Chapter 4
Chapter 4 of 4
phoenixSexGod!Snape Challenge response. Severus fails to perform and decides to turn to potions to restore his virility. How does his unwitting victim respond?
ReviewedChapter 4
Hermione ran into the living room and collapsed into tears on the sofa. She had always known that Ron could be insensitive, but she never thought that he would stoop this low. She was vaguely aware of hearing the pop of Disapparation.
Ron’s voice came from the doorway. “Hermione?”
“Just go away!” she shouted. Right now she wanted nothing to do with him.
After a long pause, he said quietly, “I’ll – I’ll be at my folks’. If, you know…”
Finally, she heard the front door close. After a few more minutes, she wiped the tears from her face and made her way to the loo, where she could wash her face. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy.
She did the best she could to make herself look presentable and decided to visit the one person that she could talk to, Severus.
***********
Severus was anticipating yet another evening alone. He had stopped at the market and picked up food for his pathetic solitary dinner. Hermione had claimed she had something to do that might ensure they could spend more time together. She had even looked excited about it, but he refused to get his hopes up. After all, he had lived a life filled with disappointment. Why should it change now?
There was someone huddled on his doorstep and he scowled. He knew it wasn’t one of the better neighborhoods in London, but the vagrancy was starting to get out of hand. “Move…” He stopped when the ‘vagrant’ looked up at him. “Hermione?” Reaching a hand out to help her to her feet, he asked, “What are you doing here?”
She collapsed against his chest and began sobbing. “Oh, Sev-Sev-Severus…”
Deciding he didn’t want her making a scene on his doorstep, he gently pulled her away. “Let’s go inside and talk about this.”
Once he got her settled and offered her some tea, she finally calmed down enough to relate what she had come home to. He had never liked Weasley, but found himself working very hard to control his rage at the sheer audacity of the act. Knowing he needed to be calm for her, he placed his hand on her knee. “I know it hurts, but that pain will pass. You didn’t want to spend the rest of your life with him, did you?”
She dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief he had given her. “No. But to find them in our bed?”
Moving over to the sofa to sit beside her, he pulled her into his arms. “You did suspect he was betraying you. I know that the location of where you found them was upsetting, but was this not the outcome you were looking for?”
She leaned against him. “It was. I just didn’t think he would make it this easy.”
“Why don’t I make us something to eat for dinner? Then you can go home and prepare for tomorrow.”
“But I want to stay here with you.”
He closed his eyes, burying his emotions before he answered. “I know. But you must maintain the moral high ground. In order to do that, you cannot spend the night here. Until this is over, no one can know how we feel about each other.”
“That could take forever,” she sighed.
“Not in cases involving adultery. Wizard law is different from Muggle law. It will be over sooner than your realize.”
“Really?”
“I promise.” He wouldn’t tell her that he had ways to ensure that her case was expedited. Being willing to brew potions of questionable legality had its advantages. As soon as she was gone, he would send an owl to his contact in the Ministry to begin the process. “Take the day off tomorrow. And the one after if you need the extra time.”
“Thank you,” she said before wrapping her arms around him and giving him a passionate kiss.
He wanted nothing more than to ravish her right there, but he knew the time was not right. “You’re quite welcome. Now, I think I should prepare dinner.”
She followed him to the kitchen. “I’ll lend a hand.”
When she left late that evening, he was disappointed. He knew that it would not be long before they could be together whenever they wanted, but their parting was still painful. After sending the owl, he lay awake in bed for a long time before he was finally able to fall asleep.
*************
Even though Hermione had been living in the Wizarding world for many years, there were still many things that she was not familiar with. She was learning the legal system was one of them. The sheer speed at which everything had happened had caught her completely off guard.
As she had anticipated, Molly had turned quite cold to her. Harry was the only one left on her side. Well, other than Severus, but he could not publicly show his support. She felt a hand slip into hers.
“How are you doing?” asked Harry.
“I’ve been better.”
