11- Surprises at the First Rehearsal *part two*
Chapter 12 of 84
Good_Witch*split into 2 parts due to length* The first round-table read through happens, and it's an evening full of surprises for everyone involved--some more than others.
Reviewed*part 2 of chapter 11*
Once Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny had exited the Great Hall and had made their way about halfway down the corridor, they had slowed and stopped in their excited chatting. Hermione was only vaguely listening. Ginny and Ron had departed to go owl their mother about the first rehearsal, Ginny taking everyone's scripts back to the common room, and Harry was left holding Hermione's hand.
She absently bade the redheads good night before looking back at the doorway to the Great Hall. Suddenly, she felt Harry squeezing her hand and grasping the other one. As other students flowed out of the doorway, he pulled her toward the wall. Hermione, in Harry's grip, followed distractedly.
Harry was grinning widely at Hermione and she instinctively smiled back. He pulled her into the shadows near the wall and tugged her against him in an embrace. She felt his chest warm and hard beneath hers, and his legs fit along her legs. His arms were wrapped around her waist and her hands were trapped against his shoulders inside his arms. He leant back against the wall and settled her against him, each with one leg between the other's. Hermione was taken aback by the embrace and even more so by the look on Harry's face.
He was gazing at her reverently, his eyes fixed on her face. His smile waned slightly as he looked at her lips. She felt his breathing quicken and gasped as he darted in to kiss her. She closed her eyes, letting the sensation flow over her. She could feel the urgency in his mouth and in the tightness of his grip. When he finally pulled back to take a breath, she was bewildered. He leant his forehead against hers and rasped, "I've been wanting to do that since the first moment you opened your mouth to sing tonight. You were amazing. There's more to you than I ever imagined. I want to know you, Hermione. I want to know everything about you."
Hermione reeled under the effects of his words and caresses. She felt her body responding to his. He was tapping into the sexual energy that the play had awakened in her. Her mind was whirling with thoughts she couldn't sort out and her pulse was racing. She felt the excitement in her centre and leant in toward Harry to kiss him. He responded eagerly and she wound her hands up behind his head, threading her fingers in his hair and gripping his shoulder. Harry slid one hand up her back and the other cupped her arse, pulling her against him.
Their tongues were sparring, feverishly exploring each other. Hermione gasped when Harry moved to bite her earlobe; she felt his hot breath against her ear and she shuddered with the goose flesh it evoked. Her nipples were stiffening between them. And that wasn't all that was stiffening between them. She could feel Harry hot and hard against her hip. It both frightened and excited her. She felt drunk with adrenaline. The rational part of her mind was screaming for her to stop, to get out of the corridor, but the recently awakened part of her hungered for the sensations and didn't care where she was.
She felt Harry's hands moving to her sides, travelling up to brush against the sides of her breasts and she moaned into his mouth. With a strangled groan, Harry guided her to turn, and she found herself pressed up against the wall. Harry was kissing her neck and throat, and she was biting her lip to keep from making noise, but their panting breath was echoingly loud to her ears. She shocked her finer sensibilities when she reached behind Harry and grabbed his arse, pulling him against her. He groaned into her neck and bit harder. She trembled at the jolt that coursed through her to her core.
Hermione's hands were travelling all over, from his hair, to his neck, to his shoulders, down his back, gripping his arse, and back again. Harry had reached between them to cup her breasts, lowering his face to the cleavage. He flicked shaking fingers against her hard nipples, causing her to squirm against his erection, panting. He covered her with kisses, even through her clothes. After a few brushes across her breasts, she gripped his hair and pulled him back up to kiss him deeply. He was momentarily surprised by the vehemence of her probing, but quickly overcame that to match her intensity. He began thrusting his tongue against hers, mimicking that which he wanted to be doing a little lower. He could feel her hips grinding against him in time to his thrusts and he groaned into her mouth as she pressed and rubbed her body against his aching cock.
Suddenly, Harry let out a startled cry and Hermione shrieked as they were doused with icy water. Hermione felt Harry being violently yanked away from her and saw him propelled to land unceremoniously in a dripping heap against the far wall. Her hands flew to her mouth in abject terror at the picture of Professor Snape, eyes crackling with rage, wand pointed at Harry in a pile on the floor, but staring at Hermione with what she could only describe as hatred pouring from him.
Harry sat, frozen, eyes wide with confusion and fear. Hermione felt herself sliding down the wall to huddle in a trembling ball, tears falling, unbidden, like the water dripping from her hair. She had never seen Snape like this, even that day at the notice board. He was like an avenging Fury. She could feel the magical energy sizzling off him, and was desperately afraid that he would hex them within an inch of their lives.
Snape pinned Hermione with a glare of pure loathing before he whipped around to Harry. His nostrils flared in his effort to maintain control and not blast that bloody Potter into oblivion. He fought the Death Eater inside himself to not cast an Unforgivable and end up in Azkaban. Seconds stretched on in tense silence, broken only by Harry's shallow panting, Hermione's stifled sobs, and Snape's deep breaths. Harry averted his eyes from Snape's, not wanting to incense the man further.
Finally, Snape hissed, "Fifty points from Gryffindor...EACH...for such revolting behaviour in the corridor. I will not countenance such lewd and disgraceful acts in this school. Mr. Potter, get out of my sight while you still can." He watched with a sense of morbid satisfaction as the boy scrambled to his feet, staggering away from them as quickly as possible before breaking into a run and taking the stairs two at a time. He barely spared a terrified glance over his shoulder as he went.
Snape focused his attention on Hermione, still cowering against the wall in the shadows. He could still sense the heady aura of pheromones around them. He looked at her, gut twisted in jealousy. Again, time seemed to drag on forever while neither of them spoke: he was not ready to, and she wouldn't dare until he spoke first.
