-THE REUNION - CLASS OF '98

CHAPTER 7: Home is where the lie is

Snape watched, shocked and disgusted at how every woman in the Great Hall was surrounding none other than Ron Weasley. Even the married ones were trying desperately to get near the red headed young man.

Except of course, for Hermione Granger.

Ginny, Harry, Luna and Neville went over to greet the famous Weasley, while Hermione continued rooted to her seat. She seemed very tense, as if waiting for something to happen.

Snape knew Hermione had turned Weasley down, it was well known at the school, for everyone thought they would end up together. But Granger surprised everyone with her decision, and now he wondered if the girl had any feelings for Weasley after all. He frowned reminding himself she was no girl anymore, this was a woman for sure. He never thought of Hermione Granger as anything but his annoying former student, and yet after that dream, he started to see her in a whole new light. But no matter how much his image of her had changed in his eyes, nothing could prepare him for the amazing image he saw this evening.

When he saw her walking into the Great Hall, it was as though the world had stopped and he could see nothing but her. She was stunning, wearing a black strapless satin dress and black robes. Her hair was parted in the middle, falling in several wavy caramel colored layers. She had straightened it partially, making it look natural and shiny. Her lips were a deep red, contrasting with her milky white skin and her big brown eyes were framed by long dark eyelashes.

He wanted to kick himself as he let that question slip. What was he thinking, saying he hoped she was still Miss Granger? He was glad when the others interrupted to greet him and she got distracted.

As she stopped in front of him and let her robe fall off, he drank in her soft bare shoulders and full breasts, lifted up by the tight corset of the dress. Her tiny waist and the curvy hips, showed how much she had grown into a gorgeous woman. He could barely control himself and had to use all his strength to keep himself from enveloping her in his arms, and making his past week's dreams a reality. He didn't know how long he stood there staring at her, to only notice he was still standing when she sat down, with the help of her companion.

What was she doing with Longbottom anyway? That story about their relationship wasn't sinking in, he knew there was something amiss and he could tell she was lying. But why?

The others -except for Luna who was still hovering around Weasley- returned to the table and Hermione said something in Longbottom's year. The young man nodded nervously and held her hand, taking her to the dance floor. Slowly, the crowd around Weasley started to dissipate as he moved to dance with Fleur. The women were still hanging around him and shooting daggers at Fleur. But while Fleur was acting snobbish and proud as usual, Weasley seemed to be glancing at Hermione, who was pretending not to know him.

Snape smirked as it all became clear. Weasley was showing her he could have one of the most beautiful witches in the wizarding world and didn't need her. And she, apparently, was showing him she didn't care, by faking a relationship with Longbottom. He couldn't help but feeling relieved that she wasn't involved with Neville, he wasn't right for her, she deserved someone that shared her level of intellect...

The sudden realization that he was sitting there thinking about Hermione Granger's love life came as a shock and he scowled, trying to focus on something else. But he couldn't... he couldn't stop looking at that silly woman! He stood up and went to the refreshment's table to get some punch. It wasn't firewhiskey but the little alcohol in it would have to make him relax.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Hermione didn't imagine it was going to be so hard to lie to everybody. She never thought she would be this nervous and now that she was here, she didn't even know if it was worth it anymore. And Snape... he was driving her crazy, just his presence was making her nervous.

Ron had arrived and was encircled by a buzz of women and reporters. He too looked so different... He was wearing very expensive light green robes, she didn't remember seeing Ron in such good quality clothes ever in her life. He had grown into a strong tall man, his muscles were very well defined and his face wasn't covered in freckles any longer. His red hair was almost as long as Snape's...

She suddenly realized she was alone with Snape, as everybody left to greet Ron and she could feel his dark penetrating eyes on her. She glanced quickly at him and turned pretending to look at the crowd, but she saw as he licked his sexy lips and... 'Where is that coming from? Since when Snape has anything sexy?' she thought, shifting in her seat.

She was relieved when she saw Neville coming back and quickly decided to ask him to dance. It would be a good way to show Ron she was here, and not lusting over him. And it was also a good way to get her mind away from Snape.

Ron came to the dance floor and joined them, staring from a distance. She was happy to ignore him as much as possible, even though a little part of herself wanted to go there and ask him to be friends again.

The music stopped and when she faced Neville, she saw he looked really flushed. This was being hard on him too, not only because of Ginny, but with all the lying...

Pulling his hand, she decided to go get something to drink. Upon arriving the table, she saw Snape was already there and she had to control the urge to just turn away and run. Instead, she went ahead and got herself some punch, hoping the alcohol would relax her a bit.

Dean Thomas and Parvati approached the table, helping themselves with some punch and Dean started to chat with Neville, who was finally looking calmer. Parvati ignored Hermione, casting her a disdainful look as if she wasn't supposed to be there and Hermione just shrugged, turning to watch the dance floor. She was extremely aware of Snape's presence near her. She didn't know how long she stood there, feeling him around her. She just lost herself in her own thoughts.

