Thirty-Eight
Chapter 39 of 50
neelixWhen Severus finally got Donovan settled, with a scratchy version of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star which he promised himself never to repeat to anyone, he knelt by the side of the cot and watched his son for a while as he slept. His hands were curled up beneath his chin, and his eyelashes were so long, they looked like spiders’ legs settled softly on his cheeks. He snored a little, which made Severus smirk. Hermione was right. He did sleep like his father. He reached out a finger and stroked his dark hair gently, feeling the soft fluff and marvelling at how perfect his son was.
He felt Hermione place a light hand on his shoulder and turned to smile up at her.
‘He is beautiful,’ he sighed.
‘Yes, he is.’ Hermione smiled down at Donovan, and Severus took her hand in his gently.
‘Thank you,’ he said quietly, not daring himself to look at her. A wave of emotion was threatening to overwhelm him.
‘For what?’ She didn’t pull her hand away, but threaded her fingers slowly through his.
‘For him,’ he whispered, his voice breaking.
Hermione stood closer and wrapped her arm around Severus gently. She kissed him lightly on the cheek. ‘I should be thanking you, too, in that case,’ she whispered.
Severus smiled at her and reached his hand out, cupping her cheek softly. Hermione closed her eyes, enjoying his caress for a brief moment, and then gently pulled away.
‘Food’s ready,’ she said as she left the room.
***
When Severus entered the kitchen, he sensed the change in Hermione’s mood immediately. She was busying herself with plates and cutlery, and an opened bottle of wine and two glasses already sat on the table, which was lit with a couple of tea lights. She put the plates onto the table, then turned back and lifted a very familiar looking paper bag, which she placed ceremonially in front of him. She held his gaze, then took her wand from her jeans pocket and flicked it purposefully, causing the kitchen light to dim and cast a warm glow over them. Taking a step closer, she licked her lips suggestively.
‘Guess what’s for dinner?’ she whispered.
Severus felt his mouth go dry. He had no idea what the witch was playing at. If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought it was a seduction, but that was never Hermione’s way before. They hadn’t even talked about a future between them, although the gentle, affectionate handholding and soft caresses had been more than welcome, certainly. But there were things to discuss. He couldn’t bear the thought of her upping and leaving again, for one thing. They needed to put their cards on the table, before Severus did something he might regret. He coughed lightly and took a slight step backwards.
‘Surprise me,’ he said.
Hermione burst out laughing. ‘Oh, your face,’ she giggled. ‘Relax, Severus. I was only teasing. It’s Crispy Chilli Chicken.’ She grinned at him.
‘You should remember who you’re teasing, witch,’ he grumbled, but smirked back at her.
They served the food and ate, and without prompting, Severus poured wine into the glasses and handed one to Hermione.
‘Just like old times,’ Hermione said softly.
‘Indeed,’ he replied, raising his glass to her.
‘I’m so glad you’re here, Severus,’ Hermione said suddenly.
‘As am I,’ he said.
‘Severus, do you think… well, I think you know how I feel about you,’ she said, a nervous tremor in her voice. ‘I was wondering, if you thought that… well. Oh, shit, Severus. You know what I’m trying to say!’ Hermione sputtered in frustration, her cheeks aflame.
Severus held Hermione’s gaze, a smile playing around his lips. He knew what she was trying to say, but she looked very beautiful when she was flustered and it was well worth making her struggle to get her thoughts out, just to see her eyes flashing and the pink blush across her soft flesh.
‘What exactly are you asking, Hermione?’ he said smoothly.
‘Forget it,’ Hermione said angrily. ‘You know precisely what I was getting at, Severus Snape. Fine. Have it your way. I thought we could just cut through all of the crap and get to the important stuff, you know. I still love you and you bloody well know it, and if I’m not mistaken, you love me. Why bother wasting any more time?’
Severus stared at her open-mouthed, not knowing quite what to say. She was right of course, but he had hoped to court her a little first. But then he thought of their son, sleeping soundly upstairs, and he realised that a courtship would be closing the stable door after the horse had bolted.
