39- Unwelcome Encounters and Welcome Research

Obviously not mine...

Author's Note: Special thanks to the webmistress of Playwitch.net, who graciously allowed me to reference her publication. Marquise, you rock! Also, very special thanks to the lovely person who nominated me for Round Four of the Multifaceted Awards! *tear* I can't tell you how much it warmed the cockles of my heart when I found out. *beams* Super-Beta thanks to Lotm, for her continued support and skills. And thanks to Laela and SnivellusSnape for pre-reading. Also, if you haven't seen Melanie's fabulous art, go here: http://www.deviantart.com/view/21561691/ As always, check out my LJ for update info: http://www.livejournal.com/users/pern_dragon/ Okay, I'll shut up now... Here you go! :)

Chapter 39- Unwelcome Encounters and Welcome Research

The next morning, Hermione plopped down by Ginny in the common room, reaching for the platter of toast. Smiling cheerfully in response to the younger girl's greeting, she glanced around before leaning close and whispering, "Can you come to my room after breakfast?"

Ginny's brows rose, but she nodded quickly. Swallowing her pumpkin juice, she murmured, "Sure thing. What do you need?"

Hermione shook her head faintly and muttered, "I'll tell you there."

A knowing smile spread across Ginny's face, and she winked. Hermione rolled her eyes in response, turning her attention to the boys as they entered.

The Gryffindors spent a leisurely breakfast together, Harry eventually suggesting that they go practice for Quidditch later, since the weather was clear. When the boys got up to go change, Hermione and Ginny stood too.

Ginny dropped a light kiss on Harry's cheek and said, "I'll meet you lot on the pitch in a few minutes." Harry nodded, and he and Ron bade the girls goodbye as they climbed the dorm stairs, Ron musing whether or not Susan would like to come watch him practice. Following Hermione to her room, Ginny queried, "So, what's up?"

Hermione ushered her into the room and shut the door. Crossing quickly to her desk, she picked up the scroll and handed it to Ginny. "I need to get this to Severus, but I daren't owl it myself. Would you send it?" Her expression was one of eloquent appeal.

Ginny grinned wickedly. "Ooo, is it steamy?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and glared. Huffing in exasperation, she chided, "Ginny! Honestly..."

Brown eyes sparkling with laughter, Ginny retorted, "Ah! So it is!"

Scowling at her impudent friend, Hermione growled, "It is not! Stop teasing me!" She chewed her lip and shot a reproachful look at Ginny. "I thought you were going to help me."

Ginny stifled her amused grin and tried to look repentant, failing spectacularly. "I am. I'm sorry."

Hermione scoffed and muttered, "No, you're not. Seriously, Gin, I had to remind him to not get so bent out of shape about Malfoy. You saw how livid he was last night! It just makes people wonder, and we can't have that."

Hermione's earnest words sobered Ginny. Her amusement vanished, and she blinked in agreement. "You're right. Sorry. Really," she added, grimacing.

Finally relaxing, Hermione sank onto her bed. "Thanks. I'll talk to him before the next rehearsal, but I wanted to get to him before anything else could happen."

Ginny pocketed the missive. In an effort to make up for her inappropriate comments earlier, she offered, "Well, seeing as it isn't steamy, I won't even try to read it..." She shot a lopsided grin at Hermione when the other girl glanced at her, startled.

Seeing that Ginny was just teasing her, Hermione smiled faintly. "You'd better not read them at anytime!" Then, she twisted her mouth in a moue of petulance and added, "Besides, I can't write steamy letters. I haven't a clue how!"

Ginny snorted and tilted her head. "Weren't you going to do some 'research'?"

Hermione looked away uncomfortably, flushing. "I haven't even looked. I've kind of had other things on my mind."

Smiling gently, Ginny stood. "Well, I must say that I'm surprised Hermione Granger, Swot Extraordinaire, hasn't begun researching the very moment she got the books!"

Hermione stuck her tongue out at the other girl, making her chuckle. Defensively, she said, "Well, it's not like it's for school. It's not as important as N.E.W.T.s."

Ginny tossed her head, rolling her eyes exaggeratedly and flinging her hands in the air. "Not important? Merciful heavens, it's extremely important!" She glared at Hermione, hands on her hips. "Consider it a homework assignment, deadline: the end of the school year!" Hermione blushed even more. Spinning and striding to the door, Ginny paused and flung over her shoulder, "Trust me, 'Mione, that's one 'exam' you don't want to fail!"

Hermione gasped, utterly scandalized, and shot an incredulous look at Ginny. The redhead chuckled again, opening the door. As she stepped out into the corridor, she blithely said, "I'll get this out today, I promise." Flashing a grin, she added, "See you later, bookworm." With that, she shut the door on a dazed Hermione.

******* *************

Snape was in his office when he heard the beat of wings. Lifting his head, he saw a school owl flying toward him, a scroll tied to its leg. Absently conjuring an owl treat, Snape retrieved the letter, waving for the bird to depart. As he unrolled the parchment, he saw it was blank. Smiling in spite of himself, he glanced up quickly to see that no one was at his door, and then he retreated to his quarters to read the letter.

Settling himself on his bed, he muttered, "Aperio," and watched Hermione's familiar script materialize. As he read, his brow furrowed in a frown, and his lips thinned in annoyance. However, his cheeks also warmed with a faint blush, and his expression altered slightly to one of almost sheepish discomfort. Sighing gustily, he dropped the letter to his lap, gazing at the ceiling for a long moment, his eyes unfocused as he seemed to have a debate within his head.

After a beat, he looked to his nightstand, reaching toward it. His hand closed on thin air, but as he brought his hand back toward him, the picture of Hermione in its frame appeared, its Disillusionment Charm broken by the movement. Cradling the frame in his lap, he gazed tenderly at it and spoke softly, his voice a trifle sulky.

