24- Behind the Scenes and In the Pensieve

Standard Disclaimer goes here.

Author's Note: For the record, I have no idea what the theatre in Haymarket is like, so I just based the one in here on the main stage at Bally's in Las Vegas, where Jubilee! is performed. I was lucky enough to get a guided tour like this one with a bunch of my theatre kids last year. SnivellusSnape was there too! :)

Chapter 24- Behind the Scenes and In the Pensieve

Snape followed Hermione toward the theatre, realizing that they were about to be back to playing their roles as professor and student, and nothing more. A few steps from the entrance, Snape reached out and caught Hermione's arm, causing her to stop and spin to face him, her expression one of surprised inquiry. He gazed down at her, his eyes darkening wistfully.

Hermione's brow furrowed in perplexity and she asked, "What?"

In a low voice, he said, "Once we meet our guide and enter that theatre, we're back to recording memories for Dumbledore..." He trailed off meaningfully.

Hermione's face crumpled into a scowl of disappointment. Sighing, she murmured, "I understand." Snape squeezed her arm approvingly and released her. Resolutely, they made their way to the entrance.

A young man was leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets. As he saw them approaching, he stood and nodded toward them, flashing a crooked grin as he said, "Wotcher! I'm guessin' yer the Grangers' kid, eh?"

Hermione nodded and said, "Yes. I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Professor Snape. Are you to give us the tour of the theatre?" She smiled eagerly and her eyes lit up. The young man grinned raffishly and gave them a bow.

"'Deed I am. Name's Neal. Me uncle said this were a special favour, like. Saw the show last night, dincha'?" Both Snape and Hermione nodded. Neal pulled a key out of his pocket and opened the door. Gesturing for them to enter, he continued, "Then yeh've been through here. C'mon, let's show yeh the magic behind the scenes." Snape and Hermione started and exchanged a swift glance of surprise. But, upon looking at Neal's self-satisfied smirk, they realized it was just a figure of speech and relaxed. He sauntered down the aisle in the dark house, leading them to the orchestra pit. Light was coming from within it, and Neal tossed over his shoulder, "Yeh'll be seein' a few folk as we go. Every day we've gotta' come in here and fix things that got broke or get things ready for the next show. Yeh'll see. There's lots to show yeh." He led the way up the stairs to the stage and slipped between the proscenium and the curtain. "Hang on a tick..." They heard shuffling and clicking and then the curtain began to open. Lights blazed from high above them.

Snape and Hermione gazed about them, taking in as much as they could of the theatre...the dimensions, the relation between the different areas, even the quality of sound in the open space. They were both called back to reality by a discreet cough near them. As one, they turned to see Neal watching them, an amused grin twinkling at them. "Tell yeh what... We'll start at the bottom and work our way up. Sound all right?" Snape and Hermione glanced blankly at each other and nodded. Neal snapped his fingers and jerked his head to the wings. "C'mon then."

Neither Snape nor Hermione wanted to blink, for fear of missing something fascinating. As promised, they passed a few people, all of whom were at work on some aspect, and all of whom returned Neal's cheerful greetings. They made their way down a steep staircase to the sub-basement of the theatre. Neal kept up a constant lecture on the different things they could see, and how the machinery worked. Hermione caught a glimpse of Snape and noted the expression of intense concentration on his face. Briefly, she remembered her father's comment about wanting to show Snape more about the Muggle world, since he was so interested in the explanations. She smiled at the obvious difficulty Snape was having comprehending things, since he didn't have the basic background to follow the terminology. She could tell how frustrated he was getting, not quite able to follow along.

Neal was explaining the way they used the hydraulic system to lift the various parts of the stage at different times, showing them the multiple set pieces that went up in each scene change. Hermione could tell by the throb in Snape's jaw that he was grinding his teeth in frustration. His eyes were narrowed, and his whole posture was rigid and tense. At every new thing Neal pointed to, Snape glared intently, blinking rapidly, trying to compute what he was hearing. She could almost feel the questions bursting from him, but he didn't even know what to ask or how to ask it! Hermione took pity on him and decided to play the ignorant girl. She knew Snape would despise the attitude, but hoped he would appreciate her ruse for its intent and just play along.

In a girlish voice, Hermione chimed, "Neal?" He stopped talking and turned to her.

"Yeah?"

Hermione grimaced and wrinkled her nose at him. Waving her hand about airily, she lilted, "I'm so sorry. I don't understand a thing you're saying." Snape's glare zeroed in on her, and he raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

"'Bout what?"

Hermione sighed. "Why, about anything! It's all so technical. Can't you explain things in laymen's terms? I'm not even sure I've heard of some of the words you're using."

Neal's eyebrows rose to his hairline and he turned incredulous eyes to Snape. Snape, for his part, cottoned on quickly to Hermione's ploy, and managed to affect resigned exasperation for Neal's benefit. "If you please, do your best to simplify your explanations. We want to make sure everyone understands." He gazed at Neal with an aggrieved expression, and Neal seemed to deflate, nodding.

