Song Of The Guardians

Unhappy Birthday Invitation

Draco and Caroline married in a small but lavish ceremony at Malfoy Manor two weeks after the trip to the Sirens' cliff. A week after that, Ginny gave birth to a baby boy named James Sirius Potter. Harry was thrilled with his new son.

Despite all of the additional excitement, Severus and Hermione continued to work on the potion together. Hermione referred to Severus as a dear friend, and Severus didn't argue this label. It seemed to be a good sign that despite the way she chose to label their relationship, she allowed some affectionate behaviors that would suggest something a bit more intimate.

Severus stared down at the mixture in his cauldron with a frustrated scowl. It was an obvious failure. Hermione peered into the cauldron when she saw his expression and gave a quiet sigh. "Well we had to try it," she said in resignation. "Now we know that it doesn't work. We'll just move on."

"Nothing works," Severus growled.

"Something will work," Hermione said firmly. She smiled sympathetically when he sat down on the stool with a weary sigh. "If anyone can figure this out, it's you and I."

Severus rolled his eyes, but reached over and caught hold of her waist, pulling her to him. He stood back up, looking down at her seriously. Without a word he lowered his mouth to hers. His hands cupped her face gently, drawing her closer. Her hands rested against his chest for a moment and then she slowly raised them to tangle in his hair. Encouraged by her obvious enjoyment, Severus deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth slowly. Her soft moan made him press closer to her body, completely aroused.

Hermione gasped and pulled away, her pupils dilated and her lips a bit puffy. She took a hasty step back. "I should get going," she said in a rush. She went through the door and it slammed behind her.

Severus shook his head and then noticed Cadence sitting in front of the door and staring up at the handle expectantly. "It seems that she was a bit distracted," he said to the kitten with an amused smirk. "Would you like to go after her now? Or do you want to stay with me and we can go see her later?"

With any other cat, Severus would have felt like an idiot for speaking to an animal as if he expected a response. Cadence looked at the door and then back at Severus. She stood and trotted to Severus, sitting down between his feet, apparently content to visit with Severus for a while longer.

Hermione stopped just outside her quarters, realizing that she had left Cadence behind. She sighed in frustration. She had considered taking dinner in her own quarters to avoid seeing him again that day. Now, she was forced to eat in the Great Hall or risk Severus coming to her private rooms to bring Cadence back to her.

"Contemplating life's mysteries?" asked a feminine voice just behind her.

Hermione whirled around to find Caroline and Draco standing just behind her. "You startled me," Hermione said with a blush.

"That's obvious," Draco said with a smirk. "You're not usually so easy to surprise. I know only one man that can make you this flustered." He chuckled as she blushed even more.

"Oh this should be good," Caroline said, rising her eyebrows and smiling.

Hermione groaned. "Come inside," she said miserably.

Draco and Caroline sat down on Hermione's couch and looked at her expectantly as she paced and wrung her hands anxiously. "What did he do?" Draco asked, doing his best not to laugh.

Hermione sat down on chair and covered her face with her hands. After a moment she met their eyes reluctantly. "He kissed me," she muttered.

"And?" Caroline asked impatiently. She laughed at Hermione's wide eyed expression. "He kisses you all the time," Caroline commented. "We all know that. I take it this was a little different."