Chapter 10: Unexpected
Summary:
Some time spent with Harry and Hermione as well as Snape and Hermione. No smut yet, no worries. However, there are some naughty thoughts that are not graphic in this chapter.
"Thanks for going with me, Harry," Hermione said as she linked arms with him.
"I wanted to see Hagrid anyway." He smiled down at her.
"I'm just glad he agreed to keep Crooks for me…permanently even though cats make him sneeze." She frowned slightly.
"You know you can see him whenever you wish," Harry said wrapping an arm around her kissing the top of her head steering her towards Black Lake. They had a half hour left before they had potions class and he was enjoying his time alone with Hermione. It was a rare thing these days.
He didn't particularly like the way Ron was acting these past few weeks, and it had only gotten worse since her return. His resolve was firming towards ending the friendship. He needed Hermione in his life, he could more than move on if Ron was just a distant memory. Not that he wanted him to die, no, he just preferred to have one true friend than someone as fickle as Ron appeared to be.
Ron seemed to enjoy being in the limelight. Harry did not. He could see Ron's jealousy towards him when he was part of The Triwizard Tournament. Harry had no desire to be part of it, he could have died. Hermione and Neville were the only ones who really offered support to him.
His arm pulled her closer to his side giving her arm a gentle squeeze thinking about it.
"It' not that, not entirely." She mumbled letting out a long sigh. "I just wish I could keep him with me. He has been part of my life for a long time now. I bought him the day I went to get supplies for my first year."
"I know," Harry said quietly. Trying to change the subject and cheer her up he smiled down at her. "Do you want to meet me after we have supper? We can sneak off and have a proper talk. We only have three days left before summer hols."
"I would love that." She smiled up at him. "Things have been busy the last few weeks, and I would like to talk to you about some things before we leave."
"I've been learning occlumency." He said quietly not meeting her eyes.
She stopped suddenly turning her body to look at him. "You have?" She asked, her eyes wide.
"Yeah, Professor Snape has been teaching me for a while now. We started just before your return."
"Oh, Harry." Hermione laughed wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him against her. "Thank you."
"I would do anything for you, Hermione." He said against her neck. "Professor Snape said I needed to learn it so you could talk to me." Pulling back, he gave her a lopsided smile. "Now you don't have to worry about telling me anything. Yeah?"
"Sounds, brilliant." Hermione grinned releasing him as they started walking again. "That makes things so much easier."
"Where have you been, Rosier?" Draco growled stalking towards her, Blaise and Nott walking a few paces behind him. His sudden appearance made her jump slightly.
Stopping she crossed her arms over her chest. "I was visiting Hagrid." She said flatly. "I didn't realize I had to check in with you before I did anything."
Stepping closer to her, he towered over her. "Of course, you do. You know I have to protect you." He hissed. "You know what's at stake if I don't."
Harry shoved Draco putting himself between him and Hermione. "Back off, Malfoy. She is not yours."
Draco straightened out his robes narrowing his eyes at Harry. "That is where you are wrong, Potter. She is my cousin. She is more mine, then yours."
Hermione gave a small snort tugging at Harry's arm. "If you two are quite done, I would like to get to class before Professor Snape docs points from our house." She snapped.
Pity her freedom was short-lived, she was enjoying her alone time with Harry.
Storming off she looked over her shoulder at the four boys. "And for the record, I don't belong to anyone. You two are my friends, but I will have no problems hexing your bollocks off if you can't get along."
She didn't wait for an answer before she continued her fast clip to class, her thin fingers clutching at the strap of her bag. Merlin, those two. If they could just get along her life would be much better.
She could hear them bickering with each other as she crossed the courtyard towards the front entrance of Hogwarts. Ron was leaning against one of the pillars watching her approached. Lavender standing behind him with a grimace on her face looking between her and Ron.
"'Mione." He nodded.
Her eyes tightened as she looked at him. He had a scowl on his face, his fists clenching and unclenching as he stood in front of her. "Ronald." She nodded back. "How can I help you?"
