Two

Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.

Thanks to my beautiful Beta for always buffing up my stories to a lovely shine. I always hoped for the best – I got her.

This is the concluding chapter of my little mini fluff-a-thon.

Please note this chapter contains explicit sexual content between three consenting adults.

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"Are you sure Severus won't mind me tagging along?" Hermione asked, her eyes uncertain as they met Ginny's in the full-length mirror. "You did ask him, didn't you, Gin?"

"Oh, I'm sure I did." Ginny made a dismissive gesture. "It doesn't really matter, Hermione. I just need to have a quick word about this Quidditch demonstration the Federation wants me to do at Hogwarts, and today was the day Snape asked me to come. We're just going to be there for ten, fifteen minutes tops, then we can go shopping in Hogsmeade, alright?"

Ginny straightened her jacket, and reached forward to adjust the straps of Hermione's dress. "But there's no law that says you can't go there dressed to kill, now, is there?" she grinned. She stepped back and gave Hermione an appraising look. Hermione was wearing a summer dress in a gorgeous shade of fuchsia, which made her skin glow. Ginny herself wore a trouser suit that was almost formal in its design, had it not been a lovely buttery yellow with white piping.

They stood side by side and solemnly regarded themselves in the mirror. Biting her lip, Hermione said, "Do you think I look – well ..."

"Shaggable? Most definitely," Ginny replied. With a wicked gleam in her eye, she added, "I'd lick it."

"Oi, you!" Hermione gave her friend a playful swat. "You are truly incorrigible." Her expression softened. "Thanks. It's good to know that someone finds me attractive. By the way, you look pretty dishy yourself."

Almost as an afterthought, Ginny produced a lovely box, obviously some sort of present, shrank it down to roughly the size of a matchbox, and handed it to Hermione. Puzzled, Hermione examined the little box. "What's this?"

Ginny shrugged. "According to you, Severus likes dark chocolate; ergo, you're taking him a little pressie."

Hermione's brows furrowed. Rather dryly, she countered, "But what shall I say is the occasion?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Hermione, don't be dense. You're taking Severus a present, and every time he sees this box he will think of you."

Hermione stared at her friend for several seconds, shaking her head. "Fine, I'll make up something, then." She shook her head. "You're a devious little ginger! And they call me scary."

Thinking of the item she had already stowed in her own pocket, Ginny thought, You ain't seen nothing yet, girl.

---

Severus looked around his study for the fourth time, and cursed himself for the fifth time. He'd already called himself an idiot before he decided to make sure his study was tidy and homey for his guests. Ginevra had cornered him at the last Order reunion to ask if she could stop 'round for a visit at Hogwarts to discuss a Quidditch demonstration, and having little else to do but take long walks around the lake and visit Hagrid for tea, Severus had welcomed the diversion.

Then two days before her meeting, she'd sent an owl saying that Hermione would be joining her. In the past twenty-four hours, Severus had pogo'd from excitement to dread to hope to despair to resigned contentment. At the very least, he would be afforded a plausible excuse to be near her; that would have to be enough. Perhaps –

He had donned his nicest robes, then cursed himself for being a sad old git for trying to impress a pretty young woman, then put on his second-nicest. He stared at himself in the mirror and, with an irritated growl, changed back into his best.

He turned in the mirror, trying to convince himself that he looked pretty good for a bachelor wizard in his forties. His body had filled out a little in the last few years due to a better diet and lack of the gut-churning anxiety that often left him feeling as if his stomach was lined with barbed wired. He was still trim; his sashed and belted waist was slim, and pleasing to his own eye. At least he hadn't gone to fat like Lucius Malfoy, he thought, smirking at his reflection. He thought he might actually be growing into his looks, but at this age, he bloody well hoped he'd already done that.

He felt a sudden rush of hope race through him; it was almost like a wave of magic, and he looked into the mirror and saw a man who was trembling, hoping, daring to dream, and it thrilled and scared him. He re-tied his sash for the fifth time, and this time it lay perfectly against his robe in a symmetrical knot that satisfied him.

The chime sounded, alerting him of guests arriving at the entrance to his study. His gargoyle, Dave, would soon be admitting them upstairs. Severus checked his appearance in his mirror one last time. "I've already said you look very nice today," the old mirror wheezed. "Five times." Severus resisted the temptation to stick out his tongue at the mirror, and arranging his expression into more placid, calm lines, he went to the door to receive his guests.

The sight of the two young women breezing into his study brought two disparate thoughts to mind: one was that they looked like two colourful butterflies that had fluttered their way into the castle. The other was that Hermione looked edible. He was having a hard time appearing equally happy to see both of them, instead of only her.

Both women rose on tiptoe to kiss his cheek in greeting; he felt an especial thrill when Hermione's kiss lingered just that little bit longer. Hating himself for the flush he could feel rising to his cheeks, he barked, "Mitsy!"

An elf in a Hogwarts tea towel appeared. "Yes, Headmaster, sir?" she squeaked, her large jade eyes bright and friendly.

