Chapter One

"Granger! If you don't stop answering my questions without permission you will receive detention!"Professor Snape declared.
"I'm sorry Professor." She replied.

Hermione was in her 7th year at Hogwarts, after last year when she dropped out to join Harry. The schoolwas totally rebuilt after the battle. When they went looking for all the bodies, they actually found Severus Snape, a Hogwarts professor and Death-Eater-turned-spy, still breathing. They rushed him to the hospital wing, and he was mended after they gave him some anti-venom and cleaned up his wounds. He was still technically the Headmaster at Hogwarts, but he was perfectly fine with stepping down and allowing Professor McGonagall to become Headmistress.

Hermione had wanted to complete her education, so she returned to Hogwarts in the September. No other student did- mainly because they completed their education- so she had to make all new friends with the lower level. She was in Ginny's class, which was good, and kept her in touch with Harry and Ron.

Ron. They got together after the battle, after admitting their love for each other. She tried to convince him to come back with her, but he thought being in a year level with his little sister insulting. Instead he was happy with the offer that Kingsley Shacklebolt offered the night after the battle- "All those who participated in the Battle of Hogwarts can become Aurors if they so desire". Many were upset about the many deaths that occurred- Colin Creevey, Fred Weasley, even Goyle- but many accepted his offer. She knew Harry did, as he had wanted to be an Auror.

Today, in Defence against the Dark Arts, they were learning about the Unforgiveable Curses. She did this in her fourth year, but the Ministry was unhappy with this, and stamped it out for these students when they progressed to their fourth year. So, now they were learning about it, and this class was all too easy
for her. She knew every answer- but lots of kids here did too, seeing as they had relatives in the Ministry who could tell them about it.

"Now, what is the final Unforgiveable Curse?" Snape asked. Every hand in the room shot up. All were competing to get their hands higher.
Snape was searching the room- probably looking for someone to pick on, Hermione decided. After about one minute, she was growing tired of it.
"It's the Killing Curse! Its Avada Kedavra!" she yelled across the room.
"Miss Granger, what did I just say!"
"I'm sorry sir, but-"
"No, no excuses, 10 points from Gryffindor for your inability to shut up; and you will receive detention, stay back after class."

She slumped back in her chair: This is so unfair, she thought. The rest of the class went by uneventfully. "Class dismissed", Snape said just after the bell went, "but not you Granger." She already knew, she hadn't gotten up to leave, she just suspected he wanted to embarrass her in front of class again.
"Sir, I'm sorry about my actions in class today, I know I shouldn't speak out of turn, b-"
"Be quiet, you foolish girl."
She thought for a moment, if she was anything, she most definitely wasn't foolish.
"Foolish? How am I foolish? I helped Harry bring down Voldemort; I destroyed one of his Horcruxes, people call me "The Brightest Witch of her Age". How does that make me foolish?"
"It doesn't. Your lack of respect for the rules does." It was as if she had been slapped in the face. All teachers liked her, she made sure of that. Having one teacher who seemingly despised her so much, well, it was difficult.
"But, sir-" He raised a hand to silence her.
"Miss Granger, you will receive detention with me tomorrow night. Do you know where my office is?"
She nodded. "Then meet me there at precisely six o'clock, being too late will result in another detention, understood?"
"Yes sir." She replied.
"Good. Now, you may leave." She did so.

When she got back to the common room, Ginny was waiting for her. "So, what's the verdict?" She asked.
"Detention for tomorrow night. It starts at six, I don't even get dinner!"
"I'll save you some if you like. Or I can nick some food from the kitchens, Fred taught me how-"
Suddenly, Ginny's face seemed overcome with grief. She was still getting over the loss of her brother. However hard it was for her though, she knew it was at least ten times harder for George. How he still managed to run that joke shop, she had no idea.
Hermione helped comfort her. "It's okay, you'll be fine…"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. It's just that sometimes I forget which makes it so much worse when I remember."
"We need something to take your mind off it. Do you want to go play Quidditch? I mean, you are the Captain now after all."
Ginny's face lit up. "Yeah, I am! I need to practice my shooting, can you go in defence?"
"Um, sure, I guess. Do you know someone who can lend me a broom?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, the school has spares."

