Disclaimer non-suing thing: Bla bla not mine, don't really want the headache have enough on my plate as it is. Only playing for the fun of it. :D

Also;three cheersto my Beta's L.J and Southern Witch 69 ((big hugs)) Ladies.

A/n: Ok here is the long awaited chapter, however there is only some zest in this and not a lemon. (Ducks and runs for cover.) I know I know I'm so sorry. But Severus and Hermione were so not cooperating with me. He wanted to get into a fight. Sigh. However I will attempt to get the two of them together in the next chapter, promise :D and if I know our little Gryffindor she won't put up with Severus' attitude for long. Now no hate mail over this little set back, lol. I will make an effort to rein in Severus for you but you know how sneaky the Slytherin's can be. Ok with no further ado, I present my next chapter. (Who knew there could be 4 parts to one freakin' day?)

Chapter 9 Monday Part 3

Hermione stood rooted to the spot where Severus had left her. When she saw him dressed in that cape, her body started to tremble slightly: partly because of who he had become and partly because she was afraid for him. Afraid of the state he would come back in this time. The young witch drew in breath to calm her nerves. Then slowly Hermione went into the bedroom and checked the supplies. They were still full since they hadn't used any the last time. Hermione's chest tightened in fear for a moment then released with a sigh. She walked back to the fire and looked at it. She needed to do what Severus instructed her to, but she was restless, and her nerves were on edge. Turning from the fire, she strode over to the bookshelf and ran a finger along their spines. Nothing really interested her. For Merlin's sake! I'm not even reading the titles, she berated herself. Clenching her hands into fists, she once again strode to the fire and took a pinch of the powder left in the leather pouch on the mantel, threw it into the fire, and prepared to call the headmaster.

Dumbledore was pacing behind his desk. He kept looking over at the drawing of the little figure in the large leather bound book. It kept moving back and forth in the room; then it came to stand in front of the fireplace. Finally, Dumbledore thought and reached out towards his own fire to clear all the wards Severus had put on it.

Just as Hermione was calling out her destination, the elder wizard called out to her. "Please come thru my dear."

Stepping into the office, Hermione took the hand the older man offered her. He led her away from the fire grate and over to the chairs sitting in front of his desk. Hermione could see the worry in his eyes. "He's gone again," she said simply as an explanation for her presence in his rooms.

Dumbledore nodded and gave her a tired smile. "Yes."

What more was there to say? Hermione was worried because he was not fully recovered and had been called again. There was no telling what this would do to him. Dumbledore was worried, she surmised, because he was getting called more often, which could mean any number of things. Things that she didn't want to dwell on because there was nothing she could do about them. If things should come to a head, then so be it. She wanted this to be over. All of it. No more fearing for her life and the lives of her friends. No more wondering if that maniac would dream up a fresh horror for them to deal with. No more wondering if they would survive the year. She sighed. I'm sure Severus is far more tired of this then me. He has had to do this for a much longer period of time then I. Hermione squared her shoulders refusing to allow herself any more bemoaning. She walked to the far window, looking out to see fog from the forest rolling quickly across the grounds. As thick as it was and the way it moved, it too looked like it was trying to escape. Hermione crossed her arms in front of her. Speaking in a low tone, she lowered her eyes and looked at the tips of her shoes. "He's being called more and more. Isn't he?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Yes, he is I'm afraid." The headmaster's eyes took in the young lady before him. Sometimes she is just to smart for her own good, he mused to himself. He thought of all the students in the school as his children, but these people in particular were especially dear to him. They were seeking out and facing things that no one person should have to deal with.

"Something's wrong, sir," she said a little louder, staring out the window once more.

Dumbledore walked over to his student and put his hand on Hermione's shoulder. "I know, Hermione. I feel it also. You're cold. Why don't you sit by the fire?" He could sense that she felt this way though he didn't understand why. The vibrations he could feel coming off of her were definitely changed. Hermione shook her head. The headmaster sighed but called out to Dobby. In a blink, Dobby appeared head lowered in respect to the headmaster. "Please get Miss Granger a sweater." Dobby looked over his shoulder at the girl. He left in an instant and was back again with her favorite sweater, a Weasley jumper. Hermione smiled when Dobby handed it to her. She flushed with embarrassment when she took in the state of it. Many times Mrs. Weasley had told her that she would repair it for her. Molly had even knitted a replacement for it, but Hermione never would relinquish the hole-ridden sweater. It was the first one the kind woman had ever made for Hermione, and the younger witch had no intentions to give it up for any reason. Dobby always treated her sweater with kit gloves, as he knew how much it meant to her.