"Fine. I understand. Point made, you maddening harpy. See if I try to defend you anymore." He grimaced and humphed, before cocking a wry smile at the photo. "Good thing I love you, else I wouldn't suffer such nagging."

He sighed again as he replaced the photo on his nightstand, waving his wand to cast the charm again to hide it from view. Leaning back against the headboard, he read her letter again. I wonder if she sent this herself from the owlery. Hmm. I suppose I shall just have to ask her before our next rehearsal.

Pensive, he stood and secreted the letter in his wardrobe, tucking it in the pocket of his opera coat, where the rest of Hermione's letters were rolled in tight scrolls. An unusually gentle expression on his face, he went back to his office to continue his work.

****** *******

The holidays seemed to pass quickly for everyone except Hermione, who felt as if they were dragging on, tormenting her with keeping her from seeing Snape. She, for one, would be glad when they at least returned to having meals in the Great Hall. She was even more quiet and reserved than usual, her mind occupied not only by missing him, but also with the increasingly irresistible lure of beginning her research.

Tuesday rolled around, with the promise of meeting Snape in his office before rehearsal, and she became tenser, wound tightly in anticipation. While she couldn't blame him for not chancing sending her an owl, she was nonetheless disappointed that he hadn't written her back... somehow.

Sitting in the common room with Harry, Ron, and Ginny, she idly picked at her food, her stomach fluttering in anxious excitement at meeting Snape at 6:30. Ron took note of how little she had eaten and made a sympathetic face.

"Not looking forward to tonight, eh?"

Hermione blinked at Ron blankly. "Huh?"

Grimacing, he continued, "Tonight, having to go back to Snape before rehearsal. You haven't touched your dinner. I feel sorry for you, mate." He shook his head dolefully as he took another mouthful of shepherd's pie.

Hermione caught Ginny's keen glance and stifled her instinctive angry reaction. Affecting indifference, she said, "Oh, that. Yeah. It's no big deal, really. I just... have a lot on my mind, you know, what with N.E.W.T.s coming up."

Harry and Ron both rolled their eyes. Harry piped up, "Crikey, Hermione! It's the holiday! Give it a rest, would you?"

Ron nodded vigorously and mumbled through his mouthful of roast potatoes, "'Ur gon' kill 'ursef stu'in' s'mush."

Ginny swatted Ron, glaring at him. "Stop talking with your mouth full! How many times do I have to remind you?" Rolling her eyes at his bulging-cheeked grimace, Ginny cut a piercing glance at Hermione and said, "Leave her alone, you two. Sometimes research is very important."

Hermione's eyes widened and she glared hotly at the smugly amused redhead. Sucking her teeth, Hermione tossed her napkin on the table and rose. Her voice icy, she pinned them all with a haughty glare and muttered, "Indeed. On that note, I had better get going, so I'm not late to meet Professor Snape."

Ginny's lips twitched and she furtively shaded her face from the boys, winking at Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes and tossed her head in an exaggerated moue of exasperation. As she spun, she flung a long-suffering, "See you lot in a bit at rehearsal," over her shoulder as she clambered through the portrait hole.

Hermione hurried down the stairs and corridors to the dungeons, hoping to arrive early and spend a little more time with Snape. As she rounded the corner to head down the corridor to the dungeon, she was startled by a voice near her.

"Oi! You there!" Hermione spun to see Draco scowling at her as he approached. She froze, noting that Pansy was with him. Draco closed the distance between them and sneered hatefully at her. His voice was low and cold as he said, "What are you doing down here, Mudblood? And all by yourself? Tut tut. That's not a very smart idea, now is it, Know-It-All?" He crowded Hermione, making her rear back from him. Pansy smirked gloatingly over his shoulder.

Hermione stepped backwards, repelled by Draco's manner, and was taken aback to feel her back against the stone wall. Clamping down on the flutter of panic in the belly, she tilted her chin up defiantly and glared back. "You better shut your filthy mouth, Malfoy; else someone else shuts it for you." Her eyes narrowed in satisfaction as she saw his sneer falter, showing that her shot hit home.

His grey eyes blazed with humiliated fury, and his nostrils flared as he ground out, "Shut up! If anyone needs their mouth shut, it's you, you brown-nosing, stuck-up, Know-It-All, Mudblood bitch!" His voice rose with every epithet, his face contorting more and more as his anger grew.

All three students whirled in shock at the booming roar that was Snape, bellowing down the corridor, his livid tones echoing off the stones. "Mr. Malfoy! Five points from Slytherin for using profanity! Return to your common room this instant!"

Draco gazed imploringly at his Head of House. "But, sir! She was sneaking around down here. This isn't Gryffindor territory! She was probably up to something!"

Snape strode sharply up to them, glaring icily. He cut a glance at Hermione, narrowing his eyes before replying, "Miss Granger is here on my orders, in preparation for rehearsal this evening." Draco blinked in confusion. "Do as I say, Mr. Malfoy. Return to your common room until time for rehearsal. Your zeal is misplaced." He peered down his nose at Hermione. "And you, Miss Granger. Report to my office as specified." Hermione nodded hastily and scurried down the corridor, glad to be away from Draco's disturbing presence. "Oh, and Miss Granger..." Hermione paused and turned to look back at Snape. "Five points from Gryffindor for being late to our appointment."

Hermione's wide-eyed look of astonished indignation was enough to make Draco and Pansy smirk, but they quickly composed themselves as Snape glared at them in dismissal. Slinking back to their dungeons, they left Snape to watch Hermione disappear into his office, her shoulders tight with righteous anger.

