Chapter 12

All canon characters belong to JKR

Thanks to June for the beta work.

Chapter 12

Hermione left Severus in her living room, sending out to the kitchens for pumpkin juice, while she readied their lunch. She had learned to cook the Muggle way. However, while at school, she had adapted to cooking using magic as well. Today she prepared her quiche in the Muggle way, by hand, then used a quick wave of her wand to cook it to perfection. By the time she made her way to the small dining room, Severus had already set up the table for them.

"Thank you for setting the table," she said cheerily.

"It's the least I can do. That smells quite good," he said. He bent over slightly and took in the aroma of the dish.

"I hope you like spinach," she added.

"I like most vegetables." He held her chair out for her, pushed it in when she sat, and then seated himself opposite her. Severus served them both, and they ate for several minutes in comfortable silence.

"I wanted to thank you for being so kind to Osiris. He does not have many friends, as you can imagine. As he pointed out to me this morning, he gets quite bored having only Albus and me to talk to. I truly hope he was no bother to you."

"No bother at all. I liked having him come by this morning. I'm glad he felt comfortable enough to visit me."

They finished their meal with no other words spoken between them. It was clear they were so accustomed to each other's presence that no unnecessary conversation needed to take place. Severus was beginning to feel an odd sense of belonging whenever he was near her. It was as though she were some part of him he had lost so long ago, or even something he never knew he was missing until it had been found. He realized now, as he sat there in front of her, just how lonely he had been. He had never wanted anyone else's company, especially all the time. He was happy just sitting in his rooms alone, reading or doing research. But ever since she had come back to Hogwarts, Severus could barely remember the loneliness. Just knowing he would see her at some point in the day made him feel good.

As for Hermione, she had grown quite pleased with the fact he had accepted her company. At first she had been afraid he would push her away, yet now he seemed to welcome any time they spent together. She wondered if things would change once the school year began. Would Severus turn into the insufferable bastard he had been during her years as a student, or would they grow closer? She knew her only course of action was to be patient, but it was getting harder and harder.

After they finished their meal they retreated to the couch in front of the fireplace, where Hermione noticed the elves had already set up some small plates with chocolate mousse.

"The quiche was wonderful, Hermione. I hope you don't mind, but I asked the house elves to bring some dessert. You do like chocolate mousse, do you not?" he asked.

"Who doesn't? It looks wonderful." They began eating, but she felt so flustered at sitting this close to him, that she dropped her spoon. As she bent over to pick it up, Severus was doing the same thing. Their heads bumped into each other, and they both looked up and laughed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked.

"I'm fine.... It's just..." Her words cut off when his hand came to her forehead.

He brushed away some hair that was falling into her face, and looked into her eyes.

"No, let me.... see if ..." he murmured as his face drew closer to hers. "...you have..." His hand now ran down her cheek as he placed his other hand behind her head and pulled her closer to him. "...a bump." Then he kissed her.

'This kiss is not like the first,' thought Hermione. While still gentle, it was far from innocent. His lips were warm, and tasted deliciously of chocolate. After he slid his tongue slightly against her lips, she opened them and allowed him entry. She placed her hands on his shoulders, and pulled herself closer to him, until she was practically sitting on his lap. Just as she was about to slide her hand down his chest, he stopped and pushed her away slightly.

"Hermione, I'm sorry. I'm being too forward."

"No more apologies, Severus. Kiss me, or I'll die from wanting you to." She pushed him back against the couch and sat on his lap.

He ran one hand up her back, and wrapped the other around her waist to draw her closer to him. There they sat, kissing each other for what seemed like ages. Severus stopped and rested his head against her chest as he held her close. He could feel the softness of her breasts, and could hear her heart beating furiously ... or perhaps it was his own, as he didn't really know at that point.

"We seem to be getting into this habit quite a bit lately," he said.

"Yes, but you haven't heard me complain, have you?" she said as she stroked his silky hair. Funny how everyone had always thought it was greasy. They stayed on the couch holding each other for almost an hour, and only released each other when there was a knock on Hermione's door. She looked at herself in the mirror to make sure she didn't look too disheveled, then looked at the door and back at Severus.

"It's Albus," she said.

Severus rolled his eyes, as she opened the door. 'Of course it is Albus,' he thought, 'I''m on a couch, with a beautiful woman in my arms, so why wouldn't Albus be knocking on the door.'

"Good afternoon, Hermione," said the old wizard as she opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Albus. Won't you come in?" Hermione stepped back and ushered him inside.

The Headmaster walked in, then noticed Severus standing next to the fireplace. "Ah, Severus, you're here." Albus walked towards Severus.

