Chapter 15: An Afternoon in the Garden
The moon had risen high in the sky and was casting a silvery glow through the window. The room was bathed in a soft light, the air thick with the hush of midnight. Having dressed, Severus sat on the edge of his side of the bed, he looked over his shoulder, his gaze on Hermione's sleeping form. His side of the bed, he quietly chuckled to himself.
She lay sprawled across the mattress, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Her hair spilled across the pillows like a cascade of silk framing her face in the moonlight. She looked peaceful, her features relaxed in slumber.
Severus watched her for a moment, a pang of longing stirring in his chest. He was preparing himself to leave knowing he could not afford to linger here any longer, but the thought of tearing himself away from her filled him with a sense of regret he could not shake. Not that he would care to dwell too long on that.
As if sensing his internal struggle, Hermione stirred, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Severus felt his resolve wavering as he reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. She murmured softly, and her eyelids fluttered open to reveal sleepy eyes filled with warmth.
"Severus?" she whispered, her voice heavy with sleep. "What are you doing?"
Severus let his fingers brush her cheek. "I have to go," he replied, his voice soft. "I have an early engagement tomorrow."
Hermione's brow furrowed, her gaze searching his face for answers. "But it's late," she protested. "Surely you can leave in the morning."
Severus shook his head, echoing the disappointment on her face even as a small smile played at his lips. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said. "I can't stay tonight."
But as he moved to leave, Hermione reached out to him, her hand finding his. "Please, Severus," she said, her voice thick. "Stay with me, just for a little while longer."
Severus hesitated, torn between his resolve to return to his chambers and the pull of her presence. As he looked into her eyes, he found himself unable to deny her anything.
With a low growl of want, Severus leaned down to capture her lips in a hungry kiss, his hands reaching for her naked body with a possessive urgency. As Hermione's lips responded eagerly to his, a surge of desire coursed through him, erasing all thoughts of leaving. With another growl, he gave in to the pull of her touch and allowed himself to be drawn back into her embrace.
Severus traced the curve of her spine, and he felt her shiver beneath his touch. A soft moan escaped her lips as she surrendered herself to him again, pulling him closer. With nimble fingers, Hermione unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the expanse of his chest beneath. Her touch was like fire against his skin, sending shivers of excitement racing down his spine.
As she peeled away the last of his clothing, he reached for her, pulling her close as their lips met in another hungry kiss, their bodies melding together in a dizzying blur of sensation. With sure hands, Severus explored her body with a reverence that bordered on worship, his touch igniting a firestorm of heat that consumed them both.
And as they tumbled over the edge again, their cries of ecstasy filling the stillness of the night, Severus knew that for this fleeting moment, nothing else mattered. In Hermione's arms, with her he found a refuge from the storm of his thoughts, a moment of peace where he could lose himself in the bliss desire.
Dropping a gentle kiss at the top of her head, Severus reluctantly disentangled himself from Hermione's embrace. He dressed quickly, lest his resolve weakened again.
With one last, lingering glance, Severus slipped away.
Many hours later, as the first light of dawn began to filter through the curtains of Hermione's flat, she lay in bed, her thoughts consumed by Severus. She was acutely aware of Severus's absence. She had become accustomed to waking up on weekend mornings to the warmth of him against her. With a murmur, she stretched languidly beneath the covers, relishing the softness of the sheets and the quiet solitude of the morning.
Later in the day as Hermione stepped into her parents' cozy home, the familiar sound of bustling activity greeted her. She found her mother in the kitchen, who welcomed her with a warm smile and a tight embrace.
"Hello, dear," her mother said, eyes alight with delight. "What a lovely surprise! We weren't expecting you today."
Hermione returned her mother's smile. "I had a free day and thought I'd drop by," she replied, peering into the pan on the stove.
Her mother nodded, her smile widening. "Well, it's lovely to see you, dear. We're out in the garden. Let's go see what the men are up to."
Men, plural? Curious and a little confused, Hermione followed her mother out into the back garden.
As she stepped into the garden, Hermione's eyes widened in surprise at the sight before her. There, working alongside her father, was the ever-brooding Potions Master, with his sleeves rolled up and wearing a pair of comically ordinary gardening gloves. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in the unexpected scene.
For a moment, Hermione stood rooted to the spot, her mind racing with questions. Why was Severus here? And why hadn't he told her he would be visiting her parents? But before she could voice her thoughts, Severus glanced up from his work and their eyes met. His expression was nonchalant except for the gentle smirk plastered on his face as he looked at her.
Approaching the pair in the garden, she couldn't help but feel a rush of conflicting emotions. Surprise mingled with curiosity, and a hint of nervousness fluttered in her stomach. She couldn't take her eyes off of Severus, noting the casual ease with which he wielded his tools, looking for all the world as if he belonged there.
Her father looked up from his gardening with a smile. "Ah, bunny, lovely to see you," he said warmly.
