Her cuticles might not survive the day.

Despite her confident stride keeping up with Severus's slightly slowed, graceful one, she was a wreck inside. Upon leaving his office Severus had shrunken Remus's potions crate and carefully pocketed it before extending his elbow to Hermione. When she'd taken it, beaming up at him, he couldn't help but kiss her temple before walking her up towards the Great Hall. But even he could sense her nerves. When they reached the ground floor she started picking at her thumb as it rest on his arm.

"We don't have to do this."

His low tone felt sent a chill up her spine but when she looked up at him she found he was staring ahead at the open Great Hall doors where they could both hear the late morning chaos of Sunday mornings.

"I want to," he finally looked at her, his eyes guarded, "I do, I'm just apprehensive."

He narrowed his eyes at her as he slowed his pace further, "Black?"

"No," she shook her head, "I'll deal with Sirius."

The made him smirk, his feisty witch. "Then what?"

She paused to nibble at her lip. "Honestly, I don't know."

Now nearly outside the doors, Severus steered them just to the side, pulling them to a stop. Lifting his free hand, he put it on the side of her face. "Just breathe, it's just another morning except this time instead of a carefully timed entrance, we're tardy and you have an afterglow."

Hermione blushed making him smirk.

"That's what it is, isn't it?" Her blush deepened, starting to spread below the collar of her robes, "You're worried they'll know you let me ravage you this morning. That I put this wicked tongue to use or," his voice lowered further, the deep rumble making her sore core tighten around nothing in arousal, "that I had you cumming for me no less than an hour ago before your pieced yourself together in this prefect, professional ensemble before me now?"

"Severus," she hushed despite her smirk as she looked around them. "You impossible man."

"And you love it," lightly kissing her Severus twisted a stray curl around a long finger.

Turning her head just enough she nipped his hand making him grin devilishly down at her.

"Let's go eat you wicked woman." Redirecting them from the alcove, they started towards the Great Hall once more. Just before entering Severus leaned down just enough so his words tickled his ears, "I need you fed after such nefarious activities and for those I still have planned for you."

A tiny squeak left her making his eyes light with wickedness before walking them into the bustling Great Hall.

The pair made it a fourth of a way into the hall before the lively chatter bustling around them quieted subtlety. Though quieter than wildfire, the Great Hall blanketed in silence. Hermione's hand tightened on his arm. Tucking her gently into his side, Severus kept his chin raised as he walked them to the staff table where Sirius was leaned back in his chair smirking and Remus was smiling proudly. In fact, all the staff looked unsurprised, and Severus swore he saw Poppy pass Minerva a few galleons. Catching the Headmistress's eye, the elder witch winked at him earning herself an eye roll in return.

When they reached the staff table, Sirius got up from his usual seat beside Severus's and moved to Hermione's spot on the other side of Remus. Hermione gave him a smile while Severus ignored him in favor of pulling out the chair Sirius had just vacated and put a hand on her lower back to guide her into it. He pushed in her chair when she was seated and finally acknowledged Sirius with a nod before seating himself beside her.

Together, and to Hermione's surprise, they began prepping their plates as they would in their chambers. Severus made their tea, carefully placing Hermione's next to her water goblet while Hermione spread jam on his toast.

Severus said nothing but gave her an exasperated smirk, the corner of his mouth lifting just a fraction so the students couldn't see before facing the students again.

"Mind your plates," his voice boomed over the silent hall making Sirius snort into his pumpkin juice.

The spell over the students broke as they all hastily went about their conversations as they had.

On Hermione's other side Remus tipped his head at Severus who was now glaring at Sirius over Hermione's head. The petite witch noticed and, without looking, put her right hand atop Severus's on the table. Another hush of silence swept over the hall before the student body hurriedly tried to make up for it. Ignoring it this time Severus looked down at Hermione to find her looking up at him with an uneasy smile on her face. Cupping her hand in his Severus brought it to his lips.

"Breathe." She hadn't realized she'd stopped but she suddenly took deep breath, she shoulders relaxing as he watched her. One more kiss on her knuckled and he released her hand, "Eat, love."

