Chapter One

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing here except the plot. This is for entertainment purposes only. Happy reading!

A big thanks to my original beta, Charmed Nay, but I'd always like to thank my second beta, GinnyW, for taking the time to help me make this better.

"Professor!" she exclaimed, feeling strange. "Who was right? What have I done?" He was backed into a bookshelf looking at her with an expression of mixed emotions. Disgust, anger, and realization were only a few she could discern. She stood up quickly as if to go to him.

"You stay right where you are, witch," he hissed coldly, holding out his hand to halt her. "Take one more step, and I shall hex you!" It was at this point that Dumbledore and McGonagall walked in.

"Severus!" McGonagall said admonished sternly. "What is your problem?" She went to Hermione to sit her down, and she placed the blanket back over her. Summoning a chair, she took a seat next to her, holding her hand. Dumbledore went to his speechless Potions master, guiding him back to his chair. He conjured his own comfortable seat and sat near him. Everyone took turns looking at each other. McGonagall looked as if she'd been deeply upset by something. Dumbledore looked to the floor thoughtfully. Snape looked as if he had been accosted. Hermione didn't know what to make of this. Apparently, she was being accused of something.

A couple of minutes passed. Finally, after mumbling to himself, Dumbledore spoke to his friend. "Severus, what was going on just now? Is it as I fear?"

Crossing his arms and looking away, Hermione feared he would not answer. Suddenly, an exasperated growl sounded. "It's her, Albus," Snape said through clenched teeth. "You were right as always. I made the connection before you came in."

McGonagall took in a sharp breath. Dumbledore nodded knowingly. Snape glared at Hermione as if daring her to deny his accusation. She would gladly admit to anything she had done wrong, but she had no idea what connection he had made. This brought tears to Hermione's eyes. The strain of studying so deeply, the lack of sleep, and the finger pointing pushed her over the edge. "I...I didn't do anything wrong. I just fell asleep. I thought I could use the time off this weekend to study." Her voice was barely a whisper. The tears began spilling down her cheeks.

McGonagall put an arm around her to scoop her into a motherly embrace. "Of course, you didn't, Hermione. It's not your fault," she said soothingly. "Albus? She is distraught. I suggest one of you explain this to her!"

Snape snorted. Albus placed a hand on his shoulder to silence any rebuke he may have made before speaking to his Head Girl. "Hermione, I need you to tell me about your nightmare. Please do not leave anything out. I think I may know what has caused it." He seemed so serious about it all. When had he taken an interest in students' dreams? Students besides Harry, that is?

"I've been awake too long...trying to get in enough studying for my exams after the holidays. I only closed my eyes for a moment at the table. When I opened my eyes again, it was dark. There was a terrible storm raging. I was alone until the doors opened, and a dark wizard came in." She bit her lip. McGonagall put a hand over hers in reassurance. After the scene she had made in the hall, this was a little embarrassing. Surely they would think she was nothing more than an easily frightened child. "This man knew my name, and he said that he had come for me. I tried to back away, but he kept coming. He pulled back his hood, and he had dark hair that hid his face. He said I was his. I had the feeling that he meant to harm me. He pulled down his hood, glancing at me with the only part of his face I could actually see in the shadowed lighting. A cold, black eye seemed to penetrate through me. Sort of like..." Hermione gasped, and would have balked if McGonagall hadn't held her steady. It was Professor Snape she had dreamed about, and the worst part was that they seemed to know already! A deep feeling of unease washed over her.

"Hermione," Dumbledore began. "I need you to calm yourself. This doesn't seem to be a normal dream. I fear that this is an Incubus who has visited you. Do you know what that is?" Good grief! Is this why Dumbledore seemed so concerned about her dream?

"An Incubus is a male spirit. Some claim he is a demonic spirit who visits chaste women in the form of an attractive man or a lover to try to seduce her. If he can successfully impregnate the woman, their child would grow to be a powerful, dark wizard. Though he can only visit once per night, he is able to feed on her magical power to add to his own, and he will normally only choose someone powerful as his consort..." Her voice trailed off. If her Incubus was taking the appearance of her professor, then that meant they thought... "Sir! I swear that I have never..." She couldn't voice it, but pointed towards Professor Snape. Did Dumbledore think they were together in that way? Did he believe that she fancied him? No wonder they were acting this way!

