Hello everyone!

I am like hzifhsufwncqbouh about all your amazing reviews. OMG! You make me so happy, guys. I feel like I'm on top of the world when I read your lovely words *sobs uncontrollably*

Chapter 11 is here! Small reminder that this story is rated M and we're getting into slightly more racy territory at the end of this chapter. The scene is written in italics, so just skip it if it's not to your taste.

I decided to leave this scene in, as it is not too explicit, but in the future I will edit my chapters appropriately. I shall post the full version of each chapter on ao3 and post the link to that at the beginning of each chapter for those of you who want to read them.

I fully support FFNets policy on not posting explicit content, as I believe it should be a safe site for users of all ages. There are pages out there where one can post adult content, which I do, so there is no need to post it here.

For those of you who decide to read it: please let me know what you think. I find it incredibly hard to write... it felt so odd, I have never done it before, but it was fun! Please let me know what you think.
I don't want to be writing smut if ye think I am not doing terribly well at it :D

Enjoy reading! And please please please send me your reviews xxx

Song Recommendation

I CANT HELP FALLING IN LOVE - HAILEY RHEINHART

It was Thursday evening and Hermione was sat in her office correcting the homework she had given her first years on the Levitation charm. Somebody knocked on her door.

"Come in", she said her eyes still on the parchment in front of her.

"Good evening, Professor Granger."

Hermione lifted her head and smiled. "Good evening, Professor Longbottom. How may I help you."

"Myself, Professor Lovegood and Professor Haywood shall be meeting Mr Weasley at Professor Hagrid's for tea. Would you care to join us?", Neville asked her speaking in an utterly ridiculous voice.

"How could I possibly decline such an offer", Hermione laughed and put down her quill. Neville sat down on the chair in front of her desk, swinging his legs on top of it. Hermione knocked him over with a flick of her hand and Neville cried out: "Hey!"

"Nobody puts their shoes on my desk, Professor Longbottom", she chastised him.

"Blimey, Hermione. Your wandless magic is frightening", he said, picking himself up from the floor and sitting up straight a moment later.

"How was your weekend?", he asked. "You seem to leave the castle nearly every other week now."

Hermione laughed. "That's not true."

In reality, it was true. She had been to Grasse two times since her first visit at the beginning of October. She had left on Sunday morning both times though, and visited her parents or Harry and Ginny for the day.

"So, what did you do this weekend?", Neville asked.

"I've been to Milan", Hermione told him. "I've heard of the famous library in their wizarding quarter." This was true. She had heard about it, from Severus. And they happened to go there together.

"Well, there shan't be a library on this planet that Hermione Granger would not go to."

"How right you are", she replied matter-of-factly. "When are we going for tea?"

"How about now?"

He got up and held out his arm for her to take.

"Brilliant idea."

She tidied her desk with a flick of her wand and hooked her arm under his. They picked up Luna from the Transfiguration Classroom where she had a chat with Minerva.

Over the past few weeks Hermione had learnt why Luna was such a successful teacher. Most people seemed to forget that Luna was a Ravenclaw. She was highly logical, inquisitive and smart. With her creativeness and free spirit she motivated and taught her students in an incontestable manner. She combined the logical structure of Transfiguration theory with the spirit of imagination. She communicated her subject creatively, inspiring the students to look beyond the visible, which was exactly what you needed to succeed at Transfiguration; visualise the invisible. Hermione had been highly mistaken when she had assumed that Luna wouldn't be a good teacher and on the odd occasion she even asked her friend for teaching advice.

The three of them made their way to Hagrid's hut. Ron had already picked up Penny earlier and when they arrived Harry and Ginny were there too.

"Surprise!", Ginny yelled and held up a glass of fire whiskey. The tip of her nose and her cheeks were bright red. Hermione threw a glance at Harry who shrugged his shoulders innocently.

"And ther's a glass o' fir' whiskey fer ya too, 'mione", Hagrid said and pushed a glass into her hand.

They enjoyed having 'tea' with Hagrid and ended up sitting around the fireplace on the floor later that evening. Fang was in their middle, relaxing in the heat that came from the fire.