She tried to compose herself, sniffling, swallowing her sobs. Her clothes were clinging to her, chilling her, but not nearly as much as his expression did. His shoulders were rising and falling with his heavy breathing, and she watched as they eventually slowed and then stopped moving noticeably. His lips were pulled in a tight thin line, etching deep grooves at the corners where they turned down in severe disapproval. Snape took a step toward her and she flinched.
Deliberately, he stepped closer to her, towering over her cringing form. He stretched a hand toward her and saw her shudder. He stood perfectly still, hand out, until she looked up at him, eyes red-rimmed and bewildered. In a quiet, flat tone, he said, "Get up, Miss Granger."
She glanced at his hand and back up at him, incredulous. Hesitantly, she grasped his hand and he pulled her to her feet. She snatched her hand back as soon as she was steady, trying to ignore the warm strength she felt in his grip. She stood trembling, back against the wall, eyes downcast, awaiting her punishment.
His eyes raked her from head to toe, then his gaze lingered where her wet clothes clung to her stiff nipples, outlining the shape of her breasts. He violently clamped down on the desire that rose within him. Teeth clenched in his fight for control, Snape gazed down at her: hair and clothing drenched, face white and tearstained, petrified and shaking. Unaccountably, he felt a twinge of remorse. Ruthlessly, he pushed it away, but even so, he couldn't bring himself to scourge her with his usual venom.
After several moments in which all she could hear was her heartbeat, Hermione ventured to glance up at him. His face was set again like it was during "Stranger Than You Dreamt It" and she felt that same flash of desire to change that dead expression. She found herself unable to look away from his penetrating gaze, but also unable to delve into those enigmatic black eyes.
Finally, he whispered, "How could you lower yourself to the likes of a Potter?" The incredulous disdain was plain in his tone, and she stiffened in defence of her friend. But, as she opened her mouth to respond, he held his hand up, millimetres from her lips. Her mind reeled at the memory of his finger against her lips before, and at the daring she had showed in licking said finger. She promptly forgot everything she was going to say in Harry's defence. Her lips tingled at his proximity, and she felt as if he were touching her, even though he was not.
Snape saw the change in her demeanour and felt her reaction. He, too, could feel the energy flowing from her lips to his fingers, across the short space. His mouth twisted into a grimace of pain and he spat, "You deserve so much better, Hermione." Then, before he could bare more of his soul, he snapped his hand back to his side and spun on his heel, turning away from her. He stepped away, down the corridor, and stopped, tossing back over his shoulder, "Never let me catch you like that again, or you will regret ever meeting that arrogant boy. As it is, I expected you to have better sense. For that, you will serve detention, Monday, with me. 7:00 in the classroom. Do not be late." He started down the corridor again, but paused to fling a drying spell at her before he disappeared down the stairs.
Hermione let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding and looked dazedly at her now dry clothes. She sagged against the wall, closing her eyes in confusion. Gathering her scattered wits, she shakily started down the corridor toward the stairs. Wearily climbing them, she fought to calm herself. As she reached the corridor to the Gryffindor Tower, she anxiously peered down it to see if anyone were waiting for her. Thankful that she didn't see anyone, she decided to use the private entrance to her Head Girl's room, bypassing the common room. The last thing she wanted to do was face Harry and a roomful of spectators.
She stepped through a nondescript door and made her way through the stuffy passageway. Stealthily opening the hidden door to her room, she peered around to make sure nobody was waiting for her in her room either. Heaving a sigh of relief, she shut the hidden door and flopped gracelessly onto her bed, her hands pressed against her eyes. Crookshanks jumped onto the bed beside her and butted his head against her arm, demanding attention. She absently scratched his head and wailed, "Oh, Crookshanks, what am I going to do?"
She was startled by the muffled cry she heard outside her door. It was almost immediately followed by vigorous knocking. Then, she heard Harry's muted voice, saying, "Hermione? Are you in there? Open up! It's me, Harry! Are you okay? Please, open the door!"
Gingerly, she made her way to the door and leant her forehead against the wood. Wearily, she answered, "Harry, I'm fine. Just go. It's better if you just go to your room. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" She shook her head at the outraged squawk from the other side. Harry banged on the door and she jerked her head off it.
"Hermione, come on! Just let me see you, I need to know you're okay. Please? I promise I'll go then. Really!"
Hermione grimaced, knowing Harry's stubborn streak. He would sit there and keep her from sleeping until she caved in. Exasperated, she snapped, "Fine!" She dropped her wards and unlocked her door, jerking it open a few inches. She looked at Harry, irritated, and saw him, still damp from their dousing.
Harry instantly grabbed the door and pressed up against the opening, eyes wide and worried as he looked at her. Hermione rolled her eyes and huffed. "Honestly, Harry, you could have used a drying spell, or at least changed!" Harry gazed down at himself blankly. He sharply looked back at her, confused by her reaction.
"I was worried about you! Who cares about my clothes? Are you okay? I didn't dare try to stay around, not with Snape that mental. What did he do? What did he say to you?" Suddenly, his urgency disappeared and he dropped his voice to a coaxing tone. "Say, 'Mione, can't you let a chap come in and talk to you? It's stupid to be having a conversation like this through a door." He gave her a shy, hesitant smile and covered her hand on the door with his.
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment, marshalling her thoughts. She was frustrated, scared, angry, sad, and annoyed. She couldn't even find it within herself to return Harry's smile. Harry's attempt at being endearing faltered when she opened her eyes and he saw her temper rising within them. He was no stranger to Hermione's temper, and he hated it when she got angry and went off. Carefully, he removed his hand from hers and backed away. Sheepishly, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked down.
After a few seconds of silence, Harry glanced at her. She was still glaring at him, fuming. Finally, she backed away from the door and opened it a bit more, only to step into the open space with her wand pointing at Harry. He froze, wondering if he had finally pushed her too far and he was about to pay the price, but she simply shot a drying spell at him and primly put her wand away. Still dazed by the shock, Harry mumbled a thanks and ran his hand through his now dry hair.
