Goodnight, Demon Slayer

Goodnight, Demon Slayer
Chapter Three:
Keep Staring. I Might Do A Trick.

Storming from the Great Hall, Hermione flushed deep scarlet red, but she would never be sure whether it was from embarrassment or rage. She'd had just about as much as she was going to take from Ron Weasley. She was very sorry that she liked him and that he liked her, but she had lives to save, dammit! She hurried through the entrance hall, wanting only to get to her bedroom and pretend to be asleep before the other girls got into the dorm, but she was instead stopped by a strong hand which clenched her upper arm.

In her haste she hadn't even noticed Draco Malfoy as she passed him.

"You think you're cute, don't you?" Malfoy asked as he sneered down at her. The grip on her arm was beginning to hurt her. She tried to shake him off, but he only held her tighter. Instantly furious, Hermione squared off, facing him. Looking him in the eyes with a confidence she definitely did not feel, she simply smirked.

"Whatever do you mean, Draco?" she asked innocently, batting her eyes in a way that made him believe she knew exactly what he had meant.

"Don't play dumb, Granger! You should have been mine and you know it" He was pulling her dangerously c to to him now, bruising her arm and making her increasingly uncomfortable, but she would not give into him. She would not be afraid. If she was supposed to be dating Severus, she might as well start acting like she'd picked up some of his tricks.

Like sarcasm.

"Oh, Draco, you'll have to take me out to dinner first."

Draco was decidedly unamused at her attempt at humor, and pulled her into his body, now grabbing both forearms in a death grip. She felt his breath on her hair, and regrettably, she felt his erection as he pushed agaisnt her. No matter if they were the last two people on earth, Hermione Granger definitely could have lived without ever, ever feeling Draco Malfoy's cock.

"You know what I'm talking about! But don't worry. I'll be there to collect you when your little agreement with Snape ends," he murmurred, his voice alarmingly dissimilar to the violence of his actions, as he gently ran a finger down the side of her face. She was intimidated and uncomfortable, but did not back down. She was, however, thankful when a large arm wrapped in yards and yards of black fabric wrapped itself around her waist and pulled her away from Draco and into himself from behind.

"Malfoy, what on earth are you doing to my girlfriend?" Snape drawled as he wrapped his arms around Hermione in a very protective, posessive way. He was an imposing figure, and against her better judgement, Hermione lerselrself lean against him, a contented smile on her face. She gently began to run her fingers over his hands which were laced in front of her. She was entirely flabbergasted, however, to feel the tiny kiss he placed atop her head.

"I was just explaining, Professor, that we Slytherins stick together. And if something were to ever happen to the two of you, I was assuring Hermione that she woud still be in very good hands." Malfoy had moved confrontationally toward Snape, malice and envy evident on every muscle of his face. It was odd, Hermione noticed. The closer Malfoy got, the tighter Snape held her. She wondered vaguely if it was merely instinct or if he was simply trying to keep up appearances.

"Indeed, Mr. Malfoy. But I do not think you should worry yourself with the details of Miss Granger's love life. Especially as they pertain to me," Snape hissed angrily and threateningly. "It may be very dangerous to one's health should one choose to stick his nose where it doesn't belong."

During Snape's speech a crowd had gathered in the entrance has ths the students left dinner for their dormitories. Front and center were Ron and Harry, and Hermione avoided their gazes as best she could. She tried instead to put her energy into looking like the feel of Snape's arms around her was something completely familiar and welcomed to her. Truth be told, it was entirely better than she ever would have expected.

Ae'd e'd begun trailing her fingers over his hands, he'd released his grip on her and instead took her hands, rubbing his thumbs over her hands, making her stomach jump in a way she never would have anticipated. Slowly, she moved to one side of him and wrapped her arms around him, running her hands lightly over his back and chest. Although she'd be ashamed to admit it later, for a while, she wasn't even sure Draco Malfoy was even there; she was so entranced by the man at her side. His chest was surprisingly muscular, she could feel through his robes, and handsands, though calloused from so much exposure to caustic potions ingredients weretle tle to the extreme. She supposed he would be full of contradictions and surprises. He was probably a Gemini.

"Well, perhaps, Professor," Malfoy hissed dangerously and low so that the assembled student body would not hear. "One should not take what another man has laid claim to."

Once again holding Hermion tightly and kissing the top of her head posessively, Severus sneered at the young Slytherin.

"Really? And what man has claimed my girlfriend? I surely see no man here." Draco narrowed his eyes, a look Hermione had seen many times after she or Harry had baited him, and under the guise of fear, she turned to bury her head in Severus' chest.

