Chapter 13: Two Steps Back

October 1982

He was inside her again, and for Severus, it was the best feeling in the world. To be able to touch her, hear the beautiful sound of her moans, and be inside her – he was in heaven. He could not get enough of her.

Severus thought that last weekend – the first time they made love – was the happiest day in his life. That day, he woke up an hour later after making love to her with Hermione in his bed. She dressed up but wore one of Severus's fresh shirts, and she moved around the house doing mundane things – making tea, washing the dishes, reading by the fire. They made love again and again until it was time for him to go back to Hogwarts.

But today, another weekend, was better than the other one. Merlin, each day with Hermione that they were making love would be better than the last, he was sure.

His witch had the face and body of an angel. She was not flawless because there were scars she would not tell him about, especially the one on her left forearm, but Severus would bet all his money at Gringotts that a mental Death Eater did it to her.

She promised that one day – not soon, but one day – she would tell him about every scar in her body. Nonetheless, she was still beautiful, and Severus discovered a new fascination. Hermione's butt cheeks were round and perfect. Her hips were to die for, and he was such a lucky man. He could not stop himself. He flipped her over and took her from behind, slapping each of her butt cheeks. When the two of them were about to come, he pulled her by the hair and grazed his lips on the crook of her neck, whispering words to her that turned the two of them on.

I could do this every single day for the rest of my life; night and day, he told himself.

But when Severus saw Hermione's red cheeks when they were about to shower together a couple of hours later, and she was frowning while checking her bottom in front of a mirror and then he spotted another redness on her neck which she covered with glamour charms, he knew he had to dial down.

He wanted to apologize, but he the words were stuck in his throat, forming a lump.

When Hermione's eyes met his through the mirror, she offered him an awkward smile.

He had hurt her.

She's probably scared. She just doesn't want to say anything, Severus thought. I was rough. Shouldn't have done that, but I wasn't able to control myself.

He decided to take a step back because he didn't want a repeat performance of his roughness in bed earlier. He didn't want to scare her. He had already won her heart, and he wouldn't want to send her running away because of his possessiveness and obsession with her.

Addiction.

That was probably the right word.

He made an excuse to check something in the garden and left her in the shower. He showered after her, and when he found Hermione in his living room, looking relaxed while reading a book, he thanked the heavens because she was still there.

"What are you doing tomorrow, darling?" he asked as he sat beside her on the sofa. Hermione bookmarked the book and curled into his side. His arms instantly wrapped around hers.

"Just some errands."

"What errands?" he pressed.

He already knew that Kingsley and Alona got engaged less than a week ago. Kingsley mentioned their plans of moving to Rathlin, and Alona's resignation at St. Mungo. Hermione would be left alone in that two-bedroom flat.

Severus wanted to invite her to move into his house. After all, only Hermione could make that house a home. He wanted a house like Kingsley's one day. But for now, he could not afford it, so he was hoping that his renovated childhood home would be enough for his angel.

Hermione giggled. "Do I have to tell you everything?" Her tone was teasing, but Severus knew she didn't like it.

He gave her an assured smile. "No. Just tell me if there's something you need."

Hermione smirked. "Anything?"

"Anything."

"Okay," she whispered. "I'll tell you if I need you to rescue me from boredom."

Severus sighed inwardly. He wished Hermione rather said something like, "I'll tell you if I can't sleep alone and I need to be beside you," or, "I'll tell you if I need help looking for a flat."

But he wanted to be patient with her.

He wanted her in his life. Permanently.

Scaring her, being obsessive, and pushing her wouldn't help, he knew.

I just need to show my future wife that I am ready anytime she needs me; and that she can count on me. That wouldn't send her running away.

.

Hermione and Severus were the only witnesses to the private wedding ceremony of Alona Goldstein and Kingsley Shacklebolt, officiated by the head of the Department of Mysteries himself, Officer Dagworth, which was for the best as no one really knew of Severus and Kingsley's friendship.

The binding ceremony was beautiful, and Hermione saw the couple's magical golden cords in an infinity shape. She was in awe as they were transfigured into gold bands that fit the couple's ring fingers perfectly.

Their vows were beautiful as well, and Hermione could feel the couple's love for each other. She was holding on to Severus's waist the whole time because she felt like love was all around them. Sev pressed kisses on her temple a couple of times, and they looked at each other affectionately.

After the ceremony, the four friends went to a Muggle private restaurant to celebrate. They talked about the couple's new house and future plans, and Hermione's last days at St. Mungo.

She had not talked about her progress in looking for a flat. She figured that she could stay for one more month in her current two-bedroom. Hermione was half-expecting Severus to ask her to move into his house. After all, she had already spent a couple of nights there, and he was barely home.

But ever since the day they made love for the second time, she felt like Severus took two steps back. He was still sweet and loving. He always sent her messages. But instead of their relationship or him suggesting they move their relationship to the next level (like moving in together), he was acting like he expected her to stay in her flat on weekdays. On Sunday mornings, he would wake up early and prepare breakfast for the two of them because he had to go back to Hogwarts and Hermione had to return home.

What happened to the wizard who was already planning our wedding on our first date? The one who called me his future wife?

She was rather disappointed.

She had this impression that Severus was now lax and easy-going when it came to their relationship.

Is it because he knows now that I love him, too, and that many years from now, we will be married?

Hermione didn't like this version of Severus very much.

But what could she do? Break up with him for taking two steps back?

.

November 1982

Hermione had been training as a researcher in the Love Room with Unspeakable Travers for a month now. So far, she was enjoying the job with three other staff members. Hermione had the chance to read really old magical theory books and some of them were in Runes. After reading theories and case studies, they would run calculations using Arithmancy before conducting an experiment. It was like a dream come true for her. Runes and Arithmancy were her favourite classes at Hogwarts.

"Trainee Puckle."

She raised her head and met the eyes of a DoM Detective (not part of the Auror Department) – one of the many people who could enter the Love Section Office. Hermione did not know his name, but she knew his designation because of his robes.

Even though many were aware that she was Hermione Granger, her official name here was still Hermione Puckle, just in case she needed to be introduced to and work with other departments.

"Here!" She stood up to let the detective know.

The detective gave her a stern look. "You're needed in the interrogation room."

Her eyes went round. "Why?"

"Time-traveler. You might know this one."

Hermione quickly abandoned her research paper and books and followed the detective to one of the interrogation rooms of the Department of Mysteries, where she found one person she never expected to see at this time.

The tall and burly wizard sitting at the interrogation table with a few Unspeakables was wearing robes with the emblem of another nation's Department of Mysteries.

"Hello, Hemioninny," the wizard smiled.

"Viktor," she gasped.