The Scientist
Chapter 4 of 6
neelixA short account of how Hermione became aware of Severus.
ReviewedThe courtship that ensued between Hermione Granger and Severus Snape did not run smoothly. There were no candle-lit dinners or trips to the theatre, no handholding on moonlit walks by the lake, and no sidelong, loving glances at the table in the Great Hall.
There were, however, stilted conversations that punctuated the atmosphere every couple of weeks where Severus was unable to articulate himself properly, and Hermione would leave in a flurry of perfumed hair products and ruffled feelings, with the dungeon door slamming in her wake.
But in-between the confusion, they had the chair by the fire, and they had the bedchamber. And they had a passion between them that made the air crackle with a magical energy. It grew to such an extent that on one memorable night, they had actually made love floating above the bedclothes, although neither of them had noticed until they reached their conclusion and fell back to the mattress with a soft flump. Hermione had giggled, and Severus had laughed, his body shaking against hers and his eyes dancing with the joy that she was beneath him, and he was still inside her, and this really wasn’t just some beautiful dream.
And so it went on, until Christmas came around again. With it had come the complicated issue of how Hermione would spend her two week holiday. Severus had infuriated her no end when he had refused to tell her what he wanted. He had decided that this was her decision to make and that his Christmas would be the same as every other year as far as he was concerned. He would remain at Hogwarts, there would be no decorations in his quarters, and should she choose to visit him, or perhaps stay a few days, then all well and good. At least, that is what he had told Hermione.
What he had really wanted was for her to stay with him. And not just for Christmas. But he hadn’t even told her he loved her, after a year of her sharing his bed, although he had been close, so many times. Hermione had had no such qualms about telling him how she felt, usually in the throes of passion or afterwards, when she had laid her head against his chest and he had stroked her soft curls with his slender fingers.
‘I love you, Severus,’ she would mumble, half sated and half sleepy against his skin.
Severus would inhale a little, ready to form his reply, to tell her that he loved her too, that he would always love her, and that she filled his thoughts and his heart always. But he never did, and the words would die unsaid on the tip of his tongue, leaving them both disappointed.
******
Christmas morning had dawned, and there was snow on the ground around Hogwarts Castle. At 2 p.m. on that day, the dungeon had been empty, although a fire had flickered in the hearth and had sent tendrils of light around the room that bounced off the cut-glass decanter, which had been still half-full of Ogden’s.
He had looked a lonely figure, and his dark, thick robes had been wrapped tightly around his frame as he stood looking out over the frozen water. His blackness had stood out in stark contrast to the surrounding snow, and if it hadn’t been for a line of footprints showing the route he had taken to get there, one might have thought him to be a statue.
And then, a snowball had hit him squarely between his shoulder blades. He hadn’t flinched, but had bent and scooped a large handful of snow in his gloved hands and packed it together loosely. He had turned, his face set, and walked purposely to the tree that stood tall and proud a few feet behind him. He had stood beside the trunk and waited quietly.
Hermione had stood with her back to the rough bark, panting a little and biting her lip to stifle the giggle that had threatened to give her away. Her woolly hat was pulled down over her curls, and she had rubbed her gloves together to dispel the remnants of wet snow that had stuck to the purple knit. She had risked a look around the side of the tree, and her stomach had dropped in disappointment. He had gone back without her.
‘Shit,’ she had muttered with a sigh and then stepped around towards the path, right into a face full of black leather glove and soft, white snow.
Severus had laughed as she sputtered and spat the snow from her mouth and brushed it from her face with purple fingers. Her eyes had closed, and flecks of snow had stuck to her eyelashes like tiny diamonds. She had screwed her face up and started to laugh, and he had grabbed her around the waist and kissed her soundly, not caring that they were in full view of the school and that anyone glancing in their direction would see them.
Hermione had clung to him, her joy still on her lips, and she had laughed into his mouth until she had sighed contentedly and wrapped her damp gloved hands around his forearms and leant against his chest, opening her soft mouth to his probing tongue. He had moved his grip and crushed her fiercely to him, until she had gasped for breath and pushed him playfully with her arms, but he had refused to move and pulled her closer, nuzzling his face into her neck and losing himself in her perfume.
