disclaimer: no, neither ladykyo nor the separatesisters own Harry Potter, or the characters therein. We'd like to, but we don't. Feel free to give them to us if you like, though.

Okay, so I don't get kicked off this site, even though we know Hermione's canon birthday, in this story she is of age. Construe that any way you like: American standards, British, canon, or Dutch. But I won't mention the whole thing again, okay?

Same deal as last time: 10 reviews or the next chapter gets it. . .

Hahah; seriously, I think from now on I will only request between 5- 10 reviews to get the next chapter. Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews so far!

One last thing: yeah, I screwed up and left the rest of the lyrics at the end of the last chapter. I have reposted without the extra scram at the bottom, and here is Ch 7!

Chapter 7: . . . The Night Belongs to Us.

Because the Night, 10000 Maniacs

Have I doubt, baby, when I'm alone
Love is a ring on the telephone

It had been too close a call for Severus to trust himself in the same room as Hermione and that body of hers. Coupled with her attitude and change towards him, Severus knew she was a most formidable force.

Severus had warded the door behind him, and he assumed that she would come to her senses and put herself to bed, not to bother him again that night. He looked at the empty tumbler left on the low table and rummaged through his liquor cabinet again.

He slammed the doors of the cabinet in disgust. A grown wizard should know how to keep a liquor cabinet stocked, and here he was, searching in vain for a bottle that was nowhere to be found. Severus glanced at the bedroom door and decided he could chance it.

Grabbing a robe and his wand this time, Severus left his rooms and warded the outer doors with even tighter woven spells. To keep Hermione in and others out, for her own sake. Satisfied the room was tight, Severus headed towards the kitchen and as he came upon the poorly lit room, he decided to dodge the scene of so much from earlier.

Instead, Severus trotted to rooms he hadn't seen since he'd become professor at Hogwart's: the Senior Snape's rooms, the rooms his father had used and Snape had sealed in hatred. Chances were good that a bottle of firewhiskey was stilling waiting for the old master that would never return. Severus raised his wand and thought better of it, putting it back in his robe pocket and reaching for the doorknob instead.

Severus tried the knob and it turned with a little force. Severus laughed a self-deprecating laugh; when he had sealed these rooms, he had obviously thought that no-one else was as powerful as he. He had been so weak then, yet so cocky. To think at such an age that he could make wards that would stand up to time, let alone a more experienced wizard. It was rather funny, but it made him pause: if these wards were so weak, he would have to go around the manor and entire estate, really, to check all the other wards he may have set when he was weaker and, well, stupider.

The large door finally swung inward and dust swirled in front of Severus as he peered into the rooms he'd rarely been invited into. Whenever he was asked to join his father, it was never for anything good, save when the owl had finally arrived from Hogwart's. But even that wasn't a good memory, and certainly not one he'd share with anyone.

Snape entered the room that in his own set was a combined study/ sitting room. As he looked around, it was obvious that this room had only ever been a study. The fireplace still held the remains of the last fire ever lit there, while the desk was tidy if a bit dusty from decades of dis-use; a liquor cabinet sat in the corner, far larger than Severus's own and with a more complicated locking ward.

Severus ignored the liquor cabinet for a moment while he padded over to the bedroom. The bedroom door creaked open at his touch, and for a moment, Severus was stuck by the fear he'd lived with as a child. Shaking his head to clear the awful memories, he stepped in and lit his wand.

"Lumos," he said quietly, and the room was bathed in a soft light. Dust had settled over everything, and the house-elves had clearly followed his own orders to leave everything alone, as the bed was still unmade and perfume bottles still lined a dresser. A window had been cracked, and water from the storms pooled on the floor beneath the large window that in daylight overlooked the entire grounds, which at one point been the height of luxury in the wizarding world.

After looking around the room for a few minutes and fixing the window, Severus turned his back on the room and headed back towards the study. Something caught his eye from the master bathroom, however, and Severus stalked towards the light source.