"Tea all 'round, Mitsy. And please ask Dropsy if she would make some of her excellent cakes for our guests."

Hermione pretended to be interested as Severus and Ginny turned to the purpose of the meeting, but she was in reality listening to the beautiful tones of Severus' voice, a delightfully rich, silken, sinful baritone that had awed her even as a student. It had its own musical quality; she found herself watching his mouth as he pushed the words from his lips. It was a dance of teeth and tongues and sounds, and more than once, she caught his eye as he glanced her way. They smiled at one another, like old friends do, but there was something in the air that was different. Both could sense it, but neither understood it.

As the last of the tea and cakes were consumed, Ginny concluded her business, chatting amicably away with Severus. Hermione had always secretly envied how Ginny seemed able to speak on any subject, putting everyone around her at ease. She felt a wave of affection for the youngest Weasley, even while she wondered again if her own inclusion at this meeting was more than casual.

Ginny was saying, "So, Snape, do you usually spend the entire summer here at the school? It must be very relaxing - all this peace and quiet."

Severus elegantly crossed his feet. "It is quiet, but there are a few diversions. The Black Lake is lovely this time of year, and Hagrid is always inviting me round for tea..." He could see the two young women catching one another's eye, and their suppressed laughter. Suddenly he chuckled, and when he spoke, there was a tone in his voice as refreshing as a dry martini, chilled and stirred to perfection. "Actually, it's mind-numbingly dull here during the holidays, but as Headmaster, I am required to live here, so any diversion is welcome."

They all shared a quiet laugh. Hermione, emboldened and charmed by his relaxed candor, replied, "Well, this is fortuitous, then – you have the chance to be entertained by two gorgeous women this afternoon."

Severus raised an elegant eyebrow at her teasing tone, and saluted her with his teacup. "I always count myself fortunate to be in your presence, Hermione."

Ginny smiled. One all, she thought. Hermione apparently thought so as well, adding boldly, "We'll just have to make sure you get regular visits, then, until school starts."

"I would always appreciate your company." Severus was pleased at how casual he managed to sound, in spite of the way his heart beat against his chest at her teasing, flirtatious comment.

He looked at her intently, and for the first time, Hermione felt like they were getting somewhere at last. She smiled at him, and not wanting to blurt out something to spoil the moment, turned back to the glowing embers in the blazing fireplace.

"It's certainly very cozy and welcoming here. I love a fire," she murmured.

Before he could stop himself, he said, "So do I. You can get lost in one." Hermione's eyes met his, and what he saw almost took his breath away. He smoothed a nonexistent crease from his robes to hide his uncertainty.

Her eyes widened. "Ah, I almost forgot!" Hermione exclaimed. She pulled a package from her pocket and enlarged it to its proper size. "See, I- I've brought along the perfect for afters."

It was a wooden box covered in heavy cream watered silk, tied with Honeyduke's familiar lime-green velvet bow. Hermione placed it on the coffee table and looked up at him expectantly. Ginny, sensing Severus' confusion, supplied, "We remembered you saying you were a fan of Honeydukes' Dark Finest."

Severus tilted his head in that way, and Hermione's witty banter flew out the window. "Actually," she confessed, "it was Ginny's idea. You see, I love chocolate as well, and I think I mentioned – well, it was the last minute – I thought you might - Something to remember me by?" She finished lamely, and grimaced. "Oh, I can feel Ginny rolling her eyes at me from here."

Both Severus and Ginny were laughing. Ginny sighed and looked at Severus. "Hopeless, this one. I wondered how long it would take her to blow her cover."

Severus shook his head, his smirk firmly in place. "I do seem to recall that your usual impulse is to babble incessantly when nervous, Miss Granger."

Hermione blushed, and to her credit, she laughed as well, to show she was not adverse to a good joke, even if it was on herself. "Well, I do remember you saying you preferred dark chocolate, so..."

Ginny decided to put them both out of their misery. Merlin, they were pathetic! She patted the sofa seat between her and Hermione, and said with a brisk voice, "Come on, then, Snape, open your pressie. You're not the only one who loves Honeydukes. We're counting on you to share."

"Ah, ulterior motives," he replied, smirking. With a pounding heart, Severus moved to sit between the two women. He sat rather stiffly on the edge of the sofa, and forced his hands to remain steady as he untied the bow. He glanced to his right, and Hermione was looking at him solemnly, her eyes large and full of something he didn't dare believe he saw.

The ribbon fell to either side of the box, and Severus lifted the lid. The three of them sniffed appreciatively as the rich, irresistible scent wafted from the opened box. "Oh, gods," Hermione murmured, and Severus watched her in wonder as she closed her eyes and inhaled as if sniffing the most alluring of perfumes. "That is such a gorgeous aroma. No one makes chocolate like Honeydukes."

Severus picked up the box. It looked delicate in his large hands. "I would be honoured if you'd both join me. Would you like one, Ginevra?"

With the slightest of hesitations, she shook her head. "As much as I would love one, I'm in training at the moment." She looked genuinely regretful.

