I would have updated sooner, but I had no internet all day! Anyway, here's Chapter 8. Enjoy!
As Severus approached Hagrid's hut, he wondered what the hell he was doing. This was so uncharacteristic of him, so insanely unlike the dark Potions Professor to seek the help of a friend in a time of need. It was even weirder that this "friend" was to come in the form of Rubeus Hagrid.
"'Ello? Who's there?" The gruff voice came from inside the dimly lit house. The door flew open before Snape could answer.
"Hello, Hagrid. I was wondering if we could…talk."
"Professor Snape? Somethin' wrong? Is everyone okay?"
"Yes. Everything is fine. I am merely seeking out your acquaintance in hopes that I will receive some much needed male advice." Seeing as the only other option was Flitwick, Hagrid would most certainly suffice, although Severus kept this thought to himself.
"Alrigh' Professor Snape. Come on in."
"Severus, please."
Hagrid looked down at Snape as if he had three heads. "Alrigh', Severus."
"That's better. Are you sure I am not intruding? I apologize for the late hour…"
"It's fine! Fang an' I were just 'bout to take a little late night stroll in the woods."
Snape looked at him questioningly, but did not further press the issue. "Listen, Rubeus. This is going to sound bizarre. Please bear with me."
"I'm all ears, Prof…I mean, Severus." Hagrid said with a wink. Severus inhaled deeply.
"I have developed feelings for Miss Hermione Granger."
The house was silent except for the sound of a tea kettle whistling from the kitchen.
After a moment of complete shock, Hagrid replied, "Hermione? You wanna be with 'er?"
"Yes. I know it sounds absolutely insane, and perhaps even morally wrong. But I need to sort this out with someone, so please, do not judge too harshly."
"Judge? I think not! Hermione has grown into a fine young woman! Although she is a bit young fer ya, Severus."
"I know. That's the main issue here. She appears to have feelings for me as well, but I am afraid of taking advantage of her." He pinched the bridge of his nose to let some tension out.
"Well, I think its fine. After all, the heart wants what the heart wants, righ'? There's nothin' really wrong with it. You two get along pretty well and to be honest, I think she needs someone a bit older. More mature, ya know?"
Severus winced at the "heart wants what the heart wants" statement, remembering that he used the very same reasoning to justify his own emotions. He could only hope that the rest of the staff at Hogwarts would be as accepting of him wanting to be with Hermione as Hagrid was.
"Thank you, Rubeus. That means a lot to me."
"Don' mention it. Yer deserve someone like my lil' Hermione, Severus."
"Do you truly mean that?"
"Well, yeah! You are a true hero." At this point, Hagrid was wiping tears from his eyes and ushering Severus into a hug. The Potions Professor obliged just this once, hoping that Hagrid would keep this heartfelt exchange between just the two of them.
As he glided back to the castle around eleven o'clock, Severus Snape felt more at ease than he had in years. He was already looking forward to breakfast.
…
Hermione awoke to Professor McGonagall knocking loudly on her door.
"Yes?" she answered in an irritated voice, rubbing her tired eyes.
"Hermione, Severus is missing. It is quite unlike him to sleep until this late hour, and even less like him to leave the door to his quarters open."
Hermione's stomach dropped. Severus was missing? Where could he have gone?
"Hang on a moment," Hermione said in the calmest voice she could muster. She closed the door on the professor and got dressed in a flash. The professor waited for no more than thirty seconds before Hermione reemerged, looking disheveled but otherwise fully dressed.
"Let's go."
Professor McGonagall led Hermione into the Great Hall, where the other three professors were hurriedly eating and throwing questions at one another that no one could answer. Hagrid, however, noticed the headmistress and Hermione immediately and ran toward them.
"Hermione, Severus was at my hut last nigh'. He musta never came back."
"What do you mean? What was he doing at your hut? Hagrid, please, tell me everything!" she begged him.
Just then, a swift movement from the other corner of the dining hall caught their attention. In came Severus Snape, looking as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
"Professor Snape!" nearly everyone shouted at the same time. Hermione shouted, "Severus!"
