Getting Comfortable

Disclaimer: J.K.R.'s stuff. I'm just having a bit of fun.

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

"Lord Byron," he intoned darkly, pulling his cloak about his body more tightly. The sleepy witch in the portrait granted him access easily enough, never noticing exactly whom she had admitted into Hermione's chambers. Ever so slowly, he crept towards her bed. The duvet had been thrown off whilst the sheet tangled over one leg, leaving the other pleasingly bare. It seemed that she was merely wearing knickers and a chemise to sleep in. He leered at her young, soft flesh and felt his loins tighten. His cloak slid away from his body in one smooth motion.

He'd already prepared himself before he'd come. He wore only his robes beneath his cloak, nothing more. Only a moment passed before his robes pooled around his feet with his cloak. Lifting the wand he'd been carrying in his hand, he cast an extra ward on both of her exits, a Silencing Charm on her, and a single enchantment had her eyes blindfolded with a thick scarf. Severus would have her. One hand drifted down to the tip of his erection, a single droplet of excitement was already formulating there. God, I am nearly coming, and I've not touched her yet.

Slowly, he crawled onto the bed near her feet, wand placed next to body as his head lowered to the juncture betwixt her thighs. Her lovely scent, a mixture of some alluring perfume and her womanly essence, called to him. He propped himself on his elbows on either side of her, allowing his hands to creep up beneath her chemise whilst his mouth lowered to lick along the hem of her knickers where the fabric met the flesh of her inner thigh. He felt her move slightly and knew that she was still asleep. One hand withdrew and grasped his wand. He was able to magic away her knickers, and he made sure to banish them to his quarters to keep as a souvenir. His hand slid back beneath her chemise and found its way to her full breast as his head lowered.

Her plump legs were parted just enough that he needn't use his fingers to peel away her layers for a taste. His tongue expertly found her enticing slit, and he gently moved his tongue along it before forcing it into her. A growl sounded in his throat, and he felt her stirring. The lapping of his tongue and the caressing of his fingers had finally woke her. Severus knew that Hermione would be disoriented for a moment, wondering where the delectable sensations were coming from, and then she would panic, not knowing who was tasting and touching her in such an intimate way.

Sure enough, she began struggling against him moments later, and he knew from the heaving of her chest that she was trying to scream for help. Good thing I put that Silencing Charm on her. The movements were causing her body to buck against his mouth and arch into his hands. His body weight applied enough pressure to hold her down. She couldn't get up unless he gave her leave. It was far too late for that now. He'd have her. The moving against him only incensed him further, and he could feel the resistance leaving her with each lap of his tongue or fondle of his fingers. When she began to thrash about in ecstasy, he stopped.

Without caring to wait another moment, he moved over her to place himself at her entrance. He looked down at the body below him. Her chest was heaving with a likely mix of excitement, fear, and disgust flowing through her. He pushed in roughly, tearing away any barrier that she'd had. Her face contorted in pain, and her mouth took on the shape of one screaming. He thrust into her over and over until her nails no longer clawed at him to harm him but to relieve tension. When she came forcefully, with her welcomed wetness washing over him, he grasped his wand and removed her blindfold, as his own climax peaked. The surprise, hurt, and shame in her eyes accosted him immediately. He'd betrayed her. How could he have done this to her? He began to thrust erratically in climax, shouting syllables with each. "O...bliv...i...ate!"

Severus bolted upright, sprung out of bed, and looked about wildly. "A dream. I didn't harm her. It wasn't real," he said, panting. In one hand, he was clutching his wand. In the other, he held the knickers he'd taken from her the night they went into hiding. Apparently, he'd fallen asleep whilst holding them and thinking of her, causing himself to have a most delicious yet horrifying dream about she and he coupling. He wanted the dream to come true, but he would never force her. He never wanted to see that look in her eyes.

