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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After	By : ElizabethStump Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 90306 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 100
- 101
- 102
"And They Didn't Live Happily Ever After"

Chapter One-Hundred
"Hell, High Water, or the End of the World"

Disclaimer: There once was a fanfic author named Betz. She wrote a really fucking long fanfic and started running out of disclaimers, but valiantly she kept on disclaiming any ownership of the Harry Potter franchise, and that it was all entirely J.K. Rowling's baby. And Betz didn't get sued... yet. The End.

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Severus awoke earlier than usual. He was too excited to sleep until his normal waking time. Rising, he stood at his sliding glass door and pushed its plantation shutters to the side along its track in the floor, and peered out at the now unobstructed view. Looking towards the east from the south-facing glass door, he could see the faintest hints of lightening sky on the horizon. The deep and endless blue of the Pacific was tinged with the deepest shades violet and streaked with pale orchid, signaling the coming of the sun.

Sunrise would be in an hour, shortly after seven, but there was still much he had to do.

Opening the back door, he was surprised to find that the cat was already up and waiting for him. The animal rubbed along Severus' ankles, purring contentedly, self-satisfied as it had killed another rat during the night. There was also a very threatening moth that was pollinating Severus' ginger in his garden. To the cat, that moth was attacking the flowers, and so it had to be dispatched thoroughly.

Severus served up some milk, but left enough for his own cup of tea, using up the last of it before his trip. After a strong cup, he went to the living room and surveyed everything he had laid out to pack the night before.

There was a rather large box that had arrived special delivery a week ago, with the delivery person coming all the way from England to drop it off. The delivery boy was quite skittish upon coming face-to-face with an ex-Death Eater, having heard tales of the dreaded former Hogwarts professor. The delivery was wrapped in Christmas-themed wrapping paper with a large gold bow and a tag saying it was from Hermione. Hermione's present to him was now sitting amongst his fine woolen cloaks, trousers, coats, vests, and shirts he'd had altered by the local tailor. He was bringing all his clothes he departed with a year ago back with him, so he would be properly dressed for winter in England. Laying next to Hermione's gift to him was a much smaller box: his present to her.

When Ginny and Draco learned of Severus' intention to go back to England to visit Hermione for Christmas, Ginny demanded to know what Severus was going to buy her as a present. Upon hearing what Severus had in mind, she shook her head and instructed Draco to take Severus out shopping for a proper present for Hermione. It was not as practical, but in the end, he trusted Ginny's judgment since the two witches knew each other so well. No doubt Ginny had gleaned more ideas over the years for preferred gifts than he had been able to ascertain during their short time together.

He looked at all he was taking with him – all his clothing, the two Christmas presents, toiletries, a rare tome he'd recently purchased still wrapped in brown paper, some other books he was planning on bringing along to share with Hermione that she could return to him at a later date in person, and other things he'd picked up for her. With a swish of his wand, all the items rose up into the air and neatly stacked themselves away into a trunk Severus had bought for himself recently. He was unwilling to use the handbag Hermione had given him to pack his belongings in a year ago.

With little to do but wait for his nine o'clock Portkey time, Severus donned his swim trunks, sandals, and a shirt, then threw a towel over his shoulder. He had a lot of nervous energy to work off.

The ocean was placid that morning, with partly cloudy skies that were colored in vivid oranges, scarlets, and golden hues as the sun raced toward the eastern horizon. Severus was so full of energy, he felt he could have swam all the way to England that morning, but he turned himself around at the half-mile marker to begin his swim back, sticking to swimming his usual morning mile.

As he came ashore, many of the fishermen had already come back with their morning catch. They were selling to restaurateurs who came in from the other Hawaiian islands, plus a few from the mainland, preferring to buy their fish from a fellow witch or wizard. Mario was there buying everything for his Christmas Eve menu that night at his restaurant.

Severus walked up the town's main street that was bedecked with garlands and wreaths of pine, cedar, eucalyptus, magnolia leaves, poinsettias, and other tropical or evergreen greenery. Some of the storefront windows were even temporarily painted with festive scenes of snowbound cabins, flying reindeer, Santa in an outrigger canoe or on a broom, and other holiday symbols. Severus smiled at the scene of the cheery and quaint town looking so festive.

This past month had encapsulated the warmth and welcome he felt in his adopted home. Nearly all of his students had given him some sort of token of their appreciation, presenting him with cellophane bags, decorated tins, and boxes filled with all home-baked treats. He had home-made macadamia nut brittle, cookies of all shapes, sizes and flavors, small loaves of sweet and sometimes savory quick breads, candied tropical fruits dipped in chocolate, a couple of coffeecakes, pecan pumpkin muffins, a cinnamon and walnut-swirled bundt cake, and even a pumpkin cheesecake. A few of his students' parents had orchid farms, in which case, he was given spectacular specimens in full bloom to enjoy for the holiday season. Some of the blooms now decorated the reception room of his shop, and a few he placed in his outdoor shower at home to bask in the humid and bright diffused light location.

Severus had seen many of the baked goods given to him laid out at previous luaus or offered up for sale by locals who sold pre-ordered Christmas baked good packages to be Portkeyed later on in the year as a way of adding to their incomes. Nothing was bought from a store, and it meant more to him that his students gave him these, since some he could tell were made by young and inexperienced hands. Never in all his time at Hogwarts did any of his students give him any such gifts, especially homemade ones.

At the big hula school luau recital in early December, he brought paella. Mingling amongst the townsfolk during the large community event, he had felt like he had become one of them, ingrained into its daily fabric. Severus had even been invited to a few Christmas parties, at which he willingly mingled, conversing with those who only knew him as the respectable and well-liked Potions master who came from England.

He truly felt at home in Malu Palekaiko, being amongst those who accepted and appreciated him for who he was. Severus couldn't wait for Hermione to finally come to Malu Palekaiko and experience the place for herself.

Stopping by the bakery, Severus picked up his usual croissant.

"So you are leaving for England this morning?" Kosal asked with a beaming smile. The Cambodian wizard baker remembered Severus made mention of it before.

