Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.

Prologue

Four years after the downfall of Voldemort and his followers, the wizarding world could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Life was flourishing again, peace had finally been achieved between magical and muggle alike. The Golden Trio split after the war, each wanting to peruse life's ambitions. Harry Potter, an accomplished auror, married Ginny Weasley (that was a givin) and are about to have there second child. Ron, having split up with Hermione after the war, decided to pursue his dreams of quiddich. Though she stays in touch on occasion, Hermione needed time to heal, and after a serious lapse of judgement on her part; it was time to leave the wizarding world of Britain behind. What caused said lapse of judgement? Perhaps it was the large quantity of elf made wine (known to sneek up and nip you in the keester) Or maybe a long ago crush on a certain dark wizard that resurfaced durring the anniversary party for Draco and Luna (expecting their first child as well). The party was fun, his touch sending trails of delicious desire when they had waltzed in the Malfoy ballroom. No one paid them attention, Severous believed the wine had been tampered with by cherubs. He had consumed too much though when he realized what their expert hands had done. Needless to say, it had been a night to remember, what snippets she did remember. The morning following however, had been quite unpleasant. Apparently neither could remember the whole "after-party" at his residence. She had woken up, aching everywhere, no longer a virgin (she cringed) and when she discovered the surly potions master at the edge of the other side of his bed, she knew where the conversation was heading. Had it not been for magic, his neighbors surely would have heard the ensuing argument of one angry wizard. Apparently it had been HER fault for that predicament. And after imparting more snide insults, he had dressed in a matter of seconds (thanks to magic) and warned her not to be there when he returned. She remembered the furious pop of dissaperation, and then painstakingly dressed, tears falling and head throbbing, Hermione left.

Chapter One:

Hermione popped into her London flat, feeling sore. With a pounding headache she stripped out of the green, shimmering ballgown (she'd needed to write Ginny and thank her again for the loan if her dress). Thankfully nothing had torn from the prior night, and she hung it on its hanger, before stepping into the hot, steamy shower. She wept as she scrubbed her skin furiously, but to no avail, for as the soap passed along her body, she couldn't stop the flow of memories.

What had she been thinking? She had been brought up proper, with a firm belief to save herself for marriage, to someone she loved? Am I really so repulsive? She couldn't forget the look on his face this morning as she toweled dry.

Pushing her wet hair to the side, she looked in the floor length mirror hanging on her bathroom door. She gasped at her reflection...small bruises marked her skin, head to toe. Some would call them love bites (yeh right, no love there) and she reached for her wand to heal them. For some reason though, she put her wand back, deciding to keep the memento, at least some sort of proof that the attraction hadn't been one sided...

Taking a pain potion for her aches she quietly sipped some tea, deciding against coffee, knowing it wouldn't help her hangover.

"Mrroww?" Crookshanks butted his head on her calf, his usual morning greeting. "Oh sorry Crooks...would you like some breakfast?" When he sat there looking at her, she laughed at her rhetorical question, grabbing the can opener and a can of Tuna Magic, she proceeded to dish up some breakfast. Setting it down she watched as he chowed it down ( he always was a messy eater) and contemplated on her move.

For some time now Hermione had been planning on leaving Britain. After her parents had died in a freak accident at a Dental exhibition, she had discovered they had left a cabin in the countryside of New York. Her mother was from America. It was her deceased Grandparents cabin. Having inherited enough money to take care of her finances for a few year, she decided it was time for a change of pace. She glanced at the boxes packed from her study, excitement bubbled at the chance to start experimenting with charms. She had achieved her masters in charms and magical history last month.

She sighed as she cleaned up breakfast. "Damn that wizard. At least I won't be bumping into him anytime soon." Hermione muttered as she rubbed her temples. " He sure can kiss though..." she thought as she remembered his sensual lips exploring, tasting. She grimaced and pushed the memories aside as she felt the response they had on her body.

With a flick of her wand, the neatly stacked boxes shrunk and floated into her charmed bag from the war. Watching the spell work neatly, she opened Crookshanks cage.

"Come on Crooks, time to move to our new home." Thankfully he didn't put up a fuss as he leapt into his cage, curling up on his soft pillow, he watched curiously. Another flick of her wand and the letters neatly stacked on the counter, along with a freshly dry cleaned ball gown, traveled through her living room fireplace, via floo network, to their spelled destinations. With one last glance, she apparated to the London Station.

