Recitation

A/N: Here's the next chapter of UB! It's a slightly long chapter, so I hope that will make up for the delay in updating. I tell you, those boys have a mind of their own! They took this chapter places I hadn't at all planned on! *snicker*

Big, huge, gi-normous thanks to Vaughn for beta reading this. You rock!

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Feeling nervous and excited, Ron had to hold himself down to a fast walk in his hurry to meet Minerva in the shop. Running was frowned upon in St. Mungo's, as it made everyone think there was an emergency at hand. When he entered, pausing in the doorway to try to catch his ragged breath, Minerva was already seated at a nearby table. Ron practically flew to sit next to her and he was barely able to take the time to greet her properly before he asked her about the ring. Chuckling at the excited young wizard, Minerva drew a small box out of the pocket of her robes and silently handed it into Ron's trembling hands.

Opening the box, Ron smiled in pleasant surprise. Gone was his grandmother's horrible, fluffy, Victorian ring. In its place was a ring that was quite manly and beautiful in its simplicity. The silver band was wide, but not heavy, and on it was a single, square cut sapphire.

"A sapphire?" Ron questioned. "I would think he'd like an emerald."

"He'd like an emerald fine, Ron. However, though Severus is indeed a Slytherin, that house's colors hardly account for all of Severus' tastes. He wouldn't admit it on pain of death, but Severus is strangely sentimental about some things." Taking the ring from the box, Minerva held it up to Ron's puzzled face. "I did well," she said with obvious pride. "That stone is the exact color of your eyes, Ronald Weasley."

The puzzled expression on Ron's face fled to make room for an embarrassed blush. "It's beautiful, Minerva. I don't know how to thank you--"

"No thanks are necessary, Ron. It was a pleasure. Though that ring was rather...well, it was hideous, wasn't it?" Laughing, Ron nodded his agreement and Minerva continued. "The ring was horrid, but it was very well made and of excellent quality. It was an easy object to transfigure. Think of it as an early engagement present," she finished with a smile.

"Do you think," Ron began, pausing to clear his throat nervously, "do you think he'll agree then? To marry me," he added unnecessarily.

"Of course he will," Minerva said, giving Ron's shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Severus loves you. And while he may rather think that he doesn't deserve you, Severus is neither so altruistic that he'd push you away, nor so cowardly that he would fail to fight for what he wants. I hope you are quite certain about this, Ron, because I think that Severus is going to latch onto you with both hands and never, ever let you go."

Ron's happy smile speaking for his certainty, he only said, "Brilliant!"

"When do you plan to propose?" Minerva asked, with a fond smile.

"Tonight, I suppose," began Ron uncertainly, "but I wish...well...it doesn't matter. I love him, and that's the important thing."

"Ron, what's troubling you? You aren't truly concerned that he'll decline, are you?"

"No, not at all! I mean, I know he could say no, but my Dad proposed to my Mum four times before she said yes. If he says no, then I'll just keep asking until he changes his mind," Ron finished with a decided nod of his head.

"What is worrying you then?"

"Well, it's just not going to be all that romantic, is it? I'm supposed to be taking Severus to a nice restaurant with candles on the table and wine chilling in a bucket...or take him out for a picnic in a field full of flowers or some rubbish like that," Ron said, his head dropping a bit in disappointment. "It's just not going to have the same effect in that drab little room over a plate of bland Shepard's pie, is it?"

Chuckling a bit at his hang-dog attitude, Minerva then spoke to him encouragingly. "That couldn't be easier to fix. It's summertime, and the Hogwarts' house-elves have very little to do to keep them occupied. I shall mention to them that Ronald Weasley--Harry Potter's "Weezy"--is going to propose to one Severus Snape...the man who saved Dobby's Winky from certain death during the last battle. Then perhaps I'll let slip to them that young Ronald has to propose in a dreary little room over horrid hospital food. Believe me, Ron, their nurturing little hearts will be suitably outraged. All I need to know is a good time to send them to you."

"Really?" Ron said, his eyes wide with shock. "Would they do that?"

"I know that they will. Your only problem will be to get them to tone it down a bit. If you aren't careful, they'll repaint the place pink and serve pink, heart-shaped food," Minerva said, chuckling again. "Now what time shall I send them? Is there any way that you can get Severus out of the room for a bit?"

