Chapter Nine: The dawn of a new day
What Is This Thing Called Love?
Chapter 9 of 26
kittyperryHermione agrees to a relationship.
Reviewed(i) Thank you everyone for the kind reviews. I'm really pleased to hear your opinion of the story. Please do continue to let me know what you think.
(ii) The characters and world of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this, just endless enjoyment.
(iii) And last but by no means least, a big thank you to my lovely, amazing beta, Queen_of_Stars, who kindly stepped in to fill the shoes vacated by Chelsea. I do appreciate you taking me and my project on.
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Hermione woke up early the next morning. She was eager to speak with Severus and let him know of her decision to enter into a relationship with him. However, she did realise the need to give his considerations their due place. She thought about what a relationship would mean to her reputation and decided, I don't care what the rest of the world thinks. They've never been there when I needed them the most. Minerva will support me. If that was the case, then what everyone else thought was immaterial. After all, the rest of the world didn't seem to care that she was homeless and alone. No one else had offered her sanctuary when Harry and Ron changed due to the taint of Dark Magic. She knew her parents would not object; they had always been liberal and fair minded. If she and Severus were truly committed to a relationship, then her parents would not stand in her way.
Hermione wished more than anything though that she could speak to her mother. Jean Granger had always been a warm, understanding woman, and Hermione missed her dreadfully. But, Hermione knew that she was not up to the task of retrieving them from Australia at the present time. She had done the Memory Charm in desperation, but giving them back their memories... that was another thing altogether. They would need time to adjust, to come to terms with what she had done. Moreover, she knew that the likelihood of them turning against her...of not wanting to have anything more to do with her...was a distinct possibility. The short summer months when Hermione's emotions were in such turmoil had not been the right moment to go traipsing off to Australia. But now, now that she was more settled and aware of what was going on, Hermione longed to be able to retrieve her parents.
Realistically, though, Hermione knew that she would have to wait until Yule break at the very least. Besides, she was quite aware that she was not ready to carry out the task on her own. She had, at one point, envisioned going to Australia with Ron and Harry; however, that dream was now over. But Severus, well, if their relationship progressed, he would be the ideal person to go with her. He was strong magically, much stronger than Harry and Ron combined. Besides, he knew more about the magic she had used and the ways of countering it than almost anyone else in the country. His expert skills in Legilimency would not go amiss either.
Emboldened by her positive thoughts and decisions, Hermione dressed carefully for breakfast. She wore her favourite moss-green robe with its wrap-over style neckline and delicate gold braiding. She tied her hair back in a neat French twist, applied a lick of mascara and a coat of lip gloss. Feeling confident and ready, she made her way down to breakfast with a spring in her step.
Over her eggs and toast, Hermione tried very hard to catch Severus' eye. But no matter how she tried to lean forward and look to her right, she could not garner his attention.
Minerva, however, did see Hermione's attempts to catch Severus' attention. Hope blossomed in the older woman's heart as she watched Severus' blatant efforts to not notice the young woman. Something was decidedly up, and Minerva hoped against hope that Hermione had managed to breach Severus' tightly built wards.
Hermione was growing impatient though. Perhaps he did not see her; perhaps he was deliberately avoiding seeing her rejection, but whatever it was, Hermione was unable to convey that she was still keen to get to know him further. In frustration, Hermione followed him out as he was leaving the Great Hall and ran after him as he was attempting to disappear in a swirl of robes into his office. She was determined to speak to him before the day's flurry of classes began. She did not want to have to deal with Professor Slughorn or the rest of her work-load with the spectre of a disappointed and resigned Severus looming over her. For Hermione had begun to suspect that Severus thought she would reject him. "Wait, Severus, please wait," she called, not minding the curious students who watched their exchange.
He slowed down and turned a corner until he was in a deserted corridor. He looked decidedly uncomfortable, as if he was dreading what she had to say.
"Last night," began Hermione, before carefully looking both ways to make certain they were alone and not overheard, "was not a mistake." Checking the passage once more, she leaned up on her toes and brushed his lips with a kiss. Speaking against his lips, she whispered, "I've thought about it; I thought about it all night, and I would like to see where this goes, to get to know you better."
