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The Triangle	By : shelia Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 6098 -:- 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.

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Severus woke, tensing as he looked around the unfamiliar room. Hermione was spooned against him, and he realized now that the noise that had disturbed him was coming from her as he felt her shoulders shake lightly. She was crying.

He groaned inwardly. The girl was probably regretting the night and he steeled himself as he moved to lean over her, looking into her eyes.

�Tell me,� he said softly, though his eyebrows furrowed.

�I�how can something that felt so right suppose to be so wrong?�

He understood what she was saying, though he assumed she was speaking of the fact that he was married. That fact did not bother him, though he knew she was probably feeling like the paramour the rumors had made her out to be.

His marriage was a mistake, his mistake for allowing it to happen. Several days after she had left, he had made the decision to ask Rowena for an annulment when she returned. It truly had nothing to do with the girl in his arms, for he had not imagined she would ever be there. He and Rowena were too much alike; selfish, arrogant, and childlike in wanting their needs met at any cost and he surmised they would eventually kill each other.

He wanted to tell Hermione this, but he was torn with his own guilt. Not over Rowena, but the fact that he had slept with her, his student. This weekend she was not his student in theory. They were two adults who had willingly shared a bed, yet Severus knew this was a lame excuse and would not hold water when they returned to Hogwarts. He never wanted to hurt her, but he knew that he would have to distance himself at school for fear that someone would suspect his feelings for her.

Not knowing what to say to her as he thought of these things, he could only nod as he pulled her closer and kissed her. She tasted so sweet to him; he wanted nothing more than to kiss her until the world outside fell away. Hermione returned his kiss passionately and Severus soon found he wanted more than her kisses. They made love, slow and lingerin a p a pleasure he rarely had known, as he etched her feel in his mind. He knew it might be a very long time, if ever; he could have this sweet temptation again.
****

A rapping on her door woke Hermione. She sat up quickly as she heard Lupin�s voice calling through the door asking her if she was ready to go to the university. Looking around the room, she saw no sign of Severus and sighed with relief, tinged with regret. Wrapping the sheet around her she managed to walk to the door, though her body protested as she felt aches in places she didn�t even know could hurt.

Opening the door a bit she saw Lupin standing there, smiling, dressed neatly in dark trousers and a gray shirt.

�Morning sleepyhead,� he teased. �I was going to see if you wanted to go for breakfast before we left for the lecture, but I do not think they will let you in the restaurant dressed like that.�

�What? Oh,� she blushed, pulling the sheet up higher. �Sorry, I overslept. You are going with me today?�

�Yes, if you can tolerate being around two stuffy old professors.� He smiled kindly at her.

Hermione snorted. �Really Professor, I would hardly call you or Sev...Professor Snape old or stuffy. Give me a few minutes and I will be ready.�

Remus nodded. �I will wait for you downstairs. Take your time.� His eyed her intently, noting the marks on her neck and shoulders. Moony old boy, I do believe you failed at being a proper chaperone he thought lightly, hoping that he had done the right thing.

He was not so na�ve that he did not imagine that things between Hermione and Severus might get a little friendly last night. That was why he had let them have their time alone. Still, he did not count on the fact that Severus would actually spend the night with her as he had done. The hotel did have thin walls when it came to Remus� sensitive hearing.

Remus sighed as she shut the door. What was done was done and whatever became of it he knew he would have to accept it. He just hoped it was for the better.

Hermione was dressed and downstairs in ten minutes. She blushed as she saw Remus appraise her, for she knew he had seen the love bites on her this morning. She had used the scarf she had brougor hor her hair to wrap around her neck. Not knowing what she would say if he questioned her about them, she trusted that he was too much of a gentleman to ask.

�Lovely as always Hermione. I do believe that we may have to forgo breakfast if we are to meet Professor Snape on time. Trust me, he does not like to wait.�

�I agree.� Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she and Remus left for the university.

Hermione�s mind was racing as they neared the building. Last night s see seemed like a dream, just a beautiful dream. She would have liked to have been alone with Severus this morning, but she was somewhat grateful Lupin was with her, just in case Severus regretted what they had shared.

Severus was standing in the same spot that he had been in last night when she had first seen him. He spotted her and a slight smile graced his face before it was quickly replaced with a frown as his eyes fell on Lupin.

�Good Morning Severus,� Remus said brightly, ignoring the man�s scowl.

�Lupin, Miss Granger.� Severus greeted them stiffly.

Hermione sat between the two men feeling nervous as she tried to listen to the lecture. She kept glancing covertly at Severus as he sat rigid, his face impassive as he stared at Manning. Sighing, she tried harder to concentrate on what was being said.

