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Chapter 10

Severus greatly appreciated the hotel standard white towelling dressing gown which was thrust to him, and he hastily put it on to cover himself up muttering a thanks to Hermione. While he had no problem with being naked around her, Daphne Greengrass and Ron Weasley were a long way down the list of people who he wanted to be seen naked by.

"Hermione?" Weasley angrily snapped at her.

"What, Ronald?"

Hermione had a tone to her voice which in a smarter man would have caused him to be quiet. Ron Weasley was not a smarter man.

"Why is Snape here?" The boy was angry to the point of combustion point, his face and neck were bright red and clashing with his ginger hair. His wand was still pointing at Severus, and his non-wand hand was clenched at his side like a stroppy toddler.

Hermione crossed her arms across her chest, causing the dressing gown to ride up slightly and show more of her shapely legs.

"Why do you think?"

"Tell me you are not sleeping with him?" Weasley shouted at her.

"And why would tell you that?" Her voice was calm. Too calm.

"Because … because…," Weasley turned his attention back onto Severus, giving him a laughable attempt at a glare. "You need to stay away from her."

Before Severus had chance to answer, Hermione had stepped forward and moved closer to Weasley, standing in between him and her ill-tempered friend. "You need to stay out of my business. It is none of your concern who I chose to sleep with. And lower your bloody wand."

"I will point my wand at whoever I want."

"Not here, you will not. And not at him." She prodded him in the chest with a manicured nail. "And I would suggest that you go into your room and be quiet."

"But …"

Ignoring him, Hermione turned her back on Weasley and looked up to Severus. "I'm sorry, I completely forgot that I was sharing the suite. Please stay?"

"Hermione!" Weasley whined.

"Ron, be quiet." This time it was his wife who told him off, and he turned to glare at her.

"She's sleeping with Snape!"

"I got that. And good for her."

"What?"

"It's her life; she can sleep with whomever she choses. As long as she remembers a silencing charm, anyway." Daphne gave Hermione a look that he didn't want to interpret, and grabbed Ron pushing him, still protesting, into the other room.

Severus ran a hand through his hair. "I think I really need that drink now."

"I know. And I think I need something stronger than wine." She went over to the cellarette and pulled out a bottle of firewhisky and two glasses, pouring them both a healthy measure. "You didn't answer me. Will you stay?"

"You want me to?" He had to admit to being a little surprised by that.

"I remember you telling me I was a rubbish liar. Do you think I am?" She looked at him earnestly and he saw the truth in her eyes.

"No, I don't. And yes I would like to stay."

She smiled at him. "Good." She held out her hand and guided him back into the bedroom, shutting and warding the door, and setting a silencing charm.

"I'd have left that off." Fuck Weasley, after all.

"Slytherin," she said with a smile. He shrugged at her accusation. "It's for Daphne's benefit, not Ron's."

"Fair point."

Hermione headed into the bathroom and sat down on the stool in front of the vanity table. "I really need to take all these pins out, would you mind helping?"

Severus nodded and went to stand behind her. Despite the fact they'd twice had sex, this seemed oddly intimate. He pulled the many pins from her hair placing them on the counter and wondered how she had used quite so many. When Hermione was able to run her hands through her hair without pulling more pins out and had plaited it, she stood and turned to him.

"Bed?"

He nodded. "I'd like that."

She leaned up to place a soft kiss on his mouth then took his hand and led him to the large bed, taking the left hand side as she had done when they'd slept together at his cottage. Once they'd both removed their dressing gowns he crawled into his side of the bed and laid on his back. As soon as she got in, she rolled over and snuggled into his side, her head on his chest.

He could honestly say he didn't think a woman had ever snuggled into him before. He lifted his right arm allowing her to get closer and wrapped it around her.

"I bet you didn't think you'd ever be in this situation?" She asked, a smile in her voice as she softly stroked his chest.

"In bed with one of my most annoying students? The insufferable know-it-all?" She jabbed him in the ribs with a fingernail. "No, I didn't. And if you were twenty years younger I can safely say that I wouldn't have. But everything is different now. Who could have expected i'd find myself over twenty-one years later without having aged a day?"

"I know. I've always wanted a toy-boy."

It was Severus' turn to poke her in the ribs, something that elicited a yelp of ticklishness. He ran his left hand down her arm absent as he thought for a few moments.

"Where do we go from here?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. But I enjoy spending time with you, and I've spent a lot of time thinking about you over the last few months. Probably too much time."

"Likewise," he admitted.

