Chapter Twenty-One: The End of the School Year

(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of the remarkably talented J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.

(ii) Thank you to all the readers who have stayed with me through the writing of this tale. Your kind reviews have been enormously helpful. Please do continue to review and tell me what you think of the story. You have no idea how wonderful it is to hear from you.

(iii) And finally, much gratitude to my brilliant beta, Queen_of_Stars. You have been the most gracious of friends through these long months. I am so thankful that you agreed to help me work on, polish and present this story. All errors that ultimately remain are my own.

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After their successful attempt at Animagus transformation, Severus and Hermione accompanied Minerva to breakfast in the Headmaster's office. Although the war was over, and all known Death Eaters incarcerated, the trio needed to decide if it would be in the best interest of Hermione and Severus, as well as of the Order of the Phoenix, to register the new abilities of the couple.

"I know you'd like to have your abilities acknowledged," said Minerva frankly, first looking at Hermione before turning to Severus, "but perhaps it would be best if we didn't inform anyone else that you have both mastered Animagus transfiguration."

Severus inclined his head in agreement as he watched the disappointment etch itself plainly on Hermione's face. But she was no fool, and she too sighed and nodded her head in agreement. "I know. I've been thinking the same thing. There's no reason to give away our secret advantages. We still don't know for sure how many Death Eater sympathisers there are in the Ministry. It's best to keep our abilities hidden in case any trouble emerges one day."

"Good girl," said Severus in approval, despite Hermione's expected grimace at his comment. "Never show your hand, even if you think the game is over."

Minerva sighed. "I guess it is too much to hope that we will have a long period of peace now that You-know-who is gone."

Severus raised his eyebrow at his colleague's naiveté. "Minerva, you know very well that peace is never permanent or long-term, and trouble can emerge from the most unexpected of corners. There has been a lot of darkness released in recent decades. The Weasleys are just one example. We still do not know the full extent of the damage caused due to the Battle of Hogwarts. We have done our best to mitigate the harm done by training the children, but these things are insidious, working like the most noxious of gasses, slowly, quietly, secretly. Besides which, the wizarding world has never really gone long before a Dark Lord or Lady emerges to take on the challenging of changing the world as we know it. This is the way of our world."

"I know, Severus," said Minerva in resignation. "But I am an old woman. I seem to have spent most of my life caught up in one war after another. If it isn't the bloody Muggles, it's our lot."

Severus chuckled darkly at Minerva's tone of disgruntlement, but he could not agree with her more. Whether Muggle or Wizard, the world seemed full of megalomaniacs and power hungry individuals attempting to impose their views on the rest of the populace.

May seemed to have suddenly acquired wings. The days passed in frantic work as students were prepared for the upcoming school exams, as well as OWLs and NEWTs. It was an especially trying time for Severus because it would be the first time that the altered curriculum would be tested. It was imperative for the reputation of Hogwarts and Severus' ground-breaking alterations that the students sitting for Ministry-administered examinations performed well, for it would undoubtedly reflect on the changes made since the fall of Voldemort. Hermione, of course, seemed to have no time to rest. If she was not busy running extra classes for remedial work in Potions or Muggle Studies, she was cramming for her upcoming NEWTs. She wanted to do extremely well, for it reflected on her capabilities, as well as leave a mark on her position as an Assistant Teacher.

But like all difficult and exhausting events, the exam week finally did pass. The students seemed to have done relatively well, and Ginny's graduating class finally left Hogwarts. Hermione was overjoyed. Having to deal with Ginny's friends in Advanced Potions as well as DADA had proved tiresome indeed. They had done their best to make Hermione feel guilty for Ginny's inability to complete her final year at Hogwarts. That it was Ginny's malicious actions that had caused the teen to be expelled was, in true Gryffindor style, ignored.

Finally, though, the summer holidays were upon them. School had ended for the year. The members of staff were finally free to enjoy themselves for a while. Rapidly, the castle emptied, and Severus and Hermione departed for Spinner's End to prepare the house for their summer in it together. Having had such success with the box-room, the next project that Hermione tackled was the kitchen. Hermione had spent countless hours dreaming of what she'd like to achieve and had, on occasion, owled for Muggle books and magazines on interior design to discover how modern homes were done up. Thus, it took her hardly any time at all to have all of the pots and pans, crockery and cutlery transferred to the sitting-room so she could begin her Transfiguration work. Severus chuckled at Hermione's enthusiasm.

"Merlin's balls, woman. We haven't even been here for half an hour, and you're already turning this place on its head. Come to bed. I want to ravish you without the constant threat of interruption."

Hermione giggled at Severus' disgruntled tone. "My love, you know I've been thinking and drawing up plans for the house since Easter. It was my escape when studying, marking and teaching got to be too much. Every time I needed to relax, I would pull out a notebook and work out what I wanted to do to the house. Please, Severus, give me a few hours. I shall more than make it up to you."

