Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Welcome to chapter three, thank you to my reviewers, now on with the show…
Chapter Three
Short Lived
The following morning Severus knocked on the adjoining door to Ginny's room. "Come in."
Severus slowly made his way to her room, to find her packing a small rucksack. "If we leave now we can get some breakfast before we go." He suggested.
"I'm all set." The Ravenclaw smiled at her professor as she flung her long red hair over her shoulder then grabbing her bag.
Severus then led the way down to the café in the lobby. They quickly had some toast and coffee before catching a taxi to the convention.
"Wouldn't it be easier just to apparate." Ginny suggested in a whisper, not wanting the taxi driver to hear.
Severus nodded. "Yes, but the building is to out in the open, we would be seen."
"Ah." She nodded in understanding.
The Potions Masters dark eyes had moved to look out the window taking in the scenery as he mulled the events of the previous night: his nightmare and their conversation. Felling a bit brave he turned back to his student.
"Miss. Weasley." The young woman's blue eyes turned toward her professor. "I do hope I did not…offend you last night."
"Not at all." She answered shaking her head slightly. "You had a nightmare, it wasn't your fault."
"Thank you, but I wasn't just referring to that. I meant…when I kissed you."
"No, professor." She smiled softly. "I wasn't offended."
"Good." His face relaxed and it was as if the tiniest grin crept to the corner of his lips. I thought, perhaps, you may have found it…inappropriate."
"Not at all…Severus."
The wizard's smile grew, as did Ginny's. Felling bolder, Severus reached out his hand, placing it gently atop the young woman's beside him, who in turn wrapped her fingers around his hand. They stayed that way for the rest of the ride.
The conference was exhausting to say the least. Lecture after lecture on potions, ingredients and everything in between, by the end of the day Ginny's mind was so overwhelmed with information all she wanted to do was sleep. They had a quick bite to eat and then headed back to the hotel, however at Severus' suggestion they decided to go for a night stroll in the hotels garden before heading to bed.
"This really is a beautiful place." Ginny said.
"Yes, it is, and rather relaxing."
"Indeed, and after today I need it. It was some great information, but my mind is exhausted."
Severus was contemplating on making another move. It was the right setting but she was tired, and in truth so was he.
Take her hand He told himself Take her hand and kiss it again.
No, I should wait for her indicate she wishes me to. He battled with his subconscious.
Perhaps I am moving too quickly. Maybe I should wait, until after the conference or…after she graduates.
Severus for goodness sake do you know how long it's been since you have had a woman in your life, for Merlin's sake, be a man and make a move.
Taking his own advice, Severus stopped walking, which caused Ginny to stop as well. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Not at all". Severus gave a rare smile as looked into her beautiful brown eyes, eyes that were so full of intrigue, passion and life. "Ginny." reaching down he once again took her hand in his. She looked down at their joined hands and then up into his eyes and smiled. He just stood there for a moment deciding on what exactly he should do. Perhaps hand holding was enough for now. But then again he kissed her hand last night, but that was different. Wasn't it?"
"Severus."
"Hum."
"What are you thinking?"
With a sigh of longing he answered honestly, "Of kissing you."
"Well, go on then." She encouraged, moving a step closer to her professor.
So, reaching down he took her hand in his and quickly brought it to his lips.
"That was sweet, but I thought you were going to kiss me a little higher up."
His brow rose and his heart started to beat a little faster. The was part of him, a very male testosterone driven part of him that wanted to go a hell of a lot further then kissing, but he was a gentleman, and so he would not press his advantage. "I can, if you are okay with that?"
"Obviously I am." Severus took a final step closer to the beautiful redhead, leaned in and kissed her soft, red lips and she happily kissed back. Near thirty minutes later they walked back to the hotel, their lips red and swollen from snogging, after a another lovely kiss god night, they headed into their separate rooms.
XXX
Ginny laid in bed thinking about what had just happened. She was being hit on by her potions teacher, and she was enjoying it. So much so she had kissed him. Yes, and what a kiss. Much better then Terry or Michael, and to be honest even Draco. But honestly what was she thinking. He was her teacher and 20 years her senior and a greasy-haired dungeon bat. Well actually with his haircut his hair does not seem the slightest oily and no longer dressing like an overgrown bat defiantly helps as well. Could this actually work? No. Her parents would have kittens.
