Chapter 26: Conflict Resolution

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author.

A huge hug goes out to the lovely VIVAvivacious for the beta of this chapter.

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The glass of the window fogged up from the exhalation of her warm breath against it. She traced a slender finger through it, drawing two letters: SS.

Hermione knew she was being maudlin. She hadn't spoken to Snape in two days, aside from when they were accidentally forced into one another's presence in the kitchen and he would excuse himself. A cloud of awkwardness had settled over the cottage. She was regretful of the things she had said to Snape. He had been so unfailingly kind and understanding towards her ever since the battle in the forest, and she had repaid him by insulting him and invading his privacy.

She felt herself growing darker all the time. It was unsettling to her, having her entire being cast into the shadows. She sighed, her breath heavy with the weight of her thoughts. She was drifting in limbo now, unsure of what was going to come but almost certain it would be soon, and it would be dangerous. Pressing her forehead to the cool glass, she closed her eyes for a moment. Pushing away, she walked across her bedroom and was about to slump onto her bed when her stomach growled, demanding both attention and food.

It was then she realised she had managed to skip both breakfast and lunch already that day, and judging by the darkness beyond the windows, it was already well and truly night. She checked her watch and saw it was already half past six in the evening. It was a wonder she hadn't felt her stomach growl earlier. Changing course, she walked out of the room and down the stairs in the direction of the kitchen. What she found when she arrived was a surprise to her.

'Severus?' she asked, too stunned to say anything else.

The table was set for both of them, and there was a single white rose resting beside one of the plates. Snape was standing at the stove, cooking. Her stomach growled again at the smell of whatever it was he was preparing. He looked over his shoulder at her, his black eyes once more filled with the warmth she had not seen in them for two days. Her breath hitched in her throat, and she felt her feet carrying her towards him.

'I hope you like creamy spinach soup,' he murmured when she was finally in front of him.

'Did you grow the vegetables yourself?' she asked with a small smile.

He nodded. 'Yes, in the vegetable garden,' he answered, turning around to face her fully. 'It was about time it produced something of use.'

Hermione felt a small laugh bubble out of her at that. 'Severus, I – I didn't expect this,' she admitted quietly. 'I was rude to you. I'm sorry.'

He sighed heavily and put down the wooden spoon he had been using to stir the pot with and opened his arms to her, drawing her into the warm cocoon of his embrace. She pressed her cheek against his chest and exhaled in contentment. She'd had no idea how much she missed his touch until it was ripped away from her. He stroked her back and ran his fingers gently through her curls.

'I feel I must also apologise to you,' he mumbled, resting his chin on top of her head. 'It has always been a sensitive topic. I'm afraid sometimes I am just unable to control my emotions, especially where you are concerned.'

Hermione felt her heart throb hard in her chest at his words. 'Let's not fight over something like this again,' she said, lifting her head up to look at him and offer a small, apologetic smile.'

'I agree,' he said with a small half-smile of his own. 'Let us only fight over important things.'

Hermione poked him in the side and moved out of his embrace. He threw her a look that said 'yes, very adult' and turned back to stir the soup again. Five minutes later, he turned off the stove and opened the oven to pull out the toasted garlic bread. Hermione took it to the table on a plate, and Snape served up the soup in their bowls. Before Hermione could sit down, however, he hooked an arm around her and drew her to him once more, dipping his head down to claim a kiss from her.

Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss enthusiastically, their tongues mating gently before they finally withdrew for breath. Snape pressed a kiss to her forehead and then ushered her into her chair before taking a seat himself. They ate the soup in silence, and when time came to clean up, they simply sent all the dishes to the sink where an enchanted cloth washed everything. He led her out of the kitchen and into the sitting room, seating himself on the lounge before pulling her down to sit alongside him.

'I never would have imagined things would be like this,' he told her, wrapping his arm around her. 'I never imagined anyone would be here with me towards the end of it all, least of all you. I always assumed I'd be alone.'

Hermione could practically feel her heart break at his confession. Why was it that such a man felt doomed to loneliness? 'I never thought about how it would be,' she said in reply. 'I never understood how you could be as you were all those years ago in school. You are much more than a teacher, spy, and potions master, Severus Snape.'

He cupped one of her cheeks in his hand and tilted her face to kiss her. She accepted the kiss and returned it with rising passion. Here was a man who could melt any woman with the sound of his voice used correctly, and he was kissing her without restraint and holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. If she had any doubts about what it was she felt for Snape, she needn't wonder any further.

She was falling in love with the tall, dark, scowling man wrapped around her.

Her magic crackled around the two of them as she let go and enjoyed the sensation of being touched – of being cared for. Snape pulled back just long enough to inhale another breath before he kissed a path across her jaw, nipping tenderly and continuing to trail hot kisses down her neck. He pushed aside the neck of her sweater and gently sucked the hollow between her neck and shoulder, drawing a squeak out of her.

He pulled back, his thin lips shiny and a little flushed – a combination of the warmth of the room, desire, and his passionate exertions. Hermione reached out a hand to gently trace the furrow between his brows, smoothing it. She traced her fingers down the side of his face, down his neck, along his shoulder and arm, until she finally reached his hand. Grasping his hand with hers, she brought it up to kiss his knuckles gently before pressing his hand against her breast.

'Touch me,' she said breathlessly.