The small elf tried to smile encouragingly at her, and Hermione squeezed his hand in appreciation. She pulled the worn jumper around her like a hug. It was something that she really needed at that moment.

"Dobby, some tea, please," Dumbledore instructed the little elf.

"Sir? If you knew this was going to be bad, why did you let him go?" Hermione couldn't look Dumbledore in the face, picking at a fraying cuff instead.

"Well, Miss Granger, I know that trying to stop him is pointless. If you haven't yet noticed, he's not really inclined to listen to some things. Many times I wanted to petrify him to prevent his leaving, but, alas, I allow him to make his own decisions." Dumbledore sighed. "We must simply wait and clean up after Tom."

"Is that all Gryffindor students are good for?" Hermione sneered, looking remarkably like the Potions Master.

Dumbledore was now behind her and laid a kind hand on her shoulder. "For now, Miss Granger, for now." Dumbledore's voice was now taking on a slight reprimanding tone. "We must bide our time and gather as much information as possible before we strike again." Once again, the elder wizard's tone turned to the kinder, gentler, understanding one. "I know you feel bound, Miss Granger, as do I. When the ones we love are facing peril day after day, we must trust them to either come back to us," Dumbledore sighed, "or wait to welcome us when they pass from this world to the next."

"You've been at this a long time, sir. Does it get easier with time?" she asked quietly.

"No, Miss Granger, it doesn't." He sounded weary now. "But, having friends wait with me does." Hermione stared into Dumbledore's eyes. His sad smile hurt her heart. So many people had been lost in the last war, and this time promised to be no different.

Hermione was about to turn away and back to the window when Dobby brought the tea. "Drink, Miss?" Dobby handed her the teacup. After serving Dumbledore, Dobby left with a pop.

Hermione took a sip of the warm tea but couldn't drink it. "Sir? Has Sev-er…um I mean, Professor Snape, ever not come back?" The witch cringed inwardly. Watch it, she reprimanded herself.

"No," Dumbledore reassured the girl. "Sometimes it's very late, only a few hours before classes are to begin, but he has always returned."

Hermione paced around the room for a long time, pausing to look at various objects the headmaster had collected over his lifetime. However, if one had asked her what items she had looked at she wouldn't have been able to say. She felt an edgy restlessness. Time and again she would drift over to the window and look out over the grounds. Dumbledore tried to persuade her to partake in more tea. Hermione felt that if she drank any more, she'd very likely float away.

It was getting rather late. Several times she had sat in one of the comfortable chairs to try to read. The young witch couldn't concentrate enough to read though. She simply held the book open on her lap while she faced the fire. She mostly just stared at the flames. The page she had been looking at had not changed for the past half hour, and at some point, Fawkes jumped down from his perch to join her. He sat on the arm of her chair and looked up into her face. As her eyes locked with his, she swore he was reading her mind. Giving him a small smile, she moved her crooked finger down to stroke his breast. When she stopped, the bright red bird flew back to his perch. It had started to rain lightly earlier, but it steadily became harder. Hermione started absently rubbing her arm as though it were sore and let out a quiet sigh.

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Severus walked into the garden and collapsed. He didn't want her to see him looking like this. The light rain had turned into a storm, pouring down, lightning and thundering. He used to love the spring rains when he was a child. Now, more often then not, he was caught in them, getting soaked by them, and they no longer held any joy for him. The lightning was his only light to see by, and he brought out the last potion he had with him. The others had smashed when he fell from the force of Malfoy's spell. His hands were shaking so badly; he couldn't uncork it. He was now leaning heavily against the stone fountain. He decided to break the neck of the small slender vial knowing he would likely cut his lips to ribbons. He no longer cared. He'd cut out his own eyes if it would stop the recurring visions in his head. Severus hit the potion vial against the stone, and thankfully, it only shattered the top, leaving the remainder of the tube intact. Raising it to his lips, his unsteady fingers couldn't stop the slicing of his lips. The first nick burned as the opening of the wound mixed with the potion. Bringing it closer, another cut was made and another after that. The trembling of his hands wouldn't stop.