"Ah, then, far be it from me to lead you into temptation," he said, smirking. He turned to Hermione, and with every ounce of seduction he could dial into his voice, he purred, "A gift this special is really too lovely not to share." An elegant eyebrow accompanied his invitation. "You will join me, won't you, Hermione?"

She bit her lip in a way that made his mouth water, and meeting his eyes with a coy little smile, she looked down in the box and chose a large, pyramid-shaped piece.

In return, he chose a rounded chocolate with a tiny piece of candied ginger on top. It was obviously fashioned to resemble an erect nipple; the imagery was not lost on either of them. To cover his embarrassment, Severus saluted Hermione with the chocolate, and placed the entire piece in his mouth. As it melted on his tongue, Hermione watched him carefully, unable to tear her eyes away from his gaze. Almost imperceptibly, something changed. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he chewed the chocolate slowly, as if savouring it to its fullest. She watched, fascinated, as he swallowed, and licked his lips.

He took a deep breath, and seemed to grow more relaxed. "I must put in my order now," he drawled. "This is without a doubt the most delicious chocolate I've ever tasted." He turned to Hermione, his large eyes warm and inviting. She looked surprised as he plucked the chocolate she still held in her fingers, and lifted it toward her mouth. With the slightest hint of a smile, he purred intimately, "I want you to enjoy this as much as I did."

Almost shyly, Hermione leaned forward and nibbled the chocolate from his fingers. He knew he was breathing hard, but he could not stop himself from gasping as her soft tongue darted out and brushed against his fingertips.

She closed her eyes and chewed slowly, a soft moan of pleasure sounding in her throat. Severus sat back against the sofa and watched her swallow. She sat, her hands primly pressed against her legs, and looked back at him with such longing and love it caught in his heart and he almost choked from it. Before he could stop himself, he whispered, "I wish you could see yourself the way I do, Hermione."

She closed her eyes for a moment, and when they opened, she looked afraid, and uncertain. With a voice tender with yearning, she replied, "H-How do you see me, Severus?"

Unable to stop himself, he reached forward to catch one of her mad curls. It twined around his finger like a living rope, ensnaring him. All the uncertainty and insecurity he'd ever felt melted away with the chocolate on his tongue, and he caressed her cheek. "I see you as a goddess. I see you as the siren that calls to me in my dreams and haunts my fantasies." He stopped to take a breath, and was thrilled to see her staring at him with eyes that were wide and full of hope. Her expression changed from uncertain to stunned, to a sort of disbelieving happiness, and he grasped her hand and clasped it in his.

His voice grew stronger in confidence, and he opened up to her, unable to stop the torrent of passion flying from his lips. "I see you as the woman I want in my bed, as the mother of my children and the keeper of my heart. I see you as the nymph riding me, as the angel under me." His voice faltered, as he desperately hoped he was reading her expression correctly. "I see you as my light and my joy. I see you as a powerful and beautiful witch who could break my heart, or send me to heaven with a word."

Hermione's eyes glowed, and she shook her head. "The last thing in this world I would want to do is break your heart, Severus. I- I'm in love with you." Her voice broke, and to his surprise tears welled into her eyes. "Do you know what it's like, hearing the one you love say all these things – the things you've only ever dreamed of?" She closed her eyes in a kind of rapture. "I've made myself come dreaming of you saying those things to me, and now my heart feels like it's going to explode!" When her eyes opened, they shone with joy. She blessed him with a radiant smile. "I love you so much it hurts, Severus Snape."

Severus moved closer, and grasped her lovely face in his hands. Both of them were trembling. "Tell me you aren't teasing me, Hermione." His voice sounded wild and hoarse to his own ears. "Tell me the truth. Tell me – "

"I love you, Severus!" Hermione's slender hands clamped around his pale wrists like shackles to hold him to her heart. "I only go to those dreadful parties because I want to be near you, to talk to you. I spend my weekends doing research so I'll have something interesting to say, so you'll sit and talk with me. I ask you complex questions just to hear the sound of your voice."

He almost sagged in relief. Her hands loosened their iron grip on his wrists, and she stroked his hands, as if entranced. "I use every excuse I can think of to monopolise your time," she continued, "just so I can be near enough to breathe in the scent of your aftershave, just to look into your beautiful eyes. The fact that you're simply touching me right now is making me wet for you."

Severus felt his heart bloom in his chest. He closed his eyes. His normally measured voice was rough and throbbing with emotion. "I'm in love with you, Hermione. I have been for so long now. I think about making love to you constantly. I crave you. I think if you don't touch me I'm going to die, I - " He stopped, trying to catch his runaway emotions before he, too burst into tears. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. "I only truly feel alive when I see you walk into a room. Other than that, I'm just waiting. Waiting for you to appear and give me something to look forward to. Hermione," he murmured, and before he could lean forward to kiss her, she was moving toward him, her heart-shaped lips descending on his.

Severus had never been kissed like this by anyone. Her mouth fused to his, and she softly suckled against his lips until he was like a sheet of flame, burning hot from head to toe, and then his hands were buried in her hair and he was pulling her to him, oblivious of the fact that another person was in the room; heedless of the fact that he'd never so much as held Hermione's hand or returned her friendly kisses on his cheek.

