I want to apologize in advance that I won't be able to answer all your reviews but I am still in Australia at the moment and I just go in the internet to check emails and to post chapters and of course to read your great reviews.
The story is already completed so I won't be able to take any advices but I am stimm writing on that sequel so don't give hope up now...

Thank you so much for rerading and sharing your thoughts with me

An hour later, Hermione had regained her calm and transfigured some of his robes into clothes for herself. She was now waiting for his return. His last words were still spinning around in her head. How dare he tell her that she couldn't kiss? She hadn't heard any complaints about her kissing skills - ever! 'But maybe, a little voice in her head whispered, maybe that is because you've never been kissed by a real man before…'

A short time later Severus entered the room, barely looking at the girl on his couch. He gathered some things and turned towards her. "I see you are properly dressed, at last. My brother is waiting for us. He also has been in Azkaban for the last years. So please don't do something foolish like asking him what he has done lately!"
"I wouldn't have dreamed of speaking to your brother at all if you wouldn't force me, Professor! I think I will be able to avoid the subject Azkaban to your satisfaction!"
His brother had been in Azkaban? Great! How many surprises were still waiting for her?

Without another word Hermione went over to him as he left the room. He looked down at her for a moment and noticed how pale she was and that she was biting her lower lip. He could tell that she was not only nervous as hell but that she was also afraid. He took her hand and placed it on his arm, gently squeezing it. She looked up surprised and he recognized traces of gratitude in her gaze. He pushed the door to the living room open and together they entered the room.

Ernestus stood up and went towards them. Hermione's grip on Severus's arm tightened with every step his brother made towards them. Ernestus took her free hand and raised it to his lips. "You are indeed beautiful, Hermione!" he said.

She gave him a forced smile. She hadn't been able to see much of him yesterday but now that he was showered and shaved, she could see the resemblance between he and Professor Snape.

"Thank you, Ernestus." They all sat down and started to eat. She was quiet except for a few murmured yes's and no's. Severus and Ernestus were talking quite actively.

Sometimes during the meal, Severus would smile at her - a real smile not the ones he showed at Hogwarts.

"So, tell me brother, when will you two marry?"

"We haven't decided yet. You see, we only recently got engaged," Severus said, reaching for her hand in a very possessive gesture.

"You should act soon, you don't want to let her slip through your fingers."

"Believe me when I say that that won't happen, brother!"

Severus and Ernestus shared a quick but very intense gaze; Hermione wasn't sure what it meant but she felt that in that very moment something important had been settled between the two men.

-------

"So, tell me dear brother, why did she sleep in my room instead of yours?" Ernestus asked later that evening while he and Severus where enjoying a friendly chat in the living room. Severus was beginning to get annoyed.

His brother had questioned him, almost the whole day, about his relationship with Miss Granger and Severus had had enough! "We had a little disagreement but it is settled now."

"A disagreement? And you let get her away with that kind of behavior?"

"From time to time I indeed do. You may have forgotten what my purpose with the girl is. She is one of the closest friends to the famous boy who lived. She must adore me, so she trusts me completely. And with her trust I will eventually have him. So you see, it wouldn't be wise at all to scare her off, would it?"

Ernestus nodded. "Of course, you are right, Severus. I hadn't thought about it that way."

Severus just nodded. "When will you be meeting with the Dark Lord?'

"As soon as he calls me. And then, brother, I will get my revenge. All these years I've lived only for that. For our reunion and our revenge."

"And you will get it, Ernestus. You will get it."

---

Hermione had spent most of her time in Severus's library. She desperately tried to avoid her fiancé and his brother. Her fiancé? She still couldn't believe it. How did that happen? How could he say such a thing? How could Dumbledore approve? What would her mother say? What about Harry and Ron and her other friends? If someone had told her two days ago that she would spend her time with Hogwarts' most feared and hated teacher and that she would have to pretend to be deeply in love with him, she would have laughed herself to death!

