Chapter 16: So Close
Hermione turned on the water in the kitchen, beginning with the dishes and sighed heavily. What had she gotten herself into? Severus had followed her back for dinner earlier, apologizing over and over for being late. His severe look to her had been nothing but fatigue and an overwhelming desire to see her!
He had been apologizing to HER! She couldn't contain the shame she felt at that. It was now after dinner and she still hadn't gotten the courage to tell him the truth.
She suddenly heard a yelp from the bathroom and looked to the direction in surprise. Suddenly her attention drew back to the running water over the dishes.
Turn the water off you fool! He'll scald himself! Hermione gasped, shutting the water off instantly. Great. Just add that to the list of things I've done wrong to Severus Snape. The list must be miles long by now.
Snape had decided that he needed a shower after dinner, to get the soot off of his robes. But before he'd left for the shower he'd requested devilishly against her mouth that she join him. She had told him she'd finish the dishes and do just that, But here she was delaying it, unsure if she should enter into sexual congress again knowing that she had this awful secret. Would it make it worse when she told him?
Severus Snape was not the type of man who stood for such adolescent idiocy. He was an obstinate man, one that was easily hurt emotionally, always putting up guards. And now, the one person he had confided in was her, and she was going to shatter him with the confession that their entire relationship had begun with a bet. A bet with Pansy Parkinson of all people!
She was thinking to herself of the best way to phrase this, putting the last of the dishes away when she heard the front door downstairs open slowly and her mother's sing-song voice drifted upstairs.
"-to Thursday. I mean honestly, what was Terrance thinking?"
Mum and Dad?
Hermione felt her heart stop, and she tried to move but found it impossible.
Is he still in the shower?!
She could still hear the shower running and with that sound her body seemed to come back to life. She rushed to the bathroom, praying it was unlocked. It was.
"Severus!" she hissed, shutting and locking the door behind her. He stood, clothed only in the pink towel around his waist. He was looking into the mirror contemplatively as she stared at his impressive torso and bare legs a moment. He caught her eyes in the mirror and gave her a sultry look.
"You certainly took your time, Miss Granger."
He turned his face to her and gave a shy smile and she noticed his hair was still quite damp and she felt her breathing becoming uneven. He was so statuesque, so brilliantly chiseled in all the right places. So unknowingly sensual with his hair slicked back from his face.
"You know, those knobs are quite strange," Snape commented as she came closer to him not noticing the look of panic in her eyes. "I turned on a bit of hot and bit of cold, and everything was fine. But moments later it suddenly ran blistering hot!"
Hermione gave a worried shrug, her thoughts now back on the problem at hand. "Err, you probably just didn't turn on enough cold."
Her voice grew hushed as she drew nearer to him, grasping his bare forearm suddenly.
"Anyway, that doesn't matter right now. My parents are home from their trip! Home, downstairs, no actually probably upstairs now. In the kitchen for all I know! You have to be quiet."
Snape face blanched, as he looked to her in disbelief. "Your parents?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes. My Mum and Dad. They're probabl-"
"Hello?" came a voice from the other side of the door, "Hermione darling is that you?"
Hermione gulped as she cupped her hand over Snape's mouth while he gave her a look of shock as if to say, HonestlyI wasn't going to say anything.
"Yes Mum?"
"What are you doing here?"
"Oh," Hermione gave Snape a meaningful look, as she pulled her hand away from his mouth. "Just felt like spending a bit of time at home."
"Oh of course. How are Harry and Ron?"
"Oh they're fine Mum."
"Ginny?"
"Just, good and, uh, fine Mum."
"Good, good." there was a small pause, "and how about that mean Professor of yours, Snape? Is he still being cruel to you? Darling is that why you've come home for the holiday?"
Snape smirked, looking to a flustered Hermione. Hermione forgot how often she had complained about him to her Mother.
"No mum, he's been quite…amiable lately. Not cruel at all."
At this Snape tried to suppress a chuckle.
"Well," Mrs. Granger suggested gently, "perhaps we should have him over for dinner sometime then."
Hermione felt her eyes go wide as Snape stood, leaning against the sink, arms crossed over his delicious torso as he smirked at her openly. Damn him for being so calm about this disaster.
"Uh, he's quite busy all the time Mum," before the woman could speak again, Hermione rushed on, "anyway, I just wanted to have a shower, so could we talk more later?"
"Sure honey. See you when you've finished."
Hermione waited until she heard her Mother's footsteps diminish into the kitchen before she braced herself against the sink.
"So," Snape drawled quietly into her ear, "your cruel professor wonders; how do you propose we get out of here without being caught?"
Hermione shivered a bit of his breath in her ear and looked to him, so close and smelling so fresh. Before she could think of something logical to say she squinted at his hair, noticing its suddenly acquired healthy shine.
"Did you use my shampoo?"
Snape looked to his reflection and nodded. "Do you mind?"
Hermione shook her head, looking to him a moment at a loss for words. Then shaking her head and looking from him,(since looking to him proved to be quite distracting.) she spoke.
"What do you mean how do I propose we get out of here?" her voice was hushed but intense, "Just use your wand!"
Snape rolled his eyes, and whispered back just as urgently.
"Honestly Hermione, don't you think I thought of that?"
Hermione shrugged, "So then, what's the problem?"
He looked quite embarrassed and miffed as he spoke next. Almost ashamed.
"I've left it in the kitchen."
Hermione could have strangled him. Of all the stupid things to do. He was an ex Death Eater for God sake!
He didn't know he'd be stranded in your bathroom with your parents a mere few feet away.
"Okay," Hermione said quietly, "alright. Give me a moment."
She sighed and then straightening looked to Severus severekym giving no room for sarcastic comments from him.
"Right. I'll grab your wand from the kitchen. Just keep quiet."
Snape nodded, backing against the wall and looking after her impressed at her tenacity of spirit.
Hermione took a deep breath and opened the door a crack. Seeing no one there she turned off the lights and opened the door wider, shutting if firmly after she left.
"-And so I told Markson that the filling was crucial and he gave me so-"
Hermione sighed, her parents were in the kitchen giving some stupid speech about cavities and now it's be impossible to slide past them so she walked into the kitchen airily, as if she was just passing by.
"Hello darling," Hermione's mother said, giving her a kiss on the forehead and passing her husband the newly brewed coffee. Hermione nodded back, welcoming her parents and not bothering with small talk. She casually inspected the starkly clean kitchen table in hopes of seeing his dark wand. Which she didn't. Oh God no.
"Mum?" she asked, her voice filled with panic, "did you clear the table?"
The older woman nodded, "why yes. There were plates of food just left out, I mean th-"
"Did you," Hermione interrupted, not wanting to ask the question, "throw everything away?"
The woman smirked and then nodded, her dark eyes matching that of her daughters'. "Why wouldn't I?"
Hermione's eyes grew impossibly wide as she looked to where the large trash bag was usually set out next to the sink. Her salvation lay inside. But when she opened the cupboard she was greeted with a clean bag.
Where the hell was it? If Snape did not have his wand in five minutes things were going to go extremely downhill and quick. It was far too early for Severus Snape to be meeting her muggle dentist parents. Especially when he was half naked and smelling like coconut.
