Chapter 54

Hermione's mouth dropped open when she realized where they were, and she saw Severus was just as astonished. They were in the high branches of the most magnificent tree either of them had ever seen. "Where are we?" she whispered in a hushed voice.

Severus said with wonder of a boy in his voice, "I asked Darby to arrange for us to spend our Bonding night in a wondrous place. Minerva assured me he knew a place that was safe and pleasant.

They stood on the flat branch of an enormous, ancient tree that stood several hundred feet tall. The branch was at least ten feet wide, and smaller branches had woven themselves into living railings. Behind them were cabin-sized rooms. Woven branches formed doors, windows, the walls and roof. Fairy lights danced and hundreds of fireflies flitted around the branches of the tree, and colors like Muggle Christmas lights blinked here and there as the creatures moved around. On other branches were more rooms with warm lights coming from their windows. Music, soft and unearthly, sang from the leaves themselves. Severus slipped his arms around Hermione's waist and pulled her against his body. "Shall we explore a bit?"

"Yes, please. This is amazing. Where do you think we are?" she asked, not knowing where to look first. Amazing birds and animals moved about the tree, gathering food and playing, scampering here and there. There were squirrels in brilliant blues and greens, birds the color of fire, and animals she didn't even have names for.

"We're in some elf-enchanted land, I think. I have never heard of such a tree." He took her hand, and they walked along the branches and climbed stairs to the other rooms on the vast tree. There was an amazing bedroom, with a canopied bed of woven vines, leaves, and flowers. A room for bathing had water coming from the trunk of the great tree, a pool of smooth carved wood. The toilet and sink were also wood. Everything was living and enchanted into shapes for their use. Severus speculated that once they were gone these things would change back into limbs of the tree until the next visitors came. Another room held furniture for relaxing, and they found a library of amazing books. There was a kitchen with a private dining room that looked out over a meadow they could barely glimpse below. Another had a hammock as its only feature.

As the last of the evening light faded, the twinkling lights all over the tree became even brighter and more beautiful. The music got louder, and a branch swung into view with a flat space for dancing. A tray of snacks and glasses of wine appeared on a railing. Severus, who was starving, helped himself to a few of the little cakes and found they were quiches.

He fed Hermione one, and she fed him a few of the purple grapes that appeared. He drew her close and pulled her onto the dance floor, and they danced slowly to the enchanted music, kissing as they moved. Severus' hand was touching her bare back, and his fingers moved up into her hair. She giggled at a thought and then said, "Severus, please take off the suit. I want to see you in the Bonding gown alone."

"Hermione, really, I'm sure it's not a pretty sight," he told her.

"Please," she begged, her large, brown eyes full of love.

He nodded and produced his wand, and with a wave, the shirt, jacket, and pants vanished, and he stood only in the gold sandals and white robe and sash. She reached up and smoothed his hair.

"You look amazing, Severus...like a Greek god."

"And you are my Queen. Come, my wife, it's time for bed. I cannot wait any longer."

"You just want out of this outfit," she laughed.

"Yes, I do," he teased, "but I also want you out of your gown as well, my dear."

"Well, in that case ..."

Severus bent and picked her up, swinging her into his arms. Hermione's arms went around his neck, and he carried her up the wooden stairs to the bedroom. He set her on her feet and then pulled the strap on her shoulder off, and her dress fell to her feet. He next tugged the long white slip down over her hips, and she stepped out of it. She stood in the white teddy and garter, stockings, and sandals. Next he went to his knees and carefully untied one long, golden strap and freed one leg, then the other, slipping the sandals from her feet. Then he ran his hands over her laced legs and her thighs, kissing her laced stomach and thighs until her legs trembled with desire for him. Slowly, he unhooked the garters and then rolled the stockings down each of her legs. Hermione stood looking down at him with her hand caressing his raven black hair. He stood, and Hermione tugged at his shoulder buttons, pulling his sleeves apart and untying the sash. They joined her gown on the floor. Severus stood in his golden sandals and white boxers, and Hermione bent to untie his sandals, caressing his muscled legs. He pulled her to her feet, and he claimed her mouth, his tongue gently tasting her and sliding over hers. He stood only in white satin boxers and she in her strapless lace teddy. His hands slid down her sides to her hips and then up over her breasts. He could feel the hard nubs of her nipples through the thin fabric. He began pealing it down her body, and his lips trailed along her body, taking one nipple into his mouth and sucking gently then nipping at the tip until she moaned with pleasure. Her hands were busy pushing his boxers down over his hips; then she heard them settle to the floor. It took Severus about two more seconds to free her from the teddy, and they stepped away from the garments toward the bed. The cover was now folded back, and white satin sheets greeted them. They really didn't think how things worked. The tree seemed to know their needs.

