Finally

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters; they are the property of JK Rowling. I am merely obsessed and like to borrow them occasionally, so please do not sue me. I am making absolutely no profit from this story.

A/N: Thank you so much to those who left reviews, I truly appreciate it. I'm really sorry about the six and a half months thing, lol. I know a lot of people were probably expecting some lemony goodness in the last chapter, and don't worry I won't disappoint! EnJoY!

Warnings: Adult Situations; please skip this chapter if this bothers you.

Chapter 8

Finally

The graduation celebration had started two hours ago, and Severus was getting impatient. He was watching Hermione from the corner of the Great Hall as she went around talking to people. She was absolutely radiant and glowing with pride.

They had managed to keep their relationship a secret from most people. Of course, Dumbledore quickly found out, but to their surprise, he had been quite delighted at the news. Ron and Harry, however, had been a slightly bigger problem. The two boys had become puzzled over their friend's constant disappearances and had followed her down to the dungeons one night to find her kissing Severus. They had pulled their wands on Severus, which of course prompted him to pull his wand on them. Hermione had to stand in between them as the boys kept shouting threats at Severus, and he, in turn, taunted them. Hermione had finally gotten them to calm down and threatened to hex the two boys several times each if they ever told anyone about her and Severus. They had sworn to keep quiet; they knew better than to get on her bad side. Eventually, Ron and Harry grew accustomed to Hermione and Severus' relationship. After all, they reasoned, who else could possibly handle a witch like Hermione?

Over the past six months or so, Hermione and Severus had grown increasingly close. Hermione had realized that what she had felt for Severus in the beginning was nowhere near real love. Her feelings for him had grown so intense through the months it made her past emotions seem insignificant. Now she knew what love was, and she had no doubt that she was deeply in love with Severus Snape.

As for Severus, it took him a little longer to come to the same conclusion. Stubborn as ever, it took him almost four months to admit his feelings to himself. After the fifth month, he finally confessed to Hermione that he had fallen in love with her.

Severus had kept his word, and they had not consummated their relationship yet, despite the fact that Hermione had kept tempting him relentlessly. Now she had graduated, and he was no longer her professor. Tonight, Hermione would finally be his; tonight he would truly show her the extent of his love. But at the moment, it felt like tonight was ages away. This blasted celebration will never end! swore Severus to himself. He watched Hermione as she made her way back to Ron and Harry. Those two have had enough of her time tonight, it's my turn now.

Severus swiftly made his way through the crowd and approached Hermione from behind. She had not seen him approaching, so when arms started wrapping around her, she was initially surprised. However, the familiar touch quickly registered with her, and she smiled, realizing it was Severus.

"I have been quite patient with you, love," he hissed in her ear, "but my patience is waning."

"Well, you'll just have to wait a bit longer, Severus. I'm talking to Ron and Harry." She winked at her two friends as she said this, which caused the two to blush profusely. They knew, as did Hermione, why Severus was getting impatient, and she was enjoying teasing him.

"I am leaving, Hermione," he growled, "and I am taking you with me, whether you like it or not."

"Oh, look! They're bringing out the dessert!" said Hermione excitedly. She was ignoring him on purpose to get a reaction out of him ... she was curious to see how far she could push him. As she quickly found out, it wasn't very far; having had enough of her taunts, Severus swept her up in his arms.

"Don't say I didn't warn you, love," he snarled as he moved towards the exit of the Great Hall. Hermione giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled into his shoulder. The entire Hall was staring at them, stunned at what they were witnessing, but neither one of them cared. They were soon out of the Hall as Severus made his way to the dungeons.

"I love it when you take control like that, love," purred Hermione as she kissed his neck. "It's so hot."

"You are an impossible woman, Hermione," he said flatly.

The two finally made it into Severus' bedroom, and he put her down gently next to the bed.

"Gods, I have been waiting for this for so long," he whispered softly as he cupped her face with one hand. "I love you so much, Hermione."

"I love you, too, Severus," she whispered back. Severus pulled her gently into a deep, demanding kiss. She could feel the need and desire flowing from his body, and she was quickly responding. Their kiss was so intense that she could feel the moisture between her legs already building. Hermione pushed back against his mouth with just as much passion and fervour.

