A/N: Just another big thanks to my wonderful reviewers (some of whom love me?)
The kiss did not end until both were completely spent much later that night. It had been a milestone for both of them, but more so for Hermione – they had slept together. Hermione had been a virgin, and Severus had been completely understanding and sympathetic of that fact. When it was over, the two exhausted lovers fell asleep immediately, each entangled in the other's limbs.
The following morning, Hermione woke up one of the best sensations she had ever felt. There were a pair of warm, strong arms wrapped protectively around her stomach. His head was nestled between her head and shoulder and she could feel his breath hitting her neck gently. She was pressed into him, a perfect spoon. Then came the shock – they were both naked. Did that mean that they had...? She attempted to roll over without waking Severus, and the soreness that she felt certainly meant something had happened down there. The memory came back almost immediately, kissing, touching, bloody thrusting and moaning. Bodies undulating with carnal desires...oh Merlin it was straight out of a harlequin romance!
"Get a grip, Hermione, how else do you think you were born?" she realized she said this out loud when Severus murmured something about 'beautiful' in his sleep and stirred a little. She smiled at his sleeping figure, tangled in the dark green sheets. With his long black hair draped over his face, and in seemingly complete relaxation, Severus look a good ten years younger. Sliding out of bed, she found her clothes that had been discarded the night before, lying next to his. Padding silently across Severus's large room to the bathroom, she wondered when they had come in there, when they had been on a bed to begin with. The events were still a little hazy, as she was half-asleep. All she knew (or was pretty damn sure about) was that she had lost her virginity last night, to Severus Snape.
Once dressed, Hermione paced the spacious bathroom (all silver and black no surprise there) nervously. Okay, just think this over, she thought to herself. Last night you were tired and emotional and he was just there. The affection you needed was there and he took advantage of you. He took advantage of your state of mind.The bastard. The evil, conniving... Hermione gripped the granite counter for support. Maybe she was being irrational now? Maybe she had wanted to have sex with him? She did not know any more. For the first time in as long as she could remember, Hermione Granger had to admit that she did not know.
The tears flowed freely as Hermione came to the conclusion that she had lost her virginity and there was no way to get it back. She sobbed quietly in the bathroom for several minutes until she heard Severus groan in the bedroom. Oh shit he must be waking up. Hermione froze – should she stay in the bathroom, go to the bedroom or use the other door and go into the sitting room? The Gryffindor in her took over – she would go to the bedroom and face Severus head on. No sense in running from your problems.
It had been one of the best nights he could remember. He and Hermione had well, the term he wanted to use involved rabbits, but he doubted she would appreciate that, so he decided to think made love. When she had kissed him, he knew that the time was right, no matter what their current state of relationship was. She had been beautiful and perfect, everything he had imagined she would be. And now, he was having the most marvellous dream. He and Hermione were married and rich and powerful...But suddenly, he realized that the warmth of her body was gone, and he was grasping sheets. He rolled over groggily, attempting to find her with his eyes closed. He froze for a second, hearing something coming from the bathroom. He listened harder – she was... crying? Crying? Why though...had he really been that bad? Couldn't be...right? Perhaps she had fallen and was injured... Only one way to find out. Moving was a bother and he groaned. A few seconds later Hermione appeared – dressed, making him realize how naked he was. He wrapped the sheet around his waist, and proceeded to stand up and face her.
Her face was tear-stained and her eyes were red-rimmed. Her had tripled in size, and was almost horizontal on the sides of her head. But to him, she looked beautiful. She stared at him, the oddest expression on her face and at first he could not place it. But then he realized that she was scared, and lost. With the bedding covering him like a long skirt, he stood slowly. They stared for an eternity, unblinking. Finally Hermione whispered, like a schoolgirl, "We...did it, didn't we?" She blushed, what an immature description for such a mature activity.
He almost sneered at the terminology. Did it? How old was she, nine or nineteen? "If it means had sex, made love, did the deed, got busy or fu–"
"I get the point Severus." Her tone was level, almost flat.
"Are you...all right?" She watched him fumble for words, knowing he must feel as helpless as she.
"Yes, physically. I am a little...shell-shocked and surprised though. I must admit I did not plan on doing what we did last night."
"Are you sorry it happened? Forgive me if you are, I must have taken your signals the wrong way." The last part was sarcastic, the Professor Snape coming out in him.
She stood stone-still, pondering his question. Was she sorry? "Actually Severus I am not sorry. Not in the least. It was wonderful having sex with you. Considering I had not wanted to at all to begin with. Twenty-four hours ago I would not have even spoken to you voluntarily, let alone..."
His jaw dropped, and his eyes flashed with anger. "Are you insinuating that I forced myself upon you?"
"No! But why did I do it? No offense to you, but I can't remember the details myself, I was so over-emotional and tired. Why don't you fill me in on what I said?"
"Well there were some 'oh's' and 'yes's' and 'Severus' and sometimes those words combined to make phrases," he remained defensive and sarcastic. If he had not looked so sexy, with a dark green sheet covering just what it needed to and below, demonstrating his shockingly muscular and sinewy upper body... His long, black hair draped dangerously over his left eye, and the eyed she could see glittered angrily.
Oh, how he made her blood boil...in more ways than one. She was torn between wanting to kiss the face off him, and wanting to rip the face off him. She could not decide which to do, so she simply stood there, shaking with...with what? She knew, somehow, he had not taken advantage of her – he wouldn't! She knew him better than that, over time she had begun to see the real Severus, below the harsh and cruel exterior. He only let a few see the real him, but he cared for those few so deeply that it was unimaginable.
Was she over-reacting though? Maybe. "Severus, I'm sorry. I flew off the handle...it's just, well, this is a pretty big thing for me, and with someone I never would have guessed...and under circumstances I never would have guessed. To be honest, I always pictured my first time being on my wedding night, and here we are not even in a relationship...it's just so messed up," she sat on the bed and began to cry softly.
Those nearly silent tears burned holes in his heart. Severus slowly made his way around the bed to Hermione. He wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder. "This is my fault. If I had known..."
She looked up at him and stared straight into the black pools that were his eyes. "No Severus. Never say that! I was willing, for one reason or another. I do not regret sleeping with you at all. I hoped in my heart that it would be with someone I love, and I got that wish." She looked away, blushing at her sudden confession. As surprising as it was, even to herself, Hermione could not deny the extremely strong attraction she had to the man, no matter what had happened in the past.
He could not believe his ears. She loved him? All those weeks spent pining away at his loss, when giving detentions and deducting points could not ease the pain, all that time he spent trying to get over her – she loved him? A million emotions shot through his brain, shock, joy, surprise, disbelief...he sat for a good ten seconds, unblinking. Finally Hermione said "I'll just leave, I suppose."
Words would not work here, there were no words to express the beyond euphoric feeling that was coursing through him. He grabbed her shoulders and hoisted her on to his lap before kissing her with more force, passion, lust and love than he had ever kissed anyone in his life.
As they hit the mattress for Round Two, neither Severus nor Hermione knew of a shadowy figure lurking in the darkness, waiting to pounce...
To the ever-question-filled Pathalon:
What reason did Severus have to pull back? This was the woman he loved! Despite how she treated him, he still loved her a great deal. That is why he did not pull back. I hope I answered your question (Sorry if I'm a bit of aromantic sap).
If any of you have questions please leave themwith your review!
