Chapter Fifteen: Happy Birthday Severus

(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) And last but by no means least, a big thank you to my lovely, amazing beta, Queen_of_Stars.

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Three days after the start of term, Hermione was making her way down to the Potions classroom when she was stopped by Minerva.

'Hermione,' called Minerva. 'Slow down, lass, I want to speak to you.'

'Of course,' said Hermione, who immediately stopped short and began making her way back to the deputy headmistress. Since their talk the day before, following Molly's horrendously hurtful letter, Hermione and Minerva had not really had time for a chat.

Once the two witches were abreast, Minerva asked, 'Has Severus said anything to you about his birthday?'

'No,' responded Hermione in consternation, 'is it approaching?'

'It's this Saturday, the ninth,' said Minerva. 'I knew the boy wouldn't bring it up, and I thought you'd like to know.'

'Of course I want to know,' said Hermione indignantly. 'Thank you, Minerva, for telling me. Though I shouldn't be surprised, it's just like him to pretend it's not important and completely ignore the day.'

'Indeed,' agreed the older witch. 'But he's never been in a relationship before, and I felt you'd like to spoil him a little.'

Hermione smiled. She did indeed plan on spoiling her dark wizard. Hermione clearly remembered the words of the Sorting Hat and decided to use Severus' birthday to help heal the wounds of the war. The Recent History monthly symposium had allowed her to meet and get to know a number of people better. The first to speak had been Kingsley, who had spoken in September as a representative of both the Ministry and the Auror department. He had been followed by Minerva, who had spoken in October as the representative of the Order of Phoenix. Severus had spoken in November, describing the war and the trials of being a spy, the divided loyalties, and tried to give a picture from both sides of the debate. But what had impressed Hermione the most was, surprisingly, hearing Lucius Malfoy speak in December. He had spoken eloquently and convincingly of the reasons behind the pureblood ideology. His deep fear of the continuous loss of old traditions and values with the modernisation of wizarding Britain was something that Hermione was able to understand. She knew that Severus, too, was pained by the way in which ancient magical practices and traditions were so easily discarded by the younger generation. That Muggle influence should be blamed for this loss of tradition made sense, especially if it was the half-blood and Muggle-born children who influenced the changing practices through their introduction of their different, Muggle beliefs via Hogwarts. She had thought then that it was a pity that more people did not know what drove the Death Eaters, and that it was sad that Muggle-borns like herself were not taught more about old traditional practices and values.

Thus, Hermione immediately thought of having a small party to celebrate Severus' birthday. She would start small; she would begin by getting to know the Malfoys and build a bridge with the pureblood Slytherins, one family at a time. It was misunderstanding and fear that caused most of the issues.

'Minerva,' said Hermione thoughtfully, 'do you think we could plan a small surprise party to celebrate Severus' birthday? It could be just the staff, the Malfoys and Kingsley.'

Minerva blanched at the thought of associating closely with the Malfoys but acknowledged that outside Hogwarts, they were Severus' only friends. With a sigh, the older woman said, 'Yes, that sounds doable.'

'Excellent,' said Hermione briskly. 'I've got a free period mid-morning, I'll send off the invitations. We could have it in the staff room. Severus never goes in there on a Saturday night.'

Minerva smiled. She could see how excited Hermione was at the prospect of planning a surprise party for Severus.

True to her word, Hermione spent her third period writing out letters of invitation to the Malfoys and Kingsley. The staff she could inform personally. Once that was done, she made her way to the kitchens to inform the house-elves of her requirements.

Winky was the first to greet Hermione on her entrance into the kitchen. With a deep curtsy, the elf enquired, 'What can Winky do for Missy?'

'Hello, Winky,' said Hermione kindly. 'I'd like to host a surprise party for the headmaster and was hoping you would help me. It's his birthday on Saturday, and I think he needs to be shown how special he is.'

