Chapter 9

A/N: Hello there. I just wanted to thank you for sticking with the story and leaving some great reviews. When I first started posting this fic, I had a different ending in mind, but then my good friend, Lulabelle72, and I had a chat and I have changed the ending and decided to make a sequel with the original ending. So, instead of twelve chapters as I had planned, we have nine in this story. This is it, folks. I hope you enjoy! But don't worry--there WILL be another story using the old ending, so you won't be missing out much, but you will have to wait a bit because my next fic to be posted is a very dark fic, and I have to finish that first. Again, thanks to Lariope for all her wonderful advice and beta work, but mostly for her support of this story. Thank you, my dear. Now, on with the ending!

---

Hermione and Severus went directly to Dumbledore's Office that evening, ready to give some explanations. It took a while to gather the people Hermione wanted to talk to, so she and Severus ate a small dinner while they waited. Harry and Ron were the first ones in the room, followed by Remus. Molly and Arthur showed up with the twins and Ginny. Mad-Eye, Tonks and Kingsley took the longest, since they were coming from the Ministry. Each Head of House was already in the room when Madam Pomfrey finally came through the door.

"I've gathered you all here because each of you knows that Hermione was in the past, and there are some things that she needs to reveal. I ask each of you to listen with an opened mind and know that I approve of everything they are going to tell you," Dumbledore said to the small crowd that was sitting in chairs in front of his desk. "Severus, would you like to start?"

"Actually, I will, Professor," Hermione said. She walked in the front of the group and sat down in a chair that faced her audience; Severus took a seat next to her.

"A few weeks ago, I received an anonymous package. It had a Time-Turner in it. I checked it for traps and spells and found nothing, so I used it. My intent was to go back in time and warn the Potters... and even you, Remus, of your future. I know this was stupid and foolish, but I was so upset about this whole war that I did it. Anyway, it turns out that Professor Snape was the one who gave me the Time-Turner. He did it because he knew of something--something that was meant to happen, and he made sure I went back into the past."

She looked at everyone, seeing if they were following along, and they were all very quiet, listening deeply.

"I'm not going to go into all the details; it's too long of a story, but I went back to September of 1976. I used the Room of Requirement to get all the necessary items I needed to be a transfer student from Beauxbatons. You see, the Time-Turner stopped working. As soon as I arrived, I tried to leave, realizing the mistake I had made, but it wouldn't let me, so I had to continue with this new life. I ended up befriending four wonderful people: James Potter, Sirius Black, Lily Evans and Remus Lupin. I pretty much ignored Peter Pettigrew."

Hermione noticed Harry shifting in his seat and Ron looking uncomfortable.

"I noticed that," Remus said from the audience.

She smiled at him. "I kept the Time-Turner around my neck because I was afraid it would fall into the wrong hands. On several occasions, I tried to tell my friends about something in their future. When I did, the Time-Turner activated, and I would speed up in time, which would cause me to be dizzy and sick. It was like it didn't want me saying anything and was warning me that if I continued I would go further into time. Do you remember when I became very ill, Remus?"

"Yes, and if I recall correctly we were talking about what I was going to do after I left Hogwarts."

"Exactly. I tried to tell you that you were going to make a good D.A.D.A. teacher. But I went forward in time and got sick. Then, when I was back in the dorm, I tested it on Lily and deliberately tried to warn her about something, and that's when my body rejected the sudden time travel, and I became even more ill.

"So anyway, that's when I knew I couldn't say anything... deliberately. There were several times that something just slipped out--like when I told James and Sirius that they couldn't register themselves as Animagi, because if they had, then Sirius would never have been able to escape from Azkaban."

"Interesting," said Arthur.

"So what does this have to do with Snape?" Harry said with a bit of tension in his voice. "I know he went to school with my parents, and I know you couldn't avoid him."

"No, I didn't avoid him. In fact, I ended up... falling in love with him."

"WHAT?"

"Merlin's Beard!"

"BLOODY HELL!"

