A Looping of the Scales ~ COMPLETED
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Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
93
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99,470
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475
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
93
Views:
99,470
Reviews:
475
Recommended:
2
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own HP and am making no $$$ from this fanfic
Pairing Off
Chapter 71 ~ Pairing Off
“Come in,” Minerva said, looking over her glasses toward the office door. It opened and Susan nervously entered.
”Miss Bones,” Minerva said with a smile.
”Hello, Headmistress,” Susan said, walking up to the desk, slightly reddened.
”Please, take a seat,” Minerva offered. Susan sat down.
”Now, how can I help you?” Minerva asked her.
“I—I need a—an Animagus Registration form,” she said softly.
Both of Minerva’s eyebrows rose.
”A registration form? How long have you been seeking your form, Miss Bones? I had no idea. You aren’t taking Transfiguration NEWTs,” the witch said as she opened the drawer.
Susan reddened even more.
”Not to be rude, Headmistress, but I’d rather not say how long I’ve been working on it,” Susan said apologetically. “But it’s important that I don’t share that until after the NEWTs. It’s part of someone else’s project.”
”Ah, I see. Miss Granger is doing something similar with Severus for her NEWTs. Would you mind telling me what your Animagus form is at least?”
”No, I can’t do that either. It has to be ‘unveiled,’” Susan said with a small smile.
Minerva tsked.
”Such secrecy,” she said, rising and going to the file cabinet and retrieving the form. She returned to her desk, opened a little pad and retrieved a stamp. She pressed the stamp into the ink and then to the form, dating it. She waved it around a bit to dry, then offered it to Susan.
”You have ten days to register, Susan, or there will be hefty fines and possible arrest. Just keep that in mind,” she told the witch a little tightly.
Susan took the form and rose.
”Thank you, Headmistress. I’ll be sure to register by then.”
”You will have to provide pictures as well, and focus on identifying marks. You can either return the form and information to me or send it directly to the Ministry by owl,” Minerva told her. “Just be sure you do so before the time is up. The law is very strict on this.”
”Yes, Headmistress. Goodbye,” Susan said, exiting the office.
Minerva sighed and sat down.
“Doesn’t Miss Bones go out with Mr. Weasley, Minerva?”
Minerva spun in her swivel chair to look at Albus’ portrait.
”Why, yes she does. Why?”
”I was just—wondering. I daresay this group of NEWT students is going to be exemplary this year
”I’ve never seen so many Animagi in one school year,” Minerva replied. “Severus, Mr. Weasley and now Susan Bones. And not one of them informed the school of their attempts. Well, in Severus’ case, when he attended Hogwarts the first time around, he didn’t show any interest in finding his form. Mr. Weasley and Miss Bones—“
Suddenly, Minerva stopped talking, putting two and two together. Her brows furrowed.
”Something is going on here,” she said softly.
The portrait smiled at her.
”It seems history is repeating itself, except the first three students to discover their forms in one year didn’t register them,” it said, blue eyes twinkling.
”They would have if I had known,” Minerva said, then narrowed her eyes at the painting. “But you knew, didn’t you, Albus? You knew James, Sirius and Peter were Animagi.”
”I had my suspicions, but I never knew for certain, Minerva. If I had, then I would have been able to see through Wormtail’s deception,” the painting replied heavily.
It was talking about how Peter Pettigrew hid in plain sight as Ron Weasley’s rat familiar, Scabbers.
“Well, at least this set follows the law. But, now I’m curious,” Minerva said.
”I’m sure you’ll find out the details after the NEWTs,” the painting reassured her.
Minerva couldn’t help thinking a few doses of Veritaserum would put her in the know in a more timely manner. Ah well, the NEWTs would be taken in a couple of months and all the mystery would come to light then.
She returned to her desk and her duties.
**********************************
Hermione had moved a couple of students to Saturday mornings and added a couple of more to her tutoring sessions, so after breakfast, Severus returned to his quarters while she worked with her “pupils.” She’d make a good teacher if that’s what she decided to do.
