If You Go Down To The Woods Today

Mary: Hmm. Severus is a Slytherin, isn’t he? So, he won’t be too forthcoming, but... read on.



La Bibliographe: Well, their calm acceptance has developed over years. There will be explanations and such like. As for Severus Snape and his motives... you’ll just have to wait and see. Hmm, Hermione and Lucius having a bond? Not too sure about that, not yet anyway. They like each other a lot. Yes, Ron and Pansy; you know one day I might even give them there own playing field if you like the couple does intrigue me. I loved writing that, but I wouldn’t have written it if I hadn’t seen Rupert take his shirt off in Driving Lessons (if you can see it I highly recommend it!) Yes, Lucius to succeed but not too quickly. Well, we’ll see. I hope you like the latest plot development.



Angelnomiko: Yes, Ron does know the truth now. He was great though, being all gentlemanly and quite fifties about it. Pansy took matters in her own hands. Hey, it’s me, you have to realise that Severus has to have a chance with Hermione somewhere...



Dee Dee: I can say without spoiling anything for the future that Draco won’t be jealous of Ron as Draco didn’t like Pansy in his story. As for Lucius/Hermione/Severus, well, wait and see as to what I have in store for them. I was confused with that plot point, I might use it for another story but not for this one, sorry; it’s going to be confusing enough as it is.



Michiko: Yes, I love Ron/Pansy; it makes more sense to me that Hermione/Ron or Draco/Pansy as far as I’m concerned. As to how she will deal with Snape, well, this is Hermione isn’t it, and it’s me writing it... so probably not very well.



Criosdan: I think so.



Catysmom: I hope this is soon enough for you.



BuffyXO: Well the story just gets wrinklier with this next chapter; believe me.



Kira: Yes, I thought it was rather funny for that. I can’t wait to progress Ron’s and Pansy’s relationship.



Gaps of Misery: Thank you; I thought that I would be squicked by it myself but I wasn’t, in fact I rather wished I was in Pansy’s place. Sorry, that I have left no hot man for you. And you’re right we don’t like to share our men. Thank you for your review, savvy!



Then There Were Two!



Lucius had decided to stay away from Hermione for a while. He looked at her as much as he could throughout the day, with hooded eyes. He wanted to marry her; that he knew; he trusted her with the next generation; that he knew also, but he would not go so far as love. Yet! He knew he would never be bored with her as wife. He possibly cared about her, but as for love – he decided not to delve that deep.



He was grateful it was a Monday evening. The weekend had gone smoothly after he smashed and fixed the figurine. He could not believe the resemblance it had with Hermione. They spent a peaceful Saturday together discussing the possibility of her pregnancy. He had said that pregnant or not he’d marry her anyway. She glared at him for a long time afterwards refusing to talk to him. He had to tickle her to get a sound out of her. He smirked at the memory of that.



She was puffing and panting with absolute delight afterwards; her cheeks bright red, and eyes a fire with delight. He brushed aside some of her hair before laying feathery light kisses on her eyes dotting them down her nose to her mouth, which was already open and willing. He smiled a little with great pleasure at the thought of making her this hot without anything really sexual happening. It was quite something to learn.



He decided that they might need a day to themselves. He had successfully seduced her back into his arms and, he hoped, convinced her to being his wife. That was the main object of course. He had told Dumbledore that he loved Hermione only because it was the only way he was going to get any help. Besides a portrait Dumbledore was easier to talk to, as he had observed earlier.



He spent Sunday observing her; she was chatting to her friends in the library, and he fumed when she saw her patting that red head twits arm and looking at him with pity in her big, beautiful eyes. He started chewing his mouth.



She was doing it again this morning. Hermione looked up and saw Lucius scowl in disapproval; she was trying to get Ron to talk. She didn’t care what Lucius thought. Ronald Weasley was her friend and if he couldn’t deal with that then that was his problem. She turned back to her friend who was confused.



“Ron, tell me, what is on your mind?”



“It’s just that,” Ron said, looking around. He wasn’t sure if Pansy Parkinson wanted their relationship to be known throughout the school. He wasn’t even sure if he had a relationship with Pansy Parkinson. He was sure that if he saw another man touch her he’d deck them one. “Well, I’ve just found out the truth. Lavender Brown confessed the other night that she lied to me.”



Hermione was relieved. She hated seeing her friend stuck with her. Ron may have been dumb at times but he deserved someone with a bit more brains than Brown.



“Does she know who the father is?” Hermione asked.



