September 19th, 2000. Hermione Granger had just ordered a Martini at the Muggle bar in the heart of Cambridge. For the last few years, she'd go there to have a drink for her birthday.
Contrary to all expectations, the bound of the Golden trio became weak after the last Magic War.
After the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione was the only one of the three who returned to the castle to complete her magical education. Ron was called up to be the guardian of the Puddlemere United. As a consecquence, their long-distance relationship didn't last long.
He never had time to visit Hermione on campus, not that he showed any sign of really wanting to. Most of the time he was surrounded by beautiful women who wanted an affair with a professional Quidditch player. Of course, he was not willing to miss those chances.
As for Harry, he was more of a celebrity than ever in the magical world. He was appointed Auror without even having to go through the rigorous training period, usually, required of all aspirants to the position. Harry had changed too much since then. Being treated as as a rockstar everywhere made him lose the person that Hermione was friends with.
Ginny had also changed quite a bit during that time. Being the girlfriend of a celebrity turned her into someone Hermione could barely recognize. That is why she decided to go her own way. Surprisingly, she and Luna Lovegood became good friends a few weeks later.
At the end of the school year, Harry and Ron went to Hogwarts for the prom. For a moment Hermione thought that their friendship could be revived, since they were having a great time at the party. She told them that she intended to go to Australia to find her parents, believeing that perhaps they would join her; but they wished her good luck instead.
At that very moment she realised that things between them would never be the same again. Neither men were willing to give up their many occupations to accompany her in something that meant so much to her.
It was Luna who accompanied her. The search for her parents was not what Hermione expected. It took them a few days to track down Mr. and Mrs. Granger in Brisbane. There she discovered something terrible: her mother had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and died a couple of months after arriving in the country.
Her mother's death broke Hermione's heart. Regarding her father, he still believed that his identity was Wendell Wilkins and was not aware of having a witch as a daughter. Now, two years after the death of his wife, he rebuilt his life alongside another woman whose husband died of cancer too. She had two daughters a little younger than Hermione and Mr. Granger seemed happy with his new family. Hermione decided not to bring his memory back.
When she and Luna returned to England, Hermione decided she needed time for herself, away from it all.
"I understand that friends don't need to see each other every day to remain friends. If you wish to live in the Muggle world, I will support you. You can always count on me, I'll just be an owl away," Luna told her.
Thanks to Professor McGonagall, she was able to obtain a Muggle certificate of studies with excellent marks. This earned her a full scholarship to Cambridge to study English literature.
And there she was, as she was every year after Hogwarts: celebrating her birthday alone. Usually on that day Luna was the only one who joined her at the bar, but now she was travelling in South Africa with a fellow magizoologist she recently met: Rolf Scamander. Hermione understood that this was a great opportunity for her friend, and she wasn't mad at her for not coming to her birthday.
The bartender gave her her Martini. After making a silent toast to herself and her 21st birthday, she felt a hand touch her shoulder.
"Oh no", she thought with dread, assuming that it was some silly boy who wanted to flirt. She turned around intending to make the intruder go away but her heart skipped a beat as she saw who dared to interrupt her lonely toast. A tall man with black hair and semi-formal clothing looked at her curiously.
"You?", she said without hiding her surprise.
"Oh, I didn't think you'd be so unhappy to see me out of school, Granger. I'd better leave you alone," replied the man, with his typical tone of disdain.
"No, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to be rude...", Hermione apologized, "I just didn't expect it to be you... Would you like to sit down, sir?".
Hermione pointed out the empty chair next to her. Snape sat down ordered a whisky on the rocks. With the glass in hand, he turned to look at Hermione and said:
"To you. It's not every day that you turn twenty-one".
Hermione raised her eyebrow and opened her mouth slightly, surprised by the gesture of her former potions' teacher.
Severus Snape survived Nagini's attack. He remained for months in Saint Mungo's, struggling between life and death, until his health began to improve. Thanks to Potter, the magic world knew of his exploits and he was awarded with the Order of Merlin, First Class.
After that, he received many job offers, including his position at Hogwarts as Headmaster. But he decided to turn it down. For many years, his loyalty to Albus Dumbledore was what made him stay at the castle, but now that he was gone, he had no reason to return.
With no master to serve now, he was free to do with his life as he pleased, so he decided to retire from the magic world.
He had enough knowledge to get by in the Muggle world and soon he got a job as Professor of Botany in the Faculty of Biology at Cambridge University. Was it a coincidence or fate that he landed in the same place where the insufferable know-it-all Granger was studying English literature? It had to be so because he had no idea what Granger was doing after Hogwarts. Nor did he care.
