Summary: Some alone time while back at school.
A/N: Ahoy, maties, there be lemons and fluff ahead! Thanks for reading.
Chapter 25
The three weeks passed by quickly and Severus and Hermione found themselves back at school and in classes.
"There's a lighter mood in the castle," Hermione mused as they walked between classes.
"Mmm, yes, I've noticed too. It's refreshing."
"This first week back has been more positive among the faculty, too," Hermione continued.
"It has. It's been nice not to have the threat of war looming over us."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, it definitely is. But it will take a bit for all the wounds to heal. I've spoken with several students who have been having nightmares. I've suggested they see Madam Pomfrey."
"Perhaps I should do the same."
"You're having nightmares?"
He gave a crisp nod. "About the final battle. They started once we got back here. I think the castle triggered them. In my dreams, we fail miserably and the Dark Lord strikes down Harry then sends some awful spell over me and I die in agony. I usually wake up screaming before I fully die in the dream. I've set wards around my bed so I don't wake anyone else."
"Severus… you should speak to someone. I… I have nightmares too. I think you're right about the castle and the area triggering them. I have an appointment with Madam Pomfrey next week. So do Ron and Harry. We were just talking about it last night in the Common room."
"It will take some time before we all feel normal again, I would imagine."
Hermione grasped Severus' hand and squeezed it. "But it will be better. The lighter mood here already is evidence of that."
Severus smiled at her and squeezed her hand back. "You're right, of course. I will seek an appointment with Madam Pomfrey. Maybe we can all go as a group?" He smirked at her.
She shook her head at him and gave him an eye roll. "Yes, well, we do a lot together, but I think we can all use some personal counseling."
"I know. I was only kidding. At least the weekend is here. We can all relax without having to be in class."
"Whatever shall we do with ourselves?" Hermione said as she gave Severus a coy look.
"I thought we were going to Hogsmeade," Severus said.
"We are…"
Severus gave her a side eye, and she smiled at him.
"What are you planning, witch?"
She shrugged. "I'm not quite sure yet, but I am planning something. I just need to finalize the details."
"So, I am to be surprised?"
"Yes, of course!"
"Hmph."
"Oh, don't pout. I'm sure you'll like it."
"When are you planning this surprise?"
"After Hogsmeade."
"So, I will have to wait the entire day for whatever it is you want to surprise me with?"
Hermione nodded.
He frowned. "I am not patient, Hermione."
She put her arm through his and squeezed into him. "Just think of this as an exercise in patience, then."
"Cheeky witch."
Hermione laughed as they moved down the hall to their last class.
Severus had been as patient as he could muster all day. It was near the dinner hour, and they were heading back from Hogsmeade. He was getting antsy.
"Thank you for lunch earlier," Hermione said.
He nodded but said nothing.
Hermione shook the arm she had hers hooked on.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing."
"You've been awfully quiet this last bit."
Severus sighed. "I am anticipating my surprise."
"Oh, you are? Anxious to see what it is, huh?"
"Yes…" he ground out.
"We're almost back at the castle. You only have a little longer to wait."
"Finally."
She leaned up and kissed him quickly on the cheek. "You've been very patient up until now."
"We were fairly occupied. We ate an early lunch, and the rest of the afternoon was spent wandering the town. Now, all I can do is wonder what we are doing for the rest of the day."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stress you out."
"I'm more curious than stressed, Hermione."
She eyed him before offering, "Should we just Apparate back?"
He smirked at her. "That would be helpful."
"All right, see you at the gates!" she cried before spinning away.
Severus just stared at where she had been. She could definitely be impetuous at times. He shook his head and turned and Disapparated after her.
She was leaning against the gate when he appeared.
"What took you so long?" she asked.
"I had to gather my wits, woman. You disappeared with barely a word."
She laughed and grabbed his hand.
Come on, let's go."
They made their way up the path and finally into the school. Hermione led him up the stairs. Up, up, up they went until finally, they stood in the hallway on the seventh floor.
"The Room of Requirement?" Severus asked.
"Yes."
"Are we having a party with everyone?"
"Nope. I told them this room was off limits until tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
Well, I don't want them to interrupt us at all," she said as she got up in his face. "Are you ready?"
"Absolutely."
She paced back and forth three times and their normal door appeared for them. Severus gave the door a puzzled look.
"Are we brewing?"
Hermione laughed. "Hardly."
Opening the door and going through it, she motioned Severus to enter as she held the door open for him. Severus noted that in the forefront of the room was a table set for two with a candelabra on it. He arched a brow at Hermione.
