A Looping of the Scales ~ COMPLETED
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Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
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Adult ++
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93
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475
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
93
Views:
99,475
Reviews:
475
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own HP and am making no $$$ from this fanfic
Another Offer
Chapter 70 ~ Another Offer
Lucius Malfoy emerged from the castle and saw Hermione sitting on the steps, obviously waiting for Snape. He started to pause and speak, but her eyes were averted, so he didn’t bother. He wouldn’t have said anything remotely nice and he really didn’t want to totally alienate Snape.
Hermione watched the blond wizard walk across the grounds toward the gate, scowling slightly. Presently, Snape emerged and hurried over to her. He was wearing the satchel. After the run-in with the Chimeras, he wouldn’t leave Hogwarts without it.
”I’m sorry about that,” he said to Hermione sincerely. “I wish you would have stayed. You didn’t have to go.”
”It was better that I left or he would have just kept trying to see you. I am familiar with Lord Malfoy,” Hermione said, a note of dislike in her voice. Snape picked it up quickly.
”You don’t approve of Lord Malfoy,” he said to her as she stood up and began walking down the stairs.
”Do you think we could walk to the Forbidden Forest, Severus?” she asked him.
”Of course,” he replied, knowing there probably was a reason she wanted to walk.
”And no, I really don’t approve of Lord Malfoy,” she replied. “He’s not to be trusted, Severus.”
Snape smirked.
”He’s a Slytherin. Of course he’s not to be trusted,” the wizard replied. “But he doesn’t seem as bad as a lot of wizards. I read about him and his family in Hogwarts, a history. He spent several years under the Imperious curse serving Voldemort, and his wife was the reason Harry survived the final battle. She lied for him and said he was dead when he wasn’t. I think you would be grateful considering he is such a close friend of yours.”
Hermione scowled.
”I am grateful, to Lady Malfoy,” Hermione said quietly, then she looked up at him. “But, Lucius Malfoy’s history has been tampered with, Severus. It isn’t all in there. Hardly anything is. He’s done some terrible things, but since his wife helped to end Voldemort’s reign, it’s all been prettied up and wiped away.”
”Really?”
”Yes, really. When you have money and influence, you can make things disappear. Even in the wizarding world,” Hermione said, anger in her voice. “He’s really not to be trusted, Severus. Believe me.”
They walked in silence for several minutes, then Snape said, “Well, tell me some of the things he’s done and gotten away with.”
“I don’t even know where to start!”
”The beginning is a good place,” Snape suggested, placing his arm around her shoulder as they walked side by side.
”All right. Lucius Malfoy strongly believed in pureblood superiority and was in the first war under Voldemort. He stayed out of Azkaban by claiming he was under the Imperio curse. He had enough money and influence to get away with that lie.”
”Sounds like he was simply resourceful,” Snape said thoughtfully.
”You would think that,” Hermione said, “but he got away with murder, literally.”
Snape didn’t say anything. It was clear the soapbox was coming out.
”He hated Arthur Weasley, Ron’s dad, because he did raids on wizarding homes and confiscated dangerous, dark magic objects. Malfoy had a lot of them. He planted one on Ginny Weasley to try and discredit Mr. Weasley, but the item, a diary, contained the memory of Tom Riddle and the secret to opening the Chamber of Secrets. Lord Malfoy was the reason the basilisk was released, Dumbledore removed as headmaster, and Ginny and Harry and other Muggle-Borns nearly killed. Of course, nothing happened to him, except he lost his position on the Governor’s Board and his House Elf servant, Dobby. Even after all that, he got his position back. We later found out that diary had contained a Horcrux.”
”Didn’t you get petrified by that basilisk?” Snape asked her. He’d read about that.
”Yes I did,” Hermione snapped, reddening at the memory. She had missed all the excitement because of that stupid creature. Damn Malfoy.
”Oh,” Snape said softly. He smirked a little. Hermione had to hate Lord Malfoy just because of that little incident. “Tell me more.”
”Well, when his son Draco provoked a Hippogriff named Buckbeak, Lucius prosecuted it and had it sentenced to death when it was all Draco’s fault.”
”Doesn’t Harry own that animal? How is that possible if it was supposed to die?”
”Well, Buckbeak got away,” Hermione said, not offering any more information. Information such as Sirius Black got away too, with the help of her Time Turner. Severus wouldn’t have appreciated that info.