Severus could feel his erection burning, and he didn't know how much longer he could wait. He needed to be inside her, soon. He pulled his wand out and quickly cast a charm, melting the clothes from both their bodies. Hermione moved back just a little bit, stopping the kiss.

"You bad boy," she purred as her eyes scanned his lean, muscular body. She had seen it once before, but that seemed like so long ago. Her eyes landed on his erection, and a scorching heat enveloped her body. She looked up and noticed Severus' gaze falling over her curves. She realised that this was the first time he was seeing her naked ... after all, last time he had been sleepwalking and couldn't remember any of it.

"Merlin, Hermione," he said so softly, she barely heard him, "you truly are flawless." Their eyes met, and Hermione could see the hunger in the depths of his black eyes. She took his hand and pulled him with her as she lay back on the bed.

Severus' hands began tracing her curves, revelling in the softness and beauty of her perfect skin. Hermione's breathing was starting to increase, and she could feel her heart beat quickening. She moved her hand and placed it behind Severus' neck and pulled him down into a passionate embrace. Severus' hand finally settled on her breast, he gently began massaging it with his long fingers. His fingers slowly circled her hardened nipple before pinching it, ushering a moan from Hermione. Releasing her lips, he started nipping and licking his way to her chest. His mouth moved to her soft breast, and his tongue found her nipple. Severus flicked his tongue and gently teased her nipple with his teeth. Hermione's moans were getting more frequent and louder as Severus continued to tease her.

Severus' nose hadn't failed to pick up the scent of her arousal, and he could no longer ignore it. He left a wet trail of kisses on her stomach as he moved closer to the sweet smell of her arousal. Hermione felt his hand pushing her thighs apart and she willingly complied, spreading herself for him. Severus teased the inside of her thigh with his tongue as his fingers slowly entered her folds. Hermione gasped at the sensation. He was beyond pleased with how wet she was and felt himself getting harder, if that was even possible. His long fingers slowly explored her folds, purposely avoiding her clit, and he could hear her moans of protest as her hips began moving.

"Please... please, Severus," she whimpered.

"This is your punishment for teasing me, love," he said in a deep, husky voice.

"You're... an evil... bastard," she managed between gasps. His harsh chuckle only managed to arouse her more, and her hips began moving faster underneath his hand. Severus finally took pity on her and moved his mouth closer to her pink clit. He inhaled her scent before lowering his lips onto her. He pressed his tongue into her clit as he sucked it gently and was rewarded by a small shriek escaping Hermione. Gods, he thought, this must be what heaven tastes like.

His fingers found their way into her tightness and began thrusting into her. Her hips were now bucking, meeting each thrust of his fingers as her whimpers filled the air. Hermione could feel the pressure building inside of her as her breathing became ragged and uneven. Severus increased the speed of his ministrations, knowing she was about to come. His teeth gently grazed her clitoris, and Hermione felt her entire body convulsing with the force of her orgasm as she screamed out Severus' name. Severus was watching her intently as she came, adoring the sight that met his eyes. He had never seen anything more beautiful or more breathtaking in his life.

As Hermione began to regain her senses, Severus moved himself above her and placed a soft kiss on her lips. She could taste herself on him, and she loved it. Severus aligned his erection against the edge her channel.

"This is going to hurt, love," he whispered into her ear, "but it won't last long. I'll make it better, I promise." Hermione nodded and gave him a nervous smile. Severus captured her lips into an embrace that conveyed all the love he was feeling for her as he thrust into her. She screamed into his mouth as her body tightened from the shock of the pain. Her nails dug into his back, and Severus pulled her closer to him, wanting to take her pain away. She was so deliciously tight; he wasn't sure how long he could last, but he knew he had to hold out as long as possible. This was her first time, and he wanted her to enjoy it.

As he felt Hermione begin to relax, he began moving in and out of her slowly, letting her get used to the feel of having him inside. The pain was slowly receding, and Hermione could gradually feel the pleasure returning. Her hips began to move, meeting each thrust from Severus, and their motions started picking up speed. Severus braced himself on one elbow and moved his other hand between them. His finger quickly found her clit and started teasing it, wanting her to come again. Hermione's thrusts were becoming more frantic, and her breathing was becoming ragged.

"Oh Merlin, Severus! Harder!" she screamed. Hearing her scream his name was more than he could stand, and Severus couldn't hold back anymore. He braced himself on both his elbows and began pounding into her wildly. Hermione responded by meeting each thrust, and she could hear the low predatory growls coming from his throat.