"Right, then. Well..."

Neal backtracked and started again, repeatedly turning to Hermione to see if she needed clarification before moving on. He even slowed down his speech, almost as if he were talking to someone of substandard intelligence. As annoying as it was to be talked down to like that, Hermione played along, content that Snape would understand more. She kept a keen eye on Snape, and requested further information based on his countenance. Every time something clicked into place for him, he would relax infinitesimally. When he was back to incomprehension, his lips would thin and his eyes would narrow.

Pleased at the success of her dissembling, Hermione kept it up as they made their way through the costume rooms, the dressing rooms, the shop, the prop storage rooms, the wings, the light booth, the sound booth, and eventually even the catwalks among the fly system.

Climbing the stairs to the catwalks made Hermione a little queasy, as the stairs were metal grating, and one could see through them. Never having been fond of heights, Hermione had to force herself to stand at the railing and look out over the stage. Neal took the opportunity to point out the intricate setup used to raise and lower the chandelier during the play. He indicated the multiple chains, cables, lines, ropes, pulleys, etc. that made up the necessary fail-safes for the chandelier and all of the other scenery. He called down to another stagehand below and demonstrated the use of the fly system. Hermione's eyes goggled when he showed them the safety harnesses that the stagehands wore while on the catwalks or working the upper rail.

In a shaky voice, she shrank back from the railing and said, "It all seems so dangerous! People could really get hurt."

Neal nodded sagely and sniffed. "Yep. That's why yeh gotta' train folks up right. We've got a right good crew here. Lots o' folk gotta' work together to run things smooth like. But, we do it!" He beamed proudly and puffed his chest out. Hermione nodded vigorously, her eyes wide in appreciation.

Neal led them back down to the stage, taking them into the wing again to show them how they handled the pyrotechnics. Snape's expression when Neal was showing them how they made the fireballs caught Hermione's attention. He looked calculating, with a smug, malicious gleam in his eye. Hermione made a mental note to ask Snape about it later.

Hermione begged to be allowed to go back to the costume rooms again. She enjoyed the ornate costumes, and wanted Dumbledore to realize how much easier they had it, with transfiguration. Neal introduced them to a wardrobe worker, Emma, and she explained how they made the Phantom's mask, showed them the wigs worn in the show, and even demonstrated using spirit gum to apply hairpieces.

Around them, several other wardrobe girls were gathering costume pieces for laundering. Emma pointed to the multiple copies of each costume, indicating that they had them available in case of damage to the one being worn at the time, and also to allow the actors to wear clean clothes each show, while others were being washed.

Emma walked them over to the dressing rooms and showed them each actor's area for makeup and costume. Some of the actors had photos of themselves in various makeup styles taped to the mirror. Snape peered at the photos, scowling. Emma saw his look and asked what was the matter.

In a deep rumble, Snape asked, "Isn't this a man? Why does he have makeup?"

Emma blithely recounted how all actors wore makeup, whether or not it was supposed to be noticeable. At Snape's horrified expression, Hermione choked back a snort of laughter and asked what that meant.

Emma picked up each makeup item in turn and explained how it was used. Men wore foundation and eyeliner, regardless, and sometimes blush and lip colour. Others who played older characters wore age makeup, using highlights and shadows to create lines on the face and makeup to grey out the skin and hair...if they weren't wearing wigs already.

Snape glared at Hermione in the mirror. She could practically read his thoughts: "I will NOT wear makeup!" Hermione giggled and wondered how Dumbledore would handle this quandary.

Noticing Snape's agitated expression, Neal tore himself away from chatting up one of the wardrobe girls and suggested that they head back out to the stage. As they followed Neal, Snape scowled at Hermione and she gamely tried to keep from smiling at him. They slowly walked among the set pieces, taking in every detail. Finally, Neal got on a headset and told a fellow in the light booth to bring up the stage lights like they would be during the show. Hermione squinted in the glare and gazed out over the house.

Glancing over her shoulder, she called, "Professor!" Snape turned and strode to her, looking at her inquiringly.

"Stand here and look out." Snape scowled but complied. He was dazzled by the lights and blinked.

In an irritated growl, he said, "And just what am I supposed to see, Miss Granger?"

"Well, what can you see?"

Rolling his eyes and huffing, he retorted, "I can't see much of anything except the lights."

Hermione grinned and said, "Exactly! This is what we need to remember when everyone at Hogwarts starts getting stage fright! People will undoubtedly freak out when they realize that others will be sitting in the audience... watching them... and this will help them feel better, since they won't be able to see them!"

Snape cut a glance at her and snorted noncommittally. Grudgingly, he growled, "Perhaps." He crossed his arms and stood there, gazing out into the house, trying to see past the glare. What he didn't want to admit was that Hermione was dead on. He hadn't even thought about what it would be like when they would perform in front of masses of people. His nightmare from weeks ago flashed across his mind. Convulsively tightening his arms, he swallowed against the remembered fear and desperation of the dream.

