Eleven

A/N: With this chapter, we're about halfway through our tale. I've just finished chapter 19, and I think there's 2 or 3 more to go before I'm finished. We've got some pesky plot to get through at the moment, but I promise I'll make it up to you. Oh, yes, I will. ;)

Smooches to my awesome readers, and big sloppy kisses to those who take the time to review. No beta- all mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: They are not mine; I only take them out to play.

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They snuggled on the sofa for a time, sleepy and sated. Eventually, Steven looked at his watch and groaned.

"It's late, Hermione. I'd better go."

"You could stay."

"Not tonight, sweetheart. You're exhausted and so am I, but if I stay, I daresay neither one of us is going to get any sleep. I have the bookshop tomorrow morning until four. Then Marta relieves me."

"Will I see you tomorrow?"

"But of course. I'll buy you dinner and then let you take me home so you can have your wicked way with me."

His expression was so sultry that she laughed with pure joy. "I'll miss you, but I'll pass the time making a list of all the things I want to do to you."

"Good Lord," he groaned. "You're going to be the death of me, but what a delightful way to go. If you miss me, you can always come by the shop early. You'll be dreadfully distracting, but I can't say as I'd mind."

"I will come early. And I will miss you."

She walked him to the door and he kissed her sweetly.

"Until tomorrow," he murmured.

"Until tomorrow."

As much as she wanted him to stay, he was correct. She was exhausted. And he did have to work. Co-owners of a shop couldn't call in sick like other employees. Dragging herself to bed, she undressed quickly and slid under the covers. She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Despite her late night, she woke at her usual time. Always a morning person, she rarely slept in unless she was ill or up to all hours reading. She puttered around the house for a while, tidying up, making and eating a simple breakfast, and mentally making a list of every sensual thing she wanted to do to Steven, or have him do to her.

She showered and dressed with care, thinking about her upcoming dinner with Steven. She chose trousers and a blouse today, not wanting to show up in yet another sundress. The trousers showed off her curves and were made of a soft material that she thought would feel good against Steven's hands if he caressed her. The top was a simple knit but it had a daring neckline that showed off the top swell of her breasts. Checking herself in a conjured full-length mirror, she decided she looked good.

Good enough to eat.

She snickered out loud at that thought, memories of Steven's talented tongue making her squirm in anticipation. It was going to be so difficult to wait until after dinner to get her hands on him again.

Looking at the clock, she was shocked and disappointed to see it was only quarter past ten in the morning. There was no way she could go to the bookshop this early. Much as she wanted to see Steven, that was his place of business. It wasn't appropriate for her to lurk around his shop all day like a besotted mooncalf.

Well, if she couldn't see him yet, she could at least talk about him. A nice heart to heart with Ginny would be exactly the thing. That is if it wasn't too early for her redheaded friend.

Unwarding her floo, she fire-called the Potter's.

"Hey, Hermione," Gin said cheerfully. "What's up?"

"I could really use a cup of coffee and some girl talk. You have the time?"

"Are you kidding? The kids are with mom and dad, and Harry's out researching something to do with Snape. Your timing is perfect! Come on through and I'll put the kettle on."

The floo tumbled her out and she followed Gin into the kitchen.

"So," Gin began, waggling her eyebrows, "You get further than snogging tall, dark, and snarky yet?"

"Oh, yes. Yes, I did. No main event yet, but sweet Merlin."

"Hang on. Let's get this coffee sorted and get settled on the sofa and you can tell me all the gory details."

"Thank heaven Harry isn't here."

"I know, right?"

Giggling they filled their mugs and Ginny grabbed a plate of chocolate cupcakes before they headed back to the living room.

"All right." Ginny grabbed a cupcake and settled in. "Tell me everything."

"He went down on me," Hermione blurted, and then slapped a hand over her mouth as she blushed.

"He did, did he? Any good?"

"Fuck yeah. Bloody brilliant. Bloody brilliant five times."

"Five times?" Ginny squealed. "Damn, woman, Harry's only managed three, and that was a record-breaking night."

"Nothing wrong with three."

"I wasn't complaining. But five? I had the feeling Severus, or Steven, whatever, was inexperienced. Harry said when you kissed him in the bookshop, Severus acted as if he'd been at the wrong end of a basilisk."

It was different talking alone with her girlfriend than talking to both her and her husband. Hermione didn't mind being honest with her friend. She knew Ginny wouldn't tell anyone else, not even Harry. Well, that was mostly because Harry truly didn't want to hear about it.

"He was, Gin. He hadn't even kissed anyone before I got a hold of him. He was so unsure at first...more than willing, but frustrated because he didn't know what to do."

"He must be a fast learner," Gin said with a wicked grin.

"He's really motivated to learn," she replied with a grin of her own.

"But five times? And that was the first time he lowered his hot, hard tongue to the pearl of pleasure that guards your hidden caves?"

"You've been reading those trashy books again."

"I love those trashy books."

"Yes," Hermione said. "That was the first time he ever went down on anyone. And I couldn't even tell him what to do, you know?"

"Oh, yeah. I have no idea at all what Harry's doing down there with his mouth. I just know it feels awesome. So, he just figured it out like that? And then, bam, five orgasms?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"You lucky bitch!"

