I feel really bad that I've never updated this!!!
So, finally, for all of you who are reading this, here is chapter six.

A couple notes, though, before you start:
I've changed a concept a bit. After thinking about it, I didn't believe our favourite Potions professor would be so... quick in saying 'I love you.' There are two parts I changed. The first is from chapter three, when Hermione first says "I love you":

"Sev?" whispered Hermione.

"Mm?"

"I… I love you." She turned her head to rest her chin on his chest, so she could look at him.

He gazed at her for a moment, then began playing her hair. Hermione took his silence to mean he didn't feel the same way, and she bit her lip. Upon seeing her distraught expression, he looked at her thoughtfully and said, "Hermione, love isn't… isn't something I am accustomed to. I don't know if I've ever felt it, but if I have, it has been with you. When I know, I will say it, but for the present, know that I feel deeply for you."

She nodded and kissed his chest, laying her head back down.

The second is from a bit later in that chapter, which I just changed so it would be correct with the story:

"You don't have to say anything, but, I love you, Severus."

Severus nodded.

All of that being said, HERE is the next chapter. I hope this makes it worthy of the wait... I think it is the longest chapter I've written.

Enjoy, and review!

CHAPTER SIX

Hermione woke up abruptly, realizing she was in the bed by herself. "Sev? Sev, come back to bed," she murmured, thinking it was early in the morning.

She stumbled out of the bed, and walked to the bathroom. It was empty. She then walked into the main room. It was empty. She sighed and looked at the clock: it was ten in the morning. 'Oh,' Hermione thought, 'he's probably teaching by now.'

Deciding she had nothing better to do, she shuffled back over to the bed, and collapsed on it, quickly falling asleep again.

When Severus came in after lunch, he saw her still sleeping, and smiled. He walked over, sat down on the bed, and shook her gently. "Hermione?"

Nothing. "Hermione," he said a little louder, shaking her a little harder. This time, she jolted awake.

"What is it?" she asked frantically.

"Calm yourself, it's only me," he said, then added, "it's past lunch."

She stared at him with bleary eyes, then blinked. "Why-why didn't you wake me up before you left?"

"Well, obviously, you needed sleep."

"I guess so. How were your morning classes?"

"Decent enough, I suppose. Nothing too disastrous."

Hermione nodded, then slid closer to Severus, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm glad I'm here."

He kissed her temple, then shifted so his legs were on the bed and he was facing her. "Likewise."

She took his hands and said, "I'm kind of hungry."

"You haven't eaten in quite some time, have you?"

Hermione thought about it, and realized the last thing she'd eaten was cereal, before she'd stormed out on Ron. "I haven't eaten in a day. And I think that just made me more hungry."

"What would you like?"

"Anything," she said, then added quickly, "As long as it tastes good."

"I'll call a house elf to bring you some food."

Hermione sighed, "Ok." She had long ago given up her attempt to convince the house elves they could and should be free.

Severus squeezed her hands and got up. He walked to his fireplace, and kneeled down, throwing in some Floo powder. "Kitchens!" he yelled, and his head was taken there.

A house elf named Moddly scampered over and said, "Yes, Master Snape, how may I assist you?"

"Can you send up any leftovers to my quarters?"

"Yes, Master Snape, right away," the green creature said, and scurried back off.

Severus stood back up, shaking his head slightly. He began to walk back to the bedroom, but Hermione was already at the door. "I figure I should eat at a table," she explained.

"Wherever you would prefer. The bed is more comfortable, though."

She pondered on this for a moment, then walked back into the bedroom, crawling under the covers. He shook his head at her and she smiled widely at him. He decided to close the door before the house elf got there, so his secret wouldn't be leaked.

A moment later, a little pink house elf appeared. "Master Snape, your food is ready."

Severus looked around the room, and found basically every flat service covered with platters of food. "Thank you, that will do."

The elf nodded and popped out of sight. Once Severus was sure she was gone, he opened the bedroom door back up. Hermione looked out, eyes widening when she saw all the food.

