I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to get a new chapter posted, but life has been getting in the way.
Enjoy...
Chapter 9
~x~
Hermione moaned softly, turning over in her bed in an attempt to block out the sunlight streaming in through a gap in the curtains. Met with a living wall of flesh, a satisfied smile played on her lips as she draped an arm across Severus' firm, lean chest. Memories of the night before still burned brightly in her mind, unable to forget the sheer ecstasy of their union. His fullness had overwhelmed her, with each calculated stroke having sent her spiralling out of control.
Watching him now while he slept, Hermione's gaze traced its way along his high forehead, down his hooked nose, pausing to linger on his thin lips. Few would ever consider Severus Snape handsome, homely perhaps, but never handsome. She, on the other hand, was captivated by his dark, brooding features. Gently, she brushed strands of his black hair away from his face, then lightly ran her finger tips across the fresh stubble on his jaw.
"It's considered rude to interrupt someone's sleep," he rumbled, his eyes still closed.
"I'll leave you to sleep in peace, then?" she said, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Severus' arm was around her waist before she make good on her threat. "You will stay right where you are, witch."
She giggled as he rolled her onto her back, pinning her arms on either side of the pillow. His hair hung loose about his face as he stared down at her, loving that warm smile she reserved only for him. Letting go of her wrist, he cupped her chin, then lowered his mouth to hers. His kiss was slow and searching, relishing the taste of her full, moist lips. His muscles twitched as she pressed a cool palm against his bare chest, only heightening his growing desire for her.
Breaking their kiss, he dragged his lips unhurriedly down the creamy skin of her throat. Her soft moans only encouraged his mouth lower, and she raked her fingers through his dark mane as her body responded to his. Severus loved her slowly and tenderly, drawing pleasure from her cries of passion. He then held her trembling body, breathing in her heady scent, all the while memorising the feel of her body next to his.
Although it was a Saturday morning, Severus knew they couldn't remain like this all day. The dunderheads needed to be escorted to Hogsmeade, plus, there was some unfinished business to be taken care of. Minerva would hear of what happened yesterday from Hermione's lips, not Froggate's. Severus had observed him closely over the past months and was convinced that Ambrose Froggate was not as idiotic as he had led everyone to believe. On the contrary, Severus believed him to be dangerously manipulative.
"Severus," Hermione said, drawing him from his thoughts.
He lowered his gaze to where her head rested on his shoulder. "Hmmm?"
She bit her lip nervously, as she said, "D-Do you ever still think about her…about Lily?"
She felt him shift uncomfortably beside her, and felt almost guilty for asking him such a question. However, Lily Potter's relationship with Severus had played on her mind for months. Even though she'd been dead for thirty years, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what hold the red-haired beauty still had over him.
Severus was silent for a long moment, then sighing heavily he said, "I'd rather not talk about this, Hermione."
"You still love her, don't you?" she said, her voice wavering a little.
Hermione's fears seemed to come to fruition as he pulled away from her. He sat up, swung his long legs over the side of the bed, then said with his back to her, "Not in the way you think."
"Then how doyou love her?"
"You wouldn't understand."
Hermione wasn't oblivious to the fact that he found it difficult being so open with his thoughts. After all, he'd spent the better part of his life living a lie. Hesitantly, she moved to sit beside him, took his hand in hers, then said softly, "Severus, we've been through this before, but how can we have any kind of relationship if you won't talk to me?"
Severus closed his eyes, not wanting to remember those harsh, lonely days, when Lily had been his only friend. How could he explain to Hermione that those feelings he'd clung onto all those years were nothing but an illusion? What he thought was love paled in comparison with what he had now, with her.
Meeting her gaze, his chest tightened at the hurt and confusion in her brown eyes. Even so, he was once more he was struck by how completely different she was to Lily. He still remembered the day Lily had walked away from him, leaving him utterly alone. Perhaps it was his own fault for dabbling in the Dark Arts, but he'd called Hermione worse, far worse, and still she'd forgiven him. And even when it seems the wizarding world had turned against him, Hermione had chosen to remain by his side.
Years of only trusting and confiding in himself loomed over him like a black cloud. But he knew she was right, he needed to learn to trust her.
Swallowing hard, he finally said, "Lily was my only friend as a boy, and even when she'd turned her back on me, I held onto the memories of what we'd had."
Hermione stared down at her hand held firmly in his. "Do you still hold onto them?"
He shook his head. "Not any longer."
"What made you let go?" she said, meeting his gaze.