"I'll think of something. Tell them to come at five o'clock. I'll get him out of the room if I have to carry him. Will a half an hour be time enough?"

"More than enough. Fifteen minutes would be enough."

After accepting a fond smooch from Minerva, Ron left the shop and took Severus the cup of coffee which was meant to explain his absence. Seeing that Severus was still fussing with a stack of parchments and muttering to himself, Ron simply pressed the cup into one of Severus' hands and slipped back out of room 309 without further explanation. Walking to Healer Cotton's office, he was relieved to find her not only there, but not very busy at the moment.

"Mr. Weasley," Patricia greeted Ron with a warm smile, "how nice to see you. Is anything amiss?" she asked with genuine concern.

"No, not at all," Ron said, sitting in the chair that the kind Healer gestured to. "It's just that I'm involved in a bit of a plot, and I wanted to clear it with you...make sure that it's ok...and ask you for a bit of help." Ron couldn't help grinning at her as he finished.

"A plot!" Healer Cotton said with a grin of her own. "How marvelous! Now then, what is the plot and exactly how may I be of service?"

It took little time for Ron to explain what he planned to do as well as the probable help of the Hogwarts' house-elves. He then appealed to Healer Cotton for some excuse to get Severus out of the room for a bit.

"There's no trouble at all about the house-elves," Patricia said encouragingly. "Patients often have treats from friends and loved ones and we are happy to encourage it. Both you and Mr. Snape have been cleared to eat and drink whatever you wish...even that coffee you keep smuggling him," she finished with a grin.

"I should have known that nothing gets past the Healers of St. Mungo's!" Ron said, giving himself a sheepish smack to the forehead with one hand.

"Not to worry," Patricia said, chuckling. "If it had been harmful for him, I would have put a stop to it. As it is, Mr. Snape has been cleared to have coffee for some weeks, but--as it obviously pleases him to think he's getting away with something--we've neglected to tell him so. Now as far as tonight goes, you both may have anything you wish, even some wine if you take it easy. And may I say that I'm so happy for you both," she said with a warm smile.

"Thank you," Ron said simply, his voice suddenly low and serious. "It means a great deal to me."

"You are most welcome. Now then, about getting your intended out of his room. I think it's high time that Mr. Snape and I had a nice chat about his condition. Seeing how he is able to walk with only a little help from his cane, I see no reason why we couldn't have that chat here in my office. Your house-elves are coming at five o'clock, so I'll send for him around a quarter 'til, just to be sure. I expect that I can keep him occupied for at least three quarters of an hour."

"Brilliant!" said Ron, grinning again.

When Ron returned to room 309, Severus was done with his papers and groused a bit about where Ron had run off to. Thinking quickly, Ron realized he had an excuse which would work perfectly; not to mention that it would help along The Plot.

"Oh, Healer Cotton wanted to have a chat about my recuperation and whatnot. Rather boring, really. She said something about seeing you as well later today, so I'm afraid that you are in for the same rubbish."

With a roll of his eyes, Severus said, "I don't suppose it would help to tell her that I have better things to do than hear her ramble on, so I suppose I'd better get to it," he finished, rising to his feet and walking slowly, without his cane, towards Ron. Though his face was calm, there was a decidedly predatory look in his eyes and his slow steps made Ron feel like he was being stalked. Sudden heat washed through his whole body and Ron felt his cock harden so fast that he was surprised he didn't do himself an injury.

"What...better things...do you have to do?" Ron stammered.

Stopping close to Ron, so close that their bodies were nearly touching, Severus continued to stare into Ron's eyes with obvious hunger. "You," he purred. Then he pounced.

Once again, Ron found himself naked and on Severus' hospital bed with an equally naked Severus pressing him into the mattress. Ron barely understood how he had come to be there, not that he was complaining, but Severus moved so fast, and distracted him so well, that he had little recollection of how he got from standing fully clothed to writhing against his deliciously nude partner. It quickly became apparent to Ron that this was not to be one of their slow, gentle, lovemaking sessions. Severus was demanding and impatient as he devoured Ron's mouth and caressed him with strong yet gentle fingers. Though Ron enjoyed it when they took their time, he couldn't deny that when his lover got demanding, it turned Ron on so much that it literally curled his toes.

Though he loved it when Severus turned impatient, Ron was still shocked when Severus suddenly stroked ointment over Ron's hard cock and, without any preparation, lifted his hips and sat down on it.

