Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Hmmm... I am not Steve Vander Arse. I am not trying to make money from JKR's hard work. I'm just having fun for free.

Remember, this is... a parody of sorts. Enjoy and be amused.

Thanks go to ladyinthecloak for letting me know what funkies she sees! Good gal, that.

Hermione was doing her Arithmancy homework at a table in the common room when she looked over to the chair by the fire. Ginny had fallen asleep with her head on Harry's lap. Harry, though, was staring at Hermione. She knew that he loved her. And boy did she love him, too. They could never be though. Ron couldn't handle it, and Ginny would be crushed. And who were they to hurt the Weasleys like that? The whole family had done nothing but support them for all their years knowing them. Ron had been in love with her, but she loved Harry. She'd told Harry no. She told him she would never date either of them, as both their friendships meant more to her than anything no matter what she felt on a personal level. As she had told those words to Ron, too, when he'd finally plucked up the courage to ask her out, she'd noticed Harry's relief and sadness.

It was not long after that he'd told her that he really loved her still, and he had suggested that they keep it a secret until later. But she could not live a lie. Would not. Ginny was always saying how she loved Harry. It would have hurt her too badly. So, Hermione had had to suck it up. She told Harry why, and he understood, but he vowed she would always have a place in his heart. She told him he would always be in hers. They did snog occasionally, accidental like, but then one would realize what was happening and put a stop to it. Just to be safe, they had taken to always having someone with them. There was no chance they would do anything rash that way. Times like these, though, her alone doing homework, people around doing their own thing, and him in his chair with Ginny, it seemed they were the only ones in the world. Their eyes saying all that needed to be said. Ron broke their silent conversation...as he usually did.

"Oy! Just getting back in from the infirmary! Transfigured a finger into a knife. Quite painful, that was!" Ron said excitedly, laughing at himself.

Hermione began to giggle, and Harry's laughter chimed in. It was moments like these that she knew she had made the best decision for them all. Ron had gone on to date Luna and had never looked back. Harry was with Ginny. He was happy whether he would admit it to her or not. Ginny was happy. She was happy. Wait. Was she though? She hadn't really had any romantic interests in anyone except Harry since Victor Krum. The Bulgarian Bon Bon!!

No one seemed to be able to keep up with her intellectual discussions. Anyone she spoke with, she would have to explain exactly what she was talking about before actually saying what she set out to. Sometimes being so smart and having such different views on things could be rough...people didn't rave about her being the brightest witch of the whole bloody age for nothing. No boy at Hogwarts struck her as an intellectual equal...except Malfoy, of course, but she'd never be with that Slytherin! No way!!

Slytherin! That made her think of Slytherin's head of house: Severus Snape. She wondered how he was feeling and then remembered her impending detention! Oh no! It was nearly eight already!!. Blast! Hastily, she gathered her things and told Harry to have Ginny bring them over to her personal Head Girl dorm for her when she could. Ginny was the only one besides Harry that had her password. She'd never even given it to Ron. As quickly as she could, she went to Snape's class. It was cold, dark, and empty. Where was he? "Professor?" she called. She made her way to this office. There was a crack in the door. She knocked. Nothing. Should she just go in?

"Professor? It's Herm–Granger," she said. She shivered. She had an odd feeling that someone was watching her. She turned slowly. It was the ghost of the Bloody Baron. Yikes!

He leered at her wickedly. His silvery blood splotches on his ghostly robes shined in the dim light. Where had he got that? Butchering someone? A student in the dungeons perhaps? He was a silent ghost as far as she knew, speaking only with his gestures and expressions, but she would have to try anyway.

"Is Professor Snape in there?"

He came close to her, and she almost screamed. He gave off such ill feelings. "Go in," he rasped. She backed in through the door, opening it as she went. Thank goodness the door was open. She didn't know if she could have managed the knob. The ghost was following her, giving her the creeps! What the hell? He was normally antisocial. "My head of house is in his chambers. Go to him." That said, he went back through the door and into the dungeons.