”Then Lucius was one of the Death Eaters that tortured a Muggle and his family at the Quidditch World Cup,” she hissed. “It was horrible. They even tortured the children!”
Hermione’s face blackened.
”Then he attacked us at the Ministry with other Death Eaters. They were trying to get the Prophecy. They would have gladly killed all of us if they could, but we held them off until the Order of the Phoenix could arrive. He was locked up in Azkaban until Voldemort got him out. Then he let them use his mansion as a base of operations. I know. I was there.”
Snape didn’t say anything although he heard the bitterness in her voice.
”But because of his wife saving Harry, he got away with all he did, Severus. Draco too. He was the one who let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts in the first place—“
Hermione stopped speaking because this information was linked to Snape killing Dumbledore—
“It’s not fair. People have no idea of the wicked things Malfoy has done. He should be locked up,” Hermione hissed. “You shouldn’t have anything to do with him.”
Snape lifted an eyebrow at her.
”You didn’t say that when I told you about his offer. You said it was a great opportunity,” he reminded her.
”Well, it is—was. That was before I fell in love with you. I’m afraid his sliminess will get all over you by association.”
Snape chuckled, pulling her in tighter for a moment, then relaxing his hold.
”Sliminess notwithstanding, Hermione, it’s the best offer I have and if I had to work I wouldn’t be able to devote myself to my art. For me, it’s not the means—but the end result that matters. Considering that I let Voldemort sponsor me the first time, Lord Malfoy is actually a step up. What’s next up from slime?”
”More slime,” Hermione hissed.
Snape chuckled as they approached the perimeter of the forest.
”Time to transform,” he said, taking his arm off her shoulder and handing her the satchel.
”It’s heavier,” Hermione said as she put it over her shoulder and chest.
”I packed some ‘extras,” Snape said obliquely, then changed into his gryffin form, complete with magic saddle. He squawked at Hermione, then struck a pose, lifting one talon and arching his neck.
”All right, you’re beautiful. How many times do you need to hear that?” Hermione muttered at him. Snape made a chuckling noise then crouched to let her mount. She climbed on and grabbed his neck as he suddenly took off running—away from the forest.
”Hey, where are we going?” Hermione cried, lying low as Snape streaked across the grounds then leapt into the air, flapping strongly toward the mountains in the distance.
Hermione held on as they flew over the surf, admiring the sky as the sun sunk lower, hues of pink, orange, purple and blue painting the canvas of the sky, coloring the clouds in beauty.
Snape swept upward, landing on the top of a mountain and letting Hermione off before transforming back.
”Why are we here?” she asked him.
”To watch the sun set,” he replied softly, taking the satchel from her, reaching inside and taking out a blanket. He spread it on the ground and helped Hermione down, then sat beside her, breathing in the cool air as his black eyes drank in the beauty around him and next to him. He slipped an arm around Hermione’s waist as she rested her head on his shoulder. Both of them sighed contently.
“Just a couple of days ago, Hermione, you couldn’t have sat still long enough to watch the sun set,” Snape said softly. He could smell the jasmine in her hair.
”I would have been worrying about the NEWTs,” she agreed. “Somehow, they don’t feel as important anymore. I felt almost as if my life depended on them. I didn’t realize I was hiding, Severus. I thought it was because I was trying to show how smart I am, how much of a witch I am. I need to be exemplary.”
”You already are. The history books show it clearly, Hermione. You are a witch among witches and people will know it centuries from now,” Snape reassured her.
They were silent for a few moments, then Hermione said, “I have no idea what I’m going to do with my life, Severus. No idea at all. I’ve talked about several careers but I can’t seem to focus on even one. All I see are possibilities. I need to know--”
Snape smiled.
”You’ll be good at anything, Hermione. Don’t stress over it or try to force it. You’ll settle in. Perhaps you should just hang about a year or two,” he suggested.
”Hang about? I have to have a job, Severus. You know—money?”
“I’ll have money. I’ll share it with you,” he replied. “You can help me with potions at Boleskin house for a year or two. Find out if you want to go into the field of Potions. Sort of a trial run. We’d be doing interesting experiments. Enough to keep your mind filled with thoughts and ideas, plus you’d have all the supplies you’d need.”
Hermione pulled away and stared at him.
”You want me to—to shack up with you?” she asked him incredulously.
”I didn’t say shack up. I said work with me,” he countered. “Of course, you’d stay there.”
Hermione continued looking at him.
