Chapter 10 - When Death Knocks

Disclaimer: JKR owns all that you recognize. I just like to borrow the characters to play...

A/N: I received a few reviews that surprised me. They told me that they didn't really like how graphic I got with the lemons in chapter 9. It was a first for me. I don't believe that anyone has ever complained about the lemons I offer. But I went back and reread it... I can see where some of you may have seen it as a bit much, but I feel I must explain it.

I meant for it to be a somewhat uncomfortable experience. Hermione was a virgin... This was her first complete sexual experience. I was trying to make it seem a bit uncomfortable for her. If you, the reader, felt the slightest twinge as she noticed the size of the man she was about to accept as her lover... then I did the job I set out to do. However, I do promise that now that they have consummated their union, the future lemons won't be quite so intense.

Also, I wanted to take a moment to thank my incredible beta. RobisonRocket, you are awesome!

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Chapter 10 - When Death Knocks

Hermione sighed and stretched in the big bed. Opening her eyes, she found herself alone. Alarmed and a little disoriented, she sat up, clutching the sheet to her breasts as she looked around. "Severus?" she called out in a soft voice. "Where are you?"

No sooner had she spoke than he came walking back into the room, wearing a green robe and carrying two cups in his hands. He gave her a warm smile as he moved to sit on the edge of the bed and offered one of the cups to her. "I thought you might like some hot chocolate, my dear," he soothed. "There is something for discomfort added to it."

He had worried that she might wake to find herself rather sore after their lovemaking the night before. He had meant to be a gentle lover, but had found it impossible not to lose control once he had joined with her. His heart beat wildly in his chest when she offered him a timid smile before taking a sip of the rich, hot drink.

She sighed in pleasure at the sweet, comforting taste. "Thank you for this," she whispered. "Hot chocolate is my favorite. How did you know?"

He shrugged, answering, "Most women like chocolate, and I find that it hides the taste of the draught better than most other drinks."

He took a drink of his own cup before looking back at her. "The potion for Ron is complete. It should be ready to try within the next two hours." His eyes clouded with passion when the sheet slipped from her as she moved to get off of the bed. "Hermione," he whispered harshly before reaching out to pull her to him.

She melted into his arms, letting her hands creep up around his neck. When their lips met, she felt her body beginning to respond to his touch. Moaning, she pressed her breasts against his robe-covered chest.

In response, he deepened the kiss, holding her tighter as he leaned her down into the mattress. Her hands pulled at his robe before sliding over his exposed skin. She kissed him deeply, and he lost himself in the feel of her, running his own hands over her naked body.

When he touched the still somewhat sensitive flesh of her womanhood, she tensed slightly, and he pulled away. "You're still sore. Forgive me. I should give you time to heal.

She chuckled and held him tighter when he would have left her. "I'm a little sore, Severus. But I'll be alright." She smiled up at him and blushed as his gaze turned intense. "I thought the best way to get rid of sore muscles was to stretch them and work the kinks out." At his raised eyebrow, she smiled. "So, won't you help me stretch it out some?"

Growling low in his throat, Severus leaned down to capture her lips with his own. Gently, his fingers found and began to rub at her core. The soreness she felt began to disappear, being replaced by a heat that threatened to burn her up. Gasping into his mouth, she raised her hips even as she reached for his erection.

Her hand closed over him, and he groaned deep in his throat at her touch. She ran her thumb over its tip before tightening her grip and sliding her hand over his shaft repeatedly. When he would have pulled away, she whispered, "Make love to me, Severus. Let me feel you inside me once more before we go back to the real world."

His eyes bore into hers for what seemed like forever before he turned and lay down on his back beside her. Rising up, she turned to face him. His hand caught hers, and he pulled her to sit on top of him. "Take me," he whispered softly.

For a moment, she could only stare at him. Then as his meaning hit her, she reached down between them and guided him into her. Slowly, she lowered herself onto him, moaning as he filled her. Unlike the night before, there was no pain. No discomfort. Instead, it felt as if he had been made to fill her.

Rocking her hips, she began to move over him as he lay beneath her. His eyes closed, and his mouth opened for a moment in ecstasy when she tilted her pelvis to take him deeper. His hands rested on her hips as he allowed her to set the pace, taking them both down the path to fulfillment.

When they came together, Severus wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him. He longed to give voice to the thoughts racing through his head, but he didn't dare. He simply held her as she held him. For now, it was enough.

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Hermione clutched the empty vial in her hand and watched through the privacy glass as Ron thrashed in the bed. His hands were bound magically to the bed, as were his feet. He looked terrible. Tears filled her eyes as she watched helplessly.

Ginny was beside her, holding her free hand while Harry held hers. Madam Pomfrey had spelled the potion into a syringe and was going to put it into Ron's system through a vein. It has to be introduced into his bloodstream, otherwise the potion will be of no use.

