Desperately

DISCLAIMER: Still not JKR. Still don't own Severus.


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Chapter 5- Dirty Little Secret


Hermione woke up the next morning and groaned when she remembered yesterday. What a bad day it had turned out to be, she shook her head and sighed. It was supposed to be a great stress-free day spent laughing with her friends, but no it seemed she couldn't have just a normal day. First there was the thing with Draco and all those other students, who had had a secret gathering behind the robe shop, Madam Malkins. She suppossed Draco would be one to start up his own fan club, but something wasn't right with the whole situation. She had to get her hands on one of those pins somehow. Then if that hadn't been bad enough she had foolishly agreed to help a man she secretly desired. If she was so smart, then why had she done something so dumb. It was going to be hard enough to face Snape after the little incident that had occured just inside her sitting room yesterday. After he had put stronger wards on her door and windows, he went to the fireplace to set up the floo. This is where things had gotten embarrassing. She, Hermione Jane Granger, had been caught by Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts, while she was checking out his 'ass'ets. She pulled the blankets up over her head and growled in frustration.


A shrill ring suddenly filled her room, taking the covers off her face she looked to her right, where, next to her wand, her clock was sitting on the nightstand, she was just in time for breakfast. She threw off the covers, pushed the alarm down, and headed to the bathroom. She brushed her hair and put into a ponytail, then brushed her teeth, she made her way back to her bedroom and towards her closet. Throwing on some blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and some sandals she grabbed her wand from the nightstand and headed down to breakfast.


As she walked down the corridors she gripped her wand just in case, she had always been cautious, but now with these letters popping up she had been set on red alert. Arriving at the double doors, she put her wand up her sleeve and walked over to where the others were sitting, at the Gryffindor table. As she sat down Ginny was the only one who noticed her, the boys were looking over the latest tricks they had bought down at Fred and George's shop.


"Hey Hermione where did you get off to yesterday? We were worried when you didn't show at the Three Broomsticks," Ginny quickly asked.


"Oh I...uhh...I found a rare book in Flourish and Blott's. I couldn't wait to look it over so I went back to Hogwarts. I'm sorry I didn't come find you guys first."


"It's okay we were just worried is all," Ginny looked over to the boys, "well I was worried anyways."


Hermione smiled at her friend then filled her plate with eggs, sausage, bacon, and some toast. They talked about projects and Quidditch-- to Hermiones dismay-- then laughed at Ron who spilled his orange juice, when a girl from Hufflepuff winked at him as she walked by. Everything was going great this morning, then the post came, something Hermione now hated. Owls flew overhead dropping off letters and packages to many of the students, none came for Hermione. Relieved to not be receiving another crazy letter from this obviously deranged person.


After the gang finished their breakfast they left to go sit by the lake, just enjoying being outside and to have the freedom other people had, since Voldemort was no longer alive. They stayed outside chatting and messing around, then everyone headed down to the Quidditch field so Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Neville could practice. Harry was still the seeker for Gryffindor and now team Captain, Ron had become a chaser in his fifth year but hadn't been able to play much-- with the threat of Voldemort hanging around Quiiditch had been cancelled after a couple months into the year-- he had whined for a week straight after that announcement. Neville had ended up trying out in his sixth year earning him the keeper position, every Gryffindor was livid when he was announced as the new keeper, bumbling Neville would surely ruin any chances they had for the House Cup. In the first game however-- Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor-- he left every house speechless when he had managed to only let three quaffles pass him into the goal. Later he had admitted to practicing any chance he could get so he would be able to, hopefully, pass try-outs and snag a spot on the team. Not only had he secured a win for Gryffindor but he had also saved Ginny-- a chaser for the team-- when a beater from Ravenclaw ran into her sending her flying off her broom. Neville was there in a flash and grabbed her arm just in time, pulling her up onto his lap, causing one of the chasers from Ravenclaw to score a goal before the whistle was blown for a time-out. Ever since then Ginny and Neville had become closer, which quickly turned from a platonic friendship to a very public relationship.