"Hrmph," groused Severus. "Bossy wench! I suppose I shall just have to entertain myself by relaxing in the garden with a book or something."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you, love. I promise I won't be long, and I will make it up to you." Standing up on tip toe, she kissed him gently on his mouth.

The kiss and her promise seemed to have mollified Severus. With an exaggerated sigh, he made his way into the back garden. There was still a patch of green that had somehow managed to survive the years of neglect. Severus settled into the decrepit, wooden garden bench and allowed his mind to wonder. Before long, he himself began to plot what could be done to bring the garden back into shape. The vegetable patch could be turned into a place to grow herbs used for potion-making, and the flower-beds could be easily cut back to allow the roses more room to grow. Growing enthusiastic himself, Severus Accioed a piece of parchment and quill from his study and set to work on perfecting a plan for the garden. It could be his contribution to Hermione's efforts to tidy up and redecorate their home away from home, for Severus acknowledged in his heart that Hogwarts was and would always be his real home.

As he worked out the best times for planting the alterations to the garden, Severus paused in his self-appointed task. It surprised the dark man how quickly he had turned into a soppy lover. All through his service to Dumbledore, he had remained, in his heart, a Dark wizard. He had turned his back on Voldemort, but he hadn't given up his own immersion into the Dark Arts. That fascination had stayed with him. He could understand why Dumbledore had failed to give him the position of DADA Professor for so many years. It would have been too much of a temptation to let the Dark Arts totally dominate all of his reading and research. By being forced to also focus on Potions, Severus had been able to maintain some level of rationality. But now, even though he was finally free to pursue any avenue of study that he desired, he had turned into a Hufflepuff. He wanted to please Hermione; he wanted to make right the wrongs he had committed. He felt utterly foolish. He knew Lucius would laugh till he was almost rolling on the floor if he could read the thoughts running through his mind. Had they not discussed repeatedly that no Dark wizard would want to make amends, even if they realised their mistakes? Lucius had pointed out that a true student of the Dark would consider it their right to occasionally make errors in their pursuit of truth and knowledge. Scowling at his own altered mindset, Severus realised that his magic and darkness had been permanently altered by his witch's Light. For there was no real Darkness within Hermione. There was single-minded determination, passion for learning, but no true Darkness.

However, deep within his heart, Severus also realised that having Hermione's Light within him was a relief. He had often worried that as he grew into his power, he would become the thing he hated most: an unreasonable, uncontrollable Dark Wizard. Severus was no fool, nor was he blind. He had realised fairly early on that the power he had was phenomenal. He had spent most of his years as a teenager taking on four or more wizards single-handedly. Thus, Severus had come to learn that if his magic continued to grow at the rate it currently maintained, before long, he would possess the power and ability to rival and possibly surpass that of Dumbledore and Voldemort. Hermione's Saxon ritual of sharing and expanding their power had only added to the rate and speed of growth. This was perhaps why Hermione was suddenly working and manifesting her magic in such rapid leaps and bounds. A witch her age should still be a fledgling in terms of power, but she was coming into her own as an adult witch at an astonishing rate. Severus was amazed that Minerva had not brought it up with him already, for surely the other professors who worked with Hermione must have realised how suddenly her magic had altered and matured.

Severus smirked at the garden foliage. His witch was going to be the most powerful in Britain in the not too distant future. He once again shook his head in amazement at his good fortune. Never would he have thought that he would be so blessed. Now, losing Lily seemed to Severus a gift from the gods, a strong and silent, none-to-gentle shove in the right direction that put him in the perfect position to receive the blessing, the treasure that was Hermione. If he had won Lily, he would not have been able to pursue knowledge as single-mindedly as he had done in the last twenty years. He would have stunted his own growth and talent. He would never have become the expert that he was in two of the most demanding fields of magic. If he had married Lily, he would have not gone to work for Dumbledore or indeed, Voldemort. He would probably have died much earlier. Even if he hadn't died, then he wouldn't have been able to contribute as he had done to the cause. He was not being arrogant, but Severus could not help but think that the Order of the Phoenix could not have defeated the Dark Lord if it wasn't for his intelligence gathering. For two long decades, they had been able to undermine the Dark Lord's efforts; without the intelligence and support he provided, they would have been fighting blind with no hope of ever knowing how to counter his Machiavellian plots. Yes, Severus could now finally be truly grateful that the woman he had thought he loved was vain, shallow and blind. She had failed to see what was before her, choosing tinsel over the tarnished gold that he was. Knowing that Hermione would grin at him for his gloating thoughts, he once again bent his head to plan their garden.

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A few days after the holidays had begun, Severus found Hermione staring unseeingly out of the kitchen window. Silently, he approached her and tried to see what had captured her attention. All there was, however, was the still relatively uninspiring view into the back garden. "Hermione," said Severus gently, not wanting to startle his witch.

