The Potions Master's Baby

Chapter Fourteen: Meant To Be Mine











The trip to the cinema wasn’t exactly the enjoyable time Severus had hoped. He spent most of the movie observing her covertly, well aware that she wasn’t paying any attention to the film but was lost in her own head. She said very little to him on the way back to the castle. She said hello to students as they passed them in the halls, greeted the other members of the staff but she seemed oblivious to him walking behind her carrying packages like a pack mule.







He knew that it had something to do with Lissette Dupree and he knew that once they were alone he would have to find someway to make it right. The problem was that he didn’t know just what it was that he had done wrong. He hadn’t flirted back with the woman, nor had he lied about how he knew her. Navigating an actual relationship was harder than he imagined.







Once inside her quarters he carried the packages to her bedroom and set them on her bed while she disappeared into the loo. He was sitting on her sofa when she came back out, barefoot with a glass of water.





“Oh, you are still here.” She said, chewing her bottom lip.







“I don’t recall us saying goodbye. In fact, I can’t recall you saying anything to me in the last hour or so.” He said, watching her face for her reactions. “Something is wrong. Are you going to tell me what?”





Hermione sighed and walked across the room to peer out of the window. Rain was just beginning to fall and she watched the students on the grounds scatter as the first drops hit them. Her mind was racing, so many thoughts and they were slamming together and creating new ones until she felt as though her head might explode trying to contain them. She wondered if she would be feeling the same if she weren’t pregnant and therefore a slave to her hormones. She didn’t want to seem irrational so she feared being honest with him. What if he thought her mad?





“I have all night if you need time.” He said, leaning back against the cushions.







“I don’t think that I am worldly enough for you.” She said, watching the lightning in the distance.







“Pardon? What do you mean by that?” He asked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. She turned slightly towards him and rested her hip against the window sill.





“When I began to have feelings for you and you confessed to having them for me, I never really considered what you might be used to.” She turned the crank and opened the window a little to let the cool, fresh air blow inside. “To be honest, I never thought about you and women period. I don’t know what I expected but it certainly wasn’t someone like that woman in the department store.”







“Hermione, there were never any tender feelings between Lissette and I.” His heart swelled in his chest with some foreign emotion he could not name.







“But she was your lover and she is clearly more experienced than I.” She sipped at her water, her fingers curled so tightly around the glass that he feared she would break it. “You are clearly far more experienced than I.”







“If you are worried about my health I can assure you that I am perfectly healthy…”







“No, I am worried that you will grow bored with me. I have had one lover, Severus. I gave myself to my first love and never to another. I am not made to be promiscuous, hence the desperate measures I went to in order to have a child. I can not begin to compete with the women in your past.” She looked so forlorn staring out the window. He stood and walked across the room, sliding his arms around her and resting his chin atop her head, his hands curled protectively around her stomach.







“I don’t want you to compete with them. There is no need. They are in my past for very good reasons and not a one of them can compare to you.” He searched his brain for the right answers and hoped like hell that he was finding them.







“You are with me only because I carry our child…”







“Stop right there. That isn’t true.” He said, hugging her tightly to him as they watched a spring storm approach. “Maybe it is what opened my eyes to look in your direction, but it is not the only reason I chose to pursue a relationship with you.”





“It isn’t?” He could hear the need in her voice. She needed for him to tell her all of the reasons, to reassure her that it was more than just the baby that they shared. He worried that he would say it all wrong. He had never been good with the words women wanted to hear. He was always blunt and strangely literal, poetic language was not his strong suit. But, as her partner he had a responsibility to see to her happiness, to reassure her that she was important and cared for.







“When I look at you I see many things. I see a little bushy haired know it all who disrupted my classes and often poked her nose where it didn’t belong. I see a warrior on the battlefield fighting gloriously for what she believed was right, a reluctant heroine standing beside her friends accepting accolades she didn’t want because she was only doing what needed to be done. I see a young woman broken and crying for the loss of her love and a phoenix rising up from the ashes to reclaim her life. I see a teacher who is loved by her students, who encourages them and guides them with a firm yet loving hand. Yes, I look at you and I see the mother of my child, even if it was an accident and I was reluctant to accept it. But I also see a woman, intelligent, passionate, beautiful, desirable, a woman I am proud to call mine.” He whispered the words with his eyes closed, feeling every one of them as they were spoken. He felt her trembling in his arms. She was weeping. “I’m sorry, I’m not good with words and they came out wrong…”







“No!” She turned around and lifted her tear streaked face to look at him. “Please don’t apologize. They didn’t come out wrong, everything you said was perfect. No one has ever said anything more beautiful to my ears.”







