Returning to Hogwarts: A HermioneSnape Fanfiction

by ShanBG

This is my first attempt at writing a fanfiction, and a mature fanfiction at that. I had a lot of fun writing this and I wouldn't have published it if not for friends and family supporting me. It's a good read, with a few thrills to bat. **Characters and setting (themes of Hogwarts, the wizarding world) of course belong to J.K Rowling. The plot and storyline are my own :)

Hermione stood at the entrance gates of Hogwarts and drew a deep breath, taking it all in. She never thought her return to this place would feel the way it did, although she always knew she would return, some way or another. She could faintly see the castle from where she was standing, and from her vantage point, she could see that it had undergone many changes since the war. She saw new buildings and higher towers. Most notably, she saw that the bell tower was larger and canopied, rather than closed and dark. It looked better this way, especially with the sun setting behind it.

She carried with her a single suitcase in one hand and her cat carrier, holding dear Crookshanks, in the other. After several more moments she put them both carefully on the ground. She reached her hand out to feel the cold, magic guarded gates that would not let her enter, and sighed. McGonagall must not have cast her into the protection ward yet.

Even knowing how early it was for her to be at the school this time of the year- summer barely into its beginnings, she had not considered this to be an obstacle. As the newly assigned Potions teacher, getting into the castle was the first step of a promising career, and she was already at a stand still.

Minerva had been in a hurry to bring her there as soon as she was done with her potion's apprenticeship. She had written Hermione telling her that this year was big for the school, having the largest number of applications since the battle of Hogwarts. With ratings somewhat low because of the school's controversial history, this was exciting news for the Headmistress, and she wanted the best for Hogwarts, which Minerva had insisted included her.

Hermione sat down on her suitcase and rested her hand on her jaw, nodding her head back and forth and smiling. She was happy to be back, even after what she, and her friends, had been through years before. She couldn't help but be comforted by the torchlit walkway, the lights in the windows, the cool shimmering lake. It still felt the same, it felt like home.

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Minerva McGonagall sat at a long conference table with an abundance of papers and forms surrounding her. She sat rigid and focused, her eye glasses at the very tip of her nose. Her only companion in the large conference room looked at her for a moment and wondered if it was magic or experience that held them in place.

"Severus, I believe our company has arrived." She looked up at him briefly, and then began making notes about a student application.

"Yes, it would appear so." He drawled and sat motionless at the opposite side of the long table. Minerva glanced up again at him with a pointed look. "If you wouldn't mind?" She pursed her lips and magicked a paper into a rather tedious pile.

Snape respected the woman too much to glower, but he took his time in rising. With an abrupt shift of his robes, he opened the conference room doors wandlessly and made his way towards the entrance of the castle.

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Hermione stood for a moment, stretching her legs, and looked at the trees lining the road behind her. To her delight, she saw two flashing eyes staring back at her. The owl in the tree made some small hoots towards her. She wondered if the owl was merely passing through or if it held a permanent residence at Hogwarts. Then she frowned, and wondered the same about herself.

"Ms. Granger." Hermione jumped at the sudden noise. She turned around quickly to see her old Potion's teacher standing with the gate open.

"Oh, I'm sorry-" she started, but before she could speak more, he had already turned around and began walking back to the castle. "I see some things haven't changed." she muttered under her breath, hurrying luggage into her hands and following far behind him.

At the castle doors, Hermione met Snape rather breathlessly. "Thank you for letting me in," she walked through the doors he opened for them, "Professor McGonagall must be awfully behind." She tried a side eyed glance at the dark looming figure who kept a long stride, leaving Hermione to practically leap in order to match him.

"The role of the Headmistress is not one to be taken lightly." He enunciated his syllables, his words taking on his usual smooth and lyrical quality. The two continued on in silence, the echoing of their feet seemed to be the only noise surrounding them. Hermione took a brave glance at her old professor and could see the bright pink scar of Nagini's fangs, his black shoulder-length hair barely concealing it. "And from this point forward, you should consider calling us by our first names, so as not to sound like an insolent child."

Then the two of them stood in a short hallway, part of the vast ground floor of Hogwarts. She knew that straight down the hallway led down to the potions room. Its near-preservation was saved only from it being located underground.

"You're familiar with this area," Snape went on, "I'm sure you can figure things out without further assistance?" Seemingly, for the first time, Snape turned to look at her head on. Hermione felt a blush creep up her neck as he towered over her. She dared not to ask him anything, even though she could feel many questions roll over in her mind.

"No, thank you, I'll take it from here," she met his dark stare, "Severus." He lifted an eyebrow in her direction, either of amusement or crass, she could not tell. She entered the door closest to her, the one on the left, and closed it before he even had the chance to walk away.

"What a brute." she lamented, glancing through the window across the room. She placed her luggage on the ground, opening Crookshanks's carrier as well. She found herself in a nice office. She realized they must have moved the office up on the ground level instead of beside the potions room itself, and noticing the updated qualities, figured it must have been a new addition. Almost all of the ground floor had to be rebuilt.

She could see the stars begin to shine, and her mind began to stir unwillingly. Before she could push the memory away, she was brought back to the night when Severus died. Well, the night she, and Ron, and Harry had thought he had died. They came upon the Potion's master in a terrible way. She remembered at first, hesitating, several feet away from him where Harry had jumped to his side, without seeming to think about it. They exchanged a private conversation, and then Ron was heaving Harry onto his feet.

She remembered almost mechanically taking Harry's place, holding Severus's wound, desperately and hysterically chanting incantations to stop the flow of blood, then being drug away herself. The call of Lord Voldemort occurred next, beckoning Harry to his death, the chaos truly beginning-

She stopped herself short of further recollection. The years away from Hogwarts, were years she spent healing and moving forward. The battle had been won, even if she still had the occasional nightmare. She turned her arm over and glanced at the rough scar with the name "mudblood" etched into it, a permanent fixture she would carry with her for the rest of her life. She used the same arm to wipe across her eyes, moving her hand down her face, then squeezed the bridge of her nose. Crookshanks now sat on top of the desk in front of her, swinging his tail and staring endlessly at her.

"Yes, I know." She called to his questioning eyes. She grabbed her wand from inside her back pocket and turned on the lights. The room was a good sized office space; plenty of bookshelves behind the desk on either side of the window, and against the left wall, a set of accommodating filing boxes. On the right wall was a door, which when opened, led down a small spiral staircase- which she assumed led into the classroom. She didn't bother venturing down. She would have plenty of time later to do so. She straightened two embroidered oak chairs sitting in front of the large matching desk and gave the room a nod. It would suit her just fine.

She grabbed her suitcase and the empty carrier in one hand and left the office, the lights flickering out as she closed the door. She opened the door across from it and found herself in her own personal dormitory. Crookshanks ran in from between her legs, and Hermione shut the door behind her, carrying her things through the small sitting room and into her new bedroom.

The dormitory itself was quite bland. It was obvious she was meant to decorate and make it her own, which she was very pleased to do, just not then and there. The four poster bed was made in a Hogwarts crested theme, which was fine for the night. She spent the rest of her time unpacking essentials, before collapsing into the bed. She hadn't realized how drained she was until that moment. Coming back to the old castle was more tiring than she had thought it would be.

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Snape hurried away from the girl, the woman, he supposed she was now. He made his way back to the conference room to find Minerva putting things away, while envelopes were sealing and sending themselves to the owlery for immediate departure.

"Done for the night then?" He said, announcing his entrance. Minerva didn't glance up but nodded, rising from the chair.

"Yes, that was the last of it. The rest will work itself out." She motioned towards the envelopes on their way to the awaiting students for last minute acceptance. She then cast another spell which pushed in the chairs. "I've got to be up early and apologize to Hermione for being so unprofessional this evening. I meant to greet her when she arrived."

"There's no need for the theatrics. You'll both be better off in the morning." Snape gathered some candy wrappings by hand, a habit both of them seemed to pick up from the late Headmaster Dumbledore, discarding the trash in an empty bin.

"Oh, did she have a long trip? She must be exhausted coming all the way from Wales." Minerva turned towards him as she questioned him on their former student. They both began walking out of the conference room together.

"She looked tired." He said simply. Minerva stopped at the phoenix statue hiding the staircase to her quarters.

"I see, well, I'll be sure to give her a proper greeting in the morning then." Minerva looked at Snape fully, unsure of the look in his eyes. He turned away from her glance, saying something of a goodnight before walking to his own room.

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Hermione woke up early with a start. She had momentarily forgotten where she was and took several moments to slow her racing heart. She noted her cat still sleeping in a beige chair in the corner of the room. She realized that it must be shortly after 6am, the sun was no more than peeking out from the horizon.

The first thing she did was push all the curtains aside, happy to have so much natural light, even from the ground floor. She had a nice view of the courtyards, and could even see the flags from the new quidditch field in the distance.

She made her way to the bathroom and took a long look at herself. She felt as awake as she looked. Her amber colored eyes still looked tired and her hair was disheveled as always. She found the only suitable way to care for it, without a fair amount of cosmetic spells, was to get it soaking wet. After a few minutes of figuring out the shower handles, she took a nice long shower and then combed her hair with a wide toothed comb before piling the auburn locks into a damp towel. She adorned her bathrobe and went past the sitting room once more and entered a small kitchen.

With her wand on the counter, she summoned her tea kettle and some dishes from her suitcase and began storing them where she pleased while she waited for water to boil. The fridge and cupboards were stocked with the basics, so she made herself a half decent breakfast as well.

Once this routine was done, she went about getting ready for the day. Not sure of what she would be doing, she dressed in something semi-casual; a nice blouse and trousers. She wore a bit of makeup, and, too impatient for her hair to dry, used her wand to finish the job and then bunched it together in what she guessed was a bun. Curiosity got the better of her then and, with a few pats on the head to Crookshanks, she left the room and headed down the hallway towards her future classroom.

When she entered the Potion's room, it was as if not a single thing had been touched since the school had closed. The only affirmation that anybody had been in the room at all was the opened door to the supply closet, which Hermione knew, without the need to guess, the one single person who would come through from time to time. She entered the opened door to see everything exactly how it was when she was a student, only there was more dust, and many things taken from the supply. She wondered what had become of the old office.

She cleared away the dust and opened the old half windows near the ceiling to let out the musty air with a few swipes of her wand. The groan of the windows suggested that although nobody had been in this room for a while, the windows had not been opened for even longer. She zig-zagged between the old black-topped desks and opened what used to be Professor Snape's office door, only to see the staircase leading up to her new office. She scoffed at this. Snape must not have wanted to share much of anything with the new teacher.

Suddenly there was a distinct knock on the opened door of the classroom and Hermione left the staircase door to rush and greet her. "Professor! It's wonderful to see you again!" Minerva grasped Hermione's hand into both of hers. "Well, I suppose it's Headmistress now, isn't it?" Hermione said, and smiled warmly at her.

"Minerva, will do. I wanted to apologize for last evening, Hemione, I hope Severus was able to show you around a little bit." Hermione smiled bleakly.

"He was ever as efficient as he always was," she said politely. "I see he's gotten rid of the evidence of his mastery here." Hermione smiled as she said this, but it came out as more of a jab. Minerva laughed at her tone.

"Oh, that. He moved the whole office to his new placement near the Defense Against the Dark Arts room. It's on the third floor now." Hermione figured he'd rather obliterate the whole room than for her to make use of any of his old work. Minerva saw right through her, easily noting the somewhat cold look in her eyes, "I see that Severus gave you a warm welcome back," Minerva made a motion to leave the classroom and Hermione followed rather timidly. "As warm as he can be."

"You know, I heard that you petitioned to apprentice under him after graduation," Minerva placed her hands together, "and that you were denied." She looked at Hermione to gauge her reaction. She stiffened slightly, but rather good-heartedly replied, "I guess I thought, after everything we'd all been through, he might've relaxed a little. Frankly, I'm not sure why he would ever want to get out of Potions."

