Twenty-Two

They had fallen asleep soon afterwards and had hardly stirred during the night, although awoke closely entwined the next day. Hermione glanced over and immediately noticed the ink tattooing his body from the night before. She exhaled a laugh against his chest, suddenly ashamed of her actions.

"What?" drawled Severus, not even opening his eyes.

"Nothing. It's just ... I think you're ready for publication." She snickered again.

He caught her in his arms and rolled her over, gazing down in longing. "In future, Miss Granger, I shall expect all your essays to be produced with similar flair." And inclining his head, he kissed her long and deep.

When they at last broke apart, the familiar languid drawl sounded. "Now, I cannot possibly be expected to go about my day with adornments such as these. Please remove them from my person forthwith."

Hermione grinned and glanced along his body one more time before reaching for her wand, ready to remove the writing with one easy spell. But before she could say a word, he had grabbed her wrist and twisted it out of her grip. "Oh no. You do not get away with it as easily as that."

Severus sat up smoothly but firmly, quickly getting out of bed and pulling her with him. He went into the bathroom, where he turned on the taps on the bath. The room was soon filled hot, dense steam.

It was a large, free-standing roll-top bath, and after the water had filled half of it, Severus stepped in, pulling his lover after him. They did not sit, instead stood, letting the steam rise around them. Then, not taking her eyes from his, Hermione reached over and took hold of a sponge and some bath wash. Squeezing some of the perfumed lotion onto the sponge, she bent to dip it in the water, then straightened herself again.

With a lazy smile, Hermione gripped the sponge so the soap turned to a froth, and brought it slowly to his shoulder. She squeezed, and a thick foam of perfumed soap ran languorously down his chest, trickling into the centre, where it continued its idle progress down to the dark triangle below his belly button. Hermione started to rub the sponge in slow circles over his torso. She had to be firm to remove the ink, but it did eventually start to disappear. Still, neither of them would have minded if it took all day.

Hermione gazed at his body as the bubbling lather coated the pale, scarred flesh, as if soothing and caressing it. The steam continued to swirl around them, and as she stroked the sponge ever more sensuously over his skin, she could feel his chest rising and falling increasingly rapidly under her. She could not stop from reaching up and running her fingers over the smooth soapy skin, letting the white foam coat her hands, then drawing them down and over his silky body in time with the movements of the sponge.

Glancing down, she saw his cock jutting straight out towards her, rock-hard and magnificent.

Then suddenly, Severus grabbed her wrist and, with his other hand, snatched the sponge out of it. Reapplying the bath wash, he started to mimic Hermione's actions on her own body. She let her head fall back as the hot foam slid down her skin, running over her breasts, encircling her nipples and dripping off them into the water beneath. Soon his hand came up to cup one gently, and he could not stop a groan escaping him at the sight.

His hands came round her back, and he pulled her, wet, slick and dripping, into him. Severus grunted loudly as she jolted against his swollen cock, and she could only moan her own need out to him in return. Their mouths met hungrily but, not parting, they continued to soap and cleanse the other until all the writing had disappeared from his body. Still, they could not stop their sensual exploration. The feel of the silky wetness of their flesh was so delicious that they did not wish it to end.

But after a while, Hermione felt herself inexorably drawn to his erection. It rose from his body, as if seeking her out, coated in the same soapy froth. She reached down and encircled her hand around it. With another groan, he brought his hand to her wrist. But instead of pulling it away, Severus held it there, and relaxed his grip as Hermione started to move it up and down.

The feel of the slick hard flesh under her fingers was too good, causing a soft moan to rise from her into the humid air. She was amply used to the feel of him in her mouth or pussy, but it was not often that she simply held him tight in her hands. And now, coated as he was in the soap, she glided her fingers over him ever more sensuously, enjoying the silky skin stretched over the turgid core. She looked down in wonder, studying his cock carefully. It was long and smooth, broader than it appeared due to the length, and with a slight bend towards the head, which now was large and engorged. To her eyes, at that moment, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and she continued her task with undeniable fervour.

She felt his hand questing down between her thighs, but she quickly stopped him and pulled back.