Remus excused himself halfway through the program. A minute after Remus had left, Hermione felt Severus� grip her hand. She looked at him and he smiled, giving her a wink before releasing her hand. Her heart skipped and she felt the tension leave her. When Remus had returned she was concentratinlly lly on Manning, her heart light.
****

On the train that afternoon, Remus sat reading a book though his eyes kept straying over to Hermione. He watched as her face went through a myriad of expressions, from a serene smile, to one of sadness. Sighing, he finally closed his book.

�Hermione I would like to discuss something with you.�

�Of course Professor,� she said, curious.

�Tell me what you know of the Wizarding customs of marriage.�

She eyed him suspiciously. �The wizard�s marriage ceremony is an ancient ritual of hand fasting, similar to the Celtic tradition except that is performed by a High Wizard instead of a High Priestess. The couple stands in the holy circle and their wrists are tied with a ribbon as the High Wizard performs the ceremony, symbolically tying the twos hearts and souls toget�
�

�Very good. Now tell me what you know of the Wizarding custom of ending a marriage.�

Hermione blushed understanding where this was leading. �The Wizarding laws are much different than those of the Muggle world. Ending a marriage is a rare occurrence and divorce is only granted in extreme circumstances. One being the total desertion of one of the spouses and then is only granted after two decades of said desertion.

The only other legal way to end a Wizarding marriage is through annulment. Again, only certain circumstances are allowed. One, if one of the parties involved were betrothed to another and failed to mention this before the marriage; two, if one of them is barren and did not tell the other spouse before they were married, and three, if one of them is insane and the knowledge was not known before the marriage ceremony.� She finished with a huff and waited for him to continue.

Remus chuckled. �Excellent Hermione. Ten points to Gryffindor. I take by the glare you are giving me you know what I am on about. I just wanted to be sure that you were fully aware of these matters.�

She swallowed hard, not wanting to hear what he was about to say.

�Hermione, I would be lying if I were to tell you that I did not know what happened between you and Severus last night.� Hermione�s mouth opened in a silent gape. �However, do not expect me to lecture you or tell you what you did was wrong. I am going to say this. Severus is a bastard,� he held up his hand as she started to protest, �but he was, and I suppose I can say is stia pea person I respect. The man needs someone who can take him as he is and love him without expecting anymore from him than what he can offer. Do you understand what I am saying?

�Whatever comes of your relationship with him, I only hope you will not be hurt.� He smiled at her. �And I truly hope it will work out the way you wish.�

Hermione blushed. She didnnow now what to say and just gave him a grateful look.

Remus understood. He patted her knee and went back to his book. Feeling that things may just work out for the two of them, he was content with his decision he had made that had allowed them to be together, if just for a night.
****
Two weeks later Remus realized he had never felt so wrong about a decision.

The first Tuesday evening after the weekend in Edinburgh, Severus had coldly told him and Hermione that until the ingredient came for her to finish the potion that they need not bother him. Remus had flinched as he saw Hermione�s eyes fill with tears as Severus dismissed her without looking in her direction.

The following week brought grumbles about Professor Snape from every student that came into Remus� classroom.

�He took away five house points because I sneezed,� bemoaned a third year Ravenclaw girl. The class had just come from potions and Remus had asked what the matter was as he looked on their angry faces. �I mean I couldn�t help it.� The girl was in tears Eve Even the staff was quick to duck into a classroom or a closet whenever they say Severus approaching. The man had had bad moods before, but now he was volatile.

Remus was feeling very guilty as he watched Severus� deteriorating moods.
****
Severus sat in the dark living room of the house in Hogsmeade waiting for Rowena. She had owled him informing him she was returning tonight.

Severus knew he had frightened every student who had past through his class the last two weeks and had alienated most of the staff with his foul mood. Even the Slytherins had not been spared from his wrath and the house points for all four houses were at an all time low. Dumbledore had gently suggested that maybe Severus should see Madam Pomfrey, hinting that he might be feeling the stress of the war at last. Severus had come close to telling the old man to go fuck himself.

The worst part of the past week was seeing the hurt look on Hermione�s face when he saw her in the Great Hall during meals. Today she had caught his eye during dinner and gave him a timid smile. He had wanted so much to return it, but noting Professor McGonagall�s gaze as she caught the exchange between them, he had only sneered and looked away. Hermione had left the hall crying.

