Take My Breath Away

A/N: All things Harry Potter belong to JKR. I make no money from this.

Many thanks to my awesome beta, Southern_Witch_69! Sun, you're the greatest!

Chapter Eleven

Take My Breath Away

Hermione Snape sat at the table closest to the front in the library in case Madam Pince wanted to ask her a question or give her a task. She'd been coming to the library everyday these past three months since Christmas break had ended, enjoying the tasks the current librarian had set for her to do. Although it was just shy of eight a.m., the librarian usually had something for her to start on.

"Mrs. Snape, I must compliment you on your reorganization skills. The rearranging of those books in the Charms section was genius!" Madam Pince praised. "You'll do quite well here next year when I retire."

"Thank you, Madam. It's just that I've come here so often and..." Hermione shook her head to clear it. "What? You're going to retire?"

Narrowing her eyes with concern, the librarian said, "Yes, of course. You know very well that you've been my apprentice these past months! Why else would I have you doing all those tasks you've been performing lately? Are you sure you're feeling quite well? I've read that those in their seventh month can sometimes become... confused."

"Your apprentice? No, I had no idea!" The notion was fast becoming exciting for her though. "How would I have known? You've never mentioned it to me."

"Well, really! Minerva was supposed to have said something to you months ago. You came in here the very day that the headmistress and I discussed it, asking if you could help me with anything! I just assumed the two of you had talked it over and that you'd agreed."

Hermione remembered that day well. It was the day that Severus had believed she'd been cheating with Ron, and she had just wanted somewhere to go...something to do. "No. She's never mentioned it to me, but I have to admit, the idea appeals to me very much. I just need to speak with Severus."

Madam Pince huffed. "Honestly! I thought that this had already been settled; else I never would have begun your training! I'm most put out by this turn of events!"

"I apologize, Madam! I had no idea. I will speak with him after his last class today. There shouldn't be any problem though." Hermione's heart was racing. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted this position. Surely Severus wouldn't have any objection... She'd be right here in the castle and could even bring the baby with her for the first few weeks.

"See that you do! I don't have time to be training someone else at this late date! Why, it's already March!"

"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said demurely.

Once the librarian had gone to put away some books, Hermione gathered her things and left for her and Severus' rooms. She wanted to be there if he returned between classes. If not, she'd just have to wait until his classes were over since she'd stopped going to the Great Hall for meals the month before. Circe, I hope he doesn't have any detentions tonight!

*** *** ***

Ron made his way into his flat wearily. He and Harry had worked the nightshift, as the newbies had to do, and he was bone tired. For once, he'd decided to ignore the ever-growing hunger pains in the pit of his stomach and fall straight into bed.

It had been an eventful night. The attempted Azkaban break was the highlight. Ron shook his head. The stupid sodders thought they'd rush the guards. What do they think? No sort of alarms?

It had been his immense pleasure to elbow Theodore Nott right in the nose and extremely satisfying to hear the crunch of the break. Not that he and his cohort were the only two attempting an escape, mind; no, the whole rotten prison thought they could start an uprising.

The fighting and rounding up of the prisoners had left him tired and aching. All he wanted at the moment was his bed and... Ron stopped short of closing his bedroom door. He'd been too lost in his thoughts, or he would've realized sooner that something was off.

Wand at the ready, he made his way to the kitchen, ready to Stupefy whoever seemed to be making himself at home in his flat. He pushed the door open and burst through, spell halfway out of his mouth when it registered who was standing there. "Bloody hell, Luna! What do you think you're doing?" he shouted.

Unperturbed by his hateful tone, Luna simply smiled and said, "Good morning! I wanted to make breakfast for you before I head in to The Quibbler..." She suddenly noticed his irate expression. "Um, I apologize for coming in here...uninvited, that is...to wait for you."

She stood there, feeling foolish as she waited for him to respond. Now jittery because he wouldn't say anything, she went on. "Okay, I can see that you're tired...long night, eh?...so I'll just leave. I didn't mean to just barge in here or anything; I just thought you'd be tired from work, and I know you're always hungry," she began laughing nervously, "so I wanted to make sure you're taken care of..."