"Yessss..." hissed Severus. "Oh, yessss..."

Whatever worries Ron had over hurting his partner vanished at the sight above him. Severus sat on Ron's hips, his hands braced on Ron's chest, his head thrown back, and his mouth open as he moaned in pleasure. Over and over Severus used his legs to lift up and then slide back down until Ron was once more balls deep inside his lover. With each descent, Severus came down a little faster and with a little more force. Soon he was riding Ron wantonly and Ron could barely keep from coming immediately as the hands on his chest moved to pinch at Ron's nipples.

This reminded Ron that he had hands as well. This position was far better for allowing Ron the free use of his hands than any they had yet tried. With wicked ease, Ron moved one hand to firmly stroke Severus' cock while he slipped the other gently behind Severus' balls to press and rub at the skin there. This resulted in another rush of hissing moans from his partner, and it wasn't long at all before Ron felt the cock in his hand jump wildly as Ron's chest was spattered with wet heat. As Severus collapsed against Ron's chest, Ron rolled them over and plunged back into his lover's body. For the first time, Ron was able to let go of his fears completely as he pumped hard and fast into Severus' arse. Severus, recovered form his own orgasm, gripped Ron tightly to him while murmuring things in Ron's ear that were alternately sweet and deliciously obscene. When Ron finally came, it was as if some darkness in his mind had finally lifted. He collapsed against Severus, and was mortified to find that he was crying. Though he wasn't sad, great braying sobs were wrenching themselves from his throat and he could do nothing to smother them.

Holding him as tight as ever, Severus caressed Ron's back with one hand, rubbing it in soothing circles. "It's all right my love," he crooned. "Everything is all right now. I've got you. You have no idea how wonderful that felt...how long I have wished for you to give me everything...to hold nothing back. Never have I known such pleasure, such care, such love as I have found in your arms. Hush, love, hush. All is well. All is finally well."

Eventually quieting, Ron pulled his head up to look into Severus' eyes. "I'm sorry," he said, still embarrassed by his odd outburst, "I don't know what's wrong with me--"

"There is nothing at all wrong with you, love," Severus said firmly. "It happens like that sometimes. Sometimes the release is so strong, the emotions so great, that they simply have to get out." Raising a hand to cup Ron's cheek tenderly, he asked, "Better?"

"Yes," Ron said, cuddling his face into the caress. "I want you to know," he said softly, "that--despite any reactions to the contrary...I really enjoyed that."

"I'm glad to know that, as I did as well," Severus said, the hungry gleam reappearing in his eyes. "And I have every intention of repeating it as often as humanly possible." That said, Severus pulled Ron down into a hungry kiss. There was no more talking in room 309 for some time.

Later in the afternoon, Ron and Severus were lounging on Severus' bed and reading in companionable silence when there was a knock on the door. The door opened, and Healer Fraichir poked her head into the room.

"Good evening Mr. Weasley, Mr. Snape," she said, nodding at each man in turn. "Mr. Snape, Would you mind coming with me to Healer Cotton's office? She'd like to have a word with you."

"I suppose I might as well get it over with," Severus said, rolling his eyes. "Though why I'm expected to traipse through drafty corridors at all hours..." Severus' grumbling voice trailed off as he grabbed his cane and slowly followed Healer Fraichir out of the room.

The Plot was afoot! As soon as the door closed behind them, Ron leaped up out of the bed and headed to the lav. He knew he didn't have much time, and he was frustrated by having only his pajamas and dressing gown to wear, but he wanted to look as presentable as possible. Hurrying, he washed up, brushed his teeth, and tried to get his wild, red hair to behave itself. Returning to the main room, he had just enough time to remove the betrothal ring from its box and place it carefully in his dressing gown's pocket before he heard the loud popping of Apparition. Spinning to face the sound, he was met with the sight of half a dozen house-elves, who were laden with baskets and packages.

"Harry Potter's Weezy is getting himself married!" squealed Dobby, while jumping up and down and wildly waggling his ears in his excitement. "We is all so pleased! And Mr. Weezy is marrying the dungeon Professor! Oh, but he is a fierce, brave man, Mr. Weezy. He saved my Winky, you know!"

"So I heard," Ron said, smiling down at the overexcited elf. "He's a good man...I hope he will say yes."