As they'd arrived rather late in the meal, the Headmistress soon got up from her spot with Poppy following her and stopped behind the pair on her way down from the platform.

"On behalf of all of us, I say congratulations."

Hermione blushed and nibbled her lips through a smile, Severus nodded, "Thank you Minerva."

Looking at Hermione, the older witch grinned, "I was wondering when he'd make that move."

"You and me both," Hermione chuckled, beside her Severus huffed but the look her gave her told her his was playing right back. "My apologies for causing a bit of a scene this morning Headmistress."

Doing her best to look stern around her grin McGonagall tutted, "Now I expect you both to pick a room. It takes too much magical strain for the castle to keep supplying that blasted conjoining door." Poppy laughed behind her hand when Hermione blushed again, "Yes I know about that. Seeing as it's been there for at least a year, I think it's time."

"Yes, ma'am."

Severus was less polite, "Nosey woman."

"I've waited a long time for this moment Severus, don't ruin my fun," Minerva tutted earning another chuckle from Poppy. "Enjoy your brunch children."

This time Severus wasn't the only one who grumbled but also Sirius and Remus. Hermione grinned back at the Headmistress and Matron as they took their leave.

As the pair returned to their food, Sirius brazenly spoke, "Kitten, I-"

His words failed him as Severus sharply glared at him again, "Don't."

"I told you she'd forgive you," Sirius snipped back.

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here," Hermione cut off Severus's retort while Remus leaned back in his chair just enough that he was out of any possible line of fire. Looking at Severus she got an eye roll in return, but he did face forward once more. Turning sharply, she glared at Sirius who's grinned faltered a fraction. "If you ever dose me again, I will have your bollocks stuffed and mounted with a permanent sticking charm right next to your mother's portrait."

Behind her she felt Severus stiffen at her threat, the noise of his silverware pausing as he turned his head slowly to look over her shoulder at Sirius. The look on the Animagus's face was worth it. He looked paler in color, so did Remus for that matter, but he nodded.

"I'm sorry. Truly. I shouldn't have pried like that, it wasn't fair. To either of you."

"No, it wasn't." Sighing Hermione let her shoulder relax, "But I forgive you too." Their whole end of the table seemed to relax at once. "I can't say the same for Severus though," she turned back to her food after winking at Remus, "He's not so forgiving. I'd watch for him."

Over her hair Severus grinned evilly, "Too right you are my witch."

Hermione blushed high in her cheeks again and tried hard to keep from smirking at Severus's outright claim. Her heart was fit to burst from her chest.

Oblivious to her joy, though Severus wasn't if the hand on her knee was any indication, and despite the threat Sirius grinned, "I'd expect nothing less."

"Touch her knickers again and they'll never find your body." Remus laughed while Hermione gave Severus a scandalized look. Severus only shrugged, unphased by her shock, "While I greatly appreciated you walking around with no knickers that week," Sirius chocked on the bite he'd taken, "I do not appreciate his paws on them."

"That's fair," Remus conceded rubbing Sirius's back.

"Severus," she sighed in a hushed voice getting a firm squeeze of the thigh in return.


2 Months Later

"Mister Lupin, are you sure?"

Teddy Lupin nodded his head vigorously. "That's it Pr'seffor Snape!"

Nodding to the shopkeeper Severus put a hand on the small boys shoulder. "Size sir?"

"Six," Severus answered without hesitation. Looking down at Ted when the shopkeep walked away Severus tapped his shoulder, "Remember, this is a surprise for your Aunt, Teddy, we can't tell her or it will spoil the surprise."

The young boy nodded enthusiastically again, "Mummy said 'prizes are okay! But no s'crets."

"Your mum is right, no secrets. You can tell your mum and dad about today, your mum knows already," Severus nodded to the door where they could see Tonk's mundanely plain sandy brown hair pretending to mind her own business and not watch them just outside, "But lets keep the amount of people who know to a minimum."

"Uncle Siri?"

