an awfully big adventure...

Minerva made her way to her chambers, humming a small tune to herself when a soft sound caught her unsuspecting ears.

She drew closer to the subtle sound, trying desperately not to be heard, but evidently her shoes were too sharp and clicking, because as she made her way closer to the Potions lab the sound ceased.

Knowing she was already caught she pushed the door open slowly, and peered inside. Cauldrons were all along the floor, ingredients upset all around and a dark figure with his arm extended and hand placed on the hearth of the fireplace. His shoulder’s shook as he tried to stop his crying and did as Minerva placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Oh, Minerva.” He said suddenly, in a choked voice and brushing his evident tears away he forced a smile, “How are you this evening?”

“Sirius…” McGonagall said pityingly, her own eyes filling with tears, “You knew it could never be…”

“I know Minerva.” Black said, his eyes growing glassy, “I just wanted it to be so badly…” he stopped there, looking back to the fire. “She makes me so angry…she doesn’t appreciate him like I do. She jmakemakes him feel angry and miserable…”

Minerva sighed softly, “That’s just it Sirius…she makes him feel.” Black looked surprised to her, she continued passionately, “She makes him mad, miserable…she also makes him happy, possessive…dare I say, loved?”

“That’s a bit much.” Black said to her making a face of disgust, “She’s a child, barely even capable of love.”

“Well Sirius.” McGonagall said brashly, “I suppose we’ll see won’t we?”

_________________________________________

Snape wasn’t sure he liked the way Hermione was looking to him, sort of like a fish, her mouth in an ‘oh’ of surprise. Perhaps he had been too hasty, she was very young...but he didn’t care, he had waited too long for this, and he was not going back on it.

He had come in a mad haste to the three Broomsticks, he was almost certain that Black had been lying, a mere ruse to humiliate him…but he hadn’t. She had been there, through the window looking to Weasely in complete disgust before she reluctantly planted a restrained kiss on his over-eager lips.

It had killed Severus inside, his stomach suddenly dropping so far he became dizzy. He had contemplated just turning and leaving, not even going inside…but he had to.

Hermione was now looking to her Professor in shock. A grown, educated, professional man was proposing she sleep with him and that wasn’t even the worst part,

The worst part was she wanted to.

She had ever since she realized her attraction to him, the countless daydreams and night filled fantasies. She still couldn’t find the right words.

His voice cut in though, deep, dark, brooding…

“I’m not suggesting sex, Miss Granger.” Snape said rolling his eyes and looking to her bemused.

“Although if it is your prerogative...” he trailed off as he looked to her apprehensive face and smirked softly as he gazed at her, “We can just have some tea sent up and talk if you like. But, I must have you alone…tonight.”

The mere way he talked was erotic and Hermione felt that unprecedented shivers creep up her back as she forced herself to nod. She felt a blush rise to her cheeks.

‘Goodness Hermione.’ She berated herself, ‘Assuming the man meant sex…what a perv.’

Snape nodded back and the innkeeper gave him his key, with a small breath inward, he nervously turned to the shifty Hermione.

“Well, no time like the present.” He bumbled, not sure exactly how to go about leading a student up to a hotel room.

“Wait.” Hermione said gently, tugging at his sleeve and Severus groaned inwardly…great, she didn’t fancy him at all, and was now going to make some clumsy little speech while he tried not to ravish her against her will.

“If you must leave Miss Granger do so now,” Snape hissed angrily…more embarassed than angry, as she gave him an irritated look, “I’ve no time for your immaturity’s.”

Hermione didn’t say anything a moment, but stood at his side looking at him exasperated.

“Listen Severus.” She said with a titillation of excitement...she had called him Severus! Snape noticed this too, and nodded. “If this is ever going to work you have to stop being so damned defensive. Because I was just going to say,” Hermione said sharply, “That we should send Ron home.”

Oh.

