Thank you so much for your patience! I've been super busy with school, but this story is still a priority. And thank you all for your lovely reviews! I love you guys! Here's Chapter 34. Please Review!

Ooo we're almost to 500 reviews! Should I give a prize to the 500th reviewer?

…*~*~J~*~*…

"What's all this?" he asked her as she dumped a pile of books and parchment on his desk.

"My research," she informed him. "You and I are in this together, after all, and I think that this may be important. What can we possibly hope to accomplish if we do not work together? There are dire stakes and I believe it is imperative that we be completely honest with each other."

Those cinnamon eyes were staring stubbornly back at him, and Severus had to suppress a smile. The chit certainly had a knack for bringing about that unfamiliar urge.

He hesitated a moment to make her squirm, but she did not back down. "Will you be assigning homework as well?" he asked her. Those pretty lips quirked up in humor at that and it made his chest swell to see her laughing at his jest. In his experience, laughter was cruel and mocking. But it was never like that with her; with Hermione.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I'm not even asking you to read the books, though I did think that you would want to anyway. Silly me. I do hope you can focus long enough to hear my explanations, though."

He sneered up at her, wanting nothing more than to sweep her into his chambers and remove the many layers she was currently wearing. Most inconvenient. But the prospect of her research drew his interest away from that horrid, loose sweater and he picked up the first book. "Astrology? Surely you do not mean to interpret my horoscope."

She laughed again and the corner of his mouth twitched with the desire to express the burgeoning emotion within him. "It's more relevant than you may think," Hermione told him.

Doubtful, he thought, but ridiculously he trusted her enough to give the book a chance. "Chaos, Alchemy, Mythology, Serpents, Infinity? Forgive me if I cannot imagine how these books relate to each other, much less the war ahead of us." Severus knew that his expression was harsher than his words warranted, but he was overcompensating for the happiness he had never before had to suppress.

"Trust me. What are the odds that these texts have all fallen into my hands since reading that Chaos Theory text and just happen to lead me to the ideas that may eventually become a plan for the war? Just look over them. Allow me to explain my reasoning. If that prophecy is to be believed, I play an important part in the dark lord's defeat. Who is to say that this research is not the reason for that? And once you understand where I'm coming from, perhaps you can help me make sense of my conclusions."

Finally, Severus allowed the tiniest hint of a smile to grace his lips. Damn but he loved her enthusiasm. And intellect. And those inquisitive cinnamon eyes. And that impertinent, sweet red mouth. Drawing his eyes away from her tempting figure, he withdrew some of the parchments. "Alright. I will indulge you. But first, there is something else I ought to tell you, since we are a team and we are being open and honest. The only reason I have not told you this before now is that I wanted to understand it better before proceeding. I wanted to be able to explain it to you. Unfortunately, it seems we will need to wait a while for any conclusive reports, but the picture has become significantly clearer. You remember that research into portkeys that the Headmaster was attempting? Well, it turns out that this particular curse has actually transformed you into a conditional portkey. He is doing further research at the moment to discern whether or not the direction can be reversed, how many people you might be able to take with you, etc. But the Headmaster believes it has something to do with the prophecy."

Hermione's eyes were wide with shock and curiosity. "A conditional portkey?"

"Yes."

"And you believe I may be able to transfer other people?"

"That is the hope, at least."

"If that is the case, we could bring the Order to the dark lord, unsuspecting." She was practically buzzing with excitement, but Severus was more skeptical.

"It would be unwise to force a fight with the dark lord without bringing the Potter boy into it. We already know that 'one must die at the hand of the other.' But it would be foolish to deliver the Chosen One to the Death Eaters when we have no advantage but the element of surprise."

Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "That is true." He could see that she was forming an idea. "But what if we were to transport the dark lord to the Order?"

Severus felt a flare of fear at her words. "Too dangerous," he declared automatically, without even considering the advantages of such a plan. It would be suicide for Hermione, and that was a price he was not willing to pay.

"But it might be the best hope we have," she argued.

He wouldn't hear it. "We don't even know if it is possible, yet. Further speculation at this point is merely a waste of time."

The look she gave him told him that she didn't believe that, but she held her tongue.

