The Plot Thickens

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

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

Severus stifled a yawn. This was the longest damned staff meeting that he'd been to since the previous year. He supposed it was in order. The headmaster did need to get everyone on the same parchment after all. Since the new term began, they'd only had a few rushed meetings. Why does the headmaster keep looking at me oddly? He looked down to his robes to be sure no evidence of the evening meal lingered there. Brushing away nonexistent crumbs, his head jerked up upon hearing Hermione's name.

"Miss Granger and Mr. Macmillan should be included in the new patrols of the grounds. We have to be on the lookout to be sure that nothing is amiss and things remain secure. I also believe that the seventh year prefects should be included. Speaking of which," Dumbledore said, eyeing Severus again, "we'll need to replace Miss Parkinson and Mr. Weasley."

Severus nodded in agreement, hearing snide remarks from some of the others. Rolanda Hooch was one of the loudest. "Imagine! Having a go right there in the corridor. Never heard of Silencing Charms or Disillusionment Charms, I'd wager. In my day, we chose better places if we were feeling randy."

He knew what would happen next. He could practically feel Minerva's ire. "Think it's funny, do you?" she asked crisply. "Why not give lessons in lewd behavior? You could teach them to break the rules without getting caught!"

"Oho! Someone's knickers are in a bunch," Hooch goaded. "Angry because one of your ruddy little Gryffindors happens to be in the wrong? Doesn't sit well that a Weasley would take up with a Slytherin, does it?"

"Why, you..."

"Enough!" Severus said, pulling Minerva's arm back as she reached for her wand. He turned to Rolanda. "While I appreciate your seeming sympathy for Slytherin, perhaps this is not the place to discuss rivalries. Save it for a staff outing to Hogsmeade."

Rolanda laughed heartily. "Embarrassed one of your own has been caught, eh? Trying to appear nonchalant? Good show."

"If everyone is finished, I've more to say," Dumbledore commented with laughter in his eyes, though his voice was stern. "I expect you all to vote on two new prefects, one male and one female. Turn your votes in by Friday. Filius and Severus will be in charge of making a schedule again, as they did a superb job already. Our patrols will increase until their positions are filled." He stretched slightly. "Well, if no one has anything else?" He looked around. "Excellent. A word, Severus."

Damn! Never a moment's peace. "Yes, Headmaster?" he questioned respectfully.

"This way," he replied evasively.

Severus followed Dumbledore to his office and sat before being asked. He was sure that it would take a while. "Have you any news?" the older man queried.

"Only a minute amount," he replied. "Draco came to me just before our staff meeting. It seems that his father wants him to sneak into the Forbidden Forest to steal any mallowsweet that he might find there."

"Mallowsweet?"

"Yes," Severus nodded. "I find that odd as well. As far as I know, there are no Centaurs allied with the Dark Lord. Only they use that."

"I shall talk to Firenze to see if there is any other use besides burning it to gaze into the flame and fumes to polish their insight. He's not told you of this at any meetings?"

"Of course not," Severus answered quickly. "I haven't stayed at the meetings long as of late, which is a good thing. Lucius can't go out into public much now that he's marked as a Death Eater, so I don't talk to him as often as I used to."

He felt a little uneasy with the way the headmaster was gazing at him. "What else does Draco have to say?"

"Not that this should interest you, but he says that Ginevra Weasley has now accosted him twice, questioning about his cousin, Nymphadora Tonks."

"Curious."

"Indeed. He's told her to leave off both times, but he admits to being intrigued."

"What sort of questions? With Tonks being in the Order, she could simply ask her or her family anything. Why Draco?" Dumbledore began pacing.

"It appears that she believes Tonks to be working with the Malfoys to aid the Dark Lord. Should I have him to follow up on this?" Severus asked slyly.

"Yes. Tell him to find out what she is about. I'd like to know her reasoning behind those questions."

"There is one other thing. I was not sure if I should mention it, but it now seems prudent," Severus said, sensing the other man was waiting for more. "About Parkinson and Weasley, Draco says that Pansy's father is behind the girl's sudden interest in the boy. It seems that he wants the girl to find a respectable...associate. I wonder what his plans are."

It seemed that Dumbledore was not surprised with his statement. "Has Tom not told you of this?"

"No, he hasn't," Severus admitted. "I believe that Parkinson has some ulterior motive. I shall find out what it is."

"Very well. Keep me informed."

"That is all that I have, Headmaster, if you would excuse me, I would like to go down to my chambers. I have to draw up a map for Draco, which will enable him to slip into the forest and get some mallowsweet in a timely manner." He stood to leave, but Dumbledore motioned for him to sit again.

"What of your motives, Severus? Is there anything you wish to tell me?"

Damn! He knows. Somehow he knows. "I've no ulterior motives, Headmaster. I am only doing what needs to be done to keep both of my masters happy," he spat acridly. "Are you implying something?"

