44- Questions and Answers

Standard Disclaimer goes here as always.

Author's Note: Thanks as always to my super-awesome beta Ladyofthemasque, and to SnivellusSnape for pre-reading. Also, as usual, check out my Livejournal for update information and to see what's going on in my life that affects the speed with which I am able to update. http://pern-dragon.livejournal.com/ And, here's my plea now: don't hurt me! I fear I may receive some irritated responses to the end of this chapter. But, I'll leave you to the reading of it to decide whether or not you'll be among them... LOL!! Thanks to all of you who are still reading this labour of love, and to all you fine folk who have left reviews and sent me emails and left posts on my LJ for all your support! *hugs for everyone!* :) Hope you enjoy...

Chapter 44- Questions and Answers

Snape trudged into the Great Hall for dinner Saturday night, having skipped the midday meal in favour of distracting himself from his worry by popping about to all the nooks and crannies that often held students in varying states of disarray. Methodically, he went through his usual patrol, flitting from one place to the next. Since it was daytime on a weekend, he knew that the chance of actually running into any students on his practice jaunt were slim to none. He had been quite pleased with the amount of time he realized that he could save on each of his duty nights, but that contentment faded as he took his place at the High Table, wondering whether Hermione would at least acknowledge his presence.

About ten minutes after he had arrived, Hermione entered, in the midst of a group of Gryffindors. As she strode down the aisle to a seat, Ginny elbowed her sharply, barely inclining her head toward the High Table where Snape sat watching through his hair. Hermione nodded and sat, taking a moment as she reached for the potatoes to glance at Snape.

His fork was gripped tightly in one hand, and he was rather unnaturally still, almost as if he were holding his breath. Hermione nodded and smiled faintly, looking away from him to find the teapot. Thus it was that she missed seeing him almost wilt, so much did he sag with relief at her smile. Passing a weak hand over his face, he exhaled slowly, calming his roiling stomach and pounding heart. When he looked again, Hermione was preparing tea with honey and lemon, a gentle smile on her lips, even as her eyes still held a shadow of sadness. Throat tightening in joy, he scrambled to do the same, Summoning the teapot with almost reckless haste. Flitwick squeaked as it went whizzing past his ear. Gravely, Snape turned to the little man and intoned, "I beg your pardon, Filius."

"Must be a powerful thirst, Severus..." Flitwick cast an aggrieved eye at Snape.

Snape nodded and his lips quirked. Flitwick was surprised at seeing the man almost smiling as he retorted, "Indeed, a thirst." Then, when Snape said no more, Flitwick shrugged and turned his attention back to his own meal.

Although it seemed as if Hermione had got over whatever she had been upset about...and it still galled him that he had no idea what that was...Snape still felt a niggling apprehension at the shadow in her usually bright eyes. Oh, what wouldn't he give to be able to just go to her to find out what was wrong...

All at once, it hit him. Yes! Go to her. Apparate to her! But how? I've never seen her room, and I daren't be seen popping into the Gryffindor common room. No doubt Minerva would have an aneurysm... I can't Apparate blind. But how will I ever get to her room to be able to see it, so I'll know where I'm going when I Apparate there? As he finished his dinner, he was absorbed in thought about this new puzzle. Standing to leave, he considered Apparating out of the Great Hall, but thought better of it, preferring to keep it a closely guarded secret until the next rehearsal, when he could surprise everyone with it. That decided, he cast one last longing look at Hermione before exiting and retreating to his quarters.

Hermione was still trying to get over her anger about Snape not having told her about his birthday. It was a small thing, a trifle really; but to her, it just served as an example of a larger problem. It was going to be difficult enough for people to accept them when they went public as a couple; if she couldn't even answer basic questions about the man she claimed to love, who would take her seriously? Only two days ago, she wouldn't have been able to answer the question of when his birthday was! Part of her anger also stemmed from the fact that she felt ashamed at not having asked very much about Snape. If they were to build a relationship, they'd need to learn as much as possible about each other, especially before they came out to the wizarding world at large.

In light of such considerations, Hermione began compiling a list of questions over the weekend that she'd ask Snape the next time they were together. Of course, there were far too many to ask in one sitting, but this was something that they could continue throughout their relationship, certainly.

Monday, the cast members took note of the new rehearsal date on the notice board, "Tuesday January 13: Run through Act One through Masquerade, including songs." Hermione noticed that what had previously been on Wednesday nights seemed now to be on Tuesday nights. With a wry twist of her mouth, she wondered how the Gryffindor team would deal with the change of schedule. Sitting down for breakfast, she heard Harry and Ginny discussing that very fact.

"Harry, as team captain, you can schedule practice whenever you want. That's your prerogative." Ginny had a gentle hand laid on his arm.

Harry was frowning. "I know, but it was working out fine before. I wish Dumbledore hadn't changed it around." He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I suppose I could change practice to Monday nights."

Ginny sat up straight with a guilty look. Sheepishly, she muttered, "Not tonight, though. I have detention tonight. But if we start next week on Mondays, that should be fine."

Harry scowled in irritation. "Then what are we going to do this week? I guess we could try for Wednesday night, but we may run into the Slytherin team trying to use it, since they'll have to reschedule too. I tell you, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff have it easy, being able to practice when we're rehearsing. Can you imagine the nightmare it'd be if people from every team were on cast?" Then, he turned a dark look on Ginny. "Don't go getting any more detentions, will you? Of course, it is Snape, so we can't expect him to be reasonable..."