As Hermione finished speaking, she realised that the other elves had all overheard her request of Winky. They all seemed to be standing to attention, and when she looked at them curiously, an old and obviously authoritative elf came forward.

'I be Lola,' said the elf imperiously. 'I is knowing Missy. You is the friend of Harry Potter.'

'Yes, Lola,' said Hermione. 'Do you think you could all help me with the party?'

The elf nodded in agreement and said, 'We is proud to help with headmaster's party. Headmaster Snape is always kind to us house-elves. We is loyal to our master. What does Missy require?'

Soon Winky, Lola and Hermione had their heads together, plotting about how the staff room would be decorated and what food and drink would be most suitable for the party. Pleased with the obvious delight of the elves in helping, Hermione gladly handed over the burden of the party's actual preparations to the elves.

That done, Hermione began planning a suitable present for Severus. She wanted to give him a gift that showed him her complete devotion and trust.

The week rushed by. The Malfoys and Kingsley both responded to the invitations, writing to Minerva, as requested, with their R.S.V.P.s. Hermione knew Severus would be suspicious if she suddenly received owls with missives that she did not share with him.

Friday night was spent, as usual, with the brewing for the infirmary. As midnight struck, Hermione did not betray with word or gesture that she was aware that Severus had just turned forty.

On Saturday, Hermione pretended that it was just another day. She spent the morning completing her marking while ensconced in the Headmaster's study, and lunch was taken as usual in the Great Hall. That evening, Hermione said she had a headache and retired to her rooms. She wanted to prepare for the party. She spent a nice long time bathing and purifying herself. In her extensive research, she had found an intriguing book of spells entitled Captivating Your Wizard: Charms for the Charming Witch, which had a number of really useful charms and spells for preparing the female body for seduction. She used one of the spells to give herself the magical equivalent of a Brazilian wax and giggled to herself about how impressed Lavender Brown would be if she had come across the Victorian text. Then, she charmed her hair into an elegant up-do that looked like it had come straight out of a Victorian fashion plate. It suited Hermione's features, though, and elongated her neck and showed off her shoulders rather fetchingly. Next she wore her newly delivered Muggle dress in velvet teal. It was long and came down to her ankles and had a deep V neckline with long, tight-fitting sleeves. It was a very grown-up gown that made her look extremely enticing. With the dress, she wore a necklace in the shape of a sinuous silver serpent set with green tourmaline from Sri Lanka. She had matching earrings that were dainty bars set with three square-cut stones. Underneath the dress, she wore no underwear; instead, she used a clever charm to lift her breasts and nip her waist as though she were wearing an invisible and vastly superior corset.

Dressed and feeling very confident in her appearance, she pulled her old black robes over the dress and made her way to Severus' chambers. He usually spent Saturday night in his sitting room, reading.

His wards had, of course, since their agreement to a relationship, been altered to allow her entry. She found him as expected, sitting in front of the fire in his armchair, tumbler of Firewhisky by his side. His book had been discarded, and he seemed to be brooding.

'Hermione,' said Severus, startled at her appearance. 'I thought you had a headache?'

'I had a nice long bath, and I'm feeling so much better,' said Hermione by way of explanation. She had asked the guests to be in the staff room by half past seven. It was now just a little before seven o'clock. She wanted to make sure that he was distracted and safe in his rooms. She didn't want him to go on one of his long walks around the grounds or castle and accidently run into the guests who were being brought up to the castle by Minerva and Hagrid.

Hermione seated herself astride Severus and curled herself around him. 'I've been thinking,' she said thoughtfully.

Severus, who had been feeling lonely and despondent at turning forty, smiled into her hair. 'When are you not thinking, Hermione?' he asked sardonically.

She looked up at him and grinned. 'No, I'm serious,' she said, striving to keep the mirth off her face. 'I've been thinking of Animagus training. I've read all the books in the library and have even scanned some of your tomes. I really want to begin learning to transform. I know we have no time now, with the cure for the Longbottoms, but do you think we would convince Minerva to begin classes in the summer?'

