There's No Place Like Hogwarts *COMPLETE*

Chapter 6- Harry’s Party

Hermione and Severus fell into an easy routine the week of Harry’s party. They sat together at breakfast, talking about the latest potions. Between breakfast and lunch they would spend preparing for the new term. After lunch Hermione would do her yoga while Severus watched. After dinner, they would take a walk then either go to her chambers or his for Scotch before going to bed.

“So, I know we’re going to Harry’s party together tomorrow night, but the question is…will I be on your arm or do we arrive separately?” Hermione asked.

“We will arrive together. It will be your choice if you will be on my arm,” Severus answered.

Hermione smiled and reached out for his hand. Severus squeezed her hand in return. They were sitting on his sofa in his sitting room. Severus kept holding her hand as he stared into her eyes. Slowly he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Hermione sighed as she returned the kiss. Severus pulled her into his arms and deepened the kiss slightly. She couldn’t stop the moan that escaped into the kiss.

“Severus,” She gasped as his lips found her neck.

“You feel good in my arms Hermione,” He whispered.

“I like being in your arms,” She said as he pulled back.

Their eyes met once more. Onyx and honey amber. Both reflecting the same emotions. Trust, friendship, desire, and possibly love from Severus. Severus gathered Hermione onto his lap and just held her close.

“What spell have you cast on me witch?” He sighed.

“Why do you say that?” She questioned as she stroked his hair.

“Because you have bewitched me Hermione Granger,” He stated, just before kissing her again.

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

Harry was laughing and joking with Draco and Ginny when he spotted Hermione and Severus entering the VIP area of Draco’s club. His smile brightened when he saw Hermione’s arm looped with Severus’.

“It’s about time you two showed up,” Harry chuckled.

“Shut up. Here, happy birthday,” Hermione laughed as she handed him his gift.

Harry just laughed even harder as he took her gift and hugged her. “Ron’s here so be prepared,” He whispered.

“Happy birthday Harry,” Severus said as he shook Harry’s hand and gave him his gift.

“Thanks Severus,” Harry replied.

Hermione was getting reacquainted with friends she hadn’t seen since Harry and Ginny’s wedding. When she spotted Draco, he surprised her by pulling her into a huge hug. That’s when Ron came walking over.

“Hello Hermione,” Ron smiled as he hugged her.

“Um, hi Ron,” Hermione stuttered in shock.

“You look good. I’m glad you’re back,” Ron said.

“You are? I thought you were still mad at me?” Hermione asked.

“Look, it’s time I just accept that we have chosen different paths. I still want to be friends Hermione,” Ron answered.

Of course Ron wanted more than that. He had decided to win Hermione back. He felt if he could become her friend again, he could win her back.

“I’d like that Ron,” Hermione nodded with a smile.

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

The party was in full swing. Hermione and Draco talked about his upcoming marriage to Pansy. After the war and graduation, Pansy had gone to Paris to find herself. She and Draco had stayed in touch. They began dating again when she returned four years ago.

“Where’s Pansy anyway?” Hermione asked.

“She gone to Milan with her mother for her cousin’s wedding,” Draco answered.

Hermione looked up when she felt someone tap her shoulder. “Dance with me Hermione?” Ron requested.

“Sure. Excuse me Draco,” Hermione nodded.

Ron pulled Hermione close as a slow song began playing. Ironically the same song they danced to at the graduation ball. Gone by N’Sync. Ron was still a good dancer. “How was Moscow?” He questioned.

“It was good. I loved living there, but after eight years I began missing home. When Albus told me Poppy was retiring, I decided to come home,” She replied.

“I saw you came in with Snape,” He remarked.

“He and I are friends Ron. He asked if I would come with him and I agreed,” She retorted.

“I didn’t know the git dated,” He responded.

“Ron, Severus has changed. If you would give him half a chance you would see that. Same goes for Draco. Thanks for the dance,” She sighed as she moved out of his arms and headed back toward the table shaking her head.

