CHAPTER 24

Her eyes fluttered open and as usual the lack of windows betrayed the time of the day. She brought her hands above her head to stretch into a yawn and only then did she realize that she was naked under the sheets. Almost alarmed, she looked to her side, to find her husband sleeping peacefully, equally naked. She blushed as she remembered the events of the night.

She patted his cheek before leaning in to place a quick peck on his lips. She gasped when he responded.

"You are awake?" she asked pulling away and holding the sheet closer to her.

He propped his head on his wedged hand and smirked at her.

"You remember how we got here last night?"

"Yes! Oho! Your cupcake is still in the terrace!"

He rolled his eyes, "And that is what you remember!"

She smiled as she remembered the events of the evening earlier. She was positive that now all the women in the Wizard World were jealous of her. He hadn't even told her it was his birthday yesterday. She had to do something really special. Her small surprise last night wasn't enough. She felt a little happy that she could do that much in the short span of time she had got.

"Hermione? Hermione?"

She came out of her trance only when he snapped his fingers in front of her face.

"Huh?"

"I was asking about last night. Were you reliving it?" he asked with a smirk.

She brought her hand to hit him across his chest but he caught her and pulled her on to him. She gasped at the bare skin to skin contact.

"How about we both relive it?" he added huskily.

SITTING ROOM

Hours later…

"Can you imagine Filch's face when he goes to clean the terrace?" she asked, chuckling.

"We never went back to revive your precious cupcake," he said, sipping his steaming coffee.

She shrugged, "As if you had intentions. I thought you would have liked that set up and taken me right there."

"You were the one who suggested we go back to the room!" he accused, defending himself.

"Actually, it's been my dream since childhood. My husband would blindfold me and bring me to the terrace, there would be candles everywhere and a cake in the center, and he would wish me at exactly 12 for my birthday and then...Anyway a girl tells a million things, most of the times by actions and generally they are subtle. You are the one who should figure it out."

"Ah…my bad! So, you sitting here in just my shirt and nothing else, I can guess that that tells something."

"No. Don't get any ideas! I just don't have any clothes. I need to get them from the Manor."

"We can go today. It's a Sunday."

She smiled, "Where is today's paper? I'm very curious as to what your precious Rita wrote about us."

He rolled his eyes, "Do you have to do that?"

"Oh yes! I intend on doing that for a long time now."

"By the way, what was your award actually for?"

She snorted, "If I tell you, you would actually flip out."

"What is it?"

"My…how to put it…ah yes…creative, as in muggle-inclined, inventions."

As expected he choked on his coffee, "As…*cough*…as in that machine?"

She grinned and nodded.

"That machine is the worst. Anyone can use it to force another. And…"

"Wait! Wait! Wait! Let me explain. Even though magic is supposed to make things easier, we all know how the Ministry takes time, much worser than muggle Government, to sort things out when it comes to paper work. This machine has been a success in every sphere, except marriage. I have rectified it after our fortunate mistake. I only intended it to help quicken the registration process. They take two days to process and deliver the certificate, for Merlin's sake. No one can force it on anyone because there is mutual confirmation required. Only in your case…" she lowered her voice, taking a sip of her coffee.

"What in my case?"

"You opted for Automatic Confirmation. No one in right mind opts for that."

"Ah…how many times do I have to tell you it was Dumbledore and not me?"

She chuckled, "Ya…ya…I believe you."

He rolled his eyes, "And there aren't other people with initials S.S.?"

"Apparently, you were the only one with those initials who signed up for it…"

"Good for me..." he said taking another sip.

"What spell did you use last night? I used the mirror spell."

"Eye of the beholder spell," he said smirking.

"Oh," she said, blushing.

"You like my hair short?"

"Now, that I think about it, I liked it long. But this will do for a while," she said, ruffling his hair after placing her empty cup on the coffee table.

"You really are a messy eater, aren't you?" he said, placing his cup next to hers.

"Huh?"

"…cream on your lips," he whispered before pulling her on to him, licking the foam off her lips, teasing her without kissing her.

"…uhm….Severus, when a girl says "Yes" she means "Yes". When a girl says "No" she means "Yes". You have a lot to learn."

"I take that as a Yes for my guess."

"No," she said, sticking out her tongue teasingly and moving away from his lap.

And the quarters was filled with the chasing, laughing and moaning of a newlywed couple for quite some time.

FIREPLACE - CARPET

"That was…that was…."

"Incredible?" finished Hermione for him as she lay beside him on the carpet. Both of them trying to calm their frantic heartbeats and very much ragged breath.

