Warning

This story is not suitable for readers under the age of sixteen. It contains sexual content, including some non-consensual, and may offend some readers. If this subject is offensive to you, please do not read this story.

Chapter 45 – Progression

The Easter holidays passed quickly. Hermione's project was officially due in the middle of May, but at the request of Grendel Moldbury Arkletan, through Dumbledore, she had promised to complete it by the end of April, and worked diligently, determined not to let either of them down.

She also spent a lot of time on her revision. Despite her friends' infuriating insistence that the exams were over two months away, to Hermione they were looming worryingly close. Between revising for the usual end of term exams, and the upcoming Potions N.E.W.T., her time was as full during the holidays as during term time.

One thing she made certain she made time for, though, was watching as many of Harry's daily Quidditch practices as she could, with Ron. After his long sleep, Harry had shown no other effects of the time spent in the tunnels, and Ron's strange lapses had, by the end of the vacation, all but disappeared.

Once school started again, her two friends were both back to lessons. Although they grumbled about this, Hermione knew that they were glad to be back. Even Snape's snide comments during their first lesson could not dampen their spirits too much. The Potions Master was not at all happy to see the two returning to class, and made his feelings known.

"Very convenient, Potter, that your miraculous recovery occurred the day before the holidays," he growled. "And as for you, Weasley, any repetition of your previous lesson's lunacy, and you will regret ever stepping back into my dungeon."

Out of the teacher's sight, Ron rolled his eyes. He regretted every time he stepped into the dungeon classroom!

Snape's comments continued throughout the lesson, until at the end, he told them both to remain behind, to collect the assignments they had missed. "I am very much aware of the fact that you wasted the last two weeks on Quidditch practice, instead of worrying about trivialities like schoolwork!"

Hermione suspected that the reason for his increased antagonism towards them had something to do with the tunnels. Undoubtedly, he blamed them for what had happened. Well, just let him dare to say so, and she would put him straight, very fast! She had hardly been led down to the tunnels – she had chosen to go, and was as much responsible for their misadventure as they. Waiting behind with her friends, she watched Snape carefully. He must have seen her warning look, as he seemed about to speak, then changed his mind at the last minute. Handing the boys their homework assignments, he gave them a snarling lecture about expecting high standards, and the fact that their time in the hospital wing did not entitle them to leniency, but with regard to anything else he prudently chose to bite his lip.

However badly Snape treated them, Ron and Harry were too excited at the prospect of the upcoming Quidditch match to take much notice. Once again, the final would be between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and Gryffindor were clear favorites, despite the opposition's impressive performance since Baddock had joined the team. The fact that they were going into the match sixty points down, due to Slytherin's early victory against Hufflepuff, did not worry the Gryffindor team in the slightest. As long as they did not let the Slytherins more than eighty points ahead of them, they could still take the Snitch, the Game and the Cup all in one move. The thought of Gryffindor not catching the Snitch did not seem to occur to anyone but Harry. Confidence in the champion team's seeker never wavered.

As the day approached, the excitement in the school grew. How Harry and Ron managed to complete their homework, including the 'catch-up' Potions assignments, and still spend a couple of hours at the Quidditch pitch every night, Hermione never knew. In the Common Room on the evening before the match, she even teased them about having a time-turner.

"What, and end up as stressed out as you were that year?" Ron laughed. "Not likely!"

Harry looked up from his Care of Magical Creatures homework. "Besides – McGonagall would never trust us. If Gred and Forge ever got their hands on a time turner ... "

Hermione laughed. It was absolutely true – they would cause havoc!

The day arrived, and the school buzzed with excitement. In the stands around the pitch, Gryffindor colors overshadowed those of Slytherin by three to one.

Hermione, watching happily with Ron and Ginny, looked across to the opposite stand. The dark figure of her lover stood tall and aloof with his students, watching the match with feigned detachment. Quidditch was a serious affair for the Heads of Houses, and the Slytherin Master took it as a matter of personal pride. The series of defeats against the Gryffindors had not been taken lightly, giving him yet one more reason for his antagonism toward the Gryffindor Captain. Still – Quidditch was Quidditch, and, as Hermione had told Ron at the end of the match against Ravenclaw – when it came to Gryffindor versus Slytherin, Severus Snape was on his own!

