Falling Into Place

Disclaimer: Not mine unfortunately. Just playing with them.

A big thanks to the lovely Meredith for being my beta for this chapter. Charmed_Nay is on a vacation, and I didn't trust myself to upload this without a beta. Thanks to all of my friends over at Potter_Place.

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Hermione smiled at Harry. "Shouldn't be too hard." He seemed to be lost while taking notes in their Potions class. She wondered what might be on his mind.

"Quiet," Professor Snape said, staring at the pair.

She made sure not to meet his eyes. In fact, she'd not once met his eyes since he'd come into the room. She couldn't help but wonder if he'd been involved with that boy's murder somehow. Harry made an annoyed noise as quietly as possible. They'd been in class listening to Professor Snape's lecture about the Oblivious Unction. They were to try to make some on their next class meeting. "So," the professor said, "in recap, who can tell me the best time to use such an ointment?"

Hermione raised her hand, as was habit. She nearly fell over when he actually called on her.

"Fine. Go on, Miss Granger. Let's see if you've been paying attention whilst whispering to Potter."

"It should be used to ease bad thoughts and dull certain horrid memories," she said promptly, adding a quick, "sir." He stared at her for a moment. "You'll feel calmer, less tense."

"That is acceptable. Furthermore," he continued, recapping the day's lecture.

Hermione didn't listen to what he'd said next. He'd called on her. He'd been...nice. Sort of. She thought they'd agreed not to show any difference in public even though they'd been on friendly terms in private. Her head suddenly snapped up.

"Miss Granger is the only one to turn in a tentative proposal for her seventh year Potions project. If you all do not turn in something by the end of the week, I shall choose for you." He crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared at everyone. "You will stay after class to discuss your project, Miss Granger."

Finally looking into his eyes, she said, "Yes, sir." He simply nodded and went about issuing their assignment.

"Dismissed," he hissed a few minutes later.

Hermione began packing away her things. Harry patted her shoulder. "We'll be in the common room when you're done. Don't hide away from us on Ron's account."

"I won't. He seemed all right this morning," she said, shrugging.

"Right then. See you."

"Bye."

After all of the students left, the Potions master eyed her. "I think we can talk in my office. Come along," he said.

She followed him and sat in the chair she'd grown accustomed to sitting in. Surprisingly, he didn't sit with her, opting instead to sit behind his desk. She had a sinking feeling that he was going to tell her that their newfound association would have to end. "Sir?" she asked uncertainly after a long moment of silence.

"I was thinking about your suggestion for this year's project. Are you certain that you would want to take on such a task? Others have tried and failed. Your final mark will suffer if you do not successfully create what you've suggested," he said, darting his eyes from her face to a parchment on his desk.

"To be honest, Professor Snape, I've been looking into this for a few months now, what with that epidemic breaking out in Romania. I think that creating a paste that limits the severity of the Dragon Pox will save most people from scarring and having to travel to the local hospitals. I know it's too much to hope for a faster cure, but I think something to lessen its effects could be a breakthrough in itself." She hoped that she didn't sound too presumptuous or arrogant.

"Very well. I've noted that you have chosen this. With such an important project, I would suggest that you use my private laboratory. You'll have the privacy you need, and my expertise will be readily available should you need assistance. I have Wednesday evenings open for this. Do you accept?" he asked, quill at the ready to write something on his parchment.

"I do. Thank you, Professor," she said, taken aback by his offer. She watched as he wrote something on the parchment with a flourish. It rolled up, sealed itself, and vanished from sight.

"I'm just letting the headmaster know that I will be occupied on Wednesday evenings as will the Head Girl, being that we shall both be working through your seventh year project." He stood and made his way around the desk. "Consider yourself fortunate, Miss Granger. I only work with those that I feel may actually accomplish something and not waste my time."

She smiled softly and nodded. "I appreciate your time, sir. I'll try to do my best."

