A/N: THIS IS IT. Short, but you've all been waiting for it. I REALLY hope I didn't fail you.

"I never really needed help in Charms..."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Not even last year." Does that mean...?

"Then pray tell, why did you ask for assistance, Miss Granger?"

"So you'd be near me, spend more time with me...touch me."

There were so many things he wanted to say to her. So many confessions. He wanted to tell her that he wanted to touch her too. That he'd wanted to do so much more than just touching, every time, and she tortured him. He wanted to kneel before her and pledge his never ending devotion, pledge that he'd worship her, forever, and that he was hers to do as she will. He wanted to weep at her feet because she had given him the greatest gift possible, wanting him too. He wanted to warn her, tell her he was a bad man, a bad man that lusted for a child and took advantage of her sweetness, her innocence. He wanted to warn her of his darkness, his unworthiness. If she knew...if she knew how obsessed he was. How jealous and cruel and controlling. But none of these confessions or warnings passed his lips. Instead he said the only other thing he could think to say.

"How very Slytherin of you, my sweet."

Her warm laughter was enough to convince him he'd done the right thing, holding back.

"Are you proud? Will you reward me?"

The words themselves were teasing, suggestive. But her tone was something else entirely. Just as it had first been on his desk while confessing her desires, her voice was shy and slightly embarrassed. She feared his rejection. And being the sick, depraved man he was, that excited him. It excited him that he controlled the situation, that he needn't be bashful or hesitant. She submitted to him. He served and obeyed two masters, and finally, someone would serve him. Of course, he loved her. He wouldn't be forceful or demanding, but the thought of dominating her aroused him. He wanted to lay claim on every part of her. Body, heart, soul. He wanted her to need him. Need him so much she begged for him. No one had ever begged for Severus Snape.

"I am indeed, and I think I shall. But what reward fits the achievement?"

"If I may be so bold, might I suggest one?"

"You may." Giving her permission to speak was entirely too pleasurable.

"I think...a...kiss. I think a kiss would be appropriate." She's asking me to kiss her. No one's ever asked me to kiss them...

"Suitable."

And then they were kissing again. It was slow and passionate, and when she moaned for him, he was positive he would never hear a more sensual sound for the rest of his life. He clutched her to him and ran his hands up her sides. He didn't bother asking before touching her breasts, he was positive he had permission. His lips moved down to her throat, lavishing the side with open mouth kisses.

"Please...please..." She was begging. He felt he might die from his love.

"Yes. Yesss."

He knew not what he was agreeing to, only that he'd give her anything, do anything for her. Including stop. He wouldn't take her on his desk, fantasy or not. He knew she was a virgin, and he would make sure her first time was as perfect as possible.

"Come with me."

She did so without question. He led her through the door to his private chambers. She was as eager as he, and didn't bother looking around. There would be time enough for that later. When they reached his bed, he picked her up and deposited her in the middle. She sat up on her knees and linked her arms behind his neck. She peppered his face with kisses. It was a gesture so kind and gentle he wanted to cry. His Student. His favorite student. All his forever. He'd make sure of it.

She leaned back, panting. They paused, eye level, breathing each other in.

"Do you trust me?"

"Completely. More than anyone."

Another pause. Another moment of looking into each others eyes. One more moment before crossing the final threshold. He was almost frightened by the intensity of his emotions, the knowledge that he loves, and finally, finally, he would have exactly what he wants.

"We're going to make love." He needed it to be said. Only then would he be sure it was real. The phrase was silly, yes, but that's what it was. He loved her. He could call it nothing else.

"Please."

He was upon her, roughly removing clothing, groping and kissing everywhere. She was moaning, moaning his name. He groaned hers back.

"Hermione."

"Oh Gods! I love you. I do."

He stopped abruptly, not knowing if he heard what he thought, but hoping with all his soul that he had.

She mistook his silence.

"I-I...I mean...I don't expect you to feel...like...that too. Sorry." You are ridiculous. Adorable and precious and terribly, terribly ridiculous.

"You love me, Hermione?"