“Yes, it’s that Hufflepuff prat Zacharias Smith!”



Hermione snorted. She looked at Ron and giggled. “Wow, it looks like Smith is going to be saddled after all.”



“What?” Ron asked.



“Zacharias Smith,” Hermione began, “sleeps with practically any woman he can lay his hands on. He say’s he doesn’t want to be tied down to one woman yet. This is going to let all the girls, including me, breathe. You’re my hero, Ronald Weasley!” she flung her arms around his neck causing him to blush and mumble something like a ‘you’re welcome;’ trying not to choke on a part of his pie.



Ginny was playing around with her dinner. She was pleased that her brother was now freed from that nasty cow but was miserable that she hadn’t heard from Harry in the past three hours. Harry was as good as his word and wrote as often as he could. Hermione rolled her eyes towards Ginny.



“Look, Ginny, Harry’s fine!”



“Oh, what do you know!” Ginny snapped. “He’s not your boyfriend!”



She got up and stormed out of the Great Hall. Hermione turned to Ron.



“What did I say?” she asked.



“Nothing,” Ron said shrugging his shoulders.



~*~*~



Minerva was walking around her Office she had an Owl telling her to expect Severus and Draco any time soon. She was frantic and this showed because she was worrying her nails. She heard someone tut.



“Minnie,” he said. “You know you shouldn’t. I haven’t seen you worry your nails like that since Mr and Mrs Potter died.”



Minerva humphed and placed her hands by her side. It didn’t make the worry any the easier and she decided to sit down. This useless waiting was horrible.



“Headmistress,” a head poked out of the fireplace.



“Mr Zabini?” Minerva asked.



“Yes, we’re coming through,” Blaise said smiling at her. Minerva had always wondered how he hadn’t got a girl pregnant yet. He came through the fireplace; Potter followed, then Snape who was dragging a very petulant Draco Malfoy behind him.



“Tea, Severus?” Minerva asked as if nothing had happened.



“That would be nice,” Severus replied. He sat down on a chair. Harry dumped his bag down and rubbed his eyes. Blaise sighed.



“I’ve got to go and find her,” Blaise said.



“Find who?” Draco sulked.



“Hermione,” Blaise answered. “I have to let her know I’m all right.”



“Yeah,” Harry replied, “I best find Ginny.”



Draco shook his head. “Who’s Hermione?”



“My best friend,” Harry said. “You know, the one with the curly brown hair and lovely smile.”



Draco shot a look to Blaise. “You mean that you like Granger?”



“Yes, what of it?” Blaise said to his friend. “Don’t worry Draco it’s not like it’s going to happen. She loves -,” he stopped. He considered his options. “She loves someone else.”



Draco shook his head again. He had not liked the way his life had turned out recently. He felt he had the right to complain. This was the icing on the bloody cake wasn’t it? He couldn’t get a little of his own back by seducing the girl of his dreams – or could he?



Blaise and Harry both walked out of the Office. Draco stayed, as he wasn’t sure what was to become of him. He looked at the Headmistress and shuffled in his seat.



“Mr Malfoy,” Headmistress McGonnagall said. “There is a rather unusual circumstance. Your father is here teaching Defence Against The Dark Arts. Due to this, I have been talking with previous Headmasters of the school, and in the past when there has been a child at the school along with a parent then that child can live with his or her parent. So, you are to stay in your fathers Quarters.”



“Where am I to stay?” Severus asked. “There are no positions to fill I take it?”



“No, Severus, there aren’t. You could lend a volunteering hand in some lessons though,” Minerva said with a hint of steel in her voice that suggested that it wasn’t an option. He groaned. He was back to being a teacher again, perfect! “You are to stay in the Guest Quarters.”



Severus sighed. That wasn’t too bad. He could still have a relatively quiet life in the Guest Rooms. That wasn’t too much to ask, was it? He uncrossed his legs.



“I best reunite father with son then,” Severus said. “Then I think I’ll turn in for the night.”



Minerva narrowed her eyes. Was that man ever going to change? He was impossible! Severus also had another reason to be clear from Minerva. He could tell that the woman might have understood he had no choice in the matter but still didn’t like him for it. Also, there was the matter of Miss Granger. It wasn’t really a surprise that it did not work out between her and that red haired dolt. What was a surprise was the fact that she might have succumbed to Lucius Malfoy’s charms. He had better have a talk with the young wench. He wanted to make things absolutely clear with her.



He walked over to the Defence Against the Dark Arts Quarters. Draco was dragging his feet behind the raven-haired man , annoyed by this Snape turned around urging him to hurry up. He knocked on the door and heard a muffled enter. Severus walked in the door.