Icily, Hermione looked at Harry and said, "Satisfied? You can see that I'm not hurt. Now will you please go to your room and let me go to bed? Gee, Harry, I don't know about you, but I've kinda' had a rough evening."
Harry grimaced at her sarcasm. It always reminded him of Snape. "Okay, just tell me what happened, and I promise I'll leave." He held his hands up, palms forward, gazing at her earnestly.
Hermione blinked at him and rolled her eyes. Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose and smoothed her fingers out over her brow. "I got detention, okay? He said I should have better sense, and I have to serve detention with him Monday night."
Harry scowled in indignation. "What does that mean, you should have better sense? And if he was going to give detention, why didn't he give it to me?"
She shook her head tiredly. "I can only assume it's because I'm Head Girl. I'm held to higher standards. As for not giving you detention, just be grateful that you won't be around him even more. I really thought he was going to hex you tonight!" She shot Harry a look of worry and fear. "And," she continued reluctantly, "he said not to ever let him catch us like that again. I really think we should cool it a bit, Harry."
Harry rushed back to her, dismayed. "No! I mean, we just won't be foolish enough to get caught again. That's all. Come on, 'Mione, we have a good thing going. Don't let this one minor setback snuff it out!" He grabbed her hands and held them tightly, looking anxious.
Hermione, however, was incensed. "Minor setback! You call that a minor setback?" She yanked her hands violently from Harry's grasp. "Bloody hell, Harry, I haven't been so scared since we faced Voldemort! No, scratch that! It was worse than facing Voldemort. At least then, I knew there were scores of others there to watch my back and help me. At least then, I had some idea what was coming, and I had my wand out, ready for it! No, Harry, this was worse."
Harry started backing away, recognizing Hermione winding herself up for a huge blow-up.
"You just don't realize how powerful Snape is, do you? Are you blind? Can't you feel it? He probably wouldn't have needed a wand to hex the living daylights out of us, he was so livid! You never cared to look past your hatred for him to see the real Snape. He is likely the most formidable wizard in the country, if not the continent, save Dumbledore, and he's even more daunting because of his knowledge of Dark Magic! Can you even imagine what he knows? How much he knows? He probably knows hexes and curses that we wouldn't even begin to know how to defend against. And I have to serve detention with him. Because of you! I can't believe I let myself get caught up in the moment with you. In the corridor!" She stamped her foot and cursed.
Harry was standing stock still in the corridor, looking like a deer caught in headlights. He knew that nothing he said would make any difference when Hermione was this worked up. Vainly, he tried to calm her. "Look, I'll go and ask him to give me the detention instead..."
"No! You will do no such thing, Harry James Potter! You'll just make things worse! It's better if you don't bring it up again. Look, I'll manage. At least it's not with Filch." She heaved a huge irritated sigh. Closing her eyes and thinning her lips, she took a deep breath. As she exhaled, she looked at Harry. "Just go. I told you what happened. I'm fine. Just go. You promised," she said warningly. Harry nodded hastily. "And, let's just put things on hold for a while, okay? Things were moving way too fast. We'll just get into more trouble." She looked down, avoiding his stricken eyes.
Harry swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. He felt his pulse racing, his stomach clenching. Wisely deciding not to argue with her, he stuffed his hands in his pockets again, planning to address the issue when she was calmer, later. Nodding shakily, he glanced at her. "Right then. Okay. Well, in that case... um, I guess, good night. I'll see you tomorrow, eh?"
Hermione felt her stomach roiling. She hated hurting him. But she knew it was better if they eased up. Her emotions had been on a roller coaster ever since he made his feelings known. And, with everything she had to think about and deal with, she just couldn't keep it up. Especially since she still had lessons with Snape, and they all would have months of rehearsal as well. She relaxed a trifle at his capitulation and looked down. Quietly, she answered, "Sure, Harry. Good night." She watched him slowly turn and trudge down the corridor, then shut her door and locked it. Mechanically placing her wards, she leant her face against the cool wood of the door and sighed. She was so tired. It was like she had run a marathon. She just wanted to sleep for days, she felt so drained.
Wearily, she turned and started preparing for bed. Thank Merlin I finished my homework already. I'll just take a bath and go to sleep. She made her way to the bathroom, listlessly undressing. She started the water and chose scents that are soothing and calming to add to the mix. Sinking onto the toilet lid while she waited for the bath to be ready, she dropped her head into her hands, vainly trying to sort through all that had happened and everything she had felt that night. She groaned at the confusing jumble.
Turning off the water, she stood and stepped into the hot bath, sighing as she immersed herself in it. Her chest and throat felt tight. Idly she wondered if it was from singing, but then she felt the moisture gathering under her lids and realized that she was about to cry. Irritated with herself, she tried to fight it, but some inner voice told her to just let it out and she'd feel better. So, she did.
After several minutes of sobs, she finally devolved into occasional hiccups and sniffles. She did feel better. At least she felt like she could know her own mind again. Having luxuriated in a good cleansing cry, she meticulously started reviewing the evening, determined to figure things out.
Gods, tonight was utterly bizarre! Who knew Snape had such a talent? Then again, why wouldn't he? He's an expert at everything else he does, why not this too? Honestly, though, I have to figure out how to handle it! His voice just gets inside me and I start feeling all those things that I shouldn't be feeling...at least, not for a teacher. I've got to get over that. Just look where it's got me already! I've embarrassed myself multiple times, Snape hates me and I have to work with him, and now I managed to get a detention for acting on those feelings with Harry! I never had these problems when I was just the Gryffindor bookworm. She scowled morosely. Then, she shivered in remembered fear.
Merlin help me, Snape was scary! I'm surprised he didn't rage at us again like at the notice board. He was so quiet. Deadly quiet. Like when I made that horrible comment to him at our first meeting. He's really much more terrifying when he's quiet like that than when he's roaring. But tonight, it was like he was on fire. I can't believe Harry didn't feel the power crackling off him! Thank Merlin he's got such control. If it were Harry in a similar situation, half the castle would probably be in ruins around us! He really needs to learn some restraint. Snape was right about him and his reckless nature. Harry simply refuses to see it, likely just because he can't admit that Snape is right about something! She chewed her lip, frowning.