"Not implying, Severus." The headmaster moved around his desk and sat next to him. "Yesterday, after I talked to our two unruly prefects, I decided to follow them to hear their thoughts on the situation. What did I see? Miss Granger came upon them, had a say, and ran off in tears." He searched Severus' face momentarily. "Naturally, I followed her, wanting to be sure she was all right. She seemed very distraught."

"And, so, you followed her down into the bowels of the castle, down to me," Severus said in a carefully bland voice. "What are you trying to say, Headmaster?"

"I'm saying that I found it interesting that you seemed to know she was there and being followed. I'm also saying that I found it interesting that you and she seemed rather...friendly. " Dumbledore's eyes flashed dangerously, and he seemed slightly disappointed.

"Sir, you know then that I apologized for any inappropriate behavior that occurred. As far as my knowing she was there and being followed, I have those corridors enchanted, as they are out of bounds."

"Oh, yes, I know you apologized, having witnessed it."

"I didn't see you."

"Severus, you know as well as the next person that I don't always have to be visible when I walk about this castle. You should also know that I've learnt to see through Disillusionment Charms and can easily dismantle any simple Silencing Spell. You have some explaining to do, and you'd better do it now," the headmaster said, moving to pull a candy from the silver dish on his desk. "Of course, I couldn't follow you into your closed office, but I did follow and wait. In fact, I got tired of waiting for her to exit. Had I not finally decided to have a listen, I would have likely been there for hours. Interesting choice of wards. I had a hard time breaking that particular Silencing Charm."

With an arrogant smirk, Severus snatched a candy from the dish on the desk and popped it in to his mouth. "Yes, I pride myself with brilliant warding. What do you want to know?" he asked finally.

"What has been going on? Why? What are your intentions?" The questions fired out as if they'd been practiced.

"All right, Headmaster, I'll tell you everything," Severus said, trying to sound contrite. "The Dark Lord believes that Granger being friendly with me would upset Potter. He has ordered me to become close to her. Hence our lab time together on Wednesday evenings and additional meetings that we've agreed upon for Saturday evenings as well. If Draco's mind is probed, he can say that he sees us together. Any other spies that may be about will confirm it as well."

"Why not tell me?" Dumbledore asked, eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Because I knew that you would never approve," he said bitterly. "I have talked to her about it, and I've explained most of it to her. She knows that someone is watching and has agreed to help."

"She is not an Order member. She is a student here. This should have been discussed with me," the older wizard said firmly.

"Hermione is of age. She could have been an Order member last year, according to your age requirements. This was her decision," Severus said heatedly.

"Severus, I don't like it. You, sir, are her professor. What would you say if Minerva was seen kissing young Malfoy in the corridors?"

"That's different, and you know it. I don't know what..."

"Yes, I heard your excuses yesterday, and I must say that I found it honorable of you to realize that you were taking advantage of the situation." Dumbledore reached for another candy. "However, it appeared that she didn't mind. I believe that this project may lead to other things on a more inappropriate level. I'm not blaming you or saying you planned this, Severus. I am just stat..."

Severus stood up in anger. "What do you suggest that I do, Albus? Do you want me to tell the Dark Lord that I have failed on my orders because I had to tell you that I intended to behave inappropriately with Miss Granger? I am certain that he will not be pleased."

A resigned sigh was his only answer at first. "Do you intend to be inappropriate with her?"

"I don't know," he said honestly. "School coding states that should a staff member and a student become involved that student may not be taught by said staff member, and the student has to be of age by Wizarding law." He sat down once again. "Therefore, if something should develop from our innocent friendship, I would simply ask that she be removed from my classes."

"So you have looked into this. I daresay, Severus, that makes you appear to have already thought of things heading in that direction," Dumbledore said incredulously. "What exactly happened on the night that the two of you were alone?"

"Not a damn thing," Severus roared indignantly. "I have never touched her other than what you witnessed yesterday! It was her response to me yesterday that prompted me to look into Hogwarts' Codes of Conduct. I resent the fact that you would think otherwise. I may be a professor here, a spy, and an Order member, but it would bode well for you to remember that I am still a man. Who wouldn't be curious after that unplanned exchange?" That much was true at least. He hadn't planned to meet her or kiss her. Not that day anyway. He smiled inwardly as he saw his mentor's resolve crumbling.

"Very well, Severus. I shall not stop your association, but please, she is only eighteen. She has studies and duties to attend to. Try to keep things professional only." He removed his glasses to wipe at his eyes. "If things do progress, I wish to be informed immediately so that I may remove Miss Granger from your class."

"Certainly," he quickly agreed.

"I am not pleased by this and am very disappointed. I should have been informed straightaway. I shall not interfere, Severus, but I shall be watching. If I see any signs of distress in her or skiving off her duties as Head Girl, I shall bring this matter up again." He nodded to the door. "Leave."