"I suppose they took me saying 'any leftovers' very literally," he said. Hermione giggled, and he resumed by saying, "What would you like to start with?"

"Anything but dessert?"

Severus looked around, and grabbed a plate with roast chicken and a roll, another of steak and kidney pudding, and yet another of mashed potatoes. He carried them in, conjured a mock-table for Hermione, and set the plates on it.

She stared at it, trying to figure out what to start with, and settled on the steak and kidney pudding. Severus looked fairly disgusted watching Hermione shoveling the food into her mouth. When she noticed, she swallowed and said, "If you find this repulsive, don't look. I'm starving."

"Obviously…" he muttered. After a few minutes, he realized she wasn't going to talk while there was any food in front of her, so he went to his desk to grade papers.

"Sev?" she called after a while, mouth filled with mashed potatoes.

"What?"

"Can you bring me some more food?"

He sighed so loudly she could hear it from the bed. "I suppose." He looked around, grabbed some Yorkshire pudding, roast beef, and a Cornish pasty, and brought it to Hermione's table.

Without a word of thanks, she started eating the Yorkshire pudding and roast beef. Severus stood there for a moment, expecting her to realize she'd said practically nothing to him in the last fifteen minutes.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"I should ask the same of you," he retorted.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so hungry."

The corner of his mouth twitched and he walked back to his desk. In another ten minutes, Hermione called again, "Sev?"

"How can you possibly have room for more food?"

"I just want some dessert. Is there any trifle? Or treacle tart?"

"There are both," he said dejectedly.

"Well, bring them both in, and come sit next to me," she replied, then added, "please."

He came in and set the desserts down in front of Hermione, then slumped down beside her. She conjured another spoon and handed him one. "Have some trifle," she suggested, pushing the dish over to him.

Severus stared at the mass of confectioneries, not daring to touch it.

"No?" Hermione said. "How about some treacle tart?"

He poked at the pastry, and took a bite.

"Good?" Hermione asked between bites of trifle.

"Acceptable," he said casually, taking another bite. He didn't finish it, nor did Hermione expect him to, so she inhaled the rest. Severus whispered a vanishing spell, and the plates, table, and silverware promptly disappeared.

Hermione stared up at Severus, a warm feeling entering the pit of her stomach. Suddenly, she flung her arms around his chest, scooting closer to him.

He looked down at her, one eyebrow raised. "And to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"To your extraordinary self," she replied, kissing his chest, slowly moving up his neck, until their faces were centimeters apart. He ran his fingers through her hair, staring into her shimmering hazel brown eyes. He closed the distance between them, kissing her feverishly. Wrapping his arms around her lower back, he pulled her closer, so she was curled up next to him, hands resting delicately on his chest.

She moved her hands slowly around to his back, pulling herself deeper into the kiss. His hands found their way under Hermione's large t-shirt, but she drew back.

"Sev," she breathed, and shook her head.

His arms dropped to his sides, and he sank into the bed, not looking at Hermione's face. She laid her hand on his cheek, pulling him to face her, then kissed him gently. "I can't."

Severus's lips pursed and he nodded. He wouldn't apologise, so he simply said, "I have a class to teach in ten minutes. If you would like to read, there are plenty of books. Though I can't imagine you'll be hungry anytime soon, there is still food around the study. If you must leave, be careful to cast an invisibility charm as well as a detection charm, so you can move before anyone runs into you."

Hermione nodded. "Sev?"

"Yes?"

"I love you so much."

He nodded and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll see you tonight."

"Ok. I think I might go to my parents' house and tell them about Ron. So, don't worry about food for me, I'll eat there."

"That sounds sensible," he replied.

Hermione chuckled and kissed him. He deepened the kiss, resting his hand on her cheek. Before they lost track of time, Hermione gently pulled off and kissed his cheek. "You should go."

She saw him smirk slightly as he rolled off the bed, gliding swiftly to the main room, throwing on his oversized robes, and leaving without a word.