His dark eyes seemed to penetrate into her soul as he said, "You, Hermione."
"Me?"
"I let myself believe that if it hadn't been for Potter, Lily would have been mine." A lump formed in Severus' throat as he bared his soul to her. He'd never felt so exposed, so vulnerable. "But Lily never understood me…never really accepted me for what I am. I realise that now."
"She didn't deserve you, Severus," Hermione said quietly, her heart aching for him.
"It doesn't matter anymore, because I-I…" The words caught in his throat. "I'm in love with you, Hermione"
Reaching out, she tenderly caressed his cheek. "You're the world to me, Severus," she said, gazing longingly into his eyes. "You mean everything to me."
~x~
Later that same morning, after they'd finally dragged themselves from bed, Severus and Hermione made their way towards Minerva's office. However, Severus' eyes narrowed as he and Hermione entered the Headmistress' office. They were too late. Crossed legged and with a cup of tea in his hand, Froggate had all the appearance of an innocent victim.
Severus felt Hermione shudder beside him, so placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back. Despite what lies Froggate may have spun, Severus would not allow the slick wizard to lay one hand on her.
"Ah, Severus, Hermione. I was just about to send for you," Minerva said, rising from her chair. "Ambrose has just informed me of an incident yesterday, involving both you and Hermione."
"I'm sure he has," Severus muttered under his breath, too low for either Minerva or Froggate to hear.
"Ambrose claims that after jumping to the wrong conclusions over his conversation with Hermione, you cast a disarming spell on him," Minerva continued, her exasperation over the whole matter obvious.
Severus summoned all of his self-control to keep himself from reaching for his wand. The smug smirk on Froggate's face only infuriated Severus more, yet he managed maintained his calm exterior.
"Did the Professor mention, Minerva, that he forced unwanted attentions on Hermione?" he said, glowering at Froggate.
Minerva turned her face to Froggate. "Ambrose, is this true?"
Froggate set his tea cup down onto a small table beside his chair. He then rose to his feet, with all the airs and graces of a pureblood. The arrogance emanating from him was almost tangible, regarding Severus as if he was something he'd scraped from the sole of his shoe.
"If you must know the truth, Minerva, Professor Granger made advances towards me," Froggate said smoothly.
"What?" Hermione said in complete disbelief.
"Why didn't you tell me this before, Ambrose?" Minerva asked sceptically. The aging witch had known Hermione a long time, and such behaviour was certainly out of character for her.
Froggate's self-confidence faltered, as he shifted his weight awkwardly from one leg to the other. The barest hint of a wry smile played on Severus' lips – the spider had become caught in its own web.
"I-I did not think it important…" Froggate began, only to be cut off.
"Not important?" Minerva exclaimed, the authority in her voice unmistakable. "On the contrary, Ambrose, the detriment of character is a very serious matter."
Froggate shrank back under Minerva's steely glare as she continued, "As a member of staff in this school, you are expected to set an example for the students, both inside and outside of the classroom. If you are unable to do this, Ambrose, then I will have no other choice but to report you to the Board of Governors. Do I make myself clear?"
Froggate clenched his jaw, then said, "Perfectly, Minerva."
His nails bit into his palms as he turned on his heels, casting a look of utter contempt at Snape. Humiliated, he stalked from Minerva's office. His brow knitted into a scowl as he strode along the hallway, muttering under his breath.
Snape….
Ambrose was beginning to loathe the very sight of him. His carefully laid plans had been moving along perfectly until that greasy git showed up. Ron Weasley was right about Snape. That great, black bat must have cast some kind of charm on Hermione. How else could he have won her over?
~x~
After listening to Minerva apologise to them for the hundredth time, Severus and Hermione finally managed to escape from her office. Once in the hallway, he pulled her into the shadows of an alcove.
"Are you all right?" he asked, searching her face as if to be sure.
Hermione placed a reassuring hand on his chest. "I'm fine, Severus. Really."
"If he comes anywhere near you again, I swear I'll…"
"Severus, he won't. He could lose his job here if he tries anything again."
Severus wasn't so convinced, but kept that thought to himself. "Even so, I want you to stay well away form him, Hermione."
"You don't need to ask me twice," she said, somewhat exasperated.
Soon after they arrived in Hogsmeade, the students scattered in a dozen different directions, eager to spend their galleons. Severus and Hermione instinctively headed towards the Three Broomsticks, both in need of a drink.
