Chapter Forty: A Year and a day and Forever More

Disclaimer: The characters and settings belong to JKR. Severus's paintings are mine!

Chapter Forty: A Year and a day and Forever More

"Enjoying yourself?" Hermione crept up behind her husband and looped her arm around his waist.

"Mmm, surprisingly, yes."

"I told you it wouldn't be as bad as you expected. They are all our friends, after all." Her eyes widened as her hand drifted a little lower. "Er, Severus, what exactly are you wearing under those robes?" His wicked smile and a discreet grope through the folds of his robes confirmed her suspicions. "Not even the gold pouch?"

"Not a stitch." He nodded to Molly Weasley as she passed, bearing a tray of drinks. "Feels rather liberating."

"Liberating?" The high-pitched squeak was somewhat embarrassing. With an effort, Hermione returned to a low murmur. "You're naked under there. Naked. Gods, Severus, are you aware of the effect that has on me?"

"I have a general idea." He ran his hand down the back of her dress, from her neck to her hips. "I've been thanking Lucius's taste for fuller robes all evening, watching you in that excuse for a dress." Grasping her hand, he found the opening in his robes and guided her to the proof of his words.

"You know, I had a dream about you walking around the castle like that once. Very frustrating it was, given you were being all noble at the time." Giving him a quick squeeze, she reluctantly released him as Kingsley Shacklebolt strode up to their quiet corner.

"Hermione, Severus, congratulations to you both!" The Minister of Magic shook Snape's hand and kissed Hermione's cheek. "I must say, you both look splendid in your finery tonight. And what a delightful ceremony."

"Thank you, Kingsley. We're pleased you could find the time to come."

"No problem at all, now my office and work load are so well organised. Which brings me to something I've been meaning to talk to you about, Hermione."

"I knew it would happen sometime. You don't need to handle me with kid gloves, Kingsley. Everything is running smoothly now, and I realise you don't need me anymore."

A loud guffaw startled the rest of the room into staring at the Minister. "On the contrary, my dear, I need you more than ever. No-one else could possibly run my office, and me, the way you do. Even my wife is envious of the way you have me under your thumb. No, I was planning on humbly appealing to your generosity and pleading with you to remain as my personal assistant indefinitely." He turned to Snape. "Or should I state my case to you, Severus, to allow me to retain your wife's services."

Snape shook his head. "Don't look at me, Kingsley. I'm under the thumb as well. I wouldn't dare presume to comment on my wife's career aspirations."

Hermione's eyes sparkled with mirth as she patted Snape's arm. "And that's why I married him. Kingsley, I'd be honoured to stay on as your assistant. I very much enjoy the challenge of the job, and I hope we can work together for some time to come." She grinned. "As long as you do as you're told, of course."

"I wouldn't dare do otherwise, Madam Snape."

As the Minister wandered off to circulate the room, Snape turned disbelieving eyes to his wife. "I thought I was the only man you ordered around nowadays. I feel cheated."

"Don't worry, love, I only boss him around in the office. Only you get the privilege of my talent for direction in the bedroom... and the bathroom... and the sitting room..."

"On the subject of bedrooms, is there any chance we can slip away in the not too distant future? Things are becoming rather... uncomfortable." Snape drew his robes tighter against his body, revealing the decided tent at his groin.

"That definitely looks like it needs taking in hand." Hermione grinned as Snape groaned. "However, we'd better go and say our goodbyes to my parents and a few others first. Just make sure your robes hang loose."

"I'll endeavour not to embarrass anyone, madam." He flicked his robes across his body, carefully hiding his arousal in folds of fabric.

"I don't give a toss whether they're embarrassed. I just don't want anyone getting any ideas. It's mine. All mine." She drew his face down for a deep kiss full of unspoken promises whilst once again reaching under the cover of both their robes and stroking him quickly until he gasped for mercy.

"Parents. Now!"

After hugging her parents and promising to visit during their next free weekend, Hermione leaned against a stone pillar and planned her wedding night as Snape shook her father's hand and chatted with her mother, a bead of sweat on his temple the only evidence of the strict self-control he was exerting.

"What have you done to him now? He looks a little tense." Blaise's murmur startled Hermione out of her increasingly wicked daydream.

"How can you tell?"