He gave her a comforting hug. “I know. I wouldn’t have thought Ron would do that either. It must be hard for you. You lost your family once, and now it’s happening all over again.”
“Yeah.” After a few seconds, she added, “Are you sure you want to be seen supporting me? I know the Weasleys have been your family as well.”
“You’re my family, too, and I won’t leave you alone right now.”
She was glad for Harry’s support. She felt less alone, less isolated. “Thanks, Harry.”
“How about I treat you to dinner?”
What she really wanted was to finally spend an evening with Severus, but she knew it would look odd if she insisted on being alone. Severus had been so understanding that surely he would understand why she had to spend the evening with Harry. “Sure.”
After dinner at a Muggle restaurant, Harry took her back to her house. She had tried to be a lively conversationalist, but they found that Ron had been such an integral part of their lives that it was difficult to speak of the past without mentioning him. That had led to many awkward silences.
Harry had offered to stay in her guest room so that she would not have to be in the house alone, but she pointed out that she had been alone the last few months and that he needn’t worry.
Once she was sure that he was gone and would not be returning, she Apparated to Severus’s house and knocked on the door.
“I wondered if you were going to come over,” Severus said dryly when he saw her standing in his doorway.
“Harry insisted on taking me to dinner. May I come in?”
He was scowling at the mention of Harry’s name, but finally stood aside.
She threw her arms around him. I would have much rather spent the evening with you. He’s the only other friend I have right now, and I don’t want to lose him.”
“Of course,” he said in an unemotional voice, but still wrapped his arms around her.
“So… where do we go from here?” she asked as she looked up at him.
“Wherever you would like.” A small smile turned up the corners of his lips.
~The End~
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Latest 25 Reviews for Liquid Love
32 Reviews | 6.91/10 Average
I read this story back in 2008, and I'm gonna say the same thing that I said then: "Very nice story! Very nice."I really does make me happy when Severus and Hermione end up together. Even when I was first reading the books, it always struck me that, except for the age difference and that she was his student, the two of them really complemented each other... always thought that eight or ten years after she graduated they could have been quite happy together. Epilogue? What epilogue?Beth
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Glad you enjoyed it again. Severus and Hermione really do have a lot in common. She just managed to get in with the right crowd at school rather than the wrong crowd. And I do think they would be good for each other. Of course, I also think Hermione would pair up with just about anyone better than she did with Ron.
Well, well. It looks like Ron has been caught with his pants down. I wonder why Harry went to talk to Seveurs? Did Harry really ever talk to Ron? Did Ron tell him that Hermione was acting crazy?Now lets see how all this plays out. Beth
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
LOL Ron literally was caught wasn't he? And as for Harry, he's not known for making the most rational decisions, is he? It makes sense to him, but perhaps not to everyone else.
This chapter has got me all "needles and pins." I don't know which way this is going to go, but I hope however it turns out, that all of them can end up happy... except maybe for Harry... I don't think that he would like it if Hermione and Severus became a couple, and Ron and Cliodna got together.Beth
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Harry probably would not be too pleased with Hermione for picking Severus, but he will hopefully recognize that she and Ron aren't the best match.
What a fun chapter!!! I'm so glad you decided to add a few more chapters, and now I'm off to Chapter 2.Beth
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. :) I love it when folks discover some of my older work (okay, most of it older now after a lengthy sabbatical). This was a really fun one to write.
Molly turned cold to Hermione? Thats rich. I would have thought she would be embarassed at Ron's behavior. Well no nevermind our couple is together!
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Ah but mother's love their kids and sometimes are blind to how big a git their child is. Look at her behavior towards Percy. I really do think she would have listened to Ron's version which would have made Hermione the one who had done wrong.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Oh, yeah, remember how she acted towards Hermione based on what Rita Skeeter wrote about her? I can totally see her turning on the poor girl.
