54- Unfogging the Future

Standard Disclaimer goes here.

Author's Note: RL is getting stingier and stingier with the time to write. Plus, my muse took an unplanned holiday in the middle of all the recent stress. As always, I offer deepest gratitude to Ladyofthemasque, Beta Extraordinaire, and SnivellusSnape for pre-reading. Profound thanks to you lovely folk who are still along for the ride and who leave the reviews that make my day brighter. And, in case you've not noticed before, you can always check out my LJ for update info and random stuff about me in general. LOL http://pern-dragon.livejournal.com/

Chapter 54- Unfogging the Future

Fortunately, Colin stayed away from the other Gryffindors on cast, as they had all clearly sided with Hermione at the last rehearsal. He didn't even dare to complain in the common room about how exhausted he was after his afternoon detention with Filch. Relieved, Hermione ignored him to the best of her ability, and gratefully accepted the staunch support given to her by her friends.

Saturday, after Colin had been seen trudging off to his detention, Hermione had sidled up to Neville at the lunch table and quietly said, "I never properly thanked you for what you did last night. I want to remedy that now." She had smiled fondly at him and squeezed his arm. "Thank you, Neville. I know it mustn't have been easy to call for Professor Snape like that, and I appreciate it. You just keep surprising us with antics like that, and we'll never know what to expect from you!"

Neville had flushed, smiling sheepishly. "It's all right. Ever since you and I had that talk, I've been trying to grow up and get past my fear. So far, it's working. I think it's helping that he's not so horrid anymore, too."

Hermione had beamed. "It's working brilliantly! And I'm so pleased you've recognized how much Professor Snape has changed, too."

Neville had tossed his head, eyes wide. "Well, he has to have changed to have given me points!" He had snorted and they both had laughed.

Hermione had squeezed his arm again and leant closer, whispering, "You deserved them, and this..." As she trailed off, she had ducked in and planted a kiss on his cheek before pulling back and grinning gratefully at him as she had stood and left the Hall.

Still stunned by such a salute...even though it had been happening more and more...Neville had flushed again, blinking.

A couple of seats down the table, Parvati had looked over and smirked in amusement. Eyes twinkling with mirth, she had scooted closer and said, "What's the matter, Neville?"

Neville had blinked at her, flustered. "Oh, uh, nothing. Just... I'm not used to girls kissing me out of the blue, that's all."

Parvati had chuckled, tilting her head as she surveyed the boy beside her. Her voice was rich with the ripple of suppressed laughter as she had said, "Hmm, perhaps you just need more practice." Then, as a sort of aside, she had murmured, "Not at the kissing part exactly..."

Neville's eyes had widened again, and he had choked, "What?"

Parvati had flashed a mischievous grin at him and said, "I'm not going to lie: you were pretty adept New Year's Eve."

Neville had gone so red that he was verging on purple. Parvati had decided to take pity on the poor boy and leant closer, whispering in his ear, "You just need more practice at not being surprised when a girl kisses you. You're perfectly fine at the kissing itself. Though, I daresay you wouldn't object to practicing that part as well?"

Neville had opened his mouth to answer, but had no voice. Good gods, what was she saying? Could one of the prettiest girls in Hogwarts really be telling him, Neville, that he was a good kisser, and that he shouldn't be surprised when a girl kissed him?

Parvati had chuckled again at his gape-mouthed silence. Her voice low and throaty, she had said, "Don't worry, Neville; I'll wager that by the end of term, you won't be so surprised by being kissed any longer." And with that cryptic remark, she had cocked an eyebrow at him, reaching up to shut his mouth with a gentle finger under his chin, and had slid down the bench again, leaving him to stew.

Utterly overwhelmed, Neville had managed to stand, heading back to Gryffindor Tower in a daze. If only he had someone he felt comfortable enough to ask if it was normal that the ear Parvati had whispered in still tingled, and that he could still feel the burn of her fingertip under his chin...

******* *******

Tuesday evening found Hermione eagerly awaiting Snape collecting her before rehearsal. She sat at the Gryffindor table, sipping her tea and consciously tamping down her anticipation. Snape finished his meal and gravely strode down the aisle toward her. As he passed the other Gryffindors, Colin averted his eyes uncomfortably, but Ginny, and even Harry and Neville, met his glance with respectful nods and murmured greetings. Still somewhat taken aback by the boys' regard, Snape offered a polite nod, returning their greetings with a cordial "Likewise."

Hermione followed him out to the corridor, and they Disapparated to his sitting room again. Hermione looked up and whispered, "I miss you."

Snape closed his eyes for a moment before saying, "I miss you, Hermione." She reached for his hand and gripped it, peering up at him with her heart in her eyes. Snape's chest tightened with the familiar love and longing, and he squeezed her hand quickly before releasing it.

Hermione stepped closer, nearly pressing herself against him, and Snape recoiled. A fleeting grimace of hurt and frustration marred her tender expression before she reached out and grabbed his robes, stopping his retreat. "Don't pull away! Please. I promise I won't go too far. I just... need you, Severus."

Snape swallowed, breathing through his nose. His heart raced in reaction to her proximity, and he struggled to stay calm. In his head, he heard his own voice shrieking that he needed her, too, and he carefully relaxed his posture, allowing himself to step closer to Hermione.

