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Broken Dreams	By : onecelestialbeing Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 34540 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I make no money from this story, own nothing of Harry Potter, haven't met any of the people (except Alan Rickman and sadly that was brief)

Chapter List
- 26
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- 28
A/N: If you love me, or like me, or want a cookie, please send me e-hugs, because I am so sad that this is it! Well, besides the epilogue. *cries into pillow*. All right, I'll save all of my theatrics for the next chapter, BUT might I just say that all of my readers, you lot are awesome. I mean, truly awesome.

Mid-August approached more rapidly than Hermione anticipated. She had enjoyed her summer holiday but was eager to get her classroom ready for her students. In the back of her mind, Hermione still wondered about her relationship with Severus, and how the Hogwarts staff would react if or when they found out. Severus was annoyingly dismissive when she bantered on to him about her apprehension, and Hermione realized that the only thing left to do was wait and see how everything would play out.

The first day she returned to Hogwarts proved to be uneventful. By use of wand, she rearranged everything in the Potions classroom, organizing everything to her satisfaction. The next task had been to tackle the office that Slughorn used, and Hermione fussed under her breath as she cleaned out the desk, withdrawing small, empty flasks of Ogden's or brandy, along with what seemed like a three-year supply of discarded sweets wrappers.

Hermione didn't even attempt to bite back the loud, rarely heard swears the erupted from her mouth when she came across something that looked like fuzzy, decayed flobberworm, only calming down when she realized that it was a partial core of a long abandoned apple. Using her wand to levitate the repulsive object and send it to the rubbish bin, Hermione used more caution as she continued sorting through the desk before moving onto the closet, fervently hoping that she wouldn't run across any more furry surprises.

**

"Are you nearly finished?" Severus asked an hour later when he came to the Potions classroom to collect Hermione. Raising an eyebrow when the annoyed as well as disheveled looking witch popped her head out of the small closet that she had been rearranging to use for storing ingredients, Severus rigidly stood by the desk, waiting for Hermione to spout whatever it was that was obviously plaguing her.

"I am so very thrilled that Slughorn is gone!" she muttered darkly, blowing back a frizzy strand of hair that had flopped down over her forehead and tickled her nose. "For someone that took obvious pride in his appearance, not to mention those shiny little hats and fancy robes, the man was without a doubt slovenly! I found a decrepit apple core that was probably here since I started school at age eleven! Go look, I used my wand to chuck it in the bin," Hermione fumed, another strand of hair uncurling from her messy bun as she jabbed her wand in the direction of the bin, then huffing angrily and stalking over to Severus.

The dark wizard lowered his head, appraising his petite, irritated witch with something of wry amusement. "As delightful as that sounds, I think I can do without the visible proof," he drawled, extending one pale, long fingered hand to push back the straying curls out of Hermione's face. "You were his apprentice for two years and never noticed the man's peculiar habits when it came to cleanliness?"

"Well...sort of," Hermione admitted, furrowing her brow and thinking back. "But I was so busy with doing his work as well as my own that I barely noticed anything else. Although, I always had to make room on his desk whenever it was time to correct exams. I would usually end up Transfiguring my own desk and chair and staking out a corner when the occasion arose."

"You could have always used the old Potions classroom in the dungeon," Severus suggested, "I did give you the option, remember?"

"Yes, I remember," Hermione snapped, her face slightly pinching into a frown. "I also remember how we nearly froze to death down there, our eyes burning from straining to see in the dark."

"Hmm, I do believe this is the first time that I've heard a complaint about my old post," the professor mused, his lips pressed into a thin smile.

"That's because you would have taken points until every house but Slytherin was in the negative, and then doled out detentions, making sure that they were served in aforementioned frigid dungeon." Hermione stared back at Severus, shaking her head at the sadistic leer on his face. "I had a feeling you would enjoy that. You really do have a twisted streak, did you know that?"

"Even if you're late, one thing is for sure, you always arrive eventually," Severus coolly replied, his black eyes surveying the bright, tidy classroom. "What, no paintings of unicorns on the wall?"

"These classes are daunting enough as it is," Hermione shot back. "At the very least I can make the student's surroundings seem somewhat more accommodating."

"If you try that and it works, by all means, there's no need to share."

Hermione glared at Severus, poking him in his black suit clad chest with her finger. "You're all buttoned up again, shame. I rather fancied the sight of you wearing next to nothing."

