Chapter 16

Disclaimer: I'm not making any money from this, so it follows that I don't own Harry Potter.

Thanks to LadySunflower for betaing this and to any reviewers. I know you're out there somewhere!

Chapter 16

Ron Weasley was positive that Hermione had been wrong when she'd told him precisely how small his emotional capacity was just under a year ago. His shoulders were hunched over in an attempt to make himself less noticeable as he followed his best friends in the shadows cast by the treetops of the Forbidden Forest. His emotions were roiling, fear predominate. This godforsaken wood was all right by day, but by night it was the setting of his worst nightmares. He'd never forget the day he and Harry followed the spiders to Aragog's lair.

This year was turning out to be one of the worst, what with Snape and his long fingered hands (that for some reason reminded him of spiders) all over Hermione. His involvement with Lavender appeared to have backfired spectacularly; 'Mione showed no signs of jealousy, caught up as she was in Snape's web. Worse, Lavender must be the lovechild of the giant squid with the way she snogged and clung to him. That nickname she'd dreamt up for him was cringe-worthy; it was highly tempting not to respond whenever she called him 'Won-Won'.

The tall boy let out a yelp as he realised that Harry and Hermione were out of sight, having walked on at their usual speed while he dawdled in his thoughts. He dashed ahead, only to let out a girlish shriek as he got caught up in a spider's web spun between two trees.

"Ron, don't make so much noise. We're not that far from Aragog's territory." At Harry's words, Ron shuddered, his face draining. He'd thought that this part of the forest looked familiar.

"I don't see why those Potions' ingredients are so important. We're risking being eaten by the scariest things in this forest to collect a bunch of mushrooms." Ron squeaked, his voice higher than it had been since his second year at Hogwarts.

"What are you talking about? I'm the worst thing you'll meet in here," Hermione said, her voice thick with contempt.

Her eyes glinted in the starlight breaking through the foliage, her face hidden in shadow. They dared not light their wands, not wanting to attract any attention from the denizens of the forest.

"You know we need Luminous Spotted toadstools for our next Potions lesson. They only ripen every new moon; tonight is our only chance to get them in time. Potions is important if you want to be an Auror."

They walked on, Ron flushing in the darkness. He always felt stupid and clumsy around Hermione. He wished that she would see him as someone really brave, but she often seemed braver than him.

A sickly glow was visible ahead, low on the ground. They'd found their target. Ron drew his wand, ready to cast a few Severing Charms, only for Hermione to push it away to point above their heads.

"If you use magic to harvest them, you'll spoil them. Didn't you read the information on them in the textbook? Don't answer; I know you didn't. We have to pick them by hand... just don't let the caps touch your skin, or they'll have you glowing for a week afterwards."

"Cool!" Ron knelt next to the nearest toadstool, hand stretching out to touch it, only for his fingers to rebound off a conjured shield.

"I wouldn't. You'll find it hard to sleep with your eyelids glowing." Harry chuckled, pocketing his wand. He'd read the textbook, obviously still keeping himself in Hermione's good books.

Their pockets were soon filled with the glowing fungi, so they began retracing their steps.

"Shut your eyes, I'm going to light my wand. I can hear the heartbeat of something not human that's been getting steadily closer." Hermione's voice came with the slight whisper of the slide of wand wood against fabric as she drew her wand.

Ron could see the sudden bright source of light with his eyes closed. He heard Hermione gasp. He opened his eyes even as she called for him to keep them closed.

A silent scream opened his mouth wide as his eyes bugged out, fixed on the sight of an Acromantula larger than a shire horse. The monstrous spider skittered closer, having been momentarily blinded by the light of Hermione's wand. It spat three globules of sticky webbing-like saliva, pinning the three of them to nearby trees by their wand arms before they could cast any defensive or offensive spells.

The jaws of the creature clacked together with glee as it crawled close to Ron, sensing his fear.

"Stringy meet first, scarred meat second and delicate meat for afters!" The Acromantula cackled, its voice deep and grating.

It moved to bite Ron's head off, only to collapse into a heap at the petrified boy's feet. The spit holding them to the trees dissolved into flakes of dust.

"W-what the..." Ron stammered, baffled by the turn of events.

"Hermione?" Harry called, to be answered by silence.

The wand-light returned, illuminating Hermione's haunted features, her eyes fixed on the dead Acromantula.

"Hermione, it would have killed us," Harry murmured, laying a hand on her shoulder and shaking her gently.

"I could have stunned it instead of killing it," Hermione whispered hollowly. "I stopped its heart. I could've restarted it before it died."

"It was a monster, 'Mione. It got what was coming to it," Ron snapped, angered by the fact that she seemed to regret killing it.

"It was a sentient creature. I had no right to kill it; humans are a form of its prey."

"Maybe, but look at it. It's really fat, bloated so large that if it did eat us, it might've exploded. It didn't need to hunt us." Harry, bless him, was trying to comfort her. Ron nodded fervently, in agreement. He hoped that Hermione would see that he could be a comfort too.

