Mistakes

Disclaimer: It's not my creation, but I do enjoy manipulating things. No money for me though. Enjoy.

A big thanks goes to my lovely beta, Charmed_Nay, and to my friends over at Potter_Place.

"Thanks for letting me sleep with you, Harry. I need this." She moved over to drape an arm around the boy's chest. "I can't believe he broke things off with me."

"I told you, Hermione," he began, sounding exasperated, "he's probably just needing time to himself."

Her lips found his jaw, causing him to startle. "Let me." She then placed a light kiss upon his lips. When his lips didn't part for her tongue, she pulled away and begged, "Please help me move on. It's the only way."

Suddenly, the boy was in action, throwing her back against the bed and moving over her. His lips never left hers as one hand yanked up her nightgown and delved beneath her knickers. Her hands were pulling at his underpants. Severus couldn't believe what he was witnessing. He'd waited to come down after hours where there would be no chance of Dumbledore interfering with the conversation he wanted to have.

This was too much. His witch and Potter. He glided forward and stopped next to the bed. The boy noticed him first, and he quickly fumbled with his underpants to cover himself. After he'd placed his pathetic member inside his pants, he slid away from her, trying to move towards his wand.

"Don't," Severus said, pointing his wand at the boy. Potter froze. Severus looked down to Hermione's horrified face, noting her exposed breasts, nipples hardened and begging to be sucked, knickers half-pulled down. "How could you?" he asked, disgust evident in his voice.

"I... you didn't..."

"Silence," he hissed in a dangerous voice. His eyes moved back to the boy. "I will not lose my woman again." He sneered hatefully. "To another fucking Potter at that." Without emotion, he spat out the words, "Avada Kedavra!" A jet of green light shot out and hit the boy in the chest, causing him to fall back off the bed onto the floor. Severus didn't look at Hermione as he reached down to place a hand over her screaming mouth. When she bit at his hand, he pulled it away and reached to forcefully drag her from the bed. "We must leave now before the headmaster is upon us. The Dark Lord awaits."

Hermione continued to kick and scream at him as he pulled her towards the door. A cackle resembling that of the Dark Lord made him stop abruptly and pull her behind him, wand drawn. He looked around the darkened room and saw nothing. "Stop moving," he said to her.

"Wh-who is that?" she asked, sounding terrified.

"I don't...Potter! What the fuck...?"

The angry boy stood and brushed off his shirt as if flicking dust. He then grabbed his wand and stalked forward, cackling as he did so. "The Killing Curse, Snape?" He made a tsking noise. "Your boss tried that one on me already. Didn't work, did it?" The boy lifted his wand. "Surprised, eh? Good. Come here, Hermione."

To Severus' horror, Hermione quickly went to the boy and hid behind him. "How dare you go to him? You are my witch! It is I that should have your loyalty."

He moved to step forward and a jet of smoky light hit him; there was no pain, only the feeling of his soul floating away from his body and falling down through the stone floor. Falling. Weightlessness. No pain. Falling. Suddenly, Severus grunted with pain. His body had finally hit the bottom. He cracked an eye open and found himself lying on the floor of his office near his desk. It appeared that he'd fallen out of his chair. Sitting up, he rubbed the bump on his head. It had been a dream.

"A damn dream," he grumbled. Upon his desk was the tumbler he'd been drinking from and the empty phial of Calming Draught. He'd forced himself to take some and have a few drinks to regain his control before he could make his way down to destroy Potter and snatch Hermione away from the castle. Of course, the more he drank, the worse things seemed.

Severus last remembered checking Hermione's location, and she'd been fast asleep in her own bed. The only reason he'd paused to try to calm down was because she'd been eating dinner in their common room when he'd checked her location again. It made him wonder if he wasn't jumping to conclusions. No matter what she was doing there, there was no good reason for her to be in another man's...boy's...bed. He would get to the bottom of things. If she wanted to lie with a man, then he would certainly show her how it felt to truly lie with one come Saturday. It was time to put a halt to the waiting. He would have her.

An uneasy feeling settled over him. What if something had happened between the pair already? He thought back to the boy's expression. It hadn't been flushed as if he'd been having sex. He had been fully dressed. Would there have been time for a coupling from the time he'd left and gone back? Yes, there would have been. Would she allow it? That was the question. Would the boy attempt to have her?