Severus was distracted from his sober thoughts and brooding by this new direction of thought. 'Summer is a good time,' agreed Severus. 'The dunderheads will have gone, and we'll have plenty of time and space for our transformations.'

'I'm glad you agree,' said Hermione, before sliding her arms around his hard body more securely and kissing his sensual mouth. 'I love you so much,' she said next, before sliding her hands through his hair and rubbing her body against his sensually.

Severus, as always, was astonished at her easy ability to show her emotions and affections. 'Wench,' he said with a groan, before kissing her passionately.

Soon they were completely engrossed in kisses and caresses that had Hermione almost mindless with need. 'Here, or shall we retire to the bedroom?' asked Severus as he started to unbutton her robes.

Hermione came to with a start then. She had merely meant to distract him with their kisses, but now she realised that she had completely forgotten the time and the party that was probably on in the staff room. 'What time is it?' she asked instead.

Severus looked irritated. 'What does it matter what time it is, woman? It's Saturday.'

'I know, my love,' said Hermione, tenderly caressing his face. 'But I really want to talk to Minerva about our Animagus lessons. Perhaps we could catch her in the staff room before we retire for the night?'

'Surely this can wait,' said Severus in an extremely disgruntled tone. 'We've got more pressing things to think about at present,' he said, thrusting his hardened erection up into her bum, which was still pressed intimately over him.

Hermione kissed him softly. 'Later, Severus,' she said with a smile. 'You know how I am when I want to settle something. Once we speak to Minerva, we can come back and I shall give you all of my completely undivided attention.'

'Hurmph,' grunted Severus completely annoyed. 'It's a good thing I care about you, minx. You're starting to nag me already, and we're not even married yet.'

Hermione giggled. She was no longer afraid of her grouch. In fact, she found him extremely endearing in that condition. 'I promise I'll make it up to you,' she said cheekily, rubbing her body against him, her hand stroking his hardened flesh through the layers of cloth.

Severus glowered, but agreed. 'I shall hold you to it, wench,' he said gruffly.

Hermione had, in the meantime, managed to look at the carriage clock that stood on his mantelpiece. The time read ten minutes to eight. 'Minerva's sure to be in the staff room right about now,' she said enthusiastically. 'Please, Severus, come with me. And then we'll come straight back here.'

'If we must,' said Severus.

The walk to the staff room was done with haste. Severus had never really had a woman to share his birthday with, and although he had not told Hermione, he was looking forward to enjoying a very satisfying birthday shag. Not bad, old man, for a man of forty, thought Severus with an inward smirk. I've finally got a beautiful woman who is all my own to spend my birthday night with. That makes a real change from every birthday I've ever had thus far.

As they reached the staff room, Hermione stopped and looked around. Then, she stood on tiptoe and murmured, 'I love you with all my heart, Severus.'

Severus was touched. He was always undone to hear her unexpected and undemanding professions of love. He bent his head and kissed her softly. 'And I you, my pet,' he said equally softly.

Then, with a sly grin, Hermione stepped out of his embrace and opened the staff room door. As the door opened, a hush fell upon the room. Then came the calls and shouts of 'Surprise!' and 'Happy Birthday!' from the assembled group of people.

Severus stood as though struck by a hex, completely immobile. The only parts of him that moved were his eyes, as he scanned the totally transformed staff room. There were banners bearing the words, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEVERUS! on two of the walls. The tables and chairs had been pushed back, and one wall was lined with a long table draped with a crisp white table cloth. On it was laid a generous collection of food and drink with a huge towering dark chocolate Guinness cake. By his side, Hermione gently prodded him forward.

As if coming back to himself, he looked down at her in shocked wonder.

Hermione smiled brilliantly, and taking his hand, she led him into the room.

