Chapter Twelve: Yule

(i) Thank you everyone for the kind reviews. Please do continue to let me know what you think.

(ii) The characters and world of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.

(iii) A big thank you to my lovely, amazing beta, Queen_of_Stars.

(iv) This chapter is in response to the December 2009's OWL theme on "Yule".

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As Christmas break drew ever closer, Hermione decided to speak to Severus about her desire to go to Australia to recover her parents. She'd thought about bringing the topic up on numerous occasions, but it had never felt right. She knew how busy he was ensuring almost all the children who had lost parents, still had a home, an actually welcoming home, to go to.

Waiting until the seventeenth, when the castle emptied of all of the students and almost all of the staff, Hermione joined Severus for an after dinner brandy in his chambers. There, when they were relaxed in front of the fireplace, she said, "Severus, I would really like to go find my parents during the Yule break. Will you come with me to help me remove the Memory Charm I placed upon them?"

Severus studied the young woman before him intently. Finally, he nodded. "Yes, if you wish me to accompany you. I will do so. But may I ask, why now?"

"Well," said Hermione, "I waited until I was sure there would be no reprisal attacks from former Death Eaters. But now that all of them have been captured, it seems safe enough to bring them back home."

Severus was reluctant. He did not think Hermione's parents would take the news of their memory modification as well as she thought they would. He didn't want to break her happy monologue though, as she spoke of how loving her parents had been towards her on her visits home over the years.

It was obvious she hadn't heard the reluctance in his tone. For Hermione brought up the subject with Minerva over breakfast the next morning.

"I still don't think this is a good idea," he said to the two women when they had finished their conversation. "But I agree with Minerva. You should not go alone. That would be folly. And thus, I will come with you."

Once Severus agreed, the plans for their journey came together surprisingly easily. An international Portkey for the Heroes of the Wizarding World was no problem at all to arrange. This important aspect of their trip organised, Severus and Hermione departed for Australia on the twentieth of December. They had decided to take a week to locate the Grangers and inform them of their altered memories.

Hermione had thought that locating her parents would be a difficult matter. Sydney was, after all, a large, cosmopolitan city. However, finding the Grangers proved the height of simplicity. For once they had emigrated, the Grangers had opened an authentic British B & B called The Wilkins' Place that catered to the large number of backpackers and travellers who visited the city. Not only did her parents run the B & B, they also had a lovely British tea shop selling proper cream teas and other English delicacies like mince pies and Christmas cake in honour of the approaching holidays.

Hermione and Severus spent the first afternoon observing the Grangers bustling around the tea shop, chatting to their customers and basking in the Australian summer weather. It seemed odd to Hermione to hear familiar Christmas music and see traditional British festive food displayed in the bright sunlight.

As Hermione and Severus were the only customers to linger and openly ask questions about the couple, when the rush for afternoon tea had ended and the shop emptied of all its customers save Hermione and Severus, Wendell and Monica gladly sat down to speak to their fellow expatriates.

Surreptitiously ensuring that the door to shop was locked and the place silenced, Hermione cast the charm that gave them back their memories. It was a complicated exercise, and Hermione was momentarily drained by the high percentage of magic she had used. Once she had a few moments to recover, she ate the rich, dark magical grade chocolate that Severus quickly pushed into her hand. Then, she drank another cup of lovely hot Earl Grey and closely observed her parents. They, meanwhile, had done nothing more than sit shell-shocked in their chairs once the charm was applied, their eyes firmly closed as their memories flooded back.

When they finally had all of their memories restored, the Grangers stared in shock and fury at their only child.

"How could you?" were the first words that came out of Dr. Mark Granger's mouth. "I can't believe my only child would do such a thing to us without taking the time to discuss something this important with us."

"Daddy, please," said Hermione brokenly. "I didn't have much time, and I knew you would try to talk me out of it."

"Well, it was our right," said Dr. Jean Granger in a hard, cold voice. "How dare you think you could know what was best for us. It took us years to build up our practice, to create our perfect home, and for what... for you to take away our lives, our dreams, so that we could spend the last eighteen months running a B & B?"

"Mummy," implored Hermione, turning to her mother, "it really was for the best. I did all kinds of Arithmancy calculations and there was a ninety-seven percent chance that you would survive unhurt in Australia. If you had stayed on British soil, there was an eighty-six percent chance that you would die of a Death Eater attack. I couldn't take that risk."

