A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in almost a week. But I've been tied up with my bro-in-law in the hospital. He's back home again and doing great. Thank you everyone who sent in their prayers or support during his stay. I really appreciated it. Since I haven't been able to get to my computer too much, I haven't had a chance to respond to everyone's reviews yet. Give me a few days and I"ll catch up on them all. Again thanks for all the lovely support.

Thank again to everyone reviewing my stories. I'm blown away at the amount of reviews I'm getting. You all have reviewed this story more than my other story got and it was much bigger and up longer. Awesome. Keep the reviews coming, I'm loving them all. Take Care.

Thank you too to everyone who is adding me to their alerts and favorite story/author. It warms me immensely to find so many people liking my stories. It shows me that while I think i have a talent for writing, others thinks so as well too.

Okay enough mushy stuff and on with the story.

Chapter 11

She didn't go to Hogsmead that weekend before Christmas break. There wasn't anything there for her anymore. She didn't want to shop there either. So instead, she spent her weekend with Snape. He had changed his wards to allow her to come and go as she pleased. She could lower them and raise them again as she wanted to. Though she always asked if he minded her stopping by, which he found annoying since he told her to just come when she wanted. She always knocked softly before entering too.

When he asked why she continued to ask and knock she had just shrugged saying she didn't want to wear out her welcome. He again hadn't fully understood since he told her not to not worry about it, he'd let her know if she was coming by too much. But she still asked and knocked. He had shrugged it off and stopped bothering to remind her otherwise.

She had gone on her shopping trip with Hagrid during the beginning of Christmas break. Hagrid had been delighted to find out she wanted him to join her. So he helped her pick out a few gifts though he seemed unsure if his suggestions were good ones.

They had stopped for lunch at the Leaky Cauldron while shopping, and she had told him that she had a few stops to make on her own and to meet up with her an hour later at Weasley Wizard Wheezes to see the twins. He hadn't wanted to let her go alone, but quickly agreed when he realized he could have a few drinks while he waited.

She popped over to Twilfitt and Tattings to see about a special surprise for Snape. Seeing the witches all inside the shop, she waited for a break in the crazy crowd to inquire about what she was looking for. Not finding what she was looking for she stopped in at Madam Malkin's instead.

She told the witch inside what she wanted and after a bit of eyebrow raising, she was quickly fitted for what she wanted. She shrunk her purchases and put them in her robe pocket. She didn't want anyone to see the items she had. She didn't want to explain them to anyone, let alone Hagrid. It wasn't that she was ashamed at her relationship with Severus, she just didn't want anyone to see what she planned on wearing for him.

She then popped over to Flourish and Blotts, searching thru their books. Asking to see their rare book collection. The clerk inside told her that he had just placed a few that another wizard had sold to them earlier in the day. Going over what was inside, she finally spotted what she was looking for. A book he didn't have yet, and one she thought he would enjoy. It was bit more expensive than she would normally spend, but she had been careful with all the money her parents had given her over the years and had quite a bit saved up. Enough that this purchase didn't drain her bank account too bad.

She asked them to wrap it for her and she again shrank it and put it in her pocket. She made one last stop for Hagrid's gift, not being able to buy it with him around. Realizing she was running late she quickly added it to the things in her pocket as she ran to the twins shop. Almost colliding with Hagrid as he was coming out to try to find her.

She grinned sheepishly at him. "Sorry I'm late Hagrid. My errand took a bit longer than I thought."

He grinned down at her. "It's okay Mione. I was just coming to see if you were okay. Since you're here, I'll let you visit with the twins a bit. Do you have anymore shopping to do?"

She saw he was more than willing to shop some more with her, but like all men was somewhat dreading her saying yes. She grinned at him. "I think I got everyone taken care of."

Before she was able to even turn around, she felt two arms circle her waist. One boy on each side of her.

"Hey there Mione." Fred said, or least she thought it was Fred.

"Hey there Gorgeous." George said, as both leaned down and kissed her cheek at the same time.

She grinned at them, her own arms encircling their waists too. "Hello boys." She kissed each one on the cheek, though as usual Fred tried to turn so she would kiss him on the lips. Which quickly let her know who was who. She laughed and smacked him on the back of the head. She might be like a little sister to them, but Fred had harbored a slight crush on her for years. She liked him, but not that way. He was like a big brother to her, and she doubted she'd ever feel anything but brotherly love for him. He knew it but liked to tease her with the attempted kiss anyway.

They chatted, catching up on everything each had missed with her absence. As usual they finished each others sentences, taking turns in each sentence until it was complete. They even had a cup of tea together before Hagrid softly cleared his throat, reminding Hermione that they needed to get back to the school.

She kissed each one goodbye, Fred again trying to get her to kiss his lips. She laughed as she smacked him again. He chuckled telling her he'd catch her off guard one day and get his kiss.

Both Hermione and Hagrid apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts and went inside. It was getting late and they had missed dinner, but had eaten again back at the Leaky Calderon before leaving. She thanked him for going with her, kissing his cheek, which he blushed and stumbled about when he told her it was his pleasure.

