You Promised It Would Be Forever - Edit

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 25 ~ The Morning After

The next morning, Severus awoke with his usual hard-on. The thing was, it wasn't for the usual reason. He rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom to relieve himself, only to find that there was little difference in his erection when he finished.

"Hermione," he sighed. His cock throbbed strongly at the mention of the witch's name.

Still hard, he walked back into his bedroom and looked at the time. It was only six-thirty. He could get another hour's worth of sleep. The Potions Master climbed back into bed, but sleep wouldn't come. Instead, he found himself thinking of Hermione and what they had shared.

Gods, it had been so good to possess her again. She was so warm, willing and wanton, just as she was when they were in love. Severus' cock pulsed again at the remembrance of driving into the witch, and her passionate response to him as he rode her so strongly.

When Severus awoke, Hermione was sleeping peacefully against him, smelling of jasmine and sex, her breasts pressed against his chest, her lips pursed, her hair spread wildly, half covering her face. He couldn't bring himself to wake her, though he considered taking her again. So he rose from the bed and dressed, then went to get her some pain potion. She was going to definitely feel him in the morning. He didn't want her to pass the day in pain.

Severus left her rooms, retrieved some purple potion and returned to find her still sleeping soundly. He placed the potion on her nightstand, brushed the tangle of hair aside, and kissed her on the forehead. The witch stirred and sighed softly, flinging her arm over the place he should have occupied, then frowned slightly, not waking. She turned on her back, her legs shifting, her body spread out invitingly. The Potions Master's eyes raked over her, and he hardened. Hermione was so accessible, so tempting. But after fucking her so strongly, he decided it would be best to return to his own bed. If he stayed, he would fuck her again, and he really didn't think the witch was prepared for a continuation. Not yet. He would have to build up her strength in increments.

What a delight that would be.

Severus had no intentions on returning to a life of celibacy as long as Hermione was willing to receive him. He thought she would accept him as a lover again. He didn't see marriage. They had tried it once, and although their breakup was the result of unchecked grief and misunderstanding, Severus was not willing to chance having his heart broken that way again.

Hermione would remain true to him as a lover, and he could give her what she needed and receive what he needed as well. It had worked for them before…more than likely, if she had not become pregnant with Jacob, they would still haven been lovers until this point in time. They had loved each other, true, but only married because of the expected child.

Still, it had been reassuring to have a legal claim on the witch. Other wizards knew to stay away from her. But Severus knew Hermione only had eyes and thighs for him, and would turn any other suitor away because of how she felt about him. She still loved him after all. And as for him, he desired no other woman, so he would remain true to her as well. Becoming lovers again seemed the ideal answer.

Severus lay there for the next hour, replaying his tryst with the witch over and over in his head, his cock throbbing as he recalled the sight, sound, scent, feel and taste of her. Next time he would reacquaint his mouth with her sex. He remembered how he used to have to wrestle the small witch to hold her in place as he ran his tongue and lips over her sweetness, drinking her in, his mouth filled with her savory juices, lapping, sucking and licking as she writhed under his ministrations.

Severus sat up in bed suddenly. He was driving himself crazy with lust thinking about what he would like to do to Hermione. For a moment he was tempted to let himself back into her rooms…he could because his wards were on her door. No…no…she needed to recover. He had to give her time to do so.

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The Potions Master had no idea that the witch thought he had used her, then abandoned her. She didn't put any blame on him however, it was she who convinced him to come to her bed when it was obvious he had planned to leave. Hermione had hoped that when he took her, he would feel something for her, some remnant of what had been between them. Since he was gone when she awoke, she assumed he had merely slaked his needs on her willing body. And she had been very willing. Very willing indeed.

Severus had been marvelous. Strong, passionate, demanding, taking all of her as thoroughly as he could, driving her across the bed, making her feel as if there was nothing in the world that mattered other than his possession, his touch, his desire for her. Hermione wanted to believe more than lust drove him. She wanted to believe there was still passion for her, a special passion, something that made her irreplaceable to the wizard. She knew he hadn't taken any other witch, but was that because he still held a place for her in his heart, or simply because he didn't want another painful entanglement?

Gods, it was times like this that Hermione wished divination was a true art, and she could cast some runes or throw down a few yarrow stalks and learn the answers to all the questions she held concerning the dark wizard. Maybe shake some tealeaves around in a cup and read the symbols as clear and definite responses. Going to Sybil Trelawney was out of the question. Everyone knew that the bug-eyed professor had a thing for the Potions Professor. Gloom and doom would be all she'd spout concerning Severus' relationship with Hermione, whether it was true or not.

The Divination Professor had been beside herself with glee when Hermione divorced him, and she wasted no time trailing her scarves down to the dungeons to offer the Potions Master solace and female comfort, which he staunchly refused. She was livid, telling him she suspected that Hermione had somehow "stolen his nature" which meant his virility, hoping to tempt Severus into proving he was still "all man". Her tactic didn't work and the Potions Master rudely told her he wouldn't fuck her if she had the only pussy left on the planet. Of course Sybil attributed this statement to his anger at being thrown over by his wife, and returned to the North Tower to bide her time.

