Pillow Fight

There was a loud whooshing sound that echoed from the living room and Molly turned her head to the doorway that led into it. The last echo of green flames shot through the room, someone had arrived by floo. Fred and George were whispering frantically, heads pressed together, and Ron had all together given up trying to figure out what had just happened, focusing now on his plate piled high with bacon. Arthur remained buried in the paper as a figure appeared in doorway to the kitchen.

“Have I missed something?” Albus Dumbledore asked.

Molly dropped the skillet and eggs went everywhere.

~*~

“Hermione!” Ginny’s fist pounded on the door. “Open up! Let me in! I’ll come through the boys’ room!” The redhead continued to beat on the door, but it remained securely locked. “Hermione!”

“Go away!” she shouted, and rubbed at her neck, as if willing the purple mark to disappear. She hadn’t seen that Severus shared a similar mark, along with various others, but she had seen their reaction, and knew that somehow everyone in the kitchen knew what had happened to her. The banging on the door continued as she gazed into the mirror, eyes frantic. She was not a slut, but now everyone would think so. “I said go away!” she shouted again. But the banging did not cease. Huffing in frustration, she stormed over to the door and threw it open, blocking the entrance with her hips. “Didn’t you bloody hear me?”

Severus Snape gazed down into her eyes, put one firm hand on her shoulder and pushed her backward. Once inside he slammed the door, locking it, warding it and repeated the process to the door that led into the boys’ room. “Hermione—”

“Don’t!” she spat and then turned her back to him, moving once more to the mirror. She really had no reason to be upset with him; she’d made the decision, involved herself and enjoyed the involvement.

“Miss Granger—”

“Oh, we’re back to that now, are we?” she growled and turned to face him, arms crossed defensively over her chest. “After everything that happened last night I’d think you’d at least have the balls to continue calling me by my first name!” He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, and stepped toward her. She stepped back, narrowing her eyes. But both of his hands grabbed her shoulders and held her in place before she could retreat any further. “Get off me!”

“Hardly what you were saying last night, if you want to play the game that way.”

“Last night was— was—”

“Go ahead, Hermione Granger, make my day. Say it. Last night was a mistake.” He growled, his eyes staring her down, towering over her, fingers tightening their grip on her shoulders.

She swallowed hard and tried to match his stare, but found herself faltering. “Last night was amazing,” she whispered, bowing her head, closing her eyes. Her body trembled, but his fingers released her shoulders. Slowly, she lifted her head, eyes opening, looking up to him. Hermione noticed for the first time the glaring purple mark that she’d left on his neck and she blushed. “I’m…” her fingers reached out and gently stroked the mark.

“It’s just flesh. It will heal.” He said dismissively, eyes looking haughty and yet care-free in the same moment. “As will this…” he pressed his thumb against the mark on her neck and she shivered. “Hermione,” he began slowly, wrapping an arm around her waist. She was all too eager to lean up into his touch. “About last night—”

“Did we really do it five times?”

He quirked a brow almost disbelieving that she would ask such a question. “Yes. I thought you said you weren’t drunk.”

“I wasn’t. It just seems so surreal…” her head fell gently against his chest. “When I woke up this morning I expected to be in my own bed, like it had been an erotic dream. But it wasn’t, and I wasn’t. I was in your bed and you were gone—”

“I was in the shower—”

“And didn’t think to wake me?” She shook her head before he could protest. “It doesn’t matter, I just…last night was…I mean, amazing is an understatement but…”

“But?” he said, slowly taking a step back from her.

“I don’t know. I’ve never done anything like that, especially not with someone so much older.”

It stung a little bit to be reminded of how old he was, but he kept his pride, turning his nose up a bit. “Yes, well I didn’t figure you to be the type that just went gallivanting off to bed with old men.” She flushed at his words, a bit of a sheepish smile coming to her face. “Though you’re obviously no virgin,” and those words had her almost as red in her cheeks as any Weasley’s hair.

