Chapter Eleven: Giving Into Temptation

Disclaimer: If they were mine I would keep them under lock and key. They can't be trusted to behave.

A/N: Chapter Ten was posted at the same time, so don't miss it out.

Chapter Eleven: Giving in to Temptation

"I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?"

"Manage to get those girls drooling over you and watching your every move. It never used to happen at Hogwarts. Well, not unless your Slytherins have dubious taste in men."

"That was not exactly complimentary, Granger. I take it you decline to participate in the drooling?"

"I don't drool, Snape. My main concern is checking out these files, and you keeping your dirty mind under control."

"I don't think I'm the only one around here whose mind strays, Granger. When in glass houses..."

...

"Gods, do you think it's living without magic that does it? I mean, you're still you. And I'm..."

"Still an annoying, know-it-all Gryffindor?"

"Something like that. And we do have to go back to Hogwarts and resume our usual roles."

"Head of Slytherin and Gryffindor Princess? Greasy git and Miss Squeaky Clean?"

"Don't be so flippant, Snape. I meant as professor and student. After all, we're really working here as colleagues despite posing as teacher and student. I don't know about you, but I'm going to miss baiting you. Oops, I meant talking with you. Really."

"I don't believe there is need for concern. Once I'm permitted to be myself, I'm sure you'll avoid me as you always have before, Granger."

"But is that really who you are, Severus? I'd always assumed most of the intolerance, unfairness, and general negativity was due to the stress of living as a double agent and a necessary cover to do so. Is the real you truly so bad?"

"You seemed to think so back at Grimmauld Place."

"Only because I was disappointed you'd not changed after the war. I've seen how different you can be here, and although you say it's all an act, I just can't reconcile this witty, personable, and even flirty man with your previous persona."

"I thought you missed the git?"

"I do at times. I miss his brilliant sarcasm and innate presence. I miss the stalking and the swishing. He was always so intense, even when he was avoiding us as much as possible. Perhaps that was why I was so disappointed. I suppose I just expected more."

"More what, exactly?"

"I don't know. Just... more."

"Don't sigh, girl. Despite your idealistic fantasies, I am, and always will be, Severus Snape. You might not have liked me as I was, and you might not like me as I will be, but that is not going to change the facts. Take me or leave me, as you see fit."

"Take you? I wish."

"Don't mutter under your breath, Granger. It's not ladylike. Time we stopped idle chatter and got to work. You take Morag's file, and I'll check Denise's. Look for anything that could possibly indicate a magical background."

"Yes, sir!"

"Good to see you can still obey orders sometimes, Hermione."

"Get fucked, Severus."

"Are you offering?"

"Snape!"

"Sorry. Couldn't resist."

...

"Look. Morag's father is not listed. Apparently, he left her mother before she was born. He could be a wizard."

"Or just a cad. We'll need more than that as evidence. Keep looking."

"Were you always this much of a git, or did you have to work on it?"

"Comes naturally."

"That's what I thought."

...

"Here's something. Denise was home schooled until she was thirteen and seems to have had a lot of accidents as a child. Uncontrolled magic, perhaps?"

"Or simply a clumsy child who lived somewhere remote. Look at her address."

"True. Now, Miss Wallace. What secrets do you have?"

"I'm finished with Morag's file. I couldn't find anything else. What have you found?"

"Do you have to read over my shoulder, Granger?"

"Oh, Seth, I just wanted to be close to you."

"You'll get more than you bargained for, if you keep pressing yourself against my back like that, woman."

"Promises, promises."

"Never mind promises, look at this. Katrina Wallace was born in Scotland to Andrew Wallace and Maria Nikolas. When she turned three, they moved to her mother's parents' home in Greece. She only returned here in January."

"What's so significant about January?"

"Kingsley said the magical activity here started in February this year."

"Just after Katrina arrived!"

"Precisely. There is no reason given for the family moving to Greece. And I vaguely recall an Andrew Wallace a few years behind me at Hogwarts. It's a common enough name, but..."

"They might have moved when she first manifested magic. And if she has a wand, it's likely to be from Greece and not registered here with the Ministry."

"Why would her parents send her to a Muggle School? And why then, when Voldemort was running rampant through the Ministry and had me installed at Hogwarts?"

"It doesn't make sense to us, but I remember reading an article in the Daily Prophet around Christmas, which mentioned Greek wizards were under close scrutiny due to unheralded numbers of sightings by Muggles around that time. Perhaps they had to get her out of the country for some reason and chose Scotland because of her heritage. They could hardly send her to Hogwarts, with the situation there, so hiding her in a Muggle school was probably the next best option. As long as she didn't perform any magic, she was as good as invisible."

"Except she has, and we are no closer to finding out why. I'd wager my best bottle of Ogden's there is someone else involved."

"How can you know that? She might just be a bratty fifteen-year-old who won't stop using her wand?"

"Is that like certain teenagers who wouldn't stop using Invisibility Cloaks and magical maps to get into trouble?"

"We were not bratty!"

"Indeed you were. You three caused more trouble than the rest of your year combined."

"I don't suppose Draco Malfoy letting in a bunch of Death Eaters counts then? But then again, he was one of your Slytherins!"

"And you know damned well I had to pander to that boy or risk blowing my cover."

"That boy would have done better with a swift kick where it hurts, Snape. Maybe then he wouldn't have put you in the position of having to kill Albus Dumbledore!"

...

"Snape? Are you all right? I'm sorry; I shouldn't have brought that up. It was unkind and uncalled for."

