-=I don't own the characters, JKR does, but you already know that.=-

Cheap Thrills

Conference with Professor Severus

*

"Ms. Granger," waving her into a chair. Hermione sat in-front of Snape's desk. He removed himself to the chair adjacent Hermione. Turning his chair to face her. "Lets talk."

"Candidly Sir?" Hermione ventured.

"Yes," Snape was not convinced it was a good idea.

"You have my attention Sir." This month had been a trial.

Compressing his lips, "Ms. Granger you already know, this year has been rather irregular. I am not blameless, though neither are you. You needn't fear retaliation from me, or any staff member. Everything said, will stay in complete confidence." This was both a command and reassurance.

Hermione agreed. "That's fine Sir." Snape winced at the formal address.

Wanting to break the tension. "Superlative. May I call you Hermione?"

"If you wish, Professor." They were deeply aware of each other. Severus reaches over to take her hand, "call me Severus. I'd like that."

Hermione really wanted to know what Severus had to say, so she encouraged the silence to grow.

"Hermione are you okay?" His voice was soft and soothing.

"Si...Severus," catching his eye. "The war changed everything. Before the war my priority was to get the best grades and make the most of my education. At the end of sixth year, my priority was to safeguard those I loved, and just stay alive long enough to help defeat Voldemort and his followers. This year, more than anything was about learning how to enjoy life again. Now that I'm not in immediate danger of being tortured, violated and killed, I'm not sure what to do." Looking lost and alone.

"Yes, it's all a bit of an adjustment." Snape understood.

"My future is about to change. I'm not really sure what I'll do next week after the N.E.W.T.s. It's right outside these walls, and I'm at a considerable loss to find it.

"Hermione," he pulled her feet and onto his lap. She curled up, pleased at this small intimacy. "I know what I'm doing only so far as reporting the last grade, and not much beyond that. I'll admit that the future seems rather daunting."

"Thank you, it's a comfort to hear you say it." She toyed with Severus hair, breathing softly on his ear.

"You keep doing that and you're going to find out how much I like it."

"Professor are you getting fresh with me?" Snape could feel the vibrations of each word whispered against his ear.

Thoroughly aroused, and still wanting to maintain some semblance of modesty, he slid Hermione off his lap. "Ms. Granger, you would try the patience of a flobberworm."

Moving in close, Hermione played with the buttons of his cassock teasingly. With her other hand, she gently rubbed his erection through his trousers.

Snape's lids closed, and lips parted a fraction. "Ms...Hermione." Aroused past distraction, he removed her dexterous hand.

"Yes," Hermione looked at her hand held in his.

Bringing her palm to his lips, Snape licked and kissed the centre.

Thrilled by his touch, she reached down gripping him tightly, pulling.

"Ms. Hermione Granger," he growled. Holding both hands tightly. "You are not playing fair."

Succumb to me Severus. "You Sir, have mistaken me. We, Gryffindors always play fair. It's Slytherins who play dirty."

An ironic grin spread across his face. "Ms. Granger, you're quite right."

Scenting trouble. "No!" Hermione spun around to bolt.

She wasn't fast enough. Snape grabbed her around the middle, manoeuvring her into the open space. Snape stepped back. With the barest flick of his wand she hung upside-down. Hermione's wand clattered to the floor.

"Levicorpus! You ass!" She swung her arms around trying to connect with Snape. "When I get down, you'll be sorry."

"Oh, I doubt that," Snape seemed pretty sure of himself. Kneeling before Hermione, he grabbed her arms to keep from getting knocked senseless. Ignoring her shouted imprecations, he kissed her taking her full lower lip between his. She ceased her struggle, submitting to his soft lips. Snape cupped her face, murmuring his pleasure at her reciprocation. Tentatively and so gently he reached up, brushing his middle fingers over her harden nipples. Her mind reeled helplessly.

Hermione stopped suddenly, going completely limp. Severus noting this change, looked to see why. Hermione was slightly green, and her eyes rolled in her head.

Gaining a firm hold on her, Snape released her from the Levicorpus. Sitting on the floor, Snape gathered Hermione onto his lap. He patted her cheek.

"Hermione. That's a girl."

Hermione tried to stand. She grabbed hold of the Potions Master. Snape stood to better steady Hermione. "You're evil. No wonder Voldemort thought you'd make a good ally."

Her words had stung, he responded very shyly. "Becoming a Deatheater was one of my greatest regrets."

Realizing her faux pas, she looked at his face imploringly. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean..."

Snape put a finger to her lips. "I know, but you see that it needs to be said. Hermione, there are things I've done that I can't undo. Things I'll never tell you. There are things too terrible, to say. This however is not one of those. The guilt of my actions will never go away. That is, as it should be. Without it, I'm always in danger of repeating such errors in judgement. My pride is over-abundant, my pride would prevent me from doing what needs to be done." Snap knelt on the cold stone floor in supplication.

Silently she ran her fingers through his hair. Snape wanted forgiveness; he knew he didn't deserve it, and therefore didn't ask for it. Snape bowed his head.

Hermione couldn't offer him easy reassurance, this was not an easy matter. She wrapped her arms around him, only holding him. "I'm a jealous man Hermione. To see you every day, not able to possess you. Take you to my bed and keep you there. To see you day in and day out, in the company of so many young, whole, attractive wizards. I burn with rage. I hate them, I hate you and I hate myself. I don't deserve you, I know that. Knowledge isn't power, knowledge is knowledge. Muggle non-sense, if you ask me. Knowing doesn't make it easier, knowing that I will never be good enough, that I can't be good enough." He was squeezing her so tight, near to bruising.

"Shush," Hermione pulled his glossy tresses from his face. "That's not the Professor Snape I know. The Professor Snape I know, is strong and silent. Unless of course there's a confrontation with Harry, or Neville's blown up his cauldron." She mused, "I think you've said enough. Now, be a good little Potions Master and stand up."

Snape did stand up, towering over her. "Little?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"By the way Sir, Sir Francis Bacon, was a wizard Sir, not a Muggle as you suggest." She tried not to laugh, but failed terribly.

"I'm still miserable about you." Snape looked as morose as he sounded.

"Perhaps I shall go out into the world and be a Muggle. Then you wouldn't be miserable about me any more. Since your not keen on them." Snape was appalled at her flippant remark.

"Definitely, not." Snape was positively scandalized at the notion. "Whatever I happen to be guilty of, I should never want that on my conscience."

"Good, that's settled. You won't be miserable about me, and I will remain a witch. Seems like a fair bargain." Her levity might not have been appropriate under the circumstance, however it seem to be her best weapon, just the now.