Just as her tentative kiss last night had acted as a catalyst to his passion, so did her simple display of affection release the flood-gates of his desire this morning. Severus had been sure that Hermione was trying to speak to him to tell him she was sorry. It would be just like her Gryffindor mentality to want to apologise as soon as she could, or so he had thought. Her agreement to enter into a relationship with him made him feel uncharacteristically hopeful. Perhaps things are finally working out right, thought Severus with a smirk as he slid his arms possessively around her body before pulling her into a hidden recess in the wall to kiss her with unrestrained passion.
Hermione was once more pulled headlong into an avalanche of feeling. His kiss was forceful, dominating and all-powerful. When he spun around to push her up against the wall and grind his obvious erection into her, she threw caution to the wind and wrapped her leg around his thigh, grinding her own rising heat against him.
Heated kisses turned into heated caresses as Hermione rubbed herself against him.
Severus' hands slid to her bottom to fondle her arse and lift her even closer to his pulsing need.
"Oh, sweet Circe," groaned Severus, kissing her exposed throat before biting down on the juncture between her neck and her shoulder. "You unman me, woman. This is neither the time nor the place."
Hermione smirked with satisfaction against his forehead as he licked her exposed throat. She had only meant to tell him she was interested in pursuing a relationship, and knowing how skittish Severus was, she had deemed that action definitely spoke louder than words. The subsequent heated tryst had been an unexpected bonus.
"Mm...," murmured Hermione as Severus kissed her possessively once more. "I didn't mean to start anything." However, she couldn't stop herself from sliding her hands into his silky strands of hair and raking her nails against his scalp.
Severus groaned as the pleasure pain of her gestures increased his level of arousal. "Wench," he moaned heatedly.
Hermione giggled delightedly. She was giddy with the thought that she could affect a man as taciturn and reserved as Severus to such an obvious display of affection. Kissing him gently, she slid her hands down to his shoulders before coming round to hold on to the front of his robes. "I'll see you later this morning. We've got a DADA lesson before lunch."
Severus nodded. With a final heated glance, he straightened his robes, brushed back his hair and carried on down the corridor.
Hermione stood staring after him with a silly grin on her face. She could not describe the joy that bloomed in her heart. She felt strong, invincible. Then, as if realising the time, she gathered herself together and made her way down to the Potions classroom for a double period of Slytherin and Gryffindor seventh-years.
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A.N. Love it or hate it, please to let me know what you think.
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Latest 25 Reviews for What Is This Thing Called Love?
261 Reviews | 6.91/10 Average
Loved it :)
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Thank you. I'm so pleased you did.
Another great story. Thanks for the wonderful read.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and leave a review. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. xxx
Great story! I just have one question. Did Ginny, Molly and Ron ever truly find peace? I loved how everyone came together at the end. It was a really nice touch. Thank you for sharing your talent with the rest of us!
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I love hearing from someone who has read and enjoyed my story. As for Ron, Ginny and Molly finding peace, I think they will, but it will take time and it won't be easy. They really need to face their own weaknesses and they don't want to. But I think eventually they will.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I love hearing from someone who has read and enjoyed my story. As for Ron, Ginny and Molly finding peace, I think they will, but it will take time and it won't be easy. They really need to face their own weaknesses and they don't want to. But I think eventually they will.
This was such an absolutely amazing story. It has become one of my most favorite tales of the love between Severus and Hermione. Thank you for writing such a wonderful story.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
You are very welcome. I am so pleased to hear from you and to know that you enjoyed the story. I had a marvellous time writing it.Can I ask you what you found special about the story?
That's right! Stop being snobs you Gyriffindore! Stop the bigotry you Slytherin! Now lets all sing some 
Bob Marley tunes
, smoke the peace pipe
then knock down the fences. Just don't lick the toads
or eat any shrooms until you're home with friends who can help you know what's real and what isn't. 