‘I love you,’ he had murmured, and he felt her sag slightly against his chest and squirm her hands around his body, splaying her fingers against his back and pulling him towards her, even though he was so close there was nowhere for him to go. And they had held each other for what seemed like forever.
By the time they walked back to the castle hand in hand, the light had faded, and the fire had started to die in Severus’s quarters. But it had seemed to both of them that the sun was shining and that everything was imbued with a warm glow as they walked quietly to the bedroom. Hermione had tripped over her open trunk as she stepped dazedly into the room, and Severus had caught her with strong arms as she stumbled.
‘When we are married we can expand our quarters, and your clothing can be stored more appropriately,’ he had muttered with a frown, glaring at her open trunk and noticing for the first time just how cramped the space was for two.
Hermione had paused and stared at him open-mouthed until Severus turned his gaze back to her and noticed her fish-like gape.
‘What is it?’ he had said, and his mouth had twitched slightly at the surprised look on her face.
She had smiled then and shook her head as he pulled her closer and started to remove her clothing.
‘Nothing,’ she had said, still smiling. ‘Hurry up, though, won’t you?’
Their eyes had met, and not for the first time that Christmas, the sound of laughter had bounced around the walls of the dungeons.
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Scientist
88 Reviews | 6.94/10 Average
I'd say that NSS's attempts to make you a better writer have succeeded, you're one of those authors i always stop to read, no matter what the description of the story is, because I've enjoyed everything you've written. This was no different, and I loved the wedding scene at the end. So sweet.
Baaha ha ha, he caught her out! Kiss please!!
So beautiful!
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I adored seeing the way Severus was with Ceris on her wedding day, ‘Just remember what I said, Ceris. You will always have a home here, whatever happens.’ My father told me the same thing on my wedding day.I'm so glad that he could identify with the look on Albus' face when he saw how he looked at Ceris as her father walked her down the aisle. He knew by the tears in Albus' eyes that his precious daughter would be in good hands.
At the wedding reception, a slightly drunk Severus was clearly still enamored of his bride. I'll bet some of the guests suspected what was on their minds... all that hip grinding would not go unnoticed. And if they hadn't noticed the growing ardor of Severus and his wife, they certainly did when the Snapes shared a searing kiss. All the catcalling and yahooing didn't faze them... they had other things on their minds.I chuckled when Carly winked at her mother when told that she and her father were leaving... and that she and her siblings did not need to hurry back.Thank you for such a happy and heartwarming story. I must have needed some "happy thoughts" this afternoon because reading your tale has really put a smile on my face.Beth
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Bless you. You write very nice reviews and make me smile a lot!
Real Life had got in the way of my reading this and then I did the unthinkable and forgot about it! What a fool I am. When I stumbled upon this again today, the first thing I did was kick myself in the arse, and then I started over at chapter one!This is such a lovely chapter. It has made me smile and thank God that I found the story again. Your Severus is the most wonderful husband and father anyone could have!His reactions to his adored wife as she carried their children were perfect, and I liked bath time and the way they would watch for the baby to move a foot or an arm.
His insistence that he would be in the room when his wife gave birth to his children just melted my heart, and I laughed out loud when Hermione winked at the mediwitch when Severus wasn't looking. Seeing how the new father responded when he held his son for the first time warmed my heart.All four of their children were completely loved, and they knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were the center of their parent's world. The new home that Severus and Hermione found on the outskirts of Hogsmeade became a place filled with joy. It was a very special moment for Severus when he realized that his wife had unconsciously used Legilimency to let him know that she was "glad I found you, too." It doesn't get any better than this!Beth
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
There is something amazing that happens inside a reader when they find a story that suits them. I am very glad that for you, one of them was written by me!I loved writing The Scientist - It was inspired by the Coldplay song, and intended as a one-shot, but it just grew. I esescially love writing Severus with children, too. Thank you so much for the loevly comments x
I've only just come across this and really loved it - it's adorable! How lovely to find something that's truly 'romantic' and gives Severus not just a little bit of love but a whole lifetime of the happiness he deserves!Well done for writing and sharing :-)
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thank you so much. I am very glad you enjoyed it!
Perfect ending. Lovely, I enjoyed this story a lot!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Sorry I am only just responding! Bad neelix... But anyway, thank you for reveiwing, I am very happy you liked it!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Sorry I am only just responding! Bad neelix... But anyway, thank you for reveiwing, I am very happy you liked it!