"You had no right, young lady," said Mark in a disappointed tone of voice. "Besides, why would we be so highly at risk? Did other Muggle-born children hide their parents away that you had to do something so rash, so brazen?"

Hermione hid her face behind her hair. "I was more likely to have my family targeted," she explained. "I was one of Harry's closest friends, and we knew Voldemort would come for you, since I was one of the people in the front lines of the war."

"Yes," said Jean cruelly. "That's another thing I didn't understand; the Daily Prophet, the newspaper we were advised to buy to find out about your world, never believed the stories of your friend Harry. Why on earth did you all feel he was telling the truth?"

"Because he was," said Hermione urgently. "The Prophet is a lying propaganda machine. But we knew the war was coming, and I knew I would have to fight. I didn't want you to be another one of the casualties."

"Well we were, and we still are," said Mark simply. "I still think you should have told us the truth, given us a choice. I feel shock. I can't quiet explain how violated I feel. And I am so hurt and angry with your belief in your own superiority, in you playing God with our lives. You are no better than those pureblood wizards you used to tell me about who played with Muggles like they were toys created for wizard amusement." Mark sighed.

"I hate to say this to my own child, but you are no child of mine. I never want to see your face again. I will never be able to trust you, to look upon you with anything but anger and resentment at the way in which you have taken our old life and now this life away. You can take your fancy magic and go live in your bloody world. I am sorry that we ever had you."

Heartbroken, Hermione turned to her mother. "Mummy," she said desperately. "Please, Mummy."

Jean was a woman with a softer heart. Watching her only child plead, tears pouring down her cheeks, did affect the older woman. But she understood her husband's position. "Hermione, your father and I are very hurt and upset. I will abide by Mark's words. If you could remove us from your life for so long, without care or consideration, I am sure that we can learn to live without you."

Hermione was distraught. She could do nothing but sob brokenly, pleading, "Mummy, Daddy, please," over and over again.

Severus was furious, but he held himself in check with great difficulty. He realised that if he lost his temper at these ignorant Muggles they would never have the opportunity to mend their broken familial ties. Thus, Severus stood up, bowed politely as possible to Hermione's parents and Apparated the two of them back to his hotel room with a loud crack.

Once there, Severus held her tenderly as she cried piteously. Eventually, exhausted she fell asleep in his arms. Throughout her emotional catharsis, Severus had spoken not a word. He knew that in her grief, rational thought was useless. But he was determined to speak to her foolish parents before they left Australia.

When Hermione awoke the next morning, it was to find herself held tightly in Severus's strong embrace. She lay turned away from him, her bum pressed intimately against his front, his leg and arm thrown across her protectively. She noted that he had removed her shoes and clothes and that her naked form lay pressed against his own, which was clothed in what felt like practical cotton pyjamas. As she recalled how she came to be in Severus' bed, she remembered her hasty departure and her parents' rejection. Her body stiffened in pain, and she felt Severus' arm tighten around her. Realising that he was awake, she shifted until she lay facing him.

As their eyes met, he raised his eyebrow questioningly. Hermione nodded in response and tried to smile, despite the pain still tearing at her heart.

Severus sighed. Then, he tenderly kissed her on her forehead and said, "Hello, dear one."

Hermione returned his gentle greeting with a soft, "Hello," of her own.

Pulling her even closer until she was practically lying on top of him, he said into her wild mop of hair, "Don't take yesterday as the end of all communication with your parents. Try to understand their position and give them time. You never know; in time they may change their minds, and they can always find you at Hogwarts."

Hermione listened to his surprisingly gentle advice and nodded her head. "I know," she said softly. "But I never thought my parents would not be ready to listen, that they would reject me like that. They didn't sound like my parents, they were so different."

"Well," said Severus trying his best to be gentle. "They have had eighteen months away from you in a different country and culture. They are bound to have changed in that time. Now, I want you to do your best to not dwell on this. Give them time."

Hermione tried to smile, but again, her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

Severus sighed. "None of that," he said sternly. "You have faced much worse than this. You're a strong, resourceful woman."

Hearing Severus' words of praise were a balm to Hermione's fractured heart. The smile that next graced her face was, if not up to her usual brilliance, then at least more genuine and heartfelt.

"Besides," said Severus, "even if your parents never speak to you again, you now know that they are safe and well. That they are alive and they have their memories back. Take comfort in that."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you, Severus," she said with a warm and loving smile. "I'm so glad I have you with me. I don't think I could have managed this pain if I was on my own."

