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an overwhelming desire to win...	By : h0lden Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 7416 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
She looked to the office door in dismay, her eyes filling with the tears that had been coyly waiting for this precise moment. She fell to her knees in the empty classroom, her sobs of utter loss and disappointment overwhelming her.

"Severus..." she sobbed as her knees hit the cold stone floor while her shoulders shook. Her view of the door became blurry as she stared at the door, knowing the love of her life stood on the other side. Hating he
He
He did, his hands were on the door and his head leaned against its rough surface, his eyes squeezed tightly shut as he heard her spurratic sobbing. His body was shaking as he resisted the urge to throw open the door, scoop her into his arms and tell her all was well. But he couldn't.

She had betrayed him.

It had been a strange morning for him, he had endured a lust filled sleep with images of Hermione coming back at him with vigor, leaving him stiff in more places than one when the morning arose.

He had woken promptly at seven, his hairs still smelling of her strawberry shampoo and causing a small smile to break out over his face. That must have been what triggered those delicious dreams.

By the time he had reached the Great Hall for breakfast it had been eight promptly. Not many students had arrived, and he sat down eating his meal with thoughts on the entrancing Gryffindor he slowly wanted to spend more and more time with. It was a strange feeling, every moment she was gone from him he felt the oddest of sensations.

It was if there was a string tied to the rib under his heart, which tied on the other end to her own. Every moment she was away from him the string grew taught, threatening to break and he felt himself yearning for her. When she had left for school he had felt that invisible string pulling him to her, never wanting to snap.

And so as he watched the students milling into the hall for breakfast and didn't behold his Hermione, that familiar tugging began at him. It was harsh, searing pain as he wondered for a horrible moment if she was in trouble. But reason prevailed and he knew she wasn't. Breakfast went on, and he noticed that Harry aon kon kept shooting each other looks, and reading their lips he deciphered they were wondering about Hermione themselves.

Again that tug at him, and he felt his breath leave him. He stood, preparing to go after her to her home. To find her and hug her, and have her hold him. To him these small hugs and stolen kisses were begging to have a hold on him.

"Severus?" McGonagall had said from several seats down, he looked to her with spite. Good God you old crow, can't this wait?

"You've a note under your plate."

Snape sat, throwing Minerva a confused look and hiding it from the others with a scowl. He took the small parchment into his hands, his heart beating. Hermione. He hid it from the prying eyes next to him and read it quickly, his dark eyes sliding over the messy words.

Professor

I need to speak with you about a matter of

great importance. Please meet me in

the Slytherin common room after breakfast.

Thank you in advance.

Pansy Parkinson.

Snape had grimaced, not wanting to step within two feet of the little twit. After her antics he didn't trust her at all, much too Slytherin for his tastes. But he was her Head of House, and with that title came certain obligations. In turn he had risen, shooting Minerva a wayward glance and strode down the aisle, separating several tables.

Around him he heard the trademark whisper of, greasy git. and overgrown bat. And for some reason this pained him more than usual.

How dare they make assumptions when they don't even know who I am, truly? he had glared at the tables as he passed them. I can't be kind and sweet like those other sappy teachers. If I want my students to learn intimidation is the only way. The ruddy dolts don't even see that I'm doing them a favor.

But he knew, somewhere in the back of his mind that one person did understand him. One person did like him for who he was, he didn't need to pretend. Hermione.

He had gone to the common room with mixed emotions, repulsed evidently, worried a bit when Pansy had mentioned Hermione earlier, and most obviously; confused.

He had seen Pansy, hands together on her lap as she took in a deep breath, looking to the older man in a bit of fear. It took him a few short steps to reach where she sat and he had looked down at her with contemptible boredom.

"I assume this will be a quick meeting, Parkinson?" he had drawled, his mind on the vision of his lover. Pansy had shot him a grimace and followed him into his office before speaking.

"Professor." she said dryly, "I need to tell you something, something I think you deserve to know."

He recalled the small smirk she had been trying to hide. The eyes that had glittered so malevolently as he tried to hide all emotions from his face.

"Well then." he had offered dimly, "Go on."

And so she had told him everything. From the begging involving a contract to her own tried seduction ploys that had stopped the whole thing. She asked him if he recalled the word 'cheater' on her forehead, and he did. She had explained the contract and what it entailed.

All the while she watched him. She watched as he looked surprised, then angry, then hurt, angry again. She had tried not to smile, imagining what this was going to cause. She couldn't, it was all too much. Finally they had sat accross from one another saying nothing.

