[The Berlin Wall Rebuilt]
Wexler looked around, just now noticing them and their positions. They jumped apart startled by the intrusion. Hermione's cheeks flamed red, heat radiating. I'm an adult! Why am I acting like I was just caught sneaking out past curfew. Control yourself, Granger.
"Am I interrupting something?" Wexler asked. Not sounding rather concerned or very contrite.
Yes! Snape wanted to growl. And I think you damn well know it!
Hermione answered instead, "No. We were just…just enjoying the lake."
Wexler gave an appreciative look and agreed. Their little blue lagoon was very alluring at the moment as Jude eyed Hermione very appreciatively. A dip in the lake would be a better way to spend the afternoon, especially after seeing the little red bikini Hermione had pulled from her garment bag whilst she unpacked the night before. She must not have anticipated it being this cold here during the summer, but the water is warm. Maybe he could cajole her into that scrap of fabric and go for a swim, but alas Dumbledore calls.
"Well, like I said, Dumbledore wants us all together for that nature walk."
Snape brushed the granules of sand from his feet, rolled his trousers back down, and put his socks and shoes back on. He did not look at Hermione once as he picked himself up from the ground. He towered over her and waited, as she was still sitting on his robes. She started to collect herself, seeing as how he was not offering to help her up, when Jude stepped in and helped her to her feet. Hermione smiled and thanked him for his consideration with an extra edge that Snape determined was meant for his benefit. Wexler gave her a spiel of that's what a gentlemen does; looking to Severus it is as if his eyes were saying, 'that's how it's done, old man'.
He did not like Jude Wexler now, not that he did before. There was a gleam in his eye that was offering Severus a silent challenge. Who could get the girl first? It took all of Severus' self control not to grab Hermione, throw her over his shoulders, and stock off to some secluded cave. As she accepted Wexler's arm and they started walking back to camp he realized there was no challenge. Wexler would win, because Severus just was not any good at niceties.
His stomach churned at the thought of Wexler being the one that would be placing kisses on Hermione's electric skin and shagging her senseless. It wasn't only his stomach that was being disagreeable. The painful reminder of what happens when Hermione gets too close was straining against his trousers. It was like she placed him under sexual imperius, because just a suggestive twitch of her lip tossed his mind to the gutter.
You can't just give up, Severus.
"Joy and rapture. My insanity has returned."
I would gladly retreat for a while if you would just indulge me. Preferably with that little bird.
"And what would you have me do?"
Firstly, rid her of that simpleton twit that flits around her. Secondly, seduce her. Make her yours, Severus.
"Easier said than done. Why would she have me, if she can have him? He younger, better looking, and…"
Do stop the self-flagellating rant. Are you daft? It's amazing we are apart of each other. You're the one who is supposed to control the brain. It's obvious she wants you. She kissed you, didn't she?
"I kissed her."
FINE. She let you.
"She was being polite most likely."
You're such a downer. Can you at least go find her so I can have at least a little enjoyment? Not that you would ever have the courage to do anything other than look.
"Shut up," Severus snapped.
"Who do you want to shut up, Severus?"
Snape stopped dead in his tracks. Startled to find that he had walked himself into the campsite and was being considered by a very amused headmaster. The headmaster repeated himself.
"No one," Snape answered, still not too sure of his mental stability. That's probably what happens when you neglect something for so long.
Snape vaguely heard the headmaster ask if he was ready for the walk, but was distracted by the sight of Hermione and Wexler huddled close together. They were laughing together. You could see it in their eyes as they were whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears. Too late, Severus. Too late. His own mind whispered treacherously.
He felt cold inside. His body had betrayed him when it let him feel a little warmth. It doesn't matter he told himself. It was stupid to believe that she would wait for you to work out your own feelings when she has someone readily available and more than willing to give her what she needs without hang-ups. He walked past them with only a cold glance in their direction and preceded the professors on the blasted nature walk.
After twenty minutes he realized why he had never partaken in a nature walk before. While the little jaunt seemed to please Delia Sprout to no end, Severus was bored out of his skull and wanted to be a continent away from Wexler and Hermione's snickering. He couldn't take much more of this. How was he supposed to work with the two of them?
This changes nothing, he tried to convince himself, once back at school you'll forget all of this and go back to being the bastard you are.
"Severus, can I have a word with you?"
Severus turned slightly. "Of course, Albus."