She stopped talking. He just stood there, holding his wand, looking at her as if she were as loony as everyone claimed her to be. When the tears came, it never occurred to her to try and stop them. "Right. I'll go then. Er, Floo me when you're next off and want to go out or something."

She started walking briskly to the door. All Luna knew was that she had to get out of there, or she would make a fool of herself. She had loved Ronald Bilius Weasley for as long as she could remember. It was her cross to bear, as his feelings were obviously not mutual. That was okay, as her feelings were her own responsibility, but damn him! Would it kill him to show me a little appreciation every now and then? Affection?

Luna was startled from her inner musings when Ron grabbed her arm as she brushed past him. He pulled her to him roughly and kissed her hungrily. All train of thought left her head.

Ron had been speechless after his initial outburst. He stood watching her at his stove, cooking his breakfast, and giving him a welcome home smile. The sunlight had been streaming through the windows behind Luna and had outlined her, making her look angelic.

He knew she had been babbling and that he should say something to put her mind at ease, but at that moment, all he could think was, She's so beautiful, and she's all mine! The urge to have her at that moment was so great, so powerful, that it left him stunned.

When Ron finally came to enough to see her leaving, he stopped her the only way he could think of. Finally coming up for air, he murmured against her mouth, "Thank you for breakfast, honey, but I'm a bit starved for something else just now."

Luna stiffened. She'd not let things get that far before, knowing that though she loved and wanted him, this was a part of herself she had to protect. Once they made love...shagged to him...she would never be able to move on once he'd left her. Luna had no doubt that he eventually would.

"I need to get to work. There was an attempted prison break..." She couldn't think with him kissing her neck like that.

"Umm hmm. I was there. I can tell you all about it." He moved lower and started unbuttoning her robes.

She fisted her hands in his hair, not sure if she meant to push him away or pull him closer. "Ronald," she whispered as her body filled with needs and longings she thought she'd suppressed.

Ron began backing her out of the kitchen and towards his bedroom, kissing and caressing as they went. He wanted her with a passion he'd never felt before. Overwhelming and all encompassing. His tiredness had been replaced with passion, and he wanted to show her.

Once they reached his bedroom, he stopped beside the bed and slipped her robes from her shoulders. Ron stood back so that he could admire her body and was not disappointed in what he saw. "Very nice. Luna, you're gorgeous." He began gently stroking her.

Luna blushed and, with trembling fingers, began fumbling with his buttons. She wanted things to be perfect for him, but she wasn't stupid. The more she thought of pleasing him, the clumsier she became.

Ron stopped his ministrations, wondering what the matter was. "All right, Luna?"

"Yes, yes, fine." She giggled. "It's just that these darn buttons won't cooperate! I've never had problems before..."

He very gently laid his lips to hers. "We don't have to do this now if you're not ready." He rubbed up and down her arms in a comforting gesture. "It's okay." I'll just hold off exploding until I'm alone...

Luna stopped fumbling and looked up into his face, searching his eyes. "I want you, Ronald. I love you. Don't say anything," she said quickly, realizing her mistake. She never meant to say that to him. "I know that you don't feel the same. Why would you? I know what I am...how people see me...but it doesn't matter...not really...I only care what you think, you see, and knowing that you want me is enough."

"Don't do that!" he said, his voice simultaneously roughened with need and annoyance.

She winced. "Oh, I'm sorry. I..."

"Don't assume my feelings, and don't put yourself down that way! You're a remarkable woman, Luna. I've thought so for a while. I'm sorry I gave you the impression I thought otherwise."

"Please don't," she whispered. "Don't say the words. I tend to be literal minded. If you say them, I'll start believing them, wanting them and, most importantly, needing them. I don't want to crowd you."

"Damn it, Luna! You're worth so much more than you...and apparently me...give yourself credit for! I know that lately it seems I've taken you for granted. Perhaps I have. It stops now. Right this minute! Haven't you figured out, with that smart brain of yours, that there's nobody else I want except you? I'm not very good with showing how I feel, unless I'm angry, but you mean something to me." More than I've realized...