"Where is it?" she croaked, looking to her parents in mute horror.
"I put it out on the curb," her father said matter-of-factly, "thought it may save time."
"Oh holy God! He'll kill me!"
She rushed downstairs and out to the door to where the garbage bag lay sadly on the curb. Hermione ignored the lone neighbor walking by her with his dog and she ripped the bag open, digging about in its disgusting insides for the wand. Her heart was hammering as she groped blindly for it. Her parents rushed outside as well, looking to her in shock.
"Who will kill you?" Her father asked worried, rushing to his daughter's side. She held in the hopeless cry of her heart as she mingled in the trash, looking for the wand. He moved back seeing her intensity.
Hermione didn't answer, only looked to her Mother with fury.
"HOW COULD YOU THROW AWAY A BLOODY WAND?!"
Hermione's Mother shook her head, "I never threw out a wand Hermione." She helped her shaking daughter up and back into the house, rushing up to the kitchen. There she moved her hand to the window ledge by the sink and grasped the small stick between her hands. "I moved it."
Hermione's mouth gaped open, "you...moved it," she repeated, her eyes transfixed on the chance at Severus' escape. She stood, kicking garbage out of the way; she washed her hands and then took the wand from her mother with grateful, shaking hands. That had been much too close.
"Sorry Mum."
"No, I'm sorry darling," she pat Hermione's back soothingly, "you must have had a horrid day, you seem so tense."
Hermione nodded, and then looked to apologize to her Father only to see that he was gone. "Where's dad?"
Her Mother shrugged, "probably the bathroom. You know excitement stimulates his poor bladder."
NOOOOOO!
Hermione's eyes widened even further as she dashed from her Mother's company and rushed down the hall, seeing the door shut and the lights on. SEVERUS! Her father most certainly would have noticed him. Oh no.
"DAD!"
She banged on the door, almost knocking it off its hinges. She called for her father screeching through the door and heard the muttering curses from him on the other side. She heard the sink running and suddenly the door flew open and her Father gave her a most unimpressed look.
"What the hell is the matter with you tonight, Hermione?"
Please..Please tell me he didn't see anything.
"Dad...I-I need to have a shower. Now"
He looked confused to her a nodded, "you could have waited a moment." he noted exiting the washroom, "I wasn't that long."
He saw the extremely pensive look on his daughter's face and spoke again, forcefully.
"You said someone would kill you?"
His lighter eyes boring into her own. His light brown hair stood frizzily atop of his head, obviously tried to be held down by gel. Hermione's glance kept going back and forth from the door to him.
Just step away from the door!
"Erm," Hermione's mind whirled as she scrambled to come up with a plausible premise. "You see, I borrowed Ron's wand, for a project." she held up Snape's wand. "He would have killed me if I lost it. You know how important a wand is to its owner."
He nodded, seeming a little wary but believing her momentarily. Before he could question her more she spoke.
"Well, I'd better go have my shower, especially now."
She motioned to her filthy looking hands and shot her a confused look, then shrugging her father nodded.
"Alright then. But, when you're done please come out to the kitchen, I'd like to have a chat."
Hermione nodded, "sure Dad. Anything."
He nodded; kissing her on the head and moving lazily back to the kitchen. She opened the bathroom door and saw it empty.
Where the hell is he?
She looked to the shower and seeing it bare looked to the only other feasible place, the small cupboard that stored their linens. She threw it open and concealed a ripping laugh.
Severus sat, scrunched up about in the cupboard, a small towel over his head as he looked to her angrily.
"About bloody time."
He tossed the towels from him and clumsily made his way out of the cupboard. She noticed rather sadly that he was fully dressed. He must have been sweltering in that damned cupboard.
"How long have you been in there?"
He shrugged, smoothing his rumpled robes.
"A few moments. When your Father decided it was a most opportune time to relieve himself," he shuddered.
"Sorry," she whispered, handing him his wand as he grimaced, looking to the grime it had acquired.
"I had to root around in the garbage for it,well, almost." She ignored his strange and perplexed look and took the wand from him, running it under the tap a moment and drying it with the small towel he still had on his shoulder. "Here."
"Thank you."
There was an unsettling pause, and Hermione knew that all chances of confessing the bet would have to wait. No point in getting him so angry that he screamed at her, and her parents found she and her Professor in a screaming match in their bathroom with towels scattered about on the floor.
"Will you see me again Se-?"
She hadn't even the time to finish her question when his lips pressed against hers, grasping the back of her head and kissing her even deeper. A strand of damp his hair brushed her cheek and she could smell its coconut scent easily.
Her heart hammered, even then as she kissed him back, matching his gusto and his pelvis brushed against her own as she heartily suppressed a moan. She didn't need her parents thinking anything else about her. Finally he pulled away, giving her a small wry smile that affirmed her query, and stepping back he spoke quietly, his dark eyes trained on hers.
"Thank you for a most enjoyable, although, decidedly bizarre evening, Miss Granger."
Before she could answer he was gone, a snap of his fingers and a smirk later. She slumped to the floor of the bathroom, holding her knees and cursing under her breath as tears finally fell freely from her dark eyes and hit the floor with unheard splashes.
So close and yet so far.
Chapter 17: The Truth
Why didn't I just tell him? Why didn't I just tell him in his office? Why not before he climbed into the shower? I wouldn't have to live with this guilt any longer. I'm supposed to have that Gryffindor courage! What a fake I am!
After Hermione's short talk with her father (which turned out about this fine young gentleman they had met over at the dentistry workshops), she had sullenly told her father she was involved and gone to bed. Now it was hours later, the house was still and she was lying in the bed in which she had been seduced by him.
That mere thought sent sparks down her stomach, and she felt a spasm endure. She recalled that classes began tomorrow and she suppressed a distressed groan. Seeing Severus was one thing, going to classes with him as her teacher was quite another. She didn't want to sit in his class, gazing at him while she tried to concentrate.
When you tell him I doubt a romantic relationship will be an option, Hermione.
Hermione's heart hammered as her worrisome thoughts intruded and she wondered for one horrified moment if he'd have her drop his class. How humiliating.
Don't be a moron. The man's a professional. And I'm sure he'll understand if you explain everything to him.
Hermione nodded, "of course," she said hollowly to herself, "he'll understand."
But what if it's not?
Hermione's stomach clenched and she felt the sudden urge to vomit her chicken dinner right into her wastebasket.
No. Regain composure. Everything will be fine.
She stepped out into the living room, saying a quick goodbye to her family before stepping into the fireplace. She contemplated saying, "Severus Snape's office," but that would only leave her Mother
with ammunition for the next time she arrived.
Plus, there was no guaranteeing his presence, he might he teaching classes for all she knew. Instead she opted for something more practical.
"Gryffindor common room!"
* * *
"As soon as I find that Hermione Granger," McGonagall said angrily, pacing around the common room muttering to herself, "she's is in a heap of trouble. Leaving the school grounds unannounced and still not returned the night before classes are to start."
Minerva had been pacing around the common room all evening, waiting for Hermione's arrival. She was offended that the girl hadn't told her of her departure, and that she was late without notifying her. Not only did this look badly upon McGonagall, but she didn't even know if Hermione was alright.