"Everyone calm down. Let her speak," Dumbledore said loudly.

Harry looked like he could shoot fire at any minute, and Ron looked as if he were holding back vomit in his mouth, yet she continued on.

"I found him intriguing, and I perused him. We fell in love and even were engaged to marry. I didn't know how long I was going to be in the past, so I lived my life like I normally would have. But after considerable thinking, I knew that I didn't belong there, and I needed to tell Severus the truth about who I was."

"She called him Severus. Someone please pinch me; I think I'm dreaming," Ron whispered to no one in particular.

Molly was sitting behind him and smacked him in the back of the head. "Shh... I want to hear this!"

"What about the Time-Turner? I thought it wouldn't let you speak of the future," Tonks said.

"Well, I took it off and put it under my mattress. Then I told Severus to meet me on the Astronomy tower. I thought without wearing it, I could say something, so I took a huge breath and told him the entire truth. But it was too late... I was already going through time, and it wasn't stopping. Next thing I knew, I ended up back in my own time. The Time-Turner somehow appeared around my neck when I intentionally went to tell him the entire truth. I disappeared into thin air right before his eyes."

"Oh dear! How horrible that must have been for a young man!" Molly exclaimed.

"So, that's what happened. He thought you were going to break his heart, but you just Disapparated instead. He was a wreck... we all were. Those last two months were horrible; we searched high and low for you," Remus said.

"Indeed," Severus said, finally breaking his silence.

"When did you figure out that Hermione was the same person you went to school with?" Remus asked him.

"I had thought that perhaps she was related to Mione Jean, but by her third year, I knew it was her. Especially after Minerva told me that Hermione had been using a Time-Turner that year."

"I can't imagine how difficult that was for you--waiting for her to grow up," Minerva said.

"It made me sick to treat her like... everyone else and not to think of her in a manner that was inappropriate. Yes, it was very difficult, but I had other things to distract me, especially when the Dark Lord returned," he said, looking more at Harry than anyone else.

"So, where's the problem?" Molly said through her motherly tears.

"There is no problem unless you create one," Dumbledore said, eyeing Harry and Ron.

"Severus and Hermione are going to continue their life together; in fact... by the looks of that ring that she's trying to hide, they still plan on getting married. And I am very happy that they are."

Hermione's face flushed.

Then Severus said, "Thank you, Headmaster. Yes, we do plan on getting married soon. But as you can probably deduce, there are certain problems--"

"Yeah, there are! She's still in school!" shouted Ron.

"There's that, Mister Weasley, but also Lucius, Bellatrix and Rodolphus. They are still going to be a threat to everyone, especially me and my soon-to-be wife."

"They are our number one priority, Severus," Kingsley said.

"I understand."

"Is this all you wanted to tell us?" Fred asked.

"Basically. Why?" Hermione said.

"Because we thought it was something really bad. But even though the thought that you are going to marry, and pardon my use of words, sir, the giant bat of the dungeons, is pretty shocking, we're happy for you," said George.

"Thanks, guys," Hermione said.

All eyes in the room turned to Harry and Ron. Hermione had a feeling that she had won the support of everyone in the room except her two best friends.

"What?" Ron said to the people staring at him.

"Say something, you guys, please," Hermione said.

Harry looked over to Ron, then back at Hermione. "Look, I don't know about Ron, but I'm not surprised. I think you two will be good for each other. I trust him... he won't hurt you. So, yeah, I'm happy for you... strange situation, though. All I want is a full account of what my parents were like."

Hermione was beaming.

"You're not surprised? I AM! Bloody hell, Hermione, he's twice your age!" Ron stood from his chair, pushing it to the ground.

Hermione's smile faded quickly. Her eyes turned from their usual chestnut brown to a deep chocolate with flecks of auburn; she was enraged. "I KNEW YOU WOULD ACT LIKE THIS, RONALD!"

"ACT LIKE WHAT, HERMIONE?"

Harry stood up between the two, "Come on, guys, calm down--"

"Like a prat!"

