The Caribbean sunsets were truly the most delicious sight he'd ever seen. Well, the second delicious. The first went to the Library Chamber to read.

The light danced on the waves and the deck warmed up pleasantly. Severus helped adjust some minor mishaps on the ship. Not much else he could do without his magic. Then Viktor poured him a glass of rum. This time, without coffee.

The two enjoyed sardine sandwiches and their drinks on the deck. Viktor talked about his trip around the Isles, how he met the mother of his little girl, about the circumstances of his birth. Of course, the last topics were only discussed after they've downed enough rum to make them feel like brothers.

"She was most beautiful dame I've ever met. Most beautiful. Hair like a sunlight. Eyes like a crystal." Viktor looked delirious as he spoke. "How was I to know my little Rosa would have such fate?"

Viktor had the ability to string words together like a poet. Severus wondered how many women had been impressed with this ability.

"Is she with her mother now?"

"Fleur, yes."

"She's married to the Weasley boy still, you are sure the child-"

"A man is always sure. Always." Viktor nodded his head and took a swig from the second bottle. He handed it over to Severus.

A boy from the crew, no older than ten, joined them. "We will reach the Port in Jamaica in three days. Barbados in four. The men want to know how we plan to swim around the Dead Man's Lair?"

"Tell him, we will speak tonight." Viktor gave him a pat and sent him away.

"Dead Man's Lair? The myths of the mermaids are true then?" Snape took a deep tug of the cigar, spluttering on inhale. He was determined to learn to smoke properly by the end of the trip.

"Those sirens will not seduce me, you can be sure Mr. Sneg."

Severus was not certain. Sirens were the talk of legend. Many a sailor was pulled below the surface in the lustful embraces. He had enough experience with them in the Black Lake to know one should thread lightly on their territory.

However, if Viktor was not to be seduced, neither will he be. Severus was sure of that. A man cannot be charmed twice.

He followed the ebb and flow of the waves and watched as dolphins leaped out of the dark waters. As the rum rushed through his veins, he felt a deep longing…one that began in his core and etched throughout his legs.

It was at that moment that he decided he needed to apologize to Granger. What for, he did not remember. She was very clearly frustrated with his behaviour.

He had not been the perfect gentleman, this was true. But for Lucifer's sake, he was on vacation. It was her idea to take this blasted trip and subject herself to seasickness and Krakens and other mishaps that we not present in the walls of their safe castle. He was trying to make the best of the situation.

Who could blame him for wanting a bit of action? He had fancied her for quite some time. She did not seem to mind his presence. Ever since she took up a casual teaching position with the school, she'd been following him around and asking him for advice in one way or another. It had been flattering, considering he was not even a professor and had not been for nearly fifteen years. Their topics usually wavered to various academic and philosophical themes and occasionally touched on personal subjects.

She could have done it simply out of respect. However, he was the Caretaker; it was not as though his opinion would advance her career in any way.

He couldn't explain it, but he'd felt the attraction was mutual for quite some time now.

Severus decided that he should confess his feelings for the witch. Their trip was passing far quicker than he imagined. The Devil only knew when else he'd have the chance to tell Hermione Granger that he wanted to pound his cock against her tight ass.

"Mr. Sneg, do you need a change of the clothes? I did not offer."

Bringing Hermione clothing to her room was the PERFECT gateway for an intimate conversation. It was as though Viktor spun the web of seduction himself and let Severus make full use of it.

Viktor insisted, practically begged him to change his outfit. As he pulled the shirt off his back, he became aware of how poorly he smelled. Why hadn't Hermione warned him? Probably another way of getting back at him for one thing or another. He had been a walking sack of compost these past two days on the ship.

But of course, attraction works on contrasts. Viktor? He always looked good. However, when Severus showed up with his three-day, unshaven beard and dark shirt, looking like the Sheriff of Nottingham she will have no choice but to succumb to his charms. He would have to ask Viktor what brand of rum he drank. It was giving him some incredibly creative ideas.

Viktor owned a variety of clothing articles Severus had never seen or heard of in his life. Much more extravagant than his simple robes. He tried to style him according to his own idea, but Severus' mind was settled. One look in the mirror told him he looked rather well put together. Daresay, even adequate.

