Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Here is chapter five which leads up to the climax of the story.

Enjoy…

Chapter Five

The Kiss

Over the next week Luna would slyly flirt with Jacob, and Hermione happily let her, and it was very obvious, to both women, that he noticed the extra attention from his blond friend, and in fact seemed to be enjoying it quite completely.

That weekend was a Hogsmade trip, Jacob and Ginny of course went together, however Ginny insisted on inviting Luna, which naturally Jacob had no objection to. Luna purposely wore a tight fitting jumper that fully showed off her breasts as well as a pair of rather tight fitting jeans. As the day went on Luna did her best to flirt with the blond boy at every turn, and her attentions seemed to be working well, the boys attention was more focused on Luna then his actual girlfriend.

Throughout the day, Jacob offered to carry Luna's things (not Ginny's) and even bought all three of them lunch. He hardly said a word to Ginny the whole time, and when the day was over she didn't even get a good night kiss.

Men, so predictable.

When Ginny got back to her room that evening, there was a note on her bed.

Miss Weasley.

I believe I have found something that belongs to you. Please come retrieve it.

Professor Snape

Ginny smiled widely. She practically skipped all the way down to the dungeon. She didn't know what exactly it was that he found but she was eager to find out. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on his door.

"Come in."

Ginny walked into his office seeing him holding small ball of black fur in his arms. He stood from his chair and walked over to her.

"I believe this is yours." He smiled as he handed her the purring cat.

"Thank you professor." She said taking her runaway feline. "Bad kitty running away from Gryffindor tower." Tobias didn't seem to care much for the lecture and simply closed his eyes before cuddling himself comfortably into Ginny's arms

"I see by his tag you have names him Tobias."

"I have." She smirked.

"Any reason?"

"I thought he looked like you."

Severus laughed. "Oh, how?"

"Well, he's dark and has mysterious eyes, but at the same time…cute." She said while blushing.

"Cute." Severus was now so close to Ginny she could feel him breath. "How so?"

Ginny looked into his eyes and then down to his mouth, they were calling her. Oh how she wanted to press her lips against his.

"Severus." She practically whispered.

"Yes Ginny."

"I-I…"

She couldn't get the words out, but it didn't matter, he knew what she wanted. He leaned in and kissed her; once, gently, on the lips. As she looked up into his eyes, she could have melted into his arms that very second. Severus went over to his classroom door and closed it. He then waived his wand. Ginny figured he had just done a non-verbal spell probably putting up a silencing charm.

After putting her runaway cat gently on the professors desk, Severus nearly enveloped her in his arms.

"Oh Severus." She said, her head moving on his chest, her arms now wrapped around his waist.

"I have missed you." He told her kissing the top of her head.

"I missed you too."

"Ginny." He said pulling her head from his chest and looking down into her eyes. "I want to be with you. I can't stand to seeing you with that pubescent brat any longer."

Ginny gave a small laugh. "Neither can I."

Severus smiled as he ran his long fingers though her soft red hair. "What will you do?"

"I'm already in the process of ending that relationship."

"Hum, and does this process somehow involve Miss. Lovegood?"

Ginny laughed while nodding. "You don't miss a thing do you Severus."

"Not at all." He said once again kissing her sweetly on the lips. "We can keep our relationship quiet if you would like."

"Are you sure?" She asked quizzically.

"Yes. Quiet but not secret. If someone asks me I will not lie."

"I believe I can agree to those terms." She said kissing him once more.

A few minutes later Ginny headed back to her dorm and once again she required Luna's assistance. She quickly told her friend of what had just transpired between her and Severus.

"That's wonderful." Luna smiled softly.

"So I need you to do one more thing for me."

"What?"

"I need you to kiss Jacob, in front of the entire school, in the Great Hall."

"Okay." She agreed without a second thought. Ginny had expected her to put an argument, to say that was too much.

"I'm going to have to pretend to hate you for a while."

