Chapter 27

My friend Becky wrote a small drabble for the beginning of a tryst between SS/HG. I will seperate it and italicize it.

Severus had fallen asleep in her arms the night before. He'd told her the gist of the memories; she knew that was easier for him than her seeing the things he had participated in firsthand. In her heart, Hermione knew Severus was being wise, so she had not argued. First: because she had promised she would take him at his word. Second: because she did not want her image of Severus tarnished. His part in these incidents had been minor. He was not doing this to show Scorpius his sins.

He had agonized, to her, whether this had been the proper thing to do. Was this really helping, or was it making things worse? He had not been able to tell. Sure the boy had cried, but was there anger toward her and Severus in the boys mind? This could make him more dangerous.

Hermione lay holding Severus and stroking his hair, trying to plan another liaison for her and her husband, something that would take his mind off the next lesson.

He had the next night free. She'd managed to get Filius to take Severus' rounds; she'd tried to explain in confidence what they had been trying to do for the boy. And she stressed that Severus needed a distraction between lessons.

Filius had looked confused.

Hermione had laughed at him when he'd blushed, finally realizing what she was talking about. Hermione blushed herself, thinking about that first night in Severus office and what she might plan this time.

Filius had said a hasty goodbye and fled.

*****

That evening after dinner Hermione had said she had some errands to run and a few people to check with, so she said her goodbyes and left the room.

Severus was doing some security work at his desk when he finally noticed it was getting very late and Hermione hadn't come back. He went in search of her.

Severus flicked his wand back behind them to lock, ward, and set an impenetrable seal on this section of the library. He placed his wand on the nearby table and poured himself some wine. She drew her feet up, and he sat admiring the view. He ran a hand over her feet and up to her knees. "You really are a scamp. I've been looking for you for hours."

"I've been waiting for an hour for you to find me," she whispered. He placed his wine on the table and slipped into her arms, his body covering hers. Their legs entwined.

As he kissed her neck and shoulders, he said, "You are determined to make me blush every time I come in here from now on, aren't you? I already have a hard time concentrating in my office."

Hermione giggled at him, a soft sound like amazing musical notes playing a love song. "I want you to think of me all the time," she said as she buried one hand in his hair and guided him to her breast.

"I always think about you, my love." He bent and took her nipple in his mouth, sucking and teasing her with his tongue until she moaned with pleasure.

He hummed against her nipple, and she groaned louder.

"Oh, Severus, that's an amazing feeling."

He set about teasing both her nipples in turn and hummed a song as he did it. She squirmed beneath him, thrusting her hips against him. He ran his hand down her stomach and caressed her thatch of soft, silky hair then slipped a finger into her warm wet depths. She cried out with pleasure as he teased her, slipping his finger in and out of her and rubbing her nub with gentle, rounded strokes.

"Please, Severus, I want you to fill me." She placed her legs around his hips and urged him up. He slid over her, and his hard, thick, shaft found its mark, and he pushed very slowly into her hot, wet channel.

"Oh, Merlin, Hermione, you are so beautiful." He started to thrust, deliberately slow, just enjoying her heat around him. He could feel her fingernails raking light tracks against his back. He bent to kiss her, thrusting his tongue slowly into her mouth. Their tongues dueled as he increased the strength of his thrusts.

She spread herself wider so he could press into her more deeply. Their breathing was ragged, and she felt her climax building. Her nails scrapped furrows into his back, and she clutched his buttocks, driving him deeper.

Severus felt himself spiraling out of control, and then she was there, within his mind. Legilimency had connected them unconsciously; this happened only when both desires and minds where so close, so tuned to each other. He saw and felt what she felt. He felt her welcome and pleasure.

Hermione felt Severus become part of her, and she surged forward to wrap herself in his mind as well as his body, and they cried out their pleasure. Hermione saw his love and felt wrapped in it like a warm blanket. It was scented like roses, and the blooms erupted around them in his mind.

Severus watched the blooms in his mind with amazement. His body spilled its seed inside of her, and he found himself suddenly wishing a seed would take root and create a baby. He felt Hermione's astonishment at the thought and surged to agree.

They let their minds drift separately, and they just held each other, kissing gently as their hearts beat against each other's chests.

"A baby, Severus. Did I read you right?" she asked in a whisper against his ear.

"Yes," he said, and no one was more astonished than he. He felt tears on his face. The joy of the thought of children overwhelmed him.

Hermione felt his tears; she was so moved that her tears joined his. "We might get married, magically, first," she suggested with a sniffle.

He moved off of her but drew her into his lap and covered them with his outer cloak.

"I have been meaning to talk to you about that. We have been so busy with work and Scorpius. I was thinking a ceremony here, out on the grounds."

Hermione pressed her face against his shoulder; she had one hand wrapped around his back and one at his neck. "That's a wonderful idea," she kissed his chin.

"Do you wish to be Bonded soon, Hermione?" he asked curiously.

"What about Easter break?" she asked. "It's about two months away. That should give us time to make our plans and arrangements. That will also be about the time my contraceptive potion wears off." She grinned up into his face and caressed his cheek with her fingers.

Severus clutched her more tightly. "You might be surprised to know I took care of Draco when he was a baby."

"Really?" She pulled back to look into his face with astonishment.

"There was a bit of peace those few years after Voldemort vanished. Even Death Eaters raised families. Marriages took place, and babies were born. Most of them went about their lives. Draco often climbed into my lap to hear a story."

"Yes, I suppose they did. Many of them except you," she said sadly.

"Yes, well, I had my sins to atone for. I knew he would return as well as Dumbledore did."