Her heart began beating wildly. She couldn't just barge in on his personal chambers, could she? That would be really inappropriate. As an afterthought, she closed and locked his office door for good measure, even though she knew ghosts could pass through anyway. Snape might need her, so she had a decision to make. She ran to the door to his chambers. "Lily!" The door opened right away. He hadn't changed it even though she knew it. She saw him kneeling next to his chair by the fire. "Professor!"

The door closed behind her. His cloak and robes were off. He was in black trousers and a crisp button up black shirt. He looked up at her, his face deathly white. "What have you done?" she shrieked. Then she realized what he was after. The vial was on the stand next to the chair. As quickly as possible, she swiped it and kneeled down with him. She didn't know how much to give him, so she handed it to him. Awkwardly, she pulled some of his weight onto her body so that he could use what strength he had to administer the elixir to himself. She noted that he took half the vial. She filed that information away for later use.

"You tried some more of Harry's potion??!!?" she asked. He nodded once. "Oh, you idiot. You shouldn't have had any more of that today! Why didn't you wait for me?"

He didn't reply, and his eyes took on a dazed look.

"Can you make it to the bed?" He shook his head once, eyes drooping even more. She summoned pillows and a blanket to her. It was hard arranging the pillows with one hand while the other was helping to hold up a grown man, a thickly muscled grown man at that. Boy, that robe and frock coat sure did hide all this great body from me. I never would have known. Sometimes he looks pregnant with all that puffing and billowing, and other times, he looks scrawny. Hmmm... Interesting indeed.

She couldn't let him go. He would fall flat on his face. So, she began to lie back and pulled him with her. His eyes were half open still, piercing hers. "Don't worry, Professor, I won't take advantage of you," she said wryly and could have sworn that the corner of his lips twitched as if to smile. She positioned a pillow and guided his body as slowly as she could, but...uh oh!...he ended up lying partially over her, pinning her there. It was the only way she could get him down. His head was on a pillow now, although his forehead was touching the side of her face. Half of his bulk was over her; instead of feeling trapped as she truly was, she felt oddly comfortable. Just a twitch of her wand had the blanket pulled up over them.

