Outside the Fire

Disclaimer: Please see previous chapters, because I don\'t own any of them.


Outside the Fire

Chapter 11 - Temptation


Students of all years spilled out of the carriages and the prefects quickly marshalled everyone into the various Houses. As they were ushered through the doors, Severus watched from the stairs, along with the other Heads. He watched in silence as the four houses were assembled and led away by the various prefects and noted the way the Weasley boy followed Bulstrode with his eyes and was Zabini actually craning his neck in Gryffindors direction? Perhaps Hermione..Miss Granger..was right. They had all paired up. He watched as the Hufflepuff prefect, Finch-Fletchley, paused beside Hermione to ask her a question, his eyes narrowing as Michael Corner joined them.

He saw how she smiled warmly at the Hufflepuff and the way it cooled when her gaze swung to Corner. So, no change there, then. The humiliation he\'d suffered still rankled a little and he smirked as he remembered that so far he\'d taken at least a hundred points from Corner, and legitimately, too. Draco paused beside them, a sneer on his face when he saw the Ravenclaw, and touched Hermione\'s shoulder. A few murmured words and she was nodding to the blond boy and then moving away.

The other Heads moved towards their students and Severus thought it would be a good idea to move too. There was no way he was going to be caught staring at the Head Girl. With a jerk of his head, he indicated that the column of Slytherins follow him and he caught the glance that Zabini sent to Bulstrode. He wondered what that was about, but was distracted by the scuffling from two second years behind him. A glare in their direction immediately stopped the pushing students and a sharp word from Draco kept the other students in line.

Hermione and Ron led the way back to Gryffindor tower, listening to the eager chattering behind them.
\"So, what did Justin want?\" Ron looked down at his friend.
\"He had an idea for Valentine\'s that he wanted to discuss with Draco and I.\"
\"Oh? Looked like something more to me.\"
\"Since when did you get so observant? Oh, yes, when you decided that Professor Snape was my dream date.\" She said in a low voice. Ron flushed red to the tips of his ears and his mouth opened and closed a few times. He saw the way her chin was set and knew he was in for an interrogation later, and so was Ginny from the glare that Hermione sent her way.
\"How did you find out?\"
\"Let\'s just say that I know what Harry did.\"
\"Shit.\"
\"I expect you and Ginny in my rooms at nine o\'clock tonight.\" was all she said and after that ignored him. Ron\'s stomach churned over the thought of being grilled by Hermione. For all her size, she was a frightening opponent, and he was man enough to admit that he was a little bit worried.

Hermione smiled to herself as she saw the way he kept glancing at her nervously. He had flushed red when he realised she knew about what Harry had done and had looked really uncomfortable about her knowing. Harry had explained that apart from Ron coming up with the idea of Snape, and that little stunt with Neville, no one else had known about Harry using Legilimency on her. She\'d have to think of a suitable punishment to get back at him for getting Neville thrown out of Potions. She had made good use out of her pass to the Restricted Section and nhe hhe had a veritable arsenal of weapons at her disposal.

Settling the students in after the Christmas and New Year high left Severus exhausted. The first years had obviously forgotten their fear of him because at least three had wished him a Happy New Year. He\'d growled back at thnd tnd then retreated to his rooms. For once, he didn\'t immediately light up a cigarette and he scowled as he remembered Hermione telling him it wasn\'t good for him. Digging his his pocket, he defiantly stuck one between his lips and lit it, drawing the smoke into his lungs and then coughing a bit as he inhaled a bit too much. Blowing it out with a harsh breath he stared at the glowing tip, seeing Hermione\'s disappointed eyes. Flinging it into the fire, he stood up; he\'d make his rounds early tonight.