”You could have your own bedroom,” he added. “But—no pressure.”
”Oh, none at all,” Hermione said sarcastically.
But it did sound exciting, and worthwhile. Severus was right. She could dabble as much as she liked, and there were a few potions she’d like to experiment with. Besides, he’d be there and that was a definite perk.
“It’s just a suggestion,” he said tightly. His brow was wrinkled as he looked at the horizon.
”Not a bad one,” she replied, and he looked at her, hope in his dark eyes.
”It wouldn’t be such a lonely pursuit with you there,” Snape said.
His first go round, Snape had become used to being alone. But now, he wanted Hermione with him. She was a large part of his new world.
”I’ll think about it,” Hermione said, pulling him down into a soft kiss.
It lasted quite a while. When they broke, Snape suddenly stood up and offered her his hand.
”Come on, there’s something else I’d like to do,” he told her.
Hermione took his hand and he pulled her to her feet. Together they folded up the blanket and Snape deposited it into the satchel, then handed it to her.
He transformed.
”Where are we going?” she asked the gryffin, who squawked at her imperiously before crouching.
”All right. All right,” she said, mounting. Snape leapt off the mountain and folded his wings back, going into a dive and heading for the surf below, Hermione’s hair streaming back as she did her best not to shriek.
He pulled up at the last minute and flew along the shoreline until they reached a beach and small cove. It was getting dark now. He landed and let Hermione off, transforming back.
”Why are we here?” she asked Snape, who took his satchel from her, took out the blanket again along with two magical lamps, which he lit, placed on the sand, then spread out the blanket.
”Oh, now we’re going to watch the sea,” Hermione said to him as he pulled out his wand.
”Not exactly,” he said, pointing it at himself.
”Divesto,” he breathed, removing all of his clothes.
”Severus!” Hermione exclaimed, her eyes rounding at his nakedness. “What in the world are you doing?”
”Going skinny-dipping. Now, your turn.”
Hermione squealed and ran, pursued by Snape, who kept casting the Divesto spell at the laughing witch, who dipped and dodged. She looked back at him, everything bobbling and swinging as he chased her and shrieked with laughter again before he finally hit her with the spell, removing all her clothing.
“Severus,” she squealed as he grabbed her wrist and walked her back to the blanket where he deposited his wand.
”Come on,” he said, starting to walk toward the surf. Hermione stalled.
”The water’s cold,” she complained, her nipples already tight in anticipation of the cold water.
”You’ll get used to it,” Snape said. “It’s warm out.”
”Not that warm.”
”I’m not about to argue with you. I want to go skinny-dipping and we’re going skinny-dipping, the wizard declared, swinging her up into his arms and determinedly walking toward the water. Hermione clung to his neck as he entered the water.
”No!” she laughed, hanging on as Snape tried to chuck her into the surf. After several attempts at dunking her, Snape just walked further out and fell into the water with her.
”Arrrrgh!” Hermione screamed, flailing about before she stood up, hugging herself and her teeth chattering. Snape stood up and wiped the water streaming down his face.
”There. Now, that wasn’t so bad was-- phlpthpth!”
Hermione had swung her arm on the surface of the water and hit him squarely in the face with a nice heavy slice of water that got in his mouth and his nose, making him splutter. Then, she pushed him so he fell back, completely submerged in the surf. He wrestled to get up.
”No, that wasn’t too bad at all,” she replied as he lunged at her and she tried to run. A flurry of fighting and dunking ensued, both witch and wizard swallowing quite a bit of water as they gamboled about, splashing and tackling each other before Snape finally grabbed Hermione and kissed her soundly, their wet bodies pressed against each other.
It didn’t take long for that kiss to become something else as the moon rose, casting its monochromatic light on the young lovers below.
They ended up on the shore, sand sticking all over their bodies as they lay side by side, looking up into the sky, catching their breath and smiling.
”I like being in love,” Hermione said softly.
”So do I,” Snape agreed. “I like everything about it except the sand between my cheeks.”
Hermione cracked up hysterically as the surf gently lapped against the shore.
***********************************
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. Just cementing their relationship a little. It makes for a great transitional chapter too. Now I’m trying to decide if I will do a blow by blow NEWTs description, or just give a bit of info and the results for each person so we can move to post-Hogwarts action and what happens at Boleskin House. Thanks for reading. ***
A/A/N: For those of you wondering about the change to Chimeras rather than Manticores, I had to change it a few chapters back because I meant Chimeras and gave a description of them, rather than Manticores. They are just as dangerous though. Just wanted to clear that up. :)
Lucius Malfoy emerged from the castle and saw Hermione sitting on the steps, obviously waiting for Snape. He started to pause and speak, but her eyes were averted, so he didn’t bother. He wouldn’t have said anything remotely nice and he really didn’t want to totally alienate Snape.
