Unforgettable

Chapter Twenty-two –

How he had managed to last as long as he had without seeking her out was beyond him. Perhaps it was his busy schedule. Perhaps it was the part of him that continued to ignore the crumb of guilt over manipulating his lover into their present circumstances. Perhaps it was the spiteful bachelor within him that had only now just acquiesced to the idea that a willing woman in his bed was a small price to pay for his freedom.

Whatever it was, it was what lured him to her right now, seeking the comfort he knew he would find within her willing arms. He would spend his lunch feasting on her instead of sustenance he knew to be waiting for him in the Great Hall.

Entering the sitting room, Severus saw that the House-elves had anticipated his need and had delivered his and Hermione’s meal near the dining area. A loud hiss came from the settee followed by a menacing growl, and Severus’ eyes widened in surprise.

Her beast was lounging on the piece of furniture as though it had laid claim to it as his domain. There were several boxes on the floor and the well-established bachelor within him shuddered with trepidation. She was moving in.

The kneazle’s growling intensified, calling his mistress to him.

“What is it, Crooks?” her voice called out from the guest quarters.

Severus followed the sound of her voice like a merchant sailor following the lure of an enchantress to his death. Closing the door behind him, Severus glared at her, taking in her appearance.

Her hair was wild, errant curls of it clinging to her face. Her cheeks were flushed with exertion, and her eyes were wild as if sensing the reason he stood before her. Before she could greet him, Severus crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, silencing her groan of approval with a kiss.

He sipped at the responsive groan greedily, reveling in her powerless response to him. His hands molded her hips into his and he silently cursed the clothing that separated him from his goal. Pulling his wand from his sleeve, he muttered the spell that would rectify this problem.

Sneering as she stood naked before him, Severus pushed his robe to the side and gasped when she reached for his trousers. He groaned as she freed his readied sex and backed her against the door.

There was no gentleness when he lifted her against the dungeon wall and thrust with a savage growl into her welcome heat.

--

Hermione wrapped her legs around him and shivered with excitement. He was with her, inside her, giving her what she craved. He was mumbling something against her shoulder, something that was incoherent yet filled with need.

Hearing him giving a strangled groan, Hermione felt the warmth of his seed spread within her. He pried her legs from around him and set her on her feet, making sure she could stand before he stepped away and righted himself.

“Eat lunch before the House-elves think you’re not interested in the meal,” Severus stated softly as he walked away. The door closed behind him with a resounding click.

Staring at the door in disbelief and frustration, Hermione picked up a book and threw it at the door, hoping and waiting for him to burst through the door only to finish what he had started. The cad! The bastard! Her husband! How dare he shag her and leave her still wanting!

Righteous indignation inundated any reservations she held about her course of action.

--

Sitting next to Dumbledore and sipping her pumpkin juice, Hermione glanced at her husband. Severus was already perturbed, having been usurped from his normal seat at the table. He was sitting on the other side of her, totally unaware of the Veritaserum in his drink. Dobby had been more than thrilled to assist her in exchange for a nice pair of socks.

She watched nervously as he sliced his food methodically into bite-sized pieces. He had yet to touch his drink.

“I must admit that I am surprised to be dining with you tonight, Madame Snape,” Albus commented. “I would have thought that two newlyweds would take their meals in their chambers.”

Severus snorted in disgust and set his utensils down. Grabbing his glass, he glared at the headmaster and sipped his wine.

Hermione smirked knowingly.

“I remember my first marriage,” Albus went on. “Emily was fifty years my senior and we were crazy for one another.”

“I didn’t know you were married,” Hermione said with a smile as she watched Severus set his glass down. He looked at her questioningly and she turned her attention to Dumbledore.

“Ah, yes,” the headmaster answered thoughtfully. “Emily was the love of my life. Sadly, she passed on a few years into our marriage.”

Dumbledore shook his head as if clearing the memory of his deceased wife away. “Both of you are truly fortunate having found true love. Isn’t that correct, Severus?”

“Yes, Headmaster,” Severus answered quickly, his fork and knife clattering to his plate as he realized what he had said.

Hermione blushed and looked down at her plate, her heart soaring. Sure, it wasn’t exactly a bold admission. But she would take what she could get. She just needed to get Severus alone and ask him the right questions. She could feel Severus’ curious gaze upon her.