He hurried to his desk to take out the parchment he'd created, waving a hand and casting his charm. Currently sleeping in her bed in the Head Girl's dorm, alone. "Good girl," he said, feeling oddly guilty. Her hurt eyes tormented him so greatly that he couldn't go back to sleep. He decided that he might as well get up and head to the Leaky Cauldron before he was needed about the castle. There was something that he needed in order to prepare for his visit with his witch later in the afternoon.

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

"Good morning, Gin," Hermione said brightly. "You're up early."

"Well, I wanted a chance to have a talk with you before the berks started piling round."

"Come in," she offered. The redhead quickly stepped inside and plopped down in a chair near Hermione's fire. "I want to talk about Ron."

Hermione sighed. Harry had told her that Ginny had understood about the breakup. Had she changed her mind? "All right." She took a seat across from her friend.

"I think what Ronald did was wrong, only Harry and I know the truth, mind. I may tell mum as well," she said with a sneer. "Serve him right, it would."

"There is no need for that. Really. I don't want her to hate him."

"No? Rather her think its all your fault then, eh?"

"She wouldn't..." Hermione knew instantly that she would. Mrs. Weasley had thought ill of her in the past and had treated her coldly when she thought that Hermione had jilted Harry. If Ron said the wrong thing, she would blame her again. "Maybe just tell her it was mutual without causing a rift between the two of them."

"Hermione! How could you worry about his life now that he's messed up yours?" Ginny asked vehemently. "He's lucky that I didn't find him yesterday, the cheating wanker!"

"What's really the problem behind all of this?" Hermione asked quietly. "Has this to do with Dean somehow?"

"I still miss him, you know." She smiled and tears welled in her eyes. "But, since he's gone, I've found another with whom I would want to be with. I really think he wants me, but that bitch is poisoning him!"

Hermione swallowed uneasily. "Who might that be?" Ginny had long since been over Harry, but she had a terrible feeling that it was someone close to Harry that Ginny fancied.

Ginny looked around as if checking for eavesdroppers. "Remus," she whispered conspiratorially.

She knew it. "He and Tonks-"

"Tonks is a tart! A scarlet woman! I know all about her. Remus deserves someone that loves him. I've been thinking on this a long time, and I've decided that I am going to tell him what I know about that bitch!"

"Ginny!" Hermione chided.

"It's true. I was in the library, laying behind the couch looking at old photos when Tonks came in...with Harry!" Hermione gasped. "That's right. She was all over him, saying how she wanted to kiss the Boy Who Lived. Harry finally had to threaten to tell Remus if she didn't sod off."

"Why didn't Harry tell him?" Hermione asked in disbelief. That didn't sound like Tonks. Besides, Harry would have told her about that if it were true. Ginny must have forgotten or misunderstood something.

"He tried! He went straight to the grate and Flooed Remus wherever he was at the time. I heard his voice as clear as I hear yours now. Harry got all nervous and changed his mind. Said he was just having a Floo to see how things were going. After he disconnected, he was berating himself for not having the bollocks to tell Remus about his witch," Ginny said in a rush.

"Good grief."

"Exactly," the fiery redhead said. "I wanted to tell Harry that I'd witnessed it, but I hated to hurt Remus. I'd rather him happy than hurting, but now it's just too much. It's eating me up inside, Mione. He's the only one since Dean that makes me feel anything. I need that. I need to feel."

Bloody hell! When had Ginny grown up? "What is so good about Remus anyway?" Hermione asked, trying to calm the teary witch down.

"Lord, Mione! Everything," she said, taking on a dreamy tone much like Luna Lovegood's. "I like how his hair flips back just here above his eye," she said, pointing to her forehead. "I love the way his voice gets low, almost menacing, as he talks about something that surprises him. His hands, so strong, they are. I could get lost in his eyes. Just everything. The way I feel when he looks at me. It's what I need." She smirked and cocked an eyebrow. "He has a very nice arse."

Hermione giggled. "He does." Ginny harrumphed, but it didn't have any bite behind it. "How does he feel for you?"