The headmaster held up a hand. "I know you haven't. However, I fear we have a more serious matter at hand here. Do you know of a Succubus?"

"She's the female form of an Incubus...only she is the one seeking to bear a child, and in turn, she feeds on the wizard's magic either leaving him with none or very little. Sometimes death occurs if the man gives in to her," Hermione stated promptly, sounding much like a textbook.

"Hermione, I can only say this bluntly. Severus here is suffering from the visits of a Succubus. As he stated earlier, she has taken on your form. Apparently, your Incubus has taken on his form. Do you know what happens when this occurs between two people, and they are visited by each other's forms?" Dumbledore inquired as if giving her a test.

"Legend says that the forms are the same entity. It marks them as two people who are likely to produce children together. The spirit wants to get to them first, foreseeing powerful offspring. It keeps trying in both forms until it succeeds with one or the other. Each time it visits one, it feeds from their desires, allowing it to build up, slowly draining them through their arousal." Hermione took a breath, careful not to meet anyone's eyes. "Dual visits are extremely rare. It is said that our Merlin himself was born from the union of an Incubus and a nun enabling him to be a most powerful wizard. A wizard had fallen in love with the nun and was trying to get her to run away with him. The wizard, whose form the Incubus took, died the night Merlin was conceived. His counterpart had drained the man's magical essence to add his magic to the seed on prior visits. The nun died in childbirth leaving Merlin to be raised by the Succubus form and the elements. Oh no!" More silent tears fell as she spoke. She looked to McGonagall for comfort, but no one spoke right away. Each dwelling on what she had said.

Severus narrowed his eyes. Just like a pathetic, little witch! She had the nerve to cry! Did she think that he liked this any better? Certainly not! He would never in a million years have thought that this would have happened. He wanted to rage about his office and throw things. Dumbledore finally broke the silence as Granger wiped the last of her tears away. "Do you know how to rid oneself from this entity?"

"Legend said that if Merlin's mum would have made love to her suitor, then the spirit's visits would have ceased. So, I'd say you have to...give in to the person whose form it takes. Either that or learn to fight it though that is futile. Your own inner feelings are hard to resist. I would suppose powerful, dreamless draughts keep the visions at bay. I...I don't really know. It's really rare," she said softly. Severus began to admire her courage, slightly. This could be worse. At least she wasn't wailing like an emotional child, and she now seemed to accept this albeit reluctantly. "Why us, Professor Dumbledore? We don't even like each other much. I harbor no feelings for him, and I am sure that sentiment is reciprocated."

Severus smirked at the girl, longing to give her a biting remark. McGonagall glared daggers at him though, and he looked away. Dumbledore spoke once again. "I think that perhaps at this moment you may not, but this proves that at some point in the future, you both shall have feelings enough to start a family. There would be no need for it to visit you both otherwise. This spirit is trying to intervene your creating of powerfully magical offspring. I think there is an explanation. The Transfiguration Assistantship perhaps?" Hermione's eyes went wide.

"What Transfiguration Assistantship?" Snape thundered.

"She has taken up the idea to go into teaching, and as I will be retiring within the next couple of years, we have offered for her to study under Minerva to learn the trade. Minerva, of course, will be assuming the headmistress role. That will leave her class open. She recommended Hermione." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling again. Damn that man! "After the Christmas holidays, she is to start her training. She has enough credits to graduate early due to the extra credits she took the year she used the time turner. She is to take her N.E.W.T.s upon return. I daresay, it is why she has been pushing herself to her limit as of late."

Snape took all of this in. So, she was to become part of the staff in a mere few weeks. He had not been told of this! Not that his feelings on the matter would mean anything. One of the damn Golden Trio would be here to torment him even after the year was out! Just when he thought he'd be rid of them! He could see it now. Weasley and Potter would always be hanging about the castle visiting! Damn! Abruptly his miserable thoughts ceased as realization set in. He thought about all he'd just heard from his mentor and her. "Albus, do you mean to say that...." For the first time, his mouth gaped open.

"Yes, Severus. I do believe that you and she would have likely become a couple. The entity is trying to intercede that before it happens as your...union...would likely bring about potent offspring. It wants to mold someone of such magical prowess to follow its own beliefs. Someone like our Merlin." Dumbledore looked from one to the other. Severus was now glaring in disbelief. Hermione was looking straight ahead with a horrified expression. He held back a chuckle. This would be quite interesting.