Snape waited until he was sure that Draco and Pansy had entered the Slytherin common room, then he briskly strode back to his office, his lips thinned in the anticipation of finding Hermione in a right snit. He wasn't disappointed. As he entered, Hermione whirled to face him, her expression coldly impassive.

Snape waved his wand to shut his office door and open the door to his lab, gesturing silently for Hermione to precede him through it. She tilted her chin up loftily and marched ahead of him. Hermione paused at the door to his quarters, barely flicking a glance back at him as he opened the door for her. Once they entered his sitting room, she shot a withering look over her shoulder at him and made a beeline for his bathroom.

As she disappeared into the bathroom, Snape stared after her, incredulous. Rolling his eyes, he leant against the dining table, crossing his arms to wait for her reappearance.

When she popped back through the door, laden with the hair styling products, she stopped short, noticing him standing across the room from her, watching her. They locked eyes for a long moment, his swirling with exasperation and chastisement, and hers blazing with indignation and anger. Finally, Hermione jerked her head toward the chairs before the hearth and smoothly uttered, "If you would have a seat, Professor, I can finish your hair in a trice."

Snape gazed at her silently, making her fidget under his scrutiny. As she glared at him, he eventually murmured, "Not yet."

In a flash, Hermione retorted hotly, "Oh, but I wouldn't want to take up too much of your precious time, sir, and lose more House points, especially since I was already late." Her eyes narrowed as she spat the last word.

Snape's jaw twitched as he ground his teeth in annoyance. Darkly, he said, "I already told you: not yet. There is something I feel the need to discuss with you."

Hermione tossed her bushy curls and strode regally to the table by the armchair. Depositing the items on it, she coolly said, "Very well then. What would you like to discuss, Professor?" Her arms crossed defiantly in front of her chest.

Again, they regarded each other from across the room, like two warriors squaring off for battle. After a charged moment of silence, Snape whipped his wand out of his robes. Hermione jumped warily. Holding her gaze with his, Snape muttered, "Accio Hermione's letters." The door from his room opened and several scrolls flew to his outstretched hand. Hermione, frowning in confusion, watched them sailing toward Snape.

Breaking their gaze to search through the scrolls, Snape selected one and placed the rest on the dining table. Cocking one eyebrow at Hermione, he unrolled the letter, cast Aperio, and stepped forward from the table. Brandishing the parchment, he peered down at her, smoothly saying, "All right then, Miss Granger, did you or did you not send this letter to me?"

Hermione's eyes narrowed at the use of her surname, and she stiffened. Tersely, she said, "I did."

Snape stepped closer. "I am curious, Miss Granger. Did you send this letter yourself?"

"No. I had Ginny take it to the owlery for me."

Snape's brows rose. Cryptically, he murmured, "Indeed?" Then, he stepped forward again. Lip curling, he drawled, "And am I to assume that you did so under the guise of being discreet...so as not to arouse suspicion?"

Hermione clenched her teeth and hissed, "I know what discreet means!"

Snape closed the distance between them, towering over her, waving the letter near her face as she scowled up at him. His voice dropped to a low rumble as he said, "Well, if you know what discreet means, then don't you remember scolding me about it? In this very letter?" He gripped her arm, pulling her against him, pinning her with his intense gaze.

Her breath catching at the instant physical reaction to the feel of his body against hers, Hermione choked out a shaky, "Perhaps..."

Snape's lips curved in a predatory smirk as he purred, "Then you, of all people, should understand why I took points from Gryffindor, in front of Mr. Malfoy." He dropped his head forward, his hair brushing her face as he leant nearer her ear. Hermione's eyelids fluttered.

Protesting weakly, she insisted, "But I wasn't late! Or, if I was, it was all his fault. He stopped me in the corridor..."

Snape's lips tickled the shell of her ear as he replied, "I know. I heard the end of the confrontation, remember? I was anticipating your arrival and had the office door open. When I heard voices, I came to investigate. I daresay it was a good thing I did so, else events might have escalated. And I will admit that I would likely find it difficult to contain my impulses for revenge if he were to succeed in doing anything to you."

Hermione bit back a moan as Snape's hand travelled up her back, pressing her to his chest. Her voice was faint as she tried to reprimand him. "I'll bet. You really had people asking questions after your little display at the last rehearsal."

"A point that you made abundantly clear in your letter. Now, with that in mind, wouldn't you say that my actions in the corridor were much more in keeping with discretion?" He nuzzled her neck with his lips.

Hermione's eyes closed and she sighed. Her hands lifted from where they had fallen at her sides, and she slipped them around his waist. Turning her head toward his, she breathed, "Yesss..."

A low chuckle met her ears and Snape continued, "Excellent. I'm so glad you see things my way." With that, he abruptly pulled back, seating himself with a flourish and turning expectantly to Hermione, who was blinking rapidly, bewildered by the sudden shift.

Hermione shook herself, trying to dispel the tingling that had crept through her body at his seductive persuasion. Marshalling her scattered faculties, she turned disbelieving eyes on Snape, who was smiling faintly at her, brows politely raised in anticipation of her task.

Conflicting emotions rose up within Hermione. She was bloody well turned on, but she was also indignant about the underhanded, sneaky way he had "convinced" her that his actions were acceptable. Shaking her head slowly, she took a deep breath and muttered, "You... Slytherin! I can't believe you!"

Snape regarded her with a look of wounded innocence. "What?"

Rolling her eyes, she finally saw the absurdity of the whole situation and bit back a laugh. Resignedly picking up the brush and the pomade, she stepped behind the ottoman. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Honestly..."

Snape's eyes closed in pleasure at the sensation of Hermione brushing his hair again. Heaving a contented sigh, he smirked and drawled, "Well then, five points to Gryffindor for catching on." He snorted when Hermione poked him in the back of the head and clouted his shoulder. He tilted his head back and eyed her from under hooded lids. "Now, shall I count this discussion as over... Hermione?"