"No. I just want to feel you – feel your vitality –your life under my fingers ... so good – so hard ..." She stated the obvious, but the vibrant rigidity of his cock in her hand staggered her, and she could only speak the truth. She brought her other hand down and, together, her two hands stroked, pulled, caressed and pumped his cock. Hermione was enjoying the sensations nearly as much as Severus, whose eyes had glazed with sheer pleasure. Still, she raised her head and held his gaze. His mouth dropped open uselessly and his face took on an expression of pain, but which was in fact reflecting only the deepest pleasure. She drew one palm over the head while the other continued to rub hard up and down the considerable length of the shaft. He pulled in a sharp juddering breath and his eyes flashed to her. His breathing now was ragged and fast; he was close. She found herself desperate to see as well as feel him coming for her.

"You ... you are ... perfection ... gods ... Hermione, Hermione ..."

He was there. She drew her hands over him a final time.

He came spectacularly.

He erupted from the tip of his cock with such force that it hit her hard on the chest. The next shot landed on her breast, finding a home on her nipple. Each burst was accompanied by a primeval grunt of satisfaction. The sight of the woman before him coated in his seed enhanced Severus' post-orgasmic euphoria yet more.

When the last drops of his pleasure had finally left him, Hermione lifted her head slowly and stood, breathing hard. He held her eyes with a glow of fierce intensity, before slowly dropping his gaze again to look at the result of her actions.

And then, his eyes steely and dark, his hand came up and he caught the viscose liquid on his finger. She turned her eyes to it and her breath was halted as she watched its deliberate progress up to her mouth. His finger paused. Their eyes met, then he reached forward and touched briefly along her lips, leaving the merest drop on her swollen mouth, before pushing deeper in and waiting for her to close her lips around it. She duly did so, not taking her eyes from his, twirling her tongue around the finger as she sucked off the salty liquid clinging to it.

Eventually, he withdrew it from her mouth, feeling her lips sucking his flesh. There was silence and stillness for the longest while before they sank into the water and cleansed each other tenderly but thoroughly.

Time had passed more rapidly than either had realised and when they finally got out of the bath they had to hurry to get dressed. Neither mentioned again the potent sensuality which had so overcome them. Words were grossly inadequate.

"Are you busy today?" he asked instead, finding an almost welcome institutional relief in his question, which Hermione too was happy to reciprocate.

"Not too bad. I've got DADA then Herbology. I think I'll go to the library this afternoon." She had forgotten to tell him about Harry and Ron's visit. Indeed, she had simply forgotten that they were coming at all. Fear suddenly swept over her at how he would react. Still, she must tell him; she had no wish to deceive him and in any case, he would inevitably find out.

"I almost forgot ... Harry and Ron are coming for a visit this afternoon." She spoke as casually as she could, but did not look up at him. She could tell, however, that he had tensed.

"I see." His voice was immediately cold.

"I haven't seen them for ages. It will be really nice. I think they're only staying for the evening. There's a portkey they can take which will bring them out close to the castle."

"And why have you not mentioned this before?" His voice had reacquired its familiar chilling terseness.

"To be perfectly honest, Severus, I had forgotten. You've been, somewhat – distracting, recently. I guess our times together have meant more to me than friends coming up for a brief visit." She hoped her words would reassure him somewhat, and they seemed to have done the trick. His face visibly relaxed and his posture slackened.

"I suppose Weasley in particular will be keen to see you." He spoke relatively calmly, although Ron's name was said with a predictable chill.

"Not especially. We've both moved on – I think he's got a new girlfriend. Ron and I broke up months ago. We should never have got together like that in the first place."

"So why did you?"

He was clearly curious. Now was not really the time to discuss it, but she somehow felt obliged to.

"I don't know really. I suppose it was sort of ... expected. Our being together was sort of a habit, and the next step just kind of seemed to be what should happen."

"But it was not."

"No. That became clear quite soon."

"Why?"

"We were ... not compatible."

"How?"

"You know how."

"I do not."

She rolled her eyes. Must she spell it out?

"Well ... actually, we were incompatible in many ways. Although he will always be a dear friend; but he's more like a brother really. We were always bickering, and after a while it grew tedious, and also ..."

"Yes?"

