The First Summer and Summer Series

Hermione waited for a moment. She couldn’t believe he was doing this. All she had done was go to a quidditch match. Why did he have to be so sensitive and touchy? She would have gotten angry but she was far too tired. Filch showed her to the gate and slammed it behind her. She had apparated farther that day than she had ever done before. Her legs were near to collapse and now she had to go back. Perhaps there was somewhere in Hogsmeade she could stay?

Tears were dripping from her nose as she left the castle and started down the path beside the dark forest. The road was rough underfoot. Every once in a while she would step hard into a pot hole which would jar her whole tired frame. Her shoes weren’t meant for walking and blisters were forming on her feet. It wasn’t long before she became aware of all the night noises around her. There was rustling in the trees and she had the horrid feeling she was being watched.

For a moment she wondered whether she should turn around and beg Filch for a room at Hogwarts for the night, but pride prevented her from turning back. An owl hooted in a tree and made her heart stop. At least, she thought it was an owl. She was tired. So damn tired! And scared! And Severus had broken off with her! Hermione sunk down beside the road and wept.

Above her in the trees a shadow loomed, ready to pounce.


Snape looked up in annoyance as someone knocked on the door to his private quarters yet again. He expected it to be Hermione, begging him to reconsider but it turned out to be Filch.

“I was just wondering, professor, what that girl wanted?”

“A private matter Filch, nothing to do with you,” he growled Fi Filch shrugged. He was used to Snape’s sharp tones. “Well, she’s gone now. Seen her to the gate myself.”

“What do you mean gone?” Severus barked, “Didn’t you show her to a guest room for the night?”

“Not my place,” said Filch, “And she ain’t a proper guest.”

Severus advanced on Filch in anger, “Are you trying to tell me that you sent a defenseless young woman to walk all the way to Hogsmeade in the dark? The path near the Forbidden Forest?”

Filch took a step back. “She’s a witch ain’t she? She’s got a wand ain’t she?”

“Shit!” Severus spat. He didn’t swear often but the occasion seemed to warrant it. He grabbed his broom and swept passed Filch out the door.


Hermione managed to stop weeping.

“Pull yourself together!” she advised herself. “Crying won’t do you any good. You need some sleep.” She dragged herself wearily back up and dusted herself off. As she flipped her hair back off her shoulders, a movement from the tree overhead caught her eye. She froze. Something was above her. Her mind raced. Her wand was in the waist of her robes but the thing was so close! Could she grab it in time?

The thing moved again. It looked like a small woman, and yet it had feathers. It’s gleaming red eyes met Hermione’s and the creature hissed showing long yellow fangs. Hermione reached for her wand just as the creature dropped on her. A ragged clawed hand raked Hermione’s shoulder, tearing flesh. She managed to back out of its grip for a moment but the creature was fast. Hermione fumbled at her belt, trying to get her wand free.

The creature jumped forward again. This time catching her robes and pulling her forward in a death like grip. Hermione was too frightened even to scream. The creature’s small face came close and she could smell its fetid breath. The claws snagged the skin of her chest. All thoughts of her wand faded as she held fast to the creature’s feathery neck, trying to stay out of the way of the long fangs. They fell forward together into the road.

Hermione lost her grip on the creature and the fangs lunged in for a kill.

There was a blast of red light from above and the monster went limp. Breathing heavily, Hermione looked up to see Severus flying down towards her on his broom. She rested her head in her hands and cried in relief.

Severus threw the broom to the ground and hugged her close, “Hermione,” he muttered, “My sweet Hermione! Why didn‘t you stay at the castle?”

“Because you threw me out, you bastard!” she shrieked. She felt slightly hysterical at this point.

“Did it bite you?” he asked anxiously.

“No. Just this,” she said. He produced a light at the end of his wand and surveyed the blood and torn robes.

Hermione couldn’t see the damage. In fact, she had thought it probably wasn’t too bad but she saw him wince then look terribly sick. It was strange but at the moment she couldn’t feel any pain. She supposed that would come later. Right now she was just tired and she felt lightheaded.

“Let’s get you home,” Severus commented. He held her in front of him on the broom as they glided back to Hogwarts.


As soon as they were back in his private chambers, Severus quickly rummaged through some cupboards and came back with a small cup of something.

“Drink this,” he ordered.

“What is it?” she asked. She had started shaking uncontrollably. Severus didn’t answer. He just held the cup to her chattering teeth. She drank. It was horrible.

“All of it!” he demanded sharply. She complied.

When she had finished drinking the vile potion, he helped Hermione peel off her clothes and began cleaning her wounds. “How do you feel?” he asked anxiously.

His hands were skilled and gentle. She could see concern in his eyes as he worked. “Tired,” she replied and she was, very, very tired, and shaking.

Severus looked at her with a furrowed brow. “We need to get you to bed.” He carried her back into his bedroom and wrapped her up in soft fur blankets. He lit the lamp and sat beside her.

“How do you feel now?” he asked anxiously.

“Alright. Do you love me?”

He gently ran his hand down her face. “Yes, I love you.”

