AN:/ Hi again! Sorry for the delay, life really does like to take me by surprise - things are a bit wobbily at the moment, but nonetheless, things are slowly getting better. I have half of the next chapter written so I should be done in a few days - if it makes more of you review, the next chapter is very promising for Draco and Harry ;) A MASSIVE thank you to the following reviewers Nastytashy, spiffy2143, purplehedgehog13, smithback, CrazySlytherin, Gime'SS, CyBr3, Paladium, and riaroo400. I hope you enjoy this one :D


Chapter 18: Sense.

Hermione and Severus sat in front of the fire while they leant against one another on the sofa. Hermione rested her legs on his thighs and lost herself in the feel of his warm hands stroking her bare leg. She was wearing one of his plain white shirts which bundled up to her waist, and his hand occasionally brushed close to her underwear, but there was nothing sexual about it—maybe sensual.

He kissed the top of her head, and she smiled blissfully. "I finished reading the book," She said and angled her head up to look at him.

"Did you discover anything else of importance?" He started to play with her hair, and she felt a blush spread across her cheeks.

"Nothing major," She sighed and reached up to trace her fingers along his jawline. "I should return it to Annette; she's going to start looking for other people who are apart of this new wave."

"Do you wish to help her?" He asked.

"The idea is rather appealing," She moved her fingers to his hooked nose and smirked. "However, I prefer being your apprentice."

"And why's that?" He moved her fingers away from his nose and held her slim hand.

"I doubt every apprentice can say that their professor shagged them on their workstation," Severus laughed loudly, and she couldn't contain her own. It was a beautiful thing when he laughed, and she could die happy knowing that she had the ability to make him do so.

"Are you going to head to the whorehouse in a bit?" He asked, and she nodded her head and began to trace lines against his chest.

"I'll be quick...I like this," Hermione whispered. "Very much."

"Me too," Severus squeezed the flesh of her thigh, and she moved to straddle his hips. Hermione kissed him quickly then stared into his eyes lovingly.

"Maybe we could try to go out on a proper date this weekend," She nuzzled herself into his lap and immediately felt his reaction to her.

"Only if you don't convince yourself that I've rejected you somehow and I have to come and collect you while you're drunk, then sure," His silky drawl made her laugh.

"I will never be touching a drop of alcohol again. I didn't oppose to the way our date night ended though," Hermione lowered her mouth to his and kissed him a few times.

"Are you going to leave because the idea of shagging you on this sofa is starting to appeal to me," He muttered causing her to laugh, and she continued to move against him. He returned his mouth to hers and slipped his hands beneath her shirt.

Hermione slid her tongue into his mouth and buried her fingers into his hair. Her whole body started to heat up once more, begging her for a release. She moved her hand down his chest and undid his trousers; his cock sprang out alert, and she brushed her thumb against his swollen tip.

Severus pulled his mouth away and looked up at her through bleary eyes. "Shouldn't you be going to see-"

"She can wait," Hermione whispered against his reddening lips, and she wished to see his reaction as she wrapped her hand around his throbbing cock—he didn't disappoint.

The way he looked at her was almost enough to bring her orgasm crashing down on her, and it frightened her a little that he could mess up her insides with a single look.

Hermione pumped his hard member and kept her mouth close to his, but never kissed him. She watched him close his eyes and angle his head back in anticipation; she smiled wickedly, then moved her knickers to the side and slid down on his cock.

Severus groaned as he entered her warmth and Hermione leaned forward to rest her forehead against his. She wriggled about to let herself adjust, then started to move on his lap. Severus cupped the side of her face and brought their lips together in a heated kiss filled with breathless pants.

He cupped her arse as she pumped his cock and curled his fingers into her flesh; his grip tightened as he urged her to move faster.

They moved their bodies together until the sounds of their pleasure filled the dungeon room. Hermione's head rolled back when her orgasm hit, and she bit down on her lip to contain her cries. Severus joined her bliss with a few more thrusts, and she fell against his chest and buried her face into his neck.

...

Hermione stepped into the whorehouse with a pink tinge to her cheeks. Her head was a mess, and her clothes didn't match—that's what she gets for leaving it until the last minute to leave.

Annette's face lit up at the sight of her and Hermione raced over to the bar with a smile on her face. "Evening, love," Annette kissed her cheek, and Hermione pulled out the book.

"I've finished reading it," She explained breathlessly. "I'd like to help you look for the others."

"Good," Annette quickly took the order from a man at the bar and waved her wand towards the barrel of ale. "Have you heard from Jenny?"

Hermione hated that she had to lie to Annette, but she knew for certain that Jenny would soon return to mend bridges with her. "No," She whispered. "I'm sure she'll return soon."