Relax! It was just a dream. You're much better than you thought, and others agree that you're doing well. You have nothing to worry about. Besides, it's just one performance. It's not like it's Voldemort... He snorted to himself. Poor old Riddle will forever be the horrible fate with which we compare all other horrible fates. He sighed. Face it, old chap. If being in a play is the worst thing you have to face anymore, then life is certainly looking up! He spun on his heel and swept past Hermione, who had been gazing at him pensively.

Neal was leaning against a set piece, waiting for them to finish their conversation. Snape walked up to him, but Hermione stayed on the stage. After a moment, in which Hermione hadn't moved, Neal glanced at the grim man beside him and cleared his throat.

"Uh, Miss? Yeh comin'?" Hermione turned to him and chewed her lip. She flushed a little and worried her hands. Snape stared at her, wondering what was wrong.

"Neal?" Hermione flicked her gaze up at the young man. He nodded at her. "Would it be completely out of line to ask..." She trailed off.

Neal grinned cheekily at her, "Nuffin' hurts t' ask! G'on now, say it."

Hermione licked her lips and whispered, "I'd like to sing. Just a bit. I'm not like to get the chance again to sing on a stage like this. Might I be allowed?" She glanced at Neal, her eyes imploring.

Neal chuckled, batting his hand at her. "Cor! 'Lowed? Ain't no reason to stop yeh! G'on then. Let's hear yeh."

Hermione lit up like a kid on Christmas and beamed. She stepped onto the apron of the stage and took a deep steadying breath. Tentatively, she began "Think of Me." Stagehands in the wings stopped what they were doing to listen. The people in the light booth and sound booth paused and looked out to the stage. A hush fell over the theatre, which was soon echoing the light tones of Hermione's song.

Snape heard the acoustics enhancing Hermione's voice and felt a stab of awe again at her talent. As she sang, he stealthily sidled off to the side and down the stairs into the house. Quietly, he made his way into the centre of the audience, gazing raptly at Hermione as she sang.

As she came to the final run in the song, she closed her eyes and hit the high note perfectly, finishing triumphantly. All through the theatre, there were sudden whistles and applause. But she heard one lone person in the audience, clapping and bellowing, "Bravi, bravi, bravissimi!" Shielding her eyes from the glare, she saw Snape's dark form in the house. Cheers wafted down to her from the catwalks and bubbled up from the orchestra pit. Several of the people in the wings came out to praise her and Neal stood off to one side, beaming, as if he were the one responsible. Hermione blushed and smiled and thanked everyone shyly.

Snape slowly made his way back to the stage, trying to contain his pride in her and his love for her. Neal clapped Hermione on the shoulder approvingly. "Blimey! I reckon yer school is right glad to have yeh wif a voice like that!"

Smugly, Snape drawled, "Indeed." Hermione whirled and fought to contain her feelings. She wanted to take Snape's hand and hurl herself against him, but cast her eyes down instead, to hide her rampant emotions. Snape felt the warning energy between them and turned his attention to Neal. Solemnly, he bowed and said, "Thank you for taking us on such a detailed tour. The whole production is amazing, and seeing things from the other side makes it even more so. We appreciate your time and effort."

Neal shrugged dismissively. "Laws, 'tweren't nuffin'. A proper treat it was to hear her sing like that. Glad t' help! I'd best be off then. Got work t' do. Iff'n yeh'd rather, yeh can take the way out back here. Most of us, we come in through the back, like." Neal led the way to an exit beyond the dressing room hallway. "This'll take yeh out behind the theatre. Would yeh be needin' a taxi? I can go ring one for yeh..." They stepped outside into the wan wintry daylight.

Hermione shook her head and laid a hand on Neal's arm. "No, thank you. We're fine. Thank you again for everything. It's all so wonderful!" She beamed at Neal, and he grinned back. Suddenly changing his demeanour, he covered her hand on his arm and leant toward her engagingly.

"Happy to help. Y'know, any time yeh might wanna' come back, gimme' a ring, and I'll get yeh in with some ace seats and a personal backstage tour after, eh?" He waggled his eyebrows at her, a lopsided grin on his face.

Hermione recognized the come-on and stiffened. Shooting a furtive glance at Snape, who looked like he was inflating, so much was he drawing himself up to blast the boy, like a snake poised to strike, Hermione smiled tightly at Neal and patted his hand, forcefully withdrawing her other hand from his arm. Brightly, she chirped, "I'll keep that in mind! Really, though, we must be going. Right, Professor?" At that, she pointedly turned to Snape and stepped closer to him, effectively shutting Neal down, unless he wanted to try to press his flirt right there in front of her teacher.

Snape glared menacingly at Neal, who blinked in surprise at the tall man's black expression. Neal nervously ran a hand through his hair and stuffed his hands in his pockets as he looked around, avoiding Snape's hostile gaze.

