Chapter Thirty-eight: Graduation

Disclaimer: The characters and settings in this story belong to JKR. I promise to polish them up, wash their minds out, and put them back unharmed when I'm finished playing with them.

Chapter Thirty-eight: Graduation

"Isn't it nice to see them looking so happy?" Luna rested her chin in her hands and sighed her approval.

"Happy?" Blaise studied the Potions master, at that moment scowling at the antics of some third-year Gryffindors. Hermione, meanwhile, was busy berating Ron and Harry for not completing their Transfiguration homework to her satisfaction. "I'm not sure what you mean, Luna. Snape may have been a little less harsh in the classroom lately, but neither of them appears any different really."

"You men are all the same. So unobservant. Haven't you noticed the way they're always aware where the other is, even though they decided to continue eating most of their meals at their usual tables? The way they brush against each other when they walk. Have you ever seen anyone brush against Professor Snape and escape without losing points?"

"Well, she is his wife..."

"And they've scared enough Hufflepuffs down by the kitchens, appearing from that back corridor all flushed and dishevelled. I think that must be their favourite spot."

"Luna!" Blaise shook his head and covered his ears. "I really don't want to know!"

She patted his arm. "It's all right, Blaise. I know you still have a bit of a thing for Hermione."

"No! Merlin, don't think that, Luna. You're right, I did have a thing for Hermione last year, but I always knew her interests lay elsewhere. I'm over it, truly. She will always be one of my best friends, but there's someone else now who has caught my eye." He reached over and squeezed her hand.

She gifted him with the smile he knew was his alone, and suddenly he knew. Luna hadn't just caught his eye; she was the woman he wanted. She was kind and serene and intelligent and her uncanny ability to see the real person under the veneer, to see his wants and needs and still accept him, was remarkable. Meeting her beautiful grey eyes with his own, Blaise lifted her hand to his lips. "Luna Lovegood, it's official. I only have eyes for you. Will you do me the honour of spending some of the holidays with me?"

The rest of the Great Hall faded into inconsequence as she returned his solemn gaze. "Blaise Zabini, I would be delighted."

He nodded. "Excellent. There's just one thing. About my mother..."

***

Snape had the Astronomy Tower to himself, having sent the subdued Ravenclaw couple on their way twenty points lighter and with a stern lecture on concentrating on their exams rather than each other. Leaning against the cool stone of the parapet, he stared out into the clear spring night, feeling every weary bone in his body.

Shite, I can talk. I should be taking my own advice. Even after six weeks of living with her I can't be in the same room without wanting her naked and writhing under me. I've never had so many inconvenient erections in my life, dammit! I should be grateful. Fantastic sex two or three times every night, not to mention the occasional quick shag in that quiet corridor no-one knows about, and Merlin knows how many times she's waylaid me in odd corners for a few minutes snogging. We should be well past that stage of our relationship by now. Surely?

Fuck! Has someone...?

Whipping out his wand, Snape cast several spells designed to reveal any lust-inducing curses or hexes on his person.

Clean. It's not me. I'd better check Hermione when I get back. We need to do something soon, or neither of us will be in a fit state for exams. I've seen her yawning in class, and it's all my fault.

Trudging slowly back to the dungeons, he yawned himself. Even reducing his rounds to those for which he was rostered had not helped. Five hours of sleep a night coupled with a constant state of sexual arousal was simply too much for a man of his age.

Finding his wife fast asleep at her desk with her nose precariously close to the inkpot confirmed his suspicions. She was exhausted as well. Ignoring the all-too-predictable tightness in his trousers at the sight of her mane of hair spread over her parchments and rosy lips parted in sleep, he quickly performed the same spells while she slept. Nothing.

They had to talk.

Snape laid Hermione gently on the bed, clad in her least sexy pyjamas, then removed his own garments and lay gingerly beside her, acutely aware his arousal had not subsided.

Albus Dumbledore in his underwear... Sybill Trelawney singing love songs... Dolores Umbridge naked. Ahh, that'll do it... Eventually, he slept.