After walking Hermione back to Gryffindor tower after their ‘flight,’ Snape began to wonder about something, something concerning Lily and his former feelings for her. He fell asleep on it, but now, since he was going to be alone for a few hours, the thought arose again.
He sat down in an armchair and looked into the flames of the fireplace, brooding.
”I need to find out,” he said to himself, but he didn’t make a move for several minutes.
Finally he sighed and pulled his wand out of his pocket, looking at it as if it might explode. It wouldn’t, of course, but it was going to show him something that would definitely be affecting.
Snape stood up and walked around the armchair, moving to the center of his study. He drew in a deep breath and raised his wand. He thought of his latest happiest moment, which happened to be last night with Hermione.
“Expecto Patronum!” he hissed.
Silver light exploded from the tip of his wand and his Patronus formed. He blinked at it as it undulated through the air around him. It had changed dramatically.
”An otter?” he said, frowning at the little beast joyfully swooping, gliding and twisting around him as if swimming through water. It certainly was active. But—an otter?
A doe had been embarrassing enough. But this proved one thing, that he was truly over Lily Evans. Why he had an otter for a Patronus was beyond him. Maybe because he’d gone skinny-dipping with Hermione? There were such things as Sea Otters.
He let the creature gambol about for nearly forty-five minutes, letting it grow on him. It was rather entertaining as it snuffled at his books and swam through his study, investigating everything. Snape smiled as he watched it and felt its warmth whenever it came near. A feeling of happiness grew inside him. But that was the nature of a Patronus. It was a positive, protective force that strengthened its master in the face of a number of situations, such as a Dementor attack or some other dark force.
Finally, Snape ended the spell, and felt so good, he decided to go find Harry and see what he was up to.
As he exited his office, he ran right into Draco Malfoy, who addressed him, an excited look in his eyes.
”Hi Snape,” he said to the dark wizard.
”Malfoy,” Snape returned, starting up the corridor. Draco fell in beside him.
”I spoke to my father yesterday. He says you’re going to move into Boleskine House,” the pureblood said.
”That’s right,” Snape admitted.
”He says that he couldn’t get anyone to help move your things inside the house, because, well—I’m sure you know.”
”Demons,” Snape said shortly.
“Yeah, well, I wanted to ask you something. When you go to move in, I’d like to come with you, help you get situated,” Draco said, looking hopeful.
Snape stopped walking.
”Draco, last time a demon appeared, you flew the other way,” he responded, frowning at Draco. “I don’t see how you could be of much help.”
”That’s just it. I need to face my fears, Snape.”
”Draco, I have to be honest. I don’t think it would be wise to have someone with me who I can’t count on in a tight spot. I understand why you want to come, but there’s no guarantee you’ll actually face your fear. You could run away screaming.”
Draco scowled at him now. He hated Snape saw him as a coward.
”I solemnly swear I will stand with you against ANYTHING!” he hissed, invoking a Wizard’s Oath, magic swirling all around them.
Snape blinked at him.
”A wizard’s oath? Well, that’s kind of a switch since I once took an Unbreakable Vow to protect you. A wizarding oath isn’t as deadly, but it places the boot on the other foot. That oath is going to bind you to your promise to me for the rest of your life.”
Draco shrugged.
“You did it for me,” he said shortly. “Turnabout is fair play. Besides—I owe you.”
Snape studied him, black eyes meeting gray.
”Very well. I’ll let you know when we’ll be departing,” Snape told him, and Draco smiled, then shook his hand.
”You’re all right, Snape,” he said, happy he’d get another shot at proving himself.
”I just hope you’ll be all right, Draco. Now I have to go.”
Draco watched as Snape billowed up the corridor, then returned to Slytherin House and his private room. He closed the door and warded it, then pulled a huge book from under his mattress. He looked at the title.
