"Black," Severus nodded to the offending Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

The wars had ended almost six years prior and at the end of it the mysterious veil had spat Sirius Black out like he was rancid piece of meat. Now they'd been working together for four years, alongside Remus Lupin who had taken over Arithmancy classes. It had taken Severus at least a year to adapt to having the mutt around at school, having grown used to him on the hols was one thing but having him around all the time was maddening. Now they were what one would consider friends, and this was not the first time Sirius had requested them both in class for a demonstration.

Nodding to Lupin who had his feet propped on the desk he perched himself on the other end of the desk.

"You requested my presence?"

Sirius smirked, "Wonderful, you're here. Sit." Turning to his seventh years Sirius addressed the class. "Today's topic for discussion is veritaserum. I took the liberty of borrowing a bottle from Professor Snape's stock this morning."

Severus huffed loudly behind him while Remus snorted. Sirius continued as if he weren't grinning like mad at the sounds behind him.

"As you all well know when brewed properly veritaserum renders a subject unable to lie. Today we," he motioned to himself and the two professors behind him, "are going to demonstrate that."

"Pads, you're joking?" Remus laughed. "In no way am I taking veritaserum and, wand to his throat, neither would Severus."

"I'll co-sign him into St. Mungo with you Lupin," Severus said nonchalantly as he leaned back against Sirius's desk.

Sirius turned to face them when the class snickered, "I said we would demonstrate, not we would be the test subjects."

"And pray tell Black who did you get to test-"

The classroom doors slammed open causing many of the students to jump in their seats and both Severus and Remus to move for their wands.

"Sirius Orion Black, you mangy mutt!" Hermione Grangers voice was audile before she became visible. She stormed into the room, crimson red robes billowing behind her. Her eyes fixed on Sirius who stretched out his arms in welcome, "I'm going to fix you!"

"Kitten!"

The class, who had begun chuckling all leaned away from her as best they could in their seats as she stormed up to the front of the class.

"You drugged her," Remus hissed from behind him.

"I hate when you call me that," she snapped unable to control herself. "You drugged me."

"I prefer 'tricked' and as the scholar I know you are, I knew you would say yes had I requested it anyway."

Hermione took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose, "If you'd asked, maybe. You'll be lucky if I don't tell Molly!"

Sirius blanched and the students' snickers returned.

Hermione had joined the staff as Transfiguration Professor the year prior and had quickly become the most favorite teacher amongst the students. She was beautiful, caring, and smart. She never lost her temper with the students but would hold her own with the equally beloved DADA professor. Their squabbles were legendary, and students always tried to get a front row seat when they pair got into it. Many older years speculated a secret affair between the two.

"Professor Granger, do you know what you are under the influence of?"

Snapping her attention to Severus she softened, but only just, her sharp retort already rolling off her tongue.

"I'm not a complete imbecile Severus. I knew what it was the moment I snapped at Miss Ravenwood, called her a 'dunderheaded chit' and had to silence myself least I ruin her day more. Needless to say, I couldn't apologize and dismissed them an hour early," Severus smirked, "You just had to be a competent brewer."

He snorted, "Thank you."

Turning to the class she huffed, "It seems I have no choice in the matter. As you are all near adults, I will allow you to ask me almost any question. Since I have to answer I warn you, if you ask something that I believe crosses a line I will not hesitate to take fifty points from your house. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Professor," the class chorused.

"Good. Now has Professor Black explained the potion to you and its effects?" Another collective yes. Walking around the desk, pushing Remus's feet off the surface as she passed, she sat in Sirius's chair. Remus on her right, Severus on her left and Sirius hiding a smirk from the edge of Remus's seat. "Go on then."

A Gryffindor was the first to stand. The younger witch coughed, cheeks tinting pink, "Where did you disappear to after the war?"

Hermione wanted to bite her tongue. That was a tender subject, and she didn't often talk about it. Rolling her neck, she answered knowing better than to try and fight the potion.

"I went to Australia to try and recover my parents memories. I sent them away in 1997 at the end of my sixth year. They were very upset with my actions and, despite forgiving me, chose to stay in Australia. In an attempt to mend our relationship, I stayed as well and took the time to complete not only my Transfiguration mastery but begin masteries in Arithmancy and Potions."