He stroked his finger over the mark on her neck and she turned her head away from his touch. “I feel dirty.” His face fell, though it hadn’t been elated. Was age honestly that big of a deal? Amazing as it was had it honestly been a mistake? Is that what she had meant to say? But she seemed to read his mind, turning her eyes up to him, the cinnamon puddles blinking before she spoke. “Not because what happened was wrong, or anything like that. I just feel like…” she sighed. “They all must think I’m some terrible slut, I come down to breakfast not even bothering to hide this monstrous hickey, but honestly I didn’t even think to check…”

Severus made a mental note to test her legillimancy skills sometime in the near future for her response felt as if she had been reading his mind. He nodded slowly, and then placed both hands on her shoulders. It seemed the comforting thing to do, to continue to touch her. “You’re not a slut, trust me…”

“Thank you,” she said and then sighed, moving to sit on the bed. He followed her and sat down beside her. “I don’t regret what happened, it was amazing, I just—” she turned her eyes to him. “After what had happened with all of us in that room…especially Ginny…”

He leaned his head back, looking up to the ceiling for a moment, contemplating. Blurred images of his many lovers of the night flashed before his eyes, first of Ginevra and the way her creamy white thighs, dotted with freckles fit perfectly on either side of his head. Minerva’s strong arms wrestling him back, and then Tonks’ bleeding nipple ring, followed by Fleur and the steam from the shower, all images blurring together, but none so strong of those with Hermione. He had had her five times, learning her body, memorizing every inch, every curve, noting how her left breast pointed slightly off to one side and the birth mark just below her right armpit on the side of her body.

“I never should have allowed those things to happen,” he whispered. “Any of it.”

“It wasn’t your fault…exactly,” she said, and then leaned a bit closer to him.

“I’m a responsible adult, a mentor, I over stepped—” but she had leaned up and pressed her lips to his. His eyes fell closed at the same time hers did and their tongues met, sliding over each other, her breathing tiny pants exhaled through her nose. Fingers rested against her chest and he gently pushed her back. “Hermione…”

“You can regret Ginny, but not me,” she whispered.

“I regret them all but you…” he said.

Her eyes filled with confusion. “But you didn’t—”

He rolled his eyes, a bit of a scoff breaking her words. “You think you were the only one that came knocking on my door last night?” It was the wrong thing to say, and he knew it as soon as the words had left his mouth, but it was like second nature, a defense mechanism of his most practiced ways, sarcastic comments to recover himself in awkward situations.

As quickly as she had fallen tender in his arms she pulled back, eyes no longer containing that innocent confusion. Her cinnamon orbs sparkled like wildfire and he swore he saw streaks of red flashing in them. Before he could even think to speak she’d slapped him and stood from the bed. “Get out!” she shouted.

“Hermione, they were different. You were different.”

Severus Snape was only succeeding in digging himself further into a hole that was quickly becoming his grave. “I was different, was I? How so? Because I wasn’t a virgin? Was that it? Was I looser, Severus?”

“Hermione!” he rose to his feet, trying to take her hand but she jerked it away as if his touch burned her skin. “I had you five times! Five!”

“Oh, so I’m an easy loose whore! Is that right? I was different because you could have me more times than the others?” Anger swelled through her voice, her body tensing and tightening, nearly revolted that her tongue had just been in his mouth. But there were tears coming to her eyes, though the malice and hatred far outweighed them at current. “You’re a sick man!” she spat. “This was all just some sick game, wasn’t it? How many of us could be bedded in one night, was that it?”

“No!” he growled. “You think its easy fighting advances from five horny women?” Open mouth, insert foot, would you like a glass of water with that foot?

Hermione growled. “Oh now you’re the victim! Oh yes, how could I forget? Your poor pathetic prick was just hopping to life because we five hormonal randy women were preying on you like Amazonian Warrior Princesses!” She stalked over to the door and tugged hard at the handle, nearly falling onto her arse when it did not come open. Hissing, she unwarded the door, unlocked it and threw it open. “Get out!” she shouted.

Although the Amazonian Warrior Princess reference was mostly lost on him, he moved to the door, eyes never leaving her. She glared, pointing her finger as if he would somehow not know which way through the door she wanted him to leave. He’d barely crossed the threshold when she slammed the door behind him. Eyes froze wide as he stared into the faces of Minerva, Ginny, Tonks, Fleur, Bill, Remus, and Harry Potter.