Millie, Draco and Blaise made their way to the Head Girl\'s rooms later that night. Draco had an idea about what she wanted to see them about, and wasn\'t surprised to see Ginny and Ron already there.
\"Where\'s Harry?\"
\"He\'ll be here in a minute.\" Ron said, just as Harry rushed through the door, apologising for being late.
\"So good of you to join us, Harry.\"
\"Sorry, Hermione. Dumbledore wanted to have a word.\" he gave Draco a meaningful glance.
\"Well, seeing as everyone is here, I suppose you all want to know why?\" she looked round at them all.
\"I think we know.\" Ginny mumbled.
\"What was that, Ginny?\"
\"You know what I said, \'Mione. And we know why you\'ve got us here.\"
\"Enlighten me then, because I think we\'re talking at cross purposes.\" Hermione folded her arms.
\"You know about us trying to set you up with Professor Snape, and now you want to yell at us, or hex us.\" she shrugged.
\"Well, I certainly want to yell at you, and possible hex you, but the main reason I asked you all here was to offer suggestions.\" she smiled as Blaise nearly fell off his chair in surprise. Ginny and Millie immediately started bombarding her with questions and Ron just sat there with a blank expression on his face. He looked across at Draco and Harry.
\"You didn\'t think to warn us?\" he asked. Draco shrugged.
\"He\'s putting up a bit of a fight.\"
Ron started laughing, softly at first and then louder and louder until the others were staring at him in amazement.
\"Ron?\" Millie rushed over to him and he shook his head at hlauglaughing hysterically. Eventually he calmed down and they waited for him to tell them what the cause of his amusement.
\"Sorry, but I can\'t help remembering something.\"
\"What?\" even Blaise was curious.
\"Hermione, remember that time me and Harry stayed with you? A few years ago?\"
\"Yes.\" Hermione grinned as she thought of Ron\'s wide-eyed fascination with the television.
\"We were watching those Saturday morning cartoons.\"
\"I remember that.\" Harry chipped in.
\"Yeah, and does this situation with Snape remind you of anything?\" he looked at them expectantly and received puzzled looks in reply.
\"That cartoon with the skunks.\" he prompted.
\"Are you implying that Snape is a skunk?\" Blaise didn\'t know whether to be offended or not.
\"No. See, there\'s this French skunk who chases after this cat that\'s painted to look like a skunk and..\" his voice trailed off as he saw the looks on their faces. \"Well I thought it was funny.\"
\"I don\'t see your point.\" Hermione said as Harry then started to laugh.
\"I do. I can just imagine Hermione bouncing around Hogwarts, chasing after a fleeing Snape.\"
\"Just call me Pepe.\" Hermione finally got the joke and started grinning. \"It\'s a Muggle thing,\" she said to the others, \"Unless you\'ve seen it, you wouldn\'t understand.\"
\"Not sure I want to understand it, to be honest.\" Blaise whispered to Ginny.
\"So what is it you want suggestions for?\" Millie brought the meeting back on track.
\"I need him to sit up and take notice.\"
\"I\'d say he already has.\" Draco smirked.
\"Notice me more, then.\" she looked around at them, waiting for them to laugh at her.
\"It\'s got to be subtle.\" Millie stood up and walked around Hermione, looking her up and down.
\"Hard to get.\" Ginny joined the Slytherin girl.
\"Lose the robe, Hermione.\" Blaise ordered, tilting his head on one side.
\"Pardon?\" Ron sat up from where he\'d been lounging.
\"Look, she\'s covered up from head to foot, worse than a nun,\" Blaise pointed out, \"We have to see what the raw material\'s like.\"
\"Lose the robe, Hermione.\" Ron ordered, grinning, having seen what she looked like in normal clothes. Hermione rolled her eyes and carefully hung her robe up in the cupboard, turning to face them all. It was like standing in front of a judging panel and from the look in Blaise\'s eyes, she was coming up wanting.
\"Wha she she asked him.
\"Not bad. Good legs, nice hair.\"
\"You make me sound like a horse.\"
\"Nah, the teeth are smaller.\" Draco grinned, and ducked as Ron cuffed him round the head.
\"You want subtle? Okay, here\'s what you need to do..\" Blaise reeled off a list of slight changes that needed to be made and Ginny jotted them down on a piece of parchment. Harry, Ron and Draco gathered round the table and came up with various ideas to get Snape interested.
\"He knows she\'s interested in him, Ron, but he\'s determined to resist.\" Draco explained.
\"May I make a suggestion?\" a voice said from above the fireplace. They looked up to see Salazar taking up his customary pose against the portrait frame.
\"Good evening, Salazar.\" Hermione smiled at him. Draco and Blaise straightened up.
\"Good evening, Hermione. May I suggest that a little jealousy might work wonders with him?\"
\"How?\"
\"He\'s never shared too well, and maybe if he sees you with someone else..\"
\"No.\" Hermione was adamant.
\"Sounds like a good idea to me.\" Blaise said.
\"No. I am not going to let him think that I\'d flit from one man to another.\"
\"Hey, don\'t look at me!\" Ginny held her hands up, knowing that her reputation was to blame.
\"Nor me.\" Blaise drawled.
\"You don\'t have to do anything, Hermione.\" Ron sat up, an idea forming in his brain. He sat forward eagerly, \"All we have to do is get other boys interested in you. You don\'t have to respond to them, just the sight of someone else chasing after you should get him going, right?\" he looked up at the portrait.
\"Dog in the Manger attitude. Yes, Mr Weasley, that may very well work.\"
\"I don\'t have to encourage them?\"
\"I think you should flirt a bit.\" Millie said, \"Just enough to get you noticed.\"
\"You don\'t flirt.\" Hermione pointed out.
\"I don\'t need to. Ron\'s hooked already.\" Millie said complacently as Ginny hooted with laughter.
\"I still can\'t believe I\'m discussing my love life with you.\" Hermione threw herself down in a chair.
\"You don\'t have one, \'Mione, which is why we decided to get one for you.\" Harry said, curling up beside Draco. He yawned and nudged his partner, who got the message.
\"Okay, everyone. Time to get back to your own rooms.\" Draco stood up and pulled Harry to his feet, waiting for Blaise and Ron to say goodnight to Ginny and Millie. He\'d seen the look Harry had sent him and couldn\'t wait to get him back to his room. Hermione said goodnight to them all and a small smile crossed her lips as the door closed behind them. Harry had no idea what his own love life was going to be like shortly..

