It Happened One Hallows Eve Part 1

"Stay together now," Minerva McGonagall said to the crowds of students hurrying through the main doors and out into the school grounds.

"Come along," Pomona Sprout directed as her Hufflepuffs practically sprinted past her.

"Move it along now," Professor Flitwick squeaked as his Ravenclaws strode past him.

Professor Snape stood by silently, his black eyes watching as his Slytherins exited Hogwarts without a sound. They knew better.

The students and staff stood about on the grounds, waiting for Albus Dumbledore to emerge. The Headmaster was checking the castle using the Marauder's map to find any stragglers. Not one living person could be left in the castle tonight.

Albus stood in the main hall, making one more check. The castle was completely empty. He nodded and then strode out the double doors. Immediately, the castle rumbled and a green ooze emerged from the top turrets of the castle, pouring down the stone walls, coating the entire structure. It solidified as it touched the grounds, sealing the school in a solid green mass.

Suddenly Harry Potter shouted.

"She's not here! Hermione's not here!" he cried searching frantically through his housemates.

Minerva's eyes grew wide as she too began to search for the seventh year Gryffindor.

Albus looked down at the map.

"She's not on the Marauder's map," the wizard said. "The castle is completely empty."

All four heads of houses gathered around the Headmaster, looking at the map.

Ron slapped his hand against his forehead.

"Oh no," he groaned.

"What?" Harry said, his eyes wild.

"Remember when we kept using the map to track Hermione down last year?" Ron said, his eyes wide.

Harry blanched

"Fuck," the young wizard said under his breath. "Come on Ron, we've got to tell the Headmaster."

Ron swallowed and followed Harry up to the staff members standing about, studying the map.

"Er, Headmaster," Harry said, looking very nervous.

"Yes Harry?" Albus said, looking over his half-moon glasses at the boy-who-lived.

"Hermione isn't going to show up on the map. She found a way to keep it from tracking her after Ron and I kept using it to find her when she wanted to be alone to study," the wizard said in a small voice.

"What?" Professor Snape roared, "And you didn't think to tell anyone this while the Headmaster was checking for stray students? You bloody imbecile!"

Everyone looked at Professor Snape, shocked by his outburst. This was a missing Gryffindor student, not a Slytherin.

The Professor collared Harry, pressing his hooked nose inches from the boy's own.

"She has no idea what is going to happen in there tonight! We only found out three hours ago. If she's found, she'll be killed…and it will be on your head, Potter!" he snarled, his black eyes wild.

"Severus! Severus, let the boy go," Albus said gently, reaching over and loosening the wizard's hands. "We don't know for certain if Miss Granger is in there or not."

Severus spun on Albus.

"Where else would she be, Headmaster? She lives in muggle London and has no way to get back there other than the Hogwarts' Express," he said darkly.

"She can apparate," Ron said weakly.

Now Severus spun on Ron.

"She wouldn't have left that way without informing anyone you dolt!"

The sun was getting lower in the sky. Albus looked up apprehensively.

"We have to get the students to the platform now," the wizard said. "Professors, start leading them across the grounds. Let no one straggle. We must all be gone by sunset."

"But what about Hermione?" Harry cried.

Albus looked at Harry sadly.

"We'll do what we can, Harry. What we can. Now go to the platform with your housemates," Albus said, his eyes worried.

Harry stood there stubbornly a moment, then met Snape's eyes. The wizard looked beside himself. What was wrong with him? He hated Hermione. If anything, Harry expected the wizard to look pleased.

"Get out of here, Potter. If Miss Granger can be helped, she will be," the wizard said in a quiet, barely controlled voice.

Harry stared at him for a moment, then Ron pulled on his arm.

"Come on, Harry," Ron said.

Harry stalled, then let his friend lead him away. Soon only Severus and Albus stood there.

"I can't get back in, Severus," the Headmaster said. "Even my signature is locked out because of the danger of death. Only your signature can pass through, because you are always in danger of being killed by the Dark Lord and you won't register. Only you can apparate back into the castle to look for Miss Granger and protect her until this night is over. Otherwise, the witch is dead. I know it is a lot to ask. You will be risking your own life as well…again. And I must inform you, Severus, that the danger is doubled in Miss Granger's case."

Severus' looked at him, his eyes narrowed.

"Doubled, Headmaster?" he asked.

"Yes. The ghosts will sense her because of her…innocence. Evil always prizes innocence, Severus," the wizard said. "In Miss Granger's case…it is a liability. You must save her anyway you can."

Severus looked up at the slowly setting sun. Once nightfall hit, there would be no safe place on Hogwarts grounds. Besides, he would be able to apparate in, but not out again until morning. The purpose of the ecto-seal was to keep everything in until Hallow's Eve passed. Getting in would be simple. Getting out…impossible. Not until sunrise, when the first rays of the sun would melt the seal away.

It had been so long since something like this occurred, the wizarding world was almost caught unaware. Most were safe however. There weren't many resident ghosts in most wizarding homes. The Manors had their share of them and the graveyards were warded to keep spirits in year around. The majority of households were safe from the Thousand Year Madness.

Every thousand years, the ghosts of the wizarding world became ravenous, bent on the destruction of the living, possessed by darkness. Even the friendliest ghosts became mad and would swarm over their most favorite humans, taking their life force in a manner similar to Dementors…but they only needed to pass through a human, not kiss him or her.

Legend has it that the two great powers of Good and Evil had made an agreement that for one night every thousand years, Evil could take hold of those beings caught between life and death and be used to claim the souls of all the living they could find. This agreement was supposedly made to stop the war in Heaven and to give Evil a sporting chance in the soul department, since Good ruled the world. But the humans caught on and protected themselves, as Good knew they would…yet Evil went to work immediately to make people believe the night of Madness was a myth.

Over the years as magical and non-magical people separated, muggles began to believe less and less in ghosts. As a result, these ghostly rampages moved to the magical world, since belief strengthened the ghosts' abilities. Every witch and wizard knew that there were such beings as ghost.

Albus happened to be trying to think of a new Halloween theme to decorate the Great Hall with, and pulled out some very ancient pensieves to view. He saw a horrible sight…hundreds of people being set upon by ghosts on the grounds of Hogwarts, their spirits pulled out of them, bodies falling to the ground wide-eyed and staring. Albus recognized the Bloody Baron as one of the rampaging creatures and questioned him. The Baron told him that had been long ago when the night of Madness fell on them all and they killed and killed.

The ghosts must have been significantly older than the castle, which was new one thousand years ago. Possibly the founders and the ghosts struck up some kind of understanding. Or maybe they just moved in. Castles were perfect for ghostly habitations after all and it was quite difficult to remove a ghost once it settled in. More than likely the founders just let them stay, then eventually the creatures were bound to the castle and the houses. Evidently, the Madness superseded the binding because the ghosts were to protect the castle and its occupants to the best of their abilities.

Albus did a few fast calculations and found to his horror this Hallow's Eve would mark another thousand years, and immediately ordered the castle and grounds emptied of staff and students. The animals would be fine…they had no souls for evil to collect.

The castle was sealed and no ghosts could escape it. But there might be a few stray ghosts on the grounds. So everyone made of flesh had to leave.

Now Hermione was in there, probably oblivious to the fact that her life was in danger. Where the hell was the witch anyway?

Severus turned to Albus.

"I'd better go. The sooner I enter Hogwarts…the sooner I can find the witch," Severus said.

"The lower subdungeons might provide a safe haven. There is a protective circle there that was used for old earth rituals that involved summoning demons. If you can make it there, it should offer some protection. But if it is constantly assailed, it loses power. The witch's innocence will be a powerful lure for the creatures. If they attack in great numbers…they might wear out the circle's power. You will both be lost," Albus said worriedly.

Severus nodded.

"I have no intention of being slaughtered by ghosts Albus. If Miss Granger's innocence proves to be that great a liability, then I will simply have to make sure that liability does not remain an issue," the wizard said coldly.

Albus looked at him, understanding.

"Save her Severus. The witch has a brilliant future ahead and will be an asset to the wizarding world and the war against Voldemort," the wizard said softly.

"I am very aware of that Albus. The witch is a great hope for many," the dark wizard said, his eyes glinting.

Suddenly, Severus disapparated.

Albus had the feeling something important had been left unsaid.

Carrying a heavy backpack full of light reading, Hermione Granger made her way up from the subdungeons. She had found a quiet place down there where she was never disturbed by anyone. The witch coveted true solitude, and she found it there.

It was a twenty minute walk from the subdungeons to the dungeon corridor, up steep and crumbling steps. One had to be very careful. A tumble meant almost certain death. The witch made it to the landing, disillusioned herself, took out her wand and flicked it at the wall. It slid in. She peered out. Hermione did this every time she exited the area, not wanting her hiding place to be discovered.

Satisfied no one was present, Hermione exited the niche, closed the wall, walked up the dungeon hall a few paces then removed the disillusionment spell. She always removed the spell this way just in case someone was inadvertently watching. They would see her appear, but not know where she was coming from.

She walked up the corridor, aware the castle was eerily silent. Something flashed in front of her, from one side of the corridor to the other, and suddenly the corridor became quite cold. Prickles ran up and down her body. Hermione didn't know why she felt afraid, but she drew her wand.

She cautiously continued up the hallway. She could see her breath.

Suddenly, Nearly Headless Nick materialized several meters in front of her. The ghost said nothing but hovered there, looking at her as if he didn't know her.

"Nick?" Hermione said to the staring ghost, who didn't answer her. "Nick, are you all right?"

Nick's face began to slowly twist into a mask of what could only be described as hatred as he glared at the witch.

"Mortal!" he spat, "You are in the wrong place on the wrong night. You will join the ghosts!"

Suddenly, Nick swooped toward her, both hands extended into claws, his face contorted with evil as he bore down on her. Hermione was frozen with fear and couldn't move even though her wand was out.

Suddenly she felt someone yank her out of the way, and a blast hit Nick, who congealed and dropped like a stone.