She rolled her eyes heavenward and huffed. Smiling wryly at him, she said, "Fine... Severus."

He reached back and pulled her down to him, kissing her awkwardly upside-down. As she backed away, he quirked one corner of his mouth up. "Hmm... I think I like that much more than arguing."

Hermione laughed aloud, tilting his head forward again to finish his hair. She slicked his hair back, musing in silence. After a few minutes, she said, "Just so you know: that won't always work."

Snape frowned in confusion. "What won't always work?"

"Using... intimacy to get your way."

Snape's face relaxed and he snorted. "That wasn't what I was doing, Hermione. I was simply trying to get you to see past your anger to the logic and reason of why I did what I did. You're not unreasonable. I knew you would understand once you faced the facts. I just had to... distract you from your ire."

Hermione grimaced. "Is that what you call it? I thought you were simply manipulating me."

Snape spun on the ottoman, quickly grabbing her and pulling her into his lap. Eyeing her haughtily, he said, "'Only in the most derivative sense of the word.'" Her eyes widened in recognition of her words being flung back at her and he smirked wickedly. Then, he slid his hand up her leg, cupping her arse and squeezing. She squealed and wriggled in his grasp, making him silence her with a kiss.

After a long moment of snogging, she pushed him back and gasped, "We'd better finish and get upstairs."

Nodding, Snape murmured, "I'm usually the one to say that."

Squirming off his lap, Hermione returned to her almost-complete task. Quickly, she smoothed the rest of his hair and secured it with the elastic. "Done!"

Snape stood and extended his hand. She took it and they crossed through his lab and into his office in silence. As they entered his office, they dropped hands, composing themselves to exit and head up to the Great Hall.

The rest of the cast was trooping down to the main corridor to the Hall as Snape and Hermione reached the top of the dungeon staircase. Snape paused, letting the students surge ahead of him as they thundered down the stairs from the Towers. Most students passed him, eyes averted, but Ginny flicked a glance at him and offered a polite, "Evening, Professor," on her way past him.

Snape inclined his head gravely. He watched the rest of the students entering the Hall and swiftly strode in behind them.

Dumbledore was at the foot of the stage, gesturing for them all to take their places quickly. "Come along! Remember, we're running through the scenes from the next morning to the hanging, including songs. Now, raise your hand if you want the spell." He busily swept from one student to the next as he cast Suaviloquentia. Clapping his hands, he continued, "Excellent! Now, everyone, please take your places. I shall be handling the set changes tonight." He smiled in satisfaction as Snape took the stage. "Ah! Severus, you remembered the hair. Well done, Miss Granger, thank you."

The rest of the cast sat in the house or stood in the wings, awaiting their scenes. Dumbledore conjured the appropriate set pieces, and Snape and Hermione took their places.

Placing the music box on the edge of the apron, Dumbledore gazed up at them and said, "Whenever you're ready." Hermione and Snape exchanged sober looks and he nodded. She nodded back and looked at Dumbledore, nodding to him sharply. As he opened the music box, Hermione settled on the bed, feigning sleep, and Snape affected composing at the organ.

If the cast had thought that Snape and Hermione had performed with amazing expression the first time they'd rehearsed the scene's blocking, they were completely unprepared for the eerie beauty and the pathos of seeing them actually singing with the music as they performed. Terry and the girls had to shake off the thrall of that scene before they could rush out to do theirs. Snape guided Hermione out to the centre of the stage during Terry's part, indicating that they would somehow be appearing there in the performance. They passed Ron and Neville in the wings as they exited.

The "Notes" song went smoothly, to the obvious delight of all involved. As the sets were moving, changing to the scene for "Il Muto," Hermione and Pansy took their places on the curtained bed, eyeing each other warily.

Pansy sneered at Hermione and hissed, "You better not give me some gross Muggle disease, Granger..."

Hermione narrowed her eyes balefully at the girl and muttered, "Shut it, Parkinson, or I might end up biting your arm instead."

They exchanged hateful grimaces, just managing to scramble into character as the bed curtains opened. As the scene continued, Hermione's fearful glance at the swinging chandelier was far from feigned. So, too, were the nervous expressions on the other cast members' faces at the menace inherent in Snape's disembodied threats.

Pansy exited the stage, wailing, escorted by Draco, and Ron and Neville raced down to the stage. As the ballet girls began dancing, everyone in the wings stared upward, waiting for Terry to come plummeting down from the catwalk. When he did, he stayed limp, and some of the girls screamed, effecting pandemonium. Dumbledore smoothly transitioned the sets as Hermione and Harry entered the stage and headed for the roof. When the shifting sets were still, Harry and Hermione were stopped in the middle of the stage, finishing the lead-up to "All I Ask of You."

As soon as Snape's faint echo of "Christine" sounded, Hermione whispered, "What was that?" and dropped character, stepping forward, out of Harry's embrace, looking politely to Dumbledore.

Off to one side in the shadows, Snape sighed with relief that Hermione had so quickly removed herself from Harry's arms. Even though he knew it was strictly acting, he still didn't like seeing it!

Dumbledore surged forward, beaming. "Everyone, come out! All of you, that was excellent! Absolutely wonderful! I'm so pleased. Now, let's try it again, to be sure it wasn't a fluke..." He chuckled merrily at the ripple of laughter that flowed through the group.

He reset the stage and they ran through the scenes again, with more confidence than before. After the second time, they did it again, proving that they indeed knew what they were doing.