With a moan that sounded feral and raw and ridiculously loud to his own ears, he opened his mouth and felt her tongue slide into it, and he slanted her head to drink from her precious mouth, so soft, so eager for him. He urged her lips apart, and he opened her like a beautiful box of chocolates. His hand slid down her neck, around her waist, and pulled her to him, pressing her warm and soft body to his.

She allowed him to suck her tongue into his mouth, and when it retreated, his followed obediently, swiping against her palate, and she whimpered helplessly. Her hands caressed his face, and he slowly pulled away from her, unable to take his eyes from her red, swollen, wet lips. Her eyes were closed, and he kissed each lid, as gently as he was able; as gently as his almost uncontrollable desire would allow him.

With a face shining with blissful love and relief, Hermione melted into his arms, and Severus pressed her head against his chest, crooning to her, murmuring soft nonwords. It was the very soundsex of purring eroticism to Hermione, and she pressed her lips to his robes.

With the first mad passionate declaration assuaged, Severus turned back to Ginny and shook his head. "That was extremely devious, Miss Weasley. You always were more Slytherin than your brothers."

Ginny merely smirked. She could practically hear the wheels turning as understanding dawned in Hermione's face. She grinned at Hermione, all unrepentance and complacency. Hermione straightened and looked from Severus to her friend.

"Ginny, you didn't!" she cried, looking closely at the redhead. She glanced down at the box of chocolates. Her eyes widened. "You did!" She turned to Severus, her face white and horrified. "I didn't know about it, Severus, honestly I didn't! I just -" she stopped, and her face softened as she gazed at him. "Gods, you have beautiful eyes. I could look into them for eternity and never tire of it. I just want to be with you every moment of the day, Severus. I just want-" She squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to turn away, even as Severus started to laugh. "Oh! How could you, Gin? After all we've been through."

Ginny reached over Severus to take Hermione's hand in hers. "I dared, because you two mean so much to me, and you were driving me around the bleeding twist, doing this silly little dance around one another." She looked from one surprised face to the other and burst out laughing. "Honestly, you two are pathetic. You obviously fancy the pants off one another, and you were both too afraid to make a move." She kissed Hermione's hand and gave a little shrug. "I love you, Hermione. You're my best friend in the world, and you were there at a time when I didn't know what I wanted or why I wanted it. But you love Severus, and he loves you, and if it took a little extra help to get you two to admit it, what's the harm in it?"

"Because it's – it's cheating!" Hermione looked at Severus with eyes that were so afraid. "Severus, what if it's the potion talking, and not you? I don't think I could bear it!"

Severus sighed. He turned to Ginny with a tight smile. "Excuse me, Ginevra." He turned back to Hermione and pulled her into his arms. "Hermione Granger, it feels like I've loved you forever. When I was in hospital, you were the only one who didn't treat me either as a pariah or a holy relic; you made me feel human again.

"You made me feel like life was worth living. I've been loving you from afar longer than I loved even Lily, and you've been more of a friend and a companion than she ever tried to be." He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. "More fool me for being afraid to believe that you could return my affections, but I can assure you, this potion is compelling me to do nothing more than admitting my true feelings."

He turned back to Ginny. "A new concoction from the ingenious mind of your brother George, no doubt. Veritaserum, and... Certainty Potion?"

Ginny nodded. "And a little drop of Lust Potion thrown in for good measure, in case you were afraid to get the ball rolling." She pointedly looked down at Snape's crotch. "Not that you needed it."

Hermione, shivering under Severus' large warm hands, moaned softly when his fingers trailed across her earlobe. "That's one of her favourite spots, you know," Ginny murmured with a soft, knowing smile, and suddenly it all fell into place for Severus.

He looked from Hermione to Ginny. "Are you two – have you been –lovers?"

Hermione nodded. "In the past, yes. After I found out about Harry and Ron, Ginny and I came together one night. We were both hurt, and rejected and alone."

Understanding, Severus smiled and stroked her hair. "So you took comfort in one another. And pleasure."

She nodded. "We just wanted to feel desirable to someone again, and we both knew our hearts were safe with each other."

Severus shook his head. "You are the most desirable woman I have ever known." He stroked Hermione's face. "I want to take you to my bed and make love to you. I want to make you feel like the goddess you are to me. I'm yours, Hermione. I want you to be mine. I'll do anything you want."

Hermione leaned into his hand and pressed her lips against his palm. "I've always been yours, Severus."

He turned to Ginny. The words left his mouth like a benediction. "Thank you." He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers, and smiled. "You've no idea..." He broke off, and turned to Hermione, and his breath caught as he watched her lean over him and reach for Ginny. Their mouths touched, and Hermione's eyes fluttered closed as Severus stroked her back. "That's so beautiful," he groaned, seeing their little pink tongues flick against one another's. "Oh gods," he whispered, and his cock surged fully hard so quickly it left him dizzy. "You want her, too, oh gods, you understand how I feel..."