Any of you uncomfortable with that come over here and have a nice cup of tea and eat some magic cake.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Ha, ha, ha. You are so funny. You and I need to become friends and tear other fanfiction to shreads :) Seriously :) Look me up on facebook if you are on it. I'm the only Tasneem Perry there is in the whole world :)
Response from breastlady (Reviewer)
I would love to be friends! But I'm not on Facebook.I can't figure out how people have time for Facebook! 
I can hardly get all my email read. Second, I don't trust myself not to say something that goes viral and that I'll be sorry for later.
I'm rather out spoken and silly sometimes. I've heard that people have lost their jobs or not been hired for having incredibly stupid moments on Facebook and twitter. I could easily end up being that person.
I've been in the same profession, in the same town for 20 years and too many people here know my name! 
I work for a huge health care organization. I could just see one of our pediatricians or a patient looking me up and finding out what I'm really like when I'm not at work. About 10 years ago I remember a job evalution where my supervisor said, "I gave you exceeds expectations on almost everything, but there's one problem....I never know what you're going to say!"
She doesn't think I'm very funny. I'm much better now, as long as I have my white coat on. I try very hard to be good. 
But when the white coat comes off....there's no telling what I'd say. Feel free to contact me from my profile and I'll give you my personal contact info!
I'm really glad Snape wasn't there. He has to act right all the time because he's the Headmaster and my be politic. Hermione couldn't have hexed Ronald. I think Snape would have stopped her. The Headmaster of Hogwarts can't go around hexing people just because they piss you off. I'm glad Percy has come to his senses. I don't think Severus is going to be very happy with the situation. I hope the party at the Malfoy's goes better.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Thank you for another review. I am loving these little conversations we are having. Yes, Severus couldn't have done anything overt to Ron, but don't let that stop you from thinking that he could have done something that no one would have noticed.But yes, it was good for Hermione to handle it on her own. She needs to show the world that she can defend herself, that she is not just Severus' woman, or Harry's side-kick or whatever.
I'm happy for Harry and Hermione. Thanks for making him sweet again.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
I love Harry, and I would never have left him to suffer and be mired forever in Darkness. But, I did want to explore what could send someone as good as him, as pure as him into the pit of Darkness. Not all bad people are born bad, things happen to bring out their inner darkness.
How many Slytherin were driven to Voldemort by Dumbledore's out right dimissal of them as someone of value?
It's a wonder he wanted to save Draco. He had done nothing to save Severus. I wonder why Draco was different than the other Death Eater's children?
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Excellent point. I think Dumbledore was coming to realise that the Malfoys were critical to the balance of the war. He must have finally realised that if he was sending Severus off to die, that he needed another tool to use. I dislike and mistrust Dumbledore, so I am giving him the most draconian and cynical of reasons.
The little speech Snape made about Hermione surely knowing Severus chuckled. ‘Silly woman,’ he said, stroking her horrid hair. ‘I’m sure she knew that I would make sure that what she gave you was safe and proper for you to use.’As Hermione prepared to tell him off, he gentled her by placing his hand across her mouth. ‘I don’t mean to suggest that I don’t trust you or her, my dear, but I’m a naturally possessive and cautious man. Surely, you must have suspected that Gunananda would have shared with his wife his knowledge of me and my methods. Thus, surely you must have known that they would have expected me to fully peruse everything that you were given in Sri Lanka.’ reminds me of The Princess Bride
I love that movie!
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Not really got into Princess Bride and don't think I really paid attention to the dialogue. I shall have to watch it again this weekend or something.But yes, it is foolish to imagine that Severus doesn't go through all her things and knows all she does. I mean, that's why she had the mail for the surprise birthday party go through Minerva, because she would imagine that he does scrutinise her correspondence. He is that kind of man and only someone like her who is strong enough and tough enough can handle him.
Good animagis choices! To register or not to register, that is the question.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Ha, ha, ha. Thank you. Choosing the owl for Hermione was not hard. It was linked to her bookworm and wise woman image. Severus was much harder, something magestic, but not lion-like :P
I think this is my first Longbottom's get healed story. Will the healers at St. Mungo's realize that they don't have the same magical strength required like Hermione and Severus? Maybe since it seem the Longbottom's were the worse case, the others won't require such strong magial power. I don't get Harry's lingering problem with Snape?