Hermione raised her eyes to his, the fight gone. All that was left was pure emotion, and her eyes filled with tears that threatened to fall any moment.
‘Don’t you dare,’ he said quickly. Getting to his feet, he walked to where she sat and knelt besides her, taking her hands in his.
‘Hermione,’ he said softly, gazing into her watery but oh, so lovely, eyes. ‘I think you’re absolutely right.’
Hermione stared at him for a brief moment, then slid her arms around his neck and buried her face into his hair, sniffing slightly. ‘Oh, Severus,’ she mumbled as he wrapped his arms about her waist. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’
Severus closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her shampoo, and nuzzled his face into her neck.
Hermione felt him smile against her skin, and sat back slightly. ‘You are a wicked wizard,’ she whispered.
‘Am I?’ he said huskily, looking pointedly at her lips.
‘My wicked wizard, though,’ she murmured as she tipped her head slightly and moved closer to his face.
She closed her eyes, and their lips met slowly, tentatively, until she moaned softly and opened her full lips to allow his tongue access. She tasted even sweeter than he remembered, warm and moist and delicious. He could survive on her kisses alone for the rest of his life. Her hands found his hair and pulled him deeper into the kiss, and he splayed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her flush with his chest, the feel of her breast against him making him sigh with remembered bliss. Slowly, painfully, they pulled apart, smiling shyly at each other, and then grinning like lovesick fools. Severus pushed Hermione’s hair from her face, caressing her curls as he did so. He bent to kiss her again, when a loud wail from upstairs stopped him, and he smirked, raising an eyebrow at her ruefully.
‘Not quite like old times,’ he said hoarsely.
Hermione giggled. ‘Not quite,’ she said.
He helped her to her feet, kissing her briefly before letting her attend to Donovan. At the kitchen door, she paused to look at him as he started to clear the plates.
‘Severus?’ she asked quietly.
‘Yes?’ He smiled gently as he eyed her ruffled hair and now pink cheeks.
‘Stay tonight,’ she said, her eyes hopeful.
He nodded, unable to speak for the lump in his throat. Hermione beamed at him and then went up the stairs.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Hilltop Cottage
734 Reviews | 7.3/10 Average
This was such a great read, thanks for sharing! I was especially happy to see that Minerva recovered well enough to be able to attend Severus' and Hermione's wedding. It just wouldn't have been the same without her. And Donovan, you just know that boy is going to be such a heartbreaker. Well done!
God what a beautiful beginning. I got chills when I read the first few sentences of this chapter. It reminded me of a 19th century British novel.... something from Hardy. I love your writing. There are naughty bits that are fun to read, but you have a charming prose that just strikes me sometimes. So, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing. THANK YOU!
Response from neelix (Author of Hilltop Cottage)
To be compared to Hardy made me smile :) You're very kind,but more than that I'm so happy you like the,story :)
For such inteligent people, in the love department they really had lower grades...so quick to think badly of one another, especialy Severus, but Hermione had her moments, too.
I was so glad when they finally learned and began to trust each other!!!
It was an interesting journey. Thank you.
Great story :) Excellent job with the buildup, realistic angst scenes, and a happy ending. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
WTF!! Why is she letting Alicia plant stupid doubts in her mind? Alicia doesn't even know Severus! And Severus was obviously not too happy with Alicia. For Merlin's sake! What the hell is the matter with Hermione?? When did she become so gullible and wishy washy? This isn't the Hermione who stood up to Malfoy and punched him in the face! She needs to take a pill or something.
And there are a hell of a lot of worse things in the world than a man who stands by you as the mother of his child!!! Get over the Cinderella complex Herms. 
OK! What the Fuck is wrong with Severus now? These aren't weak minded individuals. Snape is a freaking spy who fooled Voldemort for like 20 year, for gods sake! He should be able to see a BSer from a mile away! These two are really getting on my freaking left nerve. Doesn't Mister Ligilimens remember being inside Hermone's head? I don't know how much more of their BS I can stand. Get over yourselves Hermione and Severus! You two are freaking making me want to poke my damned eyes out!!!