Shaking with the curse still running ramped in his body, Severus turned his head to look up to the sky. His anger and shame at letting Lucius get the upper hand on him was raging in his blood. "Now!" he yelled. "End This Now!" He was calling to whichever deity happened to be listening to his plea. In a smaller voice, he whispered, "You should have let him kill me. I don't want to live like this anymore." A rumble from the sky was his only answer. The blackness started to eat away at his vision until it consumed him.

Hermione was pacing restlessly in Dumbledore's office. She walked to his desk, around the two chairs, and back to the window at the far end. Hermione could feel something was terribly wrong. She was becoming as jumpy as a nervous cat. The young Gryffindor kept twisting the cuff of the sweater that Dobby had brought for her. She kept rubbing her arms and stomach as though they pained her, but still she would not stop pacing.

Dumbledore had long since stopped asking the girl to sit. Knowing full well that he would join her in an instant if it wouldn't have betrayed the fact that he too was concerned. It was on her last circuit that he heard her make a sound.

Hermione had just returned to the window to stare at the black nothingness and laid her palm against it when she felt burning pain streak through her entire body. Her ribs, head, and legs were suddenly hurting. She gasped. It was all she would allow herself to do. If she'd had more breath in her body, she would have screamed loudly. To stave pain, she clenched her fists tightly. Her nails left little half moon crescents digging into her palms.

Taking in her stance and hearing the gasp coming from her, Dumbledore stood to ask, "Miss Granger, are you well?" Clearly he could see that she was not, but he needed to bring her mind to where she was, not where it had taken her.

Tears were running down her face. Her lips began burning, and her heart felt as though it would burst. "I'm sorry, sir. I have to go." Dumbledore simply nodded. "I have to find him."

"Do you know where he is?" Dumbledore asked trying to hide the surprise in his voice. He knew that the two had become close, but he had not known things had progressed to this point.

"Yes," she said softly. "I believe so." Her voice sounded hollow and dulled even to her own ears. It was almost as if she wasn't really there. The brunette moved quickly towards the fire.

"I see," the headmaster replied. Hermione grabbed a bit of the powder and threw it hastily into the fire.

"Snape's rooms," she said before turning to the headmaster. She saw the sadness in his eyes. He knew, she thought. He knew Severus was in distress, and yet he did nothing about it. It not only angered her, but it also made her very sad. Turning back to the fire, she stepped in, to begin her search for Severus.

She could feel his pull. Somehow she just knew which direction to go in and started moving swiftly to get to him. She had to find him, had to help him. She didn't know how he was able to stand the pain. She was certain that she wasn't getting the full effect of what he was feeling, only a small portion. Her hands were shaking. She was afraid, afraid of what she would find, of what they had done to him this time. Moving quickly, she went to the bookcase. Staring at the books for a long moment, she chastised herself for not paying more attention when he had removed the book.

She just knew she had to get into the garden fast. This was wasting time. "Come on, little shelf! Tell me what book it is," she cooed softly, hoping to coax the book into making itself known. She noticed an oddly colored book. It was Gryffindor red and slightly smaller than the others. "No," she said aloud. "It can't be that easy, can it?" Hermione reached out and grasped the book. It gave a slight resistance, and a thrill ran through her body. Yes! She thought, as the bookcase started to open. She sped off to find him, pulling out her wand as she went. "Lumos," she yelled.

Hermione was moving even faster now that she was in the tunnel. Her feet seemed to know where to go. By the time she burst into the opening, she was running. Her heart pounded in her chest, not from the exertion but from fear. The rain was pouring down, soaking her as soon as she stepped out. Hermione cast a spell that threw little balls of light into the air, illuminating small areas of plants and shrubs at a time. Everything looked so different at night, more ominous. Not friendly and welcoming as it had in the daytime. The now drenched witch took several steps forward, looking around. She could make out nothing. Where are you? Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her breathing, and the fear that had seized her heart. Calm down! You're not going to do him any good by panicking, she told herself sternly. Hermione tried to concentrate on only Severus.

