Hermione sat up in her bed suddenly. She was sweating, and her
covers were strewn about her bed fitfully. She had been dreaming about
Severus when a thought occurred that was so strong as to wake her up
instantly. During their acts of passion the thought had never crossed her
mind, and she sat now, staring into the darkness in terror. They hadn't
used any type of protection.
"Shit." She whispered uncharacteristically. It was not like Hermione Granger to swear. She threw on a shirt and her robes, then left her room to run to Madam Pomfrey's. It was the only place she could go without being in trouble, as students often went looking for the nurse in the middle of the night with ailments. Hermione pushed open the portrait of the fat lady, who grumbled sleepily.
"Hey!" she called indignantly. "Where abouts are you off to at this time of night?"
"I need to see the nurse!" Hermione yelled back as she sped towards the main corridor. Her footsteps echoed loudly as she climbed down the steps two at time, her heart pounding in her ear. As she neared the nurse's station she slowed, and pushed up against the wall. The hard support of it behind her back was comforting, and she stood there for a few moments to catch her breath.
Hermione and Madam Pomfrey had developed a bit of a friendship in her last year at Hogwarts, and it was only natural since either Harry, Ron, or Hermione seemed to be in the hospital wing at all times. She couldn't recall how many times she had sat by one of their bedsides, and Poppy, as she had instructed Hermione to call her, had sat by her side when she could. She would smooth Hermione's hair and tell her what exactly she was giving the boys, what herb or potion and what properties it had. Hermione stopped, now right outside the older woman's door. Even with her friendship this would not be easy. Sure, Poppy Pomfrey was discrete, but she wasn't stupid. Something as big as a pregnancy scare would surely warrant a lecture from her, and Hermione frowned at the prospect of losing her trust. She pushed open the door slowly. It would not be wise to go looking for Severus at this time of night, as she would look RATHER suspicious if caught, and Hermione felt that she couldn't wait till her next potions class. What other choice did she have?
Madam Pomfrey sat leaning on a wall, her eyes half closed. Hermione cleared her throat, and the older woman started. She sat upright quickly, and gave the younger woman a smile.
"'Ello, Hermione!" She stood, and closed some distance between the two. "What brings you in here at this time of night? I hope you're alright, dear." Concern flashed in her eyes and Hermione looked around the almost deserted wing as she heard pleasant snoring coming from the sick room. Hermione stared at floor, her mind working on how to phrase her problem.
"Hermione?" She tilted her head up as a hand was placed on her arm. 'Best to just come out and get it over with.' She thought. She took a deep breath.
"Poppy...I might be pregnant." Her eyes returned to the floor, suddenly interested in the boring patterns on the tiles. Poppy frowned, but kept her hand firmly on Hermione's arm...and gave it a small squeeze.
"Hermione, Hermione." The girl lifted her head and looked into her eyes. She was a bit surprised when she saw no trace of anger, only concern...and the mere trace of a smile. "Too caught up in passion to think about the little things like protection, eh?" She flashed a knowing grin. "So our little 'Mione has finally grown up and become a woman." Hermione nodded, and blushed furiously.
"I know that these things are not to be taken lightly, Poppy. And don't worry, it won't happen again. Like you said, we were both just caught up and not thinking. If you're going to lecture me I understand." She gave a weak look up at her friend, her mentor. Poppy considered her for a moment.
"Have a seat dear." And the two of them sat down. Poppy pulled a chair over so that she was only a foot away from Hermione, and took her hands in hers. "Now normally I have this wonderful little lecture planned out. You're not the only one who gets caught up in passion." She smiled, and Hermione relaxed. "Can't think of how many terrified girls have come in here with your same problem. It's those damn teenage hormones, I'm telling you!" She laughed, and stroked Hermione's hand. Hermione laughed with her, and Poppy looked her over again before continuing.
"But in your case I think I'm going to forego that lecture. I know you to be an extremely smart and capable girl...excuse me, woman." She winked at Hermione, who then found herself blushing. "I trust you to be able to make the right decisions, and so I'm going to let you in on a little secret here, but it's just that-a secret. I expect you not to broadcast it all over the school." Hermione shook her head, curious. Poppy continued.