Dealing with Demons.
He sat down at his desk, opened the book and began to read.
He’d be ready this time.
**********************************
At a quarter to nine, Snape stood outside Gryffindor Tower, waiting for Hermione. He was dressed in his best dress robes, the ones with the serpents embroidered in it, and his boots were so polished, they could hurt your eyes if the light hit them just right. His hair was well brushed and silky looking. He ran his finger around his collar just a bit, not yet used to the robes.
Tonight was Slughorn’s party, and the newly freed Hermione couldn’t find a good enough reason not to accompany Severus. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Susan would be there, too. Susan wasn’t exemplary to Slughorn, but she was Ron’s date.
Ginny and Harry emerged from the tower first, Harry wearing dress robes and Ginny looking lovely in a clingy green dress that accentuated her slender shape and red hair. Snape gave her a formal bow when he greeted them, and she blushed slightly.
“Have you seen, Hermione?” Snape asked them.
”She’s coming,” Ginny said.
Then an “Oi!” sounded and they looked around to see Ron and Susan walking up the corridor. Ron wore dress robes and Susan was dressed in a black, shimmery dress with her hair swept up and pinned. It fit her quite nicely. Actually, she could have passed for a big, beautiful clothes model. Her make-up was nice and not overdone and silver and black earrings dangled from her ears.
Ron had his arm looped through hers proudly as they walked up.
”Hey,” he said, followed by Susan’s shy “hi.”
Everyone greeted them, Harry and Snape looking at Susan. Snape had to admit although she was a large girl, she was quite attractive.
”Susan, you look great,” Harry complimented her.
”Thank you, Harry. You look very nice, too. In fact, you all do. Ginny, green looks wonderful on you,” Susan replied, blushing slightly.
Ron looked around then let out an exaggerated sigh.
”We’re waiting for Hermione, aren’t we?”
”Yeah,” Ginny said, and Ron rolled his eyes.
”She’s going to take forever. She always does. Susan and I are going to go on ahead. I want to get a good head start on the finger foods,” Ron said.
”Of course,” Snape said dryly.
Ron ignored him. Snape simply didn’t understand the Weasley metabolism.
”We’ll see you there, Ron,” Harry said, not wanting to leave Snape.
”Harry, you and Ginny go to the party. I’ll wait for Hermione. There’s no need for everyone to be fashionable late,” Snape said to the wizard. He’d rather greet Hermione alone anyway. Right now, he felt like he had a chaperone with him. It was a little late for that.
”Are you sure?”
”Definitely.”
”All right, then. We’ll see you when you get there,” Harry said, taking Ginny’s arm and joining Ron and Susan. Snape watched as they walked up the corridor and out of sight. Then he turned back towards the tower, his dark eyes resting on the Fat Lady’s portrait.
She became redder and redder and finally snapped, “It’s not polite to stare!”
Snape bit back a scathing reply. He most certainly wasn’t looking at her, but at the entrance. She just happened to be in front of it. Still, insulting the painting wasn’t going to be helpful, so he sucked it up and looked around the area, then at his nails.
Suddenly, the Fat Lady’s portrait swung back and Hermione emerged.
Snape’s scowl lasted exactly one millisecond as he looked at Hermione.
She was dressed in a sleeveless, form-fitting gold sequined dress that fell mid-thigh. She also wore three-inch gold heels. Her hair was curly and pinned loosely with a scarlet and gold clip. She wore dangling scarlet and gold earrings and her face was made up nicely. She wore mascara, eyeliner and lipstick. The dress seemed to bring gold flecks out of her brown eyes. Snape’s mouth fell open slightly as he stared at her, lateness definitely forgiven.
”Hi, Severus. I’m sorry I took so long,” she said softly.
”I want to make your mascara run,” he answered in a raw voice.
”WHAT?”
Snape blinked, then seemed to come back to himself.
”I said you look beautiful,” he stated, trying to cover for himself.