Snape's voice was dark and threatening as he simply replied, "Indeed." Neal cleared his throat and nodded hastily at them.

"Well, good day t' yeh. P'raps I'll see yeh around some time, Miss. Professor. Ta!" And with that, he spun and hurried back into the theatre, as if he was afraid of being pursued. Snape actually took a step forward and smirked in malicious satisfaction at the abject fear on the boy's face as he cast a glance over his shoulder before dashing inside and slamming the door. Hermione grabbed at Snape's elbow repressively.

In a strained hiss, she said, "Severus!"

Snape raised one eyebrow and glanced at her innocently. "What?"

She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes, favouring him with a scolding look. "That was completely unnecessary."

Snape turned to her and stepped closer to her, looking down at her seriously. "That cretin had no business touching you like that. I don't like it. You're mine."

Hermione's eyes went wide and her breath caught. She stared at him, dumbfounded. Snape's hard expression dissolved into one of uncertainty. Flushing, he stammered, "I mean... aren't you?"

Hermione smiled at him joyfully and reached up to caress his cheek. Snape exhaled a long shuddering breath of relief and grasped her hand, pressing it to his face and then kissing her palm. Gently running his hand over her hair, he murmured, "Come, we must return." Hermione nodded and they walked around the theatre to the alleyway where they had Apparated.

Once they were hidden in the shadows along the wall, Snape pulled Hermione to him, enfolding her in his arms. She sighed contentedly against his chest. Snape bent his head and kissed Hermione's hair.

Quietly, his voice muffled in her hair, he said, "When we get back to Hogwarts, we'll go to my quarters to dispose of... certain, shall we say, incriminating memories before we go to Dumbledore. We can't spend much time without arousing suspicion." He pulled back and lifted her face to his. "You do realize that you'll be without the memories of the play and the tour until we retrieve them at the rehearsal tonight..." Hermione nodded. "I'll warn you, it may be rather disorienting. You'll have all the other memories leading up to them, and you'll be aware that you deposited memories into the Pensieve, but you won't be able to remember exactly what those memories are." Hermione furrowed her brow in thought. Snape smiled faintly. "It's an odd feeling, but you get used to it. As for what we put in my Pensieve... I'll have to figure out how best to get your memories back to you. It wouldn't do to have you back in my quarters right away." Hermione gazed up at him in alarm.

"But I don't want to be without my memories of us!"

Snape squeezed her and purred, "I know. It's all right. I'll work something out. But, in the meantime, it's better if you don't have them. That way, no one else can figure them out. Speaking of which... Miss Weasley could be trouble."

Hermione blinked at him. "Ginny? Why do you say that? Trouble how?"

Snape thinned his lips grimly. "She keeps watching us. I've caught her at it several times at rehearsal. Considering her brothers, I'm amazed that she's as clever as she is. You must be careful around her. She's far too suspicious as it is. We can't give her any more reasons to question our relationship. If she were to go to Dumbledore, it could ruin us. By rights, he has to investigate any suspicion of impropriety. And, in doing so, he has all options available to him... including Legilimency and Veritaserum." Hermione's eyes widened. Snape nodded heavily.

Hermione set her teeth and said, "I'll be careful. This little trip has been wonderful, but I promise I won't forget where we are when we return." Her lips trembled and she grimaced. "But it'll be so hard!"

Snape stilled her lips with his fingers and she instinctively kissed his fingertips. He locked eyes with her as he said, "I know. But we have to go back to normal and get through the rest of the year." Suddenly, he closed his eyes and swallowed convulsively. He opened his eyes, but wouldn't meet Hermione's gaze as he said, "And... if, at any time, you decide... you change your mind... or you realize that you don't... want me anymore... just tell me."

Hermione gasped and hugged him fiercely. Releasing him, she reached up and guided him to look at her. "Severus... I had no idea I could feel so happy. You did that for me. And, unless you anticipate changing on me, I don't foresee my feelings for you changing either!" Snape finally looked at her, and she basked in the dazed awe in his eyes. "I just can't stand the fact that I can't show you how I feel once we get back to Hogwarts!" Her radiant grin faltered a bit at that. She looked down, her smile fading. When she looked back up, her smile was tight and false. "Besides," she said, with an attempt at a playful tone, "how do I know you won't decide I'm just a silly little girl after all and realize you don't want me anymore?"

Snape felt the nervous tension in her body at her words, belying the teasing note. His chest tightened again and the words stuck in his throat.

Tell her! There's no good reason to keep it from her. She claims she feels the same way. So, find out! For good!

Snape swallowed thickly, his unblinking eyes trained on Hermione's. She could feel the energy building in him, flowing off him in waves. Finally, he leant down to kiss her gently. She felt his lips moving against hers as he whispered, "Hermione..."

She pulled back a fraction of an inch, locking eyes with him. "Yes?"

Snape felt like he was reeling on a precipice. Below him were the deep brown depths of her eyes, swirling and eddying with emotions for him. He leant forward and took the plunge. "I've fallen in love with you."

