Chapter 6

Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to JKR.

A/N: You're right! I've forgotten to thank my beta Cough Southern_Witch_69 Cough... Oh, you've got to be kidding me! No, no, no! No thanks to my awesome beta until after voting! Jeez!

Severus looked around his condo at all of the unwanted people flanking his home. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so anxious for a bloody party to end! He desperately needed to speak with Hermione, to make her understand... What? Hell, he didn't understand himself.

He only knew that he'd fucked things up, in a major way. Now, he needed to figure out how to fix them, only he couldn't think for people constantly speaking to him. Usually, he somewhat enjoyed Narcissa's gatherings, but tonight, he wanted everyone to leave so that he could think!

He couldn't ignore these people as he longed to do. He had Liam to think of. The boy would be starting school in September, and he needed to speak with his son and make some very tough decisions as to where that would be. Sighing, he looked down at the whiskey in his hand and knocked it back, swallowing it all in one gulp. Perhaps getting pissed would make him feel better.

He'd gone to Ireland Christmas day and visited the boy against Narcissa and Lucius' protests. Though he'd promised himself that he wouldn't, Severus just couldn't let the day pass without seeing his son. He'd not spent a Christmas without him since he'd been born, and he'd be damned if he'd start now.

The O'Learys had not been happy with his unexpected visit, and it had made Liam uncomfortable, though he was visibly glad to see his father. They'd spent the day together, and right before Severus had left, his son had hugged him fiercely and told him he missed him and would be glad when he got back home. This appeased Severus some, but it also made it harder to keep his promise and leave the boy there.

Shrugging off thoughts that were making his mood even darker, Severus grabbed another drink and made his way to the balcony. He could see Hermione's balcony from his, and he hoped to catch a glimpse of her.

He cringed when he remembered the harsh, hurtful things he'd said to her earlier. He'd been cowardly enough to make her want to break things off, but he knew that he'd gone too far with her. He certainly didn't think of her the way he'd told her he did.

He'd simply gotten caught up in the moment and then went too far to stop. The regret was instant, but Severus feared the effect was permanent. No! He would not allow it to be. He'd win her back. Somehow. As he walked outside, he took a deep breath and looked over at Hermione's balcony.

It was rather disappointing to find it empty, but the light in her condo gave him hope that she'd not gone back to London. He would go to her right now and...

"Severus Snape! How are you?"

Severus turned to see who was speaking to him and smiled a genuine smile at his former classmate, not noticing that Hermione had stepped onto her balcony. "Vivian! I didn't realize you were here. How's William?"

Her face twisted. "I've no idea. At the moment, he's off on holiday with his mistress." She mock toasted Severus. "Isn't love grand?"

Severus frowned and laid a hand briefly on top of the one she had resting on the railing. "I'm sorry. I had no idea."

"No, of course you didn't. He's hidden it well for years, but for some reason he finally decided he was tired of hiding. Likely, she was tried of it. He's asked me for a divorce."

Hearing that made Severus think of Hermione. Shaking off thoughts of her for the moment, he said, "Well, it's certainly his loss."

Vivian smiled up at Severus and flirtatiously batted her eyes. "How sweet of you to say so. I've had to get a job, and Lucius was kind enough to hire me in his department. That's how I came to be here tonight. I had no idea it was your home until Narcissa told me. When I found out, I just had to find you and say hello."

"I'm glad that you did," he told her.

She ran her finger up and down his arm, trying once more to get him to look at her as something other than an old friend. "What are you doing out here all by yourself? Why don't you come back inside? I've not had a dance all evening."

Oblivious, he said, "I wanted some fresh air. I like it fine right where I am."

She pouted, looking up into his eyes. Suddenly, she smiled brightly. "Okay, I can compromise. Dancing out here could be romantic."

Finally, the warning bells sounded inside Severus' head as he realized that she'd been not so subtly flirting with him. "Vivian, I thank you for the offer, but I'm not in the position for a romantic dance on the balcony."

"Why not?" she insisted. "New Year's is the perfect time for it and for new beginnings. I was always attracted to you, you know. But you? You only had eyes for Lily Evans back then, and by the time she'd gotten with James Potter, it was too late for us. I was with William. Now we're both single, consenting adults..."

"That's just it, Vivian. Though I'm flattered by your offer, I'm not single."

Determined, she glanced down at his finger. "I don't see a ring, so therefore, you're single, eh?"

"No, I'm not. Though I may not be married at the moment, I am very much taken." God, he hoped that was the case and he hadn't lost Hermione.

"Where is she tonight then? It seems odd that she wouldn't want to spend New Year's Eve with you, especially while you're helping host a party. Does she know that she's not single?" Vivian taunted.