Soon her rapidly beating heart slowed, and the roaring in her ears faded to nothing. She stopped shaking, allowing calm to invade her body. Where are you? Help me find you dam it! Don't shut me out! She called to him silently, seeking him out using her other senses. Without being aware, her feet started moving forward, slowly at first, then faster. It was as though her body was being pulled in one direction, toward the back where the fountain was. Hermione gasped. The fountain! All at once she knew exactly where to find him. She ran down the path that she remembered would bring her to him. Hermione cast several more balls of light, so that she could see what lay ahead. As she neared the fountain, she saw him draped across a bench.

She came to an abrupt halt for only a moment. As soon as the shock fell away, she ran to him, throwing herself to the ground next to him. Placing her hand on the side of his face, she pushed away some matted hair. She wanted an unobstructed view of his eyes. "Severus, what have they done this time?" Hermione's chest clenched tightly, seeing him lying there in such a way. Running her hands over his arms to check for broken bones, she noticed that gripped tightly in the hand still on the bench was a vial. Removing it, she brought it to her nose taking a cautious sniff. Too much rain, she thought. I can't tell what was in it. Dropping the vial onto the ground, she placed her hands on either side of the unconscious man's face and called to him.

"Severus," she pleaded for him to hear her. "Please wake up. You're in the rain and will catch your death if we don't get you inside." Her voice was shaking slightly. Hermione felt something warm touching her left hand; removing it, she noticed it was blood coming from his mouth. Fear began to take hold of her once more. As she looked at his lips, she noticed that there were cuts in several places. She could only assume the jagged edges of the broken vial has made the cuts on his lips. Replacing her left hand, she traced the pad of her thumb along his bottom lip. Walking on her knees to get closer to him, Hermione leaned toward the man. She whispered, her lips near his, "Severus, open your eyes, luv. I need your help to get you up, or I will be forced to use some foolish wand waving."

Closing the distance, she did what she had been wanting to do since he'd left. She kissed him softly, unsure if she was hurting him. She was uncertain that he would still want her as he had in the potions lab. Hermione started moving her lips against his. She spoke into his mouth, "Please, Severus, come back to me." She added more pressure. She hungered for him to respond to her. "You promised." Hermione started nipping gently at his bottom lip. She ran her tongue along it to sooth her nips, licking off the blood as she did so. Something was growing inside her; the emotion she felt for him was coming out in her kisses. She bit his lip a little harder this time, and Severus gasped. He raised his head, and started kissing his young witch back.

Placing a shaking hand on the back of her head and tangling his fingers in her hair, he brought her closer. His other hand stole around her waist, as he sat up taller. He nipped at her bottom lip as she had done earlier before he deepened the kiss.

Hermione moaned. Gods! This is what she'd been waiting for. This is what had been missing in her life. She ran her hands through his hair to rest around his neck. Hermione gave him full access to her mouth, holding nothing back.

Severus started kissing down her chin. He nipped along the line of her neck until he reached the crux of her neck and shoulder, making her gasp out his name. "Hermione," he whispered into her flesh, making her shiver, tightening things in his lower body. He never thought this particular witch would have ever had this affect on him.

Hermione was the first to pull back. Her eyes were heavy lidded as she gazed upon him. Leaning forward, she placed a gentle kiss on each eye, and his mouth before pulling back once more. "Lets get you out of the rain before we both catch our deaths." Her voice sounded a bit husky, even to her own ears. She stood on slightly weakened legs but was still able to help Severus to stand.

Leaning heavily on Hermione, Severus slowly made his way back to his rooms. "You should g-go and a-alert the headmaster of my re-return," he advised the girl, as his body started shivering and betraying his condition.

"Don't worry he already knows. I'll talk to him after I've see to you." Walking through the tunnel seemed to take forever. They stumbled along, nearly falling a couple of times, cursing the root on their way. Finally entering the rooms, Hermione pushed the book back into place, and she asked Severus, "Where?"

"Sh-sh-sh-" He tried to say, but the dark man was shaking so badly he couldn't get it out.

Hermione just nodded and led him to the bathroom. The young girl was glad to see that Nala had replaced the chair that she had used previously. Stretching out her arm, she called out, "Accio chair." The item glided swiftly across the room, and the top curved part of the open design on the back of the chair landed neatly into her open hand. First insuring it was stable, she lowered Severus on to it. Carefully, slowly Hermione started unbuttoning the long row of buttons that held his frock coat securely fastened.