His nostrils flared as he looked over her head. "I wanted to talk to you…alone." He clipped.
Looking around before she met his eyes. "We are alone as we are going to get. Did you need something from me?"
"Yeah, I was hoping you could help me with my essay like you usually do." He said shortly.
She had all she could do not to scoff. He had been avoiding her for the past few weeks, and when she did see him in the shared classes, he treated her with hostile civility most of the time. She realized he was trying to be somewhat cordial with her so he could ask her for help.
'Of course.' She thought bitterly. He always leaned heavily on her expertise when it came to the format his essays needed, most of the time she ended up writing most of it herself. It wasn't that he was dumb, far from it. He was just lazy too consumed with Quidditch or his current girlfriend, who appeared to be Lavender Brown by the scathing looks Hermione received from her when Ron started to speak to her about said essay.
Clearing her throat, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Ronald, I can't help you. We only have three more days here, and I have my own studies to concentrate on, besides it is due today, is it not?"
She thought she was polite about it. She didn't want to have him be a total git to her with the remaining two years they had together. Honestly, the sooner he forgot about her, the better if this was his attitude towards her.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his face turning a lovely puce colour. "I knew when you told us that you were the same, that was a load of shite. You think you are better than everyone now, don't ya just because your father i-."
"Enough, Ron," Ginny came jogging up standing next to her brother. "Just let it go."
Ron looked down at her sister, letting out a low grunt. "Fine. Whatever." He grabbed Lavender by the arm tugging her towards the front steps, his strides jerky.
Hermione gave a tentative smile to Ginny. She hadn't had an opportunity to speak to her yet. "Thanks, Ginny."
Ginny let out a humourless laugh. "Don't thank me, Rosier." She sneered at her. "My mum told us to avoid you just in case we upset daddy dearest."
"Enough, Gin," Harry said, standing next to Hermione putting his body slightly in front of hers. "Not now."
Ginny watched him for a moment before rolling her eyes. She turned on her heel, stomping after her brother.
Hermione let out a sigh. "Thanks, Harry." She paused for a moment, chewing her bottom lip. "You know, you don't have to choose between them and me. You have been friends with them as long as you have me, well…at least with Ron. You know how Ginny feels about you."
Harry shook his head leading her towards the front door. She heard Draco and the others talking in hushed tones behind her as they entered the building. Finally, Harry spoke in a quiet voice. "It's not choosing you over them, 'Mione. They are the ones acting out of sorts, not me. I am content being by your side. If it is a choice of you or them and they force me to make it, it will be their doing, not yours, not mine. Besides, I don't see Ginny that way." He grimaced.
"Thanks, Harry. I just wished things could be as they used to be, but this is not my choice either."
"I know."
Harry kissed her cheek before leaving her taking his seat in the front of class between Ron and Neville. Neville looked over his shoulder meeting her eyes giving her a half-wave and smile. She returned the gesture grateful at least Neville didn't treat her any differently.
'Maybe because he doesn't know what is really going on.'
She took her seat leaning back in her chair sitting between Draco and Blaise who seemed content to talk over her head. She didn't care what they did at that moment. She was watching Professor Snape stalking around the room as soon as he entered.
He was her intended last she knew. The moments he spent speaking to her since her return have been only a few moments here and there, but he always stood close to her which she found soothing.
She tilted her head to the side taking in his features. His had a hooked nose, his hair longer than she remembered, and lanky. His features were severe, his black fathomless eyes often caused her to shiver when he pinned her with a stare while working alone. She found him handsome in the classical sense.
She didn't care what someone looked like on the outside. Her past crushes were about more than that. Victor had a rugged appearance, but it was his sweetness that drew her in. With Lockhart, it was the idea of all the things he could do, she thought he was intelligent. She was wrong on that account.