"Are you going to lecture me about Chaos Theory or not?" It was a last ditch effort to sway her from the topic, but it proved effective nevertheless. Her face lit up with passion for the knowledge she wished to impart and Severus wondered when his own passion had grown so cold. He understood the feeling in those rosy cheeks and shining eyes, but he could not remember the last time he had felt so exulted. But watching Hermione as she explained her recent findings brought stirrings of those emotions to his heart. And he realized that she had awakened something within him that he had believed long gone; something that he had never missed until now, but that could easily consume him if he was not careful.

Because for the first time in a long time, Severus Snape was filled with passion once again.

"Get on with it," Harry urged his best mate as he pushed him toward Hermione. The girl merely raised an eyebrow in wary curiosity.

"You're only making it harder," the stubborn redhead complained. Hermione squinted her eyes, closing the book on her lap and leaning back into the chair. Whatever it was, it was probably bad. "Alright, alright," Ron finally conceded as his messy-haired friend shoved him forward. "Er… Hermione…" he began awkwardly, "er… that is… Halloween is coming up and… well, Slughorn's party is supposed to be a hit. He's bringing in a load of his most famous friends. And a vampire even! And anyway… it's by invitation only… but you can bring a date… and, well, you're one of his favorites, so you're sure to get an invite. But he can't hardly remember my real name, so I don't reckon I'll be on the list, and… well, I was hoping… since it's not like you can bring Snape… maybe… you'd… want to go with me?"

Hermione only stared up at her daft friend. "Sure, Ron. You can go with me."

"Really? Brilliant! Thanks Hermione!" the relieved redhead collapsed gracelessly onto the couch beside her and Harry took one of the chairs.

"Yeah," Harry began in a tired voice, "I'll be going with Luna and Ginny's going with Neville, so that way we'll all get to go."

"You've really put a lot of thought into this," Hermione noted with surprise.

"Yeah, well… It was that or Transfiguration homework." The dark-haired boy smirked playfully at her and Hermione could only roll her eyes.

"How do you two expect to pass your NEWTS if you can't even keep up with the daily assignments?"

"Don't get her started, Harry," Ron warned, "With our luck she'll make us sit out the festivities when we beat Ravenclaw this Saturday."

Hermione wrinkled her brow. "A Quidditch match already?"

"Already?" Harry laughed. "It's a week later than last year! We've been waiting on pins and needles!"

"Aw man," Ron cut in in a low, worried tone, turning to Hermione, "What are you going to do when we play Slytherin? You better cheer for us! I don't care what the old bat says. Oh but, bloody hell, what if he orders you to cheer for them? What if he orders you to sabotage our team?!" Ron was working himself into a tizzy.

"Don't be absurd," Hermione scolded, "You know he doesn't use his power over me like that."

Harry looked like he was about to say something on the subject, but he bit it back.

"Oh, come on!" she grumbled. "You two are completely ridiculous. Can't you just accept that I am working with Professor Snape, as a team, and that I am on good terms with him? You're so blind with your hate for him that you can't even see the truth right under your noses. Honestly, if he were truly so terrible, do you really believe I would be defending him like this?"

The boys huffed in silence for a moment before Ron spoke up. "Maybe if he ordered you to."

It was all Hermione could do to keep from throwing up her hands and leaving them in their stubborn anger. "Look, Professor Snape is an Order member, like it or not. If you can't trust my judgment, surely you trust Dumbledore. It seems rather silly to me. Shouldn't we save our anger for the real enemy?"

Harry seemed properly shamed by that and he suddenly drooped where he sat, revealing the tired visage of a boy who had too much to worry about and no one to shoulder the burden. She wanted to reach out to him, to tell him that it would all be alright, that they were in it together and would always be there when he needed them. She wanted to tell him about the prophecy and her research and that of Dumbledore. But Harry spoke before she knew what to say. "Hermione, I know you mean well, and I know you trust Snape, but you have to remember that he's a spy. One side or the other is wrong about him and they're both positive that he's loyal. Do you honestly believe he tells you everything?"

But Hermione had no answer for him. Because that was a question she had often asked herself. And she couldn't truthfully say that she believed he did.