Hermione broke the silence. "Well...what do we do?" She searched the eyes of everyone present.

No one had any answers that would actually help. There was no counter curse this time that would save the day. No magical potion that would chase away the blasted demon!

Snape began pacing, looking extremely unhappy. There was no way he'd have coupled with her. Children indeed! Codswallow! Damn Succubus. He'd fight this. He wouldn't be goaded into sleeping with anyone. Granger at that! She was too innocent. Too irritating. Too insufferable. He sighed as Dumbledore spoke.

"I think that is something for you and Severus to discuss. You both now know what it is that will try to haunt you each night. If you can use that knowledge to resist temptation, then you must do so. I am afraid that it is hard to wake from a Succubus or Incubus induced dream. You will know it's a dream, but its pull will be hard to awaken from. Your desire will only fuel it. It was I who woke Severus the past two nights. You woke because of your friends calling to you. The entity only tries once per night as you said. I believe you will be safe for the rest of this night, Hermione. It's Severus who will be tempted next. He and I have already decided that he will try to sleep in my office. He was going to try to see the face of his Succubus, but we now know that it is you." Dumbledore smiled kindly at Hermione. "If no one is with you to wake you, I fear it will be too hard to resist. You will each have to be sure that someone is near when you sleep, or you may have no choice but to resort to a powerful potion, Dreamless Draught, each night to block out the entrance. As Severus pointed out, a potion of that strength becomes addicting over time."

Severus took in Hermione's determined expression. He understood that, like him, she thought the chance of them being the next super couple of the future was slim indeed. They had only classes, detentions, and Order meetings between them. It wasn't as if they'd been friends. He respected her intelligence to some degree, but he hated the way she flouted it to everyone. She was a definite plus to have in a battle. Their defeat of Voldemort had shown him that. Would he have seen her as a potential equal after she became part of the staff here? It was unlikely. He couldn't see her without thinking of Potter. That alone would have always been enough to turn him the other way. He almost smiled at her next words.

"I will not let some spirit tell me how to live my life. I will go on as I have before. If indeed he and I were ever meant to be, then it will come in time. I will fight this for now. If I have to sleep with someone watching me each night, then I shall do it. No Incubus will destroy my plans for the future. I have a purpose in life. I intend to give back to our community all that I have learned, and I hope that no other student who comes through under my care will turn out like damned Voldemort!" She looked to Severus, meeting his amused eyes evenly. They both blinked after a moment.

Damn, he thought. An attraction. He could tell she felt it as well. Fates be damned, he would fight this as well. He had research to complete. He would never father children, marry, nor succumb to a damn nightly seductress. Unlike Miss Granger, he knew there would be no chance for them in the future. He'd see to that. She had her whole life ahead of her. He was about eighteen years older, a man of needs, and very experienced in the ways of the world. She was an innocent. He knew that. Just the wide-eyed shock of it all told him that much. Plus, hadn't she said that an Incubus usually approaches a virtuous woman? Ha! She would be no match for him intellectually or physically. Virgin, indeed! He finally spoke as all eyes rested on him. "I, too, shall fight this. I have other plans for my future. I'll find a way to not give in to this dream induced temptation."

Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged knowing smirks. These two were meant to be. They could see that now. Fight as they might, they would be together. It was a mutual hope that they could fight their nightly demons though. To succumb to them would be disastrous for both of them. "Well, Hermione, I think it is safe to say you won't need the draught tonight after all since your Incubus has paid a visit already. I will see you back to Gryffindor Tower," Minerva said softly. "You will not try to study tonight. You have this week and the whole holidays to do so. You won't take your N.E.W.T.s until everyone returns again. Then you can become my apprentice."

Hermione allowed herself to be led back to her common room where she met up with Harry and Ron. They tried to bombard her with questions when they saw that their Head of House was escorting her. She told them she would explain everything in the morning. McGonagall made sure she went into her private Head Girl dormitory before warning the boys to not bother her for the night under any circumstances.

Down in the dungeons, Albus and Severus were still eyeing each other. "Severus, don't feel ashamed. You may not be attracted to her now, but I do feel that in the near future you would have been. Don't deny fate, Severus, as I can feel you intend to."

"I can barely stand to be around her, Albus, much less think of...bedding her. I will not give in to this. I'll do what I must to avoid it," he said firmly.