"You see, it would look a little bad for Hogwarts if we had large numbers of girls just coming home pregnant each term. So, about three hundred years ago, the professors and headmaster at the time decided to place a little charm over the school. Well...I say little, but it's actually very complex; required all of them together to do it. But you see...unless both the man and woman want a baby, than the woman will not be able to get pregnant. Quite genius, if you think about it, because we haven't had a pregnancy since. Not a lot of girls you're age have dreams of babies in their heads."
Hermione shook her head. "Nor do I."
Poppy smiled. "Good. Because even though babies are wonderful blessings, it's no time for a bright young woman like you to go thinking about things like that. You, my dear, need to worry about homework!" She patted her hand. "Just please tell me that you really love this boy to go around in things as serious as sex." Her laughing tone was gone, and the worry in her eyes touched Hermione. A dreamy smile spread across her face.
"No, Poppy, we're truly in love."
"And you're sure he feels the same way? I don't want you used, Hermione. These boys sometimes have one thing on their mind." Hermione laughed at her lover being compared to a hormonal teenage boy.
"No, he's nothing like that! Honestly, his intentions are honorable...he really loves me." Hermione felt a stupid grin plastered across her face. Poppy stood.
"It's so nice to see you happy." She spoke as Hermione followed her lead and stood next to her. The older woman pulled her into a hug. "You had better be going back to bed. I suspect that you need your sleep!" Hermione felt her blush creeping down her chest as Poppy winked at her. And with one last squeeze of her hand Hermione left, much more relieved than she was when she had entered.
***********************************
Hermione slipped into the common room, then up to the girls' dormitories quietly. All around her were the sleepy sounds of her fellow Gryffindors getting up and ready for another day at school. A tall redheaded girl waved to Hermione as she went to her room to take a shower in her very own bathroom. It was nice not having to stand in line day after day just to use to get washed. She smiled at the girl, a seventh year like herself.
"Morning, Emily." The girl managed to return her smile through a full-blown yawn. Her bag was tucked under her arm, filled to the brim with her clean robes and shower supplies. Hermione looked her over, and noticed her camisole sinking lower and lower on her chest. She motioned towards it, and Emily looked down, about ready to fall out. Shaking her head in annoyance, she pulled the fabric up briskly.
"Too tired to care, really. See you in class!" Emily replied, and disappeared towards the bathrooms, another yawn on her lips. Hermione smiled and returned to her room, where Ginny was drying herself off. She eyed Hermione suspiciously.
"I didn't know when you'd be back. Just in time though! I'm sorry 'bout taking one before you (she motioned towards the bathroom). And I know I told you I wouldn't pester you about him, Hermione, but you're making me so curious!" They had shared Hermione's shower ever since Hermione had become Head Girl in the beginning of the year, and it was no bother at all to Hermione. Ginny didn't take up much space; her belongings were shrunk onto one shelf in the tub. Somehow she managed to never be in Hermione's way. Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Oh Ginny! Do you have to be so dramatic? I was simply seeing Madam Pomfrey. I haven't even seen him yet today...sadly." She added, and started to undress. Ginny seemed to accept her excuse, although for fun she gave Hermione a quizzical look first. Hermione chose to ignore her and stepped into her bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
****************************************
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny walked briskly towards the Great Hall. It was time for breakfast, and Hermione was just plain sick of listening to the two boys complain about how hungry they were.
"Honestly! It's like you hadn't eaten in days!" She exclaimed as they opened the large wooden doors to the Great Hall. Harry gave her a funny look and patted his stomach.
"Tell that to it! I feel like I'm bloody starving." Ron shook his head in agreement and Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other, shaking their heads.
"I will never understand you two!" Hermione laughed as they went to take their seats. Almost everyone was standing, and it was a bit crowded. Hermione's eyes widened a little as she saw the Potions Master headed toward her. He had his normal, annoyed scowl on his face as he attempted to battle the throng of hungry students bustling to their seats. With as especially angry scowl he bumped into Hermione roughly, his hand near her side. Something light dropped into her pocket, and when Hermione turned to look at him he gave her a fast wink, which went unnoticed by everyone around them. Everyone...except a small redhead who was getting more curious by the minute.
"Watch where you're going, Miss Granger! A move like that in class and you could blow up the entire school!" he shuffled away angrily. The four of them sat down.
"Did you see that?!" Ron asked, incredulous. "He just slammed right into you!! Then he insulted you for it! The nerve!!" He muttered something along the sorts of rudeness and greasy people while Hermione busied herself in the buffet before them, trying her hardest not to pay attention. Ginny bit her lip as her Potions Professor stared at the girl across from her, and Ginny shook her head at the thoughts she was having. 'No...it can't be.'
