Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

Disclaimer: I own nothing from the world of Harry Potter. I just like to take them out and get them into trouble.

A/N: Buckets and buckets of dark chocolate to Lariope and ladyinthecloak for their endless help, advice, encouragement and beta-ing skills.

Almost four weeks had passed since the night Minerva McGonagall had been informed that Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore were alive and Remus Lupin could live his life relatively normally, as long as he took the potion created by Hermione Granger and the Potions master. At first, she had been furious with all of them for keeping her in the dark. Then, once she had had time to reflect, she had come to understand their motives.

Though Severus had been cleared of all charges after his death, it would have been quite difficult for him to reenter active wizarding life while trying to research and find a cure for Lycanthropy. It had always been one of his pet research projects, but given the added impact of Albus now being afflicted, it had become imperative he find a cure. Albus was not a young man and would not have survived long with his body and magic being weakened by each successive transformation. She knew Severus did not consider the potion a cure, as it would need to be taken monthly, but without transforming, both Remus and Albus would be able to lead normal lives, as would all witches and wizards who had been subjected to the half-life of Lycanthropy. Minerva would always be grateful to both Severus and Hermione.

Thinking of Hermione's part in all that had happened reminded Minerva of yet another surprise she had learned that night. It seemed the dreaded bat of the dungeons and the insufferable know-it-all had fallen in love. This would be one more shock for the wizarding world and perhaps, more importantly, the Order to absorb. It had been decided that night to wait until the day after the next full moon to reveal everything to the rest of the Order members. This had been Albus' wish, as he wanted to first experience the full moon without transformation before announcing to the rest what had taken place the night of the final battle. Though it was hardest on Remus, who wished to share the news with his wife and family, all had agreed. There would be a barbecue get-together at Miss Granger's home tonight. Apparently, there was some American Muggle tradition to cook food over an open grill on this particular weekend to celebrate some holiday called Labor Day. The full moon conveniently coincided with this weekend and would be the perfect opportunity to reveal everything to the group that would be invited.

*****

"No, Severus, I am not going to uninvite Harry and Ron; it is only two hours before everyone is due to arrive, and I am going to have enough trouble from them for not telling them before the rest of the Order," Hermione fumed at her lover as she continued making a salad.

Severus knew it was futile to try and convince Hermione not to invite her two best friends, but he was not looking forward to the evening, and having to interact with Dumb and Dumber was just going to make matters worse in his opinion.

Hermione walked over to the glowering man sitting at the table. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered in his ear, "I promise I will make it up to you when they are all gone."

He leaned back into her embrace. It always gave him a start when Hermione so casually expressed her affections, but it was getting easier for him to believe in his good fortune. Morning was the hardest when they woke spooned together in the Transfigured bed that had remained a permanent fixture in her... their room. He enjoyed it best when he woke before her and was able to just watch her as she slept. He could absorb, once again, that he was not dreaming and this beautiful witch was really his. Then, slowly, awareness would come over her, and a smile would curve her full lips before her eyes even opened. Of course, Severus had no complaints when she woke before him. This morning, she had found a most delightful way of waking him. He subtly shifted his legs to make room as other parts of his body remembered waking up as well.

Severus turned his head toward hers and raked his teeth lightly along her earlobe and growled into her ear, "Better yet, why don't you start making it up to me now."

"Hmmm, I would love to, love, but there just is not time..."

The rest of what Hermione was going to say was cut off by Severus' talented tongue. Over the last month, she had discovered he could do much more with that particular muscle than cut into recalcitrant dunderheads. What he was doing to the side of her neck and behind her ear was literally making her speechless. She turned her head toward his, capturing his lips with her own. The pair was breathless when they were startled apart by someone clearing their throat.

Looking up, Hermione saw Remus leaning against the doorframe. "If the two of you do not wish to start a third war, I suggest you move to opposite sides of the table, or better yet, Severus, you can come out and help me figure out what to do with this Muggle contraption we are supposed to be cooking the meat on."