"Something?" She had not intended to push him, but at that moment, she wanted to hear it. It was important for her to hear just what that something was.

Ron looked down into Luna's beautiful, silvery eyes. Very gently, he laid her on the bed, took off his robes, and lay beside her, holding her against him.

"Even more than I've realized," he said while gently stroking up and down her back. Seemingly to himself, he went on. "I think of you a lot when we're not together. I look forward to our dates. I've wanted you almost from the beginning, but soon came to understand that I wanted more than just sex with you. That alone is unusual for me because, normally, that would be one of the first things I'd go for, but with you..."

Luna dared not interrupt, instinctively knowing he was talking of his feelings for her more to himself than to her. She wanted him to work it out himself without any prompting from her. Her heart fluttered in her chest as he rambled on, waiting for him to finally comprehend his feelings and voice them aloud. They'd been dating exclusively for three months now...he must have some idea.

"I've wanted to make you happy, more than meself," he continued, voice full of wonder. He hadn't even put Hermione's feelings above his when they'd dated, and he knew that he'd loved her without a doubt. Love? Am I in love with Luna?

Ron knew that he'd matured a lot since Auror training. He was finally beginning to think before speaking and find out all the details before acting, but this... He jerked and sat up, looking down into Luna's patient...although expectant...face. His mind had finally caught up to his heart.

He smiled and ran a finger down her cheek. He didn't feel panicked or the urge to flee. He felt happy. Ecstatic. He bent down and kissed her once, very gently. "I love you, Luna. I don't think I've ever understood what that meant exactly, until now, because I've never loved anyone like this before."

She couldn't stop the tears, although this time, she wanted to. She didn't want to be sniveling at such a moment, but she couldn't help herself. Her Ronald had finally said the words she'd been aching to hear most of her life, only better than she ever could have imagined. She threw her arms around him and hugged him to her tightly. "I love you, too, Ronald. So much!"

Luna began kissing him everywhere she could reach. His face, his lips, his neck, his chest... "Honey, as much as I'm enjoying this," he groaned deep and loud when her tongue found his nipple, "in about three seconds I'm not going to be able to stop meself. So, unless you want this to go all the way..."

She answered him by straddling him and locking her feet behind his back. "I want you. I need you, and most of all I love you. Love me back, Ronald."

He couldn't have stopped himself after that declaration if he'd tried. Ron deftly flipped Luna onto her back and answered her command with pleasure.

*** *** ***

Draco had just stepped out of the shower, leaving his wife to finish washing her hair. He would have loved to wash it himself, but he had to get ready for his first class of the day. He smiled, thinking of her much appreciated aggressiveness. This month of her pregnancy had been especially wonderful. She was insatiable. He loved it.

"Do we have plans this Saturday, baby?" Draco asked.

"Hmm. No, I don't think so. Do you have something in mind?" she asked him as she turned off the water and grabbed a towel. Ginny had finally started growing once her sickness had passed, and she rubbed her growing tummy lovingly.

Her husband watched her movements and walked to her, placing both hands on her stomach, wanting to feel any movement within. She smiled up at him. "He's resting."

"Do you know something I don't? You've been calling the baby he ever since you became pregnant. I thought we weren't going to find out?"

"No, I didn't find out. It's just logical that this is a boy. My mum had six boys before she had me, and your mum had you... Boys are always first in my family, so I just think our baby will be a boy."

"Ah, I see. Logic." He grinned. "I love you, especially your mind, when it's being logical."

"Right." Ginny drew the word out. "You were definitely loving my mind in the shower moments ago."

"Hey, I can love both your mind and body at the same time! I'm gifted that way," he teased.

For reasons unknown, although Ginny blamed it on pregnancy hormones, she thought of Josephine just then and wondered how talented Draco had been with her. Now that was one... gifted witch. Her brother Charlie and Josephine had eloped Valentine's Day, much to the surprise of all in her family.

Recalling the way Draco had used his talented mouth on her in the shower moments ago, she blurted out, "You've loved Josephine the same way that you loved me, haven't you?" She didn't mean for that to come out like an accusation, although it did.