"I'm sorry, Professor," she whispered. "This will have to do."

~~~~~~~~Sevvie and Mione sitting in a tree... k I s s I n g~~~~~~

Severus was propped up on one elbow, looking at the sleeping girl next to him, her face shadowed by the dying fire. His arm was still around her as it had been when he'd awakened. The only reason he hadn't moved it was because she was holding it to her. One of his legs had somehow become snaked between hers. He could feel her heat burning into his upper thigh. Her back pressed against his chest. Why didn't he move really? Why didn't he wake her? It just felt too good. He'd not lain so intimately with a woman in years. Yes, he'd bedded women. Many in fact. But, after the deed was done, he'd left them quickly. He hated intimacy. It reminded him of Lily. And of, ultimately, rejection.

She began stirring in his arms. He didn't pull away. She was mumbling. He could just make out a few things. "Harry.... no... hurt Ron... stop." That sent his mind reeling. She was dreaming of Harry, who was obviously trying to kiss her or worse. She didn't want to hurt Weasley. It made sense. That had to be why she'd turned Harry down. Weasley. So, she, like him, had let the one she loved go to be with another because of circumstances. Weasley. That imbecile wouldn't have been able to cope with his two best mates being an item. It was obvious that Harry loved her. He'd seen it on his face in her mind's flashes. But the insolent prat hadn't fought for her. Just as he hadn't fought for Lily. Instead he opted for Weasley's sister while pining for Hermione. Just as he himself opted for the Dark Arts while pining for Lily.

There was more to Miss Granger than he'd given her credit for. He knew how it felt to watch the one who belonged to your heart hold another. Yet, she was always of good temperament. Never letting her more dark thoughts seep through. Interesting. Oh, she'd get angry occasionally, but was otherwise pleasant. Which unnerved him. He was always hateful to her, and she had twice cared for him until he was stronger. He remembered her words when she'd found him earlier. She said he should have waited for her. Yes, he should have, but he thought he had finally broken one of the steps and couldn't wait to try it. This was a mistake. It gave him an immediate weakening side effect. Good thing he hadn't changed his password. But how she dared to come into his personal chambers on her own was beyond thinking.! He'd have to see about taking points away for that. And hadn't she called him an idiot? More points! Hell, detention! A real one.

It was nearly midnight. They had been like this for four hours. Reluctantly, he pulled his leg away and removed his arm from her person. He didn't get up quickly enough. She turned over, put her head on his chest, one arm over his stomach, and one leg over both of his. He froze. What could he do now? If he moved, it would surely wake her up, and that would embarrass them both. Yes, he'd have to take more points now. He tightened his hold on her and placed a hand on her back. What would it hurt to just lay here for a bit? Couldn't he just let himself feel something for once? Her bushy hair was tickling his chin; he allowed his other hand to come up and smooth it down. Gardenia. Her scent. Hermione. His fingers traced her cheek and her bottom lip. He pulled his hand away. He had no right to take such liberties. She stirred again. This time he knew she was awake. He heard her gasp, and he smirked.

Ever so slowly she lifted herself away from him. Finally, she turned her eyes to his. They were watching her.

"Sorry?" she said, but it sounded more like a question.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Detention tomorrow night then?"

This caused him to smirk. He sat up quickly and smoothed out his shirt.

"Be here after dinner," he snapped.

She scampered away as quickly as she could. Before she made it to the door, though, he stopped her. "Miss Granger?" He saw her grow rigid. "What possessed you to come into my personal chambers uninvited tonight?" He made sure to give her a cold stare for good measure.

"The... the Bloody Baron told me to," she said softly, as if unsure of herself.

"Did he?" His tone was unbelieving.

"Yes."

"You may go now," he said, dismissing her. Bloody Baron?! Highly unlikely. He rarely spoke and would never talk to a Mudblood. Oops, Muggle-born. He would summon him right away. Strength fully restored, he got up and made his way to his office. The Slytherin ghost was just coming in through a wall.

"Feeling better?" it rasped.

"Yes. Did you tell her to come in there?" Snape asked immediately.

"I did."

"May I ask why you would reveal your voice to one such as that?" he asked the ghost. How dare he send students into his chamber? Though he was glad... deep down. She had saved him from draining away completely.

"I knew you needed her. She will birth you two Slytherins."

"What?" Snape said incredulously, snapping his head in a double take.

"If you would mate, that is," the ghost said in his normal eerie tone.

"Rubbish! She is a student!"

"She is of age. Her cleverness mixed with yours would do your progeny well. Slytherin would surely prevail at all it does with such a genetic mixture. Powerful Snake. Powerful Lioness. Indeed."

"Good night, Baron," Snape said, dismissing the ghost this time. It said nothing, just merely floated through another wall. The audacity of a ghost giving him advice! On mating at that! He shrugged it off. He needed to review those notes to see where he had gone wrong. More than once his thoughts strayed to Hermione. When he'd been holding her, his erection had been painfully stiff. No woman had ever just lain in his arms and provoked such a reaction from him. Maybe it was time to visit one of his old friends. It had been a while. Yes, that was the problem. Nothing more.

~~~~~~~~Sevvie and Mione sitting in a tree... k I s s I n g~~~~~~

Hermione would never be able to look into Snape's eyes again. She had been all over him when she'd woken up. It was obvious that it'd displeased him, though he restrained from being too cold toward her somehow. How had she allowed herself to fall asleep? Blimey! He would think her some chit out for a shag with a professor! "Oh, no..." she murmured with a sigh.

"Detention went all right?" It was Harry. Alone. Waiting for her outside her dorm. He had been under his trusty Invisibility Cloak.

