Oh you guys, I'm so sorry for how long it took me to update. A week! Hopefully it won't happen again. Surprisingly, my vacation made it more difficult to write, rather than the other way around. Hopefully I'll get back to a decent schedule soon. Anyways, enjoy this chapter, and I'd love to hear some more from you all! I love all the reviews, and honestly, nothing gives my writing muse more pleasure (and ideas!) than seeing my readers tell me what they enjoyed. Thank you again!

"Are you absolutely positive you don't want to come?"

"I am. Hermione, they are your friends, not mine. I taught all of them, and none of them have a good opinion of me, or I of them, for that matter. I simply do not want to go, but you are, of course free to come and go as you please."

Hermione rolled her eyes, and scooted closer to Severus, raising her eyes to his. "I don't want to leave you alone for the entire night, and besides. You are a part of my life now, we're together. My friends are going to have to get used to that, even though they may come to terms with it before you," she added playfully.

Severus allowed himself a small smile before returning his expression to his usual nonchalance. "Be that as it may, it is far too early for introductions. Never would be too early in my opinion."

"One day you'll have to suck up all your arrogance and stop being a bastard long enough to be polite to Harry, Ginny, Luna and Neville."

"And while I can accept that to some degree, today is most certainly not that day."

"I'm fighting a lost battle, aren't I?" Hermione sighed dramatically, and rubbed her cheek on Severus's shoulder.

"It was lost before it even began," Severus replied smoothly, running his hand through her wild curls. "Go, go and have fun, and I will see you tomorrow morning, or afternoon. Whenever you decide to come home. I have some paper work I have to go through for the Apothecary anyways, so it is best I don't have any...distractions around."

Hermione smirked at the slight purr that had entered Severus's voice at the last few words. Yes, if she stuck around for the evening there certainly wouldn't be any paper work being done. "I suppose you're probably right."

"I usually am."

"I had best go and get ready then, Neville's party starts in an hour." Hermione hopped off the couch, but before she could walk away, her wrist was encircled by a strong hand and she found herself lying flat on her back, pressed into the cushions, and looking up into the smirking face of Severus before she could protest. "I don't have enough time as it is, you bastard. I can't have you making me late!"

"It is always perfectly alright to be fashionably late," Severus said in a silky voice as he moved to nibble lightly at Hermione's neck. "I doubt they will even know you were late."

"Oh yes they will. Neville has been looking forward to seeing me all week, since Harry told him I was definitely coming. He will know, and if I'm even five minutes late, I won't hear the end of it until late next year."

"Well then you and Master Longbottom will never lack for conversation," Severus replied dryly as he continued his assault on her neck, slowly making his way to the sensitive spot on her collarbone that never failed to make Hermione tremble from the sensation.

Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but her words were quickly lost in a quiet moan as Severus found the tender area, and bit it gently before suckling on the sensitive flesh. Much to Hermione's surprise, she had quickly discovered that she had a fetish for biting; something that Severus wholeheartedly shared. Arching into his mouth, Hermione brought her hands up to run her fingers through his hair, relishing the softness.

Severus smirked as he felt Hermione's resolve give way, and he brought a hand down to cup her mound roughly, causing her to gasp and buck her hips into him. Yanking her shirt down to expose her breast, he quickly took her nipple into his mouth, sucking fiercely on the tender, pebbled flesh. Hermione groaned loudly at the contact, and undulated her hips against his palm, feeling the flames that never seemed to completely die down around him stir once again. Fashionably late would be completely fine, wouldn't it?

Quickly, and without warning, Severus pulled her shirt up, removed his hand, and placed a quick kiss on her lips before leaning back into a sitting position and picking up his book. Opening it, he started to read as if nothing had happened. It took Hermione a few minutes to realise he wasn't coming back,and her frustration quickly peaked. "You horrible, horrible tease," she muttered as she sat up to glare at him. "Why must you always be such a bastard?"

Arching an eyebrow at her barbs, he replied evenly, and somewhat petulantly, "you don't want to be late, remember?"