"Oh..." Annette sighed, then straightened her posture. "How's everything going at Hogwarts?"

"Very well," Hermione's smile grew wider, and she leant forward. "I never thanked you for bringing us together. I've never been so grateful that you spiked our drinks with a love potion."

Annette laughed as she wiped the bar with her cloth. "There were better ways for me to approach the situation. Nevertheless, I am glad you're happy, love."

"Thank you," Hermione pulled the older woman towards her and gave her an awkward hug. "I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart."

"Oh don't be silly," She blushed. "Would you put the book upstairs in my study?"

"Anything for you," Hermione chirped and took off upstairs.

Ruckus filled the halls as usual, and some man was going for gold up against one of the walls. She would've muttered a comment at them, but she was on cloud nine at the moment.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd been this happy—Ron had never made her this jubilant—Snape just had this essence about him that made her stomach do a flip, and it made her feel giddy inside.

Hermione pushed open the door which led to Annette's study but halted at the sight of Lucius Malfoy rummaging through an open cupboard filled with scrolls.

"What are you doing?" Lucius whirled around with anger in his eyes, and his face soured at the sight of her.

"It's just you," He sneered, and her hand twitched to throw the book at his head. Arsehole. "Where does the wench keep her book?"

"Do you mean this?" She waved the book in her hand then smirked. "I take it you and Jenny have started to share dreams-"

"That is none of your business!" He snapped defensively, and she raised a brow.

"I beg to differ. Jenny's my friend, and you upset her because of your ancient moral code—here read this," Hermione placed the book down on the desk next to him. "It will hopefully open your eyes."

"I don't need my eyes opened," He growled, and Hermione scoffed. How could such a nobleman be so childish? Oh, that's right, he's a Malfoy.

"Have you spoken to Jenny recently?" She asked cautiously. "I've kept in contact with her."

"Good for you," His tone was brittle as he picked up the book and took a seat to open up the front cover. "I do not care where she is."

"OK," Hermione shrugged her shoulders then eyed up the blond. "She's doing much better without you anyway, and she even told me that she has a date," She lied. Severus can tell when I'm lying, Malfoy however, cannot. This should be fun.

Lucius stiffened as she perched herself on the desk with a happy glint in her eyes. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to toy with Lucius Malfoy, so she was going to grasp the moment by the balls.

"Date?" He said harshly.

"Yes, with a very handsome fellow from Warwickshire. I heard he owns an enterprise; he's even taking her to Paris for dinner," Hermione gushed and placed a hand over her heart. "Isn't it romantic?"

"Has anyone ever told you how insufferable you are?"

"All the time," She said. "Now, you know what robes are good, what fabric should she wear? I suggested some silk robes; it needs to be form-fitting, meaning it will be aesthetically pleasing. You're a man, tell me what would you like to see her in?"

Lucius' eyes were thunderous as he stared her down. "Are you mocking me?" His voice wavered, and she scooted off the desk immediately.

"I would never do such a thing," She babbled nervously. "I speak nothing but the truth. Jenny once considered herself to have feelings for you, but it appears she has moved on."

"Feelings?" He hissed.

Hermione blew some of her hair away from her face. "She liked you a lot, however, after seeing your true colours her tune soon changed."

"She liked me?" His eyes narrowed into thin slits.

"Wasn't it obvious?" She laughed anxiously but found herself bemused by the situation. How had he not realised the way Jenny looked at him, a thought suddenly hit her. "Oh, you think she only showed an interest in you once she found out about Soulmates."

"I didn't say that-"

Hermione interjected, "She liked you before that. I remember her telling me that she'd had her eye on you for awhile, but she was too afraid to approach you."

"Are you lying to me?"

"What reason do I have to lie, Malfoy? To be perfectly honest, I don't like you. Not a single bit. Jenny can do a million times better than an ignorant snob like yourself, but destiny has other plans. You have the ability to make her the happiest woman on this earth, yet, you refuse her because of her blood status. It doesn't sit well with me, and I have no doubt in my mind that you'll always hurt her somehow—a derogatory comment here and there—however, I cannot argue with fate. You'll never be happy until you're by her side."

Lucius scowled at her furiously. It almost matched one of Severus' famous scowls, but it didn't have any effect on her. He glanced down at the book in his hands, then back at her.

"You speak passionately for a muggle," He said with no sneer to his tone. "I'll only allow this to happen once Miss Granger, but if you talk to me like that again, I will kill you."

"Very well," She nodded her head then walked out of Annette's study.

