Chapter 7: Summer Vacation Again

Summer finally arrived, and Severus stood in the observatory tower watching the students heading for the train. There were streams of them laughing and frolicking, excited to be heading home.

A throat clearing behind him made him turn, and he saw Minerva climb the last step and slowly make her way to stand next to him. She stood silently. Finally she said, "Severus, I want to retire as Headmistress. I'd like to do it this year. I'm tired of dealing with the Ministry and the board of directors."

He turned to stare at her. "Why haven't you said anything before this? This is a huge decision. You should have spoken to all of the staff about this."

"The staff will do what they are told. This job is yours, Severus. The board has already approved the change. You just have to say yes or no."

He stared at her, unable to voice anything at the moment. Headmaster! He'd not been very happy the last time. Granted, things were much different now, but if he took the job, what about Hermione? Would he still be able to apprentice her?

"What do you think, Severus?" she asked, watching all sorts of emotions cross his face.

He focused on her. "Minerva, I have offered Hermione a Potions apprenticeship. We planned for her to come here after her next year at Cambridge. We want to marry, and I want to be her Potions master."

"Why do you want to marry so soon? She won't be finished for three more years." There was dread plain in the old woman's voice.

"I am capable of teaching her everything she needs to know. There are precedents allowing her to Apprentice and do her last two years through a correspondence course. You and I both know Hermione is well capable of succeeding in such a program."

Minerva eyed him discerningly. "Is this for her sake or yours? I know this long-distance relationship has taken a toll on you, but won't she benefit from the whole 'college experience'?"

He turned away. "I want her with me. I need her to be with me, and she feels the same."

"Does she?" Minerva came and laid a hand on his arm. "Severus, I need you to take over. I can't do this anymore. It's too hard. Teaching is one thing; I enjoyed that. But the day-to-day administrative duties are wearing me thin. No one else here wants the job, nor are they as capable. This school needs your leadership and wisdom."

"What are you going to do, Minerva? Will you sit on a beach or haunt a castle somewhere?" The last comment was spoken bitterly. "For the first time in my life, I have the opportunity to be happy. I will not give more of my life to this school if it means losing time with the woman I love. I will not do it, Minerva." His voice was filled with venom and longing.

Minerva gave him a smirk. "Actually, I thought I'd continue to teach here on a limited schedule. This is my home, and unknown to many people, I have a contract that says I can live my life out here in my apartment just as Sybil has been granted rooms to live in."

Severus turned. "What if I do this: I will help you with the duties this year. I have enough hours alone now, and it will help the time pass faster. Next year, I'll spend six hours a day as Headmaster, and you take two hours. I will do the most difficult tasks, but I reserve the right to teach advance Potions and have Hermione as my Apprentice for two years after this one. You can have her teach the first- through fifth-years. She will be very capable of that by the time she arrives. I will remain here during half the summers, as long as Hermione can come visit if she wishes. When she graduates in three years, I will take the full position, and she can replace me as Potions master."

"Done," she said, suddenly looking quite pleased.

Minerva got that spark in her eye, and he realized she'd already been prepared to do at least half the job.

"You are a manipulator, Minerva. You had no plans to retire." He glared down at her.

"Not retire...just not be the administrator. Teaching is what I do best. I enjoy it. You don't, really. I know it's been better now that the war and all that other business is over. You will be good at the administrative job, and I need to go back to the creativity of teaching." Changing the subject, she asked, "When were you going to tell me about Hermione coming here?"

"Probably at the end of this year." He gave her a wry smile. "I was going to threaten to quit unless she was allowed to come."

Minerva laughed. "Always the manipulator." She stepped forward and held out her arms, and he stepped forward and allowed her to hug him. They had been friends many years and rivals for only a short time. She was like an aunt he was fond of. He gave her a hug back and then stepped back.

"I'm good at it," he said. "You do agree that Hermione can come here?"