"His passion has always been in the dark arts." Minerva stated, knowing him better than anybody, "Potions, although he excels at it, is a mere hobby for him." Hermione nodded at this, but couldn't help but commenting "Many people rely on such a hobby." She knew his level of skill surpassed many who worked in the field for a living. "In that case, I'm sure he would help you with anything, if you needed it." Hermione looked away from McGonagall to keep from giving her an incredulous stare.

"Let's go on with that tour I was writing you about, and we'll go over some of the finer details over lunch." And the two continued down the corridors of the Hogwarts castle.

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Snape's mornings were usually the same as they had been for the last several years. He had moved into the castle shortly after the war, his home no longer safe because of the largely disappointed public, upset, well, because he was alive. He got tired of the constant hexes and tricks the pompous, miserable wizards would stick to his door. His pride was not so large as to not take a good offer when given. McGonagall wasn't one to be turned down so easily at any rate. He was already half moved into Hogwarts before he had really even said yes.

Not all felt this negativity, to his surprise; not all of them thought he was a treacherous bastard. Some felt he had done some good, in the end. Some even pitied him, which he hated more than the hexes against his life. Either way, he didn't care. He never bothered before with what the wizarding community would write next in their poorly written tabloids. Why would he start now?

He had dreamt about Lily again. There weren't many nights that he didn't, and he certainly didn't dwell on them after he woke, unlike what he was doing this morning. She was an image in his head that was never too far from him, even without the dreams, he thought of her countless times throughout the day. However, the dreams usually filled him with a void of sadness that would take him days to come out of, so he kept as detached as he could. Yet, this morning, he thought about the dream for a while in bed, then while he got ready for the day, and then while he was making breakfast. Even afterwards, when he had made it up to his office to work on lesson plans.

She had been sitting in a sundress by the river they frequented as children. She smiled when she saw him and raced up to embrace him. They were older, and more importantly, they were together. In his dreams, she always chose him instead of the Potter boy. Then she would kiss him, and it felt like she really was kissing him, only this time, when she parted from him, it was Hermione in his arms, and not his long lost love.

Now, as strange and inappropriate as that scene was, he continued to dwell on it, because the dream didn't end there. Even after seeing it was Hermione, he leaned in to kiss her again, and it was different then when he kissed Lily. With Hermione, there was a pull, an absolute craving to do it again, and then again-and he did. He could feel her in his arms, his hands grasping her waist, into the devilish locks of hair- hell, he could smell her, exactly like she smelled the night before. A soft gardenia, with a warm summer breeze. It was intoxicating. There was no longing or sadness in it. Just a pure carnal desire, a passion. He felt nearly changed by it.

Snape found himself unable to finish his work. Maybe he had been cursed. He felt wicked, wrong, and despite himself, aroused. He sat stiff as a board in his chair, his hands curled in fists on his thighs. He replayed the scene as long as he would let himself before abruptly leaving his office, and then leaving the castle altogether. The last thing he needed was to accidentally run into the girl.

He headed for Hogsmeade, knowing that he could browse the bookstore to help get his mind off of where it kept lingering- before his imagination took hold of it. Before he thought about the way her hands, so delicate, held him to her shapely body, how they travelled down his shoulders, guided his hands to her…

"To hell with the bookstore." He growled. He apparated to the nearest pub, The Three Broomsticks. Only, as always the case with life, and his life in particular, to his utmost horror, he found McGonagall and Hermione sitting casually at a table with a couple of butter beers and scones.

"Oh, Severus, how good of you to arrive. We've just finished our business, come join us." Minerva called to him before he could apparate, or kill himself with the utter irony. "Of course," he snarled, a dark cloud seeming to fill the space. "I'm afraid I can't stay long, I was merely taking a break from my lessons." He attempted to fix his tone slightly, only to ward off any questions from Minerva. However, she didn't seem to notice his more than usual sour mood.

"Oh please, Severus. You've got nearly three months to sort all that out. Don't pretend you haven't gotten half of it done already." She chuckled humouredly to herself and began portioning out some scones between the three of them.

"Severus, so good to see you." Despite himself, he turned to look at the women before him. It was as awful as he had thought it would be. Since when did she parade in light blouses that dipped so low on her neck line? "Is it?" he asked rather darkly before noticeably moving his chair further away from her. Did she bathe in that wretched perfume? "No, I guess not." She glared from her chair, crossing her legs and turning her body away from him.

Minerva had her attention on her company again. "Severus, Hermione has the most interesting questions for you. She said she didn't get the chance to ask you last evening." Snape boiled on the inside. Why was this woman constantly forcing him to have conversations with people he did not wish to associate with? Especially when he could see right through the Headmistress. He didn't need occlumency to know the old lady was forcing him to be sociable.

"Did she now?" He dared to look at Hermione again, nearly threatening her with his gaze to ask him anything. It did no good, she answered him anyway. "Yes, Severus. I was wondering where all the missing potions in the supply room went to?" She didn't bat an eye, just as feverishly polite as always. How irritating.

"Those were from my personal collection, Ms. Granger. Therefore, they do not belong in the supply closet." Now that he thought about it, this conversation was doing wonders for his mind. Nothing like a good reminder to what a know-it-all brat the witch was. Hermione turned back towards him in a different attitude.

"That's an awful amount of work to resupply those personal vials, don't you agree?" Snape leaned forward, merely inches away from her now, "I thought you were a clever girl, surely somebody of your standing can brew them up?" Minerva began to notice the near violent energy they were creating in the tavern.

"Oh, yes, I will brew them right up Severus. They'll likely be better anyway." Hermione barely breathed this statement, for the proximity to Snape unnerved her, but not in the way she expected. She felt as though she was losing oxygen, her heart fluttered away, even though her composure stayed as steely as his.

"Has everybody tried the blueberry scone?" Minerva attempted. Snape backed up a few inches, as if there were venom on her tongue, "Better, you say? I'd like to see you try." With that said, Snape rose from the table and disappeared from view.

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"How vile!" Hermione nearly leapt after him without knowing why. She realized she had stood the same time he did in her own fury, but could do nothing but watch him storm away. She sat back down slowly, dizzy from the exertion. Minerva seemed nervous, but controlled. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Headmistress." Hermione said distantly, although there was no shame in her voice. She picked at one of the scones, still fuming.

"No, that's quite alright, I suppose." Minerva knew both of them to be strong-headed. She had never thought that they would clash so terribly. In fact, she saw them as very similar people and figured that they could make good acquaintances. "Maybe we should head back to the castle. It sounds like you've got a bit of work to prepare for."

At their parting, Hermione turned to Minerva, she laughed a bit while she said it, "Surely we aren't the only professors in Hogwarts, Minerva?" Minerva stopped walking and turned back to her, and in all seriousness replied, "Heaven's no, Sybill lives here full time, you probably remember her as Professor Trelawney." Hermione's disappointment was palatable.

"I'm afraid the other professors won't arrive until two weeks before classes. Even Hagrid left this summer to visit the coast, in search of some mythical creature for teaching this semester." Hermione shook her head, "Right, of course, thank you Minerva. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your evening."

"Yes, and you too dear," Minerva hesitated where she stood, " Hermione,"

"Yes, Headmistress?"

"Don't be too hard on Severus. He's rather indebted to you." Minerva looked to Hermione somberly, to which she could only stand in surprise. "He would not have survived if you had not stepped in when you did. You're a brilliant witch Hermione, I know it, and so does he."

(2 months later)

Hermione finally felt settled into her new home. Everything was exactly how she wanted it. The only thing left on her to-do list was to concoct those bloody potions. Although things between her and the hard gaze of her ex-professor had grown civil, there was certainly an aura of tension between the two of them. She was procrastinating this exact project, not because she couldn't do it, but because she was unsure if she could do it better than Snape.

After all, despite his less than inviting demeanor, he was a Potion's master. Hermione herself had just recently come into the title, and even though she was sure of her abilities, she couldn't stop imagining the sneer on his face when he saw the potions she made and then laugh in her face. She snorted at the image. Snape, laughing? Hardly. The way she saw it, he wouldn't likely care anyway. He was a busy man. What business did he have in the Potion's room while she worked?

At least, that's what she thought, all up until she went down to the Potion's room late that evening to find him leaning against the doorframe to the classroom. She stopped outside the entrance of the room, reacting with a small squeal at his unannounced presence. "What are you doing here?" She asked incredulously at the dark brooding man.

"I heard you would be starting on the potions today. I merely thought to myself, 'Why, I should go and see the master at work'." He smirked as he said this, making a wide gesture towards the working station inside. Hermione's feet felt heavy, but her pride was stronger. She stuck her chin up and headed through the room trying to not look as nervous as she felt.

They both had fully entered the room when she heard Snape shut the door behind them. She jumped at the noise, every nerve in her body on high alert. Hermione had already prepared the work area, with vials and ingredients, reference notes at the ready. She groaned internally at this, it could've wasted some time if she hadn't prepared it so early. She walked to the other side of the table and glowered at Snape as he watched from the other side.

"You can sit at one of the tables over there." Hermione pointed nonchalantly towards the back of the classroom. "Here is fine." he stated simply, not moving an inch. She made an effort to seem unfazed. "Very well. Let's get started then." Hermione started by taking off her cloak, and was surprised to see Snape doing the same. "In case I need to step in," he replied confidently, which sent a flare of annoyance through her.

Against her own wishes, she found herself staring at Snape in casual clothing. A rare sight for anybody, she was sure of it. Black shoes with black, well-fitted slacks, and a white button up shirt, tight against his chest and shoulders. She watched him unbutton the cuffs of his shirt and roll up the sleeves, his hands working quickly, efficiently. Then rested both of his hands on the table, as if on display. She noted the thick veins running across them, the well kept fingernails. She half wanted to place her own beside them, just to see how large they were compared to her own.

She made it look like she was looking at her notes. Severus leaned over, his hair hovering in place, but he didn't seem to mind it being there. Hermione snatched the notebook away from his peering eyes. "Let's begin with some antidote potions." Her nervousness was ebbing away at the sheer cockiness of her superior. Maybe she was better. This was her passion after all, not a mere hobby.

Her surprise never seemed to end when it came to Severus Snape. She worked diligently on the first potion, once starting, all apprehension faded away. She worked like a Master, and perhaps Snape could see it, because he wasn't saying a single thing. He stood there, with his arms crossed, surveying her work and her technique without a single comment.

"The Beetleroot Draught," he said once she had finished it. "Certainly not a first-year potion, Ms. Granger, well done." Hermione looked at him, uncertain if he was making a joke or not. "Not a first-year, or a seventh year either, I might add."

"No, the effects of frog's skin and leech tail are extremely potent when not handled correctly." He went around the table to get a better look at the now crimson liquid in the cauldron. "Perfect color and smell," he dipped his finger straight into the concoction. "The right texture as well." He wiped the potion onto a nearby towel. "10 points to Gryffindor."

"Are you surprised by my work, Professor?" Hermione tapped her foot rather impatiently at his meddling. "It must be bottled before it browns, Severus, kindly move." He did so without comment. As he did with the next few potions. At one point, several hours in and now late into the night, Hermione glanced up to make sure he had not left; he was so silent. But there he stood, just the same, arms crossed and watching carefully.

The next potion she was making was the most difficult of the bunch, it was a redundancy potion, and crucial to have stocked in a classroom of learning children. When poured into a bad potion it would counteract any and all reactions, making it void. Like always, Hermione organized her ingredients before starting. She glanced up to Severus, who raised an eyebrow before catching her eye.

"Is this a necessary potion, or are you just showing off now?" His voice sounded loud in the quiet room. Hermione smiled, "I know you didn't have this particular potion stocked in the supply closet, but if you need a couple vials, that would be alright with me." She looked up at him, capturing his gaze into her own, "I don't mind sharing."

