A/N: Wow! I had such a positive response from all of you this week, that's amazing! I'm so glad that you are all still enjoying this story as much as I am writing it. I had a question about, in terms of grading, if a 'T' mark should be an 'F' mark. For those who don't know or are unaware, in JK's world the grading is different to what we have in schools, a 'T' basically stands for 'Troll' which is one of the lowest grades a witch or wizard can get on a paper but it is equivalent to what would be an 'F' grade for us. I hope this helps! I also was asked about the progression of this story, I know it seems like it's moving a bit slowly but that will change soon, just please stick with me and there will be some developments in the story soon! In this chapter, things start to heat up between Severus and Hermione. Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing and interacting with this story, I've got about 34 chapters written now and I'm excited about where this story is going. Many Thanks! :)

A/N: Chapter Warnings – Sexual situations, bad language, mentions of rape

Chapter 22: Detentions, Sickness, Meetings and an Awkward Encounter

Severus had been subtly watching Potter work in his detention task for the last hour and a half. His mind kept reeling over the small display of maturity that Potter had shown him tonight and hoped that he would see future displays of maturity.

Severus decided that the boy had suffered long enough and was just about to dismiss Potter from his detention when all things pink entered his office.

"Severus, I heard the troublesome trio had been given detention tonight, and I came to see if you needed assistance in your discipline" Umbridge declared.

"Unfortunately Madame, Mr Potter had fulfilled his detention and I am just about to dismiss him. Secondly Madame, I have been an educator here for nearly 15 years, I have not, nor ever will, need assistance in disciplining my students. My methods can be just as tormenting as yours" Severus told her darkly with a no nonsense tone.

Umbridge looked slightly miffed that she had missed Harry's detention but there was nothing else she could do about it, and she watched as he was dismissed and walked away from her.

Then, Ron Weasley entered the classroom and immediately paled at the sight of his two worst nightmares stood right in front of him.

He was given the same task as Harry and grumpily set to work.

Severus was panicking slightly, there was an Order meeting tonight and there would be no way he could go, if the hag stayed. That was why he had scheduled Hermione's detention at 9pm, he could trust her in his office alone for a couple of hours after all.

Once Ron had been dismissed, he waited the arrival on Hermione, he could see the hag getting even smugger at the thought that the Gryffindor princess was, once again, in detention.

At 9pm, Hermione Granger knocked on his door. Severus was immediately concerned, the girl looked ill!

He mentioned Umbridge to her and set Hermione about her task. He had told her that she would be cleaning the cauldrons for her detention.

Umbridge had looked disappointed.

"Such a menial task, for such a troublemaker Severus? I thought, like the other two, you would have something a little more severe in store for...her" Umbridge commented in disdain, looking at Hermione as if she was nothing.

Severus was incensed, he was seething. How dare this bitch of a woman come in and tell him how he should handle his students?!

Hermione sensed this and grimaced. She wasn't sure what was going to happen between the two adults now but she couldn't quite help picturing Umbridge becoming Severus' next potions ingredient.

"Pardon me Madame, you are new here and quite clearly do not know the students as well as you think you do" Severus began.

Umbridge was indignant and went to jump in and answer back to Severus' comments but he swiftly continued.

"However, Miss Granger learns for leisure, she enjoys it. Any opportunity to use her brain, practise her organisational skills, show off her more intellectual abilities, she will be happy to do so. The reason I have given her such a 'menial' task is because it is just that, a menial task. It does not challenge her in anyway nor does it require her to use any of her so called 'skills', therefore her detention is just as tedious and as gruelling to her, as the paperwork was for Mr Potter and Mr Weasley. Next time Madame, I suggest you do not question me and my methods. I assure you I can be quite...disagreeable, and you won't like it. Have I made myself clear Madame?" He said to Umbridge.

Umbridge looked slightly frightened by the tall, strong, Professor and decided it was in her best interest to back off. She could only stay another half hour anyway as she had a meeting with the Minister tonight. She stepped back and observed silently.

Hermione began her task and Severus found himself feeling concerned over the young witch. She didn't seem herself tonight and it worried him, something was wrong.

Umbridge finally let herself out and Severus waited about 10 minutes to ensure the toad was not coming back.

It was in those minutes that Hermione was starting to get worse. She could feel herself falling asleep, like her body was forcing her into natural healing. She started shivering from fever and a cold sweat was beginning to break out all over her body.

Severus noticed and immediately went over to her and placed his hand on her forehead.

'Merlin, she's burning up!' Severus thought to himself.

He then did the only thing he could think of; he led Hermione to his personal rooms and made her lie down on the sofa.

She was pretty incoherent at this point and he quickly went to his storeroom to get something for her fever.

Once she had taken the potion and begun to cool down, Severus relaxed. There was nothing else he could do, unfortunately the flu was an illness that the body had to fight off in its own way, and there was no potion that could help her. Except maybe 'pepper up', but she didn't need that, what she needed was rest.

Severus looked down at her and noticed how uncomfortable she was; he decided to move her into his room and would sacrifice his bed so she could be as comfortable as she could to shake off her illness.

