Chapter 5

Disclaimer: The characters still aren't mine, but I do love toying with them.

Thanks go to my lovely beta, Charmed_Nay.

"Did you hear that?" Ron asked, looking towards the stairway.

"Hear what?" Hermione asked innocently. She'd heard it, too, but she didn't want to admit it. To do so would be to start trouble. It was the sound of a slamming door, which could only mean that Harry and Ginny were arguing. The Order had just had a meeting, and though McGonagall didn't go into details, she explained that something very important had happened and that Voldemort was one step closer to his defeat. There were questions, of course, but nothing specific was given out. Just the thought that something positive was happening in a time of crisis gave the rest of them hope that things would be all right in the end.

Ginny hadn't taken it kindly when her mother forced her to remain upstairs and away from the meeting, saying she wasn't old enough. What'd made things worse was that Harry had adamantly agreed with Mrs. Weasley. Afterwards, when Harry had approached Ginny for a word, she'd stormed off, him hot on her heels.

"Maybe I should have a quick look," Ron said hesitantly.

"Let's just let them talk this out. Harry wants to try to make things right. You know he'd never do anything to purposely hurt her." Hermione paused. "Well, not physically anyway. You know he loves her." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it affectionately. "Why don't we go join the others?"

"All right," he said, glancing at the stairway one last time. "Mind, if Gin's still riled up, it might be Harry that needs helps." He shrugged. "Tonks has some more of that firewhisky, and I wouldn't mind having a bit more of it."

Hermione laughed and guided him back to the kitchen where the others were talking and sharing after dinner drinks. While she didn't mind sipping on some of the wine that Mrs. Weasley had brought over, she didn't care much for anything stronger. Ron, however, enjoyed having drinks with the older Order members. It likely made him feel more mature. Even as she thought this, she saw him pour another glass and puff his chest out as he took a deep drink, trying to hide the burn of his throat and cough with a chuckle. The telltale watering of his eyes gave him away though.

Some time had passed before Mrs. Weasley began to look around suspiciously. "Did Ginny never come back down? What of Harry?" She clapped Mr. Wesley on the back. "Arthur, go on up and sort them out."

"Are you ready to go home then?" he asked, stretching slightly.

"Yes, I suppose we ought to. I've some things to do early in the morning and most of the others have gone." She nodded over to the fire where Fleur and Bill were talking quietly. "Fleur and I have plans in the morning." She grinned broadly. "Wedding business, see."

"Right then."

Hermione hoped that the man wouldn't find Ginny or Harry in a compromising position. She didn't think that they'd ever gone very far in that sense, but after spending so much time apart and then having an argument, maybe they were making up. Smiling to herself, she remembered the plans that she'd made earlier in the day. Ron was completely well again, aside from his blackened fingertips, so she'd chosen this day to be the day that she would take the next step in their relationship. She'd been quite nervous earlier, but the wine she'd had seemed to take the edge off. The only problem was that Ron was now slurring very heavily and looked as though he were about to drop into sleep at any moment. Perhaps she should rethink her decision. Having a slight buzz from the wine, though, was something she felt she needed...something that would give her that extra courage. If she didn't do it tonight, she feared she might lack the courage to be so bold as to say what she wanted. No, I won't. I can and will do this. I want to do this, she reassured herself, following the others into the study.

Remus and Tonks left and were followed by Bill and Fleur next. Just as Mrs. Weasley was about to go up to see what was taking Mr. Weasley and the others so long, they all came down the stairs. Ginny's eyes were puffy and red while Harry's were drooping sadly.

"Arthur? What's all this?" his wife asked.

"Ah, these two were talking, and I gave them a little advice." He smiled softly. "I've told Harry that if he wants to continue his conversation with her, he'll have to do it at our home, as I don't feel right about leaving her here without any supervision at her age."

"Ron's here!" Ginny pointed out angrily.

"I'm of age, I am," he said, slurring greatly. "That's right. Nobody has a say in where I go any longer."