Across the pitch, their eyes met, but as the teams streaked into the air, all eyes turned to the game.

- - -

As the triumphant Gryffindors headed back to the castle, Malcolm Baddock stormed past, almost knocking Ginny from her feet.

"Watch it, Baddock!" shouted Harry, taking the girl's hand in concern.

Baddock turned and glared at them, and Ron laughed in his face. "Not so cocky now, are you, Baddock! I thought you were supposed to be the Slytherins' secret weapon!"

"You'll get yours, Weasley," he threatened, obliquely. The Slytherin scowled, but then, as he turned his eyes on Hermione, his face twisted into a sneer. "Spent much time in the dungeon, lately, Mudblood?" With that, he turned on his heel, and continued towards the castle.

"What was that all about?" asked Ginny.

Hermione shrugged. No-one but Snape and herself knew about the blackmail, and she intended to keep it that way. "Probably nothing," she said, noncommittally. "Just the Slytherins' favorite sport of Mudblood-baiting! He's just mad about how stupid he looked when he got cut off in that dive and almost smashed into Madam Hooch!"

Ron laughed. "Yeah! What a move. Should have asked for an action replay!"

The celebrations would be carrying on for the rest of the day, Hermione knew, but after dinner she headed for the dungeon, via her room, to consort with the enemy.

"Poor, darling!" she teased, as she curled herself into his lap, in the armchair by the fire.

Severus gave her a throaty growl. "Not a word, Ms. Granger!"

She smiled, coyly. "Well, if I can't talk, what can I do?"

Somehow, she had known that he would have an answer to that, and she was not disappointed. Closing her eyes, she allowed him to draw her close, his tongue exploring her mouth, and for a long time, not another word was spoken.

As the evening turned into night, the two lovers lay contentedly together in Severus' comfortable bed, talking. They talked about everything from Potions to Shakespeare, from music to the still hostile attitudes of some of the staff. Hagrid continued to avoid them, Madam Pomfrey was still regarding Severus with disgust and Hermione with pity, and Professor Trelawney was saying that she had seen it all along, and had informed the teacher that the relationship was doomed to failure. Professor McGonagall, on the other hand, had continued to grow more and more accepting of the situation, and was bordering on supportive of the pair. Dumbledore said little.

The incident with Baddock that day interested Severus very much, and he became pensive for several minutes after Hermione told him of it.

"It would appear that he is becoming impatient," he reflected. "He is showing his hand a little too openly, and becoming careless. I believe that I may need to make a move very soon, or he will step over the line."

He pondered the situation for a while, but then changed the subject. Hermione decided not to press the issue. There were some things she would rather not know, particularly when it came to the inner machinations of the Slytherin House.

- - -

The next day was Sunday, and teacher and student had planned a day of study. Despite Hermione's obsession with her project, Snape felt it his responsibility to keep her on track for her Potions N.E.W.T. at the same time. She was his most intelligent charge, and was more ready for the exam than most of the final year students, but that did not mean she could become complacent. After being the one to suggest she take the exam early, he could not allow her to achieve anything less than top marks!

Waking up that morning, he smiled. Hermione's head was resting on his bare chest, and her arm stretched over him, reaching up to his shoulder. Starting at her wrist, he trailed his fingers lightly down the length of her arm, then down her bare back. Her skin was perfect, and her body soft and smooth. He reached to her waist and ran his hand over her curvaceous hips. She was so amazing. What could she possibly be doing in his bed?

She stirred. "Good morning, Severus," she murmured into his chest.

"Good morning, my darling." He stroked her back gently and then smiled as her hand slid slowly from his shoulder down his chest and below his waist. He hardened under her touch, thrilling at the feathery strokes of her small fingers. Her lips found his nipple, and her tongue flicked at it, teasingly. He closed his eyes and moaned slightly as she increased the pressure, her kisses making him clench his fists in pleasure.

