Chapter Thirty-nine: Unexpected Gifts

Disclaimer: The characters and settings are the property of J.K. Rowling. I made up what they got up to.

Chapter Thirty-nine: Unexpected Gifts

"Severus! Someone's knocking at the door! Can you get it? I'm not decent!" Hermione poked her head through the door to Snape's office and scampered off to the bedroom as he rose to see who was disturbing their early morning routine.

"I hope this is an emergency, Zabini." Snape waved Blaise through into the sitting room with a less-than-welcoming scowl.

"Not exactly an emergency, but I knew you'd both be busy for the rest of the day and didn't really want to give you these in the Great Hall later." He ducked back out of the door to retrieve two large, flat, rectangular parcels wrapped in brown paper. "Congratulations, both of you." He smiled at Hermione, who had dressed and joined them.

Snape frowned as he studied the gifts. The printed label on the corner of each was unmistakeable.

Standish Gallery, Bankside, London

"You! It was you!"

"What was, Severus?" Hermione caught Snape's hand before it reached his wand. "Whatever is the problem?"

"Zabini here is the problem. But nothing I can't cure with well-placed hex or two." Snape's snarl successfully wiped the smile from Blaise's face.

"You will not hex my friend, Severus. Well, at least not without explaining yourself first." Letting go of Snape's hand, she inserted herself squarely between the two wizards.

"The paintings. Those are the two paintings. He bought them! He's had them for over a bloody year. Merlin knows what he's been doing with them."

Eyebrow raised, Hermione pointed to the unbroken gallery seal on each parcel. "Nothing, apparently. They haven't even been opened." Turning to Blaise, she flashed him a reassuring smile. "Why did you buy them, Blaise?"

He shrugged. "It didn't seem right to leave them there for just anyone to buy. They were too... intimate." His blush was evident even through his dark skin.

"You went to the exhibition? And saw everything?" Snape reached for his wand again.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, are you going to hex every man who attended the bloody exhibition, Severus? So, Blaise has seen me naked. What of it? It's you I'm marrying, and I have it on good authority that he prefers blondes now. What I want to know is why he waited until now to reveal he was the purchaser."

"I was going to give them to you the Christmas after the exhibition, but things between you two were tense, and I didn't want to cause any more problems. By the time you had sorted yourselves out, you were Handfasted, so I decided to keep them for a wedding gift. I give you my word; they have remained wrapped and sealed since I took delivery of them, Hermione."

He turned to Snape. "Sir, it's true I once harboured feelings for Hermione. But when I saw those paintings, it was clear her heart belonged elsewhere. I still consider her a very dear friend, and seeing her so happy in your arms is all I could ever ask. You're a very lucky man to have the love of such a woman, and she is blessed to be loved by a brilliant, honourable, and courageous man. I wish you both every joy in the future." With that, he dipped his head in a brief, formal bow and turned to leave the room.

"Oh, no you don't!" Hermione spun and grabbed Blaise's sleeve. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Blaise, for being such a good friend. You were always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on." She slanted a mock glare at Snape, who had the grace to look uncomfortable.

"Well, if he causes you any more grief, you know where to come." Blaise quirked a smile at Snape. "But I'm sure you can handle him all by yourself now."

"I'm sure he wouldn't be averse to a little handling now and then." Her evil grin set both men's cheeks aflame.

"No, no, I did not need to know that! Too much information, Hermione!" Blaise retreated out of the door, shaking his head as if to rid himself of the images he had acquired.

"What shall we do with..." Hermione gasped as her lips were claimed, heat and passion driving all thought from her mind.

Releasing her several minutes later, Snape quirked a brow. "What was it you were saying about handling me?" As he pressed his hips closer to hers, expressing his interest in being handled in no uncertain terms, another knock broke the silence. "Fuck! Isn't anyone still asleep in this bloody castle?"

Opening the door, he found Argus Filch standing in the dungeon corridor. "Argus, what brings you down here at this hour?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Professor, but I have something for you. It's a little something I've been working on for a while now. I thought it would be right nice for a wedding gift, you see." He offered a rare smile as Hermione moved into view from behind Snape. "G'morning, Herm... er... Madam Snape."

"Hermione. And how are you today, Argus? Did the children all settle down last night after their Valentine's excesses?"

"Nothing me and my cat couldn't deal with. Still, that's not what I'm here for. I've brought you..."

Hermione's squeal of delight startled both men. "Argus! Is that the chair you spent so long working on? It's gorgeous!" She ran her fingertips over the gleaming wood, tracing the intricate carvings over the back of the chair. "But you can't give it away. Not after all that work."