He stopped short in his tracks and looked about the room. "Yes?" he drawled.
"Oh, we were so worried! Where on Earth have you been?!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. His back stiffened at the sudden display of affection, not wanting to return it in front of the other four onlookers.
"I have been out shopping," he said simply.
"Shopping, Severus?" the Headmistress asked.
"Yes. Is there something strange about that?" he challenged.
"Actually, yes. You don't go out often, Severus, so it was quite natural for us to be worried."
"Well, worry no more. I have come back to grace you all with my presence," he said sarcastically. Everyone was relieved and went back to their breakfast; everyone except Hermione, that is.
She glared at him the entire hour they were in the dining hall. Once they were out in the hallway, Severus could not take her passive aggressiveness any longer.
"Do you have a problem, Hermione?"
"Yes, I have a problem, Severus Snape! You worried me to death this morning, and then acted like it was no big deal!"
He halted. She stared at him with fire in her eyes.
He placed his hand on her face and lifted it. Then, he kissed her forehead.
It was quick and passionless, but soft. It was perhaps the sweetest kiss that Hermione had ever received in her life.
"I am sorry, Hermione. I had no idea that my absence would worry you so. I also apologize for my lack of affection in the Great Hall. You understand, I hope, that I am unable to show such partiality to you in front of my fellow professors just yet."
"It's okay," Hermione dismissed. She would have forgiven him for anything if only he would kiss her like that again. "But where did you go?"
"If you simply have to know, I went to Diagon Alley. I bought you something."
Her eyes widened. "You…you bought me a present?"
"Yes, my dear. I was going to give it to you the day you graduated."
She swallowed hard. She had glared at him the entire time they sat together at breakfast, and all because he bought her a present! How ridiculous was she?!
"Severus, you didn't have to do that! I'm so sorry! You'd think by now I would trust you."
"I have given you no reason to trust me. Besides, you were simply worried about my wellbeing. There is no harm in that."
Their lips met again. The feeling swept over Hermione in a wave, and in that moment, all she wanted was Severus. She didn't care any longer if it was strange to be interested in a teacher. She knew that it went way beyond physical attraction; she was most definitely falling for him.
As they pulled apart for the second time, however, they noticed a movement on the other end of the hallway. Snape put up a finger to stop Hermione from asking the obvious. He rounded the corner with Hermione in tow and saw Professor McGonagall scattering away like a rat.
"Headmistress," Snape said bemusedly.
Professor McGonagall guiltily turned around to face the two of them. "Professor Snape. A word?"
He did not like the sound of that.
"As you wish, Minerva. I'll see you at lunch, Hermione."
Hermione shot a warning glance at Professor McGonagall – something she wouldn't have dared to do merely two months ago. She knows about Severus' feelings towards me, so why is she acting so surprised? Oh, I do hope she doesn't scold him for kissing me!
Hermione made her way back into her bedroom. "He bought me a present," she said dreamily. "And he really does fancy me. I could see it in his eyes."
She let out a girlish giggle. This was not like her in the least bit. Hermione Granger was an analytical person that usually stifled romances before they even had a chance to develop. Take her relationship with Ron, for example. He was head over heels for her. They got along great, and even engaged in some serious make out sessions. But when he tried to go further with her, she declined.
They simply did not match. That was Hermione's explanation, anyway. She wanted to find someone who stirred up the flames of passion within her. Someone who would never abandon her the way Ronald did during the search for the horcruxes. Someone like Severus.
…
Lunchtime came and went without further incidence. Severus shuddered when he recalled his conversation with Minerva from earlier.
"I just hope you are aware of your actions, Severus. I don't want you to hurt the poor girl."
"I would never hurt Miss Granger intentionally, Minerva. You know that."
"Yes. Well. It is quite an extraordinary situation, indeed. I just ask of you to keep in mind that she is a young, impressionable girl that may be…confused."
Severus cut his eyes. "I think Hermione is old enough to know precisely what she wants, Minerva."
"Very well. I will not interfere any longer, as she will be graduating soon and taking her place here at Hogwarts as Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. I trust that you two will remain as professional as possible before then?"