As far as anyone knew, she was still biding it.

Hermione rolled out of bed and regretted it immediately. Every part of her ached. As much as she wanted Severus, she hadn't been ready for him at full strength. She was out of sexual shape. It was earth shaking when he took her, but now she was paying the price. Hermione dropped back on the bed and looked at the purple potion on her nightstand. Its presence meant that Severus had taken the time to dress and go to his potions stores and retrieve it for her before he left. So he wasn't completely inconsiderate.

Hermione uncapped the potion and drank it down. Relief flooded her body. It seemed as if it were a stronger brew than what he used to give her. In the beginning, she took it all the time but eventually she was able to take Severus' strong possessions without it. The witch sighed. It seemed that after almost four years, she was physically back to square one. And since the wizard had gone, she imagined she would never get back up to par.

The faint scent of sandalwood wafted up to her. Severus' scent. She blinked back the tears that threatened to overflow her lids and walked to the bathroom where she relieved herself, brushed her teeth and took a nice, warm shower, washing the scent of sex from her body. She exited the shower and dried off, walked back into the bedroom nude and picked up her wand. She scourgified herself internally, then her bed, wishing she could somehow leave the scent of sandalwood behind. Maybe she'd buy a bottle.

Hermione pulled open her drawer and selected her usual comfortable white cotton panties and bra then put them on, casting a deodorizing spell. She looked in her wardrobe. The witch didn't feel like wearing jeans or pants, so chose a simple, white dress, with wide straps that fell to just above her knees. She brushed out her hair. It was a job because Severus and sleep had tangled it up quite nicely, but she managed to get it under control. She pulled out her robes, put them on, fastening them and sticking her wand in her pocket. Hermione walked through her study, took a deep breath, opened the door and stepped into the dungeon corridor. She walked up the hall, quickening her step when she passed Severus' door.

She had just turned on to the Main Hall when Severus exited his rooms. He stood in front of his door, looking down the corridor towards Hermione's room. He wondered how she was doing this morning. No doubt she was grateful for the bottle of pain potion he left for her. For a moment he thought about knocking and asking her if she wanted him to escort her to breakfast. When they were lovers, they always walked to breakfast together. Ah, but she was still probably asleep. Severus started walking to the Great Hall, his brow furrowed.

Eventually word of them re-establishing a relationship would get around. Severus frowned slightly at the thought of the scandal it would inevitably cause. Most likely everyone would look at him as if he were a fool. Maybe he was. All he knew was he had missed Hermione, and being with her yesterday was like coming home after a long and difficult journey.

The Potions Master's nostrils flared. Fuck them all; they could say what they wanted. He'd been miserable almost four years. It was fine when he didn't know what happiness was…Hermione had given him happiness when she was his lover. He didn't do miserable as well as he used to, and didn't want to do it any longer. He could take the ridicule. It wasn't as if he weren't used to it. When he served the Dark Lord, he was ridiculed and whispered about all the time. Only Hermione seemed to see him in a positive light. Only she had offered him love and solace in those dark days, and she was ridiculed for it too by almost everyone, including her parents. The witch hadn't cared. She fought for her right to love him tooth and nail, and eventually people either respected her choice or moved out of her life. Not one of them did.

Now it was his turn to be told he was crazy to deal with the muggle-born witch again. Severus scowled. If anyone dared to tell him that, it would be the first and last time. Hermione stood up for him when faced with the negative opinions of others. He would do no less.

Severus turned into the Main Hall, terrified students scattering in front of him. He didn't even notice them, which was abnormal. Normally he received great satisfaction from stampeding the dunderheads before they had a chance to feed. Well, his mind was on other things. The Potions Master turned down the corridor that led to the staff entrance, made the right and opened the door. It was Sunday morning and only a few staff members were in evidence. Hermione was one of them.

Severus stopped for a moment when he saw her. The witch gave him a nervous glance and returned to her meal. The Potions Master scowled a bit as he sat down. He had been sure she would have at least given him a small, smile considering he had given her a couple of very good orgasms. He ordered a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, eggs, orange juice and coffee. His food appeared in front him in moments, and the wizard lit right into it, finding he was starved. Everything tasted delicious and he was making short work of it.

Albus Dumbledore was also in evidence this morning, and looked over his glasses at both Severus and Hermione. He had seen the Potions Master give the witch a rather possessive look, and Hermione give him a rather nervous one in return. The Potions Master was also tucking away quite a hearty breakfast, a sure sign he had expended some energy. The Headmaster knew that Hermione was going to apologize to the wizard yesterday. By the look of them, the apology had been fully accepted, though there was still a bit of uncertainty in Hermione's face. No such look was on Severus' however. He definitely looked more relaxed than he had in…well…in years as he ate.