Dumbledore droned on about true love and happily-ever-after. Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione could see Severus inspecting his drink. Playing with the food on her plate, she shifted in her seat.

--

Why had he answered Albus? What question had he answered anyway? Why had he even felt compelled to answer the question? Why was his wife looking at her plate as if it held an intriguing puzzle on it? Feeling a familiar tingle course through him, Severus inspected his glass. The doddering ramblings of Albus continued as the old wizard started spouting love poetry.

“The lovely color of your wife’s eyes remind of my Emily’s favorite poem,” Albus purred. “Emily’s eyes were brown like yours, Hermione. But they held a light within their dark irises that reflected such a plethora of color. Hermione’s eyes are like that as well. Don’t you think so, Severus?”

“Her eyes reflect no colors. However they do have a certain degree of depth to them,” Severus stated the truth solemnly. What had possessed him to compliment the color of his wife’s eyes?

Hermione looked up from her plate then, her eyes dancing with mirth. “Do go on, Severus. What else do you think of my eyes?”

“I fear that I could drown in them,” he blurted out and slapped his hand over his mouth.
Veritaserum! He lifted his wineglass to his nose and sniffed its contents even though he knew he would be unable to detect it via scent. It was the strongest truth serum out there. He would be unable to resist answering with dreadful honesty any question that was asked of him.

Severus glared at Albus, who was looking at him with that infernal twinkle in his eye. Had the headmaster poisoned him with the serum?

“Is something the matter with your wine, Severus?” Dumbledore asked.

Staring at his mentor in disbelief, Severus shuddered. He could tell. It wasn’t the old wizard who had poisoned him. His eyes met those of his wife and his breath caught. The look in her eyes, the same eyes that moments ago he had confessed to drowning in, twinkled.

Twinkled! Was it a bloody Gryffindor trait? She couldn’t possibly have slipped the truth serum into his drink.

She leaned closer to him, running his fingers through his hair and tucking it behind his ear. The warmth of her breath caressed his ear as she spoke.

“What’s the matter, Severus?” she purred. “Are you afraid that I may discern the truth?”

“Yes,” he hissed quickly, unable to resist the urge to answer the direct question. Severus jumped up, knocking his chair backwards. “Please excuse me, Headmaster. I have urgent business I must attend to.”

--

Hermione watched as Severus ran away, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. He could run, but he couldn’t hide.

--

Pacing the length of his office, Severus cursed. He had several hours to go before the Veritaserum worked its way out of his system. What did she want with him? Why had she put the serum in his drink?

He snorted, part of him admiring her very Slytherin tactic, the other part of him irritated over the trickery. She must have had an accomplice. How had she managed to slip the serum into his glass without him noticing? Did it really matter? She would be unable to ask annoying questions of him if she couldn’t find him. Even if she did manage to find him, she would be unable to break through the wards to his office.

Severus sat at his desk, devising a proper punishment for his young wife. Nothing too drastic. He didn’t really care for BDSM, but tying his witch up certainly did appeal to him. In fact, he could feel the stirrings of desire thrum through him. Once the Veritaserum worked its way out of his system, his wife wouldn’t know what hit her.

The fireplace in his office sparked to life and he jumped up and ran around his desk. How could he have forgotten to shut the Floo off?

Hermione stepped into the room, brushing the soot off her robe and folding a tattered parchment.

“Leave my office at once, Miss Granger!” Severus demanded.

His wife laughed. “We’re married and I’m expecting your child.”

“I see no point of this conversation,” Severus murmured and walked toward the door.

“Do you love me?” asked Hermione.

“Yes,” Severus hissed through clenched teeth.

Walking toward him, Hermione reached for him. But Severus avoided her touch as though it would set him on fire.

Hermione pulled her wand out and pointed it at his back. “Stop! I want answers and you’re going to give them to me.”

Severus turned around and chuckled mirthlessly. “And just how do you propose on getting them?” He flicked his wand and the wards on the door started to come undone.

“Expelliarmus!”

His wand flew from his hand.

“There,” Hermione said with a leer, “that should stop your attempt at escape.”

“How dare –”

“How dare you, Severus!” Hermione countered. “You shagged me, Obliviated me, shagged me again under false pretenses, leading me to believe I was some wanton witch carrying someone’s child whom I couldn’t even remember being with. Why? Why did you do it?”

