A/N: Big, fat ooc warning for Snape for the next two chapters (at least in my opinion)! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
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"Hermione, dear, you look tired," Ursula announced the next evening when Hermione arrived back from classes.
"I am," Hermione replied honestly.
"Perhaps I could take Charlotte for you for the weekend?" Ursula offered, passing Hermione a well-earned cup of coffee. "Give you a little time to yourself."
"Oh, Ursula, I couldn't possible ask you to do that, you've been so wonderful looking after her all week…"
"Nonsense, dear. Charlotte and I will have a fantastic time! I thoroughly enjoy her company. And it looks like my son isn't going to be giving me any grandchildren so I'd best make the most of this," Ursula replied, a hint of sadness in her voice. "I just don't understand why he can't find himself a woman!"
"Well, he can be a little arrogant," Hermione replied trying to be helpful yet polite. "And the Death Eater thing probably doesn't help."
Ursula's head snapped towards Hermione. "What Death Eater thing?"
Hermione's drew back in shock. Snape's mother didn't know?
"Oh, uh, he…" she stuttered, wishing desperately that time would turn back.
"He's a Death Eater?" Ursula squeaked, her knuckles turning white as she clasped her teacup tightly.
"Well, yes, but only as a spy for Dumbledore," Hermione finally managed to get out. That seemed to calm Ursula somewhat, but not wholly.
"Oh, that boy!" Ursula tutted.
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There was a gentle tap on Hermione's door. Though she did not really feel in the mood for visitors, she answered it anyway. There in the hall, standing rather uncomfortably, were Ron and Harry.
"How're you doing?" Harry asked cautiously, shifting back and forth between his feet, staring at the floor.
Hermione sighed. They'd obviously heard about her and Justin's break up. News certainly doesn't take long to travel around here, she thought bitterly. It was only last night that she'd tossed him out.
"Okay," she replied shortly. "Come in."
"Want some of Harry's wicked Punch?" Ron asked, placing a large bottle on the kitchen table and magicking up three glasses as Hermione closed the door.
"What's in it?" she inquired, taking Harry's coat and hanging it on the stand.
"Well, there's tequila…" Harry began, but Hermione cut him off short.
"Definitely!" A wicked grin spread across her face.
"And where's my favorite niece?" Harry asked, looking around the empty apartment.
"Char's off with the nanny for the night," Hermione replied, purposely not mentioning that the nanny was Snape's mother – she knew Harry still held a grudge against his old professor. Ursula had been a godsend offering to take Charlotte to stay at her house for the weekend – Hermione had really needed the time to think and Charlotte had been thrilled with the idea.
"Well, you're a free woman for the evening, then!" Ron announced, then cringed.
"Indeed I am," Hermione smiled, lifting a glass from the table, and clearing her throat. "I would like to make a toast to my new found sanity!"
"Here, here," Harry replied, though a little hesitantly.
Hermione took a sip of her drink and nearly choked. "Merlin, Harry! That's potent!"
Harry grinned sheepishly.
"Oh, and Hermione, remind me never, ever to piss you off," Ron said, his eyes growing wide.
"Ron, you do that without even trying," Hermione replied, but she was smiling. "Why so?"
"Ginny's working at St Mungos. Tells me that the doctors had a bloody nightmare of a time trying to remove those boils and reduce Justin's head, but unfortunately they succeeded. But that was quite a job you did on his…well, you know…Doctor says even with intervention it will take weeks before it grows back! Strongest Effluo curse they've ever seen!"
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, giving Ron a confused look.
"You know, you hexed his willie into oblivion," Harry grinned at his friend. "Thought that'd be something you'd never forget – at least, I'm sure he won't!"
Hermione stared at Harry, still utterly confused for a moment, before a huge grin spread across her face in realization.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You know," Hermione slurred, later that evening. "I am so glad to be rid of that twit!"
"You did the right thing, there!" Ron agreed, the alcohol making him nod his head far too vigorously.
"Though," Hermione said, her tone more serious. "I can't help but worry about Charlotte growing up without a father… I know he'll never come to visit her…"
"He was hardly a father to her," Harry replied, attempting to balance a spoon on the end of his nose.
"True…"
"Besides, 'Mione, she's got the two best uncle's in the world here! What else does she need!" Ron announced as he took up Harry's silent challenge and grabbed up his own spoon from the table. Hermione surveyed the two of them, and burst out laughing.
"Gee, what perfect role models you set, getting her mother absolutely sloshed!" Hermione giggled.
