Chapter 6
A/N- And lo, chapter 6 tries to get the plot ambling back in the general direction of Valentines!
WARNING!-THIS CHAPTER IS HOPELESLY ROMANTIC and without smut. I hope you can allow me this little indulgance. I know you're beginning to wonder how this all links to the challenge, and to be honest with you i guess it probably doesn't at the moment, but i beg you to remember that i'm writing for my own jollies here, and although i ADORE that other people are reading this, however i feel is going to be reflected in the chapters, so do try to forgive a certain lack of plot! I am truely sorry if I'm lacking direction, planning ahead is something I'm really having a problem with!
***Seva***
Our story so it it could be said, has been one of realization, dawning in increasingly improbable fashion upon a fantastically unlikely pair. However, they say that fact is stranger than fiction, and so the interwoven facts of fiction must therefore amount to something akin to strangeness squared. With this in mind we return to a certain young woman currently digesting the strangest facts of her life so far, and a rather older man, who, having had far more than his fair share of strange experiences, was still compelled to muse upon this one as by far the most unexpected.
For the second time that night, (although unbeknown to either the sun was beginning its ascent, so strictly speaking morning had broken) our tale being one of reoccurrences as well as realization, Hermione’s vision became blurred, as she began to cry, shivering as she cowered upon the flagstones. These were not silent, discreet tears being shed; rather the opening of a veritable floodgate of unbridled emotion as her body was racked with desperate sobbing.
Severus, a man considered by all, (even himself, for the majority of the time), to be devoid of emotion other than that of cruelty and sarcasm was torn from his own unpalatable thoughts by Hermione’s weeping with the distinct impression that his heart was being ripped out with a spoon. (Or similar blunt object, the metaphorical spoon is not actually imperative to the strength of the feeling he was experiencing.) In an instant he was on the floor beside her, his fingers lightly wiping away her tears as once more (you see, a tale of reoccurrences) his all encompassing robes surrounded her naked form as his lips lightly brushed her forehead. With a gentleness that astounded both parties he cupped her face in his hand, making it near impossible for Hermione to avoid his gaze, filled with the intensity of his concern.
Open mouth, allow out the words, any words. Come the fuck on Granger, stop crying you bloody great fool…Hermione’s inner monologue orated wildly, but the bleating gasps that she heard herself emitting were barely intelligible, let alone resembling an adequate explanation. However, upon her third or fourth attempt to articulate Severus began to make out the words. They tumbled out rapidly, Hermione pausing only to (mostly unsuccessfully) suppress further sobs.
‘Severus…I…was thinking about Harry and Ron and…of…things…and then I thought of…of…well of us, and…of you…’
The bastard in Severus began to emerge again as he panicked, thinking only of himself as visions of being called into Dumbleds ofs office and swiftly dismissed for molesting children, having to undergo a walk of shame in which students, standing at a safe distance so as not to become another of his victims threw rocks, shortly before being thrown into Azkaban…no, hung for his heinous crimes and grotesque abuse of a pupil’s trust flashed through his mind.
This train of thought was interrupted by a choked speech from Hermione, her eyes blazing with the fervor with which she struggled to control herself enough to expel these vital sentences.
‘ Harry and Ron are always…they always want to set me up with people…and…and now I won’t ever be able to tell them…to tell them that I’ve met the only man I want, and I’ll have to go through fucking Valentine’s day with everyone…f-feeling sorry for me, and their bloody hearts and…and flowers and their fucking idea of love…parading around with their fistfuls of fucking cards…But…but… Severus, Professor, Sir…Whatever you want…to be to me, to be with me…I…
I love you.’
Three words, and as many syllables. Severus knew he should think, knew he should be logical and professional and sensible, and that he could dismiss their…relations of the past few hours as lust fueled and senseless, but by uttering what he really felt he would be crossing an irreversible line from the physical into, well, no-mans land. Even Severus Snape’s worst enemy could not describe him as a weak man, but there was no way he was going to be strong enough to walk away. Sod it, he thought, pulling Hermione close against him and, as she still wept, gripping her hands so hard she was almost afraid, before speaking, in a voice barely more than a whisper.