A familiar sense of betrayal and anger had enveloped Severus as he imagined Hermione giggling about him with her friends. Telling Pansy of his sloppy seduction. Probably laughing at him behind his back after they had made love. Her crocodile tears and begging him to come back had certainly fooled him. He felt like a complete idiot letting a silly little girl affect him like this. How weak.

"And why do you believe this to be any of my interest or concern Miss Parkinson?" he had finally asked, his voice thick and his eyes glittering as he struggled to keep from getting to dizzy to hold a conversation. His mind was buzzing,

"Because sir." Pansy had said superciliously, "Now that the bet's finished, I don't think Hermione will want to see you anymore." she caught sight of him preparing to protest. "Hermione told me everything." she lied, smiling as he closed his mouth and glared.

"I was just preparing you because I quite respect you." Pansy choked down the words, "Don't worry, I won't say anything."

Snape hadn't said anything, only stood and told Pansy to get out and go to her class. She had done so slowly, looking back to see if she could detect any tears. Damn. She couldn't.

She shrugged to herself, shutting the office door behind her and leaving Snape to take several deep breaths, and get his notes ready for his class.

As soon as his break had commenced he had come back to his office, eyes dark and somber. He had insisted on taking his mind off of Hermione and decided to distract himself up with a small potion he had been working with on the side.

He had sensed her as soon as she had come in, that familiar scent of cleanliness shooting around him. But he did not turn. He wouldn't. She didn't deserve to be spoken to. She betrayed him.

When he heard his name on his lips he felt as if he would melt. He wanted to turn, to kiss her, take her into his rooms and explore her. But to what avail? He was a bet. He was a joke.

And now he stood, leaning against the closed door of his office and hearing the anguished sobs from the one person he thought he could trust.

Slowly the sobbing slowed as sniffles and random coughs punctuating the air. He heard as she dragged herself up, and shuffled out of his room while he sat behind his desk, marking down ingredients.

If he had been listening closely he would have heard her words to him, soft but powerful. I love you Severus. I'm sorry.

But as it was he sat grimly behind his desk, eyes blurring as he marked parchments in front of him. F's starting to become a regular occurrence and he missed her declaration. Severus Snape refused to be made a fool of.

The string below his heart had snapped.

�h * *
�h
Hours later Hermione walked down the dim halls, her face tearstained, her hair a mess and her heart broken. She had been hiding in the forest on the grounds of Hogwarts for some time, tears streaming and the sobs never stopping.

She had come in from the cold air when it began to grow dark, and she knew she would probably be in trouble from Minerva when she found out Hermione had missed all afternoon classes.

Now she stalked in a daze, not recognizing anyone she encountered. She was in a troubled frenzy, her emotions washed. She had no more feeling left to feel, whether it be hate or love.

It was only a matter of time before he found out Hermione...you had your chance and you blew it.
Yes, she had blown it. All chances to spend eternity with the man of her dreams and fantasies were gone. All because she had to engage in an idiotic bet.

Mind you, you never would have acted upon your desires if it hadn't been for the bet.

Even if that was true, Severus wouldn��t buy it. He wouldn't care. She knew him well enough to know that he knew only one side of the story. She had made a bet, she had tricked him into loving her. He was furious.

She wrestled with her own anger then, holding her head as she realized not only had she given herself to a Professor, but a man she barely knew. It was as if everything had fit, she wasn't lonely anymore and she had an intellectual equal. She had someone to care for. Now all was gone.

Suddenly a large group of people were ahead of her, 7th year Slytherins to be precise. Hermione held in a groan and prepared to walk past them but Pansy shot out an arm, pushing her back as the Slytherins chuckled in anticipation.

"What's wrong Mudblood? Your Prince charming find out you were a frog?"

It was Pansy who had spoken. Hermione slowly looked to the girl with anger as Pansy herself shot out a superior smirk. She spoke harshlylishlishing as Hermione looked so utter lost and weak.

"I told Potter and the Weasel and of course the Slytherin common room of your undying affections for a certain enigmatic Professor." Pansy sneered as the group behind her laughed. "They were so disgusted they couldn't even finish their dinners."

More chuckling, Hermione felt her face flushing. Why can't they all just go away?. She was growing scared, worried and humiliated. She wanted nothing more than to be left alone to cry herself to sleep in her rooms. Severus was ripped from her, wasn't that enough?

But Pansy fed on weakness, and now in a single moment the brain of Hogwarts was at her mercy. A much too inticing opportunity to pass up.

"Where are your friends now, Granger?" Draco sneered, his nose wrinkling in disgust as he looked the hated girl whose marks were always better than his own.