Albus nodded. "Of course, you will. Of course. Like it or not Severus, she will become part of our staff in a few weeks. That makes her your equal at least on some level. You will treat her with respect, and I believe you will eventually begin to see her in a new light. Shall we go to my office then? We could stay here if you'd prefer."

Severus nodded. "I don't want to keep you from your work. I am unsure how long it will take the wench to come. At least you can work while I sleep. They Flooed to the headmaster's office where Severus settled down for his slumber. Within moments, Severus was asleep.

Dumbledore watched him for any changes while silently contemplating on the evening's events. Severus and Hermione. He had always sensed some friction there. In the meetings, they had always both been very vocal, each expressing their views for or against discussion. He always chalked it up to a battle of wills. Both were intelligent beings, each passionate in their own way, and neither would back down from a challenge. They were well suited. A child from their union would, without a doubt, be an advantage for the Wizarding world. However, if their demon had its way, it would use such a union to dark advantages. He'd have to help them along the way to make certain that would not happen. He grinned to himself as he popped a sherbet lemon into his mouth.

Severus dreamt he was in his bed when he saw her. How the hell did he get here? Wasn't he in Albus' office? "Severus...I want you," she whispered seductively. She was not looking at him, but she was looking down at her body as she raked her nails along her cleavage line. Her hair was down again hiding her face. He wanted to tell her to get out, but he couldn't find his voice. He wanted to see her face. He wanted to see her body. He needed to be sure it was his sweet Hermione. What the hell? He growled. That would not do. "I know you want me...." She was peeling her strapless, black dress down to reveal her ample breasts.

"Look at me," he said through a ragged breath. He felt his desire coming alive. The temptress sighed in pleasure while a long nail circled an erect nipple. He felt as if a piece of himself was slipping away with his need for her.

She was at the foot of his bed now, and finally, she looked up at him. Granger! But, it was a different Granger. She was full of confidence and sensuality. Her desire-lidded eyes watched him intently. "Beautiful," he murmured.

She ran a hand down her stomach, nearing her partially discarded dress. Her other fingers were occupied with her peaked nipples. "Do you want me?"

"Yes, I do," he breathed, feeling himself harden further at the thought of being within her. She reached out to rake a long nail up his bare leg, nearing his thigh. "No," he groaned, finally realizing that this wasn't right. This was not the Granger he knew. She began to pout, but her fingers continued to inch up. He felt someone shaking his shoulder.

He smelled lemons. Albus. He awoke with a start on the headmaster's chesterfield. "It's her," he panted. "Damn her."

Albus nodded. "I thought as much. Severus, were you able to fight her at all?"

"I couldn't at first. I wanted...to see her. Then I wanted to have her. But, when she touched me, I knew it wasn't right. I said no, but I don't know if I could have put her off. It was then that you woke me," Severus said, wiping sweat from his brow. Damn! His lower body was aching for release.

"I think it is safe to say that you can return to your chambers this night since she has come already. We will talk more on this tomorrow. While you might be able to fight off the seduction for now, I don't know if Hermione will be able to. She is an innocent, Severus," Dumbledore said knowingly. "I think in this instance...maybe you two..."

Severus held up a hand. "She is a child. I will not."

"She is an adult Severus. Hermione became of age at seventeen, which was last year. She made eighteen this past September, so she is now of age also in her Muggle world. Younger than you, yes, but that doesn't really matter now, does it? Minerva is fifty years younger than I am." Dumbledore waited for Severus to think it over. No words came forth. "If a Succubus knows that you will become one in the future, why wait? Get to know her. You may find, as Minerva and I see, that she suits you."

