The first week of term seemed to go too slow for Hermione, she longed for her meeting with Severus. She knew that they would indeed be discussing the finer details of her apprenticeship, but at least she would get to spend some time alone with him. That Friday, at the end of her potions class, she took longer than usual to pack her books away, just so she could share a few moments with her beloved. She made sure there were no students left before she approached him.
"Severus?" she said tentatively.
He inhaled sharply, it had seemed so long since she had said his name so sweetly from her loving lips.
"Yes, Hermione?" he replied in his silken voice that sent shivers down her spine.
"I was wondering when we would be meeting, to discuss my apprenticeship".
"Tomorrow, in my chambers at eleven o'clock," he said, barely above a whisper as he walked toward her.
It was her turn to gasp as she felt his arms wrap around her waist, and embrace her lips in a passionate kiss. It was over far too soon though, as they heard the chattering of students coming to their next class. They quickly separated just in time before the students began filling in the classroom and taking their seats. Hermione left quickly, her face flushed and lips swollen from the first kiss they had shared since Christmas. She hurried on to her next class, trying to shake the image of Severus and his wonderful lips from her head.
Hermione woke the next morning bright and early, with plenty of time to get ready for meeting Severus. After her shower and getting changed into a red shirt and jeans, she headed down to breakfast in the Great Hall. There weren't many students when she arrived, there was a Hogsmeade trip this weekend. All the better, she thought, as there won't be many people around if she is seen with Severus. Hermione's thoughts turned to her relationship with Severus… if it was a relationship. Though she loved him, and he loved her, they had hardly spent any time together. She was becoming tired of the cold glares and sarcastic remarks Severus would give her. She knew he had to do it so as not to arouse suspicion, but how she longed to be held in his strong arms, to see the look of desire and love in those expressive pools of black.
Hermione still had well over an hour before her meeting with Severus, so she made her way to the library, deciding to read the potions book Harry had given her for Christmas. She had looked through it fleetingly in the times she wanted a break from studying, but now she was reading it, some of the potions were quite dark. Potions to make you beautiful nearly all needed blood from a virgin, some of them even wanted you to use blood from a Veela. She wondered what Severus would make of it. Looking at the clock on the wall, she saw it was 10:35. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she made her way to Severus's chambers. As she walked down the corridors to his rooms, she met with Headmistress McGonagall, a stern look on her face.
"Miss Granger, why are you not on the Hogsmeade visit?" she asked in an accusatory tone. Deciding not to lie when her Headmistress was in this kind of mood, she took a deep breath and answered.
"I'm meeting with Professor Snape to discuss in detail my apprenticeship."
"Oh, well then, carry on. But I will warn you, he seems in a foul mood this morning." And with that, she stalked off down the corridor.
With worry and concern for Severus, she rushed down the remaining corridors to his rooms, wondering what on earth could have happened to put him in such a state. No sooner had she reached his chamber doors when suddenly the door burst open to reveal a fuming Severus.
"Severus, are you alright?" Hermione asked gently, not wanting him to shout at her, she knew how he was when he lost his temper. His dark eyes latching onto hers, his expression softened, but he was no less tense.
"Hermione... Yes, I'm fine, thank you. Please come in." Was all he said, trying hard to keep his composure.
As she stepped inside, he stood still in the doorway, breathing heavier than usual.
"If you would excuse me, Hermione, I have something to take care of. I will be back shortly," he said and with that, he stormed out of the room, his black robes billowing behind him.
Slightly in shock, Hermione sat down on the edge of the couch, and studied the room once more. It hadn't changed since she was last here, yet it felt different. She supposed it was because of the little amount of light that seeped through the high window, it was casting eerie shadows everywhere. Severus hadn't lit a fire, and it was quite chilly in the dungeons at this time of year. Thinking Severus wouldn't mind, she cleaned the hearth, then lit a fire. Sitting back further on the couch, she took out her potions book once more, but soon found it too disturbing to read. The door suddenly burst open, and in strode a calmer looking Severus, even though the anger still hadn't left his dark eyes.
"Forgive me, Hermione, I had some business to attend to," he said gruffly, as if to keep himself from an outburst of rage.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Hermione asked quietly, not sure whether she really wanted to know.
"No, it is not your concern." He snapped, but seeing her recoil away from him, quickly added "But thank you any way."
They both sat there in awkward silence for some time, neither knowing how to move on. Hermione thought it strange that even though she loved this man, she could not easily have a conversation with him. After further thought, she concluded that it must be difficult for him after all these years of loneliness to suddenly have someone there to talk to you. Hermione did not pity Severus, she was just painfully aware of how different their pasts were. She had grown up in a loving environment, she was constantly surrounded by friends and relatives to share her joy and sadness. Severus had had exactly the opposite childhood. Nearly everyone knew of his abusive father, how he had been the cause of his mothers death. Severus was thrown into a life of solitude and pain at a very young age.
Shaking her head to rid it of these negative thoughts, she turned to Severus, who was sat in an armchair with his head back and his eyes closed.
"Severus?" she said quietly.
