After The War

((Still Kind of short but I think you'll forgive me when you read it!))

Chapter 5

She wasn't there when he awoke the next morning. The clock on the bedside table told him that he'd slept into the late morning, quite unusual for Severus. At first he was a little confused as to why he was in the guest room with his bathrobe on, then the memory of the night before came flooding back into his mind. He smiled to himself, the pieces were falling into place and he may just get what he wants. Still, years of constant dissapointment and giving up the things he wanted most wouldn't allow Snape to take the situation at more than face value.

He went from the guest room to his own without seeing her, though he smelled breakfast cooking in the kitchen and heard a faint humming. Once dressed, rather hastily, he did something quite unusual for Severus. Standing in front of the mirror, he combed his black hair, checked his breath and sprayed cologne on his neck. He suddenly felt the need to impress, as though she might slip through his fingers if he wasn't desirable.

She was humming the tune to an old Strange Sisters song and flipping eggs on the skillet when he came in. "Good Morning Severus," she said noticing his arrival. He nodded in response. "I wanted to apologize for waking you last night so I got up early and got to work. You're study is dusted and the potions are all labeled and put in their proper places. OUCH!" She had just burned her finger on the skillet and dropped it on the kitchen floor. "Dammit!"

Severus pulled out his wand and cleaned the mess up with a few swishes and flicks. Hermione was busy sucking on her fiery finger to care when he spoke, "Come here, let me see that finger." Instead of waiting for her to come to him he strided over and took her hand, holding it up to get a good look. "Easily fixed," he said before flicking his wand again. "It'll sting for a bit but I have a potion to deal with that I believe," he didn't realize that he was still holding her hand. Her big brown eyes were gazing up at him expectantly. He knew what she wanted, even if she wasn't willing to say it aloud. He kissed her finger lightly and let it drop down to her side again before walking away to his study. She smiled in his wake.

Hermione was in a good mood for obvious reasons. She was a bit annoyed at his aloofness to the situation. She wasn't quite sure what she expected, surely he wouldn't pop out of bed and come to kiss and hold her; that just wasn't Severus Snape. Still, she hoped he'd be a bit more happy in demeanor. She thought she'd seen a change in him, his hair looked smoother and he smelled different. His hands were rough and callused but there was a sensitive nature in his touch.

When he returned she was busy fixing another skillet of eggs. He gave her a vial of bright blue potion and told her to take it after she ate, it would help with the sting of the burn. He sat down at the small table and allowed her to deliver his plate and sit across from him with her own. They ate in silence for some time. "About your apology Hermione," Severus said after swallowing a mouthful of fried egg. "There's no need to apologize. I do hope what little comfort I could give was of use." He immediately averted his eyes back to his plate, color spreading through his normally pale face.

Hermione smiled. "I should cry every night if I'm promised such comfort," she said graciously.

"Then cry as you will and consider yourself promised," he said draining his glass and standing.

He placed his dish in the sink and turned to leave but Hermione was blocking his path. When he turned they were face to face, so close that he could feel her breath on his skin. She embraced him, getting up on her tip toes to reach her arms around his neck. He took in her scent, lavendar in the spring time, and felt her warmth against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her back and pressed her closer. He felt the softness of her lips barely touching his neck and felt the need to never let go.

It was a long while before he realized that she was crying, she made no sound. He felt the light wetness of her tears rolling down his neck. He put his hand on the back of her heard instinctively and craddled her with care. "Shhh," he hushed her rocking back and forth. He felt completely helpless and all he wanted to do was save her from whatever pain she felt.

As if something suddenly came over him he pulled her legs out from under her and carried her to her bedroom the way that a mother would carry a child. Every step was painful to him because he knew the moment would end the second he put her on the bed. He would have to let go and walk away. Slowly he lowered her down, she was reluctant to let go. He kissed her forehead and turned toward the door.

"Don't go," he heard her say in a whisper.