"Well, you know ... I never really fancied him. He didn't ... do it for me." Hermione spoke bluntly but was flushed with embarrassment. She didn't notice the tiny satisfied twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"And do I ... 'do it for you'?" The words sounded odd on his tongue.

She looked at him. Did he really need to ask? Holding his gaze, she stared at the man with the black eyes, his hair still damp from earlier, his broad shoulders accentuated by his black frock coat which tapered in an elegant V down his slender torso.

Walking slowly over, Hermione fixed him with her eyes and took his hand in hers. She brought it under her skirt and up between her legs. She knew she was wet for him; she always was. She pushed his fingers up towards the opening of her pussy and felt two of them instinctively slip inside her, tight but slick.

She raised an eyebrow. "Does that answer your question?"

She had not expected him to keep his hand there, but he soon started moving his fingers inside her while his thumb teased her clit to rapid fullness. There was little time, and not breaking eye contact, he strummed and stroked exquisitely, bringing her swiftly to a palpitating climax. She opened her mouth with a gasp at the rapidity with which he had achieved it.

It was his turn to raise an eyebrow. "Yes," he said smoothly, before finally withdrawing his hand and reapplying himself to getting dressed.

Hermione took a moment to recover but, smirking with pleasure at the man before her, she also continued getting ready.

"So does this – visit – mean I shall not see you tonight?" His voice was calm again, but he needed to know.

"You know I will come to you as soon as I can. They'll probably leave about ten. Can I come then?"

"Yes. Be careful along the corridors at that time."

"I always am."

"I know."

They were silent for a time.

"You know, Harry would love to see you while he's here."

Severus did not immediately reply.

"The last time I saw Potter, I imparted him with something I would never have done had I not thought I was ... dying." He spat the last word out.

"Well, your actions, and what they revealed, changed Harry's opinion of you fundamentally."

"Potter's good opinion of me is not something I trouble myself with."

She changed tack. "Fair enough, but ... if it hadn't been for that, I doubt very much I would be here now."

He looked up sharply at her, a shadow crossing his face.

She continued. "I thought you were evil, Severus. Simple as that. Never have I been so completely wrong about someone."

He paused before replying languidly. "Obviously."

She couldn't help but laugh a little. He smirked at her reaction. She crossed to him and reached up, doing up the last two buttons on his coat. "I must go. You won't worry about this visit, will you?"

Severus exhaled slightly. "I would rather they weren't coming, but it would be foolish to concern myself with it." He paused. "You will come to me afterwards, won't you?" She could detect the lingering insecurity in his voice. It was strange.

"Of course." She leaned up to kiss him. "Of course, my darling."

"Go now." He stroked her face, then Hermione turned and left him with a warm smile and a warmer memory.

Hermione was finally able to relax and look forward to Harry and Ron's visit, although she had to admit, it was Harry that she was mainly looking forward to seeing. Her lessons passed quickly and after lunch she headed for the library.

She found her usual quiet spot: a small table tucked out of sight at the end of an aisle, in front of a narrow gabled window. The light was good and the position secluded. People could occasionally be heard perusing the books on the other side of the shelves, but it was rare that she ever even saw anyone.

Hermione opened her books. Her exams were now only a few weeks away. It was early November, and although she felt confident in her abilities, she wanted to ensure she did not miss anything. Still, the words blurred on the page before her, and her mind found itself wandering to other matters, namely soaping her Potions Master down in a bath that morning.

She rubbed her eyes distractedly and tried to refocus. It was almost impossible. She was now replaying their conversation in her mind. He had seemed so genuinely insecure about Harry and Ron's visit, but she was reassured by his acceptance of it by the time they had parted. Severus' jealousy was comforting in a way, but she did not wish it to cause tension between them. He had no reason to doubt her feelings, although she realised suddenly that she had not actually declared them to him. Should she? Was she waiting for him to do the same? That may be a long time in coming.

She sighed and held her head in her hands. The image behind her eyes was one of an enormous soapy cock.

There was a gentle noise before her. She looked up.

Severus was standing directly in front of her. Her surprise silenced any response.

For a moment he looked awkward, almost embarrassed to have disturbed her, but then his eyes rose to hers and she could see immediate desire in them.

