The next few weeks passed by with little occurrence, Hermione spending most of her evenings with Severus in his lab, doing apprentice work or studying for her N.E.W.T's. They learned a lot about each other through the long conversations that passed between them easily. Hermione loved to listen to Severus as he read aloud the latest article in Potions Weekly, or explaining the theory of a difficult potion. And Severus enjoyed having someone around to talk to, something that showed through to his lessons, as he would often open up discussions during his classes. All seemed to be well.

Two months before the N.E.W.T's, Hermione was surprised when she received a letter from Harry on the morning of a Hogsmead visit. It was a short note, asking if she wouldn't mind meeting him outside the Shrieking Shack at lunchtime. Hermione found this odd, why would Harry want to meet her outside of the school grounds, and not explain why? With a slight feeling of dread, she made her way to Severus' rooms to tell him about the note she had received.

"What could he possibly want to talk about?" Hermione said, taking back the letter from Severus, who was sat on his sofa deep in thought.

"Do you want me to come with you, in case it's not Potter?" Severus asked, pulling Hermione onto his lap to stop her constant pacing.

"No thanks, I'm sure it's him, I'm just confused as to why he would want to meet up at all, especially at the Shrieking Shack" Hermione replied, wrapping her arms around Severus' neck and kissing his cheek.

"Well, we have a few hours before you have to go. We could..." Severus whispered against her ear, and then began kissing her neck, just the way he knew she loved.

"Severus Snape, you are naughty" Hermione moaned as she felt his hands begin to remove her clothing.

"I know" he replied huskily, before unclasping her bra and sucking on her already hardened nipples.

Hermione arched her back and whimpered with need, urging him to touch her where she needed it most. Sensing her desire for more, Severus moved lower down her body, kissing and touching every inch of exposed skin before reaching her trousers. He made light work of those, and slipped her panties slowly down her thighs to expose her pink core. He placed feather light kisses along her thighs, moving upward until he reached her centre and blew his warm breath through her curls.

"Severus, please, don't tease" Hermione panted as she thread her fingers through his hair, trying to push him forward.

"So demanding..." he breathed, before descending and latching himself straight onto her stiff bud, causing Hermione to shriek in surprise. Hermione writhed around in pleasure as Severus lapped at her core, his tongue bringing her to dizzying heights.

Severus straightened to undo his trousers, and soon he was pushing himself through Hermione's tight sleeve, groaning in satisfaction. He slid his length in and out of her, enjoying every inch of warm flesh caressing him. He brought Hermione to another climax before he allowed himself release, pulsing inside of her and grunting with pleasure. The two of them laid there on the sofa, catching their breath, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

"I should probably get going" muttered Hermione, sitting up and searching for her clothes.

"Then you'll need this?" Severus asked, holding up her bra just out of her reach.

"Yes I will thank you" she replied, trying to grab it, but Severus was too quick for her, and he leapt from the sofa and ran behind it out of Hermione's reach.

"Come on, I need to go!" she cried as she made another lunge for her garment, Severus dodging her easily again. The pair ran round the room, laughing at their childishness, until Hermione picked up her wand and pointed it at Severus.

"Seriously, I need to go. So you either give me back my clothes or face the consequences "she threatened.

"I'll face the consequences" Severus replied with a cheeky grin.

"Don't say I didn't warn you". And with that Hermione cast Petrificus Totalis, and her wand work was much quicker than her chasing skills and Severus keeled over onto the floor stiff as a board.

"Thank you" Hermione said as she leaned over him and took her bra from his frozen hand. "I'll see you later, love you!" Hermione called over her shoulder as she retreated from the room, missing the furious glare Severus was giving her.

Hermione made her way down the sloping lawns towards the gates that led to Hogsmead, passing the students who had decided to visit the village. Walking down the bustling high street, she continued onto the narrow lane that led to the Shrieking Shack, where she could already see the silhouette of Harry. Just in case, she wrapped her fingers round the smooth handle of her wand, and approached him.

"Hi Harry, is everything ok? I must admit, I was a bit worried when I got your note" Hermione said cheerfully when she was near enough to him.

"Hermione, what I need to talk to you about... well, it's a bit delicate" Harry replied, running his fingers through his unruly hair, a sign of his nervousness.

"Well, what is it?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Mine and Ron's Auror training, last week we were learning how to detect if someone had had their memories altered. Well, I was practicing on Ron and found that he'd been cursed, exactly when you had your accident. Without meaning to, I unlocked his memory, and well, he wasn't happy".

All the while listening to his story, Hermione had turned a deathly shade of white and began to sway on the spot. She felt sick with worry.