“Severus?” Lucius asked with a mild hint of surprise. Severus inclined his head to the blond’s direction. “I had heard you might be coming back. I am surprised you did though? Let me guess, Potter is actually good at casting Imperios?”



“He wishes,” Severus sighed coolly. “I just came to drop something off and then I’ll be staying in the Guest Quarters. Don’t worry your head about losing your job. I am sure there is an important reason for you being here?”



“There is,” Lucius said coldly. He wasn’t about to tell Severus the truth. Draco decided to catch up and he opened the door wider to allow entrance. Lucius demeanour didn’t change on beholding his son.



“Good,” Severus said. He wanted the Library and now. “Well, Draco, this is where you will be staying.”



“What?” Lucius asked, blinking. Severus smirked.



“Draco might as well live with you, Lucius, there is no point to him staying in the Common Room when his father is here teaching, is there?”



Lucius coloured slightly. This would put a serious crimp on his plans. He had to re-think his strategy. It wouldn’t be the first time. He just hated doing it. His motto was: Never have a plan B as it distracts from Plan A.



Severus probed a little into Lucius mind. He saw some of the plans he had for Miss Granger. Severus would have to thank Lucius later for inspiring him. Severus swept out of the office leaving father and son in awkward silence.



Let them try to act like a family for once, Severus thought, it wouldn’t hurt them.



He decided to go into the Library. It wouldn’t do to enter the Great Hall yet. That was too Gryffindorian. It wasn’t his style. He wanted to make his presence known slowly and insidiously. He made headway to the Restricted Section. He opened the door with Wandless Magic and walked in. He thought he was on his own when he heard a sigh. He turned around on his heel and there Hermione was. She was sitting at the table with her chin resting on her hand reading her book with rapt attention. Severus smirked; he walked up to her with cat like tread. He wanted so much to surprise her. He covered her eyes with her hands and murmured in her ear.



“Guess who?”



The reaction was immediate and gratified Snape immensely.



“Sir?” she stammered.



“I was told by Potter and Zabini that students your age could use first names now, Hermione,” he grinned when he saw her blush.



“Um, well, I didn’t think that – that – you would,” she stammered.



“Well,” he said sitting down next to her. “I do.”



“All right, then, Severus,” she was breathing heavily. She had said his name softly and huskily. He liked that quality in a female’s voice.



“What are you reading?” he asked leaning over to see if he could gain a clue from the paragraphs. “Hmm, this was my favourite when I was a student. I didn’t think that you’d like this book though.”



“All knowledge is power,” Hermione replied starchly. She had managed to compose herself now. She didn’t like the way he invited himself in her personal space.



“I hear that you’ve been up to some shenanigans, Hermione,” Severus breathed in her ear. She squirmed in her seat. She balled her hands into fists. She wished she was wearing a skirt; that would give her hands some occupation. Why couldn’t he announce his return the way Lucius did? She had known that Blaise’s and Harry’s mission was successful; she knew that he was in the Castle somewhere; they had told her; Blaise had told her. She wanted so much to kiss him but he stepped back. Hermione was in a very bad mood.



“So,” she shrugged. Her head snapped up and looked into the dark eyes of Severus Snape. “What do you know?” she was worried.



“I know that you have slept with him,” he whispered whilst turning the page over of the book, acting like he was reading it. He had edged closer to her.



“How – how do you know?” she stuttered.



“By a certain light in your eyes, Hermione, a light that he placed there. You’d have to have a lifetime of friendship to recognise it. Only he can produce the light.”



Hermione couldn’t move. He was turning over another page. She tried to act like she was reading. It was very difficult with this man next to her. Lucius had awakened in her a sense of when men were on the prowl. Severus Snape was definitely on the prowl. She wondered how it had come to this. It was exactly a week since she lost her virginity to Lucius Malfoy. Now, Snape was back and in a different capacity it seemed.



“I’ve seen it in Ginny Weasley’s and I know she would not dare go near Lucius Malfoy.”



“Observe her again, and then look in the mirror. Believe me you will see the difference.”



His voice murmured enticingly in her ear. There were undercurrents of innuendo lying beneath the layers of innocence. His words seemed to convey something more.



“I – I must go, Severus,” Hermione said gulping. He withdrew back and let her go. He wanted to follow, but knew she would not welcome that. She would of course go to her rooms and pace the floor. She would ruffle up her hair and take her t-shirt out of her jeans. When he would turn up at her door in ten minutes time he’d find her in such a state it would be almost rude not to stay.