He knows Snape had no choice in killing Dumbledore. What happened to "the bravest man I ever knew"?
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
I think the healers and Severus too will document this, but you're right, the Longbottoms' were the worst case, the other will still benefit from the research being done. And now that Severus and Hermione know what needs to be done, they can find other ways for Healers working together to raise, and combine their magic, if not for long, then for at least small bursts of energy flow. I think Harry intellectually knows that Severus is the bravest person he ever knew, but it's easy to revere someone who is dead, it is much harder to deal with a living hero, one who loved your mother and hated your father and your god-father, both who you love.
What's keeping them from getting married? 
And what happened to Rita Skeeter? 
I guess great minds think alike when it comes to my questions in earlier chapters about Arthur Weasely. I am very glad Harry wasn't involved. He had already had to learn how to deal with Voldemort inside him so his darkness probably isn't as out of control. And he's always been a good boy.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Yes. Harry's always a good lad and he always tries to do the right thing.As for getting married, I think Severus doesn't want to rush Hermione. I think there's a part of him that's still worried that she is too young to know her mind.
Wow!! 
Ginny: "You bitch slap that little whore!" Ron: "Yeh, that's right! What? She thinks she's too good for this cock?" Jerry: Miss Granger declined our invitaiton to this sorted low class show. Ginny:"Who you callin low class, you wanker! She gets up and starts pulling Jerry Spriner's hair and is tackled by two large men who drag her off stage as the camera's follow them and she yells obscenities...Ron jumps up yelling "You take your hands of my sister, you buggering ass hole!" and runs at the large men. He is then tackled by two more large men and some big bald guy is yelling in his face only a haf inch from his nose, "You gonna calm down, or do we take you to muggle bootcamp you sleeze!" Jerry:"Well, that's all for our show today. Join us tomorrow as Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasely have their wands taken from them for a day and they experience Muggle Boot Camp!"
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Never watched Jerry Springer, but yes, perfect narration of what could happen.
Response from breastlady (Reviewer)
You're not missing a thing! 
It is total crap with low class people who, interestingly, always end up in a physical altercation with hair pulling and name calling. I'm sure it's not rigged or anything.
It's like, "Tina has a secret for her husband today. Let's call Dan out here. Alright Tina, tell Dan your secret." "Well Dan, I've been sleeping with your dad for two years and your son is really your half brother." Then Dan's mom and ex wife of Dan's dad, who happens to be married to Tina's dad, comes out and tells Tina what a little whore she is, then Tina runs over and starts pulling her out of the chair by her hair, until they are separated by the bald bouncers and the audience is screaming like it's the best thing they've ever seen.
The show is partially responsible for the destruction of our society here! The kids watch this crap every afternoon for years when they get home from school and their parents are at work. Then the kids turn into teenagers and young adults who think these trashy, vulgar, toothless, drug addicts, who sleep with 13 year olds and are covered in badly done tattoos are normal people. Jerry Springer is just the worst one of these kinds of popular afternoon television shows. 
He actually used to be a United States Senator.
Just kill me now!
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Ah, the beauty of American politics and your system of goverment. Here you need to go to public school [that's private school], have a spotless reputation [if at all possible] and be a toff or a toff wanna be to get into parliment. Seriously though, I do agree. I think trash has been given too much of a public/media viewing and so people think this is the way to act/behave. Before, we would hide in shame, now we lap it up and then complain that children have no moral compass. Duh. This is why we don't have a TV and don't watch TV. I've not seen any TV since 2000. That's 11 whole years of listening to BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and reading. My evenings are so much more interesting. I have time to paint, to actually do arts and crafts with the radio on for news, music and entertainment.