Severus closed his eyes and shook his head, as if he was remembering something savory yet also painful. "At least wait until we go somewhere a bit more private before giving me ideas," he replied after a minute. Hermione merely smirked in response, walking over to the sink in the corner to wash the dust off her hands. Using her wand to Accio her handbag, she walked behind Severus out into the corridor, flicking her wand at the classroom door, the soft snick of the lock quietly echoing behind them.

"I still say that the rest of the staff is going to be curious when they see us talking to one another without a tone of denigration," Hermione chuckled as she cantered alongside Severus.

"What a fascinating notion. Perhaps I'll refer to you as Professor Know-It-All."

Hermione heaved a sigh, shaking her head. No sooner than she shut her mouth, the two happened across a happily chattering McGonagall and Pomfrey, McGonagall's usual towering, pointy black hat nowhere to be found, and Pomfrey looking a bit odd clad in robes that were a deep navy instead of the usual red with a white smock on top.

Fighting the urge to smack herself when Hermione thought that she had talked the situation up, she politely greeted the two older witches, hoping that they would continue on their way. Severus curtly greeted his colleagues just like he would on any other day of the year, before making his excuses and continuing on.

Hermione was on the brink of exhaling in relief, thinking that she was safe when neither McGonagall nor Pomfrey exchanged knowing looks or the like, when McGonagall called out Hermione's name, making her and Severus stop and turn around.

"Yes?"

"We just wanted to tell you thank you. Pomfrey was worried that we would have to start slipping Severus a Laugh-inducing Potion each morning when term began, just to make him bearable. But it looks as if there is no longer the need for such drastic measures."

McGonagall kept a straight face the entire time, but Pomfrey was the one whose face betrayed her amusement, the corners of her eyes crinkling up with suppressed laughter. Severus shot the two one of his typical sneers before stalking off down the corridor in a blur of black. Hermione bit down hard on her bottom lip, desperately fighting the urge to laugh as she found the entire situation completely hysterical. Silly, it now seemed, especially after all of her anxiety.

"Do you have your answer?" Severus snapped from the sofa once they were finally in his rooms in the dungeon. "Satisfied?"

"Severus, I'm sure they didn't mean any harm,” Hermione soothed, sitting down next to him and slipping her fingers into his hair. Rubbing little circles into his scalp, she watched as Severus' narrowed eyes slowly slid shut, his ire fizzling as he leaned further into her touch. I won't add that you were the one that kept telling me not to worry, she thought, knowing better than to say it out loud.

"Did you want to stay tonight in the castle or return to your home?" Severus asked a few minutes later, his features now relaxed when he turned his face towards Hermione.

"Here is fine," she replied, keeping her fingers moving against his head. "I've finally worked out the charm to keep Midnight's dish filled, so it's not as if we need to rush back to feed him."

"Your cat is cunning enough; I'm surprised he hasn't figured out a way to open the cupboard."

Hermione softly tittered, remembering how Midnight woke up Luna and Ginny when they'd spent the night at her house. "Well, he can't get it himself, but he definitely knows where it is. He pointed Ginny in the direction of the tins. I'm telling you, that kitten is too smart for his own good."

"And I am forever grateful that he's at your house, surely sinking those nasty little claws into your furniture and not mine."

"I left the telly on for him and he's probably watching cartoons, but who cares. Now get up."

Severus opened his eyes and looked evenly at Hermione when she ordered him to move, not even attempting to sugarcoat her request. Raising her eyebrows in impatience, she grabbed onto Severus' hand and tugged him up from the sofa.

"Is there any particular reason that you feel the need to lead me around as if I'm some dim-witted child?"

"Shush," Hermione replied, waiting for the bookcase passage in the sitting room to separate and allow them through. "I promise you won't complain in another five minutes or so."

Curious to see what Hermione had in mind, Severus found himself unable to protest when she led him into the bedroom, her little hand pressing him to lie flat on the neatly made dark blue counterpane. "Would it be too forward if I suggest removing my coat?" he asked when Hermione climbed up on the bed and straddled his thighs.

"If you can do it without stopping me, then by all means," she replied, engaged with undoing the placket on his trousers.

"What's gotten into you?" Severus chuckled, his fingers easily undoing the long row of round, jet buttons before inching up enough to slip the wool frock coat from his upper body. "Did casting one too many cleaning spells in your classroom rile you up?"

"No," Hermione sniped, satisfied when she had enough of Severus' lower body exposed before slipping her hands beneath her robes, pulling off her own knickers. "Well, I did have the time to think about each time you'd told me 'no' when we were in this bed at night, and I decided to changed that."

