A/N: Once again, a massive thank you to you all! Just to let you know that there are only a few chapters left for this story before it will be complete – six at the maximum. I have written the ending and I am really quite pleased with how it ends, so I am excited for that. Thank you all for the reviews and comments and for anyone who just reads this story. Hope you enjoy this chapter, many thanks!

A/N: Chapter Warnings – Potential mentions of sexual assault and violence. There may be bad language and other sexual situations in this chapter

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the songs, artists, brand names, characters, places or anything else I have missed out.

Chapter 52: The Holiday, Shenanigans, and Back to School Surprises

Hermione woke up happily next to her Severus, as she had done for the past week. Hermione and Severus had done so much during the first half of their holiday.

Severus had taken her to central Manchester and she had loved it. It was so muggle and she had really missed muggle life. She and Severus had gone to a pub, and because of a football match, it had been packed, full of cigarette smoke, everyone was drunk and swearing at the stupidity of the referee. It was such a loud and busy atmosphere and Hermione spent the whole night laughing as Severus kept flicking Twiglets at her. Then outside there were people who had drunk far too much, and they were throwing up on the side of the road.

"I never thought someone could look so happy at someone else vomiting" Severus had commented.

"It's just good to be back in the muggle world, a football match on a tiny TV in the corner of a crammed pub, it's just so normal and reminds me of home" she had replied.

Severus smiled at her enthusiasm; she was just taking everything in. Severus chose the route home that would take them past Old Trafford. As Hermione's dad had been a strong supporter of Manchester United, Hermione had spent many Sunday afternoons watching matches but to see the stadium standing in all her glory, made Hermione nostalgic and she had felt her breath catch in her throat.

Severus had also managed to get her tickets for small concert. Hermione thought it would be tickets for a classical concert or something refined. She knew Severus was that kind of gentleman but he thoroughly surprised her when he showed her who he was taking her to see. Severus had heard Hermione singing many songs in the shower and had found out what musicians and music style she enjoyed. He then looked at the upcoming shows that were happening in Manchester, whilst she was staying with him and he was extremely pleased with himself as he was sure Hermione would enjoy what he had chosen.

Hermione had screamed when she found out that he was taking her to see Alanis Morrisette at Manchester's Apollo Theatre. Hermione had been excited, she loved Morrisette's music and it was pure coincidence that she was performing in Manchester the same time she was staying with Severus.

'Isn't that Ironic?' Hermione had thought to herself at the time, grinning at the cheesy pun.

They had gone to the picture house and Hermione had made him watch James and the Giant Peach, much to Severus' amusement. Other than that, they had been visiting the village and even gone out to dinner a couple of times in the nice restaurants. However, Hermione often opted for fish and chips, she enjoyed some of the luxuries that the world had to offer such as fine dining and theatres, but she did enjoy just a cheap chippy meal and sitting and eating it on a park bench or in front of some trashy telly programme. However, she was still very thankful to Severus that he had been treating her to some lovely evenings out. She felt thoroughly spoilt.

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However, today was Sunday, both Hermione and Severus hated Sunday's, Sundays were boring. However, Hermione had a couple of plans; she had recently purchased a few lingerie luxuries that she had seen in some of the clothes shops in Manchester. She remembered how she was looking at these items and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Severus' eyes glaze over with lust on a handful of particular items. She had purchased some of them whilst Severus wasn't looking. She was very thankful for all Severus had treated her to this holiday and now it was her turn to return that treat.

She picked out her favourite item and prepared herself to seduce Severus. She made sure that the Slytherin green item sat perfectly around her body and also made sure the see-through material highlighted the fact that she was going to forego underwear. Hermione was always slightly nervous when she was dressing up nicely for Severus because she had never been the beautiful sort, and she had never been stick thin. She was curvy and she was happy with her figure, she was just always worried what other people thought of her. Severus knew that Hermione was still a bit nervous when it came to showing her body so he always made sure to take his time and worship her. It made her feel better and Severus loved it because the slower he went, the more teasing it was for Hermione.

Severus was downstairs, he had just finished reading the newspaper and was just washing up his coffee mug when he felt two arms wrap around his waist. He chuckled at her; he loved it when she pressed her body up against his, he always found it comforting.

Hermione stood up on tiptoes and sighed huskily in his ear. Severus gulped. She knew that turned him on.

She had purchased a nice sexy number a little while ago and was more than ready to try it out. It was a nice, Slytherin green and black lace, see-through negligee and Hermione knew that he would be able to see that she wasn't wearing anything else underneath it.

She hopped up onto the kitchen side next to the sink and waited for Severus to notice her. She knew the second that he did, if the sound of the cup shattering in the sink was anything to judge by.

