Chapter Twenty-one: Poetry and Roses

Disclaimer: They are not mine. I think I'd keep 'em locked up if they were. They get themselves into far too much trouble.

Chapter Twenty-One: Poetry and Roses

"Malfoy."

"Yes, Granger?"

If you don't remove your hands from me in the next two seconds, you will disappoint your father immensely."

"How so?"

"Because you will no longer have the ability to provide him with an heir to the Malfoy fortune."

"Granger, don't point your wand down there. It's not ladylike."

"Did anyone lead you to believe I was a lady? Now. Remove. Your. Hands!"

"All right. All right. So the answer is still no?"

"No. It's fuck off!"

"Now, that's definitely not ladylike. But I like a feisty woman. It turns me on."

"You Slytherins are all the same."

"Hey, what did you mean by that? Come back, Granger! I wasn't finished..."

***

Hermione

Bloody arrogant prat. Where does he get off thinking he can back me into the wall and start touching me?

Ew. Creep.

And why the sudden fascination with the Mudblood. Perhaps he's bored with his Pureblood toys. Worn them all out, probably.

No doubt he believes I should feel honoured to receive his attention. Wonder if anyone has ever turned him down before.

Probably not.

Creep.

***

"Where have you been, 'Mione?"

"At the library, studying. Where you two should have been."

"We'll do some studying tomorrow. But reading and taking notes doesn't usually make you that flushed. What happened?"

"Malfoy happened. He bailed me up in the corridor. The prat is still trying to persuade me to go to Hogsmeade with him next weekend."

"Bloody ferret. Want us to deal with him?"

"Oh. I think he'll back off for a while."

"What did you do, Hermione?"

"Nothing much, Harry. Just a teensy threat to his dangly bits."

"You didn't!"

"Oh, yes I did. And I meant it."

"I wish we could have seen his face."

"I'll remember next time to wait until you two happen along, shall I?"

"Er... s'okay, Hermione. I think we'll pass. Wouldn't want to get caught in the crossfire."

"Sensible boys. Now, about that Charms essay..."

***

Snape

Damn. Fuck. Bloody Malfoy.

How could she? After all she said to me.

Okay, Sev. Settle down. She wasn't looking that comfortable. Perhaps I should have stayed and broken up their little tete-a-tete.

Sure. And hang a sign on her back. Property of Snape. That'll go down well.

He has looks, money, and youth on his side. I know she told me she didn't care about my age or appearance, but how can I compete?

Sooner or later she'll see the light. Then she'll forget all her promises.

Then I'll be...

I'll be...

Nothing.

***

Hermione

Why does he look so bitter this morning? I thought he'd been better lately, despite the way he's been avoiding me.

Gods, he looks so depressed. Oh, Severus, what has happened?

I have to talk to him. Even if it means skipping Potions this afternoon. I know he's free after two o'clock. I'll just have to be outside his classroom door waiting, so he can't escape.

***

Snape

Great.

What's she doing here? Come to tell me she's taking up with Malfoy, no doubt.

Well, I don't want to hear it.

***

"Miss Granger. Ten points from Gryffindor."

"What for?"

"I believe you should be in Potions class at the moment. As you are obviously not where you are supposed to be, the reason for the points deduction should be obvious. Now, leave!"

"No."

"No? Another ten points!"

"You can deduct all the points you like, Severus. I'm not going until you tell me what has happened."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Look at you. You have dark circles under your eyes; your mood is foul; and you're slumping. It's not you. Something's wrong."

"And what business is it of yours, Miss Granger?"

"I made it my business when I fell in love with you. If you are hurting I want to know why, so I can try to help. Or at least hex someone on your behalf. Don't look so bewildered, Severus. That's what people do for those they care for. Even when that person is behaving like a thick-headed dolt."

"Please don't, Granger."

"Don't what?"

"Pretend you still care."

"Severus. I don't need to pretend. Why would you believe otherwise?"

"Just go. Please, Hermione."

"I'll go for now. But I won't give up on us. Only you can do that."

***

Snape

Can she mean it? Is there still hope, despite the blond prat?

What do I need to do to convince her I'm the right wizard for her?

What do I need to do to convince myself?

***

"Hermione, my love, your skin is so soft, your lips taste of honey, and your body enthrals me. See how hard I am for you. Touch me; surround me with your heat and your love. Come to me, my darling, and let's travel to the edge of the universe together..."

What?

Bloody hell. What time is it? Five o'clock in the morning? And why was I dreaming of Severus spouting that sort of drivel?

Oh, that's right. Shouldn't read those tacky Muggle romances just before bed. Especially when I'm as frustrated as hell. Should have pinched one of the boys 'special' magazines instead. Merlin knows everyone else in the castle will get their satisfaction today.

Severus had better not. Or I'll hex his balls off. No other witch is touching my wizard!

Fucking Valentine's Day. The only man I want is pretending I don't exist, and all I get is Draco bloody Malfoy hanging around like a bad smell. You'd think that arrogant prat would have learned by now that no, when said repeatedly, means bugger off and annoy someone who cares.

