The dry coolness against her back was a balm to the searing tempest within her heart. In Severus' private office, her lips and fingers grasped and caressed with wild abandon. This was the lover she had so long denied. She sought to remember many things - the feel of his lips on hers, the scorching touch of his hands and the sound of his voice murmuring her name again and again. Her hunger could easily have been mistaken for passion.

However, passion was the furthest thing from Hermione's mind. She had a plan and everything she'd done since arriving at Hogwarts was in service to that plan. If the plan failed, there was no Plan B. If it succeeded, she wasn't sure what she would do. For the moment, it seemed to her that the plan was bearing fruit. She was feeling less foggy-headed by the minute.

Should she press on? Why not! Hermione broke the kiss and leaned back exposing her neck. His lips left a fiery trail on her soft flesh before returning to her lips.

Hermione could feel her hunger abating; her erratic mood subsiding to a calmer state. She placed her palms flat against his chest. Savagely she nipped his lower lip. Before he could respond in kind she tore her lips away.

She gazed hard at the dungeon ceiling as she took several deep breaths. Severus laid his head on her shoulder content with just holding her again. For a few minutes there were no other sounds except for their labored breathing.

From some wellspring of strength within her, Hermione did the one thing she had never thought herself capable of. She pushed him away. Hard.

"What's wrong?" asked Severus.

Hermione exclaimed, "I'm just me again. The compulsion spell's gone."

"Compulsion spell?"

"Did you think I wouldn't know?"

"It wasn't meant to be noticeable."

"It was. Guido is far from subtle." She moved away from him. "I wasn't sure what would work to cancel it out. I thought … thought sex was required but it wasn't."

"Well, it wouldn't be amiss if we-"

"No, Severus."

"No?"

She ran her fingers through her long hair and shook her head as if ridding herself of a troublesome pest. "You're out of my system once and for all."

Severus looked at her closely shifting from surprise to suspicion and back again. Hermione had caught him by surprise earlier. As soon as they had entered his office, she had wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close for a kiss. Not wanting to lose any opportunity to make up for lost time, he had pressed her against the wall and ravaged her in return.

The unnervingly cold woman now standing before him bore no resemblance to the passionate woman he had held in his arms just moments ago. Hands on hips, Severus rounded on her. "What are you saying?"

"You heard me," snapped Hermione. "Guido was annoying but compelling someone to behave and think against their will is illegal. I should report it but I won't. Why did you go to such extremes?"

"As I recall, someone was not speaking to me," Severus took a deep breath. Sarcasm would not be welcome. He tried to sound reasonable. "Am I a man to give up easily? Something had to be done."

"I admit the personal shield was a bit much but I won't apologize for it. I don't expect an apology for Guido, the spells or anything else. What's done is done," said Hermione. "I came here to be rid of the compulsion and the owls and Guido and to … to discuss this as adults."

"I agree wholeheartedly."

"Good." Hermione was frantically thinking of what to do next. Plan A Be Rid of the Compulsion was complete. Now what? Where was a Plan C when you needed one?

Severus said quietly, "Whatever I've done, I've done for you. I only wanted to prove to you that you are my sun, my moon and all things in between. Have I pushed too hard? Presumed too much? Tell me."

Hermione remained silent for too long. The maelstrom of emotions within her began to settle into something that made sense to her.

Severus waited her out. This was too important to rush.

"I presumed, too," said Hermione. "I was hopelessly infatuated with you, utterly hopeless. It's the classic younger woman older man pitfall. You were my first time and my first real relationship. It was pitiful really. I was so desperate and you were so accommodating. We were both lonely in our own way. When I have a daughter someday, I would hope that her first time is just as sweet and fulfilling."

"Our daughter will not even date until she's thirty if I have any say in it." Severus stood rooted to the spot.

"I think any daughter of mine can think for herself." Hermione decided that brutal honesty was best. "I'll always be grateful for what we had and-"

"Had? You're ending … ending us?" asked Severus.