Coming their way was Lavender practically dragging Ron Weasley to the refreshments table, while Seamus and Fleur followed them, more than a little upset. Hermione sensed things would start to get out of hand but decided to step back and watch. Suddenly everyone decided to go there and a crowd was forming again. She found herself walking back and leaning against the wall, only to find Professor Snape had decided to do the same thing on the other side of the table. They were leaning against the same wall and for a moment, they turned their heads toward each other. She, for some reason, blushed furiously and looked down embarrassed.

Her attention was diverted by Harry. "Have you seen Ginny, Hermione?"

"No, is everything Ok?" she asked seeing the angry look in Harry's eyes.

He didn't answer and turned to Ron who was emptying a glass of punch, while Lavender talked incessantly. "Have you seen Ginny, Ron?"

"Last time I saw her, she was right there, talking to Dean," he said pointing to the place Hermione had seen Neville and Dean before. But now, only Neville and Luna were there talking, and there was no sign of Dean anywhere. Harry went ahead and inquired Neville, who said he saw Ginny leaving the Great Hall with Dean. By this time everyone was paying attention to Harry. Hermione saw how Parvati was looking just as angry as Harry.

Harry went after Ginny, being followed by just about everyone, including reporters. Hermione was trying to talk to Harry, to make him calm down but he was exploding with rage and wouldn't listen. Before she could reach the entrance, Harry came back dragging Ginny by her arm and pointing his wand at a half dressed Dean. Harry was yelling at Dean, who had his wand in hand, shaking in equal rage.

The reporters and photographers were smiling excitedly as if it was Christmas morning.

Professor Snape got himself in the middle separating both men.

"Get out of my way, he was shagging my wife!" said Harry coldly, as Snape held him back with the help of Ron.

Ginny was sobbing and trying to talk to Harry, only making things worse.

"WHAT? Are you going to tell me that this isn't what I'm thinking?" Harry yelled at Ginny, as she flinched at his every word. "Do you think I am fool? That I don't know that kid is not mine?"

She only shook her head.

"Is that one his too?" He asked pointing to her round belly.

"Yes," Ginny answered almost too fast, gasping with her hand covering her mouth.

"How long has this been going on?" he asked incredulous.

"A little after we got married," she blurted out, and Hermione noticed she was looking reluctant to speak, but couldn't control herself.

Everyone was watching the conversation between the couple, from one to the other, like watching a tennis match. Snape and Ron let go of Harry, noticing he had dropped his wand and was looking terribly tired. Hermione felt sorry for her friend and wanted to hug him, but things were different now and they weren't the same friends as before. And to make everything worse, the reporters with their enchanted quills, were taking notes of the whole story.

"Why, Ginny?" Harry asked looking defeated.

"Because Dean's so much bigger than you." She yelped in horror as the words were coming out of her mouth without any control.

Parvati was fuming and started yelling at Dean, who uncontrollably blurted out that she was frigid and she shrieked in horror.

Seamus turned to Lavender. "I thought size wasn't important..."

"Of course it is, I told you that so you wouldn't feel bad," Lavender said and whimpered, covering her mouth.

Everyone had their mouths hanging open at the scene developing alarmingly out of control. Fleur took advantage of the moment to pull Ron away from Lavender, who noticed and tried to go after them, only to have her arm held by Seamus. Hermione sighed as she saw the fight starting between the two couples. Seamus was trying to hex Ron and she knew that there was something very wrong going on.

"It's not my fault if Lavender thinks I am bigger than you, right Lavender?" Ron said to Seamus.

"Actually I'm after you for your money," Lavender said with her eyes wide.

"What?" Ron asked and Lavender repeated the same thing, trying to stop herself with her hand covering her mouth.

"Bloddy hell, is that why you're with me?" he asked Fleur enraged.

"Yes, I find you most unattractive and you're not even zhat big," Fleur said looking terribly ashamed.

This time was Harry who cut in. "Come on Ron, anyone can see these women are after you for your money and fame, it doesn't take a brain to figure that one out!"

"And I bet you are still jealous, aren't you?" asked Ron.

"Yes I am!" answered Harry, getting more embarrassed. "And why did you stop talking to Hermione after she turned you down? She was our best friend!"

"Because she was the only thing I couldn't get, I got money and fame and pretty much everything I wanted. I wanted to show everyone I could get the girl I wanted too," Ron said.

Hermione finally took part in the row. "Oh, so you didn't even love me, I was just a means for you to prove yourself better than Harry?"

"Yes." He had his hand on his forehead, while the cameras flashed away.

"You should be ashamed of yourself Ron!" she yelled outraged.

"I'm sorry 'Mione, I regret it and I missed you... at least I'm glad to see you seem to be happy with Neville," he said.

"No, I'm not with Neville, this was all a farce to get back at you," she said and was shocked to find she couldn't control her own words either. So that was what was happening...

Snape had his arms crossed, smirking. He was thoroughly enjoying the whole scene and now it had gotten even better with the confirmation that Miss Granger wasn't involved with Neville. He was appalled though, as to why everybody was being so honest... it sounded a lot like they were under Veritasserum. But that was impossible, how and who would be able to administer Veritasserum to everyone at the party?

