The Ties that Lead to Trust

Chapter 24~ Laughter and Love

Hermione blinked her eyes and encountered a rather prominent nose directly in her line of vision. Shifting a bit she recognised the face it belonged to and smiled. It appeared she and Severus had dozed after making love and she propped herself up on an elbow to watch him. It wasn’t often she could watch him while he slept, after all it was usually dark, but seeing his features relaxed in peaceful sleep was enjoyable. His brow, usually a bit furrowed, was flat, his tense jaw slack and his intense eyes closed in restful oblivion. Looking past his face, the pale skin of his chest and long legs glowed in the bright candlelight. She hadn’t noticed at the time, but neither had bothered to dim the lights when they came in the room. Each time before one had ensured the light was dimmed if not darkened completely, still to self conscious to be so uninhibited. Their explorations were usually more tactile, mapping each other’s body with fingertips and lips.

Severus sighed softly and began to wake, an arm holding her to him out of reflex in his drowsiness. Hermione kissed him softly and was pleased to have him respond sleepily. Trailing soft kisses to his ear she whispered, “Sleep well?”

He groaned quietly and replied, “Superb. What time is it?”

“Probably about suppertime by my guess.”

“What?” He sat up abruptly, blinking in the light, and noticed their state of undress. “Oh... I fell asleep then.”

Looking a bit contrite and embarrassed, his brow furrowed. She ran her thumb over his brow tenderly. “So did I.”

His eyes roamed over her body and she felt a bit uncomfortable under the scrutiny, but reminded herself she had no right to since she had just been doing the same thing while he was asleep. He traced a breast with his finger, the corners of his mouth tugging into a smile as the nipple tightened to a firm peak. Hermione felt heat rising to her cheeks, “I don’t know why I still blush. Seems silly now.”

His lips curled into a full smile. “Perhaps. Embarrassed?”

“Maybe a little shy. I’m sorry, but I’m not very good at this,” she cringed a bit as she admitted her insecurity.

Severus moved his hand to cup a glowing cheek. “It doesn’t matter. Besides, I’m quite shy myself. Shall we get up for a while?”

Hermione nodded and he got up and began looking through the dresser. When he found her burgundy nightgown, Severus gestured for Hermione to lift her arms. Obediently she did so and he bent to kiss each breast before allowing the satiny fabric to cover them. He smoothed the garment over her shoulders and took his own dressing gown from the closet door. Taking her hand, he guided her out the door and into the sitting room by the fire. With his wand, he stoked the fire, lit candles around the room and conjured some cushions and a blanket.

“I believe it is your turn,” he said, indicating the bookshelf, “Take your time selecting something. I might need a few minutes.”

Severus disappeared behind the dining room door and Hermione glanced around the room. The Christmas tree caught her eye. They had rushed off so quickly that she hadn’t had the chance to explore the books she had received. Sorting through the research oriented books, she found the novel Ginny had sent. Not having had a good look at it before she flipped to the back cover to read the summary. ‘Successful auror, Mathias Matheson, wasn’t looking for love when he found himself working undercover with the lovely Salina Silverman. Their lives become entangled as-’ “Goodness Ginny, what were you thinking?!” she said aloud.

“What was who thinking?” Severus asked coming back into the room.

“Nothing, just something Ginny sent me.”

“Made your selection I see. What is it?”

Hermione dropped the book she had been holding like it was on fire. “No! I haven’t picked anything. I don’t think we want to read this book.”

He set the tray he was carrying on the coffee table and came over to pick up the book she had dropped. He quirked an eyebrow as he read the title. “Auror Under the Covers? Not an intellectual work then.”

“I shouldn’t think so. I can’t believe Ginny sent it. I’ll just pick something off the shelf,” She said and tried to move past him to the bookcase, but he stopped her.

His mirth was barely contained. “Did you read the inscription?”

“What? No. I didn’t know there was one. I hadn’t looked all that closely,” she informed him.

He handed her the book and she read Ginny’s neatly written message. Her jaw dropped as her face turned a fetching shade of crimson. “Why that weasely Weasley! I could just- hmph. I can’t believe her.”

Severus chuckled under his breath and shook his head. “Likely as not, she was expecting that exact reaction.” He took the book from her hand and guided her to the soft cushions on the floor. “No doubt she thought it would be amusing.”

“I suppose so. If nothing else, books like that are amusing simply because the writing is so horrid,” she smiled, trying to find the humour in the situation.

“And you know this from experience?” He teased.

She opened her mouth, then shut it for a moment, gathering her words. “For one so voracious a reader as myself, it is hardly unexpected that I might have read anything I could get hold of. My mother has a rather large collection for some unknown reason and curiosity got the better of me a time or two. Even when I was younger, I could still laugh at the silly situations and predictable plot lines. I can’t see why anyone would want a whole collection of them.”

