Disclaimers: I do not own anything from the books of Harry Potter and I'm certainly not making any money from this story. Everything you might recognise belongs to J K Rowling, her editor and Warner Bros. (Though as far as I know, the plot, and some minor characters, are mine.)
Summary: One usually says that "bright minds think the same", but do they listen to their hearts – especially when the minds are as stubborn as those of Severus Snape and Hermione Granger?
Author's notes: Wow, one thousand reviews! I'm completely speechless. I never thought it possible. Thank you all so very, very much! I'm so glad that so many seems to like my story and that you continue to read it (even though I have been terrible with updates since I started at university). I can only hope that you will keep reading it and be happy with where the story takes us. It has been an amazing ride so far and it's definitely not over yet. Thank you once again. I'm completely amazed.
Bright Minds Think the Same
Chapter Thirty six – The End of the Evening
Hermione allowed Severus to apparate her back to Hogwarts, not because she wouldn't have been able to do it herself, but because it gave her a chance to be in his arms. But Severus didn't let go of her once they had appeared outside the large gates. Bending slightly forward, he caught her lips with his, his tongue playing over her lips until her own joined the battle.
Hermione's hands stroked over his back and she felt like she couldn't get close enough as he let his own hands trail along her hair, back and hips.
When the chill of the night and lack of air finally forced the couple apart and caused them to begin their walk back to the castle, they were both slightly flushed and heavy breathing.
Hermione's experience with alcoholic beverages virtually only extended to the banquet after the defeat of Voldemort, having been too young when she left for Hogwarts for the first time and then very rarely being invited to that kind of gathering, and she could feel the lulling buzz of the wine and champagne she had been served travel through her body.
Severus, on the other hand, had vastly more experience, but the wine and champagne in combination with the whiskey he had consumed caused him as well to feel a slight effect of the alcohol, in no way enough for him to be considered inebriated, but still there.
As the doors closed behind them, Hermione leant against the stone wall. Giggling softly, she removed her shoes, picking them up so that they were dangling from the fingers of her left hand before she allowed Severus to continue escorting her.
"Clothes like these are a curse." she told him with a joking air of revealing a great secret.
"Indeed..." he agreed in a tone that indicated that he meant it very differently from her.
Severus didn't really think about where they were the stairs took them, having planned on walking her to her room, and hence was quite surprised when they ended up in the dungeons. His lack of control when it came to Hermione was really quite worrying, if he had only been able to make himself care.
Suddenly Hermione stumbled on the last step and Severus reached out to steady her, causing her to be pressed up against his chest. She looked up at him with big, brown eyes and Severus felt a shiver travel from the small of his back and up along his spine.
His Do you want to come inside? died on his lips as she reached up, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that made his heart hammer against his chest so hard he was certain that it could be heard all over the castle. His breath came in short gasps as he tried to pull her even closer as their tongues danced against each other. Waving his hand, causing the door to swing open, he pulled her with him inside without breaking their kiss.
"Thank you for a letting me come with you tonight." Hermione breathed as the kiss ended.
"I didn't have much choice, did I?" he said with a smile as he stroked a finger along her cheek. "I hope you enjoyed yourself."
"I did, very much. I only wish we could have gotten to dance, at least once."
"Would that make you happy" he asked softly, waving his wand, making low music start to play as he took her in his arms, making Hermione laugh.
"Aren't you the closet romantic?" she said teasingly, but it was easy to tell that her heart wasn't in it.
He hummed noncommittally. "Don't let the First-years know, I would never get them to behave again." he answered sardonically.
"I'm not so sure. I believe just the thought of having to dance with their dreaded Potions professor would be enough to keep even the most obnoxious seventh year in line."
"Except this one."
"Oh, but I'm not a seventh year anymore. You saw to that, remember?" she said, one eyebrow raised in teasing challenge.
"How could I? It was probably the biggest mistake of my career..." Severus replied, making her laugh again.
He was playing a dangerous game and he knew it. He doubted that she was aware of what she could do to him with nothing but a smile and holding her like this, feet moving in slow foxtrot steps in time with the music as her head rested against his shoulder, one small, delicate hand on his shoulder and the other one in his larger one, caused hot an cold shivers to go up his spine, something he was quick to blame on the alcohol.
As they danced, bodies so close they could feel each other's heartbeats, Hermione suddenly became aware of something hard pressing against her hip. Letting her hand slowly move from his shoulder over his chest and down towards his waist, she playfully asked "What is this?"
"What do you think?" was his dry reply.
Taking a small step back she held his inro, still attached to his waist, in her hand.
"Oh, it's beautiful." she exclaimed as she examined it closer. Like his wand it was made from black ebony and it was slightly larger than hers. Like hers though it was carved, but where hers depicted a playing otter, his depicted a beautiful raven sitting on an oak branch.
"The oak must symbolise knowledge, but why the raven?" she asked.
"Well, my former master found the reference to Poe humorous. I can't see why." he teased her.
"Nevermore..." she replied. "What was it he wanted to keep you from doing – scowling?"
Severus laughed as Hermione once again found her way into his arms and they continued to move in time with the music. "Like I said – my biggest mistake."
