When Duty Calls
Chapter Eight
Author's Note:
I am so sorry for the delay! This weekend was really rough so I wasn't able to get this chapter posted on Sunday like I had planned. It's a little longer than most of the other chapters so I hope that makes up for it! My birthday is this coming Sunday so I'm not sure exactly when the next chapter of this will be out, but I promise it won't super long!
Awesome Readers
Delia- I'm so happy you are still enjoying the story love! You always make me smile!
HG4eva- Totally not an impersonal fling anymore! If Ron doesn't back off, Severus may end up taking things into his own hands ;-) Thank you so much for all your support< 3
Bananaphobia- Here's another chapter for you my dear! I hope you enjoy and thank you for the review!
Sheedy- You know I would never leave you hanging! I hope this chapter was worth the wait!
And as always, thank you to everyone who has read and/or rated this story! It really does help keep me going =)
***
Hermione woke up at five o’clock on the dot, as per the usual. Her internal clock still hadn’t gotten the memo that it was okay to sleep in a few extra hours. She opened her eyes, blinking several times before focusing on the strong chest of Severus Snape. His arms were still wrapped around her, his chin resting on the top of her head. She wiggled back far enough to take in the professor’s sleeping face. It made her smirk to see that, even in his sleep, he still wore a slight scowl.
The nightmare from the night before was momentarily forgotten as Snape growled, pulling her back against his chest. “Where are you going?” He grumbled opening one eye.
“To Azkaban if you don’t let go of me.” She replied with faux annoyance.
Snape arched an eyebrow pulling back to look at the beautiful young witch beside him. “Miss Granger, are you threatening me?” He drawled.
“I don’t make threats, I make promises professor.” She cut her eyes at him playfully. “Fine, be that way.” He smirked leaning his head down, giving her a soft lingering kiss. They both pulled back a moment later looking like deer caught in the proverbial headlights.
“I need to jump in the shower.” Snape breathed sitting up abruptly and walking quickly into the bathroom without another word. He locked the door behind him and turned the cold tap on, filling the sink. He splashed the icy water onto his face, rubbing his eyes hard in an attempt to remove the image of the strong beautiful witch’s face as he leaned in to capture her lips.
What the hell was that about? Why did he have such a compulsion to do that? Hadn’t they already agreed to keep their relations ‘professional’? Falling asleep with her in his arms and then that fucking kiss; the lines they had set up less than 24 hours ago were already being crossed.
No. That’s not it. That damned woman woke him with her infernal nightmares, and the only way he could get any kind of sleep was to hold her in place. That’s all. And that kiss, was nothing but sexual tension. Yes, that’s what it was.
You are a terrible fucking liar, Severus.
He growled and turned the shower on in hopes of drowning out his own insufferable thoughts.
***
What the fuck just happened? Hermione thought as she sat up trying to get her wits about herself.
You woke up in his arms and then he kissed you. Something is happening, and nothing good will come of it.
Her eyes were trained on the bathroom door as she fought with herself. The kiss felt natural, almost like breathing. Maybe it was just the stress they were both under that was the cause of the intimate exchange. That’s it, it’s all the stress.
Stop playing stupid, stress has nothing to fucking do with it.
She sighed rubbing her temples. This assignment was getting more complicated by the minute. The parcel on the nightstand caught her eye again. It was the contents in that parcel that spurred on the nightmares she had the night before. A horrific nightmare with the cold dead eyes of her coworkers staring back at her begging for help, followed by all those lost in the war. The guilt of surviving the war ate at her frequently.
She didn't have nightmares every night, but when she did they were unrelenting. Most of those nights she couldn't sleep because every time she closed her eyes all she could see were her loved ones laying dead at her feet. But last night she was able to fall back asleep with ease. The last thing she saw were Snape’s worried eyes and felt his warm embrace as she nodded back off.
Could he have stopped the nightmares, or was it just a coincidence? Maybe she would take Minerva up on some girl talk later. Living with the surly wizard might be the thing driving her mad, or so she hoped.
The shower tap turned off and she sighed grabbing her toiletries as the professor stepped out of the steamy bathroom wearing nothing but the towel riding low on his hips. She tore her eyes from his frame and quickly made her way past him. Things were getting more awkward by the minute.
