I'm off to Europe next week so I've been so busy with work in preparation and thus this little story has taken a bit of a back seat! So I've hastily written a couple of chapters that'll go up today and these will have to tie you over for a month or so until I get back!

Thanks for the latest reviews it motivates me to work on it! :)

I was waiting in the headmasters office for Severus to return, he had seemed distant with me for the rest of the day, like he avoiding my eyes and there was a coldness radiating from him I couldn't explain.

He eventually flooed in from his quarters, seeing me and then promptly ignoring me he started to brief the headmaster on the latest from Voldemort.

'I have sustained no injuries. Approximately 20 muggles were tortured for entertainment, I tried to put as many out of their misery as I could. Draco and I have successfully stalled Voldemort regarding the plan for Miss Granger but he is adamant that Draco complete it within a week. Draco is near hysterical with anger at me over my supposed assault on Miss Granger. I have tried to convince him not to jump to conclusions about me and to make a leap of faith and trust me. Whether he does is another story. Now if you will excuse me I have a glass of Old Ogdens waiting for me'. And just like that he disappeared back through the green flames without even waiting for our response.

'Well then, that was curt, is he often like that after returning from Voldemort's revels?'.

'Hmmm…Have you done something to upset Severus Miss Granger, he seemed quite miffed at you don't you think?'.

'Well I was going to say something but I thought it might sound awful conceited of me after the reports of all the torture and death. But no I haven't even spoken to him except my goodbye to both of you this morning as I left your office'.

'Perhaps go see him in the morning Miss Granger, I worry about him and you two have found some sort of mutual respect and trust. I hope you will see to him that he is ok? Not too early mind you, I have a feeling that glass of fire whiskey may turn into a bottle this evening'.

'Oh dear, yes I will drop by in the morning, on that note it is late and I am in need of some much needed sleep'.

'Agreed Miss Granger, thank you for your company this evening. It was nice to wile away the hours waiting for Severus to return with someone else'.

Smiling at the headmaster in goodbye I returned to my room, racking my brain trying to think how I offended my professor.

The next morning I woke up later than expected at 11 am, using my Naturalis' ability to get dressed and ready in an instant I barrelled out the door and swiftly ventured to the door of Severus' study. Knocking timidly I waited for his response, when there was none I knocked a lot louder.

He threw open the door with barely disguised rage, 'Of course its you, what demands do you have upon my person this Saturday morning Miss Granger?'

Ignoring his rudeness I asked him if I could come in and speak with him. He gestured for me to come in and he followed me to the two chesterfield armchairs. Sitting down he made no effort to inquire at the reason for my visit but just stared into the embers of his fire.

'Professor have I done something to upset you?'.

'Upset me Miss Granger? No to UPSET me you'd have to be of some consequence to me and I'm here to tell you that you are of NO consequence to me, you are an annoyance, in the classroom and out'.

I didn't say anything, I sat there and waited for him to apologise to me. I could tell the awkward silence was bothering him but still I waited.

'Don't you have somewhere to be Miss Granger, surely Potter would be wondering at your whereabouts?'

'Harry? No I imagine he's playing Quidditch as he usually does Saturday mornings, I am usually in the library getting ahead on my homework.'

'Oh so its Saturday evenings you two spend together, of course, tell me is Ronald Weasley disappointed he didn't get a shot with you as well or do you fuck him too?'

'What in the name of Circe are you talking about? Do you actually think I have a sexual relationship with Harry and Ron? Or are you purposely being an arse to get me to leave you alone?'.

'Well I know you do with Potter, Weasley was just a guess. Was it a good one? I should've known once I popped that cherry of yours you wouldn't be able to keep your legs closed'.

'I'd like you to rethink that sentence of yours Professor, your acting mad. I am NOT seeing Harry, or Ron or anyone for that matter. Now think about what you just implied, and think about the reasons why as you so eloquently said 'popped my cherry'. I didn't do it for me, I did it for you, to save YOUR life. And everything we have done thereafter has been to save your sorry arse from your DEMENTED master!'

I was crying now, why was he being so cruel? I tried to speak to him like an adult but he was intent on being petty and mean and I couldn't handle the words coming out of the man I respected so dearly.