Without a backward glance, Severus exited the office and made his way down to his chambers. He dared not look too smug, as he was unsure if the headmaster had decided to follow him. Once inside his chambers, he sat down to think of all that had transpired. The old man didn't like his Potions master getting friendly with his Head Girl, eh? Didn't like being lied to by his trusted spy? Didn't like having decisions made without his approval? "Reasonable worries, the lot of them, Headmaster," Severus said with a smirk.

A thought crossed his mind suddenly. The old fool had better not anger me, or I might have to take matters into my own hands. Perhaps I should see this bloody war ending sooner than later. It would be easy enough to snatch Potter and bring him to the Dark Lord and let the two arses have it out. May the best wizard win. He chuckled to himself. "At least if the Dark Lord wins, I'll still have my concubine." Yes, it would do well for dear old Albus to tread carefully. Severus knew he could make or break the Order's cause.

He opened his desk drawer and took out his parchment. "Locus Hermione," he said. He had his answer in a matter of seconds.

Head Girl's chambers with Neville Longbottom.

"Longbottom," he said with disgust. "The pesky blighter had better not attempt anything with her." He shrugged. "I'll find out tomorrow evening." Although he didn't like having been caught being dishonest to the headmaster, he felt as if a burden had been lifted. At least he didn't have to worry about hiding things from him now. That had been his main concern in the beginning.

He pulled out his special ink and dipped his quill into it. In a spiky scrawl, he wrote two sentences on his parchment, wanting to send Hermione a subliminal message. It's a bit late. Time for some rest. Yes, she would be telling Longbottom to leave soon enough. He'd only seen her during meals that day, although he did try to spot her along the corridors. She'd done well. Her eyes had only strayed to him a couple of times. He wondered if maybe he'd been the one looking too often. He snorted. "That's about right. I look to be sure she isn't looking, and Dumbledore sees the exchange, adding to his suspicions." It didn't matter about the headmaster now, but he still didn't want any others to know. Such as Hooch. She would never let him live this down. No. Nobody would know until he was ready for them to know. Nobody else anyway.

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

Hermione had been relieved when Neville explained his reasons for needing to talk to her. Although Ron looked at them suspiciously, he hadn't objected to their private conversation. It seemed that Neville was interested in Lavender, but the girl never paid attention to him. He figured that she fancied Harry since that was usually the only time she would talk to him. If he happened to be near Harry, Lavender would come by for a chat, staring after Harry.

"So, it's almost as if she uses me to be around him. I don't mind that much, but I suppose it hurts all the same. What do you think?" he asked, round face lit with hope that she would have the answer.

"Maybe you should ask her to be your date for the first Hogsmeade weekend," she said quietly. "You can find out her motives that way. If she seems genuinely pleased, then maybe its just your imagination. It could be that she only feels secure talking to you with others around. Maybe she's afraid that you won't talk to her otherwise."

"But I would," he protested.

"Well, how will she know that unless you tell her?" Hermione smiled kindly at her friend. "I'm sure she'd be honored that someone such as you had an interest in her. Give her a few compliments about how lovely she looks, make a point to talk to her while she is with her friends..."

"Yeah," he said sarcastically. "What if she is too embarrassed to talk to just me? I might ruin her image."

"Nev, we're all friends. She'd only be with Parvati and the others. No problems there. We're practically family," she said reassuringly. "Just give it a go."

"You're right. I mean, I haven't really seen her with Harry all that much, and I know that he fancies someone else anyway. I just don't want to be rejected," he said. "Part of life, I guess."

"Harry fancies someone? Who does he fancy?" she asked curiously.

"Well, I heard him talking to Ron about it. He doesn't know that I heard, mind, but at least I know Lavender is not spoken for. She's not a student here," he admitted. "Can't give you a name though."

Hermione immediately thought of Ginny's insinuations about Tonks. "I guess he'll let us know when he's ready. I wonder why he never told me about it?" she pondered aloud. With a sigh, she stretched. "I'm just a tad knackered, and I've a long day ahead of me tomorrow. I think I'll turn in now. Will you try to talk to her?"

"Are you sure you've not heard of her fancying someone else?" he asked uncertainly. "I don't want to make an arse of myself."

"I swear," she said, holding up her wand.

He nodded. "Thanks, Mione. Night."

She saw him to the door, warded it, and made her way to her bathroom. Quickly stripping after she'd turned on the faucets, she slid into the tub. "Ah," she sighed, leaning back against the cool porcelain. She soaped a cloth and began washing herself. As she passed the cloth over her breasts, she found herself wondering how it would feel to have them fondled properly by someone who actually knew what he was doing. A brief glimpse of strong, long fingers expertly dicing Potions ingredients flashed through her mind. She shrugged the thought away as she explored her body.

