I Can’t Get It Out Of My Head

A/N: Thanks again to MadBrilliant, my wonderful beta. I am really enjoying the reviews. Please let me know how you like this chapter. Warning: Severus and Hermione get some alone time, and you know what that means! Small lemons ahead!

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And I can't get it out of my head

"I Can't Get It Out Of My Head" ELO

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Hermione got her answer when Harry owled her in March with the Minister's response. There was no way public opinion would allow Severus Snape to go free only after eight months imprisonment. Harry promised he would keep fighting for Snape's parole. Hermione was terrified that he would be sent back to Azkaban. She didn't want to lose him now. Her only consolation was that spring was coming and with it, better weather, better food, and sunshine that could replenish what had been lost. The reconstruction itself, overall, was going well. It would not be for much longer. The goal was to have the Reconstruction over by September, just in time to re-open the school.

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Hermione received another owl one April morning from Harry. It was bad news. Theodore Nott had died in Azkaban due to complications from the conditions with which he was admitted. Hermione was devastated. He would have lived if he could have stayed here where she could have continued to care for him! She folded the letter and put in her pocket. She would have to tell Severus the bad news.

She saw Dawlish with a group of prisoners working on the cement mixing crew. Hermione could not help but admire how the old castle was shaping up. Although she heard talk of the problems and complications the witches and wizards were having harnessing the Old Magic to absorb into the masonry, she was sure a solution would be found and the school would re-open on schedule. She shouted over the din at Dawlish for where Prisoner Snape would be working. He told her he was in the forest with the wood cutting crew. She made her way back towards the forest, the letter burning in her pocket. She really did not want to tell him this news.

She found them by the sound of chopping. Auror Carson was there and came to her side. She told him she had news for Snape. He was collected, and Carson quickly, without drawing attention to himself, sidled them off to a covered area and removed Snape's magical binding. He stepped a distance away and gave them their privacy.

At first, it was a dream come true. It was the first time they had ever truly been alone, with no eyes on them, and no one to barge in. For a few moments they considered one another. Then Severus grabbed her and held her close. It wasn't a hug...it was a desperate feral need to have her body pressed against his. His hands pressed into her back and they slid up and down. Her breasts were crushed against him, and she felt light-headed from the strength and desire radiating from him. She could feel his desire for her soak into her skin. She had to take control of the situation before he lost all control.

"Severus, I have bad news."

He tensed and pulled from her. She handed him Harry's letter. She watched his face as he read it. He finished reading, and his hand holding the letter fell to his side. He looked away towards the morning sun, his face squinting. His face hardened, and Hermione thought perhaps he might cry. Then he started to speak.

"Living in those barracks, lying on those slabs for beds...there was no particular allotment for personal space. You slept where you could. It was actually better that way, you see. You survived off the body heat from the person pressed next to you. You get to know those people you share your body with like that."

"At first you are repulsed because of the smell, the filth, lice, and the fact that they are men, not women...which for me would be preferable. Not that I ever was a part of any sexual relationships, although some men did indulge. After all, no matter what the Aurory believes, we are human. I made sure young Nott stayed with me. I didn't want him to be anyone's victim. I also knew better than anyone that he was no Death Eater. He was just the son of one. I spent so much time talking with him about Lucius and Draco. They were friends. Not like Crabbe or Goyle, who were just glorified bodyguards. Nott was his best friend. He was a connection, my last connection to the Malfoys."

He turned to Hermione and shook his head. "I know you never liked the Malfoys. Lucius was not a good person. Narcissa was a spoiled snob. But before...I knew a young man and woman who cared for this eleven-year-old boy who had nothing." He prodded his index finger into his chest as he spoke.

"Draco was a little shite...but when he turned his back on his father and joined me in the fight, I saw the man he could have been, should have been, if only he had lived. I miss the good things. Nott reminded me of the good things. He never should have been here."

He raised a hand to his eyes, shielding them from Hermione. She slid her arm around his waist and embraced him. He broke apart, his pride shattered, and fell to his knees, sobbing. Hermione held the back of his head as she knelt with him. She rocked slightly and tightened her hold on him as he grasped onto her.

