A/N Have no idea what the ingredients are for Wolfsbane potion, of course except the Wolfsbane, so I have made it up. It's all bunkum as I am sure you can tell lol.

If at First You Don't Succeed...

An Unexpected Gift – Chapter 9

Severus and Hermione entered his former potions classroom, she breathed in the lingering scent of aged elixirs, some more pleasant than others. Pickled jars of strange creatures, lined the walls, giving it a rather macabre appearance, but for some reason the place seemed less grim since Slughorn had put his own stamp on it. It still brought back a flood of memories. She grinned to herself at a particular reminiscence.

"I remember my first day in this class and that little speech you gave to all of us all. It was quite inspiring."

Snape raised an eyebrow at her. "I do try. Sadly, my efforts were wasted on most of the children that came through my class."

Hermione frowned. "Well, let's hope I prove you wrong this evening." She said with grim determination.

Snape smiled at her. "You have always been the exception to the rule."

She blushed and looked at him shyly. "I think I am in danger of becoming teacher's pet. I am not used to all this praise from you, a little more of it might have been nice when I was actually a student."

Severus, did not reply, instead he walked over to the cupboard, selected a size two copper cauldron and placed it on a stand. He turned on the gas tap and lit the flame with the tip of his wand. He then cast an Aguamenti Charm over the cauldron and filled it with water.

"We need Beetle Eyes; Bay leaves, Spiders Legs, Valerian and Bloodroot...all to be found on the fifth and sixth shelves...on the right hand side...and be vigilant on the ladder." He paused for a moment. "Oh, and Meconella."

"The dried leaves or seeds?" She asked.

"Seeds." He said vaguely, looking at the flames and watching as steam began to rise up from the cauldron. Maybe,ifhetriedreallyhardandconcentratedhecoulddothishimself. Severus picked up a Cauldron Spoon, try as he might he could not keep his hand quite steady. If it was not stirred thirty times, counter-clockwise, with smooth even strokes it would be wasted. He slammed the spoon down in frustration.

Hermione heard the loud clatter as she came back from the store cupboard, it made her jump and she almost dropped the ingredients on the floor. "What is it?" She asked in concern.

"These damn hands are what." Severus snapped.

She walked over to the desk and reached for a pestle and mortar, eying him cautiously. "Why don't you tell me about it?" She encouraged.

Severus sat down on one of the stools next to her, resting his elbows on the desk. "Not a lot to tell. A legacy from Nagini is all it is and before you ask, I have already been examined by a healer."

"Oh. I had heard about the healer, but Minerva would not tell me why." She couldn't think of anything of comfort to say at that moment, and she knew he would not want her pity.

Snape looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That is a rather pregnant "Oh".What are you thinking?"

Hermione unconsciously put a hand on her hip. "It is just that if someone told me I could no longer do something anymore, I would not give up so easily."

"Now is not that time to test your theory. I am not going to make Miss Brown suffer for my pride."

Severus began unbuttoning his frock coat and removing it, to reveal a crisp white shirt, not dissimilar to one of Mr Darcy's shirts in Pride and Prejudice, she noted. Her mother, a costume drama addict, had been raving about Colin Firth when Hermione had come home for Christmas one year. She had made her watch it with her. She observed him as he unfastened the cuffs and rolled up his sleeves to reveal his strong forearms, covered with a light sprinkling of dark hair. All she needed was a wet scene of him coming out of a lake and she could die happy. She grinned to herself, blushing. Pull yourself together woman, it's not like he is naked. She told herself angrily. But then thoughts of Severus and naked, popped into her head and did little to help her recover her composure.

"The water is boiling, we need to get the Wolfsbane flowers crushed and added to the water." He told her in a businesslike fashion.

She was glad of his single-mindedness and thrust all thoughts of Severus undressed or otherwise out of her mind, focusing on the task ahead of her. Severus emptied part of the contents of the basket into the Mortar. He handed Hermione the Pestle.

"Press down and in strong circular motions. When the flowers are reduced to pulp add them to the cauldron immediately..."

Hermione worked per his instructions, following everything to the letter. Steam rose from the water as the concoction bubbled away, her hair dampened and curled uncontrollably round her face. She used her forearm to brush it out of her eyes. She cheeks were flushed from the heat of the cauldron. Severus was a hard task master and barely gave her pause for thought as she toiled. That low voice in her ear, his body so close to hers was proving difficult to ignore. More than once his hands had run up and down her arms to instruct her how to properly stir in or pound some ingredient.