"Let's just say I watched him walking across the room. Not exactly as graceful as usual. And he has rather a lot of his robes gathered at the front."

Hermione giggled. "Don't you dare say anything. He'd be mortified if he thought anyone knew."

"Given that he walked around in that state half the time before and after you'd Handfasted, it's hardly out of character."

"Blaise! Have you been studying the state of my husband's penis? I'll start thinking you fancy him. I could get jealous, you know."

Blaise's cheeks burned red as he wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. "I haven't been studying the state of your husband's... anything! And don't mention that word in context with him again. He was my teacher not that long ago, woman!"

"You started it." Hermione smirked as he lifted his hands in defeat.

"I concede. You win."

"Never mind, you have better things to do than speculate on Severus's bits. Go and find Luna and take her home, Blaise. Have fun." She reached up to kiss his cheek and whispered in his ear, "And don't forget the Contraceptive Charm, or you'll have me to answer to!"

"Hermione, why has Blaise gone red?" Ron asked.

"I just gave him a little advice. Nothing you shouldn't already know, Ron."

"Oh, good. I'd hate to miss out on some valuable Granger gem of wisdom. Ouch! No need to punch me like that! I meant Snape; you know I did. It's just hard to remember."

"Snape. S.N.A.P.E. Rhymes with grape and shape and..."

"Yeah. Got it."

"Are you picking on poor wee Wonniekins again, 'Mione?" Harry laughed as he joined them.

"Someone has to keep him in line, Harry. Are you two having fun?"

"It's a great party. Everyone seems happy for you."

Hermione smiled and looked around to find the proof of Harry's words in the joy and good cheer filling the room. "And you two? Are you okay?"

Ron grinned and wrapped her in his long arms, ruffling her hair with one hand. "Of course. We may have been a bit shocked at first, but we got over that a long time ago. You two are obviously made for each other. Doesn't hurt that you get most of your bossiness out of your system with your husband though. Leaves less for us to endure."

"Oh, I'm sure I can dig deep and find some for you if you need it, Ronald." Hermione hugged the redhead back. "And Ginny will deal with Harry, won't you, Gin?"

"Absolutely. But I reserve the right to come to you for tips if I need them." Ginny opened her arms for her hug.

"Any time, Gin, any time."

Ron grinned at Harry. "Like I said, she's bloody scary, and now she has an apprentice!"

"Who's scary?" Snape had appeared beside Hermione.

"Your wife. And she's infected my sister."

Snape's roar of laughter sent both young men scuttling back a few paces as they stared at their former Potions master. The sight of the usually dour man laughing, together with the excess of information revealed when he had allowed his robes to drop against his body was something they would not forget easily.

"Severus Snape, stop that! You're upsetting my brother and boyfriend!" Ginny smacked Snape on the arm, then continued in a whisper, "And it looks like it's time you took your wife back to your quarters, if that promising bulge in your robes is anything to go by."

"Fuck!" Snape gathered his robes around himself and grabbed Hermione's hand "Wife! Time to go. I have plans for you." He stalked off with her in tow.

Waving, Hermione called back to her friends, "Have fun! Thanks for all your help!"

Just before leaving the room, Snape swirled around and pulled Hermione into his arms. "This will give them something to think about." Lowering his head, his lips met hers in a fiery combustion of barely leashed passion. After several heated minutes, he drew back with a lascivious smirk. "Coming?"

"Just a few seconds more..."

They swept out of the room to a loud cheer.

***

"Finally!" Snape slammed the door behind them and warded it against intrusions magical or otherwise. A flick of his wand closed the Floo and lit a fire for warmth as he slumped onto the sofa. "Come here, woman, and let me have my wicked way with you."

"Would that be with the dress or without?" Hermione tried to maintain an innocent expression as she twirled before her husband, giving him glimpses of bare flesh between the flimsy layers of her sole garment.

"Leave it on for now. I'll have great pleasure removing it myself." Snape had unbuttoned the lower half of his robes, which began to part as he made himself more comfortable.

Hermione poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Snape as she settled herself beside him, toying with the remainder of his buttons as she sipped.

"This is lovely. Where did you get it from?"

"Lucius. Remember, he sent an entire case as a wedding gift. Elf-made. Only the best for the Malfoys. We opened it earlier for a pre-ceremony toast."

