Rules Were Made to be Broken

Thou Shalt Not Kiss a Married Woman….Again.


Ha! She slapped me! Took her bloody time about it and all.

Now, don’t get me wrong here, I might be the Bastard of Slytherin, but I am not one who would normally even remotely consider splitting up a marriage for my own ends. However, I gave up Hermione so she could better her life, so she could do what she deserves to do, yet here she is with that…that…wretched piece of crap.

Besides, I still want Hermione. I swear a day hasn’t passed since she left that I haven’t dreamt about her being mine again. And frankly, I have done too much for others – all the work for the Order, all my time spent trying to shove that little piece of education passed the Quidditch Scores and Hogsmead Wnd Pnd Plans littering the brains of those hormone driven imbeciles, always stepping aside (although not always gracefully) for the next tosser to take the Defence Against the Dark Arts position. And what do I get in return? Insults behind my back (and too often to my face). It’s about time Severus Snape started being selfish.

You can’t tell me that Hermione isn’t interested. If she weren’t she would have run screaming from my classroom long before she left. She would’ve hexed me into oblivion.

I find it particularly interesting that she appears to have not told Lupin about us what so ever. Course, she may think the whole wondrous events insignificant. Her reactions towards me speak otherwise, though. At least I hope they do. Otherwise I could be about to make a complete fool of myself. Beyond the point of really caring though – one more event for the wizarding world to poke the piss at me about is certainly worth the risk if it means even the remotest possibility that I could win her back.

Currently I am leaning smugly back in my chair behind my office desk, my fingers lingering over my lips. Lord, that was a kiss. Funny really, what one brief touch can do to a man so desperately in love it’s almost pathetic. Those few brief seconds brought those distant memories flooding back as if it were yesterday.

Actually, I seem to remember our first encounter being not too different to what has just taken place. However, I believe it was me pushing her away. Hm, seems that then I was in the wrong, being her Professor and all (and no, I am still not proud of that), and now, well, the woman is married…

Right, time to stop daydreaming and get back to work. Looks like those little Gryffindors might just get off lightly on this test…


Bloody hell. My bloody turn for grounds patrol again. Currently about 11pm and frankly, if the little twerps want to be out at this time of night while it’s pissing down that is their problem. Unfortunately, Albus doesn’t believe this is the correct attitude. Oh, all right, I’m exaggerating. There is a light drizzle, and given that it is still summer, the night is reasonably warm. Nothing stopping me using a water repelling charm either. The rain is actually quite refreshing, and the smell of damp earth is one I have always enjoyed…

No, no! Must wipe stupid smile from my face. Would the hell would the students think if they saw me wandering around out here with a lovesick grin?

Right, something to make me cranky. Lupin. Ah, that did it. No, it didn’t. Lupin brings mind right back to Hermione and that is not pla place to go while I’m out in public (albeit wandering around in the dark, in black robes with possibly not a soul around).

Ah, there it is. My distraction. In the distance I can see a figure perched on the edge of a rock by the lake. Mm, time to remove some more house points, just please don’t let it be Slytherin or this night is going to be a complete loss.

I decide that sneaking up on the little snot is the best way about things. Nothing more satisfying than the shear panic on the face of some silly student when they are caught by snarling Potions Master. Luckily, their back is to me, and the sound of the light rain hitting the ground all but muffles my footsteps. Then again, I am fairly apt at sneaking around in the dark anyway.

“What do we have here?” I say in my most snarky voice. However the smirk on my face is quickly erased as the figure turns around. The moon light catches her features and there staring back at me is none other than Hermione herself. Dammit! No bloody points and mind right back to where it doesn’t belong!

“Fuck off, Severus,” she snaps at me, turning back towards the lake.

Oops. And Potions Master puts his foot in it once again…

“Bit late to be out, isn’t it?” I ask, and though I try my darndest not to, it comes out sarcastically.

“And you are seven years too late to be asking that question.” Ah, so it’s like that is it? Going to try and wind me up, Miss Granger. Well, two can play at that game, and you’ve picked a losing battle…

“Seven years ago Miss Granger, you wouldn’t be sitting out on a rock in the middle of the night in the rain. In fact, I believe you would probably have been sneaking down to the dungeons…”

Her head snaps around at me. “Don’t even think about it! You fucking threw me out! Once again, Severus, you are seven years too late!” Her mouth is set in a firm line, her eyes flaring angrily at me.

Ouch, that hurt. Hm, okay, sarcasm not working. That’s all my abilities down the tube. Time for a different, albeit crucifying, approach.

“I ‘threw’ you out for your own good, you silly girl!” Oops, forgot to drop the nastiness too. Crap.

“Really? And how was that? Do tell.” Her words come out in anger, but I can see the confusion flickering in her eyes. Pushing my luck, I take a seat next to her on the rock. Bloody uncomfortable. Yet she doesn’t push me away, so I decide to stay. Who am I kidding? You’d have to drag me away from here kicking and screaming.

