NB: I did not create any of the characters that you will read about here, etc…
Many thanks to my lovely beta Misaono! Without her you would truly see how terrible my grammar could be at 2 o'clock in the morning… Thanks so much for all of your reviews, over 100 now! Anyhow, I'm sorry it took so long to post this next chapter. I meant to post it two weeks ago, but then my computer malfunctioned and I couldn't get online, and then I went on vacation for a week, and so on and so forth. In any case, here is the ninth chapter to my meager story.
The Hourglass
By Olivia
Chapter Nine: A Trip to Hogsmeade
The following morning Hermione woke up to a chorus of chirping birds, and rays of sunlight streaming through her windows. She smiled to herself and stretched in an attempt to wake herself up. She tried to recall the reason as to why she felt so cheerful that morning, as if she had a grand day ahead of her. She suddenly remembered all of the events of last night with a sudden PANG and blushed an intense red. She brought her hand up to her lips and gasped.
"I kissed one of my future professors last night…" Hermione whispered to herself.
She leaned back against the headboard of her bed, going over everything in her mind. She couldn't sort out her feelings straight away; she didn't know whether to be delighted or extremely upset and nervous. He was her professor! Though the chances of his becoming her professor again were slim to none, it was the principle of the thing in her mind.
"I just did to Snape what I said I couldn't do to Remus…" she thought grimly to herself.
She pulled the covers off of her and placed her feet on her elegant tapis. She sighed out loud and headed towards the girls' washroom to get ready for her day.
~***~
Hermione didn't see Severus that morning at breakfast. She couldn't help but feel a little down that she hadn't seen him; hadn't seen what reaction he might have towards her this morning.
Charms and Herbology went by rather quickly, and all too soon Hermione found herself back again in the Great Hall for lunch, to find yet again no Severus Snape at the Slytherin table.
"Are you alright Hermione?" inquired a worried Lily, "You've seemed sort of down since breakfast,"
"I'm fine Lily, really," Hermione feigned a smile towards her friend. She honestly didn't know why his absence would be affecting her so much. This was Snape! Her Potions teacher; the cruel, the unforgiving, the strict, the hater of Gryffindors, the list went on.
How could she have kissed him last night? And actually enjoy it?
She mentally slapped herself. "Wake up Granger!" she shouted at her perplexed mind that had decided to take a liking to Snape.
Before she even realized it, it was time for Potions. Potions! Of all classes. And with the Slytherins nonetheless.
Hermione slowly made her way to the dungeons, not wanting to get there too early.
~***~
Hermione walked into the Potions classroom, glancing nervously about the room. Severus was not there. She quietly walked over to her workstation and started getting out the ingredients needed for today's potion. Half an hour later, and there was still no sign of Severus. Hermione anxiously stirred her potion, starting to worry slightly as to why he hadn't shown up to his class today. The rest of the period dragged on slowly, much to Hermione's discontent, as she was quite anxious to inquire as to the reason for her lab partner's disappearance.
When the period came to an end, Hermione walked out of the room by herself and down the dark corridors that led to the stairs. She turned when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder.
"Hullo Lily," Hermione squeaked out.
"Hermione, you should be more cheerful! We are going to Hogsmeade tomorrow afterall…"
"Hogsmeade!" exclaimed Hermione. "I nearly forgot!" Suddenly remembering that she was supposed to not know about Hogsmeade and all of its delights, she immediately asked, "What's it like there?"
Lily beamed, "Oh it's grand there. There are all sorts of sweet shops, and a pub where we can get a delicious drink called Butterbeer, have you ever had Butterbeer?" Hermione shook her head; she wouldn't have been able to get it at Beauxbatons. "Ooh!" Lily squealed in delight, "You simply must try some tomorrow! It's delicious! We can all go to the Three Broomsticks and get a large tankard!"
Hermione smiled in response, "That sounds great Lily, I look forward to it."
"Good, now let's get upstairs – these dungeons are terribly cold."
And with that the two girls made their way up the stairs towards warmth and light.
~***~
Saturday morning was filled with sunlight, much to the happiness of all the students who planned to go to Hogsmeade that day. Hermione, Lily, Remus, Sirius, James, and Peter were already gathered together in the entrance hall, all set to leave. The trip there was accompanied by giggles from dozens of happy children about to enter the wonder that was Hogsmeade. Sure, it was a small town by wizarding standards, but after having been cooped up in a large castle for about two months the children were all eager to leave.
