Heated Visit

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

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

Severus' lips ravished hers forcefully. Then suddenly, he was gone, pulling away from her. She saw he was kneeling in her bed, unfastening his shirt. Alarmed that she was getting exactly what she'd asked for...no, demanded...she tried to buy some time. "What do you m-mean? L-lesson?" she asked, stammering slightly. He couldn't truly mean to...have her, could he? She'd been annoyed with Pansy's accusations and frustrated that Ron had been able to move on with someone while she hadn't. Thus, she'd taken it out on him by demanding that they be together.

It simply amounted to her being no better to Severus than Ron had been to her. Was that Ron's problem then? Had he been this frustrated? You know he was. He wanted you terribly. Why couldn't she have just appreciated what she had? She and Ron could have learned together. Things likely wouldn't have worked out in the long run, but at least she'd be all the wiser about relationships. Now, however, she'd landed an experienced man. An experienced man that happened to be in the midst of disrobing...no...crawling back towards her on her bed with intentions of making love to her.

Would it be making love? The desire in his eyes and the hardness in his voice told her otherwise. His shirt was halfway unbuttoned. He seemed to be purposely taking his time, eyeing her intently, and hoping to portray his intentions to her. She was suddenly afraid and tried to scoot further back, but her headboard was halting her flight. If she couldn't please Ron, how could she ever please someone like Severus? Memories haunted her suddenly.

Ron's voice came first. Come on, Mione. I know you want to. Just let me touch it. I just want to feel it. His disappointed expression flickered through her mind. Had he been disappointed because of the way she'd felt? Was it her lack of arousal? Of course, she hadn't actually allowed him to go too far that time. That had to be it. Severus seemed quite pleased with her.

"What we shared last week was only a slight sample of what we will have together, Hermione." She noted that his voice was dark and dangerous. "Since you are so eager, there is no time like the present. Regardless of my true feelings on the matter, I'll not let you slip away from me on a mere technicality." His hands grasped her ankles, and he pulled her down on the bed, causing her nightgown to ride up and revealing her ivory knickers. She immediately scrambled to sit up. He placed a hand upon her chest to keep her down. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure you should be in here." She looked around wildly, placing a hand upon his bare chest. She enjoyed the firm feel of his chest, but it was only a brief appreciation. She vaguely noticed the pale flesh and smattering of dark hair near the top that thickened as it trailed down to his trousers.

"Changed your mind, have you?"

"No. Yes. I don't know." She was confused. She wanted him. She'd been so sure that it was what she wanted when she'd issued her demands.

He sighed in exasperation, touched the bridge of his nose while shaking his head momentarily before looking at her, but when their gazes locked, she saw that his eyes glinted with lust. "I shall help you make up your mind." The tone of his voice left nothing to the imagination as to what direction he would push her. His face lowered, and he brushed his lips over hers lightly. Drawing back, his eyes met hers again. Some of the softness he reserved for their private meetings had returned to his gaze.

Hermione felt at ease. This was the Severus she knew and wanted. This was the patient Severus...not the frantically disrobing and menacing man that had entered her room. One of her hands raised to cup his face. "Kiss me."

"I just did," he said in amusement, one corner of his mouth quirking up slightly.

She smiled uncertainly. "Really kiss me."

"Here?" he asked cheekily, grazing her lips with his fingers.

"Yes," she answered breathlessly, raising her other hand to cup his face as well. She pulled him to her, arching to meet his kiss.

Instead of pursing his lips to initiate the kiss, he opened his mouth and suckled on her lower lip, starting at the left and ending on the right. Once there, he moved to her upper lip, starting on the right and ending on the left. Hermione could actually feel her lips plumping from his affectionate assault. He trailed quick, small chaste kisses around her mouth before finally kissing her soundly. Severus' tongue glided out to demand entrance to her mouth, probing gently and exploring languidly. The kiss was unhurried and continued on for what felt like eons. When he finally ended the kiss, she could feel that one of his hands was cupping her face. Her own hands had fallen from his face and dropped to the bed. When had that happened?

"Did that classify as a real kiss?" he asked smugly.

"Uh-huh," she managed.