Yawning, she rolled out of the bed, and rummaged around for some Muggle clothes. Since it was cold, she pulled on a pair of jeans, a long sleeve Yale t-shirt, a light jacket, and then her black pea coat.

As Severus had instructed, she cast invisibility and detection charms, causing her to jump when she passed a mirror. Sighing deeply, she chuckled, and walked out of the room.

Most students were in class, so it wasn't hard to navigate. At one point, though, Peeves was approaching rapidly with a bucket of water to dump on an unsuspecting victim. Thankfully, Hermione was suspecting—there was a ringing noise in her head, and she dodged the poltergeist just in time, leaping out of the castle.

At that moment, Rubeus Hagrid was walking in, causing another sound to go off in the poor witch's head. She did a pirouette and landed on the ground with a thud. The half-giant looked around, mumbling, "Summat there?" He saw nothing, of course, and walked inside, shrugging.

Hermione sighed in relief, and got back up, continuing her walk out of Hogwarts. She reached the edge of the grounds with no further ordeals. Casting "Finite Incantatem," she looked down to find herself visible once again.

Standing up straight, and focusing on the spot she usually went to when visiting her parents, she Disapparated. She reached the vacant lot easily, and walked the few miles to the house, enjoying the cool, crisp air.

When she reached the house, she took a deep breath, and rung the doorbell.

Her mother answered it, as she expected. But then something she hadn't expected came next: a tall, gangly redhead came into view. She inhaled his name sharply.

He glowered her and questioned, "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same of you!" she spat back, the rage from their last encounter bubbling up again.

"Hermione! Ron!" her mother cut in. "Calm down, and have a seat." Her voice was strict; it was obvious where Hermione's bossiness came from.

The pair did as they were told, taking seats completely opposite from each other.

"Before either of you start flying off the handle again, let me say a few things. Hermione, it's great to see you. Ron just came to tell me about your," she cleared her throat for emphasis, "argument. Ron, I know you're angry at Hermione for what she said, but let's be civil and not kill each other."

Hermione fumed. 'I made him angry? He was no right!' she thought in a huff.

"Hermione, dear," the older woman continued, "Ron tells me you yelled at him and left two days ago. Was that such an appropriate thing to do?"

"Yes!" Hermione practically roared.

This seemed to confuse her mother and infuriate Ron further. It was his turn to butt in. "What have I ever done to deserve this? I've done nothing!"

"EXACTLY!" Her temper flared violently. "You have done nothing. You nearly forget our anniversary, always miss my birthday. I was tired of it. I had to leave or I would have regretted it forever." She was proud of herself for speaking the truth without a mention of Severus.

Lynette cut back in, now facing Ron with a look of disdain that rarely crossed her features. "You forgot her birthday?"

He mumbled something about having a bad memory, but Lynette wouldn't hear it. "If you'll excuse me a moment," she said, and walked away stiffly.

Ron and Hermione were left alone, neither of them saying a word. She looked rather smug while he looked almost crestfallen. After what felt like hours of silence, Ron murmured something.

"What was that?" Hermione asked.

"I'm sorry..." he said, a little louder.

This did nothing to soften Hermione's tongue and she shot back, "You very well should be!"

He took a deep breath, forging on. "I was being a terrible git, and there's not excuse. I'd very much like if... I'd like to ask for your forgiveness."

Hermione stared at him. "I don't know if I can," she replied honestly. "You've never said a word of apology until now. Why have you changed all of a sudden? I know you haven't had some enormous change of heart in the last two days, and don't try to convince me you did. Two days doesn't change two years."

He looked at her sadly. "I suppose not."

Hermione got up and walked away. Over her shoulder, she called, "I thought not."

Ron was left alone in the living room; Hermione went t o talk to her mother. Lynette was in her room, sitting up against the headboard. She stared into space, not noticing her daughter walk in.

"Mum," Hermione said, sinking onto the bed, touching her mother's shoulder lightly.

Lynette's hazel brown eyes met their match, then she blinked slowly.

"Hermione...I had no idea."

The girl nodded. "I thought he'd grow out of it. I'd had enough of it, though, after a while. So I just left."