"I need to be inside you." The words were spoken quietly but with firm intensity: the simple truth.

He moved beside her, and her mind did not question her next action for a moment, despite their exposed position.

"Yes."

She said no more, but reached to his trousers to release his already hard cock. They had now both given up wearing underwear; it was an unnecessary encumbrance. She stood and moved back, half pushed by him to the window. It was recessed with a sloping ledge at hip height which Hermione raised herself onto, helped by him. He placed himself in front of her, and she brought her feet up around him to rest on the desk. They were perfectly positioned. She braced herself by placing her hands on either side of the window recess and, locking eyes with her, Severus thrust hard and deep. It had only been a few seconds before that she had been attempting to read her Arithmancy textbook.

Hermione's eyes widened with the sudden fullness. God, it was so good; she never wanted him to come out of her.

One hand came down sharply to clasp him to her, while the other continued to push hard onto the stone for support.

"Stay," she breathed out.

Severus acknowledged her need for tranquillity; it was the same for him. Never had he felt so secure.

They stayed completely still for minutes, silent, just gazing into each other's eyes and feeling. He had not imagined two people could fit together so perfectly. He could feel every pulse and twinge of her around him; she sensed every swell and rise of his cock.

This was what they were made for.

They realised that, with a bizarre paradox, to achieve release, it would necessitate coming apart afterwards. For the time they both just wanted to stay joined forever, with him rigid and needy inside her. Severus seared her eyes, not wanting to break the spell, but feeling the tingle in his groin grow ever more insistent.

"Shall I move now?" It was a tender request.

Hermione smiled down at him, still focusing only on his cock inside her. She nodded her acquiescence.

Severus started to withdraw, causing Hermione's face to twist with the loss, but almost immediately he plunged as deep into her as before, drawing a smiling gasp from her and a hiss of pleasure from him.

Footsteps sounded walking down the aisle on the other side from them. Hermione's eyes widened, but he only pulled out before thrusting ever harder. He caught her clit smoothly and she bit down on her lip to stifle a groan.

A book was being taken down from the shelf.

She held his gaze, whispering low and urgent to him, "Harder, harder, harder ..."

His thrusts were fast and insistent now. All her being was focused on his relentless hardness as it pounded into her time and time again, pulling her pleasure out sharply.

Her muscles were tightening, the knot in her belly almost ready to unravel. A slight moan sounded, and his hand came up, two fingers thrust deep into her mouth to stifle it. She closed her lips around them tight and sucked. He buried his head in her neck to muffle his own groan.

With that, Severus convulsed into her, his cock swelling and releasing explosively deep within. She felt his pleasure, and her own cascaded around him, prompting her to grip his back for support. His fingers were thrust yet further into her mouth, almost to the point of discomfort, but she did not care; she delighted in the taste and feel of them, mimicking his cock buried in her still-spasming pussy.

Even when he had softened, he could not pull out of her. They stayed for an age, with her sitting on the window ledge, stroking and gazing.

At long last, with a last stroke of her face, and a light kiss to her lips, Severus pulled back and slipped gently out of her. Hermione drew in a breath of emptiness; her eyes closed. They had not been caught, through luck more than anything, but neither their minds nor bodies allowed them any regret or relief.

He tidied himself quickly and, with a subtle smile at her, whispered, "Until later," before turning and leaving.

Hermione found herself concentrating much more efficiently as the afternoon progressed and time soon passed her by.

At four o'clock, she packed away her things and left. She had arranged to meet Ginny outside the castle gates at quarter past, where Harry and Ron were to walk up from the portkey point. Ginny was already there when she arrived.

"Good day?" her friend queried happily.

"Oh yes," Hermione smirked.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "God, you're insatiable. Maybe I'm with the wrong guy. Harry hasn't managed to turn me into a complete nympho!"

"There's still time," Hermione grinned as she saw two familiar figures working their way up the hill.

"So ... not a word?" Ginny turned to her, suddenly serious.

"Not a word," Hermione confirmed.

Harry and Ron walked up the hill towards them. They both looked happy and relaxed, with broad smiles on their faces.

