Sunday at Hogwarts: Act Two ? And the Band Played On

Dances with Witches by Pearle

Summary: Severus Snape loses a magical bet. The consequences? The Tango! My answer to the codpiece challenge on Wiktt. HG/SS

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc. of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

~~~~~ Dances with Witches ~~~~~

12. Sunday at Hogwarts: Act Two – And the Band Played On

"My private lab is through the sitting room. I put a few books on the side that I thought we could use as a starting point in evaluating the properties of the cauldrons as they relate to altering the ingredients... Hermione?" Severus realized he had lost Hermione's attention. One look at the witch and he was not sure he ever had it in the first place. Her reaction to his sitting room should have been a foregone conclusion knowing that she spent the majority of her seven years at Hogwarts in the library.

Hermione was standing in the doorway, entranced with her surroundings. Severus's sitting room was in fact not a sitting room, but a formal library. The room was two stories high and lined floor to ceiling with books. The walls were randomly broken up in spots with a few charmed windows. Several doors were set into various doorways along the walls leading off to other rooms. At the far end of the room, an oriental rug dominated the hearth in front of a large fireplace. Two overstuffed black leather chairs and a green, silver, and black patterned sofa completed the setting. The room spoke of personal comfort and knowledge.

Hermione was attempting to take in her surroundings. This was the room of her dreams. She could imagine long winter afternoons, curled up in one of the armchairs, reading by firelight. She briefly wondered what the other rooms looked like.

"Hermione?" Severus chuckled as he called her again, "Hermione. Is there a problem?"

"Severus, this room is wonderful! If I had known you had a library like this, I might have made a play for you years ago." Hermione had walked to the side and was running her hand reverently over the spines of the books.

Severus put a hand on his heart. "You wound me deeply, Miss Granger. I would have thought you were interested in me for my good looks and charm, not my material possessions."

Hermione's eye sparkled. "Looks fade and personalities change, but books...well, you can never have too many books. I never would have wasted my time in the restricted section if I had known you had a library like this!"

"You are welcome to borrow any of the titles you like. Though I must caution you, some of the books can be rather temperamental at times. My private lab is through this doorway." He guided her past a massive desk overflowing with books and papers as he indicated a heavy oak door set back in the shadows.

Hermione was as overwhelmed with the lab as she had been with the library. "No wonder you stay at Hogwarts," she said in awe. "This is truly amazing."

Severus looked at her curiously. "Why I stay?"

"Well, yes. You don't appear to like teaching all that much. It is a known fact you do not like the students. The war is over so you are free to go wherever you want. With your skill as a Potions Master, I am sure you could find work anywhere in the world. Just wondering, but, why do you stay here?"

Why indeed? "I suppose, because this is my home. I have a Manor House that was left to me when my father died. I am not particularly fond of the Manor. Hogwarts has been my home for twenty years. Contrary to popular belief, I do not hate teaching as much as people seem to think I do. I actually find the upper level classes to be quite satisfying now that I am no longer forced to endure your friends, or Mr. Longbottom. It is the result of dealing with a few select students that has earned me the reputation you speak of."

Hermione looked at him. "A few?"

"All right, all of the classes below OWL levels and a few hundred ex-students over the last twenty years. The lower level class consists mostly of dunderheads that are there because they have no choice. Potions is a required course. The students taking upper level classes normally have an ability and interest in the subject. And they are willing to learn. Then there is the rare student that is unusually bright. They are always a challenge." Severus was pulling down cauldrons of various metal compositions and placing them on the workbench as he spoke.

"Did you find me a challenge?"

Severus snorted. "You were a challenge in more ways than one." He opened a black leather bound journal sitting on the side of the table and pointed to a page written in his familiar script. "I have taken the liberty to start a work journal for us so that we can record our progress as we go. This is a simple base combining the essential ingredient of the Wolfsbane Potion. Brewing the potion in each of the base metal cauldrons will give us some indication of the changes in properties that will occur using each of the metals. This should give us a foundation to choose which ingredients we might want to experiment with." Severus was enthralled with the intensity of Hermione's focus. Her concentration was centered directly on him as he explained the process.