She grinned at him and the washing up was forgotten. Severus grabbed hold of her and lifted her up so her legs wrapped around his waist.

They began snogging senseless and Severus' erection was screaming for release already. After having spent a week lying next to her in bed, and having not much physical contact, it was really wearing down his self-control.

Severus carried her into the living room and placed her down on the sofa. She grinned up at him as he climbed on top of her.

Hermione stripped the man naked and switched positions with him so that she was on top. Severus groaned. He loved Hermione being on top.

He watched her work her hands down his body and finally wrap around where he needed attention the most.

His head flung back and his eyes closed in pleasure as he hissed blissfully at her ministrations. She pumped his shaft and he had to stop her when he was about to find release.

"I still need that" he said, his voice thick with lust.

She looked at him and resumed snogging, pressing her body fully against his.

Severus could feel all of her and he could feel how ready she was for him. He gripped her thighs and dragged them further up his body, pulling them apart so he had better access to her.

Hermione knew what he was doing and shifted to make things easier. She lifted her hips and sunk down slowly on Severus' length.

Severus felt as though he were being tortured. She was taking her time when all he wanted was to thrust and be inside her.

Once he was in, the two quickly found the rhythm and speed that they both enjoyed.

All too soon, they had reached their climaxes and had flopped to the sofa in a tangle of limbs and sweat.

"Well that was rather unexpected but thoroughly enjoyed" Severus said.

Hermione chuckled.

"It was all part of the plan" she giggled back.

"Seducing me Miss Granger? My, my, I may have to punish you for that" he said jokingly.

"Mmmm, I'd expect nothing less sir, I look forward to my punishment" she said.

Severus froze.

"Another kink of yours I take it?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

She nodded, blushing quite a bit.

"Tell me Miss Granger, how many times have you imagined me bending you over a school desk and having my way with you?" He asked her whilst teasing her nipples.

Hermione groaned loudly.

"Too many times sir! Not over a school desk though, only your desk" she tried to get the sentence out coherently.

Severus froze for a second in shock.

"My, my, aren't we full of surprises" he chucked, still teasing a nipple as his other hand travelled lower and found that little nub full of pleasure.

"With my hands and legs spread apart and tied down" she let slip her fantasy.

Severus paused in what he was doing and looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"Really?" He asked genuinely unsure if she was joking or not.

"I wasn't meant to let that slip but SOMEONE was distracting me" she said and took a breath.

"But yes, I do think it might be something I'm would be interested in trying out" she confirmed.

"Well my dear, that can be arranged" he said.

"Really?" She asked.

Severus nodded.

"What? Now?" She asked.

"No, not now, you would be expecting it. But I swear I will have you over my desk one day and you won't see it coming" he said.

Hermione shivered at how erotic that sounded.

"Are you absolutely sure though?" Severus asked.

"At the moment, yes, but because I've never tried anything like that, I don't really know..." she said truly unsure how to answer his question.

"Alright, but when it happens, no matter what I might say during the role playing, I want you to tell me the second you become uncomfortable with the whole thing and I will stop. It should be done for pleasure, not to scare you" he said to her.

Hermione nodded.

"I'm being serious Hermione, I want you to promise me that if I take it too far, you will tell me to stop" he told her.

"I promise Severus" she whispered to him.

"Good" he stated.

Hermione reached up once more to capture his lips. They spent the rest of the day focused on exploring each other.

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Monday was different; it was just after lunch time when Severus felt the familiar burning on his arm. He told Hermione that he would be back soon, kissed her cheek and sprinted for the apparition point.

That had been over twelve hours ago and it was now the early hours of Tuesday morning. Hermione had chewed off all of her nails. She knew she should be asleep but her nerves kept her awake. She couldn't rest until she knew Severus was alright.

She remained awake until after dawn and just after eight, Severus came through the front door.

Hermione took a moment to hide him, assess him for any damages. He removed his coat and Hermione could see that there were bloodstains all over his shirt.

She gasped.

"Not my blood" Severus murmured quietly.

"Oh Severus" she breathed quietly.

Severus had taken some curses tonight after not providing any useful information. But the damage was minimal. He would need a few potions, some pain relief and a nice long sleep.

Severus was more worried about Draco. Draco had been told by the Dark Lord that he had to harm someone close to Harry by the end of June or he would suffer.

Draco had been positively pale at the thought and had tried to stop himself from passing out in front of all his brothers.

Severus knew that there was not much he could do for the boy and that Draco would have to deliver one way or another.

On his way back for the meeting, Severus had sent an owl to Dumbledore. Telling him to call an Order meeting that afternoon, the Dark Lord was planning more attacks and break outs from Azkaban and Severus had information on where, when, and who this time.

"Severus you need to rest" Hermione muttered sleepily.