"Do you intend to... to get a divorce?"

Hermione nodded slowly. "I can't live with him anymore."

Lynette returned the nod. "Where are you staying?"

Hermione's brain went into a moment of panic, but her face remained passive as she replied, "At Hogsmeade, at The Three Broomsticks." Inwardly, she worried about how well she was able to lie.

"Oh, dear, do you have the money for that? You should stay here."

Hermione bit her lip. If she said no, her parents might get suspicious. If she said yes, she'd have to leave Severus. But then, she reasoned, she'd be able to find an apartment closer to work, and visit Severus on the weekends. It might be better for their safety, anyway.

"Is it ok if I think about it? I've been catching up with some old professors at the school." It wasn't a complete lie, really.

"Of course. Just let us know when you plan to come, and we'll be ready for you."

Hermione hugged her mother. "Thank you."

Lynette nodded. "Are you staying for dinner?"

"If you don't mind."

"Not at all. Your father probably won't be home until later, though. He had to go into the office to day for some specialty case."

Hermione smiled at her mother. "Makes you glad you didn't decide to specialise, I bet."

"Yes," she confided. "But, we best be making some dinner."

Hermione nodded. "What are we making?"

"What would you like?"

"Hm," she pondered. After the feast she'd had earlier, it felt weird to have to choose one thing. "How about some roast pork?"

"Sounds great. Would you like to help?"

"Of course," Hermione said, fingering the wand in her pocket. "I'm going to talk to Ron for a minute, though."

Lynette nodded. "I'll set out what we need."

They walked downstairs together, then went their separate ways. Hermione approached Ron, and he looked up at her forlornly.

"I suppose you want me to leave," he said dejectedly.

"Well, I mean, if you want to stay..." she offered dispassionately.

He shook his head and stood. "So, it's over, then?"

She nodded slightly. Ron went on, "If you'd rather not see me, you can stop by the house this Saturday to gather your things. I'll be at a Quidditch match."

"Ok," she choked. As he left, she drew him into a hug. "I'm sorry."

He patted her back. "Don't be."

She pulled back and smiled at him. "I do hope we can remain friends."

He tipped his head in agreement, then sauntered out the front door. With a pop, he was gone. Hermione sighed and walked into the kitchen.

Lynette watched her daughter walk into the kitchen, noting the slightly dismayed expression. "What did you talk to him about?"

"Oh, just... I'm going to get my stuff Saturday, he'll be out. And that I hope we can remain friends."

"I think you're better off as friends anyway."

Hermione nodded. "Now, how about some food?"

Lynette smiled and nodded. They set to work, mother working on the meat and daughter working on the sides; magically, of course. When they had everything cooking and simmering, they sat down in the living room.

While they worked, Hermione's mother eyed her curiously, seeing how she'd changed over time. She was sad to see how tired Hermione looked—the girl was just barely twenty-four. Maybe leaving Ron will help, she thought, though she believed Hermione should have a man in her life. Cautiously, she asked, "Are you going to, uh, date? After a while?"

Hermione tensed up, and Lynette quickly said, "Of course, you don't have to!"

The girl didn't know what to say. She felt like she should tell her mother about Severus, but, not so soon. "I was thinking about it," she answered reasonably. "I do believe I might, should someone... catch my fancy."

She blushed slightly, thinking, 'Who would have guessed the bat of the dungeons would catch my fancy?'

Her mother didn't notice the blush, and simply replied, "Good."

Hermione glanced over at a large wall clock. "Hey, mum, you know what I haven't done in a while?"

"What's that?"

"Watched Mastermind!"

Her mother grinned; this had been Hermione's favourite show growing up, and they watched it whenever they got the chance. She grabbed the remote, and turned the television to the right channel.

They spent the next half hour answering—usually incorrectly—the questions asked. They kept score and, as usual, Hermione won.

When it ended, Lynette exclaimed, "Honestly, where do you fit all that information?"

"In my enormous know-it-all brain," she replied honestly, smirking as she thought how Severus could have used those same words to insult her.

