Storing Up Trouble

Disclaimer: Oh you know it!

SorceressFujin: Thank you. And here's more.

pinkwands: Snape can drag me anywhere!

phistolemon: Don't worry about the mark on Severus chest...

beeky63: *rollingeyesandsighingwithexasperation* I am writing this for fun, beeky63, and like I said, I have tried Betas but they just stress me out, and I get ill when stressed, and when I am ill I can't write... so, like I said, sorry for the mistakes, just sit back and enjoy the story. Anyway, that was said in speech, I have heard people talk like that. I come from Luton, and I lived in South West Gloucestershire and the kids, Ginny's and Hermione's age do speak like that in those areas. I could use your grammer skills on my Original work, which is a work I am looking at being published as a book. It's on this site in the Originals, Drama section, and it's called Whispers of the Past though... but this one is just for fun.

Thanks for reviewing, and please remember, I am not being paid for writing this.

A Disastrous Event

The last day of term before the Christmas holiday’s always held some excitement for Hermione, but not this one. McGonnagal had decided to have a ball on the last night where only fifth years and up were allowed to attend. Younger students could only come if they had dates with the older students.

Hermione put the burgundy dress on and twirled around in the mirror, as she had twirled for the fourth time she sank on the floor, her dress billowing out all over the floor. There was a knock on the door, and a faint ‘Hermione,’ and Hermione wiped away her tears, as she opened the door. To her surprise, Ginny walked into the door.

“What’s the matter?” Ginny asked.

“I can’t do it, Gin, I can’t go with Ron,” Hermione said in a stubborn voice.

She sat on the bed; she let her hair hide the mark that Severus had kept refreshing every night. Her rendezvous with Severus were getting more intense each time, and last night he’d slipped a hand under her knickers, and stroked her, and she let him. Before he let her go, he’d always remind her that he was watching. She stroked her neck and Ginny sat down beside her.

“Look,” Ginny said. “I love Ron, I’m bound to, he’s my brother, but that still doesn’t stop me from calling him a prat.”

Hermione laughed. She turned around and hugged her friend.

“Thank you, Ginny, I just thought that you would hate me for breaking up with him.”

“Well,” Ginny said, “the timing was bad, I know for a fact that Ron had planned to propose to you.”

Hermione groaned and flung herself on the cushions.

“No wonder he hates me,” she said, a lump forming in her throat, and she started to cry. Ginny swept aside Hermione’s hair and then Ginny gasped.

“What’s that?” She asked.

“What’s what?” Hermione asked.

“That,” Ginny pointed at the large love bite underneath Hermione’s right ear lobe. “Wait there, I have a lotion that could get rid of that in an instant. Whoever gave it to you should feel ashamed of himself.”

“NO!” Hermione said. “Look, it doesn’t hurt, I’ll just hide it. That’s all.”

Hermione put her hair back in place, thanking her Greek blood for this Athena style hair that she inherited from her grandmother. She then hung a necklace around her neck and placed a ring or two on her fingers. Ginny tutted, and she brought out her make up bag.

“At least let me try to hide it with make up,” Ginny said. “I’ve got some great foundation, you look better with your hair up.”

“Somehow, Ginny, I don’t care HOW I look all right,” Hermione snapped. Ginny shook her head. “Just arrange the back of it all right,” Hermione said in a softer tone noticing the hurt look in Ginny’s eyes. She did not want to lose the entire Weasley family as friends, and as far as she knew she was still all right to go to them for the holidays.

“All right, sit in the chair,” Ginny’s tone was bright and happy. Hermione let Ginny loose on her hair, which was not generally a good idea. Ginny could make anyone look gorgeous. At that thought Hermione giggled, as a picture popped in her head of Ginny giving Severus ‘Control Freak’ Snape a make over. “What’s so funny?” Ginny asked, stunned at Hermione’s cheeky expression in the mirror.

“Nothing,” Hermione said. She had an idea that Ginny would not find the joke funny.

“There,” Ginny said. “Finished. And don’t worry, I’ve left the mark alone, although I wished you tell me who gave it to you, so that I could shove a wand up where the sun don’t shine.”