"Come on!" a voice hissed in her ear, dragging her back down the corridor. It was Professor Snape. He had a hold on her wrist and was running. She could hardly keep up. The wizard stopped in front of his office door, which was ajar and pushed the witch in. He followed her, slamming the door shut and placing several wards on it.

"It won't keep them out long," the Professor muttered then turned to the witch.

"Where the hell were you?" he demanded.

Hermione blinked at him. The Professor seemed very upset.

"I was…was reading," she said meekly as the wizard glared at her.

"Where?" Severus demanded.

"In the sub-dungeons," the witch replied. "I go there when I want some peace."

Severus stared at the witch.

"If we succumb to the ghost tonight, you'll have an eternity of peace witch," he hissed at her, before walking around his desk and sitting down, drawing his hand down his face. He looked at her.

"You are in danger, Miss Granger. We both are. This is a night of madness for the ghosts that comes every thousand years. They want to take our souls in the name of evil. We cannot leave here until daybreak, and have no true protection. I was able to stun Nick, but he will soon thaw out and more ghosts will convene. Your innocence will draw them like carrion draws vultures. We have to get down to the subdungeons. There is a protective circle there that will hold them off for a time…but it grows weaker when constantly tested. We are going to have to come up with a way to survive…to either escape them or make them back off," the wizard said.

"My innocence?" Hermione repeated.

Severus leveled his eyes on the witch.

"Your virginity is a liability, Miss Granger. It radiates innocence. An innocent soul is quite the prize and you will be the primary target of the ghosts. I will try my best to protect you intact…but you must be prepared to have me deflower you if I cannot hold them off," the wizard said, his eyes glittering.

"Deflower me?" Hermione gasped, bringing her hand to her breast.

Severus nodded.

"Unless you prefer to die, witch," the Potions Master said silkily.

Hermione stared at the dark wizard she had secretly fantasized about for the past several months, totally appalled at herself for finding the snarky Potions Professor so desirable. She was sure something was terribly wrong with her, but she found him sensual and sexual, and dreamed about the wizard taking her and teaching her about sex.

"No. I don't want to die…" she said softly, "But…I don't know…"

"There's nothing you need to know. I know enough for both of us," the Potions Master replied, frowning as he heard moans outside the door.

It didn't fail to register that the young witch didn't protest the possibility of him deflowering her. Well, she was a logical young woman, though he preferred to think she might be amicable to the idea because she felt some attraction to him. Now wasn't the time to think about that. They had to get out of here. The ghosts were in the corridor.

Severus stood up and quickly grabbed Hermione by the wrist and pulled her over to the bookcase. He pulled on a torch and the wall slid up. He pushed her through and followed, the wall sliding down and the wizard casting more wards on it.

The Potions Master released Hermione's wrist and turned to her, a desperate look in his eyes.

"We are going to do a lot of apparating tonight, witch. I need you to open up your mind and let me see the subdungeons, focusing on the location you visit. We need to get there, and I need to utilize your mind so we can do so without entering that corridor. Now focus! Legilimens!" the wizard cried.

Hermione focused as hard as she could. She had good concentrative powers and Severus easily saw the area she went to. Several silvery forms began to penetrate the study wall, howling, their faces contorted. It was the Friar, the Grey Lady and the Bloody Baron, all with crooked hands and evil radiating from them.

Severus grabbed Hermione's wrist once more and disapparated, leaving the ghosts casting about, howling angrily at their escape.

They wouldn't escape them for long.

Severus and Hermione appeared in the subdungeons. Torches flared up. Severus looked about. There were broken pieces of the castle foundation strewn about, and several large arched entryways that led into darkness.

"Have you ever explored any of those passageways? We need to find the protective circle," the wizard said to Hermione.

"No, I didn't. I was afraid I might lose my way and not be able to get back," Hermione replied.

"Damn," Severus hissed, looking around the cavernous room. "Well, all we can do is search, and if the ghosts come, we will have to apparate to another part of the castle and draw them there, then come back here," the wizard said.

Hermione nodded and followed the Potions Master as he headed for one of the arches. He pulled out his wand and marked the wall next to the entrance with an "X" so they wouldn't inadvertently go through it again if it did not lead to the circle.

In the dungeon corridor, more ghosts congregated, casting about for Hermione's signature of innocence. The Baron stiffened.

"I feel the mortal," he said hollowly, "This way."

The ghost sank into the floor. The others followed.

Wherever the witch was, they'd find her.

On the Hogwarts Express, Harry sat silently staring out of the window as Ron sat across from him, his brows furrowed in thought. The door was slightly ajar.

"What do you think got into Snape?" the red-headed wizard suddenly asked Harry.

"I don't know, but I don't like it. It's like he went crazy," the wizard replied, "He was like a madman."

"Maybe…maybe he was just concerned," Ron suggested doubtfully.

Harry snorted.

"If he were concerned, most likely it would be concern about Hermione escaping, not about her getting hurt," Harry said, "He never liked her. He'll probably let the ghosts get her."

"What idiots you both are," an unwelcome voice drawled.

Harry and Ron looked up to see Draco Malfoy standing in the doorway, accompanied by his goons Goyle and Crabbe.

"Go wank yourself, Malfoy," Ron spat as both Boyle and Crabbe bristled, punching their fists into their hands. "You too, you bloody gorillas."

Ron was bristling a bit himself. He wasn't scared of either of Malfoy's toadies. Ron had bulked up over the years. He was tall, strong and definitely a scrapper. Harry was no slouch either.

The handsome blonde wizard looked down his nose at the two, his gray eyes glittering with delighted malice. He had let his blonde hair grow to shoulder length, like his father and he was quite the good looking young rake. He had quite a few conquests under his belt as well.

"You can bet the Professor won't be wanking off when he finds Granger," the young wizard said in a gloating voice.

Harry looked at the wizard sharply.

"What the fuck are you talking about Malfoy?" Harry asked the wizard, his green eyes narrowed.

"You two pudding dicks have no idea what's going on. You haven't dipped your wands enough to know when a wizard wants a witch. The Professor has wood for Granger," Malfoy announced. Boyle and Crabbe grinned nastily.

"You're lying," Ron spat.

Draco looked at him coldly.

"I'm lying am I? Well, what other reason could there be for him to blow a torch like that? He almost strangled you, Potter. Other than smacking you two dolts with a book now and then, he's never actually put his hands on you. Rather out of character, don't you think? And it was because of Granger," the wizard said, a lewd little smirk on his face. "Now they're alone in the castle together, and he's 'protecting' her. Supposedly from ghosts…but I ask you two rotters…who's going to protect Granger from him?"

Both Harry and Ron stared at Malfoy, who started to laugh as the realization hit them that he was probably right.

"Come on you two," the blonde wizard said to Crabbe and Goyle, "My work here is done. Looks like Granger is going to be Slytherinized, but good. I heard the Professor has a huge tool too. She'll be walking like she rode a hippogriff for a week come tomorrow morning."

Crabbe and Goyle laughed as Malfoy slid the door shut. The three wizards walked away.

"So Snape wants to shag Hermione," Ron said, his fists clenched helplessly. "I swear if that greasy git touches her, I'll challenge him to a duel."

Harry looked at him.

"He'd love to turn you to a pile of ash, Ron. You can't beat him," the wizard said.

"I can try. I'll hex him from behind if I have to," the wizard seethed. Ron was sweet on Hermione though she made it clear she was only interested in being his friend. The idea of Snape even touching her drove the young wizard wild.

Harry sat there for a moment, then stood up.

"Let's go see the Headmaster," he said, pulling the door open and exiting. Ron followed him, his nostrils flared.

Albus and the rest of the staff were seated in the first car of the train. The Headmaster was sharing his booth with Professor Flitwick, Filch and Mrs. Norris. The caretaker was not about to leave his precious cat with soul-stealing ghosts. No amount of talk could convince the grizzled squib that Mrs. Norris didn't have a soul.

Albus was drinking a glass of iced pumpkin juice and nibbling on a pumpkin pastie he had purchased off the tea trolley when Harry and Ron appeared at the door. Filch made an even uglier face than usually as he looked up at them.

"Get out of here you pups," he growled at the wizards.

"We need to speak to the Headmaster," Harry said, looking at Albus with pleading eyes.

"Let them in, Argus," the old wizard said, seeing the worry in both Harry's and Ron's eyes.

Filch grumbled and shifted his knees so Ron and Harry could pass. Mrs. Norris spat and snagged Ron's robes with her paw, claws extended.

"Hey, let go you natty old furball!" Ron yelled.

Filch's face grew black.

"Hey now, don't you be insulting my cat. I'll beat you within an inch of your life," Filch hissed, petting the little beastie.

"Argus, calm down," Albus said placatingly. He looked up at Harry.

"How can I help you my boy?" he asked kindly.

Harry and Ron looked at Filch and Professor Flitwick uncomfortably. Filch was listening closely.

"I'd rather talk to you in private, sir," Harry said softly.

Filch snorted.

Dumbledore's blue eyes shifted from Harry to Ron.

"Very well, sit on either side of me and move in close," the wizard said.

Harry and Ron did so, and Albus waved his hand, casting a silencing spell much to Filch's disgust. He wanted to know what was going on.

"You can talk freely now, Harry. What is on your mind?" Albus asked him.

Harry colored a bit. Accusing one of the Headmaster's staff of having designs on shagging a student was a bit much. But Harry had to say something.

"Um, Headmaster…Professor Snape seemed really upset when he found out Hermione was in the castle. Didn't you find the way he acted a bit…well…strange?" Harry asked the Headmaster…deciding this was the best approach.

"Yeah, he went bloody bonkers," Ron interjected, staring at Albus with his eyebrows raised.

Albus nodded soberly.

"Yes, he was quite upset. Miss Granger is a very intelligent student who may be very valuable in the war against Voldemort once she graduates. Her safety is imperative," the Headmaster replied carefully. "Professor Snape is of the opinion she is just as valuable as you are, Harry."

