Love Square

Chapter Three: Back to the Future

Alas, all of the Potterverse belongs to the great JKR. And, yes, I stole the title for this chapter from the movie starring the ever-so-hot Michael J. Fox.

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The next morning Hermione woke several hours before Severus. She just lay in his arms, enjoying it. His arms were wrapped tightly around her. She watched him breathe, the gentle rising and falling of his chest. She inhaled his scent for what she assumed would be the last time. She admired his rock hard abs, thinking that being a spy must pay off. A strand of his hair fell in his face and she tucked it behind his ear. An hour later he woke up. For a long time neither of them spoke, both too distraught to find their voices.

Severus found his first. “You should go.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You promised you would wake up in the morning,” he said, irritated.

She sighed. “I know d. Bd. But can you tell me you want to let me go?”

He looked away. “You know the answer to that.” She leaned up to kiss him but he turned his face away from her. “No. We can’t. We agreed that we are to be just friends.” She sighed, tears welling up in her eyes. “Don’t cry,” he commanded. Her crying abated for the moment.

“I love you. How can you run to Tonks?”

“Tonks and I make more sense than you and me. You and Mr. Weasley make sense, too.”

“I don’t love Ron. I like him, he’s a great guy. But he’s not you.”

Severus sighed. “I don’t, nor will I ever, love Nymphadora Tonks. There is only one woman in this world that I have any feelings for, and I can’t have her.”

“I don’t know why you keep saying you can’t have me. I’m here, in your arms, wearing your robes. And I love you. I want you--”

He cut her off. “You’re too young to know what you want.”

“When you were my age, what did you want more than anything else?”

He smirked. “James Potter dead.” She glared at him. “You have to understand, when I was your age, all I wanted was to engulf myself in the Dark Arts. I was obsessed. When I came to Hogwarts, I already knew more about it than most of the N.E.W.T. students. You have no idea of the things I’ve done. I’m a bad man.”

“But you’re good now. You’ve more than made up for it with your work for the Order. That’s one of the things I love about you--”

“You’re too young to know what love is.”

“Then what do you call last night? What we did was an act of love.”

“No, it was an act of lust. Sex is nothing more to me.”

“Can you honestly say you feel nothing for me?”

“No, but we settled that last night. I want you, but physically. I’m not capable of loving you that way.”

“Do you even like me?” she asked. The tears that had been building in her eyes finally spilled out. She buried her face in his chest.

“It’s wrong for me to answer that question. I’m much too old for you.”

She looked up at him. “Twenty years isn’t a lifetime. Please just answer me.”

He sighed. “Yes, I like you, however I can’t let myself love you. It’s wrong--”

“Why is it wrong? Last night was right,” she cried, more tears spilling.

“I thought I told you to stop crying,” he said menacingly. She seemed to accept that and her crying subsided for the time being. “That’s better. Come on, we need to get you dressed. Don’t you have a class to get to?”

“Yes, but my other self is there, so I can’t very well go. I have nothing to do today. Do you have a class?”

“Not until this afternoon.”

“Can I stay then?” she asked.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said, letting her go and sitting She She sat up too and he realized she wasn’t wearing anything under his robes. He stared at her exposed body. To his surprise, she dropped his robes. Before he knew what was happening he was on top of her, kissing her senseless. His hand immediately went to her chest. He roughly squeezed it. She gasped in pain, but he didn’t stop. He forced his tongue into her mouth. She gladly accepted him. He repeated the acts of the previous night, much to Hermione’s enjoyment.

He stopped kissing her and rolled off of her and onto his back, panting. She rolled over and he embraced her. It was a long time before she spoke. “That… was amazing.”

“That… was wrong. Why did you let me do that? I hurt you, I heard you groan.”

She sat up. “Yes, you were a little rough, but I liked it.”

“How can you like me after I hurt you? You could have screamed and I wouldn’t have stopped. That’s the kind of man I am,” he said darkly.

“I love you and all of your flaws. Please, Severus, take me. I want you to.”

“No,” he said flatly. “In fact, get up, I’ll dress you myself.” They got up anddresdressed her. He walked over to his wardrobe and pulled on clean clothes and new robes. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your room.”