Pansy answered for him, her hands on her hips and a small grin curved on her blood-red lips. "They're ashamed to be seen with her."

Hermione felt hot, piping tears starting at thck ock of her eyes, pricking them as the lump in her throat grew larger. She shook her head with dark eyes downcast. No.

"They're disgusted that you're even part of their house."

Hermione felt herself growing weaker, their words doing more than physical jabs ever could. Again she shook her head, and as if she had said the words herself a voice rang out be her her.

"That's not true."

Rapid footstep were suddenly heard from behind Hermione, accompanying the familiar voice. She looked over her shoulder and felt her heart rising.

Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville and about half of the 7th year Gryffindor were marching down the hall, looking at the large group of Slytherins with disdain.

Harry rushed over to Hermione, grasping her in a hug that she returned with desperate thanks and glared at the vindictive Miss Parkinson.

"We're lucky to have Hermione in Gryffindor. She's brilliant...more than any of you lot could ever hope to accomplish. While she's making millions of galleons at her job, you'll be washing toilets for knuts."

"You Slytherins are disgusting." Ron threw in before Pansy could speak, spitting at Malfoy and smiling as a large gob of it landed on the fair boy's cloak. His light eyes sparkled angrily as he sneered.

"You're going to regret that Weasel." he growled. "This cloak costs more than you entire families yearly salary."

Ron snarled preparing to go forward as Neville held him back while the Slytherins laughed, pointing at the spectacle. Even Draco's face broke out into a grin, what a bloody joke.

Harry began guiding Hermione out of the circle as she heard the hisses and boos erupting from the Slytherin's. She didn't care. She just wanted to leave.

"You're not angry that I didn't tell you about Snape?" she said weakly, looking to the mature Harry that stood beside her, holding her, comforting her as only a close a friend could.

"Course not 'Mione." he said, wiping the stray tear that had slipped down her cheek. "Ron and I were just surprised is all. We thought you were mad at us."

Hermione nodded, looking around to the Gryffindor's that welcomed her back from holiday's, telling her how much she meant to them. How much sas mas missed. Perhaps there was hope for her after all.

"How did all of you ever find me?" she asked in disbelief. Ron walked alongside her as well with Ginny in close pursuit. He ran a hand through his hair and shot a small grin at her.

"Marauder��s Map. We saw the crowd of them surrounding you and decided to act."

Hermione nodded, understanding completely. She was about to offer a solemn 'thank you' to her sweet friends when she heard Pansy's screeching voice calt het her name. She tensed and turned slowly, looking into the face of pure unadulterated hatred.

"He was only using you, you know that." she shouted, her eyes shining with angry tears. "How could he ever love a Mudblood like you?"

Hermione looked at the girl with pity, seeing the various Slytherins walking away disinterested, leaving Pansy alone and shaking with fury. Hermione walked towards her, seeing as the girl straightened up, looking at Hermione with eyes alight with hidden fury.

"I'm sorry you're so bitter about everything Pansy." Hermione offered with a small shrug as the girl looked to her confused. "Hopefully you'll find someone to love," she paused, "Like I did."

She was about to turn when she heard Pansy's overconfident laugh. "Yeah, but yours was over pretty damn quick once I told him the truth. Not that he didn't deserve it. Get over it Granger, only some old, greasy git could ever want you in-."

She had barely gotten the word "you" out of her ugly, twisted mouth before Hermione had whirled around and in one fluid motion connected her already fist with Pansy' jutting jaw, sending the girl flying backward into some lingering Slytherin kin.

That was when all hell broke loose.

* * *
"Bloody moron." Snape muttered, pushing away the bottle of wine that had been at his elbow all evening. He had intended to open it, get sloshed and be done with it, but something stopped him. The pain was too much to be dimmed with alcohol.

The office was cold, barely any light coming in. It was well past four, and he assumed that dinner had already finished. He wondered if Hermione had gone to dinner.

Albus had been in to see him earlier that afternoon, blue eyes a dark blue of anger missing their usual merry twinkle.

"Are you a bloody imbecile?" he had started before Snape could even make a move to speak.

"Do you have any idea what you've done? The rumors this has caused? Do you want to be ruddy well fired?"
Snape had been taken aback at Dumbledore's harsh speech. He assumed Pansy would have started the rumors. Little wench. Albus saw as the younger man before him gave a spiritless shrug and looked away.

Albus had seen the brighter side of Severus these days prior, no sneers or snide comments. No eye rolling or patronizing. All because one young girl dared enough to love him. Only to have it all blow up in their faces
.
"I'll be by again tomorrow lad." he said shakily, making his way to the door. "We can have a talk then."