Soon enough Hermione set her eyes on Hogsmeade, (and not for the first time as all of her friends believed). They all were trying to take Hermione in every which way. Sirius and James wanted to take her to Zonko's Joke Shop; Lily wanted to take her to Gladrags Wizardwear, and Remus wanted to show her Honeydukes Sweetshop. They all agreed however that they would meet up in The Three Broomsticks for a few rounds of Butterbeer at about 2 o'clock, and until then each of them would drag Hermione along for on escapades of their own.
The first trip on Hermione's list was Gladrags with Lily. Hermione was entranced by the clothes they had there, but refused to spend her money on clothes. Lily, on the other hand, bought quite a bit there: a couple skirts that had just arrived from Paris, and some very interesting socks.
Hermione left Lily to her continuous perusing in the clothing store and went to go see what Remus was up to at Honeydukes. She had, afterall, never been one to spend hours shopping for clothes. She was more of a "get-what-you-need-and-go" sort of girl. Hermione thought she might as well buy a few morsels here and there at the Sweet Shop, you never know, afterall, when you might acquire a sweet tooth – especially while studying. After two thorough searches through Honeydukes, Remus and Hermione left the shop some time late; Remus with pockets bulging with all sorts of sweets, while Hermione had only a small bag. Hermione bid adieu to Remus and strolled over to Zonko's to catch up with James and Sirius.
Zonko's hadn't changed much over the years; they had carried Dungbombs, Nose-Biting Teacups, and all of the usual pranks and gags Hermione was used to seeing when visiting this store twenty years later with Ron Weasley. Hermione didn't have too much of a liking for practical jokes, and so just watched James and Sirius as they searched excitedly around the store for the newest items to take back to their school to test on unlucky subjects.
"James! Look at this! Frog Spawn Soap! Do you suppose this is what Snape uses to look so deliciously fresh in the morning?"
Sirius and James started sniggering at his distasteful comment. Hermione scowled at him.
"Sirius, that was quite unbecoming of you if you want my opinion on the matter," said Hermione, her nose high in the air as if she were the ultimate authority on the insulting of others.
"Aww, Hermione, no need to be a sourpuss," said Sirius playfully, "We're only joking. And besides, when did you start caring about Snape, anyway?"
Hermione felt herself blush, as her cheeks grew gradually hotter. Really, why did their insults towards Snape bother her so much? He was supposed to be unfriendly and cold, and she was not supposed to (of all feelings) like him.
"Just because I defended someone doesn't mean I necessarily care for them Sirius," she replied coldly as she glowered at the tall brown-haired boy.
"Easy there."
Sirius looked nervously at James. Hermione's glares were quite icy; they looked as if she could kill someone just by staring at them.
James finally spoke up, trying to mollify Hermione and calm the emotions that had risen into the air so quickly.
"It's nearly two o'clock, so why don't you two have your little argument concerning delightful Snape over a mug of Butterbeer."
James politely opened the door of Zonko's and let Hermione precede him out the door; they were followed shortly by Sirius.
After the three Gryffindors had trooped their way along High Street in the blistering cold, they finally reached the welcoming warmth of The Three Broomsticks. When they arrived they found that Lily, Peter, and Remus had already seated themselves in a corner of the pub. Lily waved them over, beaming prettily. Hermione sat across from Lily, and much to her dislike, next to Peter. She cringed when she felt him sitting next to her. She felt like screaming at the top of her lungs and telling James and Lily right then and there that this "friend" of theirs would not only betray Sirius and have him spend nearly fourteen years in Azkaban, but would let Voldemort kill this lovely couple and leave their only son an orphan to spend the first eleven years of his life with Lily's sister. She endured it though, however much it pained her to do so; because she would not try to alter the future in any way. She didn't even want to think about what would happen if the Potters had lived. Of course all would be well and happy for Harry, but Voldemort wouldn't have lost his power…and who knows how many more people he would have killed. No, she would not tell James and Lily about their inevitable death. Her troubled thoughts ceased as she saw a mug of foaming liquid pushed in front of her.
"This is Butterbeer," said Lily smiling.
"Thanks Lily. I hope it's as good as you've been telling me."
Hermione brought the mug of the steamy hot liquid up to her lips and took a delicate sip. She felt herself melt into the bench as the liquid warmed every inch of her body, letting her feel completely relaxed and absolutely delicious. She licked her lips clear of the delicious drink and set down her empty mug.
"That was scrumptious, Lily."
"Of course it was!" said James, "Would you expect otherwise?"