Ginny rolled her eyes and said, "Can you honestly say McGonagall or Flitwick would have done any differently if I had done the same thing in their classes? Snape wasn't being unreasonable or favouring Slytherin or anything. I admit it: I got a wild hair and acted out. So, I got detention, end of story. It's just this once, and we'll be able to work out a new practice schedule, I'm sure."

Hermione stifled a laugh at Ginny's comments, leaning around her to say, "If you're that stressed about it, Harry, you could always ask Dumbledore if the schedule will stay this way when we have rehearsal Tuesday night."

Harry shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, I guess so..." With that, he gazed across the Hall at the Hufflepuff table, seeking out Ron where he sat eating with Susan. "I'll go talk to Ron about the change of practice time." Still looking as if the weight of the world were on his shoulders, he strode over to Ron.

Both girls rolled their eyes and giggled. Ginny said, "Honestly, sometimes he acts like being team captain is some huge burden. So I have detention tonight, big deal!"

Hermione glanced up at Snape. "Speaking of, are you going to just take your homework?"

Ginny nodded. "But I'm sure he'll come up with some clever story for me to tell everyone, so his reputation doesn't suffer." They grinned at each other again, two co-conspirators. Then, still with the scheming smiles on their faces, they looked in unison up to the High Table, where Snape gazed at them in consternation, clearly wondering what they were up to.

Giggling at his wary expression, Hermione started gathering her things for class, and leant closer to Ginny, whispering, "Listen, when you're there tonight, would you mind trying to let him know what happened? I'll get to talk to him tomorrow night, but it'd be nice if he at least had some sort of inkling."

Ginny nodded, retorting cryptically, "Something tells me it'll come up."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks. See you later!" Shouldering her bulging book bag, she shot one last smile at the High Table before exiting the Hall.

That evening, Ginny brought her book bag to dinner, so she could head straight to detention after eating. Snape had left the Hall earlier, but she hung around until it was time to head down to the dungeons. Waving casually at her mates, she set off at a brisk pace, thoughts whirling with curiosity about what the evening would be like. The door to Snape's office was open when she arrived, but Snape didn't look up. Knocking softly on the doorjamb, she queried, "Professor Snape?"

Snape irritably waved his quill at her, eyes still on the essay he was grading. His voice peevish, he said, "Enter! Sit. Shut the door."

Ginny spun in place, having stepped forward to sit at the desk opposite him, and reached back to shut the door at his command. Her blithe assurance that this detention would be a breeze faltered at his sour demeanour. After carefully closing the door, trying not to make any undue noise, she sat, quietly waiting for his attention.

Several minutes passed, and Ginny watched Snape's face go through a multitude of disgusted, exasperated, frustrated, dumbfounded, and aggrieved expressions, his quill scratching red comments on the essay all the while. Finally, as he reached the end, he threw the quill on the desk in aggravation and passed his hands over his face, raking his fingers through his hair as he heaved a huge sigh. Then, leaning back in his chair, hands clasped behind his neck, he levelled a dark look at Ginny and drawled, "Never become a teacher."

Ginny's brows shot up, and she blinked in surprise. Not quite sure how to respond, she merely said, "All right then."

Snape's brow rose as he noticed her reaction and he snorted. Arranging the stacks of parchment on his desk, he continued, "What have you brought to work on, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny picked up her book bag and said, "I have homework. I just wanted to be sure it was still okay to work on it, sir."

Snape regarded her with a slightly offended air. "Do you doubt my word, Miss Weasley?"

Ginny shook her head, but narrowed her eyes, pinning him with a shrewd gaze. "Of course not, sir. I simply wondered if there might not have been other pertinent information that you had kept to yourself." With that shot, she tilted her head to one side, eyeing him meaningfully.

Snape frowned in confusion, giving a frosty, "I beg your pardon?"

Ginny sighed and folded her hands on the desk. "Why not make the most use of the opportunity at hand, sir?"

Snape scowled even harder. Mystified, he murmured, "Miss Weasley, if you plan on making any sense this evening, I would appreciate it if you'd hurry up. I'm not accustomed to playing games."

Ginny returned his gaze frankly. "Fine. I'll try to be as plain as possible: why didn't you tell Hermione it was your birthday?"

Snape's brows shot to his hairline and his mouth dropped open in surprise. Incredulous, he croaked, "Sweet Circe, is that what she's so upset about? For Merlin's sake, I thought it was something important!"

It was Ginny's turn to scowl. "Important? It was dreadfully important to Hermione!"

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose, rubbing his eyes. "What? Why? I've not taken any notice of my birthday for ages. Why would she be upset? I was the one ambushed by that barmy old codger of a headmaster. I'm the one who should be upset!"

Ginny rolled her eyes and dramatically fell face first onto her crossed arms. Shaking her head into her forearms, she gave a frustrated groan. After a beat, she raised her head, gazing mournfully at Snape, who was staring at her, bewildered.

"You don't think it would have been nice to let her know it was your birthday, so she could have done something nice for you?"

Before she could continue, Snape burst out, "It's just a day! I'm not going to go trolling for gifts..."

