Six

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, I make no money here.

AN: Many thanks to my beta, Alley B, for all her help.

“Yes, he told me.”

“He already told you that we set you up?”

“We’ve been friends a long time. We know each other very well. In fact, when I came in and he was treating you roughly, I thought he was using an old con we used to play on witches. Like a Muggle “good cop, bad cop” routine. One would be the brutish, Dark wizard, and the other would sweep in, just in time to save the witch, usually making her grateful enough to fall into her savior's arms in gratitude.”

She smacked his arm.“You were playing me?”

“Well,” he chuckled. “We didn't plan it, but it seemed like the right idea at the time.”

“You fiends! How could you?”

Severus grimaced. “Sorry.”

She traced runes on the back of his hand and asked, “So, why did you come here, really?”

“Isn't it obvious, you insufferable little witch? I'm here to court you.”

“You want to court me?” Hermione asked, wide eyed and disbelieving.

“I showed up on your porch with flowers and chocolate, didn't I? I refused to bring smut, though.”

“Smut?”

“Lovegood said these were your favorites as well as Muggle romance novels, 'smut' she said.”

She chuckled, picturing Severus standing in the Muggle version of Flourish and Blotts, perusing the erotic-romance section. Snuggling closer, she whispered suggestively, “We could always create our own original smut.”

“That does sound like a good plan, my insufferable little know-it-all,” he purred. “Perhaps you could read aloud some of your favorite passages.”

“I'd rather you read; you have such a sexy voice. I used to sit in my classes and reminisce about your lectures. I'd soak my knickers just thinking about your voice,” she sighed.

“Too much information, I think.” He shuddered at images of over-sexed, horny, teen-aged students.

She looked up at him wide eyed. “Oh gods, I never thought about any of those things when I was actually in your classes.”

“Never?” Now he sounded almost hurt.

“Oh, no. I was a late bloomer, you see, way too wrapped up in studies and NEWTs the year I returned to Hogwarts. Sex was the very last thing on my mind. And I never would have thought of a teacher in that context. But later at university, BAM!”

“BAM?”

“I discovered boys, and not just as friends. Sex, lust, passion—all very heady stuff for the ultimate straight-laced little swot.”

“I'm glad to know that you didn't lust after me back then. That's never been a fantasy of mine; the idea of being with young girls is not a turn on for me.”

“But I'm not a young girl anymore, Severus. And I've noticed an very unusual trend in all of my partners over the last six years or so.”

“What might that be, my dear?” he asked while sensuously stroking one finger up and down her arm.

“Somehow it seems every single one of my beaus bore a remarkable resemblance to a certain sexy Potions master from my past.”

TBC