"Well, excuse me! I'm just a bit confused! Weren't you my girlfriend just a few weeks ago?"

"We broke up because we were better off as friends!"

"Yeah, and not even a month later you're engaged! And to Snape, no less!"

Harry turned to his best mate. "Ron, she went back in time. She might have been gone for good--"

"Shut up, Harry. I'm not going to listen to this anymore." Ron started to walk away, but someone came into his view.

"You'll be making the biggest mistake of your life if you walk away from her right now. She's your best friend, and your jealousy of me isn't worth losing her! And I will not have her upset over the loss of you; therefore, if you value any part of your life, you will turn around and be a man." Snape sneered as he blocked Ron's path.

"Are you threatening me?" Ron hissed through gritted teeth.

"You think you can stop me?" Snape said darkly.

Ron was silent, but gave him an ugly glare.

"I didn't think so. Turn around, Mister Weasley; don't make this mistake."

Ron huffed, tightened his jaw, and turned around. Everyone was staring at him; Hermione was still furious.

"Will you truly be happy with him forever?"

"Yes, Ronald, forever," she said strongly.

"I don't want to lose your friendship, but I do need some time to adjust. However, I will. For you."

A wave of relief passed through Hermione. "I appreciate that, Ron, more than you know. Thank you."

"Well, it's getting late. I think that's enough for tonight," Dumbledore said from the back of the room. "Miss Granger, I do want a word before you leave."

"Yes, sir."

On the way out, Madam Pomfrey gave Hermione a tight hug and smiled up at Severus.

The room cleared quickly, leaving Hermione and Severus alone with Dumbledore. He had pulled a small file out of his desk, sat down and opened it. "Well, I'm sure you're wondering what we are going to do about your education."

"We were hoping she could take her N.E.W.Ts."

"I think that would be a good idea. According to these records, you were about two months away from finishing your seventh year. I think you are more than capable of doing some independent study and completing your N.E.W.Ts before Christmas."

"Thank you, sir, but what about after the holidays?"

"Well, it's up to the two of you. You can stay here, join some classes you haven't had and be a kind of assistant to the teachers and myself, or Severus can take a leave of absence until the new term, and you two can do what you please."

Hermione looked toward Severus.

"I'm not sure it would be safe for us to be away from Hogwarts," he said.

"I think you would be fine; however, we would set the necessary precautions around you if you decided to leave. Think about it; just let me know before Christmas so I can make the necessary arrangements if need be."

"Thank you for being so accommodating to our situation, sir," Hermione said.

Dumbledore smiled at her and took a lemon drop from his candy bowl, winking at her in the process.

"We'll let you know," Snape said. He grabbed Hermione's hand and led her out of the office.

"Wow. What do you think?" she asked him as they descended the stairs.

"I need a vacation. So, if you don't mind, I would like to take the leave of absence."

"Really? I think I would love that, too," she said eagerly.

"I don't want to risk too much, so we'll go back to my home."

"Would it be possible to have the best of both worlds?"

"Meaning?"

"Maybe I could Floo back here every so often to see my friends and do some work for the teachers?"

"I think I could live with that. What do you want to do when the new term starts?"

"I still would like to continue my education... you don't mind if I go to a Muggle university, do you?"

"No, but there will be certain precautions if you are going to be away from me like that."

"Of course. So, when are you going to marry me?"

He stopped walking and looked at her. She was grinning, making his heart melt.

"As soon as you want."

"I've always wanted a Christmas wedding."

"Then it's decided. We'll marry after the students leave for the holiday."

---

The news of Hermione and Severus was heard by the entire school within days. It took until Halloween for the sniggering to stop each time he walked into his classroom. After handing out more detentions that month than he had over the past year, students stopped gabbing among themselves in his presence.

Hermione had a more difficult time adjusting to her peers. She was teased by the Slytherins and ridiculed by the Ravenclaws. Most of the Hufflepuffs ignored her, and the Gryffindors boldly questioned her. She was tired of explaining her situation to her classmates, but knew that it was easier for her to speak the truth about things, rather than have them speculate and spread rumors. It took Ron a while to start being the best friend whom she knew, but he came around and actually, genuinely told her that he was happy for her.