"Hermione." the sound of her name coming out of his mouth stopped her in mid-action. "The reason I didn't have it stocked in my supply room was because the potion is extremely sensitive. You could cut the red worm wrong and cause your skin to break out in a bleeding rash." He shifted his weight from one foot to the next.

Hermione wondered if this was how he appeared when he was nervous. "I really don't want to waste my time sending you off to the infirmary at this hour." Hermione only stared at Snape, she was starting to enjoy it. She couldn't keep the smile off her face. "If you'd really rather not see me make the potion, you are more than welcome to leave, Severus. I'll be making the potion with you in the room, or not." Snape's steady silence was all he replied with, standing firm again in his place.

Hermione began gathering ingredients out of their designated jars and capsules when she saw Snape move back over to her side of the table. "That one's too small, you'll need a larger one to have the correct amount of juices." She stared up at him, appalled. "I'm sorry?" They were standing shoulder to shoulder now. Snape reached across her to grab the bottle and looked for a more desirable size. She could only watch, shocked, at his sudden brash behavior. He pulled one out to lay next to the one she had chosen. The size difference between them was so small that Hermione couldn't help but start laughing.

"Are you testing me Professor? You can't be serious." She looked at him for some type of humour in his face, but saw only stoic seriousness. "Do I look like the joking type, Ms. Granger?" Her mouth was now visibly open towards Snape's actions. "Continue." he said, pushing up his sleeves a little further.

"You know, I have made this potion a few times before, Severus. I do know how to make it." She still couldn't decide whether to laugh or to become angry. Their arms continued to brush against one another, "I'm not a student anymore. If you wanted to teach me potions, you should have accepted my offer after graduation." She looked up at the man standing before her now and thought she saw a flash of guilt cross his face.

"I was only offering my opinion, Ms. Granger. You are free to do as you please." Snape began unrolling his shirt sleeves. "Your success was evident from the beginning. You never needed my help before, you surely don't need it now." He stared down at her, gazing freely now. Hermione didn't know why, but at that moment she felt tears in her eyes. "Severus, why-"

"I'll let you finish your work in privacy." Snape said abruptly. He hurriedly grabbed his cloak, and in one swift movement draped it on and exited the potions room, leaving Hermione in a different kind of silence. How had things escalated so quickly?

She was definitely angry again. Before she realized what she was doing, she stormed out of the potions room, "HEY." She shouted after him. He stopped and turned hesitantly. "Why didn't you want me as an apprentice?" she called softly.

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Snape began closing the distance to the girl. How could he explain himself? How could he explain his shame? " I was meant to die that night." Snape took in the utter shock in her face. "What did I do that was so wrong? You're mad I helped save your life?" He avoided staring directly at her, "And when you were all healed up, you couldn't bear to look at me?"

"Yes." His answer was sharp, unyielding, "That day, I did the only thing I could ever do to repay my debt to Lily, and you took that away from me." Snape was close to her now. He pulled out his wand and muffled the area around them. "That is what you did, Hermione Granger." He watched a tear roll angrily down her face. She swiped it away with reverence, he continued. "Now what do I have?"

"Harry is still alive because of you. You did your duty to the world, Severus." She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. "What happened to Harry's parents was not your fault." She added, knowing he had heard the line many times before.

He watched her anger towards him increase. "What do you mean, 'What do you have?'" She dug her finger into his chest, "You have something Lily will never get the chance to have again. A world where Voldemort is dead." His breathing became heavier, her watery eyes hypnotic. "A world where her son is alive and well. That's all she ever wanted, Severus. Maybe you should stop asking yourself what she wants, and ask yourself what you want. You finally have the freedom to." Snape felt his blood like fire, his gaze bore into her eyes, then her lips.

"I want-" He looked back into her eyes, her concern was clear. But why? Why did she care so bloody much? He took several steps back from her. "I want to go to my quarters now, goodnight Hermione." He cleared the muffling spell and walked quickly away from her. He didn't dare look back. He went straight to his office. He had one more thing he had to do before morning.

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Hermione woke up groggy the next day. The night before felt little more than a dream to her, or maybe a nightmare. Surely that wasn't her old professor, looking at her with such intensity. An owl tapped on her window and in little else but her bathrobe she opened the window next to her bed and grabbed the letter, petting the owl's soft feathers along its chest. It was from McGonagall, she wished to have dinner with her now that she was wrapping up her work.

Despite wanting to crawl back into her bed, which was now covered in a maroon duvet and cream sheets, she decided to start her day. She dreaded going back into the Potion's room, but knew she needed to put away the ingredients she left out, already knowing that most of them had gone bad in the night. She went through her office, taking her time down the ornate staircase. She entered the potions room, with her wand at the ready, to find that the room had already been cleaned. On top of the desk she was working on the night before were 8 dark vials of the redundancy potion and a small note.

Hermione nearly ran to the table. She grabbed the note with hurried hands, dropping it once before calming herself enough to hold it steady. Sure enough, as well as she knew, the note was from Severus:

Ms. Granger,

I hope these vials make for a small retribution for my actions. My apologies are not well suited here, but you have them regardless.

Severus Snape

Carefully, she put the vials into the supply closest and came out of the potions room with a particular feeling in her heart. She could still feel the way he looked at her. What did it mean? Without letting herself think about it, she headed up to his office. She half-hoped he wouldn't be there, so she could leave a kind note back and be on her way. She wasn't entirely sure of what she wanted to say anyhow. The walk up the three flights felt longer than they usually did, even with the stairs on their best behavior.

Even the pictures on the walls seemed to regard her curiously. Only a few of them remembered her enough to say any sort of greeting. When she reached Snape's office door, she knocked as softly as she was able. At first she heard nothing, and breathed a sigh of relief, but then the door opened slowly and she was face to face with him. "I got your note," was the best she could say, "thank you for the vials."

"I hoped you wouldn't see it as an impediment of your own work." He looked the same as he always did, although Hermione felt as if she saw more. His stature looked stiff, unsure. She noticed his fingers tightly clasped to one another as he moved to sit at his desk, but maybe she was reading into it. "No, not in the slightest." She could beat herself over the head with the awkwardness of it all. She cleared her throat to say something else, still standing in the doorway of his office.

"Sit down and have some tea.." Hermione could hear the silent mannerism in his tone.

"Okay." she murmured quietly. She sat down in the chair closest to her and folded her hands in her lap, staring at them for a long time until she heard the tea cup being placed in front of her. "Thank you." She flung her fingers apart and grabbed the cup, now only staring at the rising heat of the tea. She felt like an idiot. How childish she must have appeared the night before. How would she start such a serious conversation with her old professor?

When she finally met his eyes, she met a steady glance, which was surprisingly patient. She took a deep breath before starting, "Last night was sort of.." she glanced back down at the tea for the right words, "well, it was a bit strange, wasn't it?" She reverted back to his eyes, his face, for any indication she was as big of an idiot as she felt. His continued silence forced her to continue.

"Well, not strange, as in I didn't like it." She knew the blush was coming before she felt it. "It's just, things are different now." Hermione placed the teacup back in its saucer and shook her head. "Not because of last night, I mean, everything is different now." Snape continued to look at her, his face not giving much of anything away. It was killing Hermione from the inside out. "Please say something, Severus, anything."

"We all have our scars, Hermione." He was giving her that same intense stare from the night before. It sent a shiver down her spine. "Perhaps I should do a better job at hiding mine." He unconsciously moved a hand over his neck before placing it back in the grip of the other.

Would this man always infuriate her? "That's not what I'm saying!" Boldly, Hermione reached across the desk and placed her hand over Snape's interlaced ones. "I'd like us to start over, as friends." Severus stayed still under her touch, he brought one of his hands out gently from beneath hers and placed it on top of hers. "I'm afraid I'm not a good friend." They were both left staring at each other's hands', Snape moved his thumb down the length of hers. His gaze was so serious.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take." She smiled good-humouredly. Snape grabbed her wrist suddenly and turned it to reveal her scar. He ran his fingers across it, a troubled look on his face. "You're a good woman, Hermione Granger."

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Snape was rearranging books along the shelves in the Dark Arts room. He pulled out the old worthless books that Umbridge had stocked and was replacing them with new volumes. He was knelt down to access the cupboard, so he didn't notice when Hermione had walked in. He heard her clear her throat, which made him rise too quickly and knock his head against the wooden frame. He knelt back down behind the small door and hissed, pushing his hand against the stinging he felt.

"Severus! Are you okay?" She went around to his other side, kneeling down and reached out to him, but not quite touching him, "I didn't mean to sneak up on you like that!" Snape peeked one eye at her and turned to look at her. He removed his hand and stared at her with refrained annoyance. She looked to be in more pain than he was, "I am so sorry." She added, her face contorted helplessly.

"What could you possibly need, Ms. Granger?" They both stood up at the same time. Snape gave one last rub to his head before gathering the books with a levitation spell. "Well, I-" she paused to watch Snape suddenly light all the books aflame in the air. She continued distractedly, " I didn't really need anything in particular.."

Snape finished the spell, and turned to look at her blankly, "Must I remind you how little I enjoy wasting my time?" She scowled at him, "No, I was just trying to be friendly, that's all." He turned back around and went to the front of the room, by the podium. She was serious about the other day then, he thought to himself. He opened a trunk and pulled out several artifacts. "I think we have opposing ideas on that subject."

Hermione ignored him, clearly under the air of being unfazed. He sighed as she followed him while he carried the artifacts to the teacher's desk. There were four of them, although he noticed that one caught her eye more so than the others. She reached her hand out to it and Severus grabbed her hand. "Not a good idea, witch." She looked up at him as if she had just snapped out of something.

"What is it?" Snape picked it up easily. It was a mangled looking thing. Like a tree root covered in snakeskin and fur. It had a face on it, which changed depending on who it was trying to claim as a victim. "A dark artifact, it compels the holder to its will." He grabbed a cloth and began wrapping it. "It doesn't seem to bother you." She noted with a bit of disbelief in her voice. Snape continued, his hands taking their time with it. "It wouldn't, I'm not a woman."

"It only affects women?" Hermione took a step back from the table, although her interest was still piqued. "How did you come by it, and how do you know so much about it?" Snape glared from under the focus of his work. "Do you ever stop asking questions?" Hermione looked at him without saying anything. Snape gritted his teeth painfully.

"It's an after-death artifact. A powerful warlock would have created it to do his will, but he would have to die in order for the curse to be effective." He looked up to see the content, happy look she gave him. "In this instance, the will of the artifact would be for the women who touched it to kill those she saw formed on its face. The results vary, however, depending on the maker." He gathered the group of things into his arms again. " I purchased it from a bad place, where bad people, make bad things."

Hermione could only stare at the hidden thing. "It comes from old magic, not likely to run into it. Unless there's a darker side to you that I don't know of?" Snape began taking the things and placing them behind glass shelves. He heard her gasped when she saw the shelves for the first time. They were nearly full. He had begun collecting the items from the time when he was a young man.

His less than glorious past allowed him to acquire items that not many, to their great advantage, would ever see. "Do not ask me to explain them all. If you find you can't help yourself, then you can enroll as a first-year again." He saw Hermione frown at this. "I know more than you probably think."

"Of course you do." He crossed his arms, standing in front of her, he looked her up and down, slowly. She wore a flowy white summer dress with small blue flowers on the sleeves and skirt. "I would expect nothing less."

"Minerva may have mentioned something about your interest in the field." She looked past him, deep in thought. "What draws you to these things?" This was the last thing he wanted to be discussing with his former student. She was staring through the glass, probably naming the ones she knew, considering the spells that would counterattack their uses.