...

"Snape. Severus. Come on. I didn't mean to upset you. Please... you're scaring me. Don't just sit there staring! Severus!"

"I didn't want to kill the old bastard, you know, Hermione. He made me do it. I didn't ... want... to..."

"Hush. It's all right. Everyone knows you were under an Unbreakable Vow. Come here."

***

Hermione

Oh, Merlin, what have I done? I've never seen Snape like this before. He's so still and quiet, and I'm sure he looks suspiciously close to tears. Way to go, Granger. Re-open old wounds just as they are healing.

He looks so distressed. Dammit. I'll just give him a hug. Even Snape needs hugs at times.

There, there, that feels better, doesn't it?

He smells so masculine. Warm and strong.

I like hugging Snape. I think he likes it too. His eyes have lost that despairing look.

Uh oh.

I think he's going to...

...

Mmmmm. I know I shouldn't have. It was probably taking advantage of him when he was most vulnerable.

But he kisses like a dream. Lips so warm and firm, tongue so sweet.

Oh, my. His hands are stroking my bottom. Feels good. Don't hold me too close, Snape, or I might find something interesting down there.

Oh, yes.

Definitely interesting.

Bugger! Why did he stop?

***

Snape

So soft.

Can't stop kissing her. Touching her.

Drowning the memories in her sweet embrace.

Don't ever let me go.

...

Dammit, this can't happen.

Must.

Stop.

Now.

***

"No, we can't."

"Why not? Don't you want to?"

"Yes. No. I... Merlin, woman, of course I do. You felt that much."

"Then why not? We've been dancing around it for weeks now."

"You know it's inappropriate in so many ways, Hermione."

"Why? Because you're my teacher? You haven't really been my teacher for well over a year, Severus. The roles we're playing now are simply that. Roles. Cover stories. You're twice my age? So. I don't care. Chronological age and maturity do not necessarily go hand in hand, as well you know."

"But I will be your teacher again once we have finished here. And age may not matter to you, but it will matter to your friends and family. They will simply see me as the old pervert I am for even considering you in this light."

"Perhaps I like old perverts, Snape. Sure as hell beats young, fumble-fingered oafs. And guess what? I'm not going to be in your class, so you won't be teaching me."

"You are dropping Defence Against the Dark Arts?"

"Oh come on, Snape. We fought Death Eaters at the end of fifth year. We spent all last year searching for and destroying Horcruxes. We infiltrated Gringotts using Polyjuice and Unforgiveables. I was tortured by Bellatrix at Malfoy Manor, and later we fought Death Eaters again in the final battle. Harry, Ron, and I have already been granted honorary Defence N.E.W.T.s. Didn't you know?"

...

"Severus?"

"You were tortured? By Bella?"

"Yes. I'd rather not discuss it. It's not exactly a pleasant memory. I assumed you knew."

"My task was to keep Hogwarts' students under control. I was not informed of everything that went on outside the school."

"Well, that's beside the point. It's old history now. Don't change the subject."

"I was not changing the subject. I was just... just... I don't know. Shocked. Angry. Guilty."

"Don't be daft, Snape. It wasn't your fault. How could you have prevented it?"

"Still. I was part of the same group. How can you...?"

"Want you? Like you? L..."

"NO! Don't say it! Just don't. Don't give me false hope. I can't do it again."

"But, Severus..."

"No. Go. Please."

"But..."

"Go. Now."

***

Snape

Oh, gods, what have I done?

It was bad enough when she was aware I wanted her. Lust, pure and simple. Easily explained by circumstance and easily suppressed once the situation returns to normal. Nothing a few suggestive remarks wouldn't defuse.

What the fuck possessed me to kiss her?

Now, she must know it all.

Now, she must know I love her.

I love her.

I love Hermione Granger. And she as good as admitted she felt the same.

We're bloody screwed.

***

Hermione

Damned foolish, noble, self-doubting man! Why can't he believe someone would want him, even care for him? How can I just carry on as though he didn't kiss me like he really meant it?

Don't give me false hope.

Does that mean what I think it does?

Oh, Severus. I don't think I knew how I felt about you until I saw that look of despair in your eyes when I mentioned Dumbledore. I just wanted to hold you in my arms until the pain went away.

I enjoy spending time with him. I adore his wit, even when he's being totally obnoxious. I even enjoy arguing with him. And kissing him was divine. I want him so much I can't think straight.

Gods, I love him. Bloody Severus Snape.

How in the seven hells did that happen?

How am I going to pretend it didn't?

***

"So... How was private study with Seth, Harmony? Did you get to know him better?"

"Oh, yes, Amelia. He's such an amazing kisser and has hands that light fires all over my body."

"No need to be sarcastic. I was just asking."

"Sorry, perhaps you should tell me how your shopping expedition went. Lee, did you manage to find me some of that chilli chocolate?"

"No. I looked in both shops, but they hadn't heard of it. Where did you say you have bought it before?"

"Back in Hogs... er, I mean Hoggs Superstore. It's in London, near my grandmother's house."

"Never mind. Perhaps you can ask her to send you some?"

"Yeah. That's a good idea. I'll get her to send enough for all of us."

"Eww. Chilli chocolate. No thanks."

"Where's your sense of adventure, Cathy?"

"Back at the shop with the plain milk chocolate."

***

A/N: This was written for the Severus Big Bang Birthday Bash on LiveJournal. Many thanks to karelia for the beta.