IMPORTANT: I am really sorry for the long delay. I planned a lemon for this chapter, and my wonderful beta, Wondering Witch, had agreed to write the bigger part of this lemon as a co-author. Unfortunately, she has got serious personal problems now and had to withdraw her offer to beta read. I have to continue this story without her and this means: a shorter lemon without much finesse. My abilities end at the description of light petting. The alternative was to abandon the story, and I certainly did not want to do that. Please be lenient! A great thank you again, dear Wondering Witch, for beta reading this story so far; you were wonderful. I hope you will be able to resume your work as a beta reader in the near future and I also hope everything will be okay with you.
Chapter 13
"Yes," he answered. "Stay!" He looked at her, a glint in his eyes, and then he scooped her up in his arms and carried her towards his chambers. None of the boys she knew would ever do something like that. In a way, it was so retro , so caveman . Strange enough, Hermione felt cherished by this gesture. However, this was more, Severus was making a statement; he was telling her that he wouldn't let her go again, that she was his.
Severus set her carefully down in front of his bed, pulling her in his arms again, his hands moving over her body. The familiar tingle began inside of her chest and sped to her extremities. She shivered in his touch and leaned against his chest, then smiled and looked at Severus like a cat who had found a cream pot. Severus was stunned; he had never been the cream pot before but only the leftovers. This was so different from any experience he had had with women; she loved him, she wanted to touch him.
Hermione felt his lips brushing over hers and his tongue searching entrance and moaned. She pulled back, and Severus saw that her gaze changed, determination in her eyes. She reached towards his frock coat and began to unbutton it. Her fingers trembled, and she was chewing her lower lip as always when she was nervous. She slipped her hands under his shirt and encircled Severus' waist, caressing his skin there for the first time, not hesitating when she touched his scars. Severus drew in a sharp breath and a low moan escaped his throat. His arms engulfed her again, finding that she fit perfectly. He felt his arousal throbbing painfully and knew she felt it, too.
Hermione's breath caught as Severus's hands moved from the side of her breasts to the front of her shirt. Severus felt how she suddenly tensed and slightly pulled away. Hurt , he asked, "You are having second thoughts, haven't you?" His hands fell to his side. He should have expected something like this. Yes, she loved him, but desire was something else. He knew how he looked, hooked-nosed, thin, with crooked teeth and scarred.
"No, Severus, no," Hermione whispered, guessing his thoughts. "But, you know, this is... I've never..."
"You've never... You mean I am your first?" Severus asked, huskily.
Hermione nodded.
"Good!" Severus replied with obvious relief and satisfaction and pulled her in his arms again, suddenly at a loss for words. His hands roamed her body again, more urgently this time. Hermione felt dizzy. This was wonderful. He had barely touched her and yet... If this was an omen of what was to come, she would never need to ask again what the whole fuss was about.
Then she felt his hands at the buttons of her blouse, his thumbs brushing her breasts. His hands were trembling slightly; he was nervous, too. Of course, he had had encounters with women, but his heart and soul had never been in them. He pulled back the fabric, uncovering her bra, then looked at her somehow flabbergasted. Everybody would have expected plain Hermione Granger wearing cotton underwear and not a black silk bra, delicately laced. She had not put this on on purpose to entice Severus but had always liked sexy underwear; it was simply for her self-confidence and made her feel womanly and nearly pretty. He would be in for another surprise at the sight of her thong. Severus swallowed and looked at her, heat in his eyes. Carefully he pulled away the flimsy bra and took her breasts in his hands, lowered his head and kissed her nipples, then suckled lightly. Hermione moaned. On the one hand, she only wanted to feel what he did to her, on the other hand she wanted to feel everything of him, too. Her hands reached for him again; impatiently, she unbuttoned Severus' shirt and helped him to shrug out of it. He stood there in the dim light of the bedroom. For the first time since his illness, she saw his naked torso. But by then, it had been different. She put her hands flat on his chest and caressed him, then looked up in his eyes. In her face, Severus saw that she desired him. There was no sign of revulsion at the sight of his pale skin and his scars; in her touch she showed him that he was beautiful to her.
