CHAPTER TWO
The day had dragged along at a snail's pace. Hermione kept finding herself tuning out of her classes and professors, and day dreaming about more exciting and intriguing topics she so desperately wanted to throw herself back in to studying. She had found her Arithmancy studies were particularly tedious this afternoon. She had planned to head to the library over lunch and sneak in a small amount of reading, before her 'detention' this evening. Just the thought of it made her smirk and shiver at the same time.
Earlier in the morning, when she had snuck out of the dungeons, and made her way back to Gryffindor Tower with not a living soul made aware, she had felt giddy with accomplishment. How on earth did last night even come about? Hermione would close her eyes and remember the touch of surprisingly soft lips to hers, a rough palm spanking her ass and tight gripped fingers wrapped around her and digging in to her hips. She had changed into a fresh, clean uniform, and was observing her body in the full-length mirror. A small bruise here, and a slight graze there, nothing of substance compared to the pure elation she felt when she remembered how she had received them.
As Hermione pulled on a cute pair of dark green cotton bikini cut, with a small lace detailing on the edges, she remembered about the turquoise pair she had left amongst the green and black bedding from the previous night. A small giggle caught her throat at the thought of Sir discovering them when he would wake, and this new pair at detention this evening.
"What are you giggling at?" Fay enquired, sleepily, as she lay on her bed, slowly waking.
"Nothing, just something funny I remembered" Hermione smiled back at her "Good morning to you too".
"What time is it?" Fay rubbed her eyes and yawned.
"Six forty-five in the morning", Hermione confirmed.
"Ugggh!" Fay declared, "Lavender, wake up".
The other Gryffindor girls began to rumble and stir from their slumbers, Lavender pulled her pillow over her head at the sound of Fay, Celina mumbled something incoherent, and Parvati remained deep asleep. The usual morning routine for dorm room five.
Hermione didn't mind her roommates; even after Lavender started dating Ron and went on the defensive, as she saw Hermione's close friendship with him and Harry as a threat. Hermione went above and beyond to convince Lavender that she had nothing to worry about, but eventually gave up and resigned herself to the belief that Lavender would come about in her own time. Hermione and Ron had had one date before she realised, he was definitely not what she was looking for, and she was more than happy that Ron had bounced back with Lavender. He seemed happy enough, more often than not, she had walked-in on them snogging in the Common Room.
Harry had broken up with Cho Chang officially last year, but only Hermione knew that he was occasionally seeing Ginny when they could catch a moment or two to themselves. Ginny had spilled the beans to Hermione one Sunday afternoon, as they had sat in the brisk breeze of the courtyard. Ginny was so excited to finally share her news with someone, and begged her not to inform her brother. Hermione had tutted in retort and reminded her that she was the brightest witch of her age, and hardly needed to be reminded about the need for secrecy around the Weasley men. They were like a militia around their baby sister, and while she loved each and every one of her brothers dearly, she needed to know she could stretch her legs and enjoy herself and new experiences.
Hermione ran her brush through her mane of hair and pulled it up into a bun a top her head. Small curled tendrils fell down, framing her face. She admired herself, still in front of the mirror, and adjusted her skirt and pulled her socks high. She couldn't quite place it, but something was different. But what? She pondered. Nothing physical about her appearance had changed, but there was definitely … something?
"You look nice today. You should wear your hair like that more often" Fay was sitting up on the end of her bed, watching Hermione.
"Thanks" she beamed back, "I'm going to head down to the common room. See you all later".
Hermione picked up her book bag and took her thoughts downstairs. It was fairly quiet for seven in the morning, only three other early-riser Gryffindor's were in the Common Room, as Hermione beelined for her favourite table and chair between the fireplace and tower window. The natural light was best for reading, and the warmth from the fireplace was ever so comforting. Half an hour until breakfast, she contemplated, glancing around the room to confirm everyone was deep within their own thoughts and business, she pulled out the now slightly crumpled scrolls.
As she unrolled a particularly crumpled scroll and glanced over it, the top corner with Geralt's heart scribble was bent over. She smoothed the fold out and smiled, Merlin, he was so handsome. And just as quickly as the tall blue eyed, rugged gentleman had appeared in her mind, he was replaced by the broad, dark and black-eyed man who embraced her in one of the best kisses of her life.
