AN:I was unable to upload this new chapter for three days due to problems with the login screen. So sorry for the wait and thank you for your patience. But I think I'm all sorted out now. As always, your reviews are fabulous and truly warm my heart. This story has become such a part of my life, and it is a pleasure to share this with you all. Please take the time to REVIEW and please ENJOY this new installment of Forbidden. Thanks a million!
Disclaimor: I don't own, so please don't sue. O-Tay? Thanks.
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Chapter 9: Truth and Consequences
Harry was waiting for Hermione in the Gryffindor common room after breakfast. He and Ron had parted ways after Lavendar Brown had offered to "study" with him and Harry had let him go, other things on his mind. He sighed as he looked at the clock once more and thought back to the past few weeks of the school year. Hermione had certainly been preoccupied, that was certain. But had it been more than usual, he questioned? It was true, Hermione was often in her own little world when it came to books and studying. She was a perfectionist, and always gunning to do better than her best. But, Harry had to concede, there had been some rather strange…coincidences. For one thing, Ron was right. If his conversation with Hermione the other day was to be believed, she was certainly interested in someone, and it was unlikely that it was some random seventh year boy. Harry couldn't wrap his mind around what had been presented to him so obviously. Snape had been absent at breakfast that morning. He was never late for breakfast, hadn't been since the previous year when he would be summoned by Lord Voldemort. And that was certainly not the case this time. Hermione was mysteriously absent as well. They had been going down to breakfast on saturday mornings for as long as he could remember. It was unlikely that she would just not show up without informing them first.
Lastly, Hermione had been unwilling to tell him who it was that had her smitten. And that was the most worrying factor in the whole equation. It really left no other possibility open in Harry's mind. He decided he would wait and talk directly to the source. He willed himself to be calm, not to overreact. He had never known Hermione to make a poor or ill informed choice. He would not accuse her of doing so now.
Hermoine was making her way along the corridors of Hogwarts as surreptitiously as possible. She and Severus had been so…involved with each other that morning that she had completely lost track of time. When she had lazily looked up from the crook of his arm after he had demonstrated to her quite thoroughly how much he truly felt for her, she had nearly wet herself in shock when she realized it was nearly eleven o'clock.
"Damn and blast!" she'd cried as she shot up from their position of repose and hurried to find the rest of her clothes.
Severus propped himself up on his elbows and looked at her with a mixture of concern and amusement as she rattled about his chamber in her altogether. He would never get over how absolutely striking she was…as well as adorable when she was adored her. "What on earth has you so ruffled?" he asked as she began to pull on her socks.
She looked at him with something akin to fear in her eyes, and he immediately sat up straight, concerned that she had maybe changed her mind. Had he done something, said something to scare her off? Merlin, he hoped that was not the case. "Severus, I'm sorry, I don't mean to scare you…" she said as she paused then in her hectic movements to sit on the edge of the bed. "I suppose it doesn't really matter now…but we….we've missed breakfast."
"What are you talking about?" he asked as he ran his hand through her mane of hair, still tousled from their activities. "We had breakfast together. I know I'm not a master chef, but I had thought it would suffice…."
"No, that's not what I mean. The food was lovely. The company was definitely lovely. But in all that loveliness, I got caught up in this little world of ours and forgot about reality. It's Saturday." He raised an eyebrow at her, inviting her to continue. "On Saturday I always meet Harry and Ron for breakfast and we go down to the Great Hall together. It's been our routine for as long as I can remember. I'm sure my absence was noticed this morning." Hermione bit her lip as she realized the true gravity of her statement.
Severus groaned as implications of what she said hit him. Indeed, her absence would be noted, but more than just her two faithful companions that was for sure. His thoughts centered on one meddling headmaster with mischievous blue eyes in particular. Albus would be speaking to him, he was sure of it. "Indeed. It seems we were a bit…lax in our judgements this morning. You should go…and not because I want you to. I'd happily spend the rest of my days in this bed with you…but you should go and do some damage control…as should I. I have a feeling Albus has suspected something for a while now, and it's best if I head him off at the pass before this goes any further. Hermione, would you do me a great favor?" he asked, his deep eyes imploring her to understand.
"Anything." she nodded her assent.
He cupped his hand around her cheek, feeling it's warmth on his palm, finding it comforting. "Go to your friends. If they have figured it out, do your best to explain, but if they are still in doubt, keep this secret. It would not be wise to jump into things with those two without their complete understanding of the breadth of the situation."
Hermione nodded and smiled. She knew her two best friends better than anyone. This would be a situation in which she would have to tread lightly. "I will be careful, Severus. But…if they do know…if we are found out, are you ready to face that?"
Severus looked at her, his eyes looking like two dark windows to the deepest parts of his soul. "Yes Hermione. I am ready for that. But it will have to be done carefully. I do not want your reputation tarnished. If we can keep it in tight circles for now, it will be best. Then…perhaps after graduation in a few months time…we can go more public with things."
"I'm so glad." she said. "I have to go. I'll see you later?" she asked.
"My door will be open to you at our usual time. I look…forward to it." he said, his voice awash with velvet and silk and it played on her ears like a symphony.
She left with a fluttering in her heart that had two levels. One, her newfound joy in this relationship…and two: the fear of what might come with her two most loyal companions.
Harry heard the portrait swing open and he saw Hermione enter the common room. Her eyes were bright, but she didn't look exactly rested. She looked…ravished. Her mouth was still swollen from heady kisses, her hair a mass of tangles looked exactly like what it was: sex hair. Her cheeks had high spots of pink on them as if she had been overheated.
She saw him just after he saw her. Her eyes took in his resolute expression and his calm appearance and she sighed resignedly. "Oh Harry…"
"Hello Hermione. I think we need to talk."
TBC
So…just a short one today, but a filler chapter. I plan for the next chapter to be Severus' talk with Albus and Hermione's talk with Harry….Ohhhhh snap! How will Harry react? Thanks for reading! Now click that button down below and make me a very happy writer! :)
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