"So by your own logic, when you, and especially Ron, are still stuffing your faces when you are so full that you can barely move, the animals that died needlessly would be justified in killing you."

"You eat meat too! You're no vegetable."

"Vegetarian, Ron. But I don't stuff myself silly either."

Harry began gently pushing Hermione to walk. "Come on, we don't want to attract any more predators, or heaven forbid, Grawp."

The mention of Hagrid's 'little' half brother was sufficient to incite Hermione into a fast walk, leaving the boys behind in her haste.

"Scared of a half-pint giant? We'll protect you, 'Mione." Ron sniggered.

"You've never seen him. He was scary, and seemed to take a liking to Hermione, too. I don't blame her for hotfooting it out of here. Snape is like Prince Charming compared to Grawp," Harry murmured.

"Snape? He doesn't deserve 'Mione. The thought of his great big paws all over her turns my stomach."

"Ron, I never thought I'd be saying this, but don't you think that they kind of go together? I mean, they are the scariest people in Hogwarts."

Ron stared at his best mate in disbelief. "Harry, have you been at those mushrooms in your pocket? You've gone mental. 'Mione ought to have someone decent her own age, not some Death Eater spy old enough to be her father. If her parents were still alive, they'd say the same thing."

"My parents might have said as much, Ronald Weasley, but they would have been hypocrites to do so. My father was one of my mother's lecturers at university and twenty years her senior. They would have no right to criticise my choices. You have no right to say anything like that."

Ron jumped, Harry stiffened beside him as Hermione's voice came from right behind them, in the shadows of a tree trunk. She'd been waiting for them to catch up, and was now ticked off to say the least.

"'Mione, Harry told me you have to let Snape seduce you, but you can't let him be your, you know..." Ron flushed before continuing, "your first."

"Not that it's any of your business, Ronald, but I'd rather have a man than a boy. Severus is quite the man, too..." Hermione's lofty tone turned quite salacious. She laughed as both boys gagged at the unthinkable combination of Snape and sex.

"I might not be of age yet, but I'm not a boy anymore. I'm manly; look at how tall I am, my voice is really deep." Ron flexed his muscles, only to hear Hermione snort derisively.

"Physical attributes are not what really what makes someone a man although they do admittedly help."

"What's Snape got that I haven't?"

"Maturity," Hermione snapped.

"Oh, very mature, the way he favours Slytherin," Ron grumbled, his face twisting.

"Do you think he really has a choice? There's a whole bunch of junior Death Eaters who would tell their father's if Severus didn't put them first. He knew that Voldemort wasn't gone forever, so he had to keep up the charade."

Even as Harry elbowed his side, attempting to get him to shut up, Ron blurted, "We belong together, 'Mione. I'll wait for you, but we could do IT first. You should be with someone you love..."

There was a long silence, punctuated by a growing chill. Ron almost slipped over, grabbing at Harry. Their legs slid around as they stabilised themselves, clinging to a nearby tree. Ice surrounded them, creeping up the tree trunks.

"H-Hermione?" Harry shivered, his teeth chattering. None of them had been prepared for wintry temperatures in mid-October.

"Apart from anything else, Ronald, you are with Lavender. Furthermore, we do not 'belong together'; I don't know what gave you that idea. I don't love you as anything more than a friend."

Whilst the ice was slowly vanishing, Ron felt like it had found a new home in his heart. "But all of our arguments, you could cut the tension between us with a knife. We're meant to get married one day and have lots of babies..." He trailed off, eyes wide and pleading.

"That wasn't sexual tension. That was anger, frustration and annoyance. At least, it was on my part. Or do Weasleys have arguments as some bizarre mating ritual?" Hermione sighed deeply. "Ron... we'd never marry even if we did date because I'd end up killing you within a month and spend the rest of my life in Azkaban. Actually, they'd just execute me. I forgot; I'm number one on the Dangerous Persons List."

"But still, even if you don't wanna be with me, you shouldn't give up your virtue to Snape. If not me, then Harry. We love you 'Mione and want the best for you."

"Ron! Speak for yourself! Hermione's my friend. It'd be like shagging my sister, if I had one," Harry spoke sharply, as he shuddered at the thought. "But, Ron's right in that you should be with someone you love."

They had finally reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest and scurried up towards the castle. Harry pulled his Invisibility Cloak on as both Ron and Hermione were Prefects and, as such, were less likely to be in trouble if caught.

"I will be," Hermione murmured, on the edge of hearing.

"What?"

"I will be with someone I love."

"Who? Whoever it is needs to meet with our approval."

"Excuse me, but you are not my keepers. I don't need your approval to sleep with someone." Hermione cheeks were red, her eyes narrowed. She looked absolutely furious. If she was a dragon, she'd be breathing fire.

"Hermione, please tell me... you're not... Snape?!" Harry breathed, attempting to remain unnoticeable under his Cloak.

Ron frowned, not understanding what Harry was saying.

"If by that nonsensical disarray of words you meant to ask: am I inclined to be devoted to the younger resident recipient of a mastery in Potions, then yes, Harry, I am."