***

The woman curled in his arms murmured softly and pressed her warm bum into his morning erection. "Mmm, Severus. Did you put me to bed last night, love?"

"You had fallen asleep at your desk... again. Hermione, we need to talk."

"Now?" She squirmed against him and pulled his hands to her breasts. "Are you sure?"

In the face of inevitability, Snape conceded. "Later. Over breakfast."

An hour later they were facing each other over tea and toast, one hunger temporarily sated.

"What was it you wanted to talk about, Severus?"

Snape covered his unaccustomed fluster by pouring another cup of tea. "I... er, we, that is, have a problem."

"We do?"

"Have you not noticed how tired we've become lately? You're falling asleep instead of studying, and I'm barely managing to keep up with my marking."

Hermione frowned. "Yes, that's true, but surely, the time of year... exams..."

Snape shook his head. "No. We have to face up to facts, my dear. As difficult as it may be, we have to spend more time in bed... asleep. I believe you told me a bed did have two functions."

"But I can't help it. Every time I see you, I want to..."

"I know. Merlin, I know!" He groaned and pointed to the tent in his trousers. "Just talking about it has me wanting you again. And we can't keep this up."

Hermione looked down and giggled. "Well, obviously you can."

"Very amusing. Now eat your toast and stop looking at me like that, woman!"

That evening Snape once again found Hermione slumped over her desk. As he sighed and lifted her away from her work, he noticed she had been furiously scribbling notes on a potion she had found in one of his lesser-used texts.

"You brilliant, wonderful girl!" After tucking her into bed, Snape headed for his private potions lab, parchment and book clutched in one hand.

***

"Oh, gods... Merlin... Circe... Sweet Indra! Don't ever stop... oh, my! Heavens! Now, Severus, now, dammit!"

After disentangling his limbs from hers and slumping back onto his own pillow, Snape propped his head up with his hand and studied his wife. "Indra?"

The pink in her cheeks was most becoming. "Er. Indian god I read about once. Liked sex. A lot."

"I see. Obviously, my education has been sadly lacking."

Hermione grinned. "Something you don't know? That's a first."

"There are many things I don't need to know about. A sex-obsessed Indian god is but one of them."

Leaping out of bed, Hermione suddenly started pulling her clothes on. "I just remembered. I found something last night!"

Snape reached for the two vials of opalescent lilac potion he had placed on his bedside table the night before. "This, perhaps?"

Her eyes widened. "You brewed it already? I didn't think you'd have the mermaid's tears." She picked up a vial and swirled it around carefully. "It's very pretty. Seems a shame to drink it."

"I had just enough in my rare ingredients safe. It appears we need to take a dose daily to alleviate the effects of Rare and Importunate Passion and Luste."

"It won't stop us wanting sex altogether, will it?" Hermione's lower lip trembled.

"I studied the information you found thoroughly. It appears to reduce the exigency, not the desire itself. We should be able to control our physical reaction to each other and moderate our activities while taking the potion."

Hermione took a vial from Snape's hand. "Oh, well, at least each dose only works for twenty-four hours. Bottoms up!" She drained the vial. "How much did you manage to brew?"

Snape emptied his vial and tossed it aside. "Enough to last us until you graduate. Now, come back here before the blasted stuff takes effect."

***

"Madam Hermione Snape!"

Noticing her name no longer caused any reaction from her fellow students, Hermione made her way up to the podium where the headmistress stood, a rare smile taking years off the older woman's features as she continued.

"Madam Snape has the distinction of achieving the highest marks for her year every year since she started at Hogwarts. All of her teachers are very proud to have been involved in this hard-working and talented young witch's education. We eagerly await her examination results, which I am sure will reflect her years of dedication to study despite conditions of extreme duress at times." McGonagall handed Hermione her beribboned scroll and turned her to face the crowd of graduating and younger students, parents, and friends. "I present to you: Hermione Snape!"

