Learning Something New

Disclaimer: I've borrowed a few of J.K. Rowling's characters for this tale, but I'll return them later.

I'd like to thank my lovely beta, Charmed Nay, for going over this with me.

Hermione frowned as she sat down before the fire in Snape's office. She'd been at the castle with him for nearly two weeks, and he hadn't even mentioned their encounter to her once. Instead, he'd worked her hard, directing her to do this and that. She had the evenings to herself, and she'd seen him leave the grounds three times so far. Although she'd wanted to follow him, she couldn't bring herself to do so for fear of being caught.

One of the times that he'd left to venture off, he'd been carrying his broom with him. She'd been quite green with envy, figuring he was off flying with Madam Hooch. Shaking her head to rid herself of the memory, she decided to Floo Parvati. Earlier, the girl had asked if she wanted to go to the Three Broomsticks for a few drinks. Hermione had declined, hoping that since it was a Friday something might come up with Snape. Nothing had come up. He'd told her to finish up and have a good weekend.

Tossing some Floo powder into the grate, she called out, "Parvati's flat." In only a few moments, she could see into her friend's living area. "Parvati?"

"Hermione, hello," Parvati said, coming into view. "What's going on?"

"Decided to take you up on those drinks," she said.

"Eight sound all right?"

"It does. I'll wait for you at the front entrance."

"Absolutely."

"Right. See you then."

Perhaps Snape was worried that she was too attached to him. She had admitted to fancying him last time, and she wasn't an idiot. She'd seen the alarm in his eyes. Yes, this was all likely a test to make certain that she wasn't too attached. No, she would go out and show him that she needn't stay pining away at the castle for him.

As quickly as she could, she bathed, dressed, and made herself presentable. With one last look in the mirror, she felt confident enough to leave. At eight o'clock sharp, she and Parvati met and entered the Three Broomsticks. They took a table near the restrooms, as the place was quite full.

"Well?" Hermione asked after she took a sip of mead.

"Nothing at all," Parvati said glumly. "I think it's time to give up on her."

"But what of her and Snape?"

"I've not seen them... Shite! Look!" Parvati, open mouthed, pointed across the room.

Hermione turned and paled. Snape was sitting there with Hooch, Sinistra, Hagrid, and Pomfrey. He was seated between Hooch and Hagrid. This deeply disappointed Hermione, but she decided to not let it ruin her night. He'd not promised her anything, and she'd not asked anything of him.

"Ah, well," she said with a shrug. "Buggers could have told me they were having drinks. I guess they didn't want me around."

"Maybe Snape doesn't want you to know about him and Hooch. I mean, you told me that he knows you fancy him, right?"

"Yes," Hermione replied, deciding to continue the small lie she'd told Parvati. "I told him that I was attracted to him, and we shared a moment, but then he was adamant about not wanting anything else with me... as I am his apprentice."

"But what confuses me is why snog you?"

Hermione had given the girl the impression that she and he had snogged... not that they'd done other things. "Well, why did Hooch snog you?" she countered.

Parvati blanched. "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that," she mumbled. "I didn't mean anything by it."

"Nor I. I'm just saying that people slip up is all," Hermione said. "No reason we can't get pissed and forget our disappointment for the moment, eh?"

"Too right."

An hour later saw them well into their cups and approached by two young wizards. Hermione had just begun to lecture the redhead that it was always good to have an updated edition of Hogwarts: A History for the knowledge it provided.

"Think of your children," she huffed. "You should know all you can about their school."

"I don't want kids," the wizard said, flashing white teeth at her.

"Well, think of the crossword puzzles in the Prophet each day. There is always something about Hogwarts on there." She couldn't quite think of any other reason for the bloke to have the copy of that book, and she was uncertain as to why she'd brought it up in the first place. She lifted her mug of mead and narrowed her eyes at it as if it were at fault. "I think I'll need the loo."

When done, she returned to their table to find Sinistra, Hooch, and Snape standing next to Parvati, who was laughing hysterically. There was no sign of the two wizards they'd been talking to.

She heard Sinistra saying, "She certainly does not need to be put up at the castle for the night. She can Disapparate to her home without any problems."

"I can't just let her leave like this. She'll Splinch herself," Hooch replied worriedly.

Snape's cold gaze met hers. "I shall see to my apprentice. I bid you all a good evening."

"Leaving, Severus?" Hooch asked.

"Yes."