"There's a reason we're all here tonight", Ron said and smiled broadly.

"You've finally decided to start your ice cream business?", Harry asked and they all laughed. It was a wish Ron had been talking about for years, but he had never been completely serious about it.

"No, mate…. But that's definitely still very high up the priority list."

He reached for Penny's hand next to him and they both smiled.

"We're going to have a baby", Penny said, delirious with joy.

The cheers that erupted from everyone around the table came close in sound intensity to a Quidditch match won by Gryffindor. Hagrid started crying in joy and Luna stood on the bench to pat his shoulder.

"Good luck, mate", Harry laughed and wacked Ron on the back. Hermione and Ginny simultaneously hugged Penny.

"I've had a chat with Minerva. I'll remain Head of Hufflepuff, but I won't be teaching potions from next year anymore", Penny explained.

"Minerva and Filius thought about creating a part-time position for the administration of the DADA specialised courses. I've heard some of us are not very creative with inviting external guest lecturers", she gave Hermione a wicked grin.

Hermione smiled back, but her head was racing. Penny wouldn't teach potions from next year anymore. That meant there was going to be an open position.

She looked at Ginny, who immediately knew what she was thinking. They had been talking about it the last time she had visited Grimmauld Place.

When they all left Hagrid's hut Hermione said to Ginny: "I might come around next Saturday? Maybe you could tell Harry it's important?"

"You're going to tell him?"

"Yes, and could you ask Ron to come too? But without Penny maybe", Hermione said. "You three are my best friends, I trust you unconditionally."

Ginny nodded and gave her a hug. "See you Saturday then."

Hermione entered her private chambers that were located on the third floor Charms corridor. They could be accessed either via her office that was opposite the Charms classroom or, with a password, via a staircase that was hidden behind a painting of Picus as a woodpecker on the fourth floor.

Upon entering, there was a large open room with a big, bright stained glass window overlooking the courtyard and facing the Great Hall. The room held her sitting area, a dining space, small kitchenette and working space. A spiral staircase led upstairs into an open loft with handrails that housed her bedroom. She had magically created some flowy curtains that hid the area from viewers below. A bathroom with magic ceiling like the one in the Great Hall could be entered via her bedroom as well as via the living area, and it seemed to be on both levels at the same time.

Hermione kicked her shoes off and sighed. She got herself ready for bed, but her brain would not shut up.

Was this job opening an opportunity for Severus? Would he take it? Would Harry go crazy once he found out Severus was still alive? Would Ron go mad? Would she screw up everything, because she was too optimistic? Would they maybe really send Aurors to France? No, that was silly.

But would Severus never speak to her again for proposing the idea? Would he flee from Arraxy and hide out somewhere else, where she couldn't find him again? Or would he take up the offer? Would he be happy to return to England? Would Minerva even be willing to hire him? Was there maybe already another person for the job? Was she in a position to simply assume this was a good idea?

Stop meddling around in other people's lives.

But he deserved it so much. She could tell every time, how much he missed his home. He never said it, but she just knew. The way he asked her about Hogwarts and generally events that took place in England showed how much he cared. He soaked up the new information she gave him every week, and he'd even asked her to bring the Daily Prophet a couple of times. She couldn't just be imagining it, or could she?

First she needed to find out what people's reaction would be to Severus being alive. She had to tell Harry and Ron. Harry would also have an idea about how the Ministry might take the news, if it should ever come to that.

Her thoughts circled around Severus for a long time, and she only fell asleep when Crookshanks crawled into her bed and warmed her feet in the early morning hours.

On Saturday, Hermione apparated straight onto the top doorstep of Grimmauld Place. She knocked on the door, and whilst she waited for someone to open up for her, Ron walked up the path to the house.

"Hi, 'Mione", he greeted her. "How are you doing?"

"Great, thanks Ron!" She gave him a quick hug. "I never congratulated you, I was so preoccupied with Penny! I am so happy for the two of you, Ron!"

He grinned at her and she could tell he was definitely on cloud ninety-nine.

Harry opened the door and let them in.

"The kids are with Molly and Arthur", he said to Hermione. "Ginny said, it's a serious talk?"