He managed to get her to her feet and steered her towards his bedroom. Hermione realised where they were heading and could think of nothing better than lying down and going to sleep.

"Bathroom first" she murmured to Severus.

He looked confused at her command, but obeyed her anyway. No sooner had they entered the bathroom, Hermione lunged for the toilet and vomited.

Severus found himself in the same position he had been in many weeks before; standing behind her, holding back her hair and rubbing her back.

He would get her a potion that would settle her stomach but for now, she was sick and she needed rest.

After she had finished vomiting, Severus took her back to his room and placed her in bed. She fell asleep instantly. Severus checked her vitals and temperature before deeming her stable but exhausted and he left the room. He had an Order meeting to get to.

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"Severus you are extremely late" Minerva chastised, making him feel like a student again.

"My apologise Madame, I was overseeing detention and one of your cubs took a turn for the worst and is not feeling all that well" he informed her.

"You mean Miss Granger, don't you? When I saw her earlier I thought she looked slightly pale but I thought it was just the alcohol in her system" Minerva replied.

"Is she alright?" Minerva asked concerned.

"It's the flu, she practically passed out in my classroom and was very incoherent. She only just about managed to inform me that she needed to get to the bathroom in order to vomit. Luckily my rooms were right there for her" Severus told her.

"You allowed a student into your rooms?" Minerva asked him.

Severus nodded.

"I understand that it is inappropriate but the girl just needs rest, I left her sleeping in my rooms. I did tell her that if she ever needed anything then she should come to me" Severus told Minerva firmly.

"I wasn't accusing you of anything unsavoury Severus, she clearly trusts you the most, and I am confident that neither she or yourself would disobey the rules and embark in illicit activities" Minerva smirked, knowing full well that there was something more between them but was willing to turn a blind eye to it all.

Severus nodded in respect to Minerva, and then Dumbledore entered and the meeting began.

"Settle down, we have much to discuss" Dumbledore announced.

Everyone immediately gave their attention to their leader in anticipation for any new information that they might be able to obtain.

"Sorry we are late" the voice of Arthur Weasley was heard, as he escorted Sirius Black into the room.

Severus felt Minerva tense up beside him and could swear that he had heard a growl from Lupin. He prayed that nobody said anything here in front of the whole Order; he relaxed when Dumbledore continued with the meeting.

"It seems Voldemort is trying to build up his ranks by gaining the support of other beasts such as trolls, giants, and wolves. We knew this was coming and as we all know that I sent Hagrid to gain support from other beasts. He has tried speaking with them but is unsure if he has been successful. He will continue his task. Other matters include Umbridge, she is trying to gain control of the school and she is trying to get rid of me. I have a feeling she will be successful. If that is to happen, Minerva you will take over the main duties at school, I will have little say in it but I trust that you, Severus, and the rest of the staff, will protect the students. If it becomes the case that I am not able to be part of the Order meetings then it will be Minerva who will take my place. Now, does anyone have anything else they would like to say?" Dumbledore asked the members.

"I was informed by Draco Malfoy that should you be demoted and Umbridge takes over, she will be creating a group that will mainly be formed of Slytherin house. This group will be her eyes and ears amongst students and the punishments will be most severe, as I understand it, for anyone who gets in her way" Severus told Dumbledore.

"Thank you Severus. We all must remain vigilant around the students, you never know who will turn against you" Dumbledore replied.

"What about Harry? How has he been fairing in all of this? He wrote to me some time ago and told me of the punishments that the ministry official exercises in her detentions. Is there not anything we can do about that Albus? My godson needs all the protection he can get after all" Sirius commented.

"It's not just Harry that's important here Sirius. With someone like Umbridge at the school, every student needs all the protection they can get. There are others involved in this you know" Remus snapped from his place at the table.

Everyone froze; it was rare to see Remus snap at anyone, let alone a close friend. Both Sirius and Tonks looked at Remus in shock at his outburst.

"That time of the month Remus?" Sirius questioned jokingly, still a little uncertain about his friends behaviour.

Remus' eyes snapped up to meet Sirius' and with a look of disdain and disgust at Sirius, Remus violently stood up and walked out of the room.

Severus let go of the breath that he had been holding as Dumbledore adjourned the meeting.

"What the devil is the matter with Remus?" Minerva wondered out loud.

"He knows" Severus responded knowing that Minerva would understand what he was talking about.

Minerva just nodded as they flooed back to the school.

"Now, I have a sick lion cub to attend to. Goodnight Minerva" Severus said as he made his way back to his quarters.

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Hermione had stirred about 20 minutes ago, she felt dreadful and weak. She wondered where she was for a moment before realising she was in Severus' bed. She flushed at the thought. Then she wondered where Severus was, but didn't have the strength to get up and investigate.

Hermione lay in the silence for a few more moments but she felt her stomach begin to churn. She immediately found the energy to get up out of bed and run to the bathroom in time to throw up once again.

