Act III: The Grand Finale

Disclaimer: All things from the Harry Potter world belong to JKR. Nothing belongs to Cocoachristy, unfortunately.

A/N Many thanks to my wonderful beta, the one and only, Southern_Witch_69!

Chapter 4

Act III: The Grand Finale

Severus was afraid to watch anymore. He had no idea what was going on, but he intended to find out. He desperately wanted to leave, but Hermione seemed very interested in what was going to happen next. "Hermione, are you sure you wish to stay?" he asked uneasily.

"Yes, I really do, Severus. For some reason, I feel it's important we finish this."

Severus sighed. "Very well, but when this is over, I aim to speak to that man."

Before Hermione could answer him, the movie began. They both watched as their faces appeared on the screen. This time they were together.

They were in Severus' laboratory in his home. She was helping him brew his potions as she told him of her day at the orphanages. Things were finally looking up there, and most of the children were being adopted.

Harry and Ginny, she told him, had decided against adopting a Muggle child, as it would be rather awkward, but instead, they had decided to help her find homes for the Muggle children. It seemed that they were harder to find homes for.

After finishing the potions, they decided to have a quiet meal at home. We look so cozy and content sitting there, Hermione thought wistfully. Could life really be that way for us? She looked at her former professor, and he seemed to be intently watching the screen.

Severus was watching the scene with bated breath. I actually look happy and content there. Could it be possible that there could actually be a witch--this witch--that could make me happy?

Suddenly, the scene changed, and they were in Malfoy Manor. As before, Draco was pacing the floor. Severus was standing with Lucius, helping to reassure the boy. This time, however, when Fleur Weasley came out holding the newest heir, Hermione was close behind her. She walked up to Severus and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

Hermione whispered in his ear, "They are going to name that poor boy Serpens."

He chuckled and whispered back, "Better hope he makes Slytherin then." As he looked at her, he bent down to lightly kiss her lips. "I think the time has come to start working on a Snape heir. What say you?"

"I say yes!" she happily exclaimed.

Severus took his eyes off the screen to see how Hermione was reacting to this. Her eyes seemed transfixed on the screen, as if she didn't want to miss one thing. I am starting to wonder what life would really be like with her. Dare I hope she is wondering as well?

Hermione felt herself yearning for that life with this man. I would have never thought that Severus Snape could ever look at me without contempt, but seeing this makes me... want to think I was wrong. The soft expression on his face as he looks at me now leads me to think that perhaps he could someday feel something for me. She chanced a glance at him and caught him staring at her. He quickly looked back at the screen. Was that a blush I saw? Surely not!

Suddenly, their screen selves were back at their home. They had started kissing in the kitchen and worked their way to the bedroom, pulling off robes and clothes as they went. Once they got to their destination, Severus cupped her face with his hands.

"You are very beautiful to me, Hermione Snape."

"You are very biased, my love. I know I am not beautiful, but as long as I am beautiful to you, I am very happy indeed."

"I can make you much, much happier," he purred in that voice he knew she loved.

"Prove it," she challenged, eager for him to love her.

He started slowly, kissing every inch of her face as he backed her to the bed and laid her down gently. When they had first arrived home, he thought they would have a frantic coupling, but as he looked at her now, he only wanted to make love to his wife. Slowly.

As Hermione watched the couple on the screen, she felt an ache. Severus had let go of her hand earlier when he started to leave, and she found herself reaching for it once again. He didn't seem to mind as he linked his fingers with hers.

Hermione watched as her counterpart whimpered on the screen. Severus started trailing kisses down her neck, nibbling just behind her ear in that tender spot that makes her moan. "You like that, do you?" he asked, knowing his voice was as much of a turn on to her as anything else.

"Yes! Severus, please!" she begged.

He chuckled as he nibbled at a lower spot on her neck to her collarbone, kissing all the way across and then lower still to her right breast. He laved her nipple with his tongue before he nibbled the sensitive underside.

Hermione arched up, trying to ease the ache between her thighs. He took pity on her and lifted his knee between her legs. She started grinding herself against his knee, searching for release, as he attacked her left breast in much the way as he had done her right one, determined to take his time.

Moving slowly down her body, Severus started kissing her belly. Because as he went lower, he had to move his knee, so he started to work her nub with his fingers and thumb. He knew it was a slow torture for her, and he reveled in the fact that he could make her as crazy with desire as she did him. She cried out as his mouth suddenly found her mons.

As Severus watched himself on screen, he couldn't help but be a little smug. This certainly makes up for the brothel scene! But damn, I truly want to taste her now. I wonder if this is disgusting to her? He looked at the witch beside him and smiled. She was breathing heavily and looked flush. That's right, my dear. Watch and see what I can do to you! The only problem was, he was becoming aroused as well. As he heard his wanton witch crying his name out on screen, he quickly looked up.

Hermione's head was thrown back in ecstasy as she was pulling his hair and grinding herself in his face. "Ohh, Sev...er...us! Love you, want you, need you...NOW!"

He moved back up her body, placing his hardened cock at her entrance. "Open your eyes, and look at me whilst I take you!" he commanded.

Her eyes snapped open as he slid into her moist, welcoming heat. "Oh, yes, Hermione! God, woman, you feel so good."

She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist, meeting him thrust for thrust. He wanted her to have pleasure once more before he found his release, so he moved his fingers down and stroked her clit in time with his thrusts. Soon, she was calling out to him again. "GODS... YES! Oh, Severus! Love you!"

Feeling her tighten around him as she climaxed again, he let himself go and came long and hard inside of her. "Hermione," he purred and felt satisfaction when she shivered in response.