"I am. I really am."

"But he hasn't entered your hot, wet cave with his throbbing, rampant dragon yet?"

"Enough with the purple prose! And no, we haven't gone that far yet. We were pretty busy last night."

"I guess so, what with all the oral sex. You do him?"

"Oh, yeah. Twice. He really liked it."

"Of course he did. They all do. Is he hung, or what?"

"Yeah...he's big, I think. You know I don't have a herd of penises to compare him to, right?"

"Is he bigger than Harry?"

"Gin! I don't know that and I don't want to know that! Harry's my friend."

"Well, how big is he? Come on, spill!"

Hermione held her hands apart at what she thought was the proper distance.

"Bigger than Harry," Ginny admitted, her eyes going a little wide. "But not by much. Harry's hung for a man his height. I mean, really."

They both dissolved into giggles at that.

"You know, Hermione, normally all the oral sex would lead immediately to wet caves and rampant dragons. So, what's the holdup?"

Hermione filled her friend in on the talk she had had with Severus. How he'd ended up in the hospital, the dying friend, the bookshop. Then she told her about Steven figuring out that she knew him from before, and how she had balked at telling him about her magic.

"You should have told him. It was the perfect time. He was open and willing, not to mention all relaxed from the oral sex."

"I know I should have. He deserves to know. I freaked out, Gin, and blubbered all over him. I'm so frightened I'll lose him."

"Sweetie, Snape was a bastard at school, but he was fucking brilliant and brave as a hippogriff. I can't imagine he's all that different as Steven. The brilliant and brave part, not the bastard part. I truly can't imagine him giving up something he wants because he's afraid of your magic. He might need some time to get used to the idea, but I don't think he's going to run away screaming like you have the black plague."

"He said there is nothing I can tell him that would make him turn away from me."

"You need to trust him."

"That's what he said."

"Hermione, you'll have to tell him if we have any hope of restoring his memories."

"Yeah, I know," Hermione said with a sigh.

"Don't you want him to remember?"

"Of course I do, Gin. He deserves to have his life back. I'm just afraid, and I'm not used to being a coward. I love Steven. I'll love him if he's a Muggle. I even believe he could love me if I was magical and he wasn't. I'll love him if he's Severus Snape. But what about Severus? If he's Severus Snape again, powerful Wizard, cunning spy...hung like a horse, apparently...why in the world would he want me?"

"Because he's in love with you, you dope. You really need to learn to trust him. I can't imagine Steven ever letting you go, and Severus Snape is as fierce and stubborn as you. He's going to latch onto you with both hands, and I pity the witch or wizard that ever tries to hurt you."

Their conversation was interrupted by a flash of green light from Ginny's floo. Ron tumbled to the floor, and then stood and dusted himself off.

"Hermione! I've been looking for you!" The redhead gave her an affectionate leer. "Looking good, as always."

"Hello, Ron." Her voice was civil but held little warmth.

"You know, I wanted to talk to you about us. I know we were fighting, but I really think we should put our differences aside and give it another try. I tried to come see you last night, but your floo was off. You having trouble with it?"

"No Ron, I turned it off. I had company." Give it another try her arse. Now she had a man that actually paid attention to her. She wasn't about to lose that for the likes of Ronald Weasley.

"You had company? But it was almost midnight?"

"Yes. I had company. In my flat. At night. I'm sorry, Ron, but I've moved on. You should learn to do the same. I am not interested in getting back together with you."

"What?" Ron practically shouted. "You had company, in your house all night? But you're my girl!"

"In case it has escaped your notice, I haven't been your girl in some time. You no longer have any right to dictate who I do and do not spend time with."

She could feel her anger building. His attitude was ridiculous. The man had always done what he wanted, when he wanted, and simply assumed she would go along. Their breakup had saddened her, but it had also been a huge relief. She'd been happier alone than with Ron, and there was no comparison where Steven was concerned. Steven made her feel joyous. She wouldn't give that up for anything or anyone.

"Damn it, Hermione!" Ron shouted.

Ginny was a demon when it came to jinxes. Before Hermione even realized the wand was in her friend's hand, there was a flash of blue sparks and Ron slumped unconsciously to the floor.

"Sorry about that, Hermione. I've told the stubborn idiot that he's to call first before coming over, but you know what he's like when he's got an idea in his head. Harry and I told him last night you weren't interested in getting back together, but he's like a dog with a bone. I didn't think he'd show up today, though."

"It's not your fault, Gin. He's spoken to me a couple of times since we broke up, and I've told him it's never going to happen. He keeps talking like it's already decided and won't listen to a word I say."

"He's my brother and I love him, but he's an idiot. You'd better go before the spell wears off. I'll try to talk to him again when he comes round, not that it will do any good. Next time, we'll talk at your place. Oh, and Hermione, ward your floo after you get home. He's stupid enough to go straight through. We wouldn't want him to interrupt any oral dissertations."

"Merlin, no. We wouldn't want that."

After thanking her friend, Hermione headed home, turning off her floo behind her. She had lunch and then puttered around a little more. At one o'clock, she decided it was time to go to see Steven at last. It was still early, but not ridiculously so. With a happy smile, she apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.