As exhausted as he was from his ordeal, Severus' eyes traveled up the lithe witch's form until his eyes reached hers. The black depths bore into hers. He knew that they held anger among other things, but he pushed down the other emotions. He learned from his long years as a spy that once he allowed himself to wander down that path, it would be his undoing. He had seen strong men go into hysterics and never recover. They either took their own life or allowed themselves to be killed in a raid. He couldn't afford that. No one could. Not if they were to win. So there he sat, allowing all the emotion he was feeling pour out of his eyes as anger directed to the woman standing before him. The woman who was undressing him. Dumbledore would be so pleased, he thought snidely to himself.

There were so many emotions playing across his face, but she wasn't quite certain that he had any idea of it. The last was anger; its intensity was nearly palpable. It was as though she would only have to reach out with her hand to be able to feel it radiating from his aura. It was so strong; she was surprised that she couldn't see it lifting off of him in waves like the hot sun on pavement in the heat of the summer. Hermione was sure his anger was only directed at her, and that she was not the cause of it. What had happened tonight? She could only wonder silently to herself. She dared not ask him. Not yet.

Moving with slow deliberate movements, she started peeling away the layers of his clothing and dropping them to the floor. He was still shivering badly and was unable to assist her in their removal. She knew full well she could have used magic to divest him of the layers. However, she had learned from the man seated in front of her and the Mediwitch to use caution at all times. She had no idea what spells had been used on him, and she didn't want to cause him any further discomfort by casting a simple spell when she had two perfectly good hands. Maybe in some small part of her, it was her Muggle upbringing to not just jump right in and use magic. Hermione was also using her voice as a focal point for him in hopes that he wouldn't pass out on her until the potion had more time to take effect in his body.

Severus looked into the warm brown eyes of the girl next to him and then looked away. He heard her speaking softly to him. It actually soothed him, made him calmer. Taking a deep breath, he slowly let the tension in his body go. What have I done to deserve her kindness? he inquired of himself. Will I now be considered one of her 'boys?' Severus shuddered at the thought. How could she stand to be touching him after knowing where he had been? What if she found out his role in tonight's activities? His mind screamed the questions. His eyes started darting around the room, looking to escape her.

Hermione, sensing the change in him, took his face gently in her hands and forced him to look up at her. His eyes had a wide-open, wild look to them. "Severus?" she asked, hoping to reach the distraught man. "You are not running. Are you listening to me?" She smoothed her thumbs along his cheekbones, before moving her hand to the top of his forehead to gently push back his hair in a petting gesture. "Don't shut me out. Look into my eyes. Take what you need from them." She knew what she was offering him, but it was all she had. Her words seem to have the desired effect on him, as he seemed to have quieted under her touch.

Severus stared at Hermione. She was offering him a look in her mind. There was no hesitation in her actions at all. She amazed him, simply amazed him. Her eyes held calmness; they were worried but calm. Lowering his eyes, he shook his head, not trusting his voice at that moment. Legilimens was too intimate an act, like sex, not that he wouldn't use it if necessary, but he did not want to use it with her. He didn't know when it had become so important to him that she think well of him. Severus shook his head slightly. Oh how thee have fallen Severus, he chided himself. Yet oddly, he felt a little better with this young woman in front of him than he ever had with anyone before.

Hermione was finally able to get his cloak and shirt off, without really looking at his nakedness. Could she do the rest? Slowly Hermione ran her hands down his chest. She watched them as they made their way down the smooth expanse of his form.

Severus covered the unruly-haired girl's hands. He ran his long slender palms slowly up her arms. He felt her go still, waiting to see what he was planning to do next. His hands had slid up and reached her neck, where he paused for the briefest moment before cupping her face in his palms. His eyes traveled up her soaked body to seek out her own warm, soft, hazel colored ones. His right hand drifted to the back of her head and took a firm grip in her water soaked tresses. He pulled gently yet firmly to bring her closer to him. Severus was no longer thinking clearly, he needed this. Oh how he needed this, and he nearly hated himself for it. The anger he felt at himself for his weakness where she was concerned, flashed briefly in his eyes only to be replaced by deep need. As he brought her closer, he kept his grip firm. If she had shown the slightest hesitation towards him, he wouldn't have delayed in releasing her. His face was so close now; he could feel her breath gently caressing his face. He allowed his eyes to drift closed, before he pulled her the last little bit that would close the gap between them. Severus softly brushed his lips over Hermione's, asking her permission to kiss her. It was a hesitant brush, and he was afraid he would seem weak to her. He'd simply had enough of people using force on one another that he needed her acceptance.