Both Harry and Ron took this in. So Professor Snape thought Hermione could be of help fighting against Voldemort, as much of a help as Harry himself. Yes, that could explain why he was so upset she was locked in the castle, but there seemed to be more to it.

Harry looked at the Headmaster soberly.

"Draco says the Professor is…is attracted to Hermione. Do you think that's true?" Harry asked Albus, whose eyes went dark. Ron noticed the change immediately.

"It is true," he said, his voice quaking. "He wants to shag her and you sent him in there to spend the whole night alone with her."

Ron scowled at the Headmaster, who looked at him rather severely.

"Professor Snape was the only one who could enter the castle without being stopped. Since he is always facing death, the castle doesn't put up the protections it would for one of us. The castle would keep us from danger. But not the Potions Master," the wizard said.

"But still, he wants Hermione…doesn't he?" Ron asked accusingly.

Albus sighed.

"Professor Snape admires the witch very much. He is not a man given to chasing witches down, and stays to himself for the most part. Miss Granger has caught his attention for several reasons, Mr. Weasley. He is no randy seventh year. Believe it or not, he is an honorable man," the Headmaster said.

"I don't care how honorable he is…I don't want him touching Hermione!" Ron blurted out.

"The matter is not in your hands, Mr. Weasley, and I will remind you I am your Headmaster and will not be spoken to in such a manner," Albus said darkly. Harry could feel the wizard's power manifesting. Ron could too. He dropped his head.

"Sorry sir," Ron said, though his stomach was churning horribly at the thought of the Potions Master shagging Hermione.

"He's too old for her," Harry said, "And too ugly too," he thought.

"That is Miss Granger's decision to make whenever he approaches her," Albus replied evenly. "You cannot control the witch's life. She's an adult now. You are her friends, not her fathers."

Ron looked at Harry.

"She can't be interested in him, Harry. He treated her like shit for the longest time," the red-headed wizard said, then covered his mouth as he looked at Albus, whose brow was furrowed. "Sorry sir."

Harry looked thoughtful.

"Not so much this year," Harry said, thinking. "He's been giving her proper grades and hasn't taken any points from her in ages. She got perfect marks on the last two tests. He never gave her perfect marks before, even though she deserved them."

Albus gave a little smile.

"The Professor is hardest on his best students. He doesn't give them perfect marks because he wants them to continue to strive to do their best. He doesn't want them to become complacent. He also gives his lesser students slightly higher marks to keep them encouraged. There is a method to his…madness," the wizard said, "Though he still favors his Slytherins as all Heads of House favor their own."

Ron and Harry looked at each other. Professor Snape helping bad students? They wouldn't have believed it possible.

"Still, it just seems wrong that he wants Hermione," Harry said. "He knows so much more about life than she does…particularly the dark side."

Albus looked at Harry.

"Harry, you've known Hermione for a long time now. Do you really think she would be happy with a wizard her own age? She is a brilliant, knowledgeable witch. Doesn't it seem likely she would be attracted to someone with more knowledge than she? Someone older and more experienced? Someone who would challenge her? She is no ordinary witch. I am sure you both know that. In fact, Miss Granger has as much intolerance for dunderheads as the Potions Master does," the Headmaster said.

This was true. Hermione couldn't stand idiots of any type. Most of the students at Hogwarts thought she was stuck up and a cold fish. All she was interested in was books and study. She didn't chat with witches. She didn't date any wizards. All she did was curl up with her books night after night while life went on around her. Ron and Harry liked her that way too. The thought that she might go for the wizard who had made their lives miserable for the past seven years was disturbing.

But Professor Snape was intelligent, skilled and even courageous. He was a spy in Voldemort's ranks and a member of the Order. He also was as mean as a basilisk, but he had proven himself time and time again. A witch as logical as Hermione could look past his appearance and see him as being attractive in other ways.

"Looks aren't important," the witch would preach to Harry and Ron when they talked about wanting the prettiest witches in the school. "It's the character that really counts."

Ron and Harry shuddered at the same time. Gods, Hermione might really go for Snape.

"Headmaster, what's to keep Snape from trying to put the moves on Hermione while they are alone all night?" Ron asked the wizard.

"Firstly, that's Professor Snape, Mr. Weasley. And he is an honorable man as I said before..." the Headmaster hesitated.

Harry frowned.

"What aren't you telling us, Headmaster?" he asked the wizard. Albus was good at hiding truths rather than lying about them as Harry found out in his fifth year when the Prophecy was finally revealed to him. It had taken Harry a long time to get over the fact that Dumbledore hid that knowledge from him for so many years.

Albus looked at Harry and Ron for a long moment, then drew in a deep breath as if he were about to embark on something that required extra strength.

"You are both adults. I expect you to handle what I have to say to you as adults. Miss Granger's life is in very real danger, due to her innocence. She will draw the ghosts to her like a muggle magnet. Professor Snape will be hard put to keep her safe," the wizard said.

"Her innocence?" Ron repeated.

"Her virginity, Mr. Weasley. Evil always goes for the innocent first. Miss Granger is an innocent in that she hasn't been intimate with a wizard yet. She is still 'pure.' Taking a pure soul is a coup. Every ghost at Hogwarts will be pursuing her. If the situation gets too bad, the Professor may be forced to…remove her innocence in order to save her life," Albus said with a sigh.

Both Ron and Harry looked horrified.

"That git will shag her the moment a ghost shows up!" Ron exclaimed, jumping up from his seat and gesticulating wildly.

"I highly doubt that, Mr. Weasley, and sit down!" Albus ordered.

The wizard sat back down, his leg vibrating angrily.

"I imagine it will be quite difficult to deflower the witch while trying to escape ghosts. It will put them both at a disadvantage, and Professor Snape is very much into self-preservation. It will be his last resort," the Headmaster said.

Both Harry and Ron looked extremely doubtful. They thought the wizard would jump Hermione's bones the moment the opportunity presented itself.

"Hermione won't let him do it," Ron said, though in his heart he wasn't sure about this.

Albus looked at the red-haired wizard kindly.

"Mr. Weasley, your feelings for Miss Granger are widely known, and I know this disturbs you greatly. But the truth is that Miss Granger is a very logical witch, and faced with either death or deflowerment, I am quite sure her instinct for self-preservation will kick in, and she will do what is necessary to survive," the Headmaster said gently.

"Even shag the Professor," Harry said glumly.

Albus nodded.

"Now you two return to your booths. There is nothing you can do about Miss Granger's situation but wait until tomorrow. Hopefully Professor Snape will save her and himself. Only time will tell," the Headmaster said, waving his hand and removing the silencing spell.

Filch looked at the two wizards, who had the demeanor of beaten dogs. He grinned horribly. Whatever the Headmaster said to them, they didn't like it. That tickled the old caretaker to no end.

Ron and Harry exited the booth silently, Albus looking after them, his eyes dark.

"Welcome to the real world," he said softly, then stared out of the window watching the landscape roll past.

Wands lit, Severus and Hermione cautiously made their way down the dark corridor. The Potions Master had to stop several times for Hermione to catch up, irritation on his face as he looked at the backpack of books she was carrying.

"Leave the books," he ordered the witch.

Hermione clutched the strap of her backpack protectively.

"But these are library books, Professor. Madam Pince will be furious if I don't get them back on time. I can't leave them," the witch said, walking forward with the books.

Severus stalked back to Hermione.

"You have worse problems than late library books, Miss Granger. Either you remove the backpack or I will," he said darkly, his nostrils flared.

Hermione looked up at the Professor. He seemed much bigger in this situation than he did in the classroom, and even more imposing. His black eyes glinted dangerously.

"Fine," she said, wrenching off the backpack and setting it to the side against the wall. She looked up at the Potions Master, her eyes defiant.

"But I will be coming back for them," Hermione stately flatly, walking past the wizard in a temper, stomping as she did so. Severus smirked after the witch. She certainly was a spirited young woman. He followed, looking behind them.

They came to a part of the corridor that had barred cells on either side of them. Inside the cells were stone cots and manacles on the walls. Some had stone bowls and cups overturned on the floor. Since they were so far underground there were no windows.

"Cells?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed as she looked at the restraints on the wall.

"I would suspect subdungeons would have dungeons," Severus said as if talking to a child. Hermione bristled.

"I know that!" she snapped. "It just seems so barbaric that our school has places like this."

Severus walked ahead of her and shined his wand into the next cell.

"If you think that barbaric, Miss Granger, look here," he said silkily.

The wizard watched with interest as Hermione walked up to the cell, shined her wand inside and gasped. On the wall was a skeleton, inverted and manacled to the wall. Strips of cloth hung down its body and the jawbone lay on the floor in front of it.

"Oh my gods. How horrible. They actually kept people down here?" the witch gasped.

Severus arched an eyebrow as he examined the skeleton.

"Obviously they did. For a long, long time," he replied. The wizard looked behind them again. "Come on, witch. The ghost have probably divined you are down here."

Hermione quickly caught up to the wizard.

"You seem more concerned about my soul than your own, Professor," she said as they continued down the cell-lined corridor.

"That is because my soul is already heavily burdened with evil, Miss Granger. It makes no sense to expend energy taking a soul already bound for hell. Not to say they wouldn't take me, but you would be the one they'd focus on first," he replied evenly.

"You think you are going to hell, Professor?" Hermione asked him, appalled. "But you do so much selfless work for the Order. Surely that would tip the balance towards 'good.'"

"Whatever good I do is nullified by the evil I do for the Dark Lord, Miss Granger. In essence, I am the one who keeps him alive to do his evil by the elixir I created for him. His power grew because of me. That is enough to have me hell bound," the wizard replied. He stopped. There was a door before them.

"Keep your wand at the ready, Miss Granger, and stay close," Severus whispered.

Wide-eyed, Hermione stood directly behind the wizard, matching him step for step as they approached the door. Cautiously, Severus tried the handle. It clicked and the door opened. They walked through.

Torches flared up and Hermione stared around the room, horrified.