"Hey, you needed loosening up! It's high time you did what you wanted – what's right for you," Harry replied innocently, retrieving his spoon from the floor.
"What I want…," Hermione said thoughtfully. She went silent, and Ron and Harry both turned to watch her. "What I want…boys, I'll be back later. Don't wait up!" Hermione pulled herself from her seat and headed for the door.
"Where you going?" Ron asked, his brow furrowed. A wicked grin spread across Hermione's face.
"To get what I want!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Snape was sitting by the fireplace reading when his door burst open. His head spun around in surprise. He could have sworn he'd locked the door.
"Miss Granger…" he began, but there was something about Hermione that made him stop. There was a hunger in her eyes that caused a stirring in his nether regions. Hermione strode purposefully across the room, pausing just for a moment in front of Snape before sliding into his lap, her legs down either side of his thighs pinning him to the chair. Her skirt rode up to her hips and Snape swore he could feel the heat of her core through the sparse layers of clothing that separated them.
"Uh…Miss Granger…" Snape said again, but it came out as more a whimper.
Hermione leant forward, silencing him with her mouth. Her kiss was hot and demanding, her tongue flicking over his lips demanding entry. As she leaned into him Snape could feel the soft fullness of her breasts against his chest and he shivered involuntarily. Something was wrong here – there had to be! No way would any woman, let alone the witch he craved and loved most, be voluntarily kissing him.
But as her hands buried themselves in his ebony hair all rational thoughts flew from his mind and he parted his lips, hungrily devouring hers. Hermione let out a moan of satisfaction, but Snape quickly pulled back.
"Miss Granger, you've been drinking."
"Oh, Severus, I only had a couple with Ron and Harry," Hermione chuckled. Then in a husky whisper she murmured against his ear "Make love to me."
With more self-control than Snape knew he had, he pulled her head away from him. "Hermione, you told me just two days ago in no uncertain terms were you at all interested in anything other than a professional relationship with me…"
"I was married then!" Hermione replied, wriggling in his lap. Snape gasped at the friction against his aching erection. This was all too much. He couldn't take this. Quickly he stood up, holding on to Hermione and then placed her back on the chair. Snape needed some air – he couldn't think with her that close, rubbing herself against him.
"You are still married," Snape replied, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"Barely. I sent the paperwork away this morning. Come on, Severus, I know you want this…" Hermione begged, her eyes drifting to the evidence prominently displayed in the front of his pants.
"I want you, Hermione. Not just sex. I love you…" Snape said, knowing the words were true, but surprising himself in managing to say them out loud.
"I love you too," Hermione replied softly, meeting his eyes.
"Hermione, you're drunk. You don't know what you're saying, I…look what happened last time you'd been drinking! You certainly regretted what happened then, I can't risk…"
"I lied, Severus! I wanted you so badly that night – I just…" Hermione drifted off, as she stood before him.
"Hermione, I love you with all my heart," Snape bent and placed a soft kiss upon her lips. "But I cannot do this now. I want you to return to your room. Tomorrow, if you can tell me the same I will be more than willing to oblige, but I can't risk hurting you. I won't."
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AN: Right, hopefully I've finally fixed the spacing issue! If this works I'll go back and sort out the rest of it
Thank you to…
CrazySwimmer27 – Big thank you! And I am flattered that you thought I kept Sev in character!
Rachel – Hermione is definitely looking up! Thanks!
Xela Lupe – Wow, you think I keep Sev in character too? I am pleased – OOC Snape's really get on my wick, though I think I might be a little guilty of it myself in this and the next chapter…
Killer Angel – Thank you! Hermione definitely deserves something better…*cough* Snape *cough*
Piper – Cheers!
Buffy – Thanks!
Evil Crazy Willow – I think Sev's pretty much left Justin without much else for Herm to point her wand at! And grovelling, my dear, will get you everywhere! Thank you!
Pseudonym – Thank you!
Jennifer13 – Hm, yeah, I really don't see McGonagall being Sev's type, or the other way around for that matter! Thanks!
Lisa aka Lord Snapes Lady – ss/hg lurve train on the way!
Anarane Anwamane – tee hee, thank you!
Samantha Winters – Thank you! I've done that this time and hopefully it works! It's been driving me bloody crazy!
KdarkMaiden – Hope you enjoy this update. Sorry, can't do much about school for ya, except to let you know it will all be over way too soon…
Annabelle Elizabeth – He's gone! Time for 'mione to have a little fun…thanks for reviewing!