Hermione watched the blond wizard walk across the grounds toward the gate, scowling slightly. Presently, Snape emerged and hurried over to her. He was wearing the satchel. After the run-in with the Chimeras, he wouldn’t leave Hogwarts without it.
”I’m sorry about that,” he said to Hermione sincerely. “I wish you would have stayed. You didn’t have to go.”
”It was better that I left or he would have just kept trying to see you. I am familiar with Lord Malfoy,” Hermione said, a note of dislike in her voice. Snape picked it up quickly.
”You don’t approve of Lord Malfoy,” he said to her as she stood up and began walking down the stairs.
”Do you think we could walk to the Forbidden Forest, Severus?” she asked him.
”Of course,” he replied, knowing there probably was a reason she wanted to walk.
”And no, I really don’t approve of Lord Malfoy,” she replied. “He’s not to be trusted, Severus.”
Snape smirked.
”He’s a Slytherin. Of course he’s not to be trusted,” the wizard replied. “But he doesn’t seem as bad as a lot of wizards. I read about him and his family in Hogwarts, a history. He spent several years under the Imperious curse serving Voldemort, and his wife was the reason Harry survived the final battle. She lied for him and said he was dead when he wasn’t. I think you would be grateful considering he is such a close friend of yours.”
Hermione scowled.
”I am grateful, to Lady Malfoy,” Hermione said quietly, then she looked up at him. “But, Lucius Malfoy’s history has been tampered with, Severus. It isn’t all in there. Hardly anything is. He’s done some terrible things, but since his wife helped to end Voldemort’s reign, it’s all been prettied up and wiped away.”
”Really?”
”Yes, really. When you have money and influence, you can make things disappear. Even in the wizarding world,” Hermione said, anger in her voice. “He’s really not to be trusted, Severus. Believe me.”
They walked in silence for several minutes, then Snape said, “Well, tell me some of the things he’s done and gotten away with.”
“I don’t even know where to start!”
”The beginning is a good place,” Snape suggested, placing his arm around her shoulder as they walked side by side.
”All right. Lucius Malfoy strongly believed in pureblood superiority and was in the first war under Voldemort. He stayed out of Azkaban by claiming he was under the Imperio curse. He had enough money and influence to get away with that lie.”
”Sounds like he was simply resourceful,” Snape said thoughtfully.
”You would think that,” Hermione said, “but he got away with murder, literally.”
Snape didn’t say anything. It was clear the soapbox was coming out.
”He hated Arthur Weasley, Ron’s dad, because he did raids on wizarding homes and confiscated dangerous, dark magic objects. Malfoy had a lot of them. He planted one on Ginny Weasley to try and discredit Mr. Weasley, but the item, a diary, contained the memory of Tom Riddle and the secret to opening the Chamber of Secrets. Lord Malfoy was the reason the basilisk was released, Dumbledore removed as headmaster, and Ginny and Harry and other Muggle-Borns nearly killed. Of course, nothing happened to him, except he lost his position on the Governor’s Board and his House Elf servant, Dobby. Even after all that, he got his position back. We later found out that diary had contained a Horcrux.”
”Didn’t you get petrified by that basilisk?” Snape asked her. He’d read about that.
”Yes I did,” Hermione snapped, reddening at the memory. She had missed all the excitement because of that stupid creature. Damn Malfoy.
”Oh,” Snape said softly. He smirked a little. Hermione had to hate Lord Malfoy just because of that little incident. “Tell me more.”
”Well, when his son Draco provoked a Hippogriff named Buckbeak, Lucius prosecuted it and had it sentenced to death when it was all Draco’s fault.”
”Doesn’t Harry own that animal? How is that possible if it was supposed to die?”
”Well, Buckbeak got away,” Hermione said, not offering any more information. Information such as Sirius Black got away too, with the help of her Time Turner. Severus wouldn’t have appreciated that info.
”Then Lucius was one of the Death Eaters that tortured a Muggle and his family at the Quidditch World Cup,” she hissed. “It was horrible. They even tortured the children!”
Hermione’s face blackened.