The first to approach them was Minerva. 'Happy birthday, my boy,' said Minerva with a joyous smile.

Severus was quickly coming back to himself. 'Thank you, Minerva,' he said with a smirk. 'I take it my Gryffindor know-it-all is responsible for this.'

'Of course,' said Minerva. Then turning to look at Hermione, who was speaking to Kingsley as she shrugged out of her simple black robes, Minerva asked, 'Who else?'

Severus followed Minerva's gaze and watched as Hermione was revealed in her sensual splendour. He could not help but smirk in satisfaction to know that she was his.

Next to approach him were the Malfoys. As the four Slytherins conversed, Severus kept track of Hermione surreptitiously. He watched as she spoke to Hagrid and Filius. Not long after, Bill dimmed the lights, and Septima and Rolanda turned on the magical wireless, and sensual, erotic music filled the room. It was obviously tribal music of some sort, and Hermione's surprise at the selection was evident.

As soon as the music began, Bill and Fleur were on the floor. Wrapped around each other, they danced as though they were about to make love right there on the dance floor. Bill and Fleur's obvious lack of propriety seemed to set the tone for the party, and they were joined by Filius, who squeaked in unholy glee and asked Pomona to dance. Soon Hagrid was dancing with a clearly tipsy Trelawney. Not long after, Kingsley was on the floor with Andromeda.

As the music had begun to play, Hermione had turned to look at Severus. With a smirk, Severus realised that she had wanted to dance with him.

Excusing himself from the Malfoys, Severus swept up in his billowing robes to Hermione. 'Thank you for the party,' he said sardonically with a dip of his head. 'I so much wanted to spend my Saturday night with this lot, watching my colleagues copulate in public, rather than fucking you senseless in private.'

Hermione grinned. 'I know, my love,' she said, straight-faced. 'That's why I arranged it all.'

Severus chuckled darkly. 'I suppose I must dance with you to show my gratitude,' he next murmured.

Hermione's face was completely open and perfectly easy to read. Her shining eyes, her hopeful smile said it all. With a smirk, he put his arm around her and pulled her close to his body. Bending low, he murmured in her ear, 'You know I don't dance in public, pet. But tonight, for your sake, I shall make an exception.'

In truth, Severus was delighted to be able to dance with Hermione. He was proud to have such a young and vibrant witch as his very own. He, who was supposedly repulsive and universally disliked, had a woman to call his own, a woman who professed to love him and who wore his ring upon her finger. As the song ended and an even slower one began, Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione's slender waist and began to move.

Hermione twined her arms around him, pressing her body even more firmly against him. 'I love it that you're so tall,' she murmured in appreciation, her hands caressing the nape of his neck. 'I feel so safe with you, as though I am completely protected,' she said next, drawing ever closer to his hard and virile body.

In response, Severus' hands on her waist tightened. Her words, her body pressed flush against him, her fragrance of cinnamon and honey, intoxicated him. He suddenly wanted to take her hand and pull her into a darkened corner and ravish her senseless. Did the woman not understand how desperately he desired her tenderness? The one thing he had always wanted was to be needed, to be wanted, to be valued for himself. Hermione wanted nothing but the man that he was. She was not interested in his power, in his connections, in his ability to brew powerful elixirs. She wanted him, only him.

Wanting to ease the tension in his cock that was making it impossible for him to part from Hermione at the end of the song, Severus tried talking. 'You look ravishing,' he said in a passion-roughened voice. Then unable to control himself, he buried his sensitive nose in her hair. 'You smell divine. I want to pull you into a darkened corner, lift up your skirts and plunge into you this very second.'

Hermione moaned and rubbed herself even more provocatively against him. Then moving away slightly to look saucily up at him, she whispered, 'I'm naked under my dress. I've not worn any underwear.'

Severus nearly exploded. His rock hard cock was even harder at the thought of her nudity. 'Completely naked?' he asked in a voice that was molten lava.

