CHAPTER 14

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

DUNGEONS

What the hell had happened back there?

He looked down to his attire and groaned. He was still shirtless. He had just apparated, not wanting to stay back there for any moment longer. Not that he didn't like the peck. As soon as their lips had touched he felt a desire take over him. He didn't like one bit the very unfamiliar feeling.

"Severus?"

He turned to see Dumbledore with his usual twinkle.

"Drat!"

This man, of all people had to see him like this! Damn, no wards against the Head Master!

"I heard that you were whisked away last night by an...unfamiliar magic. Is that true?" he asked, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

Severus gritted his teeth. Of course, the detention boys had run off to tell him! He didn't answer but strode into his private quarters at the end of the dungeon, followed by Albus.

SNAPE QUARTERS

SITING ROOM

Albus settled down comfortably on an arm chair as Severus entered his bedroom to put some clothes on.

"To what do I owe this visit?" he asked nastily, re-entering the room.

"I was just concerned."

"Ya! I believe you. Now out with it."

In all the years he knew him, Albus never visited anyone without an ulterior motive.

"Ah...I was just here to remind you of that tomorrow is lunar eclipse and we need the special werewolf whiskers."

Werewolf whiskers of lunar eclipse. Most rare and powerful ingredients of all.

"Of course, I remember old man. You may leave."

"Well, I just wanted to remind you not to be whisked away on that special day," he said with a grin.

Severus froze.

Shit! He had totally forgotten about that!

What the...!

"Good bye, Severus!" he left after giving him a wink.

Not that he noticed.

DUNGEONS

The third years had double potions and were damned.

Their Potions Master was nastier than usual.

By the third hour, he had settled his emotions down. He gave them a potion to complete as he sat down in his desk contemplating on what to do.

Totally unaware that Hermione was doing just the same.

DUMBLEDORE'S OFFICE

"Ah! Mrs. Snape. To what do I owe this pleasure?" asked Albus as Hermione stepped out of the Floo.

"I came here to see Prof...my husband," she said, with a sly smile.

"Professor Snape has classes till 2. After that he is free. That will be 3 hours from now."

"Then, I guess I will be in the library?"

"Of course, dear. The whole of Hogwarts is at your disposal.'

"Thank you, Professor. Good day sir."

"Good day to you too."

LIBRARY

She threw away the 6th book she had read.

Hermione Gra...Snape loved books and gave them utmost care and respect.

That was not the case today.

Sighing she picked up the 7th book. Not that it could be of any use. Not one book spoke of bonded hands after marriage.

"Never ever had I thought I would hate reading," she said out aloud, totally positive that no one was about.

She jumped in fright, when she heard someone whisper from back, "Never say never, Mione!"

She turned to be face to face with her husband.

He had his usual smirk on. His lips curled upwards.

Seeing his lips, she was reminded of the incident that morning.

"What...what are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" he mirrored the question, sans the trembling.

He took a step forward and hid his frown when she didn't step back.

She stood frozen at the sudden proximity. But, she didn't back away.

She was a Griffindor for good reason.

"I was just researching," she said looking pointedly at the book.

He twisted his lips and took the book with his two fingers as if it was untouchable.

"Ah! Wedding books," he said with a sneer.

"I didn't find anything useful," she said, going over to pick up the next book.

"Maybe you are looking in the wrong place," he said with a satisfied smirk.

She raised her eyebrows in question.

"Tell me Mione, where did you find out about the one way to end the marriage?"

"In a restricted book about infidelity."

"Exactly," he said turning over to look pointedly at the restricted section. Hermione frowned. What was he getting? Nevertheless she followed him.

"So what are we searching?" she asked looking at the titles.

Snape smirked again and burdened her hands with a couple of large enchanted looking books.

She winced at the weight and almost dropped them when she read the titles.

"Wha...what...why...woh...hey..." she stammered as he walked towards the desk she had previously sat on.

She hurried after him and slammed the books on the desk as she slumped on the chair opposite to him. If he was startled, he didn't show it.

"Tsk...tsk...Mione! It's a library, maintain silence."

She looked around to see a few heads looking at them in anticipation. But, her deadly glare made them go back to their work.

"Mione..." he started.

"Don't." she said menacingly, eyes piercing his.

Snape bit his lips to stop smiling and looked at her with a look as innocent as possible.

"Really, Severus? Books on...s..se..s..." she balled her fists, both her elbows resting in the desk, turning a literal shade of red and blood pressure obviously rising.

No biting could stop his laughter. She couldn't even say the word, this was going to be fun.

He ignored her glare and took the first book, turned to a particular page and being satisfied after a quick glance, glided it to her.

She took the book and continued shooting glares at him.

"Read!" he said taping at a particular paragraph.

"...during the ceremony, the hands are bound. Just to ease their reluctance if any. During the medieval times, witches and wizards protested arranged marriage. To make sure they were binding to the marriage vows, the bonding was in place for 12 hours during the night for every night unless they became one..."

"This is something we already figured out," she murmured just loud enough for Severus to hear.

He closed the second book, "Nothing new here."

Sighing, she updated him about the award ceremony. Severus didn't say anything about the lunar eclipse yet. But was happy inside that this meant he had an upper hand to her.

"So?" she asked getting up.

"So what?" he asked picking up the books to put it back in the shelf.

"What do we do?" she asked following him.

"It's not my concern," he said slyly placing the books in the shelf.

"Are you going to con...consider a solution?" she asked chewing her bottom lip.

"Why would I? In fact, I would be honored to escort you to the dais to receive your award," he said turning to look at her, enjoying every bit of tormenting her.

How fun would it be to have her actually ask for it. He smirked at the thought.

"Actually you are right. That would be romantic too!" she replied thoughtfully.

Wait a minute! What? No. You aren't supposed to agree to it. Think fast Snape. Think.

"I guess I was just worried about nothing. I think I will leave," she said turning away but stopped when she felt his hand on her shoulders.

With a swift tug, she was pulled back to his chest, her back to him.

Her heart beat raced with her breath rate.

"Mione..."

She shivered when she felt his hot breath tickling her neck.

Not giving her time to react, he encircled his slender hands around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

What the hell was he doing? He had no idea. He just let it go with the flow.

Her toes curled as he nibbled her collarbone and she involuntarily let out a moan, arching her head back, sweat drops forming on her forehead.

"Are you sure you don't want to consider the solution?" he asked huskily.

"Mmmm..." she bit her lip to stop say anything she might regret later.

A book crashing on the floor brought them to their senses and they parted.

They turned in time to see two figures in school uniform robes disappear giggling.

Damn! They had just given Hogwarts some hot news worth 1000 galleons!

"I think I will just leave," muttered Hermione, preparing to leave only to be stopped again.

Her breath caught in her throat, when she turned to look at him remembering what just happened few minutes ago.

"Stay."

Was it a order? A request? A command? A pleading?

Whatever it was, he masked it well.

"Where am I supposed to stay?" she asked but there was no one to answer her.

DUNGEONS

He ran his hand through his hair. What was he getting at? Did he want to sleep with her? Well, his doings just justified it. All these years, he had not considered marriage nor women. What was he to do? He had no experience and didn't know how to show feelings even if he harboured them. What the hell was he doing and on what path was his life going? The most important question was did he want to give her chance? Did he want her as a wife in true sense? Did he want to fall in love with her?

"Never," he breathed out.

"Never say never," said a voice behind him.

(TO BE CONTINUED)