Chapter 3

Still laughing, I silently cursed myself. How could I have let that slip so easily?

She stared at me, unblinking. Then she blinked a few times to restrain angry tears. With a sweep of her right arm, She knocked everything from my desktop and bore down on it with both hands like she had done upon confronting me once before. "Fuck..You.."

Then she turned, grabbed her bag and left the room, slamming the door shut.

I ran my hands down my face in frustration. She was 16, Get a hold of yourself. That's illegal..

I heaved myself to my feet, examined the mess on the floor. Papers, pens, scrolls, folders askew across the room. I sighed and put a hand to my forehead, not wanting to go into the task of picking them up.

I heard the door open, but before I could react to the sound, I was nearly knocked backward by Hermione, flinging her arms around my neck and pressing her lips to mine.

I pushed her away slightly, looking at her in slight confusion. "Fuck you?"

"Yeah.." She said breathlessly. "And I meant it..."

I grinned, feeling my willpower fall through the floor as I took her into another greedy kiss.

This girl was mine.

I awoke the next morning as the sun flooded through my green ventian blinds since I'd forgotten to pull the draperies closed the night before.

Oblivious to the previous nights activities, I sat up and stretched, looking about the room. Today was going to be a good day. Well, it would have been until I saw the lingere on the floor.

My head snapped around and I saw Hermione, sleeping soundly on the other side of the bed.

"Oh my god!" I said aloud, snatching the comforter over to cover myself. Upon seeing Hermione nude, I shoved the comforter over her again. "Oh my god!" I fell backwards onto the floor and landed with a thud.

Hermione awoke with a start, as I pulled my robe around my middle like a towel. She drew the blanket up around herself and leaned over the bedside and looked at me, yawning. "Good morning?"

I shook my head, getting to my feet. "I'm afraid not." I paused, putting a hand to my forehead and shutting my eyes. I felt a headache coming on. "Did we...have sex?"

"No Professor." She said, and I could see the sarcasm oozing onto the floor. "We just decided to take off all our clothes and have a slumber party."

"Oh..This isn't good.." I began, going through my dresser for clothes. "Not good at all."

"Actually it wasn't bad at all.." I heard her snort.

Restraining my own laughter, and pausing from searching through the dresser, I looked at her, stern as I could manage. "Don't you understand?"

"I suppose so." She reached over and grabbed my boxers and her shirt, slipping them on. "But don't you understand?"

"Understand what?" I questioned, sounding desperate, whiny even.

"That we can't take that back." She got up, kissed my cheek and then began to gather the rest of her clothes. "Do you mind if I use your bathroom?"

"Not at all.." I sighed and sat on the edge of my bed. "We've got to talk once you're out.."

She nodded, giving me a thumbs up and clicking her tongue. "Gotcha." She then disappeared into the adjoint bathroom.

My heart was pounding. Pounding in my throat. How could she be so casual about the whole situation? It wasn't rainbows and butterflies, it was considered statuatory rape. I'd have to break it off. Yes, I loved her, but I didn't see losing my job and being sent to Azkaban worthy of gambling on love.

I dressed while she tidied herself up as well, lying on my bed afterward, staring up at the forest green canopy. I hung my legs over the edge and crossed my hands atop my chest. Maybe this was all some kind of sick dream I was having.

The bathroom door creaked opened, and Hermione walked out, fully dressed, brushing out her hair with my brush. She gave a tired smile. "So what exactly do we need to talk about?"

Nearly straining myself, I sat up and looked at her. "A lot of things." I offered her a seat beside me which she took. "Listen to me now, We can't do this."

She set the brush down. "Why not? You said you loved me..and.."

"I do love you. I'm in love with you still. Understand that. The both of us would just be risking too much by carrying on this relationship.." I put my hand atop hers. "I've been leading an honest life for a very long time. This tarnishes that record, Hermione.."

"I'm turning 17 in September...I'd be legal by my next birthday...We can.."

"We can't." I gave her hand a light squeeze and got to my feet, heavily.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me back down. "Why don't you stop running away?"

"I'm not, Hermione. This is illegal, I'm not sure why you can't comprehend that.." She cut me off by pulling me into a kiss. "Like that, See? That kiss was worth two years in Azkaban..At least two.."

"We can keep it a secret for now..I'll make sure no one finds out.." There was a certain desperate tone to her voice. "After what happened last night, I want to start an honest relationship, because I won't live knowing I was Professor Severus Snape's one night stand slut. I have more respect for myself than that..."

I frowned slightly, chewing on the inside of my lip as I always did in situations that made me nervous. "Hermione..."

"Please..Just try.." She sighed. "At least think on it...When I come back for detention tonight...Maybe give me an answer?"

"I'll think on it." I nodded, assuring her. "You think on it too." I gave a weak smile. "I think maybe you should go..The bell should be ringing soon.."

"Right then.." She got up, clutching around one of the posts of the bed. "Why do you love me?"

"Do you remember when you were in grade school Hermione?" She nodded. "There'd always be that little boy that would pull your hair, pick on you, pluck at your already fragile nerves...But it was really because he fancied you.." I gave a quiet chuckle. "I'm that boy, Hermione.."

She laughed. "I should have known..You're an arsehole, you know that?"

I laughed as well. "Yes, I know, I know..." I trailed off and sighed again. "I'll see you then."

Exhaling heavily she smiled, touching my cheek for a brief moment. "I'll see you."

Without another word said she exited, leaving me on my own 'til classes began. I lay back on my bed again, rubbing my tired eyes.

What a chore it was to be in love...