”Then he attacked us at the Ministry with other Death Eaters. They were trying to get the Prophecy. They would have gladly killed all of us if they could, but we held them off until the Order of the Phoenix could arrive. He was locked up in Azkaban until Voldemort got him out. Then he let them use his mansion as a base of operations. I know. I was there.”
Snape didn’t say anything although he heard the bitterness in her voice.
”But because of his wife saving Harry, he got away with all he did, Severus. Draco too. He was the one who let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts in the first place—“
Hermione stopped speaking because this information was linked to Snape killing Dumbledore—
“It’s not fair. People have no idea of the wicked things Malfoy has done. He should be locked up,” Hermione hissed. “You shouldn’t have anything to do with him.”
Snape lifted an eyebrow at her.
”You didn’t say that when I told you about his offer. You said it was a great opportunity,” he reminded her.
”Well, it is—was. That was before I fell in love with you. I’m afraid his sliminess will get all over you by association.”
Snape chuckled, pulling her in tighter for a moment, then relaxing his hold.
”Sliminess notwithstanding, Hermione, it’s the best offer I have and if I had to work I wouldn’t be able to devote myself to my art. For me, it’s not the means—but the end result that matters. Considering that I let Voldemort sponsor me the first time, Lord Malfoy is actually a step up. What’s next up from slime?”
”More slime,” Hermione hissed.
Snape chuckled as they approached the perimeter of the forest.
”Time to transform,” he said, taking his arm off her shoulder and handing her the satchel.
”It’s heavier,” Hermione said as she put it over her shoulder and chest.
”I packed some ‘extras,” Snape said obliquely, then changed into his gryffin form, complete with magic saddle. He squawked at Hermione, then struck a pose, lifting one talon and arching his neck.
”All right, you’re beautiful. How many times do you need to hear that?” Hermione muttered at him. Snape made a chuckling noise then crouched to let her mount. She climbed on and grabbed his neck as he suddenly took off running—away from the forest.
”Hey, where are we going?” Hermione cried, lying low as Snape streaked across the grounds then leapt into the air, flapping strongly toward the mountains in the distance.
Hermione held on as they flew over the surf, admiring the sky as the sun sunk lower, hues of pink, orange, purple and blue painting the canvas of the sky, coloring the clouds in beauty.
Snape swept upward, landing on the top of a mountain and letting Hermione off before transforming back.
”Why are we here?” she asked him.
”To watch the sun set,” he replied softly, taking the satchel from her, reaching inside and taking out a blanket. He spread it on the ground and helped Hermione down, then sat beside her, breathing in the cool air as his black eyes drank in the beauty around him and next to him. He slipped an arm around Hermione’s waist as she rested her head on his shoulder. Both of them sighed contently.
“Just a couple of days ago, Hermione, you couldn’t have sat still long enough to watch the sun set,” Snape said softly. He could smell the jasmine in her hair.
”I would have been worrying about the NEWTs,” she agreed. “Somehow, they don’t feel as important anymore. I felt almost as if my life depended on them. I didn’t realize I was hiding, Severus. I thought it was because I was trying to show how smart I am, how much of a witch I am. I need to be exemplary.”
”You already are. The history books show it clearly, Hermione. You are a witch among witches and people will know it centuries from now,” Snape reassured her.
They were silent for a few moments, then Hermione said, “I have no idea what I’m going to do with my life, Severus. No idea at all. I’ve talked about several careers but I can’t seem to focus on even one. All I see are possibilities. I need to know--”
Snape smiled.
”You’ll be good at anything, Hermione. Don’t stress over it or try to force it. You’ll settle in. Perhaps you should just hang about a year or two,” he suggested.
”Hang about? I have to have a job, Severus. You know—money?”
“I’ll have money. I’ll share it with you,” he replied. “You can help me with potions at Boleskin house for a year or two. Find out if you want to go into the field of Potions. Sort of a trial run. We’d be doing interesting experiments. Enough to keep your mind filled with thoughts and ideas, plus you’d have all the supplies you’d need.”
Hermione pulled away and stared at him.
”You want me to—to shack up with you?” she asked him incredulously.
”I didn’t say shack up. I said work with me,” he countered. “Of course, you’d stay there.”
Hermione continued looking at him.
”You could have your own bedroom,” he added. “But—no pressure.”
”Oh, none at all,” Hermione said sarcastically.
