10. Moonlight in the Library.

10. Moonlight in the Library

Hermione sat opposite Severus, the candles on the table providing the only light in the room. They ate quietly at first. This was a new situation for them, and although they were comfortable with each other, there were unknown variables to deal with, and they were both realising that they didn't actually know what to do next.

Severus was a little in awe of Hermione. She had an amazing ability to adapt to any given situation. He had seen her charm the most awkward of customers, pull people who were being disrespectful to her up short, and show kindness and compassion to those in need, both at Hogwarts during the war and also with her work in the shop. There were days she would take longer than was necessary to deliver the potions to St Mungo's just so she could call in on a few of the patients there. Severus knew for a fact that Hermione visited Neville Longbottom's parents each week without fail, even if she wasn't delivering potions.

He was also in awe of her beauty tonight, and he felt tongue tied around her. Twice, he had looked up to speak and to try and start a conversation. Twice, she had been looking right at him, and he had been breath-taken and could only smile at her. Twice, his stomach had flipped, and his mouth had gone dry, his face flushing slightly.

Hermione giggled a little nervously and broke the silence.

'This is ridiculous, isn't it? We talk all the time at work and now, when we have the time, we don't know what to say.' She laughed a little and lifted her glass. The champagne was going down very well, and she was warmed and relaxed, if not a little tipsy.

'We could talk about your elixir, if it would help.' Severus smirked at her and raised an eyebrow. 'Or I could bore you with the recent stock take and my ingredients' gathering trip?'

'How romantic that would be.' Hermione smiled sweetly at him, realised what she had said and blushed furiously, dropping her gaze. The champagne was loosening her tongue.

Severus laughed out loud. 'Good grief, Hermione, I certainly hope you don't think I am romantic! I am not much different outside work... Quieter perhaps, given that I live alone.'

'You haven't changed much since Hogwarts, actually... apart from the detentions, of course.' Hermione grinned at him, and he laughed at her.

'I would have thought I had mellowed a little? Was I really so awful?' Severus paused and looked at her thoughtfully.

Hermione put down her fork, her hand resting on the table as she ruminated her answer.

'You have mellowed, definitely, and looking back, I can understand exactly why you were so... well, so mean. Even scary sometimes. You were under so much pressure, and none of us knew. I'm sure the last thing you needed was to be teaching.'

Severus looked at her warmly and reached his hand across to hers. He held it, looking at his pale fingers at they stroked her wrist and ran across her open palm.

'I always noticed you,' he murmured, not looking at her directly but focussing on her small hand in his.

'I'm glad.' Hermione wrapped her fingers around his tightly and smiled softly. 'You were unforgettable....'

'Come with me?' He raised his eyes to hers in a question, and she nodded, biting her bottom lip slightly, butterflies in her stomach.

He looked amazing tonight in his suit. Hermione hadn't seen him in anything but his robes in a long time. That he was handsome was no surprise to her; she had always thought so. It was a little different now, though. When he looked at her with his indigo eyes, there was meaning to the look. When her eyes were drawn to his mouth, she was focussed on his lips and wanting them pressed against hers again. And her fingers twitched to run themselves through his hair.

Severus stood, still holding Hermione's hand, and they walked through the suite of rooms together side by side, not speaking until they entered the library. Hermione looked at Severus quizzically, and he smirked.

'I wanted to show you the view from the window.' He smiled and gently draped his arm around her shoulder, guiding her over to the huge bay at the side of the room.

It was a cloudless night, and the sky was deep blue and twinkling with stars. The moon hung like a huge, round light bulb in the centre of the sky and shone down, lighting the formal gardens, its reflection dancing on the surface of a large pond beyond the clipped lawn and rose beds. It gave an ethereal luminescence to the place, and Hermione's eyes started to prick with tears.

'Beautiful...' she whispered softly.

Severus lifted his wand, and with a flick, the lights in the library went out, and the moon's rays shone through the window, lighting their faces with a pale, silvery glow.

Hermione snaked her arm slowly around Severus's waist and leaned her head against him gently. He tightened his hold around her shoulder and bent to kiss the top of her head softly.