"Think nothing of it, my pet," he said. "If we are to move further in our relationship, then we must begin as we mean to go on. I am here for you, no matter what."

Hermione's smile was like the sun in its brilliance. Severus was not a wizard to makes claims of that nature lightly.

"I'm going to send you back to your room to have a nice long bath now," said Severus next. "But I shall return in a little over an hour to collect you for breakfast. You did not have any dinner, and you need to keep your strength up."

"Yes, sir," said Hermione with another more genuine smile. She felt enormously grateful to Severus's kindness and no-nonsense attitude.

Once Hermione was occupied with the long, soothing bath that Severus had drawn for her, he Apparated to the Grangers' tea shop. There, he wasted no time in casting a series of spells that encouraged all the customers to depart post-haste so that he was left in the sole company of her parents. Then, before they could speak, he said, "I do not care if you never contact your daughter again. But it would behove you and your supposed intelligence to listen to what I have to say."

The Grangers had spent the night discussing and trying to come to grips with what they had learned about their past and their new life in Australia. When they had not known who they were, where they had come from, their new life had seemed wonderful. The marvellous weather, the interesting, bohemian mix of people they saw walking through their doors... it had all been what they thought they had always wanted. Now, that reality was superimposed on their previous understanding of their social background, their life and successful business in England. Seeing the angry wizard, for they were adept enough to realise that he was a wizard, they stood quietly, though their posture radiated mistrust and fear.

At the Grangers' tense silence, Severus continued. "Hermione is a brilliant witch. As her former professor and current headmaster, I can assure you that she is one of the most extraordinary minds to come through the corridors of Hogwarts. I am confident that her Arithmancy calculations would have been meticulous. If she worked out that your leaving Britain was the best chance of ensuring your survival, then you can thank her for saving your lives. Are your old home and career more important than your worthless existence on this material realm?"

The Grangers had not believed their daughter when she had told them that their lives would have been at risk. They had dismissed it as Hermione thinking too much of herself. Hearing this angry and obviously powerful man speak made them rethink their previous assumptions.

Jean Granger had spent the past year mourning silently over not having a child. To find out that they did in fact have a daughter, only to lose her because Mark would not forgive her, had hurt her. She was willing to forgive, to try to understand. Her face softened, and she nodded cautiously while looking at her husband's angry glare.

Severus could see that the woman was starting to mellow. Looking straight into the man's eyes, Severus said, "Think about whether your business and home are more important than your worthless, miserable Muggle lives for a while before you reject your only child." Drawing his robes around him and standing even taller, he said imperiously, "I am a former Death Eater. I can assure you that all Muggle-borns were classified and targeted, and Hermione, as the poster-child who refuted all pureblood propaganda of Muggle-born inferiority, was one of the most wanted of fugitives. She spent a year on the run, living in a tent, struggling each day for survival. If it were not for her and her annoying little friend Potter, the world as we know it would be no more. The Dark Lord would have been victorious, and it would have not been long before the entire Muggle world was enslaved. She has been tortured and faced more Darkness and danger than you in your mediocre little existence can ever imagine. She is a heroine of the wizarding world, and your petty, mindless rejection of your only child has caused her more pain and suffering than the Darkness she has fought against her entire life."

At hearing that her only child had been tortured, Jean gasped out loud and clutched the hand of her husband. Even Mark, who had hardened his heart at his daughter's actions, was alarmed. As a doctor, if not a father, hearing about children being tortured pained him.

Severus could see that his words were having the desired affect on the Muggles. Using all of his skill as an orator, he said, "You disgust me with your self-righteous suppositions of fairness and justice. Your shop is decorated with memorabilia for a holiday that celebrates the birth of a child who spoke of love, peace and forgiveness. Don't you think it is hypocritical to reject your only offspring, yet attempt to uphold the trappings of the birth of Christ, the so-called son of God? If you can reject your own flesh and blood, then what does that say about you? Think hard about what you have done to your only child. She waited all this time to be sure that you would not face reprisal attacks from former Death Eaters on the run. She has always put your safety first. Is your life, your comfort more important than the happiness of your only offspring? And people wonder why the extermination of mindless, petty Muggles was wrong. If you think that your life now is lost, I could finish off the deed for you. Killing you would be but the work of a moment, and it would give me great pleasure to ensure that you never hurt Hermione with your worthless, thoughtless presence again."

