A Royal Flush

A Royal Flush

Summery: Hermione Granger is the sole survivor when Voldemort attacks her home. Albus is sent to retrieve her and brings his Potions Master along. How will our favorite Slytherin react when he find out the truth about Hermione? R/R

Author’s Note: THIS DOES NOT FOLLOW HBP. SEVERUS AND OTHER CHARACTERS WILL BE OOC! IF YOU DON’T LIKE THOSE TYPE OF STORIES THEN DON’T READ AND DON’T LEAVE REVIEWS JUST TO SAY IT SUCKS OR YOU DON’T LIKE IT!

Author\'s Note: This story is being Beta as I go. Just so you know.

Beta’s notes: Shameless plug here when you done reading this story go read mine. It’s ‘Just a Book’. Oh I’m QueenRuby. You can start worshiping me now.

Chapter 5

It had been three days since Hermione and Severus had kissed in the library. Hermione was sitting in the lush gardens. Flowers of every shape, size, color, and fragrance surrounded her. To the left was a fruit orchard. With lemon, orange, and apple trees. She was seated on a wooden bench with brocaded cushions made of a soft pink cotton, surrounded by Asters. The flower of her birth month. She looked up just as Adrienne approached her.

“Hermione dear, will you please come with me?” She asked a little worriedly, she had hoped this conversation could be held off, but luck was not on her granddaughter‘s side. Neither was time.

Hermione nodded. She got up and followed her grandmother inside. The two women entered the study. Waiting for them was Albus, Minerva and Severus. Albus and Severus were having a quiet conversation, while Minerva was wringing her hands as she sat nervously next to Albus. When Adrienne cleared her throat, all eyes turned on her and Hermione. Minerva eagerly got to her feet and gathered Hermione into a warm hug.

“Hermione, I was shocked when Albus told me who you really were. I always knew you were special my dear.” Minerva said with pride sparkling in her eyes.

“Thank you Professor. I wanted to tell you, but it was safer that you not know. My family didn’t want to take any chances on me being discovered before it was time for the family to return to the throne.” Hermione said with a sad smile.

“I understand. I’m just glad that you’re safe. That’s all that matters now.” Minerva replied as she hugged her student once more.

Once everyone was seated once more Adrienne spoke.

“Hermione, I was hoping to hold this off, but I fear it can’t be held off any longer. On Monday you will be meeting with Cornelius Fudge and replacing him. After that there is a press conference. Voldemort is getting too strong. We need to let the wizarding world know that we are now back in control.” Adrienne said wearily. Her shoulders slouched and the circles under her eyes, showed the sleepless nights she had endured going over this conversation in her mind, hoping, there could have been some way to prolong the situation her only grandchild was now in.

Hermione sighed, stood up and walked toward the window. She knew it had to happen eventually. Staring out over the grounds of the castle, she watched as a group of monarch butterflies flew past, as if they didn‘t have a care in the world. She knew it was time she did what needed to be done.

“Very well. I am ready to do this.” She said, hiding the fear and nervousness flowing through her.

“What about Hogwarts?” Minerva asked.

“I will return in September. My advisor will be sending me daily reports and I will be doing my duties from there. Although there will be times I may have to leave to handle things personally.” Hermione explained.

“Who have you selected to succeed Fudge?” Albus enquired.

“Roman Treavele. He was an Unspeakable for fifteen years, before he requested a transfer to the Magical Law department under Madame Bones.” She answered.

“A wonderful choice. He will make a wonderful Minister. His experience in both departments will come in handy during this war. He‘s also an honorable man. If he makes a promise, he comes through on it.” Adrienne smiled brightly.

Hermione nodded. She remained at the window while Adrienne filled Severus, Albus and Minerva in on what would happen at the press conference. Finally everyone left the study. Everyone but Hermione and Severus. Hermione let out a weary sigh.

“You all right?” Severus asked.

“I thought you left.” She said, but remained facing the grounds.

“I wanted to make sure you were all right. That’s my job isn’t it?” He asked as he stepped up beside her.

“So I’m just a job to you. Figures. I’m about to be Queen, my entire life made public and you think of me as only a job. Seems fitting honestly.” She said, her anger beginning to surface as she turned from the window and started to walk away.

He caught a glimpse of the anger and pain his words has caused her in those reflective eyes of hers as she stormed passed him.

“That’s not it.” He exclaimed.

Hermione kept walking toward the door. Severus hurried over and grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.

“Let me go Professor Snape.” She hissed as she struggled to reach her wand hidden under the back of her shirt.

“No.” He said.

Severus pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her. As she looked up, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Hermione struggled against him, but soon stopped. As the kiss wore on, her body melted against his. Slowly he pulled away and looked into her honey amber eyes.

“The other day you told me you loved me. After you left, all I could think about was you. For the last few nights you have haunted my dreams. Taunting me with visions, I could never receive from you.

“I’m not saying I love you Hermione, at least not yet. What I am saying is that you don’t know me and I don’t know you. I want to get to know you. Then we can go from there. I’ve realized that over the past two years you have grown into a beautiful young woman. A woman any man would be lucky to have.” He whispered.

Hermione stared up at him. She stared into his dark raven eyes. She felt herself being swallowed in their depths. His words piercing her heart. Giving her hope, that perhaps there was a chance for them to be together.

“Then, where do we start?” She asked.

“Let’s go for a walk. Then we can just talk. Get to know each other.” He answered.