One day at the beginning of his first term as a professor, he met her in one of the campus cafeterias. At first, he thought she was a young girl who looked like Granger, but it turned out to actually be her.
"Professor Snape", she called to him as he tried to find an empty table to sit down and have a coffee before his next class. He turned to find the young witch's cinnamon coloured eyes.
"Well... this is a surprise, Granger. I thought you would be at the Ministry, side by side with Potter..."
"And I would have expected you to take up your old position at the school..."
It was hard to say which of them were more surprised with this encounter at a Muggle university.
"Unlike your friend Potter, I don't like living in the spotlight. I prefer the tranquillity of anonymity," said Severus, adding, "and I want to stay that way, Miss Granger. I hope I don't see you in my way too often."
"That won't be a problem," said Hermione, speaking harshly in response to the sour way Snape had addressed her, "you will remain anonymous and alone, Professor."
Offended, she turned around and left. The only time she had seen him since the war had been at the ceremony where tribute was paid to those who had participated in the various battles. By then Hermione knew the truth about Snape and put aside all the displeasure she had felt towards him years before.
Now that she'd seen him again, Hermione thought for a second that they could at least get along as civilized persons, but it seemed that even the experience of being on the brink of death had not softened this man, who still seemed to carry with the hatred for Gryffindor.
Weeks passed before they occasionally began to meet in the halls of the campus. At first, they simply ignored each other. Until they could no longer pretend that they didn't know each other. Hermione started waving to him from afar, and Snape responded with in a similar manner. Then they moved to a "Hello, Professor" and Snape replied with a "Good day, Granger".
The following semester their respective schedules were arranged in such a way that on Tuesday mornings they met in the cafeteria just after their first class of the day repectively. From greeting each other out of courtesy, they gradually moved on to exchanging casual comments, until at last they began to have brief conversations. Not that there were any secrets, in fact Snape was trying to stay away from talks about personal matters. But even so, they were discovering interesting facts about each other.
And so went their second term at Cambridge... Granger was not as insufferable as he thought: Snape was not so bitter after all. He had a very peculiar sense of humour, a bit sour... but Hermione liked that.
The typical black robes worn by the current Professor of Botany were a thing of the past, being replaced by semi-formal Muggle men's clothes which, together with his new haircut, he had a rejuvenated look.
Summer arrived in Cambridge. Although their timetables were different by then, they would still manage to meet "accidentally" in the cafeteria on Tuesdays at ten o'clock in the morning. You could say that it had already become a habit to meet every week and have a small talk. Usually, Snape did not stay any longer than the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee cutting the conversation short under the pretext of preparing his next class.
Tonight, however, Snape did not seem to mind that the conversation had gone on longer than usual. Their glasses were empty now, but it seemed that there was still a lot of talking to be done. So, Snape ordered another round. Hermione could not help feeling astonished.
"It's on me," he said to the bartender.
In the heat of the third drink they began an interesting discussion on classics of contemporary English literature. Hermione was amazed to see that Snape had such a wealth of knowledge on the subject.
Talking with him was so... stimulating. Just as she was drinking the last sip left in her glass, she seemed to have found the answer to a question that had been haunting her for months: Why couldn't she have a formal relationship with any Muggle boy during all this time?
She never lacked suitors, actually she had slept with a few guys. But after that, things didn't really go so far. Maybe because spending time with them was not as exciting as having a cup of coffee with Severus Snape.
And now, as she started to drink the fourth Martini, she wondered... could there be something going on between them?
No, that was impossible. A man like Snape would never consider something like that. Hermione was more than aware that he had been in love with Lily Evans since he was a child, and she doubted very much that that would ever change... although... at that very moment she caught him looking down into her cleavage.
It was not the first time that something like this happened. Yes, she was sure that Severus Snape, that man who used to enjoy insulting her and making her look ridiculous in front of the whole class, looked at her when he thought she wouldn't notice.
Secretly, she felt flattered. On lonely nights in her bedroom, sometimes she found herself fantasising about him, imagining what could be found hidden under those clothes... But those were all just fantasies, of course she would never dare to bring them to real life. Or would she?
Yes, she was attracted to Severus Snape, but it was not in her plans to ever let him know that. She wanted to avoid the embarrasment of standing in front of him like a silly little girl in love with someone who will never love her back.
Suddenly she realized that an old song she liked was playing on the jukebox. "Come and get your love" began to play. Hermione began to move in her seat, following the rhythm of the music. Severus looked at her amused as he took a sip of his whiskey.
"Dance with me?" Hermione asked. He shook his head.
"You know I don't dance, Granger," he replied. She stood up and grabbed his arm.
