Chapter 17: The Window at the Burrow
As the festivities continued to swell below, Severus found himself retreating to the upper floors of the Burrow, seeking solace in the secluded shadows that enveloped the house. His steps echoed softly against the creaky wooden floor as he ascended the narrow staircase, leaving the lively celebration behind.
Reaching the top of the stairs, he paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the dimly lit corridor that stretched out before him. The sounds of laughter and music drifted up from below.
With a quiet resolve, Severus made his way down the hall in search for a spot where he could be alone with his thoughts. He passed by closed doors and empty rooms, his footsteps echoing in the silence that surrounded him.
And then, he found a secluded room tucked away at the end of the hall. The room was small and cozy, filled with mismatched furniture and the comforting scent of aged wood.
Severus stepped into the room, the darkness enveloping him like an embrace. He moved to the window, his gaze taking in the scene unfolding outside. He could see the guests swirling and mingling in a sea of color, movement and cheer.
His thoughts drifted back to Hermione, the memory of her lingering in his mind like a half-forgotten dream. He couldn't shake the image of her from his thoughts. There was a vulnerability in her eyes, a raw honesty that stirred something within him, something he couldn't quite name.
"Severus," he heard her murmur, her voice barely above a whisper.
It was only then that he realized he was no longer alone.
She stepped into the room, her form illuminated by the faint light filtering in through the window.
"I saw you escaping," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the din of the party below.
Severus inclined his head in acknowledgment, his gaze meeting hers in the dim light. "And you wanted to join me in this quiet corner of the world?" he asked, his tone light.
Hermione hesitated for a moment, she took a step closer, closing the distance between them until they stood mere inches apart. Severus reached out, his hand finding hers.
"I was missing you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wanted to spend some time with you tonight."
There was a vulnerability in her words. Severus gently pulled her closer, their fingers intertwining as he guided her to stand beside him. She leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his presence, her head resting lightly against his shoulder, as she held on to his hand.
Severus and Hermione stood together by the window, their gazes fixed on the scene below. They could see the bustling activity of the wedding guests, the tents filled with cheer.
Severus glanced down at Hermione, taking in the delicate curve of her profile, the softness of her features illuminated in the soft hues lighting her up.
Looking back at the window his eyes met hers in the reflection. His gaze locked to her. They stood there together in silence, lost in their thoughts. Severus drew their clasped hands up, pressing his lips lightly across her knuckles, his grasp on hers gentle yet possessive.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat at the contact, her heart pounding in her chest as she felt the heat of his lips sear through her.
She turned to look up at him, her eyes locking with his as he turned to meet her gaze.
His voice was barely a whisper as he spoke, his gaze intense as he looked at her. "You look ravishing," he murmured, the richness of his baritone vibrating through her.
A rush of warmth flooded her cheeks at the compliment. "Thank you," she replied.
"I have been wanting to kiss you all night," and then without another word, Severus closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a hungry kiss.
It was a desperate kind of kiss. Her heart raced as she melted into him, her hands instinctively sliding up to his shoulders, gripping the fabric of his suit, anchoring herself against him. The taste of him was intoxicating, and it only made her want more.
They stumbled back against the window, his hands tracing the curve of her waist, pulling her closer. His lips left hers, trailing down her neck with a possessive hunger. Her mind was spinning, her body responding to every touch, every brush of his lips. This was raw, unrestrained, and almost feral.
"Severus," she breathed, her fingers tangling in his hair as he nipped at the sensitive skin just below her ear. His name on her lips seemed to spur him on, and she could feel the tension in his body, the restraint he was barely clinging to.
He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her eyes, his gaze dark and heated. "Tell me to stop," he murmured, his voice rough with desire.
Hermione didn't want to stop. She wanted him, here, now, without hesitation. "Don't stop," her was laced with a need that matched his.
At her words, he captured her lips again, with more intensity, more urgency. His hands were everywhere, tracing the lines of her body, exploring her as if he couldn't get enough. Hermione's own hands roamed, feeling the muscles beneath his clothes, the heat of his skin.
Severus' hand pulled at her dress, gathering it up, to allow his hand to slip beneath the hem. His fingers brushed against bare skin, sending shivers through her. Hermione pressed herself closer, urging him on.
With a low growl, Severus lifted Hermione onto the windowsill, her legs wrapping around his waist instinctively as he pressed against her. The cool glass of the windowpane pressed against her back. The chill of the glass a contrast to the heat of their bodies. With a swift, practiced motion, Severus hiked up her dress further, his fingers deftly slipping beneath the fabric to find her core.
Hermione gasped at the intimate touch, her body arching into him as she clung to his shoulders for support.