"I'll live."

They decided to put their plan into action immediately. The next morning at breakfast Luna sat next to Jacob rather than her normal place across from Ginny.

"Good morning Jacob." She said smiled flipping her long blond hair over her shoulder, flirtatiously.

He gave a nervous sort of crooked grin back. "Morning."

Then, just as he swallowed a bite of eggs Luna put a hand on his knee and squeezed. He jumped.

"You okay?" Ginny asked him, looking honestly concerned.

"Yeah, I-I'm fine." He looked over at Luna who licked her lips seductively. He gulped.

Jacob then leaned towards Luna and whispered, "Did you do that?"

"Oh yes." She whispered back. "Did you like it?" He nodded. "Good." Luna then took both of her hands placed them on either side of his face, pulled him to her, and kissed him, long and hard, he didn't resist her and in fact wasted no time in reciprocating her affections

"Jacob!" Ginny screamed jumping from her seat and trying to sound as upset and hurt as possible. "How-how could you?"

Up at the professors table. Severus was smiling. He even let out a small laugh.

"Severus, you can't possibly think that funny?" Minerva asked him.

"I find it…entertaining."

"I…um, she kissed me." Jacob tried to defend himself.

"You didn't seem to be putting up much of a fight there."

"Um, well…sorry." With that Ginny slapped him across the face and stormed out of the room.

"Ginny, please." He called after her, placing his cool hand on his now burning cheek.

"You don't need her." Luna said wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'll give you much more than she ever would." She kissed him again.

Ginny didn't stay to see the aftermath but went straight to the dungeons. Severus excused himself from the table and went toward his office. When he arrived her found Ginny leaning against his office door, a huge smile on her face.

"You are a very good actress Miss. Weasley." He told her as they headed into his office.

"I think Luna did a better job than me. Then again," she said closing the door behind her, "I don't think she was acting that much."

"So now that you are officially no longer with him, I believe I would like to kiss my girlfriend."

"I think that is an excellent idea."

They instantly wrapped themselves in each other's arms. He kissed her gently on the forehead; she returned the favor by kissing him on the lips. "I should probably get to class."

"Yes, you should." He sighed not really wanting to release her from his arms.

"I have rounds tonight. I'll come by." Ginny reluctantly released herself from Severus' arms, he gave her a kiss good bye, and she left.

Severus felt lighter than he ever had, he hoped night came quickly.

XXX

Later that evening, just as Ginny was about to head out for rounds she saw Jacob on the couch near the fire, his lips practically massaging Luna's face. She did her best to refrain from laughing, and instead forced a roll of her eyes. She planned to leave the room without a word however Jacob felt he had to say something.

"I'm sorry Ginny." He said hopping up from the couch.

"Really, you didn't look that sorry, sucking face with Luna over there."

"I really am. I have to admit I had been thinking about her lately, but I didn't want to hurt you so I ignored my feelings. I didn't think she would kiss me like that, I just…I'm sorry."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for." The dreamy voice of Luna said as she wrapped her arms around Jacob's waist from behind. "You're with the right girl now."

Ginny gave a pretend look of disgust. "You want him, you can have him." She then stormed out of the common room. Her look of disgust soon turned to one a joy as she began to skip down the corridor.

She spent the next hour and half searching the castle for students out of bed. She found a couple, but was in such a good mood she let them off with a warning. When her rounds were over she made her way directly to Severus' office where she found him grading papers.

"Good evening professor." She said closing and locking the door behind her.

He rose from his chair and went to her. "Good evening." He said gentlemanly taking her hand and kissing it.

"So what shall we do this evening?" She asked looking up into his deep, dark eyes.

"Whatever you would like."

"Let me think." She said putting her finger to her chin. "I think snogging would be a good place to start."

Severus grinned as he pulled Ginny into his arms. "As you wish." The couple's mouths met.

