Hermione woke the next morning feeling groggy and tired. After trying unsuccessfully to rub the sleep out of her eyes, she gave up and turned over, but a sudden squeezing sensation around her chest and waist, made any more sleep impossible. When she reached down to find out what was causing it, she realised that she was still wearing the green dress from the night before, which had a boned bodice. She managed to sit up to pull down the zip, then slipped it off. She began rubbing her self where the bodice had dug into her through the night, wincing at the soreness. She looked over at Ginny, whowas still asleep and in much the same condition as her self.
She decided that a shower would wake and refresh her, so she walked over to the bathroom and switched it on. She dared to look in the mirror and immediately stuck out her tongue at her reflection, as she was not looking her best.
"Same to you dear!" it said in reply
After a long shower, she felt much better and walked back into the bedroom again to sit on her bed and dry her hair. Ginny was just waking up asHermione came inand sat up, rubbing her eyes
There it is hope you enjoyed it! Sorry for any grammatical or spelling mistakes as it is 1.30am!
"Oh, I'm so tired! I'm just not a night owl like you Hermione, staying up late does not agree with me! I'm more of a morning person – Urghh! But not today!" she said moving on from her eyes, to rub her forehead. Then suddenly her head shot up.
"Oh! This is our last Saturday together at Hogwarts!" Ginny wailed "Please tell me we can spend it together! I'm going to miss you so much when I come back next year!" Ginny said, looking pleadingly at Hermione and with such sad eyes that Hermione agreed. She guiltily remembered that she had planned onstaying in with Severus the rest of the day, but her falling asleep in her own bed instead of goingdown to his room,had made that more difficult. She felt torn, but in the end knew she would have to compromise and try and spend the night with her lover instead.
After Ginny had, had a shower, Hermione sat on her bed talking to her as she got dressed. After chatting for a while about what Ginny thought about Seamus and the fact he had asked her out, Ginny suddenly remembered Hermione's disappearance
"So what happened last night then?" she asked, raising her eyebrows
"Well...I went to meet Severus and well, we had an unwelcome guest.." Hermione dithered over whether to tell her friend the whole story, not knowing how much to reveal
"who?" Ginny asked curiously
"Lucius Malfoy!"Hermione told her
"What! He was inside the school? How?.. Why?"
"No, he wasn't inside the school, he was outside, look.. I think I need to tell you the whole story.."
Hermione proceeded to tell her friend about the night Lucius had attacked her, the letter and last night's occurrences. Ginny sat there wide eyed with shock through most of the conversation, with lots of "Ohh's" and head shaking.When Hermione eventually told her about the spell she had used on him; she could hardly believe it, but was very impressed
"How come the Ministry haven't been in touch with you? I mean it sounds as though you used an awful lot of magic to take him out!"
"I think Severus probably took the blame for me, I don't know" she answered truthfully
"Wow, Hermione! That was amazing! You must be feeling pretty pleased with yourself!" Ginny said, touching her friends arm briefly
Hermione smiled, cocked her head shyly, shrugged, then she laughed.
"Yes, it did feel pretty good, I must admit!" she said in the end, "but remember you're sworn to secrecy about this, no one else must know, that includes the boys!"
Ginny nodded, "of course, I won't tell a soul, I promise! But I wish you'd told me before, it must have been awful keeping this to yourself!"
Hermione and Ginny walked down to Hogsmead and met up with some of Ginny's friendsat the Three Broomsticksfor lunch. Harry and Ron had got involved in some sort of 'friendly' quidditch match, so they probably wouldn't see them until teatime. Hermione wasn't all that keen on most of Ginny's friends as being a rather serious type of girl, she thought them rather silly and frivolous. The only one she did like was Luna Lovegood. Luna always seemed to be there in body but not really in mind, until someone said something of interest to her, then she'd make some droll comment, making everyone stop, look at each other, then either shrug or laugh or both. Even though she was a little 'out there' Hermione knew her to be a very intelligent person and respected her, even if she didn't always understand what was going on inside her head.
After they had eaten lunch, they sat there talking for a while, having drinks, with Hermione trying to join in with the conversations. She tried very hard to concentrate on what was being said, but all she could think about was Severus and what she was going to say to him. She felt worried; now that she was leaving school, she wasn't going to have the access to him she had before, what if he disappeared again? She started to get edgy, what if he had already left, after all there was no reason for him to stay now, as there were no more classes.
When Ginny had gone to the toilet with two of her friends, Hermione just sat looking out of the window, watching all the people go by. The two of Ginny's friends that were left,were having an intimate conversation by themselves and Luna had her head in a book, so Hermione got lost in her own thoughts. She sighed as she saw, a couple go by hand in hand. Would her and Severus ever do that? Feeling sad, she hung her head a little, 'oh why couldn'twejust be like any normal couple?' She thought, then berated herself, 'because you aren't a normal couple, that's why, you idiot!'