They went out to Quidditch and played for a couple of hours- until it was dark. It seemed to get Ginny's mind off her brother. They went to dinner laughing and joking about their match, in which Hermione did some very dodgy attempts at defending.
"Tonnes of first years tried out this year, but they aren't very good. I'm posting the official list in about a week, but I don't know how to break it to them that they didn't get in."
"You'll think of a way." Hermione said, the only advice she could offer. She knew next to nothing about Quidditch.

After dinner, she did her homework. It didn't take very long; she knew all the content off by heart. After that she started writing a letter to Ron, and then one to Harry.

Dear Ron,
I missed Hogwarts, but it seemed better when you were here. I miss you and Harry (but mainly you). I just want you to know that I love you.
Today in Defence Against the Dark Arts I got detention from Snape for talking out of turn. Apparently I'm foolish. Do you think so?
Ginny was quite upset today, because she reminded herself of Fred. I think maybe you should write to her, I know she misses you guys.
I can't wait until Christmas when I see you next.
All my love,
Hermione

She sealed the envelope and kissed it. Hermione couldn't keep her cat, it unfortunately died, or ran away- either way, it disappeared. After she found her parents in Australia, and restored their memories, she revealed everything that happened and why she did what she did. They admit that they prefer the Muggle world, but still appreciate hers. They took her to Diagon Alley, and she was so happy when they bought her an owl of her own. She named it Hedwig II, after Harry's owl. He said he liked the name. She gave the letter to Hedwig and he already knew where to go.
Next she wrote to Harry.

Dear Harry,
Your new best friend gave me detention today.
Ginny's feeling emotional over Fred's death- it's only been a few months after all- so I think you should write to her.
Ron told me in a letter that you were asked to come to Hogwarts for a week to give a lesson on Defence against the Dark Arts. I hope you end up coming- Ginny is dying to see you. Maybe, you could convince Ron to come too? Just a thought, it's no big deal.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you're doing.
Could you feed Hedwig when you get this? Thanks, you are a good pal.
All the best,
Hermione

Hedwig hadn't left yet, so she gave him the other letter, and he took off. Hermione went to bed in the dorm room she now shared with Ginny and some of her friends. She fell asleep almost instantly, and dreamed of Ron and Harry and Neville and all her other friends. When she woke up in the morning, she realised just how much she missed them.

She went down to breakfast- it was Friday, a day very much anticipated by most students. She had a very simple schedule for the day- Transfiguration, with Professor Merryweather (McGonagall no longer taught seeing as she is Headmistress), Charms with Professor Flitwick, Defence with Professor Snape and Double Potions with Professor Slughorn.

She passed Snape as she entered the hall- he scowled at her. She just ignored him, and kept on walking to where Ginny was sitting. "Hey", she said.
"Oh, hello." Ginny replied.
They ate their food in practically silence, and then Hermione got up to go to Transfiguration. Ginny didn't take that, so there was no point in waiting.

The lesson was fairly easy. They'd progressed to changing humans into animals. Professor Merryweather didn't trust some of the students, so she only allowed those who had proved they could change animals into objects- that knocked out about half the class. Hermione was one of them, obviously, and she got partnered with a Ravenclaw male. He had red hair, much like Ron's, but in her opinion, Ron's was better. She easily turned him into an orang-utan. Apparently, that was comical. When the teacher said to try turning him into a cat, she did so flawlessly. "Well done! Twenty points to Gryffindor, Miss Granger!"

He couldn't quite turn her into a bird, as he'd been hoping, she just grew a beak. The professor fixed that almost immediately, so there was not much to worry about.

The rest of the day went by- even in Defence Snape appeared to not want to annoy her any more than usual. Potions was fine too, they were making a potion that gave the illusion of death- but wasn't actually fatal. It made someone appear dead for twenty four hours, after which time they'd wake up, completely unharmed. Hermione didn't know how Professor Slughorn was going to test them all, she suspected that if they looked right they'd be marked right.

Time was ticking down to Hermione's detention. At five thirty she started heading down to the dungeons- where Snape's office was. It was autumn, and night time, but it was still boiling hot. She got down there at exactly six, she knocked on the door, he opened it and raised an eyebrow, and let her in.

He had the fire going, but it was hot even down there. "Now, for your punishment, you are to clean my office. Every last surface polished, every desk cleared, and all books organized. I expect this to be done by the time I come back at midnight, do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very good." He left.

