From Intimates to Lovers

Hermione looked in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction at her reflection. Her gown was a rich red silk Regency-inspired ball gown, with gold trim around the neckline, under the bust, and around the edges of the tiny puffed cap sleeves. Her slippers were gold to match, and she wore above-the-elbow gold gloves. In keeping with the Regency look, she had kept the shorter curls about her face and bound the rest of her hair up into a coiled bun, allowing one long ringlet to trail from the base of the bun, and draping a band of gold beads around her head. Gold combs set with garnets held the beads in place and matched her simple garnet and gold post earrings. Her gown had a modest train, but a whispered spell would immediately have the train pinned up for ease of dancing.

She had agreed at dinner the night before to join them before the party was scheduled to begin so she could assist in the reception of guests. Thus it was that she Flooed to Snape Manor half an hour early, giddy with excitement, clutching a bottle of Elixir to Induce Euphoria in her reticule.

Oggy greeted her and summoned Snape. He arrived, resplendent in deep green formal robes with pewter accents, including one of the pewter scarves Hermione had given him for Christmas draped around his collar and trailing down either side of his chest. His smile of welcome lit up his face, and Hermione found herself beaming back at him.

"My lady, you are a vision of beauty." He took her hands and lifted them to press a kiss to the soft fabric of her gloves.

Hermione chuckled and said, "My lord is kind and gracious. You are positively dashing, yourself. And I'm so pleased that the scarf matches your robes; it suits you."

"My lady has good taste." He wrapped her hand around his arm and led her toward the ballroom. "Thank you for coming early, and for all your help to plan this event. I don't know what I would have done without you, Hermione."

She laughed. "Well, I'm ready to help one more time." She paused, and he turned to gaze curiously at her as she opened her reticule to take out the potion. "Elixir. So we can have it before guests start arriving. Now, do you want first dose, or shall I take it?"

Snape's brow furrowed and he wrapped his hand around hers, eclipsing the bottle. Hermione's eyes went wide in surprise. He enveloped her hand in both of his and murmured, "Hermione, as exhilarating as the previous parties were, I... don't think I need the potion any more. I don't want it either. Having you here with me is joy enough, and...what with being on a break and all that...I don't need the extra boost to feel comfortable approaching women. If you wish to partake, I surely won't stop you, but I have everything I need to enjoy myself tonight."

Hermione's gut fluttered at the warmth in his eyes and the tingle racing over her from his grip on her hand. She swallowed hard and said, "I completely agree, Severus. Who needs this?"

They exchanged grins as she tucked the potion back into her reticule before resuming their trek to the ballroom. When they reached it, they paused in the doorway to survey the festive decorations, and Hermione gazed about in delight. Snape looked down at her radiant expression, his chest tightening with desire and affection.

She hugged his arm and bounced in excitement. "Oh, Severus, it's lovely!"

When she turned her gaze to meet his, his free hand rose to her face, his knuckles lifting her chin a fraction as he leant down to press a tender kiss to her lips. She gasped, but returned the kiss with fervour, tilting her head and teasing his mouth open with her tongue. Tentative caresses of lips and tongue filled the moment with sweetness, until they broke apart, both somewhat dazed.

Voice shaky, she said, "Where did that come from?"

He quirked a lopsided smile and lifted his head, looking up at the door frame above them. "Mistletoe. Tradition, of course."

"That was a very different kiss from the first time you kissed me under mistletoe."

He grinned. "Indeed. We were both different then. But I was certainly on the right track even without knowing it."

She felt hot, and not just with the warmth of friendship. Ducking her head in a mixture of flattered shyness and flustered curiosity, she noted that her décolletage was indeed rosy. To her relief, Snape guided her into the ballroom, leaving the mistletoe to lure other guests.

