Chapter Three

I would like to thank my beta Ashley for taking the time to look over every chapter for me. Any remaining mistakes are mine.

I also would like to thank all of the mods here at TPP. They do a wonderful job to make the submission process go smoothly. :)

Hermione took care in dressing the next morning. She dressed in a peasant blouse and a long, flowing skirt. She thoroughly brushed her hair and decided to leave it hanging loose. Her textbooks finally arrived that morning and were neatly put away. She turned to Lily and asked, "Are we ready to go?"

Lily nodded and let Hermione exit before her. She saw Remus, James, Peter, and Sirius forming a semi-circle in front of Hermione. Lily sighed and shook her head. She went up to James and asked, "What is going on?"

James looked uneasily from his girlfriend to Hermione and began shuffling his feet. He stopped when Lily leaned into him and pressed herself against him. He felt the heat rising to his cheeks as she boldly rubbed against him. He stuttered out, "W-we are going to escort H-Hermione to the boutique."

Hermione glared at the other three...because it was now evident that James was whipped...and said, "I already have an escort, thank you. Since he is probably already waiting for me, I am going to leave now." Hermione moved toward the doors and was stopped when Sirius closed his hand around her upper arm. She winced at the bruising she knew would appear, and she stomped on his toes, and when he refused to let go, she growled at him.

Sirius was surprised, but he stood firm and said, "You are not going with Snivellus. You have no idea what kind of person he is!" He lowered his voice and said, "Besides, if it is a bed companion you are looking for, I would be more than willing."

Hermione balled up her fist and slammed it into Sirius' nose. As he pulled away, she screamed, "I hope that gives you an attitude adjustment toward women!" She glared at Peter and Remus and turned around, stalking out of the door as she went.

Lily wasn't far behind, with James in tow. When they exited the tower, she kissed him and said, "Now you be good and I will meet you at the Three Broomsticks later." James watched her as she walked away, admiring Lily's figure. Tomorrow, he was going to send an owl to his parents.

Hermione quietly acknowledged Severus' appearance at the main door. As he watched her, he could only think of the night before. The way they had kissed and cuddled in the abandoned classroom. Oh, he was in a sorry state indeed. As he walked a step or two behind her and Lily, he let himself enjoy the scenery. All of the leaves were beginning to turn and the air was turning crisp. He heard a noise behind him and was not surprised to see the Marauders following behind them. He took the few steps necessary to reach Hermione, and he placed an arm around her waist. He was rewarded with an appreciative murmur, and he smiled at her.

Hermione gazed up at him and saw the smile touching his lips. She smiled back at him and let Lily lead them to Madame Francine's Boutique. They entered the doors, and Lily went to where samples were kept. Hefting the heavy book, she sat in a chair and placed it on a small table. Hermione and Severus sat on one side of the table while Lily flipped through it. Since she had already picked something out, she quickly found the page and motioned for Madame Francine to copy that particular pattern.

As Lily was getting fitted, Hermione turned the book around and began leafing through patterns. She placed one of her hands on Severus' knee and asked, "What is your favorite color?"

He nuzzled her ear and looked at the pattern she had stopped at. It had a full, floor length skirt with a generous dip in the front. On Hermione, it would give more than a hint of cleavage, and he didn't want her on display. "Black, but you don't really want that one, do you?"

Hermione made a face at him and asked, "What is wrong with this one?" She touched a color indicator on the pattern and saw the dress in black. She shook her head and said, "Pick another color."

He pulled out his wand and drew a line on her chest where her neckline would fall. He said, "Too much of you would be on display in that gown, and I don't want to share you with anybody." He placed a small peck on her cheek and tapped the dark green indicator. "If you do not like black, I guess this will do."

She smiled up at him and said, "Think of that neckline as an incentive. As soon as Lily is done, it will be my turn, and then we will go where no one else will be."

"Where is that?"

A slow smile emerged, and she said, "My little secret."

"Come on! Only a little bit further," Hermione coaxed Severus as they climbed a hill next to the lake. When Severus made it, she gave him a small kiss and disappeared into a small alcove hidden in the side of the hill. She had held onto his hand, so Severus soon followed.

Severus cast an Illusion Charm over the opening and sat next to Hermione. At first glance, this was not a very big place, but it was larger than it looked. In their efforts, Hermione's blouse had slipped from her shoulder; the smooth creamy surface was beckoning to him as he gently touched her. She jumped a little and he smiled at her. He kissed her shoulder and slowly trailed his way up to her neck as his hands groped her through her blouse.