Hermione harrumphed.
”That is not what you said, Severus, and you know it,” she told him as he smirked.
”No, but it is basically the same sentiment, kind of. I want to make your mascara run because you look so beautiful.”
”I wouldn’t look very beautiful after that,” she replied.
”To me, you would,” he said softly, leaning in and kissing her tenderly. It was just a short greeting kiss, really, but Hermione felt it all the way down to her toes.
They broke the kiss, brown eyes meeting black eyes and for a moment the idea of skipping the party and going down to Snape’s quarters flashed across both their minds. But only for a moment as Snape offered Hermione his arm.
”Let’s put in our appearance,” he said to her as she took hold.
”All right,” Hermione said, and they began walking. Severus craned his head, looking down at her feet and the heels she wore.
”I like your shoes,” he breathed.
”Thank you.”
”No, you don’t understand—I really like your shoes. They make your legs look so long and shapely. Very wrappable.”
”Wrappable? Is that even a word, Severus?”
”Do you want me to use it in a sentence?” he asked her, his eyes glittering.
”No. I don’t. I can only imagine what you’d come up with,” she replied, reddening even as she tried to hide a smile. Severus was always so ready to get sexual, even if it were only verbally.
“Blast,” he said, craning his head again at those delicious shoes.
As far as his ‘coming up’ with something, he wouldn’t mind those heels up in the air. Hermione had struck gold with those shoes.
Snape was well on his way to developing a slight fetish for Hermione in heels.
***********************************
A/N: Wow, I wrote this chapter without any smokes at all. I’m miserable, but I got it done. I received a generous donation three days ago (thanks LS*), but I had to use it all on the Phone and Internet bill which was badly overdue and had late charges. Can’t lose my internet. I’d die. Lol. Well, maybe not die, but I don’t even want to think what it would be like. Anyway, I hope y’all liked the chapter. By the way, I'd like to remind you about my original story and WIP "At Shimmer's End" available for a donation of choice at theburningpen . com. I have nine readers so far. That's kind of sad but I'm staying positive. Anyway, thanks for reading.
“Come in,” Minerva said, looking over her glasses toward the office door. It opened and Susan nervously entered.
”Miss Bones,” Minerva said with a smile.
”Hello, Headmistress,” Susan said, walking up to the desk, slightly reddened.
”Please, take a seat,” Minerva offered. Susan sat down.
”Now, how can I help you?” Minerva asked her.
“I—I need a—an Animagus Registration form,” she said softly.
Both of Minerva’s eyebrows rose.
”A registration form? How long have you been seeking your form, Miss Bones? I had no idea. You aren’t taking Transfiguration NEWTs,” the witch said as she opened the drawer.
Susan reddened even more.
”Not to be rude, Headmistress, but I’d rather not say how long I’ve been working on it,” Susan said apologetically. “But it’s important that I don’t share that until after the NEWTs. It’s part of someone else’s project.”
”Ah, I see. Miss Granger is doing something similar with Severus for her NEWTs. Would you mind telling me what your Animagus form is at least?”
”No, I can’t do that either. It has to be ‘unveiled,’” Susan said with a small smile.
Minerva tsked.
”Such secrecy,” she said, rising and going to the file cabinet and retrieving the form. She returned to her desk, opened a little pad and retrieved a stamp. She pressed the stamp into the ink and then to the form, dating it. She waved it around a bit to dry, then offered it to Susan.
”You have ten days to register, Susan, or there will be hefty fines and possible arrest. Just keep that in mind,” she told the witch a little tightly.
Susan took the form and rose.
”Thank you, Headmistress. I’ll be sure to register by then.”
”You will have to provide pictures as well, and focus on identifying marks. You can either return the form and information to me or send it directly to the Ministry by owl,” Minerva told her. “Just be sure you do so before the time is up. The law is very strict on this.”
”Yes, Headmistress. Goodbye,” Susan said, exiting the office.