As Dumbledore called everyone out again for final notes, he frowned in thought, his twinkling eyes darting between Snape and the centre of the stage. Stroking his beard, he stared silently for so long that Snape finally huffed and said, with an aggrieved air, "Is something wrong, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore regarded Snape for a long moment before finally sighing and saying, "I'm just trying to figure out what to do about the trap door problem. I know we've transfigured the Hall to match what you saw, but that's just this one 'level.' The catwalks are included because they're visible from the stage. Whatever mechanisms are used to operate a trap door and all the shifting of the sets from beneath the stage are not part of this transfiguration, since they aren't visible in their workings. I know you saw much of it during the tour, but I can't reconcile what was seen with what they do. If I were to create a trap door in the stage, I wouldn't know how to get you in it anyway!"

Snape pondered the problem for a moment before noting that the students were all staring at them curiously. Sniffing, he straightened and said, "Well, I'm sure you'll arrive at a satisfactory solution, sir. If I can do anything to help, please, just let me know." He inclined his head politely and Dumbledore waved his hand airily.

"Oh, I know that, Severus. Ah well. I shall simply have to give the matter more thought." At that, he turned to the cast. "Excellent work, everyone! I shall post it, but you may as well know that the next rehearsal will be Saturday, the 3rd. We shall be blocking 'All I Ask of You' through the end of Act One. So, only those of you in those scenes need come. Enjoy the arrival of the New Year, and good night!" He beamed at everyone as they poured into the aisles on their way out of the Hall.

Snape stood to one side as the students filed past. As Hermione neared him, he said, "Miss Granger..."

"Yes, sir. I shall be there at 6:30. I remember."

Taken aback by her interruption, he merely snapped his mouth shut in a thin line and nodded sharply. As she continued past him, she politely said, "Good night, Professor."

Gravely, he intoned, "Likewise, Miss Granger," before casting a frosty glare over the rest of the students nearby and stalking off.

As Hermione trekked back to Gryffindor Tower with her friends, she mused that it was a good thing Draco hadn't acted up again in rehearsal, and nobody gave Snape any reason to draw attention to himself or to her, other than performing their roles.

Once they were all back in the common room, the other Gryffindors began talking about throwing a New Year's Eve party the following night.

"I can get Dobby to give me some snacks and goodies from the kitchens," Harry offered.

Ron and Ginny exchanged a look and Ginny said, "Ron and I have some of the twins' firework prototypes. It should be entertaining to set them off."

"So, uh, are we allowed to invite anyone who's not in Gryffindor?" Seamus queried.

Dean punched Seamus in the arm, slyly remarking, "You want to invite Luna, don't you?"

Seamus flushed and scowled at his best mate, snidely retorting, "You certainly didn't have a problem with her coming up here after she gave me that Deluxe Exploding Snap for Christmas. I seem to recall you playing with the rest of us!"

Dean rolled his eyes, but Ron piped up in Seamus' defence, declaring loudly, "We should be allowed to invite anyone we like, as long as they have a place to stay, since the party would obviously be after curfew." He glanced around eagerly, his ears bright pink.

Harry shrugged and said, "I don't see why not. But, you know we can't let girls stay in our dorms, and it wouldn't be very nice to leave people here in the common room either. If we invite anyone else, like Luna," he nodded to Seamus, "or Susan," and here he cut a smirk at Ron, who glared at him, "they would need to stay in the girls' dorm." As he finished, he turned a meaningful gaze on Ginny, who blinked at him blankly before cottoning on.

"Oh! Sure! They could stay in my dorm. I'm the only one here now anyway. I'm sure the other girls wouldn't mind. Unless Lavender and Parvati want to share..." She glanced at the other girls, who quickly shook their heads.

"No, that's all right. You have more room in your dorm anyway." Lavender smiled brightly at Ginny, while Parvati nodded vigorously over her shoulder.

Ginny glanced at Ron, who was beaming at her. "All right then. If you invite them, they can stay with me. I don't mind a bit." She smiled indulgently at her brother, who was blushing under his freckles.

Harry bit back a grin. "Perfect! Then it's settled. Party here tomorrow night, after curfew! We'll ring in the New Year right. It is the first one without Voldemort, after all." He rolled his eyes at those in the group who still flinched a bit at the name.

Conversation dwindled after that, and people began breaking away from the group to go to bed. As soon as the first person retired, Hermione took the opportunity to leave as well. Rising from the squashy chair she had been curled up in, she said, "Night, all. I'll see you in the morning." Waving and nodding at the returned farewells, she retreated to her room.

Having locked and warded her door, she readied herself for bed, casting nervous glances at the drawer in which she had stashed the books and magazines she had borrowed from Ginny. Taking a deep breath, she pulled out a glossy magazine, on the cover of which a handsome wizard was grinning cheekily at her, while flexing his muscles and barely maintaining his dignity behind a loosely tucked towel around his hips.

Blushing madly, she threw the magazine face down on the bed while she climbed in, burrowing deep under the covers. Once she was thoroughly ensconced within her thick blankets, she doused the lights in the room and lit her wand to read the magazine. Taking a deep breath, she picked it up, steeling herself for sensory overload.

The cover sported the jaunty title of "Playwitch: The Magazine for the Modern Witch." Glancing down, she saw the cheeky wizard in the towel waggling his eyebrows suggestively at her, brazenly inching the edge of the towel lower as he tilted his hips from side to side. Quickly scanning the rest of the cover, she determinedly ignored the wizard's attempts to hold her attention.

It was with a sigh of relief mixed with a swallow of trepidation that she opened the magazine. Perusing the table of contents, she blinked in surprise at the variety of sections: The Master's Bedroom Advice Column, Magical Beauty Tips, Flooed Desires Bazaar of Advertisements, Cassandra's Horoscope, and even Merlin's Sex Toys! She had expected the sort of articles that included interviews with handsome wizards and reviews of the latest books to hit the best-seller lists, as those sorts of items seem ubiquitous in any type of periodical, magical or Muggle.