"That sounds like a good place to start." Hermione pulled a small parcel out of her pocket and placed it on the workbench. A wave of her wand and the package turned into her ever-present book bag. She was reading over the steps for the base potion as she reached into the bag for her quill and ink.

"I was wondering where that was." Severus said with a smile.

Hermione was intent on the instructions in front of her. "These are standard ingredients. Do you want me to get them from the classroom or do you have a separate store room in here?"

"Hermione."

The sound of his voice caused Hermione to look up at him. Severus's gaze was intense as he watched her. Taking a deep breath he said, "Would you have dinner with me one night this week?"

"Dinner, as in a date?" He was asking her out on a real date? Her heart jumped to her throat.

"Yes, as in a date. In as much as I have enjoyed dancing with you and rendering you virtually crippled. And I am looking forward to working with you on the Wolfsbane, we are more or less required to be together in these instances. I would like to take you out somewhere because we want to be together, not because we have to be. Somewhere we can be alone."

"I would love to have dinner with you, Severus." Hermione moved into his arms. "We are alone now."

As if on cue, a loud knock was heard on the far side of the room. "Severus, Miss Granger? Are you in here?" The Headmaster's voice could be heard through the door.

Severus closed his eyes. His arms tightened around Hermione as he called out, "Go away, Albus."

Looking slightly guilty, Severus and Hermione jumped apart as they heard the door opening and a smiling Albus Dumbledore walked into the lab. "Good afternoon, Severus. Hermione, it is good to see you again. You are looking well. Lemon drop?" His greeting was warm. He genuinely liked the young witch.

Hermione laughed. "Hello, Albus. It is good to see you too. Though I don't think I would have been happy with you if we had met a few weeks ago."

"Ahh, Severus and the dance lessons." He said nodding his head. Albus's eyes seemed to twinkle brighter, "And now my dear, have you changed your mind?"

Much to Severus's chagrin, Hermione glanced over her shoulder to give him a look before turning back to Albus. She broke out in a warm smile as she said, "And now I think I will reserve judgment until I see what develops."

Albus's laugh was merry. "Divination? We can have Sibyll read your tea leaves and see what she has to say about your future, if you like?"

Severus barely contained a groan. "If you two are finished, perhaps we can get on with our work? I believe Hermione needs to return to Cambridge sometime this century, unless you or Minerva are in possession of another time turner she might use?"

"Yes, of course. Hermione, you will stay for dinner tonight won't you? I am told we have Bread and Butter Pudding for dessert."

"I would love to stay, thank you." Hermione smiled at Albus. It had taken time for her to merge the image of the kindly old grandfather type that he had been during her school days with the powerful wizard he had proved to be during the final battle. Hermione had always known he was a great wizard, but that day, during the battle, Albus Dumbledore had radiated pure power. He had called upon the Heavens above and the very ground they stood upon to do his bidding.

"Wonderful, then I will leave you to attend to your work. Oh, Severus, Poppy has asked if you could brew another batch of the Deplucking Draught. It seems she has run low and still has two students in the Hospital wing sprouting feathers."

"Fine, I will start a new batch now." Severus pulled down a steel cauldron from above the bench and placed it to the side. He glanced at the Headmaster. "Is there something more, Albus?"

Albus nodded. "No. I believe there are a few matters that require my attention alone. I will see you both at dinner."

Hermione turned to Severus as the outer door closed. "Is he always like that?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I believe he thinks he is helping me with his meddling. This door leads to my private storeroom. Why don't you get started on the base potion and I will set up the Deplucking Draught."

Hermione looked amused. "Deplucking Draught?"

With a long-suffering sigh he said, "Yes, it seems my class is not the only class to have students who fail to pay attention. Minerva was teaching the students in her second year transfiguration class how to transfigure a teacup into a down pillow. One of the student's wands was cracked. The charm bounced off the teacup and hit six students. Instead of turning into down pillows, they grew feathers. Minerva was not able to reverse the charm, thus the Deplucking Draught. The feathers usually fall out within twenty-four hours after taking the draught with no ill after effects. Some of the feathers have been particularly persistent and have required more than the standard dose of the draught."