"He's just afraid that's all!" Luna said suddenly, behind her, laying a hand on Hermione's shoulder and making her jump.
Her heart pounding, she turned around to look at the rather strange looking girl. the clothes she had taken to wearing lately made her look like Professor Trelawny! But in Luna's opinion the Divination professor had very good taste in clothes, so that was probably her intention! Fortunately for Luna, because she was pretty, she almost got away with it.
"He is just afraid that's all," she said more quietly this time, taking her handoff her shoulderand laying it instead onHermione's forearm, "he thinks that if he lets you into his heart you will inevitably break it, he has had his heart broken before and doesn't want to go through that again. You'll have to prove to him that you really love him and that it is not just a crush. He thinks you just want to be with him because of who you think he is, not who he really is.He is fine with that as long as you don't ask for more. He will be difficult, he'll give you every reason not to love him and try to push you away, but do not give up because eventually.." She said her big eyes round and serious, "there will come a point where he can resist you no longer and he will reveal his true feelings, if that is what you want then I suggest you go for it, before it is to late", then she turned back to the book she had been reading as if nothing had happened
Hermione sat there open mouthed in shock, how did Luna know? Why hadn't she said something before? She just couldn't believe it, but by the time she had managed to engage her mouth to say something, Ginny and her now hysterically giggling friends came back and sat down again.
Hermione quickly made a decision
"Erm, Ginny... I'm sorry, but I can't stay any longer there's something I've got to do and it can't wait" she said looking at her friend apologetically
Ginny looked disappointed
"Okay, if you really have to go, but we were going to go to Honeydukes next, to try their new chocolates, they are totally calorie free, but taste just the same as normal chocolate apparently!" the red haired girl said, trying to tempt her friend into staying
"That sounds lovely, but I'm sorry, this is really important. Anyway, we'll be spending most of the summer holidays together, so don't look so sad!" Hermione reminded her, which made Ginny nod reluctantly in reply, then smile.
After saying their goodbyes, Hermione began the long walk back up to the school. She was a few paces behind some 5th year boys, who were a mixture of Ravenclaws and Slytherins, they were laughing, joking and generally messing around as they walked. They were dawdling, so, after saying excuse me, Hermione pushed past them. As she did so she heard some of them whispering behind her back,sending a shiver up her spine.
As it had been a very hot day she had chosen to wear her jeans with a tight fitting shoestring strap top which finished just above her belly button, but she now felt a little vunerable in it. Since the attack, she had become a little paranoid that boys were looking at her and didn't like showing her self off too much. As she had still been on the confident high from last night and knew she was going to be with Ginny, she had relaxed her guard a little today though. She began to walk even faster and got her wand out of her bag, to hold ready just in case.
"Oi, you!" cried out one of the boys rudely, "you're the one aren't you? The one that got Draco banged up!"
Hermione just ignored them; she was used to Slytherin taunts by now and since Draco's imprisonment, she had constantly been accused of lying by them. She heard feet running to catch up with her, which made her walk even faster.
"Hey! Don't you ignore me..bitch!" one of the boys swore at her, grabbing her shoulder.
This time Hermione did take notice. She whipped round angrily, smacking his hand away, then held her wand out in front of her threateningly. This move made the boy blanch a little, but he soon recovered and pulled his face into a look of defiance as she spoke
"Don't you EVER, EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN! UNDERSTAND!" Hermione warned him; through gritted teeth, "or you'll be wearing your balls for a necklace!" this got her a load of sarcastic "whoo's and "whoe's" from the assembled crowd.
"Hmmph!" said the boy, who was rather skinny, but quite handsome, with a mop of spikey black hair. "Draco told me how vicious you were, but I don't scare easily!" said the boy, narrowing his blue/grey eyes
"Oh no? How would you like me to demonstrate the spell I used on Draco after he attacked me? I would be quite happy to show it to you!" she said sounding a lot braver than she felt
"Just try it!" the boy said arrogantly in reply
"Leave it, Paris!" said one of the other boys, who Hermione knew to be a Ravenclaw
"NO!" said the boy in reply, "If she thinks she can hex me, then let her try!" he added, not taking his eyes off her once
"She is pretty good Paris, she's supposed to be really powerful!" warned another boy, but Paris was having none of it and stood his ground
"So am I!" he replied, looking round briefly. Hermione felt more relaxed now as she saw that the other boys appeared to be no threat to her, it just seemed to be Paris who had a problem and he didn't look to be that much trouble. She thought of a spell and pointed her wand at him
"Abelgatio!" she shouted loudly, but the banishing spell was neatly re-bounded by a smiling Paris. After several tries from either side to whoops of encouragement from his friends, they reached stalemate. Hermione was frustrated, all she wanted to do was to get back to Hogwarts, not stand here with this silly boy, duelling.