While they were outside, Hermione-- after being begged endlessly-- got up on a broom once or twice after the four had finished practicing, she still got a little queasy from the heights, so she didn't stay up long. Lunch quickly arrived and the gang headed up to the Great Hall, the boys, plus Ginny talked about strategical moves all the way up to the Gryffindor table. They all filled their plates-- Ron's was overloaded as usual-- then settled in and continued to talk about Quidditch, Harry was giving them tips through his mouthful of food. The post arrived a couple minutes later, as hundreds of owls swooped into the Great Hall. Hermione looked up, praying that no owl would drop a letter her way. She then noticed something big and black mixed in with the ordinary brown barn owls, it came swooping down and landed right in front of her. A raven was now in front of her, its feathers glinting blue-black when the light reflected off, and it's eyes weren't black, but a deep purple if you looked close enough. There were also some small white markings around her neck that seemed to be woven in a intricate celtic design. The raven seemed to be studying her for a minute-- as if she was someone who was untrustworthy-- before lowering it's head to its leg unravelling a bit of string, then picked up the rolled piece of parchment that was tied to it's leg. Hermione was mesmirized by the beautiful bird in front of her, she had never seen a raven that looked like the one that was perched before her. She was brought out of her daze by Ginny.


"Oh my," she had gasped at the sight of the raven, who was patiently waiting for Hermione to take the bit of parchment still in her beak. Hermione slowly reached out her hand, palm turned upward, the raven moved forward slightly and gently placed the parchment in Hermione's hand. With a slight nod towards Hermione, the raven pushed off into flight, flying out the doors to the Great Hall instead of the windows. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other, then towards the boys, who were looking towards the doors with open mouths.


"That bird was...wicked!" Ron said,while he resumed eating.


"I've never seen a raven like that before." stated Neville, closing his mouth, then looked in Hermione's direction.


"Who do you think she belongs to?" Harry asked, while still looking towards the doors.


Hermione shrugged and studied the bit of parchment before unrolling it.


Miss Granger if you are still willing to assist me with my project meet me in the dungeons around three this afternoon. Don't be late. Albus has also told me of your find at the book store, bring it with you, as it is important for this particular potion. Professor S. Snape, Potions Master


Hermione paled a little while reading his hurried scrawl, she had forgot that she would be assisting him on the weekends, as well as Wednesday and Friday evenings. Her head dropped to the table and she moaned, someone touched her arm, but she didn't look up.


"Hermione what is it?" Ginny questioned.


"Msstpd," she mumbled into the table.


"What?"


"I'm so stupid." She shook her head back and forth while it still rested on the table. Everyone looked at her in disbelief, then busted out laughing, causing her to groan again.


"Hermione, come on, what was in the letter and who's bird was that?" Ron clapped her on the shoulder as he asked.


"No one's and nothing important, just something I forgot I had to do this afternoon."


'Oh' was the collective answer given by her four friends as they continued eating and chatting. Hermione lifted her head off the table and glanced behind the Head table where a Grandfather clock stood. It was just now hitting 2 o'clock, they had arrived at lunch around a quarter 'till one. Hermione sighed and stood from the table bidding her friends goodbye then headed to her chambers to retrieve the book she had bought.


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Severus was sitting in the Potions classroom, at his desk, when three taps came from the otherside of the oak doors. He waved his hand at the door, it opened-- then shut just as fast-- his raven had just flown in, landing on his shoulder. She looked at the papers he was grading at the moment and squawked loudly, he looked down and noticed a mistake that he had not seen before. He smiled and drew a red slash across the paper writing a quick note in the margin.


"Ahh Mystic what would I do without you?" He lifted his hand and stroked Mystic under her beak, she closed her eyes and rubbed her head against his cheek.


"So I believe you found Miss Granger?"


