Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe is the property of J.K. Rowling. I'm just playing with them. )
Chapter One
Severus lay in his bed, his arms tucked behind his head, blankets resting at his waist. His thoughts were on the witch in his life, her smile, laugh, and the way her eyes lit up when she saw him. It had been three months since they had gotten together; it was amazing to him that a woman like her would want to spend time with a man like him. They hadn't made love yet, but then again there was really no rush. He was content with what they had, although he would love nothing more than to have her with him on a more permanent basis. Pushing himself out of bed he realized that he would need to put some serious thought towards that subject.
He padded quietly across his bedroom floor, feet sinking into the plush carpet that covered his floors. Running his fingers through his hair he entered the bathroom and took a good look at himself in the mirror. His hair was still short, as it was much easier to keep clear of a cauldron at this length. He had put on some weight and it looked good on him, he now was thin, but not skinny, and Hermione seemed to like it.
Turning away from the mirror he turned on the shower, pulled off his boxers and stepped under the spray. He picked up the soap and lathered his chest while contemplating his options. Today was Friday, he had seventh year double potions to get through along with overseeing the Slytherin's quidditch practice. He scrubbed himself thoroughly; then stood under the spray with his hands braced against the wall. Water ran down his body, flowing over him like a caress, the heat soothing away the slight tension in his muscles. He quickly washed and rinsed his hair, then turned off the water. He dried himself off and wrapped the towel around his waist while walking back into his bedroom.
He dressed himself in black slacks, black silk dress shirt with matching waistcoat, and his black teaching robes. He tugged on his dragon hide boots and stepped to the mirror to check his hair. Black was for teaching, color was for his free time. Regardless his entire wardrobe was less repressed. Hermione had gone through it when they first started seeing each other and made sure to throw out all his old clothes, with the exception of his silver trimmed frock coat, for some reason she wanted him to keep that.
With a final glance in the mirror and a deep centering breath, he swept out of his quarters in the dungeons heading towards the great hall. He slipped into the hall silently and took his place at the end of the table. Hermione was already in her place right next to his.
"Good Morning Severus." She smiled.
"Good Morning Hermione, did you sleep well?" he enquired as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Why yes I did, did you?"
"I slept adequately, although it could have been better." He replied before taking a sip of the strong black brew. He was already awake, but then coffee wasn't always about waking up.
"Oh really Severus, how could it have been better?"
Severus smirked as he served himself some eggs, bacon and toast. "Why Hermione, I should think that would be obvious."
He took a bite of his toast and a sip of his coffee while he watched her puzzle through his response. As aggressive as she was during their kissing sessions she obviously was still fairly innocent. He found that rather refreshing, it left him somewhat in control. He took a bite of his eggs and another sip of his coffee.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Darling, I would have slept better if you had been there beside me. I can think of no more enjoyable thing, then to awaken in your arms."
She blushed, quickly taking a drink of her orange juice and focusing her attention on her food.
He chuckled softly and was about to continue with his breakfast when the noise of the mail owls entered the hall. He glanced at the Slytherin table noting who got packages instead of letters. His attention was so focused on his charges that he didn't see the owl heading for him. The owl landed on the table, knocking over his coffee mug.
"Um Severus, you have a letter." Hermione stated as she nudged him with her elbow.
"Oh, yes thanks." He murmured as he took the letter from the owl and examined it.
The envelope was black with silver engraved writing on the front. He opened it and pulled out an expensive invitation. The design, the weight, the engraving all screamed that it was pureblooded and he could think of only one pureblood who would consider sending such a thing to him. He read the details and chuckled.
"Well Hermione it seems we've been invited to a party on Saturday."
"We have?"
"Yes, it appears Lucius and Narcissa have decided to have a ball, it seems Lucius has some sort of announcement to make." He looked at her. "Do you want to go?"
She smiled shyly. "I would like to go, but I'm not sure I have anything suitable to wear."
"We can take care of that this evening if you like. I could use a new suit myself so I wouldn't mind the trip."
"That's fine, I'll meet you in the entrance hall at five o'clock. You should be done with your Slytherins by then."
"That would be agreeable. Now if you'll excuse me I need to get down to the dungeons, I have seventh year Gryffindor and Slytherin first thing." He picked up her hand and kissed it with a slight smile before sweeping out of the room in a flutter of black robes.
Severus had a headache, it wasn't uncommon for a Friday morning, but today it was worse then usual. The class was assigned a written test on the properties and uses of various ingredients. The written test was followed by a practical quiz in which they were given a list of ingredients and they were to divine and brew the potion the ingredients would make. It was the seventh year newts class, after seven years and the fact that only students who received O's on their owls were accepted into his NEWT level class you'd assume they could handle this test.