The journey from Britain to America was too far for apparation and port key, hence the travel by train. She had booked her tickets weeks in advance on a first class car, one way trip with thankfully no changeovers. Hopefully I'll have it to myself, Hermione thought as she boarded the magic train.

Hugging Crookshanks close, she passed several compartments till she reached the one at the end, apparently was hers. Sliding the door open she gasped in surprise. Unlike the Hogwarts Express, the cars on the Aurora Express were huge, thanks to magic. In her car there was the usual two overstuffed benches (though a table was built in between). There was two doors on each side of the compartment.

Setting Crookshanks down she opened the one closest on her right. She sighed when she saw the full bath/jacuzzi jet tub. Next to the tub was an enchanted window (you could see out but not in). The window ran the length of the tub, ceiling to floor. It lit the bathroom nicely. Next to the bathroom was a small kitchenette that had a sliding door. It had the basics to get her by for the week long trek.

To the left of her, the first door was a closet for coats and shoes, and the second door lead to a huge bedroom with two full size beds. Being that the compartments were multi passenger she had booked this one full (she didn't want company for the duration of her trip). There was a t.v. in the corner, and what looked like a private balcony by one of the beds.

There was a small shift as the train left the station. Setting her bag on one of the invitingly plushy beds (she'd definitely check it out later) she took a seat by the window and waited for the conductor to make his/her rounds. With a flick of her wand, Hermione unlatched Crookshanks cage and he stretched as he climbed out, only to curl up on his mistress's lap, purring contentedly. Hermione watched the landscape change from bustling city to lush, woods and fields now that summer was here, everything was green, and she smiled as a warm breeze wafted in an open window.

Now that she had time on her hands, she absentmindedly stroked the half kneazle, as thoughts of a dark wizard came to mind. He had certainly left an imprint on her as she tried to recall the incident. She remembered that when they stopped, she didn't want to part, neither had be been inclined it seemed, for he had lead her off the ball room floor, snagging a bottle of wine and two glasses that floated behind by his magic. She remembered walking trough the Malfoy grounds, the flowering shrubs and trees a maze easily getting them lost, she remembered. After several turns they came across a slow moving brook. He stopped under a blossoming tree, using his evening cloak, he conjured a makeshift blanket to sit on. She had cuddled up next to him, the night air a bit cool on her heated flesh. "Do you find pleasure in my company witch?" he had asked in that sinfully velvet voice.

Something about his voice always seemed to cause a stir in her. "Yes...you've always...intrigued me." She frowned, wondering what else the wine had done to her inhibitions. Apparently they were on the wind, as she accepted another glass of wine. She felt parched as she drank in the dark wizards thoughtful look, and downed the glass, which he refilled, no questions asked.

" Indeed Ms. Granger, do regale me, for you have peaked my curiosity." He had asked straight faced, no guessing as to where he was headed with the conversation. Now that the wine had caught up, her tongue became looser, as her eyes drank him in " I've always admired you from afar. Your intelligence to survive the war, juggling two masters intent on getting you killed. It takes great inner strength as well to survive without going mad...and I know that under that tough exterior, you are capable of compassion and kindness Professor." When he gave her a dark look she explained "Harry told me about your memories." and he had scowled angrily.

"Damn Potter..." he muttered as he refilled his glass and paused when she placed her hand on his lapel, promptly bringing his gaze back to her face. "I'm sorry..." she nibbled her lip and dropped her chin to her chest " ...my need to know more about you had me badgering till he gave in and told me in confidence. What I know now I will take to my grave." She heard him exhale, and then she felt her chin being lifted, and felt the gentle press of his lips on hers.

She opened her eyes in surprise for a mere second, before melting further into him as the kiss deepened. His magic was so skilled that even with the wine flowing through him, he had apparated them to his home. Things definitely moved quickly as she remembered the feel of him pressing her up against his door.

Something at that moment had freed her of her inhibitions. She threw caution to the

wind as she became pliant, panting as the dark wizards hands roamed her silk clad body. She wasn't sure how to tell him it was her first time, her and Victor had only went as far as second base. Ron had only made it to first before she had ended it. Catching him with Lavender had been an eye opener, deep down she had an inkling that they would only be friends so she broke up with him.

She didn't want him to stop regardless of her inexperience. So with a sigh she continued to kiss him and when she nibbled his ear, there was no going back as he palmed he buttocks, lifting and pressing her harder to the door. That's when she felt it, there was no mistaking the Professor's arousal pressing against her naked flesh.

