Vixen
By
SheriLovingLecter
Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot belongs to me; blah blah, the usual, you know that HP isn't mine..
Severus thinking to Hermione.
Hermione thinking to Severus.
Chapter 34 – Progression and Alienation.
She woke feeling pleasantly warm, a content smile stretching her lips as she burrowed deeper into the warmth.
"You know.. If you go any further into that chair I fear I may never be able to retrieve you."
Her eyes fluttered open to land upon the bed before her and the man sat up in it; his black hair tousled from sleep and his alert eyes upon her.
"Good morning Sleeping Beauty." He said dryly, a smirk twitching the corner of his mouth.
Hermione jumped up, only noticing a blanket had been thrown over her when it fluttered to the ground, she moved closer and laid the back of her hand across his forehead.
"Are you alright Severus? How are you feeling? Does it hurt still?"
She felt a tug on her hand and looked down, noticing his was holding hers. She frowned, trying to figure out if she had grabbed it at some point whilst fussing over him. He tugged again and she stumbled slightly falling to sit on the bed beside him, his lip quirked upward in that familiar smirk as he watched her.
"I am fine, stop with the blasted questions woman or I might be inclined to call you Molly Weasley from now on."
Hermione shot him a teasing glare as she pouted half heartedly. "I preferred 'Sleeping Beauty' if I'm honest with you."
She watched as he chuckled. "Yes, and I also preferred the Sleeping Beauty who wasn't asking me questions, rather she was snoring on the armchair and drooling over the upholstery."
Her mouth fell open as he laughed at her, she lifted one of the pillows and proceeded to smack him over the head with it; his laugh still audible as he yanked her forward, making her land on top of him.
Hermione swallowed and the smile began to fade from her features as she realised her position, his own black eyes sparkling with mirth and an underlying heat, the very same one she had seen when he had trapped her against the door.
"Well now, this is a most welcome development."
She could feel his voice as it rumbled through his chest and into hers; she smiled at him weakly, trying to pick back up on the lighthearted mood from before so as to not make an utter fool of herself for a second time.
"I do not snore, nor do I drool! Thank you very much, you however…"
She had forgotten what she wanted to say as his hand moved from her own to softly stroke up her arm, leaving the tiny hairs standing on end as his fingers barely grazed the skin. Hermione swallowed and hoped the sound had not been a loud gulp, her breathing elevated and she felt somewhat dizzy.
"No, you do not snore… But I cannot say the same for the drooling."
Hermione gaped at him again before narrowing her eyes and poking him in the ribs, hoping to get some sort of reaction from him. She was disappointed, trust Severus Snape not to be ticklish; she squealed though when he retaliated and span them over so he was now over her, his fingers tickling her mercilessly.
She gasped for air trying to push him away. "Severus, stop, please! You win!"
She opened her eyes to look at him as her chest heaved her eyes locked on him as he now leant over her, his hair falling; still slightly tousled either side of his face. She narrowed her eyes at him, her hands whacking his chest.
"You sir, are evil."
She watched him raise a brow.
"I do believe you started the physical fighting Miss Granger by hitting me over the head with my furniture; therefore it is you, who are evil."
He chuckled at her pout and she smiled back, quite aware her hair must be a tangled mess all over the place and her clothes ruffled; but she didn't care. Her smile faltered as he leant closer to her, pressing a warm kiss to her forehead and she closed her eyes; happiness filling her.
"Thank you Hermione."
Her eyes fluttered open as she smiled at him her heart pounding at his proximity to her.
"It's alright, I will beat you with your 'furniture' anytime, and you won't even need to ask."
He laughed at her again, shaking his head and moving to sit up, offering her a hand so she were able to sit upon the side of the bed with him. She turned to watch him as he continued to hold her hand even after pulling her up, his thumb stroking over the back of it.
"I think perhaps, we should talk about what happened yesterday, before I was called… Or rather, what didn't happen…"
Hermione bit her lip and looked down, clearing her throat and waiting for him to talk, the feeling of dread creeping through her senses.
