The stress of the night before, and of the morning questioning was starting to take a toll on Hermione. Her head had lolled threateningly in History of Magic, and while nobody else seemed to worry about her less-than- studious nature, as they were all half asleep themselves, Hermione was thankful to get back to the serenity of her room. She had promised Ginny, who had seemed most upset, a talk later on. A tinge of regret hung over her head at the prospect of sleep, but she decided to take a shower to refresh herself.

It was almost as if she had temporarily lost feeling. Cranking the water up until it was as hot as it could go, Hermione still felt nothing. Her skin turned bright red, and she would have thought the shower was malfunctioning if it wasn't for this fact. No, it was her mind playing tricks on her. Hermione sighed, and the scenes from the night before came hurtling back at her. She gasped, as her imagination produced a strong picture of Lucius Malfoy in her mind. She could almost feel him touching her, and she shivered despite the temperature of the water crashing over her. The image of Severus, tied to the house, frightened out of his wits, not for himself, but for her, made themselves known.

She was crying before she realized it, her tears mingling with the other droplets of water running down her face and neck. If it wasn't for her moaning, she would've heard the telltale signs of someone arriving in her room, but she didn't. Covering her face in her hands, she slunk to the floor, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around her slick body, trying to warm herself. In an instant everything went black.

Hermione tensed. This wasn't right, there was a window in her bathroom. The sun couldn't just have popped out of existence, but there she was, bathed in midnight black. A sudden pang of fear lurched in her stomach, and she strained to hear any noises. She heard none. Then, as suddenly as the light had gone out, it was back. Hermione scrunched her face in confusion. The light wasn't the same as it had been before. Little specs of light were visible through her thin curtain, and she understood. The sunlight had been blocked out, and was now replaced with numerous candles, floating in midair. 'There is only one person who could've done this.' Hermione thought, and wasn't surprised when the curtain was pulled back to reveal a smiling, very naked Severus Snape.

"You scared me half to death, you know." Hermione spoke, but there was no anger in her voice. Steam rose around her, yet she shivered. Snape frowned as he looked down on her.

"I get that a lot."

Hermione managed a laugh as he reached down and pulled her upright, turning the water a bit cooler as he did. She opened her mouth to protest, but was quickly silenced by a finger on her wet lips.

"I think we can find other ways to keep warm." He closed the curtain behind him, and Hermione shivered...this time in anticipation. Taking each of his index fingers, he placed them in the inner corners of her eye, and pressed lightly. At once tears stopped falling, and a tingling sensation started where he had touched her and worked its way over her whole body. Hermione gasped as the sensation rolled across her body, down her arms, passing in circles around her naval to dance down her legs and off her feet.

"What was that?" She breathed, her eyes wide as he stared down at her with amusement in his eyes.

"Not all magic requires wands or incantations, Hermione. There are some with can be merely done with the will of mind."

Her bright eyes shone at him, eager to learn as much as she could from this wonderful, interesting man she now found in her shower. He raised a hand to cup her chin, but looked lost in thought.

"Though I did say 'merely', that kind of magic is some of the most difficult to learn. You won't find it in many books, and its mention is always vague. It is a practice, my dear Hermione, which has to be passed on from person to person."

His thumb caressed her cheek, and she tangled her hand in his hair, the water rushing over them all the while. Her eyes burned with questions, wide and shining at the thought of new magic she could learn. Snape laughed, leaning to whisper so close to her ear that his lips brushed her skin with every word.

"I guess I'm just going to have to teach you one day." He looked down at her, and she nodded. "One day when we're not both standing in the shower about to make love."

He gave a hearty chuckle at the widening of her eyes, and knew for a fact that she had been so completely immersed in her own happy thoughts about something new to learn that she had forgotten just exactly where they were, and his obvious reason for joining her. She regained composure in a moment though, and reached up to pull him into a kiss. Her mouth opened instantly, an invitation, and he took it. His tongue massaged hers, pressing here and there in her mouth, and she gave soft moans of pleasure as he cupped her face roughly and pushed her into the shower wall, using his weight to give him leverage and open her to him even more.