Snape narrowed his eyes. "Ever the matchmakers! I have things to do," he said curtly, and swept out of the headmaster's office. He couldn't believe this. He was thirty-seven years old. He did not intend to look for someone...ever. And, here was the news that he would supposedly have someone. Children? Preposterous! He loathed children. He loathed the idea of having someone disrupting his privacy. Why now? Why her? She could not meet his needs on any level. Then he thought of her as his Succubus. Damn, but she was lovely. He'd been with numerous women. Mostly concubines that the Dark Lord brought for his followers at a number of their meetings, some women that he'd raped, though they seemed to be begging before he ended it, and some women he had hired as well. The temptress he wouldn't mind having in his bed, but it wouldn't do to have a frightened virgin grace his sheets! "Never!"

~~~~~~~~~ hg ~~~~~~~~~ ss ~~~~~~~~~

Harry and Ron sat with their mouths open as Hermione finished her story from the night before. "Please, don't tell anyone about this. It is rather embarrassing."

"The greasy git! He is probably waiting around a corner now for the chance to ravish you. I'll kill him!" Ron was raging now. "He probably cooked all of this up to get his slimy paws on you! Drank anything in his class lately?"

Harry was thinking, not saying anything. Hermione tried to calm Ron. "Dumbledore and McGonagall both agree on this, Ron. It's true. There hasn't been a double encounter since Merlin...that we know of. I just don't know how I can fight this without becoming addicted to dreamless draught. Unless I have someone to wake me once the dream starts, I think I might be doomed," she said sorrowfully. "Or, I could always make a visit to the dungeons to try to beg him to sleep with me." She laughed bitterly.

"Ha! Be playing right into his hands then, wouldn't you? I'd wager he's counting on it! Dirty, rotten-"

"Ron!" Hermione interrupted. "Trust me. He doesn't want me. You should have seen his face. He even threatened to hex me. I've never seen him so out of sorts before."

"Well..." Ron began, seeming unsure of a come back. "Well, maybe he didn't, but I bet now he's had time to think on it, he'll be waiting around the corners for you. You can't go down to him!"

"Sit down," Hermione commanded. "Of course, he won't be. The only reason he'd be waiting around a corner is to hex me. He didn't even like the news that I would be working with Professor McGonagall soon."

Ron finally sat down, but was still glowering. It was then that Harry spoke. "We'll stay with you at night, Hermione. We can wake you if we notice you shifting about in your sleep. Once that passes, we'll go up to our room. And, if you...if you and he ever...you know, do get together...we'll support you."

"Like bloody hell! She doesn't deserve to be locked away in some dungeon with that bastard! It would ruin her life!" Ron was up again, pacing angrily. Harry smiled apologetically for his friend's outburst. "Sod it all!" Ron yelled to nobody in particular.

"Ron, I have already made my decision to spend my life at Hogwarts teaching if you'll remember. I don't... I could never have imagined being with...him, but what if that is what fate intended? Maybe...maybe my destiny is to bring him some joy after all he has endured." Where the hell had that come from?

Ron's mouth gaped open. "I'm sure of it now," he said incredulously. "He's given her a potion. For all I know, he's given the entire bloody staff one!" Ron stood up again. "Bring him some joy," he mimicked. "Ludicrous! You don't even believe in Divination!"

"This is a bit different than wretched Trelawney's classes, Ron!" Hermione shouted, becoming angry. She knew that out of her two friends, Ron would be the one to lose control.

Harry stood up to put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Stop. You think you're making her feel better? We have to support her in this. We can help her. Her life is her own."

"I knew we should have had sex when we dated!" Ron blurted suddenly. "Then you wouldn't be all chaste, and that...that arse wouldn't be stalking you in the night!" He slapped a hand over his mouth. Harry started laughing, and then Hermione started laughing as well. That eased everyone up. Ron finally spoke with reason. "We'll be here for you, Mione. We'll help you get through this, but I just hate to think of you and Snape."

"Ron," she said softly. "I never thought of him either, but apparently, as Dumbledore said, in the future I would have eventually been with him...in that way."

"Will you be staying in here still after you start your apprenticeship?" Harry inquired, hoping to change the subject.

"I don't know. I didn't think to ask any details. I just knew it was what I wanted and accepted."

"Right mental, she is. Finally able to get out of school, yet she chooses to stay on," Ron shuddered. Harry just grinned. "Let's go down for a spot of breakfast then."

"Harry, thanks. You always seem to know what to say," she said. "I do appreciate the help. I've only had that one dream, so I'm not sure what any others will be like. All I know is that it honestly frightened me."

"And, don't forget me," Ron said. "I'm here to help as well."

"Thanks, Ron," Hermione said with a grin. "You always help as well. After you've had your say of course!"

The trio made their way down to the hall where they met up with Malfoy. "Oi, Granger! Been screaming any more since last night?" He threw his hands up and twisted his face in mock fright.

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "You wish, Malfoy."

Draco grinned. "Damn right, I do."

Ron made a rude gesture at him, but he didn't stop to do their usual ritual of passing insults. Draco had been a big help to them toward the end of the battles with Voldemort. He'd gotten his father to change sides, and with Snape, they were finally able to get a location for the Dark Lord where Harry brought him down. They still argued with the Slytherin, but it was more affectionate now. House rivalries would always be there.