Severus sat across from her and loosened his demeanor. He had been glad that she hadn't changed the way she acted in class in front of the others. The only difference was that she now barely met his gaze. He wasn't sure if he liked that. Some eye contact would be appreciated. "How are you this day, Hermione?" he asked conversationally. He could see that she had relaxed some since he'd lost his professional mien.

"The day has gone by quickly. That's always good," she said, laughing nervously.

He could only guess what conclusions her mind had drawn. She was not a fool. "I trust you have read the Daily Prophet today?"

"Yes."

"And, what do you think about the body that was found in Hogsmeade?" He eyed her carefully to be sure he'd not gone too far. She gave him a slight shrug, and he continued. "I'm sure that you have something that you'd like to ask me. I'll allow a bit of questioning if you feel the need to be put at ease."

Hermione lowered her eyes. "I wondered about it some. Knowing where you went last night, then reading the article made me wonder if you know more about what happened. I know the Prophet tends to err at times. More often than not, truth be known."

"Wisely chosen words, Hermione. Subtle hinting yet to the point." He smirked in appreciation. "If you must know, I've told Dumbledore most that I know." She nodded only, still not looking at him. "No questions?"

"Did you see?" she blurted.

"I did not," he answered immediately. Severus noted how relieved she seemed. It was time to let her know though that he would see her protected at all costs. "I do know why he was killed."

She sucked in a deep breath. "R-really?"

"Indeed." He leant forward, letting his elbows rest on his thighs. "What I am about to tell you is something that I've not brought to the headmaster's attention. I wonder if I can continue to trust that you'll keep my confidence?"

Her eyes lit up slightly. "Of course, Professor."

"Perhaps I should allow you to call me Severus. Would you mind?"

"Not at all."

"Excellent. Now, back to last evening. I went to the meeting and found that we have been exposed. " He pointed a finger back and forth between them.

"We? Exposed? What?"

"It seems that our friendship has caught the eye of a spy that even I am unaware of. This makes my job especially hard. The Dark Lord was very interested in our friendship."

"Oh, no. A spy?" she asked, looking around uneasily, as if one might jump out at her.

"That's correct. He knew that we spoke at the Astronomy Tower and that you followed me here after. He also knew that you were with me as I was summoned."

"But, Dumbledore should know..."

Severus held up a hand. "I think he would be most displeased with what I am about to say. Care you to hear it?"

"Yes, sir. Sorry."

"Severus. Whilst we are alone, you may use my given name."

"Severus," she said softly.

He felt a slight tremor run through his body. How would she sound calling out his name in the throes of passion? I shall find out, shan't I? "The Dark Lord approves of our friendship."

"But, I'm a Muggle-born."

"He has more important things to worry on than someone's bloodlines, Hermione. You know that he isn't a pureblood either. He is more interested in power, followers, and things being done his way."

"And, killing innocent babies," she bit out.

"Yes, and killing Potter," he agreed.

"Why would he approve of us then? I am Harry's best friend, along with Ron."

"That's exactly why. He feels that to have you sympathizing with his cause would be a significant blow to the Order and Potter. He has instructed me to become very friendly with you." He saw the nervous biting of her lip. "This is why I have decided to not tell the headmaster yet. Though he knows that I would never betray his trust, he wouldn't like the idea of using you for such a ploy. I, for one, think you are mature enough to handle it, but perhaps he knows you better than I do."

"You think that I am mature?"

"When compared to brats such as Potter and Weasley? I most certainly do. You've such a cool use of intellect, Hermione, that I think would do well for this type of situation," he said matter-of-factly. "I feel that I can trust you with this privileged information. Over the past few weeks, I've found myself coming to respect you on an entirely different level." That was the truth after all. He'd found himself thinking of her as a woman, not a student. He saw her smile broadly at his series of compliments and began congratulating himself.

"What do I have to do, sir? Er...Severus," she said eagerly.

"I believe that you should spend time with me on Saturday evenings as well. This will bring you to me on two different occasions. Whoever is actually spying will undoubtedly see you coming here and let the Dark Lord know. When I am summoned to meet with him, I shall let him know that we are growing closer with each week." He pointed to a smaller desk in the corner. "You can attend to your studies there whilst I mark papers here at my desk."

