Chapter 3

Hermione was thrilled that Severus had finally opened up and admitted that he liked her. She wondered what had changed his mind. She was excited about her date and wanted to look good, but of course, she didn't have too many clothes.

Very early Saturday morning, Hermione snuck up to the Room of Requirement and asked for more Muggle clothing. Some nice jeans and a halter-top appeared in front of her. She picked up the shirt and looked at it with reservation. I surely will make him nervous if I wear this! Oh, well.

Hermione took her belongings and ran down to the bathrooms, where she showered and put herself together. Then, she rushed down to the Great Hall. Everyone that was going to Hogsmeade was meeting by the Hogwarts gates, so the large room was relatively empty. She didn't know what time he was going to show, but she waited patiently. Slowly, the doors cracked open, and her heart started fluttering. Severus walked in, and Hermione blushed after seeing him.

He was wearing black trousers and boots and a black, long-sleeved, button up shirt, with the sleeves rolled up his to his elbows. He had pulled his hair back into a slim ponytail, leaving several strands around his face. These were apparently his best clothes; she knew he didn't have a lot, but neither did she.

"I didn't know if you would be here yet," he said as he walked up to her. She rose from the bench and picked up her sweater.

"You look dashing," she said.

He smiled. "You look... delectable."

"Thanks," she gushed. "So, where are you taking me?"

"To my favorite spot. Of course, it's somewhat of a hike. So, are you up for it?"

"Yes--lead the way."

"Here, let me help you; it's a little chilly outside." He reached for her sweater and helped her put it over her bare arms. Then he cast a warming charm over the both of them.

They walked out past the doors and down toward the boathouse.

"I have to ask and then I will drop it, but why me? Why not Black?"

"You just are very enchanting to me. Sirius is a flirt. I mean, don't get me wrong, a girl does like to be flirted with, but not when it won't mean anything the next day... Do you understand that?"

"I believe so."

"What made you change your mind about meeting me?"

"Someone pointed out that I was acting like a fool. And I was. I get suspicious about things."

"Well, whoever it was is right. You were acting like a fool. I know this is new to you, but I hope you can trust me. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you... unless you hurt me first, then--WATCH OUT!" She put her hands up like claws and growled.

"Oooh. Scary."

"Yes--you'd better be scared! I'm a very powerful witch!"

"I've been noticing. Some of the things you do, they... remind me of myself. Especially your work in Potions class. You use some of the same techniques that I do."

Hermione had to laugh. Of course I would, Severus! You were the one who taught me!

"Why are you laughing?"

"Just because, um... I didn't think you noticed me, actually, and yet you have been watching me very carefully. That's just funny because I can't seem to take my eyes off of you."

He stopped walking and looked at her calculatingly like he did when she was his student in the future.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"No. You are very open with your feelings. I'm not, so please don't think something is wrong when I get quiet. You just stun me sometimes. Nobody has really ever paid any attention to me in a good way; this takes some getting used to."

She didn't know what to say to that, so for once she kept her mouth closed and looked at him with loving eyes.

"Come. We are almost there," he said while holding his hand out. She slowly placed her hand into his and laced her fingers between his. She was very impressed that he had made such a bold move.

They walked silently the rest of the way, holding hands. Hermione took this opportunity to remember another time when he had left her speechless during that special summer.

"Professor! You're back!"

She stood there speechless, realizing that he had planned on taking her out to get some fresh air before he was summoned. And he was making a joke! About being a Death Eater, no less.

"Okay, climb in," Snape said when they reached the boathouse, jolting her back to reality.

"We're going for a boat ride?" she said as she stepped into the small boat.

"Yes, every time there is a weekend at Hogsmeade, I get into a boat and go across to the other side. I don't go into town for two reasons: Black and Potter."

He finished helping her in, stepping inside himself. After a few wand movements, the boat started moving out of the slip and onto the huge lake. "You see, last time I went there, they ambushed me and left me there, hurt. They only received a week's worth of detention."

"Why did they do that?"

"Probably because when they were walking into Zonko's Joke Shop, I made all their clothes disappear, leaving them starkers. It was very cold that day, too. Needless to say, I haven't gone back. I'm no fool; I know if they were able to get me alone there again, they might kill me. It wouldn't be the first time they have attempted that."

"I know. I mean--that's horrible, Severus Snape! So you DO start some of the battles."

"You know? They told you they tried to kill me a few years ago?"

"No... I didn't know that. I meant that I know they would probably do something terrible to you if they caught you in Hogsmeade again." She needed to change the subject. "So, I hear there is a giant squid in this lake?"

"Yep, and he fancies Gryffindors, especially girls... Hold on now!" Severus started rocking the small boat back and forth, almost causing them to tip over.

"SEVERUS SNAPE! STOP IT! THE WATER IS FREEZING! YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE US TIP!"

Snape was howling with laughter, watching her panic. She had jumped closer to him, hitting him in the arms, trying to make him stop. Water splashed into the boat, and he decided enough was enough. He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to him, sitting her on his lap.

"Did I scare you?" he said. His face was inches from hers; she knew he was flirting with her.

"A little," she said in a small voice.

The boat lurched forward as it hit the small bank of sand. But, he didn't let her go.

"We're here," he said as he gazed into her chestnut eyes.

"Okay," she said absentmindedly. She felt her pulse raging throughout her body.

Kiss me.

They were silent for only a moment, listening to the wind whistling through the trees and the water splashing against the boat. Severus leaned into her, brushing his lips against hers, keeping his eyes opened to see if she rejected him. Then he saw her close her eyes, and he fully kissed her.

He was tentative at first, barely touching her lips, and then she relaxed and let him come to her. He felt her kiss strengthen as he leaned to the side to fully capture her lips. She slowly parted them, and he put his hand on the back of her head, bringing her further in.

