Just a few comments…

Kazza – Thank you for your compliment. I tried to keep her situation realistic and yet not too horrible for the story. I have a personal involvement in this story and agree with you completely. I wish women did not feel like they had to hide or be ashamed.

Nayeli – Thanks for your offer to beta. I've never had one so I might just take you up on that offer! And I'm so glad you think this stands out. I try very hard to NOT write what would be obvious.

Serena – I'm not worthy! Go back to THE book! LOL Thank you so much for the compliment!

Sinilu – I have NEVER received such a wonderful and long review. You made my day.

Actually, ALL of you make my day with your reviews! Love to all!

Hermione allowed her thoughts to wander as she leisurely walked the halls on her way to the library. She was trying hard not to be furious with Severus after the events, or the lack of, the last time she saw him. They had been relaxed, with a little help from the firewhiskey, and had chatted and joked and, she thought, had a fun time, especially when she ended up on the couch with him on top of her, finally kissing her. It had been wonderful but abruptly ended, because of him, certainly not her. Then he retreated from her, and while it wasn't in anger, she couldn't figure out what it was from. She was frustrated but tried to understand his position as best she could. She did have to admit to herself that she was tired of the roller coaster though. He knew she wanted to be with him, and as long as he felt the same, what were they waiting for?

She turned a corner and passed by a large stone statue, startled when her arm was grabbed, being pulled into the darkened corner behind it.

"Finally," Draco hissed, pushing her body to the damp wall. "You're a hard one to find but I should have known to hang around the library."

"What are you doing?" she asked, pushing against his chest. "We can't play now. I have a project to work on."

"Hermione," he growled, pressing his body against hers, hands trying to crawl over her. "I want you. And I always get what I want," he told her, attacking her neck with his lips.

Frantically stopping his hands, Hermione realized he wasn't being funny. "Draco, stop," she said a little louder. "You know we can't do anything here. What has gotten into you?" This was not like him at all.

"I don't know what has gotten into me," he said, nipping at her neck and reaching for her skirt. "But I know what's about to get into you." He fought against her, sliding his hand up her skirt, determined to slide her underwear down. "Come on," he whispered. "Just real quick. It'll be fun. Unless you'd rather go to my chamber."

"Draco," she protested, still pushing against his chest and hand. "This is not the time! I was on my way to the library on an assignment. Please stop!"

"You and your damn assignments," he growled. "Don't you want this? You did the first two times. Come on, real quick."

"She said no!" the all too familiar voice exclaimed behind him, before snatching him by the collar and tossing him aside with ease. "Just what do you think you're doing, Malfoy?"

Hermione's heart pounded as she quickly fixed her clothes, watching as Severus towered over Draco, struggling to get up.

"I asked what you thought you were doing!" Severus boomed again, fire blazing from his dark eyes. "Do you not get enough that you have to attack a girl for sex? Aren't there enough willing to open their thighs for you?"

Draco was stunned into silence, having never seen anger like this from his professor, at least not directed at him or anyone in the Slytherin house. Had his teacher gone mad? Since when did he stick up for Gryffindors…much less this one? "I…we were…she…," he stammered.

"Get up!" Severus yelled, deep voice reverberating off the stone walls. "Get out of my face! You disgust me!"

Draco having finally found words to say, glared back at him and yelled, "You'll be hearing from my father!" He stormed off down the hall, rubbing the back of his neck where Severus had clamped his fingers.

Hermione stood perfectly still, not sure what to make of the incident that just happened before her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat when he turned towards her, briefly remembering what happened at the staircase when he'd slammed her into the wall and consequently tried to back up, quickly realizing she couldn't back up any further than she was. "I didn't…I had no idea…" she muttered, uneasy with the look she saw on his face. Certainly he wouldn't think she welcomed Draco's advances. He'd obviously heard her protesting right?

His eyes met hers before they scanned down her body, scrutinizing her clothes. "Maybe if you didn't wear…provocative clothing…you wouldn't get attacked," he hissed in anger, not sure who he was more mad at; Draco for attacking Hermione, Hermione for being so damn irresistible or himself for reacting the way he did to anything involving the two.

Hermione's mouth dropped as she watched him turn and walk away. "What?" she shrieked. "What's that supposed to mean? Everything I have on is Hogwarts issued!"

