Nineteen

Disclaimer: Not my characters. No Galleons being made.

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"I can't believe you did this, Harry James Potter!" Ginny yelled, arms crossed over her chest. "Ron trusted you to stop this! I trusted you!"

Harry cocked his head to the side and glared at his angry wife. "You know, Ginny, you might be emotional, being pregnant and all, but there's no reason for you to treat me like rubbish all the time!"

"Like rubbish?" she asked shrilly, clasping her wand tightly.

"Oh, going to hex me then?" He shook his head. "This is not about you. It's not about Ron. Not really. It's about Hermione and what she wants. What she needs." He shrugged. "Snape is what she wants. She feels this is the right way to go for reasons of her own. We don't have to like it, but she damn well deserves our support." He hooked a thumb in the direction of Ron's house. "Your brother started this mess! If anyone's at fault, it's his arse."

She turned away from him, and he saw her wiping at her eyes. He knew she was shedding angry, frustrated tears. He hadn't meant to be so rough with her, but he was bloody tired of her moodiness lately. It was then that he noticed Ron in the doorway.

"So it's done then?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," Harry replied evenly. "She married Snape. Her parents were there. So was I for that matter. As a witness and for support."

"I see," Ron said, nodding in resignation. "I don't... blame you."

"As well you shouldn't," Ginny said, spinning around to face her brother. "Harry's right. You brought this on!"

"Don't think I'll go a day without knowing it," Ron replied. "I'll just go now."

"Wait, Ron," Harry began, "we're here for you, too. I'm sorry it went down this way, but..."

"'S all right, Harry." He snatched up a biscuit from the tin on the table. "Samantha knows everything. She's going to help me through this. I'm not going to sit round pining for Hermione anymore. Doesn't mean I'm not hurt. Just coping."

Harry nodded, couldn't find the words to reply to his dejected friend, and simply watched him leave their home. He looked over at his wife. "Thanks for that."

"You're right. Not just about this. I have been a right foul bitch lately."

He smiled in understanding. "I know you don't approve of Snape, but I swear when I saw them together, it felt right."

"You're just biased because you think he's the last connection to your mum," Ginny said, again wiping her eyes. "Think of it from outside of your own desire, Harry. He was her professor and was a git to her and all of us, especially you, for..."

"This again?" Harry asked in annoyance. "I'm not going to stand here and list out all he has done for us. For me."

"Then tell me something. If not for the ties to your mother, why do you think he's right for Hermione?"

"Because I saw him looking at her... it was the same way I saw him look at my mum in one of his memories I'd seen. He'll keep her safe. He'll give her what she needs, and maybe, just maybe, he can come to care about her like he did for my mum." He took Ginny's hand. "And if that happens, Hermione will have the life she deserves."

Ginny smiled. "I just... We'll see how it goes, but I can't just change my feelings on this overnight." She shrugged. "My family likely won't either. Things will be different for us all for a while. It won't be the same."

"No, it won't be the same." He led her to the next room, thinking that things wouldn't be the same and would probably be even better.

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Hermione brushed out her hair as she sat in front of the vanity in their shared room. She was smiling as she thought of her day. Her parents had invited both Severus and her over for lunch, and then they'd spent much of the afternoon talking about days before they'd left for Australia. Severus had even joined in the conversation and disclosed personal things she'd had no idea about.

She wondered if Severus had ever imagined such a scene playing out. She supposed that he'd never had time for any relationships with all the work he had to do for Dumbledore. At this, she frowned. All those years before Harry had returned to Hogwarts hadn't been very busy for him. It wasn't as though Voldemort were back before them. Was he still so very loyal to Lily Potter? This bothered her, but was she any better?