They had retrieved the necessary ingredients from the storeroom and were setting up across the table from each other. "Go ahead and start preparing the ingredients for the base while I start the Deplucking Draught for Poppy. It will have to simmer for an hour and thirty-five minutes once I have added the necessary ingredients."

Hermione had always enjoyed watching Severus work. He moved with an easy agility and grace. His movements were precise as he laid out the ingredients. After filling the cauldron with water, Severus removed his frock coat and hung it on a hook by the door. He rolled his sleeves part way up his forearm to avoid staining the cuffs.

"Do you really think using all three metal cauldrons at different stages of the process will..." Hermione's words died in her throat. She had just finished recording the various metal cauldrons and their properties in the black leather journal.

Severus had reached for a glass stir as Hermione looked up. He heard her intake of breath and saw her wide-eyed look. A quick glance at his left forearm was all the confirmation he needed. His Dark Mark. He had been so preoccupied with their argument earlier he had forgotten to cast a glamour over the Mark. Unbelievable what this witch did to his mind and his sanity, he thought.

The Mark had faded to a silvery gray color, but it was still visible on his forearm, a constant reminder of his past transgressions. He could only imagine her horror at seeing it. Her parents had fallen victim to a surprise Death Eater attack he had been powerless to stop, during the Christmas holidays her seventh year. He pulled his cuffs down before looking up at her.

Hermione had tears in her eyes. His shoulders slumped. They may have made it over the first hurdle but he was sure this would prove to be too much. His voice was filled with pain as he said quietly, "If you want to leave, Hermione, I will understand. I am truly sorry." He sighed as he started to gather the unused ingredients.

Hermione walked around the worktable. Her voice broke as she spoke, "Do you really think that little of me, Severus?" She reached for his arm, pulling the fabric back. Her fingers were cool against his skin as she traced the gray lines. "I am the one that should apologize for my reaction. I think it was just the shock of seeing it on your arm. Can you forgive me?"

Severus had closed his eyes when she reached for his arm, not wanting to see the rejection in her eyes. "Hermione, you have nothing to apologize for. I know what I am. I told you before, my past keeps coming back to haunt me. This is just one more instance. Perhaps you would be better off with a younger wizard who will not cause you pain."

Hermione ignored his words. "Severus, look at me. We can't do this at every turn. You have to stop thinking I am going to run out on you every five minutes. You said take it slow and get to know one another. I agree. But please, have a little faith in me. Maybe I can exorcise one of your demons for you."

Severus stood transfixed, as Hermione lowered her mouth to his arm. She softly kissed the Mark before allowing her tongue to trace the lines along his forearm. A groan escaped his lips. "Hermione, Oh dear God."

Hermione moved forward and stepped into his embrace. She kissed him softly, gently. Her kisses were meant to heal his soul, not arouse him. He crushed her to him with an anguished sob. They stood that way for several minutes.

"You are remarkable. What did I ever do to deserve you?" He kissed her tenderly before releasing his hold on the young woman.

Hermione grinned mischievously at him. "I'm sure it will come to you." Her espression turned serious, "It is just a Mark, Severus. It means nothing anymore. You have nothing to hide. And if you say spoken like a true Gryffindor, I will hex you into tomorrow."

He kissed her gently before she returned to her side of the workbench. He watched her for a moment, amazed at the woman she had become. They worked for the next half hour talking about the various ingredients as Severus set up the Deplucking Draught and Hermione worked on the base of the test potion.

"This needs to simmer an hour to be complete. I will clean up here and then help you test the base." Severus regarded the young woman in front of him. 'Young being the operative word,' he thought. "Does my age bother you?"

Hermione continued to measure the ginger root as she answered without looking up. " No, not at all. Does mine bother you?"

Severus sighed. "Yes. As a matter of fact it does. I am just thankful you scored so high on your NEWTs or there maybe some questions as to the validity of your grades as my student."

Hermione put the measuring rod down and looked at Severus. "Is it my age that bothers you or the fact, that people will talk? Anyone who was at Hogwarts when I was a student will know the truth. You could not stand me back then."

"Yes, we do seem to be getting along so much better now." All though the comment was meant to be sarcastic, Severus's slight grin and the chuckle that accompanied the remark shifted the meaning from hurtful to playfully teasing.