~~@~~

Draco hustled Harry towards his room, waving a careless goodbye to Millie and Blaise. As soon as he shut the door, he pulled Harry towards the bed and started stripping him. Harry laughed and returned the favour, his fingers sliding over and then under Draco\'s silk shirt, fumbling with the button his his haste to get to the creamy skin underneath. He gasped as Draco tugged him forward by his waistband and then flipped the button open, yanking down the zip as if it had been days, not hours, since they\'d last been together.
\"Careful with the goods, Draco.\" he smiled as he was pushed down onto the bed, followed by the eager blond.
\"Don\'t tell me you don\'t like it like this.\" Draco bared his teeth in a feral grin and pounced, stripping the rest of their clothes off with indecent haste.
\"All right, I won\'t.\" Harry squeaked as Draco\'s mouth found the sensitive spot in the hollow of his hipbone. His breathing hitched as he felt a tongue trace patterns over his abdomen, missing the one place he wanted that tongue to go.
\"Draco..\" he moaned, clenching his hands in the smooth covers of the bed.
\"Shh, let me do this.\" Draco whispered against Harry\'s sensitive skin, his tongue dipping again into his navel. Harry shuddered and moved his hands to run through Draco\'s hair, the soft strands slipping easily through the grasping fingers. Blowing gently on the wet skin, Draco slowly drove Harry wild until he moved up to cover the writhing brunette with his body. His hands framed Harry\'s face and then one moved to pluck the foggy glasses from his nose. Dilated green eyes met his and he gently kissed each one, his lips closing thick lashes and then moving over flushed cheekbones and down to parted lips. A swirl of tongue caused Harry to arch his hips and wrap his legs around Draco\'s, rubbing against him in frantic need.

Draco stilled his hips with his hands and lifted up, his eyes searching the side table for his wand. Moving back to cover Harry again, he shifted his hands under his hips and nudged his legs further apart. With Harry panting in his ear, he clumsily prepared him, his hand shaking as tension coiled between them.
\"Sorry love,\" he whispered, burying his face in Harry\'s neck, and plunged forward, holding his lover down as he thrust in. Harry gasped at the intensity of feeling and hung on, riding the waves of pleasure with his head thrown back. He felt Draco\'s hand pushing between their bodies to grasp his erection and arched his back even further, drawing Draco in deeper.

Harry\'s hands roamed over the smooth skin of Draco\'s back and then moved to cup the back of his head. Nudging wiis cis chin, he drew Draco\'s mouth back to his, tracing the curve of his upper lip with his tongue. His lover tasted of chocolate and mint and he delved inside, smiling against Draco\'s lips as Draco groaned in response. As Draco moved faster, Harry wound his legs around Draco\'s hips, encouraging him in his efforts, and then he arched into him, coming with a sudden rush. As his breathing slowed and Draco lay replete on top of him, something nagged at the back of Harry\'s mind and he frowned, trying to figure out what it was. Draco leaned up and gently brushed sweat dampened locks away from Harry\'s forehead, pressing a kiss against the faded scar. Sleepy grey eyes met his and a smug smile curved Draco\'s full lips. It was the smile that did it. Hermione had sent the exact same smile towards him when she said goodnight to them all tonight. And now he wasn\'t sure if he should be worried or not.

