Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Severus stared at the note. He flipped the parchment over to check the back. Nothing. On the front there were just five simple words. The Three Broomsticks. Ten o'clock.

It certainly looked like Hermione's neat, precise writing, and a carefully placed Revealing Charm had failed to show up anything untoward, but one could never be too careful. Especially since Hermione had barely looked at him in three weeks. Three weeks she had seemed to disappear from the castle, except for classes. Not that she really seemed altogether 'there' in Defence Against the Dark Arts – she sat, nose buried silently in her book, not looking at him, not looking at anyone. It made his heart ache, made him want her all the more.

It was now half after ten and the pub had only two occupants besides Severus; Madam Rosmerta herself and the rather odd smelling old bar keeper from the Hog's Head, who was nursing a drink at the bar. Nearing closing time on a Tuesday was apparently not affluent Butterbeer pouring time.

Severus picked up his own glass of Firewhisky and went to take a drink, wishing he had bought something stronger. She wasn't coming.

"Professor...Severus."

He felt rather than saw the warm hand that landed on his arm. He jumped, spilling his drink down the front of his robes and whipped out his wand, holding it steady before him.

"Shh!" came the harsh whisper.

He poked gently at the air before him. It said, rather indignantly, "Hey! Watch it!"

"Hermione?"

"Yes, who did you expect?" her voice whispered grumpily.

"Never–" Severus stopped talking as he realised the publican was staring at him. Just what he needed, Madam Rosmerta spreading to all who would listen that Severus Snape had finally cracked and was talking to himself. He nodded at her and smiled weakly. Setting his half-empty glass back down on the table, he cast a Cleansing Charm on his robes. Then, under his breath, he muttered, "Outside. Now."

He saw the faint stirring of the day's debris on the floor as Hermione made her way to the door. Giving Rosmerta another nod, he made his way hastily from the pub, stopping to readjust his robes once he had the door open to give Hermione time to pass through.

"Merlin," Hermione's voice sounded from his left and he turned to face her, at least what he thought was her, "it's freezing!"

"Well then, why didn't you meet me somewhere warmer?" Snape suggested, a little sarcastically.

"I did! You were the one–"

"You had Rosmerta thinking I was talking to myself!"

What was with this girl? Two kisses and she was berating him like they'd been married for years.

"Well, then, what do you suggest?" came the shrill reply.

"Firstly, that we go somewhere that I can see you – what is that? Potter's Invisibility Cloak I presume?"

"Err..."

"Oh come now, Miss Granger, I'm all too aware that Potter inherited that rag from his father, it's not as if he has the talent to–"

"Don't talk about Harry like that! He might not be brilliant at Potions, but he is certainly skilled at Defence Against the Dark Arts! And he is not just his father's son."

"He is every bit as arrogant–"

He heard footsteps moving away from him. "Hermione!" he whispered harshly.

"I made a mistake, just leave me alone."

He rushed to catch up with her, flailing blindly in the thin air until his hand connected with something solid. "Please, let's go somewhere we can talk..."

"You've done quite enough talking!"

"Let me explain."

He heard her sigh. "Okay, fine."

Glancing around, he saw the distant shadow of the Shrieking Shack. "Come on."

Not letting go, but easing his grip on her, he led the way down to the derelict building. Dumbledore had said he'd removed the wards after placing new ones over the Whomping Willow entrance to Hogwarts three years ago, but lately Severus had begun to doubt the Headmaster. Cautiously he tested them, and when nothing happened, he transfigured one boarded up window into a makeshift door. It wasn't the sturdiest looking of entrances, transfiguration had never been his thing, but it would suffice.

"Just foolish wand-waving," he thought he heard Hermione mutter.

"What?"

"Nothing," she said, a little too sweetly.

He really must have ticked her off. Merlin, she was an impertinent little whatsit, but still he wanted her. It wasn't as if anything had changed, she'd always been obnoxious in her own know-it-all way. He admired her for it, she wasn't a push over, which was something to be proud of, especially being a Muggle-born in these times.

He opened the door for her, stepped inside and closed it firmly behind them. It was a little lopsided in its frame, allowing scant slivers of moonlight to fall on the dusty floor.