Before Mrs. Weasley could retort, Harry quickly said, "I won't be too long."

"Don't even bother coming," Ginny said, though her words had less bite to them.

"Come along then," Mrs. Weasley said, shooing them towards the back exit. "Arthur, Side-Along Ginny. Harry and I will Disapparate on our own."

"Yes, dear."

Ron continued mumbling to himself about being a man while the others left. Hermione frowned, thinking of Ginny. If the roles were reversed, she wouldn't want to be left out either. And who was Molly or Harry to say that she couldn't listen because her seventeenth birthday was a ways off? Sure, they loved her and wished to keep her from harm, but Hermione knew from personal experience that not knowing could cause more problems than anything. She hoped that Harry would talk to the girl before she did anything to get herself into trouble. It wouldn't do to have her following them about without knowing all the details. It could get them all killed.

"Nox," Ron said softly, waving his wand wildly.

The room was suddenly dark, save for the low burning fire in the grate. It was in this instant that all of the pep talking she'd given herself disappeared. Her stomach fluttered nervously, and she felt her heartbeat quicken. "R-Ron?"

Suddenly he was upon her, his body pressing hers back into the couch until she was lying on the soft cushions. "Shhh... Don't think. Just do, just feel."

His body crushed hers nearly completely as his mouth ravished her neck and his hands moved between them to fondle her breasts. "Ron... wait," she said softly.

"I knew it!" he yelled, moving off her so quickly that he slipped and hit the floor.

"Knew it?"

"That's right. Knew you'd change your mind when it got down to it!"

"I never said that I was going to do anything tonight," she replied, sitting up and crossing her arms over her chest.

"You've been giving me mixed signals: touching me, letting me touch you, kissing me in the kitchen when we were alone, grinding against me." He frowned and got to his knees and held onto the couch to get up before staggering over to the desk.

"For your information, I had planned on it," she said furiously, adding, "but you've completely ruined everything now! I was only going to ask you to move a little so that I could breathe!"

"Eh?"

"Stop," she said, holding up her hand as he made to step towards her. "It's done for tonight. The mood's gone. Your little tantrum just proves that we aren't really ready for this step after all!"

"Now hold up! You didn't say anything about me moving over. You should have just said it." He smiled. "Let me in your room tonight, Hermione. Harry won't say anything."

Frustrated that things had escalated so far over nothing...and also annoyed that she had been a little frightened of the unknown (even after preparing herself)...she wanted nothing more than to go up to her room. "I don't think that would be a good idea." She shook her head. "Look at you anyway. You're swaying, can't even stand straight, and slurring."

"Do you love me?" he asked bluntly. "I know you've mentioned that you do, but what kind is it?"

"I want us to both be sober," she replied, taking his hand. "I thought the wine would take the edge off, but..."

"So... have to get a few drinks before you're able to want me that way then, is it?" He turned towards the door and made to leave, but she grabbed his arm.

"No, it's not what I meant. Listen to yourself." Shaking her head and sighing in frustration, she said, through forced calm, "I think it's best if we just stop this right now. I want our first time to be special."

"Lav... er... love, it would be special. Trust me in that, but if you really don't want to, you don't have to."

"What did you just call me?" she asked shrilly. "How dare you!"

"How dare I what? What are you on about now?"

"Honestly!" she said, pushing past him roughly and running up to her room.

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

This is working out better than I could have imagined, Severus said to himself smugly as he followed the youngest Weasley male back up the stairs to his room. The boy and girl were the only two in the house, and both had been drinking. This will be quite easy. He glanced into a nearby mirror when he walked past it to make certain that his Disillusionment was still in place. When he saw that it was, he slowly moved on, watching as Weasley stopped in front of Granger's door, obviously debating on knocking.

Get a move on, boy.

He was relieved when Weasley's features hardened and he stomped off to his own room. In his anger, he slammed the door, but it conveniently popped back open, not having enough time to catch the lock. As the boy began pulling away his clothing, mumbling all the while, Severus eased into the room, lifting his wand.

