Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has read/is reading this little story of mine. I really appreciate it, and am excited to have started to republish this tale. Please remember, reviews feed the soul of authors, and I would love to hear how you feel about the story.
Thank you again to the lovely Tove, for their beta-ing. I really appreciate all you do!
Chapter 13 Morning Surprises
As Severus stirred from his slumber, he noticed the soft morning light filtering through the curtains cast a gentle glow over the room. He was comforted by the warmth enveloping him and the weight of the blankets draped over his form. Stretching languidly, he relished the sensation of his muscles awakening from their slumber.
Turning towards Hermione, he took in her beauty, the delicate curve of her cheekbone, the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed softly in her sleep. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his touch feather-light against her skin.
She stirred at his touch, her eyelashes fluttering as she began to wake. She shifted closer to him, seeking the warmth of his embrace. The intimacy of the moment washed over Severus, filling him with emotions he had not had in many years.
"Morning," Hermione murmured, her voice husky with sleep, as she lifted her head up to meet him, her gaze soft and affectionate.
"Good morning," Severus replied, his voice low and gravelly. Leaning in, he captured her lips in a tender kiss, his fingers gently tilting her head upward as he savored the taste of her. His hands found her body, tracing the curves of her waist, the swell of her hips, with a reverence that bordered on worship. He reveled in the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips, its softness molding perfectly to his touch.
Hermione responded eagerly, her hands threading through his hair as she pulled him closer, her lips parting in a soft invitation. Passion kindled in the depths of her eyes as she pressed her body against his.
Their kiss deepened as they lost themselves in the awakening heat of the moment. Hermione's touch sent shivers down Severus's spine, her fingers tracing his back, the curve of his neck, with a tenderness that threatened to unravel him completely.
And as the intensity of their desire grew, she gently pushed him onto his back, allowing her to roll on top of him, her movements fluid and confident. Straddling him, she looked down at him, her eyes dark with desire.
He met her gaze with equal fervor, his hands reaching up to cup her face, his touch gentle. He marveled at the sight of her above him, her skin flushed, her hair cascading around her shoulders. In that moment, he felt a surge of love and desire, a primal need to possess her completely, to lose himself in the depths of her embrace. Arousal coursed through him.
His fingers tightened around her waist as he pulled her closer, craving the feel of her against him. Hermione drew herself into him, her lips brushing against his neck in a trail of soft kisses that left his skin tingling with anticipation. He arched into her touch, his senses ablaze as she nibbled gently on his earlobe.
Severus's hands roamed over her curves, tracing the swell of her hips, the curve of her waist, with a hunger that bordered on desperation as his hands settled at her breasts. He felt her respond in kind, her touch setting his skin on fire as she captured his lips in a searing kiss.
Whilst caught in the kiss, Hermione found his hands, returning them to her hips, encouraging him to hold her steady. With quickening breath, she lowered herself onto him, her movements slow and deliberate as she took him in, inch by inch. His breath caught in his throat as her warmth enveloped him.
They both moaned at the sensation, their senses overwhelmed. He reached up to cup Hermione's face, his touch gentle and possessive. She met his gaze with equal fervor, her own desire mirrored in the depths of her eyes as she began to move, her hips rocking against his.
Their bodies moved together in a seamless rhythm, each thrust sending waves of pleasure coursing through them. She rode him with a fervor that left him breathless, her movements becoming more urgent as their passion climbed higher.
As they approached the peak of their passion, Severus caught the sound of a voice echoing through the room. He reacted quickly, wandlessly conjuring the bedsheet to float up as a wall to shield them from prying eyes. In the following moment he scrambled to cover their exposed forms, his hands moving swiftly to pull the blankets up and shield Hermione from view.
Having floated through the wall, the familiar figure of Fred Weasley wafted into Severus' bedroom, his translucent form glowing softly in the morning light.
Fred chuckled at the realisation of what he had floated into, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Well, well, well, looks like old Snape's getting down and dirty," he teased, his voice dripping with humour from the other side of the bedsheet. "Caught in the act with your hand up a skirt, I see."