Hermione felt his acquiescence and heaved a grateful sigh, slipping her hands around his waist and pressing her cheek to his chest. Snape rested his hands on her shoulders, eyes closed, until Hermione voiced a fitful whine and said, "Hold me? I love you..."

At that, one hand slid down her back in a loving caress, and the other twined through her hair at the base of her neck, squeezing and rubbing the tense muscles. Bending his head forward, he rested his cheek atop her head, inhaling the scent of her hair and whispering, "I do love you, Hermione."

After a long moment, he pulled back, stroking her hair and pressing a chaste kiss on her forehead. Exchanging a wistful look, neither had to speak before Hermione trudged to the bathroom to retrieve the hair products.

Snape sank into his chair, leaning forward, elbows on his knees and cradling his head in his hands for a moment. Then, sucking in a deep breath, he scrubbed his face and dragged his fingers through his hair, straightening on a long exhalation.

Hermione emerged from the bathroom and stepped behind him, placing the items on the side table. When she began brushing his hair, Snape cleared his throat in a businesslike manner. "Hermione..."

"Mmm?"

"Are you planning on kissing me tonight as intensely as you did last time?"

Hermione paused, taken aback by the question. "Well... um... it wasn't really something I planned. Why?"

Snape's hands seemed to flutter about helplessly as he said, "Clearly it was more than strictly required, and it made for some rather uncomfortable moments, as you well know."

Hermione's brow creased in remembered anxiety and she said, "That reminds me: what did Dumbledore say to you?"

Snape snorted, rolling his eyes. "First, he asked me if I was okay... quite like Potter did with you."

Hermione's fingers tightened on the brush in anger, and she growled, "You heard that, did you?"

"Mmm, yes. No matter." He flicked his fingers, relegating Harry to the realm of the unimportant. "At any rate, when I expressed my surprise at the... degree to which you were willing to go for realism, Dumbledore as much as ordered me to 'put up with it' so we can win the competition!"

Again, Hermione paused, stunned by the lengths to which the headmaster was willing to go in his pursuit of victory. "What a manipulative old man!"

Snape snorted again. His voice was wry as he drawled, "Just now figured that out, did you? I thought you were quicker than that." Hermione shoved his shoulder and he huffed. "Obviously, he's willing to allow it, and he did tell the cast to 'get used to it,' but I'm asking because I don't think you realize just how difficult it is for me to have you accost me like that in our current situation."

Hermione scowled. But you won't let me kiss you like that otherwise, so that's my only chance! Biting back that comment, instead she said, "I'm sorry. It just... hit me. I mean, it fits with the role."

Snape screwed his eyes shut and clenched his hands. Doggedly, he persisted, "I understand that. Hermione, I'm appealing to your sense of mercy." He wrenched his head free from her grasp and turned tormented, imploring eyes to her.

Lip pushing forward in petulance, Hermione murmured, "Fine. I'll try. But if Dumbledore liked it, and he wants me to perform that way, who am I to disobey?"

Snape's eyes narrowed and he said, "Oh yes, you're Hermione 'I-Follow-the-Rules-All-the-Time' Granger. Forgive me; I forgot."

Head tilting as she glared at him in pique, Hermione refused to rise to his barb, simply waiting until he turned back around so she could finish his hair. Simmering with resentment, she remained silent until she secured his hair into the elastic, uttering a curt, "Done."

Snape spun to look at her, brow creased in concern. "Hermione, I'm serious. Don't make things harder than they have to be."

She chewed her lip, glaring at the floor. Huffing, she finally said, "I said 'fine.' Okay?"

Snape stood, Summoning his mask. Hating the awkward tension between them, he ground his teeth and retorted, "Indeed." He offered his arm to her, and she gripped it, nodding that she was ready to Apparate. Snape nodded in turn, and they Disapparated to the Hall.

The excitement of doing the last blocking run-through filled the Hall. Even McGonagall was smiling as Dumbledore set the stage and cast spells on the cast members. Snape and Hermione separated, Snape heading into the wing, and Hermione waiting on the edge of the apron.

When everything was ready, Dumbledore called for places, and Snape and Hermione mounted the boat in the wing, while Harry and McGonagall climbed the sloping set piece. The scenes progressed, and Harry grinned as he dropped from the slope into the opened trap door, falling on his own Cushioning Charm.

The tension between Snape and Hermione fuelled their performance, and the angst was palpable. Harry emerged from the trap door, cutting through the charged atmosphere. To his credit, he managed not to balk at the rope as Snape looped it around his neck and lifted it.

The scenes seemed to gain momentum as they went on, and they came to the climactic moment. Hermione advanced on Snape, once again slipping her hands up his chest and around his neck. As she gazed into his eyes, she saw the mute appeal and warning. Mutinous resentment flared up, but she pressed a chaste kiss on his lips, keeping a firm grip on herself.

Snape's shoulders sagged in relief at the almost wooden way Hermione kissed him, even as he recognized how poorly it compared to the pathos of the previous rehearsal. Heaving a sigh as he pulled away from her to stagger toward Harry, he tried to invest as much emotion in his performance as before, but even he felt it was lacking fire, and the whole thing after that fell rather flat. The Act wound down, with the mob climbing down the portcullis and Ginny slithering underneath it.

Snape shrouded himself in the cloak, disappointment in himself gnawing at him. He Disapparated to the back of the house when Ginny snatched the cloak, and when it was over, he could see the dismay on Dumbledore's face even from that distance.

