Decisions

Disclaimer: All characters are for J.K.R. of course. Plot thought of by Betz. The other stuff belongs to me!

As always, a big thanks to the brilliant Charmed Nay for being my beta!

Severus frowned at the parchment in front of him. It was Lonnie. She was angry that he had called off all future meetings. Apparently, she and her husband had decided to go their separate ways for a couple of months to see if they could be happier. She had hopes of seeing more of Libertine. Lonnie seemed to not care that he'd found someone else. She thought that continuing their affair was appropriate. He crumpled the letter and threw it to his fireplace. He never noticed that it didn't go into the fire. Instead, it had hit the stone and rolled under a chair.

He was too occupied with his other parchment. It was from client number one. The one who had reminded him of Hermione until she opened her mouth. Severus decided to try a different tactic with this one. He'd been blunt with Lonnie and said that he'd found a permanent lover. This one though... she deserved a bit more than that. He scribbled a short, meaningful letter quickly. It was Wednesday night, and he'd heard that Potter and friends were heading into town for a drink to celebrate one of the Weasley brothers' impending fatherhood. Severus smirked. He'd love to accidentally spill the news that their only sister was pregnant and unsure who'd sired her unborn child...just for spite. Well, no, he wouldn't. That would just be more trouble for Draco and the girl. She had always been nice to him. There was no reason to ruin her just to spite Potter.

Hoping to catch a glimpse of Hermione wandering about Hogsmeade, he quickly made his way to the front gates to prepare to Apparate. "Good evening, Severus," Hermione said jovially. "I'm just off to Hogsmeade. Where are you off to?"

"The same," he answered. They'd not had a chance to talk alone since she'd given him the little note on Sunday morning. He'd not replied to her, but he knew he should have. He decided to make a bold move. "Would you like to just walk down with me? It's a nice night."

Hermione was taken aback. She'd poured a piece of her soul onto a parchment Sunday morning, and she'd not heard from him. Of course, there had always been someone about when they'd met up, but maybe this walk would enable them to clear the air. "I would love to walk in with you." She snaked her arm under his.

He hadn't been expecting that, but he loosened up, allowing her to keep her hand upon him.

"What is bringing you into town?"

"I have the need to visit the Apothecary," he lied quickly. "You look... nice. What brings you to Hogsmeade?"

"Percy and Penelope have finally found out that she is with child! They've been trying for a long time. Just a couple of rounds for Percy, and then we'll come back to the castle." She smiled and stopped. "Severus, would you... like to come? With me?"

His first impulse had been to decline flatly, but the hopeful look in her eyes changed his mind. "Maybe after I am finished attending to my errands, I could meet you."

"I could just come with you," she offered. "I'm already late anyway. A little longer won't matter to me, and at least I'll have someone to walk in with."

Severus needed to mail his letter, but this was more important. He would just double back later or wait until the morning to mail the letter. "It won't take long."

Hermione beamed for the entire walk to Hogsmeade. Severus kept her arm in his and guided her proudly through the streets. He met the gazes of some witches and wizards that he knew straight on, daring them to comment or act rudely to the beauty at his side. His beauty. He had only hoped to catch a glimpse of her this evening, and now he was escorting her to a pub. Was this a date? He was unsure.

"I'll just wait out here, Severus. You can order your things in peace."

"Very well. I shall return shortly," he said, moving to the entrance of the Apothecary. Hermione sat on a bench to wait for him. Was this a date? She smiled broadly. How had she mustered up the courage to ask him to accompany her? She'd seen the look of refusal in his eyes before he'd surprised her by accepting her offer.

"Hello, Hermione," a male voice said. She looked up into the eyes of Charlie Weasley. He was stockier than ever, and his hair was neatly cropped. "I wanted to talk to you about your owl."

"I wasn't aware that you would be here this night," Hermione said uneasily.