The mail arrived, it always came early on Wednesdays, and Hermione took the opportunity to slide her hand smoothly into her pocket, and pulled out a small sheet of parchment. She looked around. Harry and Ron were reading over Hermione's copy of the Daily Prophet like they did every morning. Ginny was immersed in a letter from her mother. Hermione opened the paper. Small black ink covered the page, and in a scrolly, elegant hand it said simply: 'eight o'clock, my room. I look forward to tonight immensely.' Hermione slipped the page back into her pocket, smiling to herself. She counted the hours until their meeting on her fingers and gave an inward sigh. It was going to be a long day.
At a quarter to eight Hermione was finishing up her History of Magic essay and helping Ginny with her potions homework. The girl was normally excellent at the subject ever since Hermione had tutored her in it a year ago, and Hermione expected she was just using the work as an excuse to talk. Ginny had been particularly frustrated with Harry lately, to the point where sometimes she would jump up and down behind him in the hall and he would still not recognize her presence. Hermione was sure he wasn't doing it on purpose, but she was determined to get him to notice the girl. Ginny, like Hermione, had begun blossoming into womanhood. She often curled her hair, which was now almost down to the small of her back. Although she was still short, the youngest Weasley had a huge presence to her. Hermione sometimes envied her stunning blue eyes and flat stomach. It was a shame that she spent all her time running after a boy who saw her only as his best friend's little sister.
Hermione glanced at her watch. If she didn't leave soon she'd be late; it was a bit of a trek down to the dungeons. Ginny gave her a pleading look.
"I'm really sorry, Ginny. I have to get down to the library. I can help you later if you'd like...but I might be down there a while." She winked. Ginny knew, of course, that Hermione wasn't actually going to the library. Hermione needed someone to cover for her in case the two boys, unlikely as it was, decided to go down and look for her. She packed up her homework and books and headed to her room. As she was looking in her mirror and applying a touch of lipstick Ginny peered in from around her door.
"You will tell me about it when you come back, won't you?" She asked, a little sadly. Hermione nodded.
"Of course! Now you have fun with the boys. And don't worry about Harry too much, he'll come around. I'm sure of it!" She brushed a whisper of eyeshadow across her lids, a pale violet shade that made her eyes seem to shine. "And I want to thank you for doing this for me. You and I both know the boys would never let it rest if they knew I was going out to see a boy. How do I look?" Hermione turned around for her dramatically, and Ginny smiled.
"Beautiful, Hermione. You look beautiful." The two walked out together, Hermione with a quill in hand. Well, she had to look like she was going to the library, didn't she? Ginny returned to her seat by the boys, who looked up as Hermione walked by.
"Have fun doing research." Harry quipped playfully as she turned to give them a smile.
"Yeah," Ron cut in, "we know you will!" And then Hermione was opening the picture of the Fat Lady, and on her way. A glance at her watch told her that it she had four minutes to get to his room, and she quickened her pace. Hopefully he'd be waiting for her in the classroom so she wouldn't have to find her way through the maze of corridors, but when she arrived in the room he wasn't there. Hermione walked through the back of the large room, through the storage closet, and into the secret passageway that she had walked only a few times before. She would have to frequent the path more often to become familiar with it, and she grinned at the thought. It wouldn't be too much of a chore.
Slowly she made her way through the halls, glancing around at the empty pictures. Without Severus it was a bit more confusing, and she had to stop more than once to make sure she was heading the right way. At a few minutes after eight she was holding her wand outstretched and the door to his chambers swung open at her whispered password.
There was immediate warmth. A fire crackled in the background, and Hermione breathed a breath of relief. She was surprised in how homely it felt, and a small thought rang through the back of her mind. 'I belong here.' Hermione glanced around, but he wasn't in the great room. She noticed a window that she hadn't seen before, its curtains now drawn back. It was fairly dark out, the purple sky looming over the frost covered grounds. Surprisingly, the room was high up, which she also hadn't noticed before. The path from the dungeons must've had an upward slope. Taking off her robe, Hermione patted the wrinkles from her sweater. She adjusted her skirt and draped her robe over the leather couch. Suddenly the sensation that she was being watched came over her, and she lifted her head. Severus stood in the doorway to his bedroom, an inviting smile on his face. Hermione closed the distance between them quickly and wrapped her arms around him as she was pulled into his kiss.