Snape had a difficult choice to make at that moment. This was uncharted territory for him. His unwillingness to be close to anybody was stronger than ever. She seemed harmless, but he had taught himself long ago that looks were deceiving. She looked at him then, as if she had heard exactly what he had been thinking. "You don't want to tell me, do you?"

"Not really." His eyes trailed over her again. She took a step towards him, leaning in as if she wanted to tell him a secret. "You'd have to kill me if you told me?" She whispered playfully.

"Something like that." He answered back seriously. Her presence made him uneasy, like he wasn't sure what he would do from one moment to the next. Whether he wanted to apparate her to another country, or pull her as tightly to him as he was able.

"That's alright." She whispered again, and then normally, "Maybe the next time I ask, because you know I won't be able to help myself, you'll be more willing." She then seemed to look at him openly, her eyes wandering over his whole personage.

"Maybe." Was all he could manage. Gods, she would be the undoing of him.

A little over a week went by, and it did so in a sort of haze, not dreamlike, but not really in the depths of reality. How could Snape call what was happening real? Suddenly, he was meeting Hermione Granger for tea at random times of the day. Talking about lesson plans, discussing potion theory, exchanging notes. He found himself not only tolerating her time with him, but at most times content with her. He figured that their time together would be short lived once the other professors started to come back, but then she'd come bounding up the stairs to greet him.

"If Sybill tries to say one more thing about my hair and the level of humidity in the forecast, I'll absolutely lose it." She munched away on some treat or another that she had brought that day. She usually sat in Snape's office, telling him that hers was 'too accessible to the public'. "Your hair looks nothing out of the ordinary." He commented plainly, not revealing that her mess of curls was rather becoming.

"That's what I said! Hagrid had the nerve to say that his hair did the same!" She'd talked herself out of eating and placed the food down. "Hagrid comparing his hair to mine! I know he was only trying to make me feel better, but everybody laughed of course. All I could do was laugh along." She looked up at him glumly. "Now I know why you hang around McGonagall so often." She gave an irritated huff of air, "I used to look up to these people." She looked at Snape's raised eyebrows and began to laugh.

"The students arrive in two days' time, I assume you are prepared?" He got up to put away their cups, staring down at her now that he was standing. She shrugged defeatedly "I've done all I can to be ready. I won't be as harsh as you keep telling me though. I'll be able to reign them in well enough on my own." Snape answered with his own shrug and went to some filing cabinets on the furthest side of the office.

He heard Hermione rise from her seat to see what he was up to; he turned around with a small booklet in his hands. "My teaching notes from the first few years I taught here. Maybe it can be of some use to you." She walked over to grab it from him. It was worn, but well kept. He handed it to her, taking a step closer to her as he did so. She grabbed it lovingly, like a small treasure, moving her hands across the binding. She looked up at him with those large amber eyes. He had half a mind to lean towards her.

Instead he looked at the curls of her hair, springing in every direction. He grabbed a loose strand and pulled it down before releasing it back to its normal state. The action seemed innocent enough in his eyes, but Hermione's grew wide and her mouth parted slightly. Then he felt the slight hum between them. With reckless curiosity he grabbed a strand that framed her face, curled it around his finger and moved the back of his thumb along her jawline. He heard her let out a breathy sigh and when he met her eyes again, hers were closed.

A knock at the door gave Hermione a fright and they broke away from each other at a reasonable distance. He could see the slight shiver that ran through her while passing her to open the door.

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McGonagall entered the room and shut the door behind her. "Hermione, what a pleasant surprise. You two have been spending more time together I see." They looked towards each other, not knowing what to say. Snape simply nodded and Hermione made her way closer to the door. "I'm afraid I was just leaving." She said with some difficulty. McGonagall nodded appreciatively, "Good to hear, I've got some things to go over with Severus about last minute details. I'll see you at the staff meeting tomorrow." With that said, Hermione said a small goodbye towards Snape and hurried down the stairs with her heart still racing.

Once she was back in her room, she threw herself onto the modern Victorian couch in her sitting area, face down, and moaned into a decorative pillow. "What is happening to me?" she cried out. The small booklet she took from Snape pushed against her ribs uncomfortably from underneath her. She pulled it out and sat upright and sighed. She opened the front cover to see his name etched in it with his elegant penmanship. She thought about the way his thumb moved across her jaw. His hands were incredible, there was no denying it. She had a separate, fevered respect for them outside of the man himself. She tilted her head towards the ceiling, searching desperately for an answer to her question.

After nothing but silence to keep her company, she placed the small booklet on the glass coffee table in front of her and rose to go to her office. She decided to try and keep herself busy for a while, something away from thoughts of Severus Snape, and looked over her lesson plans for the 100th time and then decided to write some letters. One to her parents in Australia, one to Harry and Ginny, and even one to Ron, who was travelling with the Auroras in America. By the time she entered her dormitory again, there was a meal waiting for her from the house elves. She headed to the kitchen island where it was waiting, grabbing Snape's booklet as she went, and began reading it while she ate.

It was late by the time she reached the last page, but she found herself still in a fit of emotion. Only now her emotions were all over the place. All she could think about was Snape, she felt consumed by him. She decided a nice bath would help her to relax, hopefully enough to sleep soundly.

When she entered the bathroom she was thankful for the shower/claw tub duo. She turned the water to a nice, hot temperature. She discarded her clothing and stepped into the bath before the tub was even full. She poured some body wash into the water spout to give her some bubbles to wade in. After a few minutes she was satisfied and turned off the faucet. She laid out fully and pulled the bubbles towards her.

Hermione allowed herself to then think about Snape, unabashedly, she thought of him. She imagined him knocking on her door, how she would invite him in from her place in the tub, and he would come to the entrance of her bathroom. Maybe he would apologize seeing her in such a vulnerable state, maybe he wouldn't. She imagined the way he would look at her. She would ask him to take off his robes, to see him in a more natural state. Then she would reach out for his hand, god, his hands, and move one across her bare chest. She attempted to mimic this action with her own hand, but it wasn't the same. She laughed softly into the water imagining what Severus would think to know she thought like this.

Her laughter abruptly stopped. She thought about his Occlumency, and then about all her growing inappropriate thoughts about him while she was with him. Surely he wouldn't invade her privacy like that. She sat up in the water and hugged her knees to her chest. How embarrassing it would be if he did. It was obvious to Hermione that he saw her as no more than a student. The way he dotted on her. She supposed he would want nothing to do with her if he knew the way her mind trialed when she was with him.

She hurried out of the bath then, ruining her own pleasant mood. She felt vulnerable even standing alone naked in her bathroom. He was an older man, to have an interest in her seemed laughable when she really thought about it. Why would he waste his time on somebody like her?

Despite her growing self-consciousness, she went to bed as she was, hardly even drying herself off with a towel. She crawled into bed in a bad attitude, however, after tossing and turning many times, she finally found rest.

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Snape found himself in a similar bad mood when he finally made it back to his room late that night. He threw his robes carelessly on the ground by the door, and said an incantation to light a fire in the hearth in his bedroom. He entered the bedroom and sat on the edge of his bed, watching the flames for a while. Despite all the nonsense McGonagall discussed with him about preparations for the incoming students, he only had one witch on his mind, and frankly, it was beginning to get to him.

What had she been wearing today? It had begun to get colder on the Hogwarts grounds, so to his dismay, she no longer wore the summer dresses that pleased him so well. She was notorious for forgetting her professional robes. She complained about their heaviness and boring design. She told him she'd rather wear her school uniform. On this, Snape agreed with her, compared to her regular attire, the robes were quite, boring.

It was the grey slitted skirt, right above her knees and the long sleeve purple top. It was fitted to her body so well he wondered if it was one piece. He remembered spending several moments staring at the slit, where it stopped halfway up her thigh. He gripped both of his knees and clenched his jaw. Temptress. He untucked his shirt from his pants, attempting to ignore the sensation moving in his lower regions. A sensation he was almost becoming familiar with as of late. He needed a release.

Ignoring the voice in his head telling him that everything he was about to do was wrong, he began to undo his belt. He could feel his growing erection at the mere thought of pleasuring himself to her, he started with the image of the hem of her skirt rising, ever so slightly while she crossed and uncrossed her legs. Gods, the act of pleasuring himself wasn't something he usually denied, but in this case, that of the subject being a former student, now a blossoming mature woman, was tearing the line of his morality.

Then he was stroking his member, thinking about how it would look in her hands. The image of her on her knees getting ready to pleasure him, looking up at him with her large doe eyes. Her hands resting on his bare thighs. "Gods…" he moaned, quickening his pace. She would say his name, he imagined her in a corset of all things, her breasts glowing in the fire light. Just the image of her so willing, almost needing his cock in her mouth sent him into a frenzy.

His hand was rigorously moving, no longer at a rhythmic pace. In his mind, her full lips encompassed the head of his shaft, her curls falling to graze his inner thighs, then he imagined the quick, deep motions of her mouth on him, moaning her pleasure at his formidable size. How she might arch her back, spread her legs to take him as fully as she could; her lips wet and tight around him. She would release him, raising herself to take his mouth, and then travel back down to the head of his cock. Snape could feel he was close now. She was at his mercy, and she wanted him to cum on her.

With a jerk of his hips, the success of his work became evident. He stroked it slowly now, relishing the orgasm as it coursed through him. He didn't know he had it in him, and he certainly didn't know how he was going to look at Hermione innocently after envisioning her as such a blatant vixen. He laid back on the bed and extinguished the fire with no more than a movement of his hand, simultaneously cleaning his efforts away from the rug. It was strange how content he felt about the whole thing, despite how shameful he thought he should feel. At the very least, he could feel a good night's sleep coming over him.

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When Hermione arrived, only a few teachers followed to fill in the conference room for the staff meeting, many others still lagging behind. Snape and McGonagall had obviously been the first to arrive, with Hermione as a close third. She walked in, unsure of herself suddenly, but Snape quickly acknowledged her presence with a beckoning hand gesture and then motioned at the chair that was next to his own, all while never breaking his attention from the Headmistress.

She waited until his conversation with Minerva had ended and she had gotten up to retrieve papers of some sort. "Severus" The witch turned herself towards him slightly. "Have you ever used occlumency on me?" Snape met her eyes, then around the room in a casual manner. "No, should I?" he drawled, "Planning on blowing up the building, are we?"

"No, of course not!" she disputed sheepishly. "I was just wondering if you had." Snape gave her a long stare. "Something on your mind then? Not privy to wandering ears?" He lowered his voice as he said this, his eyes coming back to focus on her. Without warning, he turned his chair directly towards her, then moving hers as well. She had lifted her knees to avoid ramming them into his, but having little to no other options, she placed hers in between his own, now interlocked. Hermione let out a gasp as he grabbed the arms of her chair, holding her there, and leaned towards her unabated, threateningly.

She nearly stopped breathing all together, unable to break from his gaze. "Severus, don't." He waited a moment, but then pulled back easily, relaxing himself and turning the chairs back towards the conference length table. A few professors had turned their heads, but the moment had passed so quickly, that their attention was quickly won over by other things. It took everything in her power to not fan herself, even though it felt like the temperature had risen by several degrees.

"Keeping secrets, Ms. Granger?" he continued as if he hadn't acted so devilishly. Hermione cleared her throat before saying, "Forget I asked." She couldn't bear to look at him at the moment. She crossed her legs to try and stop the unwanted arousal she felt.

McGonagall cleared her throat, and the talking around the room ceased. A small stack of papers floated in front of each professor around the room. Hermione could have kissed the old woman for good timing and Minerva wasted no time starting the meeting.

If Hermione had not been the woman she was, she may have thought the meeting to be boring. She stole a few glances at the man beside her, who acted as if he had already heard this speech before, and he probably had. They went over pages of policies and safety measurements, vacation and sick days, and so forth. The Headmistress discussed the schedule for the nightly patrols for the weekends, and then Hermione's attention was turned to the front of the room.