How am I supposed to concentrate today? Snap out of it, Hermione, she scolded herself as she shook her head. The sound of more foot steps on the staircase meant more students would be appearing around her and soon. She took out her quill and noted at the bottom; palm spanking, paddle spanking, fellatio, cunnilingus, missionary, girl on top, urinate afterwards always, she underlined the always. Surveying her list, she marked each of them with a small tick, and rolled up her scroll. Excited to be able to add to her list later. She rolled the parchment up, and tucked it deep down into the side of her bag, maybe she could charm it so she wouldn't be found out again, although it wasn't the worst outcome from discovery. However, she knew she would never be able to explain herself to Harry or Ron, or even Ginny, she shook her head again. They wouldn't understand in the slightest. She took out her Potions work and glanced at it, it wasn't urgent so she tucked it away again. Hermione decided to head down to Professor McGonagall's office and see if there were any assignments in her teacher's assistant cubby, before heading to breakfast.
She was sitting at the Gryffindor table, absentmindedly picking her toast part and popping small bites into her mouth, while Ginny and the other girls were chatting away over their own meals. Harry and Ron appeared next to her at the table.
"You two are late…again" she noted.
"Ron slept in" Harry replied.
"So, nothing out if the ordinary then" she rolled her eyes.
"Hey!" Ron objected, "that Potions homework last night was tricky. Who knew healing potions would be so complicated?"
"Well they are designed to, you know, heal people? The body is a complicated system, you have to get it right" Harry responded before Hermione could. "What time did you leave the library, Mione?"
Ginny interjected, "she left TOO late"
Harry, Ron and Hermione turned to a smiling Ginny, "Mione got in trouble"
The boys tuned back to Hermione with raised eyebrows.
"It's nothing, I left too late and got caught out sneaking back to the tower just after curfew, WITH Ginny, by Snape" she swallowed before saying his name, and gave Ginny a side glance.
Ginny was still smiling, cheekily, at the thought of her best and brainiest friend getting a simple punishment like detention, Hermione could only imagine how she would react if she knew how sensitive her butt was this morning, and why.
"Hermione! You got in trouble on Monday for the same thing" Harry was shocked.
"And Tuesday" Ron added.
"And now Thursday" Ginny smiled, "what happened on Wednesday? Were you just off your game?" she teased, poking her in the shoulder.
Hermione laughed a little, and whispered, "No, no. Trelawney was on duty and I don't know why they bother to roster her on patrol. I basically walked right past her at ten-fifteen and she just wished me a good evening and went about her nightly stroll". She sighed, "but that's exactly what Snape brought up in his office. He knew about Monday and Tuesday and that was his theory about Wednesday. I didn't confirm or anything, but he was right". Hermione swallowed, "So I have a whole weeks of evening detention next week, and… also tonight".
The boys let out sounds of annoyed disgust.
"Blimey! A whole week of extra Snape?" Ron shook his head, "the worst".
"You know Mione' you can borrow Dad's cloak if you ever need it?" Harry offered.
Hermione's eyes went wide, Of course, the Cloak of Invisibility, why hadn't she thought of that?!
"Thanks Harry, I might take you up on that sometime..." her sentence drifted as she noticed a certain dark figure emerged from a side door and take his place at the staff table. She raised her goblet to her lips and took a big gulp of her juice.
Harry saw Snape enter at the same time, and noticed Hermione's reaction and brushed it off as disappointment in herself for receiving detention, and her apparent chaperone.
"Don't worry, Hermione. I've had detention with Snape and his bark is worse than his bite"
Hermione almost spat her juice, but remained composed. She smiled at her best friend, as he kicked off into excited Quidditch talk with Ron and Ginny, as all three would be at practice down at the field this evening. She contemplated to herself for a moment, assured that she could feel that intense gaze piecing the side of her head. As she glanced to him, and their gaze met. He gave nothing away, not a grin or wink in sight. She smiled and looked down and her uneaten piece of toast, suddenly starving.
Ancient Ruins had been her first class of the day, followed by Transfiguration and by the time lunch had come around, Hermione felt done with her day. She was struggling to keep concentration throughout all of her lessons, and couldn't decide if she was hungry or not. Butterflies were going wild in her stomach all day. If only she could have some more calming potion, she pondered.