Hermione smiled. This was nice. It really was. She felt completely content.
~***~
After the little get together at The Three Broomsticks, Hermione decided to go to Dervish & Banges to peruse the various wizarding equipment that was available. Now that she was quite alone she felt safer dwelling on her thoughts, more than she would have with say, Sirius. She couldn't help but wonder if perhaps Severus had come to Hogsmeade, that maybe he was in the hospital wing the other day, and felt much better today. But she realized that she most likely would have seen him by now, if he were indeed in Hogsmeade. She had come across Malfoy a couple of times; but the boy that had kissed her last night did not, unfortunately, accompany him. Had it only been last night? It felt like ages ago! With this thought fresh in her mind she started looking at all of the interesting Potions ingredients the store had to offer. Severus would like this…
Hermione gasped slightly when she felt someone's hand on the small of her back, a lone thumb gently tweaking it. The caress was soon followed by a slow blowing of hot air on her neck, exciting her as it moved the little hairs that ran up and down her long elegant neck. She suppressed her moan successfully and turned around to see who the person was that had caressed her. She only saw empty air in front of her and knotted her brow in confusion. Then she felt hot breath on her left ear. An invisible person had been exciting her…
"Good afternoon, Hermione," said a very familiar silky voice. "I trust you had your share of fun with Potter and," this word was spoken quite icily, "Black."
It was Severus. Of that Hermione was certain.
"Where are you?" Hermione whispered, not wanting to look as if she were talking to herself.
"Where do you think I am, Hermione?" the voice came beside her right ear this time.
Hermione tried to grab some portion of him, but caught only air between her delicate fingers.
"Ah, ah, ah, don't spoil it now," said Severus, "We've only just started our fun." Hermione could hear the smile on his face through his words.
"Severus…please," no matter how much she tried to deny it to herself, she longed to see his face – his face, the face of the boy of whom she was growing fonder of day by day.
"Please, what?" A mimicking voice responded sensually into her right ear again. This time she felt a hand on the back of her neck, softly stroking her skin.
"I want to see you, Severus."
"That can easily be arranged."
Hermione smiled, expecting to see the invisibility cloak come off and Severus' head floating somewhere in the air. Surprisingly she did not. Instead, she found that the invisibility cloak came up to cover her as well, and she came face to face with Severus Snape.
"Hello Hermione," he growled, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her body towards his own.
Hermione felt her knees weaken, and she was most grateful that he was holding her so tightly; for if he hadn't been she was sure she would melt right into the floor. He was here. He was real, and in front of her.
"Hello, Severus," she replied weakly, staring up into his dark eyes. A smile slowly spread on her face and she leaned her head against his chest, dwelling in the warm embrace they shared.
Hermione felt too nervous to move. She was afraid that if she made any movement he might take it the wrong way and either dismiss her, or kiss her savagely, which she wouldn't mind at all. They stayed there for quite sometime; Hermione inhaled his scent, fresh soap mixed with acres of woods, while he noted her scent of sweet vanilla. He most definitely did note use Frog Spawn Soap, far from it. Hermione smiled to herself and then dared to move away from their embrace and look up at his face, searching his eyes.
Severus did exactly what she had predicted he would. He took the opportunity of her head being raised to take her lips possessively in a passionate kiss – much more passionate than their previous one, which seemed a mere peck on the check in comparison. Their tongues dueled and their mouths collided for quite some time before they both stopped and just stared at each other, neither smiling, nor speaking – just watching and observing each other's reactions.
"It's late Severus, we have to get back to Hogwarts."
"That's always your excuse, isn't it?"
Hermione blushed slightly at his comment.
"Would you prefer to stay here at Dervish & Banges and have the Professors give us ten detentions apiece?"
Severus grinned and pulled her tighter against him. She reddened even more when she felt something stiff pressing against her thigh.
"If it meant you would be with me and not with Potter and Black, then yes, I would prefer to stay here."
Hermione felt herself start to weaken again at his words. He wanted her. Hermione looked up at him with searching eyes.
"Severus, I think we should leave."
"Do you want to leave?"
She gave him a rather seductive look and responded, "Do you honestly think I would want to leave you Severus?"
"You're intoxicating, Hermione," he said in a low voice and captured her lips once more.
"So are you," she managed to say when they finally broke away from each other.
Those were the last words that were spoken between the two before heading off to join the returning Hogwarts students. Hermione was visibly beaming, and Severus was still hidden under his invisibility cloak as they made their journey back to the castle.