It Happened One Hallow's Eve

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 10 ~ Back to the Real World

Severus and Hermione woke up early to find the green ecto-covering gone from the walls of the Room of Requirement. They dressed in silence, Hermione walking over to her own bed and gathering up her clothes. Severus watched as she dressed, his dark eyes solemn.

When she was finished, she turned to look at him.

”I’m ready,” she said softly.

The wizard strode over to her and looked down on her upturned face.

“It’s back to the real world, Hermione,” he said, “I expect you to keep our secret.”

“I will,” the witch responded.

Severus seemed cold and distant now. Had she made a mistake?

Suddenly the wizard drew her into his arms and kissed her gently.

No, she hadn’t.

Severus broke the kiss and licked his lips.

“That will have to tide us over until graduation,” he said to the witch, “Now, let us depart. When you tell about your adventure, tell it as it was until we reached the Room of Requirement. After that, we slept. End of story. Stick to that.”

Hermione nodded, and Severus strode to the door and pushed it open, letting the witch out and glancing back at the beds, which fuzzed out and disappeared. He exited the room, pulling the door closed behind him. It promptly disappeared.

First the couple apparated to the subdungeons so Hermione could collect her backpack, then they apparated to the main hall. There was not a ghost to be seen. Most likely they were in hiding, ashamed of how they had lost control. That suited the Potions Master just fine. He could live without seeing another blasted ghost for the rest of his life.

They took the shifting stairs down to the main floor and exited out the double doors. It was an uncharacteristically sunny day, though somewhat cool due to the time of year. They stood on the staircase outside the castle, looking across the grounds.

“They should be returning soon,” Severus said unnecessarily.

He felt rather awkward…completely out of character for him. Well, this was all new. He was used to keeping secrets, but it was rather different when the secret was standing right next to him.

“Yes, they should be,” Hermione agreed. Then she looked at Severus.

“Professor?” she said, reverting to his title, “Do…do I look any different?”

Severus rested his dark eyes on the witch. She looked a bit flushed, but that was the extent of it. She was worrying too much. He had the cure for that.

“I assure you, Miss Granger, you don’t have the words “I Shagged My Potions Master” stamped across your forehead,” he replied snarkily.

Ah, he felt much better.

Hermione scowled at him and was about to say something very ugly when he arched an eyebrow at her.

“Remember, I can’t act any differently toward you, Miss Granger. I might as well get back in character now,” the wizard said evenly, smirking a bit.

Hermione swallowed down her response, and smiled a little herself. Yes, he did have to return to the snarky bastard they all loved to hate. Well, all except her.

“They’re back,” the Potions Master said.

Hermione looked across the grounds and saw a crowd of students approaching, Albus and the other staff leading the way. Harry and Ron were right in front with them, looking for all the world as if they wanted to break into a run when they saw her and the Potions Master standing in front of the castle.

“Let’s go,” Severus said to the witch, scowling as usual as he stalked down the stairs and strode toward Albus, Hermione right behind him.

Minerva looked both angry and relieved as she saw her prize student following behind the dark wizard in one piece. She’d have a few words for the witch to be sure. Imagine, hiding out in the castle where no one could find her.

Severus stopped in front of Albus, the students streaming past them, giving Hermione curious looks as they did so. Minerva, Harry and Ron gathered around them, the young wizards giving the Potions Master suspicious looks, and staring at Hermione as if to see was there anything different about her. She looked all right.

Minerva stalked up to Hermione and hugged her tightly.

“I’m so glad you’re all right, Hermione,” the Transfiguration Professor said, her eyes glistening as she released her. She turned to Severus. “Thank you for retrieving her Severus.”

The wizard nodded a welcome, Ron’s blue eyes still resting on him suspiciously.

Minerva turned to Hermione, suddenly stern.

“After everyone is settled in young lady, you are to come to my office. We are going to have a discussion about your little disappearing act. You could have been killed!” she said, frowning at the witch.

“Yes Professor,” Hermione said in a small voice.

Albus caught Severus by the sleeve and drew the wizard aside. Harry and Ron strained to hear what was being said.

“Severus, did you…” the Headmaster began, his eyes dark.