She waved and went to her room, hiding all the presents. Including the one's for Severus. She had also informed the Headmistress of her return, thanking her for allowing her to go. She had even picked up a little something for the woman who was like a second mother to her. It too was hidden in her room along with the rest.

She then went down to the dungeon. She knocked on the classroom door softly, not hearing anything she walked in and found it empty, so did the same to his private office door. Again he wasn't there either. So she knocked at his private chambers door before walking inside.

She didn't hear anything so she slowly made her way to his bedroom, hearing the shower going she smiled as she thought about slipping in with him, but changed her mind. She wasn't sure if he would mind her doing so. She figured in the end he wouldn't mind, since she would make sure he was happy about her joining him. Especially since they always ended up shagging while in there. She found nothing put him in a better mood than her wrapping her naked body around him. But then again nothing put her in a better mood either.

Instead she walked over to his bookshelf and carefully selected the book she had been reading. Curling up on the couch she started to read while she waited for him to finish his shower. She was so engrossed in what she was reading, she didn't hear the shower turn off or the door open.

He pulled on his clothes and walked to the entry of the living room and found her on couch, totally focused in the words she was reading. He stood there as a strange feeling washed over him as he watched her. He found it was nice to come in and see her curled up on his couch while reading.

He watched her push a strand of hair out of her face, the action a habit he had noticed on more than one occasion. She would pull her unruly hair out of her face, but it still managed to get loose and bother her. He found that habit and the habit of biting her lower lip in concentration or thought very endearing. It made him want to suck on her lip she was biting. He didn't even realize he was smiling softly at her as he watched her.

He didn't realize he smiled a lot when either seeing her or thinking of her. His students had noticed but were wise enough to not comment on it. They had noticed he wasn't as hard on them too. Not taking points away as easily, or as one sided. He didn't attack Gryffindor for no reason as much either. They didn't know what was causing the change in him, but they were grateful for it.

He didn't know what made her look up, if he made a noise or shifted, but her eyes met his and she smiled at him. Stretching out her hand so he would join her on the sofa. He found himself drifting towards her before he even realized it. Sitting down beside her as she leaned against him.

"So how was your day?" She asked him, placing a book marker to save her place and closing the book. She never folded down a page, something he was happy to find. He hated seeing students do that to any books.

He shrugged, still unused to her asking him about his day. "It was fine. I got to finish my book." He never knew how to answer her, if she was looking for a certain response. But she always accepted his answers without censorship or comment about it lacking in some way.

She smiled tiredly and nodded. Her shopping trip having drained her more than she thought. "That's good."

He noticed her sleepiness. "Did you have a good shopping trip with the big oaf?"

She frowned slightly at his description of her dear friend. "Yes, I had fun with Hagrid. He gets so worried about letting me go off alone. I stopped off and saw the twins at their shop too. I think I got everyone's gifts. I even found a little something for my parents."

He did like that the big man seemed to make sure Hermione was safe at all costs. "Why did you go off alone? I thought the point of taking him was to have someone with you."

She yawned softly. "I couldn't get his present with him watching me now could I?" She left out her shopping for him as well. It was a surprise after all, she didn't want him to feel obligated to get her something. Him just letting her read his books was enough of a gift for her.

He wrapped his arm around her, letting her lean a bit more against him. "I guess not. Though it would have ensured he liked what you got him if he went with you."

She laughed softly as she snuggled deeper against him, her eyes closing tiredly. "It would have ruined the surprise if he saw it. That is half the fun, the surprise of finding whatever it is that someone gives you. I don't care what someone gives me, I just like the surprise."

He realized she had fallen asleep as he pondered her words. She hadn't ever fallen asleep here with him before. He let her sleep, holding her. After a bit, he realized that his shoulder was starting to hurt where she was laying on it.

He wasn't sure what he should do. Should he just let her continue to sleep? Should he move and risk waking her?

He stayed where he was until it was becoming too uncomfortable to let her stay as she was. He slowly shifted her until he was free and stood up letting the blood circulate back into his arm and shoulder again.

Then he picked her up, marveling once again that she was so light, but she thought she was too heavy. He turned and carried her to his bed covered in the now green silk sheets. Laying her down on it softly. Removing her shoes, and with a flick of his wand, she was out of her clothes and in just her soft t-shirt and knickers. He just wanted her comfortable while she slept. He didn't think her jeans or bra would leave her comfortable.

Stepping back he watched her sleep for a few minutes before covering her up and grabbing another book to read. He stripped to his boxers, climbing in the bed next to her, and read quietly while she slept. Glancing her way every so often so make sure he wasn't disturbing her with the pages turning.

He eventually fell asleep himself next to her.

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Hermione woke the next morning feeling an arm wrapped around her waist while laying on her side, and a bare chest pressed into her back. It took her a moment to realize where she was. She was in Snape's bed, and he was sleeping next to her, wrapped around her.

It was nice. She hadn't actually slept with him before. She had always left and crawled into her bed inside her dorm room after their time together. But this added something she wasn't sure she was ready for. This made this thing with them not just about sex and friendship. This made it a bit more intimate. Made them more of a couple.