After things settled down, Harry approached her on Halloween night and asked for some time alone with her. During the feast, Harry took her to the Quidditch Stadium so they would have no interruptions.

"So, I'm sure you want to talk about your parents?" she asked him as they walked up the steep stairs to the top of the pitch.

"Yeah. I figured tonight would be appropriate since this was the night they were killed."

He sat down on a bench, and she sat next to him, pulling her robe tighter around her body.

"So, what do you want to know?" she asked.

"Everything. How they acted with each other, how they treated you, what kind of stuff my dad and Sirius did... I just want to know everything."

"Well, let's see--your mum was the first to befriend me; she was Head Girl. She was beautiful. She had long flowing hair, and her eyes... they were just like yours. I know you hear that all the time, but it's true, Harry. When she smiled, they had a glimmer in them... just like you.

"And your dad. Oh, what a pain... just like you! He and Sirius acted pretty much like you and Ron. Of course, with slight differences. They were very popular, and Sirius knew it. When I first met him, your mum introduced him as the ladies' man, and he was. I remember one night, he had snuck some Firewhisky from his mum and had a little much... well, he tried kissing on me, and let's just say... Severus saw."

"No way. What happened? Tell me!"

"They had a row. Severus started hitting him, and then when I tried pulling them apart, I fell and hit my head. I woke up in the hospital wing."

"Wow. So they really didn't get along."

"Well, at first, no. Sirius really did try to get Severus killed, and your dad really did save him. When I showed up, Severus made a rude comment about Gryffindors, which is just like him, and Sirius and your dad started dueling with him right in the Potions classroom. But after that, the hatred grew to something else. There are no words for the relationship they all had."

"Like a love-hate relationship?"

"Well, honestly, it's like you and Draco."

"I hate Draco."

"No, you don't. You dislike him, but you can tolerate him if he isn't being such an egotistical pure-blood."

"And when is he not being that?"

"True. Okay, bad example. It was just interesting, watching them banter back and forth."

"And my dad... was he really good at Quidditch?"

"Fantastic. He would even make us watch him practice! Of course, that's when Lily and I would do our studying!"

Harry chuckled. "Could you tell they loved each other?"

"Oh, yes. Although, Lily was quick to put him in his place. When they found out that Severus and I were engaged, he and Sirius started yelling... kind of like Ron did. James said that I was too young to get married. Lily quickly pointed out that they were already engaged, and he changed his opinion very quickly!" she said through her giggles.

"I actually think I know where they got your name from. I was sleeping one day, and I was being nudged awake. I opened my eyes, and all I saw were your green eyes. I thought it was you, and I think I said something like, 'Not now, Harry,' or 'I'm up, Harry'... I can't remember. I just know I mentioned your name, and Lily asked me if Harry was my boyfriend back home. I told her no, but he was my best friend, and that you had similar eyes."

"Really? That's so bizarre! She named me after your friend... who happened to be her son!"

"Yes, bizarre is right. Believe me; I had several headaches because it was so surreal."

"What about Pettigrew?"

"Oh, him. I ignored him. I had to; I was always on the verge of hexing him right then and there. He followed us around all the time... damn rat."

"I wonder if the Time-Turner would even have let you do that."

"I don't know... never tried it. Probably not. If it didn't let me intentionally speak of the future, I doubt I could have hexed his nards off."

Harry almost choked at her choice of words.

"Did they do well in school?" he said, quickly changing the subject.

"Oh, yes, very much so. Lily told me that they both were approached by the Ministry to become Unspeakables."

"Unspeakables? Really? I never... I never knew what they did."

"I don't think many people did; I just happened to get that information before they went into the service. But that's all she said."