She nodded. He released her, but kept her left arm looped through his right. They made their way out onto the grounds. As they walked they talked. Severus told her of his childhood. Of his abusive father. The man that had almost killed him and his mother. His loving and caring mother. She had loved everything about life and had said that Severus was the best thing she had ever done.

“My mother was especially fond of the theater. When I was a child, she would take me to see the plays of Shakespeare. Her favorite was always Romeo and Juliet. Mine was Julius Caesar. My father was gone a lot so we had plenty of time before I began at Hogwarts to attend plays, operas or symphonies.” He recalled with a small smile.

Hermione told of her own childhood. What it was like growing up in the royal family. Being taught the ways of the royals. Being trained incase the need ever came for her to take the throne after her grandmother.

“There were times when I would through a tantrum and storm out of the room during my etiquette lesson because I wanted to go swim or play like the rest of the kids. My dad would come to me and tell me, it’s okay to get tired of it sometimes, but I had to understand that I wasn’t like the other boys and girls. I was special. Not better than them, just different. I would always calm down and return to my lessons.” she chuckled.

They walked in silence for a little while. Just taking in the serenity of the grounds. The gentle breeze blowing and the birds singing. Both enjoying a peaceful moment in a time where the future was uncertain.

“Are you scared?” He asked as they sat beneath an oak tree.

“No. My grandmother fights her battles with words and diplomacy. Me on the other hand, I fight mine with action. Voldemort is going to regret the day he returned. I intend to let the wizarding world know that his evil will no longer be tolerated.” She answered, a harshness and almost evil edge to her voice.

Severus shivered slightly. He then felt sorry for anyone who crossed Hermione. Especially Voldemort. The pair returned to the castle. Hermione retreated to her rooms and took lunch there. Severus sat in the dinning room with Adrienne. The Queen noticed there was something wrong.

“Severus, something on your mind dear?” She asked.

“Just something Hermione said.” He answered quietly.

“I see. So, you saw first hand that she has a dark side did you?” She asked with a smirk.

Severus nodded.

“My boy, Hermione is special. Not only is she smart as a whip, but also magically, she is the strongest in the family. Even more so than myself. She will correct all the mistakes that fool Fudge has made. You must not let her darker and brassier nature scare you.” She said with a warm smile.

“What do you mean?” He asked in confusion.

“Severus, I may be old, but I’m not blind. You care for my granddaughter. I know she cares for you as well. The question now is, what are you going to do about it?” She said. Severus could only stare. Adrienne spoke once more as she got to her feet. “I will be blunt. If you love her, don’t be afraid to tell her or show her. Be honest with her. That is all I’m going to say.” She smiled as she walked out of the room.

Severus was as confused as ever. That night he had dinner in his rooms. He thought about the time he spent with Hermione, what she had told him a few days ago and what Adrienne had told him that afternoon. Suddenly, it hit him like a bludger.

“Sweet Merlin! I’m in love with Hermione!” He gasped.

************************************************************************

Hermione laid in bed reading. She had enjoyed her afternoon with Severus. She felt bad about what happened after. She had felt her darker side take over. A side that he needed to get used to. Once the coronation took place on Monday evening, he was going to see that side more often. Especially in public. Just then there was a knock on her door.

“Come in.” She called out.

“Good evening Hermione. Am I disturbing you?” Severus asked as he walked in.

“No. Please, come in and have a seat.” She answered as she closed her book and placed it on the nightstand.

As Severus walked in, he took in the vision in front of him.

Hermione sat against the large mahogany headboard. She wore a lilac silky nightgown with spaghetti straps holding it in place. He could make out the shape of her full shapely breasts, which he had dreamed of holding, licking and nibbling on the night before. He sat stiffly in the chair beside the bed.

“I’ve been doing some thinking. I’ve come to a startling revelation.” He said wearily.

“Oh? What’s that?” She asked inquisitively.

“I realized, that somewhere over the past two years I have fallen in love with you. I don’t know how I missed it, but after the things you’ve told me and something your grandmother said this afternoon, it just hit me.” He explained nervously.

“Is that a bad thing?” She asked as she mistook his tone of voice and the way he sat stiffly in the chair, to mean that he wasn’t too happy about this little revelation.

“What? No! Hermione, I…look, I’m nervous all right! I’ve never been in love before! Least of all with a future Queen!” He exclaimed as he jumped to his feet and began pacing.

Hermione climbed out of bed and walked over to him. He stopped pacing and took her in. Her gown stopped just above her knees. Her well toned legs teasing him as she walked. She stopped right in front of him and placed her hand on his arm.

“Severus, I’ve never been in love either. We can learn together. As for me being a Queen. So what. It’s not like I have to date or marry another prince. I can choose who I want to be with and I choose you Severus Snape.” She said as she stared into the inky midnight depths that were his eyes.

Something in him broke. He reached out, pulled her into his arms and aggressively slid his lips over hers. Hermione gasped in surprise, but welcomed his embrace. Her arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders. Severus plunged his tongue deep into her wet, hot mouth. Her own quickly began dueling with his.

Severus slowly began gliding his hands up and down her back, bringing her closer to him. Hermione gasped as she felt his hardness press into her hip. She let out a gasped and moaned. This seemed to ignite a fire in Severus. He began walking them backward. The back of her knees collided with the bed and they tumbled onto it.

“Hermione, you better stop me.” He whispered huskily.

“Now why would I want you to stop?” She asked just as huskily.

“If you don’t, I won’t be able to and I don’t want us to do anything we might regret in the morning.” he answered.

“Severus, don’t stop.” She said.

T.B.C