Minerva sighed and sat down.
“Doesn’t Miss Bones go out with Mr. Weasley, Minerva?”
Minerva spun in her swivel chair to look at Albus’ portrait.
”Why, yes she does. Why?”
”I was just—wondering. I daresay this group of NEWT students is going to be exemplary this year
”I’ve never seen so many Animagi in one school year,” Minerva replied. “Severus, Mr. Weasley and now Susan Bones. And not one of them informed the school of their attempts. Well, in Severus’ case, when he attended Hogwarts the first time around, he didn’t show any interest in finding his form. Mr. Weasley and Miss Bones—“
Suddenly, Minerva stopped talking, putting two and two together. Her brows furrowed.
”Something is going on here,” she said softly.
The portrait smiled at her.
”It seems history is repeating itself, except the first three students to discover their forms in one year didn’t register them,” it said, blue eyes twinkling.
”They would have if I had known,” Minerva said, then narrowed her eyes at the painting. “But you knew, didn’t you, Albus? You knew James, Sirius and Peter were Animagi.”
”I had my suspicions, but I never knew for certain, Minerva. If I had, then I would have been able to see through Wormtail’s deception,” the painting replied heavily.
It was talking about how Peter Pettigrew hid in plain sight as Ron Weasley’s rat familiar, Scabbers.
“Well, at least this set follows the law. But, now I’m curious,” Minerva said.
”I’m sure you’ll find out the details after the NEWTs,” the painting reassured her.
Minerva couldn’t help thinking a few doses of Veritaserum would put her in the know in a more timely manner. Ah well, the NEWTs would be taken in a couple of months and all the mystery would come to light then.
She returned to her desk and her duties.
**********************************
Hermione had moved a couple of students to Saturday mornings and added a couple of more to her tutoring sessions, so after breakfast, Severus returned to his quarters while she worked with her “pupils.” She’d make a good teacher if that’s what she decided to do.
After walking Hermione back to Gryffindor tower after their ‘flight,’ Snape began to wonder about something, something concerning Lily and his former feelings for her. He fell asleep on it, but now, since he was going to be alone for a few hours, the thought arose again.
He sat down in an armchair and looked into the flames of the fireplace, brooding.
”I need to find out,” he said to himself, but he didn’t make a move for several minutes.
Finally he sighed and pulled his wand out of his pocket, looking at it as if it might explode. It wouldn’t, of course, but it was going to show him something that would definitely be affecting.
Snape stood up and walked around the armchair, moving to the center of his study. He drew in a deep breath and raised his wand. He thought of his latest happiest moment, which happened to be last night with Hermione.
“Expecto Patronum!” he hissed.
Silver light exploded from the tip of his wand and his Patronus formed. He blinked at it as it undulated through the air around him. It had changed dramatically.
”An otter?” he said, frowning at the little beast joyfully swooping, gliding and twisting around him as if swimming through water. It certainly was active. But—an otter?
A doe had been embarrassing enough. But this proved one thing, that he was truly over Lily Evans. Why he had an otter for a Patronus was beyond him. Maybe because he’d gone skinny-dipping with Hermione? There were such things as Sea Otters.
He let the creature gambol about for nearly forty-five minutes, letting it grow on him. It was rather entertaining as it snuffled at his books and swam through his study, investigating everything. Snape smiled as he watched it and felt its warmth whenever it came near. A feeling of happiness grew inside him. But that was the nature of a Patronus. It was a positive, protective force that strengthened its master in the face of a number of situations, such as a Dementor attack or some other dark force.
Finally, Snape ended the spell, and felt so good, he decided to go find Harry and see what he was up to.
As he exited his office, he ran right into Draco Malfoy, who addressed him, an excited look in his eyes.
”Hi Snape,” he said to the dark wizard.
”Malfoy,” Snape returned, starting up the corridor. Draco fell in beside him.
