A/N: Whoo! Have I ever told you how much I love you guys?

Apparently, a lot of you really don't like Ronald XD almost all of you! So I think you can guess where I plan on going with him…I won't be giving anything away yet though :3 (sorry to any Ron-lovers out there!)

I've typed this chapter out surrounded by a rambunctious family in the car and in a hotel room, which is a lot harder than I originally thought. So I apologize if it's not the greatest chapter yet, but I tried ._. I wanted to get this out days ago, but it was not possible /: I'm sorry!

Thank you for the reviews! I love reading them, and they let me know people are coming back for more! Thanks again :-)

warning: there be some fluff ahead!

Hermione had just sat down on Severus's long, comfy couch, stretching her legs out and admiring his private rooms that no one else had the luxury of being in. She was interrupted by a cough.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" she laughed nervously, instantly shifting her feet to the floor. Severus was standing at the other edge, waiting for her to move so he could sit as well.

"It's fine," he smirked softly, taking a seat carefully, deliberate not to sit too close to her. He sat with his hands folded in his lap, his back hunched over.

After a beat of silence Hermione broke the tense air, "So…,"

"So."

She laughed lightly, albeit nervously, "Um, you have really nice rooms."

"Thank you."

"They're much better than mine anyway."

He barked a laugh, "I doubt that. Head Boy and Head Girl rooms are quite luxurious. Professors' rooms are rather infinitesimal and confined."

"Well, you have room for books anyway! My rooms have no space for them, let alone a bookshelf! I mostly have them stacked up in a corner."

"I don't think any bookshelf is large enough to hold all of your books as it is, am I correct?" he smirked.

She blushed, "Perhaps." They were surrounded by silence again, Hermione quickly trying to think of something, anything, they could talk about. There was so much she would like to talk about with him, and she had no idea where to start.

"What's your favorite color?" she blurted out, immediately chastising herself in her mind for such a stupid question. She could have discussed theories, books, potions, the weather for Merlin's sake, and she comes up with colors-

"Blue", he answered promptly.

She gaped at him.

"What? Surprised it is not black, silver, or green? Shocking, I know. However, I do like my house for more than just its colors-,"

"No, that's not it! Well, I guess it sort of is, I just…that was just such a dumb question! I wasn't expecting you to answer, I thought you would ridicule me-,"

"This isn't the classroom Hermione, I wouldn't mock you. And it was not that foolish of a question," he interposed.

She felt her cheeks flame, and looked down to hide her embarrassment.

He smiled softly, watching her. He rather liked seeing her in her blushing mortification, as cruel as that sounded. She just looked so…innocent, pure.

He cleared his throat, "What is your favorite book?"

Her head snapped up to him, grateful for the subject change, "Oh 'Hogwarts: A History', without a doubt," she smiled.

"Not 'Goblin Wars of the Ages'?" he teased her, smirking.

She rolled her eyes, but laughed, "No, I can't say it is. 'Hogwarts: A History' was the very first book I read about the wizarding world when I first learned about magic. I found it so fascinating…I guess it just stuck with me through the years."

He nodded, "I can understand. When I was young and learned of my inherited genes, when my mother informed me I was something called a "wizard", I wanted to learn as much about it as I could. For some reason I was particularly taken with the dark arts; perhaps because as much as I was picked on by other children and neglected and abused by my parents, I wanted to be able to defend myself. Every summer I could not wait to leave my depressing, dismal home to go back to Hogwarts. Though I was typically picked on there as well."

He looked at Hermione then, seeing her once playful and smiling expression replaced with that akin to sadness and sympathy.

She was so taken aback that Severus seemed as if he were discussing the weather when he spoke of his terrible childhood. She knew his adulthood was dreadful, being alone and hated, but to hear of why he was the way he was, was disheartening. She didn't know anyone who could go through what he did, besides himself, and keep going through his days somewhat normally whereas others would not be able to get out of bed in the morning, if they hadn't already offed themselves. She knew he wasn't ever truly happy, but just the fact he could keep going was…incredible.