Severus had nothing more to say as Hermione's slim fingers began caressing and stroking him until he was fully erect in her hand. For the most part they were still fully dressed, yet that small fact did nothing to impede Hermione's intentions, as she rucked her dress up to her thighs and slowly lowered herself onto Severus, bracing herself against his chest and rocking her hips into his.

When the clothed contact of their bodies wasn't enough, the two parted long enough to completely remove everything. Satisfied when they were naked and pressed against one another on the duvet, Severus guided Hermione onto her hands and knees and wrapped one firm arm around her torso, pushing back into her.

The sensation of being taken from behind coupled with Severus moving his hand low enough to continually circle his fingertips around her clit was all it took to send Hermione over, her soft cries absorbed by the thick fabric beneath her face.

"Miss Granger, taking advantage of the headmaster?" he chided in a deep, satisfied when they had finished and were wrapped around one another on top of the duvet. "In the middle of the day, no less. I'm shocked."

"I told you that you wouldn't complain," Hermione cheekily replied, rubbing her lips against Severus' chest.

"Nor will I when we have a repeat performance in your chambers."

Hermione lifted her head, her curls brushing against Severus' bare shoulder as she amusedly looked at him. Severus didn't bother with opening his eyes as he reached out to pull Hermione back down to him, weaving his fingers through the back of her head and guiding it to his chest.

"Now who's being treated like a child?" Hermione pointed out, even as she yawned and yanked the duvet up to slip beneath it.

"You say that now, but when the term begins and you find yourself buried beneath a pile of exams and homework, you'll soon be wishing for a bit of reprieve."

"Notwithstanding everything else, but no wonder you were so surly."

Severus' fingers had been stroking the back of Hermione's necked when he paused at her words, resuming once she laughed and pushed herself up to kiss the side of his jaw.

"Surely you know I'm only teasing," she assured before briefly moving her mouth to his. "I love you just like this-surly, dark humor, and all. If you were to ever sweep in with a sunny disposition and grin worthy of a Cheshire cat, I would check to make sure that you hadn't been Confunded."

"I would expect nothing less," Severus dryly commented, shifting to his side and lowering his arm to Hermione's waist. "Now close your eyes."

"All right, I can take a hint," Hermione complied, falling silent and settling in a for quick nap.

**

When the school term began, Hermione realized that Severus was right-she was kept busy for most of her days, and relished the time set aside for her own leisurely activities, which for the most part still consisted of reading. Still, she enjoyed teaching and found that it was a much better experience doing so on her own terms.

If the rest of the staff knew about the relationship between the younger Potions professor and the headmaster, they either didn't allude to it or didn't care enough to do so. Professor Sunderland had returned to Hogwarts, his wide grin and windswept hair still in place, although for some reason he gave Hermione wide berth, only exchanging polite greetings with her in passing.

Hermione strongly suspected that Severus had something to do with the tenacious man's change of heart, but knew if she asked him about it, Severus would merely stare her down without answering her question. So she chuckled and let it alone, just thankful that she no longer had to dodge Sunderland's uncomfortable attention.

She still saw Ginny and Luna on the odd weekend at Hogsmeade whenever they were able to. Ginny was still happily with Draco, and enjoyed playing for the Holyhead Harpies. Luna was helping her father to run his magazine, The Quibbler, always bringing Hermione a few extra copies on each of her visits. She was still seeing Blaise, although Hermione didn't know what to make of their somewhat unconventional relationship, but Luna seemed to be pleased with it and that was all that mattered.

Hermione also saw Harry when he was able to get away from Auror duty for a minute. At first the visits only consisted of the two, until Harry told her that he'd snapped at Ron to get his head out of his arse, that they had all been best friends since childhood and he should grow up. When he finally came around, things were tense until the three began rehashing anecdotes about the trouble they used to get into, and that seemed to have broken the ice.

Before their visit was over with, Ron had pulled Hermione aside and apologized for the way he spoke to her and Ginny. Hermione told herself that she didn't know if things would ever go back to how they were before, but assured Ron that it was all water under the bridge. With Molly Weasley for a mother, Hermione knew that Ron was privy to her relationship with Severus, but the topic was never broached and she left it at that.

Remembering some of Severus' jealous tendencies, Hermione had wondered if she would have any trouble when it came time for her visits with her friends. Surprisingly enough, although it was clear that Severus would never be friendly enough with Harry or Ron to suggest that they get together for a pint, he still afforded the two a modicum of respect and kept all disparaging comments to himself.

