Chapter 23

Hermione continued to lie next to Severus and listen to him breathe. He’d fallen back asleep, but she could see by his steady breathing that he was getting stronger, and the color had returned to his face. She let herself slip into an exhausted sleep. Neither of them saw Poppy check on them or heard Harry explain some of what he’d learned the night before.

They also were oblivious to Harry writing them a note and slipping out of their rooms with Poppy. He escorted Poppy back to New Hogwarts. The old witch gave him a hug and appeared to have tears shining in her eyes as he prepared to leave her. She said, “I never in my life thought to see that boy alive again and of all miracles happy and loved. He deserves it.”

He smiled. “They both do. Hermione has been lost since Ron died.”

“You’re correct, Mr. Potter. This is a day of miracles.”

“It certainly is,” he said. “It was good to see you again, Madam. Thank you so much! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m heading home to my pregnant wife.” He gave the woman another hug. “Keep this to yourself if you can for a few days until they decide what they are going to do. I’ll owl you when it’s safe to talk about this to Headmistress McGonagall.”

She nodded as Harry produced his broom and his Invisibility Cloak and flew out the window.

*****

Hermione woke and found that Severus was awake and watching her sleep. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“I was enjoying the view.” He raised a hand to tuck one of her curls around her ear. He then wiggled his fingers at her.

“Severus,” she squealed, “it works!” She grabbed his hand and kissed his palm.

“Indeed it does,” he said, closing his eyes to relax and feel the softness of her lips on his hand.

“Severus?” she asked in a whisper filled with desire. “What else works?”

He laughed and said, “Well, why don’t we get out of bed and see?”

She smiled and scooted out of the bed, and he followed her. His body felt strong and more in control than he’d felt in years. He slipped his feet over the edge of bed and stood up straight. His back no longer pulled to one side from the bend in the leg. He could feel his foot. It was firm and straight on the floor. He grabbed Hermione’s hands and slipped an arm around her waist, and they danced around the room. A picture of an old Muggle movie flashed through her mind. Scrooge danced after he woke the morning after the spirits had visited him. She laughed aloud, and Snape did too.

He kissed her deeply and then suddenly became aware that he wasn’t very clean. He pulled away.

“Severus? What’s wrong?” she asked, suddenly afraid.

He said flatly, “I stink.”

She let the fear flow out of her and let out a sigh of relief. “It was a difficult transformation.”

“Hey, did I see Poppy here?”

“Yes, sorry, we had to have help, and it turns out there was a curse on your Dark Mark that prevented that potion from working—a final thank you from Voldemort.”

“Well, where is she? That woman has been like a mother to me. I owe her my life.”

Both of them looked around and realized they were alone. Hermione then saw the note on the table. She read it out loud.

Hermione,

Poppy assures me that Severus will be fine now, and I know you’ll covet your privacy when he wakes up. I’m going to accompany Poppy home and then go back to the Burrow. I’ve been gone far too long from Ginny. I can’t tell you how much sharing this with you and Severus meant to me. Thank you for your trust. Let me know when and what you want me to tell everyone. Poppy’s going to keep this to herself for a few days, and I will, too.

Love,

Harry

“Well,” she said with a devilish grin, “it seems we are alone.”

“I think a bath is in order. Give me a few minutes, and then come join me,” he instructed.

Hermione nodded, suddenly feeling her heart pounding. He seemed fine, but what if it didn’t work. How would he handle it? Hermione jotted off a note to Harry and sent it off with the owl.

It read: He seems good. Thanks you so much. I’m off to test those reflexes. Hermione.

She laughed at the thought of a blush creeping up Harry’s neck when he read it.

She turned, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.

“Come,” she heard Severus say.

She opened the door and gasped. This was no longer the plain bathroom that she had used for weeks. It had been transformed by magic into a cavernous bathroom with a huge sunken tub. The walls were marbled in blue and white with gold fixtures sticking out of walls and the ceilings. Water rained down on Severus, who was already immersed in warm, steaming water. Bubbles filled the room and bounced off the walls and stained glass windows. She stood there gaping, “How did you know?”

He said, “I have shared your thoughts. It’s very hard to get in there and not catch stray fantasies.” He held out his hand. “Come. Join me, my heart and soul.”

Hermione was a bit shy, but she quickly shed her clothes and took his hand, stepping down into the perfectly warmed water. Together they washed their hair and then each other’s backs and quickly finished their bodies. Then Severus drew her close and kissed her deeply. Gently with his fingers and mouth, he set her body on fire, and she explored his body as she had never explored him before. It was soon apparent that he was “working” just fine. Hermione stroked him, and he groaned with pleasure. Then they were one.

Even as their bodies neared climax, Hermione begged, “Please join me, Severus. I want to be complete with you.” Then they were one body and soul, and they clung together. He was standing, and she was wrapped around him. Their cries of completion echoed through the room. Severus carried her from the tub, and with his wand he dried them instantly. Then he took her to their bed and showed her again and again how much he loved her. They finally fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms, their legs entwined.

******

One more chapter and this will be a completed story. I hope you enjoy the ending. Thanks so much to Lisa, my Beta and the TPP ladies. They do such an amazing job.