Harry immediately enclosed Ginny in a tight hug and Ron greeted Hermione with a quick one. They had moved on, but initial greetings were still always a little awkward.

"How are you?" he asked genuinely.

"Really well." It was the truth. "Yourself?"

"Yeah ... yeah ... good ... good, thanks." He sounded honest. She wondered if he had found someone who would last. She hoped sincerely that he had.

Harry crossed to her and held her tight. "Hi, Mione. God, I missed you."

"Me too." She held Harry close for a while, their shared experiences of a few months ago suddenly gripping her.

"Come on then. It's bloody cold out here. I miss good old Hogwarts hospitality." Ron led the way up the steps.

They chatted happily on the way up to the Common Room, the girls learning quickly all about Auror training and significant Quidditch matches. Hermione was quickly reminded of why she had split up with Ron. She listened happily to him as a friend, but was glad it was no more.

They settled down in the Common Room beside a roaring fire, drinking tea and enjoying the convivial familiarity.

"So ... has Ron told you about his new girlfriend?" Harry said loudly with a cheeky grin.

Ron rolled his eyes and glanced briefly at Hermione. She looked far too excited about it in his opinion.

"No ... go on," Ginny urged.

"You tell them, Ron."

He sighed deeply before speaking. "She's called Becky. She's the seeker for the Tintagel Tempests and we've been seeing each other for over a month now."

"And for Ron ... that's a long time," remarked Harry slyly.

"Shut it, Harry," Ron moaned.

Hermione was more relieved than she could have imagined. If Ron was happy, it seemed to give her a clear ride to pursue her own pleasure more freely.

"Ron, she sounds perfect. What does she look like?" she asked inquisitively.

"She's blonde, short hair ... fit ..."

"Fit, as in exercises a lot, or fit as in fiiiiit!?" They all giggled, apart from Ron.

"Both," he acknowledged with a certain amount of pride.

"Well, that's brilliant. When do we get to meet her?"

"I guess we'll see you at Christmas if ... y'know - we're still together. What you gonna do? Get your own place, I guess?"

Hermione lowered her head. She needed to start thinking about that, and about getting a job. Various positions had already been offered to her, both at the Ministry and elsewhere, but she had not wanted to give it much thought. She would have to very soon. An ache developed in her stomach.

Harry turned to her, his arm draped around Ginny. "What about you, Mione? Is there anyone good enough for you up here?" He smiled doubtfully at her.

She lowered her head. "That's not quite how I would put it."

"I see there's a ball on. I should be able to make it, Gin. If you still want me, that is?"

She gave him a shove. "Course I do."

"I'm away training in Norway at that time. Not my thing really anyway," Ron grunted. He didn't seem to realise he hadn't been invited.

Harry looked back at Hermione. "So who are you going to go with, Mione? Suppose you need a partner of some description."

Ron shifted a little.

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. We'll see."

"You must have had offers. Most of the boys round here can't keep their eyes off you."

"Yeah, well ... perhaps." She inhaled deeply.

"Oh, come on – who?" Harry sounded curious. Ron's arms were crossed.

Against her better judgement, Hermione eventually mumbled out, "Lawrence Filmore."

Ron's face suddenly lit up. "The seeker? Oh, he's a good bloke. Yeah ... you should go with him." The fact that it was a Quidditch player clearly negated any concerns he may have had.

Hermione sighed to herself. "I'm not interested in him."

"Doesn't matter does it?" questioned Harry. "Just go as friends."

"He might not see it that way."

"Ah," Harry realised.

"I still don't see the problem though. Just tell him where he stands. He'll still get to cop a feel on the dancefloor. I'd be happy." Ron blokish abruptness turned Hermione's stomach.

"Ron! You've changed your tune. You used to be so possessive of Hermione," Ginny declared.

"Wha'? I remember Filmore. Bloody good player. You know where you stand with a guy like that." His eyes turned to the door and lit up. "And here's your chance to accept. Filmore! How you doing, mate?"

Ron had stood up. Hermione turned with a sudden deep feeling of dread. Lawrence Filmore had just walked into the Common Room.

Ron strode over and shook his hand hard, clapping him on the back. "How's the team this year? Hear they're pretty good with you out there. Come and join us. We were just chatting about you, weren't we, Mione?"