Huffing in exasperation, Hermione got up, shooting Severus several unpleasant glares as she picked up her wand and strode out of the room. The man was truly a right bastard, she raged to herself as she looked through her closet for some suitable clothes. He enjoyed teasing her, making her frustrated, watching her squirm. Rolling her eyes, she finished dressing and performed a quick taming charm of her hair, causing it to be only slightly less bushy.

Heading back downstairs, she paused by the doorway to the sitting room to see if Severus was still in. Finding he was, she walked in. "Well, I'm off. I'll see you tomorrow morning, then?"

Severus glanced up, and offered her a small smile. "I'll be here." Standing up, he snaked his arm around her waist, tugging her close. He bent down close to her ear, and whispered, "I will be more than ready to make up for my petulant behavior when you return."

Hermione bit her lip at the silky purr of Severus's voice, and nodded vigorously. "You better." Leaning up, she kissed him lightly on the lips, and turned to walk out, disappearing with a twist and a loud POP on the doorway.

Severus watched her walk out, feeling rather a loss as to what he should do for the rest of the evening. Scowling at himself, he sat back down on the couch. Snape, you're losing it. He could make it through a day without her. He had been alone for most of his life, it wasn't as if he couldn't make it through. Groaning, he summoning a crystal decanter and a glass, pouring himself a healthy amount of firewhiskey before staring moodily at the carpet, slightly annoyed at how greatly Hermione had affected his life, as much as he enjoyed it.

"Neville!"

The tall, dark haired boy turned around at the sound of his name. A huge grin spread across his face at the sight of his friend and he bellowed, "Hermione!" as he rushed towards her.

"Hey," Hermione said with a grin as she was picked up and swirled around before being plopped back down again. She looked up at Neville's smiling face and was instantly pleased she had decided to come. She had missed her friends. "How have you been?"

"Oh I've been swell," Neville replied amicably as they walked inside. "Worried about you, though."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry for not keeping in contact, I just needed time," Hermione said, feeling somewhat guilty at ignoring her friends. "I promise to visit often from now on, though. My new job isn't terribly time consuming, so I should be able to drop by a few times a week."

Neville beamed at her. "I would love that. You're the first one here, so how about I give you a private tour?"

Hermione nodded eagerly, and followed Neville around the house as he pointed various rooms out. It was his and Luna's first house together; the couple decided that since they were engaged that it was time to move in together. Harry had written the new address down to her so she could apparate without trouble, and she had instantly warmed to the pleasant looking house and yard.

Neville was in the midst of explaining the shrubs lining the driveway when a large CRACK resounded across the yard. Hermione barely had time to turn around before she was struck by a blur of red.

"Hermione Jean Granger, where the fuck have you been?" Ginny Weasley said after she detangled herself from her friend. "Oh, hello, Neville," she added. Neville returned the greeting with a smile and a brief hug.

Hermione took a minute to catch her breath from the assault, and offered Ginny a sheepish grin. "I'm going to get asked that by everyone, huh?"

"Absolutely," Ginny sniffed. "So? What's happened? And what on earth happened with Ronald? And what is this I hear about Snape?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and threw her arm around her friend as the trio walked inside. "It's a long story with Ron, and I'll tell you it all if Harry hasn't already. Even though I know you probably want to hear it from me," she added with a smirk.

Ginny nodded emphatically. "Duh. You need to tell me absolutely everything as soon as we get inside, and I'm sure Neville wants to hear it too even though he hasn't asked yet."

Hermione glared exasperatedly at Ginny and then to Neville, and the tall boy offered her a sheepish grin in return. "I didn't want to be nosy."

"Nosy. Right. Very well, we might as well wait for Luna to get back before I tell what's happened to me in the past month so I don't have to repeat it again."

Ginny groaned at the notion of waiting, but she quieted down as the trio settled around the kitchen table. Hermione offered to make some tea, since Neville had shown her around the kitchen earlier. Ginny readily agreed, and Hermione put the water on before sitting down. The three friends spent the hour catching up on each other's lives, as Ginny hadn't seen Neville in a few weeks either, due to her Auror training.