"Is there much more to do?" She asked, tiredly. With the stress of the attack and the lateness of the hour, she was exhausted.

"Miss Granger, might I remind you that you volunteered yourself for this task." Severus growled at her. He folded his arms across his chest, in full teacher mode. It shouldn't, but it sent tingles of need right through her, making her limbs feel languid and heavy. She shook her head to clear the fog of desire.

Hermione chopped up the spiders legs and dropped them into the pot. "So, we are back to Miss Granger again? Now, I know you are displeased with me."

"Indeed, I am not, you have proven yourself to be a very capable apprentice tonight. You never know, with fifty or so years practise, you could even aspire to Potions Mistress."

There was a slight curve to the edges of his mouth that somehow hinted that he was teasing her. Her eyes widened in shock. Severus Snape, one of the most feared Professors of Hogwarts was teasing her? "What else is left to do?" She asked, not wanting to give into her desire to kiss him into next week.

"That is it for now Miss Granger. It has to simmer for half an hour. I will put a charm on it to alert us when sufficient time has elapsed." He gave a brief flick of his wand over the Cauldron. "There is still the final stir to achieve and hopefully you shall have a viable potion at the end of it."

Hermione put her spoon down on the desk and turned around to face Severus. "Call me Hermione again, or I will have to punish you."

"Punishments are my trade Miss Granger." He drawled arrogantly.

"Mine too now, actually. Call me Hermione, or I will have to take house points from you." She replied, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at him, trying hard not to laugh.

Severus's grin faded, his eyes looking deeply into hers. "No." He purred challengingly.

"I can see you do not take me seriously Headmaster." She deliberately licked her lower lip, enjoying watching his eyes follow the movement. "Fifty points from Slytherin for ignoring a member of staff's instructions." Hermione moved a step closer to him.

Severus's eyes widened a fraction. Neither of them could take house points during the school break, as well she knew, but he was willing to play along. "One hundred points from Gryffindor for being an insubordinate employee." Severus moved a step closer to her.

"Two hundred points from Sly..."

He lowered his head and cut her off, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. He was met half way by her as their kiss deepened, hungrily taking from each other. Hermione groaned low in her throat, pressing herself up against him. Severus ran his hand along her hip. Both craved closer contact. Instinctively, Hermione lifted one of her legs to wrap it around his waist. They almost stumbled. He picked her up so she could envelop both of her legs around his waist and he carried her over to the desk behind them. Several of Slughorn's possessions went crashing to the floor.

Severus could feel the heat of her, as he pressed his clothed erection into the juncture of her thighs. "I crave you." He whispered as he kissed her hard on the mouth. He pulled away slightly to look her in the eyes. "Where do these feelings come from, I don't comprehend...I swear to God I never felt like this when you were my student."

She gasped as his slightly calloused fingers disappeared under her skirt and swept up the length of her thigh, stroking and caressing her skin. Her hands were busy on the first few buttons of his shirt. So many buttons.The stray thought entered her head.

"Do you think I feel any different? You don't have to keep assuring me you are not some kind of sexual deviant who lusts after school girls." She panted. "Sometimes, it is best not to question why. What we have is a force of nature...like attracts like." She captured his lips again.

He groaned as she wrapped her legs around him tighter; bringing him even closer to her. Her hands worked their way under the hem of his shirt, to run her fingers over the planes of his stomach. Hermione took a breath as she explored further and her hand rested on the top button of his trousers, she flicked it open. She could feel the hard tip of his cock, pulsing beneath the black cotton underpants. Her heart squeezed with fear. The tangible evidence of his desire brought home to her the enormity of what they were doing. She did not want their first time together to be a hurried coupling on the desk of her old classroom. She had remained a virgin thus far and although she wanted to give her innocence to him, but not in this room with her back pressed into a hard wooden desk.

Severus sensed her withdrawal immediately. He felt shame creep over him at his lack of self control. He had been the one to say they should wait until things were settled between herself and Weasley. He had swooped on her like a seventh year boy, eager to get his leg over after a couple of Firewhiskies. He felt grubby as he buttoned up his shirt with unsteady fingers.

"I am sorry for forcing myself on you, I understand if you have changed your mind." He was unable to look at her.

Hermione sat up and pulled down her skirt, able to think better with her clothing restored to order. She reached out and took hold of his hands to still his movements. He raised his head to look at her; the desolation in his eyes struck her to the core. She could read his expression all too easily. He thought she was rejecting him.

