Six

Chapter Six

Severus had followed her as she'd tried to comfort her friends. He'd seen as her eyes had rolled back in her head. She'd been overcome by everything and had fainted. He'd been there to catch her. He instructed Neville to alert Harry that he'd taken her home for the evening. Though Longbottom's eyes widened, he agreed. Severus picked her up easily in his arms and Apparated just outside her flat door.

She had no idea, but he knew exactly where she lived. He'd found himself standing on her street quite a few times wanting to knock but never being able to do it. He'd stopped coming a few months back when he'd seen Draco leaving late one night. He had assumed that they were on more than professional terms. Maybe he'd been wrong. He said a quick spell to unlock the door and brought her in.

It was a small place, but quite cozy. He lay her down on the couch and waited for her to awaken. I have missed you, girl. Her small face looked strong and fragile at the same time. She possessed so many qualities that he admired in a woman. Certainly she was very smart, she was strong willed, she was not afraid to fight for what she believed in, she had a certain knack for getting what she wanted, and she was full of energy.

But did she truly still love him? Of course, you dolt! She wouldn't have said it if she didn't mean it. If she was interested in Draco, she would still be by his side at the hospital. She would not have asked you here.

Her eyes opened. "Hi," she said.

"You fainted. I brought you home," he said simply.

"I just feel a bit overwhelmed is all."

"Completely understandable."

"I would like to shower. I feel dirty."

"All right. I'll be at the Ministry then." He felt a bit disappointed. He didn't know exactly what he was expecting, but he'd hoped to at least spend a small amount of time with her.

"You could use a shower as well," she said.

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I would like one." That would buy him a little more time with her.

She held out her hands, so he took them and pulled her to her feet. To his surprise, she didn't let go of one of his hands. Instead, she pulled him forward to her bathroom.

"It's a bit small, but I think it'll do," she said, pointing to her shower. "Here are the towels." She pulled out two. She let one candle remain lit while blowing out the others. Turning to face him, she smiled. "All right?"

"It's fine, Hermione," he replied evenly.

She began to unzip her robes and threw them into her laundry basket. She was clad in a tight-fitting white shirt and black jeans. "They are filthy," she said, nodding to her Order robes.

"I won't take long," he said softly, resisting the urge to pull her to him. She was even more womanly now than he'd remembered. Robes hid so much.

"We won't take long, Severus," she said in a whisper.

He'd almost not heard her. "What?"

She didn't reply, only looked into his eyes while beginning to unzip his outer robe.

He placed his hand over hers to still her movements. "Hermione, no."

She pushed his hands out of the way and eased his first robe off and then the next. When she began unbuttoning his shirt, he groaned.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"If it's all I can have of you, then I want it. No school rules. No people who might walk in. Just you and me." Her voice had changed. She sounded older, so sure of herself.

He couldn't stand it. She was here before him. Not a dream. She wanted him. If she really wanted to have sex with him, then he would do it, but he could make no promises to her. "Hermione, I have a job to get back to. I won't be able to stay here, and you can't come back with me."

She shrugged.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

She nodded. "Please make love to me."

He hadn't been told that in nearly twenty five years. And he wouldn't turn her down. He dove into action, peeling off her clothes easily, and she helped him out of his. He was watching her eyes for any display of discomfort and saw none. He was already rock hard, but he felt he'd nearly burst when he saw her completely undressed.

"You are beautiful, Hermione."

Her response was an eager kiss. She traced his chest with her hands gently, and he groaned when she placed kisses on his neck. She pulled back, and he almost cried out. He saw her turn the shower on and step in.

"Come to me," she said, echoing words she'd spoken long before.

"With pleasure," he said seductively.

"My God, Severus. Do you know what you do to me?" she asked, taking an earlobe into her mouth. "I've waited so long," she whispered. It was her turn to moan as his fingers found there way to the dark thatch of hair between her thighs.

"How long has it been for you?" he asked, needing to know.

"Since you." She panted. "Oh... my..."

"There you go. Relax, don't stop," he encouraged. She put her head back in pleasure, and his mouth ravished her open neck.

"Sev-er-us... oh!" She convulsed.