If anything McGonagall was worried and as a stern head of house she covered this concern with anger. All the students were in their rooms now and she tried to hold back worried tears. Suppose something had happened to poor Hermione?
Unexpectedly there was a small pop and a loud hacking cough as Hermione came out of the fireplace, soot all over her robes that she magically zapped . She looked frantic and was about to rush out the door when she caught side of a livid Gryffindor head of house.
"Oh, good evening Professor McGongall," she said courteously, nodding to the older woman as if the lateness of hour and lack of information were nothing to note.
"Miss Granger," McGonagall said sternly, the tears vanishing from her eyes as she glared at the young woman. "You are tardy and have a lot of explaining to do."
Hermione felt her heart drop, "Do you think this could wait another time, you see-"
"No," McGonagall said, pointing to a seat, "now would be most appropriate."
Don't you understand! Hermione wanted to scream, I may already be too late! I have to see Snape!
She sat heavily, looking to the older woman with a deep frown. She was absolutely on tenterhooks just waiting to leave and McGonagall seemed to be taking her sweet time!
"Well?"
McGonagall looked surprised at her students' brashness. Hermione was usually reserved and polite, now she looked unsettled and tense. Not that she had any right to be considering the fright she had given her Head of House.
But looking at the young girl Minerva thought she saw something new; a shine that hadn't been there before. She suspected she had most definitely been involved with someone over the break with a secret smile. She looked the young girl, noting that perhaps she was being too strict in such a circumstance. Hermione Granger was a smart, good girl.
"You've been at your parents' home in London for the final duration of your winter break?"
"Yes."
"And you didn't find it necessary to inform me of your departure?"
"Not really, Professor."
McGonagall sighed, rubbing her temple. "And why would that be?"
Hermione drummed her fingers along the side of the chair, "because I'm a grown woman. And I didn't even know I had to inform anyone of my departure. I apologize if I upset you, that most definitely was never my intent. I simply needed a break and my parent's house seemed the best fit."
McGonagall nodded, understanding where the girl was coming from. But that didn't excuse her! She suddenly recalled the smirk on Snape's face when she had come to him concerned that Hermione hadn't returned. The git was mocking her – letting her know her charges were running lose. Minerva frowned at this, the blow to her ego.
"I'll have you know, I had to hear of your leaving from Professor Snape," McGonagall said lowly with a hint of despair. "Imagine! The head of Slytherin telling me where my own student was!"
Minerva noticed as Hermione suddenly gripped the sides of the chair, her eyes widening a bit.
"Oh. What did he say exactly?"
McGonagall looked rather perplexed to Hermione. Her flushed cheeks, her worried expression he inner shine. As if in slow motion McGonagall observed the quickness of Hermione's breath and the tongue that slipped out to wet her lips nervously. Minerva felt a jolt of white panic and horror shoot through her system as she gaped open mouthed at Hermione.
Oh God. No.
She didn't know what to say as Hermione sat across from her, looking to her in worry.
"Are you alright Professor? You seem a bit pale."
McGonagall steadied herself, images whirring past her. Severus explaining Hermione's departure while seeming a bit nervous, his prior obligation that seemed so important, him being the last one to see Hermione. It all fit.
"Hermione, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."
Hermione looked confused to the older woman in front of her, looking flustered and nervous all at the same time. Was this the McGonagall that she had been so scared of when she first arrived at Hogwarts?
"Sorry?"
Minerva looked to her in painstaking effort to keep from yelling at Hermione to stay away from Snape. That he was bad news. That she was so young and had her whole life ahead of her.
"You've met a man haven't you?" she said slowly as Hermione blushed and nodded, shrugging a bit. "If this man is causing you to be tardy Miss Granger, then I suggest you keep your distance. "
"He most definitely doesn't deter from my scholastic achievements," Hermione said with a secret grin, oblivious to the nauseated look on McGonagall's face. "In fact, he inspires me to continue to do my best."
"But you've got a bright future ahead of you," Minerva appealed, looking to the girl in almost silent desperation. "A whole life to lead! You don't need to do that with someone who couldn't possibly understand or appreciate you."
Hermione seemed a bit offended at this comment. She suddenly felt as if she were being handled with kid gloves and she raised her chin a bit higher before fixing the woman with a determined face.
"And how do you know he couldn't understand or appreciate me?"
"I know men," Minerva said quietly, not wanting to show her cards. And I know this man! Stay away!
"He is quite bright himself Professor," Hermione offered after a beat, rising to her feet. "And I care very deeply for him so if tardiness is the result of love, then so be it."
McGonagall blanched and covered her mouth with her hands watching as the princess of Gryffindor flitted from the room and presumably down into the dungeons.
Chapter 18: The String Snaps
It had been a strange evening for Severus; his hairs still smelling of Hermione's coconut shampoo and causing a small smile to break out over his face. That must have been what triggered those delicious daydreams.
By the time he had reached the Great Hall for dinner it had been seven promptly. Not many students had arrived, and he sat down eating his meal with thoughts on the entrancing Gryffindor he slowly wanted to spend more and more time with. It was a strange feeling; every moment she was gone from him he felt the oddest of sensations.
It was if there was a string tied to the rib under his heart, which tied on the other end to her own. Every moment she was away from him the string grew taught, threatening to break and he felt himself yearning for her. When she had left for school he had felt that invisible string pulling him to her, never wanting to snap.
And so as he watched the students milling into the hall for dinner and didn't behold his Hermione, that familiar tugging began at him. It was harsh, searing pain as he wondered for a horrible moment if she was in trouble. But reason prevailed and he knew she wasn't.
Dinner went on, and he noticed that Harry and Ron kept shooting each other looks, and reading their lips he deciphered they were wondering about Hermione themselves.
Again that tug at him, and he felt his breath leave him. He stood, preparing to go after her to her home. To find her and hug her, and have her hold him. To him these small hugs and stolen kisses were beginning to have a hold on him.
"Severus?" McGonagall had said from several seats down, he looked to her with spite. Good God you old crow, can't this wait?
"You've a note under your plate."
Snape sat, throwing Minerva a confused look and hiding it from the others with a scowl. He took the small parchment into his hands, his heart beating. Hermione. He hid it from the prying eyes next to him and read it quickly, his dark eyes sliding over the messy words.
ProfessorI need to speak with you about a matter of great importance. Please meet me inthe Slytherin common room after dinner. Thank you in advance.Pansy Parkinson.
Snape had grimaced, not wanting to step within two feet of the little twit. After her antics he didn't trust her at all, much too slippery for his tastes. But he was her Head of House, and with that title came certain obligations. In turn he had risen, shooting Minerva a wayward glance and strode down the aisle, separating several tables.
Around him he heard the trademark whisper of, greasy git and overgrown bat. And for some reason this pained him more than usual.
How dare they make assumptions when they don't even know who I am, truly? He had glared at the tables as he passed them. I can't be kind and sweet like those other sappy teachers. If I want my students to learn intimidation is the only way. The ruddy dolts don't even see that I'm doing them a favor.
But he knew, somewhere in the back of his mind that one person did understand him. One person did like him for who he was, he didn't need to pretend. Hermione.
He had gone to the common room with mixed emotions, repulsed evidently, worried a bit when Pansy had mentioned Hermione earlier, and most obviously; confused.