Naked? He must know wandless magic she thought and moaned when lips surrounded a soft peak of her flesh. "Severus.." she had panted his name and he growled in approval as he lifted her higher, and taking his name on her lips as a mistaken plea for more, he impaled the tiny which. Though there was plenty of lubrication, when he felt her thin barrier break and her cry of pain he stilled. Quickly his hand shot out to grasp her chin painfully, and forced her to look at him, for he had her still pinned to the door, and his invasion was painful.

"Look at me!" he growled, and she opened her eyes, a couple of tears had fallen, landing on his chest. He carefully watched her, as if warily watching for a lie. "Why didn't you say something?" He shifted slightly, but stilled when he felt her clutch his biceps in a death grip, he was too much, too big perhaps? "I was afraid you'd turn me away.." she gasped painfully as he lifted her legs a bit higher and she naturally crossed them behind him, as if subconsciously not wanting him to let her go, even while in pain. Afraid of his reaction she had closed her eyes again, I feel like a fool, she thought and apparently she had said her thought out loud.

"Your not a fool Hermione...far from it." When she looked up at him his eyes were hooded, contemplating her it seemed. Slowly he kissed her again from her lips to her right shoulder, down to her breast again. She gasped in pleasure, but cried out again in pain when he withdrew slightly, looking at him for guidance. "Shhh.." he pressed another kiss to her tear tracked eyes "the pain will ease away Hermione..." he gripped her harder and started to move. She whimpered as she felt him start to withdraw and thrust. As he devoured her hungrily, greedily nipping and trailing kisses, muttering words of encouragement.

As the sting of pain fall away, something else took its place and she moaned again. Severus must have recognized she had recovered for he shifted his pace, panting slightly from their position he thrusted harder, quicker. She could feel a different kind of orgasm approaching, one not brought on by her own hands, he seemed to be hitting her bundle of nerves just right.

She remembered closing her eyes, but she felt him watching as her head fell back and her body seemed to flow to a natural rhythm as he thrusted faster, harder. She felt the soft, sensual drag of his lips on her neck and collarbone, like a man quenching his thirst.

She remembered running her hands freely through his hair, touching him in return as she mapped his body, evening grabbing his firm behind at one time, and his hiss of pleasure. He must have felt her tighten around him and knew she was at her peak.

"Come for me witch." he growled, nipping her ear, as his thrusts slowed and he brought his hand down between them, finding her erect nub, he skillfully stroked her. "Severus!" she gripped him as her body bowed tight, then shuddered as pleasure peaked in waves, he kept the same pace with his talented fingers, and she cried out as she peaked again. As she came down from her high she saw that beads of sweat had formed on his brow, his face contorted in abandoned pleasure, still thrusting harder, faster, his nimble fingers still there, driving her wild. It seemed she was about to come again.

"I can't.." she had moaned, clutching him tightly " oh but you will.." he had growled, and he then apparated her to his bed, and she was suddenly on her back and cried out when he withdrew. He trailed kisses down her abdomen, teasing as he went, until he reached the apex of her thighs. When she went to close her legs, feeling awkward, he growled " I want to taste you witch." With a nervous sigh, she relaxed her legs.

He gently, softly kissed his way back to her core, the heart of her passion. She gasped when she felt the first, soft flick of his tongue. He continued his assault, holding her legs and pinning down her when she started to buck. She had a handful of hair in one hand and another placed on his shoulder as he alternated from quick flicks, to slow teasing licks.

"Please Severus...I need you now." Hermione had moaned, and he obliged, quickly aligning his flesh with hers, he thrust forward. She moaned as she felt him fill her completely again. Hermione felt him move slowly, as if savoring the moment like it was his last. This time her orgasm was slow and sweet. When she heard him moan and felt a shift in his pace, she watched him in turn. She caressed his back, savoring the feel of him as he thrusted harder, snapping his hips up until he moaned low, grabbing her hips hard for one more hard thrust as he came. She felt him twitch inside her, as he shuddered from the strength of his own orgasm. As his heart rate slowed, she could feel it, being pressed so closely to him, he kissed her gently once more. Exhausted and still feeling the effects of the elf wine, Hermione had passed out.

A knock on her compartment door brought Hermione back to the present. "Come in." Hermione said, reaching for her ticket next to her, she stood as the door opened, disrupting the snoozing half kneazle. An older witch in pantsuit uniform came in.

