Chapter 2- Insulting Remarks

Disclaimer: Alas, the world of Harry Potter is not mine. JKR dreamed it up before I ever had a chance. Any character you recognize belongs to her.

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Disclaimer: Alas, the world of Harry Potter is not mine. JKR dreamed it up before I ever had a chance. Any character you recognize belongs to her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chapter 2 - Insulting Remarks

"What the bloody hell were you thinking?" Ron's voice actually echoed through the halls as he forgot discretion. "Everyone is going to think you want to shag the greasy git now..." He rolled his eyes, feigning disgust. "Dancing like that in public! It was positively indecent!"

Hermione's steps slowed, and a look of hurt crossed her face. "I was only doing what you dared me to do! I don't understand you. What have I done to warrant you saying such hateful things to me?"

Ron turned and glared at Hermione. "I don't guess you have done anything, except maybe become the laughingstock of Hogwarts. I swear, everyone's going to talk! Come tomorrow, there won't be anyone in the magical community that doesn't know about what happened tonight!"

Harry, who had been following silently up until that point, spoke up. "I didn't see anyone laughing," he interrupted softly. "Actually, I agree that they will be talking, Hermione, but I doubt anyone will be throwing jokes your way." At Ron's scowl, he shrugged. "What? Even Draco was drooling after she and the professor finished that Tango. Believe me. I saw him!"

Ron shook his head. "Well, all I'm going to say is don't sit with us in the morning for breakfast. I don't want my name associated with that kind of behavior from one of my friends."

Lavender dropped Ronald's hand at that point and slapped his arm. "You can sure be an insensitive git sometimes. Do you know that? "

Ginny agreed. "Yes, Ron. If Mum could hear the way you're attacking her right now, she'd charm your mouth shut for a month!" She offered Hermione a smile. "I thought the two of you danced beautifully." A dreamy expression crossed her face before she added, "I even saw him smile while you were in his arms."

Lavender giggled and nodded. "Yes, he did. It was very romantic."

Ron turned and looked from his sister to his girlfriend in disgust. Stomping off, he waved a dismissing hand in their direction. "Why don't you all just sod off!" Lavender rolled her eyes and with an apologetic wave to Hermione, took off after him.

Wiping away the tears that had started to fall at his hateful words, Hermione looked to Harry. "I give up. I don't know what to do. He never ceases looking for ways to attack me now, and I don't understand why."

Harry wrapped an arm around her, giving her a big hug. "Don't mind him, Mione. He's just never gotten over not getting to be closer to you."

She threw her hands up in exasperation. "Whose fault is that, Harry? I tried to get closer to him, but he just acts like the only thing he wants is a willing witch beneath him." She shook her head. "I'll be damned if I'll let my first time be with someone that just views me as another notch in his broomstick!"

Ginny sighed and stepped forward to give Hermione a hug. "Ron's just not ready to grow up yet, Mione." She brushed the hair from Hermione's cheek that was now damp with tears. "But he doesn't want to lose your friendship. You just wait. This time tomorrow, he'll be apologizing and worrying that you won't let him live it down."

Harry smiled and nodded his agreement. Hermione hugged them both and kissed Harry's cheek. "Goodnight, guys. Thanks for the pep talk."

Ginny tilted her head. "Do you want Harry to walk you to the Head common room?" She smiled. "I don't mind."

Hermione shook her head. "No, that's all right. You and Harry go on. I'll be fine."

When she parted from them and headed for her own dorm, she paused outside the Head common room. The wizard in the portrait was standing there, wide-eyed. For a moment, she simply looked at him before opening her mouth to speak the password when he cleared his throat. "Uhmm... Perhaps milady would like to use her own private entrance into her own rooms? The... uh... common room has some activities within it that might be ... uh... inappropriate for your sensitive nature."

Hermione glared at the portrait before speaking the password, "Gryffindor and Slytherin alliances..."

With a sigh and a roll of its eyes, the portrait opened to allow Hermione entrance. Stepping through the portrait hole, she noticed nothing out of place. But after she shrugged and started towards the sitting area, she heard it.

Moans and pants invaded her ears. Dropping her jaw, Hermione turned to see Draco and Pansy rolling around on the floor before the hearth. Flabbergasted, she stepped backwards and bumped into the edge of the desk in her haste to get out without disturbing them. The vase that had been balanced on the edge of the desk toppled to the ground and shattered.