He had seen Pansy, hands together on her lap as she took in a deep breath, looking to the older man in a bit of fear. It took him a few short steps to reach where she sat and he had looked down at her with contemptible boredom.
"I assume this will be a quick meeting, Parkinson?" he had drawled, his mind on the vision of his lover. Pansy had shot him a grimace and followed him into his office before speaking.
"Professor," she said dryly, "I need to tell you something, something I think you deserve to know."
He recalled the small smirk she had been trying to hide. The eyes that had glittered so malevolently as he tried to hide all emotions from his face.
"Well then," he had offered dimly, "go on."
And so she had told him everything. From the begging involving a contract to her own tried seduction ploys that had stopped the whole thing. She asked him if he recalled the word 'cheater' on her forehead, and he did. She had explained the contract and what it entailed.
All the while she watched him. She watched as he looked surprised, then angry, then hurt, angry again. She had tried not to smile, imagining what this was going to cause. She couldn't, it was all too much. Finally they had sat across from one another saying nothing with Snape looking to the floor.
A familiar sense of betrayal and anger had enveloped Severus as he imagined Hermione giggling about him with her friends. Telling Pansy of his sloppy seduction. Probably laughing at him behind his back after they had made love. Her crocodile tears and begging him to come back had certainly fooled him. He felt like a complete idiot letting a silly little girl affect him like this.
How weak, I am.
"And why do you believe this to be any of my interest or concern Miss Parkinson?" he had finally asked, his voice thick and his eyes glittering as he struggled to keep from getting to dizzy to hold a conversation. His mind was buzzing,
"Because sir," Pansy had said superciliously, "the bet's been called off. I think Hermione didn't want to go through with it anymore. She said it was too hard trying to pretend like she found you attractive. I was just preparing you because I quite respect you and I didn't want you embarrassed."
She saw the fainted twitch in his mouth at that comment and she waited, holding her breath for something more. Instead Snape drew a bored glance up to her accompanied with a nonplussed shrug.
"I assure you there is nothing to be embarrassed about, Miss Parkinson. A relationship with a student, as I told you before, is something I have no interest in. If that's all, I suggest you get back to studying for your NEWTS."
Snape hadn't said anything more, only stood and indicated with a nod where she should leave. She had done so slowly, looking back to see if she could detect any tears. Damn. She couldn' shrugged to herself, shutting the office door behind her and leaving Snape to take several deep breaths, and get his notes ready for his class the next morning.
As soon as his break had commenced he had come back to his office, eyes dark and somber. He had insisted on taking his mind off of Hermione and decided to distract himself up with a small potion he had been working with on the side.
He had sensed her as soon as she had come in, that familiar scent of cleanliness shooting around him. But he did not turn. He wouldn't. She didn't deserve to be spoken to. She betrayed him and to him she was filth.
"Severus."
When he heard his name on his lips he felt as if he would melt. He wanted to turn, to kiss her, take her into his rooms and explore her. But to what avail? He was a bet. He was a joke and he'd been fooled! He! An ex deatheater! Fooled by a Gryffindor chit!
Now Hermione looked to him ignoring her in dismay, her eyes filling with the tears that had been dreading this precise moment. Pansy had told him – she could tell. Everything about him that she had found so warm was now ice cold. His voice was firm determined and like a stranger's.
"Get out."
"No, please listen to me. I'll explain!"
Snape whirled around then, his eyes belonging to that of a madman. He practically flew across the classroom, his eyes like daggers.
"Explain what exactly? That I was a bet? A farce you made with Pansy Parkinson? That you took my affection and made a mockery of it?" Snape was almost spitting he was so angry. "And yet I have no one to blame but myself. I debased myself the moment I considered you anything other than an insufferable know-it-all virgin."
"I-"
"Don't interrupt me you silly little girl. Yes, because that's what you are, Granger. A whining, silly, little baby of a girl. You're only lucky this ended now before I got bored of you. Why the shocked face, Granger? What did you think? That I would be some white night for you? Or better yet, some project for you to work on?" Snape was continuing at a frenetic pace, his words swirling around Hermione in a furious whirlwind. "Many women before you have tried and failed and many women after you will do the same. I'll save you the heartache now; I would have fucked you until I was bored of you and then tossed you aside until I found something better, which I would have easily. But truly Miss Granger, you should be thanking me because if anything, I did you a favor by fucking you."
His ragged breaths punctuated the air as his words seemed to smack Hermione across the face. She stared up at him in mute shock at his words. He had been mean in class to her in the past, cruel even, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine he would speak to her like this. These horrible fears of hers brought to the forefront and confirmed from the man she had thought meant so much.
"Now," Snape hissed inches from her face, "I said get out and I meant it."
Hermione couldn't contain the sob that bubbled in her chest as she rushed out the door, closing it behind her and sliding to the floor. She had never felt pain this acute in her life, no matter what adventures she and Harry and Ron had been through. This earnest pain that seemed to radiated from her ribs outward had her gasping for breath between cries of anguish. Her view of the door became blurry as she stared at the door, knowing the love of her life stood on the other side. Hating her as he had every right to. He didn't have all the facts and that was her fault. But the things he'd said. The cruelty that had seeped so easily from his tongue. She would never forget it in a million years.
Severus' hands were on the other side of the door; his head leaned against its rough surface, his eyes squeezed tightly shut as he heard her sporadic sobbing of Hermione Granger through the wood. His body was shaking as he resisted the urge to throw open the door, scoop her into his arms and tell her all was well. But he couldn't.
She had betrayed him.
And so now he stood, leaning against the closed door of his office and hearing the anguished sobs from the one person he thought he could begin to trust. Slowly the sobbing slowed as sniffles and random coughs punctuating the air. He heard as she dragged herself up and shuffled off down the echoing hallways. He moved back behind his desk, marking down ingredients and ignoring the pain in his side.
But as it was he sat grimly behind his desk, eyes blurring as he marked parchments in front of him. F's starting to become a regular occurrence and he missed her declaration. Severus Snape refused to be made a fool of.
The string below his heart had snapped.
Chapter 19: True Friends
Hours later Hermione walked down the dim halls, her face tearstained, her hair a mess and her heart broken. She had been hiding in the forest on the grounds of Hogwarts for some time, tears streaming and the sobs never stopping.
She had come in from the cold air when it began to grow too dark, and she knew she would probably be in trouble from Minerva when she found out Hermione had missed curfew.
Now she stalked through the halls in a daze, not recognizing anyone she encountered. She was in a troubled frenzy, her emotions washed from her. She had no more feeling left to feel, whether it be hate or love.
It was only a matter of time before he found out Hermione...you had your chance and you blew it.
Yes, she had blown it. All chances to spend eternity with the man of her dreams and fantasies were gone. All because she had to engage in an idiotic bet.
Mind you, you never would have acted upon your desires if it hadn't been for the bet.
Even if that was true, Severus wouldn't buy it. He wouldn't care. She knew him well enough to know that he knew only one side of the story. She had made a bet, she had tricked him into loving her. He was furious and Severus Snape was a proud man. There would be no coming back from this.
You heard him. He would have gotten bored with you.
