a/n - Edited for content. Please e-mail me to request a link to the complete version. My email can be found in my profile. Thank you.

Chapter 9

Hermione finished her coffee and decided to put off dressing until Snape returned. The look in his eye as he left was enough to make her want to pursue it further when he got back.

Snape possessed almost as many books as she did so she had no trouble finding a suitable volume to pass the time. She snickered to herself at her loafing--it had been so long since she had spent a morning idle as she was. All she had accomplished so far that morning was brushing her teeth. Climbing back into the still warm bed, she sank into the squashy pile of pillows and began rediscovering Rudyard Kipling.

She flipped through to one of her favorites, Gunga Din. Her mind wandered as she read, thinking of her sudden realization that she had crushed on Snape even when she was student. With all the pressures at the time, she'd never registered it as a crush, but that definitely was what it had been.

Smiling to herself, she turned to another good one, To The Unknown Goddess. She smiled at the coincidence with her thoughts as she read the line:

Have I met you and passed you already, unknowing, unthinking and blind?

It was amazing how that summed up what she'd learned that morning. Though the poem was about a woman, she thought it applied wonderfully to her situation. She had passed Snape so many times so long ago and had never realized that the flutter in her stomach had not been anxiety or reticence, but it had actually been the beginnings of love.

Are you growing the charms that shall capture and torture the heart in my breast?

Yes, she thought he had, except torture he never would. She would have to tell him about fancying him so long ago. He would think it was incredibly funny. Finishing that work, she continued to What The People Said. The last line stuck in her mind.

And the rest is the will of God.

Yes, she supposed it was. If only she could get a glimpse at what was in store for them from here on out. At this thought, her eyes again became heavy and she laid the book to the side, sliding back under the covers to dream of what was yet to come.

She dozed on and off until she heard the door in the sitting room creak slowly open. She lay pretending to sleep, thinking Snape would soon be creeping up on her. The footsteps were barely audible as he made his way into the bedroom.

Smirking at his playfulness, she heard a voice quietly say "Stupefy."

> > > > > > > > > >

Snape's stomach plummeted knowing that Hermione was now alone in those rooms, completely unaware of the danger she might be in.

Heart in his throat, he stood, disrupting Albus mid-story. Running along the edge of the long table, he called "Albus, I need you to come with me!"

Looking startled but asking no questions, he followed. As they rushed through the halls, Snape hurriedly told him of his recollection. Albus nodded his appreciation of the circumstance. His mind numb and his heart beating insanely fast, he hoped that he was panicking for nothing. However, if he wasn't, he prayed he was not already too late.

They skidded to a halt outside the rooms and Snape immediately saw that the door was open just a fraction. He nodded to Albus who nodded back his understanding that something was definitely wrong. They both drew their wands and entered silently, not wanting to announce their presence.

The sitting room was empty and there were no signs of a struggle or of Hermione. Snape cautiously led the way to the bedroom. Dread was edging into his every nerve as he neared the doorway, horrified of what he might find.

Only a few steps from the door he heard a familiar voice, "Stupefy." Sprinting into the room, he saw Fenrir Greyback standing between himself and the bed where Hermione lay unmoving.

Heaving a great sigh of relief, he aimed his wand at Fenrir's back and fought off the urge to kill him. They needed him alive, but the words for the killing curse were already on the tip of his tongue.

Albus must have sensed his internal dilemma and calmly said, "Stupefy." Fenrir barely had time to turn his head at the sound of the incantation when the curse struck him and he buckled with a thud to the floor.

Stepping quickly over the body, Snape reached Hermione who was now safe however unconscious. He pulled the covers around her as he drew her into his lap. She hadn't fallen as she had at the Ministry so there was no head injury to worry about, and he hoped that Fenrir was less powerful having been on the run the preceding few days. Only then did he permit the relief to wash over him. Grateful he had remembered and still cursing himself for being so lax, he tried to speak the spell that would he hoped would awaken her. The word would not come out. He tried to clear his throat, but it was so tense that he couldn't even do that properly.

Snape looked up to Albus, who after binding Fenrir had joined his side. He saw empathy in the man's eyes. The motion of his head had also alerted him to the tears that were on his face. He wiped them away quickly, trying to steady his emotions.

"Severus, my boy," Albus said soothingly. "Tears of relief are nothing to be ashamed of."

He nodded. He had nearly lost her and he vowed he would never allow her to be in such danger again. Finally able to clear his throat, he whispered, "Ennervate."