Hermione sighed quietly and they all sat down in the kitchen. They talked about work for a while and drank some hot Butterbeer.

"It's been going really well for a few years now, we were thinking about expanding internationally. I was talking to Seamus a while ago, he has contacts in Ireland and Roger knows some people in the US", Ron told them.

"Couldn't you maybe talk to Clemency as well?", Harry asked. "Then you'd have a branch in France."

"Good idea, I'll tell George about that."

Ginny looked at Hermione and she coughed lightly.

"About that…", she said and looked at the boys. "I don't really know where to start", she lamented.

"How bad can it be, 'Mione", Ron said motivationally.

"You know I spent a lot of time in France", she started.

"You have a French beau ", Ron interrupted her grinning.

"Shut up, Ronald", Ginny snapped, and he ducked his head.

"No, I don't have a beau", Hermione said rolling her eyes. "I met someone, that we all know."

They all had an expectant expression on their faces.

"I met Professor Snape."

She looked at them, a little bit frightened about their reactions.

"But Snape is dead", Ron said calmly but apprehensively.

"Well, I think Mione would know, if she'd have run into a ghost", Ginny said annoyed.

"He is not dead", Hermione replied. "He is alive and he lives in France. I've been visiting him since February."

Harry stood up from the table and starting pacing up and down the kitchen. Ron asked: "How is he not dead? I mean…", he lowered his voice a bit before he continued, "… we saw him."

Hermione nodded and Ron reclined back on the chair and went quiet. The silence in the room was pressing down on Hermione and she explained: "He doesn't know how he survives. He woke up in his home, with a house elf by his side that he can't identify. Once he felt better he fled to France."

"So you finally asked him about it?", Ginny said and Hermione nodded.

"You knew about this?", Harry asked Ginny, speaking for the first time.

"I worked it out", she replied.

Harry wasn't angry, but he seemed confused and thoughtful.

"Does he know, you're telling us?", Ron asked.

Hermione shook her head.

"Blimey…", he said quietly. "What is he doing in France?"

"He works for Clemency's parents. Don't tell her, that would make things even more complicated."

"Don't worry", Ron said and went silent again.

"He's been doing a lot of good things there", Hermione tried to explain. "He's introduced a wolfsbane potion that is available and affordable for every werewolf. And we're currently researching a cure together."

"You're working together?", Harry asked and leaned against the counter top.

"Yes, were trying to combine the potion and a charm to -"

"Sorry to interrupt", Harry cut in. "Right now, I don't really care about what you're working on." He looked apologetically. "But you have known since February that he is alive and you haven't told us? I even looked up his file for you."

"Yes, that's when I first ran into him. I wasn't absolutely sure then. I only talked to him a day later."

"That doesn't explain why you haven't told us earlier", Harry replied sounding reproachful.

"I know." Hermione sighed and rubbed her eyes. "I promised him I wouldn't tell anybody."

Harry nodded understandingly, but he didn't look too happy.

"He is worried, they'll charge him and lock him up in Azkaban, and he thinks there are still Death Eaters around that would go after him. He considers himself unlucky, to be alive", she explained.

"I don't blame him", Ron said and Hermione threw him an angry glance.

"Don't get me wrong, but he's right. Who knows how many Voldemort sympathisers are still out there. They'll eat him alive for his betrayal." He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I never liked the git and he's probably still as greasy as ever, but even I think he doesn't deserve that."

"Thanks, Ron." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"It's more likely that his own kind are after him than the ministry", Harry said.

"He's not a Death Eater, Harry", Hermione snapped. "You know that."

"Yes, sorry", he replied. "You know what I mean though. I am almost one hundred percent sure, the ministry wouldn't care much about him anymore. His case has been dealt with. They might not like him, but they can't reverse the verdict."

Hermione looked at him hopefully, but she could tell Harry didn't like it.

"What's that look", he asked carefully.

"I am really just guessing here", she started. "But I believe, Severus misses England and Hogwarts. It's his home."

"Severus?", Harry and Ron simultaneously yelled in shock.

"Guys", Ginny clicked her fingers in front of their faces. "Calm down."

