They worked together as they concocted the perfect sauce, meatballs soon followed along with noodles. The way they worked together was similar to potion making. Meticulous. Except it took longer then it should have because they couldn't keep their hands off one another. When the noodles were boiling and the sauce and meatballs were simmering Severus put her on the counter and kissed her lazily, her legs parted just enough for him to step between them. Hermione didn't fight it at all, she encouraged it, her fingers in his hair or working their way into his shirt to touch his chest.
Severus's hands began to wonder as hers did and when they reached her hips and found them bare he smirked against her lips before deepening their kiss and letting it become more passionate. Hermione welcomed the change and moaned when he pulled her closer to the edge of the counter. Absently sending the noodles to the sink to drain, she wordlessly unbuttoned his pants again and eased them down with her heels.
They met each others gaze as he positioned himself at her entrance and kept the eye contact until she let her head roll back as he filled her to the hilt. Severus hissed at the warmth of her but began his slow assault, pressing into her at a slower pace then before. He cleared the counter and gently laid her back down, mindful of her belly as he continued his pursuit for her pleasure. It was all he wanted. It wasn't much longer before she was writhing with him between her legs and he felt himself get closer.
They came together, calling out one another's name before Severus stilled and looked down at her with something different in his eyes.
Hermione pulled herself up seeing it and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I wasn't completely honest with you earlier Severus.." His eyes widened with concern and then fear and Hermione quickly continued on with her statement, tightening her grip on him so he couldn't run like he looked ready to, "I started to fall in love with you months ago." Severus stiffened as if he was about to receive a painful blow, and she smiled, "I love you, Severus. I've been scared you wouldn't feel the same. But I couldn't keep myself away from you... after everything...I just, I've been scared."
He relaxed immediately and moved his hands from the counter to her hips.
"I love you too Hermione. I've been avoiding it for so long, pretending it wasn't real but I knew it was when I came back to my room after detention and found you on that chaise. You looked so comfortable and at ease. You looked up at me from your book and smiled just before asking me how it was. In that moment, it settled over me like some kind of warm blanket, and I knew I was gone."
Hermione smiled and teased the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him in for another set of kisses. It was interrupted as her stomach growled, and Severus laughed against her lips before leaning down so he was at eye level with her belly.
"I've got you, little love," he kissed it.
Hermione's heart raced faster hearing his words but smiled and cast another cleaning charm as he pulled his jeans back up and grabbed two plates from the cabinet. He passed her a prepared plate and watched as she looked at it with a hungry expression.
"Oh, this is definitely what we needed," she groaned, taking another bite. Severus watched her with a smirk before plating himself some and leaning against the counter opposite her and eating.
When they were finished, Hermione began the dishes using her wand and let Severus help her get off the counter. "Can we abandon the study and just read in bed? I'm exhausted."
"We can do that," he kissed her forehead, "We can do whatever you want."
Grinning, Hermione started up the stairs and began the ascent before turning to face him abruptly.
"It doesn't really matter now, but.." her face flushed, and she looked down at his shirt, picking at a dry fleck of paint, "Who was that woman in Hogsmeade?"
Severus chuckled and pulled her against him so she was on the edge of her step above him.
"That was Mara, one of the potioneers Draco employs. She had questions about a potion she is attempting to create, and I refuse to meet her alone because of her continuous advances, which is why Draco and Scorpius were there too." He tipped her chin up, "Draco said you saw her kiss me." She nodded. "But you didn't see me push her away," she shook her head with a frown, "Even then, I only wanted you, Hermione. I haven't been with a woman before you in years. I'm afraid I'm rather picky."
Hermione smiled, "It's irrational, but honestly, I wanted to rip her from you when I first saw it. Then I couldn't look anymore, and all I could think of were very self-deprecating thoughts, so I left and tried to ignore the pain it caused in my chest. I really didn't want to come to your chambers for dinner, but Draco baited me with Scorpius, and I couldn't say no."
"Little witch, you're it," he picked her up and continued up the stairs, "even then you were it, I just wasn't ready to admit it to myself." He set her down in the bedroom and kissed her. Breaking it, he rested his forehead on hers, "If we're being honest, I thought you and Lupin might be together. Despite telling Teddy you didn't see one another that way. I was exceedingly jealous for the longest time until you admitted to Draco you didn't see him that way."
"What?" Hermione laughed. "No, I meant it. Remus is a sweetheart, but I can't see him that way."
"I pictured him in my mind when you told Draco what you wanted in a wizard."