Ginny sat up straight, frowning and planting her hands on her hips. "Professor!" Snape paused, taken aback by how very like Molly she looked at that moment. She pursed her lips for a beat before saying, her attitude haughty, "No one is accusing you of 'trolling for gifts'! It's not a far-fetched idea that a person might like to acknowledge the special day of a person she loves..."

Snape scoffed, "'Special day'; it's not that special..."

"Oh for Merlin's sake! Have you still not figured out that what you think is special or not may differ from what Hermione thinks? While you may not think it's worth fretting over, I can certainly see where Hermione's coming from. I'd be hurt too, if the man I loved didn't see fit to share intimate details with me." She sat back in her chair, her fingers drumming a staccato on the desk as she let the import of her words sink in.

Snape started to retort, but whatever he was going to say died on his lips as he stared at Ginny, completely thrown for a loop. His indignant posture wilted, and he sank into his chair, trying to fathom the mysteries of feminine anger.

His gaze turned inward, and he seemed to be staring into the middle distance, his expression one of chagrined befuddlement. After a long moment, he blinked several times, lifting his gaze to meet Ginny's. His voice was faint as he said, "Is that really all she's mad about? There's nothing else that I should know about?" He eyed her askance as she shook her head. Then, rolling his eyes, he continued in a very put-upon tone, "If there is, I beg you to share it with me, Ginny. I need as much forewarning as possible with Hermione."

Ginny blinked, and her mouth formed a stunned "o". Snape, seeing her astonished expression, frowned and queried, "What? There's more, isn't there? What is it?"

Ginny's lips widened into a gentle smile as she insisted, "No! No, there's nothing else. Honestly..."

"Then what was that all about?" he asked, making a vague gesture at her face.

Smile turning into a grin, wrinkling her nose, she tilted her head to one side and murmured, "You didn't call me Miss Weasley."

Snape's brows rose, and he ducked his head sheepishly. Clearly taken aback by her reaction to his unintentional slip, he cleared his throat and muttered, "I beg your pardon."

Ginny tossed her head and said, "No! It's fine, really. I just wasn't ready for it." She could see how uncomfortable he was, so she took pity on him. "You know what you said about needing forewarning with Hermione?" He glanced up and nodded, reluctant curiosity on his face. "Like they say, 'Forewarned is forearmed.'" She leant forward, affecting secrecy as she added, "'Just don't tell anyone where your other two arms are.'"

The blank look on Snape's face was almost comical, as he processed the pun. Then, he seemed to crumble under the absurdity of it all, and Ginny witnessed a complete transformation. His lips curved in a smile, and he shook his head as a laugh bubbled up from deep within, startling her with its resonance. His shoulders shook with mirth as he laughed, black eyes nearly lost in the creases of his face.

Still, as unprepared as she was for such a reaction, his laughter was infectious, and she found herself chuckling along with him. He slowly wound down, wiping his eyes as his gales of laughter ebbed away. He shot her an appreciative look, and she couldn't resist shrugging and saying, "Old monster hunter joke..." At that, he snorted, chuckling more, until he trailed off, his breathing ragged.

Inclining his head in a slightly mocking bow, he politely offered, "My thanks, Ginny. I needed that."

Ginny flushed even as she found herself beaming at him. Nodding in return, she graciously replied, "My pleasure, sir. Anything I can do to help..."

Snape rolled his eyes and straightened in his chair. "Yes, well... I shall talk with Hermione tomorrow before rehearsal. In any case, I believe you said you have homework?" He tilted his chin pointedly at her book bag.

Ginny pulled out a textbook and parchment. "Yes, sir. Thank you." Dutifully, she bent her head to her work.

Snape pulled another essay in front of him and dipped his quill into the red ink pot, a faint smile still tugging at his lips. He had no idea he could feel so comfortable with another person who wasn't Hermione. But the camaraderie he felt between himself and Ginny was strengthened by the shared regard they had for Hermione; and, once he had begun appreciating Ginny for herself, it was easier to let his guard down in her presence.

They worked in companionable silence for a while, until Snape needed a break again from the travesties that masqueraded as essays. Abruptly pushing back from the desk, he looked up at Ginny, who glanced up, startled by the sound of the chair scraping on the stone floor.

He stretched his arms above his head until joints popped, and Ginny smirked. Shaking his hands loosely from the wrists, he politely inquired, "Would you care for a drink? I'm rather parched myself."

Ginny smiled and nodded. "That would be lovely. May I have some pumpkin juice? I sha'n't presume to ask for tea with honey and lemon..."

Snape snorted and grimaced at her. "Indeed. And suffice it to say that I shouldn't share that with anyone but Hermione anyway."

Ginny laughed and Snape Summoned a pitcher of pumpkin juice and a tumbler for her and one of ice water for him. He deftly floated them toward her, and she plucked them from the air, saying, "Thank you, sir."

Proffering his glass in a silent toast, he inclined his head and drank, leaning back in his chair, pondering the situation with Hermione. Ginny indulged in a few swallows before turning her attention back to her work. Snape watched the redhead for a while, thinking about how to mend things with Hermione this time, and how he could surprise her with his ability to Apparate in Hogwarts. It was a good thing Ginny wasn't looking at him, because eventually his expression became quite calculating and an almost wicked smirk crept over his face.