"What brought you back?"

She shrugged, "Two years ago my father suffered a heart attack that left him wanting to return home."

"Is he alright now, your father?"

"He is," Hermione smiled, "Next?"

"I have one, Kitten."

Hermione blew out air in a huff but looked to Sirius who looked all too pleased with himself.

"Did you have any...gentleman friends in Australia?"

Rolling her eyes answered him, "Yes. One."

"Oh, Molly is going to love that."

"Tell her and I'll tell her about the time you stole all my knickers and held them hostage for a week," she snipped back.

The class snickered as their two professors glared at one another.

"Alright," Severus drawled ending their staring contest. Remus laughed.

A Slytherin stood next with a grin that rivaled Sirius's, "Are you and Professor Black dating?"

"Gods no," she exclaimed, "I would rather not catch something. I also have standards."

"Oi!"

"Shut up you mutt."

Another Slytherin stood, "If you have masteries in Potions and Arithmancy, why did you choose to teach Transfiguration?"

Hermione answered automatically, "Potions and Arithmancy were a challenge, Transfiguration was my passion."

"Have you smelt Amortentia?"

"Any potions mistress or master worth their stuff has brewed Amortentia, let alone smelled it."

"What is it?" A Gryffindor witch asked around a slight blush.

"A love potion, Miss Seever, the strongest created. It creates a powerful infatuation and obsession."

The class snickered while a Slytherin, smirked and amended the question from her seat, "What does your Amortentia smell like?"

"Freshly mown grass, parchment, spearmint toothpaste, cloves, various herbs, and sandal wood. Rather intoxicating."

"Kitten, do you still see said gentlemen?"

"Yes," she bit out reluctantly.

Sirius laughed, "Just wait until Molly finds out that you've had a boyfriend for five years and never told any of us."

"I do not have a boyfriend. Tell her that and I will tell her about your long-standing relationship with Madam Rosmerta."

The class laughed for a bit. Eventually it quieted down before someone spoke and the questions began again.

"How did Professor Black drug-"

"-trick," Sirius corrected.

"-you?"

"He offered me a cup of tea telling me Severus had left it for me. As I think Professor Snape brews the most amazing cuppa and he often brings me a fresh cup in the mornings, I thought not of it."

Not looking at the man in question, she didn't see his cheeks tint lightly. In truth, her and Severus had gotten very close after the war and when she returned to the school, they'd grew even closer. But the students didn't need to know that. They still saw him as the brooding, abrasive, potions master.

"Next."

Remus smiled and tilted his head to look at her, "What is your favorite book?"

Leaning forward she gave him a kiss on the cheek for moving them into safer territory, "Hogwarts: A History, since I was eleven and the Headmistress gave it to me."

"Favorite meal?"

"Breakfast for dinner. Nothing beats is."

"If you ever murder Professor Black, where would you hide his body?"

"There wouldn't be a body."

"Because you wouldn't kill me, Kitten?"

"No, because hogs digest everything but teeth and animagus teeth happen to be a potions ingredient and I happen to know a very skilled potions master," she gave him an evil grin as he unconsciously reached up to touch his teeth making the class snicker again. Even Severus couldn't help the shocked dark of laughter that erupted. Hermione smirked at him before looking back at the students. "Next?"

"What's the craziest thing you did during school that was not associated with the war?"

"Gryffindor likes to engage in heated games of truth or dare," the Gryffindor's, Sirius, and Remus all nodded around chuckles, "Fifth year I ended up in the Black Lake, naked because of Seamus Finnigan. The prat."

"Are you an Animagus?"

Hermione snorted, "Gods no, if I am ever an animal again it will be too soon. I hope to also avoid ever using polyjuice potion ever again."

Remus spoke from her side, mirth in his voice, "Who is your favorite Marauder?"

"You," she grinned seeing Sirius pout from his perch beside Remus.

"Who is your favorite person overall?" Sirius tried.

Her grin widened, "Teddy."

"Not your gentlemen from Australia?"

