a/n - Definitely mushy. Oh my yes, but this is a characterization I like to call gentleman Snape. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Hermione's heart was still beating so fast from the question and the almost kiss from Snape that when she finally opened the door she was feeling light headed. Dumbledore expressed regret for such an early visit, but said there was something very serious that they needed to discuss. This did nothing to slow the beating of her heart.

She was now standing in the shadows of the two men before her. Snape and Dumbledore were facing each other and she was waiting for Dumbledore to continue.

"Severus, we have a problem," Dumbledore said. "We found Draco's body out front, but our searches have failed to turn up anything of Lucius."

Snape looked staggered, "How do you know about that already?"

"Miss Granger sent me a note a few hours ago. Luckily, I was up having tea and some fine chocolate I received from an old friend--" he trailed off and smiled. "That element is unimportant." He sobered, "What is important is that Fenrir Greyback is still on the loose and Lucius appears to have survived. You two, especially you Hermione, are in much more danger than before. I fear Lucius will be seeking revenge."

Snape was shaking his head in disbelief. "What do you suggest Albus?"

"At daylight, the Aurors are going to resume the search and see if they can lock onto his trail."

Hermione was puzzled so she interrupted, "At daylight? But it's already morning."

Dumbledore looked at her skeptically and then glanced around the room at the sunlight that was filling it. "Someone must have bewitched your windows," he said with a smirk. "There is still another hour left before sunrise."

She turned her curious stare to Snape who was looking guilty if anything. "I grew impatient," he explained.

"You cad," she teased with a smile. "I could have slept in."

"You would have slept in thinking I was comatose?" he asked slyly.

"Well no sir," she grinned, "but that was my decision to make and not yours."

Snape laughed, "For the love of god woman, stop calling me sir. Honestly, it is unsettling." His voice was drenched in amusement.

She grinned, "What would you prefer I call you then?"

"Perhaps you could try Severus," he raised an eyebrow. "It is my given name."

She smirked, saying quietly, "I could think of a few names to give you."

His eyes narrowed, that look she'd seen the night before flashed briefly within the blackness. His voice was low and seductive, "I cannot wait to find out what those are."

A quiet cough brought them back to the situation at hand. They both looked quickly at the Headmaster whom Hermione had completely forgotten was standing there. They both must have looked like deer in headlights. Dumbledore's eyes glittered and his mouth was subduing a riotous grin.

He chuckled before saying, "I must recommend you both return to Hogwarts. It is the safest place right now. I have had your old rooms prepared for you Severus. I assumed you would want to stay close to her, for her protection, so I have taken the liberty of adding an extra room onto yours for Hermione." He allowed his grin to widen. "I will let you work out the sleeping arrangements."

He turned from them and walked toward the door. Hermione stood frozen with embarrassment. His shoulders were shaking and she could hear his muffled hilarity.

Just as he reached the foyer, he turned back to them. His eyes were shining with mirthful tears as he said, "I'm sure you have some things to take care of before you leave, Hermione. I will expect you both early this afternoon." His grin widened again before adding, "Do behave yourselves."

She heard him walk to the door and close it behind him and then she heard the muted pop as he Disapperated.

> > > > > > > > > >

In silent wonder of his loss of self-control, Snape stared at the place he had seen the smirking face of his old friend. Somehow, he had forgotten the man was there and had gotten lost in his flirting. The rasp in her voice when she coquettishly teased of name-calling had sent chills through him, making him grateful he had buttoned up his long suit shirt that was now covering his otherwise noticeable arousal. He was going to make her pay for his blunder and he was going to have unbelievable fun doing it.

His thoughts came back to what Albus had said. It was important that they move promptly because if they knew where Hermione lived then she was vulnerable.

He turned to Hermione who was still staring in the same direction Albus had been and said, "Albus is right. We need to get out of town and soon." She looked at him still visibly dazed. "What do you need to do before we leave?"

She looked around the apartment, "I need to tell my boss I'll be gone. I have plenty of vacation, I've never used any." She thought for a moment, "I also have to warn the super, he's a wizard, I don't want to leave him unsuspecting. He could get killed." She paused and then said, "Other than packing a few things, that's all. We should probably get started."

"Yes, but first we need to discuss something. How dare you flirt with me like that in front of Albus?" Snape asked in mock offense.

Taken back, she just stared at him.

He added in a low voice, "That was entirely uncalled for and completely unfair." He smiled wickedly. "Next time, simply grab my crotch. It would have had the same effect."

Her eyes flashed and a smirk spread across her lips, "What are you saying Severus?"

He took a step towards her and wrapped his arms back around her waist. "That you have to behave while we are handling business or I seem unable to restrain myself."