"If you are implying that we are sleeping together, then you are mistaken. I am not an animal. I know that Hermione needs more time to adjust to being my equal, and I shall wait for her to decide whether our relationship develops or not," he spat out.
"Severus, you know that I only worry for Hermione because I care about her deeply. Do not think that I disprove of your relationship in the least bit."
"Fine. Thank you, Minerva. If you'll excuse me."
Later that evening, Hermione arrived in the Potions classroom earlier than expected. Severus was leaned back in his desk chair reading Potions Magazine when she opened the door.
"Hermione," he greeted.
"Severus. I came a bit early to ask what you thought of this article…"
After discussing said article for fifteen minutes, Hermione asked, "Severus? I meant to ask you, why were you at Hagrid's so late last night?"
His back stiffened. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
She waited patiently, never breaking eye contact with him.
"I was talking to him about you."
She sucked in a breath. "Me? But why?"
"I needed another male's advice," he managed to reply nonchalantly, even though his heart was beating rapidly.
"Oh, alright then." Hermione smiled widely Severus and Hagrid, friends? She mused. How sweet.
Severus stood up from his desk to retrieve his caldron.
"Today, you will be brewing a lust potion." He winced. The type of potions to be brewed were specifically planned at the beginning of Hermione's summer. The fact that today's just happened to be a lust potion was an extraordinary coincidence that Snape did not like one bit. "If your potion exceeds my expectations, I will gift you with one vial of Felix Felicis. Understood?"
"Yes, Severus."
"Good. You may begin," he said lazily, sitting back down at his desk.
He glanced up from his spot occasionally to see how the witch was carrying on. She was adding each ingredient delicately, precisely. He loved watching her work.
He began to fantasize. He imagined her taste testing it and being overcome with an insatiable desire for him. He pictured her straddling his lap, ripping his clothes off and begging, "Fuck me, Severus. Please." He would have to oblige this time, student or no student. He was only human, after all.
The thought alone was enough to arouse him to the point of discomfort. He looked up again to make sure she did not notice his growing problem.
Hermione concentrated on her potion. She knew he was watching her every move; she could feel his eyes boring into her back. Why do I have this constant longing to impress him? She sighed.
After cutting up the last few roots to stir in, she was nearly finished with the lust potion. She added the roots and the brew began to turn lavender. The most delicious smell arose from the caldron: it was one of dark musk and soap. It smelled exactly like Severus.
Hermione stifled a moan and moved closer to the caldron. So close, in fact, that her hair nearly drooped into the potion. Severus looked up to see Hermione sticking a finger in the mixture and bringing it to her tongue.
It was so damn enticing that he nearly forgot his role as a professor. He shook his head and stood, ready to pull Hermione away from the alluring scent, when she moaned and licked her finger seductively.
"It tastes just like I imagine you would."
Severus tried to steady his breathing and took her arm, pulling her away from the caldron. She misunderstood his reaction and threw herself in his arms, running her tongue along his neck and up to his lips.
It was his turn to stifle a moan. "Hermione," he said breathlessly. "Please stop."
She pulled back and looked at him with astonished eyes. "Stop?"
"Yes. Remember our deal."
Hermione was brought back to her senses. "This is so frustrating! Why do you insist upon torturing me?!"
"I am not trying to torture you, dear one. You know as well as I do that this is dangerous."
Those words seemed to set her off. "Dangerous?! In what way? I haven't been so happy since before the war, and it seems you want to stop this all before it even begins!"
"I do not. I thought I had made it very clear how much I want you, Hermione. I just do not want you to act upon feelings that you are unsure of." His voice remained calm and collected.
"I'm not unsure! Why must you still think of me as a little girl?!" Hermione crossed her arms in defiance. She was no little girl. The war had aged her in ways she hadn't imagined, not to mention she was mature for her age to begin with.
She knew she wanted this. She knew that she would never find another that she cared for so deeply and respected so much. Hermione realized with a start that she would do absolutely anything he asked of her, despite how angry she was with him at the moment.