Severus had offered his assistance, and Pomfrey had gratefully accepted. Now, he stood at the head of the bed, wand at hand, watching for the slightest sign that Ron might be breaking free of the bonds that held him. Pomfrey leaned over Ron, and within seconds, the deed was done.

Ron went limp on the bed. His eyes rolled back in his head, and his mouth opened as if he had just fallen asleep.

Severus and Poppy exchanged looks before nodding. Turning, Severus left the room, joining the others who waited. His eyes fell on Hermione, and she looked back anxiously. After several seconds, Severus spoke softly. "All we can do now is wait. Mr Weasley has a long night ahead of him."

Turning to look at Ginny, he asked, "Any word from your parents?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes, sir. They were with Charlie, but they are on their way now." Her smile wavered. "They should be here by tomorrow."

He let out a sigh of relief. "That is good. It will help to have them nearby." His gaze went to the young man behind the glass. "They must be prepared for the chance of our transporting him to St Mungo's."

Hermione looked up sharply at the man that had become her lover the previous night. "Do you mean the potion may not work?"

Severus looked Hermione up and down for a moment before replying, "I cannot guarantee that it will work. I told you that when we began compiling the ingredients." His expression went from infuriated to patient. "However, I am confident that this will work."

Harry tilted his head as he watched Ron through the glass. "How long will it be before we know if it worked or not?"

Severus shrugged. "An hour or two will pass before he regains consciousness. After that, we will have to watch him cautiously over the course of the next month."

Ginny gasped. "That long? Why will it take that long?"

Hermione sighed and explained, already knowing. "It could take forever to purge all of the side effects of this hatred that burns in his system. The potion acts as a deterrent as it moves through his bloodstream, forestalling any hateful actions on his part until it is able to neutralize what is actually causing the problem." Her eyes met Snape's as she added, "If at the end of the month there is anything left, it will resurface, and we will have no choice but to begin again."

Smiling at her ingenious way of explaining it, Severus nodded. "Well put, Miss Granger." He longed to call her by her given name, but didn't dare in the company of her friends. Instead, he inclined his head in farewell. "I still plan to hold you to your detention, Miss Granger. Seven o'clock! Don't be late."

Turning, he made his way from them, leaving Hermione staring after him, trying desperately not to smile when she turned back to face her friends.

Ginny was staring after him as well. "Great greasy git!" Turning a sympathetic expression toward Hermione, she said in her best comforting tone, "I'm sorry you have no choice but to tolerate that Neanderthal's company, Hermione."

Hermione couldn't hide her smile at that. Her face beamed with it, but she quickly covered her reaction by saying, "You sounded so much like your Mum just now!"

Ginny returned her grin, but Harry raised an eyebrow and looked in the direction Severus had gone. Hermione didn't seem so terribly put out by her detentions. Truly, she hadn't really complained at all after that first one. Giving his curly-headed friend a last, contemplative look, he muttered to himself, "Detention, my arse." Determined, he resolved to get to the bottom of these supposed detentions.

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Ron awoke feeling at ease for the first time in a month. The pain in his head had finally stopped. He looked around and found that he was in one of the private rooms of the hospital wing. Rising up, he sat on the edge of the bed. For a moment, he felt overcome with dizziness, but it passed swiftly.

"So, you're awake then?" Madam Pomfrey spoke from the doorway. With a welcoming smile, she moved to his side and gave him a strengthening potion.

He accepted it and drank it down before looking at her curiously. "What happened, Madam Pomfrey? Why am I here?"

The mediwitch raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Do you remember nothing of what has happened?"

Ron gave her a baffled look. His expression was one of utter confusion as he drew a shaky breath before answering, "Truth be told, the last thing I remember was the Celebration Ball." He rubbed his head as if it hurt.

Madam Pomfrey gave him a disbelieving look. "You don't remember assaulting Miss Granger?" she asked in a mocking tone.

"WHAT?" Ron squeaked and jumped from the bed as if he'd been bitten. "I would NEVER! Hermione would... You can't mean!... Did she?..." The indignation fizzled from him after a moment, and he sighed. "Did I hurt her?" His eyes glistened with worry.

The witch smiled slowly. "Actually, she had a few scrapes, and a few broken ribs... But at least she was able to walk here. You..." She clicked her tongue. "Well, for a while it was debatable if you would wake at all."

His face fell, and he looked to the floor as he murmured, "Probably deserved it if I hurt her."

At his words, Pomfrey smiled. He had just passed the test to show that the potion had indeed begun working. "Congratulations, Mr Weasley." She gestured to the door. "I do believe your friends are waiting for you outside. They will be glad to know you are well enough to join them!"

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