The Bloody Baron and an entourage of about thirty ghosts bobbed in the main cavern of the subdungeons, staring at the several archways.

"She is here with the Head of Slytherin House," the Baron said in a hollow voice. "I can feel his evil signature. But I do not know which passage they took. We must split up. Nick and Gray Lady, you are with me."

Slowly the ghosts separated and drifted down the passageways in search of Hermione and the Professor.

Hermione stared around the room as did Severus.

"Lucius Malfoy would appreciate this," the Potions Master observed.

The circular stone room was filled with devices of torture. Medieval racks, torture chairs, iron boots, restraining chains, shackle poles, thumb and toe screws, scalds and bridles abounded. In one corner, a jibbet cage complete with victim hung from the ceiling. Another empty one hung opposite.

"Dear gods," Hermione breathed. "I can't believe this is at Hogwarts."

"It was a different time when the subdungeons were utilized. Bands of muggles were killing off witches and wizards with alacrity. More than likely those captured were brought here and tortured for information. There was no veritaserum back then…and Salazar was a very vindictive wizard," the Potions Master said.

Hermione walked up to a table with several metal instruments on them. She picked up a strangely shaped object. It was long, bulbous on the end with spikes all around it, and a screw nut on the end. She looked at it curiously.

"I wonder what this was used for?" Hermione asked.

Severus walked up beside her. Hermione turned the screw and the thing popped open like a peeled banana, a sharp stained pole thrusting out of the front of it about six inches.

"That particular device was inserted into a woman's vagina closed, then the screw twisted," the Potions Master said, looking at Hermione soberly.

The witch dropped the instrument, shuddering.

"Let's get out of here," Hermione said, walking toward the door quickly.

Severus looked around the room, silently swearing to himself. Most likely they would be running into ghosts on the way back. Hermione would have to stay close and behind him. The Potions Master tried to remember just how many ghosts were at Hogwarts, but couldn't. He knew there were a few headless ones on horses, the House ghosts and Professor Binns…but there had to be more. Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday parties always had a good turnout.

"Miss Granger, wait for me," he called as Hermione walked out the door. The witch stopped and the wizard walked past her quickly.

"Come along," he hissed at her, his wand drawn and black eyes shifting from wall to wall. "Be prepared to apparate with me. More than likely the ghosts have tracked us…meaning you, to the subdungeons and are searching for us."

Hermione walked so close to the Professor, she stepped on his robes several times. Finally in exasperation, Severus removed his robes, dropping them on the stone floor. Hermione stared at him.

This was the first time the witch had ever seen the Potions Master out of his everyday garb. The wizard was tall, but lean with rather wide shoulders and a slender waist. He was heavier than she imagined. He was dressed in a collared white silk shirt with buttoned cuffs, nice-fitting black trousers and a black belt with a Slytherin crest buckle. When he turned around, Hermione was surprised to see the wizard had a nice ass, tight and athletic.

The witch blushed just as Severus looked back at her. He arched an eyebrow at her red face.

"What is wrong with you, witch?" he asked her, his black eyes resting on Hermione curiously.

"Um…nothing. I was just thinking of…something," she said lamely.

"You'd better be thinking about surviving," he growled, catching hold of her hand. "Stay close."

Hermione followed the wizard, very aware of the warm roughness of his slender, sinewed hand in her own. She wondered what it would feel like to have that hand caress her cheek…or any part of her. She felt a lurch in her belly. The idea of the cold, dark wizard touching her intimately was doing very naughty things to her body.

"Damn it, Hermione…get a hold of yourself. You are in a deadly situation and all you can think about is your Professor feeling you up," she thought to herself. She felt Severus' hand tighten around hers and blushed as he led her up the corridor.

The tightening had been reactionary. After he saw the blush, Severus slipped into the witch's mind to see what in the world she could be thinking about that would cause her to blush in such a life-threatening situation. He had to fight looking surprised when he caught her "nice ass" comment. It was when he saw her imagining him smoothing her cheek and caressing her breasts that his hand suddenly tightened around hers.

So the witch was attracted to him…carnally. It was true he had his own attraction to the witch…it was decidedly sexual, but intellectual as well. She was brilliant, and he found that alluring. That mind of hers was going to do great things and the wizard found he would like to be a part of that. There was the problem of the Dark Lord however, but Severus was sure he could get the despot to accept him engaging the witch, particularly if he said it was to corrupt her. Voldemort was all for corruption of the innocent.

Knowing the witch felt an attraction for him made the wizard less anxious concerning the possibility of deflowering her. Hermione Granger was no bit of fluff to stick and run. He had hoped that after she graduated, she would consent to his courting her. The seduction would have been slow and gradual. He would have taken his time.

But if he had to deflower Hermione tonight, there could be no time. Only haste and apologies. He didn't even know if they would have any further contact than the initial penetration. He might not even be able to complete the act because of the ghosts. It would be decidedly unfair for the witch to have her first time to simply be a painful thrust and filling with no completion. And it would be terrible for him as well, to have the witch he desired in such an intimate situation and be unable to show her how good a lover he was. To leave her frustrated and unfulfilled.

Severus scowled as he led the witch, aware of how small, warm and soft her hand was in his. The wizard felt a little throb in his nether regions.

"Don't you dare," he mentally growled at his organ. "I need to think about surviving, not shagging."

But he couldn't help thinking about taking Hermione, simply because most likely he would have to do it before the sun came up.

They were past the cells now and heading back toward the main cavern. Suddenly Severus stopped and pressed against the wall, jerking Hermione back with him.

"What?" the witch asked.

"Be quiet!" Severus hissed at her, listening intently. Yes, he heard it. The sound of ghostly voices.

Three ghosts were headed down the corridor. One was a pale, coiffed Frenchman, the next seemed to be some kind of barbarian. He carried a huge hammer-like weapon, and the next was a dwarf. Severus had never seen these ghosts before.

Suddenly the ghosts appeared to stiffen, then let out a howl and began flying down the dungeons at a great speed.

"Shit, they've found us…come on!" Severus said to Hermione, dragging her down the corridor, the screaming ghosts in hot pursuit. In the other corridors, the rest of the search party heard them and floated through the walls toward their cries.

"Hurry," hissed the Baron to Nick and the Gray Lady.

"Be prepared to stop suddenly," Severus said to Hermione, disapparating mid-stride.

The ghosts coasted to a stop, letting out howls of frustration as the Bloody Baron and the other ghosts appeared, quickly drifting towards them.

"What happened?" the Bloody Baron demanded, "Why is the witch not here?"

"They gone," the barbarian grunted. "Thunder and poof!"

The Baron's face contorted hideously.

"They can apparate inside of Hogwarts. Damn it! We will be chasing them all night. But they do tire. If we can keep them moving eventually they will become too tired to continue to run. Then we will have the pure soul we crave," the Baron said.

The rest of the ghosts howled agreement. It seemed like a good plan. The Bloody Baron was used to giving orders of this nature. He had his own small army to protect his land when he was alive.

"We need to gather and discuss this," the Bloody Baron said. "For now, forget the pursuit and gather all the ghosts in the Great Hall. We have to position ourselves all about the castle, covering as much of it as possible. When the mortals apparate, some of us should be nearby to take up the chase. Go and collect everyone."

The ghosts all departed.

Hermione and Severus reappeared in the Astronomy Tower. The windows were completely sealed by the ecto-covering. Severus lit his wand, then the torches. Since Professor Sinistra used this area for star-gazing, the torches were not self-lighting and had to be manually ignited. Hermione wrapped her robes around herself and shivered a bit.

"This is the furthest point from the subdungeons. It will take a while for them to find us," the wizard said, looking at Hermione. "We have to get back to the subdungeons and try to find the circle."

Hermione looked at the Professor for a moment. It felt strange to be here alone with him. She had butterflies in her stomach at the thought of him possibly deflowering her. She would prefer the dark wizard to be her first rather than someone her own age. He probably knew quite a bit about sex, plus he was intelligent and courageous. A wizard of worth despite the darkness he was surrounded with.

Hermione was more than ready to lose her virginity. She had been having sexual feelings for more than a year and a half. But the witch was socially awkward due to staying to herself so much. Ron and Harry didn't count as social acquaintances. They were more like irritating brothers and would fart and burp in front of her with no hesitance. No, they were definitely not poster boys for the social grace

Besides, she didn't do small talk well. A conversation had to have some real meat and challenge to it for her to engage in it. Even if she had found some fellow student sexually appealing, she wouldn't have known how to go from "Nice weather we're having" to "Let's shag." Actually, Hermione was of the mind it would be better to get right to it than go through all the ritualistic courting and small talk. She knew instinctively love wasn't necessary to have sex. A wet orifice and a stiff member were the only necessary elements. And a private place to do it.

"Miss Granger, are you listening to me?" the Potions Master asked as he looked at the witch. She had quite a faraway look in her eyes. "I said we need to find the circle. Put that mind of yours to work, witch."

Hermione started.

"Oh. I'm sorry Professor…I just…well…never mind," the witch said, looking thoughtful, her eyes starting to shift back and forth the way they did when she was thinking about several possibilities."

After a couple of minutes, she smiled.

"Professor, we need to go to the library. There are original blueprints of the castle there. Hogwarts has changed over the years, but judging by the condition of the subdungeon's main cavern, the changes didn't occur on that level, otherwise there wouldn't be broken bits of foundation lying about. The location of the circle should be on those blueprints," she said.

"Excellent idea, Miss Granger," the wizard said, eyeing the witch appreciatively for a moment before resuming his normal expression of soberness. "First we must wait for the ghosts to arrive here."

Suddenly there was a small rumble. Severus looked at Hermione.

"Was that you?" he asked.

Hermione nodded.

"I haven't eaten since lunch," she replied.

That wasn't good. Without food, the witch wouldn't have the energy to make it through the night. Severus took her hand. Hermione looked up at him, her heart beginning to pound at his contact. The wizard felt his trousers tighten at the look in her eyes. The witch was attracted to him…it was as clear as if stamped in her forehead. But there hadn't been enough ghostly activity to justify taking her.