By the time they had inspected everything, Lazarus had shown up, and the first guests had begun arriving. Snape kept a firm grip on Hermione's hand tucked inside his elbow, making it plain that she was hostess of this party just as much as he and Lazarus were hosts. Eventually, once everyone had come to fill the ballroom, and they had acquitted themselves admirably in greeting them all, Snape guided Hermione onto the dance floor, sighing in relief.

"Ye gods, I'm glad that part is over."

Hermione smiled up at him, wishing she had worn heels instead of slippers, so she could have been closer to his height, and said, "You did wonderfully, Severus. And everyone is having a lovely time. Just look around you."

"Lazarus will be pleased. I do hope that this fulfils his desire for such events in the near future. I've been to more parties and balls and gala events in the past several months than I have in my years of teaching put together." His statement ended with an aggrieved snort and Hermione laughed.

"Oh, don't you dare to pretend that you haven't enjoyed it, my lord. I was there for several of them, so I know better." She slanted a wry look at him and he grimaced.

"But, my lady, I was under the influence then...that Elixir, of course. I couldn't not have a good time those nights."

"We've no Elixir to affect us tonight..."

He tightened his hold at her waist, snugging her closer to him and leaning down to murmur in her ear, "And yet I am having much more fun right now than I deserve, surely."

She turned her head to meet his eyes again and sucked in a steadying breath before saying in a faint voice, "Severus, you deserve so much more than you'll ever admit."

He ducked his head, his cheeks tinting, and rumbled, "Ah, yes, you know me as well as ever."

He punctuated his statement with another squeeze, and Hermione's pulse sped up as a flash of recklessness skittered over her, urging her to say, "Not Biblically."

Snape's head lifted, his puzzled gaze snapping to hers. Her eyes were wide at her own temerity, but she didn't shy away as he processed her comment, comprehension dawning and sending his brows toward his hairline. He blinked rapidly, then flicked a furtive glance around them, before guiding them toward the edge of the dance floor. Once free of the throng, he led her out into a side room, more of an alcove than anything else.

There, he pulled her into his embrace again and pinned her with a searching look. "Hermione, I know my second gift to you was rather... suggestive... and I know what your phrase means, but what I don't know is what you meant by it."

Goose flesh erupted across her skin as tingles of heat darted through her body, ending in a throbbing in her core. Breathless, she retorted, "I meant exactly what I said."

Snape's eyes closed for a beat as he inhaled sharply. When he opened them, they were darker than before, and full of wonder and scorching desire. He lifted one hand to caress her face, swallowing hard when she leant into it, pressing her cheek into his palm and sighing. Her hands moved up from his arms to slide along the scarf at his collar, the sound of her gloves against the smooth fabric loud in the charged silence.

His voice was gravelly as he said, "I thought you were on a break."

"I am. I'm taking a break from dallying with people I don't love."

Expression wary, he murmured a simple, "Philia?"

She wrapped her fingers around his scarf and tugged, pulling him down. She watched hope bloom in his eyes as she whispered against his lips, "Eros. Always."

They met in a gentle kiss that quickly turned into a fierce snog as they gave in to the attraction that had been building for so long. Hermione's hands twined into his hair, pulling him as close as she could, and his hands framed her face as they edged apart, breathing heavily and pressing their foreheads together.

Snape's voice was rough as he said, "Hermione, are you sure? As much as I am attracted to you, I can't just be one of your conquests."

A pained sound welled up in her throat and she bounced between darting forward to kiss him and backing away to meet his eyes, seeing the naked emotions in his wide pupils. "Severus, I've loved you for a long time now, but you are the one I want to be with all the time. Any time I think of not having you in my life, I feel a burst of panic. And I've been trying to ignore how much I want you...how much you turn me on...because I didn't want to ruin what we already had, or get in the way of you finding your 'one'. You know me better than anyone else, and that makes me feel so special, so cared for..."

He cut her off with a vehement, "You are!" and she smiled.

"I know. Severus, I know. And I can't pretend anymore that I'm not completely besotted with you. It's too hard. When you kissed me earlier, it all hit home all at once, and I just had to do something...let you know how I feel...even though I'm terrified that I'll destroy our friendship."