"I think if everyone would leave us be, he'd really give me a chance. You have no idea how incredible it feels to be held by him. It's different than it was with Dean. He's so sure of himself that it makes me feel confident." She smiled softly. "I don't know if it's because he's older or what."

"You don't think the age difference is too much?"

Ginny laughed loudly. "He's a wizard, Hermione. Maybe that means something in the Muggle world, but here, our men age slowly." She wriggled her eyebrows. "So, what do you think? An anonymous owl?"

"Sorry?"

"For Remus. Should I owl him without saying who I am?"

"Ginny, I don't know if that's wise. I mean, if Harry didn't say anything..." She put her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Let it go for now. Maybe she's gotten more serious since they've come out in the open."

"I'll have to do something," said Ginny sourly. "What's that?"

"What?"

"That flower?"

"Oh." Hermione blushed. "Well...that's...er...someone sent that to me yesterday."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?" Ginny asked in disbelief. "Was there no note? What guy sends a gift without a note? I'm sure it wasn't my brother. He lacks...what's that?"

"What?"

"That parchment. Just there."

Hermione blushed deeper. "It's the letter."

Ginny smirked. "So you do know who it is. Someone is trying to take Ron's place already? Tell me?" Hermione sighed and handed her the parchment. The younger witch read over it quickly. "Oh, my God! Hermione! This is beautiful!"

"I thought so as well. I have no idea exactly. Who would have sent this? They obviously didn't know that Ron and I had broken up."

"Maybe this is just what you need. Perhaps I should get Ron to have a date with Tonks. They'd go right well together," Ginny said darkly.

"Oi! I don't know if I'm ready to be replaced that easily," Hermione admitted.

Laughter met her ears. "Mione, you wouldn't care if you had someone to replace him with." Ginny sighed. "Look, just don't take him back right away. Make him work for it. You don't deserve to be treated like rubbish, just as Remus doesn't."

"I'll keep that in mind," she said softly, watching the confused girl leave her room. What would she do if Ron flouted some twit in front of her? Fleur's sister was supposed to be coming to live in Britain with Fleur and Bill since Fleur was awarded guardianship after their parents were killed. Death has been around us for nearly the past three years. When will this end? Maybe Ron would take an interest in young Gabrielle. "Pansy was bad enough, but at least I knew that sex was the only thing she could offer him that I couldn't. Gabrielle is beautiful," she said sourly. One man thinks that I am beautiful. Well, appealing. Those were his words. Severus Snape. "He was likely only being nice," she said, biting back a sense of uneasiness.

Hermione made her way to her trunk to pull out some things and head to the bathroom. She didn't wear student robes on the weekends. What should she wear to tea? Was he the type that hated Muggle clothes? If she dressed nicely, would he think she'd done it for him? "Why am I so nervous about tea with a professor? It's ridiculous." Think of him as Hagrid. Think of him as Hagrid. Think of him as Hagrid. "Yeah, right."

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

Severus read through the poem once more whilst he still had time. It didn't exactly fit what he was feeling, but some of the lines seemed appropriate for certain situations. He was certain he could spew a few lines here and there during their conversation. She would be impressed that he'd taken the initiative to go out of his way to read poems by one of her favorite writers. He checked the parchment and read that she was nearly at his office door. He gazed into the mirror and noted that charcoal gray was not a bad color at all. He'd chosen a linen shirt in that color to go with his black trousers. He frowned. "Something is amiss." Smirking, he unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. "There we are. I look casual and comfortable."

He strode to the door and opened it just as she lifted her hand to knock. Eyeing her quickly, he nodded in approval. She was dressed casually in Muggle jeans and a loose fitting blouse. Damn! I won't be able to see the outline of her breasts. "Come in."

Closing the door, Severus followed her to the chairs near his grate, and his eyebrows rose appreciatively. It appeared that the clinging fabric encased her arse quite nicely. He had to refrain from reaching out to trace the curve of one of her lovely cheeks. "Is this fine?" she asked before turning to meet his gaze.