The beef stew served at lunch smelled absolutely delicious, and even though she served herself a bowl, she found herself just pushing it around the plate. Harry noticed, but said nothing. She couldn't help but notice the certain absentee from the staff table.
As the clock tower chimed to signal the end of her Arithmancy, Hermione let out a sigh of relief. Her last class of the afternoon was her free period, and she was looking forward to heading straight to the library for peace and quiet, along with the choir of thoughts that had been going non-stop in her head.
As she stepped out of the classroom door into the sea of students moving between classes, and turned to head in the direction of the library, she was interrupted by a voice behind her.
"Ms Granger, Ms Granger" it sung out in her heavily Scottish accent of McGonagall. Hermione closed her eyes in frustration, Not now! She didn't want extra assistant duties right now. She spun on the spot, just as McGonagall arrived in front of her.
"Ms Granger, were you heading to your free period?"
"Yes, Professor" Hermione smiled politely.
"I was wondering, if you didn't have any urgent assignments, that you might be able to head to the dungeons and give Professor Slughorn a hand with some potions preparation he is undertaking at the moment. Of course, Mr Nott will be there as Slughorn's T.A, but they could use the extra hands if you are available?" McGonagall looked wearily.
Hermione nodded, holding her polite smile, "Of course, Professor. Nothing urgent that can't be completed over the weekend. I'll head straight there".
"Thank-you Granger. I will see to it that you receive compensation for your time" McGonagall clapped her hands together happily and with a swish of her green and tartan cloak, she was away amongst the bustling students in the hallways.
Hermione arrived at the potion's classroom, and knocked on the door. Theodore Nott opened it, and gestured for her to come in. It wasn't the first time Hermione had worked alongside Theodore, helping Slughorn out, and it was becoming more frequent. He was more than capable in his T.A. duties, however, some potions were just tricky and required another set of steady hands.
"Hey Granger" Theo grinned.
"Hi Theo. What is he working on today?" she questioned.
"Looks like 'Skele-Gro' for Madame Pomfrey. Tricky, tricky, tricky" he tutted.
"Ms Granger, how lovely to see you! Professor McGonagall said you might be able to lend us a hand" Slughorn appeared out of the store room, his face beaming and arms full of ingredients.
"Good afternoon Professor, do you need a hand with those?" she popped her bag and cloak on the closest available chair, and walked over towards him rolling up her sleeves, just as he spilled his handful of loose ingredients across his desk and floor.
"Not to worry, not to worry" he waved his now empty hands as the ingredients picked themselves up and neatly rearranged themselves on the desk top. Ah, magic, Hermione grinned, it would never stop being, well, magical.
"Now, we might be here well until dinnertime, as we really need to get these sorted and simmering, in preparation for them to brew over the weekend, is that alright? Nott? Granger?" Slughorn clapped his hands together.
"Not a problem, Sir" Nott enthusiastically nodded.
"Sure, Professor" Hermione replied and sighed internally, inspecting one of the bottles placed on the desk in front.
"Not to worry, I'm sure we won't be kept … too late" a deep, silky fourth voice had entered the conversation. Hermione inhaled and as her head whipped up to see Snape appear out of the ingredient's cupboard. The grin was back, with the hint of mischief back in the obsidian gaze.
Hermione's heart began pounding excitedly and nervously, in her chest.
"Ah, I thought you got lost in the cupboard Severus" Slughorn chuckled.
"No Horace, someone has simply changed the layout of my store room" Severus replied slowly.
Slughorn chuckled, "It is mine now. I am Potions Master, but as I've said before out of respect, you are always welcome to access the facilities. You have great deal of knowledge, Professor. That is why I asked you here today, is it not?"
"Indeed" Snape moved over so he was standing next to, and towering down upon Hermione, although he neither greeted nor acknowledged her or Theodore.
Hermione felt an electric tingle shoot down her right arm, to her finger's tips at the closeness of this man. Scenes from the previous night flashing through her mind, and it almost felt dream like. Yes, it had happened, and it was incredible. She could smell the familiar fragrant sandalwood and musk scents, and inhaled them quietly. He hadn't said anything to her, or touched her. Just a grin and a glint in his eyes, and the scent of him made the heat between her legs ever present. The tension she was feeling was palpable.
