Anonymous - Don't worry, I will.
BethAnn - Not right now - I'm still trying to practice drawing Sev!
Gami, Snapefan51, Strega Brava, Zoe - Thanks!
Goddess-Isis-112 - Thanks for adding my story to your favourites list g.
Tegan - I'm glad you liked the 'girls night'. g I decided to have Hermione wish to stay on at Hogwarts in this story (I know I would!) because it felt the right thing to do.
Part 16
Time passed, the weeks edging into summer.
People eventually grew tired of speculating about Hermione and Ron's breakup, and Ron, who had found willing consolation in the arms of a curvy Hufflepuff who hung on to his every word, stopped shunning Hermione. There was a coolness though in his manner towards her.
Though there were times when Hermione was tempted to announce to Harry and Ron that she was staying on at Hogwarts as Professor Snape's apprentice, the words seemed to freeze in her throat. She told herself that she was letting down Gryffindor House for this cowardly behaviour, but every time she intended to come clean as it were, a picture of her friend's appalled faces would appear in her mind and she would find herself backing down again. She knew they would question her endlessly and ask "why?" over and over until she would eventually blurt out that she and Severus were lovers...possibly becoming more than just lovers one day. The scenario worsened in her mind when she imagined Harry telling Sirius the news and the resulting fallout..
Hermione told herself that she had enough stress to deal with right now, because as the end of the seventh year approached, they were all consumed for studying for their graduate exams. Despite her talent for studying even she was finding the pressure starting to make her grumpy and weary at times. To her relief Severus did not put any pressure on her to make their relationship public, for at this time of year he too was busy in ensuring that students would be as prepared as possible when it came to their exams (no one would fail in his class if he could help it!).
What kept Hermione going completely off the rails was the somewhat bemused, sparkly happiness inside her when she thought of Severus. She was level- headed enough not to let it show - to the world she was still the sensible, intelligent Gryffindor Head Girl, but there was a subtle glow about her and a new, gentle sway to her walk that often drew second glances from others (including Draco to his resentment, who had not given up thoughts of revenge on Hermione).
Although she and Severus could not talk to each other during the day, she often find tucked inside a returned and graded assignment a brief note penned in his jagged handwriting with sardonic comments about life in general, or a tongue-in-cheek look at the advantages of being a Slytherin. The notes would always end with 'yours, Severus' to her delight (a charm would always be present on the notes to avoid the attention of overly- curious eyes).
No love poetry though ("I've never written romantic fluff in my life and I don't intend to start, though I feel the distressing urge to read some to you. This is obviously your fault."). Certainly his black sense of humour had increased since they had started sleeping together, and she regretted the time when he found out she was ticklish (and like any self-respecting Slytherin proceeded to take advantage of this fact).
On the part of Severus, he found that he liked conducting a love affair with Hermione under everyone's noses, especially that of Sirius (there was something very Slytherin about that).
Little by little Severus had begun to change - not in ways that totally transformed him, for he would always be the sarcastic, complex wizard that he was and there were times when he and Hermione would unleash their stormy tempers against each other. But with the firm knowledge that Hermione loved him, warts and all, hadn't tired of him as he sometimes secretly feared, was quite happy with him in bed (and he with her too it should be added) this led him to start viewing life with less cynicism.
He stood taller, and it was noted that his hair was glossier these days, for he washed his hair more frequently than he had in the past (which removed much of the grease). Memories of Clara were put away in a far corner of his mind, as one puts away old things no longer of use. He was less likely to bite heads off people if they asked him a question (unless they had asked something really idiotic) and there was less amusement to be found by him in singling students out for random acts of humiliation.
Students started to relax and hope that what had reduced Professor Snape's black moods would continue indefinitely (Sirius, who was occupied with the latest antics of his children and kept awake at night could not have cared if Severus started dyeing his hair blonde).
One night brought summer storms, and most students decided to stay within their respective common rooms to study rather than going to the library. However, that didn't stop Hermione from going there (murmuring a charm she had learned to turn aside the eyes of Filch and Mrs Norris in their nocturnal overseeing of the school).
