Disclaimer: Still not mine.
Graduating
Lucius was sitting at home feeling very pleased with himself now. He had a goal, an obsession, which was to see Hermione dead. It was more now the fact that someone had foiled his previous attempt. It was now a challenge.
It was a good thing that he had come up with a perfect plan. It took him a month, but he had done it. He had charmed a snake to have two thoughts on its mind Hermione Granger and murder. The snake was trained to seek out the girl and kill her.
To do this, he had to spend much time using objects obtained from Draco to get the snake familiar with the girl. Finally it was ready.
The snake was slipped into the robes of his comrade, Snape, for delivery to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It would get there that night, and she would be dead before morning. Now he just had to wait.
The following morning he was sitting in his room in front of the fire sipping wine, waiting for news from his beloved son. The room was filled with an eerie green light.
"What took you, dear boy?"
"My father, the girl lives."
The face disappeared as Lucius threw his wine glass into the flames.
"WHAT?!"
Curse that wretched boy! Why did he bring such news? She was going to die, oh how she was going to die!
Lucius was furious, but his devious mind was never at a lack of a plan. Even at that moment, he began to develop a scheme which would murder both that girl, and that Potter boy that he was sure was the one saving her all the time.
"Hermione, what's wrong?"
"Hmm...pardon?" Hermione asked coming out of her trance-like dream state.
Harry sighed and spoke again, "Hermione, will you please tell us what is bothering you?"
"Oh, it's nothing, really. I'm fine."
"Bloody hell you are," came Ron, putting his two cents in, "You didn't eat breakfast, and you aren't even touching your lunch. " Turning to Harry, he said, "I bet it's that Snape. He was probably harassing her last night and made her all upset. I told you it wasn't good for her to be spending so much time down there on her own."
Hermione shot Ron a look that told him she was livid. "Would you kindly stop referring to me as if I was a child who was unable to take care of herself? I am fully able to judge what is good or not good for me to do! I don't need you to watch my every step, just leave me alone!"
She jumped up and left the room determined that they should not see her tears.
Ginny jumped to her feet, "Now look what you've done!" and stalked off muttering something about stupid boys.
"Things Not to Do or Say to Girls, idem number, four hundred and seventy three: Never express concern for they will take it as an accusation of their disabilities."
"Oh Ron, we really are hopeless aren't we?"
"Alright Mione, I want to know."
"Know what?"
"Who is he, what he do, and do I need to merely murder him or do I need to mangle and deface his dead body as well?"
Hermione laughed, "Oh Ginny!"
Ginny hugged her friend. "Now, who is he?"
"I can't"
"Who is he?"
"You wont like it."
"Who is he?"
"Gin, I really can't."
"WHO is he?"
"Promise not to tell?"
"Do I really need to?"
Hermione buried her face in Ginny's robes and muttered something.
"Mione, I cannot hear you with you head lodged just so. Shift a bit and try again."
It was just one word, one whispered word, "Snape."
"I suspected as much."
"YOU WHAT?" Hermione had sat entirely up and looked at her friend.
"And you thought I would be surprised." She laughed, "Honestly Hermione, did you think me as dense as Harry and Ron? Please, I suspect this since you admitted to spending so much time with him. When you came back, you would always be happy. So why the long face today?"
How is it that Ginny suspected the entire thing before she did? "Oh Gin!" Hermione told her all about Severus and Elizabeth, and what had nearly happened the night before. The whole while Ginny listened intently.
"Hermione, get real."
"I know he's my teacher, and it would be wrong and inappropriate and..."
"Herm, I meant 'get real' your graduating in a week and a half, so stop worrying. Then you and Snape will be free to do whatever you please."
"I... what?"
"Hermione, how did you feel the first time Elizabeth called you Mama?"
A smile made its way to Hermione's face. "It felt real, like I really was her mother, like we were a family, Elizabeth, Severus, and I. And I was happy."
"Exactly!" Hermione turned to look at the red head. "Hermione, you really like him, and from what you told me, he really likes you." Hermione tried not to blush. "Mione, how many other people do you think would be able to break through Snape's defenses and get him to care about someone and show it?"
"...I..."