There was a knock at his office door and Severus bade the visitor enter. When the haughty face of Draco Malfoy appeared, he could not say that he was surprised, but he could not deny that he was disappointed.

"Good evening Mr. Malfoy."

"Professor," Draco greeted curtly. Severus was unaffected by his tone, for he knew that the arrogant blond boy used such rudeness to cover up vulnerability. And it seemed that Draco Malfoy was feeling particularly vulnerable today.

"How may I assist you?" Severus prompted when no explanation was forthcoming.

Draco fingered the edge of a scroll on the desk and did not meet his professor's gaze. "I wanted to talk to you about our Occlumency lessons," he began at last.

"Yes?"

"Well, I just think it's unfair for me to have to take lessons with the lot of them," he complained. Severus made no response, but considered his words and his tone and searched for some hidden meaning. It was not unusual or unexpected coming from the young Slytherin, but something in the way he would not meet his godfather's gaze made Severus immediately suspicious. His silence was soon rewarded when Draco could bear it no longer. "I could still have the lessons," he allowed, "but… just not with them." Odd indeed.

"I am afraid I will have to refuse, Mr. Malfoy. My schedule is difficult enough to plan as it is, and you can benefit from the mistakes that your classmates make in lessons, as well as your own."

Draco was unhappy, but unsurprised as he continued to toy with the end of the scroll. "Then perhaps if you included more of my own House…"

"Don't be absurd. You are grasping at straws, Mr. Malfoy, but you know why we cannot permit anyone else to know of these lessons."

"What if it was someone we knew we could trust?"

Severus suppressed his immediate thought that no one in Slytherin House could be trusted. Such an answer would not become the Slytherin Head. "My final answer is no, Mr. Malfoy." The boy frowed unhappily and Severus could see the lines of worry etched into his brow. He is under a great deal of stress as well. "Draco," he began again, using the familiar term to reach out to the boy, "is there anything you wish to speak to me about?"

There was a long pause before the boy shook his head, and when his godson's eyes finally met his, they were full of doubt, confusion, and fear. "Thank you for your time, Professor," the boy hurried to say, standing to leave before Severus had a chance to speak again. His use of the formal title was not lost on the dark spy. "Good evening," he murmured as he slipped out of the office, leaving Severus to stare at the dark wood of his door and wonder about this strange behavior from his good friend's son.

Gryffindor was putting up a spectacular show for the first Quidditch match of the season. Harry was zipping around the stadium in search of the Snitch as Ginny repeatedly stole the Quaffle from the Ravenclaws and Ron blocked almost every goal. The crowds were in an uproar, screaming enthusiastically at every turn, even as the Ravenclaws across the way were so apparently unhappy. And yet, through all of this, Hermione could only think of one thing: He hasn't called me.

It had been a week since Severus had last called her to him. And though she had been summoned for business, they had made love in the morning for no reason at all. But that seemed a world away after a week apart, and she had to admit she was hurt that he hadn't asked her to come to him since. A couple of times, she could have sworn he was planning to invite her down to the dungeons, but he hadn't yet. And she didn't want to go to him herself, because it was already clear enough that she felt more for him than he felt for her and she didn't want to push anything on him that he didn't want. But he called me Hermione.

So what? Does that mean he loves you? No. It means he is disgusted by the prospect of sleeping with a student, and it became necessary to address each other more informally. But Hermione could not convince herself that this was true. She could still feel his arms around her and hear her name on his voice as he came deep within her. There was no doubting the affection in his tone. So, why had he been so cold and remote ever since? Oh, she had seen him often enough. They had Occlumency lessons three nights a week and she had met with him a few times to discuss research, but he hadn't so much as touched her in all that time.

When Harry caught the Snitch and Gryffindor won, Hermione had to remind herself to smile and cheer. And as their House carried the team back to the castle, she found herself falling behind, looking back at the stands, wondering if he was there. But he made no appearance, and she eventually caught up to her Housemates and congratulated her friends on a superb victory amidst the chaos of the Common Room. When it came to Quidditch her word didn't count for much, but as their friend she knew that it mattered.

"Did you see the way he swooped down and pulled out just in time!?" Ginny asked. "No one can catch a Snitch like Harry!" In her excitement, the pretty redhead jumped into Harry's arms and kissed him full on the mouth; a gesture which he eagerly returned.