"But, she's called him…-" Ron started.

"Yes, the bat has a name", Ginny said resolutely. "Get over it."

Harry and Ron looked at one another. Ginny rolled her eyes. "Worse than little boys."

"The point is", Hermione started again, "I think he deserves to have the opportunity of coming back. He might not want it or take it, but everyone should be able to be at home. And you guys know about all he's done."

Hermione thought the conversation was going surprisingly well. The only thing they had seemed genuinely upset about what her use of his first name, and she had to smile inwardly. If they would know the things Ginny knew, they'd die of a heart attack.

Harry opened a cupboard and got a bottle of fire whiskey. He offered them some.

"No thanks, I'm on duty tonight", Hermione said.

"Keep it coming, mate", Ron replied still looking a bit shook, and took a glass.

Harry sat down at the table and looked at Hermione. "I can talk to Kingsley. I am sure Snape should be able to walk the streets freely. And look as greasy and gruesome as ever, whilst doing so."

"Thanks, Harry. But please don't mention anything yet", Hermine said. Harry looked surprised but agreed.

"I actually had another idea", Hermione carefully said.

Ginny looked less comfortable now.

"I was thinking, maybe I could ask him if he'd be interested in Penny's job."

There was complete silence and two pairs of eyes stared at her in disbelief. Ginny also looked at her slightly worried.

"Think of it", Hermione tried to explain. "He is possibly the best Potions master in Europe and he has done the job before. Slughorn isn't getting any younger, and they have been struggling to find a Head of Slytherin for ten years now."

Ron took a sip of his fire whiskey and said hesitantly: "I see where you are coming from, Hermione." He sighed and looked at her. "But it's Snape you're talking about."

"So what?", she replied.

"It's not just that", Ginny said now. "It's a very highly ranked position. There's a difference between Snape strolling down Diagon Alley as a free man, or Snape taking a position at Hogwarts, teaching the next generation of witches and wizards."

Hermione looked at her in disbelief and felt some anger rising in her.

"You're saying he isn't a suitable teacher?"

"Well, he wasn't the most pleasant fellow during our time there, was he?", Ron cut it.

"No, I'm not saying he's not suitable", Ginny said, ignoring Ron. "But he also doesn't have an unsullied reputation."

"He doesn't have an unsullied reputation? Is that what you believe?", Hermione nearly squeaked.

"No, Hermione", Ginny said firmly. "It's not what I believe, or what any of us believe. But we are not the only people in wizarding Britain. If he were to teach at Hogwarts, there'd be a lot more parents than me and Harry, or Ron and Penny, who'd have an opinion on Snape. His background might have saved him from persecution, but it doesn't redeem him from his sometimes questionable character. You know as well as anybody, that people can be horrible and opinionated."

Ginny was right, and Hermione knew it, but she still felt angry. "He deserves better than that. Any of us would have made questionable choices or developed a certain character, if we'd have had to go through what he had to go through."

"You're right, Hermione", Ginny said. "But most people didn't go through such things, and therefore can't understand."

"Am I completely irrational for thinking it would be good if he were to teach at Hogwarts again?", Hermione moaned.

"To be honest, yes", Ron said. "I don't know how I'd feel about Snape teaching my kids. Not because he's a Death Eater or anything, just because I never liked him."

"He's not a Death Eater!", Hermione snapped.

"No, I know, but you know what I mean."

"Yes, Ronald!", Hermione nearly yelled now. "I know what you mean, and that is exactly the problem. Can you imagine how much Severus hates himself because of it? He thinks he's no better than Dolohov or the Carrows or any of them." She was properly furious now. "Everyone still associates the term Death Eater with him and it's not fair."

Ron didn't say any more and Harry and Ginny looked equally uncomfortable. Hermione sighed.

"I'm sorry guys", she said. "It's just… it's so not fair. It makes me angry."

"Wouldn't be the first minority you'd fight for", Ron tried to joke. "Instead of S.P.E.W. we have a society for the welfare of former double agents now."

"Very funny, Ron", Hermione said sarcastically, but they soon all started laughing.