"Never Severus, and if you are labouring under the misapprehension that I did not enjoy everything we were doing, allow me to tell you that you couldn't be more wrong. Read my mind, I want you to." She said breathlessly, giving her permission for him to use Legilimency on her.

"I couldn't!" He replied, slightly shocked at her suggestion.

"Please, I don't want there to be any misunderstandings between us." Severus looked at her intently; she could see the internal battle going on inside him.

"Very well, you had better sit down." He sighed.

"What do I have to do?" She asked.

"It makes things easier if we keep eye contact for the duration, and if you don't try to fight it. Do you have any experience in Occlumency, Hermione?"

"Closing one's mind off to a Legilimens?" She shook her head. "None at all."

Severus waited for her to be seated before standing in front of her and looking deep into her eyes. She froze as she felt him penetrate her mind, instinctively struggling against it at first. The foremost memory he encountered was their lovemaking only minutes before, he felt everything she had been feeling, her need for him, her emotions and her thoughts. She had been afraid of the act, not who she was doing it with. He read her thoughts further about how she wanted their first time to be something special, even though it was hard for her to stop what they were doing. He swallowed hard as her feelings about her virginity connected to him. That she wanted her first step into womanhood to be at his hands, with his body, humbled him.

He turned another corner in her mind. She was kneeling on the dusty floorboards in a room that he recognised as the Shrieking Shack. Tears ran down her face as she looked down on the figure of a man, lying so still, in a pool of blood. It gave him a start to realise he was that man. It touched him deeply as he felt her emotions wash over him. He had seen enough, he pulled out and sat down heavily on one of the stools.

Hermione was breathing rapidly. It had not been an uncomfortable experience to have him inside her mind. She had felt like an open book to him, but she trusted him completely. She got up from her chair and walked over to where he sat and pulled his dark head down to rest on her breasts in an almost maternal gesture. Severus put his arms around her back. She stroked his hair, soothingly.

"I don't want to care about you Hermione, but Merlin preserve me, I do. I lived a half life because of my unrequited love for Lily and I don't know if I have enough heart left to do it again. To take that chance..."

Hermione raised his head from her chest to look at him with unshed tears shining in her eyes. "What is life without chances, without risk? I am not going anywhere Severus. We have plenty of time; let's find out where this leads together."

Severus opened his mouth, about to reply to her, when a high pitched whistling sound echoed around the classroom. "Saved by the bell or in this case the whistle." Hermione grinned. She took his hand and they walked over to the potion. She held out her hands, about to pick up the spoon, but they were shaking.

"You have to calm your nerves Hermione or you will be as useless as I am." He reprimanded her sternly.

She prized how he switched from potential lover back to taskmaster like a flick of a wand. Hermione picked up the Cauldron spoon and took a deep breath. She felt Severus come up behind her and put his arms about her waist. Hermione held her hands up; they were as steady as a rock as she began stirring the Wolfsbane potion.

Severus began counting "One...two...three..." The sound of his voice gave her confidence that she could do this. As the concoction began turning blue, hope leapt in her breast. "Twenty-eight...twenty-nine...thirty. Remove the spoon, now we wait."

Hermione put the spoon down on the desk and leaned back into his arms. "Hmm, I could get very used to this."

"Used to what?" He asked, his breath stirring her hair.

"Being wrapped in the arms of the Headmaster of Hogwarts." She smiled to herself.

"It is a good job that Dumbledore did not know of your penchant for being held by Headmasters, although the pleasure would have been wasted on him." He drawled.

She playfully pinched one of his arms. "Um, just for one Headmaster actually. Although he refuses to admit it, he is brave, steadfast and loyal to a fault...oh and did I mention he is a great kisser."

"Fine qualities indeed, obviously you have been seeing this Wizard behind my back." He played along with her.

"No, actually at this moment in time he is behind my back and just out of interest why would my embraces have been wasted on Dumbledore?"

"Because my dear, he loved Gellert Grindelwald for most of his life. As angry as I am at him for all he asked me to do, he was still my best friend and confidante. He saved me and gave me another chance when the Wizengamot would have been quite happy to see me rot in Azkaban."

Hermione squeezed his hand, she could only imagine how hard it would be if Harry or Ron asked her to kill them if faced with the same situation as Dumbledore. She doubted she would have the strength to carry it out. Everyone had been too busy screaming coward at Snape and overwhelmed with grief to try and make sense of it all.

"An Unforgivable Curse requires an immense amount of focus and desire to cause pain when cast. How did you manage it?"