His heart leapt as her eyes stirred beneath the lids. Slowly they opened, blinking repeatedly until her senses returned. Smiling down at her in his arms, she smiled back for a moment until she suddenly shuddered, clutching at the sheets covering her body.

Her eyes were wildly searching the room as she asked, "Who the hell was that?"

"Fenrir," he answered quietly. "I am so very sorry. It is my fault, I should have--"

"My god, you can't be responsible for everything," she said. Snape was amazed that she had the presence of mind to laugh as she shook her head. "I'm just glad you came back when you did."

"So am I," he replied as he relaxed his grip on her and leaned back against the headboard.

"Since Hermione seems to be in good hands, I am going to take care of this," Albus said motioning toward Fenrir's stunned form.

Snape nodded, his nerves worn and his body tired from worry. Albus levitated Fenrir's body easily and maneuvered him into the sitting room and out the door. Snape stared at the doorway until he heard the sound of the door closing.

Turning back to Hermione, he saw she had a smile on her face. "This certainly is not funny," he said, his voice still shaky.

"I don't think it's funny," she replied softly. "I'm just happy to see you."

He struggled to keep back the tears he had only just managed to curb and hugged her to him. "I was so scared I had lost you again."

She held him tightly and kissed his neck before whispering, "I'll never leave you."

> > > > > > > > > >

Hermione smiled adoringly at him, his face drawn and his eyes still shining with what she thought must have been tears. As she continued to smile, his face brightened and she could feel him calm down a bit more.

"Please don't," he said before kissing her.

Lying across his lap, she could feel his heart thudding in his chest as she savored the kiss. She could tell he had taken sugar with his coffee that morning which was unusual for him. Deepening the kiss, she could feel his approving sigh on her cheek. Bringing her hands up to his face, she could feel the heat that had risen there. She could also feel the heat that was rising beneath her, the combination of her own arousal and his.

His hand glided from her ribs down over her hip to her leg, pushing the sheets down with it, the warmth from his hand and the fantastic squeeze he gave her thigh causing her to shiver. She reluctantly broke the kiss. Sitting up, she put a hand to his chest and felt his heart pumping furiously beneath as she pushed him backward. He obeyed her unspoken command by moving further up onto the bed.

Kicking away the rest of the sheets, she settled herself astride his hips. She studied him, all the color had returned to his face and his eyes were alight with enjoyment. She saw his eyes exploring her and she loved it. He looked positively glorious except that he was wearing far too many clothes. She tried to focus as she began unbuttoning his outer robe, but his hands played at her hips and up to her waist, his nails grazing her stomach. She had finished with those buttons, but there was still another shirt to get through when his hands found her bosom.

He cupped them both, gently nipping between his thumb and palm. The surge of fire within her belly that it released was exhilarating. Grabbing him by the wrists, she thrust his arms up over his head and kissed him voraciously. Somehow, she managed to say in a throaty whisper, "There'll be time for that later."

She turned her attention to the white shirt that was still obstructing her pleasures. He allowed her to continue without interruption. After the first few buttons, she gently kissed the skin it revealed, each kiss rewarded with a more profound moan than the one before and she continued on to the next and the next until she had reached the top of his trousers. She glanced up and saw that he had lifted his head slightly to watch her. Choosing to keep him in suspense a while longer, she tugged the shirt from his pants and placed both hands on his lean stomach.

He sat up, shrugging his shirt from his shoulders and grabbed her hips. Sliding his hands around to her rear, he pulled her toward him. She thought he was going to kiss her, but he apparently had other things in mind.

He kept pulling, her knees sliding across the satin until his face was between her legs. The sensation was extraordinary. His hands were still gripping her ass but now his tongue was thrusting turbulent spirals of unadulterated pleasure into her entire body. The furor coursing through her was so intense her body arched back, all her muscles tingling and tensing at the same time. She looked down at him only long enough to see his wild eyes fixed upon her before he moved a hand from her behind to assist.

The salacious blaze he was stoking within her was mounting with every move he made. She didn't want it to end so soon. She rose up higher on her knees, which removed her from his mouth but not his hand. Now she could see his wicked smile as he continued maneuvering his fingers. She placed her own hand to her breast as she had that morning, educing a hoarse moan from him. He brought his free hand up to her other breast and joined her, caressing and pinching in turn. Drowning in the pleasure of the dual touch, she felt herself heightening again and moved quickly to her feet, his eyes following her hungrily.