"So I would like to see you again," she continued.

Severus certainly wanted to see more of her, but he did have his reservations. "You do know that I have received death threats? That there are people on both sides who would quite happily see me locked up in Azkaban or actually dead. I wouldn't want to put you in that firing line."

And he genuinely didn't. Although he didn't know the witch well, certainly as an adult woman, he'd rather be alone than risk her being hurt or worse because of him.

She leaned up on an elbow and met his eyes. "There are already many witches and wizards who would quite happily see me dead as well. And yes, I do know about the death threats, so I want you too to be careful. But I have never cared what people think of me, and I'm not about to start now."

He gently stroked her wild hair to calm her. "Maybe, but you are Minister for Magic now. You do need to think a little bigger."

She rolled her eyes at that comment.

"You know, earlier tonight a particularly vile wizard by the name of Shadrack Parkinson informed me that while it was okay I'd been elected Minister as a single witch, it was expected that I marry as soon as possible. He graciously offered himself up as a date."

"You're not accepting?" he asked with a smirk.

"Surprisingly enough, no. So people can't have it both ways. They either want me to marry or they don't."

"Are you asking me to marry you?" He gave her a teasing jab of the ribs again, while she went bright red.

"What? No? That's not what I'm saying … I …," she was getting adorably flustered.

But since when did he ever think anyone was adorable? He was clearly getting soft in his old age.

"I know, Hermione,' he reassured her. "But there is a difference between you hooking up with someone like Parkinson, a known and surprisingly respected businessman, and a former Death Eater."

She frowned at him and he noticed her vision straying to his left inner arm where the faded mark of the Dark Lord was an abhorrent reminder of his past. He wished he'd thought to cover it with a glamour.

"Well I don't care. And I know what you did, Severus Snape. I know that you are a good man. And believe me, Shadrack Parkinson is a long way down the list of wizards I'd like to sleep with."

He couldn't help but feel a little weight lift from him at her declaration that she thought he was a good man. He'd done some downright reprehensible things in the past, and there were moments when he felt that he probably did deserve the punishment some wanted to throw at him. But he had tried to make up for the mistakes he'd made, and his conversation with Potter had certainly helped in that regard.

"Thank you."

She gave him a look he couldn't quite interpret, and leaned in to kiss him softly on the lips. He met her kiss, and deepened it as she wrapped herself around him.

"Mmmm, that's nice. But I am also really tired, right now. It's been a busy and stressful evening. Resume in the morning?"

"Definitely," he answered her. "I'll look forward to it."

.

Waking up next to Severus was particularly enjoyable, especially as she woke with his lips to her neck, and his fingers gently coaxing her between her legs. She was definitely enjoying sex with him, and she was also sure that she was enjoying it more than she had with any other man. She was a bit worried about what that meant, as she didn't really know where this was heading, but she was determined to enjoy what was starting between the two of them.

After eliciting an orgasm from her, he rolled her onto her side facing him. She lifted her leg onto his hips and helped guide him inside her. She kissed him gently between the low groans and moans she couldn't help but make, and when he slid his long and talented fingers between them to rub her clit, she went off like a firework. It didn't take long for him to join her.

"I could get used to this," she told him in her post-orgasmic haze.

"So could I."

She wasn't sure that he sounded one hundred per cent convinced. "You're sure?"

"Yes. Sorry. It's just …," he sighed deeply. "Good things don't normally happen to me. I've been on guard for practically my whole life. I'm something of a natural pessimist."

She leaned up and kissed his lips, feeling a little heartbroken for him that he'd had such a horrible life. She wasn't sure where this was going to end up, but she hoped that even if they didn't last, she could give him something enjoyable. She hoped at the very least they could remain friends if it didn't work out.

"I think we should take this one day at a time. Or at least one week at a time. Do you have plans for this weekend? I'd like to cook for you."

"Can you cook?"

She slapped him on the chest. "I'll have you know that I'm an excellent cook. Any foods you don't like?"

"Not really, although I don't have the biggest appetite. However saying that I'm sure Malfoy's elf has been trying to fatten me up."

"You do look healthier than the last time I saw you."

"That's hardly saying much."

"So escargots okay with you?"

"If I remember my French correctly, that's snails. I'll leave those to the Hippogriffs if you don't mind."

"Fine. I do make a particularly good beef madras curry if you'd like that."

"Now that sounds more up my street. As long as you have mango chutney, naan bread and popadoms."

"And this is coming from the man who doesn't have a good appetite."