"Come. We will apparate to the kitchens and retrieve some food, then return here," he said, disapparating with her.

They appeared in the kitchens. As the Potions Master quickly gathered food and drink from the coolers and put them in a basket he found on one of the counters, Hermione said, "Professor, shouldn't we place a silencing spell on ourselves when we apparate? The ghosts can hear the thunder."

Severus shook his head as he placed some cold fried chicken in the basket.

"No. Because we wouldn't be able to hear either. We might apparate into an area where they are close by and not be able to hear their howls before removing the spell. They move quickly when we are near," he replied, tossing in some utensils and napkins before closing the basket and taking the witch's hand.

They disapparated back to the astronomy tower.

The main hall was filled with about one hundred and twenty ghosts, all drifting toward the Great Hall. The Bloody Baron floated above the dais and waited as the ghosts took seats at the table. Several mounted and headless ghosts trotted through the main doors, their horses rearing and snorting flame before settling down quietly, their red eyes fixed on the Baron.

"Fellow ghosts. As you are aware, there are two mortals in the castle. We have been sealed in and so are unable to rampage through the countryside. We are bound to collect souls tonight in the name of evil and so our focus is on taking the souls available. I do not know the name of the witch…"

"Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of the age," Headless Nick called out.

The Baron glowered at the ghost, who settled back on the bench looking contrite.

"All right, Hermione Granger is our main focus. She is a pure soul and a great prize. However she is with a wizard whose soul is already steeped in evil. He means next to nothing to us…since evil will take him anyway. It is the witch we are focused on. However, the wizard can apparently apparate inside the walls of Hogwarts…something no one is supposed to be able to do. He is using this ability to keep the witch away from us. Rather than pursue them from area to area, we will be putting each of you at a post within the castle, two to a post. That means there will be sixty positions taken up. We should be able to keep them running until they tire…then we will retrieve the witch's soul in the name of evil. Are there any questions? No? Good. Now, those ghosts at the first table, come up and receive your instructions…"

In the astronomy tower, Severus and Hermione quietly ate their food, each lost in their own thoughts about the other, Hermione wondering just what would have to actually occur for the wizard to deflower her. Maybe she could help it along.

Severus, on the other hand, was almost hoping that he wouldn't have to deflower the witch in this way. It would most likely be hurried and unfulfilling for both of them. He would prefer to have the time to engage the witch fully, believing that if she didn't have a pleasant experience he would have no chance at her in the future. If he were good, she would want to experience him again.

Suddenly something began to form in the center of the room. Both Severus and Hermione drew their wands, ready to blast.

"Wait! Wait! Don't blast me!" a familiar voice cried out. "I'm not a ghostie!"

Hermione and Severus stared as the form solidified.

It was Peeves.

And he looked terrified.

"You might not be a ghost, Peeves, but you're still evil!" Hermione snapped, keeping her wand trained on the poltergeist.

Severus put his wand away.

"Peeves is NOT evil. Peeves is how Peeves is supposed to be," the creature said argumentively.

He was floating cross-legged in the air. Peeves was solid, not translucent like a ghost, and he wasn't pearly white either. He resembled a squat little man with a wide mouth, and wore an absolutely ghastly and outlandish, green and orange plaid suit, a hat covered with little bells and an orange bowtie. He did have very wicked dark eyes however. But he wasn't looking too wicked right now. More worried than anything else.

"Can Peeves stay with you?" he asked the couple.

"No! Why, so you can drop something on us at the first opportunity?" Hermione seethed.

The witch was angry because a little more than a month ago, Peeves had poured a bucket of freezing never-ending ice water over her head while she walked out of the library, her face in a book.

"Ooh the great Brain is all wet!" the poltergeist had chuckled before zooming away, leaving Hermione dripping as the other students chortled.

"No tricks tonight," the little man breathed, "No students…so no tricks."

Hermione frowned at him.

"What's that got to do with anything?" she spat.

Severus decided to intercede.

"Miss Granger, did you ever wonder why Albus has never gotten rid of Peeves?" the Potions Master asked her.

"Yes I have. He's a menace," the witch said, glaring at the poltergeist.

"Peeves was created by the students of Hogwarts. He's a manifestation of their collective angst and subconscious destructive anger. He pulls the worst of their uncontrollable emotions from them and provides an outlet for it. Without Peeves, the students at Hogwarts would not be as well behaved or balanced as they are. Inversely, without their presence, Peeves has no impetus to do mischief," the Potions Master said.

"No impetus," Peeves agreed, though the poltergeist wasn't exactly sure what the word meant. It sounded good however. "No students…no trouble from Peeves."

Hermione looked surprised. She had never thought of Peeves as anything more than a pest. The fact that he regulated the emotions of Hogwarts entire student population was…well…amazing. The witch lowered her wand.

"Why do you want to stay with us? You don't have a soul…do you?" the witch asked the poltergeist, who relaxed slightly.

"No. Peeves has no soul but still attracts ghosties if they are near," the creature said.

Hermione understood.

"You're giving off a mortal signature," she said, "Because of the students."

"Yes. Peeves needs protection. Ghosties hurt," the little man said, his orange bowtie whirling annoyingly.

Severus looked at the poltergeist.

"I see no benefit in helping you Peeves," the Potions Master said.

Actually Severus had no idea what he could do for the poltergeist. He had his hands full with Hermione.

"I have benefits, I do…like what I know right now," Peeves said, "I know what the ghosties are up to for you two."

"They're up to killing us," Hermione said, frowning at the little man, "We already know that."

"No, they are doing more. Planning," Peeves said with a nasty smile. He wanted their help but he couldn't help but enjoy the danger they were in. The poltergeist thrived on that kind of thing.

Severus sobered.

"What are they planning, Peeves?" he asked.

The poltergeist drifted back, shaking his head vigorously.

"No. I won't tell you until you promises to help Peeves," he said, smirking with satisfaction.

Severus scowled and was about to pull his wand, but Hermione beat him to it, streaking up to Peeves and holding her wand between his eyes.

"If you think the ghosts hurt, Peeves, wait until I blast you. I know you feel pain and I can give it to you," the witch said darkly, "Now tell us what they're planning or I'll splatter you all over this tower. I mean it, Peeves. It will take you days to reform."

Peeves looked at the witch. Her eyes were narrowed and her jaw thrust out with determination. Her wand never wavered.

"And I thought you was a Gryffindor," the poltergeist complained.

"Being faced with death can bring out the Slytherin in anyone," she retorted, "Now out with it!"

Severus was impressed. Hermione also gave him an idea.

"Tell us Peeves, and I will help keep the ghosts away from you," the Potions Master promised.

"An oath! I want an oath!" the poltergeist replied, realizing if Hermione blasted him they wouldn't be able to get any information.

"Very well," the wizard said, "I solemnly swear I will keep the ghosts away from you."

Magic swirled in the air.

Hermione looked back at the wizard. If he could keep the ghosts away from Peeves, why couldn't he keep the creatures away from them? She lowered her wand.

"Professor, how…" she began.

Severus held up his hand.

"Later witch," he said to her, focusing on Peeves, "Now tell us what you know."

Peeves told the pair about the ghosts congregating in the Great Hall, how many there were and how they planned to position themselves around the castle to wait for them with the intentions of wearing them out. Then they would take them at their leisure.

Severus looked thoughtful.

"That's sixty positions, but only two ghosts per position. We won't know exactly where they are…but two are better than twenty at any rate. More than likely we can stun them like I did Nick and slip by them. Now would be a good time to utilize the silencing spell if we apparate back to back, our wands drawn and ready for action. Do you know the Congealing spell, Miss Granger?" the wizard asked her.

Hermione shook her head.

"But it shouldn't take me long to learn it," she said, "I'm fairly decent at spells."

Severus knew this was an understatement. Hermione was a wiz at spell casting.

"Very well. I suggest we get started then, before the ghosts come. A pair will certainly be posted here," the wizard said. "Now watch closely."

"Wait! What about me? You swore to help me. Help me first!" Peeves demanded.

"Certainly Peeves," Severus purred.

Suddenly the wizard pointed his wand at Peeves and splattered him all over the astronomy tower. Hermione screamed as she was covered in ectoplasm. The witch hurriedly scourgified herself and spun on Severus.

"You swore to help him," she said…then she hesitated when she realized the oath hadn't affected the wizard.

"I did help him. In this condition the ghosts won't pursue him," the Severus replied evenly scourgifying himself and the tower. Hermione blinked.

"Where did he go?" she asked.

Severus shrugged. "I don't know, but he'll be back. He's been blasted and scourgified before. Now witch, your Congealing lesson," the wizard said.

It took Hermione only five minutes to learn the proper invocation and intent as well as the subtle wand motion. Severus shot bubbles out from his wand for the witch to practice on. She was soon proficient.

"Thank the gods you're a quick study," Severus said, hiding his admiration. It had taken him the better part of a day to get the spell down pat. He looked around the tower.

"I think we should go to the library now," he said. "This is a main area. Sentries will be posted here."

He and Hermione drew their wands and stood back to back, pressed against each other. Hermione felt protected with the wizard at her back, and Severus felt less vulnerable with Hermione at his. The wizard cast a silencing spell around them.

"Stay sharp," he hissed…and they disapparated.

Sure enough when they appeared in the library, two ghosts were there. One was a tall, willowy elderly female ghost, the other appeared to be a very young wizard's ghost. But the creatures had their backs to the pair. Still, they felt Hermione and spun just in time to catch the Congealing spells squarely. The ghosts didn't get a chance to make a sound as they fell heavily to the floor.

Wizard and witch both relaxed and Severus removed the silencing spell.

"The spell will wear off in about an hour. We should be finished before then," Severus said. "If not, I will just give them a touch-up blast."

But he was talking to himself. Hermione was already off to the section that held the blueprints, pulling out a large stack and carrying them to one of the large tables. She passed half the stack to Severus.

"Spread those out on the other table. Try to keep them in order," she said bossily.