"Well, Bill told me about it. I was quite shocked that I hadn't been invited. I would have thought that Ron or Harry would have wanted me to come." Charlie sat next to her. "What happened between us was a misunderstanding, you know. I never meant to hurt you. Mum was right. I shouldn't have gossiped about what happened, and I shouldn't have called you those names. I guess it just bruised my ego a little."

Hermione nodded. "Apology accepted, Charlie. It took a lot of courage for you to talk to me about this. I'm sure you must understand that I was shocked to learn what you were calling me."

Charlie snorted. "Well, you did freeze up suddenly, but you're right. That was our business. I shouldn't have told them about it."

"Freeze up?" she asked incredulously. "No one asked you to sneak into my bed in the first place!"

"Hang on," he said with a laugh. "I told you I wanted to take you to bed, and you nodded your agreement. Once things heated up, you froze up. It's all right. I should have taken a little more time with you."

"You're disgusting. I told you I thought you had a bed for me to use, not share. I would suggest that you be sure that your attention is wanted next time," she said haughtily.

"Next time I'll be sure not to ask a frigid, little girl to my bed. One that won't back out when I'm an inch from delving into her knickers. One that won't freeze up, and then try to run... oof!"

Out of nowhere, Severus had come before them and his fist landed on Charlie's face, knocking him back off the bench. Hermione jumped up to hold Severus back while a stunned Charlie collected himself.

"What the...?"

"Never speak to a lady that way, boy," Severus growled. "You owe Miss Granger an apology. Now."

"Professor Snape! I didn't know you participated in Muggle dueling! As far as Hermione and I, well, we were just discussing..." Charlie gulped as Severus took a step forward. He looked hastily to Hermione. "I apologize for being rude, Hermione. My blunt tongue runs away from me at times." They stood in silence as Charlie brushed off his robes and wiped his bleeding nose. He walked away quickly.

"Severus, I'm sorry," Hermione said.

Feeling like a jealous fool, Severus nodded briskly. "I think I would rather return to the castle. I shall escort you to the pub before I go."

Fighting back tears, Hermione said, "I think I've changed my mind as well. Bill invited him. I would never have agreed to go if I'd known he was going to be there."

Severus smirked and extended his arm to her once again. He glared at the few people who had gathered around to see if anything else would happen. The trek back to the castle was a quiet one.

Finally, Hermione mustered the courage to speak. "Did you... hear what we were saying, Charlie and I?"

"Mostly," he said, not looking at her.

"It's true. I hadn't known he wanted... anything. I thought he offered me a place to sleep without having to wake my friends. I didn't know..." She grimaced. She must sound ridiculous to a man such as Severus.

"Hermione, you have nothing to explain to me. I fear I should not have struck him, but he was practically begging for it. There was no reason to say all of those things. Not to a woman," Severus said. His hand ached, but he didn't want her to know. He would slip off to see Madam Pomfrey when they returned to the castle.

"All the same, thanks. I really appreciated you taking up for me," she said as they entered the grounds. "I think I'll be off for a walk." She reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek. She turned to walk away when he pulled her back.

"Hermione, I'm not used to... this. It will just take a little time, but I've read over your letter numerous times. I liked what you had to say," he admitted softly. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but he feared suddenly that she would realize he was Libertine. Severus needed to put some time between the scorching kisses they'd shared already and the ones they would be sharing on their trip. This weekend would be hard for him, being with her but not touching her.

He pulled her hand to his lips, kissing each fingertip softly, allowing his tongue to briefly glide out on each. "There is nothing more that I would like than to spend time alone with you." He smirked when she shivered. Yes, he did have that effect on women, didn't he?

Speaking of women, he had to owl that letter. As soon as she went off to the lake, he would double back to take care of that. It wouldn't do to not give the witch some closure. She might never stop owling him if that would be the case. Caressing her face gently with the backside of his free hand, he said, "Have a good evening, Hermione."