“Escape reading most likely. That’s why I keep a few mysteries on my shelf. Something light and easy to read and forget about everything else for a while,” he said and plucked the book from her fingers. “Chapter one. Curses in the Dark. The room was enveloped by the inky night. Mathias was reluctant to light his wand and strained his eyes in an attempt to see into the void that surrounded him. Carefully edging-”

“You aren’t serious?” Hermione asked incredulously.

Severus shifted the cushions and settled closer to her. “It’s rude not to read a book that is a gift.”

“I can’t believe this. Oh alright, but we stop if it gets really atrocious,” she conceded and settled back against him, looking at the covered tray on the table beside them. “What was it you brought out anyway?”

He leaned forward and lifted the cover off of the tray. Various vegetables and small squares of bread were arranged around a small pot with a low blue flame burning underneath. Also sitting on the tray were two steaming mugs of mulled apple cider. “Cheese fondue. I wasn’t sure if you cared for it or not.”

She smiled. “Wonderful. It almost makes up for the book.”

They sat back once more with their aromatic drinks and Severus began to read again. The first few chapters weren’t particularly bad, but when they reached the first love scene in chapter seven Hermione had to stop reading to control her laughter. “They did what? How exactly are a person’s breasts supposed to pour out of a dress? Did they suddenly turn to water?”

He leaned over her shoulder and continued reading down the page. “The next part is worse. ‘Burrowing like a niffler for treasure?’ Hardly the sort of analogy that conjures up thoughts of romance. I think that qualifies as atrocious.”

“Better a niffler than a puffskien,” she gasped through fits of laughter.

“Thank you ever so much for that thought,” he took the book from her hands and tossed it to the floor by the tree chuckling. “I think that is quite enough of that.”

Hermione was still chuckling. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I could tell you how it ends.”

“Oh?” He inquired.

“After they roger each other a few times he will discover that he is madly in love with her, she won’t know this and leave for a while. He will save her life and ask her to marry him, to which she will say yes because she is already knocked up. And they all live happily ever after,” she informed him.

“Well I suppose that lovely summary is enough to satisfy my curiosity. You were quite right about the book. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to read ones this terrible on a regular basis,” smiling he reached forward and swirled a piece of pumpernickel on the end of his fork.

Hermione watched his precise motions and was reminded of how he prepared potions. Shaking her head from her distraction she sipped on her hot drink. “To be fair, I’m sure that some authors are better than others. The same is true of other genres. There are plenty of poorly written novels in print. Non-fiction too, I suppose. Most people seem to think that I will like any book based solely on its subject matter.”

Severus nodded. “Too true. It doesn’t get better with time, I can assure you. I have several inferior works received from well meaning people who don’t bother to take a closer look. I don’t suppose I should be so critical. Others must think the same of what I send.”

“No one is perfect,” she said snuggling closer and humming contentedly when his arm wrapped around her and squeezed gently. “This is nice.”

She felt his fingers slip through her short waves and listened to him breathe deeply. “It is. Pity that the holiday isn’t longer. I am quite enjoying myself.”

“There is still a week before the rest of the school returns. There is still plenty of time,” she spoke quietly.

“Time for what?”

“Time for relaxing, enjoying each other’s company, anything you like. You can do a lot in a week.”

Severus tilted her chin and kissed her deeply. Pulling back he whispered against her lips, “Very true.”

They sat together by the fire, enjoying a light meal and discussing plans for the following day. As the hour grew late, Hermione noticed his hands gently stroking her sides and skimming along her legs. Startled for a moment, she realized that he had been doing so for some time and allowed herself to enjoy the feeling. They continued to talk in hushed voices, stretched out on the cushions, touching. When they ran out of things to say, there was no need to fill the quiet, only a need to close the space between them. As they made love on the sitting room floor, neither paid any attention to Crookshanks as he sauntered into the room and surveyed the scene. The large cat leapt easily onto the vacant sofa and sat purring while he kept watch over the couple into the early morning.
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In the way that all holidays do, the week following Christmas seemed to race by in a blur. Hermione was glad she had finished her holiday work ahead of time and enjoyed the crisp days outside in the snow and the cozy evenings spent warming up by the fire. She was surprised at how agreeable Severus was to outdoor activities. She had never pictured him as an athletic type, but he was quite adept at winter sport, albeit with magical adaptations. He even tried to coax her up on a broom. She was less than thrilled at the idea and wheedled her way out with arguments about excessive wind chill. He only chuckled and promised, or perhaps threatened, to take her flying when the weather was nicer. Inside his snug dungeon rooms, they enjoyed reading together and playing chess or talking late into the night. Hermione found her shyness disappear almost completely, as she savoured her newfound intimacy with Severus. They were still tentative at times, but she felt liberated to be enjoying herself so much.