"We have two new teachers this semester, one of whom most of you know," she extended her arm towards Hermione who stood up and waved to the large group of professors. Hagrid clapped obnoxiously at her doing so, while Minerva patiently waited for the echo to quiet, "Hermione Granger, everybody. She'll be our new Potions teacher." she paused to let the rest of the teachers give polite nods of approval and soft claps her way.

"Then for our new Muggles Studies teacher, we have Professor Oxford Browne." A sharply dressed young man stood up from where he was sitting, well hidden between Hagrid and Professor Sprout. He gave a low bow and people exchanged comments and vague pleasantries. "Yes, thank you, Professor Browne. He did all his studies in America, but he has studied Hogwarts extensively." He sat down after this introduction, but not before catching Hermione's eye, and obtrusively winking. Hermione mimicked one of Snape's famous eyebrow raises and looked back at the papers before her, feeling uncomfortable.

The meeting finally ended, but the teachers all hung back to talk with one another. Hermione placed her hand on Snape's arm in a familiar way and leaned over to ask him about the patrols, when a figure appeared over her chair; it was Oxford Browne. He was, indeed, a small man. His hair was fashioned in an unusual way, gelled back and raised. He wasn't exactly handsome and had an abundance of confidence emitting from his small frame. "Hello, Hermione Granger, I wanted to introduce myself personally." He extended his hand to which she limply complied. "Nice to meet you, Professor Browne." She could feel the grip she had on Snape's arm tighten as he made a move to leave.

She figured that would be the end of the conversation, already turning back to Snape, however, he decided to sit in the empty chair next to her. She turned back to him politely "A couple of teachers were talking about going to Hogsmeade, here after a little while, to go to the pub. I thought I'd extend the invitation." Hermione's hesitancy must have been read clearly on her face because he continued, saying, "You know, I've read a few of your articles back in my studies. Your discovery of the advantages of worm wort in healing draughts were phenomenal." Hermione heard Snape snort from beside her. If Oxford Browne heard it, he ignored him, "I'd really love the chance to sit down and discuss it with you."

"Um, Professor Browne, that's very kind of you-"

"Call me Oxford, please." The young man said, smiling a perfect smile at her. Hermione laughed uncomfortably, "Okay then, Oxford." He laughed along with her, "I won't take no for an answer!" Hermione's eyes widened at his rude behavior. " I'll have Professor Sprout on you, if you refuse." Oxford added playfully. She felt another hand on her own to see Snape releasing her grip from his arm. "As much as I'd love to stay and chat, I have more important things to be doing." He appeared darker than he had moments before, making the Muggles Professor move his chair a few inches back. He stood and Hermione began to panic.

Why on earth would she want to go to the pub with this weirdo? She stood up, directly in Snape's path. "Severus, don't be crass, you should come with." Her smile was forced and strained. "We only have one more night until the children come." She begged him with her eyes, no longer caring at what a strange scene she was probably making in her effort. She didn't bother to look down at the other professor, who was staring at the two's interaction with a bothered look on his face.

She watched a brief look of hesitation move over Snape, and she realized she needed to up the stakes. Her mind worked frantically on something that would work, but she was coming up short. "Severus, please," she bit her lip nervously, looking up at him with desperate eyes, "Don't make me beg." she laughed a little at her wallowing, but could see his mind working from the pursed lips he made, staring down at her face with a curious expression. "Fine," he said firmly, enunciating each syllable of the word as he said it.

Hermione sighed a breath of relief and turned halfway back to Oxford. "Well then, that's settled. I'll just need to grab my coat then."

"Great, I'll save you a seat." Oxford called after her already retreating form.

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Snape glared at the small man in front of him, to which all the new professor did was nod in his direction and leave as hurriedly as he was able. He joined a group of teachers Snape supposed he was soon going to be forced to interact with. The sound that came out of his throat was nearly a growl. "Hermione." Was all he said before striding out of the room after her.

She was nearly to her room when he caught up to her. His long legs had their advantages. He grabbed her arm and twisted her to face him. "Severus," she smiled cheekily, "Would you like to go down together, or meet each other there?" He was more angry at her now that he ever remembered being before. She noticed his rising temper and gave him a frown of her own. "The sooner you give me my arm back, the sooner I can get my coat, and the sooner we can be done with this charade." He let go, but continued to follow her to her dormitory.

He waited until they were both inside, the door shut, before speaking again. "How dare you use me like your little chaperone. If you don't like the bugger, just tell him to his face." He nearly yelled across the room at her where she raked through her closet. She all but rolled her eyes and made a scoffing noise. "He wasn't going to take no for an answer, Severus." She ripped her coat out of the closet, throwing many other articles to the floor. "Or did you not hear that part?" She bent down to pick up the fallen clothes.

He walked up to her in all of his greatness, lowering his voice dangerously, "I hardly see what that has to do with me." Hermione gave up on her clothes and pushed them back into the closet haphazardly. She stood to her full height and met Severus directly. "Grow up Severus, you saw the way he was looking at me."

"So you figured my well-known unpleasantness would ward him away?" His chest was heaving, nearly touching hers now. Instead of an answer she turned towards her bed and began harshly putting on her coat. "Don't come then, if that's how you feel." It was his turn to scoff. He grabbed the back of her coat, turning her back towards him again. He softened his voice only marginally, "Tell me how I am supposed to feel."

"Gods, Severus, he made me uncomfortable. His eyes were basically boring into me at the meeting. Did you see him wink at me?" Snape saw that she looked both embarrassed and irritated. She pulled her hair out of her coat and looked away from him. "I would feel more comfortable if you were with me, that's all." Snape narrowed his eyes at her, still not sure how to feel. He was more angry at himself, for the willingness that seemed to be so ready for her.

He paced several times across her bedroom before raking his hand through his hair. "Very well, let's go then." Hermione could only nod gratefully at him. He walked to the door to open it for her, but she placed her hand against it and looked up at him. She was very close to him. Snape watched her stand on her toes and lean into him. He held his breath, unsure of what to expect. He felt delirious with the scent of her, and then she kissed him, very gently on the lips. "Thank you, Severus."

"All that for an ease of mind?" He managed coolly, despite every nerve in his body reacting to her. The last thing he wanted was to scare her away. He saw the redness in her cheeks, but she was already walking ahead of him. "Oh please, don't patronize me." She turned back to look at him while still walking. "Or I'll make you regret it." He could've laughed at the statement if he wasn't so focused on imagining what that would look like.

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Kissing him had seemed like the most normal thing to do. What kept her in a slight, but controlled panic, was that, not only did he not reciprocate, he had brushed it off completely. They apparated to the Three Broomsticks and together they could already hear the boisterous laughter of Hagrid from the inside. Hermione looked at Snape, ready for him to complain again, but he said nothing. He opened the door for the two of them and Hermione walked in ahead of him.

Their entrance may have gone unnoticed if not for the already plastered Hagrid charging towards them, shouting their names in greeting. "WELL I DON'T BELIEVE MY EYES, IS THAT SEVERUS SNAPE WITH HERMIONE GRANGER?" Hermione winced at the loudness of his voice, "Hello, Hagrid, nice to see you again."

"And so soon." Snape added dryly.

"Ah! Hermione!" Oxford Browne called from the front of the bar, he patted the barstool next to him eagerly. "Oh, boy." She said while taking off her coat. Snape grabbed it from her while attempting to get out of a conversation with Hagrid. "I'll take these over to the coat closet." He gave her a narrowed look. "I'll be with you shortly." Hermione grudgingly made her way to the front of the bar and sat down next to the small man. Taking a good look at him, he rather looked like a gnome, without the beard of course. She took the time to notice that the bar was seemingly empty of other professors, other than Professor Sprout, who sat at the other end of the bar next to Hagrid.

When she sat down, Oxford raised his hand for a drink. He took it upon himself to order for her. "Oxford, please don't order me anything. I'm not much of a drinker." He only smiled at her objection. "One won't hurt. Besides, it's Roberta's specialty." Hermione twitched at his claim, as if she didn't know Roberta for many years, and as if she didn't know what she wanted.

"Okay." She smiled tightly. Roberta came with the drink and seeing Hermione greeted her warmly. "I'll get you a nice glass of white wine, it's a new one, I don't think you've tried it." Hermione returned with a warm smile of her own and tried to ignore the large "specialty" drink in front of her. "So you wanted to discuss my research?" She asked Professor Browne, hoping that by getting the conversation over with, she could leave. Or have a few drinks with Snape privately, as long as it took her further away from the tiny man, who seemed only to grow smaller the more time she spent with him.

"Not until you take a few drinks!" Oxford laughed at his own cleverness. "I promise I'm not trying to get you drunk, yet!" and continued laughing. Her only saving grace, Snape appeared on the other side of her and Roberta appeared with the glass of white wine. Upon seeing Snape, Roberta did a double take. "Severus! It's a rarity that I ever see you. Can I get you anything?"

"Surprise me." He voiced with tension. He turned to Hermione, looking at the strange arrangement of alcohol, "Two drinks already? Aren't we the eager one." Hermione rolled her eyes for the second time that night. "Oxford got me one. He says it's Roberta's specialty." Snape made eye contact with the other man and sneered, "So, she had him order the most expensive thing on the menu?" Hermione only looked at Oxford, who scrunched his eyebrows and fingered his glass.

Snape took it upon himself to grab the large concoction from in front of Hermione and slid it down the counter to where Hagrid was sitting. The half-giant was finishing a large pitcher of beer, and hardly noticed where the new drink had come from, nor did he care, he drank from it immediately. Snape looked at Hermione and then pointedly at Oxford, "You wouldn't have liked it." Hermione took her glass of wine and took a long drink. Roberta came back with Snape's drink, a short glass with a dark liquor in it.

"Firewhiskey?" Oxford motioned towards the drink. Snape took a drink from it, "No." He stated, continuing to stare blankly at him. Oxford cleared his throat and drank from his glass, merely nodding at the failed attempt of a conversation.

"It has a nice smell to it." Hermione added when he looked towards her again. He glanced at the glass and took another drink from it, "Yes, it's a maple bourbon. Very smooth." He looked down at her neckline while he said this, and Hermione adjusted the wide collar of her sweater without trying to make it obvious.

"Bourbon has never been my drink of choice, I'm afraid. It always has such a bitter aftertaste." Oxford jumped back into the conversation, trying to appear undaunted . Snape didn't take his eyes away from Hermione, "I don't recall asking." Once again, Hermione took a long drink, nearly finishing the glass. Roberta placed another in front of her, "Oh, Roberta, you don't have to keep bringing me drinks."

"Okay darling, you let me know when you're ready for another then." She winked at her slyly. Hermione had to admit, she was a decent business woman. There was a good reason the pub had been open for more than 50 successful years under her care.

"Tell me about your apprenticeship in Wales." Oxford said, deciding on starting a new conversation. "Wow!" Hermione commented "You sure know an awful lot about me." He made no further comment, smirking instead. "Well, I graduated early from Hogwarts and was accepted into the program under Potion's Master Irene Borba. She's a brilliant witch, and I was very honoured to teach under her. I learned a lot." She kept the conversation as brief as possible. "You came from America?" She questioned him, not really wanting to talk about herself.

She regretted her question soon enough. She had finished her second glass of wine and had already asked for a third while he continued to galivant about his studies of the muggle world, which, growing up in it herself, bored her endlessly. She found herself tuning him out on occasion, drinking wine and giving exasperated side looks to Snape. "...their use of technology was one of the most interesting studies I did. There's so much of it they use in their daily lives. It's almost sad really, the consummation of technology in the muggle world, borderline tragic. It was a key theme in my thesis."