Before Hermione could protest, he had a hand on her arm and was pulling her out the door. The warm evening had finally cooled off, and a light breeze blew her hair into her face. She pulled away from Snape's grasp to pull her hair back only to have him pull her to him roughly.

"What did you mean by entertaining those fellows?" he asked harshly.

"We were just having a few drinks," she said, trying to move away from him. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

Crack! "I am escorting you back to the castle."

"You don't have to pull me about like I can't walk for myself," she snapped. He released her quickly, and she nearly fell, causing him to grab her again. "Sorry," she mumbled. It seemed that maybe she had drank too many drinks.

"I simply don't wish for you to harm yourself," he said, leading her forward. Fortunately, his hold was less rough than it had been.

Still feeling a little jealous and bitter, she mumbled, "You could have stayed with Hooch, you know."

"I don't recall needing your permission to do as I pleased, Hermione." As they reached the door to her room, he released her. "Good evening." He turned on his heel and began striding away.

"Wait," she said, trying to think of a reason to ask him to stay for a little while.

"Yes?"

"Won't you come in?"

"For?"

"Oh, well, I don't know," she said with a smile. "A talk?"

"I've been listening to nonstop chatter all night. I think I could do with a bit of silence." He turned away again.

"For anything else," she blurted.

He turned around to gaze at her for a moment. "You've had too much to drink."

"Maybe," she admitted. When he didn't move towards her or away, she added, "I want to be with you tonight, but if you are in a serious relationship with her, I don't want to interfere with that."

He looked puzzled and stepped closer. "With whom?"

"Witch... witch... grrr!" she growled. "With," she corrected, "Madam Hooch. She's your girlfriend, isn't she?"

Snape's mouth gaped open in shock. She figured he was likely trying to figure out how she'd found out about them since he'd been so discreet with his comings and goings. Hermione was puzzled when his gaping mouth closed and formed an odd smile.

"And how did you come to this conclusion?" he asked.

"Well," she began, not wanting to take all the credit, "Parvati said that she overheard some things that Hooch was saying to Pomfrey."

"Such as?"

"How her lover had dark eyes, hair, was a professor here, and would be in a foul temper if he knew that Parvati had snogged her." Hermione clamped a hand over her mouth. "Please don't hex her. It wasn't planned; it just happened."

"Rolanda snogged Parvati Patil?" he asked, stepping closer.

"Only the once," Hermione said, slur leaving her voice as alarm set in. "She didn't know that Hooch wouldn't be interested. We thought she was a... thought that she liked other women."

"So... she's been giving me a hard time about spending my time with you, and here she is doing the same thing," Snape said, eyes gleaming.

Hermione shook her head. What have I done? "It's not as bad as what happened with us. Can you please just leave it be? Hooch already made it clear that nothing else would happen."

"Indeed," Snape said, backing Hermione into her now opened doorway, shutting it behind him. "If you must know," he reached out for her, "I am in no relationship with anyone, and that's exactly how I intend to remain." His head lowered to hers. "However, if you are still interested in our other arrangement... I think we might as well advance things." His lips grazed hers for a moment, and she felt his words against them. "Don't you think?"

Her mind was foggy. She wanted to lean into his kiss, but she was too happy that he wasn't in a relationship with Hooch.

"But if it's not you... Who else? Parvati said she heard Madam Pomfrey mention your name."

"The only thing she'd better be mentioning me for is making her potions for the hospital wing."

"But you left the castle on your broom. I thought..."

"You thought wrong," he said before pressing his lips back to hers again for a firm, chaste kiss.

"Yes, but..."

Her words were cut off by his impatient mouth, tongue finally exploring hers. So this was what it was like to snog Snape. And he wasn't in a relationship with anyone else. This meant that she could carry on with her plans. There was still a chance...even though he'd said that there wouldn't be...that he would take a liking to her and want something more. In fact, she simply knew that with time and patience. He would be hers.

Groaning slightly, she ended their kiss. "So you've been staying away because you didn't want to..."

"Cease your chattering," he said, though there was no bite to his words.

"I can't help it. I've been wondering if you'd changed your mind about our... arrangement," she said quickly, circling his neck with her arms, pulling his face to hers. "And then thinking that you and Hooch... Well, you know what I mean."

Before placing his lips against hers again, he murmured, "I have thought of this. I cannot deny it."