Snape felt a slight blush rise to his cheeks but he sternly nodded and with a flick of his wand, Ron was gone. He turned back to the young woman who constantly entranced him. He felt an embarassed small smile rise upon his lips and felt relief as Hermione returned it willingly. He timidly held a cloaked arm out to her,

“Shall we?”
____________________________________________


Ron awoke in his bed moments later…and as he fell into the bed from nowhere Harry promptly fell off the bed next to his.

“God Ron,” he said rubbing his now sore head as he pulled himself back onto the bed, “Did you have to do that? You scared the hell out of me.”

Ron seemed in a daze, his eyes were rolling all over, ae sae sat up sharply. “Where am I? I was having dinner with Hermione and…oh no.”

Harry looked to Ron wide-eyed. “What?”

Ron looked to Harry blankly, “Snape.”

“A snake?” Harry said jumping from his bed onto Ron’s, he was all a mess shaking and yelling, “A snake has Hermione? We have to save her! C’mon!”

Ron looked to harry as if he were the stupidest boy alive, how this boy could have defeated Voldemort was beyond him.

“No Harry.” He said patronizingly, “Hermione was not attacked by a snake…although almost when you think about it…” he trailed off, “She was attacked by SNAPE.”

“As in Professor Snape?” Harry asked in shock, “I don’t-“

“He came to the three broomsticks earlier this evening,” Ron rushed on, “Hermione and I were kissing, don’t look at me like that she said we would only ever be friends, and he walked in on us! He made fun of us for kissing! Like we were children!” Harry made a face and Ron continued.

“Then he gave me this potion and everything went black. I have a horrible feeling it’s just he and Hermione over there…alone.”

Harry’s eyes suddenly went wide with recognition of something passed and he drew a shaky hand to his mouth. Ron seeing his friend’s blanched state ventured, “What’s the problem Harry?”

Harry looked to Ron sadly, “Promise you won’t say anything Ron…but when I was talking to Sirius one day, he was forced to tell me, that he and Snape have had a bet on who could kiss Hermione first.”

“BASTARDS!” Ron screamed, about to jump from the bed, Harry dragged him back down and told him to shut up before continuing,

“They kissed in the storeroom and I walked in on them…but Snape walked in just after me and didn’t see anything, so he probably still thinks the bet is on!” Harry said shouting in shock, “This is horrible!”

“Poor Hermione.”
______________________________________________

Poor Hermione indeed. She was currently sitting on the hotel bed with a most powerful wizard a few feet away who was looking at her in such a way she couldn’t comprehend.

First of all he had shed that cloak he always wore, and was clad in those black trousers of his, with a black workshirt with a handsome black vest buttoned overtop. He looked rather dapper and Hermione couldn’t help but take in his body rather greedily. He was a lean man…broad in shoulders but slim in stature. He had a classical and dramatic way about him.

Snape had nervously started a fire for them, as it was a bit chilly. Hermione herself had comfortably seated herself on the end of the large bed, her feet planted on the floor and her hands twitching together in her lap. He kept sneaking ces ces over at her and tried to keep it together…perhaps taking off the cloak wasn’t that good an idea.

He locked the door on afterthought and put wards upon it, before swiftly turning to face her and running his hands through his hair.

“Well…err…how is your February so far?” he asked faltering a bit as he stood a few meters away, his hands constantly moving as he spoke. “A lot of homework?”

Hermione felt a smirk climb her face, The feared Potion’s Master…nervous. She almost liked having a bit of power, watching him look at her sneakily gave her delightful shivers all over.

“I don’t think homework is quite what I’d like to be talking about right now, if you don’t mind…” said Hermione heavily, “My NEWTS are coming up and I’m none too pleased.”

“Why not? Surely you’ve been studying?” Berating her slightly seemed to make him a bit more comfortable, a bit more at his own. He drew closer to her, she sat in silence a bit.

“Of course I have.” She said boldly, “It’s hard work is all. Potions sure isn’t as easy as I would have thought.”

Of all the things she could have said.

Snape’s eyes flickered and she waited in silence for him to tell her to get the hell out and never speak to him again. But he stepped closer, and sat down beside her comfortably.

