Title: What a Difference a Letter Makes ( 3 ? )

Author: granger2malfoy

Pairing: Severus/Hermione

Rating: R

Disclaimer: Not mine, I just play with JK's toys. I'm lucky she shares.

A/N: This series is dedicated to my muse, who continues to influence my mind even in the worst places. smirk Thanks to my friend and beta, Danielle.

Summary: What a difference a few things can make between university student, Hermione Granger, and university professor, Professor Severus Snape. Post-Hogwarts. Post HBP.

Chapter Three What a Difference a Letter Makes

Hermione shook her hand due to the threatening cramp as she wrote the answers for the test in front of her. With a glance at the clock in the front of the classroom, she noticed that a half-hour remained until class ended and most people were still there finishing their tests for the Potions Master. She finished all the questions fifteen minutes ago and was just adding on anything else she could think of, so she wouldn't have to leave just yet. Snape sat grading their completed homework at his desk a few feet to her left side and she knew hers was next.

Professor Snape marked a final red dash to the last student's paper, if one could call it that. A mess of ink seemed a more appropriate label. He moved it to the side to see that only Miss Granger's paper remained. He gave a slow glance to ensure no cheating was occurring and then settled back in his chair to read her work. She always gave him exactly what he was looking for on anything she turned in and it was refreshing. It was why he usually saved hers for last.

He had studied her the moment she stepped into his classroom that night. Over the course of the week, since his move in the elevator, he dreaded every knock at his office door thinking it was the Chair of his department kicking him out for crossing the line with a student. But nothing came and she had returned to her normal seat, she even had a smirk on her face after she handed over her work. Maybe whatever was happening between them would turn out to be quite interesting.

A few students laid their completed tests on his desk with defeated looks. He may not snap at them like when he taught at Hogwarts, but he enjoyed pushing them to learn more and see past the normal, limited views of learning they got with all their other professors.

Severus noticed Miss Granger was still in her seat and appeared to be deep in thought. She usually turned her tests in first and got the best grade on it, which had nothing to do with the way he felt whenever his mind ventured onto to the once bushy-haired swot to the soft curled brunette with definite feminine curves under that blouse. (Longest sentence ever! Try splitting it into two. It's very confusing!) The legs under her desk detracted his attention from the paper as he noticed her black-stocking clad leg for the first time that night. Damn, my weakness. I am glad, it's almost the end of class and I can leave after they are gone. Maybe she'll stay. Hmm...That would explain why she is still here. Well, this might be a very good night after all.

With a shake of the head and a hidden adjustment to his pants, he returned his attention to her paper and finished grading the last of her assignment. Snape leaned forward to place the grade at the end of the last sentence. Yet, as soon as the tip touched the parchment, the black ink of her words swirled around on the page and reworked themselves into different words. To be more exact, a letter to him in that handwriting which belonged to the certain young witch sitting a few feet from him.

Dear Professor,

First, let me tell you that this letter to you will disappear completely forever the moment your ink touches this parchment again. So, keep it away till you are done. Unless, you don't want to read this, then mark my grade and be done with it. If not, I hope to hold your attention for a little while longer.

Second, I wanted to comment on yourquestioningof my bravery. I assure you I have plenty of the Gryffindor bravery, but I am not a foolish Hufflepuff, who might proclaim wanting when it is not likely to be returned. I think we share a common desire, or need, for the other. No matter how wrong it is. Crossing these lines crosses many taboos: professor/student, age difference and Gryffindor/Slytherin. Maybe that is part of the attraction on your part. But let me assure you, those do not pull me towards you. Parts of me tell me those should make me say 'no' to myself. But there is more there telling me to keep going.

Lastly, I wanted to thank you for that amazing two minutes in the lift with you. Yes, it completely blew me away. But I also couldn't get my mind off you as I sat down to write this homework for you that night. I always go and get a start on the assignment once it is given. Yet, as I worked diligently on the questions, my mind kept feeling your lips against mine and my eyes would close as I remembered the feel of your body pressed up against mine.

If that kiss was meant to torture me, it did its job very well. The more I tried to focus on getting the answers right for your assignment, the damper my knickers got and the more I moved around in my chair to relieve the building pressure. There were times the tip of my quill would flick against my shirt on my hardened nipple and it would cause me to gasp out loud. After an hour of fighting myself and denying the ache you caused, I threw down my quill and slipped one hand under my bra as the other pushed its way into my soaked knickers. It did not take long for me toreach my peakcalling out your name.

I'll let you get back to your grading. I just wanted to reassure you my bravery is still here... and waiting.

H.

Snape's eyes flashed up from the letter and turned to look at the vixen who wrote that naughty letter. But he only caught a quick glimpse of her back as she left the room, with a distinct sway of her hips. The stack of tests on his desks showed she had turned in her test while he had been sitting back reading her daring words. Three more students remained as he noticed that there was still ten minutes till the end of class.

His hands went into his hair as he leaned over his desk and tried to calm his raging erection to catch up with that witch, who might very well be the death of him. But a death he would certainly enjoy.

To Be Continued