Totally dig the incantation and magically induced orgasm. I want what she's having, thank you very much! It seems strange that the Malfoys are being more civil than the Weasely's. I suppose that the Malfoys are used to the good manners and graceful behavior expected with their status and the Weasely's have always been ruled by their emotions. I'm sure if the Malfoys were bitter that Severus was with a Muggle born they would have found a way to show their displeasure. They wouldn't stoop to something as vulgar as a howler in front of the entire school, though. I'm sure you'll clear this problem up by the end though.
Weasely's
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
You're spot on. The Malfoys I think realise that they have managed to survive the war by the skin of their teeth. They need to be on the good side of Severus as a war hero and now Headmaster. If he took up with a troll, they would accept the troll. They can't be seen to be biased now. The political climate it so volatile. The Weasleys on the other hand have had their first exposure to Dark Magic. They have no control over their emotions, they have no fall back option of knowing how to conduct themselves in society. So it's like many things influencing both parties and their behaviours.
For once I don't have to say "poor Severus" 
Sounds like you are very familiar with Sri Lanka. Personally, not a spicy food person but it sounded wonderful.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
I was born and spent the first 25 years of my life there :) So yes, adore Sri Lanka food. The thing with Sri Lankan spice though is that while it's hot, it's not just hot, there's a proper blend of spicy with creamy coconut, and sweet sour [i.e. the mango] so that when you mix it up on your plate the flavours evolve and become something much more than the individual dishes.
I don't think their New Years celebration was pitiful at all. I think it was wonderful! I did think how creepy it would feel to be the only 3 people in the entire castle, besides house elves and ghosts. I understand Ron being an ASS, but I don't understand Molly. She'd surely seen the pictures in the Prophet! She wouldn't condone Ron's womanizing. Her darkness could be directed at he an Ginny just as well as Hermione. Maybe it already is. I would think Mr. Weasely would at leat listen to Bill and support the family admitting this could possibly be true. Molly has always been hot tempered, but Mr. Weasely has always been measured. I would imagine that the kind of darkness he would experience would be directed at himself. I could see him being beset by guilt for not protecting his family from these consequences of using dark magic. Others surviving Order Members must be suffering too.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Yes, I think the problem is that Arthur is suffering from guilt and doesn't want to admit that even more is wrong. How can he forgive himself for losing Fred, when he himself survived. I guess the whole family is in need of actually doing something about their darkness, just as many in the order are. I think with Arthur it is a case of buring his head in the sand, hoping things will go away.
I'm so happy for Severus and Hermione. I hope this wonderful chapter doesn't forshadow the obligitory "now they have to have something bad happen" thing. Have they been taking precautions regarding birth control? How does Severus know that that ring may not do all of those things at the same time? It's too soon for a baby. They ruin all the fun. I also don't want anyone to think that Hermione is only marrying Severus because she has to.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
No worries, don't you think that as a Potions' Master he's not on some kind of birth control. I mean, he's likely to have taken something for long-term protection if he was being forced to rape during the Voldemort war years. He was a product of parents being forced to marry, he is the last person to take any kind of risk.
Hermione's parents surprised me with the amount of virtol and anger they had. I am so glad Severus went back to tell them what he really thought about
them. It was such a knee jerk reaction they had. I understand some upsetness regarding not asking them but don't they remember how much they used to love her? Needless to say, she's so better off with Severus and he wouldn't have to share her affection with anyone else.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Yes, I do agree. I was just listening to a radio programme on BBC 4 this morning about parents who told their daughter she was dead to them because she refused to marry the man they wanted her to marry. This kind of thing is so common. It is as though parents forget how much they love their children, they only think about what they want, what their standing is in the community, when really, the community probably doesn't give a damn, and if it does, then it is just the small-minded, petty parts of it that do care.