This brought Hermione back to her senses. "Yes, Severus, why don't you help Remus, and I can finish in here."

Severus glared at the man who had interrupted his plot to distract his witch. "Have you forgotten how to cast Incendio?"

Remus simply chuckled at the Potion master's cutting remark. The last month of watching Severus and Hermione together had forever ruined the other man's evil bat-of-the-dungeons persona in his eyes. Not to mention that he owed him his new lease on life, and had he been in Severus' place, he would not have been pleased with the interruption either.

"No, Severus, I have not forgotten, but I do not believe our goal is to set the whole thing on fire...only the coal inside of it. I think we will need to do this the Muggle way," Remus explained as he led the man out to the back patio.

Hermione stopped them as they were headed out the door. "Here, use these under the coals and light them first; this will help the coal to catch." She handed the now frowning Potions master a half dozen chunks of dried wood.

*****

The coals were graying nicely, and everything was in place when Minerva arrived. It had been decided that Dumbledore and Professor Snape would remain out of sight until all of the guests had arrived. The fewer times they had to explain everything, the better.

Harry, Ron and Ginny were the next to arrive. Ginny had convinced the two young men to dress in Muggle summer attire. It was rather amusing to see Ron's white, freckled, knobby-kneed legs partially covered by a pair of chartreuse Bermuda shorts. Not wanting to hurt her friends' feelings, Hermione attempted to cover her laughter with a cough. "Ron, where did you ever find that outfit?" The shirt was no better, in the same shade of chartreuse with bright yellow and orange Hawaiian flowers.

"You like it?" Ron beamed. "Dad and I found it at a Muggle emporium in downtown London." It was obvious Ron had no clue just how ridiculous he looked and was actually quite pleased with the clothing, which would be more fitting on an overweight, vacationing psychologist than the young wizard.

Within twenty minutes, all of the guests had arrived and were gathered in the back garden of the house. Remus had been delegated to grill the steaks as everyone was settling in with Butterbeer and chilled bottles of Gillywater.

It was not until Harry was talking to Remus that he realized this was the day after the full moon, and his second godfather should have been recuperating in the Shrieking Shack rather than grilling steaks at a cookout. Looking the werewolf over, Harry realized he looked better than he had since the time he had been the Defense against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. "Errr... Remus, I do not mean to be rude, but you are either looking really good for this time of the month, or I hallucinated the full moon last night."

Remus chuckled; he had wondered how long it would take Harry to realize what time of the month it was. "All will be explained as soon as I get these steaks on a platter and we sit down to eat. How about you go find out what Hermione wants to serve them on?"

The werewolf did not want to give his godson the opportunity to continue questioning his apparent good health and had grasped on to the only excuse he could find to distract him.

*****

"Oy, Hermione, there are two extra seats at the table; are we missing someone?" Ron asked as he looked about the table.

There were Remus and Tonks with little Teddy between them. Harry and Ginny; his mum and dad; Headmistress McGonagall and Hagrid, who took up one end of the picnic style table himself; Bill and Fleur with their daughter; even Charlie had come over from Romania, and George had closed the joke shop. It seemed all had been accounted for.

Ron's question was the perfect prompt for the Headmaster and Professor Snape, who exited from the kitchen door just as everyone was looking about the table, taking their own attendance.

"As a matter of fact, Mr. Weasley, Professor Snape and I were unavoidably detained," the Headmaster replied for Hermione. "We do apologize for the inconvenience," he continued as his eyes twinkled merrily.

Faster than one could say Quidditch, every wand at the table save three were pointed at the pair. Harry was the first to speak, "Drop your wands, both of you! And identify yourselves."

Both men had anticipated this reaction and readily showed their intent of peace by dropping their wands to the ground, at arm's length from their bodies.

"Harry, I am Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, former Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but then, you do not believe that, do you?" Dumbledore replied calmly.

Harry kept his wand trained on the both of them as he stepped forward slightly from the rest of those who had come to their feet. "Headmaster Dumbledore is dead. I saw him killed with my own eyes. If you are really him, tell me something only the two of us would know."