Response from MollysSister (Reviewer)
Oh sure you are right of course. I often want to strangle the Weasley mama. She drives me nuts.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Yup. I mean when it's Harry being bad mouthed, she sticks right up for him, but Hermione gets the cold shoulder. I'm not sure if that's she feels sorry for Harry as he has no family or if it's because he's famous and it's good the Weasleys to be associated with someone famous. *shrug* But I do feel bad for how Hermione has been treated by Molly.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Ah but mother's love their kids and sometimes are blind to how big a git their child is. Look at her behavior towards Percy. I really do think she would have listened to Ron's version which would have made Hermione the one who had done wrong.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Oh, yeah, remember how she acted towards Hermione based on what Rita Skeeter wrote about her? I can totally see her turning on the poor girl.
Response from MollysSister (Reviewer)
Oh sure you are right of course. I often want to strangle the Weasley mama. She drives me nuts.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Yup. I mean when it's Harry being bad mouthed, she sticks right up for him, but Hermione gets the cold shoulder. I'm not sure if that's she feels sorry for Harry as he has no family or if it's because he's famous and it's good the Weasleys to be associated with someone famous. *shrug* But I do feel bad for how Hermione has been treated by Molly.
Why did Harry go and visit Snape? Hermione's request seemed reasonable to me, and now Harry isnt getting back to her the chicken shit. Oh Oh OH thank you for making Ron the bad guy caught in the act!
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Ah, the boys, got to love them. I really didn't want Hermione to be the bad person here and it's so easy to make it Ron (who I definitely don't like as her boyfriend/husband). I just love the fact that the boys would still be distrustful of a still living Snape.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Ah, the boys, got to love them. I really didn't want Hermione to be the bad person here and it's so easy to make it Ron (who I definitely don't like as her boyfriend/husband). I just love the fact that the boys would still be distrustful of a still living Snape.
10 points to your house for the excellent witchy name of Ron's lover.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Thanks. I think I spent about an hour researching names to come up with that one. Sometimes I don't really fuss over names, others, I really think hard about it.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Thanks. I think I spent about an hour researching names to come up with that one. Sometimes I don't really fuss over names, others, I really think hard about it.
Oh my sex in the work place! How naughty!
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
LOL Isn't that wonderful. I just love doing naughty things like that from time to time. :D
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
LOL Isn't that wonderful. I just love doing naughty things like that from time to time. :D
good story ending is too abrupt ...I need more!!!!! lol
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
LOL Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. I guess in hindsight the ending may be a bit abrupt, but I didn't want to drag things out. I have started writing more SS/HG and have an in progress story that I should begin posting soon.
Good job. I liked this story. Happy Endings are a plus.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Thank you very much. I really do like to work in a happy or at least hopeful ending. I think with everything in RL, that sort of thing is nice to have in the fiction world. After all, we come here to escape.
I really enjoyed this! You should write HGSS more often *grin*.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did enjoy writing this story, but I've always been the type of person that shies away from what's popular. LOL I think that's why I don't really ship HG/SS, so many others do. I like to reach out to the under-served. :D I'm not ruling it out, though.
I enjoyed the end. I was a bit disappointed that Ron didn't seem to "get his" lol and that Molly was so cold to her. I'd hope that she'd be above that, but she did do the same thing to Hermione when she thought she's hurt Harry back in their fourth year, the silly woman. Thanks for the HG/SS. Pity you don't write more of them.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Well, Molly first. She has already shown herself to be prejudiced to her kids, even the adopted one (Harry). As to Ron, well, I just didn't go into how he got his. I have contemplated and epilogue. We'll see.
As inconsiderate as Ron has been, I hope she makes him feel like shit instead of letting him off easy. I know she's been naughty, too, but at least she's been agonizing over it, ya know? lol
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Oh, I know exactly what you mean. Ron has been completely remorseless throughout this. He really does deserve something.
Great chapter. Hahaha! I'm wondering if Snape made the potion incorrectly and it's been all him so far that's moved things along, only he didn't know it. :)
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
LOL That's a very interesting thought. Perhaps we will find out, perhaps not. ;)
Muahahhaa.... Nothing like a bit of naughtiness with the man you REALLY want, eh?