Severus stopped with his hand on the doorknob but didn't turn. A thousand things ran through his mind as he stood there. What did she expect of him right now, just to hold her until she fell asleep again. He was afterall a man and he wasn't sure that he could do that again. His weakness toward her was far greater than he expected and control completely left his body. He turned without even realizing it and sat down on the edge of the bed with his back to her. He breathed a sigh and turned to gaze at her. "Hermione, I should..." she pressed a finger to his lips to hush him.

"Stay with me Severus," she said softly.

Her brown eyes were lazily leaking tears down her pink tinted cheeks. She sat up gracefully and leaned into him, their eyes met for a single second before their lips pressed together. His lips were softer than she had expected. His hands traveled to the back of her head again and pressed her into the kiss more firmly. She could feel the muscles in his finger contract. His arms were trembling and his eyes were closed tight. Hermione moaned into his mouth and he was sent over the edge.

Severus gently pushed down on her so that they were laying on the bed, never breaking the kiss. After what seemed like too long a time to both parties, their lips parted and he felt a velvety tounge against his own. His hands were free ranging now, roaming all over without discrimination. He could barely remember the last time he touched a woman in such a way. The feeling was elation mingled with fear, his hands were still trembling. Finally the kiss broke and he felt as though the moment was over. His hands moved away from her and he laid on his side gazing into space, not knowing what to do. He wasn't quite sure if he could handle much more. He was very much used to being the aggressor in all situations, now he was submissive and frightened.

She answered his question before he asked, "Yes, I'm sure."

He needed no more than that. He became the predator that he always had been and the timidness swiftly passed. His hands became free ranging again, sizing up his prey. His rough hands toured her soft skin and found their way under her shirt. The clothing was removed with haste and she allowed him free reign of her body. She gave a squeek when his fingers found her nipple and his tounge flicked out on the other.

She could feel his erection pressing into her hip through his pants. Her hands made for his belt buckle but he stopped her, pinning her hands above her head and straddling her. She moaned in response to his aggression. Severus spent many moments suckling and licking her breasts as she quivered and moaned beneath him. Eventually he let go of her hands and turned his own to her skirt. It was off in seconds, he smirked at the sight of her cotton thong. He began at her stomach, kissing his way downward, as she squirmed under him. She arched up her hips when his lips reached her pantyline. He removed the thong and continued the kisses along her inner thigh.

A loud and long moan issued from Hermione's lips when his slender finger parted her lips and massaged her clit. His fingers slid down to make room for his tounge. He pushed a long slender finger into her opening while he sucked on her clit. She was grinding her hips and arching her back up to him, moaning in unison with his finger movements. Soon she screamed out as pleasure overtook her, her orgasm echoing through the room.

He removed his fingers and crawled up to her face, kissing her chin and cheeks. Once she recovered she looked at him starring at her, he was smiling and playing with her hair. She would later recall how handsome he looked in that moment, the sunlight shinning onto his hair through the window. He looked younger and less weary then, his eyes were alight with passion and every breath seemed more tender and careful than any before.

Her hands went to the buttons on his robes and undid them one by one. He never stopped gazing at her as she went about her work. Severus hrugged the robes off with ease as she pulled his shirt over his head. He had no chest hair and was much more fit than she would have thought. His bicepts and chest muscles were thick and pale. She kissed his chest lightly as she wroked his pants and boxers off. His erection was full fledged now, Hermione took it into her hand, stroking him carefully.

It was Severus' turn to moan and moan he did. The moans only got louder and more throaty as her muth descended onto him. Her soft lips were around his dick for no more than a minute before he jerked her head up. "Not yet," he said breathing hard.

He pulled her forward, positioning her over his hard cock. Hermione lowered herself onto him and both emitted moans of ecstacy. She moved expertly on top of him, sending him into oblivion with each bounce. His hands gripped her waist tightly and he went rigid beneath her, breathing hard and heavy. Finally, she screamed out and he came.