Severus swallowed hard. "It was simple. I imagined I was looking at myself. I had to, or I would have failed." He said matter-of-factly.

Hermione tried to stifle the shocked gasp that left her lips, but in vain. The mood in the room had quickly darkened. A sort of acceptance came over her that this might often be the way if she and Severus ended up together. She was more than willing to take the dark with the light. He had spent so many years stifling what was inside, what he thought, how he felt. She hoped that being able to finally talk about his feelings might in time chip away at some of that austerity that hung about him as tangibly as his teaching robes.

There was a loud hiss and the cauldron erupted with a thick cloud of black smoke. Hermione's shoulders slumped in defeat. "It was too much to hope that I might do it first time around, I guess." She said, dolefully.

Snape's arms tightened around her comfortingly, but even she could feel the weariness in his sigh as he turned her around and looked down at her. "Even I did not brew the perfect potion first time around. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again..."

"How many tries did it take you?" Hermione asked.

Snape raised an eyebrow, looking slightly smug. "Two."

Hermione wanted to wipe that haughty look off his face as she pointed her wand at the cauldron, cast the Scourgify charm over it and started over. She completely missed the smile on Severus's face as his words had the effect he had desired, he knew she was like a dog with a bone, once rattled she would never give up. He watched her work with determined efficiency, admiring her skill and absorption in her task, only commenting on the more intricate steps of the potion.

As the torches began to burn low in the dungeon classroom and grey light streamed in through the windows, Hermione sat slumped on one of the stools, watching the cauldron. Her hair was damp with perspiration and faint smudges of tiredness ringed her eyes. They had not talked a great deal through the night, both comfortable in each other's company without the need for incessant chatter. This final one had to work, they had run out of Wolfsbane and it was not safe to venture into the Forbidden Forest again to collect more.

Her body screamed for rest, but she was impatient to find out if all of their hard work had paid off. She was unable to suppress a girlish squeal as a wisp of blue smoke rose slowly from the potion. She leapt off the stool and turned around to throw her arms around Severus. "We did it!"

"Hermione, I need oxygen." Severus snapped, taken off guard by the suddenness of her embrace. He had nearly fallen asleep and she had startled him into almost falling off his stool. He cupped her face with his hands. "You have done well." He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Just before dusk, Miss Brown will be moved down from the hospital wing to one of the old dungeons where she will be secured for the night. I am still hopeful that the potion will not be needed. I intend to hold an all night vigil outside her cell."

"Would you like some company, perhaps?" She asked.

He smiled at her gratefully. "Bring a copy of Advanced Potion Making with you; we might as well get some revision done towards your N.E.W.T's while we are at it. It will help keep our mind off other topics."

She shook her head. "You know what they say about all work and no play?" She asked.

"I don't believe I have heard that before, is it some muggle saying?"

"They say...well I say all work and no play makes Severus a dull boy."

Snape raised an eyebrow at her. "Look what too much play and not enough work got us into last night Hermione and I think we have ascertained that I am no boy. Come, we need to get this potion bottled before it goes cold." Severus took a glass funnel and a bottle from one of the drawers and handed them to her.

"Back to the grindstone again." She yawned, sleepily.

The cork was secured in the bottle and Severus stored it away in the top shelf of the potions cupboard. He took one of his old keys out and locked it. He turned back to look at Hermione, her head was resting on the desk. She was fast asleep. Although, exhausted himself he cleared away the mess and shook her shoulder gently.

"Mum, just five minutes more." She groaned.

"It is time to get up, and I am definitely not your mother." Severus purred in her ear. "Go to bed Hermione, you are excused from breakfast this morning, I will have the House Elves send you something later."

Hermione thought to protest, but she was too drowsy. She got up from the stool and swayed precariously, hardly knowing where she was going. Severus let out an exasperated sigh. "I will escort you back to your quarters; after all it is on the way." He put out his arm to support her and she took it.

The day sped by in a sleepy haze; both Hermione and Severus were busy for most of the day. It was too unsafe for her to go and visit Hagrid as his hut was so close to the Forbidden Forest. He had made the trip to the castle instead and they had spent a pleasant afternoon in her quarters, drinking tea and reminiscing about past times. Severus had been engaged on the grounds overseeing the reconstruction of the destroyed Quidditch pitch, so had been out of the castle for most of the day. It was not until after dinner that they were finally able to meet at the entrance to the old dungeons. They went deeper than the dungeon classrooms and the air was decidedly chillier. She shivered in her woollen cloak and rubbed her hands together.