Severus cringed, the dreaded question hanging between them and rending the answer from him. The potion, he wanted to say. He wanted to blame the infernal potion, but that was a lie. He hardly knew the answer to the question, unwilling to admit it to himself, much less the woman before him. “I love you.”

“Why?” she asked again and tucked her wand away.

“Why what?” Severus growled. “You have to be more specific with your questions. That’s the problem with Veritaserum. If you ask a question, you should be prepared to hear the answer.” Leave it up to her to compound the problem. Would she ever stop torturing him with insipid questions?

“Is it the potion? Is the potion the reason you love me?”

“No and no,” Severus answered quickly and smirked. His wife was nibbling her bottom lip. She looked doubtful, almost afraid of his answers. Perhaps he could stop her annoying line of questioning.

“You’ve known how I felt all along?” Hermione whispered. “Why didn’t you tell me of your feelings for me?”

An answer sprung forth in his mind, clarity gifting him with an admittance he felt was a fate worse than death. He bit his lip in an effort to keep his secret, but it left him of its own volition.

“I was afraid.”

The impossible had happened. Not only had he verbalized the thoughts that had rattled in the back of his mind for years, but Hermione had been rendered speechless.

Severus met her gaze, waiting for her to laugh. Waiting for her to tell him this was some sort of elaborate joke. Waiting for accomplices to jump from the woodwork and ridicule him. She was standing in front of him, the chocolate depths of her eyes sincere and moist.

“I won’t ask what you are afraid of,” Hermione whispered softly and reached for him, cupping his cheek in the palm of her hand. “In time…I hope you will tell me. But know this – You have nothing to be afraid of.”

The gesture was one of comfort. Not pity. He was as powerless against the physical need as he was the Veritaserum. Turning his face, he pressed his lips against her palm.

“I love you, Severus,” Hermione stated solemnly.

With a growl of desperation he pulled her against him and made his intentions known.

--

She acquiesced, welcoming the onslaught of his lustful design. Hermione sighed encouragingly and moaned in welcome as he lifted her onto his desk. Opening her robe, Severus grabbed hold of the skirt and knickers she insisted on wearing under them, and rolled the offending garments off her body.

Hermione knew the desire that flooded through him and the urge to sate it quickly and as often as possible.

“Love is for fools,” he growled menacingly as he threw his robe onto the ground and pulled his pants down.

Wiggling her bum on the cold wood of the desk, Hermione opened her legs in a silent plea. “Be that as it may, I know better now.”

Severus grunted in response as he anchored himself to her and searched her velvety dampness with his fingers.

Gasping, Hermione pushed against his fingers. “When they find the antidote, will you take it?”

“No,” he hissed through clenched teeth as he eased into her. “If the Ministry ever did produce an antidote, I would do everything within my power to prevent you from taking it.”

She whimpered as his thickness filled her, glorying in his admission.

Establishing a deliciously slow rhythm, Severus nipped at her ear lobe. “I wouldn’t want you coming to your senses and realizing you’d made a disastrous mistake.”

Pulling him to her for a kiss, Hermione panted. She never would have guessed at his insecurities. Harry had once told her of Severus’ Pensieve memory and how James and Sirius had bullied him.

“I love you,” she reminded him, breaking their passionate kiss.

He deepened their intimate connection and slid a hand between them, caressing her clitoris and causing her to keen.

“Such simple, foolish words,” he moaned.

“Words I’ll always remember,” Hermione responded breathlessly as she met her release.

--

He could barely contain his excitement after feeling her clench around him. Grasping her hips, Severus hammered into her, his intellect taking little comfort in her declaration. Unable to hold off his release, he spilled himself into her tender heat.

As was his custom, Severus tried to pull away from her, but she locked her ankles around his arse. He could feel the excitable tremors of her body still surrounding him and enticing him to ravage her again. He stayed within her and brushed his cheek against her sensitive nipple.

“And what of you?” he murmured softly, needing answers to questions that lingered beyond the cusp of his sanity. “Would you consume the antidote? Would you choose to rid yourself of me? Once you realized how the potion truly affected you, would you still delude yourself into believing that you ‘love’ me?”