"And Hermione, how many people have you found that you can connect to? You are always talking about how you don't really fit in at home anymore, and how Harry and Ron mostly don't understand? And how often do you even notice that guys are guys? They just don't hold that much for you, they can offer you nothing."
"Well, what could Severus offer me?"
"You tell me."
Hermione thought about it, and smiled. She didn't need to answer.
"See?"
Hermione threw her arms around the younger girl.
"Mione what am I gonna do next year without you here all the time?"
"Well...actually..."
Ginny threw the brunette off of her, "Mione...?"
"Well, I talked to McGonagall, and I'm going to be her apprentice!"
"MIONE!!!"
Severus was still beating himself up the next day. he had almost kissed her. How horrible would that have been? He didn't think he could take her rejection. Imagine, him thinking even for half a second that she could love him.
She was smart, attractive, lively, caring, she would never be happy with a bitter old man like him self. As it is, he had probably made her very uncomfortable. He did not expect her to come that night.
That was why he was so surprised to hear Elizabeth saying "Ma-ma," and laughing.
He looked up and saw her, in all her splendor, and he couldn't for the life of him imagine why she did come.
"You...you came."
"Did you think I wouldn't?"
He smiled and embraced the girl that he was sure held the entire purpose of his existence. He swore to himself then that he would protect her at whatever cost. As he held her, he took in her scent and allowed himself to get lost in her essence. He wished more than anything that he would never have to let her go.
She pulled back and smiled at him.
"Well you seem to be in good spirits! What, might I ask, is the reason behind this?"
"Well Professor, the day after tomorrow, my exams begin. After that I have a couple of days before I graduate. And then there is the Graduation Ball, for which, I have found the best dress. And then I have my plans set out for the next year, I know what I am going to do, and my life seems very certain. Overall, I'd say I'm feeling wonderful!"
"My goodness! I will never have Potter in my class again!"
Hermione laughed, "I can see you're happy too." And in a sterner tone added, "He is my best friend you know." But he seemed to ignore this.
"And no more Weasley, and one more year, and no more Weaselys ever! No more blubbering fools of Longbottoms!"
"Really Professor, I must protest."
He fixed her with a sly and playful look that was reserved just for her, "And no more annoying know-it-alls!"
At this Hermione made a sound of protest. And shoved her professor. Catching her in his arms, they both toppled over backwards laughing and having a grand time. Hermione fell on his chest, their faces a mere inches apart.
They stayed there for a few moments before the lingering silence and want began to make things uncomfortable.
"Tomorrow is the last day of classes," Hermione put in, although not sure why.
"Yes, I know," Severus said grinning.
"Is you farewell speech, as warm and inspiring as you welcome one?"
"Oh, much more Ms. Granger, much more."
"Alas, poor York!" Hermione began as if the class were doomed.
"Me thinks she doth protest too much."
"Do you?"
He smiled.
The rest of the evening was spent preparing for the next day and upcoming exams.
Professor Snape stood in front of a class of rather impatient looking students, looking as if he wanted to be here even less than they did.
"As you all know," he began in his bitter and sarcastic voice, "Today was the last class period we will spend together. Now, I know all of you are as upset about this as I am, but next week you will go off and try to make your own names in the world, may the gods save us all. It wont be easy, and I guarantee you wont like it, and still I wonder if even half of you have the genuine ability. But now it is your time, so do try not to screw up, and may the world not suffer at your hands. Now get out of my classroom."
Snape turned around to face the wall while the children left their potions room for the last time. When he heard all the students leave, he remained facing the wall, lost in though. He didn't realize that hands were about to grab him, until it was too late.
"Inspiring!"
"AHH! Gods Hermione! What are you trying to do?"
His only answer was a smile, one that hid something.
Hermione was fairly certain that she passed all of her exams, in fact, there was only one question on her History of Magic exam that she even thought she got wrong- one of those where it asks a specific date instead of important things like concepts behind it and how it impacted history. Still one out of hundreds isn't that bad; she was still allowing herself to have fun still.