Their lively conversation was interrupted by the front door shutting rather loudly. A few seconds later, a frazzled looking Luna Lovegood walked into the kitchen, holding a few bags. "Oh, hello, Hermione," the serene looking blonde said with a bright smile at the sight of Hermione. "How nice to see you. Harry told me you are living with our old professor. How is Severus?"

Hermione looked at Luna in shock before she laughed at herself. She should have learned by now that her friend often said the oddest things. "He's well, Luna dear, I'll tell him you asked," she replied with a giggle as she got up to envelope her friend in a tight hug. "How have you been?"

"Oh, I've been well. Clearing the house of wrackspurts has been keeping me busy, and Neville highly entertained," Luna replied in a serene voice as she started to put the items in the bags she held away in various cabinets and cupboards around the kitchen.

Stifling a giggle at her friend, Hermione glanced at Neville to see him eyeing Luna fondly. The two had started to date almost immediately after the war, and it was plain to see the two were absolutely smitten with each other. "I hope you got all those nasty buggars out."

"There's only a few more, I think," Luna said. "Didn't you see one in the guest bedroom, Neville?"

Neville nodded gravely, and Hermione found her laughter nearly impossible to restrain at that. Gulping down some tea to cover up her amusement, Hermione caught Ginny's wink and returned it. "Well, I'm glad things are moving along. Who else is coming?"

"Harry will be here once he's off work," Ginny replied. "And I think Neville said something about Fred and George."

"Yeah, Fred said he'd stop by and bring George with him. But other than that, it's pretty much just us. Harry was exaggerating when he said this was a party," Neville admitted.

"Don't look sorry, Neville, this is exactly what I was looking forward to," Hermione said. "Just catching up with my dear friends."

"Speaking of which..." Ginny looked at her friend pointedly. "Catch up with us, Hermione. Now, please."

"Oh, is Hermione going to tell us how her and Professor Snape got together?" Luna said dreamily as she took seat. "Wonderful, I'm sure it's very sweet."

"It's actually more strange than sweet," Hermione said with a laugh. "But I'll admit that there has been a few moments," she added deviously; Ginny gasped in mock surprise, and waved at Hermione to continue.

Hermione quickly retold all that had happened since she had last seen her friends. Ginny had got up after Hermione said what Ron had done, and it took them all a few moments to calm the fiery redhead down enough for Hermione to continue. She made sure to gloss over when Ron had attacked Severus, and the more private moments with Severus. She knew it wouldn't last with Ginny, though. As soon as she was alone Hermione knew the redhead would swoop down on her and demand all the dirty details.

Luna hadn't been shocked at Ron's actions, and Neville had looked appropriately upset at the news that his good friend was that sort of person, but his mood passed quickly. "So. Hermione Granger, dating Severus Snape," he said with a grin. "I can't believe how brave you are, I don't think I could see him now without being a bit ashamed about how he made me quake in fear every time he entered a room."

"Don't worry, Neville, he's not quite as forbidding now," Hermione replied reassuringly. "Well, to me at least. I'm sure he won't be too bad when I finally convince him to come visit to you all."

"Some how, I really just don't believe you," Ginny said with a snort.

Hermione shrugged. "I can hope," she said, to everyone's amusement. Ginny glared at Hermione and arched an eyebrow, and Hermione knew the redhead wasn't finished with her. The conversation quickly turned to other things, however, and Hermione was relieved that the limelight was finally off her.

The afternoon passed pleasantly, and Hermione felt her mood rising beyond belief at simply being back around her friends. She had gotten so used to Severus's quiet, snarky humour that she quite forgot what it was like to just crack up over the smallest things. It was a great feeling, and Hermione was loving every second she spent with her friends.

"Hold up, wait, I just thought of something," Ginny said as she raised her hand to quiet Neville's booming laughter at Luna's antics. "Can you guys imagine Professor – sorry, Severus, sitting here with us?"