"That's the plan. Hopefully, nothing will ruin this trip... this time," Severus said darkly.

He noted that the poi donuts with coconut glaze and chopped macadamia nuts, and the pineapple Danish, were already set out. He knew that Draco made a visit on Fridays out of habit to pick one of those for himself, plus whatever Ginny was craving that week. Friday-morning pastry habits were one of the few rituals that Draco had carried over from England to Hawaii, while Severus adopted it for every morning he went out for a swim.

"Ah!" Kosal groaned, itching at a spot on his arm.

"Did that cream I developed using the Miniature Man-Eating Masdevallias not take care of those pock marks on your arms where you just scratched?" Severus asked.

"No! No! It did. Just remembering ice pox makes it itch. Just a phantom feeling thinking about it," he assured the Potions master. "Hopefully nothing else like ice pox will stop you from going today."

"One can hope."

"Oh, here's some cheese Danish for your cat," Kosal said, as he gave Severus a little bag with half of one chopped up in cat-sized bites.

"Thank you," Severus said as he left the shop. The painted Santa and snowman on Kosal's shop window waved farewell to Severus.

Once he was back home, Severus took a long shower, giving himself a good wank. If anything, he would see Hermione within fifteen minutes of arriving in London, about eight-fifteen that evening, and both would be undressed by eight-thirty, Greenwich Mean Time. Severus even remembered to pack a few vials of lubrication potion and a few for his stamina as well. He wondered if she would be just as anxious and eager to join with him after their year apart, or would she need some gentle coaxing and wooing to disrobe before he ravished her once more.

Just knowing he would be making love to Hermione soon helped him come to a quick finish in the shower that morning.

Showered, dressed, and packed, Severus was ready to go with a whole hour until his Portkey time. He'd made arrangements for Ginny to feed the cat while he was gone. He could swing by the shop before he left, but Pat had everything under control, proving herself quite capable from her first day on the job. There were no potions to worry about while he was gone, and Jerry would continue with tutoring for some of his struggling students while he was away.

He just hoped Draco and Ginny would show up with his Christmas present before nine o'clock. They made him repeatedly promise he would wait around before Portkeying off to London. He had their anniversary present wrapped and waiting by the door. Considering how much money and time he'd spent to give this to the couple, he supposed he could wait for them to unwrap it. He wondered what Draco's reaction would be to have his mother's silverware given to him after finding out it had been sold to some "out-of-country buyer" before his name was exonerated, and before all his possessions that the Ministry had taken from him were returned, at least those that weren't sold off in the interim.

At eight-thirty, there was a knock at the door.

"Oh good, they're here finally," Severus sighed, knowing he would at least make his nine o'clock Portkey without a hitch. Nothing was going to stop Severus from going to London that day.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Her head bent over a stack of parchments, Hermione didn't hear the knock.

Lavender let herself into Hermione's office. "Hermione?" she called out softly, seeing her friend and vice president was deep in thought, and not wanting to startle her.

Hermione finally noticed and lifted her head. "Oh, Lavender," she noted, dragging her mind from her train of thought back to the moment. "I just wanted to finish up a few thoughts I had on new theories for some products I want to work on after I come back from my trip."

"Yes, speaking of which, if you don't hurry, you'll miss your seven-twenty evening Portkey. Besides, it's Christmas Eve. This can all wait until you come back from your field trip with Albert," Lavender assured her.

"Are you sure you want me to go?" Hermione asked. "You only just came back from maternity leave a week ago. And while I kept you up on everything while you were gone, I don't want you to exhaust yourself."

"Tut, tut," Lavender shushed her friend from fretting. "Ron is done with the Quidditch season, so he'll be helping take care of Josephine, and there are the house-elves and a cadre of in-laws to help us. Besides, everything drops off right after Christmas, and production and sales are always down for a bit until late January when people start thinking about Valentine's Day. I'll be fine. And Calleo will nest here and be taken care of while you're away." Lavender patted her on the arm to assuage her concerns.

Hermione shook her head. "I still don't know where Albert is taking me."

"He knows you've been so busy helping run the company he didn't want you to be distracted with the little details," Lavender said trying to calm her down, noting how she was becoming slightly agitated. "Besides, he said he gave Marf a thorough list of everything you'll need for your trip, plus I also bought you a few things. Consider it as a sort of Christmas present."

Hermione looked up at Lavender and her face fell. "Oh, but I didn't get anything for you-" she began, but was stopped by Lavender.

"Hermione, you have run my company beautifully so I could rest without worry while I recuperated during my maternity leave. Peace of mind is a gift that cannot be underestimated in value. And you have, despite all that has passed between us with Ron in the past year and a half, become a dear friend. You're the only female friend I trust. Letting Ron and me have our happiness, with your blessing, is worth a great deal to me. Don't worry that you didn't go out and spend a few Galleons on a trinket. I have something far more valuable – an ex-wife who isn't bent on hexing and cursing me and Josephine."

Hermione and Lavender had read a few stories in the Daily Prophet about – given the recent rise in divorce rates – some ex-spouses making life hell for the ex-husband and new wife, or for the ex-wife and new husband. For the fact Lavender and Hermione were on such good terms was a blessing for the second Mrs. Ron Weasley.

Rising from her desk, Hermione gave Lavender a brief hug, but gave one more troubled sigh. "I still don't know why Albert is insistent on leaving on Christmas Eve. I would have liked to have spent Christmas with my parents, but Albert says something about the timing of certain plants in bloom and the full moon on the 26th." She gave one more sigh, this one expressing more exhaustion than aggravation. "Oh well, the life of an apprentice, I suppose. At least I saw my parents last weekend, as Albert suggested."

"I think you'll have a grand time, even if you're away from family for Christmas."

"No hints?" Hermione asked one last time.

"What, and risk ruining the surprise?"

Hermione's brow furrowed. All she could think of was Severus' surprise apprenticeship trip to the North African desert and being unprepared, resulting in being sunburnt and miserable, but Albert was a good master and made sure she would have everything needed for her trip.

Looking at the clock on her office wall, Hermione said, "I suppose I'd better get going."