Hermione's eyes lit up when she saw the small desk. "I think that works well. I normally slip away to the library to have a bit of peace when I do my work," she said. "I accept." She suddenly looked puzzled. "Why was this person following us around?"

Severus made a show of looking disconcerted for a moment. "I believe that they were thinking of harming you as a gift for the Dark Lord to hurt Potter in some way. He likely thought to make a name for himself by alerting him to our relationship."

"Sh-should I be more careful?" she asked, looking worried.

"No, I have seen to your protection." He sat back and waited for the question that would come. He knew exactly how to word his answer.

"How?"

"By giving the Dark Lord the impression that I was interested in you in ways other than a professor should be interested in a student." He shook his head. "It seems you are to be my reward for loyalty." He chuckled incredulously. "Interesting, is it not?"

"You mean that he wants me to be your slave!" she said heatedly. "That ruddy-"

"My wife," he said quietly, causing her to sputter. That ought to quell her little outburst. I'll allow her to dwell on a much more respectable title.

"Wife? What? But, I...what?"

"It's the only way that I know of to keep you safe," he whispered, pretending to shyly avoid her eyes. "Don't worry. I can create my own images to project to him if need be. I just thought you ought to know." His witch was speechless. He had to finally meet her gaze to see if she hadn't fainted. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm just shocked. It's a little hard to believe that he would just...accept me."

"Not only that, but did you not forget the initial question?" he asked silkily.

"Oh, no."

"That's right. It seems that Terence Higgs had a couple of things to say about you once he heard your name. The fool didn't know that our Lord had agreed that you would be a wise choice. The boy was a new member. An example was made of his blunder. The Dark Lord wanted to be sure that everyone got the message that you were not to be harmed or disrespected, as you would likely one day be joining us as my wife. Higgs was given to the Lestranges. I only found out this morning by reading the article that he'd been killed." He watched her closely, gauging her reactions. He was pleased to see that she accepted his explanation without question or accusation.

The truth of the matter was that Higgs had been alive when he'd finally left the meeting, but he had known that it wasn't likely that he'd live to see dawn. Once the spectacle started, the Dark Lord had pulled him aside to advise him to try a new tactic with Hermione. He felt that luring her at a slow pace was admirable, but a little help in provoking that Gryffindor valor would move things along nicely. It seemed that the idea had merit.

"I'll do what must be done. If this will keep us safe, me from some unknown spy and you from Voldemort, then..."

"Please, do not speak his name," he interrupted.

"Sorry. I understand why Harry should not know and also why the headmaster should not know. Just knowing that I am helping a little makes me feel as if I am doing something for the cause." She leant forward and took his hand in hers. "I am astonished yet pleased that you would confide in me, that you would become my friend. I'll help you."

Severus squeezed her hand and clasped his other over hers. "I'll not let anything happen to you," he purred, searching her eyes. He decided it best to add more. "Nor your friends." He enjoyed the feel of her soft hand within both of his. He vaguely wondered if all of her flesh would feel as delicate beneath his hands. He longed to pull her closer for a kiss, and it appeared that she would not object. However, he would be certain that he would stand no objection before he attempted to move things forward.

He would allow enough time to pass for her to feel comfortable with him. He'd have many chance meetings with her, purposely gaining her trust, and in a week or so, his seduction would begin again. He would begin sitting closer to her, touching her, and even giving her a smile here and there. When the moment was right, he would kiss her. Her voice broke into his planning.

"I'll go on now, sir." She laughed uncomfortably. "Sorry. Severus, I meant."

"Have a good evening. I shall see you in two nights' time for your first project meeting."

"You'll see me before that," she said, awkwardly pulling her hand away and standing.

He moved to tower over her. "Will I?" he asked, eyebrow raised.

"Oh," she said, realizing what she'd said. "Meals, class, corridors...maybe I'll stop by." Her face flushed, and she stepped away from him. He didn't follow. He simply nodded and moved to sit behind his desk, dismissing her. After a moment, she quickly left the room.