Hermione gasped as her whole backside was met with cold tiles, and the steam leapt around them. She felt a knee raise to open her thighs and she parted them willingly, her lips never leaving her lover's. Running her fingers through his wet hair, Hermione smiled into his lips. She had always thought of herself as a drowned rat in water, but he looked absolutely stunning. She wasn't hearing any complaints from his department about her appearance, so she pushed all thoughts of rats out of her mind, and her tongue forced its way into his mouth with a passion. Snape growled, deep and low in the pit of his throat, and her hands moved to push in circles over his back. Her touch excited him to no end, and he told her that by shoving his painfully hard erection against her. She smiled, an evil sort of grin he would have expected from a Slytherin, and he looked taken aback. He probably would have told her what she reminded him of too, if not for the fact that at that moment she dropped to her knees and took his length in her mouth.

Snape moaned, his throbbing member now surrounded in the hot, wet, sweet tissue of Hermione's mouth. Her little pink tongue darted out to move across him, and she managed to stroke him with it and look into his eyes at the same time. At the moment he wouldn't have been able to tell you what color her eyes truly were for all the galleons on earth; they were so dark from her desire that they were almost black. He stared down at her with his own darkened eyes, and the intensity between the two of them managed to create the slightest glow around their bodies. Hermione smiled, and he moaned her name as she returned to her previous ministrations, sucking almost his entire shaft into her throat. His fingers flew to twist and massage in her hair, unconsciously pulling her head closer to him so that he was buried deeper in her mouth.

Hermione reveled in the sounds he made and she dipped her fingers lightly over his balls as her tongue swirled around him. A pull there, a push here, and he was almost screaming in delight. He did scream, in fact, as she took both hands covering his balls and pulled down gently in time with her sucking. A laugh crept up in her throat, tickling him pleasantly, and he made guttural sounds of approval. Finally, as she pulled her mouth off of him and replaced her tongue just at his very tip, slowly gliding over it, he formed coherent words.

"Hermione..." She looked up but didn't stop. "Hermione please..." A smile, still not relenting. She opened her mouth to allow just his head in, and she felt the shudder that racked his body.

"Tell me what you want." Her words mimicked the touch he had given her as he'd spoken in her ear, giving the feeling of each word being a kiss. This time the reaction was slightly different. He pulled her up suddenly, and Hermione smiled as he thrust his tongue into her mouth.

"I want to come inside you." He murmured through kisses. The wicked grin returned, and Hermione pulled him down on top of her, onto the tile floor. She tried to brush droplets out of her eyes, but the water just kept spraying her. Severus moved, positioning himself over her so as to block the jets from hitting her face, and she smiled a thank you.

"As you wish...Professor." Hermione spoke seductively, and he growled. She gasped as he suddenly filled her to the brim, his glistening cock moving inside her, and then she relaxed, feeling him start to withdraw. The friction blew her mind, and all her worries left her as he started to thrust back and forth, brushing against her walls and completing her, making her whole. Hermione moaned and sighed, and rocked her hips in time with his. Sweat soon poured over their bodies, unnoticed in the rainstorm from the shower head, and Snape grunted in exertion as he moved in and out of her, driving her deliciously wild.

"Hermione." He spoke breathlessly as he started pumping faster. Never had she heard her name spoken so exquisitely. From every syllable he dripped ecstasy, and for a fleeting moment she wondered whether or not her mother had intended on giving her such a sexy name. The thought was gone as he shifted, driving himself even further into her as he picked up speed.

"Severus." She moaned, adding her own liquid touch to his name. Their eyes locked, and their bodies hummed, moving faster and faster in time with each other. He rubbed against her in every direction from her insides, and she screamed and thrashed under him. He held her hips with both hands and bent down to kiss her, his hips still rocking and thrusting and pumping her. As he met her lips he shoved her hips forward onto him, and slammed into her. Hermione let go, and waves after waves of pleasure flowed over her. Snape wasn't far behind, and as her muscles contracted and pulled around him, he came, watching her screaming his name.