Almost at once, when seated in the Great Hall, Hermione felt the hair at the back of her neck prickling. Someone was watching her. She looked up, and she met Snape's dark, piercing eyes. He was studying her. She felt her cheeks heat as she lowered her head to look at her plate. Why did he have to look at her so intently? Was he trying to discern any likenesses between the Succubus and herself? What did his Succubus do when she visited? Hermione's cheeks heated again. She pushed the images out of her mind. Although she continued to feel his eyes on her, she did not dare to look at him again.

Just as the meal was nearly done, Dumbledore stood up. "May I have your attention please?" He waited for the hall to become silent, and then he began. "This Friday will be your last day of classes before term ends for the Christmas holidays. We've decided to have a party here not only to celebrate the holidays, but also to celebrate the early graduation of one of our own. Miss Hermione Granger has completed her studies early, and after the holidays, she will become an apprentice to Professor McGonagall." Applause sounded as he paused. "We will also be inducting a new Head Girl for the remainder of the school year. She will be Miss Susan Bones." More applause. "Please wear whatever you would like to our holiday party. It's not a formal after all." Shouts of cheer rang out in the hall.

Hermione was clapped on the shoulder, hugged, and congratulated for the next ten minutes before she was able to make her escape from the hall. Harry and Ron had stayed behind to talk to Ginny and Luna. Hermione needed fresh air. She didn't feel like walking out in the snow, so she made her way to the Astronomy Tower. Once there, she stood near the ledge on the far left where she could see the best view. It was glorious. The icy wind was hitting her cheeks, filling her lungs with life, and whipping her hair about wildly. The snow-covered grounds were beautiful. She would always love Hogwarts. It was a place she could always call home. It's one of the reasons she decided to stay on. Security was here. Though Voldemort was no more, she no longer desired to be an Auror, and she wanted to teach more than anything. She would try to befriend all that passed through her classes. She would give those with no hope something to live by. She would never let them feel that their only means to survive would be to turn to the Dark Arts. Those thoughts made her think of Professor Snape.

Had he felt he was alone? What had pushed him to the service of the Dark Lord initially? She shuddered. He was such a private, cold, demanding man. Could he ever warm up? Why would the Incubus think that they would mate one day? Could they possibly have so much in common that they would have fallen in love? A particularly large gust of wind passed by and nearly knocked her off her feet. Her cloak was once again forgotten, and her robes swayed violently. Perhaps she should go retrieve it. At that moment, she turned around. Severus Snape was standing only a few feet away with an intense expression in his eyes. His dark hair was flitting wildly, and his black cloak billowed about his person making him appear all the more menacing. She took a step away from him as he took one step forward.

Good Lord! Not again! "I'm asleep!" she yelled in panic. She pinched her arm and stared at the man in fear. He took another step closer. "No, I'm...stay right there, you...Incubus!" She saw the eyes soften, and then the corners of his lips quirked up slightly.

"Miss Granger, I assure you that you are indeed awake," he drawled. "Your Head of House saw fit that I bring this to you though I believe the task should have fallen to one of your friends." He produced her cloak from inside his own. She felt like an idiot. The Incubus that had visited her was definitely in the form of Severus Snape. They resembled each other so well: dark, menacing, possessive. She felt an unfamiliar tingle in her stomach as he moved closer. In three strides he was at her side handing her the cloak. She took it, and pulled it on quickly, instantly warming as it protected her from the icy fingers that had made their way around her.

"I'm sorry. I just..." She didn't know what to say.

"Say nothing. Go inside," he said in a soft voice, unlike his own. She scrambled to leave quickly, not daring to look back. His eyes followed her to the outer door. She had taken his breath away when he saw her. She undeniably looked much like his fallen angel that had taken to visiting him nightly. The wind had been weaving her hair in wild patterns, and her flying robe made her appear weightless. She had had a soft yet determined expression on her face. One of passion mingled with confidence. What had she been thinking about? He had felt something when he was studying her before she realized he was there. He found himself drawn to her. When she turned around, he saw how skittish she was though, and he didn't like that. He chuckled now that he was alone. She had gone as far as to pinch herself thinking that he was her Incubus. She at least had the decency to look embarrassed after her outburst, but he would not taunt her. She was a pawn in this just as much as he was. They would find a way to coexist.

He closed his eyes, enjoying the wind that was brutally battering his face and person. He never felt more alive than when he stood out here especially in the midst of a storm...be it one of rain or wind. He felt as if all he had to do was extend a hand, and power would blast its way out. Severus allowed himself to think of his Succubus' visit once again. She was alluring, provocative, and seductive. He wanted her. He hardened now thinking of her. Damn! What the hell? It wasn't exactly the face of the Succubus that had aroused him. It was the one he'd just seen. The fear and the innocence mingled with curiosity. He'd never been drawn to innocence before. Ever. It was everything that he was not.