"Hello, Dad," Hermione replied. When she returned her gaze to Severus, he met her eyes again, briefly. "Severus," she said in greeting, trying to keep her tone neutral despite the whirlwind of emotions churning inside her.
"Miss Granger," Severus replied calmly, a hint of teasing in his eyes.
"Miss Granger, is it?" her father chuckled, glancing between the pair. "You must be in trouble, poppet."
Before more could be said, Hermione's mother reappeared with a tray of lemonade. "I thought you two could use a break," she said with a smile. "And some refreshment."
Severus nodded, taking a glass. "Thank you," he said, his tone polite.
Hermione's father took a glass and then turned to her. "Why don't you grab some gloves? We could use an extra pair of hands."
Hermione nodded, finding a pair of gardening gloves, she joined her father and Severus in their work. Though her hands were busy, her mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of Severus and the unexpected surprise.
She stole occasional glances at him, unable to resist the urge to question him about his unexpected presence.
"So, Severus," her tone casual as she tried to mask the curiosity in her voice. "What brings you here today?"
Severus glanced up from plant he was attending to, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I had offered to help the last time I was here," he replied, the glint in his eyes reminding her of the state they had been in when her parents had returned home. "And, I am but a man of my word."
Her cheeks reddened at the memory, and she was unable to suppress an answering grin. "You are very helpful," she said. "I have never considered you digging around in the dirt," she mused, half to herself.
Severus chuckled softly, and the sound sent a shiver down Hermione's spine. "One must dabble in various pursuits to maintain one's mystique, Miss Granger," he quipped. "A Potions Master, worth anything, must be intimately familiar with the plants required for brewing."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh at his response, the tension melting away.
Hermione's father excused himself to help her mother in the kitchen, leaving her and Severus alone in the garden.
Severus glanced over at Hermione. "Just you and me now," he remarked, nudging her lightly with his elbow.
Hermione quirked an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Prefer my dad over me, do you?" she teased, her tone laced with mock indignation.
"Well, your dad does have quite the impressive selection of tools," he smirked.
Hermione chuckled softly. "Yes, he does." She paused, looking across the yard to make sure her parents were still inside. "But I have a feeling you'd be more interested in playing with my tools."
Severus raised an eyebrow, his gaze locking with hers as a suggestive smirk crossed her lips. "Is that so?" he replied.
Hermione nodded. "Oh, absolutely. I have quite the collection, you know."
Severus's eyes sparkled as he leaned in closer, his shoulder pressing against hers and his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Well then, perhaps we should explore your collection later," he murmured, his tone filled with promise.
Hermione's heart fluttered, a surge of heat rushing through her at the thought of the playful possibilities that lay ahead. "I look forward to it."
As they continued to banter, Hermione's parents returned with food and plates. She caught them watching her and Severus with amused smiles.
"In magical gardening, we have similar concepts," Severus was saying. "But, as you will know, we also have the advantage of using spells and potions to enhance plant growth and protection. Most gardens will use a blend of natural muggle methods and magical intervention."
Hermione nodded. "Mum and dad have been making use of companion gardening for sometime, pairing plants that benefit each other. For instance, like over there with planting the basil near tomatoes helps repel pests and seems to improve growth," she said, gesturing towards the tomatoes in the Granger garden.
"You'll find that magical gardens incorporate a similar principle. One year at Hogwarts, we had a particularly difficult batch of Mandrakes. They refused to grow properly until we paired them with valerian root. Magical gardens are new to companion gardening as you say."
Hermione's eyes were bright with excitement. "I wouldn't have know that valerian rootwas excellent for Mandrakes. It's amazing how certain plants can influence each other."
"We hate to interrupt," Hermione's mother said, her tone light and warm, coming from outdoor table, "but lunch is ready. Why don't you both wash up and come join us?"
"It does smell delightful," Severus said as he stood, removing his gloves. Reaching out, he gave Hermione his hand and pulled her up with ease.
As they walked back towards the house, Hermione felt the warm press of Severus' hand against her lower back. It was a subtle yet intimate touch that made her heart skip a beat, her body leaning into him as they cross the small yard.
Once they settled at the table on the patio, the conversation returned to herbology and gardening. Hermione's parents shared their own gardening anecdotes, and listened with interest as Severus told stories about his own gardening experiences.
"Another year, we had a particularly stubborn strain of Devil's Snare," Severus began. "It took a combination of moonlit water and specific incantations to finally coax it into thriving."
"So magical plants require specialized care and even paired planting, much like Muggle plants," her mother mused.
Their conversation flowed easily, filled with warmth and camaraderie and thoughtful exchanges. The garden was alive with the sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses. As they dined and laughed, Severus' hand found its way to Hermione's thigh under the table, occasionally squeezing lightly. It was a subtle gesture that filled her with happiness.
Author's Note: Another chapter! I hope you have enjoyed it. Reviews always appreciated!
Guest - A scandal baby? Now that's a thought. I can say that in a few chapters there is a baby or two! You'll have to see ;)