Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me. But oh, how I wish they did……
Hermoine and Snape had settled into a compatible existence in the weeks that followed. After the events of Halloween night, the two seemed to share an unspoken bond. Snape assumed that Hermoine had come to her senses about a relationship with him. Hermoine had, in fact, decided that with time, he would change his mind. She only needed to come up with a plan to make him see the light.
Hermoine was thinking about this as she walked between the rows of her students. They had been doing so well, she had actually advanced three students into their correct year of class.
She stood over the softly boiling pot of Samantha Burke. The potion they where working on today was a simple sleeping draught. Samantha's potion was the exact shade of pale green that it needed to be.
"Wonderful job, Sam. If your work stays at this level, you'll be joining the rest of the third years shortly after the Holiday," she praised.
She then moved on to Alan Notts' cauldron. The thick, tar like substance in the cauldron was a gray, foul smelling mess.
"Mr. Notts, I believe you chopped your beetle legs, when you should have ground them into a fine powder. You also neglected to add essence of lavender after your fourth counter clockwise stir."
"Sorry, teacher," the boy smirked back at her.
If ever there was a boy who deserved to be Slytherin, Hermoine thought about the young Ravenclaw. This boy tried her patience more than any other student did. She knew he had the intelligence to become a brilliant scholar, he just lacked the motivation.
"Alan, I want a two and three quarter foot essay from you on the properties of lavender and why it is necessary in the use of this potion. It will be due upon return from the Christmas Holiday."
"Class dismissed," she announced before leaving the room for her own quarters. She shed her robes and quickly changed into her everyday, 'muggle', clothing. Slipping into a large parka, she made her way towards the front gate. Trudging through the new snow, which had fallen overnight, she headed for Hogsmeade for the Christmas staff party.
This year the party was being held at the Knight's Amour. This was a new inn that had been built during the reconstruction of the town, after the war. Hogsmeade, being a wizarding community, had been highly damaged in the fight against Voldermort. Only a few buildings remained from their school days, such as Honeydukes, The Three Broomsticks, and the post office.
Hermoine arrived shortly after the party had begun. It appeared as though some of the staff has partaken of holiday spirits, as the atmosphere was extremely relaxed. Hermoine nodded towards Snape, who was currently talking with Lupin, and headed towards Harry, Luna and Fred.
"Hermoine, love, I was just telling Luna here, that she was the most beautiful woman in the room, and then you appeared. I believe the two of you are a tie," Fred grinned as he placed his arm around Luna's shoulder. Luna just gave a small shake of her head and rolled her eyes towards Hermoine.
"See, Hermoine, I keep telling Luna that she should go out with me sometime, but she doesn't seem to think I'm being serious. Harry won't back me up, like a good friend should. Come on, Moine oh mine, tell Luna that I can be a real good time," Fred pleaded bending down on one knee.
Hermoine laughed and grabbed Harry's hand, "Fred, I think I'll leave you and Luna here alone for a moment to discuss that for yourselves. I have something to discuss with Harry in private. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all, not at all. I truly do love having time alone with my lady." Fred said as Hermoine directed Harry towards a private sitting room.
As soon as Hermoine had pulled the door to, Harry pulled her into a tight hug. "It's been ages since we have had time to talk. It must be so horrible being stuck with the bat all the time."
Hermoine just shrugged, "It's not all that bad."
She was worried about Harry's reaction to what she was planning to say. She wasn't quite sure how to go about it.
"Harry," she began in a quite, soothing matter, " I know that yours and Ginny's relationship was very intimate, before she died."
"How do you know this?" Harry asked, a blush beginning on his cheeks.
"She shared certain details with me, us being best friends and all." Hermoine said
"She did?"
"Don't be embarrassed, Harry. It's part of the girl's code. Every woman discusses such things with her best friend."
Harry looked at Hermoine in confusion, "So why are we discussing this now, about me and Ginny?"
"Well, I know that when you two first had sex, you were both virgins. Oh, Harry, quit turning red! It's not a big deal! What I need to know, is if it would have mattered to you if Ginny hadn't have been a virgin?"
Harry pondered over this a moment. "No, in the big picture, it wouldn't have mattered. I would have been more nervous, at the time, knowing that she knew more than me, but it wouldn't have stopped us. But, Hermoine, don't worry. No one will care that you were with Ron."
"Harry, I was never with Ron, and that's my problem. He thinks my virginity is too precious to loose to him. I just don't know how to convince him that I don't give a damn."