"I'm sorry your childhood was not a happy one. I had no idea what you went through…," she paused, waiting for his reaction to her words, whether it be annoyance to her pitying nature or indifference, she wanted to wait before she said more.

To her surprise, and even more, sorrow, he did nothing except stare straight ahead, emotionless.

"Severus?"

His head whipped to hers, apparently interrupted out of a deep thought.

"I'm sorry, I was just…thinking."

"I can see that," she said carefully, her lips curving up softly, "What were you thinking about?"

"…Nothing."

"Severus," she began, scooting a millimeter closer, reaching an arm out to place a hand atop his that was now resting on his lap, and noticed it twitch faintly and his eyes immediately look to the spot their skin was touching, transfixed by it, "If we're going to be more than friends…I want to be open with each other. Honest. I want to tell each other everything, I want us to get to know the other- their past, their hopes, their fears, their dreams…," she trailed off, "I want to really know you. I know I won't find out everything about you today, right now, but I would like to start."

He sighed, "…I was just…reflecting on my childhood...that's all."

She dared to move even closer to him, her thighs now nearly touching his own, her hand still over his.

"What about your childhood?" she asked softly.

With his eyes still trained on her thumb now caressing the back of his hand, he took a deep breath, "As you probably know, my whole life has been…well, a joke," he laughed joylessly, speaking slowly. "I grew up in an old, dingy, rather shabby, soiled…cheerless house in Spinner's End. We had little to no money, for even food at times. My mother would sit back and let my father do as he pleased; I knew she wasn't happy with her life. It was if she had no voice. She would get up, make miniscule meals or make do with what little food we did have, sometimes sew my tattered, too-large clothing, speak maybe two words to me such as to clean dirt off my trousers or to tell me my father was coming home, and then go to bed after having a particular nasty shouting match with my father when he would return from his job at the mills. My father…was a completely whole other story. I know for a fact he hated his life, as well as me. I was just a mistake and another mouth to feed. He would leave early and come home late at night always in a bitter mood. He was nearly always drunk. He would then begin shouting at my mother for a trivial reason, who in turn would bravely shout back. Sometimes he would hit her. Sometimes he would do the same to me. My mother was indeed a witch and my father a muggle, but he did not like magic. She didn't want to upset him. He did not steal or break her wand or anything of the sort, but he would immediately become upset if he saw her use it even once. I know deep down she wanted to protect me, but she was simply afraid. And despite all of that, she loved him. I never understood why. Likely because he was the only one who ever truly loved her in her life, at one time. Most of the time I would play or read outside to escape it all; the shouting, throwing of objects and abuse- however I had to be watchful of the other children who would gladly bully me if they saw me as well. My unkempt, badly-matched clothing, hair, and nose were usually the choice of ridicule," he sneered.

Hermione watched him with wide eyes as he talked. She couldn't believe what he was saying. He obviously has never known true love or even that a single person cared a modicum for his well-being his entire life- not even his parents- the two people in everyone's life who should love their child unconditionally no matter what. She could just imagine a little, long black-haired little boy with wide, frightened eyes watching as his parents fought and his mother be slapped, sitting in a corner and crying. She then thought of what he had said when his father would sometimes do the same to him. She didn't even want to picture him being smacked by his unloving father.

'No wonder he doesn't like to be touched…,'

"Severus, I-I'm so sorry," she spoke quietly. She could feel the tears begin to brim her eyes. "No child should ever be treated that way. You didn't deserve it. I'm sorry. You didn't do anything wrong." She continued to rub circles on the top of his hand with her thumb, and then hesitated before leaning over and kissing his cheek gently. She felt him stiffen but soon relax.