Harry did have a good question, though. What did Snape mean by that comment? What did he mean by any of it, for that matter? "How could I lower myself to the likes of a Potter?" Why should he care? It's really none of his business. She pondered a moment and then felt a twinge in her chest at Snape's expression when he had said, "You deserve so much better, Hermione."
Her eyes widened and her breath caught. "Hermione?" Since when does he call me that? And just what does he mean, I deserve so much better? Like what? She rapidly flashed through all that had passed between them during the rehearsal, and the explosion of feeling in response to his hand near her lips again. Her pulse sped up and her stomach fluttered. She cast back to the rusty smile he had given her and the decency he had exhibited in helping her up and drying her clothes. Or... not what... who?
She leant her head back on the rim of the tub and covered her face with her hands. She felt them trembling against her cheeks and took a deep, calming breath. She tried to ignore the harsh thumping of her heart in her chest, and the tremulous sliver of hope that was working its way to her consciousness. It forced its way through and gave rise to the thought, He couldn't possibly mean himself, could he? Is he... jealous?
Her body thrummed at the idea, and she felt all the frustrated sexual energy spring back to life. Suddenly, the throbbing wasn't just in her chest, but throughout her body. She knew it was going to keep bothering her, and she felt resigned to taking it through to its logical conclusion. Sighing, she drained the tub and dried off, dressing for bed and feeling the pulsing in her centre the whole time.
She climbed into bed and doused the light, squirming a bit at the heat between her legs. Rather exasperated, she slid her hands under the covers and began stroking her body, sliding over her breasts and down her stomach to her slick curls. She couldn't hold back the gasp as she slipped her finger between her swollen pussy lips and rubbed near her clit. But, her mind kept throwing out images of both Snape and Harry, mixing different moments of desire and fear and anger.
This was different than the other times she had done this. Then, she was in the throes of lust and desire. Now, she was suffering the after-effects of frustration. She really just wanted to sleep, but knew she never would because her body would keep her awake unless she took care of business.
It felt good, just not like before. She felt her senses building, but her mind kept her rather detached from it all. Oh for gods' sakes, this is supposed to be fun! she thought, disgusted. She continued, determined to reach the point where she could finally relax. She hit a plateau and nearly cried out in frustration.
Feverishly, she cast about for something to get her to her peak. She recalled the sensation of Harry's mouth kissing her chest, his fingers brushing her nipples, his cock hard against her hip. She felt a jolt inside herself and her fingers danced even faster.
Then, she thought of his teeth biting her earlobe and her neck, the heat from his body radiating against her. A tingle shot though her. She was getting closer.
Concentrating on the feeling of body heat against hers, she suddenly remembered how close Snape had been to her as he had purred at her, demanding to know what his voice did to her. She had felt the heat and power emanating off him and had wanted nothing more than to be pressed up against him, wondering if she did so, would she feel a hard cock between them like she had with Harry? The thought of Snape, hard against her, seducing her with his velvet voice, sent her over the edge and she felt the spasms take over her body. As they subsided, she nearly wept with relief.
Her breathing finally slowed and she curled up on her side, feeling the sated drowsiness sweeping over her. Her last conscious thought was, Oh thank Merlin, finally!
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Latest 25 Reviews for Phantom of Hogwarts
1533 Reviews | 7.33/10 Average
It's been so long since last I read Phantom of Hogwarts, and it was just as wonderful as I remembered! Thank you for writing this fic...however many years ago. :)
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
Oh, wow! No matter how long ago it is that I finished PoH, It will always be in my top 5 achievements. LOL I'm so glad you feel that it has held up on re-reads. Thank you so much for making my night brighter! :)
Haa! Haaa! Haaa! Had to keep reading so I couldn't review since the proposal. Harry is a turd for telling Dumbledore to use Dobby to go after Hermione and Severus. I didn't expect Dumbledore or her parents to react with such intense nagativity. I expected some nay saying but not the heap of anger that was piled on top of them. Well, lets see if Minerva is here to hug him or hang him.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*huge grin* Glad to make you laugh! Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
O I just love the ring!!!!!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
I covet that ring SO much. I'm glad you like it too. Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
What did Albus do while the rest of the cast enjoyed the party? I suppose he was entertaining the Ministry official? I felt a little bit bad for him. He did have fun directing the play. I wonder if he plans to teach next year's Art's class. Maybe he was having a long distant conversation with the other Headmasters. I doubt it, though. Things are going too well for Severus in a way. I'm waiting for the other shoe to fall when he and Hermione come out of the closet. I don't know why Hermione can't be bothered to see him once a week for a few minutes somehow. I couldn't stay away from my lover for two months while we lived in the same castle. I'd at least write him a little love note as often as I could. The girl is made of steel or ice. You would think she would realize they need to have some plan for what they are to do at the end of term. Will they be a couple at the graduation ceremony? Will they be one the next day? Will they both go to the house on Spinner's End or will she go home to her parents first? I don't think she realizes that he wanted her input so that she would love the house as their home. He's giving her a house. He's preparing her a home, them a home. She could at least tell him that she is happy to think he is working on their home and tell him if she plans to move in straight away or not. This hiatus in their relationship puzzles me. I suppose they can only have it all or nothing. Hermione isn't able to compartmentalize apparently.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
You're not the only one wondering when the other shoe will drop, especially after the close calls they've had already. *snerk* Your questions will be answered (some to a greater degree than others) all in due time, my dear. ;) Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
I have no worries over the employment with Fern issue. I like her though. My kind of woman. Born and raised only slightly less hippyish. We moved to Hawaii, but didn't live in a commune. I'm very glad Hermione likes the idea of the house being "theirs". I am surprised her dad didn't notice her mum gushing over Severus. But, I don't think my husband would notice now that I think about it. I could go out with my pants inside out and he wouldn't notice unless someone else said something about it. It's odd. He complements me when he thinks I looks pretty but wouldn't be able to save me from lipstick on my teeth or some other embarrassing thing. He reminds me a lot of Ron, come to think about it.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