"Yes, Hermione?" he replied, his head straightening and eyes snapping open.
"Shall we discuss my apprenticeship?"
"Very well. Would you care for some tea? I would have asked earlier if circumstances were different."
"Yes please, and don't worry about that, I understand." she said, trying to make Severus less uncomfortable. She guessed he did not have many visitors to make tea for, and because he was in such an unpredictable mood, she thought it best not to talk about why he was so angry until Severus was ready to tell her. Taking her tea from him, she took a sip then placed it on the table that separated them, and waited for him to speak.
"As the Headmistress probably informed you, you will not be officially starting your apprenticeship until the new school year. However, you are allowed to start your theory work as soon as you like, providing you put your N.E.W.Ts at the top of your priorities. I will tell you now Hermione, the work is difficult, and though I have every confidence in your abilities, the long hours and demanding schedule may take its toll on you. Also, I will not be letting my feelings for you over ride my responsibility to mark your work fairly. You will need to control your emotions and focus on your work. When we are in the lab, we will be working as Master and Apprentice. Have you any questions?"
"Yes, is it true that my quarters will be in the dungeons?" Hermione asked, a trace of excitement hanging on her words.
"They will be close to mine and the lab, as some potions will need near constant attention," he replied, a smirk gracing his thin lips.
"So when do you want me to start?" Hermione saw the look in his eyes and started to blush at the thought of being so close to him.
"As soon as possible," he said it so quietly that it was almost a whisper, and he said it so seductively that a shudder ran down Hermione's spine. In a few steps, he sat beside her on the couch, his strong arms wrapping around her, his lips seeking the warmth of hers. So much passion and desire was in that kiss that Hermione found it difficult to breath, her heart beating so hard she thought it would burst from her chest. Pressing herself against him, she could feel the heat radiating from him, and she kissed him back with just as much vigour. When his hand slid from her shoulder down to her waist, it brushed against her breast, causing her to gasp in surprise and excitement. Thinking he had gone too far, Severus pulled away, leaving a confused Hermione lying back on his couch with her mouth slightly open and her eyelids heavy with desire.
"Why have you stopped?" Hermione asked slightly out of breath, a pink flush upon her cheeks.
"Are you sure you want to do this? I do not want you to do anything you are uncomfortable with," Severus said with such tenderness that Hermione embraced him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Severus, though I am innocent to such things as this, I cannot deny that what I feel when you touch me is incredible. I've never felt anything like it, and I know that I am safe with you. If I don't want to do anything I shall tell you." The earnest look in her eyes told Severus she was telling the truth, and he once more bent his head to meet her lips with his. This time when he kissed her, it was so tender and intimate, that he could almost feel their love for each other flowing between them. Hermione melted against him, no matter how he kissed her she was unable to stop the heat that was building up between her legs. Wanting to feel more of his touch, she undid her shirt to reveal her breasts encased in a white lacy bra, and grabbed his hands and placed them on her chest. Severus slightly shocked at her behaviour, but never the less pleased, responded by tracing patterns across her breasts with his fingertips. He rubbed her erect nipples through the thin lace, a deep growl escaping his lips as his erection pressed against the confines of his trousers. Sensing his frustration, Hermione ran her hands down his chest, and even through his thick robes could feel his toned muscles. She reached his groin, and gasped as she felt his arousal, quickly pulling away.
"I'm sorry," she said, fighting hard to control her desire for him to touch her."I want to make you feel as good as you make me, but... I don't know what to do." She finished lamely, turning away from him in embarrassment and shame. She felt his warm breath on her neck, and his arms embrace her securely.
"Then let me help you," he whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. He turned her to face him, and kissed her gently, moving across her jaw, down her neck and to her breasts, all the while taking off his outer robes, to reveal his white shirt. Taking her hands, he placed them on his chest, wanting her to undo the buttons. As if eager to please, Hermione hurriedly undid his shirt exposing his pale chest. She paused as she saw the many scars there. Moving her fingers over his abdomen, she felt and saw the three largest, and could not stop her eyes from filling with tears.
Seeing why she had stopped, Severus gently lifted her chin so her gaze met his.
"Do not cry, Hermione. I have done many terrible things in my time, and these scars serve as a reminder of when I was lost in the dark. But when I realised how I felt about you, my world was filled with light, and I found my way to you." He placed his hands on hers, and was deeply moved by his own tenderness, yet did not show it.
Wiping away her tears, Hermione looked up to Severus, eyes full of nothing but love for the man that sat in front of her.
"I love you, Hermione Granger."
"I love you, Severus Snape."
They both jumped apart as they heard the furious knocking upon the door.
Hey everyone. I'm really sorry about the delay, my computers broke again. This was done on my boyfriend's laptop, but the many mistakes have been corrected by my lovely beta L'Vanna. Thank you for sticking with me on this, and thanks for all your wonderful reviews. Any guesses on what happens next? Do you think they'll get caught? If I get enough reviews, I may just put the next chapter up. Evil I know, but never mind. You'll have to wait to find out if you're right!