Their mouths were like cherries; ripe and sweet and soft, as the two women kissed one another over his lap. Ginny's hands threaded through Hermione's hair, and Severus suddenly pulled them both to him, his tongue darting out to catch Hermione's. He could not remember in his life feeling such naked, ravenous desire.

Hermione turned and caught his lips against hers again, pressing him against the back of the sofa. Through half-closed lids, Severus saw Ginny's mouth slide across Hermione's jaw, planting warm, hungry kisses against her throat. Hermione's nimble fingers worked the buttons of his robes free from their holes, and as he drained Hermione's delicious mouth, his kisses growing fevered and desperate, he was only dimly aware of the cool air on his skin as his robe was parted, revealing his pale chest.

Hermione felt as if she were moments away from madness. Her skin tingled in the wake of Severus' soft caresses, and even as Ginny kissed her, she was aware of Severus beside her - his heat, his mouth-watering scent, his soft moans which drove a barb of arousal so deeply into her core that she could feel her heartbeat pounding in her cunt, and she knew she was wetter than she'd ever been for anyone.

Severus watched silently as Hermione straightened again and opened his robe, her hands sliding over his pale, warm chest. He caught her hand in his, and pressed her fingers against his mouth. "Undress for me," he whispered against her fingertips, his voice as dark as midnight, low and soft and dangerous. His eyes bore into hers, and as one, Hermione and Ginny rose, and undressed one another slowly, languidly kissing the skin revealed as each garment was removed.

"Gods, Snape, isn't she beautiful?" Ginny whispered, and Severus looked up at Hermione with a look of rapacious heat. He caressed himself through his briefs, and Hermione's knees almost buckled. She thought she knew Severus Snape. She thought she understood the solemn, taciturn man she had sought after for the past who-knows-how-long. She didn't know this man sitting on the sofa, absently stroking his erection as he drank in the sight of her, standing before him, her breasts taut and cool in the air. He was blazing; his eyes were lit from within, and his mouth, parted slightly, looked soft and inviting. Their eyes locked, and his long tongue slid over his lips, as if anticipating a feast.

As he smoothly rose to his feet, Ginny caught his robe, pulling it from his body, revealing Severus in all his pale glory. "Merlin, Snape, you two look like angels," she said, and to her surprise, he smiled.

"If I do, it's because I want to be for you," he murmured hoarsely, his eyes still locked on Hermione's. She gazed at his form hungrily. He looked like a pagan god, a study in beautiful contrasts of dark and light, smooth and hard, skin and muscle. As they stood, touching one another, exploring one another, Ginny took advantage of the moment to help him remove the boots that rose to his knees, revealing long, pale feet.

"Gods, Severus. You are so beautiful," Hermione breathed, her hands roaming over his silvery pale body. "I can't believe I'm here with you now, after so long."

Ginny vanished the last of their clothing, leaving them to hiss and shiver at the touch of their naked skin against one another. Severus pressed Hermione against his chest, reveling in the feel of her beautiful breasts in his hands, even as she pressed hot, biting kisses across his chest, down to his abdomen, her soft hands sliding down his hips to his cock, jutting from his groin like a divining rod.

Hermione knelt at his feet, and his body instinctively surged toward her. He could feel her warm breath tickling the head of his cock, which was a shade darker than his skin and turgid in anticipation. He was dimly aware of Ginny kneeling behind Hermione, as she pulled him ever closer. He could not stop himself from whimpering as Hermione's soft hand closed around the base of his shaft. He thought of all the fantasies he'd spun that started like this, and when she leaned toward the head of his prick and licked her lips, he could not stop himself.

"Open up and suck me, my love." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them, and when her eyes darted up to his, he was stunned by the carnal desire he saw in them.

She smiled, and her hand gripped his cock hard, and she crooned, "I have dreamed of this for so long," and slowly slid his cock in her mouth.

Severus cried out helplessly. It had been so long since anyone had touched him like this. Never had it been done with love, and, oh gods, he could tell the difference. He whimpered at the sheer erotic rightness of her mouth engulfing his cock. Her eyes were closed, and she sucked at him as if she knew exactly how good it felt, and she loved doing it to him. Hermione's mouth was hot and wet and tight; she lovingly painted his aching cock with her warm tongue. Her hand gently cradled his balls, instinctively giving him what he had so longed for, and his hips began to move against her knowing mouth, his groin full of heat and crippling pleasure, his heart pounding so hard he could feel it pulsing inside her mouth.