Hermione nearly ran to the stairwell, before slowing down. So much had just happened in such a short amount of time. Higgs was dead because of her! He'd said something about her, and the Dark...er...Voldemort had had him killed! And, I felt sorry for the ruddy prat. What am I saying? She was suddenly appalled. It was as if she thought that it was a just punishment. A sickening feeling possessed her suddenly. She was actually flattered that Voldemort had readily accepted her, that he would allow her to join them as Snape's...er...Severus' wife. A feeling of self-worth enveloped her, making her proud and sick at the same time. "How horrible is that?" she asked aloud.

"Talking to yourself, Granger?" a drawling voice asked.

She turned to face Malfoy. "What's it to you?"

"What are you doing down here?" he asked menacingly. "Visiting with Snape again, are you?"

"That's none of your business," she said, moving up the stairs. She then realized that he was likely the culprit that had spied on her and Severus before. "Stop following me," she said without turning around.

"Just doing my job," he said slyly, moving into the shadows. By the time she turned to face him, he had seemingly disappeared.

As quickly as she could, she made her way to the corridor leading to her common room. It had to have been Draco that had told Voldemort about her meeting Severus, but wouldn't he be suspected? Severus seemed to not know who had reported them. He would know if Draco were a Death Eater. She paused at the portrait. "Maybe the blighter told his dad." Why hadn't he called her a Mudblood? Was he afraid of Voldemort's warning as well? That had to be it. It all fit together.

"No password, no entrance," the Fat Lady said.

"Gillyweed."

The portrait swung open, and Hermione quickly found her friends near the fire in their favorite chairs. "Hi," she said, sitting quickly. Neville, Harry, Lavender, and Seamus all said hello. She noticed that Ron and Ginny were missing. It was just as well. She didn't care to see Ron sulking, and she would likely only row with Ginny. She still didn't appreciate the way she'd run off to tell Ron the news of her private birthday gift.

"Snape kept you all this time?"

She nodded. "He's accepted my project though. The only bad thing is that I will have to spend each week in his laboratory to work on it."

"Why?" Lavender asked incredulously.

"Horrible," Neville commented.

"It's a bit complicated. I'm making a go at a salve for the Dragon Pox. He'll need to be around in case I get in a tight spot."

"Aren't there salves already?" Harry asked curiously.

"Yes, but most people end up in the hospital after they've realized what they've got. The current treatment takes four days to heal the spots. I would like to have a salve that can be applied right away, taking away the chance of it spreading to others and lessening the amount of time one would have to spend away from their work or studies. It would be something that people could keep on hand in their homes," she said, an excited gleam in her eyes. "I'm actually honored that Professor Snape would willingly devote some of his spare time for this."

"Ha! Probably hopes you do break through with something, wanting to claim it for himself," Seamus piped up. "I'd sign something to say that it's yours."

"I wouldn't want to spend time with him," Neville said, grimacing. He gave Hermione a reassuring smile nonetheless. "I'm sure you can handle it though."

Harry laughed. "Help me find something simple for my project, Mione. I don't want to be stuck with the git any longer than I have to."

Hermione tried to look disappointed but began giggling. She noticed that Neville was sitting closer than before and froze when he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Can I come have a talk with you tonight in your room? It's a private thing."

"All right," she agreed. Perhaps it was Neville that had sent that note. Truth be known, he'd always been hovering about protectively after the Department of Mysteries fiasco at the end of their fifth year. He seemed to think that he was designated, along with Harry and Ron, to be sure that no other jinxes found their way to her. How would she feel if Neville did fancy her? That thought made her uneasy. She'd never thought of Neville in that way. He'd always been someone whom she pitied, someone whom she considered one of her friends, and someone she'd never truly feel anything more for. It would be hard to let him down. No matter how delicately she would handle it, he'd still be hurt. She remembered the first time that she'd met his grandmother. She'd known immediately who Hermione was, saying that Neville had been talking a lot about her and how she always helped him. Maybe he'd grown attached.