"It was… Foolish of me to have said what I did, you are a young, beautiful woman and I should have stuck to my word not to make this complicated."
He looked up to her then, meeting her gaze.
"You are a very close friend to me Hermione, something I have not had in years; I do not want to jeopardize that…"
Hermione dropped her gaze immediately, feeling a lump forming in her throat as she smiled weakly feeling a lead weight begin to settle in her stomach.
Severus looked over to her and saw her gaze on the floor as her throat worked, he turned where he sat; raising his hand and moving the bushy mane of hair from her face.
"Hermione..?"
She looked up to him, slightly surprised as he moved her hair and his fingers grazed her cheek as he rested his hand partly on her shoulder, and partly on her warm neck.
"What do you want, right this minute?"
His voice was low and sent a shiver over her spine, her eyes flickered to his mouth before she bit her own lip, not sure whether to speak her thoughts aloud or keep them to herself.
"I don't think I should-"
"Tell me Hermione." He said over her, impatience creeping into his low tone, he seemed to not be capable of taking his eyes off of her. So she took a deep breath, shutting her eyes for a moment before looking up to hold his gaze.
"Right this moment, I would like it very much; if you were to kiss me."
Her heart hammered and for a split second she worried if she should have kept that particular thought to herself, that was until Severus' mouth quirked upward in a smirk and he shifted closer. His hand moved from her shoulder to hold the back of her neck; his fingers threading gently through the soft strands of curling hair there as he pulled her closer.
Hermione was lost from the moment his lips touched hers, it was a mere chaste caress of his mouth, as light as the beating of a moth's wing; but she would continue to feel it on her lips all day of that she was sure. Her eyes had fluttered closed and she could not help letting out a sound of disappointment when he pulled away, her eyes opening to see him still sat very close to her. His hand gently caressed the back of her neck as he shook his head, smirking at her.
"What are we getting ourselves into Vixen?"
Hermione rolled a shoulder and shifted closer to him, resting her head upon his shoulder as she raised a hand to lie upon his chest; feeling the heat of his skin through the thin white shirt he'd had to sleep in.
"I don't know…"
She smiled in content as he brought his arms around her, holding her to him. She looked up when his fingers followed the chain around her neck to hold the emerald in the palm of his hand, shaking his head.
"So much for remaining mere friends, forgive me Hermione; I feel as though I may have trapped you in this situation without thought for your own wishes..."
She looked up to frown at him, her own hand rising to rest upon his which still held the emerald.
"Severus, don't be ridiculous… I am thankful you gave me this; thankful I discovered who you truly are. You opened my eyes to so many things, without you I would still be the third of the golden trio." She thought on it a moment and a look akin to disgust moved over her face. "Dear Lord, I might even be dating Ronald."
She looked up when Severus laughed, shaking his head at her. "Heaven forbid."
She nudged him playfully smiling until she saw him wince; then she remembered.
"Oh, Severus I'm sorry I completely-.. It slipped my mind. What on earth are we thinking? You went through a lot last night and here I am falling on you, poking you... Lay back down, I will go and get Poppy."
She had jumped up and was practically half way out the door when two arms trapped her within their embrace, a familiar dark laugh sending a thrill through her. "Miss Granger, cease rambling like a madwoman, I do not need Poppy."
She raised her eyes and quirked an amused brow at him, tilting her head as she smiled; her hand now lying upon his chest.
"Oh really Professor, what is it you do need then?"
She watched him closely and swallowed when he looked at her with intensity, like there was an inferno raging within his gaze and she could do nothing but remain trapped within. She realised that she suddenly appeared rather breathless, her chest rising and falling with rapidity as he spoke in a low voice; one that sounded rougher than usual.
"Hmm... I need you to stop talking for one, and I know the perfect cure for that ailment."