The room quieted as they all looked at each other.

"Well I think he'd fit in quite nicely," Luna said into the silence.

Ginny turned to look at Hermione. "Yes, I quite agree." Her eyes danced with mirth as she took in Hermione's exasperated expression.

Neville guffawed into his sleeve, and Hermione burst out laughing. "Yes, alright," she conceded between laughs as she caught the point her friends were trying to make. "He would seem a little out of place here."

"A little?" Neville gasped as he tried to contain his laughter.

"No, I think he'd fit in perfectly," Ginny said firmly, her eyes still dancing. "I mean, he'd just be sitting in the straight back chair over there in the corner, with his arms crossed, and glaring at us whilst wishing we all died very painful deaths. Except Hermione, of course," she added with a dramatic wink in Hermione's direction.

"Oh yes," Luna agreed. "I'm glad you agree!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Luna, darling, you need to take a few lessons on sarcasm. Although," she added thoughtfully, "as difficult as it is, I can imagine Severus just sitting here and not glaring–his definition of fun."

Luna cocked her head. "Yes, you're right, I do. But I still think Severus would fit in fine here, especially since he's with Hermione. I'll like anyone Hermione likes."

Hermione gave her friend a warm smile; leave it to Luna to turn the strangest things into some kind words. "Thank you, Luna. These gits will just have to just used to the idea."

"Oh, Hermione, let us have our fun," Ginny said lightly. "In all honesty, I think Snape is a great match for you; if anything he must be cleaning out the cobwebs that gather between your ears from listening to our dull conversation."

"You're right there," Hermione smirked. "It's like talking to a male version of myself. Debating with him is quite interesting." She didn't add that most of their 'debates' ended with Hermione being snogged senseless; she was sure they probably didn't want to hear that part of hers and Severus's conversations.

"I don't care who you like, Hermione," Neville said firmly. "But you have to admit. It's funny to imagine Professor Snape fitting in with us."

A sudden imagine of Severus glowering from the corner as he watched her friends antics flashed across Hermione's mind, and she giggled. It was all too easy to imagine what he'd be thinking, too. Most likely something along the lines of if it were actually possibly to will yourself to die of boredom. "Okay, yeah, you're right. It's pretty funny to think about."

"Hey guys," a pleasant male voice said after the front door slammed shut. A few seconds later, and grinning Harry emerged. "How's the party?"

"Harry!" Ginny squealed excitedly, even though she had seen her boyfriend earlier that day. She was the first one to him, and she wrapped her arms around him tightly before she crashed her lips on his. Harry's glasses were pushed to the side, but it didn't look as though he cared, Hermione observed with amusement. It was a dramatic display, but it was Ginny and Harry, after all.

"Hey, guys, oxygen, remember? You kind of need that," Neville said genially as he got up to greet his friend.

Harry broke free from Ginny's grasp to reach around and grab Neville's hand. "Yeah, well, you know how it goes, mate."

Neville grinned and walked to Luna, placing his arm around her protectively. "I do indeed."

Hermione smiled at the couples, and approached Harry. "Hey, you," she said as she wrapped her arms around him. Harry grinned and picked her up.

"I know we saw each other the other day, but still. I missed you!"

"I missed you too," Hermione replied as Harry set her back down. "How did work go?"

Harry made a face as he took a seat oat the table. "It's work. Take that as it is. I don't want to talk about that though, this is supposed to be fun! This the first time the gang's been together in a couple months."

"Well, almost all of us," Luna interjected. "Ronald is missing."

The boys both reached back to rub their necks in unison at Luna's winced slightly at the mention of her brother, and quickly glanced at Hermione. Hermione merely smiled at Luna, and nodded. "You're right. I'm sure you all will see him soon, though." She tactfully avoided the sticky situation Luna had brought up, and Ginny gave her a discreet thumbs up sign from across the table.