Hermione's index finger circled the nipple of her left breast, her eyes closed. After a minute of fondling herself, she said aloud, "Well, what's so good about that anyway?" Shrugging away the curiosity, she finished washing. It didn't take long for her fingers to slide down to the juncture between her thighs. Determinedly, she inserted one finger and moved it about. She giggled, thinking, It certainly feels better than when Ron did it. No fingernail digging into me here. As her finger slid out, it accidentally rubbed against a protruding bit of skin near the top of her labia, causing her to jump.

"Bloody hell," she said in disbelief. Purposely, she rubbed herself again, and the strangest feelings came to her. The gentle, circular caresses became firm, erratic caresses as she felt something building up inside of her. She warred with stopping, unsure if she could take the feeling any longer, but she carried on for a couple of minutes anyway. Finally, she exploded with an intense peaking feeling as her body trembled. "My goodness!" She panted while regaining her senses. I've just had an orgasm. Holy shite! Hermione quickly left the tub, dried, and slipped into bed feeling oddly guilty yet smug. "Had I known that I could do that myself, I would have done so before now. Brilliant," she mumbled aloud before drifting off to sleep.

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

"Well, someone has something wrong!" Hermione argued. "It says in Quidditch Through the Ages that Gunhilda Keen had to sit out of a Quidditch match due to a case of the Dragon Pox!"

"Be that as it may, it is stated in our history books that Chauncey Oldridge was the first victim of Dragon Pox. In fact, he has his very own Wizarding Trading Card, which clearly states as much," Severus said smugly.

"But, you agree about Keen sitting out of the Quidditch match?"

"Well, of course! It's an event in Quidditch history that was worthy of being noted. Not that it's of any interest in me. I do believe, however, that if you want to get proper credit on your project's accompanying essay," he said, overriding her comments, "then you'll need to get your information straight."

"Pardon me, Professor, but I think that you might want to take a look at this," she said in a bossy tone, thrusting a book into his hands. She moved closer to point out the paragraph for him.

"I know this already," he said snidely. "Keen had to sit out of his ruddy Quidditch match. What's are you getting at?"

"The date."

"In the 1100s, no exact date known. And?"

Hermione raised her hands in exasperation. "It's inconsistent! Oldridge was born in 1342, thanks. Therefore, he is not truly the first person to get this infliction."

"Insufferable, little know-it-all," Severus chided. "I shall be writing to the author of this book. Let's see. Whisp, is it? He must be mistaken. Keen was not..."

"He got the information from a personal letter that was found from Keen's cousin, Goodwin. Honestly! Didn't you read this?" she asked tartly.

Severus smirked for a moment. "Five points to Gryffindor for finding a discrepancy." Hermione beamed. "Three points from Gryffindor for your snide tone."

She opened her mouth to argue the point, but she decided against it. He was always so unfair about things. Just as she thought she'd gained points, he'd taken most of them away. She moved to snatch her book away, but he turned at the wrong moment with his hand out to grasp something from his desk. It never reached his desk. Instead, it neatly cupped her breast, causing them both to gasp and step back.

"Hermione, I..." He turned away from her. "I apologize. I didn't intend to...touch you."

"I moved at the wrong time. It...er...was an accident. No harm done," she said quietly, completely embarrassed. For one horrified moment, she thought that maybe she'd appalled him, but before he turned around, she saw something flicker in his eyes. Had he liked what he'd felt? She'd certainly felt an odd tingle in her stomach the moment his hand pressed and lingered against her breast. He was still facing away from her. "Severus?"

"Here," he said, turning to hand her the book. His eyes didn't meet hers as he moved around to sit behind his desk. "It's late."

She began picking up her things, watching him discreetly as she did so. She could see that he was embarrassed by what happened. He also seemed disappointed. Was it because nothing more could happen? Did he find her lacking? Suddenly a thought occurred to her. She moved to his desk. "I didn't mean to do that. I swear. I only meant to get my book, not throw myself at you." She wasn't so thick as to truly believe it was her fault, but she knew that saying so would make him talk. He would need to explain to her that it wasn't her fault, and she would ease him back into conversation. It was simple enough.

"Hermione, all I've done here is make us both feel uncomfortable. First, I made advances on you on Monday night, and now, I have inappropriately fondled you."

She slung her book bag over her shoulder. "I think that your hand accidentally lingering on my br-breast doesn't constitute fondling, Severus. If I felt uncomfortable, you would know it."

"Would I?"

"Yes," she said crisply. "I would tell you if I didn't like something. I've told Ron before when he did things I didn't like."

"I am no Weasley," he bit out indignantly. "Furthermore, I am not your lover. I am your professor here at Hogwarts, and I am trying to befriend you. Never confuse me with that boy again."

Hermione bit her lip for a moment and mustered enough courage to ask a question. "Sorry, sir. If I were not your student, would you want me?"