It was only New Years Eve that they spent time with the other staff remaining at the school when Albus arranged a social in the staff lounge to ring in the new year. Unlike at Christmas dinner, Severus did not avoid her at the gathering and with only a small bit of hesitation offered his arm or held her hand. This caused several amused glances from Professors Sprout and Sinestra, while others were obviously making an effort not to smile too broadly at Severus. Albus, who had no such reservations, cornered him at the punch bowl, and though Hermione could not hear what was said, she could see a hint of colour creep into his cheeks. She was surprised she couldn’t see steam coming out his ears. Flitwick, who obviously heard what was said, chuckled into his cup.

Minerva, also watching the exchange, leaned towards her, “My dear, I am impressed. Usually he has shouted at someone and stormed off by now. Something has him in a good mood. He never tolerates Albus’ teasing, regardless how innocent.”

Hermione felt a blush stain her own face. “Must come from less stress I’m sure. The war being over and all.”

“You haven’t known Severus as long as I have. He has never been this pleasant before. Mind you, he has never kept such pleasant company before. You are good for him and he seems to be good for you. I’m glad to see you two happy,” Minerva nudged her arm.

“Professor! I... It’s not...” Hermione stammered.

McGonagall patted the young woman on the shoulder. “There’s no shame in getting along with him or spending time together. You are married after all.”

Hermione looked across the room and saw the headmaster shuffle away from the table, leaving Severus somewhat irritated in his wake. She excused herself saying, “Yes, well he doesn’t seem in such a good mood anymore. I think I’ll get myself some more punch.”

Minerva gave her a cat like grin, which she ignored and moved towards Severus. He looked up and saw her coming towards him. His eyes glanced up at the ceiling and he let out a big sigh. Hermione poured herself more punch and spoke quietly. “They do delight in tormenting people, don’t they?”

Severus moved closer and muttered, “It’s only me they seem to derive the most pleasure from. Nosy gossips. We can leave soon.”

“Oh?” she checked her watch, “It’s only half ten. Doesn’t this sort of thing usually last until midnight?”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never stayed longer than an hour before,” he admitted.

Hermione grinned, “Ever the life of the party. We can go if you like, so long as we stay up to see the new year. It’s tradition.”

Severus leaned in closer and whispered, “I said leave, not necessarily go to bed. It’s a clear night.”

“Hmm, that sounds nice. Lead the way,” she set her glass down and took his hand.

Several eyes followed them as they left the room, but Hermione didn’t care anymore. Professor McGonagall made a good point, they were married. Out in the hall he guided her up several flights of stairs. The tower they reached wasn’t one that ever saw classes, in fact, she had never been there before. Granted there were plenty of places in the castle she hadn’t explored, even with the Marauders’ Map and troublemakers for friends. Up a long, winding staircase Severus tapped a trapdoor with his wand and a ladder extended down, much like that of the Divination classroom. However, the room was not filled with armchairs and incense, but bare of any furniture at all. It was cold, but the view outside into the night was magnificent.

Hermione leaned against the sill and took a deep breath of night air. She felt Severus behind her and leaned back against his warm chest. Strong arms came around hers as they looked out at the stars dotting the dark blanket of night. He nudged her arm and pointed to the horizon across the lake. “The aurora borealis are out tonight. There is usually a better view of them from this tower.”

She glanced back at him. “How often do you come up here? It doesn’t look like it’s used very much.”

“Hasn’t been used in years,” he told her, “It was a second astronomy tower at one time, but Sinestra prefers the other and only teaches classes there. I never had classes here myself, but senior students used this tower for NEWT level projects and research. I’m sure it was the bane of many teachers’ existence at the time.”

“No doubt. It is lovely though. Happy New Year,” she leaned back and kissed his cheek.

As she backed away, he held her for a proper kiss then leaned forward contented. “It is a happy new year. The best I’ve had.”

Hermione turned away from the stunning vista and faced him. “Even with Dumbledore and everyone else down there?”

He shook his head and sighed. “Yes, even with them. I’ll have someone to kiss at midnight this year.”

“Pleased to be of service,” she joked, smiling widely.

Severus pulled her close and kissed her forehead before looking out the window again. The borealis rippled and danced in the night sky like a silk ribbon in the wind. Midnight was marked by Hermione’s watch followed by a drawn out kiss. The chill night air encouraged them to seek the warmer confines of his rooms, but they were reluctant to leave. Standing behind her, wrapping her in his cloak, he nuzzled her ear. “I love you, Hermione. Happy New Year.”
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