Chapter 2
Hermione felt disappointed when she arrived a week later to the Potters' New Year's Eve party and Severus was not there. She had to remind herself that she had shown up early and that she should not worry.
Ginny and Harry were not surprised to see her arrive early at all. Harry joked that she would probably leave early to ring in the New Year with her books. Normally such a remark would have made Hermione laugh on the outside, while she actually felt annoyed and hurt inside. Tonight the comment did not bother her.
She offered to help Ginny slice the cheese into little blocks, and prepare the crackers and other appetizers. It kept her thoughts away from Severus who had been on her mind nearly every waking and sleeping moment since their last encounter.
She had gone through possible scenarios and emotions in her mind. At first worrying that she was not ready for a relationship with anyone. She was not ready to have her heart broken again. She also realized she would end up alone if she did not take a chance.
She wondered if the fact that she was younger, and had once been Severus' student bothered him at all. She did a little math, and realized he had to be at least forty-six or forty-seven, but possibly being as old as fifty. She thought about the age difference and came to the realization that it did not bother her. She was mature for her age and Severus was still in his prime for a wizard.
She wondered if he would be moody and withdrawn or if he would open his heart and mind to her. She realized she would never know unless she gave him and them a chance.
Them…Hermione was still shocked to learn that Severus felt something for her. He had hidden his feelings well for three years. All that time he had been studying her, watching her and she had never even known.
"What are you beaming about?"
The voice of Ronald Weasley shattered her thoughts, and the smile she realized she had from ear to ear dissolved quickly into a frown.
"Let me guess? Got some good books for Christmas that you can't stop thinking about?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Happy New Year, Ronald," she managed with no real enthusiasm.
"You were beaming, Hermione," Ginny agreed, looking up from cutting broccoli. "Who are you seeing?"
Hermione blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
Ron paled at his sister's question.
"What makes you think I am seeing anyone?" Hermione returned to her chore of arranging the shrimp around the cocktail sauce.
"You're seeing someone, Hermione?"
Hermione looked up to see Ron's wife, Melody. The pretty blond with pale blue eyes had just entered the kitchen.
Ron rolled his eyes at his wife, and went to snatch a piece of broccoli from the plate Ginny had just finished filling. Ginny smacked his hand as if he were one of her children.
"I did not say I was seeing anyone," Hermione stated firmly.
"It wasn't meant as an insult, Hermione. You just looked so happy and lost in your own world. I thought perhaps you had found someone," Ginny responded.
The conversation was ended by the ringing of the doorbell, much to Hermione's relief.
Ginny left the room to go greet the guests at the door and Melody followed, clearly disappointed that Hermione did not seem to be dating anyone.
Ron watched Hermione for a few moments, before following his wife.
Hermione sighed. She would have to control herself and the excitement she felt at knowing she would see Severus tonight. While she had no problem letting the world know Severus was interested in her, and she was interested in him, she also knew Severus to be a private person and she did not want to do anything rash without speaking to him first.
She brought out the tray of cheese and crackers, while carefully balancing the shrimp on the other hand.
She nearly dropped both trays when she saw Severus stiffly shaking Harry's hand in welcome. He had obviously come in with the batch of other guests that had just arrived.
Hermione placed the trays down on the table Ginny had decorated off to the side of the room, careful not to look at Severus. Her hands trembled with excitement and nervousness. Her heart was pounding so loud that it nearly drown out the voices in the room.
She stayed near the table, pretending to smooth out any wrinkles in the white linen tablecloth, so that she could watch Severus. He had sat himself in his usual corner, immediately leaving the well wishes and laughing at the door to his far left.
She realized that he looked handsome tonight. Not the type of handsome most people would be attracted to, but an appearance that she was attracted to. He wore all black tonight and not the gray from last week. It was a coat not too unlike what he wore to the Yule Ball in Hermione's fourth year. Long and form fitting. His hair looked shiny from cleanliness, not from being dirty. Hermione wanted nothing more than to run her fingers through it as they kissed. The thought warmed and aroused her.
The entire Weasley clan arrived next, and their enthusiastic grandchildren greeted them.
Hermione continued nitpicking around the table, her eyes only for Severus.
She realized sitting near him was out of the question and of course so was talking to him. However, one glance at the empty upside down teacups on a small table in the corner, made Hermione smile with glee one moment and made her nauseous the next.
She quietly greeted the Weasleys' who each gave her a hug. They talked about things Hermione did not even fully acknowledge, and then she offered them each some tea. All declined while Arthur took her up on her offer.
Hermione walked past Severus and then took two steps back.
"Would you care for some, tea, Mr. Snape?"
"No." Was all he said, never acknowledging her or looking in her direction.
Hermione felt confused and then upset as she walked away. Could he not even acknowledge her? She didn't expect him to grab her and kiss her senselessly, but a smile; anything would have been better than his cold answer.
She filled the tea for Arthur, handed it to him, and then sat down on the opposite side of the room, feeling miserable and confused.