If she had to choose between Potter and him, whom would she choose? Would it be as the dream played out? This wondering would never do. He needed to talk to her. He had to know. If he thought otherwise... He sighed. "I will not allow you to choose any other aside from me."

Making a decision, he left his quarters and made his way to the rooms that Hermione shared with Potter. There was one candle lit near their large table. From what he could tell, the room was empty. He made his way to her door. It was shut tight. A pass of his wand told him that Dumbledore's wretched enchantment was still intact. He turned to Potter's door. It was ajar and dark within. He pointed his wand at the entrance and was startled to hear a voice from the corner of the common room.

"What are you doing in here, Snape?

Potter. "Why are you not in your bed?"

"I can't sleep."

"I can't sleep, sir," Severus said, irritated that the boy could never remember to respect him as was his due.

"You couldn't sleep either, eh?" he said cheekily. "What are you doing in here?"

"What, Potter, may I ask, was Hermione doing in your bed earlier?" He smirked as the boy's eyes widened, but they narrowed quickly as the boy had the audacity to shrug.

"She was upset and needed to have a good cry. I can't get in her room, so I brought her to mine." The boy turned his back on him and walked over to the table to sit down.

Severus followed. "What reason would she have to be upset?" he asked despite himself.

"You," Potter said nonchalantly. "She thought you were breaking things off."

"How dare you assume that I am having relations with a..."

"Aren't you?" Potter interrupted. "I saw you kiss her with my own eyes. When you left like you did, she took it to mean you couldn't continue being with her in such a way." He stretched his legs out in front of him lazily. "I told her you probably just didn't want things to carry on any further in here...especially with me in the next room."

Eyes narrowed to menacing slits, Severus said, "And just what do you plan to do with this information, Potter? Going to run off to Dumbledore, are you?"

"Nope."

"Really? How interesting." He smirked and sat opposite of the boy at the table. "Just what are you planning on doing with the information?"

"Nothing."

"What? Why not?" he asked incredulously. Who did this boy think he was fooling?

"Because I figured if Hermione isn't upset about Ron any longer, then why would I hurt her like that?" He nodded to Severus. "Even if it's you that she thinks she fancies."

Severus crossed his arms and leant back in his chair. "Thinks? I happen to know that she does fancy me."

"Yeah," Harry said disrespectfully. "She thinks she does. I suppose you being there for her when Ron did what he did helped. She'll likely come to her senses one day though."

"It would bode well for you, boy, if you would stay out of my business." He sneered hatefully, lips twisted in a horrid smile. "If you choose to go to the headmaster, by all means, do so. I warn you, Potter, that your words will fall upon deaf ears." He leant forward and placed the hand still holding his wand upon the table. "He trusts me completely."

"Snape..."

"Professor Snape to you, boy."

Harry shook his head in annoyance. "Professor Snape, going to Dumbledore is the farthest thing from my mind. I think that even though I don't care much for you, we can be on the same side...at least in this."

Severus bit out coldly, "I loathe you. I shall never try to associate with you more than necessary. You are just like your father. The arrogance..."

"Shut up about my dad!" Harry said angrily. "I'm not asking to be your mate. I'm asking you to look the other way if I want to spend time alone with Gabrielle on Saturday. I will do the same for the two of you."

"You dare..." Severus abruptly came to a halt. Though he despised the boy, he had a point. Having him in the know would certainly help his relationship with Hermione. He'd be able to resume reading with her in the evenings and could send the boy off to his room with promises of finding a way to help him see his young girlfriend. "Very well," he agreed suddenly, surprising the boy.

"Right then."

He rose from the table and moved around to stand in front of Potter. "I shall ask this once," he began, fingering his wand lightly. "Have you ever had relations with my... with Hermione?"

"Of course not," he replied immediately. "And if you want to know of Ron, you might want to ask her. I don't know their business."

"I know of him already." He strode to Potter's door and cast a charm of his own.

"What's that for?" Potter asked, moving to his room.

"Forgive me if I won't trust you to keep her out of your chambers," Snape said sarcastically. "I shall come tomorrow evening." He walked a few steps and turned to face the boy, crushing the building respect for the boy that he suddenly felt. "Tell her to not worry about trivial things." With a nod, he made his way out of their rooms and headed up towards the battlements for a late night stroll.