Hermione had been watching her hands as she felt Severus' glide up her arms and eventually cup her face. In that moment, she looked up only to have her eyes met with his obsidian pair. Normally she could read nothing in them that he did not wish her to, but tonight she realized he was having trouble hiding anything from her. She felt his hand travel further into her hair, and she went still under his touch, fearing that he would pull away from her. The young woman saw anger flash in his eyes only for a moment. It made her heart rate increase slightly. Was he mad at her? She wondered silently to herself. Yet, he was still pulling her down to him. That's when she saw another flash of emotion in his eyes. Need. He needed this. He needed her. He may not like it, but he did fiercely. She knew he would hate that. Bringing them even closer together, she watched as his eyes closed, and he brushed his soft, cool lips against her own. She knew they were already shivering from being cold and damp, but the moment their lips touched, the shivers she felt were from his soft lips brushing against her own. Her shiver wasn't from the cold but from him. She knew that he was asking her permission, and she freely gave it. Running both hands up his chest and into his hair at the back of his neck and head, she pressed her lips more firmly against his, moving her mouth over his slightly to draw his bottom lip between hers.

Severus could take no more as Hermione drew his bottom lip between her own. He growled low in his throat and deepened the kiss. The heat between them intensified with the fire of their passion.

Hearing him growl seductively was Hermione's undoing. She melted into the man before her. It made her blood heat in her veins, and it brought a tightening in her abdomen. Her heart beat wildly for him. No one else made her feel this way. Ever. She knew at some point she would have to give this matter some thought, but for now, she concentrated on the moment she was in.

Feeling Hermione press her lips more firmly to his, gave him the answer he needed, and he deepened the kiss. Merlin! How he enjoyed kissing her. She tasted so damn sweet. He didn't know whether he should thank Albus for giving her the sugar-laden tea or curse him. He felt his heart rate quicken as the passion between them grew. He also felt a bit of his strength returning to him, thanks to the potion. He was kissing her more passionately. He drew in her bottom lip and began to nip at it before running his tongue over the bite to sooth it. It made the woman in his arms groan.

Hermione's knees grew weak as she sank to them. Thank the gods he was hanging on to her, or she might have simply fallen to the floor. She was being consumed by his passion, and she knew it. However, she didn't mind in the least. Hermione felt her body responding to his touch. All he is doing is kissing me, she thought to herself. Hermione let one hand remain tightly balled in his hair while the other drifted down Severus' shoulder to his chest where she could feel his heart pounding out a quick rhythm against her palm.

The Potions Master knew she was enraptured by his kisses and that alone gave him great satisfaction. But, what was unexpected was what she was doing to him. All she was doing was touching him. Her hand had moved to cover his beating heart, and the gentle pressure made him shiver. His mind started working again. Telling him things. Things he didn't really want to consider too closely, like she could be his undoing. The walls he had put up around himself were coming crashing down around him because of her. He should be worried, but he wasn't. He knew there would be retribution for his actions later, but at this moment, he wasn't sure he cared about that either. Severus gasped. Gods his apprentice was a fast learner.

He was plundering her mouth in a manner, which he enjoyed immensely, and she was mirroring him. Severus could feel things tightening in his abdomen, as his need for her touch, her voice, and her body grew. Drawing his mouth away from hers, Severus dipped his face down to her cheek, ascending along it to her jaw line then lower to her neck. He had felt her lower to her knees, but they never broke contact. Severus untangled his hands from her and glided them down her sides to the bottom of her sweater. Slowly he peeled it up her sides in order to remove it. He pulled back from kissing her to pull it over her head, tossing the soaked garment to the floor. He quickly grabbed the shirt she was wearing and ripped it from her jeans, throwing it to join its mate on the floor.

He was quickly losing what little control he had left. He was biting and licking her neck. He moved down into the little hollow that was made by her collarbone. Hermione moaned once more. Severus loved that sound coming from her. It had been far to long since he had heard it. Sitting back and looking down at the girl on her knees before him, he felt half crazed with the pace of things. He didn't feel like going slowly and carefully. He wanted to ravage her, but he didn't want to scare her either. He closed his eyes for a calming, shuddering breath.