'Completely, utterly naked,' said Hermione. Then, as she felt Severus pull her ever closer and begin to grind his erection into her, she groaned. Hermione had been teasing Severus, wanting to arouse him, but she had ended up arousing herself as well. 'God, I want you, now,' she said in a shuddering exhalation.

'Vixen,' he groaned. 'We are surrounded by these infernal people, people you invited to this bloody party. We can't leave now.'

'I know,' said Hermione with a breathy, needy sob. 'But I didn't think dancing with you would make me want you this desperately.'

'No, neither did I,' confessed Severus, 'though this isn't really dancing. This is merely frotting in public.'

Hermione smiled. Then, taking a deep breath to calm herself, she said, 'I'm going to go sit with Minerva at the end of this song. Talk to Kingsley and the Malfoys. We've got all night to ourselves. And I've got a special present for you that can only be given in the bedroom.'

Severus' eyes glittered. 'You really are a vixen, indeed,' he murmured with a smirk.

After their dance, the couple resolutely kept apart so that they would not be compelled by their raging libidos to fuck like hormonal teenagers in the nearest darkened recess. Bill and Fleur seemed to have no such compunctions, for they were in a dark corner snogging to their hearts' content.

Severus, however, was conscious that he was the headmaster. Thankful for his voluminous robes that covered a multitude of sins, he did his best to engage in conversation with the Malfoys. He spoke of his visit to Sri Lanka and debated the latest gossip in the Ministry. Severus enjoyed speaking to Lucius, Narcissa and Draco, and Kingsley seemed really pleased to be included in the select guest list. But inside, even as he did his best to mingle, Severus could not stop thinking about how blessed he felt. No one had ever gone to such trouble for him. Only Hermione, his treasure, as he was coming to think of her, had planned this. She had even invited his friends, the Malfoys, whom he knew she was still uncomfortable with, just for him.

When it came time for the cake to be cut, there was good-natured singing by the now thoroughly inebriated Hagrid and Filius. If Severus did not have years of experience in masking his emotions, he was sure he would have been blushing and stammering in delight. As it was, even Trelawney, who hardly ever came down from her tower, raised a goblet of wine for the toast to Severus' good health, and the room was filled with good cheer, all directed at the normally anti-social wizard.

When the Malfoys saw how happy and content Severus was, they were pleased for their friend. They realised that Hermione had included them in his celebrations. It heartened the Slytherins and demonstrated clearly that she was willing to include his friends in their future lives.

After the cake and toasts came the giving of a large array of presents, which Severus was very unaccustomed to receiving. Minerva's present was a collection of books on learning to become an Animagus. They were the latest texts that had been published. Smiling, the older witch said to Severus, 'Tell Hermione that when the students depart in summer, we can begin lessons in earnest.'

Severus smirked. 'That was her excuse to bring me here tonight. She wanted to ask if that was possible.'

Minerva smiled and said, 'Yes, well, I knew Hermione was working her way through all the books on the subject in the library. It seemed like she was about to bring up the topic.' Then Minerva patted Severus' arm. 'My boy, this is really a gift for the two of you, since you will learn and grow together.'

Severus was moved, not only because of the present, but because of the implicit support and encouragement for his relationship with Hermione. 'Thank you, Minerva,' he said gruffly. 'I do appreciate the gesture. I'm sure Hermione will read the books from cover to cover long before I get a chance to sit down with them.'

Minerva tittered, for she knew Severus was correct. Hermione was like a Niffler when it came to something new to read.

By all accounts, Severus felt that his first ever surprise birthday party had been a tremendous success. The food and drink had been plentiful and of excellent quality. The company had been convivial, and Severus had a nubile female, who loved him passionately, who was joining him in his bed. The thought that she would be naked in his bed at the end of the evening kept forcing a smug smirk onto his face. Severus could not believe his change in fortune. The four Marauders who had plagued his youth were dead, but he was alive and he had a woman half his age madly, passionately in love with him.

