6. The Green-eyed Monster

Disclaimer: Even though I love to shape them to my will, these lovely characters all belong to JKR!

A/N: Thank you, Southern_Witch_69, for being an awesome beta! You rock!

The Green-eyed Monster

As the months slowly passed, it became an unspoken agreement that when Hermione and Severus had the same Saturday night off, they would go out together. This troubled Harry deeply. Since Hermione started dating that git, Harry had been having dreams of Dumbledore.

Many different things from their last year together would come back to haunt him at night. "If there is an attack," said Dumbledore, "I give you permission to use any counterjinx or curse that might occur to you." Harry often awoke wondering why Dumbledore didn't release him and let him curse Snape. Harry could tell that Malfoy would not have killed the headmaster. He had been faltering and had lowered his wand. Then, along came the greasy git to save the day for Malfoy. What a hero.

For the life of him, Harry could not figure out what Hermione saw in Snape. He was ugly, sarcastic, and just plain evil. He decided that while she was seeing the tosser, he would stay away from her. Well, here it was, nearly three and a half months later, and they were still going strong. The Christmas holidays were coming up, and Hermione was not coming to stay at the Burrow. She was staying at Hogwarts with that arsehole!

He had ignored her in her class unless she called on him. She had asked him to stay one afternoon after class and tried to talk with him, but he'd told her that unless she had a Potions related topic to discuss, he had nothing to say to her. As he'd turned to leave, he'd noticed that Hermione had been holding back tears.

Harry had felt he was right in this situation, and he refused to yield. However, he was really starting to miss his friend, and the argument was putting a strain on his relationships with Ron and Ginny. He was thinking about going to her and patching things up before he left for the Burrow when he heard Ginny telling Ron that Mrs. Weasley had invited Hermione and Snape for Christmas dinner. Bloody fantastic. Ginny had told her mother that Hermione was seeing Snape. Great. He decided to wait and see what happened when she showed up.

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The only tarnish on Hermione's wonderful mood was the continuous argument she was having with Harry. After awhile, she'd decided she would be the bigger person and offer the olive branch. So she'd asked him to stay after class one day, but he'd ended up breaking her proffered branch in two. She sighed. There was nothing she could do if he refused to acknowledge her.

She was currently getting ready for Severus. She had talked him into going Christmas shopping after their dinner later in Muggle London. She specifically wanted to look for a CD player for Arthur Weasley. She smiled, remembering the mock fuss Severus had put up when she'd told him that is where she wanted to go.

She was falling in love with him, and instead of being scared out of her mind like she had been with Ron, she was giddy. Besides spending every free Saturday and Sunday together, they usually met in the kitchens for a midnight snack after weekend rounds. The only thing that bothered her was that he still refused to come into her room after their dates. Well, I am changing that tonight! she thought determinedly.

Hermione heard a knock on her door at precisely six. Right on time as usual. "Come in!"

Severus opened the door and walked in. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, just let me get my cloak." She grabbed her cloak, and he helped her put it on. On their way out, she turned to him. "Thank you for this, Severus. I know you hate Muggle London, especially this time of year."

Embarrassed, he simply told her, "Think nothing of it."

After dinner, they went about the shops looking around. After she purchased her gifts, they decided to head back to Hogwarts. The children were getting hyper with the holidays coming up. When they got back, it was barely ten.

After the first goodnight kiss, she whispered, "Would you like to come in?"

He kissed her again lightly, and told her, "Thank you, but no, I better get back to my chambers."

She gently pushed him back and glared. "May I ask you why not?"

Severus sighed. "Because, Hermione, when I come into your room, it won't be for tea and biscuits. To put it simply, I want you. Are you ready for that type of relationship with me?"

Finally! "Yes, I am. I have been for the past month. I want you, too." She then took his hand and led him directly to her bedroom. Once inside, she turned and gently kissed him. "I am ready for you, Severus, and whatever step you'd like to take."

He put one hand behind her head and another on her waist as he bent down to claim her lips. She immediately opened her mouth for him, and he lightly traced her lips with his tongue before devouring her mouth. She moaned and started to rub his chest, liking the silky feeling of his robes.

Slowly, they backed to the bed. When her legs hit the edge of the bed, he stopped and started undressing her. Following his lead, she began undressing him, as well, although her hands were shaking. Once they were completely rid of their clothes, he simply said, "You're lovely."

Embarrassed, she slightly blushed and rose on her toes to kiss him. As they were kissing, he eased her down onto the bed and moved his mouth from her lips to her neck, slowly working his way to her breasts. He found a highly sensitive spot right above her nipple and ravished it with his tongue. She moaned loudly and lifted her hips to have contact with his. He groaned and brought his hand to her center.

He gently cupped her before slipping one finger in. She gasped at the feeling and started rocking her hips in time with the movement of his hand. When he felt she was ready, he positioned himself and slid home. She cried out, and he stopped his movements, looking at her. He was stunned.

He'd had no idea she was a virgin. That thought had never once entered his mind. She had dated the Weasley boy for at least six months; he thought for sure they would have had sex. It was very unusual for someone to be twenty and still a virgin in this day and age, especially in the Wizarding world. "All right?"