The women were gathered around the door, the men in a cluster against the opposite wall of the hallway. With a quick glance in his periphery, he could see that Fred, George, and Charlie blocked the end of the corridor heading upstairs, and that Ron, Percy, Arthur, and Molly stood near the staircase that led downstairs. Footsteps on the staircase caught everyone’s attention. “Have I missed something?” Albus Dumbledore said, appearing on the landing, gliding easily between Percy and Molly.

“Not at all,” Harry hissed through clenched teeth. “I’m sure she was just as involved as the rest.”

“Watch your mouth, Potter,” Severus sneered, but leaned back against the door as the boy drew his wand.

“Harry…” Molly warned, and he reluctantly lowered his wand.

Albus stepped over to where the women stood. “My goodness, you seem ever popular this morning, Severus.” He said with a wink of his ever-twinkling blue eyes.

“Popular is hardly the word for it,” Bill said, eyes narrowed at the man, though he did not draw his wand.

“We need to speak to Hermione.” Ginny said flatly, her eyes smoldering as she gazed at the man before her. “Now.”

“Be my guest,” he said, side stepping the door. “I believe she’s made it quite clear that she wishes to be left alone.” Harry practically snarled, and the only thing that kept him from leaping forward and pouncing on the wizard was Bill and Remus’ firm hands, one on either shoulder. Ginny ignored him and stepped forward.

Throwing her fist against the door she banged. “Hermione! Open this door right this goddamned minute!”

“Ginevra!” Molly snapped, but Arthur’s hand fell to her shoulder. Ginny was his daughter and although it was disheartening to hear such sailor like language coming from his little girl’s mouth, he could hardly say he would have phrased it any differently. All eyes were on Ginny, waiting for Hermione to respond. There was silence from inside the room.

“Hermione Jane Granger! Get your butt out here this instant or so help me god I’ll start talking!” Ginny spat. No one quite knew what exactly Ginny was going to start talking about, but whatever it was, it seemed sure enough a threat to the girl inside, for not a moment later the door swung slowly open and Hermione stepped into the doorway. The redhead frowned, rolled her eyes and pushed Hermione back into the room, allowing Fleur, and Tonks to march in as well. “You.” She narrowed her eyes at Severus, who looked as if he were trying to calculate which exit gave him better odds. He was certain he could take Charlie Weasley by himself, or the twins alone, but not together. And although Percy and Ronald were easy enough, Molly was unstoppable and thus not an option.

Minerva moved to his side and pointed to the open bedroom door. “In.”

“Now.” Ginny added, grabbing his wrist.

“Not on your life, Gin,” Harry growled and marched forward. “I’m not leaving this bastard alone with you!” He drew his wand once more, only to have Remus and Bill tugging him back.

“Quit being such a hothead, you’re just like your father.” Remus said, though it was clear he was quite upset as well.

“This isn’t resolving anything,” Bill added. “But I’m with Harry, I’m not letting him alone in there with them.”

“I’ll go in with them.” Molly suggested, stepping forward but both Minerva and Ginny turned to her at the same time and said no.

“Perhaps…” Albus mused, stroking his long snow white beard, “since the gentlemen seem to be worrying over your presence alone with so many ladies, and as I have absolutely no idea what is going on, and thus represent a neutral party, perhaps I might be inclined to be a presence in the room?” he offered.

Minerva pursed her lips, but remained silent. It couldn’t get much worse, she supposed, and although she would deal with her lover later, she knew that Albus was a fair man and would not outright crucify Severus as Molly and the other men would. Though when the girls’ were through with him, she wasn’t entirely sure if there would be anything left to crucify.

Remus nodded, as did Bill. “Yes, I think that would be alright.”

Albus smiled and gave them a nod. “Harry?”

“Fine.” He turned his head away and watched Ginny and Minerva enter the room, Severus behind them and Albus behind them. Once inside, Albus shut the door, warded it and placed a muflliato charm around both doors.

“Ginny, please keep an eye out for your brothers’ extendable ears.” He said and then gazed at the room. With a wave of his wand he transfigured the bed into seven chairs, one for each of the girls, one for Severus, and one for himself. “Please, everyone have a seat.”

Reluctantly, Hermione sat in the chair nearest the older wizard. Ginny sat beside her, and Minerva beside her. Fleur sat next to Minerva with Tonks on her other side and Severus found himself seated on the opposite side of his mentor. “Now,” Albus cleared his throat. “Would somebody please explain to me what in Merlin’s beard is going on?”