"Stupefy," he whispered when Weasley was down to his underpants.

The boy immediately fell forward, landing neatly on the bed. Severus then went to push his legs up with the rest of his body so that it would appear that he was sleeping soundly should anyone happen to notice...not that they would. He doubted Granger would be in to check on the berk after the childish way he'd acted.

He roughly plucked a patch of hair from the boy's head. "I'll take that," he murmured. "Thanks, Weasley, you're finally useful, aren't you?" Quickly opening the flask that he'd had in his pocket, he added a single hair to it before pocketing the rest. After shaking it up, he dryly said, "Yummy," while making a sour face and downing a large gulp.

Within seconds, he felt the telltale transformation begin and suffered through the worst of it, willing himself not to vomit. He undressed and rummaged in Weasley's drawers for suitable nightwear. Finding a pair of ghastly, threadbare pajamas, he quickly slipped them on, frowning when he realized they were a couple of inches too short. Why doesn't the boy get his mother to make something better for him? he thought snidely. "Surely with Arthur's new promotion they have a bit more money now, seeing as most of the children have left the nest finally." Before leaving the room, he decided to ward it so that nobody could enter. It wouldn't do to have Granger seeing the boy here and possibly seeing him elsewhere in the house.

Perhaps I should Stun her as well, he thought suddenly. It would enable him to be about his task without the worry of being seen at all. He paused outside her door and noticed that her light was still on. It would raise suspicions if he would walk in and Stun her. They could put things together if they talked about it, seeing as she was mostly sober, her demanding to know why Weasley would do such a thing and Weasley claiming he hadn't. Deciding against it and hoping she would simply go to sleep after she finished her muffled sniffling, he made his way down to the study.

"Now, Albus, let's see what clever magic you've woven here." As the letter had directed him, he went to the liquor cabinet and procured a bottle of whisky and a shot glass. Moving to stand at the desk, he poured himself a shot and placed the bottle on the side of it. "This had better work," he muttered.

Severus froze as he heard the floor creak behind him.

"Ron?" came a soft voice.

Fuck! It's Granger. Knowing he had to think quickly, he cleared his throat and said, "Yeah?" He didn't turn back to face her, hoping she'd have her say and leave. She was supposed to be in her room bawling or sleeping off her anger. He should have gone in to Stun her as well.

"You're right. I love you, so there is no reason to keep putting things off."

Severus straightened uneasily, and after a long silence stretched between them, he heard the rustle of clothing and a zipper being unzipped. "No, not now, not after all that. I need to do a bit of thinking." There. That sounded like a Weasley-like excuse. Ha! Right, he thought snidely. Weasley and thinking do not go together. To his surprise, he heard her walk out the door and shut it behind her. Breathing a sigh of relief, he brought the untouched shot of whisky to his lips and downed it, waiting for Albus' next set of instructions.

"Haven't you had enough to drink already?"

Startled, he turned around. She hadn't left the room after all. She'd simply closed the door. He gazed at her with an open mouth, taking in the simple light blue bra, the completely unbuttoned, but not discarded, white shirt, and the matching light blue knickers. He swallowed thickly. What the fuck is Granger doing with a set like those? Upon further inspection, he saw that she had definitely shaped up nicely. Her nubile flesh was smooth and lightly tanned. Although her stomach and waist was a bit more rounded than he'd previously thought, she was quite appealing to him...especially her plump thighs.

"I told you that you don't have to," he finally managed, remembering the words from the fight they'd had.

"I want to," she said, pulling her shirt away from her body and moving closer. "I want this. Now. Like you said. Why wait? I'd honestly planned on this all day, wanting it to be special, and I don't think a few poorly misplaced words is reason enough to not go through with it."

"Granger, you..."

"What? Ron, you're having a bit of trouble with my name tonight." She frowned slightly.

