~Author's note~

Thanks to all my reviewers! As for those who think that I don't know what I am writing, YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! You have no idea who I am, or what I have been through. Let me tell you that my whole life I have had to deal with drugs, alcohol, and sex. The first memory that I have of my parents is of them drunk and fighting. So to not assume that I am not speaking of something that I do not know. I write (and read) to escape my life. The stories pull me into a world that is so different from my own. I am now living with my mother's parents, but I still like to create my own world.

*anyways, on with the story*

Ch6: Valentines Day Present

Hermione continued to be "friends" with Snape. She felt that the longer she remained on friendly terms with the man, the less she would feel for him. Oh, how wrong she was.

Every time Snape was close to her, or even around her, she felt her insides tremble.

Why the hell can't I get over him? She asked herself, but could pose no answer. So, she let herself ignore it as much as possible.

Snape, on the other hand, could not even fathom why Hermione would be so formal to him. But he respected her wishes, and kept his distance. He knew that he would have to get close to her to finish his "mission", but he had no clue as to how he was supposed to get close to her while she wouldn't even let him touch her.

It wasn't until one evening, close to Valentines Day, that she was forced to think about that night in the graveyard.

Hermione wandered into the Transfiguration classroom after dinner.

I hope professor McGonagall is here with the notes… Her thoughts trailed off when she saw Snape and Dumbledore.

"But how can I? She won't even let me breath on her, much less be alone in a room with her!" Snape told the Headmaster, and Hermione got the impression that he was talking about her.

"You have to, Severus. Voldemort has to think that you are carrying out his orders. If you don't, he'll know something is up, he'll know that you are working for the Order." Dumbledore told him.

The Order… Hermione cried.

He is working for the Order! Her head swam, and she missed the rest of the conversation. All she knew was that Snape didn't want to rape her. She saw Dumbledore leave, then made to go when a cold hand on her arm stopped her.

"How much did you hear?" Snape whispered in her ear, sending chills up her spine.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"How much did you hear?" Snape asked again , his voice like ice.

"N-nothing…" she stammered.

"Oh, come on Hermione, I know you heard something!" his hand on her arm tightened.

"I-I heard you telling Dumbledore that you-you couldn't come near me because I wouldn't let you. And he said that you had to." she cried, for his grip was hurting her.

Noticing that he was hurting her, he let her go.

"Is that all?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered.

"I guess I have to explain-"

"No, don't. I understand," she answered truthfully, as she got up to leave.

"Hermione…" Snape pleaded, but she was already gone.

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Valentines Day was there before either of them knew it. Hermione spent the whole day trying not to think about the man that haunted her every move, her every thought.

Why can't I just get him out of my head?! Her head screamed.

Because this is the most romantic holiday of the year, and you love him! another voice told her.

Well, what am I gonna do?…

Snape looked at the students with slight boredom, they were eating dinner and idly chatting with one another. All except one.

Snape noticed that while Harry and Ron where engaged in a heated discussion, Hermione just sat there, picking a the food that she didn't want to eat.

He felt the familiar feeling of longing creep into his system.

Why should I want her so bad? Why do I love her? he asked himself these age old questions that he had yet to find an answer to.

No use dwelling on it. If I want to carry out my plan, I can't think about my feelings….

By the end of dinner, Hermione had noticed that Snape had been looking at her for a full ten minutes.

What the hell does he want!? She thought as she made her way over to him.

"Hermione, we need to talk," Snape said before she could utter a word.

"Come with me." Snape led her towards the dungeons, and into his room.

"What the-" Hermione tried to say, but was interrupted by a hand over her mouth.

"Shh," he told her,

"I wanted to explain, seeing as you wouldn't let me the other night, why Dumbledore and I were talking."

"You don't-"

"I said shh. Now, first, I need to explain that for the Order-you know that I am in the Order right?" when she nodded, he continued,

"For the Order I have been working with Voldemort. Now, the Dark Lord wanted me to rape you. That is the real reason that I tried. It was a tactic to try and hurt Harry from the inside-out. I couldn't do it, for the reasons I told you previously. Now, he wants me to get close to you and kill you-"

"Severus Snape! I already know this!" and when he looked at her with a quizzical eye, she continued,

"I followed you to the graveyard, after we got back from the trip. I-I" she began, cringing under his sharp gaze,

"I was mad at you for awhile, then I heard you and Dumbledore, and I understood. You don't have to tell me anything!" she exclaimed.

Shocked by this, Snape just stood there, mouth open.

"Please, just say something…" she begged.

"Alright," he closed his mouth,

"I want you." It was Hermione's turn to gape.

"What?!"

"I want you." he said, smiling as she looked at him with wonderment.

Hermione just stood there for a minute, then a smile crept upon her face. Instead of answering his proclamation of lust, she crossed over to him and planted her lips on his.

He reacted like lightening, and parted her lips with his tongue. She opened willingly, and deepened the kiss, sending shivers up Snape's back. He pulled away, unexpended dizzy.

"Wow, that was more than I was expect-" he started, but was cut off by her mouth on his neck.

She knew that she wanted this, and that he wanted her. It was all she needed to hear. She just let her emotions take control.

Her hands slid up his shirt and onto his shoulders. Pressing her body into his, she could feel his heart beat, it wasn't steady. Just as hers wasn't.

He lowered her unto the bed, as he removed her robe. He gasped at the sight of her body.

"You know, I sometimes forget how small you really are," he told her, then crushed his mouth against hers.

Soon, his fingers were inside her, and she was gasping his name. Her hands raced over him, and she felt his groan with pleasure.

When he dipped inside of her, her eyes remained open, locked with his, even as they danced in that primitive beat. Slow at first, then faster and faster.

By morning, Hermione was asleep in Snape's arms.

Mix with love, hate, and power to make a life and get a shower.

Hermione would have laughed, if she knew what was to happen next.