Severus watched the older man shakily make his way to the door and shut it behind him softly. Pity had taken over Severus then, he shouldn't have dragged the Albus' name along with his through the mud. Albus was the one person he could depend on when he had escaped from the dark side and this is how he repaid his kindness?

He imagined there would be many angry owls sent from concerned parents over the amorous advances of a Professor to a student. An ex Deatheater of all people.

Now his dark cloak was off and he sat slumped in his armchair, looking at the wall of his office with boredom. He should be marking. He should be doing something productive. But he wasn't. He was brooding over her.

How had she gotten to him so quickly? Had he just been so blind to it before? Had he cared for her so long? No...
He pictured her face, her soft lips, her laugh...her hands tracing along his stomach as he groaned, his hips shifting as he thought of her. She was still driving him mad even when far from him.

Only a bet could ever get a creature like that to look at you twice, you ugly, greasy g-

Suddenly a knock sounded at his door breaking him of his destroying thoughts and Minerva's traditional pointed hat came before her pointed face.

"Severus." she stated, closing the office door behind her and walking to him. She sat in the chair in front of his desk, eyeing the still closed bottle of wine.

"What do you want?" he snarled, shooting daggers as she primly sat across from him.

"You don't have to be so rude."

Snape eyes glimmered, "Oh I beg your pardon. You must have had a rough day. Were you caught in the middle of an affair with one of your students to find out it was all because you were theect ect of a bet?"

Her eyes were staring at him, but she did not speak. He continued, furious at her comment.

"No? Well then, were you perhaps berated by the Headmaster? Did he lose all the respect he had once given you?"

Silence.

"No? Then surely, you must have lost the only person you could ever consider spending time with only to find it was because of a joke. Because that Minerva, woue the the only reason I would ever be civil to you at the moment in time."

His arms crossed over his chest as he sulked, looking to her and daring her to speak. The Head of Gryffindor did so, without the usual tact she had gained through her years as a Professor.

"I don't know why you love your own company so much Severus Snape." she said stiffly. "You're the rudest most irritating man I have ever come across, and Hermione Granger is a fool for loving you."

His eyes widened a bit, obviously taken aback. Love? His hooded orbs quickly resumed their normal size and he shook his head, he didn't need to hear such idiotic speeches.

"If she loved me Minerva, she wouldn't have lied to me...Besides," he went on, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't care for her at all. She was simply a pleasant distraction from these dull dungeons and it's never welcome visitors."
Minerva sighed, the insult stinging but she knew he was only acting on defenses, that's how he always was. Never letting anyone in, always pushing away. Now someone had burrowed herself in, entranced him and he had grown to have true affection towards her. Her lie hadn a n a slap in the face.

"That's not true Severus. I think you care for her quite deeply. You've been like a different person these past few days." her large eyes were watery, looking to the younger man intensely. He drew his eyes from the floor to meet her own and a familiar sneer that had been missing the past few days came back with vigor.

"I think anyone would be in a good mood if their evenings were occupied with...certain activities, don't you? I mean Albus and you..." he trailed off, a smirk on his sinister face.

McGonagall blushed angrily, how dare he? Her hands were clenched as were her teeth and she tried to remain aloof. She had to get through to him. The git.

"Talk things over with her. Perhaps there's a different side."

"No."

Minerva grew exasperated, giving a small sigh out her thinly parted lips. "And why's that?"

"She betrayed me." he said coldly, his dark eyes fixed upon Minerva's face. McGonagall looked to him a moment, chosing her words carefully. When she spoke them she had an air of wisdom that Severus had obviously overlooked.
"Well if you never cared for her in the first place Severus, why does it matter?"

He was about to speak again, his dark eyes flashing when the unmistakable sounds of a brawlan san sounding into his office.

He and McGonagall shot a look of understood priorities and stood, rushing from his office and into the hall where they followed the sounds of shrieking like cats. They could see as several students rounded the corner, wanting to see what all the noise was about.

In the middle of the chanting circle Hermione's lower lip was swelling, her hands shaking as she kicked Pansy harshly in the side, knocking the girl off her feet and sending her toppling to the ground. Pansy howled looking to Hermione with hatred.

"YOU BITCH!"

Snape and McGonagall moments later rushed into the hallway just in time to view as Hermione Granger gave a resounding punch into Pansy Parkinson's nose.

Blood spurted about as Pansy's eyes widened and she howled. Hermione was breathless, and had a small cut on the side of her face. Pansy was positively purple and screamed as her classmates cheered her on.

