Lemons 🍋
Chapter 19. Impetuous
Waiting outside the Great Hall, Severus had disillusioned himself and was waiting for Hermione to pass by him on her way to her morning meal. He wanted, needed, to speak with her before breakfast. Before she could see him and hate him for all he's worth for leaving her in the Room of Requirements all alone. It had been hard for him to sleep that night, given his long nap and his subsequent emotional spiral over causing the brunette pain that was completely avoidable. He had attempted to reason that it was just as likely that she had not gone to meet him, and that she would have never known he had not shown, but he knew he was not that lucky. No, Hermione would be right pissed off at him for not being there, and he had to do damage control before she too spiralled and began doubting him.
It was early, so there weren't many students who were filing into the hall, but he knew the girl was nearly always early for everything and he definitely didn't want to risk missing her. When she finally appeared, he moved to take her hand, but she spun around, right before he could reach her, at the sound of her name. He cursed internally, stepped back into the shadows and waiting for Madame Pomfrey to be finished with her. Unfortunately, he watched as the girl followed after the mediwitch and sighed. He ducked into the Great Hall and cancelled his charm before striding up to the head table and sitting down. He had lost his chance, but perhaps he could catch her after the meal before he would have to teach her. She's probably dreading that, he mused, letting his face fall into his hands with a muffled groan before sitting up.
He served himself some porridge and a cup of coffee to keep awake for his classes and began eating when Minerva cleared her throat beside him. "Yes?" He questioned, sipping his beverage and not daring to look over at her.
"Someone have a rough night?" The older witch teased. Severus shrugged and finished his first mug of the hot liquid and poured himself another. He thought briefly to what it was that caused him to have said rough night, Hermione's seemingly composed nature this just moments ago, and was quickly saddened by the image. Severus banished the thought before promptly returning to his surly attitude.
"You could say that," he retorted, starting on his meal. She paused for a moment, ever hopeful that he'll open up as much as the other professors did about their woes and gossip. Of course, he didn't.
"Well? Tell me more. What kept you up?" Minerva insisted, sipping a cup of tea as she eyed him through her spectacles. It was funny how invested the witch was in his well-being, but he had let her in on one of his most intimate secrets. Perhaps she was hopeful that he would continue that sharing streak, but he was not one to invite anyone else into his shit, even when he was at his worst.
"Just another fun date with good ol' Tom," he lied, knowing it would shut her up. Thankfully, it worked, and she awkwardly resumed her own meal, leaving him to his peace and quiet. He regretted it, though, as the silence opened the gates for self-doubt and judgement as he pondered how he would explain it all to Hermione. Would she ever meet me again if I asked? When could I possibly get her alone when Dumbledore wouldn't notice? He glanced over at the Headmaster who was looking ever more grim as the curse overtook him.
The moment Hermione stepped through the doors, his focus was transfixed on her. She had been looking over her shoulder at first, but no one was behind her. The witch seemed to shrug it off and join her friends. He waited for her to glance his way, not really paying any mind to the fact that he was actively staring the girl down. At that moment, he genuinely couldn't care less if someone were to catch him looking at her, he was simply determined to get her attention, hope that somehow, she could see what he was thinking. I'll have to teach her Legillimency for that to ever work, he mused, watching as he ate her breakfast.
The redhead said something to her that made her tense up, and her reply seemed to dumbfound her friends. Against his better judgement, he stepped into her mind from afar. He listened to her thoughts, running through the possible reasons her friends would be making a big deal out of Hogsmeade on Friday. Valentine's Day. Hermione nearly screamed this in her mind, making Severus pull out and shake himself. I suppose it is Valentine's Day on Friday, perhaps I could give her the books then. That might help make up for my shitty behaviour.
-x-
He attempted to catch her after class, but she ran out so fast it would have been too suspicious for him to run after her. Harry followed shortly thereafter, and by the time the last person had left his class, it was time again for another round of teaching. Which is why he was thankful the time had passed fast enough that it was lunchtime before he knew it.
Once again, he waited outside the dining hall for her to arrive, this time opting to remain in full view. While he was stilled worried his loitering would draw suspicion, he knew he would be more likely to catch the witch's attention. Luckily, he did. She was strolling down the hall, appearing to be in a far lighter mood than he had thought she would have been, given his betrayal. She wasn't with friends, which was not odd for the girl as she had enrolled in far more challenging N.E.W.T level classes than her other Gryffindor pals, who deemed subjects like the History of Magic and Arithmancy to be far too boring to purposefully subject themselves to.