"Would you like for me to kiss you here?" His fingers moved from her face to her throat and trailed down to the visible cleavage of her nightgown. She simply nodded, anticipation coursing through her. All she had to do was let things build up, and let him have his way with her. She could do it. Hell, she would enjoy doing it. His kisses left her breathless. They made her feel cherished, special even. That alone made her want to make love with him.

"I do want this," she blurted suddenly. She saw his eyes darken and slit to a near close.

His face lowered again and his tongue laved a path from the base of her throat to the lobe of her ear where he nibbled gently. When he spoke into her ear, she could feel his voice vibrating within even though he was only speaking in a low, seductive tone. "You want me to penetrate you?"

She shivered at the thought of him sliding into her depths. "Yes," she whimpered. He moved over her, and parted her legs with his knees. Only her knickers and his trousers separated their bare flesh. She wondered what would it feel like to have his penis rubbing lightly against her as his fingers had the previous week and nearly asked him to do so. His hips rotated slightly, causing him to grind against her, breaking her concentration. Hermione's breath caught in realization. "Oh." Even though they were clothed, she could still feel his bulge rubbing against her provocatively, arousing her.

"You want to feel me thrusting, grinding, and sliding in and out of you?" To accentuate his meaning, he began moving against her in earnest. His mouth was still near her ear, and his voice was wreaking havoc on her body, causing her to moan lightly and arch into him. Taking that as an affirmative, he asked, "Want to hear me breathing your name heavily against your ear as I reach culmination?"

"Oh, God," she mumbled. Hermione's mind was whirling. She was dazed. The tension his rotating groin was creating against hers was almost unbearable. "Severus, I feel...oh!" She could practically feel the head of his penis sliding back and forth along her crevice before grinding firmly against her clitoris.

His torturing movements continued. "What do you feel?" he asked, barely a whisper.

She could feel the tension building, and that glorious feeling that something was coming to overtake her. "It's coming for me," she whispered, closing her eyes. She lost all thought and concentrated on the feeling of him moving against her. Her legs tensed and stiffened in anticipation, heels of her feet digging down into the mattress, toes pointing straight.

"Let it," he growled. "Let me hear you."

Hermione was uncertain of what he wanted to hear exactly, but she knew she could find no other words to explain how she felt to him. "It's...oh...here it is. Oh, my Lord...Severus!" The need to feel him pressing more firmly against her and rubbing against her more quickly had her holding onto his shoulders, arching and moving against him. He emitted low guttural grunts that completely aroused her and helped the waves crash over her. "Ah! Yes," she hissed, sounding like a serpent intent on tempting its prey to move closer. Then, suddenly and loudly, she exclaimed, "Severus!" With hands clutching the duvet, she began moaning and chanting his name. Her entire body trembled as the feelings overcame her, like a large wave that finally reaches the shore, and then the feelings subsided, reminding her of receding water after it breaks on the beach. With one last shudder, her legs...when had they wrapped around him...fell limply back to the bed, as did her hands. Her eyes remained closed; the only sound was the noise of her heart beating in her ears.

She could feel small kisses being delivered to her face, but she couldn't move to reciprocate, nor did she want to. Mortification and excitement that she'd just had an orgasm with him witnessing it filled her. Slowly, she peeked at him through slitted eyes. His eyes were not on hers. He was currently nibbling on her fingers. When had he started that? What was wrong with her? Would pleasure by his hand...er, body...always be so mind boggling? She could feel the dampness of her knickers and inner flesh. Feeling as though she needed to wash herself, she longed to go to the loo. Instead, she squeaked out one word.

"Hi." He smirked and moved to the side. She was uncertain as to what to say to him. She wondered if he'd also had an orgasm. Surely those groans had signaled that. "Did...uh...you...?"

Severus shook his head. "No. It's all right." He released her hand and moved to cup her face. "I didn't expect you to, but I, for one, am certainly glad that you did." The pad of his thumb traced her lower lip.

"Should I not have?" she asked innocently.

"Anytime you are able to find release, you take it."

Guilt washed over her. He'd not found his release, though it was apparent that he would like nothing more. His lips were nearly upon hers when she asked, "May I touch you?" The startled expression that came over his face was priceless. She'd seen it once before, back in her first year, when she'd lied to the professors and said that she'd gone after the escaped troll herself.

