Author's Note:

The story is rated 'M' for a reason. If you have problems reading mature content, you have been warned.

Hermione looked at her professor, waiting for his lead. Severus Snape continued walking briskly, with Hermione at his heels.

"We should not be seen. He may recognize us." he said to her in a sharp whisper.

Hermione could hear footsteps following her. She whispered back, "He's still following us. Did he get suspicious?"

Looking for a secluded place, Snape had turned into a dark corner. He had not answered Hermione's question, but he did not think their follower had placed them yet. Hermione was having a hard time keeping up with him. As they advanced further, Hermione's heart skipped a beat. They had come to a dead-end. Snape had come to an abrupt stop, obviously guessing the problem. She looked at his face which always remained expressionless, was now betraying some signs of apprehension.

Their follower had not yet turned around the corner, but he would be there very soon.

A sudden idea struck Hermione. It was a risky one, but since they were trapped here, the only other alternative would be a fight-off. And she didn't want it to come to that.

"Um…sir? I may know how to put him off our trail." said Hermione in a timid voice.

Surprisingly, Snape did not object and said instead, "I hope you prove useful, Miss Granger. Lead the way."

Oh, he is definitely not going to like this idea, Hermione thought. But there was no time to waste going over that right now. Mustering all of her Gryffindor courage, she grabbed Snape's arm and dragged him towards the wall.

She leaned against the wall, and pulled her professor close. He stumbled into her, being taken by surprise. She was immediately filled with his scent, which was more masculine than any other male she had encountered before. And those only included Viktor and Ron, she thought miserably.

Severus Snape was now aware of what Hermione was trying to do. She wanted to intimidate their follower by making it look as if he had fumbled into something intimate. The trouble was, he had never really been intimate with anyone for all he could remember; he didn't count the occasional fucking as intimate. And being intimate with his student, that was like crossing a boundary. He snorted impatiently, his face was still on Hermione's shoulders so he was sure that she had heard her.

And just then, they heard footsteps more clearly than ever, as the person had turned round the corner.

There was no walking away now. Snape's hands immediately went around Hermione's neck, and he covered her face with the hood of her robes. He held her in his arms, as he took in the smell of her fruity shampoo.

Hermione was surprised at this protective gesture by her professor; the alley was so dark that it was difficult anyone could see her face clearly.

The sound of the footsteps had died away.

Snape whispered into Hermione's ears, "Is he gone?"

Hermione ran her left hand into his smooth black hair, before peering from his shoulders. She could see the dark shadow of a man standing still right at the corner. She moved her mouth to Snape's earlobes and murmured, "Nah."

Snape's hands were immediately on Hermione's waist and he had pulled her so close that Hermione felt there was no space left between them. He whispered softly in her ears, "Perhaps, we have to make him go away."

Hermione was so taken away at this sudden reaction from him that she was unable to respond verbally. Snape's hand was now untying the front of her robes. He did not proceed to take it off. Instead, he slid his hand inside it pulling her even closer. Hermione had been wearing her muggle clothes underneath her robe; a satin top and a knee-length flared skirt. His right hand was now at her knee, bundling up the fabric of her skirt as it made its way up her thigh. Then, in a quick fluid motion Snape had swung her leg on his waist, under his open-fronted black robe.

Hermione felt herself unspool as he pressed his body against her, pushing her into the wall. All the bottled up feelings, every unsaid emotion she had for him flooded her brain. A warm sensation flooded her as his hips came in contact with hers.

"Oh!" she made an ill-concealed sigh.

She felt Snape smile, his mouth was still at her shoulder.

These sensations that were filling her now were very new to her. She had never felt so aroused before, considering that she had never felt this way anyone before. His cool fingers on her thigh fired her from the inside. She reacted even at the slightest movement of his body.

Hermione shivered, as Snape slowly almost brushing her cheeks, moved his lips to her ears.

"Still here?" he whispered.

She took another look from under his shoulders and found the motionless shadow still there.

