A/N: Disclaimer: I own nothing of the HP universe, just borrowing…..ok, More JOK….
It wasn't often that he experienced jealousy. Scratch that. Now that he was a grown man, it wasn't often that he experienced jealousy. But the events of tonight had shook him thoroughly. She had been so kind. And while the logical part of him knew that it was in Hermione's nature, his heart told him that it was more than that. Her methods had been professional, yet there was something lingering under the surface. He wanted to chalk it up to the fact that he was an Order member, but no. The way her hands stayed a little too long wherever she touched him. The way her brow knotted in concern. The tears that she held back. She cared for him.
Remus sighed.
How could it be possible that a prickly man like Severus Snape had captured the feelings of someone like Hermione Granger? It boggled him. Here he was trying to well, not seduce exactly but sweeten her to him when all along, her heart had belonged to another. And worse still, it was Snape. He tried not to feel the bitterness that threatened to consume him, but it was a hard thing.
Remus Lupin could hardly believe it. When he had first developed his, fondness for Miss Granger, he wrote it off. She was so very young and not likely to look in his direction. However, the longer he was around her, his fondness grew. It was foolish, but he hoped that once school was over he could begin to woo her properly. Until then he continued to be the kind, caring, and encouraging mentor. Ideally such a position would work to nurture whatever positive feelings she had for him. And for a while he thought it was working. But….
"Anytime."
The word seemed too intimate. Like it carried more promise than one would see at first glance. He wondered if Severus noticed. Remus certainly had, and in that moment he knew he'd lost her. At least until she grew tired of Severus. But, knowing Hermione, that wouldn't be for a long time. He suspected it was more than a schoolgirl crush, and Hermione also wasn't shallow. If she felt anything for Severus, it was bound to be deeper and more complex.
"Anytime."
Why did her words ring in his head so? It wasn't fair, there weren't many women who'd accept his condition. And Hermione did. Plus she was smart, beautiful. More than he deserved. But also more than Severus deserved. Not that he was sure he knew of Miss Granger's affection. His stomach twisted. Was there no one out there for him? Someone who would care for him with as much precision as Hermione. The work she'd done on Severus had been a labour of love. It was methodical to be sure, but also careful, as if he was some delicate thing. Every wave of her wand, the absolute concentration-it was more than clinical. Even when she was finished her eyes barely strayed from his body. And there was devotion in her tone. Like she would do anything for him.
"Anytime."
The lucky bastard.
The infirmary was quiet once more after Professors Lupin and Dumbledore left. Professor Snape would be spending the night in a private room in the infirmary. Hermione steeled herself, she was just checking on a patient. Nothing more. She had hoped he'd be asleep, but of course he wasn't. He was sitting up and he must have spelled his robes back on. He wasn't doing anything, just staring into space. "Are you," she paused, flicking a stray curl away from her face. "Are you sure you're alright? I can get you something, a pain relief potion, or perhaps some tea?" She inquired biting her lip. After all, she wasn't a certified healer and regardless of the Headmaster's praises she didn't know for sure if she'd done everything right.
"Still taking care of me, I see," He murmured as he turned towards her. Not quite smiling, but not quite frowning either. "Even after I-"
"Even after you left," Her voice was harsh filled with all the anguish she felt when she came back to Grimmauld.
"Hermione, I-"
"Why, Severus?" She asked trying to calm herself, but unable to. "We could have talked about us, worked something out…"
"Us?!" Severus exclaimed, "Hermione don't be daft, there can never be an us. I left because I had to. Because after that one kiss I knew that I could never be content until I had you."
Hermione closed her eyes, willing away the tears. "But, you've been so...cold. I...thought that…..well ...that you had changed your mind." He seemed to sag in his seat.
"Hermione. Come here." It was a simple command but Hermione found her feet moving towards him in an almost compulsory manner. Reaching his bed, he grabbed a hold of both of her hands. "I've been trying to distance myself. It's why I've been even more of an ogre than usual. I'm not a polite man, Hermione. Especially when it concerns aspects of my life that I'm most sensitive about." He paused and Hermione could tell that he was alluding to more than just his actions towards her. "Everytime I see you I am reminded that I can't have you. Not right now. Not while there's a Dark Lord. And not while I'm your teacher."
"But surely we can be friends. During the holidays….at headquarters….it'd be just like this summer," And now her tears fell, knowing her words gave little solace.
She felt his hand wipe them away gently. "Except, I don't want just half of you." He tugged her hands, drawing her onto the bed with him. If anyone caught them like this they'd have a world of explaining to do. Still, it felt so good to be wrapped in his arms again. He brushed her hair behind her ear. "Don't you see, the more I know you as a friend, the more I want you as a lover."