He looked entirely all too amused with latelatest comment, and smirked at her. “What made you think the art of Potion making would be easy?”

Hermione was ashamed now…Snape had dedicated his life to stupid Potions and here she was telling him how she assumed it would be easy.

“Well…err…I just assumed it would be ‘Pour this into this…stir this for blah blah…boring, easy stuff.”

Snape seemed to deliberate over how he would answer next, and then finally spoke with a faint grin on his pale face.

“You know Miss Granger,” he said slowly, “When you ‘assume’, you make an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’.”

There was silence.

Then a loud and almost earth shattering laugh sounded from Hermione, who’s eyes were scrunched tightly as she fell backwards onto the bed, laughing maniacally with tears almost streaming down her face. Snape chuckled darkly to himself as he saw her body, shaking with laughter. Moments later she looked up to him still slightly giggling.

“That was so…unexpected.” She said, her face flushed, “I can’t believe you made such a lame joke. Actually, I’m just shocked you made a joke.”

Snape shrugged modestly, “There’s a lot about me you don’t know about, Miss Granger.”

“That’s the other thing.” Hermione said, still laying on her back and looking at the ceiling, “You can stop calling me ‘Miss Granger.’ You can call me Hermione.”

Snape looked like the thought never occurred to him, “Right. Of course…Hermione.” He said slowly, Hermione giggled.

“At least you don’t say it; Herm-myown-ninny like Krum. God that was dreadful.” Hermione said laughing again, Snape was beggining to love it when she did.

“Ah yes, the elusive Mr. Krum.” Snape said leaning beside her on the bed, his elbow propping him up. “I forgot about your little escapade with him.”

Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbing a nearby pillow smacked him playfully with it over the head. Severus looked to in sin shock, which only made her laugh harder.

“Oh Severus…” She said laughing harder, “You kill me, you really do.” She dropped her voice to imitate his silky purr, “Miss Granger…the elusive Mr. Krum, I forgot all about your little escapade with him…” she broke off looking to him with tender humor.

Snape smirked and without warning he leaned over and kissed her harshly on the mouth. Hermione in shock went rigid, her body remaining almost motionless. Finally Snape broke away, looking to her quizzically.

“Hermione.”

“Yes?”

“Do you not like kissing me?” he asked, his voice almost hurt. Hermione sat bolt up and looked to him square in the eye.

“No...it\'s just...” Her eyes dropped now, her cheeks pink, “I’ve just…you’re just really good at it, and well…I’m not.” She felt humiliated as she admitted this. He was going to laugh her right out of the room, and she waited for it...

“Then let me teach you.”

Hermione didn’t even have a chance to respond to this before he had drawn her lips to his again. Hermione’s eyes shut as he pulled back a bit…his kisses not so demanding.

His lips lightly touched hers at first, and she kissed back with soft and light kisses, before Severus pulled her away slightly. “Slower.” He said tenderly before his eyes closed again and he titled his head to meet her lips. This time she waited for his mouth to take hers. And it did.

His mouth opened and closed occasionally, and Hermione tried to stroke his hair as well as holding his free hand, as the other was cupping her head and drawing it to his. They broke away, with Snapeked ked to Hermione with a bemused expression on his face. Hermione looked to him rigidly.

“What did I do wrong this time?” Hermione asked licking her lips and waiting for him to tell her she was a lost cause.

“Nothing.” He said looking at her carefully, as if she were one of his Potions. “I just want to teach you something new.”

_______________________________________________

“What are we going to do?” Ron was wailing as he made his way down to the kitchen, Harry had talked him into eating something before he made himself sick.

“I should never have told her I was in love with her.” Ron said miserably. “Never. Even under the influence of the potion.”

Harry looked to Ron confused, “Potion?”

“Yeah. Hermione made a lust potion for…” Ron stopped and Harry nodded, waiting for him to go on. “Err…nothing.”

Harry rolled his eyes, “Tell me Ron, or I’ll make you tell me.”

Ron looked worriedly to his much stronger friend, “Promise you won’t get mad?”