Ron sneered and headed for the bar. She was nearly to the table when Severus stopped her. As All My Life by KC and JoJo began, he pulled her into his arms. Hermione instantly melted into his arms as he moved them to the music.

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

“Okay, did I miss something here?” Draco asked as he sat with harry and Ginny.

“What do you mean?” Ginny replied.

“Oh the fact that my god father is dancing with Hermione. Not to mention that he looks like a love struck puppy,” Draco stated.

“Look, they are not ready to make anything official. They’re still trying to figure out where they stand with one another,” Harry said.

“From the way he’s holding her and the way they’re dancing, I’d say they know exactly where they stand with each other,” Draco laughed.

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

At the bar, Ron watched Severus and Hermione dance. He saw what Draco had seen. A more upbeat and sensual song was now playing. Severus was holding Hermione tightly to him as their bodies moved intimately together. What really had Ron seething was the look on their faces. They looked at each other like lovers would.

Since sitting at the bar after Hermione ended their dance, Ron had downed eight shots of Tequila in five minutes. Normally, Ron could hold his liquor, except for when it came to Tequila. Ron and Tequila didn’t mix.

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

“Have I told you that you look beautiful?” Severus whispered.

“Not tonight,” Hermione smiled.

“Well you look beautiful Hermione,” He grinned.

“Thank you. Oh. Is that for me?” She teased as she felt his erection brush against her.

“What if it is?” He countered, holding her tightly against him.

Before she could answer, Ron came storming over. “Well, well. What do we have here?”

“Ron? Are you alright?” Hermione asked.

“So you’re screwing Snape now huh? Tell me Snape, is she still a lousy lay or has she picked up some new tricks?” Ron leered.

“You’re drunk Ron. Go home,” Hermione glared.

“Afraid your boyfriend will find out you’re a lousy bed partner?” Ron sneered.

“How would you know Ron? You never slept with me. You preferred sloppy seconds from what I recall,” Hermione countered.

“Ron, go home and sober out,” Harry said as he, Ginny, and Draco came walking over.

“That’s not what Viktor said," Ron slurred.

“Oh my god! Viktor could barely keep it up,” Hermione laughed.

“Just stop it Ron,” Ginny butted in.

Ron however was running on a full tank of liquid courage. Since he wasn’t getting a rise out of Hermione that way, he began going a new direction. “You know what? I think you’re nothing more than a cock tease. You use men to get what then dump them,” Ron hissed.

“Now comes the real reason you’re pissed. I didn’t want to be your personal brood mare. Some women are fine with being a full time wife and mother. Yes I want a husband and children some day, but not right now. I’m just enjoying my career and life at the moment,” Hermione said.

“What man would want an ice queen like you? You don’t even have a heart bitch!” Ron yelled.

Next thing anyone knew, Severus had Ron pinned to the wall, his forearm pressed against Ron’s throat. Ron struggled when he saw the anger flashing in Severus’ eyes. He instantly fell still.

“You listen to me. I’m going to cut you some slack because you’re drunk. Had you said those thing sober I would have knocked your head off. Hermione is a beautiful and strong woman. She is the type of woman any man would be happy to have as his wife and mother of his children. Especially me,” Severus growled.

Severus released Ron, who crumpled to the floor gasping for air. Draco signaled for two of the bouncers. Who just happened to be Crabbe and Goyle. After Ginny gave them Ron’s address, the two grabbed Ron, took him to a store room, and apparated him home.

“Okay, aren’t we supposed to be having a party?” Draco asked.

Everyone began laughing. The drinks began flowing again and the party started up again. Luckily, the VIP area was separate from the main part of the club so no muggle saw or heard what happened. Hermione pulled Severus off to the side.

“Severus, did you mean what you just said to Ron?” She questioned.

“Every word. I’m falling in love with you Hermione Granger,” He answered.

Severus surprised her even more by pulling her into his arms and kissing her. The kiss was slow and tender. It took the whistles and cat calls from Harry and Draco, as well as Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Ginny to break them apart.

T.B.C