Once done, she groaned, she really hated being sick. She flushed the loo and tried to tell herself that she could walk back to the bed, she desperately wanted more sleep.

She attempted to stand but her legs gave out and she landed on the floor, on her bum with a thud and gave up. She put her warm head down to meet the cool tiles on the bathroom floor.

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That was how Severus found her 10 minutes later. He had returned and seen his bedroom door was open and the bathroom light was on. He waited a few moments to give Hermione some privacy before he called out to her.

He panicked when he got no response and so hesitantly opened the bathroom door with his eyes fixated on the floor just in case Hermione hadn't heard him and was bathing or using the loo.

His eyes immediately found her sleeping body on the floor, the lingering smell of vomit indicated that she had not been like this for very long and so, he picked her up and carried her back to his bed.

Once he knew that she had settled, Severus went back into his lounge and he used magic to extend the size of his sofa and quickly changed into his bedclothes before settling down.

He had left his bedroom door open a crack just in case his Hermione would need him. Severus then sat up reading for the majority of the night until the early hours of the morning when his body forced himself into a restful sleep.

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Severus woke in the early afternoon and was surprised to see that he had slept peacefully for more than 8 hours, which rarely happened to him anymore.

He then headed towards his room to check on the invalid. When he entered his room he froze.

There lying on his bed was his Hermione, his sick Hermione and an also very naked Hermione.

Hermione had got so hot during the night, due to her fever, that she had stripped herself of her clothing in her sleep in order to be more comfortable.

The problem was that during the night, the covers had slipped down so that they were covering her waistline and below. Leaving her breasts completely exposed to the elements.

Severus had walked into his bedroom, and realised that Hermione was naked, when he got an eyeful of her naked breasts that had hardened due to the October chill of the dungeons.

Severus immediately averted his eyes and left the room, he was a gentleman after all. However, seeing Hermione in such a state of undress had done nothing to help his 'morning' erection. He was standing firmly to attention and showed no signs of standing down.

"Fuck" Severus hissed as his hand reached to give his dick a squeeze to try and relieve the tension in his balls, all he could see in his mind were the perfect, firm breasts that were Hermione Grangers and he was quickly submitting control to his body.

He gave himself a couple of strokes through his pyjama bottoms and groaned, he needed release and now.

He put his hand inside his trousers in order to get a firmer grip on himself and create better friction, and could feel himself getting closer and closer.

With a sudden snap inside his body, he came wickedly into his trousers, again. He was breathless, his eyes were dilated and his face was flushed.

He regained his senses and opened his eyes. He looked around the room and immediately locked eyes with a wide eyed, flushed faced, Gryffindor.

"Fuck" he said, turning the same shade as beetroot.

Hermione had stirred when she heard the door to Severus' bedroom creak slightly. She didn't pay much attention to it until she heard quickly retreating footsteps and it quickly woke her up.

She knew that the only other person in the vicinity was Severus and it worried her that he had been moving so quickly. Had something happened?

She chewed her lip in thought and that was when she noticed that her breasts were on display to the world. She squealed and snatched the covers and immediately pulled them around herself and tried to reassess the situation.

She remembered feeling ridiculously hot during the night and so she must have taken off her nightwear, which was fine. She also realised that she had slept for over 12 hours. She felt well rested and the sickness had passed, she now has to just shake off her cold.

She came to the conclusion that Severus must have woken up and came in to check on her or give her more potions, and realised that she was naked and quickly legged it out of the room.

Hermione felt her face heat up. Merlin! How embarrassing was that? He had seen her breasts and had caught him completely off guard, that he had fled the room.

She had to go and talk to him; she should try and explain herself at least. She quickly put on her pyjamas and made her way towards the lounge room.

She paused in the doorway as she took in the scene in front of her, and could immediately feel her pulse quicken.

She was looking at Severus, who had his hands down his pants and was moving his hand in there so fast, she was surprised there hadn't been a dislocation to his wrist.

She felt her womanhood twitch slightly and could feel some wetness forming down below. She clenched her thighs together to create some friction.

She watched as Severus' breathing laboured and knew he was on the brink of climax. She watched enthralled as he was sent over the edge, and noticed a wet patch appear on the crotch of his pyjama bottoms.

Hermione's could feel her channel pulsing and dampening at the sight before her and she licked her lips as she took in the glorious sight that was a sated Severus Snape.

His eyes then met hers and she flushed again, she had been caught staring at him like some voyeur and immediately felt awful that she had trespassed on such a private moment.

"Fuck" she heard Severus mutter.

"Hermione- I apologise for my behaviour-" Severus began saying awkwardly but was cut off.

"Please…can you do that again?" Hermione begged her voice clear but gentle, praying that he would.

Severus looked at her squirming form in shock and noticed a small wet spot forming on her light grey bottoms; he then noticed the lust in her eyes. He felt himself harden slightly again.

'Already?!' He exclaimed to himself in his head and at his traitorous body, he wasn't even aware his body was still capable of responding so quickly.

'Merlin! This is going to be a true test on your restraint' he thought to himself.