Goodnight, Demon Slayer

Goodnight, Demon Slayer
Chapter Eleven:
Your Computer Beat Me At Chess. I Beat It At Kickboxing.

Things had been icy between Hermione and Severus for several days after what had come to be known by Sev as as the “Hermione’s too stupid to lock a door behind her, thereby endangering not only herself and me but also the children” incident and by Hermione as the “Severus is a drama queen, I did lock the door, but Trish has a key seeing as it is her house and all” incident, but after a few days they were back to normal. Severus had been scared to death that the house of a former Death Eater was being attacked and had been almost ecstatic to see that it was only the children’sher her back early after “the date from hell.”

Funny enough, Severus had been calling his little babysitting escapade the same thing.

In his days when he was barely talking to Hermione, though, Severus had discovered he had nothing to entertain him except the stupid Muggle things. He would never admit it to Hermione, but in those days he became very well acquainted with her DVD collection, including several Britney Spears concerts and many, many episodes of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and one other much worse, much darker, much more addictive Muggle pastime.

Computer Chess.

He could not beat it. No matter what happened. No matter how he tried to outsmart it. The computer was smarter than him, and he couldn’t stand it.

After relations between Severus and Hermione finally thawed out, Severus was jolted by a powerful revelation. The trip the Grangers’ had been planning was upon them. Hermione’s parents would be leaving for America the next day and would be there for a little over a month, traveling the eastern seaboard and Midwest, visiting every theme park they found on the way. At first the news hadn’t fazed Severus. He was alone with Hermione all day anyway while the doctors worked. But soon the realization sank in. He would be alone with Hermione all day, all night, y day day. And as bad as that was, he then came to the startling realization that Margaret was the only one to ever cook. God help him if Hermione tried to feed him.

He would never be sure if she was poisoning him on purpose or if her cooking skills were just that bad.

On the day the Grangers were to depart, Margaret knocked on Severus’ door, hoping she wouldn’t wake him. But Severus had been awake for quite some time, being woken up by nightmares of having to eat Muggle fast food for a month. Padding slowly to the door, he opened it to see Margaret’s bright, beaming face.

Good God, it was six o’clock in the morning. What the hell was she so happy about? Smiling back weakly, Severus opened the door to her, and she moved into the doorway but not into the room itself. She was holding a parcel and was considering him in a weird I’m-your-age-but-I-feel-motherly-to-you kind of way.

“Good morning, Margaret. What can I do for you?”

“Well, Severus, dear, we’re both just so glad that you’re here this summer watching out for Hermione, and you’ve been so good to her and us, and with us leaving, I just wanted to give you something to say thanks.”

Margaret handed the small package to Severus who opened it cautiously. Upon inspection, the corner of his lip turned up in a haughty smile, but he still tried to hand it back to her.

“I could never accept this, Margaret. Thank you, but-”

“Severus, please. Nothing would make me happier than if you’d take this. You really deserve it.”

“Margaret, honestly, I can’t. What would Hermione say?”

“Well, it isn’t her call to make, and with us leaving and you taking care of her all summer... I just really want you to have it. From what Hermione’s told me you’re not the happiest camper, so I just wanted you to know that you are appreciated.”

“Thank you. I will… accept it. Thank you, Margaret.”

“Oh, Severus! I’m so glad. Will you wear it today?”

“I really don’t think Hermione-”

“Hermione’s a big girl, Severus. She will deal with someone else getting a gift. Besides, I always wanted a boy to spoil. Go on, change now while I wake up Hermione. She’s so difficult to wake in the morning when it’s not a school day.”

Hermione, much to her mother’s surprise, was awake, but barely. Bob and Margaret were always early risers, but their daughter was a completely different story. No school equaled no reason to get up in Hermione’s estimation. Honestly, even if she didn’t get out of bed until noon, the sun would be up for at least another eight hours. Hermione had been told she’d be expected to drive her parents to the airport in the morning, and their flight left at nine o’clock. They, of course, had not told her this until several days before, knowing she’d react violently and childishly as indeed she had, pouting and sticking out her lower lip. Severus had found the display quite entertaining, and had even joined the Grangers in mocking her when she had blurted out “Why can’t Severus just take you?”

Dressing quickly and sloppily, Hermione descended the stairs to grab a quick breakfast before they departed. She usually hated to eat in the morning and had, in all honesty, just taken to coming downstairs in the morning to see Severus, but this morning for some reason she was really hungry. Entering the kitchen, Hermione stopped dead in her tracks, all thought of food quickly replaced by a deep-seated rolling-of-the-eyes kind of feeling.

“What in the hell are you wearing?” she asked Severus, who was sitting at the table eating toast with her father.

“It’s called a t-shirt, Hermione. Honestly, you’re the Muggle, not me.”

“Where did you get it?”

“Oh, come on, Hermione. I think it’s nice,” her father chimed in, never looking up from his paper.

“Where did you get it?” she repeated, not quite disgusted, but well beyond slightly unamused.

“If you must know, your mother gave it to me.”