“Can we just pretend to be a couple? Just until we get there? After that we can just be friends.” He obliged, taking her hand in his. He walked her to her door and turned to leave, but she tugged on his robes. “Severus, it’s okay for friends to hug goodbye.” She smiled as he took her in his arms. Normally friendly hugs last a few seconds, but this one lasted a good half hour. He ran his hand up and down her back and sides. When he finally let her go, he leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips.

“That was a goodbye,” and with that, he turned and walked away, his robes billowing behind him.

Hermione turned and said the password and walked into the common room. Ginny was waiting for her with a huge grin on her face. It immediately faded when Hermione collapsed to the floor sobbing. Ron rushed forward and carried her over to the sofa.

“Should I take this to mean that Project Seduction failed?” Ginny asked quietly.

Hermione stopped sobbing long enough to recount what happened in the dungeons. “…and then he kissed me goodbye. “

Harry and Ron were murderous. “I’ll kill the bastard,” said Harry furiously.

“Not if I Diffindo him straight to Hell first,” hissed Ron, wand out. He was halfway out the door when Hermione brought him back to reality.

“You c-can’t be s-seen,” she sobbed. “And I l-love him. He w-was only doing what he though was r-right.” Ron walked over to the sofa and took the sobbing Gryffindor in his arms.

“I’m always here for you, ‘Mione. You know that. If you ever want to get over that giant overgrown bat--”

“Ronald Weasley! This is hardly the time for that,” snapped Ginny viciously.

“No, it’s the p-perfect time. I promised Severus I would get over him. And I do like you, Ron. But you should know that I’m in love with S-Severus.”

Ron sighed. “Do you think you’ll ever get over him?” he asked hopefully.

“S-someday.”

“Someday is something.”

Harry was still fuming. “How you can love that greasy git is beyond me.”

“Actually, he’s not g-greasy at all. His hair is s-silky and soft.”

Ron and Harry simultaneously shuddered. Ginny punched Ron on the shoulder. “Are you gonna be okay?” she asked sympathetically.

“Yeah, eventually.”

“I know you will be, you’ve been through worse stuff than this.”

“I know. You’re right. I just need someone to take my mind off of him,” she said. She kissed Ron’s cheek before retreating to her room.

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Six more months passed and it was finally time for them to go back to the future. Hermione and Ron had exchanged the “I love you” phrase, though Hermione still harbored feelings for Severus. Nymphadora Tonks was head over heels in love with Severus, but his heart still belonged to Hermione.

“Okay, guys, this is our last night existing twice. How should we spend it?”

“Well, I’m going to go for a final flight. I think I’ll visit Sirius’ grave,” Harry said sadly. Sirius had been buried beneath the Whomping Willow. Harry grabbed his Firebolt and headed out.

“So, sweets, I guess it’s just you and me,” Ron said seductively, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “What would you like to do?”

“Actually,” she squirmed away from him and stood up. “I promised Severus I would help him with Lupin’s Wolfsbane,” she said, standing up.

Ron’s face darkened. “You don’t still love him do you?”

Hermione sighed. “I warned you when we started dating that I would always have feelings for him. But no, I don’t love him anymore. But he will always have a place in my heart that no one else can fill.”

“Well, if that’s how you feel, maybe we shouldn’t be together.”

She sat down again, “Ron, I do love you, but like I said, you’re not Severus. But you’re you, and I love you for that. You’re sweet and generous. Severus is neither of those things. He’s wild and rugged. And dark, sometimes more than I would like. You’re a nice guy, you’re safe.”

“So you’re only with me because I’m safe?”

“You’re putting words in my mouth.” He glared at her. “They’re the right words, though.” He looked at her sadly and took her hands in his.

“I think you should go to Snape. You belong with him. Not me. We may make more sense, but you can’t love me when a part of you is with him.”

“He doesn’t want me. He’s with Tonks.”

“And if he wanted you?”“He “He told me no. I can’t go back to a man that’s turned me down. I love you now…”

“But?”

“But I can’t give you my whole heart. Maybe someday.”

“Someday is something.”

“I’d better be going, Severus is expecting me,” she said, smiling.

Ron’s eyes narrowed as he spoke. “You don’t have to look so happy every time you go to see him,” he shouted, getting up. “But if you love him so much, run to him. Just forget all about me!” He turned to walk away, but she grabbed him by his robes.

