Hilltop Cottage

A/N: Just to let you all know, the story has now been fully Beta'd and I will be posting regularly each day until it is finished. There are 49 chapters in total, something I wasn't aware of! Thanks for your continuining enthusiasm.

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When Severus finally got Donovan settled, with a scratchy version of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star which he promised himself never to repeat to anyone, he knelt by the side of the cot and watched his son for a while as he slept. His hands were curled up beneath his chin, and his eyelashes were so long, they looked like spiders’ legs settled softly on his cheeks. He snored a little, which made Severus smirk. Hermione was right. He did sleep like his father. He reached out a finger and stroked his dark hair gently, feeling the soft fluff and marvelling at how perfect his son was.

He felt Hermione place a light hand on his shoulder, and turned to smile up at her.

‘He is beautiful,’ he sighed.

‘Yes, he is.’ Hermione smiled down at Donovan, and Severus took her hand in his gently.

‘Thank you,’ he said quietly, not daring himself to look at her. A wave of emotion was threatening to overwhelm him.

‘For what?’ She didn’t pull her hand away, but threaded her fingers slowly through his.

‘For him,’ he whispered, his voice breaking.

Hermione stood closer and wrapped her arm around Severus gently. She kissed him lightly on the cheek. ‘I should be thanking you, too, in that case,’ she whispered.

Severus smiled at her and reached his hand out, cupping her cheek softly. Hermione closed her eyes, enjoying his caress for a brief moment, and then gently pulled away.

‘Food’s ready,’ she said as she left the room.

***

When Severus entered the kitchen, he sensed the change in Hermione’s mood immediately. She was busying herself with plates and cutlery, and an opened bottle of wine and two glasses already sat on the table, which was lit with a couple of tea lights. She put the plates onto the table, then turned back and lifted a very familiar looking paper bag, which she placed ceremonially in front of him. She held his gaze, then took her wand from her jeans pocket and flicked it purposefully, causing the kitchen light to dim and cast a warm glow over them. Taking a step closer, she licked her lips suggestively.

‘Guess what’s for dinner?’ she whispered.

Severus felt his mouth go dry. He had no idea what the witch was playing at. If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought it was a seduction, but that was never Hermione’s way before. They hadn’t even talked about a future between them, although the gentle, affectionate hand holding and soft caresses had been more than welcome, certainly. But there were things to discuss. He couldn’t bear the thought of her upping and leaving again, for one thing. They needed to put their cards on the table, before Severus did something he might regret. He coughed lightly and took a slight step backwards.

‘Surprise me,’ he said.

Hermione burst out laughing. ‘Oh, your face,’ she giggled. ‘Relax, Severus. I was only teasing. It’s Crispy Chilli Chicken.’ She grinned at him.

‘You should remember who you’re teasing, witch,’ he grumbled, but smirked back at her.

They served the food and ate, and without prompting, Severus poured wine into the glasses and handed one to Hermione.

‘Just like old times,’ Hermione said softly.

‘Indeed,’ he replied, raising his glass to her.

‘I’m so glad you’re here, Severus,’ Hermione said suddenly.

‘As am I,’ he said.

‘Severus, do you think… well, I think you know how I feel about you,’ she said, a nervous tremor in her voice. ‘I was wondering, if you thought that… well. Oh, shit, Severus. You know what I’m trying to say!’ Hermione sputtered in frustration, her cheeks aflame.

Severus held Hermione’s gaze, a smile playing around his lips. He knew what she was trying to say, but she looked very beautiful when she was flustered and it was well worth making her struggle to get her thoughts out, just to see her eyes flashing and the pink blush across her soft flesh.

‘What exactly are you asking, Hermione?’ he said smoothly.

‘Forget it,’ Hermione said angrily. ‘You know precisely what I was getting at, Severus Snape. Fine, have it your way. I thought we could just cut through all of the crap and get to the important stuff, you know. I still love you and you bloody well know it, and if I’m not mistaken, you love me. Why bother wasting any more time?’

Severus stared at her open-mouthed, not knowing quite what to say. She was absolutely right of course, but he had hoped to court her a little first. But then, he thought of their son, sleeping soundly upstairs, and he realised that a courtship would be closing the stable door after the horse had bolted.

Hermione raised her eyes to his, the fight gone. All that was left was pure emotion, and her eyes filled with tears that threatened to fall any moment.

‘Don’t you dare,’ he said quickly. Getting to his feet, he walked to where she sat and knelt besides her, taking her hands in his.

‘Hermione,’ he said softly, gazing into her watery but oh, so lovely, eyes. ‘I think you’re absolutely right.’

Hermione stared at him for a brief moment, then slid her arms around his neck and buried her face into his hair, sniffing slightly. ‘Oh, Severus,’ she mumbled, as he wrapped his arms about her waist. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’

Severus closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her shampoo, and nuzzled his face into her neck.

Hermione felt him smile against her skin, and sat back slightly. ‘You are a wicked wizard,’ she whispered.

‘Am I?’ he said huskily, looking pointedly at her lips.

‘My wicked wizard, though,’ she murmured, as she tipped her head slightly and moved closer to his face.

She closed her eyes, and their lips met slowly, tentatively, until she moaned softly and opened her full lips to allow his tongue access. She tasted even sweeter than he remembered, warm and moist and delicious, he could survive on her kisses alone for the rest of his life. Her hands found his hair and pulled him deeper into the kiss, and he splayed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her flush with his chest, the feel of her breast against him making him sigh with remembered bliss. Slowly, painfully, they pulled apart, smiling shyly at each other, and then grinning like lovesick fools. Severus pushed Hermione’s hair from her face, caressing her curls as he did so. He bent to kiss her again, when a loud wail from upstairs stopped him, and he smirked, raising an eyebrow at her ruefully.

‘Not quite like old times,’ he said hoarsely.

Hermione giggled. ‘Not quite,’ she said.

He helped her to her feet, kissing her briefly before letting her attend to Donovan. At the kitchen door, she paused to look at him as he started to clear the plates.

‘Severus?’ she asked quietly.

‘Yes?’ He smiled gently as he eyed her ruffled hair and now pink cheeks.

‘Stay tonight,’ she said, her eyes hopeful.

He nodded, unable to speak for the lump in his throat. Hermione beamed at him, and then went up the stairs.