Hermione’s eyes grew wide at this announcement and she immediately cried out in a tone very worthy of her age.

“MUM!”

Margaret, who had just entered the room carrying a bag, Bob, and Severus all began to giggle. Severus got up to help Margaret, fully showing off his t-shirt that read in big white letters “Mum Likes Me Best.”

“Thanks, Mum,” said Severus, placing a tiny kiss on her cheek. Hermione had been an only child her entire life, and had never understood how kids with siblings could complain that they thought their parents loved other siblings more, but watching her mother fawn over the Greasy Git, Hermione was overcome with an unfounded jealousy.

She’s not even really his Mum, Hermione. Get over it.

“We’re going to be late,” she drawled coldly, and with that, the Grangers’ big adventure began.

After dropping the Grangers off at the airport, Severus and Hermione had gone home and had a quiet day, keeping their distance from each other. It was not a hostile atmosphere, however; they were simply tired from getting up so early and spending so much time doing nothing at the airport. In the evening they had a quiet dinner, speaking casually though neither of them felt completely at ease. Severus was worried as to what these awkward silences would mean for the month to come and was puzzled at the irregularity of it; he was never uncomfortable when the Grangers were at work. After dinner the two of them watched a movie on television before Hermione began yawning and excused herself. Severus could tell that the departure of her parents had left her a little wary, though if it was because of the inescapable proximity to him or just being lonely for her parents, he could not tell. As she stood, she stretched her arms over her head and slowly crossed the room to the chair where Severus was sitting.

“Goodnight, Severus,” she murmured, though half of it was a jumbled yawn. Severus intended to reply, but was quickly silenced as Hermione leaned down and innocently pecked him on the cheek. “Sleep well.” Severus had never noticed before this summer what a kisser Hermione was. Then again, he had never noticed her at all except to be annoyed by her.

“Goodnight, Hermione,” Severus managed to breathe as she hovered over him momentarily. She did not do it to arouse him; she probably did not even know that such an action would cause such an ardentctioction. She was just too tired to move quickly, and Severus fought to remind himself of that. Silently, Severus chided himself. Hermione did not want him. She could barely stand him, and Severus could not deny the fact.

“Go to bed, Hermione. You’re dead on your feet.” She smiled weakly at him then trudged up the stairs to her room, leaving Severus alone, aroused and watching the tail end of “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” It was quite possibly one of the worst movies he’d ever seen (Robin Hood had an AMERICAN accent!), but Hermione had insisted they watch it, stating that the Sheriff looked just like Severus. He, of course, didn’t see the resemblance, but he did catch the way she blushed during the explicitly sexual scenes involving his so-called look-alike, and he wondered briefly at this.

After the movie, Severus followed in Hermione’s footsteps and readied himself for bed. Still, his body’s reaction to Hermione would not subside, and he decided to make the best of the situation and take a shower while… uh… taking care of his problem. However, he was not in the shower for more than three minutes before he heard a loud crack of thunder and decided it would be best if he got out. He’d heard things about Muggle plumbing and electrical storms. He was not sure what might happen, but if Arthur Weasley was even half right, it was something bad.

Stepping into his room, he saw a bright flash of lightning illuminate the entire street. Sighing, he quickly dressed. He could never sleep during storms. It wasn’t that he was afraid of them; he simply couldn’t stand the noise. It was one of the better reasons for choosing to live in the dungeons, actually, as Hogwarts tended to have some nastier than normal weather. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he turned on the television. If anything could put him to sleep it was one of Hermione’s dreadful television programs. He quickly realized, though, that his television was set on the DVD setting and he had no idea how to change it. Great. Stuck awake and the only form of entertainment was Hermione’s blasted “Buffy.” Really, a girl as smart as Hermione shouldn’t be watching that drivel. It was really trite. It was silly. It was…

Annoyingly addictive, and Severus couldn’t wait to pick up where he’d left off after their little spat had cooled off.

He hadn’t meant to like it- he’d only meant it to pass the time, but he’d found it absolutely enthralling.

He was going to kill Hermione when he saw her.

Amazingly, as soon as he thought that, he heard a small knock at his door.

“Severus?” came the timid, almost whispered call.

“I’m awake, Hermione.”

“Oh, good. I saw your light on and I was hoping you were. What are you doing awake at this hour anyway?”

“Can’t sleep through storms,” Severus replied, moving in front of his television. Hermione would never let him forget it if she caught him watching “Buffy.”

“Oh,” Hermione sighed, plopping down on his unmade bed and sitting against the headboard. “Me, neither. What are you watching?”

“Nothing. Something boring- documentary on this thing that-” Severus thought he was safe. Hermione was nodding blearily, ready to fall asleep sitting up and was paying no attention to the screen in front of her. If only she’d fall asleep before-

At the first chord of the show’s theme song, Hermione’s eyes flew open wide.

“You’re watching THIS?” she cried incredulously. “As in ‘Hermione Granger, I don’t know how you can watch such deplorable rubbish’ ‘Buffy?’”

