Chapter 28

It was almost time for Hermione's evaluation at St. Mungo's. She was sick and tired of the sling. She couldn't play the piano, fly, do her yoga properly, or mix her potions without help. This day was Friday and she was headed back to St. Mungo's tomorrow to get the "damn thing off."

She had let her friends know she would be gone for the morning at St. Mungo's.

"There's no Hogsmeade trip, so I won't be missing much."

So after breakfast Sauturday morning, she took a port key from Hogwarts to St. Mungo's. She sat in a corridor waiting for her name to be called. Adam peeked his head out,

"Hermione, you can come back now."

In an exam room, Hermione was poked and prodded while the two made conversation.

"So, Hermione, what does your boyfriend have to say about all this?"

"Nothing."

"What?"

"I don't have a boyfriend. Well, not one I can tell you about anyway.

"I find that hard to believe Hermione, as pretty as you are," he laughed. "What, don't any of those young blokes do anything for you?" Adam teased.

"Actually, no." Hermione teased back.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I quickly forget about alternative lifestyles these days. No offense."

"Huh? Adam, you don't think I am a lesbian do you?" Hermione chuckled.

"If you are, no big deal. That's just what you prefer."

"No Adam, I like men, just older men. I like the young blokes as you say, but just as friends."

"Oh, I see. Just how old Hermione?"

36 sounds just about right! she smiled, thinking of Severus.

"Why do you ask Adam?"

"Can I be straight with you Hermione?"

"Of course."

Uh oh.

"What would you think if I asked you out for dinner?"

"I think I would have to decline, Adam."

"Oh. You fancy someone?"

"Yes."

Fancy? Hell, I'd like to jump his bones!

"Sorry I asked."

"Don't be."

"I usually don't ask patients out to dinner."

"No harm done Adam. Are we finished? I really would like to go."

"In a hurry? Have that special someone to get back to?"

"Something like that."

"Yes Hermione, we are done. Your shoulder is officially back to normal. Like I said, I don't want to see you back in this place until it's time to have your children," he said sternly.

"Yes sir," she saluted.

Back in the reception area, she ported back to Hogwarts. She arrived back at Hogwarts and went to her room. It wasn't quite lunchtime yet. She came to a decision. She called Pavel and sent Severus a note.

"Find Severus Snape, Pavel, he's here somewhere."

I realized this morning while at the hospital that I loved you. I just thought you should know. My floo in my room will be set to accept you whenever you want to talk.

H.

She waited a few minutes before going to lunch. Watching the floo. Watching, watching, nothing happened.

Maybe I was too forward. Maybe he really doesn't feel anything for me. Oh, I don't know. This was so much easier with Victor! she worried.

She arrived late for lunch to find the everyone already there. Walking to her table, she took note that Severus was not seated at the staff table.

"Hey Hermione, glad to have that thing off your arm?" Harry asked knowing good and well what the answer was.

"Yes." she answered distantly.

"Something wrong Hermione?" Harry asked.

"No, not really. So, what did you all do this morning?" she suggested, deflecting the conversation.

While her and Ginny were talking about a joke she had heard at the hospital, Snape came through the side door next to the staff table.

"So, Severus, finished your patrol of the apothecary?" Dumbledore asked.

"Just ensuring the purity of ingredients, Albus. We can't have any more defective ingredients pop up here at school."

He had just returned from Diagon Alley. Hermione's owl was waiting for him. He took the note, wasted no time and floo-ed to Hermione's room to find her absent. Inhaling the cacophony of scents from her room, he deduced she was at lunch then rushed there. Well, it had to appear he wasn't rushing. Sweeping into the great hall, he looked about the hall then his eyes came to rest on Hermione. Her sling was off, and she was laughing about something with Ginny. She flipped her hair behind her shoulders, wiped her mouth, licked her lips. She looked at the main doors to the great hall then looked suddenly at the staff table. She sighed then smiled at Severus. He nodded, laid his hand on the table, then extended his index finger (in a way she wouldn't miss) towards the main doors.

"Gotta go guys. See you at dinner," she told everyone.

Then half a minute later, Severus excused himself. Minerva witnessed the whole exchange.

Just who does he think he is fooling? Oh dear, be careful you two.

Ginny noticed the exchange as well.

Hope you know what you're doing, Herms.

Minutes later, Severus knocked on Hermione's door.

"Come in."

Severus walked in to find Hermione sitting in a chair facing the door. She patted a chair next to hers to indicate him to sit. He took the seat.

"You got my note?" she asked.

"I did."

"What do you think?"

He breathed out. He had to be careful with what he said and did. This lovely young lady sitting expectantly before him had volatile emotions.

"Before I continue, I must tell you that I'm not the best at expressing my feelings," he said quietly.

"Okay," she replied, leaned forward and laid her hands on his.

