Chapter 15: Australia Part 3

Severus was wearing a pair of black dress pants and a white, button-down shirt with tiny strips of silver in the fabric. Hermione wore the red dress she'd bought for Bill and Fleur's wedding. She'd recovered her bag from the Malfoy mansion after the war.

Remembering Christmas Eve rituals, Hermione sucked in a breath and said, "Severus, they will want to go to the midnight service. Do you want to go with us?" She gathered the gifts they had brought and expanded them to normal size.

"Of course," he said, pulling her hand to his lips and kissing her knuckles. "I did enjoy last year, didn't I?" He took a bunch of the gifts and helped her carry them from the room.

"Yes, it's hard to believe we have been engaged an entire year already." They came into the living room. The tree was lit, and there was a stack of gifts under the tree.

Hermione's parents had been standing by the tree waiting for them, and they turned to them with smiles.

"Hermione, you look lovely," her mother said, coming to give her a kiss on the cheek. "And you look very handsome, Severus." She gave his arm a gentle pat. "Wow, look at all those gifts. I dare say this Christmas will be a fine one, but all we really needed was you both here...and you are." Her eyes shone with unshed tears of happiness.

Paxton said, "Let me help you with those, Severus." He took the gifts one by one from their arms and laid them among the other gifts. "Let's have dinner and then we can walk to church. It's only about five blocks, and the night air is so warm it will be a nice walk. There are some impressive yard decorations between here and the church."

"The typical Australian Christmas dinner is cold ham and turkey slices," June explained. "I thought we could make sandwiches. But fortunately, Christmas pudding is still the thing here...not that we would have to eat them, but I thought when in Australia ..." She laughed.

The table was spread with platters of turkey and ham and condiments for the sandwiches. They all took plates and filled them and sat in the living room with TV trays and ate and enjoyed the lights on the tree.

Later the couples, hand in hand, walked to the church, taking their time and admiring the many yards decorated with Christmas lights. Many had Christian themes and not just the Father Christmas theme.

The church service was long, but the music was beautiful. A choir sang, an organ played, and they all relaxed and enjoyed it. They walked home a different street to see more lights. Even though it was well past 1 a.m., there were still lights here and there, and other people were also out walking home.

Severus thought he might enjoy this warmer weather and thought Hermione's parents fortunate to be able to enjoy traditional Christmas things in a much warmer climate. It had been cold and snowy at Hogwarts, and the students had had a bad case of cabin fever before the holidays. He'd had to be extra vigilant for pranks, errant spells, and cavorting in hidden corners.

As they climbed into bed that night, Severus told Hermione, "I'm glad we came. This has been a productive vacation and quite relaxing in the warmth here."

Hermione smiled at him. "Thank you, Severus. I was worried that you wouldn't enjoy this at all. I knew how difficult and intolerant my parents could be. But they have changed, and I think we can finally be close again. I'm so happy and relieved."

They snuggled together and fell asleep.

******

On Christmas morning, Hermione struggled to open her eyes when her mother knocked on the door. "Hermione, breakfast is almost ready," she called.

"I'll be down in a few minutes, Mum." Hermione turned and nudged Severus awake.

He groaned, rolled toward her and said, "Didn't we just go to sleep?"

"Yeah, about four hours ago. We can nap later in the day. Breakfast is on, and then we open gifts."

They took turns using the loo. Severus cleaned himself with his wand and pulled on the black sweat suit Hermione had gifted him with last night. She'd assured him that casual on Christmas morning was a must.

She came from the bathroom with a robe and slippers on, and they went down to the breakfast nook to eat. It was a more traditional English breakfast: eggs, bacon, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, toast, and lots of rich coffee.

Finally stuffed, they retired to the living room, and Hermione took her place on the floor by the tree to hand out gifts. Severus sat in a stuffed armchair behind her, and she leaned against his legs as she opened her gifts. He watched her, feeling more content than he had in many years. This was a real home with real parents who loved each other. This Christmas was as wonderful as last Christmas...maybe more so because he was part of this family. They gave him some wonderful books and a journal and quills. He got a fine sweater of silver and green. Hermione got robes of emerald green that he looked forward to seeing her in. They gave her combs for her hair and a set of fine quills, as well.

Severus had brought Paxton a set of potions that would deaden the gums of his patients in a much more efficient way. He had also bought the man a fine, white shirt.

He gave June a broach with yellow topaz and pearls and a potion for curing cuts and kitchen burns.