"Yes. I've taken the liberty of making the tea already." He waited until she seated herself before he took his seat. "So, tell me, Miss Granger-"

"Hermione."

He smirked. "It seems that I am still forgetting to address you casually. Hermione," he said deeply, making sure to elongate each syllable of her name. "What made you want to join me for tea today? Do you want to discuss your talk with Mister Weasley?" He made sure to use a polite, conversational tone.

"I just thought that we could both use someone to talk to," she said innocently.

"Indeed?" he asked sharply, handing a cup to her. When she didn't answer, he said, "You insinuate that I may have the need to fraternize with a student and discuss my adult life outside of the classroom?" His expression was politely incredulous.

She looked away, face flushing. "I'd really like for us to be friends, Professor, and besides, I am eighteen as of yesterday. That's a year past being of age in the Wizarding world."

Perfect. Just the opening I was counting on, my dear. You are too easy to manipulate. "I suppose I could think of you as a friend. You certainly seem astute, and of course, you are an adult, as you've pointed out. We already discussed the secrecy of our meetings. Have you kept your word?"

"Of course, sir. I told Harry that I had a couple of books that I needed to get at the library."

"You understand that once we are outside of these walls I immediately assume my role as a professor, and you become the pupil again."

"I'll tell no one," she said honestly. "I understand that you have to do what you must to keep up appearances."

"Excellent," he murmured, watching her drink the tea. She seemed quite pleased to have established a friendship with him. His seduction seemed all the more acceptable. He could always claim that she had been the one to suggest that he see her as an adult and that she should become his friend. "What of Weasley? You mentioned last night that things have ended?" He casually sipped his tea, noting the flush on her cheeks as he mentioned their previous encounter. Been thinking of it, eh?

"We've decided to take some time apart for now. It's hard knowing that he would...you know." Her flushed deepened. "It's a lot to think on, for the both of us. I-I'm sure things will be fine eventually."

"I'm sure they will as well," he said, quirking his lips in false agreement. You will be mine, not Weasley's. He doesn't deserve you. I do though. You are my reward.

"Professor, if I may, what about you? Haven't you any," she swallowed, "love interests?"

He pretended to be thoughtful for a moment. "Currently? No. I've had a fair few in the past, but those associations are gone at the present, as are most of my friends. Times change," he shrugged.

"That sounds so sad. Aren't you lonely?"

"How cheerless feels the heart alone, when all its former hopes are dead!" he recited a line of the poem from memory.

"Is that...? Have you read a Muggle poet?" she asked in disbelief. "You actually went out and bought his book of poems to read?"

"Well, I thought that we'd maybe need something to talk about. We've already established that I was intrigued about your password's origin, and as I told you last night," he said, lowering his voice to a whisper, "I was impressed."

"I am the one that's impressed. That line is from Byron's poem, "I Would I Were a Careless Child," isn't it?" She grinned broadly before taking a sip of her tea.

"Yes, I confess to reading it earlier." He could see that she had visibly relaxed. Gone were the stiff posture and the nervous lip biting. The only thing left was Hermione. "I've read many stories and poems, Hermione, Wizard and Muggle alike. I'm not prejudiced."

Her cup clashed to the ground. "Sorry," she said meekly, reaching forward to pick it up.

Severus sucked in a sharp breath as the loose neckline of her blouse opened to reveal a view of ample cleavage. He leant back in his chair, watching her closely. Had she planned that? The hint of embarrassment in her voice over her fallen cup led him to believe that she had no idea that he'd just seen most of her breasts and could tell her that she wore a cream-colored bra.

"I'm clumsy when I'm nervous," she said, putting the cup on the stand next to her. "I mean to say, I'm not really nervous because of you...I just...bloody hell." She knocked the cup down again as she pulled her hand away. With this fall, it shattered.