She wrestled with her own anger then, holding her head as she realized not only had she given herself to a Professor, but a man she barely knew. It was as if everything had fit, she wasn't lonely anymore and she had an intellectual equal. She had someone to care for. Now all was gone and she realized how little she truly knew of him.
Suddenly a large group of people were ahead of her, 7th year Slytherins to be precise. Hermione held in a groan and prepared to walk past them but Pansy shot out an arm, pushing her back as the Slytherins chuckled in anticipation.
"What's wrong Mudblood? Your Prince charming find out you were a frog?"
It was Pansy who had spoken and Hermione slowly looked to the girl with anger as Pansy herself shot out a superior smirk. She spoke harshly looking on as Hermione looked so utter lost and weak.
"I told Potter and the Weasel and of course the Slytherin common room of your undying affections for a certain enigmatic Professor," Pansy sneered as the group behind her laughed. "They were so disgusted they couldn't even finish their dinners."
More chuckling, Hermione felt her face flushing but again, all fight within her was gone.
Why can't they all just go away?
She was growing scared, worried and humiliated. She wanted nothing more than to be left alone to cry herself to sleep in her rooms. Severus was ripped from her, wasn't that enough? Did she really have to endure this as well? But Pansy fed on weakness in others, and now in a single moment the brain of Hogwarts was at her mercy. A much too enticing opportunity to pass up.
"Where are your friends now, Granger?" Draco sneered, his nose wrinkling in disgust as he looked the hated girl whose marks were always better than his own. To the girl who punched him and thought she was worthy of even going to same school as he. Pansy answered for him, her hands on her hips and a small grin curved on her blood-red lips.
"They're ashamed to be seen with her."
Hermione felt hot, piping tears starting at the back of her eyes, pricking them as the lump in her throat grew larger. She shook her head with dark eyes downcast. No.
"They're disgusted that you're even part of their house."
Hermione felt herself growing weaker, their words doing more than physical jabs ever could. Again she shook her head, and as if she had said the words herself a voice rang out be her her.
"That's not true."
Rapid footstep were suddenly heard from behind Hermione, accompanying the familiar voice. She looked over her shoulder and felt her heart rising. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville and about half of the 7th year Gryffindor were marching down the hall, looking at the large group of Slytherins with disdain. Harry rushed over to Hermione, grasping her in a crushing hug that she returned with desperate thanks and glared at the vindictive Miss Parkinson.
"We're lucky to have Hermione in Gryffindor. She's brilliant, more than any of you lot could ever hope to be. While she's making millions of galleons at her job, you'll be washing toilets for knuts."
"You Slytherins are disgusting," Ron threw in before Pansy could speak, spitting at Malfoy and smiling as a large gob of it landed on the fair boy's cloak. His light eyes sparkled angrily as he sneered.
"You're going to regret that Weasel," he growled. "This cloak costs more than your father's yearly salary."
Ron snarled preparing to go forward as Neville held him back while the Slytherins laughed, pointing at the spectacle. Even Draco's face broke out into a grin, what a bloody joke. Harry began guiding Hermione out of the circle as she heard the hisses and boos erupting from the Slytherin's. She didn't care. She just wanted to leave. Harry looked down to her like an older brother would; warmly with affection and concern.
"C'mon, let's go back to the common room."
They walked in silence a few moments before she couldn't help but speak.
"You're not angry that I didn't tell you about Snape?" she said weakly, looking to the mature Harry that stood beside her, holding her, comforting her as only a close a friend could.
"Course not 'Mione," he said, wiping the stray tear that had slipped down her cheek. "Ron and I were just surprised is all. We thought you were mad at us."
Hermione nodded, looking around to the Gryffindor's that welcomed her back from holiday's, telling her how much she meant to them. How much she was missed. Perhaps there was hope for her to make a comeback after all.
"How did all of you ever find me?" she asked in disbelief. Ron walked alongside her as well with Ginny in close pursuit. He ran a hand through his hair and shot a small grin at her.
"Marauders Map. We saw the crowd of them surrounding you and decided to act."
Hermione nodded, understanding completely. She was about to offer a solemn 'thank you' to her sweet friends when she heard Pansy's screeching voice call out her name. She tensed and turned slowly, looking into the face of pure unadulterated hatred.
"He was only using you, you know that?" she shouted, her eyes shining with angry tears. "How could he ever love a Mudblood like you?"
Hermione looked at the girl with pity, seeing the various Slytherins walking away disinterested, leaving Pansy alone and shaking with fury. Hermione walked towards her, seeing as the girl straightened up, looking at Hermione with eyes alight with hidden fury.
"I'm sorry you're so bitter about everything Pansy," Hermione offered with a small shrug as the girl looked to her confused. "Hopefully you'll find someone to love," she paused, "like I did."
She was about to turn when she heard Pansy's overconfident laugh. "Yeah, but yours was over pretty damn quick once I told him the truth. Not that he didn't deserve it. Get over it Granger, only some old, greasy git could ever want you in-."
She had barely gotten the word "you" out of her ugly, twisted mouth before Hermione had whirled around and in one fluid motion connected her fist with Pansy' jutting jaw, sending the girl flying backward into some lingering Slytherin kin.
That was when all hell broke loose.
Chapter 20: The Unexpected Match
"Bloody fool," Snape muttered, pushing away the bottle of wine that had been at his elbow all evening. He had intended to open it, get sloshed and be done with it, but something stopped him. The pain was too much to be dimmed with alcohol.
The office was cold, barely any light coming in. It was well past ten and he assumed that dinner had
Albus had been in to see him earlier that evening after Hermione's inglorious departure. His eyes a dark blue of anger missing their usual merry twinkle. He'd slammed the door behind him in fury, slapping his aged hands on the potion master's desk.
"Are you a bloody imbecile, Severus?" he had started before Snape could even make a move to speak. "Do you have any idea what you've done? The rumors this has caused? Do you want to be fired!?"
Snape had been taken aback at Dumbledore's harsh speech. He assumed Pansy would have started the rumors. Little wench. Albus saw as the younger man before him gave a spiritless shrug and looked away in shame and to his shock, he saw the tears that gathered at the edge of Snape's eyes before being brushed angrily away.
All fury that had been building in Dumbledore since he'd heard of the allegations left him, leaving him deflated and gaping.
"I'll be by again tomorrow lad," Albus said shakily, making his way to the door, "we can have a talk then. You're in no shape for it now."
Severus watched the older man shakily make his way to the door and shut it behind him softly. Pity had taken over Severus then, he shouldn't have dragged the Albus' name along with his through the mud. Albus was the one person he could depend on when he had escaped from the dark side and this is how he repaid his kindness? Fraternizing with a student!? He imagined there would be many angry owls sent from concerned parents over the amorous advances of a Professor to a student. An ex Deatheater of all people.
Now his dark cloak was off and he sat slumped in his armchair, looking at the wall of his office with indifference. He should be marking. He should be doing something productive. But he wasn't. He was brooding over her. He pictured her face, her soft lips, her laugh...her hands tracing along his stomach as he groaned, his hips shifting as he thought of her. She was still driving him mad even when far from him.