"You think this isn't hard for me? I've walked around for weeks trying to keep my heart from feeling for you." She slid a hand up his chest to his neck, letting it rest there. "I want you too." They laid there, he, with his arms wrapped firmly around her and she, with her hand playing with the locks of hair by his neck. She closed her eyes, just to savor the moment. Here, in this little room they could be something that was impossible elsewhere. They could be together.
It was nice. No words, just his hands stroking her back. It was rhythmic. Soothing. She nuzzled closer to him, throwing her leg over his own. "Remember what I said about dangerous territory?" he purred and she looked up at him. His eyes were molten pools of lust and Hermione felt the familiar warmth between her thighs.
"Yes, I think I do," she whispered and then his lips came down to meet hers. It was a dear thing. This kiss. She tangled her fingers in his hair and she felt his strong grip crushing her to him. She rubbed against him and she heard him growl. She sucked his lip and he nipped at hers. And their tongues fought a lusty battle. And then he was at her neck, the buttons on her uniform shirt undone although she could scarcely remember when that happened. She hissed when his tongue began its assault on her breast. "Yessss," she sighed giving herself over to the sensation.
Life was funny sometimes. Only hours ago, he was being beaten to a pulp by the commanding of the Dark Lord. And now he was in the middle of ravishing a succulent young witch. She was keening under his mouth, as his tongue swirled around her nipples. During their fray they had both lost their shirts and he was already teasing off her bottoms. A tiny voice, told him that this wasn't a good idea. That once he possessed her, it'd be even harder to stay away.
But bollocks to that. She was so sweet and sighing. In a moment of surprise she had flipped their positions and he'd been pleased with her enthusiastic explorations of his person. It was a heady experience realizing how much she desired him. Truly desired him. And it was deeper than lust. He knew that as she gave herself over to him, she was also giving away her heart. She was so precious and so perfect. "Please, Severus. Take me, make me yours," she pleaded and he shivered at her words.
"All in good time love," He murmured, slipping his fingers down to her waiting heat. She moaned and bucked against his hand and Severus could only imagine what it would feel like inside her.
"I can't wait to experience this. To feel you," He heard her and something about her voice struck him.
He paled. "Are you ...are you a virgin?"
Noticing his change she sat up. "Yes, why? Is something wrong?"
It was like having a bucket of ice water thrown at him. He ran his hand through his hair. "We can't do this. I can't do this," he sighed, peering into her confused eyes. "Your virginity is something special. We should be in a real bed. I should have wined and dined you. There should be roses. I should have-" She raised a hand to his lips.
"I….I'm sorry. I assumed you knew. You're right. I do want my first time to be special, although I felt like this moment was special enough, because I was with you." His heart tugged at her words. "But, I agree that this isn't exactly romantic."
He kissed her, chastely. "Perhaps this was for the best. I already can't get enough of you. If we would have slept together, it would have been nigh impossible to resist you." She giggled and they both gazed into each other's eyes.
"So I guess I should go," Hermione breathed and he tightened his hold on her.
"Stay. It's the weekend." He hated how needy he sounded.
"Okay," she replied, pressing her naked form against his. It was the most trusting gesture he ever had placed on him. He felt her kiss his chest and he closed his eyes at the sign of affection. This was dangerous territory alright. Hermione was burrowing her way into his heart more and more.
Waking up she noticed two things. One, she was extremely well rested and two, there was something digging into her thigh. She shifted and the groan from her bedmate made her aware of exactly what the thing was. Blushing, she eased out of the bed. Bending, she grabbed her wand using it to iron the wrinkle out of her clothes. After putting them on, she smoothed her hair, but it was rather hard to get the "freshly shagged" look out. A pity since she hadn't actually been shagged last night. Placing a kiss on the sleeping man's brow, she excused herself from the room.
She had been grabbing her school bag from the office and when she emerged the Headmaster, Poppy, and her Head of House were entering into the infirmary. She told herself not to panic and hoped her face wasn't as guilty as she felt. "Ah, Miss Granger, I wasn't expecting to see you here," Professor Dumbledore said his eyes twinkling in his signature way.
"Well, I got up early to get my bag, I left it after taking care of Professor Snape last night." Hermione explained quite pleased with her little fib.
Albus smiled. "I was just telling Minerva and Poppy how skillfully you handled Severus's injuries."
"Thank you Headmaster, but I'm just glad that Professor Snape is alright. Now if you'll excuse me-"
"Actually, Miss Granger you should join us," Poppy invited, "a healer should always follow up on their patients."
And with that it was an awkward journey back to the room she had just left. Hermione prayed that Severus was decent.