Oooooh, I never would have thought! Severus will put her in her place. There's a reason Hermione is his first and only relationship. I'm sure Alicia isn't the first woman to come on to the Potion's Master. 
Too bad for Hermione, though. Betrayed by a friend. Hopefully if Alicia realizes tonight that they are engaged to be married she will back off, for Hermione's sake. I can't imagine she would think she had a chance with Severus if he want's to brush her off. He's a master at putting people in their place.
I'm looking forward to that if it becomes necessary.
I just hope this doesn't interfere with Minerva's cure.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, neelix! 
It was about time these two became a family. I'm so glad Hermione realizes she should not have left him. I will forgive her for breaking Severus' heart because of her youth and immaturity.
Now that she's a grown woman, she hopefully has her priorities straight. She can still be Dr. Granger, but she should keep it in prospective. Now, what about dear Minerva?
Severus wouldn't be the first man to change his ways once a father. If I was Severus though, like you said in the story, he needs to be sure she is committed to making this work and not leaving again when she feels hurt. Obviously she has no idea how she nearly killed him the first time she left him. By the same token, Hermione wouldn't be the first woman to grow up and make a committment to see the rough spots through rather than leave when things got rocky after having a child together. Everything changes when a couple says, you are stuck with me for the rest of our lives. How do you want to do the next 60 years? The hard way or the easy way? Make your choice.
Hopefully, she has seen that if you leave, you just change the problems you have for new ones. Unless there is physical abuse, infedelity or addiction, I think most things can be worked out. The 4 things just mentioned would be deal breakers for me. I hope they are happy together now. That's what stories are for. The happily ever after.
Please!!! It's not my place to say???? For God's sake! Let drag out the pain as long as possible shall we? Intereasting the penny dropped and Severus knew why he hadn't got her letter. Luna had told her but I guess she wasn't listening. I give up! Snapes blaming himself for being a jerk but she isn't blaming herself for anything at all. She didn't do anything wrong.
"What- an- idiot!" Hermione. How long did it take you to realize he didn't know.
I'm going back to Hermione's visit to St. Mungo's. Is she that thick? Did she hear Luna say he didn't get her letter, or at least take the hint that he may not have gotten her letter, the same as Minerva, and that she was wrong? Now she has a chance to do something about it and it doesn't seemed to have crossed her mind.
Poor Severus. I don't remember reading any stories where I liked Severus and thought Hermione was the idiot. Good original plot, just uncomfortable.
She didn't want to give up the parties and her work for Severus, but she has because she had his baby. Now, she's just lonely while giving them up. And it was all unecessry. He jumping to the conclusion that she left him for someone else, and she to he conclusion that he couldn't change.
You never even gave him a second chance to know he was wrong. Was it worth it Hermione, in the scope of things?
Did you think you were going to find someone else who understood you better and loved you more?
You could have been pregnant while with Severus and had a baby together.
There needs to be a smiley for="Self Absorbed!"
I'll think about it????
I had written a novel sized review after the last chapter but I hit one wrong button and lost it. Damn!!! I think I spent an hour and a half going back and researching the story so that I could review all the chapters I'd missed at the same time.
She needed to put chapter 14 in a pensive.
As for this
"Hermione was thrown. Not only had Severus left Spinner’s End to help find a cure for Minerva, he was also back at Hogwarts. After all that time spent in New Mills, avoiding the wizarding world and holing himself up like a hermit, he was back in the public eye in a way she would never have anticipated. She wondered what it all meant." 
I'll tell you what it all means, little sister. It means you jumped the gun when you went off in a huff! You never worried about any one elses pain but your own, including the man you claimed to love.
I am sorry to be so bitter toward her for your sake. I don't blame the story or think the story is lame. I'm just pissed off at Hermione, still have a migrain and should be in bed, because I have to go to work tomorrow, but I can't stop reading your story.
Please forgive me for not spell checking.
Goodbye Severus???? Hermione stared up into his face. It shocked her to realise that she didn’t truly know the man before her. He was more complex and insecure than she had ever imagined, and he wouldn’t change, not ever.