Pulling away from Draco, he grabbed his wand aneaneeaned them up, rolled out of the bed and started to get dressed.
\"I thought you\'d stay here tonight.\" Draco pouted from under the sheets.
\"Sorry, I can\'t. Dumbledore \'suggested\' that I try to spend a little more time with my roommates this last term, because it sets a precedent if we\'re seen to be practically living together.\"
\"He can talk!\" Draco sat up indignantly, \"Leaving you for years in a six by three cupboard!\"
\"Let\'s just keep him happy for the next six months, hmm? Then we never have to see the old coot ever again.\"
\"You sound just like Sev does.\"
\"I don\'t blame him. Dumbledore may be powerful, but he\'s a manipulative old bastard and if I don\'t see him for ten years it\'ll be too soon.\"
\"I never thought I\'d hear you say that about the old man.\"
\"Well, you didn\'t hear him throw words about like \'discreet\' and \'bad influence\' around. What if I\'d lost you, Draco?\" Harry sat on the bed and pulled Draco into his arms. Holding the blond\'s head under his chin, he hugged him close. \"He must have had some inkling that you\'d be targeted. He let them take you, I just know it.\"
\"But you saved me.\" Draco soothed him, rubbing his hands over Harry\'s back.
\"No thanks to him.\" Harry subsided suddenly, the fight going out of him, \"He tried to stop me, you know.\"
\"No, I didn\'t.\" Draco\'s voice was muffled.
\"He said..he said that Professor Snape would get you out. But I knew he wouldn\'t without exposing himself. He couldn\'t.\"
\"So he was going to sacrifice me?\"
\"Probably.\" Harry shuddered when he remembered Draco kneeling before Voldemort, \"He probably thought you were the most expendable. Bastard.\"
\"You proved him wrong, though.\"
\"You were more important to me than he was. I don\'t think he expected me to go after you the way I did.\"
\"Neither did I.\"
\"You were worth it, though. And we don\'t even have to have a ceremony if you don\'t want. We know how we feel about each other, and a few words spoken by him isn\'t going to change that.\" Harry looked down at Draco, who saw the desperation in his eyes.
\"No, we don\'t need the words, Harry.\" Draco agreed softly and kissed him.

~~@~~

The first meeting of the New Year was taken up with sorting out the new rotas for patrol duty. Blaise and Ron sat behind Hermione and watched in amusement as she carefully arranged her robe around her, the slightly raised hem of her skirt, that Blaise had suggested she shorten, riding up her slim legs. Ron hid his grin behind his hand as he saw Justin\'s eyes straying in her direction. He wasn\'t so pleased to see Michael Corner looking as well, and he nudged Blaise to attract his attention. Blaise glanced up and saw two more boys eyeing Hermione\'s legs and then he noticed that Professor Snape had sat down directly opposite her. He nudged Ron back and then concentrated on watching his Head of House.

Professor Snape was looking bored, as he normally did in these meetings. He tensed as Hermione walked in beside Draco and sat down, crossing her legs and smoothing her robe around her. He watched as she sorted through some parchment and leaned towards Draco to ask a question, her blouse gaping slightly as she did so. Eyes narrowed, he saw the Hufflepuff boy glance down at her legs.

The meeting over, he left the room, but not before he saw Hermione being approached by the Hufflepuff, and he frowned as he saw the hand that hovered near the base of her spine. She didn\'t seem to have noticed though, and she\'d smiled at him, Snape, when he\'d sat down opposite. At least she wasn\'t going to make it difficult for him by making it obvious that she was attracted to him.

Severus frowned as he made his way back down to the dungeons, scattering the few early risers that he met along the way. Had he expected her to ignore his request? Embarrass him? Why did he feel cheated then that she treated him the same way she always had? Had he expected flirty glances from under her lashes at him? And why was he disappointed that she hadn\'t argued with him? His growl echoed round his quarters, followed by the sound of his cup smashing in the fire grate.