Blushing furiously at the shouts and cheers from the Gryffindor table, which drowned out the enthusiastic applause from the Hufflepuffs, the polite appreciation of the Ravenclaws, and the surprisingly warm reaction of the Slytherins, Hermione smiled and waved at her parents and friends in the front row, then turned and shook hands with each of the professors lined up beside the headmistress. Except the last one. In front of the entire school, she reached up and kissed Professor Severus Snape most thoroughly before returning to her seat.

By the time all the students had received their scrolls and been presented to the audience, Hermione had eyes only for Snape. Sitting between her parents, she smiled as she clasped a hand of each. Her father, after initial disappointment at their sudden Handfasting, had grown used to his daughter's taciturn husband and had decided he was a decent chap after all, especially after he had been introduced to Firewhiskey over the Easter holidays. Jean was still sighing over the romance of it all and determined to have a hand in their completion ceremony the following year.

"Who's that rather snooty looking blond man over there, sweetheart?" Jean asked once the formalities were over. "He looks like he has swallowed something unpleasant."

Hermione grinned. "That's Lucius Malfoy. He's just discovered his only son is unlikely to be perpetuating the family line as expected."

"How could he possibly know that? The lad must only be your age."

Nodding towards Draco, sitting indecorously close to Neville Longbottom and clearly caressing his thigh, she giggled. "Oh, I think it's pretty obvious. Poor Mr Malfoy must be beside himself. Still," she noticed Narcissa Malfoy's expression matched Jean's, "his mother is on his side. That will help. Everyone knows Lucius is devoted to his wife. And besides, Neville is a pureblood. That will please him."

"Isn't that the lovely young man who came to visit at Christmas? Blair, wasn't it? How did he cope with your Handfasting with Severus?"

"Blaise, Mum. And he was fine. He's still one of my best friends, and he and Luna have been together for the last few months. She's really good for him, gives him all the love and attention he deserves but keeps him grounded at the same time."

Hermione chatted with her parents for a few minutes longer, then turned them over into Molly and Arthur Weasley's capable hands.

"Go and find him, dear," Molly whispered while the men were exchanging congratulatory slaps on the back. "I saw him slinking out of the staff door only moments ago."

With a grateful hug, Hermione headed for the most likely place Snape would be lurking, given his promise to Minerva McGonagall not to be as antisocial a prat as usual and stay out of the dungeons for the duration of the festivities.

However, the back corridor by the kitchens was silent and empty.

Shite. I was sure he'd be here. Where did the grumpy git bugger off to? If he's gone down to the dungeons, I'll bloody well tell Professor McGonagall.

"Ow! Fuck!" Kicking the stone wall had not been one of her best ideas. Hermione hopped a moment or two and regaled the empty corridor with her best expletives.

"Such language, Madam Snape. It is hardly fitting for a graduate of this institute of learning." Snape's murmur sent a tingle over the ear lobe he was addressing and a thrill to more interesting areas. The warmth of the body folding her into an embrace from behind and the firm press of male intent into her curves banished any thoughts of her abused toe.

"Where were you?"

"Waiting. Wanting..."

"I can feel that. Did you...?" She reached into the folds of his robes and discovered that, yes, indeed he had. Stroking Snape slowly through the gold silk, she turned to face him and smiled her approval. "I didn't take the potion today."

His smirk broadened into a feral grin. "Neither did I."

"I suppose we'd better make sure it is out of our systems then."

"Research is always important, don't you think, Madam Snape?"

"Absolutely, Professor." Unbuttoning his robes, she discovered her hypothesis that he had followed his birthday instructions to the letter was completely valid.

***

"Happy Valentine's Day, Severus!" Kissing the top of his head as she joined him for their early morning tea, Hermione smiled at his resigned expression.

"Did you have to remind me? They're going to be bloody awful today." Snape sighed and added a spoonful of sugar to his tea.

"Since when have you had sugar?"

"Consider it fortification. I'll need it."

