Thank you for the reviews!
I'm on Spring Break so I've finally had time to continue writing.
I do have one thing to discuss. I have had a few reviewers ask about the necessity of some of the darker aspects of my story. To be honest, there are some things I'm not sure if I should do with the story or not, but at the end of the day I don't think it would remain true to human (or even wizard) nature to always or even mostly have things happen nicely.
That being said, I still enjoy getting even negative critiques because it challenges me as an author and makes me decide who I am as an author. So again, thank you all very much. I read and appreciate every single review :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, etc.
"You will know something as soon as I can let you know," Severus finished. He then strode forward and grabbed Hermione by the arm as if she were a petulant child and led her out of Dumbledore's office and down the stairs.
For the sake of not acting like the petulant child, Hermione gritted her teeth and said nothing as they walked down the spiral staircase and out into the corridor. Severus led her around a corner and stopped.
Hermione wrenched her arm out of his grasp as forcefully as she could to make a point. As she did, Severus gasped in apparent pain and withdrew his arm as quickly as she had. Ignoring it for the sake of keeping her anger alive, Hermione glared deeply at Severus. She didn't even know what to say to express her outrage at his behavior toward her.
" 'The girl?' " she finally managed to sputter out, " 'Delusions of grandeur?' After… all this, that's your opinion of me?" she fumed at him, though she tried to keep her voice down. Enraging her even more, Severus simply looked bored at her outburst.
"Obviously," he said lazily after a moment, though with a hint of ice.
Hermione shook her head, mouth agape, unsure if he was being sarcastic or not.
"Because nothing would be less suspicious than me singing your praises to the Order. They would obviously have no questions if I were to treat you differently than the other petulant children I usually deal with," he said icily. The way he said 'petulant children' made Hermione realize he had probably used Legilimency on her, and she had let her mental guard down in her rage. He hadn't been bored, he had been breaking into her mind.
Hermione was at a loss for words as she realized she had just made an arse of herself. The most sinister of smirks crossed his face.
"Why Ms. Granger, I have never seen you so red. Is this what it would look like if you did not know the answer to a question during a lesson?"
It almost seemed he was teasing her, but there was still a strong presence of annoyance in his voice.
"What's wrong with your arm?" she quickly decided to change the subject.
"A question I will leave unanswered," he said gruffly, gripping it absent-mindedly. "Now listen closely. The Dark Lord has summoned both of us and as I said before, I have no idea what for. This is… most unusual, and most likely not good. Before we leave, I need to know that you are in control of your emotions and faculties," he said.
Hermione decided to bite her tongue. She took a deep breath to calm herself and pull her mental defenses up. She couldn't afford any mistakes around Voldemort or any of His followers. She nodded.
"I also need to know that in this precarious situation, you will do as I say without question for your own safety and for the Dark Lord's benefit," Severus added, his voice losing the coldness, but gaining severity.
Hermione really had to think about that one for a moment. It had been a question on her mind; could she, should she put her complete trust in him? Put her life in his hands willingly? She was considering more than he had really asked, but it was more than a simple question to Hermione. She looked back and forth between his impenetrable eyes and bit her lip.
She suddenly remembered the night she had used the Cruciatus Curse on Lucius Malfoy. She had burst into tears afterwards, and Severus had comforted her. He had pulled her against his chest and embraced her. And then to make things easier on her, he had taken her to his house. Severus struck Hermione as an intensely personal, private man. But he had pushed that aside for her when she had really needed it.
Hermione looked down for moment then met his eyes again. She nodded in agreement. He turned around to lead the way out of the castle but paused.
"They do not know what you have had to endure," he suddenly said, turning to look at her.
"What?" Hermione asked, honestly not tracking his train of thought.
"The Order. They know of nothing that would make me treat you differently than any other student," he said, gauging her reaction. Hermione realized he was explaining his behavior in Dumbledore's office, and that that was as close to an apology as she would get. She nodded again.