"Lumos!" He lit the room with his wand just in time to see Hermione slipping out from under the cloak. The sight of her made his heart drum a little harder, and he hated and loved his reaction to her all at once.

She began rummaging through her pockets, finally pulling out an impossibly small vial. And inside was a bright blue flame.

"Where did you get that?" Severus' voice sounded angry even to his ears.

"I made it," she said with a grin. "I saw the one you had in the cave and it was fascinating! So I looked it up in the library..."

Severus relaxed. She hadn't stolen Lily's flame.

Hermione suddenly seemed to remember she was angry with him though, and cast him a scowl.

Hermione pulled the glass stopper from the vial and immediately the room warmed and soft light flooded them. It appeared they'd come into the sitting room.

Hermione waved her wand around the room, casting various cleansing spells before plopping down on the couch and folding her arms across her chest, nodding him towards the armchair. "You wanted to talk. So, talk," she demanded.

Severus froze midway to sitting at her harsh tone, raising one eyebrow at her. She glared right back. He felt as if their roles had been reversed, he was now the student being admonished by the admittedly slightly scary professor. Still, she held him there with her gaze, her intensity astounding him. He relented and sat down.

"I am never going to like Potter," he finally said.

She huffed in response.

"But I have tolerated him for six years, I can tolerate him a little longer."

"Why? Why do you even bother with him? If he irritates you that much!"

"You irritate me as well," he snapped, them found himself smiling. It quickly faded though. "I promised Dumbledore I'd protect him."

"Even though you hate him?"

"I...." Severus drew a deep breath. He didn't want to go into this now, didn't want to bring up Lily's memory, sitting here talking to Hermione it felt like being unfaithful to her. "It's complicated."

She went to speak but he cut her off with a harsh glare.

"Enough, Hermione. All you need to know is that your friend Potter is never going to be one of my favourites. It's just the way things are." She finally, reluctantly, nodded her head. "Now I want to know why you are sending me messages and sneaking out of the grounds in the middle of the night? It's not safe!"

"Because Dumbledore has eyes all over the castle and I wanted to see you."

"Dumbledore was less than pleased with you? His prize student?" Severus asked in surprise.

"He didn't leap for joy, if that's what you mean."

"I'm not worth risking your safety over," he reprimanded

"You haven't stopped me yet," Hermione retorted. And it was true, as cross and defensive as she was, he was enjoying her company.

"You do remember what happened to Miss Bell–"

"I'm not a huge fan of tacky jewellery."

He gave her a harsh glare. "It's no joke!"

"I took precautions," Hermione said impatiently, jerking her head at the cloak on the end of the couch.

"Next time, meet me in the cave." Invisibility Cloak or not, he did not want her walking around out of the school grounds by herself. In fact, he'd rather she didn't walk around inside the school grounds alone either. In many ways he held her in the same regard as Lily; he so desperately wanted her and so desperately wanted to keep her safe. He shook his head.

"Next time?" Hermione's voice, quieter now, broke through his thoughts. "I would've thought Dumbledore would have you under threat of death."

Her words stung, bringing his upcoming task to the forefront of his mind.

He repeated her earlier words back to her. "He didn't leap for joy, if that's what you mean."

Her smile warmed him, made his forget everything for the moment.

"Well then, if Dumbledore's not happy, I should probably go." She spoke the words, but she made no move to leave.

"The Headmaster is under the impression that I will distract you from helping Potter."

"He doesn't give me much credit, does he? Besides," Hermione said, standing up and stepping across the room to lean down and whisper in his ear, "it's too late. You've been distracting me for quite some time."

Severus nearly groaned. How she could empty his mind in a matter of a few words was nothing short of amazing. If they could bottle this feeling, the war would be over in a flash.

"Miss Granger," he said in his best Professor tone, "if you wish to finish this conversation I suggest you confine yourself to the couch."

"Forgive me," she said sweetly, "but here we are not subject to Dumbledore's prying eyes and I believe we can make better use of the time." Despite her self-assured words, he could see her visibly shaking. She was nervous.

He reached out and stroked her cheek. "You've got Gryffindor's courage, Hermione, I'll give you that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means one day you'll wake up and regret that offer."