He had been staring at her in fascination throughout her impassioned speech, and when she finished, he whispered, "Nothing could destroy what we have, Hermione. My darling, brilliant love, once again you've saved me... this time from pining for you, wishing I were the one to fulfil all your desires."

Relief washed over her like a wave of euphoria, and she flashed a giddy, mischievous smile at him before she purred, "You can be."

He sucked in a deep breath, trying to control his surge of lust in response to her invitation. A groan rumbled up from his chest as he crushed her to him, descending on her with a ravenous kiss. Her breathy moan was muffled by his lips, but it fired his ardour even more. At that, their hands began roaming, caressing and squeezing and discovering each other's secret sweet spots.

A peal of laughter just outside the alcove startled them, and they broke apart with a gasp, eyes wide and dazed, taking in their dishevelled appearances. Hermione recovered first, rasping, "You've got to get back out to your party."

Snape scowled and mumbled a few choice oaths as he smoothed his clothes and hair, adjusting his trousers around the insistent erection that had moments ago been grinding against Hermione's hip. "This bloody party is the last sodding thing I care about at the moment!"

She offered him a moue of sympathy and cupped his arm in a calming gesture. "Severus, it's important. It won't last much longer. We can... pick up where we left off, later."

He stepped closer again, wrapping his arms around her waist and gazing intently at her. "Hermione, would you... that is... you're welcome to... I mean... I would love it if you stayed tonight. With me."

She beamed at him and drew him down for another kiss, tender and gentle. "I would love it, too."

They sealed the promise with a chaste kiss, then separated, reluctant to end contact. Snape settled his robes again and took a deep breath. On the tail of his long exhalation, he said, "You're right; I better get back out there. Are you ready?"

"I need a moment to regain my composure and fix my makeup. Why don't you go on and I'll join you in a few moments? Besides, if we appear again like this, it'll likely be obvious what we've just been doing."

His chin lifted and his eyes flashed. "We have nothing to be ashamed of...do you think I care what they think? I am proud to be seen with you, Hermione."

She cupped his cheek to soothe him. "I know, Severus. And I, you. But, decorum and all that."

He rolled his eyes and huffed. "Fine. But I will not leave your side again once we're back out there."

Her fond smile warmed him as she said, "I look forward to it...and much more."

He nodded and stepped back out onto the dance floor, leaving Hermione to lean against the wall, trembling in the wake of their revelations. She took several measured, calming breaths, then fixed her hair and makeup. When she rejoined the party, she searched immediately for Snape, seeing him in conversation with Lazarus near the refreshments.

Hermione responded cordially to passing greetings as she made her way over. As soon as Snape saw her, his attention zeroed in on her, completely ignoring his uncle. Lazarus noticed his shift of focus and trailed off, looking over to see Hermione striding closer. The vivid colour in her cheeks and chest, coupled with the matching gleam in their eyes told him everything he needed to know, and he couldn't help but smirk in satisfaction. He had seen their attraction building ever since Snape had moved in, even though they had both dated freely. Clearly, something significant had transpired tonight, and the air around them practically vibrated with energy.

"Severus. Lazarus. The party is lovely."

Snape took her hand and wrapped it around the crook of his elbow, covering it with his hand. Lazarus beamed at her and said, "It is a rousing success...on many counts." Hermione and Snape exchanged a puzzled glance, and Lazarus continued, "I've been wondering how long it would take for you two to come together. Congratulations, indeed."

They blinked at each other, startled, and Hermione blushed more while Snape drew himself up straight and proud. "Thank you, Uncle. You are the first to know."

Lazarus chuckled. "I daresay I am, considering it couldn't have happened more than twenty minutes ago."

Mortified, Hermione mumbled, "How did you know?"