The wizard hesitated, then realized she was simple in "research mode," and did as she asked. Both witch and wizard went over the documents side by side until they found what they were looking for. The blueprints of the completed subdungeons. After studying it, they found the protective circle was at the end of the third archway on the left when you entered the main cavern. It was quite large. Twenty feet across.

"I don't believe an invocation is needed, or Albus would have informed me," Severus said as they studied the blueprints, "Possibly, we can stay within its protection all night if we drag the congealed ghosts for that post with us, and continuously blast them. Albus said the protective circle weakens if constantly attacked, yet even if they do congregate, we can strike them all, and simply keep them under the effects by hitting them again as they waken."

At last. A possible way to make it through the night.

"Will we be able to fire through the circle's influence?" Hermione asked him.

"I am relatively sure we will be. It keeps out things spiritual. We can pass its boundaries. There is no reason to think the blasts of our wands can't," the wizard said.

Hermione stared at the Potions Master.

"It seems as if you've come up with a way to get us through the night without deflowering me, Professor," she said a bit wistfully.

Severus looked at the witch sharply. Was that disappointment he heard in her voice?

"You should be grateful witch. I imagine you are waiting for some young, handsome wizard to have that honor," he said, his black eyes rather intense as he looked at her. "Not a snarky old man like me."

Severus knew Hermione was attracted to him, but he wanted to hear what she would say to this. He was rather surprised at the way she reacted. With vehemence.

"You're not old! You're in what…your late thirties, early forties? You're not even middle-aged, Professor…nowhere near it. Plus, you are intelligent, a Potions Master, a member of the Order…you risk your life every day for a world that doesn't give a damn about you without a single complaint. You're a hero, Professor. It wouldn't be hard for me to accept you…"

Here Hermione faltered for a moment as she met the wizard's eyes.

"I mean…if I had to," she said softly. "If…if I wanted to…"

Severus looked at the witch, and his chest tightened a little.

"So, Miss Granger…if I were to approach you in such a way…would you accept me?" he asked the witch.

Hermione felt her heart begin to pound.

"Well, I wouldn't immediately reject you," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "You'd be a worthy suitor, Professor…despite your meanness. I don't think you would be mean or cruel to a witch you were courting, would you?"

Severus looked at Hermione.

"No, I wouldn't," he replied, his dark eyes seeming to grow darker.

Hermione sat in the chair, looking up at the wizard, her face upturned.

Before he could help himself, Severus leaned closer and captured her lips in his, suckling them gently, then moving against her mouth sensuously.

Hermione was swept away by the gentle fire in the Potions Master's kiss. It flowed over her slowly, like honey…but sweeter, pooling in her belly. Helplessly she wrapped her arms around the wizard's neck and rose, continuing to kiss him, returning his sweetness with her own…instinctively opening her mouth slightly.

Severus felt her innocent invitation and let out a little groan. He flicked his tongue across her lips and pulled her tighter against him. He could feel the curves of her body pressing into his, and had a powerful physical reaction, his trousers tightening as his erection grew.

Severus pulled back from Hermione, holding her at arms length, the witch trying to move in close again, her eyes full of desire and half-lidded.

"No," he said hoarsely, "No…I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry Miss Granger."

Hermione wasn't having that.

"You weren't alone, Professor. I was kissing you back. It was wonderful. You felt wonderful," she breathed.

"Still, it is…improper. We are caught up in our situation," he said releasing her. "That kiss never should have happened."

He began rolling up the blueprint to do something with his hands.

Hermione looked at him, her eyes soft and hot at the same time.

"I'm glad it happened. I've wanted it to happen for the longest time, Professor," she said.

Severus pretended not to hear that.

"We have to go back to the subdungeons, Miss Granger. Pull yourself together. Our lives are still in danger," he said, sticking the rolled and folded blueprint in his pocket, then hastily carrying the rest of the documents back to the shelves.

"Just in case the other ghosts come to investigate. We don't want them to know we were doing anything other than hiding in here," the wizard said to Hermione, who was still looking at him with longing eyes.

Finally the wizard sighed.

"Miss Granger…if you believe that you are…amicable to the possibility of my courting you, then we will have to wait until you graduate properly and are no longer my student to explore that…possibility," the Potions Master said, his heart pounding in his chest as he did so.

"I don't know that I can wait," Hermione said…then she blushed as she realized how wanton she sounded.

"I have the strength if you don't witch," the wizard said softly. Gods, he'd like to kiss her again. But her reply must have meant she was willing to see him as a suitor, and lover. Severus shook it off.

"We must go," he said, taking Hermione by the hand and positioning her so the witch's back was to him. He backed up against the witch. This time the contact was electric.

"Merlin," he breathed as he drew his wand and cast the silencing spell. Hermione had her wand drawn as well.

She was smiling quite naughtily as they disapparated.

A pearly white knight with an arrow sticking out of his forehead, drifted back and forth in the main chamber of the subdungeons. Another ghost, this one with several arrows sticking out of his back, flitted around nervously, starting at the occasional sound of stones falling from the foundation. The foundation of the castle crumbled but was magically supported so there was no real chance of it collapsing.

"I don't see why we couldn't watch in larger groups," the skittish ghost complained. "That wizard hexed Nick. They aren't helpless. We need more support."

The knight who had been patrolling stopped and scowled at his companion.

"Horace, you were a coward when you died and you're still a coward. I don't see why the Baron coupled me with you," the ghost complained.

This knight was the ghost of Harold the second. He was the last Saxon king of England and was defeated at the Battle of Hastings by William the Conqueror. Harold was killed when an arrow pierced his eye. His fearful companion was Sir Horace Banglyballs, a knight that had abandoned his companions. He turned and ran in the heat of battle, discarding his armor in the forest in an attempt to pass himself off as a peasant and was subsequently tracked down killed by his pursuers as he fled. It was a shameful end.

"How can you be so blasted afraid? You're already dead," Harold said, his face contorting.

"I just don't like the idea of being hexed," the ghost replied, looking about nervously as he drifted a foot off the floor.

Harold was about to say something scathing to his cowardly companion when Hermione and Severus appeared directly in front of them. Harold howled and shot forward, but Severus was too fast for him and the former monarch was hit with the Congealing spell and dropped to the floor.

Hermione spun and looked about.

"Where's the other ghost?" she asked, frowning.

Horace was gone. He had fled through the stone wall the moment they appeared and now drifted just beneath its surface, watching them.

Severus walked over to the stunned Harold and gripped him by the visor, dragging him forward quite easily.

"I don't know, but let's head for the circle," he said, turning and heading for the third archway. Hermione followed him, still on guard for the other ghost as Severus lit the tip of his wand and walked into the darkness of the corridor, dragging Sir Harold behind him.

Horace noted which corridor they entered then took off to inform the Bloody Baron.

Horace arrived in the Great Hall, which was the center of operations for the ghosts. The Bloody Baron was there and the Grey Lady. The Slytherin ghost looked up as Horace swiftly glided towards him.

"What are you doing away from your post?" the Baron asked the cowardly specter.

"The witch and wizard appeared and hexed Harold," the ghost replied, "They both tried to get me too, but I dodged the blasts. They went down the third corridor and took Harold with them. I thought I'd better come tell you."

The Bloody Baron scowled at him.

"You were supposed to make them flee," he said hollowly, his displeasure evident.

"They weren't willing to flee. They wanted to fight," the ghost said in his own defense.

"Yes…and that's not for you, is it Horace?" the Baron hissed, his sightless eyes drifting over the arrows in the ghost's back.

Horace didn't say anything. The evidence of his cowardice would be with him for all eternity.

"We can flush them ourselves, Baron," the Grey Lady said, her eyes glittering redly, "Or maybe get their souls if we come at them through the walls. We can move ahead of them and hide, then swoop out, surprising them."

The Baron looked thoughtful.

"Very well," he said, "But I believe we will be more effective if we attack en masse. They can't hex all of us. We need to change tactics."

He looked at Horace.

"Go and tell all the ghosts to congregate in the walls at the end of the third corridor in the subdungeons. They must not be seen and are not to attack the witch and wizard until I give them the order. Do you have that, knight?" the Baron asked Horace.

The ghost nodded.

"Depart then, with haste," the Baron commanded. Horace quickly left the Great Hall.

The Baron looked at the Grey Lady.

"Let us go and study the situation," he said to her.

The ghost nodded and together they sunk through the floor, heading for the subdungeons.

Severus and Hermione hurried through the corridor, the wizard dragging Harold behind him, his black eyes shifting from wall to wall as Hermione covered their back. They had to step around large pieces of fallen stone and passed a number of heavy wooden doors with small openings cut into them for windows. Hermione peeked into one. They were also cells that simply contained cots and buckets.

She shook her head and caught up to Severus.

"I still can't believe Hogwarts has an area like this," she said, her brow furrowed.

Severus didn't answer her. He was focused on getting to the circle. More than likely the ghost that got away had reported they were in the subdungeons. They came to the end of the corridor and torches flared up. They were in a large circular room that seemed to have been cut out of the stone rather than built. On the floor was etched a large circle with a five pointed pentacle in the center. Severus released the ghost and stepped inside, immediately feeling magic wash over him as he did so.

Hermione entered the circle, magic washing over her as well.

"It seems to still work," Hermione said, studying the circle. She noticed a number of smaller but more intricately designed circles positioned around the one they were standing in.

"Demon circles," she breathed.

Severus looked at the smaller protective circles.

"Yes," he replied. "Those were the circles that held the demons. This one was for added protection for the summoner."

Hermione shuddered at the thought of utilizing demons as a magical aid.

"They were crazy back then. Dealing with demons always has a terrible price," Hermione said, remembering the stories she had read about cunning demons collecting their supposed Masters early in horrible ways.

"Yes…and demons are very shrewd creatures. The wizards back then didn't realize they were just as intelligent as they were, if not more so. Once this was found out, however, they began to find other ways to get things done," Severus said. "Only Salazar continued the practice using the souls of prisoners as payment to the creatures. When he left Hogwarts, this area was abandoned."