There was a surprisingly comfortable and easy silence between them as they walked out into the dark early morning, despite where they were headed. As they passed through the Great Hall, Hermione saw many carved pumpkins aglow and floating in the air which made her realize it was Halloween morning.
Once outside the warded gates, Severus held out his arm. Hermione unleashed her neurotic side when she couldn't tell if he meant her to grab his arm or hand, but she remembered she needed to be calm and collected.
'To hell with petty worries,' she thought as she put her hand on his. She had put on the gloves he had given her, and had she looked up she would have seen a very faint look of surprise on Severus' face as he took note of it.
He had indeed given them to her as a birthday present, though he decided he would never admit that they had indeed been a birthday gift. He had travelled to one of his favorite potion's shops over the weekend before Hermione's birthday. He had stared at them for about 5 minutes in the shop before deciding to buy them.
Severus closed his hand around Hermione's and Apparated them to a now familiar metal door. She took her hand from Severus' to hug herself in her robes. Wherever this was, it was colder than outside Hogwart's.
Severus put a hand on her shoulder, completely shielding her from the wind with his robes. As they walked closely together to the door, Hermione noticed his scent. She had been close to him before, but had never taken the time to consider what he smelled of.
He was wearing some sort of cologne. It smelled good but was subtle which told Hermione it was expensive. He also smelled of something she couldn't quite place, but her thoughts were disrupted as the metal door opened.
As they stepped inside, Severus pulled Hermione protectively closer to him. They went through the same room where there was always several Death Eaters standing about, but it was empty. They continued on to where Voldemort's personal chamber was located and as they approached the Dark Lord himself appeared through the doorway.
"Ah, Severus, Ms. Granger," he said with a glittering smile on his face. Hermione did not like how fiery and excited Voldemort's eyes looked.
Severus bowed his head and Hermione followed suit. As they bowed, Severus dropped his hand from Hermione's shoulder to her waist. It was then that Hermione realized the difference. Severus was protective when it was just them alone, but he changed to possessive around Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Hermione decided to follow through with her trust, and chose to believe it was a conscious change that Severus made.
"Follow," was all Voldemort said as he turned sharply and walked away. They followed a couple of paces behind. Voldemort walked down several corridors and Hermione began to realize how large the compound had to be.
They came to a grand door which opened upon their approach. There was a great deal of noise, like a great crowd, coming from the room. Voldemort entered and indicated with his hand that Severus and Hermione should follow. Despite her efforts to remain completely calm, Hermione's heart was beating out of her chest.
When they entered, the sight that befell Hermione made her light-headed. They were standing on a large balcony that overlooked a room that was easily twices the size of Hogwart's Great Hall. And it was packed full of Death Eaters, at least three hundred. Hermione knew that the Death Eaters would grow in numbers, but she had tried to imagine a smaller number. She snuck a look up at Severus whose expression was serious but untelling. He gently squeezed his hand on her waist to acknowledge her, but did not look down.
"Friends," Voldemort said, commanding silence from the room which quickly came despite the number of people. "Tonight, as you know, will be an experiment. All who have answered my summon are to be a part of this experiment. We will launch our assault on Hogwart's to test is to test the defenses now that the Ministry's security enhancements have been dismantled. Hogwart's defenses may still be too great for us to overcome, but there is a chance they are not. You will find this out. If the defenses fail, you will take Hogwart's and I will join you. In that case, tonight… is ours," roaring applause followed Voldemort's words which were chilling to Hermione. "So, let us try and make tonight ours. Go."
The doors down on the level of the crowd opened. The cold draft Hermione felt indicated that the doors opened to the outside. Hermione remained calm on the surface, but was confused and worried.
"So sorry Severus that you won't be joining us. Seems that you'll be baby-sitting," Bellatrix giggled a few feet away as she entered the balcony, swaying in a demented dance.