I suppose I'll have to go to Hogsmeade with Harry and Ron and the girls. I just wish they realised watching them all snog all day is really not that much fun for a girl on her own.

Perhaps I could sneak down to the dungeons and break into Severus's quarters. I might get lucky and catch him pleasuring himself again. I mean, wanking. I'm a man. We wank. We don't pleasure ourselves.

Whatever, Snape.

Gods, I can still see the expression on his face as he came that morning. It was like the first time I'd really seen him.

Severus Snape: raw, unguarded, human.

Real.

***

"Ahhhh. Yes! Oh, gods, yes! Yesyesyesyesyes... Yessss!"

Mmmm. Superb. Just thinking about her coming undone while I was buried deep inside her...

I can't do this any more.

I can't just stand by and allow Draco Malfoy to take my woman.

Dammit, I need to fight, and I'll use every weapon at my disposal.

Right. Shower, clothes, and a quick trip to Diagon Alley before breakfast.

***

"Hey, Hermione. Coming down to breakfast?"

"I'll be there in a minute, Gin. I just have to tie my hair back."

"It'll be crazy down there this morning with all the Valentine's cards and gifts arriving. I can't wait to see what Harry comes up with. Do you think Malfoy will be arrogant enough to send you anything after the way you told him off yesterday?"

"I hope not. You'd think he would have got the message the first three times. No, I don't think he's gorgeous. No, I'm not interested in his money, and no, I definitely don't want to get into his bloody trousers!"

"I hear you. Although I don't really understand why you won't give him a chance. He's improved a lot since the war ended. Is this about what happened New Year's Eve?"

"What?"

"When you were snogging Professor Snape. What on earth did he say the next day? I asked the boys, but they just muttered something about him returning early to Hogwarts to get organised for the new term. I'd never thought I would see the day when Snape allowed anyone to give him a New Year's kiss! I hadn't given it much thought before, but you are beginning to make me wonder..."

"Never mind that, Gin. That owl looks like it's headed your way, and it's carrying an awfully large box. Duck!"

"Merlin! I nearly lost some hair there! Now, let's see what it is. Ooh, Hermione, look! It's those expensive chocolates I like."

"I hope they're from Harry. You wouldn't want to have to return them."

"Of course they're from Harry. Look, see the card. Isn't he romantic?"

"Lovely. Pink hearts and red roses. Very sweet of him. Did you give him anything?"

"Oh, he'll get his Valentine's Day gift later. In private."

"Ginny! Whatever would your mother say?"

"I'm hoping my mother won't find out."

"My lips are sealed. Come on; let's go and get this over with. All those soppy cards and letters. Eww!"

"Hey, mine wasn't soppy!"

"Not yours, Ginny. That was at least tasteful."

"You might get something, you know, love. Somewhere out there might be a secret admirer arranging roses as we speak."

"Yes, sure. And Hagrid will be teaching classes about cute, cuddly creatures that don't bite, sting, or smell. Trust me, nothing is less likely."

"And yet there appears to be an owl heading this way right now."

"Not for me... Ow! No need to shove it in my face! Okay, okay, I get it!"

"Looks like it is for you. That's a beautiful rose. I've never seen one quite that shade before. It's such a pure red. Who's it from?"

"No idea. There's a note but no name."

"What does it say?"

"There are no words left to speak. Weird. It sounds familiar, but I can't place it."

"It doesn't make any sense. Who would send that?"

"I don't know, Gin. But you're right. It is a lovely rose."

"Hey, Ginny, Hermione. Happy Valentine's Day!"

"Hi, Ron. Happy Valentine's to you too. I see you have your usual swag of cards."

"I can't help it if the girls all adore me, 'Mione. I didn't see one from you, though."

"Keep looking. Maybe you'll stay out of trouble today if you do that."

"Very funny. I'm intending to have a very good day."

"With whom? Lavender? Parvati? Hannah?"

"You'll never know, 'Mione. And you'll never guess."

"Oh, Ron, you're hopeless! Ginny, how do you put up with him as a brother? Ginny?"

"Er, Hermione. I think this one's for you."

"What, another rose? It's the same as the last one."

"What does this note say?"

"Same sort of cryptic message. I thank God I'm alive."

"That's just odd."

"It still sounds like something I should know."

"Do you think someone is trying to tell you something?"

"Of course they are, Harry. I just don't know whether it's something I want to hear!"

"Okay, okay. Well, whatever it is, here comes another."

"Oh, for goodness sake!"

"They're still beautiful roses, Hermione. Even if the message is a little obscure. And there doesn't appear to be anything sinister about them. What does this one say?"

"There's nothing else to compare. Dammit. I've heard that somewhere before too. I wonder if it's a poem. But it doesn't make any sense. There are no words left to speak. I thank God I'm alive. There's nothing else to compare. If it's poetry, it's bloody awful."

"I can tell you one thing, 'Mione."

"What, Ron?"

"It's not Malfoy. Judging by the scowl on his face, he's feeling somewhat put out."

"Oh, dear. So he is. Well, at least whoever is doing this has been useful for something, even if he is completely crazy."

"Or she."

"Ginny!"

"Just saying. It could be a girl."

***

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