Snape's Room in the Basement

Lightening flashed and the sound of thunder echoed through Number 12 Grimmauld place.

Ginny opened her eyes and stared around the dark, empty room. The storm frightened her and she was all alone in the house. All alone except for him.

Jumping out of bed, she ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. Skirting around the kitchen table, she pulled open the basement door and ran down the darkened stairs. It was pitch black.

"Lumos" she whispered and her wand glowed softly. With a sigh of relief, she saw that his door was ajar. Pulling it open, she rushed to stand beside his bed. In the faint light, she could see him curled on his side, his back facing her.

"To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" He asked, rolling onto his back to stare up at her.

"It's storming."

"So I heard." He said, his baritone voice rumbling like the thunder. Rolling back on his side, away from her, he chuckled darkly. "Please do not tell me the Fierce Gryffindor Lioness is afraid of a thunderstorm."

Ginny jumped as the next crack of thunder shot through the house. Pulling back the covers, she climbed in next to him. "Fine. I won't tell you then." She muttered.

"Where is everyone else?"

"Out."

"Where pray tell is the Chosen Boy?"

Ginny flinched a little at the rancor in his voice. "With Dumbledore."

'Your brother and Ms. Granger?"

"Visiting her parents." She flinched at another loud burst of thunder. Rolling over she pressed herself tightly against his back.

"So you were left with only me to protect you?"

She nodded her head against his back.

"And you imagine that you are safe in my bed?" Snape asked her, his voice ominous.

"I know I am." She whispered.

"And I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be smart and brave." Snape snorted.

"I'm brave." She muttered. A loud explosion of thunder shook the house violently. Ginny squeaked and grasped at his back with her hand.

"Very brave." He chuckled, his voice teasing. "I can tell."

Ginny's breath caught in her throat as she felt his bare skin under her hand. She gasped at the feeling of muscle lying beneath. Moving slowly, she gently slid her hand along his back, down his side and gently to his hip. She rested her hand on the bare flesh there, marveling at how velvety soft his skin felt under her hand.

"You're naked."

"I was sleeping."

Her hair tickled his back as she nodded her head.

"Your skin is so soft." She whispered her voice barely audible.

"What were you expecting? Scales?"

"I'm not sure."

It was his turn to stop breathing when he felt her lips press gently against his back, kissing him. He stifled a moan, as her thumb begin to softly stroke his hip, lightly grazing the swell of his arse.

Placing his hand on top of hers, he stilled her movements.

"Enough Ginny." He said hoarsely. Lacing her fingers with his, he pulled her hand up to his mouth and kissed her fingers tenderly. He pressed their joined hands tightly to his chest.

"Sleep my little Lioness." He whispered. "I'll protect you from the storm."