Mystic lowered then raised her head, giving a little nod. Severus smiled again, then opened a drawer to his right, he took out an old wooden box with a little lock keeping it shut. He pulled a key out of the drawer as well and opened the box, reaching in he pulled out a rather large white mouse by the tail, Mystic moved off his shoulder to the top of the desk watching the mouse.


"Alright then take your mouse and go back to my chambers, password is 'Bittersweet'"


"Bit-ter-sweet," Mystic copied.


Severus nodded then threw the mouse towards the door, Mystic flew from his desk and caught her prey in mid-air, she swooped around and Severus waved his hand at the door. Mystic flew out with her prize and headed down the hallway. Waving his hand towards the door once more it clicked shut. He then went back to grading his papers, at 3 o'clock he heard a light knocking on the door.


"Enter."


Hermione opened the door slowly and entered the Potions classroom, her book in tow, just as he had asked in the note. Snape had not looked up from grading so she cleared her throat.


"Professor I'm ready to help with your project."


Severus stopped grading and looked up ready to bestow upon her his best glare when he noticed what she was wearing. Why did those jeans and shirt have to be so tight fitting? He groaned inwardly and set down his quill, then set aside his papers for later.


"Very well Miss Granger."


Severus stood and walked to his left, towards the only other door in the Potions classroom, which lead to his private store room. He gave no indication for Hermione to follow so she walked up to the front row of desks and placed her book down, waiting for him to return. She jumped when his voice sounded from the other room.


"Granger I do not have all day."


She quickly made her way to the side door and entered, not surprised to find that the Potions store room hadn't changed at all since the last time she had been in here. Shelves that went around the room still held a countless number of ingredients and various potions. An involuntary shudder ran through her as she thought back to second year and the horrible Polyjuice incident. She walked over to a table in the middle of the room that was occupied with beakers, a cauldron, books, ladles, stirring rods, and a lot of papers with what looked like a child's scribbles on it. She sat down on one of the two stools that occupied the room, Severus was gathering some papers from a nightstand in the corner of the room. He turned around, with about fifty sheets of parchment in hand, glaring in her direction.


"Foolish girl where is that book!?"


Hermione jumped at his yell, then ran back to the classroom to retrieve the potions book she had bought the other day. She walked back into the room and no sooner had she put the book down than Severus had picked it up and was carefully flipping through the pages. Five minutes had passed with Severus not even giving her a glance as he flipped through the book. Hermione cleared her throat, but he still ignored her. Now she was getting angry.


"Professor?"


"What is it Miss Granger?"


"I thought that I would be helping you with this project, instead I find myself sitting here wasting time I could be using to do extra assignments or studying for N.E.W.T.s! So either you tell me what the hell WE'RE suppossed to be working on or I'm leaving and I'm taking my book with me!"


Severus let go of the book and clenched his hands into fists, then slowly unclenched trying to even his breathing.


"Very well than woman. WE-- he grounded out through clenched teeth-- are working on a potion to stop or at the very least reflect the Killing Curse."


Hermione's eyes went wide.


"Really?"


"Yes you stu-- yes Granger. As hard as it may be to believe I have hit a snag in my research and am in need of a fresh pair of eyes and hands, hence why Dumbledore asked for you...of all people...to assist me. Since you are, after all, one of the more gifted students here at Hogwarts."


Hermione smiled at the small compliment that had come from Snape's mouth. Severus looked up and saw a brilliant smile light up her face, Gods did I just give her a compliment, oh but look at the way she smiles. Its one of those light-up-the-world kind of smiles. Severus fought back the smile that wanted to appear on his face, then went back to the book.


"Granger loo--"


"Hermione."


"What?"


"While we're down here working I see no harm in us calling each other by our given names. I would prefer Hermione to Granger, or foolish girl, or insufferable know-it-all."


Severus glared.


"Insolent lit--"


"Little girl, yeah, I know. If you insist on using those names than perhaps I should do the same for you...you...YOU OVERGROWN BAT!"