***
Hermione and Snape made it up to the Great Hall much earlier than was usual. Neither of them had said more than a sentence to each other after the odd exchange upon waking. The young auror was relieved to be in public. Her hardened exterior made it easier to hide the odd emotional turmoil she was in. She swore she saw the professor look at her from the corner of his eye a few times with a look she couldn't really place.
Hermione felt marginally better as she took a seat next to Minerva. The older witch looked at her kindly and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" She whispered.
Hermione put a muffling charm around them and let out a sigh. "Two women that worked on Professor Snape's defense team have been murdered. I know working for the ministry in general is dangerous, but to see people like Merida and Persephone become targets is painful. They were both so wonderful." She took a deep breath trying to keep her face impassive.
"I am so sorry for your loss." Minerva said softly. "It seems like things are getting worse these days." The young auror nodded in agreement taking a sip of orange juice.
"How are things going with Severus?"
"Fine." Hermione replied in a clipped tone. Minerva raised her eyebrows. "That doesn't sound 'fine' to me. You both are acting a bit strange this morning." She looked at Hermione with concerned eyes. Even though Hermione was no longer her student, she still worried about her almost constantly.
"Things are just a little off-base. This morning there was an incident that really pushed the line.” Hermione said nonchalantly.
“Who was hexed?” She laughed.
“I wish that were the case.” Hermione began to pick at her bagel. “Professional boundaries are being crossed, and I’m not sure exactly how I feel about it.”
Hermione arched an eyebrow at her friend. “I still say you’re going senile. After everything Ron has put me through, why would I want to throw myself into another shady situation?”
Poppy approached the table taking a seat beside Hermione. Hermione quickly raised the charm and gave Minerva a warning glance.
“Well good morning ladies!” Poppy beamed. “You really should smile dear. Students are almost as terrified of you as they are of Severus.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “They should be.”
Minerva shook her head with a laugh. “You are definitely giving him a run for his money. After the note incident yesterday I think everyone got the hint.”
Talking to Minerva and Poppy never failed to brighten Hermione’s day. The three fell into easy conversation. It was nice to let go for a few moments. She had almost forgotten what it felt like to have a semi-normal life.
“He’s looking at you again.” Poppy whispered with a smile. “Are you sure something isn’t going on?”
Hermione stood shaking her head. “Absolutely not.” She was getting tired of Minerva and Poppy’s constant questions about the specifics of her and the professor’s relationship outside of the professional detail.
Snape appeared at her side quickly. “I need to get started on a few projects before class, Miss Granger.”
She nodded and said her goodbyes, sweeping out of the Great Hall with the surly wizard by her side. "So I hear that you believe your presence is more 'terrifying' than my own." Snape broke the silence with a smirk.
"Oh it is. Have you already forgotten how I laid you out with my bare hands?" She turned her head slightly towards him arching an eyebrow.
Merlin, she’s beautiful. He looked over her thoughtfully from the corner of his eye. Stop staring at her you idiot.
"Sheer luck. I don’t even have to speak to instill fear, Miss Granger. If memory serves me correctly, I sent you running to the loo crying on several occasions.”
Hermione scoffed. “That was embarrassment, not fear.”
“Nuance.” He smirked.
Two students appeared from around the bend as they approached the classroom. “I bet I can kill two birds with one stone." He drawled leaning in to her.
My gods does he smell good and those strong arms... She brushed her side up against him subtly. Stop this instance. Put your game face on Granger.
She straightened her posture and folded her arms over her chest. "Do your worst." She said staring straight at the oncoming students.
Snape moved into her side, his hand gliding down her back to rest on her hip. "Does this make you uncomfortable, Miss Granger?"
The two students froze in place watching the exchange. Hermione's breath hitched ever so slightly. Within a split second she regained her composure. "They haven't run off, nor do they look ill." She said softly. She turned her head slowly allowing their noses to brush against the other. "You're losing your touch professor." She breathed letting her warm breath wash over his lips.
His eyes closed taking a deep shuttering breath then let out a yelp as Hermione hit him with a mild stinging hex in the stomach. The two students gasped and took off running as the professor stumbled back and glared in their direction.