Draco turned to face his wife then, all teasing gone from his face and voice. Stopping buttoning his shirt midway, he looked directly into her eyes. "I've never loved anyone the way I love you, Ginevra."

She held up her hand. "No, don't. I'm sorry. That was uncalled for." She sighed. "Stupid hormones. I meant physically, but still, don't answer me. It's none of my business what...or who...you did before me. I know that in here," she told him as she tapped the side of her head with her finger, "but in here," she tapped her chest where her heart lay, "I get... jealous." Oh, how she hated that word.

"Ginny, Josephine and I were close for a summer. We dated and were lovers, which you already know. Our parents would have rejoiced at a union between us, and I won't lie to you, we...Josie and I...did discuss it. But that's all it would've been. Not a marriage or a home, not like we have, but a union." He cupped her face. "With her, it was all heat and no substance." He kissed her. "With you it's... everything."

"Oh, Draco, I love you!" Ginny threw her arms around him. "I've never felt this way either." She smiled. "I suppose that since I've never been intimate with anyone other than you, it's hard for you to understand, but it's difficult knowing that others have... had you."

He stiffened slightly when she said she'd never felt this way. Draco knew that she'd loved Harry Potter for years. As his wife kept speaking, he got the image of Potter over her, caressing her, loving her, and Draco only knew that he was happy that he had been the only one to be with her, petty as that sounded.

They'd both spoken of others, specifically Potter and Pansy, and Ginny had confessed to Draco before that the love she'd felt for Harry paled in comparison to him. He only had to believe it. Thinking of Pansy reminded him of his plans for Saturday.

"Oh, before I forget, I want to take you somewhere Saturday. It's a surprise," he said before she could start asking questions. "So, don't make any plans, okay?"

"Sure." Suddenly, she stiffened and then grabbed his hand, placing it on her tummy. "Feel!"

The baby was definitely moving about. Draco grinned. He loved to feel it. "Active little bugger, isn't he?" He looked down at this timepiece and frowned. "Damn. I have to go or I'll be late." He bent and kissed her. "See you this evening."

"Bye, love, and have a good day," Ginny told him as he left. She finished getting dressed, wondering what plans he had cooked up for them this weekend.

*** *** ***

Harry had had a good six hours sleep when he woke and decided to pay Pansy a call at the orphanage. He was in an exceptionally good mood because little by little, his intriguing little Slytherin was opening up to him. All he had to do was keep her guessing.

He walked into her office without knocking and was momentarily taken aback to see her on her knees in front of the fireplace talking to... Snape. Neither of them had heard him enter the room, so Harry didn't bring any attention to his presence.

"Thank you so much, Professor Snape. If it hadn't been for you and your quick thinking..."

"It's all right, Miss Parkinson. He will be fine now. I would like to check back this evening, after classes, if I may."

"Of course," she agreed as she sniffled. "You are welcome here anytime."

Severus nodded. "Good day."

Once he had disconnected the Floo, Pansy placed her face in her hands and sobbed loudly, brokenly. She jumped when she felt the gentle hands on her shoulders.

"H-Harry! What are you doing here?"

"I've come to see you. What's the matter, Pansy? What were you and Snape talking about?"

"You were eavesdropping on my private conversation? How dare you?" She stood and walked away from him, shaking with fury and desperation, ignoring her wet cheeks.

His relaxed face hardened. "No, I did not eavesdrop. I walked into your office, and you were talking, so I simply waited until you'd finished your conversation."

"Walked in without knocking...uninvited...and purposely didn't speak so that you could hear what we were talking about. Well, I don't care for your methods, Potter."

"Uninvited? Potter?" Harry had no idea what was wrong with Pansy, but he knew she was lashing out at him for something he had nothing to do with. Knowing it didn't stop his anger.

"I thought we'd gotten past all this, Pansy." He turned away from her. "I don't know what else to do, how else to act. I've done nothing to cause your distrust of me. As a matter of fact, I've done everything I know to do to convince you that I'm interested in you and would like to see where we can take... this. Apparently, I've misjudged you and your feelings. I'm through beating my head against the wall and jumping through hoops."