She often preferred the quiet and peace of the myriad rooms of the vast library (which like all self-respecting libraries was bigger on the inside than it was on the outside) to the common room. Many nights too in there would have her hear the rustle of robes, and when she looked up she would see Severus standing there, his haughty profile relaxing as he looked down at her, a warmth he never showed during the day in his dark eyes.
A charm would be cast around them to make any visitors to that particular room see nothing of interest in there at all, their eyes sliding over the odd sight of Hermione and Professor Snape sitting together at a book-piled table, their heads almost touching as they pored over books. Certainly nothing would be seen when later on the professor would firmly take her hand and lead her from the room...
Tonight she was weary as she sat by herself at her favourite table, for it had been a busy day. Indeed, she had been tired throughout the week, feeling as if the school year was starting to catch up to her. She brought up a hand to her mouth to cover a yawn.
"She nearly falls asleep over her dinner, yet here she sits studying," she heard Severus say dryly behind her, Hermione feeling his hand drop lightly on her shoulder while the storm chose to let loose a dramatic roll of thunder. "This either shows a willingness to learn, or pig-headed stubbornness characteristic of a Gryffindor."
"Or both," Hermione said lightly, smiling as she leaned back in her chair, tilting her head back to see Severus looking down at her. His smile was quirky, for from his perspective her face looked upside-down to him. She got up and went to embrace him, laying her head against his chest with a sigh. On a stormy night like this she could imagine nothing better than lying in his arms under the warm covers of his bed. She was certainly looking forward to the time when she didn't have to sneak back to her bed late at night after visiting Severus...it would be soon, she promised herself. She would tell the others soon...and try and make them understand.
She leaned up to kiss him, though tonight her kiss was the kind given when one is tired and desire subsumed by weariness. Severus noted this and part of him was disappointed, but he accepted her kiss with grace nevertheless, pulling her close as he intimately returned her kiss.
Hermione's smile was rueful when they broke apart. "Kissing is all that I am good for tonight...anything else and I will fall asleep half-way through. I'm sorry." She regretted that lately there had been many nights where study had demanded her complete attention...
Severus sighed but sat on the edge of the table, his black robes cascading around him like dark petals as he gently drew her onto his lap. His silkily purring voice was anything but comfortable to her ears. "You are fortunate I am a patient man..though there will be a time when I will demand payment for that patience.."
Hermione smiled and reached up a hand to play with his gleaming black hair. "I'll make up for it once the exams are over, I promise."
"When everything will be out in the open?" he asked calmly, though there was an underlying query to his voice.
She paused then nodded firmly. "Yes," she said decisively. Severus bent and kissed her pleasure and then they were both just content to be in the presence of the other. It was hard for Severus to sneer at concepts such as happiness and joy when he was with her.
Hermione glanced at the books she had been studying from and sighed. "I can't study anymore tonight - I'm getting a headache just looking at those books."
His arms gently tightened around her. "Then if I can't tempt you back to my bed I can at least tempt you with my supply of hot chocolate."
Hermione's head lifted with renewed energy at that. "Chocolate? Well, why didn't you say so before?" she said cheerfully. "Lead the way, please."
Severus rolled his black eyes in mock offence. "*Now* she wants to come back with me when I mention chocolate," he said irritably. "I see I have a deadly rival for your affection - how can I compete?" He gently set her down on her feet on the floor and with sinuous grace got off the table as well.
"Well, chocolate's definitely sweeter than you," Hermione assured him with an impish smile.
His eyes gleamed down at her. "Impertinence from you means no chocolate from me," he warned. "Now come along.."
He offered his arm and she took it as they left the room, confident in the knowledge of being unnoticed. But tonight Professor Snape's senses had not been as sharp as they should have, for the discharged energy from the frequent lightning strikes over the school had confused his magical senses, a weakness on his part.
Certainly Hermione had been too tired to realise Harry had been in the room with them, wide-eyed as he had watched and listened under his Invisibility cloak..
A/N - Yep, the evil cliff-hangers have returned...