Hermione thought Severus would stare at her as he had last week, but he sat with the cup of tea he accepted from Ginny and not her, and looked everywhere else.
Still feeling upset a half an hour later, Hermione headed for the kitchen. Ron and Melody were there filling their plates, so Hermione stepped in line behind them. Bill and Fleur sat behind the kitchen table where Fleur rocked their newborn son in her arms.
"Muffliato"Hermione nearly jumped at the quiet baritone voice beside her.
"Do not look at me. Pay attention to gathering food on your plate. They cannot hear us, but they can still see us and I have no desire for Ronald Weasley to make a scene." Severus told her, lightly filling his own plate.
"Discreetly head to the library around seven thirty. I will join you soon after," he commanded.
"All right," she whispered even though no one but Severus could hear her.
He murmured another word, which ended the Muffliato charm, and then Severus was gone.
Hermione took a deep breath, feeling both stupid and relieved. Stupid because Severus was trying to be discreet, and relieved that he had not changed his mind about her.
She smiled to herself, not even paying attention to the fact that she had managed to put two things she did not even care for on her plate. She took a napkin and utensils and moments later stepped back into the living room with the other guests.
Ron watched her go.
Around seven twenty-five, Hermione excused herself from a conversation with George and his wife Angelina to go to the bathroom. Instead of returning to the party, she walked to the end of the hall and entered the Potters' large library. The fire was roaring in the fireplace, and some guests who had not bothered to clean up after themselves had left a few cups and plates on one of the tables. While the Christmas party had been mostly friends and family, there were people at this party that Hermione did not know. Apparently not everyone was a good houseguest. With a swish of her wand, Hermione banished the garbage.
She waited for what felt like a half an hour, but was actually only eight minutes. The door handle turned, and the door creaked open. Hermione stood, expecting it to be Severus only to see Ron. She cursed inwardly.
"Here you are. George said you disappeared on him."
"I needed some space."
He nodded, the air in the room feeling incredibly tense. "Harry invited a load of people. I don't even know half of them."
"Me either." She just wanted him to leave so Severus could enter.
"I recognize a few of the names from hearing them around the Ministry. Half of them are just here to gawk at the war heroes. After ten years you'd think they wouldn't care about that anymore."
"That's why I came down here… to be alone. I needed some quiet."
Ron sighed, clearly getting the message loud and clear. "Sorry. I'm sure Melody is wondering where I disappeared to anyway."
"She probably is." Hermione agreed.
He stepped toward the door and turned. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but thought better of it. He walked from the room, closing the door behind him.
A few minutes later the door reopened and Hermione grinned when she saw it was Severus. She nearly leapt from the chair, but forced herself to stand calmly.
The cold, indifferent look on his face disappeared when he saw her smile.
He stepped closer to her, looking her over. "You look…lovely."
She flushed bright red at the compliment. "You don't look too bad yourself."
He gave her a look of disbelief, and she boldly stepped forward, placing a chaste kiss on his mouth to prove her sincerity.
He reached for her, the back of his fingers smoothing her cheek and pushing her hair behind her ear.
"I regret ignoring you earlier. I know it upset you."
"It's all right."
He shook his head. "No, it is not."
"Really, Severus, it is. This is all new. There are a ton of people here looking for juicy gossip. We shouldn't give them fuel to feed their fires."
He nodded, still regretting his actions. "Weasley nearly saw me. I had seen him leave the room and head down the hall, but I thought he had gone to use the bathroom. When I saw him come out of the library I moved into the bathroom so he would not see me. Why did he come in here? To throw himself at you?" He ran his hand down her arm, his fingers reaching for hers.
She entwined her fingers with his, the feel of him both calming her and causing her to tremble inside.
'I'm not sure why he came in here. I think he wanted to say something to me, but I brushed him off, making it clear that I wanted to be alone."
"Alone so that I could come to you."
"Of course," she grinned feeling like a giddy teenager.
"He had best mind himself around you or he will have me to deal with."
Hermione felt warmth spread through her body at the possessive tone in his voice. "Are you the jealous type?" she teased.
"Why should I be jealous?" he breathed into her ear, delighting that she shivered in response. "I am the one seeing you, not him." He pressed his lips to her lower ear lobe, and then bowed his head down to press a delicate kiss to the curve of her jaw.
"Severus…"
The way she said his name sent warmth and pleasure through him, the core of it pooling in his groin causing something to stir.
He stepped back needing the air, before things progressed to anything either of them would later regret.
"I placed a silencing charm and a do not notice spell on the room." He led her toward the couch that faced the fire.
Hermione's knees felt weak and it was a miracle that she was able to make it to the couch without stumbling or falling.
He allowed her to sit first and then followed her lead. The fireplace crackled in front of them, but neither of them noticed it. They were both far too busy staring at each other.
Hermione was memorizing his face and he was toying with her hair, rubbing it between his fingers.
After an extended silence Hermione asked. "So, what happens next?"
Severus swallowed hard and looked down at their hands, which were now joined together between them.