Dumbledore raised his hand to stroke his long grey beard with the hand that, at his death, had looked black, withered and dead, but now appeared as healthy as the other. Harry's eyes fixed on the hand as the old wizard continued to think. "Ahh, yes, I believe you will remember this: when Tom Riddle was a boy at the orphanage, he kept a treasure box of sorts that contained among other things a mouth organ. Does that suffice?"

Hermione watched closely as Harry's wand trembled slightly and his green eyes grew wide with shock before he turned his wand on Severus without saying a word.

Severus, too, knew this moment had to be played out, and there was only one thing he could tell the boy that, amazingly, he had kept to himself since his relationship with Lily had become common knowledge. "Mr. Potter, during your fifth year you witnessed a private memory in my Pensieve. In which your father performed Levicorpus on me, displaying my undershorts to all present on the grounds of the school." The Potions master sneered.

There was a soft, collective gasp as Harry dropped his wand arm to his side. "But how? When? We thought you were dead?" Harry's eyes were not focused on the Headmaster, but Professor Snape with a look of wonder and...could it be?...joy.

Severus thought to himself, Could it be the boy is actually pleased I'm alive?

Everyone was talking as Harry continued to stare silently at the dour man who he had thought had given his life because of the memory of his mother.

Dumbledore raised his hands in an attempt to calm everyone. "Yes, yes, I understand there are many questions that require answers; if we could all sit down and enjoy this marvelous feast, I will attempt to explain." This said, the Headmaster walked over to the table, taking the seat at the head of the table while Severus escorted Hermione back to the table where they sat side by side.

*****

It was well past pudding, and the guests had begun to thin out when Harry approached the Potions master. "Sir, if I could have a word, please?"

Severus had been talking quietly with Hermione when Harry approached, and she reached out and squeezed his hand beseeching him with her eyes to be polite.

He returned the gesture as he released her hand and turned to the young man with Lily's eyes. Eyes that no longer haunted him, but simply reminded him fondly of a woman he had loved.

"Yes, Mr. Potter," Snape replied as he motioned that they should walk to the quieter corner of the garden.

"Professor, I do not know what to say..." the young wizard trailed off.

He had spent much of the evening knowing he needed to speak with Professor Snape, to thank him, and to apologize, but the words seemed to be lost to him.

"Mr. Potter... Harry, neither of us has a desire to rehash all that has transpired, so I would appreciate it if we could move on from today," Severus interjected.

"No," Harry started. "Well, yes, I would like that, but I have to say, I am... well... sorry for all that I did... and, for not trusting you... not believing..."

"If you did not believe and did not trust, then this means I did my job well. I, too, am sorry for being the reason you did not know your mother and, yes, even your father," Severus replied softly.

Harry's eyes moved to meet the dour man's. "You mean that?"

Severus let out a long sigh. "Yes, I do."

"Do you think maybe sometime..."

"Do you wish to know of your parents from me?" the Potions master asked incredulously.

"Well... actually, I... yes, to hear Remus tell it, my dad could walk on water. I want to know what they were really like." Harry trailed off again. A part of him could not believe he was asking the greasy bat of the dungeons to tell him about his parents.

Snape, too, could not believe what he was hearing. For years, he had hoarded his memories of Lily like a treasure, yet he felt something swell within his chest when he thought of sharing the young girl he had known with her son.

"I think I would like that as well," he whispered softly as he turned to walk away.

*****

The rest of the guests had left. Remus returned home with his wife and child, and Albus was going to stay in the guest suite off of the Headmistress' quarters. Severus and Hermione were alone for the first time. It had been a long day, fraught with tension and too many questions. He was looking forward to relaxing this evening with just Hermione. Severus entered the kitchen, expecting to find Hermione waiting with yet more questions about what he and The-Boy-Who-Lived had spoken of. Instead, the room was empty, and leaning against the flower vase, on the table, was a piece of parchment with his name on it in Hermione's distinctive script.

