair. Her breaths came out in heavy pants, and all she wanted was for him to touch every last inch of her body.

"Severus," she whispered.

He looked up at her from between her breasts.

"Now. I want you now," she told him, with a hint of desperation in her tone.

He responded with a hungry kiss, biting and nipping at her bottom lip, as he reached down and fumbled with the button of her trousers. After a few clumsy attempts, he managed to unfasten them, and Hermione raised her bottom off their makeshift bed to allow him easier access at pulling them off.

As he hooked his fingers beneath the elastic of her knickers, he looked into her eyes.

"You're sure?" he asked once more.

She nearly growled. "Yes!"

Then not even a heartbeat later, he tore them from her body.

Hermione's heart pounded, and even though she had clearly wanted to go through with it, a part of her was exceptionally nervous, due to her inexperience. However, as Severus removed his own trousers, she saw the hint of trepidation in his eyes, and she was comforted in knowing that both of them hadn't a clue of what they were doing. But, she was glad they had the chance to learn together.

When he was finally naked with her, she couldn't tear her eyes away from, well… it, for a moment. She admittedly had never seen a fully naked man before, and although she had a general idea of what the anatomy looked like, due to academic texts, seeing it in person was a whole other story.

It wasn't that Severus was monstrously large, however what he had was larger than anything that had ever been inside her before. She knew that typically the first time caused some pain, and discomfort, and now she understood why.

She was overthinking again, she realized, as they both sat there rather silent for a moment. Severus ran a hand through his hair, looking deep into her eyes.

"Kiss me, Severus," she nearly begged, before she lost her nerve.

As he complied with her request she felt his hand travel down her torso, until he reached in between her legs. She bit down on his lip when he brushed over her sensitive bud of nerves, feeling a shocking wave of pleasure rapidly spread throughout her body.

Encouraged by her reaction, he concentrated on that spot with soft, rapid circles. Hermione began to moan, as her body felt as if it were coming undone at the seams. In all the times she attempted to provide herself with the release Severus was giving her, she had never achieved the absolute bliss he provided her with at that moment.

She felt the tension building in her core as he continued his ministrations, and she opened her trembling legs wider to provide him full access.

She was close. Then suddenly he moved even faster, and Hermione's climax exploded through her, as she writhed beneath him, his name escaped her lips like a prayer.

"Oh my god, Severus," she panted when it was over.

Reaching for his face, she pulled him down to her and kissed him hungrily.

When they broke apart, both were breathing heavily. His gaze was dark and smoldering, and she was quite sure he never looked so… enticing.

"Ready?" he asked her, as he took himself into his hand.

Hermione nodded.

Severus carefully guided himself inside of her. Although he was gentle, she winced in pain. It hurt. She expected the pain, but it still hurt nonetheless. It wasn't unbearable, however. There was a slight pinch, and the sensation of being stretched in such an intimate space was, well… different. She really couldn't think of another word to describe it.

"Are you alright?" he asked when she made a small hiss of pain.

"I'm… I'm alright. Just, slowly, please?"

Severus leaned down and kissed her forehead, gently rocking himself on top of her. She was becoming more accustomed to the feel of him, and the pain was steadily decreasing. Eventually it started to feel… pretty fucking good actually, and she found herself beginning to move her hips to match his rhythm.

"You could… you could go faster, I — I think," she told him timidly, somewhat embarrassed to voice her request.

He smiled down at her. "As you wish, love."

It was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. Severus was hitting a spot inside her that she never even realized existed, and it was just wonderful. That tension she'd felt beforehand was building once again, beautifully settling at her core.

When she reached her peak, she called out his name, scratching her nails down his back. Not even seconds later, Severus' face contorted, and she felt him finish inside her. He flopped down, the two still connected, with his head resting on her chest. Both were breathing rapidly, with sweat glistening on their bodies.

"I love you, Hermione," he said in a rough voice.

Hermione kissed the top of his head.

"Happy Birthday, Severus," she whispered into his hair.

Severus let out a small laugh.

"Best present ever, I reckon."

Oh! Present!

"Severus!"

He looked up at her with wide eyes, apparently shocked by her sudden change in tone.

"I got you an actual present," she told him, glancing towards the small table she had set up, with the banner and cake.

Severus then pulled himself out of her, with Hermione feeling a sudden loss without him there, and shook his head at her.

"Later, perhaps." He leaned up and kissed the tip of her nose, then wrapped his arms around her torso. "I don't know about you, but I feel as if a small nap would be extremely welcomed."

Well, she was rather knackered after their activities.

She reached for her wand, and conjured a blanket to place over them.

"I wouldn't object to that," she said, snuggling in more closely with him. "I love you, Severus."

His arms tightened around her, and she felt him kiss the back of her head.

"And I you, Hermione."

As she drifted off, their morning replayed before her eyes. She was quite sure that she could never possibly love him more than she did in that moment. And, as always, the magnitude of her feelings for him were bittersweet. No, she didn't regret what they had just done, and truthfully, she was sure she would want him many more times before she eventually left him. But was she really prepared to deal with the consequences if she didn't succeed in her mission?

A soft snore sounded out behind her, and Severus tightened his hold on her in his sleep. Perhaps now was not the time to think of such things, she thought. Maybe she should have spent more of her energy enjoying the time she had with him, and worried about the what ifs when she got there.