That's when Hermione approached him.

"Professor, there's something wrong with the punch," she said pulling him aside. "Somebody must have spiked the punch with Veritasserum."

They looked back at the people standing there and the chaos was growing at every word they spoke.

"But who could possibly do a thing like that?" he asked more to himself.

Their eyes scanned the room, searching for a possible guilty face and landed on Draco leaning in the archway, amusedly watching the spectacle.

"I should have known," she said. "I would arrest him, but his life seems bad enough already."

"Well, you have to admit that was very amusing," Snape said not being able to hold a grin.

"Yes it was," she said again not helping her words coming out.

Snape chuckled.

"What's so funny now, Professor?" she asked.

"Your relationship with Neville, I admire that you at least tried to pull that one off," he said smug.

She snorted."What about you and Luna?"

"I just accepted to accompany her, so I could have a date for once in my life," he said closing his eyes and thinning his lips at revealing too much information.

Hermione laughed. "That's right, you drank it too. That should be fun," she said with a wicked grin.

"Why were you staring at me throughout the entire evening?" Hermione immediately asked.

"Because I think you look beautiful and I couldn't stop thinking about you all week," he answered and the surprise in her eyes matched his own. He hadn't admitted that, even to himself and he was truly surprised at his own feelings.

"Oh..." She was speechless for probably the first time in her life.

Snape looked at her intensely, his black eyes sparkling. "Why were you so tense back there at the table?"

"Because I had just noticed how you look dashing and really sexy," she answered not bothering anymore with her own honesty.

Snape's eyebrow lifted and his eyes seemed to hold that same wanting she saw in her dream. Now it was very clear that it was lust what his eyes held and if she could look at herself now, she would probably see the same thing.

He traced one long finger on her forehead to push away a strand of her soft hair. His subtle gestures were extremely sexy and elegant, making her shiver with excitement.

"What do you want to do now?" he asked softly in his silky voice.

"I want to go to the library, where you can snog me senseless," she let out boldly.

"The library?" he asked confused.

"I've always had this fantasy that I would do it at Hogwarts' library," she answered shyly.

"Why am I not surprised?" he joked.

"Oh shut up." She slapped his arm and he grabbed her hand, pulling her down the hallway.

They both disappeared in the dark hallway, leaving all the confusion behind them. Not noticing the evil eyes staring at them from the shadows.

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

The room was dark but their eyes adjusted pretty fast, due to the moonlight coming through the large windows. Hermione smiled at the sight of her favorite place, a place where she spent most of her time while being a student.

The library.

She just never imagined that one of her most secret fantasies would actually happen and with one of the last people, she would have thought.

Severus Snape.

She pulled him to the aisle, near the desk where she used to study. "Right this way, Professor," she purred.

Snape turned her around to face him and she smiled, his eyes were bright and had an intensity she had never seen. Before she could muse any longer, he cupped her face in his hands, brushing his lips on hers ever so lightly. The contact sent a tingling sensation to the tips of her fingers

They stood there holding each other as their kiss intensified, making her melt into his arms. Snape suddenly broke away from their kiss, earning a groan of protest from her. Just before she could say anything, she noticed why he had stopped. The sound of screams echoed in the distance and they both looked at each other questioningly.

"Something is happening at the party!" she said.

They immediately pulled out their wands and left the library, careful not to make noise as they approached the Great Hall.

Snape held her arm. "Stay close, we have no idea what's going on in there."

"I'm an Auror Severus, I can defend myself!" she hissed offended.

"I'm sure you can Hermione, I just think we should stick together." He held her hand and she accepted without complain.

Even before they arrived at the entrance, they could see the lights were out. It was in total darkness and the front door to the castle was wide open. People were screaming and trying to get out in panic as they made their way inside, trying to find Dumbledore and the others.

Snape knew Hermione was right by his side while they were running. He heard a swishing noise and felt a breeze pass right up his head. Looking up he saw someone in a broom. As the broom made its way around the room, he lost sight of Hermione in the middle of the dark Hall. Everything happened so fast that before he could take notice of what was really happening, it was gone.

A scream cut through the air and the breeze swept over him. He could swear he heard his name being called out.

The lights came back on, the candles were lit one by one by the Headmaster, but the stranger in the broom was nowhere to be seen. Snape looked around and couldn't see Hermione anywhere.

Harry came up to him and started yelling, asking where Hermione was but he could barely hear him. His eyes were searching the entire room when someone yelled, "Look!" pointing to the high window on the left side.

Everybody turned to see a broom flying in the distance carrying two people. One of them was laying face down, being held by the one controlling the broom. Even in the distance Snape could see the unmistakably brown curly hair and a black long dress.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, next one is the last, so hang in there ;-)

Thanks to : vizzy-vicky-lou, the-sexy-flower, momsangel, Parody-of-an-Angel and havesdevil for your wonderful reviews!