Dealing with the emotions he felt for the girl was not something he was comfortable with. He wanted to put her out of his mind, now that he had tasted her, and be done witmen men for a while. However he found her on his mind constantly. He could still taste her on his lips, feel her body beneath his and every time he glanced at her, he felt his body long for her.

It had frightened him when he finally admitted to himself that he loved her. He had not told anyone that he loved them since he was child and had told his grandmother this. He hadn�t thought himself capable of loving anyone and yet he could not explain the emotional turmoil that he experienced when he thought of Hermione as anything else. Beyond the desire for her physically, he wanted to claim her heart, to have her beside him, working together, sharing each and every aspect of his life with her.

Snarling, he got up and poured a drink, sitting down heavily once more. What right did he have to want her? She was young with so much to look forward to and he was a nasty person, and at times could be so brooding that he couldn�t even stand to live within his own skin. It was more comfortable being alone, he thought wryly. He couldn�t change, even for Hermione, and he saw no future with her if she did not accept him as he was, warts and all.

Rowena Apparated with a small pop into the dark house. She let out a small shriek as she turned on the lights.

�Severus you startled me,� she gasped, setting her bag down. �Why are you sitting here in the dark?�

�I do not think that this marriage is going to work out.�

�Nice to see you too Sev.� She gave a small laugh. �Of course this marriage is not going to work if you insist on staying here and sending me off on my own,� she teased. �Re Sev Sev, don�t be so serious.�

�I am being serious. I want an annulment. Place the blame on me. You can tell them I am impotent or insane, either way. Both will be believable.�

Looking at him curiously, she spoke sweetly �I think not, dear. Truly Severus, I think you could greet your wife in a better manner.�

�We are too much alike Rowena; total bastards, and we will wind up destroying each other.� His eyes traveled up her body, noticing her flushed cheeks, swollen lips and the red marks on her neck. Apparently she had just left her lover�s arms. Touch�, he thought wryly.

�That�s just the point isn�t it darling? Birds of a feather, you know.�

�Here.� He handed her a piece of paper.

�What�s this? Going to send me on another trip so soon?� she asked as she unfolded the parchment. �Oh.�

�Half of what I have in my Gringotts account for your inconvenience. We can get on with our lives if you will agree to it.�

�You lie Severus Snape!� she said angrily, wadding up the paper and throwing it at him.

He raised his eyebrows questioningly

�This isn�t half of what you are worth.�

Severus smiled knowingly. �Truly, it is.�

�My father�� she stopped, realizing she had revealed too much.

�Ah yes, your father,� He leaned back in the chair, templing his fingers as he eyed her, relishing in the bombshell he was about to drop.

�I assume you are referring to the Snape family fortune.� She nodded. He chuckled. �Well my dear, I am afraid your father was misinformed about my wealth or rather I should say, lack of it.�

�He isn�t. He checked it out thoroughly. Your family is very wealthy.�

�My family yes, my mother, to be exact. I however, am not the heir to said wealth.� He gave her a toothy smile

�What? You are an only child.�

�And a disappointment. My father saw that I was a loner, determined to accomplish what I wanted at any cost and he feared I would never marry. So he left me an incentive. The family fortune will go to my children produced though the honorable tradition of marriage. Those born outside of wedlock will not be considered. To further ensure that I would not squander the fortune on foolish things, you must remember that at that time I had just joineldemldemort, the control of the fortune will be placed in the children�s mother�s hands until they reach adulthood.

What I offered you is truthfully half of what I have. I am given a yearly stipend from my mother and with my teacher�s salary, I am quite comfortable. My family�s fortune has never been a concern to me. I could care less what happens to it. So you see my dear, I will never inherit what your father sold you for.�

He saw Rowena pale and sit heavily down on the sofa.

�If I die before an heir is produced, the fortune goes to a cousin, so do not think murdering me will help you out.�

�A child,� shesperspered.

�Disgusting to think of having my child, isn�t it Rowena?� he sneered as he noticed the panic in her eyes.

�No, it�s not that.� Her voice sounded strained. �I �just am not ready to be a mother.�

Severus was surprised at her response. He had been ready to retort that neither of them were parent material, that a child deserved at least one decent parent and that he definitely didn�t want to have a child with her.

Her reaction puzzled him. She had been so willing to do anything to get her hands on the money, he thought she would see that having a baby would be an easy way for her to accomplish this.

�So you will agree to the annulment?�

�I...no.� The color was returning to her face. �Of course not Sev. What a silly idea. I do believe we are good for each other.�

�Very well,� he said coldly. She had raised a question in his mind, a question he intended to looto. to. He rose and started to the door.