Late that night, Hermione finally placed her book on the table beside the bed. She looked to the floor where Ron was snoring loudly. Harry was still awake with some of his own studying. "I'm going to try to sleep now, Harry."

"All right then. I'll be awake. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried. Not with you here." Before he could reply, she turned over. Ron had fallen asleep early on, but Harry was determined to see this through. He patiently studied allowing her time to do some reading. It was unfair to make him stay up so late. She should have tried to nap earlier to get her visit over with. At least then her friends could have gone off to sleep in their own comfortable beds.

Before long, Hermione opened her eyes. Harry must have turned off the lamp. The room was littered in darkness save for one soft ray of moonlight filtering in from her window. THUD! "Harry, are you all right?" She leaned over, squinting her eyes to find the sleeping forms of her friends. They weren't there. A chill crept up her spine. She was not alone. There was a figure moving towards her bed. It was Professor Snape! "Sir?" she asked timidly. Why had he made Harry and Ron leave? Didn't he want her to be safe from the Incubus?

"Hermione, I want to be with you for a little while," he said softly. "I want to hold you. I want to love you. Will you let me?"

"You want to love me? But...you don't even like me," she protested. What had gotten into him? One day he loathed her, and the next day he wanted to be with her? In what way? "Sir, I don't understand."

"We will be good together. Let me love you," he insisted as he began unbuttoning his shirt. His robes must have already been discarded. Hermione's heart began racing. Something was odd. Had he been drinking?

"You don't need to take off your shirt, Professor!" she exclaimed, as his hands were now pulling away the fabric.

"You're mine. Do not deny me, girl," he hissed. Shit! The Incubus!

"You're not really my professor! Get away," she said, scooting back as one of his knees sank onto her mattress. His only reply was an evil chuckle as his hands pinned her arms to the bed. "Please stop," she begged.

"You want me. I can smell your desire for me. Let me be good to you," he said in a deeply seductive voice. His mouth found her neck, and his tongue glided over her collarbone. "Yes, that's it. Give in to me." Hermione felt warm all over. What was this sensation? She didn't want this man to have her, but what would it hurt to allow him just this small kiss on her neck? Ron had certainly never made her feel like this. In fact, she didn't know a tongue could do such wicked things. "Do you like this?"

"Will you stop if I ask you to?" she managed.

"No, but I can go slowly," he murmured before his lips began suckling a sensitive spot below her ear. She had to stop this, but the pull was too great. Her body was igniting under his ministrations. And, just when had he released her arms? How did her hands find their way to his hair?

"Mione! Wake up! Fight the lout!" She heard Harry say. She closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to lose this building feeling. "Mione! The Incubus! Wake up! He's evil! He's not Snape!"

"Bloody hell!" Ron's voice exclaimed. "Look at her!"

At this, her eyes popped open. Her phantom was gone, and her two friends were in bed with her. Harry had his hands on her shoulders trying to shake her awake while Ron was staring dumbly. She felt only a moment of loss, but then gratitude filled her. "Oh my! Harry, I wanted him. I knew it was wrong, but he..." Frustrated tears filled her eyes.

"Sssh," he soothed, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I'm here. It's all right now. He won't come back tonight. You were only sleeping for a few minutes, Mione. Nothing happened."

"But, something did happen, Harry," she said miserably. "I was letting him kiss my neck, and I liked it! I knew it was wrong, and I didn't want him to stop."

Ron took in a sharp breath before moving closer to hug her from behind. "It's a ruddy fantasy, Mione. You can hardly control those. It's over." Ron's hands were sliding along her sides. "We all have them at times. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Feeling uncomfortable, she pulled away from both of them. Harry didn't seem to mind, but Ron looked put out. "It's only my second visit from him, and I am already caving in. I guess it was arousal I felt. I'm not sure."

"What do you mean you're not sure? Didn't I ever arouse you?" Ron asked indignantly. "You should know if you're aroused or not!"

"Ron," Harry bellowed. "Shush! Let her talk."

"It was completely different than anything I felt before," Hermione said in a dry voice. Why did Ron always have to make things worse? "It was as if my body came to life. Well, I got warm all over, and the places that he kissed..." She shivered. "I felt tingling sensations. Even though I was warm, I could feel goose bumps rising on my skin. The wrongness made it all the more alluring. Isn't that horrible?"

This time Ron had nothing to say. Harry smiled. "I know the feeling. I've had bad experiences with dreams as well. You know you shouldn't be doing something, but you can't help it. It's a thrill." He took Hermione's hand. "We will do this each night for as long as it takes. As I said, you were only out for a little while. You can fight this, Hermione."

She smiled softly. "I will! Tomorrow night, I will just tell him to...to bugger off!"

"That's the spirit," Ron said cheerfully. "Tell his greasiness to go hound someone else!"

"Go on, you two. I think you can return to your own rooms now. I'll be fine the rest of the night."

"Er, don't you think maybe we should stay?" Ron asked.

"No. It's fine. Remember? He only comes once per night," she said, pushing her friends off of her bed. They didn't deserve to sleep on the floor any longer than they had to. Sleep didn't come as easily as she thought it would once she was alone again. Her mind kept going over the dream. Would Professor Snape's mouth feel that way on her skin? Would his hair really feel that good between her fingers? Why hadn't the Incubus kissed her lips?

