Hello, hello. I hope you are doing as well as can be expected and are treating yourselves and those around you with love. Severus and Hermione most certainly are. Happy reading, Ms K.
That night had been the best of Severus' existence. He had spent another hour in her room, sipping his tea and feeling the warmth of the fire. When it had become too hot, Hermione forced herself up and over to the window. She opened it, allowing the intoxicating smell of the forest, mingled with the cool night air, to flow through. Severus had never felt so relaxed that he might dose off before, which was mildly disconcerting. After stealing a few more precious moments, he arose.
"I ought to return to my dungeon now, fair maiden"
Hermione laughed at his lame joke, her eyes glittering in the firelight before she grew serious.
"Severus, what happens now?"
"Now, I will go and attempt to sleep off the giddying joy I am experiencing compliments of you"
"That's sweet and mildly strange to hear from you, but you know that isn't what I meant."
He sighed, conceding. "Now, we must continue to act as though nought has changed. You will continue to act as the dutiful head girl and I as the greasy old dungeon bat."
"I can't stand it when you put yourself down like that."
Severus cringed at her frown. "Sorry, force of habit."
She waved him off with a huff. "So you do.. you know?"
"I do not know."
"You do feel the same for me as I do for you?" She said in a rush of breath, cringing at her own awkwardness.
"If my lips did not tell the story well enough last time, I will gladly perform another demonstration. For now, however, I must bid you goodnight Ms G-Hermione."
"Goodnight, then"
She smiled softly, those fawny eyes trained on his lips as he turned away.
The days that followed were a previously unencountered challenge for each of them. Hermione struggled not to think of her surly Professor, the following weekend spent at Hogsmeade did nothing to prevent her daydreams. Ginny clued onto the change in her best friends' demeanour instantly, though she would never consider the potions master as a contender for Hermione's affection.
"Something's happened with the mystery man. You've kissed him, haven't you? Or- no! You didn't-did you SLEEP with him?!"
"Gods Ginevra! No, I didn't sleep with him."
"Well, what happened then? Don't be a prude."
Hermione rolled her eyes, taking a sip of butterbeer. The three broomsticks was cheery, the laughter of its many patrons blending together.
"We kissed, that's all."
Ginny grinned triumphantly.
"Stop that, you look like the Cheshire cat."
"The who?"
"Nothing, muggle things."
Luna, who had been listening in quietly, now piped up.
"Well Hermione, whoever he is, he's sure lucky to be loved by a kind woman like you"
"We haven't even really, its so new. I do not-! Luna!"
"It's okay, you'll realise in your own time. But I can tell by the lack of wrackspurts hanging around you lately. Happiness dispels them, and love is the deepest happiness of all."
The weekend dragged on, with Hermione only seeing glimpses of him at meals. She forced herself to read books at the dinner table, for they were the only thing that could distract her eyes from him. Each night the longing grew worse, she would imagine his hands in her hair and his lips trailing down her body. She wondered how his fingers would feel on her skin, calloused as they were. Being the so called "prude" that she was, she resisted temptations and attempted to turn her mind to other things. How would he react when he found she was a virgin? Would he care? Would he leave? Could she hide it? Not a chance. If they did make it so far, she would be a nervous quivering wreck before their clothes were off. The only person to come close was Ronald, and even then, it was a quick grope while they kissed.
Down below, the head of Slytherin house, whilst feeling pent up and frustrated, was still riding the high of his newfound life. Every time he saw his muse, he felt the urge to pick her up and carry her some place quiet for long kisses and good conversation. He was slowly adjusting to the realisation that the dark lord was gone; his life was no longer at risk and he had been kissed by a beautiful woman. Even more, she was not in mortal danger because of it. Potions class on Monday was a struggle, every time he turned around his eyes found her. He simply couldn't help it. She would look up, bite her lip in consternation and look down to her work. Thankfully, his other students paid him little mind and probably wouldn't notice if he waltzed right over and planted one on her.
Come Monday evening, both he and she were fairly ready to implode. Hermione had been held up a little by Ginny, who was having problems with Harry. By the time she made it to the potion's classroom, her Professor had already begun. There was a curious blue smog hanging about the top of the room and the smell of burnt wafted up her nose.
"What on earth?"
"I became overeager and added too much Knightia root in the hopes of a higher dosage keeping the drinker awake. All it did was overwhelm the other ingredients and flood the cauldron all over the place. There must be something we are missing, but I don't know what it is."
"We'll get there" Hermione placed a hand on his forearm, squeezing soothingly. She could feel the raised skin of his inner arm underneath her fingertips. Daringly, she turned his arm over. He said nothing as she observed the dark mark, a final piece of the dark lord still claiming its place on his flesh. As she traced a finger over it, he cringed. Tried to pull away, ashamed. She stilled him and moved to pull up her sleeve.