"Severus, we shouldn't," Hermione panted as he pulled the blouse up and began sucking on one of her nipples. One of his hands wandered up her skirt and began caressing her through her underwear. She moaned and tried to reach for him.

He lifted his mouth from her breast and said, "It's only fair that I return the favor before I commit myself to behaving." He moved so he was lying between her legs, and he rubbed his fly over her area. He moaned and buried his face into her hair, trying to hold himself in check. He had heard the other boys in Slytherin talking, and he knew that if he couldn't please her, he was a failure. He fastened his mouth to hers and swept inside with a silky deftness.

Hermione strained against his swollen member and bucked her hips against his. She grabbed at his hair and threaded it through her fingers. She arched up against him and said, "Please, Sev. O-oh please, Sev."

He ground harder against her and asked, "Is this what you want?" He heard her crying gasp a moment before he had his own orgasm. He lay down beside her and gathered her into his side. "Are you sure you want a two-month break from this?" He softly asked into her hair.

She nodded and nestled into his side. She stared at the dirt wall ahead of them and said, "I don't want to go too fast and have us in a situation we might regret later." She turned so she faced him and continued, "We both know that I don't belong here, in this time. I don't regret any of this now, but how will you feel when I leave?"

He kissed her deeply, not wanting to face the reality of the situation. "I don't know, but I do know that I want you now." He rolled on top of her again and began kissing her, silencing her protests. He rubbed the inside of her thighs and when her legs fell open easily, he knew she was still aroused. He sat up and pulled her into a sitting position as she had been in the night before. He reached into her underwear and found the little bundle of nerves situated in the center of her womanhood. Using his thumb to keep her mind pleasantly clouded, he slipped in a finger.

Hermione arched against him and could feel wave after wave of pleasure shooting through her body. Her hips undulated to the steady rhythm of his finger plunging inside of her, and she gave a small cry as her climax hit her. He wiped his hand on her underwear and kissed her fiercely, as if he would never be able to get enough of her. She pulled away and asked, "Are you aroused again?"

He blushed a little at his member forcibly twitching in his pants. Before he could say anything, Hermione slipped off his lap and had unbuttoned his pants, freeing his hard member. She looked to his nose, then back to his penis, and said, "I guess in your case, the adage is true."

He let out a hiss as her mouth slowly descended on the tip of his penis, licking it in small, careful strokes. He tangled his hands into her hair and would have happily died right then. He nearly lost it when she eagerly took all of him into her mouth; his hands fisted in her hair, and he said, "Take it easy, I don't want to come yet." She pulled away and slowed down, sometimes using her teeth a little to rake down the sides. He groaned and came into her mouth.

She lapped it all up and rose to leave. She helped him up and she looked outside. Most of the students were entering Hogwarts and the sun was setting. She grabbed Severus' hand and led him back toward the castle. She stopped just sort of the entrance and asked, "Do you think you can be on your best behavior for two months?"

He brushed a stray hair away from her face and answered, "I will try." He gave her a light kiss and they entered the castle together. Then they separated and each mentally kicked themselves to agreeing to such a plan.

"Good morning, Miss Granger. I realize that students normally have Sundays off to themselves, but would you come to my office after you are done with your breakfast?"

Hermione felt her fingers nervously twitch under the table and wished she had brought a ring of some sort to play with. She caught the headmaster's gaze and knew what it was about. "Of course, Professor. I do hope I am not in trouble."

Dumbledore gave a small chortle and said, "No, not at all. I just want to check on your progress."

As he left, Hermione gave a small sigh and concentrated on her eggs. This would be the first time she had been in Dumbledore's office since she had come to this time. She shook her head and told herself not to worry. Worst-case scenario, she had to go back tomorrow, but come hell or high water, she was going to let Severus know. She quickly finished her breakfast and was leaving when Sirius, Remus, and James entered the hall. She let an inaudible sigh escape her lips and attempted to brush past them. She jerked back a little when Remus grabbed her hand and said, "We need to talk, Hermione."

Hermione stopped and cast a worried glance at the Slytherin table; Severus hadn't spoken a word to her since they had returned to the castle yesterday, and he didn't appear at breakfast this morning. She turned back to the boys and saw by the hard set of Sirius' jaw that it was serious. She asked, "Can it wait until I get back from Dumbledore's office? He wanted to check on my progress this morning." Remus nodded and let her by. Hermione headed toward the gargoyle and realized that she did not know the password. 'Why did I forget to ask him the password?' Hermione thought as she stood looking at the statue.

