Hey! Thanks for all your reviews! I'll write the next chapters ASAP

Anyhow.. here it is… chapter 26; enjoy!

Chapter 26: Telling Hermione

The sunshine touched Hermione's hair like every morning eventhough the dungeons were the most obscure part of the whole castle. No wonder Severus Snape chose this particular place to dwell when his classes were over; the atmosphere matched Severus´ personality a great deal for his dark remarks and sarcastic statements were equal to the murky dungeons in which he had decided to live his life since he was a little boy and the Sorting Hat had sorted him into Slytherin House.  It had been his decision because he had wanted to be sorted into Slytherin just like the fair haired boy that had taken advantage of his wife some time before.

In so many ways he was no better than the Malfoy's and he knew for certain that the reason they trusted him so much was because his nature was just as sinister as theirs.

The light waked Hermione immediately and with no further hesitation she opened her eyes, prepared to start a new day. Oh, yes! How nice is to stretch on a Friday morning knowing for a fact that the next day will bring nothing but leisure activities! And in Hermione's world, leisure activities meant reading and books and those simple things meant utter happiness because life for a scholar is only delightful under the light of intellectuality.

But when she opened her eyes and moved the covers aside, ready to stand up and start the last day of the school week, she was surprised to find that her husband was sitting there, with a white rimmed coffee mug anxiously waiting for her to open her eyes.

"Good morning," was all he said, enchanted by her beauty.

"Good morning," she answered covering her body with the black sheets that matched her husband's. Her eyes were, at the moment, as big as they would get.

"Will you not enquire about the nature of my presence at this early time?," he asked standing up and walking to the other side of the room. Obviously he was annoyed by something or just irritated at someone. But eventhough she gave the situation a lot of thought, she could find no reason for his presence. Why would he want to address her about something that obviously concerned him? She could find no answer but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction to know that she was interested in his affairs.

"Not at all," she replied, taking a sip out of her black steamy coffee. He was not surprised to hear that answer but, all the same, he thought it proper to raise his eyebrows in amazement.

"Very well, I am going to tell you all the same," he answered sitting at a large distance from the bed. Some people would have alleged that Severus was just increasing the tension between their bodies but the truth was that above all he needed to gain objectivity and it seemed that only distance could provide it, "You are well aware of my plans with Lucius Malfoy, I assume, and unfortunately your role in this scheme has proven useful, Miss Granger,"

"I see," was all she said, lying on her back with the coffee mug on her stomach.

"Yes, Miss Granger," he said with a queer look on his face, then trying hard to omit any judgments about her current position, he said, "Lucius has invited us for the weekend and after reflecting about the matter with the Headmaster we have agreed to go," he simple explained.

"I see," was all she said; as vague as she could.

"I am aware of the fact that you can see, Miss Granger, what I am afraid you fail to notice is that your skills in deceiving Lucius are as poor as Longbottom's finals," he said raising his voice a little bit. She hated when he raised his voice; his whispers were a lot more mysterious; a lot more sensual.

"I know," she answered concisely.

"Very well, Miss Granger, I know nothing of why you are now trying to break every possible nerve I possess but I am neither interested nor responsible for your behaviour so please, save me the pain," he said, ready to slam the door and leave her alone. But he didn't for the look in her face was the most peaceful look he had ever seen.

"Severus… Oh, I am sorry; Sir," she started to say, obviously mocking his formality, "I will behave the way I am expected to behave," she concluded having another sip of coffee. Then, after a few minutes of utter silence, she added, "I will not complicate your plans in any way nor will I intrude in them. I will behave as your wife and we will sleep in the same bed without any complaints on my behalf. We are on the same side, sir… don't forget that," she concluded while standing up and,  having previously left the cup on the night table, started to dress or better or rather, to undress to dress again.

"Very well," was all he said for the twentieth time in the day. He was, after all, speechless. It came as no surprise to him, however, that the girl undressing in front of him, with her back facing him, was not a little know it all anymore. That tiny caterpillar had transformed into a beautiful graceful smart butterfly whose slender wings would fly her away from him. She had developed them for that purpose; he was sure. Oh! How much he loved her! If only she knew how much he craved her body! How much he lusted her skin!

Perhaps, if she knew, she would probably fly away from him sooner, disgusted at the idea of a middle aged man drooling over a young schoolgirl. His feelings towards Hermione were almost immoral, but then again, how can love be immoral if it is the most pure feeling a human being can produce and store?

Not only did he want to make love to her but to hold her in the middle of the night while softly listening to her gentle snores.

"Excuse me, sir, are you alright?," she asked while buttoning her school robes. It was then when Severus understood the whole weight of his years. He was no boy. He was a man and an old man at that.

"Perfectly," he answered daring not to take her eyes away from her, "I should probably leave now, Miss Granger. I will meet you tonight at six near the fireplace. I expect you to be ready then," he concluded turning around and slowly walking towards the door which he opened at once in one only strong movement.

When he left, Hermione stood there, in the middle of the room quite unaware of the fact that it was too late to dwell on her own thoughts. She couldn't help it, however. She was worried; very worried about the whole scheme she was supposed to achieve.

She was utterly distressed and eventhough she knew she would always be protected by Severus Snape she could only find real comfort in Hagrid's words: "What will come, will come and we will have to meet it when it does".