Graduation had been everything she expected it too be, and she was asked to speak, being top student in her class for the past seven years. There had been a dinner, in which the Grangers, Weaselys, and Browns sat around a table, and a large black dog sat besides a boy with Raven hair. Hermione had heard her mother whisper something about wizards, and allowing animals at such a fancy occasion, to which her father responded with some stretching of his own logic that it was probably a common practice what with familiars and all. Hermione had controlled her laughter and enjoyed her evening.
The next day, finally, it was the day of the ball, and Hermione had just finished doing her hair and makeup. Her makeup, she left natural for the most part, and merely added a hint of silvery white shadow to her eyelids to lighten then, some rouge to her cheeks for color, and a glossy shine to her lips.
Her hair was swept bask from her face in a high ponytail except for a small bit that framed her face. The portion that was up, she had set in large rollers the night before, so that the result was a mass of banana curls that cascaded down her back, stopping at the base of her shoulders.
The last touch was the dress. She had bought it in a shop in Hogsmede, as it was a wizarding style dance and not a muggle one- many of the students would be lost if they had to pick out a formal muggle attire. Hermione, was one that liked the antique look of wizarding robes, and did not complain with many of the other girls who liked more modern things.
Hermione's dress was white for the most part and cut in a style that reminded her of something a medieval princess would wear. There was a white trim around the whole dress, which even lined under her bust and met in the middle splitting in two and running down to her feet, leaving an open triangle where you could see another layer of the dress. The top was a little low, and had a silver broach that had a glittery stone with the inscription of a rose in it. Her sleeves were long reaching her wrist, and going further in a bell fashion.
Although Hermione would never think it, she looked quite ethereal.
She was excited for the ball, yet something quite heavy was tugging on her heartstrings. Her friend was not going to be at the ball that night. Busy, he had explained, too much to do. Hermione sighed and made her way to the great hall.
The night began to pass and Hermione had been asked to dance more times than she could remember. Yet something was keeping her from having fun. She looked at the clock, eleven, two hours left. She sighed, she didn't really care to be at the Ball much longer.
But suddenly, she got an idea, and after telling her friends that she was tired and had the beginnings of a headache, she left the hall and walked to the dungeons.
Severus had been sitting in his room in an armchair in front of the fire, holding a wine glass, yet not desiring to drink it. He had been sitting there thinking since his small companion had nodded off at ten thirty. Not it was cold and quiet- that is until the door slid open.
Jumping up, Severus turned to the door as it shut. "Hermione!" He took in her radiant beauty and majesty, and knew that his knees might give way any second. "What...Shouldn't you be at the ball?" His unsteady legs took a couple of steps towards her.
"I was at the ball," she replied moving towards him also and placing her hands on his chest.
"But you left?" he asked taking hold of her left hand with his right and slipping the other hand on her waist.
She nodded.
"But why?" He tilted his head slightly to the side and a few strands of his ebony hair fell before his face.
"Oh, Severus, can you not guess?" she asked brushing back the hair.
In the next moment, the two found that their lips had met as warm feelings exploded between them. Neither knew who began it, but both knew it was better then anything that they had ever experienced before.
It was the best thirty-two seconds of Severus Snape's life; he felt as if he were finally living. All the pain, all the remorse, all the resentment, everything that hurt him, melted away at the touch of her lips. He was acting on the desire of he didn't know how long, but it was the most fulfilling experience ever.
They eventually broke apart, yet remained in each other's embrace.
"Why me?"
Hermione smiled, "What do you mean?"
"With all the attractive young men down in the Great Hall and in all the rest of the world, why would you choose to come up here and spend time with and old bitter man like me?"
"Severs," she began as she brushed away a strand of hair that fell across his forehead, "Last summer, I sent a lot of time with my family, and I realized that I didn't fit in with them any more. Oh, I still loved them, but I could not live with them, I was no longer a muggle like they were. We lived in two different worlds.
"I could not wait to get back to my friends and my school, my studies. But it was not the same anymore, Harry and Ron didn't need me to mother them anymore, they had their own girlfriends and had grown up. I was by myself, unneeded and lonely. There was nowhere were I fit, and no one who needed me.
