Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places associated with Harry Potter books and movies. All rights and ownership belong to J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: With the holidays in full swing I have had little time to write. I'm so sorry for the delays. If any of you have worked in retail before then you know my crazy schedule. Unfortunately I will not be able to churn out the chapters as fast as I was in the beginning until after the New Year (that's when my schedule will free up a bit). I hope to get out a chapter at least once a week until then. Please bear with me through the holidays.
Chapter Nine – The Games Begin
Hermione sat in Dumbledore's office in a state of shock as he quickly went over the letter that she thrust into his hands. Dumbledore pulled out his wand and started to cast spell after spell on the letter. He was trying to find out what spells had been used to get the letter into Hermione's quarters, and if there were any hexes placed on the recipient. After a sufficient cleansing, Dumbledore placed the letter on his desk and looked up at Hermione.
"We should inform Severus of this at once. He will want to know that your quarters are not completely safe, and he needs to step up your protection a little more. If Lucius has been sending you nightmares, then he has broken through the school barriers." Albus looked thoughtfully at his bookshelf as he continued to talk. "It is probably some sort of black magic. Hopefully Severus will have a better of idea of the magic that Lucius is capable of using. Let me contact him."
Albus walked over to the fireplace and threw a handful of floo powder into it, "Severus Snape." After a couple of minutes of the usual grumbling about being called at all hours, Severus came into Albus's office throw the fireplace. He brushed the shoulders of his robes as he entered the office and looked up to notice Hermione sitting in one of the chairs.
Before anything could be said, Severus walked over to Hermione and leaned down to whisper into her ear. "You're looking rather enticing this evening."
As soon as he finished the last word he quickly stood up to face Albus, and reveled in Hermione's reaction. Hermione's eyes grew in astonishment as she realized that he was playing the game. Severus had no idea why he was here and was already putting her in an uncomfortable position.
"Severus, I'm glad you're here. It seems that Hermione has received another letter from Lucius. I'm afraid that this time he did not attempt to hide his threat or intent to harm Hermione. This letter was found in Hermione's quarters. Lucius has found a way to break through the barriers around Hogwarts. He claims to have been sending Hermione nightmares about his intentions."
"She has had nightmares on a few occasions. But I was unaware that they were sent from an outside source." Severus looked over to Hermione in a concerned manner and questioned her abruptly. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know. I thought they were from my own fears of Lucius." Hermione started to tear up a little and looked away so she wouldn't have to face the cold gaze of Severus.
"Hermione, you should have told Minerva and me about these nightmares. I am the Headmaster here and I should know about any strange happenings." Albus walked over to Hermione and gently pulled on her chin to bring her eyes up to his gaze. He smiled down at her with a reassuring twinkle. "Hermione I want you to go with Severus tonight. Stay in his quarters. I don't want to send you back to your quarters alone tonight. If Lucius decides to try anything, he will have to deal with Severus first." Albus released Hermione's chin and looked over to Severus. "Severus, keep a watchful eye on our girl. I want to make sure that your quarters are well warded and place an alarm spell on Hermione to warn you if anything should to her."
"I will." Severus walked over to Hermione and looked at her expectantly. "Follow me." Hermione stood up from the chair and followed Severus. This would be an interesting night. Hermione didn't know how to even address Severus after what she had done earlier that evening.
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Severus led Hermione to his private quarters and showed her his bedroom. After a quick run down of what he expected her to do in order for him to be able to protect her properly, Severus gestured towards his bed. "You will sleep here. I will take the couch in the living area." Severus was about to leave when he felt Hermione's hand grasp at his shoulder gently.
"Don't leave me. Please, stay in here."
Severus turned to look at Hermione and questioned her intentions. "This is not a game Hermione, this is your life. I am not in the mood to play."
Hermione was quickly angered by his accusations and sternly replied. "I am not playing a game Severus. I am fully aware of the severity of the situation. Do you think I would act like some little school girl at a time like this?" Hermione closed her eyes to calm herself down and took in a deep breath. When she continued she was speaking in a much softer and relaxed tone. "I simply did not want to be alone tonight. Now that I know where those dreams came from, they are suddenly all too real for me to take. Please, stay with me." Hermione pleaded with Severus with a longing stare.
Severus thought over the invitation and decided to stay with her. Leaving her alone would be dangerous tonight and she would not feel safe without someone else with her. "I will stay. I will sleep in the chair in that corner." Severus motioned to a small chair that sat alone in one corner.
Hermione assessed the small chair and knew that it would be very uncomfortable to sit in, much less sleep in. "Severus, you can sleep in the bed with me. It is a big bed and we are grown adults." Hermione removed her outer robes and began to get into the bed fully clothed. Severus watched her get into the bed and moved towards the bed as he removed his robes.
Once they were both in the comfortable, four-poster bed Severus turned out the remaining lights with a flick of his wand. Hermione was comforted by the nearness of Severus, and could not help but think of how good it felt to be in the same bed with her once hated Potions Master.
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The next morning Hermione woke up to a sleeping potions master wrapped around her. During the night Hermione had snuggled up to Severus and in response Severus had wrapped his arms around her waist protectively and held her close.
When Hermione realized how intimately close she was to Severus she reveled momentarily in the position. Hermione was quickly brought out of her revelry when she heard a soft, quiet moan escape Severus's lips while he was sleeping. She looked over to his face and stared intently at his features. He had beautiful eyes. Hermione brought her hand up to his face and gently brushed a single finger along his crooked nose and smiled to herself. He wasn't what the normal girl would call handsome; but she found him more and more attractive each time she studied him.
Thinking about the position she was in Hermione knew she had to use it to her advantage before it passed. Hermione used the same hand she had just used to run along his nose, and ran it gently through his hair. Using her hand to pull her lips up to his, she tenderly placed a kiss on his lips. She let her lips linger on his, taking in the softness of them.
Severus was awakened by the sudden sensation and opened his eyes in small flutter as he focused on Hermione kissing him. Hermione felt the slight jerk of Severus waking and deepened the kiss quickly. Just as she was about to get carried away by the sensation, she pulled away slowly.
Severus had gotten caught up in the feeling of her body pressed up against his and the tenderness of her lips tasting his. He moved quickly to stop her retreat and pulled her back down into a searing kiss. Her deepened the kiss's intensity and began to probe at her mouth for entrance with his tongue. Hermione moaned in response as she felt electricity shoot through her body. She knew she had to stop it soon, she was losing control. She felt Severus run his hands down the side of her body and back up to touch the side of her breasts through her clothes.
Hermione gasped at the sudden feeling of his touch and pushed up away from him. She quickly regained her composure and looked up into Severus's eyes. Smiling coyly she dripped out a remark. "Now, now, we are just playing. Remember?" In one swift motion Hermione got up from the bed and made her way out of the room.
Severus was left stunned and frustrated, alone in his bed. He was amazed how much she had brought forth a desire for her. He was sure that those feelings were long gone. Severus started to fume over her ability to reduce him to that state so quickly. She had definitely caught him off guard, and it would not happen again. "You will pay for that." Severus mumbled under his breath as he slowly got up from his bed. This was going to be more fun than he ever thought possible.
TBC
Author's Note: Hopefully I will be able to update with another chapter this week. Trust me, Severus has an evil and oh so much fun way of getting back at Hermione. Also, Lucius will be making a personal appearance in the near future….things heat up soon. Keep reviewing and offering the wonderful advice, I love it and take it all to heart. Thanks