She stood back folding her arms, her frustration written all over her face, but Paris took this as a sign of defeat and not realising that until now she had gone easy on him, as she didn't want to get into trouble with the Ministry. Paris looked around arrogantly at his friends, smiling,
"See I told you she wasn't that good, I can beat that mud blood, easily!"
This was a big mistake on his part, first of all looking away, then calling her by a label that she had come to despise intently, making her even more angry. So fast that he definitely didn't see it coming, she pulled back her arm and landed a punch on his chin so hard it sent him flying back into the arms of his friends. She stood back, her face resolute, she deplored violence normally, but this pipsqueak was getting on her nerves. There wasn't a sound from the boy now; he just looked at her in sulkily, touching his bloodied lip.
"I'll bet Draco didn't tell you I could do that, did he? Yes, I punched him in the third year! It's funny, but you have the same look on your face as he did! Are you related by any chance?" she said jokily
"I'm his cousin!" the boy revealed, standing up with help from his friends
"Ahh, that explains it! Stupidity must run in the family then!" she said, before walking away
She looked back briefly to see the boy struggling out of his friends grasp and begin to hold his wand out towards her, but the other boys managed to stop him and hold down his arms.
"You haven't heard the last of this bitch!" the foul-mouthed boy shouted after her, "When Draco gets out he's going to come and find you, then you'll regret ever messing with a Malfoy!" Paris shouted after her angrily
"I'll be ready for him!" Hermione shouted back, sounding completely unworried, but feeling frustration inside, why couldn't those Malfoys just leave her alone!
Walking quickly, she soon left the boys far behind and got to the gates of the school, then began the long walk up the gravel driveway.
As she walked, she played out scenarios in her head, things she would say and things that Severus would likely to say back. She knew he would probably be difficult but she felt sure that she could win him over, she had to, as she didn't want to lose him. She also wondered at Luna and what she had said, was she a seer or something?She'd always seemed to have very good insight into things, but Hermione had just presumed that it was just because she was very clever, obviously it was more than that.
Reaching the school, she walked through the main doors. It was very quiet inside today, as most people were either outdoors, or at Hogsmead, enjoying the sunshine. As she made her way down to the Slytherin dungeons, she felt sadder and sadder, she really was going to miss this place.
Still not knowing exactly what she was going to say to Severus, she eventually got to his office. Standing in front of the rather imposing black wooden door, she knocked cautiously. Then, after carefully looking around to see if anyone was watching she called out
"Severus! It's me Hermione!" she said in a loud whisper. Strains of music could be heard as the door began unlocking itself, then opening to reveal the room beyond. She walked in to see Severus standing in the doorway that led to his bedroom. He was dressed in just his shirt and trousers like he normally did when relaxing, but he looked slightly more ruffled this time. It was then she noticed also how messy his office looked, even more so than usual.
She looked round at stacks of parchment and boxes of potions.
"You're leaving already?" she asked, worriedly
"Yes, it is time for me to go" he answered simply
her eyes flicked over him, not knowing what to say next
"So, where does that leave us?
"There is no us, there never was, we just played with each other for a while, it was fun, but now it's over and we both have to get on with our lives" Severus said stiffly, folding his arms
"No! It may have started out as a bit of fun, but it became something more, much more and you know it! Look at last night, you said you couldn't let him take me, why would you say that if you didn't care about me?" Hermione replied, his dismissive words stinging her
"You have no idea what that man is capable of! I've seen him do some things that...well, ...I would have done the same for any student at this school, he is totally without consience!" Severus retorted, unfolding his arms and turned, so that he had his back to her. Then he began busying himself again, using his wand to pull things down from shelves and place them in piles or boxes
Hermione took a deep breath, readying herself for an argument, but then she thought she'd try a softer approach
"I think you're in denial Severus" she said, sliding her arms around his waist and resting her hands flat on his chest. For a moment he paused and seemed to be thinking, then looking down he removed her arms.