Severus raised an eyebrow, taking into account the amount of alcohol that his friend had likely consumed. "She was unavoidably detained. I will see her tomorrow, and we will make up for being separated tonight."

Knowing when to back off and accept defeat, Vivian nodded. "She's lucky. Perhaps one day our timing won't be off, and we can have that wild fling I've always wanted to have!"

Chucking, relieved that she'd not caused a scene or seemed hurt, he told her, "You, my dear, are incorrigible."

Smiling mischievously, she told him, "Oh, I'm definitely that!" Leaning up to lightly kiss his lips, she told him, "I think that I'll go back inside and find myself a dance partner."

Smiling, he told her, "Enjoy your evening." Severus watched Vivian walk back inside, shaking his head slightly. When he looked over at Hermione's balcony again, he was pleasantly surprised to see her standing there, even though she seemed to be glaring at him.

Unsure, he lifted his glass to toast her and gave her a small wave, but he was deflated when she slammed her wine glass on the railing and walked back inside. Sighing, he propped one foot on the railing and leaned over, deciding to keep watch in case she decided to come back outside.

***

Hermione had been walking around from room to room, trying to decide what she wanted to do. Things were certainly over between Severus and her. It saddened and relieved her some at the same time. He hadn't treated her properly, and today she'd realized just how far she'd let things go.

It wasn't like her, and it made her not like herself. But when she thought of certain things, certain needs...not all sexual...that had radiated from them both, she shuddered. She wasn't crazy! She knew that he'd felt something. She snorted. "Yes. Disgust is what he felt."

As she walked into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine, she glanced down at the photograph she'd left lying on the table. Lavender had taken it upon herself to send Hermione a wedding picture of her and Ron with Rose and Hugo. Picking it up, she studied it. Her Rose looked so grown and lovely in the new robes her father had bought for her.

Smiling, she looked at her son. He looked bored and kept slipping a finger under the collar of his new robes, fidgeting and looking around. Ron looked embarrassed and slightly apologetic.

Lavender, however, looked smug. Hermione shook her head. The new Mrs. Weasley was rather pretty in her wedding attire, but apparently, she still felt she needed to 'stake her territory' where Hermione was concerned. Hermione snorted once more. "She definitely doesn't need to worry about me."

Looking around, Hermione took her glass of wine and decided to go outside on her balcony for a bit. She'd finally made her decision. She was going back to London in the morning. Though she loved Italy, it would be too hard to remain here with Severus living next door. She wanted to enjoy the view one last time.

As soon as she walked outside, her eyes were uncontrollably drawn to his balcony, and she drew in a sharp breath as she watched him speaking with some woman. "Wow," she said, hurt, "he's never once smiled at me like that. Like he was glad to see me. I'd give anything for an Extendable Ear right now!"

The more she watched the two, the madder she got. It had only been a few hours since he'd left her, vowing it wasn't over until he decided it would be, and here he was, snuggling up to someone else! "Now I see why he was so adamant I didn't come to the party! I wonder what he'd do if I walked over there right now?"

She watched as the woman blatantly flirted with her man, and she had to fight the urge to hex the hair off of her head. He was obviously enjoying the encounter. "Hold on! Did he purposely go to his balcony to ensure that I'd see them? Is this is way of telling me it's over now? Couldn't let me end it this afternoon, could you? Had to get in one last dig, did you, Severus? You bloody tosser!"

Her heart sped up when that... that.. Scarlet Woman reached up to kiss him. "Oh, he can kiss her, but my lips are too tainted? Not good enough for you, am I, Severus? Well, that's fine!"

She started to go inside when he suddenly caught her eye. When he lifted his glass and waved, that was the last straw for her. "Oh, you arse. Yes, I saw you. Thank you. Well, I don't need you!"

Slamming her glass down on the railing, she went inside to change clothes. She decided she was going to go out after all. Why should she be at home and lonely tonight? He certainly wasn't. Remembering a bar she'd seen not far from there, she decided that tonight was a night for her little black dress. Severus Snape be damned.

***

Severus was just about to go back in when he noticed Hermione coming back outside. She'd turned her outside light on, and it made her very easy to see.

He did a double take as he noticed the little black dress and strappy sandals she had changed in to. She'd done something to her hair and had applied more makeup than was usual for her. He stared at her, gobsmacked. "What the fuck? Where does she think she's going dressed like that?"

Just then, she happened to look up at him. Picking up the glass that she'd left outside, she lifted it to him and smiled. Blowing him a kiss, she lifted her wand and Disapparated.

Just as Severus was about to follow her, Lucius walked outside and lit a cigar, putting the rest back in his pocket when Severus shook his head at an offer of one. "Looks like your lady friend has plans for the evening. She looked delectable, eh?"

Severus turned his glare on his friend. "She's not my lady friend. If she were, she'd be here," Severus informed him, pretending not to care one way or the other.