~~~~~~~~~ hg ~~~~~~~~~ ss ~~~~~~~~~

Severus Snape loathed Hermione Granger. Why did she want to remain at Hogwarts? If she had chosen to go into any other field, this would never have happened to them! Some future attraction, although highly unlikely, would never have occurred! He'd had the worst sleep in months the night before. First, the temptress came to taunt him. The next time he went to sleep, he dreamt of her as a student. The two were molting together in his mind. Innocence clashed with experience. Curiosity clashed with blatant need. Even when he woke, he felt some pang of need spark through him. He had seriously debated on Flooing to Knockturn Alley for a romp with one of the whores. Before the urge became too much of a burden, he opted to relieve himself. This was a most unacceptable occurrence.

How many nights would he have to endure this embarrassment? Why, he was no better than some young wizard panting after a fellow student. No, not a student. A seductress. Bloody hell! "I hope that Miss Granger had a rough night as well," he said aloud. Severus took his place at the table for breakfast.

He snarled at anyone who tried to make conversation with him. Of course this did not deter Rolanda one bit. "What's gotten your knickers in a bunch, Severus?" she asked, yellow eyes full of amusement.

"Knickers?" The witch never knew when to quit. He glared at her. "I don't know if I like you wondering about my underclothes, Madame Hooch."

"That's right, mate. I had forgotten that you don't wear any most days." She chuckled and clapped him on the back. "Come on down to the field later. Maybe a good flight would do you good. Loosen you up some." She winked before sauntering off.

The woman was a menace! This only soured his mood further. Yes, he would definitely have to take points from Gryffindor over this somehow. That would make him feel a little better at least. His eyes narrowed as the trio made their way to their table. Potter and Weasley seemed normal, but Granger seemed to be moving slowly. Ha! Had a rough night, did you? He smirked smugly.

Severus watched as she ate. He wondered if her body looked anything like that of the Succubus' sexy shape. Could it be? Or, did the temptress simply use her voice, face, and hair? Surely, a child such as this would not be as filled out. Appalled at the line of thoughts he'd taken, he mentally shook his head to clear them away. Perhaps he should venture to the library. Maybe there were some books with more information. There had to be another way to send this creature away! If he could barely resist it, how could she? Did Minerva sit with her while she slept? He wanted to ask, but then it would appear that he was interested. Was he? Well, only for logical reasoning. He didn't care if she had a bad night or not. In fact, he hoped that she did. It would serve her right, as this was somehow her fault. Just because he didn't care, it didn't mean that he wanted anything extremely uncomfortable to happen to her...such as death. He gulped. He could meet his death over this as well. Right! Time to research. There must be something that can be done.

Southern's Notes: Sigh...Such a restless night. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.