He felt light-headed. The world around him was spinning in a blur. He was going to drown. In her. He felt her warm body in his arms, saw the rapture flaring up to envelop him as he fell, and he realized that he didn't care. If drowning had always been this glorious, he would have flung himself into the lake ages ago.

Hermione felt all the air leave her person at once. She went weak, and if she hadn't been held up by Snape, she would likely have fallen. Gasping for oxygen, she gazed into the deep black tunnels of his eyes, speeding into them. Breathless, she somehow managed to rasp out, "I'm so in love with you, Severus Snape." Once the words were out, she was crushed in a soul-searing kiss, one that melted them until they were inextricably bonded together.

Clutching her to him, Snape feverishly groped for his wand, glancing down the alley before he cast the concealment charm on them both. Invisible, he backed Hermione against the wall, his hands roaming over her body. He heard her low moans and whimpers as he caressed her and deftly flicked a Silencing Charm around them for good measure.

His agile fingers worked their way under her shirt, tracing her bra. Hermione inhaled sharply. Then, a deep velvet purr vibrated along her ear as Snape said, "Now, where were we before we were so rudely interrupted this morning?"

The import of his words soaked through her lust-fogged brain and she exhaled on a long shuddering note. She both cursed the fact that she couldn't see him and relished that she couldn't anticipate what he would do next.

She felt the cool air against her belly as he pushed her shirt up. Hot, moist breath travelled over her exposed skin, giving her chills and further tightening her stiff nipples. She felt his hands over her breasts, lightly cupping them and palming her nipples. One hand slid behind her and quickly unhooked her bra. A high-pitched moan emerged as she felt his strong fingers grazing her bared breasts. "Oh, gods, Severus..."

She heard a wicked chuckle in response. She barely had time to wonder at his diabolical laugh when she nearly jumped out of her skin. His warm, wet tongue was flicking one nipple, circling it, then laving it slowly. A surge of excitement shot through her, ending in her knickers, where her clit throbbed.

Snape felt her fingers twisting in his hair and grinned. Her impassioned declaration had fired his ardour instantly. He felt dizzy and pushed on with reckless abandon. He knew he loved her, and she loved him. They were going to be removing incriminating memories into his Pensieve anyway, so what would be the harm in a little indulgence before they returned to their lives of secrets and deception? He wanted to claim her, show her they belonged to each other and to no one else. He couldn't take her, not like that. He had already made that vow, and he wouldn't break his word. But, there were other things besides just that...

He revelled in tasting her smooth skin. Her delighted noises spurred him on further. He only wished he could see her face, wanting to know if she looked anything like she had when she had run through the castle to meet him. He promised himself that he'd see her face alight in ecstasy if it was the last thing he ever did. He spread his feet for balance and thrust one leg between hers, holding her up. Trailing kisses along her neck and jaw, he fondled her breasts. Distractedly, he noticed that she had squeezed her legs against his and was rocking on it.

Once that revelation filtered through, he was hit with an impulse. Abruptly, he reached down and cupped her through her jeans. She cried out, panting. He could feel her flexing her hips and his cock throbbed violently. He pressed against her experimentally and she moaned. Rhythmically, he ground his hand against her. Gasping, Hermione whimpered, "Please..."

Snape grinned wickedly, feeling the surge of power pulsing through him. "Please what?" he breathed in her ear.

He was taken aback by Hermione's growl of frustration and the adamant way she gripped his hand and held it against her as she frantically pulled at her jeans, ripping the button open and unzipping hurriedly. Snape was stunned for a moment at her brazen move, but when she panted, "Please, I want you..." he pinned her with a deep kiss and slid his hand up, slipping beneath the soft material of her knickers.

He couldn't contain his groan as he encountered the wet heat coating her curls. Hermione moaned into his mouth and rocked her hips forward. He could feel the slick moisture on his fingers and wanted to bury himself in her. Shaking his head ruthlessly, trying to banish the thought of her impaled on his cock, he traced one finger along her lips, parting them effortlessly and sliding along her cleft.

Hermione felt like she was dying. She couldn't hear anything beyond the roaring in her ears and the occasional growl from Snape. She couldn't open her eyes, and colours flashed against her eyelids in dazzling succession. All of her muscles were coiling with tension. Her lungs seemed unable to hold any more air and she felt light-headed from lack of oxygen. When Snape's finger brushed her clit, a sizzling flare swept over her, wrenching an inarticulate cry from her throat.

Snape circled her clit, nuzzling her ear the whole time, savouring the evocative sounds he incited. Her panting increased and her pitch climbed. Snape knew she was close to orgasm, and he wanted it desperately. Barely whispering, he urged, "Yes, Hermione, love... Please... Sweet Merlin, Hermione... Gods, yes... I want to tell you... I want to show you... How much... Gods, Hermione... I love you..."