He started towards the door, and Pansy knew that she'd gone too far. She panicked, not wanting him to leave. She wanted to scream, but could only whisper, "Don't. Please don't walk out on me. I...I'm sorry." Then she looked away because she couldn't bear to watch him walk out on her, even if it was her fault.

Harry stopped and took a deep breath to calm himself. "Why?"

"Why?" she repeated.

"Why should I stay, Pansy, when you obviously don't want or need me to?"

Pansy faced him then. She owed him that much, she knew, even if it was costing her. "You're wrong. I do need you. I need you too much, and that scares me, Harry."

He walked to her then. "It doesn't have to," he said softly. "I won't hurt you, Pansy. How many times do I have to say that before you believe me?"

"You won't mean to. I know that. But when you move on, if we keep heading where this between us seems to be heading, it's going to hurt me. I have to protect my heart."

Harry discovered he hadn't calmed down in the least. "What the hell's the matter with you?" he asked in a dangerously low voice that anyone who knew him better would have known the anger that vibrated underneath. "I don't care to be lumped in with the other blokes you've dated, Pansy. I'm not like any of them, and I'll not try to convince you anymore. I'm done here." He turned and walked out the door, slamming it, before he said anything further.

Pansy went to her desk and sat down. She'd blown it...it was her own fault. She'd been her own worst enemy. By trying to keep herself from getting hurt and keeping him at wand's length, she'd driven him away. With everything else that had happened so far that day, she simply broke, laying her head down on her desk and crying.

Suddenly, she was pulled from her chair and engulfed in strong arms. "I couldn't go," Harry whispered into her hair. "I realized that by leaving, I was acting like everyone else before me. We've been dating three months now, Pansy. Don't you get it? I'm falling for you."

She only shook her head, leaving it buried in his chest. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I tried to keep myself from having all of these feelings for you, but it's not working."

He held her tighter. "What's wrong, love? Why were you crying when I first came in?"

Breathing deeply and reveling in the scent that was distinctively Harry's, she told him, "It was Peter. He tried to kill himself this morning by way of poison. I did the first thing I could think of and contacted Professor Snape. He immediately Flooed here and quickly got the antidote. If I'd been just ten minutes later..."

"You weren't," Harry reassured her. "You got there in time."

"This time I did. But, Harry, he's so withdrawn, emotionally damaged. I know there has been physical damage as well, but he won't open up to me, and his psychiatrist isn't allowed to discuss their sessions. I just don't know what else to do."

"You're only one person. You're going to have to get more help here."

"How? This orphanage is run on donations only. I can't afford to pay anyone. The workers here now are here on a voluntary basis." She threw up her hands in annoyance. "I'm at my wit's end!"

Smiling, Harry said, "You know, I just may have a solution for you."

"Tell me!" she insisted and listened carefully as he spoke.

*** *** ***

Severus walked into his and Hermione's rooms, distracted. His wife pounced on him the moment he entered. "Hi! I have the best news..."

"Yes, that's nice." He had yet to look at her, simply walking to his desk and going through older journals as if he was looking for something.

She folded her arms across her chest and cocked her head to the side. Hermione had never seen her husband this distracted. "I took your broom and flew to the top of the castle and then jumped. It was an exhilarating flight on the way down."

"Oh, well, I hope you had a nice time."

"It was great until I hit the ground. Right messy, that. That's why I'm as transparent as Moaning Myrtle."

"You look lovely as always, my dear."

"Severus!" Hermione yelled. When his head snapped up, she asked, "What is it? What's wrong?"

He sighed, deep and heavy. "Peter from the orphanage tried to kill himself this morning by drinking a poisonous potion. I've given him the antidote, but it worries me. The boy is only nine years old."

"The orphanage? What orphanage?" Hermione shook her head, trying to follow his words.

He looked at her as if she were as transparent as Moaning Myrtle. "I am speaking of the orphanage that Pansy Parkinson opened after the war. There were articles in both the Daily Prophet and The Quibbler. Don't you remember?"

Hermione blushed. "With everything I've been doing in the library, I haven't read much of the papers, only bits and pieces. Will he be okay?"

"Yes. Well, he will recover from the potion he drank. Who's to say that he won't try again? If there was only a way to reach him..."