I will just have to be honest with him and say that I still love Ron. There was something about her own thoughts that left her unsettled. If she loved Ron, what was she doing staying away from him? Why not try to work things out? Normally, she would try, but there was just something that wouldn't allow it. When her thoughts would move to missing him or wondering if she was doing the right thing, she would think of Pansy. She'd yet to run into the tart, but she'd have a word with her as soon as she did. When it wasn't thoughts of Pansy keeping her from going to Ron, it was memories of her professor. The talk they'd had that night in his office when he'd leaned in to kiss her. The softness of his eyes for that brief moment, those thin yet kissable lips, and his cologne had her wondering what it would be like for a man such as he to be the one that she bestowed her affections on.

"Mione?"

"Sorry?"

She looked into Harry's eyes and saw the amusement there. "I asked if you were coming down to the Great Hall for the evening meal. We'll be leaving in about twenty minutes. Will that be enough time?"

"Time for what?"

He nodded towards the door. "For that." She followed his gaze and saw Ginny standing a few feet away wringing her hands. It was clear that she wanted to talk to them.

"Don't wait for me. I'll come down when I can," she said, rising quickly. "Ginny, a word please." She didn't wait to see if the younger girl would follow her. She simply picked up her book bag and quickly went to her room. Sure enough, the redhead entered just after she did.

"Look, I know what you are going to say, and I feel terrible about..."

"Why?" Hermione demanded. "Why did you have to run and tell Ron about my gift. My private gift!"

"It slipped out. I was mad at him, and we were having a row. All I said was that I was glad that someone else realized your worth and that I hoped you'd move on without him," she said, regret evident. "I'm really sorry."

"You know, Ginny, no matter how angry I was at Ron, I wouldn't blurt out about your feelings on Remus. Where is Ron anyway? I've not seen him since the noon meal."

"Dumbledore asked him for a word just before he came up here," Ginny said. "I don't know what that's all about." The girl smiled apologetically. "Am I forgiven? I'll really try to be a better friend."

"Yes, but I don't feel as if I could truly trust you with a secret," Hermione said honestly. "I mean, if I ever find out who sent those things, how do I know that you wouldn't blurt that out as well?"

"I don't blame you," Ginny agreed. "I'll try to make it up to you somehow."

"Have you talked to Harry about Tonks?"

"No," she said crisply. "I'm still debating what I need to do."

"Really, I think that maybe you should talk to Harry. You don't know that he hasn't already told Remus since that day."

"That's enough. I don't want to talk about it. I'm going to get ready to go down to the Great Hall. Coming?"

"I'll be along later," she said. In truth, she wanted to take the long way down, passing near Dumbledore's office. Had the headmaster decided to take Ron and Pansy to task for what they'd done? She hated to see Ron lose his status as a prefect. His mum had been so proud of him. Hermione waited until she was confident that everyone had gone before slipping out of her private exit into her corridor.

As luck would have it, when she neared the corridor that led towards Dumbledore's office, she heard Ron's voice. Just as she was about to call out to him, she heard the familiar voice of Pansy as well.

"I can't believe he's done this to us. Why would Professor Snape care about us dallying enough to request that we not be prefects any longer?"

"Don't know. Ruddy git, if you ask me," Ron said glumly. "He's probably just been waiting for a chance to punish me. You just got pulled in with me. Sorry 'bout that. He just hates me. Hates Harry and Mione, too."

"Well, until recently, I have too," she said. "Look, can we talk privately? We need to get a few things straight about what's been going on."

"Sure."

"Follow me," she said.

It was then that they noticed Hermione. Both looked surprised. Pansy seemed to smirk while Ron looked guilty. Hermione just shook her head. "This is why I cannot take you back, Ronald. I'll never trust you, and it seems I have good reason. Have a great talk," she said, turning and fleeing, not wanted them to see her tears.

"Mione! Wait," Ron called after her.

"Let her go, Ron."