Only him. He was still her only lover. He'd be sure to leave her with something to keep her warm this time. Her cries had driven him over the edge. He needed to be in her. He picked her up easily and allowed her a moment to wrap her legs around him. Backing her up against the shower wall, he thrust into her. Her eyes popped open as she cried out. He met her gaze and would not stop looking into her eyes this time. He would see how she felt.

"All right?" he asked in a husky voice.

"God, yes," she said softly and began to move against him.

He didn't need any further hints to get him going. Hard and deep, he thrust as fast as he could. Up and in. Faster and faster.

"Oh... I love you..." she screamed in orgasm.

A moment later, before his orgasm, he choked out, "And I love you."

**** SS **** O_o **** HG ****

Hermione woke up in bed about an hour later. They'd made their way into there somehow and had made love again. He was holding her close to his chest. "Severus?"

"Mmmm?" he returned sleepily.

She turned to face him. "Can't we work something out?"

She felt him tense up. Damn it! When would she learn to leave well enough alone? Now that she knew he loved her, she couldn't push him. He'd told her over and over the second time he'd made love to her.

"Hermione, we have two different lives. I won't let you give up your future for me. I'm too old for you. No matter how I feel or how you think you feel."

That was like a slap on the face. "You still think of me as a little girl then? Even now?"

"Not a little girl. Just a young woman. Very young. One who thinks she's in love when, in truth, she is just infatuated with an older, man. You have many years ahead of you. Don't waste them on me," he said firmly.

She knew she wouldn't change his mind.

Anger seared through her. "How can you say that? You don't know how I feel inside. I LOVE YOU. I haven't stopped just because I've left school. I've worked hard to show you that I can be responsible and make my own decisions. I want this."

"I don't," he said softly.

She could see that he was lying to her. "It's in your eyes. You want a life with me," she insisted.

"What I want and what I'll have are two different things, Hermione. I was hurt once, and it made me a monster. I won't go through that again."

She sensed pain beneath his words. How could she make him understand that she was different?

"I'm not sure who you've loved in the past, but I'm not her. I'll never be her. I'll not leave you. You are all that I want. Can't you see that?"

He sighed. "I know all too well that you aren't her. It's just that..."

"What the fuck is this? I can't compare to her! Is that it? I'm not experienced enough for you? I can learn, Severus. You just have to show me. I promise I can be good for you."

"Oh, Hermione. Stop. It's not what I meant." He looked down at her body and smiled smugly. "You are more than enough of a woman for me. I don't deserve you. You need to date someone your own age. Someone who can give you what you need."

"So... I'm good enough for a roll in the hay, but not to marry. Not by your standards anyway. Is that it? Trying to pawn me off on someone else." She could feel tears burning behind her eyes. "I just feel safe with you. I feel like I'll be loved always. I see you, and I see security."

"Hermione... I love you. I see that now. You're all I've thought of since you left school. Do you know how many times I wished I'd not let you leave my office that day? But I won't be responsible for you ruining your life. You can work your way up in the Ministry. Do you really want to be locked away in the dungeons at Hogwarts? Because that is where I intend to remain." He kissed her cheek.

"We could work something out. The weekends, holidays, anything. I need you in my life. Please let me love you."

"No. I mean this. I want you to try to date other men your own age. Then you'll see how I compare to them." He tried to kiss her again, but she moved aside.

"Age is just a number. Most wizards live to be 170 years old! That means you have nearly 130 years left! I'll not give in to this. I want nobody but you!" She got out of bed, not bothering to cover herself with the sheet. "Is it Lily Potter you once loved? Is that who it is?" She turned her back as she fumbled in her closet for clothes.

"Who told you about Lily?"

His voice was so cold, she turned around.

"I heard what you said to McGonagall earlier," she whispered. This man could still intimidate her. She didn't think it was possible.

"Oh, eavesdropping, were we?" He sneered. "You'll NEVER breathe a word of this to Harry, but yes, Lily was my first girlfriend. She up and decided that I was a bit boring and opted for that damn James Potter. I hated all the world after that. I'll not go through that again." With that he got up and stalked off to the bathroom.

Completely dressed, he came out and purposefully walked to her. He took her in his arms and gave her a rough kiss. "I'll never forget you, and I will always love you."

Crack!

He Disapparated.

She couldn't believe he'd left that way. He'd just left her standing there. She'd get even with him for this. But not now. She had to go to Harry and Ron at the Ministry. At least, they needed her.