He hated the conversation he'd had with Potter. It was clear that the boy felt he had something over him. This made him want to take his witch and leave. It would serve the brat right. Severus couldn't believe he'd had the nerve to try to use his information against him. If he didn't long for more time with Hermione, he would have dared the boy to do something about his information. Yes, Severus would allow the smug little bastard to believe that he was manipulating him, but it was actually he, not Potter, that was truly taking advantage of the situation.

On Saturday, he would be bringing Potter and Hermione to Grimmauld Place. Once he talked the others into leaving the house for the day to attend to matters, he'd force Potter to keep Parkinson, Weasley, and Delacour occupied while he Disapparated Hermione to his home. By doing this, he'd be keeping his promise to Dumbledore by not committing any lewd acts at Grimmauld Place. It was time they consummated their relationship. He couldn't stand the thought of her being in some other's bed.

Words that she'd spoken the night he'd been intoxicated came to him suddenly.

I'm not ready. You were right.

"Damn," he groused to himself. If she wasn't ready, he couldn't force her. However, she seemed desperate to have me about her, and according to Potter, she was devastated when she thought I'd changed my mind about our relationship. If she would be that eager, he would definitely enjoy her body and make her his own. There had been too many sleepless nights to not take advantage of the situation.

He paused. "Why is it so important?" he asked himself. The answer hit him like a Bludger. He wanted her the same as always, but he truly wanted her to be certain that Potter hadn't had her. While he was inclined to believe the boy, he had to have proof. By taking her, he would know if her hymen were intact or not. If it wasn't, then she'd been committing lewd acts with the boy. It had still been in place before. Impossible. I've pulled her location numerous times each day. She was never entangled with him as such. The closest was when I saw them earlier in his bed, her fast asleep.

No. "Control, Severus. You must have control." He couldn't let Potter push him to make any brash moves. He would be able to detect her hymen without consummation. Deciding that he had to know the truth, he formed a plan. He would stay away from her the next day, sending Dumbledore in his stead to pick up their assignments. Potter will tell her of their conversation, and she would know that all was well. However, she would continuously wonder why he hadn't come after he'd told Potter that he would. By the time Saturday morning would be upon them, she would do anything he wanted if he could get her alone. It would be at that moment that he'd decide if he would take her or not. Perhaps the time apart had readied her for him.

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

Tonks looked up at the nearly full moon. The next evening would be her lover's night to roam as an animal. He was already off to deal with his weakening state on his own. Headmaster Dumbledore had him secreted off someplace. They were to try to locate the girl again. She shook her head sadly. What was it about the young redhead that had her man so captivated? Even before they were truly a couple, he'd often speak of her and say that he felt pity for her, as she'd lost her young lover abruptly. Tonks was no fool. He only commented on her appearance when she changed her hair to a shade of Weasley red and looked upon him with blue eyes.

Of course he thought her beautiful as she was, according to him anyway, but on those occasions when she'd change to resemble the girl, he'd stop whatever he was doing to come to her and initiate coupling or fervent snogging. Part of her hoped they never found the little bitch. Tonks shook her head sadly. What have I become? I don't hate her, not completely anyway. She's just a girl. I hate that he has a soft spot for her. I should have all of his attention.

Something that she'd never told anyone...Remus included...was that she'd known where they'd been staying. She'd found them, but she'd chosen to not say anything. Dumbledore had sent her to Apparate after Snape into Hogsmeade and see if she couldn't help out. She'd found the boy, and she'd watched him. He'd gone into town to nick a few things to eat, mostly candy. Just before she was to make herself known to them to bring them in, she'd heard a part of their conversation. The boy seemed to care for her. It was in his voice and in his mannerisms. He'd allowed her to pick through the food first, and he'd even nicked her a couple of flowers. Those gestures and his soft words stopped her. If she'd just let them stay there together in peace for a little longer, then the girl would forget about Remus.

Yes, the girl had been in love with Remus. Tonks wondered how Molly and Arthur never saw it. She was uncertain as to what drove a wedge between Remus and Ginevra's friendship, but it had brought him running to her. And she'd been grateful. She'd not allow his fear and worry for the little chit to bring those feelings, whatever they were, back to him. He'd been beside himself since she'd disappeared, blaming himself. Sometimes he'd even tried to blame her.

If you hadn't come to Hogsmeade with me, I could have talked to her alone and explained things. She wouldn't have been mixed up in that.