***************************************************

Time didn't seem to matter anymore. Hermione opened her eyes to see Severus dangled over her. How long they had stayed like that, still like that, she didn't know. The water was still pounding down on them, and he was still sheathed inside her. For a few moments she debated on whether or not to move at all, but the meeting with Ginny nagged at her from the back of her mind. That, and the fact that her back was pretty much telling her off for doing the kinds of things she had just done on a hard tile floor. She ran a hand through Severus's shoulder-length black hair, and he opened his eyes to shine love down at her. He pulled out, and Hermione let out a sigh of disappointment as she felt him leave her. Snape, not being one to miss anything, heard her and pulled her into a kiss, making their bodies connect yet again. Without breaking it, he turned off the water, picked Hermione up, pulled back the curtains, and walked out of the room to place her gently on her bed. He picked up his wand and spoke a drying charm, then watched as Hermione carefully selected pajamas.

"Well." She gave him a piercing look as she pulled up her pants, but he didn't miss the mischief in her eye. "I can tell Harry and Ron for a fact that I know you shower at least twice a month." She ducked as a pillow narrowly missed her head, but smiled as he welcomed her back into his arms.

"Hmm." He spoke into her hair, breathing in its scent. "I'd love to see their faces if you told them exactly how you knew." He gave a laugh, imagining the look of horror on the two boys who caused his ass quite a lot of pain.

"Well I suppose we will have to tell them someday, won't we?" She looked into his eyes, and he grinned at the innocent air she managed to keep, no matter of what they had just been doing. He kissed her lips softly.

"That my dear, is up to you." He slipped a tongue into her mouth, and ran his hands over the silk pair of pjs she had put on. "Black, nice choice."

Hermione hit him playfully, and resumed kissing him. They went on for what seemed like hours, each now content to hold and touch each other. And they did, until a knock at Hermione's door caused both of them to jump.

Ginny Weasley put her ear to Hermione's door. She could hear absolutely nothing. This normally meant one of two things. One being that she wasn't there, but Ginny erased that thought since her door was locked and she never locked it unless she was inside. So...the young woman pondered, there was probably a silencing spell on the room. Ginny frowned. Normally anyone would've just walked away right there, seeing that the other person didn't want to be disturbed...however knowing the lot of trouble Hermione, her brother and possibly-sorta-kinda-almost-not-really boyfriend got into, it could also mean she was hurt. Or captured again. Fear swept through Ginny as she pounded on the door, calling Hermione's name.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Hermione groaned, and moaned a reply.

"She can't hear you, you know." Snape spoke softly, a hint of amusement in that she had forgotten about the silencing charm.

"That's right." Hermione said, and kissed him again. "Then maybe she'll go away." Normally Snape would have frowned at the thought of the woman in his arms ignoring a friend like Ginny, but at the moment he was too busy being sat on by her, her tongue continuing to explore his mouth.

"Maybe." He grinned between kisses, and Hermione moved on top of him, sliding her silk covered body over his bare on.

"Mmm." He murmured into her mouth, and the door flew open.

Snape had, unfortunately, just decided to flip Hermione over when the door was magically knocked down. So there he was, naked, on top of her, as Ginny Weasley stared at them. Snape flinched, as he had charmed that door so well that it wouldn't be able to be unlocked by just one wizard. And sure enough, Potter and Weasley flanked the red haired girl.

Ginny looked away, but Harry and Ron couldn't help but stare. Then, in a flash, Ron was running as fast as he could towards Snape.

"YOU BASTARD!!" He cried, fighting Ginny off as she grabbed a hold of one of his arms. Harry merely stared. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HER? GET OFF HER YOU GREASY PIECE OF FILTH!!" He struck, his fist landing with a smack on Snape's side. The older man showed no pain, merely grabbed Ron's fist as he tried to hit him again. Hermione was screaming.