Harry looked over the pitch in silence. Hermione's own thoughts drifted to her friends from the past. She knew that from here on out, Halloween would mean something different to her. Having known Lily and James, her heart ached with the sadness of losing her friends. She wished she had been able to tell them goodbye and seen them one last time before she came back to the future.

After talking for several hours, Harry and Hermione headed back to the common room; the feast had ended. Ron had brought them some food back from the party and was waiting patiently for their return. He and Ron were still sitting in the common room hours later when Hermione finally went to bed; Harry excitedly told Ron everything he had learned about his family.

---

With Hermione's independent study and Severus' classes, it was difficult for them to have any free time together; in fact, they hadn't been alone since that night they addressed everyone about their involvement; however, they kept it touch through notes.

Although Hermione enjoyed writing to him, she desperately wanted to be in his arms. Several days after Halloween, she decided that she couldn't take any more time away from him and told him so. She asked him to meet her in the Room of Requirement, in her 'home,' where they had met so many times before. Usually, he was quick in returning her notes, but this time, nothing came back. She went to lunch slightly irritated, but the moment she locked eyes with him, she could tell he was going to make her sweat for a while before he answered her.

He had a wicked grin on his face when he saw her, which threw her off, and she ended up tripping over herself and stumbled onto the bench. She barely touched her food and could feel his deep concentration on her the entire time; making her wonder if he was tapping into her thoughts. Before Harry and Ron were finished, she felt a swish of air behind her and a small piece of parchment fell into her lap. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him striding across the Great Hall, with his robes billowing behind him. The reply was basic: Eleven o'clock. Tonight.

---

Hermione felt like she was floating on air and was giddy. Her insides were fluttering with anticipation as she dressed herself that evening. It had been so long since she had been with him that she felt like this was going to be her first time all over again.

She dressed in a pale, yellow, tight-fitting sweater with blue jeans, and she charmed her hair to lay straight. She applied a light coat of natural looking makeup, tucked her wand away and headed out of the dorm. She silently crept down the stairs and made sure neither Ron nor Harry was in the common room before she headed for the portrait of the Fat Lady. She slipped out into the dark corridor and made her way down to the Room of Requirement.

---

Severus had been in the room since ten o'clock. He had made sure the environment was warm, the fire lit, candles burning around the room, and that there was some wine with strawberries and chocolate. He wanted their night to be perfect. However, he was terrified. His body had changed since she had last seen him, and he was worried that she would find him disgusting. He hadn't been with another woman since she had left him, and he was concerned about things moving too quickly and not being able to satisfy her like he once had. But before he could mope too much, he heard the door open and listened as she walked toward the bedroom door. He scrambled over to the chair that was sitting next to the fire and faced the door, waiting anxiously as the door knob slowly turned, and the door was pushed opened.

"Good evening," he said softly.

She smiled brightly, warming his cold heart. He stood as she rushed from the door into his arms.

"Severus, I've missed you! I hate being away from you!"

He leaned down into his embrace, inhaling the scent of her. "I hate it, too, but we'll be married soon, and then nothing will keep us apart."

She pulled her face from his chest and looked into his eyes, gently moving a wisp of his black hair that had fallen into his face so that she could see him more clearly. The touch of her tender hand made him desire her even more. He hungrily kissed her while lifting her slightly from the ground. His hands gripped her sweater as she brought her arms around his neck.

For a while they rediscovered each other's mouths. Hermione gently nipped at his lower lip as he pulled away from her for air. When he lowered her back to the floor, she started unbuttoning his black shirt. Severus didn't notice, for he was trying not to get too excited too fast, but when the warmth from the room hit his bare chest, he grabbed her wrists, startling her.

"Hermione... I'm..."

"What? What's wrong?"

"I want this night to be special. I've been celibate for almost twenty years--"

"I know you have been, and I really appreciate that. I also know as your position in the war, you weren't really able to have other relations."

"And because I desired no one but you. My point is that I want tonight to last... to take it slow. Also... I'm... nervous. I'm not the eighteen-year-old boy that you made love to before. I don't look the same."

"Well, probably not, Severus; time does seem to age people."