He stood up out of his chair now and stood over me, 'The headmaster told me you and Potter were in a relationship, are you telling me that Dumbledore himself is wrong?'.

'Thats exactly what I am saying, I'm not sure what Dumbledore said but Harry and I are not together! Your the closest thing I have to a relationship and what a pathetic fool that makes me!'

I was standing there crying into my hands, I felt like my heart was breaking. Why did he hate me so much? I thought we had some semblance of a connection? Or was I just a hole for him to stick his dick into?

Suddenly I felt his strong arms encircle me, he was nuzzling his large nose into my hair and repeating sorry over and over again.

I pulled back, putting my hands on chest I asked a simple question, 'Why?'.

'Hermione, I truly am sorry, I am not a good man, I am full of rage and bitterness and today I learned that I am also full of jealousy. I am not proud to admit it but I was jealous of Potter. Dumbledore said you two had a close relationship, in retrospect he probably meant your friendship. I see how comfortable you are with him, how close you are. I have never had that, I do not have that. What I did have was an exceptional woman who decided I was worth saving and in doing so she gave me the gift of her body. That and her formidable mind of which are the only bright spots in my otherwise depressing existence. When I thought that another man was privy to the same passion, the same beauty well I grew covetous. I have no rights to you, I should not be thinking such thoughts over a woman I have a duty of care for. A student! You said you were a pathetic fool, you were wrong, it is I who is a pathetic fool. And I hurt you, I never wanted to and yet here I am doing just that. I know you will never forgive me but know I am repentant and I regret my behaviour.'

He coveted me? What did all this mean? I felt even more confused than I did before I walked in the room.

I stepped back from him, I could not let him treat me this way when he was hurt or upset, I will not be a door mat for the emotional whims of a 36 year old man.

Putting my hands on my hip and giving him the best Hermione Granger look, the one that scared the boys into compliance I launched into one of my trademark rants.

'Now you listen here and you listen carefully Severus Snape, if you are upset with me, by something real or imagined then you TALK to me. I know that may seem to be a foreign concept to Mister Strong and Silent but its a way for people to communicate to avoid misunderstandings like this one. You are never to treat me that way again, you may be older than I but I will not tolerate sook fits from a grown man. Especially one who decides that when he's feeling hurt that others should hurt along with him. How dare you you think that is was appropriate to treat me that way? I may not be your girlfriend or wife but I am your partner in this war against a mad man. I forgive you for your latest bout of man child hysteria but repeat it you may find yourself on my bad side and you can ask Dolores Umbridge and Rita Skeeter what my bad side looks like, its not something you want to witness'.

Stopping for a deep breath I saw that the professor looked throughly chastised, good I thought. I'm not sure anyone has ever done it and evidently he needed it.

'You are right, of course Hermione' he pulled my arm and nestled me into his body, kissing my neck and running his hands up and down my sides. 'Now tell me how can I make it up to you, for my behaviour?'

Moaning softly as he kissed all the sensitive spots on my neck I didn't reply but enjoyed his ministrations, feeling my body heat up and relax at the same time.

He was backing me up to the chaise lounge now, guiding me down and then settling his body over the top of mine I could feel his hardness pressing into my leg, Merlin I wanted him!

'How about since you gave me a quite a thorough tongue lashing that I give you one of my own'. Moving down my body, he lifted up my skirt, vanished my panties and gave my slit a broad lick with his tongue.

Ohhhhhhhhhh, Merlin that felt amazing! Oh god yes!

He applied his mouth to my clit and applied slight suction to it, sending my back arching, I held his head to my pussy and encouraged him further.

'Severus don't stop oh god that feels amazing, oh god, YES, oh your amazing, ahhhhhhh'.

He was tongue fucking my hole now and I knew as soon as he went back to my clit I would cum. He nuzzled his large nose into my clitoral hood and that was enough, my orgasm unravelled from my pussy and radiated out through my whole body. Realising I had been screaming his name I apologised for making such a racket.

'Ridiculous, your apologies are not needed, nor are they wanted. Make all the noise you want dirty girl'.

Blushing slightly I had no chance to respond as there was a timid knock on the study door, panicking at the thought of someone seeing me in this state my Naturalis powers responded and returned me to my former state leaving Severus staring at me in shock.