There was no applause this time. Everyone exchanged sheepish glances, feeling almost let down by their stars. Whereas before they had all been striving to live up to the standard set by the leads, now they felt cheated by the unprecedented spiral downward from the momentous kiss through the end.

Snape decided to walk down the aisle to rejoin the cast, instead of Apparating, in a vain attempt to stave off the inevitable chagrin at his failure. Glancing at the stage, he saw Hermione worrying her hands uncomfortably as she chewed her lip, staring at the floor. Draco and the other Slytherins were gazing haughtily at her, shaking their heads in disgust. As Draco saw Snape's movement, he turned to look at Snape, a flicker of disdain rippling over his pale features. He managed to school his expression into his normal cold sneer before his Head of House could take him to task for being disrespectful.

Dumbledore turned to Snape, his expression one of puzzlement and disappointment. His voice low, he queried, "Severus?"

Snape strode over to Dumbledore, head bent forward, wishing his hair was loose to hide his face. In a murmur, he said, "I do apologize, Headmaster. I know that performance left much to be desired. I shall remedy that as we go through it now."

Dumbledore frowned. He glanced back and forth from Snape to Hermione. "I don't understand it. What could make such a difference between last time and now?"

Snape avoided Dumbledore's quizzical gaze. "Perhaps last rehearsal was a fluke."

Dumbledore snorted derisively. "Rubbish. No. There has to be something different." He peered at Snape again, making the younger man want to fidget under his scrutiny. All at once, Dumbledore lit up. "I know! The glamour! You used the glamour last time. That's it, Severus. You must use it again this time. I'm sure that will make all the difference." Beaming confidently at Snape, Dumbledore clapped him on the shoulder and announced to the cast, "All right, everyone back to places. We'll do it once more, and this time with the music!"

Snape slunk onstage and met Hermione at the boat. Everyone else scattered to their places, and Snape shot a dark look at Hermione before casting his glamour. She blinked and shuddered minutely. Seeing that they were out of earshot of any other cast members, Snape murmured, "Obviously, Dumbledore was rather disappointed in the performance. I can't say I blame him. He thinks it's because I didn't have the glamour." He rolled his eyes and favoured Hermione with an aggrieved look.

She glanced about furtively and hissed back, "You know why it was horrid! It's a travesty that we were so awkward and stilted. Everyone could feel it. I'm sorry, Severus, but I'm not going to let Dumbledore and everyone down like that. Surely you can handle it." She tilted her head and pinned him with a challenging gaze.

His eyes narrowed, and his jaw throbbed as he clenched his teeth. Pride stung, he straightened stiffly and growled, "Very well then." At that, Dumbledore called for action, and they snapped their attention to the scene.

When they entered the stage, a susurrus of gasps whooshed through the wings and catwalks at Snape's appearance. As they progressed, it became obvious that both Snape and Hermione were rising to the challenge of giving a better performance than they had just done. Other cast members throughout the stage space nodded in satisfaction that their leads were once again "leading" by example.

The tension built as they approached the kiss. Finally, Hermione turned to Snape, tears once again trailing down her cheeks. When she crossed to him, she locked a determined, fiery gaze with his as she practically launched herself against him, hands sliding up to grip his hair. She covered his lips with hers, her tongue demanding entrance, aggressive and powerful.

Snape's eyes snapped open wide in astonishment at her bold move, then drooped closed a bare instant later as his traitorous body exploded with feeling in reaction to the electric connection once again flowing through them. Unbidden, his hands...which had been splayed to either side, rigid in shock...rose to cup her face, holding her still as he responded in kind, devouring her in a blaze of passion.

The music swelled around them, eventually culminating and changing. Snape heard the music as if from a great distance, so loud was the roaring of his blood pounding through his veins. Also faint was the voice of reason that was screaming at him to let go of Hermione and pay attention to what he was doing! Opening his eyes a fraction to gaze heatedly at Hermione, he noted the glazed lust in her eyes, and in his peripheral vision, he saw Harry staring incredulously at them. That jolted him from his fog. Breaking away with a horrified gasp, he felt his pulse race from panic instead of from desire for Hermione. Lurching toward Harry, he severed the rope, flailing about wildly for some semblance of control again.

Hermione, too, was trying to marshal her scattered faculties. What she had meant to merely make a point to Snape had almost teetered over the edge into giving themselves away. Panting shallowly in fear, she followed Snape's lead in forging on with the roles.

The scenes continued, and it was over once again. As soon as the music finished, everyone was startled by McGonagall storming out onto the stage, indignant wrath personified as she brandished her Mme. Giry cane and screeched, "Severus Snape! Where are you? Get back here this instant!" Her brogue was more pronounced in her anger.

Snape remained in the shadows at the back of the house, icy dread prickling his skin and settling like a rock in his stomach. Dumbledore hurried up to the apron and peered up in concern. "What's wrong, Minerva?"

She glared at him in disbelief, mouth falling open. "Wrong? Albus, weren't you paying attention?" By now, the rest of the cast had emerged from the wings, watching the spectacle unfold in fascination. "How dare he take advantage of a student like that?"

Ginny, who had been enjoying working so closely with her Head of House, sidled closer to the irate woman and said, "Professor, you weren't here last time. I can imagine how surprised you must be..."

McGonagall turned wide eyes on the girl, staring at her as if she had never seen her before. "Surprised? I had better be surprised that a professor of this school, and a Head of House no less, would exhibit such reprehensible behaviour! Albus, what are you going to do about this? Why are you still just standing there?"