Hermione moaned deeply in her throat. It was a feral sound that reverberated down into his balls, and he opened his eyes to see Ginny, behind Hermione, pressed against his lover, her fingers dancing between the swollen pink lips of Hermione's pussy. The other hand plucked and rolled one of Hermione's nipples as Ginny placed biting kisses on his lover's shoulder. He was helpless to stop the blooming fire racing down his spine into his cock and he was –

"Coming! Oh, Hermione, oh fuck me, I'm going to come in your mouth-" Severus howled his ecstasy into the room, a series of inarticulate rapturous cries. Hermione rose onto her knees, and wrapped her arms around his back, pulling his spurting, spraying cock deeper into her mouth, drinking him down as if he were the lust potion; as if he were the delicious confection to be consumed. She moaned deliriously, the vibrations sending tremours through him that caused his knees to buckle. He saw red stars shooting across his closed eyelids. When he staggered back, both Hermione and Ginny caught him, sweat-drenched and flushed, and the three of them fell gracelessly back onto the sofa, panting.

Severus opened his eyes, and met the sweet, warm brown orbs of his lover, and she gasped in surprise. He smiled then, and she feverishly pressed her lips to his, and he tasted himself in her mouth. She gently ended the kiss, her mouth still brushing his. "I've never really seen you smile before. It's such a beautiful smile." He rewarded her by repeating it.

On his other side, Ginny gazed at both of them, her eyes dark with arousal and something more. "Sit on his lap," she murmured. Hermione smiled as she obeyed, moving into his arms. "No, the other way," Ginny commanded, "facing me."

Severus met her flashing eyes and understood. He quietly but firmly turned Hermione around, so that she was seated in his lap, facing outward, straddling his legs, her back pressed against his chest.

Ginny slid from the sofa to the floor at their feet. As Severus draped Hermione's thighs over his, Ginny laughed softly. "You need to recover, but I want to enjoy myself while you do." Her hands coaxed Severus to widen his stance, forcing Hermione's thighs apart, while his large hands cupped her breasts, gently kneading the soft flesh, tugging and milking her candy-hard nipples. Hermione moaned, her head falling back on his shoulder. Ginny leaned forward, enraptured by the sight. The two lovers looked so perfect together; her mouth was watering. She was staggered at the sensuality of Severus' adoration of Hermione's body. She realised that, in his dreams, he must have made love to Hermione many times.

Hermione whimpered as Severus' hands slid down her belly to her thighs, fondling her labia. He enticingly slid his fingers through them, and gently parted them to expose her further to Ginny, who looked up at him. Their eyes met, and she could see he was enjoying this – enjoying watching her touching his love. With a voice soft and sweetly seductive, Severus purred to Hermione, "There, my love. Just relax, and enjoy," but his eyes were locked with Ginny's. She slid her hands up the insides of Hermione's thighs to the treasure that Snape so provocatively presented to her.

Ginny's tongue traced a long, leisurely trail from Severus' balls to the base of his cock, to Hermione's swollen, pink clit. The two lovers cried out together as she repeated the journey, her tongue firmer and more aggressive. Snape began to move, to rock Hermione against him, and Ginny felt his pace settle in.

She moved with him, savouring the sweetness of Hermione's juices in counterpoint to Severus musky, salty taste. Together they were delicious. Ginny's head spun as she raised up on her knees and pressed against them. She hooked her arms under both sets of thighs and drank deeply from Hermione, rubbing against her clit the way she knew Hermione loved. She slid her slender fingers into the tight passage while Severus' fingers returned to his lover's beautiful breasts, gently rolling, teasing her taut nipples. He could feel Hermione shuddering, her hands fluttered helplessly up to his hair, and she whispered his name, her voice urgent and strained.

As Ginny laved the aching clit, Hermione felt her body giving in, climbing that impossible hill, trembling, and she felt her friend's soft, insistent tongue, and her lover's warm, long fingers. An all-encompassing bliss flooded her body and her back arched as she felt Ginny's mouth close over her clit and suck insistently while Severus' fingers flicked against her nipples, and with that, she came, hard, screaming a desperate wail of pleasure that gave voice to a climax painful in its intensity. She could dimly hear Severus urging her on, his voice low and rasping, telling her things, calling her things she'd never heard before and wondered how she'd lived without.

Ginny sat back on her heels, licking her lips, a satisfied smile on her pretty face. Her eyes caught Severus' and she sighed, a sound of great satisfaction. "Believe me, Snape," she whispered, "you are going to enjoy doing that every bit as much as I did." She looked into his lean, saturnine face, his fierce dark eyes, and a wave of affection washed over her. "And she's going to love you doing it."

Gasping, Hermione collapsed back onto Severus' warm chest. His delicious scent filled her nostrils; his clean aftershave, mingled with his own personal heat and scent, were intoxicating, and Hermione's head swam with the knowledge that her best friend and her lover were here, and she was pinned between them, sated and home. It was such a wonderful feeling that tears of joy pricked her eyes.

Severus put his arms around her waist, pulled her close and cradled her to his body. She could feel his erection, now eager and ready, pressing against the cleft of her bottom. "I want you now," he said, plaintively. "I want to bury myself in you." He gently urged her onto her feet, and as he stood, he picked her up as easily as one would a child. As he crossed the room, she clung to him, and he could feel her lips against the soft skin of his earlobe.

He turned and looked at Ginny, who had picked up her discarded jacket from the floor and was retrieving something from one of the pockets. An unspoken message passed between them, and she said, "I'll be right there." As she passed the table, she shrugged, and picked up the chocolates and carried them with her.