She walked with Lavender over to her office so Hermione could say goodbye to Josephine, who was awake. After pressing a kiss to her cheek and bidding her a soft farewell, inhaling the sweet smell, Hermione set her back down in her crib in the nursery set off of Lavender's office. She then gave her boss a hug goodbye with a promise to tell her everything about her trip when she returned.

Albert had already said goodbye to Josephine and Lavender, and was waiting for his apprentice downstairs in the lobby of The Lovely Lavender Company. They Floo'ed directly to the Ministry, since time was short and it was almost time for their Portkey to parts unknown.

Hermione didn't like the fact that Albert wanted to make the surprise all that more special by blindfolding Hermione during their Portkey. He held her arm to keep her steady and from falling over. The blindfold made her stomach even more uneasy than during the usual Portkey trips she took with Albert on short weekend excursions to collect flora and fauna.

As they landed, Albert insisted that she keep her blindfold in place just a bit longer, since they weren't at their final destination yet.

"This person is going to help Side-Along Apparate you to the final destination," Albert said as they landed. He assisted removing Hermione's cloak since it was warmer.

Hermione felt a large hand gently hold her by the upper arm and Side-Along Apparate with her.

Once at her hopefully final destination, she heard an additional popping noise, that was probably Albert arriving behind her.

She heard a knock on a door, which was so close it sounded like she was standing just in front of the door.

"May I finally take my blindfold off?" Hermione asked with a huff of impatience.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Severus walked over and thought he heard Ginny say something through the other side of the door, which he didn't catch.

Opening the door, he saw Draco and Ginny as he expected, but there was Hermione, blinking the sun from her eyes as Draco had just removed her blindfold before stuffing it in his pocket.

"Hermione?" He could hardly believe she was here on his front porch.

Hermione blinked a few more times, adjusting to the sudden bright light. "Severus?" she questioned with equal astonishment.

She flew into his arms as he reached out to scoop her up.

"How– " he blurted out as he held her tight, stunned by her sudden appearance.

"I had no idea– " she started to say, but stopped as she pulled her head away from his chest to look upon his face.

Each moved a hand to cup each other's cheek, their eyes roving over faces seen only in Pensieves and memories of late, memorizing the changes wrought since the last Pensieve memory they had of each other. Hermione smoothed a hand over his beard, finally feeling it with her own hands, noting that it felt softer than she anticipated.

All awareness that Draco, Ginny, and Albert were next to them had evaporated. The whole world at that moment only existed in each other's arms.

Hermione looked into his face; she had never before seen him so unmasked and emotionally open to her. There was nothing concealed in his features, just surprise at her arrival and love plainly written on his face. He'd never looked so handsome to her, even if the beard did take a little getting used to in person.

Severus, lost in the moment, pulled Hermione into a deep and passionate kiss unwilling to let another moment pass without his lips on hers. How he'd missed her kisses, her sweet and delirium-inducing kisses that could make his heart sing.

Hermione's heart felt like it would burst. Severus was kissing her with such passion and want, and she kissed him back with all the longing she had pent up for him this past very long and lonely year. Her head spun as her body and mind were overwhelmed.

Only when they finally pulled apart from their long impassioned kiss did they notice that they were being watched, but at this point, Severus and Hermione no longer cared.

Draco cleared his throat and rhetorically asked with joviality, "Now, what was that about nothing – not even hell, high water, or the end of the world – was going to stop you from going to England this morning?"

Hermione's face changed from elated love to quizzical surprise as she turned to regard Draco. "You planned this?" Turning to look at Albert, she added, "And you, too?"

Albert stepped forward and tilted his head to the side a bit in contemplation. "Well, after Severus didn't make it to India, Draco and I conspired together."

As much as Hermione and Severus never wanted to let go of each other ever again, they parted. Hermione went to embrace Albert, her master and mentor, while Severus gave Draco a hearty hug of thanks.

"I can't tell you how much this means to me," Hermione sighed as she gave Albert an embrace filled with gratitude.

Hermione and Severus swapped places, and Severus gave his old friend and fellow Potions master a firm handshake while Draco was given a near rib-cracking hug by Hermione. "Thank you," she said with her head pressed against Draco's chest, as the tears began to fall.

Severus pulled Hermione into his arms once more as she began to cry from sheer happiness.

Ginny, who had already started to cry, laughed through her tears. "I helped, too!" Hermione pulled Ginny into her embrace with Severus. Well, as much as they could hug Ginny considering her midsection had grown rather large since she had entered her sixth month of pregnancy.

Suddenly realizing they were all standing out on his front porch, Severus remembered his manners and said eagerly, "Come in, please, come in."

He rarely had guests, so it was quite a surprise. Fortunately, he had enough seating for everyone in his living room, where his packed trunk was waiting. Albert levitated Hermione's trunk in and set it down next to Severus'.

Her arm firmly latched into Severus', unwilling to let go of him, they walked into the living room. Hermione turned her head to look at her Master and asked Albert, "And you had this planned with Lavender the whole time too?"

Albert sat himself down at the same time as everyone else. Ginny took the most comfortable straight-backed chair that was kind to her back, and Hermione and Severus sat side-by-side on the couch – a couch that looked suspiciously similar to the one Hermione used to transfigure the settee into she noted silently. Draco stood behind his wife and softly rubbed her shoulders.

"Yes, which is why Lavender ended her maternity leave a week before today. That gave her time to get back into the swing of things so she would be back up to speed by the time I whisked you away to Severus'..." Albert stopped and looked around, suddenly admiring the architecture before finishing his thought. "... tropical hideaway."

Hermione blushed, suddenly realizing that Albert knew exactly what she and Severus would be getting up to for the next week. She turned and buried her face in Severus' shoulder. It was almost like talking about sex frankly with one's parents.

Draco and Ginny both had a small laugh of their own, remembering how they were rather inspired by the exotic setting and Justina's honeymoon suite at her hotel those first several weeks. Ginny squeezed Draco's hand and smiled up at him as she absentmindedly stroked her abdomen.

There was a small clatter in the kitchen, which made Severus let go of Hermione's hand and pull his wand out, nearly leaping off the couch.