"Yes. Keep going." He started to thrust again as gently as his body would allow. When she found her rhythm and started matching his, he groaned with pleasure and began to move a little faster. He could tell that he was close, so once again, he moved his finger to her center and gently worked her nub, causing her to cry out. Shortly after she'd found her release, he found his.

After catching his breath, he rolled to his side, taking her with him. "You were amazing," he said, kissing her softly. "Why did you not tell me you had never lain with a man before? I would have taken better care with you had I known."

"You were wonderful, Severus. I didn't tell you because I didn't want it to be an issue. I wanted you, and I don't have any regrets. You?"

"Only that I wish I had known." She yawned then, and he pulled her back to his front so that he could spoon with her. Moments later, they drifted off to sleep.

When they awoke the next morning, he told her that he wanted to go to his chambers to shower and change. He asked if she wanted to accompany him to Hogsmeade, as he wanted to pick up a Christmas gift for Minerva, and then, they could lunch at the Three Broomsticks. She agreed, and when he left, she went to shower. This is going to be a wonderful day! I can feel it.

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After the shopping was complete, they headed for lunch. Hermione was glad to see that Madam Rosmerta was back and asked after her sister. "Oh, she's fine! Can't keep her down long." Rosmerta then turned to Severus. "Hullo, Severus. It's been a long time since I've seen you. How have you been?"

"I have been well. You are looking especially nice today." When he smiled an actual smile full of warmth, Hermione was surprised. She had only ever seen him smile that way a couple of times.

Rosmerta raised an eyebrow. "I am leaving at seven this evening. Would you like to join me later?"

"Thank you, but I can't. I have plans." Severus shifted, getting uncomfortable.

Smiling fondly, Rosmerta told him, "A rain check it is then. Let's make it soon, okay, love?" Then, she winked and bent down to lightly kiss his lips. It was almost a simple, friendly kiss. Almost. But Hermione could tell there was something more to it.

As she walked off to place their lunch orders, Severus looked up to see a highly agitated Hermione. She had her arms crossed at her chest and was glaring at him.

"What?" Severus was trying to look innocent, failing miserably. Severus Snape could not do innocent.

"Just what exactly is Rosmerta to you? She is obviously more than a mere acquaintance of many years. Do you date her as well?"

Severus sighed. He did not want to get into this here, but he had no choice. He needed to fix it immediately before it got out of hand. "I do not now, nor have I ever, date Rosmerta. We would just get together on occasion. That is all."

"What do you mean by get together on occasion? Is that not dating?" She gasped suddenly. Her eyes grew wide in shock as she threw her hand over her mouth. "She is your shag buddy! Oh my god!" For some reason, the thoughts of him having a shag buddy surprised her, even though she knew he was no innocent in the ways of the bedroom.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Shag buddy?"

Glaring once more, she told him, "Yes, it's when--"

"I know what the phrase means, Hermione. I just have never thought of Rosmerta in quite those terms. Although, I suppose that would accurately describe our... relationship. When one of us would have a certain, um, need, we would call on the other." He couldn't understand why she was getting so upset. Surely she realized he had a past?

As if reading his mind, she hissed, "Why did you not let her know about us? You let her think that you would get in touch with her for a little slap and tickle at another time! If you are about seeing other witches, then I think we should stop our association now, even after last night." She rose to leave, and he grabbed her wrist to stop her.

"I did not tell her about us because you and I have not even talked about our relationship and where it stands. I have no intentions of seeing her or anyone else for that matter. After lunch, I was going to ask you to come to my chambers so we could discuss things. I was thinking we could make an announcement at the Burrow during Christmas dinner."

Hermione was so upset that she didn't realize what Severus had just said. "Where it stands? I don't go around casually making love as you obviously do." Hermione realized she was starting to yell and stopped herself. "I went out with Ron for eight months and still didn't go all the way!" She jerked her wrist from his grip and turned to go. "I need time to think--alone. I understand you have had a past. I am not that naive, but you didn't say one word to her, Severus! It's like you didn't want her to know. It's not the fact that you have been intimate with her; I know you have had lovers, Severus. It's the fact that when she asked you if you wanted to meet up with her later, you didn't say anything at all, leading her to believe that you might!"

"Hermione, we need to discuss this like adults. You are acting like a child and blowing this way out of proportion! We will discuss this in private when we get home. Now sit and eat your lunch." Severus hated public outbursts; luckily, nobody seemed to notice.

"Like adults? I am acting like a child, am I? Severus, I think under the circumstances, I need some time to my self to get things under perspective. Whereas Ron didn't have a real past, you do, and I'll need to get used to that. I'd appreciate some privacy. Good day.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Severus thought sarcastically, Now, I know the other reason I have avoided relationships for so long!

Christy's Notes: Well, it would shock me, too!

Southern's Notes: I hope Snape tells her to find the nearest playground. There should be other kids about for her to play with. Yuck.

Quote from book six: HBP: "If there is an attack," said Dumbledore, "I give you permission to use any counterjinx or curse that might occur to you."