His eyes widened, but he did as he was told, leaving his hand on her breast above her sweater and giving a gentle squeeze. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she made a small mew of pleasure. She gasped when she felt his thumb press over the spot where her nipple rested beneath the layers of clothing between them. Her eyes snapped open when she heard his soft growl as he pushed her sweater up, exposing her bra-clad breasts to his hungry eyes. She was a tad embarrassed she wasn't wearing something nicer – she hadn't come downstairs intending to end up on the couch with Snape.

Without warning, he plucked the clip between her breasts and quickly pushed aside the fabric, exposing her breasts entirely to his gaze.

'You're lovely,' he murmured, before ducking his head and immediately lapping on a nipple, tearing a shocked gasp from her throat.

She felt her need pooling between her legs, the dampening of her knickers causing her to squirm as he suckled and lapped, pinched and rubbed both of her breasts. When he was satisfied both her breasts had been given sufficient attention, he helped her to remove her sweater and bra completely, tossing them somewhere behind him. He allowed one of his hands to latch back on to her left breast, passing the pad of his thumb over the nipple, causing it to tighten further.

His free hand passed down her stomach, stopping to detour around her navel and continuing to trace along the top of her jeans. He looked to her for permission, and at her succinct nod, he popped the button and drew the zipper down with excruciating slowness. She lifted her bum to assist him with the removal of her pants, wriggling in anticipation. Once they were discarded, she realised exactly how it looked. There she was, with the man she desired on his knees between her legs, sprawled out on her back on the lounge in his house. He moved to lean down and kiss her, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest.

'Let's get you out of those first,' she whispered, indicating his clothing.

Snape smirked and wordlessly reached up to unbutton his shirt as Hermione sat up just enough to unbuckle his belt and set to work on removing his trousers. He groaned when she inadvertently brushed the back of her hand against his hard length still trapped beneath his trousers and pants. With a wicked smile, she deliberately caressed him, drawing a deep groan from him. He reached down and stopped the movement of her hands on him and stood up from the lounge, shrugging off his shirt and pushing both his trousers and pants down in one movement.

He stood back up, totally nude before her and radiating sexuality from each and every pore. She sucked in a breath as her eyes travelled over his pale flesh. He was no Adonis, but he was lean and his muscles compact. Everything was as it should be, and as her eyes travelled down from his chest to the dark line of hair that made its way ever-downwards, she smiled in satisfaction when she saw his hardened length jutting out proudly. She beckoned him forwards with a finger, reaching out her hands to grasp his hips.

She liked the way that it looked: long, of reasonable girth, but not too large or thick that she felt she might split in two. The head wept the clear pre-come, and she noted he had indeed been circumcised. Curious, she let her tongue dart out and licked the tip, noting it was slightly salty, but not so much she wouldn't enjoy taking him into her mouth. She heard him gasp from above and looked up coquettishly before opening her mouth and sucking in the tip.

'Oh Merlin, Hermione, yes,' he muttered, his hand going into her hair.

She smiled around him, taking more of him in and slightly hollowing her cheeks as she began to suck, applying one of her hands to the base where she couldn't reach. She continued, only pulling back when Snape gently eased her off him. Detangling his fingers from her hair, he kneeled down before her and grasped the top of her knickers, whisking them down her legs before spreading her to his view.

Hermione gasped as he eyed her hungrily. 'S-Severus,' she stammered out breathlessly as he leaned in and lapped her slit, stopping at the top to suckle her clit.

She moaned loudly, her fingers immediately threading in his hair as he licked and sucked, dipping his talented tongue within her before he would lick back up to the top and tease her peak. It wasn't long before her insides began to clench and ripple as she went over the edge, writhing against his face as she came. As she descended down from her high, she watched as Snape wiped his mouth on the back of his hand before standing back up and holding out a hand to her.

She took his hand and was immediately hoisted to her feet, wobbling slightly from legs still trembling from her pleasure. He wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her before pinning her with a demanding kiss and Apparating them upstairs to his bedroom. She barely got a look around the room before he lifted and deposited her in the centre of his bed, climbing on to hover over her and situating himself between her thighs.

'Let me take you, Hermione,' he whispered into her ear hotly.

'Please,' she whimpered, lifting her hips up a little to press against his, encouraging him to fill her with his hard length.

He grasped his erection and lined it up, pressing into her gently, and on meeting no resistance, slid the rest of the way home with one thrust. Hermione sucked in a breath sharply as Snape groaned. He held still for a moment before slowly pulling out and then slamming back within her. His thrusts were deep and slow, each movement making the bed shift ever so slightly, and as he looked into her eyes, she could see the desire and emotions flickering through them.

'Hermione,' he whispered tenderly, dropping onto one elbow so he could reach her mouth for a kiss.

She responded with passion, seeking out his tongue with hers as the pace of his thrusts quickened. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she adjusted their position a little so his every push would send a jolt straight to her core. With her hands gently clawing at his back and their mouths mating frantically, Hermione felt herself go over the edge once more, her inner muscles contracting around his length. She heard Snape's loud moan, and with a few more sharp thrusts, he emptied his hot seed within her.

Sated and slightly sweaty, Hermione encouraged him to roll onto his back. With a wave of her hand, they were clean, and the sheets and blanket on his bed moved to cover them. She looked up at Snape's face and was surprised by the genuine smile that shone through his eyes. Wrapping an arm around her, he drew her closer, and she snuggled against him, pressing a kiss to his chest.

As the pair drifted off to sleep, Hermione murmured her confession of love against his skin, not yet ready to say the words to his face.

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A/N – And there is your smut. I do hope it was to your satisfaction.