In His Kiss

CHAPTER 2: A Walk in the Moonlight





Hermione was walking alone after dinner, the way she did every night, through the gardens on the edge of the grounds. In mid October, the sun set early and it grew dark before she was through. But she wasn’t afraid to be out after dark, even though the creatures of the forbidden forest were howling and beginning to stir. She knew he was near; he always was, watching her from a distance. She never actually SAW him, but she always knew he was there.





She was more aware of the anti-social wizard than any man she had ever met. Not that she had met all that many. Hermione wasn’t by any means psychically talented. She had no abilities at all in divination, legilimency, nor was she an empath. Yet, whenever Severus Snape was near her, she knew it without fail. She could feel his eyes on her, almost like a caress at times. A strange tingling sensation would begin to buzz low in her belly when he was close. She didn’t know what it was or where it came from, but it occurred without fail. It was there now as she wandered the winding paths of the gardens, stopping to admire the rich, vibrant colors of the fall flowers and night blooming plants.





As she rounded another bend she caught just the faintest glimpse of black robes from the corner of her eye and smiled. She wished he would just say something, anything. He sat beside her every day at meals. Everyone else would be chatting merrily around him while he ate in silence, ever watching her with his peripheral vision. He was well mannered, she would give him that. He always stood and held out her chair when she approached the dais, and would stand if she excused herself. He even held open doors and waited until she had served herself before he would make his own plate.





It was nice really, not something she was used to with the men of her acquaintance. With Ron, Harry and the other Weasley’s you either moved quick or you didn’t eat, and if you expected one of them to hold your chair or hold a door for you, you should plan on waiting for a long while. They were old fashioned customs that were lost on younger men, but not on her.





Hermione made her way to the low stone wall that served as a barrier to the steep, rocky cliff leading down to the Black Lake. She seated herself on the ledge, pulling her cloak tightly around her as she stared out over the water. She loved it here at Hogwarts, and she honestly did not think she could be happy anywhere else. She had tried living back in muggle London, but with her parents retired and traveling constantly, and her friends living in the magical world, she just hadn’t been able to adjust. By a strange stroke of good luck, the position at Hogwarts had opened up and she was more than qualified for the position.





The wind had a bite to it and she shivered softly as the moon began to peek from behind the clouds and reflect its light onto the still water below.



“It really is a beautiful view; you should come closer and enjoy it.” She said quietly into the night. He heard her, she knew he did and seconds later the soft crunch of gravel could be heard as he walked slowly to stand behind her. “You don’t have to stay so far behind, Professor, I know you follow me on my walks every night, you can join me.”





“Severus.” His deep, raspy voice replied.





“Pardon me?”





“Severus, not Professor.” He said. She turned her head and looked up at him. The moonlight was shinning on his silky black hair and obsidian eyes as he looked down at her.





“Very well Severus, call me Hermione, not Ms. Granger. Why don’t you sit with me for a bit?” She asked, indicating the spot beside her on the wall. He took a seat and she almost laughed at him. He kept his spine straight, shoulders back, hands resting loosely on his knees. He looked so proper.





“What amuses you?” He asked.





“You, don’t you ever relax?” She was smiling at him; it wasn’t often that someone’s smiles were meant for him.





“Not in public, it requires one to put their guard down, and that can be dangerous.” He answered.





“This isn’t really public, and why do you need to keep your guard up? The war is over Severus, you know that.” Hermione decided it was her turn to watch him. He shifted a bit under the weight of her gaze, as though it made him uncomfortable. Severus wasn’t a traditionally handsome man. His inky black hair and dark, penetrating eyes gave him a sinister air that frightened many. His face was angular, his prominent nose hooked slightly and you could see tiny lines marring his skin around his eyes and mouth. Proof of a life led under extreme stress and violence. She really shouldn’t be surprised that he didn’t know how to relax, not with the life he had led.





“I suppose it has become habit.” He said, turning away to look out at the water.





“You’ve been watching me for months Severus. Why?” She asked.





“I don’t know.” His answer was not really an answer at all but it was the truth. He didn’t know why he watched her; he only knew that he NEEDED to do so.





“Why haven’t you spoken to me before now?” She wasn’t sure how she felt about his answer.



“I don’t really socialize with anyone, I pretty much keep conversations limited to what is necessary and even then I aim to keep them short.” He said.





“There isn’t anything wrong with that. The world is so full of words and promises that mean nothing. Very few people say anything truthful or worth listening to anymore.” Her brow was furrowed slightly as she focused her attention on the view.





“You are very jaded for someone so young.” He observed.



“Young in years, not inside where it counts.” She laughed. “Inside I am a bitter old woman. You know the kind who chases the neighborhood kids off of her lawn with a water hose?” Severus looked at her for a moment and then she saw something resembling a smile grace his lips.





“I don’t know, that sounds like fun to me. I can’t stand children.” He said.





“I don’t think that’s true, or you wouldn’t have returned to teaching when you recovered.” She shivered again as the wind blew harder, the crisp fall air soaking into her skin. He unfastened his cloak and slung it about her shoulders, fastening the closure around at her throat.





“I think maybe it’s time I walked you back to your rooms.” He said standing and offering her his hand. She took it hesitantly, amazed at the heat radiating from his palm and slithering up her arm like a serpent beneath her skin. As she stood he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and escorted her across the darkened grounds of the school and into one of the small outside doors. He walked her up the stairs, thankful that it was past curfew and all students and teachers were in their dorms, leaving the halls empty.





Several paintings were staring at them, shocked and whispering as he walked beside her. At her door she removed his cloak and handed it back to him.



“Thank you, it was very chivalrous of you to give me your cloak and walk me to my door Severus.”





“Chivalrous, eh? No one has ever accused me of anything so noble.” He chuckled softly, the sound slightly rusty as though it were rarely used.





“From now on, join me. And when you figure out why you are always watching me, let me know.” She smiled and whispered her password to the portrait on her door. She waved as she stepped through and closed the door behind her.





Severus stood there for several long moments, his cloak draped over his arm. He lifted it to his nose and inhaled the lingering scent of lavender that clung to the satin lining. Instantly he felt his body respond, his belly tightening as he hardened beneath his trousers. He stared longingly at the door, the portrait of a lady atop a unicorn glaring at him.





He got the hint that it was time for him to go and made his way back towards the dungeons.



“So, you spoke to her finally?” Sir Nicholas drifted up alongside Severus, smiling.





“What do you know of it?” Severus frowned as he continued walking.





“I’ve been watching you watch her.” Nicholas said simply. “At first I thought you intended to harm the girl, but I realized quickly that maybe it was something else.”





“It’s nothing; she’s just a new colleague, something different.” Severus muttered and he wondered who he was trying to convince, Nicholas or himself.



“Oh, I wouldn’t say it was nothing. You like her, and I think she likes you. It would be good for you both I think. You are both alone too much, why I have never seen two people who read so much in my life or my death!” Severus reached his rooms and gave the portrait his password, relieved when the door swung open.





“Thank you Nicholas, but I don’t need romantic advice from a man who has not been with a woman in centuries.” Severus said as he stepped inside.





“I wouldn’t point fingers; your wand is getting mighty dusty itself!” Nicholas said haughtily as Severus slammed the door in his face. “Ah, romance is in the air I think, is there anything as sweet?” He said to himself as he drifted down the corridor in search of someone else to talk to.