Chapter 10 - The Wedding Night

Chapter 10 – The Wedding Night

Severus had visited his country manor a few days ago so that he could become familiar with the house and grounds before he took Hermione there. His staff had assured him that all would be ready when he brought his new bride. A warm tingle of pleasure ran through him at being able to take Hermione somewhere quiet and comfortable. As he turned up the lane, the trees parted, and Hermione and he caught a glimpse of his country home.

"Oh, Severus! It is lovely! The ivy and pink flowers make the gray stone look so warm and inviting. It is so homey," Hermione said as she clutched his arm and gazed in wonder.

It was a picturesque large gray manor with the typical circular drive in front. Ivy and pink roses climbed the sides up to the second floor. Soft gray smoke curled from all three chimneys. In the background, Hermione could see a hothouse and a lake.

"Homey? Nesting already?" Severus teased. He got out of the carriage and turned to help her down. "Hmm, only six servants. It looks like we will have plenty of privacy," he observed dryly.

Hermione followed his gaze and saw that there were indeed, six servants waiting at the top of the stone steps. She noticed that there were three males. Hmm, let me guess, the butler, the gardener and the stable hand, she mused. The other three were women. They wore the black and white uniforms of maids and cook. She was actually glad to see them, as running the manor would have been a daunting task alone.

They mounted the stairs, and once they reached the top, the butler stepped forward, "Welcome, my Lord. On behalf of the entire staff, I offer congratulations on your nuptials. We have been expecting you. My Lady, Miss Winks will be your maid while you are here. Sir, if you need anything, please, don't hesitate to ring." With that, he opened the door, and Severus and Hermione entered the house as man and wife.

"If you will follow me, my Lady, I will show you to your bedchamber," Miss Winks said. She was a solemn young maid with neat golden curls.

Hermione looked at Severus, but he only nodded. Sighing, she turned to follow the maid. I hope he gets lost, she thought. How dare he leave me alone.

Severus could tell his young bride was upset with him, but he wasn't quite sure why. He decided to give her some time to calm down before he went up to talk to her. Turning, he headed for the library. He wanted to look at the ledgers here and get the most pressing matters out of the way. He knew that Hermione would never forgive him, if he spent the whole week attending to estate business when they were supposed to be on their honeymoon

An hour later, he was startled to hear the door to the library banging open. He looked up and sighed, "Hermione, did you get settled in? What are you doing down here already? What is the matter?"

"What do you mean already? I have been cooped up in my bedchamber for over an hour! I thought you would come up and at least show me around since you seem so familiar with your surroundings." Hermione walked into the library and started perusing the titles on the shelves.

"What makes you think that? I have been going over the books here. I had some urgent business matters that couldn't wait. I thought it would be better if I got that out of the way first. Then, I could spend the rest of the time with you. I figured I would have to baby-sit you," he smirked.

"Ah, yes. And here, I thought you would carry me over the threshold. I am told that is what a loving husband does to his new bride," she retorted.

"I believe supper is almost ready. I am going to go change and will meet you in the front parlor. I don't really feel like arguing with you tonight," he said. He got up, kissed her on the forehead and walked out of the room. Just as he had expected, she became absolutely quiet and still from shock. Oh, this is going to be such fun, he thought to himself. He was still not too sure about what to do tonight.

While Hermione waited for him in the parlor, she decided that he was not going to win in this little game. If he wanted to have a 'happy' home, who was she to deny him that? She pinched her cheeks to redden them just a bit, tugged the bodice of her light blue gown down just enough to expose a little cleavage and pulled a few curls forward so that they wisped around her face. Hearing him come down the stairs, she turned towards the door with a light smile on her lips.

"Severus, darling, you are right. We shouldn't fight or argue. Let us have a nice dinner, and then we can read together by the fire or take a short walk in the gardens," she simpered.

Severus stopped short and stared. He looked a little closer to make sure that it was the same Hermione he had left fifteen minutes earlier. He saw a little glimmer in her eyes and her sickly, sweet smile caused his jaw to harden. Well, two can play at this, dear wife, he thought.

"I think we should come back to the parlor after dinner, my pet. You can stand in front of the fire and recite poetry for me. I can think of nothing more relaxing than listening to your dulcet tones and gazing at your wonderful form backlit from the fire."

Severus had to pat her on the back when she choked on her reply.

