Chapter 13 -- Of Fluff and Broomsticks

The rendezvous point was already pre-ordained to be at the bottom of the staircase

The rendezvous point was already pre-ordained to be at the bottom of the staircase. Hermione hurriedly walked through the halls of Hogwarts, anxious for her date to begin. On the way she greeted a few students that she had become aquatinted with. She marveled how easily she navigated the halls of Hogwarts and thought back to when she first arrived at Hogwarts and how lost she was.

She finally entered the corridor that led to the staircase that would lead her to her date. She stopped in her tracks. She heard the rather distinct sounds of two people moaning.

Hermione felt appalled. What kind of person would do that sort of thing in a routinely used corridor? They could have at least had the courtesy to find an abandoned class room or something. I almost turned around and took a different root, one less direct and one that would keep me from Severus. But, as she was so excited about going on her date, she decided to just walk past the couple.

Hermione squared her shoulders and began to walk, rather a bit faster but that doesn't really matter. She briskly walked past the snogging couple, set on not looking at them. But, she couldn't help it. She had to look.

She saw a dark haired teenage boy wrapped around a blonde teenage girl. Hermione stopped walking. Slowly, she turned her head; her body still facing forward and her right foot extended to take a step, and examined the pair that was snogging intently. Was that…? No, it couldn't be. She peered closer and tried to distinguish the boy's facial features in the dim light.

Yup, that was, in fact, Sirius Black.

Hermione shook her head and continued walking. Of course it was Sirius, who else would it be? Hermione wished that he wouldn't do that right in the open, find an abandoned classroom or something at least. He'll probably get caught and Gryffindor House will lose points.

Hermione finally reached the stair case (without encountering any other snogging students) and she raced down the stairs glancing all around the ground floor for Severus.

There he was! Leaning against the wall at the base of the stairs. E was wearing a pair of black slacks and a plush, emerald green sweater that made Hermione want to run her fingers over it.

He looked up and saw her staring. "Close your mouth," Severus suggested, "it wouldn't do if you started drooling."

Hermione blushed and closed her mouth as suggested. It was embarrassing that she was caught staring at his physique. She was just surprised at how muscular he was (in a lean way, he was kind of a nerd). Those school robes of his revealed nothing.

Severus examined Hermione's apparel once she stood before him. Hermione's blush deepened at his scrutiny.

"You are looking absolutely lovely today. Very ravishing," Severus murmured. He placed a kiss on her knuckles.

"What a charmer you are Mr. Snape," Hermione murmured in reply. She allowed Severus to guide her out the doors.

Hermione was prepared to walk to Hogsmeade like the other students but was surprised to see that Severus had arranged a different mode of transportation.

Hermione was led towards an ornate carriage that was led by skeletal horses with leathery wings. Hermione was intrigued b the horses but didn't get a chance to ask about them until she was in the carriage.

"The threstals?"

"Is that what it's called?" Hermione asked. She muttered the word to herself a few times so she could remember to research them back at Hogwarts.

"You can see them?" Severus asked, looking troubled.

"Umm… Yeah, I can. Why wouldn't I be able to?" Hermione questioned.

"You can only see them if you saw someone die," Severus informed her. Hermione gaped at him.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Severus asked. He leaned forward and put his hand on her knee in concern.

"How could I have forgotten that?" Hermione asked, her voice hollow and her face anguished.

"I don't think you had a choice in the matter," Sev consoled.

Hermione shook her head. Let the past stay in the past, for now. When her memories came back she will deal with them then. But for now, she will focus on her date.

The carriage stopped and Severus got out first (so he could help Hermione get out). When Hermione got out of the carriage she stared at the shop that they had stopped in front of. It was Madame Puddifoots.

Hermione and Sev entered the tea shop. Hermione felt uncomfortable immediately. It was small, cramped, and overly frilly. There were also golden cherubs throwing pink confetti. The only people in the shop seemed to be couples. It also made Hermione throw up a little in her mouth, the taste was probably going to make the tea taste even worse than it already did.