But it did sound exciting, and worthwhile. Severus was right. She could dabble as much as she liked, and there were a few potions she’d like to experiment with. Besides, he’d be there and that was a definite perk.
“It’s just a suggestion,” he said tightly. His brow was wrinkled as he looked at the horizon.
”Not a bad one,” she replied, and he looked at her, hope in his dark eyes.
”It wouldn’t be such a lonely pursuit with you there,” Snape said.
His first go round, Snape had become used to being alone. But now, he wanted Hermione with him. She was a large part of his new world.
”I’ll think about it,” Hermione said, pulling him down into a soft kiss.
It lasted quite a while. When they broke, Snape suddenly stood up and offered her his hand.
”Come on, there’s something else I’d like to do,” he told her.
Hermione took his hand and he pulled her to her feet. Together they folded up the blanket and Snape deposited it into the satchel, then handed it to her.
He transformed.
”Where are we going?” she asked the gryffin, who squawked at her imperiously before crouching.
”All right. All right,” she said, mounting. Snape leapt off the mountain and folded his wings back, going into a dive and heading for the surf below, Hermione’s hair streaming back as she did her best not to shriek.
He pulled up at the last minute and flew along the shoreline until they reached a beach and small cove. It was getting dark now. He landed and let Hermione off, transforming back.
”Why are we here?” she asked Snape, who took his satchel from her, took out the blanket again along with two magical lamps, which he lit, placed on the sand, then spread out the blanket.
”Oh, now we’re going to watch the sea,” Hermione said to him as he pulled out his wand.
”Not exactly,” he said, pointing it at himself.
”Divesto,” he breathed, removing all of his clothes.
”Severus!” Hermione exclaimed, her eyes rounding at his nakedness. “What in the world are you doing?”
”Going skinny-dipping. Now, your turn.”
Hermione squealed and ran, pursued by Snape, who kept casting the Divesto spell at the laughing witch, who dipped and dodged. She looked back at him, everything bobbling and swinging as he chased her and shrieked with laughter again before he finally hit her with the spell, removing all her clothing.
“Severus,” she squealed as he grabbed her wrist and walked her back to the blanket where he deposited his wand.
”Come on,” he said, starting to walk toward the surf. Hermione stalled.
”The water’s cold,” she complained, her nipples already tight in anticipation of the cold water.
”You’ll get used to it,” Snape said. “It’s warm out.”
”Not that warm.”
”I’m not about to argue with you. I want to go skinny-dipping and we’re going skinny-dipping, the wizard declared, swinging her up into his arms and determinedly walking toward the water. Hermione clung to his neck as he entered the water.
”No!” she laughed, hanging on as Snape tried to chuck her into the surf. After several attempts at dunking her, Snape just walked further out and fell into the water with her.
”Arrrrgh!” Hermione screamed, flailing about before she stood up, hugging herself and her teeth chattering. Snape stood up and wiped the water streaming down his face.
”There. Now, that wasn’t so bad was-- phlpthpth!”
Hermione had swung her arm on the surface of the water and hit him squarely in the face with a nice heavy slice of water that got in his mouth and his nose, making him splutter. Then, she pushed him so he fell back, completely submerged in the surf. He wrestled to get up.
”No, that wasn’t too bad at all,” she replied as he lunged at her and she tried to run. A flurry of fighting and dunking ensued, both witch and wizard swallowing quite a bit of water as they gamboled about, splashing and tackling each other before Snape finally grabbed Hermione and kissed her soundly, their wet bodies pressed against each other.
It didn’t take long for that kiss to become something else as the moon rose, casting its monochromatic light on the young lovers below.
They ended up on the shore, sand sticking all over their bodies as they lay side by side, looking up into the sky, catching their breath and smiling.
”I like being in love,” Hermione said softly.
”So do I,” Snape agreed. “I like everything about it except the sand between my cheeks.”
Hermione cracked up hysterically as the surf gently lapped against the shore.
***********************************
A/N: I hope you liked this chapter. Just cementing their relationship a little. It makes for a great transitional chapter too. Now I’m trying to decide if I will do a blow by blow NEWTs description, or just give a bit of info and the results for each person so we can move to post-Hogwarts action and what happens at Boleskin House. Thanks for reading. ***
A/A/N: For those of you wondering about the change to Chimeras rather than Manticores, I had to change it a few chapters back because I meant Chimeras and gave a description of them, rather than Manticores. They are just as dangerous though. Just wanted to clear that up. :)