Don't do it, his inner voice warned. Don't do it. But it was too late. Rage coursing through his veins, Severus pointed his wand at her and growled a spell that disrobed her. He listened as she screamed, trying to cover herself to no avail, and smirked.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" she screamed, cowering back to the dark corner Draco had pushed her into. "Put my clothes back on me this instant, Severus!" Her heart nearly burst from her chest in both anger and embarrassment. He'd gone mad! Any understanding she had tried to have was now out the window.

"Now that's not something I thought I'd ever hear from you," he sneered, walking over to her and admiring the navy blue undergarments she was wearing, eyes longingly scanning her, realizing he wanted her right there. God, you're no better than Draco, he heard in his mind. You're trying to be an ass aren't you? Trying to be a prick so that these feelings of yours will go away? You disrobed a student in a hallway, you moron! Anyone could stumble upon this scene. Get a grip old man!

The frustration and confusion from the last time she was in his chamber flooded her mind as she fought tears. "Why are you doing this to me?" she asked quietly. "You helped me, then attacked me, then acted like you wanted me but then didn't and now you're just humiliating me. Am I some kind of warped game to you? Is this where you get your pleasure from instead of sex?"

Walk away now, he heard in his mind. Before you do something, again, you will regret, you fool! But first you must fix this! Raising his wand, Severus muttered the spell to return her clothing, then turned and briskly walked away from the trembling girl that was driving him insane. As his pounding steps echoed in the hall on the way to his classroom, he berated himself for his actions. When he'd turned the corner, hearing Hermione's protests to Draco's advances, he'd lost control, something he never did. Anger had consumed him and he allowed it to rule his actions, grabbing Draco and tossing him to the floor with every ounce of strength he had, wanting to punish him for getting her in trouble in the first place, consequently bringing him and her together. Yes that's both quite professional and mature, he heard again. Blame the student for your own weaknesses. But it technically was Draco's fault Severus was in this mess. If he hadn't gotten her pregnant, she never would have collapsed near the dungeons and he would still be scowling at her instead of fantasizing about her. You're pathetic.

And then disrobing her in the hallway…he smacked his forehead and shook his head in disgust. What was he thinking? What if they'd been seen? What if someone heard her? This couldn't go on. He couldn't continue like this. What was next? Would he take her in the middle of the Hall during dinner? At this rate, he might as well.

Lucius. There was someone he was not looking forward to seeing. Damn Draco! He knew he would receive an owl with a note demanding a meeting with his father. Severus and he went way back, maybe he could use that to his advantage. Dealing with the white haired man was always like playing Russian roulette. It's your own bloody fault. How was he supposed to explain to this man, to this Deatheater that he'd attacked his son because he was attacking a girl that he…that he…well what the hell did he call it anyway? That he lusted after? That he wanted physically? That he felt protective of her after picking up the pieces from Draco's failed protection spell, causing her to try an abortion alone? This was utter nonsense!

He slammed the classroom door behind him, fuming as he stomped over to his desk, thinking he would attempt to grade papers but realizing the firewhiskey calling his name was a better choice. He headed into his chambers and over to the small table, quickly pouring a generous amount of liquid into the crystal glass, swallowing as much as he could.

Hermione was a mess of emotions. She was still upset from the other night with him and now she was hurt, angry and humiliated. How dare he do such a thing! In the middle of the hall! What was he playing at with her? What was his problem? She didn't understand. One minute he was helpful and the next hateful. Then he's seducing her and the next he's retreating from her. Then he's protecting her from Draco and then embarrassing her. Was he toying with her? Is this how he dealt with women? Well he wouldn't deal with her this way. Enough was e-bloody-nough. She'd give him a piece of her mind before returning to her common room, too flustered to even think about concentrating on her assignment now.

She walked down the hall, nearly running, ready to explode when she burst through the classroom door, expecting to see him hunched over at his desk, immediately heading to his chamber. When she walked through the doorway, she assumed he'd be on the couch, but didn't see him there either so she continued into his bed chamber, finally finding him sitting on the edge of his bed, glass in hand, empty from firewhiskey no doubt as she saw the bottle on the nightstand beside him, blankly staring at nothing in front of him.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she asked through clenched teeth, crossing her arms.

He slowly turned his head, eyes devoid of any emotion piercing through her. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he returned. "Get out of my chamber! You were not invited!"

"I will not," she said in defiance. "You have done nothing but play with my head and I'm over it. I'm not going to play whatever little game you've got going on!"