Hermione\'s shoulder twitched as Justin hovered behind her and wondered when he was going to get to the point. And move his hand from her back.
\"You wanted to dis sos something, Justin?\" she asked as they made their way to breakfast.
\"Yes. A couple of people have asked about a Valentine\'s dance.\"
\"Hmm, it\'s a bit of a Muggle tradition, isn\'t it? But then we\'re both Muggle born.\"
\"Yes. How do you think it will go across?\"
\"We can ask, I suppose.\" she shrugged, lifting her bag further up her shoulder.
\"Allow me.\" Justin took her bag with ease.
\"I can manage, you know.\" she looked up at him and he smiled.
\"I know that, Hermione. Just call it services rendered.\"
\"I beg your pardon?\" her eyebrows shot to her hairline.
\"I could use a favour, actually.\"
\"And you pay me by carrying my books?\"
\"Look, can we discuss this over breakfast?\"
\"Your table, or mine?\"
\"How about we grab something and meet up in the Library?\"
\"Okay.\" now she was intrigued. Justin split up from her and hastily made his way to the Hufflepuff table. Slapping a few slices of bacon in between two bits of toast, together with an apple he flew back out of the hall and made his way to the library. He found Hermione in her usual spot beside the window, eating a large Danish and with a mug of coffee at her elbow.
\"Not a very nutritious breakfast.\" he commented.
\"You can talk.\" she nodded at the dripping sandwich. Justin waved the apple in his other hand.
\"So what\'s the favour?\" she curled her feet under her and sipped her coffee.
\"I heard that you\'re competition level.\"
\"Pardon?\"
\"Dancing. I need a partner for the dance.\"
\"We don\'t even know if there\'ll be one yet.\"
\"Of course there will. You know the Headmaster; he\'ll agree to anything that involves a disco ball.\"
\"You can dance?\"
\"Junior champion three years running.\"
\"Latin?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"I hate to say this, Justin, but you really aren\'t my type.\"
\"I know that, and you\'re not mine either.\"
\"Thanks, that\'s the nicest insult I\'ve heard yet.\"
\"Sorry, but it\'s true. I was hoping you going with me might..\" he trailed off.
\"Make someone sit up and take notice?\"
\"Do you mind?\"
\"What am I, chopped liver?\"
\"You\'re really attractive Hermione, and just stop me before I make a bigger fool of myself, please.\"
\"Oh no, I don\'t think you could do that.\"
\"What?\"
\"Make a bigger fool of yourself.\"
\"I deserved that, didn\'t I?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"So, will you go to the dance with me?\"
\"Who are you trying to impress.\"
\"Susan.\"
\"Can she dance?\"
\"She used to be my partner.\"
\"So what changed?\"
\"Nothing, it\'s just that she doesn\'t see me as potential boyfriend material.\"
\"So she\'ll be expecting you to ask her to the dance?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Ah, you want to use me to make her jealous.\"
\"Will you, then?\"
\"Sure, it\'s not as if anyone else will ask me.\" she shrugged.
\"I\'ve just put my foot in it again, haven\'t I?\"
\"I\'d say you\'ve got both of them in there.\" she said.SorrSorry, Hermione.\"
\"No, don\'t worry. I was planning to go on my own anyway.\"
\"Look..\"
\"I said don\'t worry.\" she put her mug down on the windowsill, \"Do you want to practice first?\"
\"Practice?\"
\"Practice. Dancing. So you don\'t step on my feet.\"
\"Can\'t, they\'re already in my mouth.\"
\"And Susan can\'t see you as boyfriend material? I wonder why?\"
\"I suppose I can expect a visit from Harry and Ron?\"
\"Hmm, this may take one from Blaise and Draco.\" she tried her flirty glance at him and was surprised when he blinked, clearly stunned. A warm glow settled in her stomach as she realised it had worked. Or maybe that was just the coffee.
\"Relax, Justin. If the idea gets passed, I\'ll go with you. We\'ll dance a bit and hopefully Susan will see you as more than a pair of shoes. Providing you can keep them on your feet and not in your mouth.\"
\"Thanks, Hermione. You\'re a real pal.\"
\"Story of my life, Justin, the story of my life.\" she waved a hand at him. He caught it and pressed a kiss on the back, surprising them both.
\"Uh, I\'ll see you at lunch? To arrange things?\" he flushed.
\"Sure. Lunchtime.\" She picked up her bag and made her way to Herbology.

As she worked her fingers into the rich soil, she idly wondered why it was that Gryffindor and Slytherin had so many classes together. Herbology, DADA, Care of Magical Creatures, Potions, even Divination was shared. Was it the forced proximity that had caused Harry, Ron and Ginny to be with Draco, Millie and Blaise? If so, then why was she attracted to Severus and not someone her own age? She thought back to the little scene with Justin and grinned. If what she had planned turned out the way she hoped it would, then it was only a matter of time before Severus caved.