"RON!! RON GET OFF HIM, I'M FINE!! RON, *GET OFF*!!!" Ginny, who was trying very hard not to look at her extremely naked professor, flew to Hermione's aid. The two of them managed to hold Ron off as Snape changed as quickly as he could into his discarded robe. Ginny slyly reached her hand in Ron's pocket and grabbed his wand, but Harry still had his raised, an expression of horror on his face. He couldn't stop staring. Hermione saw him, and his wand.

"Harry, don't!" She moved to stand in front of Snape, and Harry made no attempt to hide his angry groan, nor his scowl. "Please, Harry, Ron, calm down!"

Ron yanked his arm free from Ginny's grip and yet again advanced on Snape. He stopped as Hermione stood her ground, moving each way he did so as not to let him by.

"Don't you worry, Hermione, just back away! This greasy git'll never touch you again!!" His eyes were alight in rage, and Hermione sighed. Snape, now dressed, tried to move around her. Hermione stopped him too, and he scowled at the boy trying to attack him.

"Hermione, let me handle this, I can *make* him listen."

Harry flinched when Snape had said Hermione's first name, but Ginny had walked over and took his hand, and he let her put his wand back in his pocket.

"It's okay, Harry. Calm down." She said, and took his arm. He sneered finally, thrusting his arm away from hers. Ginny looked hurt, but said nothing. Once Ginny was sure Harry wasn't dangerous she put her hands on Ron's shoulders. Ron gasped as Hermione spoke.

"No, Severus, they're my friends, I might as well deal with them." He nodded, and sat on her bed, all the while keeping an eye on a still obviously very enraged Ron. Hermione looked at them.

"May I talk without another attempt to end our Professor's life?!" She glared nervously at Harry and Ron, and Harry nodded. Ron only narrowed his eyes. Snape looked from face to face. 'At least Miss Weasley has some sense in her.'

Ginny gave an awkward smile. "Hello Professor Snape." The Potions Master looked at her, for once not masking his amazement. Ginny blushed crimson, noticing he only had on a robe, a not fully buttoned robe, and large amounts of the top of his chest were showing.

"Miss Weasley, always a pleasure." Snape nodded, and Ginny blushed even darker. Ron and Harry looked as if they didn't know what to do. They exchanged confused glances, and Hermione would have laughed, had the situation not been so serious. They had never heard nicer words from Snape, they hadn't even thought he had nice words in his vocabulary.

Hermione sat on her bed, next to Snape, and he took her hand in his. She looked into his eyes, and Ginny saw the love and passion as he stared back at her. He nodded to the brunette. Hermione took a deep breath.

"Harry, Ron...um, I guess I'd better just come out and say this. Severus and I are well, involved." Hermione cringed, awaiting their reactions. Ginny smiled deeply, but it went unnoticed by everyone except Snape. Ron's jaw dropped to the floor. Harry's eyes widened. Neither, it appeared, could speak. Finally Harry found his voice.

"How? When? WHY?!" His eyebrows were furrowed, and Ginny tried again with a reassuring pat on his shoulder. He didn't pull away this time, and she took his hand in hers. Hermione tried to manage a smile. She looked to Severus, who nodded encouragingly.

"Well it just sort of happened, I guess. Not something we planned, really. But now we're together, and we're in love." Hermione faltered a bit as Ron gave her a look of death. He gave a moan of rage and kicked Hermione's chair...hard.

"Oh Ron, please don't be upset!" Hermione started to walk to him, but Ron cringed and moved away as if she would burn him.

"BUT HE WAS TOUCHING YOU!" He yelled in fury as he hit a leg, yelping in pain and stopping his assault on the chair. Hermione sighed.

"Yes, Ron, I know. He had permission to."

This just seemed to infuriate Ron more, and he screamed again. "WHY?! He's a greasy bastard, Hermione!" Ron went to stand, but stopped at one look from Snape. Hermione frowned.

"Oh Ron, I wish you wouldn't say that. Really, you don't actually know him, you have to give him a chance!" There were tears dripping onto her face now, and Severus put a hand on her back, moving it in small circles, which made Harry glare harder.