'Severus?' Hermione spoke quietly, her voice betraying a slight tremor.

'Yes, Hermione?' He pulled away a little so he could see her face, and she looked up at him, her eyes wide, the moonlight sparkling off them.

'Will you kiss me... properly, I mean?' Hermione turned and wrapped her other arm around his waist and stepped closer to him until their bodies were touching gently.

Severus's heart leapt into his throat. He had been thinking of nothing else since leaving the table, and his eyes lingered on her lips before gazing into hers. He didn't know what to say. There were no words. She smiled at him encouragingly, and he wondered if she realised how long it had been since he has kissed a woman. Even he couldn't remember exactly.

Tentatively, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and slowly moved his mouth to hers. Hermione closed her eyes in anticipation, and he paused slightly. She looked incredible, her soft mouth tipped upwards, her eyes closed, her body in his arms. Closing his eyes, he kissed her mouth softly, pressing against her lips. Hermione made a contented sound, and he deepened the kiss a little, pushing more firmly and gently running his tongue over her lips. Hermione felt a shiver run down her spine and moaned softly, opening her mouth to him and kissing him back, moving her lips against his and searching for his tongue with her own. Their tongues touched, and they both groaned into each other's mouths at the sensation.

Severus pulled her closer to him, allowing his hands to run along her back, his palms splayed against her bare flesh. Hermione hooked her hands under the tail of his jacket and ran her fingers along his back, the crisp cotton shirt beneath her gentle fingers. They kissed passionately, and Hermione's hair began to fall loose as Severus cupped her face and teased at her lengths with his fingers. With a gasp, Hermione felt his erection growing against her, and she pulled away a little in surprise.

'I'm sorry,' Severus panted, pulling his lips from hers reluctantly.

'Don't be...' Hermione tried to catch her breath, pushing her hair from her face. 'I feel the same way, if I'm honest,' she whispered.

'We should slow down.' He smiled at her softly.

'Do you think you love me, Severus?' she asked him, her eyes intent on his face.

'That's a big question, Miss Granger,' he teased her gently. 'I only found out we are soul mates a few hours ago.'

'Could you love me, do you think? There is a reason I am asking.... It's important.' Her eyes were serious.

Severus looked at her for a moment. Could he love her? Is it possible he loved her already? He wasn't going to lie to her.

'I don't know the answer to your question, Hermione. I find you irresistible, especially in this dress. I have grown very fond of you while we have been working together, and I see you as a good friend. And I feel as if I could kiss you forever. But if that is love, I do not know. I'm sorry.' Severus bent and kissed her again.

'I asked because I have always promised myself I wouldn't have sex unless the man I was with loved me and was willing to commit to me fully. It's old fashioned, I know. But I never wanted to give myself to just anyone,' she murmured quietly, leaning against his chest as she spoke.

'I assumed that you and Ron...?' Severus asked her gently.

'We might have, but... well, he was young, and so was I. Neither of us had any experience, and afterwards, I decided to wait.' Hermione smiled softly at him.

'I would expect nothing less of you.' He stroked her face with his thumb gently.

Hermione stifled a yawn with her hand and laughed softly. 'I'm sorry, the champagne is starting to catch up on me.'

'I'll walk you to your room. We can meet for breakfast. And then, I am sure I will not be able to restrain you from wreaking havoc on these bookshelves for a few hours!' He chuckled as they walked, their arms around each other.

'I've had a lovely night, Severus... Thank you.' Hermione smiled and lifted her hand to his cheek.

Severus sighed and pushed his cheek into her palm. She had such a delicate touch. They kissed again, both of them holding back their passion, both aware of the double bed that sat behind the door they were leaning against.

Severus pulled away gently and smiled.

'Goodnight,' he whispered.

Hermione smiled a little dreamily. 'Goodnight, Severus,' she answered softly, watching as he walked towards the locked door next to the lounge and walked inside.

He paused, and they looked at each other for a short moment before slipping inside their rooms and closing the doors at the same time.