Head swimming with the large amount of firewhiskey he'd consumed in a short amount of time, Severus stood up, waving the empty glass in his hand. "Game? You want to know what game I'm playing?" he exclaimed, stepping closer to her. "I'm not playing any game Miss Granger. I'm trying to deal with a situation that your indiscretion put me in!"

"My indiscretion?" she shot back. "What the hell kind of situation did my indiscretion put you in, pray tell? You didn't have to help me. You could have taken me to Poppy. And if you'll recall, I haven't done anything to you. You've been the one to do everything…or don't you remember? Maybe I should remind you?"

"Silence!" he growled. "I don't need reminders!" He ran a hand through his hair, control quickly slipping from his reach. "I'm reminded every time I walk in my bathroom, every time I see you in my classroom, every time I hear your voice in the hall, every time my head hits the pillow at night. That's the whole problem!" He took his glass and threw it against a wall, oddly soothed by the shattering of the glass.

Hermione jumped with his sudden burst of rage but didn't leave. "So what's wrong with reminders?" she asked curiously. "I have them too but they're not making me do crazy things. I'm not treating you nice one minute and bad the next. My god, Severus, forgive me for sounding mad but I thought we were leading to something here. Do you just fondle students for the fun of it? Take them up to your secret room and play with them like a toy, promising them more and never planning on delivering?"

Immediately he was in front of her, towering above her, eyes shooting darts of rage from their blackness. "Watch your tongue," he hissed. "I'm still your professor!"

"I might as well watch it," she spat back. "You certainly won't do anything with it!"

In only took a matter of seconds of blinding rage until Severus grabbed her head and brought her lips crashing against his, roughly exploring her mouth, his passion ignited by his anger as any logical thought of reason left his mind. Grabbing her arms below her shoulders, he uprooted her from where she stood, aware of her squeal, spinning her around and pressing her to his bed, mouth entwined with hers. One arm snaked under her waist, lifting and moving her up to the plush pillows, his body crawling over hers, his tongue controlling their wet kiss as his entire body throbbed with desire. Hands frantically worked on clothes as he wasn't clear as to who was working on whose clothing, but was satisfied nonetheless when their nakedness blended together after all had been discarded.

Hermione was panting as her jaw hurt from their continued feverish kiss, grasping at his body, pulling him to her, wrapping her legs around his. He grabbed her hands and placed them above her head, pushing them into the pillows, pausing their kiss long enough to lift his head and look into her eyes. She could barely feel him at her entrance, could feel the heat of his body on hers, the quick expanding and contracting of his chest, his hips pressing against her inner thighs and then hissed, "Don't you dare stop this now."

It was as if her words uncorked some hidden level of passion deeper within Severus as he groaned quietly, pushing himself into her wetness, closing his eyes at their union, his body nearly numb from the pleasure. He heard her moan then, her inner muscles tightening around him and began to pump his hips slowly in and out of her core, both breathless and moaning, fighting to kiss but unable to keep it intact through their movement. He felt her hips grinding against his and knew this would not be his longest performance and didn't care at the moment.

Head back and eyes squeezed shut, Hermione's body rocked with sensations she didn't think possible. He fit her perfect, hitting spots inside her that sent her head spinning in sexual intoxication, bucking her hips to his, wanting more, squeezing with her legs to encourage him as she felt his mouth on her neck, biting and sucking, causing more moans to slip from her lips as he finally released her hands, immediately sliding them into his silky hair and gripping tightly. She lifted his head slightly so their eyes met and whispered, "I have wanted this for so long." Somehow, she felt she needed to say it, that he needed to know.

Something inside his mind clicked back into place for a moment, allowing his anger to be replaced by desire. "How long?" he whispered back.

She smiled a bit, trying to catch her breath and said softly, "Ever since I arrived this year I think."

Pushing gently into her a little further and stopping, he lightly kissed her lips and heard himself say something that surprised him. "Too bad I didn't know," he whispered, cradling her in his arms so that her back didn't touch the bed, wishing he could pull her into his own body, joining his lips with hers once more and holding her against him so tight they moved as one unit. "You wouldn't have gotten into trouble."

Her eyes curiously studied him for a moment. "You would have been my first then," she told him, surprised and confused by his statement.

His lips barely twitched in a smile. "Yes I suppose I would have been," he whispered, pushing any more thoughts away from his mind for the moment.