"I'm serious! I've been through things that have left my body scarred." He ripped off his shirt and held his left forearm out. "And you surely haven't seen this before," he said, referring to his Dark Mark.

Hermione glanced down and turned her head, tears forming in her eyes.

"Look at it! I have for nearly twenty years. You'd better get used to seeing this, my dear, because it doesn't wash off."

Hermione turned back to look at his arm. His fist was tight and the veins in his arms seemed to be standing out. She let the tears fall down her cheeks as she reached out with her hand and gently ran her fingers around the black tattoo that was embedded in her fiancé's skin. She tried to envision all the pains that he had encountered because of that mark, and although she was saddened by the sight of it, she wanted him to know that she still loved him in spite of the mark. Her fingers traveled down to his fist, and she pushed his tight grip open and intertwined her own fingers with his.

"Well? Can you stomach seeing this everyday?"

"Yes, I can. Because I know why you did it, and it will stand as a reminder of what we both have been through. Severus, I don't care what your body looks like or how many scars you have. They make you the person you are today; the person that I love."

He stared down at her; he had been sure the sight of the Dark Mark would have repulsed her, but her reaction was the one he really wanted; she never ceased to amaze him.

She started running her fingers around the other scars that he had across his chest.

"Do you know how you received each one of these?"

"Only the larger ones."

She walked around him and started to examine his back. He had more lashes there than on his chest, and she touched each one in silence.

"Those are mostly from being beaten with a whip," he said warily.

"I'm sorry for your pain," she said quietly from behind him. Severus heard something soft fall to the floor, but didn't have time to turn around; Hermione had snaked her arms between his and wrapped them around his still-slender body. He felt her bare breasts upon his back and her lips tenderly kissing him. She rubbed her palms over his stomach, making her way down to the top of his pants. Severus tipped his head backward and released all his insecurities in a single breath.

He then grasped her hands and twirled her around to face him. He put his hands on either side of her face, brought her into another passionate kiss and slowly walked her over to the bed. He released his kiss and looked at the beautiful person standing in front of him. He bent low and gently kissed her left nipple while massaging her other breast. He swirled around her areola with his tongue and then sucked harder and harder on her until she moaned with pleasure.

Hermione started fumbling with his pants, and he with hers. They quickly pulled their remaining garments off, and together they slipped under the covers.

Severus leaned his upper body over hers and continued kissing her lips, nibbling on her neck and sucking on her nipples. Hermione pinched his nipples and lightly dragged her fingernails across his sides.

He made his way down to her lower lips and rubbed on her clit. Hermione was burning with desire and started moaning deeply. "I want you so bad! Ohhh, right there... right there!"

"You like that?" he breathed into her neck.

"Mmmm... you didn't forget what I liked."

"Of course not. Just as I know you want this," he slipped a finger deep inside of her and circled it around her walls.

"Ahhh! Ohh, Severus! Ah, hmmm... so good... yes..."

"That's it, my love, squeeze down. I love feeling that."

"Severus... please! I'm almost there... Get inside of me... I want to feel you!"

He pulled his wet finger out of her and rolled onto his back. "Come here." He motioned for her to sit on him. She climbed over his legs and took his raging cock in her hand and guided it into her as she lowered herself down.

"Ohh, gods! That's it! You're so beautiful."

"Oh, Severus!" Hermione rocked into him harder making her breasts sway back and forth. He grasped her hips and helped her grind into him. She slid down the length of him faster and faster, causing his nails to dig into her ass cheeks.

"Mione, I'm going to cum!"

"OHH, PROFESSOR! YES! CUM INSIDE OF ME!"

With a deep growl, Severus finally let himself go, screaming out loud. Hermione joined his ecstasy and tilted her head back as her orgasm burst through her body. Her legs were shaking, and she could feel his semen filling her. Still, he drove into her, wanting to make sure their sexual high continued for a little longer.

After they had calmed down, Severus held her tightly. He never wanted to lose the woman next to him again. It had been too long, and he was on the verge of an emotional break down.