"Of course, Miss Granger is always welcome here. I would imagine she is well capable of teaching first- through fifth-year now. I expect you to be discreet when she visits until you are married."

"I think we can manage. I do have plans to leave tonight. Hermione and I already have plans for this summer."

Minerva turned to walk away. "I know, Severus. Have a good summer, but be back here August 15 to help me with the schedules. Bring Hermione for a visit. I would love to see her. I wish to talk to her."

"Will you be looking to see if I have enchanted the poor girl?" Severus let out a short, stiff laugh.

"Of course." Minerva giggled, letting him know she was just joking.

Severus watched the old witch go. Actually, he was quite pleased. He had enjoyed the administrative aspect of being headmaster and the control. Wartime had been the worst of times to deal with the Carrows. But all that was behind him. He wanted to see that the talented young witches and wizards got the best education they could. There was a new society to build.

In the meantime, Hermione was getting ready to pack her bags for the summer. She wasn't quite sure where they were going. Severus had told her it was a surprise, so she shrunk and packed nearly her entire wardrobe because she wasn't sure what climate to expect. Being a witch had its advantages. She had decided she was content letting him pick their destination. She had too much work to do at school, and she didn't have time to plan trips.

She turned to put her bag by the door. She'd finished her classes yesterday and had turned all her work in more than a week ago. She was looking forward to some sun...she hoped...and she was looking forward to being with Severus again. It had been months, and the few phone calls and letters did not make up for the warmth of two bodies entwined.

She hadn't seen much of Alan other than the few classes they still had together. He'd been smart enough to keep his distance, and for that she was glad. She hoped he would decide to go to another college or at least see that their classes did not match up next year. She missed their friendship. He'd been a distraction during the hours of loneliness she suffered when she wasn't with Severus. This semester had been so busy it had gone by quickly and had given her little time to be too depressed. Her project had turned out well, and she realized she really had not needed Alan's help. She wondered if he had fared as well. She shook the thoughts of Alan away and concentrated on preparing herself for Severus.

She was nearly trembling with desire for him when he rang the doorbell.

She ran, flinging the door open, and stood staring at him. He took her breath away in his black jeans and gray button-up shirt. His hair was free, glossy and getting much longer.

He quirked an eyebrow at her, held out his arms, and stepped into the apartment as she flung herself into them. The door magically closed and warded behind them as he held her tightly against his chest.

She let her fingers snake into his hair, breathed in his scent, and gave herself over to his powerful kiss. Magic seemed to swirl around them. Her knees went weak, and he snickered against her lips as he held her tight against his body. He sighed, breaking the kiss, and gazed into her face.

"I've missed you, Hermione." He placed a kiss on her cheek.

She held him close and listened to his heartbeat. She smiled when his hand caressed her hair. "I've missed you." They were content to hold each other and be.

Finally Severus said, "Perhaps we should travel to our destination before the clothing begins flying."

She laughed. "It is surprising after all these months that we aren't in bed yet. But you're right. It feels wonderful just to stand and hold on. My anchor is back. When I take the time to just sit and think, I often feel that I'm flying away. There's nothing to anchor me to my life until you are here."

Severus stood back and tilted her chin up as he gazed into her face. "I feel the same. That dungeon gets lonely at night."

"How will we get through another entire year?" she asked, holding on to him again.

"I suppose just like this last one. It will be an even busier year for you. You will have to take the one extra theory class here; it's mandatory that you be on campus."

"I can handle it." She moved out of his arms and picked up her bag. "I'm ready. Let's go to this mysterious destination and get naked."

With his desire plain on his face, he extracted a cloth-covered object from his pocket. He opened the cloth and took out a tiny, golden flask. He counted, "One, Two, THREE."

Their fingers connected with the flask, and they were whisked away in a flurry of magic.