The fiery passion had evolved into something less antagonistic as her fingers slid into his black tresses once again. Their bodies moved together, both groaning into the wet kiss they shared, as she reveled in feeling as if she were on a cloud since she couldn't feel the bed. She was completely in his arms, their bodies meshed together as one. Slowly he began to move faster as his grip tightened around her. God yes, she thought. Yes.

The tightness surrounding him in her wet core pulsed and throbbed, bringing him dangerously close to his end. "Wait," he breathed. "I must do a protection spell."

"No," she said, trying to keep him close to her. "You don't have to."

He turned his head to the side as if trying to understand what she'd said. "We must," he said seriously. "I'm extremely…we don't need another incident." He pulled from her embrace, finding his wand among the pile of clothes and performing the appropriate spell, quickly returning to her, cradling her in his arms once more, thankful to be inside her again. His lips melted into hers, thrusting slowly but not able to take his time as his body took control away from his mind, the fire burning inside of him the driving force.

Hermione was drunk in euphoria, both from physical sensations coursing through her and also from listening to his pleasure, lost in his groans and sighs as his hips sped up, pumping into her with a fierce determination, unable to stop her own moans. With his head down, the ends of his hair tickling her neck and chest, she moved her legs higher up on the back of his, allowing him a bit more access, ecstatic when he hugged her so tight against him she could barely breathe, as his body convulsed in orgasm, gritting his teeth and crying out through them, his fingertips gripping her flesh.

It was a few moments before Severus was aware of his actions, heart racing, fighting to regain his breath. Opening his eyes that had been squeezed shut, he lifted his head to look at Hermione who was breathing heavily also, seeing the huge smile on her face, thankful for the happiness in her eyes. He smiled in response, releasing his death grip on her body and sliding from inside her, rolling over to his back, covering his face with his hands and chuckling softly.

"That's an interesting response," Hermione told him, rolling to her side, finding she was physically drained and really didn't want to move at all.

"Forgive me," he said, facing her, unable to stop smiling and thinking how odd it felt, but enjoying the fact that he liked how it felt. "This whole situation is really…unbelievable."

"That's a good word for it," she agreed, understanding what he meant. "If someone had told me my first year that I would be here with you now, I would have hexed them for life."

"I would have left Hogwarts I think," he said, shaking his head. As he remained quiet for a moment, visions of disrobing her earlier flashed through his mind, followed by a wave of guilt. "Hermione, please accept my apology for earlier with…with Mr. Malfoy. I would never…hurt you intentionally…physically or emotionally. I just…I reacted before thinking…something I never do. It will not happen again."

"I was glad you stopped him," she said, gently brushing a strand of hair away that had stuck to his cheek. "He would have forced himself on me and you know it. I just hope his father doesn't cause a problem for you."

"I can handle Lucius," he said quietly, not wanting to think about the inevitable meeting. "It's getting late though. You should probably return to your dormitory." His happiness from seconds ago vanished with the thought of her leaving.

Hermione caught the tone in his voice and felt the same thing. She wished she could curl up next to him, drifting off to sleep, and awaken in his arms in the dawn of morning. "Yes I suppose I should," she reluctantly agreed, sitting up and sorting through the pile at the foot of the bed for her clothes, slowly getting dressed, ignoring his eyes as they intently watched her, waiting until she'd finished before he began to dress.

They walked slowly from his bedchamber, through the outer chamber and into the classroom in a strange silence compiled of satisfaction, awkwardness and hesitancy. Hermione stopped at the door and turned to face him.

"Even though it didn't begin as such," she said, wanting to make sure he knew what she thought of the evening's event. "I'm glad the evening ended the way it did."

He reached for her hand and bent forward, kissing the top of it, eyes never straying from hers. "Until next time, Miss Granger," he said, voice deep and soft.

When Hermione left the Potions classroom, she felt like practically skipping back to her dormitory, trying to wipe the ridiculous smile off her face but having difficulty. She couldn't believe her evening, having only planned on going to the library. Regardless of how it transpired, she was happy they finally consummated this...well…whatever they were. She could have done without the roller coaster ride but it was Severus Snape after all, shocked in hindsight of his capability to smile and laugh as he had done more than once in her presence. She had seen a whole new side to him over the past couple months that she never would have thought existed in her wildest dreams.