She had never heard somebody who liked to talk as much as he did. Well, maybe excluding Gilderoy Lockhart. In fact, now that she thought about it, the two had a lot in common. She dared herself to ask the next question, "Are you published?" She could feel Severus bump his knee against hers. She refrained herself from laughing. Oxford seemed surprised by the question, but also extremely pleased.

"You know, I've always had the talent for it, I just never seem to find the time." Hermione nodded agreeingly, finishing her third glass, "Pity. With a man with so much to say." Oxford nearly jumped at this, "My superior said the same thing!" She couldn't help but chuckle, "How funny." She could also feel the alcohol starting to affect her.

"Let me order you another." He replied hastily and Hermione simply shrugged. She then placed her hand on Snape's upper thigh, staring coyly at him while she did so. "I've got to use the ladies room, you'll keep my seat warm, won't you Severus?" Although she made no sudden moves to rise. He kept her gaze just as seriously as he always did, but his finger twitched on his glass. Pleased with the small reaction, she sauntered her way to the washroom, ignoring the glassy look appearing in her eyes as she walked into a stall.

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"How does a sour bastard like you get the attention of a woman like that?" Oxford slurred unwarranted, lewdly watching Hermione disappear into the ladies room. "The newspapers don't do her justice." Severus shot back the rest of his drink. 'The Brightest Witch of her Age,' only to end up back at Hogwarts? Seems like a waste." Snape made no effort to answer him, thinking that there was no way Minerva would forgive him if Oxford didn't turn up tomorrow. "I read about you in the paper, people have a lot to say about you, don't they Sssseverus Sn-ape?"

"Don't believe everything you read, Professor Browne." Snape finally divulged, no longer having any patience. Oxford seemed taken aback by this, even leaning towards him to say, "And why's that?"

Leaning in as well, he grew dark. "Because I'm much worse." Snape straightened, making a point to put his elbows on the bar, letting his cloak slide down his arms, revealing the old faded tattoo of the dark mark. Oxford audibly swallowed and slid upright into his chair again. It even seemed to sober him a little bit, he had stopped swaying at the very least.

Hermione came back then, sliding into her chair, "I hope you boys didn't have too much fun without me." She made a move to grab the fresh glass of wine in front of her, but Snape grabbed it before she could. "We'll be leaving now." She glanced at him for only a moment before sliding right back off of the seat, "Okay, let's go." Snape placed a wad of galleons onto the bar before escorting Hermione to the door by the arm. He summoned both of their coats from the closet with a movement of his hand.

"Goodnight, Professor Browne." Hermione called unconcerned to the pale man at the counter. He held both of his shoulders, as if he was cold and nodded at her. "Weird bloke." She said as the two stepped out into the brisk night. Snape made no comment, only wrapped his arm around her waist and apparated them back to the castle gates.

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"Oof.." Hermione said, happy for Snape's arm around her. "That'll sober you up a little bit." He didn't move his arm from her waist and she was even more pleased with this. They began walking back up to the castle doors. The slight hum of the alcohol in her blood was making her bold, "Do you remember, just a short time ago, when you couldn't stand to be near me?"

"No, I don't recall." Snape answered her, playing into her little game. "Hmm, that's interesting, because, I do. You would practically run away from me." She laughed as she finished the sentence, "And you would hardly say two words to me." He raised an eyebrow at her and she let out a single chortle, "I guess you still aren't the talkative type."

She was sure the alcohol had something to do with it, or maybe Snape was carrying some of her weight, but she felt light as a feather. She felt safe and warm against Severus. She inhaled his scent of the usual sandalwood, now with a hint of maple bourbon. They walked in pleasant silence until they walked into the building. She worried that he would depart, but he continued to walk her to room, and the butterflies began to infiltrate her insides.

When they reached her door she opened it and stepped inside. Snape made no indication of walking in with her. Should she invite him in, she wondered?

"Goodnight, Hermione." He said to her and she frowned. I guess that answered her question. She took a long breath in and sighed it out, looking him over in his dark green floor-length coat. "Goodnight." she grumbled, but then grabbed onto the front of his coat and kissed him, with the same tenderness as before they left, only this time he kissed her back.

"Is this something we do now?" He asked, his smooth voice turned husky.

"Mmmhm," she managed, her eyes still closed, still holding him down to her level. She opened her mouth slightly and let out a sigh. She felt Snape's hands wrap around her and lifted her slightly so they were both fully in the room. He removed one hand from her momentarily to shut the door behind him.

"Lumos." She whispered in their shared breath, the lighting of the room reacting as she said the command. Now the room glowed slightly, romantically dim, and she looked at Snape unwaveringly. She moved her hands behind his neck, feeling the deep scar there. She waited for Snape to move his lips back to hers, each growing more eager as they went.

When they parted, Hermione was already removing her coat, and Snape followed. "We have class preparations tomorrow." He was already going back to her, his hands folding into her hair, his hand moving under her sweater. "That's what syllabuses are for." She said, easily moving to begin another round of fevered kissing.

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When he pulled off her sweater, that's when it hit him that the scene unfolding before him was really happening. She was pulling him in the direction of the bedroom now, and then once arriving, turned back to him to take off his shirt. "Severus." she moaned, returning her lips to his neck, her hands traveling from his chest to his back, each of them pulling each other tighter to the other.

He grabbed her hips to position them against his growing erection and she gasped at his size. She looked up at him wide eyed with desire and moved herself against him. He laid her onto the bed then and started undoing his belt. He watched with satisfaction when she removed her trousers faster than he could take off his own. He then watched her quickened breathing, her breasts rising and falling, fully taking up the material that hid them, not neglecting to notice the small, lacey fabric between her legs.

He moved on top of her, supporting himself just enough to see her face as he lifted her thigh to center her on his shaft. She moaned again, close to his ear, "Gods Severus, you've been keeping that from me all this time?" Her hips seemingly began moving of their own accord, and Snape hissed with pleasure. "Filthy witch." He all but ripped off the bra she was wearing and reacted boldly to her exposed chest. His mouth moved needfully down her throat and then to her breasts. His hand moved back to her hip, pressing her into him more fully.

Hermione's back arched and she dug her fingernails into his shoulder blades. Breathlessly she moved Snape's hand back up her waist so she could remove her now extremely damp underwear. He began kissing her on the mouth again, his tongue expertly moving with hers. He moved his hand downwards again, only now reaching for her most delicate area. Snape growled at the warm wetness of her, moving his thumb from her entrance to her clit.

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"Gods!" She nearly screamed, her core aching for more of him. She pushed herself up slightly and grabbed onto the hem of his briefs. He moved to allow her to remove them, his cock popping out, large and powerful. Keeping eye contact with Snape she moved her hand down the base of it, and then circled his head with her thumb, imitating the movement he had just made on her. He grabbed her hand away from him and moved them further onto the bed.

Hermione parted her legs openly to him, propped up now on her elbows. "Mind if I have a taste, Ms. Granger?" He asked her, trailing his lips down her navel. She rested her hand in his hair as a reply, gently moving him down to her most sensitive place. She absolutely writhed underneath him, unable to keep from voicing her pleasure. "Don't get too ahead of me, I'm not finished with you yet." To hell with that, she thought. The mere sound of his voice could undo her.

He stopped suddenly, moving back on top of her. "Getting too comfortable up here, I see." Hermione could only voice a mere whimper, her center building with anticipation. He placed his hand underneath her, raising her pelvis slightly, his cock now at the entrance of her. She moaned again, the feeling of his large member against her was torture.

"Fuck me, Severus." she leaned up slightly and kissed him ever so slightly, teasing him, daring him to withhold himself from her.

"As you wish." And he thrust himself slowly, but deeply, inside of her. He pulled out and then thrust again. Hermione covered her mouth with her hand to keep from screaming out. She shakily removed it, "Ooh Severus, you're going to make me cum."

From that point on, there was no holding back. Snape began thrusting inside of her, using his other hand now to make rapid circles over her clit. Hermione let out a string of vocals, feeling herself pulsate over Snape, finally receiving her climax. Snape was not far behind her. In the next few strokes, she could feel his warm fluid start to fill her.

"Fuck." He said breathlessly, staying where he was for several moments. "What an insatiable minx you turned out to be." He laid on his back beside her. They each took several minutes to bask in the moment. Hermione rolled over to lay partially on his chest, tracing patterns into his chest hair. "If it wasn't so late, I think I'd like to try and work you up again." Snape grabbed her up and placed her rightly in the bed. "Let's not test you on that." Hermione slid her hand up his thigh and she laughed softly as he twitched away from her.

"Wretched witch." He said, turning out the lights as he made himself more comfortable. Hermione moved back onto his chest, her head resting in the crook of his neck. She kissed him there, "Are you going to leave?" She worried for a moment that he would since the deed was done. "Would you like me to leave?" He asked her in return.

"No, I'd like very much for you to stay." Her hands held him tighter. Snape grazed his hand up the length of her. "That's good, I hadn't planned on getting up for the next several hours." She made a content noise under his hand. "Severus, will this change our relationship with one another?" Snape moved his hand away from her, and turned towards her. "Hermione, if you plan on keeping us up all night, let me at least make a pot of tea."

He acted to push himself up from the bed, but Hermione pushed him back down, her hair falling over him. "Stay, I won't ask anymore questions." Snape moved her hair as they settled back down, "Let's say that our relationship has become decidedly more complicated as well as extremely more rewarding." Hermione thought about this for a moment, smiling to herself, "I agree, it's very rewarding." She could feel sleep beginning to take over.

"Goodnight, Severus." He placed an arm around her, the other moving on top of her hand where it laid on his chest.

"Goodnight."

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Snape woke first to realize they were late. The pleasantries of the morning would have to wait. He woke Hermione with a gentle shake, and after explaining their tardiness she moved faster than he had ever seen her move before. Snape was forced to don the same clothes he wore the day before while Hermione picked up leggings and a sweatshirt.

He raised an eyebrow at her for her choice in garments, "It's not as if anybody will see them anyway." She wandlessly magicked her hair into decent order and then threw it back into a distressed ponytail. She ran to the bathroom while Snape exited it, reaching for both of their dress robes. He laid hers out on the bed and dressed himself in his. When she exited the bathroom he grabbed her suddenly and kissed her passionately. He kissed her again, and then when she pulled away slightly, he pulled her in again.

She all but melted into his arms, but then shook her head and pushed him away from her. "Oh no you don't." She grabbed her dress robes from the bed and slung them on. They both moved to the door. "I'll see you at the Welcoming Feast then?" Snape nodded sharply and left ahead of her. He headed straight for the Headmistress's office, where she was sure to be waiting for him, wondering where the hell he was.

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Meanwhile, Hermione walked to the entrance gates, where she was placed to greet the older students. Professor Flitwick was also there, she could see the students nearly at the gate. "Sorry I'm late, Filius." He made a motion of checking his watch.

"It would seem to me that you are right on time." Hermione smiled graciously at him and then, with both of their wands drawn, opened the gates to Hogwarts. The oldest students ushered in quickly. They didn't need much help, now veterans to the welcoming process. Hermione sorted out the class prefects and led them to their assigned groups to organize students before the welcoming feast. Flitwick and herself went back and forth from the gates until all the students, through the second years, since Hagrid, and now Snape, were in charge of the first years, had been escorted inside.

It gave her time to appreciate all the hard work the school went into making sure things went perfectly for the first day. Before she knew it, she was walking with Professor Flitwick to the Dinner Hall, where they would be seated at the high table. From there, they would wait for the entrance of the incoming first years and wait for them to be sorted. Hermione realized sadly that Snape would not arrive until the first years did, so all she could do was sit expectantly at the high table and wait for him.

At the very least, it gave her some time to think about the night before. Doing so gave her goosebumps on her entire body, lingering over some of the more passionate moments they had together. She tried to figure out the point where all of it seemed over her head, but she couldn't. Everything had felt so right, and so perfectly fell into place. Hermione never felt more at peace in her life.