"Please no. Your Uncle Siri is a loud mouth Ted," seeing the boys confused look Snape tried not to roll his eyes, "Your Uncle Siri would tell everyone. Let's try to keep this between us, your mum, and your dad until I give it to your Auntie Mini. Deal?"

"Deal! Can we get ice cream now?"

The shopkeeper approached them, box in hand. The wizards exchanged merchandise and money which Severus had had converted at Gringotts that morning. When they were done Severus took the bouncing kids hand, "Yes Ted, we can get ice cream."

"Mum! Uncle Snape said we can get ice cream!"

Tonks laughed at how still Severus became at her child's proclamations. "Did he? Well I'm dying to see this."

Severus didn't bother to hide his eyeroll this time as he let Ted lead him back to the apparition point. The odd trio quietly made their way through Diagon Alley to Florians where Teddy enthusiastically controlled the conversation, plotting aloud how Severus should give his Auntie her ring. If he kept up at this rate everyone would know before he had a chance to propose. Tonks successfully diverted his attention until it was time to part ways.


Christmas Day

"Nothing?"

Hermione gave Ginny an odd look, "What do you mean?"

The red head scoffed and grabbed for Hermione's left hand, "No ring!"

Snatching her hand back Hermione quickly glanced at Severus who was talking with Bill and the twins to make sure he hadn't heard Ginny's prehistoric screech. "Gin," she hushed, "what are you on about?"

"Oh please, we all know it's coming. Christmas is one of the most popular time of year to get engaged. We've all got bets going."

"No, no, no, no, you get them to stop it. If he catches wind of it, he's going to spook."

Ginny chuckled, "He's a grown man Mione, not a kneazle."

"If he hears the lot of you talking about marriage so soon, he might as well be." Ginny snorted, "And what makes you think Severus would be interested in marrying me anyway? You fell off your broom too many times."

"Hermione, that broody man looks at you like you hang the moon and stars."

"Oh stop," Hermione hushed her.

"It's true! Here, um, Tonks, yes," she stepped away for a moment and grabbed the pink haired witch, pulling her into their conversation, "Do you think Severus would propose to Mione?"

The silence that came out of the metamorphmagus was more telling than if she'd outright said he was. That and how bright red her face got couldn't have been a bigger sign.

"Oh my god!" Ginny whisper squealed.

"I didn't say anything!"

"You didn't have to with that guilty look! What do you know?"

"Not a thing," Tonks countered, her hair turning red.

"Liar," Ginny laughed, "How in the world are you and Auror? Who else might know? Remus won't say anything but I'll bet Sirius would."

"I'm not entertaining this conversation," Tonks began to turn away from the pair.

"Or little Teddy. Oh Teddy!"

Tonks reared back towards them, her hair paling, "Don't you dare."

"Ah ha! So there is something to know!"

Hermione's eyes bounced between then, her eyes getting wider and wider. Her hands felt clammy, the hair on the back of her neck began to prickle, her chest got tight. Severus was going to propose? Suddenly she looked at her nails, they were neatly trimmed but plain. Holding out her left hand she quickly dropped it and shoved it in her pocket and glanced at the man in question who seemed to look at her in the same moment. A frown marred his brow the longer he looked at him. She watched him say something and raise a hand to Bill before stalking over to her, casting a worried glance at Ginny and Tonks who were still bickering beside her.

"Oh shit, shut up," Ginny shushed Tonks noticing Severus's approach.

Tonks quietly retreated back to Remus, his arm sliding around her shoulder with a playful grin.

Severus closed the distance between them, wrapping an arm around her waist as he did. "What's wrong?"

"I don't think I can have kids," Hermione spat out.

Beside them Ginny choked on her cider. Trying to recover she excused herself leaving an equally stunned Severus gazing down at Hermione.

"I don't know if that's something you want but you should know. We're always careful about contraception but really the chances are so slim, we would probably be fine without. Moving forward, we, I just wanted, you needed to know."

Recovering his composure Severus shrugged, it was a barely noticeable raise of his right shoulder. "I don't need children. We can try if you want them but my life won't be incomplete without them."

Her eyes started to prickle with tears.