"Who said he was from Australia? I have no gentlemen from Australia."

Sirius looked intrigued, "Interesting Kitten. Very interesting."

A student kept him from thinking of another question. "Have you ever shagged in the school?"

The seventh year Gryffindor's groaned as Hermione stilled, "Yes, I have, several times in fact. Fifty points from Gryffindor."

Not detoured by her deduction of points Sirius moved to sit on the edge of a student's desk in the front row. His arms crossed over his chest he smirked devilishly, "When is the last time you shagged in the castle?"

"This morning. It's my favorite way to wake up, with his head between my thighs." She felt her cheeks burn bright red as Remus started coughing on the sip of tea he'd attempted to swallow when she spoke. Sirius was wide eyed giving her a toothy smile and Severus slowly turned to look at her, his eyebrow raised in question. Leaning over she rubbed circles in Remus back while he tried to breathe, "What? My lover has a wicked tongue."

That set off her blush again while Remus's coughing got worse. Severus's cheeks tinted pink as he turned back to the class.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor and Twenty points to Slytherin. Since losing points isn't enough, I'll start awarding them to the other house for each indiscreet question."

"You can't do that," a brave student tried to defend and both Remus and Severus bit back laughs.

"I can Mr. Jacobs and I did. I said I would take fifty points from the house when someone asked an inappropriate question, I did not however say my fellow professors were exempt from those rules. Therefore, the deduction stands. Now hush before I take another fifty for stepping out of your weight class." The young man shrunk back into his seat. Hermione looked over the students, "You may ask but have respect for the fact that I cannot do anything but tell the truth. Would you want people to know your secrets or truths? Well neither do I. Tread carefully."

Silence. Hermione smirked. The war was long over but house rivalry was very much alive.

A brave Slytherin raised her hand and asked her question when Hermione nodded to her.

"Will questions about the war be considered punishable?"

"No," she smiled.

"How did snatchers catch you?"

Hermione groaned, she should have known they would ask about the gaps her and the boys had purposefully left in their story. "Harry, Ronald and I got into an argument. In the heat of the moment Harry said Voldemort's name, activating the taboo. They were on us in a matter of seconds. They captured Ron first and I knew we were all as good as captured so I hexed Harry just before they caught us too."

"What do you sleep in?"

She glared, "Knickers and a jumper, usually. Twenty points to Gryffindor."

"She does," Sirius cackled getting a hex from Hermione that made him yelp.

"How does he know that?"

"I have nightmares still and during the hols, at the house we all stay in, he caught me in the library one evening. Needless to say, I do not I wear pants and a turtleneck whenever I leave my room at night."

Sirius looked smug getting eye rolls from both Severus and Remus.

"What is your favorite way to spend the night?"

Her cheeks burned as the answer rolled off her tongue, "Lying in bed with," she coughed, "my partner cuddled and reading beside one another."

There were murmurs around the class as they took in said information and waited for her to deduct or award points. Severus shifted awkwardly on the edge of the desk. Unfortunately, it didn't go unnoticed.

"When your...partner," Sirius smirked seeing Hermione's flush deepen and Severus shift again, "isn't with you?"

"Reading by the fire with a cuppa and a warm blanket. I prefer not to sleep without him.."

Sirius, not one to pass up an opportunity, shot Remus a knowing look and ignored the shake of the head he got in return. He'd noticed Hermione unable to look at Severus and the potions masters fidgeting too. Some spymaster his friend was.

"Professor Granger, what do you think of our resident Potions Master?"

From his perch on the desk, Severus stilled. Hermione physically clamped her mouth shut, pressing her lips together until they were a white line. Silence clouded the classroom as they all watched her fight it. Sirius looked impressed until blood trickled down her nose from the effort.

Severus turned when she remained quiet. Seeing her nose bleed his attitude changed and Hermione saw the hurt flash behind his eyes

"Professor, it's fine. Whatever you say I will not be upset."

She shook her head flicking her gaze in the direction of the class and then Sirius and Remus. Severus relaxed.

"It's okay Hermione.." he said it softly, so softly it shocked the students.

