CSI England

Hermione left, letting Ron deal with her. Leaving her office for the day she apparated to Malfoy Manor where Draco was surprised to see her. “Hermione, I take it you have some news for us.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her to the study where Severus was waiting.



“From the look on your face, can I assume you found something good?” He said rising and hugging her.



“Yes.” She sat down next to Severus and waited until Draco sat in the armchair across from them. “Vesna Izzanitch is in Ministry custody.”



Severus was shocked and Draco gave her a huge smile. “How did you manage that in about a day and a half?”



“I’m good.” She took a moment to admire the smiled from both client and legal counsel. “She looked into your financials at the ministry and got an estimate about how much money you have. She thought she could blackmail you into offering her money to change her story. She inserted a muggle contraceptive because if she had asked you about a potion it would have gone against a rape story.”



“How did she get access to my financials?” Severus asked her.



“She probably flirted with the clerk. He blushed at the sound of her name. It would have been easy to talk to him about anything and he would have handed her the Minister’s private journal.”



“What was she arrested for?’ Draco asked.



“Attempt to blackmail, and Falsification of Charges.” She may not get much, but it will be on record.”



“Thank you Hermione.” Draco told her, before being summoned by a house elf. “Excuse me for a moment.” He left them alone.



“Thank you.” Severus said, rising and walking to the bar. “I didn’t know it would end up like this. It was just supposed to be a quick shag, nothing more.”



“I thought you were beyond the quick shag, Severus.” She said rising and walking toward him to pour herself a drink.



“Yes well, sometimes the temptation of a thrill is hard to resist to one who has been deprived for some time.” He said avoiding her eyes. “Thank you for helping me Hermione. I do appreciate it.”



“Your welcome Severus.” She rested a hand on his arm and their eyes met. For a moment all she did was look at him. Neither breathed. They just stared. Hermione felt her temperature rise. It was a reaction she hadn’t felt for some time.



“Eh hem?” They sprang apart and looked over at Draco.



“Well, you can get in touch with me if you need anything. I’ll let you know if anything else comes up.” She said and hurried out of the room.



She didn’t slow down until she got to her house. As she went through the motions of dinner and getting ready for bed she thought abut her past relationship with Severus.



They had dated when she went through Auror training. It was challenging and demanding and the time she spent with him kept her from going insane. He was just as busy so the time they met was treasured by both.



Hermione would show up at Spinner’s End and they would have dinner, make love, and talk to each other. At rare occasions she spent the night and on a very rare occasion she spent the weekend. Some of her happiest times were with Severus in his cozy house.



He was understanding and respectful of her opinion, always ready to engage in any discussion. He taught her a lot and she could always go to him with anything. He was a man of confidence and intelligence and it hurt her terribly to end it with him, but it seemed necessary. They were going nowhere and Hermione wanted something more from him.



As she buttoned her pajamas and sat curled up in her armchair with a book. She wasn’t really reading it, just looking at the words. She was still thinking about Severus when a knock sounded on her door. She looked at the clock and then answered the door. It want too late but she looked through the eyehole anyway.



“Severus?’ She said when she opened the door and looked at him. “What are you doing here?” He didn’t say anything and just looked at her. “Please come in.”



“I thought we might talk.” He said.



“Of course, of course.” She said, offering him a seat. “Can I offer you a drink. It is still is Russian vodka isn’t it?” She asked, calling from the kitchen.



“Yes.” He called back waiting patiently in his seat. She came back a moment later and handed him a glass.



“So Severus, what’s on your mind?” She asked.



“I wanted to know why you helped me. You could have given the case to Potter or Weasley but you didn’t. Why?” He asked.



“Severus, I know you aren’t a rapist. There’s no way you could have done what she accused you of. It was only a matter of finding it.” She said. “Did you think for a moment I thought you were guilty?”



“I had hoped beyond anything that you believed me.” He said.



“I know you. I never once thought you were capable of this.” She said with all seriousness.



“And I can’t be more grateful to you.” He whispered.



She rose from her chair and walked over, holding out a hand. He took it and stood, accepting her hug. “Do you ever miss what we had?” He asked.



“Yes I do.” She told him, without hesitation. Severus was the one person she could always be honest with.



“Would you like to have dinner this weekend?” He asked looking down at her.



“Yes. I would.” She smiled and met his eyes. He lowered his lips and gave her a gentle kiss. It was the first time they had kissed this intimately since their split over two years ago. She lifted her lips and kissed him back.



His arms slid around her back and gave her a squeeze. Hermione felt her heart speed up. She always loved being in his arms, and she wanted more then anything to be there again. She lifted her arms fondling his arms and shoulders.



She let her head roll to the side and parted her lips. It was the only signal she ever needed to give him and he remembered it well. He slipped his tongue in her mouth and they dueled a familiar joust. She raised her hand and wove her fingers in his silky hair.



Severus fed her his moans. There was no way to hold them back, he never could with Hermione. He pulled her close and eagerly groped her body, reached down to give her ass a squeeze, before pulling away.



“It’s been so long.” He said kissing her forehead.



“May I ask you a personal question?” She said toying with his buttons.



“Anything.” He said running his hand up and down her back.



“Is that why you took her offer, because you were randy?” She tried to make a joke of it but she didn’t need to. Severus didn’t think it was too personal.



“I missed the contact. I missed you and haven’t wanted anyone since you, but I just missed the physical.” He looked away from her without letting go, even though he felt the shame of his admission. “I knew she wasn’t going to be anything like you, but she was something to be close to for a moment.”



She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him. “It’s all over with her now.” He returned her hug and lifted her from the floor and he kissed her neck. When he left that evening, there was a renewed respect between them.



Hermione had something to look forward to. Maybe things would be different with them? Maybe they had a second chance?







Two days later Hermione heard that Vesna was released from custody. She was given a fine to pay with her parents took care of. She was stripped of her aide regardless of whether or not she changed classes and her charges and fines would be considered public record. She didn’t have to inform anyone of what she had done but if anyone did a background check on her they would find out about it.



She sent the report to Draco who would in turn inform his client. She had spoken to Severus and they were going to have dinner on Saturday night. On Thursday her world came crashing down around her.



“Hermione, we have a problem.” Harry walked into her office and shut the door. “Vesna Izzanitch is dead. Her body was found behind an abandoned building in Knockturn Alley.”