AFTERWARDS

Hermione had worked very hard to get everything perfect. She had no high expectations about the evening ahead, she just wanted to make Severus feel special and more importantly, loved.



While she had prepared the room, Hermione had thought for a long time about her conversation with Ginny. Severus hadn’t said he had known about Ron proposing to her, he had just expressed surprise that she had turned him down. Hermione thought he was probably the most discreet person she had ever met and assumed it was the years of practice spying for Dumbledore that had honed his skills. He hadn’t said a word against Harry either and Hermione wondered if that was through loyalty to her or because it was just too painful for him to think about. She was sure Harry had cut him to the quick with his remark.



Hermione surveyed her room and smiled. It was perfect. She had transfigured her two chairs into a large, cream, squashy three-seater sofa with a purple velour throw over and cushions. She had done her bed linen to match and had moved the bed into he far corner of the room to make space for the table and two chairs she had asked Kreacher to find for her use. The table was set with pure white linen, sparkling wine glasses and cutlery and a small vase with deep pink roses as a centrepiece. She lit thin taper candles and charmed them to float around the room, casting a delicate and, she hoped, romantic light on the room. The only thing left to get organised was herself.



Hermione quickly showered and gave a small blessing for being able to magically remove the hair from her legs. She used her favourite vanilla and musk moisturiser and chose matching underwear in white lace. She loved to feel feminine when she was dressing up and put on a pale blue long sleeved blouse, which fastened like a corset with stays at the front, defining her slim waist and pushing her breasts upwards slightly. She teamed this with a black pencil skirt with a small slit that she wore at the side, black stockings and silver peep-toe sandals. She used the hair sleeking spell but instead of putting her hair up she decided to leave it loose around her shoulders. A touch of lip-gloss and a little mascara later and she was ready.



She walked into the centre of the room and looked at her clock. It was almost 8 and she knew Severus wouldn’t be late, so she called Kreacher.



Kreacher bowed almost gracefully as he appeared in the centre of the room.



‘Is the food ready?’ She smiled at him although he avoided her eye and looked downwards.



‘Everything is as Mistress requested. Would Miss Hermione like the wine now?’



‘That’s a good idea Kreacher. I will use my wand when we need the food. Thank you again, you have been wonderful.’ Hermione smiled her gratitude and Kreacher disappeared. In an instant a bottle of red wine appeared in the centre of the table, shortly followed by Severus by way of the fireplace.



He stepped into the room and brushed himself down. He had decided to forego his robes and was wearing a crisp white shirt, which was open at the collar; dress trousers buttoned his to his waist and soft leather boots. His hair was very straight and he smelled of sandalwood, the aroma wafting around the room.



Hermione gasped as she looked at him and smiled widely. He had made an effort and she was very impressed.



‘Wow, Severus. You should teach lessons dressed like that, everyone would sit up and take notice…’ She murmured as she walked over and placed a small kiss on his cheek.



‘I would rather my pupils concentrate on not blowing up their cauldrons rather than worrying about their Potions master.’ He replied as his eyes scanned the room.



‘Hmmm… that never worked for me.’ Hermione said quietly under her breath and he chuckled slowly as he looked at her. She looked beautiful this evening and he hoped he would have the right moment to tell her so.



‘Sit, Severus…let’s eat.’ Hermione pulled out a chair for him and he sat down with a smile. She had gone to a huge effort, he felt very flattered.



Hermione poured the wine and waved her wand for the first course, a smoked salmon salad. She had followed this with steak and vegetables and dessert was ice cream. Severus grinned. She had done her homework and he had eaten all of his favourite food in one meal.



After the meal they sat on the sofa in front of the fire with a second bottle of wine.



‘Will you be spending Christmas at Hogwarts, Severus?’ Hermione asked as he gently stroked her hand with his, linking his large fingers between hers.



‘I shall this year, I think. It is more comfortable than my house in Spinners End and I have neither the time nor the inclination to do the house up. I may even sell it and live here permanently. What are your plans, will you go to your parents?’



Hermione grabbed her wine and took a long gulp before she answered.



‘No. I.. I haven’t been able to find my parents since the war. I thought I had covered everything but I didn’t count on them deciding to move house. No one seems to know where they are. Given that they don’t know who they really are or that they have a daughter, it makes looking for them doubly difficult. That’s partly why I accepted this job. I plan to keep looking for them in the holidays.’ She looked into the fire crackling prettily in the grate and thought of her parents.



Severus let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to him. He kissed the top of her head softly. ‘I am sorry for your loss, Hermione. Is there anything I can do to help you find them?’



‘I don’t know, to be honest. I have people in Australia keeping their missing status live, but until I go back next year I wont know if I’m any closer. Thank you, for offering.’ Hermione took the hand he had wrapped around her shoulder and kissed it gently.



‘Does this mean you will be here for Christmas, then?’ He asked her quietly.



‘That depends. I have been invited to Ginny and Harry’s. Unless I get a better offer, I will go there…’ She glanced at him beneath her eyelashes and he cast her a sideways glance, smiling gently.



‘Ginny told me you had been working for the Ministry…’ Hermione said softly.



Severus took a drink of his wine and breathed deeply, stiffening slightly. He tried to pull his arm from her but Hermione rested her other hand against his arm gently.



‘Don’t, Severus. Don’t close yourself off from me. Ginny told me what Harry said to you. I am so sorry, Severus, I can’t believe he could be so thoughtless.’



She was looking at him with such love he relented and relaxed again, closing his eyes a little.



‘What Mr Potter thinks of me is neither here nor there.’ His voice was hard and Hermione could see a nerve jumping in his clenched jaw.



‘He regrets it, apparently. But you are right. What Harry thinks isn’t important. He was wrong, anyway.’ Hermione stated firmly.



‘Was he? I am not so sure. I do not have much experience with love, Hermione…’ he sighed and looked at her. His eyes were sad.



‘Good job I came back to Hogwarts then..’ She smiled at him and stroked his cheek softly with her hand. He grabbed it and held her fingers close to his mouth, kissing them softly.



He turned a little so he was facing her, his arm still around her shoulder, his other hand gently stroking her face as she leaned against the back of the sofa, watching the firelight flickering in his eyes.



You look very beautiful tonight, Hermione.,’ He breathed slowly and his stomach flipped as she rewarded him with a dazzling smile.



‘Thank you. You look gorgeous…’ She giggled a little, the wine was loosening her tongue and she was feeling warm.



They looked deeply into each others eyes and Hermione shuffled closer to him, leaning her forehead against his before kissing him gently. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly against him, crushing her mouth with his.



It was a healing kiss. Hermione wanted him to know how much he was loved. Severus wanted to take away the pain she felt about her parents. And there was a very good way for them to do that.







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I know!! I want them to get on with it too!!!



Thanks for the great comments, keep em coming, its very encouraging!!!