Choices: Chapters 125 to 136

Summary: He was a fool to hold Hermione to her original promise. It was time to rectify that mistake. But it seemed fate, and Hermione had other plans. Can Severus learn to live with the choices he's made, even at the cost of his own happiness?

A/N: The story is written in drabble form, one hundred words per chapter. The brevity of the chapters forces the emotions to stand out sharply against the action. The first forty chapters were posted in the drabble collections – Round Nine through Fourteen. Since so many have asked me to post these as their own story, I've decided to compile them here.

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc., of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

The Choices We Make

Chapter 125: Cat And Mouse

As the week wore on, Severus continued to play the part of perfect gentleman, escorting Hermione to meals, going with her for her check-up, bringing her fresh potions. He was careful to maintain their distance, despite Hermione's repeated attempts to seduce him.

That's not to say he didn't try and tempt the witch.

His hand at her back when walking slid lower than necessary; his voice, deliberately dropped to a silky tone to entice her when whispering in her ear at a meal; 'accidentally' brushing the side of her breast when taking her books.

It was driving them both crazy.

Chapter 126: Hindsight Is 1000% Accurate

Saturday--May 27th, should have been circled in red on his calendar, heralded for the change it brought, or perhaps avoided entirely if hindsight were employed.

It started as any other Hogsmeade weekend he'd chaperoned: irritating and annoying. The only good thing he could say about it was it kept him away from temptation for the day, away from Hermione.

Libidos had been rising steadily all week, the original reason for their separation lost in a sea of lustful hormones. Severus could barely remember why he was keeping Hermione at arm's length anymore, the desire to take her becoming overwhelming.

Chapter 127: Timing Is Everything

She was entering her second trimester. According to Poppy, she should tire less, her magic should be more accessible as the baby started to develop some of its own. Less aches and pains, too. Tell that to her back, she thought, rubbing the base of her spine. She wondered if Severus had something for her backache.

A glance at the clock showed he should have returned from Hogsmeade sometime within the last hour. He was never in a good mood when forced to chaperone; heading for Severus' office, she could only hope he'd been back long enough to calm down.

Chapter 128: Let "Sleeping" Dogs Lie

"Enter!"

Hermione sighed; this was one case where his bark might not be worse than his bite. She suppressed a giggle as she opened his office door.

"Severus, I'm sorry to bother you, but my back is killing me. Do you have something I can take for it?"

His eyes softened at the sight of Hermione. "Did you lift something you shouldn't have?"

"Possibly, but it's been bothering me for weeks. I can go see Poppy if you're busy." Her eyes trailed from his eyes to his lips and back; thoughts of her erotic dreams raised the color in cheeks.

Chapter 129: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

"No, it's fine. I still have the balm I used when I pulled a muscle in my back. It's much more effective than anything Poppy has." A quick spell revealed a hidden doorway. He moved quickly, Hermione's presence unsettling him. "If you'll wait a moment, I'll get it for you."

Stay or follow?

Hermione debated a moment before following him through the doorway. She'd been alone in their old quarters with Severus before, and nothing had happened. Of course at the time her mind hadn't been occupied with thoughts of ripping his clothes off and shagging him senseless.

Damn hormones!

Chapter 130: Can You Say Duplicity?

She wasn't following him.

She told herself she needed an Advanced Charms text she'd left on the nightstand. Her traitorous mind reminded her she'd packed her books first, all of her books, before she'd even thought to pack her personal belongs when she'd left.

"Hermione!" Intent on reading the jar, Severus barely avoided colliding with the witch. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you. I thought you were going to wait in my office?"

"Yes, well, I...thought I left a book I needed on the nightstand, but it's...not there." Hermione looked around nervously. "So, I just rub that on my back?"

Chapter 131: The Right Place At The Wrong Time, Or Is It The Wrong Place At The Right Time?

"Rub it in thoroughly on the affected area; you should feel relief almost immediately." Severus saw Hermione grimace. "What?"

"It's hard for me to reach my back. Would you mind putting it on me?"

Warning bells were clanging in his mind; his carefully constructed plan was about to crumble. He should've said no; he should've handed her the jar and sent her on her way. He should've done a lot of things. Instead he watched as Hermione slipped her robes off and lay face down on the bed, her shirt riding up to expose a broad expanse of golden skin.

Chapter 132: Is That A Wand In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

"Hermione..." Severus swallowed thickly, watching the witch wriggle higher up on the bed.

"Severus, please, just put the balm on. I'll be out of your hair in no time."

Not trusting his voice, he nodded mutely. The spelled balm warmed instantly in his hand. Gently, he rubbed a small circle into the small of Hermione's back.

Her moan of appreciation was his undoing.

Kneading her shoulders before moving lower, his fingers stroked the sides of her breasts. He gave up all pretense of propriety, rolling her over to suck wetly at a hardened nipple through the fabric of her blouse.

Chapter 133: When Two Become One

Hermione lost herself in his touch, the feel of his hands on her body, the jolt of pure lust coursing through her veins.

A whispered spell and their clothes disappeared.

Severus settled between her legs, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss as he buried himself in her heat. He thrust slowly, setting an easy pace, but Hermione would have none of it.

"The baby..."

"...Is fine. Please, I need more." Pulling him forward, she urged him on, her hips rising to meet his every thrust.

He felt her muscles tighten as she shattered around him, her climax triggering his.

Chapter 134: Reflections

Severus moved to the side, mindful of his pregnant wife. He smiled as she nestled against him, her eyes drifting closed even as she kissed his cheek. He managed to snag the coverlet, pulling it over both of them before settling back to watch Hermione sleep.

Poppy had assured him everything was fine. Pregnant women got tired, their bodies adjusting for the new life growing inside them.

At last she was home where he could take care of her. He was pleased to know it was over. Hermione was back in his arms, back in their bed where she belonged.

Chapter 135: Don't Count Your Blast-Ended Skrewts Until They're Hatched

Her stomach growled, waking them both.

Sometime during his musings, Severus had fallen asleep. "Feeling better?" he asked with a smile.

"Most definitely. I think we both needed that. What time is it?" Her stomach gave another loud rumble. "I think we missed dinner."

"It's after seven. Why don't I have the house-elves send up dinner before they move your things back in?"

"Move my things back in?" Hermione looked at him in confusion. "Why would they do that?"

"Because you're home." His tone said he'd had enough of this game.

"Severus, I'm not ready to move back in yet."

Chapter 136: Conjecture or When You Assume, You Make An Ass Out of You and Me

"But we just made love!"

"Yes, and it was amazing. I can't tell you how randy I get these days."

"You used me," he snarled.

"You seemed to be having a pretty good time of it yourself."

"What was this all about if you weren't coming home?"

"It was about two people coming together. I won't let you pressure me into making a decision."

Sitting up, Severus stared at his still estranged wife. "Enough is enough, Hermione, I can only apologize so many times. I've tried to prove I've changed. Either you forgive me and come back or..."

"Or what?"

To Be Continued

A/N: I know-evil cliffhanger by the evil author. Sorry about that, but this was the most natural place to end the chapter. More soon!

A grateful thank you to my beta, the wonderful Southern_Witch_69, who has a never ending supply of commas and kind words for me. The mistakes, however, are still mine.

Hmm, after a quick reread (before posting) I realize those following this story will most likely want to take Hermione out and string her up, possibly me, too (especially if SW69's comments in the margins were any indication). Think about the fact that Severus threw her out in the beginning and that her emotions have been running through a roller coaster ride ever since then.

Pearle