He could not wait any longer. In moments, he unzipped his trousers and stepped out of them; his desire for her obvious. His hands moved to her jeans, too, but she already fumbled with the button and the zipper and shoved the jeans down, stepping out of them. As Hermione had foreseen, Severus drew a sharp breath at the sight of her thong. How could such a beautiful young woman desire the likes of him? But she did, so much was obvious. Finally, they stood skin to skin, Severus' erection pressed against Hermione's belly. They fell on the bed together, stroking and caressing each other. Severus was determined to go slow and to relish every moment, but when Hermione began to stroke his arousal he forgot all his good intentions. "Stop it, Hermione," he rasped. "If you don't stop it..." He clasped her hand and drew it gently away. Then his fingers began to trail down her hips and thighs and find their way to her brown curls below. When he touched her folds, she felt as if her whole body were on fire. His fingers moved again and then she felt the tips of his fingers on her clit, stroking carefully and lightly, then moving in circles. Hermione could not breathe any more. Her world shattered around her,she cried out Severus' name.
Still dizzy, she felt Severus' weight on her and his kisses on her face. With his knee he nudged her legs apart and began to enter her. Very slowly, he pushed forward. She felt a sharp pain at first, but he kissed her soothingly and then began to move. When he finally filled her, she felt complete and her world broke apart again. His thrusts became more urgent and finally, he flew over the edge. He couldn't speak or even think coherently. The roar in him finally subsiding, he looked at her, his expression open and vulnerable.
Hermione's eyes were soft and tender. "Severus," she whispered. For a while, they lay side by side in each others arms. Then Hermione grinned mischievously. "The memory of what you did is already fading; would you like to remind me?"
"You should have taken into consideration that you chose an old man," Severus replied, his mouth already covering hers again and his penis coming alive. "You will kill me, vixen." An hour later, he fell asleep, convinced that he had died a happy man.
When Hermione and Severus entered the Great Hall together the next morning, they received several startled looks. They did not even try to make it appear coincidental, and obviously, everybody took it for what it was, an unspoken announcement. Severus took his usual seat among the other teachers, and Hermione headed towards her friends, an awkward silence awaiting her when she sat down. Harry rose, fury and disgust on his face. "No need to say a word, Hermione; I realise you have made your decision. I find that I have gotten rather peculiar of the company I keep. If you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas." He pushed his chair back and headed towards the exit without looking back.
"Hermione, he didn't mean what he said," Ron tried to conciliate, but Hermione knew that Harry had meant i exactly /i what he had said. Despite his apology a few days ago, he would never forgive her for choosing Severus.
She looked at Ron with suddenly sad eyes. "I even understand him, I really do. For him, it's betrayal on my part. But I can't help what I am feeling either."
Ron nodded. "I will talk to him. But do you really know what you are doing? I cannot say that I understand you either", he added.
Hermione was relieved that Ron had taken the news so understandingly. After all, during the past years, he had suffered from Snape's cruelty, too. In an attempt to ease the mood, Ron jested, "You've got some poor eyesight, I suppose. I should be hurt that you traded him for me." He made a grimace and followed his friend.
Hermione looked at her friends. All of them, except Ginny, seemed to be shocked by the idea of Snape and their long-term-companion Hermione sharing kisses and more. Though he was a hero now, he was still Snape. What could an eighteen-year-old woman probably see in him? She had never been that superficial that she was drawn to fame like Lavender Brown.
Hermione sighed. "I don't expect you to agree, but I hope you will accept it. I don't want to lose you as my friends," she said, her eyes pleading.