Kicking the door open, Severus held his wand at a defensive level as he inspected the small room. From the light of his wand, he could see that a large gilt mirror had reflected the light from his wand. He held his wand over the bathtub and saw that there was a last bath still drawn in it Sighing, Severus left that room, too, not knowing what he thought he'd find by investigating the two rooms.

In the study, Severus stalked over to the liquor cabinet, intent on breaking the wards. He tapped his wand over the doors multiple times, trying to break the wards down. The first few broke easily, but about halfway through the procedure, Severus began to run into tougher wards that required his full attention. Finally, as the last ward broke and sweat had beaded on his forehead, Severus had succeeded.

Sort of.

He wrenched the doors open to find a note in an envelope addressed to him and not signed. He ripped it open and read:

Severus, do not think that it has not come to our attention that you like to drink. Well, this is not yours, so you had better go find some of your own. I set those wards, and if they are broken, I'll know who did it, and you will pay when I find them broken.

Severus snorted at the threat. A man who had been dead for decades had left a note for Severus's perhaps 15year old self. The old buzzard thought he'd always scare Severus; it never occurred to the other man that he wouldn't live forever.

However, Severus was still thirsty if nothing else, and he had no firewhiskey to show for the excursion. He shut the empty cabinet and left the room, although he didn't ward it.

"Perhaps it is time for me to become rightful ruler of Snape Manor."

Love is an angel, disguised as lust
Here in our bed 'til the morning comes

Hermione had sat and watched the fire for a while. She refused to feel guilt or shame over what had happened. She was an adult, as was Severus, so what harm was there in enjoying one another's charms?

Ask Ron, a little voice in her head reminded her, he'll be sure to tell you exactly what's wrong with that.

Hermione knew that she loved Ron, but she questioned her actions and what they meant.

Did she love Ron forever, as in marriage, a house and a gaggle of kids with no more world outside her home than Diagon Alley to shop for school supplies for the kids and the train station to send them off to school? If she did that for Ron, would he expect that any daughters they might have do the same for another man? Had Ginny been right, that no true girlfriend or best friend would suggest comas? Would Ron and Harry, as well see Hermione's side, or would they feel as Ginny did: betrayed and walked-on?

Suddenly, Hermione felt cold. She didn't usually subject herself to the second-thoughts she was having at that moment, but usually she did all the thinking before she, Ron or Harry did anything. This time, she had done without thinking time and again, from leaving with the letter instead of giving it to Sirius, the situations with Mac, slapping Severus, kissing him, almost making love to him and wanting to make love to him.

After a good thinking session, Hermione had a few ideas and she felt more herself. But not the first-year 'you could be killed or worse, expelled' Hermione; rather, the third-year, Draco-punching, time-bending Hermione that had learned the hard way that sometimes people aren't who you want them to be, who they tell you they are or portray themselves as. She looked down at the state of the robes and she began to search for her wand.

Upon finding her wand, Hermione flicked it at her robes, changing them to a deep golden color and repairing them to her tastes: they were tighter and stretchy while the neckline dipped into a low vee over her breasts, cording roped under her breast and accentuating her curves.

She felt the wards over the door and thought a moment before she got up and began to look around the room. She examined objects and knocked on random places on the wall before she reached Severus's desk, which was either near the sitting room wall or to a part of the wall that the hallway shared. She pushed the desk out of the way and knocked sequentially in a few different shapes. Finally, she was tapping out letter shapes and on the letter 'N', the wall disappeared and Hermione could see into the hallway.

"I'm not the brightest witch of the age for nothing, Severus," Hermione grunted as she crawled through the low, narrow space. She tumbled into the hall and headed for the kitchen for something to eat. She had no idea where Severus was, and she figured that with his 'sonar', he'd find her on his own.

Come on now, try and understand

The way I feel under your command

Severus was heading back to his own rooms to check on Hermione when he heard something from the kitchen. Figuring it was Draco, he headed straight in without announcing himself or rearranging his robe over his bare torso. He was still in a state from earlier, but as all males know, no male would ever politely comment on another's condition.

A gasp came from a figure framed by the open refrigerator doors.