"What did he tell you?" she rasped out.

"He said he saw you and Snape kissing at the top of the stairs, the two of them had a fight, and you got knocked down. He was really angry, not only about being hexed, but the fact that you were with Snape, especially after he had asked you out" Harry answered back, stepping towards Hermione who looked liked she was about to faint.

"Harry, I don't know what to say..."

"How about telling me how this happened and why you kept it from me and Ron" he replied, grasping Hermione by the elbow and leading her to a nearby bench.

"I don't know how it happened, it just did. I suppose we've been together since Christmas. When Ron saw us we'd just had an argument. And I didn't tell you because I knew how you'd react. I was really angry with Severus about what he'd done, but it was for the best, at least I convinced myself it was". Tears were rolling down Hermione's cheeks as she finished her explanation, and looking anywhere but at Harry.

"But why Snape? Are you two... you know, properly together?"

"I think so. I mean, I love him and he says he loves me, and we've been really good for each other. He's come out of his shell so much; his classes are almost enjoyable now"

"I find that hard to believe" Harry snorted. "But it really upsets me that you didn't tell us. Do you not trust us?"

"Not when you interrogate me like a criminal about everything I do. After everything that's happened, I think Severus more than anyone deserves to be happy. And if I'm the one to make him happy then that's good isn't it?" Hermione said, drying her eyes on her cloak sleeve.

"I just don't understand how it can be Snape. I know how much he's been through, but he was a git to us in classes"

"He was there when I needed someone Harry. On Christmas Eve, I was sad because I was on my own at the dance, and I missed my mum and dad, and he was there. He told me he realised he loved me during the final battle. Then we kissed. I knew then that I felt something for him."

"As long as you know what you're doing. I'm not happy about it, but I can accept it. Which is more than Ron at the moment" Harry said shaking his head.

"Will you tell him what I told you? I didn't mean to hurt his feelings, but I just knew he wouldn't be happy about it".

"I'll speak to him, but he may need some more time to calm down"

"Thanks Harry" Hermione said, giving him a warm hug, "For everything"

"Just promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"Don't let me catch you kissing Snape" Harry laughed, standing up from the bench. Hermione giggled, glad that at least Harry was on her side, sort of.

"Well, I need to get back, take care of yourself Hermione" he said, giving her one last hug.

"You too Harry, visit again soon. But not with Ron if he's still mad" she smiled as her best friend walked away towards the village.

"Well, I suppose I'd better get back to the castle" Hermione said aloud to herself.

"Oh no you don't" said a voice behind her, and before she could reach her wand, strong arms wrapped around her body and pulled her back towards the trees surrounding the Shack.

Hermione was terrified, she tried to scream but a silencing spell prevented her, and her kidnapper was too strong. Eventually they stopped in a sheltered clearing, sunlight filtering through the thick branches, and she was released. She spun around to face her attacker, wand in hand.

"Severus! What are you doing?" she cried in confusion. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Teaching you a lesson" he growled, advancing on her.

"Are you still mad about earlier?"

"Do you have any idea of what you did?" He was standing in front of her now, his hands stroking up and down her arms. Hermione shook her head.

"It was the single most embarrassing moment of my adult life" he purred as he began to kiss her neck.

"What happened?" Hermione breathed, only just managing to concentrate on the conversation.

"Minerva walked in, saw me lying on the floor half naked, and lifted the curse. Then she had the nerve to tell me I was 'letting myself go', and walked from the room when I heard her burst into laughter" he answered, removing Hermione's cloak and shirt, revealing her bra and kissing her shoulders.

"I did warn you, but how can I make it up to you?"

"You don't have to, I'm taking my revenge upon you as we speak" he chuckled.

Realising what he just said, Hermione looked down to find herself in just her bra and trousers, and Severus was stood holding her top and her wand.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, a little frightened.

"I think it's time we went back to school. Come along Miss Granger" Severus replied, before stalking away back through the trees, leaving her shaking from embarrassment.

The villagers of Hogsmead were very surprised to see a half naked young woman running down their high street, but stranger things had happened so they didn't question it too much. The students at Hogwarts did though, and by dinner time the whole school knew that it was Hermione, guessing she had done it for a dare or some kind of prank. Luckily Hermione wasn't at dinner to hear these rumours flying round, and for some reason, neither was Severus.

Oh my gosh! Guys I'm sooooo sorry it's taken this long to post a new chapter. For a while there I thought I'd given up on this story. I will try to update again sooner. I've a feeling this story is coming to an end. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Thanks for waiting!