Smirking, Severus pulled out his wand, aimed it at the cup to repair it, and then he used it to clean the spill. "Are you sure, Hermione?" he asked in what he hoped was a seductive voice, arching an eyebrow slightly.

"Sorry?"

"Nonsense. It's quite all right." He leant closer. "I can understand why you would be nervous."

"Y-you do?" she stammered slightly.

"It's because I nearly crossed the line, isn't it?" He let that sink in for a moment before adding, in a near whisper, "It's because I wanted to kiss you." She swallowed deeply and bit her lip, eyes darting everywhere but at him. "I'll not do that again, Hermione. You are safe with me. We've shared a bed, haven't we? I behaved honorably. That should have allotted me some trust at least."

"Sir, you do have my trust. I know you won't do anything like that. It's just...I don't know what to say. I like this...new...Professor Snape, and I'm afraid that the moment I say the wrong thing, you'll go back to being as you were before this past summer."

He respected her all the more for having the courage to honestly say what was troubling her. "I admire your candidness. I am afraid, however, that I shall be the same man that I always am in public where you're concerned. So, in a sense, your fears will come to pass."

"But, you'll be pretending. There is a difference. When I thought that you hated me, well, it hurt because I knew that I hadn't done anything to deserve such treatment aside from being sorted into the wrong House and having the wrong parents."

Severus thought for a moment and decided that another line from the poem would be in order. "And woman, lovely woman! Thou, my hope, my comforter, my all!" He squeezed the hand poised atop her knee for a moment. "How horrible you must think me, Hermione."

"I did," she said honestly.

He nodded. "Why is it that you would agree to come here if you've viewed me in such a way?"

"Well, I suppose that I am curious about things, and maybe I'm a little flattered that you would allow me to come." She smiled ruefully. "It's not only that I've no place else to go, especially now, but it's as if you may be the only one that understands what it's like to be me."

"Meaning?"

"I don't know, sir. I am suddenly confused."

"About?"

"This. Why now? Why me?"

"I don't quite get your meaning. I thought we'd already established that I do not dislike you."

She shook her head. "Forget it." Composing herself, she smiled and deftly changed the subject. "What did you think of the poem then?"

Severus shrugged his shoulders and began talking. He ended up reciting the short poem to her in its entirety, reveling in the fact that she seemed to respond to the tone of his voice. Nearly two hours had passed when he felt the Dark Mark burn on his arm. He automatically clutched the burden with his hand and met her eyes. Hermione surprised him by saying, "Be careful. Thanks for having me." The witch quickly squeezed his hand and sped off.

This has been a most productive afternoon. With Weasley out of the way and my large base of literary knowledge, this shall be easier that I thought.

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

Hermione was humming as she walked towards the library, thinking of her changed professor. She had to get a book or two to make her story look believable when she went into the common room to talk to her mates. The thing that continuously played over in her mind was that her hard Potions master had recited a poem to her, discussed Muggle poems with her, and had made her feel like an equal instead of someone inferior. They'd not made arrangements to have tea again, but she would truly enjoy it. He'd seemed so relaxed, so handsome. Handsome? Well, the gray shirt had suited him. The gray, partially unbuttoned shirt that allowed a small patch of dark hair to show had suited him. No robes about his person had made a large difference.

She had known instantly when he was summoned. There had been a certain look in his eyes, and his hand had immediately gone to his forearm. It was then that she'd wondered if he'd truly taken a liking to that poem because he could relate to some of what Byron was saying.

"Oi! Where've you been?" Ron asked accusingly, stepping in front of her path.

Thinking quickly, she realized that he must have gone to the library in search of her. "I've had a walk, trying to think about things. I'm just on my way to the library though."

"I've been looking for you, and I think we should talk." She sighed but allowed him to pull her into an empty corridor. He cast a Silencing Charm about them before talking. "I can't do this. I want you back. I need to know that you're there for me."