Hermione thought he had a wonderfully dry sense of humor when it was not used for cutting remarks. "I would say so. From what I could tell sitting in your lap a little while ago, you seemed quite happy to see me."

Severus smiled. "Mmmm. Perhaps. How long has the cauldron bubbled?" He indicated the first stage of the test they were working on.

"I believe it has another two minutes before I add the root." She consulted the notes in front of her. Severus nodded his head and reached for a thick green book at the edge of the worktable. Hermione was not about to let the age issue die. "How old are you, exactly?"

Severus arched a brow in question. "You do not know how old I am?"

"If I knew how old you are, would I have asked you?" Really, the man could be exasperating at times.

A gleam came into his black eyes. "I will be sixty-eight my next birthday."

"Really. Well then we are fine. I will be sixty-two on my next birthday." Hermione smiled, she knew he was teasing her. "I seem to recall you and Remus are the same age. That would make you about.... forty, forty-one."

Severus shook his head. "Fine. I will be forty-one in November."

"Well, then you are only nineteen years older than I am. What's the problem?"

"And this does not bother you? Shouldn't you be interested in someone closer in age?" 'Are you an idiot? Are you trying to drive her away?' The voice in head screamed at him. He told the voice to bugger off. This was something he thought they should talk about now. Right now, rather than after they walk into the Great Hall together for dinner.

Hermione looked at him, with a smirk she said, "You won't get rid of me that easily. No, I do not think you are too old for me. My mother said I was born being fifty so you have a few years to go to catch up to me. And besides, what boy my age has his own potions lab and library?"

Severus snorted. "I should have known you were not interested in me for my good looks alone." He came around the bench to check the potion. His voice softened, "I just want to make sure you have considered all the consequences and options of being seen with me."

"Severus, Albus is eighty-five years older than Minerva and it does not seem to bother them. Stop thinking so much." Hermione checked her notes and then added the grated root to the bubbling potion.

"Would you like to discuss the up coming match for the Chudley Cannons instead? Quidditch is a secret passion of mine," he said with a smirk, knowing Hermione's intense dislike of all things Quidditch.

Hermione looked at him in horror until she noticed the corners of his mouths were slightly turned up. She shook the stirring rod at him as she said, "Ground Rule number five, we will not discuss Quidditch or there will be consequences."

Severus engulfed the young woman in a quick hug. "I cannot seem to recall rules one through four. Care to refresh my memory?"

"Severus."

"Fine. We need to record the properties of the base and then let it simmer for another ten minutes before rechecking the properties again."

They spent the next hour comparing the base potion's properties against the resulting potions in the other four cauldrons and started compiling a list of ingredients for future experimentation. Severus racked the clean cauldron over the bench as Hermione recorded the outcome of the base potion.

He noticed Hermione was absent-mindedly rubbing her shoulder as she checked the reference book. "No, it says right here that hellebore only reacts to gold, not pewter. Mmm. Oh God, that feels good." Severus had moved behind the young woman, massaging the kink from her shoulder. His long supple fingers worked the muscles from the top of her shoulder down. Moving his fingers in circles that slowly radiated outward from her shoulder blade down.

Hermione seemed to puddle in her seat. She crossed her arms on the table in front of her and leaned forward to rest her head on her arms and give him better access to her back. Severus shifted her hair to the side, off her back and shoulders. She mumbled contentedly, "I always thought you had great hands. You didn't happen to use Legilimency on me did you?"

"And why would I use Legilimency on you?" He was working the muscles down her spine. Alternating a firm circular motion with the press of his fingertips along the spinal column. He raked his finger out towards the edge of her body, just touching the sides of her breasts before moving his fingers back to her spine, and then sliding his hands down to massage the top of her buttocks.

A contented sigh, almost sounding like the purr of a cat escaped from the relaxed witch. Her voice was a mumble, "Because I have a weakness for back rubs. You are in the wrong profession, Severus. You should be giving massages instead of teaching potions. You have amazing hands." She was a boneless mass as he continued to massage her back.