"Want you?" He raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

She felt immediately ridiculous. She had to have misread things. Her voice cracked as she said, "If I wasn't a girl to you any longer, would you want...something with me." For a long minute, she watched him as he looked her over appraisingly and thought over his reply.

Just as she nearly gave up on his answer, he said softly, "You are no longer just a girl in my eyes. Yes, I do want you, but unfortunately, you are a student. I think it would be for the best if you'd leave right now."

Hermione blinked a few times. He thinks of me as a woman. He wants me now, but I'm a ruddy student. She looked down at her body and imagined what it would feel like to have his hands caressing her, to have him do to her what she did to herself the previous night. How did she truly feel about that? Would Professor Snape, of all people at Hogwarts, be her future? Could she see herself lying with him? Kissing him? Loving him? A shiver ran up her spine. Her eyes moved up to meet his. "Yes, I will leave," she agreed finally. "Part of me wishes that I weren't your student." With that admittance, she quickly made her way out of his office.

Severus congratulated himself. He'd done everything perfectly. He'd heard the rustle of her robes and made sure that his hand landed where it had. He'd had to turn away from her for a few moments to school his features and will his erection to cease. And, the fact that she believed he meant no harm? That was most satisfactory. He looked to his hand and smirked. She would be thinking about it. She would also be thinking about his words. As her words would replay in his mind. Part of me wishes that I weren't your student.

Simply stated, that meant that part of her wanted him as well. Yes, things were progressing nicely. He was anxious for Saturday evening to see what would occur between them. The Quaffle was on her side of the pitch. All she had to do was grasp it and move.

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

The next few days passed quickly for Hermione, and it was nearing the time that she would be going down to the Great Hall for the evening meal. After that, she'd spend time with her professor. In class, he'd acted as if nothing had occurred, which was fine by her. It helped to ease her nervousness about seeing him again while alone. He was so unlike Ron.

Ron had wanted her, but he'd seemed to only be thinking of himself. If it had been Ron with her that day in the corridor instead of Professor Snape, he would have kissed her fully, touched her, invaded her, and tried to have her. The restraint that her newly found friend had when it came to her was really appealing. It was almost as if he wanted her to set the pace, her to make the first move. He'd pulled away even though he'd freely admitted that he did see her as a woman and wanted to have her in the most adult way.

She thought back to her interactions with him as of late. During the summer, he'd been pleasant when they'd meet at Grimmauld Place. They'd spent the night together, and he'd made no advances of any kind. He'd tried to console her and advise her about her situation with Ron. He'd made her feel like an equal, nearly anyway. He'd leaned in to kiss her one night and immediately apologized, saying he'd not do it again. Only, he did do it again, but he'd again restrained himself for her sake. Clearly the poor man was warring with his desire to do the right thing and his desire to reach out to her as a man would a woman. A man wants me. This is no inexperienced boy. This is a man who has undoubtedly had his share of experiences. He wants to show me how it feels to be a woman.

Hermione's stomach tingled slightly as she tried to imagine snogging Snape. His thin lips had been surprisingly kissable. The way he'd sucked on her lower lip, then her top lip before chastely kissing her fully on the lips continuously came to mind, even when she least expected it. She'd been in Charms the day before, practicing her wand movements when she thought about the kiss. It had caused her to flick incorrectly and shoot sparks at Bulstrode. His long, graceful hands were also appealing. She closed her eyes for a moment to reminisce. He'd accidentally cupped her breast, sending a jolt through her. It had been such a soft yet firm touch. There had been no harsh groping like with Ron. That deep baritone speaking softly near her ear was most enjoyable as well. Shamelessly, she thought of his hands on her breasts and her feminine parts as hers had been a few nights before. Would she want that with him? Yes, I honestly do want to be with him. I want him to be my first. As soon as she was no longer his student, she would tell him how she felt about him. Perhaps they could take this time to get to know each other better.

Hermione eyed the mirror curiously. What was it about her that had attracted him? She supposed it was the mutual enjoyment of poetry and reading. He was likely to be lonely and hadn't many people to talk to. Severus had made an effort to learn a Muggle poem by one of her favorite poets. That proved that his interest had started out on a friendly level, and he'd tried to impress her. Had he fancied her for a while, and since she'd only had eyes for Ron, she'd not noticed? No, I would have known. She shrugged the thoughts away and debated on venturing out into the common room. She went to her door and peeked out. Neville was there. "Good job," she whispered proudly, seeing him talking to Lavender and Parvati. She smiled, as it seemed that Lavender was flirting with him.