Banishing the water pitcher, he composed his expression into one of apprehension, all the better to make his pretence believable. Sitting forward in his chair, he rested his elbows on the desk, clasping his hands in a show of anxiety. Taking a deep breath, he lightly said, "Ginny..."

She looked up, politely attentive. "Yes?" Noting his expression, she sat up, brow creasing in concern.

Snape averted his eyes, staring at his hands as he haltingly ventured, "You said you'd do anything to help, right?"

Immediately, Ginny nodded. "Of course! Why? What can I do?"

Snape bit back the flare of triumph at her instant response. Affecting reluctance, he murmured, "Well... Never mind. I shall manage without it. It's nothing."

Ginny leant forward in her eagerness to help. "No! Please, tell me. I'll help, honestly."

Such a Gryffindor... Feigning his reticent acceptance of her coaxing, he continued, "I know you've told me what Hermione was upset about, but it would be so much better if I were to see it for myself..."

Ginny frowned in confusion. "Huh?"

Snape glanced around and leant forward, smoothing his hands before him on the desk, furtively whispering, "I have a Pensieve. If you'd allow me to see your memory of the conversation you had with Hermione, I could see firsthand how she acted."

Ginny's brows shot up and her eyes widened. Her own voice barely above a whisper, she said, "That's right! I remember Hermione telling me about it." Then, she flushed uncomfortably and ducked her head. "She told me you used it to convince her about seeing me with Harry."

Snape blinked, once again embarrassed, but shook himself to get back to the task at hand. "Yes, well... Enough about that. I'm more concerned about Hermione and how I can make things better."

Ginny nodded and wiped her face, doggedly ignoring her remembered humiliation. "Of course. Certainly, sir. I'd be glad to help. What am I to do?"

Snape flashed her a grateful smile, inwardly cheering the success of his ploy. Rising quickly, he said, "I'll return shortly with the Pensieve. It's not that difficult to use. Just a moment..." He spun on his heel, crossing to the wall where the door to his lab was disguised. Ginny's eye goggled as he waved his wand and the door appeared. He exited and shut the door behind him, but not before she caught a glimpse of his extensive potions equipment.

I'm so glad I had detention tonight. It'll be so much easier for them tomorrow night this way. She waited, a trickle of eager anticipation threading through her at using a Pensieve. While not unheard-of, they still weren't too terribly common.

Snape returned bearing the Pensieve. With a flourish, he placed it on his desk and gestured for Ginny to stand. "Come here. Watch me." He touched his wand to his temple, drawing it away slowly. Ginny stared in fascination as a silvery strand spanned the distance between his wand and his head. "This is a memory. As I concentrate on it, I can withdraw it to place it in the Pensieve." He drew it out to a little over a foot in length, then jerked his wand so that it broke off, floating into the basin and swirling there, silvery-white and glowing. Pointing at it in the basin, he said, "Look. It's the memory of you arriving tonight."

Ginny bent toward the basin, watching as the image of her arriving at the door to his office coalesced. What she found so fascinating was that the whole room was included. She could see Snape sitting at the desk, grading, even though the memory was his. She looked back up at Snape in wonder. "Wow! This is incredible."

Snape quirked one corner of his mouth up as he dipped his wand back into the basin, drawing the memory back up to his head. "Ready? Think of the conversation with Hermione, and draw the memory out with your wand. When you reach the end of it, break it off and drop it into the Pensieve."

Ginny straightened, solemnly placing her wand at her temple and screwing her eyes shut in concentration. Snape allowed himself a smug smile of satisfaction for a brief moment. As Ginny pulled the wand tip away from her head, the silvery strand stretched between them. Opening her eyes in anxiety, she let out a huge sigh of relief when she saw the glow by her head. Closing her eyes again, she drew the strand out for several inches, well over a foot, then finally snapped it off and dropped it in the basin.

Snape leant over the Pensieve, ready to enter the memory. Stopping short, he looked gravely at Ginny and said, "It's easier if I enter the memory. Just wait until I finish, and you can have the memory back immediately." Ginny stood back, unsure of what to expect, and nodded.

Heart beating faster at his success, Snape bent over, dipping his face into the surface of the memory, letting himself be drawn into it. As it replayed, he not only took note of his surroundings, committing them to his memory, but also listened to the plaintive tone of Hermione's voice as she lamented about him not sharing with her. A pang of remorse hit him, and he realized just how important the little things were to her. Stepping closer to her, he reached out to caress her hair, his hand just passing through her instead.

Sighing, he paced through the room, listening to the girls' conversation. He paused to appreciate the fact that Ginny had wanted to offer her regard for his birthday as well. A warmth spiked through his chest at the thought that he not only had Hermione, but he apparently had a friend too. The memory was nearing its end, and Ginny was crossing to the door. Snape cast one last look at Hermione and retreated from the Pensieve. Coming back to himself, he straightened, seeing Ginny staring at him, owl-eyed. Inclining his head in gratitude, he said, "That was more helpful than I can tell you. Thank you, Ginny."

She smiled brightly. "You're welcome! So, how do I get the memory back now?"

"Place your wand in the basin and draw it back out. Deposit it in your mind again, and you'll be as you were."

Ginny did as she was bid, beaming at him in delight. "That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Thank you!"

Snape snorted, picking the Pensieve back up and crossing to his lab. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was immensely worthwhile for me. I shall be right back." He disappeared again, and Ginny sat down, marvelling at the unique experience.