It was then that she thought of Ron. What was he doing? What was he feeling? Would he have truly been happy being married to her? "Did I make the right decision?" she asked her reflection, hating her sudden indecision. Ron would move on. She knew he would. Once the initial shock wore off, he'd be back with his newly found love interest and moving forward with making all those babies he wanted. There was a pang of jealousy. It wasn't just for someone else giving Ron what he wanted. It was also for the fact that Ron was probably guaranteed fatherhood while she may never be a mother.

Deciding to take a relaxing bath, Hermione went to the adjoining bath and began to fill the large tub with hot water and foamy suds. She pulled her nightgown over her head and tossed it aside. As she reached back to unfasten her bra, she heard the door open and then a small gasp.

"I apologize," Severus said as she turned to face him.

Hermione's cheeks reddened slightly. "No, it's all right. I didn't lock the door." She nodded to the tub. "I just felt like relaxing. Do you need the loo before I get in?" She was quite proud that her voice didn't display the nervousness and embarrassment at being seen so scantily undressed.

"Actually, I only needed to get a few things."

"Oh all right," she said and watched as he entered. He opened a drawer near the sink and rummaged inside. She realized she was still standing there with her hands behind her back at the clasp of her bra. This was her husband. She'd agreed to spend her life with him. They would soon have sex, and he would know more of her body than just what it looked like. Hermione unfastened her bra and let it fall to the floor. She then hooked her thumbs into the sides of her knickers and pushed them down, not daring to look in Severus' direction. Once done, she stepped out with one leg, then the other, and pushed them near her discarded bra and nightgown.

As she leaned against the wall and dipped a toe in to test the water, her eyes moved to where Severus stood and met his staring eyes as they watched her through the mirror. She saw desire there. Her eyes dropped to his hands as they clenched the countertop. His stance seemed rigid and his breathing slow and methodic. Pretending not to notice, she stepped into the tub and sunk beneath the foam.

"Ahh... quite hot." She leaned forward to put on the cold tap.

Severus cleared his throat. "It is indeed." Then he was gone.

Hermione felt empowered. He wanted her. He found her desirable. Had Ron ever looked at her that way? She'd seen want in his eyes often, but it was never like that. The effect she had on Severus was something new. So passionate. He'd tried to remain reserved but had to leave to keep from overstepping any boundaries she might have.

What were her boundaries? Was she ready for sex with Severus Snape? Her stomach tingled as she thought of it. She thought of his careful, graceful hands and imagined them running along her body. Deciding she was ready to be with him completely, she washed her body quickly and washed her hair. Once done, she decided to forgo her underclothes and only put her nightgown back on after spelling her hair dry. She took a deep breath, readied herself, and opened the door to find the bedroom... empty.

"Severus?" she called out quietly. Where had he gone? Disappointment flooded her body as she moved to the bed and lay atop its duvet. She nearly felt like crying, but she wasn't certain why. In fact, she felt quite emotional. Not wanting to examine her feelings, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to fall asleep.

Much later, she awoke to a dark room. She was now covered and spooned against Severus' body. She could feel his chest moving with his deep, even breathing. How long had he been there with her? She relished the feel of being held and decided to snuggle in a little more. She must have awakened him because his breathing changed. Hermione said nothing and pretended to sleep. After a few minutes, she felt him move as his hand moved up to brush the hair from her shoulder. He then pressed his lips against her neck just below her ear. She could hear his ragged breathing, heard a slight groan.

Heat flooded her body. She wanted him. But how to tell him? Should she just say 'Surprise! I'm awake. Let's have sex'? Not a chance.

His hand slid back down her body from her shoulder, to her side, to her arse, to her thigh and back up to pull her tightly against him once again. The hand then slowly migrated to her breast, lightly caressing it. She felt her nipple harden. Bugger this, she thought.

Hermione reached up to place her hand over his. He stilled immediately. To let him know that it was all right. She moved his hand so that he could more firmly grasp her breast while she turned her face towards his. His lips were inches from hers. She could barely make out his face in the darkness, but she felt him shift and knew that he would welcome her kiss.