Pansy fell to the floor holding her nose and screaming at the top of her lungs. "YOU MUDBLOOD! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

McGonagall and Snape were dismissing students, pushing them out of the way and telling them to get back to their houses. Threatening of points seemed most effective, as did detentions with Filch.

"Where are their wands?" McGonagall managed to choke out as Neville rushed over, looking twitchy and shaky as he looked to Snape.

"I have them Ma'am." he said softhis his round cheeks flushed as he handed them to her and she put them in the pocket of her robes. "They both dropped them when they started fighting."

Pansy charged at Hermione, grasping her by her long hair and trying to swing her. Hermione squealed, scratching at Pansy's hands until she had no choice but to let go.

"Miss Granger! Miss Parkinson! Stop this instant or you'll both be expelled!"

McGonagall's threats were lost as Hermione overpowered her speech with her frantic screaming, lunging at Pansy and punching the girl��s stomach into oblivion.

She sat atop the girl��s abdomen, holding her down and punching. Finally she stopped, pushing the stray hair out of her eyes and looking down at Pansy with passionate intensity. The girl's face was red and splotchy from the lack of oxygen and her words came out halted under Hermione's weight on her chest.

"Get. Off. Me. M-Mudblood."

Hermione shot Pansy one small sneer and obviously not noticing the Professors behind her, she raised a fist in the air preparing to ram it right into Pansy's teeth.

Suddenly a familiar scent of sandalwood descended upon her as a grip snaked around her wrist, holding her fist in the air to prevent her from smashing it into Pansy's purple face.

She looked to the teachers behind her with an unreadable expression as Pansy shouted for Hermione to get off of her. McGonagall stood looking at Hermione in disbeli

"You punch her one more time, and I'm afraid you'll have to be expelled Miss Granger." McGonagall said, her mouth in an O of surprise. In all her life, she never would have expected Hermione Granger to be that vicious a fighter.
Although she did recall the one instance when Hermione punched Draco Malfoy clear across the jaw. At this moment, deep down Minerva almost wished Hermione would punch Pansy just once more.

The hand that held itself around Hermi's w's wrist still drew her to a standing position as Pansy crawled off, away from the dizzy Hermione.

Hermione didn't notice though, she was staring into the bottomless eyes of Severus Snape, and it was taking all of her strength not to cry. Finally he spoke.

"Detention with Filch tonight Miss Granger. Seven o'clock sharp."

Hermione didn't answer at first, opting wiping the blood that began trickling from the side of her mouth where Pansy had scratched with her free hand. Finally she drew her courageous eyes up to the man she was so deeply in love with it pained her to drag her wrist from his grip.

"Yes sir."

* * *

"Pansy��s got detention too, with Professor Flitwick." Harry said a while later in his chambers as Ron and he sat on the edge of the bed. Hermione lay on Harry��s bed as he held a small bag of ice over her cut forehead. Hermione groaned as the icy touch invaded it.

"Ouch�Kshe got off easy then."

"Oh I don��t know." Ron said munching thoughtfully on some candy he had obtained from some house elves. "He can be pretty nasty when it comes to violence. I hear he was always being picked on in school."

"Here." Harry said, placing some lotion over her head and massaging it over the wounds delicately. "I stole this from Snape��s storage when he was taking points off everybody."

Hermione nodded, almost feeling herself becoming healed. "Thanks Harry."

"No problem."

Hermione��s head still lay on the pillow and she closed her eyes to prevent the tears from spilling out. Harry looked to her in concern, brushing her cheek gently with his hand. "What��s the matter?"

"I shouldn��t have started it." Hermione said lowly, not daring to open her eyes again. Harry shook his head, wiping the hair from Hermione��s face.

"You may have punched her ��Mione." Harry said grinning then. "And very thoroughly might I add."
Hermione snickered, pushing him playfully, his tone turned serious though as he pressed a cloth to her forehead now. "But you didn��t start it. Pansy did from the start."

"Yeah, you can��t help it if she��s a terrible fighter." Ron chimed in. The three of them laughed loudly, replaying Pansy��s face as she had fallen to the ground in shock after Hermione had punched her the first time.

"I��d give anything to see her face again." Ron said wistfully a smile on his freckled face.
Harry shrugged, "Just go to the Pensieve."

"And risk running into Sna-" he stopped mid sentence. His eyes dropping to the ground from Hermione��s face. "Sorry."

"Don��t worry Ron." She said kindly, patting his leg from where she lay. "I��m not going to delude myself into thinking theirs a chance."

"But�K" Harry hesitated. He never much cared for Snape, but seeing his friend in such a state was driving him mad. She deserved someone better, but she really seemed to care for Snape. "Isn��t there?"