Dinner turned out to be a very stilted affair. They ate in relative silence, and when they had finished, he escorted her back to the parlor. He was slightly disappointed when she chose to sit on the sofa farthest from the fire.

"What, no poetry? My pet, I thought surely you would want to read some." He stood in front of her holding out a slim volume of poems.

Hermione glanced at it. "You are right, darling. How about you row to the middle of the lake and recite some poems for me. I will sit in the gazebo and pretend you are my knight in shining armor, coming to rescue me." Hermione could feel a smile working its way up.

"Well, I wouldn't want you to catch a chill sitting out there. How about this – you read, from where you are sitting, and I will finish going through the ledgers." He didn't really want to continue with this inane conversation, as he feared that he would break out in a smile any moment.

In the end, Hermione sat quietly reading by the fire while Severus went through the ledgers. The clock struck eleven, and Hermione could not keep from yawning. She looked at her husband from under her lashes. "Severus, I think I will turn in," she said.

He looked up at his wife and glanced at the clock. The time he was dreading had arrived. "That is fine. Go up and I will be there shortly." He looked back at his ledgers and continued to read a column of numbers.

Slightly irritated, Hermione huffed, "Fine." She got up and walked regally from the room. She went into her bedroom and rapidly undressed, threw on her nightgown and jumped into bed. She may have to consummate the marriage, but she wasn't willing to make it easy. Ten minutes later, she got up and snuffed out all but one candle. She was just turning back towards the bed when the door on the opposite wall crashed open.

Severus stood in the doorway glaring at her. He had left the parlor right after Hermione. He had undressed, crawled into bed, and sat facing the connecting door, as he waited for his bride. He had hoped to find her waiting for him in his bed, but he was willing to give her time to adjust to being his wife. Ten minutes later, he had realized she was not going to come. He grabbed his robe and stalked through the connecting door.

"Severus! What is the matter?" Hermione clutched the neck of her nightgown and stared at him.

"What are you doing? Why weren't you in my room?" he glared at her.

"What in Merlin's name are you talking about? I have been waiting here for you! Quite patiently too, I might add."

"You can not seriously think I was coming to you? I have been waiting in the master bedroom for you. I let you have the adjoining room for your clothes and other belongings. After tonight, you will be sleeping in my bed." Severus couldn't help but notice the confusion in her eyes. "You did know that this room adjoins mine, didn't you?"

"No, I did not. Can we wait until tomorrow to consummate this?" Hermione said only half jokingly.

"No. I want to get this over with as soon as possible. Let's go to bed." He was starting to get a headache and wanted nothing more than to fall asleep. Had he been more aware, he would have noticed Hermione's eyes narrowing as he spoke.

"I don't think so. I am not in the mood anymore. Your romantic attitude, or rather the lack of it, is not doing anything for me, either." She turned to crawl back into her bed but squealed when she felt a strong set of arms come around her.

Severus had grabbed her around the middle and swung her up into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck instinctively. She noticed the smell of spice, wine and musk on him. He smells wonderful, she thought. The next thing she knew, she was being dumped unceremoniously onto the bed.

"Hermione, I am too tired to argue. We have to consummate our marriage tonight if you want us to be bound as witch and wizard, not just as Muggle husband and wife. I do apologize for neglecting you earlier today," he sighed.

Hermione unfolded her arms. "That part is forgivable. But, if you only think of this as a task that has to be completed according to a schedule, then we really should wait for another night. I know that I do not have much experience beyond kissing, but really, I do not think that I am all that unattractive," she glowered.

"No, you are not," said Severus, looking at her attire, "but I believe my grandmother once had a nightgown like that."

Hermione's jaw dropped. Reaching behind her, she grabbed a pillow and lightly hit him with it.

He grabbed the pillow and tossed it to the floor. He reached out to pull her closer but ended up with and handful of her nightgown. Before he registered this, he tugged hard and the material ripped all the way down to the hem. Hermione looked down, squealed, and dove under the covers. She could hear him chuckling lightly.

"Well, that certainly accomplished a multitude of things. It got you into bed, got rid of that ghastly nightgown permanently, and you are the quietest I have heard you be in a long time," he said as he removed his robe.

He snuffed all but one candle and got into the bed. He rolled over and reached out with his hand. He was expecting to feel the warmth of Hermione; instead, all he could feel was the soft bedding. He reached a little further and felt her arm. He sighed; he was more than willing to fulfill his duties, but he had been hoping she would meet him half way. He was already very uncomfortable knowing that he was about to sleep with his ex-student. "I am not going to hurt you. You will fall out of bed if you don't come away from the edge. I am not quite the monster the students make me out to be. I thought we were at least starting to become friends over the past few weeks." He rolled a little closer and lightly touched her arm.

