Chapter Seventeen: A Different Sort of Valentine

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

(ii) The characters and world of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this. Pity, I could use a bit of loot right about now.

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

********************************

After the meeting in Minerva's office, the Weasleys had returned to the Burrow where an emergency family meeting was called. At the family conference, at which even Charlie was present, Arthur forcefully and authoritatively admonished his wife and two youngest children for their shameful conduct. A usually quiet man, Arthur, when moved to anger, was a sight to behold. 'I am ashamed of your behaviour,' said the Weasley patriarch sternly. 'My wife, my children, to behave in a manner more fitting of the Malfoys is inexcusable. Is this what we fought so hard for, for our family's reputation to be brought to this low?'

Arthur glared furiously at Ron. 'How could you think to do that to Hermione? You have been friends for years. Did you think that you could destroy your friend and not destroy yourself?' Then Arthur looked down at Ginny. Angry and sad, Arthur said, 'My youngest and only daughter, the apple of my eye, who I would have given my very life to protect, how could you be so hurtful to a girl who has shown our family nothing but love and kindness? I am so ashamed. She is alone, she sacrificed her parents, her blood for our cause, and when she finds love in a man who sacrificed his entire youth to protect people like us, you repay them with hatred? Things in this family are going to change. Do you hear me?'

Molly, Ron and Ginny hung their heads in shame. Arthur never shouted or yelled. He was a mild mannered man, a loving father and husband; this tirade was most unlike him, and the members of his family heeded his words well. The words penetrated into their thick skulls and hearts that had been dampened by the darkness.

After much discussion as a family, it was decided that Ginny had to be sent away from the Burrow. She and Ron were to be separated and taught to control their darkness as soon as possible. Ginny was to spend the rest of the school year with Fleur's no-nonsense mother and complete her preparations for NEWTs in France. She would not be able to attend Beauxbatons, but Madame Apolline Delacour was a formidable witch who would prepare and home school Ginny for her exams. Furthermore, Ginny was to be given extensive lessons by the French witch on how to control and suppress her darker magical tendencies. The Veela had their own inherent darkness, and Apolline, who had Veela blood, knew how to control such inclinations. It was believed that being away from home would force the young woman to take her lessons more seriously.

Molly, too, was to be sent for magical control training with Auror Dante Strong. Auror Strong had recently finished a programme initiated by the ever innovative Kingsley on the ill effects of prolonged and sudden exposure to heavy doses of Dark Magic. It was felt that Molly needed to be taught to control her own vindictive streak. As an adult, her magic was the hardest to train, and thus she needed the most specialised training. Once Molly was deemed to have learned enough, Ron would follow. Arthur would work with his son in the interim.

Molly had been extremely ashamed when her husband and eldest son explained clearly to her how they had noticed her magic and behaviour change following her murder of Bellatrix Lestrange.

Bill went as far as to comment, 'Mum, the change in you is so huge that I don't know how to explain it all. Sometimes I think that Bellatrix' darkness has become a part of you. You used to be kind and loving. Lately you've turned into a power-hungry and tyrannical bitch, not unlike the dead Slytherin.'

Molly began to weep. 'Why did no one tell me?' she asked sorrowfully. 'Arthur, was I really that dreadful to live with?'

Arthur sighed and nodded his head. 'Molly, love, we hoped that it would go away. That you would bounce back and be able to cope with the inherent darkness. I am to blame, of course. Bill and I both knew what exposure to Unforgivables gives rise to. But we didn't want to admit that our family had been so drastically affected.'

George, who had always been up for a bit of a joke with Fred, had been angered and saddened that his brother had used his business contacts for malicious purposes. A joke was a joke, but vicious and hurtful destruction of a person's reputation was a different matter. George, who had been encouraged by Bill, had fired Ron. Ron was now stuck at home, being forced to live off his parents' generosity. Not having had the foresight to save his wages, Ron was now unable to enjoy the women and lifestyle he had enjoyed as a war hero and friend of the Boy-Who-Lived.

Percy, upon hearing the diabolic plot, could not stop crying. He felt he had failed his family in not stepping in to confront the changes he had seen in his siblings over the Yule holidays.

The entire family was forced to re-evaluate their beliefs and attitudes. Things would not change immediately, but Bill and Arthur both felt that this latest trauma would help the family actually deal with the aftermath of the war.

Harry, meanwhile, was taken under Bill's wing. It was strongly encouraged by Kingsley and Minerva, and it was felt that Harry would benefit from learning to control his altered magic as well as with some sensible guidance. The Head of the Order was just glad that Harry had not been in on the plot to destroy Hermione's reputation.

The new term was even harder than her first for Hermione. Even though she told herself repeatedly that she was well shot of Ron and Ginny, their words had made an impression on the young and sensitive woman. She could not believe that people she had loved and cared for could see her in the way they had so vividly described. She tried her best to not let Severus see her tears, but many nights, when she returned to her cold and empty bed, she would weep for the loss of her childhood friends and the last vestiges of her own innocent and carefree days.