Snape had seen the little scene at the table. The Headmaster looked at him, no twinkling in his eyes, but approval and encouragement. Minerva McGonagall, on the other hand, was looking at him, frowning and musing. Of course, she would disapprove and think him a child molester. Then Minerva leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "Really, Severus, I do understand you, I really do, but was it necessary to make this statement in front of the whole school? You are a teacher and as such a role model." Then the usually prim, strict Deputy Headmistress grinned like a Cheshire cat. "But who am I to complain? I think you will refrain from deducting points from kissing students in the hall ways from now on, and since most of them are the rather bold members of my house, I should be content." That was surprising, Minerva McGonagall, who would have thought this? Severus' heart, though, went out to Hermione. Had she expected this reaction? She should have, and time would tell whether she was strong enough to bear it.
Ron followed Harry and found him outside at the lake, sitting with his knees drawn to his chest. He sat down beside him and waited. Eventually, Harry drew a deep breath. "Why, Ron, why? Why does this murderer walk free? Why does nobody but me sees him for what he is? And how can Hermione betray me like this?" His green eyes burnt in his face. "I hate him more than I can tell."
"Harry, I understand that you feel..."
"Understand? You don't understand, you can't understand. You've got parents, you've got siblings, but I got robbed of the chance to have a family because Snape made a i mistake /i ," Harry spat. "And now I am supposed to forgive him though he has made my life miserable from the first day I've met him at Hogwarts? No, Ron, I won't!" Harry laughed bitterly.
"Look, Harry, I should not have said that I understand what you are feeling, you are right, but I want you to know that I will always be your friend. I also think that Hermione will always be your friend. Do you remember what we experienced, what we went through? No matter what..."
"No!" Harry shouted, "If she chooses to associate with this murderer, she is dead to me. He killed my parents, and I will never forgive that. He will curse the day he was born when I am through with him!"
Ron was at a loss for words. They sat together for a while, none of them saying another word. Finally, Harry rose and returned to the castle. If Ron had hoped that Harry would calm down, he had hoped in vain. Though there was no further outburst, Ron sensed the cold fury in Harry and did not know how to help.
The disapproval of the society came as foreseen but not the way Severus had assumed. Happy to get another headline and to get back at Hermione, Rita Skeeter wrote several articles accusing Hermione of having ensnared the socially inept Potions master. Hermione could not put pressure on Rita Skeeter any longer who had finally registered as an animagus.
NOTORIOUS HERMIONE GRANGER HAS ENSNARED SEVERUS SNAPE:
Of course, everyone should have expected this. We all too well remember her affairs with Victor Krum and Harry Potter. This young woman obviously needs famous men to feed her ego. We can only hope that Severus Snape will be able to flee from her trap in time.
Like in her fourth year, Hermione received Howlers and anonymous letters after this article. This time, however, another shock waited for Hermione when she visited her parents. Her mother greeted her thin-lipped and demanded an explanation. Harry had visited them and told them about their daughter's new boyfriend.Was it true that he was guilty of the death of Harry's parents? Was this the same professor everybody had described as extremely cruel? Was it possible that he had palmed off a potion on her? Had he molested her when she was still at school? Fact was, Hermione could understand her parents' anguish. A few months ago, she would have laughed at everybody who would have told her that she would fall in love with her former Potions professor. But now, she refused to yield an inch. Finally, her parents agreed to meet Severus. They did not want their judgment solely to be based upon Harry's opinion though they were rather worried about what he had said.
Hermione was furious when she stepped out of the fireplace in Severus' chambers. She unclasped her cloak and threw it on the floor, then dropped on the couch. "How dare he!" she yelled. "It is none of his business who I choose as my boyfriend." Severus looked up from his book and cocked an eyebrow. She explained what had happened, and Snape's lips curled with contempt. "I've expected nothing else from him, " he snarled.
Hermione swallowed. "It will be very difficult, but, please, accompany me to my parents."
