Hi guys...Thanks for the reviews, and thanks for wasting time to read this story. And Allison dear, don't embarrass yourself, darling. Corporate Sellout..snort You're such a dork..

3 Casey

Chapter Five

"Well can I join you?" She questioned as I stood.

I contemplated that for a moment, then shrugged. "Second hand smoke kills." I felt the corners of my lips twitch as I made for the door.

When she followed, I paused at the door, and pulled it open for her. "After you."

I watched as she walked out the door, and for a few moments afterward. Even just watching her walk could...I shook my head and exited, letting the door swing closed behind me. Digging through the pocket of my coat, I retrieved my near empty pack of cigarettes, and a matchbook.

As I lit up, I found a comfortable looking dirt path through the woods to travel a bit out of town on. I took a long drag, stuffing my other hand into my pocket and looked to Hermione who walked beside me. "I suspect you've been doing some thinking this morning."

She nodded. "Too much of it I think..I have come to a conclusion though."

"The same one, I imagine?" She nodded again. "You always have been very hardheaded, Miss Granger..."

"No less then yourself, Professor." She gave a smug smile. "Have you thought any?"

I exhaled a breath of smoke and flicked some ashes off the end of the cigarette resting between my index and middle fingers. "I have." I stated.

She waited, looking at me. Then finally spoke up. "And?"

"I still think its a rather bad idea..." I sighed, looking away from her and straight ahead along the path. "Haven't you realized what could happen if a relationship between a teacher and a student was discovered?"

"I have." She replied.

"You're good record would be..demolished.." I took another quick drag. "Why would you want to risk that?"

"Well for one, You told me you loved me, and if you really do..I don't think love's something that should be wasted..." She shrugged. "I don't know..I don't know..Just say it if you want out." She looked up to me. "Just don't toy with me. I couldn't take that...It'd be better if you just flat out said it and didn't avoid..." She sighed. "We can both move on from last night and forget about it."

"I..." My head was rushing. I did love her. I did, I did, I did. But it was wrong and that was the bottom line. "Don't want to let you go.." I guess that was it. I had just written my fate in blood and signed it. I shook my head and tossed my cigarette butt onto the ground and put it out with the heel of my shoe. "I just don't want you do anything you will regret later on.."

"Look, I'm not stupid. I know this is wrong...But I'm a big girl, Professor, I can make my own descisions, I don't need you to protect me from myself." She said almost bitterly. "I know what I want."

"I am..most certain that you do.." She was right. She didn't need me to sway her into any decision that she didn't want to make.

"Don't you think I'd of kept walking last night if I didn't want to find out what would happen if I hadn't of stopped?" She paused in her walking and looked at me. I stopped too. "I can obviously make my own choices, and I'm almost certain that the one I made about getting myself wrapped around your finger wasn't a regrettable one.."

"Wrapped around my finger, Miss Granger?" I mused. "I believe you are mistaken when saying that. I think you're the one that just made me change my mind..Risk my job...My freedom..." I sighed again. "I think maybe I'm the one wrapped around your finger."

She smiled. "So we're going to do this, then?"

"I usually don't say something I don't mean..." I turned around. "Maybe we should be getting back...Its nearly four thirty...We'll be leaving in-" I felt her slide her arms around my waist and I froze, looking down to her. "Hermione.." I said weakly.

"Stop being such a wuss." She reached a hand up and put it atop my jaw. She stood on tip toe, tilting her head slightly to the right, and our lips met, softly, but surely.

I bent slightly, easing my arms about her as I deepend the kiss. She made a quiet noise, running a finger along my jawline. I parted from her, though barely, and slowly intook my breath. "We should..go back."

She nodded, drawing her hands back. "Right..right.."

I looked at her for a moment as she gathered herself, and wondered, amused, how many boys she'd kissed before. Maybe it was just my age, my experience over her. She was still young and unskilled. Not that she was bad, but...well, she'd learn eventually.

We began back, much like we walked out in the first place, side by side. I felt her slide her hand into mine, and I didn't look at her, just laced my fingers with hers until we arrived back in the village.

I cleared my throat and put my hands behind my back. "I will see you in detention." And that was the thought I left her on.

Smiling to myself as I walked away, contemplating exactly what I was getting myself into.

I sat at the high table later that night, prodding at my dinner with my fork, my head leaned onto my hand as I gazed to the Gryffindor table, watching Hermione speak to her friends. I gave a breathy sigh and put a piece of grilled chicken in my mouth.

A slight nudge alerted me, and I sat up, looking to my left, seeing Minerva McGonagall, head tilted curiously in concern. "Severus, dear. I haven't heard any of your usual complaining...Are you alright?"

I gave a slight smile. "Fine, Minerva...I'm just feeling a bit under the weather. I may be catching a cold."

"You should go and see Poppy, Severus...I'm sure she has the right antidote.."

I chuckled, turning to my dinner. "Don't make it sound like I'm on my death bed Minerva..."

She put a hand to my shoulder. "Surely, thats not what I meant. You're a very healthy young man. We all catch our colds, and its better to deal with them sooner than later." She said, nodding in assurance. She took her hand back. "How are your detentions with Hermione Granger coming?"

Was she implying something? I coughed. "Well, I suppose. Well as they can be..."

"That girls got a very good head on her shoulders. She knows exactly what she wants."

"Indeed." I sighed. "Well, If you'll excuse me, I think I may go and...lie down before tonights detention..."

"Go and see Poppy, Severus.." She said, sternly. "Before it gets too bad.."

"Right...Good night, Minerva." I stood and excused myself, walking across the entrance hall and through the door on the other side that led to the potions corridor.

Despite Minerva's warnings and suggestions, I knew that no potion that Poppy Pomphrey held in her cabinet or any potion for that matter could fix the type of sick I was feeling this evening.