"What makes you think you might not be able to have them?" Swallowing thickly she tried to look anywhere but at him. He captured her attention with a hand under her chin. "Tell me, love."

"The length of time I was under the cruciatus made my uterus an 'unstable environment' according to the healers at Mungo's."

Severus scoffed, "They're right imbiciles at best. We can see specialists if you'd like. I know one in France, the same one Lucius and Narcissa used. If that is something you want."

She took a moment to search every inch of his face as if it might give her a clue to his own wants and future ambitions.

"Do you?"

If he was startled by her question, he didn't show it.

"With you, I would."

"Severus.."

"We don't have to try on my account, I meant when I said, I won't have an unfulfilled life without children or a child. If it is something you want, I am willing. If you're not, that's just as fine."

The intensity in his gaze made her stomach turn over pleasantly. Severus would truly take this path with her if she asked. That and the fact that he was talking about the possibility of having children with her meant he was planning to be around a long time. Or at least eighteen years.

"What's going on in there?" he questioned quietly.

"You're going to here a while aren't you?"

Severus smiled and looped an arm around her waist to pull her close so her front pressed against his, "That was the idea."

Letting the insecurities roll off her shoulders, Hermione shivered and put her arms around his neck, pulling herself up to lightly peck him on the lips. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Mhmm," she nodded giving him a proper kiss.


3 Months Later

She blamed Ginny and Tonks. Ever since Christmas, the pair had found a reason to bring up marriage any chance they could. And by 'they' it was mostly Ginny while Tonks flustered and avoided the topic as well as she could. Whether it be Ginny bringing bridal magazines to look at and Tonks spilling tea atop the stack or Ginny casually mentioning how beautiful a fall wedding might be and Tonks changing the subject to rather enjoying the cold. And now all Hermione could think about was getting married to Severus, the future, and how much she wanted it.

She just didn't know how to bring it up to Severus or if she even should. When she got caught in that mind warp of 'what if' she always went back to the beginning of school term. Their secrecy up until that point. It took a year for them to even address what they were, would he even be ready for the topic of marriage less than eight months later. Although she had to admit, he'd taken her springing the subject of children on him really well.

Actually their conversation about children was just as much to blame for he current turmoil as Ginny and Tonks were.

"I can practically hear you thinking love."

From his desk in the corner of their living area, Severus didn't even look up but she could see the smirk on his lips.

Uncertainty rippled through her. Should she bring it up? Should they have that conversation? Was she ready for what it might mean? Would he run from the topic?

"Hermione."

Could she take it if he did? And what if he was ready for that conversation? What if he wanted to stay as they were, no official link confirming their relationship? She supposed that wasn't bad, they did perfectly now as it stood. A piece of parchment didn't have to change anything. So why did it leave her feeling hallow?

"Granger."

Her surname had her snapping her attention back to him.

"What did you just call me?"

"What would get your attention. You zoned out."

He was being playful but the hollowness in her chest hadn't dissipated yet. If anything, it felt worse.

"I'm fine Sev. I'm going to go for a walk. Would you like anything from Honeydukes?"

Startled he dropped his quill. "Hogsmeade?"

She shrugged, not noticing his alarm.

"Love, that's quite the walk. Are you sure nothing is-"

"I'm fine Severus. Don't wait up." Not looking back she grabbed her cloak and retreated through the portrait hole leaving Severus gapping after her.

He didn't know what to do. Sighing he waved his hand over his grading for the evening sending the parchment into a neat pile at the edge of his desk, it could wait until tomorrow. Hermione was an enigma to him these days. She was ever present and attentive but she was also detached and he wondered if it was something he'd done. He'd thought they were making great progress since Christmas despite his tanking the proposal in light of her childbearing bomb. He was planning on proposing after dinner during presents like a complete cliche but after her panicked look when she was speaking to Ginevra and Nymphadora, he didn't want her thinking he was only doing because she brought up her fertility.