"No one would guess that it was almost summer." Hermione shivered. "Lavender is already down here?" She asked.

"Yes, Madam Pomfrey has been with her for at least the last two hours. We thought it better to relocate her sooner rather than later. Did you remember to bring your copy of Advanced Potion Making with you?"

"Of course. You said you wanted us to study and we will, I can follow instructions sometimes. Besides, with all that has gone on since my sixth year, I feel incredibly rusty." She grinned.

They continued down the spiral steps until they stopped outside a heavy oak door. Severus looked down at her sceptically. "Are you trying to tell me that when you were on your little camping trip in the Forest of Dean that you didn't take any books with you?"

Hermione looked back at him. "I might have erm...taken a little light reading with me, much to the exasperation of Ron and Harry." She admitted. "Besides I had to look for clues about the Horcruxes."

The door opened suddenly. "Ah, there you are Headmaster, I thought I heard voices." Poppy looked at them both with severe watery eyes. "Miss Granger I am amazed to see you here."

"I offered, I thought we could take turns keeping an eye on Lavender. Sever...the Headmaster has kindly offered to help me brush up on my potions revision too." Hermione took her book out of her bag.

"Really?" Poppy looked surprised. "Well, if anyone can keep you on top of things, it's Severus."

Hermione had to smother a giggle as visions of last night crept into her head. Severus could keep on top of things, all right.

"Yes, he can be very...innovative when he wants. He is a good teacher; I am learning all kinds of new things with him. I am looking forward to working under him some more." She smiled innocently at Madam Pomfrey.

Severus made a choking noise in his throat. Hermione, who was becoming much attuned to his moods and facial expressions, could tell he was having trouble keeping the customary scowl on his face.

"Is your throat giving you trouble Severus?" Poppy looked him up and down, paying particular attention to the faint white scars she could see just above the collar of his shirt. "Or perhaps you are coming down with flu?" She gave him her most severe look. "Your immune system is bound to be low after what happened; you should not be gadding about the castle."

Severus squared up his shoulders, all traces of amusement erased from his face. "I can assure you Poppy that I am in excellent health. Gadding about the castle is part of my job description as Headmaster. Now, perhaps we could go and see your patient."

Madam Pomfrey opened the door wider and stepped aside so that Severus and Hermione could enter. The latter was surprised to find the room warm, even if it was not cheery. Considering the icy air outside, it had to be a Warming Charm that accounted for the heat. The dungeon still smelt of damp for all its warmth. It was the oldest part of the castle. Rusty chains and rings hung on the walls inside the barred cell that was to be Lavender's room for the night. The door to the cell was open for now; a hospital bed and screen were situated inside it. On a bedside table stood the Wolfsbane Potion that Hermione had created, along with a half eaten meal.

Lavender was sitting up in the bed, her expression more alert than when they had last seen her. She looked up suddenly and smiled nervously at Severus, only to have the smile freeze on her face when she saw that Hermione was with him. Hermione noticed her change of expression. She and Lavender had never been close, especially after what she had seen as Hermione stealing Ron from her. Hermione brushed it off and went to sit down on the old wooden bench, the only furniture outside of the cell. She got her book out and opened it.

Severus and Poppy continued to talk quietly, but she left them to it and began to read the first chapter. Several moments later, Poppy said her goodbyes and Severus joined her on the bench, stretching out his long legs as he tried to make himself comfortable on the hard seat.

"Another lengthy night ahead of us Miss Granger, spending the night together is starting to become a habit." Severus observed.

"Hermione." She insisted. "And spending the night together is something I hope we will often have cause to do. I especially look forward to waking up in your arms in the mornings." She added shyly.

"We are not alone." He reminded her sharply. He looked across to Lavender. "Ten more minutes and I must lock your door for the night Miss Brown. If you feel any strange sensations, particularly pain, take the potion immediately. Do you understand?"

Lavender nodded, glared at Hermione and lay back down on the bed, staring at the wall. Severus turned his attention back to Hermione. He studied her as she bent her head, poring over the pages of the book. Her passion for books was one clear thing they had in common. He smiled gently at her as he watched her brows crease in concentration. Her friends had never appreciated her book learning, but he admired her thirst for knowledge even if he had not publicly admitted it. She was brave, intelligent, clever and beautiful. Sometimes, it amazed him that she could want a worn out wreck like him. She had qualities that reminded him of Lily sometimes, but at the same time she was unique in herself and nothing like his former love. Hermione was a law unto herself, and with each passing hour, each passing day, she became more vital to him. Perhaps the Phoenix had done more than heal his wounds? Severus gave himself a mental shake. He was becoming fanciful, a quality he did not admire in others let alone himself.