"And then one month into the year, I was patrolling and I heard the noise that would change my life forever. I came here curious to see what was happening, and I found, not one who needed me, but two. Severus, I found my place, where I belong; it here with you, and with Elizabeth. I knew it all along, but it went unacknowledged.
"The other week, when she called me 'Ma-ma' I realized what I had known all along. I wanted to be her mother," she looked up into her eyes, "I wanted to be with you. Of course, I couldn't do anything then, but I am not a student anymore. And I can act as I choose.
Severus smiled and brought his lips down to hers once more.
"Stay with me," he whispered into her hair.
"Of course," she was just able to whisper before his lips once more captured her own.
They made their way towards the bed, and Severus removed the dark red robe he was wearing over his nightclothes. And pulling Hermione close again kissing her and trailing his hands down his spine. Hermione took a deep breath preparing herself for what was inevitable.
Her own small hands slid nervously to the clasp at the back of her dress, but Severus caught both wrists in his strong hands, bringing her hands up to his mouth and kissing them.
"No," he said in a low voice, "Not tonight." He stood up and kissed her forehead before removing his shirt, revealing a surprisingly well toned body.
After taking his shirt off, he bent down and kissed her neck as she held on to his back. Severus unclasped and unzipped her dress, and it fell to the floor.
His bare arms wrapped around her pulling her close ad their touching skin burned with passion. Severus pulled his shirt over her head, dressing her for bed, as he himself sat down on the edge of the bed pulling her to him.
Severus looked up at Hermione, his large shirt was slipping off one of her shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her close kissing the uncovered shoulder.
"Whatever did I do to deserve something as wonderful as you?"
Hermione pretended to muse. "You loved me," she said plain and simple.
Severus pulled her on to the bed, and pulled the covers up over them. "Yes, very much."
Hermione kissed his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. "Me too."
They both fell asleep that night happier than they had ever been in their lives.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Alright, I think this is the longest chapter I have ever written, but I have been being asked to get to the "togetherness" part since like chapter two, and I figured I would just get there while I was almost there. There is more, but I didn't feel like ending w/ a cliff today. Hope u liked it. Don't forget to review!
Love u guys!
~Atiannala
Graduating
Lucius was sitting at home feeling very pleased with himself now. He had a goal, an obsession, which was to see Hermione dead. It was more now the fact that someone had foiled his previous attempt. It was now a challenge.
It was a good thing that he had come up with a perfect plan. It took him a month, but he had done it. He had charmed a snake to have two thoughts on its mind Hermione Granger and murder. The snake was trained to seek out the girl and kill her.
To do this, he had to spend much time using objects obtained from Draco to get the snake familiar with the girl. Finally it was ready.
The snake was slipped into the robes of his comrade, Snape, for delivery to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It would get there that night, and she would be dead before morning. Now he just had to wait.
The following morning he was sitting in his room in front of the fire sipping wine, waiting for news from his beloved son. The room was filled with an eerie green light.
"What took you, dear boy?"
"My father, the girl lives."
The face disappeared as Lucius threw his wine glass into the flames.
"WHAT?!"
Curse that wretched boy! Why did he bring such news? She was going to die, oh how she was going to die!
Lucius was furious, but his devious mind was never at a lack of a plan. Even at that moment, he began to develop a scheme which would murder both that girl, and that Potter boy that he was sure was the one saving her all the time.
"Hermione, what's wrong?"
"Hmm...pardon?" Hermione asked coming out of her trance-like dream state.
Harry sighed and spoke again, "Hermione, will you please tell us what is bothering you?"
"Oh, it's nothing, really. I'm fine."
"Bloody hell you are," came Ron, putting his two cents in, "You didn't eat breakfast, and you aren't even touching your lunch. " Turning to Harry, he said, "I bet it's that Snape. He was probably harassing her last night and made her all upset. I told you it wasn't good for her to be spending so much time down there on her own."
Hermione shot Ron a look that told him she was livid. "Would you kindly stop referring to me as if I was a child who was unable to take care of herself? I am fully able to judge what is good or not good for me to do! I don't need you to watch my every step, just leave me alone!"
She jumped up and left the room determined that they should not see her tears.
Ginny jumped to her feet, "Now look what you've done!" and stalked off muttering something about stupid boys.