BethAnn - Not right now - I'm still trying to practice drawing Sev!
Gami, Snapefan51, Strega Brava, Zoe - Thanks!
Goddess-Isis-112 - Thanks for adding my story to your favourites list g.
Tegan - I'm glad you liked the 'girls night'. g I decided to have Hermione wish to stay on at Hogwarts in this story (I know I would!) because it felt the right thing to do.
Part 16
Time passed, the weeks edging into summer.
People eventually grew tired of speculating about Hermione and Ron's breakup, and Ron, who had found willing consolation in the arms of a curvy Hufflepuff who hung on to his every word, stopped shunning Hermione. There was a coolness though in his manner towards her.
Though there were times when Hermione was tempted to announce to Harry and Ron that she was staying on at Hogwarts as Professor Snape's apprentice, the words seemed to freeze in her throat. She told herself that she was letting down Gryffindor House for this cowardly behaviour, but every time she intended to come clean as it were, a picture of her friend's appalled faces would appear in her mind and she would find herself backing down again. She knew they would question her endlessly and ask "why?" over and over until she would eventually blurt out that she and Severus were lovers...possibly becoming more than just lovers one day. The scenario worsened in her mind when she imagined Harry telling Sirius the news and the resulting fallout..
Hermione told herself that she had enough stress to deal with right now, because as the end of the seventh year approached, they were all consumed for studying for their graduate exams. Despite her talent for studying even she was finding the pressure starting to make her grumpy and weary at times. To her relief Severus did not put any pressure on her to make their relationship public, for at this time of year he too was busy in ensuring that students would be as prepared as possible when it came to their exams (no one would fail in his class if he could help it!).
What kept Hermione going completely off the rails was the somewhat bemused, sparkly happiness inside her when she thought of Severus. She was level- headed enough not to let it show - to the world she was still the sensible, intelligent Gryffindor Head Girl, but there was a subtle glow about her and a new, gentle sway to her walk that often drew second glances from others (including Draco to his resentment, who had not given up thoughts of revenge on Hermione).
Although she and Severus could not talk to each other during the day, she often find tucked inside a returned and graded assignment a brief note penned in his jagged handwriting with sardonic comments about life in general, or a tongue-in-cheek look at the advantages of being a Slytherin. The notes would always end with 'yours, Severus' to her delight (a charm would always be present on the notes to avoid the attention of overly- curious eyes).
No love poetry though ("I've never written romantic fluff in my life and I don't intend to start, though I feel the distressing urge to read some to you. This is obviously your fault."). Certainly his black sense of humour had increased since they had started sleeping together, and she regretted the time when he found out she was ticklish (and like any self-respecting Slytherin proceeded to take advantage of this fact).
On the part of Severus, he found that he liked conducting a love affair with Hermione under everyone's noses, especially that of Sirius (there was something very Slytherin about that).
Little by little Severus had begun to change - not in ways that totally transformed him, for he would always be the sarcastic, complex wizard that he was and there were times when he and Hermione would unleash their stormy tempers against each other. But with the firm knowledge that Hermione loved him, warts and all, hadn't tired of him as he sometimes secretly feared, was quite happy with him in bed (and he with her too it should be added) this led him to start viewing life with less cynicism.
He stood taller, and it was noted that his hair was glossier these days, for he washed his hair more frequently than he had in the past (which removed much of the grease). Memories of Clara were put away in a far corner of his mind, as one puts away old things no longer of use. He was less likely to bite heads off people if they asked him a question (unless they had asked something really idiotic) and there was less amusement to be found by him in singling students out for random acts of humiliation.
Students started to relax and hope that what had reduced Professor Snape's black moods would continue indefinitely (Sirius, who was occupied with the latest antics of his children and kept awake at night could not have cared if Severus started dyeing his hair blonde).
One night brought summer storms, and most students decided to stay within their respective common rooms to study rather than going to the library. However, that didn't stop Hermione from going there (murmuring a charm she had learned to turn aside the eyes of Filch and Mrs Norris in their nocturnal overseeing of the school).