She didn't see Ron, so she exited from her room. She waved to a few people and made her way out into the corridor. She saw Ginny down to the far left turning down another corridor out of the way. It was one that was rarely used. Curious, Hermione went in the direction that her friend had taken. Once she made the turn, however, Ginny was not in sight. Deciding to walk through anyway, she began walking forward quickly, knowing a set of stairs waited at the end. When she neared the end, she heard Ginny giggle, but the corridor was empty. All of the doors appeared to be locked with standard Hogwarts warding. If someone were within, they'd try to add more wards. She went on without calling out, uncertain as to why she kept quiet. It seemed that Ginny was up to something. She'd have to find out exactly what it was. Halfway through the meal, Ginny came into the Great Hall and seemed a bit angry.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked quietly, trying to keep her question low enough so that only the pair heard it.

"Nothing," Ginny clipped. "I'll tell you later." She widened her eyes and nodded towards Ron to let Hermione know they were being listened to.

She looked over to where Ron sat. To her surprise, his eyes weren't on them but past them. Hermione turned slightly to see where his gaze had been. Her eyes settled on Pansy. She was laughing with Bulstrode about something and making room for Draco whom appeared to be just coming to the hall. Smug, pug-faced, Bitch, Hermione thought darkly. Having lost her appetite, she stood quickly. Ron's eyes moved back to hers, and she noticed remorse in his eyes. Not trusting her voice, she stalked out of the hall and moved towards the entryway, needing fresh air. The moment she reached the newly rising moonlight, a tear slid down her cheek.

What the hell was wrong with her? She'd fantasized and even gone as far as deciding that she'd make love to her Potions master one day, and here she was letting Ron's attentions to Pansy bother her. Instead of venturing towards the lake, she made her way towards Hagrid's hut, meaning to have a talk with him. The light was on in the window, like a beacon calling her home. She heard Fang's whimper. Halfway there, she stopped suddenly. Hagrid is dead. He was murdered. Grief for her lost friend overwhelmed her, and she fell to her knees as tears wracked her body. "Poor Hagrid," she mumbled. "Poor Grawp."

Strong arms came around her. "I'm sure they are in a more pleasant world now. A less discriminating one," purred a deep voice.

It was Severus of course. He'd followed her out onto the grounds. She leaned into him, snaking her arms around him. To her surprise, he rocked her slightly, saying, "Sshh."

When she could speak without an overly emotional voice, she said, "I miss him, the big lug. He was a good friend, an odd professor, but a good man. Always trying to find something good in everyone."

"He was." A hand lifted to wipe one of her cheeks. "Why were you going to see him?"

"I was upset. Harry isn't in the hall. Ron, well, I can't talk to him, as it's about him. Ginny, I don't know if she'll keep my secret," she admitted. "It was habit to come here. I expected him to be there to usher me in, make some horrible tea, and give me something horrible to eat that he'd cooked while he listened to my stupid, childish problems."

"Come," he said, pulling her up. "Let's go down to my quarters. Someone could happen upon us here."

She nodded and followed him back up to the castle. He slipped in through one of the side entrances and quickly went to a stairway that led to the dungeons. They didn't meet up with anyone for their entire walk. Severus' office had been changed around to accommodate them for the night. Her desk had been pulled next to his. It had been in the corner previously.

He shrugged. "I thought that you might like to sit closer and talk now and again."

She nodded and plopped down in her chair, putting her head in her hands. "I don't have my books," she whinged. "What an idiot!" She gasped suddenly as he pulled her up against him.

"I think for tonight, we can retire to my study," he said, looking into her eyes to gauge her reaction. Seeing no objection, he lifted his wand and warded the door. Taking care to guide her out of his other door that led to his chambers, they quickly left the office. He led her to his large settee before the dying fire, instructed her to lie down, and proceeded to take off her shoes.

Once done, he poured a glass of water and handed it to her. Hermione sipped the water quickly, touched that he was being so nice. "Thanks."

"I've the spare time if you'd like to talk to me," he offered, slowly unfastening his teaching robes.

Her eyes moved from his face to watch his hands as they effortlessly freed him of his extra clothing. "I...uh...well, see...Ron and I haven't talked much lately. It's been a little uncomfortable. I thought that I was fine about things." It had been easy to not think of Ron when she avoided him and thought of Severus instead. "But, when I saw him staring at Pansy earlier with such...longing, it hurt me. I mean, it wasn't that long ago that he looked at me that way." She sat up suddenly and scooted closer to him. "What if nobody ever looks at me that way again? What if I've passed up the only chance that I had for something more?"

"Someone will, Hermione," he replied, looking away from her, sounding wistful.

"Oh, right," she said sarcastically. "I imagine..." Words left her as Severus turned back to look at her. It was there. The longing. The look. Someone will, Hermione, she heard his voice echo. Slowly, she leaned in to press her lips against his for a soft chaste kiss.

He pulled away immediately and moved to stand. She placed a hand on his arm. "Hermione," he pleaded, "we can't."