He waited a moment for her to pass him. Hermione had been ignoring him purposefully, but he didn't mind, knowing that they would need to seem impassive to the outside world should anything between them ever continue. "Miss Granger," he hissed as he reached her side. She seemed to have been shaken from her thoughts at the sound of his voice as she was genuinely surprised to see him. The brunette took a couple steps back, nearly tumbling but catching herself on a nearby pillar. He had to force himself not to steady her and kept stoic as she continued into the hall.
"Severus," he heard her whisper making him look back at her. She nodded, making him frown at her as he attempted to discern her meaning. They continued walking, she sat down at her spot, and he looked back at her once more. She nodded again, and he understood. He cast a wordless Legillimens as he strode away from her, towards the head table, making a subtle motion with his hand to let her know that he could hear her.
Severus, I went to the Room of Requirements last night, but you weren't there. I'll be there again, tonight, after my rounds. I have questions. He couldn't tell if she was angry or simply determined, but her tone was not as friendly as perhaps he would have hoped. Severus certainly hadn't expected her to be anything but royally pissed off at him, so the middle ground threw him for a bit of a loop as he pulled out of her thoughts and took his seat. Making eye contact with her, he acknowledged her request, knowing that he would likely not get another chance.
The likelihood that this works out for you is so minute, I'm not sure why you're even stringing her along, you greasy git, the negativity in his mind was ever present as he ate his dinner, engaging Minerva in chatter. "How have your classes been today, Minerva?" He asked to the obvious shock of his colleague. The older witch looked over at him with widened eyes as she placed her spoon gingerly on her soup bowl.
"They've been just fine, Severus. Why do you ask?" She levied back. It was fair for her to be suspicious, given his less than forthcoming demeanour at breakfast, so he indulged her.
"Just making conversation. I was being rather broodish this morning, and I feel my mood has lightened enough to indulge your need for chatter," he lamented, but his mentor saw through it and smiled widely.
"Well then, if you're allowing me, I simply must know what it was that kept you up last night? It could not have been a visit to Tom, I was with Albus last night preparing for the exams and you never once flooed in to speak with him. You always speak with him after a meeting with Tom." He supposed he hadn't quite thought that he would need to confirm his earlier write-off and was surprised at the witch's detective skillset. "Was it that girl from the bookshop?" It was his turn for shock at the witch's question.
"What on earth are you blabbering on about?" He asked, genuinely put-off at the suggestion.
"I just so happened to be shopping about London on Saturday, looking for something for my niece, she was always a fan of muggle literature. Anyway, I was in this particular shop, and lo and behold, Severus Snape enters. Now, naturally, after Hermione's accident, I reasoned you might be distraught given our," the older professor looked around as if to check if anyone was listening then leaned into him. "earlier conversation," she added in a hushed tone. "But then I see you flirting with the receptionist! I would have had no idea she was a witch had she not summoned a diary to scribble in after you left. Obviously, you were one to remember!"
"She was a witch? In a muggle bookshop? in London?" He had many questions, but mostly he was attempting to remember if he had ever mentioned his intentions for the books. The memory was foggy at best, given its insignificance at the time, but what further perturbed him was his complete obliviousness to the fact the woman had been a witch. Had he mentioned Hermione? Could this be his undoing?
"Oh yes, she definitely was, although I have no idea where she went to school. Beauxbatons, possibly?" Minerva rambled on, but Severus stopped listening, willing himself to remember the interaction. He was determined, however, to revisit the bookshop next he was free and investigate the allegations further. While Minerva had absolutely no reason to lie, perhaps she saw something that never actually happened? Or had he simply just been that blinded by his worry for Hermione. "Are you going to see her again?" Minerva added, shaking him from his thoughts.
"Hm? See who?" He asked, thinking briefly of Hermione before determining Minerva could not possibly be referring to her.
"The witch you were flirting with," she clarified, watching him intently.
He scoffed and took a sip from his goblet, before asserting, "I was not flirting."
-x-
Severus wasn't sure if he should wait inside the room of requirements or outside. If he stood outside, he risked being seen and ruining his entire plan, but what if Hermione was waiting outside for him? How would he know? Pacing inside the room, which cheekily provided a bed he quickly got rid of. He didn't want to seem like he was being presumptuous, after standing her up the first time, invading her mind without her permission, and not explaining himself earlier, he was worried if she would even show up. He would deserve it, of course, if she didn't. It was only fair, and he would understand. He took a steadying breath and sat back on the chair provided to him, staring intently at the door.