"Yes." Hermione breathed.

She wondered if she would've lied about the man if he was gone. The feeling of Severus Snape against her was so overwhelming and unreal for her that she never wanted his pressure against her body to go away. She wished this moment to last forever.

Hermione didn't know when Snape's face appeared right in front of her. She felt his minted breath on her lips. Without thinking, she moved her mouth towards his. She almost tasted his lips but couldn't initiate the kiss. She was too afraid of his rejection; too afraid for this to end.

Severus Snape had been in control of his body, until his lips almost tasted Hermione's lips. He had suppressed his attraction towards her in a deep corner of his heart but those soft lips had broken every wall of restraint he had.

His breathing paced and his heart began thumping loudly in his chest. His body had taken over his mind now, as his hand slowly started travelling further up her thigh and he pressed at her with desire. The desire that was burning in him for months now.

His lips found hers and she did not disappoint in her response. Hermione moaned into his mouth, the call of a siren, giving him entry. She tasted of mint and tea; every bit as good as she looked. Fuck, I am yearning for her, Snape thought. He grasped her chin with one hand, deepening the kiss, and her tongue tentatively touched his, exploring, considering, feeling, kissing him back.

Hermione had never been kissed like this. She felt herself melt under his burst of passion. Somehow, she still wanted more.

Snape pressed against her hips, almost violently. A thrill of pleasure vibrated her body. His hands were pressing on her hips now. His touch was gentle, contrary to his lips which were hungrily devouring her mouth. Her hands started looking for any gaps in his clothing.

Hermione had never felt like this before. She wanted Severus Snape. Now, more than ever. Her legs were becoming more malleable. She could feel his erection against her belly. She was sure he wanted her too, the same way. This thought was enough to excite her further. She let out a coarse moan in delight.

The kiss was becoming softer now, and too soon Snape had completely tore away from her lips. She took a fast breath and hoped that he would not pull away; but he did. The person following them had slipped away silently, but they were too engrossed in each other to notice.

He let go of her completely, rested his head at the wall, his expressions frozen. Hermione was disappointed but the night had offered more pleasures than she had ever hoped.

Severus Snape was breathing hard, against the wall. He had completely lost his cool and made out with his student. If it wasn't for her coarse moan, however sensual that was, he would've even gone on to have fucked her, and that too against a wall in a dark secluded street! Even Voldemort had not succeeded in breaking the barriers of his mind, but this girl had. His whole body had yearned for him to have gone on, but the tiny voice of reason at the back of his mind had stopped him in time. He already knew that he had wanted her but he should've done well to remember that she would never belong to him; this would only ruin her life. At long last, he found his control by convincing himself that he had to think about her and her bright future before his own feelings. Love wasn't meant for him; it never was and it will never be.

Meanwhile, Hermione had straightened herself up from the erotic experience she had just experienced. She was also happy to find out that her feelings for Severus Snape were not just one-sided but mutual. Her heart was still racing and she knew it wasn't going to be steady soon.

Severus Snape had turned; his face an impenetrable mask of indifference.

"This should not have happened. It was a mistake." he said blankly.

Hermione wasn't dubbed 'the brightest witch of her age' for no reason. She knew that he was saying this just to make things right; to make her forget this had ever happened. But, it was too late. She wasn't giving up on her love so easily. However, the time wasn't right for going over any arguments with Snape now. So, she didn't say anything.

Since their mission was now interrupted, both of them apparated back to Hogsmeade, separately this time. There was an air of awkwardness as both Hermione and Snape made their way towards the Hogwarts castle. They said their formal goodbyes before separating for their destination; Hermione for the Gryffindor Tower and Snape to the Dungeons.

Both of them couldn't sleep that night, both thinking about the other. While Snape thought about the best ways to avoid Hermione and make sure she didn't have any wrong ideas in her head; Hermione was content to know that Snape was attracted to her, even if just physically. She was thinking about the best way to approach him with her feelings, when she met him again.