"Oh, he will be saying yes to the Weezy," Dobby said decidedly. "'Specially with house-elves helping you." Looking around the bare little room, Dobby shook his head. "No, no, this nasty place will never do," he muttered to himself. "It's a good thing missy Headmistress told Dobby about this. House-elves are really being needed here."

With that, the house-elves got busy. Ron had little else to do but protest the re-painting of the walls. Within twenty minutes, all had been arranged. With much hand shaking and congratulations, the house-elves vanished as quickly as they had arrived. Ron was left with nothing to do but sit in nervous anticipation until Severus returned.

It seemed to take forever, but eventually Severus opened the door and stopped in surprise as he gazed at the changes the house-elves had wrought. On the floor was a thick rug. Their tiny table had been enlarged and covered with a fine linen cloth. The hard wooden chairs had also grown and become more comfortable. A hundred levitating candles lit the small room and several vases of flowers rested here and there. A small feast was spread out on the cloth covered table and on a stand nearby was a bottle of pale wine nestled in an ice bucket.

Blinking in the doorway for a moment, Severus then slowly entered the room, his surprise evident in his expression. Ron crossed to Severus and offered him his arm. Once he escorted his love to the table and seated him, Ron then sat in the chair across from him and began serving their dinner.

"What's all this, then?" Severus finally managed to say.

"Just a bit of a surprise for you," Ron said simply. "Lamb chop?"

"Please."

The meal began, and soon Severus recovered from his shock enough to enjoy it. The lovely meal was eaten between moments of hand holding and gentle caresses. After they had shared an apple tart and neither seemed to be able to take another bite, Ron knew that the time had come. Rising, he went to Severus' chair and pulled it slightly away from the table. When Severus made an effort to rise as well, Ron kept him in his seat with a gentle hand on his shoulder. Kneeling down on both knees before the man he loved, Ron clasped both of Severus' hands in his own. When he spoke, the words were formal but full of love.

"Severus Snape," he began softly, "long have I meditated on what you mean to me. After careful consideration, I have found that my head and my heart are in perfect accord. I love you, Severus. You would do my family great honor if you would consent to join with my house."

For a terrifying moment, Severus made no reply. He simply stared at Ron with wide, startled eyes. Just as Ron despaired of an answer, Severus spoke.

"Your suit does my house honor," he said solemnly.

This was the expected beginning of the formal betrothal Forms, and Ron felt one of his fears leave him. However, he still had much to worry about, as the "bride" had four possible responses, only two of which were favorable.

"I too have meditated on what you mean to me, Ronald Weasley. I have found that my head and my heart are in perfect accord. For I also love you, and it would give me great joy to join with your house."

The best of all possible responses! Letting out the breath he had not been aware he was holding, Ron fumbled in his pocket for a moment before he got a grip on the ring, and brought it out to slip gently onto Severus' finger.

Gazing for a moment at the blue sparkle of the ring, Severus then looked straight into Ron's eyes. "Beautiful," he murmured.

"Isn't it?" Ron said. "Minerva helped me, she--"

"The ring is indeed lovely," Severus interrupted, "but I was referring to you." Winding his hands into Ron's hair, he pulled Ron into a breathtaking kiss. Rubbing his cheek against Ron's he whispered into Ron's ear, "I never expected this...I never thought..."

"It's what I want," Ron said, just as softly. "It's what I want more than anything, if you want it too."

"Yesssss..." hissed Severus, pulling Ron back into another heated kiss.

How quickly the two newly betrothed men ended up in Severus' bed would surprise no one. But this night, one thing was very different. After the preliminaries, when Severus pressed the jar of ointment into Ron's hand, Ron firmly pressed it back.

"Not this time, love," Ron said. "I think that tonight it's high time that I found out what it's like to be made love to by the man I love."

The warm body on top of his froze in place. Severus' head snapped up to look Ron in the eye. "Are you certain, Ron? There is no hurry, after all. I would be perfectly happy...even if you never wished that of me."

"I know," Ron reassured him. "But I would not be happy. I want to, Severus, I want to know what it's like when it's with someone I trust...someone I love. Please, Severus, please make love to me."

Once Ron convinced Severus of his sincerity, Severus hesitated no longer. After another devouring kiss, he growled into Ron's ear, "Your every wish is my ardent desire."

Ron could not hide his sudden shiver of anticipation.