LOL at your description of your husband. I hope reminding you of Ron is a good thing. ;P Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
I'm surprised at Hermione's behavior and her giving up the opportunity to spend time with Severus. I suppose that the fact that neither seems to be obsessing about two missed opportunities to spend time together shows they are more confident in their relationship. I'm surprised that Severus would leave Hermione crying with her feelings hurt after the play. He was able to suppress his revolt of Voldemort. He needed to compartmentalize his being creeped out by Hermione's mother. I'm also surprised that so much time has gone by since they have communicated last. Hermione didn't even look at him during the performance. I realize he was sitting next the Minerva, but there must have been some opportunity to make eye contact if they had been looking for one. I'm happy Severus is so distracted by planing his new life. Other wise, I think his feelings would be hurt that she seemed to ignore him. It is the holidays and I would have thought that Hermione would be looking to spend time together even if it was just studying in her rooms while he read. I'm also glad that his neighborhood isn't the run down and empty sort of place it is usually described as. I have never thought of myself as super jealous but I guess I am. I don't know about having Severus in business with another witch. I know he wouldn't love anyone besides Hermione, but I wouldn't expect the other witch not to be attracted to him. Who wouldn't be. Well, his plans of leaving at then end of the year are out of the bag; it's kind of too bad. People are bound to connect his leaving with he and Hermione starting a relationship while he was still a Professor after such chemistry between them in the play. I expect some idiots to be that way even if they wait a little while to come out together. But there is no need to wait. They need to get married asap! I know I've already said this 3 other times. They have already promised to be together forever. At least half the people on the planet have their marriages arranged by their parents and they learn to live together without long periods of courting even if they are engaged as children. Not that I approve of child engagement, but I'm not against other cultures with arranged marriages. My life would have been happier if my parents and my husband's parents had been from the same social class. My parents tried to be friends with his but his were intimidated. His mother and sister also didn't like me. Severus and Hermione are going to have to deal with Hermione's mother though. It will become a problem between Hermione and her parents because her mom likes him too much! If they can get that under control, I don't think Hermione's parents will be unhappy about them becoming a couple.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
They have indeed become more confident as a couple, after the things they've already gone through. And they are now able to focus on other things besides the all-encompassing obsession with each other, such as setting up their future. :) Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
OK. I would never perve and gush like that as a married woman. Thank gods, I am not Hermione's mum. I was getting worried. She is so embarrassing. Poor Severus! Hermione's dad must be very secure. He wasn't jealous at all even though Dion was making a spectacle of herself. Poor Hermione too! It's creepy and gross to have your mom perving about your lover let alone being so obvious about it in front of all of your peers. Did she really think he would give her a kiss? Yuck! I had a friend when I was a teen who's mom slept with her boyfriend and she caught them! I'm trying not to gag right now. I was already not feeling well, so that might be adding to it. Let's move on, shall we? Wonderful chapter BTW!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
ROFL!!! Sorry to make you all oogy. ;) Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
I do hope I wasn't that embarrassing as a mom! But then again...I did so enjoy embarrassing my teenagers. Maybe I'm getting payback but I do believe I am being over paid enormously. I count it as a down payment on all of the money, time and emotional energy they are still costing me as adults. They are higher maintenance now than they were as children! But how can you blame me? Who else's mother carried a knitted uterus, a muppet breast and a life size fake pelvis in her trunk? Did you know that if you take the pelvis, turn it over, turn it backwards and put it on your head you can say, "Look! I'm a Klingon!" I only resorted to such things when provoked, I swear! If they were rude to me and embarrassed me in front of their friends, well, what was I supposed to do? And I'm sure anyone's mum would give STD lectures to any teenagers that she could get into the back seat of her taxi. I did have some mercy. I declined the request to a teach sex ed module at their private school. Instead the teacher would send home questions and I would write her a note to be taken back the next day. One of my favorites was, "What is the vas deferens?" I also spent literally thousands of dollars on therapy for both of them. I even took out a mortgage on my house to afford it. It was a total waste of money and the bank ended up with the house. 
! I wonder if Dion will be just as enamored with Severus after she finds out he is her daughter's soul mate and she is the love of his life? I would be so jealous! I seriously can't even imagine what is going to happen when those two come out. The only one I can count on is Ginny. Everyone else is a wild card as far as I can see at this point. I have no guesses about who will say what. Will Minerva still support Severus? I do hope so. I hope I am pleasantly surprised by everyone else as well. Maybe Albus will stun me and back them up after he comes to terms with the new Severus Snape. On with the show!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*cackling* I love it! Too funny, darlin. :D I have to say, I am so enjoying that you really can't tell what will happen, particularly with people's reactions. I would hate to be too transparent and predictable. ;P Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
Bless Minerva! I dare say she will be angry at first, but I do believe that when she realizes how much Hermione loves him she will come around. I'm so glad she came down to tell Severus she supports him in his quest for freedom and happiness. Severus is experiencing a whole new world in spite of megalomaniacs like Dumbledore and Voldemort. He is a very useful and powerful tool. It's no wonder they both wanted to control him. He is probably the most powerful wizard next to Dumbledore in Britain, maybe even the world. I do hope that Albus reconsiders his motives. If he persists in believing he owns Severus Snape, I would have to say he is a bad person for all of his twinkling on the outside. I know you said he was like a father that didn't want to let go of a son, but he needs to get over himself or he will lose said son. He probably isn't evil but he is controling, manipulative and has power issues. 
