Song Of The Guardians

Face To Face

"That could have been much worse," Hermione said, as Severus walked her to the door of her quarters.

"How?" Severus asked, with raised eyebrows as she opened the door, leading him into her sitting room. "Your mother was in tears and Potter forced me to tell her that I am capable of producing children. It was a disaster."

Hermione struggled to stifle her giggles, aware that Severus was glaring at her. "I'm sorry," she said, endeavoring to at least appear contrite. "Mum is a bit high strung."

"Indeed," Severus muttered. He sighed, suddenly feeling quite tired after such an eventful day. His eyes drifted to Hermione as she stretched languidly and then reached down to stroke Cadence. The cat purred happily at the attention. Severus moved closer, brushing his fingertips along the cat's back before closing the distance between himself and Hermione.

Hermione looked up at his face, smiling shyly. Her heart rate sped up as Severus wrapped his arms around her waist, his gaze unwavering. "You look tired," he observed.

"A bit," Hermione said. "I'm glad you're hear with me though."

"As if you could get rid of me," he replied with a smirk. "I have spent the entire day in the presence of a large group of tiresome people. This makes up for all of the annoyance. I have no intention of leaving your side tonight." He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. He brought his hands up to cup her face, holding her close to him. "I have waited all day for that," he muttered.

"Why?" she asked, amused. "I've been with you all day."

"And surrounded by the Order and all your friends," he reminded her. "I did not think you would want me to kiss you while we had an audience." He wasn't sure she wanted to publicly acknowledge their relationship at all. He was pleased to have her, but he wouldn't push her into the open.

Hermione seemed to sense his thoughts and she smiled. "You can kiss me whenever you please Severus," she told him quietly. "I meant what I said about wanting to be with you. I don't care who knows and I'm not concerned about what anyone else thinks. So if you would like to kiss me, regardless of who may see us, you don't have to worry about me being uncomfortable."

Severus considered this for a moment. It would be odd to have a relationship that was known to the general public. He didn't have any urge to have private moments on display for others, but being able to show affection to Hermione without concern for who was nearby had appeal. Choosing to consider it later, he pulled her in for another kiss, sweeping his tongue along her bottom lip.

Hermione sighed and opened her mouth to him, enjoying the way he pressed closer and caressed her face. She led him into her bedroom and smiled when he paused in his sensuous assault on her neck to look around at the decor. The furniture was made with a dark wood and accented with light shades of blue. The duvet was a darker blue with white and light blue accent pillows. "No Gryffindor colors?" he asked.

"I find blue to be very soothing," Hermione said moving to sit on the bed.

Severus sat down next to her, wrapping his arms around her. This time, Hermione initiated the kiss, pressing closer to him and running her fingers through his hair. She tugged him to lay back with her, sighing with satisfaction when he pressed his body against hers, his erection against her hip. His hand drifted over her breasts to lift her shirt a bit and brush his fingers against the soft skin on her stomach. He smirked when she squirmed and giggled, his feather-light touch tickling her sensitive skin.

Severus couldn't remember the last time he had been so aroused. Hermione responded beautifully to his touch, sighing softly and pressing closer as her fingertips left a trail of fire on his skin. He sat up and removed her jeans with deliberate slowness. She was watching him with eyes full of adoration and desire. She bit her lower lip to restrain herself when he removed his clothing. He smirked as her eyes raked over his body, her breathing speeding up slightly. He took hold of her hands and tugged her into a sitting position so he could pull her shirt up over her head.