Where did that come from? Well now that she had said it it was to late to take it back, so she stood up and crossed her arms over her chest. Mimicking one of the patented glares from said Potions Master. His face was covered by his hair so she couldn't see his reaction but then she noticed that his hands were gripping the table, as if he were trying to hold himself down. Some time passed with Hermione just standing, arms crossed, waiting for him to respond. After a time his hands seemed to relax and he let go of the table, then looked up at Hermione, a scowl embedded on his face.


"You will find my current research notes, just there to your left and there is a spare quill on the shelf behind you. I strongly suggest you get started. Look through the pages and give me your input on the matter. Got it Granger?"


Hermione opened her mouth but shut it just as quickly, it would do her no good to keep going with this fight. She turned, grabbed the quill from the shelf and sat down on the stool, facing away from him. She mumbled under her breath and tried to read the scrawl in front of her. Severus turned back towards the book and began flipping through again until he found a chapter about Unicorns blood and Phoenix tears. He knew for a fact that if you were to mix the two a Neville worthy explosion would be the end result. Still if it was in here maybe there was a way. Severus chanced a glance at Hermione to find her sucking on her bottom lip and her brow furrowed in thought. He went back to his reading, wishing it was his lips she was sucking on. The two worked in silence, each semi-focused on there work and each other until they were disturbed by the sound of the dinner bell. Hermione stood and arched her back, cracking it, she looked over her shoulder and caught Severus looking at her. She smiled and decided to have a little fun. This time she stretched her arms above her head, making her shirt rise a couple of inches, exposing her midriff. When she brought her arms down she casually knocked the quill she had been using onto the floor. Severus closed his eyes and to any Gods that would hear him, prayed that he wouldn't lose contol of himself.


"Oops."


He opened his eyes and was rewarded with a view of her jean-clad behind. It was as if she was moving in slow-motion, taking her precoius time in standing back upright. He growled in frustration, his pants became tighter as his erection grew to a point of discomfort. She was now looking at him with a smile on her face and she raised her hand, then shook her finger at him, tsking.


"Now who's having the inappropriate thoughts Professor," then she laughed and started to walk towards the door.


Severus made a split-second decision and was up and in front of her before she had reached the door that led to the classroom. Hermione jumped back when he swooped in front of her. She looked into his eyes and was shocked to see rich, black orbs filled with lust staring back at her. He walked forward, forcing her to walk backwards or come into contact with his body. Her eyes never left his. She walked back until her lower back came into contact with the table they had just been sitting at. She put her hands on the table as he leaned over her, his hands grasped hers and held her there, immobile. She was breathing hard and fast as he loomed over her, watching her, a smirk played about his face. She could feel his erection through his pants as he pressed against her. He leaned over and grazed his cheek with hers as he whispered into her ear, lips faintly brushing up against her lobe, he felt her shiver at the touch.


"My head is constantly filled with nothing but inappropriate thoughts of you. All day and all night. Which seems to be the case with you as well, judging by the look on your face last night when you were, dare I say, checking-me-out."


Hermione turned red at the mention of last night, then moaned when he pressed into her a little more. He pulled back and looked into her eyes once more.


"Why don't we stop dancing around, so to speak, and satisfy the needs growing within us."


"You mean like an affair. For how long?"


"For as long as we are both willing."


Hermione was breathing faster than before as she looked at him, she nodded her head slightly.


"You need to say it, let me hear you say it."


"Yes Severus."


His mouth crushed to hers, she moaned and kissed him back. She was struggling to free her hands from the grasp he still had on them, desperate to touch him. He let go of her hands and broke the kiss, clicking his fingers, everything on the table disappeared, having been sent to his room. Her hands wrapped around his neck and pulled his mouth back to hers as he pushed her down on the table. He sucked on her bottom lip and she opened her mouth letting him gain entrance. She ran her hands through his hair as they kissed and his hand came up, cupping her breast. They both moaned at the contact. A knock sounded on the classroom door. Severus broke the kiss once more and lowered his head to the crook of Hermione's neck, groaning.