Hermione opened her eyes, her breathing ragged and fast. Severus was driving her mad, and she loved it. She watched him pull back from her and the way he was holding himself concerned her. "Are you all right?" she asked. Severus opened his eyes, and she still saw the need in them.

He touched her face before using his silkiest voice to say, "Go. Leave now."

The young Gryffindor was confused, and she sat back on her feet. "What?" Did she hear him right? "Wh– why?"

His hands were shaking now with the effort not to touch her. "Because I can't, Hermione. I don't know…" Severus stood, grabbed the chair and threw it to splinter into the wall near the sink.

Hermione quickly covered her head from flying debris before jumping up. She watched Severus cover his face with his fists.

"Go, Hermione. Please," he pleaded, his voice ragged with emotion.

Hermione stood behind him for a moment or two staring at him. Why did he do this? Hot one minute and cold the next? Hermione wouldn't give up. She couldn't stand to see him like this. She knew that if she left now, all the progress made between them would be lost. He would lock her out worse than before, and she didn't want that. Hermione went to his back. She saw scars there. A bit of dirt and some leaves told her that it must have happened when he was writhing on the ground. He also had some small nicks and a few scrapes here and there, likely from rocks on the ground. Upon finishing her inspection of his back, she moved in closely and wrapped her arms around him.

"Gods, girl, do you not hear? Leave!" He was yelling now. He jerked her arms from around him and spun around to grab her upper arms. "You don't know…" He trailed off.

"You keep saying that," the brunette replied. "Explain it to me then so that I will know." Her eyes were held with a fierce burning light; she wasn't going to back down. Hermione took a step forward. He backed up. "What don't I understand, Severus?" she asked in a whisper. She was still moving forward, her face getting closer to his.

Severus was shaking more than before, his hands held her arms tightly with near bruising strength, but there were no marks, not yet. Severus' back hit the wall near the shower. He closed his eyes and rested the back of his head against the wall. "Hermione," he said through clenched teeth. "Please." He let go of her and balled his hands into fists on either side of his body.

He wasn't going to push her away again! She wouldn't allow that. She couldn't. Hermione decided to try a different approach. "Are you afraid of me?" she asked. Maybe if she kept the questions simple, she could get to him.

"No." The tall dark man never opened his eyes. His voice held the ache he felt.

Hermione was glad he at least answered her. "Are you afraid of yourself?" she asked softly.

"Yes," he hissed.

"Of hurting me?" she asked, voice even softer.

"Yes," he said, his voice coming out as though he were short of breath.

Hermione was surprised. He always exuded such confidence. But, it meant much to her that he would put her first before his own needs. Hermione touched his face softly and turned it so he could see her eyes. "Do you want me, Severus?" she asked, letting her own need of him into her tone.

Severus looked down into the liquid brown of her eyes and saw the heat for him trapped there. Unclenching a fist, he ran a slender finger down her cheek letting it rest on her jaw. "Yes," he answered. His voice was now low and raspy. He noticed the way she shivered when he used this tone.

"I trust you, Severus." She looked up into his eyes, finding the heat that matched her own.

Severus' eyes widened. "Why would you?" he questioned. "You can't possibly think I have earned that from you."

"Of course I do. I always have. I have watched you during the meetings," she blushed then and lowered her eyes. "I've even overheard some of your conversations with the headmaster, regarding things the Dark Lord wanted you to do to the three of us."

Severus was stunned. How much did she know about him? At this thought, his eyebrows came together.

"I know how much you suffered for us. To protect us. I never told anyone what I had overheard, not even the boys. I know you find them exasperating at times, but you don't want to see them dead." Hermione lifted her eyes and saw the pinched brows on his face. Maybe I've let my mouth run away with me again, she chastised herself. "And, there is one other thing I haven't mentioned. I care for you, Severus, a great deal."

Had he heard her correctly, he wondered to himself. She cared for him? His eyes widened once more. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Hermione ran her hand down his chest and started to undo his pants.

Severus grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss her palm. The tip of his tongue touched the center of her palm and trailed its way down to her wrist where he nipped her gently. Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Severus put his hands under the young witch's arms and lifted her easily. Hermione was caught off guard, and she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist as Severus claimed her mouth. Realizing what he'd done again, he tried to stop. Gods she had a power over him. "Hermione, please," he said as he lowered her to the floor. Hermione sighed, placing her forehead against his chest. Severus stood there unmoving.