Plus, she loved Draco. The Draco who married a woman he didn't love just to pacify his sadistic father and inherit his millions. Stupid Git. Severus on the other hand, well he seemed quite the opposite of Draco, yet she found herself strangely attracted to him. Why? He wasn't normally her type, right? Then again, did she even know her type, all of her boyfriends had been different in some way. But Severus Snape was no boy. He was a man, a 38 year old man.
Severus couldn't sleep either. He lay awake thinking of that kiss. Her lips were so soft, so delicious. He wished he was attached to them right that moment. It had been a long time since he had kissed a woman like that. He couldn't possibly be this lucky. An almost 18 year old beauty interested in a dungeon bat. She defiantly seemed to be. Even if she was, could they make this relationship work? He would be her professor, was that even legal? Were the rules against it, he didn't believe so.
The Issue of favoritism would surely come about if their relationship became known. Not to mention what the other teachers would say. Not that he particularly cared. Still, her parents might be an issue, and her brothers, especially Ronald; not that he couldn't handle that hot tempered brat. Draco. Now there's a dilemma. His godson had indeed asked him to court the girl, make her happy as he could not, but deep down he knew he still loved her.
The next morning they again had breakfast at the café in the lobby, and again they took a cab to the hotel. Severus held Ginny's hand the entire way to the hotel, and she happily let him. They spent the entire morning just as they had the previous day going from lecture to lecture. The last one of the day involved a potion made from a rare herb found in Indonesia which is in known to cure cataracts and other eye issues.
Severus sighed dramatically as they entered the room.
"What?" Ginny asked, easily seeing his annoyance.
"I actually gave this lecture last year. I really do not wish to sit through an inferior addressing the subject."
Ginny snorted a laugh. "Inferior. You think that much of yourself?"
"Of course." Ginny just shook her head.
"And you accuse Harry of arrogance." She joked, he just rolled his eyes. "Okay Mr. Know-It-All. What do you suggest we do instead?"
"Well." He said taking her hand in his. "A walk along the Riviera would be nice."
Ginny smiled at the idea of walking hand in hand along the river shore with Severus. His hands were soft and warm, nothing like you would expect from a potions master. She wouldn't mind holding them all day, or having them hold her…in other places.
"I think I'd like that." She found herself caught staring deep into his dark eyes, they had been described as Tunnels that never ended and people found it unnerving, she found it…beautiful. There were so deep, dark and mysterious, they were almost mesmerizing. Her mother had always told her you can tell a lot about a person by their eyes, and she always believed that to be true. Harry for example, he always looked so lost, but Severus, she could see the pain, it was hidden deep, but also the passion, for Potions and…for her.
The sound of someone clearing their throat suddenly pulled the couples attention from each other and to the man standing just a few feet away.
"Good afternoon Severus." Slughorn said trying not to grin at the bit of affection he just witnessed.
"Hello Horus."
"And Miss Weasley, so nice to see you."
"You too Professor Slughorn."
"Are you two going into the lecture?"
"No. We were just leaving actually." Severus said. "But enjoy yourself." With that Severus and Ginny walked out of the room and toward the front of the auditorium.
"I do believe we we're just caught." Ginny giggled.
Severus shrugged, then slipping his hand back in Ginny's. The couple walked along the Rivera taking in the sights and enjoying the rest of the day. Heading back to their rooms, Severus asked if he could join Ginny in hers for a moment. She agreed.
They sat down on a sofa near the window.
"So, we head back in the morning." Severus said.
"Yes, we do."
Severus quickly rehearsed in his head what he was going to say before actually doing so. He took a deep breath and then opened his mouth. "Ginny." He said taking her hand in his. "The past couple of days it seems that we have been becoming closer." He gave a small smile. She gave one as well. "I was hoping to continue our growing interest of each other."
Ginny laughed. He sounded so…rehearsed and formal.
"You're laughing at my affections toward you?"
"No, just the way you worded it."
"Oh?"
"Severus, why don't you just ask to date me?"
"Alright then. Would you like to date me?"
