Not Yet (A Hermione Granger fanfic)

Chapter 27

A/N: I agonized over writing this chapter because it's not my usual style. Anyway, it's not very explicit, but I still think you could say it earns the "M" rating even though it's mild. I'd rather err on the side of caution.

Let me know.

******Chapter TWENTY-SEVEN*****

Hermione smiles. "Then yes, I will marry you."

Severus smiles back, pulling her in for a kiss. Hermione melts into him, her hands going to his chest, feeling the taut muscles beneath his linen shirt.

But Severus releases her, whispering, "You surprise me, Granger."

"Why?"

"You didn't ask about the dragon scale."

Hermione runs her hands up his chest, wishing his shirt didn't separate her from exploring the hard lines there. "Alright, I'll ask now: Why did you have me chase down a dragon, Severus, if it wasn't to restore your ability to Apparate?"

"The potion wasn't for that, of course, it was supposed to enhance the effects of my Glamor Charm—to make it stronger."

Hermione looks up. "What?"

"I wanted it to be permanent."

"You wanted to look like Orev permanently? Why?"

"Why do you think? I'd never have to worry about being recognized again."

"And now? How do you feel about it now?"

Severus frowns. "I don't know."

It's a lot to take in. Hermione studies his expression, looking for a motive. "And . . . If it had worked . . ."

"No one would have been the wiser."

"Even me?"

"I'm glad you found out who I was before I succeeded. I can say that much."

"Good. Because I am, too." Hermione can't imagine how it would have complicated the situation to be in love with Orev without knowing his true identity. And she has no doubt she would have fallen in love with him, too.

She stands, picking up their empty glasses for a refill. As she crosses in front of Severus, he grabs her wrist.

"No more wine," he says. He's giving her that look again. The dark, hungry, I-want-to-snog-you-senseless look. Hermione doesn't mind—she'd like to be snogged senseless. He tugs the glasses out of her hands and puts them back on the side table. Then he pulls her down onto his lap.

"I love you," he says before kissing her.

He's been holding back. It's as if he needed to get that one more thing out in the open before the dam broke. Hermione moans as his tongue finds hers. He tastes of the wine and the pizza, a sexier combination than she'd ever imagined. They are quickly entangled in each other, Hermione lying back on the couch, Severus over her. He finds the top button of her robes and undoes it so he can kiss her collarbone.

Then he tastes her, his fingers searching for the next button. Then the next. His lips slide down her breastbone, following the line of skin he's exposing. Hermione grabs his hair and wriggles beneath him, seeking to satisfy the ache building in her body.

She gasps as he pulls her robes up her legs, his fingers brushing her skin, creating electricity all along her body. Then his hot breath is on her stomach.

"I don't think I can take much more teasing, Severus," she breathes. "We're getting married—there'll be time for seduction later."

He smirks and looks up at her, resting his chin on her stomach. His stubble tickles. "I don't think anyone in the history of the world has looked forward to seduction after marriage."