I liked this. Write more. *purrrrrr*~Lotm
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
I have been remiss and am so late replying to your lovely comments...forgive me. RL gets in the way sometimes. And thank you... x
Response from ladyofthemasque (Reviewer)
No worries, you'll get around to it when you get around to it. *purrrrpurrrrrpurrrr, attempts to trip you into your keyboard, purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*~Lotm
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
lol... mad woman! I am posting 'darkness within' presently, although the queue is taking some time.... ! and I do have a new story brewing... but it's a little complex, so it will be a while before it see's the light of day. Thanks for the encouragement!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
I have been remiss and am so late replying to your lovely comments...forgive me. RL gets in the way sometimes. And thank you... x
Response from ladyofthemasque (Reviewer)
No worries, you'll get around to it when you get around to it. *purrrrpurrrrrpurrrr, attempts to trip you into your keyboard, purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*~Lotm
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
lol... mad woman! I am posting 'darkness within' presently, although the queue is taking some time.... ! and I do have a new story brewing... but it's a little complex, so it will be a while before it see's the light of day. Thanks for the encouragement!
what a lovely ending! thank you so much for sharing you time, talent, and vision.
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Sorry for the late response! Thank you for your kind words.
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Sorry for the late response! Thank you for your kind words.
This was a really nice story. I especially loved this chapter; I think it was my favorite. Wonderful job and keep up the good work! ~Jen
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thank you so much - apologies for the late response (I have a load of reveiws that I didn't see!)
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thank you so much - apologies for the late response (I have a load of reveiws that I didn't see!)
My grandparents had that kind of relationship, even at the end of their lives. I think we all envied it, in spite of the smirks. Thank you for this lovely story and the nice memories of my own that it produced.
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thanks for the review... I love to see people who are passionate about each other, and I think my SS/HG always are!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thanks for the review... I love to see people who are passionate about each other, and I think my SS/HG always are!
Steamy!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
ha... thanks!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
ha... thanks!
I L.O.V.E. this story! A wonderful break from the heart-wrenching, trying-to-read-through-tears stuff. You got the characters spot on... well spot on according to what's in my head at least. And their kid marrying Harry's kid... in any other story it would have been terribly cheesy, but here, it's perfect!:D Keep up the excellent work
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thanks! It was just a little thing buzzing around my head and intended as a one shot... trouble is it ran away with me and even I wanted to know...what happens next? lol... thanks for reviewing.
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thanks! It was just a little thing buzzing around my head and intended as a one shot... trouble is it ran away with me and even I wanted to know...what happens next? lol... thanks for reviewing.
Aww, that was a sweet ending all the way around.
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
ahh thankyou! I am very glad you enjoyed it!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
ahh thankyou! I am very glad you enjoyed it!
Aww i love drunk Severus lol
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
mmmm...me too! makes me want to take him home and get him into bed. Just so he's safe, of course!!!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
mmmm...me too! makes me want to take him home and get him into bed. Just so he's safe, of course!!!
*sniffles* That was so beautiful! From Severus almost crying in front of his daughter (makes me think of my wedding and my own sniffling father) to the perfect end, in which you can just feel how much they love each other. This was a wonderful story, from start to finish. Do you have any plans for writing any more sshg?
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
ahhh thanks! I loved writing this you know. I do love a bit of warm and fuzzy. I have written quite a few ss/hg stuff and most of it is posted on aff.net because I dont have an active beta. However, I do intend to post more here. Thanks for asking :)
Response from kizzy7 (Reviewer)
Is aff.net fanfiction.net? Alas, I have yet to venture into ff.net. I mostly just read here and ash and owl. Maybe I'll go look, however...
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
ahhh thanks! I loved writing this you know. I do love a bit of warm and fuzzy. I have written quite a few ss/hg stuff and most of it is posted on aff.net because I dont have an active beta. However, I do intend to post more here. Thanks for asking :)
Response from kizzy7 (Reviewer)
Is aff.net fanfiction.net? Alas, I have yet to venture into ff.net. I mostly just read here and ash and owl. Maybe I'll go look, however...