Hermione seemed to rouse herself from far away. "Severus," she said, shaking her head.

He slid his arms around her from behind and kissed her softly on the curve of her neck. "Tell me what's wrong. I know there is something on your mind."

"Harry," she said with a sigh. "I had a dream about him last night. He seemed so lost, and...." She stopped and sighed again. "You know, he and I were two lonely children. He the orphan and me the only, and even though I never admitted it, misunderstood and unwanted child. We kind of latched on to each other. Ron was different; he represented the family we both dreamed of and wanted, but we, we were true siblings to each other. I miss him, Severus. I know he's been a prat, but he'll always be dear to me. I don't really care if I never regain my friendship with Ron, or any of the Weasleys for that matter, other than possibly Bill and Mr. Weasley. But I miss Harry. I miss mending his glasses that he is forever breaking. I miss straightening his clothes and making him grin bashfully as I tell him off. I miss him."

Severus sighed. He could not understand the kind of bond she shared with Potter, but he did realise that he was not enough for her. He had thought he had glimpsed something similar with Lily, but he had soon realised that she had never returned his depth of emotion. Seeing Hermione's affection for her friends, her love for him, made him realise that what he had felt for Lily and what she had felt for him was a pale thing in comparison. He had never really loved Lily. He had loved what she represented, what she seemed to have. In all honesty, Severus now realised that until Hermione had come into his life, he had always been a loner. Sure, on another level, he had been close to Lucius and Narcissa, but he had distanced his heart from them for decades now. He had always expected to have to kill his friends in battle, and that, if nothing else, had forced him to slowly learn to live in a world without anyone near and dear to him. That they had survived the fall of the Dark Lord was an unexpected boon, but they were not necessary for his continuing happiness.

Finally, thoughtfully, Severus spoke. "Write to him, my pet. Invite him to tea or something. I'll make sure I'm in the lab or the study so that you have me nearby if you want me, but you can, for the most part, meet him on your turf in private."

Hermione turned around to hug Severus swiftly. "You're so good to me," she said, looking up at him. "I know how much this place is a sanctuary for you. To let him come here, Severus, are you sure? I could meet him at the Leaky Cauldron for a drink or something if you'd prefer that."

"No," said Severus, tightening his grip on her waist. "I'd rather it be here, so that if he upsets you, I am close at hand. It would be harder to conceal your meeting from the public eye in Diagon Alley. You are both too well known to meet in public after such a volatile past." Bending his head, he kissed Hermione gently. "I love you, my pet. Of course, I realise that by making you mine, I am opening myself up to the horrors of associating with your bloody Gryffindors. I may not be comfortable in entertaining all of them in our home, but one or two at a time should be fine, if they are manageable. Just promise me that you won't have Longbottom dropping by to borrow a cup of sugar or some such inanity every other day."

Hermione laughed. She loved his sarcastic humour. His wit was one of the first things she had grown to love about her dark wizard. She could not deny how much it meant to her that Severus was being so considerate, despite his obvious dislike of having Harry under his roof. "I love you too, you know," said Hermione.

Hermione's cautious letter to Harry, inviting him for tea at Spinner's End, was met with surprised but grateful relief on the part of the Saviour of the Wizarding world. Having had plenty of time to think and reflect on Hermione's letter, Harry could not help but feel that she was justified in her curt warning to him. He was a prat if he thought she would put their friendship over her relationship with Snape. Harry was not really a fool, just pig-headed and for the most part blind. But working with Bill had allowed him to come to realise how childish and vindictive some of his behaviour had been. He was just thankful that he hadn't become as mired in Darkness as Ron and Ginny had been. Realising too how lucky he was that Hermione was willing to extend the olive branch by inviting him to tea, he wrote back immediately.

Dear Hermione,

Harry

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at Harry's letter. When she showed it to Severus over breakfast, he could not hide the upward twitch of his lips. "There's hope for the boy yet," was Severus' sarcastic comment. "If he is willing to grovel, then I am appeased."

Hermione laughed at this Slytherin response. "I'll write and put him out of his misery, unless you think it would be best if he met you too."

At Severus' aghast expression, Hermione laughed even harder. "Really, my love, sometimes I wonder who is more fearful and horrified of the other, you or Harry. You both get so disgusted at the prospect of having to spend time together."

"Enough," said Severus gruffly. "Write to the dunderhead and tell him I won't be taking tea with you. Just make sure he doesn't upset you, my pet. I'll have his guts for garters if he does."

Hermione smiled. "I'm sure he already knows that, Severus. Don't you think that Bill would have told him how protective you are of me by now?"

Severus scowled, but could not help but agree.