"Things Not to Do or Say to Girls, idem number, four hundred and seventy three: Never express concern for they will take it as an accusation of their disabilities."
"Oh Ron, we really are hopeless aren't we?"
"Alright Mione, I want to know."
"Know what?"
"Who is he, what he do, and do I need to merely murder him or do I need to mangle and deface his dead body as well?"
Hermione laughed, "Oh Ginny!"
Ginny hugged her friend. "Now, who is he?"
"I can't"
"Who is he?"
"You wont like it."
"Who is he?"
"Gin, I really can't."
"WHO is he?"
"Promise not to tell?"
"Do I really need to?"
Hermione buried her face in Ginny's robes and muttered something.
"Mione, I cannot hear you with you head lodged just so. Shift a bit and try again."
It was just one word, one whispered word, "Snape."
"I suspected as much."
"YOU WHAT?" Hermione had sat entirely up and looked at her friend.
"And you thought I would be surprised." She laughed, "Honestly Hermione, did you think me as dense as Harry and Ron? Please, I suspect this since you admitted to spending so much time with him. When you came back, you would always be happy. So why the long face today?"
How is it that Ginny suspected the entire thing before she did? "Oh Gin!" Hermione told her all about Severus and Elizabeth, and what had nearly happened the night before. The whole while Ginny listened intently.
"Hermione, get real."
"I know he's my teacher, and it would be wrong and inappropriate and..."
"Herm, I meant 'get real' your graduating in a week and a half, so stop worrying. Then you and Snape will be free to do whatever you please."
"I... what?"
"Hermione, how did you feel the first time Elizabeth called you Mama?"
A smile made its way to Hermione's face. "It felt real, like I really was her mother, like we were a family, Elizabeth, Severus, and I. And I was happy."
"Exactly!" Hermione turned to look at the red head. "Hermione, you really like him, and from what you told me, he really likes you." Hermione tried not to blush. "Mione, how many other people do you think would be able to break through Snape's defenses and get him to care about someone and show it?"
"...I..."
"And Hermione, how many people have you found that you can connect to? You are always talking about how you don't really fit in at home anymore, and how Harry and Ron mostly don't understand? And how often do you even notice that guys are guys? They just don't hold that much for you, they can offer you nothing."
"Well, what could Severus offer me?"
"You tell me."
Hermione thought about it, and smiled. She didn't need to answer.
"See?"
Hermione threw her arms around the younger girl.
"Mione what am I gonna do next year without you here all the time?"
"Well...actually..."
Ginny threw the brunette off of her, "Mione...?"
"Well, I talked to McGonagall, and I'm going to be her apprentice!"
"MIONE!!!"
Severus was still beating himself up the next day. he had almost kissed her. How horrible would that have been? He didn't think he could take her rejection. Imagine, him thinking even for half a second that she could love him.
She was smart, attractive, lively, caring, she would never be happy with a bitter old man like him self. As it is, he had probably made her very uncomfortable. He did not expect her to come that night.
That was why he was so surprised to hear Elizabeth saying "Ma-ma," and laughing.
He looked up and saw her, in all her splendor, and he couldn't for the life of him imagine why she did come.
"You...you came."
"Did you think I wouldn't?"
He smiled and embraced the girl that he was sure held the entire purpose of his existence. He swore to himself then that he would protect her at whatever cost. As he held her, he took in her scent and allowed himself to get lost in her essence. He wished more than anything that he would never have to let her go.
She pulled back and smiled at him.
"Well you seem to be in good spirits! What, might I ask, is the reason behind this?"
"Well Professor, the day after tomorrow, my exams begin. After that I have a couple of days before I graduate. And then there is the Graduation Ball, for which, I have found the best dress. And then I have my plans set out for the next year, I know what I am going to do, and my life seems very certain. Overall, I'd say I'm feeling wonderful!"
"My goodness! I will never have Potter in my class again!"
Hermione laughed, "I can see you're happy too." And in a sterner tone added, "He is my best friend you know." But he seemed to ignore this.
"And no more Weasley, and one more year, and no more Weaselys ever! No more blubbering fools of Longbottoms!"