"I thought we could have a private dinner together. We're always surrounded by everyone for meals. Something private and… intimate."
Severus wrapped his arms around her.
"This is magnificent, Hermione. Thank you."
His lips met hers, and he kissed her softly. Pulling back, he smiled at her and caressed her cheek.
"I'm looking forward to spending time alone with you. Even over break, we were surrounded by Weasleys and had no private time. This is the perfect surprise."
They meandered over to the table. Severus pulled out Hermione's chair for her and then seated himself.
"Winky," Hermione called out.
The House-elf appeared out of nowhere.
"Are you ready, Missy Granger?"
"Yes, we are ready for our meals. Thank you."
Winky disappeared and in a flash, their plates appeared before them along with a bottle of wine in a carafe.
Severus' eyes grew big. "How did you convince Winky to get us wine?"
"I bribed her with Butterbeer-flavored toffees. It only took a small bag full to get her to supply some libations."
Severus chuckled as he popped the cork and poured for them. He lifted his glass toward Hermione.
"A toast to the war's end and our bright future."
Hermione touched her wineglass to his as she smiled.
"To our future," she agreed.
They drank in tandem and then placed their glasses on the table and began their meal. Severus looked down at his plate. Roast chicken, carrots, and mash were laid out on a golden plate. He smiled up at Hermione.
"Roast chicken, my favorite."
Hermione smiled at him. "I wanted this to be special."
He smirked at her. "And it is."
They ate quietly for a bit before lapsing into conversation.
"Now that we've had a bit of a breather from the war, have you thought more about apprenticing in Potions?" Hermione asked.
Severus' eyebrows knit together. "I have a little bit. I spoke with Professor Slughorn about possible Potioneers who would accept an apprentice. He gave me several names."
"Oh really? Are you interested in working with any of them?"
"All of them, to be honest. It would be an honor to have apprenticeships with any one of them."
"I would expect with being a war hero, you should be able to apprentice with whomever you like."
He scoffed. "Possibly, but I don't want to be taken in just because of that. I want them to recognize my talent and take me on because they see potential."
"Oh, of course. Severus, I didn't mean that would be the only reason you would be accepted. Hardly. You're brilliant, and anyone who doesn't see that would be mad."
He nodded, and his gaze eased up a bit. "I understand what you're trying to say." Severus leaned forward. "One of the people that Slughorn recommended lives in Germany."
Hermione became serious. "Are you considering studying with them?"
"She is formidable in Potions. Her name is Matilda Groeberg and she's the foremost Potioneer in Germany."
"Then you need to study with her."
"Hermione, there are other people that he suggested, all of them just as talented as Madam Groeberg. And they all live in the London area."
Hermione studied him for a minute. "You want to go to Germany, don't you?"
He looked down. "I doubt she'll agree to apprentice me. Just… never mind."
Hermione rose and moved over to Severus. She had him push back from the table so she could sit in his lap.
"You should try with her, Severus."
"What if I don't want to live in Germany?"
"Why wouldn't you?"
"Because you won't be there."
Hermione leaned in and kissed him.
"You can't determine your future on that, Severus. If Groeberg is the right person to study with, you should try to apprentice with her."
"Don't you care if I'm here or not?" he asked gruffly.
"Of course I do! I just want you to do what's best for you."
"Well, what if being with you is best for me?"
She smiled ruefully at him. "I don't want you to miss out on an opportunity just so you can stay here with me."
"But there are opportunities right here in Britain, where you are. I don't want to be away from you for… years."
"Two years."
"Right."
"What if I move to Germany with you?" Hermione offered.
"You want to be here, teaching at Hogwarts."
Her eyes came up to his. "I do, but that might not be possible right away. I mean, I've not even graduated yet."
"Once you tell Dumbledore what you want to do, he'd be a fool not to hire you on the spot."
"Well, I don't know about that, but, even if that does happen, there are Portkeys to Germany, you know. And we can probably connect your fireplace to the Floo network once you're settled."
His eyes studied hers. "It would be my first choice."
Hermione caressed his cheek. "Then that is what you should try to do."
"Long distance relationships are challenging," he countered.
She nodded. "That's true, but we can work together so that we don't grow apart."
"I've just found you, love. I couldn't imagine losing you for a career."
"But you don't have to. We can do this, Severus."
His arms went around her, and he hugged her tightly. "I swear to you, Hermione, if this is where I wind up, I will not let our relationship disappear because of the distance."
"Then it's settled. You'll try to get an apprenticeship with Madam Groeberg in Germany as your first choice."