"That would be the delivery elves," Draco said. Severus gave him a quizzical look, so Draco further explained, "Since you probably whittled your pantry and perishables down for your planned week away, Ginny and I arranged for the delivery of groceries to keep you stocked for the week since you'll be here instead. Unless you plan on still making that Portkey to London at nine o'clock."

Hermione looked at Severus, stunned by Draco's words. "Severus? Were you going to come to England to see me?" She had been so dazed by the surprise of suddenly finding herself in Malu Palekaiko, and in Severus' company, she had missed Draco's earlier joke about him leaving for England.

"That was the plan," he said rather dryly, now giving Draco a very pointed look. "And you couldn't have let me know sooner?"

"Well, it wouldn't have been much of a Christmas present had you known beforehand," Draco said, matching Severus' tone. "Besides, it takes a lot to surprise you. It was worth it to see the look on your face."

"I wish I had a photo of that moment. That was priceless," Ginny added.

"Speaking of presents," Severus said, pulling out his wand. He levitated the Malfoys' anniversary present by the front door over to float across the room and settle on the floor next to them. It was a bit too large and heavy to set in Ginny's ever-shrinking lap.

"Happy first wedding anniversary." Severus held his hand out toward the large box wrapped in silver and white. He had paid Naomi to wrap it beautifully for him.

Draco knelt down and began to unwrap it while Ginny sat in the chair observing.

Upon revealing the wood lid and silver plate engraved on the top, Draco gave a small gasp of surprise.

"You're not the only one capable of surprising people," Severus said lightly.

"My mother's silver," Draco choked out in a hoarse whisper as he reverently lifted up the lid. "But how? I thought it was gone."

Severus ran a thumb back and forth across the top of Hermione's hand as he said, "Naomi ran another errand for me when I sent her off to London to order Hermione's flowers last summer."

Upon the mention of that, Hermione grasped Severus' hand a bit tighter, willing all the bad memories of that mix-up to go away. She would only bring forth the memories of the vase of flowers that was presented to her when Draco and Ginny returned to England.

Draco's head hung down, and it did not escape anyone's notice that his hand went up to wipe away a tear. The young wizard rose and walked over to Severus.

Severus rose and let his friend clap him hard in a tight embrace.

"Thank you," Draco croaked, overcome with emotions.

He clapped Draco on the back. "It seems we have given each other something precious and irreplaceable this Christmas."

Ginny was wiping away tears herself, overcome by the emotion of the moment yet again. She knew how much Draco's mother's silverware meant to him from a purely sentimental worth. It was the best anniversary present Severus could have given them.

Sitting back down, Severus turned to Hermione. "How long are you here?"

"A week," Albert answered for her. "And she is under orders to do no work, but to relax today and Christmas," he said with a waggle of his finger. "But starting Boxing Day, she will have work to do the rest of her stay. Namely, checking up on the construction of the new facilities and the new school being built since Lavender is a large benefactor, plus writing scrolls on local plants and animals and their use. Perhaps with Blanche's permission, Hermione can get a tour of the Miniature Man-Eating Masdevallia reserve?"

"We'll see if Blanche will agree to that, but with no indicators in the final scrolls of where the reserve is located," Severus amended.

"But of course," Hermione said, knowing the location was held under a Fidelius Charm.

"And she is to work on her Japanese while she is here," Albert reminded her.

Since taking her Spanish test, Hermione had had little time to devote to learning her fourth language, given how busy she was running the company and doing her apprenticeship work.

"Excellent, I'm learning it myself so we can study together," Severus offered. Hermione squeezed his hand, thrilled at the prospect of learning something alongside Severus, both students for once.

"Anything else?" Hermione asked Albert.

"Attendance at the New Year's Eve Ball," Ginny said, as she pulled out an envelope holding two tickets from her pocket.

"Oh!" Hermione said, suddenly sitting upright. "I don't know if I have anything packed for a ball."

Albert sat back and chuckled. "I told you I would have Marf pack everything you would need for this trip, and I meant everything. You have all your formal dresses and various shoes and accessories," he said, flitting his fingers about to imply all the lingerie that went with each outfit as well without naming it specifically.

Hermione smiled and placed her hand over her heart, touched that Albert had thought of everything, as well as Draco and Ginny. And suddenly remembering Lavender's words, she knew Lavender had bought something for her for this trip.

"Now if you will pardon me for a moment, this house needs a bit of decorating," Ginny said. She opened a small pouch she pulled from the pocket of her cool and billowy tank maternity dress. Hauling herself up out of her seat, she opened the pouch and Summoned a large evergreen tree with her wand that expanded to its full size as it came forth.

While Ginny was busy decorating the Christmas tree, ensuring Severus and Hermione had a tree of their own to celebrate the holiday, Hermione asked Albert, "So are you staying in Malu Palekaiko for the week, as well?"

"No," Albert said, smoothing a hand over the front of his striped waistcoat. "One of my daughters and her family decided to go to New Zealand for Christmas, as I have a few distant relatives there I've been in contact with over the decades. So once I'm done handing you off into the hands of another very capable master for the week, I'll be Portkeying onward to Auckland." It didn't escape Albert's attention that the hand-holding between Hermione and Severus was getting more urgent and restive, as if they were making a conscious effort to not go at it in front of guests, while trying to play the good hosts who didn't kick their guests out too quickly.

Looking over at the clock on Severus' mantle, he said a bit more dramatically than necessary, "Well, I would love to stay and chat the day away, but I have a Portkey to take soon." Turning to Draco and Ginny, he said, "Could you please walk with me back to the Portkey Office? I would like a local's tour and get to see a few of the sights before I leave." It was a very polite way to prompt the Malfoys that it was time to leave. Even they understood the urgency simmering beneath the polite facade Severus and Hermione were trying to project.

Hand-in-hand, Severus and Hermione walked Albert and the Malfoys to the door. The delivery elves that restocked Severus' kitchen were long gone.