Her own looks were different now, yes. She had to admit she was more attractive, but she wanted someone who saw her for who she was. Especially how cruel people were when she was growing up making comments about her bushy, unruly hair, and buck teeth. She let out a small chuckle running her tongue along her teeth. They were no longer larger than they should be, even straighter than they were when she magically fixed them during her fourth year. Still, she wanted someone to see her not as an object, and as a person. She knew she would get that with Professor Snape.
With Professor Snape she felt safe. Alone at night, when the events of the past few weeks whirled around her mind, she took notice of how he was a constant in her life now, for the most part. He was safe. What was better than having someone who made you feel safe. She never really truly felt safe before, even when she returned to her parents. Especially with her parents. Her mother did nothing to protect her from her father's wrath.
She knew in time she could learn to love Snape, she was already greatly attracted to his intellect and looks, the rest was sure to follow. She already had a deep affection for him, although she was sure it was a one-way affection. She didn't find him, unfortunate-looking in any way.
She shifted in her chair thinking about other things that would undoubtedly happen if this was a permanent bond, at least she hoped that would happen. The furthest she got was with Victor with heavy petting with plenty of snogging. She wasn't ready to go any further at that time.
But now…
Now she was. She was technically nineteen stuck in the body of a sixteen-year-old, she was more than ready to share that part of herself with someone. She knew under his frock coat; he had a lithe frame. His arms are stronger than one would think with what you assumed he was slight. When they worked alone, at times the room would become overheated he would remove his robes, and coat, his crisp white shirt pressing against the muscles of his arms surprised her. Especially when he would pick up cauldrons moving them like they were merely the weight of a feather.
His fingers were long and nimble. She was often transfixed on them when he would use them to sort herbs, or even use his wand. The way he did it at times was erotic in her humble opinion. 'I wonder what he could do with those fingers…or his mouth.'
She shook her head rapidly popping the mental image of him having his wicked way with her, the things she wanted to do to him in return. 'No.' She let out a frustrated sigh 'He probably sees you are a student right now. How can I change that, and have him see me as more? He was forced to be with me.'
Just one little shag? Just a little one to tie her over. It wasn't like she had ever slept with anyone before, and never would again after bonding with Snape. She would never cheat on him, or anyone she was with for that matter.
'I bet he knows what he is doing. Merlin, I need a release.'
She wasn't a prude in any stretch of the imagination, she often pleasured herself, but had not in several long weeks. She shifted in her seat again her eyes drooping thinking about his mouth on her, his hands, his…
Draco nudged her smirking down at her. "Why is your face red with a goofy look on your face, Rosier?"
"My face isn't red." She retorted bringing her hands to her cheeks feeling the warmth under them mentally swearing at herself. She looked up to find Snape watching her as he spoke to the class giving directions, his eyes lingered a few moments longer than he normally did before he rounded his desk sitting behind it shifting parchment under his hand.
Hermione looked around as the class got up going to the stores. She caught Draco's wrist looking up at him. "What's going on?"
He snickered leaning on the desk close to her ear. "If you weren't busy imaging naughty things with Professor Snape, you would know that we are brewing for the infirmary today."
Her mouth opened and closed several times wanting to deny it. 'Bullocks, did Professor Snape notice?'
Draco leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest, his hip resting on the desk as she shoved her seat back stalking towards the small room where the ingredients were stored, careful to avoid everyone. She felt like everyone just knew what she had been thinking about.
Fuck.
She had been working diligently for the past hour trying and failing mind you, keeping her eyes off of Snape. She kept her head down brewing potions, which she could honestly brew in her sleep if required, sadly it gave her plenty of time to revisit her fantasy she built up in her head.
Draco nudged her arm nodding to the front of the room where Professor Snape was apparently speaking once again, she had been so lost in her own thoughts she failed to notice. "What?" She hissed at him.
He motioned towards Snape who was looking at her with a flat expression. "Miss Rosier a word after class if you please."
She swallowed hard when he scowled at her turning around making his way to his desk dismissing everyone.
Harry placed his hand on the table when he stopped to check on her. "Do you need me to wait for you?"
