Continuous Affair

Beautiful

So many children. Hermione pushed her way through the large crowd of first years nervously standing just inside the castle watching Hagrid.  She was grateful that she learned how to tame her hair from when she was in their position. It now was straight and pulled into a tight french knot. She also wore robes similar to McGonagall's but hers were a deep red. Sometimes she would satisfy her husband by wearing green, but that was a rare occurrence.

During the summer she'd let her curls roam free and on weekend nights when she never left the confines of her bedroom, but school was not a place she wanted to deal with her messy mane.

"Excuse me. Pardon me. I'm sorry but I need to get through." Hermione stood in the middle of the flood and glared up at Hagrid. "Could you not have taken them anywhere else?"

"I'm sorry 'Mione. All first years...uh... Up against this here wall." Hagrid said pointing to the west wall where they all scrambled immediately leaving Hermione free.

"Thank you Hagrid. I'm sure Minerva will be here soon." She waved to Hagrid and made her way into the great hall through the staff entrance that opened behind their table. Severus was already seated and glaring down all the students who chattered loudly. She took her seat and looked almost as straight faced as Severus.

Many of the professors were leaning over and talking excitedly about the upcoming year and their subjects but Severus and Hermione just stared ahead but Hermione's hand rested comfortably on Severus thigh.

Hermione didn't like how Severus demanded that he continue to act the same in public as he did for so many years. He always gave others a brooding look and stared making people awkwardly uncomfortable. He only showed his true self in front of her and in front of her parents. As much as he hated it, he needed them to know how much he really cares for her so he had to prove it.

First years soon filed in following professor McGonagall, easily recognizable by her pointed hat. They were sorted and took their places with their new houses. Hermione poked around at her food but didn't eat anything and when dinner was over, she and Severus immediately exited and went to their dungeon home.

When Hermione entered their sitting room, she kicked off her shoes and collapsed into the couch laying her head back and closing her eyes. Severus pulled a book off the shelf and sat down next to her crossing his legs and thumbing through the pages. They sat in silence (except for the occasional rustling of pages). Hermione slowly made her way to resting her head on his shoulder and he pulled her legs up to her side on the couch.

His shoulders rose and fell with every breath pulling Hermione into sleep. Her head would occasionally fall forward and jerk her awake and she would return to her original position and begin the cycle again.

When the clock struck 10:00 Severus shut his book and moved his hand to stroke her cheek softly. "Hermione?" He leaned his head to press against hers and bringing his fingers around to start removing Bobby pins from her hair. She didn't stir as he did this and he watched as her soft hair fell down around her shoulders.

He peered around at her. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was but could easily say that she grew more and more beautiful as time went on.

"You're staring" she said without opening her eyes and he kissed her on the forehead before standing up and snaking an arm under her knees and one around her waist.

She leaned into his chest as he carried her into the bedroom and sat her on the bed. He unbuttoned the top of her robes and pulled it off of her shoulders.

As he hung it up, Hermione undid the rest of her clothing and laid it neatly on the end of the bed before going to retrieve her pajamas. Just as she pulled out her shirt out of the drawer, Severus traced his finger along her spine spending her with shivers.

"Severus!" she exclaimed, turning to face him. He was standing in just his boxers and was rubbing his hands on the soft exposed skin of her waist.

"I know you're tired, so we don't do this tonight." He leaned down and kissed her gently. "But I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you are."

She blushed and looked down pushing her forehead into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her warm skin. He pushed his fingers up and undid the clasp of her bra and let it fall to the floor. He took her hand and led her to the bed where they crawled under the covers and immediately fell asleep wrapped in each others embrace.