Shite. "Hermione, we can't. You were right. Not me. And Harry might come in."

"Harry's not going to be back for a while." She was suddenly at his side and cupping his face. "I'm sorry about what I said and overreacting, just as you did. Don't make me beg. You were right. I am ready."

With that, she pressed her lips to his, and in his shock, his mouth gaped open in what she believed to be an invitation to deepen their kiss. However, feeling her tongue touching his tentatively set off an alarm in his mind: tread carefully. He began kissing her back, taking pleasure in the minty taste of her mouthwash. While kissing her, he reached around and gripped her soft arse cheeks tightly, pulling her up against him.

"Oh," she gasped into his mouth, bringing her hands up to shakily tug at his pajama top.

He pulled back and allowed her to pull the shirt up over his head. He had to think of something or else he'd be fucking her... with Weasley's body. He certainly didn't want to do that. He'd been utterly relieved when she'd stopped the boy earlier, making him happy he hadn't had to watch their fumbling. Though she was growing into an attractive woman, she was still Hermione Granger, one of Potter's pesky friends. A mature woman of Narcissa's caliber and shape was more to his liking, so he tried to tell himself, but try as he might, he couldn't conjure the vision of Narcissa's naked body...only Granger's young flesh came to mind...the site of her opened shirt dropping away from her body and her comfortable underwear clinging to her curves.

If he stopped and tossed her out, she'd be bitter and approach Weasley about it. They would possibly realize that someone else had been in their home. He couldn't afford that, not knowing if Dumbledore's parchments would be found. If he did go along with her, Weasley could always claim he'd passed out after all that drinking he'd done... not really remembering anything, but not wanting to deny he'd had sex. However, they could very well end up drawing the conclusion that someone else had been in the house. What should I do? he asked himself in confusion. An inner voice answered after a moment's pause. If you deny her, she'll want to talk about it or try to have a row with you. This is the quickest way to be rid of her. Do it.

Severus steeled himself to the fact that he would have to be with this girl while using another's body. He still had about forty-five minutes before his potion would wear off. That would be more than enough time to do what she wanted. There was nothing wrong with a hard, fast fuck. What if I can't get an erection? he thought sourly, closing his eyes to bring forth the image of a voluptuous woman such as Rosmerta from Hogsmeade. He used to fantasize about having her often, even had her very interested in him and making advances before he'd realized she'd been so susceptible to Draco's inexperienced hexes, but even so, he found it hard to bring her image to mind. Only the feel of Granger's body and her citrus scent filled his nostrils, invading his senses. He logically supposed that it was because he was still annoyed that she'd fallen prey to Draco's weak Imperius. He always did despise weak people, so he thought of her assistant, Denise, instead. Just as he had a perfect mental picture of her and felt the twitch of his erection, the girl in his arms spoke.

"I've always wanted you to be my first, Ron."

"First!" he exclaimed in annoyance. This would take longer, and he would have to imagine far more than one sexy woman. Perhaps thinking of Denise and Rosmerta together would do the trick? Damn.

"Yes," she said, jutting her chin up defiantly. "I told you that I never had sex with Viktor or Cormac! I guess now you'll get your proof!"

Then again... untouched nubile flesh? His cock seemed to spring to life instantly. "Hermione," he said in a reluctant whisper, "I've had too much to drink tonight." He remembered to slur his words this time and even made a show of swaying.

In an answer to his words, she stepped back and gazed at him intently while reaching between her breasts to slowly begin unfastening the clasps of her bra. His breath escaped in a deep rush as she peeled away one side to present him with a perky, heavy breast, its nipple puckered and waiting for his lips. As if in a trance, he backed towards the couch, pulling her with him and seated himself, leaving her standing between his legs. He watched her expression as he brought his face closer to her flesh and noted that she stared on excitedly.