Lunchtime found her sitting at the end of the Hufflepuff table with Justin, a few seats away from anyone else. Their heads were bent over some parchment and they would occasionally laugh amongst themselves, causing heads to turn in their direction. Draco was debating whether to go over and find out what was going on when Hermione looked up and waved him over. He sat down opposite them and nodded to Justin.
\"Justin wants to know what we think of a Valentine\'s dance.\"
\"Sounds okay,\" Draco shrugged, \"You want to bring it up at the next meeting?\"
\"Yes. Justin can put it forward.\" Hermione smiled at the other boy.
\"I thought you would.\" He looked worried.
\"No, it\'s your idea.\" Hermione patted his hand, surreptitiously looked down the table to where Susan Bones was sitting. She had her knife and fork clenched in a death grip from the look of it.
\"Are you sure?\"
\"Positive. And it\'s working.\" She leaned closer to him.
\"Really?\" Justin leaned into her. Draco leaned back and narrowed his eyes.
\"Am I interrupting something?\" he drawled.
\"Nothing at all, mate.\" Justin grinned.
\"Mate?\"
\"I\'ll tell you later, Draco.\" Hermione said and got up, gathering her papers. The slight touch to Justin\'s shoulder was not only noticed by Draco as she said goodbye and headed towards her usual refuge of the Library.
\"What\'s going on, Justin?\" Draco asked quietly. They sized each other up after watching Hermione disappear.
\"Nothing. Hermione\'s just helping me with this dance idea.\"
\"And I have a load of Hippogriff shit for sale.\"
\"Look,\" Justin leant forward and lowered his voice, \"She\'s doing me a favour by going with me to the dance, providing we get permission.\" he flicked his eyes towards the blonde girl strangling her cutlery.
\"Oh. All right then. Just don\'t fuck anything up for Hermione.\"
\"Am I going to be stepping on anyone\'s toes?\"
\"Not if I have anything to do with it.\" Draco eyed him meaningfully and got up to follow Hermione.

\"So, he\'s using you to make Bones jealous?\"
\"Hmm. Thought it might go both ways.\" Hermione tapped her quill on her chin and jotted down a few more notes on her parchment.
\"Good thinking. Sev was seething.\"
\"Really?\"
\"Yes. Wasn\'t too keen to see you cosying up to a badger.\"
\"I was not cosying up to him. Where on earth do you get these expressions?\"
\"Blame Harry and Ron.\"
\"I will. I honestly thought their grammar would improve with your influence.\"
\"You obviously overestimated my influence.\"
\"Or uestiestimated theirs.\" she shuddered.

~~@~~

Dumbledore thought it was a great idea of Justin\'s and organised a committee of prefects to arrange it. Hermione was just slinking out the door when he called her back and suggested that she might lik wor work closely with Justin on a theme for the party.
\"Theme? Does Valentines need a theme?\" she asked.
\"We had a Seventies theme one year.\" He said.
\"That was the Seventies.\" Severus muttered under his breath.
\"I think the hearts and flowers theme is quite enough.\" Hermione said, \"But I\'ll liase with Justin if you want and keep you up to date.\" She tried not to sound too patronising.
\"Excellent!\" Albus twinkled benignly at her and turned to discuss something with McGonagall. Severus slid round the perimeter of the room towards the door, keeping an eye on Hermione as that Hufflepuff boy waylaid her. For all her protestations that she was attracted to him, Snape, she certainly wasn\'t averse to flirting with other boys. Was her skirt a bit shorter than usual? She was wearing a silk blouse from the sound of it too. And that Ravenclaw was going to be down thirty points if he didn\'t raise his eyes to shoulder level..

He ground his teeth together as Hermione slid one foot out of her shoe and rubbed her calf with her toes, scratching an itch. He could see a shimmering polish through the fine silk of her stockings and realised that it matched the nails on her hands. It was a fine, translucent silvery colour and it brought attention to her hands without being gaudy. As he passed by, her perfume wafted towards him and his body reacted with predictable results. Thank Merlin for bulky robes.

~~@~~

\"Hermione?\" she stiffened as Michael Corner hurried to catch her up after Charms a few days later.
\"Yes?\"
\"Can we talk?\"
\"I\'m in a bit of a hurry.\" She didn\'t stop walking.
\"It won\'t take long.\" His long legs easily caught her up.
\"What is it?\"
\"Look, I\'m sorry about Halloween.\"
\"Are you?\"
\"Hey, I wanted to win.\"
\"Was it worth it?\"
\"Not now, maybe. You pack quite a punch.\" He rubbed the bridge of his nose and tried to smile winningly at her. Only Draco could get away with that look, she thought uncharitably, but at least he was trying.
\"I did apologise, though.\"
\"What you said was unforgivable. Especially after everything that Professor Snape did.\"
\"I know that.\" He put his hand on her arm and they stopped.
\"Is this what you wanted to talk to me about?\"
\"No, I wondered if you\'d go to the Valentine\'s dance with me.\"
\"I\'m sorry, but I\'ve already said I\'d go with Justin.\"
\"Him?\" Michael\'s arrogance shone through the one word, \"He won\'t mind if you say you\'ve had a better offer.\"
\"Pardon?\" Her tone was glacial.
\"He can ask Susan Bones, he went with her last year.\" Michael shrugged.
\"So I just dump him to go with you?\"
\"Dump who?\" Harry had come up silently behind them and listened in.
\"Michael wants me to go with him to the dance.\"
\"I thought you were going with Justin?\"
\"I am.\"
\"No, she\'s not.\" Michael was confident he\'d get her to change her mind.
\"Yes, I am.\"
\"This is a corridor, not a meeting place.\" Severus swept up to them, noting Hermione\'s stiff posture, \"Ten points from each of you if you don\'t move along.\"
\"We\'re just going, Sir.\" Harry grasped Hermione\'s arm and started to pull her away before she punched Corner again.
\"I\'ll let Justin know you\'ve changed your mind, shall I?\" Michael called after them, and yelped suddenly as he was hit with a Jellylegs curse from Hermione.
\"No!\" she said over her shoulder and Harry hustled her away.
\"I think your approach needs some work, Mr Corner. Ten points from Ravenclaw for not being quick enough to avoid that hex.\" Severus sneered down at the collapsed boy on the ground. He stepped over him and followed swiftly after Harry and Hermione, wondering whether to grill Draco later about the incident. There was no way Harry would be able to resist telling his lover about it. And at least he now knew that Hermione hadn\'t been flirting with the downed boy; more like the other way round. He was just pleased that she hadn\'t turned her wand on him when he\'d rejected her advances; if that was the way she reacted when asked for a date.