"I really don't understand why I was a virgin all these years."

"Because you were and are supposed to belong to me. Only me. No one else."

"Do you have any idea how sexy you sound all possessive?"

"Shut up and kiss me!"

EVENING

PRINCE MANOR

"Where were you? You left me to pack on my own?"

"I…I was just doing something."

"Ok. I have packed stuff for one week."

"We can come back next weekend. Now that I think about it, I have started liking this house. We can spend the weekends here."

"That's a good idea," she said closing her extensible bag.

"What are you going to do about Granger's residence?" as soon as he asked he regretted it. The charm, glow and radiance she had had all day seemed to have disappeared in a second.

"I don't know," she said slowly.

"We can rent it out."

"I will think about it," she said dismissing off the idea.

Something was wrong and he had to find out.

"Shall we go home?"

"I will apparate us."

BURROW

"Why are we here, Severus?" she asked, following her husband inside.

"We haven't inquired about Molly, have we?"

"We received her owl, remember?" she stated, frowning as she saw the young Weasleys bundled up in the living room.

"Hermione!" exclaimed Ginny, getting up to greet her with her usual bone-crushing hug.

"Mione, we missed you," stated Fred, joining in.

There was something not right, what was it? She turned and saw that Severus wasn't in the room.

Ginny seemed to understand her.

"Mione, come," she said, leading her to the sofa.

She sat there with Ginny, while the twins and Ron sat opposite them. Ron had a calm smile, which unnerved her more.

"We read Rita Skeeter's article with at most interest today and even Professor Snape confirmed it was true. Who would have thought that she would actually write true news. It is very unlike her, I wouldn't be surprised if she has ulterior motives," said Ginny.

When did Snape confirm it? Did he come here?

"Professor Snape told us how much you missed us and it was daft of us not to have come to the ball. We are sorry!" said Fred.

"Okaay...When did he come here?"

"Just few minutes before."

That explained his disappearance when she had been packing.

"Harry is away in Holland for an assignment, but we would have surely come if he was here," said Ginny, apologetically. By "we", she meant herself and Harry.

"You are quite lucky. Now we understand why you chose him. He loves you so much. He came here and gave us a lecture on friendship and you," said George.

"He even told us, if we weren't comfortable with him, we could visit you when he wasn't there. He is amazing. I bet a hundred galleons, it is only after you entered his life," added Fred.

If all this overwhelming for Hermione, what Ron said next elated her even more.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I'm sorry for everything."

"Don't be, Ron. I'm the one who should be," she said and gave a quick glance to the other Weasleys who took it as their cue to leave.

Once they were alone, Ron said, "I know about the mistake. Sn...your husband told me. As much as it pains to see you with him, I am happy to know I wasn't rejected entirely. Luna and I were never together. We had just started that to make you jealous. It was her idea. I guess, it was of no use."

Brushing off her lone tear, she said, "I'm sorry, Ron."

"It's ok, Hermione. Friends?"

"We always are, Ron. And let me tell you this, no woman would ever agree to act with you to make another woman jealous, unless she likes you."

"You mean?"

"You have a shot with Luna. Don't let her go."

"Wow! I didn't realize that."

"Now, you have. Go for her," she said getting up, ready to go for her man herself.

BURROW ORCHARD

The orchard was just as she remembered. He was standing with her back to her gazing at the setting sun, appearing as a silhouette. Smiling through her tears, she dashed towards him.

He struggled to keep his balance as she flung herself at him from behind, holding him tight.

For a couple of minutes, he enjoyed her warmth, before freeing himself from her grip and turning to face her.

"Herm…" he was cut short when she bruised his face all over with her lips, holding his face tight.

He laughed as she clung herself to him so tight, that not even air could dare to separate them. Her face safely snuggled against his chest.

"Hermione, I need to breathe."

Giving a little smile, she loosened her grip, just a little.

He smiled as he patted her back, settling his face against her hair.

A moment of peace passed through them.

"I love you," they said together.

Hermione backed her face a little to look at him.

Now, they would not have a fight as to who said it first, would they?

"Don't ever leave me alone like that, Severus."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"I love you, three."

"I love you, four."

"Ok. Ok. I get it. And just as every story ends, they kissed and lived happily ever after."

"Wait a minute! Who told you it ended? There is more. After all it was not exactly as planned!"

"What happened next?"

"I have to prepare for my NEWTs, so just give me a couple of months or may be lesser; I will give you a sequel."

Stasis Charmed for now...