Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I own none of these and I make no money. This story is AU.

Hogwarts was always a busy place. People were bustling around, students running to and from classes, ghosts patrolling the corridors, teachers rushing to staff meetings. Everyone was busy with the task which was currently so important to them.

All but two people who were inside the castle walls. Breakfast was a funny affair. The Headmaster announced that Professor Snape will be taking a few days off to tend to 'personal affairs' and he himself would be supervising all potions classes.

Harry and Ron were oddly silent during breakfast as well. When asked what was wrong a grumbled: "mind your own business" was heard.

Hogwarts' day had started.

Meanwhile, in a nook of the castle, hidden in the dungeons, far below the hustle and bustle, two people were sitting.

"Untimely accidents are not good for your health, Miss Granger." Severus Snape stated his voice void of emotion. Last night when they brought her to him he was worried. Now he was upset. But he would never let her know it.

"Who said it was untimely, sir?" she responded, looking at the dark man sitting in front of her, the shadows playing across his face in the light of the candle.

"Why would it not be untimely?" he asked. Damn her. As if his life wasn't complicated enough. He wondered why Poppy couldn't diagnose her, couldn't find the problem. Albus knew, though. That's why he came to Severus.

"Why would it?" She countered. She sat, still looking at him. She was propped on the bed, her back to the wall and her legs dangling off the side. He was seated in a plush chair, covered in green velvet, directly opposite her.

"Why would it indeed." He said. Fuck. I'm not winning, he thought. He looked down, the patterns on the carpet fascinating him. The twirls of greens, blacks and creams creating a hypnotizing pattern. He stood up, walked out the door leading to his sitting room. After he opened the liquor cabinet he poured two double whiskeys. Subtlety won't help in this instance.

He returned, and handed her a whiskey. Twirling the ice in the glass, he sat back and crossed his legs. He took a sip, savoring the taste. This was the beginning of oblivion, peaceful, happy oblivion. He whispered a spell, calling a box of cigars to him.

Smirking, he opened the box and offered it to her.

"No thanks" she said.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Why should I?" she asked.

"It helps," he answered.

She took one, and sniffed at it. She was watching him intently, memorizing his each and every move. After he cut the tip and lighted it, he handed the cutter to her. She mimicked him, and a few seconds later was puffing contentedly on her cigar.

"You are used to this," he stated, noticing the satisfied look on her face.

"Smoking?" she asked.

"Yes,"

"Yes."

"When did you start?" he asked, curious as to how she was hiding this dirty little secret. Minerva would have a fit if she knew her precious lioness was used to smoking, cigars none the less.

"This isn't going to turn into one of these please don't to this it's bad for your health teacher speeches is it?" she asked.

"That would be rather hypocritical of me" he answered, puffing out smoke and taking a sip of whiskey.

"Just now." She answered.

Severus sat, one eyebrow raised. No coughing, no spluttering.

Hermione sat looking at him, puffing her cigar, sipping her whiskey, thinking: how the hell did I end up here? Good girls don't smoke. Good girls don't drink. And good girls sure as hell did not fantasize about people they had no business fantasizing about.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked her.

"Nothing," she replied, looking him straight in the eyes.

He leaned forward, turned his head and stared at her. His dark obsidian eyes giving no clue as to where precisely he was looking. He leaned back, put down his whiskey and cigar, got up and leaned over her. He brushed his lips over hers, quickly, softly, little more than a promise. She closed her eyes in response. As she opened them and looked into his eyes, he rubbed her cheek.

"Ok Hermione, lets drop the bullshit. Why don't you tell me what this is all about?" he demanded.

AN: Please review and tell me if you would like to see more of this.