She's his first relationship in his entire life and he is her first love. How does she know he won't change, ever.( 
Know-it- All) I will say, OK he is being a really big prick, a huge bastard and a fuck up. He has really hurt you with this.
However, he already has changed by having his first relationship this late in his life.
She knows she is the first person he has ever trusted like, this doesn't she?
I know she's hurt and doesn't think he really loves her right now, but I dont feel like she was ever really committed to a long term relationship with him. He was handy and helped her get over the war. I guess she was on a war just rebound.
She sure made up her mind rather abruptly!
Only a few momments ago she was declairing her deep love for him. Maybe what she should really say is, "he's just too complex and insecure for her to waste any more of her time on."
Is she sweet little Hermione who just accepts him as he is, loving him so unconditionally. Or, is she just not willing to take the time to work on a relationsip with Severus Snape. She doesn't seemed to have warned him that this, not going places with her, was becoming a deal breaker for her.
Has she ever brought up the fact that it bothers her that he never says he love her?
This is his first relationship in his entire life for a reason. Of course, she is young and after all he isn't her husband, he's just a "boyfriend".
I don't know what she means though, when she says she's shocked and doesn't know this man.
He's been a mean tempered git since the first time she met him when she was 11, and she just now realized he has a tendancy to jump to the worst possible conclusions when he's worreid or up set, and that he has serious anger management problems?
If she truly loves him as much as she says, I think she should have told him what the deal breakers were and given him a chance to prove himself.
He's already pissed off right now, as it is. So she can tell him what needs to happen if he wants to keep her then leave him to stew and think about how much he is willing to do to keep her.
I've been with the same man three times the number of years I was single or 3 times longer than I was alive when we first got together. You don't get to have a lifetime mate unless you give people a chance to work on their issues before you bail for good. I don't think Hermione had ever intended to spend her entire life with Severus.
After 5 years, I think she would have pressed him a little harder to work things out sooner.
Snape is being a real shit. Yes he just falsly accussed her. However, ‘I understand, witch,’ he whispered. ‘I wouldn’t want to stay with me either.’ Is this the hint of the century or what? He can't imagine why she had wanted to be with him in the first place. From chapt. 11-'I missed you, you know. After you “died.”’ Hermione made quotation marks with her free hand and looked into his face. ‘I had no idea you meant so much to me, until I thought you were gone forever.’
She was looking at him with expectation. Severus shrugged.
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Hermione,’ he sighed. ‘Whatever you see in me is misguided. I have nothing to offer.’
This is so sad.
I'm sorry for not keeping up on my reviews for each chapter, but I've had a migraine all weekend. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about all that I've read so far. I hope they work this out.
about time! I should have been in bed two hours ago but I couldn't leave it on such a sad note.
This isn't a good sign guys.
Poor Severus. She didn't give him much of a choice without him rejecting her outright. But he doesn't have a chance in hell of coming away unscathed. Will it be worth it? I hope Hermione doesn't let me down. She on a war rebound which is worse than a Ronnald Weasely rebound. She says she needs him. Does she know what she's asking from him? I really don't think so. If he's in for a penny, he's in for a pound. Severus Snape does nothing in the middle. I hope Hermione see's that.
I'm very happy she has given Severus a garden. I hope she isn't leading him on. She seems very young here. I know that in a story this long there are usually some bumps in the road to love, but I never look forward to them. The story is sweet and filling me with anticipation of them becoming a couple.
I know Snape will keep her secret. And I think Snape is going to get a friend. Will it turn into a romance or will it bite him in the butt just like he probably expects it to?
I hope Hermione is trying to figure out how to get Snape back as much as he's trying to get her back.
I assume Severus will keep Hermione's secret. It's not Snepelike to gossip. But he'll think about what Minerva has said and will feel duty bound to check on "the girl". I wonder who will contact who first. I am also assuming that Hermione isn't using her wand so that she can't be traced back to this place by the Ministry knowing her wand has been used. When she uses it in Diagon Alley doing little insignificant spells, is just no one paying attention because of where the magic is being cast and mainly only notice it when it's in a Muggle area? Could the Ministry have found Hermione, Harry and Ron the last year of the war by following thier wands? 