As she slowly crept into the common room, thankful for the darkness as everyone was asleep, Hermione felt secure that no one had missed her, quietly climbing the stairs to her bedchamber. She inhaled, still able to catch his scent, and crossed the room silently, ready to prepare for bed. A light from Ginny's bed caused her to snap her head around in surprise.

"Where have you been?" she asked.

"I told you I went to the library," Hermione answered.

"Well Harry was looking for you earlier," Ginny continued. "But when I sent him to the library, he came back and said that he never found you."

"I did go," she told her. "But then I got sidetracked."

Ginny really didn't want to do it this way but was extremely concerned for her friend, especially when the Marauder's Map revealed the location of Hermione earlier. "I have a confession to make," she said quietly. "Please don't be angry with me."

Hermione's heart began to pound. "A confession?" she repeated, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "What is it?"

"I've been so worried about you," she said, as if an apology. "You've been acting so strange and I…I got the Marauder's Map from Harry…and I used it tonight."

Her throat instantly dry, eyes wide in alarm, Hermione asked, "You used it tonight?" She found it difficult to continue whispering.

"Yes," Ginny said, lowering her head for a moment before looking back up. "I know you were with Snape."

Hermione didn't know what to say as she never thought anyone would ever find out.

"And I know what happened," Ginny said, even quieter, almost wishing now that she hadn't been so concerned. "The map…when people are…you know…it creates anagrams with their names…and I saw 'NEVERMORE HE IS US'."

A blend of Hermione and Severus, she thought to herself, not sure if she was more mad, confused or embarrassed. "Oh my god," she said, shaking her head. "Ginny…"

"I'm sorry," she wailed quietly, hoping like hell Hermione would forgive her. "You've acted so strangely…I just had to make sure you were all right…please don't be mad at me…if I'd known…I never would have looked at the map…I'm so sorry."

"Why didn't you ask me?" Hermione asked.

"I tried," she said. "But you kept saying you were with Draco…and you remember the Hogsmeade trip when you said you were with him here…he was at Hogsmeade."

Hermione remained quiet for a few minutes, realizing Ginny did genuinely care and wasn't spying on her to be mean. She tried putting herself in the younger girl's place and figured she would have done the same thing. "I'm sorry for lying to you," she whispered. "It's just…this thing with Sever…Professor Snape…it's all been rather odd…and you can understand why I couldn't tell anyone…you mustn't breathe a word to anyone…you have to give me your word, Ginny."

"I won't say anything," she said. "I promise." She paused, wanting to ask so many different questions, unsure of where to begin. "I have to ask…how did you go from Draco to Snape? The first was hard enough to see you with but…Snape?"

Hermione laughed quietly, understanding her friend's thoughts. "He's nothing like how he appears in class," she said. "This really isn't the best place to discuss it though. We'll go disappear somewhere in a day or so and I'll fill you in. Just please, please don't tell. Both of us could get into a lot of trouble."

"I won't," she said again. "And I will return the map to Harry for good."

As Hermione and Ginny walked through the halls, they passed Draco, noticing the sneer he displayed towards Hermione.

"What was that about?" Ginny asked.

"He's just mad because he can't have me any time he wants me," Hermione answered. "He'll get over it."

They walked into an empty classroom and sat down at the large tables. "Okay," Ginny said. "I don't think I can stand it much longer."

Hermione laughed. "It's not what you think," she said. "It's been a roller coaster for sure."

"I just want you to know that what you tell me will never leave my lips," Ginny promised her. "I would never hurt you or get him in trouble." She had definitely looked at him slightly different, knowing about him and Hermione.

"Remember a couple months ago when I was having those cramps?" Hermione began, seeing Ginny nod. "Well I found out I was pregnant…from Draco."

Ginny gasped. "Oh my god," she said. "Hermione!" Her eyes were wide in shock, hardly able to believe she'd been pregnant and didn't tell her.

"It's okay," she said. "I was a mess though and searched in the library, coming up with a labor inducing potion, thinking I could abort it with that, not wanting to take the time for more research or to ask anyone. The night I did it, I collapsed outside the girls' bathroom by the dungeons and Professor Binns found me, running to Severus as he was the closest teacher. He took me to his chamber and basically took care of me all night. I was near delirious and he had to read my mind to determine what I'd done. Then I got sick and then a fever so he put me in a cold bath and then finally to bed when it was over." She smiled at her memory. "He'd been amazing really. He was sincere and helpful and everything I needed him to be through it all. After we confirmed I was no longer pregnant, I broke down and cried and he held me, comforted me. It was like he was another person, Ginny. A wonderful, caring person."