"Sponge brain!" Lynette accused jokingly.

Hermione bowed her head. "Touché."

At that, a timer went off in the kitchen, and the women headed back inside to finish up. They enjoyed their meal, taking time to taste it as they caught up with each other.

Lynette had explained what Hermione's father was working on—a root canal and a bridge on a middle-aged woman—and Hermione tried to explain what it was that she did as an Auror.

They considered the night a success when Lynette almost slightly understood what Hermione was talking about. Soon, though, Hermione said she better get going, it was getting late. They hugged and Lynette said, "It was great to see you, dear. And again, please let us know if you want to stay here for a while, ok?"

"I will," Hermione promised. "It was great to see you too. I'll be in touch with you soon, either way. Which, by the way, will be in the fireplace, if you don't care?"

Lynette chuckled, "I suppose not."

"Ok."

Lynette smiled and released her daughter. "Travel safe?" she said questioningly.

Hermione laughed. "I will," she reassured, and went out the door almost reluctantly. With a pop, she was at the edge of Hogwarts' grounds. Once again, she cast invisibility and detection charms, then began to walk.

It was a nice night, so she took her time getting to the school. Since it was so late, there wasn't much activity in the hallways—none detectable, at least. As she walked down to the dungeons, she pulled her coat tighter around her slight figure. When she reached the blank wall that hid Severus's door, she whispered 'kitten,' and walked in.

She heard the legs of a chair scrape and heavy footsteps. "Who is there?" came his deep, deep voice.

"Hello," Hermione said in a squeaky, high pitched voice, intending to play with him, "This is Matilda Hopkins from the Claims Office of Improper Identification."

She was making everything up as she went, not really knowing what she was talking about. "We received a claim from you that someone by the name of Hermione Granger called you 'extraordinary,' and you felt this was an uncalled for statement of your otherwise cruel and git-like character."

He was silent for a while before pulling out his wand, pointing it in the general direction of her voice, and saying, rather lazily, "Finite Incantatem."

Hermione's figure came into view and Severus stared at her with amusement. She looked slightly defeated, and he smirked.

"You knew it was me..." she said dejectedly.

"Your voice sounded no different," he said, but he didn't exactly mean it cruelly.

She sighed and walked up to him, giving him a hug. He blinked and looked down at her, wrapping his arms around her.

"How was your day?" she asked into his chest.

He considered the question, then answered, "Could have been worse. How was yours?"

"Ron was at my parents' house," she replied.

He pushed her back to look at her and asked, "What the hell was he doing there?"

"Obviously, he was trying to get to my parents before I did, trying to put his own spin on the story. He must've done a pretty marvelous job at it, too, because my mum was trying to make me apologise and everything."

Severus's teeth clenched, holding back a biting remark. "What did you say?"

"I told her my side of the story. After that, he looked sort of defeated, and left a little while after. Oh, my mum is wanting me to stay with them, and I don't know how I can tell them no without talking about you."

He stared at her, sorting out everything she'd just said so very quickly, and finally saying, "Well, good, that he realised he was wrong. And, that is... fine with me, if you stay with your parents. It would probably be the safer option, anyway."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks for understanding. Oh, and, I asked Ron if we could, erm, remain friends. I'd feel sort of weird never talking to him again..."

Again, the black eyes bore into her hazel. "Yes. And you won't be living with him, so if he's acting ridiculous, you can just leave."

"Did you have a good day or something?"

"What?"

"You're... different. What happened today?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary," he said, deflecting the point of her question. She stared at him intensely.

"First, you don't get angry or try to convince me to stay here when I say my parents want me to live with them for a while. Then, you don't tell me I'm an idiot for wanting to stay friends with Ron. What next? Are you going to say Harry Potter is your favourite person, and you were really just kidding us this entire time?"

"I am merely... trying to... be nice," he said lamely.

"And since when do you do that?" she accused. It came out much harsher than she meant it to, and he winced slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean it that way!"

