Wanting More Than His Duty

Disclaimer: I've borrowed some of J.K.R.'s characters and am using them in a little tale.

I'd like to thank my brilliant beta, Charmed Nay, for finding the time to beta for me, even though she has a busy schedule lately.

Hermione nodded towards Harry. "I just thought you ought to know that Harry has just made a big decision, and it may be of some concern to you."

"Indeed?" Snape asked, arching a quizzical eyebrow.

"How's my decision have anything to do with him?" Harry asked, unable to keep quiet. He couldn't believe that she was telling Snape about their personal business. And what was the point? Snape hated them and hated having them there.

"Because, Harry," Hermione began, still looking at Snape, "it's his duty to keep an eye on us, so if you are going to be sharing my room with me," at this, Snape choked on his toast and then coughed, "then he should know that and be prepared for it."

What she'd said made sense to him, but he hated that Snape would realize exactly what was going on. That wasn't any of his business. He joined Hermione in glancing at Snape to see what he had to say. The man was paler than normal and seemed at a loss for words.

"Well?" Hermione finally prompted.

Snape laid his paper aside and said curtly, "So long as you two don't go traipsing about the grounds, I am quite certain that you can... entertain each other in your quarters if you so choose." He stood and placed his napkin onto his plate over his unfinished toast.

"Now, look! See!" Harry said indicating towards Snape. "Now, he's gone off his breakfast. There was no need to tell him anything!"

"Why, Potter, I had no idea that you cared," Snape retorted sarcastically. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you two children to your games." That said, he turned on his heel and left the room.

Harry grinned. "Good riddance."

Hermione simply nodded and continued to stare at the door as if she expected Snape to walk back in.

"Seemed to be in a right jolly mood before that." He snickered. "Maybe telling him about us, giving him such distasteful imagery, and ruining his breakfast was a good idea."

"Oh, shove off, Harry," Hermione said, jumping up and leaving the room.

"What did I say?" Harry asked aloud, shrugging when she didn't turn back. If he didn't know better, he'd think that she was disappointed at Snape's lack of interest in their living arrangements. "Even I'm not that thick," he mumbled to himself. Things had certainly been easier when Ron was alive. No, they'd been much easier when Ginny was alive. He should have never allowed her out of his sight for a moment. He should have never allowed Ron to leave his side either.

His smile faded. Ron had been Hermione's boyfriend, but so much of what he did and said reminded Harry of Ginny that he'd impulsively kissed him without thinking of the consequences or what Hermione would say about it. Ron had pulled away, face aghast for a moment while he moved his hand back and forth in front of Harry's face as if checking his eyesight, asking, "You all right there, Harry? You just bloody kissed me. I'm a bloke, you know!"

Harry had replied, "I just... I need you right now. You're so like her..."

Realization had lit Ron's eyes, and he'd looked disturbed for a moment. However, he hadn't pulled away when Harry leaned forward again. Ron had allowed the kiss and had tentatively responded. Once it was over, he'd stood and said, "Just give me some time."

Before Harry knew it, Hermione had found him and forced him to have a long bloody conversation about his feelings for Ginny and Ron... and her. Blinking and letting the memories fade away, Harry sighed. He loved Hermione and wanted to be with her, but he felt as if it wasn't right...not with Ron gone. When Ginny had died, he'd sworn that he'd never let another woman take her place. However, when Ron was in the picture, it seemed all right that he cared for Hermione in that way. Now, things were back where they were...only worse. He needn't make Hermione suffer. She'd lost someone she'd loved as well, and he felt pretty shitty for not being there for her. Whether he liked it or not, he would be with her and have to learn to accept things. She was all he had left.

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Severus was utterly annoyed. He and Hermione...Miss Granger...had come to an agreement. They would be cordial in front of others, but they'd decided to carry on a sexual relationship privately, as they'd found contentment, companionship, and satisfaction in their one night together. Why not carry on a bit? They were both consenting adults, were they not? If Potter was now trying to get things started again between them, then that certainly took him out of the picture, didn't it?

He was uncertain what game she was playing with him at breakfast. Had she been hoping he'd throw down his napkin, draw his wand, and demand that Potter duel him to win her affections? He snorted. "I certainly hope not." He'd initially believed she was letting him down easy...with Potter as an unknowing witness...so as to keep things peaceful. "However," he mused aloud, "now that I've had time to think on it, I do believe she was giving me fair warning or inviting me to speak up."

As hard as he could, he kicked a nearby chair, pausing to watch it fly across the room. What did he really want? He knew for certain that he wanted to sleep with her again. Don't you mean fuck, Severus? There wasn't much sleeping involved last night.

Sitting down at his desk, he placed one hand under his chin as he began thinking of something he could do...unbeknownst to either of them...that would get Potter to change his mind again, sending Hermione back to his bed. There was one problem. Had he gone too far by calling them children earlier? She was bright. She would understand that was just his uncertainty and disappointment talking.

