A/N: I know, I know, this story is getting chapters posted fast and I am sure everyone is thinking 'Is Moon feeling alright?' Well the truth is I feel absolutely wonderful despite the fact that Dash blackmailed me into this chapter. On the plus side, it does mean that any one of my readers who are fans of her story 'I Want a Storm' will be getting a sequel. Albeit a short one but chanting for a sequel didn't quite work, writing an extra chapter of this did. Watch this space Tempest E. Dashon.

Now, I'm not entirely sure what genre to place this chapter in as there is a bit of funny and a bit of emotional messiness so I will let you lovelies decide. On with the show…

Chapter 4

Severus's stride was, to the casual observer, unchanged as he hastened toward the Headmistresses office with Hermione's manuscript tucked safely within his robes, away from the curious eyes of early morning breakfasting students; to anyone who knew him well however, such as Minerva, it would be slightly more obvious that he was walking a little uncomfortably.

The night, as suspected had been plagued with not one minute of sleep but countless inappropriate thoughts of the Gryffindor Princess and imaginings of how she might look writhing in pleasure below him, above him, in front of him, at his feet… the images went on and on and not all were inspired by the words he had read only hours ago. No; his sub-conscious mind, in its infinite wisdom had chosen to superimpose Hermione Granger, Head Girl, into his own tried and true fantasies meaning he had not only had to pleasure himself another once, but twice throughout the early hours. He hadn't had to do that since he was a damn teenager. What the hell had she done to him?

Then the last lines of her 'fiction' came to his mind again…

Of course I do, you silly, silly man. There are no words hurtful enough, no deed treacherous enough, no magic dark enough to make the glow you cause in my heart to diminish. I will love you… always.

Was it a true confession? Could he possibly allow himself to believe that this fierce, young, beautiful witch who had fought a war, outshone her entire year group intellectually and received enough respect from Minerva McGonagall to be considered to replace her as not only Transfiguration Professor but also Head of Gryffindor; could he deem it in any way believable that Hermione Granger could love him?

His considerations were cut short when in his trance-like state of lost thoughts he actually bumped into the gargoyle which guarded Minerva's office and chambers. If ever asked, which hopefully with no witnesses he would not be, he would blame it on a lack of sleep. Of course the gargoyle himself was a bigger gossip than Minerva was and Severus had found out in the past months that the stone beast was the secret to half of Dumbledore's seemingly omnipotent knowledge.

It opened its wings with a chuckle to reveal the well traversed spiral staircase. Severus scowled menacingly as if the magically-sentient guardian was worse than a Marauder and kicked at its brass-clawed talons as he passed by muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "dunderheaded bloody bird".

"Come in Severus," he heard Minerva say before he even had chance to knock.

He walked in slowly, trying to avoid giving away the considerable soreness he was experiencing from just how much action his cock had seen last night – the chaffing was almost unbearable and he had been too irritable with lack of sleep and confusion this morning to use a salve.

"Good morning, Minerva." He said politely, still attempting to cover his discomfort.

"Done already?" She replied, looking disgustingly amused. "What did you think?"

Severus just stared at her expressionless for a moment, exhaustedly forcing his occlumency shields into place. He really didn't want to give her the satisfaction of seeing him in any way discombobulated by Miss Granger's work but she was in friend-mode which was difficult to resist at the best times, given he had so few friends but with his mental confusion and annoying lack of sleep, he was failing to be the unreadable man he was known to be by everyone else.

"Give it up, Severus. I have known you for too long for that lack of expression to put me off. It got to you didn't it? She got to you?"

"Perhaps," he began, still trying to put up a fight in sharing his feelings, "a little. Miss-"he coughed to clear the sudden squeak in his throat.

"Miss Granger's writing talent exceeded my expectations." He finished stiffly. Proud of himself for being cordial about her in company.

"Come now, Severus. Surely you can be more gracious than that. Why, the girl practically poured her heart out to you?"

His friend still looked so very amused. He could tell she was highly enjoying being able to poke at him about his emotions like this and he could feel his temper starting to rise a little.

"Will you give it a rest, woman?" he snapped. "Yes, she bloody got to me and I've been up all fucking night trying to get her out of my head but it seems she has crept in there and is now squatting in every waking thought like a slutty little plot viper."

"Oh my, Severus. Such language. I must say, I am delighted. It is about time you had a little love in your life and it seems Hermione is certainly willing to provide such a thing."

"You can't be serious Minerva. She is still a student. Twenty years my junior and a… a…."

"A what, Severus?" Minerva said sternly, her demeanour changing from friend to Mama lioness, protecting her cubs. He could tell what she thought he was going to say… the same thing he had said to Lily twenty-some-odd-years ago.

Severus sighed, sinking into the guest chair at the front of Minerva's desk. His head falling into his hands.

"A Gryffindor," he said quietly. "I can tell what you thought I wanted to say Minerva. Do you really think after Lily, after all these years, I have not learned that lesson well enough? I didn't even believe it then."

"My apologies Severus. It is hard to let go of the past sometimes. As you well know. I would never truly believe that of you. Not now. Sweet Merlin, you are falling apart over her 'anonymous' declaration to a point where you must feel something in return for it to affect you so strongly."

Minerva's sympathetic tone both grated on and soothed his temper and his raw nerves.

"Thank you." He said simply.

"So, do you have it? She's due shortly to pick it up."

He reached into his robes to retrieve the thick tome, inwardly cringing at what Minerva would be touching had he not hastily scourgified the pages before retiring.

She took it from his hands and fanned the pages through. Unfortunately, there were several sets of two or three pages that were stuck together and Minerva's eyes widened in realisation.

"Oh, Severus, you didn't?"

Catching on quickly to what she had discovered and exactly how he had been given him away, he bowed his head in embarrassment as his heart beat furiously in a panic.

"I will not insult your intelligence by trying to deny my reaction any longer but if the girl is due to collect it shortly there must be something we can do. I swear I cast the strongest scourgify I have in my life before I went to bed last night."

The blasted woman chuckled at his confession.

"I am guessing, Severus that by the time you cast that scourigify, you were mentally and sexually exhausted and rather inebriated as I know you like your fire-whiskey with a good read. Was it a whole bottle you got through?"

"Close enough. And will you please wipe that smug expression off your face. It's sickening."

"Let me crow a moment Severus; I don't get to enjoy chastising you nearly often enough these days."

He rolled his eyes as the embarrassment started to die off and give way to panic.

"Forget about that for a moment. She's going to notice Minerva. And remember if she realises exactly what is sticking those pages together, she'll know you shared her story."

Minerva's smile dropped.

"Ok. You may have a point. Now, let's see… do you still have all the ingredients to brew a quick batch of…"

A quick batch of whatever Minerva was about to say however never got discovered as a low rapping noise came from the office door, followed by a very familiar and excited voice.

"Headmistress, are you there? I'm sorry I'm early but I couldn't wait anymore to know what you think."

Two sets of wide eyes snapped to the door as the handle began to turn.

A/N: Is it wrong that I am cackling like the evil Slytherin cliff-hanger extraordinaire b… erm witch that I am? Blame Dash… this chapter may have been completely different if I'd wrote it tomorrow; it might have had a lovely ending. As it is… drama, suspense and intrigue.

Please review. I love reviews, they make me laugh and give me ideas.

Love and Cliffy-goodness-is-back Blessings

Moon Out! x