Hermione was gilded in light that made her skin and dress glow. The cold from the fridge had puckered her nipples, and the apple in her hand made her more tempting than Eve.

"You're an angel," Severus breathed, his eyes roving over her pert form. He stood watching her as his body began to react violently to her presence and beauty.

"I'm no angel, Severus," Hermione said huskily, taking a risk with a hearty bite of her apple. Juice seeped out of the corners of her mouth, drips she wanted him to taste. "You should know that by now."

In three great strides, Severus was across the room, licking the juice from her mouth. He kissed her deeply and removed the apple from her hand. He lifted her on the counter and slammed the fridge doors shut.

"A goddess, then, my golden goddess of wisdom. For you surely inspire me to do many things you would find great," Severus said, positioning himself so he stood between her legs, his hands on her thighs.

"But muses inspire men, not goddesses," Hermione said, playfully contrite.

"This goddess does," Severus said, kissing her savagely as his hands parted her skirts and began to creep up her bare, soft thighs. His hands worked their way up to her knickers, and Snape wondered absently where she had gotten them. Surely one such as her should were silk or lace or nothing if she were with him, not these cotton fences.

Hermione leaned into his kiss and gasped as he found her hot, soft core; she was still wet from the tease earlier. She tried to move closer, but he used his mouth and shoulders to push her back. Playfully, she pushed back at him.

"Unless you want me to tie you down while I enjoy you, you had better stop that," Severus growled. Hermione thought on that a second before she wriggled again. Severus broke the kiss and looked into her eyes. "Please. . . if I were to do that, I'd never last, and you would hate me for such a first time."

Hermione froze at his last words. As he continued to kiss his way down her neck, Hermione trembled in fear at the anger if he didn't know.

"Severus, I'm"

"I know. But trust me, this will be like another first time, I promise," he said, pushing her back so she was flat on the counter. Hermione shivered because the marble was icy, but Severus charmed it so it warmed her skin. Suddenly, she was embarrassed and she stiffened as he leaned over her and kissed her throat and breasts, skimming her stomach and finally resting a few inches higher than the fire he was supposed to be putting out. Sensing her distress, Severus licked just below her belly button and blow across, sending shivers of pleasure up her spine. "Alright, I lied. It will be better than the first time."

Hermione had to laugh. This was a side that she'd never seen of him; he was making her laugh so she wouldn't be embarrassed, a far cry from when she'd been his student and it had been his utmost pleasure to make her blush. He still liked to see her blush, obviously, but now it was in delight, not in disgust or self-loathing. She began to feel better, and she relaxed into his attentions.

"That's my Kittie," Severus said as he massaged her sides and belly, helping her relax while at the same time stoking her passion. Her legs were still hanging off the edge of the counter, and Hermione managed to wriggle her bum to the edge as well, so she could rub herself against his arousal. "Hermione. . ."

Severus brought his mouth back down to her stomach, and this time, he didn't stop just below her belly button; he kissed and nipped ever lower and closer to his goal as Hermione began to writhe in hopes of relieving some of the pressure that had already built.

Severus pulled Hermione's cotton knickers away from her, chucking them across the room as he bent his mouth to her. At the first pressure of his mouth on her curls, Hermione gasped his name.

Smiling, Severus placed a dainty kiss on her pouting lips, eliciting another gasp.

"You are beautiful, Hermione," Severus said, putting his mouth over her crevice and massaging her with his lips and tongue. A bead of moisture formed and he carefully tongued it, slipping his tongue deep into her folds. He lapped at her in long strokes and short strokes, quicker and slower, until she could feel the pressure building to an almost painful peak.

Severus found her bead and sucked on it until he felt her juices drenched his mouth. By then, he was painfully hard and engorged he could barely stand it anymore. She was ready, and he pulled her bum to the edge of the counter, freeing his erection from his sleep bottoms and positioning himself at her entrance.

"Severus," Hermione said dreamily, flinging an arm across her face, "Severus. . ."