"The only thing I regret," she replied, toeing her way out of her shoes, slipping a knee either side of his thighs and lowering herself into his lap, "is not making the offer sooner."

Her presence momentarily distracted him, and he buried his hands in the mess of curls that was her hair and pulled her roughly to him, claiming her mouth with his. But as his body relished in her soft lips grazing his mouth, his tongue battling with hers, something nagged at his mind, diminishing his satisfaction. He broke away from her. Her fingers moved to the buttons of his cloak, but he halted them with the firm grip of his hands. "What about Potter? What about Weasley? I've seen them both with you."

She looked up curiously at him. "Ronald isn't exactly my type."

He raised an eyebrow at that, but, as she didn't elaborate, he didn't press the issue, content that she held no feelings for the boy. His first question remained unanswered though, and it bothered him. "And Potter?" She might not have heard it, but the slight hitch in his voice was definitely there.

"Harry?" she laughed. "Harry and Ron and even Ginny, they're like family to me!"

And her mouth was back on his, her fingers fighting against his grip to free his buttons.

"Hermione, I have to tell you – so many things," he spoke breathlessly, but it needed to be said. Better for her to know now and leave than to find out later, when she had all of him, when it was too late. Perhaps it already was too late. "I've done so much, so many things I'm not proud of over the years..."

"That was then," she muttered against his Adam's apple as she kissed his throat.

He swallowed hard. "I have to do more."

"I'm sure, whatever it is, it's for the best." She was so dismissive of his Dark side; she shouldn't be! She had no idea who he was, who he really was, and yet here she was, pushing open his shirt, trailing her hands over his chest, making him moan in delight and anticipation. Then again, she'd seen his memories, she did know him. The worst of him.

"How did you get into the cave?" He didn't know where the question came from, but the moment it left his lips he realised it had been bothering him on a subconscious level since he'd found her there.

"I found the key."

"Where...." But he knew where he'd left it. Lily's grave. She must have gone there with Potter. With her insatiable mind she probably hadn't rested until she'd found the lock to which that strange, serpent key belonged.

"Shh," she whispered, silencing him with her index finger to his lips. "Another time."

He hesitated for a moment. They really should talk, they really should get everything out in the open. Then again, she was sitting in his lap, the warmth of her body heating his rapidly growing arousal and practically begging for him. Talking could wait. Taking couldn't.

He kissed the tip of her finger and she smiled. That smile, the one that lit up her face and sent a deep ache of longing through his body. He wanted her, he couldn't deny it. And he couldn't sit her letting her tell him what to do, he needed to take charge for his own sake.

Hoisting her from his lap, he carried her across the room, pinning her to the couch with his body.

"Last chance, Hermione." His dark eyes sought for an answer in hers, looking back at him, wide in surprise.

"I want you, Severus."

He kissed her hard, subtlety be damned. Never taking his mouth off of hers he hastily stripped her of her shirt and bra. Pulling back, he took a moment to admire her. She was so youthful, so perfect. He didn't deserve her.

No, he deserved everything.

He dropped his mouth down to her nipple, capturing it lightly between his teeth before sucking it into his mouth. His tongue danced over the hard bud, flicking at it, as his hand possessed her other breast, driven on by his desire until she was lifting her back from the couch to meet him.

"Oh gods, yes!"

His hands slid down her body, tearing her skirt down. He paused only as his thumbs hooked over the waistband of her knickers. As much as he wanted to just take her, just thrust inside of her until he came, take out all his anger and frustration and desperate need to have her, it suddenly stuck him that she might not have done this before. That, in fact, she probably hadn't. He didn't want to hurt her.

"Severus," she whimpered, bucking her hips to urge him on. "Please."

"Have you ever...." No, that wasn't appropriate. And he didn't want to know. "I don't want to hurt you."

She stared up at him. "You won't."

He let go of her and she protested, but as he rid himself of the rest of his own clothing she fell silent, watching him both hungrily and shyly. She was certainly an enigma. His enigma.

Hermione reached out to stroke his exposed penis, but he batted her hand away. "Another time," and with those words he rid her of her knickers, pushed one of her knees up to her chest and thrust into her.