“I didn’t want you to go,” I say in almost a whisper. Crap, Severus, just spit it out. Just forget the scathing exterior and tell her all.

“Well, you could’ve fooled me,” Hermione says bitterly She won’t look at me, is too busy staring at the lake.

“Hermione,” I say, digging up a little courage, “I did it for your own good. You would never have really wanted to stay with a greasy git like me.”

“Don’t you think that was my decision to make?” she asks quietly.

“You asked me to decide for you. I did what I thought was for the best.”

She is silent for a very long time. The rain continues to fall, and my robes are now almost saturated. The tiny droplets catch in her hair, looking like a million diamonds. I am about to leave, knowing I am not wanted here when she finally replies.

“I did love you, Severus. Do you have any idea what you did to me?” Hermione fiddles nervously with her fingers, still refusing to look my way.

I don’t reply, merely look at the ground. This seems to be enough for her.

“You broke my heart, Severus. Tore it out and ripped it to shreds.” Her tone is flat, but I swear I hear her sniff. Shit, don’t cry!

“I am sorry, believe me, Hermione. I am so sorry.”

And I truly am. I don’t want to have ever hurt her, and now I would give anything to go back and undo what I have done, but at the time it had seemed like the only option…

“Why now? Why now are you telling me this? I am with Remus and I am happy and now you have to come along and stir up all this old crap again!” She is crying now. Damn it, I’ve screwed it all up again.

“I love you,” I say simply, before I even realise it. Dammit man, get a grip on yourself!

“Impeccable timing once again, Severus!”

I sit there silently for a minute, then finally put my arm around her. She stiffens initially, then relaxes back, her head resting on my shoulder.

“If you are so happy with Remus, why are you sitting out here all alone?” I mutter into her hair. This is so right and so wrong all at the same time. This shouldn’t be happening now, it should’ve happened years ago. BecaBecause a certain Professor has stirred up all sorts of feelings I no longer thought I had, and I needed some time to think,” Hermione replies, yet she is not angry.

Wow, she still cares about me, then? I run a finger down her cheek, caressing her soft skin. You really shouldn’t do this, Severus, you really really shouldn’t… Yet my mantra doesn’t work, I have lifted her chin with my fingers, and as if of their own free will my lips have captured hers. She hesitates if only for a moment before returning the gesture. My palm rests on her cheek now, the feel of her damp skin delightful under mine. Hesitantly I run my tongue over her lips and am pleasantly surprised when she willingly parts them and allows me entry. I keep my movements slow and careful, not daring to push her any further for fear that she will run. If only to stay here forever, no Remus, no rules just Hermione and I and…

Damn. She’s pulled away. Hermione gazes into my eyes for a few moments. I have no idea what she is looking for there, but gods I hope she finds it.

“Good night, Severus,” she whispers softly. She gets to her feet and walks away. I continue to sit there and stare at her back as she departs, the drizzle soon obscuring her from view.

What the hell just happened here?


Thank you to…
Shem – Ah, but she did right this time, eh? Yes, bloody maths exam – my form of self-torture. Ooh, here’s an idea, how about I send darling Potions Master to you for your nurse exams…bet you wouldn’t complain about fondling that one…. Oh, and Muggle name? What’s the again…oh, right, that’s what I write on my maths exam – yes, can see it now: Subject: MATH 101 Name: Fervesco, Snape Addict. Better work on that one!

Lily Malfoy – damn, I’m really going to have to make some decisions soon about who Herm chooses. Thanks for your review!

Rilla – Ah, grovel away! No kiss confrontation, don’t really know why…hm, maybe I’ll deal with that next chapter!

Buttercup – Can’t have them kill each other off! That would never do… A world without the sexy potions master and delicious werewolf? I think not! Cheers!

Andrian – my dear, you are going to have to forgive me, but I might just have to *bend* a few of your rules. Don’t count on the threesome though… (Though am entertaining that option…) Thanks!

Deb – yes, appears our dear Hermione still has a thing for Sexy Potions Master… How could she not! Thanks for the wishes for my exam – trust me, I’ll need ‘em!

Minerva7 – Thank you too for the luck for my exam! And I’m torn too! I think sometime I might set up a group at yahoo and take a poll on who you guys want…maybe next update!

Pix – Ah, the adultery issue. Why oh why couldn’t that just go away…*bangs head and sends Andrian evil glare, then realises it is misdirected and should be at me for taking up the bloody challenge ;)* I agree, my dear, if you commit that should be it. However, it wouldn’t make such a good plot, and it happens in real life so…. However, I am hoping for a completely happy ending to this, so keep tuned!

Maddy Riddle – Ah, crap, no wolfie this chapter. Next one, k?

And I would like to take a moment to thank you all so much for reviewing – Maddy is right, I’ve reached over a hundred now! I am so flattered! All those messages really mean a lot to me!