Hermione smiled sadly with tears no longer in her eyes. She shook her head, patting her slowly healing forehead and wincing as she spoke.

"No Harry, I��m afraid our relationship is quite over."

* * *

He paced the Potions classroom for the millionth time that night grumbling and muttering to himself as he flung empty bottles over his shoulder as he dug around in his shelves.

I was sure I had that ��wound healing�� mixture right here. he frowned, tapping his chin absently and thinking over who could have pilfered it. McGonagall had asked hi for it and he was angry that he would have nothing to produce. He didn��t really understand why she needed it, but he assumed it was to aid Hermione that in itself driving him into urgency of retrieving the lost concoction.

Suddenly a knock sounded at the door breaking his thoughts. He sighed angrily did didn��t bother to turn around, instead opting to root around further in his shelving and shouted over his shoulder irritably at the offending party outside his door.

"Enter."

The door creaked opened slowly and shut at just the same pace. Footsteps were fast and quiet as they neared him and he didn��t feel the need to turn around until he heard a small voice sound out a few feet away.

"Profes"
"

He whirled around, looking to Hermione in shock but trying to keep his face neutral. "What are you doing here?"

Hermione looked uneasy and he saw that she looked as normal as before. No swollen lips, no cuts or gashes. She twisted her fingers together, not able to meet his eyes. "Professor McGonagall told me that Filch is absent and informed me tI waI was to come to your classroom."

Snape��s eyes narrowed and he knew she was telling the truth. God knows she didn��t want to be here any more than he did. She was tense, and angry he could tell. Not that she deserved to be. Suddenly his eyes shot to her dimly.

"You say McGonagall asked you to come here?"

Hermione looked up, nodding. "Yes."

It suddenly came together as Snape sprang for the closed door just in time to hear a click from the other side as several s wes were being put on his door.

"Stay out of this you meddling crow!" he shouted furiously, pounding on the door as Hermione looked to him in shock from a few feet away. Suddenly Minerva��s muffled voice sounded out from the other side of the door.

"I am not letting either of you out until you have talked things out."

Hermione was now at Snape��s side, looking angrily at the door as if it were McGonagall. "Professor." She said grimly, "This is highly unorthodox. Professor Snape and I have nothing further to discuss."

"But you do child. I��ll come back in a bit to see how you two have progressed."

Hermione rolled her eyes, looking to Snape with fury as she heard Minerva's disappearing footsteps.
"What are you waiting for? Just use your wand."

He frowned, arms crossed and teeth clenched as he admitted his faux pas. "I don��t have it. I left if in my office as McGonagall rushed me to my classroom to retrieve a potion." There was a small pause. "Why don��t you use yours?"

Hermione looked askew then, feeling most uncomfortable and looked to him, her eyes wide. "I dropped it in the fight."

Snape��s eyes dimmed as he growled. "Longbottom."

Hermione sighed darkly, walking to a nearby stool and collapsing into it. She sighed, her head heavy. She felt the intense build of tension in the room almost suffocating her.

Snape retired to a stool nearby as well. He sat across the room from her, glaring at her as he did.
She looked up from her daydreaming and caught sight of his intense glowering. She sat up straight and shot him a sneer much like his own.

"Oh just stop it already. Its bad enough having to be stuck in here with you, you��re glaring isn��t helping."
Snape looked to her surprised, he hadn��t expected such hostility from a woman who had clearly betrayed him. He stood and went over the cauldron that he had been working on when she had interuppted him beforehand.

Minutes passed before Hermione, curious as usual came over to him, peering over his shoulder and then finally speaking to him. "What are you working on?"

He didn't answer her, instead busying himself with cutting up roots and tossing them in, making it quite obvious he was ignoring her. Hermione looked to the opened page of his potion book on the nearby table and scanned it eag.
.

"Do you want some help?"

He hadn't been expecting that. He didn't know whether to be cross with her or amused. He looked over his shoulder to her and saw as she stood eagerly waiting for his reply, and he recalled why had had been so drawn to her. She so so intent on learning, so eager to expand her mind.

In turn he looked her over and then shrugged. "If its your prerogative."

Hermione nodded, grasping a small vial and moving closer to him. He felt her small frame next to his and he mentally prepared himself. He felt himself growing flushed as he watched her slip in three small drops of dragon's blood.

They worked on a while, Hermione handing him ingredients and he placing them in, asking for her help on occasion and telling her to write small notes in the margins of his book. Hermione did so eagerly, asking him about his ideas and he finally was becoming civil.