It all started fine, the written tests were turned in. The lists were handed out and brewing began. He was grading the tests while the class worked. The potion they were making was a simple boil cure, which they had all made in first year. He'd lightened up a bit since dating Hermione. He still slashed and scribbled his way across papers but he was a lot less harsh. He was in the middle of writing a comment on a paper when suddenly the room was filled with a hissing sound. His head jerked up from his work to see six clouds of acid green smoke filtering from the hissing cauldrons. He jumped to his feet wand drawn and Evanescoed four of them but wasn't fast enough to catch the last two before they exploded showering the nearby students with it.
"You six should have known better then to add the porcupine quills while the cauldron was still lit! Detention eight o'clock with Filch."
The students looked chastised as he stormed down the aisle in resplendent fury.
"All those affected, report to the infirmary! As for the rest of you, your potions should be complete, bottle them, clean up and Get out!"
There was a mad rush to bottle the finished potions and make a hasty exit. The potions master was in rare form today. As the last student filed out, he sank into his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose with his left hand. With his right he opened up his desk drawer and withdrew a vial, popped the cap and then downed the whole thing in one gulp. His head began to clear just as the first year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw class entered the room. He already wished the day was over.
At three o'clock Severus made his way out to the Quidditch pitch. Last weeks match against Gryffindor had gone well in the regard that Slytherin won, but had gone badly in the fact that Madam Hooch had banned the teams beaters, Kelsey Jameson and Antares Moore for nearly killing the Gryffindor seeker. He certainly didn't condone what they had done; in fact the two of them would be spending the rest of the school year in detentions. Their banishment however meant that the team had two positions to fill.
He strode onto the pitch and was greeted by the Slytherin team captain, Alexander Blake. The team was assembled behind him and to the side there was a group of about eight students who were there for tryouts.
"Mr. Blake." He acknowledged with a curt nod.
"Professor Snape, We're ready to begin when you are, sir."
"Very Good, I'll leave the tryouts up to you Mr. Blake, however the final decision will have to be approved by me is that clear?"
"Yes sir, very good sir."
"Well then get to it." he snapped before moving to the stands to oversee the tryouts. After all, he was only there to assure that Slytherin didn't end up with another two murderous beaters on the team.
Hermione was already waiting in the entrance hall when Severus arrived. She looked him up and down noticing that he had changed clothes into something more casual as well as colorful. His face showed the signs of tension.
"Have a headache love?" she asked quietly.
"Nothing that getting out of this school for the evening won't fix, are you ready to go?" He inclined his head as he offered her his arm.
"Yes I am." She took his arm and smiled up at him.
Arm in arm they left the school and walked down the path to the main gates. Once there he pulled her into his arms so that she was pressed firmly against his chest. He pressed his lips to her forehead savoring the feel of her in his arms before he disapparated with her.
They reappeared in Diagon Alley near a private tailor's shop. He slowly released her and held out his arm. She took it with a smirk as they stepped inside.
"You know Severus, you don't have to hold me like that to apparate."
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "I know, but I'll take any opportunity I can get to hold you in my arms."
She couldn't help blushing profusely at his statement as he led her to the sitting area of the shop. The shop was small but comfortably done. The tailor looked up from his sketch pad as he noticed his customers.
"Oh Professor Snape it's so good to see you again, what can I do for you this evening? The tailor asked.
"Formal attire for myself and my lady if you will." He leaned forward, his voice low so Hermione couldn't over hear. "Price is no object."
"Of course Professor, who shall be first?" asked the tailor.
"Hermione, besides it will be easier to match once we know what she'll be wearing."
"Very well, this way." The tailor moved her swiftly to a platform in front of a wall of mirrors.
She stepped up onto the platform and let her hands fall down to her sides as the tailor circled her. His wand was drawn and he was waving it around taking measurements and flicking it to pull up color samples while he sketched on his floating design book.
"Emerald I think" he looked her over from head to toe. "Yes definitely emerald."
He flicked his wand and sub-vocally summoned his mannequin, sized it to her measurements and set to work. Yards of emerald green silk were cut, basted and stitched together under the guidance of his wand. When the dress appeared to be finished he flicked his wand again and it appeared on Hermione.
She looked in the mirror and smiled. "This is lovely."
The tailor chuckled. "It's not even finished yet."
He circled her again flicking his wand to take in the waistline an inch. He adjusted the hem of the skirt and the sleeves and stood back to assess his work. He muttered a bit, the dress was still lacking.
"Professor, what kind of event are you attending, if I may enquire?" he asked.
"Ball at Malfoy Manor." Severus replied with an air of unconcern.
He nodded thoughtfully then turned his wand back towards the dress. With a swirling flick of his wand the dress was embroidered in gold silk thread in an oriental pattern. With another flick the top of the dress, the skirt and the sleeves were all trimmed in gold.
"Ah yes, that is much better." The tailor said proudly. "What do you think?"
Hermione saw herself in the mirror and was utterly gob smacked. The dress was floor length, form fitting with a full skirt, and was off the shoulder with full length sleeves. She turned to face Severus and noticed he looked completely stunned.
