Disclaimer: All characters and places associated with the Harry Potter books and movies belong to J.K. Rowling.  I do not claim any rights or ownership…although it would be fun to take over for awhile.

Chapter Fifteen – A New Day

Severus opened his eyes slowly to the new day.  He started to stretch out from his uncomfortable position on the couch, when he realized that he had a sleeping Hermione curled up on his chest.  He looked down at her contented form and watched her sleep.  He was lost in a daze when he noticed her brow crease up in concern while she was sleeping.  She started to whimper softly in her sleep and began to search for something with her hands.  She rubbed her hands along his chest, grabbing at his clothes in an attempt to find what she was looking for. 

"Severus, where are you?"  Hermione started to talk in her sleep and become a little agitated.  "Severus, please, I need you."

It was at this time that Severus pulled her closer in his arms and began to stroke her back gently.  He tried to soothe her with a calming motion.  But when she started to become more agitated and frightened, he decided to try and wake her.

"Hermione.  Hermione, wake up."  He gently shook her shoulders in an attempt to make her gain consciousness.  Hermione's eyes slowly fluttered open to the worried gaze of Severus's black eyes.  "Good Morning.  Are you ok?"

Hermione looked confused and took a second to take in her surroundings.  "Severus, have I been here all night?"

"Yes, you feel asleep on me while we were talking.  You seemed to be very comfortable, so I felt it would be better not to move you."

"I had the worst dream.  You weren't there and I needed you.  I am not sure why I needed you, but I felt that I would be lost without you."

Severus was unsure of how to comfort Hermione and simply began to rub her back with one hand while he embraced her with the other.  "It's ok, I'm here now."

"Severus, will you stay with me today?  I know you probably have things to do.  But I would really like it if I could help you and stay with you.  I just don't want to be alone today, and I think your presence is what soothes that feeling."

Severus looked into her eyes and saw the need that she had for him in that moment.  It was an unusual feeling to have someone need him.  He liked the possibility of someone relying on him for comfort, and for the first time in his life he had worth.  "Hermione, you are more than welcome to stay by my side.  In some strange way you make me feel worthy of attention.  I have never felt that before."  Severus could not believe the honesty that was so easily coming from him.  Her eyes pulled it out of him, and made him feel like everything was ok, and always would be.

Hermione watched the emotions wash over Severus's face with each passing moment.  She knew he was in uncharted territory.  His confession to her the night before, of not wanting to depend on anyone, was keeping him confused.  She wanted to make him understand the way she had been, and still was feeling for him.  For some strange reason, she had grown to love him, with all his mean looks and arrogant ways.  He had become important in her life, and was now a part of her mind.  His confessions from the night before helped her to understand all of his unusual ways. 

It was then that she brushed a stray black strand of hair behind his ear.  She watched as his eyes closed to her touch and he moved his head slightly, allowing her hand to cup his cheek.  Severus opened his eyes and looked directly into Hermione's.  Hermione ran her hand down Severus's cheek and caressed his neck.

That was when Severus gave up his struggle.  He leaned into Hermione and closed his lips over hers.  It was a sweet kiss, light and tender.  Hermione closed her eyes in response and gave herself over to Severus's loving touch.  For the first time, they really kissed.

Severus's head spun out of control as he became intoxicated with Hermione's kiss.  She moaned softly into his mouth as he licked her lips gently, begging for entrance.  Hermione allowed him to explore her mouth and began to squirm on top of him.  She became aroused quickly by his touch and felt his hands gently pull her towards him.  They melted into each other, not knowing what would come next.

Hermione broke the kiss and pecked a small kiss on the tip of his nose.  "Severus, do you want to do this?"

Severus looked down for a slight moment and raised his head to stare into Hermione's eyes.  "Hermione, I am unsure of what I want.  But I know now that I don't have the power to push you away.  It hurts too much to be without you."

Hermione closed her eyes as Severus ran the back of his fingers gently over her cheek.  She was losing herself in him, and knew that she needed more time to think things through.  "Severus, you make me feel whole." And with those words she tenderly removed herself from his embrace and stood up from the couch.  "We both are unsure of what is going on here, and I think we should wait.  I still want to be with you today, and help you with anything you may be doing.  But I want to give us both time to figure out what is happening between us."

"I think that is the best thing for the both of us.  This experience has connected us in some way, and I would hate to take advantage of you in midst of this confusion."

Severus stood up from the couch, and straightened his clothes.  He looked away at anything but Hermione, afraid he would be lost in her eyes.

"I am going to shower and get on some new robes; but I will meet you in your private labs in a little bit."  Hermione stared at Severus for some recognition, but he could not bring himself to look at her.

"That sounds fine.  We can have breakfast sent to us in the lab.  I have a list of potions that need to be prepared for Poppy.  I have neglected her requests while we were working together, and then there was the…."  Severus looked up at Hermione and stopped suddenly.  He knew that it was going to be a long day.  For the first time in his life, he needed her.