“You know I’m not seeing Ron don’t you?” she looked directly at him. “Severus, you are the only man I’ve ever been with, the only man I ever want to be with. I will always be faithful to you.”

“Yes, I know,” he admitted. “I can’t help being jealous Hermione. You’re the only good thing that’s ever happened to me. I can’t help feeling that life is goto kto kick me in the teeth again.... How do you feel?”

“Why do you keep asking me that?

He looked at her for a moment, as though debating what to say. “Do you know what type of creature that was?” he asked finally.

“No. What?”

“Strigae.”

Her face registered no comprehension.

“No, I don’t suppose you have heard of them. They’re not in Scama’s b’s books. They live on blood and they’re extremely poisonous. If it had bit you, I doubt we’d be having this conversation. Your scratches are bad enough. The claws are also venomous although not nearly as much as the fangs. Luckily I keep some anti-venom in my private stores.” he paused briefly. “I ...think... you got it in time...” His voice faded. He swallowed and closed his eyes tightly.

After a moment, he climbed onto the bed beside her and wrapped her up in his arms.

“Don’t fall asleep,” he whispered in a pleading voice.

She didn’t know what to answer.


Hermione awoke early the next morning. She was still alive. She felt a little queasy, but she was gloriously happy anyway. She smiled at Severus sleeping beside her. He hadn’t let either of them sleep until he was sure the danger was past. In that time he had poured out his heart to her, keeping her awake by whispering all the secrets of his love. For once he hadn’t held back and he had told her what she meant to him, and to his life. He had exposed his very soul and she knew how hard it must have been for him.

It almost frightened her. She had never dared to hope that Severus loved her that much. She wondered what she would have thought five years ago if someone had told her the feared potions master of Hogwarts was not only going to be her lover alsoalso would bare his heart to her in the way that he had done last night. It made up for every stiff formal letter he had ever sent.

She looked at him again and grinned. He was going to hate himself this morning!

Hermione took a few moments to look around the bedroom. She had never been in his private quarters before and had always wondered what they had looked like. His bed was large and there was a comfy armchair and table in the room. There were a few books here and there. It was very stark, without decorations, but clean.

“It needs a woman’s touch,” she thought.

Careful not to wake him, she climbed out of bed and wandered into the other room. It was dark and cold but she could see shelves and shelves of books. It also was clean but stark. Her torn blood stained robes were lying on the floor from the night before. She picked them up and noted that the fabric around the tears had gone dark black, no doubt from the Strigae venom. She shivered as she thought about the close call she had had. Thank god Severus was brilliant. Of course, she thought wryly, it would have been nice if he had just acted like an adult in the first place. She wondered what it was about Ron that made him so jealous. Honestly! Ron or Severus? It was no contest! Why couldn’t he see it?

She looked about in vain for a mirror, hoping to be able to see what damage the creature had done to her. The tiny mirror he had in the bathroom for shaving was useless. It was too small and mounted too high. Running her fingers over her bare breasts she felt no scars. She would have to ask Severus where he kept a bigger mirror. She was dying for a cup of tea but could hardly go and summon a house elf. Thank goodness for her old muggle upbringing and potions classes. She could boil water, just. Hermione rummaged around in his kitchenette until she found the makings of a pot of tea, then took a cup back to bed with her.

Severus was awake when she came back in. He smiled.

“You’ll never know how good it was to wake up and find you NOT in bed with me,” he commented. “You must be feeling better.”

She set the tea mug on the bedside table and leaned over to kiss him. He reached up and lightly caressed her breasts.

“Any scars?” shked ked anxiously.

“Of course not,” he replied haughtily. “I mended you. I don‘t leave scars.”

“I’d like to see for myself,” Hermione laughed, “Where’s your mirror?”

“In the bathroom.”

“Not that tiny little rectangle! I couldn’t even see my forehead in it!”

“I don’t require mirrors,” he admitted. “I don’t like what I see in them. However...”
Severus used a summoning charm to bring the mirror to the bedroom and then, with a flick of his wand, enlarged it. He was right. Her skin was flawless.

“My hero,” praised Hermione, kissing him enthusiastically.


The two of them decided it would be best for Hermione to remain in Severus’s chambers rather than announce her presence by appearing at Great Hall breakfast.

“They’ll want to know why you appeared in the middle of the night and why I didn’t summon Madam Pomfrey the minute you were attacked.” Severus explained. “I’ll bring you some breakfast back here.”
“I thought as much,” she agreed with a wink. “That’s why I made my own tea earlier. I didn’t want the house elves seeing me in your chambers. They talk among themselves you know.”
She wasn’t feeling particularly well anyway. She busied herself wandering around his sitting room, looking at all the books he had collected and admiring the very few prints he had up on the walls; an old Maxfield Parrish and a couple Alma-Tademas. The room had a distinct chill and a musty smell.

“What he needs first is a nice fire in the fireplace to keep the damp out.” Hermione walked over to the dark cold fireplace and prepared to light the fire but something caught her eye. It was a letter, torn in two. She picked it up and the acrid odor of bubo tuber pus reached her nostrils. Putting the halves back together, she recognized the writing. Now she understood why Severus had suddenly decided to visit, why he had over-reacted.