Hermione went to her husband and put her arms around him. Nobody really knew how much he actually cared for his students or, in this case, future students. "I'm sorry. If there's anything I can do, let me know."

"Miss Parkinson needs volunteers, at least on the weekends." He looked her up and down. "If you wanted, you could help for a bit. Nothing too strenuous though; I'll not have you overtaxing yourself."

She smiled at his over protectiveness. She didn't mind it at times such as these. "I need to speak with you about something if you're up to it."

"All right." He walked to the couch and sat, motioning for her to sit with him. "What's on your mind?"

"Madam Pince is retiring next year, and without my knowing it, she's been apprenticing me to take her place. I would really like to, Severus."

"Without your knowing it? Just how is that possible?"

"Well, Minerva was supposed to have mentioned it to me, but she never did. And the day that Madam Pince thought that she had, I had gone to the library and asked if she needed any help... It was the day we argued over... um, well, when Ronald was hugging me and..."

"Yes, I recall the day you are referring to," he said shortly, not wanting to think of those times.

"So, with that, and because I've been going everyday, the tasks she's been giving me to do were for apprentice purposes. She and Minerva want me to take her place next year. What do you think?" she asked anxiously.

Severus looked at her, noting her flushed expression, the heavy breathing, and the passion in her eyes. He suddenly hardened, her countenance reminding him of other times she'd looked that way. He cleared his throat. "Do you believe you can handle that and a new baby?"

"Yes," she said firmly. "I do."

"Well, the decision is up to you, of course. I'll only intercede if I see that you are becoming worn and exhausted."

Hermione threw her arms around his neck and jumped in his lap, kissing him deeply. "Thank you!" She felt his hardened erection pressing against her and began to move naughtily. "Something on your... mind?"

He growled, spreading his legs to try and ease the ache a bit. "Three guesses."

His naughty little wife laughed, and before he realized her intentions, she'd unbuttoned his trousers and began stroking him. "Mmmm," he muttered as he laid his head against the back of the couch and closed his eyes, enjoying her.

Hermione stood, bending a bit so that she could continue her ministrations, and took off her knickers with her free hand. While Severus still had his head back and eyes closed, she straddled him, engulfing him in her wet, hot, tightness.

"Oh sweet Circe," he cried out and grabbed her hips as she rocked them both to bliss, kissing her thoroughly. He tried to be gentle with her, but as she began to move wantonly, caressing her breasts over her robes, and throwing her head back, he began to thrust harder. She seemed to love it. It almost seemed to him as if she were using his cock for her own pleasure which caused his already tremendous need to strengthen. As he emptied himself inside her, she came violently, pulling his hair as she trembled.

"Hermione," he said and pulled her to him roughly. He took in her scent, their scent mixed together, and felt happy.

"I love you, Severus."

"Me too."

Hermione giggled. He always said it that way, in some shortened version, very rarely saying the actual words. It didn't bother her as it used to. As she got to know him more and more, she understood this was just his way.

When she felt him moving restlessly, she asked, "Peter?"

"Yes, I would like to go and check on the boy. Would you mind?"

"Not at all. Go ahead. I'll send for our supper in about an hour. Would that be enough time?"

"Yes. Will you be all right waiting that long?" he asked as he began to caress her stomach.

"Yes, I will. I ate a snack earlier. Don't worry about me...us...we'll be okay."

He kissed her one last time, took out his wand and cleaned them both, then buttoned his trousers after tucking himself back in. "You know, I wouldn't mind a... longer, more thorough version of this in our bed tonight."

"Is that so?" she teased. Rubbing him along his buttons, she told him, "I'll have to see what I can do to accommodate you then, sir." She bent and kissed him where she'd been rubbing and had the pleasure of feeling him shudder.

"Perhaps you should eat now and be in bed when I return," he suggested.

She laughed. "Off with you," she said but was taking his suggestion under consideration. Very serious consideration.

Christy's Notes: I love it when things come together! More on the orphanage next!

Take My Breath Away by Berlin is from the year 1986

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Southern's Notes: Whee! Things are tying up nicely!