The corner of his lip twitched in annoyance and he pulled away, returning to his seat to grade more papers.

"Sev, I'm sorry," she pleaded. He pretended not to hear her, and she sighed. "I'm going to go take a shower."

She quickly walked away from him, not wanting to bother him with her presence. After turning the water on to the perfect temperature, she took a long shower that eased the tension in her back. When the water got cold, she turned off the water and wrapped a towel around herself.

Rummaging through her suitcase, she found some flannel pajamas, putting them on and relishing in the warmth. She walked back into the main room cautiously, calling, "Sev?"

He looked up at her and quirked an eyebrow. She took this to mean he didn't hate her, and walked in, pulling a chair beside him. When he didn't say anything, she whispered, "I really didn't mean what I said."

"It is ok," he said softly. "I..."

"What?" Hermione goaded.

He took a deep breath, as if he were about to say something very important. "I am always... aware of what people think of me. But, for some reason, it has never really bothered me. When I think about it, it does bother me. I've become this... emotionless person, someone viewed as physically and emotionally unclean. I don't want to be that person to you... but it's difficult, obviously, to become a... nice person... without you suspecting something."

Hermione's eyes were wide with emotion as she said, "Oh, Sev. You don't have to become anything for me. Sure, sometimes you can be a bit overbearing, but I can, too. We work together, for whatever reason, and if you start trying to change who you are, we might not work anymore."

His face looked sad as she spoke, though it was sort of a hopeful sadness, as if he was trying to gauge how truthful she was being. He couldn't really think of anything to say in response, so he leaned over and kissed her.

She leaned into him, scooting her chair closer. His hands wandered around to her back and he ran his nails over it, causing Hermione to shudder slightly. He pulled her off her chair and into his lap with one quick movement.

Hermione moved back, pulling him with her, until they were standing. She gently moved him back against the wall, standing on her toes as she pressed against him.

"Hermione," the man said breathlessly. "If... if you..."

He looked distressed, and the girl looked at him with concern. "What is it?"

"If you don't want to go too far... you can't..." he warned.

She understood and responded, "Ok... I-I understand."

She bit her lip, a million thoughts racing through her head. 'Oh, just go on and do it. No, no, you've barely been with him. You're getting a divorce. You're still married. You know you want it. But you don't need it.' She felt like she'd explode.

He kissed her on the forehead. "It's ok," he said. "I understand, too."

Her face broke into a huge smile. "Thank you. It's not that I... I mean... I love you, but..."

Severus pressed a finger to her lips. "I said I understand. You don't have to defend yourself."

"I love you. So much."

He paused, and for a moment, Hermione thought he might actually say it back. But instead, he replied with the usual, "I know."

Hermione squeezed his hand and said, "I think I'm going to contact my parents tomorrow, tell them I'll move in... Sunday, probably. I'm getting my stuff from the house on Saturday."

Severus nodded. "That sounds... reasonable," he responded, then murmured something like, "I'll miss you, though..."

"What was that? You'll miss me?" Hermione questioned, raising an eyebrow.

He looked around, trying to find something to distract her. Finding nothing, he said, "I have grown used to your presence."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to bed."

He felt a slight bit of relief that she didn't mock him, and nodded. "I'll be there... eventually..."

"Do you still have to do hallway patrol?"

"Yes," he grumbled. Usually he liked stalking the hallways, finding comfort in the emptiness of midnight, but now that he had something—someone, rather—to be with in his quarters, he was almost unhappy to stay away.

She squeezed his arm in comfort. "I can wait up for you, if you want to talk, or something."

"No, you should rest. I have survived this long without needing someone to wait for me, I think I will be fine."

Hermione nodded slightly, and kissed him briefly on the cheek. He almost smiled in response, then, quickly, grabbed his cloak, threw it around him, and was gone.

The girl watched the door for a moment, then walked into the bedroom, climbing under the warm covers. She fell asleep instantly.

:D That is all! Apologies for parts where it doesn't flow well... I haven't gone back over it yet (I really need to start doing that), but I felt like getting the section up.