After they caught their breaths, she cheekily said, "Well, I say that's a fine start on making our Snape heir, eh?"

"Damn straight," he agreed, pulling her close to hold her while they slept. "Night, love."

Hermione watched the scene unfold and was surprised that she was not embarrassed. Right now all she could feel was longing. Longing for the man beside her and the life she was watching. Could he ever feel anything for me? Does it sicken him to think of loving the resident know-it-all that way?

The scene changed again. This time, they were at St. Mungo's. Harry and the whole Weasley clan were pacing the floors. Authur came and patted Severus on the back. "It isn't every day your baby girl gives birth," he said, bursting with pride.

"Too right," Severus agreed, watching Hermione rub her growing belly. Soon, they would be back for her to give birth.

A squealing child caught everyone's attention. "Daddy! Daddy! Is the baby here yet?" Phillip Potter, adopted son of Harry and Ginny, came running down the hall with his uncle Ron and his fiancée, Luna.

Harry laughed and lifted his son high in the air. "Soon."

When the wail of a baby surprised everyone, Harry took off for the room with his son. As he cracked the door open, the Healer said, "Come in, Mr. Potter, and meet your daughter."

He went in for a few moments and then asked everyone to come in and take a look at Lillian Molly Potter.

Severus looked at the baby on the screen and felt his chest tighten. Good Lord, but that baby looks just like Lily with her red hair and green eyes. She would be so proud. Wherever she is, I hope she has found peace.

He looked at Hermione and found her watching him. She smiled beautifully at him, and the tightening in his chest lightened as he smiled back. Why have I not noticed her beauty before?

For the next scene, they were in the chapel at Ron and Luna's wedding. Hermione was very round with child. After the wedding, everyone headed to the reception hall. It was difficult, but Severus held Hermione tightly to him as they swayed to the music. She tired easily, so he was careful not to keep her on her feet too long.

As the scene changed, they were in St. Mungo's once more. This time it was Severus' turn to pace the floor while surrounded by Malfoys and Weasleys. "Calm down, old chap," Lucius said. "Your wee one will be here before you know it. All will be well."

"Too right," Authur reluctantly agreed with Lucius. He still hated that man, but he wanted to put Severus at ease.

After a few hours of pacing and nail biting, the Healer called for Severus to enter the room. He cautiously went in and relaxed as he saw a beaming Hermione. "Well?" he anxiously asked.

"Come and meet your daughter, love," she excitedly told him.

As Severus and Hermione watched themselves, they were both getting choked up. Severus suddenly put his arm around her and squeezed. In return, she laid her head on his shoulder. Without thought, he kissed the top of her head as they continued watching.

"Are you still determined to name her Tabitha?" he teased.

"Yes," she said. "Tabitha Jane Snape. Tabby for short... after Minerva."

"I don't think everyone will understand Tabby is after Minerva, love."

"Those who know her well will," she argued. "Her Animagus form is a tabby cat, and those who are close to us will know. That is all I really care about anyway."

Severus faked thinking on it. He would not deny her this or anything else. "All right...if you insist, that is."

"Yes, I do. Now, invite the lot in so we can show off our daughter."

They sat watching scene after scene: Christmas breakfasts at the Burrow, Christmas dinners at Malfoy Manor, birthday parties, Sunday gatherings, and even the birth of Ron and Luna's daughter, Charlotte Ginevra.

I see another trio in the making, Hermione thought with pride. A trio with happier times ahead than we had!

When the screen faded to black, they noticed they were alone in the theater. They sat quietly a few moments when Severus turned to her. "Hermione, I hardly know what to say."

"Don't say anything... except how that made you feel." She turned to him shyly. "Did it repulse you?"

"No. In fact, it had quite the opposite affect on me, truth be told. What about you?" he asked, wanting to know her feelings.

"It made me feel... a longing that I have never known before. Would you care to come back to my flat and discuss things?"

He sighed with relief. "Yes, I would like that very much."

They got up to leave the theater, hurriedly walking out the door. About halfway down the block, Severus stopped. "Hold on. I want to talk to that ticket man. Despite the last act, I want to know how this happened."

"Yes, I agree. How was so much of our private lives known? Like the name Tabby? I have wanted to use that name for a long time!"

Severus grinned slightly. Tabby indeed!

They turned to go back and speak to the man. When they got back to the theater, it was gone, replaced by an old, abandoned building. "What in the world?" Hermione asked. "Where is the theater?"

Severus walked all around the building, finding nothing. "This is strange. Do you feel okay, Hermione?" He was starting to wonder if some spell had been placed on them.

When she didn't answer, he looked to see what was troubling her. She was holding her ticket, looking surprised. "What is it?" he demanded, becoming worried.

Saying nothing, she handed him her ticket. On it were the words, Somebody had to meddle! Look where you would have ended up otherwise!

"If I didn't know any better..." she started.

"I would say that is the work of Albus Dumbledore," he finished.

"Impossible, right?" She looked in his eyes.

"It would seem, but how else could this have happened?"

"Does it matter, Severus? We're here now, and I would really like to go talk about this. Do you still feel the same?" she asked uncertainly.

"Yes, I do. More than anything. I think you are exactly what I have been missing in my life," he admitted to her.

Taking his hand, she said, "Let's go then." Instead of walking back, they Disapparated, impatient to get on with the rest of their lives. Together.

Christy's Notes: Well, only the epilogue left. I should have that ready before Christmas! (Hey, I like the name Tabby! LOL)

Southern's Notes: Lovely! I adore this. I can't wait to see how they end up. Poor kid. (Tabby! Snicker... Here kitty, kitty.)