"Well, you weren't together yesterday, and there was still something holding you back in the receiving line, but now... Any wizard worth his wand could feel the charge you two give off now." He laid his finger alongside his nose and gave an exaggerated nod, winking at them. "Honestly, I couldn't think of a finer Christmas miracle than you two getting together. You make each other happy, you see."

They both smiled, abashed and pleased. Snape squeezed her hand on his arm and she leant closer, gazing up at him. The adoration and attraction blazing in their eyes made Lazarus bite his lip and cough faintly. When Snape flicked a glance at him in response, he leant forward and whispered, "I daresay you could get away with ducking out a little early. I can wrap up and send off any stragglers on my own. No doubt you have quite a bit of catching up to do."

Snape inclined his head in a small bow. "That's very kind of you, Uncle. Thank you."

Lazarus waved his hand and grimaced in demurral. "Oh, you're quite welcome, indeed. Now, go frolic and be free!"

Snape flashed a smug smile and nodded before leading Hermione back onto the dance floor.

Time seemed to both crawl and speed by as they danced, completely entranced by each other. Finally, as they twirled past Lazarus again, he snagged Snape's arm, arresting their motion and startling them out of their connection.

"Go on and get out of here! Half the guests have already left, and you're all but no good to me in such a state anyway." He shooed them toward the doorway as he chastised them.

When they stopped at the doorway, they both looked up as one, taking note of the mistletoe. Then, meeting each other's challenging gaze, they came together in a vehement kiss, laughing silently at the spate of surprised gasps rippling through the remaining guests. Lazarus sighed in exasperation and cradled his face, his hand over his eyes as he shook his head.

They broke apart, flicking matching impish glances at the staring crowd. Snape leant down to her ear and murmured, "Fuck decorum," causing Hermione to clap a hand over her mouth to stifle her shocked squeak. Her eyes were wide but sparkling with mirth as he addressed the spectators. "Happy Christmas. And good night." Then, he gripped her hand and tugged, leading her to hurry away with him, their laughter fading as they disappeared from view.

When they reached his room, he ushered her through the door, then spun and closed it, leaning against it as he watched her continue across to the window seat. She stopped and turned to meet his gaze, the length of the room between them. As one, their breath caught and they blinked, breaking their charged connection to glance away. However, they both looked in the same direction, and their searching eyes stopped at the sight of his sumptuous bed.

Hermione gasped, and they tore their gazes from the bed to look at each other again. The urge to hold her overwhelmed him, and Snape slowly stepped forward, gut trembling. She stood her ground, pulse racing and breath going shallow as he approached. When he entered her personal space, she found herself leaning toward him, and he ducked his head to meet her in a gentle kiss.

The gentleness quickly gave way to intensity, and they were once again wrapped around each other, pressing close, hands roaming. Snape backed away only enough to trail kisses over her jaw and down her throat, eliciting a breathy moan. Hermione's head lolled back, eyes shut, and she slid her fingers into his hair, guiding him further down her chest.

His head was filled with Hermione: her scent, the softness of her skin, the sound of her coos and sighs, the inviting flush spreading across her torso. He panted against the gold edging of her bodice, hot breath dampening the silky fabric clinging to her breasts.

"Severus, please; I want you."

With a groan, he wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face against her chest as he lifted her, spinning her to set her on the edge of his bed. Her startled squeal changed into a purr of approval when he dropped to his knees in front of her and caressed her peaked nipples through her dress. Squirming, she reached behind herself and managed to undo the back of her dress.

Snape pulled back and looked up at her, eyes dark with desire. She held his gaze and pushed the puffed sleeves off her shoulders. His breath hitched as the bodice fell further, barely covering her breasts. She froze in a moment of uncertainty, suddenly shy, and her arms came up to cross over her chest. Snape sank back on his heels and took a deep breath. Gently, he lifted one of her hands and guided it closer to him, where he pressed a chaste kiss to her gloved knuckles.

