A/N: Happy Haunachristifestwanza to everyone! Hope not everyone is living in the same ice-rink I am.

This chapter gets a little smutty towards the end, fair warning given. I'm trying to keep it tasteful.

The quote in this chapter is from "The Nightmare Before Christmas". Not "Disney-Disney" as has been pointed out to me, but Disney has their mouse-hands in it, so I consider it fair game.

Hermione was right. She walked into the Great Hall on Monday morning to have several students staring at her. Their gazes and whispers made her feel uncomfortable, and she walked faster than usual to her spot at the head table. Wordlessly McGonagall pushed a copy of the Daily Prophet, open to Rita Skeeter's article, towards her. Sighing, Hermione picked up the paper.

A picture of her and Snape graced the top of the article. Hermione was proud of the fact that they each seemed to be resisting showing any affections towards each other, and both looked thoroughly annoyed at the camera's intrusion.

"Hero Dating Death Eater!" the headline screamed. Rita's picture was flashing a dazzling, fake smile underneath, and Hermione held back a desire to retch at the sight.

"Rita Skeeter, darling of the Daily Prophet, was covering the engagement party of George Weasley and Katie Bell when I witnessed a much more interesting pairing. Hermione Granger, 27, Charms Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, shared what was, in this reporter's view, a rather sensual dance with one Severus Snape, 47, Professor of Potions and former Headmaster at Hogwarts. Sensing something was up following their sudden departure of the party after the dance, I followed the couple and came across them hiding behind the house, sharing an intimate moment.

"Readers will remember that Severus Snape was once identified as a former Death Eater by none other than Albus Dumbledore, who later defended Snape as a spy for the Order of the Pheonix. We have no proof of this other than Dumbledore's words, and many in the wizarding community feel that once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater.

"Which makes Hermione's choice all the more intriguing. When I asked if, perhaps, their relationship began as teacher and student and continued through the years each denied it, though with distinct looks of guilt upon their faces. No doubt Professor Minerva McGonagall, current Headmistress at Hogwarts, will want to conduct a full investigation into the matter to make sure no more innocent students fall prey to their Potions Master.

"The whole suspicious nature of the relationship begs the question of why Hermione Granger, the brightest of the Golden Trio and quite a young beauty, would fall for the malignant Severus Snape? Snape's abilities with potions are known practically world wide, perhaps he has invented, in secret, a lasting love potion? In this reporter's opinion, Hermione needs to realize what an eligible young witch she is, and find herself a worthy wizard."

The article continued to talk about the engagement party. Hermione balled up the paper and threw it on the floor.

"That complete wench!" she growled.

"An accurate statement, and I thank you for keeping your language in check," McGonagall said, shooting a look at a couple of staring Ravenclaw girls who immediately turned back to their plates.

"You know that he and I weren't doing anything when I was a student, right?"

"Of course. No 'investigation' needed. Where is Severus this morning?"

"If he's seen that garbage, he's probably hiding in his chambers," Hermione sighed. She wanted more than anything to talk to Snape at the moment, but knew that she shouldn't disturb him if he wanted to be left alone.

The post owls started arriving. Five fluttered towards Hermione and landed on the table in front of her. Sighing she pulled the roll of parchment off the first owl's leg.

"I don't believe this!" she hissed. "'Dear Miss Granger,'" she read. "'I know that Severus Snape has you under his spell, but you should know that you are better than that. He's ancient. He's ugly. I don't know which is worse, but you could find yourself a young, handsome wizard. If you're interested, my son's name is...' What a load of bollocks!" she threw the letter down on top of the Prophet. "Take those letters back!" she hissed at the owls, and as if they knew it wasn't the time to push her buttons the other four owls took flight with their letters still attached.

"Why don't you and Severus take the morning off? I'll announce your classes are cancelled," McGonagall said warmly.

Hermione looked at her in surprise. "Do you know what the students will be saying when you tell them we've decided to take the morning off?"

"Nothing they aren't already saying."