She nodded and scurried off towards the lake. Once she sat at her favorite spot, she brought the fingers he'd kissed to her mouth. His tongue had been there! His lips! He'd read her note over and again and had liked it. Anticipation for their trip collided with anxiety. Charlie's words had bothered her more than she let on. Next time I'll be sure not to ask a frigid, little girl to my bed, he had said.

But Severus didn't seem to mind, and he had heard what Charlie had said. He must realize that she'd never made love to anyone. The memory of his mouth expertly kissing her fingers came back to her, and her insides tingled again. Libertine. She had to talk to him. Saturday couldn't come fast enough.

Where Hermione couldn't see Libertine until the weekend, she could talk to Ginny. She hurried to her quarters, and Flooed her friend. "Can you come through?" she asked hopefully.

"Sure, just let me see Draco out," Ginny said softly, disappearing from the grate. Moments later, Ginny stepped into her room. "What's wrong? You seem upset."

Hermione quickly told her about Charlie and then Severus. Ginny plunked down into a chair. "I cannot believe that idiot had the audacity to say those things to you. I am so sorry, Hermione, but at least Professor Snape was there to defend you. It sounds as if he is really taken with you."

"I think he might be, Ginny. That is what has me worried. What if we are together and it happens? What if I mess things up somehow?" Hermione bit her lip while thinking. "I mean, I really don't want to give him a bad first impression."

"Hermione, he is an experienced man. I am sure he'll have you excited and ready to go. You'll not think of leaving. You want him in a way that you never wanted Charlie. It will be different. You'll see," Ginny said wisely. "Think about it. He heard what Charlie said and still snogged your fingers."

The two laughed for a while before Hermione spoke. "I'm going to see Libertine again this weekend."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Really? Didn't you learn enough last Saturday night?" The redhead howled with laughter for a few moments while Hermione smirked. "I mean you gave the man a test after all. What is left?"

"I've come to a decision," Hermione said quietly, as if fearing someone would overhear. "I am going to ask him to let me touch him. I want to make sure that I will be able to please Severus. By doing this, I'll know."

"I see," said Ginny. "Hermione, cancel your visit, and just go ask the professor for a night out. You said that he accepted your invitation tonight. Get a little tipsy, then snog him senseless!"

Hermione giggled. "He said it would take a little time, and I won't push it. I think he is waiting for our weekend to truly kiss me because we will be away from here. No prying eyes. Just us. And Libertine is going to help me to be ready."

"Did you get a contraceptive potion like you said?" Ginny asked.

"I've not had the nerve to approach Poppy for one," Hermione admitted. "Libertine did say that the wizard worried about it. Perhaps Severus will whisper some little enchantment."

Ginny's face had taken on a serious look. "It only takes one time, Hermione. Sometimes neither of you think about it. If you decide on a recurring potion, just remember to take your doses on time."

"I will. Ginny? What's wrong?" Hermione hurried over to her friend and hugged her tightly. It had been a while since she had seen the always happy, always strong Ginny, reduced to tears. "Talk to me, love."

"Please, please don't tell anyone," Ginny said, sniffing loudly. "I'm pregnant."

Hermione smiled warmly. "Oh, Ginny, congratulations. I'm sure that you and Draco will make great parents. What has you so upset? Aren't you ready?"

"I don't mind having a baby. I love Draco with all of my heart. This just rushes us a bit, and then, there's Harry..." Her friend hastily wiped her eyes and looked away.

"Harry?" They had been broken up for a long time. Ginny had been with Draco since.

"Remember about two months ago? Draco and I had an argument? We split for about a week. Well, during that week, to spite me, he had a date and kissed another girl. I did one better. I seduced Harry."

Hermione stepped back quickly and tripped. "Harry?"

Ginny giggled at Hermione. "You look funny all sprawled out like that on the floor. Get up." She held out a hand to help her friend up. "Yes. I came to see Harry, needing some advice, and I decided I needed him. I've told you before, Harry is such a tender and concerned lover. It happened to be what I needed at that time. We both knew it was for only that night though. So, when Draco and I worked through things, we decided to act as if it never happened."