********

Hermione quickly showered and changed her clothes in anticipation of the coming day.  Her mind was whirling out of control with emotions and feelings that were new and unexplored.  For the first time she felt as though her affection was returned, and this excited and scared her all at once.  As she finished pulling her hair up into a sophisticated bun she heard the tingling of Crookshanks as he rubbed up against her legs. 

"Crookshanks, have I been neglecting you?  I am so sorry, but things seem to be finally looking up."  Hermione bent over to pet the attention starved cat.  "Well, what do you think of my hair?  I am trying something new.  I think it makes me look professional, not so bushy-haired and out of control."  Hermione stood up to study her reflection in the mirror.  She pulled her hands up around her hair and pulled a few strands of curls out of the bun to dangle down around her neck and frame her face.  "Now this is even better, softer and somewhat seductive.  I think Severus will love this look.  What do you think?"  Hermione turned to look down at Crookshanks.  Crookshanks bounded up on to the nearest chair and meowed as if to agree with her.

"Well, then I am off to the labs.  Don't wait up for me, ok."  Hermione drifted out of the room like a soft picture of beauty.  She was really coming into her own, and learning how to own her womanly form and face.

When Hermione entered the labs she saw Severus, newly showered, putting together ingredients for many different potions.  He had already pulled out four cauldrons, and began to start the fires below them.

"Well, you are really ready to get started Severus.  I was hoping to eat breakfast first."  Hermione smiled brightly as Severus looked up from his work to take in her appearance.  "I have sent for breakfast to be brought down here.  It should be here soon."  As soon as Hermione finished her last words a tray of fruit and bagels appeared on the desk between the two of them. 

Hermione looked over the few items that were on the tray and grabbed a piece of melon to nibble on.  Severus watched her as she ate delicately under his approval.

"Might I bother you to bring me a glass of pumpkin juice?"  Severus asked Hermione politely and waited for her response.

"Of course.  Would you like a bagel, or maybe some fruit to go with your juice?"

"No, thank you.  Juice will be fine.  I have many potions to finish today and I would hate to get more behind schedule.  You forget that I also have a class to keep up with.  The students would surely know that something is wrong if I did not keep up my sour exterior and impossible tasks for them to complete."  Severus smiled at his last comment.

"I knew it!"  Hermione smiled as she gave Severus a glass of pumpkin juice.  "You admit yourself that you set us up for failure.  Always pushing us further than should be expected."

Severus just raised his eyebrows towards Hermione, "If I allowed the students to get away with adequate work they would not achieve greatness.  The few students, such as yourself, that succeeded under my teaching, went on to great careers and became developed pupils in the wizarding world."

"Was that a compliment?  I think I shall faint right here.  Professor Severus Snape does not give out compliments; especially to a Gryffindor."

"I do not recommend fainting.  The last time you did that, I was forced to injure myself as well."  Severus coyly looked over to Hermione to decipher her expression.  "Truly, Miss Granger, you can be more trouble than you are worth."

Hermione chuckled at his dry sense of humor and watched him as he went back to separating the ingredients.  She knew he would be at that for a little longer and decided to have another piece of fruit.  As Hermione picked out another piece, she noticed Severus steal a glance her way; watching her intricate moves.

"Don't think that I can't see you watching me Severus.  You are obvious in your mannerisms.  Really I expected more from an ex-deatheater."

Severus looked back to his work and blushed slightly.  Hermione smiled at the obvious blush that reddened his usually pale face.  It was so easy to embarrass him, and she loved this new side of him.  For the first time Severus had let his guard down, and was letting her see an intimate side of his personality.  He wasn't all bristle and thorns.

Hermione finished her fruit and walked over to Severus to offer her assistance.  "Where do you want me to start?"

Severus looked up from his current work and thought quickly of what he could assign her.  "Why don't you take these two cauldrons here.  I have set them up to prepare the..."

"Dreamless sleep draught.  Yes, I can see that."

Severus raised his eyebrows at her interruption.  He had grown to accept her interruptions from time to time.  She was a master at potions as well, and he had to remind himself that he was no longer dealing with a student.  In fact she had a few things to teach him. 

"Yes.  If you could prepare those potions for me I would appreciate your help.  I will work with these cauldrons to prepare a bone repairing potion, and a sober-up potion.  The sober-up potion I keep in stock for Minerva.  You would be surprised how often she is in need of it."

Hermione grinned at Severus and began to work on her assignment.  She had prepared the dreamless sleep draught many times before.  It was an easy potion that never caused her any complications. 

An hour had passed as they worked in silence, each paying attention to their own potions.  At times Hermione would notice Severus watching her with an unusual look, and wondered what he was thinking about.

After catching him three times, Hermione decided to get to the bottom of it.  "Severus, you really should perfect your old spying skills.  You are becoming more obvious each time you look my way.  Just what are you looking at?"