XXX

The weeks past and no one had yet to ask Ginny or Severus about their involvement with each other. The met almost every day, though not always for long and were quite discreet about their meetings. Ginny did have to study, in was her NEWT year after all, and Severus did have classes to teach and essays to fail.

Luna and Jacob continued with their relationship and Ginny saw then rarely do more than snog each other senseless, which Ginny thought odd considering Luna had never had a boyfriend before him. The two friends had mended their 'so called' fractured friendship and they once again began to keep each other's company.

Soon the holidays were upon them and Severus pressed the issue of Ginny telling her family of their relationship.

Severus sat on the floor in front of a roaring fire his back against his couch. Ginny sat between his legs and the couple talked as they sipped on wine. Tobias decided to take the couch for himself.

"We have been together almost two months I think it's time they know." He said running the ends of her hair in his fingertips.

"I know, but they are going to freak."

"Maybe, but you are an 18 year old woman very capable of making your own decisions." He then moved her ginger hair aside before sending kisses down her neck.

Giggling, Ginny turned herself around, so she was on her knees facing him, her eyes focusing on his, a smirk suddenly playing on her lips.

"Miss. Weasley." He grinned. "I believe I am starting to rub off on you. You have inherited my smirk."

She then pressed her smirk against his. Severus wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Sev." She said after finally releasing the kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too." He grinned, and just as Severus was once again about to connect his mouth to hers there was a knock at the door.

"I should get that."

"Okay, but make them leave as quickly as possible."

"Don't worry, I will." Severus stood from the floor and went to the door. He was surprise at her was behind it.

"Draco."

"Hello Severus, do you have a moment?"

"I'm actually rather busy."

"Please, it-it's important." Severus could see the desperation in his eyes, so reluctantly, and with a deep sigh, he agreed.

"I suppose." Severus opened the door and Draco entered, he immediately saw Ginny sitting by the sofa, she saw him as well.

"Hello Draco." She gave a small, uneasy smile. Although she knew she loved Severus, she was still attracted to Draco, in more ways than one, and she didn't want her boyfriend to realize it.

"Hello Ginny". The blond said.

Severus went over to Ginny taking her hands in his. "I apologize but I am going to have to cut our evening short."

"It's okay. I'll see you tomorrow." She kissed him quickly on the mouth before heading toward the door. "Come on Tobias." The little black cat jumped off the couch and headed over to his owner, hissing at Draco on the way.

Draco's eyes followed her until she was out the door. When he turned back to Severus, he was met with a scowl.

"Um, Severus. I need your help."

"With what?" he asked crossing his arms his eyes scanning his godson in suspicion.

Draco sighed as he sat down in an armchair "I-I think my wife is having an affair." His eyes were focused on his lap rather than the Potions Master.

"Really, why is that?"

Draco's grey eyes moved slowly to Severus. "She has been gone quite often in the evening and when she comes back she is in a much better mood then when she left. Plus when I ask her where she has gone her answer is simply…out."

Severus couldn't help but give an inward snicker. "What do you expect when you marry someone who you do not love and has cheated on you before your marriage?"

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised…just disappointed. I thought we were getting on well, we seemed to be, but the last few weeks, she just seems so different."

"What do you want from me? I can't change anything."

"No, but you could follow her and find out for sure if she is." Severus shook his head emphatically. He wasn't getting involved. "Please Severus."

"No!" He said sitting down on the sofa.

"Severus, please," he said rising from the chair, "you were the best spy that ever lived, I know you could-

"It's not that I couldn't, it's that I do not want to do it."

"But, why?"

Severus huffed. "So say I find out she is cheating on you, your marriage bond is now broken and you are now available."

Draco instantly knew what his godfather was implying. "Severus I assure you this has nothing to do with me wanting Ginny."

"Please! I saw the way you looked at her when she left."

"I can't help but be attracted to her, or to still harbor feelings for her, but she is with you and she seems happy and that's all I wanted for her. Please Severus I just want to know the truth about Pansy, that's all."