Losing her appetite and needing to feel reassurance that none other than her love could provide, Hermione stormed from the Great Hall. She started towards the dungeons when she came across a trio of Slytherin boys. They smirked as she approached, and one made kissing noises as she swept past.

"Who was that?" she growled, spinning to face the now terrified looking boys. Two of the boys pointed to their friend. Hermione advanced, looking dangerous. "What in the world do you think is so funny, Adams?" she hissed.

"N-n-nothing, Professor," the boy stammered, retreating as far as he could against the wall.

"Obviously it had to be something,."

"I-I-I-I..." he couldn't find words.

"Fifty points from Slytherin," she snapped. "And detention. Be in my classroom at 8 o'clock Saturday morning."

She turned to resume her trek to the dungeon when she heard Adams mutter "They're certainly bloody well made for each other." She smirked to herself and decided to pretend to have not overheard the remark. Feeling slightly more uplifted she continued through the castle.

She tried opening Snape's door, but wasn't surprised to find it locked. She reached up and knocked on it. "Severus?" she called. She waited a few moments before pounding on the door again. "Severus! I know you're in there!" she called louder. She pressed her ear to the door and heard someone moving around behind it. When it was obvious Snape wasn't going to open for her she took a step back and pointed her wand at the wood in front of her. "Open it up, Severus, or I'm going to blast through it."

The door cracked open. Hermione entered the dark room and shut the door behind her. Snape was sitting at his desk, scribbling furiously on some essays by the light of a single candle.

"If you are in possession of that piece of garbage leave it outside my door," he murmured, scribbling a large T on the top of an essay.

"I don't have a copy," Hermione replied, closing the door, crossing the room, and sitting in the chair opposite Snape. "Get many owls?"

"Six before I locked my window."

"Judging from your mood I'm sure you've read some of them."

"I have papers to finish grading before class."

"Minerva cancelled my classes and your classes this morning. That's why I'm down here. To spend time with you."

"How dare she! She has no right to cancel my classes without my permission!"

"She just thought we could use the morning off."

"I have no desire to take the morning off."

"I knew you'd want to be left alone. Perhaps it would be better if I left."

"Perhaps it would be."

"What is with you this morning, Severus? I didn't think that stupid article would get to you that badly."

"I merely didn't spend enough time grading these papers, and now I'm behind."

Hermione looked over at the papers he was busy scribbling on. "Didn't like the grades you gave them yesterday morning?" she asked coldly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Those are the papers I helped you grade yesterday," she said quietly.

He hung his head, caught in the lie.

"What's going on, Severus?" Hermione asked, her voice cracking.

"Perhaps they're right. Perhaps you'd be better off with a more distinguished wizard."

"I will not debate you on how distinguished you are, because the more important point is that I don't want a different wizard, another man, I want you. I love you."

"This was a dream, Hermione."

"Don't you dare, Severus," she whispered. "Don't you dare break up with me because of what that bitch said."

"It's not just her!"

"So what? Who gives a shit what they all think? Does it really matter?"

He stared angrily at his desk.

"This isn't like you, Severus. Since when do you care about what everyone is thinking of you?"

"I'm not worried about people speaking ill of me. I'm used to it. It comes with the..." he nodded towards the Dark Mark still emblazoned on his arm. "I'm worried about your reputation being dragged through the mud."

"For as much of my school years as you remember, you're really being thick. If I cared about my reputation I kept pretty bad company. Harry was the scapegoat of Hogwarts several times in there. Everyone hated him in our second year when they thought he was the Heir of Slytherin, they hated him again in our fourth year when they thought he cheated his way into the Triwizard Tournament, and they really hated him in our fifth year when they thought he was lying about Voldemort. Did I give up on my friendship with him because he wasn't the most popular person at the time? No. He's my friend, and I love him more than how much I care about what's being said about me. You're my lover, and I care more about our relationship than I do what Rita Skeeter and her witless readers think about us."

"I don't want you to stay with me to prove her wrong."

"The only one talking about splitting up was you," she snapped.

He stayed quiet for a moment, staring into her eyes. "Has anyone ever told you that you are insufferable in your persistence sometimes?" he smirked.

