AFTERWARDS

Hermione and Severus were lying in his bed, totally spent. They had made love twice more since he told her his feelings, the first time tenderly, the second more demanding, more passionate.



Hermione’s head was full of questions, some that she knew could wait for an appropriate time, some that couldn’t.



‘Can we talk, Severus?’ She asked him quietly, not wanting to repeat their morning debacle.



‘I think we should…’ He turned on his pillow and looked at her, smiling.



‘Is it always like this? Sex… making love?’ She turned to face him, propping her head on her arm, her brow furrowed.



‘In general or between us?’ He smiled a little. He understood her curiosity and it amused him. Hermione Granger, wanting to know everything about her given subject



‘Both, I suppose. You don’t mind me asking? I have nothing to compare it to…’ She looked at him, her eyes bright and eager for information.



Severus chuckled and leant in, kissing her soft mouth firmly. ‘You want to get a NEWT in making love, don’t you?’ He teased her and she giggled.



‘That’s not funny!’ She exclaimed. ‘I have read books, of course, we covered human biology at St Mungo’s.. I know the mechanics, making babies…’ she winked at him sexily and he raised an eyebrow at her. ‘It’s the other stuff. It doesn’t tell you in books how emotional you can feel, how overwhelming it can be…how much fun it is…’ She grinned at him and tickled his balls with her fingertips.



Severus grabbed her hand. ‘Enough. I am an old man…!’ He laughed.



‘Well?’ She demanded.



‘I think what we have is special, Hermione. I have never made love like this before. I have had sex, but never with anyone I am in love with. Believe me, it is distinctly different.’ He sighed deeply and looked into her eyes.



‘When did you know, Severus?’ She looked at him, her face serious.



‘Know what?’ He was distracted by her breast, which had just appeared as she shifted position and had lifted his hand to stroke it gently.



‘That you love me…’ She playfully pushed his hand away and grabbed the bedclothes to cover her modesty.



‘At the Yule Ball. I just didn’t know it was love, until today.’ His mind went back to when he held her as they danced and he smiled at the memory.



‘I knew immediately when I fell in love with you. It was in a Potions class…’ she giggled as he closed his eyes and groaned. ‘You were having a go at Harry and I caught your eye, you were trying to be stern but I just wanted to kiss you!’ Hermione laughed.



‘It wasn’t as simple for me. I needed help. Albus is a wise man.’ Severus looked at her.



‘I must remember to thank him.’ Hermione smiled and wriggled a little in the bed, allowing the covers to fall off her breasts. She grinned as Severus stared at her full, inviting mounds. ‘Help yourself…’ she whispered. He didn’t need a second invitation.



*********



Hermione spent the night in Severus’s quarters. They eventually got out of bed and as Hermione showered, Severus organised dinner for them both which they ate in front of the fire. After they ate, Hermione asked Severus if she could look at his books and spent a good few hours absorbed in a dusty old volume on obscure potions that had long since gone from popular usage, while Severus made more Contraceptive potion for her.



They sat drinking tea and discussed their relationship a little. They agreed that they would spend Christmas together as it was only two days away. Although neither of them was feeling particularly festive, it was an ideal excuse for them to spend hours locked away together with no-one noticing. They wouldn’t be expected to stick to a routine and Hermione would tell her colleagues she had plans away from Hogwarts. They also agreed that discretion was imperative and that, if and when the time was right, they would reveal their relationship, but not before. The only exception, which Hermione had to persuade him on, was Ginny. Hermione couldn’t bear the thought of continuing their relationship and not telling her closest friend. The compromise was that under no circumstances was she allowed to tell Harry.



Severus smiled at Hermione, who was stifling a yawn. She had curled her legs up and was snuggled against his arm.



‘Don’t fall asleep yet...’ he murmured to her. She opened an eye and glanced at him.



‘Why not?’ She asked sleepily.



‘Because you would be more comfortable in bed, that’s why.’ He chuckled. Hermione nodded and pulled herself to her feet before padding gently to his bedchamber.



‘Don’t be long, Severus…’ she murmured from the doorway ‘ your bed is too big without you.’



Severus looked into the fire and smiled. His life had changed beyond recognition in the space of a week. He rather liked it.