"But, we decided-"

"Actually, it was you that decided, Hermione. I wanted to try to work through things. I bloody well know I was wrong, but a bloke can learn his lesson, can't he? Come on. What say you?" His pleading voice and hopeful eyes twisted at her heart. He was all she'd known for so long and all she thought she'd know.

"I don't know," she said softly. "Can't I just have a bit of time to think on it? I would like to get the image of that cow and you out of my mind before attempting to reconcile. Ron, I just think that if you love me, truly love me, you wouldn't want anyone else."

"Do you truly love me?"

"Of course."

"That so, is it? What's another bloke doing sending you flowers and love letters then?" His eyes narrowed. "Who is it?"

"W-what?"

"Thought I wouldn't find out, eh? I've never sent or received any love letters," he said sulkily.

Hermione's anger burst suddenly. "I've not sent any either, Ronald, and I have no idea who sent the one flower and the one letter. You make it sound as if I've been keeping something from you. It's not my fault that someone sent a birthday gift to me." She sighed in exasperation. "I think I have a bit more to be upset about. You didn't find me with my knickers about my ankles with another man, did you?"

Ron's face turned as red as his hair. "I just think that whoever this is sounds like a dirty, rotten prat for trying to move in on my girl."

"Then you know how I feel towards Pansy right now...and you."

"Just don't stop loving me. I'll give you time, but don't start going off with this bloke."

"Hang on," she said huffily. "You only came to me because you heard, from Ginny no doubt, that someone said some nice things to me. You're afraid that once you're done prowling about that I won't be available any longer. I should have known."

"It's not like that! It's-"

"How is it then, Ron?"

"Maybe that is partly true, but I never intended on marrying anyone but you, Mione."

"Nor have I," she whispered as he pulled her close. The deep, melodious voice of her Potions master suddenly filled her thoughts, causing her to shiver. It's because I wanted to kiss you. Hermione bit her lip, glad that Ron could not see her expression. She'd wanted him to kiss her, and after their meeting today, she found herself wanting to hear him recite poetry and treat her as a woman should be treated. A woman? Am I a woman to him, no longer a silly girl? He'd told Ron that he had nothing to do with girls that day at Grimmauld Place.

"What is it?" he asked when she pulled away.

"I'm not ready."

"Why not?"

"Just give me some time and some space," she pleaded. "It's all I ask. I need to clear my mind and get my priorities straight."

The cold look he gave her made her heart drop. "Sure, I'll give you some time. Just don't take too long, Mione."

"Is that a threat?"

"The longer you take, the harder it will be to sort things out is all I'm saying," he said, trying to kiss her lips. She moved her face at the last moment, and his lips brushed her cheek. "It's like that now, is it?"

"Ron, stop acting like this. Don't be angry. Just look at this from my-"

"Right then. 'S always about you, isn't it?" He shook his head in disgust. "I'm the one that's going to have to explain to mum about us, about Pansy. Do you know what she's going to say and do? I'll be getting howlers for weeks, I will!"

Hermione simply turned and walked away. She would not let him see her cry. He called after her, and she hurried into the nearest girls' lavatory, warding the door behind her before her tears fell. He only wanted her back because he was worried about what his mum would say and do. He thought that she was being selfish when she hadn't been unfaithful. But, you wanted to allow a professor to kiss you. She shook her head. Only after Ron had done what he had. Otherwise, I would never have felt that way.

"Ron only wants to make amends because someone else is interested in me. Well, he'll just have to wait for me. If he loves me, then he'll be there when I am ready," she said determinedly, wiping away the few tears remaining.

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

The Dark Lord cackled wickedly upon hearing Severus' conversation with his young interest. "I know of your talents, Severusss. It won't be long before she is asking to have tea with your fellow associates here." He nodded to three new members. "They don't make them like they used to. Do you remember the first time around?" He tsked. "Everyone had such passion. These youngsters seem to be joining only for the prestige and not for the cause."

"Perhaps you should explain about the cause then, my Lord," Severus said, eyes glinting darkly.

