Forbidden Lover

Chapter Eleven
The Letters

Severus had to firmly remind himself the next morning that he would have to get a handle on his emotions. He was a grown man, and acting like a lovesick school lad. After he'd made Hermione return to her house last night, he'd remained rigid with need despite having her the one time.

Hermione didn't fare any better. The next week was the same as the first, need and greed. She didn't dare return to Severus' rooms soon. She had noticed Dumbledore regarding her with interest lately and seen his eyes stray over to Severus as well. She wasn't dumb, and Dumbledore's reputation for knowing what went on in Hogwarts was well known. Harry had reminded her of it again and again in the past.

She assumed that Severus had noticed Dumbledore's actions as well, but she wasn't able to ask him. They could only look at one another with longing in their eyes when they felt they weren't being noticed. Hermione continued to hang out with Ron and Harry and to bury herself in her work.

She was getting desperate by the time the fourth week passed. She had finished the assignment Severus had given them and was starting to put away her potions' book when a thought struck her. She looked around. The other students were still working, and Severus had stepped into his office.

She found a clean piece of parchment and began to write, smiling to herself.


Dear Severus,

I miss you. I want you in my arms again, and I can't quit thinking about you, or about how it feels with you inside of me.

Dumbledore has been watching me. I've seen him watching you as well, and I don't want to get you in trouble. He must suspect something. I don't really care what happens to me, but you do have your job to consider.

It's just that... I can't explain how you make me feel. It's like every breath I take is you, and you make me happy for the first time in my life.

You're different from anyone else I've ever known, and it doesn't matter whether you're the most handsome man in the world or not. As long as you can care about me, that's all that matters.

I think I'm falling in love with you.

Hermione



When the Professor came round to collect the papers, Hermione hid it under her assignment and he took it from her, not suspecting anything. Severus failed to see the note until that evening when he was sitting in the study grading the daily assignments.

He sat and read it more than once. His hand shook as he read the words; I think I'm falling in love with you. He shut his eyes and rubbed his temples. No one had ever told him that, much as he had longed to hear it deep within himself. His cold demeanor sprung from not having known what it was like to be loved. His heart, which he'd long thought frozen, had begun to thaw when Hermione had come to him last year.

Gods, yes, Severus missed her, just as much as she did him. He would never change but he supposed he could allow her into the dark world he inhabited. She was accepting him as he was, not asking him to change.

So Dumbledore was watching them still. No doubt the Headmaster already knew of his indiscretion, but then again, maybe not. Certainly he would have spoken to him by now instead of standing idly by. The problem was that Severus was getting to the point that he didn't care if Dumbledore knew or not. He wanted Hermione, with both the good AND the bad that lurked inside him. That was not a good state to be in, for it was one that made the evil come out in him. The evil side not only was dark; it was greedy and demanding, and it would go after what it wanted.

Severus had become skilled at keeping a grip on him self, but love and lust, lust especially, was a powerful lure. Love, he was still inexperienced in and an idiot to boot. However if things kept on as they were, with him wanting Hermione constantly, he was going to be hard pressed to remain in control.

He picked up his quill and began to write, a sly smile crossing his face. He was going to continue to have her some way, and to hell with Dumbledore and his nosy ways.

Hermione was lying on her bed reading when a parchment shot out of the fireplace floo and fluttered to rest on the page in front of her. She looked around, startled, before picking it up and opening it.


Hermione,

I am well aware of the Headmaster and his ways. Caution is not a bad thing for us to have, but perhaps we can figure out something. I do indeed miss you, and I need you here with me. I would like to have you in my bed every night, instead of sleeping above in the upper castle with those insufferable Gryffindors.

Right now I would like to have you naked and willing in my arms. I think about it, and it makes me forget about giving these dunderheads failing grades. I will think on trying to find a way to be with you soon.

As for love - yes, Hermione, I too, am falling in love.

Severus


Tears welled in her eyes and she sniffed. Severus loved her. And he wanted her. It was all she could do not to flee her room and defiantly go downstairs to be with him. Hermione sighed. She mustn't do that. As Severus said, maybe they could figure out a way.


It was another week before the way inadvertently presented itself. Dumbledore left Hogwarts to attend a meeting of the Ministry in London. Hermione looked straight at Severus that morning at breakfast when Professor McGonagall appeared alone and made the announcement that the Headmaster would be away until Monday.

In potions class that afternoon, Severus waited until everyone was leaving.

"Miss Granger, a moment of your time?"

"You go ahead," she told Harry and Ron, "I'll be along behind you in a minute."

Harry and Ron looked at one another and shrugged. Harry was beginning to think Ron was correct in thinking Hermione had gone mental. Hanging with Snape was definitely the sign of a mentally disturbed female.

She came to him, almost throwing her book bag aside in her haste to be alone with him.

Severus wasted no time warding the closed door, taking Hermione in his arms and kissing her, wrapping his cape around her body. Enclosed in the black cocoon, she felt loved and warm.

Long moments passed as his mouth feasted on hers. They were both breathing hard when he tore his mouth away from hers.

"I thought we'd never find a way," she managed to say, holding tightly onto him.

His lips brushed her forehead.

"We don't have a lot of time," he considered. "The Headmaster will return sometime over the weekend. Until then..."

His words trailed off as their eyes locked, the need for one another in them evident.

"Can I come to you this afternoon?" Hermione whispered against his lips as she stole another kiss.

"Yes," he said. "I would have come to find you if you hadn't offered."

His tongue stole into her mouth and licked the roof in a long sweep. Her own tangled with his and tasted. Their bodies were melded together, and she could feel the throbbing heat of him against her belly even through the layers of clothing and robing.

"You are going to be the death of me," Severus groaned, slowly setting her from him, nearly forgetting that he had to have some principles left or he would be fucking her right there on the cold stone floor and she would miss her next class.

"Here." He shoved a spell book into her hand. "You can return that to me this afternoon." He grinned.

Hermione laughed outright.

"I never expected to see you grin, ever," she said.

"Is it a terrible sight?" he asked.

"No," she replied, picking up her book bag and shoving the spell book in. "It's a very sexy one."

She smiled enchantingly at him as she walked out, pleased that tonight they'd be back together.