He sucked in a deep breath, lay back against her pillows, murmuring, "As you wish."

Not having to be told twice, she sat up. What should she do? Not wanting to touch him there first, she reached out to touch his lips. Her fingers traced them before moving to his throat and chest. Once she'd acquainted herself with both pectoral areas, her hand moved slowly down the path to his groin. She could see the bulge and knew exactly where to place her hand. As she neared, she heard the slight intake of his breath and took that to indicate that she was doing the right thing. Lightly, her hand cupped his hardness, giving him gentle squeezes.

It was then that she lost herself in her exploration. This was something new, and she had the need to learn all that she could. Moving to kneel next to him, her other hand joined the first, one on either side of the bulge, both rubbing and tracing the outline. When he groaned, she paused. "All right?"

"Fine," he said tightly, nudging her hands with his midsection.

She supposed that he meant for her to carry on. He was bigger than Ron could ever hope to be. Was this better or worse? It's better, of course...even I know that. The only thing was that it would likely hurt more. She thought of Parvati's words. No pain, really. Shrugging, she concentrated at the task before her. The urge to unfasten his trousers and actually see what she was touching was overwhelming.

Severus smirked as the mixed expressions passed over her face. Hermione's face held a mixture of awe, trepidation, and yearning. Her hands were shaking, though he doubted that she noticed. Inch by inch, they slid up to the clasp of his trousers. When he'd first entered, he'd been intent on showing and giving her exactly what she'd asked of him, but then he realized that if he did that, he would have been playing into her hands. Hadn't she demanded that of him? He'd seen the shock and even terror on her face when he began disrobing. The way she'd tried to buy some extra time to ready herself or change his mind had been amusing.

It had been the fear in her eyes and in her voice that changed his mind. He knew that things wouldn't carry on any farther than he wanted it to. It was hard to keep himself from ripping her clothes away and slamming into her. When she'd admitted that she wanted it, he'd nearly taken her then, but he'd had other plans. He'd wanted to make her writhe and beg. It had been a surprise when she'd responded so eagerly to his simple movements when he'd begun to press his erection against her. No woman had ever been utterly turned on by foreplay of that type before. Hell, I've never tried that before. I normally just slide on in. He mentally shrugged and paid attention to the trembling witch kneeling before him, unfastening his trousers.

Dare he allow her to continue? He supposed he should. Hadn't he just told her to take release anytime she could? Why couldn't he accept what she was eagerly trying to give him? I should make a show of trying to stop her. "Hermione," he said, voice taking on a concerned tone. "You don't have to do that."

As he hoped, she replied, "I want to touch you."

If he allowed her to continue with the unfastening of his trousers, she would know him far more intimately than anyone at the castle. Was he ready to bare himself to her? It would give her a feeling of power to be able to touch me and have me climax under her ministrations. It would appeal to her womanly senses. It would prove to her that she could please him, even through simple touches. It wouldn't hurt to momentarily give her control of the situation...of him. It would serve his purpose and ensnare her further.

Her shy digits slowly unfastened his trousers and innocently tugged them down. He lifted his hips slightly, allowing her to pull them down to his thighs. Once there, she abandoned them and moved to lower his underpants. When he showed no signs of hesitation, her eyes lifted to meet his. "C-can I?" He simply nodded and raised his hips.

The smirk reappeared as her eyes widened when she finally eyed his hardened flesh jutting out proudly. Bit more than Weasley has, eh? One of her hands tentatively touched his tip. He exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. She jerked her hand away and looked at him. "Go on."

"It twitched."

He tried to keep his expression blank, but when she broke into peals of giggles, the corners of his mouth quirked up in amusement. "That's not all it does." Her cheeks burned brightly, and he realized that she was trying to work through embarrassment. Taking pity on her, he took one of her hands in his and guided it down to his erection. He positioned it as it should be, and he showed her how to move and the correct amount of pressure to grip him with. He smiled in earnest as she bit her lip and began to work as he'd shown her. He took her other hand and placed it on his scrotum. He moved her fingers beneath and around until she began exploring on her own.