"There are only two options. Either we go back to how things were or we don't."

"We had a misunderstanding, Hermione. That's all it was," said Severus.

"After the theater, I felt judged and belittled. You hurt me, Severus," said Hermione. "The worse part is that I could tell you intended to. Once the consequence was gone, I suppose the rose-colored glasses came off. Do you see what I mean?"

Severus nodded. "I let my anger get the best of me. I'm sorry for that."

"I knew you had to be cruel during the war. I was naive to think that that side of you was all an act. It's not, is it?"

"Anyone is capable of cruelty and of kindness," said Severus. "I can be sarcastic and angry, yes, but never intentionally cruel."

"There's being devious and then there's you - ruthlessly manipulative with a healthy dash of arrogance," added Hermione. "The spell, the gifts and Guido are proof of that side of you. It's true what they say. The ones you love hurt you the most."

Severus said in a rush of words "We can begin again. We can … you love me?"

Hermione said flatly, "Yes, I do."

Severus could feel the tightness in his chest ease. "Then we can put this mess behind us and be what we were before."

"Severus, I love you but no. Obviously, you haven't been listening to anything I've said."

Snape could feel the ground beneath him shaking. A horrible realization came to him. Had he gone too far and pushed her beyond tolerance. "Have your feelings changed now that the compulsion is gone?"

"Yes. I had this idealized version of you in my head. At the beginning, there was attraction and fascination. We helped each other get through the war. We had our … our interludes. They were exciting and passionate. The consequence made things feel so exciting and exclusive," said Hermione. "It's the stuff of any woman's ideal relationship."

"I was happy. I thought you were, too."

"Before the theater, I was giddy with happiness. Now, I'm just sad. I never really knew you - the real you." Hermione drew a deep breath. "I feel that we would be worse for each other not better in the long run. For our own good, Severus, we need to end our relationship. I hope in time that we can be friends."

Severus asked quietly, "I've lost your trust haven't I?"

Hermione nodded. "Kindly call back the owls. There's no need for them anymore. Truly." She opened the office door and stepped out leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Gent: She's possessed. That's the only explanation.

Wolf: Good riddance!

Prat: Shut up and go after her already. Move!

Gent: What ought we do?

Prat: Anything! Just stop her from leaving!

Gent: Think! Give me a moment to think.

Prat: You have nanoseconds.

Wolf: There are other witches out-

Prat: Not for us.

Gent: QUIET! I'm thinking!

Snape ran out of his office. He caught up with her before she reached the stairs.

Touching her arm, Snape said, "Hermione, may I ask a favor?"

Hermione hesitated, "Well, I don't-"

"One favor and I will never ask for another."

"Allow me a chance to show you who and what I am. Let me reveal myself - my heart, body, mind and soul," said Severus.

"You've been quite demonstrative already."

"I don't mean owls and gifts. Those were … were methods to persuade and … and manipulate you," said Severus. "This time there will be no subterfuge. It will be the truth and nothing else. One chance is all I'm asking for."

Hermione relented. ""No using my friends and acquaintances. No violation of Wizarding law. No stand-ins like Guido in any form. No gifts."

"I agree," said Severus. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes to one chance," said Hermione. "Afterwards, we part friends."

Severus gritted his teeth and managed to nod. "Expect a package from me within the week. We should return to the hall and keep up appearances."

Hermione ascended the stairs beside the potions master. "And what do I do with this package?"

Wolf: Keep it for future blackmail material.

Prat: What are we sending her?

Gent: YES, YES. I have it!

Severus cleared his throat. "It should be self-explanatory."

Prat: It will?

Wolf: It's not right that you're this excited, Gent.

Gent: I can hardly do worse than the two of you. It's the PERFECT solution!

Prat: And it will work?

Gent: This is not about securing a desired result. It must be about truth and plainly so.

Wolf: Meaning no fun for me.

Prat: What do you want me to do, Gent?

Gent: I must think further on the details. Do not fret. There shall be a role for all of us. Who else knows the boy better than us?