******

They landed on soft, thick carpet in an opulent suite of rooms decorated with ornate furniture and brocade wallpaper. A black arch highlighted the entry to the bedroom. The bedroom beyond had gleaming wooden floors and fine hand-woven carpets. Many of the room's furnishings were done in deep reds and black. Severus grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her to the double doors that went out onto a terrace.

Hermione squealed with delight. There before her were the canals of Venice, Italy. Ancient buildings nestled in canals of deep blue. The gondolas floated by, carrying passengers from all over the world. Curved bridges of stone arched from one side of the canal to the other, allowing some foot traffic. The colors of cream, reddish pink, and white buildings rose on either side of the canal, promising all sort of wondrous adventures. Flower boxes hung from many windows, offering colored blooms. The sky was clear blue, and a warm breeze wafted over them.

Hermione ran to the edge of the balcony and looked back and forth up and down the canal. "I've always wanted to see Venice," she exclaimed.

"Many great potion makers came from this area. There is much we can study here."

She grabbed him around the waist and peered into his face. "Also a lot of romance and play."

He grinned. "Definitely play. I suggest we start on that right now." He picked her up and carried her to the huge bed where he proceeded to carefully remove her clothing piece by piece. His fingers touching and his mouth tasting each body part, he caressed her until she writhed beneath him with her fingers clutching his body and caressing what she could reach. His lips sucked at her breasts, and his fingers dipped into her warmth, causing her to writhe against them. When he slipped into her warm depths and felt her legs close around him and draw him closer, he let his thoughts go and surrendered to feeling.

********

That evening they showered and dressed-up and walked to an outdoor café with soft violins playing and the fragrance of flower boxes. They sat in a secluded garden corner and ate pasta and drank a sweet wine. They stole a kiss every now and then across the tiny, round table. Later as the moon rose high, they walked arm and arm along one of the canals. They watched people pass, listening to their language as they played, argued, laughed, and lived their lives. Tourists bustled past them, still seeming to be in a hurry.

Severus and Hermione leaned over one of the many carved bridges and looked into the dark waters. Then he turned to face her, taking her face in his hands, and leaned in for a kiss.

Hermione slipped her arms about his neck. "This is wonderful, Severus. I'm looking forward to exploring tomorrow."

He smirked down at her. "I suppose you will want to do the regular tourist stops."

"Absolutely," she said with a grin. "I'd like to do that for the first few days. Then we will look for those Potion masters, the libraries, and the museums. I can't think of where to even start."

He laughed at the brightness of her eyes in the moonlight. He saw the desire for knowledge that he recognized from looking into the mirror so many times in his life. "I did not bring you here for you to get lost in piles of dusty books. This is one of the most romantic cities in the world."

"Ah." She teased his lips with her soft fingers. "So it is romance you want."

"Among other things."

"We have two months, Severus. There will be time for all of it."

"Well, not exactly two months...more like six weeks. Minerva wants you to come visit for a couple weeks at the end of summer. I have to be there for new duties."

Hermione stood back, suddenly realizing he had some news...news he was excited about.

"What's going on?" she asked, tugging on his shirt.

"Minerva asked me to take over most of the Headmaster duties."

Her face fell. "But what about me coming and apprenticing?"

He took her face in his hands. "I said most. I negotiated with her. She will continue as Headmistress this year, and I will spend some of my lonely nights helping her. When you come, Minerva has offered you the position of teacher for the first- through fifth-years." He stopped talking long enough for her to really hear what he'd just said.

Her eyes glowed. "Really, Severus? Do you really think I could do the job?"

"Hermione, you could do the job blindfolded. Once this year is done, you will more than capable of teaching those students, and you will assist me as my apprentice in the last class of the day: Advanced Potions."

Hermione said, "It sounds like a dream I had...you and I working together. Severus, you'll make a wonderful Headmaster."

He snorted. "We'll let's hope the parents feel the same way. I do have a past that's hard to put behind me."

"Severus, if they objected, you would not be teaching now. They know what you did and why." She grabbed his hand as they walked in the direction of their hotel.