"I'll see you bright and early, January 3rd, back in the office," Albert said to Hermione with a twinkle in his eye as he stood on Severus' porch once more. Turning to Severus, he added, "And I expect you to take good care of my apprentice. Though, I don't think I have to worry about that at all. Make sure she doesn't push herself to yet another bout of nearly collapsing from sheer exhaustion. This trip is meant to recharge herself, besides check up on construction, since she's in the habit of pushing herself too hard at times."

"I push myself so I can finish my apprenticeship faster so I can be back by Severus' side faster," she reminded him of why she worked herself so hard.

Severus slipped his arm around her waist and chastely kissed the top of her head. "I'll make sure she gets the proper amount of rest."

Hermione was tempted to give him a wicked smile and say she didn't want to be too well rested. Instead, she refrained from making a comment filled with sexual innuendo since that was not her style in front of others, nor did she want to embarrass Severus.

Draco and Ginny exited the door, ready to walk Albert back down through the town since all of them, except Ginny, had Apparated directly there from the Portkey Office.

Ginny gave Hermione one last hug and kiss upon the cheek. "Since Severus is not going to be in England, we expect to see you both over at the Finaus' for Christmas dinner." She patted Severus on the arm, giving him a knowing look.

Severus had already dropped off the plum pudding the week before over at Mounga and Rainbow's house, but at the time he had no idea he would be there to enjoy it with them as well.

Looking at Hermione, Ginny said, suddenly remembering, "Oh, Marf was supposed to pack Christmas crackers, so be sure to remember those." She then turned to Albert. "You did get those, right?"

Albert assured Ginny that everything had been packed.

Draco gave Severus a pat on the shoulder. "And I will see you tomorrow as well. Mounga said to be there around two o'clock."

"Which means around three o'clock Hawaiian time," Severus amended, knowing that punctuality was not high on the priority of the locals, though they did learn to observe time in regards to appointments at Severus' shop for consultations and tutoring.

Draco was just about to leave when he stopped and reached into the pouch Ginny had earlier. "Oh, and one more thing from Ginny and me. You'll be needing this," he said with a knowing smirk upon his lips.

Severus looked at the wooden box Draco handed him and immediately recognized it. It was a special order Draco had paid to have Severus fulfill, saying it was going to be a Christmas present for a friend. Severus had filled every vial in that box, which consisted of an equal number of the natural lubrication potion and Sequoia, the male enhancement potion. Severus had brewed his own present from Draco, which Draco had paid for.

And stopping one last time, half-way down the stairs of Severus' front porch, Draco looked over his shoulder and added, "Oh, and Mounga said you could have use of the hot springs today, all day up until dawn. That's his and Rainbow's little gift to you and Hermione."

Draco, Ginny, and Albert really did plan for everything to make this the perfect week.

Hermione and Severus stood side-by-side, waving to their friends as they walked down the garden path towards the front gate.

Severus closed the door of his home. No sooner than he had closed it than he had Hermione pressed up against it, shoving his tongue down her throat, which she greedily devoured.

When they parted to finally catch their breath, she said through gasping pants, "I thought they'd never leave."

"Same here," Severus agreed, and went back to kissing Hermione with desperation, one arm cradling the box of potions they would make good use of for the next week.

"Bed, now," Hermione moaned, wishing Severus would put the box down, not knowing what was in it.

Severus would have picked her up and carried her off to his – their bed, but it was tricky business to carry someone in your arms and a wooden box at the same time.

They practically ran upstairs and into the bedroom, Hermione familiar with the layout from her many revisits to Severus' house in Lavender's Pensieve.

After placing their wands on the bedside table, Severus carefully placed the box next to them and opened the lid while Hermione surveyed her surroundings.

"Mosquito netting," she mused, "how romantic."

"More functional than romantic," he assured her as he plucked one vial from the set of thirty vials.

"What's in the box Draco gave you?" Hermione asked, curious as to why Severus was very careful while handling it.

"Something you're very familiar with," Severus said and held up the vial.

"You didn't brew this?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, I did, but Draco indicated it was for someone else when he ordered it, sneaky bastard."

Tipping the vial back, Hermione felt its effects, not realizing how much she missed that sensation, knowing what would come next. Her body reacted to the Lubrication Potion just as it had many times before.

Hermione carefully slipped the empty vial back in its slot. Then she took off the necklace Harry had given her for her safety. She would not need it here, as she knew that while she was with Severus she would be safe. The pendant was set on the bedside table, next to the dried lemon and photo of her younger self, before she turned her attention back to Severus.

"Are you still–" Severus began, but his question was finished by Hermione.

"Yes, I'm still on contraceptives."

There was a lot to talk about regarding that particular subject, but they could talk later. Right now they just needed to be with joined with one another as soon as possible.

There was a moment where they just held each other, one of Hermione's hands stroking the back of his neck, the other resting upon his shoulder. Severus held one arm around her waist, the other wrapped around her back. They were both scarcely able to believe they were finally together again, and this was no surreal meeting on some strange ethereal plane.

Severus and Hermione finally began to tear at each other's clothing, kissing each other with a raw hunger. Hermione's fingers worked furiously to unbutton the white long-sleeved shirt he was wearing, yanking the tails from his black light woolen trousers he had worn in anticipation of traveling to England.

Severus' hands were busy unbuttoning Hermione's blouse and trying to find the zipper to her skirt. He was unfamiliar with this particular garment, and blindly hunted for a zipper on the back. He finally found it on the side, unwilling to stop kissing Hermione to find it quicker.

Hermione nearly popped his last button off in her haste to divest Severus of his shirt, but found the last one in time. Her hands pushed the sleeves down, working against Severus' own attempts to use his hands to undress her simultaneously. He finally relented and stopped for a half-second to yank the sleeves off and left the shirt fall carelessly to the floor.

All the while they kissed, hardly able to keep their eyes open, yet longing to look forever upon the other, having been deprived of the sight of each other for so long. Severus felt his erection grind up against Hermione's hip and she ground back against it, wanting to feel its hardness and length against her body with equal want, desperate to have him fill her as soon as possible.

"God, I've missed you" Hermione said in a near sob, her voice thick with emotion.