Severus leaned over and planted a line of kisses along the side of her neck, alternately kissing and nipping the sensitive skin. Hermione's body went from puddle to alert in zero to nothing flat. A moan escaped her lips as he moved the back of her shirt collar aside before biting and licking the heated skin on the back of her neck.

His own body had responded to the small whimpers and moans of pleasure from the aroused witch. He hoped his trousers hid his obvious erection. There was no question he found her desirable. The problem was, this was not just about sex release.

There had been one-night stands and mindless sexual encounters with the wives of the other Death Eaters in the past. For the first time in his life he wanted more, and in turn was willing to risk opening himself up to Hermione. He had spent the last few nights alternately reveling over the young woman and worrying about letting her get close to him.

Sometimes he agreed with the voice in his head that said just take her and be done with it. It would be easier and less agonizing that way. At other times he thought he could actually imagine a future that included the two of them. He was sure, once she really got to know him, she would end whatever was going on between them. He had never maintained a prolonged relationship with anyone, but he knew sex complicated things. It brought forth emotions he was not ready to deal with.

He was not a nice man. He knew that. He was by turns mean, bitter, and disillusioned with his life. He took small pleasures in reading a book, working alone in his lab, and his research, all solitary pursuits. Could he let someone else in? Hermione reacted to him like no one else he had ever known. She slipped under his defense and answered a need he never knew he possessed. It had only been a few days. They both needed more time to see how things progressed between them. Intimacy would come later, regardless of his body's response to the witch. In the mean time he would enjoy teasing and touching her.

His voice was husky as he said, "As much as I enjoy the feel of you body under my hands, I must finish this stage of the Deplucking Draught in the next fifteen minutes or the Draught will be useless." Severus kissed the side of her neck before returning to the bubbling cauldron on the other side of the bench.

Hermione's breath was ragged and her face flushed as she looked up. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Severus laughed at the obvious double meaning of the question before answering. "While I am sure there are an infinite number of possible answers to that question, each more enjoyable than the next, my immediate need is to complete the Draught. How do you feel about straining the solution while I retrieve the potion bottles from the store room?"

"I think I can manage that. Why don't you use those for the Draught?" Hermione pointed to a row of empty bottles on a shelf next to the desk.

"The bottles I use for Poppy have been charmed with a special stasis charm to keep the contents fresh."

They worked together for the next half hour, bottling the Deplucking Draught and cleaning the lab. Severus rechecked the journal entries before putting the black book in the top drawer of his desk. He took his frock coat from the hook by the door and snagged a set of teaching robes hanging next to it. The clock over his desk indicated dinner was about to be served in the Great hall.

Hermione had been preoccupied with packing and shrinking her book bag and failed to notice the Potions Master had returned in full form. Severus was once again wearing his frock coat and a full set of teaching robes when he rejoined Hermione at the workbench.

"I could keep you here as my prisoner and no one would be the wiser." Severus loosely encircled Hermione with his arms. 'Slow, remember?' Mimicked the voice in his head. He could not seem to stop touching her.

"What a shame I said Hi to Remus on the way in. Not to mention I owled Ginny on Friday that I would be here today." Her eyes had drifted closed as she laid her head against his shoulder. Her arms loosely circled his waist. She could have stayed in his arms forever.

"Then I suppose it would be prudent for us to attend dinner in the Great Hall. I still have essays to grade, and you need to return to Cambridge in a short while." He would have been content to never move again. She felt wonderful with her head resting against him. He rested his chin on the top of her head. 'Strawberries," he thought as he smelled her hair.

"Tell me," he asked with a small chuckle, "do you wash your hair with whatever ingredient or fruit is closest at hand?"

Hermione looked up at him, one brow raised in question. "You don't like the way my hair smells?"

"On the contrary, I do. But the other night I smelled lemon and before that, vanilla. Tonight, strawberries. I just wondered how you decide."

"I just use whatever is in season. Though watermelon does not work well, too many seeds in my hair.

Severus laughed as he led Hermione out the far door and into the outside hallway.

Hermione noticed a subtle change in Severus as they walked through the hallways. His body seemed to shift as he walked. They continued to discuss Hermione's classes as they moved towards the Great Hall but Severus's back was straighter, his step measured, and his ever present scowl, the look she remembered most from her school days, lay firmly across his features. He had slipped back into his evil Potions Master persona as easily as one pulls on a favorite coat. She smiled up at him.