"Bellatrix," Voldemort snapped, warning her. "Go." Bellatrix look put-out at being reprimanded by the Dark Lord, but quickly recovered with another smirk.
"Yes, my Lord," she complied and left the balcony to join the crowd which was quickly exiting.
"Severus, I believe you now get the gist of tonight's plans," Voldemort began with a sly grin. "Tonight is the night that I hope Hogwart's will fall."
Though Hermione willed herself to remain calm, she couldn't help her widened eyes and rapid pulse.
"I have been long researching the wards that protect the school. Thanks to a few ministry workers who were convinced to talk, I am now aware of most of the Ministry's security measures set up around Hogwart's," Voldemort said wickedly. "Who knew that an Unspeakable would speak so freely with just a little encouragement," he added as an afterthought. "And as a diversion to the Aurors, we will simultaneously be attacking the Ministry of Magic and a few select nearby Muggle communities. They won't know what hit them."
Hermione barely heard Him over the blooding pounding in her ears. Hundreds of Death Eaters were off to attack Hogwart's, the Ministry and Muggle civilians. The latter were people that had no chance of defending themselves. There was no honor with Voldemort. Hermione looked up to Severus again. He looked very passive, emotionless. It was actually unnerving to Hermione. She understood he couldn't react negatively, but he was eerily convincing.
"I see, my Lord," Severus said.
"I hope you do not take offense to me not telling you of this… I could not risk someone being able to find out. I understand Dumbledore is an accomplished Legilimens," Voldemort said as if waiting to see what Severus would do. "You are wondering why I have called you here?"
"I do not question your commands, my Lord," Severus said and slightly squeezed Hermione waist again. She remained silent, though her heart was ramming against her ribcage.
"Of course, but curiosity is only natural," Voldemort mused as he slowly approached the two. "You see, there has been a great deal of talking lately among my followers. Talking that I would like to put an end to. I'm sure it is no secret to you that many still question where your loyalties lie."
Severus nodded.
"Well, I am going to ask you and Ms. Granger to remain here during the duration of this onslaught. A mission that is simple enough, is it not?" Voldemort asked slyly.
"Yes, My Lord. But to what end?" Severus ventured cautiously.
"Well, anyone loyal to Dumbledore would not sit idly by and allow an attack on the school that could result in the destruction of the school, the deaths of Mudbloods, and of course the capture of Harry Potter. You will remain here, and be uninvolved in the attack so that no one can claim you tried to help the other side. And you remaining here doing nothing during the attack will be the final task to prove your loyalty. I will not tolerate anymore of the same doubts about you after this," Voldemort finished and resumed pacing.
"And the girl?" Severus asked.
"What about her?" Voldemort stopped and moved his eyes to meet Hermione's. Her mental defenses were up and she willed herself to remain in control and not break the eye contact.
"Why is she here?"
"Should the attack succeed and my followers gain access to Hogwart's, I do not have faith that some would… obey my orders to not harm the girl. Calling both of you here is a measure of protection for both of you, and a measure of loyalty for you," Voldemort finished. "Now... Ms. Granger?" Hermione's heart stopped as Voldemort addressed her.
"Y-yes?"
"You know your way to the room that you and Severus occupied before?" Voldemort asked and moved directly in front of her, staring into her eyes intently. Hermione nodded even though she wasn't actually sure of the way.
"Good. Why don't you head in that direction. I have a few things to discuss with Severus alone," he said smoothly. He grasped one of Hermione's hands in His own and she jumped.
"There is no need for nerves, girl. You would know if you were in trouble," Voldemort smirked darkly and placed a polite kiss on Hermione's knuckles. The skin that his lips touched burned. "You may go." Hermione made an awkward bow of her head.
Severus then stepped forward, letting go of Hermione. Without Severus beside her, Hermione felt very small and vulnerable. She quickly turned without a glance at Severus and left the two on the balcony.