"He's not so bad when you get to know him, really. Quite sweet once he drops the snooty airs."

Snape chuckled. "I wouldn't let him catch you calling him sweet. He'd be horrified. Takes a lot of effort to be a Malfoy, you know." He glanced down, feeling a cool draught. "What exactly are you doing?"

"Just examining my property. Nothing you should concern yourself about, dear."

"Uhhh. Mmm, very good. Carry on..." Snape's head fell back onto the sofa and his eyes drifted closed as Hermione continued to investigate. The sensation of cool liquid splashing onto his flesh interrupted a discreet yawn. "Do you really think Lucius would appreciate you wasting his precious wine like that?"

"Oh, I wouldn't call it a waste." She proceeded to lick up each droplet most thoroughly. "Would you?"

"Gods, no. By all means, carry on. Ahhh... Fuck! Do you want a wedding night or not, woman?"

Hermione licked her lips and smiled. "Whatever do you mean? Don't tell me the implacable Severus Snape is having trouble controlling himself?" She resumed her self-imposed cleaning task, spilling a little more wine just to ensure she didn't miss any spots. "Mmm, I'm sure the wine tastes better this way." Lifting her head just before her husband gave up all hope of restraint, she found his lips and shared the sweet saltiness of her lips with him.

Turning her around to sit facing away from him between his thighs, Snape lifted her curls from her neck and released the back fastening on her dress with a triumphant smirk. Slowly easing the straps down, he caressed the soft skin of her shoulders with his lips, then filled his hands with the sweet curves below, thumbing the rosy peaks as they stiffened in the cool air. Pushing aside the fabric, he slid his palm down lower and then dipped one finger into her sweet centre to find her wet and wanting. Her moans of pleasure sent shards of fire to his groin as he flicked and stroked, relentless in his desire to feast on her ecstasy. All too soon, her breathless, uninhibited climax had him thrusting against the cleft of her buttocks in time with her movements against his hand. Aware of his own release spiralling out of control, he knew it was too late to consider the upholstery on the sofa as sensibility yielded to sensation.

"Oh, bloody hell, I didn't intend that to happen!" Snape looked down at the creamy mess coating his groin and Hermione's bottom. "I think it's time we adjourned to the bedroom, Madam Snape."

She mewled her discontent as his fingers slid from within their slick sheath, leaving her bereft.

Snape helped her to stand, allowing the dress to slide unhindered to the floor, joining the robes he had discarded in the same movement.

"Merlin, you're fucking beautiful." Hermione stood motionless, studying the lean contours and still rigid, but sticky flesh which had become so familiar.

"Just as well beauty is in the eye of the beholder then." Snape shook his head and waved his wife ahead of him into the bedroom, all the better to watch her fine bottom as she passed. "Mmm, definitely one of my favourite views to behold."

Swinging her hips in invitation, Hermione looked back at Snape. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable while I use the bathroom for a moment?"

Closing the door behind her – some things were not meant to be shared – Hermione used the toilet, then tarried briefly for a quick wash and tooth brushing. After removing the pins from her hair and applying a spritz of Snape's favourite scent, she was ready.

Whew. Shouldn't have left the fire going in the hearth all evening. It's awfully hot and stuffy in here now. I wonder why Severus didn't dampen down the fire.

Oh.

Blissfully unaware of his perfumed, naked, and, to be honest, only slightly disappointed wife, Snape lay sprawled out nude on the bed, his previously impressive erection drooping to one side as he snored lightly. A lock of hair had drifted over his face and fluttered lightly with every exhalation.

Hermione damped the fire with a flick of her wand and climbed onto the bed, giving her husband's now limp penis a gentle pat. Not even so much as a flicker of interest. With a chuckle, she pulled the covers up over them both, kissing his cheek as she snuggled under the covers into his warmth.

We did start rather early this morning. Poor man was knackered. So am I, for that matter.

Without any further contemplation on the subject, Hermione Snape closed her eyes and went to sleep.

After all, they had the rest of their lives to spend making up for their wedding night.

Which, of course, they did.

***

A/N: This was written for shalimar1981 for the TPP Every Flavour Auction. My heartfelt thanks go to my beta, karelia, whose eagle eyes I wouldn't be without.