Chapter 11 – Experiences

The small sickroom where Amelia Snape was in was on the third floor. As in most of the sickrooms at St. Mungo's, there were sky-blue walls and a chalk white floor. It was a small single room with one bed, two small chairs, one bedside table and one wardrobe, everything in white. There were some flowers on the bedside table, but except for that the room was nearly empty of stuff.

Hermione entered the room nervously, right behind her Professor. She had no clue at all what Mrs. Snape would be like. Also, Severus had told Albus that she could be a little bit... odd sometimes. It didn't seem so good.

"Close the door and sit down." Severus whispered to Hermione as they entered the room. "Mother." He greeted and sat down on a chair next to his Mother's bed.

Amelia Snape opened her eyes and winked a couple of times. She was wearing a scarlet night-dress. Slowly she switched position and met Severus glance.

"Severus." Amelia nodded and noticed Hermione who sat down in the chair next to Severus'. "Who's this, Severus?" She eyed Hermione down from above.

"Let me introduce you. This is Hermione Granger, a…um… colleague of mine. Hermione, this is Amelia Snape." Severus said.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Snape." Hermione smiled politely.

"She isn't a muggle born, is she?" Amelia ignored Hermione's smile and looked at Severus.

"Of course not, Mother. I would never…um…mix with mudbloods." Severus lied and tried to catch Hermione's eye contact but failed. "So Mother, how are you? Are they nice to you here at St. Mungo's?" He quickly changed topic.

"By all means, they're okay. Not exactly what I'd expected but… anyway. I'm not very good, Son. But, did you say that girl is a professor?" Amelia gestured on Hermione. "She looks young, very young. But of course, Dumbledore is a little bit odd these days. I mean, he allows muggle-borns at Hogwarts!" She exclaimed. "And now he employs children. Merlin knows where that school is going."

"Yes, she is a professor. A very bright one, actually. In class with my own intellect if I so say. I must agree that Albus can be a little bit weird sometimes." Severus answered, very annoyed.

Hermione nearly gasped when she heard Severus talk about her. He'd given her a compliment! Bloody amazing!

"If you so say, Son… But I don't understand why you brought her here?" Amelia shot back.

"Why did you want me here, Mother?" Severus snapped. His patience was on the wane.

"Because you're my Son of course. Don't you want to see your poor little Mother when she's hurt? And why is this Professor here?" Amelia talked back. "She isn't your fiancée, is she?"

"You haven't wanted too see me for ages. I haven't missed you for Merlin's sake! I just came here today because you asked me to. Not because I care about you. Hermione is here because… She's here because I wanted her to accompany me. Of course she isn't my girlfriend Mother. You have told me several times that you don't want me to go out with a muggle-born." Severus raised his voice without noticing what he was saying in the last line.

"She's a muggle-born? How dare you? How dare you mix with mudbloods?" Amelia shouted.

"Excuse me?" Hermione interrupted, with a voice that spoke of how insulted she was.

"Mother, shut up! I don't give a damn what you think. I am free to spend time with anyone I want to." He answered with an ice-cold voice which made Hermione shiver.

"You are not my, Son! Now get out of here! I don't want a mudblood and a traitor close to me!" Amelia yelled and her face was turning in to a shade of red.

"Fine! Have a good life. Hermione, let's go! This bloody woman is crazy. You know what? I've always hated you." Severus stood up and left the room with Hermione after him. She closed the door quietly and run after Severus who had sat down in a big chair. Slowly, she sat down on the armrest of Severus' chair. As the waiting room was empty except for Severus and herself she could very well hear that Severus breathed heavily.

"I'm sorry… It's my fault that you…" Hermione whispered nervously.

"It's not. I do feel that I owe you an excuse." Severus interrupted "I'm sorry. I acted like a total asshole in there. It's just… that woman makes me go nuts! I'm sorry for what I said, and what she said, about muggle borns. She's just so old-fashioned." He continued, meeting her glance. One could see that he wasn't used to give excuses.

"Oh… Well. It's okay. So… you didn't mean it?" She said, smiling a little.

"Of course not! Did you think so?" Severus looked surprised.
"Well, not really but… Erm.. You know." Hermione answered, slightly embarrassed.

"Good. Besides, I'm sorry if Amelia offended you when she claimed that you were my girlfriend." He added.

"It's okay…" Hermione said frankly. 'I wished it was true though' she thought.

"Are you sure you're okay? I am truly sorry for what you had to witness. I can assure you that I didn't mean a single word I said about you in there… Except that I do think you're intelligent. Also, I w…" Severus became silent, as he felt Hermione behind him.

Hermione went to the back of Severus' chair and started massaging him. She couldn't stand being so close to him but yet too far away to touch him.

"Calm down. I said its okay." She whispered, oblivious that she sent shivers along Severus' back.

"Miss Granger, what the hell are you doing? I'm your teacher for fuck's sake. You really shouldn't touch a teacher…like that." Severus said, more like a statement than an admonition.

"Come on… I'm sure you like it, don't you?" She teased, caressing his collarbones. 'Shit, what am I saying? He's right. I am his bloody student. I really shouldn't do this…What if he doesn't even like it?'

"Miss Granger, I do think this is highly inappropriate. I suggest that you… that you get your hands off my body." Severus stated, unable to move her hands away from him. 'Merlin, why does it feel so damn good?' he thought as he closed his eyes.

Hermione made her way under his robes and caressed his soft thorax. She loved the way she could feel his heartbeat under his soft skin. There was no way she could stop now, and she'd never seen her professor look so peaceful and comfortable before. Slowly, she started unbutton his robe just to see his bare chest. 'God, why is he so damn beautiful?' she thought, caressing his now bare chest with an affection Severus never had felt before.

"Miss Granger, I really do think you should stop. This is enough for now." Severus spoke in a deep voice. Carefully he moved her hands away from his body and saw her glimmering eyes.

'God, she seemed to enjoy it as much as I. Strange' Severus thought.

"You're right, Sir. I shouldn't ha…" She buttoned his shirt and sat down in a chair.

"It's alright. Thank you." His voice wasn't even half as cold as always.

'Whoa. This is so un-Snape. Ron would totally freak out if he saw Severus like this. Well, who wouldn't?' Hermione thought.

"You're welcome, Sir." 'Hang on; did he say that it was 'enough for now'? He wants me to continue? Aww. Hermione you naughty girl.' She scolded herself.

"Good then." Severus hid the small smile that was climbing on his lips. "So do you want to go back to school? I'm sure you don't want to miss any lessons…"

"Actually I don't want to go back to school…" Hermione objected.

"So… Well, we do have the day off. Are you in a mood for lunch?" He asked.
"Nah, not really." The only thought of food made her sick.

"Well, it's lunchtime anyway. I suggest we go have some lunch at some restaurant."
"But, I didn't bring any money here…" Hermione sighed.

"Then I'll pay for you." Severus decided.