"Severus what do you think?" she asked.
"Hermione you look like a Goddess." He walked towards her, took her hand and pressed his lips to it before turning his eyes to the tailor. "We'll take it."
The tailor flicked his wand and she was re-attired in her previous clothes and the dress was residing in a dress bag.
"And for you sir?" he enquired.
Hermione stepped down and he stepped up. "Three piece suit, with appropriate robes, set to match her if you will."
The tailor nodded and swished his wand again. Severus was much easier to attire then his lady companion. He'd already crafted a whole new wardrobe for him one more suit wouldn't be too hard. He flicked his wand and Severus was attired in a black suit with vest in the same pattern and fabric as Hermione's gown. A black silk shirt finished off the look.
Severus inclined his head in approval and in a blink of an eye he was re-dressed as before and his suit was packed away.
They left the shop twenty minutes later after acquiring appropriate foot ware and Severus signing the charge slip. Hermione was in shock that she'd been purchased such a glamorous dress and a little put out that Severus wouldn't tell her what it cost.
They made a quick stop at Gringott's where Severus made a withdrawal from his vault while she waited up in the lobby. As they left the bank he offered her his arm, and once she took it they disapparated to the gates of Hogwarts then made their way inside.
Hermione lay on the sofa, watching him as he worked. He was chopping something, though from her position, what he was chopping she could not tell. She admired his form from a distance. His robes were off and she couldn't help but be pleased with the sight that met her eyes, but still something seemed to be missing. She smiled up at him, sitting up, as he made his way over to her setting a tray of fruit down on the coffee table.
He sat down beside her and slipped his arms around her. Their eyes met as he leaned forward, and then his lips were upon hers. The kiss was gentle at first, a light teasing pressure as he waited for her to react. When she gasped, then slipped her arms around his neck, he deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth to caress her own. Tongues battled and mated as they delved deeper into passion. After a few minutes he ended it, and rested his forehead against hers and she snuggled further into his embrace.
"Severus?" she whispered quietly.
"Yes love?" his voice was soft and quiet.
"Mm I love when you call me that. " She shivered with delight at the endearment.
He chuckled softly. "That wasn't what you were going to say, now tell me please."
"I guess that's what I get for dating a legilimens.
"I've never felt the need to use legilimency on you love, I could just tell that wasn't the only thing you wanted to say."
"Well it's not really a statement, more of a question." She responded nervously.
"All right go ahead then."
"Severus, what I'm really wondering is if you're particularly attached to your short hair?"
"Well it is easier to keep out of a cauldron then my old length, but I'm not dead set on keeping it this length. Why do you ask?"
"I was kind of wondering if you'd consider growing it out again, maybe a little longer then you used to wear?"
He arched an eyebrow at her, watching her fidget. A smirk graced his lips as she avoided making eye contact with him. He released her from his arms and got up, walking to the chair he threw his robes over, retrieving his wand. He thought about it for a moment then touched the wand to the tips of his hair and cast the spell drawing his wand down until it ended mid chest. He tucked his wand away as the magic tingled and his hair started to lengthen. About a minute later the spell was complete and his hair was now mid chest length. He returned to his seat and turned back to her.
"Is this about right?" he enquired.
"Um how did you do that?" she asked in awe as she reached out and dragged her fingers through his locks.
"You mean to tell me there is something you don't know?" He clasped his hand to his heart as if he were having a heart attack. "Oh my, the world is ending..."
She punched him in the arm and he winced pulling himself together except for the smirk still gracing his lips.
"There is a spell for it, similar to the hair growing hex but unlike the hex, its controllable if you focus."
"I see, now tell me why you would remember such a vain spell."
"My first year of teaching, a student botched a batch of wit-sharpening potion. I can honestly say that the student was nearly as bad as Longbottom when it came to potions. Anyways the cauldron exploded and splattered the student and me with a substance that removed all our hair. So I was left to hunt down a spell to fix it, took me a couple days, thankfully it was the weekend and there you go."
She struggled not to laugh since it wasn't really funny but yet it was. "Oh Severus."
He looked up at her and then leaned over towards the coffee table dishing her up a bowl of the cut fruit.
"Come now, time to eat something."
She nodded and took the bowl, picked up a strawberry and held it to his lips. He bit into it as he took it into his mouth while holding a cherry to her lips. They playfully fed each other; it was a tease of sorts. When the fruit was gone he stood up and gently pulled her up with him.
"It's getting late." he stated quietly.
"Yes, I should probably get going." She started to move away but her hand was caught in his.
He pulled her close and kissed her softly, yet briefly. "I'll be by at six o'clock tomorrow to pick you up."
She smiled. "I'll be ready, good night love."
Without another word she slipped out of his quarters leaving him leaning against the door, wishing he'd had the courage to ask her to stay.