"Let's get too it. No time to dilly-dally" Slughorn flicked his wand and a dozen cauldrons appeared over the two benchtops, "Theodore with myself, and Professor Snape with Granger".
With Granger. Me! Me and him, Him and I, she was incredibly giddy. Ridiculous. Hermione, Stop it! She scolded herself internally, as she began measuring out her honey water and dried pufferfish.
"Focus" Snape commanded, as he could see her concentration flitter ever so slightly.
Hermione stopped pouring her honey water and looked him dead in the eyes; again, the same grin and glint present. He said that in the same tone he used last night right before I undressed him. Cheeky, she suppressed a smile.
The four of them worked tirelessly, over the next three to four hours prepping each one of the twelve cauldrons, as the professors double checked each step of their students completed instructions along the way. It was steamy and humid in the classroom, as all the cauldrons simmered away over the afternoon. "The room must remain twenty-five degrees Celsius, or the production could be compromised", Slughorn had declared as Theo had approached the window to open it.
The benches were large, however with six cauldrons on top between the two, there was little to no space left. The remaining room available was a mess among the scattered ingredients and dishes for pre-mixing. The chaos amongst them had created somewhat of a barrier between the pair. Snape thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up, to play with Granger a little. Snape was cautious not to arouse any suspicion from Slughorn or Nott, but he was definitely out to arouse.
He started gently, and would reach for a bowl or bottle here, and brush the skin of her bare forearms, or allow his own forearms to cross the peak of her breasts. He would deliberately lean across her, instead of walking around. All awhile pretending not to hear her gasp or exhale as he did so. He knew what he was doing, and he enjoyed it.
As she finished grinding up the dried seahorse skins and puffer fish scales, she lifted the bowl to tip in to the current bubbling cauldron. Severus knew the sizzling bubbles that were about to be caused by the addition of these ingredients and made to make his move. Just as the first few pieces hit the liquid, he reached down and grabbed her right ass cheek in a full tight handful. Merlin, it was such a nice little round ass. He dipped his head to her ear, and hummed a short "mmm" as he did it. Hermione let out a squeak, and dumped the whole bowl's contents in to the pot. The sizzling bubbles covered his actions and sounds, but her squeak had caught the attention of the other two.
"Mind yourself, Ms Granger. No accidents today" Slughorn glanced up briefly.
"Yes, Sir" Hermione blushed as she replied.
Snape retuned to her ear, "I am Sir. Call him Professor, Witch" he tapped the same cheek once again.
Hermione exhaled, almost with anticipation, "Yes, Sir" she whispered back.
By the time both teams were on their last cauldron, ten others were happily simmering and bubbly away, creating more noise than Snape had hoped for. He had noticed Hermione attempted to tease him back over the afternoon, a subtle stretch here, to pushing her breasts out of her sweater, and hip brush there and at one point she even wrapped her fingers around his bicep as she moved behind him to pass. Hmm, touching without permission, that will be fun to chastise her for. When she arrived on the other side of him, he glanced down at her to see a bright eyed, bottom lip-biting cheeky grin returned. He shook his head at her twice with a stern expression, causing her to bite her lip harder. What control it had taken for him not to reach up and pull that lip out of her teeth.
As they had moved to their last cauldron, on the far side of the bench, and were now situated in the furthest position from Slughorn and Nott, who were deep in discussion and focus on their own tasks at hand, Snape decided to go for it. He waited for Hermione to place her bowl down, so she was empty handed and grabbed her left wrist subtly, placing it firmly on the edge of the benchtop, "Hands on bench, now" he whispered his command.
Hermione had frozen at the obvious contact, but complied willingly and covertly as she could, placing her right hand, griping the bench in front of her.
"Look down at the textbook" He positioned it straight in her eyeline, "and do not move".
"Yes, Sir" she exhaled breathless with anticipation.
He dropped a quill to the floor, and bent down nonchalantly to retrieve it. It was as he began to ascend back up, that Hermione felt the brush of finger tips run up the back of her left calf.
