And another update! A bit more deep and meaningful, although not the way I had planned this chapter, my muse insists on taking me into the unknown!

Draguna: Here's more for you! Yeah, I had to get them to almost turn back, Grace was at the end of her tether!

Chapter 25

Grace lay with her head resting against Snape's chest as he stroked hair away from her face. She smiled up at him contentedly and was rewarded with him smiling down at her. A real smile, rather than the usual smirk.

"Was that ok for you?" he asked.

"Did you hear me complaining?" she replied sarcastically.

"Well, I don't think the sounds emanating from you could be considered sounds of complaint."

"Absolutely not."

"We should move into the bedroom. My bed is much more comfortable," he stated.

"I can't. I have to get back to the Party. Evelyn will kill me if I don't help her tidy the place up," Grace replied, starting to get up.

Snape grabbed her arm and pulled her back down on top of him.

"I was hoping we could have a repeat performance," he purred.

"Mmmm, as much as I'd love to, I have to put in an appearance," she said kissing him before getting up and putting her clothes on. "Besides, the faster we can clean up, the faster we can come back here."

"We?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, it'll be quicker if there's two of us,"

"What will be my reward for helping you?" he said taking hold of himself.

Grace straddled his hips and kissed him deeply. Snape wasted no time in lifting up her dress and sliding her panties to the side. He pushed into her, making her throw her head back from the sensations.

"Severus… we have to stop!" she gasped.

It took all of her willpower to pull herself off him.

"Come on, get dressed. Then we can come back,"

Snape reluctantly pulled himself up and spelled his clothes back on. They made their way back to the Great Hall, and found that many of the students had retired to their dorms. It was nearly midnight and the Party was to be over by the twelfth stroke.

Grace saw Evelyn smiling at her as they entered and Tonks was winking at her.

After all of the students had gone, Grace, Evelyn, Tonks and Snape cleared the room of all traces from the Party.

"The Party went really well I think," Evelyn commented.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I ran out like that," Grace replied.

"It's ok, I understand. So, I take it you went to see Snape?" Evelyn asked.

"Yeah, I told him about Malfoy. He was not happy. What happened to him after I left?"

"He left right after you. I think he was a little humiliated by what you did."

"Good! What makes him think he can touch me like that?"

"I think he was here to test you. Voldemort must know about your powers. He was probably under orders," Evelyn reasoned.

"That's no excuse. He was hard!" Grace whispered.

"That's disgusting!"

"Tell me about it!" Grace shuddered.

Just as they were talking, Tonks surprised them by shouting 'Say cheese!' at them. They looked round just in time for the flash to go off. Tonks giggled and ran off.

The Hall was finally ready for the next morning and Grace and Snape were the last ones to leave. They walked back to his quarters in silence, neither sure of what to say.

Upon entering his quarters, Snape locked and warded his door, making sure to silence the room before setting his wand and cloak aside.

"Thank you for helping us," Grace said.

Snape stepped towards her and took her face into his hands.

"Shhh, no talking," he said as he kissed her.

Grace simply fell into the embrace as they stumbled backwards and fell onto the make shift bed. Grace then shoved him upwards.

"Wait, we need to talk,"

Snape looked worried. After all of her persisting, she's now going to reject me? He thought. He tried to calm his thoughts.

"What is on your mind?" he asked as calmly as possible.

"Where do we go from here? I don't want this to be just about sex. As gratifying as it was," Grace smiled, "I need to know if you feel more,"

"I would have thought already knew the answer to that,"

"I can feel what you feel, but I need to know, is it because of me as a person, or is it because I let you get in my pants?" she asked bluntly.

"Do you honestly think that is all I wanted from you?" Snape asked disdainfully.

"No, I don't think that. I've never been close to anyone like this before. The only person, who I am close to, is Evelyn."

"This is new for me also. It's been a very long time since I felt anything for anyone, and it happened so quickly and unexpectedly. It certainly wasn't one of my goals at the start of the year. I don't even understand why I do feel these things, I just know that I do," he replied.

"It feels strange to have my emotions so out of my control like this," Grace commented.

"Yes it does, but it doesn't make them any less meaningful. Although I must say, when I first saw you, I did find you rather… chirpy, and eager to please. It was a little annoying, but despite that, I did think that you were attractive."

"You're just saying that. I'm not as athletic as Evelyn, or as graceful, regardless of my name. I remember mum saying that she named us wrong. It wasn't meant as a bad thing. I was always a little bigger than her, I guess that comes from being non identical twins," she supposed.

"Being different from your sister is what makes you who you are, and I wouldn't want it to be any different. Besides, I've always preferred my women to look womanly," he smirked, grabbing her bottom and pulling her onto his lap.

"Is that a confession, Professor?" Grace mocked.

"A confession of what?"

"Your long and sordid experience with women,"

Snape blanched a little. Not many people knew of his after hours activities in the depths of Knockturn Alley. He supposed he had to tell her sometime.

"I wouldn't call it valuable experience. I simply satisfied my more, basic needs," he offered.

"How so?"

"I'm not sure if you are aware of Knockturn Alley or of it's affinity for Dark Wizards and other such, forbidden necessities," Grace shook her head, "Much like the Red Light districts of Muggle London, Knockturn Alley has it's own… amenities for personal pleasure,"

"Hookers," Grace added.

"Prostitutes yes. In pretty much condemning myself to a life of solitude, I found myself drawn to that place to relieve my, anxieties. Not exactly the wisest of decisions, but I do not regret spending my time or my money on those whores. It provided me with a brief respite from the life I am now bound to lead."

"Wow. I guess I never expected that. I suppose people shouldn't have expected you to stay celibate for the rest of your life. I don't think you should regret it either. It's not like any of them will come running to the Castle professing their undying love for you," Grace chuckled.

"Indeed. So, it doesn't bother you. My having sex with prostitutes, for personal gratification?"

"No, we all have a past. Some more colourful than others. Nobody is perfect," Grace reasoned.

"Perfection, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder."

"Are you saying I'm beautiful?" Grace asked

"I'm sure there are worse people I could be making love to," Snape smirked, pulling her down into an embrace, unzipping her dress and slipping it down.

They made love continuously until the early hours of the morning when they both fell into slumber in each others arms. Neither had ever felt so contented.