"Severus?" Her voice felt like a dream as he stood up to see Hermione's nose peek through the opening in the door. She came, he sighed happily rushing towards the entryway. He held back as she eased into the room, hoping not to bombard her.
"Hermione," he whispered, stepping forward a little as she shut the door quietly behind her. The entryway vanished, and the bed stubbornly reappeared, but he paid it no mind as he scooped the witch into his arms, kissing her passionately. She melted into his embrace, holding his face between her palms as she deepened the kiss. He wasn't sure what exactly it was that compelled him to make such a brash move, but there was something about the girl that made him impossibly in love with her. The feeling of her in his arms wiped away any worry he had held about her hating him, about their likely deaths, about Dumbledore barging in and killing him right then and there for being in love with a student.
They remained like this for a moment, snogging like a couple of third-years, before she lowered herself from her tiptoes. He examined the blush on her cheeks, her brown eyes glossy once more, and her grin unwavering as she met his gaze. He knew they didn't have long, that he would eventually have to let her go. He had too much to say to allow this silence to continue. She had questions, but there was something that made every moment with her feel like the very last time he could have her.
"I have to ask," Hermione was the first to break the silence, but she didn't let go of him like he'd expected. He certainly didn't want to release her, so he opted to pull her closer, resting his chin on her head. "Why didn't you show up last night?" Her voice shook slightly. Severus had considered what exactly he would tell her, what excuse he could possibly come up that would make up for his absence.
"I need to be honest with you, Hermione," he started, feeling her hug him just a bit tighter. Running his fingers down her mess of curls, she relaxed under his touch. "It is a bit of a long story and you just have to..." His voice trailed off as he readied himself. "You have to trust me." She pulled apart from him, looking up into his eyes worriedly for a moment.
"I trust you," she stated simply. Cherishing the moments he had with her, he pulled her close once more into a tight embrace.
"I have been given a mission, one I cannot exactly discuss with you, but know it affects my position at Hogwarts if I do not complete it." He inhaled deeply, readying himself to put his entire existence on the line for the girl curled up in his arms. "Hermione, I am a Death Eater," he felt her pull away, but he instinctively tightened his grip. "I am a spy, for the Headmaster," she continued to pull away, but this time, he let her. Attempting to keep his hands on her shoulders, she stepped back from him, wrapping her arms around her torso instead of his.
"A spy," she repeated, studying his face. The fact that she could even stand to look at him gave him a renewed faith in her Gryffindor bravery, and he smiled down at her sweetly.
"Yes, Hermione, a spy. I report to Dumbledore what I learn from my meetings with the Dark Lord of his plans, while also carrying out commands from the Dark Lord himself," he watched as she processed the information, furrowing her brows and looking down at his shoes. He wanted to lift her chin up but thought better of it. "The mission from the Dark Lord is the one I cannot speak of, for fear it would get into the wrong hands, regardless of your occlumency skillset." She nodded, swallowing obviously as she shifted her gaze back to him.
"I see," she affirmed, chewing on her lip. "And you were meeting with Vol- with You-Know-Who and that's why you couldn't meet with me?" Her question struck him in his gut as he decided on how to continue.
"I can't say much, but while I- I want this to continue. It cannot. I need you to find solace in the arms of another, if not simply for appearances," he insisted, letting go of a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. "Everything happens for a reason, Hermione, I am certain that what is meant to be will happen for us," he comforted, taking the moment to place a finger under her chin. While he may not have fully believed in his words, he needed to hear them as much as he thought she might have. And if he died, he wouldn't have to worry for her happiness. He had set her free.
"Okay," she conceded, agreeing with him far too fast for his comfort, but he understood. She was just as much thinking about his safety as he was hers. "Luna-" she started, hesitating for a moment before she continued. "Luna said that you always have rounds on Wednesdays, that... That it must have been you who found me in the Astronomy Tower." Severus sucked in a sharp breath at her insinuation.
"Yes, I found you," he confessed, unsure of how she would react.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't Professor McGonagall?" Hermione questioned.
"This was... This was before I ever thought that you might... Well, I was... I had feelings for you before I acted on them, and I didn't want you to think... I didn't want you to know that I cared, that I- that I-" he stammered, attempting to explain it. His reasons had been clear at the time, had made complete sense to him. But now, standing over the witch, he couldn't possibly imagine why he would orchestrate such a benign lie for her. She placed her fingers on his lips before he could continue, closing the gap and kissing him softly.