If he couldn't feel the shaking of her legs against his, he would think that she wasn't truly nervous, but he could feel it...the fear and excitement of the unknown...radiating from her in waves. Teasing her taut nipple with his mouth, he lifted his hand and pushed aside the cloth still covering the other breast and began lightly caressing her skin. When she arched against him and moaned softly, he knew without a doubt that he would see his predicament through. While the thought had been quite abhorrent at first, he was only a man beneath it all, and the man in him wanted to take what was being offered. So what if he was Polyjuiced as another and being deceptive? So what if she was an ex-student?

Damn it.

He pulled back, releasing her flesh with a wet pop. "I cannot." The word 'student' had brought him to his senses. Granger. Slurring, he added, "I don't think that I can.... The drinks you see."

Her eyes widened slightly, and there was an expression of dismay. "A-are you sure? It's not because you don't like me, is it?" She worried her lip with her teeth and waited for an answer.

"No." He shook his head.

"But you felt hard when we were standing," she prodded. Boldly, she reached down between his legs with one hand and grasped his erection. "You're just being noble," she said with a small smile. "Really. I want this."

He gave a short, bitter laugh. "Being noble has nothing to do with it, my dear." Seeing that he had no choice and enjoying the hand squeezing his cock, he resumed kissing her flesh, paying attention to the underside of her breasts when his attentions there made her move and arch eagerly. Sliding a hand down her stomach, over her thigh, and then to feel between her legs, he began nibbling and sucking in earnest. The heat at her center was encouraging and utterly arousing. One finger slipped beneath her knickers and gently slid into her.

"So wet," he murmured against her flesh.

"Ah, that feels good," she said breathlessly.

He looked up, wanting to see her expression, and was immediately assaulted with her lips. Expertly, he kissed her, not giving her a moment to think as he added another finger and began pushing deeper. To his surprise, she began to grind her body against him in time with his movements. Not breaking the kiss, he pulled her down to straddle his lap, adding his thumb to the mix...caressing her soft clitoris.

"Mmmm," she mumbled into his mouth in obvious approval, taking it upon herself to ride his fingers.

His eyebrows arched in surprise as one of her hands moved to his chest, its fingers pebbling one of his flat nipples. Increasing his probing caresses and deepening their kiss even more, he began to mentally prepare himself for what would come next. I'm going to take her. It's not that I set out to do this, but the sooner I do this, the sooner I can be about the business of getting my instructions. This is ultimately for the good of things...not just because I am desperately in need of a woman. I could have Narcissa for this if I choose.

Suddenly, she tore her lips away from his and exclaimed, "Ah... God! Please don't stop!"

He nearly asked if he'd hurt her because of the way she'd sounded, but she rode against him frantically, apparently needing his two fingers to be something a bit thicker, and her hot insides clamped down around his fingers as she began to convulse in orgasm. She continued to make breathy moans that stripped him of any reluctance. When she began to slump forward, he moved them to where she was lying on her back...for the second time that night. However, there would be no idiotic, fumbling boy to ruin things for her. After pulling down her knickers, he pushed down his pajama bottoms just enough for his ready prick to be exposed and carefully positioned himself between her trembling thighs.

Unable to help himself, he kissed her swollen lips and murmured, "I'm going to fuck you until you beg me again." Just as he was about to make a deep push inside of her, there was a door slam in another part of the house.

In a trice, he was off of her and had his pajama bottoms pulled back up, wand at the ready, creeping towards the doorway slowly. "Get dressed," he whispered.

"Ron? Hermione?"

Fuck! Potter's back.

"Don't come in here!" Hermione blurted out. "I-I'm not dressed."

Not listening, the boy barreled into the room, apparently angry and wanting to whinge to his mates. Before Severus could say anything, the boy stopped short, and his mouth gaped open. Looking to the girl, he saw that her knickers were back in place, her bra was fastened, but the shirt was still partially unbuttoned, giving Potter a view of her breasts and upper stomach.

"Sorry," he said, looking away, face red.