Severus leaned down and kissed her temple as he slid himself into her welcoming core. He gasped at how tight she still was, and as he slowly began to piston himself inside and out she gripped him with a sweet friction he'd never known before. He tried to keep his pace steady but he knew he'd not last long. Soon he was gasping as she was, and he fought to control his impulses as he felt his own orgasm building.

Severus kept pumping, pulling Hermione closer, until he exploded in her.

"Hermione!"

Take my hand, come under cover
They can't hurt you now

"Severus!" Hermione's own cries echoed Severus's. He had pulled her so tight to him she thought they'd never part again.

Finally, she gathered enough energy to sit up and lean into Severus, encircling his waist with her arms in the quiet reverie and afterglow. She carefully dis-engaged herself partially so she could lean into him better; she rested her head on his chest and breathed in their mingled scent. His chin rested on her head while his breathing slowed and steadied.

"Hermione," Severus said, savoring the feel of her name on his tongue. He held her as if she would break now, after all was said and done. Her arms tightened on his waist as he straightened up. "Hermione. Look at me. What is wrong?"

She looked up at him sheepishly. "You left me earlier, and I thought you'd do it again. And I kind of wonder what's on your mind now. . ."

Severus lifted her carefully in his arms, cradling her as if she were no more than a doll. He smiled down on her, but she almost didn't recognize it it wasn't as if he'd ever smiled at her while at Hogwart's. She smiled back carefully, wondering what was going on.

"What is on my mind is the fact that you are a sweet child who's grown into a beautiful woman, more desirable than anyone else. I have made love to you in one way, in one room, and I do believe that there is a fire roaring in the hearth back in our rooms. "

Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us

Hermione and Severus luxuriated in the heat of the fire after another bout of lovemaking. They had ravished one another's bodies, exploring and touching while they played.

It was late into the night when they finally fell asleep, curled around one another in front of the last embers of the fire. Neither knew that they smiled in their sleep and dreams.

With love we sleep, with doubt the vicious circle turns, and burns
Without you, I cannot live, forgive the yearning burning

Hermione woke to the sensation of fingertips running along her spine and she woke to Severus tracing her every vertebrae. She shivered and tried to pretend that she was still asleep.

"Hermione," Severus said, his hands splaying over her stomach as she rolled over to look at him. "I know you're awake."

Hermione opened one eye and then the other. Severus was clad in a large luxurious soft robe in dark green and he reached behind himself to grab a fluffy gold robe for her to wrap herself in. He handed the robe to Hermione wordlessly, waiting for her to compose herself.

"Severus," Hermione said, trying to figure out what she should say. She had come to kill him, and instead she'd made love to him; no matter how she looked at things, her ideas had changed about him and the situation. "I'm sorry, but we have to talk."

I believe in love too real to feel, take me now

Take me now, take me now

Severus swallowed hard as he contemplated what was going to happen. Hermione could cry foul and he could be branded a molester; she could have guilt and blame him; she could see her chance and kill him, because he knew he could not defend himself against her, not if it meant she'd be hurt.

"Hermione, think before you speak. What you say could change everything that has happened and will happen," Severus said, looking into her eyes.

Hermione looked away first, thinking and chewing on her hair a bit before she answered him.

"I can't do what I came here to do any longer. And I had a strange dream last night I want to hear your side of the story. After all this, I feel I owe you at least that," Hermione said, getting into the robe better and cinching it around her waist. She sat up and moved closer to Severus, who was regarding her quietly. She reached a hand out and took one of his larger hands in her smaller one; she sat close to him and leaned into him, wrapping his arms around her own body.

Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to lust
Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us

"If I tell you what really happened, would you believe me, or use it against me?" Severus asked as he held Hermione. "If I tell you what happened, you'll have to promise me one thing. And you must promise before I tell you anything else."

"I promise," Hermione blurted, and she gasped as she felt the binding of her words. "A binding made of my own words, hmm? I'd forgotten; a promise between muggles is only as strong as each muggle's word."

"I told you to be careful and think before you spoke. Now you must stay here until the term begins after I finish my story," Severus said, fear, pity and hope battling in the region of his heart.

"It is alright, dear one, I don't blame you. But can we please eat while you tell your story?"