“I didn’t have to deflower the witch,” the Potions Master said smoothly, “We found protection in the Room of Requirement after a bit of running about.”

Well, the wizard didn’t lie. He didn’t have to deflower Hermione, though he did.

The Headmaster looked relieved.

“Thank the gods,” he said, “That could have caused her much trauma.”

Severus nodded, thinking about the witch orgasming.

“Yes, it certainly could have,” he agreed.

Albus patted him on the shoulder.

“A job well done, Severus. You are to be commended,” Albus said.

“Thank you sir,” the wizard replied.

Ron and Harry walked up to Hermione anxiously.

“What happened?” they both asked her at the same time.

Hermione proceeded to tell them about how the Professor saved her from Nearly Headless Nick, and how they apparated all around the castle and battled the ghosts in the protective circle and finally made it to the ROR, getting in using the Solarius spell, then spent an uneventful night waiting for sunrise.

“Snape didn’t try to put the moves on you did he?” Ron asked her, his nostrils flaring.

“No, he didn’t,” Hermione said honestly. After all, it was she who put the moves on him.

“Good. I…we were worried,” Ron said. Harry nodded agreement.

“Draco says the Professor wants you,” Harry said, watching the witch for reaction.

“Wants me for what? To test dangerous potions?” Hermione replied.

Severus was talking to the other heads of houses now, but he was aware of the witch talking to her two friends. His eyes shifted and he saw that Draco Malfoy hadn’t entered the castle with the rest of the Slytherins and was looking at the witch intensely.

“He wants to shag you,” Ron hissed.

Hermione reddened.

“Don’t be stupid Ron,” she said to him, frowning.

The wizard looked relieved at her response. So did Harry.

“Yeah…I suppose it is stupid. Like you’d let the greasy git touch you,” the wizard said.

Hermione didn’t reply.

Suddenly Ron’s stomach growled loudly.

“I’m bloody starved,” he said, “Come on, Hermione…Harry. Let’s go get something to eat.”

Hermione hung back.

“I want to talk to the Headmaster first. I’ll be along in a bit,” she lied. She just wanted some time to herself. But Harry and Ron never seemed to understand that, since they were practically stuck together by the hip. That’s why she was in the subdungeons in the first place. Luckily, they gave in easily this time.

“All right then,” Harry said, “See you in a bit. And I’m glad you’re all right.”

Harry started walking toward the castle. Ron looked at Hermione.

“I’m glad you’re all right too,” he said, walking forward and trying to kiss her on the mouth. Hermione moved her head.

“I told you about trying to kiss me in public, Ron. We don’t go out,” the witch said, frowning at him.

“I know that. I just wanted to show you how glad I am you’re all right,” the wizard said sullenly.

“You can just tell me,” she replied.

“Fine then,” Ron said, stalking off angrily.

Hermione sighed. She was going to have to do something about him.

Draco saw an opening and sauntered up to Hermione, who scowled. Talking to Draco was never good. He stood there looking at her.

The staff were all talking animatedly, Severus standing among them. He looked over and saw Draco with Hermione. His eyes narrowed slightly.

“What do you want, Draco?” Hermione asked him, sounding irritated.

Draco’s eyes narrowed.

“He fucked you, didn’t he Granger? The Professor,” he asked her, studying her face intently. Hermione colored.

“Shut up Draco. You’re a real ass,” she replied.

“I know he did. I can tell your cherry’s been popped. I’ve popped enough myself to know,” the wizard said. “So how was it? Did you suck him off?”

“Leave me alone, Draco,” Hermione said, starting to walk away. Draco caught her by the sleeve of her robe..

“I bet he fucked the shit out of you. I’ve heard he likes to cause witches pain,” the wizard breathed, his mouth twisted in a leer. “I heard he has a huge cock and makes them take it up the…”

”And what else have you heard about me, Mr. Malfoy?” Severus said, standing behind the wizard, his arms folded and eyes narrowed.

Draco spun, his blue eyes wide with terror as he faced the Potions Master, who was looking at him with a sober expression.

“I…er…nothing sir,” Draco said lamely.

Severus stared at him imperiously a moment, the young wizard seeming to shrink beneath his gaze.