The vibration of his words against her ear sent delicious chills down her spine to combine with the indescribable sensations pooling in her centre. She was so close, teetering on the edge, and when he said, "I love you..." she tilted over it, shattering on her way down into the abyss.

As she climaxed, she keened his name, shuddering and convulsing. Snape buried his face in her neck, biting and kissing. He pressed his body against hers, holding her up as she came down from her peak. He could feel the shaking in her limbs, hear it in her breathing. His fingers stilled. Silence descended over them, broken only by Hermione's deep breaths. Snape claimed her mouth in a probing kiss as he smoothly slid his hand from her knickers. She whimpered at the sensations. Snape silently gave thanks that they were invisible as he brought his fingers to his lips. He could smell her scent and he inhaled deeply. Reverently, he licked her juices from his fingers, savouring her taste. How he longed to taste her directly, to bury his tongue inside her and bring her to ecstasy again! His hum of pleasure sounded like a feral purr.

Hermione shuddered at the sound, still trying to recover. She felt hot breath against her ear again and held her breath as he murmured, "Delicious..." Her eyes flew open in shock as she understood his comment. Flushing madly, she was once again grateful that he couldn't see her. She was startled again as she felt Snape lift her from the wall, placing himself against it and settling her back against him. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. Hermione leant back and felt his erection against her back. She gasped. From above her head, she heard an amused voice say, "You needn't worry about that. It'll go away."

She was speechless. For once, Hermione Granger didn't have an answer. She felt his chuckle. Smoothly, he pushed her forward and slid his hands under her shirt again. She yelped in surprise, but he just arranged her bra and hooked it again. She could hear the smug satisfaction in his voice as he said, "There, that's better." She took his cue and hastily fastened her jeans again. Reasonably sure that she was acceptably dressed...she couldn't be positive until she could see herself clearly...she spun in his arms and snaked her hands around his neck.

Laying her head against his chest, she sighed, "Gods, that was... unbelievable!"

Snape laughed, making Hermione smile at the sound. He squeezed her before purring, "Believe it. And, rest assured, there's more where that came from come the time you leave Hogwarts."

Hermione thumped his arm in irritation, but it was only half-hearted. "Well, then I guess I know what to expect for an end-of-school present..."

He kissed her, cutting their laughter short. When she pulled away, she pressed her forehead against his and sighed, "I love you. Remember that when we get back to Hogwarts."

Snape hugged her tightly and solemnly intoned, "I will if you will."

"Always."

After one more moment of silence, Snape cleared his throat and queried, "Ready to go back?"

Hermione huffed and said, "No, but I'll go anyway."

Snape smiled to himself. "Very well then. Hang on." He gripped her arms and Disapparated.

They appeared in the clearing just outside the gates to Hogwarts. Snape muttered, "Get ready, I'm about to cast the reversal."

Hermione stepped away from him and furtively ran her hands over her clothing, straightening them. At his soft incantation, they both shimmered into view. They simply stood there, gazing intently at each other. After a moment, Hermione smiled gently at Snape and he nodded slightly at her, his lips twitching.

Taking a deep breath and straightening formally, Snape gazed down his nose at Hermione and said, "Come along then, Miss Granger. Dumbledore is waiting."

Hermione nodded politely and retorted, "Certainly, Professor." They turned and entered the grounds, striding silently to the side door that would take them down to the dungeons.

Snape muttered a password, and the side door opened. Courteously gesturing for Hermione to enter first, he surreptitiously glanced around, looking to see if anyone were watching them. He didn't see anyone, but that didn't mean they were unnoticed. Scowling, he glanced around again before shutting the door behind them. They were in a dark passageway, lit only by a couple of torches that flickered near them. Snape strode forward and the torches in front of him flared to life. When Hermione moved to follow him, the torches behind her guttered out. Snape heard her sharp inhalation and smirked. Glancing over his shoulder at her, he saw her gazing at the torches pensively.

"This passageway is accessible to all teachers, but it remains locked to keep students from using it to sneak out. It's been charmed to light only the area around the person using it. If we were to separate and move away from each other, the torches around each of us would light, but the ones in between us would die out." They were proceeding down the corridor, and Hermione was trying to guess how long it was, but since she couldn't see very far, it was difficult.

"Where does it end?"

"Near the potions classroom. I used this passageway whenever I was summoned. It wouldn't have been very pleasant to encounter students while in Death Eater garb..." His voice was sardonic.

Hermione snorted mildly in agreement. In a low voice, she said, "I can't even imagine what you went through."

His voice leaden, he curtly retorted, "It's best that way."

Hermione chewed her lip as she followed him, reading his unease in the tension in his shoulders. She decided that it was probably best to drop the subject. Finally, they came to a door and Snape pushed through it into the corridor to the dungeons. Hermione stepped out and glanced around, finally able to place where they were. Silently, Snape jerked his head toward his quarters and strode off. Hermione sprang after him, hastening her stride to keep up with him.