Snape returned and sat at his desk, looking completely satisfied. Ginny complimented herself on helping him. Hermione would surely benefit, too, of course. Snape snagged another essay and murmured, "I appreciate your help. Forgive me while I go back to work."

Ginny nodded and followed his lead, turning her attention to her homework again. Once again, they settled into companionable silence, with only the scratch of quills on parchment and the soft sound of pages turning accompanying them as they worked.

A long while later, Ginny finished her assignment and shut the book, sitting back in her chair. Snape glanced up, blinking rapidly to focus on her instead of the horrid penmanship of the essay in front of him. She smiled and blithely announced, "Finished!"

Snape checked the time and shot up straight in his seat. "Indeed. I daresay your 'detention' has gone on long enough. You may return to your Tower."

Ginny stuffed her things into her bag. "So, what shall I say my punishment was, Professor?" She glanced up at him, eyes twinkling with merriment.

Snape affected intense thought. Circling his lips with his fingertip, he murmured, "Well, since your crime was chewing gum in class, perhaps your punishment should fit the crime. Tell anyone who asks that I had you scraping off whatever might have been stuck under the desks and chairs." He levelled a haughty look at her. "Yes. That sounds sufficiently dreadful as to discourage any copycats of your abominable performance."

Ginny bit her lip and averted her eyes to hide the giggle that was threatening. Swallowing back her smile, she composed her expression to a dutifully contrite one, looking solemnly back up at Snape. She was taken aback at his rather violent snort.

Rolling his eyes at her, he hissed, "You needn't play the innocent with me, Miss Weasley. You forget that I know better." With that, he cocked one eyebrow up in a smug look, his lips twisting wryly. Ginny's brows rose, and she blinked rapidly, flustered by the jibe. Snape saw her chagrin and a snorting laugh sputtered forth. "If only you could see your face!" Smirking at her, he drawled, "Gotcha..."

Ginny stared at him in amazement. Pursing her lips and glaring at him, she wagged a finger in his direction as she stood, shouldering her book bag. Leaning forward, she murmured, "You're evil! Don't think that I sha'n't warn Hermione about your sneaky tricks..."

Snape tossed his head and snorted again. "I daresay you wouldn't be telling her anything that she doesn't already know, my dear. As for me being evil... Well, what kind of ex-Death Eater Slytherin spy would I be if I weren't?" He flashed a feral grin at her, hands outspread, but then he sobered, a shadow seeming to cross his face, and his hands dropped to the desk again. His voice was low as he said, "In truth, Ginny, I do hope I haven't offended you. It was all in fun..."

Ginny felt a rush of compassion for him, and she took an involuntary step forward as she replied, "Oh, no! I know that! Really, I do. I would never have said that if I was serious. I'm just not used to a..." She trailed off, looking sheepish.

Curiosity piqued, Snape said, "A what?"

Gazing apologetically at him, with a wan smile, she mumbled, "A playful Snape."

Snape's face seemed to turn to stone as he absorbed her words. Disbelief oozing from every word, he repeated, "A... playful... Snape? Merciful heavens, you make me sound like a bloody puppy."

They stared at each other for a beat, and then Snape rolled his eyes. "Oh, for heaven's sake, off with you. Get to bed before Filch comes looking for students out after curfew. Besides," and he levelled a dark glare at her, his voice dropping to a growl, "if you stay too long, I might get too excited by having company and piddle on the floor."

His voice was full of scathing disdain, but Ginny was so surprised by his remark that she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the shriek of slightly hysterical laughter that burst forth. Hurrying to the door, she paused to turn back to him. "Sorry, sir. Good night. I'm sure everything will work out fine tomorrow night. I'll be sure to talk to her."

Snape nodded, but when Ginny simply stared at him instead of leaving, he lifted one long finger, pointing imperiously at the door. Deciding not to push her luck with this new side of Snape, Ginny whirled and beat a hasty retreat, shutting the door behind her with a sigh of relief and trekking back up to Gryffindor Tower.

Ginny was glad that Harry wasn't waiting for her when she arrived in the common room, and she made a beeline for Hermione's room. Knocking briskly, she smiled at the curious expression on Hermione's face as she opened the door.

"Come on in." Hermione gestured toward the bed and sat against the headboard as usual. Once Ginny was settled comfortably, Hermione ventured, "So, how was it?"

Ginny blinked rapidly, her face contorting into a swift succession of expressions. Hermione frowned in confusion. Finally, Ginny cast her eyes heavenward and spread her hands in a gesture of giving up. "It's so hard to describe. It was fine, really. But, I've never seen Snape like that before either. He teased me!" She broke off with a laugh, shaking her head at the memory.

Hermione's eyes lit up, and she grinned in delight. "Really? What happened?"

Ginny quickly recounted the gist of the evening, noting how pleased Hermione looked at the revelation that Snape had been so casual and friendly with Ginny. Of course, she left out the exact wording of Snape's request for assistance, and she didn't bother detailing the whole Pensieve event. She wanted to savour that for herself. "So, anyway, he knows why you were upset, even though he can't fathom it. I explained some, but you can talk to him about it tomorrow night. Oh! And he said to tell anyone who asks that since I was in trouble for chewing gum, I had to scrape stuff off the undersides of the desks and chairs." She laughed again.