Hermione was glad that her friends had taken it so well, and she was happy that they were honest towards her. It didn't really help her to determine whether she should tell Severus about the open position, but it was not her call to make in the first place. She was glad to know that there most certainly was a possibility for Severus to come back to England and lead an undisturbed life. She'd think about the rest another time.

The next few days flew by in no time. Hermione had just finished her last class of Wednesday and dismissed the group of third year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, when Harry popped his head into the room.

"Harry! What are you doing here? Come in", she exclaimed and finished tidying up the mattresses on the floor of the classroom with a flick of her wand.

"Ahhh", Harry said with a smile on his face. "Body-bind curse?"

"Yes." She put her wand back into her robes. "They're doing really well, we've only been practicing it for two weeks."

Harry examined Hermione from head to toe and a smile appeared on his face.

"What is it?"

She asked whilst clearing the blackboards that were behind her desk.

He shrugged his shoulders and looked around.

"I remember the first time I walked into this classroom, and the first spell we learnt. And now", he mustered her again. "You stand in here, all proper and professional, and teach those kids what we have learnt all those years ago."

Hermione looked at him warm-heartedly. How often had she thought exactly the same.

"I've listened in a bit, whilst you were teaching them", he confessed. "You're doing an amazing job."

"Oh, Harry."

She walked up to him and gave him a tight hug.

"I should have known you'd be a professor one day", he said smiling at her. "You were the best teacher I ever had."

"Don't be silly", she chastised him. "You're not giving your former professors enough credit."

She let go of him and they sat down on one of the student benches. Hermine could tell that something was on Harry's mind, but she did not want to push him, so she just waited quietly.

"I think you should tell Snape about Penny's job", he finally said.

Hermione was caught by surprise. She didn't think that was what he had come for.

"Really?"

"Yes", he reaffirmed. "I thought about what you said, and you're right. If he wants to come back, he should have the chance to do so. And if he needs a job, he should know there is an open position."

"Thanks, Harry."

Hermione couldn't believe Harry agreed with her.

"Also", Harry continued, "if he wants to teach, he will have a probation period of six months, like everyone. He won't be at Hogwarts anymore to be a double agent. He'll be here to teach, and if he's not doing well, he will be dismissed, just like anybody else. It is fair and exactly what he deserves, to be treated like everyone else would be."

Hermione just leaned over to Harry and hugged him. She didn't know what to say, and there was no need to reply anyway.

"I won't tell anybody yet. You go, talk to him and see what he says. Once you have an answer, we'll see."

"Did you tell Ron and Ginny?", she asked him.

"Yes, we had a chat and all decided together. Ron kept on mentioning what a greasy git the man is, and he's got a point there…"

Hermione looked at him disapprovingly and he immediately shut up.

Her eyes softened quickly and she said: "Thanks, Harry."

"Let's go and have a chat with Hagrid", Harry proposed and the both of them made their way out of the castle across the grounds.

I will come to Arraxy on Saturday. My mum asked me to drop some articles for Clemency and I want to see some of the things she's been working on.

I'll be at the bakery for coffee and breakfast at 10am. I have news for you.

Hermione

Hermione ran up to the owlery on Thursday after her office hours to send the letter. She was excited and nearly jumped up the many steps to the top. George seemed to like it much more here than in London, and she didn't blame him, he was an owl after all. He also liked the nectarines that she brought him from the kitchen, and slowly but steadily they built a better relationship.

"Are you fit enough for another trip to France?", she asked him and tied the letter to his leg. He hooted in reply and once she had finished he took off. She watched the bird disappear into the darkness and then left the owlery to have a walk around the lake. It was dark, but a rainless evening was rare in late November, and she liked the tranquillity of the lake at night.

What would it be like if Severus were to return to England? Hermione thought about it for a while. She would be able to see him every day, not just the occasional weekend. They could work on their project whenever they wanted, and if she had a new thought she could just go and discuss it with him, rather than having to write a letter. They could sit in their rooms and read books or collect potion ingredients in the Forbidden Forest. They could exchange detention methods, she thought and chuckled quietly. On Hogsmead weekends they could supervise the students and have a hot Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.