Severus swallowed, realising what she was doing. He had never implored about the scar, assuming it to be from the war. He had always known it to be a tender point for her. The little witch before him held out her arm and stared resolutely at the floor.
His stomach turned as he took it in, bile rising in his throat. The word "mudblood" was carved crookedly into her arm, through many layers of flesh. Having tended to many scars over the years, his first thought was to wonder why no one had removed it. A cool draft made the wall sconces flicker and in the changing light he saw the faint shimmer of magic. A cursed blade, dark magic. A death eater favourite. Of course, people had tried. No one had succeeded.
Severus saw red.
"Who? How?" He spat, barely able to form coherent words. How the hell had he not known about this sooner?
"Bellatrix. At Malfoy Manor while we hunted horcruxes. She held me down, I couldn't get up- couldn't get away" Her voice trembled. "It burned, worse than anything I've ever felt. And when I saw it…"
"The bitch is lucky she's dead" He snarled, pacing the room. Even without his robes, he was a menacing sight. "Although I've half a mind to bring her back so I can kill her again!"
Hermione felt oddly touched by his anger on her behalf, warmed by his protectiveness.
"She isn't worth thinking of. That's not why I showed you. We all have our histories, our blood. Our scars. It doesn't make us who we are."
His anger lessened considerably as her words washed over him. She was covertly informing him that she accepted his past and who he was, dark mark and all. He never thought he would see the day. Such kindness and care, from a student no less. He supposed she was a Gryffindor, after all.
"We'll get this potion made, one way or another. Although I won't be sorry if it takes us a long, longgg time."
He quirked his eyebrow at her, reluctantly placated.
For the next few hours, they worked diligently at the potion. The pair added different concentrations of tree root until the blue smog disappeared, replaced by the telling golden shimmer of dreamless sleep. Hermione let out a whoop, stretching up to give the wizard a spontaneous kiss. She was sure they had the potion perfect, aside from their mysterious missing component. Still, it was an achievement getting those ingredients together in a stable sense. He grinned back at her, satisfied with their success. The grin reached his eyes and he gazed down at her like a predator ready to pounce.
A shiver ran through Hermione as his eyes roved over her. Oh gods, he was so handsome. His unique, angular features only attracted her more. He moved forward to wrap his arms around her, sliding them under her bum and picking her up. She let out a small shriek as she wrapped her legs around him, laughing against his firm shoulder. Though lean, Severus was strong. He ran the distance of the black lake often, determined to remain in form. Just in case. He carried her to the desk, placing her down gently. She kept her legs wrapped around him, boldly pulling him in. It was surreal, she thought, that this angry, haunted man could possess such affection. He kissed her deeply, allowing her to bring his body against hers. She whimpered softly, as he nibbled her lower lip. She reached a hand up, running it through his silky black hair. She noted that it was actually quite soft. Feeling daring and being the impatient girl that she was, Hermione took a hold of one of Severus' hands. It was cool to the touch and trembling, ever so slightly. She slid the hand under her robes, under her shirt and rested it on the soft skin above her hip. The hand trembled harder, Severus let out a breathy moan. He traced tentative circles over her stomach, slowly travelling higher. He looked into her eyes and seeing the trust and desire in her caramel eyes, he slipped the hand under her bra. She let out a sigh, while Severus held his breath. Her skin was incredibly soft, she was so warm. She pushed her flesh firmly into his hand, arching her back. The need to see her was overwhelming. She seemed to understand, for she pulled back from him and shrugged out of her robes. She wore a simple muggle t-shirt. He put his hands to the hem, looking at her. She bit her lip and nodded consent. He lifted the shirt up and over her head, breath catching in his chest again as he laid eyes on her. The skin of her chest was creamy, dotted with freckles. She wore a pale blue, lacy bra. Her breasts fit perfectly in his hands. He spent a time caressing her soft skin, placing gentle kisses on her face as he did so. She lay still, eyes closed. He continued his ministrations, whispering silkily into her ears.
Suddenly, the girl below him opened her eyes. She sat up and grasped his hands, pulling him to her. He looked down to her face, trying to gauge what was happening. She bravely gazed at him and before he could fully register what was happening, her fingers had enclosed themselves around him. He could feel the warmth of her palms through the fabric of his pants, his knees went weak. If she weren't careful, he would come right there and what an embarrassment that would be. She rubbed tentatively at the bulge, making him groan.
"I wasn't kidding when I said you'd be the death of me."
She grinned. "I've never… touched anyone there before. I'm sorry, I don't know how or what-"
He cut her off, "That is quite alright. After many years of mistreatment, fear of imminent death and a menagerie of other awful things, I am in no hurry to rush things."
She seemed somewhat relieved, but also disappointed.
Seeing her lips pout, he laughed. "Don't you worry, I'll deal to you soon enough. However, seeing as you are still my student, it wouldn't be appropriate to go down any of those paths… yet."