"I suppose you think that seducing me will change my mind, well it won't work, not this time," he said, not looking round, then he carried on with his task. This angered Hermione, she walked round to his front so that she was facing him andjutting out her chin and pursing her lips she glared at him
"Do you know Severus Snape, you are a complete and utter...SHIT!" she said the tears now in full flow, "you seduce me, then..then..then you make me fall in love with you! Then you just dump me, just like that! Your heart is like stone Severus Snape, if you even have one that is!" Hermione said accusatorily, hoping for some sort of reaction. She got one
A look of haughty defiance came over his face, before he began an angry rant
"You know nothing of my heart! You know nothing of life! Only what you have read in books! You think you know everything and yet you have hardly been outside of these walls for the past seven years! You have no idea what's out there, the danger that is coming! There is a good chance you could die, that many of us could..including and quite likely ..me! Don't you realise that being with me would put your life in even more danger? I tread a very thin line and could be found out at any time. Whenever I go out there with them, there is a good chance that I won't come back!" he shook his head then and turned away, walking over to his fireplace, placing both hands on the mantle and leaning over it
"Please, just go, go and live your life! You'll soon forget me and move on to someone else! You're only eighteen for Merlins sake! Why would you want to saddle your self with an old man like me?" he continued
"Because I happen to love you! That's why! And you're not old, I think you are very young looking actually! You are the sexiest.. most fascinating, most intelligent man I know. If I went with anyone else, I would just be looking for another you, so why can't I have the real thing?" Hermione stated, desperately trying to win him over
Still he shook his head
"No! NO! This is it, this is the last time! Why can't you let go! Of all the women I've known, you are quite the most stubborn! Most of them have drifted in and then quite happily drifted out of my life with out so much as a goodbye, but you!"
"What is it? Is it because you just can't believe that anyone could love you! Or are you afraid of what people might think? I'm not naïve enough to think that my life could just carry on the same as before! I know people would hate us being together, but I don't care! We are the only ones that count, our happiness is the only thing should matter!" Hermione pleaded, walking over to him
"I can guarantee you would not be happy with me, no matter what people thought of us!" he said, not looking up. Hermione bit her lip and took a deep breath
"Don't you realise, that the past few months with you have been some of the best, most exciting in my life? You have taught me so much about myself! I know under all that sarcasm and scyniscism there beats the heart of a passionate man who is merely afraid, afraid to love and be loved, who thinks that everyone will ultimately betray him and cause him pain" she said softening her tone considerably
"Where did you get that from, one of your books?" he scoffed, looking up, then back down again
"No! That's what I think or rather.. know about you" she replied, feeling a little hurt, "Please, please don't push me away! I'm serious, I won't hurt you, I just want to love you, why won't you let me?" she put her hand softly on top of his. He didn't move or say anything for a while and Hermione's heart began to beat faster and when the tension became too unbearable, she began to move away, heading for the door
Suddenly she felt him grab her from behind and whirl her round to face him, then hold her head in his hands firmly. She knew he wanted to probe her mind, so she let him, watching him intently. When he had finished, he looked almost surprised
"You are a very strange girl Hermione Granger, but I like your taste!" He said incredulously, with a hint of a smile teasing up the corners of his mouth. Then he reached down and kissed her softly. Hermione felt a rush of butterflies to her tummy, which made her legs go a little wobbly. Tears of joyful surprise sprang into her eyes; had she convinced him? His passion increased and the kiss became harder, his hands sliding from her cheeks to the back of her head to massage her hair gently between his fingers.
Hermione slid her hands around his waist, pulling right up against him, so her breasts pressed into his chest. His hands slid down from her hair, onto her thighs and leaning over slightly, he picked her up and carried her over to his desk, then after shoving everything that was on it onto the floor, lay her back on it. He moved his mouth down onto her neck, breathing heavily
"Oh, why do you bewitch me so? I know I shouldn't want you, but I can't stop and now... now I don't want to! I hope you know what you are letting yourself in for girl!" he said in-between kisses, sounding slightly muffled.
"I hope so too!" She replied breathily, enjoying his kisses; each one leaving her tingling with anticipation. He moved down to her chest and was just pulling down her top a little, when he suddenly shot up. Hermione was wondering what was wrong, when her lover pulled her legs up and shoved her unceremoniously onto the floor behind his desk
She looked at him curiously and was about to protest at his roughness, when she heard a voice and the door opened a crack
"Severus? Erm..can I come in?" it sounded like Professor Flitwick. The door opened fully and Hermione quickly ducked behind the desk, hiding in the gap, between the drawers.
"What is it Filius? I'm very busy!" Severus snapped
"Ahh, I've been doing a little sorting out myself. There always seems to be so much to be done doesn't there? I've been at it all morning and..." Professor Flitwick went on, but Severus cut him off
"What is it you came to see me about?"
"Ahh, well it is rather delicate.. would you mind if I sat? he asked cautiously
"Very well, but I hope this does not take long, I need to be somewhere" Severus replied; rather rudely, Hermione thought and she also worried were he had to be in such a hurry.
"Would you please sit as well, being short, it is rather intimidating having someone as tall as you towering over me" Professor Flitwick asked politely
Severus reluctantly sat down, pulling his chair forward slightly, making Hermione pull back as far as she could go, under the desk.
As she looked at her lover's legs, a naughty smile suddenly spread over her face, as she remembered something she'd seen in a film once. She hesitated, biting her lip in indecision; then feeling a sudden wanton bravado come over her, she decided to go for it.