She swallowed again as he bent his head, his breath puffing across her moist mouth as she unconsciously moved closer to him, her eyes fluttering closed.
"Severus?!"
Hermione's eyes snapped open and she jumped slightly in shock; knocking her elbow upon the door and letting out a noise of slight pain. She rubbed at her elbow as Severus frowned and opened the bedroom door a crack.
She smiled and rolled her eyes when she heard him mutter one word. "Rose."
She moved sideways as he stepped out the room over to the floo, Hermione remained by the door; rubbing her elbow.
"Ah, there you are! I have been calling you for a good five minutes! What the devil were you doing boy?"
"Something far more enjoyable than kneeling on the floor and discovering what your face looks like in the floo."
"Don't be cheeky! Where's young Hermione?"
"I would imagine her to also be in the same mood as I right now, only in the next room nursing a bruised elbow."
Hermione smirked as she heard him, deciding that now might be a good time for her to intervene should Rose step through and clout Severus over the head for his cheek. She moved forward and knelt next to Severus, feeling like a schoolgirl when her heart pounded as their thighs touched.
"Hello Rose."
Hermione smiled, realising what Severus had meant about Rose's face formed out of flames, she looked rather menacing.
"Ah, hello my dear! I trust you are well... I am glad you are both here, when on earth are you coming home?! It has been over a month since you last fixed the house over the road up; I had been under the impression I would see more of you!"
Hermione looked over to Severus to see him roll his eyes and smile wryly.
"We will be over during the Christmas break Rose; you know I cannot just leave Hogwarts."
"And just when will that old codger let you leave?"
Severus looked over to her and sent her an apologetic look. "I hadn't yet discussed it with Hermione, but it will be in a few weeks."
She hid her shock well, only glancing down as she thought of Spinners End and the two of them; alone there together.
"Ah wonderful, well then I shall go before I burn to a crisp; this is utterly unnatural; fire is not supposed to-"
"Yes, yes Rose I know; have a good day."
"And you lad, Ta-ta Hermione!"
And with that she was gone; leaving the two of them knelt before the hearth as a somewhat awkward silence settled over them until Severus cleared his throat.
"Well…"
He stood and offered her his hand, pulling her to her feet as he led her over to the couch, sitting himself close next to her.
"Forgive me, I had been meaning to discuss the Christmas holidays with you."
Hermione smiled and shook her head. "No, it's quite alright. Though the holiday was not due to start until the nineteenth I had thought." She chewed her lip feeling somewhat confused.
"Yes, but the Headmaster has asked us to begin ours early, due to our situation and the Dark Lord."
Hermione nodded and smiled. "So how much earlier are we leaving?"
"Just a week earlier... On the twelfth, you do not mind coming with me?"
She shook her head and took his hand to hers, feeling the familiar and welcome tingle of their touch as she smiled somewhat vulnerably.
"Harry, Ron and I are so different; I doubt a place at The Burrow would be enjoyable if even welcome."
He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. "Forgive me if this has alienated you from your friends Hermione…"
She shook her head again and shrugged, smiling weakly. "I was always alienated from them… At least now I actually have a friend I can be myself with."
She looked at him and he at her for a moment; nothing else existing between them there than understanding and companionship. He squeezed her hand once and stood offering her his arm as he glanced toward the clock on the mantle.
"I believe our appearance at lunch is necessary; then I can relieve whoever is teaching my potions classes."
Hermione looked up at him, seeing the glint in his eyes and shook her head; a good natured smirk pulling at her mouth as she sighed and labeled him "Impossible" before transforming into Vixen. She wove through his legs as he walked to the door; opening it and stepping back.
"After you, my lady."
I changed this Chapter around so much I was terrified of getting this one wrong; it is one of the most important! But there you go folks, the kiss; it was not anything completely dramatic like I have read in other fictions, I wanted it to be as believable as possible.
Let me know your thoughts by reviewing; I really appreciate reading every single one. Thank you :)