‘I can’t even begin to explain what happened tonight, and it’s beyond me what power it was that brought you to me, but believe me when I say I have never been so sure of anything in my life as this. I’m in love with you Hermione.’
Inexplicably, and most unexpectedly, Hermione began to laugh. The tiniest of chuckles at first, but soon full-scale hysterics reverberated from the walls of the Potions professor’s rooms. This glee was soon joined by the least likely sound ever to grace the ears of a Hogwarts student. Severus began to laugh. This was not a sneering, cruel snigger, the only way in which Hermione could ever previously imagine him laughing, but a genuine, throw-your-head-back-and-laugh-’til-it-hurts expression of joy. It was the most beautiful sound Hermione had ever heard, and having had the exquisite pleasure of apprehending a fairly extensive range of beautiful sound, in various forms, that Severus was capable of producing, that really was saying something.
Through this jollity, as Hermione slumped, in mirthful convulsions against him, Severus’ occasionally evil, often twisted and constantly scheming mind mulled over her impassioned outburst. A plan, but not just any plan, a plan so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a weasel, began to form, as did yet another of the professor’s evilly salacious smirks.
‘My love, once again I must ask you to believe me when I assure that this Valentine’s Day will be one you will certainly never forget.’
A/N- I’m sorry to stop in the middle of the smut, but this is all building to plenty more, fear not darling readers. I did think it was kind of important, although obviously I prefer him as an evil, cane wielding S&M enthusiast, to show that Severus is capable of loving…awwww…. R&R sweethearts!
Thank you’s, love and anything else they so desire (that I’m at liberty to give) go to-
Deblovesdragon- Thank you! Brightening your day is what I aim for: D
Hawklaw- Heheh, *blushes* Well I hope so! Thank you!
XxPhoenixX- *sniggers throatily* so I presume from your cacophony of appreciative noises that was to your satisfaction? Harry and Ron really do have no shame, their ‘just in case’ was just in case Hermione ever found a man, as they desperately want to set her up! As for the diagrams and photographic aids…well I’m afraid your imagination is going to have to suffice for the moment m’dear! And yes, I’m quite certain this is my first time, as it were…
Deb- Mmmm…. Share eachother, I like the sound of that phrase! Very poetically put m’dear! I’m glad you’re glad! Thanks!
Snapeaholic- me too, oh how I wish I was in her position! (Many and varied in future I should imagine…) *drools on keyboard at the thought of even being in the same room as Severus! *
Spaz141- WOW, lemon art? That’s so kind! Thank you for your thanks!
Jo- *laughs in rather filthy manner* you really think it was fab? Awww…thank you my precious, and as you well know I do enjoy giving the Professor what he deserves. (And he atleast finds me rather more than ‘interesting…’) I think I might just send in the sexy vampire anyway, I’m certain you could find some use for him! As for the ‘alternative pleasures’ (hahaha, as that book puts it) of some very dirty S&M, at your impatient (and downright kinky) request…*grins and winks in a Gilderoy/Buddy Christ stylee* I believe there will be no shortage of it to come! XxXx
Fish- Mwahahahah, that was my mental image, mind you I know someone who actually did, makes it all the more funny in my mind! *Giggles* well, each to their own…Thank you so much for your review, I’m just glad you’re enjoying it!
Lizski- *Bows* awww thank you so much, you’re too kind! I hope my humour continues to appear and amuse you!
Intofire101- Questions! I likes questions! Ask away! The guidelines are…erm well as it happens I’ve lost the buggers for the moment, I’ll put them in as a chapter tho ASAP! I think the ‘how does it have anything to do with Valentines’ will be explained if you persevere, and as for the ‘who is in control’ question- well I’m glad you asked! As far as fucking is concerned Severus is in control, but you’re right as neither is actually controlling the situation! There’s just some force (love I imagine) which pulls them together and makes them act irrationally! And I agree, she is bloody lucky! Thank you lots for your review!
Nesscafe- lol, indeed, smut is good, smut makes me smile, but I do like a little bit of plot now and then, I hope the ratio’s ok! And no, you wouldn’t be greedy, you’d be insatiable, which I personally think is a commendable virtue! Thank you so much for your continued support, yay!