Inching closer, she lightly brushed her lips against his. That one movement sparked a chain reaction. Severus pulled her onto her back and leaned over her to take her lips more firmly. Her stomach began to tingle and sent jolts through her body when his lips parted and his tongue searched her mouth. One of his hands boldly traveled her body, exploring every curve. His lips trailed kisses down to the nape of her neck, moved up to nip her ear before his tongue traced its curve. It was this moment his hand slid up beneath her nightgown to discover she'd forgone her knickers.

Severus moaned and this undid Hermione. "Touch me, Severus," she said shamelessly.

"As you wish," was his silky reply. One finger traced over her labia lightly before sliding between, finding her aroused already. When she parted her legs to give him more access, he added another digit and leaned his head on her shoulder, breathing raggedly, as if intent on his work.

Hermione shifted to lean toward him slightly and placed a hand on his bare arm. She moved it up, beneath the sleeve of his shirt to touch his strong shoulder, momentarily grasping it with her nails as she muttered, "Anh." For his fingers and slid up to lightly fondle the bundle of nerves at her center.

"I... I want you," she said, not wanting to hurry him but not wanting to put off having him inside her a moment longer. "I need this."

Severus sat up and pulled her up with him. He grasped her nightgown and pulled it up. She raised her hands as he pulled it over and then tossed it across the room. Severus let one hand cup one of her full breasts and lowered his head to taste her skin. He flicked his tongue over her nipple. Once. Twice. Three times. Then suckled it lightly. "Mmmm," he moaned.

As soon as he lifted his head, Hermione reached out to tug on his night shirt, wanting to remove it.

"There are buttons," he murmured and hurried to unfasten then.

As he removed each button, she wasted no time touching his chest and running her hands along his flesh. He was very slim but had muscles. She could feel the strength beneath her fingertips. He shifted again, tugged at his clothing, and was naked. In an instant, she felt his lips against hers as he lowered her back down to the pillow.

He pulled back and whispered, "I wasn't sure if..."

"Yes," was all she said when his words trailed away.

Severus moved between her legs and readied himself. Hermione replied by hooking her legs behind his thighs. In one swift motion, he pushed in. Hermione's breath caught as he filled her. She moved a little to adjust to him. He was definitely no Ron.

"All right?" he asked.

She titled her hips up in answer and reached up to clasp his shoulders. They began to move slowly at first, each learning the rhythm of the other. Severus began pushing harder, moving faster. Hermione joined him and moved her legs up to wrap around his waist tightly, wanting all of him.

With each stroke, she felt herself lose sight of everything that had happened, and for the first time, it felt like all was well in her life, that things would work out for her. She'd have everything she wanted. Severus would give it to her.

She could feel it then. Waves of feeling coming forward to claim her. Unable to stop herself, she moaned and moved frantically, willing it closer. "D-don't stop," she was able to say.

"Feel... so good," Severus murmured, his head now lowered near her ear.

His breaths and the sounds of pleasure he made each time they moved together drove her forward. She was more completely aroused than she'd ever been. "Oh...yes... Severus. I..." Waves exploded over her, and she couldn't keep herself from crying out. Over and over again he pushed in and out, and finally, as her peak descended, she felt him shudder, heard his moan and her name whispered as he collapsed against her. His forehead was damp with sweat. As was hers. Their encounter didn't take long, but it was intense and fulfilling.

He gave her a lingering kiss before rolling onto his back, breathing heavily.

She wanted to curl up against him but felt uncertain. Would her touch be welcome? He'd been holding her before, but had that simply been because he was aroused? Now that he was sated, would he still cling to her so possessively, so affectionately? She needed the affection, but she didn't want to push for too much too soon. Hermione settled for turning on her side to face him and placed a hand on his arm. Sated sleep found her moments later.

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SW69 says: Sorry for the length in time it took to update. It's been crazy. Our couple is finally on track to being a wonderful married pair. Or are they?  We'll see soon.