Hermione's parents were terrified at the fury and power radiating from the angry wizard. It was obvious that he was an extremely powerful man, and they dared not utter a word as he vented his rage. They knew they had misjudged and misspoken yesterday. They were no closer to forgiving and forgetting what had been done, but they realised that they needed to understand the motivation behind their daughter's actions.

Severus finished his tirade and looked at them both closely. "If you change your minds, you know where to contact your daughter. I hope you don't, for she is better off without such weak, petty individuals in her life. She will go far, and you and your ignorance will only slow her down. But I know she loves you, and this is what has moved me to sully myself with your presence today. Good day." With that parting remark, Severus Apparated away to his hotel-room once more.

His visit to the Grangers' had taken a rather short time. He thus had plenty of time to plan the next course of action. When he went to collect Hermione, he had a meticulously designed itinerary. Knowing that the best way to deal with her disappointment was through intellectual stimulation, he informed her over breakfast that he planned on utilising their time away from Hogwarts with collecting hard-to-find potion ingredients. This immediately perked up Hermione's curiosity, and they spent a thoroughly interesting, if not happy, day browsing the Aboriginal Magical ghetto of Sydney, where they bought a vast quantity of native Australian potion ingredients and texts.

That night, Severus took Hermione out for a romantic Yule dinner. Looking out at Sydney Harbour, they tried to put the fiasco of the meeting with her parents behind them. Severus ordered a bottle of fine Australian wine and once again involved her by explaining the history and background of winemaking in the region.

Hermione loved listening to Severus speak. His voice was like dark, rich chocolate, coating her in a haze of sensuality. Seeing Severus's genuine affection for her helped Hermione cope with the painful rejection of her parents, and she clung to the comfort of his words that perhaps in time, her parents would change their mind.

Severus found Hermione painfully easy to read. As her emotions flashed across her face, he gently squeezed her hand in silent support.

Hermione smiled. She could not believe that this understanding, gentle man was the same stern and terror-inducing Potions master of her younger years.

Dinner over, they lingered over their Christmas pudding, going so far as to order a second bottle of wine. By the end of the evening, both Severus and Hermione were pleasantly relaxed. Their walk back to the hotel was filled with gentle caresses and kisses. Severus, who had never been on a romantic stroll, found the experience of walking hand in hand with Hermione utterly satisfying. The envious glances he encountered for having a beautiful young woman who was clearly enthralled by him filled him with a deep sense of masculine fulfilment. Back at the hotel, the ride up to their rooms was filled with more sensual kisses.

Hermione wanted to show Severus how much she appreciated having him by her side. She had realised over dinner that she had fallen deeply in love with her complex Slytherin. He was everything she desired. As they reached her bedroom door, Severus kissed her possessively and said, "I shall see you bright and early tomorrow morning, my pet; sleep well."

Hermione rebelled at the thought of being parted from Severus. They had already spent their first night away from Hogwarts in the same bed, and she could not imagine wasting another moment of their time together apart from her beloved. "Please don't leave me alone," said Hermione softly. "I don't think I can stand to be parted from you."

Severus could not reject her. Holding Hermione last night had been one of the most moving experiences of his life. He had never shared his bed with a woman for an entire night. Seeing Hermione's trust in him had touched him deeply. However, Severus was still playing the waiting game. He did not want to seduce Hermione into his bed, despite their more than passionate encounters. Kissing her once more, Severus said, "Only sleeping, though. You've had too much to drink, and you are emotional. When we finally have sex, I want you to be sure, completely sure."

"Yes, Severus, I know. But I don't want to be alone tonight. Just hold me, please?" implored Hermione.

Severus could not refuse. He longed to hold her, to fall asleep beside her and see her as she awoke. Preparing for bed with a partner was yet another aspect of relationships that Severus had never experienced. Watching Hermione brush her hair, her teeth, and clean her face before slipping into her surprisingly sensual satin negligee was to Severus a revelation.

Hermione too revelled in watching Severus' nightly ritual. She smiled at the sight of his faded black cotton pyjamas and snuggled under the covers as she watched Severus's final setting of security wards. She was overcome with love for her stern, taciturn man. Once Severus joined her in bed, Hermione leaned over and kissed him. Soon their kisses become more and more passionate, as they always did. Severus tried to stop, to push her away, but Hermione was insistent. "Don't push me away, Severus," she begged, "please make love to me. I want you so much."

Hermione's words were everything that Severus had desired in his darkest fantasies, but he was still uncertain. "You'll regret it in the morning," he warned sternly. "You've had too much to drink tonight."