It was an afternoon the three of them would never forget – a chocolate-fueled, heat-infused moment in time that seemed both dreamlike and crystal clear. In those hazy, lust-filled hours, Severus learned exactly what pegging was, pinned between the two women, filling Hermione with his aching cock, being filled by Ginny's strap-on.

At first, he'd been hesitant, but Ginny was gently insistent and prepared him well. There was a brief moment of fear as the phallus eased into the unfurling bud of his virgin rectum, but as she gently moved in him, the sensation changed from one of burning discomfort to one of intense sensation. The dildo found his prostate and nudged it sinuously in time with his own thrusts. An unspeakable pleasure blazed white hot and urgent throughout his groin, and he thought he might not survive the orgasm that was speeding through him like the Hogwarts Express. As he drove hard into her, he cried, "Oh fuck, Hermione... girl, come with me... I can't stop it!"

Hermione, seeing his open and vulnerable expression, his eyes glassy with rapture, his mouth an astonished O of pleasure, grabbed his hair and cried, "Yesss... oh fuck, yes, Severus, don't stop... you can't stop yet – Ginny, fuck him harder!"

He growled in ecstasy as Ginny obeyed, her strong hands holding onto his hips. He grasped Hermione's shoulders and drove into her harder than he could ever remember, as if he was trying to punish her with his fucking. It had taken only five more merciless thrusts before she screamed her release, and he came so hard he actually lost consciousness. He awoke between two very concerned witches, who were somewhat taken aback when he began laughing like a loon. He pulled them both into his arms and kissed them fervently.

Ginny gave Hermione the strap-on as a present.

Later, lying on his back as Hermione rode his very happy cock with a slow, undulating grind, he reached for Ginny, and gently guided her onto his waiting mouth. "Oh, yes!" Hermione had moaned, and he felt her delicious pussy grip his cock. "Merlin, Severus, you two look so fucking hot!" He felt Ginny lean forward, toward Hermione, and heard his lover moan deliriously as her lips found Ginny's, and the younger woman began to writhe against his tongue. Her taste was different, and lovely, and even as his lover rode his cock, Ginny cried out, and Severus was bathed in her sweet juices as she climaxed against his mouth.

Breathless, Ginny rose from the bed, and kissed Severus deeply, a loud, smacking kiss full of playful impertinence. She stood by the side of the bed and kissed Hermione again. Hermione set a new pace, riding his cock frantically. Ginny's fingers danced over Hermione's clit, and she lowered her mouth to suck at the taut nipples. Watching the two women, Severus felt his own orgasm blistering through him, and he reared up into his lover, like the rising wave on the sea. Hermione cried out, caught between the twin pleasures of Ginny's hands and Severus' body, and she grasped Severus' offered hand like a lifeline to sanity.

"Severus! Oh gods, yesyesyes..." Hermione keened ecstatically, as she felt the sweet, hot release of her orgasm rush through her. Looking down into Severus' face, she watched as his grimace of rapture turned into a look of absolute, perfect delight, and she rode that last wave with him almost gently, as they came together; two lost souls, found and loved and loving one another.

Breathless and exhausted, Severus drew Hermione down into his arms, crooning beautiful words of love and comfort. She lay against him, kissing him with lips that were soft and warm and home.

Ginny stood beside the bed, her eyes shining. When Severus held out his hand to her, she climbed in beside him with a contented sigh. The three of them drifted off, sated and peaceful in each other's arms.

As the afternoon waned into the evening, and the shadows grew long across the Headmaster's massive bed chamber, Ginny quietly rose and dressed. She glanced at her two friends lovingly, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Hermione lay asleep in Severus' arms, looking contented and beautiful. She was golden and glowing, as bright as the sun. Severus had his arms around her protectively, and even he looked pleased with himself. He was pale and sleepy, as silvery as the moon. They truly looked as if they'd been magically created for one another.

Severus opened his fathomless eyes and looked up at Ginny complacently. She blew him a kiss and said quietly, "I'm going to let myself out, Snape. Tell Hermione I'll call her in a few days."

He looked at her fondly. His voice was gravelly, and all the more alluring for it. "I knew, Ginevra."

She stopped and looked back. "Knew what?"

He preened a bit, and as Hermione stirred, he kissed her forehead and stretched. "Yesterday, I received a very unexpected Floo call. From George."

Ginny looked intrigued. "Really?" she said slowly. "And?"

His smirk was textbook Snape. "Very protective of you, is your brother. While he agreed with your desire to see Hermione and me reveal our true feelings for one another, he didn't want you to incur my ire. Nor did he want Hermione to be hurt." He gave her a reproachful look that was almost playful. "Really, Ginevra, who do you think created the formula for the Certainty Potion? I hold the patent. But I suppose dear George didn't mention that part?"

Both Hermione and Ginny were watching him closely now. He turned to Hermione. "I ate the chocolate because I wanted to tell you the truth, without stumbling over my own insecurities. I knew it would only react for you if you had any true feelings for me." For the first time since his disclosure, Ginny thought he looked uncertain. "You will forgive me, won't you?"