"Really Professor, I must protest."
He fixed her with a sly and playful look that was reserved just for her, "And no more annoying know-it-alls!"
At this Hermione made a sound of protest. And shoved her professor. Catching her in his arms, they both toppled over backwards laughing and having a grand time. Hermione fell on his chest, their faces a mere inches apart.
They stayed there for a few moments before the lingering silence and want began to make things uncomfortable.
"Tomorrow is the last day of classes," Hermione put in, although not sure why.
"Yes, I know," Severus said grinning.
"Is you farewell speech, as warm and inspiring as you welcome one?"
"Oh, much more Ms. Granger, much more."
"Alas, poor York!" Hermione began as if the class were doomed.
"Me thinks she doth protest too much."
"Do you?"
He smiled.
The rest of the evening was spent preparing for the next day and upcoming exams.
Professor Snape stood in front of a class of rather impatient looking students, looking as if he wanted to be here even less than they did.
"As you all know," he began in his bitter and sarcastic voice, "Today was the last class period we will spend together. Now, I know all of you are as upset about this as I am, but next week you will go off and try to make your own names in the world, may the gods save us all. It wont be easy, and I guarantee you wont like it, and still I wonder if even half of you have the genuine ability. But now it is your time, so do try not to screw up, and may the world not suffer at your hands. Now get out of my classroom."
Snape turned around to face the wall while the children left their potions room for the last time. When he heard all the students leave, he remained facing the wall, lost in though. He didn't realize that hands were about to grab him, until it was too late.
"Inspiring!"
"AHH! Gods Hermione! What are you trying to do?"
His only answer was a smile, one that hid something.
Hermione was fairly certain that she passed all of her exams, in fact, there was only one question on her History of Magic exam that she even thought she got wrong- one of those where it asks a specific date instead of important things like concepts behind it and how it impacted history. Still one out of hundreds isn't that bad; she was still allowing herself to have fun still.
Graduation had been everything she expected it too be, and she was asked to speak, being top student in her class for the past seven years. There had been a dinner, in which the Grangers, Weaselys, and Browns sat around a table, and a large black dog sat besides a boy with Raven hair. Hermione had heard her mother whisper something about wizards, and allowing animals at such a fancy occasion, to which her father responded with some stretching of his own logic that it was probably a common practice what with familiars and all. Hermione had controlled her laughter and enjoyed her evening.
The next day, finally, it was the day of the ball, and Hermione had just finished doing her hair and makeup. Her makeup, she left natural for the most part, and merely added a hint of silvery white shadow to her eyelids to lighten then, some rouge to her cheeks for color, and a glossy shine to her lips.
Her hair was swept bask from her face in a high ponytail except for a small bit that framed her face. The portion that was up, she had set in large rollers the night before, so that the result was a mass of banana curls that cascaded down her back, stopping at the base of her shoulders.
The last touch was the dress. She had bought it in a shop in Hogsmede, as it was a wizarding style dance and not a muggle one- many of the students would be lost if they had to pick out a formal muggle attire. Hermione, was one that liked the antique look of wizarding robes, and did not complain with many of the other girls who liked more modern things.
Hermione's dress was white for the most part and cut in a style that reminded her of something a medieval princess would wear. There was a white trim around the whole dress, which even lined under her bust and met in the middle splitting in two and running down to her feet, leaving an open triangle where you could see another layer of the dress. The top was a little low, and had a silver broach that had a glittery stone with the inscription of a rose in it. Her sleeves were long reaching her wrist, and going further in a bell fashion.
Although Hermione would never think it, she looked quite ethereal.
She was excited for the ball, yet something quite heavy was tugging on her heartstrings. Her friend was not going to be at the ball that night. Busy, he had explained, too much to do. Hermione sighed and made her way to the great hall.
The night began to pass and Hermione had been asked to dance more times than she could remember. Yet something was keeping her from having fun. She looked at the clock, eleven, two hours left. She sighed, she didn't really care to be at the Ball much longer.
But suddenly, she got an idea, and after telling her friends that she was tired and had the beginnings of a headache, she left the hall and walked to the dungeons.