"Is there something you find humorous in my appearance, Miss Granger?" His eyes were warm, as he looked at her, amusement evident in his black gaze.

"I was wondering if I would see the bat of the dungeon tonight, Professor."

Severus leaned into the young woman, his voice low, "Careful, Hermione, or I maybe forced to take you back to my quarters and have my way with you."

Heat flooded Hermione's body at the images his words had conjured up. "Promises, promises," she said with a laugh.

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"Good evening, Severus. Hermione. I am glad you could join us. I trust my Potions Master is treating you well?" Albus welcomed Hermione and Severus as they entered the Great Hall from the back door.

Severus guided her to the empty seat between Lupin and himself. Those sitting at the Head table greeted Hermione warmly. There were a few new faces but most had been her instructors when she was at Hogwarts. She waved to Ginny at the other end of the table, ignoring her look of surprise.

Severus scowled as he watched Lupin simpering around Hermione. Her laugh drifted back to him and seemed to set his nerves on edge. Severus knew they were friends and that jealousy was a childish emotion. Still, it did sit well with the uneasy thoughts going through his mind. He wondered how mad Albus would be if he hit Lupin with stupefy. Would Albus even notice if the werewolf failed to move? Could he get away with it without Hermione noticing, or getting mad? Could they find another werewolf to test their potion on? He was calculating the angle of refraction when Minerva's voice cut through his thoughts.

"Hermione, it is wonderful to see you again. Albus tells me you are working with Severus on researching a new potion. I hope he is not giving you any trouble." Minerva had been aware of the bet between Albus and the Potions Master but not the resulting attraction between Severus and Hermione. She thought it odd the way Severus kept looking at the young woman. She would have a talk with Albus later, and straighten things out.

"I believe I am capable of controlling myself, Minerva," Severus answered sarcastically as he poured himself a glass of juice.

"Unfortunately," mumbled Hermione into her drink.

Remus's heightened hearing caught Hermione's comment. He sprayed juice as he tried to laugh and swallow at the same time. Hermione laughed at his reaction. Remus ignored Severus glare as he said, "Well, Severus, it is nice to see Hermione's presence has had a positive effect on you."

"Remus." Hermione glared at him.

"What," he said laughing. "I'm joking."

Hermione could feel the tension in Severus as she turned towards him. She lightly rested one hand on his arm, a movement that did not go unnoticed by those around them, and said, "I will be right back, Severus. I need to speak with Ginny a moment."

Severus allowed himself to be placated and nodded his head. He ignored the werewolf in favor of glaring at the students who looked up at the Head table.

Hermione walked around to the far end of the table. Ginny was sitting between Madame Pomfrey and a blond haired young woman Hermione did not know.

Ginny broke out in a huge grin at the sight of her friend's flushed face. "Nice of you to come to Hogwarts to visit me."

"All right, maybe I should have said something but it is just a little hard to put into words."

Ginny indicated the young woman next to her. "Hermione, this is Jessica Brownynn. Jessie is the new library aide. Jessie this is my sometimes friend, Hermione Granger."

"Ginny!"

"Well you could have said something. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you two walk in together."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I know. Sorry about that. I'll stop by after dinner for a few minutes before I say goodbye to Severus. I still have to get back to Cambridge tonight."

"Severus?"

"Ginny." Hermione scolded her. "I'll talk to you later."

Hermione returned to her seat between Remus and Severus. She spent the remainder of the meal answering questions about Cambridge with Albus and Minerva. And talking with Remus and Severus, though Severus remained fairly quiet.

Hermione finished her dessert and turned to the Potions Master. "Severus, I promised Ginny I would stop by for a few minutes before I left."

Severus sighed. "It is just as well. I have essays to grade."

He looked surprised when she said, "Great. I will meet you in your office in a half hour." She squeezed his arm before saying her goodbyes to those around her and took off to find Ginny's room.

Scowling, Severus held up his hand as he rose from his seat. "I do not want to hear about it. Not one word!"