Her cheeks were flushed with passion. “I would take the antidote to prove to you that I love you. You may consider my emotions trite and my words foolish, but I’ve loved you for so long I can’t remember when I started.”

“If you expect words of love and endearments, you are sorely mistaken,” Severus growled, nipping at her neck.

Running her fingers along his arse, she dug her nails into it and urged him deeper. “Fidelity, honesty, and no more Obliviates,” Hermione groaned passionately. “That is all I need from you.”

Severus grinned. “I assume you forgive me then.”

--

Nine months later –

“I just don’t see why we couldn’t stay at Hogwarts and have Poppy deliver the baby,” Severus groused as he stepped out of the fireplace at St. Mungo’s Hospital and brushed soot off his robe.

Hermione cringed as a contraction lanced through her midsection as she sat in the wheelchair that the maternity Healer offered her. “It would be somewhat difficult seeing as Poppy is here, helping Tonks,” she huffed, trying to breathe through the discomfort.

Severus made a noncommittal reply and bumped the Healer out of the way to push his wife down the hall.

Hermione rolled her eyes in irritation. Her husband’s behavior bordered on that of a petulant child at times. She had no doubt he would be a wonderful father. He had actually spent more time in the nursery than she did. Of course, he would never admit to being a sentimental fool, but she took solace in his true feelings.

He loved her. He didn’t tell her, but he certainly did show her on a daily basis. Severus had been grumpy due to the impossibility of physical intimacy the last month of her pregnancy. She’d done as much as she could to accommodate the physical demands of their relationship, but it had become just too uncomfortable.

The Ministry had yet to develop an antidote for the potion, which had spurred Severus to his own research efforts. He had reasoned that they at least needed a contraceptive potion that would enable Hermione and him to enjoy some time by themselves before they were overrun by a gaggle of children.

Severus was a sensual, selfish man. He was possessive and obsessed with her. Some women might find that off-putting, but Hermione found it endearing. Yes, the lust potion enhanced the obsessive part, but she still found Severus helpless underneath her touch extremely gratifying.

They rounded the corner and listened to a strangled groan. Luna Lovegood walked out of the ward, holding a bundle in her arms, smiling contentedly.

“Hi, Hermione,” Luna greeted her friend. “Professor Snape. Are you here to have your baby?”

Hermione didn’t see it, but she could imagine Severus rolling his eyes.

“Yes,” Hermione replied warmly, patting her rounded belly and eyeing the bundle in Luna’s arms. “May I?” she asked through clenched teeth as another contraction hit her.

“I think it best we check in first, Hermione,” Severus stated, his normally calm tones tinged with panic.

Hermione breathed through her contraction and put her foot down to prevent him from pushing her along. “I want to see the baby,” she growled in warning, the pain of contractions encouraging her snappish mood.

Luna flipped the blanket away from the baby’s face and held the carefully wrapped infant out to the soon-to-be mother.

Hermione smiled. The baby’s hair was strawberry blonde and a beautiful combination of both her parents. “I hope I’m as fortunate as you,” she sighed. “You look great.”

Luna giggled. “Ron did all the hard work. He suffered through the labor. I only had to deliver Celine.”

“She’s…lovely,” Severus stated quickly, trying his best to get his wife to lift her foot.

Hermione couldn’t help but laugh. She knew her husband all too well. He was anything but thrilled. Just a week ago, Molly Weasley had delivered a set of twin girls. True to form, Severus started devising ways on how to keep the “dunderheads” from giggling in his class.

Just then another contraction hit Hermione and she lifted her foot. “I must heed my husband’s advice and leave,” she panted through the pain.

--

Severus watched her as she slept. She was so peaceful, the foundation in his life. Thankfully, Hermione was strong-willed and able to tolerate his unbending ways. His arm was asleep, his daughter safely nestled in the crook of his arm. Secila’s eyes were already a misty gray, obviously destined to be the color of her mother’s eyes.

He’d spent the last hour pondering his daughter. Fine black hair dotted her head, a trait of his he seemed not to mind. Severus breathed a sigh of relief, thanking the Fates that his daughter seemed to have escaped the horrid feature of his hooked nose.

Growling in frustration, Severus shifted Secila in his arms. It would be six weeks until he could have her mother again. The Healers were adamant about Hermione’s recovery time. That was good in the long run, for he was close to perfecting the contraceptive potion that would enable him to have his wife over and over again without fear of the consequences.