“Ron--”

“Just get out of my sight. We’re over.” And with that he walked up the stairs to his room and slammed the door shut.

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“Severus? Are you here?” Hermione asked, walking into his office.

Severus walked in wearing his white button-down shirt and leather pants. She though he looked positively delicious. “Ah, I was wondering when you would get here. Have you been crying?” he asked, walking over to her.

“Ron and I had a fight.”

“Again?” She nodded. “Same thing as always?” he asked, taking her in his arms. “I thought you two belonged together, but maybe I was wrong. Did you break up again?” He led her over to the couch. “I don’t know why you put up with that little worm,” he said, annoyed.

“Yes. We’ll probably get back together, but to be honest, I don’t want to. I never did in the first place. I only did it to make you happy,” she sniffed. “So how are things with Tonks?”

“I can’t stand her. And I HATE pink hair!” Hermione laughed at this. “Glad I amuse you. But she’s a constant thorn in my side. She’s constantly chattering, and never about anything important. The only time I can get her to shut up in when we’re in bed.” Hermione let out a little cry at this. “What? Too much information?”

“Definitely. Ron and I aren’t--”

“That’s good. You’re too young for that.”

“How old were you your first time.”

“Don’t make me answer that.” She looked up at him imploringly. “I was fifteen. I’m yet to do it with someone and mean it though.”

“I’m yet to do it at all. And I’m seventeen.”

“You are? When did that happen?”

“Last week.”

“You should have told me. I would have gotten you something.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can think of what you can give me in a year. For my 18th birthday.”

“What’s that?”

“You,” she said quietly.

He sighed sadly. “You know we can’t ever be. I was meant to be with Tonks, much as I loathe her, and you were destined to be with Weasley.”

“I was destined to be with the man I love.”

“Did you not tell me last week that you and Ron exchanged that phrase?”

“We did, and I do love him, but like a very close friend. There’s a reason we’re not having sex, you know. It would be like banging my brother.” He laughed at this. “Maybe this time I won’t go back to him. This is the third time we’ve broken up over you. Have you and Tonks ever broken up?”

“We’re not really together. She’s my sex partner, but that’s about it. The only way I would ever marry her would be if a law was passed that forced me to.”

“Like that will ever happen. If it did I’d like to think you and I would be put together.”

“One day you will get over me, I assure you.”

“That’s just it,” she said sitting up. She positioned herself on his lap and put her arms around his neck. Surprisingly he didn’t move her off of him. “I don’t want to get over you. I’m never happier than when I’m thinking about us getting together. Do you ever think about that?”

“Are you kidding? That’s all I ever think about… Well, whenever I’m in bed with Tonks. How do you think I get through it?” he said casually, wrapping his arms around her waist, stroking the small of her back. “You shouldn’t be sitting like that.”

“Stop me.” Instead of answering, he leaned in and kissed her gently. “Merlin, you have no idea how much I’ve missed those lips,” she sighed. He smiled, kissing her again. She moved her legs so she was straddling him.

“This is very wrong. I should be stopping you.”

“But you’re not,” she said, kissing him again.

“No, I’m not. Are you sure you want this?”

“Merlin, yes! You have no idea how much. You’re all I ever think about. And--”

He put his finger up to her mouth. “Shh… no more talking.” With that said, he plunged his tongue into her mouth. He helped her out of her robes and pulled her shirt off over her head. Tonight she was wearing a lacy Gryffindor red bra. “Do you ever not wear your colors?”

“Nope. Want to see what else I’m wearing?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows. He grinned devilishly at her. She stood up and removed her skirt to reveal a racy red thong. She reached up and undid all of the buttons on his shirt, letting it fall to the floor. She ran her finger down his abs and stopped when she got to his pants. She looked up at him imploringly. He gave her a curt nod and she took that to mean she could continue. She undid all of the buttons on his pants, letting them fall to the ground. He kicked off his boots and socks, as did she. She stepped back to admire him. He was wearing nothing but silk green boxers. “And you lecture me about wearing my house colors?” He grinned at her, lifting her and carrying her to his bedroom.

“So what do you want to do?” he asked using his silkiest voice. It sent shivers up and down her spine. He pulled her over to him and climbed on top of her.