"Weren't you embarrassed though?" Ginny asked curiously, trying to imagine herself in a situation like that. "I can't imagine dealing with that kind of issue with a man."

"I was in too much pain to care," Hermione answered. "But I was a little after the fact. He just assured me that it was no big deal." She paused. "There was this moment though when he helped me from the tub that was…well…it was erotic to say the least."

"Erotic?" Ginny asked. "Snape?" Those were two words she never thought she'd hear in the same sentence.

"Yeah," she said. "He just…he had knelt in front of me, drying me off because I couldn't stand on my own, and his eyes…they sort of scanned my body…and the look…the desire in his eyes…I've never seen such a hungry look before. I couldn't forget it."

"Really?" She did her best to envision what her friend was describing but simply couldn't do it.

"Yeah," she said again. "But then the next morning I got the cold shoulder because he felt uncomfortable with what had happened the night before, like he knew and had seen too much to remain professional."

"Understandable."

"Then I gave Draco a truth serum," Hermione said quietly.

Ginny's mouth dropped. "A what?"

"Well, I thought Severus said something to him after finding out he was the one to impregnate me," she explained. "I was just being stupid really. So I had sex with Draco again just to hear him say that Severus hadn't said anything to him, only to stay away from me, which of course made me furious. When I left his chamber, I ran right into Severus who was fuming because he'd seen me disappear with Draco earlier and was concerned I would get myself in trouble again. We had quite a heated exchange. A few days later, after giving him a hard time in class that I shouldn't have done, he gave me a detention, which ended up being rather enjoyable."

"You didn't do it in the classroom did you?" Ginny asked, hoping she would say no, not wanting to think of Snape having sex on the tables every time she walked into the room.

Hermione laughed. "No," she answered. "It was more a verbal exchange but sensual nonetheless. Then I didn't go on the second Hogsmeade trip because I spent some time with him again."

"Damn girl," Ginny said with a laugh, unable to believe how so much had happened right under her nose.

"It gets better," Hermione said. "Almost two weeks ago, I had another detention, or so I called it, but I spent more time with him and this time we finally got to kiss. I thought that that might be the night, but he was spooked by something. Then a few days ago, Draco tried to force himself on me in the hall but Severus heard him and pulled him off of me. After Draco threatened him with a meeting with his father, Severus then got mad at me for some reason. It was weird really. We both got raging mad and I went stomping off after him and…well…there we were on your map."

Ginny sat dumbfounded for a minute, processing everything her friend had just told her. "Wow," she finally said. "That's absolutely crazy. But are you…you're happy? Is this just a fling? Or is it more?" She found it hard to imagine Hermione and Snape in a relationship given their age differences and the fact she was still his student.

"It's just…physical I guess," Hermione answered with a shrug. "But sometimes I get these conflicting thoughts. I find myself thinking about him more than I should and sometimes he makes comments that sound a little more than just physical. I don't know really. I'm not calling it anything. He's so…he's more sensual than anyone I've known. Severus can do more to me with mere words than Draco can do with his entire body."

"Snape is a thirty something year old man," Ginny reminded her, not able to call him by him first name. "He should have plenty more experience. Draco is our age. What do you expect?"

"True," she agreed with a smile. "And I hope to find out more about his experience." She winked at Ginny.

Severus was only slightly startled when a small black owl gently tapped on the window behind his desk. He sighed, already knowing the purpose for the bird's visit, quickly opening the window and taking the green envelope, not surprised to see the forest green wax seal bearing the Slytherin coat of arms imprint. Taking a small silver knife, he cleanly sliced the envelope open, pulling out the folded letter.

Dear Severus,

My son has informed me of a rather disturbing event. While he swears to me it happened, I, of course, told him he must be wrong for you would certainly never react physically towards a student. I will be arriving at Hogwarts within two days to straighten out this inherent miscommunication.

Your old friend,

L.Malfoy

Severus shook his head with a disgusted sigh, knowing this was inevitable, but still wishing like hell it didn't have to happen. Involving Lucius in anything meant trouble and caused him to be extremely suspicious of what else was going on, making him think maybe he ought to do a few secret preparations.