"Is that a bad thing?" she asked as she put her arms up around his neck.

He pulled her body against him, savoring every marvelous curve and her sudden gasp as his hardness pressed against her belly. "You tell me."

> > > > > > > > > >

Hermione had almost thought he was serious until she saw that roguish grin on his face. His hands were hot on her back through the thin t-shirt and she could not help but loose her breath at his excitement as it throbbed against her stomach. The thought that her flirting alone could do this to him turned her on to no end. She willed the damned doorbell to remain silent.

"I don't see a downside," she managed to say as her breathing quickened.

His midnight black eyes were ablaze with the same look she had seen the previous evening and again just a moment before. She finally identified it as ferocious desire.

His voice rough, he said, "There are a lot of things that need to be done before we can leave. Perhaps we should get going."

He was going to make her wait. He was going to bring her to this point and make her wait. Now that was not fair. Two could play that game.

She smiled impishly before saying, "I just remembered something I forgot to put on my list of things to do."

"What is that?" he asked quietly.

She stood on her tiptoes and pulled his face to her shoulder so she could whisper to him. She felt his breath on her neck, which was almost more tantalizing than she could stand. Nuzzling his cheek, she pushed her lips as close as she could to his ear without touching. As soon as she felt the throbbing in his groin surge, she brushed her hips against him and whispered, "Tending to that."

He exhaled a throaty groan and she felt her pleasure rise. Again, she swiveled her hips as she whispered in breathless anticipation, "That must be awfully uncomfortable."

He rewarded her with another ragged sigh, swiftly bending, seizing her thighs and lifting her from the ground. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he brushed her neck with his lips and carried her with ease to the bedroom.

> > > > > > > > > >

He could have stopped if she had not combined her breathy whispers with the strokes of her body against him. Those advances had been enough to drive every thought from his mind except giving her the kind of pleasure that her body demanded.

He sat her gently back onto her feet and stared into her eyes that shone back the same fervent hunger that he was feeling so fiercely. Her brazen wanting overwhelmed him, his lips seeking her feverishly.

The power of the kiss was electric. Her mouth parted allowing his tongue to wander, filling every sense with awesome pleasures. They yanked and tugged at the clothes that were binding them with reckless abandon until they were at last free. He fell with her naked on top of him onto the bed.

Even in his state of abandon, he could not help a hedonistic exploration of the glorious woman lying with him. He rolled them onto their side, leaning back so that he could sweep her figure with his eyes. Shapely legs led up to a mound of dark hair he ached to explore further. Smooth soft skin covered a thin waist that led him to her pert breasts that were rising and falling with her panting breaths. When his eyes came to rest on her face, he saw her examining him with the same shameless appreciation. That was enough to send him over the edge--he had to focus all his concentration on not coming right then.

He moved on top of her, his mouth finding a nipple, one hand cupping a breast, and his other hand finding the sultry folds between her legs. He felt her squirm beneath him as his finger glided in and his thumb stroked her. Looking up, he saw her eyes closed and her head thrown back in ecstasy, her arms splayed out to the sides gripping the sheets.

He moved quickly, ignoring her protests and knelt beside the bed. Placing one leg over each of his shoulders, he pulled her back until he could reach her with his mouth. He glided two fingers inside while he kissed and licked her thighs, working his way to her knees and back on both legs until on the final pass his mouth rested on that little throbbing mound of nerves. He sucked and nipped as his fingers slid in and out while he listened to her impassioned moans and guttural cries and watched her face swathed in bliss.

Just as he felt her muscles begin to tighten, he rose to his feet and gently guided her back onto the bed so that he could see her eyes while he brought her to orgasm. Parting her legs with his knee, he moved himself between, staring down into her eyes that were begging him to proceed. It took everything he had to maintain the gaze as he entered her slowly, the sensational fire from her velvety wetness spreading down his balls and up into his stomach. Her body arched below him as her grip on his back turned into a grip on his ass though her stare never wavered, her eyes gleaming with delight. He began to thrust slowly, unsure how long he could manage to hold back, when she broke their gaze and began ravenously kissing his neck. Her grip tightened around him as he felt her body begin to tense, her teeth biting his shoulder.

He put his thumb back on her nub and rubbed gently, increasing the rhythm of his thrusts in turn. She released his shoulder and he found her lips with his, her tongue driving him wild. The urgency within him was building and about to break when he felt her muscles clench around his shaft and her nails sink painfully into his back as a strangled cry escaped her into his mouth. He put an arm around her waist and held her up off the bed tightly against him when she broke their kiss and moaned stridently, her body stiffening. With one final vigorous thrust he released, waves of unbridled ecstasy coursing fiercely through his body as he peaked. He held her close until she began to relax and then collapsed at her side.