Only a bet could ever get a creature like that to look at you twice, you ugly, greasy g-
Suddenly a knock sounded at his door breaking him of his destroying thoughts and Minerva's traditional pointed hat came seconds before her equally pointed face. Was the entire staff of Hogwarts going to deride him this evening?
"Severus," she stated, closing the office door behind her and walking to him. She sat in the chair in front of his desk, eyeing the still closed bottle of wine before looking back to her colleagues face.
"What do you want?" he snarled, shooting daggers as she primly sat across from him.
"You don't have to be so rude."
Snape eyes glimmered, "oh I beg your pardon. You must have had a rough day. Were you caught in the middle of an affair with one of your students to find out it was all because you were the receiving end of a bet?"
Her eyes were staring at him, but she did not speak. He continued, furious at her comment.
"No? Well then, were you perhaps berated by the Headmaster? Did he lose all the respect he had once given you? Because that Minerva, would be the only reason I would ever be civil to you at this moment in time."
His arms crossed over his chest as he sulked, looking to her and daring her to speak. The Head of Gryffindor did so, without the usual tact she had gained through her years as a Professor. Severus was acting like a spoiled child.
"I don't know why you love your own company so much Severus Snape," she said stiffly. "You're the rudest most irritating man I have ever come across, and Hermione Granger is a fool for loving you."
His eyes widened a bit, obviously taken aback at the comment. Love? His hooded orbs quickly resumed their normal size and he shook his head, he didn't need to hear such idiotic speeches.
"If she loved me Minerva, she wouldn't have lied to me. Wouldn't have made me out to be a joke. Besides," he went on, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't care for her at all. She was simply a pleasant distraction from these dull dungeons and it's never welcome visitors."
Minerva sighed, the insult stinging but she knew he was only acting on defenses, that's how he always was. Never letting anyone in, always pushing away. Now someone had burrowed herself in, entranced him and he had grown to have true affection towards her. That bet had been a slap in the face, confirming in him all his worst fears.
"That's not true Severus. I think you care for her quite deeply. You've been like a different person these past few days," her large eyes were watery, looking to the younger man intensely. He drew his eyes from the floor to meet her own and a familiar sneer that had been missing the past few days came back with vigor.
"I think anyone would be in a good mood if their evenings were occupied with certain activities, don't you? " he trailed off, a smirk on his sinister face.
McGonagall blushed angrily, how dare he? Her hands were clenched as were her teeth and she tried to remain aloof. She had to get through to him. The git.
"Talk things over with her. Perhaps there's a different side."
"No."
Minerva grew exasperated, giving a small sigh out her thinly parted lips. "And why's that?"
"She betrayed me," he said coldly, his dark eyes fixed upon Minerva's face. McGonagall looked to him a moment, chosing her words carefully. When she spoke them she had an air of wisdom that Severus had obviously overlooked.
"Well if you never cared for her in the first place Severus, why does it matter?"
He was about to speak again, his dark eyes flashing when the unmistakable sounds of a brawl began sounding into his office.
He and McGonagall shot a look of understood priorities and stood, rushing from his office and into the hall where they followed the sounds of shrieking like cats. They could see as several students rounded the corner, wanting to see what all the noise was about.
In the middle of the chanting circle Hermione's lower lip was swelling, her hands shaking as she kicked Pansy harshly in the side, knocking the girl off her feet and sending her toppling to the ground. Pansy howled looking to Hermione with hatred.
"YOU BITCH!"
Snape and McGonagall moments later rushed into the hallway just in time to view as Hermione Granger gave a resounding punch into Pansy Parkinson's nose.
Blood spurted about as Pansy's eyes widened and she howled. Hermione was breathless, and had a small cut on the side of her face. Pansy was positively purple and screamed as her classmates cheered her on.
Pansy fell to the floor holding her nose and screaming at the top of her lungs. "YOU MUDBLOOD! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
McGonagall and Snape were dismissing students, pushing them out of the way and telling them to get back to their houses. Threatening of points seemed most effective, as did detentions with Filch.
"Where are their wands?" McGonagall managed to choke out as Neville rushed over, looking twitchy and shaky as he looked to Snape.
"I have them Ma'am," he said softly, his his round cheeks flushed as he handed them to her and she put them in the pocket of her robes. "I grabbed them when they started fighting."
Pansy charged at Hermione then, grasping her by her long hair and trying to swing her. Hermione squealed, scratching at Pansy's hands until she had no choice but to let go.
"Miss Granger! Miss Parkinson! Stop this instant or you'll both be expelled!"
McGonagall's threats were lost as Hermione overpowered her speech with her frantic screaming, lunging at Pansy and punching the girls' stomach into oblivion.
She sat atop the girls' abdomen, holding her down and punching. Finally she stopped, pushing the stray hair out of her eyes and looking down at Pansy with passionate intensity. The girl's face was red and splotchy from the lack of oxygen and her words came out halted under Hermione's weight on her chest.
"Get. Off. Me. M-Mudblood."
Hermione shot Pansy one small sneer and obviously not noticing the Professors behind her, she raised a fist in the air preparing to ram it right into Pansy's teeth.
Suddenly a familiar scent of sandalwood descended upon her as a grip snaked around her wrist, holding her fist in the air to prevent her from smashing it into Pansy's purple face. Breathing heavily she looked to the teachers behind her with an unreadable expression as Pansy shouted for Hermione to get off of her. McGonagall stood looking at Hermione in disbelief at her top student, face bruised and her knuckles covered in blood.
"You punch her one more time, and I'm afraid you'll have to be expelled Miss Granger," McGonagall said, her mouth in an O of surprise. In all her life, she never would have expected Hermione Granger to be that vicious a fighter. Although she did recall the one instance when Hermione punched Draco Malfoy clear across the jaw. At this moment, deep down Minerva almost wished Hermione would punch Pansy just once more.
The hand that held itself around Hermione's wrist still drew her to a standing position as Pansy crawled off, away from the dizzy Hermione. Hermione didn't notice though, she was staring into the bottomless eyes of Severus Snape, and it was taking all of her strength not to cry. Minerva watched the exchange before breaking in.
"Fifty points and detention with Filch tomorrow night Miss Granger. Seven o'clock sharp."
Hermione didn't answer at first, opting wiping the blood that began trickling from the side of her mouth where Pansy had scratched with her free hand. Finally she drew her courageous eyes up to the man she was so deeply in love with it pained her to drag her eyes to those of Minerva McGonagall's.
"Yes professor."
* * *
"Pansy's got detention too, with Professor Flitwick," Harry said a while later in his chambers as Ron and he sat on the edge of the bed. Hermione lay on Harry's bed as he held a small bag of ice over her cut forehead. Hermione groaned as the icy touch invaded it.
"Ouch. She got off easy then."
"Oh I don't know," Ron said munching thoughtfully on some candy he had obtained from some house elves. "He can be pretty nasty when it comes to violence. I hear he was always being picked on in school."
"Here," Harry said, placing some lotion over her head and massaging it over the wounds delicately. "I stole this from Snape's storage when he was taking points off everybody."
Hermione nodded, almost feeling herself becoming healed. "Thanks Harry."
"No problem."
Hermione's head still lay on the pillow and she closed her eyes to prevent the tears from spilling out. Harry looked to her in concern, brushing her cheek gently with his hand. "What's the matter?"