She stiffened the urge to react, and pressed her lips together tightly. Higher and higher he slowly rose, until he reached his destination. He ran his index finger of the rear of her knickers, she knew she was wet; the heat had been present for three hours. Tension was already high and he was teasing the absolute fuck out of her. He ran his finger up and down, and small circles over the damp material of her entrance. Merlin, she wanted to just to let out the moan building in her throat. Her knuckles were turning white from the grip she had on the benchtop, when she felt the finger slip under the material, and gently press against her entrance, but not penetrate. And just like that, his touch was gone. Her mouth fell into a small 'o' and she exhaled.
She was still looking down at the textbook when his hand appeared in front of it, proudly displaying the offending index finger, forefront and pointed. A slight gleam was present on the tip, her juices, she knew. The finger curled in a "follow-me" motion, and she looked up to watch it slowly be placed in the mouth of her intruder. He closed his mouth around it, and flicked it out again, licked clean.
Merlin, that was sexy. Her eyes betrayed her, she was wanton and needy and desperate. Hermione couldn't help herself, as she reached down to just feel his cock nestled behind his big cloak. She briskly caught a slight brush of the partially erect manhood before his hand was on hers to stop it.
"Uh-uh. Now you're in trouble. You'll pay for that later. Come to me at eight-thirty" his pitch-black eyes were back, his voice while low in volume, was nonetheless stern.
The clock tower chimed six o'clock.
Snape released hold of her hand.
"Well. It's that time already" Slughorn announced, "you two better head off to dinner before there's nothing left", he nodded at Hermione and Theodore. "Very good job everyone, a successful brew. Now we can leave it for the weekend and Madame Pomfrey will have an excellent supply to see the Quidditch season out".
"Thank-you Professor, can I swing by tomorrow to see how its progressing?" Theo eagerly queried.
"Not a problem, my boy. I'll be checking on them around five o'clock if you want to come down. You're welcome too Granger, should you be interested" Slughorn, did so love to share his potions passion.
"Thank-you Si... I mean, Professor. I might" Hermione corrected herself just in time.
She walked over to the chair her bag was resting on, and looked back at Snape. The grin was back, and he shook his head at her. Another strike! Oof, Merlin, what was she in for tonight?
Hermione and Theodore walked briskly to the Great Hall for dinner, talking about their potions work and N.E.W.T studies, along the way. It was enjoyable since Theo had come around to his senses, away from his family's and Father's toxic pure-blood thinking. They had spent more and more time together since becoming Professor's teaching assistants. It was a fairly easy friendship. As they arrived at the door way, they farewelled each other and headed to their House tables at either ends of the hall.
Hermione slid into a seat next to Harry, dressed in his Quidditch training gear, and felt her mouth watering at the sight of the roast chicken and vegetables before her. Her appetite had returned, and she was ravenous; she filled her plate with a large piece of chicken breast and two scoops of the vegetables and began inhaling them.
"Where were you this afternoon? I went looking for you" Harry queried.
"Dungeons. I was helping Slughorn brew his Skele-Gro with Theo" She replied through a mouthful of pumpkin, "Can you please pass the bread?"
"Well, I'm glad to see you eating again?" Harry chuckled, as he handed her a roll.
"What do you mean?" Hermione and Ron replied together.
"I saw you picking at your toast this morning, and you barely touched your stew at lunch?
Ugh, Harry was too observant sometimes, and completely oblivious the rest! Hermione chewed.
"I was just, um, nervous?" she hesitated to reply, hopeful not to give herself away.
"About detention?" Ron asked in a low voice.
Hermione paused, with confused eyebrows, at his whisper.
"Yes, detention. Why did you say it like that?" She queried.
"Because you never get in trouble. It's like, taboo? I didn't think you would want everyone to know", Ron answered.
Hermione smiled, he could be sweetest sometimes, and again like Harry, oblivious. It only ever worked in her favour.
"Its fine, Ron. I don't mind if people know. It's only detention" she smiled in return, and smiled to herself, yep! 'Detention'.
Professor McGonagall approached them at the long table, "Granger, Professor Snape spoke to me this morning regarding your detentions, and I was most surprised and disappointed. However, I did return to him this afternoon and inform him you would be helping with the Skele-Gro brew. He has agreed to drop your detention this evening. Next week, however will go ahead as planned".
Hermione couldn't help but feel her expression drop, and only realise when Harry was giving her a confused look back. She immediately remedied her expression to elation, the appropriate response to hearing one's punishment has been lifted. The disappointment sunk deep within though.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, "Thank-you Professor McGonagall".