Hermione wrinkled her nose and nodded. "Figures. Thanks, Gin. I appreciate your help. Again." At that, Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed wearily before flashing a smile at the grinning redhead.

Shrugging nonchalantly, Ginny said, "No worries. I like being able to help. Especially if it's with something secret and dangerous! Legacy of living with the twins, I reckon." Tilting her head, she shot a lopsided smile at Hermione as she stood, shouldering her bag. "But, I'm gonna' head to bed. I'll see you in the morning!"

Hermione squirmed off the bed to the door, ushering her friend out. "Right. Good night!" She shut the door behind Ginny, locking it. Crossing to her desk, where she had been working on the questions she wanted to ask Snape, she scratched a few more ideas before she neatly rolled it up, stuffing it in her school robe's pocket. She couldn't wait till rehearsal.

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

Tuesday evening, Hermione watched Snape descending from the High Table with eager anticipation. Unconsciously shoving her hand in her pocket to check for the scroll of questions, she wiped her mouth with her napkin and sat back, preparing to stand when Snape reached her. As Snape paused behind her, he merely intoned, "Miss Granger," before continuing on down the aisle, confident that she would be following. Rippling her fingers in farewell to her friends, Hermione briskly trotted behind him, absently watching the swirl and flap of his robes.

As they reached the dungeon stairs, Snape paused for her to catch up, and they descended in tandem, both secretly sneaking glances at the other. Snape marched them directly to his quarters, past caring whether anyone was watching. Silently, he opened the door and gestured for her to enter. Nodding gravely, Hermione stepped in, and Snape shut the rest of the world out with the firm slam of his door.

Immediately, Hermione spun and advanced on Snape, wordlessly wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face against his chest. Relieved, but still apprehensive, Snape enveloped her in his embrace, tilting his head to lay his cheek atop her curly pate.

There was a long moment of loud silence, filled with unspoken pledges and atonements. Eventually, Hermione lifted her face to look at him, softly whispering, "Happy belated birthday..."

Snape closed his eyes, suppressing a grimace. Eyeing her with a mixture of reproach and remorse, he murmured, "I thank you for the sentiment. Although, I'm sure you realize by now that I've not been one to celebrate my natal day."

Hermione nodded mournfully. "That's horrible. Even if one doesn't make a big deal out of it, one should still recognize it as a special day!"

Snape heaved a deep sigh of aggrieved acquiescence. "Obviously, now I understand how you feel about that; but you must realize that my omission of that fact was in no way a reflection on us or my feelings for you. There's no need to get so upset, love." His brow creased with puzzled concern, and he squeezed her tighter in his embrace.

Hermione rolled her eyes and groaned, letting her head loll back in petulance. Pulling out of his grasp, she took his hand and pulled him toward the hearth, guiding him to sit while she went for the hair products. Snape sat, bemusedly watching her as she emerged from the bathroom.

Hermione took her place behind him and gently turned his face away. Brushing through his hair, she launched into her explanation. "I know Ginny tried to tell you what I was so upset about, but I don't know that you fully understand where I'm coming from." Before Snape could even form a response, she barrelled on. "I realized that I am fathoms deep in love with a man I scarcely know, in regards to all the mundane little things that people learn about each other. I mean, think about it, Severus, it's going to be hard enough to deal with the reactions when people find out about us. How can we possibly hope to be taken seriously by anyone when we can't answer some basic questions about each other? I just couldn't believe that you would keep from me something so simple, yet so indicative of the intimacy we should, by rights, share. I felt hurt that you hadn't told me, so I could at least celebrate the day that the man I love was brought into this world, and I felt guilty that I hadn't even thought to ask about something so basic. And, of course, since I couldn't exactly talk to you about it, it festered and rankled."

Snape interrupted desperately, "I never intended to hurt you, Hermione..."

Hermione caressed his head lovingly. "I know, dearest, but it hurt nonetheless. At any rate, I thought about why I was so upset, and I decided that there was only one thing to do that could fix the problem."

Wary, Snape queried, "What's that?"

Smoothing the pomade through his hair, she blithely announced, "I came up with all sorts of questions that we should ask each other, so we can get to know each other better. Some are more detailed or probing than others, of course."

Snape blinked in dismay. "Are you suggesting that we play '20 questions'?"

Hermione deftly gathered his hair into the elastic and snorted. "Well, to be honest, I thought of many more than that. But, it's not supposed to be an interrogation. It's just spurring us to share things that might not come up as easily otherwise, given our strained circumstances."

Patting his shoulders to indicate she was done, she leant forward and placed a light kiss on his neck, eliciting a shudder. Snape stood and spun to face her, grasping her hands and pulling her to him. Gazing down at her, he noted the sparkle in her eyes at telling him her idea, and he realized that, as loath as he was to divulge intimacies generally, he needed to make an exception on her part, since he wanted to be with her always, and everything would come out eventually. Really, for all intents and purposes, her idea was not without merit. Glancing quickly at the clock, he saw they still had a while before rehearsal, and he swooped down to kiss her, once again amazed at the instant response of his body to the taste and feel of her lips on his.

Hermione melted against him, delighting in his strong embrace and the intensity in his kiss. Sliding her hands around his neck, she let out a soft moan of pleasure as he nipped and nibbled his way back to her ear. A ripple of heat swept through her at the sensual timbre of his voice as he murmured, "While I can certainly appreciate your idea, I must say that when we're together, I can think of much better things with which to occupy my mouth." With that, he suckled her earlobe, sending chills over her skin.

