A/N: Hello everyone! I'm so glad that everyone is enjoying my story so far! Things are getting a bit steamier between our favorite pair so without further ado...

As always, I am making no money from writing this fiction and I do not own the characters. Everything belongs to JK Rowling, Warner Bros ect.

Enjoy!

The pair worked in tension filled silence for the better part of an hour. The menial task of brewing Pepper-Up potions for the Hospital Wing wasn't much of a challenge for skilled brewers like Hermione and Severus; however, they knew that it needed to be done so neither complained.

The only words exchanged between them were terse orders from Severus for Hermione to start brewing the Sleeping Draught that Madam Pomfrey needed replenished. It seemed as if they were back to a normal Master and apprentice relationship, though Hermione couldn't understand why he would want to stop their game. It was so satisfying to finally find someone who could give as good as he got.

Though the two only shared a few stolen moments in a store cupboard, Hermione was sure that he was not immune to the thought of having a romantic relationship with her. The only question to answer now was what to do next? He had made the last move with that kiss which had set her nerve endings on fire. Even now, Hermione could feel her face heating as she remembered how his surprisingly soft lips had felt while caressing her skin.

She was so caught up in her fantasies of her Potions Master that Hermione never noticed that she put a bit more lavender into her cauldron than she needed, never noticed that she didn't add enough heat after stirring four times clockwise and she never noticed the slight purple mist that slowly enveloped her. It was too late when Hermione realized her error and she soon slumped to the ground in a heap. She was fast asleep.

Severus was irritated. The little swot had gall, he would give her that. From the moment she stepped foot in his lab, he knew of her idle fantasies about him. How could he not know? Hermione Granger was a Gryffindor to the core and while she may have courage there was no doubt that she always wore her heart on her sleeve.

The only question he had was why him? She was a bright young woman who had the whole world at her feet and yet she decided to spend what little free time she had with him. It couldn't be because she enjoyed his company. Severus knew he was a snarky bastard at the best of times and a cruel git the rest of the time.

Over the years as her professor, he had done nothing but torment her and her idiotic friends. He knew he hated the Potter boy, he still did, but his reasons for tormenting her were different. He knew a bright mind when he encountered one and he wanted to challenge her. Hermione Granger always rose to the challenge; that much was clear.

Even today, Severus knew that he could have had her in the store cupboard. He answered her challenge of attraction and forced it right back at her. Her arousal was so high that he could smell it like the sweetest perfume. She started their little game of chase and he wanted to see how far she would take it.

Severus was not disappointed. The way she responded so willingly to his voice brought out certain desires he thought were long buried. If he didn't tread lightly, then the darkness that threatened to break the surface of his control would consume both of them. Severus wasn't sure he was prepared for that to happen and he knew that Hermione had no idea what her games could incite.

Still, the idea was tantalizing. Having a young, hot-blooded witch warm his bed appealed to Severus more than it should have. He was only a man after all.

The sound of Hermione's stirring rod clanging against the side of her copper cauldron sharply roused him from his thoughts. It wasn't like her to be so careless in her brewing. Turning to face Hermione's work station, Severus was not prepared for the sight that greeted his eyes.

"Hermione!" He croaked, not believing what he was seeing.

Hermione was crumpled on the floor like a discarded rag doll, her work station surrounded in a light purple haze.

"Protego!" Severus shouted to contain the volatile potion before rushing to her side. Carefully, he slid his hand behind her head and tilted her face towards him. The slight rise and fall of her chest assured him that she was still breathing and a simple diagnosis spell revealed that she hadn't poisoned herself. The witch had been sloppy in her brewing and knocked herself out with a very potent sleeping draught.

If Severus hadn't been so worried about her safety then he would have been furious at her lack of attention. It simply wasn't like Hermione to be so careless. With a sigh, Severus slipped one of his hands under the witch's knees and the other under her upper back and hoisted her into his arms. She moaned softly as her head lolled against his shoulder and Severus could feel his own body respond to having such a feminine body pressed against his own.

"Bloody hell." He muttered as he carried the unconscious witch through a door that led to his private chambers.

The feeling a cold, wet cloth being dabbed on her forehead slowly roused Hermione from her involuntary slumber. The remnants of the Sleeping Draught in her system kept her from completely waking up but Hermione could tell that she was lying on something soft and warm.