“I do not appreciate you implying that I’ve done anything untoward with any student, Mr. Malfoy…nor do I appreciate you speculating on my sexual preferences particularly in front of a female student. You will accompany me to my office where we will discuss your punishment and the appropriate point loss. Not only was what you said to Miss Granger lewd and offensive, but it was something a true gentleman of breeding would never ever do. You shame your sire and your bloodline, Mr. Malfoy. I thought you a better wizard than that,” Severus said scathingly.

Draco hung his head.

Severus frowned at the blonde wizard.

“Don’t you have something to say to Miss Granger,” he asked Draco pointedly.

Draco lifted his eyes to Hermione.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

Hermione looked at him, but said nothing. Severus turned to her.

“I was on my way to speak to you, Miss Granger, when I overheard Mr. Malfoy. Now that I have dealt with him, I will deal with you. One hundred points from Gryffindor for forcing me to have to come search for you,” he said silkily. “It was quite inconvenient.”

“What?” Hermione yelled, outraged.

”And another twenty-five points for raising your voice to a teacher,” he added as the witch fumed. “Would you like to try for twenty-five more?”

Draco smiled. The Potions Master must not have fucked the witch if he were taking points for having to rescue her.

Hermione stared at Severus sullenly as he arched an eyebrow at her. There was a hint of mirth in his eyes at her outrage.

“No sir,” she spat, pronouncing the word “sir” like a curse.

”Good. Now come along, Mr. Malfoy,” the wizard said, turning with a billow of robes and striding off.

Draco gave Hermione a nasty smirk and followed him. At least he wasn’t the only one who got in trouble.

Hermione stared after the wizard, her hands clenched into fists. Then she relaxed and began to think logically. More than likely the wizard had taken points from her to throw Draco off. She hadn’t responded to him well. He could have told his father what he suspected and word gotten back to Voldemort. So Severus had done what he had to.

But damn it, did he have to seem to enjoy it so much?

Well, he was the Potions Master.

Of course he did.

“Miss Granger?” a voice said to her. Hermione turned to see the Headmaster looking at her with some concern.

“Yes, Headmaster?” she responded.

“How are you, my dear?” he asked her. They both started walking toward the castle.

“I’m fine sir. There were some scary moments, but the Professor was wonderful. He saved my life,” she said, trying not to think of him flexing over her, his dark eyes filled with pleasure.

“Yes. The Potions Master is quite special. A very selfless wizard when all is taken into consideration,” the Headmaster said, looking at the witch sideways. “A pity he leads such a cold and lonely life. You would think that he deserves some kind of happiness to balance the evil he faces every day. A very sad situation, don’t you think, Miss Granger?”

Hermione felt a sympathetic pulse in her heart for the wizard.

“Yes,” she said softly, “Very sad.”

She would do her best to make him as happy as possible.

She and the Headmaster walked up the castle stairs and entered the main hall.

Albus turned to the witch.

“I am on my way to the Great Hall for a bite to eat. Coming, Miss Granger?” he asked the witch. Hermione shook her head.

“No sir. I’m still kind of tired. I’ll have something in Gryffindor Tower, Headmaster,” she replied.

“Very well, Miss Granger. I am very happy that you survived the night…intact,” he said, a knowing twinkle in his eyes.

Hermione looked at him sharply for a moment, then decided he was just stating he was glad her soul wasn’t taken.

“Thank you, Headmaster. Goodbye,” the witch said, heading for the main stairwell.

"Goodbye, Miss Granger," the wizard responded.

Albus watched Hermione walk up the stairs for a moment, then began to walk toward the Great Hall.

“I may be old, but I’m not blind,” he thought to himself. “That witch has a glow about her that didn’t come from the autumn air. Severus told me he didn’t have to deflower Miss Granger… but that doesn’t mean he didn’t.”

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A/N: I had wanted this to be the epilogue, but it seems the story doesn’t want to end here. Albus doesn’t miss a trick…and how about the point loss? Lol. But Draco was on point…Severus had to do something. Now what will he do about Ron Weasley? I guess the story is going to have to continue. We have to see what Hermione does after all. Looks like more lemons ahead. Please review.