"Loads of people can do that," he replied shyly. "But you were unstoppable! I lost count of the number of times you stole the Quaffle! Those Ravenclaws have nothing on you." The statement was made extra sweet by the history Harry had with a certain Ravenclaw Seeker, and Ginny met his mouth once more in a tender kiss.

"Yeah alright, but what about me?" Ron interjected. The rest of them laughed.

"You blocked almost all of them!" Hermione put in enthusiastically. That much she knew.

But Ron's face seemed to darken at that. "Yeah," he muttered, "almost."

"You were fantastic, Ron!" Harry hurried to tell him. "You're a bloody brilliant Keeper!" His best friend beamed at that. "I'm not going to kiss you, though," Harry joked, and they were all laughing again.

When the scent of fire whiskey began to fill the air and the most outspoken Gryffindors shouted toasts to the Quidditch team, Hermione began to feel more and more distant from the scene around her. She refused a glass of the amber liquid, as both other brushes with the substance had been disastrous, and headed toward the Portrait Hole.

It wasn't until she was out in the hall that she knew what she was planning to do. But she couldn't help the pull of her feet in the direction of the dungeons and she didn't have much reason to resist. After all, it had been a week. Surely that showed some measure of willpower. And yet, as she neared her professor's door, Hermione began to have second thoughts. What if he was busy? What if he was with someone else? What if he didn't want her?

But it didn't bear thinking about, so Hermione knocked on the door.

"Enter," a deep voice called out and Hermione's heart leapt in her chest and her stomach did a nervous somersault as fiery anticipation began to tighten her loins. She opened the door.

Severus Snape kept his face completely, infuriatingly blank when she entered and she could feel her resolve weakening. "Good afternoon, Professor."

"Good afternoon," he returned, but he hesitated and did not include her name. "Come to teach me more about Sagittarius?" he teased. Hermione wasn't fooled. She knew that he had taken her ideas seriously, but was loathe to give her credit for anything outside of the bedchamber. Stubborn bastard.

Alright, Hermione, what's it going to be? Retreat to the safe topic of research or do what you came to do? She could have smiled because really there was no choice. Walk on the wild side, she told herself as she took a few steps toward her professor. "Not exactly," she murmured in what she hoped was a sultry tone. "Although, I hear that Mars is soon to be in Virgo. Would you care to discuss the implications of that?" Hermione's lips quirked as she neared her frozen professor. There was hunger in his eyes to be sure, but also uncertainty. Well, she couldn't blame him for that. If anything, it just meant that she would need to compensate for it. It was a damn shame she was so bundled up in sweaters, but she'd just have to make do.

"I understand that can be particularly fortuitous," Severus replied, finally. His voice was deep and smooth and dangerous and it sent curls of desire down her spine. "It is supposed to be a good time to make connections," he smirked, "to join together," Hermione leaned across his desk, supporting her weight on her hands, "to… take off ridiculously shapeless sweaters." He met her eyes and she could see the command in those inky depths, though he had not voiced it as such. And she obeyed without question, but of her own free will.

"Like this?" she asked him. Severus leaned back in his chair, his eyes caressing her body before meeting her own gaze once more. There was hesitance. He did not want to ask it of her. Was he still so worried about their roles as teacher and student? Well… she wasn't. And to demonstrate that, she began by slowly removing the rest of her clothes until she stood before him completely nude. Those black eyes seemed to devour her flesh with their fiery intensity. Then, as she was contemplating her next move, his wand shot out so quickly that she barely had the chance to register surprise before she felt the tug of a Summons and found herself falling into his lap with a muffled "Oh!"

Severus grinned up at her as she straddled him and began to run his hands along the curves of her body. "Mmmmm," he moaned in approval. Then he pulled her tight against him and met her mouth in a gentle kiss. The contact sent a ripple of pleasure to her core as Hermione opened her mouth to him and brought her hands to the buttons on his frock coat.

"Please," she whimpered, and he moaned against her mouth. Then he slid a hand down the little row of buttons and they undid themselves magically. "Mmmmm," she moaned as she pushed it off his shoulders and turned her attention to the front of his trousers.