She was sure that Severus felt the same way but he was conned into thinking that this place was romantic. Hermione and Severus found a table and ordered some tea. Then they sat in uncomfortable silence as couples around them flirted and, occasionally, snogged.

They made stinted conversation and sipped their tea. Finally, Hermione addressed the issue.

"This is really weird."

Severus nodded in agreement.

"It was better when we were just hanging out in the library." Hermione continued, "I think that we shouldn't have to try so hard to be a couple. And I definitely think that we should never, ever come here again."

"I am in complete agreement with you." Severus stood up, reached into his pocket and drew out a few coins, and left them on the table. They both walked out the door with a strong sense of relief.

Hermione and Sev wandered around the town for a few hours. Hermione bought a beautiful black and gold pheasant-feather quill at Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. Severus insisted on carrying the bag, which Hermione thought was endearing and cute. Hermione didn't tell him that she thought this though; he would surely stop carrying it immediately and sulk for the rest of the evening.

They got drinks at the Three Broomsticks and they finally felt comfortable together.

It was kind of late whenever Severus and Hermione returned back at Hogwarts. Severus walked Hermione up through the castle, even though the Slytherin Dormitories were bound to be in the Dungeons. He stopped in front of the Fat Lady Portrait.

"I had a good time," Hermione informed Severus.

"Me too."

"Well… I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Hermione said. Severus nodded, making no move to leave despite the obvious goodbye. Hermione made no move to leave either.

Severus stepped closer and stared into Hermione's eyes. Hermione felt magnetically tugged towards Severus. Soon they were close enough that Hermione felt heat radiating from Severus' body. He leaned down and angled his head towards her. His intentions were clear enough.

Hermione lifted her head up and closed her eyes. She felt Severus' soft lips touch hers and she felt an electric shock throughout her body. She opened her eyes and looked into Severus' dark eyes. He pulled away and smiled softly. Hermione grinned sheepishly and looked down at her shoes, which magically became very interesting.

Severus lifted her head up by the chin and placed another kiss on her lips and another on her forehead. Then he murmured a quiet goodbye and turned around and left, leaving Hermione wishing for more.

Hermione sighed happily and went into the common room. To her surprise the common room was basically empty; the only people in it were Sirius, James, Peter, and Remus. (She briefly wandered what they bribed the other students to get the room to themselves.) Hermione smiled at Remus and was about to go up to her bed when Sirius made a comment that stopped her short.

"So I see you had a good time." He remarked snidely.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione inquired.

"I think you bloody well know what I mean." He spat.

"No, I really don't, enlighten me."

"Please, we saw you kissing Snivelus!" Sirius exclaimed.

Hermione didn't even want to know how they did it. "You were spying on me?" She asked incredulously.

"I think the term muggles use is 'duh'," Sirius replied.

"You son of a bitch," Hermione hissed. "I can't believe you would do that! Don't you have any morals?" Hermione seethed.

Some people may think that Hermione was overreacting but she valued her privacy greatly.

"You were in the middle of the corridor, what did you expect?!"

"Oh, you should know about making out in the middle of a corridor. Who are you to talk?!" Hermione countered.

"What are you talking about?!" Sirius questioned.

"I saw you this morning with your blonde hussy!" Hermione hissed.

Sirius was quiet for a moment before he burst out laughing. "Hussy?" He wheezed, amused.

"Shut Up!" Hermione screeched. "I am sick of you and you're attitude!"

Sirius didn't say anything for awhile. Then he muttered something under his breath.

"What did you say?" Hermione asked, her voice deathly calm.

"Nothing…"

"Tell me!" Hermione demanded.

"I said. 'Is it a full moon already?'" Sirius told her.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Remus always gets pissy around the Full Moon, I figured it was the same with you."

Hermione thought about what he said and then groaned.