I know I already said this, but I think they really need to get married before they come out of the closet to shut down any scandle mongering. They aren't just every day people. They are war heros and have reputations to worry about that everyday people don't have to be concerned with. If they are married then no matter what people may accuse them of, they can't say that Severus didn't do the honorable thing by quiting his job and marrying the young woman. Some people like to believe the worst in others as a hobby. They are stupid and stupid people don't matter. I have an idea of where Severus could work! 
They could start a second line of products that are serious.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*beams* Yeah, you summed Albus up quite nicely, indeed! Thank you for such a lovely review! :)
Tastefully kinky and erotic solutions to several itches, not the least, Severus' newly declared freedom from Albus Dumbledore. I am surprise on one hand that Albus could be so selfish and forcefully maintain his mastery over his ex spy. He seemed to truly be interested in Severus' happiness, but like some parents he can't cut the apron string. He also seems to forget that he wouldnt have needed to work so hard to keep Severus alive if he hadn't been constantly sending him into lif threating circumstances. Albus misstepped himself when he made Severus a possession. I can imagine Hermione having something to say to Dumbledore before they leave the castle for good. Albus is a bully even though he works on the side of the light. Power corrupts as they say. I can imagine Hermione telling Albus Dumbledore "exactly where the bear slept," explaining exactly how things are going to be from now on and letting him know what she is willing to do if he decides not to respect their relationship and autonomy or tries to stand in their way. I think the best thing to do is get married the night of the leaving feast in a small wedding that maybe her parents will be at and Ginny, Neville, Harry and Ron. Severus, with his wife, can turn in his resignation the next day. I know there are more opportunities out there for them and him in particular than the apothecary shop. In his new state of the art lab, he can mix specially requested potions for individuals and corporations. Hermione can help him with the research and inventing new potions. They could do some coloboration with the Twins and be a private contractor for the Ministry and St. Mungos. They can travel and do research while things calm down back at the school. I'm all for their kinky fun and planing for the future. Does Albus Dumbledore forget who Severus Snape is?
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*beams* Oh, I am looking forward to you reading further... ;D Albus may not have ever really understood who Severus is, but he'll learn, and fairly quickly too. Thank you so much for such a lovely review! :)
I started to write about this before, but didn't get to finish the review. I think. If this is a repeat just ignore me. I think that Hermione should let Severus know about her plans to stretch her hymen before they consummate their relationship. He is insecure and jealous by nature even if he is doing a spiffing job of changing. I can see a slow train wreck on the horizon that could ruin the most important night in their lives. If Hermione feels different to Severus he may wonder. And if he asks in a way that makes her offended that he would even think she would be with another person that would be a total boner breaker, if you'll forgive the use of the term. I hope she decides to write him a steamy letter telling him about her explorations with the candle. I could see 4 months either making the heart grow fonder, or just as easily the space between them making them more open to misunderstanding. They may become out of practice at communicating. I am surprised that Severus didn't let the apothecary owners know that he has not yet informed his current employer of his plans and that jealous would appreciate it if they would be discreet and not discuss this with anyone else. I wonder why he doesn't apply with St. Mungo's. Maybe he will.I wonder how Minerva is faring.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
I think I can safely say, without being too spoilery, that Hermione's explorations don't end in tragedy and interminable angst. *shifty eyes* Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
My Word!!! That Colin did get what he deserved. But my, the drama! It was extremely... wonderful! The entire chapter was extremely wonderful!!! I love, love, loved it! I'm sorry for not reviewing lately but I felt it was building to something and wanted to keep going without stopping when I could. Also, I've been so tired because I've been getting home from work quite late this week, and I know that if I start a review I'll want it worth something and that takes time that would prevent me from being able to read. All day and evening at work I can't wait to get home and read a chapter or two before going to bed.Now, I am wondering about Albus. He isn't daft. He's at least as intelligent as Ginny Weasley. And while Ginny knows Hermione, Albus knows Severus. I do believe he isn't fooled but trusts Severus to be honorable until Hermione graduates. His trust isn't misplaced. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if this entire contest was all just a ruse for Severus' benefit. Although Severus is older than Hermione,his emotional growth has been stunted and I think Albus knows that.Hermione is exceptional and more mature than the boys her age. Someone as intelligent as Dumbledore must have seen that they would make the perfect couple. And he loves Severus like a son in this story, I think. Also he can't stop from meddling. It must be a little boring and anticlimactic for a strategist like Dumbledore without Voldemort around. This would be a big huge plan that would last the entire school year, take a lot of planning and time for Dumbledore to work on, he is obviously having fun and it gives these two time to fall in love! That is my theory at this point. I seldom read a long story that I become emotionally invested in without checking the ending to make sure it isn't sad. Actually, I don't think I can read a story without becoming emotionally invested so I can't bare sad endings. But you've said this has a happy ending so I'm glad to tell you that you have the honor of being the only author in forever that I haven't read the ending first. At least I don't think I have. ...If I have I don't remember it. I am getting so forgetful. It scares me. Seriously. I hope it's only stress. I have that in spades with adult children and their children living with me, sucking the life out of me and all my money too. None of them work. Well, enough of that. I read you to forget that crap! On with the story!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
Whoops! I can't believe I missed this review earlier. Sorry! :( I can guarantee that this fic has a happy ending, so I am glad you are sticking around. :) Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
"All right Hermione, spill it! Just what's going on between you and Snape?" a stanza of intense and slightly alarming music is inserted here. What the Hell, Hermione. Just tell her. You have enough dirt on her to get her expelled if she says anything. She is usually a very reliable secret keeper. And as your friend she will he happy if you are. She may even be able to do you the occasional turn of favor and cover for you.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
LOL!!! I can hear exactly what you're describing. Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
I love the letter!!! It's wonderful that Severus and Hermione are equally inexperienced in the matters of the heart. The letter is sweetly mushy, blooming with youthful enthusiasm and titillating; and it was received with simple joy, surprise, and equally exuberant arousal. His first love letter was a doozy! Wait until they have some experience writing naughty letters!