"I read your note from earlier and I was happy to receive it," Severus said carefully.

"Well, that's a start. I was happy to send it," Hermione replied.

Severus decided to bite the bullet.

"Hermione, we will be starting something that I will be hard-pressed to stop if you decide you want none of it. Are you sure of what you're saying? What you're doing?" he asked carefully.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life, I just wouldn't declare my love for anyone," she replied.

Snape then leaned forward and kissed her. But it was not like the kiss they had shared before. This one was much more forceful, eager, passionate. They came together, he pulling her close. She didn't hesitate, neither did he. After minutes of tongue-thrashing, they stopped to breathe. Hermione was panting slightly, her eyes full of longing. Her face was flushed and she was shivering. Still holding her, he looked down at her.

"I want you. Your mind, your heart, your spirit, your body, everything," Snape replied at a whisper.

"And you say you have trouble expressing your feelings? Do you mean that?" she asked.

"I never say anything I don't mean," he replied.

"Where do we go from here?" she asked.

"We have to be careful, my dear."

"I know," she replied with a slight edge.

She stepped forward and started unbuttoning his robe. She slipped it off his shoulders. He was wearing a hunter-green satin blouse and black slacks. She slipped off her sweater to reveal a t-shirt saying,

Have you seen my snitch lately?

He chuckled at her shirt. She slipped off her shoes and socks. He wasn't quite sure what to do next. Here he was, standing in her room, watching and waiting for what she was going to do. Suddenly he felt stupid. Had it been that long? What she said next removed all doubt.

"I'm going to take a bath. I smell like a hospital. You're welcome to join me."

It took every single ounce of Gryffindor strength she had to say that. She said nothing more and walked to the bathroom, taking her shirt off on the way. The ball was in his court. He followed. Stepping into the bathroom, he removed his shirt. She was bending over the tub in a lacy black bra turning the faucets, and saw his shirt fall to the floor. Her heart fluttered in exitement. She took off her pants. He then took off his pants.

After this, no turning back, Granger. Gryffindor up! she thought to herself.

Is this really happening? he thought.

When Hermione removed her bra and panties, Severus stopped breathing.

"Beautiful," he purred.

She stepped into he tub, saying "Hmmm" at the feel of the hot water and bubbles. Gathering all the courage he could muster, he let is black silk boxers fall to the floor. She raised her eyebrows at his growing erection, waved towards the direction of the tub, and said,

"You had better get in here now."

Wading into the tub, he sat next to her.

"Oh, relax Severus. The hard part's over. Come here, let me rub your back."

He sat lower in the tub between her legs. He could feel her breasts against his back. He draped his arms over her thighs and sat back.

"I could get used to this," he said.

"Mmmhmmm," she replied. It amazed the both of them how quickly they took to each other.

She rubbed his neck, shoulders and back. She nibbled on his neck. She wrapped her arms around him and ran her nails over his chest. He turned around. The desire in her eyes was plain to see, but he was in no rush. He needed to see how far she would go. He pulled her to him, and swiftly he switched places. Pulling her between his legs, he rubbed her neck, shoulders and back. He wrapped his arms around her and cupped her breasts. She sighed deeply. He massaged her breasts, making her moan softly. She felt his erection on the small of her back. He kissed the sensitive area of her neck below her ears. Turning around, she moved her hands up his legs, running her fingertips slowly along his thighs, then took hold of his cock and gently squeezed. He put his head back and moaned. He took hold of her, his cock just at her entrance. He massaged her breasts some more, then kissed them, nipping at her nipples. She stroked him faster and harder, and he returned the favor by running his thumb on her clit. She hissed and arched her back, pressing against his cock. He moaned loudly. He couldn't take much more.

"May I have you now, Hermione?" he asked softly.

"Yes, please," she groaned.

He plunged in. They both cried out at the feeling. He was so aroused that she was so tight, so eager. Wrapping her legs around him, he took hold on the sides of the tub. Neither of them caring about the water they were knocking out, he continued with his slow deep thrusts. Her back was arched from leaning back over the tub, and she was pulling herself to welcome his thrusts. Soon she stopped arching her back, dropped her hips, looked at him and said breathlessly,

"Harder, faster. I want to watch you come."

No woman had ever said that to him. The very words captured his heart. He obliged. Taking hold of her hips, he pounded into her. This woman, this willing and giving lover, was a dream come true to him. She moaned louder, then her orgasm tightened around his cock, she screamed out his name and rocked through the climax. Seconds afterward, head back and eyes closed, he came with a moan and a shout. When his thrusts has stopped, he looked down to see her smiling at him, still shivering with passion.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is going to be, sitting in your class thinking about how you looked just now?" Hermione asked.

"My dear, do you have any idea how hard it is going to be, teaching that class, thinking about how you felt just now? Let's just say it's a good thing I wear a robe. I'd hate for something to pop up."