I've been working hard lately. You're all so demanding. :) But, that's ok.
These last 3 chapters have been done without the help of my beta... She's unavailable at this time. So, I've been doing some minor editing on my own.
To my Beta, MysticSong1978: I don't know how I ever got along without you. It's not easy. I have an even greater appreciation for you now.
One of my reviewers has given me the Snape Award. She made it up. I'm just so proud. wipes away tears and gives a princess wave Thank you!
Ron's Jealousy
Hermione's eyes grew wide as she looked into Ron's angry face. Ginny decided to help out. "Ron, those are picture's from the ball," she said reasonably, hoping it would satisfy him.
"These aren't from the ball," Ron snapped in irritation. "She didn't have her picture taken at the ball and there are no other people here."
"Well," Ginny said slowly, searching her brain for an answer.
"Professor Snape escorted me to my room and had Ginny come and stay with me," Hermione said quietly. "He had been summoned. When he returned he flooed my room and had Ginny and I go to the Headmaster's office where we found out about Voldemort's plan."
"What the bloody hell does that have to do with this picture?" Ron demanded, before she could finish her story.
"Let her finish, you prat," Ginny spat at him. Ron glared at her, but fell silent.
Hermione drew in a deep breath. "After leaving Dumbledore's office, Ginny and I went back to my room. After a little while, Snape came and got us because he had told my mother that we would get my picture taken when I got to wear my dress robes. So, we went down to the Great Hall since it was still decorated and Ginny took some pictures," she said folding her hands in her lap.
"It was my idea to put Snape in a picture with her," Ginny added. "I wanted a picture of her dancing with someone."
Ron was silent for a moment. Then he picked up the picture and examined it a bit more closely. Harry groaned inwardly when a look of disgust crossed Ron's face. "All of that doesn't explain why you look so thrilled to be in Snape's arms," Ron said furiously to Hermione. "You were my date to the ball. In this picture, he's holding you so closely to himself. You wouldn't even let me do that." He looked pain for a brief moment before he looked angry again.
"She didn't want to hurt you, mate," Harry said. "She told you that she only wanted to be friends."
"But, this is Snape!" he protested. "Why would she want to dance with him over me? I mean unless..." Ron stopped and looked thoughtful for a moment. "No," he said quietly as realization seemed to sink in. The look of fury returned. "Hermione's it's Professor Snape!" he said, starting to raise his voice. "What are you thinking? How could you like him? Are you sleeping with him to get better NEWT scores in potions?" He realized as soon as he'd said it that he'd gone to far, but he didn't care at the moment.
"How dare you," Hermione said in a dangerously quiet voice. "You are not my father or my keeper Ronald Weasley. You're also not a particularly good friend if you would suggest such a thing. I would never sleep with someone to improve my grades. Unlike you, I wouldn't need to," she added coldly.
"So, you are sleeping with him," Ron said angrily, ignoring her last comment.
"No," Hermione snapped. "Not that it's any of your business anyway!"
By this point, they were both red in the face and shouting at each other. Snape strode swiftly into the room in a swirl of ominous black robes. In one smooth motion, he grabbed Ron by the front of his robes and slammed him into the wall. "I told you not to upset her," Snape hissed with cold fury. Ron started to stay something but Snape cut him off. "Close your mouth you insolent fool." Snape turned to look at Hermione and his angry expression faded when he saw that she had suddenly turned very pale. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she passed out, falling back onto the pillows.
Snape released him grip on Ron and rushed to Hermione's side as Harry and Ginny jumped out of the way. Ron looked concerned for a moment but then jealousy took over again as he watched Snape care for Hermione. Snape turned to face Ron again. "I don't know why I thought an imbecile like you could follow simple instructions," he said with a sneer. "She's ill and too much excitement makes it worse."
"I wasn't the only one yelling," Ron muttered childishly.
"Honestly Ron, she's sick," Harry said in exasperation.
"And you provoked her," Ginny added glaring at her older brother.
"It was those damn pictures," Ron said defensively.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Ron, go be stupid somewhere else," she said in frustration.
Harry chuckled a bit, earning himself a glare from Ron and Ginny. "What?" he asked innocently. "Come on. 'Go be stupid somewhere else'? You can't tell me that wasn't a bit funny."
Ginny shook her head. "Harry, you..." she stopped, unsure of how to comment. "Just go sit down Harry. Ron, you better go. We'll talk to you later."
Ron stormed from the room silently. Harry and Ginny walked back over to the bed and looked at Snape. "Is she ok?" Ginny asked quietly.
Snape looked up at them while uncorking a vial. "She'd be perfectly fine if you hadn't brought that twit with you," he said in irritation. He carefully poured the potion into Hermione's mouth. "What the bloody hell were they arguing about?"
Harry and Ginny exchanged a quick before Harry picked up the picture and handed it to Snape. Harry was stunned to see something in Snape's face seem to soften slightly when he looked at the picture. He gave Ginny a quick look and saw that she was trying hard not to smile.
Snape's mind went over all the shouting he had heard from the next room. He smirked when he realized that she had been been defending him to Weasley.
"We should go," Ginny said, tugging lightly on Harry's sleeve. "Could we come see her tomorrow?"
"You can see her after lunch as long as you don't bring that idiot," Snape said silkily.
Harry and Ginny nodded and quickly left the room. Snape sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked back over at Hermione to see that she was stirring. Her eyes opened slowly and she looked up at his face. Her eyes filled with tears when she remembered how angry Ron had been.