When Hermione was not mulling over or brooding over the scandal in the newspapers and the subsequent even more attention-grabbing public retraction and apology, Hermione was busy marking, brewing and studying. Together with the rumours and the gossip, there was hardly any time for Severus and Hermione to be together. Most nights, they usually ended up working in the Headmaster's office. He would be busy working on the administrative papers, finances and other matters while she would spread her work at the coffee table and study or mark assignments. Romance, sex and quality alone time seemed like a dream to the busy pair.

However, Hermione was not as successful as she had thought in masking her sadness at the loss of her useless friends. Severus could see the change in his lover, and he decided that he needed to do something to watch over her. He understood that his heavy workload as headmaster allowed him hardly any time to spend with Hermione privately, and it worried him. He realised that he needed to be there for her, to take care of her as she had done for him. Thus with careful deliberation, the taciturn man decided to ask Hermione to move in with him. A private and solitary man, this request was a very significant move, but he realised that, as they were betrothed, such an invitation was not an uncommon occurrence within the Muggle world.

Hermione had wanted to move in with Severus since their return from Sri Lanka. She had thought it would be the obvious solution to their inability to spend quality time together. Thus, she agreed with alacrity, and with Minerva's blessings and promises to help maintain decorum, the Floo from Hermione's room to Severus' were connected, allowing the move to be enacted with ease. If Hermione was wanted, the paintings had been roped into informing them.

Esmeralda, the witch protecting Hermione's chamber door, was thrilled to be involved in a romantic escapade and was delighted to act as go between. Esmeralda had gone from being a haughty witch to one of Hermione's fiercest defenders within the Hogwart's portrait network. The witch had seen first-hand how hard the young woman worked to ensure that the standard of teaching and tutoring she provided was of the highest quality. Furthermore, Hermione had won Esmeralda's loyalty through her sheer politeness and kindness to the portrait.

Many witches and wizards paid no attention to the people in the magical portraits and treated them merely as irritants. But Hermione had always greeted and chatted with Esmeralda as if she were a living, breathing mortal, not merely pigment and paint. Hermione did not realise it, but her ability to treat all magical beings as equal was starting to win her a truly wide group of admirers.

As Valentine's Day approached, Fleur took Hermione shopping. Fleur had, after the atrocious behaviour of Ronald and Ginerva, decided with Bill's approval and blessing to do all that was possible for Hermione and Severus. Thus, on the weekend before the big romantic celebration, the two witches spent a lovely afternoon buying pretty things and erotic products. Hermione realised while on her excursion with Fleur that she and Severus had many friends and that she had not lost out in any shape or form because of Ron and Ginny's appalling behaviour.

Hermione was also learning slowly to come to grips with Severus' darker magical signature that was now part of her own aura. Just as her signature was making Severus more aware of her own lightness and purity that was now within him, she was dealing with his own stronger and fiercer magical properties. At DADA, her defensive and offensive spell casting became noticeably stronger.

Bill was very impressed with her suddenly altered performance. In quiet discussion after class, Bill said, 'Hermione, your speed of return and the strength of return has grown exponentially. You really are coming into your magical abilities.'

Hermione smirked in an extremely Snapish manner. 'Thanks, Bill,' she said with a grin. 'I guess being in love is helping my magic grow.'

'Indeed,' said Bill. He had no other explanation for her sudden surge in power, but he realised that Hermione and Severus had grown in more ways than were previously imagined.

Severus meanwhile found a strange fascination for Arithmancy. Even charms seemed much easier to perform. Over a quiet meal in their shared quarters they discussed the change to their magic. When they compared notes of the alterations, they both smirked in an unsurprisingly similar manner at their discoveries.

Stroking Hermione's hand that lay on the table, Severus mused on the changes his Gryffindor Princess had brought into his life. If only they knew, thought Severus with an inward grin, which was rather unlike his wont to do, the bloody wizarding world would be astonished to learn that Hermione and I have successfully merged and shared our magical signatures.

On Valentine's Eve Hermione arranged for a romantic meal in the Room of Requirement. Working with the house-elves, who were once again more than happy to help Hermione prepare a surprise for the headmaster, a traditional Sri Lankan meal was cooked, using Kumarilata's recipes. Then, Hermione had the Room of Requirement recreate their hotel room in Unawatuna with the soft golden beach outside. Once the room had been summoned, Hermione led her love inside.

Severus had been told only that she was planning a special treat for him, and although Severus had never been fond of surprises, the pleasant experience of his surprise birthday party reassured him that Hermione would not do anything to cause him discomfort.

As he entered the familiar hotel room, Severus felt a surge of devotion for his Gryffindor. Turning to a beaming Hermione, he gently pulled her into his arms. 'It is perfect, Hermione,' he said gruffly. 'Our days in Sri Lanka were some of the happiest of my life. Thank you.'

Hermione felt as though she would burst with joy at Severus' obvious pleasure. 'I'm so happy you're pleased,' she said with a grin. 'I missed our time away from all of this nonsense. I thought we could use a night of complete peace.'