Severus had been sitting in his room in an armchair in front of the fire, holding a wine glass, yet not desiring to drink it. He had been sitting there thinking since his small companion had nodded off at ten thirty. Not it was cold and quiet- that is until the door slid open.
Jumping up, Severus turned to the door as it shut. "Hermione!" He took in her radiant beauty and majesty, and knew that his knees might give way any second. "What...Shouldn't you be at the ball?" His unsteady legs took a couple of steps towards her.
"I was at the ball," she replied moving towards him also and placing her hands on his chest.
"But you left?" he asked taking hold of her left hand with his right and slipping the other hand on her waist.
She nodded.
"But why?" He tilted his head slightly to the side and a few strands of his ebony hair fell before his face.
"Oh, Severus, can you not guess?" she asked brushing back the hair.
In the next moment, the two found that their lips had met as warm feelings exploded between them. Neither knew who began it, but both knew it was better then anything that they had ever experienced before.
It was the best thirty-two seconds of Severus Snape's life; he felt as if he were finally living. All the pain, all the remorse, all the resentment, everything that hurt him, melted away at the touch of her lips. He was acting on the desire of he didn't know how long, but it was the most fulfilling experience ever.
They eventually broke apart, yet remained in each other's embrace.
"Why me?"
Hermione smiled, "What do you mean?"
"With all the attractive young men down in the Great Hall and in all the rest of the world, why would you choose to come up here and spend time with and old bitter man like me?"
"Severs," she began as she brushed away a strand of hair that fell across his forehead, "Last summer, I sent a lot of time with my family, and I realized that I didn't fit in with them any more. Oh, I still loved them, but I could not live with them, I was no longer a muggle like they were. We lived in two different worlds.
"I could not wait to get back to my friends and my school, my studies. But it was not the same anymore, Harry and Ron didn't need me to mother them anymore, they had their own girlfriends and had grown up. I was by myself, unneeded and lonely. There was nowhere were I fit, and no one who needed me.
"And then one month into the year, I was patrolling and I heard the noise that would change my life forever. I came here curious to see what was happening, and I found, not one who needed me, but two. Severus, I found my place, where I belong; it here with you, and with Elizabeth. I knew it all along, but it went unacknowledged.
"The other week, when she called me 'Ma-ma' I realized what I had known all along. I wanted to be her mother," she looked up into her eyes, "I wanted to be with you. Of course, I couldn't do anything then, but I am not a student anymore. And I can act as I choose.
Severus smiled and brought his lips down to hers once more.
"Stay with me," he whispered into her hair.
"Of course," she was just able to whisper before his lips once more captured her own.
They made their way towards the bed, and Severus removed the dark red robe he was wearing over his nightclothes. And pulling Hermione close again kissing her and trailing his hands down his spine. Hermione took a deep breath preparing herself for what was inevitable.
Her own small hands slid nervously to the clasp at the back of her dress, but Severus caught both wrists in his strong hands, bringing her hands up to his mouth and kissing them.
"No," he said in a low voice, "Not tonight." He stood up and kissed her forehead before removing his shirt, revealing a surprisingly well toned body.
After taking his shirt off, he bent down and kissed her neck as she held on to his back. Severus unclasped and unzipped her dress, and it fell to the floor.
His bare arms wrapped around her pulling her close ad their touching skin burned with passion. Severus pulled his shirt over her head, dressing her for bed, as he himself sat down on the edge of the bed pulling her to him.
Severus looked up at Hermione, his large shirt was slipping off one of her shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her close kissing the uncovered shoulder.
"Whatever did I do to deserve something as wonderful as you?"
Hermione pretended to muse. "You loved me," she said plain and simple.
Severus pulled her on to the bed, and pulled the covers up over them. "Yes, very much."
Hermione kissed his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. "Me too."
They both fell asleep that night happier than they had ever been in their lives.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Alright, I think this is the longest chapter I have ever written, but I have been being asked to get to the "togetherness" part since like chapter two, and I figured I would just get there while I was almost there. There is more, but I didn't feel like ending w/ a cliff today. Hope u liked it. Don't forget to review!
Love u guys!
~Atiannala