At this, Severus looked up to Hermione and watched her hands as she put in the last ingredient and began to stir the potion carefully.  "I am intrigued by you.  I find myself watching you work all the time.  I have noticed over our time together, that I have never worked with another master before; and I enjoy seeing the precise movements and certainty that you portray."

Hermione blushed under his praise and never looked up to meet his gaze.  "Thank you.  I do the same with you.  It really is a wonderful sight to see a master, such as yourself, work with such ease."

"Well, now that we have showered each other with compliments; are you almost finished with your potions?"

"Yes, would you like to check my work?"  Hermione teased Severus with her arrogant tone.

"Yes I would.  I would like to make sure you continue to hold a high standard while you are in my company."  Severus walked over to Hermione's potions and looked over the first cauldron.  He eyed the potion suspiciously and raised an eyebrow in her direction.  Then he walked over to her and came up behind her to inspect the cauldron she was currently working on.

When Severus came in close contact to Hermione, she immediately noticed his proximity.  Hermione tilted her head to the side and looked up to him.  "Do I meet your expectations?"

Severus looked over her shoulder and past her gaze to inspect the potion stirring in the hot cauldron.  It was then that he felt Hermione's hands wrap gently around his hips and pull her body into contact with his.  Severus took in a sharp breath and looked into her eyes.  He noticed a small drop of perspiration fall down the back of her neck, taunting him in his peripheral vision.  Hermione's small movements took his breath away as she pressed herself closer to his midsection.  Severus used one of his hands to wrap it around her waist, and the other to wipe the sweat off her neck and bring the drop to his mouth.  He sucked at his fingers, tasting her sweet perspiration.  Hermione saw him, and used her nails to squeeze his butt in response.  "Ohh, Merlin, what are you trying to do to me?" Severus hissed at his arousal and tried to gain composure.

He pushed himself free from her grasp and took the few steps away to stand by his own cauldrons.  "Hermione you are being a bad girl, and distracting me from my work."

Hermione blushed at his reaction and watched him as he nervously tried to concentrate on his potion.  "I am sorry.  I will be a good girl from now on."

Severus turned towards her and looked up to meet her eyes.  "The problem is….I like it when you are bad."

Hermione began to breathe hard as she noticed her state of arousal rise within her.  She could not look away from Severus's intense stare, and didn't know what to do next.  They had just told each other that they would take it slow, and now she wanted nothing more than to run over to him and ravage him from head to toe.

Severus was having the same fight in his own mind, as thoughts of her on his desk or up against the wall, taking all of him frantically and never stopping.  It was becoming all too difficult to breath. 

It was then that a small pop could be heard coming from the fireplace.  The two of them both turned their attention to the fireplace to see a bobbing green head of Dumbledore looking into the labs. 

"Severus, Hermione, I am glad to catch both of you here.  I have a few things to go over with the two of you.  Do you mind if I come through?"

Severus shook himself free of the previous events and put on his usual demeanor.  "Of course Albus, please do."

Dumbledore quickly flooed through to the labs and brushed himself off.  He smiled gleefully at the two of them.  "I hope I have not interrupted any great concoctions.  I would hate to deprive the world of your talents."

Hermione recovered from the past and smiled towards Dumbledore.  "No, of course not.  We were only preparing a few basic potions for Madam Pomfrey."

"Hermione, now I thought I told you to feel free to use our first names."

"I am trying.  But old habits are hard to break."

Dumbledore chuckled at her and went to the only chair in the room.  He made himself comfortable and looked at the two in the room.  "Well, I have some good news for you Hermione.  As you know, I tend to have an opening for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position every year.  And yet again, I have the position open.  So I would like to offer you the position of Potions Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." 

Hermione's eyes opened with shock as she listened to the headmaster offer her Severus's position.  It was all a little confusing.

Severus began to lose his temper, "Albus, what are you saying?  It would be prudent to tell me of my dismissal before you go out offering my position to other people."

"Severus, my boy, calm down.  I also mentioned the DADA position being open.  I know that you have wanted that position for many years.  I assumed that you would be more than happy to accept the position when I offered it."  Albus smiled at the two of them, blissfully happy with his little plan.  "But, of course this is all decided on by Hermione's choice.  If she chooses to remain with the Ministry, then I am afraid that I will have to keep you as the Potions Professor, Severus."

Severus turned his gaze towards Hermione and waited to hear what her decision would be.  It was all so fast and she didn't know what to say.  She felt the pressure of the two pairs of eyes waiting impatiently for her to speak.  "May I have some time to think it over, Albus?"

"Of course, my dear.  Make sure that this is where you want to stay.  But I am sure you will realize that Hogwarts will always be able to make you happy."

Hermione smiled in an uncertain manner and looked over to Severus.  She locked eyes with him and saw his expectant stare.  This was another block to get through in her life.  Not only would she be deciding her career path, but also how she felt about Severus.  She knew that if she chose to go back to the Ministry, Severus would see that as a rejection of his affection for her.  It all had too much weighing on her choice.  She needed help.  She needed someone to talk to.  She needed Ginny.

TBC