Author's Note:

Thanks for all the tips in my reviews! If you like my story, please review, it makes me feel special ::blushes:: Anyway, on with the story! (P.S. Thanks to my beta, Mouse! WOO!)

Chapter Eight

They sat on the emerald green, velvet couch; his hand on hers, in a somewhat awkward silence.

"Err‚...," she began awkwardly, "What does this mean, Severus? I mean‚...are we‚...err‚...like‚...a couple now?"

To her surprise, he chuckled a little at this, "I suppose we are whatever you wish for us to be, Hermione."

"Well, I wouldn't feel right calling you my‚...significant other‚...until I owl Viktor and tell him‚...," she trailed off, sounding and feeling a bit frightened. Sensing her nervousness, he squeezed her hand and reached his own out to feel the smooth skin of her face again.

"Take as much time as you need. I know you were with him a long time. Just take your time‚...I can wait‚..."

"No Severus, you've been waiting long enough," she sighed as his elegant fingers stroked her cheek. "Do you have some parchment and a quill I can borrow?"

He gently removed his fingers from her face replacing them with his lips, caressing her chin lightly.

"Over on the desk‚...help yourself," he smiled in her direction. It faded as her warmth left him and he felt quite melancholy.

"Oh, I see it."

His smile returned when he felt her sit down again and lean into him.

"Let's see‚...," she tapped her chin with the quill and bit her lip, deep in though.

He then heard the scribble of a quill on parchment and listened to her write for about ten minutes.

"There, I'm done," she muttered quietly, "would you like to hear it?"

"If you would like to read it to me," he said a bit gruffly.

'Same old Severus' Hermione thought, trying to stifle a chuckle. "Ahem" she began:

Viktor,

We no longer have anything in common. I thank you for the good memories you have given me, but I can no longer be your girlfriend. I hope we can remain friends.

Cordially yours,

Hermione Granger

"There, how was that?" She asked shyly, not sure that it sounded right.

"Well, it's certainly to the point," he said sarcastically.

"Hmm‚...do you think it's a bit to, 'to the point'?" She sounded very concerned.

Although Severus was losing his patience, he was new with this whole relationship thing. He took and deep breath and decided to be 'kind' to her.

"Err‚...no‚...very business like‚...that's the best way to deal with these things," he said stiffly.

He was trying to sound intimidating and intelligent, much like he would in the classroom. Hermione smiled at this. This was a large part of the Severus Snape that she was falling in love with.

"Alright. Then this is what I'll send." She took a deep breath. "I would've never had the nerve had I not expressed my feelings to you, Severus," she touched his cheek gently and placed her lips on his. Severus was a bit surprised by this and didn't react for a moment. Hermione was about to pull away, because of his lack of enthusiasm, when he put his arms around her waist. She then put her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

"Ahem‚...,"

Severus and Hermione, in mid-snog, tore apart and Hermione gasped.

"Headmaster! I...err..."

"What a lovely sight to behold! Congratulations m'boy!" Came the, in Severus' opinion, disgustingly cheery voice of Albus Dumbledore.

Hermione disentangled herself from Severus and straightened both of their clothes, "I'm so sorry headmaster," she started.

"Damn it, Albus, you've always had such putrid timing!" He sneered viciously at the kind old man, who just smiled at Severus' rudeness.

"So, Hermione, Severus, how long has this been going on?" Severus could almost hear his eyes twinkling madly, and his eyebrows raising in a suggestive manner as he spoke.

"About two hours," Hermione murmured shyly, not sure whether or not Severus would want her telling people.

'She's not ashamed!' He thought excitedly, but decided not to show ithe refused to give Albus that satisfaction.

"Haha‚...I can't wait to see you after a week!" Albus chortled.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Severus sneered.

Albus chuckled a bit, "I suppose I should let you return to your‚...err‚...pleasures."

Hermione blushed brightly as she watched the headmaster exit Severus' quarters.

"Well that was quite embarrassing!" Severus said harshly, not making it clear that he was angry with Dumbledore, and not Hermione.

"I'm so sorry," she started, "you probably didn't-" she was cut off as Severus kissed her yet again and she wrapped her arms around him once more, his tongue gently caressed hers and she moaned into his mouth. His hands moved from her waist, to her abdomen, to just below her breasts. She abruptly pulled away, shy at this contact.

"S-sorryï‚...I'm just‚...shy," he could almost hear her blushing and smiled.

"That's perfectly alright, Hermione. I shouldn't have taken it that far. Do you forgive me?" He asked flirtatiously.

Hermione's jaw dropped. He Was Flirting With Her! Severus Snape! Flirting! She never thought she would live to see the day.

"Thank you, Severus."

"Hermione, I never want you to feel‚...err‚...," he looked and sounded extremely uncomfortable, "pressuredwith me. If I seem to touch you more than is usual, it's just because I cannot see you. I cannot see your beauty‚...I want to feel it." He sounded bitter as he spoke.

"Not all beauty can be seen or felt Severus." She took his hand and placed it on her heart. "This is where I see your beauty, and where I want you to see mine."

"I can see it Hermione. I can see it." His lips chastely touched her cheek and he pulled her into his warm embrace.

Author's note:

Ok, I had originally planned on making this a huge, long chapter, but I chose quality over quantity. I hope you enjoyed it. If so please tell me! If not‚...I love you anyway! ::grins::

Annie, is going well, to all who have wished me luck. Tech week started today‚...so it may be four or five days before my next update‚...SORRY! I love you all!!!