She placed a finger over his lips. "I just want one kiss. Just for tonight. I'll go back to being a...student after. Please." She watched his brow furrow as he thought things through. She knew that he had an internal debate going on. Hermione swallowed and licked her lips nervously. Regardless of how friendly they were, he was still her professor. What she'd just done could have been a mistake! His eyes pierced hers momentarily, and she saw the resignation there. He was going to do it. He was really going to kiss her.

Ever so slowly, his head lowered as his lips sought hers. As with their previous kiss, he suckled her lower lip for a moment, and then did the same to her top lip before slightly nipping it. He then ventured to lick her lower lip. Impatiently, she parted her lips, and her tongue darted out to meet his. She tried to speed up his tongue's movements once it finally delved into her mouth, but the languid movements had her slowing down, enjoying the sensations, the taste of him, the feel of his hand on her cheek... She moaned slightly and felt herself being lowered onto the settee.

Her hands reached up to tangle in his hair. She dared not open her eyes, afraid she was dreaming. A slight tremor passed through her as his lips left hers to trail kisses along the exposed skin of her neck and then up to her earlobe. Gooseflesh rose up along her neck and arm. Tightening her hold on his hair, she whimpered, "Severus."

It was a mistake. He pulled away from her as if he'd been burned. Her eyes popped open, and she watched him collect himself. "Hermione..." he said. "Don't you understand that we can't go any farther? You are still my student."

"I won't be one day," she whispered.

"And, what of that day, Hermione? Are you going to want to waste your first couple of months of freedom with me?" he asked sarcastically.

She sat up. "I wouldn't see it as a waste. I have been thinking about..." She looked away.

"What have you been thinking about?" he asked, voice purring seductively.

"You. Me. Doing things."

He groaned and pulled her to him. His voice lowered to a whisper. "Don't say such things to me, Hermione. I am not unbreakable. Your words and actions," he looked down to her hand on his chest, "could easily break my resolve."

"I don't mean to. It frightens me and excites me at the same time. Does that make sense?" she asked, sounding confused.

Severus claimed her lips again, making sure to exert the right amount of pressure and speed. It wouldn't do to scare off his witch after such a large step had been taken. He was internally proud at the way he'd manipulated things thus far. She had been the one to make the move to kiss him. She had been eager, trying to rush their kiss, but he'd slowed her down. He wanted to be sure that he'd give her something to remember when she went back to her chambers.

You. Me. Doing things.

Her words had been so honest, so innocent. They'd brought many images to his mind, causing him to nearly throw her back down onto the settee and have his way with her. But, he couldn't. He had to take his time with her. If he pressed things, seduced her too early, she would regret it before long. He needed her to burn for him, to want to be devoured by him, before he would take her. He also needed time to find a reason for her to drop his class. She'd no longer be his student that way. Dumbledore had brought that to mind. Thanks, Albus, he thought snidely.

Bringing his attention back to the witch beneath him, he pulled away, breaking off the kiss, instead placing soft kisses on the corners of her mouth and cheeks. Her hungry little mouth opened for more, but he ignored it by running the pad of his thumb along her lower lip. When her eyes slitted open, she gave him a beatific smile. He felt his world shift and knew at that moment that he would never let her go no matter what. If he had to kill the Dark Lord or Potter himself, he would have her...for always. One corner of his mouth quirked up slightly, giving her a partial grin.

"Make no mistake, Hermione Granger. There is another who will always look upon you and desire you to be his own."

She hugged him closely for a few long moments before finding her voice. Her mouth was buried into his shirt, but he could make out her muffled words. "I've never felt that way before."

"You've never let a man kiss you," he said.

"That day...at Grimmauld Place," she began, voice shaky, "did you think badly of me? Or, is that why you've...seen me differently?"

"I assure you, Hermione, that at that particular moment, I had already thought you special. I hated that you would waste yourself to a life with Weasley, but it was not my place to say anything." He pretended to sigh as he pulled her to him more tightly. "It's still not my place. This one night cannot be repeated. If the students learnt of this, it would be the end of our...friendship."

She nodded and continued to hold him. "I really needed this...and you."

He tried to lighten the mood. "You didn't dare kiss Hagrid, did you?"

Hermione began giggling. "Of course not." She sighed. "I wonder if Madame Maxine regrets losing touch with him. They did love each other."

"I would imagine that she does miss him and wishes that things could have turned out differently for them. Sometimes people let good things slip right by," he mused. I'm glad that I took notice of you when I did, or you may have slipped by me. "I think you should go back to your chambers, Hermione. I wouldn't want things to get out of hand."

"They wouldn't," she said naively.

"You have too much faith in me." She shrugged and laughed but remained silent. "Come on." He stood, pulling her up with him.

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

"Is this so wrong?" she asked, embracing him tightly.

