Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
The Long-Awaited Results
It has been about eight years since that eventful day. A day that would change my prospective of one man forever. I guess the things that happened were just a catalyst that made me see things I would never have if I wasn't labeled as Severus Snape's Soul Mate.
At first, the classes were a bit awkward. I didn't really know how I should act or what I should think about this man who had been inadvertently and most unwillingly tossed into my life. I just decided to block out that day's events and reestablish the perspective I had before.
It didn't work quite like I planned. Wondering if this man really had the stuff to become my Soul Mate kept me observant of his qualities more attentively than perhaps healthy for a third year. His unfavorable traits were not so hard to find, but, whenever I found something good, such as catching him trying to awkwardly comfort a crying first year Slytherin in what he thought to be an empty hallway, I felt as if I had struck gold.
Time progressed, and there were many things to occupy me during the next few years. Harry had many problems to deal with, and we (meaning Ron and myself) were always there to get through it with him. My studies also took much of my time, as subjects became more advanced. I was up to the challenge and eventually came out on top.
After my sixth year, the year when Voldemort died for good, I had much more time to relax without the stress of death threats to myself and my friends. Throughout my seventh year, I was able to revisit the many qualities of Severus Snape, and, as most nerdy teenagers with repressed hormones do, I came to have a slight crush on the man.
It's not like there weren't good reasons for this change of heart. Without the stress of being a pseudo-Death Eater weighing on him, Snape was able to regain health in the body he had neglected to care for over the years. I wasn't the only girl noticing the intimate dance his hands performed over a steaming cauldron. He seemed to be eating normally as well, as he didn't look like a bean pole anymore. Of course he wasn't fat. He had a wiry frame that most of the girls paid strict attention to during potions.
Owing to the disappearance of a certain tattoo on his forearm, Snape had made it a habit to not wear his stifling robes. This made certain students' robes a bit stifling as well. Even someone as studious as I was found it distracting. He also tied back his hair and managed to actually get a bit of coloring to his skin thanks to regular walks outside. Yes, the old stone cold potions master was gone, and in his place was a living, breathing, and most attractive man.
We ran into each other quite a lot, sometimes literally. Those were times I remembered for weeks. His manly smell, piercing eyes and striking intelligence left all the boys my age wanting.
Before I knew it, I was off to University, where I stayed for two years on full scholarship, learning all I could about Transfiguration and Potions. Because of my diligence and hard work, I was able to graduate in no time, and was soon on my way back to Hogwarts to apprentice under McGonagall so that I could one day take her place as the Transfiguration teacher.
Headmaster duties were weighing heavily on her and she gladly accepted my application. It seemed as though I was always the daughter she never had, and we had kept in touch while I attended University. She had mentioned the opportunity, and I had thought over it many times. Yes, I could see myself as a teacher.
Here I am, at the gates, staring out at what had become my home. Good old Hogwarts! How I had missed it! I set a determined pace down the road that led to the front of the castle, glancing around at the lake and Quiddich pitch. Nothing has changed. Good.
Thinking of changes, I wonder what my other colleagues will think of me. I hope they approve of me.
Before I can bite all my nails off in worry, I enter the castle and head towards the Headmaster's office. She should be there, as it will not be dinner for another hour. I stare at the gargoyle statue for a few seconds before I try to guess the password. I somehow do not think it will be the name of a candy.
After a few fruitless tries, I hear someone chuckle behind me. I turn around with an annoyed look, but can't think of words as I face my former crush. Those feelings had not gone away as I had thought after all. After giving him a once over, I collect my wits enough to say something. "I'm sure it would be a lot easier for me if someone were to tell me the password."
Severus Snape raises an eyebrow at my cheek. "It might be pixie dust." I try the password, but nothing happens. Figures. I look expectantly at him until he says to the gargoyle, "Granny's Tartan." Of course, the statue moves aside to reveal the stairs.
"Now, was that so hard?" I ask him, but am unable to put any exasperation into it. The man is just too good-looking.
He smirks at me in a way that makes my knees a bit weak. "Unspeakably so. Welcome back to Hogwarts, Miss Granger."
"Hermione, call me Hermione. We are soon to be colleagues. I, of course, will not take such liberties with your name unless you give express permission, Professor Snape." I tell him, wanting to hear my name in that delicious voice of his.