"I suppose you're right. I wish it were as easy for me to forget the life I was forced to live. When I am alone, it often comes back to haunt me."

Hermione said, "When I marry you, your bad dreams will fly away. You will never be alone again."

Severus smiled. "I look forward to that."

"You could always tell me about those times. They say confession is good for the soul." She squeezed his hand warmly.

"Those times are best left unsaid. I do not want you to know what I was and what I did," he confessed softly.

Hermione did not insist. She wasn't sure she wanted to know, but if it would help him, she was willing to listen. She tugged on his hand and hurried her steps.

"Come on, I know of several ways to vanish all thoughts of the past for tonight."

The past was forgotten as the desire in her voice splashed over him like a warm blanket.

He grinned. "Only a few?" he asked, hurrying along with her.

There was a dark alcove in a small, deserted garden. Hermione pulled Severus into the darkened corner, and with a wave of her wand she warded it and put a repel spell on the area. She started to undo Severus's buttons and kissed a trail down his naked chest. He felt her pull the shirt off his shoulders, and he threw his head back as she latched onto one of his nipples. Her hands were busy at his belt and then the zipper on his jeans. Knowing no one would come into the garden or see them still did not stop them from hearing the voices of those who passed close by. He found her willingness to have sex with him in a near public place turned him on, and he was hard when she pulled his thick shaft from his jeans. She slid her hands around to the back of his jeans and tugged them down over his buttocks. He hadn't put underwear on, so her hands slid over his nakedness.

"I love your body, Severus. You are so perfect."

He moaned as the night air flowed over his body. Her hands slipped low, caressing him.

"Hermione," he groaned. He pulled her dress off her shoulders. His lips caressed hers, and his hands cupped her now-naked breasts. He pulled her dress up and tore her knickers away. He picked her up, and she placed her legs around his hips. He let her down on his hard shaft, and she groaned with her need for him.

Severus froze as laughter nearby made him aware that people were close.

"Severus, don't stop please," she begged. He closed the laughter from his mind and started to push in and out. She placed her hands against his shoulders and lifted herself as he slammed into her. She felt her back slide against the stone wall. She threw her head back and let the orgasm build in her until she cried out.

He felt himself cum, and he pulled her tightly to him as his seed pumped into her.

*******

Hermione woke wrapped in Severus arms; they'd sent hours making love...slowly and gently reclaiming that tight bond they built with each other each time they had vacation.

She stretched with a soft groan. Feeling soft fingers trail over her hip, she turned toward Severus. There was a smile on his lips, but his eyes were still closed. She leaned in to kiss his lips then each eyelid.

"Good morning," she whispered against his ear.

Sun was pouring through the open window, and a soft breeze blew the sheer curtains.

Sounds of the busy city wafted up through the window...people calling to one another, children's laughter, and music. They could smell the water.

Hermione slid from the bed and went to the loo. He followed her, and when they came back into the room, he slid back into the bed. Hermione ran to the window. She grabbed the sheer curtain and held it about her as she peered out the window.

"Come on, Severus. Let's dress and go out to eat."

Severus watched her backside appreciatively. She was perfection: narrow waist and ample bottom. Her hair hung in curly waves to her buttocks. She turned, and he saw the curve of her breast. He loved her enthusiasm. It lifted him from the darkness that had always surrounded him. It gave him a life he could actually look forward to. He crawled from the bed and came to stand behind her. His hands slid about her waist, and he bent to kiss her shoulder.

"Must we go out just yet?" His voice was deep sexy and made her shiver.

"Severus, you're insatiable."

"I've been storing it up for more years than you've been alive."

She turned back to him. "We can call for room service and go out later."

"I like that idea." He swung her up into his arms and carried her back to bed.

Lisa, thank you for your beta work. You make my work so much easier. You are very much appreciated.

Becky and Angela, thank you very much for pre-reading and for your comments.