He watched their faces as they studied the vials of potions. A bit of skepticism crossed Hermione's father's face but he promised to try it on a few of his patients who had sensitive gums that were not able to be deadened easily.

Severus said, "You might find it works much better than your Mu... pharmaceuticals." He altered his words when Hermione gave him a look. "Forgive me," he said, "old habits."

Paxton nodded, "Of course." He gave Hermione a slight grin and said, "Our girl forgot herself a time or two after being at Hogwarts the entire year. To be honest, I sometimes refer to you as 'those people.'"

Severus stared at him for a moment and then laughed. "Well, it is difficult to find names that separate us since we are all human." He felt Hermione relax, and she squeezed his toes. "You could hardly refer to us in the company of your friends as Wizardingkind."

"True, June and I find it frustrating to keep such a secret at times. We see suffering that we know can be alleviated in Hermione's world."

Severus nodded. "I know. That is one thing that preys on my mind as well. I have been telling the Ministry for years that we need to do some cooperative sharing in the form of research that your scientists can understand without sharing the magical parts. But often a potion is laced with spells, and that is something we cannot share. Witch-hunts are not enjoyable, and we have managed to avoid them for many years. I trust you will not reveal your source for that potion."

"Of course not," Paxton promised. "It would only be a problem if someone was moving. I won't even mention using it."

Hermione felt Severus knew the risks, so she didn't say anything. The fact that he'd shared a potion amazed her and showed her that he was putting faith in her father that she hoped her father was up to.

Hermione handed Severus a gift that was obviously a book. He held it for a moment, feeling a hum of magic about it, and then carefully peeled the paper away to reveal the title: The Magical Potions of Sojey. He gasped and let his hand slide over the cover in a reverent way. "Where did you find this? It's almost nonexistent. Even copies are hard to find."

She had turned to him and was on her knees. "I found it in a little hole-in-the-wall bookstore in London. The store looked as if no one had been through the door in years. The proprietor was ancient. It had years of dust on it. I got it for nearly nothing."

"It's very rare. Are you sure you want to give this to me?" he asked, rather touched.

"Of course, Severus. I know you will take good care of it, and I can always study it when I need to."

He bent forward, the book still clutched in his hands, and gave her a long kiss. "Thank you," he said as he sat back. "I will treasure it."

Hermione saw the slight glint of moisture in his eyes and hugged him tightly. "You are my heart..." she whispered in his ear before pulling away.

"... And you my soul," he said. He looked past her to see her parent's exchange satisfied looks as they grasped each other's arm with their fingers entwined.

Severus pulled back and reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a small box. It was wrapped in silver and black paper and had a rather clumsily tied bow in green. He handed it to Hermione.

She grinned at him. "Slytherin to the core."

"Of course," he said with a smirk. "You would not love me otherwise."

Hermione laughed and pulled the wrapping off, like a small child digging into a birthday gift. She found a red velvet-covered box and opened it with shaking fingers. A diamond and emerald bracelet in white gold flashed up at her. "Oh, Severus, it's beautiful."

He reached past her and took the bracelet from the box. She held her wrist out, and he managed to clasp it after a couple tries. "I'm glad you like it." He soon had his arms full of Hermione again and felt a tear touch his face as she kissed him.

"I love it, thank you." She pulled a small box from her pocket and handed it to him.

He looked at the intricately carved lid that was rimmed with runes of love. He pulled the clasp open, and cufflinks of silver with tiny emeralds flashed up at him.

"I'm sorry they are small stones. My budget..." she stammered. She looked down at her bracelet, and they suddenly seemed insignificant.

"Shhhh... They're wonderful. I have never had a finer pair than these."

Severus gave her another gift...an enchanted notebook for her thoughts. "All you have to do is speak to it. It will save you time when trying to formulate new potions."

Hermione caressed the fine, leather cover. "It's very thoughtful, Severus. I will use it all the time."

Finally, they all stood, and Hermione's mother suggested they take a nap before lunch. She and Paxton were going to get lunch ready and would call them in a few hours.

Severus headed for the stairs with his and Hermione's gifts in his arms.

June gave Hermione a hug and whispered, "There's nothing like a bit of Christmas delight in the mid-morning."

"Mum!" she hissed, laughing. She realized her mother meant sex, and it made her face burn. Well, there were always silencing charms.

"Your father and I enjoyed our time alone before you came, and now it's your time before children grace your lives. Enjoy it. Enjoy all the stages of your life, Hermione. They can be as blessed as the last stage. I love you, darling, and I'm so glad you came and brought Severus. I can see he will protect you with his life."