Looking down on him half-naked, his strapping body glistening with sweat, she was flooded with gratification. The erotic swell at his groin confirmed more than any words could possibly express. Kneeling, she straddled his knees and unfastened his trousers. She kissed the skin this revealed causing his body to tremble and another rewarding gravelly moan. She dragged the palm of her hand against him as she tugged the zipper. Another louder sigh answered her. She nodded to him to lift his hips and he complied. Smiling at the lascivious expression on his face, she carefully lifted the fabric and tugged it down to his knees.

Setting eyes on his throbbing manhood provoked her indecently. She glided up until the sweltering heat between her legs was level with his tip. With her hand, she parted the wet folds and lowered herself slowly onto him. The feeling as he filled her up shook her mercilessly. As she took all of him, he threw back his head as he growled, his hands sliding up into his hair. With her hands on his strong stomach, she swiveled her hips and when his eyes met hers they were glowing, his mouth open as he gasped for air and breathed her name.

He clutched her hips, seizing firmly as she rotated them again and arched her back. Her own pressure building, she quickened, bucking her hips aggressively, sending unbelievable pleasures to her brain and making his eyes roll. He released his grip on her hips and guided one hand between her legs where his thumb stroked skillfully against her as she moved. His other hand clutched a breast and pinched her nipple almost painfully, amplifying her pleasure. Leaving one hand to steady herself, she took her other breast and just as before the doubled sensation was magnificent. His eyes widened seeing her touching herself and he strengthened his grip on her.

With each swing of her hips, her insistence mounted until she could feel her body succumbing, aching with the need to let go. Suddenly, he let out a robust moan, his hands returning to her hips and squeezing hard as he rose off the bed taking her with him. She could feel the rhythm of his spasms as he came and she went with him again, her muscles constricting and releasing again and again, engulfing her mind and enrapturing her body.

She fell forward, gasping onto his sweaty chest savoring his warmth still inside her. He embraced her, his scent filling her up from the outside. Propping her chin up on his chest, she found him smiling placidly at the canopy with his eyes closed.

"You're good," she whispered.

"You are better," he answered, eyes still shut. He sighed, scratching her back gently, which felt superb on her energized skin.

"We should do that more often," she teased however honestly.

"Hmm, we shall." He lifted his head and pulled her up to kiss her tenderly. "Do you know how much I love you?" he asked his voice thick and deeper than usual.

"Yes, if it's anything like my love for you," she answered, kissing him again.

He chuckled, "Today I remembered just how long it has been."

Before he could continue, she said, "I know what you mean." He eyed her curiously as she added, "Hindsight."

Kissing him, she got up and started toward the bathroom. From behind her, she heard him purr, "Yes, hindsight."

She smirked at his satiated stare as she closed the door and thanked whichever god was listening that she had finally found him.

> > > > > > > > > >

The contentment of their impassioned union carried Snape through the rest of the morning. He battled the impulse to join her in the shower, allowing her a bit of time to herself after partaking so enthusiastically and besides, he wanted to save some discoveries for later.

After making tea for them both, she rested in his lap by the fire and read. Simply watching her was entertainment enough for him. The thought that he had almost lost her was not far from the forefront of his mind.

He planned to talk to Albus at lunch about Fenrir and make sure he found out how the Aurors had failed so horrendously. Promising that he would not take anything else for granted, he relished what was left of the morning.

Time raced by as they chatted about simple subjects. He tried desperately to keep his mind off Lucius, but those notions from breakfast were so much more real now. First Lucius had taken away the last six years of his life, and then he had most certainly sent Fenrir to rob him of his happiness. He would gladly never be able to touch her again to keep her safe.

Before he thought possible, lunchtime had arrived and they made their way to the great hall. This time it was teeming with students eating a hurried lunch between classes. Again, stares inundated them, some probing and others timid. They were obviously sizing up their new teachers, trying to figure out which rumors they should choose to believe. He wondered if the vampire rumor was still alive. The students who had siblings he had taught most likely passed that one along.

Albus was again at the staff table, talking animatedly to Filius Flitwick. Snape again felt that familiar stitch of guilt when he saw the little man. He heard a snippet of their conversation, consisting of something about a cauldron and sixteen geese, and decided to wait until later to join in. They took the two seats on the other side of the little man and filled their plates. Lunch went surprisingly quick. Before too long, Filius had returned to his classes and Albus had moved down a chair to sit next to Snape.