In frustration she tried to open her eyes to see where she was but her body just wouldn't respond. What had happened? Hermione tried to sift through the blurry images of her memories, but she kept coming up short.

She was surprised when she felt a soft hand slip under her head to tilt her face up. Cold metal brushed against her lips and she was softly coaxed into sipping something that tasted of peaches. Warm fingers slowly rubbed circles on her throat to ensure the concoction was swallowed. Almost immediately Hermione felt her senses returning to her and she was finally able to pry open her eyes. She gasped when she saw the worried face of Severus Snape hovering over her.

Many of her friends would have been terrified to see the dour Potions Master hovering over their beds as they awoke, but Hermione wasn't like her friends. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming and Hermione reached out a hand to make sure he was real.

In a flash, her wrist was grasped in a vice like grip. The worry on Snape's face quickly turned to anger when he realized she was alright.

"What were you thinking? Your actions were careless and downright stupid, even for you!" Severus hissed. He knew he was being slightly overdramatic, but damn it, the witch had scared him. The surprised look on her face was enough for him to release her wrist and her arm fell back to the bed with a plop.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking…I…that is…I'm sorry." She stuttered. She had never seen Snape this angry; at least he had never been this angry at her. It was then that she realized just where she was.

"Why am I in your bed?" Slowly, Hermione sat up and looked around the sparse contents of Snape's personal living space. She lay in the middle of a large four poster bed with a forest green comforter and a mound of matching pillows. A dresser and mirror dominated one wall while the rest were crammed with bookshelves and books.

"You are in my bed, Miss Granger, because you collapsed in the lab. You were lucky I was there to stabilize your dreadful excuse of a potion or you might have caught your death on the stone floor!" When she didn't respond, he continued. "Or perhaps I should have left you there instead of caring for you?"

By this time, Hermione could feel her own ire rising to the surface. She abruptly slid off the side of the bed and headed towards the door. Before she could stop herself, she turned and faced Snape head on.

"I said I was sorry; there is no need for you to be cruel. Now, if you will excuse me, I will go clean up the mess I made and head to my quarters." She turned to leave when she was suddenly wrenched backwards into a very solid, male chest. Once again, Hermione found herself trapped within the spell of the Potions Master. His scent was invading her senses and reasonable thought fled from her mind.

"You won't get away with it that easy." Snape's fingers tightened their hold on her upper arms and her back was drawn in tighter against his chest. Hermione gasped when the evidence of his arousal pressed into her plump backside. A shiver ran down her spine when her hair was nudged aside by questing fingers. "You were the one who started this game, after all."

"What exactly are you accusing me of?" Hermione whimpered as Severus continued to nuzzle her neck and inhale her unique scent. He chuckled at the husky tone of her voice. It was almost too easy; she was so responsive. Wanting to know how far he could go, Severus moved his hands down her arms to her curvy waist. He could feel her muscles tense as he stroked her through the thin cotton of her tee shirt and he felt himself respond in turn.

"Do you want to play with me, little witch?"

"Wha-"Her response was cut off when Severus spun her around to face him. Giving her no warning, he captured her lips with his own. His kiss was not tender and was not meant to tease. His tongue plundered her mouth, demanding entrance and thrilling when she acquiesced. Teeth nipping and tongue dueling, Severus took what he wanted from the witch. Her taste was exquisite and her response was ecstasy.

Hermione was in heaven. She welcomed the heat that enveloped her and threatened to burst into flames. She tried to take over the kiss but it was over almost before it began. Just as quickly as Snape had pulled her body to his did he push her away.

"Get out."

"I don't understand…"

"Do as I say, and get out!"

Hermione didn't know what else to do, so she ran. She didn't stop until she reached the portrait that guarded her quarters. Quickly saying the password, she climbed through and collapsed on her overstuffed sofa. Humiliation washed over her and Hermione let the tears fall unhindered from her eyes.

Damn Severus Snape, damn him to hell and back again!

For several moments, Severus stared at the door Hermione had run through in her haste to be rid of him.

What had he done?

A/N: Stay with me, folks! We are just getting started. As always, let me know what you think because reviews make my world a better place. XOXOX