"Indeed," Lucius agreed, puffing his cigar. "At any rate, she looked like a woman on the prowl." Wanting to see what type of reaction Severus would have, he said, "Looks like some bloke is going to get very lucky tonight."

Years of spying helped Severus school his expressions and temper, not wanting to give Lucius the satisfaction of seeing that what she did mattered to him. "Could be. It's no longer my concern. We ended our little liaison earlier today."

"Too right," Lucius agreed easily. Putting out his cigar, he said, "Smart of you, ending things before she could get delusions of grandeur. Let's go back inside and join the rest. Cissy's been asking for you."

Seeing that he had no other choice, Severus followed Lucius back inside. As soon as they entered, Narcissa pounced, grabbing Severus by the arm. "I absolutely insist on dancing with you!"

"Narcissa, really. I'm in no mood."

"Just one," she coaxed. "Come now, it wouldn't kill you."

Sighing, he told her, "Fine. But I'm holding you to just one."

As they swayed to the music, it occurred to Severus that he'd never held Hermione in his arms this way. He'd never done anything even remotely romantic or, hell, even considerate. What in the world was wrong with him?

Hermione had been nothing but warm and loving, and he'd pushed her away with both arms. Shaking his head, he realized that he'd been sabotaging things purposely with her. Likely due to the guilt he'd felt over the loss of Shannon.

"Severus," Narcissa said, sighing as she interrupted his thoughts. "What's the matter with you?" she asked, not realizing she was echoing his earlier thoughts to himself. "Go next door and get your girl. Kiss her at midnight, and for heaven's sake, be happy."

"Cissy, I'm saying this with the utter most love for you. Mind your own business."

"But I can't stand seeing you so miserable! Liam will be starting Hogwarts in September..."

"That has not been decided."

"And then where will you be? Alone with your cauldrons and stirring rods, that's where!" she continued as if he'd not interrupted her.

"Could be I enjoy my cauldrons and stirring rods."

"Severus..."

"Enough. Find your husband. I'm not in the mood right now," he told her as he nudged her towards Lucius.

After a while, he stood in a corner, brooding. She'd been gone an hour. Where was she? It was nearly eleven thirty! There was nothing else for it; he was going to have to go find her.

Making a discreet exit, Severus snuck outside and began his search.

***

Severus was exhausted and furious. He was just about to enter his third bar. It wasn't sleazy by any means, but neither was it as upscale as the previous two. And furthermore, this was most definitely a Muggle bar. "She damn well better be here," he mumbled to himself.

The first thing he heard when he walked in was some bint singing highly off key on some sort of stage. "Merlin, save me." It was obvious to him the woman was drunk, yet the patrons there were cheering her on as if they loved it.

Determinedly turning his face from the stage, he began to scan the tables. His eyes narrowed dangerously when he spotted her, snuggled up to some man. Lucius' earlier words of some bloke getting lucky tonight haunted him as he made his way towards their table.

He stopped walking, taken aback when he took his eyes off of Hermione long enough to look at her companion. Long, straight, black hair, dark eyes, and a slightly big nose. Oh no, dear one. You will not settle for a substitute of me tonight. You will be leaving with the real thing.

Once he reached their table, Severus pulled himself up to his full height. Holding a hand out, he said, "Let's go, Hermione."

Hermione turned and scowled at Severus. "No thanks." Turning to the man she'd been snuggled up with, she asked, "What was your name? Bob? Ted?"

"Um, it's Anthony."

Smiling beautifully at him as if he'd solved a complex problem, she turned back to Severus, smile immediately fading. "Er... Bob here's taking me home."

"Anthony!"

"Right," Hermione nodded in agreement.

"No," Severus said, "he's not."

"What do you care?" she demanded. "Where's your little tart?"

"Tart? I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

"Really? Man, you do toss the women away if you can't remember your snogging partner from your balcony."

"Vivian? It's not what you... Look. We'll discuss this at home. Let's go. Now, Hermione."

"NO!"

"Listen," Anthony said. "I don't want to be in the middle of some lover's spat. I think I'll go."

"Wise," Severus agreed, but Hermione grabbed his arm to stop him.

"We're not lovers. You've no need to go."

"We most certainly are," Severus disagreed.

Hermione snorted. "You have to actually make love to be lovers." Turning to Anthony, she said, "Severus and I? We merely fucked."

"That's it!" Severus said, enraged. "You're obviously too far in your cups. We're going." Not waiting for an answer, he merely lifted her into his arms, walked outside behind a dumpster, and Apparated them back to her condo.

"What's your problem?" she asked, stumbling when he set her down.

"You dare ask? Just what did you think you were doing with that man?"