He seemed to snap out of it, blinking several times and looking back to her, moving his arm away from her caring touch, "No; I am sorry. We came down here to talk and begin learning about the other, I don't mean to dampen and discourage you with sob stories of my life-," he didn't know what he was doing, telling her all that. He didn't want her thinking he had baggage and would be more than she could handle or, god forbid, pity him. He had never in his entire life told anyone that- not even Lily. She knew some, but never bothered to ask, and he never wanted to tell her every detail. He didn't know what it was about this witch that made him feel so open, so full of trust-

"But that's what we are doing; I'm learning about you and your life, Severus, I don't mind at all. I hope you don't. I would…I would like to know everything about you; where you grew up, your childhood, parents, everything," she smiled again softly.

He shrugged lightly, "Regardless, it is over now."

"But that doesn't excuse how they treated you," she told him, though he continued to stare ahead of him.

"What happened to them?" she asked gently, curious.

He blinked, "…They died while in my seventh year. My father died of an accident at the mills and my mother apparently died of depression a month after."

Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder, "Oh, Severus…,"

"I was quite alright, Hermione. They did not love me; therefore I did not care for them much. We were not a loving family."

"But…what did you do? Where did you go?"

"They left me their house in Spinner's End; most likely because they did not have anyone else to leave it to. They left me the bit of money they did have, surprisingly, which was not much."

"Oh…don't you still live there?" she asked concernedly.

"Yes…in the summers only, though. For some reason I cannot bring myself to rid of the awful place."

"…Maybe you still hold onto it because you feel as if that's all you deserve?" she suggested, hoping she was wrong.

He smirked, "I suppose that's part of it; though I couldn't afford another home even if I wanted one."

"Oh," she began sadly, "Well, maybe if you save up, you can find a better home, or I mean, if we're still, erm together, that is to say, we can…put our money together and- and find someplace and, you know, live…together," she said nervously, hoping to lighten the conversation even just a little. It was quite odd to be talking of a future together with Severus Snape so soon, though not unwanted. It just seemed like the right thing to say.

Severus lifted up a corner of his mouth at her hopeful expression though, promptly easing her nervousness. The girl had already pulled out his dreaded, secret past and was already talking of a future with him. Interesting.

"Perhaps."

The rest of their conversation eventually eased up and was not as tense or depressing. They flowed into talking of Hermione's home life as well- which was not nearly as horrific as Severus's- her parents, and at Severus's worried but roundabout and indirect question of if her parents were to meet him if they would like him or not, Hermione instantly alleviated his fears with her laughter and reassurance of their loving, happy attitudes. Severus was sure she were telling the truth if just her personality were anything to go by. He still wasn't certain if just because she loved him, anyone else would. Especially if it were her parents, and they would soon be finding out their only daughter was seeing a man twice her age, whom was also her professor. Yes, that would go over well.

But her expression sobered all-too-soon, and at his request if she were okay, she quickly reassured him she was fine; just that her parents were somewhere in Australia without any of their memories that she even existed. She knew they were alright, she just needed to find them first. Severus silently vowed to himself he would do everything in his power to search for her parents. He had connections; he was a spy for gods' sake.

They also spoke of how, on their way to his rooms, they had passed Ginevra and he inquired at the look the youngest Weasley had given Hermione.

"She is not only angry at you because her dimwitted brother is, is she?" he growled.

She smiled lightly at his, what seemed to be, protectiveness.

"Oh, right, that," she laughed anxiously. "Um, remember how I told you that Harry, well, knows?" At his slow nod and narrowed eyes she continued, "Well, he hasn't told her or anyone, but he thinks that she figured it out for herself. So I guess now she wants to speak with me. I don't think she's angry with me, per se, just wants to talk. That's why I was hiding out in the library, because I didn't want to talk to her about it just yet. Mainly because I did not want to hear her gushing on and on about Harry and Valentine's Day, like she inevitably will," she stuck her tongue out in disgust.

Instead of his annoyance of the fact that another person knows of their prohibited relationship like she was expecting, she saw him go rigid.

"Do you…are you not fond of Valentine's Day?" he asked. She thought she heard a trace of apprehension in his words, but decided she was imagining things.

"Well, I mean I don't hate it…I suppose it just bothers me, after all these years being alone and seeing everyone else disgustingly in love…why, do you like it?" she jokingly asked.