"I am sure on some level it is, and from certain perspectives, it would be." He smoothed back her hair gently. "We are only supposed to be friends, Hermione. Don't take my loneliness to mean anything more than it is. We are doing this, as friends, to make the Dark Lord believe that I am following orders."

"But, won't these real memories help a little? You won't have to build fake memories if you have these," she said hopefully.

"There are other memories that he will eventually want to see, and I want to be sure that those are all fake. Doing this," he said firmly, squeezing her for effect, "may lead us to a place we are not ready to venture to. May never be ready to venture to. Do you understand?"

"I suppose," she said disappointedly. "Though, you are contradicting yourself. You said you wanted me. You said you'd always desire me. Now you are saying that you may never be ready. I mean wha..."

His lips cut her words short, momentarily stunning her. He ground his lower half into her stomach. "Feel that, do you?" he asked, eyebrow raised. "I do want you. I fear that you may never be ready for me, and I choose not to dare to hope for something more. You've your entire life ahead of you. I shan't influence you in any way."

"I...I do feel it," she said, eyes wide. She mumbled to herself, "You'll find that I can influence myself, thanks."

He chuckled slightly. "Time to go, Hermione. You've no books. There will be questions if you are gone too long." Severus walked her through his office and out to the corridor. He nodded his head. "Good evening, Miss Granger," he intoned cordially.

"Good night, Professor," she said, starting back to Gryffindor Tower. As she climbed the stairs, she heard something behind her. She turned and found herself staring at an angry Ginny.

"You lied to me!" the redhead said hotly. "It was him. He sent the flower and the parchment! Inappropriate! I'll say."

"What are you going on about?" Hermione asked, her insides bursting with sudden fear. Did Ginny know that she'd just been with Snape? Did she truly believe him to be the sender?

"I followed you when you left the Great Hall earlier. I thought you'd need a friend. Looks like you've got one already! Snape!"

"Lower your voice, Ginny. It's not what you think," Hermione warned.

"I'll bloody well talk as loud as I want," she said, face turning as red as her hair. "This started the night you two were paired off together? You've been playing the hurt party in the relationship, but you're no better than Ron! You're just like Tonks!"

"What?"

"You're just like..."

"Obliviate!" Draco Malfoy said from behind her.

Hermione pulled her wand. "Back off, Malfoy!"

He shook his head in amusement and put his wand away, smirking at her attempt to hold her wand steady while trying to hold up Ginny. Ginny's blank eyes stared at them, and she swayed slightly. "It's for your own good, Granger. Can't let her blab about your relationship with Snape, now can I? He's got a reputation to uphold and all of that."

"You just modified the memory of a student! That is grounds for expulsion."

"So is fucking a professor."

"We are not!" she said desperately.

Ginny spoke. "Mione?"

Before Hermione could speak, Draco stepped forward. "Are you all right, Ginny? You took a little tumble on the last few stairs. Granger here patched up your bruises, but you seem a bit disoriented."

"Draco? Nothing hurts. It was just blurry for a minute there," she said, looking around.

"What's the last thing your remember?" he asked kindly.

Hermione couldn't believe her ears or eyes. They were on a first name basis? What the hell was going on here? Malfoy had his hand on Ginny's shoulder and was looking into her eyes. Ginny was smiling at him shyly.

"I was in the Great Hall eating. Ron had upset Hermione, so I went to follow her out. Before that, you and I were talking in the corridor near the library. It's all fuzzy," she said.

"Good thing that Granger came upon you during her rounds. I'd say you've lost a good hour. Pardon us, Granger. I'll walk her to see Madame Pomfrey." He winked at her and smirked arrogantly.

"What are you playing at, Malfoy?" she asked, not hiding her mistrust.

"Just following orders," he drawled, raising an eyebrow.

"What orders would those be?" she asked immediately.

"Oh, you know, the ones that say we should all try to get along, especially since we have common interests. That'll do, Granger," he added warningly when she opened her mouth again. "I'll take Ginny over to the Infirmary now."

Ginny smiled. "I'll see you later, Mione, and thanks. Glad you are feeling better."

Hermione simply nodded, unsure of what to do. She knew that she should follow them, but to what purpose? It was clear that Draco had been told by his father or perhaps even Voldemort about Severus' plan to befriend her. The threat of exposure was there, but would he actually say something? She doubted it, but would take no chances. He'd been protecting her, sort of. Well, no, protecting his Head of House and fellow Dark Lord follower. She was confused. It was something that she'd have to talk to Severus about the next time they were alone.

Southern's Notes Well, this is a little long, but I had a couple of things I wanted to bring up and hopefully answer. I think that Dumbledore had every right to be upset about the goings on. Being lied to, not being consulted with, and a student fraternizing with a professor are just a few things to peeve someone in his position. Severus' plan is moving right along, and now Hermione is interested in joining in the fun. She's confused and a bit needy, but she's not all that naïve. Not like he thinks anyway. More up on that later.