"Today is my birthday and, as you said, it's not every day that one turn 21. So, you'll dance with me," she said.
Snape grimaced, it could be considered a smile, and stood up. The song had a rather catchy rhythm, which Severus followed with grace, taking Hermione by the hand, and making her turn nimbly. Deep inside he was enjoying himself. He hadn't danced for years.
By the end of the song, Hermione was happily laughing and Severus' expression was much less stiff than usual. Actually he was smiling...
"Wow, Professor Snape. I'm impressed with your dancing skills."
"Consider it your birthday present, Miss Granger," he replied, still holding her by the waist.
"Oh..." she said lifting an eyebrow. Suddenly she felt brave. "It seems that you are very accommodating today, professor... I wonder if you could give me another present..."
This time it was Severus who raised an eyebrow. Before he could say anything, Hermione stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips. Then everything seemed to be in slow motion. In the back of her mind, Hermione regretted what she had just done, believing that she had made a serious mistake. What if this made Snape angry? Surely, she had just ruined that strange friendship that had formed between them. Surely, he would reject her in front of everyone in the room and she would look ridiculous.
At this last thought, time seemed to regain its normal speed. She turned away from him and looked down. She didn't have the courage to look him in the eye. In a very stupid way, she had given away this strange attraction she felt towards him, even though she had promised herself that she would never do it. What had happened to her?
Then she felt a finger under her chin, forcing her to look up. A moment later, Snape's lips were on hers again. When they parted, Hermione looked at him in complete amazement. He was smiling self-effacingly; he had a special glow in his eyes.
"Amazed, Granger?" he said with a hint of mockery.
"I thought you'd be upset," she mumbled.
"What sort of idiot would be bothered by a kiss from a beautiful lady?"
Hermione giggled nervously, still incredulous at the man's response. He held her by the back of her neck and kissed her again, no matter that there were other people in the bar, no matter that perhaps some of his current students could be among them.
After a few more kisses, they hurried to pay for their drinks and left the place.
"Let's go to your flat," said Hermione, kissing Severus again outside the bar.
"Are you sure, Granger? " he asked a bit hesitantly but still holding her close.
"Well, only if you want to," she said shyly.
Damn it, of course he wanted to, he wanted it so bad from the moment he saw her sitting at the bar in that tight dress that highlighted her figure... but he was afraid of getting into dangerous territory. This was completely out of his plans.
It was a fact that he felt attracted to the insufferable know-it-all Granger, he had finally opened up to himself about it. But telling her so had never been an option. There was no need for him to be rejected again by a woman. His experience with Lily had been enough to last a lifetime.
But Granger wasn't rejecting him. It was she who kissed him first. Now she was the one asking him to take her to his place...
A half smile came back to his lips, which Hermione mirrored. He started to walk without letting go of her. Halfway down the street there was a dark alley where they could aparite without being seen by the Muggles.
They appeared in the living room of Severus' small flat. As soon as he turned on the light, Hermione could see that the place was simple but tasteful, everything was perfectly tidied up. She smiled shyly as she noticed her former teacher watching her. What was next?
Severus was about to say something, but Hermione surprised him again with a kiss. This was truly unexpected for him. When he entered the bar that night, his purpose was very clear: if he saw Granger with anyone else, he would leave. If he found her alone, he would only buy her a drink so that she would not make her birthday toast alone. Perhaps he would chat with her a little and then leave. As simple as that.
When he found out (without having asked) that the Lovegood girl would not join her on this day, he could not help but feel that desire to accompany her. For some reason he didn't want her to spend her special day alone.
Severus knew how lonely Hermione must feel sometimes, he knew how much it hurt her to lose the friendship of those clowns (Potter and Weasley). He knew that she still cried because of what happened with her parents... Severus knew many things about her. During all this time that they had been meeting on Tuesdays at ten o'clock in the cafeteria, he had learned to observe her, even to peek subtly inside her mind without her noticing.
The first time they met on campus he was actually very serious when he told her that he hoped not to run into her often. At first, he didn't give a damn about this young woman's life… but that began to change before he could stop it. Suddenly he began to find her interesting, he did not know at what point he was taken by her cinnamon gaze and her charming smile. Her slim silhouette and the subtle necklines of her clothes that make his imagination fly.
But he was very determined to keep his distance from the brunette, as he was aware that many young men tried to call her attention. She could decide at any moment to have an affair with one of those silly boys, and surely their weekly meetings in the cafeteria would go to hell.
That's why he kept calling her "Granger" and maintained that unsympathetic attitude towards her. That's why he wouldn't show his true feelings. After all, it was that cold and distant shell of a man that had kept him protected all these years.