He sneered, "Absolutely not. I believe Lockhart ruined any shred of tolerance I had for the blasted holiday. However, I believe I am in the same position as you as seeing fools disgustingly intermingling," he smirked. "I just…supposed being you are a young woman you would like to receive…something."

'Way to be inconspicuous, Severus,' he thought with an internal smirk.

She didn't seem to realize what he was planning however, "Oh. Well, I suppose flowers would be nice. No one has ever given me anything before- not even Ron…Or chocolates! I really love chocolate. Especially from Honeyduke's. Or actually no," Severus was beginning to get exasperated and worried, "You know, that's all unoriginal and cliché, what I think I would really like, is to have a romantic picnic, you know something different. Something…personal. Or something of the sort."

Severus nodded, and attempted to steer the conversation away from the dreaded "holiday" as much as possible.

Over the course of the next few days, Hermione and Severus had meaningful and insightful conversations in the comfort of his rooms after her classes of the day, including theories, books, potions, and the weather, becoming a routine, learning much more about the other, drinking tea or, once, Severus calling a house-elf to bring dinner when she stayed well into the night (which in turn had caused a whole other discussion of her feelings about house-elves, and Severus adamantly promising he would not do it again). Though her detentions were technically, now, over, she still had to be careful, and either used a disillusionment charm or borrowed Harry's invisibility cloak. Harry knew where she was going, and Ginny thought she did as well, attempting to get Harry to spill what he knew, who would then tell the fiery redhead Hermione would tell her in her own time. Ginny would then begin speculating, quite suggestively, on what she thought they were doing in the privacy of the professor's rooms for hours on end. After Harry would pretend-vomit he would then tell his girlfriend of two years Hermione was not that type of girl and even if she was it was none of their business. Harry knew Ron was probably curious as to Hermione's whereabouts during the night as well, but didn't want to ruin his dignity by asking.

Valentine's Day was fast approaching, and Hermione was in a relatively off mood. If she saw one more pink hearted valentine floating through the air or shoved into by an annoying couple one more time she was sure she would vomit. Harry would joke that she were becoming more and more like Severus every day, but she was not in the mood for jokes. Speaking of Severus, she noticed he was still in his typical, bitter mood now that Valentine's Day had arrived, but that he had also seemed…nervous? Worried? She couldn't tell, but something seemed off in him as of late when he had not even scolded Neville for blowing up his cauldron yet again, continuously fidgeting with his sleeves while sitting at his desk and she would notice him occasionally stare pointedly at her with a narrowed expression, as if he were deciding or thinking of something.

Classes were not any different. She knew Severus would not be giving her any special treatment, and he continued to be the same cantankerous, sarcastic man in the classroom as he always was. Hermione and Severus had an unspoken agreement that if anyone were to see something, anything, that was strangely unusual, such as him resting a hand on her shoulder, speaking softly and encouraging to her or helping or praising her, that they would not hesitate to open their mouths and gossip to their friends, which would circulate throughout the school in a matter of hours until everyone would know of how the most hated and mean professor regarded Gryffindor's princess and star know-it-all. And when news traveled as fast as it did around Hogwarts, the Headmistress would be sure to know as well. Severus didn't know if Minerva would be accepting of her most intelligent, passionate cub being with him or strictly forbidding of it. He didn't want to risk it and find out.

So, Severus simply ignored her during lessons, until she would come to his rooms like every night and they would speak of anything and everything. He was sure she understood. He wasn't any harsher to her than usual, or any less, so none of her peers would see anything out of the ordinary.

He was also sure he couldn't be any more nervous about tonight; he had never done anything of the sort like this before, for anyone, and he wanted it to be perfect.

After her classes Hermione just wanted to spend some time with her new beau and then retire to her rooms. She was sick of seeing sucking-face couples and would rather sleep off her aggravation before she hexed someone. Her and Severus hadn't kissed since the closet incident, and they were both fine with it. They had established that although it was quite nice, they needed to slow down; as they had both never been quite experienced they wanted to take it naturally and let things go as they happened instead of forcing it.