It was sweltering in there. Hermione had her school uniform and robes on, but she took of her robes, and then removed her jumper. It was still hot, so she unbuttoned the first two buttons. Technically, she was showing cleavage, but there was no one around to see it. She got to work.

She found a cloth in the adjacent bathroom and scrubbed down all the benches, uncluttered the desks, and enchanted the books to organize themselves. All this took about an hour, but she wasn't sure if she was allowed to leave. There was a small leather couch in the corner, she sat on it and started reading a book she found on the shelf. It was getting later, but the temperature wasn't dropping. It appeared, if anything, that it was getting hotter.

At five to eleven, she put the book away, and stood by the door. She grabbed her clothes, but didn't put them on, it was too hot. She had grown a lot. Her skirt was mid-thigh, so at the moment she was showing a lot of skin. Whether that would get her in trouble, she had no clue. Snape walked in, and saw the room. He actually looked stunned. Then he turned to the right slightly, and saw Hermione. He was more taken aback.

"Miss Granger, what are you not wearing?"
"I'm sorry Professor, its boiling in here-"
"Come over here." She did as instructed.
Her hair was up in a bun, but a few strands had escaped. He reached forward and tucked them behind her ear. His touch was warm, but for some reason she didn't mind the extra warmth. She actually enjoyed it.

He grabbed hold of her cheek, and using his thumb he rubbed it. She grabbed hold of his hand too. They were standing there, no word being said, yet a million things running through their minds. In his: "Stop it! She's a student! She's not Lily!"
In hers: "Stop, you have a boyfriend! He's your teacher, are you insane!"

Yet she didn't stop it. He leaned forward, yet she didn't pull back. He kissed her. It was a long, passionate kiss. She hadn't even realised how badly she'd wanted it until she got it. She wrapped her arms behind his neck. He put his hands around her waist, dragging her in closer. She didn't want this to end…

He kicked the door shut with foot, picked up Hermione, but never breaking his lips away from hers, took her over to the couch, and laid her on top of him. They were kissing intensely; she didn't remember anything like this with Ron. That's when she realised she wasn't kissing Ron. She suspected before then that she felt like she was. She pulled away for a moment.
"What's wrong?" He asked, in that sexy voice of his.

"There's any number of things you could pick from. This is all wrong. You're my teacher, this could get you fired! I have a boyfriend, you're in love with Lily!"
"Yes, I suppose you're right."
"And the worst thing of all: I actually enjoy this. I shouldn't!"
"Well if you like it, where's the harm?"
"So many things could go wrong here." She replied.
"Well, let's worry about them later." He touched his lips to her again. She sensed the want in him, he hadn't done this in ages, if at all. He grabbed a hold of her, almost as if he was worried she would disappear.

He unbuttoned her shirt, but didn't take it off. He simply admired the skin underneath. He cupped her breast, and then starting kissing her cleavage. It felt so good; she wondered why she wasn't repulsed by this. Finally, he ripped off her shirt entirely.

She unbuttoned his shirt too. Oh my wizard god! This is what has been under those cloaks this whole time? She thought. He was so buff, he had rock hard abs, and how did he manage to hide them? She wondered.

She traced the line of his abs with her fingers. He was so warm, she felt cold in comparison. Such a cold man seemed so warm.

He pulled off her skirt, and she gasped. Were they going to go all the way? He brought his lips back to her and she forgot all her worries. More and more clothes came off- until they were both naked.

An hour later, she was still recovering from what happened. She'd had sex with Ron once, and it was magical. She suspected that was because it was her first time. Now, it felt even better.

Snape had such a gentle touch, and the way he caressed her body made her gasp. They had moved onto the bed in the next room, he was asleep and she was cuddled up to him. He looked so innocent when he slept, none of that harshness from when he was awake, Hermione decided. Hermione had
been up for hours, yet she didn't feel in the slightest bit tired.

Instead she thought about what had happened. Had she really just had sex with her Defence teacher? Not only was that illegal, but it meant she'd cheated on Ron. Ron, who was the love of her life, the object of her obsessions for about two years. Yet, she didn't regret a thing. But how could she look Ron in the eyes now?

She got up very slowly and carefully, so as not to wake Snape. The temperature had dropped, so she was freezing. She hastily put her clothes back on. She went into the bathroom. Her hair, which was usually bushy, was even more so.

She walked out into the main room in which she entered, and opened the door, and carefully closed it when she was on the other side.