Secila was the best kind of consequence there was, Severus contemplated with satisfaction. The birth of their daughter sealed their marriage vows. They would be together forever.

A soft knock on the door broke Severus’ blissful reverie, which was soon dashed when Harry Potter walked into the room.

“What do you want?” Severus asked, his hold on his daughter tightening.

Potter looked worn and older, a bandage over his left eyebrow.

“Has your wife been upset with you, again?” Severus sneered.

Harry glared at Severus, his hand touching the cut above his left eyebrow. “I fell in the delivery room,” Harry stated. “How is Hermione?”

Severus snorted in disgust. “Passed out, Potter?”

“\"Oh, hi, Harry,\" Hermione said, yawning as she stretched.

Severus quickly veiled his dislike for her friend. It would not do to upset her while her hormones were in this volatile nature. He had already had already survived a fistful of his hair being torn from his skull.

“I have a son, Hermione,” Harry announced. “James Arthur.”

Severus cringed. He really must consider retirement.

“That’s wonderful, Harry,” Hermione replied. “How’s Ginny?”

“She’s resting.”

“And Tonks?”

Severus watched the interplay, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from kicking Potter’s ass out of his wife’s room.

“She’s great,” Harry stated. “Remus is kind of upset he missed the birth of his son, but he’ll get over it. They’re running tests now to see if the baby has Lycanthropy.”

“Lycanthropy is rarely passed from father to child,” Severus reminded his wife. Would the injustice ever end? His daughter would be going to school with Lupin’s and Potter’s boys! “I trust that you will make every effort to keep your son away from my daughter?”

“Severus,” Hermione’s voice warned tenderly, “don’t start.”

Harry smiled. “I better get back to Ginny before George and Fred come back.”

“Tell George and Fred to stop by once they finish visiting,” Hermione replied. “I’ve some ideas to run by them regarding the shop.”

Harry nodded, kissed her on the cheek, and backed out of the room. “Congratulations, Hermione.”

Severus huffed at the slight. Yes, they would definitely have to consider sending Secila to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.

“You’re not sending her to Beauxbatons,” Hermione murmured sleepily, reading her husband’s mind.

His eyes snapped to hers and narrowed. How did she do that?

“Beauxbatons is a fine institution,” Severus argued.

“She’s going to Hogwarts. That’s final.”

“Surely you realize the corruptive influence that would be surrounding her.”

His wife rolled her eyes and held her arms out for their daughter. “Those corruptive influences will be her friends whether you like it or not, Severus. She’ll follow the rules. She’ll probably be prefect one day.”

Severus relinquished the bundle to her mother and started pacing. “Next thing you tell me is that she’ll be sorted into Gryffindor.” Severus shuddered at the thought.

Adjusting herself and rearranging the baby, Hermione encouraged the baby to nurse. “It is a possibility, Severus.”

Watching the natural display of his daughter suckling her mother sent a shock of jealous lust throughout him. He sat next to them and watched, the lust tempering itself. Would he ever get used to the sight of this? His wife and daughter.

“What’s wrong?” Hermione asked worriedly, seeing the dark expression on his face.

“Nothing’s the matter,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion.

Their daughter suckled greedily.

“You do realize there is no antidote for the Verus Amor potion,” Severus stated offhandedly, basically letting Hermione know that he loved her. “It either works or it doesn’t work.”

Hermione smile brightly, her eyes dancing with laughter.

Severus wanted to tell her he loved her, but the words always stuck in his throat. Other than her finding out he’d Obliviated her, there had only been one other terrible row between them. His wife had insisted he start practicing how to tell their daughter that he loved her.

Yes, he had years before the child understood a word he was saying. But he had to admit, it didn\'t hurt to practice.

*****

Fin

A/N – My apologies for the delay with this chapter. I was honestly attempting not to make Snape too mushy. I believe relationships are always changing and in constant flux. Hence, the non-fluffy Severus. Thanks to all who took the time to review. I’m currently working on the smut for Remus and Tonks. I’ll post it as a bonus chapter when it’s complete. Seriously though. My heartfelt thanks to all who have been so supportive when I got hung up in my cliffhanging stage. I’d especially like to thank everybody who followed my story from Ashwinder to here. You guys rock!