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How Minerva had talked him into leading the first years around was beyond him. It was obvious that his name had gotten around to even their young ears. They all huddled around Hagrid the best they could. It seems they'd rather take their chances with the half-giant. He nearly smiled at the thought.

They arrived at the castle by boat, as per tradition, and filed the children into Hogwarts. It was early evening by then, and it took some time to move them quickly to the Dinner Hall. "Let's move, I haven't got all day." He said in a raised voice to some stragglers. He was in a hurry to get them to the Dinner Hall, not only because he knew how long the sorting hat took, but also because he found himself anxious to see Hermione.

Once it was clear the students were all headed in the right area, he moved behind a trick wall to access the high table. He walked out from behind a tapestry and noticed Hermione from the row of professors almost immediately. She was looking at the podium where Madam Hooch was beginning to welcome the students and explain the Sorting Hat. He moved subtly over to the empty seat next to Hermione and sat down beside her. He brushed his hand down her thigh, which startled her slightly, but she composed herself in the next second. She gave him a quick wink and then continued to focus on the event before her.

When the Sorting hat made its appearance, like every year, Snape tried to keep from sneering. This was, by far, the longest ceremonious tradition on the face of the planet, and he was ravenous, eating very little throughout the day. After the first hour went by, he saw Hermione's smile start to wan, and her clapping hands less enthusiastic. Even she could grow weary of the display. He wondered if she had more patience for it as a student. He guessed that she most likely did. When the last student was sorted, Snape visibly saw Hermione breathe in relief. She even straightened a bit when Minerva began her speech. Snape only caught the end of it:

"...the tragedies of life will always be with us; in the moments when we are sad and angry, even when we are our happiest, but our hearts will continue to grow. Although Hogwarts may not look like it did, once before, remember that it is not only the place of an unforgettable war, it is a place that will grow with your heart. For many of you, I hope, that Hogwarts will not just be your school, it will be your home." She paused and seemed to look at every student dearly before announcing. "Let the feast begin!" With a raise of her hands, food by the mounds appeared on the tables. The room erupted with applause and the sound of merry children.

"My goodness, has it always been that long?" Hermione commented, grabbing an assortment of food. She must have had as little to eat as he did. "Unfortunately so. The longer you're here, the longer it feels." He drawled, taking a bite out of a mince pie. He felt her lay her hand over his own, she peered wantonly at him, her eyes shining at him. She leaned towards him slightly, "And how was your day, Severus?" He took several moments to answer her, not sure if he had ever seen her so serious before. She looked at him as if they were the only two sharing the table.

"Hardly tolerable." He said in almost a daze, lost in her clear, amber eyes, "Morning was suitable however." She removed her hand from his and continued eating, the spell seeming to break. "I thought so too." She smirked in a wicked way, as if she was trying to control herself from laughing. "We can make up for the time, I'm sure." She added and then went on with pleasantries, taking time to address some of the other professors at the table as well.

Dinner passed so much more quickly than it ever had before, reflecting briefly while everybody was taking their leave, he knew the cause to be because he was actually enjoying the presence of a particular witch, who had taken up most, if not all, of his attention. He sat mesmerized, watching the way she interacted with their peers, the way she ate and drank, the occasional personal glances she gave to him.

They were walking to the doors in a group of people when a thought occurred to him that stopped him in his tracks. He paused so suddenly that Hermione gave him a concerned look. He shrugged slightly and continued moving as if it had been nothing, however, he had just realized that today he had not thought at all about Lily Evans, and that it was the first time in many years that she had not crossed his mind in some form or another. He let the thought pass and fade, to his own surprise, and let his attention fall back to the conversation that Hermione carried with Professor Sprout and a few others.

Due to the throng of people they walked with, it would not be possible for them to sneak off together that night. Not to mention that classes started the next morning, and he could see that they were both disappointedly on the same line of thinking. They parted ways in separate, smaller groups. She looked longingly at him, but otherwise kept her goodnight as normal as any other. He returned it in the same fashion and then began to lengthen his strides, not bothering to exchange anything more than a mere wave behind him to the others.

Getting into his dormitory alone made him deepen the scowl that seemed to always reside on his face. He told himself that once he was done with his classes the next day, he would go straight to Hermione's office to see her. He obviously knew the schedule of the Potion's classes better than he knew his new one. He knew that once his 4:00 o'clock class was finished, he could see her immediately after.

When he entered his room, the first thing he did was go to a drawer on one of his bookshelves. He pulled out a small booklet, black leather bound, almost identical to the one he had used his first few years of his teaching. He wrapped it in some fine paper and attached a small note to it. He didn't bother putting his name on it, She would know who it was from; a small gesture he hoped would encourage her and also give her something to organize her thoughts, which he knew she would appreciate.

The normalcy he felt about his relationship with Hermione often left his mind feeling backwards in his own head. As he made himself ready to go to bed that night, he wondered where their futures lied. Marriage seemed absurd for a man his age, but he wasn't totally against it. He actually shuddered at the idea of being called her boyfriend, the title felt extremely juvenile and left an image in his head that felt wrong. It was a conversation they would no doubt have in the near future.

He got into bed with these thoughts, laying with his arms behind his head, his lips pursed in thought. He wondered if he should make some tea to relax himself enough to sleep, but by the time he really considered getting up to do it, he was already falling asleep.

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Hermione woke up in a ball of nerves. It was still dark outside by the time she had gotten up, but knew she was too awake now to try and sleep for a few more hours. She made a large breakfast to take up time, but found that she could only eat a few bites. She considered taking a nerve potion, but knew she would be too proud to take it.

By the time she had gotten out of the shower, the sun was beginning to rise. She chose between several outfits and decided on a coral mid length dress. It was sleeved and would fit nicely under her professional robes. She spent several stressful minutes petting Crookshanks while looking out the window now that she was nearly ready. She left her hair down, but treated the curls better than she usually did, seeing as she had plenty of time to care for them properly.

She saw the owl before it had a chance to tap on the glass of the window. She received the small parcel and read the lovely, yet slightly suggestive note Snape wrote and opened the paper wrapped book. He had written her name inside the front cover and even magicked it to glow slightly. She felt slightly less nervous when she held it. It reminded her that this day would pass, and then the days after would only get easier. She decided the next course of action would be to go to her office and double check, many times over, that she had everything in place.

When the time came for her to descend into the classroom, she felt ready. She figured the students were probably far more nervous than she was, she knew she would be in a familiar setting, and she knew that her lesson plans were perfect. Since the first class would be introductions, she didn't bother to place the cauldrons on the tables, she would save that for the next class. She made sure the aisles were correct and the stools were all level, then she made her place behind the front desk. All that was left was to wait for the children to arrive.

It was only when she had gotten back to her office for the day, that she realized how quickly the day had passed. She took off the heavy robes she had begrudgingly worn and placed them on a coat rack she had gotten recently. She went to her desk and grabbed the small black book, making herself comfortable, and began organizing her thoughts about the events that occurred in the last few hours. She wrote as quickly as she could, trying to remember everything she wanted to include. She almost missed the knock on her office door.

"Come in." She smiled knowingly. She glanced up to confirm her guest to see Snape's refined movement as he placed himself into one of the two chairs in front of her desk. Hermione began closing the book, but Snape stopped her, "Finish your thoughts, I can wait." She nodded and went back to writing, looking up at him briefly to watch him pick up the new letters she had received the day before. She thought this was overly bold, even for him, but she found it more amusing than anything else. She was soon finished writing and she returned the book to it's new home in the first drawer of the desk.

"You still communicate with the Weasley boy?" His eyes still scanning the short letter. Hermione gave him a pointed look, "Yes, I still talk to Ron. He was my friend before he was anything else, you know." Snape placed the letter back on her desk carelessly. "It's to be expected I suppose, I imagine you two were rather, close?" He arched his eyebrow at her, inviting her to speak on the matter.

She looked at him in good humour. "Yes, we were together for a short time." She stood up from her desk and watched his eyes move up her legs. She moved around to the other side of the desk and leaned against it, still a few spaces away from him. "After the war, it became clear that our relationship with one another was one of solace. We always supported each other well, which continues to keep us good friends."

"I see." He said, no longer seeming interested in the subject. Hermione took it upon herself to close the space between them. She watched his eyes as they moved to the hem of her dress she was slowly raising. She stood over him, so his knees, which were extended past the chair, were between either of her legs. Snape sat up a little straighter. She continued to raise the hem of her dress until she was straddling the Professor comfortably. His hands moved up her bare thighs and into the dress, cupping her ass and pulling her more firmly against him.

"And how was your day, Ms. Granger?" His voice low and dark. Hermione let her hands brush through his hair and then clasp behind his neck. "It was good," She kissed him fully on the mouth, "but it could be better." Sheer lust worked across every movement of his glance to her. He worked her hips against him again, then moved his lips to her ear, "I've got just the thing for that." She shivered, her body responding to him automatically.

Hermione glanced over to the desk behind her, then back at him deviously. She began undoing the buttons of his tunic, "Why don't you.." He was moving his hands again, towards a more responsive area. Her breathing became labored, "bend me over that table and give it to me." Snape needed no further direction. He began pulling her dress up past her hips, kissing her as he did so, his fingers working to remove her panties.

A pronounced knock stopped them in their tracks. "Who the bloody hell could that be?" Snape said with true fury, quickly pulling Hermione's dress back down while she tried to button up his shirt with as much haste as she could muster. Snape all but lifted her off of him. Hermione raced back to the other side of her desk, all the while trying to straighten herself up while Snape reached for the door handle.

The knob was already turning when he pulled open the door. Several things shot off of Hermione's desk when Severus saw Oxford Browne standing before him. Hermione wondered what his reaction would have looked like if Snape had not been in control of himself. Severus towered over the man, his hand gripping the doorknob so fiercely, Hermione feared he'd take the whole door from the hinges.

"Oxford!" Hermione said, astonished by his sudden appearance. "What could bring you here so late in the evening?" Neither man seemed to hear her, with Snape's venomous aura and Oxford's giant ego, she couldn't guess what would come next.

Despite Snape's looming figure blocking the way in, Oxford managed to weasel past him. "Did you ask the same thing to Snape? Or do I get special treatment?" Snape all but set the small man aflame with rage. "I was invited." He voiced through his clenched teeth, each word said decidedly. Hermione did not like the energy they were creating.

Oxford chose to ignore his comment, carrying on as if he hadn't said anything. "I figured you to be the type of girl to occupy her time with better things." Hermione's eyes grew wide from his gall. "Severus and I meet quite often, it's not so unusual." It was obvious that he had offended her, but with all the confidence of the world he sat down. "I was hoping I may get in a few words with you," Oxford shifted a bit towards Snape, but did not look at him directly, "privately."

It was the last thing on the entire planet she wanted to do, but Snape's hand was already on his wand, and she realized she needed to get him out of the room before he did something to the garden gnome he might later regret. "Severus?" She called to him, but he did not remove his focus from Oxford. "Yes, pet?" He had no hardness in his voice when he addressed her. She looked at Oxford and tried to hide her grimace. "Perhaps we could have a few moments to discuss what's on Professor Browne's mind?" Snape looked up at her incredulously. "That way we can all continue with our evenings?" She added pointedly, hoping he understood her meaning.

"Very well." He growled, seeming to understand, but not liking the conditions by which they were to be met. Oxford smiled triumphantly, picking up some courage to look at Snape. "Bye then, old chap!" Professor Browne said in his best attempt of a cockney English accent. Snape refrained from saying anything, striding out of the room with vehemence. Oxford began straight away.

"Hermione, I can't help but be worried for you." He pressed his hands together while Hermione sat down behind her desk. "Worried.." she repeatedly vaguely. Oxford scooched his chair as close to hers as he was able with the giant office furniture between them. "I've read extensively on the matters of the war, the people involved in the war.." He trailed off then, hoping unsuccessfully that Hermione was following him. "Severus Snape was an extremely deceitful man, wasn't he?"