Proudly, he lay back to watch her. She'd only faltered her movements momentarily when he'd added to her task. He wondered what else she could do. She did have a knack for multitasking. He'd witnessed that on many occasions in his class. Easily, Severus placed his fingers on her cheek to make her look at him. "Kiss me," he demanded in a silky whisper. When she leant forward, she began to move her hands. He quickly steadied her, raising an eyebrow in challenge. It seemed that she understood that she was to continue stroking and fondling him whilst they kissed. She shifted to lie beside him, and he turned to accommodate her. The kiss was heated, tongues entwining fervently, twirling in time with her frantic hand movements.

The heat began to pool in his testicles, and he could feel himself tightening in anticipation. Her jerky, unpracticed movements were turning him on. He broke the kiss and pushed her head gently to his chest, hoping she would get the hint. Her lips, tongue, and teeth began assaulting his flesh anew. "Yes," he hissed in approval. "Very good." Both hands moved quickly, one abandoning his scrotum to join the other working his shaft. It teased his head and rolled the light dampness there about, causing him to groan loudly. "Do not stop." He wished privately that her lips would be upon him, but this would do...for now. Grunting and arching up into her hands, his release found him. For her benefit, he growled out her name a few times.

Severus closed his eyes and enjoyed the satisfying peace that flowed through his body. It took him a few moments to realize that she wasn't lying next to him any longer. He cracked open his eyes and saw her sitting up, looking at her hands. When she noticed he was looking, she said, "It's hot."

Some of his semen had landed on her hands. "Accio wand," he called. His wand flew into his hand. "Scourgify!" All traces of his released excitement vanished from his flesh and hers. After pulling up his clothing, his free hand pulled her down to lie next to him. Before placing his wand on the nightstand, he pointed it towards her knickers and muttered another Cleansing Charm. He held her without speaking for a long time. Finally, he whispered, "Thank you."

"Thank you," came the shy reply. "Severus, earlier, you said that you had feelings on the matter. What are those?"

He wondered when she would question that. "I do not think we should consummate our...relationship. It goes against school policy, and I would tarnish the trust the headmaster has in me." Not that I really care. However, she will appreciate my false concern...even respect me for it.

"Do we truly have a relationship?"

Damn! What was the answer to her question? In all actuality, it had only been about two months since he'd taken an interest in her and began taking measures to ensure she'd be his. What did she want to hear? Did she want promises? Her voice had taken on a hopeful tone. I might as well let her know what I want. It would likely lure her in even more. "So it would seem. Hermione, I don't give affection lightly. Do you not feel something more than lust?"

"I do," she admitted eagerly. "You?"

He smirked inwardly, but he schooled his expression to remain thoughtful. "I do feel something, yes." He kissed her brow. "You belong to me, now and always. I would not have allowed myself to pursue our interest had I not felt something."

"Do you belong to me?" she asked, pulling back to look into his eyes.

What the hell? He hadn't expected that, but he was glad that she'd asked. "Yes. I want no other." The broad smile she flashed warmed him. She was as good as his when he chose to have her. Now, he only had to keep from ravaging her in order to solidify her trust in him and their newfound relationship. Feeling devious, he lowered his voice seductively, saying, "I would like nothing more than to make love to you, but as long as you are my student, it's impossible."

"Severus, about what I said earlier, I was only angry because Pansy..."

He placed a finger on her lips. "I know." He figured that he might as well discuss a few things. "I cannot have you talking to me as you did earlier. When I first came here, I was intent on giving you exactly what you'd asked for." He grinned wickedly for a moment, thinking of the plans he'd had. If he had followed through with them, he'd have been playing into her manipulation. Thankfully, he was able to halt when needed. "It would have been my way, and I'm quite certain you would not have liked what I had in mind, not at first anyway." He delighted in her sudden shiver. "Make no mistake. I am no boy to be bossed around." He kissed her with ferocious intensity to further prove that he was not merely a boy.

Breathless, she said, "Definitely not."

Wanting his ego boosted, he asked, "Weasley ever kiss you that way? Krum?"

"Never."

"Do you realize why?"

"They are both boys?" she asked, voice taking on a hopeful tone.

"Mostly." He kissed her again impulsively, trying to show her how he felt, show her that she belonged to him, show her he would kill to keep her. As he thought along those lines, he felt himself hardening, ready to have contact with her again. He wouldn't though, not yet...but soon. "You're my woman, Hermione," he whispered.