"These are for Germeeone." He placed a pile of robes and dresses on the table. "You know the ladies like to choose."

He picked up the coloured stack. Severus doubted she dressed even half as lavishly back in Hogwarts. Nevertheless, Viktor was a well-dressed man and he trusted his opinion. The clothes were taken to Hermione's chambers. He hoped she would be in a better mood after a full day's rest.

Hermione did look more refreshed. She eyed the pile of clothing Severus set down on the bed and trailed her eyes up his figure, sizing him up.

"Thank you, this is unexpected." She lowered her book, then summoned a makeshift bookmark between the pages. Lucifer knows how he hated when readers doggy-eared their pages.

"I hope at least one of these will be to your liking." He leaned on the doorway, showing no signs of leaving.

Hermione lifted up the clothing, one article after the other and placed them against herself. Severus lifted one brow up and cocked his head. He really didn't give a damn what the outfits were. The only thing he was interested in was the flashes of time they were off her body.

She continued examining the choices with such diligence, turning each piece over and inside out and biting her lip. If he didn't say something before the last piece was surveilled, there would be a very unavoidable silence.

"Well?"

"I can't decide." She sighed and turned over a red and a blue item. "Which would be better?"

Did it matter? Severus was certain she would look good in any of the options spread over her blanket. Better yet, to forgo the outfit change entirely and simply spread herself over the multitude of colorful fabrics on her bed. He let out a controlled breath.

"Maybe I should try them on." She looked him straight in the eyes. A look that sent a shiver down his spine.

"What for?"

He was tiptoeing around the subject, hoping not to appear too eager. He was trying to phrase the appropriate way to confess his pending attraction. Not to appear too lewd, but also not to dim the very throbbing desire that had overtaken his as soon as the first bottle of rum was finished. He did not want to give the impression that he was willing to wait around forever, but he also didn't know if Hermione wanted a more serious connection.

"I was thinking," she said as she walked closer. "I was hoping for your opinion on my choice. You seem to know a great deal about the matter."

Then she reached over and stroked the collar of his shirt. She started at the tip by his chin and traced the hem down to the first button, which she unhooked from its loop. He became very aware of his breath as she released the second button.

"And you did a good job with my leg last night." She pushed the flaps of the fabric aside just enough that he felt the breeze come down his shirt. "I've decided to forgive you for the little cabin incident-"

"-which I was not at fault for."

"Which you were at fault for." The added intonation did nothing to calm the bulge inside his pants. As discreetly as he could, he put his hands inside his pockets and tented the fabric. Perhaps those long talks about discipline had not gone out her other ear.

"Does it matter now?" How long was she going to bring up his failed attempt at seducing her? The way she crossed her hands suggested that her grudge was long from being over. Before she could open her mouth, he interrupted her.

"As you clearly stated last night, I was useless. And I assure you, that this extends to your wardrobe choices."

"I meant it as a joke. We speak to each other that way, even at work. A bit sarcastic, a touch negative. I thought we had an unspoken agreement of sorts, to joke with each other that way. Friendly banter among friends."

Severus' mind only stopped on the final part of her message. Friends. The word struck a nerve with him.

"What makes you assume we are friends?"

"We are not?" She quickly added.

"Miss Granger, you're a….woman…and you can safely discard any assumptions you've drawn up in your pretty little head about our friendship. We are not, were never, and will not be friends."

Before she could protest, he left the room. He felt utterly humiliated. It was bad enough that he was demoted. Every one of his colleagues felt the need to talk down to him. How quickly they have forgotten his sacrifices during the Battle of Hogwarts. Of course, they had treated him as an equal when he first began the job. Over time, their requests became more demanding, and the inner circle- tighter. All until one day, he realized that he was reduced to the man with the mop and a sour expression.

And now, Hermione had the nerve to call him her friend. Only her friend. After he'd been so sure that she was interested in him. He heard footsteps behind him.

"Leave me alone. Goodnight." He closed his door as gently as he could. He did not want to give the impression that he was utterly enraged.

Severus tucked himself under the covers. His mind continuously led him to imagine very unfriendly images of the witch in the room next door. She knocked a few times and then her door closed as well.