“Ron Weasley! You little wart!” she fumed. She started the fire and took great pleasure in burning up the pieces.

When Severus returned with a tray, he found Hermione curled up in one of his armchairs in front of a crackling fire. She had raided his closet and was wearing one of his shirts as a nightdress. Her long legs were folded sexily back under her. The whole atmosphere of the dungeons had changed.

He smiled. “I love seeing you there like that. You look like you belong there.”

“I feel like I belong wherever you are.”

Severus gazed for a moment more. What would it be like to have her here with him permanently? To get married maybe? He shook himself out of that strange vision.

“Dumbledore knows you’re here, by the way. He met me at breakfast and asked if you would please keep out of sight of the students. Some of the parents might object on moral grounds to my having female company overnight in my quarters. Provided we‘re discreet, however, he says you’re welcome to stay. He also hopes you’re feeling better.”

“How?” Hermione asked in amazement. “How could he have known?”

Severus shrugged. “I gave up trying to figure him out years ago. Nothing surprises me anymore. He doesn’t really mind us being here together though, that‘s what counts.”

“So, are you ready for a serious, ‘once and for all’ talk?” she asked.

“No. Eat your breakfast.”

“Forget the breakfast. I found the letter from Ron in the fireplace. You knew it was fRon?Ron?”

Severus curled his lip in a sneer. “I’ve read plenty of his essays. Just to make sure I compared the handwriting.”

“Did the bubo tuber pus get you?” Hermione asked.

Severus couldn’t resist snorting with laughter, “No, it sit shot past Sibyl Trelawney with millimetres to spare. You should have seen her face!”

Hermione grinned. Trelawney was not her favorite teacher. “You know that the letter is all lies?”

Looking down at his feet, Severus nodded. “I’m sorry Hermione. I over-reacted. And I nearly got you killed.”

“No. Ron Weasley nearly got me killed with his stupid prank letter. I’ll have a few words to say to him. But Severus,” she stood up and wrapped her arms around him. “Please let’s get this straight? I love you and only you. You love me. We’re a couple, right? We belong to each other?”

His eyes met hers. Anything that felt this good was going to go wrong for him. But he could hardly deny his feelings now that he had spilled his heart to her the night before.

“Let’s make some promises to each other?” she asked. “So that we have a firm basis for this relationship.”

He sighed.

Hermione continued. “We’ll both be faithful. For as long as we’re together, which I hope is permanently, we’ll stay faithful no matter what.”

That was easy. “I agree.”

“No more using age as a weapon,” was Hermione’s next condition.

“What is that supposed to mean?” he demanded.

Hermioneked ked at him skeptically, “You know what it means. No more, ‘I’m an old man, you’re young girl’ ‘You’ve got your life ahead of you’ ‘I know more than you do because I’ve been there-done that’ sort of thing.”

“I’ve never said ‘Been there-done that’ in my life. What a vulgar cliche!”

“You know the sort of comments I mean! It’s time for you to let me take responsibility for myself and quit trying to protect me from...whatever it is you think I need protecting f”
”

He responded quietly. “You need to be protected from me. Look at last night. My miserable attitude nearly got you killed.”

“I could have asked Filch to let me stay at the castle last night, you know. It was my pride that made me walk to Hogsmeade.” Hermione suggested.

“But I should have stopped you. I should have known that’s what you were going to do because...” Severus paused.

“Because it’s what you would have done yourself,” she finished for him. “We’re so malikalike, it’s scary. That‘s why we make a perfect couple. That‘s why I‘ve been trying to be understanding. If the tables were turned, I‘d probably be gun-shy of our relationship too. I‘d be doing the same.”

“But there are things in my past that you don’t know about that you wouldn’t have done,” he concluded miserably.

“You don’t know that,” Hermione said. “No one knows what I would have done if placed in the same dark time and the same situations. You survived a war. I won’t force you to tell me things you’re not comfortable with, but at the same time, don’t use them against us. It’s past. Let go. This is now.”

Severus looked down into her earnest face. He remembered the lonely pain of knowing she was visiting Weasley. Then the horror of watching her almost die in his arms, knowing he was to blame.

“Alright. I agree to your conditions. But I have two of my own. I still want you to finish school.”

“I will,” she promised.

“And no children,” he added.

“Yes, I remember.” She smirked, “You think of them as human larvae. That suits me, at least for now.”

“Then, maybe...” But he left the thought unspoken. It was too far away to contemplate for a man who had lived day-to-day for so many years.

“So we’re officially committed? A couple? Partners?” she asked.

He gave her a wry smile, “That sounds like something out of a muggle cowboy movie.”

“It’s the commonly used term,” Hermione shrugged.

“Partners then,” Severus replied, and he let his lips fall to hers. She reached up and stroked his hair with both hands, pulling his mouth more tightly into hers. He let his arms drop around her and gently caressed Hermione as if she were a delicate piece of porcelain. He dragged his mouth from hers so he could look into her eyes, and see his love echoed there. It was a sweet moment for him.

Hermione smiled and uttered words that were at once thrilling and yet terrifying,. “By the way, would you mind if I did a little re-decorating in ‘our’ chambers?”