My Love,

H

With a smile upon his lips, Severus did not hesitate to make his way upstairs. He could not imagine what the young witch had in mind, but he knew he was sure to enjoy it.

When Severus opened the door to their room, he found it dimly lit by candlelight and Hermione, once again, clad in the sheer, flesh colored gown she had worn the first night they had shared the room.

Taking his hand, Hermione led him to the side of the bed. Turning to him, she ran her hands up his arms to wrap her arms around his neck, enveloping him in a slow, luxurious kiss. As she continued to explore his mouth, her hand began the odious task of unbuttoning all of the small buttons that ran the length of his frock coat. They continued in this manner through each successive layer of his clothing until he felt her hands upon the waist of his trousers. As his stomach muscles tightened, he let out a low moan of pleasure as he tried to turn her to lower her to the bed.

This brought Hermione to her senses. She had plans for this evening, and it would not do to lose her focus...no matter how intoxicating his mouth was. Breaking the kiss, she again rotated their position, pushing him to sit on the bed. "Not tonight, love; you have a reward coming. Finish stripping, and lie face down on the bed, if you please." Her whispered words sent a shiver down his spine.

While Severus divested himself of the rest of his clothing, Hermione collected a bottle of Sandalwood massage oil she had warming in a water bath. Warming charms were good for some things, but this way she could rely on the pre-charmed water bath to keep the oil at the right temperature and not have to bother with her wand.

She let her eyes roam over the man who lay on the bed. Yes, he was thin, but not in a skinny sort of way. More like a runner or a swimmer who had toned, lithe muscles...in all the right places.

Hermione coated her hands in oil and began with his left foot. She gradually worked her way up his body, pressing and kneading the muscles beneath her hands. She listened with her hands and her ears, responding to the clues his body gave her skilled hands as well as the moans of appreciation that found their way from the depths of his soul. When she had finished with his scalp, she indicated without a sound that he should turn over, and she worked her way down the front of his body as meticulously as she had the back. The only area she skipped was his groin. It was obvious her ministrations were having not only a relaxing, but a stimulating effect on his body. His penis stood erect, hot, flushed and pulsing. Finally, with an oil slicked hand, she encircled his shaft, twisting her wrist as she stroked down to his body.

Severus was so relaxed and aroused by the attention she was paying his body that he almost lost control at first contact. It was all he could do to not come all over her hand as his body arched into the motion. She continued to gently stroke his shaft, increasing the pressure as she reached the fullest point, mimicking the sensation he felt when he thrust into her tight depths. She touched no other part of his body. It was so erotic, it was almost unbearable. He was lost to the feel of her small hand pumping and stroking his aching cock.

With his eyes closed to absorb all the tactile enjoyment he could, he was once again caught unawares when her teeth gently scraped over his erect nipple, sending another shudder through his body. He could take no more and levered himself over, trapping his enchantress beneath him; he savagely captured her mouth with his own as his hand ran the length of her body. Snaking under the hem of her gown, his hand cupped her mound as one long finger slipped effortlessly between her lips. She was so hot and so wet he could feel the tremors in her body signaling she was as close to the edge as he was.

Severus continued to push her gown up the length of her torso, his lips brushing each inch of exposed skin. Now Hermione was the one moaning, as he again captured her lips with his, once the flesh silk had been removed from around her neck and she had opened her hips wider in invitation. Severus continued to kiss her as he slid home.

They both paused to gain some small measure of control, having driven each other to the brink of insanity. Then, once he knew he could move without embarrassing himself, Severus began to gently thrust in and out of her tight channel, Hermione thrusting up to meet him until they found a rhythm that satisfied them both.

Bending his head, Severus took one rosy bud in his mouth. Just the contact of his warm mouth had Hermione spiraling over the top. Rhythm lost, Severus began to frantically thrust as her muscles clenched around him; he thrust one last time and lost himself as he whispered, "Mine," into her hair.