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"Hermione, dear, you look tired," Ursula announced the next evening when Hermione arrived back from classes.
"I am," Hermione replied honestly.
"Perhaps I could take Charlotte for you for the weekend?" Ursula offered, passing Hermione a well-earned cup of coffee. "Give you a little time to yourself."
"Oh, Ursula, I couldn't possible ask you to do that, you've been so wonderful looking after her all week…"
"Nonsense, dear. Charlotte and I will have a fantastic time! I thoroughly enjoy her company. And it looks like my son isn't going to be giving me any grandchildren so I'd best make the most of this," Ursula replied, a hint of sadness in her voice. "I just don't understand why he can't find himself a woman!"
"Well, he can be a little arrogant," Hermione replied trying to be helpful yet polite. "And the Death Eater thing probably doesn't help."
Ursula's head snapped towards Hermione. "What Death Eater thing?"
Hermione's drew back in shock. Snape's mother didn't know?
"Oh, uh, he…" she stuttered, wishing desperately that time would turn back.
"He's a Death Eater?" Ursula squeaked, her knuckles turning white as she clasped her teacup tightly.
"Well, yes, but only as a spy for Dumbledore," Hermione finally managed to get out. That seemed to calm Ursula somewhat, but not wholly.
"Oh, that boy!" Ursula tutted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a gentle tap on Hermione's door. Though she did not really feel in the mood for visitors, she answered it anyway. There in the hall, standing rather uncomfortably, were Ron and Harry.
"How're you doing?" Harry asked cautiously, shifting back and forth between his feet, staring at the floor.
Hermione sighed. They'd obviously heard about her and Justin's break up. News certainly doesn't take long to travel around here, she thought bitterly. It was only last night that she'd tossed him out.
"Okay," she replied shortly. "Come in."
"Want some of Harry's wicked Punch?" Ron asked, placing a large bottle on the kitchen table and magicking up three glasses as Hermione closed the door.
"What's in it?" she inquired, taking Harry's coat and hanging it on the stand.
"Well, there's tequila…" Harry began, but Hermione cut him off short.
"Definitely!" A wicked grin spread across her face.
"And where's my favorite niece?" Harry asked, looking around the empty apartment.
"Char's off with the nanny for the night," Hermione replied, purposely not mentioning that the nanny was Snape's mother – she knew Harry still held a grudge against his old professor. Ursula had been a godsend offering to take Charlotte to stay at her house for the weekend – Hermione had really needed the time to think and Charlotte had been thrilled with the idea.
"Well, you're a free woman for the evening, then!" Ron announced, then cringed.
"Indeed I am," Hermione smiled, lifting a glass from the table, and clearing her throat. "I would like to make a toast to my new found sanity!"
"Here, here," Harry replied, though a little hesitantly.
Hermione took a sip of her drink and nearly choked. "Merlin, Harry! That's potent!"
Harry grinned sheepishly.
"Oh, and Hermione, remind me never, ever to piss you off," Ron said, his eyes growing wide.
"Ron, you do that without even trying," Hermione replied, but she was smiling. "Why so?"
"Ginny's working at St Mungos. Tells me that the doctors had a bloody nightmare of a time trying to remove those boils and reduce Justin's head, but unfortunately they succeeded. But that was quite a job you did on his…well, you know…Doctor says even with intervention it will take weeks before it grows back! Strongest Effluo curse they've ever seen!"
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, giving Ron a confused look.
"You know, you hexed his willie into oblivion," Harry grinned at his friend. "Thought that'd be something you'd never forget – at least, I'm sure he won't!"
Hermione stared at Harry, still utterly confused for a moment, before a huge grin spread across her face in realization.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You know," Hermione slurred, later that evening. "I am so glad to be rid of that twit!"
"You did the right thing, there!" Ron agreed, the alcohol making him nod his head far too vigorously.
"Though," Hermione said, her tone more serious. "I can't help but worry about Charlotte growing up without a father… I know he'll never come to visit her…"
"He was hardly a father to her," Harry replied, attempting to balance a spoon on the end of his nose.
"True…"
"Besides, 'Mione, she's got the two best uncle's in the world here! What else does she need!" Ron announced as he took up Harry's silent challenge and grabbed up his own spoon from the table. Hermione surveyed the two of them, and burst out laughing.
"Gee, what perfect role models you set, getting her mother absolutely sloshed!" Hermione giggled.