"Thanks, Mum. Pray that part has already happened." Hermione kissed her mother's soft cheek before following Severus up the stairs.

Severus pulled the sweat suit off and folded it onto a chair. Hermione stepped up behind him and ran her hands over his back and down the sides of his ribs. "Would you join me in the tub? I think a long, hot bath would be wonderful."

He answered by pulling her in front of him. He untied the robe and slipped it off her shoulders and placed a kiss on the base of her neck. They went into the bathroom and Severus brought his wand. As Hermione stood with her mouth open, he enhanced the facilities until there was a large, sunken tub filled with steaming water and bubbles. Discarding their remaining underwear, Severus held her hand as she stepped down into the tub. He locked the doors and set the wards and silencing charms and stepped down to gather her close. His kiss ignited her passion, and she pressed herself against him, finding he was already stimulated. She ran her hand down his chest and over his stomach and then grasped him. She teased him, sliding her hand up and down; her thumb slid over the tip gently.

"Hermione," he gasped, "not so fast. I won't be able to last. I've been wanting you all morning."

She laughed and threw her head back, arching her chest toward him so he could take one of her nipples into his mouth. He sucked and teased it. She was sitting on his knees buoyed by the water. He ran his hand over her sides; one kneaded the other breast and one slid down to cup her bottom as he pulled her closer. Hermione released him and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him hard. Her thighs slid along his upper legs. He slowly moved his hand down her body and finally caressed the thatch of hair between her legs. She moaned into his mouth. She pulled back from the kiss and trailed kisses along his cheek and down to his neck. He lifted her and slowly impaled her on his hard, thick shaft. She groaned as she slid down over him, and he echoed that sound. She began to move slowly, pulling back and pushing him deeper into herself. His fingers interlaced with both of hers. He whispered a containment field, and the water splashed up upon an invisible barrier. He loved watching her face as she worked to pleasure him and herself, and he pushed deeply each time she came down on him.

"Severus," she finally cried out. As she came down shuttering around him, he felt his own shattering climax as she slumped down onto his shoulder breathing hard. She ran her hands over his back and chest, sitting back to smile so lovingly into his face that he felt his heart skip a beat. What would he ever do without this woman? His life would be empty beyond belief. "I love you, Hermione. Never forget that."

She frowned slightly and said, "I won't. You'll always be close to tell me after this year is done. I love you too, Severus." She leaned into kiss his nose, and Severus wrapped his arms tightly around her and pulled her to his chest.

"Severus, what's wrong?' she asked.

"Nothing, Hermione. I just wanted you to know," he said quietly.

They took an afternoon nap, and when they came down, dinner was ready. They joined Hermione's parents for the meal. They suffered through a couple of Australian comedies before her parents begged to be excused for the night, leaving them sitting on the couch alone.

They looked at each other and Hermione giggled. "That show was terrible. I'm sorry, Severus. My dad can have a wicked sense of humor."

Severus drew her close. "Hey, why don't we go into the garden and look at the stars? I'm not feeling a bit sleepy."

She smiled. "That's a good idea. I think there's some wine in my father's office liquor cabinet. He often buys very good wine. He seldom uses it, but he brings it out when company is here."

"Shouldn't we ask?" Severus questioned, seeing the mischievous look in Hermione's eyes.

"What would the fun be in that?" She grabbed his hand and dragged him down the hall to the study. They slipped in the door and found the cabinet. It was locked. Severus raised his wand.

"No, we are sneaking. You have to open it with this." She produced a pin from her hair.

"Hermione I hardly think..." He was stopped by the challenge in her eyes.

He shrugged, took the hairpin, and began to rattle the lock. Hermione stepped back and knocked a book from the reading table. It seemed extraordinarily loud, and he couldn't help feeling like a silly teenager.

Hermione giggled, pressing her hand over her mouth when they heard Hermione's dad call down, "Is everything alright down there?"

Hermione ran to the door and said, "Yes, Dad. Go to sleep. We're just talking."

There was a sharp click behind her, and Severus swung the door to the cabinet open. He grinned, handing her back the hairpin, and selected a bottle. "Now, you go out, and I will get the glasses and bring the wine. I have more practice at sneaking than you do. You're as quiet as a rampaging bull." He followed her into the hall, and she reached up to kiss him then went off toward the patio. Severus slipped into the kitchen and found some goblets. He picked up the wine and headed for the door, looking forward to the night air and perhaps some good old-fashioned snogging in the moonlight.

Lisa, thank you for your excellent beta work. You make my life so much easier.