"That is absolutely none of your business!" Hermione yelled, losing her lovely buzz.

"There's where you're wrong, Hermione."

"What do you want from me?" She threw up her hands in exasperation. "It doesn't matter. I've nothing left to give you at any rate."

"Don't say that."

"I want you to leave," she said as she began walking up the stairs to her bedroom. Thinking that he'd left, she kicked off her shoes and slipped out of her dress. She jumped when she turned and found him staring at her.

He was momentarily speechless as he looked at her in her black bra and knickers. Coming to his senses when she hurriedly put on a robe, he told her, "I'm not leaving until you listen to me."

"Why should I after the way you've treated me? You don't talk of yourself. As a matter of fact, anything personal concerning you or your family is off limits. You never come here; I always have to come to you." Laughing, she said, "You barely even look at me during sex! You take my from behind most of the time!"

"It's not because I don't want to see your face! It's because I love your arse so much," he evaded.

"Pathetic."

"Hermione, listen. I..."

"Who is she?"

"No one of consequence! I'm trying to tell you..."

"No one of consequence? And here I thought it was only me that you hated. It must be all women."

Getting agitated, he said, "I do not hate women! I certainly don't hate you! Actually, I wanted to..."

"You kissed her," she whispered. Deflated, Hermione sat on the bed and put her head in her hands.

"What are you on about?"

She looked up into his eyes, and he saw the hurt in hers. "Never, not once have you ever kissed me, Severus. I've longed for a kiss, and you deftly evaded me each and every time. Yet, this other woman was special enough, worthy enough, for you to kiss her. Please go."

"Bugger this," he said. If she wouldn't listen to the words, he'd show her. Walking to her, he grabbed both of her arms and pulled her into a standing position.

Enjoying the surprised expression on her face, he ran his fingers through her hair, pulling the pins she'd so carefully placed loose, loving the way her hair fell over her shoulders and down her back.

Lowering his head slowly, he traced her lips with his tongue. When she gasped, he gently kissed her, exploring her mouth with his tongue, pleased when she finally began kissing him back.

Wanting to take the time to savor her, he slowly removed her robe. He stopped kissing her so that he could look her up and down. "Lovely," he murmured and smiled at her surprised expression.

Reaching behind her, Severus unfastened her bra and watched it fall to the floor. Taking the time to enjoy her breasts, he laved one nipple with his tongue while gently tugging the other with his fingers.

After a bit, he slowly licked the underside of her breast, shuddering as she moaned in pleasure. Kneeling slowly and kissing every inch of her skin as he went, he pulled her knickers down, and she stepped out of them.

Looking up at her smugly, he immediately began using his mouth on her, enjoying the way she grabbed his hair and opened her legs wider to give him easier access. He traced all around her, teasing her mercilessly, dipping his tongue in and out of her, until he finally heard the words he longed to hear. "Severus, please."

He began sucking on her tiny bundle of nerves as he moved his fingers in and out of her until she exploded, calling his name. Satisfied, he quickly stood and undressed, lying on the bed with her.

He took her mouth again, this time more urgently as he slipped inside of her. They both groaned in pleasure. "Open your eyes!" he demanded. "Look at me, and say my name." He damn well wanted her to know whom she was making love with. Not some man from a bar, but Severus Snape.

Helpless to do otherwise, she looked at him. The intense look he gave her as he rocked her deeply caused her to start tightening around him, calling, "Severus!" as she came.

Hearing her call to him, he emptied himself inside of her. He lay on top of her a few moments, his forehead resting on her shoulder, getting his breath back. When he rose up to speak to her, he found her sound asleep.

Chuckling, he used his wand to clean them both. He lay there watching her sleep a few moments, then reluctantly got out of the bed and dressed. He didn't want to leave her, but he had guests to see to.

"I'll be back first thing in the morning. I promise," he told her sleeping form. "As soon as Lucius and Narcissa leave, I'm coming back, and we're talking things out. I think this proves that it's not over."

***

Severus thought the Malfoys would never leave! Narcissa kept prattling on about the party and wanting to discuss this and that. Thank God she'd never noticed that he'd left. It was going on ten o'clock before he could make his way to Hermione's condo.

Once he got there, a foreboding feeling came upon him. The door was wide open, and there was an unfamiliar woman inside cleaning. "Excuse me," he said. "Could you please tell me where Miss Granger is?"

"She's gone, sir," the woman informed him.

"Gone? What do you mean gone?"

"Madam packed all of her belongings and left early this morning. She never said where she was going, only that she wouldn't be coming back. Please, pardon me. I have to finish cleaning here within the hour to ready the place for the new couple moving in."

"Of course," he said offhandedly. Gone? She can't be gone! Not after last night...

A/N: Well, well. I wonder where Hermione is off to.

Reviews are welcome.