“Honestly, Ginny, I don’t mind so why should you?”

“Harry’s tried marking me like that, and whilst I don’t mind being his girlfriend, and I love that green eyed boy to bits, I just don’t want to be marked by him, yet. Not until he’s prepared to commit to me, properly!”

“You mean like, marriage?” Hermione asked.

“A proposal at least,” Ginny said. “All this ‘your mine’ crap, I mean, Hermione, I thought that we were edging towards the twenty first century. Try telling that to male wizards though!”

Hermione stroked the mark on her neck. Is that what Severus wanted? Or, was it just possession? She couldn’t tell, he was demanding, and whilst they weren’t lovers yet, she could tell that soon they were going to be.

“Right,” Ginny said. “I think you’re done. I just have to get dressed myself.”

Ginny left Hermione’s bedchamber, and then she heard a voice.

“Good girl, Hermione, but I think that the mark should be on display. You do belong to someone now, remember that.”

“Severus?” Hermione asked. She shot up and looked furtively around her room. “Where are you?”

“Right behind you darling,” Severus said. He breathed on her neck and goosebumps formed on her arms. “Now,” Hermione felt an arm go around her waist. “We don’t have much time.” She felt invisible lips tease and kiss her flesh. The feeling was driving her wild, and then she felt invisible teeth bite her neck, where the mark was. “There, now sweetheart, have you decided? Are you going to stay with me for Christmas?” She felt an invisible hand creep up her stomach and suddenly invisible fingertips played around with her nipple. Hermione sighed and moaned. “I’ll make sure that you will be well looked after,” the invisible lips swapped sides and then the teeth nibbled on her earlobe.

“Lets see how tonight works out,” she sighed. “If the atmosphere between Ron and I is unbearable then, yes, I’ll come and stay with you.”

“I think I can handle that,” he said. He pressed her closer to him. “Now, turn around, I want to kiss you.”

Hermione turned around and she felt invisible lips on hers, and a tongue slipped into her mouth, and they started playing with each other, she felt fingers play with her hair. And then he tucked a lock behind her ear.
“Severus, why are you doing this to me?”

“Always the know-it-all,” he whispered, and she suddenly felt cold, he had disappeared.

Hermione had no time to register what was happening to her, and then a boisterous thump on the door alerted her to the real world. She straightened herself up and walked up to the door and opened it.

“We better hurry, Hermione,” it was Ron, he offered his arm stiffly, and his manner was cold. Hermione took his arm and then his eyes rested on her neck. “Bloody hell! Who gave you that?”

Hermione stroked her neck, bastard, she fumed. Doesn’t he realise that she has a reputation, and she can’t be seen with a love bite the size of bloody Australia on her neck.

“We have to dance the first dance together,” Hermione said softly.

“Yes, Hermione, I know. And believe me, I can’t wait!” Ron said sourly.

Hermione winced. She knew right then and there that she would probably have a better time of it with Severus Snape than she would at the Weasleys. Especially when Molly found out that Hermione had dumped her son. A son, that Hermione had a sneaky suspicion, was Molly’s favourite.

She couldn’t tell him could she? One of the reasons that she had broken up with him was to protect him from a jealous Death Eater. For that is what Snape was, jealous. That’s why he insisted on her showing to the entire school that she was taken. Although, why would he be jealous? Its not like he ever liked her.


The evening progressed from bad to worse. Every male that danced with Hermione was eyed suspiciously by Ron, and then taken aside and asked by them if they had done that to her. They were either shaken by fear of Ron’s harsh and demanding questioning, or they were shaken with the mark that so shamelessly adorned Hermione’s neck.

Then Blaise Zabini offered to dance with Hermione. He looked so smug, and cock sure of himself, that Ron wanted to kill him. Hermione accepted Blaise’s offer and let him lead her to the dance floor.

“Weasel is asking every single male who gave you that mark,” he said. “And I am going to tell him it was me. If only to see the look on his face!”

“Oh no, you won’t, Zabini,” Hermione hissed.

He twirled her around and then clamped her tight to his panther like body.

