Hello everybody!

This is chapter 7 - sorry for the delay, I have been really busy.

This was originally a NC17 story, but seeing ff.net doesn't accept them anymore, I've had to change the rating.

I think it is a bit rude of ff.net, as that means it loses some of its greatest stories and writers.

And it means all the crap (this story excepted!) that you got on NC17 is just going to be transferred to an R rating.

 The lack of self-control that Snape had shown at the Halloween Ball had put him a worse mood than ever. Harry often saw the way that Snape looked at Jones- it was that contemptuous glare which he saved for Harry alone. But Harry also noticed that it was mixed with a look of longing, a desire that burned through hate.

The alleged affair between Snape and Jones featured highly in the Gryffindor common room. It was discussed as one might discuss a soap opera, with the same exuberance and the same realisation that it wasn't wholly real. Yet.

One potions lesson, this first one after Halloween, suffered an interruption. As Snape prowled around, the scowl his face more pronounced and his commands even more dictatorial, a loud bang of the door rang out. Without waiting for a reply, Jones strode into the dungeon, wrinkling up her nose at the foul air. She walked up to Snape, frowning, her arms folded.

He looked affronted. " I trust you have an extraordinarily good reason for interrupting my lesson, Jones, or_"

"I always have an extraordinarily good reason, Snipe," Jones cut in, " well, most of the time".

He raised an eyebrow.

"Mr Malfoy, I believe, has to serve a detention for un-gentlemanly behaviour in corridors, Professor, and I've just popped in to arrange a time," she said.

Both Snape and the rest of the class looked surprised. That was a long time ago, surely Jones had forgotten about it? Harry glanced at Ron, who pulled a face. Ron remembered that he'd be getting a detention too.

"Mr Weasley also should be punished for his part in the affair," growled Snape.

Jones gave a tinkly laugh and touched Snape's arm. "Good God, no," she laughed. "Just Mr Malfoy."

"I insist Weasley should attend," Snape muttered through gritted teeth. "I'll be happy to supervise. Friday night, after dinner. Here. You could get on with some work" Snape finished, as though suggesting that Jones did no work at all.

"Very well, Mr Snipe. You are a glutton for punishment, aren't you?" She grinned broadly, a false grin, and turned on her heel out of the room.

*

Snape had Ron and Malfoy removing toad livers. He himself sat down at the desk in his office and immersed himself in marking. Around half an hour into their detention, they heard a person go into Snape's office. It was Jones.

"Wonder what they're doing?" Ron muttered, the first conversation. Malfoy only shrugged. "Don't you want to know what your head of house is up to?" Ron hissed. He moved towards the office door and peered through the keyhole.

Jones was in the same pin-stripe suit she had worn for her interview, and was standing in front of the desk. She took down her hair, and Ron could see Snape staring longingly as the brown tresses fell about her shoulders.

"Long day?" he said.

"You could say that," Jones replied heavily, and sat herself in the chair opposite Snape. "Was there anything in particular you wanted to discuss?"

Snape silently handed her a piece of shiny paper; Ron suspected it was a photograph.

"Severus, that was a long time ago," Jones exclaimed.

"Remember it though, do you? Remember that dress?" Snape's eyes glittered strangely.

Jones blushed. "I remember you getting me out of it."

Ron gasped.

"Remember that summer? The cottage? The way we made love beside the river?" Snape continued.

"Stop it, Severus," Jones whispered, her voice thick with tears.

"That's the only one I've got of us," he said, nodding at the photo. "That's all I've had for 15 years. All I had after you upped and left,"

"I had my reasons. You know I did."

Snape lifted her face to his. "You'd just left Hogwarts, Big Brother James was no longer prowling around protecting your honour," he said. "I had you all to myself, Sarah Potter, the most attractive Gryffindor I'd ever seen."

Ron sat with his mouth open. She wasn't Sarah Jones, then, but… but…Harry's aunt.

Snape carried on. "And then I hear you're coming back, but not as Sarah Potter, but Sarah Jones, to teach. Oh hurrah! I understand the need for secrecy – the mother's maiden name being a stroke of genius" he sneered, "but did you ever imagine the pain it would cause me?"

Silent tears fell down Jones's cheek. " I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I thought I had shut you out when I came back."

"You see the man I am now?" Snape's voice became more hostile. "Although 'Snipe' was always a favourite taunt." He allowed himself a small smile. Their eyes locked and they both laughed. She reached for Snape's neck, and pulled him towards her, their lips gently touching.

Malfoy pulled Ron away. "We shouldn't be spying," he said. Ron wondered how much Malfoy had heard, but silently agreed, and each made their way to their respective common rooms.

Hope that's OK- everything will be explained! Please review! I can alter things if you want, but I need the feedback! Thanks, Dewbs