It was then that Severus quickly put his wand away, realizing that they would recognize that it wasn't Weasley's wand. Fuck. Where's my head?

"Go on then," he finally managed, pointing towards the doorway.

"Right. Sorry. I'll be in the shower," Potter said, hurrying out.

Turning back to Hermione, Severus said, "Come. Let me walk you to your room. I expect I'll have to talk to him about Ginny."

"All right."

He'd have to make another trip to Grimmauld Place to get what he needed. This was obviously not the time for it. Next time, he'd make certain that none of them were in the house. It was too bloody risky. A slight twinge of shame flickered through him at the thought of what he'd been about to do. It was for the good of the world, he reassured himself, though the words sounded false to him.

At her doorway, he stopped and kissed her and made another show of swaying. "There will be other chances for us," he said softly. He didn't turn away when she placed a chaste kiss on his lips and blushed.

"Good night. Tell Harry we can talk in the morning, okay?" Grinning shyly, she backed into her room and closed the door.

As fast as he could, he unwarded Weasley's room and locked it while he put his own clothing back on, tossing the pajama bottoms on the floor next to the bed and the shirt near the headboard. He then went about positioning Weasley so that it would look as though he'd stripped and passed out in bed, a leg hanging over the side, body partially covered. Potter would be Granger's witness that the boy had indeed been with her and had then slept it off. They would all assume that he'd been too pissed to remember it all. Nodding in satisfaction, he silently made his way back up to the attic, noting that the shower was still running. Potter wouldn't hear him and likely had much on his mind anyway.

Severus Disapparated near the hideout to wait out the rest of the time that the Polyjuice would last. Unfortunately, Draco Malfoy was sitting outside on a rock and gazing up at the night sky. The startled boy fell backwards and frantically grabbed within his robes for his wand. It was for naught, as Severus was upon him in a flash, wand at his throat.

"Be silent."

"Weasley," Draco bit out, "you'd better get out of here!"

"Warning the enemy, Malfoy?" Severus asked. This is interesting.

"Who's with you? Potter? Granger? You'd all better clear out."

"No, just me. Found this place all by myself."

"It's Secret-Kept!" Draco said incredulously. "You're not that smart, and I doubt... What the hell?"

Snape felt himself changing and realized how close he'd come to revealing himself back at Grimmauld Place. He must have spent much more time with the girl than he'd realized. It was a mistake that he wouldn't make again.

"Hello, Draco," he said smoothly, moving back to allow the boy to get up once he collected himself. "What are you doing out here at this time of night?"

"What are you doing going round like a Weasley?"

"I don't have to explain anything to you, but I do find it interesting that you seemed to be trying to warn the boy off. Having a change of heart, are we?"

"N-no! I was just trying to keep him talking until I could get my wand."

"Mm." He bent down and roughly grabbed the boy's robes, pulling him up to his feet. "Get inside. We'll discuss this tomorrow." A hard shove had Draco stumbling into the old infirmary. Severus would ask the Dark Lord if it would be prudent to deny the boy the ability to leave indoors. He didn't quite trust him, especially not after hearing what he'd said when he thought he was speaking to Weasley.

Long after he'd gone to bed that night, he remained awake and thinking about what he'd nearly done...what he had done...with Granger. He hated himself for being weak and wanting the girl. He should have been able to find a way out of that situation without succumbing to the desires of the flesh. Though she might not have had any lovers, she'd still aroused him completely. Normally, he liked his women much older and more experienced, but there was something about the girl that had appealed to him. He simply had to make certain that it never happened again.

Southern's Notes: Close call, eh? Teehee. Snape will be more careful in the future. I will have another update ready for you this coming weekend. Thanks for reading!

Up Next: Hermione talks to Ron about what happened between them. Bill and Fleur get married. Draco decides to devise his own plan. They get information on the next Horcrux and where to find it.

Nay's Notes: OOH, you know how to weave a tale! Ron and Hermione's talk/argument was just fine to me. Can't wait for next chapter....