"My lady is so beautiful; it is only fitting that I offer homage on my knees at your feet." Her eyes went round, fascinated. "There is no rush to reveal yourself. Please, let me pay you tribute..."

As he trailed off, he held her hand and smoothed up her arm along the glove. His fingertips teased her skin just beyond the edge of the fabric and she shivered, goose flesh rising along her arm and across her shoulders. The warmth of his hand seeped through the cloth as he slid down her arm again, slotting his fingers between hers. Then, he carefully pinched the tip of each finger, tugging lightly to loosen the glove. Once they were halfway down her fingers, he surged forward, grazing his lips along the fabric until his nose skimmed the edge. Lifting gleaming eyes to hers, he gripped the glove in his teeth and inched backward, one hand pulling the glove from her fingers as his teeth guided it down her arm. She shuddered at the sizzling tickle of his nose tracing across her skin.

Once the glove was free, he dropped it and took the time to press tender kisses to every finger. Then, he turned her palm up and nuzzled into it, bathing it with warm breath. At her sigh, he leant closer and dragged his tongue across her wrist, feeling her racing pulse under his lips. She gasped, and he backed away. He stared up at her with a smile as he began the same treatment on her other hand, and Hermione's bare hand snapped up to secure her bodice in its place.

This time, when he nibbled on her wrist, he didn't stop there. He continued up her arm, pausing to suckle at her sensitive inner elbow before nuzzling his way up to her shoulder and across to her neck again. Hermione felt treasured and enjoyed the feel of her fingers threading through his hair as he dropped kisses on her throat.

When he finally made his way down her chest again, and his chin nudged the bodice to fall away from her breasts, Hermione made no move to stop him or cover up. Instead, she voiced a shaky moan as he cupped one breast and dragged his tongue around the other nipple. He alternated between suckling each nipple, daring to drag his teeth over them in response to the tightening of her hands in his hair, and incited her enthusiastic cries.

After a long while, Hermione shrank away with a shudder, eyes heavy lidded as she stared at Snape's consuming expression and extricated her arms from the clinging sleeves. "Oh, gods... Severus, I need you."

He exhaled harshly and shoved to his feet, wincing as his erection strained in his trousers. His voice was rough as he said, "I'm yours, Hermione."

She looked up at him, grabbed the scarf draped over his chest, and pulled herself up, standing pressed against him. Her dress fell further, catching against the bed and her hips. She shifted, toeing off her slippers, and tugged on one end of the scarf, sliding it from around his collar until it pooled at her feet. Licking her lips, she unbuttoned his robes as he followed her lead and stepped out of his boots.

His robes fell into a heap on the floor, and Hermione's eager fingers started on his shirt. Snape bent enough to grasp her dress and guided her to step out of it, then used his wand to send it to hang safely out of the way. He dropped his wand onto the bed behind her as he slid his hands down her back and over the suspenders holding her stockings up.

As soon as his shirt was open and tugged free of his trousers, Hermione shoved the panels to the sides, yanked them over his shoulders to hang between his wrists where the cuffs held him fast, and descended on his bared flesh with a smattering of open-mouthed kisses, dragging her chin and nose through the light dusting of dark hairs that trailed from his chest down his stomach to disappear beneath the waist of his tented trousers. His harsh gasp made her look up and quirk a wicked smile as she dropped to her knees and unbuckled his belt.

"Relax, Severus."

He wrenched his hands free of his cuffs, his shirt fluttering to the floor, and his chest rose and fell with his rapid, shallow breathing as he rasped, "Easier said than done, my lady."

She paused after undoing his trousers and gripped his hand, guiding his palm to mould against her cheek. Her eyes closed as she held his hand to her face, and then she turned to press a soothing kiss to his palm. Meeting his eyes with a fond smile, she teased, "Surely you have nothing to be nervous about...not if your parade of fangirls is any indication."

At that, he bent to pull her to her feet, pinning her with his serious gaze. "This is different."