"Yes," she agreed, seemingly dazed. "Always."

"I shall hold you to that." Severus pulled her to him tightly. Without thinking, he said, "I shall take care of you no matter what happens in this war."

Hermione's head jerked back. "What?"

Fuck! I need to have a care with my words. "If Boy Wonder doesn't win, have you thought of that?" He raised an eyebrow when she didn't answer. "Oh, come now, Hermione. You can never tell me that you've not had your doubts at one point or another."

"I haven't," she said, almost defiantly. "Harry will defeat him. He always does."

The loyalty she held for Potter was endearing, but he'd have to change all of that. There was only one place that her loyalties should lie...that was with him, not bloody Harry Potter. "And, do tell me, dear. What would you do if he doesn't?"

"If he fails, then so do I," she said firmly, eyeing him for a reaction.

Her words didn't sit well with him. "If he fails, it means he's met his death."

"As will I."

Severus abruptly pushed away from her and left the bed. She sat up quickly and reached for him, but he evaded her touch. He narrowed his eyes, feeling betrayed. "You dare tell me that you care for me, want a relationship with me, and all the while you are thinking of nothing but Potter?"

"That's not true," she said heatedly. "I think of you always, even more so lately...especially when I can't go to you. The entire reasoning behind our being on friendly terms is because you needed me to trick Voldemort's spy. We just..."

"Enough!" He bellowed suddenly. The witch dared to lecture him? "Never speak my Master's name! I will listen to your excuses no more." As quickly as he could, he began fastening his shirt. He felt her hands on his shoulders and shrugged away. When he felt them upon him again, he couldn't control his rage. He turned around and pushed her back down upon the bed, pinning her beneath him with his weight. His voice was a deadly whisper when he finally spoke. "I've worked too hard and too long to secure my survival in this world to allow the one woman I have chosen as a mate to follow Potter to his death."

"You speak as if Harry has lost already," she bit out.

He knew that his weight was making breathing difficult, but he felt that she deserved it. "I only speak theoretically. Would you not live for me? Fight for me?"

"Yes," she answered instantly.

Severus shifted so that his weight wasn't entirely upon her, but he was only slightly mollified by her answer. "No matter what happens, Hermione, I want you to promise that you will not put yourself in harm's way needlessly." A vision of her taking a hex meant for Potter flashed through his mind. "Live for me."

Tears formed in Hermione's eyes as he spoke. She maneuvered to touch his cheek. "Will you live for me...no matter what?"

"I shall survive, and I have ensured that we will have a place in this world no matter the victor." He saw recognition in her eyes. "If your friend...the Wizarding world's savior...loses against the Dark Lord, we shall continue on. It can be just as I've allowed him to think."

She nodded. "Until we could find a way to kill the bastard," she said, a new light shining in her eyes.

Bloody fucking hell. If the Dark Lord wins, dear, we shall learn to accept it and do his bidding. "Yes," he said, allowing her to believe that would be the plan. If that was the case, there was plenty of time to gain her complete confidence...and obedience. She would understand that it was in their best interest to simply do what they must for themselves.

"However," she continued, "we know that Harry always comes out on top when they meet. There is no need for us to think this way." She moved to kiss his lips, but he turned his face, giving her his cheek. "Please don't be that way. I just have faith in things, Severus. We will be happy...together."

At those words, he turned back to face her, letting her see the raw emotion in his gaze. "I guarantee it." I shall prepare for all possibilities. Over time you'll do the same, Hermione. You'll learn to trust my judgement and not question it. He claimed her lips once again and moved away from her. "If I do not leave now, I fear that you will have an overnight guest." As much as he wanted that, he knew she was not truly ready for him. She still had too many innocent responses to his advances and wasn't thinking about the future clearly. One should always prepare for all outcomes.

"Oh, wait," she said suddenly, sounding guilty. "I suppose there is something you should know about the Hogsmeade visit."

He didn't like the sound of that. Why would her cheeks be flushing if it were anything good? "Well?" he asked finally.

"I'm going with my friends, and we were all talking about everyone being part of a couple. Well, Seamus...you see...he offered to come with me...a friendly gesture only!" She moved closer. "I just wanted you to hear it from me and not think any..."

