Sex Changes

Not a whole lot to say this particular chapter. I've gotten back on the Dresden Dolls kick that I've been on. Hope you all enjoy, and remember it'll get worse before it gets better.

Props to my beta and sounding board: Kat

Props to all the folks that keep coming back and reviewing.

Legal Schtuff:

All characters belong to J.K Rowling

“Sex Changes” belong to The Dresden Dolls

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Severus stretched slightly as he woke up the next morning before noticing that his head felt like he had taken one too many hits from a Bludger. That’s what happens when you overindulge, a whiny little voice in the back of his head lectured. Overindulge, Severus sneered to himself; let’s call a spade, a spade. I was drunk last night, nothing more. Ah, well, a headache potion and a cup of tea should make me feel a mite better. As he began to notice a sort of pressure on his chest, he opened his eyes to see a familiar bushy mane, which belonged to the head that was currently lying snuggled on his chest. Severus froze in dread. Oh, sweet Merlin, what did I do last night? Laying in the bed, he noticed the room had the faint scent of melted candle wax and that there was some kind of music still faintly playing. Music, he thought. I remember music had been playing when I came in. But it seemed more mellow than what was faintly being played now.

Dear Mr and/or Mrs sender-

But there’s no money back once you’ve been ripped off...

As he frantically thought about the events of last night, the memories slowly began to come back to him. I remember drinking in the study, and then I bumped into that wall. He looked at both his arms, noticing that one was wrapped around her waist and was sporting a lovely bruise. Right, so I bumped into the wall, went to the loo, and then came upstairs. Hermione was asleep in my bed....

Drawing his eyebrows together it hit him. The images of the night before, the taste of her lips, the feel of her body as they both lost themselves in one another. Oh, dear Gods.

What’s wrong, Severus, old boy? Thought you wanted her in your bed and beneath you, the voice from last night taunted.

Yes... but not like this. There should have been..., his thoughts trailed off as he tried to think of what he had wanted between them. He knew he had wanted to make love to Hermione, but it was more than just that. He wanted more than just a quick roll between the sheets. I want to court her, he realized in aghast.

Oh, that’s rich. Next thing you know, you’ll be spouting out love poetry to her.

Sod off, Severus told the voice angrily.

My, aren’t we touchy.

No, just hung over, he quipped.

Boys will be boys

They always said that sex would change you...

As if hearing his mental argument, Hermione began to stir. Yawning, she sleepily smiled up at Severus.

“Morning.”

“Hermione, I’m sorry.”

“Huh?” She looked up at him with a puzzled look. “Sorry about what?”

“About last night.”

“What do you mean you’re sorry about last night?”

Severus sighed. “It shouldn’t have happened. I was drunk and took advantage of you, and I’m sorry.”

Pursing her lips together, Hermione tried to hold her temper. “Severus, you did not take advantage of me. Hell, I was in your bed when you came in. It’s not like you clubbed me over the head and dragged me in here.” Leaning up onto her elbows, she tucked an errant piece of hair behind her ear. “Look, I know I kind of manipulated things with the candles and being here, but that doesn’t mean it was anything we should be sorry about. It was beautiful, and one of the most amazing nights of my life,” she ardently stated.

Severus eyebrows drew together as he frowned slightly, looking down into her face. “What do you mean, ‘kind of manipulated things’?”

Hermione blushed slightly. “Well, I heard you curse in the hallway, so I quickly kind of made your room more... romantic,” she answered haltingly.

“And then you laid in my bed and pretended to be asleep? What were you planning on doing? Mounting me in my sleep?” Severus said accusingly.

“I just thought that maybe if you didn’t have anywhere you could run to, maybe we could get a little bit beyond snogging is all. You could have told me to leave at any time,” she shot back.

“Right. I would have told you to just skip back to your room while my head is muddled with bloody firewhisky, and you’re practically naked in my bed.”

Wrapping the sheet around herself, Hermione got up from the bed before facing Severus again. “Do you truly wish we hadn’t spent the night together? Didn’t it mean anything to you?”

Pushing himself up to a sitting position, he sighed wearily. “Hermione--”

“No, don’t bother. Forget last night even happened,” she said angrily, stalking over to the door. Looking back at him, her voice came out in a broken sob. “Forget I ever thought I could love you.” And with that, she slammed the door.

But while you happen to be here

They always said that sex will change you...

“Well, that went well, didn’t it?” Severus sullenly asked the empty room. A sudden tapping at the window drew his attention. Bloody hell, what now? Finding his discarded boxers, he put them on as he crossed the room to let the rather large owl in. After taking the letter from the owl, it flew back out the open window, leaving Severus scratching his head looking at the seal for a clue to whom the letter was from. Seeing the Headmaster's seal, he opened it briskly. I hope this isn't news that one of those dunderheads finally managed to blow up my classroom in my absence.

Dear Severus,

I am happy to inform you that the Chicken Pox has finally been contained, and it is now safe for you to return. Please enjoy the rest of this weekend off. Hope you enjoyed this unexpected time off, and I will see you at the high table for breakfast on Monday.

Best Regards,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Albus, you have the most miserable timing," Severus muttered. Or maybe he doesn't, he thought. It's obvious that Hermione is going to need some time to calm down. Maybe having me back at Hogwarts would help a little, make her see how happy she could be without me sulking around. Nodding in agreement with his thoughts, he began to pace around the room thinking of what he would need to take back, along with a lesson plan for Monday. All the while that he was making his plans, part of his mind was storing away the memories of the night before. Last night is not something I want to forget for a very long time.