'Indeed,' said Severus, pulling Hermione into a long and passionate kiss. Finally coming up for air, he stroked her cheek gently. 'Do you know how proud I am of you, my pet?' he asked softly. 'I loved how you told Molly that you were not a Muggle, but a Muggle-born witch. Never let anyone make you feel inferior. You are a strong and powerful witch, and your parentage has no say to your rightful place in our society.'

Severus was a man of few words, especially when it came to his emotions. That he was willing to speak of his pride in her action meant the world to Hermione. 'Oh, Severus,' said Hermione, overcome. 'I love you so much. I really do appreciate you telling me how you feel.'

'I need to learn how to show you and tell you how I feel,' said Severus tenderly, taking Hermione's hand and leading her to sit on the bed. 'But we have a lifetime of loving to learn how to communicate more effectively.'

Hermione smiled and pulled Severus to sit down beside her. 'Mmm...' she agreed as she began unbuttoning his robes.

Severus laughed. 'I see my vixen has plans for my person.'

'Of course,' purred Hermione. 'I've always got plans for your person. I can't get enough of you, Severus. I could touch you, be with you constantly.'

Severus kissed her then. It was the easiest way for him to show her how much her words meant to him. Lowering her so that she was lying on the bed, he stretched himself on top of her and poured his love into her by way of tender, sensual kisses.

Before long, their tenderness was replaced by burning hunger, and hands began to unbutton and push away unwanted clothing. Impatient with need, Hermione reached for her wand and, with a hastily muttered, 'Divesto,' had both Severus and herself completely unclothed. 'Ah,' she moaned as his warm skin rubbed against her own. 'God, I love the way your skin feels against mine,' she gasped, writhing against him.

Severus smirked and captured both of her hands in his. Drawing them to rest above her head, he teased her desperate need for fulfilment with slow, torturous kisses and caresses. He laved her throat before nibbling her sensitive collarbone.

Hermione moaned. 'I hate it when you take your time,' she said crossly before succumbing to further moans as he began suckling her nipple. 'Severus,' she gasped, 'for fuck's sake, stop mucking about. I need you, now.'

'Patience, my little princess,' he murmured teasingly. 'You know you love it when I drive you wild with desire. Now enjoy.'

'Beast,' she cried with a groan. But she did not complain further, for Severus' talented tongue was making its leisurely way down her tummy.

'Soft, like silk,' he whispered hoarsely against her skin as he kissed his way to her now wantonly parted thighs.

Severus' passion-roughened voice was like a bolt of electricity to Hermione's heated core. She shuddered with arousal. How she loved his voice. Soon, Hermione's hands were free to scrape against his scalp as Severus began to pleasure her needy core with his clever tongue.

Hermione crooned in encouragement as he tongued her bundle of nerves before plunging his tongue deep within her to taste all of her essence. 'Severus,' she gasped. She loved how well he knew her needs.

Severus chuckled while pressed against her core, and the vibrations acted as yet another stimulation to her already sensitised flesh. As Severus began to pound into her in earnest, the flat of his tongue penetrating her repeatedly, she came, a strangled sob of 'Severus' on her lips.

Severus kept sucking her, licking her until she could hardly take it. Then, he kissed her thighs before moving up her body like a panther on the prowl. Kissing her deeply, he shared her taste with her. His lower face was completely covered in her essence.

Hermione moaned in arousal. The first time she had tasted herself on him had been utterly erotic, and the act now made her body react to his promise of even more pleasure.

Grasping his hardness, she guided him into her heat. They both groaned together at their shared pleasure. Then, Severus began to move, Hermione wrapping her legs tightly around him, using her heels to pull him as close as she could into her body.

'Circe, woman, you feel so incredible,' said Severus hoarsely. He loved her heat, her snug fit. She felt as though she had been made especially for him.

Hermione merely groaned, another gush of wetness pouring out of her at her lover's voice.

Severus grunted as he felt her reaction to his words. Urgently, he withdrew from her, and at her gasp of disappointment, he growled, 'On your knees, pet.'

Hermione complied as quickly as she could. Once on her hands and knees, she turned her face to look over her shoulder and watch Severus. Seeing his desire for her was, to Hermione, better than the strongest lust potion.

With a look of utter pleasure, Severus plunged himself within her. Taking hold of her thick and unruly hair, he collected it into a chunky rope that he used to hold her secure with one hand, while with the other he used to hold her by the hip. Then he began to move in hard, powerful thrusts.

Hermione loved feeling him like this. She knew his darkness would soon be released, and she hungered for his complete domination of her body. Doing her best to meet him, thrust for thrust, she began tightening her vaginal walls, and Severus nearly shouted out his approval.

'Yes, vixen,' growled Severus, now pounding into her as hard as he could. He was completely in control, her hair forgotten as both hands held onto her hips, yanking her into his hardness even as he pounded into her. There would be marks on her body on the morrow. Groaning, gasping, muttering encouragement to his beautiful treasure, he commanded, 'Come for me now, my pet.'

Hermione, ever the good student, shattered on command, and Severus followed her, pouring himself into her waiting heat, an almost growled, 'Hermione,' on his lips.