"You're welcome. Please try to be more mindful from now on, Gryffindor simply cannot afford to unnecessarily lose points like this, for repeated silly mistakes" she cocked her eyebrow at Hermione, whom felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Any other Professor, she could handle, but not disappointing McGonagall.
"Yes, Professor. I apologise, and will do everything to make up the lost points in coming weeks", Hermione professed.
"Glad to hear it. Good evening", McGonagall nodded, and turned back towards the staff table. Her green cloak wished and flowed elegantly behind her. Hermione did so admire Minerva McGonagall, what a witch she is. It was then she noticed, as McGonagall retreated, that Snape was quickly advancing. She swallowed nothing but nerves and watched him approach.
"Ms Granger", she adored the way he addressed her in his deep baritone, "Professor Slughorn couldn't make it to dinner, but he sends his thanks for this afternoon with a small token", he handed her a chocolate frog from Honeydukes, "a small after-dinner treat, perhaps".
It was a hint, he was subtly telling her not to open it hear, and she nodded to communicate she understood.
"Oh, Thank-you, Sir" she looked straight in to his obsidian gaze, "I look forward to it".
The gleam was there, and although it was not an obvious grin, Hermione knew one was hiding behind that stern exterior. He simply nodded, and turned towards the Slytherin table to deliver the same to Theo across the hall. She peaked down at the tab to open the packet and saw that the seal was broke. A note inside? Possibly? She would need to wait until she could be somewhere more private.
"Oh great! I'll take it" Ron immediately reached out to take it from her.
She was quick though and moved it out of his grip, "No! It's mine!"
"But you've never liked that chocolate, you said so yourself! And you don't collect the cards" Ron snapped.
"I'm allowed to change my mind!" Hermione huffed, then added, "I'll give you the card after I've opened it".
"Just open it now! So that I can see if it's a double-up or not" Ron was getting annoyed.
Hermione couldn't think of any excuses, but was not willing to expose anything inside that purple and gold box to her two closest friends in the wizarding world, especially when the contents were unbeknown to her.
"RONALD!" she cracked, "I just want to eat my dinner! Leave it be please!" it was a little louder than she had intended, and some fellow students around her stopped to look. Ron sheepishly looked away in a huff. Harry cleared his throat;
"Anyway, its six forty-five Ron. We need to get down to the pitch for practice" he gulped the rest of his pumpkin juice down, "Ginny?" he said a little louder.
A few students down the table, Ginny was sitting with her fifth-year friends, she stuck her head up at Harry and nodded. As they began to get up and gather their brooms from under the chairs, Hermione didn't want to leave the mood hanging there.
"Ron, I'm sorry" she apologised.
"Its okay. Blimey Hermione, I haven't heard you yell in a long time" He shrugged it off.
Harry turned back to her, "We still on for Hogsmeade tomorrow?"
"Looking forward to it" she smiled at her best friends.
"Hey, since you don't have your detention, do you want to come watch us practice?" Harry raised a hopeful eyebrow.
"Hmm" Hermione faux-thought about it, "Nah, I better go finish up my homework since I spent all of my free period and afternoon with Slughorn".
"Suit yourself" He smiled, "Catch you later then". And the boys left for the exit.
Ginny came walking past, and quickly bent down to Hermione's level, "Do you know if Lavender is going to the pitch tonight?" Hermione, shrugged as she was drinking her juice.
"I was really hoping she could… occupy Ron tonight" she winked at Hermione, who giggled back at her. "Good Luck, Gin" she shook her head at her bubbly redheaded friend, as she watched her gallop to catch up to the boys, broom in hand.
Hermione turned back to her dinner plate, and finished her meal before heading to the nearest bathroom. She ducked into the furthest stall, and pulled the gold tab open on the packaging, and sure enough there was a folded piece of parchment on top of her chocolate frog. She picked up the paper and watched as the frog jumped out of the box and began climbing up the bathroom stall wall. She never did favour the chocolate frogs much, just as Ron had stated, but she would tell him she ate it if he asked. She looked down in to the base of the box, and saw Salazar Slytherin looking up at her from the collector's card. Hermione smirked and rolled her eyes, surely, he had something to do with that. She unfolded the note excitedly;
'I'll still expect you at eight-thirty. Knock twice'.