“Hey Severus?” He looked down at her. “Don’t be rough, okay?”

“I’ll try,” he smirked. He reached around behind her and undid her bra, throwing it aside. Next he removed her underwear and threw it aside too. He sat up and admired her now nude body. He ran his fingers along her cheek. He leaned down and kissed her. He moved his finger down to her belly button, circling that, too. Next he moved his hand down, but she stopped him.

“Severus, love, that’s not what I want in me.” He smirked at how forward she could be. He stood up and dropped his boxers. He let her admire him a minute before crawling back on top of her. Somewhere in the distance, a clock chimed midnight. “Oh shi--” and with that she disappeared.

“Damnit.”

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The next thing she knew she was lying naked in the Gryffindor Common Room. She was on the couch and Ron was staring at her, fury reeking from every pore. Harry walked away, embarrassed. He whipped off his robes and threw them at her. She covered herself and stood up. “Ron I--” she started, trying to explain.

Instead of allowing her to say anything, he smacked her face as hard as he could. “So THAT’S why you wanted to go see him tonight,” he screamed. Hermione clutched her cheek as tears started to form in her eyes. “Don’t look at me like that, you deserved that and worse. So how long?”

“How long what?”

“How long have you been screwing him behind my back? All those times we fought, is this how you coped with it? By running to You You’re pathetic. I never want to see you again.”

“Well, it’s mutual, Ronald Weasley. And tonight was the first night we did anything since that night you and I got together. And no, I didn’t screw him. But I would have!” she screamed, furious. “And you broke up with ME! You said we were over!”

“So you go out and bang the first body you can find?”*

“What I do is none of your business.” He smacked her again, this time leaving nail marks on her face. Four trickles of blood appeared on her pale face.

“What you do is EXACTLY my business. I’m your boyfriend!”

“You WERE my boyfriend. I’m disgusted that I ever let you touch me.”

“No, I’m disgusted. You let that thing touch you. He’s a large overgrown bat, a greasy git, and a pedophile. I hope he gets hauled off to Azkaban. If I have anything to say about it, he will!”

“You wouldn’t dare, Ronald!”

“Oh wouldn’t I? I’ll go right now and Owl my father,” he started to walk out, but Hermione’s wand was already facing him.

“I can’t let you do that. Petrificus Totalus. Sorry, Ron, but I have no choice… Obliviate!” And with that he had nothing but the memory of beating her and her showing up naked. He watched her helplessly as she climbed out of the portrait hole. She walked furiously to Severus’ chambers. She didn’t know his password, she settled for banging on the door.

When he finally answered, he spoke before looking at her. “Look, Hermione, tonight shouldn’t have happened. Here are your clothes, please take them and go.” She fell to the ground. Only then did he notice the blood on her face. “Merlin, Hermione, what happened to you? And whose robes are you wearing? You are wearing something other than that, right?”

“No! I appeared in the Gryffindor Common Room totally naked. And Ron was there! And he hit me!”

Severus’ eyes flashed dangerously. His normally pale face was contorted with rage. His eyes narrowed as he drew out his wand. “I’ll kill him,” he said quietly, walking away. Hermione had to run to catch up with him, Ron’s robes falling in the process.

“Severus, no! He’s a child, a student, you’d get sent to Azkaban!”

He turned to face her. “Do I look like I care?” he asked in a dangerously silky voice. He took off his robes and tied them around her, covering her.

“I can’t let you get sent away on my account. I already wiped his memory. And he’s in a full body bind. He wouldn’t even be able to defend himself!” she cried.

“Hermione, this is something I have to do. He hurt the one person I love, I can’t let him get away with that.”

“But if you kill him, you’ll be sent to Azkaban. Please, let me handle him. Let’s just go back to your room.”

His eyes softened, though he still spoke in a dangerously soft voice, scaring her. “I will get him for this if it’s the last thing I ever do. Maybe not tonight, but soon.” To his amazement, Hermione’s face lit up in a grin. “And just what amuses you?”

“You said you love me,” she said, walking up to him. He led her to his room.

“So I did.”

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*Buffy the Vampire Slayer quote.

A/N: Haha, thought you were going to get lemons, didn’t you? Hehe, not yet. I hoped you liked this chapter. Please leave me a review! But no flaming me, that’s mean.