"Severus!"

Merlin, she was hot and so tight...maybe she'd been lying to him, maybe she had never done this before... but she didn't protest, quite the contrary. She clawed at his back, tugged at his hair urging him on. It was all he could do to hold off with her whimpering under him.

"Please, please," she begged. "Talk to me."

"Talk to you?" he huffed.

"Tell me.... Tell me how good it feels."

"Oh Merlin," he muttered. "It feels incredible, Hermione. You feel incredible. So slick, so hot, so tight...."

"I'm so close," she whispered.

"Hermione," he moaned. She was testing his control, and she was winning; he couldn't do it, couldn't hold off while she was beneath him proclaiming things like that. He silenced her with his mouth, kissing her with abandon, never relenting as he thrust into her. Propping himself up on his elbows, he found her nipples with his hands and squeezed them firmly.

He felt her body tighten around him, felt her muscles quivering in waves. She broke their kiss to cry out his name. "Severus!"

One simple word from her and it pushed him over the edge.

*****

Severus awoke slowly, drifting in and out of consciousness for some time. It wasn't until someone coughed that his eyes sprung open. Someone was in his bed.

Lily!

No, Lily was dead.

This was not his bed, this wasn't even his room.

Hermione.

The night before rushed back to him as he became quite aware now of her warmth, of her hair tickling his nose where they lay, her back spooned against his front. Naked. So hot and soft against his chest. And his penis had slipped between her thighs. He was already hard. Almost painfully so. The skin of her inner thighs was like silk against the throbbing head of his erection. It wouldn't take much, just one small move and he could bury himself inside of her again.

Still, she appeared to still be asleep. He thought perhaps he should give her fair warning.

He slid one hand up her torso to her breast, gently cupping its weight before seeking out her nipple and rolling it between thumb and forefinger. Hermione moaned slightly, arching her back, pressing her shoulders more firmly against his chest, her backside into his abdomen. He trailed his other hand down her stomach until his fingers slid through her curly thatch of hair, delving further to seek out her folds. They were slick to his touch and that realisation had him longing to be in her even more. He sought out the hard nub of her clitoris, rubbing it gently with his finger.

"Severus..." His name came from her lips in a husky morning tone.

He could hold back no more. Grasping her leg he pulled it back over his, and rearranging his hips he felt the delightful sensation of her slick skin against his pulsing erection. He thrust forward, burying himself in her in one move. Holding her in place with his leg wrapped around hers he languidly slid almost out of her before rocking back in, over and over. He could feel the sweat forming between them, the sweet scent of sex filling the air again.

He sought out her clitoris, brushing over it with his thumb until she was whimpering, crying out his name. Her body shuddered around his, pulling him over the void into ecstasy.

In the aftermath, he gently stroked her cheek, but his mind was distant now. He should never have done this, never have bedded a student. She was innocent, she didn't deserve to be pulled into his world.

"That was quite a delightful way to be woken up," Hermione said with a laugh, turning to face him. Her face froze when her eyes met his, one hand anxiously pushing her hair back behind her ear. "What's wrong?"

"I have to kill the Headmaster."

Hermione stared back at him, then shook her head with a bitter smile. "Before I ask why, I must say, you really should work on your post-coitus conversational skills."

*****

Lily sat on her pumpkin fizz box, just staring at the wall.

She'd lost him here all those years ago. And yes, in hindsight with everything she knew now, she'd been silly. But still, he was a Death Eater then, perhaps a naïve teenage Death Eater, but one nonetheless. And she'd been just a kid too.

But now... now she could have him back, really back. They'd both changed so much... but it was still there, that deep-seated connection she felt with him. She still loved him, always would.

But he was falling for Hermione.

And Dumbledore did not approve.

Stuff what Dumbledore thought! He was the one who'd put her in this mess!

And saved Harry, she reminded herself.

She sighed. Severus was happy. That would have to suffice. His happiness was what mattered; she owed him so much.

Lily left the cave. All of her. Except one, long, dark red strand of hair caught on a splinter of the pumpkin fizz box.

_______________________________________

AN: hugs and big smooches to my lovely beta, otherwise known as my right arm ;)