Those words had hurt each time he'd said them, and she blamed the girl for them. She'd only gone to stake her claim. Why shouldn't she? He was going to talk to another female about her feelings for him. Tonks pushed the memories of that argument away. It would only make her cry. The point was that if Ginevra Weasley had gone with Draco Malfoy to hide and be safe, why not leave them to it? If she stayed with him long enough, she might fall in love with him. Only then could Tonks live in peace without worrying that her lover might leave her the moment the girl finished her schooling.

Well, the only problem with her plan was that she'd ended up feeling guilty. However, when she went back to the cave, they'd vacated it, leaving no clue behind. She wondered if she'd made a mistake. Now, she was uncertain that the boy and Ginevra hadn't been snatched away by his father or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Could she live with the guilt if that was the case? Part of her wished that she'd brought them back to Hogwarts. She would have been a heroine in Remus' eyes maybe.

"My own fears and insecurities may well ruin us," she muttered. She glanced up to the moon. "Take care of my lover tomorrow night. No matter what he might find, see him safe and all those in contact with him," she whispered. She sighed and went inside to try to get some rest. Molly had asked her to spend the day shopping and checking on things at the Burrow. She'd agreed since Remus wouldn't be home anyway, and poor Molly seemed to need a break. She'd been cooped up in London since Dumbledore had pulled the students from the castle. They would likely bring Fleur along with them, but she wasn't so bad now that she'd gotten to know her.

"Time for a day with the girls," she said. "Let that arse Snape handle the brats."

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

Hermione couldn't believe that he hadn't come to see her the day before. Harry had told her everything that they'd discussed. Sure enough, when she tried to get into Harry's room, she was repelled. Harry thought it was funny, but she wasn't so amused. How had he known that she'd slept in there for that short amount of time? According to Harry, he'd come to deliver the news of their trip to them, but he'd seemed to think that she was in her own room. Or at least he hadn't barged in on her in Harry's room to check. How had he known? She would certainly talk to him about this. It wasn't as if he had a Marauder's Map, was it? No, something certainly wasn't right. That had happened before. She'd gotten the feeling that he'd always just shown up where she happened to be a little too often. It was as if he had some spell on her, noting all that she did.

That was certainly unfair, as she had no idea of his comings and goings. If things were in the open with Harry, why did he stay away? Why had Dumbledore come to them, claiming that Severus had something else to do? She wondered if he stayed away purposely or if he had an errand for the headmaster? That would be something else that she'd find out.

In a way, she was glad that he hadn't come. She wasn't ready to face him or his questions. Once again, she'd jumped to the wrong conclusions and cried frustrated tears over something needlessly. It was one thing that she knew he detested...her sudden emotional outbursts. She supposed she'd have to answer for that, but he'd be doing some answering as well. Why had he just walked away from her like that without so much as a farewell?

"I trust you and Potter are ready?" a silky voice said from her right.

How long had he been there? She looked up to eye him warily. He seemed distant, cold. "Harry had to run to the loo. He'll be out..."

"I'm done," Harry said, venturing into the room. "Come on, Mione. Get under the Invisibility Cloak with me."

Snape smirked. "I think not, Potter." He whispered a few words and thrust a small box into her hands. "The pair of you will Portkey. Molly is expecting you. I shall Apparate in shortly." He nodded to the box. "Do grab on, Potter. Three, two, one."

Hermione met his cloudy expression just as she felt the tug behind her navel. He didn't seem happy to see her. Well, she wouldn't let it get her down until she knew the reasoning behind his horrid mood. If they had to have a row, then that's what would happen. In the next moment, they were in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place and Molly Weasley was hugging them tightly. She stuffed the small box into her pocket.

"So glad to have you here. Must be about time to break from wherever you are being kept," she said. "Come. Sit. Have a spot of breakfast."

Harry, who had eaten already, sat down and began serving himself. Hermione smirked. "Where is everyone?" she asked.

"Still abed!" Molly said in annoyance. "I suppose it must be nice to sleep in every morning. I tell you, that Parkinson doesn't like to help much. Why, she even..." Her cheeks reddened. "Don't listen to me. I'm just in a bit of a mood. I will be glad to spend the day out."

"This is like a holiday for us. We can definitely understand the need for a change of scenery," Hermione said, taking a seat next to Harry. He simply grunted in agreement as he ate.

The door opened. "Severus," Molly greeted. "Have a seat. I'll get you a cup of coffee."

Hermione's eyes met his. He looked away after a brief moment. "Thank you," he said, taking a seat across from Hermione and Harry. "How cozy," he commented, looking at the pair.