Hermione glared at him and blushed bright red. How dare he put her in this position?

Lawrence stood awkwardly for a moment, running his fingers through his dishevelled hair, his blue eyes sparkling at Hermione. He really was wasted on her, she realised. He would be able to keep so many girls happy – not this one. But she felt obliged to let him sit down and held her hand out, indicating the space next to Harry.

"So – we were just talking about the ball. Got a partner yet, Lawrence?" Ron continued unabashed. Hermione could have killed him.

"Uhh ... no ... actually." He couldn't look at her.

"Oh, that's funny, cos ... 'Mione here hasn't got one either. You two would make a good couple, I reckon."

Ginny elbowed Ron hard in the ribs.

"Well ... if ... err ... Hermione would like to ... she knows I'd be more than happy to ... err ... take her." The fingers were running incessantly through the hair now.

Hermione sat with her arms crossed, staring straight ahead. If she was holding her wand, Ron would have sprouted green pustules all over his face by now. What a complete and utter twat.

There was silence between them. She glanced at Harry. He shrugged discreetly and mouthed to her, "Just as friends."

"Well, there you go, Mione. Can't do better than that. Who the hell else are you gonna go with?" Ron kept up the drivel.

Hermione turned to Ginny who was looking at her anxiously. She wanted her friend to go to the ball with someone. The pressure was overwhelming. Why was she the only person in the room who thought this was a bad idea?

Standing suddenly, she caught the puppy dog eyes of Filmore again. She simply could not find it in her heart to say no.

"Lawrence, could I have a quiet word, please?"

"Sure." He stood awkwardly then moved to the doorway with her.

He spoke first. "I'm sorry you were put in that position."

"Oh, it's alright. I wouldn't expect anything better from Ron."

"But, y'know – my offer still stands."

She looked up at him. He would make a good partner. She breathed deeply then fixed him with her eyes.

"Lawrence." Another sigh, but she carried on. "I'll go with you, as long as you know that it is just as friends. I mean that. I don't want anything else. OK?"

He hadn't really listened to a word she had said after, "I'll go with you." Grinning like the cat who had got the cream, his face was tinged with a faint flush.

"Sure, sure, Hermione. That's ... that's great ... fine. Yeah ... brilliant. Thanks ..." He bent to kiss her on the cheek. She pulled quickly back.

"No, Lawrence. No." She was firm.

He held his hands up. "Sorry – gut instinct." Placing his hand on his heart, he backed away from her. "Just as friends. Promise." With another gorgeous smile he disappeared up to his room.

Hermione leaned back against the wall and sighed long and hard.

The deed was done. Now how the hell would she tell Severus? She almost feared for Lawrence Filmore's safety.

After a while footsteps approached. It was Ginny.

"Are you OK?"

Hermione nodded. "I just want to kill Ron, that's all."

"I know. He should never have done that. I'm sorry. He just hasn't got a clue."

"That's why we split up. He never did have a clue."

"Has Lawrence gone?"

She nodded again.

"What happened?"

Hermione raised her head to look desolately at Ginny. "I said yes."

Ginny smiled broadly. "Well, despite the circumstances, I still think that's great. It's just to have someone to dance with occasionally, and now we can all be on a table together. You don't have to snog him."

Hermione brought her hands to her head. "Oh, please ... it doesn't even bear thinking about."

"Are you going to tell ... him?"

"Well, I'll have to, won't I? He's going to ... oh god, he's going to be devastated, I just know it."

"Oh, for god's sake! Why should he be? He's a highly intelligent, mature man. Surely he can see that you need to appear to be just like a normal student. It would be weird if you didn't go with anyone."

"Severus is ... very emotionally fragile. He's only just started to build on things in that way. I don't want it to all come crashing down now."

"Oh, come on, Hermione. If he's that bad, you shouldn't be with him."

Hermione glared at Ginny, rounding on her in fury. "Don't presume to tell me who I should be with or to pass judgement on him! All his life he's been judged and misunderstood. You haven't got a clue what he's like. How dare you speak to me like that!?" Her voice had risen to an incensed tirade. Spinning away from Ginny, she stormed out of the Common Room. She did not notice Harry following fast behind.