Ron's eyes almost crossed as he attempted to translate Hermione's words into ordinary English. Harry was just as confused, judging by the sounds of his footsteps as he almost tripped beneath his cloak.

"You're in love with Snape?" Harry yelped. Apparently, that fumble in his footsteps was because he did understand what Hermione had said.

Ron's jaw dropped as his heart seemed to plummet into his shoes. He held his breath, hoping against hope that Hermione would say no.

"Yes. Head over heels, arse over elbow; whichever way you want to put it, I am completely and wholeheartedly in love with Severus Snape."

"No!" Ron wheeled around, towering over Hermione. His eyes were stinging, but he was more angry than upset. "Anyone but him. Even the Ferret would be better than Snape. No one could ever love that excuse for a human being. He has no heart; you're only setting yourself up for heartbreak. Be mine, Hermione. I'll treat you right."

Hermione shook her head, pity foremost in her even gaze. "No, Ron. I'm sorry, but I do love him. Not you."

"Can't you pretend to love me? You're just as cruel as him."

"It'd be crueller to hide the truth from you. I will always be your friend."

Her pity sickened him. He stalked off, his long legs leaving her behind. As he passed through the Entrance Hall, he was curious to note (even through his anger) that Gryffindor house points were now out of the negative and almost equal with Slytherin's. They'd somehow gained something like two hundred and fifty points whilst they'd been out in the woods.

The main topic of conversation for the next week running up to Halloween was who had awarded the points and why. None of the teachers seemed to know, although Dumbledore's eye's were twinkling more than usual, leading to the theory that he'd awarded the points. There were more outlandish theories, the most popular being that an unnamed Gryffindor student had figured out how to get past the maze of wards surrounding the House point lists governing the hourglasses around the castle and fiddled with the numbers.

Hermione didn't believe any of the theories. She had her own, but hadn't mentioned it to anyone as they would consider it far too outlandish. Even the Quibbler wouldn't publish it. The two hundred and fifty points had been awarded shortly after she'd admitted the truth of her feelings regarding Severus to the boys. She'd bet her front teeth that the sneak had overheard and awarded those points. It was tempting to make skin contact with him and read the truth from his mind, but she didn't think that she was prepared for the possibility that while she loved him, he might not feel the same for her. Yes, he cared for her, but caring was not the same as loving.

Voldemort had not summoned Severus again since he had been ordered to seduce her, but the reports from spies amongst the students and staff would not satisfy him forever. There were ridiculously simple spells around that would reveal whether or not a girl was a virgin; which Hermione still was, having been unwilling to waste the experience on just anyone. While the idea of doing so to collect her virgin's blood had some merit, it was more valuable (and powerful in potions) the older the virgin was. It would hardly please Ol' Voldy to find that his servant hadn't managed to bed the girl in over a month, so it was time for Hermione to mentally prepare herself for the inevitable.

First times were said to be awkward, painful and unsatisfying for the girl involved, but it should be better with Severus; he must have sufficient experience to know how to please a woman in bed. At least, Hermione hoped so, her practicality overriding any jealousy concerning his hypothetical previous lovers. Sex hadn't exactly come up as a topic during their correspondence, but it was highly unlikely that a man of thirty-six with a bad boy sex appeal (granted, without any leather) was still a virgin.

So it was that Hermione caught Severus's attention during Defence on Halloween with a raised arm.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Will we be covering hand to hand combat? Many wizards and witches are caught off guard by physical attacks, yet with lessons in Muggle self-defence, I find that I'm ready for defensive action, yet untrained people don't know how to react."

"Do you think or know of your readiness?" Severus's dark eyes were fixed on her face, having detected the slight stress she placed on the word 'ready'.

"I know; perhaps a physical demonstration would be in order?"

Judging by the glint in his eyes, he'd got the message.

"In future lessons, perhaps. A private demonstration of what you have in mind will no doubt convince me. I'll meet you outside of your common room at curfew."

Hermione smiled as she saw Severus, only for it to fade when he scowled in response. Something wasn't right; he was holding himself rather stiffly. She moved toward him as she tried to work out what was wrong.

He gestured for her to follow him, allowing her to watch him walk. Normally, the view was quite spectacular, with sweeping robes and fluid, graceful movements, walking tall, holding himself up to his full height of just over six feet. At the moment he was slouching, his limbs moving awkwardly. Hermione cocked an eyebrow sceptically; if this was a sign of his nerves, then perhaps they'd better put this off for a while longer.

Minutes later they were in the Room of Requirement, standing by a large double bed in the cosy room. Severus moved to pull her into his arms, only for Hermione to step back.

"You want me... come here, 'Mione." His voice sounded roughly normal, if a little throaty.

"Yes, but there's just one problem." Hermione let him pull her into her arms, even as she reached into her pocket for what was required in this situation. He leaned down to kiss her, a very distinctive, repulsive scent reaching her with the move. That gave her the last piece in the puzzle. 'I last smelt that in Slughorn's classroom, an entire cauldron full. And before that, in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom...'

"What's that?"

She dug the tip of her wand into his throat, keeping him from coming any closer. "You're not Severus."