Albus dipped his spoon into his oatmeal, carefully brought it to his mouth and inserted it neatly. He loved oatmeal, but it had the tendency to make his beard a mess.

Severus took another look at Hermione, this time at her plate. She had a soft-boiled egg, a piece of toast and tea. A sure sign she was troubled. Was she regretting what they had done? He hoped not, because he wanted to do it again, and soon. He had years to make up for.

Hermione finished her food, wiped her mouth and stood up. Her heart was pounding because she had to pass Severus on her way out. The witch had decided to act as if nothing had happened between them. She didn't want to put him on the spot. If it had been a goodbye fuck, then she would accept it for what it was. At least he had given her a good memory to keep in her heart concerning him. Hermione raised her chin and walked by Severus. He glanced up at her, but she kept her eyes straight ahead and exited the Great Hall, not acknowledging him at all.

Albus wasn't the only one who noticed the wizard looking after the witch. Sybil Trelawney sat with her fork frozen mid-bite, her magnified eyes narrowed at the obvious interest the Potions Master was showing the Spells Mistress.

"Don't tell me she's hooked him again," she thought, "After all she's done to him, one would think he'd wise up."

Sybil rose from her place, picking up her plate and sidled down to the empty chair next to the Potions Master. Severus looked startled as the witch sat down next to him, her many scarves billowing and coming to rest almost in his plate. He gingerly removed them, pushing them off the table.

"Good morning, Severus," Sybil said in her seer voice, "While I was sitting at my breakfast I was suddenly overcome with a vision, a terrible vision concerning you and your ex-wife. I saw her running a sword through your heart. She was smiling. Nothing can be clearer than she will bring you heartache and pain. You should avoid her. The vision has spoken."

Severus frowned at the witch. Obviously she suspected something had happened between himself and Hermione and was trying to run interference.

"Sybil, I have no interest or faith in your so-called visions. They are wooly at best. For years you had the wizarding world believing Harry Potter would destroy Voldemort, when an old squib bravely took him out. Spare me your inane divinations. Life is to be lived as it comes to us, and the experiences that await us are not to be feared but welcomed. I take offense that you are attempting to control my affairs with your frivolous utterances. If I choose to start a relationship with my ex-wife, that is my business and my business alone. Now good day, Madam," Severus said, rising and exiting the Great Hall, leaving an open-mouthed Trelawney and chuckling Albus behind.

The Potions Master turned into the Main Hall and was about to enter the dungeon corridor when something told him to look behind him. He did, and saw Hermione standing in front of Filch's display of medals, staring at them. He paused and watched as she slid her hand slowly against the glass, her eyes blinking rapidly. He quietly walked over and stood behind her. She didn't hear him approach.

"I wish you could see all the honors the wizarding world has heaped on you, Argus," the witch said softly, "You really made a difference in all our lives. I hope you and Jacob are happy wherever you are."

"I'm sure they are," Severus said, looking down on the witch.

Hermione jumped and spun around, startled.

"Good morning," Severus said silkily, his dark eyes hot with remembrance as they swept over her.

Hermione blinked up at him, a bit of heat rising in her belly. She fought it down. He was done with her.

"Good morning," she replied, darting around him and heading for the dungeon corridor.

Severus stared after her for a moment, before striding after her and easily catching up. That wasn't the response he'd expected from the witch. Her eyes used to soften after a night with him.

The Potions Master walked beside Hermione, aware that the witch was traveling at twice her normal pace. She was running.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked her, his meaning clear. He wanted to know if she were hurting or not.

"I'm fine," she said softly, "Thank you for leaving the potion for me."

"I knew you would need it," he said, unable to hide the growl in his voice as he remembered driving her across the bed. Gods it had been so good.

"I did," she replied, not looking at him but aware of the growl.

"You're not used to me anymore," he said, his dark eyes sweeping over her again.

"Well, considering that was our last time together, I think I held up rather well," the witch replied.

Severus stopped and grabbed her arm, spinning her toward him, scowling blackly.

"Last time? What do you mean 'last time'?" he hissed.

"Severus, you left in the middle of the night. I may have only been with you, but I know what it means when a wizard leaves a witch's bed in the middle of the night. It means, 'Thanks for the ride,'" she said, her voice trembling.

"Hermione," Severus said, trying to control his temper, "I left last night because I knew that if I stayed, I would have been 'too kind' to you. It's been so long for both of us, and my desire for you is so strong, I think I could seriously hurt you. I didn't want to do that, and I didn't want to torment myself with your closeness, so I left. It doesn't mean I don't want to come back to your bed, because I do. I've missed you, witch."

Hermione's bottom lip began to tremble.

"Are you saying you want to be my lover again, Severus?" she asked him, her belly tightening.

Severus moved closer to Hermione, backing the witch against the wall.

"I'm saying I already am your lover," he said softly, "I always will be until you turn me away."

And he kissed her.

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A/N: Ah, soooo sweet. Normally, this would be the end, but Albus has some more meddling to do. And it's going to drive Severus wild…lol. Please review.