It was the last evening of the summer holidays. Tomorrow it would be back to Hogwarts and attempting to keep the trolls masquerading as students from blowing themselves up. For the first time in years – if not the first time ever – Severus would miss Spinner's End.

Virtually every day, he'd had company in the form of the Hogwarts Arithmancy mistress, Hermione Granger. Of course, she was only with him because the school library was closed for renovation over the holidays.

But he could pretend otherwise with the way her face lit up: when she smiled, or when she was discussing something reassuringly intellectual with him over a cup of tea. For a few precious moments, Severus could pretend that she was with him not for his books, but for his own sake. Until reality came crashing down, and he remembered that he was so ugly even his mother had hated him; and that the only reason any woman would come near him was if she wanted something, be it an Unbreakable Vow or his books.

Severus hadn't looked at the book open in his hands all evening; instead his eyes were fixed on the young woman lounging on his sofa. He was savouring every last moment of Hermione's presence. Once they were back at Hogwarts, Madam Pince would have the pleasure of her company, and she didn't even appreciate it. Perhaps he would be able to lure Hermione into his office in the evenings, or maybe even into his private quarters. He did keep some rare books there, and with some strategic book shopping he'd have even more bait …

Lost in thought, Severus's attention was brought back to Hermione when she heaved an exasperated sigh and tossed her book aside to land on the ragged carpet with a thump.

He blinked, mouth opening to protest this rough handling from a fellow bibliophile.

The feral look in her eyes took his breath away, and his words with it. Hermione swung her legs off the sofa, rose to her feet and stalked over to him, her posture too predatory for her movements to be called 'walking'.

A flick of her wand widened the armchair beneath him, before she flung the length of wood unceremoniously on the floor as well.

Severus was still trying to find his voice when she threw herself onto his lap, straddling him. She took his head in her hands, fingers sliding into his hair.

Then her lips were on his.

Oh.

His eyes slid shut at the first touch of her tongue on his shock-parted lips.

Oh my.

Perhaps she did like him after all …

Just as the kiss was about to get really interesting, Hermione drew away. She looked as if she was going to be sick. Bugger. That was the typical reaction to kissing him. But wait a second, that was when he was the kisser, not the kissed …

Idiot! He hadn't reacted! She must think he didn't want her.

Fuck. Move!

Hermione had scrambled off his lap by the time his sluggish limbs responded. Thankfully she was still within reach. He tugged her back down, silencing her stuttered apologies with his mouth.

It was a clumsy kiss, with bumping noses and clashing teeth; Severus lacked the practice. But it got the message across.

Hermione took charge of the kiss, easing the pressure and tilting her head to slant her mouth across his.

Mentally noting her technique for future reference, he brought his hands up from her hips to her back, one sliding up further to cradle the back of her head.

She encouraged his lips to part by tracing them with her tongue, playfully nipping his bottom lip before stroking his tongue with her own. Returning the favour made her shift closer with a moan, pressing against his hardened cock.

For the second time she pulled away, but only to grind her hips against him. Before he could recapture her lips, she laid a finger across his.

"Wait." Hermione took a shuddering breath as Severus sucked her finger into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue. Then his brain caught up with what she'd said. He stilled, a lead weight in his stomach as his erection faltered.

"Perhaps we should continue this somewhere more comfortable?"

At her words, his cock twitched back to life, cradled between her legs.

Beaming, she pulled her finger out of his mouth for him to answer. Instead of attempting to speak, he Apparated them to his bedroom.

In the morning, Severus picked up the discarded book, smirking. A fry-up was cooking in the small kitchen, and he could hear Hermione singing off-key in the bathroom. Bliss.

Hermione's voice was suddenly clearer, as if she'd opened the door. "Severus? Wash my back?"

Severus's smirk turned into a decidedly soppy grin. He dropped the book and ran up the steep stairs two at a time.

As if to prove that this wasn't a dream, breakfast burnt to a crisp and set off the smoke alarm mid-coitus.

AN: Written for bluestocking79 to this prompt: Hermione keeps visiting Spinner's End. Severus thinks it's just because she enjoys his books, but she has other reasons.

Thanks to septentrion and JunoMagic for betaing, and to Kribu for alpha reading.