Fred knew when to stop, especially where the Potions Master was concerned. And whilst he was prepared to tease, he was not prepared to cross the evident boundary that had been magicked.
Severus scowled, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as he shot a withering glare at the sheet, attempting to bore through to the ghost. "Mr Weasley, you are not welcome," he snapped, his tone sharp with irritation as a summoned bath towel zipped through the air and into his grasp. "I suggest you leave at once."
All the while, Hermione failed to contain her giggles at both the embarrassment and the hilarity of the situation.
On the other side, Fred raised an eyebrow, his grin widening into a full-fledged smirk. "Oh, come now, Snape," his tone teasing. "No need to get your wand in a twist. I'm just here to deliver a message, that's all."
Severus's jaw tightened at Fred's nonchalant response. "I don't care what your intentions are," he retorted, his tone clipped. "I want you gone, now," Severus spoke as he walked out from behind the floating sheet, his towel wrapped around his hips.
Fred's smirk faltered slightly at Severus' tone, though mischief still sparkled in his eyes. "Alright, alright, no need to get huffy," he quipped, his voice light-hearted, as he raised his hands up in defense. "I'll leave you two lovebirds to your...morning activities. But do try to be quick, won't you? Minerva will be down here soon."
Severus grimaced at the mention of Minerva. The last thing they needed was for her to walk in on this scene.
"Thank you, Weasley," he said through gritted teeth, his tone clipped. "You may inform Minerva that I will be ready to receive her shortly," Severus paused momentarily, considering what was to become his morning. "Please let her know that I will meet her in my office."
With a wink and a wave, Fred's ghost vanished back through the wall, leaving Severus and Hermione alone once more, their privacy momentarily restored. Severus exhaled softly, his shoulders relaxing as he returned to sit at the edge of the bed. He cast a glance towards Hermione, his eyes softening with affection as he took in her tousled appearance.
"Well," he began, his voice tinged with amusement, "that was unexpected."
Hermione chuckled softly, her cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment. "You can say that again," she replied, her tone light-hearted. "I never expected to have an audience for our morning activities."
Severus grinned at her. "Nor I," he admitted.
Hermione laughed, the sound light and carefree.
As the lingering echo of Fred's presence dissipated, Severus and Hermione exchanged a glance, a mixture of amusement and relief flickering in their eyes as they rose from the bed.
Severus reached for his wand, wordlessly conjuring a robe to drape around Hermione, while she gathered her scattered clothes from the floor. There was a lightness to their movements, a sense of camaraderie that belied the lingering tension of the interrupted moment.
With a playful twinkle in her eye, Hermione quipped, "I suppose it wouldn't do for Minerva to find my panties in your living room."
Severus chuckled softly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "No, indeed," he replied. "I think she has quite enough to worry about without adding that to the list."
Their banter was easy, a natural extension of the intimacy they shared, and Severus felt a warmth settle in his chest at the easy rapport between them. As Hermione slipped into her clothes, she turned to him with a grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Come here, you," she said, reaching out to pull him towards her. Before Severus could react, Hermione's lips met his in a tender kiss, a silent reassurance. It was a fleeting moment, but in that instant, Severus felt a sense of peace wash over him, a quiet acceptance of what they had.
When they finally broke apart, Hermione flashed him a soft smile, her eyes shining with affection. "I should probably get going," she said, her tone reluctant. "Minerva will be here soon, and I wouldn't want her to find me here."
Severus nodded in understanding, though a part of him wished she could stay just a little while longer. "Of course," he replied, "Until next time, then."
With a final lingering glance, Hermione stepped towards the fireplace, her footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. She threw a handful of Floo powder into the hearth, and her figure disappeared in a whirl of green flames.
As they dwindled and vanished, Severus was left alone in his chambers, the warmth of Hermione's presence still lingering in the air. With a steadying breath, he turned to face the day ahead, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.