While Harry ignored him, Hermione glared at him. Why did he have to act that way? Were all men so jealous? She looked away from him and tried to imagine their roles being reversed. What if she had found out about him and Madam Hooch or some other witch at the castle sharing a bed? She supposed she wouldn't like that much, innocent or not. He had a point. She'd just have to make him understand that she didn't feel that way about Harry.

She nibbled her toast while Tonks came in and began talking to Molly. They were chattering about some shopping, stopping in for Fleur, and some things that needed attending to at the Burrow. She picked up on some of the whispering. It appeared that Lupin was on some sort of mission. Whatever the mission happened to be, it brought tears to Mrs. Weasley's eyes. Hermione wondered if maybe it had something to do with Ginny.

Harry disappeared to go search out Ron, and when the two witches left, Hermione and Severus were alone at last. He made no move to talk to her. She sighed and stood up.

"Where do you think you are going?" he asked immediately.

"I'm going to go have a read. It's better than sitting here and having you glare at me," she said softly.

"You will sit back down this instant," he said, moving his cup aside and leaning forward. "I should like a word with you."

She sat down and said, "Why is it that you can demand things and I can't?"

"Because I am..." His voice trailed away. Suddenly, he stood up, knocking his chair back. "I shall be back momentarily." With that, he strode out of the room. He came back in a few minutes later. "Come." He held out a hand to her. Sighing in annoyance, she took his hand and allowed him to escort her out the back exit. Once out towards the wooded area, he pulled her close and Disapparated.

When she looked around again, she saw that they were back at his home. "What are you doing? The headmaster will be angry!"

"I told Potter that you weren't feeling well and that I needed to bring you to retrieve some potions. We have about an hour or two," he said. "I can always say that I had to brew something."

She smiled as she looked around. "I've missed this place. It's good to be home." She squealed suddenly as she was lifted and carried to their bedroom. "Severus? What are you...?"

He kicked the door closed behind them and placed her upon the bed. In the next instant, his robes and boots were cast aside. Hermione nearly scooted back in panic as he crawled onto the bed and slid over her. "I do believe we have some time to make up for," he said silkily. His lips grazed hers for a moment before he pulled away. "Do you agree?"

"Yes." She'd missed this. Needed this. Wanted this. Wanted him. The list of questions came to mind, and she pulled away from his lowering mouth. "No."

"Excuse me?" he asked incredulously.

"We need to talk before anything else happens here. There are things that I want to know," she said firmly. "How did you know about... that I'd fallen asleep in Harry's room? Have you been spying on me?"

He sighed and moved to sit next to her, expression thunderous. "I'd say that you should appreciate that I didn't hex the boy."

"For what? He didn't do anything but let me cry and try to talk to me!"

"Why were you in such a state? I thought we had a discussion about your jumping to conclusions. Hmm?" he asked, anger evident in his voice. "That was very childish, if I might say so. Had I intended to end things, I would have told you."

"But you said you couldn't continue on, shouldn't have done it," she said defiantly. "After that, you just left. No word to me. Not even a goodbye. It had been weeks since I'd been able to touch you, let alone kiss you! I thought maybe the passing time had made you grow forgetful."

"Never," he said, pouncing on her again. They shared an intense kiss, teeth hitting together, tongues tangled, lips moving. She was breathless when he pulled away. "Not having you has made me need you even more." He ground against her, his hardness moving along her thighs and up against her center. "Feel that?" She nodded. "That's what you still do to me. If I hadn't left the other day when I did, Potter would have witnessed our frantic coupling."

Her cheeks reddened. "I didn't know he was watching. He figured it out on his own," she admitted. "He's all right with it. He won't say anything."

Severus nodded. "I don't care to speak of him just now. The thought of you lying next to him in bed angers me." Sneering slightly, he added, "No matter how innocent you say it is."

"Nothing has happened." He moved aside and began to pull at her clothing. "What are you doing?" she asked quickly, putting her hands on his to halt his movements.

"I need to have you."

"But wait," she stalled. "My...er...questions need to be answered. Do you have an enchantment on me? One that tells you my whereabouts?"

He sighed in frustration. "I have one of sorts, yes. I told you this long ago...I have my ways to find out where you are at any time."

"That's a little unfair, isn't it?" she asked angrily. "I don't know where you are! Why not show me the same courtesy?"

"Perhaps I shall," he said noncommittally. "Hermione, our time is escaping."