Quickly scanning the articles as she went, she kept forcing herself to look at the pictures of strapping young wizards in various stages of undress, varying their expressions from flirtatious to mysterious and grim. Reaching the middle of the magazine, she encountered the "Wizard of the Month" feature, including the lascivious centrefold.

The magazine was July's issue, and that month's star was a tall, wiry man, with artfully dishevelled, long, dark hair. His photo spread placed him in various scenes among ancient ruins apparently somewhere in Greece. The photos depicted him going through a slow sort of striptease, until his final photo, which was the centrefold, culminated with him leaning against a stone column, smoothing his hands over his bare skin, drawing attention to his own "Doric column" that stood out from his body, casting a shadow down his leg in the bright summer sun.

Dark hair traced his nipples and veed down his chest, condensing to a single line that continued over his navel and then re-spread at his groin. His lean muscles rippled as he shifted his pose, obviously enjoying his own touch as he glanced out of the photo from under hooded lids.

Hermione's throat went dry, as did her eyes, since she forgot to blink. Breath exploding from her as she shook herself, blinking furiously at her watering eyes, she felt her pulse racing at the sight of the man's erection bobbing gently. A tingle swept over her body when she looked back at the man, remembering how much she loved that masculine line of hair that snaked down Snape's belly and disappeared beneath the waistband of his trousers.

So, that's what it looks like, huh? Attempting professional detachment, she focused on the man's cock, absorbing the visual details and matching them against what she remembered from touching Snape. Thinking so much about what it felt like to stroke his hard length riled her up again, and she felt the pulsing, drawing sensation in her core, making her knickers damp.

Tearing her eyes away from the photo, she determinedly turned the page, forging on to the advice column and an article entitled, "Make Magic in the Bedroom." Eventually, she came to the colourful pages showing off "Merlin's Sex Toys," and her eyes bugged out at the wizards and witches in the photos demonstrating the toys advertised.

By the time she had perused the entire magazine, she was disconcerted to realize that she was extremely aroused. Furtively shoving the magazine under her pillow, she doused her wand and stared into the darkness, suddenly focused on the throbbing heat expanding from her centre.

Closing her eyes, she could see the model's erection bouncing in her mind. Imagining what Snape would look like completely nude, she superimposed the model's cock onto Snape. It wasn't that difficult to do, really, since the model already had similar long locks hanging in his face, and he had a lean build, much like her lover's. Ignoring the fact that the model was gleaming tan in the sun, whereas Snape glowed pale in moonlight, she nevertheless pictured Snape standing naked before her, his elegant, deft hands snaking over his body as he pinned her with a smouldering gaze.

Keeping her eyes screwed shut, she slid her hand into her knickers, gasping as she felt the slick juices coating her curls. Writhing at the delicious pangs that shot through her as she circled her clit, she thought back to what Snape had done to her, making her orgasm so forcefully. Now that she had felt his fingers filling her, she recognized the missing piece in her self-pleasure. While she could enjoy manipulating her clit, she wanted penetration as well, eagerly hoping she might find that glorious spot that Snape had come across.

Her other hand snaked down her belly, pressing above her mound, imitating Snape's actions. She could feel a fraction of the sensation, but it was nothing like what she had experienced with his finger pressing inside her. Resolving to pay closer attention to the sex toy ads in the next magazine, Hermione feverishly stroked and pressed, her excitement mounting as she relived the intense encounter in Snape's bed.

Considering how turned on she was after so much visual and mental stimulation, it wasn't surprising that she reached her climax as quickly as she did, her pleasure spiking mere minutes after she had begun. Her moans were muffled as she turned her face to her pillow, shuddering and gasping in orgasm. As she spiralled down from her peak, she sank into a languorous sleep, a dreamily satisfied smile on her face.

************* **************

The next day, Ron nervously approached Susan about attending the party that night, and returned to the common room, a sheepish grin hovering on his lips and his ears a bright shade of pink. Trying not to laugh at her friend, Hermione smiled and said, "I assume by your expression that she'll be coming tonight?"

Ron ducked his head, rubbing the back of his neck, and murmured, "Uh, yeah. She'll be here." His lopsided grin drew an answering one from Hermione, even as she felt a pang of envy that he would be able to ring in the New Year with his girlfriend, while she would be alone.

Resolutely tamping that undesirable emotion, Hermione patted Ron's arm and offered a sincere, "That's great, Ron. I'm really happy for you."

Parvati swatted a laughing Dean as he gesticulated wildly, trying to draw attention to a determinedly-casual Seamus, who was nonchalantly telling a blithely oblivious Luna about the party as well. Ginny rolled her eyes at Dean's immature behaviour and responded to the imploring glance Seamus cast her way as Luna stated that a party sounded like fun.

Sidling up to her dotty friend, Ginny muttered, "You can stay with me, Luna. I've got plenty of room in my dorm. Susan Bones will be staying too. It should be fun. See you tonight!"

Luna smiled absently and retorted, "Okay. That'll be nice," airily twisting her hair around her wand. Seamus sighed gustily in relief and beamed at Ginny, who winked at him as she departed.

Ginny flopped on the ottoman near the chair Hermione was in, smiling fondly at Ron and Harry talking excitedly over a game of Wizard's Chess. Shooting a cheerful grin at Hermione, she said, "Tonight should be fun! I'm glad I could help Ron out by letting Susan stay with me. He's pretty smitten with her right now." Rolling her eyes indulgently, she chuckled. Then, she noticed that Hermione didn't seem too keen on the idea. Frowning, Ginny queried, "What's wrong?"

Hermione shrugged and attempted a wan smile. "Oh, nothing really. I'm just not as excited about the party as you are."

Ginny leant forward, instantly attentive. "Why not?"