Hermione sat back and watched her friends banter back and forth, and felt content. Privately, she was most glad that her friends weren't making a huge deal out of the situation between her and Ronald; especially Ginny. She didn't want to admit it, but she had been highly afraid that Ginny's sibling loyalty would create a rift between the two, despite Ron being so obviously in the wrong.

Needless to say, it was a great relief that no one was making a big deal about it. Hermione felt the unconscious tension she had been holding release, and she finally relaxed. Laughing, joking with her friends was something she had sorely missed, and she was quite glad she came. Afternoon quickly passed into evening, and the group's riotous game of gobstones was interrupted by the front door slamming.

"Who's there?" Neville called out, standing up to see who walked in. A moment later, two grinning redheads emerged, holding a pile of stuff.

"Gobstones? Really, you guys, you can't get much lamer than that," Fred said jovially as he dumped the contents of his arms on the table.

"I thought we trained you better than that," George added as he mirrored his brothers actions. "Gobstones. What are you all, a bunch of second years?"

"We were waiting for you!" Harry shouted out as he hopped up to tackle the twins. A rather loud and quintessentially boyish greeting followed, and Neville joined in heartily. After the usual joking insults had been passed around, they all settled back down at the table.

"Well now, you guys, we've got something to get this party going," George said with a sly grin.

"Really going," Fred added with a wink. They both reached into their pockets, and pulled out something small. The twins pointed their wands at their fists, and whispered "Engorgio!" before two large bottles appeared. "Firewhiskey; you're welcome."

Harry and Neville both grinned, and Ginny moved to grab one of the bottles from her brothers. "Well? What are we waiting for?"

The drinks were passed out, but Hermione declined. She didn't think too fondly of whiskey; she never had, but now it was an abhorrence. George arched an eyebrow at her refusal, but didn't comment and just poured what would have been Hermione's drink into his own.

The evening grew later, and louder with every hour that passed. Harry, Neville, and the twins had quickly gotten piss drunk, and Ginny was following the same path, albeit at a slower pace. Luna had one drink and had passed out soon after, the poor blonde girl had never been able to hold her liquor.

Hermione watched her friends stumble over each other, and came to a quick decision. Being the only sober one at a gathering was as fun as it sounded, and she decided to leave earlier than intended. Spending the night had been the plan, but Hermione really didn't want to wake up to a bunch of hungover boys begging her for a potion to help their heads. Standing up, she headed to Harry. "I'm going to go, Harry," she said loudly, trying to make sure he heard her. "I'll owl you tomorrow, all right?"

Harry nodded and gave her a rather slurred farewell, and Hermione didn't bother saying goodbye to the others, there was a very good chance that they wouldn't remember regardless. Grabbing her coat from where Neville had hung it up, she slipped quietly out of the door and headed towards the gate. Harry had given Neville some of the highest magical protections, and one of them was that any one except the direct inhabitants of the house could not apparate from inside the house. Closing the gate shut behind her, she did a quick check to make sure she had everything before she felt someone grab her hand. "Harry, come on. Get back inside," she said as she twisted to see who it was.

"Hermione, I want to talk."

"Ronald? What are you doing here?" Hermione said in surprise, working hard to keep the myriad of unpleasant tones from her voice. It wouldn't be polite to make a scene at her friends house, despite the occupants being far too intoxicated to care. "Get your hand off me."

Ron released his hold, but stayed where he was, looking at Hermione with a mixture of incomprehensible emotions. Hermione felt the back of her neck prickle, and she stood still as she mentally prepared herself for whatever Ron would do. "I have nothing to say to you, Ron."

"Actually, I think you do," Ron said, his eyes glinting with...something. Hermione peered closer. He was acting incredibly strange. He kept shifting his position, and a thin gleam of sweat was visible beneath his hairline. The look he was giving her reminded her of something distant. Some recent memory she couldn't quite place; every time she tried to focus on it, it slipped away.

"Ron...what's this abou–" Ron moved, and Hermione was shoved back. A flash of red, and then everything went black.

*wince* cliffy...but don't worry, it's not as terribly bad as you'd think..