Hermione didn't stop. She continued to run into the dark recesses of the castle until she realized that she was in a part of the castle's dungeons that she'd never been in before. She leaned against the wall to catch her breath, think of what she saw, allowed a few more tears to pass, and to finally say farewell to any thoughts of rekindling a relationship with Ronald Weasley.

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

"Locus Hermione," Severus said softly. The parchment quickly revealed its answer.

Running along the crooked corridor near the rear of the dungeons, extremely upset and alone.

"What the fuck is she doing down here?" he asked aloud. He quickly retrieved a quill and his special ink. A moment later he watched as his words seeped into the parchment.

Stop running. Think things over. Relax.

He knew that she would stop as instructed. One normally didn't defy their own subconscious thoughts.

As quickly as he could, he put on his outer robes and checked for her whereabouts once again.

Near the apex of the crooked corridor at the rear of the dungeons, extremely upset and being approached from the main entryway.

Severus' eyes narrowed. Who would be approaching? The Bloody Baron? Another ghost perhaps? Would a specter even show up on the parchment? Why wasn't a name given? Who would dare to follow his witch? It couldn't be someone on the Dark Lord's orders. Weasley? Potter? "Maybe they are too far away for it to have registered a name yet," he murmured. Flinging the parchment down, he quickly sped to the location of his witch. He wasn't that far away, and he decided to take a path that would bring him to her in the opposite direction from which this someone was approaching.

Severus slipped through a dark crevice in a wall that opened onto a narrow path, and a minute later, he found himself coming out into the other corridor on Hermione's right. The moment she looked up, he slipped a hand over her mouth and extinguished the light from their wands. "Sshh, someone is coming. I am curious as to who would be down here following you," he whispered, pulling her with him into the crevice that he'd just exited. To her credit, she allowed him to guide her. He cast a Disillusionment Spell on the both of them and a Silencing Charm before realizing the situation he found himself in.

Hermione was backed against the wall with his body pressed tightly against hers. Her hands had found their way to his waist beneath his robes, and her head was resting on his chest. It was then that he knew she was crying. She's taking comfort in having me near. She's wanting to be held. One of his hands found its way behind her head, and after sheathing his wand, the other hand found its way around her back, holding her close. Her pitiful yet nearly silent whimpering tore at his soul. Something had happened. Someone had hurt her. He felt his thoughts darken as he imagined hexing the one that had put her in such a state.

While holding his witch to him tightly and allowing her to weep quietly, his eyes watched the corridor for whoever had been following her. After a few minutes, nobody passed by, and her tears had halted. He began stroking her hair. "They've turned around," he said softly. "What has brought on this emotional outburst?"

"Ron," she said.

"What did the boy do?"

"I found him with Pansy, talking. I'll never be able to trust him again. It's over...for good," she said firmly, loosening her grip on him.

Severus wished that it weren't so dark; however, he wondered if it wasn't better to be in complete darkness for what he was about to do. All of his planning would be for naught if his next action ruined all that he'd carefully built between the two of them. His hand slid from behind her head, found her chin, and lifted it. Delicately, he cradled her face in his hand as he lowered his head slowly, first finding her dampened cheeks. He placed a couple of light kisses on them before he found her lips. He dared not deepen the kiss. Instead, he simply placed three consecutive, lingering chaste kisses on her lips. Her lower lip received his attention first, then her top lip, and when he pressed against her for the last kiss, he felt her kiss him back. It was at that moment that her lips parted in invitation. He groaned slightly as he moved his lips back over hers for only a lingering second.

Before she or he could invade the other's mouth with a tongue, he tore his mouth away, resting his forehead against the side of her face. "We can't," he whispered into her ear. "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"I won't take advantage of you," he said determinedly. "You're upset. I only meant to comfort you. I apologize."

"Sir, please don't feel that way. It's not your fault. I've practically thrown myself against you. You felt sorry for me. I apologize," she said, sounding a little shaky.

