Hilltop Cottage

The soft ticking of the kitchen clock provided a counter-point to the sharp scratchy sounds from Hermione’s quill, but the rest of the house was quietly peaceful. Donovan had fallen asleep in the crook of Severus’s arm before they had finished reading through his picture book, and after he had placed him gently in his cot, he had slipped back to Hogwarts to tie up some loose ends before returning to the cottage for the night.

Hermione lifted her glass of wine and sipped it slowly, letting the sweet and sour liquid play over her tongue lightly before swallowing. She pushed her curls from her eyes and tucked them back behind her ears for the umpteenth time, and then began to re-read her notes. Tomorrow, they would be using her spell on Minerva, and although all of their tests had so far been successful, she was still nervous about the outcome.

Severus stepped from the Floo and gently shook the soot from his clothes before walking to the kitchen. He paused and watched Hermione for a moment, before clearing his throat and alerting her to his presence. She looked up at him and her face lit up in a warm smile, and not for the first time, he counted his blessings that he had her in his life once more.

Hermione’s stomach rumbled loudly, and she blushed to her roots, dropping her gaze quickly to her notes.

‘Don’t tell me you haven’t eaten yet?’ he berated her gently.

‘I will do shortly. I just wanted to make sure I haven’t missed anything,’ she murmured.

‘Accio Hermione’s notes,’ Severus said softly, ignoring the look of consternation on her face. He plucked the parchment from the air deftly and scanned her neat, rounded writing. It was so familiar to him, he felt he had been reading her words for all of his life, and he smiled up at her. ‘You haven’t missed a thing.’

Hermione sighed with relief. ‘Thank goodness,’ she said.

Severus folded the parchment and slipped it into his inside pocket, his firm gaze challenging Hermione to protest. He flicked his fingers, and her quill vanished, making it quite clear that her work was done, for this night at least. He walked over to where she sat, slipped his jacket off, and placed his hands on her shoulders, gently massaging out the knots that he knew would sit at the nape of her neck. Her stomach growled again, and Severus sighed.

‘Hopeless,’ he said in her ear, and Hermione giggled.

He walked over to the telephone, raising his eyebrows at Hermione as she sat with her chin on her hand, smiling softly at him as he placed an order for Crispy Chilli Chicken, times two. Her finger traced the edge of her wine glass slowly, and she dipped her fingertip into the liquid and placed it into her mouth, sucking it slowly and all the while, holding Severus’s gaze. She grinned softly as his eyes glazed over at the sight of her finger sliding so suggestively between her full lips, and his mouth dropped open slightly as he replaced the receiver.

‘Everything okay, Severus?’ she asked him lightly.

‘You are a naughty witch,’ he said a little huskily, and he walked over to her and pulled her to her feet, before bending his lips to hers and tasting the wine for himself. Hermione sighed happily, eagerly opening her mouth and letting him slide his tongue inside sensuously, teasing her own tongue as his hand caressed the side of her breast through her thin, cotton t-shirt.

‘I love you,’ she whispered, her breath catching as she felt her desire start to rise.

Severus pulled back to look at her. Her eyes were half-closed, and her lips were full and pink. He felt a small lurch in his stomach as he looked at her, knowing that she desired him, that it was him that made her react in this way. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

‘I love you too, Hermione,’ he said quietly. ‘And I intend to show you just how much,’ he said, bending and kissing her firmly before pulling swiftly away again. ‘Just as soon as you’ve eaten.’

‘Severus!’ Hermione opened her eyes fully and glared at him, reaching out to bat him on the shoulder, but he saw it coming and neatly side-stepped the swipe with a chuckle.

The doorbell sounded and Severus looked at Hermione meaningfully. ‘You need to eat, witch. You will need your strength before the night is through.’

Hermione gasped at his words and then flushed at the thought of the pleasures to come. Without another word of protest, she went to collect their food from the delivery driver.

***

Hermione finished her last mouthful and let her cutlery fall to her plate with a clunk.

‘That was great,’ she said contently. ‘It’s been ages since we’ve done this.’

‘Mmm,’ Severus agreed. He had finished his meal first and was now lying on the sofa with his feet up and his hands clasped lightly over his slightly round stomach, a symptom of Hogwarts food, Firewhisky and age. ‘You know, I am really looking forward to tomorrow,’ he said.

‘Why is that?’ Hermione asked as she lifted their plates and carried them through to the kitchen. When she returned, Severus had rolled onto his side and shuffled back to make room for Hermione beside him, and she snuggled next to him, wrapping her arm snugly around his waist.

‘Because when Minerva wakes, I can start planning my departure from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Misery,’ he said meaningfully.

Hermione laughed against his chest. ‘You’re a horrible man,’ she said.

‘I’m not. I’m just honest. I take no pleasure from the school, and it holds no fond memories for me the way it does for you. I long for the day when I can spend hours in the garden again. I have missed it greatly.’ He let his hand rest on Hermione’s stomach and his fingertips softly stroked the soft skin above the waistband of her jeans.

‘Do you really think Minerva will recover, Severus?’ Hermione asked him quietly.

‘Of course I do. You’re an incredible witch, Hermione. The spell is logical and well planned. I cannot imagine why it hasn’t been invented before. It took you to see the potential,’ he said warmly.

‘You say some lovely things sometimes,’ Hermione sighed happily.

‘I’m tired of talking,’ he said lowly, turning his face to hers and staring into her eyes. His fingers slipped open the button at the top of her fly, and he smirked as she held her breath. Slowly, he slid the zip down and his fingers teased the top of her lace knickers. Hermione squirmed, and Severus moved his hand away abruptly.

‘My way, or no way, witch,’ he growled.

Hermione giggled. ‘Sorry, Severus,’ she said meekly, earning her a deep chuckle before his lips met hers in a tender and loving kiss.

‘Hold tight,’ he whispered. Hermione grasped the front of Severus’s shirt, and he twisted slightly, Apparating them directly to the bed upstairs with a bounce. Hermione started to laugh, but she was soon silenced by Severus’s deep, hungry kiss and the sensation of his fingers as they probed her moist lips.

It was early morning by the time Hermione was allowed to sleep. Severus had been needy for her in a way that neither of them had ever known before, but when they finally curled up together and settled their heads on the soft pillows, they both knew that a deeper understanding had been reached. No words had been said, no declarations or proposals this time, but they both felt it. They would never be apart again.