He had arrived at her door ten minutes later and she opened to his knock. He had imagined her state right. She was looking very wild, and confused. He smirked. If Lucius could be described as a fox, then Severus could be described as a Wolf. Hermione was a wonderful mate for either species.



“What are you doing here, anyway?” Hermione asked him when he shut the door behind him. She began to back away. She didn’t like the hot look in his eyes. She hated his leer as he swept a gaze up and down her body. He eventually rested on her beautifully shaped breasts.



“I am here on a rescue mission,” he replied.



“Rescue mission?” Hermione echoed incredulously.



“Yes,” Severus answered. “I am here to rescue a pretty damsel from the clutches of the evil Lord of the Manor.”



Hermione’s eyes widened. She knew what he meant straight away.



“B-but I don’t need rescuing,” she said.



Severus glided over to her making no sound with his extremely light footfall. Hermione could swear he was floating.



“Is that so?” he said. “Pretty young women like you ought to be aware before they enter the forest lest the big bad wolf is out and hungry.”



“I don’t know what you mean,” Hermione said clenching her teeth together.



“Hmm,” he said placing a golden coil behind her ear. “I’m sure you do.”



Hermione’s mouth opened in protest but Severus dipped his head and placed his lips on hers. He could feel her body heat. He could hear her heart thumping against her chest. He could smell her arousal. Naughty, naughty, Head Girl!



~*~*~



Lucius was left at sea. He had wanted to see his son but he would have liked a bit more warning. He saw Draco standing there awkwardly.



“How have you been?” Lucius asked.



“All right,” Draco said shrugging his shoulders.



“Did Severus treat you well?”



“Not too bad,” Draco answered.



Lucius rolled his eyes reining his anger in. He was this close to clouting the boy around the ear and demanding better answers.



“Have you been sleeping well?”



“So so,” Draco answered.



Lucius began grinding his teeth together. He began to tap his fingers on the edge of his desk. The candlelights flickered to the movements. He dreaded the answer to his next question.



“Kept up with your studies?”



Draco didn’t even speak; he just shrugged his shoulders and looked at the wall. Lucius began scratching his nails in the desk. He had wanted to be reunited with his son for so long and now he was he realised exactly why he kept him at a distance in the first place. He hated to be deprecating about any of his kith and kin but his son was a nitwit.



“I think we ought to find out where you will be sleeping,” Lucius said. He was thankful that rooms at Hogwarts were never what they appeared to be.



He opened another door, which led to a wide sitting area with a couple of comfortable sofa’s and hearthrug. Lucius had made a mental note to make sure Hermione would be sitting on that some time soon. He felt a tightening motion in his groin at the thought. He walked over to one door and looked around. It was bare but he was sure that House Elves would have it comfortable within minutes with their own special branch of Magic.



“I’ll make the arrangements with the House Elves.”



Lucius said to his son who had by now taken residence on one of the sofas. Draco was curled up and sleeping. Lucius sighed as he observed his son asleep. He had to admit he felt a wave of sentimentality wash over him and the longer he stared, it seemed, the more he realised how deeply he did care for his son. Lucius took his cloak off and wrapped it around his son and crept quietly out of the room. Perhaps after a sleep his son might be more loquacious.



~*~*~



“What are you doing?” Hermione demanded pulling back.



“Kissing you,” Severus answered.



“I know that,” Hermione replied stiffly, “but what were you doing with your hand?”



“I was trying to pull you closer so I could drown in your sweetness,” Severus replied.



Hermione almost fell for it. She looked into his eyes. She shook her head.



“Get out,” she said. “Out!”



“No,” Severus replied smiling cheekily.



“I mean it,” she hissed.



“Do you?” he asked. He backed her against the wall. He took hold of her hand and kissed the palm of it slowly, rubbing the centre of it with his thumb. “You better think about that very carefully, Hermione. I am certain that a part of you wishes me to stay. If only to slake your knowledge.”



Hermione tried not to give in. She may not love Lucius but she knew that it was wrong to sleep with another man if you were involved with someone else. She had opened her mouth to speak again but he claimed her mouth in such a fierce; passionate kiss that she could not help but wind her arms around his neck and pull him closer to her body.



A/N – Hermione is one easily seduced woman isn’t she? Severus certainly doesn’t believe in hanging about does he? What will Lucius do when he finds out that someone is playing with his toy? Tune in on the next episode of If You Go Down To The Woods Today...