She walked down the hallway and turned a corner but stopped. She pointed her wand at her ears and whispered "Amplicado." She wanted to hear what was so important to discuss with Severus. The spell was of Hermione's invention and not quite perfected. The voices sounded distorted but she could still hear well enough.
"- and not to mention you seemed hesitant to bring her here. You seem quite... protective. Why is that Severus?" Voldemort whispered dangerously
"As you said yourself My Lord, I do not trust many people to follow your orders to not harm the girl," Severus replied. Hermione could tell by his tone he was choosing his words very carefully.
There was a moment of silence.
"You seem quite concerned for her. Too concerned, I wonder?" Voldemort asked softly, a whisper full of threat.
"No," Severus said coldly, as if insulted. "I only wonder what use she will have to you when this is done, should 'tonight be ours,'" Severus continued, slightly changing the topic.
"She is still important whether tonight is a success or not. Friend of Harry Potter, a well-placed pawn. Also, I allowed you to keep her as a present, a reward. She is still yours... Now if you are done or bored with her, there are several others who would love to have her…"
"No, my Lord. I only wondered," Severus said.
"Ah Severus. You remember the last time your concern for a woman ended... most unfortunately. I would hate to see that happen again," Voldemort said in mock concern. If Severus said anything else, Hermione could not hear it.
It seemed the conversation was nearly over so Hermione hurried down the hallway so as not to be noticed. As she walked, she wondered what other woman Voldemort was referencing. Whatever the story was, it didn't sound like it had a happy ending. Hermione felt ashamed that she still felt somewhat jealous.
Hermione walked down many corridors, almost getting lost twice. For a moment, thought, she felt safe because she knew all the Death Eaters were gone from the complex, but immediately rebuking herself for thinking in such a way because she knew where the Death Eaters were headed.
Hermione finally found a familiar room with a large canopied bed. She threw down her robe and sat on the bed, putting her head in her hands. As she sat there, Death Eaters were approaching an unsuspecting Hogwarts. Even if Hogwart's defenses were very strong with Dumbledore's own protective spells, could they stand up to an army of Death Eaters?
Her thoughts were interrupted as Severus entered the room. Hermione's head snapped up to meet his eyes.
"What else did He tell you?" Hermione probed instantly, wondering if he would tell her.
"Don't ask me, I will not tell you," Severus said harshly. He sat in an armchair facing Hermione. There were several moments of tense silence.
"What are we going to do? Are Hogwart's defenses good enough to withstand an attack like this? He said any protections the Miistry has put in would be disabled, but what about all the others? All the old protections from centuries past, and Dumbledore's own magic? Will those protections stand?" Hermione asked softly after a several moments of dark silence.
Severus shook his head. "I honestly don't know, especially with the number of them… I don't know. You remember the Dark Lord once walked the halls of Hogwart's... He had a feel for the magical protections as much as you do, and He is just as smart."
"And there's no way to alert anyone?" Hermione asked shakily. She started to curse herself as she felt tears welling up in her eyes.
Severus looked at her with an odd expression when he heard her shaky voice.
"The Dark Lord has invested a lot of time and resources into the defenses here at His headquarters. No owls leave without the contents of letter being known to Him, no Patronus can make it out of here with a message. We cannot leave. I do not know what I could do," Severus said, resting his chin on his clasped hands.
Hermione hated herself as she felt a tear roll down her cheek. She didn't even know that anyone was in danger, but she couldn't help it. Everything felt so dark and uncertain.
"Don't." Severus said sharply. Hermione looked up. He looked very uncomfortable. "Don't cry. I'm sure your friends will be safe."
Hermione thought about her friends at Hogwarts that she was worrying about. They had all been through so much together, and she wanted to help them this time as well, but she had no way to communicate with them…
"Wait, I have an idea!" Hermione jumped up, causing Severus to jump. Hermione started emptying the pockets of her robe. She had expanded them magically and had a bad habit of not cleaning them out… ever. But in this case, it might be a good thing.