One brisk Saturday afternoon, Hermione returned from Hogsmeade, bundled up in her cloak and rushing to step into the warmth of the castle. She didn't have to serve as an escort that day and had gone down to have a quick butterbeer with Ron and Harry. Having finished all of her work the day before, Hermione looked forward to curling up in her room with a book before sliding off to see Severus later on. She was halfway to her rooms when the overly-magnified and bauble encrusted Trelawney accosted her in the corridors.

Hermione had caught wind of one of the paintings of a knight laughing at her predicament, only to put down his visor and reposition himself into a rigid stance when she scowled at him.

"Your dark one, dear girl, you've found him, haven't you?" the eccentric witch trilled, swaying precariously close to Hermione, giving off the distinctive aroma of cooking sherry.

"What are you on about?" Hermione grimaced, wrinkling up her nose in distaste and trying to keep distance between them. Her efforts were for naught, as Trelawney's spindly hand shot out and clamped down on her shoulder, Hermione finding that her knobby fingers were stronger than they looked.

Slightly sinking beneath the added weight of the tipsy professor, Hermione held her breath, looking away and fervently wishing to not get high from the rebounding scent of sherry on her breath. She did, however, allow Trelawney to hold her in place, merely hoping that she would say whatever it was on her mind and let Hermione be on her merry way.

"Your dark wizard, girl, don't you remember? Haven't you been listening?!"

Trelawney's voice rose to a fever pitch, and the previously chortling knight in the painting near them hastily pressed his hands to his helmet-covered head, giving off a sound of metal crashing against metal.

Hermione's brown eyes had grown wide and she was seriously contemplating her best escape route when she heard a smooth voice behind her.

"Sybil, I do hope that our Potions professor isn't inconveniencing you," Severus told her, ignoring the fact that Trelawney still had her fingers clutched onto Hermione's shoulder.

"What? No, no!" she stammered, letting go of Hermione and retreating slightly. "I just...well..."

Obviously flustered, the batty woman scampered off in the opposite direction, leaving behind a flummoxed Hermione and a smirking Snape. The knight's portrait was now laughing uncontrollably, and he gave one silver thumbs-up to the headmaster, who merely responded with a curt head nod.

"Thank you," Hermione sighed as Severus began gently steering her throughout the castle. "I try to be patient with her, really, I do. But I was about to offer her a blank cheque if she promised to talk in the other direction; I'm surprised I'm not drunk from smelling all of that sherry on her breath."

"Her reason for buttonholing you today?"

"To tell me the same thing she's been telling me ever since I was apprenticing, that she sees me with a dark wizard and-" Hermione stopped short, her pink lips stretching into a wide grin as she laughed uproariously in the middle of the corridor. Severus merely stood by her, his black frock coat covered arms folded across his chest, an unfazed expression on his face as he watched Hermione convulse into fits of hysterical giggles.

"Are you through now?" he finally asked when Hermione went to lean against a wall to steady herself, gasping for air.

"Don't tell me-she's been talking about you this entire time, hasn't she?!"

Severus's lips quirked slightly, and he waited for Hermione to rejoin his side before they continued walking.

"I've been hearing about a curly-haired, pedantic witch even before you began your apprenticeship," he mentioned placidly. "At first when I heard curly hair, I hoped she hadn't meant herself, but I remember her once mentioning someone much younger than I. Also, not to downplay Sybil's...skills, but pedantic is hardly the word one instantly thinks of when she comes to mind."

Comprehension flooded Hermione's eyes, and she stared at Severus for a moment as if seeing him in new light. "Perhaps I ought to listen to Trelawney from now on," she mused.

"I'll be sure to have the cotton ready for your bleeding ears once you're through," Severus dryly added. "But if I catch you two sharing the same bottle of sherry, let me assure you that we are going to have a nice, long chat."

"Hmm, you have a point," Hermione cringed. "But she can keep her sherry. Now I was planning on reading for the rest of my afternoon, but a better idea comes to mind..." she trailed off suggestively as the two climbed a set of steps that would put them in the direction of her room.

"Five points to Gryffindor for successfully enticing the headmaster."

"You can only award points to students!" Hermione fussed. "I'd say you were a few years too late."

"Am I? Forgive me," Severus intoned, voice heavy with irony and neatly sidestepping Hermione when her arm swung out at his chest.

"Not to worry; I have several ideas for your acts of contrition," she smirked as they arrived at her suite, unlocking the door and turning to Severus, who was now perked up at the idea of what his penance held.
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Broken Dreams