"Good evening young lady, your ticket?" Hermione handed over her ticket. " I see it's just you in this compartment? Well goodness that takes care of our overbooked passenger. I'll let the station master know we found room, thank you dear." and before Hermione could get a word in edgewise, the conductor apperated.

So much for booking a whole compartment, sighed Hermione as she sat back down. Pulling out a tomb from her bag, she curled her legs up under her and pulled a throw from her bag as well. She hadn't realized how tired she was, and nodded off while reading, Crookshanks snoring quietly at her side.

Severus's point of view

He had booked his trip in advance, only to discover as he boarded, that there had been a mix up with his booking. The old hag had said something about being overbooked and to wait in the lounge car as she finished checking in passengers. She'd better figure something out he scowled. His trip to New York to procure rare potions ingredients, would keep him busy for most the summer till fall. This travel to New York was supposed to be a break before he arrived.

He had booked a compartment to himself, this wasn't his first trip on the Aurora. This time he didn't want to share quarters, but to enjoy some peace and quiet, and perhaps reflect on a recent event with a bothersome know it all.

"Ah wonderful new dear, I've thankfully found you room with another passenger. Last compartment on the right, off you go now." Before Severus could lodge a complaint though. she apperated with a pop, leaving a grumbling, surley wizard. Collecting his suitcase, he walked briskly to the back of the train. He politely knocked, but when no answer came, he slowly opened the door, peering into the main compartment.

It seemed that the other occupant he was to share the cabin with, was sound asleep. Slight feminine snoring could be heard from underneath the throw covering said occupant. Next to the slumbering blanket, sat an aloof half kneazle. It's yellow eyes watched as Severus settled in for the long trip, taking the empty, overstuffed bench opposite said ginger kneazle, sighing as his aching joints relaxed.

As he perused his cabin, his ex-spy skills noticed the book perching precariously on the table. Curiosity getting the best of himself, he pulled the tomb closer...'Moste Potent Potions' Embossed the cover and as he turned the soft cover over (curiosity peeked) he froze. "Damn!..." he muttered an oath as he read the note inscribed on the inside cover, 'To one Miss Hermione Granger: May this original masterpiece inspire your future works' signed by the author. Curious indeed to have such a priceless tomb in her possession. More bothersome though was the unwanted confrontation that was surely to take place when she roused from her slumber...

Stretching Hermione yawned as her stomach grumbled loudly. Somehow she had managed to lay down on the bench while sleeping, and as she sat up dizziness oddly enough, forced her head back down on her makeshift pillow. As she closed her eyes, hoping for it to pass, she realized she wasn't alone...

As he observed her waking, Severus pondered his options. It was now dark out, and not wanting to wake the sleeping occupant (further prolonging the inevitable) he had missed the dinner hour. Just as his hunger voiced it's presence, Hermione was waking. With a sigh he folded the paper he was reading, as she sat upright, only to quickly compel herself to lay back down, squeezing hers eyes shut.

"Feeling under the weather Miss Granger?" he sneered. He watched as recognition mixed with other fleeting emotions, cross her face.

"Son of a b...!" she curses but as usual Severus was quicker to the punch "Tsk tsk...who knew the brains of the Golden Trio could spew such fowl language..." he said with a scowl. As she slowly sat up, he managed to hear her mumble something about having kissed her fowl mouth.

"Obviously. Let's address the your issues right now shall we? As it is a long trip that we must share... together unfortunately , I have no desire to rehash the past, nor do I wish to discuss that mistake." he paused, waiting for her to retaliate. As he met her gaze of dismay mixed with hate, he continued. " As this is my only holiday till this train reaches its destination, I plan to enjoy it in peace...AND in a relatively, relaxing and quiet trip Miss Granger." he continued as she tried to voice her opinion " Make no mistake, do not goad me, for I will not tolerate nor do I have the patience for your know it all tendencies!"...

Angered beyond words at how he could act as if nothing happened between them, she quickly leaned forward, as she fearlessly faced him. " Make no mistake Professor," and standing she picked her tomb up " I certainly will never desire any future association with you, whatever our past mistakes have been!" and with a toss of her riotous curls, she stepped into the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind her...

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, fatigue overruling his hunger, he stepped into the adjoining suite. Picking the empty bed closest, he stripped down to his black jeans, and with a heavy sigh, attempted to get what sleep he could attempt.

Please feel free to review :) My first fanfic story... I do enjoy constructive criticism over my favorite brew, coffee :)