"Permission granted…Hermione." Oooh! The way he says it gives me tingles. He probably knows it, too. I'm sure he's had his fair share of admirers over the last couple of years. I can't help thinking about the events of eight years ago. If only there was a way to find out…My body reacts as I think of the possibilities. Oops, I think Severus saw my expression.
"Come by my office after dinner, Hermione. I believe we have some things to discuss." He says, turning to leave.
"Of course, Severus." His name feels good on my tongue, and I think he might agree, as he pauses for a second or two when I say it. As he vanishes down into the dungeons, I continue my trek up to McGonagall's office.
She ushers me in, and we talk as much about my apprenticeship as we do about other things. Soon enough, she is escorting me to the third floor, where she leads me to my rooms, conveniently placed close to the Transfiguration classroom. She leaves me to put my belongings away. I do so and then head down to dinner, where I am pleased and nervous to find that I will be sitting by Severus and Minerva (as I am to call her from now on).
I sit down, smiling at all of my new colleagues, and am soon in three separate discussions at the same time, leaving me feeling a bit rueful at the sight of dessert. I barely got a couple bites of the main course in. Severus seems to notice as well, and leans closer to me, causing my breathing to increase a bit. That man will be the death of me! All my nerve endings are attuned to him.
"Maybe it would be prudent to stop by the kitchens before we head to my office." He says into my ear, his nose lightly brushing against the top of it. I nod as he withdraws, not trusting my mouth to form more than a bunch of gibberish. My stomach answers for me with an audible growl, and Severus chuckles. I could get used to that sound. His chuckle, I mean.
We leave together as soon as polite. I don't catch the raised eyebrows sent our way as we head towards the kitchens. I reach out and tickle the pear, earning a questioning look from Severus. "When you have the Weasley twins in your house, you seem to get a more thorough understanding of Hogwarts." I explain, and he nods in agreement with another of those delicious smirks. Maybe he shouldn't stand so close to me, as I feel like finding out without words what kind of dessert he had for dinner.
Luckily for him, a house elf, noticing us standing in the doorway, interrupts the losing battle I am fighting with my hormones. "Is there anything Dotty can do to help Sir and Miss?" He questions, and I notice at least half a dozen elves behind him, eagerly awaiting our orders.
Miss Hermione Granger has unfortunately missed her dinner because of the enthusiasm of the other teachers. If you could fix her something, we would be most appreciative."
All of the house elves behind Dotty bow their heads and scurry away to fix me something. No doubt I'll have a literal feast provided. These elves are really eager to please. Severus seems to be on the same train of thought, as he looks at me with a bit of humor in his eyes.
"Not too upset at being served, are you Hermione?" Mmm. That voice.
"No need to worry, Severus. I realized long ago that my campaigns were fruitless. It seems that Dobby was an oddball." I tell him good-humoredly.
Dotty escorts us to a table for two. "Anything for the Master?" She asks, her eyes looking almost pleadingly for some chore to do.
"I'm sure that I can find something from the veritable feast you have in store for Miss Granger." Dotty bows and then disappears into the throng of house elves. Seconds later, a huge platter is placed in front of me, and I look amusedly over the pile of food at Severus. It looks as if he's struggling not to laugh. I roll my eyes and eagerly look over the selection. So many good things to eat! I start with a piece of marinated chicken, and see Severus pull out an apple, crunching into it with relish. So sexy!
Realizing that I'm staring, I dig in, happily eating Hogwarts food again. It's so good to be back!
After I'm sated, and Severus has had a slice of chocolate cake (it seems he has a sweet tooth), we head down the dungeons to his office. He opens it with a mumbled password that I can't quite hear and opens it, gesturing for me to go in first. I thank him and walk by, curious and not a little nervous to be here. I wonder what we are to talk about.
The door closes with a quiet click, and Severus goes over to sit behind his desk, after he has motioned for me to sit down. I look at him and feel as if I'm a student again, ready to be rebuked, but the look on his face dispels any thought of me being punished. Hmm, kinky.
"You are probably wondering why I asked you to come, and rightly so. I haven't made my, ah, intentions known." Severus begins, and I listen curiously. "This has to do with a certain event involving you and myself, back when you were a third year." This sentence gave me a shock, as I thought he would have forgotten about the embarrassing incident.
"Yes?" I reply, to show him I am listening.