"I shouldn't have started it," Hermione said lowly, not daring to open her eyes again. Harry shook his head, wiping the hair from Hermione's face.
"You may have punched her, Mione," Harry said grinning then. "And very thoroughly might I add."
Hermione snickered, pushing him playfully, his tone turned serious now. "But you didn't start it. Pansy did from the start."
"Yeah, you can't help it if she's a terrible fighter," Ron chimed in. The three of them laughed loudly, replaying Pansy's face as she had fallen to the ground in shock after Hermione had punched her the first time.
"I'd give anything to see her face again." Ron said wistfully a smile on his freckled face.
Harry shrugged, "Just go to the pensieve."
"And risk running into Sna-" he stopped mid sentence. His eyes dropping to the ground from Hermione's face. "Sorry."
"Don't worry Ron," she said kindly, patting his leg from where she lay. "I'm not going to delude myself into thinking there's a chance."
"But Hermione," Harry hesitated. He never much cared for Snape, but seeing his friend in such a state was driving him mad. She deserved someone better, but she really seemed to care for Snape. "Isn't there a chance?"
Hermione smiled sadly with tears no longer in her eyes. She shook her head, patting her slowly healing forehead and wincing as she spoke.
"No Harry, I'm afraid our chance at a happy ending is quite ruined."
As in on cue, a knock at the common door room sounded.
* * *
He paced the Potions classroom for the millionth time that night grumbling and muttering to himself as he flung empty bottles over his shoulder as he dug around in his shelves.
I was sure I had that wound healing mixture right here. He frowned deeply, tapping his chin absently and thinking over who could have pilfered it. McGonagall had asked him for it and he was angry that he would have nothing to produce. He didn't really understand why she needed it, but he assumed it was to aid Hermione and that in itself driving him into urgency of retrieving the lost concoction.
Suddenly a knock sounded at the door breaking his thoughts. He sighed angrily but didn't bother to turn around, instead opting to root around further in his shelving and shouted over his shoulder irritably at the offending party outside his door.
"Enter."
The door creaked opened slowly and shut at just the same pace. Footsteps were fast and quiet as they neared him and he didn't feel the need to turn around until he heard a small voice sound out a few feet away.
"Professor?"
He whirled around, looking to Hermione in shock but trying to keep his face neutral. "What are you doing here?"
Hermione looked uneasy and he saw that she looked as normal as before. No swollen lips, no cuts or gashes. She twisted her fingers together, not able to meet his eyes. "Professor McGonagall told me that informed me that I was to come to your classroom at once."
Snape's eyes narrowed and he knew she was telling the truth. God knows she didn't want to be here any more than he did. She was tense, and angry he could tell. Not that she deserved to be. Suddenly his eyes shot to her dimly.
"You say McGonagall asked you to come here?"
Hermione looked up, nodding. "Yes."
It suddenly came together as Snape sprang for the closed door just in time to hear a click from the other side.
"Stay out of this you meddling crow!" he shouted furiously, pounding on the door as Hermione looked to him in shock from a few feet away. Suddenly Minerva's muffled voice sounded out from the other side of the door.
"I am not letting either of you out until you have talked things out."
Hermione was now at Snape's side, looking angrily at the door as if it were McGonagall.
"Professor McGonagall," whe said grimly, "This is highly unorthodox. Professor Snape and I have nothing further to discuss."
"But you do. I'll come back in a bit to see how you two have progressed."
Hermione rolled her eyes, looking to Snape with fury as she heard Minerva's disappearing footsteps. She glanced over to Snape who was just standing there staring at her.
"What are you waiting for? Just use your wand and get us out of here."
"She has wards up against it," he said with arms crossed and teeth clenched. "I can feel them just from sense. They are impenetrable as Minerva is not inexperienced with charms such as these."
Hermione sighed darkly, walking to a nearby stool and collapsing into it. She sighed, her head heavy and she felt the intense build of tension in the room almost suffocating her.
Snape retired to a stool nearby as well. He sat across the room from her, glaring at her as he did.
She looked up from her daydreaming and caught sight of his intense glowering. She sat up straight and shot him a sneer much like his own.
"Oh just stop it already. Its bad enough having to be stuck in here with you. Your glaring isn't helping anything."
Snape looked to her surprised, he hadn't expected such hostility from a woman who had clearly betrayed him. He stood and went over the cauldron that he had been working on when she had interrupted him beforehand.
Minutes passed before Hermione, curious as usual came over to him, peering over his shoulder and then finally speaking to him. "What are you working on?"
He didn't answer her, instead busying himself with cutting up palsa roots and tossing them in, making it quite obvious he was ignoring her. Hermione looked to the opened page of his potion book on the nearby table and scanned it eagerly.
"Do you want some help?"
He hadn't been expecting that. He didn't know whether to be cross with her or amused. He looked over his shoulder to her and saw as she stood eagerly waiting for his reply, and he recalled why had had been so drawn to her. She so so intent on learning, so eager to expand her mind.
In turn he looked her over and then shrugged.
Hermione nodded, knowing that this was as much of a positive response as she would be getting before grasping a small vial and moving closer to him. He felt her small frame next to his and he mentally prepared himself. He felt himself growing flushed as he watched her slip in three small drops of dragon's blood.
A while later after working in stony silence he looked to his book and back to her as she stood near the cauldron, her hair damp around the edges from the steam.
"It needs an hour to simmer."
They both sat down on either side of the table, neither making a move to speak. He watched as she rested her head on her arms on the table, and he resisted the urge to stroke that head of hers against all better reason. After all, she had wronged him.
She didn't see as Snape parted his mouth to speak, her head was pulled up by her when they heard as McGonagall came down the hall and rapped upon the door.
"Severus? Hermione? How are you two coming along?"
"Fine," Snape said surly, looking to Hermione and instructing her with his eyes to follow his lead. "Miss Granger and I have had the most interesting of developments."
There was a moment of silence.
"You're a bad liar Severus."
With that she left them, her shoes tapping away at the stone floor as she headed to Albus' office to inform him of the developments. It had been their idea together after all and she knew he was desperate to hear the latest.
Snape let out an anguish cry and slammed his fist against the door. Hermione sat by the simmering potion. His lips were in a thin line and she tried not to look at him when she spoke, and she did rather shakily.
"Severus?"
She felt his dark eyes on her and she knew she had to come out and say it, no matter how much it hurt her pride. He was waiting, eyes narrowed and emotions hidden.
"I'm sorry."
There was a loud sigh from him. The atmosphere was much changed from when she had first been thrust into his classroom. Still, the bitterness remained.
"No need," he said dismissively waving a flippant hand in her direction. "We were both using each other to pass the lonesome holidays. I wouldn't read too much into it."
Hermione drew her eyes to meet his, her lips trembling. "You don't mean that." it was a question more than a statement. He looked to her puzzled and then defensive.
"I do."
Hermione felt her anger boiling again, worse than it had been with Pansy and her Slythein lot in the hallway.
She jumped up from her stool and strode over to him where he sat sneering at her curiously. Finally tears fell from her face and he stared at her in awe. She felt her pride shattered, all prior walls gone. She stood before him emotionally bare and all he could do was stare at her.