Well you answered my worry about rules. Ginny is sure being a little bitch! It would be so tempting to get her off by herself and tell her what a I thought about her and that she'll be sorry someday. I'd be hard pressed not to pass her in the hall and say, "Hi Belatrix, I mean Ginney." I'm so glad I'm such a mature old hag. After I actually thought about it I probably realize it would just lower me to her level. I think Bill should be notified that Ginny is having side effects from her use of dark magic. It is his sister after all. Maybe he could work with her. Severus isn't embarrassed that she publicly admits her feeling for him. So now we just have to deal with his misplaced idea that she will change her mind. I'd tell Ronnald and Harry to fuck off! 
quietly though. Don't want to end up in the papers. There must be a fuck off hex. They could mysteriously break out with pus boils on their foreheads that spell out ASS HOLE! Can just you imagine road rage in the wizarding world?
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Ha, ha, ha. I enjoyed your review. Yes, I think reacting to Ginny would only make her feel validated, and you don't want to give her that kind of satisfaction. I think Bill knows his sister is in a mire of Darkness, but he can't really do anything at the moment because Arthur is still trying to deal with the changes to Molly. Besides, the whole family needs to work on this together.
They had better be careful if they want to keep this under wraps until she is not taking any of his classes. I don't care what anyone else thinks about her, she doesn't care what anyone else thinks about her, but we can't have the school board imagining a scandle, now can we? Breath.. Take some deep breaths... and wait until you are in his chambers before you shag like the animals, kids.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
Oh, totally. They just can't afford a scandal, or even a whiff of a scandal really. They've bought worked too hard to let their reputations suffer because they lost control in a public spot.
It's about time! I'm glad their first time wasn't with Severus in his cups. He would have believed he had practiclly raped her once he was himself. If Hermione had been an old broad like me, she would have ask him if he had any sobering up potion around, then see if he still wanted to bed her. But this gives us more plot to continue the story with, more time to draw out the sedution. 
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
You'll hate me drawing out the seduction soon :) But Hermione isn't as bold, and I don't think I thought of her asking for some sober-up.
They are spending a great deal of time together. Does she wonder why he is being so nice to her? Also, I have always tried to imagine that Severus had found a way to avoid straight out forceful rape. How does one do that if they find it extreamly distasteful. Wouldn't it be difficult to perform? It is a wonder he did not lose himself during his time as a spy and truely become a Dark Wizard. What kept him wanting to be one of the good guys? What prevented him from giving in to the lure fo dark magic if he had turned off empathy, pity or desire to be good? What kept him from rationalizing he wasn't actually becoming a dark wizard and that he could control it.?
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
I think the thing that saved him was that he could never forget how much it pained him to see Lily's rejection. However much I dislike Lily Potter, she was the one thing that he clung to. He may have totally reinvented her, but she was useful, because he knew that she would never ever tolerate him being a Dark Wizard. Also, I think he was just too intelligent to lose himself to the Darkness completely. He could see what it did to people like Riddle and Bella, and he was stronger mentally. As for being able to rape people even when he didn't want to, I can't believe that he didn't have a lust potion or a viagra type pill of his own to help him perform.
Finally!
I really wouldn't think ice on ones clitoris would be condusive to orgasm in that it would act as a vaso contstrictor rather than increasing blood flow to the area. I would think one would have to remove the ice after the woman was aroused, to finish the deed. But she had been pretty desparate. Maybe anything that touched her would have cause an orgasm.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
I think at this point, any attention from Severus would have made her come. He's been so restrained for so long. And he does like the power games he plays.
I wouldn't really think of the 7th years as her peers except for the the few who had come back to finish their NEWTS. The other children would have all been year behind her and she has a naturally bossiness to her, that I'm sure she had admonished those kids during her time as Head Girl. Anyway, if she choses to be part of the staff, she will eventually need to realize it is not relevant whether students "like her". She's no longer a peer of any of them, not even the returning adults. She is in a position of authority. It has advantages but it also means saying good bye to making friends at school. The staff are her friends, now. Severus must truely be lonely not to fight this more. How long can he hold out before he desires to truely seduce her. Not long, I hope.
Response from kittyperry (Author of What Is This Thing Called Love?)
You're right, of course, and I think Hermione is coming to realise this. But it is a change, and she's seen so much change that giving up everything else she knew to be true is much hardner now. But she will get there. Severus is playing a waiting game, the seduction will take place at a slow pace :)