She could probably learn a lot from him about patrolling the corridors at night, as he certainly knew quite a lot more about little alcoves where students could hide out… Or maybe she and Severus could hide out in there. The alcoves were narrow and dark, and they'd have to stand rather close to one another. Her hands would be resting on his chest, and he could hold her close, by placing his hands around her waist… or in other places. Circe's holy loom, what are you thinking about. Pull yourself together.

Hermione felt like she was waking up from a trance and her cheeks blushed bright red. She started walking back into the castle quite briskly, happy that it was dark and nobody would have seen her.

She ran into Luna, who was just coming out of the Transfiguration classroom on the ground floor.

"You look like you had a pleasant evening", she said in her dreamy voice.

"What?", Hermione replied, feeling her cheeks flush again. "Oh, no. I've just had a brisk walk around the lake. I sometimes feel like I don't move enough… sitting at the desk all day, correcting essays."

Luna looked at her thoughtfully. "I should always have a pair of Spectrespecs on me. You look like you have a Wrackspurt infection."

"A what?", Hermione asked, which was probably not a good idea.

"Wrackspurts make your brain go all fuzzy. You look like your brain is extremely fuzzy. There might be two. They should go away if you think of some happy things."

"I think I'm alright", Hermione said. "Thank you though. I'll have a cup of tea and think of some nice things."

Luna smiled at her and they separated on the third floor, where Hermione headed towards her chambers.

She corrected some second year essays and went to bed reasonably early, although she started reading a chapter in a book she had gotten from the library. After a few pages she fell asleep and entered the land of dreams.

She and Severus were in the potions classroom. For some reason they were discussing Herbology, and Hermione thought she'd find some arithmantic equations to calculate the probability lines of each change to the syllabus. She leaned on one of the work benches and scribbled down some calculations, when she felt Severus's hand on her back.

She put down her quill and slowly stood up straight. She wanted to turn around, but both his hands rested on her waist and he held her in place. She could feel him taking a step closer to her and he leaned in to rest his cheek on her head.

"Hermione", he whispered her name and it sent a shudder down her spine.

One of his hands wandered up her body, onto her shoulder and towards her neck. He rubbed his thumb on the back of her neck, making her drop her head to the front. Her hair was tied up in a bun, as usually when she was teaching, and he lowered his head to plant kisses onto the exposed skin. Each touch sent soft electric shocks through her and she sighed deeply.

His hand wandered down the front of her teaching robes and rested on her lower belly, just at the point where the fabric of her gown split. He came another step closer behind her and she was leaning against him now. She could feel a hard bulge pressing against her back, and she could hear his breath in her ear. Her own breathing got heavier, when his hand wandered further down and stopped between her legs. He kissed the skin behind her ear and started rubbing her through her trousers. She started panting, the sweet pain that was building up in her groin growing stronger and stronger. He increased the intensity and speed of his fingers, and she could feel him rubbing himself on her back.

"Sev", she gasped, her pleasure rising to the top. She heard him breathing heavily into her ear, tightening the arm around her waist and cupping her firmly with his other hand.

Hermione woke up just as a wave of pleasure came over her, she moaned and reflexively moved her own hand down between her legs to touch herself.

She was panting, from pleasure or from shock, she couldn't tell. It was dark and quiet, but she felt like she could still hear her own moan clinging to the walls.

For God's sake, what is wrong with you. How are you going to face him on Saturday, you stupid cow. Get up. Get up!

She jumped out of bed and staggered into her bathroom.

It's normal. I've had those dreams before. It's just him now, because I am so invested in this whole thing. No need to worry. Time for a cup of tea.

She went to make herself some tea. It was four in the morning, so she opted for some chamomile, but by the time she finished it, she was wide awake. There was no point going back to bed. She set up some coffee, proper filter coffee, the way she'd had it at Severus's place, and had a shower. Then she dressed herself, took her cup and left her chambers to go to her office. She'd just start the day early, correct some essays now and enjoy the evening off later.

All day long, she actively refrained from thinking about anything that concerned Severus, and by that night, she had basically forgotten about it and had a dreamless sleep.