Hermione slipped into the bed, pulled Severus with her, and said, "Please, Severus, I want you now. We have our whole life for play."

He looked at her desire and nodded. She opened herself to him, and with a little guidance he thrust into her, burying himself deep. They both gasped with pleasure. Something had changed, and they were much more in tune with each other. They didn't even have to initiate Legillimens; they were already connected mind, body, and soul. This was better than plain Muggle sex. It was Wizarding bonded sex, and it was amazing. Hermione could feel what he felt, each and every nerve that she stimulated with her body against his, he felt and she saw that he felt every touch of her pleasure from his skin as he did. He began to move, and she wrapped her legs around his body. Her fingers gripped his buttocks, pulling him tightly into her with each of his thrusts. Their feelings magnified tenfold, and they could not contain the cries of pleasure that rang through the leaves and branches of the huge tree, and it shuddered with them. Their bodies arched against each other, straining for deeper contact. They threw their heads back as they climaxed. The pleasure was so intense they both lost consciousness for a moment; in the back of their minds, they were floating in darkness together. It was so warm and so nurturing they felt wrapped in the hand of God.

Hermione and Severus were laying entwined when they returned to their senses. Words were not necessary as they still could hear each other's thoughts and feelings. Yet they whispered to each other at the same time, "I love you." They drifted off into a blissful sleep, and the quilted top of leaves and flowers covered them.

******

Hermione woke laying half over Severus' chest. She could feel one of his hands idly curling a strand of her hair over his finger and letting it slide off and then gently repeating the action over and over. Warm sunlight filtered through the open windows of the bedroom. Birds were singing, and a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, making sounds like faint wind chimes.

She raised her face and found that his eyes were still closed. She kissed his lips and felt him respond in a sleepy, soft, lazy way. But the corners of his mouth slipped into a smile as she pulled back, and his eyes opened slowly. "Good morning, Hermione."

"Good morning, Severus." She laid her cheek back against his chest. "This is heaven."

He smiled and caressed her hair. "It is."

"How long do we get to stay?" she asked.

"I asked Minerva for a week," he said.

"Hmmm," she sighed. "That sounds wonderful." She laughed lightly and said, "We have had many days off this year. It's not really a good precedent for my first year."

"She understands, and she's happy for us. She and Poppy will probably be making plans for the baby while we are gone. It's going to be a new experience for Hogwarts. I don't think a married couple has ever taught there in their child's early years."

Hermione ran a finger around his nipple and watched it tighten into a hard bud. She moved to take it into her mouth and then hummed against it as she teased it with her tongue. She felt him take in a swift, deep breath, and he let out a soft moan of pleasure.

"Hermione, why don't we go take care of our morning ablutions and then bathe in that huge tub? We can pick this up in there."

She nodded, slipping away and drawing him with her. In the bathroom they took turns relieving themselves, and Hermione found the tub already brimming with warm water.

"This tree or invisible house-elves think of everything." They slipped into the tub and washed each other with soft cloths and soap. Hermione loved having his legs locked around her as she scrubbed them. She loved the feel of his muscles and the dark hair that covered them. His feet and toes were long and well formed. She ran her hands over his legs as his hands came up behind her and soaped her stomach in slow, lazy circles and then slipped over her breasts. She could feel his hard shaft against her back, and she pressed gently against it and heard him groan. His hand slipped lower, covering her thatch of soft, curly hair, and she pressed against his hand. He slipped a finger in, running it over her soft folds. He pressed his lips against her neck and nipped her. She pushed against his legs, raising herself in the water, and he slipped into her from behind. Their movements were slow and gentle, and it didn't matter that it took them some time to build to a climax. They just closed their eyes and let their needs take over. Severus used his fingers to help her climax. One final thrust, and they fell over the pinnacle. Hermione collapsed back against his chest, and Severus wrapped his arms and legs around her.

Later, as they sat cross-legged on the bed and ate a breakfast of scones and tea, Hermione told Severus about a tree house her dad had built for her.

"There was a large tree in the backyard when I was a child. My dad built this tree house up inside the tree. It had the trunk of the tree right through one end and a trap door through the bottom. It was a big fig tree, and my dad fastened bicycle training wheel stirrups up the side of the tree so I could climb up the tree and into the little house. It had windows that hung down when they were open. The top over the part without the three was camouflaged with leaves painted on canvas. I spent many hours up there reading."

Severus smiled and said, "There's a surprise." He feed her a cube of cheese. "It sounds like fun. I would have given anything to have a refuge like that."

She reached over and squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry your childhood was so terrible. I'm truly glad you found Lily to help you through it."