“That looks like its been given by a Slytherin,” Blaise said. “Trust me, once you’re marked by a Slytherin, only a Slytherin can tell. We Slytherins always protect our own, if you are marked by one of us, you belong to all of us. Whoever the lucky Slytherin is,” he said, and then he spun her around again, and brought her back to him, “he must want you for more than just sex.”

“Get lost, Zabini,” she said. Then he lowered his head and put his mouth on hers.

“Now that you’ve gotten rid of Weasel, you’re much more attractive,” he said, his dark eyes glinting with mischief.

Hermione looked into his eyes and gasped at a certain similarity about them to Severus. Blaise then tilted her chin up and licked his lips.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Just because you’re taken that doesn’t mean that we can’t have our fun if we want it. It’s what being Slytherin is all about,” he murmured. He then placed his lips on hers and Hermione let him take over. It was delicious, she had to give him that. They finished kissing when the music stopped. “Like I said, whoever he is, he’s one lucky Snake.”
Hermione gulped down the last remnants of his taste, if she had a choice of men, she’d definitely test Blaise out. If truth were told, she had always admired Blaise Zabini; there was something so lonely about him, so withdrawn and so mysterious. He seemed to be a younger Snape. He walked her over to the buffet table and started picking food up and placing it on a plate that Hermione had given him.

“I can’t tell you who it is, not unless he gives me permission,” Hermione said. “And if he does, you’ll be the first to know.”

Blaise handed her the plate of food and they walked down the table, he picked more food, and she followed suit.

“Listen, Hermione, we could probably end up in a lot of trouble over this, but I know for a fact that Snape didn’t want to kill Dumbledore.”

“Before we interact any further do you have the Mark?”

“No,” the dark Slytherin said, shaking his handsome head. “I can show you proof if you like.”

“It’s all right I’ll take your word for it,” Hermione said.

Blaise flashed her a lovely smile showing two rows of perfect white teeth, which contrasted lovely against his dark skin. Hermione felt her heart miss a beat. She smiled back, and then he leaned in and whispered.

“It really is a pity that someone got there before me,” he said. “I was hoping to mark you myself.”

He then led her to two chairs in a dark corner of the Great Hall, and they started to eat. She started to eat and they sat there quietly. Blaise set his plate on the floor and kicked it under the chair. He then turned around to face Hermione, and stroked her hair, and traced her mark with his fingers.

“According to castle gossip, it was Ginny Weasley you liked,” she said.

Blaise snorted.

“She’s pretty enough I suppose,” he said. “But to be perfectly honest I am after someone so much more. Besides, it is the fate of all Weasley women to end up frumpy. Whether they’re married to them or related to them through blood.”

“But, well, I might end up frumpy,” she said.

“Oh no, not you, you won’t. You’ve avoided that one, Hermione; I always thought you were a clever girl. Ah!” He said, “the bands back on. Care for another dance?” He got up and held out his hand and she took it.


Hermione looked around her room before she stepped in, and then whispered his name cautiously. Satisfied that he weren’t there she stepped into the room and started to unlace the ribbons tied up to shape her waist. And then she felt them. His warm hands circulating around her stomach, she felt her body relax and then she leaned into the body.

“That went better than I thought,” his voice whispered in her ear. “Well done, Hermione.”

“I’ve come to a decision,” Hermione said. “Ron is still upset over what I did, and now Blaise has made everybody think that he’s the one that’s marked me.”

“Yes, that was extremely good of him to,” Severus said. “I’ll have to find a way to thank him for it.”

Hermione giggled, she then turned around and put her arms around his neck.

“So, whilst Ginny doesn’t mind, I have a feeling that Mrs Weasley would mind, after all, I’m the one that’s ditched HER son.”

“Yes, Molly is very attached to those brats of hers,” Severus murmured. “I hope the same would be said of you Hermione?”

“Of course I’ll love my children,” she said. “Anyway, I’ve decided to stay with you.”

Then Severus threw off the cloak, and displaced the disillusionment charm to make himself appear. Hermione giggled.
“Good,” he said. “Then we best start packing. Only,” he cocked his head to one side. “I’m not sure you’ll be needing anything.”