�Where are you going?�

�Rowena, you have made your bed and you will have to lie in it without me from now on.�

She stared at the door he had left through a moment before she put her head in her hands. Damn it, he had to be lying. Surely her father would have told her if he had known. Or would he? Either way, she was in a predicament.
****
�Okay Hermione,� Ron said abruptly, startling her. �What is wrong with you?�

Hermione frowned. �Nothing is wrong. Why do you ask?�

He walked over to her and pulled the book out of her hands. She had been staring at the same page for over an hour not seeing it.

�Right, and you have become so jaded in your studies that you read upside down now for the challenge.� He emphasized his point as he flipped the book over and handed it back to her. She flushed.

�What�s up?� Harry asked. He was sitting with Pavarti in his lap as they read from the same book.

Looking at the two of them as they touched and laughed, Hermione had been remembering her weekend with Severus and the hateful way he had dismissed her these past weeks. He wouldn�t even look at her. �Nothing,� she tried again as her face crumbled. She ducked her head as she hurried out the room, crying.

�Girls,� Ron said in disgust. �Must be that time of the month.�

�Oh, isn�t that nice,� Pavarti huffed. �No wonder Padma dumped you again Ronald Weasley. Your lack of tact is amazing. Can�t you see Hermione is upset over a guy?�

Ron frowned at her. �Nah, Hermione hasn�t been seeing anyone. We tried to get her to accept Terry�s invitation to the dance tomorrow but she said she wasn�t going.�

�She has to go,� Pavarti said dismayed. �You should see the exquisite robes she bought for it. Mark my words Ron; she is upset over a man. I guess I should go talk to her.� She got up from Harry�s lap

�Wait,� Harry said standing. �I think I should talk to her.�

Pavarti gave him a smile and kissed him on the cheek. �You could learn a thing or two from Harry, Ron.� Ron stuck his tongue out at her. �Really. Grow up Ron,� she said testily.

Harry pushed open the door to Hermione�s room. She was curled up on the bed sobbing quietly �Hermione,� he said gently as he sat gingerly on the edge of the bed.

She rolled over, rubbing angrily at her eyes. �Harry, sorry, but I am not in the mood for company right now.�

�Look, we are friends, and if you are upset I would really like to help you if I can. Want to talk about it?�

�I can�t Harry, you wouldn�t understand.�

�Pavarti said you were crying over a guy. Is this true?�

Hermione screwed up her face then threw her arms around Harry�s neck, sobbing into his shoulder. �Yes.�

He patted her back. �Can you tell me what�s wrong?�

�I�think�no� I know. I am in love. And he doesn�t care one whit about me.�

�Are you sure Herms? I mean you aren�t the type to just fall for some guy that hasn�t given you some hint that he likes you too.�

She pulled back. �Yes, I am sure. He�s been treating me like I don�t exist and after we��

Harry frowned. �After you what?�

Hermione shook her head. �I will be okay Harry. I am just so very foolish.�

�After what?� He demanded, standing up now. �Are you telling me Hermione Granger that Snape took advantage of you and threw you aside like a piece of dirt?�

Shocked, Hermione choked. �How�why would you think it was Professor Snape?�

�Oh come off it,� Harry said angrily. �Do you think I am blind? I know how you feel about him. You�re my best friend Hermione and if I don�t know you after seven years then I will never know you. That bloody bastard! I am going to kill him.�

�Harry! Don�t say things like that.�

�Why? He seduced you, didn�t he?�

�It was...�she blushed, �what I wa too too. If anyone is to blame it is me. I knew what I was doing Harry Potter. I am just feeling like a fool right now.�

Harry sat back down and put his arm around her. �Hermione you are not a fool. A little stupid maybe,� he grinned, though he was still seething inside, �but never a fool.�

�I know,� she sighed.

�Look on the bright side. At least you now know he is a total bastard and can move on.�

Hermione bit her lip, she wanted to defend Severus but didn�t know how at the moment.

�Cheer up, Hermione,� Harry urged. �Think of Rohorrhorror when I tell him he will have to ask Millicent out now.�

�Oh no. Please Harry, don�t tell anyone about this.�

�Not even to make Ron squirm?� he teased. �Okay, I promise Hermione, on one condition. That you will dance with me tomorrow night at least once.�

�I am not going.�

�Then I am going to tell Ron.�

Hermione looked at her friend and knew he was only teasing her. She couldn�t help but smile. �Alright. If you are going to blackmail me, I guess I have no choice.�

�None at all,� he said giviow aer a hug.
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The Triangle