Once the guests had departed and the party was ended, the couple made their way back to Severus' quarters for the night. Once there, Hermione said softly, 'I've got a special present for you, my love. Will you be so good as to retire to your bedroom? I shall be with you in a moment.'

Severus smirked. 'As my lady wishes,' he said, stripping off his clothes as he walked to the bedroom. He heard Hermione's gasp of delight at his provocative behaviour, and he smirked in pleasure. He loved how easily aroused his young lover was.

For his birthday gift, Hermione had researched an ancient sex magic ritual that was performed by those of great power, usually also holding royal blood. She knew that Severus was fascinated with sex and blood magic, and she had chosen this ritual because it was one that could only be done between a couple who were deeply in love, for if the love was not pure, the results could be quite disastrous. Hermione reasoned that performing the ritual would demonstrate categorically to her beloved that she was his completely. The ritual allowed the caster of the incantation to give the recipient all of their magical power. It allowed for the mutual strengthening, sharing and growth of the magic of the lovers, for it was assumed that when the caster gave all of their magical strength to their partner, the recipient would in turn give all of their power, as well as that which was given to them, to the caster. Thus there would be, technically, a continuous mutual exchange until there was a flooding of each other with their personal and their partner's power. The goal of the ritual was for both participants to grow in strength and for the pair to embody the power of both.

The level of trust implicit in the ritual was tremendous, for if the recipient did not wholeheartedly return the magic given by the caster, the caster could and had on a number of documented occasions in history been completely drained of all of their magic and left in a Squib-like state. It was even suggested that this was the spell that Vivien had used to trap and rob Merlin of his power, for Merlin, in his unconditional love for Vivien, wanted to give her all of his power and magic, but she, once she had tasted the fire of his strength, could not part with it and so took it all to herself and left her older lover with nothing.

As Hermione watched his retreating back, she quickly made her preparations. She went into his bathroom and stripped off her dress. Then she quickly unpinned her coiffured hair and stepped under the shower. Chanting softly the purification charm she had found, she prepared her body and her inner being for the ritual. That done, she used her wand to cast a quick drying charm on her hair and rubbed her body vigorously with his Slytherin green towel. Hermione was very nervous about the ritual she was to perform. She realised that she was taking a huge risk, but she trusted him, and she wanted him to realise the level of trust she placed in him.

Then, calming herself and strengthening her resolve, she entered the bedroom naked.

Severus, meanwhile, had lighted the candles and turned down the bed. He was lying under the covers, propped up against the headboard. Watching her walk up to the bed, her breasts bouncing gently, brought his arousal up another notch. Soon, Severus thought, he'd be so aroused that he would explode as soon as his flesh met hers.

Hermione smiled as she walked to him. 'You're so gorgeous,' she said watching the ferocity of his desire writ plain across his face. His nostrils were flared to catch the scent of her arousal; his eyes were dilated and seemed as black as night, and in the glow of the candles, his naked torso was like that of an alabaster god.

Severus was still amazed at the fact that this young, sexy and vibrant woman found him so alluring. He could not help but thank his lucky stars. He knew what he looked like in the mirror, but if she found him gorgeous, who was he to dissuade her of her perception.