"I, ah, did some further research on the paste used, even speaking directly to the Weasley twins about it at one point in time." I raised my eyebrows at this, as I can only imagine what happened during that confrontation. The best scenario would be that they asked Severus who his Soul Mate was. Severus sees my expression and snorts. "You don't want to know what happened." He said. "Anyways, getting down to it, the culmination of all my research, not to mention the creators' comments from it, leads me to believe that The prediction has a 99.9 accuracy. I even tried it again, and the results were the same." At this, Severus abruptly stops speaking, giving me the time to process this.
Severus has a 99.9 chance of being my Soul Mate? This is…unreal. But not unwelcome. I guess I could do a few experiments after all. It is my right to see whether this is a fluke or not.
Severus takes my silence the wrong way. He stands and goes over to the door, opening it. "I understand that the prospect of being my Soul Mate does not have much of an appeal on someone as brilliant as you. If you wish, I will never speak of this again. You can consider it a figment of your imagination." He obviously expects me to storm out in disgust. Well, he has another thing coming.
"Shut the door, Severus." He looks at me as if he doesn't know what I mean. Poor guy. He probably doesn't think that he deserves even the chance of having a Soul Mate. I guess it's up to me to show him otherwise. I bet my eyes are sparkling by now.
Seeing Severus still standing by the door, I sigh as if in exasperation (though it's definitely not) and walk over to him. He looks at me as if I'm a volatile potion that might explode in his face at any second. This is going to be so fun.
I stand so that I'm only inches away, and place my hands on his biceps. Nice. Then I lean in, making sure to breathe lightly in his ear before whispering, "Shut the door, Severus." In a voice that's got the man shivering. I'm so happy about his reaction to me, but he seems kind of brain dead, as he is just standing there. I pull back a bit to see that his eyes are tightly closed.
Smirking, I shut the door for him, and proceed to push him against it, leaning into his ear once again. "You know, I'm very glad you're my Soul Mate, but I think we need to…experiment, just to make sure it's not a fluke." The combination of words and proximity seems to be his undoing, and he breathes in sharply and grips my waist with his large, dexterous hands.
I take this as my cue and go in for the gold, meaning I plant one on him. His lips are so soft, and it takes him a while to recover from the shock, but soon enough he's kissing back. Severus' hands aren't the only things that are dexterous. Mmm, chocolate cake.
It's been a few minutes since I initiated the first kiss, and by now I'm whimpering as he nibbles on my bottom lip and kneads my lower back. Oh, that feels so good! My hands have minds of their own, as they travel from his hair to his arms to his chest and back again. So lovely.
I playfully nip at his lip when I have the chance, and he groans, pulling me closer until it would take a crow bar to separate us. I find out that I am definitely not the only one enjoying this situation, and grab his finely shaped arse to show that I feel the same. I believe he's shocked and turned on by my forwardness, as he proceeds to turn us around so that I am the one against the door. He is now peppering my neck with a variety of kisses, and we both find out that I really enjoy receiving hickeys. I make sure to give him some as well, and we are both more than satisfied with it.
How did things escalate so fast? This is so amazing that I might have to literally pinch myself.
After about twenty more minutes or so of serious snogging, we finally get ahold of ourselves enough to stop, if only for the time being. I look at Severus to see that he is looking decidedly rumpled, from the messy hair to the wrinkled clothing, and I've never seen anyone sexier. I'm guessing I look just as rumpled, and can tell that he is restraining himself from pouncing back on me. I would encourage it, but we have some things that we need to talk about before we get back to business.
"As you can see, I am decidedly resigned to the fate of being your Soul Mate." I tell him, earning a crooked smile that I just find heart-meltingly wonderful. His expression looks a bit dreamy.
"Why don't we experiment a little more, just to make sure?" He says in a decidedly seductive voice that has me yearning for that mouth to do such delicious things to me.
I would have said that I agreed, that is, if my mouth wasn't currently occupied. So much for talking it out.
And we lived predictively and most happily ever after (well, except for when we had to tell Harry and Ron about our relationship, oh, and that time when Severus first met my parents...).
The End
Comments: Well, this is my first completed story (hope you liked it). If you enjoyed this, then I think you will definitely like my other story, The Challenge of Hating You. It's still in progress, but I plan to be efficient in putting up new chapters. Please review if you like. Thanks again.