“Fine,” Severus conceded, sitting next to Hermione on the bed. “You were right. It is mildly entertaining.”

“Oh, okay. ‘Mildly.’ Um…do you mind if I sit up and watch with you?”

“No. Actually, that might come in handy since I seem to have become addicted about halfway through the series and have no bloody idea what’s going on most of the time.” Hermione giggled and snuggled down into the covers, leaving Severus sitting next to her on top of the sheets. It was obvious to Severus that she was not going to make it even through one episode, so he let her get comfortable. If she was going to be here all night, she might as well enjoy herself.

Wow. That sounded really dirty.

Suddenly, an incredibly strong clap of thunder rolled immediately over the Granger household and Severus was intrigued to see Hermione wince. A slow smile spread over his face. He’d finally located a weak spot.

“Hermione Granger, are you afraid of thunderstorms?” Severus smirked.

“No,” she answered in a very “no” spelled “y-e-s” kind of way.

“Really?”

“Well…”

“Honestly, Hermione. You can tell me.”

“No,” Hermione replied, defiant even as another peal of thunder caused her to close her eyes and move closer to Severus under the covers.

“Alright,” he laughed, laying a hand on her shoulder soothingly, which she instinctively turned into. “Whatever you say.”

“Severus, I’m trying to watch this.” They were silent then for a long time, Hermione watching the television and Severus watching her. He had no idea why he had laid his hand on her to comfort her, but she seemed to be liking it. It was absolutely impossible for that to be true, he realized, but for now, he was completely entranced by her entirely non-combative form. She was still shivering slightly every time a particularly strong thunderclap hit, but her eyes were only half open most of the time, and she looked as if she were drifting between sleep and reality rather frequently. She was beautiful.

Severus’ eyes flew open with a start. Whoa, since when did he think Hermione Granger was beautiful? Annoying, yes. Pretty, maybe. But beautiful? He considered her to be beautiful? The thought disturbed him, and with a guilty conscience, he hastily shoved the thought to the back of his mind.

Shifting slightly, Hermione gently moaned.

“Mmmm, Giles is hot.”

“What? He’s old enough to be your father!”

“He’s still hot. I’ve got a thing for older guys. Giles, Simon Cowell, Dumbledore…”

“You are a bad liar, Hermione.”

“No, I’m not. You’re just too good at finding out the truth.”

“You know, fake or not, it’s rude to say another man is attractive in front of your boyfriend.” Hermione giggled and rolled to face him.

‘That was the worst attempt at fishing for a compliment I’ve ever heard.”

“I…I mean…”

“Shh,” Hermione whispered, propping herself up on one elbow and gazing into his eyes. Slowly she raised a hand to trace the side of his face. Severus’ heart began to race a mile a minute, and he wasn’t sure but he thought he may have begun sweating. “Severus, you’re way higher on my list of hot old guys than Dumbledore.” Severus rolled his eyes then. He should have known not to expect something to happen. Especially when Hermione was in such an exhausted state.

“’Hot Old Guys.’ I shall have to remember that’s what you think of the Headmaster.”

“Mmm. See that you do,” Hermione murmured, laying her head down once again.

She was asleep before Severus could even reply, a sweet smile present on her cute little lips.

She is not beautiful. She is not cute. She is annoying.

And you care whether she finds you attractive. Honestly, Sev, you’re not even fooling yourself. You like this girl. A lot. You want to be with her. You want to kiss her and love her and have lots of sex and babies with her. She is your equal. Your match. No one in this world could love you like she could.

“Oh, shut up!” Severus growled, turning off the television and moving to sit at the desk. He bet a nice round of computer chess would be enough to dampen the voice in his head’s spirits. And his erection.

***********A/N************
Okay, I know people are reading this, so what’s with the lack of reviews here? I’m getting impatient! But I will reward those who were good:

ArienAstera: Hope the wait wasn’t too long! Thanks! You rock!

Spaz141: Thanks! I’m not going to tell you who the other girl is- you’ll have to figure it out! But don’t worry, it’ll be exposed soon enough!

Fireblade: As for the Mudblood, see above and hear in a singsongy voice “I’ll never tell!” But, of course, I will. Just not now. Thanks for the review!

GrrArrg: Hell yeah! “Sweaty-naughty-feelings-causing-one?” Damn, I’m good! Glad you liked Lucius- I was thinking of you when I wrote it! And, bitch you best be making me robots- I’m placing an order! And does it make me weird that I just ordered a Spike pillowcase and an Angel one too?

Deb: Thanks! Yes, going to PoA tomorrow. Am I lame ‘cause I took vacation around Harry Potter? And if you think carefully about everything I’ve told you, you’ll know the answer to your own question! But, again, “I’ll never tell!”

Sabrina: Thanks! Hope it was quick enough!

Red Writing Hood: Thank you so much! It means SOOOOOOOO much coming from you since I LOVE “A Secret Worth Keeping” so much!

Okay, guys, that was seven. Let’s get a little happier with the review-leaving process, okay? I love you all, but PLEASE, For the love of GOD, review!!!