"Hey, you needed loosening up! It's high time you did what you wanted – what's right for you," Harry replied innocently, retrieving his spoon from the floor.
"What I want…," Hermione said thoughtfully. She went silent, and Ron and Harry both turned to watch her. "What I want…boys, I'll be back later. Don't wait up!" Hermione pulled herself from her seat and headed for the door.
"Where you going?" Ron asked, his brow furrowed. A wicked grin spread across Hermione's face.
"To get what I want!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Snape was sitting by the fireplace reading when his door burst open. His head spun around in surprise. He could have sworn he'd locked the door.
"Miss Granger…" he began, but there was something about Hermione that made him stop. There was a hunger in her eyes that caused a stirring in his nether regions. Hermione strode purposefully across the room, pausing just for a moment in front of Snape before sliding into his lap, her legs down either side of his thighs pinning him to the chair. Her skirt rode up to her hips and Snape swore he could feel the heat of her core through the sparse layers of clothing that separated them.
"Uh…Miss Granger…" Snape said again, but it came out as more a whimper.
Hermione leant forward, silencing him with her mouth. Her kiss was hot and demanding, her tongue flicking over his lips demanding entry. As she leaned into him Snape could feel the soft fullness of her breasts against his chest and he shivered involuntarily. Something was wrong here – there had to be! No way would any woman, let alone the witch he craved and loved most, be voluntarily kissing him.
But as her hands buried themselves in his ebony hair all rational thoughts flew from his mind and he parted his lips, hungrily devouring hers. Hermione let out a moan of satisfaction, but Snape quickly pulled back.
"Miss Granger, you've been drinking."
"Oh, Severus, I only had a couple with Ron and Harry," Hermione chuckled. Then in a husky whisper she murmured against his ear "Make love to me."
With more self-control than Snape knew he had, he pulled her head away from him. "Hermione, you told me just two days ago in no uncertain terms were you at all interested in anything other than a professional relationship with me…"
"I was married then!" Hermione replied, wriggling in his lap. Snape gasped at the friction against his aching erection. This was all too much. He couldn't take this. Quickly he stood up, holding on to Hermione and then placed her back on the chair. Snape needed some air – he couldn't think with her that close, rubbing herself against him.
"You are still married," Snape replied, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"Barely. I sent the paperwork away this morning. Come on, Severus, I know you want this…" Hermione begged, her eyes drifting to the evidence prominently displayed in the front of his pants.
"I want you, Hermione. Not just sex. I love you…" Snape said, knowing the words were true, but surprising himself in managing to say them out loud.
"I love you too," Hermione replied softly, meeting his eyes.
"Hermione, you're drunk. You don't know what you're saying, I…look what happened last time you'd been drinking! You certainly regretted what happened then, I can't risk…"
"I lied, Severus! I wanted you so badly that night – I just…" Hermione drifted off, as she stood before him.
"Hermione, I love you with all my heart," Snape bent and placed a soft kiss upon her lips. "But I cannot do this now. I want you to return to your room. Tomorrow, if you can tell me the same I will be more than willing to oblige, but I can't risk hurting you. I won't."
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AN: Right, hopefully I've finally fixed the spacing issue! If this works I'll go back and sort out the rest of it
Thank you to…
CrazySwimmer27 – Big thank you! And I am flattered that you thought I kept Sev in character!
Rachel – Hermione is definitely looking up! Thanks!
Xela Lupe – Wow, you think I keep Sev in character too? I am pleased – OOC Snape's really get on my wick, though I think I might be a little guilty of it myself in this and the next chapter…
Killer Angel – Thank you! Hermione definitely deserves something better…*cough* Snape *cough*
Piper – Cheers!
Buffy – Thanks!
Evil Crazy Willow – I think Sev's pretty much left Justin without much else for Herm to point her wand at! And grovelling, my dear, will get you everywhere! Thank you!
Pseudonym – Thank you!
Jennifer13 – Hm, yeah, I really don't see McGonagall being Sev's type, or the other way around for that matter! Thanks!
Lisa aka Lord Snapes Lady – ss/hg lurve train on the way!
Anarane Anwamane – tee hee, thank you!
Samantha Winters – Thank you! I've done that this time and hopefully it works! It's been driving me bloody crazy!
KdarkMaiden – Hope you enjoy this update. Sorry, can't do much about school for ya, except to let you know it will all be over way too soon…
Annabelle Elizabeth – He's gone! Time for 'mione to have a little fun…thanks for reviewing!