Hermione was adamant in her denial. 'I won't,' she said confidently. "I've wanted to be in your bed since Halloween." Smiling, Hermione sat up in bed. Then, utilising all of her Gryffindor courage, she lifted her nightdress over her head and threw it across the room.

Severus was left speechless as the sight of her nakedness. Unable to stop himself, his hands slid around her waist and gathered her tightly against him. "Bloody Gryffindor," he murmured in exasperation.

Hermione shuddered at the feel of his strong arms around her. "Please Severus, I need you tonight. We've been together for nearly two months, and all I can think about is having you love me. Please don't push me away," whispered Hermione.

"I can never do that," confessed Severus. "I want you... have wanted you for months now."

"Then love me, please; make me yours," urged Hermione.

Severus was undone. He realised that he could not continue to fight their twin desires and buried his head in her lush breasts. Hearing Hermione's throaty moan, he kissed her firm, round flesh, then suckled one dusky pink nipple until it was a hard peak.

Hermione thrust her hands into his slick locks. Scraping her nails against his scalp, she revelled in his groan before grinding her needy core against his hard erection.

Severus continued to kiss and suckle her right nipple before moving on to lave and suck at the other with ever-increasing urgency.

Hermione was awash in sensation. She was desperate to feel more of his skin against her own heated flesh. Sliding her hands down his broad shoulders, she began to unbutton his shirt. Soon her questing fingers pushed the fabric of the pyjama shirt aside to bare his strong, nearly hairless chest to her heated gaze. She skimmed her fingers along his firm skin before flicking her thumbs against his tightly furled nipples.

Severus growled deep in his throat before devouring her neck and clavicle. Hermione's untutored exploration of his body was driving Severus wild with desire. Wanting to show her how much he needed her, he took her mouth in another searing kiss. Their hands explored each other, caressing, stroking, teasing until Severus flipped her onto her back and took charge. He used one strong hand to hold her arms above her head and explored her curves in detail before slowly moving downwards. He kissed her flat stomach, then circled the dip of her belly button with his talented tongue before finally plunging himself into her waiting heat. She screamed as his tongue attacked her, as he licked and sucked on her throbbing centre. Soon she was a mindless ocean of sensation, and he pushed one, then two long digits into her heat, in preparation for his ultimate penetration.

Hermione was almost frenzied with arousal. "More, Severus," demanded Hermione breathlessly. "Love me; please, love me," she cried, begging her need.

Severus was undone. Never had a woman begged him to make her his. Never had a woman desired him, wanted him with no ulterior motive. Using all of his considerable control to avoid ramming his rock-hard cock into her that very instant, he fucked her hard and fast with his tongue until she felt like she was flying off the edge of a high cliff, only to be gathered up gently as he continued to suckle her juices as she came off her peak.

Hermione lay there on the bed in a boneless heap. Severus looked at her and smirked. His face was covered in her juices, and he gently kissed her sensitized folds one last time before moving back up her body to share her taste with her. This was the first time that Hermione had ever tasted herself on another, and it sent another spark of arousal through her. They kissed wildly, passionately. Soon Severus' fingers were thrusting within her folds, preparing her once more.

"No more foreplay," Hermione begged forcefully. "Just take me now. Please."

"Are you going to be this bossy in bed all the time?" Severus enquired with another smirk. He could not grin, he wasn't Gryffindor enough for that, but smirk, well he could do that for it conveyed his joy and wry acceptance of all his lover was.

Not that Severus minded Hermione's propensity to speak her mind. He was very glad his lover was verbose and demanding. He preferred a woman who knew what she wanted to one who lay there passively.

"Yes," said Hermione impatiently, before reaching down to push his pyjama bottoms off his slender hips.

Her eagerness fuelled Severus' desire further. In truth, he was so hard he felt that he would explode at the first touch of her flesh against him. However, something in Severus demanded that he try one last time to warn her. "This will, in all likelihood, hurt," he said gruffly.

Hermione was so desperate for him that she was furious at his hesitation. "Stop being such a bloody gentleman, Severus. Just fuck me."

The words shocked him into action. He complied and thrust himself in one hard push into her waiting core. She screamed at his penetration, which caused him to stop immediately.

"No," implored Hermione, "don't stop. That was amazing."

That was all the encouragement Severus needed. Nearly mindless now with his own long-withheld need, he began to move within her. First one long slow stroke in, before coming out nearly all the way only to plunge into her wet, tight heat again. "You feel so good," he groaned hoarsely in time with his hard, fast thrusts. "So incredibly wet, so unbelievably tight."