Severus stopped kissing Hermione for a moment to look upon her face. Her eyes shone bright with unshed tears, smiling at him with pure happiness radiating from her face.

"I didn't think it was possible to miss you as much as I did," he confessed, still awestruck by the fact she was finally in his arms again. His hand cupped her cheek, and the pad of his thumb wiped away the tears that began to fall.

Hermione kissed him again, this time with near desperation. "I need you," she said against his mouth.

Severus kissed her back, his tongue battling with hers, as they both rapaciously consumed each other.

Hermione's skirt was finally unzipped, and Severus yanked it down past her hips. As she stepped out of her skirt, she also toed off her shoes. While Hermione pulled off her tights, Severus finished divesting himself of his trousers, boots, and socks.

Severus rarely remembered being so anxious and eager to make love. Even compared to their first time, he could not recall feeling this much anticipation.

Now dressed in only his underpants, he watched as Hermione, clad in her bra and knickers, crawled up onto the bed. She finally found her way underneath the mosquito netting and coyly beckoned him with a crook of her finger; a lustful come-hither look in her eye.

Hermione saw the way Severus approached her through the netting, the raw need burning bright in his eyes, as if his eyes could singe her flesh.

At the edge of the bed, he slowly lifted the netting, crawling underneath it.

This was their own little world, apart from the rest of reality. The outside world could be coming to an end, but they were not of it; they were in another dimension in that bed, finally together.

Severus roughly pulled Hermione into his arms, and they fell onto the bed. A tangle of arms and legs, both tussling about. Severus reached behind her and unclasped her bra, pulling the straps down from her shoulders.

Suddenly, he felt Hermione pull away from him and her arms cross in front of herself protectively. He anticipated this. This reminded him of their first time together and how she was so uncertain of her breasts back then.

Hermione began to cry, but not from joy this time. She didn't want Severus to see her scar, her hideous disfigurement inflicted by that monster Alan. Severus had once called her breasts perfect, but what would he think of them now with that grotesque souvenir of her attack marring them?

"Let me see," he asked, stroking her hair, trying to soothe her.

"It's so ugly," she wailed as she suddenly became overwhelmingly self-conscious, almost rolling away from Severus, wishing it was dark and he couldn't see the scar.

Severus pulled away from Hermione and knelt on the bed, holding his arms out for her inspection. "Look at me," he said.

Hermione rolled back over and looked at him. He looked so wonderful to her. His hair was longer, the beard made him look even more handsome, he looked like he was even trimmer with more muscle, and he had a nice tan. He looked perfect to her.

"Do you see my scars?" Severus asked.

It was then that Hermione did notice his scars. The one along his chest under his left nipple, and the other near his collarbone on the right. The one on his left was just as pronounced as the one Hermione now had. And then there was the significant scar on his leg that was longer than hers. "I don't see them. I only see you and how wonderful you look to me," Hermione said.

"Then how is your scar any different from the many of mine? You choose not to see them. And why would you think that a scar would make you any less beautiful to me?" Severus asked, trying to bring Hermione out of her shell once more.

Severus sat back down on his heels. "If we are fortunate enough to grow old together, should your hair become the color of dull steel, and you start to sag and become wrinkled, would you be less lovely to me?" he asked while shaking his head. "And I am no paragon of comeliness, yet you have professed how handsome I am to you. Do you think me so shallow that one scar could affect my whole opinion of you? That it is only your looks that matter to me?"

Hermione understood what he was saying, and she believed him, but it still didn't stop her fears of how he would react upon seeing it. She shook her head. She knew Severus was never a shallow man, but her psychological scars still ran deep.

Slowly, Hermione let her arms down and pulled the cups of her brassiere away from her breasts. She reluctantly let the bra fall upon the bed, her arms laying limp by her side.

It was a significant scar, but Severus did not care. To him, she was still a vision of perfection and loveliness.

Pulling her tenderly into his arms, he stroked her face. "You still look just as beautiful as before. More so, because I've missed you so much."

His hand gently cupped her scarred breast. She turned her head aside and almost flinched from his touch.

"Does that hurt?" he asked, seeing her reaction.

Hermione shook her head. There was no pain except in her mind.

"Then I see nothing," he whispered with urgent sincerity. "This does not define you." Severus placed his hand upon her heart above her scar and said, "This is what defines you," then he moved his hand up to place a finger upon her temple, "and this. It is your heart and mind I fell in love with."

Severus had a whole speech planned out since October to tell Hermione how he loved her regardless of her scar, but it came out completely different from what he intended. But in the end, he got his sentiments across so that she understood.

Being so open and free to express his emotions, was unlike what he had done in the past. Normally, he would be fighting with himself to express his feelings, but he had learned in his lengthy time apart from Hermione that holding back only hurt himself. He regretted that he had not more plainly and simply stated what was in his heart.

Even the vision of Albus back in his London flat once said to him, 'There is no regret in the experience of love, only when we deny ourselves the ability to love.' He finally understood what the apparition of the old Headmaster meant. Severus wanted no more regrets.

Wiping away the tears from her face, he said tenderly, "I love you, Hermione, and I have missed you terribly."

Hermione felt like her heart could hold no more love for him, but somehow she could feel her chest glow warm as if it was expanding. A rush of the intense feelings of love for him burned inside her, making her head spin and feel as if she was floating. She felt like she was falling in love with Severus all over again. And while he was the same Severus she first fell in love with, there was something different about him – less guarded, yet more intense. His earnest declarations that her scar meant nothing to him eased her fears, but his confession of why he had fallen in love with her made her happy beyond what she thought she was capable of feeling. There was no greater high, not even under the most potent formulations of the Irresistible Potion, that could compare to what she was currently experiencing, and it was all because of this love she felt for Severus and his love for her.

Kissing Severus' hair, she felt his mouth trail down her neck. The sensation of his beard seemed to almost heighten the feeling of his mouth as it dragged along her skin, nipping and licking in his anthropometry devoted solely to her.