"We are friends. It is just a little overwhelming. I have never done this before, you know." She found his touch relaxing. She scooted closer to him until she could see his face clearly. She shyly reached up with her hand and touched one side of his face. She liked the way his cheek fit into the palm of her hand.

He turned his head and kissed her hand lightly. Now that she was closer, he could see her clear brown eyes and did not see any fear or hesitation in them. He slowly moved his hand down the length of her arm. He traced the curve of her body until his hand came to rest at the indent of her waist. He felt her draw in a shaky breath and also felt her small hand trace the contour of his face and move slowly downward towards his chest. His breath caught when her hand skimmed over his hardened nipples.

Severus shifted until he was half covering her. He looked down and was relieved to see her responding to his touch. Her pupils were dilated, and she looked a bit flushed, but he couldn't be sure in the soft candlelight. He didn't want to scare her by going too fast, yet, he didn't know how long he would be able to last. He moved his hand up and let it rest a few seconds below her breast. When he saw the startled look leave her eyes, he cupped the soft mound of flesh.

Hermione gasped at the intense tingling he was creating in her. She felt the jolt of passion all the way to her core when his thumb lightly grazed her nipple. She moaned and arched her back. She felt his hardened nipples as she ran both her hands up his chest. He had nice broad shoulders and was much more muscular than she had imagined. When she felt his mouth close over her tightly furled nipple, she arched again and ran her fingernails down his back.

Severus groaned when he felt her lightly rake his back with her fingernails. His total concentration was centered on her breast. They were ample handfuls, and he thought her tightened, pink nipples were perfect. Not wanting to neglect its twin, he took the nipple of her other breast deep into his mouth while lightly squeezing and massaging the one he had just left. The dual sensations were causing Hermione to gasp and moan louder. She arched again and this time, wrapped her legs around his hips.

When he felt her legs come around his waist, he reached lower and rested his hand on her stomach. He drew light circles around her navel and then slowly started working his hand lower until he felt soft curls. Then his fingers slowly worked their way down until he felt a warm dampness.

Hermione lightly panted. She had never gone beyond light petting and fondling with Ron. She could not have stopped Severus even if she had tried. She could feel the tension in her stomach and the feeling of his hot mouth on her nipples was more than she could bear. When she felt his questing fingers lightly probing her moist curls, she couldn't stop her moans of encouragement. She spread her legs a little further and arched her hips to help alleviate some of the pressure she was feeling. She felt him slip a finger into her soft passage. Her body jerked at the sensation.

Severus felt like he was going to burst when her hips started to rock slightly. She was very tight, and he felt a small thrill go through him that he was to be her first. When her breathing started to become ragged, he gently pushed another finger into her. With his thumb, he found her small, erect nub and lightly worked it back and forth.

"Oh, Merlin! Severus! Please," Hermione gasped. She arched her back and rocked her hips faster. Severus increased the movement of his hand, and when he felt her walls start to tremble, applied a bit more pressure on her clitoris as his fingers rubbed faster. All of a sudden, her muscles locked, and spasms rocked through her body. Hermione cried out and dug her fingers into his back.

Feeling her body flutter around his fingers, Severus positioned himself above her and gently, but swiftly, entered her. He felt her fingernails break the skin on his back when he breached her maidenhead. He pulled almost all of the way out and slowly slid back into her slick folds. His eyes rolled at the feeling of burying himself deep within her wet heat. She was as tight as he had imagined. It only took a few more thrusts before he felt his own orgasm upon him. He groaned lightly and slumped forward.

A couple of minutes passed before he opened his eyes. He found his head nestled on Hermione's breast. She was gently brushing his hair out of his eyes and looking at him with a soft, contemplative expression.

He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"Well, I guess mother knew what she was talking about," was all she said before kissing him gently and snuggling up against him.

He just rolled his eyes as he turned over. He grunted softly in surprise as Hermione nestled her head on his shoulder. Together, they fell asleep.

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Author's Notes: Tinnidawg, you are the absolute best! Three cheers to one of the busiest people I know! To my readers, I hope you enjoy this chapter. The next one is going to take a bit longer to post, summer and work got very busy! I promise to update as soon as possible!