Much to Hermione's chagrin, Headmistress McGonagall insisted that they escort Hermione back to her room for security, since it was on her way to show Viktor to his guest quarters.
Hermione knew she could not refuse without outing herself and Severus, so she assented and bid him a longing look while Minerva and Viktor looked away.
Severus' expression did not change. It's alright. I'll see you at breakfast. Save my seat.
She rolled her eyes. As if anyone would dare.
His smirk eased her anxiety. If Severus was disturbed, he did not show it. He listened politely as Minerva explained that she had written to Viktor to ask him to referee the Quidditch match on Saturday. He bid them a polite 'good evening' and exited towards the dungeons.
Her date with Severus had been lovely, if not cut entirely too short by Professor McGonagall and Viktor.
The walk back was pleasant, she pretended not to notice the way Viktor's eyes remained trained on her. She focused her attention on Minerva, although hardly able to listen. Viktor smiled at her ceaselessly as the three of them walked. He really was quite beautiful, in a rough, playful way - a way she'd quite enjoyed. She tried not to think about that Summer in France, when she'd stayed in his flat.
She almost felt guilty for Viktor, who stared at her adoringly, that her thoughts were already in the dungeons with Severus. Luckily, Minerva was all business, so she did not have to make small talk, for which she was very grateful; she was getting a little wary of pretending not to notice the way Viktor stared at her shamelessly.
After parting with Minerva and Viktor, Hermione strode to her corridor, catching the familiar outline of Peeves, nearly invisible in the corridor. "Hey Peeves. Did you have a good evening?"
Peeves jolted awake and his eyes widened at Hermione. "Mistress," he bowed deeply, then stood back up and zoomed away with a loud, "Pthhhhppppptttthhhhhh!"
Hermione looked around. "Peeves? I know you're still there. Did you like the Daydream Charm? Did it work?"
Peeves allowed himself to become opaque again and nodded shyly. "Oh, well, it was... er, quite something, you know..."
Hermione had never seen Peeves like this, unsure of what to say, twiddling his thumbs around and around. "Come on, you can be honest-"
"BRILLIANT, absolutely, BLOODY BRILLIANT! Let me tell ya, I was the swashiest swashbuckler to ever buckle a swash! Sword in hand, swooping down from the rigging like a bat outta the Headmistress' privates, right in the thick of it—skeletons clattering everywhere, cut 'em down, I did! And the wench! Oh ho, busty she was, a real dazzler, shrieking 'Save me, hero, save me!' Of course, I did! Took 'em all down, I did, with a flick and a whoosh, and that's not even the best part! I did it FIVE times! FIVE! Couldn't get enough of it! Over and over—POW! BAM! Take that, you bag o' bones!"
"And she... well, she kept lookin' at me all grateful-like, y'know? Made me feel... important. And maybe, just maybe, Peevesy felt a bit... swoony himself." He looked down at his hands. "I suppose I should say, erm... thank you. It was... quite the dream, and not a prank for once! Heh, funny how that feels..."
"You are very welcome, Peeves. Thank you for keeping an eye on my door." She was startled to see that he looked as though he would have cried had his eyes the ability to produce tears. "Are you alright?"
He shook his head wildly from side to side and grimaced a terrifying clown smile, popping to attention and raising a salute. "Goodnight, Mistress. Don't let the ickle bitsies bite!"
"Uh...ok. Goodnight, Peeves." Weirdo.
At breakfast, Hermione read over her lesson plans for the day, trying not to glance towards the door. She had saved his seat, and indeed, no saving was necessary. The staff, who casually rotated seats, never sat in the chair to Hermione's left.
Surely, you're finished reading that same page, Professor Granger? The wizard in question, clad in his usual black on black.
"You're late." She declared, setting down her planner.
He quirked his mouth in a sneer that did not feel genuine, as he stripped off his outer frock. "How observant. 10 points to Gryffindor for your impeccable ability to read a clock."
Everything alright? "Coffee?" She took the mug in front of his plate and began to fill his cup before he asked.
"Please." Yes, I awoke early to begin implementing the new security measures. He sat and took his cup, allowing his finger to stroke on the inside of her wrist. You look nice in that color.
Hermione blushed and looked down to her deep green wool jacket. She was saved from the need to respond when Minerva stepped up to the podium.
"Ahem. Whenever you are ready, Mr. Godwin...Yes, thank you. Good morning, students. A few announcements; firstly, you will be pleased to hear that your Flying Instructor and Quidditch Referee, Madam Hooch, will return to her normal duties beginning on Monday morning. I know that we all welcome her swift recovery."
At this, the Hufflepuff house looked particularly pleased.
"In the meantime, we have found a substitute referee for tomorrow's Ravenclaw vs Hufflepuff match. Let us all welcome back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Mr. Viktor Krum."
The room exploded in gasps. Hermione chuckled at Minerva's sly smile as the great oak doors opened and Viktor Krum walked in. He strode confidently up the aisle between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables, looking as though he was walking onto a Quidditch pitch, and took a seat at the staff table, smiling genially at the children the whole way. And Merlin, did the children respond.
"Silence!" Minerva's voice echoed throughout the hall and the students quieted. "There will be no flocking to Mr. Krum in search of autographs, and each and every one of you will be respectful of his space or serve detention with Mr. Filch." She paused for dramatic effect as each student looked to the back of the room where Filch grimaced back menacingly.
"Lastly, we have implemented increased safety measures for the match, which will be explained to you by your prefects after breakfast. All students are expected to adhere strictly to the rules. There will be representatives from the Ministry of Magic on castle grounds on Saturday, so I trust you will all act accordingly. That is all."
Hermione glanced out of the corner of her eyes to gauge Severus' reaction. He was currently eating a large plate of scrambled eggs and returned his attention to the daily prophet as if nothing had happened.
When he was finished, he put his fork down, drained an entire glass of water in one swift motion, and rose from his seat. "Professor Granger, would you accompany me outside to continue securing the perimeter? Your skills in charmwork would be greatly appreciated." His voice was its natural bored drawl, as if he couldn't care less what answer she gave.
Hermione nodded, setting down her napkin. "Of course, Severus."
She followed him out into the corridor and around the corner; following Severus to an ancient looking tapestry. It was all muted greens, reds, and browns, depicting young renaissance ladies in a bright meadow. They were currently running from several blurry dark figures which Hermione guessed could be dementors.
Severus pulled it aside the tapestry, revealing a small wooden door. Beyond it, was a space about the size of a broom cupboard, lowly lit with a single, forever-burning candle. "What is this place?"
He gave no answer but to press his lips to hers. She returned his kiss eagerly, thrilled to run her hands aimlessly along the skin of his abs, his back. Funny, how her hands seemed to claim him as if driven by magic.
"I haven't stopped thinking about you since last night." His voice was a rough whisper. I hardly slept." Hands pulled him forward against her, his hips making contact with hers deliciously. He gave her arse a squeeze and slipped his tongue into her mouth, she tried not to moan lest they be heard by students or portraits in the corridor. "I just needed to kiss you again."
She was breathless and lost in his lips when the castle bells rang and they froze, and she giggled.
"What are you laughing at?" His voice was quiet in the dark.
"I'm just happy." She whispered back, turning to exit. "And we're going to be late."
Severus clutched her tighter, ramping up the anticipation that settled in her lower abdomen. "Haven't you learned, Professor?" He purred, stroking her cheek with his lips. "Class doesn't begin until we arrive. Let them wait."