"Severus!" Hermione screamed as she found her release. Severus could feel her tight muscles pulsing around his shaft as he too found his release, screaming Hermione's name. They both slowed their movements gradually, drawing out their orgasms. Finally, he collapsed onto her, all strength drained from his body. Hermione wrapped her arms around him, holding him while they tried to catch their breaths.

Severus finally rolled off of her and pulled her with him as he moved onto his back. Hermione cuddled against his chest as his arm wrapped possessively around her waist.

"I love you, Severus."

"I love you more," he rumbled.

Hermione giggled. "I don't think that's possible; if I loved you any more than I already do, I think I would explode from the intensity of it. Besides, it's not a competition."

"I'm not competing. Merely stating a fact," he said in his silky voice. "You love me, but you also love all those pesky friends of yours, and you love your parents and any other family members you may have. That's a lot of love inside one person, so you see you can only love me so much. I, on the other hand, only love you. You, Hermione, are my one and only love, therefore I love you more."

"Severus," Hermione laughed and looked up at him, "you're so silly. You know that's not how love works; it's not like your potions where everything can be measured."

"I still love you more," he said stubbornly. Hermione just shook her head as she giggled and lay her head back down. Severus could be hard-headed, and she had learned in the past six months that sometimes it was best to let him have his way. They lay comfortably in each other's arms, simply content to be together.

After a few minutes, Severus spoke. "I wonder where we're going to be in a few years." Severus had become far more open with her in the last few months, speaking his mind much more freely. Hermione lifted her head, a little wary of his comment.

"Well, like we've already discussed, I'm going to finish my Arithmancy apprenticeship, and then I'm going to come back to Hogwarts to teach so that Professor Vector can retire. You're still going to be here teaching Potions." Hermione didn't understand what he was thinking of. It had been his idea to ask Dumbledore to offer her the position, and they had talked about it many times before.

"That's not what I mean, love," he replied softly. He didn't say anything for a while, lost in his own thoughts. "I've decided something," he finally said matter-of-factly. "You're going to be my wife." Hermione sat up to look at him wide-eyed.

"Severus Snape," she said a little harshly, "of course we're getting married, but that can't be the best proposal you could come up with. I know you're not the romantic type, but that was just pathetic."

"It wasn't a proposal, love," Severus chuckled. "I'm not asking you to be my wife: I'm telling you you're going to be."

"What?" she snarled. "You're commanding me to be your wife! That is low, Severus, even for you." Severus grabbed her wrists and flipped her over so that he had her pinned to the mattress.

"So what are you going do about it?" he jested as he raised his eyebrow. "Leave me?"

"You're nothing but an evil git, you know that," she snapped. Severus just gave her a mischievous grin. As Hermione looked up into the face of the man she adored, her eyes softened. He was all hers, evilness and all. She gave Severus a loving smile and whispered, "Please, don't ever change."

"Don't worry, love, I wasn't planning on it," he smirked as he leaned in for a kiss. Severus then moved off of her to shift towards his nightstand, he could hear her sounds of protest at the sudden separation.

"I want to give you your graduation present," he said as he turned back towards her with a small box in his hand. He took her hand, opened it tenderly. After placing a small kiss on the inside of her palm, he placed the small box in her hand. "This is yours." After a short pause he added, "If you will have it... and me."

Hermione shrieked and threw herself into his arms. "Merlin's beard, yes!" she squeaked. "Yes, Severus Snape, I will marry you." Severus took the ring out of the box and gently placed it on her finger. Hermione examined the ring; it had a simple, yet elegant round diamond setting on a silver band. Severus had never been one for flash and over-exaggeration and neither had Hermione.

"It's perfect," she said softly as he pulled her tightly into his arms, cradling her against his chest and ensnaring her lips in a passion-filled embrace. Finally, he thought. Finally, she's truly mine.

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A/N: Well, there you have it; I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I realize that Severus was slightly OOC in this (and last) chapter, but there is no easy way to have JKR's Snape fall in love without bending the rules a little. However, in our own little fandom, this Severus makes perfect sense, LOL. I know it seems like the end, but it's not! The last chapter is being posted very soon, so look for it. It will be very short, just a small epilogue to wrap up the story.

Lotsa Love, CyanaWhite