Hermione could feel his eyes on her and it was doing nothing for her concentration. It was only a few days until her meeting with Ron in The Three Broomsticks; they would just have to be patient. Although she did not regret one kiss or caress that she and Severus shared, she did feel badly for her friend. She loved Ron with all her heart, the tragedy of it, was that it had taken a very short time to realise that love was the kind one had for a dear and close friend. She couldn't say "I do" and make them both unhappy. It was best to recognize it now and not when they had married. He would find someone else, she knew that, but it didn't stop the feelings of guilt. Once Saturday was over, both she and Severus could look to the future.

She closed her book, putting it on the floor; she turned to Severus, catching him studying her, just as she knew she would. "Hold me?" She pleaded.

Severus frowned at the troubled look on her face and glanced towards the cell, the girl had her eyes closed and seemed to be falling asleep. It was time to close the door for Miss Brown and their safety. Werewolves made him nervous, and with good reason. However, Miss Brown had been discarded by her family; she needed to know someone was there for her. He got out his wand and cast a spell on the door and it clanged shut. He then conjured several large cushions out of thin air and put a couple behind his back, giving the rest to Hermione.

"Well, if we are going to be here all night we might as well be comfortable." He lifted up his arm and Hermione lay down on her side, putting her head on his lap. Severus replaced his arm, resting it on her shoulder.

"I am very comfortable, right here." She smiled. There was a weighty silence before Hermione spoke again. "I hate to bring this up but I got an owl from Ron today. Naturally he was concerned about me when he heard of the attack. He would have come to Hogwarts, but he has been restricted for unnecessary travel too. However, he is allowed to come on Saturday as planned and he said he is looking forward to it." Hermione sighed. "I don't know how I will break off our engagement."

"You will find a way. Just be honest, I know this skulking around has weighed heavily on you." He leaned down and kissed her briefly on the mouth. "Sadly, it will not be all over with the end of your engagement to Mr Weasley. The time for honesty about us is not yet upon us."

Hermione turned her head to look up at him. "I know. People will never understand about us, but I hope in time..."

"Hermione, the moment people know about you and I, I shall be accused of putting you under the Imperious Curse!" He said bitterly. "I know you are no longer a student, but there are others who would still view you as such. I am rather sure Mr Weasley will take a dim view as well. Rogue Death Eaters might not be all I have to worry about."

"I know my mind, and how I feel. I am nineteen in three months, I am thinking of having myself registered as being twenty when the time comes. My Time Turner months have to account for something. I am sure Minerva would help me with that. I want people to stop seeing me as some green girl."

Severus smiled. "I see you as a young woman Hermione and a rare one at that, one who actually wishes herself older. I wish myself younger, so that I wouldn't feel such a cradle robber."

Snape was shocked as one of the cushions made contact with the side of his head. Hermione sat up and straddled his lap. "You are only thirty-eight! We are magical, and live much longer lives as you know, our age gap is nothing in Wizard years. Say anything like that again...I have a cushion and I am not afraid to use it." Hermione said angrily.

"Brutal as well as beautiful." He smirked, taking the cushion from her hand and replacing it on the bench. "For my sanity, do you think you could get off my lap?"

Hermione looked down at her thighs splayed either side of his and realised the intimate position they were in. Her face reddened as she scrambled off of him. "Time to study my potions book, I think." She reached down for it and passed it to Severus. "Test me on the brewing of The Draught of Living Death Potion."

"Very well."

He assumed the role of Potions Master like a second skin and all thoughts other than the task at hand fled. The dusk had passed and night was approaching as the sky darkened to shades of purple and navy. The torches burned low and the silver glint of moonlight shone through a tiny window, high above them. Severus stopped reading and glanced to Miss Brown, she continued to sleep soundly and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hermione?" There was no reply; she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He closed the book and put it to one side and settled down for the night.

Satisfied that they were both asleep, Lavender sat up in bed and stared at them both with hatred on her face. That Granger bitch had stolen Ron from her and now she had him she didn't even want him, instead she had moved on to bigger and better things, Severus Snape. Her face twisted in disgust. She had heard all about her and Won Won's engagement. Hermione always got everything she wanted and she was left with nothing, not even her family.Of course she had heard rumours that Hermione had sent her parents away, but it barely registered with her. A cruel smile spread across her face, somehow she would get even with her. She just needed the opportunity...

TBC