"You'll notice that it is rather dark right now and we have past the same spot three times already." He hadn't noticed, but nodded anyways. "It would appear that we are lost."
Big deal. Whip out your wand, do a location spell, and they would be on their way. Then he realized there was something Albus hadn't told him and told him as much.
"You see, Severus, to convince the Ministry to let me organize this little adventure I had to make a few concessions." This was not good. Not good at all. He was used to Dumbledore being evasive, but this was beyond that. He should have known something was wrong when Dumbledore insisted on portkeys instead of apparating.
"So we're lost and can't use our magic."
"Oh, no, Severus. Yes, we are lost and seeing as how your wand is casting a nice lumos spell our magic does work. Mostly."
"That's a relief…what do you mean mostly?" Snape asked eyes narrowing like an owl on a night prowl.
"We are permitted to use small spells."
"How small?"
"Second year and below."
Snape was tempted to chuck his wand into the dark forest. Ludicrous. Why is this happening to him?
"So we're lost and have been reduced to the magical ability of a prepubescent adolescent. Bloody fantastic. You should have told us."
"None of you would have come if I did. It's not that big of a deal, Severus. We just need to find somewhere to camp tonight and everything will be better in the morning."
"For once I agree with you, Albus, because come tomorrow morning I'm returning to Hogwarts. Whether you approve or not."
"I'm afraid you can't do that Severus."
"Are you saying you're going to stop me?" Snape asked incredulously. He'd never openly defied the headmaster, but enough was enough and this farce had gone on too long.
"Of course not, but the portkeys are timed for our return and apparating is not a learned component until seventh year. You'd be splinched if you tried."
Snape was furious, but not with the headmaster. He was angry with himself for allowing himself to be conned, not protesting more, letting his guard down even briefly.
"I'd rather be splinched than to have to stay in this damned forest any longer," Snape growled. All the Professors turned toward the potions master and the headmaster. Snape's end of the conversation was becoming quite loud. Severus flustered under the attention, although he maintained it well with an impassive face. "I'm sorry, Albus. I shouldn't have raised my voice at you."
"It's fine, Severus. We're all a little out of our element here. Maybe we should rely on those that have encountered a more muggle way of life. For example, Professors Granger and Wexler."
"No," was Snape's quick reply.
"Come now."
"I said no."
"I won't push it then."
"That's a first," he derided.
The headmaster smiled and joined Minerva, Sprout, and Flitwick. From the looks on their faces he just broke the news.
Against his own will, his eyes traveled to Hermione and Wexler who were lounging comfortably against a tree. How cozy, his mind sneered. They were speaking in hushed voices, but every once in a while he caught their words.
"You're muggleborn, aren't you, Hermione?" She never liked that question. It always seemed to imply more than it was saying. No matter how much she would achieve, it would always be muggleborn Hermione Granger.
"Yes," she answered tentatively, "Why?"
"So am I and I had this idea. You've seen…"
"Oh, yes," she laughed. "One of my favorites. Hayley Mills was wonderful in that."
"You know that one part, where they're camping?"
"Yes," she enthused.
"I was thinking since we are the resident experts…" muffled words "it could be fun."
"I don't know, Jude." He made a face at her and she laughed. "Oh, all right. Let's do it."
"Great!" Hermione wasn't expecting what happened next. All she knew was that Jude's mouth was awfully close to hers and the only thing she could do was tilt her head slightly to accept the kiss on her cheek rather than her lips. Those you saved for someone special. But from Snape's vantage it looked like a prelude to something more passionate and he couldn't stand it. No matter how much he tried to deny it, he couldn't watch Hermione with someone else.
Hermione's eyes flicked to him in the darkness. His face lit by low wand light, but the look of betrayal was etched into his eyes. Why did this feel like a betrayal? They made no declarations of undying devotion. They had shared barely a kiss before, but one that promised more. It's not what you think, she wanted to say, but she was trapped in the depth of his stare and Jude's closeness was making her uncomfortable now. She opened her mouth to speak, but the potions master's expression changed. It was cold and unfeeling like when she was a student beneath his tutelage. The look said clearly, 'don't bother.'
She sighed and turned back to Jude. "Shall we get the sticks then?" Hermione asked unenthusiastically. This camping trip wasn't fun any longer. Everything was very confusing all of the sudden and she didn't like confusing.
"Okay," Jude grinned. "It'll be fun. You'll see."