Hermione gasped, clutching convulsively at his shoulders. Desperately trying to maintain control of her faculties, Hermione reproached him, "Severus! I told you that wouldn't always work..."

His hands slid down her back, cupping her arse as he nuzzled her throat. "Mmm, what wouldn't always work?"

Panting shallowly, she forced out, "Using intimacy to get your way. I don't think I'm being unreasonable..."

Snape paused, soaking in the import of her words. He heard her take a breath and hold it, and he pulled back to look her in the eyes. "Hermione, I am not trying to 'get my way.' I merely thought you might enjoy a chance to be together while we had it. I'm not ignoring your solution."

Hermione bit her lip, chagrined. "Oh. I'm sorry. I just wanted to get to know more about you too, while we had some time alone." She looked down, chastened.

Snape kissed her, suckling on her lip where she had bitten it. She voiced a breathy moan and relaxed even more in his arms. His voice a deep rumble, he said, "Very well then, ask me something, and I shall answer it." He continued nipping her neck and throat as he spoke.

Hermione blinked rapidly, trying to marshal her scattered wits, as they were dancing away on the surge of sensation that Snape was awakening in her again. Scrambling for the scroll in her pocket, she wrestled it open, trying not to knock Snape in the head as she unrolled it. Clearing her throat, she rasped, "All right. First, since you already have access to this information about me, I wanted to even the score. What is your middle name?"

Snape looked up at her incredulously, as if he couldn't believe that she was actually forging ahead with the whole business. Sighing in resignation, he straightened, tugging her in front of the chair, where he sank down and pulled her into his lap. Making a concerted effort to take her seriously, he composed his expression and replied, "Donovan."

Hermione stared at him blankly. She looked as if she had had the wind abruptly robbed from her sails, and Snape bit back a smirk.

Her voice weak, she said, "Really?"

Arching one eyebrow at her, he affected asperity and said, "Yes, 'really.' Why do you ask?"

Hastily caressing his arm in apology, Hermione said, "I didn't mean anything by it, honestly! I just... I guess that with a name like Severus, I expected something more unusual." She trailed off, flashing a sheepish half-smile. Then, recomposing herself, she briskly said, "So, Donovan, eh? That's a nice name."

Still feeling a trifle put out at her initial reaction, Snape retorted, "It's got a bit more to it than, say, 'Jane.'"

Hermione cut an acid glance at him. "Don't I know it! You needn't heckle me about it. I know my middle name is downright boring."

Ducking in to kiss her, making amends, Snape contritely said, "It may be the epitome of plain, but 'Hermione' is unique enough for such a one-of-a-kind woman, my dear."

Hermione smiled and kissed him back, taking a moment to revel in it, deepening it and squirming on his lap, where she could feel the definite beginnings of evidence of the effect she was having on him. Grinning as she pulled back, she explained, "My folks wanted to give me a name that no one could possibly take issue with, and they obviously opted for the simplest of the bunch. I was always at liberty to choose which name I wanted to go by. But, as you might have guessed, I always felt different enough to feel I warranted a different name. Hence, I stuck with 'Hermione.' I daresay part of that feeling was due to the fact that I was a witch." She paused and chortled ruefully. "So, tell me, what's the story behind your names?"

Snape was eyeing her lips wistfully as she talked, and Hermione chuckled indulgently as she leant forward, nibbling his throat as he attempted to formulate a response. A note of warning in his voice, Snape said, "Hermione..."

Murmuring against his skin, she replied, "Go on, love, I'm listening."

Closing his eyes in exasperation, Snape took a deep, steadying breath and began. "My mother was a witch, and my father was a Muggle. She was the one who suggested 'Severus.' My father wanted to give me a 'normal' name as well, and he preferred to draw from his Irish-Gaelic family heritage. So, my mother looked up several choices and presented them to my father. He liked the rhythm of 'Severus Donovan Snape,' and he also appreciated the meaning."

Intrigued, Hermione pulled back from suckling his earlobe to interject, "Oh! What does it mean?" before ducking back down to attack his flesh again.

Swallowing hard against the growing desire to stop all this infernal talking and put their tongues to better use, Snape doggedly forged on. "It means 'dark warrior.' My father thought it sounded strong, and with the family colouring, he figured I'd be dark instead of fair. He was right."

Gazing at Snape delightedly, Hermione felt a thrill run through her at the romance of the choice. "He was indeed. You are a dark warrior, in more than one sense. How funny that it all came so true! So, what are you parents' names?"

Hermione suddenly noticed that Snape no longer seemed to be completely there. It was as if a curtain had fallen between them, and he seemed closed off. His voice was bland as he said, "Tobias and Eileen."

Lifting a hand to mould against his cheek, Hermione searched his face worriedly. "Severus? Are you all right? What's wrong?"

Snape closed his eyes, his brow creased in remembered pain. Gripping her hand in his and turning to kiss her palm, he said, "I just don't particularly enjoy talking about them. Ours wasn't the perfect family."

Heart throbbing in sympathy, Hermione whispered, "'Wasn't'? As in past tense?"

Snape nodded faintly. His voice was low as he said, "They're both dead. Long ago."

