22. What You Wish For.

22. What You Wish For

Hermione awoke with the sun streaming through her bedroom window and Severus somewhere between her thighs, doing amazing things with his tongue. She stretched and spread her legs to allow him access and felt him smile against her pussy.

'Good morning,' he murmured before going back to his delicious task.

'Mmmm,' Hermione sighed and then gasped as he sucked a little on her clit. 'Oh, gods...' She felt a gush of moisture between her legs, and Severus slid up her body, kissing and teasing her breasts before moving to her mouth and slipping his penis inside her slowly.

'Happy Birthday, witch,' he hissed as he started to thrust into her with long, smooth strokes.

'Oooh, yes, thanks,' she gasped as she felt her orgasm building quickly, his balls slapping against her buttocks as she lifted her hips from the bed to match his movements.

'Come for me, my love.' Severus's silky voice caressed her ear and tipped Hermione over the edge as he drove her into the bed with his cock.

Hermione felt Severus's cock go harder inside her, and she hissed as he hit her G-spot.

'I'm coming,' she murmured and bit her lip as the waves of her orgasm crashed over her, and she arched her back, shuddering with pleasure.

'Oh, Hermione!' Severus cried out as he came, his sperm ejaculating out of him in creamy spurts as her muscles milked each drop. He collapsed onto her soft, limp body and kissed her face over and over, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth.

Propping himself up onto his elbows, Severus gazed down at her, and she smiled up at him.

'You know how much I love you, Hermione, don't you?' Severus looked at her with serious eyes.

'Yes, Severus. Of course I do. I love you too.' Hermione lifted her head and kissed his lips softly.

'I've organised something for your birthday,' he murmured. 'I hope you don't mind.'

'Oh, my god, really?' Hermione's eyes widened, and she smiled warmly at him. 'That's so kind of you. What is it?' She felt very touched.

'Dinner tonight at The Criterion. I thought you deserved a treat. You are thirty today, after all!' Severus grinned as Hermione closed her eyes and groaned.

'Don't remind me. But The Criterion, Severus? It's so expensive!' Hermione looked at him aghast.

'Nonsense. When do I ever get a chance to really spoil you?' He smiled at her. 'Do me one thing, though?'

'Of course.' She looked at him expectantly.

'Wear your red dress. I want you to look like you did on the first night.' Severus's eyes glazed over at the memory, and Hermione giggled.

'Severus, you old romantic,' she whispered.

*****

Hermione checked her reflection in the mirror one last time. She looked almost the same as she had on the night they went on their date; the only difference was her underwear. Instead of the red thong, she had changed it for a Slytherin green one as a surprise for Severus. She couldn't wear a bra with the dress due to the low back, and she said a little blessing of thanks for being able to affix her dress magically to her breasts to stop them slipping out of the front of her dress.

Severus tapped lightly on her bedroom door and entered. He stopped as soon as he saw her, and his heart leapt into his mouth.

'Gods, Hermione, you look so beautiful,' he sighed, tears pricking his eyes slightly.

Hermione turned to look at him. He was wearing the same clothes he had been wearing the first night too. In fact, he looked exactly the same. Hermione smiled at him.

'Wow, Severus. You look gorgeous, so handsome,' she murmured and walked over to him, putting her hand in his.

Severus couldn't speak. He was nervous and madly in love, and the combination had rendered him a useless orator. Hermione could see the emotions playing over his face and kissed him lightly.

'I love you too, Severus,' she whispered, smiling gently. 'Let's go, shall we?'

They left the flat arm in arm, and Severus pulled her tightly to him as they Apparated to the dark alley behind the restaurant.

Holding her hand, Severus led her to the front door and insisted she went in before him. As she entered, the maitre de walked over to her.

'Miss Granger? This way, please.' He gestured for them to follow, and Hermione looked at Severus with a small frown. Severus smirked a little, and she knew he was up to something.

As she walked behind the maitre d', Hermione gazed around the restaurant in awe. It was exquisite, beautiful décor with high, vaulted ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers and gilt edged mirrors surrounding the impressive banqueting hall.

Severus followed her, placing a guiding hand on her lower back. He was aware it had been quite some time since Hermione had seen her friends, and he hoped his presence would be reassuring.

The maitre d' walked to a set of ornate double doors, etched glass inserted into the gilded wooden frames. He pushed the door open to reveal a private room containing a table for two. The candles were lit, and the table was separated from the rest of the room by a delicately decorated silk screen, making it intimate and very romantic. The maitre d' pulled out a chair for Hermione, and as she sat down, Severus sat down opposite her, smiling a little.

'This is just wonderful, Severus. Thank you.' Hermione smiled at him, her eyes sparkling amber in the candlelight.

'You deserve it. There is something else, however.' He nodded at the maitre d', who withdrew a wand, much to Hermione's surprise. With a flick, the silk screen disappeared to reveal a long table attached to their smaller one, surrounded by many familiar faces.

Hermione gasped and started to laugh as her friends applauded amidst shouts of 'Surprise!' and 'Happy Birthday!'

'Oh, gods!' Hermione took a deep breath and looked over at Severus incredulously. 'Did you do this?'

Severus nodded. 'Is it okay?' he asked her quietly, his eyes twinkling in amusement at the look on her face.

'It's more than okay,' she whispered softly. 'Thank you so much.'