Hearing his rough, passion-filled voice speak so heatedly in her ear while he pushed into her waiting, needing heat sent Hermione hurtling towards orgasm with blinding speed. She did her best to match his hard thrusts, moaning, arching towards him.

Hermione's moans and sobs as he plunged into her shattered the last of Severus' impressive control. The Darkness within him rose until he took her body like a man possessed. He drove into her so hard and fast that Hermione could do nothing but shriek nearly continuously as he ploughed into her. Her short nails pressed into his shoulders and back as she tried to hang on. The pain of her nails raking his back only added fuel to the raging inferno of his need. Now there was no rhythm, only brute ownership of Hermione's body. He forgot that she had been a virgin just moments ago, that she was probably still in pain; all that mattered was his own pleasure. Throwing her legs over his shoulders, Severus took what he needed so very badly.

However, Severus' Darkness fed Hermione's own. She needed to be possessed, to be taken, and Severus' ownership of her body fuelled her own passion. Her orgasm when it came was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It was so hard, so long, she nearly blacked out with the intensity of it.

Hermione's orgasm triggered Severus' own, and with one final hard thrust, he exploded within her, flooding her with his seed.

The explosive climax drained Severus completely, and for a few long moments, he could do nothing other than lie on top of Hermione in exhaustion. Finally though, he found just enough strength to roll over onto his back so that he could pull her onto his chest.

As Severus attempted to pull himself together following what was undoubtedly one of most intense orgasms of his life, Hermione curled around him sensually and began to pepper every inch of his flesh that she could reach with soft, tender kisses. Severus stroked his hand along her back and pulled her up further so that he could look her in the face. The sight that met his intense gaze was one that Severus thought would stay with him until the end of eternity. Hermione looked like a woman who had been well and truly fucked. Meeting his eyes, she grinned stupidly at him, and Severus was unable to do anything but grin stupidly back at her. They both realised that they had just experienced something completely out of the ordinary.

Finally, when she was able to speak, Hermione kissed him on his sharp jaw and whispered, "Wow. That was amazing. I can't believe you made me wait for so long."

Severus was darkly amazed he even had the strenght to chuckle. Her words reassured him, and he tightened his hold upon her. Stroking her back once more, Severus said seriously, "Hermione, be warned. I don't take our relationship lightly. Now you are mine completely in every sense of the word, I'm never letting you go."

Hermione realised the importance of the moment. She kissed Severus tenderly on his chin and said, "Good. I don't want anyone but you," before kissing him softly on the mouth. Not long after, they drifted off to sleep, their bodies woven together.

In the morning, when Hermione awoke, it was to find Severus lying, propped up on his elbow looking down at her intently. She smiled, remembering the passion and the ecstasy of the night before.

"No regrets?" he asked softly.

"None," she replied with a grin on her face. Sliding her arms around him, she drew him to her until she was crushed under his superior weight. Kissing him boldly, passionately, she said, "I feel wonderful." Then, she slid her hands into his dark hair and scraped her nails against his scalp. As Severus groaned softly in pleasure, she said, "Severus, I am in love with you. I hope you realise this. I am yours completely, heart, mind, body and soul."

No woman, no person had ever said these words to Severus. Every relationship he had ever had, had been based on exploitation or power. He had never been loved so completely, so unconditionally. Raising himself on his forearms, Severus gazed intently once more at Hermione. Realising the absolute truth of her admission, Severus was filled with wonder.

The smile Severus returned at her words of love was so gentle, so shy, that Hermione realised that he had just unknowingly revealed his heart to her. Everything she had wanted to know, she could see in his eyes, his smile. There was no mask, no deception.

Kissing her gently on the tip of her nose, Severus responded, "I know." Then, with a gentle sigh he rolled on to his back, taking Hermione with him. As she continued to gaze at him, her head resting on his chest, he said, "Hermione, I've never said those words to anyone, but I want you to know that I care deeply for you. I will not lie to you or sully your confession. I will need to work up to saying the words to you."

Hermione laughed. "I know, my love. I am willing to wait until you can say the words to me, but in the meantime, I'll gladly accept you showing me."

Hermione's gentle yet saucy teasing was the perfect response to Severus' serious declaration. It helped to lighten the mood and ease the tension that had arisen within him. He laughed in delight at his wanton hussy and pulled her more firmly onto him for more breathtaking kisses.

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A.N. Love it or hate it, please to let me know what you think.