He was so warm and welcoming, and Hermione opened her mouth to the doings of his wondrous tongue. His hands roamed her body, pressing down her back. He inched a hand down her chest, and Hermione arched her back into his touch. Smiles and kisses, and he put her nipple between his two fingers and worried it between them. Hermione moaned.
"Hey." She greeted, pulling away reluctantly from his kiss.
"Hey yourself." He countered, and she rolled her eyes. "What do you want to do?" He asked, taking Hermione's hand. Hermione looked around. She really hadn't gotten a chance to thoroughly review his massive book collection, and her eyes brightened at the prospect. Snape seemed to read her mind.
"You're not here just for the books, are you?" His tone was playful, and Hermione led the way over to the shelves.
"Me?! No...never!" The same words he had used to her before. He narrowed his eyes at her and gave a scowl, but Hermione saw the warmth in his eyes. She lifted herself up on her tiptoes and kissed him passionately. They held each other for a long moment, wrapped up in the act of tongues mingling and hands touching, before Hermione turned back to the myriad of leather covers. She pulled out a worn copy of Most Potente Potions. Snape smiled.
"Have you read much of that? It's one of my favorites." He brushed a steady hand through her mane of hair. Hermione flipped through the pages.
"Not too much...a bit for your class though." He brightened.
"Oh yes, the big project last year. I remember you did extraordinarily well on that." Hermione blushed. Snape lifted her face to look into her eyes. "And I believe you even went as far as to take it from the restricted section in your second year.no small feat, I would add." Her eyes widened.
"How did you know that?"
"Well," he chuckled. "There aren't too many potions that would turn you into a cat and land you in the hospital wing for quite some time, are there?" Hermione laughed and closed the book. She went to put it back on his shelf but Snape caught her hand in the air.
"I believe I know more about you than you'd expect, Miss Granger. I've had my eye on you for quite some time, although I never expected to be standing here, offering to loan you a book from my private collection."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "Really?" He nodded, and kissed the hand he held in his. "Oh, Severus!! Thank y..." her words were cut short as he took her lips in another kiss, hotter and wetter than the former. He squeezed their bodies together, his erection pressing into her. The book dropped to the floor, now unnoticed.
"Shit." She whispered uncharacteristically. It was not like Hermione Granger to swear. She threw on a shirt and her robes, then left her room to run to Madam Pomfrey's. It was the only place she could go without being in trouble, as students often went looking for the nurse in the middle of the night with ailments. Hermione pushed open the portrait of the fat lady, who grumbled sleepily.
"Hey!" she called indignantly. "Where abouts are you off to at this time of night?"
"I need to see the nurse!" Hermione yelled back as she sped towards the main corridor. Her footsteps echoed loudly as she climbed down the steps two at time, her heart pounding in her ear. As she neared the nurse's station she slowed, and pushed up against the wall. The hard support of it behind her back was comforting, and she stood there for a few moments to catch her breath.
Hermione and Madam Pomfrey had developed a bit of a friendship in her last year at Hogwarts, and it was only natural since either Harry, Ron, or Hermione seemed to be in the hospital wing at all times. She couldn't recall how many times she had sat by one of their bedsides, and Poppy, as she had instructed Hermione to call her, had sat by her side when she could. She would smooth Hermione's hair and tell her what exactly she was giving the boys, what herb or potion and what properties it had. Hermione stopped, now right outside the older woman's door. Even with her friendship this would not be easy. Sure, Poppy Pomfrey was discrete, but she wasn't stupid. Something as big as a pregnancy scare would surely warrant a lecture from her, and Hermione frowned at the prospect of losing her trust. She pushed open the door slowly. It would not be wise to go looking for Severus at this time of night, as she would look RATHER suspicious if caught, and Hermione felt that she couldn't wait till her next potions class. What other choice did she have?
Madam Pomfrey sat leaning on a wall, her eyes half closed. Hermione cleared her throat, and the older woman started. She sat upright quickly, and gave the younger woman a smile.
"'Ello, Hermione!" She stood, and closed some distance between the two. "What brings you in here at this time of night? I hope you're alright, dear." Concern flashed in her eyes and Hermione looked around the almost deserted wing as she heard pleasant snoring coming from the sick room. Hermione stared at floor, her mind working on how to phrase her problem.