"Better have two. I have plans for you later." Hermione planted herself in his lap, artfully arranging the silk robe she wore to display her lack of any other garments. "Of course, if you need a little encouragement to start the day..." The rapid response beneath her provided the answer.

"You know we don't have time for this," Snape groaned as he pushed the edges of her robe apart to explore the bounty offered.

"Severus, it's only seven-fifty." She shrugged the robe off her shoulders and tossed it on the floor. "Your class doesn't start until nine." Unbuttoning his shirt, she swept her tongue over one nipple, smirking as she felt his erection twitch. "Kingsley isn't expecting me until nine-thirty."

"You planned this?" Another twitch.

"Have you ever known me to do anything without planning it first?"

Snape hovered between relief and disappointment when his wife moved off his lap, only to swallow hard as she knelt before him and began unbuckling his belt. "Oh, fuck, Hermione."

"Not exactly what I had in mind, but I'll take it under consideration for later. Now, shut it, Professor, I'm busy."

It was an unusually relaxed Severus Snape who strode into the Potions classroom an hour later, ignoring the profusion of pink chocolate hearts and roses being shoved into bags all over the room.

After several uneventful hours, Snape found himself back in his quarters to find a reprise of the previous year's picnic laid out in his sitting room.

"Like it?" Hermione had thoughtfully repeated all the details, including her mode of dress.

"Mmm. Love it. Just give me five minutes." Slipping onto the bedroom, Snape managed to replicate his apparel in half the time.

***

"Are you going to fall asleep this time?"

"Mmmhmm?"

"Severus!"

"Don't poke, woman, I'm awake."

"Just as well. We have to go over tomorrow's ceremony."

"Again?"

"Planning, remember? We don't want a repeat of last time. Everyone would kill us."

"Leave me in a room with Minerva, Molly, and your mother again, and I'll kill myself," Snape muttered as he propped himself up in bed. "Very well, I'm awake." He glanced sideways at his still-naked wife, sitting cross-legged beside him, studying her lists. "Might I suggest you put some clothes on, my dear, if you want my full attention."

Hermione cast a pointed look at the tent in the sheet over his groin and reached for her robe. "I thought forty-year-old men were supposed to need a little recovery time."

"Most forty-year-old men don't spend their time with witches half their age. Now, what do we need to discuss?"

"Only a few details. Now, you did say both Lucius and Draco are standing for you?"

"Yes. You know they sorted out their differences some months ago. Longbottom has behaved remarkably well around Lucius, and Narcissa finds him charming. I still haven't decided whether Draco has given her a potion or hexed her..."

"Don't be a prat. Neville can be a perfect gentleman when he wants to. I'm sure he and Narcissa get along just fine. Now, as you know, I have Blaise and Ginny standing for me as they were the first to know about us. Ron and Harry will man the door as planned and ensure everyone is in their places, and Luna will bring my parents to the ceremony through the Floo." Hermione consulted her list. "You have the rings in a safe place? And Professor Mc... Minerva is organised?"

"Everything is ready, love. I'm sure it will all go according to plan and by tomorrow we will be officially and permanently married." His heart skipped a beat when he noticed the moistness in her eyes. After a moment, he regained his voice. "That is what you wish, isn't it? It's not too late to change your mind." Shoulders stiff, Snape avoided her gaze.

"Change my mind? Change my mind! Have you been sniffing too many toxic fumes today, Severus Snape? Did the three orgasms you've had so far today addle your brain?"

"Why are you crying then?"

"Have you never heard of tears of happiness? Now's not the time for insecurities, you bloody idiot!" Tossing aside her precious lists, Hermione pulled back the sheet and straddled Snape's naked lap. After a prolonged, heated confirmation of her words expressed lips to lips, she said, "I love you, and I'm marrying you tomorrow. Got it?"

His smile lit up the room. "Got it. Now, what were you saying about 'so far'?"

***

A/N: This was written for shalimar81 for the TPP Every Flavour Auction. My thanks to karelia for her eagle eyes and everyone who has taken the time to comment on this story so far. xx