Snape swallowed and squared his shoulders, marching down the aisle and feeling as if he were heading to the gallows. McGonagall saw the movement and glared at him, her nostrils flaring as she pointed her cane at him. Abandoning her questions to Dumbledore, she huffed ominously at Snape as he drew closer, sternly demanding, "End that glamour this instant! How dare you? What have you to say for yourself, Severus? I never would have thought it of you."

Snape tried his best to ignore the spark of resentment at her statement as his inner voice sneered, Wouldn't have thought it of me because no one could possibly ever want me, right? Or no one would ever be willing to subject themselves to my attentions? Quickly dispelling the glamour, he lifted his chin to regard her regally, "What do you expect me to say, Minerva?"

She narrowed her eyes and jutted her lower jaw forward as she hissed, "Really, Severus! Snogging a student like that..."

She was cut off by Neville blurting, "He didn't snog her; she snogged him." The silence following his unexpected declaration was electric, and all eyes turned toward him. He immediately began to flush, and he mumbled, "Everyone keeps getting it mixed up..."

McGonagall blinked at him in astonishment for a long moment before whirling to face Snape again. Snape pushed away his shock at Neville's unanticipated support, compartmentalizing it to deal with it later when more vitally important events weren't happening.

Everyone turned their attention back to the row between McGonagall and Snape, wondering what would happen next. No one saw Parvati dart up behind Neville, spin him around, and kiss him full on the lips, her eyes dancing with mischief at the shock on Neville's face.

Pulling away, Parvati beamed and winked at Neville, whispering, "Brilliant!" before patting him on the shoulders and spinning him back around. Neville blinked furiously, his face going even redder in his daze. Parvati streaked away from him again and hid behind a set piece, clamping a hand over her mouth to stifle the giggles that threatened to erupt. As she regained her composure, she peeked around the set piece at the confrontation that still held everyone else in its thrall.

Snape regarded McGonagall through narrow slits and growled, "Certainly you read the script before now. Therefore, the scene should not come as a surprise to you! You already made your position clear that no one was to harass Miss Granger...so how dare you presume to chastise me for merely doing my part?"

McGonagall's eyes widened and her mouth worked soundlessly as she struggled to draw breath enough to blast Snape as if he were an errant schoolboy. Her voice was shrill as she stammered, "'Merely'... doing your part? Your role as a teacher at this school does not include taking advantage of young girls!"

The staring crowd gasped as one, and Dumbledore murmured warningly, "Minerva..."

Snape had jerked back as if struck, his lips thinning so much that they nearly disappeared. Onstage, Hermione whirled furiously toward her Head of House, hands clenched into trembling fists at her sides.

"He did not take advantage of me! Stop making such horrible accusations!"

Another gasp swept through the cast as all eyes swung toward Hermione, who was glaring at McGonagall. McGonagall's eyes nearly bugged out of her head in astonished indignation at her charge's demand.

A bare instant after her impassioned declaration, Snape barked, "Miss Granger, hold your tongue!"

Hermione snapped her gaze to Snape, a protest already forming on her lips as Snape slashed his hand through the air and bellowed, "Enough!"

McGonagall, distracted by friendly fire, postured at Hermione and said, "Miss Granger, you will stay out of this conversation! I am grievously disappointed that you...and Head Girl, no less...would dare to butt in so rudely..."

Hermione straightened, tilting her chin up loftily and retorting, "I beg your pardon, Professor, but as it was my person that you so casually accused Professor Snape of taking advantage of, I felt I had the right to intervene with the truth. If Professor Snape and I have managed to accept the stipulations of our roles, I daresay it behoves you to do so as well. Particularly since the headmaster is in agreement with us."

Snape had sucked in a terrified breath when Hermione had launched into her rebuttal, holding it as he feared the worst. But, at her parting shot, that breath exploded out of him, making him almost dizzy as McGonagall whipped around to pin Dumbledore with a steely gaze.

"What is she talking about, Albus?" The hand that wasn't gripping her cane settled on her hip, fingers drumming a tattoo as she waited for his answer.

Dumbledore opened his mouth, inhaling to form his response, but Ginny broke in before he could speak. Her voice wry, she said, "I believe your exact words, Headmaster, were 'get used to it.' Isn't that correct, sir?" She slid her eyes to him, one brow cocking upward at his sheepish expression.

McGonagall's hand on her hip slipped off and she lifted it to her forehead, passing it over her eyes as if trying to grasp a confusing concept. Shaking her head, she glared again at Dumbledore, repeating, "Albus?"

Dumbledore stroked his beard, blinking as he calculated his response. The entire cast waited with bated breath. Snape stood frozen, his pulse thundering in his ears. Dumbledore cleared his throat, darting his gaze over the waiting group. As he caught Ginny's eye, she lifted her eyebrows at him expectantly, and he cleared his throat again, shifting his weight and muttering, "Mmm, yes, well... As to your question, Miss Weasley..." He cut a glance at McGonagall's baleful glare and finally said, "You are indeed correct. I believe those were my words."

McGonagall's mouth fell open again, and she choked, "Albus Dumbledore, have you taken leave of your senses?"