Though tonight, ever since Harry had jokingly suggested Severus may do something for her for Valentine's she held onto that little sliver of hope that he would. She would always banish the thought as soon as it came, telling herself it was way too early in their relationship for that and he wouldn't be amiable to it.

In the Great Hall, she decided to finally sit closer to Harry and Ginny once again, and simply ignore Ron who would refuse to talk to anyone as long as Hermione was nearby. Not that she cared. She needed her true friends back, and wouldn't let him get in the way any longer.

Falling into a comfortable conversation, she also had to endure Harry and Ginny's revolting exchange of gifts, quick kisses and pet names. She subtly looked up to Severus with a repulsed, desperate look that clearly said 'Get me out of here.' He simply offered another nervous smile, his habit for the past couple days, which again left her wondering what his problem was. Halfway through the meal he suddenly got up and left the Hall, Hermione shooting him a questioning look that he did not see, leaving her to her thoughts.

She looked back at Harry and Ginny, who were no longer involved with just themselves and staring at Hermione meaningfully, a large, matching grin on both of their faces.

"Shut up," she muttered, her face heating up under their powerful stares.

She attempted to resume eating her dinner without thinking of what his behavior could be about, but to no avail.

After leaving the Great Hall, she walked slowly to her rooms, trying to not notice the couples around her that were no doubt going to find a private place to snog, or worse, for the night.

She sighed, and made it to her rooms, opening the door and walking quickly inside. She didn't see him in the halls, and figured he must be in his own rooms, waiting for her. She smiled at that thought, but it fell as she remembered how he had been acting lately. Was he having second thoughts? Did he not want or like speaking to her anymore? Was she annoying him? Those thoughts jarred her, but she forced herself to quit thinking.

'You're assuming the worst again, Hermione. Just stop. It's probably nothing.'

Grabbing a particularly thick sweater, as it was quite cold down in the dungeons at night, she changed and cast an invisibility charm and slipped out of her rooms. However, as she walked, she couldn't shake the terrible thoughts that kept whirling through her head. Finally arriving at his door, she reached up and knocked timidly.

'He probably doesn't even want me here.'

The heavy door suddenly swung open, revealing a tall, black figure. Looking up, she saw instead of the long, teaching robes he always wore when they were together, he now donned simple black trousers and a white button-up shirt. He wore only black socks on his feet, and she realized he had showered and smelled quite nice; sandalwood, soap, and man. Her nose even picked up a hint of cologne.

"Severus, you lo-smell lovely," she breathed quickly, her words jumbling together, and was instantly mortified.

He chuckled, however, a sound she always loved and cherished, before telling her, "Thank you. You losmell lovely, too," moving aside to allow her entrance.

She smiled bashfully, walking in slowly, instantly noticing the lights seemed dimmer than normal.

'That's strange.'

Looking around, she realized why it appeared that way, because there were several candles lit around his otherwise shadowy rooms.

Swiftly turning back round to Severus for an explanation, she saw him now holding a bouquet of roses, a really rather quite nervous, but adorable smile crossing his features.

"Um, yes well, these are for you," he said almost hoarsely, practically shoving them into her arms anxiously.

She felt her chest tighten and the feeling of butterflies begin in her stomach, "Oh, Severus…thank you, these are- thank you, so much, they're lovely," she smiled widely, smelling them, "I wasn't expecting this."

'If I would've known, I would've dressed much more appropriately than a baggy sweater.'

He gave a small smile, "I am glad you like them, but well, I mean-erm, that is not all, that there is," he stumbled over his words. Both wondering what it was that made the stoic, precise wizard so bloody nervous to actually falter in his words, he led her into his small living room type area, the one she had been in once when she had flung into his arms crying on his couch about Ron and he comforted her with his words, and came upon a sight that had her eyes widening and mouth opening slightly in surprise.