Saturday arrived soon enough, although, if one could have seen Hermione's anxious expression on Friday, it was too long in the coming. Worried, desperate even, for things to go well, Hermione had put all her magical and Muggle talents to the forefront and prepared with meticulous detail for afternoon tea. The sitting-room at Spinner's End had been cleaned, tidied and made to look as cosy and inviting as possible. Then, Hermione used one of Kumarilata's specific charms on the cake she had prepared, a rich chocolate concoction, to bestow rationality, love and a sense of peace on all those who ate it.

Severus had observed Hermione chanting over the mixing of the batter and had raised an eyebrow in enquiry.

Hermione had not wanted to divulge her secret and had just shook her head.

Severus sighed loudly in exasperation and said, "You know, Hermione, if you want to keep things a secret from me, you must learn to ward and guard your possessions much more carefully. I know full well what Kumarilata gave you. I'm not going to start using her magic. I'm just curious to know what you are doing."

Hermione blushed, but refused to answer. "Later," was all she was willing to mumble as she continued to chant. Finally, when the cake was in the oven, she explained what she had done as she put away the ingredients.

Severus nodded in agreement. His hands busy as he helped her tidy up the kitchen, he said, "I think that is a sensible course of action given Potter's volatile nature. Pity we cannot douse the whole bloody student body with something like your cake on feast nights."

Hermione laughed. She loved her dark Slytherin's biting sense of humour. Placing the last of the utensils that needed to be washed in the sink and casting the charm that would set it all to washing, she slid her arms around him to hug him tenderly. "I love you," she said softly. "I didn't mean to hide what I was doing, but Kumarilata made me promise to keep her family secrets and recipes safe. I didn't want to divulge her secrets."

Severus chuckled. "Silly woman," he said, stroking her horridly wild hair. "I'm sure she knew that I would make sure that what she gave you was safe and proper for you to use."

As Hermione prepared to tell him off, he gentled her by placing his hand across her mouth. "I don't mean to suggest that I don't trust you or her, my dear, but I'm a naturally possessive and cautious man. Surely, you must have suspected that Gunananda would have shared with his wife his knowledge of me and my methods. Thus, surely you must have known that they would have expected me to fully peruse everything that you were given in Sri Lanka."

Despite her anger at Severus' high-handedness, Hermione had to agree with his logic. However, she was not mollified. With a pout, she said, "It doesn't mean I have to like it though."

Severus smirked in response but could not resist her pouty mouth. "Goddess," he groaned before ravishing her with his kiss.

All argument forgotten in the face of Severus' passion, Hermione surrendered to his kiss. Soon the two were pushing aside their clothes to feel heated skin against skin. Severus picked up Hermione and laid her on the kitchen table.

Their passion, as always, flared fast and furious between them. He pushed, she pulled, and within moments, Severus was buried deep within Hermione's warmth. Even as he tried to slow down their furious coupling, Hermione used her heels to jerk him sharply into her.

"Wench," groaned Severus raggedly. Then, as he struggled to capture her legs and pin them against his shoulders, he growled, "Why must you always want to rush me so?"

Hermione tried to laugh, but was cut short as he rotated his hips in a leisurely circle. Smirking at the level of his witch's responsiveness, Severus began to make love to Hermione slowly. He was very deliberate with each move he made, kissing, licking and caressing her torso while he continued with the shallow thrusts within her.

Hermione panted with need as his torturous methods drove her passion higher. She did not think of the hard surface of the table beneath her. All she could focus on was the power of the man who surrounded her so completely with his passion. His utterly focused attention upon her was magical, and that alone was enough to keep her on the edge of orgasm. Desperate to come, she could only moan a hoarse, "Bastard." Doing her best to gather some control over herself, Hermione retaliated in their game of love by tighten her inner muscles in an attempt to make him lose control.

Severus smirked; though Hermione was gratified to see the beads of sweat break out across his forehead at her continued ministrations. Still, however, he maintained his slow, deliberate pace until Hermione was almost keening with need.

"Severus," she gasped, "if you don't get a move on soon, I'll hex you when we are done."

Her dark lover responded by slowing down his pace even further, bending low to whisper seductively in her ear, "My pet, you know you really love it when I torture you this way. Now, stop complaining and enjoy." Each word was punctuated by a slow, shallow thrust that was in itself a lesson in the art of seduction.

Hermione stuck her tongue out at him. Severus seemed to take it as yet another challenge, as he bent her even more completely to ravish her with further breathtaking kisses. Then, and only then, when he felt he could hold no longer, did he begin to thrust within her in earnest. Hermione nearly screamed with the renewed vigour of his hard strokes within her. "Oh, Severus," she cried, shattering as the avalanche of her orgasm overtook her.

Severus too was almost on the brink of orgasm. Feeling Hermione's tightening muscles sent him over the edge to join her in oblivion.

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A.N/ Love it or hate it, do let me know what you think.