Hermione nodded. "I pictured you, Severus. When I look at you I can see this amazing future we could share. When I look at Remus I see Teddy's father, a beloved friend, pack mate, but nothing more." Her fingers touched his neck, just above his scar, "When I see you, I see the future I almost lost while I wasted time with Ron." Reaching forward, she kissed his scar and looked at his eyes, "I want the future I envision with you."
"So do I. The garden, the swing, the kids," his hand touched her stomach. "Anything and everything, so long as its with you."
"That's the second time today you've hinted to more than one," her cheeks flamed, and she avoided his gaze again, "You'll want one of your own..."
"No no no," he pulled her chin back up, "This little one," he touched her stomach, "will be mine just as much as any you and I may have after it. I see more than one because, for me, being an only child was horrible, I always wished for a sibling. And you, my love, thrive with children, I know you want more then the one." She grinned and he knew he was right, "I can't wait to see you with this one. The thought alone makes me excited."
"I do want more than one," her arms tucked around him. "Black curls, sharp jawline, button nose and black eyes. Studious little things with the brains that rival both their mother and fathers. That love the snow and playing wizards chess with their father and hang off their uncles." Severus's eyes softened as he listened to her, his heart pounding against his ribcage. "Them playing in the tub," she pointed to the bathroom, "splashing you with bubbles while I try helplessly to wash their hair. Crawling into our bed in the mornings to continue sleeping pressed up against their father, just like their mother likes to do."
Severus chuckled, "How have you seen my dreams?" Hermione laughed. "A boy and a girl."
"Yes," she whispered.
"Although I'm not opposed to more." He felt something gnaw at his gut and despite that he didn't want to do anything to take away her smile, there was something he had to know. "Hermione, I am going to ask you something. Feel free to tell me to shove off but I find I need to ask."
"You can ask me anything, Severus, you know that."
He blushed, lifting half his mouth with a tisk of doubt, "How?"
When he didn't say any more Hermione frowned until he reached between them to touch her swollen belly. Her eyes lit with recognition, "Oh.."
"You don't have to tell me-"
"No, it's fine. It's just..," she sighed, looking a bit crestfallen, "I did my wifely duties," Severus instantly mimicked a statue, "We'd been fighting over my acceptance of the position at Hogwarts, he went out to the pub, came home and was a bit aggressive."
Severus was quiet for a long time, one hand still on her belly, the other resting on her hip, his long fingers curling into her skin as if he needed to ensure she was really there. He finally moved again when there was a small movement under the hand on her belly.
"He raped you?"
Hermione shook her head, "No, nothing like that."
"Did you say no when he made his advances?"
"Well yes but-"
"And he did it anyway?" When she didn't answer, he pressed his lips together and growled, "That is the definition of rape, Hermione. Being married doesn't mean you can't withdraw consent. If you said no, he ought to have listened."
"I was his wife..."
She knew it was a weak argument. Rationally, she knew Severus was right. She'd had that revelation in their first year of marriage after it first occurred. But admitting it aloud was different.
"Was that the only time?" That was the question. When she dropped his eyes, suddenly fixating on a collection of paint specks on his shirt, Severus felt his temper flare. "I could kill him," he ground out under his breath. Hermione responded only to tighten her grip on his shirt. After a few moments of just holding her and her belly Severus forced himself to take a deep breath, then another. "Hermione, I need you to promise me something."
"Anything," she whispered, still not looking up.
Putting a finger under her chin, he made sure their eyes locked, "If at any point in our relationship, you do not appreciate or want my advances, tell me. If I ever do something you are uncomfortable with, tell me. I will stop. You utter the word 'no' and anything I am doing will immediately cease. But you must promise me you won't just let me take over your body when you are not willing. I don't care if it's me getting handsy first thing in the morning, while we're half awake in the middle of the night, or if I try to join you in the shower."
Moving a hand up to the side of his face, she gave him a trembling smile, "I promise."
He gave her a smile in return, lowering his head so their foreheads touched. There was another bump against his hand.
"It's definitely you," she tried to lighten the mood, "The baby knows when it's you."
His whole body relaxed, "I doubt the baby can differentiate."
"It can," she put her hand over his, "It knows it's father."
Severus stiffened in her arms.
"Severus?"
"We've said a lot today..." she nodded, urging him to continue, "Are you sure you want this? For me to be its father?"
"Yes," her arms tightened, pulling herself as close to him as possible, "I want you to be its father. I want to continue to experience this pregnancy with you. I want you with me when I can't sleep because my stomach gets too big and to continue making me tea when I get nauseous or holding my hair back when the tea doesn't help and hold my hand when this baby comes into this world. I want you to be the first to hold it. I want you to be its father, Severus, and in turn, I want you to be with me.."