"Indeed," his master replied. He turned back to his most faithful servant. "Tell me what news you have found."

"There isn't much going on as of late. Albus has gathered even more students to follow Potter into training for what they affectionately call Dumbledore's Army."

"Ah, yes, the band of children that want to fight for the old fool." He sneered in thought for a moment. "Let them train. When the time comes, we shall see which ones want to join us. It will make for less training that we have to endure."

"What of Hermione, my Lord? Can I be guaranteed that she shall not be harmed?"

"She is your reward, Severusss. I've told the others that you've chosen her as a concubine and are attempting to lure her to sympathize with us. She shall not be harmed or ridiculed for heritage. She, like I, cannot be blamed for being born to unworthy parents. I am a half-blood, yet I am the strongest wizard alive. Your young Hermione Granger will learn to leave her Muggle past behind as I did."

"Oi! I remember that filthy little bitch from school," Terrence Higgs, a new recruit, said impulsively. He was obviously trying to enter their private conversation and make a name for himself.

What he didn't count on was the hand of Severus Snape grasping his throat and crushing his windpipe tightly. "You will never speak her name again," he said in a dangerously low voice. The boy's eyes were bulging with fear and panic.

"Severusss," the Dark Lord said, "release him."

Throwing the boy down with all the strength he could muster, he towered over him, placing a foot on his chest. "Do you understand?"

Higgs nodded profusely. "Yes."

Cackling with amusement, the Dark Lord clapped Severus on the back. "I see my message wasn't extended to the newer recruits. As you said, I think that I should explain about the cause and give an example. Don't you agree?"

Severus nodded. "I do, my Lord." He removed his foot from the boy's chest and moved to his place in the circle to stand by Lucius. "Bastard," he mumbled.

Lucius chuckled with amusement. "I take it he insulted your little lover?"

Severus didn't reply. He listened and watched as the Dark Lord gathered everyone around. He hoped this wouldn't take too long. He longed to be back at the castle near his witch. A series of yelps drew his attention to his old student, Higgs. Never was bright, that one.

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

Hermione gasped loudly, reached over, and grasped Harry's hand. "Look," she said, shoving her edition of the Daily Prophet into his hand. She watched as Harry's face dropped in shock. Even Ron, whom she'd not spoken to since their talk the evening prior, dropped his sulky expression to gape.

"Bloody hell," Ron said. "We just saw the bloke a few weeks back."

Harry lowered his voice and read the small paragraph to them. "The body of Terrence Higgs, graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the year of 1992, was found this morning just outside of Hogsmeade. The infamous Dark Mark was of course lighting the sky in its eerie greenish sparks. There are no witnesses, but it appears as if he is another tragic victim contributed to the rampant savagery of the followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

"Poor guy," Hermione said.

"Look at that bastard," Ron said darkly, nodding towards the Slytherin table. Hermione followed his gaze to find Draco and his cronies looking at the paper and laughing. "Bet they think it's right funny."

Hermione shook her head sadly, eyes moving across the long table and landing on the staff. Professor Snape was watching her. She smiled slightly, but he simply looked back down at his plate, picking at his food. I wonder if he saw what happened to Higgs. He was summoned to join them. If the article was correct, then he knew what happened. It was a question that she doubted she would ever ask him. In fact, she didn't truly want to know the answer.

Southern's Notes: Any of you ever hear that NIN (Nine Inch Nails) song, "Something I Could Never Have"? I listened to that the entire time I wrote this chapter. The tone of the music just seemed so right somehow.

Hermione is still a little confused about Ron, but I think she has good reason to want to wait. Nobody wants their man to be trying to shag others in the corridors. What of Ginny? Interesting little bit there. I'll have more about the situation soon. Severus is moving right along, pretending to be the 'friend' of her dreams. I'm thinking they'll really start enjoying each other's company. Oh, psst! Do you think Snape did it? The murder, I mean.