Hermione ran down the step and along the corridors, not sure where she was going. There were quick footsteps behind her.

"Hermione. Hermione! Hang on! What's the matter?"

She stopped, waiting for Harry to catch up.

"Hey. It's alright. You don't have to go with the guy if you don't want to. Ron was being a prat. He shouldn't have put either of you in that position."

"Well, he got what he wanted - I'm going with him."

"Oh ... right," Harry was surprised. "That's good then ... is it?"

Hermione burst into tears.

Harry stood awkwardly for a moment, confused by his friend's sudden emotional fragility, then enclosed her in his arms.

"Hey. It's OK, it's OK." He soothed her gently. "There's more to this than it appears, isn't there?"

Hermione shrugged. He tried to catch her eyes. "Is there someone else?"

She could not speak.

"If there is, why don't you go with whomever it is?" He was confused.

She shook her head. "I ... I can't."

"Is it someone from outside Hogwarts?"

Hermione did not respond.

Harry moved gently apart. "Come on ... let's go for a walk outside." They started to head for the doors, but before they could get far an all too familiar voice drawled slowly behind them.

"Potter."

They turned to the voice. For the first time ever, Harry was actually pleased to see the person in question. "Professor Snape! It is so good to see you again. You look incredibly well."

He stepped forward. Snape actually extended his hand first. Harry took it, smiling warmly and shaking it firmly.

"I trust you are enjoying your visit to Hogwarts. I see Miss Granger is looking after you." Severus turned to Hermione and his eyes immediately narrowed on seeing her tear-stained face. "Miss Granger. Are you not well?" There was clear surprise and concern in his voice.

The Potions Master took an instinctive step towards her. Harry looked somewhat surprised.

"No ... no ... I'm fine, thank you ... sir." She looked up at him. Their eyes met for longer than was necessary. There was silence. Hermione wanted nothing more than to rush into his arms and have him carry her to his rooms and away from everyone else.

"Umm ... yes ..." Harry tried to continue the conversation, but found it hard to catch his ex-teacher's attention. The black-haired man was still staring at Hermione with a look of genuine apprehension. "Yeah ... it's a bit weird being back, but nothing much seems to have changed. And how have you been, Professor?"

Snape at last turned to him. "I am well, Potter, thank you."

"And Hermione's still taking Potions? Exams soon, isn't it? I'm sure you're training her up well."

Snape shot him a sharp look.

Had he said something wrong? Harry's sense of awkwardness grew and he cleared his throat.

"How is Auror training going? Is Shacklebolt efficient?" Snape's voice suddenly seemed to be focused.

"Yeah – he's good. There are quite a few of us training. He's even given me a bit of instruction to do myself."

"Hmm." Snape didn't sound convinced. Harry laughed a little and glanced up at him. Snape had turned to look at Hermione again. Harry moved to her. She was staring straight back at the professor with a clear intensity which surprised Harry.

"Professor Snape?" Hermione started.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

Harry thought his voice sounded remarkably accommodating.

"I find I am having some difficulties with wolfsbane again, and my practical is coming up soon. Do you have a spare moment today to go over it with me?"

"Are you sure you can spare the time today, Miss Granger? Your friends are visiting."

"Please, Professor Snape. It is troubling me."

"In that case, of course, Miss Granger. You may come down to the dungeons at any point between now and supper."

"Thank you."

There was another silence. Harry realised why things were so awkward; he felt like a spare part. "Right ... well ... Hermione and I were going for a walk. It's really good to see you, Professor. I suppose we'd better get going, Hermione ... if you still want to, that is?"

"Yes ... yes, I'm coming." She could hardly tear herself away from Snape. "I'll be down in a moment, Professor." She held his gaze and he returned it. There remained a lingering query in his eyes, trying to ascertain what the problem was.

Harry had walked off. Hermione was not following. He turned to see her standing closer than was surely necessary to her teacher.

And then it all fell into place. A moment later Harry's suspicions were confirmed when he saw Hermione reach out and brush Snape's hand with the lightest of touches before moving off. His former teacher stared long after her then turned with billowing robes and headed away from them.