Finally she felt her jaw clench and in a sudden movement that she barely realized herself, she slapped his soundly across his pale cheek. It made a loud hollow smacking sound and he jumped from his stool, pushing her against the wall with his hands on her shoulders.
"I can't believe the things you've said to me today," she shouted as he growled, looking at her venomously. How she ever could have mistaken those dark coal like stones for passion filled was beyond her. His words were low, still silky but laced with disdain. "You've been so awful and hurtful."
"Don't you dare hit me again you silly-"
Hermione stopped him with a shake of her head, and tried to pull from his grasp, but he held tightly to her. "We've been through this mundane back and forth enough. I am not a silly little girl. You are not a greasy git. We are two people in love and you're stopping it because I made a simple mistake!"
He backed up a bit; his hands dropping from his shoulders as he emphatically threw them up in the air as he yelled at her.
"I'm stopping it? I'm the one stopping it?! I don't believe I was the one that made a bet and signed a contract no less about when I'd shag you!"
Hermione blushed at that. "If you must know I tore up the contract before we even, made love," the words were harsh and with clarity. "I made love to you because I wanted to."
She turned around and made her way to the steps leading to his office door, her shoulders shaking as she dropped clumsily to a seating position upon the stairs. He looked to her in shock. He hadn't expected that. He remembered Pansy had told him Hermione had torn up the contract but the little wench just hadn't informed him of when she had done so.
Hermione went on crying softly until she felt his warm presence across from her. She wiped her eyes and looked over her fingers at him. He was sitting and peering into her face with dark eyes glittering. He spoke softly and slowly.
"Were you lying?"
"Excuse me?"
He cleared his throat, "about wanting to. Have relations with me. Were you lying?"
Hermione's chest swelled and she swallowed roughly, "I'd never lie about something like that."
Snape nodded, shuffling a little closer. Hermione's heart jumped as she did the same. They were inches away and she shivered as Snape brushed a lone tear from her cheek with the back of his forefinger.
"I don't know what to say," he offered honestly. Hermione smiled softly, leaning forward and preparing to place a loving kiss on his welcoming lips. "I'm ashamed that I said those awful things to you earlier. My pride was wounded."
"I almost lost you," His sorrowful words were muffled as his mouth finally met hers, their kissing deepened, their mouths almost becoming one in the process. Suddenly he moved back, pensive and she felt her hope crumbling.
Did you really think it would be that easy Hermione?
"I have to tell you something first," he said with a grimace, and Hermione tensed beside him. He blushed a bit and she wondered what could cause such emotion in a man like Severus Snape.
He's going to tell me that he's slept with Pansy...or that he's going to die in six months...or that he's in love with Albus...
"I think it's crucial you know that a while ago," he halted, his breath in his throat, "that I snuck into your room and well, hid under your bed until you fell asleep."
Hermione's mouth gaped open as she looked to him in disbelief and a laugh escaped her. Was that all? The rigid Professor sneaking into her bedchambers to spy on her? She put on a solemn tone, looking to him bemused.
I never would have expected that from you.
"And just why did you feel the dire need to do that Severus?"
He ran a nervous hand through his hair, an action that didn't seem to suit him at all but was very endearing.
"Well you see the door was open. I was checking that nothing was stolen. I was in the middle of your room when you started coming in and I panicked and hid under your bed."
Hermione had started coming closer to him, eyes laughing along with her lips. She stopped in front of him and looked up to him with a surprisingly interested look in her dark eyes.
"Did you hear anything while you were under there?"
Snape gulped and looked away shrugging, Hermione instantly knew he had. Well, better that he did anyway. Her hand slowly slid to his clothed torso, tracing small circles on its flat surface. She felt him stiffen under her touch.
"Why me Hermione?" he asked, pulling from her a bit, feeling those familiar insecure feelings prickling him all over. He had one question that still needed to be answered. "Why did you pick me of all people?"
Hermione blushed, shrugging at his earnestness. "I was drawn to your mystery I suppose at first. And when I knew what was under that, I was drawn more to your intelligence, then I kept uncovering more and more of you that I wanted to know more of. Then somewhere along the way I suppose I fell in love with you."
"Love?" he said in a impossible deep voice. "You're quite young to be talking of such a thing."
"You don't have to be old to know what love is Severus."
Snape pondered this a moment, nodding and moving closer, slowly. "I suppose your right. But I'm interested in hearing what empirical evidence you have to back such a claim."
She giggled sweetly up at him, "what? You mean how do I know I love you?"
He nodded, seeming as if he was taking in research for a project of his. She shrugged, trying to put her emotions into words and finding it quite impossible. Still as he sat there across from her, waiting for a reply she answered the only way she knew how. Truthfully.
"I just know."
He nodded, not speaking a moment but looking thoughtful. Hermione knew this relationship was going to take a lot of time to heal and develop, Snape was proving to be very sensitive in this realm of his life. He quickly kissed her forehead, muttering something under his breath as he did so.
"Sorry?" she said looking to him in question. He blushed and looked to her solemnly. His voice dropped to a whispered mutter.
"I said," he drawled embarrassed, "I love you as well, despite your annoying Gryffindor ways."
Herrmione's face broke out into a smile, "why Severus Snape you love me? But how do you know?"
"I just do," he growled as he leaned against her, cupping her cheek with one hand and brushing his lips against her own. Her eyes fell closed and she felt tingles shooting down her while his tongue slowly licked her bottom lip. Shivering she leaned further into the kiss feeling as Snape's tongue probed further into her mouth and his lips crushed hers.
His hands were around her waist, drawing her to him and they were becoming heated in the moment. His hands squeezed her breasts as if he had missed their shape. His fingertips circling the nipple that called out to his lips, lips that found them through the fabric as she moaned and writhed underneath him.
He held Hermione's wrists on either side of her, making her almost paralyzed as he moved her skirt up with his hips, revealing a very eager young woman. His hooded eyes revealed the lust in them and his grip on Hermione's shoulders was quickly drawn to more inviting places. She moaned as she felt him below her, kissing her inner thighs as fingers moved up. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she groped around for the zipper of his trousers.
"Wait," He stood suddenly, looking to the aroused Hermione with a small smirk. "I have to do something first."
Hermione sighed good-naturedly, and turned on her side as he rushed off. If someone had told her she was going to be going at it a second time with Severus Snape she would have hit them with a spell and had them carted off to St. Mungos. But now, as she lay waiting for his return to her she could imagine nothing else.
"I'm glad McGonagall stuck us in here," Hermione said off handedly to him. Snape didn't answer and so she turned to see what he was doing. He had removed his cloak and was stalking towards her, speaking in slow languid tones.
"I was just locking the door on our side. I'd rather we weren't disturbed when Minerva comes for another check up."
Hermione giggled nervously as Snape moved closer. His eyes drank in Hermione's delightedly pink face as dropped beside her and pressed his lips to her own, deeply kissing her passionately and then moved to her ear, whispering something filthily into it playfully.
"Severus," she said feigning disbelief as she listened to his proposal,"we couldn't possibly make love all night."
Snape smirked, giving her a delicious eyebrow raise before speaking silkily once more into her ear.
"Would you care to bet on that?"