"I…do not know. I have… never done this before."
His honesty shocked her more than learning he had never been with a woman before. Hermione was aware of his nearly lifelong love for Harry's mom. He did not seem the type to entertain one night stands. His clumsy kisses had alerted her to his inexperience, but she was also far from being knowledgeable on the subject.
She squeezed his hands and looked down to watch her thumb brush against his skin. "I'm a bit out of practice at this…"
She heard him inhale sharply and release the breath slowly. "Hermione, I expect nothing…. intimate from you. This is very…new."
"Why don't we do what we feel is best and comfortable?"
He nodded, gazing into her eyes.
"What do you desire to know?"
"Hmm?" she asked, finding her way after losing herself in his dark eyes.
"Surely you have questions? You've always had questions."
She laughed softly. "Should I wave my hand in the air?"
It was his turn to chuckle. "No hand waving is necessary. I like your hand where it is."
She blushed, amazed at how his comments and compliments affected her.
"No questions? You have changed."
"Harry mentioned you were researching again. Are you working on anything interesting?"
"Nothing earth shattering I assure you. Perfecting some everyday Potions and writing in a journal."
"Something you plan to publish?"
"I can not possibly publish anything, Hermione. People would think I would poison them. No one would ever accept my work."
"It would be unfair of them, but if you are worried, why don't you use a pen name?"
"Because publisher's only deal with well known wizards. And I am not the sort of well known wizard they are looking to publish their next best seller."
"I wish people would just let it go," she replied angrily. "It's been ten years. They can see you mean no one any harm and yet they still harass and degrade you."
"You should think about such things before getting too involved with me," he said quietly. He released her hand and stood to face the fire, his back to her. " I am disliked by many. I may harbor…feelings for you, but I am still moody at times and I still go through bouts of depression. I'm also unaccustomed to sharing space and time with others."
She stood, grasping his hand in hers once again. "You wouldn't be human if you recovered unscathed. I think anyone who survived the war goes through depression."
She squeezed his hand. "I have thought about things, Severus. All week. And I came to the same conclusion I had at the beginning." She moved in front of him to gaze up into his face. "I've always respected you. You intrigue me and inspire me…I…I'm attracted to you." She gazed down at her feet, and took a deep breath before looking into his eyes again. "And I very much want to discover what a relationship with you would be like."
One hand buried in her hair as he drew her close to him. His head bent to meet her mouth as hers moved up to seek his. This kiss was different than any other. It was full of so much need and desire. Their hands became unclasped as he pulled her toward him and she reached up to wrap her arms around his head and neck.
His knees felt weak, and if he did not sit he feared they would both tumble to the floor. He stepped back, taking her with him as he sat roughly into one of the armchairs that also faced the fireplace. She fell into his lap, her legs moving to either side of his hips to avoid crushing him and making it more comfortable for her.
She gasped at the feeling of something firm and warm pressed against her core. Instinctively she rubbed herself against him.
Severus pulled back; snapping out of the hazy, intense world they had both stumbled into.
"Not like this…. not here…" he whispered raggedly.
"No… you're right…"
She rested her forehead against his, and he waited until their breathing settled before suggesting they sit on the couch.
The air felt a little awkward after their quick and heated tumble into the chair.
Hermione knew he was right to stop things before they got out of hand.
They sat side by side on the couch and talked for the next few hours. They spoke of Hermione's current job as a secretary for a small wizarding bookstore, to their favorite books and other publications. Before long the clock on the fireplace mantle read a quarter 'til midnight.
"It's almost a New Year," Hermione commented.
"Indeed." His hand was in her hair again and once again they met for a kiss.
Severus intended it to be quick and even chaste, but there was too much fire between them. She was no longer the little annoying hand waving child from before the war. She was an adult witch, whom he was very much attracted to. He had fought this attraction two years ago, but was glad to have lost himself to it.
She pressed a kiss against his jaw, and he could not contain the soft moan that escaped his lips. She sought to torture him, but not by any way he had ever been tortured before.
Severus began to place kisses down her throat, causing her to grip his arm tightly and moan softly.
As he reached her collarbone, she let her head fall back, arching into him. One hand found its way into his hair, clutching the shoulder length locks in her fingers.
Without warning, the door to the library opened, as two young men in the midst of conversation while searching for their friend, saw her arched back in ecstasy. The man pleasuring her was not recognizable to them just yet. His face was lowered down into her blouse, his back to them. He was a silhouette to the dying fire.
The man and woman froze. They had both heard the door open, and it been too late to stop what they were doing.
The man raised his head and turned slowly to see two very shocked faces staring back at him.
TBC…
Authors: Notes: Thank you everyone for the kind words about chapter one. I apologize about some of the mistakes, especially with commas. I do not have a beta and with how erratic my writing time is I have not been using one.
This story was started before Christmas. I wanted to finish it by New Years, which was an unrealistic goal for a manager in retail. I hope to reach my goal by finishing this story soon. This story will only be a few chapters in length.
Thanks for taking the time to read and review.