Still doubtful, he agreed. "Fine."

"Thank you."

"But if I find your intentions are false and that your trying to take her away from me, believe me you will live to regret it."

"Believe me Severus, I know better than to cross you."

That Saturday Severus trailed Pansy Malfoy and the two evenings that proceeded it. She was in fact seeing someone, but not for the reason Draco thought. He had sent his Godson an owl to have him meet him at the three broom sticks that evening at seven.

As he was leaving the castle to meet Draco, Ginny caught up with him just beyond the courtyard, Tobias trailing behind. "Good evening professor." She said attempting to sound casual.

"Miss Weasley." He gave a small smile.

"So I-I told someone." She admitted rocking backing and fourth on her heels.

"Oh, who?"

"Hermione."

Severus laughed, he had assumed Granger would have been one of the first she told, her and of course Miss. Lovegood who already knew. "What did she say?"

"At first she thought I was joking, but then she said she was happy, I was happy, but that she didn't understand how I could be." Again Severus laughed.

"So I assume she will be telling Ron and Harry."

"I told her she could. That way I don't have to. I know Ron at least will tell my parents and…well I am sure at some point I will be receiving a howler from my mother."

"I am sure I will as well." He responded in all seriousness.

"So where are you headed?" She asked, curious.

"I am meeting Draco. I have some information for him."

"Okay, well I'll see you later then." Ginny turned to leave expecting Tobias to follow, however the feline decided to trial after his name sake.

"Oh no you don't." Ginny said picking up the kitten. "Daddy has to go talk to Uncle Draco."

Snape's brow rose. "You did not just tell your cat I was his daddy?" Ginny just shrugged and walked away.

XXX

Draco sat at the bar in the Three Broomsticks downing his third firewhiskey in less than an hour. He was a nervous wreck. As much as he would be hurt knowing Pansy was seeing someone else, especially after her tearful reaction when she thought he had been seeing Ginny, he would admit deep down part of him hoped she was. Yes he and Pansy had been getting along well, but there was still the fact that he was married to a woman he didn't love, and as happy as he was for his godfather he was starting to regret suggesting a relationship with Ginny.

If Pansy had cheated on him he could get his love back, not that he ever really had her, but still. But now, even if he could that doesn't mean he would be able to, not with Severus Snape at her side. Draco would admit that as much as he respected the man he also feared him.

"Drowning your sorrows?" Severus asked as he sat in the stool next to him.

"I don't know, do I have a reason to?"

"You do not."

Draco took a sigh of relief. "Then what in the world has she been up to?"

"Planning your 20th birthday party."

Draco laughed. "I was freaking out over a birthday party."

"You were."

"Thanks Severus, for calming my nerves."

"No problem."

"So," Draco took a final drink from his bottle, "I take from what I saw the other evening things are going well between you and Ginny."

"Yes." He grinned. "They are going very well."

"That's good. I'm glad you're happy Severus." His words were soft and although he tried to hide it Snape could tell they were insincere.

"Thank you."

Draco's eyes moved back to his godfather. "So have you two, um, well-

"Slept together?" Draco nodded. "No we have not".

"Oh. Why?"

Severus sighed. "That's really not any of your business Draco."

"I know it's just, well, you know she is a virgin, right?"

Calmly Severus answered, "I figured she was, though I had not asked her."

"Oh, well just so you know."

Severus closed his eyes for a brief moment and when he reopened then he shown the rather intently into his godson's "Draco, I love that woman, you know that, right."

"I do," and the deciding to be rather daring or perhaps it was foolish he added, "I love her too, Severus."

Severus let out a low growling noise, his eyes narrowing at his godson. "You cannot have her Draco." He whispered in a venomous tone.

"Maybe-maybe I want her". He stated boldly, though there was a slight quiver in his voice.

"You are married to a faithful woman Draco."

"Yeah, well maybe I'll just go sleep with some floozy so I can break the vow and then win her back. I love Ginny-she belongs to me!"