"Oh gods," he groaned as she slipped a hand inside, caressing the length of him as her tongue brushed against his. And then he stood, lifting her with him and laying her across the desk in one swift movement. And he groaned as he pressed his body against hers, crushing her into the hard wood as their lips tangled. Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist and thrilled at the sensation of his stiff erection pressed between her legs. "Please," he begged her as one hand came up to grasp her breast.

"Yes," she whimpered against his mouth. And Severus did not hesitate once permission was given. Pushing slowly inside of her, he did not stop until he was fully sheathed. "Oh," she gasped as he continued to kiss her, moving slowly but forcefully inside of her. Hermione was amazed that he could be so fierce and tender all at once.

Severus broke away from her mouth and withdrew his own face only far enough to meet her gaze. And they maintained eye contact as he thrust into her harder and more urgently. Tears sprang to her eyes from the pure emotion of it, but she did not look away. Instead, she smiled up at him as he made love to her on his desk. And he brushed her mouth with his again in the softest gesture. In his eyes, she could see that this was more than sex. In his touch, she could feel how much he cared. And she knew that the passion of his movement was his passion for her.

"Oh please," she whimpered, and he quickened the pace, thrusting harder and deeper with every eager movement. The sensation was so overwhelming that she felt she might burst, and she met his eyes with her own, hoping to communicate silently those words he would be afraid to hear. I love you, she thought with her gaze, and tears burst from her eyes even as she shattered beneath him. Shocks of pleasure fell over her, pulsing through her as she shuddered underneath him, crying out wordlessly without breaking eye contact. And she saw a sudden raw intensity blossom in those dark depths as he thrust a couple more times inside of her before stiffening and grunting raggedly as he poured his seed inside of her.

When his body relaxed, he did not collapse against her, but instead braced himself to look down into her weeping eyes. He brought a hand up to brush away the tears and run his knuckles along her cheek before meeting her mouth with his own and slowly, tenderly kissing her for a long moment. There was no doubting the sentiment in that kiss. And when he pulled away again, his eyes were full of some indiscernible emotion. And she had a feeling he was about to say something.

But suddenly there was a roar in the fireplace and Severus ripped away from her.

"Severus?" Dumbledore's voice called. The floo was obscured from view by the curve of the wall and the shelves of jars and books that lay between. "May I come in?"

The dark man's eyes were horrorstricken as he gaped for something to say. "Uhh," he began, reaching for Hermione and pulling her from the desk, "certainly, Albus."

Hermione was suddenly being stuffed under his desk and he wordlessly Summoned her clothes, stuffing them down with her, and redressed himself with a wave of his wand as the Headmaster stepped through the floo. Within seconds, he was seated at his desk just as he would have been if Hermione hadn't come at all.

The floor was cold and the space was cramped and it was difficult to keep from laughing at the hilarity of the situation in which they found themselves. She did not know much about dressing with magic and was therefore resigned to wait until the Headmaster left before clothing herself.

"I am afraid I have bad news, Severus," the Headmaster sighed. That caught her attention. "If my calculations are correct—and I think we both agree that they very likely are—it seems Miss Granger may not be able to transport nearly as much as we had hoped. In fact, it seems to me that it would be quite risky for her to transport any live person at all. I believe she may transport objects, however, so that may be useful. But I cannot imagine how that could possibly be the key."

"Hmmm," Severus groaned. "That does complicate the matter."

"Quite. And it seemed so very convenient and wonderfully ironic that Tom could have given us the link that would bring his demise to his doorstep. But alas, if it is not to be, it is not to be. I will continue with my research, but I am not optimistic that any different conclusion could be drawn. I confess myself heavily disappointed." The old man certainly sounded upset.

"As am I," Severus agreed. "But this does not alter the truth of the prophecy. There must be some other advantage we have not yet discovered. I feel certain that we shall unearth it eventually."

"Perhaps," agreed Dumbledore, "But will it be in time?"

Hermione felt around the dark space beneath the desk and gathered up her clothing as the Headmaster took his leave. And when Severus finally stood to allow for her escape, Hermione crawled out into the light with an impish grin on her face.