Hermione looked at him carefully. Finally, she burrowed back against his chest. "You really are the Slytherin's Slytherin, aren't you, Severus?"

Ginny grinned. "I take that as a yes."

Severus, looking profoundly relieved, lay back, his smug smile returning. "Indeed."

Ginny almost left then, but she couldn't. "I have another little confession, Snape."

"Oh?" He didn't sound particularly concerned.

"Yes. You see, I know that George Floo'd you yesterday. I was there with him."

Severus' eyes narrowed. "I fail to see-"

"Double-blind, Snape. I never put the potions in the chocolates." It was Ginny's turn to look smug. Both Hermione and Severus looked at her in shock. "Merlin, your faces!" she laughed, plucking the last chocolate pyramid from the box. She pointed it at them and waggled her finger. "You two are running on nothing more than pure air and cocoa solids. Nary a potion in sight."

Hermione laughed. "Ginny, you really are devious."

Snape shook his head in wonder. "And she called me the Slytherin's Slytherin."

Hermione smiled fondly at the younger woman. Her eyes were soft. "I love you, Gin." She looked at Severus, and Ginny could see the gratitude in her heart. "Thank you."

Snape gazed back at Ginny. "Well, Ginevra, not many can boast of deceiving Severus Snape about a potion and getting away with it. Don't brag too much. I do have a reputation, you know."

Ginny nodded. "Perhaps you wanted it badly enough to be deceived."

Snape regarded her solemnly. "All I wanted was to make her happy." He looked down at Hermione, lying contentedly in his arms. "I just wanted the chance to show her how much she meant to me, and I dared to hope she would feel the same."

Ginny nodded, then grabbed her coat and gave the couple in bed a last, little wave. "Get rested, then get shagging. You two have to make up for a lot of lost time."

As she left the room, she could hear Snape's voice, low and sensuous, and Hermione's answering coo. Ginny smiled, and popped the last chocolate into her mouth.

~~oOOo~~

Six Months Later

The Christmastide wedding of Hogwarts' Headmaster Severus Tobias Snape (OoM, 1st, etc) to Hermione Jean Granger (OoM, 1st, etc.) was the last official reunion of the Order of the Phoenix. Headmaster Snape toasted the wedding guests with the warning that "the next time someone mentions a bloody reunion, I'm going to hex first and ask questions later. Let's move on." His suggestion was met with a resounding "hear-hear"s from former Order members, now merely close friends.

Hermione stood beside her husband, stunning in her green Christmas robes, trimmed in ermine. Severus looked equally resplendent in black velvet, trimmed in sable, his black hair gleaming in the light. Ginny's companion leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Gods, I knew your friend was lovely, but the groom really is something else, isn't he? I've never seen anyone who looked so dramatic just standing in place."

Laughing, Ginny retorted, "You have no idea. He used to terrify us when we were kids. But I'll grant you, he knows how to make an impression." She gave her friend an appraising look. "You should see him in full billow."

"Billow?"

Ginny's explanation was cut short when Hermione spotted her and waved her over. Severus looked from Ginny to her guest and back again, and awarded her with an expression that almost looked impressed.

Smiling, Ginny gestured to her friends. "Hermione, Severus, I'd like you to meet-"

"We're not so buried here in Scotland that we don't recognise your companion, Ginevra," Snape interrupted smoothly. He turned to the companion in question and offered his hand. "Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, at your service." To both Ginny's and Hermione's surprise, he kissed the offered hand with a courtly air. "My wife and I have followed your rising star for quite some time, Miss."

Hermione grinned at the handsome American witch, dressed in a Muggle-style tuxedo and Chuck Taylor trainers, and they exchanged a peck on the cheek. "I still can't believe that Ariel Dexter is attending my wedding!"

The Cranford Cronies' star seeker bowed slightly. "Ginny tells me this is Wizarding Britain's wedding of the decade, so how could I refuse?" She looked at Ginny and put her arm around her. "When she asked me to accompany her, I was thrilled."

"Indeed," Severus said, and placed a kiss on his wife's curly head. "Please enjoy the evening, and know you are always welcome to visit us at Hogwarts." He turned back to Hermione, and she returned his kiss eagerly.

As Ginny and Ariel moved away, Ginny gestured over her date's shoulder and mouthed Isn't she gorgeous? Hermione giggled, and even Snape smirked, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Oh, by the way, Ginevra," he called out, and Hermione looked up at him questioningly. When Ginny turned back, Severus nodded over at the refreshment table. "Do try the chocolates. Honeyduke's Dark Finest, you know." Ginny's laughter floated toward them pleasantly.

"Of course," Severus said to his new bride, pulling her into his arms, "I hope she realises that once you eat one, you can't stop. They're amazingly moreish."

Hermione smiled, and breathed in the scent of her husband. "Like you, love. Just like you."

FIN

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There. I hope you enjoyed this strange little fic. I'm not sure I met the objectives, but I really, really wanted to.