Severus rose from the stood, his already tall frame towering over the younger wizard. "She does not belong to anyone, but she is dating me. I love her and she loves me. You are nothing to her anymore. You broke her heart and then asked her to be your mistress, just so you can have your desires filled. You are a spoiled brat Draco you are almost twenty years old and you still haven't learned you cannot always get what you want".

Draco jumped off his stool and pulled out his wand. "I am a Malfoy I always get what I want." Draco tried to mutter a hex but was unable in that his mouth was met with Severus' fist. Draco lay flat on his back his hand on his bloody lip, Severus hovering over him.

"Stay away from Ginny, Draco, or else!" Severus then swooped out of the room.

XXX

The next morning at breakfast Ginny could tell Severus was in a rather foul mood. She was sure it didn't help that three howlers landed on his plate at breakfast. He of course didn't open them at the time. Ginny has received a letter herself, from her parents. They were not happy, but at the same time they said that if she was absolutely sure it was what she wanted then they would support her.

After a very long day Ginny headed to Severus quarters where she found a very drunk potions master.

"Sev, what have you done to yourself." She couldn't help but laugh at his inebriated state.

"I-I have decided to drrrrink away my day." He said plopping on his leather sofa a bottle of firewhiskey still in his hand.

"Is this about the howlers?" She asked sitting down next to him.

"No, Those I can handle."

"Was one from my mother?"

"No, but she did send me a letter. The howlers are from your friends and one from a man I hate very-very-very much" He said squinting down the neck of the now empty bottle.

"Severus." The drunken professor turned to his love. "What happened?" She asked putting a gentle hand on his knee.

Severus sighed. "Draco thought Pansy was having an affair and he asked me to investigate."

"Was she?"

"No, but I believe he wished she was."

Ginny's face scrunched in confusion. "Why?"

Severus turned his glazed expression over to Ginny, she could see the deep worry that lingered in his black orbs. "So he could have you."

"Oh Severus," she sighed pulling him into her arms, "that won't happen. I promise."

"I told him I love you." He said dropping his head to her lap his eyes looking unfocused into hers. "I do you know." He gave a drunken grin.

"I know. I love you too Sev." She said gently rubbing his forehead.

"He told me he would sleep with a floozy so he could break his marriage vow and then he would come for you. He said he's a Malfoy and a Molfoy always gets what they want."

"Oh Severus. I love you, you don't have to worry about Draco, okay." Ginny was in love with Severus Snape, she knew that, did she love Draco, in a way yes, but it was different. Draco was her first love, it was, well puppy love, but with Severus, just being held in his arms evoked feelings she never knew possible.

"One of the howlers was from him. He said that you were his and that he would have my job, blah, blah, blah."

"Who were the other two from?"

"Your lovely friends who decided to call me a variety of colorful names." He said then trying to sit up but fell back down into her lap.

"They'll get over it."

"I suppose." Severus gave a small crooked smile as he looked deep into Ginny's eyes. "Ginny."

"Yes."

He may not have been in complete control of his senses at the moment but his mind knew what he felt, what he wanted to feel. "I know you never have, but…I want to make love to you."

Ginny could tell he was indeed serious, but he was also very drunk. "You are completely pissed Sev."

"I-I'm fine." He said finally managing to sit up. "I can do it." He reached his hand for her cheek, but it ended up on her shoulder.

"Let me get you a sober-up potion." Ginny got from the couch and went to his private stores. When she came back he was passed out on the couch. Ginny pulled a blanket over him and left a note along with the bottle of sober up on his coffee table.

XXX

The following day Ginny found Severus absent from the breakfast table, since she had a free period before her first class she decided to go check on him, worried he may still be passed out from his drunken state the night before. When arriving at his chambers she decided to forgo knocking and just used the password. When she entered she was greeted not only by the sight of Severus but of Draco and the Headmistress as well.