"Hermione?" She tilted her head up as a hand was placed on her arm. 'Best to just come out and get it over with.' She thought. She took a deep breath.
"Poppy...I might be pregnant." Her eyes returned to the floor, suddenly interested in the boring patterns on the tiles. Poppy frowned, but kept her hand firmly on Hermione's arm...and gave it a small squeeze.
"Hermione, Hermione." The girl lifted her head and looked into her eyes. She was a bit surprised when she saw no trace of anger, only concern...and the mere trace of a smile. "Too caught up in passion to think about the little things like protection, eh?" She flashed a knowing grin. "So our little 'Mione has finally grown up and become a woman." Hermione nodded, and blushed furiously.
"I know that these things are not to be taken lightly, Poppy. And don't worry, it won't happen again. Like you said, we were both just caught up and not thinking. If you're going to lecture me I understand." She gave a weak look up at her friend, her mentor. Poppy considered her for a moment.
"Have a seat dear." And the two of them sat down. Poppy pulled a chair over so that she was only a foot away from Hermione, and took her hands in hers. "Now normally I have this wonderful little lecture planned out. You're not the only one who gets caught up in passion." She smiled, and Hermione relaxed. "Can't think of how many terrified girls have come in here with your same problem. It's those damn teenage hormones, I'm telling you!" She laughed, and stroked Hermione's hand. Hermione laughed with her, and Poppy looked her over again before continuing.
"But in your case I think I'm going to forego that lecture. I know you to be an extremely smart and capable girl...excuse me, woman." She winked at Hermione, who then found herself blushing. "I trust you to be able to make the right decisions, and so I'm going to let you in on a little secret here, but it's just that-a secret. I expect you not to broadcast it all over the school." Hermione shook her head, curious. Poppy continued.
"You see, it would look a little bad for Hogwarts if we had large numbers of girls just coming home pregnant each term. So, about three hundred years ago, the professors and headmaster at the time decided to place a little charm over the school. Well...I say little, but it's actually very complex; required all of them together to do it. But you see...unless both the man and woman want a baby, than the woman will not be able to get pregnant. Quite genius, if you think about it, because we haven't had a pregnancy since. Not a lot of girls you're age have dreams of babies in their heads."
Hermione shook her head. "Nor do I."
Poppy smiled. "Good. Because even though babies are wonderful blessings, it's no time for a bright young woman like you to go thinking about things like that. You, my dear, need to worry about homework!" She patted her hand. "Just please tell me that you really love this boy to go around in things as serious as sex." Her laughing tone was gone, and the worry in her eyes touched Hermione. A dreamy smile spread across her face.
"No, Poppy, we're truly in love."
"And you're sure he feels the same way? I don't want you used, Hermione. These boys sometimes have one thing on their mind." Hermione laughed at her lover being compared to a hormonal teenage boy.
"No, he's nothing like that! Honestly, his intentions are honorable...he really loves me." Hermione felt a stupid grin plastered across her face. Poppy stood.
"It's so nice to see you happy." She spoke as Hermione followed her lead and stood next to her. The older woman pulled her into a hug. "You had better be going back to bed. I suspect that you need your sleep!" Hermione felt her blush creeping down her chest as Poppy winked at her. And with one last squeeze of her hand Hermione left, much more relieved than she was when she had entered.
***********************************
Hermione slipped into the common room, then up to the girls' dormitories quietly. All around her were the sleepy sounds of her fellow Gryffindors getting up and ready for another day at school. A tall redheaded girl waved to Hermione as she went to her room to take a shower in her very own bathroom. It was nice not having to stand in line day after day just to use to get washed. She smiled at the girl, a seventh year like herself.
"Morning, Emily." The girl managed to return her smile through a full-blown yawn. Her bag was tucked under her arm, filled to the brim with her clean robes and shower supplies. Hermione looked her over, and noticed her camisole sinking lower and lower on her chest. She motioned towards it, and Emily looked down, about ready to fall out. Shaking her head in annoyance, she pulled the fabric up briskly.
"Too tired to care, really. See you in class!" Emily replied, and disappeared towards the bathrooms, another yawn on her lips. Hermione smiled and returned to her room, where Ginny was drying herself off. She eyed Hermione suspiciously.