Hermione glared at him, and then went to her packing chest and opened it up, and then opened her draws, and wardrobe doors. She picked out some of her muggle clothes, which made Severus raise an eyebrow, and then she grabbed a few handfuls of underwear, and then a few jumpers. She picked up her favourite pair of trainers, and her favourite pair of slippers, and then a few muggle books.

“I guess I won’t be needing ANYTHING else,” she said.

Severus laughed. He drew her into his embrace, and was just about to kiss her again, but stopped at the sound of the door being knocked on. She pushed him in the bathroom and then she closed the door, she then kicked aside the invisibility cloak and thankfully it landed in a shady corner where no one would spot it unless they were looking for it.

“Harry, what is it now?”

“ZABINI!” He roared. “You dumped Ron for that Slytherin git? How could you Hermione?”

“It was rather sudden, Harry, he came into the Potions Classroom whilst I was sorting things out for Slughorn, he offered to help, and then, I don’t know, things happened. Things that went beyond my control, look, Blaise likes me, he admitted as much to me today. Anyway, wouldn’t you rather me be honest about my feelings in public? I found it so difficult juggling between those two, and now, well, I don’t know, Harry, but please, Blaise isn’t all that bad, not really. At least he’s not as arrogant as Malfoy.”

Harry’s eyes went flint hard at the mere mention of Draco Malfoy.

“Yes,” he sighed. “I’ll give you that, I suppose I can rest easy knowing he weren’t after Ginny. But, consider, Hermione, he’s a Slytherin.”

“Oh for goodness sake, Harry, not all Slytherins are evil, and vicious you know. They are not all cold blooded murderers, it’s just that some of them have different ways of doing things to the way we do.”
Harry set his jaw and then he looked around and saw the clothes all dumped into her chest.

“Look,” Harry sighed. “Ron couldn’t tell you himself, so I am going to do it. He say’s that its best you go to your parents, he said that its going to be better he doesn’t see you for a while.”

“I agree, I’ve just sent my mum and dad an owl to inform them of the change of plan, I hope they get it in time.”

“Hermione,” Harry sighed, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing with Zabini.”

“So do I,” Hermione said.

They both said their goodnights, and Harry went off to the Common Room and then Severus stepped out.

“I hope I am not one of those vicious, evil ones either,” he said.

“Hmm,” Hermione said. “We’ll see, won’t we?”

Severus laughed, and then he sat on her bed.

“I’ve had some great fantasies about the Head Girls room,” he said dangerously. “I’d like to act at least one of them out tonight.”

Hermione blushed and looked down on the carpet, and started playing with her fingers, and then she looked up.

“I’m not sure about that,” she whispered.

“Oh, come on, Hermione, we’ve almost done it already. What’s wrong with going the whole way tonight?”

“No,” she said. “The kissing, the touching, yes, I can take that, but not the rest. Not yet anyway.”

Severus chuckled and then he walked over to where his cloak lay, he tapped his head and Hermione picked up her nightdress. She ran a bath, and then soaked in it for an extremely long time. She washed her hair, and then soaped her body. She stepped out of the bath and dried herself off.

“Remember,” he whispered in the bathroom. Hermione squealed and covered herself up. “Remember, I am always watching.”

She let the towel drop off her body after a while convinced she was finally on her own, and then she dried herself off, and got ready for bed. She put a drying spell on her hair and picked up a book.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” she read aloud. She soon snuggled into The Tale of Two Cities, easily her favourite Dickens novel. And went to sleep with the book open on her chest.

Her dreams that night were spotty, and confusing, and very scary. She kept hearing a voice, a high-pitched voice, and she was there bent down on her knees, in chains, and someone was beside her.

“Now, my dear, pretty Mudblood, don’t scream, not yet. I want you to see his doom, and death!”

No, her dream self screamed, no, please don’t hurt him. I love him, NO!

She screamed, and she was a shaky pool of sweat. She hadn’t been asleep that long. She tried to settle back down to her dreams, but none came. And the rest of the night she slept wonderfully, almost forgetting the nightmare that had made her scream with fear.