Severus decided to not say another word. He wanted to savor what had just taken place. Her lush little lips were soft and inviting. He'd never forget the taste or the feel of her tears. It would have been so easy to simply devour her, and when she began to respond by opening up to him, pulling him closer, and pressing her body against his, his resolve to have her after a long seduction was crumbling. If he hadn't pulled away, it was possible that he'd be touching her in highly inappropriate places that very moment. He moved to pull her back through the narrow passageway, hoping that she wasn't angry or uncomfortable.

Hermione allowed her professor to pull her through the passageway and back to his office where he warded the door behind him before taking off their charms. She watched his face and took in his distraught countenance. Oh, no, he's disappointed in himself for what happened. I have to fix this. "Profess...er...Severus, you said that when we were alone that I was not to be seen as a student but a friend. I think what happened back there is all right. You were just trying to make me feel better. There was no taking advantage of me. I wanted it. I needed it. I needed you, and then suddenly, there you were."

His black eyes pierced hers as if searching for honesty. "Are you not," he paused slightly, "afraid of me?"

"Never," she said.

"Very well," he said stiffly. "Sit and explain exactly what you were doing where you were. I want to hear everything."

She breathed in relief, as he seemed to relax after he sat across from her in what she'd started dubbing as his chair. Hermione told him everything that had happened since she left his office earlier. She even included her argument with Ginny and told him about the conversation with Ron the night before. She touched upon her fears that it had been Neville to send the gift.

"Good Lord! That's all you need is for Longbottom to be pestering you now that you're finally clear of Weasley," he said sourly. "Tell me you don't plan to..."

"Definitely not," she interrupted. "He's only a friend. Besides, it's just a theory." She thought about what he'd said when he first approached her. "How did you know where I was? Why did you think that someone was following me?"

She watched his surprised gaze turn into a calculating one. "I have my ways, Hermione. That is all I shall say for the moment."

The young witch nodded knowingly. "You've got all of the corridors down here charmed to let you know when someone is about, don't you? No wonder you always know where to find students!"

"Something like that, yes," he admitted. "Won't your friends be wondering where you are?"

She raised her chin defiantly. "Let's hope that Ron can explain to them."

"Aren't you hungry?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I've chosen to skip my meal, but you were forced into it." Guilt washed over her. It had been time for the evening meal when he'd found her. They'd been talking for a long while since then. Surely it was over.

"I could always summon something for us. Would you like that?"

"I would," she agreed.

Several hours later, she made her way back to her chambers. She lay upon her bed and looked at the canopy, silently saying one thing repeatedly. I kissed Severus Snape. They'd talked about Lord Byron's poems some more, about a paper he'd been writing that would be published soon, and about her ideas for the future. It had been pleasant. They'd eaten lightly, and he'd allowed her to have some wine, though it wasn't really enough to do anything but relax her. She couldn't help but hug him quickly before leaving his office.

Hermione was deeply relieved that he'd not held the kiss against her. Technically, she knew that she'd initiated the kiss by holding him and making him feel sorry for her with her tears, but he had still kissed her. Did this mean that someone such as he could actually see her as a woman of interest? He seemed to enjoy the things that they talked about. She found herself eagerly awaiting Wednesday, which would bring a double Potions class and the first meeting for her project. There was something that she kept wondering about. I just don't understand why I seem to lose all sense when in close proximity to that man. It's not like when I was alone with Ron. I could just blurt out anything and be comfortable with it. It wasn't that she was uncomfortable. She was afraid that he would think her a silly girl if she questioned things too much. He might even get irritated with her if he thought her immature. She wouldn't want him reassessing things and ending their newly found kinship. It was just all so flattering that Severus Snape would give her any of his free time and care to really get to know her.

A knock at her door from the common room jarred her. "Damn!" she mumbled. She'd forgotten about Neville. She quickly went to the door and opened it. "Sorry, Neville, I forgo..."

"Neville?" Ron asked, eyeing her suspiciously. "What the bloody hell would he be doing here? And at this time?"

"He needed some advice and was supposed to come. I must have missed his visit. What do you want?" She crossed her arms and glared at him. "Finished talking with Pansy, are you?"