"Thank you; that was wonderful," she said.

When he didn't reply, she pulled away from him and saw a somber look on his face.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I have always had a recurring dream. You were in my arms again, and everything was the way I wanted it. I just hope I'm not dreaming right now. It's hard to believe that after all these years, you are finally back in my arms where you belong."

She slipped back into his arms. "You're not dreaming, Severus. This is very real. I am here in your arms, and I am yours forever."

He lightly stroked her hair. "I love you, Mione."

"I love you more," she said as she closed her eyes and fell asleep in his arms.

---

The warm sun on Hermione's skin, and the rolling of the waves had almost put her to sleep. She dug her toes deeper into the cool sand and adjusted her sunglasses. She was at peace and was extremely happy.

"Mione, are you going to come inside? I'm getting lonely," a silky voice shouted from behind her.

She rolled over on her stomach and looked up to see her new husband waiting impatiently at the glass doors of the beach house they had rented for their honeymoon. He was barefoot and shirtless, only wearing his loose fitting, black cotton pants that hung low on his hips, revealing the dark patch of hair trailing down from his belly button.

"You could join me out here," she yelled up at him.

She knew that he hadn't really wanted to honeymoon on the beach, but he had wanted to make her happy, and this was what she had picked. Being the good wife that she was, she wanted to make sure that he was going to be happy here for the week, and when she saw the look of annoyance that he gave her, she swiftly gathered her belongings and marched back up to the house, leaving the private beach empty.

He stood there watching her as she trampled through the heavy sand toward him. She almost felt like she was back at their wedding. He had stood the same way he was now, watching her glide down the aisle. Hermione didn't have too many memories from her wedding; she was too busy staring at him the entire time. What she did remember, though, was madness.

As soon as the students had left for the holidays, they had been going to be married. Even though Hermione had been planning the wedding since around November, there had been still so much to do and so little time to do it in.

Remus had been going to be his best man, and Hermione had had the boys stand next to her. She had wanted a Muggle and magical ceremony; so to make things easier, they had combined the two.

It had been a simple, yet elegant, wedding on the hill that overlooked the Black Lake. It had been his idea to have it there, and Hermione hadn't been able to resist the beautiful views. She had known that he would be wearing black, so she had picked silver and red as the other colors. Her dress had been simple, made with a row of lace and trim under her bodice. It had been ivory, and she had worn a single red poinsettia in her hair.

Since she had wanted a Christmas themed wedding, there had been twinkling white lights in the trees, garland and holly draped on the sides of the chairs, and with the snow on the ground, it had tied the entire event nicely together.

It had been a wild few days of planning and shopping, and then the wedding and reception themselves had worn both Hermione and Severus out completely. As soon as the reception, which was held in the Great Hall, had been over, they had Apparated to this beach house that had been recommended by Dumbledore. Together, they had used their last of their energy to ward the beach and the home, and then passed out from exhaustion.

Hermione had awakened early that morning; the light coming in from the large glass windows was blinding her. She looked at her husband. He had conveniently put a pillow over his head and blocked out the strong light. She didn't dare wake him; she didn't want Professor Snape on her honeymoon, she wanted Severus, so she snuck out of the bed and rifled through her luggage and found her bathing suit.

She quickly hurried outside with her towel, tanning lotion, book and sunglasses. She had wanted to relax like this ever since he had agreed to take her here, and she couldn't resist the calling sun.

She had done some light reading and was finally getting ready to take a nap when he had called her to come back inside.

"Good afternoon, wife," he said as she dropped her belongings on the small deck.

Swaying her hips slightly more, she walked up to him and placed her arms around his neck, bringing him down to meet her lips.

"Good afternoon, husband. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, but we will have do something about that blasted sun coming in."

She chuckled to herself and walked further inside. Suddenly she was pulled backward; he had wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his body. She squeaked from the surprise attack, and he growled in her ear.

"You know, laughing at your husband has consequences," he said roughly.