It confused her greatly how Felix had the ability to glide out of hidden crevices, but he did so, effortlessly, and blocked her path. "Good evening, princess. Is the Big Bad Wolf about tonight?"

"Severus is not here," She muttered, and he smiled in delight.

"I get you all to myself. I've missed your tight arse walking around this place," Felix threw his arm over her shoulder as she walked down the hall. "How is your boyfriend doing?"

"Do you really care?" She retorted, and he smirked.

"The only thing I care about is when you plan to leave him so we can start making our beautiful children-"

"What a surprise."

Hermione's heart sank to the floor with a thud, and she turned around to see Ron lurking in one of the doorways. His clothes were dishevelled and his hair a mess—he looked royally shagged.

"Does the dungeon bat know you work here?" Ron growled eyeing up Felix's arm around her shoulder. "I've heard he frequently visits places like this—only way he can get laid," Ron hiccuped from his massive intake of alcohol, and she smiled sadly.

"I'm here to visit a friend," She said.

"Has she got any better at sex?" He directed his question at Felix who narrowed his eyes at the ginger boy. "She didn't do much when we fucked; just lay there looking bored."

"Maybe you should try getting better at sex," Felix retorted. "Ain't no woman ever been beneath me bored."

Hermione laughed behind her hand, thankful that Felix was around to think of a lewd response.

"Maybe she should try looking prettier," Ron's response made her stiffen, and Felix dropped his arm from her shoulder.

"You little shit," He stormed forward and grabbed Ron by the collar.

"Do you regularly fuck snakes so they can protect you?" He snarled.

Hermione's hand wished to reach for her wand hidden in her right boot, but she knew that she would be no better than him if she responded. Thankfully, Felix was happy to sneer down at Ron while he squirmed in his hold.

"Is the greasy sod going to come out now?"

Screw the moral high ground, she thought. Hermione guessed it was the soul bond causing her to react; he was insulting her soulmate, so he needed to be taught a lesson.

"You little shit!" Hermione fired jinx after jinx at Ron's pasty frame, he fell to the ground and cried out in pain, but Hermione kept lashing out. "Never." Hit. "Ever." Hit. "Talk." Hit. "About." Hit. "Him." Hit. "Again!"

Hermione raised her wand one more time, but a cold hand laced around her wrist. She whirled around to look up at Lucius Malfoy, he quirked his brow at her then released her arm.

"You sure do like to cause a scene, Miss Granger. Now, what do we have here?" He looked down at Ron's shaking body—numerous pus-filled spots covered his face, and his body trembled from the stinging jinxes she'd sent his way.

"Urgh!?" Ron belched at the sight of Lucius.

"Oh, Weasley, do you ever learn?" He tilted his blond head to the side. "You should never walk into the snake pit without support."

"Bugger off..." He tried to glare at him, but his eyes started to swell shut.

"You should return home," Lucius said. "There are many men here who will take advantage of a beaten man on the floor."

Hermione curled her lip as Ron staggered to his feet and disappeared down the corridor. She slipped her wand back into her boot then looked at Lucius.

"Go home," His voice was oddly soft causing her to nod her head quickly and head back to Severus.

Hermione stormed out of the fireplace and walked right into Severus. He caught her before she could fall on the floor and helped steady her onto her feet. She unintentionally looked at him furiously, and he immediately let go and stepped back.

"Sorry," He muttered.

"No! You didn't do anything!" She exclaimed and placed her hand on his arm.

"What's wrong?" He asked and looked down at her curiously. She sighed in response and rested her forehead against his chest. Hermione inhaled his intoxicating scent and felt her body relax. It made her happy that he was the only person who could calm her down; it made her feel wanted and adored.

"Ronald was at the whorehouse," She whispered then moved her head so she could look up at him. Severus' body stiffened beneath her, and she took a step back to observe him properly.

"What did he want?" His hissed through gritted teeth and she sighed.

"He threw some insults around...I threw some jinxes...nothing serious," She flashed him a smile, and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"He must've said something wrong if you jinxed him," Severus replied. "What did he say?"

"He…" Hermione stared down at her feet. "He insulted you, and I got angry, so I lashed out."

Hermione hadn't expected to hear him laugh. Her eyes flew to his and joy flooded her veins as she saw the proud look on his face. "I hope you left him sobbing on the floor."

"Of course," She chuckled, then wrapped her arms around his waist. Severus laced his arm along her shoulders and his other around her waist and held her tight. She heard him inhale sharply as he buried his hooked nose into her hair. Hermione smiled, content with the way her life was right now.

It was still hard to believe that she was now in a relationship with her Professor. She was forever fated to be by his side. She couldn't believe it, yet somehow, it all made sense.