"He's been nasty to us for seven years. I think that's enough of a chance." Harry spoke softly. Snape tried his hardest not to stare evilly at the boy, giving what came off as a look of annoyance.

"I think it's sweet." Ginny voiced, blushing harder than ever as every face turned to look at hers. Ron looked at her as if she'd just grown a second, evil head. "What?!" Ginny yelled, raising her voice for the first time in weeks.

"They love each other, can't you just accept it?!" She stared moodily at the boys, who looked astounded.

"You're supposed to be on *our* side, Ginny!" Ron spoke, disbelieving. Ginny scoffed.

"Sides?! There are no sides here, Ron! You should see that, Harry! Honestly, both of you! For once Hermione's happy, and she's in love. She also has someone who loves her back deeply, and you two want to go ruining it for her because you have some nasty grudge!! Who's the immature ones here, you tell me?! Just because Professor Snape happens to have a strict way of teaching which you two don't understand doesn't mean you have the right to choose who Hermione loves!" She was screaming, and Harry made sure to shut the door finally. Ron opened his mouth to speak, but Ginny was only taking a breath.

"URG!! You guys! Don't you understand that not only is Snape a spy on *our* side, but he risks his life probably daily just for you, Harry!" She gave a penetrating gaze at his direction. "And for political reasons he has to act like he hates muggles and Gryffindors, but honestly he doesn't really because he's in love with one! AND she falls into both of the categories! Now you two need to accept that this is what makes Hermione happy, and just DEAL WITH IT!" Ginny finally collapsed next to Hermione on her bed. She had been pacing as she ranted, and her face was red. Snape put a hand over hers hesitantly. Her deep brown eyes stared up at him, and he was afraid he'd done something wrong by touching her when she smiled.

"You do really love her, don't you?" She asked softly. Snape nodded to her. "I can see it when you look at her." And for the first time for Harry, Ron, and Ginny, they watched Snape give them a genuine smile. Ginny squeezed his hand in hers before returning to sit next to Harry and Ron, who were both on Hermione's bench for her desk. They both were speechless, and stared at her. Ginny gave a frustrated choke and swept out of the room, her anger making her walk faster, and her robes billowed in a very Snapey way. They took a look at Hermione, and then one at Snape, then at each other.

"You're sure about this, 'Mione?" Harry asked timidly. Hermione smiled and shook her head.

"The most sure I've ever been in my life." And she looked at Snape, who smiled at her. He squeezed her hand. Ron, though he looked like he was going to gag, said nothing. Snape stood up, and he walked towards the two boys, both of whom looked menacing. He tried again not to revert to his usual cruel insulting manner. It was hard enough for Hermione as it was.

"I assure you that I am indeed in love with Hermione. And I want you to know that my intentions are purely honorable. Never would I take advantage of her, never. She has changed my life completely, and for that I am not worthy. Now, as for being as greasy git, I can honestly tell you that I do shower at least twice a month, as Miss Granger can confirm." Harry and Ron's look of horror widened at this, but Hermione laughed, knowing he was at least trying to be funny for her sake.

"However as for being a bastard I'm afraid you're right." The horror on their faces turned to looks of surprise, and their jaws dropped. Hermione scrunched her face and looked at him.

"I've done nothing to deserve Hermione, and I told her that it would not be wise to spend her future with me. However, I'm sure you're already aware of the repercussions of dealing with Miss Granger and exactly how hard it is to change her mind once it's set. I'm going to forget those little outbursts because I know that you're only concerned about Hermione, to which I am grateful beyond what you will probably ever know. Because I know that should I ever hurt this beauty, and I'm sure it's bound to happen seeing as how my life is connected with the horrors of the world, at least she will have friends to see that she's taken care of." He paused and looked at the Head Girl, who had tears in her eyes. "I'll try my hardest never to hurt you, Hermione. And I know it would be right of me to say that I wish you'd just walked away, as it would be much more beneficial to your well-being, but I can't. I'm so happy that you've come into my life."

The two boys stared, and Harry gave the closest thing to a smile he could, his resolve softening finally.