"I didn't know when you'd be back. Just in time though! I'm sorry 'bout taking one before you (she motioned towards the bathroom). And I know I told you I wouldn't pester you about him, Hermione, but you're making me so curious!" They had shared Hermione's shower ever since Hermione had become Head Girl in the beginning of the year, and it was no bother at all to Hermione. Ginny didn't take up much space; her belongings were shrunk onto one shelf in the tub. Somehow she managed to never be in Hermione's way. Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Oh Ginny! Do you have to be so dramatic? I was simply seeing Madam Pomfrey. I haven't even seen him yet today...sadly." She added, and started to undress. Ginny seemed to accept her excuse, although for fun she gave Hermione a quizzical look first. Hermione chose to ignore her and stepped into her bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
****************************************
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny walked briskly towards the Great Hall. It was time for breakfast, and Hermione was just plain sick of listening to the two boys complain about how hungry they were.
"Honestly! It's like you hadn't eaten in days!" She exclaimed as they opened the large wooden doors to the Great Hall. Harry gave her a funny look and patted his stomach.
"Tell that to it! I feel like I'm bloody starving." Ron shook his head in agreement and Hermione and Ginny glanced at each other, shaking their heads.
"I will never understand you two!" Hermione laughed as they went to take their seats. Almost everyone was standing, and it was a bit crowded. Hermione's eyes widened a little as she saw the Potions Master headed toward her. He had his normal, annoyed scowl on his face as he attempted to battle the throng of hungry students bustling to their seats. With as especially angry scowl he bumped into Hermione roughly, his hand near her side. Something light dropped into her pocket, and when Hermione turned to look at him he gave her a fast wink, which went unnoticed by everyone around them. Everyone...except a small redhead who was getting more curious by the minute.
"Watch where you're going, Miss Granger! A move like that in class and you could blow up the entire school!" he shuffled away angrily. The four of them sat down.
"Did you see that?!" Ron asked, incredulous. "He just slammed right into you!! Then he insulted you for it! The nerve!!" He muttered something along the sorts of rudeness and greasy people while Hermione busied herself in the buffet before them, trying her hardest not to pay attention. Ginny bit her lip as her Potions Professor stared at the girl across from her, and Ginny shook her head at the thoughts she was having. 'No...it can't be.'
The mail arrived, it always came early on Wednesdays, and Hermione took the opportunity to slide her hand smoothly into her pocket, and pulled out a small sheet of parchment. She looked around. Harry and Ron were reading over Hermione's copy of the Daily Prophet like they did every morning. Ginny was immersed in a letter from her mother. Hermione opened the paper. Small black ink covered the page, and in a scrolly, elegant hand it said simply: 'eight o'clock, my room. I look forward to tonight immensely.' Hermione slipped the page back into her pocket, smiling to herself. She counted the hours until their meeting on her fingers and gave an inward sigh. It was going to be a long day.
At a quarter to eight Hermione was finishing up her History of Magic essay and helping Ginny with her potions homework. The girl was normally excellent at the subject ever since Hermione had tutored her in it a year ago, and Hermione expected she was just using the work as an excuse to talk. Ginny had been particularly frustrated with Harry lately, to the point where sometimes she would jump up and down behind him in the hall and he would still not recognize her presence. Hermione was sure he wasn't doing it on purpose, but she was determined to get him to notice the girl. Ginny, like Hermione, had begun blossoming into womanhood. She often curled her hair, which was now almost down to the small of her back. Although she was still short, the youngest Weasley had a huge presence to her. Hermione sometimes envied her stunning blue eyes and flat stomach. It was a shame that she spent all her time running after a boy who saw her only as his best friend's little sister.
Hermione glanced at her watch. If she didn't leave soon she'd be late; it was a bit of a trek down to the dungeons. Ginny gave her a pleading look.
"I'm really sorry, Ginny. I have to get down to the library. I can help you later if you'd like...but I might be down there a while." She winked. Ginny knew, of course, that Hermione wasn't actually going to the library. Hermione needed someone to cover for her in case the two boys, unlikely as it was, decided to go down and look for her. She packed up her homework and books and headed to her room. As she was looking in her mirror and applying a touch of lipstick Ginny peered in from around her door.
"You will tell me about it when you come back, won't you?" She asked, a little sadly. Hermione nodded.