"What?" Remus asked, having come to stand near Hermione and Sirius.

"I just realized something." Hermione said with a giggle. "Now, I have to worry about two times of the month."

Once again Marra Walmoush stood before her clan. A crisis has cropped up in the East, their sister clan is having a crisis that they need help with, something about a renegade member. The situation was dire because if anyone came out of hiding the whole population would be at jeopardy.

So an important decision had to be made.

Did they go after the renegade and risk exposure, or leave the new therianthrope by itself and risk discovery?

Marra settled into her chair at the front of the meeting room, it was sure to be a long argument.

In the end, they decided to go East, it was less likely that the young Therianthrope would be discovered until next month.

Hermione put the finishing touches on her last essay. It was a Sunday evening and Hermione had finished her essays from the week, about two hours ago. She's been putting 'the finishing touches' on these essays since then.

Hermione wasn't the kind of person who craved adventure. She would rather not jump from that cliff, she preferred reading, thank you very much. But right now, that cliff looked pretty appetizing, so to speak. She was clearly getting a case of cabin fever. Things have been going pretty smoothly since Hermione's argument with Sirius.

She looked over at Remus who was reading a novel that his grandmother (who was never sick) had sent him. Apparently they had a close relationship…

Severus was reading one of his potion tomes that he found fascinating.

Hermione sighed, loudly. Remus turned his page and Severus didn't move a muscle. She leaned back in her chair and ostentatiously put her feet on the table, right in front of them. Then, she sighed again.

Remus grabbed his bookmark and closed his book, Severus remained stoic.

"What?" Remus asked, resigned.

Hermione held her finger up at Remus and glared at Severus. She sighed again but he didn't do anything. Suddenly, she got a wicked smile on her face. Remus saw it and quickly muttered something about looking for a book….

Hermione stood up and stood behind Severus. He continued reading as if he didn't notice. Hermione placed her hands on his wide shoulders and dipped them down beneath his robes, feeling the crisp fabric of his shirt. Gently, she began to knead the knotted muscles. Severus tensed but did not put his book down, which was Hermione's goal.

She dipped her head down and began to kiss his neck lightly and sensually. Hermione felt a little awkward, continuing raining kisses down the pale neck, but she let her body take control. But she stopped and just rested her neck in the crook of his. Hermione's hand stopped their massaging, she was content with just the sound of his pulse in her ear, the smell cologne and potion ingredients; content with just Severus.

She was listening to his breathing. Then she began to lightly nip at his neck and the part of exposed shoulder that she had access too. Finally giving into her, Severus snapped his book shut and flung it away from him suddenly, startling his girlfriend. She started the pull away, but Severus grabbed her wrist firmly, his eyes never leaving hers.

He pulled her towards him and she awkwardly slid onto his lap. They were only dating (officially) for a day, so she felt kind of slutty. But she didn't care; she had wanted to do this with Severus for a while.

Severus lifted his hand a placed it on her neck. He fingers tangled themselves in her hair as he pulled her closer. Their lips met and Hermione felt the electric shock surge through her body. Severus ran his tongue along Hermione's bottom lip, begging for entrance. Cautiously, she gave him permission and complied. Severus seemed to know what he was doing, which made her happy as he seemed to be making her body remember as well.

They kissed until Hermione felt as if her lungs would explode. She broke the kiss and stared at Severus' eyes. They seemed darker than usual. Hermione smiled and placed a kiss on the edge of his mouth.

Severus pulled her head down for another kiss.

Something surged through Hermione's body and coursed through her veins. She kissed him again, knocking their teeth together in her frantic effort to explore Severus's mouth. Alas, his nose got in the way, not that Hermione minded of course. She had always found his nose to be very sexy. However, during all of this, she failed to notice the presence behind them.

Somebody was clearing their throat loudly. Hermione broke the kiss once more and glanced behind her.