Ginny smiled, leaned in and kissed her Potions Professor. "What do you think?"
Severus grinned. He then cupped his hand to the side of her face and delicately rubbed his thumb along her cheek.
"You are beyond beautiful Ginerva Weasley."
"Thank you Severus and you are incredibly handsome." Severus laughed removing his hand from her face.
"Thank you, but I prefer you not lie."
"I'm not. I have always thought your eyes were attractive."
"You have?"
"Oh yes. Did you ever notice in class how astute I was when it came to directing my attention to you when you were lecturing?"
"Yes, but I thought that was because of your interest in the subject."
"I loved to watch your eyes. Especially when you were insulting someone, I found the glint that appeared in them extremely…. inviting."
"Oh." He purred. "Is there anything else about me you find inviting?"
"Oh yes." She said touching his lips with her index finger. "Very inviting."
Their lips soon found each other. It was only minutes later they pulled apart.
"Severus."
"Yes." He said moving a strand of her hair behind her ear brushing her cheek with his fingers as he did.
"I'm not sure how my parents are going to react to this." She stated honestly. She was pretty sure they would explode, literally. Her mother particularly who had always wanted her to end up with Harry.
"Perhaps they will be happy for you."
"Perhaps."
"I would think you would be more concerned about your friend's reactions, especially Mr. Potter."
"Would it kill you to call him by his first name?"
"Yes. I believe it would." Ginny laughed shaking her head slightly.
"Harry I can handle, it's a raving Molly Weasley I am worried about. Not to mention how the staff at school will react."
"You are of age, I am doing nothing inappropriate, and frankly I have never cared what they have thought." He stated rather plainly.
"Just to be on the safe side, maybe we should keep this quiet for a while."
Severus sighed and rose from the couch. "I see. Well perhaps this whole thing was a bad idea." Severus went to leave but Ginny grabbed his sleeve.
"Severus, please. I want to be with you. I just-
"Ginny please don't. I very much would enjoy being with you but I will not do it in secret. Either we tell your parents and friends or this can simply not be."
Ginny sighed. "I just can't."
"Then you have made your decision." Severus stormed out of her room slamming the door behind him.
The next morning professor and student said few words. They took a port key back to The Burrow and the Severus apparate to Hogsmead.
"Ginny, how was your trip." Mr. Weasley asked his daughter.
"Okay. I'm pretty tired though, I think I'm going to take a nap."
"But dear its only nine am."
"I know. I didn't sleep well last night." Ginny headed up to her room, but she still couldn't sleep. So instead she took out a parchment and quill.
Severus,
I did not mean to hurt you. I know what it feels like when someone you care for rejects you, but please don't think that's what I'm doing. It's just so soon after the whole thing with Draco and then having to worry about what other people's reactions would be, I think it would be best if we waited. Maybe in a year, after I graduate we can think about starting something up. Again Severus, I am sorry. I do care for you, please don't forget that.
-Ginny
After sending the letter Ginny did in fact decide she needed a nap. She curled up in her covers and drifted off to sleep.
XXX
Severus sat alone in his home at Spinners End drinking his third bottle of firewhiskey when there was a knock at his door.
"Go away." He yelled at the door.
Draco ignored his godfathers command and headed into his house which was dimly lit, Severus was seated in an arm chair in the corner.
"Severus, why are you sitting in the dark?" Draco questioned, using his wand to turn on the lights.
"I am a dungeon bat, remember." She said rising from the chair stumbling to the sofa. "I belong in the dark."
Draco immediately spotted the bottle in Severus' hand, as well as the several scattered on the floor. "You've been drinking."
"How observant of you."
The blond sighed. "I thought you have given that up."
"I had, but recent events have changed my decision."
"I take it the trip didn't go well." Draco said banishing the empty bottles to the rubbish bin, then sitting next to his godfather.
"Yes and no."
"What?"
"We kissed, a few times, and she agreed to start seeing me."
"Then what's the problem."
"She wanted our relationship to be a secret."
"Hum. Did she say why?"
"Her excuse was that she did not think he parents would understand, but I realized the true reason."
"And what was that?" Severus turned and looked his godson right in the eyes.
"You."
"Me?"