Harry stared down at Hermione as she approached. She did not look up, but moved past him to go outside.

They walked silently along the castle walls.

Harry stopped abruptly and sighed deeply. "I asked you earlier if there was someone else."

She looked up at him, clear alarm in her eyes. She shook her head. "Don't ask me ... don't ask me ..."

He held her arms. "Hermione ... you can trust me. I understand you. I understand ... him."

Again, her head darted up. She continued to shake it, her brows furrowed, desperately trying to deny what she knew he knew.

"Hermione ... it's Snape, isn't it?"

Again, the tears came suddenly and she spun away from him.

He stood apart from her for a moment, then moved in and rubbed her arms soothingly. "It's alright, Hermione. It's alright. I understand ... I really do. Now that I know him ... it makes sense to me."

"Did Ginny tell you?" She sounded cross.

"No ... no, not at all ... it was just then ... in the corridor. Neither of you did a good job of hiding it. He was clearly concerned about you, and you obviously just wanted to be with him."

"Oh god, Harry ... I ... I want him ... need him ... so much ... I'm so sick of being cooped up here ... trying to stay secret ... avoiding each other ... it's horrific."

"It must be ..."

"Yes, but ... when I leave ... what then?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Well, that's up to you and him ..." There was further silence. "How did it start?" he eventually asked gently.

"I don't know." She was almost sick of analysing it. "We just ... came together ... there was a need ... and we were able to address it through each other."

"Are you happy?"

She thought carefully, but answered truthfully. "Yes. I am when I'm with him."

"I must admit. I've never seen him looking so ... human. He looked ... really well."

"He's amazing."

Harry sighed deeply. "So Ginny knows too?"

She nodded. "You can probably guess how she found out. Something to do with you."

At first he frowned in confusion, but then his face opened up with dawning realisation. "The map."

"Yup."

"Hmm ... sorry about that."

She smiled. "It's OK. It's been good to have her to talk to, except, she just ..." Her voice trailed off.

"I heard you shouting."

"I shouldn't have done. She didn't deserve it. She just doesn't understand us ... that's fair enough, I suppose."

"Well – it's hardly the most conventional relationship. I haven't had time to fully process it myself yet. I seem to be ... ridiculously accepting of it." He frowned a little then turned to Hermione with a bemused smile. "But, you know ... it would be very disappointing if you were ever ... conventional."

She smiled back at him. "I used to be."

"A long time ago. And, you know, Snape ... Severus ... he looks as if you are ... a very good influence. He certainly deserves some happiness. And I sincerely want you to be happy. I trust you, Hermione. I know you wouldn't enter into anything unless you were sure of it. And neither would he – even more so, in a way. I just hope you are in the right environment to make the most of it, that's all. I mean ... relationships between students and teachers are not allowed."

She laughed aloud. "You don't need to tell me that! We've been ... careful ..." She hung her head at the last word, knowing how very careless they had in fact been in recent days.

"What if you're caught? Surely you'd be expelled – he'd be sacked. Neither of you are the sort of person who could countenance that, are you?"

"Well, all the more reason why you must know how serious we are about each other."

"Serious?"

"Yes. Serious."

"You mean – love?"

"Yes."

"Has he told you this?"

"No. And neither have I told him."

He paused. "And you want to carry on after you leave?"

"Yes."

"And how is that going to happen?"

She shrugged. "We'll see ..."

"Love will find a way, huh?" Harry crossed his arms cynically.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "God, it didn't take you long to get old and jaded, did it?"

He laughed. They had walked back inside and Hermione found them heading towards the dungeons.

"I'll ... err ... let you go now." Harry bent to kiss her on the cheek.

"I'll have to tell him about the ball. I don't imagine he's going to be very happy."

"No, probably not. But, if you explain things properly – keeping up normal appearances, all that – he should at least be able to put up with it for one night."

"Let's hope so." She sounded far from certain. "I won't be long, Harry. I just – wanted to see him after being upset earlier. I'll be at supper."

"OK. Good. See you then." He held her arms once again, before moving back.

Hermione smiled warmly at him, squeezed his hand, then turned and walked towards the Potions classroom.

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Busy chapter. They do so need and adore each other. Any thoughts? x