"Lemon drop."

Hermione turned around as the statue began to move and Hermione was surprised to see Severus standing behind her. He didn't look too happy, and she wondered if the other boys had done something to him. She reached out to him, but he stepped back and Hermione's hand touched only air. He brushed past her and started up the staircase to the headmaster's office. Hermione frowned at him and followed him up the staircase. He was acting very strangely, even for Severus.

"Ah, here you are." Dumbledore shut the door behind them and carefully warded it against any one who may be listening. He ushered Severus and Hermione into chairs in front of his desk. He studied the two of them and slowly nodded. Then he turned to Severus and asked, "What is the last thing you remember?"

Severus turned to Hermione and sneered. He looked her up and down and said, "I remember her assaulting me in the hall last night. She tripped me and then threatened to hex me within an inch of my life."

Calmly Dumbledore asked, "What day was yesterday?"

"Sunday, September 30th. I do not see the purpose in being interrogated like this."

Dumbledore looked at Hermione and asked, "Do you understand what I think may have happened?"

Hermione's hands flew to her mouth, and she let out a startled gasp. The past month had been erased from his mind. Everything they had done was all forgotten. She rose angrily from her chair and pushed Severus' chair so he was facing her. She grabbed at his robes and asked, "Do you remember who I am?"

Severus licked his lips nervously and he studied her face. He felt that he knew her, but he couldn't figure out her name. He shook his head and said, "I cannot remember who you are."

She knelt so she was eye-to-eye with him and stroked his hair. She was falling in love with him, and it hurt to know that he had forgotten her because he had been Obliviated. She gently kissed him and turned back to Dumbledore. "I need to go take care of something quickly, Professor. If you do not mind, I will be back in about an hour." As soon as Dumbledore gave his assent, Hermione stormed out of his office, in search of three boys who were beginning to become the bane of her existence.

As she stepped to the portrait hole, she quickly drew her wand and prepared to begin throwing hexes on sight. She would give them all one chance to explain themselves before she would begin doing anything, but she hoped that she would have a chance to use one or two. Remus was sitting quietly in a chair by the fireplace. As soon as he saw her, he leaped up and said, "I can explain, Hermione. I didn't want it to come to that. James and Sirius..."

"Speaking of those two, where are they?"

Remus flashed a worried look at the boys' dormitory and said, "They are hiding up in their rooms. Dumbledore poked his head through and warned them about your mood." As she brushed past him, he asked, "Where are you going?"

She smiled at him and said, "Up to the boys' dormitory." He began to say something when she cut him off by saying, "If you follow me, I'll be forced to hex you, too."

Remus stayed where he was and only jumped a little when he heard a large thump followed by two yelps. Hermione came down a few minutes later, looking supremely satisfied with herself. Remus gulped and asked, "What did you do to them?"

"Nothing more than they deserved. Be sure to tell the two of them that I could have done worse, and I will do so if they Obliviate Severus again." She turned on her heel and headed back towards Dumbledore's office.

After she left, Remus ran to the dormitory and stood in the doorway flabbergasted. After he collected his senses...and his jaw off the ground...he promptly began to laugh his head off. Sirius was covered in a fur that resembled his Animagus form and a set of bunny ears. James had eyes blinking everywhere, and he had antlers growing out of his head. Sirius growled at him, and Remus said, "If I looked as ridiculous as you two do, you would be laughing at me too."

The next morning, Severus was surprised to receive a post-owl at his breakfast. He hastily broke open the seal and hungrily read the neat handwriting before him.

Severus,

Hermione

He spied her across the Great Hall, her head leaned into Lily's, and he felt a rush of something wonderful and indescribable. Lupin came to stand behind her, and he felt jealousy burn in the pit of his stomach as she smiled up at him. He hastily rose and went to the Potions classroom in the dungeon. He felt and saw other people protesting as he passed them, but right at this very moment, he didn't give a damn.

He quietly sat at his desk and remained quiet throughout the class, pointedly ignoring Hermione. She quietly and efficiently copied the notes from the blackboard; and he foolishly watched her. He wanted her with a hunger that surprised and amazed him. He turned to her and pulled her to him, his mouth hungrily searching for hers. She softly melted into him and gave a small laugh. He pulled away and asked, "What is so funny?"

"If I did not know any better, I would have thought that you had faked being Obliviated so you didn't have to act on your best behavior until Christmas." She laughed as he kissed her again and Hermione decided that she could live with this and she would have no regrets.

Author's Notes

I know that they're going a little fast, but it's part of the plot. :)