His eyes searched hers, hope and uncertainty battling for purchase in his expression. Hermione's gut clenched and she trembled in his grasp. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she said, "Yes."

He pulled her close, kissing her fiercely, and she slid her hands under his trousers to grip his arse. The trousers slithered down his legs, and he kicked them away with an impatient air, leaving Hermione's hands against the black silk of his boxer shorts. His fingers trailed over her hips again, skimming behind her to unhook the suspender belt. When it was loose, he guided her to sit on the edge of the bed again, dropping to his knees and dragging his hands down her thighs, peeling the stockings away, still clipped to the suspender belt.

Hermione leant back on her hands, head lolling as she moaned in appreciation of Snape's strong hands baring her skin further. She heard him shuffling and lifted her head to see him squirming to peel off his socks at the same time he divested her of her stockings. Finally, they were both naked but for their pants, and they stilled, the import of the moment hitting them with full force.

She scooted back onto the bed, crawling completely on it, and lay down, only to grimace and sit up, hurriedly tugging at the beads and combs in her hair, tossing them carelessly away. She pulled at her hair, untwisting it and letting her curls float free, draping over her shoulders and grazing her nipples.

Snape bent forward, crawling slowly up the bed as he watched her wrestle with her hair. When she finished, he moved up closer, and she fell back onto the pillow again, her hair fanning out in a riot of curls. He descended on her with a heated kiss, holding himself up above her. Hermione's hands wound around his neck and into his hair, and he trailed kisses down her throat and chest, creeping backward to map her body with his lips.

When he nuzzled her navel, she jerked and squealed at the ticklish sensation, her hips thrusting under him. He growled and stared along her body to meet her glazed eyes. Her hands skipped down her belly to the edge of her knickers, dipping underneath to push them lower. Snape scrambled to his knees and took over, mouth slightly open in anticipation as he peeled the flimsy scrap of lace edged silk down her legs, exposing curls darker than those on her head. His cock bounced as he drank in the sight of her, bared to him in all her glory.

She saw the way his boxers shifted, and she whispered, "You, too."

They locked eyes and he swallowed hard. Nodding, he carefully stretched the elastic of his boxers past his erection, sinking to one side to shove them off his legs. When he rose back onto his knees, his cock twitched in front of him, jutting out with a slight upward curve near the end, the dark head peeking out from his retracting foreskin, shiny with slickness.

Hermione sat up, eyes wide and hungry, and rumbled, "My lord..."

Snape bent forward, meeting her in a kiss and urging her to lie back again. She complied, and he settled himself to one side, propping himself up on one elbow to hover over her face, his hand tangling in her hair. His other hand reached for her far hip, caressing her and guiding her to roll toward him. She twisted her lower body, lifting her far leg to curve over the thigh he had pressed between her legs. His erection slid over her hip and belly, smearing liquid and making him gasp at the sensation of thrusting against her slippery skin.

She rocked her hips, grinding down onto his leg, the damp heat of her cleft searing into him. They exchanged deep, exploratory kisses while they searched for a compatible rhythm to writhe against each other, hands roaming. Eventually, Snape found himself rutting on her hip, suckling her earlobe, and listening to the decadent sounds coming from her mouth. His balls drew up tighter and he felt the energy coiling at the base of his spine. With a groan, he purred into her ear, "I can't take this much longer, Hermione. I won't be able to last..."

She sighed, a languid smile spreading her lips as she lifted her leg from his thigh. Gently, she backed away from him, and his brow furrowed with sheepish disappointment. She read him like a book and voiced a low laugh. "Oh, Severus, I don't want you to stop. I want you inside me."

His eyes flew open wide, and he swallowed hard. He inched back, his erection no longer in contact with her smooth skin, and dragged his hand down her side, dipping inward over her hip. Her gasp and rolling pelvis were all the encouragement he needed, and he trailed his fingers along her slick curls, delving between her lips to tease her clit. Her back arched and she squealed, making his cock throb in response.