The elderly man caressed the wood he had nurtured back into life. "It looks out of place in my rooms amongst the mops and dusters and other mess. I'd be grateful if you would give it a home. I know you'll both appreciate it far more than most."

"We would be honoured to look after such a fine piece of furniture, wouldn't we, Severus?"

Snape nodded his agreement, and once his witch had made the old squib blush with a tight hug and a kiss, shook his hand and saw him to the door.

"Now, where were we?" Snape turned back to find Hermione had disappeared. "Woman, where are you? I had plans for you!" He followed the sound of her steps into the bedroom.

"They'll have to wait. We're running late now, and there's so much to do before the ceremony this afternoon." Reaching up for a fleeting kiss as she passed, Hermione patted his shoulder. "Don't pout, dear; I'll make it up to you tonight."

***

"That dress is gorgeous! Who designed it?" Ginny fingered the delicate folds of organza floating in layers from the lightly-beaded bodice. With every movement, the shimmering pale bronze fabric captured light and came alive.

Hermione couldn't help herself. Twirling to demonstrate the full effect of the multiple layers, she smiled. "Severus, really. It was in a painting he did last year. I stole his design, but he has no idea. I'd ordered it for our Handfasting originally."

"He painted you in a wedding dress? Before your Handfasting?" Ginny's mental calculations were obvious in her expression. "When exactly?"

"In January."

"That would have been before you sorted yourselves out?"

"I think it was somewhat of a revelation to him when he painted it. I saw it a little later, of course. I hope he likes it." Hermione studied her reflection in the mirror and adjusted one of the flowers scattered through her simple twist of tumbled curls.

"He should love it." Ginny shook her head, puzzled. "I don't know how, but despite all the layers, it looks like you're wearing barely anything at all."

"It's not too low-cut, is it?"

"No, don't be daft. I can barely see the tops of your breasts; they're only hinted at. It's just such sheer fabric. I can't see anything through it, but it feels like any minute I'll catch a glimpse of skin. Are you wearing anything underneath?"

Hermione blushed, answering her friend's question immediately.

Ginny's eyes widened, then she grinned. "Mmm. Very seductive; I'm almost jealous of your husband. But why bronze?"

Hermione managed to answer between giggles. "The original was white, but I thought that wasn't particularly appropriate considering we'd been living together for a year. I took it back to Gladrags, and the seamstress who made it suggested this would suit me. It was only the work of a few minutes for her to charm it to this colour."

"It does look fantastic on you." Ginny glanced at the clock. "Bloody hell, it's time you got yourself to the Room of Requirement before your husband thinks you've abandoned him."

***

Snape stood before podium provided for the occasion by the Room of Requirement. Despite the hustle and bustle of excited arrivals surrounding him, he remained enveloped in his own contemplation. Memories of the previous summer's project served to occupy his mind while he awaited his bride.

"Severus?"

Snape put down his book and turned to face his wife. "And that is news? When is Hermione Snape ever not thinking?"

"I didn't realise you'd paid any attention to my friends' physiques, love. Is there something you aren't telling me?" Her gentle teasing defused his temper. When he allowed a tiny smile, she continued. "No, I thought you would provide the essential ingredient."

"I think that would be a little obvious, Severus. And probably at risk of being labelled pornographic, as much as I enjoy the sight myself. A little tumescence, or suggestion thereof, might be acceptable. Mind you, I suspect maintaining control might require the use of the potion, if you're any example."

The sensual nature of his thoughts would have been evident to anyone who cared to look at his face as Snape dwelled on the hours spent creating his last exhibition. True to her word, Hermione had taken Polyjuice every day and Glamoured herself into a disturbingly familiar yet striking man. He had been surprised how arousing it had been to see his own body displayed in such a manner, and even more surprised at his wife's suggestion on how to fill in time while the last dose of Polyjuice for the day wore off.

"You want to WHAT?"

"Think of it as Advanced Masturbation. A bit like Advanced Potions. Using the same knowledge but taking it a few steps further. Wait a minute." Hermione lifted her wand and removed the Glamour. "There. Now I'm completely you. Come on, play with yourself. You know you want to."

It had taken several more doses of Polyjuice before Hermione had been satisfied she had experienced all the male body had to offer. And it hadn't been until the third evening of experimentation that Snape had discovered the true wonder of his prostate and all the pleasure it could offer, returning the favour to Hermione once his body had recovered.

"Fuck. That was amazing!" Back in her own skin, Hermione slumped across the bed, unable to move so much as her little finger.

"Incredible. I'd consider switching to the other side, but I think I'd miss these." Severus palmed his wife's breasts, circling a fingertip over each nipple. Her sigh of bliss confirmed her agreement.