The fireplace was ablaze, pillows strewn around it, and a picnic basket that was filled with crackers, breads, strawberries, marshmallows, chocolate, and more lay on the hardwood floor next to it.

Before she could even utter a word of surprise or gratitude, Severus spoke, "I know it is not an exact picnic you had in mind, but I just thought that you might be more comfortable inside as it is still rather freezing outside, and-," he stopped himself; bloody hell, he was rambling.

"I-I don't know what to say…," she trailed off.

Ah. So she didn't like it then. Perhaps he should have listened to her when she said she detested this day, instead of believing her when she said she would like a bloody picnic. Gods, he had spent practically the last whole week worrying and deciding if he should do something for her or not, and then what he could do without it being too much or too romantic; although it sort of was, now that he thought about it.

His face must have shown his disappointment and humiliation, because she immediately brightened her eyes and grinned when she looked to him, lunging at him around the waist, her face pressed into his chest. Confused, he still wasn't used to being hugged from people, and slowly brought his arms to her waist.

"Please, please don't think I don't love or appreciate this; this is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you, Severus, I love it, you are so, so wonderful," she whispered into his neck.

She pulled back and looked into his face before leaning in and quickly pecking him on the lips. It was so quick, he barely registered it.

Recovering, he looked into her eyes, "You are welcome. I wasn't sure if-," his words fading as he didn't know how to express his rapid degradation, looking to her.

She seemed to understand his unspoken statement, "It's perfect. Truly," flashing him a beautiful smile that momentarily stole his breath.

He cleared his throat, motioning for her to sit onto the pillows.

Hermione seemed to have other plans, as she plopped down onto her stomach, placing the seemingly already forgotten flowers onto the floor next to her, and began pulling out items from the basket to eat.

Drawing out the crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows, he watched her in fascination as he sat on his haunches onto one of the pillows.

He continued to observe her procuring through the items the house-elves had packed for him, beginning to feel self-conscious.

Suddenly, she laughed, "Is this Honeyduke's chocolate?"

He nodded.

"You remembered I told you it was my favorite?" she asked delicately, a hint of wonder in her voice.

He nodded hesitantly.

'At least the elves know one thing or two.' He thought.

"You are absolutely a magnificent, amazing man," she beamed, "This is lovely," she told him faintly.

"I am very pleased you like it."

"Is this why you left the Hall early? To get all this," she tipped her head in the direction of the picnic basket, flowers, and candles, "ready?"

"Yes…,"

"And is this really what had you all worked up and acting strange and stressed out all this week?"

"Yes. I didn't know if you would like for me to do something…so soon, and I wanted to, and you said you didn't mind it, so…I…,"

She laughed once again, "When I said that, I meant I didn't particularly enjoy seeing it happen to others, not to me. I've wanted someone to do something like this for me for a long time, I would always see the older girls have their boyfriends do adorable things for them, and as a first year I couldn't wait for the same to happen to me," she smiled tenderly, a beautiful sight in the dim rooms, casting shadows across her face and softening her features, making him want to touch her skin to discover if she really were so soft. "Ron never did."

He snorted, "Imbecile."

She grinned, a laugh threatening to break free, "I suppose I was hoping in the back of my mind you would get the message...I figured you would rather be spending the night prowling the halls though, eager to find and take a hundred points from each and every student you caught intermingling with one another," she teased.

He sneered, "I would rather not want to witness inexperienced adolescents "in the act" if you catch my drift."

Hermione giggled, "No, I suppose not. I'm sorry, I didn't get you anything, I really wasn't expecting this, and so I wasn't sure if you-,"

He held his hand up, stopping her, "It is fine, Hermione. But you have given me something; you are sitting here, right now, and that is all I could want."

'Merlin, that is the most idiotic, soppy thing I have ever uttered in my entire living existence.'

She didn't seem to think so, shyly smiling and sitting up to grab one of the toasting sticks she had suddenly transfigured, and shoved a marshmallow on the end. He did the same, watching her as she stood, picked up her pillow and dropped it right next to where he was sat, plopping down again, this time on her arse, before nuzzling her head into his shoulder.