What was the matter with the students lately? It seemed like Hermione was a magnet for every loser in the school since the new term had started. Either she was unknowingly emitting pheromones or.. Dear Merlin, had his rejection of her caused a lack of self-esteem that had transmitted into an unconscious desire for boys to find her attractive? Stop it, Severus! He scolded himself, he knew he should never have picked up that bloody psychobabble book that Albus had got him for Christmas..

~~@~~

Severus made his way down the familiar corridor, a change of clothes shrunk in his pocket. He could hear something coming from the closed door and he lurked nearby in the shadows, listening intently. Music, with a familiar beat to it. Making sure there was no one around, he cracked the door open and looked through. This time it wasn\'t the usual gym, but a dance studio, complete with mirrors and lighting.
\"Ooh, that feels good, Hermione.\" A deep voice moaned.
\"So I should hope, you idiot.\"
\"Aahh, aahh, aahh, that hurt.\"
\"It was supposed to. How long have you been going this?\"
\"About ten years.\"
\"Then you should know how to warm up properly first.\"
\"I wanted to impress you.\"
\"You\'d impress me more if you hadn\'t put your back out.\" There was a rustling sound and another moan.
\"Better?\"
\"Ooh, yes.\"
\"Am I interrupting anything?\" Severus decided to find out what was going on.
\"Professor! Ouch!\" Justin tried to twist around but Hermione seemed to be sitting on him.
\"Lay still, prat.\" She hit his shoulder and pushed him flat on his stomach.
\"And you want to be a Healer?\" Justin snorted, \"Where\'s your bedside manner?\"
\"I\'ll save it for people who deserve sympathy.\" She prodded above his waist and passed her wand over the affected area and Justin moaned, cradling his head in his folded arms. Severus felt a pang of jealousy at the way her hands were moving over his back, remembering the way she\'d burrowed under his shirt not so long ago.
\"What was he trying to do?\" Severus propped himself against the wall.
\"Showing off.\" Justin\'s voice was muffled, and then he sighed as Hermione got off the back of his thighs and slapped his backside.
\"There, all healed.\" She pulled her skirt down her thighs and straightened the material over her hips. She slipped her shoes on her feet and hopped about, doing up the buckles.
\"You\'ll do yourself a mischief like that.\" Justin sat up, stretching. \"Use your wand, girl.\"
\"Sod off.\"
\"Language, language.\" Justin grinned at her, completely forgetting they had an audience.
\"You\'ll be out of action for a couple of days. Do you still want to practice?\"
\"Practice what?\" Severus asked quietly. Hermione looked over to him and saw the tight mouth. Oops.
\"Sorry, Professor. I wanted to practice dancing with Hermione before the Valentine\'s dance. I turned too quickly and put my back out.\"
\"An early night might be advisable then.\" He folded his arms.
\"Yes, Sir.\" Justin picked up his wand and robe, hesitating.
\"Well, Mr Finch-Fletchley?\"
\"Are you coming, Hermione?\"
\"I\'ll see you tomorrow, Justin. I need to sort the room out.\" She smiled reassuringly at him and he nodded, slipping past Severus and shutting the door after him. Hermione straightened her skirt again and fiddled with the ties on her crossover top.
\"No punch bag then, tonight.\" Severus said, looking around the room.
\"No.\"
\"You\'re going to the dance with him?\"
\"Yes.\"
\"Why?\"
\"Because he asked me.\"
\"Why the practice?\"
\"Why the questions?\"
\"What did Corner want?\"
\"You know what he wanted.\" The lights had dimmed slightly and she moved closer to him.
\"What Finch-Fletchley wants?\"
\"No, I\'m just doing Justin a favour by going with him. He\'s got his eye on someone else.\"
\"He\'s using you?\" with a wave of his hand, the lights dimmed further, bathing the room in an intimate glow and he stepped towards her.
\"It doesn\'t bother me.\" She shrugged.
\"It should.\"
\"Why? It\'s not as if I can go with the one I really want, is it?\" she tilted her head and waited for him to comprehend what she was saying.
\"Hermione..\"
\"What? I said I wouldn\'t bother you, and I haven\'t.\"
\"You\'re bothering me now.\"
\"How come? I haven\'t done anything.\"
\"You don\'t need to do anything.\"
\"You said you couldn\'t do this, that I was too young and you\'re too old, and doesn\'t that sound like an old song?\" her lips quirked in a small smile.
\"Shame your name isn\'t Diana.\" His hand reached out and gently tucked a curl behind her ear.
\"Please don\'t, Sir.\" She whispered, moving closer, elated she was getting to him.
\"Call me Severus.\" He murmured, his other hand coming up to cradle the nape of her neck. Merlin, her skin was soft.
\"Severus..\" she sighed, leaning towards him, her hands coming to rest on his chest.