"I can understand that then. I'm just surprised. I had no idea at all, and you never told me that Draco had a date with another witch. Who was it?"

"Daphne Greengrass. His old girlfriend." Ginny smirked. "It was that date and kiss that had him crawling back. He said that another woman would never touch him as I had. I told him that I had to think about it. That's when I came here for Harry."

"Ginny? The baby?"

"I'm keeping it. Harry and I spent last Saturday night in Egypt at a private hospital. They did a blood and magical test on the fetus. Harry and I are going to sneak off tomorrow evening again for the results." Ginny smiled softly. "I hope it's for Draco. I love him, Hermione. I do. Sleeping with Harry was a mistake."

Hermione hugged her friend. She knew that Harry likely needed a hug as well. This had to be eating away at him. She would seek him out the next day before he snuck off with Ginny to get the results. "For all of your sakes, I hope it's for Draco as well." Whether she would be embarrassed or not, she'd have to see Poppy for a vial of potion. It would be horrible to become pregnant the first time that she made love to Severus. He'd likely never speak to her again.

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

"Potter! What are you doing down in the kitchens at this time of night?" Severus asked, surprised to see his nemesis sitting at the table with his head in his hands.

"Thought some food and tea would make me feel better," the boy replied without looking up. "Join me. I'm sure they will make enough for more than just me. They always do."

"What are you having?" Severus had come down for a snack as well.

"Rice pudding," Harry said, finally looking up. Severus raised an eyebrow. The boy's eyes were bloodshot, either from crying or drinking.

"I suppose it would not be amiss to share a portion," Severus said, taking a seat. "How did your little get together go tonight?"

"Fine until Charlie showed up. I might say," Harry said with a smirk, "you put a number on his nose. He was angry about it for a little while."

"Only a little while? Damn," Severus said sarcastically. "I hoped the tosser would have gone on to have a bad night. He was quite rude to Herm... Miss Granger."

"You can say Hermione in front of me, you old prude," Harry said, accepting a large bowl from Dobby. "Thanks, Dobby. I think it was good what you did to him. I only wish that you could have been there after Ron was finished with him."

Severus began serving himself. "Oh? What happened?" He couldn't keep the curiosity out of his voice.

"Ron said that you hitting Charlie was probably the best thing you'd ever done. Then, he hit him. Charlie's nose will never be the same again," Harry said with a laugh. "Next thing you know, they were all fighting with each other. All the Weasley brothers. I finally had to use the Immobulus on them."

Severus chuckled, imagining the fray. "I guess it's a good thing that Hermione and I decided to not go then." Realizing his slip, he looked to Potter. To his credit, the boy said nothing about it.

"Ginny and I... we find out tomorrow evening," he said softly. "I appreciate you not telling Draco about it. I think that is her place to tell him, if ever."

Severus nodded and remained silent as he polished off his pudding. He hoped that the child would be for Draco. The boy would be devastated to find out otherwise. It seemed as though Potter didn't mind that he had an interest in his friend. Severus wondered what the other member of the Dream Team would have to say about it. He stood up to leave and noticed the boy had his head in his hands again. "Potter, I have some potions that might rid you of any impending headaches or calm you if need be."

The boy stood. "I would really appreciate that. I didn't want to go bother Poppy at this time. I think it might be more nerves than anything, but I am sure the Firewhisky might have had a hand in it."

Later, a blasted owl assaulted him just as he began to ward his door after Potter left. It was a quick reply from Lonnie. He opened it with some trepidation. Severus would not put it past the woman to lace the parchment with Bubotuber pus if she were still irate.

"Incendio," he whispered after he read the parchment. She'd vowed to reveal his identity to the world if she ever found out who he was. She'd called him an interesting amount of names and hoped his genitals rotted away. Severus subconsciously adjusted his crotch as he walked back to his chambers from his office.

A/N: Next up... the next meeting with Libertine.