Harry nodded.

“She made a lust potion to try out on your Uncle. As soon as she sprayed it on hihe fhe first person he saw he was supposed to fall in love with. But instead of Hermione, Snape got in the way…”

Harry looked sick to his stomach, “That’s why he was kissing Hermione.”

Ron nodded, “And well…she tried it out on me, so she could get Snape’s help without getting into trouble and so…tensuensued. I already loved her before this whole thing happened…the potion just gave me the courage to tell her. Shame I did though. Really sorry we couldn’t tell you Harry, I feel terrible.”

Harry looked to his depressed friend and sighed. “Well, too late to take everything back. No point in wishing it all away. We’ll just have to try to think of a way to get Hermione away from Snape.”

“That’s just the thing Harry,” Ron said scrunching his nose, “I thihe whe wants to be near him. I think she fancies him.”

“Don’t be daft Ron. She’d rather kiss Voldemort before she kissed Snape. Look at it this way,” Harry said munching on an apple, “She’s a strong willed young woman…and she’ll see right past Snape’s façade.”

Ron looked to Harry with a distressed look on his freckled face, “Obviously you don’t know Hermione.”
____________________________________________

Snape looked to her questioning eyes, his heart thumping painfully in his chest as he uttered the words, “I’d like to teach you something new.”

Hermione finally asked tentatively, “What’s that?”

At this Snape’s two hands snaked out swiftly and drew her close, until she was almost sitting on his lap. She gulped nervously and looked to him expectantly. His fingers suddenly began untying her robe and dragging it over her head.

She heard the robe fall on the floor beside them, but faintly…mostly her heart and her breathing was about all that was heard. His black eyes never lefts hers and she realized just how entrancing those eyes of his were, his dark lashes framed them beautifully. He didn’t blink much.

He took her hands in his and dragged them over to his vest, which he helped her unbutton before carelessly shrugging it off of him. They sat in silence a bit, the only sound was the chatter from the people at the bar below…Hermione was growing increasingly apprehensive. Snape seemed to notice this because he took his wand, and with a mere flick, the idle chatter was gone and now a soft classical piece played around them.

“Thank you.”

He nodded and tossed his wand beside him on the bedside table. He looked back to her and saw she was trying to unbutton her dress at the back, rather unsuccessfully. Snape smiled gingerly and with a dark voice said,

“Please allow me.”

Hermione let out a short sort of whimpering sigh of arousal before nodding, and turning her back to him. He luxuriously undid all the buttons, which lead down to the middle of her back. He stopped and stroked the bare flesh that shone in the firelight.

She shivered at the coldness of his hands. Budn’tdn’t want him to ever stop. She felt her stomach shaking as he continued his faint touches before she felt him slide the top of her dress over her shoulders and out her arms. She had her back to him, a small black strapless brassiere the only item on her upper body.

He felt himself quaking inside as he almost in a trance lowered his wanting lips to the curve where her neck and shoulders met.

Hermione felt the feathery kisses on her back, and suddenly wished she were more experienced, and more pretty and smarter and everything…but Snape seemed to like her just as she was…

His hands were tracing down her arms on either side, as his mouth continued around her neck and shoulders. Suddenly he drew her to face him, trying to remain calm. He kissed her collar now, his hair ticking her face, as she felt herself arch involuntarily.

He took his time, now drawing back to look at her divine face, and sweet lips. Her hair was tousled freely around her, and he suddenly wanted to just watch her. But something stronger willed him to go on and to touch her more.

Her eyes were half-open in a sort of dazed and excited state, as leaned into her, and helped her to a lying position on the bed, as he almost leaned on her. His lips were busy with her own and one hand traveled down her clothed thigh untilreacreached her bare knee, then felt her shake.

‘Too fast’ he berated to himself. He took his hand away from her knee and drew his hands back up to her face, cupping it and kissed her harshly now, as it was almost too much for him. She felt his…err…excitement rubbing against her legs and felt herself shake in recognition that it was she who had caused him to become so aroused. A grown man...here...wanting her.