Hermione's entire face twisted, "You mean when he was constantly lying to Lord Voldemort? Or do you mean when he lied to save good people from dying?" Oxford paused at this. "Well, yes, but that's not my point.." Hermione raised her eyebrow at him, "What is your point then, Professor Browne?"

"My point is, " He reached across the desk, unsuccessfully to grab her hand, "you are likely unaware of it," Hermione had never realized how beady his eyes were until this point, "what I'm trying to say is.." Hermione leaned her head forward expectedly, "I believe, Severus Snape, is infatuated with you." Her jaw dropped and Oxford straightened himself considerably. "I know, I know! The idea of such a respected professor, a mentor even, taking advantage of such a bright young witch such as yourself is irreputable."

Hermione's hand flew over her mouth, "Oxford-" she began.

"Let me stop you right there! I know exactly what you're thinking, 'How do I have proof against such a remark? And I came prepared to answer that." Hermione's utter failure of speech gave Oxford the false sign she wished him to continue. "I've only been here for the past few weeks, but I gathered evidence that may shock you." He leaned on her desk, going into a lowered voice. "Firstly, he always seems to push himself in all of your affairs. Like the pub just the other night. The way he's always standing around you like a shadow, it makes him impossible to ignore, I'm sure. And believe me," he reached for her hand again as she inched it away, "I, in no way, hold you accountable for this. Secondly!" He demonstrated with two fingers on his hand. "I have found his eyes lingering where they shouldn't. Like he doesn't even care if he's caught!"

Hermione reddened slightly at this, but was now interested in Oxford's 'study'. She crossed her legs and put her best serious face on. "Thirdly, and the most vile act of them all; I found that his hands are a little free with you. For example, at the dinner hall last night, I saw him put his hand on your upper thigh. This is not the first time I've seen his hands wander." He shook his head from side to side and tsked, and looked at her with pitiful eyes. "Now, Hermione. You can trust me." His hand reached for hers for the third time, to no avail, "Has Severus Snape tried, in any way, to be forward with you?"

Hermione's brain was in overload, surely he had not been groping her so openly within the last few weeks. "Umm.." she managed, and then thought about the two of them just moments before. She sighed and looked at Oxford squarely. "Severus and I are sleeping together." What was the point in hiding it? It was bound to come out soon, why not tell the small man first? Oxford started and then looked out to the distance for a long time. He finally looked back at Hermione, paler than he usually appeared. "And by sleeping together you mean..?"

"We're fucking, very consensually." Hermione nodded matter-of-factly. Professor Browne's frown continued to deepen. He opened his mouth to say something several times before words actually came out. "I see, well then.. I guess there are no problems here." He clapped his hands as a permanent scowl lined his features. He seemed both amazed and in disbelief. He began to rise from his chair, "You and Snape?" He questioned one more time, to which Hermione continued to nod. He made his way to the door in an awkward gait.

"Wait, Oxford. I have one question for you. I've been dying to ask." She said standing up herself, unconcerned with her confession. "Yes?" Oxford replied, shuffling his feet to keep moving forward.

"Are you part gnome?" Oxford looked to the ground and then slowly back up.

"On my mother's side." He answered with tight lips, his demeanor paling worse than his skin. He gave a clumsy salute and shut the door behind him.

"I knew it." Hermione squealed delightfully.

\\\\

It had been at least a half hour since Snape returned to his quarters. He had half a mind to storm back down to Hermione's office and pull the cockroach out by his ears. He savoured the idea of petty torture when he heard Hermione's knock on the door. He let her in quickly and waited for her to speak first, "We've been caught." She said and started to laugh.

"How do you mean?" Severus moved them to his sitting room. Hermione plopped down gayly on his leather couch as her laughter died down. "It seems as though Professor Browne had noticed the actions, and wandering hands, of a certain professor." She glared at him, all smiles. "Perhaps he imagined it." Snape offered.

"Oh please!" She retorted, " I couldn't deny it, I told him I was shagging you." Snape raised an eyebrow at this and then sat down beside her. She broke out in another fit of laughter. She moved her legs across his lap and laid down fully, her hands wrapped across her stomach. Snape moved his hands up and down her calves. "Do you think he'll keep his trap shut about it?" He rather hoped he wouldn't, then he could use whatever means necessary to quiet him. He was well versed in the art.

Hermione lifted herself onto her elbows, "Keep quiet about you and I having a go in your sheets? I don't think so Severus." Snape squeezed her leg and looked at the opposite side of the room. "Technically I haven't 'had a go with you' in my sheets." He attempted to mimic, looking back at her suggestively and then spread her legs to look down her dress.

"You are utterly primitive, Severus." Hermione teased. Her foot caught him on the jaw and forced his attention back up to her. "I hope you don't mind that I told him, I know we haven't exactly had that talk yet. I was eager to get back to you." Her foot moved down the front of him, edging the crotch of his pants.

"Just don't call me your boyfriend." He drawled, pulling her towards him on the couch. "Besides, if I'm remembering correctly," Him becoming that of single mindedness, "you asked me to do something for you earlier?" Hermione swirled a lock of her hair between her fingertips, "I'm afraid I'm having a hard time remembering myself, you'll probably have to show me."

"I'll have to ask you to step into my office then, Ms. Granger." His fingers already stimulating her through her undergarments. Hermione grabbed his busy hand and stood. She reached from under her dress and slid her panties off and then dropped them at his feet. "After you, Professor." Snape stood and pulled her to him, kissing her good and breathless before leading her to the door of his office.

Hermione took the lead, turning around to him as soon as he had closed the door. She moved her hand to his hardening shaft, and then with the other hand she undid his belt. Snape untucked her hair, moving it away from her face as she did this. Her hands then moved away all the obstacles from his massive cock. She got down on her knees, "Is this acceptable to you, Severus?"

"God's yes, woman." He peered down at her full cleavage, encouraged by his vantage point. Even in his past fantasies, nothing could have prepared him for the moment her mouth graced the head of his member. A deep sound of pleasure came from Severus's throat, Hermione only taking him deeper. She let her tongue slide down the base of him and back up to give the head of his sensitive cock more attention.

It did not pass Snape's attention when one of her hands began stroking him as her mouth worked fiendishly on him, while the other traveled under her dress, which she had pulled up, to pleasure herself. His shaft twitched as he imagined herself rolling her fingers over her clitorus. Her mouth was moving over him again, but Snape was getting impatient.

He pulled himself away from her sensational tongue, bending down to kiss her before pulling her up again. He kissed her two times irritatingly gently and then turned her around so her ass was pushed against his erection. His hands traveled up her waist and then to the base of her throat, he turned her head to kiss her more roughly and then bent her over his desk. She readily helped him by pulling her dress back over her hips and then spreading her legs so he had a full view of her.

"That's my girl." Hermione's head was turned toward him slightly, her eyes were begging him, "Are you going to make me wait all night?" Snape approached her, laying his hands wide around her hips, the coyness of the witch set a dangerous fire in him. He took a good handful of them in each of his hands and slammed his cock deep inside her, making her scream his name.

He thrusted like this several times before starting to rhythmically pump himself into her. Hermione let out a continuous moan, her hands now at the edge of the table. He slipped out of her and moved his member across her lips and clit several times in the same motion before entering her again, causing Hermione's legs to shake beneath her. "Severus, I'm close."

At this, Severus pulled out again and turned her to face him. Her mouth went to his immediately, while she trailed kisses down and around his neck and jawline, Snape told her, "I want to see you cum." She looked into his eyes with her own bright ones. He unzipped her dress from the back and slid off the ruined fabric. His hands cupped her breasts and then with one hand rolling her firm nipple, the other went to working her center.

He glided his hands between her folds, entering her with his finger, and then two, then out to massage her clit. Hermione's hands were back gripping the table. Severus leaned down and began taking turns gently sucking and licking her soft mounds. She was convulsing by his touch, he looked up right as the moment happened. Hermione threw her head back blissfully, an array of pleasurably sounds escaping her mouth. She jerked under his hand several times, her hips bucking of their own accord. Snape began stimulating himself as he watched her, his own pleasure reaching its peak.

His emissions covered her navel and breasts and then all they could do was stare at each other, completely used. Severus wiped the sweat from his forehead that had collected in his efforts. "Don't worry, you'll get bored of me soon enough" Hermione joked, standing candidly before him.

Severus took several more deep breaths, "God's I hope so. Then I'd be able to think properly around you." Hermione frowned a little bit at this, but Snape kissed her anyway. "Only teasing." She gave Snape a somewhat pitiful look, "Clean me up, won't you?" Snape made a gestural bow to her before grabbing the clothes that had come off of him. "I'll only be a moment."

He went back into his dormitory to grab his wand, leaving the door open so he could still gaze at his work on her naked body. He said an incantation that did the job well and then picked up anything leftover. Hermione made her way towards his bed once it was finished and went straight under the covers. "Tired already?" he continued to tease, losing the rest of his clothing to join her.

"Maybe I just wanted to see what kind of sheets you used." She fanned a hand across the grey silk, not suppressing the yawn that came after. "Obviously." his sarcastic tone serious. "I was up too early this morning, and then you came along and took what was left of me." Hermione's tone acted accusingly against him. "I'm afraid I won't apologize for that." Snape watched her, realizing that her sleepiness was somewhat contagious.

She backed herself against him, pulling his arm around her before he had the chance to do it himself. She hugged his hand close to her and sighed contently. He rubbed her back with his other hand until her breathing shifted and he knew she was asleep. Then he allowed himself to close his eyes and drift to sleep as well.

\\\\

She awoke with his large hand over her breasts and took a long breath in, surrounded by the smell of Severus Snape. Her small movement caused the man beside her to stir. "We aren't late again, are we?" Hermione shook her head no. "We're actually on the early side." He didn't answer for a while, and Hermione thought he had fallen back asleep.

She turned to face him and although his eyes were closed he made small circles down her arms. "Breakfast?" He questioned simply, cracking one eye open. "Are you cooking?" she asked.

"Of course." He rose slowly from the bed and, in all his naked greatness he walked into the kitchen and began preparing the meal like he would a potion. "Stay put." He told her before she could rise. "What if I wanted to watch?" she complained, but otherwise remained very comfortable where she laid.

He snorted at this and continued to cook. He put on some classical music while he worked and Hermione leaned on her elbow to get a better view of him. "Do you often cook in the nude, Severus?" He moved things around the stove, looking ready to plate what he had made. He thought a moment before answering, "Only for ex-students of mine."

"Severus!" Hermione cackled. "That is not funny." Snape began walking back to her with two prepared plates and smirked at her. "Your breakfast, Ms. Granger." She grabbed a piece of buttered toast from the plate and bit the corner of it and moaned purposefully.

Snape dropped the fork he was using, and Hermione went on eating, staring up at him through her lashes. "I suppose that means you like it?" She laughed despite herself, "Yes, it's very adequate." He nodded appreciatively and they continued to eat while talking about their lesson plans.

"We sound like a regular married couple, Severus." Hermione commented as he returned from taking their plates back to the kitchen. "Do we?" He questioned, oblivious to what that would look like. "Or are you suggesting I come out with a giant ring?" He laid comfortably back down beside her.

"Is that a proposal?" She asked back, half joking.

"Not at this very moment," He grazed his eyes over the pristine woman laying next to him, "but I guess I'd be a stupid bastard if I didn't."

Hermione stretched herself out and then rolled herself on top of him arching her hand over his head, "Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape." She placed her hands on either side of his face. "What a power couple we would be, maybe too powerful."

"I'd put my money on us." He began running his fingers through her hair. "The sex alone would put anybody to shame."