A moment passed in silence, the only sounds their subsiding breaths. He propped his head up on his hand and watched her laying motionless staring unblinking at the ceiling.

"Hermione?" he asked.

"Hmm?" she answered lazily.

He smiled, "Are you all right?"

A leisurely smile spread across her lips before she answered, "I am splendid." She rolled onto her side, mirroring his position and kissed him gently. "You look pleased," she observed.

"Pleased does not begin to express what I feel right now," he replied as his fingers glided from her shoulder to her hip, savoring the silky sweat from their frantic coupling. "This is one of those emotions they have yet to create a word for."

She gave him another tender but longer kiss. When she pulled away, he could see there was something she wanted to say but was having trouble because she was beginning to nibble her bottom lip.

"Go ahead and say whatever it is," he told her patiently.

"What? Oh, well…I just…" she hesitated.

"Just what?" he asked.

"Well, no one has ever…well…" she paused again.

Snape smiled affectionately, "I will warn you that the last thing a man wants to hear after first making love to a woman is a comparison to previous lovers."

She blushed, which Snape found amusing considering she was lying before him completely nude. "Lover…I've only had one. Well, before you. And he never…" she hesitated again.

"Never what?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him. Her cheeks just flushed even redder.

"That thing…with your mouth…" she said timidly.

"You are kidding," he said incredulously.

She shook her head no then said very quietly, "He said it was disgusting."

Snape laughed heartily before saying, "It is in no way disgusting. Surely, you tasted yourself on my lips. What did you think?"

She giggled and then said, "It was kind of sweet."

"Like honey," his voice tranquil. "A man who does not enjoy such pleasures does not deserve the pleasures of a woman."

She smiled reticently before saying, "That's not all."

"Sweet girl, what else could there be?" he inquired. He studied the bashful look on her face and suddenly knew what she was trying so hard to say. In disbelief he muttered, "He never made you climax, did he?"

She shook her head shyly and avoided his eyes as she said, "I thought once maybe, but no." Meeting his eyes, she said, "But you were magnificent."

Smiling at the compliment, he asked, "What do you mean you thought? Do you mean you have never done so yourself?"

The color in her cheeks deepened before she smirked and said, "Well of course I have. If you want something done right, do it yourself." She giggled seductively, "But now you've blown that theory all to hell."

He could not help the laugh that came over him and the rather conceited smile that crossed his lips. He nimbly pulled her over on top of him, chuckling at her cry of surprise.

When she came to rest, he said, "I am so very grateful you shared that with me, and not only because I now know I am the first man to make you come." Her face reddened again and he laughed, putting a hand against her cheek, "I am glad because it means you trust me."

She smiled sincerely, "Of course I do, Severus." She leaned down and kissed him tenderly, his tongue playfully found hers.

Another second of this he would not be able to stop himself from taking her all over again. He ended the kiss. "We really should leave soon--I think the sun has really come up this time."

She swatted him lightheartedly on the chest. "That isn't the only thing coming up again."

"Yes and that is why you should go take a shower," he said adding in a low voice. "Because the next time will take exceedingly longer, I promise you."

She smiled deviously, "Why don't you just shower with me? It would be faster."

Snape laughed, "Faster for whom? We would accomplish nothing today except utopia."

She giggled then kissed him, hopping off the bed and dashing to the bathroom door before looking back. His view from the bed was certainly lovely.

"You'll still be here when I get out, right?" she teased.

"I do not plan to move a muscle," he replied.

She disappeared into the bathroom and he put his arms languidly behind his head. He contemplated how beautiful the ceiling was for a moment. Then he thought about how glorious she was. Then he remembered how vigorously he had made her come. Then he thought of poor inept Mr. Weasley. That thought took care of his latest erection, but it also filled him with pride. Age possessed some things over youth, such as patience and self-discipline, but there was no excuse for being inattentive. He would have to thank the boy for being so incompetent the next time he saw him. As he heard the shower kick on, his thoughts returned to Hermione, the spray glistening on her face and her breasts, spreading soap all over her firm body. Damn, he thought, he was going to have to think about Mr. Weasley again.

> > > > > > > > > >

The shower was luxurious. There were parts of her body she didn't know she had that were still tingling and other parts that felt to be floating off the floor. He had been so very skillful.

Cornering her after her shower, he kissed her wildly before taking one himself. She had never had so much trouble keeping her hands to herself. As she dressed, she was hard pressed to think of a more wonderful morning. A small part of her was in awe of the fact that all these new and long dormant feelings were for Severus Snape. When had he become such a glorious specimen of man?

She left the room while he dressed, making fresh coffee, so she would not be tempted to stop him. His body was unbelievable alluring. He had proved more than once that morning how incredibly strong he was and how exceptionally gently he could be.