Instantly, Draco and Pansy shot apart. Pansy tried desperately to scramble back into her clothes while Draco just sat there in all his naked glory. A smile spread across his face at the ever darkening blush on Hermione's cheeks.

As Parkinson scrambled past Hermione, she slowed and offered Hermione a small, secretive smile. "That was fantastic dancing tonight, Granger. I have to admit, even I was envious." Turning, she ran from the common room, leaving Hermione staring after her. Had the girl who hated her almost as much as Draco suddenly paid her a compliment?

When she turned back, Draco was standing, still naked with his clothes in his hand. He was making no attempt to clothe himself, but instead was staring at her intently. At the look in his eyes, Hermione took an involuntary step back.

Draco's smile widened as he stepped nearer to her. "You know, Granger, you danced better than any pureblood I've ever known tonight. It was beautiful to see you move so gracefully with Professor Snape." He stepped closer, and she made a quick move towards her rooms. He smiled and shook his head. "You know, I've never seen my godfather dance like that with anyone. And I have always known that he could dance. Even seen him do it upon occasion. But never with such passion."

Hermione slowed her steps and turned back to Malfoy. "Y-you should get dressed or go to bed. Standing there like that you are liable to catch your death." Resuming her ascent into her rooms, she still heard his response.

"Keep dancing like that, Granger, and I'll offer to let you keep me warm. Pansy was doing okay, but I think you may know some better moves."

She squeaked as she entered her room, slamming the door shut. Quickly, she locked and warded it before sitting on the end of her bed and wondering out loud, "Oh holy Merlin! What have I done?"

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Severus sat before the fire in his rooms, swirling the contents of his glass before downing the liquid in one gulp. The firewhiskey went down smoothly, but gave him a warm sensation that traveled throughout his body.

Bringing his other hand up, he stared at his palm. This hand had held hers. Bringing it close to his face, he inhaled her scent that was still on him. When had Granger become a woman? She was no longer a little know-it-all girl. Instead, she was a woman that made him feel a passion he hadn't felt in a very long time.

Almost as if he heard his spy's thoughts, Dumbledore came through the Floo. "Ah, Severus, my boy. Excellent. I'm glad you are still awake."

Severus looked at the Headmaster with a faint smile. "Was there ever any doubt? You know I haven't been able to go to bed so early since I was allowed to join the Order." He smirked. "Not to mention all these years of patrolling the halls looking for wandering students."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "Yes, yes... But I wanted to speak with you about your and Miss Granger's dance tonight. It was quite moving." He paused for a moment before adding in a softer voice, "You were moved."

Severus looked at Albus with wide eyes. "She asked me to dance, Albus! I wasn't going to. Surely you don't think..."

Albus waved his hand. "That you were being improper with a student? No, of course not, Severus. Miss Granger will only be a student for another two weeks." He shrugged, "and besides, she's been over eighteen for almost the entire year, so technically if you wanted to pursue her..." He let the rest of the sentence dangle between them, and his eyes seemed to sparkle as Severus took in the meaning of his words.

Leaning forward in his chair, Severus asked, "Do you mean to tell me that you would condone one of your professors becoming romantically involved with one of your star pupils?"

Dumbledore smiled and leaned back in his seat. "It isn't unheard of, you know. Minerva had only been a teacher for a mere year when I first let my feelings for her become known. Look how well we've gotten on?"

Severus shook his head. "I can't believe you are having this discussion with me. I've known her since she was a mere child."

"Yes... and you have seen her grow into an adult." His smile grew. "And I haven't seen you smile the way you did tonight since you were a child yourself." He reached across the couch and patted the younger wizard's shoulder as he stood. "You deserve to be happy, Severus. The war is over. If you feel for this witch, do not let her pass you by."

With that the Headmaster left, leaving Severus staring into the fire. Hermione Granger? Romantic notions with her? It was impossible! He looked down at his hand, where he could still seem to feel the warmth of her palm touching his.

Warmth spread through him at the thought of pursuing the witch romantically. It was a wonderful thought. But Albus was daft. She was a beautiful young woman, and he was... Well, he was... him. How could she even take such a pursuit honestly? Refusing to dwell on the thought, he left his sitting room and made his way to find his bed.

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A/N: How's that for a follow-up chapter? Draco propositioned Hermione because he got all hot and bothered by the dance she and Snape did? Ron's a bloody git! And Dumbledore just gave Severus permission to pursue a relationship with a student? WOW! Please leave a review!