"Have a bath, Severus. It will be easier on your body then a shower. Severus just nodded. Hermione looked at his face, and the man that had been there before was replaced by this other persona, his Death Eater persona. Why was he pushing her away now, she wondered. Hermione walked over to the tub and called out, "warm water." Then she walked to the door grabbing her shirt and sweater form the floor as she left. Hermione didn't close the door all the way, as was her new custom.

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A/N again: Much thanks to; Fiona McKinnon, snarkyroxy, Aurelia-162000, Only-eyes-for-Riddick, USAFroggi87, Mistress Vamp, Queenofwitches ;) , Beware the Noble Heart, xxXGoddessXofXdeadXloveXxx, snapesoulmate, Lucyferina, Rae, silentwriter32, Dragon-Malfoy, Aries1, Lover not a fighter, Lil'Annie, Water to Ice, the-sexy-flower, SeiyaKou, Crest01, vampire rouge, Otakuyoukai, Silver Wolf Of Cosmos, Nicci, Sugary Peach Tea,

June; lol oh my dear lol a little blood thirsty for poor Lucius aren't you :D Sorry my dear but I'm only the writer I have nothing to do with the direction the story goes. Lol these characters tend to go where ever they want to with no concern as to what I want them to do. shrugs eh what can you do though right. ;)

Magicalwonder; I can honestly say that I don't know lol. He's not talking to me. :D

shy-n-great; well thank your friend for me how nice that she told you about my little story, and of course I forgive. :D I'm like that. :D lol

slave4severus; well ok since you asked so nicely glad you like the kissy scene. :D

Miss Serena B; thanks so much for your review. :D :( well they were supposed to get frisky this time round but alas shrugs no one is listening to the author. :s?

mugglemomof3; Sorry doll life has been interrupting me in a nonstop steady stream for some time now. But I am trying. :D glad you're still with me. More to come promise.

CharmedLeoLvr; ahh my darling I'm afraid that I've slightly disappointed you once again. The next chapter ok? Honest I'm trying. Lol they just decided to take a different direction this time.

Cleo Starre; that was so sweet of you to say thank you so much. It really means a lot to me. :D

LeiaSeras; You are so sweet to say that. Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy this chapter also. ;)

deadlycriedtears; thanks :D more soon. I hope. :D ;)

Drusilla3; Thanks sweetie, always glad to corrupt another mind :D lol hahaha. I never thought of this as a viable couple either till I read a few by chance. Now I must say I'm hooked.

Tasha; well.., ahem, that was the plan. Lol

KnightMaria; Hangs head I hope your not to disappointed in this chapter as I swear it's not my fault honest they people wouldn't listen to me. lol I fully intended for there to be lemons in this chapter but well Hermione and Severus had other ideas. Sigh. Anyway lemons are on the way promise. :D

Charmed-Goddess-07; you and me both! Lol :D

Beth; Aww, sweetie I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through some hard times. I hope things turn around for you.

Amr; thank you so much for your kind words. :D (ps, yer check is in the mail ;) ) lol

norskie; Good heavens my dear, so many questions. Lol I love them of course. :D um let me see, Yes Lucius should have had his son brew the potion but I see him as very arrogant, so naturally he would never ask a mere boy for help. I do have a bit of twist at the end and I'm wondering if you'll be able to guess. Sadly I think he will continue to go to V. For as long as he is able. :( As for the animosity between Severus an Lucius well it was mostly that Severus is better at potions then Lucius is. And the fact that Lucius couldn't con Severus into doing his tests for him there for making him quit a project. Lucius hates to admit that he can't see something through. That was the first and last time as far as I know of , Lucius isn't talking and neither is Sevvy. :D

aries-chica56; Hi nice to meet you. :D Severus does seem insecure where this little witch is concerned doesn't he? You'd think he would have more confidence in himself but there you go. Whether it is a beautiful model or a Great Greasy Git, everyone can have insecurities. They just display themselves in different ways. Thanks for a lovely review and I hope to hear from you again. :D

krista Thank you again for that great email, it was really great of you. And because of you (and my lovely betas) I kicked it up into high gear this weekend and was able to complete this chapter. More to come. Thanks for the encouragement.