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Even though this isn't my ship, I did find this chapter a lot of fun to write. :D What a way to get her to admit to her feelings, huh?
The end? Kind of an abrupt finish, and you never explained what specifically happened with the potion either. How about an epilogue to round out your pleasing little story?
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
I might be convinced to write an epilogue. Let me see what the muses have to say. I want to finish up "Rage Against the Dying of the Light" first. I have the next chapter of that halfway done. Sometimes, I think some mysteries are best left unresolved.
Loved it... I can't help it, but I'm glad that no one found out about Hermione and Severus, as Hermione acted on her buried feelings as the result of a potion, and then as she desparately tried to re-bury them repeatedly, instead of participating when she wanted to become more intimate, Ron actively instigated an ongoing affair, while plotting to drive Hermione to leave him. I can't stand the fact that he criticised her without any thought or care about how she felt and how he was hurting her. That's not even getting into the fact that he took his mistress to their bed!!I really don't understand why, in this situation, the Weasley's were against Hermione, they should be mad at Ron for being such an idot or at the very least for getting caught, if they really didn't care how he treated her - their surrogate daughter no less!P.S. I'm letting Severus off the hook, as who can blame him wanting a real relationship with Hermione? He seems to really appreciate her and want to make a life with her... Not mention that he is a Slytherin (Head of Slytherin no less)!!!
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Ah, Ron. He can be quite the inconsiderate lout, can't he? I really tried to capture that here. He did got a bit over the top at the end, didn't he?
As for the Weasley's treating her badly, well, Molly really believes that her kids can't do wrong. Look at how she pined for Percy. Surely she would force herself to believe that Hermione must have done something to alienate Ron, that she was not a good wife to him. After all, they didn't have kids and Hermione seemed to be placing her job first.
At least Severus and Hermione had the presence of mind to be discreet. :D
To bad about the predictable Molly. But some family members stick with idiots no matter what. Enjoyed each chapter and the whole story.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Thanks. I really thought that would be how Molly reacted given how horrible she was to Hermione in GoF. It is a shame something like that had to happen, but well, it was my story. LOL I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I'm so thrilled you you have decided to continue this story. Thanks.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Thank you very much. I don't normally write this pairing, but I have made the circumstances compelling enough that I coudln't resis. I have finally started on Chapter 3, so hopefully later this week I will have it ready to go.
Very sweet... Thanks!
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Glad you liked it. Keep an eye out for more. I have the long-awaited second chapter at beta rigth now. :)
Loved it. Snape as a snarky bastard who doesn't give a damn about her being married? For some reason that's incredibly appealing. One of the better fics coming from this challenge, in my opinion. Nice job.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Thanks,
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
. I had initially thought that I wrote myself into a corner by making her married, but I've been doing some brainstorming lately and I think that I have come up with how to continue. Several of my projects are winding down, so I should be able to put some work into more chapters of this one. :D
So what about the potion?
I think it's frankly disgusting that Ron brought that woman to their bed, some lines should not be crossed. If it were happening to me he would experience a lot of physical pain.I like this story, I hope for more.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Yup, that was really disgusting. Ron is not a likeable character here. I really feel sorry for Hermione having to find out about his behavior in this manner.
I finally finished the story, so you can come back and check out the last chapter. I know it was a very long time in coming.
Yeah about time, put all the blame on the man i like it now it frees her up to be with serveus, and ron looks like the ass to his folks, good chapter cant wait for the next one it looks to real good
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
Thanks. I really didn't want Hermione to be the bad guy in this one. Thank goodness I made Ron such and ass. LOL Of course, parental love can be blind, so you'll see in the next chapter how much of an ass his folks think he is. Which, it is up now. :D
I really like this story. If only Ron and Hermione had talked more, all of this drama would have been avoided. But it's fun to read.
Response from phoenix (Author of Liquid Love)
You know, it is amazing how much communication can help. This all could have been avoided had they talked to each other and come to an amicable agreement that maybe they were better as friends. Of course, that does make for a rather boring story, so I like my way better.