"Severus. Severus!"

"What?" He startled from his reverie at Minerva's nudge in time to see perfection approaching him from across the room.

The expression on Snape's face as Hermione walked towards him left her in no doubt as to his approval of her choice. Her parents had escorted her into the Room of Requirement where Blaise and Ginny had taken over. Walking between her two dear friends, Hermione looked around the room. Harry and Ron had managed to spruce up for the occasion and looked dapper standing either side of the door. Luna, wearing her latest earrings crafted from rosehips, waved from the left. Neville and Draco stood to her right, hand-in-hand, but her eyes returned to the man watching her every step.

Snape stood with Lucius Malfoy and Filius Flitwick, wearing robes she had never seen before. Black, as expected, but the cut and lustre of the fabric could only have been selected by the elder Malfoy. Hermione was well aware of her husband's taste in clothing, and the exquisite garment in which he was attired was not his usual fare.

Joining Snape at the centre of the room, Hermione brushed her finger down his sleeve.

"Mmm, exquisite. I see Lucius dressed you today."

"I take it you approve?"

"Definitely. I'll have to have a word with him later about the rest of your wardrobe."

His protest was aborted by Minerva clearing her throat to begin the proceedings.

***

As Snape's lips closed over hers to complete their bond, Hermione felt the moisture on his cheek matching her own tears of joy. They had kept the ceremony simple; after Minerva welcomed their friends and family, the couple had exchanged simple vows declaring their love and commitment to each other. She smiled to herself as she remembered Snape's amusement as she had made her vows. Minerva's old-fashioned suggestion that she, "love, honour, and obey," her husband had been countered with a promise to love, honour, and cherish him instead. Muffled giggles from beside her had proved Ginny had been paying attention.

"What's so funny?" he asked when he finally relinquished her mouth.

"Minerva's expression when I changed the vow. I think she might have been a little offended."

"She should have expected one of her cubs to refuse to obey. I suspect she secretly trained you all to attempt to break as many rules as possible."

"I'll have you know I did not..."

"Polyjuice? Burning robes? Need I say more?" He snorted as he turned to greet their well-wishers.

"Extenuating circumstances and you know it. Bloody elephant."

"Why are you calling your husband an elephant?" Blaise murmured into her ear as he hugged his congratulations.

"Because he never bloody forgets anything, the git."

"You have a husband who will never forget your birthday or anniversary, and you're complaining?"

Hermione grinned. "When you put it like that, I suppose it's an advantage. Oh, look, hasn't Luna surpassed herself today!"

Blaise studied Luna's colourful outfit and nodded. "That's what I love about her. Her creativity and ability to be herself."

"How are things between you two now she's back?" Xenophilius Lovegood's announcement at their graduation the year before of his intention to take his daughter away for a six-month exploration of the magical wildlife of South America had put Luna and Blaise's fledgling relationship on hold until her return. After a scant few weeks staying at Blaise's home, she had set off for the other side of the world with tears in her eyes and a promise to return by the end of the year.

"It's good, Hermione. Really good. I even think the time apart has strengthened our relationship. We know now our future lies together."

Hermione glanced at Luna, then Blaise and narrowed her eyes. "Have you... you know... yet?"

"You know? Isn't that a bit missish for a woman who had to take a potion to control her unladylike urges?"

"You knew about that?"

"Hermione, everyone knew about that. And we were bloody relieved when you two stopped pouncing on each other at every opportunity."

"But... how? Never mind. You didn't answer my question. Have you or have you not been having sexual intercourse with that woman? Is that direct enough for you, Zabini?"

"Ouch. Very direct. And I suppose, as you told me about you and Severus, no, we haven't... yet. But I think tonight will be the night. Wish me luck."

All he received was a slap on the arm. "You don't need luck. You need to be gentle and take your time and remember she hasn't had any experience. Well, the last time I saw her she said she hadn't." Hermione's eyes twinkled. "Maybe she found a strapping, tanned Brazilian while she was away, but he was torn between his duty to his family and the arranged marriage they had planned and had to allow her to leave his arms and his bed."

"Oh, shut it, Snape. I'm already bloody nervous enough about it. No need to make it worse."

"You, nervous? Anyone would think you hadn't... Blaise, really?"

He shrugged. "Never wanted to before. Well, I did want to once with a pretty special girl, but she was never interested. Probably just as well, I hear she's nearly worn out one poor bloke already."

The other arm suffered this time. "Go and chat up your girlfriend, Zabini. I have a husband to find."

***

A/N: This was written for shalimar1981 for the TPP Every Flavour Auction. My thanks to KingPhilipsWench, who culled the smirks, and karelia, beta extraordinaire.