Hermione smiled at him warmly and stood up from the table. She walked to where he was sitting and without thinking, she snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on his lips. She didn't notice the sudden silence in the room, but Severus did. He froze and pushed her gently away with a small nod in the direction of her guests, most of whom were gaping at them in shock. The only person who wasn't was Minerva, who had her head cocked to one side and a smile on her face as she marvelled at the beauty of their bright blue bonds.

Hermione turned to look at them and giggled a little.

'You would have found out eventually, anyway.' She shrugged and laughed again before walking over to hug Ginny and Harry.

'Good grief, Hermione. Are you shagging him?' Ginny asked her quietly while casting a sideways glance at Severus.

Hermione looked at Ginny in irritation.

'Actually, I've been seeing Severus for a number of months, Ginny. It's a shame we haven't had the chance to catch up recently. I could have told you all about it.' She smiled sweetly and felt a little smug as a deep pink flush of embarrassment spread across Ginny's face.

'You don't mean,' Ginny gasped, 'is he your soul mate? The one you went to meet?' She looked at her in shock.

'As long as you're happy, Hermione,' Harry intercepted smoothly. Hermione caught his eye and could see he was being sincere. She smiled at him gratefully, and the awkward atmosphere was broken when he grinned back at her.

'I've never been happier.' She grinned at him, not noticing a soft smile playing on Severus's lips as he overheard her comment.

'He's a good man, Hermione. You could have done a lot worse.' Harry looked at his friend and couldn't fail to see the joy radiating from her. It made her look even more beautiful.

From his seat, Severus watched Hermione as she walked around the table and stopped to talk with her old school friends. He smiled when she reached Minerva and watched as they hugged each other warmly. He smirked as he saw Hermione blush and then nod and gaze in his direction. They were obviously talking about him. When Hermione stopped to talk to Neville Longbottom, Severus noticed he cast a furtive glance in his direction, and he nodded and gave him a small smile. He was living a different life now, and he was big enough to let bygones be bygones.

Hermione had almost made her way back to her chair, and Severus motioned to the maitre d' to bring out the champagne and trays of canapés he had already ordered. In moments, everyone was eating and drinking and catching up on the gossip, occasionally glancing towards Hermione and Severus as if to convince themselves it wasn't a bad dream.

Hermione sipped her third glass of champagne, the bubbles going to her head a little. The main course had been served, and everyone was preoccupied with their meal and the conversation. Severus took his opportunity and reached inside his jacket pocket, taking out a neatly folded manila envelope.

'Happy birthday,' he whispered as he leaned forward and handed the envelope to Hermione.

'What is it?' she asked him, her brow furrowed.

'Open it. You won't have time to read the small print, but I'm sure you will get the drift.' Severus smiled, but inside, his heart was almost jumping out of his chest.

Hermione opened the envelope and pulled out two documents. There was a short note attached from Severus which said, 'Read this first.' She looked up at him briefly, and he nodded to her to carry on.

Hermione scanned the document and raised her eyes to Severus, her mouth open in a silent gasp.

'What have you done?' she whispered.

Severus grinned at her. 'It was your project, your idea. It's only right that the patent, and the resulting proceeds, will be yours.'

'But, you helped me. Without you, I wouldn't have completed it!' Hermione looked at him in shock.

'I don't think it will be an issue. Read the other document, Hermione.' Severus smiled at her again, and this time his heart was beating so loudly he was surprised she couldn't hear it. He held his breath as he watched her eyes skimming the page.

'No, Severus.' Hermione shook her head. 'The business is yours; I work for you. I won't let you do this.'

Severus raised an eyebrow slightly and leaned forward so that only she could hear him.

'Did you read the last paragraph properly, Hermione?' he murmured.

'Yes, of course.' Hermione bit her lip a little. 'Well, not properly. Hang on.'

Hermione reread the last paragraph of the document slowly and took a sharp intake of breath. The chatter around the table stopped, and all eyes drifted towards her.

'Read it out, Hermione,' Severus whispered.

Hermione's hands shook as she held the parchment, and her lower lip started to tremble slightly.

'It says that the Potions Emporium formerly owned by Mr Severus Snape will now jointly be owned by Mr Severus Snape and Ms Hermione Granger-Snape,' her voice went to a whisper, 'until such time as the agreement is jointly dissolved.'

Hermione's hands were shaking so much that she had to put the parchment down. She raised her eyes shyly and saw Severus looking at her with a pleading, hopeful look in his eyes. He held out his hand and gave her the green velvet box, and Hermione stared at him for a long moment without opening it.

Severus took a breath and swallowed a little.

'You're going to make me say it, aren't you?' he murmured.

'Definitely.' Hermione didn't move her eyes from his.

'Marry me. Please,' he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion.

Hermione smiled softly, and gentle tears started to run down her cheeks. She opened the box and gasped as she lifted the ring. She held it to the light for a moment and then slipped it onto her ring finger.

'Beautiful,' she whispered and turned, smiling at her gathered guests.

'Hermione?' Harry laughed.

'Yes, Harry?' she responded dreamily.

'Answer the poor bloke,' he laughed.

Hermione put her hand over her mouth and turned to look at Severus, who was sitting with his hands running through his hair and a smirk on his face as he waited for her to respond.

'Oh, Severus, I'm so sorry!' she giggled. 'Yes, of course. Yes.'

Severus didn't care who was watching as he stood and pulled her from her chair, dragged her flush with his firm body, and crushed her mouth with his own. It knocked the breath out of them both, and everyone applauded. Some of the women were watching Hermione enviously and wishing they had been kissed like that at least once in their lives.

They pulled apart breathlessly, and Hermione smiled at him. He wouldn't forget that smile as long as he lived.