"Albus," Severus nodded in acknowledgment. "Was there something you needed from me?" he asked, hoping Albus didn't have some crazy assignment up his sleeve.

"No, nothing, really. I just wanted to see how you two were progressing with the planning of the classes for the upcoming year. After all, there is but one week left before we begin."

"Yes, everything has been planned out," said Severus, now sitting back on the couch.

Hermione had decided to bring in some tea, and set it down on the coffee table. "Albus, would you like some tea?" she offered.

"No, thank you. I am meeting Minerva shortly. I was merely making the rounds with everyone. Do either of you have anything planned for your last free week?" Albus said, much to Severus' dismay, with that ever present twinkle.

"Actually, yes. Hermione has asked that I teach her Legilimency. It seems that Osiris has found a new ear to bend."

Albus laughed and turned to Hermione. "Ah, so you have met Osiris?" said Albus with amusement.

"Yes, he's quite charming." Hermione took her tea and sat down. She heard Severus mumble something, and then turned to him. "What did you say, Severus?"

"I said, he's charming now, give it time," Severus answered.

During the couple's exchange, Albus noticed how relaxed they both seemed, and that they had called each other by their first names, something that until most recently had not been done in his presence. He would have to inform Minerva of the latest findings. Minerva had scolded him when she had found out he had tricked poor Hermione into thinking she would be her assistant. However, she had refrained from hexing him, after he told her his reason for it. Not to mention she made him promise to tell her anything he saw out of the ordinary, thus he would be reporting to her this very afternoon. He only hoped Severus would never find out he had been meddling. He decided to leave them alone, and excused himself.

Once they were alone again, the pair looked at each other and laughed.

"He's meddling, isn't he?" asked Hermione.

"Did you expect anything less?" Severus sighed and leaned back. "I find it amusing how he seems to think he is being clandestine about it." He stood up and walked to where she was standing. "I'd best get back to my quarters. I need to finish up some notes for my research project."

"What is it you're working on?" she asked.

"I'm working on a Wolfsbane Potion that needs to only be taken once a year instead of on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, it will most probably take longer to brew than the original potion, and cost more due to the ingredients. However, it may be more useful to those who are not able to acquire the potion on a monthly basis." He smiled, knowing what her next question would be.

"Oh yes, that would be very useful for someone like Remus. Tonks and he are often away for months at a time, looking for the few remaining Death Eaters."

"I came up with the idea for that very reason. The last time Remus left, I was only able to give him a two-month supply. Wolfsbane Potion does not hold up well over time. It loses its potency," he said

"Would you be needing any help?" She turned to the table, and then started toying with the flowers in the vase.

He approached her from behind and placed his hands on her shoulders, then kissed her neck.

"I would not mind an extra hand from you," he replied, "especially on such a complicated potion. I will let you look over the notes. If you have any suggestions, we can try those as well. I will let you know when I am ready to begin the brewing process."

She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, then kissed him. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear.

He squeezed her tightly, then let her go. "I shall see you at dinner?"

She nodded, and then walked him to the door. As Severus closed the door behind him, the floo came alive.

"Hermione! Hermione, are you there?" Ginny's head popped through the flames.

"Ginny! Oh, no, I completely forgot to call you this morning," said Hermione as she fell to her knees in front of the fireplace.

"You most certainly did. Now spill, you horrible friend. Draco and I were starting to think Severus had kidnapped you."

"That would have been interesting," said Hermione as she pondered such a delightful predicament.

"So, tell me. How was it?"

"Ginny, it was the most wonderful, fabulous, marvelous night of my life. I'm going to get myself a Pensieve, and put the memory in there so that I can look at it over and over again."

"Oh, Hermione, I'm so happy you had such a good time! How was Severus?" asked Ginny, as she moved a bit closer.

"He was a perfect gentleman, even when he kissed me." Hermione giggled and Ginny screamed.

"NO! Hermione, he did not kiss you!"

"He most certainly did, and it was better than I had ever imagined." Just then Hermione heard a muffled voice behind Ginny.

"Draco, for Merlin's sake get back. They did not sleep together, he just kissed her. Honestly, do you think Severus is so ill-mannered?"

"What's that all about?" asked Hermione as she tried to make out what Ginny and Draco were both saying.

"Ignore him, Hermione. He's thinking with his penis! He wants to know if you and Severus slept together."

"No! I think Severus is too proper to do that, at least not on the first date."

"AHA!" yelled Draco, as he shoved Ginny away, and his face came into view. "I knew it was a date!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I hope you liked this chapter. I'll have more tomorrow.