I'm very happy for Harry and Ginny. I hope Harry loves Ginny as much as she deserves. I suppose it goes without saying that she is a much better match than Hermione.It was pretty amazing the effect Snape's fear had on him in preventing him from punishing Harry and Ginny on that table. I wouldn't have expected such a reaction once he'd registered it wasn't Hermione. I would have thought that he would have been delighted in the opportunity to embarrass and punish Harry Potter. He's fallen hard. Poor man. I hope having what he's been longing for can live up to his expectations and hopes fueled by all this anticipation. I guess letting the kids go shows that he isn't motivated by meanness really. He just didn't have anything better to think about before. Everyone hated him and he hated them before they could hate him so there! But now he can move on past puberty and past his hatred of his childhood enemies, James and Sirius. He's the only one of them still alive for, goodness sake! Put those childish things behind you, Severus, and live! Maybe you have already paid for this good karma and they have paid for their cruelty. Stop disliking Harry just because he's a Potter. It eats away at you like a cancer. Be free of it. Forgive like you have been forgiven and be healed. It will help your relationship with Hermione too. What could be better than helping your relationship with Hermione, hmmmm?
I also want to say that I have always loved the twins. The return letter was excellent. Fred and George should have never been separated any more than the paramount potion's master in the world would be caught without antivenin with a known deadly snake.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*pleased grin* Y'know, I really hope you continue to enjoy some of the stuff coming up, because it SO addresses things you've brought up here. *rubs hands together in anticipation* And I love that you enjoyed the twins' letter. I wanted to capture their voice, even if only for a short blurb. I lovelovelove your deliciously thoughtful reviews. Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
I truly enjoy the way Severus has taken the plunge and isn't reluctant to tell Hermione that he loves her at least 3 times, I think, in the last few hours. I am extremely happy that they were able to retrieve their memories of each other so quickly. I have no doubt that Ginny will figure out there is something going on between these two. The only question is how soon? Well, and will she be supportive? I think she will. I think she will see that they match eachother. Twice in my life another person told me there was something between myself and male of the species while I was in denial about it, I guess. And didn't see it until a 3rd party told me straight up. Both said it was the way we looked at each other when we interacted and they were dubious about the fact that I was not aware of it because to them it was so obvious. I admit there was what I had considered some harmless flirting going on, but I told myself that is was all a lark. The first time, I had really pushed those feelings deep inside and I was truly flabbergasted when I was told that the young man was in love with me by a mutual friend. Once I had possession of that knowledge however, my own feelings came rushing up at me out of nowhere and floored me. It was kind of awful because I was in a long engagement to someone else that lived far away whom I only saw about once a month and had to share him with his family when he would come to see me. I was still in school and he was 7 years older than I was.Once the cat was out of the bag, I dreamed of that young man at least once a week then once a month for the next 13 years because we had unfinished business when we parted. All of my dreams were trying to resolve the issue and get closure. Finally I got fat enough that I would be too embarrassed if he ever saw me again and the dreams mostly stopped. But...I still think of him from time to time 35 years later. I enjoyed this chapter very much. Once again, you have done such a wonderful job of making the reader feel what our Hermione and Severus are experiencing.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*wriggles in happiness* I love that you are pleased about feeling what the characters are experiencing. I strive so much for plausibility and believability that it warms the cockles of my heart to get such lovely feedback. Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
I certainly can't blame Dione for having a fan girl crush on Severus. What red blooded woman in her right mind wouldn't?
Dude is totally hot! Hermione should be glad it gave her the opportunity to come to an understanding with her man that Severus belongs to her ...and he likes it! And don't we all wish we had a dad like Mr. Granger? It must be very difficult for some parents to send their children away to boarding school. However, it probably makes some other parents and young people appreciate one another in a way that would never happen if they had been in eachother's space all the time, struggling for who's in control and experiencing full blown teenage angst. Over all it has been an extremely satisfiying trip.
And now they don't have to worry about Severus having to meet Hermione's parents in the circumstance of, "Mom. Dad. This is my former Potion's Professor Severus Snape. I have some very exciting news for you. Severus and I are in love and plan to spend the rest of our lives together. We fell in love while playing oposite each other in the school play."
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*beams* Your reviews bring joy to my day. Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
This was a sweet and fun chapter. I love that Severus has a sense of humor. When are they going to "do" it?! Or at least go to second base!
This is going to be a long school year!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
Oh, darlin, this is definitely gonna be a long school year... LOL Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
I can't imagine what mischief I would have gotten into if I had the ability to silence my parents door. For some strange reason, ever since I was in 10 th grade, I would be out in the front whatever car with my boyfriend and I just knew my parents would never come out side to check on us or wonder what we could possibly be doing in the driveway for 5 hours with the windows fogged up. They locked the front door and went to bed. Only once did I forget my house key and had to wake my parents at 1 AM to get in. They really trusted me. Why? We never had intercourse but we did just about every thing else. I was the mother who came looking for you if you were a half hour late. I didn't trust my daughters because I knew I wasn't exactly Polly Anna when I was their age. I mostly just ended up knowing more than I wanted to about my kids personal lives. If your progeny don't stop themselves by choice, there isn't a lot you can do unless you keep them tied to you 24/7 with a rope around your waist. Only one daughter was boy crazy. Things had changed. I don't know what the definition of slut changed to but it didn't include girls that slept with their boyfriend from 8th grade up. I never needed to be on birth control until a month before my wedding. I made sure my little minx was on the pill because I didn't believe I could trust her and I was right. At least Hermione is an adult and Hermione or Severus must certainly know contraception spells. I'm feeling as frustrated as Hermione here. But he's right. And it won't hurt them to wait. I did and I'm still glad. But they've made a lot of head way in their relationship. Wouldn't it be better to just come clean to Dumbledore that they are in love with each other through no fault of their own, but that they promise to follow the school charter and will be very discrete and won't tell anyone else but him. Rather than finding ways to keep them apart, I inclined to think that Dumbledore would find ways to give them time together and would cover for them so that Minerva doesn't find out until after the school year is over.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*bounces in glee* Oh, I love how invested you are, and how awesome your reviews are. Thank you so much, as always! :)
Absolutely lovely! The play was wonderful. All the flirting is building massive quantities of tension! I can imagine how they are feeling during desert. It's like being there. You expressed every movement, thought and feeling so exquisitely. In my springtime I remember a young man. We wanted each other but we couldn't go there. I was spoken for and had made my choice. I made the practical choice, but not my heart's choice. I was mature enough to know that the butterflies in your tummy don't last forever. We did things together pretending to be just friends The tension was painful and delightful at the same time. I'm still pretty sure I made the right decision. 