At that, Dumbledore gathered about him the shreds of his authority and stiffened. The amiable twinkling in his blue eyes vanished, replaced by a steely glint. His voice held a clear warning as he said, "Professor McGonagall, if you'd care to continue this discussion, you may do so at my convenience in my office. As it stands, I believe I have made myself clear on the matter, and therefore feel no need to address it any longer. The rest of the cast has seen fit to accept the requirements of the play, and you should join them. I shall not countenance any further comment on either Professor Snape's or Miss Granger's dedication and performance. And, considering how distressed our lead actors are after such a confrontation, I am ending this rehearsal now. Everyone is to return to their quarters at once, and I shall post the information for the next rehearsal on the notice board." He swept a stern gaze over the group, and the students immediately began dispersing. McGonagall stood staring at Dumbledore in disbelief.

Snape took the opportunity to offer a grateful nod to the headmaster as he murmured, "Good night." Then, turning to the still fuming Transfiguration professor, he hissed, "I do hope you will come to see reason, Minerva. Rest assured that Miss Granger is in no danger with me. I give you my word." He inclined his head in a minute bow and Disapparated, leaving the sputtering woman in his wake.

As she turned to Dumbledore again, he repeated, "In my office, Minerva. You've made quite enough of a spectacle of yourself in front of the students for one night."

Visibly affronted, McGonagall fell back a pace before huffing and narrowing her eyes at Dumbledore. "Very well then. I'll meet you there." With that, she swept away, bustling past the knots of students that were making their way up the aisle.

Still fuming, Hermione avoided her Head of House, frostily gazing away from the irate matriarch. As McGonagall disappeared, the Gryffindors exchanged glances and surged up the aisle and to the Tower. Ginny gripped Hermione's elbow in a comforting squeeze as they mounted the stairs.

Neville kept casting nervous glances at a smirking Parvati, clearly unsure what to make of her advances. It wasn't until everyone was disbanding to head to their respective beds that she sidled up to him and breathed in his ear, "Remember, you've got to stop being surprised!" Chuckling at the pink stain travelling up his cheek at her proximity and words, she winked at him again and followed Lavender to their dorm.

******** ***********

Down in his quarters, Snape mechanically changed into his lounge wear and settled in his armchair, staring unseeingly into the fire. McGonagall's extreme reaction to the kiss only served to highlight how difficult it would be for Hermione and him to go public with their relationship. His vow to McGonagall echoed in his head, and a powerful protective urge welled up, directing his thoughts to the future.

He had to come up with some plan for the end of term. It was clearer than ever that staying on at Hogwarts was out of the question. Roiling emotions surfaced along with that realization. As soon as the year was over, he had to have some place to go, preferably some place to which he could take Hermione, should she need or wish to join him. He swallowed hard at the solution that presented itself.

Spinner's End.

He could go home.

But, was it really home after all this time, and all the bad memories associated with it? Sure, he still had it. Like he had written to Hermione, he hadn't been able to bring himself to sell it. What he hadn't mentioned was that he had long ago contracted with a Muggle estate agent to rent it out and take care of it, with a minimum of bother to him. With this much notice, surely he would be able to vacate the premises in time for him to take up residence.

The thought of returning to Spinner's End made his stomach clench, but he took a deep breath and forced himself to look at it from a new perspective. This was his chance to exorcise the ghosts that lived within its walls. He could change its whole being by bringing happiness and love to it. Firming his resolve to look into the matter right away, he shot to his feet and made a beeline for his wardrobe in his room, pulling open a bottom drawer and rifling through stacks of papers there.

I'll send a letter tomorrow morning. I must see how that account is doing as well. Albus has been after me to take a greater interest in the property, so now I shall do just that.

From within the stacks, he withdrew what looked like a form letter with black typeset on plain white paper. Across the top was a header that read "Graham D. Moore, Estate Agent." Nodding sharply, Snape set that sheet aside and searched through more papers. Finally, he found an account statement and put it with the other sheet. Frowning thoughtfully as he read the papers, he crossed to his bed and stripped off his lounge wear, sliding under the covers.

Placing the sheets on his nightstand, he doused the lights and thought, If I'm going to leave Hogwarts, I need to figure out what I can do to earn a living. I won't have a teaching salary any longer, nor will I have any income from rent. I'll check the Potions periodicals for any leads on positions, and perhaps it's time to look into what I would need to be able to open my own business. If I can secure a place to live and a decent income, then perhaps people will take me seriously when I make known my intent to be with Hermione and provide for her. I wonder if she's determined what her plans are after finishing Hogwarts. Right now, with her current schoolwork and the play and N.E.W.T.s coming up, I doubt she's had any time to spare to consider her options. Perhaps we can talk about it when she's eased up on her restrictions. I'd love to send her a letter, or go to her, but I dare not. Tread slowly and carefully, ol' chap. Your future depends on it.

With that sober admonishment, he rolled onto his side and willed himself to sleep.

******* *********

Hermione secluded herself in her room, resolutely tamping down her ire at her Head of House's extreme reaction to her onstage kiss with Snape. One part of her mind gratefully made note that her friends had once again stood up for her, and she hoped such would be the case when she and Snape went public come summer. She drew a hot bath, hoping it would relax her for sleep, as she was tense from the confrontation at rehearsal.

Slipping into the steaming, frothing water, she relived the searing kiss, once again feeling the surge of arousal spiking through her. A petulant whine sounded in her head, resentful of the restrictions keeping her from enjoying intimacy with Snape again.