Her body moved, and he waited in anticipation. Her hair was training down his stomach as her head moved down, and he held his breath as her lips brushed against him. A gasp escaped him as the heat of her mouth enveloped him. It felt so wonderful. So perfect. She was caressing him with her tongue, sucking him and surrounding him. His mind was filled with nothing but her and the ecstatic pleasure she was bringing. He found himself whispering her name over and over again, as his tension grew. He wanted to make this last for as long as possible, and held himself back, prolonging the pleasure, but finally he could restrain himself no longer, and exploded in breathtaking bliss.

He lay, slowing his breath and holding Hermione in his arms. "I love you," he murmured into her hair. She squeezed him in response, and he looked down at her beautiful body. Reaching to her face, he gently brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. It flowed like silk over his fingers, and he traced its lines down the side of her neck to her shoulder. She sighed. Rolling her off him and onto her back, he followed the same path with his mouth. As his lips planted kisses on her neck, his hand moved over her body until his fingers found the spot that was moist with excitement and readiness. Slowly, his lips moved down her body to taste her.

Snape found himself thinking back to the scene several times over breakfast, and he had to catch himself before his face gave too much away. Forcing his eyes away from the Gryffindor table was almost impossible, but he managed to keep it down to a bare minimum of furtive glances. Several times, their eyes met, and each looked quickly away.

Owl Post arrived. At first, he did not notice what had been received at the Gryffindor table, but when he glanced towards Hermione, she did not look happy. There was an unopened letter in her hand, and she was staring down at it uncomfortably. It had to be from her mother. Who else could cause such a reaction before the letter had even been read?

Watching as she tucked the letter, still unread, into her robes, he wondered just how bad this would be. Her parents loved her, and wanted the best for her – why else would her mother make such a fuss? – but their idea of what was best did not include a thirty-seven year old wizard, who also happened to be her teacher.

"So what does your mother have to say?" he asked, when they were once again in the dungeon. Hermione was unpacking her books onto a desk in the classroom, and looked up at him in momentary surprise. Then she reached into the folds of her robes, and pulled out the letter, handing it to him.

The envelope had been opened, and the letter folded awkwardly to put it back inside. Snape unfolded the paper carefully and read the letter aloud.

Dear Hermione,

We got your letter this morning. I must say, I'm surprised at you talking about moving in with your teacher. I thought we'd brought you up to have more sense than that. You've known him for almost six years, and for five of those years you hated him. Hardly a good basis for a lasting relationship. You are too young to be moving in with anyone, let alone a man who is old enough to be your father, but if that is your choice, then there is nothing we can do about it.

We love you, Hermione, but over the last few years we have seen you getting more and more drawn into this dangerous magic world. Harry seems to be a very nice young man, but these strange witches and wizards that you spend your time with are no good for you. We tried to accept it at first, and we were happy for you, but everything about your new world is strange and abnormal. It is not part of our ways, and we can't change to accept something we think is wrong.

If you choose not to come back here in the summer then we accept that, but we think that this will be the wrong decision in the long run. We don't want to see you hurt, but we think that will happen if you go ahead with this. But that is your decision. We have said our piece, and will say nothing more about it. If you would like us to send the rest of your things to you, let us know.

We love you.

Mum and Dad

As he read the letter, Hermione listened with her head down, and as he finished, he saw her shoulders sag and her body begin to shake. The tears began to flow freely, and he stepped quickly to her and wrapped his arms around her sobbing form.

"Severus," she forced out, between teary breaths, "I don't ... know what t ... to do ab ... about it. I don't want ... to feel that I'm not ... not ... welcome at home." She clung to him, weeping into his robes, and he wrapped them protectively around her, rocking backwards and forwards.