"I know but I have told Albus to call an Order meeting this afternoon. I must go to that first. Also, you can talk, you clearly haven't had any sleep either" he said.

"I was too worried; I wouldn't have slept if I had tried. However, you need sleep and I do too. I will set an alarm clock for lunch time so we can have a few hours of sleep. I will make sure you won't miss the meeting" she told him firmly.

He wanted to disagree, but he was exhausted and he also knew that if he didn't sleep then she wouldn't either. She was just stubborn like that.

He agreed and the two headed upstairs. Hermione found the necessary potions for Severus and gave them to him. Then, she gave him some pain relief and the two of them fell asleep.

It seemed like the alarm clock rang only seconds after they had closed their eyes but alas, it was just after twelve and Severus got up to get ready to head for Grimmauld Place.

"Would you like to come?" He asked her.

She thought for a moment and was about to agree but decided she was not ready to walk into a house full of people bustling about the place.

"No thank you, I will prepare something nice to eat for when you get back" she said.

"I don't know what time I will be back" he said as he kissed her forehead.

"Don't worry, I won't cook anything until you're home but preparing a meal will give me something to do while you're gone" she said.

"Alright love, I will see you later" he said as they said their goodbyes.

Severus left once more and Hermione was alone again.

She prepared the meal quicker than she thought she would, and found herself sat on the sofa with nothing to do.

She then decided she needed to do something else, she couldn't just sit there, it would annoy her. She couldn't find the right mind-set for reading either.

She finally thought of something, but then shook it off. It might seem rude. She then decided to do it anyway. She needed to do something.

She went to the kitchen and grabbed the cleaning supplies from under the sink. She decided to start dusting the living room, as Severus and her had spent the last week living in it all, she could see that the dust had thinned somewhat but she didn't mind cleaning, she found it relaxed her. So, she began to clean.

By late afternoon, she was done. The living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and the bedroom she and Severus shared, looked immaculate.

Severus arrived home shortly after and froze upon entering.

"Bloody hell you've cleaned?!" He exclaimed.

Hermione ducked her head.

"I'm sorry, I needed something to do and cleaning relaxes me" she told him sheepishly, hoping she hadn't overstepped a line.

"I'm not angry with you, I'm just surprised. I didn't expect a guest to clean my home when she is supposed to be taking a break" Severus said to her as he kissed her lips.

"I wanted to, I enjoy cleaning. However, now you're back, I can cook a delicious meal for the both of us. I'm starving" she told him.

"Yes dear" he said rolling his eyes.

"Watch it you" she mocked and gently slapped his arse, as she made her way to the kitchen.

"How was the meeting?" She asked.

"It was fine; I just needed to relay to the man almighty what had been said at the Dark Lords meeting. Apparently he's planning more attacks and prison breaks" Severus said.

"Oh gods" Hermione said. The world was slowly getting darker; they really were on the brink of war.

The two cooked together, ate, and tided away. Both were still exhausted from lack of sleep and decided to have an early night. They only had until Saturday morning before she and Severus would have to get back to school before the students arrived back on Saturday evening.

Friday was spent having one last look around the town, Hermione wasn't sure when they would be coming back and she knew she was going to miss it all. She and Severus then spent the afternoon listening to some of Severus' favourite muggle music and he danced with her in the lounge. It was romantic and a beautiful way to end their holiday together. They had amazing sex one last time that night; they didn't know when the next chance they'd be together would be.

After Hermione went back to classes, it would soon be May and she would be entering the exam period. She would be revising and studying like mad when she returned.

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Saturday morning and Hermione shed a tear; she really was going to miss this place. It had truly felt like home, the one place she wanted to always be, despite its prison like appearance. Severus secured the house, locked the door, and the two of them headed for the apparition point and back to Hogwarts.

Hermione had barely time to put her belongings away and settle back in at school before the boys bounded into the common room.

"Hermione, oh my god! How are you?" Harry asked as the three of them hugged.

"You won't believe what's happened!" Ron exclaimed.

Hermione then noticed that the boys looked a bit nervous.

"Try me" she said as she prepared herself. Severus had told her that the Dark Lord was planning attacks.

"There's been another break out at Azkaban, it happened this morning" Harry told her.

Hermione gasped although she had guessed it be something like this.

"Well we knew that he was planning to get all his Death Eaters out of prison" Hermione said.

"But that's not all" Ron said solemnly.

"What? What's happened?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"One of the Death Eaters was in a cell next to him and..." Ron was cut off by Hermione.

"Who was in the cell next to the Death Eater?" Hermione asked trying to make sense of the non-existent articulate tongue that both boys shared.

"Sirius. It's Sirius, Hermione. He's escaped again" Harry said worriedly.