"I know she still has feelings for you. I don't know what made me think that would change." He snorted before downing another gulp of firewhisky.
"Severus, you don't know that."
"I'm not blind Draco. Besides, it's better this way. It was just an infatuation anyway."
"Infatuation?"
"She's just like Lily. So, very much like my Lily."
"Severus, I've seen pictures of Lily and they may have the same hair but-
"You don't understand. It's not just her hair. It's the way she smiles, how she flips her hair over her shoulder, the way her eyes gleam when she interested in something the way her soft hands feel when they touches me. It's just so much like Lily."
"Severus. Did you ever think that the reason you see those things in Ginny is because you love her. That you love her just as you loved Lily."
Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're the one who loves her Draco, you should be with her."
Draco rubbed his eyes as he shook his head softly. "As you so wisely stated it's too late for regrets. I have Pansy. She may not be the love of my life, but we care for each other and I know she strives to make me happy. It's sort of the relationship my parents had, eventually they learned to love each other, and I'm sure Pansy and I will too."
Severus raised a surprised eyebrow at his Godson's words. "Well Mr. Malfoy, I do believe you have learned to take responsibility for your actions."
"It was bound to happen eventually."
XXX
Ginny work up several hours later to the sound of voices down stairs, after taking a quick stop to the loo she headed downstairs to find Harry and Hermione in her kitchen talking to her parents.
"Well hello sleepy head." Mrs. Weasley smiled at her youngest.
"Hi mum. What are you two doing here?" Ginny asked her two best friends sitting down on at the kitchen table besides her father.
"We were going to go see a movie and thought you might like to come." Harry asked.
"A movie, sure. I've never been, should be fun."
"You know." Hermione said. "Jacob has been asking about you." She said trying to hide her enthusiasm. Ginny noticed her parents seemed interested in the subject as well. Ginny however didn't feel like being in a relationship with anybody at the moment. Her mind and heart were already a mess because of Draco and Severus; she didn't need to add Jacob into the mix. "He convinced his mum not to et him a tutor so he'll be starting Hogwarts in the fall."
"That's nice."
"You know he's rather inelegant, of course I'm sure you have gathered that. Perhaps you two will be in Ravenclaw together."
Ginny faked a small smile. "That would be nice."
"Gin, are you okay?" Harry asked looking at his friend. He had never been best friends with Ginny like he had Ron, but he thought he knew her well enough to know when something was bothering her.
"I'm fine, just a long couple of days."
"You sure you're up for going out then? Hermione asked.
"Oh I'm fine. Just let me get my purse and we can go."
The three friends enjoyed the afternoon at the movies and even did a bit of shopping afterwards. Upon returning home Ginny was handed a letter by her mum. "This came for you a couple hours ago."
She recognized the handwriting it was from Severus. She instantly ran upstairs and opened the letter.
Miss Weasley,
I assure you I do not feel rejected. It was a rather ridiculous idea to begin with. We are simply incompatible. The age and maturity difference alone was too much of a barrier. I would like to have both of my books back by start of term.
Professor Snape
Ginny felt as if she would bust out crying. She had expected him to act as if he was not bothered by the whole thing, that was just how he was, but to say they were incompatible. And what exactly did he mean by maturity difference, was he saying she was immature? Surely not. She really had felt a connection with him. She had seen a part of him she was sure he shared with few people, and she enjoyed it immensely. Should she write him back, tell him how much his words stung? No. Just let it be. Why subject herself to future heartache?
Her sorrow however soon trued to excitement when a week later her letter from Hogwarts came, and to her happy surprise she had been made Head Girl.
"Oh my wonderful baby." Molly said wrapping her arms around her daughter. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks mum." She said rolling her eyes.
"This calls for a celebration. We'll go to Diagon alley and you can pick up whatever you wish."
"Really?"
"Of course you deserve it." She said placing a kiss atop her daughters head. "You know when you were first sorted into Ravenclaw I was concerned, it had been decades since someone in our family had not been placed in Gryffindor but when you really seemed to blossom in that house, you made Prefect and now Head Girl. You have no idea how proud of you I am Ginny."