"Forgive me," he murmured at once. "I only wished to avoid Albus's judgment. Unfortunately, he has too much power over us to be trusted with knowledge of this…" He could not seem to name it, but Hermione knew what it was. Whether he liked it or not, they had a personal relationship now.

"That's alright," Hermione told him as he began to pace the room, deep in thought. She deposited her clothing on his desk in order to sort them out. And was surprised to see a splash of bright pink mixed into the folds. Frowning, she tugged it loose to discover that it was a pair of thong underwear. Hermione's immediate instinct was to stuff it back into the pile and pray the professor hadn't noticed. But he was still pacing. What the hell is this? she wondered. Her breath began to come in shallow, quick gasps and her heart seemed to hammer painfully in her chest. "After all," she improvised, "we're a team, right?"

"Certainly," he agreed mid-stride.

"And we are open and honest with each other?"

"Of course."

"Severus," she murmured, hoping to get his attention. He stopped and turned to face her with concern clear in his eyes. "Are you keeping something from me?"

He was quiet for a long moment, in which his face became a mask and he seemed to be thinking hard. "I am a spy for two sides of the war that will decide the fate of the Wizarding World. It is necessary for me to keep some secrets to myself."

Hermione shook her head. "Not that kind of secret. I just…" she paused as tears came unbidden to her eyes. "I was just wondering if there was anything that you wanted to tell me…" It's not what it looks like. It's not what it looks like.

Again, he paused a long moment before hesitantly shaking his head.

"Alright," she said almost angrily, her voice rough. She pulled the pink undergarment from her little pile of clothes. "So what is this, then?" She held the offending object up so that he would be sure to see what it was. And for another long moment, he was still. This time, however, it was a very guilty pause, and Hermione didn't like the feel of it at all.

"I can honestly tell you that I have never seen those before," he began, "but I have an idea of its original source."

Hermione was not sure if she wanted to hear or not. Had he had some whore down here before she was in the picture? Did he have a girlfriend at some other point? A girlfriend with really slutty tastes in undergarments? She gestured for him to continue.

"Well… when I returned to the office late the other night… Miss Parkinson was here waiting for me. She… eh… implied that she wanted… to… to seduce me…"

"What!?"

"I sent her out immediately, I assure you."

"Minus her underwear!?"

"She must have deposited them there while she was waiting," he floundered defensively.

"Oh gods! She was naked?"

"No! Gods no. she was wearing a dress."

"Oh great! You remember what she was wearing. So why didn't you fuck her then? Or did you? Did you fuck her on the desktop too?"

"Don't be ridiculous! I do not make it a habit to sleep with my students!"

"Ohhh great!" Hermione threw up her hands in anger.

"Hermione, listen... she was jealous of you, that's all. But I told her I wasn't interested."

"Oh really? So… why didn't you tell me?" Hermione was trembling with rage and hurt, and she knew she was being petty and insecure. But this really didn't sit well with her.

"I did not think it was relevant. Nothing happened. I do not run to you with stories about my Slytherins."

"You know it's not like that! Did she kiss you?"

"No, of course not!"

"She didn't touch you at all?"

"No—well…"

"What? Tell me."

"Ehm… that is… she took me by surprise, you see. And she did… she did sort of grab me."

"Oh gods! I can't believe you didn't tell me! And here I was defending you while Harry's telling me that I'm foolish to think that you confide anything in me. And here you go and prove me wrong!"

"Hermione," he pleaded, "please. It wasn't like that. It was truly nothing of consequence. I swear it."

"I told you about Sirius," she reminded him in a low, hurt voice. "How would you feel if you found out about it a week later by accident? As if I never planned to tell you at all?"

Severus was outraged. "Well that's entirely different! He took advantage of you!"

"It doesn't matter! I didn't have to tell you. But I did, because I wanted to be honest with you." She glared at him as she pulled on her clothes. "I have to go," she told him when she was dressed. "Good day, Professor." He seemed to flounder for a response, but before he had the chance, she was out the door and hurrying back to Gryffindor Tower.

What else hasn't he told me? she asked herself. She had not felt so hurt since the beginning of their little relationship, if you could even call it that. Oh gods, I was a fool. He was never open with me at all.

…*~*~J~*~*…

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