"What are you going on about?" Severus asked annoyedly.
Hermione finally felt her hand grasp around a cold smooth object and she pulled it out in her hand.
"And what good will a galleon do?" Severus asked scathingly, looking at the object in her hand
"Well I do have a question before I let my hopes get up anymore. Does You-Know-Who have any protection against a message being relayed through a Protean Charm?" Hermione asked, wiping away the tears that had betrayed her. She had found one of the enchanted galleons that she had charmed to communicate with the 'Dumbledore's Army'/'Defense Association' members during fifth year.
Severus stared at Hermione a moment while he though back to all the defenses he knew Voldemort had put up.
"I don't believe so, but I am not sure. Why?" Severus asked, looking from Hermione's eyes to the galleon.
"Well if you remember the organization that Harry began fifth year… and you remember Umbridge," Hermione said, spitting otu Umbridge's name. The look of loathing on Severus face as Hermione mentioned Umbridge told Hermione he remembered. "Well we decided to keep meeting, obviously, after she banned all unapproved student organizations. This is what I came up with so that all the members could communicate and know when to meet without being caught," Hermione finished.
"That was two years ago. Who else other than you would be able to keep track of on object after that long?" Severus asked, the tone on his voice not giving Hermione any hope.
Hermione bit her lip and thought for a moment.
"I know for a fact that Harry keeps his 'galleon' on his bedside table. It reminds him of what we are all capable of doing together. The DA was a special experience for so many others too, I'm sure some still have it around. If we send a warning message, it just takes one person to get the message to Dumbledore," Hermione said with determination in her eyes. She knew it was very important for Dumbledore to have a little bit of warning in order to organize and protect everyone.
Severus didn't look convinced.
"But as I said, I don't know for sure that a message wouldn't get intercepted. I don't think the Dark Lord has any defenses against Protean-charmed objects, but I cannot be sure," Severus said and began to pace in front of Hermione. Severus stopped after a few moments and shook his head. "It may give some warning ahead of time, but it may not make any difference if we tell them anyway. The attack has probably already begun. And we could get caught. It's not worth the risk."
"You can't mean that," Hermione said, feeling angry tears well up her eyes. Hermione knew the Death Eaters may not even get into Hogwarts, but if they did it was worth it if the warning saved innocent lives.
"No matter what happens, Dumbledore will find a way to keep Potter safe. That's what matters to the War."
Hermione shook her head in disbelief at his coldness to everyone else who might be in danger. Tears rolled down both her cheeks. Hermione's parents were for all purposes gone; all her family in the world now was in Hogwart's. And Severus didn't think it was worth the risk to alert them to a possible deadly attack by the Death Eaters.
Severus looked at her with a questioning look. His eyes went blank for a moment, and Hermione realized what he was doing but couldn't throw up her mental defenses in time.
"I assure you, I do care that others may be harmed. But if we give ourselves away, that will take away one of the Order's few advantages. And we will undoubtedly die very slow, painful, hellish deaths," Severus said much more calmly.
Hermione wiped the tears from her face, but kept a fierce look of determination. She got up from the bed and stood in front of Severus. She grabbed his hand and before he could pull it away, placed the galleon in it but kept her hand over it as well.
"I believe from the look in your eyes that you think Hogwart's defenses may fail. If you believe that, then you know that every child and adult in there is in mortal damage. And as much faith as you rightfully put in Dumbledore, what if something happens so that he can't protect Harry? Or what happens when everyone is slaughtered, and we're still left standing here? Could you live with that?" Hermione said as evenly as she could.
Severus tried to retract his hand but Hermione grabbed it and pulled up his sleeve, revealing his Dark Mark.
"The Severus who gladly accepted this Mark would probably keep himself safe and allow others to potentially die. Is that who you are now?" Hermione pushed.