"Hermoine, who are you wanting to have sex with? Fred is all about Luna. Surely, not Lupin, he's like a father to us. That only leaves…. Snape?" Harry looked at her in total amazement. Then as Hermoine did nothing to contradict the idea, his face became a mask of fury.
"I'll kill him that bloody bastard, "Harry seethed. Hermoine grabbed his arm. "Harry, please don't make a scene. Please, just hear me out first."
"Have you lost your mind, Hermoine? Did he drug you? It's just not possible. Are you sure he hasn't drugged you?"
Hermoine looked at her lost friend, sitting in stunned shock in front of her. "I love him, Harry."
Harry who had slowly began to rise from his seat, sat back in the chair with a thud.
"The only problem is, he doesn't want me to love him. He is not the one who started this. I initiated it all, the whole thing. He turned me away."
"How could you… love… him?" Harry gulped.
"It hasn't been that easy," Hermoine gave a soft laugh. "It's a very difficult love, actually, but it happened. He really is a nice man, Harry. He's just been hurt so many times, that he holds his heart inside of himself."
"Yeah, in a stone case," Harry quipped.
"Oh, Harry, please. I want to work this out. Look in my eyes. Can't you see that I'm being truthful?"
Harry searched his friend's face, and could see that she meant what she said. "If you're positive this is what you want, then I'll help you. Just give me some time to get used to it though."
"I can't very well throw anything in your face, right now. He won't allow me to because of my damn 'precious' virginity." Hermoine then informed Harry of what had happened on Halloween night, omitting the more graphic details as Harry's face turned slightly green.
"So, you see, Harry? How can I convince him that I do want him, when he won't admit to me that he wants me too? If I could only get him to admit it!"
Harry looked at her, compassion shining in his big, green eyes. " You really do care for the greasy git. Well, if you want to make him tell you the truth, then slip him some Veritaserum when he isn't looking. He won't be able to lie to you then."
Hermoine found this idea brilliant, however, she did not know how to do so unnoticed, and she did not want to have to resort to sneaky tactics until she had to. Then she knew exactly how to do it. Rushing from the room, into the dinning hall, she was just in time to see Snape leave through the back entrance.
"Oh, I'll never be able to catch him in time. I'll have to get him back here tomorrow," she muttered to herself, as Harry ran up behind her. She then informed Harry of her idea. He agreed that it was a good idea. Hermoine walked back over to the group with him and after a short time made her good-byes.
Returning to the castle, and entering her quarters, she was surprised to see Snape sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs in the sitting room. His feet where propped on the footstool, and a book rested on his chest. He was fast asleep.
Carefully, she removed the book and placed in on the coffee table and then she collected a blanket from her room. She tucked the blanket around him and smoothed a lock of his hair back, which had fallen across his face.
She sat beside his chair, watching him breathe. His face was so relaxed in sleep, that even Neville would not have been scared of him. The lines that etched his features in the daylight hours were smoothed, making him appear younger and more vulnerable. With a frustrated sigh, Hermoine gently placed a kiss on his lips. In his sleep, he softly returned her kiss, moving his hand to cup her head. The kiss ended and he moved his hand back to his side.
"You just wait, Severus." Hermoine smiled as she left the room for her own.
XOXO
The next morning Hermoine woke early, ready for the Christmas Holidays. Entering the sitting room, she found she was not the only one with Christmas spirit. The house elves had been busy during the night. Garland was strung around the room. Miniature Christmas trees lined the mantel above the fireplace. Topiaries of holly garnished the coffee table and mistletoe was hung in several places around the room.
Severus was sitting at the dining table eating breakfast. Hermoine sat down across from him and helped herself to one of his sausages and a piece of his toast.
"Get your own bloody food, Hermoine. It will give those blasted elves something useful to do," he growled at her.
Hermoine smiled at him, "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Perhaps you should go back to it. Would you like some company?"
Hermoine smirked inside as she noticed that Snape's eyes took on an even darker depth and his jaw tightened.
"Certainly not. Why are you so happy?"
Hermoine was used to his early morning mood. With a scowl on his face, he resembled a grumpy little boy.
"I'm going shopping this morning in Hogsmeade today. You are going to accompany me," she declared.
"I am?" he sneered at her.
"Yes, you are, and you're going to have fun too."