Hermione scowled.

"So he kept his own soul intact," she said darkly. "How Slytherin."

"He was the original," Severus replied, his lip quirking.

"We never learned anything about this in Magical History," Hermione said scowling that something so important was overlooked or worse, hidden.

"That's because Slytherin House is demonized enough," the wizard replied, his dark eyes resting on Hermione.

"We are the pariahs of Hogwarts, though the best equipped to succeed in life. Every Slytherin is immediately perceived to be influenced by evil, when actually we are not. We simply utilize all of our qualities, both light and dark to make our way through the world. We follow our instincts, preferring to stay at the top of the magical food chain," the wizard purred. "Gryffindors are, in our estimation, fools and dreamers, often failing in life because of their goody-two shoes attitude. They don't know how to take advantage of a situation to further their own goals, being too wrapped up in doing the "honorable" thing, even to their own detriment. Slytherins weigh every act, consider the cause and effect of every decision made and decide whether the end suits the means. Self-preservation and self-advancement is our purpose. Always. We utilize our darker side. It is there for a reason after all."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the wizard.

"So, you think I am a fool and a dreamer, Professor?" the witch asked the Potions Master.

Severus leveled his eyes on her, thinking carefully. He wanted to court the witch. Saying he thought she was a fool wouldn't sit well with her. Besides, he didn't think she was. He would never have been attracted to her if this were the case.

"You have been guilty of foolishness, Miss Granger, due to your association with Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley…but even in those situations you attempted to be the voice of reason before you succumbed to your Gryffindor quality of blind loyalty. You think, Miss Granger and you look at the world logically and realistically so are neither a fool nor a dreamer. I think you would have done better in Ravenclaw, who are closer to Slytherins than people usually realize. But you were saddled with Gryffindor and Gryffindor you will remain," he said silkily.

Yet, if the witch became involved with him, she would certainly be Slytherinized by association.

Both witch and wizard were unaware that ghosts were congregating around them, hiding in the walls, preparing to swoop down on them and overcome them through sheer numbers. However, the Bloody Baron and the Grey Lady arrived after the two had discussed the protective nature of the circle they occupied, so were unaware they had protection.

"They are distracted," the Grey Lady said, an unholy look of lust on her face as she eyed Severus and Hermione.

"Particularly the Potions Master…I believe he is smitten with the young witch," the Baron replied. "Perhaps they can get together in the afterlife."

The Baron looked around at the bobbing, anxious ghosts barely able to restrain themselves as they looked at the clueless mortals before them. The hunger they felt was almost overwhelming and every single one of them, with the exception of Horace whose cowardice was phenomenal, wanted to taste the sweetness of a stolen human soul. Taking one was as close to orgasm as a ghost could get. Evil certainly knew how to motivate.

The Baron looked back at Severus and Hermione. The witch's eyes were narrowed as her hands went on her hips and she began to take the Potions Master to task for something he said, the wizard smirking at her in amusement.

"NOW!" the Baron howled.

A hair-raising cry rose up from the ghosts as they all burst out of the walls, screaming, moaning, hands crooked to claws, diving at a startled Severus and Hermione, who immediately began casting hexes, congealing about four ghosts before they reached the circle.

The Bloody Baron was the first to hit the circle. White light crackled around him and the ghost backed up, howling furiously. The rest of the ghosts slammed into the barrier, light crackling around them as well, unable to pass. They howled in rage and continued to assail the circle, moving to different positions, trying to find a weakness.

Inside the circle, Hermione and Severus were stunning the ghosts with dispatch, the pearly bodies solidifying and dropping to the ground, one after the other.

"It's working!" Hermione shouted at the wizard above the howls.

The witch flinched as a mounted ghost charged the barrier, his pale horse snorting flame. The creatures hit the protective magic, their faces pressed against it as if against a pane of glass, their features flattened and contorted horribly. Hermione blasted the horse, which toppled, leaving the ghost still in mid-air before she hexed him too. He dropped next to the fallen steed.

More than half the ghosts were down, the rest flying about like a swarm of enormous, pearly white hornets, becoming harder to hit as their numbers dwindled. Like hornets, they were completely enraged, slamming against the barrier over and over again, mindlessly trying to reach the couple.

Severus noticed the flashes of light becoming weaker.

"We have to get them all, Miss Granger!" he yelled at her. "The protection is failing!"

Desperately they continued firing at the ghosts. Both the Baron and the Grey Lady were down. If the Baron had been functional, he would most likely have ordered a retreat.

Both wizard and witch were drenched in perspiration as they spun, blasting high and low. Finally there were only about five ghosts left, still charging the weakening barrier. Hermione got two of them after five blasts, and Severus took out the final three.

Panting heavily, Severus and Hermione surveyed the pile of fallen ghosts.

Suddenly Hermione launched herself at Severus, flying into his arms. The wizard caught her reflexively, her soft body colliding with his.

"We did it, Professor!" she said joyfully, looking up at him with a broad smile. "We took out over one hundred ghosts by ourselves. That has to be some kind of record."

"Indeed," the wizard agreed, looking around at the fallen ghosts, then back down at the witch filling his arms. Gods, she was soft and curvaceous against his body. He felt a small pulse and carefully released the witch, whose breasts were rising and falling with elation.

"But the night is far from over. We have to be vigilant and keep them stunned until daylight. There will be no sleep for us," the wizard said.

As if on cue, Harold groaned, rousing.

"What was that?" Hermione asked, looking around. She saw Harold rise up from beneath the bodies of the other congealed ghosts and blasted the ghost knight. He dropped again with a blood-curdling howl, his arrow sticking straight up.

"Good shooting," Severus said to the witch, who turned to him, still panting with excitement. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkling. It was clear Hermione was a witch who enjoyed battle…and victory.

"Quite the savage little Gryffindor, aren't you?" the wizard observed, smirking. He approved of her aggressiveness…quietly wondering what the witch would be like in an intimate situation. He thought of the adage that if one wanted to know the kind of lover a person is, one had to watch them work and play.

If Hermione applied herself to sex as she did to her work, she would be quite a lover indeed. The witch focused to the exclusion of all else. Severus swallowed and again pushed his carnal thoughts out of his mind. They had defeated the ghosts and would keep them subdued until morning. There was no reason to deflower the witch.

Severus was for the most part, relieved about this…but there was a part of him that wished he could have taken Hermione, at least have a small taste of what it would be like to be sheathed inside the brilliant young witch.

Now that would have to wait. There was only a few months left before graduation…then the several weeks of courtship that would follow, which would hopefully lead to a physical relationship.

Suddenly he heard another groan, and a ghost rose up behind them. Severus quickly took it out. Another groan followed, then another. He and Hermione started blasting again as the ghosts recovered quickly. Too quickly.

"I thought the spell lasted an hour," Hermione said as ghost after ghost began to rise, some hitting the barrier again.

"The circle must weaken the spell's power when it passes through the barrier," the wizard said, firing around him.

"That's not good," Hermione said. "Not good at all. We can't keep this up all night, Professor."

The witch was right. As soon as they managed to get them all down again, they were going to have to disapparate to another part of the castle. The good thing was however, they could apparate back directly to the circle again when the ghosts followed them and get a brief respite. Possibly it would regain some of its power when they left it.

It seemed they weren't as safe as they thought. And neither was Hermione's virginity.

Severus and Hermione appeared in the infirmary, back to back, wands extended. But all of the ghosts were still in the subdungeons. They had done their best to stun them all but the speed with which they were waking made it impossible to get them all down at the same time, so the pair retreated.

Severus quickly walked to Poppy's medicinal stores and grabbed a few bottles of pepper-up potion to help keep them alert through the night. Then he hesitated as he looked at the pain potions…then slowly took two bottles of purple potion and placed them in his pocket…just in case he would need them for the Gryffindor witch. Things had changed with the quick recovery of the ghosts, and Hermione's innocence was a powerful draw for the specters.

He turned to see the witch standing right behind him. Hermione had seen him take the pain potions and put them in his pocket. Her eyes were glistening as she looked at him.

"You took those for me, didn't you Professor?" she asked him softly.

Severus stared at her for a moment, his dark eyes meeting hers.

"Yes," he said quietly. "I thought perhaps the circle had changed things. But it didn't Miss Granger. It seems we may be forced to flee the ghosts for the entire night…and your innocence will bring them faster. If we cannot come up with a solution that will give us respite from the creatures…"

"You'll have to deflower me," the witch finished for him, her eyes resting on his face.

"Yes," the wizard said, then he hesitated.

"What is it?" Hermione urged, "Tell me Professor."

The wizard sighed.

"If I do deflower you, Miss Granger…I fear it will not be the experience you deserve for a first time. Most likely it will be very hurried and incomplete. It will be a…a physical deflowering, rather than the kind…the kind…"

"You won't be able to finish," she said, her eyes going dark.

"Most likely, I will not," the wizard agreed, his eyes locked to her face.

What a wasted opportunity for both of them. Severus was also a bit out of sorts because Hermione was still physically seventeen as far as he knew, but her use of the time turner in her third year actually had aged her to eighteen years of age. Technically. She was the age of consent, but just barely. So young.

Hermione thought that she would be able to deal with that. The way the Professor was looking at her, she thought he would prefer to give her a full sexual experience, rather than just break her hymen.

"You'd like to finish…wouldn't you, Professor?" the witch asked him rather boldly.

Severus swallowed.

"You are very attractive to me, Miss Granger, in a number of ways, but if I must do this, I would prefer to complete the act, to complete you, to show you exactly what intercourse is…how pleasant it can be. As it stands however, neither of us will find any fulfillment. You will only have the pain of deflowerment, and I…the frustration of merely sampling your charms," he said hoarsely. "It isn't something I'd choose for either of us. But possibly we can find another solution."

Hermione looked at him in silence for several seconds.

"Maybe we can," she agreed.

The pair stood there, looking at each other…the tension between them palpable. Severus offered her one of the pepper-up potions.