She often preferred the quiet and peace of the myriad rooms of the vast library (which like all self-respecting libraries was bigger on the inside than it was on the outside) to the common room. Many nights too in there would have her hear the rustle of robes, and when she looked up she would see Severus standing there, his haughty profile relaxing as he looked down at her, a warmth he never showed during the day in his dark eyes.
A charm would be cast around them to make any visitors to that particular room see nothing of interest in there at all, their eyes sliding over the odd sight of Hermione and Professor Snape sitting together at a book-piled table, their heads almost touching as they pored over books. Certainly nothing would be seen when later on the professor would firmly take her hand and lead her from the room...
Tonight she was weary as she sat by herself at her favourite table, for it had been a busy day. Indeed, she had been tired throughout the week, feeling as if the school year was starting to catch up to her. She brought up a hand to her mouth to cover a yawn.
"She nearly falls asleep over her dinner, yet here she sits studying," she heard Severus say dryly behind her, Hermione feeling his hand drop lightly on her shoulder while the storm chose to let loose a dramatic roll of thunder. "This either shows a willingness to learn, or pig-headed stubbornness characteristic of a Gryffindor."
"Or both," Hermione said lightly, smiling as she leaned back in her chair, tilting her head back to see Severus looking down at her. His smile was quirky, for from his perspective her face looked upside-down to him. She got up and went to embrace him, laying her head against his chest with a sigh. On a stormy night like this she could imagine nothing better than lying in his arms under the warm covers of his bed. She was certainly looking forward to the time when she didn't have to sneak back to her bed late at night after visiting Severus...it would be soon, she promised herself. She would tell the others soon...and try and make them understand.
She leaned up to kiss him, though tonight her kiss was the kind given when one is tired and desire subsumed by weariness. Severus noted this and part of him was disappointed, but he accepted her kiss with grace nevertheless, pulling her close as he intimately returned her kiss.
Hermione's smile was rueful when they broke apart. "Kissing is all that I am good for tonight...anything else and I will fall asleep half-way through. I'm sorry." She regretted that lately there had been many nights where study had demanded her complete attention...
Severus sighed but sat on the edge of the table, his black robes cascading around him like dark petals as he gently drew her onto his lap. His silkily purring voice was anything but comfortable to her ears. "You are fortunate I am a patient man..though there will be a time when I will demand payment for that patience.."
Hermione smiled and reached up a hand to play with his gleaming black hair. "I'll make up for it once the exams are over, I promise."
"When everything will be out in the open?" he asked calmly, though there was an underlying query to his voice.
She paused then nodded firmly. "Yes," she said decisively. Severus bent and kissed her pleasure and then they were both just content to be in the presence of the other. It was hard for Severus to sneer at concepts such as happiness and joy when he was with her.
Hermione glanced at the books she had been studying from and sighed. "I can't study anymore tonight - I'm getting a headache just looking at those books."
His arms gently tightened around her. "Then if I can't tempt you back to my bed I can at least tempt you with my supply of hot chocolate."
Hermione's head lifted with renewed energy at that. "Chocolate? Well, why didn't you say so before?" she said cheerfully. "Lead the way, please."
Severus rolled his black eyes in mock offence. "*Now* she wants to come back with me when I mention chocolate," he said irritably. "I see I have a deadly rival for your affection - how can I compete?" He gently set her down on her feet on the floor and with sinuous grace got off the table as well.
"Well, chocolate's definitely sweeter than you," Hermione assured him with an impish smile.
His eyes gleamed down at her. "Impertinence from you means no chocolate from me," he warned. "Now come along.."
He offered his arm and she took it as they left the room, confident in the knowledge of being unnoticed. But tonight Professor Snape's senses had not been as sharp as they should have, for the discharged energy from the frequent lightning strikes over the school had confused his magical senses, a weakness on his part.
Certainly Hermione had been too tired to realise Harry had been in the room with them, wide-eyed as he had watched and listened under his Invisibility cloak..
A/N - Yep, the evil cliff-hangers have returned...