”I spoke to my father yesterday. He says you’re going to move into Boleskine House,” the pureblood said.
”That’s right,” Snape admitted.
”He says that he couldn’t get anyone to help move your things inside the house, because, well—I’m sure you know.”
”Demons,” Snape said shortly.
“Yeah, well, I wanted to ask you something. When you go to move in, I’d like to come with you, help you get situated,” Draco said, looking hopeful.
Snape stopped walking.
”Draco, last time a demon appeared, you flew the other way,” he responded, frowning at Draco. “I don’t see how you could be of much help.”
”That’s just it. I need to face my fears, Snape.”
”Draco, I have to be honest. I don’t think it would be wise to have someone with me who I can’t count on in a tight spot. I understand why you want to come, but there’s no guarantee you’ll actually face your fear. You could run away screaming.”
Draco scowled at him now. He hated Snape saw him as a coward.
”I solemnly swear I will stand with you against ANYTHING!” he hissed, invoking a Wizard’s Oath, magic swirling all around them.
Snape blinked at him.
”A wizard’s oath? Well, that’s kind of a switch since I once took an Unbreakable Vow to protect you. A wizarding oath isn’t as deadly, but it places the boot on the other foot. That oath is going to bind you to your promise to me for the rest of your life.”
Draco shrugged.
“You did it for me,” he said shortly. “Turnabout is fair play. Besides—I owe you.”
Snape studied him, black eyes meeting gray.
”Very well. I’ll let you know when we’ll be departing,” Snape told him, and Draco smiled, then shook his hand.
”You’re all right, Snape,” he said, happy he’d get another shot at proving himself.
”I just hope you’ll be all right, Draco. Now I have to go.”
Draco watched as Snape billowed up the corridor, then returned to Slytherin House and his private room. He closed the door and warded it, then pulled a huge book from under his mattress. He looked at the title.
Dealing with Demons.
He sat down at his desk, opened the book and began to read.
He’d be ready this time.
**********************************
At a quarter to nine, Snape stood outside Gryffindor Tower, waiting for Hermione. He was dressed in his best dress robes, the ones with the serpents embroidered in it, and his boots were so polished, they could hurt your eyes if the light hit them just right. His hair was well brushed and silky looking. He ran his finger around his collar just a bit, not yet used to the robes.
Tonight was Slughorn’s party, and the newly freed Hermione couldn’t find a good enough reason not to accompany Severus. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Susan would be there, too. Susan wasn’t exemplary to Slughorn, but she was Ron’s date.
Ginny and Harry emerged from the tower first, Harry wearing dress robes and Ginny looking lovely in a clingy green dress that accentuated her slender shape and red hair. Snape gave her a formal bow when he greeted them, and she blushed slightly.
“Have you seen, Hermione?” Snape asked them.
”She’s coming,” Ginny said.
Then an “Oi!” sounded and they looked around to see Ron and Susan walking up the corridor. Ron wore dress robes and Susan was dressed in a black, shimmery dress with her hair swept up and pinned. It fit her quite nicely. Actually, she could have passed for a big, beautiful clothes model. Her make-up was nice and not overdone and silver and black earrings dangled from her ears.
Ron had his arm looped through hers proudly as they walked up.
”Hey,” he said, followed by Susan’s shy “hi.”
Everyone greeted them, Harry and Snape looking at Susan. Snape had to admit although she was a large girl, she was quite attractive.
”Susan, you look great,” Harry complimented her.
”Thank you, Harry. You look very nice, too. In fact, you all do. Ginny, green looks wonderful on you,” Susan replied, blushing slightly.
Ron looked around then let out an exaggerated sigh.
”We’re waiting for Hermione, aren’t we?”
”Yeah,” Ginny said, and Ron rolled his eyes.
”She’s going to take forever. She always does. Susan and I are going to go on ahead. I want to get a good head start on the finger foods,” Ron said.
”Of course,” Snape said dryly.