"Yes. But I don't-"

"Say it again."

"I love you, Severus."

"I love you as well."

"You don't possibly!" So, so ridiculous.

"And why is that?"

"Because...I'm insufferable! And bushy. And a know-it-all."

"Are you? I was under the impression that your quite charming and bright. And beautiful."

"Really? Beautiful?"

"Very."

They resumed, only for her to stop him moments later.

"I need to tell you something!"

"I do hope it's important."

"Yes. I have a confession."

"...Well? Out with it!" Impatient as he was, he bent down to kiss her ivory white neck.

"In first year..." She let it hang there.

He looked up again. "...In first year? In first year what?"

"It was me! I was the one who set your robes on fire!" She covered her eyes with her hands.

"You stopped me...to confess...you set my robes on fire?"

She removed her hands. "Yes. I'm so very sorry. It's just I felt so guilty ever since. And I couldn't have you telling me you love me without knowing the truth!"

He tried to stop it, he really did. But the guilt on her little face, it was too much. He let out a laugh, a deep, loud one.

"You are so utterly absurd!"

And she laughed with him. Every moment he shared with his Miss Granger was better than the last. This was the first time he had ever truly just laughed with someone. He never even had with Lily. It felt nice, letting go with her. He felt free and good and cared for.

She ran her hands up his chest and his laughter died. He needed to have her. Now.

"Is there anything more you'd like to confess? Or may we continue?"

"That's it...for now." Cheeky.

Lust won out over curiosity, so he asked no questions. In no time she was panting and moaning and begging again, and he had her almost completely out of her clothing.

She was wearing white undergarments. She looked as innocent as an angel, and she was. The worst his girl had ever done was set him on fire and steal from his stores. He knew she had little to no experience with men, or boys as it were. He was so grateful for that. She was totally and completely his. No one else had ever or would ever touch His Student.

She looked embarrassed and wouldn't meet his eye. Her cheeks were cherry red and her body was stiff.

"You are beautiful.You are divine."

She took a deep breath. "Truly? You aren't disappointed?"

He imagined it was Potter and Weasley who made her feel so inadequate. They treated her as if she were a boy. The familiar murderous urges rose in him again.

"You are perfect."

She seemed to believe him. Her body relaxed and her lips found his.

He stoked down her body until he reached the apex of her thighs, under the waistband of her knickers. She was soaking. Soaking for him. He found himself oddly emotional. Unbidden a lump formed in his throat. It was proof. Proof that she desired him, she wanted him. Tangible evidence that she longed for him as much as he did her. No one had ever wanted Severus Snape.

He loved her so very much.

She shattered for him, and it was glorious. She had chanted his name, over and over.

And then it was time. Out of their clothing at last, he hovering above her, he took in her delectable naked form.

"Are you ready, my love?"

"Yes."

He was as gentle as possible, but it was difficult. Her cry of pain was enough to keep him in check.

"I'm terribly sorry, darling."

"No, no. It's fine. I just need a moment."

He resolved to give her as many moments as she needed, but he was nearly overwhelmed with her heat, her tightness.

"I'm ready."

It was slow and gentle at first. But then she spoke.

"Oh gods...Severus! I love you! I have since the moment I saw you!" Too much.

Her words affected him like nothing else ever had. To know she had loved him for as long as he had loved her. Of course, he had loved her differently then, but to know he had been loved for years...

He had been loved through every barb and insult. He had been loved despite ridiculing her teeth. He had been loved despite the hatred her "friends" had for him. And he definitely wasn't a man who a person would "love at first sight". He wasn't an affectionate man, per say. He didn't express his emotions much. But for her...

"I love you! Hermione, Hermione. I love you."

He was pounding into her. Both were moaning each others names and declarations of love. And when she clenched down on him, nothing mattered. Not Potter (Jr. or Sr.), not Albus, not his past, not Lily. Nothing but her. She was everything.

He spilled into her. She held him and kept whispering her love. When he regained himself, he turned them over and held her tightly to his side.

"You're mine."

"Yes. Forever."

Forever.