Shape felt completely helpless. He did not like situations that were so completely out of his control, but there was absolutely nothing he could do to change this. Searching for anything more decisive to do, he tried to absorb the shivers from Hermione's body, holding her tightly. Hearing Hermione's sobs brought almost physical pain to his heart. He closed his eyes, wishing he could shut out the hurt for both of them, or take it all upon himself. But Hermione had to deal with her parents in her own way, and all he could do was be there for her when she needed him. He held her.

- - -

Working on revision for Hermione's Potions N.E.W.T. provided a welcome distraction for both of them, and they forced their minds to this for most of the morning. Snape's difficult questions almost made Hermione regret her decision to take the exam early. If that was the level of difficulty she would face, then she was not sure she was ready for this. But the teacher reassured her that he was questioning her at a level far beyond that of the N.E.W.T., and she was progressing extremely well.

Although thoughts of her parents were still very much on her mind, she found the work useful in preventing her thoughts from becoming too overwhelmed by her frustration with them. At lunchtime, she met up with her friends in the Great Hall, but returned to the dungeon soon afterwards, to find her lover in conversation with one of the few people who could make the day any worse – Malcolm Baddock.

Snape was sitting behind his desk, as he had been for most of the morning, and Baddock was browsing moodily through the potions in the cabinet. He was clearly still in a foul mood after the Quidditch, and seemed to think he had found an easy way to vent his anger at the world.

"Mudblood!" he spat, as she entered. "We were just talking about you!"

Hermione regarded her lover carefully, without looking at the student. Snape's manner was calm, but there was a clear edge to his expression, that showed he was seething inside. It puzzled her for a moment – there was something strange about his face, which did not quite seem true. His attitude to Baddock had always been that he could handle anything the boy chose to try, but from his expression, it seemed that Baddock must have held a trump card of which the master had not been aware. He seemed worried by it.

Suddenly, Hermione realized the truth. There was something in the teacher's eyes that gave his feelings away to one who knew his moods so well. He was not in the least concerned by Baddock's latest ploy, but that was not the impression he wanted to give. The Slytherin was now confident that he had the Head of House caught totally of guard, and willing to do anything to prevent disclosure of his secrets. He could not be more wrong.

Playing along with the scam, Hermione moved close to Snape, standing slightly behind him, as though needing his strength, and placing a hand on his shoulder. "What do you want?" she asked, cautiously.

Baddock turned a scowling face on her. "Well, that's what I've been wondering," he snapped. "What do I want?" Hermione waited as he turned to pick up a bottle of powdered ants, and tossed it lightly in his hand, catching it again. "All this time, I've been asking for potion ingredients. With what I hold on the two of you, you owe me more than that! You're the Head of Slytherin – asking for a place on the Quidditch team was hardly a big deal. You could get that easily. I've been stupid."

He turned away from them, and began pacing up and down the room.

"Well, that's going to change. From now on, I'm not going to be messing about with little things like Quidditch. I'm going to be thinking about what I really want, and you're bloody-well going to get it for me. Both of you!" He glared angrily at them. "You think I'm stupid, but just remember that I'm the one with the ability to ruin things for you. I find this whole thing disgusting, anyway, and so will everyone else. How can you possibly find this filthy Mudblood attractive? You're pure-blood. Where's your pride?"

Snape turned his head away from the student, looking away to his left, and down at the floor, as though agreeing with the boy and thoroughly ashamed of himself.

Baddock stepped up to the desk, and put his hands on its surface, leaning forward towards his enemies. "You two had better start thinking carefully about how badly you want to keep this a secret, because if I think the two of you are trying to play me, I'll be having a chat with Dumbledore right away." He pushed himself away from the desk and headed for the door. "You'll be getting a list from me tomorrow, and this time there'll be no messing about. I have the upper hand in this, and it's time you realized that you'd better start taking me seriously."

With that, he turned from them and stalked out of the room.

For a moment, Snape was silent. Then he reached up to take Hermione's hand, still on his shoulder, and turned to look up at her. "Miss Granger," he smiled, "I believe that the next move requires some of your undisputable charm!"

Although puzzled by this, Hermione could not help but smile as she wondered exactly what he had in mind.