Stop it! You know it's for the best, and it's not like you'll have to wait forever. You have other things to think about besides sex with Severus! A sizzling pang swept through her, making her eyes roll back at the thought of consummating their relationship. Gasping at the throbbing in her centre, she grimly thought, So much for redirection... Oh, for mercy's sake, you know how to take care of business to clear your head. If you're going to be that way, just get on with it!

Erotic images whirling in her mind, stoking the simmering fire that had sparked to life onstage as she locked lips with Snape, she drained the bath and made ready for bed. As she pulled on her nightgown, she eyed the stash that she had borrowed from Ginny.

The mischievous voice in her head lilted, You know, you haven't continued with your plan yet...

Sucking in a breath at the recollection of her idea to dispense with her physical virginity before she and Snape were together, she crawled into bed and pulled a magazine out from the stack, flipping to the article about sex toys, complete with demonstrative photos.

Barely blinking, so rapt was she at the information therein, she perused the variety of toys available, and read the charms developed for "marital aids" with avid interest. Not only could one buy vibrators with the charms built in...for those who weren't all that comfortable with their charms skills...but with the spells given, those who were confident in their skills could cast the vibration charms on any object they wished to use.

As she read, silently practicing the charms in her head, one hand snaked down her body to dip within her knickers, teasing the swollen lips slick with her excitement. Turning the pages to see the different toys in use, she gasped at the flash of heat that washed over her the moment she saw a modified Engorgement Charm used on a slender dildo, swelling it until it obviously filled the moaning witch, stretching her flesh as she pumped it in and out of her.

Questing fingers crept further until they circled her opening, smoothing her juices over her skin. One fingertip delved inside, making her hips rock upward in response. Once again, she could feel her hymen against the back of her finger, and the resolution to rid herself of the pesky impediment strengthened.

Glancing away from the fascinating spectacle of the woman fucking herself with the engorged toy, Hermione saw another witch showing how to transfigure a straight object into one with a curve at the tip, then lying back and sliding it into her glistening pussy. As she rocked it into place, a shudder rippled her body and she inhaled sharply, her breasts rising rapidly with her panting. Another tingle shot through Hermione, ending in her cunt, as she recognized that the witch had shaped the toy so it would hit that spot... the one that Snape had found inside her that had sent her over the edge so spectacularly.

Her breathing increased as she imagined Snape's fingers once again inside her, caressing her. Slick fingers drew back along her pussy lips, slotting between them to circle her clit. Perspiration beaded on her upper lip, and the magazine dropped to her side as she closed her eyes in pleasure, arching up and cupping her breast through her nightgown.

After such a lead-up, it only took a few moments of effort to reach her peak, moaning on a long quavering note as her body contracted and shuddered in ecstasy. Floating down from her euphoria, she pushed the magazine to the floor, stretching and curling up with her pillows, smiling in satisfaction. The languor that followed her orgasm blanketed her, and she fell asleep with a replete sigh, ready to dream about the man she loved.

********* *************

Wednesday morning, Snape set the class with an assignment and sat at his desk composing his letter to the estate agent. He studiously avoided Hermione's wistful and curious looks, directing his attention fully to his plans.

The estate agent was a Muggle, and the account Snape had set up with Gringotts was separate from the one into which he deposited his teaching salary. Gringotts had special accounts that dealt with Muggles, performing the currency exchanges and providing believable façades and paperwork to keep them blithely ignorant of the true nature of the accountholders.

Ever since the house had been left to him, Snape had tried to ignore it, hiring this Graham Moore to arrange for renters and take care of all of the issues associated with owning property, such as taxes, utilities, and upkeep. Over the years, Moore had kept the place tenanted with a minimum of bother for Snape, for which Snape was patently grateful enough to never balk at the periodic re-negotiations of Moore's salary. Snape imagined that the man would be loath to part with this contract, as it had paid him for so long, but Snape had no compunctions about ending his contract with the man. His future with Hermione was more important. Still, he'd consider a nice severance bonus, as a thank you for his dedication and service.

Finishing his letter to Moore, Snape then began an inquiry about his Gringotts account. After so many years, he could only assume that a tidy sum had built up, as the rent collected outweighed the amounts paid to Moore and any bills. Hopefully, it would be enough to see him through fixing the house up for his habitation, including having it connected to the Floo network, as well as leaving him several months' worth of cushion to cover his bills until he had his new career path on track...whatever that ended up being.

He was still preoccupied when the period ended, and he accorded Hermione the most fleeting of acknowledgements before disappearing into his office to summon a house-elf to take his letters to the owlery.

Later that day, he read the post on the notice board, "Friday February 27: run through with sets: Act One. Everyone required to attend."

Merciful heavens, that should be interesting. It's been weeks since we've practiced anything in Act One. I must revise everything before rehearsal. I shall not be one to forget my parts.

****** ********

Snape wasn't the only one anxious about the run-through. At dinner Friday night, cast members all over the Great Hall were nervously flipping through scripts and reciting lines with each other, gesturing and nodding as they described their blocking and business.

Hermione, too, was involved in revising with Ginny, Harry, Neville, and Ron...who had reluctantly joined them at the Gryffindor table, thus demonstrating the magnitude of his worry...when Snape glided down the aisle behind Hermione.