God, he smelled good!

"Snape, I could have you removed for having inappropriate relations with a student." Malfoy was now grasping for any hold he could find in this dying argument and was even gesturing though until then his movements had been very subtle and calculated. Very Slytherin.

"No, unfortunately, Mr. Malfoy, you cannot. Hermione is of age, and there certainly is no regulation against having a relationship with a student who is legally an adult. In fact, if there were, you would have been expelled earlier this year when you deflowered a very drunk sixth year." Draco's face went white with realization, and Snape merely laughed at him. "I am her Head of House as well, Mr. Malfoy, and believe me, were it up to me, you would be expelled for what you did. It wasn't rape because she said 'okay' but it wasn't far off. Now," Snape continued, his voice returning to its normal pitch and volume. Hermione was still buried against his shoulder (enjoying every minute, though she'd never admit it even to herself), and he'd begun running hisds ods over her back in a very relaxing, very arousing way. "If you will excuse us, my girlfriend and I will be retiring to the dungeons."

Severus turned slightly as if to lead Hermione down to the dungeons, but before taking a step, he turned back toward her. With one slender finger, he traced her jawline and lifted her face to look into his eyes. Smiling at him, she wasn't sure what was coming, but she never in a million years expected what she got. Slowly, Severus leaned in and kissed her sweetly but passionately. She was surprised and moaned a little in response, allowing Severus' tongue entrance to her mouth. Caught up in her first real kiss, Hermione wrapped her arms around Severus' neck and let her body rub against his in a very wrong but very right kind of way. She moaned several more times throughout the kiss, and when they finally broke apart they were both smiling, Snape from besting Malfoy, and Hermione from the best (well, only) kiss she'd ever received. Blushing, she took his hand again and leaned her head against his shoulder. It was more than humiliating to see half the school was watching her sthe the Potions Master, but she was so disoriented she barely even cared.

A wave of sniggers and giggles filled the hall before Severus made any move to leave. Turning once again into the hated Professor Snape persona, he snarled at the assembled student body.

"I assume all of you would like detentions scrubbing cauldrons..."

The students scrambled at the sound of his voice and at his threat, and as Severus and Hermione made their way toward the dungeon, Severus hi so so low only she could hear.

"If you ever mention my talstals in public again, you will be subjected to much more embarassing things than being kissed by the Potions Master in front of the school."

Beside herself, Hermione began to giggle.

"It's not like I said it was small or misshapen or anything! It was a compliment!" Severus simply glowered at her.

"And how would you know about my... in fir first place?" He was irate, the color in face rising to dangerous levels, but he otherwise kept calm. One never knew when one was being spied upon.

"Oh, come on, Severus! Do you honestly think that after almost half a year of dating I wouldn't have jumped you yet? I'm not made out of stone, you know." Hermione giggled at her response, but Snape was not as amused. Stopping dead in his tracks, Severus whipped around to face her. Eyeing her cautiously, he sneered.

"Are you makfun fun of me?"

"What?" Hermione asked, confused. "God! No, Severus! I was trying to tell you that you're not that bad looking a guy, but if you want to think I'm making fun of you instead, be my guest. Might make this summer kind of sticky, but whatever floats your boat."

Severus had no intention of believing her, but at the earnest expression on her face, he found he had no choice. It was illogical, it was impossible, but it must be true. She wasn't mocking him; she genuinely did find him attractive, even in the silly little school girl way she had.

"It's just that... No one's ever... You really... Why did you kiss me this afternoon?"

Hermione stopped herself from rolling her eyes. Would this be what it must be like to date Ron? Always validating him, always making him believe she really had feelings for him?

"To thank you," she answered honestly. Well, mostly honestly. "You're saving my life and risking your own. It's very noble and sweet of you. Besides, if we have to convince everyone we're together, we're probably going to have to kiss in public more than once again."

"Oh... you're welcome," he muttered, turning back to lead her to his quarters, obviously unsure what to do with the flattery sestoestowed upon him.

Back in the entrance hall, Ron Weasley had fallen flat on his face, passed out from the shock of the only girl he'd ever had an interest in being throughly snogged by the only man he'd ever truly hated.

*********A/N**********
Thanks everyone! You're the best! Sorry this has taken so long, but I've been caught up in "Understanding!" Hopefully more soon (there's only five or six chapters left of "Understanding")! Did I mention that you should read and review "Understanding?" But then again, it is decidedly darker than this, so you may not enjoy it. But feel free to leave a good review anyway!