"You sacrificed a lot to secure our future. You know Dumbledore knew that. He loved you like a son, I'm sure of it. The bubble stasis charm was his gift to you."

Severus kissed her softly. "I know. I have forgiven him. He gave me you. I could not want for any other future."

Hermione smiled warmly at him. "I'm glad. Will you talk to him?"

"Eventually. I still plan to give him a piece of my mind for taking my choices away. In principle, it was a horrible thing to do. But considering the results, it was a wonderful thing for him to do."

They drank some wine and talked a while. Then they dressed and headed back to their rooms. Finally, they crawled into bed and fell asleep pressed against each other.

Much to their enjoyment, the next morning was Saturday, and they slept late, having breakfast in their own rooms.

They dressed and took a walk to Hogsmeade with some of the students tagging along.

Albus and Scorpius were hanging on the edge of the group. When they neared the apothecary's shop, Severus asked, "Albus, Scorpius, would you like to join Madam Snape and me in selecting ingredients for our storage room? You might learn a thing or two."

Albus said, "Sure that would be great, sir, Aunt Hermione."

Scorpius watched them a bit dubiously. Albus said, "Hey come on, Scorp, when will you get another chance to shop with two Potions masters?"

Scorpius gave them a thin smile and nodded. "Okay, but my name is Scorpius." He was actually relieved to be cajoled and not be just shrugged off. Albus could have said, "Suit yourself."

Severus smiled at Hermione over the boys' heads. "Come on, Saturday school commences." He took hold of Hermione's arm and guided her through the door of the shop.

The shop was crowded with stock. They were assaulted by aromas wafting through the air: rosemary, jasmine, cinnamon, sage, garlic, and many, many other things. There were jars of things one didn't really want to look at too closely...things with twisted faces and claws. Severus, Hermione, and the boys made their way down each aisle and selected dried ingredients. Severus asked them questions like a pop quiz and was pleased that they knew what most of the items were without checking the nametags. What Scorpius didn't know, Albus did and vice versa. Hermione watched, quite pleased, and Scorpius began to get into the whole thing and smiled as he tried to answer questions before Albus did. They were all laughing when they came from the store.

Severus looked around and spotted Draco. He'd sent his godson an owl earlier to let Pansy and him know they would be shopping today.

Scorpius looked up and saw his parents. "Hey, why are they here?" His voice was suddenly suspicious.

Severus said, "I probably should have mentioned it earlier. I asked your parents to lunch. I didn't really plan to take you boys shopping when we left Hogsmeade. But since you're here, why don't you join us?"

Scorpius nodded, still wary, but he went forward and was enveloped by his mom and then his dad.

Scorpius held on a bit longer than necessary, and Pansy gave Hermione a grateful look.

"Come on, let's go to Rosemerta's. The boys can have some butterbeer. I hear she has a new steak recipe that's out of this world."

Draco reached out to shake Severus' hand. "Uncle, it's good to see you. Hermione." He nodded to her.

"Draco, Pansy, you have a fine son there. Misguided for a time but quite brilliant."

Pansy and Draco looked surprised and pleased to hear her compliment their son.

Severus pulled his godson into his arms for a tight hug and then pushed him back to see astonishment on Draco's face. He glanced around to see that the boys had gone ahead.

"He's coming along well. There has been a lot of change this week."

Draco said with emotion, "Thank you, Uncle. I do not know how we would have handled an Obliviation. More than likely, Pansy and I would have volunteered to be Obliviated along with him."

"I understand," Severus said, though he was horrified that two magical people would give up their magic. But he was their son, and they loved him.

Hermione nodded with understanding. "Come on, let's catch up with the boys."

Draco said with a smile in his voice, "What does Harry Potter think of my son and his son becoming friends?"

"Probably the same thing you think. He's wary, but he is more than willing to give the boy a chance," Hermione informed him.

"I guess this is a new world," Draco said. They had reached the tavern, and Draco held the door open for his wife and Hermione. Severus took the door and held it open as Draco entered. The room was dark as always. There was a fire burning in the fireplace. The room was half full of students.

Albus waved from a table in the back. "Over here! This is the only table big enough for all of us."

They all took seats and ordered drinks and food.

Hermione said, "I haven't had a chance to make an announcement in class yet, boys. There is going to be a schoolwide Potions contest. I thought maybe you two might want to form a team. There are a few others who might qualify for the contest as well."

The boys sat up to listen. Albus said, "That sounds like fun. What do you think, Scorpius? Do you think you and I could win this?"

"Maybe we should compete against each other," Scorpius said. He had a very competitive look.

"That would be interesting, Scorpius, but this contest is for teams," Severus told him.

"You just made this contest so that Albus and I would work together," he accused.

Severus nodded. "You're right; we did. I am so impressed with you both, and I feel you can become an amazing duo in the world of Potions. But you need a reason and a purpose to go forward with ideas of your own."

Scorpius seemed taken aback that Severus would admit that he'd made the contest for them to work together. But he also saw the honesty and truth in the man's eyes. He was impressed by their abilities, and he was curious to see what they might do together.

"I am game, if Albus is," he said, looking to Albus for his reaction.

Albus's eyes were lit up. "That would be swell," he said, literally jumping up and down in his seat.

Everyone laughed at him.

Scorpius watched Severus and Hermione with veiled eyes. Today had been fun and interesting. He'd been good because his parents had been there, but he wasn't ready to give up the memory sessions. He had his reasons. He loved his grandfather.

Thank you, Lisa, for your beta work. it keeps me writing. Your willingness to keep working with me, story after story, humbles me.

Becky, thank you for the wonderful drabble you worked on for this chapter.

Angela, thank you for your input.