"She and I did find a space under a weeping willow for a time when we were young. It became our fort. Its branches hung over us like a canopy. It was a place I would run and hide in when my dad was in a fit of temper. But it was also a place of fun. We went one day and found a drunken homeless man had moved in, and he was a mean one. We never went back."

"My tree cracked in half and fell to the ground in a wind storm a few years ago. I sometimes go by the house just to remember my parents. The people that live there must have loved the little house because it was rebuilt in a corner of the back yard, and the stump of the tree is still alive and has small branches. I'm glad it's not gone for good."

"I'm glad your memories are good ones." He leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss.

"It was a lifetime ago. I was always between worlds there. I think as I got older my parents became concerned and a bit afraid of the things I could do. We grew apart. My life with you, now, is the happiest I've ever been."

"You know it's the same for me, Hermione. Sometimes I wonder when the brick is going to fall from the sky and snuff me out. I never felt I deserved to be happy."

"Severus, you earned this happiness. Just accept it, and don't tempt fate to take it away. I'd crawl back into that bubble with you if I could guarantee us happiness."

"No one can do that." He put the tray aside and gathered her into his arms. "But we will certainly take every bit of happiness together we can find." His hand covered the swell of her stomach. "I am still terrified about the baby and also very excited."

"Me, too, Severus. Me, too. I was harboring a terror about letting house-elves take care of the baby, but I no longer feel that way. Our child will be in excellent hands when we are working. Look at the wonder of this magical place. They can certainly care for one tiny baby if they can harness the power of this realm."

"There is only a few months left of this school year. Then I will work with Minerva during the summer. She wants to tell me things she says I wasn't told about the school when I was headmaster for those brief months so many years ago...secrets only a true headmaster is allowed to know." Severus lay back against the pillows.

"...and maybe a headmaster's beloved wife," she teased him.

"Hardly! I think there are vows that go with the job. But then again, we are no longer at war, and I believe many of the castle secrets were secrets that would help us defeat Voldemort."

"Well, I guess you will find out." She sat next to him and asked, "What do you think we should give Scorpius and Albus to do next? We don't want to keep them idle."

"I have thought about it while I've been doing rounds. I think they should take on one of the hard cases at St. Mungo's. They have a unique way of building a potion from nothing. They can hear a description of the symptoms and understand what needs to be done and then work their way back to create that potion."

"They are brilliant. I hope that Lucius will really encourage Scorpius and not divert him from this path."

"I really think he will try to be encouraging. Maybe now that he's back home, he can appreciate more what he has. I truly would like to see Lucius become the wizard he was meant to be before Voldemort poisoned him. He was such a brilliant young man with amazing powers of empathy and gifted insight."

"I'd like to see that man, too. It's going to be hard for our society to accept him after his Death Eater activities."

"They accepted me back." He got off the bed and stood by the railing to look out over the vast tree.

Hermione slipped out of the bed and said, "Yes, they did. But you were a proven a spy for the Order, and he was not."

"I'm not sure if my association with him will help him or harm me," Severus ventured aloud.

"I guess you will find out. I want you to help him. I see now that what he did to me was blind pain. He was grieving for a bondmate. Knowing now the power of this connection, maybe we can understand having that torn away."

"Yes." He gathered her close. "Why don't we ask this tree to take us to the top so we can see where we really are?"

"Oh, gosh, I'm doing okay with having the tree around us like a shelter, but you know I hate tall, open places." She trembled at the thought.

"Oh come on, Hermione, give it a try. I won't let you go." He laughed, not really understanding her terror of open heights. A small, caged platform tethered by vines was swinging into view, and a door opened for them. Hermione gripped Severus' hand tightly but gave him a shaky smile and stepped into the cage with him. It rose very slowly up through the branches that parted to give it space. Hermione forgot her fear as she saw the world spread before them. The meadow they'd glimpsed below was only a small part of it. There were blue and purple mountains and a waterfall that looked at big as Niagara Falls flowing over cliffs. In a jungle some distance away, amazing birds flew lazily above them. "Severus, do you think it's real...not just an illusion?"

His voice was low with emotion at the beauty. "Does it matter? Magically enhanced rooms are just as real. I'm sure if we left the tree and walked to the falls it would feel and be as real to us."

"Of course," she said as she snuggled closer. "I would rather go back to our room and enjoy some more physical exertion there." She laughed.

"As would I, my wife. Back we go then." The little cage began to slip down toward their rooms.

Hermione's tree house mentioned above was a real tree house in my back yard. It stood in that fig tree 45 years before coming crashing down a couple years ago while I was away on vacation. My nephew rebuilt what he could salvage for my nieces and nephews to play it. It was reborn.

Thank you, Lisa, for your amazing beta work. You really are a trooper.

Becky, thanks for reading and finding small things to fix before Lisa gets the chapters. Angela, thank you for pre-reading as well and for your support.