"I love you, Hermione," he sobbed. "Please love me."

Hermione closed her eyes and moved her head to face his. She kissed his cheeks, nose, chin, eyes, and forehead. She gazed intently into his red-rimmed eyes and saw the fear in the black orbs.

"I already do, Severus." She kissed him softly on the lips. He let her love him in this way. She continued to brush her lips across his. A light moan came from deep inside him, and she sighed into his mouth.

"I love you. I love you. I love you," she whispered into his mouth as she continued to brush her lips against his.

He brought his hand to cup her face. She covered his hand with her own. They looked at each other and drank in the sight of one another. Hermione ran her hand through his black hair, so glad it was growing back long.

"I want to touch you, Hermione," he murmured.

"One day, Severus, you'll be able to do that and so much more. I promise. Harry and I aren't giving up on you."

She stood up. He joined her. "I must go now before anyone gets suspicious." She saw the longing in his eyes, and it pained her. He wanted her to stay or to go with her. She changed her mind and hugged him, looking up at him. "Kiss me, Severus, please."

She was so beautiful, so open and loving. He was overcome with his desire for her. He kissed her passionately then, and she took his hand and unbuttoned her shirt a little, just enough to guide his hand through so he could touch her. His fingers grazed her nipple, and his hand clamped down and kneaded the flesh, gliding his roughened palm against her already hardened nipple. She shuddered at the sensation, and he plunged his tongue into her mouth ferociously. He pushed her back against a nearby tree. She became emboldened and slipped her hand down into his trousers. His body clenched, and she murmured for him to relax. He slid the material of her blouse to the side and slipped down her bra to expose her nipple. He lowered his head to capture the rosy bud she had offered so willingly as she gripped his hardened cock. He thrust himself against her harder and harder. She moaned as he sucked and lapped her peak. He growled his pleasure, biting down on her nipple as he continued to thrust into her hand. Then he was upright, his hands bracing the tree above her head, thrusting wildly while panting and moaning. Suddenly he embraced her, bent his head, and kissed her neck, nipping and gliding his tongue along the length. His mouth was driving her mad with desire. He came with a guttural sound emitting from deep within. He breathed her name over and over. Finally, he broke contact and kissed her on the forehead before releasing her.

"Thank you, Hermione."

She blushed her reply. She was shaking as she buttoned up the two she had undone. He looked at her pensively. She knew what was on his mind. He didn't have to say. He gently and slowly gathered her skirt. She was trembling. She and Ron never had the chance to go beyond kissing. She didn't know what to expect. He caught her lips in a searing kiss and lifted one of her legs to hook around his waist. He slid his hand into her knickers, and she squealed into his mouth. He chuckled into hers, amused by her innocence. He deftly slid his middle finger into her slit, up into her channel and watched as she moaned her pleasure. He kissed her lips, which were so full, open, inviting, and red with arousal. He teased her nub, and within a minute, she was groaning and panting as she writhed against him, her hands clawing into his shoulders. He pushed her harder against the tree and stroked her in earnest with one hand while with other held her thigh in place against him. She rested her head against the tree and cried out her orgasm. He kissed her cheek and nuzzled her ear as she shuddered, coming down from her high.

"I love you, Hermione. You are so beautiful," he whispered deeply into her ear.

When she finally came to rest, she opened her heavy eyes to a man who was looking at her with a searing gaze of want. She was trembling from what he had done to her; it had been so easy for him to please her, she was embarrassed. He lowered her leg and held her to him.

"Please don't be shy, Hermione. You have pleased me greatly, I can only hope I have pleased you in return."

"Yes," she murmured, unable to look him in the eye. "I just have never done that before."

He looked into her sweet face and locked his eyes onto hers. They were burning her with such intensity, she felt literally naked. He spoke to her gently. "Then I must thank you again, Hermione, for such a gift."

She squeaked out a "you're welcome" as she smoothed herself down and left. Carson nodded as she walked by. A few minutes later, Snape rejoined the Auror. He went back to work, relieved in more ways than one. He watched her walk away and closed his eyes. One day, what he thought was impossible would now come true. He allowed himself to believe that now.