A while later he looked to his book and back to her as she stood near the cauldron, her hair damp around the edges from the steam.

"It needs an hour to simmer."

They both sat down on either side of the table, neither making a move to speak. He watched as she rested her head on her arms on the table, and he resisted the urge to stroke that head of hers against all better reason. After all, she had wronged him.

She didn't see as Snape parted his mouth to speak, her head was pulled up by her when they heard as McGonagall came down the hall and rapped upon the door.

"Severus? Hermione? How are you two coming along?"

"Fine." Snape said surly, looking to Hermione and instructing her with his eyes to follow his lead. "Miss Granger and I have had the most interesting of developments."

There was a moment of silence.

"You're a bad liar Severus."

With that she left them, her shoes tapping away at the stone floor as she headed to Albus' office to inform him of the developments. It had been his idea after all.

Snape let out an anguish cry and slammed his fist against the door. Hermione sat by the simmering potion.

His lips were in a thin line and she tried not to look at him when she spoke, and she did rather shakily.

"Severus?"

She felt hyes yes on her, and she knew she had to come out and say it, no matter how much it hurt her pride. He was waiting, eyes narrowed and emotions hidden.

"I'm sorry."

There was a loud sigh from him. The atmosphere was much changed from when she had first been thrust into his classroom. Still, the bitterness remained.

"No need." he said dismissively waving a hand in her direction. ��We were both using each other to pass the lonesome holidays. I wouldn't read too much into it."

Hermione drew her eyes to meet his, her lips trembling. "You don't mean that." it was a question more than a statement. He looked to her puzzled and then defensive.

"I do."

Hermione felt her anger boiling again, worse than it had been with Pansy and her Slythein lot in the hallway.

She jumped up from her stool and strode over to him where he sat sneering at her curiously. Finally tears fell from her face and he stared at her in awe. She felt her pride shattered, all prior walls gone. was was left, emotionally bare and all he could do was stare at her.

Finally she felt her jaw clench and in a sudden movement that she barely realized herself, she slapped his soundly across his pale cheek.

It made a loud hollow smacking sound and he jumped from his stool, pushing her against the wall with his hands on her shoulders.

"I can't believe the things you said." she shouted as he growled, looking at her venomously. How she ever could have mistaken those dark coal like stones for passion filled was beyond her. His words were low, still silky but laced with disdain.

"Don't you dare hit me again you silly-"

Hermione stopped him with a shake of her head, and tried to pull from his grasp, but he held tightly to her. "We've been through this mundane idiocy enough. I am not a silly little girl. You are not a greasy git. We are two people in love and you're stopping it because I made a mistake!"

He backed up a bit, his hands dropping from his shoulders as he emphatically threw them up in the air as he yelled at her.

"I'm stopping it? I'm the one stopping it?! I don't believe I was the one that made a bet and signed a contract no less about when I'd shag you!"

Hermioe blushed. "If you must know I tore up the contract before we even...made love." the words were harsh and with clarity. "I made love to you...because I wanted to."

She turned around and made her way to the steps leading to his office door, her shoulders shaking as dropped clumsily to a seating positiong upon the stairs. He looked to her in shock. He hadn't expected that. He remembered Pansy had told him Hermione had torn up the contract...the little wench just hadn't informed him of when she had done so.

Hermione went on crying softly until she felt his warm presence accross from her. She wiped her eyes and looked over her fingers at him. He was sitting and peering into her face with dark eyes glittering. He spoke softly and slowly.

"Were you lying?"

"Excuse me?"

He cleared his throat, "About wanting to...sleep with me. Were you lying?"

Hermione's chest swelled, and she swallowed roughly. "I'd never lie about something like that."

Snape nodded, shuffling a little closer. Hermione's heart jumped as she did the same. They were inches away and she shivered as Snape brushed a lone tear from her cheek with the back of his forefinger.

"I don't know what to say." he offered honestly. Hermione smiled softly, leaning forward and preparing to place a loving kiss on his welcoming lips.

"I almost lost you." His sorrowful words were muffled as his kiss deepened, their mouths almost becoming one in the process. Suddenly he moved back, pensive and she felt her hope crumbling.

Did you really think it would be that easy Hermione?

"I have to tell you something first." he said with a grimace, and Hermione tensed beside him. He blushed a bit and she wondered what could cause such emotio

He's going to tell me that he's slept with Pansy...or that he's going to die in six months...or that he's in love with Albus...

"I think its crucial you know that�Ka while ago..." he halted, his breath in his throat. "That�KI�Kwell, I snuck into your Head Girl��s room and well...hid under your bed until you fell asleep."