“Then why are you crying?” He wiped the tears away with his thumbs and kissed her damp cheeks lightly.







“Because you are stealing my heart, Severus. I didn’t think it was possible for me to give it again but you…you aren’t waiting for it to be given, you are swooping in and taking it for your own.” She rubbed her cheek against the center of his chest and sniffled.







“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” He asked.







“It’s good; it’s very, very good.” She said, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. She could feel it then, those faint stirrings of something familiar yet different at the same time. She was falling in love with Severus.







He held her for an indeterminable length of time. He closed his eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of holding her and being held by her. Her head rested against his chest and every once in a while she would press her face into his coat and breathe deeply. Her obsession with his scent was almost comical. He knew he had a reputation for being the ‘Greasy Git’ and that most people assumed he was something less than hygienic. The truth was he was extremely fastidious about his personal hygiene. He just happened to have extremely oily hair and skin, genetics were a bitch sometimes.







Her hands began to slide up and down his back, slowly stroking as though she were trying to soothe him. She tilted her head up and kissed the underside of his chin her lips moving slowly over the rough and slightly stubbled line of his jaw. He felt the soft bite of her teeth into the tendons on his neck at the same time that her hands curved around his backside and he couldn’t help the shiver that ran through him.







Her smile was hidden against his throat. She had felt that shudder move through him and it thrilled her. She moved her hands to his hips and then up his sides and around until she could open the buttons on his coat starting from the bottom and working her way up. She almost expected him to stop her, but he didn’t. He stood patiently, his breathing ragged and his heart pounding in his chest while she slid her hands beneath the woolen material and pushed it off his shoulders.





He watched her through hooded eyes as she began working on the buttons of his white shirt, slowly drawing the tails from the waistband of his trousers. She didn’t rush, taking the time to undo the cuffs before parting the fabric and pushing it off to join his coat on the floor. Cool fingers threaded through the silky curls swirling across his chest and down over his abdomen in line disappearing into his trousers. His skin was so hot to the touch and she wanted to wrap herself around him and absorb his warmth.







She whimpered when her fingertips danced over the multitude of scars that marred his torso. He saw the tears begin to well in her eyes and he shook his head in wonder. Was she really going to weep over pain long eased?







“Don’t do that.” He wiped away the tears that were clinging to her lashes. She bent her head and began to place feather light kisses over each and every scar that she could reach as if she could make them vanish with her caress. She came damned close to it because her tenderness lightened a weight he hadn’t realized he carried. He needed to get his hands on her, to feel her skin to skin. She lifted her arms as he slowly raised the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head and dropping it to the floor as he closed his arms around her and pulled her to him.





Their lips met, lightly at first and then deeper as magic and desire swelled within them. Long, nervous fingers unclasped her bra and she let go of him only long enough to slide the offensive garment off before she was once more wrapped firmly around his torso. Lips and tongues met in a heated, breath stealing duel that had her knees trembling and threatening to buckle.





Severus felt her swaying in his embrace so he bent down and scooped her into the cradle of his arms. Her arms looped around his neck and held on tight as he carried her through the sitting room and into her bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed and went to the window to open them slightly and allow the cool, rain scented air to fill the room. The faint light of dusk cast a soft glow about the room and the sounds of the rain provided the perfect music for what was evolving.





He came back to stand by the bed and gaze upon the half naked woman reclining on her elbows watching him. She may not have been the most physically beautiful woman he had ever been with, but she definitely the most important. His eyes raked over her from the messy curls coming free from the confinement of her ponytail down to wide amber eyes all heavy and dark with passion. Lips that were moist and slightly swollen from his kisses, breasts full and heavy, their tips flushed dark from her pregnancy and arousal. Maybe he should have been put off by the sight of her tummy rounded with their child but he wasn’t. She looked like a goddess, the perfect image of life and fertility.







He leaned over her and kissed the smooth skin of her stomach, the vanilla scent of the cream he had made for her tickling his senses. He unfastened her jeans and tucked his fingers into the sides to slide them, along with her underwear, down her thighs and off. It felt as though his heart might break right through his chest at the sight of her completely naked. She didn’t try to hide from him; she wanted him to see her, all of her so that there were no doubts about what he was getting.





She brought her feet up to rest on the edge of the mattress and let her knees fall to the sides, parting her thighs and letting him get a good look at the treasure between them. She made him feel young again, so young that he nearly spilled himself inside his trousers at the vulnerable position she put herself in for him.