The young woman pouted slightly, her pink bottom lip sticking out in a, in Severus's opinion, ridiculously adorable fashion. "Am I really that bad?"
"Worse!" he exclaimed.
Her eyes glittering with laughter and mischief, she replied, "Really? And what could I possibly do to make it up to you?"
"Hmm, now that you mention it, I actually have several ideas."
"And may I inquire as to what those ideas might be?"
"Certainly."
"Well," Hermione gave him a mock annoyed look, "what are they?"
"The first thing that springs to mind is a promise to never raise your hand in class again." Severus drawled.
"Ah, so I should just speak up whenever I have something to ask?" she gave him her most innocent look. "Why haven't you told me so before?"
"Impossible witch, I do not think that there is a way to keep you quiet."
Hermione laughed softly. "I wouldn't be so..." But before she had time to finish her sentence, Severus was kissing her, making her forget all about their banter.
Breaking their kiss for a second, he said, "I do believe I won, Miss Granger." before once again quickly silencing the reply he was completely convinced would have otherwise come.
He pressed her to him, his hands roaming over her back and then her hips and up her sides. Trailing heated kisses along her jaw, he felt her left hand leave his shoulder to trace patterns across his chest. Severus was dimly aware of her hands finding their way beneath his frockcoat. Though as she arched into him – his name leaving her lips in a gasp as he kissed his way back up her neck – his senses suddenly started to come back.
With more willpower than he thought he possessed at the moment he broke their kiss, his breath heavy from what he told himself was nothing but lack of air. Brushing an escaping lock of hair behind her ear, he said, "You should go back to your room. Get some sleep."
"Can't I stay here?" she asked timidly, not daring to meet his eyes.
"Hermione..." he said warningly.
"Please. I miss you so much when we can't talk to each other and the holiday is soon over."
Taking a deep breath, silently conceding defeat, he replied. "I'll see if I can find something for you to wear. I doubt sending a house elf for your things would be very wise." Motioning for her to join him, they left the sitting room and walked through the dimly lit hallway.
Severus swept into his bedroom and headed directly for the dresser, starting to look for something suitable for Hermione.
Hermione on the other hand had stopped just inside the door, curiously looking around the small room. The room was dominated by a large four poster bed made of dark wood with dark green hangings and impeccably made with white bedclothes. There was a large wardrobe made of the same wood as the bed with carved leaves on the doors and two bed side tables.
"The furniture was here when I took over." he commented as he pulled one of his shirts from the wardrobe. "I'm afraid that this is the best I have to offer unless you want a far too large nightshirt"
"Oh, it's fine. I'll be right back." she said as she accepted the shirt and padded across the hallway to the bathroom. Sipping out of her dress she changed into the white shirt, not buttoning the cuffs, and conjured herself a toothbrush.
Some minutes later, she returned to the bedroom where Severus had changed into one of his grey nightshirts. Dropping a kiss on her forehead, he passed by her to brush his own teeth.
As he returned, he saw Hermione sitting on the bed, brushing her hair. His shirt rode high on her thighs as she sat with her knees drawn up. Like at The Leaky Cauldron, he sat down behind her, taking the brush from her as he started to slowly brush it though her long hair.
"I transfigured your comb. I hope you don't mind."
Looking at the wooden brush he saw an inlay of mother-of-pearl flowers and leaves on the back. "Oh, I believe this is one is better. You have exquisite taste, my dear."
"A girl should be entitled to transfigure herself something pretty every now and then, shouldn't she?" she said with a laugh.
"Of course." he drawled. Putting the brush down on the closest nightstand, he rose from the bed. Turning the cover down for the both of them, they both crawled down, Hermione on her side so that she was facing him. Severus turned out the light with a wave of his wand before placing it next to the brush.
About ten minutes later, he turned over and was greeted by the sight of Hermione's eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Alright, come over." he said in a low voice as he rolled back over on his back and extended his arm for her.
Hermione scooted over and a few minutes later she was asleep, leaving Severus to contemplate the evening and the young woman who somehow had managed to worm her way into his heart and bed.
Hermione woke up the next morning, her head resting against Severus's shoulder and enveloped in his arms. Stretching slightly, careful not to disturb the man beside her, she settled back against him, closing her eyes again.
Except for sleeping head to foot with her cousin as a child, Hermione had never shared a bed with anyone. Nor had she ever wanted to. But lying here, encircled by Severus's scent and arms made her wish that she could stay there forever. Without thinking she let her hand run slowly over his nightshirt, tracing patterns across his chest. Reaching up, she placed a kiss on his jaw, smiling sleepily.
How had she ended up like this? Had someone told her just a few months ago that she would wake up in Severus's bed, in his arms nonetheless, on New Years Day, she... She didn't know quite what she would have done, but she would definitely not have believed them.
And yet, when she allowed herself to turn a blind eye to all of the complicating factors, she was ridiculous happy.
"Hermione Granger, go back to sleep." Severus grumbled. "It's far too early to be awake on New Years Day." But he still bent his head to place a kiss on her lips even though he kept his eyes closed.
Snuggling closer she gladly obeyed.
Author's notes: Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but there really was no other place to break it. (And I hope it wasn't too evil :-S.)