Was that okay? She wasn't sure, but she did like waking up in bed with him. Feeling him shift against her, she smiled. Last night was the first night they hadn't sex while in his rooms either. They had just talked before she fell asleep.

She snuggled closer against him, enjoying how good he felt next to her, the warmth of him. His fingers flexing against her hip in his sleep. She sighed and closed her eyes again. She didn't know if she would get the opportunity to be like this with him again so she was going to enjoy it.

She fell asleep again, but woke a bit later to him sliding his hand down her waist to her thigh, then back up again. Coming around to cup her breast, as his lips found her neck. She sleepily arched against him as he continued to seduce her slowly with his hands and lips.

He pulled away and then she realized she was naked and hid a smile since she knew he used his wand on her to make her that way. He was back against her, fully naked himself as he continued his slow torture. Soft strokes of his hands, and soft kisses as he ground his hips gently against hers, letting her feel his erection.

His fingers found her hidden nub beneath her folds. Her moans soft as he moved his fingers over her, her sigh almost lost in the whispers of the sheets as he brought her to a gentle release. He eased her onto her back, and she gave him a sleepy smile as he settled between her thighs before he eased inside her.

He rarely showed her gentleness once he was inside her, so she reveled in it. Their movements together slow and sweet. It didn't take much before she was arching against him, her soft cries filling the room. His hands stroking gently down her body as he shifted his pace just a bit, making his strokes a little deeper.

He brought her to another easy climax before finding his own release. His breathing harsh in her ear as she held him tightly to her, feeling a stinging in her eyes at how sweet he had just loved her body. She took a deep breath, willing the tears away before he saw them. Feeling them disappear, she let him pull back a little from her, even though he was still inside her.

She smiled up at him. "Good morning." She said softly, reaching up to brush a lock of his own black hair out of his face.

He gave her a soft smile of his own, before leaning down to touch his lips to hers. Pulling back, he looked back down at her. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

She nodded, shifting just a bit to make his weight a bit more comfortable. He tried to move away, but she locked her legs around him, holding him in place as she grinned up at him. "I did, thank you for bringing me to bed, and for removing my clothes. Jeans are terrible to sleep in."

She saw a faint flush stain his cheeks, and she was surprised. She didn't think she ever saw him blush before. She leaned up just enough to kiss him, and felt him swell inside her again. With another grin, she lifted her hips to let him slide just a bit deeper inside her, making him gasp as she purposely tightened around him.

With a growl he started to move inside her again, this time not so gentle. This time she didn't want gentleness. She wanted the power she always felt with him. She wanted the heat and passion he always gave her. His roughness excited her.

It showed his deep desire for her. It showed that he didn't have that perfect calm and control when he was moving with her. She was able to break thru that mask he showed everyone, and get to the passionate man hidden inside. The one that she found she was starting to care for more and more.

She flipped him onto his back, not breaking their connection as she moved on him, taking him deep and fast, making him groan and grab the sheets in his fists. She liked who she was when she was with him. He brought a side out in her that she had never seen before. She was always organized and controlled in her life. Sure she got angry but she never really let herself go with anyone. Even when she as having fun, a part of her was still very much aware of what was going on. But with hm she could forget the world around them and it didn't matter.

She screamed her release, his name mixed in with her cries. He pushed her onto her back again as his hips slammed into hers again and again like a well oiled machine.

She liked that he could make her lose her hold on that control. He could make her brain shut down for a bit, and just enjoy without worrying about anything. Even when they just were talking, she didn't have to keep a constant guard on her words or actions. True, she had to be careful not to insult him by her laughing. To make sure he understood that she was laughing with him and not at him.

Her cries built in strength as she felt that harsh tightening inside her. She just liked being around him. No matter what they did. Sometimes she would be sitting in the Great Hall and look up to find him looking at her discretely, his face closed off to his thoughts. She always wondered what he thought about during those time.

He had opened up to her more than to anyone else before, she was sure of that. But he still held many of his thoughts back from her. She wasn't upset by it either. She knew it was amazing he had opened up to her as much as he had, maybe in time he would open up more to her.

She screamed his name again as wave after wave of intense pleasure washed over her. His own groan of completion following as he dug his fingers into her hip and thigh, giving a final hard thrust, touching her cervix as he spilled deep inside her.

She held him to her again as both were gasping for breath. Enjoying the little shudders racking her body as she soared thru her post coil bliss

It was at the at exact moment as he felt and enjoyed each shiver and twitch since he was still buried deep inside her, that he realized what this odd feeling washing over him was. He had fallen in love with the incredible woman still wrapped around him. The knowledge scared the living hell out of him.

He didn't know what he was suppose to do, how he was supposed to act now that he knew. Did he tell her? Would he lose her if he did? She had told him she wasn't looking for love in the very beginning. She wouldn't be here once she finished all of her N.E.W.T.S. She would go out in the world and start her life without him. Would she even think of him or their time together after she left? He knew he would never forget it or her. He also knew he would never recover from her leaving either.