Hermione��s mouth gaped open as she looked to him in disbelief and a laugh escaped her. Was that all? The rigid Professor sneaking into chamchambers to spy on her? She put on a solemn tone, looking to him bemused.

I never would have expected that from you.

"And just why did you feel the dire need to do that Severus?"

He ran a nervous hand through his hair, "Well you see the door was open. I was checking that nothing was stolen. I was in the middle of your room when you started coming in and I panicked and hid under your bed."

Hermione had started coming closer to him, eyes laughing along with her lips. She stopped in front of him and looked up to him with a surprisingly interested look in her dark eyes. "And�Kdid you hear anything?"

Snape gulped and looked away shrugging, Hermione instantly knew he had. Well, better that he did anyway. Her hand slowly slid to his clothed torso, tracing small circles on its flat surface.

"Why me Hermione?" he asked, pulling from her a bit, feeling those familiar feelings prickling him all over. He had one questiont net needed to be answered.

"Why did you pick me of all people?"

Hermione blushed, shrugging. "I was drawn to your mystery I suppose at first. And when I knew what was under that, I was drawn more to your intelligence, then I kept uncovering more and more of you that I wanted to know more of... Then somewhere along the way I fell in love with you."

"Love?" he said in a impossible deep voice. "You're quite young to be talking of such a thing."

"You don't have to be old to know what love is Severus."

Snape pondered this a moment, nodding and moving closer, slowly. "I suppose your right. But...how do you know?"

She giggled, "What? You mean how do I know I love you?"

He nodded, seeming as if he was taking in research for a project of his. She shrugged, trying to put her emotions into words and finding it quite impossible. Still as he sat there across from her, waiting for a reply she answered the only way she knew how. Truthfully.

"I just...know."

He nodded, not speaking a moment but looking thoughtful. Hermione knew this relationship woingoing to take a lot of time to heal and develop, Snape was proving to be very sensitive. He quickly kissed her forehead, muttering something under his breath as he did so.

"Sorry?" she said looking to him in question. He blushed and looked to her solemnly. His voice dropped to a whispered mutter.

"I said..." he drawled embarassed, "Iloveyou." ermiermione's face broke out into a smile, "Why Severus Snape you love me? But how do you know?"

"I just do." he growled as he leaned against her, cupping her cheek with one hand and brushing his lips against her own. Her eyes fell closed and she felt tingles shooting down her while his tongue slowly licked her bottom lip. Shivering she leaned further into the kiss feeling as Snape's tongue probed further into her mouth and his lips crushed hers.

His hands were around her waist, drawing her to him and they were becoming heated in the moment. His hands squeezed her breasts as if he had missed their shape. His fingertips circling the nipple that called out to his lips, lips that found them through the fabric as she moaned and writhed underneath him.

He held Hermione's wrists on either side of her, making her almost paralyzed as he moved her skirt up with his hips, revealing a very eager young woman. His hooded eyes revealed the lust in them and his grip on Hermione's shoulders was quickly drawn to more inviting places. She moaned as she felt him below her, kissing her inner thighs as fingers moved up. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she groped around for the zipper of his trousers.

"Wait." He stood suddenly, looking to the aroused Hermione with a small smirk. "I have to do something first."

Hermione sighed good-naturedly, and turned on her side as he rushed off. If someone had told her she was going to be going at it a second time with Severus Snape she would have hit them with a spell and had them carted off to St. Mungos. But now, as she lay waiting for his return to her she could imagine nothing else.

"I'm glad McGonagall stuck us in here." Hermione said off handedly to him. Snape didn't answer and so she turned to see what he was doing. He had removed his cloak was was stalking towards her, speaking in slow languid tones.

"I was just locking the door on our side. I'd rather we weren't disturbed when Minerva comes for another check up."

Hermione giggled nervously as Snape moved closer. His eyes drank in Hermione's delightedly pink face as dropped beside her and pressed his lips to her own, deeply kissing her passionately and then moved to her ear, whispering into it playfully.

"Severus," she said absently fingering the buttons on his cloak as she listened to his proposal. "We couldn't possibly make love all night."

Snape smirked, giving her a delicious eyebrow raise before speaking silkily once more into her ear.

"Would you care to bet on that?"

____________________________

authors notes: Well well well...must say I didn't mind that ending at all. Yes, obviously that damned sappy part of me won over the cynical side (as usual). A happy ending is most enjoyable... *maniacal laughter ensues for no reason* oh my...been writing much too long. hope you enjoyed it. cheers. holden.

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an overwhelming desire to win...