"What can I say. The one thing I did enjoy as a kid was a good curry from the local curry house. That and the pie, mash and gravy."

She smiled to herself. "Yes, I always forget that you're actually a Northerner. You don't have an accent."

He rolled his eyes. "Softy Southerner. I made sure I never really adopted the local accent. I was already gong to be a poor kid heading to Hogwarts, I didn't need to provide any more reasons to be bullied. Of course, at it happened Potter, Black and Co. found enough."

She kissed him softly on the chest. "I'm sorry you went through that at school. From what I know you didn't deserve it."

He shrugged. "I didn't. But I did give as good as I got. If it hadn't been for the fact that there were four of them and one of me, it would have been a much different time. Not one of those bastards would ever have tried to take me on if they didn't have their friends around them. Cowards, the lot of them."

They were both silent for a few moments.

"Thank you for seeing Harry. I do know that he really appreciated speaking to you. I hope that it helped you as well."

"It did. Did he tell you about our conversation?" He seemed a little put out at the thought.

She shook her head. "No, only that the two of you did talk and clear the air."

Severus leaned in and kissed her forehead again. "Turns out he's not as big a prick as his father was. I do think that your influence probably helped with that."

"I don't think so," she said, meaning it. "Harry had a pretty shitty time growing up. No matter what you thought at the time, he was never going to be the same person his father was."

He smiled. "We can agree to disagree on that one."

After they'd both showered - albeit separately so they didn't get handsy again - they went tentatively into the communal living area of the suite, pleased to see that it was only Daphne who was waiting there. Although Hermione would have preferred for them to still be alone.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione asked.

"Gone to pick up the kids from Molly. He's still sulking. You know what he can get like. I almost told him to leave last night, but he did eventually calm down and apologise. Albeit to the wrong person, obviously."

"I do know all too well what Ron is like. And he's always been protective of me. I'll speak to him once he's had a few days to cool off."

She turned to Severus who had put on his outer robes. "I'll see you Saturday then?"

He nodded to her and Daphne and then left without saying anything else. Hermione flopped down onto the sofa next to Daphne and stared up at the ceiling.

"I'm surprised you can walk straight this morning," Daphne told her in a no-nonsense tone. She threw a hand in Daphne's direction who easily dodged it. "If I'd have known what he was packing I'd have been hot for teacher while at Hogwarts."

"Daphne!"

"What? I would have. Lucky cow."

"I am not having this conversation with you."

"Then you should have remembered that you were sharing the suite. But clearly your brain was so sex-addled from all the orgasms he no doubt gave you with that one-eyed monster that you no doubt forgot."

Hermione felt her face go even redder. She wasn't used to this kind of talk with Daphne considering Hermione was her husband's ex.

"Hell," Daphne continued on, "the man's practically a tripod."

"Please stop!"

"I'm just jealous."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the comparison. Daphne had every right to be envious.

Her friend summoned a house elf and asked for a tray of teas for the two of them, and a selection of breakfast. After they'd both eaten and drunk their tea, she continued grilling Hermione.

"So was last night the first time? You seemed quite protective of him."

Hermione considered not answering that correctly, but thought better of it.

"No. We ended up sleeping together after we met at Malfoy Manor after Harry's Birthday. Things didn't end quite so well that time. By the morning he'd regretted it."

"In fairness I'm sure the man does have some issues."

"We talked. I think he's had the time to think things through."

"Does Harry know?"

"Possibly, though not full details. I kind of slipped up before Christmas, but I didn't go into the specifics. He at least can be subtle."

"Unlike Ron, you mean. You do know all of the Weasleys will know about this by lunchtime."

She sighed and flung her arm over her eyes. "Yes, I do know that. Remind me to stay away from the lot of them. Just please don't tell anyone - Ginny in particular - about what we've discussed this morning?"

She gave her a wicked grin. "You mean about the size of Severus Snape's enormous cock?"

"Daphne!"

"You don't think Ron has already told everyone?"

"For some reason I'm not sure that that's a point Ron will be spreading around."

"Point taken, he's always been the jealous sort." Daphne grinned at Hermione, who just shook her head at her friend.

.

Three days later on the Saturday Hermione had cleaned her house from top to bottom and had spent the afternoon slow cooking the beef madras curry. She'd even made her own naan breads, mango chutney, lime pickle and raita, but had store bought back ups in case they hadn't turned out well. She hadn't even attempted making the poppadoms as they looked way too difficult.