"Yes, I am. Can I come in?" he asked, brushing past her.

"I am about to go to bed, Ron." Sighing in exasperation, she closed her door. "Go on then," she said, completely irritated. It was obvious that he wouldn't leave.

"Are things really over between us?" he asked quietly, leaning against the bedpost.

"Yes."

He slid down to sit on her bed. "It's sort of hard to believe."

She swallowed deeply. "It is."

"Sort of sad about it," he said. "Sort of relieved as well." Hermione bit her lip as she listened to all he had to say. "Dating you was about love. You're the first girl I ever loved, but I think we just grew in opposite directions, each wanting something different. I'd try to make things work if you wanted me to. Honestly, I would. Seeing as you don't, I'm thinking this might be for the best. Our friends and families will have to accept that." Hermione looked up and saw that his eyes were suspiciously bright. "I do love you," he said.

"I love you, too," she said, truly meaning it. "When did it change?"

"Don't know," he said.

"I imagine it will be awkward for us," she ventured.

"Yeah. A bit of getting used to, I'd wager. I just don't want to lose you," he said honestly. "Can we still be friends even though we've almost...you know?"

"With just a bit of work, I'm sure. We'll just have to tell everyone to mind their own affairs." She smiled for a moment, thinking of their first kiss. A vision of him kissing Pansy came to mind. "Ron, are you accepting this because you have Pansy to think of? Is that making it easier?"

"She's interested in being friends and maybe something more, so I guess that does make it easier. But, knowing that you have a friend, well, aside from making me jealous, I suppose it puts my mind at ease. I know that you'll be all right," he said quietly. "Did that make sense?"

"Yes." An awkward silence followed. "Maybe you'd better go."

He didn't move. "I would have married you," he said quietly. In response, Hermione stood before him and gathered him close. They stayed that way for a long while before Ron extracted himself from her hold. "G' night."

"Night," she said, not watching him leave.

A large burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Is that what she truly wanted? Severus' soft kisses came back to her. "Yes," she said firmly. "It would never have worked. I couldn't have trusted him." She thought a moment before adding, "I couldn't have trusted myself." It wasn't Ron's hurt expression or haunted eyes that she saw as she drifted off to unconsciousness that night. It was the dark eyes and smirking face of her Potions master that helped her to greet sleep.

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

Severus lay back on his bed whilst one of his hands steadily worked to bring pleasure to himself. His eyes were closed, and he was imagining his witch beneath him, begging for him to enter her. He could still feel her body arching into his, her fingers firmly pulling him even closer, and her lips inviting him to ravage her innocence. What excited him most were the words she spoke after they'd come back.

I wanted it. I needed it. I needed you, and then suddenly, there you were.

"Yes," he hissed, feeling the burning sensation begin in his bollocks. It felt like the heat of a thousand fires was coming to take him into the oblivion of hell.

I wanted it. I needed it. I needed you, and then suddenly, there you were.

"Hermione," he grunted loudly as his seed shot forth. Ever so slowly, his strokes decreased as did his climax.

I wanted it. I needed it. I needed you, and then suddenly, there you were.

Her words were now burnt into his soul. He would have her. He would show her exactly what it meant to be had by a real man. There would be no fumbling Weasley or nervous Longbottom. There would only be Severus Snape. "I intend to give you everything you need."

It was then that he decided to test a little theory. Wednesday night would be another quiet night of talking and working, but Saturday night would be different. He would slightly touch her, look abashed about it, and she'd be the one trying to console him. Yes, she would kiss him first the next time. It seemed that she adored a contrite Severus. He chuckled to himself. "Contrite indeed."

---

Southern's Notes: I should have let them 'really' kiss, but I wanted to wait just a bit for that. Slow seduction and all that.

Up Next: Dumbledore appears; just what does he know? Things get a little interesting during their 'meetings' together. Exactly what did Neville want anyway? Also, why is Draco following Hermione? Was it he that was following her in the dungeons? More up soon.