Rough, shaking hands slid along the smooth, creamy flesh of her thighs until his thumbs met in the small thatch of tight, chestnut curls. She was bare from the top of her slit down with only that little triangle of hair marking her womanhood. Smooth, plump petals parted to reveal succulent pink flesh already glistening with want and a turgid little bud rising up and begging for attention.







“You astound me.” He whispered hoarsely, parting her folds with the fingers of one hand and trailing the fingertips of his other hand lightly over the slippery flesh. Her hips jolted at the touch and she exhaled sharply. He pinched the little nubbin between his fingers and rolled it gently back and forth until she fell back on the bed and began to moan. She arched her back and rolled her hips into his touch, seeking the pleasure he offered selfishly. She was stunning to view this way, naked and writhing against the blankets, her eyes squeezed shut, her hands fisting and pulling at the counterpane as she cried out.







He was intoxicated by the rich, heady scent of her arousal, the way her already slick flesh grew wetter and hotter beneath his touch. She was so responsive, so eager that he could barely maintain his control. He wanted inside her, wanted to slide his cock deep into the flooding furrow between her legs and ride her to orgasm. But the need to taste her was persistent so he lowered his head between her thighs and slid his tongue over the tender flesh. She screamed, the surprised sound of pleasure ringing in his ears and urging him onward. He laid his arm over her pelvis beneath her belly and held her down, his other hand pushed on her inner thigh to keep her from closing her legs on his head.









His tongue snaked through her folds, circling around and over her clit, drawing forth more of the desperate little mewls of pleasure that were echoing off of the walls. He dipped his long tongue into her opening, pressing as deep as he could, curling and wriggling it as she trembled. She tasted sweet and salty, a bit tangy but it was addictive. He couldn’t get enough of her unique flavor. He closed his lips around her clit and sucked gently, the tip of his tongue lashing back and forth. Her thighs began to shake and her moaning and groaning began to get louder, longer and shriller until her body shook with the crescendo. She pulsed against his mouth, her hips jerking spasmodically as she came.







He continued to lave her sensitive sex until she relaxed against the bed, only the occasional shudder wracking her body as she came down. He took her rest period as an opportunity to shed the remainder of his clothing and crawl onto the bed, shifting her to the center and lying beside her. She rolled her head towards him on the pillow, her cheeks flushed and little curls clinging to her sweaty forehead.







“Sweet Circe, I never….I didn’t…my gods.” She closed her eyes and sighed contentedly, missing the near smile that tugged on his lips.







“You are stunning.” He whispered, sliding forward to kiss her lips softly and slide them lower over her chin and down the front of her throat until he could lick and nibble at her tight nipples. She made a soft cooing noise and arched her back, her hands lifting from the mattress to slide over his back and clutch at his shoulders.





“I want to feel you on me.” She pleaded, spreading her thighs and pulling him towards her.







“It won’t be uncomfortable for you?” He thumbed the turgid little peaks and slid between her legs.







“No, not yet, right now it feels perfect.” She said. “But it would feel better if you were inside me.” Her fingers trailed down his spine to the little dips at the base just above his ass. She lifted her hips as the same time that her nails curled into the tight, muscular cheeks.







“Are you sure?” He asked, holding his weight off of her on extended arms.







“I’m yours, Severus.” She said.







“As you were meant to be.” His words were barely audible as he reached between them, stroking the steely length of his cock firmly, drawing his foreskin back to reveal the plumy, weeping tip and press it against her opening. He paused when the head was engulfed in tight, wet heat and looked at her. Feeling his hesitation she opened her eyes and their gazes locked.







“What is it?” She asked.







“I…I’m nervous.” He said incredulously.







“Why?”







“Because it feels so different, so good. It…this…has never had meaning before now.” He rasped, sliding a little deeper.







“Severus…” His name was a broken sob as she reached up to twine her arms around his shoulders and pull him down to her. “Make me yours.” She pleaded against his ear as she tilted her hips up to him, taking him deeper. His arms slid beneath her, holding her tight as he thrust all the way inside her. He gasped at the feel of her, so snug, so hot, and so wet along the length of him.





His body wanted to take her hard and fast, needed to find release deep within her but HE needed to take her slowly, sliding his cock in and out of her depths with precise, measured thrusts that allowed him to feel every tightly sucking inch of her. Heavy breaths, grunts and groans blended together as they clasped each other tight and moved together, easily finding a natural rhythm that pleased them both.