Severus' breath hot against Hermione's ear, his hands still exploring at the crux of her thigs, teasing and caressing. "Look outside," he murmured, nodding towards the window as his fingers slowly nudged at her entrance.
Hermione's gaze followed his gesture, her breath ragged as she looked down at the Burrow's garden. The party continued below, bathed in the warm glow of lanterns, with laughter and music floating up to their hidden perch. A thrill of excitement buzzed through her.
"Do you think they'd notice us if they looked up?" Severus whispered, his voice a low, dark rumble filled with amusement. His fingers pressed deeper inside her, finding that perfect rhythm that made her toes curl and her mind spin.
The idea that someone could glance up and catch them sent a shiver of both fear and exhilaration through her. "They'd be shocked," she managed to whisper back, her voice trembling.
"Or perhaps," Severus continued, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke, "They'd wish they were me, pleasuring you like this." His fingers curled inside her, and Hermione gasped, her body arching into him as she clung to his shoulders for support.
Hermione's hand slipped between them, fumbling with the waistband of his trousers. She undid the button and zipper with quick, eager fingers, reaching inside to wrap her hand around him, feeling the heat and hardness that mirrored her own desire. Severus groaned softly, his control wavering as she began to stroke him, slow and deliberate.
His breath caught, but he didn't stop his torturous rhythm. He leaned in, his his eyes dark with lust and intent as he watched her. "Watch them," he whispered, his voice low and commanding. "Watch them while I take you."
Hermione's heart pounded in her chest as he lifted her dress higher, and quickly eased her out of her lacy panties. He positioned himself between her legs. She guided him to her entrance, her hand trembling with anticipation.
With a slow, deliberate thrust, Severus slipped inside her, the sensation pulling a moan from them both. Hermione's eyes fluttered shut in bliss, but Severus's voice brought her back to the moment as he dropped his head next to her ear, kissing it softly, his breath hot against her. "How shocked do you think they'd be?" his voice dark and teasing as he began to move inside her, each thrust slow and deliberate.
"So much," Hermione breathed, her voice shaky. Her grip on him tightened, wanting him to go faster, but he maintained his agonizingly slow pace, savoring every second.
Severus groaned softly, his control slipping further as he thrust deeper, each movement pushing her closer to the edge. His voice a low growl against her skin, "They'd wish they were me, feeling you like this, having you like this."
"Look at me," his breath was hot and heavy.
Hermione's eyes turned to him, locking with his, her vision blurring as pleasure built inside her. The window behind her was now fully steamed, obscuring the outside world. The sensations overwhelmed her.
"Touch yourself, my clever little witch, come with me." Severus commanded, his voice a low growl as he quickened the pace of his thrusts, each movement more insistent, more demanding.
Her hand slipped between their bodies without hestitation. She found her clit and began to stroke it gently, the sensation of her own touch with Severus' thrusts driving her closer.
She gasped, his name on her lips, desperation and need evident as she clung to him, pulling him close against her, her body trembling on the brink.
"Don't hold back, Hermione," his voice rough with desire as he picked up the pace, each thrust more insistent, more demanding. "Let go with me."
His words were her undoing. Hermione's body tensed, her muscles clenching around him as she fell over the edge, her cry muffled against his shoulder. Severus followed her a moment later, his own release crashing over him as he buried himself deep inside her, his breath ragged and harsh in her ear.
They stayed like that for a moment, their bodies entwined, as they clung to each other, their breath slowly returning to normal.
Severus's breath was still uneven as he gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Hermione's flushed face, his fingers lingering on her skin. "You have no idea what you do to me," he murmured, his voice still thick with desire.
Hermione's eyes softened as she looked up at him, her heart still fluttering from the intensity of their connection. Instead of words, she leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth, letting the warmth of the moment linger between them.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of the aftermath, their bodies entwined, neither in a rush to break the spell that had settled over them. The world outside seemed distant and irrelevant as they remained close, simply savoring each other.
After a moment, Hermione rested her head against Severus' chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, feeling a profound sense of peace. His arms tightened around her, holding her close as if to keep this moment frozen in time.
"I could stay like this forever," Hermione murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
She couldn't be sure if he heard her as Severus pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, his lips lingering there but he said nothing.
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has returned or found this story as I have started to post and finish this. I hope you are enjoying this tale. Please let me know how you're finding it; comments encouraged!
Since my return to this story I have not had a chance to personally shout-out the lovely commenters/reviews; Thank you so very much, I have really appreciated your comments! So thank you to HarryPGinnyW4eva and Vaila (and the Guest!).
To Guest - I can say that in about 2 chapters time there is a baby!