Her thoughts were interrupted when said teacher and fiancé entered the room. His black robes were billowing behind him, like always.

"Did you enjoy yourself today, Hermione?"

That was another thing. Without warning, he had started to call her Hermione. The first time she had just stared at him until he raised an eyebrow. His only comment had been, "That is your name, isn't it?" She had just nodded and the discussion was over.

"Yes, I did." He walked over to her, offered her his arm and pulled her up as she took it. For a moment they stood closely together but he quickly took a step back.

"I came to guide you to dinner."

She nodded, shivering lightly at the thought that she would have to spend more time with his brother. "Thank you," she whispered and together they left the room.

Five hours later she was shocked to find out that Snape's brother could be very pleasant company. After dinner, they had gone to the living room where a house-elf had already started a roaring fire. Severus had offered them some after-dinner liqueurs as they sat down.

"No! He didn't!" Hermione laughed a short time later.

"I assure you he did, Hermione. Our parents spoke about it for weeks," Ernestus said with a twinkle in his eyes.

She shot a gaze to Severus as his brother was telling stories of their childhood. He looked very relaxed and she saw that his eyes were glimmering with joy.

The grandfather clock struck midnight and Ernestus stood up. "I hope you two don't mind but I am very tired. I will retire to bed." He went over to the couch and kissed Hermione's hand. " I had a very pleasant evening, Hermione."

"Thank you, so did I." To her surprise, she realized that she wasn't lying at all.

"Good night, Severus." Severus nodded and observed him leaving the room.

"Your brother can be quite charming."

"You mean unlike me," he said almost mockingly; Hermione blushed at his comment.

Suddenly, he grasped her and Hermione felt herself lost a second time this day to his kissing skills. She didn't care why he had decided to kiss her. Or that it was wrong because he was her teacher and a Death Eater. She had thought about their little morning encounter the entire day and to actually feel his lips on hers again sent shivers down her spine…

All too soon she was trembling helplessly under him, her only hold his shoulders. His right hand was holding her head and his long slender fingers were deeply buried in her curly hair, keeping her in place. His other hand lay at the base of her spine, pressing her body into his. He parted her lips and plundered her sweet mouth. Her hands started to leave his shoulders and to wander upwards. Soon they were playing with the silky hair on his neck. She returned the kiss passionately and he again felt the desire to take her on the spot. How the hell was the girl doing it? She was, by far, no beauty. Nor was she his type at all. He had always had a fondness for blondes. Forgetting the purpose of the kiss, his hand left her back and moved forwards, gently stroking her side. She moaned deep in her throat as his hand traveled up and his thumb stroked the underside of her breast.

"Severus I … oh. I am sorry to disturb you," Ernestus said, coming back through the door.

Severus let go of her lips to be able to turn his head but didn't let go of the rest of her. "What do you want?" he snarled as if he were really angry about the disturbance.

"Nothing, I just forgot my jacket. Have fun," he said grinning, before he turned around to leave the room again.

Severus's gaze traveled back to Hermione and his breath nearly stopped at the sight of her. Her curls looked like she had just been made love to. A wild untangled cloud around her shoulders. Her eyes were cloudy from passion and her swollen lips were parted and glistening from his kisses. She looked just entirely fuck-able and he had to gather all his strength not to take her immediately. Who would have thought that the little girl would enjoy her intermezzos so much? All his senses were screaming at him. The Death Eater that still was living deep down in his soul was almost begging him to still his hunger. To take her innocence and to take all of her. All she so willingly seemed to offer. As he contemplated kissing her again, their eyes met and what he saw shocked him even more. Trust. Complete confidence in him. He didn't know if she was aware of it or not but she trusted him. He backed away. He just couldn't do it. Not like this, not now!
Severus let go of her completely and stood up. " My apologies but I heard him coming back and thought a little demonstration wouldn't hurt."

Hermione just stared at him. Her fingers absently stroked her lips.

;-)

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