Severus tenderly kissed the top of her left breast, looking up to watch for a reaction from her that he should stop and calm her fears once more. Her head was thrown back, mouth hung open, eyes shut, looking lost in the rapture of his touch. Moving onward, his mouth grazed along the slope of her breast, over the scar and finally down to her nipple. Her whole areola and nipple were taut and waiting for his touch. As his mouth engulfed her peak, Hermione let out a harsh cry, fisting his hair with one hand while wrapping a leg around his torso to draw him between her legs.

He laved both of her nipples with his tongue, giving both equal attention, cupping her breasts with his hands and plucking at the nipple his mouth wasn't currently worrying and suckling. The gentle brushing of his silken hair along her sides was torture of the sweetest kind, making her shudder, arch, and sigh, which only caused him to suckle more earnestly. With one hand, he slipped Hermione's pale pink knickers off.

The ache between Hermione's legs was almost unbearable, feeling her core throb with each beat of her heart, feeling as if she would go mad from this primal need. When she felt his mouth leave her breasts and trail down her stomach, she could stand it no longer.

Lifting his head from her stomach with her hands, she begged, "I can't wait any longer. I need you now. Please," she added, her face pleading. She was unable to bear any more building anticipation as she yanked at Severus' underpants, using her feet to catch them and shove them down his legs quickly, wishing she had her wand to spell them away faster.

Severus stroked her thigh and slid up between her legs, encouraging her to raise and part them, which she did eagerly.

Holding himself above her with one arm, he held himself with his free hand and rubbed himself around her entrance, spreading some of her fluids around his head to ease penetration. It had been a very long time for either of them, and he didn't want to hurt her despite how badly she needed him.

Severus slid his head into her, and she gasped at the shock of the sensation, feeling she would nearly explode, but wanting more. He pulled out and slid a little deeper in the next stroke, which caused Hermione to arch her back and pull her knees up higher to spread herself wider for him. It took all of Severus' strength and willpower not to just sink himself into her in one swift stroke.

Her brow furrowed, arms thrown above her head. She clawed at the headboard for a place to hold on, as she screamed, "YES! More!"

Severus withdrew and slid back in all the way slowly.

Hermione screamed from the pleasure of it all, his length and width filling her, the friction of him entering her, his body atop hers, her flesh pressed against his, his hair sliding over his shoulder to caress her own. When Severus pulled back and filled her even deeper a third time, and she finally felt him settle as deep as possible in her, she shut her eyes tight and wailed.

Severus knew Hermione was at her limit. She was so tight . Even though he was buried in her to the hilt, he knew if he spread her legs even wider and began pounding her harder, her body would not take it. He had to ease her body back into the ability to easily accept him once more, like she once had before. Severus wanted to consume her whole, right there and then, but forced himself to be patient, wanting to savor their rejoining. This was the sweetest of pleasures and joys, and he wanted it to last forever. His heart pounded with need to take Hermione completely and with his love for her as well.

They could hardly keep their eyes open. They were so lost in the all-consuming experience of being joined together, after being apart for so long. Hermione rocked her hips in time to meet each of Severus' thrusts, each stroke of his met with a cry of fulfillment from her. It took all of Severus' willpower to not come right them. She was so snug, it was a vise-like grip, her tightness making it all the more deliriously sweet to be buried in his love as he slid in and out of her.

This is what they missed. The feeling of their flesh pressed and rubbing against one another, the softness of each other's hair in their hands, the wash of hot breaths caressing each other with each exulted sigh, the sight of love and rapture written on each other's faces, the heady scent of skin as a light sheen of sweat bespangling their face, chest and backs. No Pensieve or fantasy could compare to the reality of being with each other.

Hermione opened her eyes finally to see Severus staring down at her with the same intensity as their first time together. He was her dark angel, taking her to paradise. Severus was looking at her as if she was the most beautiful woman on earth and for that brief moment, she felt she was. She felt dizzy, drowning in a deluge of sensations and emotions. Riding on that intoxicating tide of euphoria, she moaned, "God, I love you so much, Severus."

Severus could bear it no more. He came, already enamored by the sight of her beneath him as he made love to her, pushed to the edge by Hermione's declaration of her love for him. His eyes shut tight and he fell forward, burying his head against her neck, grunting and moaning as his hips stilled.

Hermione clasped onto him, wrapping her legs around him, welcoming him to rest upon her, tightening her muscles around him as she felt him empty himself into her. Severus then gasped in surprise, overcome by the sudden squeezing sensation.

This was Hermione's little trick to make his orgasm feel even more intense. Given the intensity of this particular orgasm, having finally made love to her after months apart, he felt like his head would explode. How he'd missed this as well.

Laying atop of her, gasping for breath, he felt Hermione's hands lovingly stroked his back, her legs still wrapped around his waist. He could feel her chest rise and fall in a stilted manner. Severus could tell she was crying. Lifting his head, he knew that these were the sort of tears he wanted to see from her.

Hermione was so happy at that moment, she couldn't keep it in. She didn't want to cry, as she had cried too much over this past year with Severus gone, but she could not contain her joy.

"I couldn't wait. You are just so wonderful," Severus began, wishing he could have brought Hermione to her own completion before himself, but she only smiled more at him, the tears finally ebbing away.

"Shh. We have all week," she silenced him, placing a finger upon his lips before kissing his cheek and forehead.

Severus felt himself finally go soft enough that he slipped out of her, but he decided to seize the moment. Rolling off of her, he slid his hand down and slipped his fingers between her legs.

Hermione adjusted her legs and stroked Severus' hair, noting how much longer it was from when she last saw him. She closed her eyes and hummed as his fingers went to work on her.

Severus had spent enough time Polyjuiced as Hermione over the past year, he learned her body from a first-person perspective. As he started using new techniques he had developed, he heard Hermione gasp and her breath halt in her chest.

"Oh, God... Where... How..." All questions stopped, and she began a keening wail as Severus slipped two fingers into her while his thumb worried at her clit in just the right spot that sent her into fits. His other hand had also slipped between her legs, and one finger was slowly playing with the opening of her anus.

Severus looked to Hermione to gauge her expression. He saw that she was too lost in what he was doing to her body to notice him seeking quiet permission before he slipped a single slender finger in. Dipping his head while kneeling over her, he took the nipple closest to his mouth between his lips and started to suckle at it, working mostly on the nipple.