She swallowed nervously. "Wh-what do you want?"

"Whatever you will give me," he said, eyes darkening.

"You said that if we... you know... did that," she blushed profusely, "it would cause trouble for us."

"Are you afraid?"

"No."

He moved to resume his actions.

"Yes," she said, placing her hands upon his again. "Both."

"Enough talk," he grumbled, his mouth lowered to hers again. This time, he changed tactics. Instead of fervent, heated kisses, he gave her soft and languid ones. Though she was still trembling, he could feel it subsiding as she succumbed to his tenderness. Trailing open-mouthed kisses along her jaw and down to her throat, he elicited soft whimpers of pleasure from her.

He moved his mouth to her ear, making certain to breathe into it, and felt satisfied as she shuddered. "I want you, Hermione Jane Granger," he whispered seductively. His tongue traced her ear and flicked at her lobe.

"Oh, my God," she said, voice husky. She took in a sharp breath as one hand moved beneath her blouse to cup her breast. "Severus..."

"What do you want?" he asked, whispering in her ear again as he released the breast from her bra and began to lightly circle the nipple with his index finger.

"I don't know," she said in a low voice.

He looked at her face and saw that her eyes were shut tightly. There was still a slight tremble in her body. "Look at me," he commanded. When she opened her eyes, he said, "I will go no further than you will allow. Just tell me to stop when you've had enough. If you don't say stop, I shall take that to mean you want everything." He waited for a reply. When one didn't come, he asked, "Do you understand?"

"Yes."

Severus nodded and pulled the blouse up and off of her. He unfastened the bra and peeled it away from her as well. Moving back to her chest, he began teasing and fondling her exposed breasts. His witch responded in kind...arching against him, moaning, breathing in gasps. It was she that began pushing down her pants and kicked them away, leaving her clad in only her white knickers. This is it, he thought excitedly, as he kneeled back to unbutton his shirt and unfasten his trousers. We are finally going to consummate our relationship. In a few moments, I will be certain whether or not no other has had her before me or will have her in the future.

He noted that she was watching him through half-opened eyes. "Relax," he said, throwing his shirt to the floor and maneuvering out of his trousers. He decided to not remove his underpants for the time being. She'd taken to biting her lip, and he took that to mean that she was getting nervous again. Severus moved to lie beside her again, pulling her about to face him. He cupped her face with one hand and kissed her gently. It didn't take long to have her moving against him, body asking him for things that she couldn't quite voice.

Hermione moved to lie on her back again, and he lowered his mouth to suckle one of her nipples as he pulled her knickers down. Once low enough, she kicked them to the side. He ran the back of his hand over the trimmed hair covering her center. Some slightly pricked at his hand, causing him to smile. He moved down to settle himself between her thighs.

"Oh... you... ahhh."

His tongue found her nub and flicked over it forcefully. He enjoyed the feel of her moving against his face, enjoyed her moans and whimpers, and enjoyed the taste and scent of her. This was his witch. He would mark her to be his for all her years in only a few moments.

"It's... I feel it," she said as her fingers gripped his hair tightly.

At this moment, he slid a finger partially into her, probing and pumping. He added a second finger. To his amazement, she began to buck and jerk as if having sex.

"Oh, my God. Ohhhh!"

"That's it," he said, willing himself to feel her excitement. He could feel her twitching internally while she arched against him and cried out in bliss. After her trembling faded, he placed gentle kisses along her labia and moved to the side, not retracting his two fingers. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were closed, and her breathing was even. She almost looked as if she were sleeping.

He knew better. A sudden explosion of feeling burst through him. He needed to be between her thighs and buried within her. Slowly, he began pumping the two fingers in and out of her again. This time, though, he pushed them in farther and swept around her insides in a circular movement. When she opened her eyes in surprise and looked down to watch his movements, he quickened the pace, allowing his thumb to graze her nub every few strokes. Severus felt that she was wet enough to add another finger. She gasped and clutched at his shoulder.

"I don't know," she bit out. "It's not... ouch."

The strokes slowed, but he didn't retract the extra finger. He wanted to push them all the way into her, but her tightness appeared to be obstructing him. Realization dawned on him. He was nudging against her hymen. Relief flooded his body. She hadn't had sex with Potter. Happiness, need, and excitement all mixed and seemed to flow through him. He removed one finger to ease her comfort and noted that she breathed in relief. He hadn't meant to hurt her, only stretch her in preparation for his girth.

