It was midnight once again. However the hour didn't find Professor Snape at his desk, failing students. Tonight he was sitting in an overstuffed armchair in his chambers, a glass of firewhiskey in his hand. As he stared into the fire he thought of his previous two nights. Hermione Granger, who despised him, he knew, but he still couldn't get her whisper from his head. And then last night, Pansy Parkinson. The most beautiful girl Hogwart's had seen since Narcissa Black. She had confessed feelings for him.

"Don't be foolish." Snape said bitterly, watching the flames dance. "She only shagged you to avoid detention."

Yet when he brought her back to his chambers she felt so genuine. He swiftly got up and grabbed his cloak. She was of legal age, after all. She made the decision. With out giving it another thought he went on patrol.

By twelve-fifteen he was nearing Gryffindor Tower. He had hoped he would catch Potter sneaking about, off to see his Ravenclaw girlfriend, or possibly Hagrid. But the Gryffindor hallway was deserted. He scowled and headed for the shifting stairs. He walked in and the only noises he heard were the snoring portraits and the grinding of the stone steps.

He sighed in disappointment. Snape turned on his heel to leave the giant stairwell when he heard a small noise. It was very faint but Snape was positive it was either a sniffle or someone's socked feet scurrying on the floor.

Severus felt his spirits rise and started walking up the dark staircase. Again he heard the tiny noise and his hawk like eyes darted everywhere. When he reached the landing he looked around, near the statues and armor, yet he couldn't find anything. He turned around to walk down the stairs he came up and froze.

At the bottom of the stairs was Ginny Weasley. Her long fiery hair was slightly tousled, and her seventeen year old self had matured greatly during her time at Hogwart's.

"Miss Weasley!" Snape growled. "You have five seconds to explain what you're doing out of bed."

Ginny looked around with her big blue eyes, unsure of what to say. For years she had been hiding her secret crush on the potions master. She wasn't sure what it was about him that attracted her. His cold disposition maybe. Like a challenge. It was no secret that she had been dating nearly every boy at Hogwart's with the exception of Ron and Draco. They were all too easy for her. Professor Snape on the other hand was a mystery. A mystery that needed to be cracked. Now she was looking up the stairs at him, his long raven colored hair, his dark eyes narrowed on solely her.

"I couldn't sleep." She finally said.

"So you decide to go off in the halls, causing trouble?" Snape spat, waiting for her to lose it so he could deduct points.

"No sir, I wasn't causing trouble." Ginny said defiantly.

Snape glided down the stairs to confront her. "So tell me, Miss Weasley. What brings you out of the Gryffindor Dorms at this hour?"

Ginny thought for a second. She was so close to him now, she didn't want it to end. "Tom Riddle ---- I mean You-Know-Who."

"Don't be ridiculous girl. The Dark Lord can not get into Hogwart's --- again." Snape rolled his eyes.

"I know - its just that - I've been having nightmares about Tom Riddle again." Ginny wondered how long she could keep it up. "Don't you remember my first year, Professor Snape?"

"How could it be forgotten." Severus crossed his arms. "Muggleborns dropping every which way, giant serpents on the loose, Voldemort controlling students." He arched an eyebrow. "Voldemort controlling YOU."

Ginny was enjoying how cold Snape was treating her. Nearly everyone else treated her like a kid. Ron's little sister. They were so over protective. Professor Snape was one of the few who didn't discriminate against her.

"He's been in my dreams again. Sir." Ginny said quietly. "Threatening me."

"Perhaps you should tell the Headmaster." Snape said indifferently.

"I just thought Id tell you cause of well - you know - you used to work for him."

"Miss Weasley, I'll emphasize the point you go to Headmaster Dumbledore with this bit of a problem."

"Maybe you could teach me Occlumency." The words tumbled out with out her realizing it.

"Out of the question."

She took a step onto the staircase just a few steps from Snape. "Professor, please I'm really scared!"

Before Snape could protest she had her arms wrapped around his middle.

He sighed. She pressed her ear to his chest, listening to his beating heart. She could have stayed in that spot forever. Much to her disappointment, Snape pushed her away almost immediately.

"Go to bed, Miss Weasley." He said, trying to add an extra chill to his voice.

"Please don't make me. He's waiting for me."

"Don't be foolish. There is no one in your dorm except for the other sixth year girls." He looked down on her and added. "And possibly a few fifth and seventh year boys."

"Professor Snape I feel safe with you." Ginny said, determined not to blush.

"Your dormitory is safe."

Ginny wrapped her arms around him again. "You're so strong, Professor. I don't have any fears when I'm with you."

"You should be afraid, girl." He mumbled under his breath. "Well I suppose we could have some tea, until you feel --- safer." Snape decided to let his ego get fed some more.

"Oh thank you Professor!" Ginny's heart soared.

Twenty minutes later Severus lead her into his private chambers. With a swish of his wand there was tea for two on his coffee table. Ginny sank onto the large black leather sofa and picked up her cup of tea.

"I'll be right back. Don't touch anything." He said shortly before exiting the room.

Ginny saw her chance and took it. She grabbed her wand from her robes and touched his tea cup.

"Adverto Connubialis!" she whispered. Snape's tea glowed red briefly before turning to a pale brown.

As he was heading back to join her, Ginny shoved her wand back into her robe. He sat next to her and picked up the cup and saucer.

"So tell me, Miss Weasley. What has the Dark Lord said to you?" he sipped the tea and looked down at it, as if it tasted funny. Ginny held her breath and breathed a sigh of relief as he sipped again.

"You conjure an excellent cup of tea, Professor." She smiled. She thought of a good lie about Voldemort and started talking, watching Snape drink his tea. "Oh Tom has been telling me he's coming for me and I should have never gotten away last time. That kind of stuff." She sipped her tea again as she watched his shift uncomfortably on the sofa. "I assure you, Miss Weasley, Lord Voldemort will not be able to harm you as long as you're in this school." Snape finished his cup and looked at her feverishly. She felt his eyes piercing all over her body and knew the charm had worked. She set her cup down on the table and took off her dressing robe, leaving just a thin night gown.

Snape looked at her, confused as he absently fingered the top buttons of his black shirt. Ginny crawled across the couch to him and kneeled by his side.

"Let me help you with that." She whispered as she unbutton his shirt.

"I --- no --- Miss - Weez" Snape couldn't form sentences. He didn't understand what was wrong with him.

Ginny pushed her mouth to his, and he melted into the kiss. He wasn't sure if he wanted to stop or not. His mind was in turmoil. The reasonable side was screaming at him to stop, the girl was only seventeen, a student, a Weasley. The other half told him take advantage of the situation, that he was with a student just last night, and it made him feel wonderful. There was also another tiny part of his mind at work, though it was mostly silenced by his growing need. That part was afraid. Afraid because he knew he couldn't stop what was about to happen between he and Ginny Weasley.

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Review pleeeeassee. Chap 4 will be up soon. Promise. Thank you everyone for your nice reviews. All 2 of you. *laffs*