He growled now, savagely kissing her harder, his tongue now thrusting in over and over, and his hands cupping her clothed breasts until a snap later they were free an his his lean hands. She moaned as the air hit them, and he kissed each nipple with tenderness before licking in-between each, and up until he reached the hollow of her throat.

He stopped a bit, letting her catch her breath and realize what she was doing. He hadn’t meant to move so fast, that was for sure. She looked beautiful half-naked in the moonlight that was now cascading into their small hovel.

“Severus.” She said softly, “I-“ she seemed to want to say more, as he stroked her hair, but instead bit her lip and started something else.

\"Who told you I\'d be here?\" Hermione said with a smirk that Snape was already beginning to get used to. He traced one finely sculpted finger down her naked forearm and subconsciously licking his full lips he grinned wickedly at her.
o yoo yoo you know I wasn\'t spying on you?\" he said in such a way it caused Hermione to shiver slightly. He bent his neck down and kissed her collar gently. She sighed contentedly.

\"Were you?\" she said smiling as he pulled back, gently and sighing himself.

\"No.\" he chuckled darkly, \"Black told me you\'d be here.\"

He felt Hermione go rigid beside him in the bed, and he looked to her confused at the grimace on her face. \"What\'s the matter?\"

\"Black told you to come to me?\" Hermione said in a rushed and surprised voice, all that Snape could do was nod. Hermione didn\'t speak after that, and she felt Snape\'s gaze on her narrow.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Don’t play games with me.” Snape said, feeling slightly disoriented. “Why did you ask about Black?”

Hermione sighed, “Forget it, please Severus.”

Snape was too angry now, he was looking at her with a fierce look in his eyes. “Tell me. Now.”

Hermione now angry herself looked to him, and placidly replied with a short.

“I supposed that the potion must have worn off.”

There was a look of confusion that flashed in his eyes before he answered. \"I\'m sorry?\" He said roughly, pulling from their embrace, he was sitting up on the bed, his hair tousled but not hiding that angry glare that radiated from him.

\"Nothing.\" Hermione said, although she knew this was not an adequate explanation, and all she could think of was how angry he must be.

\"I\'m not daft Miss Granger, now tell me what you meant by that last comment.\" he was cross, his arms folded in front of his bare chest as his dark eyes bore down on her.

Hermione felt her heart drop as he referred to her as \'Miss Granger\', and suppressed the urge to start crying. It\'d do no good to start whining now, he was past pity...and she had her pride to think of.

\"It was me who snuck into your private storage that night.\" she started as Severus nodded as if he had known it all along...which she suspected he did. Hermione at first felt she couldn\'t speak, but she but then had to press on.

“I made the lust potion for Black…but you got in the way that time at breakfast, and so he fell ive wve with you and I needed your help…but I knew you’d get mad at me if I told you it was Black I a I asked Ron to help me. Ron was a guinea pig. I used him to pretend he needed the potion because…I needed your help. ”

Snape was livid now, his jaw was clenched so very tight Hermione could see the muscles shaking with anger and he almost trembled with rage. Hermione felt suddenly frightened beyond all rational belief and she leaned back a bit as Snape spoke darkly.

“So you thought you’d use me.”

Hermione shot up to protest, but realized her chest was bare and suddenly she felt truly vulnerable now, lying half-naked next to him in this giant bed.

How funny that moments before she was in complete and utter contentment, and couldn\'t have felt safer... but now didn\'t even want him to look at her.

“It wasn’t like that,” she pleaded, noticing him moving farther and farther from her, “I didn’t know you, I didn’t know I’d-“

“Enough Miss Granger.”

He was sitting on the edge of the bed now, pulling on his vest and boots. Hermione wrapped the blanket around her torso, and grasped at his arm.

\"Please. Don\'t leave.\"

He felt a lump fall into his throat as he tried to swallow. Her lies from the start were what had killed him. He pulled away harshly from her grasp and made his way to the door. She couldn\'t protest. He heard her faint sobs and knew they were for him.

He didn’t look back.