Severus growled and wrenched his arm from her grasp. He grabbed her by the throat and pushed her into the wall. His eyes were burning bright. He was livid. No words could come from his mouth. Hermione fought for breath and felt she was in mortal danger, but clearly she had gotten to him. After a few moments he was still unable to speak and he hadn't relaxed his grip. She dropped the galleon to claw at his hands to fight for her breath, but he was too strong.
As a last resort she muttered 'Legilimens' and ventured into Severus' momentarily unguarded and enraged mind.
Severus was so angry that his vision was blurred and he wasn't even sure what he was doing. How dare someone throw his days as a Death Eater in his face when he had done so much for the Order at such great personal risk and great personal price. A small voice suddenly spoke in his mind.
'Maybe that is who you still are,' Hermione's voice spoke directly in his mind. The words were simple enough but they had an effect. In his blind rage, his vison had been blurred with anger and he had lost himself. The words echoing in his mind were enough to cause him to calm for a moment. As he willed himself to regain some control, the first thing that came back into focus were two small gloved hands clawing at his own much larger hands. He recognized the gloves as the ones he had given Hermione.
Severus snapped out of it. He released his grip and stepped back. Hermione fell spluttering to the ground gasping for breath and clasping her hands to her neck.
Severus looked down at what he had done.
Hermione stayed on the ground, trying to regain her breath without much success. Her brain was starved of oxygen and she was in a slow and confused state.
Severus got down on the ground behind Hermione and pulled her against his chest. She flinched at his touch and tensed up which made it even harder to breathe.
"Please relax," Severus said softly. Hermione paused a moment but tried to relax. He pulled her back so her back was against his chest and he put one hand gently across her throat. Again, Hermione flinched out of pure lingering panic, but he muttered a few words and she felt her throat open back up fully. She gasped in several full sweet breaths of air. Her struggle for air was over, and she relaxed back into his chest.
Severus, ashamed but unsure how he should proceed, wrapped both arms around her to comfort her. The back of her head rested on his right shoulder and he leaned his head to rest on top of hers in a moment of shame of reflection. He hadn't meant to do that. He couldn't believe he could do that.
Hermione had finally gotten enough oxygen to her body and became more aware of herself again. She realized she was on the ground and felt something warm draped all around her. She stole a glance around and realized she was sitting on the ground, leaning against Severus with her back against his chest and his arms around her. She wasn't sure whether she should move. She knew the last comment she made to Severus would anger him, though she wasn't sure how he would react. She figured she needed to take drastic action to make her point, and she was wondering if it had been worth it.
They sat like that for several minutes, both unsure of what the other was thinking or feeling, both unsure of what to do.
Hermione felt Severus' right arm move and she held her breath, not sure what to expect. She looked and saw him summon the galleon which had rolled halfway across the room. It flew to his hand and he looked at it over Hermione's head for a moment. He cupped one of Hermione's hands with his hand and pulled her glove off. He then placed the galleon in her hand, keeping his hand over it as well, the same that Hermione had done before. He moved his head so it was still resting in hers, but now his mouth was just above her ear.
"Presently, I cannot say that is not who I am. My actions just now shook me of the belief that I am not that person anymore. But I can tell you that is not who I desire to be," Severus said slowly and ashamedly, his words and breath washing over her ear. "Send the message."
Hermione paused a moment but then grasped the coin firmly in her hand.
"If You-Know-Who intercepts this, I suppose we would know pretty quickly," Hermione whispered hoarsely, her voice still not recovered. She hinted at the fact that if Voldemort caught them, he would soon be in there to kill or torture them. "Are you sure?"
Severus squeezed her hand in assurance.
Hermione's grip on the coin tightened and she began muttering the charm. The numbers along the edge of the coin, normally the serial number, transformed into a message:
'DEATH EATERS ARE APPROACHING HOGWARTS. DIVERSION FOR AURORS AT MINISTRY. TELL DUMBLEDORE.'