"How could I not think anything of it?" he asked angrily. "I'll not EVER approve of you cavorting about with another man." He smiled nastily. "In this case, with another boy." He peeled her fingers from his forearms and backed up even further. "You will break off this date"

She blinked in astonishment. "I can't, Severus. I would much rather it be you that comes, but seeing as we have to keep us a secret, I didn't think it would be bad to have a strictly friendly date with someone. Besides, all the others will be there as well."

He nodded once. "You've made your decision then."

"W-what?" she asked incredulously.

"First, you show me where your heart truly belongs...Potter! Now, you show me that you will defy my wishes and seek out the company of another." He shook his head in disgust. "What will the Dark Lord think? You could very well be putting that boy...and us...in danger," he said warningly. He held up a hand to silence her. "I will take my leave now."

Without a backward glance, he left her alone, kneeling in her bed. She hadn't thought about how it would look to anyone that saw her with Seamus, but how could she break the date? It had been made, and it was only friendly. In fact, to most others, it would just look like a group of mates going to Hogsmeade together. She began mumbling to herself angrily. "How dare he? Comes here, nearly makes love to me, lectures me about things, and demands I rearrange my plans to suit him?"

She fell back to her bed and thought of the night's events. First, she'd had to deal with Pansy, and then he'd come along. She didn't regret what happened between them. A prideful smile graced her face as she thought of him arching into her hands and calling out her name as his orgasm came to him. I did that. I made him happy. He was much bigger than Ron in that section. She wondered if maybe Ron was still growing. No matter. She'd leave Pansy to it. She had her own lover to worry about.

"Oh, no," she breathed. They'd just established that they did have a relationship between them. They'd even gone as far as to say they had a future together, after she graduated of course. It was more than sexual, more than a trick for the Dark Lord. Severus Snape wanted her for all time. Did she ruin it with the ruddy Hogsmeade weekend? She supposed she could always cry off, claiming to be sick. Parvati wouldn't mind sliding into her spot, would she?

It wasn't that she truly wanted to go. If the truth be known, she would rather stay at the castle with Severus. It would be the perfect time for them to get cozy. Hermione frowned slightly. They could never make love while she was still a student...he'd not allow it...but they could snog a bit. She shook the thoughts away. The point of the matter is that he'd demanded that she not go! He'd given her some silent ultimatum clearly believing that she would change her plans because he wished it to be so. She certainly didn't appreciate that, and she would follow through with her plans...just to prove a point if nothing else.

Hermione Granger was capable of making her own decisions. I simply hope I am making the correct decision about this weekend. An unsettling feeling overcame her. What if something happened to Seamus? What if something happened to Severus? Maybe the spy would see her with her friends and tell Voldemort that she'd not taken the opportunity to be with her lover, and instead, she'd gone off with another date and her mates. Part of her wanted to go to him and tell him that she would not be going after all, but the other part of her demanded that she go. She could not lose her opinions or her identity in their relationship. "Hogsmeade, here I come."

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

Severus watched her through narrowed eyes as she made her way out of the castle with her group of friends. Finnegan was lucky. It appeared that he didn't truly fancy Hermione. The boy couldn't keep his eyes off of Patil...though that wasn't saying much. Most of the others were eyeing her as well. She was flouncing about, wearing a very low cut blouse. If the boy had appeared eager to be his witch's date, he'd have answered to him in some way. Hermione's shoulders were hunched, and she wasn't talkative. This caused him to smirk. It served her right to feel guilty. He'd not spoken to her since she'd told him of her plans. She tried to stay after class the previous day, but he'd thwarted her impromptu meeting by forcing another student to remain as well. She'd have to learn her lesson.

In truth, he didn't care if someone saw her with Finnegan. He knew that she held no true interest for the dunderhead. The Dark Lord would think nothing of it. They had appearances to keep up with the other students, after all. His Lord was anything but stupid...never that. At times, he never thought things out properly, but no one could call him a fool.

"Are you sure you don't want to come, Severus?" McGonagall asked sharply. "A couple of drinks wouldn't be amiss, what with all he stress lately."