Once they had made it out the door, she stopped by the super's apartment and explained the story as best she could. He understood and told her that he would keep an eye out for any suspicious activity, but promised to stay out of their way. As they were leaving, he asked loudly if they knew where he could buy some black market, extra-large newt livers. This elicited a snort from Severus who waved a hand in thanks and ushered her from the room.

"Odd little man, isn't he?" Snape observed as they made their way onto the street.

The sight of the sidewalk that they'd fought on just the night before forced the memories back into her mind. She did feel badly for killing Draco, but who knew what spell he would have used against her and he was involved with killing Professor McGonagall. No matter how much she hated the thought, she would kill the other two in a second if given the chance.

After a quick stop to pick up a few things she would need while away, they made it to her office. Her boss didn't argue. She told him that she was taking a vacation and that if anyone came asking about her, he was to tell them he didn't know where she was. He looked at her strangely until Snape added quickly that there was an ex-lover stalking her and they didn't want him showing up on their trip. This seemed to satisfy the man's curiosity.

On their way back to her apartment, they decided to stop at a muggle diner for an early lunch. The place was small and quite busy for a Tuesday a full hour before noon. They found a clean table and sat across from each other, looking over the menu after placing their drink orders at the counter.

"Is grease a staple of the muggle diet?" Severus asked her.

"Apparently," she said, "but some wizards aren't much better."

"Very true," he laughed, "but certainly not this wizard."

"I know," she smiled coquettishly. "I noticed."

She thought she may have been mistaken, but she would have sworn he blushed ever so slightly. They placed their orders for two salads after discussing that they should eat light because of the journey to Hogwarts. Apparition with a full stomach was quite uncomfortable.

After their food arrived, they pleasantly discussed their neighbors at the next table who appeared to be some breed of troll even they couldn't identify when Snape asked, "Would you pass the pepper, love?"

"Here you go…honey?" she said awkwardly.

He eyed her strangely, "What did you just call me?

"I…never mind…I'm dreadful at that kind of thing," she stammered.

"At what, terms of endearment?" He chuckled gracefully. "I would not care if you called me 'prick' for the rest of my life as long as you did not believe it."

She smiled. Somehow, he always seemed to know what to say to make her feel better. "I think I just try too hard sometimes."

"You?" he said sarcastically, "never." He raised that eyebrow again.

"You better be careful," she said warningly with a smirk. "If you give me the Professor Snape eyebrow again I might have to rip it off and you'll want that for when you go back to teaching."

He widened his eyes and smiled wickedly, "Oh, I am a bit masochistic. I like you."

Giggling almost hilariously, she kicked him teasingly under the table, connecting with his shin.

He laughed as he said in mock outrage, "That hurt!"

"I thought you liked it rough," she stated with ease.

"Touché," he muttered silkily.

She was giggling when, before she knew what had happened, she casually said, "I love you."

He sat back straighter, his lips parting a little as the smile slid from his face. Flustered by her honesty, she started to say something when he spoke first, "Those were the most sincerely spoken words I have ever heard."

He moved deftly to the chair next to her and took her hand, kissing her palm. His eyes were as black as she had ever seen them, speaking volumes without a single word. All the hustle and bustle of the restaurant faded into vague insignificance.

After leaning in and kissing her lips ever so softly, he said in that trembling baritone, "You fascinate me Hermione. I knew long ago you were exceptional, but now I am at a loss as to how I have lasted this long without you."

When he paused, she could hear nothing but his words echoing in her mind, beginning to heal that part of her self that lay wounded for so long. He nuzzled her cheek with his and whispered, "I love you Hermione Granger."

Suddenly all the sounds came rushing back in as the lightness in her stomach subsided. Never had such simple words meant so much and she knew those same words spoken by any other would never be so enchanting.

Too soon, the moment ended and Snape was reaching across the table for his coffee. He brought the cup up to drink, but instead smelled it carefully. As he set the cup back on the table, he looked at her with a reassured grin, "Yes, I seem to have said that all without the aid of pharmaceuticals."

She giggled happily, "I'm never going to live that down, am I?

Smiling he said, "I am afraid not."

Just then, the waitress stepped to the table with their check. Severus released her hand as he stood to follow the waitress to the register. He had already insisted on paying earlier and she was in too much of a state of bliss to argue too much.

When he returned, he said, "We must depart before long. If you are ready my lady?" His voice was so low and charismatic.

He stepped back, smiling as she stood, signaling her to lead the way. As she took her first step past him, he reclaimed her hand, entwining his long fingers with hers. She knew right then that she didn't want to spend another day without being somewhere in the general vicinity of this man.