Reaching out he produced handkerchief from his cloak and used it to wipe the blood off her face. Meeting his endless black eyes she unclenched her jaw, no longer fighting it.

"Severus is the standard. I think he's brilliant and honestly one of the most caring people in this school, let alone Great Britain." A few students gasped as did Sirius. Severus didn't break eye contact with her. "Teddy is my favorite person but Severus is a very close second. He has supported me from the moment I sent him an owl when I had trouble retrieving my parents memories. In the past five years, we've become very close and I..."

She bit her lip again shaking her head vigorously even as her nose started to bleed again and a throbbing began in her temples.

Getting off the desk Severus walked around it to crouch before her. When she turned to face him he pulled her lip free.

"I fancy myself in love with him," she whispered.

"Hermione.." he said her name in a hushed tone.

Unable to bare his rejection outright she nervously continued in her quiet tone.

"Because you came to Australia and brewed a highly temperamental and taxing potion for me. You helped me and stayed by my side until you had to leave to come back here. You continued to correspond and visit me through my masteries. Your voice is sin and it makes my insides twist, no matter if you're whispering to me in our bed or lecturing a class. Because when you hold me the world stops turning and it's just you and me." His eyes had widened considerably and she felt her stomach drop. She continued with barely more than a whisper, "But I know it's not like that for you. That's why in five years you've never asked me to dinner or once shown your affection for me in public. You don't have to return the sentiment in light of my words and I understand if my affections mean we need to cease our...activities." She blushed as she glanced at the class before looking back at his wide, dark eyes, "I am sorry for embarrassing you Severus."

She pressed his handkerchief into his hand, took her hand from his, and stood. Looking at Sirius she didn't even attempt to mask her heartbroken look.

"Did you enjoy your fun Sirius?"

Then she left. Leaving all of them stunned but for Remus.

Sirius was the first to explode, hopping off the desk he was lounged on, "You're sleeping with Hermione? Since when?"

"Unlike her, I'm not obligated to answer your questions Black," Severus snapped back standing to his full height, pocketing the handkerchief absently. "You realize what you've just inflicted on her, don't you?"

Sirius winced, "Yes. But in light of recent revelations, it seems you hurt her more than my sleight of hand with veritaserum!"

"Sleight of hand?" he exploded coming around to the front of the desk where Sirius had come to posture, "Everything was fine between her and I until you drugged her after stealing from my storeroom. You did this, not me Black."

"You're the one who struck up an intimate relationship with her and made her feel worthless by only shagging her!"

Remus stood before either could draw their wands. "You're dismissed," he told the class.

None of the students moved as the two dark haired professors continued their spat.

"You have no clue my relationship with Hermione is like."

"No?" Sirius cocked stepping forward, "Because it sounded to me like while she was literally falling into your arms you treated her like a Knockturn Alley whore!"

"Sirius, enough," Remus smacked him upside the head. "Severus, breathe."

Severus did so through clinched teeth.

"Why are you so unaffected by this?" Sirius accused looking at his best friend.

Remus smirked, "I caught them in his classroom last year when I went to pick up my potion. They didn't see me, so I left the room carefully and made my presence known before reentering in which case Hermione had disappeared."

"You've known this whole time?"

This time it was Severus.

"Pretty much. I knew when you'd visit her, your robes would smell of her for days. Though we were all under the impression you were doing potions conventions and expos. And I knew when your relationship became...more just after her birthday last year. You both constantly reek of one another. I'd wager you sleep together at least half the week, if not nightly."

"WHAT?!" Sirius bellowed.

"They're quite well suited, don't you think?" Remus asked giving his best friend a look that said, 'get over it'. "Hermione for one is much happier. Well, was." Looking out over the class he sighed and took a page from Hermione's book, "Any student still in this classroom in five seconds will have detention every Saturday until Christmas Hols and will lose fifty points for their house. Five.."

The class was cleared by 'three'.

Turning back to his friends he saw them locked in another glaring contest. "Merlin, you two. Sirius, stop it, you're going to burst a vessel. Severus, may I ask you something?"

"Yes," he bit out.

"Do you care for Hermione?"

Severus finally looked at him and Remus saw his black eyes soften. "Yes."