Hermione impulsively wrapped him in her arms, burying her face in his neck, murmuring, "I'm so sorry, love. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. I didn't know."

Gently caressing her back, Snape retorted, "Nor should you have known. I'm not famous for spreading my personal history around. Don't fret, love." He pulled away, encouraging her to lift her face from his neck. Looking in her eyes, he continued, "Now, I understand that you want to ask me everything on that bloody scroll of yours, but I insist that you cease with the questions at this point, and allow me to properly make up for upsetting you." As he spoke, his expression slowly changed from serious to mischievous, and the glint in his black eyes made her insides quiver.

Biting her lip, peering at him through her lashes, she flushed under his heated gaze and nodded faintly. "You don't need to do that..."

Snape lifted a hand to tangle in her hair at the back of her neck, and his voice was a low purr as he cut her off, saying, "Oh, but I do need to..." Closing the distance between them as he spoke, he pinned her with a searing kiss, his other hand sliding up her leg to cup her arse where she perched in his lap. A deep growl of contentment issued from his throat, and he shifted her weight against his throbbing erection.

Hermione gasped into his mouth as he devoured her, feeling tingles of sensation racing through her at the feel of his cock pressed against her arse. Clutching his robes, she pulled closer to him and traced a hand around his neck, below the ponytail, sliding it beneath his collar, caressing his warm flesh.

Ever mindful of the time, Snape spared a fleeting glance to the clock, noting how close they were to rehearsal. A flare of triumph followed his thought that they could make out longer than usual since he could Apparate them to the Hall.

After a few moments of heated snogging, Hermione squirmed off his lap, pushing him back in the seat as she straddled his legs. When she planted herself astride him, Snape wrapped his arms around her, groaning as she rocked her hips on his hard length. He wrenched away from her lips, and a breathy, "Hermione" met her ears as he travelled down her throat, leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses until he reached her breasts.

Nuzzling her chest through her robes, Snape could feel her nipples hard under her clothes. Cupping a breast in one hand, he squeezed gently, groaning again as she ground her hips on him more fervently. Her lips were warm on the shell of his ear as she murmured, "Gods, Severus, you make me want you so much, so easily!"

A rumbled, "Indeed" vibrated against her neck. Overcome with raging desire, Snape gripped Hermione, lifting her and setting her on her feet. She blinked hazily at him. He guided her to turn around, and pulled her back onto his lap, pressing her against his chest and enveloping her in his embrace. His nose tickled her ear as he purred, "I can give you some of me... as much as we can now."

Hermione felt a surge of liquid warmth spreading in her knickers, and she let her head loll back, abandoning herself to the exquisite delight of his deft fingers stroking her thighs. Accepting the unspoken plea, Snape caressed her thighs, hiking her skirt higher with each pass. Hermione whimpered, eyes closed in bliss.

Snape felt his cock jumping in excitement. Oh, how he wished he could just take her! Glancing at the clock again, he increased his ministrations, trailing his fingertips up to the juncture of her thighs, lightly rubbing over the damp cloth of her knickers, smiling ferally at the heat pouring from her, and at the amount of her juices soaking the fabric. Hermione shuddered and moaned, her legs spreading wider of their own accord. Needing no further invitation, Snape slid his fingers to the elastic band, dipping underneath, stroking through her slick curls.

A strangled cry wrenched from Hermione's throat, and she curled forward, quivering. Grabbing wildly for the armrests to steady herself, she saw the clock, gasping in horror at the time. Frantic, she hissed, "We're going to be late! Severus, you must stop! We have to go!" Desperately grabbing for his hands, Hermione struggled to regain her composure under the sensual onslaught.

His voice low but forceful, Snape said, "Relax, love. We'll not be late. Trust me!" He resisted her attempts to remove his hands from her person, slipping a finger between her plump lips and circling the stiff nub he found there. Hermione shivered again, her back arching in ecstasy despite herself. Lost to the sensations, Hermione panted, keening moans emerging from her lips as he increased his attack.

Cupping a breast with the other hand, he palmed her nipple through her clothes, suckling on her earlobe. Her noises increased, and he exulted in the ease with which she responded to his touch. She was about to orgasm, and Snape's cock pulsed violently. As she crested the peak, he breathed in her ear, "Hermione, love..." It pushed her over the edge, and she gasped, convulsing in his grasp, drenching his fingers as she shattered in orgasm.

Her voice was hoarse as she said, "Oh gods, Severus. That was incredible, but what were you thinking? We'll never make it to the Hall in time, and how will you explain to Dumbledore?" He heard the note of panic in her voice as she weakly pushed out of his embrace, straightening her clothes and smoothing her hair.

Standing gingerly, so as not to pinch his erection, he regarded her with a supremely satisfied expression. "I told you, dearest, don't fret! I have everything under control." The wicked smirk and the devilish gleam in his eyes did little to reassure her, and she eyed him warily.

"How so?" She was finally mastering her breathing, and she smoothed her skirt and robes.

He stepped closer to her and gripped her waist. Her hands loosely circled his elbows. A mischievous grin on his face, he purred, "Do you trust me?"

Hermione's brows shot up at the question. Indignantly, she retorted, "Of course I do!"

His grin widened, and his eyes narrowed in challenge. In a silky purr, he said, "Very well then. Hold on!" And with that, he Disapparated, taking her with him.