As they distractedly came to a stop, looking up as his shadow fell across the table, Hermione jumped and quickly gathered herself for leaving. In the fleeting moment that passed, Snape's keen eyes took in the group's practice, and an unexpected swell of satisfaction formed in his chest. Clearly, these cast members took the performance seriously. With dedication and hard work like this, Hogwarts was sure to win the competition. His normally cold expression warmed a trifle, and his black eyes snapped with approval. The Gryffindors gazed blankly up at him, sensing the change, but bewildered by the novelty of it. Thus it was that every chin dropped in astonishment when Snape smoothly said, "The headmaster would be pleased to see you all so intent on your practice. One point to Gryffindor for each of you for your dedication to this production."

Even Hermione stared at him in surprise as she stood. Clearing her throat, she murmured, "Thank you, Professor." A chorus of "thank you"s followed her statement. One corner of Snape's mouth twitched and he nodded, gesturing for Hermione to join him as he strode down the aisle. She scurried after him.

Back at the table, the other four exchanged incredulous glances. Finally, Neville broke the stunned silence and said, "Wow. You think this is the start of a trend?"

Frowning, Ron said, "Trend?"

"Of Snape actually giving points to anyone besides Slytherin."

Ginny looked at their perplexed faces and bit back a smile. Bemused, she merely shrugged and tilted her head to one side, saying, "Could be... At any rate, what say we carry on?"

They nodded and returned to their revising.

In the corridor, Snape offered his arm to Hermione, and they Disapparated. Once in his quarters, Hermione gazed up at him in wonder, a tiny smile hovering on her lips. Cocking one eyebrow, Snape queried, "What?"

The smile widened, and Hermione shook her head as she said, "That was certainly unexpected. Are you trying to kill off the Gryffindors by giving them heart attacks?"

Although her words were playful, Snape couldn't help but feel a bit put out. He frowned, pulling stiffly away from her. With a brusque gesture toward the bathroom, he crossed to his chair, sitting with a wounded air. Hermione's brows rose at his reaction, and she hastened to collect the hair products, wondering why he seemed so offended.

When she had taken up her position behind him, she softly said, "Severus?" A guttural grunt answered her. She began brushing his hair, trying again. "Severus, what's wrong?"

She could see his jaw throbbing as he ground his teeth. He was silent for a long moment. Finally, the weight of her expectation goaded him to answer. "I have long heard it said that women were fickle-minded, but I had hoped it was merely sour grapes. Apparently, my hope was in vain."

Brow furrowing in confusion, Hermione said, "What are you talking about?"

Heaving a supremely irritated sigh, Snape ground out, "You wished me to 'be nicer' and to treat your friends well. And yet, when I strive to accede to your wishes within the scope of my position and our situation, you twit me about it. Pick an option. Just one. Either let me go on as I am, and don't pester me about it, or let me try to better myself and please you, and show a little appreciation for the effort rather than taking the piss!" His voice had increased in intensity and volume until he finished in a blast of anger.

Hermione stopped her ministrations, taken aback by the force of his statement. She instantly realized that her flippant words had hurt him, and she dropped the brush on the side table, rushing around to sit on the ottoman, gripping his hands and clasping them in his lap as she leant toward him earnestly.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you. Honestly! You're right. You're doing everything I asked, and it's perfectly splendid! I was just joking, but I see that it was a bad idea. Forgive me, Severus. I know how stressful things must be for you until the end of the year, and I wish I could make it up to you. You deserve a reward for all the sacrifices and work you do..."

Snape saw the sincere appeal in her eyes and was mollified. As she went on, he gained awareness of her hands caressing his in his lap, and his inner Slytherin latched onto her words with unnerving alacrity. He had been doing his best to distract himself from pining for her, but sometimes the yearning overwhelmed him. He cut her off, lifting her hand to his cheek and pinning her with a consuming gaze. "A reward? You can make it up to me, Hermione. Let me see you again," he urged at his most persuasive.

Hermione's eyes widened at the heat that had sprung to life so suddenly in his eyes. The answering flash that swept through her scattered her wits. Staring blankly at him, she shivered as he pressed a warm kiss to her palm, pausing to drag a delicate tongue over her wrist.

Snape watched her immediate response to his touch, and his body tightened with an almost electric charge. Unblinking, he nibbled along her wrist, pushing her sleeve up as he continued, dropping a trail of deliberate kisses along her arm. He slid forward on his seat, pulling her toward him as he went. She stared back at him in a daze, and when he reached the inside of her elbow, he paused to gently bite her flesh, grazing his teeth over the tender skin. She gasped, then sighed, and her eyes closed involuntarily.

Like a snake striking, he saw his opportunity and pounced, surging forward to drop to his knees between his chair and the ottoman, wrapping his other arm around her waist and pulling her close. He rubbed his cheek up her arm and to her neck, where he flicked his tongue at the sensitive spot just under her ear. Draping her arm around his neck, he insinuated himself between her knees, tugging her forward until she was perched on the very edge of the ottoman, her head lolling to one side to allow him easier access to the places that sent tingles of fire racing through her.

Like black ice on a road, Snape had hit the slippery slope.

His burning need for Hermione clouded his judgement. Gripping her around the waist, he viciously shoved the ottoman backward, letting Hermione slide down his body to straddle his lap. His hands travelled down her back to cup her arse, settling her against the erection that strained against his trousers. She was pliable in his arms, submerged under the wave of desire that had hit them like a tsunami. He suckled her earlobe, delighting in her cooing gasps. Moving along her jaw, he captured her mouth in his, probing with his tongue, hers dancing against his.