Severus looked at her carefully, searching for any falsehood in her eyes and found only truth and sincerity. "Long term?" he clarified.
"Long-term," she confirmed. "Marriage, bonding, the lot of it. Maybe not right now but eventually."
"Good," he said, his voice suddenly husky, "because I'm not letting you go, Hermione. You and this baby are my family for as long as you will have me."
"I can live with that."
Hermione grinned and reached up to kiss him before gently extracting herself so they could get ready for their last night in their bed until the summer.
Neither bothered with the dressing discretely in the bathroom or closet. Hermione chose to forgo her sleeping shorts and sleep in just her knickers as she would typically outside of his bed and smirked when Severus's eyebrow raised. Shrugging with a smirk she crawled into bed and tucked herself in while waiting for him to return from the bathroom. When he did, Severus wrapped his arms around her, and she burrowed into him.
"Goodnight, little witch," he kissed her softly on the lips before putting his chin on her head as she burrowed into his neck, "I love you."
"And I you, Severus," she planted another kiss on his chest and let herself begin to drift. It was easy knowing things were different but they were better. Together, everything was better.
The morning was unhurried for both of them but eventually the pair stepped into the floo only to step out into the Headmistresses office.
"Hermione, Severus! How was your holiday?"
"Wonderful," Hermione beamed, "Very peaceful."
Minerva grinned, "That is good to hear. The students return tomorrow, try and enjoy the rest of your day. Especially you Severus."
Severus rolled his eyes, "Why must you remind me Minerva."
"Go on," Minerva chuckled. The pair turned towards the door when her voice stopped them once more, "Oh and Severus don't forget you're supposed to escort your younger years back from the train in the morning."
"You're a cruel woman, Minerva," he called over his shoulder, making her laugh behind him.
In the hallway, Hermione grinned up at him as he offered his arm to her. "She loves putting me on those kinds of patrols." Hermione snickered and tucked further into him. The journey was short, and neither of them was quite ready to let go of the other when they reached her portrait hole.
"Come over in an hour or so?" he asked. "We'll have lunch?"
Hermione smiled, "I'd love to. Let me put my stuff away, and I'll come over."
Severus nodded and went to leave before stalling and turning back to her with a small grin. Looking around covertly, he kissed her swiftly before turning and proceeding down the hall to the dungeons. Hermione watched him go and only turned into room when he was out of view. She was halfway through her living room when she stilled and looked around the room.
It wasn't her room. But it was. It was an odd mixture of both her rooms and Severus's. His books were lining the walls with her personal items decorating the extra space and shelves, her desk was in the corner of the room, where it had been in her own chambers. Most everything in the living space was from Severus's rooms. Heading towards the bedroom she took a curious step in and found herself in another mixture of their bedrooms. Again his books lined the walls, melded with hers but the king size bed was covered in her duvet and sheets. The bedside tables held both of their personal items, in their respective places. In the bathroom she found it expanded with his and her's sinks and additional cabinets. Slowly moving back into the living room she noticed a second door directly across from the bedroom and went to it. It was another bedroom. A smaller bed nestled in it with Severus's green and brown sheets decorating it. Other than that, the room was bare.
She heard footsteps and left the room. Leaning against the wall, she smiled at Severus, who was staring at the room strangely.
Only then did she notice the duel portrait holes into the room.
"Hermione?"
"That's me," she grinned.
"You couldn't wait an hour?" he smirked.
"Severus," she motioned around the room, "I am exactly where you left me."
His eyebrow raised as he continued surveying the room. "I thought it looked off."
When he first entered the room he felt something was different. It looked like usual, apart from the knickknacks on the shelves, the quilt on the back of the couch, and the few light touches in the kitchen. But until Hermione mentioned it, he didn't realize exactly why it was different.
Hermione met him by the couch and looked at him curiously. "I've checked the bedrooms and bathroom. But not your lab."
He kissed her temple and moved to a door she hadn't noticed just beyond the kitchenette. He disappeared down a set of stairs just past the door, and when he reappeared, he nodded, "It's fine." Severus walked over to the fireplace, throwing a bit in, he stuck his head in, "Minerva, can you floo to Hermione's chambers for a moment?" Hermione stood behind the couch, wringing her hands together with nerves. He was about to say something when the floo flared up again.
Minerva stepped out with a smile but a frown settled over her face as she took in the room. "Well, this is interesting."
"Our thoughts exactly," Severus answered for them, "I take it you didn't know about this?"
"You would be correct. It usually only occurs when two professors get married." Her eyebrow raised, "Did you?"