But the shell was being torn down by those sensual red lips that kissed him so exquisitely...
He had to warn her that things would get out of control if they didn't stop now; he had to give her a chance to get back on track, if she wanted to. Because if she didn't leave now, he wouldn't be able to stop himself...
"Granger..." he said with an agitated voice "are you sure about this?"
She looked him straight in the eye and said:
"Hey... I know I've had four Martinis, but I'm very aware of what we're doing. I want it and I think you want it too, by the way you kiss me back...
Damn it, there was no turning back now. This time Severus pulled her against him and kissed her wildly, as he took a few steps backwards, dragging her with him to the sofa. He sat down and Hermione pulled her dress up a little so she could spread her legs wide enough to staddle him. As Snape saw her bare thighs, he could not help but caress them. Her skin was so soft...
They were kissing again, breathing heavily. Severus' hands ran along Hermione's thighs whilst she tried to unbutton his shirt...
Feeling Hermione's fingers on his chest, he took the hem of her dress and pulled it up and off. Her body, adorned with sensual black lingerie, was exposed to him. Without a moment's hesitation, Severus' hands went to the clasp of the young witch's bra. He was dying to finally see what he had been fantasizing about for months...
Snape was breathless at the sight of Hermione's beautiful breasts: they were even better than he had imagined.
He immediately felt his blood flow to his member, which was beginning to harden inside his trousers. Hermione bit her lip as she felt it against her crotch and moved over it.
"You have no idea what you're provoking, Granger," he mumbled.
He went to her neck and began to trail a path of kisses that led to her breasts. Hermione couldn't stop a moan escaping her lips as she felt her former teacher's tongue caressing her nipples.
Severus wanted to go further but the sofa didn't seem to be the most suitable place, so he went to get up. Hermione understood his intentions and clung to him wrapping her legs around his hips and her arms around his neck, making it easy for him to carry her to his bedroom.
He laid her on the bed and drank in the beauty of her entire body, covered only by black lace knickers. As he looked into her eyes again, he could feel her burning desire. She got up and moved to the edge of the bed. She was left on her knees.
"Let me do it," she said, referring to his trousers, he was already shirtless. She unbuckled his belt and unbuttoned his trousers. She began to caress him and Severus grunted with pleasure. He laid her back on the bed and took off the last piece of clothing that still covered her. This was getting more and more interesting.
It was exciting for Hermione to be naked under this man, who was making it quite clear that he did know how to please a woman. For him, having been in love with Lily for such a long time had not been synonymous with a life of celibacy. He did fequent brothels over the years, which sated his physical needs.
Severus settled between the Hermione's thighs and began kissing them with the same devotion he had kissed her lips and neck. He then proceeded to explore between her legs with his tongue, savoring it, causing more and more loud gasps from Hermione.
Hermione let herself be carried away by that pleasant sensation that Severus' caresses caused. She was clinging to the sheets with one hand and to Snape's hair with the other, entangling her fingers in it while he was bringing her to the edge. She groaned his name as she orgasmed, shaking with pleasure. This was the first time she called him by his name... "Severus"... hearing it from her lips was a total delight to him.
"Do it, Severus... take me..." she gasped. This time he began to trace a path of kisses and caresses from her stomach to her mouth, biting lightly on her bottom lip. And then he fulfilled the woman's wish.
He pressed inside her and could feel how the palpitations of her walls, a product of the orgasm he had just given her, were squeezing his member in such an exquisite way that it took a lot of effort to restrain himself; he didn't want to finish so soon.
He began to move causing both to moan, Hermione clung tightly to his back, scratching him with her nails. She was soon asking for more and he obeyed. He wanted to please her in every possible way, he wanted to bring her back to ecstasy. He soon succeeded in doing just that, and he let himself come, joining her in the overwhelming sensations, losing all awareness of there surrondings for a second.
Severus slowly withdrew from her, leaned back and did something very unusual for him: he laid her on his chest. He was not the kind of person who usually cuddled after sex, once he was satisfied he would get up and get dressed. But this time everything was different.
Hermione raised her face to meet his eyes.
"Fuck, that was good..." she said, a little flushed, her breath still coming fast. Severus smiled at her.
"Happy birthday, Granger," he said with a mischievous smile.
Yes... this was definitely the best birthday Hermione had had in a long time.
A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you liked this One Shot I just wrote as a celebration of Hermione's birthday. It's the first time that I dare to write a Sevmione. Those of you who already know my work will know that my favorite Ship is Remione. However I did enjoy the experience of writing something different!
Special thanks to jonimoli10 for the book cover for this story. I loved it! And to Michaela97 for being my Beta Reader. You did a fantastic job!
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