Slowly, their tongues found each other, and they were breathing heavily through their noses. Then, they pulled apart and looked at each other intensely. Severus was fully hard and knew that if she didn't get away from him, he was going to embarrass himself by ejaculating into his own pants. "Let's get out of this boat. I think you will enjoy where we are going much more." He pushed her off his lap, hoping that she didn't notice his erection.

"Thank you; that was wonderful," she said as he grabbed her hand again and started walking up a large embankment.

He squeezed her hand, and he knew that she had enjoyed that as much as he did. They finally reached the peak of the hill. It looked over the Black Lake and had a spectacular view of Hogwarts in the background.

"Wow," she said.

"I knew you would like it here better than going to Hogsmeade. Watch out--I brought us something."

"You did?" She moved to the side and watched him pull a tea towel from his pocket and transfigure it into a large blanket. Then, he conjured a small picnic basket that held two place settings, butterbeer, and some sandwiches.

"Severus, this is really lovely. Thank you."

She sat down on the blanket and watched him pour their drinks into clear glasses. "I told you I wasn't going to be an arse. I'm a Slytherin; we are taught how to treat a lady."

"Really?"

"Indeed. It's called having class."

"I think they need to teach that to all males. Who teaches this to you?"

"Well, it's been a tradition for Slytherins for many years. Currently, a former student teaches us. He graduated in my second year; his name is Lucius Malfoy. Have you heard of him?"

"Umm, no," she said uneasily.

"Hmm. Well, you will. He's very rich and powerful and has many ties to the Ministry."

"You don't say."

"Of course, it's the basic stuff that he teaches, says we have to use our own cunning minds. So, I figured since you seem to be a lot like me, you would enjoy this view, the peace and quiet and a nice lunch to go along with it. I'm glad to see that you like it."

Well, that made her feel a little better. He had planned this date all on his own, without the help of Lucius!

"Yes, I really do love this."

They lay down on the blanket and talked for hours. Hermione hated having to lie to him about certain things. She did her best to be honest, but twisted the truth to make it look like she really had come from Beauxbatons. Luckily, her parents had made her learn to speak French, so she talked to him for a while in the beautiful language. He had propped himself up on his side and listened intensely as she talked. He was mesmerized by her ability--of course, he had no idea what she was saying, so he didn't know she was confessing her undying love to him--not yet anyway.

Snape actually broke down some of his walls with her. He mentioned how his parents fought a lot and that he hadn't been home for the holidays since his third year. He also told her about different ways of casting spells and creating potions. He flirted with her more and teased her about her hair. Then he did something that particularly touched her; he made her sit in front of him as he took his wand to her thick, bushy hair and straightened it, leaving it long, sleek and smooth.

"I love it! You'll have to show me that spell!"

"You'll have to earn it," he said.

She pinched him and giggled, scrambling to get away. He chased her around the top of the hill and started tickling her.

"Think you can pinch me and get away with it?"

She was laughing hard. "YES! STOP!! Oh gods, I'm so ticklish!"

He was so much bigger and stronger than she was, and he easily wrapped his arms around her, carrying her back over to the blanket, all the while tickling her. He dropped her on her feet, but she stumbled from laughing so hard and fell to the ground on her bottom. He dropped to his knees and leaned over her, still wrestling with her.

"If you don't stop, I'll hex you!" she squealed.

He was now hunched completely over her, using one hand to prop himself up over her body. He placed his knees between her legs and stopped tickling her. He reached up and moved a piece of her hair that had fallen across her face, giving Hermione goose bumps. She stopped laughing and placed her hands around his waist, helping him to lower himself on top of her. Slowly, his lips came down on hers again, as well as his body. She felt his erection stabbing her in her crotch, but she wanted his kiss more than anything.

He clutched her hair and pushed himself harder into her. She moaned through the kiss and started to suckle on his lower lip. "Oh, damn woman!" he said as she pulled away from his lips. He hungrily went for more. By this time, they were dry humping, but then Severus pulled away and rolled off of her.

"Mione. No. Not like this. I've been taught better."

"What do you mean, not like this?"

"This is our first date; it's disrespectful for me to act like such an animal. Besides, we aren't prepared; at least, I didn't drink any contraceptive potion, did you?"

They were breathing deeply, lying on the ground and looking toward the darkening sky.

"No, I didn't. I'm sorry for rushing you. You just make me so excited." You are going to scare him off! You've been in love with him for a while now, and he just started acknowledging his feelings for you... give him time!

"You, rush me? I thought I was rushing you!" he said as he rolled over and looked at her.

"No, you didn't; I would have told you to stop if you had."

"You've been telling me to stop all day."

"You know what I mean," she snorted. "I wouldn't be laughing and giggling if I was serious."

"Come on. It's starting to get dark. But I promise you, I don't want to leave. I just know it's the right thing to do."

"I know. You're right. We should be prepared," she said.

"Not only that, but, Mione... would you like to go steady with me?"

"I was hoping you would ask. Yes, of course." She smiled so hugely that her jaw hurt. After sealing their new union with a kiss, they stood up, gathered their picnic belongings and headed back down to the boat.

During the ride across the lake, they heard howling. Hermione closed her eyes, thinking about Remus in the Shrieking Shack. She decided that she would get some chocolate and have one of the house-elves deliver it to his bed, so that when he returned, he would have something to help soothe away the effects of his transformation. She remembered how he used to always offer her chocolate to make her and the boys feel better, and now it was her turn to return the favor.

They walked back to the castle, holding hands, and left each other at the stairs. He was going down to the dungeons, and she was going up to the seventh floor. He kissed her on the cheek, and she watched him walk away.

She was finally his girlfriend.

Thanks to Lariope!