"I understand," she spoke quietly against his lips before he gathered her into his arms and carried her to the bed.
A giggle fell from her perfectly pink mouth as he placed her on the mattress, tears clinging to her eyes as she stared up at him. "One last time?"
"Not the last time," she whispered in response, tugging him down on top of her. He met her lips with a feverish passion, unbuttoning her cardigan and throwing it onto the ground. Hermione's small fingers began working their way through his mass of buttons and he laughed against her lips.
"The robes of a potion's master are absolutely ridiculous," he stated, magically helping her and tossing them to the ground pressing his bare chest to hers. He found the clasp of her bra and unhooked it skillfully, something he was quite impressed with himself, then tugged it gently to reveal her breasts. He inhaled sharply when he felt her pert nipples against his flesh, kissing her deeply, nibbling on her lip.
A moan escaped her mouth as she pressed on his hands, guiding them down to her jeans. He took the hint, easily unfastening them and sliding them down her legs. Wiggling out of them, she wrapped herself around him as he kissed her neck passionately feeling her soft skin against his palm as he ran it up her side. He sat up, taking her with him, Hermione straddling his hips with her legs while he kissed down her neck and sucked at her nipples. She began rocking her hips, grinding into his hardening member that made them moan in unison before he rid himself of his trousers and pants. He tugged at the cotton covering her sex, rubbing her clit with his knuckle and smiling up at her.
She looked down at him, swallowing heavily as she attempted to remain composed, but he could see nothing but lust in her eyes. He kissed her lips once more as he continued playing with her. "Is this okay?" He whispered. She responded by nodding and sucking his lower lip hungrily. Vanishing her knickers, he held her hips as she rocked her warmth against his cock. "Fuck," he groaned, his tip finding her entrance. "Can I-" she interrupted him by impaling herself on his member, making him swear loudly as her walls hugged his shaft.
They sat like that for a moment, Hermione grinding herself on his cock, before he composed himself enough and lowered her back onto the bed, gripping her backside for leverage and thrusting into her hard. She screamed in pleasure, only making him more heated, answering her calls with more pulses, feeling her warmth tense around him. His gaze lingered down her torso, her perfect breasts bouncing with every thrust, and her face twisting with pleasure and just a little dose of concentration. He enjoyed how much effort the witch seemed to put into focusing on the pleasure, and it only renewed his efforts into making it worth it.
Severus dug his nails into the soft flesh of her arse, feeling her clench her muscles as she reached a new level of pleasure. He continued thrusting, harder at the same angle she had shown favouritism for and shuddered as he neared his climax. Biting his tongue, he focused on her flinches and twitches, responding to them with more vigour than before as he lost himself in the pleasure. "Fuck, I love you, Hermione," he grumbled mindlessly as a shudder of ecstasy overtook him. He watched as she gripped the pillows behind her head, her eyebrows tensing, then relaxing as she climbed her peak, her eyes shut tightly. He bent forward, capturing her nipple in his mouth and sucking until she let out a throaty groan. The vibrations sent a shiver down his core, gripping her hips once more, sitting up a bit straighter on his knees. She reached in between them, finding her clit and rubbing it purposefully before she began bucking her hips.
"Severus," she called out as her sex clenched his cock, her orgasm tearing through her. Her pleasure sent him over the edge and he pumped himself inside her, holding her tightly, keeping his hand firmly gripped on her arse. He slowly released the flesh in his grasp, moving it to hold just above her hips and slowly lower her onto the bed.
"Hermione," he replied, bending down as he twitched inside her, capturing her lips and kissing her sweetly. She entwined her fingers in his hair and held him close to her. He allowed himself to relax into her, careful not to rest too much of his weight on her small form, holding himself up with his other hand. He explored her mouth, feeling her lips eagerly pressing into his, sucking at the flesh she could capture. Hermione bit his lip softly, moaning into his mouth before leaning back and looking at him with a mix of lust and admiration. The wizard smiled, pulling her close to him as he rolled onto his side and buried himself in her mane of hair. She nuzzled her head under his chin and sighed blissfully.
"I love you too," she whispered against his chest, her fingers drawing circles in his small hairs. Too?
A/N I hope that clears up a few things! I needed to add some gratuitous sex in there and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to add it in! And oOooOooh how does bookshop witch play into things...? Only time will tell...