She was surprised when he led her to the potions classroom instead of to his quarters, but he stopped her inquiry with a quelling look. Once inside the classroom, he locked and warded the door before immediately crossing to his office. Hermione followed him into his office and watched in fascination as he muttered an incantation that disclosed a concealed door in the wall behind his desk. He beckoned her through it, into his private lab.

Hermione gazed about her, fascinated by the intricate setups within his lab. The sheer diversity around her almost overwhelmed her senses. She would have loved to poke around, examining everything, but Snape urged her through to the door to his chambers. Glancing longingly back over her shoulder at his lab, she stepped through to his sitting room.

As soon as she recognized his sitting room, she felt memories flood over her of the last time she was in his quarters, when he had kissed her so passionately. She smiled and glanced shyly at him, noting his faint smirk. He raised an eyebrow at her and murmured, "I'll be right back."

Hermione meandered over to his bookshelves, idly noting the variety of titles as he disappeared into his bedroom to retrieve his Pensieve. A moment later, he entered, bearing a stone basin with runic inscriptions around the rim. She could see his face under-lit by the glow from within it. He crossed to his dining table and placed it carefully upon it.

"Come. We have to hurry and get to Dumbledore. Let me show you how to do this. Think of the memory you want to remove. Concentrate on it. Place your wand at your temple, like so, and withdraw it slowly." He closed his eyes and slowly moved his wand back from his temple, the silvery tendril extending between him and his wand. Once he reached about a foot in length, the tendril snapped away and he dropped it into the Pensieve. He opened his eyes and looked at Hermione. "Look into the Pensieve. You can see which memory I stored."

Hermione bent closer and saw their exchange from intermission. Her breath caught at the thought. She glanced up at Snape and licked her lips unconsciously.

He pinned her with a penetrating gaze and said, "You need to store the same memory. Try it now."

Hermione nodded and concentrated, placing her wand at her temple. She drew her wand away and felt the cool caress of her memory slipping from her mind. She felt the snap and opened her eyes to drop it into the Pensieve. She blinked. She had the uncomfortable feeling that she should be able to remember something but couldn't. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Snape uneasily. He nodded reassuringly.

"I know. It's an odd feeling, but you'll get used to it. Now, we both need to empty our memories of everything but the play and the tour. Anything that Dumbledore shouldn't see must be stored here. Do you understand?"

Hermione nodded, albeit hesitantly. Taking a deep breath, she remembered their embraces and kisses as they Apparated. They disappeared as she dropped them into the Pensieve. Snape continued withdrawing memories as Hermione did. Their encounter during dessert disappeared. So did everything from the point that she had snuck into his room. Her intrusion while he was showering was gone; and, especially, their intimacy in the alley near the theatre, not even an hour before, disappeared.

Hermione thought hard and remembered the play, the tour, and their return to Hogwarts. She knew more had transpired between them...she could feel it...but she didn't remember what exactly. She shook her head, discomfited. Snape saw her consternation and nodded grimly.

"I'll figure out how to get these back to you soon. I promise. Now, we must go to Dumbledore and deposit the play and tour memories into his Pensieve." He grimaced. "By the time we leave his office, we'll actually remember very little of our trip. But we will get our memories back from him tonight at rehearsal."

Hermione's eyes kept darting about, and her brow furrowed. She glanced irritably at Snape and muttered, "I don't like this. How ever did you do this all the time?"

Blackly, he sighed, "Those were memories I was far from loath to part with..."

Hermione's eyes widened as she realized what he meant, and she extended her hand in a gesture of apology. Snape shook his head briskly and straightened. "Let's go. Do try to act as if you've not experienced this before when you get up there..." He gazed at her warningly. She nodded solemnly and followed him back through his lab, to his office, where he pinched some Floo powder from a jar and tossed it into the fireplace. "Dumbledore's office." The flames sprang up, casting a green glow on them, and he gestured for Hermione to precede him. She stepped into the flames and out again into Dumbledore's cheerful office. A moment later, Snape appeared, and they both brushed the soot from their clothes.

"Severus! Miss Granger! How wonderful to have you back. Do sit. Lemon drop?" He proffered the tin on his desk and both Snape and Hermione declined, seating themselves in the chairs in front of his desk.

Beaming, Dumbledore sat back in his chair. "Well? How was everything?"

Hermione smiled and said, "It was wonderful, sir. Thank you for allowing the trip. My parents asked me to thank you as well." Dumbledore twinkled at Hermione and then turned to Snape expectantly.

In a bored tone, Snape drawled, "I daresay it was successful, as we both have extensive visual information for you, ready to be deposited into the Pensieve."

Dumbledore chuckled at Snape's tone and stood, shuffling to a shelf and retrieving his Pensieve. Hermione examined it as he placed it on his desk, mentally comparing it to Snape's. Silvery swirls eddied within it, and Dumbledore said, "Let me empty it so you won't have to deal with my memories in your way..." As he spoke, he drew tendril after tendril of the substance and redeposited them in his mind. Once the bowl was empty, he smiled at them encouragingly. "Severus, won't you demonstrate how it's done for Miss Granger?"