Have fun is exactly what they did. Together, they visited several gift shops in the village. Hermoine purchased a wand care kit for Harry, a set of embroidered handkerchiefs for Luna and a muggle joke kit for Fred. She was unsure about the gift for Fred, as he had sold his joke shops after George's death, but she felt it would help to bring out good memories. Fred was just beginning to act like his mischievous self once more, after living in depression for so long.
Hermoine and Snape split up after lunch at the Three Broomsticks, to do shopping on their own. Hermoine found gifts for the Headmistress, her parents, Mrs. Weasley, Bill and Jolie, and everyone else on her list, except Snape. She made arrangements with each shopkeeper to have her gifts owled back to the castle.
She searched through several shops and could not locate anything to give the Professor. She wanted to give him something meaningful, something he would not consider frivolous. Then in the back of an apothecary store, she located the perfect gift, a silver dagger. It was just the right size to cutting ingredients. In laid in the handle of the knife was a heart, a snake entwined around it. She spoke to the shopkeeper, and he assured her that he could have Snape's initials engraved into the base of the handle.
After paying the man, and arranging to have the present delivered, Hermoine left in search of Snape. They where to meet for dinner, before returning to the castle. They where going to eat at Emma's. She located the small building and stepped inside. She gave her name and was directed upstairs to a quite table, which overlooked the room below. She could also look outside the window next to their table. The sun was setting, casting a lovely glow over the quaint, snowy town.
A moment later Snape arrived, brushing his long hair behind his ears. They where given menus and together they looked over the choices. Hermoine was very surprised at the food served in the restaurant. Beside the usual English menu, they also could choose from French, Italian, Greek, Tai and Chinese cuisine
Hermoine and Snape both choose from the Greek menu. Their meals where wonderful. Hermoine enjoyed a plate full of mousaka, while Snape partook of kefta and potatoes. Together, they shared two bottles of wine. Ending the meal with baklava, they sat and chatted about their different purchases, and finished another bottle of wine before leaving.
Walking back to the castle, Hermoine pretended to slide in the snow, thinking Snape would then hold her hand as they walked. She was even more delighted when he instead brought an arm around her shoulder and tucked her into his side as they walked.
They reached the grounds and greeted the gatekeeper on duty, Emileene Godbet. They both drank the Veritaserum potion and went through the series of questions asked upon entering the grounds. No, they were not under the effects of the Imperial curse and no, they where not using Polyjuice potion to disguise themselves as another person.
They reached their quarters and Snape turned to enter his room. Before he opened the door, Hermoine asked, "Severus, do you love me?"
Knowing that he was still under the effects of the potion, he gave a tired sigh before answering, "Yes."
"Will you love me?" Hermoine asked.
Snape took her into his arms and pulled her close, "Always, forever in my heart."
"Take me to bed, Severus." Hermoine pleaded.
Instead of going to his room, Snape walked over to the sofa and sat down, pulling Hermoine into his lap.
"I can't Hermoine. It's wrong for a million reasons. I am too old for you, for one. For another, you're a beautiful girl. You can do so much better than to waste your time with me."
Hermoine turned in his lap, straddling his legs and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I don't care how old you are. Did you know that my father is fifteen years older then my mother? Thank you for saying I am beautiful, but I don't want anyone else, but you. Besides," she added, looking deep into his eyes, "you need me. My good looks will help to distract everyone from your big nose."
Snape laughed at this and gently kissed her lips. "Ok Hermoine, I give in. However, we will go by my terms, which means slowly. I do not want you to rush into anything that you may someday regret."
Hermoine placed a quick delighted kiss upon his own soft lips. "I'll take whatever you are willing to give me, and hopefully," she stated, as she rubbed her body against his with a wicked grin, "you'll soon change your mind, once you come to realize how right I am." She then captured his mouth in a long, deep kiss. They stayed this way for several moments, before Snape pulled back with a tortured groan.
"Bed, Hermoine. Now," he stated.
Hermoine's eyes grew wide with anticipation and excitement as she jumped from his lap. Snape laughed at the expression on her face and have her a playful swap on her backside, "Your own bed, woman."
With a pout, she headed off to her room. She stopped at the door and turned back for one last look at Snape. He had watched her walk across the room, and he stared at her as she looked at him. He was watching her with such an intense look of passion in his eyes that Hermoine felt her knees go weak. She turned the knob of on the door, and walked into her room, where she climbed into the bed, to sleep, alone.