Hermione cast a surreptitious glance around the room before answering, "I just miss him, y'know? I wish I could ring in the New Year with my boyfriend like everyone else is doing." Hermione was completely taken aback by Ginny's grimace and sputter of laughter. Indignant, she huffed, "What's so funny?"

Ginny clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles, shooting an apologetic look at her annoyed friend. Gasping, she tried to compose herself. "I'm sorry! I just... Oh, 'Mione, I can't help it! It's just..." She coughed and took a deep breath, managing to get herself under control. Bright brown eyes dancing with suppressed mirth and mischief, she murmured, "I can't believe you called him your 'boyfriend'! I mean, seriously! It is a pretty ridiculous notion: trying to reconcile him with the idea of 'boyfriend'..." She trailed off, glancing furtively about, grimacing apologetically at Hermione's stone-faced reception of her explanation.

Coolly, Hermione hissed, "And what, exactly, would you suggest I call him?"

Ginny tossed her head impatiently. Gripping Hermione's forearm, she wheedled, "Don't be mad, please? I didn't mean anything by it, really! It's just so weird to use such a juvenile term for someone like him. He's way past being 'boyfriend' material." Hermione regarded the redhead impassively. Sighing, Ginny continued. "I don't mean it like that! He's just so much more mature, and intimidating, and adult..."

At that, Hermione's composure cracked, and one corner of her mouth twisted up in amusement. Wickedly, she murmured, "'Adult' is a good word for it."

Ginny's brows shot up and her mouth formed an "o" of astonishment at Hermione's innuendo. Then, she burst out laughing again. "Indeed! I'd say perhaps 'lover' is a better choice?" She beamed at Hermione, understanding that she was forgiven by Hermione's tolerant smile.

Smirking with a cat-that-got-the-canary sort of expression, Hermione lilted, "Mmm, perhaps." Then, she sighed, sagging forward, propping her chin on her hand dejectedly. "It's no wonder then that I'd rather be with him to celebrate, is it?"

Ginny made a sympathetic moue and draped her arm around Hermione's shoulders. "I know. I wish I could help, but it's just too risky. Surely you realize that?"

Hermione nodded hastily. "I do. Honest! I'll be here for the party, never fear. I just won't make any promises on how long I'll stay. It wouldn't do for me to turn positively green with envy, now would it?"

Ginny hugged Hermione and said, "Hey, it could be worse!"

Hermione grimaced half-heartedly and shrugged again. "You're right. Anyway, I'm going to go do some reading. I'll see you later." She rose, and Ginny grabbed her wrist.

Grinning devilishly, Ginny murmured, "Gonna' do some 'research'?"

Hermione smirked back and wrinkled her nose. "Maybe..." Both girls laughed, and Hermione paused to smile gently at Ginny. "Hey, thanks, Gin. I appreciate you listening."

"No worries. See you later." Ginny grinned impishly at Hermione and departed to join Harry and Ron. Hermione retreated to her room, wistfully thinking of Snape.

Hermione passed a few hours revising for N.E.W.T.s, then she rejoined the others in the common room for dinner. Blinking in surprise, she couldn't help but smile at the festive decorations brightening up the already-cheerful room. On one of the tables, stacks of party hats and noisemakers sat beside the box of Fred and George's Wildfire Whizbang prototypes.

While everyone ate, Harry summoned Dobby, asking him if he would bring up some sweets for their celebration, and the house-elf beamed with the extreme pleasure of granting Harry Potter's wish. Not long after the dinner dishes disappeared, Dobby showed up with a host of elves, all laden with refreshments.

Hermione was helping arrange the snacks when there was a knock on the portrait. Ron and Seamus both hurried to open it, nervously expecting their dates. Fortunately, both Susan and Luna were waiting in the corridor, having met on their way up to the Tower.

The party progressed happily, with lots of laughter and smiles. Ginny and Ron caused quite the sensation when they set off the twins' fireworks. The common room was filled with diving, shrieking people, desperately trying to avoid the flying hazards that were characteristic of the twins' sojourn at Hogwarts. After they all pitched in to clear the room of the smoke and fumes, it was near midnight. Everyone settled down with their party hats and favours, contentedly awaiting the strike of the clock...everyone, that is, except for Hermione.

Hermione sat to one side, alone, watching the others, in pairs or small groups, clearly enjoying themselves. Her three best friends were totally absorbed in their dates, and she felt woefully left out. A few minutes before midnight, Harry disentangled himself from Ginny's encompassing embrace to address the rest of the group.

"All right, mates, it's almost midnight! You know what that means: find someone to kiss to ring the New Year in right!" A spate of chuckles met his brazen announcement. With that, he plopped down with Ginny again, grinning impishly at her and waggling his eyebrows. Ron and Susan were smiling shyly at each other as they edged away to a more private corner.

Luna gazed complacently at Seamus and said, "Seamus, I'd like to kiss you, if you don't mind." Seamus reddened instantly, trying his best to ignore Dean's hoots and catcalls behind him.

"Uh... sure, Luna. I don't mind a bit. That'd be great." He attempted a smile, but his nerves made it look more like a grimace. It didn't seem to faze Luna, however, and she blinked serenely at him, taking his hand and snuggling next to him on the low couch.

This time, Lavender was swatting Dean to get him to behave. Hissing, she said, "Honestly, Dean! When will you shut up?"

Dean turned his white smile on her and blithely retorted, "When your kiss renders me speechless, Lavender, dear."

Blinking at him in surprise, Lavender giggled and flushed. Parvati turned to Neville and Colin and laughed. "Looks like he's pretty glib all the time!" The boys chuckled nervously, glancing furtively at each other and then at the clock. Parvati noticed the exchange and smiled fondly. "So, Neville, can I count on you to return the mistletoe favour and kiss me tonight?"