Ron ignored him. Snape simply didn’t understand the Weasley metabolism.
”We’ll see you there, Ron,” Harry said, not wanting to leave Snape.
”Harry, you and Ginny go to the party. I’ll wait for Hermione. There’s no need for everyone to be fashionable late,” Snape said to the wizard. He’d rather greet Hermione alone anyway. Right now, he felt like he had a chaperone with him. It was a little late for that.
”Are you sure?”
”Definitely.”
”All right, then. We’ll see you when you get there,” Harry said, taking Ginny’s arm and joining Ron and Susan. Snape watched as they walked up the corridor and out of sight. Then he turned back towards the tower, his dark eyes resting on the Fat Lady’s portrait.
She became redder and redder and finally snapped, “It’s not polite to stare!”
Snape bit back a scathing reply. He most certainly wasn’t looking at her, but at the entrance. She just happened to be in front of it. Still, insulting the painting wasn’t going to be helpful, so he sucked it up and looked around the area, then at his nails.
Suddenly, the Fat Lady’s portrait swung back and Hermione emerged.
Snape’s scowl lasted exactly one millisecond as he looked at Hermione.
She was dressed in a sleeveless, form-fitting gold sequined dress that fell mid-thigh. She also wore three-inch gold heels. Her hair was curly and pinned loosely with a scarlet and gold clip. She wore dangling scarlet and gold earrings and her face was made up nicely. She wore mascara, eyeliner and lipstick. The dress seemed to bring gold flecks out of her brown eyes. Snape’s mouth fell open slightly as he stared at her, lateness definitely forgiven.
”Hi, Severus. I’m sorry I took so long,” she said softly.
”I want to make your mascara run,” he answered in a raw voice.
”WHAT?”
Snape blinked, then seemed to come back to himself.
”I said you look beautiful,” he stated, trying to cover for himself.
Hermione harrumphed.
”That is not what you said, Severus, and you know it,” she told him as he smirked.
”No, but it is basically the same sentiment, kind of. I want to make your mascara run because you look so beautiful.”
”I wouldn’t look very beautiful after that,” she replied.
”To me, you would,” he said softly, leaning in and kissing her tenderly. It was just a short greeting kiss, really, but Hermione felt it all the way down to her toes.
They broke the kiss, brown eyes meeting black eyes and for a moment the idea of skipping the party and going down to Snape’s quarters flashed across both their minds. But only for a moment as Snape offered Hermione his arm.
”Let’s put in our appearance,” he said to her as she took hold.
”All right,” Hermione said, and they began walking. Severus craned his head, looking down at her feet and the heels she wore.
”I like your shoes,” he breathed.
”Thank you.”
”No, you don’t understand—I really like your shoes. They make your legs look so long and shapely. Very wrappable.”
”Wrappable? Is that even a word, Severus?”
”Do you want me to use it in a sentence?” he asked her, his eyes glittering.
”No. I don’t. I can only imagine what you’d come up with,” she replied, reddening even as she tried to hide a smile. Severus was always so ready to get sexual, even if it were only verbally.
“Blast,” he said, craning his head again at those delicious shoes.
As far as his ‘coming up’ with something, he wouldn’t mind those heels up in the air. Hermione had struck gold with those shoes.
Snape was well on his way to developing a slight fetish for Hermione in heels.
***********************************
A/N: Wow, I wrote this chapter without any smokes at all. I’m miserable, but I got it done. I received a generous donation three days ago (thanks LS*), but I had to use it all on the Phone and Internet bill which was badly overdue and had late charges. Can’t lose my internet. I’d die. Lol. Well, maybe not die, but I don’t even want to think what it would be like. Anyway, I hope y’all liked the chapter. By the way, I'd like to remind you about my original story and WIP "At Shimmer's End" available for a donation of choice at theburningpen . com. I have nine readers so far. That's kind of sad but I'm staying positive. Anyway, thanks for reading.