Draco snorted stuffing items in his bag. "She is fine, Potter. I will make sure she makes it safe to supper."
Harry glared over Hermione's head at him. "I wasn't asking you, Malfoy."
Hermione placed her hand on top of Harry's. "It's fine, Harry." She smiled up at him. "I will meet you at the entrance of the Great Hall after dinner so we can talk." She looked over at Draco and then back at Harry. "Privately."
He looked at her for a long moment before nodding his head. "Alright, just be careful, 'Mione." He said walking away.
Draco huffed as he stood. "I will wait for you outside of the room."
"Not necessary, Mr Malfoy. I will ensure Miss Rosier makes it unscathed." Snape answered roughly.
Draco shrugged his shoulders leaving the room without another word.
Snape flicked his hand the doors slamming shut with a deafening thud once everyone was gone. Hermione squirmed slightly in her seat looking up towards the front of the room, too scared to make eye contact with him when she heard the door's lock click shut. He seemed he was in a mood this afternoon and she didn't want to suffer his wrath.
If he was still angry with her, she much rather he skipped the lecture she knew he was going to give her. She didn't mean to zone out today during class, it was his fault honestly. The idea of him was stuck in her head, if he hadn't been there, she would have been able to distract herself with something else. Maybe.
Holding out his hand to her she looked at him, blinking. "Come." He said.
She squared her shoulder clasping her hand into his as he pulled her from the chair barely giving her time to grab her bag, leading her towards the back of the room through a side door. She tried to look around as they entered his private office, but his long strides made that almost impossible as he led her through another door hidden behind a large tapestry to a stone corridor.
"Um, Professor?"
"Not yet." He said not looking at her.
He stopped suddenly at a large stone wall at the end corridor turning his head slightly to look at her. "Give me your wand." He let go of her hand, holding his own out towards her.
Furrowing her brows, she pulled her wand out of her pocket handing it to him silently. He whispered an incantation she couldn't hear, placing her wand on the wall in front of him. The stones flared briefly before the stones moved to reveal a large wooden door.
Handing back her wand he opened the door gesturing her inside. She shuffled forward tentatively looking around the room as she entered. The room was circular, dark gray stones making up the wall. Sconces flared to life, giving the room a soft glow. No paintings were on the wall she noticed as she continued her survey, just bookshelves stuffed with hundreds of large tomes. Her hands itched to look at them. A large glass window looked out at what she thought was Black Lake. Several closed wooden doors were pressed into the stone between several of the bookshelves making them almost hidden.
"Please, have a seat." He gestured towards the green leather couch with a Slytherin blanket thrown on the back. A small coffee table with several tomes separated the couch from the green wingback chair across from it which sat next to the fire.
She stepped over to the couch placing her bag next to her feet as she sat down. She crossed her legs at her ankles, folding her hands in her lap waiting for him to speak as he busied himself in the room. She thought Narcissa would be proud of her.
He walked over to the roaring fireplace flicking his wand extinguishing the fire. She heard a small click as he turned to make his way to the couch sitting at the other end. His body shifted slightly angling towards her, his long arm resting on the back of the couch.
She looked over at him as he stared at her. She cleared her throat delicately. "Professor?" She said chewing her bottom lip hoping he was not angry with her.
Snape's heart was beating hard in his chest. Hermione was finally here in his private chambers. He was having a tough time keeping himself in check honestly. The way she was looking at him chewing her delectable lip was almost his undoing. He wanted nothing more than to grab her shoving her against the wall having his way with her.
He had to wait. It would do no good to scare her with his actions. 'There will be time for that later.'
It didn't help that he had to sit behind his desk trying to look busy, his eyes on Hermione under the fringe of his hair. She had been looking at him with a dazed look on her face since he entered the classroom and started talking. He knew it was an invasion of her privacy, but he scanned her thoughts wandlessly worried about her wellbeing, she thought her ill. What he found there made his mouth dry.