And bollucks it all if he couldn't stop thinking of having a fucking child with her. In all his forty three years he had never wanted nor considered siring spawn. He'd found he had no appeal after meeting writhing, squirming Draco. Salazar the boy had had a pair of lungs on him and Severus just knew he'd be as bad as his father had been in school. Which turned out to be true although Draco did turn it around when the time came. But ever since those seven words had spilled from her mouth, he couldn't stop the pure need that brewed in his chest.

The mere thought of her belly swollen with his child made him painfully hard. A small, dark part of him, contemplated ruining their contraceptives every time he brewed them. His better nature won out each time though, thankfully. He would never intentionally do that to her without her consent. And how he longed for that consent. Every time they coupled he let himself think "this is it", let himself pretend, just for a moment, that there was no potions in their system preventing the inevitable.

Cursing he rapped his knuckled on the desk enough to cause pain and, hopefully, dull his erection. Adjusting himself he stood and went to take a cold shower. Thoughts of a child would wait as long as they needed to when she was likely to leave anyway.

A new sensation filled his chest at the thought.

Her continued distance with him had his mind wandering in that direction the longer it kept on. The engagement ring he'd bought for her burned a hole in his pocket everyday but it was never right. Little Ted had even asked him about it last Hogesmeade trip.

Muttering to himself he stripped down, gently placing the ring box in his side table before walking naked into the bathroom.

He'd only been under the steam for a few minutes before he caved and took himself in hand. Hermione's distance had begun to encroach on their sex life too and while he wanted more than anything to revive their intimacy, he wasn't going to push the issue when she said she wasn't in the mood. He was ashamed of the amount of times he'd had to relieve the ache in his cock with his hand but he would do it if she wasn't interested in sex.

With thoughts of her flooding his mind and the steady sound of water around him, Severus didn't hear her enter the bathroom. He didn't hear he soft gasp as she saw him through the glass stall. He didn't hear her her clothes falling to the ground piece by piece or the soft click of her wand touching the counter.

"Hermione."

His groaned plea brought a small smile to her lips as she quietly approached the stall door and opened it.

The panic on his face when he turned around, cock still in hand quickly morphed back into pleasure as Hermione closed the door behind her and put her hands on his chest.

"Keep going."

A groan ripped from his lips as he began stroking again.

Eyes not leaving his until she had no choice she kissed the middle of his sternum. "What are you fantasizing about?"

"You, spread out on your desk."

Her thighs squeezed together in an attempt to ease the ache that was spreading.

"Tell me," she breathed, peppering kisses along his chest. "Tell me everything."

"I start my eating you, tasting you. You're so sweet. The most delicious dessert I've ever had the pleasure of having. You come on my face, screaming so loud Merlin can hear you in the beyond. You're riding that tidal wave of orgasm when I enter you, making it last longer. I stroke deep, long and deep. I'm aiming for that sweet spot that makes you crumble every, single, time," As he said it his strokes became more fluid, matching his words. Reaching down she wrapped her hand around his and helped him continue. She got another groan from him as she squeezed as she would have had he actually been in her, "Fuck Hermione."

"Keep going."

Her breathy moan had him putting his free hand in her hair so he could cup her head and maneuvering them so she was against the shower wall. Never once did they stop their stroking.

"You beg so pretty for me. So perfect. You're asking for everything I want to give. Gods, you beg for my cum. For me to fill you, to put my seed in you. To breed you so your swollen with my child." Hermione gasps, her core painfully empty. "You stopped your potions months ago and we haven't cast our contraception spell yet. With a hand above your head, you use the leverage to meet me with each fucking thrust. You're trying to get me to lose control and it's working."

Letting go of his hand Hermione put her hands on his shoulders and used them to pull herself up. As she lifted her leg, Severus caught her, his arms tightening around thighs and settling her over him. Slowly he lowered her onto his weeping cock before pushing her back against the wall and resuming his languid thrusts.

"The rings," he rasped unable to stop himself, "on your left hand catch the light as you reach down to play with your clit."

As he says it she does it, her core clinching on him at the mention of rings.