Neville's eyes went round, and he seemed to both pale and flush at the same time, leaving him splotchy. Colin's shoulders sagged minutely, but he really wasn't too broken up about it. He smiled faintly at Neville's stunned reaction. As Neville stammered something barely coherent, Colin noticed that there were only a couple of minutes left before the hour.

Hermione was startled from her musing reverie by Colin approaching her. Looking up, she saw that his lips were set in a determined line, and when she glanced around the room at the apparent couples, realization hit her like a Bludger. Brows climbing to her hairline, she sat back, gaping stupidly at the younger boy.

Colin sat by her and nodded briskly. Before Hermione could say anything, he blurted, "So, uh, looks like it's you and me then!"

"Oh, uh, Colin... I don't think..."

He cut her off, ducking his head. "I know we're just friends, Hermione. But a little kiss couldn't hurt. Please?" He looked up through his lashes, imploring. Hermione cast a quick glance at the clock, saw that there were only a few seconds before the chime, and resigned herself, not wanting to make a big deal and draw attention. So, she shrugged and nodded weakly at him.

As the others started chanting the countdown, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, offering her cheek to Colin. She was therefore surprised when she felt his lips firmly planting on her own. Her eyes shot open, and she gasped, her mouth falling open. Colin mistook her reaction and pressed his advantage, tickling her lips with his tongue, delving between them to hers.

Hermione froze in shock. After a second or two, she gathered her scattered wits and pulled away, breaking the kiss. Colin was quite pink, and his lips were glistening in the firelight. Mind racing in panic, Hermione fluttered backward, blinking rapidly. Glancing wildly about, she saw that everyone else was still engaged in their kisses, some more deeply than others.

"Happy New Year, Hermione," Colin said shyly. Hermione didn't want to hurt his feelings, but she had to get away.

"Oh! Um, you too, Colin. Listen, I was just waiting for the clock to chime. So, um, I'm gonna' go to bed now. Enjoy the rest of the party..." She stood hastily and edged past him toward her room. He looked as if he were about to say something, but she practically ran past him and disappeared, slamming her door shut and warding it behind her.

Crookshanks greeted her with an ankle rub and a purr. She abruptly scooped him up and hugged him tightly, dropping to her bed. "Oh, Crooks, I can't believe Colin kissed me like that! What will Severus say?" It never occurred to her to just not tell Snape about the incident, as that was tantamount to lying. Shaking her head worriedly, she sighed and released Crookshanks.

Crossing to her bureau, she tenderly uncovered the photo of her and Snape, smiling fondly at it. As feelings of love and attraction welled up inside her, her mind flitted to the previous night's imaginings. A tingle chased through her at the erotic images that blossomed in her mind's eye. Chewing her lip pensively, she buried the photo again and went rummaging through her desk, finding more of the books and magazines she had borrowed from Ginny.

Humming under her breath, she meandered into the bathroom to draw a hot bath, her nose stuck in the thick book as she went. It was titled Sex Uncovered: the Raw Truth about What People Can Do Together. She scanned through the chapter titles as she disrobed, running the taps at full blast and adding scented bubbles.

The book included chapters about virtually every aspect of sex, including touching, kissing, masturbation, oral sex, heterosexual intercourse, homosexual intercourse, various positions, anal sex, using toys, role playing, fetishes, and even multiple partners! Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information, Hermione charmed the book to hover above the bubbles as she soaked in the fragrant water.

She flipped through some chapters faster than others, skimming section titles and glossing over the pictures of wizards and witches demonstrating the activities described. When she got to the chapter on oral sex, she was fascinated, staring unblinking at the photo of a couple taking turns pleasing each other. Tumultuous thoughts about doing that with Snape made her flush, perspiration beading along her upper lip. She remembered his comment, "Good gods, Hermione, what wouldn't I give for you to have a taste..." and her answering whisper, "You have no idea how much I would like to try that."

The bath water had cooled to a tepid pool, so long was she in the tub reading. Finally dragging her pruney body out of the bath, she took the book back to bed, completely absorbed in perusing the dazzling array of sex toys listed therein. Once she had dressed and snuggled under the covers, absently stroking Crookshanks as he curled up beside her, she frowned in concentration and turned to the chapter on virginity.

As a testament to how thorough the book was, the chapter included information on potions in which virgin's blood was used, and directed readers on where to find more detailed instructions on how to properly acquire it. Pausing to consider that, Hermione grimaced and thought, I hope he doesn't bring that up. That's kind of a mood killer... She forged ahead to the illustrations on how to tell if a woman's maidenhead had been breached. With a nearly clinical interest, she scanned the various pictures of hymens. I wonder what mine's like.

Her musing turned to the passage describing the spectrum of what could be expected when losing one's virginity. At the thought of the possible pain of rupturing her hymen, tearing the flesh, she chewed her lip pensively. I could feel it when his finger was rubbing against it, sliding into me... Her eyes closed briefly in remembered delight. It's not like his finger is very big. If there's that much there that I can actually feel it, I can only imagine that it would hurt quite a bit if he were to penetrate me. She set her jaw and inhaled deeply. Make that when he makes love to me. Not if. Just a few more months, and we can be together completely. A radiant smile spread her lips at the thought, and a surge of heat washed over her. I really don't want to have our first time together be marred by pain. I want to enjoy feeling him so close to me. Hmm, we do have several months yet. I'm sure I can be prepared by then...

With that, she closed the book and laid it on her nightstand, a tiny calculating smile on her face. Dousing the lights, she burrowed deeper under the covers, formulating her plan. If all worked out the way it should, by the time she and Snape were together, she would still be a virgin, having never had sex with anyone, but she would not be subject to the physical trauma of rending her flesh to prove it. If her plan succeeded, there would be nothing to mar the bliss of their eventual union.