At precisely seven when he'd said he'd arrive, there was knock at her door. She smiled to herself at his punctuality and opened the door.

As she let him in, he handed her a cardboard wine carrier containing a bottle of red wine and five bottles of Indian beer. After thanking him and taking his coat, she led him nervously into her living room.

"It's good to see you again," she told him. "I was worried you might have regrets."

"None whatsoever," he reassured her taking a seat on her sofa. "Although I did have a rather odd experience when I ran into Bill Weasley earlier today."

"Oh god!" Hermione sat down on the sofa next to him, but leaving a space in between them. She placed her hands over her face. "What happened?"

"Nothing much, just he gave me this rather odd smile, and told me to make sure that I was nice to you."

"I'm sorry. Ron would have told his family about what happened in the hotel, and not one of them can keep anything to themselves."

"I am aware of what Weasleys are like, believe me. And I do not care what any of them have to say about me. As long as you don't have any regrets?"

"No, I don't. I've been looking forward to seeing you this evening."

"As have I." He held his hand out to her, but then turned his head, something catching his eye and doing a double take. "What the hell is that? That's the biggest cat I've ever seen not in a zoo."

She followed his line of vision and smiled. "Meet Elphaba." She held out her hand out to the enormous tabby cat who trotted over and rubbed her giant head against Hermione's hand before climbing up on the sofa between them and flomping over onto her side. "She's half kneazle and half Maine Coone cat. They both are. I'm sure Willow will be along soon, the two are fairly inseparable."

Within a few moments Willow had stalked into the room, surveyed all she saw and promptly jumped up onto Severus' lap, half sitting on the arm of the sofa as his lap wasn't big enough. Since Willow was completely black, she disappeared into the black trousers and shirt that Severus was wearing.

He started scratching the cat's head and she started her rattly purr.

"You have a friend there. Willow is not normally so friendly. She absolutely hates Harry and Ron, and, well, almost all of my friends, bar Daphne."

Severus smiled scratching the cat between her ears. "Ah, a Slytherin cat."

Hermione couldn't help the laugh that escaped her mouth. "You're probably right there. She's as sneaky as anything."

"I seem to have friends who have a thing for oversized pets. You've met Lucius' two enormous hounds."

"I have indeed. I'm still not sure I see him as a dog person though."

"Out of interest, what kind of pets do you see him with?"

"Would it be stereotypical to say snakes?"

"What, because you own two part lions?" He'd stopped stroking Willow who head butted his hand in an attempt to get him to continue. "Believe it or not, neither of us are the biggest fans of snakes. I didn't mind them before the Dark Lord's return, but I hated Nagini. She'd always had this sense of utmost evil about her. I can only assume it was because she was a Horcrux."

Hermione assumed that considering the snake bite he received from her, he liked snakes even less now.

"I know the two of you are unlikely to ever be friends, but Lucius is not as bad as you probably think he is. He has a tendency to put on a front around those that aren't close friends or family."

"He's definitely never going to be a friend." She said resolutely with a shake of her head. "I'm not sure that I can forgive him for all that he did during the war. I appreciate he wasn't quite in the same league as some of Voldemort's other follows, but …"

"You know," Severus cut her off, "Lucius knew my history with Lily. And ultimately, he knew that I was a spy."

Hermione frowned at him, certainly feeling surprised. "Really?"

"Yes. Lucius isn't the best occlumens in the world, but he never did anything to warrant the Dark Lord searching his thoughts for such information. Ultimately Lucius had knowledge that if he'd told the Dark Lord to save his own back, would have resulted in a very different ending."

Hermione sat back and absently stroked Elphaba. If Malfoy had told Voldemort that Severus was a spy, there was no doubt that he'd have killed Severus, probably after a whole lot of torture. And without Severus, there was no way the war would have been won.

"I guess that's given me a lot to think about," she told Severus truthfully.

He gave her a small smile. "I didn't mean to make the tone so sombre."

"No, it's fine. I guess there are things I don't know."

Severus gave her a mock expression of surprise. "Something the insufferable know-it-all doesn't know? And the world hasn't caved in on itself?"

She leaned over the cats and thumped his softly on the arm. "You're the one who called me a know-it-all. It's not something I've ever said." She stood up and dragged Willow off of Severus' lap who groaned a protest before curling up with Elphaba. "I'm going to put the rice on, want to join me in the kitchen?"

He stood up and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I'd like that."

She smiled to herself as she led him into the kitchen feeling oddly content for the first time in a long time.

…

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