Neither seemed to notice that he was lowering her to the floor, slipping his arm from beneath her back and resting on his knees, her legs spread around his hips. Her fingers tangled in his hair of their own accord, and she moaned against his lips. His cock was pressed against her mound, and they writhed and rocked, lost in sensual abandon.

Snape pulled away to suckled her earlobe again, breathing, "Tonight. Let me come to you. I need you."

His hot breath on her ear gave her goose flesh, and the fiery ache in her centre begged her to say "yes." But, somewhere in the back of her mind, a faint voice raged, demanding her attention. He's doing it again! Using intimacy to get his way. He swears he won't break his word to be with you before school is over, and yet he's urging you to scrap your decision to slow down and be more careful! Distracting you with kisses and touches... Is his decision more important than yours? How dare he? So manipulative!

The tirade in her head fought a battle with the sensations in her body, until she finally gathered her wits. Sliding her hands from his hair to his shoulders, she pushed against him, turning her head away from his attentions. With a gasp, she said, "Severus!"

Snape jerked back, confused. Her face was flushed with arousal, but her expression was shifting to irritation. When he didn't move back enough, she pushed against him again. He struggled to his knees, sitting up. She scowled up at him, dishevelled. Thinking she was only worried about the time, he coaxed, "We've enough time to Apparate upstairs. Just a few minutes... About tonight...Hermione, love, say yes. Let me show you how much I love you."

Her eyes closed and her mouth twisted in a moue of frustration. Looking back up at him, she inhaled deeply and said, "No."

Snape blinked. It was as if cold water had been dashed over him. Throat tight, he said, "I beg your pardon?"

Hermione struggled backward, sitting up. Swallowing hard, she repeated, "No. I thought we had agreed on this, Severus. You've no right to try to make me go back on my decision. And I told you that it wouldn't work to try and use intimacy to get your way!" She watched his eyes widen incredulously, the colour draining from his face.

Snape froze, indignation and frustration welling up. Through set teeth, he hissed, "I am not doing that!"

Hermione scuttled further back, huddling against the side of the discarded ottoman and drawing her knees up to wrap an arm around them. "You wouldn't even let me touch you last week! I just wanted to be close to you, and you refused me. What was it you said? Something about a 'slippery slope'? You were right, Severus. I was right. And when I was weak, you guided me back on the safe path." She passed a trembling hand over her face, then looked at him with reproach. "And now you try to persuade me to let you come to my room again? You know I can't allow that! Good gods, Severus, look at what just happened to us..." She trailed off, gesturing to their wanton position on the floor. When she continued, it was in a strained whisper.

"We nearly blew it in rehearsal last time, as it is. Dearest, the fires are still burning in both of us...you know that. The last thing we need is to fan the flames. Bloody hell, if I let you come to me again, it'd be like throwing petrol on the bonfire! We can't take the risk of what destruction that kind of explosion would cause." Again, she paused, gazing at him in pained entreaty. Her voice shook as she said, "Severus, please..."

Snape had sat, as still as a stone, galvanized by her words. After the cold shock of her refusal had numbed him, a white-hot flash of indignant fury had prickled his skin. But, at her mention of the "slippery slope," he realized with brutal clarity that she was right. Another cold chill...this time of shame...swept over him. His stomach roiled with it, and he found himself unable to meet her eyes any longer.

Sagging back onto his heels, he averted his eyes, shaking his hair forward, glad she hadn't finished slicking it back. Swallowing against the gorge that kept rising in his throat, he fumbled to his feet enough to sit in the chair again. Sinking in on himself, he buried his face in his hands and curled forward, tucking his elbows between his belly and his lap.

Hermione watched him fold in on himself, her heart crying out in shared pain. She knew she had made her point, so she carefully got to her feet, sidling behind him again. His robes were stretched tight across his back, and she could see the tension in his muscles outlined under the fabric.

Sadness blanketed her, making her almost weary. Still, it was with a gentle caress that she touched his back, vainly attempting to soothe him as she said, "Severus, love, please sit up. We haven't much time left, and I must finish your hair."

His body rose as he filled his lungs in order to exhale a deep sigh of self-disgust. Deflating like a bellows, he finally unfurled, sitting back to allow Hermione to finish her task. His eyes closed under a furrowed brow as she began brushing his hair again.

She worked in silence. When she was securing his hair in the elastic, Snape rumbled, "Forgive me, Hermione."

Finished, Hermione leant forward and snaked her arms around him, hugging him tight. "I wish we could throw caution to the wind and be together as much as we like, but we've only a few months left, dear heart. It's hard and exhausting and frustrating and horrid, but we can manage; I'm certain of it!" She pressed her cheek on his shoulder and squeezed again. In a soft whisper, she added, "And I forgive you, Severus. I love you."

Snape gripped her forearms, holding her close. Swallowing back the petulant roar of impatience, he instead murmured, "And I, you. Always..."

With a final pat, Snape removed her arms from his person and stood, straightening his robes. With an air of sad resignation, he Summoned his mask and turned to face Hermione.

She gazed up at him wistfully, her love gleaming through the sheen of tears. Stepping from behind the chair, she stretched her hand out to Snape. He took it in a firm grip, and she smiled at him. Closing the distance between them, she lifted her other hand and cupped his cheek, whispering, "It'll be all right. Let's go, love."

Snape inclined his head mutely and placed her hand through the crook of his elbow. With a sharp nod, they Disapparated.