"I hope the person who knocked is ready to face his death."


Hermione laughed and pushed him up and off of her, then fixed her clothes and hair. Severus adjusted his clothes as well then strode out of the room, Hermione stayed in the store room, sitting on one of the stools. She could hear Severus talking to someone, then a door closed. He came back into the room, a scowl on his face.


"That was Dumbledore. It seems that those dunderheads you call friends are worried about you, so he has asked me to escort you to the Great Hall for the remainder of dinner."


She nodded and stood from the stool, following him out through the store room door. Before they left the classroom, Severus pulled her up against him, kissing her hard. All too soon he pulled away and let go of her, he opened the door and held it open. She smiled and as she passed him her hand brushed against the front of his trousers, eliciting a small gasp from his mouth. He stood by the door for a moment, watching her sway her hips as she walked, before closing the door and following her down the corridor. His eyes glued to her ass as they made their way to the Great Hall for dinner.


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After answering questions from her friends, Hermione was free to eat dinner in peace, with the occasional glance towards the Head table. She had caught Severus looking at her once, so she sent him a smile and a quick wink. The gang waited for Hermione to finish her dinner since she had arrived late and then they all walked back to her Head Girl room to hang out. Ginny and Neville shared some of the sweets they had bought from Honeydukes as they played exploding snap. After their game they all sat around by the fire talking until Neville heard a faint tapping noise.


"Hermione where's your window? I think that's an owl tapping."


"No it's coming from your portrait," Ginny answered.


Hermione stood and walked to the door and cautiously opened it, she stepped out and looked down the corridor, nobody was there. She walked back inside and closed the door.


"That was rea-- ooh!"


The same raven from earlier, Severus's raven, was now sitting on the mantle of her fireplace with a note tied to her leg.


"She must have flown in when you opened the door, we just noticed her as well," Harry stated.


Hermione walked over and smiled at the raven, then went to untie the message from her leg, she quickly unrolled the note.


I think it would be best not to continue with our plans tonight or anytime during the weekday, just in case, the weekends shall be ours and ours alone. Do try and keep your hands to yourself until then. --S


Hermione pocketed the note then turned back to the raven, smiling.


"Herms, you gotta tell us...who does she belong to?" Ron asked.


Harry, Ginny, and Neville nodded in agreement as they looked between the raven and Hermione.


"Nope...it's a secret."


She giggled when they all grumbled, then she faked a yawn.


"Oh I need to get to bed, well go on then, off with the lot off you."


Hermione practically pushed them from her room, while saying goodbye. After shutting the door she turned back towards the fireplace and the raven, who was watching her with interest. She walked over to a desk that sat in the corner of her sitting room and took a small piece of parchment from a drawer, then grabbed a quill. The Raven flew over and landed on her shoulder as she began a quick note to Severus.


I agree, but I don't think you should be worrying about me keeping my hands to myself, i'm sure i'll be able to control my urges. The question remains shall you? --Hermione
P.S. Where did you find this beautiful raven and what is her name?


The raven suddenly jumped from her shoulder and onto the desk, tilting her head to the side.


"Mys-tic."


Hermione gasped at the bird.


"Mystic...is that your name?"


Mystic nodded then held her leg out for her to attach the note. Hermione smiled and quickly rolled, then attached it to Mystic's leg with a bit of string. Mystic went back onto her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek as she had done with Severus. Hermione smiled and rose, she walked to the door and let Mystic fly back down to the dungeons. She was so busy watching the raven fly off that she hadn't seen the small black snake slither up and into her room.

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A/N: Song title is 'Dirty Little Secret' by the All-American Rejects, as if you guys didn't know already. Yeah okay I kind of put myself in here so to speak, but I couldn't help it. ;-P