"No," Hermione shook her head.
"Shame," she shrugged, shocking both of them, "If you'd like, I can see what I can do to reverse it unless..."
Hermione and Severus shared a look, "I think we're fine with these arrangements."
Hermione nodded as he spoke for them.
"Just let me know if that changes," Minerva nodded. "Anything else?" Both of her professors shook their heads. "Then enjoy the rest of your evening." She disappeared with a smile through the floo leaving the pair of them alone in their chambers.
Severus turned to her and saw she still looked nervous. "Are you okay with these arrangements?"
"Are you?"
"Of course. But once again, little witch, it is you who looks uncomfortable."
"I don't want to force myself on you."
Walking around the couch, he pulled her into his arms, "I thought we crossed this bridge over the past two weeks? I want you with me, Hermione," his hand came to rest on her stomach, "both of you."
Her smile brightened and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "So you don't mind living with me again so early?"
"I welcome it. I dreaded being separated from you after being so close for the past few weeks." He softly kissed her, pulling away, "Now you said there were bedrooms?"
She nodded, "Two. What looks like a spare room and then yo-our room. Which is a blend of our things too."
"Whose bed sheets made the cut?"
"Mine," she grinned. "Yours were shrunk and put in the spare room." Pulling him with her she deposited them into their new room and watched as he took in the room. At the bookshelf, he smirked, seeing her books melded in with his seamlessly. His desk was still in one corner, but his lone reading chair now had a partner with an ottoman like the one Hermione kept conjuring at Spinners End. Their bedside tables were as they had been, and he felt the corners of his mouth lift up.
"I can get used to this," he commented off-handedly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her to him again. "Personally, I want to take Minerva's advice and take this time to enjoy what's left of our day before the dunderheads return and begin to spoil everything."
Lacing her arms around his neck, she pulled herself up so she was on her tiptoes and peppered a few kisses on his lips. "Take a bath with me."
Severus grinned down at her momentarily before picking her up and carrying her to their bathroom, making her squeak. It took her only a few seconds to wrap her legs around his waist and enjoy the ride.
Severus stilled in the bathroom entryway before nodding at the room and moving to set her on the counter between the sinks. "Stay," he ordered. Hermione obliged and leaned back to watch him move over to the tub, enlarging it he started the water and added a series of oils to the water making it froth instantly. When he stood to his proper height again he looked at her and smiled as he unbuttoned his coat. Hermione in turn started working off her shoes, by the time she was done he was standing before her, his coat and white shirt buttoned exposing his chest to her. Her hands immediately found his naked skin making his eyes flutter at her touch. Grabbing the hem of her jumper he pulled it and her undershirt up. As she began pushing off his shirt he leaned down and placed a series of kisses along her cleavage, reaching behind her to release her breasts.
"My beautiful witch," he breathed looking at her. Hermione blushed under his gaze but didn't get to focus on it as his lips encased one of her nipples. A moan escaped her as he set to work and Hermione laced her fingers through his hair. Detaching himself from her he pulled her from the counter and began kissing down the length of her body. On his knees he unbuttoned her jeans and slid them down her legs. He moved her to the tub and helped her step in before taking off his own trousers while she watched closely. When he stepped in with her she immediately attached herself to him, her legs on either side of his hips. She could feel him resting against her core but prolonged their connection.
Reaching back she put a hand on the side of his face and stared into his black fathomless eyes, "I love you."
His eyes softened, "I love you."
Reaching between them Hermione wrapped a hand around his length and slowly sank onto him, savoring the stretch with a moan. Severus put his hands on her hips and set the pace, both of them forgetting about the water still filling the tub, spilling over as they moved together. His kisses refocused on her neck as she began to feel the pressure in her abdomen, her head thrown back as she brace herself on the tub. When his mouth reattached to her breast, she exploded against him. Severus smirked against her sensitive skin feeling her release before it pulled him to release with her. His thrusts became uneven as he rode out his own orgasm, spilling into her completely.
His head fell to her shoulder while they tried to catch their breath. Detaching herself from him with a small noise she kissed his forehead before resting against the edge of the tub across from him and just looked at him as he did the same.
"Our students will go crazy when they figure it out."
"If they figure it out," he replied cheekily. "However, I am looking forward to the rest of the term already," he winked at her.
"Me too," she laughed, "Although I'm equally looking forward to this summer."
His eyebrow raised, and he moved over to her, reaching for her hand and pulling her against his chest. When she settled there his hand rested on her stomach as his other hand laced into her hair. Then he was kissing her, holding her securely to him while keeping his hand protectively on the bump between them.