She was thinking about him. More than that, what their relationship would be like, their intimate relationship. If he had not been the master of control for the past several years, he would have dragged her from her seat, bend her over his desk to show her exactly what he could do to her. Repeatedly.
He wondered if Draco was able to hear her thoughts as easily as he had. Merlin, he hoped not. He was shocked that her walls were not strong today as they usually were. He would mention it to her later. Much later.
"Miss Rosier, I wanted to speak to you about us courting." He said slowly trying to keep the roughness from it. "I had a meeting with Professor Dumbledore this morning regarding that particular subject. He was most anxious for me to make a claim on you, to start to court you before you left Hogwarts. I just used your wand to have the wards recognize your magic so you may enter here at any time, after all, this will be our chambers come next year."
"Oh." She said softly. A beautiful blush painted her high cheekbones as she averted her eyes from his.
Shifting closer his knee bumped her hip as he grasped her hand in his much larger one. 'Delicate.' He thought. Her eyes met his, her blue eyes seemed lost for a moment. "Relax, Hermione. I am not going to bond with you right this minute." He said with a small chuckle.
Maybe within the next ten minutes.
She squeezed his hand offering him a lopsided smile. "I'm just surprised is all. I was sure he would object to us…you know with me being a student." She took a deep breath. "I'm just not sure how to proceed, I've never had a real boyfriend before, and only kissed a few times, and have no idea how courting works in the wizarding world. I am assuming this will be a real bond?" She said lowered her head.
Reaching out he lifted her chin with his forefinger rubbing her bottom lip gently. "I already realized that. This will be a real bond, a real marriage. I know this must be difficult for you, and I promise on my magic I will not hurt you."
"I never thought you would, Professor." She whispered her lips parting slightly.
"To start how about you start calling me Severus in private settings."
"As long as you reciprocate and call me Hermione." A smile tilting her lips.
Removing his hand, he fished something out of his pocket. "I have something for you. It is custom for a Wizard to offer something to his intended. It was my grandmother's, but I would love for you to have it, and wear it." He moved her hand slightly before sliding something on her left ring finger.
He held his breath as Hermione looked down at her hand, her eyes widening briefly before she snapped her head up meeting his eyes. "I-I can't accept this. It looks expensive!" On her finger was a large black diamond, smaller diamonds glittered that were embedded in the scroll work of the white goblin-forged metal that worked around the band under the faint light. It was perfect for her. He wanted her to wear it. To have that claim on her so others would see she was spoken for. Permanently.
When Lord Voldemort mentioned that he wanted him to bond with Hermione he made a trip to his vault at Gringotts. He was sure she was under the assumption that he didn't have money like the Malfoys. That was not the case. He was very well off. He had several potion patents that paid handsomely each month, not to mention what his Grandmother had left to him when she passed several years ago. He was the last in the line of the Prince Family. He hardly spent any of his income, Hogwarts provided almost everything he needed, and there was no need to move from Spinners End with him being alone.
When he retrieved the ring, he had it enchanted as well. Now, if she encountered any poison the ring would glow a bright red. That should protect her when he was unable to be by her side.
Shaking his head, he placed his hand over hers. "I must insist. It is a family heirloom, and I certainly am not going to wear it."
She let out a small giggle her eyes twinkling with mirth. Merlin, he loved this woman. "Thank you…Severus."
His heart skipped a beat. It was the first time she said his name. It mattered not that her looks had changed, in his eyes it was her that he loved, although he would miss her whiskey-coloured eyes he knew in time he could love her fathomless blue just as much.
She reached up tentatively her arms hovering near his shoulders looking uncertain. He took pity on her wrapping his arms around her small frame holding her tight against his chest. He breathed deeply enjoying her scent. This was the first time he could really catch her scent with her being this close. 'Vanilla, and slightly burnt sugar. Delicious. I wonder if she tastes as good as she smells.'
Pulling back, he cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing against it softly. "I would like to kiss you now if that is alright?" He whispered, their faces mere inches apart.