"Draco," he mumbled suddenly, as his eyes took in the short note the boy had sent him days prior. "That's it." He'd just realized what he needed to do. He summoned a quill to him and replied to the parchment the boy had sent.

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Severus entered Hermione's chambers unannounced and didn't particularly care if he caught them in a precarious position. All the candles had been extinguished save two. The bedroom looked, if anything, even danker and gloomier than it had on first sight. The blank picture on the wall was now breathing very slowly and deeply, as though its invisible occupant was asleep.

Neither Potter nor Hermione were in bed, so he paused, not entering the room completely. Where were they? He wanted to let them know that a guest had arrived and intended to pass a few nights with them. His gaze darkened even more as he thought of what it had taken to bribe Draco into coming to attempt to keep Potter occupied. After all, if the boys drank themselves into oblivion, Potter wouldn't be up to something in Hermione's bedroom. No, he'd be fast asleep in his own chambers under the watchful eyes of Draco.

As he turned to search elsewhere, he heard a small laugh. He'd not checked the small adjoining bathroom that the headmaster had installed. He crept forward stealthily and peered into the room through the crack between the door and the doorjamb.

Hermione was resting back against the wall of the bath, naked breasts jutting out over the sudsy water in front of her, while Potter sat behind her on the ledge, feet and legs dangling in on either side of her. He was kneading her hair with his hands, lathering shampoo throughout.

"Have you ever thought of cutting this mess off?" the boy asked playfully, tugging on her soaped locks.

She'd better not, thought Snape, realizing that he liked the way her hair looked while she moved with abandon and hadn't minded that her hair fanned out over his chest and pillow while she'd laid her head against him.

"No, I'm quite fond of it, thanks," she replied, handing him a tall glass of water. "Rinse."

Gently, the boy began pouring the water over her tilted back head, refilling the cup and pouring again until all suds were gone. From another plastic bottle, he used conditioner to tame the wet knots and tangles.

"I always did like doing this," he said. "It so relaxing."

"I know. It nearly puts me to sleep when you do it." She sighed in contentment. "It's times like this that I really miss Ron."

Potter snorted. "He'd be spraying us right about now."

"Getting your underpants wet!" Hermione giggled.

"Yeah, he never could understand why I didn't feel comfortable going around half-dressed even if it was just us." He looked down at his underpants. "They're still a bit wet anyway."

"What do you expect, you berk? It's a bath!"

They laughed and continued to chatter. Severus backed away from the doorway, not wanting to disturb them. Perhaps it was wrong of him to be so selfish and to try to monopolize her time. He merely wanted sex from her. It seemed that the boy could give her much more than he ever could. There would be no gentle baths and long talks of past happenings if she stayed with him upon occasion. There would only be sex and some companionship... Well, maybe a little talking, and possibly a bath wouldn't hurt.

He frowned. This amour was quite unintentional. Perhaps happening upon them at such a peaceful moment was meant to be, for if he hadn't seen how comfortable they looked with each other, how well-suited they seemed, he'd have done all he could to break that apart... while they stayed at the castle with him anyway. After that, it wouldn't matter what they did, as they'd be out of his sight and out of his mind.

Severus turned around and tripped over a pair of trainers. "Shite!" he blurted as he failed to balance himself and hit the cold floor.

"Who's there?" Hermione called from the bathroom.

"Snape?" Potter's voice joined with hers. "I'll go see."

As quickly as he could, Severus scrambled up and made his way to the door just as the bathroom door creaked open behind him. He spun around and attempted to look as if he'd just walked in and hadn't seen the pair of them in such a cozy position.

"Er... what do you want?" Potter asked, quickly closing the door behind him to hide Hermione from view.

Snape looked down at his skinny body and mostly wet underpants. "Bad time?" he snapped.

"Yes," Potter said nastily. "What is it?"

Feigning indignation, Severus said, "I thought to be cordial and invite the pair of you for drinks in my sitting room. Draco has come to spend a few nights with us and is looking for company." He turned and went to the tapestry that covered the entrance to the passageway. "If you decide to join us, I shall see you then."

Harry watched as the man disappeared behind the tapestry and frowned. Snape had come in through the doorway, but he'd gone out a secret entrance. He looked at the door behind him where Hermione was splashing around in the large bath. Something seemed odd, and it wasn't the man's flush. No, it was something else, but he couldn't really place it. He shrugged and thought about Draco. He hadn't seen him in weeks. Draco had tried to help Ron. Maybe he should talk Hermione into joining Draco and, unfortunately, Snape for a few drinks. What could go wrong?

Southern's Notes: I hope that nobody minds that I've brought Draco into the mix. That is CocoaChristy's fault. She put that idea in my head months ago, and well, here he is. However, at least the road looks a bit clearer for our "main" couple, eh? If Snape loses his newly found conscience, that is.

HP and the OotP quote: The bedroom looked, if anything, even danker and gloomier than it had on first sight. The blank picture on the wall was now breathing very slowly and deeply, as though its invisible occupant was asleep.

Yes, I cheated and used two sentences. The one before my quote was so perfect that I had to filch that one, too. Muahahaha!