"No, thank you. I've some research to be doing today." He nodded brusquely and left her in the entrance hall, taking the stairwell that led down to his office in the dungeons. He paused on the last step. Draco was leaning against the wall, looking angry, and muttering curses to himself. "Something wrong?"

The boy jumped. "Nothing, sir. Off to Hogsmeade." He began striding forward.

"Why do you look as if you've been caught doing something?" Severus asked suspiciously.

"Because, sir, Dumbledore was just here. I thought he'd come back again and would ask why I hadn't moved."

"Why haven't you?"

"I'm waiting for G...Goyle."

"Very well." Severus swept past the boy, wondering what he was lying about. It was likely that he'd made plans with Miss Weasley, not Goyle, and he didn't want to be caught by anyone else. Why did he look so guilty? Perhaps I should go to Hogsmeade...just to be sure nothing is amiss. I could always go under the guise that I decided to take Minerva up on the drink offer. He sighed at the sight before him. "Headmaster." Dumbledore was leaning casually on his doorjamb.

"Lovely day to be hidden away in the dungeons, Severus. I was just telling the young Malfoy that," he said jovially.

"Dare I ask if you'd like to enter?" He muttered the passwords and led the way.

"I wanted to talk to you about our Miss Granger." Here his voice took a stern tone. "It seems that she missed her rounds last night and this morning. Filius says that she seems detached lately. Have you noticed anything?"

Though the man was smiling, Severus could hear the seriousness in his tone and see it in his eyes. He remembered the man's warning weeks prior. "Yes, she has a lot on her mind as of late, but I've not seen a decline in her class work, Headmaster. Why, just the other day she missed our weekly meeting. It seems she wasn't feeling well. Madame Pomfrey can account for it. Maybe her missed rounds have something to do with that."

"Indeed." The one word held accusation and suspicion, but nothing else was said. "I saw that she and Mr. Finnegan made plans for today. Is there anything you wish to tell me?"

It seemed that the man was hoping that he'd called things off, that he'd changed his mind about getting close to her. "Nothing has changed." Things had changed. He'd not been speaking to her and was angry with her, but the meddlesome man need not know that. Well, it was likely that he did know already, but he need not know the exact details.

Abruptly changing the subject, Dumbledore said, "I wonder what Draco was truly doing down here. Most of the Slytherin students have already left for Hogsmeade. I don't believe he is waiting for one of them. I'm sure it's Miss Weasley that he is planning to meet, if anyone. I do wonder why she would go on to the village without meeting him." He smiled lightly. "I saw her leave earlier."

"Interesting," Severus commented, glad to have his personal business out of the conversation. "I believe Minerva offered to have drinks with me. Research can wait." If the headmaster had also noticed Draco's fidgeting and seen through his suspicious manner, then he needed to be watched. Something wasn't right.

"Excellent," he said. He walked towards the door. "And, Severus?"

Damn! Here it comes! "Yes?"

"You did not forget to let me know if things progressed with our Head Girl, did you?"

"I will not have sex with her whilst she is still my student," he said, bypassing the other things they'd done together. "As she is still my student, I think that we can safely assume that hasn't happened yet."

Dumbledore nodded and left. Sometimes the old man goes too far. In a dark mood, Severus made his way through the dungeons and out of the castle. The closer he got to the village, the more foreboding he felt. It was as if something was going to go wrong. He snorted as a vision of him pouncing on Finnegan passed through his mind. No, it wasn't anything as trivial as that. It was something else. Something wasn't right. He suddenly felt the need to protect what was his and Apparated to Hogsmeade. He needed to find her and be sure that she was all right.

Southern's Notes: I would like for you to take a moment to read my story, Where Your Loyalties Lie, if you haven't done so. I don't think many of you had the chance to read it yet. It's my take on Snape if he'd truly be a Death Eater. The ending is not horrid, so don't worry about that. You can click on my name to find it under my list of stories. Please let me know what you think. I might do more of my Snape characters that way, though I'm uncertain.

Up Next: I feel compelled to warn you that something will happen in Hogsmeade. I've many plans for this story and a handful of characters in it. The visit to town will be very eventful. Hehe...It must be done, and yes, there will be character death. Fear not, as it isn't a main character. Just a friendly warning all the same.