Before she could answer, he flung her onto the bed, causing her to bounce across it. She was on her stomach and felt him get onto the bed from behind her.

"Severus!"

"Hush. You're going to take your punishment. Put your hands above your head," he said in his harsh professor tone.

She didn't move.

"You insolent brat. Fine, then we will do this the hard way." He grasped her wrists and pulled her arms behind her back, magically tying her hands together.

"Severus Snape!"

"Tut, tut. First, you laughed at your husband and then you disobeyed a direct order. I gave you a chance to have things done more easily... now, it's my way."

She didn't even have a chance to protest before he had slapped her bottom. Since she was only wearing her bathing suit, there was nothing to ease the pain.

"OW!"

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" he asked darkly.

"That hurt!"

"Really? How about this?" He had been straddling her legs, holding her in place. Now he put one knee between her legs and pushed them open. He softly ran his fingers over the bathing suit. Then, slowly, he reached under the cloth and touched her clit, flicking it and teasing her.

"Ohh... mmm..."

She felt herself tingling with excitement at his touch and wanted more. When she was starting to fall deeply into the pleasure that he was giving her, another smack hit her other cheek.

"Oh, my!"

The sensation of her stinging flesh had a direct connection with the deep desire in her groin.

"Do it again," she said in a raspy voice.

"Ahh, does my little masochist like this?"

"Yes, you teasing arse, do it again!"

This time he yanked her bathing suit over her bottom, revealing a lightly reddened rear. He could see her juices flowing out of her and inserted a slender finger into her wetness. His other hand swung back and came down hard on his target, causing her to scream out in a high-pitched shrill.

"Again...please!"

"Your begging isn't good enough," he said as he removed his fingers, making her ache with desire.

"You fucking tormentor! Please, touch me! I want you!"

"More."

"Oh, Severus... I want... I need you. I want you to feel you inside of me!"

While she was begging, he had lowered his pants and revealed his hardened cock. He had been stroking it while she was screaming out her pleas, and as soon as she confessed that she needed him, he smacked her hard again.

She shrieked again, but instead of sliding his fingers in her like she thought, he prodded his tip around her opening and then rammed it inside of her. The sudden change took Hermione off guard.

"MMMM!! YES!!"

"Get on your knees!" he said, after releasing her from the magical binds.

She struggled to get up, but he helped by pulling her hips into his lap and moved in and out of her. She started circling her hips, trying to get the most friction possible when he wrapped his fingers in her hair and pulled her head backward.

They were both moaning and breathing rapidly.

"Yes... mmm, right there!" she cried.

"I love being inside of you!"

He released her hair and brought his hand around to her clit and was rapidly flicking his fingers over the spot.

"Aaaahhh, yes!" she moaned, and then they both exploded into each other.

Hermione collapsed on the bed, and Severus fell to the right of her, both completely spent.

He pulled her close to his body and ran his fingers through her wild hair. He watched her as she slept, scanning her face over and over trying to burn her image into his mind. He still half expected to wake in a cold sweat, screaming out her name, tears streaming down his face and his heart beating madly out of his chest as he realized it was just another dream. He had always had a hard life. An unjust life, he thought, but now--well, now, he felt like the luckiest man on earth. To have gone through a twenty-year nightmare and survive! And then to finally end up with the love of his life!

Impossible. But yet, here she was. In his arms. As his wife. And she loved him--him!

For once in my life, I can finally say that I'm truly happy, he thought to himself as he twirled a thick curl around his pale finger.

Well, that wasn't necessarily true, was it? He suddenly remembered something.

Something dreadful.

There was always something that caused him to be on edge and always in a high state of alert. Yes, his happiness wasn't going to last long, was it? Of course not. He was Severus Snape. And something always ruined Severus Snape's life. Wait--he couldn't think like that. He had promised his wife. He was going to learn to relax--he was going to enjoy his happiness.

He closed his eyes and let himself smile--a true smile--as he held his wife--as he held the one thing that he had always wanted: his Mione Jean.