"I'm right there but I need you to cum first. My beautiful witch, my wife," Hermione was moaned, "I need to hear you, feel you as you cum on my cock. I need it, you need it, it will help the chances of conceiving that child we both want." Severus increased the speed of his thrusts, he could feel her cunt tightening and the beginning of her orgasm. He needed it. "I lean down, trapping your hand between us and suck one of those lovely rosy nipples into my mouth and suck..."

He latched onto her nipple and Hermione exploded around him.

"Fuck Severus, yes!"

"That's it," he wasn't going to last but he wanted to see her though her orgasm.

"Cum," she rasped, "Cum in me Severus. Get me pregnant." A loud groan echoed off the tiles as he looked up at her.

"Don't say that, not if you don't-"

She slammed her mouth to his, swirling her hips in a way she knew drove him mad. With a nip on his lower lip she breathed into him, "Cum in me Severus. Fill me with your cum, fuck a baby into me."

He lost his rhythm as he finally lost control, forcing her down by the hips as far as he could. Three long, deep thrusts, his cock pulsing into her the entire time and he was spent, panting against her mouth, trying not to drop her while he tried to regain his senses. While he did, Hermione began running her hands through his wet hair, her finger nails gently grazing his scalp making his shiver in more ways than just aftershocks.

Giving her the lightest peck Severus set her down, keeping his hands on her hips to ensure she could walk before stepping back from her.

Hermione already left empty without him close or in her. What they just did, it went beyond anything they'd done before. It was raw, it was sensitive, and it was uncharted territory for them. Kind of.

Unsure what to say Hermione just waited, leaning against the wall waiting for him to do, or say, something. They shared a long stare, nothing but the sound of the shower around them. He looked like he was considering something, a small furrow on his brow.

"Severus?"

Shaking his head he held up a finger and walked out of the stall. Hermione tried to smother the devastation and rejection she felt. Letting her head fall she stifled a cry. He'd walked out. She'd given into their carnal impulses, their carnal pleasures, and he'd walked out without a word.

"Do you want to keep your name?"

Opening her eyes in shock, Hermione gapped at Severus who was kneeling before her, naked in all his glory, with a ring box in hand.

"T-That depends on if you're asking me to marry you or not."

A wicked gleam sparked in his eyes, "I am."

"I think I'll take yours then."

Opening the box her took the ring out, chucking the box to the side, and slide the ring Teddy had helped him pick onto her left ring finger as she handed it to him. He gave her a moment to admire it as he stood, though he didn't let go of her hand.

Hermione knew immediately where he'd gotten it. The beautiful rounded sapphire stone was set in rose gold, the sides of which had intricate fillagree that housed gorgeous smaller blue topaz stones and diamonds. She'd first seen it two years ago and it had taken her breath away. That Severus had found it wasn't a coincidence.

"Teddy?"

Replacing his hands on her his, he encroached on her space once more, "Yes. Smart boy that one." Lacing his fingers through her hair again he angled her face up so her gaze met his instead of her ring. "I love you Hermione Granger. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Hermione sobbed, "And I you," she grinned.

"Now are you going to tell me what that was all about?"

She knew what he meant without him needed to elaborate. "I've been in my head over, well this. I didn't know if it was something you wanted or how to bring it up to you."

Brushing his thumb along her cheek bone her shook his head, "Since Christmas. That's why you blurted about having children?"

Her blush made his cock stir, "Ginny was talking about it."

"Mhmm," he pressed his nose into her throat, loving how she tilted her head to the side to allow it. "I thought you were planning to leave me."

Hermione suddenly, and painfully, yanked his head up with her grip in his hair. "What?"

If he was hard before, he was hard as a fucking rock with her hand in his hair, her grip so tight. "You heard me."

"I wouldn't leave you Severus. I love you."

"Good," he pulled on her grip, though she let him go, and lavished attention on her shoulder making her moan. "Now, about those contraceptives." Hermione lifted her legs again, his hands automatically grabbing her thighs to hold her as he repositioned at her entrance. "I'm not brewing anymore for us."

She sighed happily as he entered her.

"I wouldn't take them even if you did."

Satisfaction welled inside him, "That's my witch."

Fin