\"They\'re both in here, Harry, and one of them will have the answer.\" Draco\'s raised voice outside the door caused them to spring apart.
\"I\'m just tired, Draco. It\'s no big deal.\" Harry\'s voice sounded exasperated.
\"It is to me!\"
Swearing beneath his breath, Severus wrenched the door open just as Draco had his hand on the door. The blond boy fell gracelessly into the room, followed by Harry, who was looking uncomfortable.
\"Severus! Just the man I wanted to see!\" Draco dragged Harry forward.
\"Oh, goody.\"
\"Sorry about this, Professor.\" Harry apologised, rolling his eyes towards Draco.
\"What brings you to seek me out at this time of night, Draco?\" the room obliged him with some chairs on the far side and Severus sat down in one. He indicated that Harry and Draco take the other two.
\"Do I have to be here for this?\" Hermione had gathered up her music and was by the door.
\"You might be able to help, so yes.\" Draco pointed to a chair.
\"So what\'s the matter?\" Severus wasn\'t too happy to have been interrupted.
\"This is embarrassing.\" Harry mumbled into his hands.
\"For you or Draco?\" Severus smiled maliciously.
\"Both.\"
\"Even better.\" Hermione smiled.
\"It\'s no laughing matter!\" Draco snapped.
\"Because we don\'t know what the matter is yet!\" she snapped back, knowing exactly what was wrong. She\'d made sure of it herself.

Severus thoroughly enjoyed every squirming minute that Harry and Draco spent telling them what was wrong. It had started gradually, apparently, and had culminated in this humiliating grovelling that they were now taking part in.
\"You have to find out why, Severus!\" Draco pleaded with his Godfather.
\"Because your sex is is somewhat lacking?\"
\"Lacking? It\'s non-existent!\"
\"But you don\'t have a problem, do you Draco?\" Hermione leant forward.
\"That\'s not the point, it\'s Harry that\'s got the problem!\"
\"Can this get any more humiliating?\" Harry sank down in his chair and covered his face with his hands.
\"Are you sure it\'s not just stress? I\'ve heard that can have an effect on performance.\" She said.
\"No, it\'s not bloody stress!\" Draco jumped up and started pacing the room.
\"Calm down, Draco. I\'ll just have to run a few tests.\" Severus barely kept his face completely straight. Hermione\'s cheeks were pink from restraining her grin. Clearing his throat, Severus loomed over Harry, who looked up warily.
\"Um, Hermione\'s going to be a Healer, you know.\" He said hesitantly.
\"So you\'d rather trust an untrained eighteen year old than me? I\'m devastated.\"
\"No, go ahead. Sorry.\" Harry braced himself, and Severus started, murmuring and waving his wand over him. As the faint red glow coalesced around Harry\'s groin, the smirk widened Sev Severus\'s face.
\"Well, Mr Potter, it seems that you\'ve upset someone quite badly.\"
\"Do you know what\'s wrong?\" Draco surged forward.
\"Yes.\"
\"Well?\"
\"Mr Potter has been cursed.\"


TBC

A/N: I know, I know, it\'s a sort of a cliffhanger. Ron and Harry\'s t-shirts will be revealed in the next chapter, together with more Sev and Hermione action.