She flung her arms around him and let him hold her as she told him everything. He was staring at her in awe. He didn't curse or call Snape names, but she knew he was thinking it. "He probably knows you fell asleep while waiting for him to come around. I doubt that he will hold it against you. It will be all right." His voice had gone low, and he was moving towards her lips.

"Harry..." She tried to stop him, but his lips touched hers. The kiss was soft and warm. She opened her mouth to him, and he pushed her against a wall as if trying to melt into her. As quickly as the kiss started, it stopped. Harry pulled away, holding his lips as if she had burned them.

"Hermione, I am sorry. I don't know why I can't keep off of you!" he blurted, apparently angry at his lack of self-control. "And... hang on! You let me!" His voice was accusing, but his eyes understood.

"I'm no better than you. I still feel for you, I suppose, but we can't," she said softly.

"I know." He was thinking for a moment. "Hermione, maybe if you would date someone and not be alone. Maybe it would give us both a restraint, you know?"

"Don't tell me I have not thought of it. No one interests me except you. No one is compatible with me. They all look at me as if I am a talking textbook." Harry sniggered, and she eyed him wearily. "If I could, I would, Harry. We just have to try harder."

"I'm sorry to put you through this, Mione. I should never have told you how I felt about you."

"Harry, I am glad that you did. Do you know how it makes me feel that someone could actually love me? Someone like you? I know Ron did, but it was just because I was always around. You loved me for me." She sighed. "Go get some sleep. Why are you out anyway?"

"I just wanted to check on you. Night, Mione."

"Night, Harry." She watched as he put his cloak back on and listened as his footsteps retreated down the corridor. Maybe in another time or place things could have been different for both of them, but it would never come to pass. Not unless Ginny ever had a sudden change of heart. That would likely be never. She would have to follow his advice. She needed to find someone to get her mind off of Harry. It would be better for them both. Her thoughts traveled to dark piercing eyes, ones that seemed to study her. Oh, no! She could not be attracted to Snape! That would never happen.

She gave her portrait the password and climbed through into the common room she shared with Draco in the Head Boy and Girl dorm. Draco was sprawled out by the fire, but he was not alone. He was half dressed, clad only in silk boxers. She could just make out Susan Bones' form under him when he saw her. He tried to shield the girl from her view. "Damn it, Granger! I thought you were out for a while."

She yawned and walked slowly to her room. "Why don't you learn to use your bed, Draco?" she asked in a bored voice.

He made a face at her. "I don't want someone in my bed!" That earned him a slap on the shoulder from his 'friend' there. "Er, that is to say, I have too much clutter in there. Good night!" She grinned at him, and he winked at her.

After washing up, she put on her nightclothes and crept into bed. Where could she find someone at Hogwarts who would and could actually hold a conversation with her? Who would find her attractive? She always gave more care for learning than for primping. She felt she shouldn't have to impress anyone. Maybe it was time though. That Zach Smith was fairly intelligent, but he was a pompous idiot! Maybe she should rethink her position with Draco. That brought a giggle to her lips. No way!

Once again, her thoughts drifted back to Professor Snape. He had it all: dark, shoulder length hair; black eyes that could penetrate into a girl's soul; a tall frame; a thick body; and was a strong man in character and in body. If he weren't such an arse, he would be a great man for a woman. She thought about Harry's mum. Did she once feel something for him? It was apparent that he had once loved her. How did a woman get to know Severus Snape? He couldn't have always been so unapproachable, right? Had Lily somehow made him turn hateful? She wanted to find out. She wanted to know him. Though she wasn't going to come out and say it out loud. Maybe if she had a kinship with him, it would take her mind off of Harry. Just a friendly relationship. It just might work, but the only problem was the man himself. He could barely stand to be in her company. Or so it seemed to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Whoot! Chapter End ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: Hahaha... I know. Why Harry? Ah, the great ship Harmony...one of my weaknesses. Really.