"I suppose it's time I filled you in," Albus told him quietly.

Snape answered, "Yes, I suppose so."

Albus looked peculiar, almost regretful as he said, "With a bit of help from several potions, Fenrir eagerly divulged Lucius' location."

Snape furrowed his brow at the man's caginess. "And," he prompted.

"The Aurors are going there as soon as night falls to apprehend him." Albus lowered his voice firmly, "You are not to concern yourself with this."

Snape was instantly frustrated. Did he really believe that Snape was going to sit back and let those useless fools fail again? He knew perfectly well why Albus was being so evasive. "Albus, you cannot keep the information from me. I will be there to either assist in the capture or the disposal of that man."

Albus sighed, "Don't be rash Severus. Don't make this personal."

Snape laughed dryly, "He made it personal. It became exceedingly personal just this morning."

"It isn't worth the risk," Albus' voice was tense. "The Aurors are highly trained."

Snape laughed again, "As I saw this morning, when the man they had under veritable lock and key was standing in my bedroom."

Albus shook his head, "It isn't that simple."

Snape waved a hand at the impending explanation, "Nothing is ever simple Albus. The fact of the matter is I will be there tonight, whether you tell me where it is or not. If I have to trail six Aurors at once, I will find him."

"I wouldn't doubt that," Albus said shaking his head wearily. After a thoughtful pause he continued, "He was to meet Fenrir at the warehouse at dark. The warehouse is on the north end of town. An Auror will fill you in on the exact location tonight. They are set to converge in front of the castle at dusk."

"Thank you," said Snape. "Now, I do not want her left alone while I am gone."

From his shoulder, he heard Hermione say decisively "I'm going as well."

This was going to be much more difficult than he had hoped. He turned to find her looking not angry, but on the defensive. "You are not going," he told her.

She raised both eyebrows. "And who decided that?"

Literally stuck between the rock that was Albus and the hard place that was Hermione, he took a deep breath. "I did, it will not be safe. You know this man does not fight fair."

"Yes I do, but this time I'll be ready for him." She smiled, "I almost took care of him the last time."

She had a point and Albus was remaining helpfully silent. Still, the danger of anything happening to her was too great. "No," he shook his head slowly. "I could not live with myself if something happened to you."

She lowered one eyebrow while the other remained precariously high, "So I should be telling you not to go then? So I know you'll be alright?" she asked. He knew where she was going with this. "Either we both go or neither of us is." Yes, there it was.

He would as worried if she fought alongside him, as much as she would be if he ventured out on his own. Not at all happy with the decision he was being forced to make, he answered, "All right, but only if you promise to be extremely cautious."

She smirked at him with that damn eyebrow still soaring. "I promise," she answered agreeably, adding just under her breath, "daddy."

An unexpected smile was crossing Snape's face. He looked to Albus to see if he had heard and the smirk on the old man's face proved that he had. Laughing, Snape said, "Point taken."

Albus stood from the table as he said, "Now that we have that settled, I'll go and inform the Aurors that you will be joining them this evening." He smiled, "Harry will be overjoyed."

They all shared a laugh as Albus left the table. As soon as Snape was sure Albus was out of earshot, he said quietly, "He is lying."

Hermione started, "Who…Dumbledore?"

He shook his head, "Fenrir." Seriously thinking of not telling her anymore, or lying himself, he decided he would save a lot of trouble by being honest. "This is not Lucius' style. I am sure Fenrir was to meet him somewhere, but Lucius would not be caught dead going to meet his associates. They come to him."

She was watching him carefully, "You aren't telling me this so you can keep me out of trouble are you?"

"Would it work if I tried?" he asked.

"Nope," she answered confidently.

He laughed softly, "I thought not." Taking another deep breath to settle his nerves, he said, "Tonight we are going to find Lucius and put an end to all of this."

She nodded. He was surprised she didn't suggest informing Albus, but he reasoned that she trusted his decision. Snape thought he knew where Lucius was. The idea had been in Snape's head from the very beginning, but he had tried to ignore it. They were going to have to go to the now vacant Malfoy manor. He was sure the Aurors had searched it, but there were many rooms in the mansion that not everyone could find. The thought of telling Albus about this hunch had occurred to him, but subconsciously he wanted to be the man to kill Lucius. He steeled himself for the fight that had been inevitable from the beginning. He was going to kill Lucius Malfoy or die trying, something he had wanted to do for a very long time. However, Snape knew that was going to be much more complicated now that he actually had something to live for.