Remus looked at Severus with amusement. "Who, me?"

He left through the back door in a flurry of black cloth.

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"I wasn't sure what to say." Hermione was sitting on the sofa in Ginny's sitting room. "Really, this just started Thursday night when he kissed me."

"He kissed you, before or after the dance lesson? I take it you like him?" Ginny was happy for Hermione. Though the Potions Master was as far away from her type as you can get, she thought he and Hermione were a lot alike. "So, details. What was it like? What were you doing here today?"

Hermione laughed. "The kiss was, amazing. Can that man kiss. Actually, he is amazing. When it is just the two of us, he is a different person. I would never call him soft or the cuddly type but he is, I don't know, easier. He has a great sense of humor." Her cheeks flushed thinking back to this afternoon. No, soft would hardly be a word used to describe Severus.

"Hermione Jane Granger, you are blushing," shrieked Ginny. "So do you discuss potions theory between kisses?"

"I just, I don't know. Yeah, I do like him. Okay? We sort of became friends over the last few weeks while I was teaching him the Tango. Things just, changed." Hermione shrugged her shoulders, not sure if she could explain it better than that.

"Hey. It's okay. He may not be my type, but I think you two seem to fit together. Actually, I don't think Snape is all that bad. He never noticed me in school but he has been nice to me since I started working in the Hospital wing. If you're happy, I'm happy. What are you going to tell the boys?"

That was the question, wasn't it? What was she going to tell Ron and Harry? They knew about the dancing lessons. They'd had a good laugh over it. "Well, I think I will wait a bit before saying anything. Severus and I just started seeing each other. I will be back on Sunday anyway to work in the lab with him. I have a theory on how to alter the Wolfsbane Potion to keep the mind in a more conscious state during the transformation. Severus believes it could be a major breakthrough in improving the potion. If this works, we maybe apply it to other potions. He and I are working on the theory. Hopefully, we will have some answers and be ready to test it around Christmas."

"Test it? On Remus, did he agree?" Considering how brilliant she thought her friend was, Ginny was pretty sure Snape was one of the few people that could appreciate her for her mind alone.

"You have any other friends who happen to be werewolves too that I don't know about?"

"No. Just wondering. Look don't worry about Harry or my brother, they will come around. Eventually. And if not, you can hex them!" she said with a smile.

"Thanks. I want to say goodbye to Severus before I leave. I will see you next week." She hugged Ginny goodbye, happy to have her friend's support.

"If you want someone to help you when you give Remus the potion let me know. Having a mediwitch around might not be a bad idea if something goes wrong."

"Thanks, Gin. I'll let you know." Hermione took off for the dungeons with a silly grin on her face.

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Severus had been sitting at his desk for the last half hour attempting to grade fourth year potion essays on the use of armadillo bile as it was used in the Wit-Sharpening Potion. Hermione had said she would stop back and say goodbye before she left. He had no reason to doubt her. His mind kept drifting back to this afternoon, when she saw his Dark Mark. Her reaction left no question in his heart, even if his head would not listen. She belonged to him. He would do whatever it took to make this relationship work. He had a strong possessive streak and did not want to share her with anyone.

'That would probably be the fastest way to drive her away,' he mused. Tell her he did not want her to see her friends. He did not mind Ginerva. She had proved to be quietly capable in his dealings with her. It was the idiotic duo he was thinking about. Severus heard a knock at his office door. "Enter," he called out.

"I'm here to serve detention, Sir," Hermione said with a smile.

"I see. Come here, Miss Granger." He indicated his side of the desk. He thought they were in for some very erotic role-playing when they finally did get down to it. Severus looked at the young woman in front of him. He pulled her into his lap. Hermione came willingly, her arms sliding around his neck. Severus nuzzled the crook of her neck as he said, "How is it possible you have changed everything in the span of less than one week?"

"Just lucky I guess." His hot breath and the movement of his hands on her body were sending heat straight to her core. She shivered under his touch. "Will you walk me out? I still have some studying to do tonight."

His eyes dark with lust, Severus captured her lips in a possessive kiss. "Will you go out with me this week?"

