Chapter Two

Severus was more than willing to give the little twit a piece of his mind. "Any rational being would be grateful for my assistance in running off that dunderhead whom you apparently had the poor judgment not only to associate with publicly, but to copulate with as well. Once again proving that old saying, 'There's no accounting for taste.' It is apparent to me that your ingratitude knows no bounds." Before the girl could draw breath to reply, he was off again, ready and willing to expand his tirade. "He was about to use his wand on you—and I am not using that term euphemistically. Who knows what nefarious plans he may have had? I must say, Miss Granger, for all of your much lauded intelligence, it is seems clear to me that today, your actions were just plain stupid."

"Shut up," she rasped out. "Can't breathe."

Severus gaped at her in shock and was about to rip her a new one when he realized that something was wrong, dreadfully wrong. Granger was bent over, hands braced on her knees, as she tried unsuccessfully to catch her breath. She stood up, cupping her hands over her face, and he noticed that her lips were taking on a blueish cast.

"Shit!" he snarled as he grabbed her hands, jerking them away from her face.

She tried to pull out of his grasp. "What are you doing? Take your hands off me," she snapped, or tried to, but it came out as little more than a whisper. "Let. Go."

"Granger, wait. Stop. Listen to me," he ordered, even as she continued to struggle. He grabbed her upper arms and gave her a little shake for emphasis. "Hermione! Damn it, listen to me. Listen!"

He'd never used her first name before, ever. She froze. He had her attention now. "It's the lilies. You're allergic, yes?" She nodded in affirmation. "After the way you beat that idiot with them, the pollen must be all over your hands, your clothes, your hair. Every time you rub your eyes or cover your mouth I'm sure you're breathing in high concentrations of it."

She nodded her understanding. Her breathing was taking on a more ominous wheezing sound as she struggled to inhale.

He cast a quick cleansing spell over her to try to reduce the residual pollen. "Do you carry a Muggle Epi Pen?"

Hermione shook her head. "Never...had...this bad of...a reaction," she gasped. "Can't...breathe."

"It's alright, don't panic. Come with me, I have something that will help." Severus started to lead her to his hidden bench but she stumbled and nearly fell. He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and held her up as he proceeded to half carry-half drag her over to the bench. Shoving aside the book and jacket he'd left there, he helped her sit down. He sat beside her and reached down and grabbed a worn black backpack. Unzipping it, he reached into the bag, his arm sinking in nearly to his shoulder. Seeing her eyes widen, he said, "My own version of your special beaded bag."

In spite of her distress, the corner of her mouth quirked up and she wheezed, "Heard...about that...did you?"

He frowned as he fumbled around in the bag, finally using his wand to summon the particular vials he was searching for. "Don't talk. And yes, I must have heard about every clever thing you've ever done, thanks to Minerva. You always were her favorite Gryffindor, you know."

Hermione's hand clutched at his as she struggled to draw a breath. "S...Sev...Severus... getting worse."

"Shhh... you're going to be alright, I've got this." Severus vigorously shook the vial of deep blue potion even as he spoke and hoped like hell he was right. He uncorked the stopper and, lifting the vial to her lips, gently tipped her head back and carefully poured in half of the potion. He gently stroked her throat to encourage her to swallow, while explaining that the potion should bring quick relief for the worst of the swelling in her throat and lungs.

He took another vial from the backpack, added it to the remaining contents of the first one, and shook it again. He poured the mixture onto a fresh handkerchief he'd summoned from the depths of his backpack, soaking the cloth with the solution then tapping it with his wand. Turning towards her he instructed, "The second vial I added should help vaporize the potion. I'm going to hold this over your nose and mouth. I want you to inhale the vapors so the potion can get directly to your lungs. Try to relax and take slow breaths."

Hermione tried to follow his instructions, but not well enough to suit Severus. "Turn away and lean back onto me," he said as he turned towards her and maneuvered her into position, pulling her back against him. She stiffened, but he said gently, "Relax. Breathe slowly in, hold it for a few seconds, then a long slow exhale. Like this." He demonstrated the technique once, then replaced the cloth over her nose and mouth as his other arm wound around her side so he could press his hand just below her sternum. "Deep, here from the diaphragm. Breathe with me now, Hermione."

She was responding well, so he kept speaking softly in her ear. "Good, keep breathing with me. Close your eyes and just relax, concentrate on the air moving in and out of your lungs." His words seemed to be soothing her, so he continued murmuring words of encouragement. "Excellent... Keep breathing... in—hold—out... That's it."

Several minutes passed as Hermione followed Snape's orders. Tense at first, she eventually relaxed into him. Her head rested against his shoulder and somehow her left hand ended up on the back of his as it pressed over her diaphragm, her fingers entwined with his. Her right hand clutched his knee in a death grip at first. Amazingly, as his smooth black-velvet voice flowed over her, soothing her, her breathing calmed, and that hand, too, relaxed. She found herself inadvertently stroking him softly from knee to mid thigh, up and down. The muscles in his leg tightened in reaction, and when she realized what she was doing, she jerked stiffly upright and tried to pull away.