Instead, he opened his arms and she lowered herself to the bed and crawled up to him on her hands and knees. When she reached him, he pulled her to him forcefully. Their mouths met in a heated, desperate kiss and Severus devoured her, pouring all of his longing into his kiss. Soon, Hermione was pushing the covers down his body to rub herself sensually against his naked flesh. It had been almost a week since their last night of passion. The start of term was not conducive to a romantic liaison. Soon their kisses turned to heated caresses. Severus was rock hard, and Hermione was desperate to feel him within her. Rising up on her knees, she took his hardened cock in her hand. He groaned at the feel of her small hand enclosing his length. Then Hermione carefully slid her hot, dripping core onto Severus' rock hard length, causing both of them to groan simultaneously in bliss. There was hardly any tenderness in their joining. They were both too desperate for completion. Moving urgently over him, she felt her orgasm build. Having been without him for so many days, just feeling his hardness filling her was enough to send her tumbling towards orgasm. Doing her best to control her response to his hands digging into her hips, raising her, urging her harder and faster on his prick, Hermione began chanting and invoking the incantation. 'In perficio diligo quod perficio fides, EGO tribuo vobis totus mei, Unus in pectus pectoris, unus in mens, may nostrum veneficus exsisto iunctus' The incantation literally meant, in perfect love and perfect trust, I give to you all of me. One in heart, one in mind, may our magic be united.

Severus nearly stopped his hard, fast thrusts into her as he heard the words of the incantation. Nearly overcome with emotion, his orgasm thundered towards him like a tidal wave. He could not believe that this beautiful, powerful, brilliant witch was willing to take the risk and trust him with all that she was and all that she could be. Her gift of herself, of her magic, was priceless, and it proved to him beyond a shadow of a doubt the depth of her love and trust in him.

As Hermione kept chanting the incantation over and over, Severus pushed her back roughly so that she was on her back. Now he was driven to make her scream her completion. His hands on her thighs, he pushed them up and apart until they were pressed against his chest. Then he began to pound into her, repeating the incantation with her. Soon they were unable to control the urgency of their magic and their passion. With a guttural groan, Severus demanded, 'Come for me now, Hermione,' and Hermione, long used to the voice of her professor, shattered.

Feeling Hermione explode around him allowed Severus to join her in ecstasy. With their completion thrumming through their bloodstream, Severus could feel the magic taking effect. Despite his orgasm, he was still hard within her, and he could not stop his body from continuing to move urgently inside her slick depths. He realised that this was the power of the magic taking over. Even as his cock pushed again and again into her body, hitting her in her sweet spot, she responded by pushing herself against him. Severus could feel her magical signature, her unique strengths and abilities flowing over him, saturating him, and he instinctively began responding by pouring all of his abilities and magic into her. As their bodies floated in the afterglow of a mind numbing explosion, even as they strove for a second orgasm, their magic kept passing between them, carried on their love for each other. Their love, their passion seemed to ram their magical energy back and forth until it multiplied exponentially and shattered, sending them both on another explosive, magically induced orgasm.

Later, Severus held an utterly exhausted Hermione tightly to his side. Looking down at her sweat drenched face and impossible hair, he said in wonder, 'Hermione, I am a Slytherin and a Death Eater. As a breed, we are manipulative, destructive. I could have taken all of your magic and left you with nothing. The kind of power you have given me is unheard of. This ritual has not been performed since the age of the Saxon kings in Britain.'

Hermione kissed his jaw and sighed, 'I know, but I trust you, Severus, completely and utterly. I knew you would not take my magic and leave me bereft. I know that you will use your increased power to change the world for the better. How could I not perform this ritual? It embodies all that we are, all that we value. We are one, my love, in our hearts, and now we are one in our magic.'

'You are such a Gryffindor,' he said fondly stroking her flank. Severus was extremely undone. Circe and all the Graces, who would have thought he, of all people, would find such an amazing woman to call his own.

Hermione blushed at his pronouncement.

Severus smirked. Then, pulling her so that she was lying over him, he kissed her tenderly on the mouth. Then turning serious, Severus said sternly, 'Never do anything like that again without discussing it with me, vixen. I don't want you to take any undue risks. You belong to me; you are mine. You must protect yourself, even from me. I have such Darkness within me, my pet. I worry sometimes that I shall hurt you unknowingly because you give yourself to me so completely.'

'Never,' said Hermione impassioned. 'You will never hurt me. I know this with every cell of my being.'

Severus chuckled darkly before whispering softly, 'My very own Gryffindor Princess.'