Employing everything he had practiced on all the other women he had enjoyed over the past few months, as well as every bit of information he had filed away about what Hermione liked, gleaned from their intimate conversations, he focused on her pleasure, knowing he could regain control over his own as well.

Heat washed over her, prickling her skin with sweat, and she gripped his shoulder in one hand while teasing her nipple with the other. His long, deft fingers slid inside her, stroking upward onto her G-spot, making her shudder and cry out. With two fingers plunging into her, sending white-hot tingles through her body, he circled his thumb around her swollen clit, and Hermione tensed, her voice rising in pitch and volume in her urgency.

Snape's voice was a dark velvet purr as he said, "Yes, Hermione... oh, gods, yes..."

She wrenched her eyes open to lock with his, and the incredulous joy and devotion she saw in him made her body clench...she convulsed on his hand, his name a breathless gasp on her lips as she reached her peak, awash in the love she knew was reciprocated between them.

When she came down from her dizzying climax, she panted, "Severus, please, I need you."

Careful fingers withdrew from her, and he rose up to cover her body with his, expression determined as he said, "Are you still on the potion, since you were taking a break?"

She flashed him a fond smile at his insistence on being responsible and said, "I'm on the monthly one, and yes, I'm still protected."

His lips spread in a relieved smile that vanished when her legs wrapped around his narrow hips, and she reached between them, her hand enclosing his cock and guiding him to sink into her eager warmth. His breath stuttered at the sensation of her hand stroking him, but he nearly choked at the ecstasy of plunging deep into her, so snug and slippery with the evidence of her orgasm, hotter than he had ever imagined.

Hermione uttered a rapturous groan as he filled her, twining her arms around his back and pulling him onto her, bodies touching from throat to thigh. Snape rocked his hips, grinding deeper, and she squeezed him, her inner muscles rippling along his length. His eyes rolled back and he grimaced, a strangled, "Fuck!" bursting from his throat.

She grinned in mischievous delight and did it again, giggling at the bliss that made him look years younger. When he locked eyes with her again, her laughter faded in a surge of emotion, and she clutched at him harder. Voice shaking, she murmured, "Not just 'fuck,' Severus... make love to me."

His breath caught and he thrust again, slow, indulgent strokes that stoked the fire burning in their hearts. It built quickly, and he breathed against her lips, "Hermione, love, I can't hold back..."

"Oh, gods, yes... Severus, please..."

He claimed her mouth with a desperate kiss as his body went rigid for a charged moment, then he shuddered and moaned, his hips jerking as he came hard and filled her. She could feel his heart pounding where his chest was pressed against hers, and he broke the kiss to pant against her neck as his muscles shivered with aftershocks.

As soon as he regained his coordination, Snape started to lift away from her, but she tightened her grip and murmured, "Don't go."

He pressed a languid kiss to her lips before whispering, "I don't want to crush you."

"I like feeling you so close to me. You're not that heavy."

His lips spread in a slow smile, and he nodded. "Roll with me."

He wrapped one arm around her and slid to the side, guiding her to face him, bodies still pressed tight. The movement caused his softening cock to slip out of her, and she voiced a petulant grumble. Snape silenced her with another kiss.

After a long while, he backed away and said, "I'm sorry you didn't climax with me."

She shrugged and said, "Hmm, if you hadn't already made me come, I probably could have done so as soon as I touched my clit, with you inside me like that...gods, you felt so good. We can always try that next time."

He blinked, suddenly tense in her embrace. She met his gaze, taking in his frozen expression as he whispered, "Next time?"

Voice cautious, she said, "Don't you want there to be a next time?"

Jaw throbbing as he clenched his teeth, his free hand stroked her hair and trailed over her face, fingertips catching on her swollen lips as he rasped, "Always."