"And has anyone told you that you're an evil git sometimes?" she replied, hands on her hips.

"Everyday, but why bring it up?"

She plucked the paper he had scrawled the T on and held it up. "I gave this one an A yesterday. A T, Severus?"

"You forgive too much, my dear, in your grading."

"I thought it was a well-written essay other than a few minor spelling and grammatical errors."

"Minor?" he sneered, snatching the paper from her. "The whole thing is about the 'Draught of the Living Daft'!"

Hermione smiled. "Perhaps I was in too good a mood to be grading papers yesterday morning. You did put me in a very good mood."

He rounded his desk and enveloped her in his arms. "I was in a good mood, too, love," he purred into her hair. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to be giving passing grades to students who can't even get the name of the potion right." He began to kiss her neck tenderly, and her head fell back in pleasure. "We have the morning off, you say?"

"Minerva pretty much insisted on it."

"Then I shall make sure we don't run into the afternoon," her growled, lifting her onto his desk. The kisses on her neck became more hungry, more insistent. His hands ripped her teacher robes off her, and he discarded them by throwing them as far as he could across the room. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him to her, feeling his erection pressing against her leg. His hands were running up and down her body, taking in every inch, and his mouth explored the area just above her bra.

She pressed her chest up to him, begging him nonverbally to remove the bra from her and explore her as he had several times before, but he was teasing her this time. His kisses trailed over the bra and resumed on her stomach. He took his time, making sure to kiss every inch he could reach before reaching the area covered by her panties. He brushed his lips over her mound, but proceeded to kiss down her legs.

"You torture me, Severus," she moaned.

"If that is torture, I hope it's the most divine punishment you've ever felt," he purred, kneeling in front of her.

"I'd be more than happy to feel it everyday."

Feeling as if she had waited long enough he reached up and slipped her panties from her. His tongue snaked from his lips and flicked across her, causing her to moan and lean back on the desk. He moved slowly at first, each move deliberate, each eliciting a moan or contented sigh from his lover. As she became more and more excited, he moved his tongue faster, exploring her whole region. Several times her body started to tremble and her breathing started to quicken, and each of these times he abandoned his task long enough to kiss the inside of her thighs.

When he felt he had teased her enough he brought her to a somewhat noisy finish. She grabbed his robes and pulled him up to kiss her. Their tongues battled in her mouth as she pulled his robes off him, and without breaking their embrace he pushed himself slowly into her. She tried to throw her head back, but he refused to break the kiss, and she had to be content moaning into his mouth.

As much as he wanted to push himself roughly into her, he kept his pace slow. He and Hermione broke their embrace so she could look into his eyes. Hers were soft with love and pleasure. She shifted her weight to one arm, and ran her fingers through his hair. Her fingers tightened as he began penetrating her deeper. She moved her hips in time with his, encouraging him, his eyes closing at the sensation. Unable to control it, he started to move faster, his hands resting on her shoulders, his fingers digging into her flesh.

She fell back upon both arms as her breath started to catch in her throat. Her legs started to tighten around his, and he began to move more rapidly to help her. Finally she clenched herself around him as she orgasmed. The clenching pushed him over the edge, and he collapsed onto her as he finished, breathing heavily.

Before he exited her she pulled him into another long kiss. "If Rita Skeeter could see that..." she breathed.

Remembering something Snape's eyes flickered to the frame upon the mantle, and he was relieved to find it empty.

"About that T...?" she smirked as he pulled his robes on.

"Are you going to sleep with me every time I give a grade you don't agree with? If so I have a few more awful essays that could be knocked down," he picked up her robes and held them.

"If I slept with you every time you gave a student a grade they didn't deserve I wouldn't be doing anything else," she replied, walking up to him and placing a hand on her robes.

"Seems like an acceptable solution to me."

"Severus..." she said warningly.

"Fine, fine. I'll change it to a P. Mr. Carver owes you."

A/N: Like it? Review, please. Didn't like it? Review, please. I'd rather get knocked down a peg than let a good story go bad.