This was something a bit different and new for Hermione, and it was fantastic. The ache that was still left between her legs came back fiercely and began to grow in her abdomen. Throbbing and white hot, she could feel it build.

Severus timed his movements to her cries and how she moved her body in time to his hand, picking up the pace when he sensed she wanted more, quicker. He could feel himself harden once again, hearing and seeing Hermione undulating to his touch in his bed.

'This is so much better than masturbating in a Pensieve,' Hermione noted somewhere in the back of her mind. The two experiences could not even compare: Severus' very deft and increasingly talented fingers, versus her own. Hermione could feel her orgasm building. She thought she would literally set the mosquito netting and bed on fire, her body was so aflame. She threw her head back and opened her throat as she finally felt her orgasm take over her body, making her bellow and thrash about the bed like a mad woman in an attack of hysterical mania.

Severus felt her walls clamp down, quivering and pulsing around his fingers. He couldn't wait any longer. In the middle of her orgasm, he removed all his hands, and he slid back between Hermione's legs and back into her once more.

Hermione felt her orgasm stop momentarily, but it returned and with even greater intensity as Severus filled her once more. This time her body had become slightly accustomed to him, and she spread her legs wider. Feeling him sink into her, she felt her orgasm return and she clutched onto Severus, riding him from underneath as much as he was riding her.

Her orgasm finally waning, Hermione's screams morphed into soft whimpers of delight, feeling pleasantly exhausted. Severus' movements slowed and he finally rested between her legs, gently sliding back in and out of her until he finally stopped, his breath short and gasping, just like Hermione's.

Severus didn't orgasm a second time, yet, but he was glad to have helped Hermione finally have one of her own. He did not want to leave her unsatisfied at all, in any way.

Rolling off Hermione and onto his back, his face coated with more sweat, and thankful he swam to help keep up his physical stamina, he lay there on his back staring up at the ceiling through the netting. He could suddenly see the benefit of the ceiling fans Ginny and Draco installed in their home.

Hermione rolled over and curled up along Severus' side, playing with his chest hair and the tips of his longer raven locks.

Stroking her back lazily with one hand, Severus mused contently, "If I am dreaming, never let me wake. If I am awake, never let me sleep." Severus kissed the top of her head where it rested on his chest.

Hermione stifled a yawn. "I'm knackered. Oh, that reminds me."

Rising up, she started to reach across Severus for her wand, but suddenly stopped and ran off to the bathroom instead.

Severus chuckled to himself, feeling the familiarity of old habits from his former life appearing in his new life, like some ghost that had come back to life, becoming solid flesh and blood once more.

With her bodily needs taken care of, Hermione, completely nude to Severus' enjoyment, returned to the bed. She walked over to the bedside table to fetch her wand and Summon her trunk.

After setting it down by Severus' armoire, she opened it. She pulled open a few drawers before finally finding what she was looking for.

"Aha!" she said with some triumph. Then she came back to the bed while holding a small case.

"And what do you have here?" Severus asked, his own curiosity piqued since there was a glimmer of pride in her carriage as she walked back.

"Hopefully, a successful brewing of a Portkey lag potion I developed for my final apprenticeship potion." Hermione held the case out for Severus to inspect. It was a clear glass case featuring only two vials, each vial marked with hash marks and numbers along the side.

"And how does it work?" he asked, noting the numbers on each vial only went up to twelve. One vial was of a bright golden sunny hue, while the other had a dusky violet color to it, as if it was twilight captured in a glass.

"It helps reset the circadian rhythm to the new time zone," Hermione informed him.

"Yes, but that's what Invigoration Draughts and sleeping potions are for," he said not to be contrary, but to question how her potion might present a solution when other solutions were already available to the problem.

"Yes, but those potions don't reset the natural rhythm a body has when it says it's time to wake up, go to sleep, have a meal. While those other potions are a stop-gap measure, this helps avoid other problems when the body does eventually reset, such as sudden fatigue. I tried Invigoration Draughts and sleeping potions, when I came back from India, and I still found myself suddenly wanting to fall asleep face-first into my lunch of cottage pie up to a week later."

"Which vial would you take and how much?" he asked.

"That depends. If I want to stay awake for, say, eleven hours longer than my usual bedtime back in London, since there is an eleven-hour time difference, I drain this down to the eleven marked on the vial," she said pointing to the golden-hued elixir.

"And the other vial?"

"When I leave, it will be morning here, but night back in London. After arriving, I'll drain up to the eleventh mark on the vial, and it will set my body clock eleven hours faster towards sleep."

"And how much have you tested this before?" Severus asked, hoping Hermione wouldn't put herself accidentally into a Draught of Living Death-like coma, spending their week together with her passed out and him working on an antidote.

"I've done some small trips on the weekend with Albert when he's taken me on weekends a few hours across time zones, or when I need to get up pre-dawn for some ingredient-hunting task Albert has set for me, but nothing as much as eleven hours," she said as she opened the case, pulling out the sunny-colored potion.

Before Hermione imbibed, she told Severus about the ingredients and directions for brewing, plus where her notes could be found, should anything happen. Tilting the vial back, she felt the potion slide down her throat, invigorating her, erasing the feeling like she had already put in a full day's work, which she had.

Setting the nearly empty vial back in its case and on the bedside table, Hermione said with self-satisfaction of all her work, "I no longer feel sleepy."

Severus grabbed her and threw her back on the bed. "Good," he growled playfully as he palmed one breast, "because for each of those lubrication potions I brewed is a vial of Sequoia to match, and I have yet to take mine," he reminded her as she grinned eagerly at him.

============

A/N: Yeah, they're back together again and shagging like horny nifflers once more!

As always, thank you to my wonderful betas, JuneW and thegreyladies for your wonderful work.

Angel-soma has done a commission for me of Hermione and Severus seeing each other on his front porch, right after she takes off the blindfold and he opens the door. You can view it on Angel-soma's DeviantArt page here: http://angel-soma.deviantart.com/art/Commission-Estump-573883870
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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After