"I'm fine now," she insisted.

"Shhh... not yet, relax. I need you to inhale the vapors for another three or four minutes at least." he said, still holding the cloth to her face. "Your breathing is better, but I want to be sure. Just stay here with me a few minutes longer."

Hermione nodded and let herself sink back against him again. She silently continued to breathe in and out, matching her rhythm to his. His hand remained firmly pressed to her upper abdomen and it seemed to radiate a warmth that spread through her body. Meanwhile, he continued to murmur directions and encouragement and his warm breath tickled her ear. Another—different—sort of heat arose within her. Butterflies started to flutter in her belly, as her breasts tingled and her nipples hardened to tight little peaks. The sensation shot down her body to settle between her legs. She squirmed, and he admonished her to be still and keep breathing. His commanding tone only seemed to make her hotter.

Great goddess, what on earth was wrong with her? She was getting turned on by Professor Snape. How could this happen? She'd never even thought of him in that context before. She'd respected him as her teacher and had appreciated his protection all those years at Hogwarts, and she'd even admired him for his role in the war as a double agent against Voldemort. However, she'd never once thought of him in a sexual way—until now.

He shifted slightly behind her, his arm tightening and pulling her even closer against his hard chest. Without meaning to she moaned softly as another wave of arousal washed through her.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concern evident in his tone. "Your breathing pattern shifted suddenly, it's gone all fast and shallow now."

What a polite way of pointing out that she was panting like a bitch in heat. She was acting like a lust-potion-dosed teenager. The man didn't even like her, for Salazar's sake! Did he? Could he? Was it worth the risk to her battered ego to find out? Hermione contemplated for a moment before pulling away from him.

"If you're having trouble drawing in a deep breath, perhaps the potion vapor is not as effective as I'd hoped. I should take you to St. Mungo's."

"No, really, I am fine now. Thanks to you, Profes... Severus." Start as you mean to go, her gran had always said. Perhaps if she could keep him on a first name basis, he might think of her as something more than a former student or royal pain in his arse. "I know you didn't have to help me, especially after I was so rude to you earlier. I really do appreciate all of your assistance."

"Nonsense, Miss Granger..."

"Please, I much preferred it when you called me Hermione earlier. I'd like it very much if you would continue to do so."

He looked suspicious at first, small frown lines appearing between his brows. Finally he replied, "Very well, as you wish, Hermione. I do think that even though you seem to be recovered, it really would be advisable to go to St. Mungo's and let the Healers check on you."

"I honestly don't think that's necessary. It's as you suspected, I do have a reaction to lilies, although it's never been this severe before. Of course I've avoided them like the plague for years so I haven't really been exposed to even a small dose of the pollen. The amount that I breathed in today must have overwhelmed my system. If you hadn't been here, I don't know what would have happened. You saved my life, Severus."

"I don't know that I'd go so far as to say that," he objected, as he began to gather his things together.

"Well, I would," she responded firmly. "By the time I realized what was happening, I don't think I'd have had the concentration necessary to Apparate to St Mungo's, or even to send a Patronus for help. So I do thank you again. In fact, why don't you let me buy you a drink..." She looked at her watch. "...or maybe dinner? I know a lovely little pub just a few blocks from the west entrance of the park. It's quiet and the food is good."

Severus shook his head. "That isn't necessary," he said gruffly. "You don't owe me anything." He turned as if to leave.

Hermione reached out to put her hand on his arm, stopping him. His eyes dropped to her hand then rose to meet hers, his gaze narrowed with a suspicious look. She dropped her hand as if she'd been burned. "I didn't ask you because I think I owe you something," she said. "I'd just like some decent company for dinner."

"Mine?" He gave her a doubtful look.

"Why not yours?" she shot back. "To my great embarrassment, you've already witnessed the kind of company I've been keeping of late. It would be lovely to actually enjoy dinner and conversation with an intelligent man for a change."

"I do not think so."

"Why not?" She persisted. "Before I crashed into you, I was planning on just going home to have a pity-party and wallow about in my pajamas, eating ice cream and watching the telly all weekend. Having dinner with you sounds like a much nicer proposition." She gave him what she hoped was a thoroughly beseeching smile.

He almost seemed to consider her request for a brief moment, but then glanced at his watch and shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Hermione. I have things to do. I really must go."

"But you have to eat anyway, so why not eat with... Oh..." She stopped abruptly, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. She really was clueless sometimes. "Oh my...I am...I'm so sorry, Severus. You probably already had plans, and here I am yammering away, keeping you from them. Please forgive me, and once again, thank you so very much for all of your help." She turned without another word and hurried to make her escape to the nearest Apparition point before she made an even bigger fool of herself.

TBC