Snape scowled. "I have already explained the process." Flicking an aggrieved glance at Hermione, he barked, "Pay attention, Miss Granger." He began withdrawing his memories of the play, dropping the tendrils, one by one, into the stone basin. Hermione watched him attentively. He paused and sneered, "Your turn, Miss Granger."

She straightened and set her shoulders. Concentrating, she began withdrawing her memories of the play. After a few, Snape held up his hand imperiously, stopping her. He leant forward, prodding the substance with his wand, peering into it. He saw scenes from the play through her eyes and nodded. Curtly, he snapped, "Very well then. Continue." Hermione worked her way through all of her memories of the play and the tour, Snape beside her following suit. When she was done, she felt curiously empty. Her head began to ache with the odd blankness and her vain efforts to remember what she had removed. Blinking rapidly, her eyes unfocused.

Dumbledore patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, dear. You'll get them back this evening. I know it feels unnerving right now, but that will fade. As for your headache..." Hermione looked at him sharply, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "Yes, dear, I know you're getting one. It's normal when so many memories are removed at once. As I was saying... Severus, surely you have a potion that you can give Miss Granger to assuage her headache until you two can retrieve your memories tonight..." He looked meaningfully at Snape, practically ordering him, with his gaze alone, to be kind to her.

Snape concealed the flare of excitement that he could get her memories back to her so quickly and affected irritation. Rolling his eyes and huffing dramatically, he crossed his arms and glared at Hermione. "Very well then, Miss Granger. I can see that I'll not be allowed to finally be rid of you, even after having suffered your continued presence for far too long." Hermione narrowed her eyes at the insult but returned his gaze steadily. Snape stood gracefully and peered down his nose at Hermione. "Come along." He turned to Dumbledore and nodded sharply, scowling. "Headmaster." He stepped to the fireplace again, waiting for Hermione to follow.

Hermione stood, smiling at Dumbledore. "I'll see you at rehearsal, sir. I'll be glad to get my memories back!" She rolled her eyes expressively and Dumbledore chuckled.

Snape huffed and snapped, "Hurry up! I can't wait to get out of these insufferable Muggle clothes!" Hermione ducked her head hurriedly and crossed to the fireplace, her eyes bright with contained merriment. Snape tossed in the Floo powder and barked, "Potions Master's office." Hermione stepped in and Snape followed.

As soon as they emerged in his office, Hermione turned dancing eyes to Snape and bit her lower lip, struggling to hold back a grin. As he brushed the soot from his clothes, Snape glared at her. "What is so funny, you insufferable girl?"

She smirked at him and murmured, "I can't wait to get you out of those Muggle clothes either..." She laughed aloud at the stunned expression on his face.

His eyes narrowed and he growled, "Cheeky minx..." Casting a stern eye over his shoulder at her, he crossed to his potions cabinet and withdrew a headache remedy. "Here. Not that you deserve it after that sass." His expression was forbidding, but she could see the amused glint in his eyes.

She tossed back the potion in a few chugs, grimacing at the taste. "Ugh!"

Snape's lip curled and he purred, "Serves you right, little impudence." Hermione wrinkled her nose at him, but her eyes relaxed in relief as her headache disappeared. Smirking wickedly at her, he crossed his arms and leant against the cabinet, drawling, "Perhaps I shouldn't let you have your memories back, after such an insolent display."

Hermione's eyes widened in dismay and she scowled. Petulantly, she said, "Fine. I'm sorry, sir. Please let me retrieve my memories, sir." She glared at him in pique. Snape snorted and relented.

"All right. Just a moment." He disappeared into his quarters and returned with the Pensieve. He placed it on the desk between them and indicated that they should both begin retrieving their memories.

As Hermione input each memory, she gasped. The sensations and emotions coursed through her anew with each one. By the time she had them all safely back in her mind, she was tingling with desire and love for the dark man opposite her. Looking into his eyes, she saw that he too had been affected. She stepped toward him and he held up a warning hand between them

"Hermione, no."

She frowned, gazing longingly at him. His eyes softened, but he set his teeth as he murmured, "Return to your Tower. Be careful around Miss Weasley. Do whatever it is you do with your friends. Just keep everything about us to yourself. And that includes when you're around me. It's a secret, and it must stay that way." He pointed his chin at the door, effectively dismissing her. Hermione sighed in frustration and disappointment. She pinned him with an intense stare before turning and crossing to the door. Her hand was on the knob when Snape said, "One more thing, Miss Granger." She turned back to him, resignedly expecting more instructions and admonishments. Snape gazed at her soberly. "Especially, don't forget... I love you."

Hermione's wistful expression dissolved into a radiant smile and she nodded slowly. "I won't forget." She paused and smiled tenderly at him. "Good afternoon, Professor." She nodded at him and exited, leaving him alone in his office, basking in the warmth of her smile.