She smiled, and he flashed an answering grin before descending on her with more deep kisses, holding her close. Their snogging became slower and slower, until Snape backed away, ambushed by a yawn. Grimacing in mortification, he said, "I do beg your pardon, indeed," to the accompaniment of Hermione's sleepy giggles.

"It's all right, Severus. I don't blame you. It's been a long, exciting night...in many ways, and I could easily doze off, myself."

Still sheepish, he said, "If you're tired, you're welcome to turn in for the night. I could have Oggy prepare a guest room for you, if you like..."

She cut him off, saying, "I thought you wanted me to stay. I thought you meant with you. As in, right here. Preferably in your arms, Severus."

Lips twitching with the tremulous smile that surfaced at her words, he rumbled, "I had hoped, but I wanted you to know you have a choice. I would love to fall asleep with you here, and better yet, wake up to you."

She beamed. "Then it's settled. Turn out the lights and let's get some well-deserved rest, love."

Darting in to plant a final kiss on her grinning lips, he scrabbled to find his wand on the bed and shoved it under his pillow, muttering a faint, "Nox" to leave them in darkness before dragging the covers over them. Hermione squirmed until she had Snape on his back so she could curl up beside him, her head pillowed on his chest, one arm flung over his middle, and her legs entwined with his. Snape curled his arm around her shoulders and brushed her hair away from his face, stifling another yawn behind his free hand before murmuring, "Happy Christmas, Hermione."

She squeezed him and nuzzled closer. "It is indeed, Severus. Happy Christmas to you, too."

They lay in the dark, sinking further into unconsciousness, until the silence was broken by Snape's faint whisper, "I love you."

Hermione's brain flailed into alertness again, and her throat tightened. After a beat, she felt able to speak and replied, "I love you."

The warmth of the bedclothes paled in comparison to that in their hearts, and they fell asleep together, the way they had realized they should be.

*****

Hermione jerked awake, brain working frantically to remember where she was and why she was plastered against a warm body. Memories crashed over her, managing to both calm and excite her. She couldn't see Snape's face in the darkness, but she stared at the slightly darker silhouette of his head against the pillow as she carefully eased away from him in her quest to use the facilities. Tiptoeing around the bed, gently placing her feet, mindful of stepping on discarded clothing and accessories, she made her way to the en suite, grateful that the candle sconces flickered to life at her movement.

After using the toilet, she looked in the mirror while washing her hands and couldn't help but smile at her reflection before grimacing at the mess of her makeup and tangled hair. She grabbed a flannel and scrubbed her smeared makeup off, then raked her fingers through the worst of the snarls in her curls. Flashing a final grin of triumph at herself in the mirror, she left the door ajar enough to use the dim light to find her reticule and retrieve her wand as well.

Creeping back to the bed, she drank in the shadowy sight of Snape sprawled in sleep and her gut trembled with cautious joy. She tucked her wand under the pillow and slid back under the covers, careful not to wake him. However, when she curled up with him again, he stirred, pulling her closer and voicing a sleepy rumble. Hermione's heart thrilled to the gesture, and it took a long time for her to fall back asleep.

A couple of hours later, Snape roused, freezing at the feel of Hermione wrapped around him. His chest tightened and his breath caught at the memories of all that had transpired the night before. He didn't want to leave her warm embrace, but his bladder insisted. Gently, he extricated himself from her tangle of limbs, holding his breath as she huffed and rolled the other way, hugging a pillow, but she didn't wake.

He shut the bathroom door, squinting against the light as the sconces flared to life again. When he was washing his hands after relieving himself, he noticed the used flannel on the counter and decided to do a little cleaning up himself...he could feel the tug of dried come in his pubic hair. A quick but thorough swab down later, he padded back to bed, heart pounding at the sight of Hermione sleeping so peacefully. Scooting under the covers behind her, he spooned against her, pressing soft kisses on her shoulder and hair. She let loose a breathy coo of satisfaction as she snuggled backward, and Snape beamed in the darkness. For the first time since he came into his family's fortune, he finally felt rich.