"I apologize, Hermione. I know you are not a little girl. You have proven yourself time and time again, and I have failed to recognize this. You are perfectly capable of making your own decisions."
"Thank you. I'll wait until my graduation, but only because I know that you asked me to for our own best interests."
"Thank you, Hermione. That means a lot to me."
Hermione fought the urge to kiss him again. The ache between her legs had still not gone away completely, and it only made her all the more irritable.
"Now, the matter of the lust potion. It's…effects will not go away on their own, and there is no counterpotion that can be made. I suggest you…relieve your discomfort." He tried to bury his disappointment that he could not be the one to relieve her. Just yet.
"Alright. I'll be in my room, then," Hermione said awkwardly. Although he had caught her pleasuring herself twice already, it was nearly ten times worse to talk about the subject openly. She only hoped that it aroused him, rather than put him off, to know what she was about to do.
"Oh, and your liquid luck," he said, handing her the small vial. "Use it well," he said with a smirk.
"Thanks. Goodnight, Severus."
"Goodnight, Hermione."
She stumbled out the door, obviously so sexually aroused that she couldn't walk straight.
"Good Merlin, I want her so bad." Severus sighed as he returned to the seat behind his desk.
…
Hermione passed all of her midterm exams with flying colors. She had also successfully refrained from advancing on Severus, and their relationship remained platonic over the next week. It drove her mad to know that they were simply acting the part, and that without this barrier that Severus had drawn between them, they could be lovers.
She knew it was for their own good. She knew that he was a perfect gentleman for keeping his lust at bay. But damn, she had never had to exert this amount of self-control before in her life.
Just one week. Then I'll get to see his soft side again. Then we can hold each other for hours and talk casually about things other than classes. She shivered at the thought of relaxing on Severus' couch, his hand running through her hair, dressed in his Muggle clothes. It would be so wonderful. She dreamily continued eating her eggs as Severus watched her expression at the breakfast table.
As usual, the other professors were carrying on a conversation that Severus had no interest in whatsoever.
"But Pomona, whatever would become of Pomphrey if she knew that Filtch was not interested in her?"
Do they ever do anything but engage in petty gossip? Severus wondered. They probably talked about him and Hermione every chance they got. He shuddered at the thought.
"Professor McGonagall, I was just wondering…with you being Headmistress and all, who will be Gryffindor Head of House?" Hermione asked in hopes that she wasn't pushing her luck. The thought had crossed her mind several times over the past week, and she longed to take on the responsibility. Gryffindor Head of House. It was so enticing.
"Oh, Hermione, I wasn't sure that you would be prepared for that just yet," was the older witch's reply. By now, all eyes at the table were on Hermione.
She carefully worded her response. "Professor, I think I am well prepared enough. After all, I was a prefect last year. I have a natural tendency to be a leader. Just let me know what I need to do, and I'll do it."
Severus' eyes remained on her, intensely analyzing the situation. Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke up. "I agree with Hermione. And no, I am not saying that simply because I fancy her. Oh, don't act as if this is news," he said in response to the gasps that followed. "Anyway, I have had the pleasure of teaching Hermione two classes this summer term, and she has performed exceptionally well, as expected. If she takes up the position as Head of Gryffindor House and doesn't succeed, we can always have someone else help her out until she gets her bearings."
The table was silent. "Alright, Severus, I suppose you are right. Am I correct in assuming that you are offering to help her if she is in need of help?"
"Of course," he said passionately. He winced. Too much emotion.
Hermione met his eyes. The loving look she gave him stirred up so many feelings within him that he momentarily forgot where he was.
Professor McGonagall's voice snapped him out of his stupor. "Hermione, I will give you the details about the Head of House position as soon as possible. Congratulations, dear. I hope you don't think I was trying to deter you from the job. I simply didn't want to burden you with too much all at once."
"I understand, professor. Thank you," Hermione gushed, pulling her into a hug. She turned back to Severus with that same longing look.
His insides melted.
A/N: The story is supposed to get lighter and lighter as time goes on (as in, less serious undertones), I hope I have made that clear! I will try to update tomorrow! :D