This was very, very sweet. The perfect ending to this adorable little story.Thanks for sharing. /M
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thankyou for your kind review! I have been overwhelmed by the positive responses!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Thankyou for your kind review! I have been overwhelmed by the positive responses!
Great chapter. I thought it was really cute. Keep up the good work!~Jen
This story is a nice sweet balance to the other dark, melodramatic stories about our favorite pair (don't get me wrong I like melodrama too!) It is just so Disney sweet I want to sing ...and they lived happily ever after!! Yay.I love, love, love it!!!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Oh good grief... you'll be getting them singing that annoying song from High School Musical next!! I know it's fluffy but Disney?? arrrghhhhh..... *ponders whether to include a kidnap scene in next chapter*
Response from geomancer (Reviewer)
Sorry, it was wrong of me to compare to Disney, there was plenty of lovely sex that would never be found in that kind of story.Hey, though, wouldn't it fun if there was a High School Musical kind of challenge? You know, Magical European Boarding School Musical! Could be a fun thing!!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Don't apologise! Your review made me laugh out loud... but that challenge.... Harry and Ginny dueting beneath Hogwarts Tower... Severus and Hermione avoiding each other until they realise they're in love... It might have legs! lol
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Oh good grief... you'll be getting them singing that annoying song from High School Musical next!! I know it's fluffy but Disney?? arrrghhhhh..... *ponders whether to include a kidnap scene in next chapter*
Response from geomancer (Reviewer)
Sorry, it was wrong of me to compare to Disney, there was plenty of lovely sex that would never be found in that kind of story.Hey, though, wouldn't it fun if there was a High School Musical kind of challenge? You know, Magical European Boarding School Musical! Could be a fun thing!!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Don't apologise! Your review made me laugh out loud... but that challenge.... Harry and Ginny dueting beneath Hogwarts Tower... Severus and Hermione avoiding each other until they realise they're in love... It might have legs! lol
I like the pregnancy bit where she would go into his classroom for a cuddle. Can just see the glare!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Ha! I liked that bit too - I had to draw on my own experience of pregnancy, where sometimes the only thing that works is reassurance from your man!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Ha! I liked that bit too - I had to draw on my own experience of pregnancy, where sometimes the only thing that works is reassurance from your man!
so warm and touching. i'm curious where you're going from here, tho. thanks so much!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Aha! Next chapter, we are suddenly thrust into the present day. Thank goodness too, because writing in this tense has really made my brain ache! Thanks for the nice comment!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Aha! Next chapter, we are suddenly thrust into the present day. Thank goodness too, because writing in this tense has really made my brain ache! Thanks for the nice comment!
awww so sweet! I want to be hermione! lol x
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Mmmm yes... me too!!! I sometimes think Hermione is my Mary Sue!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Mmmm yes... me too!!! I sometimes think Hermione is my Mary Sue!
Oh, I simply love this story! You have such a wonderful, beautifully elegant way with words, neelix. I absolutely adore happy, fluffy stories, that just focus on severus and hermione, happy and together without some gruesome, unfortunate twist! And I always feel that there are not enough of these types of stories around. Happy, happy fluff!!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
oh wow! What a nice review! Thank you so much. I agree with you, Hermione and Severus deserve to be happy... why should some grumpy old hard done by ex-Death Eater come along and spoil it? Glad you're enjoying this - the last chapter will be up very soon!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
oh wow! What a nice review! Thank you so much. I agree with you, Hermione and Severus deserve to be happy... why should some grumpy old hard done by ex-Death Eater come along and spoil it? Glad you're enjoying this - the last chapter will be up very soon!
Oh, that was so sweet! I love happy endings and they are truly enjoying life.
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Ahh thanks for reviewing! One more chapter, hope the ending doesn't disappoint!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
Ahh thanks for reviewing! One more chapter, hope the ending doesn't disappoint!
This is the Fluffiest, sweetest, wonderfulist (is that a word) that I have ever read....thank you!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
You know, I don't think wonderfulist is a word, but in this case it should be! Thanks for the kind comments - one more chapter to go, hope you enjoy it!
Response from neelix (Author of The Scientist)
You know, I don't think wonderfulist is a word, but in this case it should be! Thanks for the kind comments - one more chapter to go, hope you enjoy it!