He smiled genuinely, and both positioned their own mallows into the flames, enveloped by a comfortable silence.

He didn't know what they were doing, as he was just following her lead, until she realized his uncertainty and chuckled, explaining to him she was making something called a 's'more'. He had never had the chance in his life to make something so muggle such as this, and had his doubts until Hermione's urging won over. Merlin's wrinkly scrotum, it was good.

As Severus finished consuming his third treat, leaning back with one of his hands supporting him, his other being licked clean of chocolate, he sighed. The night had turned out to be highly enjoyable, Hermione's laughter and beauty making him feel light and happy.

She watched him, enraptured by his pleasured expression the sweets brought him to. Feeling her fascinated eyes on him, he turned his head to gaze at her.

Gods, she was even more impossibly gorgeous in this light.

He watched her eyes flicker to his mouth, where his tongue had just darted out to obtain a smear of chocolate, then quickly gaze back into his own. With bated breath he observed her look again to his lips and move her head forward, closing her eyes. He closed his own, and waited motionless until he could feel her pressing her lips against his.

She loved kissing him. His lips were thin, but kissable, and soft and warm. She loved how he was unhurried, and not sloppy, and nervous, cautiously moving his lips as if he might break her. She wanted more, but didn't want to startle him, or make a fool of herself.

She tentatively, ever so slowly, desperately not wanting to scare him away, glided her tongue across his lower lip, causing a surprised gasp to emerge from his mouth. She opened her eyes half-mast to take in his reaction, seeing his eyes closed but expression full of wonder, pleasure and excitement. He was so beautiful.

Closing her eyes again she did it once more, this time she felt his own darting out to reach hers, and they began a slow, deeper, intimate kiss.

Tongues stroking languidly, he brought his hand up to her waist, every once in a while his fingers moving her shirt up a fraction to caress her skin there with his thumb. To her surprise and excitement he began moving up further, further, further still, until he reached just below the side of her breast. It was clear he wasn't going to move any further unless she gave him permission to.

Breaking the kiss and leaning back only an inch, moving her lips to the underside of his jaw and placing a kiss there, then moving to his ear she whispered, "It's okay, Severus. You can touch me."

He breathed out slowly, shuddering, and then moved his hand little by little, trailing his fingers along her skin eliciting goosebumps, until it was fully covering her bra-clad breast. He looked in her eyes then, and nearly startled at seeing her intense, lust-filled expression. He experimentally squeezed lightly, and felt his chest swell at seeing the look of pure pleasure on her face he had caused. He continued to fondle and lightly squeeze, her light, surprised gasps and small moans urging him on, quite enjoying it himself, leaning in again to kiss her passionately like they had before.

With a burst of courage he leaned her back onto the pillows, and crawled onto her, leaning on his forearms without breaking contact. The heat of the fire only added to the heat they were creating, and Severus could begin to feel a tightening in his trousers, instinctively pressing his narrow hips into her stomach. She gasped, pulling her mouth from his, looking downwards.

He flushed, before realizing their quite intimate position and his state, and immediately stood, pulling her up with him.

"I-I'm sorry, Hermione. I don't know what came over me-,"

She shushed him, "It's alright, really. I…I enjoyed it," she smiled timorously.

He smiled then, "I'm glad."

She looked down, picking up her disregarded bouquet.

He placed his hand on the small of her back, moving her to his door. "It is quite late, Hermione. Perhaps you should head back to your rooms."

"I suppose," she sighed.

Arriving at his door, they paused, staring at the other. She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him gently.

She pulled back, "Thank you. This meant…so much."

He pecked her quickly again, "You're welcome," he whispered.

She gave him one last longing look, opening the heavy door and then she was gone.

Severus went back to his living space, cleaning up the remnants of a truly magical night.

A/N: Thanks for reading :-) and please review! I sincerely love hearing all of your thoughts! They keep me going!