Madame Pince was standing behind them, a scowl on her face. "This is not a brothel! This is a library!" She screeched. "Get out and do that somewhere else!"

Hermione and Severus quickly packed up their materials and ran out of the library, trying to hold back laughter.

It didn't take long until Remus caught up with them, his bag lighter than normal because Hermione and Severus grabbed his stuff as well.

"Well," asked Remus, "What do we do now?"

"I don't know," Severus replied. "I was all set on staying in the library all day but someone had to get us kicked out." He glared pointedly at Hermione who laughed and waved the accusation away.

"You helped Severus," Hermione reminded him.

Severus laughed and pulled Hermione close to him and put his arm around her shoulder. Hermione put her arm around Sev's waist and they continued walking, not really sure where they were going.

Then, the perfect idea came to Hermione. "Why don't we go flying?"

Remus agreed with Hermione's idea and Severus was okay with the suggestion.

"I'm going to put my bag away and get my broom. I'll meet you guys at the pitch," Severus said.

Hermione and Remus went up to the Gryffindor common room where they stowed their bags. Remus got the broom that he got for Christmas.

Hermione, broom-less (the broom she got for Christmas had broken in her accident), went down to the Quidditch Pitch with Remus and was not surprised to see Severus already there. He was holding two brooms in his hands and smiling broadly at them as they approached.

Severus handed Hermione the nicer looking broom and all three mounted their sticks. Remus shot into the air, as did Severus. Hermione was breathing deeply and evenly, trying to convince herself that she was not terrified, despite the fact that she was.

Hermione gripped the broom tightly and kicked off of the ground. She could feel the wind rush past her as she ascended into the air. When she stopped moving upwards she cautiously opened her eyes and looked around her, Severus and Remus where both higher than she was.

Hermione cautiously moved her broom in the way that Sirius had taught her and moved, rather jerkily. She moved her broom the way that Sirius taught her until she was level with Severus, who had been watching her.

"You know," he said, "that if you move your broom like this," He demonstrated a movement to Hermione that made him glide upwards smoothly, "you move much easier," He called down to her.

Hermione replicated his movement and found she moved much easier.

"The way you were maneuvering your broom makes it much easier to fall off," Severus informed her. He then proceeded in showing her many movements that would make flying easy and enjoyable.

Soon, she was zooming around the pitch worry free. She and Severus raced from one end to the other and Sev let her win. Then, she and Remus raced to the other side. Then, Remus took out a tennis ball and he and Sev began tossing it back and forth. Hermione did not join in on the throwing because she did not yet feel comfortable letting go of the broom.

Soon, the sun was setting. They were flying all through lunch and Hermione was starving. She landed carefully and Remus landed a few feet away from her and Severus landed between them. Hermione began to walk towards Severus but her legs felt like jelly. She shook them a bit and the boys looked at her like she just grew another head.

"What? My legs feel all wobbly."

They both roared with laughter.

She stormed away on her unsteady legs in mock anger. They both followed soon after and apologized. She laughed at them when they looked aghast after she told them that she was faking her anger.

"Come on guys," She said, "let's go get something to eat."

And that's what they did.

Time passed, as if has a habit of doing, and Hermione was never happier. It wasn't until one particular night that things started getting… not so good.

Hermione couldn't sleep on a Saturday night. She went down into the common room with a book that she borrowed from Remus, one of the ones that his grandmother sent him, and curled up on the couch and read by firelight.

A while later she heard steps coming from the boy's staircase. It was Sirius.

He saw Hermione and stopped. He almost went back up the stairs but at the last minute decided to confront Hermione.

He sat across from Hermione and stared at her until she put her book away.

"What do you want Sirius?"

"I just have one question for you," He said.

Hermione waited for him to ask it but he didn't. "Well?" She prompted.

"Why did you have to pick Severus?" He asked, his voice cracking and revealing his anguish.

Hermione took a deep breath; she didn't know how to answer his question. But, she would do the best she could.