The visit with Hermione's parents was as successful as expected. They looked at the tall, gloomy wizard with these crooked teeth in horror, their initial judgment confirmed. Severus did nothing to lighten their mood. He felt pilloried, a fact he had never been able to deal with. Not willing to participate in small talk, he remained sour and sullen. In brief, the visit was short of a disaster.
Hermione did not blame Severus entirely though she thought he could have tried to behave more friendly, but after Harry's attempt to pass information to Hermione's parents she had been prepared. Her attitude towards Harry, however, changed. At first, she had tried, she had really tried, but everything had been in vain. Nothing seemed to matter; in Harry's eyes she was a traitor to their friendship. Things became worse; Harry even tried to talk his pals into giving Hermione the cold shoulder. He seemed to be obsessed.
Albus Dumbledore was concerned. "Harry, you have to be very careful. Your hatred may cost you more than you can imagine. With hatred in your heart, you are an easy prey for Tom."
Harry knew better than to argue with Professor Dumbledore and nodded. Inwardly, he snorted. What does u he /u know? He has always told me that he was on my side and then lets the murderer of my parents work here, be my teacher. He tells everybody that we can trust him. I won't!. I will follow him wherever he goes, and I will prove to Hermione that she is wrong, that everybody is wrong.
Inevitably, Severus and Hermione discovered soon that being in love and even being soul mates did not prevent them from disputing. Tempers flared, and Severus was surprised that such a small person of only eighteen years was able to withstand him. Still, Severus refused to change his behaviour in public. No, he would not consider changing the colour of his robes and no, he would not accompany her to her friends and no, he was not inclined to dance.
Hermione pocketed everything with great patience. Less calm, however, was her reaction whenever Severus tried to patronise her.
"I am decisive. Women are supposed to love this in a man."
"So it's your way or the highway, isn't it?"
Severus frowned. "I beg your pardon?"
"Never mind!" She disappeared with a swish of her robes.
Except for things like that, Snape was content for the first time in years. He was no longer being followed by female hormonal teenagers now that his relationship with Hermione was publicly known. Harry Potter's glares didn't affect him in the least. He was glad that Hermione's friendship with him was over and determined to compensate her for this. If anything, Severus Snape was a genius with words. He would show Hermione how unworthy Potter was of her friendship.
Snape knew that his own situation was far from being riskless. He had been a spy for years and often been on the verge of being caught. Now that he had been revealed a traitor to the Dark Lord, revengeful Death Eaters would enjoy killing him. He also knew that his relationship with Hermione could endanger her either. During the week, she was at university. Severus would make sure that she did not leave there unprotected and hired a wizarding security service who followed her, unknown to her. He himself left Howarts' grounds only on rare occasions.
Though another Potions master had been appointed, Madam Pomfrey was glad that Severus had agreed to continue brewing healing potions for her. She had tended to him numerous times when he had returned to the castle with serious injuries, and, though none of them would admit this publicly, they kind of liked each other. However, Madam Pomfrey did noti like the new Potions professor who obviously thought himself too important for brewing potions for a simple matron. Luckily, many of the needed plants grew on the school grounds, and Severus was glad when he could spend a few hours outdoors. He loved Hermione, but for a man who was used to being alone, her presence could be, well, strenuous at times. Sometimes being a bachelor seemed to have its advantages.
Taking a basket with him, he left the castle. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Harry Potter following him. Did this brat actually try to spy on u him ? Ridiculous!
Harry followed Snape from a secure distance. But when he rounded the trees where he had seen him disappear, Snape was nowhere to be seen. This was impossible. He could not have Apparated. This was Hogwarts. Then he heard the smooth contemptuous voice of his teacher behind him.
"Trying to sneak up on me, Potter? Thinking you could outwit a Slytherin? You ought to know better than that, but of course, you have proven to be the mediocre wizard I have always considered you."
"You conceited bastard!" Harry yelled, turning around. "You killed my parents and now you have stolen one of my best friends..."