"Drink this," he said as the witch took it out of his hand.

The Professor uncorked his own vial and they both drank them down.

Severus felt the effects of the potion invigorate him. He looked at Hermione.

"Do you feel refreshed?" he asked her.

Hermione nodded, her amber eyes resting on him thoughtfully. She was considering suggesting he deflower her now. There were plenty of cots in the infirmary, and they had a little time before the ghosts would arrive. He might be able to take some time with her if they did it now. The witch drew in a deep breath to try and still the battalion of dragons flapping about in her belly.

"Professor?" she began.

He looked at her, then said,

"I know Miss Granger, this would be the perfect time to get some rest and conserve our energy," he said, walking away from her toward a group of chairs along the wall and taking a seat, resting his wand between his legs.

Hermione looked after Severus, then walked over and sat down one seat away from the wizard. She had been about to ask him to expend some energy. But she had lost her nerve now and simply looked down at the floor.

They sat in silence for several minutes, before Hermione asked the wizard a question.

"Professor, exactly why can't you apparate out of the castle?" the witch asked him.

"Because it is covered with a protective ecto-covering designed to keep the ghosts and everything else in," the wizard said. "It will melt away when the rays of the sun hit it tomorrow morning."

Hermione jumped up suddenly, looking very excited.

"What? Where did it come from?" she asked him, her eyes shifting rapidly.

"As far as I know, from the castle itself. It is a built-in protection created after the last Night of Madness," the wizard said.

Hermione thought a bit more, then smiled broadly.

"Professor! I think I know where we can hide!" Hermione said. "The ROR!"

Severus looked at her, then stood up.

"Let's go, Miss Granger," he said, looping his arm in hers and disapparating.

The ghosts were moving through the castle slowly, casting about for the couple's signatures. Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore and his steed were already on the fourth level, which had an extremely long corridor. He had just trotted to the end of the hall when Hermione and Severus appeared, looking at the walls. The ghost heard the crack of apparition and reared his horse around, a terrible look on his face. Silently, he began to gallop up the corridor.

Hermione stared at the blank wall.

"The door should be here," she said, feeling the stones.

Severus frowned slightly.

"It is called the "come and go room" Miss Granger. It is probably someplace else at the moment," the wizard said.

"Well, we have to find it!" Hermione exclaimed turning toward the Professor then freezing in horror.

Severus saw the fear in her eyes and without hesitation, grabbed the witch and dove aside just as Sir Patrick passed where they had been standing. He would have taken them both. Holding Hermione protectively against him Severus drew his wand and blasted the ghost's horse as it reared and turned to charge again. The ghost steed dropped but Sir Patrick continued coming as if still mounted, his face contorted with hate. Severus hit him with the spell and he also dropped with a howl.

On the lower levels, the ghosts all stopped, then began to ascend through the ceiling. They heard Sir Patrick's howl and when they oriented on it, felt Hermione.

Severus and Hermione stood up.

"That was close," Hermione said, her heart pounding.

"It seems your savagery lessens considerably when you are caught off guard," Severus commented. "We'd better apparate. Most likely the ghosts are on to us."

He grabbed Hermione's arm when the witch pulled back.

"Look!" she said, pointing to the wall.

The door to the Room of Requirement was there. It must have come when it felt it was desperately needed.

"Open it!" Severus hissed at her. Pearly forms were beginning to rise through the floor. The wizard started blasting them and they congealed, stuck in the stone floor.

Hermione pulled the door open and ran right into a wall of solid green.

"Professor, it's blocked!" she cried.

"Damn it," Severus hissed. The castle protection must have surrounded the ROR as well because of its nature. It was mutable.

Hermione grabbed his arm.

"Try to apparate inside," she yelled, pulling out her wand and hexing two ghosts before they could fully pass through the floor.

Severus tried but couldn't.

Now they were surrounded by ghosts, the wizard and witch blasting wildly.

Hermione had a thought.

"Don't disapparate yet! Hold them off, Professor!" Hermione yelled at him over the howls, pulling away from him.

"Are you crazy?" the wizard screamed at the witch, managing to blast a ghost away from her.

Hermione pointed her wand at the green blockage.

"Solarius!" she cried, a blinding white light flaring from her wand, driving the ghosts back and disorientating them with its brightness. Severus covered his eyes. Hermione watched as the green wall melted away, then grabbed the Professor's arm and with an amazing amount of strength, yanked him into the room, slamming the door behind them.

They both watched as the green ecto-covering oozed back over the doorway, hardening instantly. Severus' heart was pounding…the ghosts had been so close.

Hermione looked around the ROR. It was completely walled in from floor to ceiling with the green ecto-covering. The ghosts would not be able to penetrate it. She smiled with relief.

She turned to Severus, who was looking around the room. His eyes fell on her.

"The Solarius spell. Brilliant. Simply brilliant, Miss Granger," he said, his voice full of approval.

Hermione blushed at the unaccustomed praise from the wizard.

"Well, when I remembered you said the covering would melt away when the rays of the sun hit it, I figured the Solarius spell would have the same effect since it emulates sunlight. It was risky but I was right," she said, smiling.

"Thank the gods for that, or we'd be dead, Miss Granger. The ghosts were upon us," the wizard said, frowning slightly.

"But we aren't dead. We've won, Professor…nothing will bother us here," the witch replied. Suddenly, they both fell silent. They were alone…together…with nothing or no one to disturb them.

Suddenly there was a swirl of magic. Severus and Hermione both looked around, Hermione turning bright red when she saw what the room created. A huge four-poster bed.

Severus froze, blinking at the huge bed with its mountain of pillows. He looked down at Hermione who turned to him.

"It's a bed," she said, her voice a whisper.

Severus looked at the witch.

"I see that," he replied quietly, his brows furrowing a bit.

This wasn't good. He no longer needed to deflower the young witch. But the room had provided what it believed was needed.

"No!" Severus said to the room. "That isn't what is needed here!"

Silence followed…then there was another swirl of magic and the bed disappeared. Instead, two full-sized beds in opposite corners appeared. The Potions Master let out a sigh of relief. Hermione didn't say anything as her eyes shifted from one bed to the other.

Damn it. She had been so close to being taken by the Professor.

"Much better," Severus said, looking down at the witch. He could see the disappointment on her face. She actually wanted to be deflowered by him.

"Well, Miss Granger, thanks to your quick thinking, we can both look forward to a good night's sleep. A much better prospect than we had," he said, stretching exaggeratedly. "I will take the bed on the far right. You can take the one on the far left. I will see you in the morning."

Severus quickly put distance between himself and the witch, sitting down on the edge of the bed and removing his socks and boots, then laying back in the bed and seeming to close his eyes. The wizard wasn't the least bit tired, but pretended to be in order to avoid any further discourse with the witch. He lay with his head turned toward Hermione, looking at her through his lashes.

Hermione stared at the Professor, his long frame stretched out in the bed, then sighed and turned, walking towards the other one. A night stand fuzzed in with a broad top. Hermione stood by the bed a moment, then grinned naughtily, put her wand on the nightstand, turned her back to the Professor and began to unbutton her robes.

Severus lay there looking at Hermione, wondering what she was doing. Then he saw her remove her robes and lay them on the night stand. She was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Well, that made sense. Sleeping in robes could be constricting.

The witch sat down on the side of the bed and removed her trainers and socks. This was also to be expected. Then she pulled her t-shirt over her head, revealing her full breasts encased in an unassuming white cotton bra. Severus almost hissed. Dear gods, what was the witch doing? He couldn't say anything…he was pretending to be asleep. Then the witch stood up and unbuttoned her jeans, sliding them down and stepping out of them. She was wearing white bikini cut knickers. The wizard felt himself responding to her delicious little body. Hermione was very curvaceous, with a small waist, wide hips and rather thick thighs. Though she was small, her legs were rather long.

"Merlin," he breathed as the witch climbed into the bed on top of the covers. Gods, she wasn't going to sleep like that was she?

Hermione lay down on her side facing the Professor. She had a feeling he really wasn't asleep. Her breasts bunched together invitingly and she tried to lie as sexily as possible…though she hadn't had much practice at it. She needn't have tried so hard…the Professor was very, very aware of the witch.

Severus scowled slightly, wondering if the witch was doing this on purpose, exposing her beautiful little body to him this way. If she was, it was quite a Slytherinish act, showing him what he was turning away from. Then he thought, "No. She thinks I'm asleep."

Suddenly a little "Good night, Professor," floated over to him.

Now he scowled fully. Miss Hermione Granger was very aware of what she was doing.

"Good night, Miss Granger," he said back, his voice rather strained.

Hermione smiled wickedly and rolled on to her back, stretching her arms out on either side of her and bringing up one knee. She was in the perfect mounting position.

"Minx," the Professor breathed, wanting to roll over and face the wall, but finding he couldn't. He could look if not touch, couldn't he?

After a moment or two, he found he couldn't.

"ROR, lights out please," he commanded in a raw voice.

The whole room went dark.

Hermione cursed under her breath. The Professor had cut off his view of her.

Both witch and wizard lay in the dark, wide awake and wrestling with their feelings.

Severus was used to resisting his urges however.

But Hermione…was not.

A/N: Ah there we go. After a little hairiness, they are protected by the ROR. :::clearing certain readers out of my plot niffler cages pointedly::: Yeah, you know who you are, Miss A. :::snorts::: Anyway, good thing Hermione thought of using the spell to gain entrance…or the story would be over. Lol. And god…what a little Lolita she is. Poor, honorable Severus…he's trying to do the right thing. But Hermione is definitely trying to get him to do the yummy thing. He put the lights out…but not the fire. Ooh, wonder what's next? We'll find out next chapter. I am going to finish this story before I finish "Just a Naughty Little Ficlet" for those who are following that little PWP. I got my meds today, and it will take a couple of days to kick in right, so I am a little tired still which is why I haven't been writing quickly. Anyway, please review. Reading them is a real pick me up right now. Thanks.