The next moment saw her lifted and carried to her bed. "Severus," she said, wanting to be honest, "I am a little nervous. I haven't gone this far before and hope that I'll not disappoint you." She wasn't only playing the shy part, for she truly did have reservations. This was not Ron. This was Severus Snape.

"Nonsense," he said, pulling at his robes. "Am I not to tutor you in the art of... making love?"

"Yes," she said, feeling completely at ease. She was uncertain if it was the small smile he gave her or the warmth in his voice. All of the hard work she'd done, leaving her frustrated and lonely, was about to pay off. She would endure the tedious tasks being his apprentice brought before her. Anything to prove herself. Anything to remain near him.

He tossed his robes aside. "Relax," he said quietly, moving to help in her disrobing. Clothing was unfastened, pulled away, and dropped to the ground. Kisses and caresses were exchanged, and before Hermione realized it, she was on her back with him between her thighs, positioning himself so that he could penetrate her...just as she'd been wanting for many months.

He was finally to be hers...if only for a little while.

Easing into her, he gave her a small encouraging grin, making her feel as if she'd lived for that moment. After a minute of adjusting, awkward maneuvering, and moving about, they found a rhythm, moving to the beat of the tapping of the headboard, the rustling of the bed sheets, and the slight creaking of the bed.

Much later when Hermione awoke from a short sleep, she was pleased to find him still with her. She snuggled closer and placed a kiss upon his bare chest. "Thank you," she whispered. A fleeting thought passed through her mind before sleep took her again. I have to tell Parvati that she got it all wrong. Severus is not Hooch's lover. She grinned lazily. He's mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And then," Parvati exclaimed, "Professor Snape comes over and tells him that he'd better get his arse out of there if he knew what was good for him." She laughed. "Rolanda was at his side the entire time. It looked as if she was hoping the blokes wanted to have a fistfight or something. She seemed eager to join in, what with the way she was cracking her knuckles."

"I wondered what happened to those two. When I came out of the loo, it was just you there with the others." Hermione blushed. Her friend had already guessed that she and Severus had ended up in bed that night, but she hadn't committed to answering her questions, just shrugging them away and refusing to give any details.

"He looked furious and jealous," Parvati continued. "That's how I know that you two had to have ended up shagging that night! The way he pulled you out of there..." She sighed dramatically. "I was hoping that Rolanda would do the same, but that's when I realized my mistake."

Hermione laughed. "I felt so ridiculous about asking him about that. He found it amusing though."

"Well, honestly, I never thought of Sinistra being Rolanda's lover. She does resemble Snape a little... in a dark, Slytherin sort of way." She shuddered and shook her head. "She was quite scary, ordering Rolanda about and glaring at me."

"She did seem testy when I approached you."

"I thought that maybe I had a chance since Snape had taken you off, but then I heard Sinistra saying that the only witch that would be staying over at Hogwarts to sleep off her drinks was her and that no little tart had better find her way into Rolanda's quarters." They shared a laugh. "Needless to say, I was able to slip away and Disapparate to my flat without Splinching myself."

"Well, I'm sorry things didn't work out for you, Parvati. Maybe it just wasn't meant to be."

"But that kiss we shared, I really liked it and thought she wanted me," her friend said glumly.

"She likely did and was probably flattered, but I suppose what she has with her current lover isn't worth jeopardizing for something unknown," Hermione said softly. "I can understand that."

"So can I," Parvati said begrudgingly. "I just wish things could have been different. The woman fascinates me. I have no idea how it happened. I just found myself thinking of her all the time." She shrugged. "Just a crush, I guess."

"Perhaps."

"Any wedding bells anytime soon for you and Snape?"

"Of course not," Hermione said, laughing. "I'm his apprentice, and for now, that is good enough." She blushed a little, remembering how they spent the rest of their weekend...rarely leaving her bedchamber other than to bathe or eat.

"Well, I'm off," Parvati said. "This is the last day of the Quidditch camp. Thankfully!"

"It'll be quiet around here with the others leaving until just before school starts again," Hermione said. "But I think we'll manage."

"I'll bet you will," Parvati quipped. "I think that leaving here is the best thing for me. Out of sight, out of mind."

"There is someone out there for you," Hermione reassured. She reflected on those words. It was quite true, wasn't it? There was someone for everyone...even for her and for Severus.

Southern's Notes: Well, I think that's enough for this story. I'd forgotten about it. How sad! It was simply supposed to be a PWP anyway, but I felt the need to give it some sort of closure. Thanks for reading!