"All right… all right." He pulled her back enough so he could kiss her softly. "Thank you, Hermione."
They stayed in each other's arms for a bit until Severus mumbled, "Our lovely dinner is getting cold."
Hermione pushed back. "You're right, of course, but I enjoyed every minute here in your arms."
He smiled shyly at her as she got up and returned to her seat. She waved her wand over their plates, warming them back up as she winked at Severus. He smirked at her.
They finished up their meal and moved to the cushions, settling down in front of the fire. They cuddled together for a while, Hermione with her head on his chest. She leaned her head back and kissed Severus. He smiled down at her as she pulled away. Coaxing her to turn toward him, he kissed her more, groaning as his tongue entered her mouth. Her hand snaked into his hair as they showed their affection for one another.
Growing bold, Hermione's hand slipped down and under his shirt. He gasped as she fondled his chest and tweaked his nipple. He pushed away and gave her a quizzical look. She squeezed his nipple again, and he gazed at her with half-lidded eyes.
Reaching down with her other hand, she unbuttoned his shirt enough to pull it over his head.
"Well, this isn't fair at all," Severus mused softly as he gazed at Hermione. "I am half naked and you are fully clothed."
She smiled at him and pulled her red jumper over her head, revealing a red laced bra underneath.
"That's better," Severus said with a smirk as he reached around and unhooked her bra, letting it fall down onto the cushions beneath them. He moved in and kissed her more as he fondled her breast, tweaking her nipple as she had done to him. Their hands caressed one another as they continued to shower each other with kisses.
Severus broke away and eased Hermione down so she was lying down. He moved down and began suckling her breast. Moaning, Hermione threw her head back as he intensified his ministrations.
"Severus, I need you now."
Severus gazed into her eyes. "Room, we need that bed back."
It materialized off to the side. Severus grasped Hermione's hand and helped her get up from the sofa. His eyes never left hers as he led her to the bed. Stopping as they got to the edge, Hermione pulled Severus down onto the bed and straddled him. With a silent spell, she removed the rest of their clothing. Leaning low, she sipped from his lips, then plunged her tongue into his mouth. His hands came up and fondled her breasts as he groaned into her, then he let one of his hands travel down and begin to finger her, causing her to squirm into him.
She continued her onslaught as his finger wound its way up into her. She gasped into his mouth before lifting herself up and giving him a lustful look. In an instant, she moved up and sheathed him. His eyes grew wide as he groaned at the feel of her surrounding him. Slowly, he began moving within her. She smirked and lifted herself, slamming down on him once again.
"Gods, Hermione, I'm going to come right now!"
She leaned down and licked his ear before whispering, "I know you can hold out for me. Now pump me up."
He thrust into her hard, and she threw her head back. Coming back to herself she looked down at him.
"Yes, just like that. More, Severus, more!"
He began to thrust into her hard and repeatedly. She bounced on top of him, once again throwing her head back. He gloried in the shape of her breasts as she thrust them out. They moved together, intensifying their passion as their bodies thrust together. Hermione's teeth caught her lip as she rose and fell on top of Severus. He felt her start to clench around him, throwing him over the edge.
"Hermione!" he cried out as he thrust into her hard, causing her to crest.
"Oh, God. Oh, God!" Hermione cried as she orgasmed, causing Severus to spill into her. Hermione fell on top of him, trying to catch her breath.
"That was amazing," Severus told her.
She nodded into his chest. Finally, she'd gathered herself and moved to kiss him.
"I love you," she murmured to him.
"You too. Forever. No matter where we are in the world, we will always be together."
Hermione smiled at him. "No matter whether we're in the same place or not."
He smirked at her. "Yes, you're right, of course."
They snuggled into each other and just stayed that way for a while. Severus played with her curls, twirling them around his finger as they lay together.
"You said we have the room until tomorrow?"
She nodded.
"Thank you for setting this up. I've missed snuggling with you."
Hermione lifted her head and looked into his eyes. "Me too. Even though no hanky panky occurred while we were at Molly's, it made me feel safe sleeping in the bed with you."
His eyes met hers, and he drank her in. "I've missed this too. Too bad we just can't move in here full-time until the end of the year."
"That would be lovely, but somehow I think Dumbledore may find out and have something to say about it."
"Damn him and his meddling."
Hermione laughed.
"Well, we will make the best of it tonight, yes?" Severus asked.
Hermione nodded. "I think there won't be any nightmares tonight," she murmured.
"I think you're right," Severus agreed. He kissed her before she rested her head on his chest and they enjoyed the rest of their evening together.