The galleon glowed, and then faded. The message was sent.
Severus put his hand back over her hand with galleon in between. Hermione loosened her grip to allow the galleon to drop, leaving nothing between them.
Harry awoke as a glowing light teased his eyelids. He tried to ignore it but it only intensified. He finally sat up and looked around the dormitory. His eyes fell upon his bedside table where something was glowing. Rubbing sleep from his eyes he finally picked up. He saw it was his galleon from the DA.
Harry immediately found it odd; no one had used it since fifth ear. He turned the galleon to look at the edge for the message. As he read it, his heart stopped. He then remembered Hermione was the only one good at sending messages through the galleons. He leapt from his bed and rooted through a drawer until he found the Marauder's Map. He quickly scanned it and saw that neither Hermione nor Snape were on the grounds.
Harry's scrambling woke Ron up.
"What're you doing, Harry?" Ron yawned annoyedly.
"Read," Harry said, tossing the galleon to Ron as he grabbed his wand and his robe.
"Is this for real?" Ron asked, suddenly awake.
"I think so. Also, Hermione and Snape are gone from the grounds. So I don't know what's going on," Harry said. "Do you still have your galleon?"
Ron quickly rooted through his things, finally producing a glowing galleon. "Yeah, same on mine."
"Let's go. We have to find Dumbledore," Harry said with urgency. Ron grabbed his wand and robe and they ran down to the Common Room and out the portrait.
At least a minute had passed, but nothing had happened. Hermione stopped holding her breath. Severus squeezed her hand. He wasn't sure they were safe yet.
Hermione didn't know how to wrap her mind away what had just happened. All she knew was that despite what he had just done, she had never as secure as she did in that moment in his arms.
She pulled her hand from his and turned around to face him. He pulled back suddenly. Hermione was momentarily hurt, thinking he was drawing back from her purposefully, but she saw he was actually just uneasy. She realized he considered himself at her mercy at the moment.
Hermione leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. He didn't pull back so Hermione pushed her lips on his again. Hermione was surprised when he reciprocated and held her face with his hands. She put her hand around the back of his neck and let her body rest on his. She wasn't sure what she was doing, but it felt right.
After a few moments, Severus did pull back. Hermione felt very unsure and awkward for a moment. He cupped her jaw with one hand and looked her in the eye. His eyes were darkened with remorse… and something else.
"I'm sorry for what I did. Words cannot-"
"I forgive you," Hermione breathed and pushed her lips on his again. She knew this was probably not a good idea, but she wanted him. She knew anyone else would say she was crazy, especially after what he had done only minutes before, but she felt like she saw a side of him that no one else had. She had gotten to him.
They were still sitting against the wall so Hermione turned and crawled on his lap to straddle him while deepening the kiss. Severus seemed to resist momentarily but gave in. Hermione lightly moved against his lap as she kissed him and a deep rumbling moan escaped his lips. He moved his mouth to her still tender neck. He very lightly and carefully placed kisses on the bruises on her neck, and then bit down once beyond the bruises. Hermione could feel his erection through his robes and moaned at the feel of it at her crotch and his mouth on her neck.
He carefully picked her up and she kept her legs wrapped around him and her arms around his neck. He didn't walk them to the bed, but to the attached bathroom. He threw open the door with a wave of his hand.
Hermione allowed him to sit her down on the edge of the large bathtub.
"What-" Hermione began, frustrated. Her breathing was deep and she was aching.
"I want to heal you," he said and reached in the cabinet under the sink. He grabbed a bottle and kneeled on the ground before Hermione. He lightly and carefully rubbed some kind of bruise salve on her neck and she felt the soreness disappear. Hermione felt a rush of emotion. His eyes were dark with lust, but he still attended to her wounds first.
Severus fumbled with the cap to the bottle, too distracted to handle to small cap so Hermione grabbed the bottle and through it out of the bathroom. Their lips were attached again before the bottle smashed against the wall in the main chamber.