"More than-"

"Yes," he bit it out again, this time louder.

"Did you know she felt that way?"

"She's said it in her sleep," he slumped against an empty desk, "I thought she knew...I just assumed she understood that I cared for her."

"But you never told her."

Sirius's remark was true but it irked Severus to his core, "No I didn't. I just assumed she knew she was the only witch I wished to bed, let alone bloody live with. And seeing as how we've been together for over a year, I thought she knew!"

"Over a year and yet neither of you have said anything to anyone? Seems like you wanted to keep it hidden!"

"We did! Or at least I thought that's what she wanted. She never mentioned otherwise. The only people she asks me to accompany her to see are..." his anger died, "her parents." It came out a whisper.

Merlin he'd messed up, he knew it. Now, as all the memories flooded his mind in a rush, he could see it. All the times she'd mention the Burrow while getting dressed, telling him it'd be more fun with him there. The brief disappointment on her face when he dismissed the idea as hogwash. Her casual mentions of trying a restaurant for dinner, her wide eyes when she asked if it sounded like something he might enjoy. Before the remembrance gala when she'd come out of the closet in her gown and asked if he might want to share her portkey. Her weak 'okay' when he said he was going to floo from the Headmistresses office. That same night when she'd requested a dance with bright eyes and he'd told he knew that she knew he didn't dance. So many different instances flooded him and he felt guilt rise in his chest.

Had he been so blind?

In truth, he'd only gone to Australia to help her to rid himself of the life debt she earned from him after saving his life at the final battle. Though, he didn't realize she knew nothing of it until he arrived. He doubted she knew it had ever existed. But as they'd worked in her studio apartment, researching and experimenting with potions, he'd begun to feel for her. Feelings that had not stirred in decades. He'd pushed them aside and chose not to act anything but professional because he was sure she would be done with him once he returned to Britain.

It came as a great shock to receive her first missive after returning to Britain, but he wrote her back none the less. After that they just kept coming. The first time he visited her was because he was to attend a potions symposium in Sydney and he'd asked if she wished to meet for lunch. That week his entire time outside the symposium was spent with her. He'd visited near twenty times over the following three years until she mentioned her own wish to return to Britian. Granted she didn't tell him of Minerva's job offer until he came to see her that final time. They'd treated it almost like a mini vacation, renting a two-bedroom bungalow off the beach for a week.

By the time she moved into the castle he already knew he was well on his way to loving the younger witch. But after almost four years of friendship, she'd never expressed a romantic interest and Severus respected that.

At least she never showed interest until the last week of September. She'd returned to the castle a few shades to the wind after a dinner with the Potters. Severus had been finishing his rounds when he'd spotted her walking up the trail to the castle. He met her at the doors and couldn't help but grin into her hair when she flung herself at him and moaned his name. She had refused to tell him the password to her rooms so he'd taken her to his chambers and tucked her into his bed, opting to stay on the couch for the night. The following morning she emerged from his bedroom looking downright delectable. She'd devested herself sometime in the night and stood before him, unashamed, in only her knickers and a loose jumper he recognized as his.

Severus had tried not to stare but his gaze lingered on her impossibly long legs too long. He hadn't had time to try and hide his erection before it sprang to life under the sheet he'd conjured for the night. Hermione saw it rise and gave him a sultry grin. No words had been exchanged. All she did was lift her jumper off her body and invited him over with her finger. He'd been helpless to follow her into the room, shedding his clothes along the way.

Almost every night since, they'd slept in his bed.

The castle provided a doorway from her chambers to his which made the endeavor much more discreet and convenient. They had been inseparable. But he had thought it was almost like a game. There were no outward signs of their relationship but during rounds he would take her in a dark alcove, her moans silenced by a muffiato and a strong notice me not. In staff meetings he would curl his fingers into a cut he would make in her robes and tease her breathless until the time would come to discretely fix the fabric and leave. She was his as he was hers but only in secret. He hadn't wanted it that way, but he thought she had. Until he actually looked.

Looking up sharply he scowled at Sirius.

"Find her on that bloody map of yours and let me know where she is."