A Taste of Honey.

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Many thanks to my betas, Septentrion and Sempra, and thanks to everyone who's reviewed. It's much appreciated.

He was standing much too close, breathing down her neck. This had gone far enough. Hermione spun around, the sudden movement causing Severus to sway unsteadily. He flailed at the door to brace himself.

'Don't just stand there!' she yelled angrily. 'Get your wand out and do something!'

He let out a strangled snort that sounded suspiciously like a giggle. 'Oh, Professor Granger. I didn't know you cared!'

'That-that was... puerile,' Hermione said, horrified and more than a little concerned. She knew he'd been on the elf-made wine but still. Paying her compliments and now giggling? Had he been drugged?

'What on earth did she put in that wine?'

'Don't know.' Severus giggled again. 'But I'm going to kill the little bastard for this.' He placed his other hand on the door, trapping Hermione between them. 'But in the meantime...' He leaned in closer.

'No,' Hermione said, trying to shove him off. 'Not like this.'

'We may as well,' he whispered, pressing against her. 'She's not going to let us out until we do.'

Hermione frowned. So that's what this was all about. 'Purdy! If you think I'm going to sleep with a drunk, you're out of your tiny mind!'

Severus winced. 'Do you have to shout?'

'Pur—!' A phial appeared, hovering just above Severus' shoulder. He ignored it, suddenly fascinated by a lock of Hermione's hair. Pulling the corkscrew curl, he watched it spring back into place before repeating the experiment. Lily's hair had been poker straight but coarse to the touch while this...

'Drink.'

Severus downed the potion absentmindedly. How can something that resembles barbed wire feel this soft?

'What happened to "Hermione fair with the cinnamon hair"?'

Bugger. Had he said that out loud? Sheepishly, he released the curl. 'I... apologise.'

Hermione smirked. 'Sober now?'

'Very.'

'Good.'

She felt so curvy and comfy and smelled heavenly. Reluctant to move away, Severus rattled the doorknob half-heartedly. 'Still locked.'

'So I see.' Hermione put a hand on his shoulder. 'Severus—'

'You said you wouldn't spend the night with a drunk...'

'I did, didn't I?'

'I'm not drunk anymore.'

'No...' She sighed. 'But... this is totally unethical.'

'Yes. Probably a very bad idea.' Burying his nose in her hair, he inhaled deeply, committing her scent to memory. It looked like he'd be sleeping on a transfigured couch tonight.

'And it's been a while...'

Then again... 'For me too...'

'But...'

'But...?'

Hermione swallowed. Their noses were almost touching. He looked so... hopeful, but she knew the next move was hers.

'Nothing.'

'Then, if you’ve no further objections...'

Severus brushed his lips gently over hers; they were remarkably soft. Moaning, Hermione threaded her fingers through his hair, pulling him towards her. Unsurprisingly, he tasted of wine and sober-up potion, but that didn't put her off. On the contrary, she could usually tell from a first kiss how much she was likely to enjoy what was to follow, and judging by the way her knees were trembling, it all boded very well indeed.

He was drowning, or still intoxicated—or both. She was whimpering and kissing him back with a fervour that was driving him to distraction. If she called it off now... Severus tugged at the belt of her dressing-gown, and she moaned into his mouth. Encouraged, he snaked his hand inside, feeling the heat of her body under the cotton nightdress.

Hermione broke the kiss. 'Sorry about... the passion-killing... nightwear,' she panted.

'I forgive you,' he said, lifting her into his arms. 'I'd no idea you had a thing for tartan.'

'Minerva's last Christmas present to me.'

'That explains a lot.'

~~HGSS~~

Lily was smiling, trying to say something. He reached towards her, and for once she didn't pull away. She felt so real. So warm, so inviting...

'Oh, Lily...'

When he awoke, the warm body he'd fallen asleep next to was missing. Confused, he turned over to see a tartan-clad figure perched on the edge of the bed. For a second, he thought it was Minerva.

'Last night was a mistake.'

'What?'

'I'm not Lily Evans.'

'Hermione, I—'

'You don't have to explain.' She sighed. 'Lily will always be nineteen to you. Forever young, beautiful. Perfect. I can't compete with that.'

Severus sat up, intent on pulling her back into bed, but she recoiled. 'Hermione, please—'

'I don't regret what happened,' she interrupted. 'Please don't think that. We're both adults. We're both more than capable of putting this down to experience and moving on. Given time, we can even become friends.' Hermione stood up and walked towards the door. She had to get out before she made a complete fool of herself. Mercifully, it was unlocked. 'I'll see you at breakfast.'

'Wait.'

But she didn't look back.

Severus flopped back on his pillow, covering his eyes with both hands. 'Oh, bollocks!'

Back in her rooms, Hermione showered and dressed hurriedly. Being used as a substitute for a teenage wank fantasy had hurt more than she cared to admit, and no doubt she'd have plenty of time to dwell on it later. Once she'd had something to eat and a strong cup of tea. Then, maybe, she'd owl the boys and arrange a boozy night out. Or, maybe, she'd accept Gary's invitation to dinner. Yes, why not? Severus Snape wasn't the only fish in the sea. But first there was the small matter of...

'Purdy! Get your sorry arse in here, now!'

Purdy appeared, shaking like a leaf.

Hermione took a deep breath, reining in her anger. There was no need to frighten the elf. 'What you did was wrong,' Hermione said quietly. 'And I would avoid Professor Snape for some time, if I were you.'

'Purdy is sorry, Headmistress.' She looked close to tears. 'But Headmaster Snape said—'

'It doesn't matter what he said, Purdy. Promise me you won't do anything like that again.'

She hung her head. 'Purdy promises. On elves' honour.'

'Then you may go.'

'But... Vinoveritas is always speaking the truth.'

'What...?' Hermione fair...

But Purdy had gone.