Hermione's breathing was ragged as she answered him. "Unfortunately, I have study groups on Monday and Friday this week and a project scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Maybe we can have a quick dinner Wednesday or what if I order pizza after our dance lesson Thursday and we can plan something next weekend?"

"Hermione, I understand, school must come first. Pizza on Thursday will be fine. I know you are not one for Quidditch," he said with a smirk, "but Gryffindor is playing Slytherin on Saturday. Why don't you watch the game with me from the faculty box and we can have dinner at the Three Broomsticks after?"

"And toast the winning team?"

Severus raised one brow, "Depends on the winning team, doesn't it?"

Hermione laughed. "Spoken like a true Slytherin. That sounds great. Walk me to the gate." Hermione pulled Severus out of his chair. They left the castle by a side door adjacent to his quarters.

Severus stood outside the gates at the Apparition point with Hermione. "Are you sure you do not want me to see you home?"

"I Apparate directly to the front door of my building. I will be fine."

Severus pulled Hermione into a tight hug. "I will see you on Thursday. Take care of yourself until then." He did not want to let her go. He knew things seemed to be happening quickly, but he could not deny his feelings for her.

Hermione smiled. "I will. You too. Goodbye, Severus." She gave him a quick kiss and stepped back.

Severus nodded at the young witch.

With a crack, she was gone.

Severus stood for several minutes looking at the empty space she had just occupied. "Hermione," he said softly. With a sigh, he turned and started back towards the castle.

TBC

A/N: The steps and form of the dance (as well as those that appear in future chapters) are from this web site: Tango tutorial - http://64.70.140.102/ourdance.htm. Challenge rules can be found following chapter one.

A Note in a Note: You may notice I use the Harry Potter Lexicon as a source of reference for dates and information. In an interview, JK Rowling said she refers to the Lexicon when she needs to look something up. I figure this is as close to cannon as looking something up in the books. And a lot faster too.

Hermione's comment about books is in the same vein as two of my favorite quotes by Edward Gorey, "So many books, so little time." And, "There is no such thing... as too many books."

Severus exact birth date is not listed in the books. The lexicon lists his birth year as 1960. I had Severus take a few on line quizzes that said he was a Scorpio, October 24th to November 22nd. Since Scorpio is more heavily in November, I am giving him a birth date of November 1960.

Here is what the web site: http://wawa.essortment.com/zodiacsignsmea_rmvs.htm for the information.

Scorpio : You are shrouded in mystery, which you love, but you have a lot of trouble expressing your feelings. You are very loyal and possessive, and you become jealous very easily. You have a great deal of courage and are very clear on what you want and how to get it. You are protective and will seek revenge on those who do wrong to you. You are also very clever and expect your lover to be attuned to your needs and wants. Your best romantic matches are Capricorn, Pisces, and Leo. Unfortunately, Hermione is Virgo, September 19th, 1980.

According to the Harry Potter Lexicon, Hermione and company will end their seventh year in June of 1999. In the story Hermione is starting her third and final year at Cambridge, August 2001 ending in June 2002. Hermione's age is 22 on Sept. 19th. (2001-1980, plus one additional year in age for the time turner)

HP Lexicon: Minerva McGonagall born 1925. Albus Dumbledore born 1840.

Harry Potter Bread and Butter Pudding Recipe: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7253.asp

Bread and butter pudding is one of the most traditional English desserts there are. This would be a treat Harry Potter would enjoy often at Hogwart's.

Ingredients: 1/3 cup raisins, 5 slices bread, 1/4 cup butter, 2 eggs, 2/3 cup sugar, 2 cups milk, and 1/2 tsp vanilla

Grease a pudding dish and layer the raisins on the bottom. The bread into 3 slices each. Melt the butter and dip the bread into the butter, then layer it on the bottom of the dish. Mix together eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla and pour on top. Put the dish into a larger pan of water. Bake at 375F about 45 minutes, until knife comes out clean.

When do we find out what the costumes look like? Where is The Thong and why hasn't it surfaced lately? Will Hermione ever model it for Severus? Remember the symposium? Do they? So many questions.

Next up, another dance lesson, pizza, and maybe a question or two answered. Enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are always welcome.

Regards, Pearle