Molly wrapped her arms around her only daughter, tears of joy welled in her eyes. Molly had always wanted the best for her little girl, and at one time she had hoped she and Harry had a future together, but now, now she could see her brilliant daughter was meant to be more than a wife and mother, and although part of her was saddened at this, she was also overjoyed at what her girl was becoming.
"Thanks mum, that means a lot, really, it does."
XXX
Two hours later they were walking through Diagon Alley. Ginny contemplated what she wanted to pick out; new robes perhaps or maybe a new broom. No. Ginny had a better idea.
"Mum, I want a pet."
"That is certinally doable." She smiled at her daughter. "Do you think you'll want an owl? Errol is getting much too old to be flying back and forth between home and Hogwarts."
"I don't know, maybe."
"Well, let's go have a look and see."
The two Weasley women headed into Magical Menagerie where Ginny quickly found herself wondering over toward the Kaneasels. She had always liked Hermione's cat Crookshanks and thought about getting one when she moved out on her own. She looked at a display of small furry kittens, one in particular jumped out at her. It was black with brown eyes. She picked up the kitten checking to see its sex, it was a male. The kitten meowed at Ginny's touch.
"Mum. I want this one."
"Oh, he's cute. Alright dear. Let's get him some food and a collar." Ginny picked out a blue collar and silver fish shaped tag.
"So what's his name dear?" The lady at the counter asked so she could engrave it on the tag.
"Hum, I think…Severus."
"Ginny!" Molly instantly scolded her daughter.
"What?"
"You can't name the cat after Professor Snape."
"Why not, he looks just like him."
Molly just shook her head, "be that as it may, you really need to pick another name."
"Fine, Tobias then."
"That's cute." Little did Molly know Tobias was Severus middle name? But Ginny knew, and so would Snape. Lets how he feels having a feline named after him. She thought bitterly.
XXX
A week later Ginny was at standing at Platform 9 ¾ saying good bye to her mum.
"Now I want you to write okay."
"I will mum. I always do." Tobias meowed from his cage, not at all happy to be locked up. "Don't worry buddy. I'll let you out in a minute."
"Okay, let's get your trunk on the train."
"I can do that Mrs. Weasley." Both Weasley women turned to see Jacob Pallen standing behind them.
"Oh Jacob, hi." Ginny smiled at her new friend.
"Hello Ginny. Allow me." Jacob levitated her trunk onto the train and then they boarded together, quickly finding an empty compartment.
"I see you have a cat."
"Yes, this is Tobias."
Jacob went to pet Tobias who hissed and showed him his claws. "He doesn't really like males. I think he's jealous." Ginny joked.
"Yeah, um, okay. So, how was the rest of your summer?" He asked his eyes quickly differing from the ferocious feline back up to Ginny.
"Okay, yours?"
"Okay. Douglass, my step-dad took me out a lot, it was supposed to be male bonding thing." He rolled his eyes.
"You don't like your step dad?"
"He's okay, but he's a muggle."
"You have a problem with muggles?" She asked crossing her arms and glaring at him.
"No, not at all." He said a little taken aback by her reaction. "They just don't have the same interests as us, that's all."
"Oh, well, I guess I can understand that."
"You got pretty defensive there."
"Sorry. I have a short temper."
"That's okay, I can too at times." Ginny had a feeling he was saying that just to pacify, Jacob didn't seem the type to get riled up too easily.
The two 17 year olds chatted throughout the train ride. They were even joined by Luna at one point, who told Jacob he reminded her of a Gritereden, whatever that was. Arriving in the Great Hall, Jacob was took aside by Professor McGonagall, to be sorted with the other first years. Dumbledore announced the sorting was about to begin, but before the first years they had a transfer student from America. Jacob sat on the stool and Ginny watched curiously as it took almost three whole minutes to sort him. Finally it shouted RAVENCLAW. He quickly made his way over and sat by Ginny.
"What took so long?" She asked.
"I had to reason the hat out of putting me in another house."
"You out smarted the sorting had. I'm impressed."
"Thank you." He said looking quite smug.
Ginny couldn't help but glance up at the staff table, specifically at Severus. He caught her eye, she smiled, but he did not return the gesture. Sighing she went back to her meal.
A/N: Okay, not a lot of changes but I think it floo's a bit better now. I should have the next chap up by Wed.