"Of course! Now you have fun with the boys. And don't worry about Harry too much, he'll come around. I'm sure of it!" She brushed a whisper of eyeshadow across her lids, a pale violet shade that made her eyes seem to shine. "And I want to thank you for doing this for me. You and I both know the boys would never let it rest if they knew I was going out to see a boy. How do I look?" Hermione turned around for her dramatically, and Ginny smiled.
"Beautiful, Hermione. You look beautiful." The two walked out together, Hermione with a quill in hand. Well, she had to look like she was going to the library, didn't she? Ginny returned to her seat by the boys, who looked up as Hermione walked by.
"Have fun doing research." Harry quipped playfully as she turned to give them a smile.
"Yeah," Ron cut in, "we know you will!" And then Hermione was opening the picture of the Fat Lady, and on her way. A glance at her watch told her that it she had four minutes to get to his room, and she quickened her pace. Hopefully he'd be waiting for her in the classroom so she wouldn't have to find her way through the maze of corridors, but when she arrived in the room he wasn't there. Hermione walked through the back of the large room, through the storage closet, and into the secret passageway that she had walked only a few times before. She would have to frequent the path more often to become familiar with it, and she grinned at the thought. It wouldn't be too much of a chore.
Slowly she made her way through the halls, glancing around at the empty pictures. Without Severus it was a bit more confusing, and she had to stop more than once to make sure she was heading the right way. At a few minutes after eight she was holding her wand outstretched and the door to his chambers swung open at her whispered password.
There was immediate warmth. A fire crackled in the background, and Hermione breathed a breath of relief. She was surprised in how homely it felt, and a small thought rang through the back of her mind. 'I belong here.' Hermione glanced around, but he wasn't in the great room. She noticed a window that she hadn't seen before, its curtains now drawn back. It was fairly dark out, the purple sky looming over the frost covered grounds. Surprisingly, the room was high up, which she also hadn't noticed before. The path from the dungeons must've had an upward slope. Taking off her robe, Hermione patted the wrinkles from her sweater. She adjusted her skirt and draped her robe over the leather couch. Suddenly the sensation that she was being watched came over her, and she lifted her head. Severus stood in the doorway to his bedroom, an inviting smile on his face. Hermione closed the distance between them quickly and wrapped her arms around him as she was pulled into his kiss.
He was so warm and welcoming, and Hermione opened her mouth to the doings of his wondrous tongue. His hands roamed her body, pressing down her back. He inched a hand down her chest, and Hermione arched her back into his touch. Smiles and kisses, and he put her nipple between his two fingers and worried it between them. Hermione moaned.
"Hey." She greeted, pulling away reluctantly from his kiss.
"Hey yourself." He countered, and she rolled her eyes. "What do you want to do?" He asked, taking Hermione's hand. Hermione looked around. She really hadn't gotten a chance to thoroughly review his massive book collection, and her eyes brightened at the prospect. Snape seemed to read her mind.
"You're not here just for the books, are you?" His tone was playful, and Hermione led the way over to the shelves.
"Me?! No...never!" The same words he had used to her before. He narrowed his eyes at her and gave a scowl, but Hermione saw the warmth in his eyes. She lifted herself up on her tiptoes and kissed him passionately. They held each other for a long moment, wrapped up in the act of tongues mingling and hands touching, before Hermione turned back to the myriad of leather covers. She pulled out a worn copy of Most Potente Potions. Snape smiled.
"Have you read much of that? It's one of my favorites." He brushed a steady hand through her mane of hair. Hermione flipped through the pages.
"Not too much...a bit for your class though." He brightened.
"Oh yes, the big project last year. I remember you did extraordinarily well on that." Hermione blushed. Snape lifted her face to look into her eyes. "And I believe you even went as far as to take it from the restricted section in your second year.no small feat, I would add." Her eyes widened.
"How did you know that?"
"Well," he chuckled. "There aren't too many potions that would turn you into a cat and land you in the hospital wing for quite some time, are there?" Hermione laughed and closed the book. She went to put it back on his shelf but Snape caught her hand in the air.
"I believe I know more about you than you'd expect, Miss Granger. I've had my eye on you for quite some time, although I never expected to be standing here, offering to loan you a book from my private collection."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "Really?" He nodded, and kissed the hand he held in his. "Oh, Severus!! Thank y..." her words were cut short as he took her lips in another kiss, hotter and wetter than the former. He squeezed their bodies together, his erection pressing into her. The book dropped to the floor, now unnoticed.