Their bodies became slick with sweat, the breeze through the windows cooling them as they rocked in the center of her bed. Her calves curled around his and her fingernails left tracks on his shoulders as she strained to get closer to him. Their lips met and he curled his hands beneath her shoulders as he began to thrust more firmly into her. Faster and faster he moved, their lips a hairsbreadth apart as they panted and moaned. Her hips rocked faster into his, grinding up until he felt the faint fluttering of her orgasm caressing him and heard the strangled groan of completion expelled from her lips.





He continued to plunge through the clasping heat of her orgasm until at last he felt the burn of his own impending release. Lost to his own quest for the ultimate pleasure he plumbed her depths again and again. Finally he stiffened and with a loud, rough growl he came inside her, releasing his seed with long, intense pulses that left him shuddering and weak.







He caught himself before he could collapse on her and rolled them onto their sides. He withdrew gently and pulled her close, raining kisses over her face and neck as she cried softly.





“Beautiful witch.” He murmured, kissing away her tears.







“Amazing, you are amazing.” She whispered, snuggling into his chest and seeking his warmth. Severus shifted awkwardly, pushing the blankets from beneath them until he could manage to pull them over the two of them.







“Rest, just rest and let me hold you.” He said, his eyes closing as sated fatigue overtook him.





“Just don’t let me go.” She sighed.







“Never.”









~@~







“Severus.” Hermione poked him in the ribs and saw the frown forming on his face in the light from a single candle.







“Hmmm?” He grunted, slowly being drawn from a rather pleasant sleep.







“Severus, wake up.” She said, poking him again. He opened his eyes and glared at her.







“You’ve worn me out, witch, if you want more you have to let me sleep first.” He growled.







“No, I’m hungry.” She said, her tummy rumbling as though to punctuate the statement. “I want sausage gumbo.”







“Sausage gumbo?” He asked rising up on his elbows.







“It’s a Cajun dish with…”







“I know what sausage gumbo is, Hermione. How in the hell am I supposed to find it at…” He looked over at the clock on her nightstand. “three o’clock in the morning?”





“I don’t know.” She said, sitting up in the bed and pulling the blankets up over her naked breasts.







“Why don’t I get you some cold cereal or some porridge?” He yawned sitting up and reaching for his trousers.







“No, I really need sausage gumbo.” She said urgently.







“Hermione, this is not New Orleans, you can’t expect it to be that easy to come by!” He said, pulling his trousers up over his hips and fastening them.





“Please?” She begged. Severus groaned and ran his fingers through his hair, wondering just how the witch had gotten a taste for the American dish.







“I’ll see what I can do.” He muttered walking into her sitting room and using the floo to call for a kitchen elf. A tired looking creature appeared a few moments later, startled to see a half naked Snape waiting for him.







“Master Snape calls the kitchen?” The nasally sounding voice asked.







“Professor Granger would like some sausage gumbo. Can you come up with it?” He asked.







“And key lime pie!” She called from the bedroom.







“Ah…Missy Granger’s cravings is on her.” The little elf laughed. “I go to America and gets the gumbo. One moment Master Snape.”







The elf popped from sight and Severus shook his head. He couldn’t believe that he was up at three A.M. sending house elves to America for soup. Within five minutes the elf reappeared, brightly colored beads dangling from his ears and wrapped around his neck. He handed Severus a tray with a steaming bowl of sausage gumbo and a slice of key lime pie.







“Good nights, Master Snape!” The elf was gone again and Severus carried the tray back into the bedroom wondering just how often he was going to be sent on fetch and carry missions.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~





Thought I would include the recipe for Hermione’s food of choice. =)









SAUSAGE GUMBO





Yield

Makes 3 quarts

Ingredients

3 pounds andouille sausage,(you can combine with other sausages for added flavor) cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices



1/4 cup to 1/3 cup pure olive oil

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 medium onion

1/2 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped

2 celery ribs, sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups water

4 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon Creole seasoning

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon hot sauce

2 bay leaves

1/2 cup sliced green onions

Hot cooked rice

Filé powder (optional)

Garnish: celery leaves

Preparation

Brown andouille sausage in a Dutch oven oven medium heat, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink. Remove sausage, reserving dripping in pan. Set sausage aside.

Measure drippings, adding enough olive oil to measure 1/2 cup. Heat mixture in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot. Whisk in flour , and cook, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until roux is caramel colored.

Add chopped onion and next 3 ingredients; cook, stirring often, until vegetables are tender. Gradually stir in 4 cups water and broth; bring to a boil. Add Creole seasoning, and next 3 ingredients; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.

Add sausage and green onions, and cook 30 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves; serve over rice. Serve with filé powder, and garnish, if desired.

Southern Living, MARCH 2000