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*beams* Why, thank you! I'm so glad it came across so well (I try to describe exactly how I see things playing out in my head, so it's as detailed as I can make it, LOL). As for the tension, I was called the Queen of UST back in the day when I was writing this. *snerk* But, it'll all be resolved, I promise! ;) Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
Poor Hermione. Her parents were very ebarrassing. But isn't that what parents are for? At least we know that when Hermone and Severus can finally come out of the closet, Dione will be on Hermione's side. She would totally understand what Hermione sees in Severus Snape. And Geoff is a nice man so I think he'll be OK. I couldn't write all the reviews I wanted because it wakes up dad. I wanted to ask you a question on a previous chapter. If Severus takes dreamless sleep and there is an emergency in Slytherin house, can he wake up to tend to the problem? I just want to say that the 4.5 stars on some of the chapters baffel me. I think they are all 5's. I have 20 more minutes before I have to go to bed so I must return to reading. Happy Sunday night.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*blush* Aww, you're so kind! Re: Dreamless Sleep, I have always thought of it like an over the counter sleep aid, which in my experience just keeps you groggier if you're woken up, but you can be, with proper interference. LOL I had SO MUCH FUN writing this chapter. :D As for writing reviews--I appreciate any and all, whether they're on all the chapters you wanted to review or not! Thank you as always for reviewing! :)
I've been excitedly reading the last 4 chapters and you have met and exceeded my hopes and expetations. I can't type more because the sound bothers my husband's sleep. Hugs and kisses. I Love It!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*bounces* Yay! I'm so glad you've been enjoying it. Thanks as always for reviewing! :)
Do witches and wizards listen to the same holiday music as muggles? I hope Hermione doesn't regret forgetting to take the smut reading material that she had borrowed from Ginny out of her bra before the party.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
I daresay there may be some old standards that may crossover. LOL Thanks so much for reviewing! :)
You have taken my breath away. How exciting and horrible to want someone one shouldn't and can't have. The play...such a brave young woman to make him kiss her. 
What will Severus do to punish himself and Hermione for this secret that has been exposed. Desire. Humiliation. 
Hurry. Send him an owl, Hermione or a house elf with a note to let him know you reciprocate his feelings. Thank him for being such a gentleman and not pressing his advantage. Are you wise enough and mature enough to be proactive once again? You aren't afraid of him. Can you imagine how he must be feeling and prevent the damage? It would be very hard not to be carried away with her own emotions and physical sensation and not to tarry hashing it out over and over in her mind before she finally realizes the danger. Will she see it immediately or think of it too late?
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
And you've just taken my breath away! *bounces* Oh, I love that you're enjoying this and are so invested in it so far. It brings me such joy. Thank you for such a lovely review! :)
I really enjoyed the interaction between Severus and Hermione when they got their costumes and Hermione did his hair. I am really glad he got to see her telling Harry off. I don't know how much longer they will be able to keep their hands off eachother. There is so much suppressed sexual tension that if when they actually kissed kiss they might combust. I'm actually looking forward to her detention. This was important bridge chapter. I wonder what else is going on in Dumbledore's head. He is no fool. I can't believe he doesn't see the sexual tension between these two, or at least the potential for it eventually. He does have a great deal of confidence in Severus. I believe he is sure Severus would never be inappropriate with a student,...but she's an adult. Is he tryig to fix them up or is he really just a mean manipulating old puffter that truly gets enjoyment out of making other people uncomfortable and embarrassed because he's Albus Dumbledore and he can? How do the "good guys" find an outlet for their control and power issues? They pick on others and prentend it's a joke. If Voldemort worked this hard at embarrassing Severus would we think he was just being evil or that it was just all in good fun and that he only teases people he cares for as a show of affection? 
I think not.
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*huge grin* I daresay your questions about "good guy" Albus will be answered in due time. *snerk* Thank you again for such a lovely review! :)
Again, Wow! The scene with Severus' jealous rage was incredible. I'm happy that Hermione perceives all things in Severus Snape she told Harry. I really hope he thinks about what she said and heeds her warning, if not garner some sense of respect for the man. I felt a sense of satisfaction when she admitted that if Harry had been that angry his lack of control would have brought down half the castle. Harry won't be able to let this go as well as Hermione. He isn't as mature and...he isn't falling for someone else. This whole thing will prove very unpleasant for a while I suspect. I'm kind of sorry for Harry. How can he not help but be attracted to Hermione, but he hasn't got a tinker's chance in hell against Severus Snape? How long before Severus realizes Hermione broke it off with Harry? Will he at all admit to himself that it was because of him? No. I think not. How long before Harry realizes that next to Severus Snape's power, discipline, knowledge, experience, awesomeness and mojo, he's got a long way to go and he may as well move on? Well, I doubt he'll ever see Snape as sexually appealing, so no mojo epiphany expected. I wonder, how long it will take Hermione to get Severus to trust her? Which will take longer; Harry to realize he can't compete with Severus Snape for the girl or for Severus Snape to trust Hermione? I don't envy Hermione right now. But Severus Snape is worth it. Amazing chapter!
Response from Good_Witch (Author of Phantom of Hogwarts)
*bursts out laughing* Mojo epiphany? LOVE IT! So glad you're enjoying; thanks so much for reviewing! :)