"They're gone now," Snape said, unsure of how to handle a woman in tears. "Mr. Weasley will not be visiting you again while you're here."
A few tears slipped out of Hermione's eyes. "He was so angry with me," she whispered sadly. "He feels betrayed."
"By a photograph?" Snape asked raising an eyebrow at her.
Hermione blushed. "I told Ron that I only wanted to be friends, but then I went and danced with you. That made him jealous. And then he accused me of sleeping with you to help boost my grade in potions." Hermione's face turned even redder and she looked away.
"Don't concern yourself with Mr. Weasley's brainless rambling," Snape said rolling his eyes. He pulled another vial from his pocket and pulled out the cork. "This will help you relax," he said helping her drink it. Hermione gave him a little watery smile. Hesitantly, he reached out his hand and brushed the tears away from her face. She closed her eyes and gave a little contented sigh. When she opened her eyes, she saw a look of longing cross her features. She thought for a moment that her heart would stop when he leaned in toward her.
Snape closed his eyes and pressed his lips firmly against Hermione's, loving the way she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. She shivered when his tongue slowly entered her mouth. His hands went from her face down to her breasts, wanting to touch every inch of her. Her arousal mounted quickly and soon she was tugging on him, urging him to join her in the bed. Snape allowed her to guide him onto the bed before he froze suddenly. He broke away from the kiss and held her shoulders gently.
"This isn't a good idea," he said reluctantly.
Hermione's face fell and she said "I don't understand."
"Your condition," he reminded her. "It wouldn't be good for you to get too... excited," he said arching an eyebrow suggestively. Hermione nodded, but couldn't hide her disappointment. Snape slowly began to move away to get back off of the bed. "I'll let you get some sleep."
"Please don't leave," Hermione said quickly, grabbing his arm. "I want you to stay with me." Snape looked at her in surprise. Wordlessly, he nodded and left the room to change into some silky chocolate colored pants. He went back to the bed and lay down next to her. He looked at Hermione expectantly. She moved closer to him, gently pushing his arms out of the way so that she could snuggle against his chest. Still feeling slightly stunned, Snape wrapped his arms around her. She tilted her face to look at him and was greatly pleased when his lips met hers again. For several moments, he kissed her and caressed her body. His arousal was becoming more and more difficult to hide. Eventually, he pulled away from the kiss and rested his cheek on her forehead.
Hermione smiled slightly and said "Good night Professor Snape."
Snape couldn't help smiling. "I think, it would be foolish to insist upon calling me Professor given our current positions," he said silkily.
"Then good night Severus," Hermione said quietly.
"Good night Hermione," he replied, before holding her closer to himself and drifting off into a contented sleep.
Nobody kill me yet. I promise there will be lots more action. Lots lots more... So, please don't hurt me. lol
Humanity74: I would have been greatly displeased as well if you had broke a spork on my behind as well. I think I'm started to understand what it's like to have slave driving reviewers. wink
bootyful77: I agree. More romance! More kisses.
Paranoid Sarcasm: Yes, I do have low self-esteem. Not just about writing, but about most things. It was hard for me to begin writing this story in the first place because of it. But, your review maybe me feel a bit better. :) Thanks. Also, I bet fell out of my chair laughing when I read the last half of your review.
Coriel: I do care about Ron's feelings, but he truly drives me crazy some times.
StrGzr974: Yes, lots of HG/SS action to come. You know, that's the first time I've ever known of someone calling Snape a geek. It's kinda funny. lol Mmmm... Gummie worms! Haven't had those in a while. Thanks. :)
dictionary-search: I'm so glad you liked the fighting scene. I was quite concerned about it. Champagne does sound really good.
Portkeys Miss-Mione: I thought they needed some time alone too. Poor Hermione is having a tough time with Ron. I'm just full of surprises. :)
ash: You know, if Snape hadn't made that vow, Bellatrix would have just had her suspicions confirmed. I don't know, I just keep remembering that Dumbledore had some ironclad reason for feeling that Snape was above suspicion. He never did explain why he trusted Snape completely. Oh well. Maybe I just have really high hopes. I can dream. :) Yes, cliffhangers are so mean. Sorry about that.
herovillain: I know, I know. More action! It's coming.
Alsnape: Well, thanks for the kind review. I appreciate it. Yes, lots more kisses. I just love kisses.
LateNiteRomance: Arrested by the cliffy police! My goodness. One reviewer threatened me with a spork, and now I should be arrested? The things I put up with. lol Yeah, I thought Ron's comment was a nice little touch. :)
RangerBlack: Yeah, the reviewer said that whoever said my story was funny was either lying or Luna Lovegood. I mean, how uncalled for. What's the point in that? It was a review from chapter 4 or 5 or something... Why would they bother even reading that far if they didn't like it? Duh. But, I'm glad you like it. :) Oh yeah, cool pen name.
cherbi161: I would be happy to read your story. I don't know when I'll have time, but I promise that I'll go check it out asap. I'm glad you liked the chapters. I just suddenly found myself with some spare time, so I got some writing done. Unfortunately, I had so much time because my fiance has been working all day for the last 3 days. :( Oh well.
latinachikita: I always felt that way too. Ron doesn't seem like someone who would challenge her and make her think. That seems like something Hermione would want. The Snape Award! Yeah! I don't care if it's made up. That's so neat. At least I don't have to make a speech or anything. I'm giving you the Totally Awesome Reviewer Award. I made that up too.