"That feels good," she said, voice breathy.

Pleasing her was important to him. Without realizing what he was doing and intending to please her further, he pushed his two fingers all the way in, causing her to cry out in pain the exact moment he felt her hymen tear away. Her hands immediately moved down to pull his away from her.

"What did you do?" she asked, tears in her eyes, voice accusing.

"Hermione, I'm sorry," he said, sitting up and trying to pull her to him. "I didn't mean to separate it."

"It felt like you pinched me." She wiped at her eyes. "Hard."

"Your hymen... I'm sorry," he said, apologizing again. He truly hadn't meant to hurt her. He'd simply got carried away. "What is it?" he asked when he noted her pale face and horrified expression.

She said nothing. She pulled out of his embrace and ran from the room. He heard the door to the loo slam behind her. It was then that he noticed the blood upon the duvet. "Damn it," he yelled angrily. "It wasn't supposed to be this way." Why hadn't he tried harder to control himself? He had been selfish and intent on having her. If he'd just done things differently, he could be within her at that moment, and she'd be adjusting to the feel of him within her. "Shite."

He pulled on his underpants, grabbed his wand to clean away the mess on the bed, and picked up her clothes. He made his way to the bathroom. It was locked, and he could hear the shower running. "Hermione," he called, knocking on the door. "I have your clothes." There was no reply. He'd be damned if he'd allow this to come between them. She shouldn't be in the shower dealing with what happened alone. She should be talking to him. "I'm coming in," he said loudly. A flick of his wand saw the door opened. He paused upon hearing her light sobs. Well, Severus, you got what you wished for. You wanted to be the one to break her hymen. You wanted to be certain that Potter hadn't taken what was yours. You did that purposely, an inner voice accused.

Placing her clothes on the shelf near the tub, he waited for a sign that he was welcome. When none came, he left the room and pulled the door closed behind him. It would be a long day and an even longer night. This night was the full moon. He was to help Lupin and the headmaster in their search for Draco and Miss Weasley. Bill Weasley had thought he'd seen Draco at Gringotts a couple of days prior, but when he'd tried to speak to the person, they'd Disapparated. When he'd questioned the goblin, it was confirmed that the man's name was not Malfoy. Bill still didn't believe it, thinking it had to have been the young Malfoy. This only incited Lupin more, begging for a chance to have at the boy for taking away Miss Weasley.

Feeling lost, he finished getting dressed and went to his kitchen. Once there, he sat by the counter and tried to think of what he could say to her to make things better. It was apparent that she was disgusted with him and by what he'd done to her. How could he right this? At least you won't have to worry about this happening once you are finally able to take her, a snide voice commented.

He growled to himself. "Damn it." Things hadn't worked out as he'd planned them at all. He'd hoped that by staying away the previous day she would have been happier to see him and been nearly begging for some privacy. Instead, he found an angry witch, one that had many more questions to ask. Thankfully, he'd been able to curb them. He envisioned them finally coupling, and in his vision, there was no pain or crying, only two sated bodies sharing afterglow. This was likely his worst experience with a willing witch. He was no better than a fumbling, inexperienced boy who allowed his emotions to guide him. This would not do. He had to make things right. He couldn't have her thinking of him as being no better than... Weasley. As he stood, he looked up and realized that she was there with him, watching him intently.

"Hermione?" he asked uncertainly. She was completely dressed again and had an unreadable expression.

"I think we need to talk," she said quietly.

Southern's Notes: I know it's not nice to stop here, but to add the next bit in, would have made it too long. There are a few questions that Hermione needs answered, and Severus decides to ask a few of his own.

Next chapter, we'll see what they talk about, what happens back at Grimmauld Place, and we'll finally see Lupin in action. I wonder if Draco stands a chance. Also, I don't know that Tonks was exactly bright about not mentioning their whereabouts. Seems to me that Lupin might recognize her scent at the abandoned cave as well. I guess we shall see. * smirk *

Note: My beta didn't like that when Severus cast the Killing Curse on Harry that I'd not given him an expression of hatred. My feeling is that if you have enough hate inside, you don't have to show it in your expression when you use Unforgivable Curses. Some of those Death Eaters laugh while doing so. I was trying to project to the reader that it didn't bother him to kill Harry, sort of like he was a cold killer or something. I promised her I'd put a note that this is my view and not hers though. Cheers.