He was still kneeling down and between her where she sat on the tub. Not breaking the kiss, he pulled her blouse off and while nibbling on her ear, removed her bra as well. He took a moment to move his mouth down to her nipples and lightly nibbled on each before returning his mouth to hers.
Hermione helped to pull his robes and undershirt off, but stopped as she saw gashes on his arms and shoulders, some leading to his back.
"What-" Hermione began.
"It is nothing, something from earlier," Severus breathed in her ear and raked his teeth over the shell of her ear. Hermione melted, if possible, even more but used all her will power to stop again.
"No, it's not nothing" Hermione said, halting their progression yet again. Their gaze met, both of their eyes darkened with lust
"I want to heal you," Hermione breathed out, echoing his words. Severus hung his head, partially out of hesitation and partially out of pure self-control. Hermione summoned her wand and motioned for him to turn around. She healed and shrunk the gashes over his back, of which there were many. He turned him again and healed the gashes still left on his arm. As the last gash shrank, Severus grabbed her wand from her hand and through it from the room as Hermione had done with the bottle.
They resumed their kiss with intensity as he pulled his pants the rest of his clothing off. Once he was free of all his garments, Hermione stood and allowed him to slide her jeans down her legs. She was now only in her knickers, standing in front of a kneeling Severus. He bent low and placed a kiss on her shin, then her knee, then her thigh… Hermione moaned as he continued to place kisses on her hips as he removed her knickers. He placed one teasing kiss just above her clit, then kissed all the way up her body as he stood to his full towering height.
Severus looked to the bedroom, but Hermione has something else in mind. She didn't want another experience in that bed. She grabbed Severus' hand and led him into the shower. Following her train of thought, Severus turned on the water with a wave of his hand.
Severus kissed Hermione deeply exploring every crevice of her mouth as they both stood under the hot water, his hand eventually running down her body to her womanhood. He ran his fingers through her folds as if memorizing every inch while rubbing her clit with his thumb. Hermione threw her head back and moaned in pleasure. He then moved one finger in and out of her, then two. Hermione was almost unable to support herself with her legs at the sensation.
When he was sure she was ready, he picked her up and pinned her to the wall of the shower with his body. With the water running over both of them, Severus positioned himself at her entrance and looked her in her eyes to ask if she was ready. She nodded minutely and he pushed slowly inside of her. They moaned simultaneously.
Severus moved his arms to make sure she was supported comfortably and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him as he moved in and out of her. He moved one hand between them and rubbed her clit slowly. Hermione paused the kiss and moaned into his mouth, driving him wild.
He put one arm against the wall of the shower above where he pinned Hermione and again moved his mouth to her neck. He bit down and sucked lightly, then a little harder. Hermione gasped and moaned, and dug her nails into his shoulder. All of Hermione's skin was on fire and she was overwhelmed by the intensity. He removed his mouth from her neck and their eyes met.
The eye contact was almost overwhelming. They were staring into each other while doing such a primal act. At first Hermione wanted to look away, but seeing the burning look in his eyes only made her want him more.
She savored every sensation and sound. All organized thoughts soon left her mind as the tension grew within her and she could feel the pleasure building up. She dug her nails in his back as she felt it coming; he moved in her two more times before waves of pleasure overtook her, making her toes curl. She threw her head back and cried out. Her walls clamping down around him brought Severus to climax and he spilled into her, resting his mouth at her neck.
They both relaxed and Severus withdrew from Hermione, leaving her feeling empty but he still held her against the shower wall. Hermione grew nervous. Severus could easily decide that this was a mistake and make this difficult and awkward. And what were they doing?
"I can't promise not to make this difficult, and I don't know what the hell we are doing," Severus whispered in her ear before kissing her. Hermione made a mental note to be better about Occlumency.
Whew! Let me know what you think.