Her face turned even pinker as she nodded. He leaned forward slowly judging her reaction before pressing his lips softly against hers, his eyes sliding shut. Her lips were softer than he thought. He let her adjust to the feel of his lips on her own before he grew bolder sneaking his tongue against the seam of her lips encouraging the kiss.
Her tongue darted out mimicking her movement. Lifting his hand, he cupped the back of her neck taking control of the kiss, moulding his lips against hers as he slipped his tongue into her mouth for the first time. He felt all his blood drain to one area causing him to shift slightly.
Kissing her was like home. She felt like home. It was odd for him to feel such a strong visceral reaction to just a kiss, but that's what it was. Of course, he had his share of kisses before, but none of them compared to this. The one kiss he shared with Lily had been brief, just a peck on the lips, nothing so beautiful as this kiss.
'Merlin, where did she learn to do that with her tongue.' His breathing increased when Hermione sucked on his tongue, sucking it into her own mouth then twirling her own around his. Pulling back slightly before she did something that he would be his undoing he placed several soft kisses on her lips leaning his forehead against hers.
Her warm breath brushed against his lips as she gasped for air. "I would say we are compatible." He chuckled still trying to regain his breathing.
"I think so." She giggled wrapping her arms around him holding him close still slightly panting. He needed a moment before he could escort her to dinner, it would do no good trying to walk right now. He may pass out from the lack of blood flow to his brain.
"Hermione." Harry waved to her as he exited the Great Hall. He walked up beside grinning down at her. He looked around before leaning close. "Come with me while I go get my cloak."
"Why do we need your cloak?" Hermione asked walking next to him.
"Just in case we run late." He said walking up the flight of stairs.
She looked back behind her then back at Harry frowning. "I don't think I should go in there."
He stopped tilting his head. "Why not? It's not like you've never been in there before."
"I know," She shrugged. "I just think it would make the others uncomfortable."
"They can sod off." He grumbled. He turned and looked at her. "Fine, you can wait for me at the portrait." He conceded. "It will only take me a second."
"Fine." She grumbled walking silently behind him.
She ended up waiting for him near the top of the stairs looking down at her ring admiring the beauty. Her cheeks flush pink thinking about the kiss she shared with Snape. She wanted more, but she thought it might be off-putting for him if she threw herself at him. It was going to be a real marriage, and she didn't relish the idea of never having sex.
"Where is your shadow?" Pansy's nasal voice issued from close beside her.
Hermione looked over at her shrugging her shoulder. "Your guess is as good as mine, Parkinson." Her eyes drifted towards Daphne Greengrass who was shifting from foot to foot looking extremely uncomfortable, looking from Pansy back to Hermione worrying her lip.
"You think you're so clever don't you," Pansy said sneering at her. Hermione let out a small chuckle unable to help herself. Pansy had the same sneer as Draco used to have, she wondered if it was part of the Pureblood upbringing.
Faster than Hermione could follow, Pansy let out a shriek. "Diffindo." Her wand raised making a slashing motion.
The burn to Hermione's cheek caused her to suck in her breath. Staggering to the side one hand clutched her cheek, the other trying to find her wand. The warm feeling of her blood coated her fingers causing her to apply more pressure, she would deal with that later after she hexed the bitch. Squeezing her eyes shut for a moment she gathered herself shifting her body slightly to put some space between them.
"Hermione! Watch out!" Daphne screamed pitching her body forward, shoving Pansy to the side to reach her. But it was too late. With a rumbling groan, the stairs shifted leaving nothing but air as Hermione lost her footing falling off the edge of the landing.
Hermione's heart leapt in her throat both arms shooting out trying to find purchase only finding air as she descended. She let out a hoarse scream as her left arm slammed against the railing of a set of stairs, flipping her body in another direction. She heard the crunch of bones, but it was nothing to the feel of her arm being shattered into tiny pieces.
Panic flooded her body knowing when she reached the bottom her body would break; Gryffindor Tower was on the highest peak of the castle. There would be no surviving this.