"Friends cannot be stolen, Potter, though I do not conceal that I feel rather satisfied how i you /i destroyed this friendship yourself."
Seeing Snape's sneer was the last trigger for Harry to freak out. "This time I mean it!" he shouted, pulling out his wand, "Crucio!"
Snape was not prepared. He had seen Harry's hatred but had not expected him to attack. He fell to the ground, writhing in pain, screaming and trembling.
Harry raised his wand again, but suddenly it hit him. I I am not better than he is. I accused him of being a coward, and I attacked him without warning. I used an Unforgivable/i He lowered his wand and his hands fell limply to his side, the wand slipping from his fingers and rolling away. He blinked, then stepped forward and stretched out his hand to the still panting professor to help him up. "Professor Snape, I..."
Severus did not take Harry's hand but struggled to get up alone. His legs did not support him and he stumbled again. He fell to his knees and moaned, his face distorted with pain, his nose bleeding . Harry swallowed, deeply ashamed. "Professor Snape," he said, his voice thick, "please take my hand. I don't know what...I'll help you back..."
Snape glared up at him. "This time you have gone too far. I will make sure that you are expelled," he gasped.
"I know," Harry said in a flat voice, "and I know that I deserve it. But let me help you up, and then I'll leave the Wizarding world." Tears streamed down his cheeks, but he did not care. Dumbledore had been right. Harry's hatred had cost him more than he had imagined. He had been self-righteous and conceited. Still, he stood there, his hand outstretched, and this time, Snape took it and stood, still unstable. He refused further support and limped back to the castle without looking back.
Harry followed, his feet leaden. He went to the dormitory and waited. Dumbledore would call on him any minute, and this time there would be no twinkling in his eyes. This time it would be over, and it was Harry's fault alone. He had cast an Unforgivable. Harry looked around. This would be the last time he spent in this room, the last time in the castle. Never in his life, he had been so ashamed. His friends would be appalled when they heard what he had done. Nobody liked Snape, but this...
Harry wept, he wept for all he had lost, covering his face with his hands and oblivious to his surroundings. When he felt a touch at his shoulder he looked up, startled, and saw Winky standing in front of him.
"Master Harry, you shall be coming to Professor Snape, not time, at once."
Harry got to his feet. It was time to get this over with. He followed Winky who led him to Snape's office and entered when he heard Snape's voice. The professor sat behind his desk, but Professor Dumbledore was nowhere to be seen. Harry stood in front of the desk and hung his head. Snape did not say anything. Of course, he savoured this moment. Finally, Harry cleared his throat and looked at Snape, his face showing his remorse, his shoulders sagging. "He won't see me, will he? He is too disappointed and has given you authorisation to expel me. He warned me, he was right."
"No, Potter, he won't come. I did not inform Professor Dumbledore of what you have done."
The words needed a few moments to sink in. "You, you did not ? But why? This has been your goal all these years; and it was my fault alone that..."
"I do not intend to discuss this with you, Potter," Snape snarled, "I still don't like you, but you have done something your father would never have done. You apologised and were prepared to bearing the consequences of your actions. You will serve detention every weekend with Filch for the rest of the year. And now get out!"
Harry was frozen. "You mean, you..."
"Get out, Potter!" Snape bellowed.
Harry hurried to obey. Detention, only detention! He would not be expelled! He closed the heavy oaken door of the office behind him. This was unreal. Snape had always hated him. Why had he not jumped at the chance to get Harry expelled ?
Everybody wondered why Harry stopped spreading his torrents of hatred around but then concluded that he had finally come to his senses. Even when it became publicly known that he had detentions with Filch on weekends for the rest of the year, Harry did not complain. Weird!
Now that even Harry's public enmity had seized, everything could have been in order. Hermione was able to deal with Rita Skeeter articles, and though she was sad about her parents' attitude towards Severus, this was u her /u life. She was learning to cope with Severus' arrogant behaviour. Still, there was something else that rendered Hermione uncertain...