A cold, sharp wind blew along the snow covered streets. Hermione shivered as she drew her cloak tighter about her, quickening her pace to reach the warmth of the pub up ahead. Several punters were waiting at the bar as they entered, while others were seated, talking quietly amongst themselves.
Hermione instantly spotted an empty table near the roaring fire, and was soon warming her hands over the orange flames. A few moments later, Madam Rosmerta came over to take their order. She smiled warmly at them – at least she didn't seem to disapprove of their relationship.
"Good afternoon, Professors," she said cheerfully. "What can I get you both?"
"Firewhiskey," Severus said, sensing the curious stares of other customers.
"And for you, Professor Granger?"
Hermione returned Madam Rosmerta's smile. "I'll have a butter beer, thank you."
As Madam Rosmerta disappeared behind the bar to fetch their order, Hermione reached across the table, covering Severus' hands with hers. She still remembered the surprise on his face the first time she'd taken his hand in public. It was almost as if he'd assumed she would want to hide their relationship from the world.
"Only another week before half-term," she sighed in anticipation. "Then two weeks of student free bliss."
"What are your plans?" Severus asked. He couldn't remember a time when he'd been able to enjoy the holidays.
"I am going to stay with my parents for two days….and, well…" her voice trailed off.
"Well, what?" Severus asked, somewhat impatiently.
"My parents want to meet you."
"What?" Severus said, bewildered.
"They are curious about you…Don't look so alarmed, darling. They're going to like you."
"How can you be so sure?"
"My dad said it was about time I dated a man who had more than two brain cells," Hermione laughed.
Severus lowered his voice, then said, "Aren't they concerned about the age gap?"
"Eight years is hardly what I would call an age gap."
"Surely…you've told them truth, haven't you?"
"They're my parents, Severus, I can't lie to them." Hermione saw apprehension flicker in his dark eyes, so she squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You needn't worry, they've promised never to tell another soul."
Severus sighed, then said, "We're only going to be staying for two days, right?"
Hermione smiled warmly at him. "Yes, two days, and then I'm all yours, darling."
A waiter approached the table a moment later, setting their drinks down in front of them. As she sipped on her butter beer, Hermione glanced around the pub. It was relatively empty for a Saturday afternoon, but then, not many would dare venture out on such a bitter day as this.
Suddenly, she froze as she heard the lowered voices of two gossiping women at the table behind her.
"She's dating Snape?"
"Yes."
"Is she mad?"
"Merlin only knows."
Hermione's eyes narrowed, with her lips growing taut as they continued to criticize her relationship with Severus. Seeming to have noticed her angered expression, Severus stared at her oddly.
"Hermione, what's wrong?"
At that moment, one of the harpies laughed, then said loudly, "She turned down Ron Weasley at the ball, for that greasy git?
Having had enough, Hermione's chair thudded across the floor as she pushed it back. Rising to her feet, she turned around abruptly, the two women immediately falling silent. Were they so brainless that they didn't realise that she could hear their every word?
"Please, do continue, I'm just dying to know what you have to say next," Hermione said, her voice dripping with disdain.
The two women all but shrieked as it finally dawned on them that Hermione had heard them.
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh come on ladies, don't keep me and the good Professor waiting all day."
"I…We…."
"Should keep your prying, unfounded comments to yourself," Hermione said in a patronising tone.
Aware that her outburst had drawn unwanted attention, Hermione didn't spare the two shrews a glance as she reached for her cloak. Too furious to even speak, she simply motioned to Severus that they were leaving.
Stepping out into the cold air, Hermione let out a frustrated groan. She'd learnt to deal with the slurs and slanders against her blood status, but she couldn't bear to hear such mockery of Severus. He'd given the best years of his life to ensure Voldemort's downfall. However, it seemed that there would always be those who would refuse to acknowledge his sacrifice.
"Hermione, are you all right?" Severus said.
"No, I'm not all right. Didn't you hear what they said in there?"
Severus clenched his jaw as uncertainty clawed its way into his mind. "Does it matter what they said?"
"Yes, it does. I'm sick and tired of being told how insane I am for being with you, or that you have me under some kind of spell. I love you, Severus, and I won't stand back while prats like that ridicule what we have together."
Somewhat taken aback, Severus stared at her in silence. Finally finding his voice again, he said, "Thank you, Hermione."
"It was the least they deserved," she replied, still trembling with rage.
Severus slipped an arm about her waist, pulling her tight against him. "No one has ever defended me so…so passionately before."
"I'll do it again if I have to," she said, resting her head on his chest.
Severus gave a short laugh. "I don't doubt it."
~x~