Always Kiss Me Goodnight

Chapter Three - He Shall from Time to Time

Chapter Three

"He shall from time to time"

(Much awaited chapter three - if there are spelling errors I do apologise. I write from my mobile so it's easy done but I shall try to correct as I go)

Two months had passed and now Yule was fast approaching. The students were far too excited to concentrate due to the impending ball and school holidays. As far as she knew everyone had a partner. She wasn't too fussed about this as she would be happy to just retire to her room for the evening.

When she was a student she had a bad experience with a man called Viktor. He was ridiculously popular in the Tri-Wizard Tornament and her being a gullible school girl she fell in love with him. She remembered how wonderful she felt but was let down when he wanted more than just a dance in the Great Hall. He didn't like the fact that she said no and tried to force himself on her. Luckily, she was saved by Neville who was looking to get Viktors autograph.

Hermione did not want anything to do with men after that so she remained on her own, turning down offers over the years. Yes, she could have married and had a brace of children by now but Viktor had ruined her view of the male species. Her thoughts drifted to Severus and how mysterious he was. 'Definitely a whips and chains man' she thought and shuddered.

She took out a quill and began marking. Twenty essays on the subject of Mermaids was the highlight of her evening. Her students were bright and she could see that the last two months had shown a lot of positive work from them.

Hermione was so centred on her marking she didn't notice her classroom door open. In walked Severus with his usual air of bleakness around him.

"Miss Granger, Albus would like all the staff to attend the Yule Ball. He wishes for us to go together as we are on the same floor." He said monotonously as he stood arms folded.

"Professor Snape are you asking me to the dance with you or is this a wind up? I am not one for childish games."she responded not looking up from her marking.

"The headmaster does not play games Miss Granger. He has asked me to ask you and I am merely following his direction. A yes or no will be suffice" he said back moving closer to her desk. He kept his arms folded and looked at her piercingly.

"Alright. Yes I will go to the ball with you." She replied and looked up at him. She could see he was taken back by her response and looked rather pale. 'He wasn't expecting a yes. 'Check mate Mr Whips and Chains' she thought and had to contain a giggle.

"Right...I shall tell Albus. We will meet in my classroom at six pm on the night and walk into the hall together" he restrained himself from smiling as he couldn't let down that wall. Severus made his way back to his classroom feeling secretly elated but had enough anger to scold a pupil for tripping up.

'Oh wow, what in the name of Merlin have I agreed to?!' She thought. Her mind was spinning. ' Severus Snape has obliged Albus by agreeing to take me to the ball! What on earth am I going to wear?!' Panicking even more. She became giddy at the thought and mentally went through her wardrobe. She knew a trip into the Muggle world was necessary. Sophistication and class was definately needed.

She did find it exciting but at the same time she still felt strange. The past short while things had been much more harmonious between the two of them. There were still the usual formalities when at mealtimes and on passing in the corridors but that was all. There were certainly no room visits. However, she thought him to be more relaxed and ever so slightly lifted. It didn't stop him from giving the students a hard time.

Severus checked himself for any spellwork being used upon him. Albus and Minerva had tried to set him up many years ago and it almost worked until Severus found out he was slightly bewitched. He was so angry that he threatened to leave Hogwarts but Albus did get his way as he always did.

Severus poured himself a glass of fire whiskey. The weekend had begun and he was going into Hogsmead for some potion supplies. He thought about new attire for the Yule Ball but he didn't want to look like he was too prepared. Instead he made a mental note of the royal blue silk shirt matched with his dress coat and trousers, in black of course. He would also ask Rose to freshen up his dress robe that had been hanging up. It had never seen the light of day. A shame really as it was a sensuous black silk hemmed with black fur that made him look like the perfect gentleman. He knew that Hermione would see a different side to him.

He recognised that the past couple of months had been better. He acknowledged Hermione more often and felt himself let go a little. It worried him at first and he checked many a time if he had been bewitched but no, this time it was real. His mind drifted to her beauty and how much he wanted to be close to her.

He wondered what it would be like to be entwined with her and to feel the delicate touch of her hands on his body. The thought of making love to her was starting to give him a warm, familiar feeling below his belt. 'At least that hasn't lost its magic' he thought. Months ago he would have felt disgusted with himself but now he had accepted that time had moved forward and for the first time he felt at peace.

Hermione has recieved news from Ron and Harry and she was happy that they would be coming to the Yule Ball. It had been many months since she had seen the two of them but work had been a priority for them both. She did make them aware of Severus however, she felt no negative feelings from them. 'Wait till the night' she thought as she rolled her eyes.

Hermione was anxious. She was desperate to make a good impression and show Severus she wasn't a silly girl anymore. Her anxiety was mostly for what happened after the dancing had finished. 'Would he demand like Viktor? No he wouldn't' Came the voice of reason. He had been nice to her and she felt a lot more comfortable. The aftermath of the evening still plagued her mind. He was older and a man 'who had needs' as her mother would say. The thing was, Hermione had never experienced what love making would entail. Yes the science was there but the actual experience was something else. She knew she had needs too but how could she tell him? 'I won't say anything and get it over with. The blood will be a giveaway' Came the voice of reason.

For a brief moment she began to fantasise a night with Severus. Taking off that robe, unbuttoning those twenty three small buttons to his dress coat, letting his hands roam her body, and allowing him to take her virginity. She became breathless at the thought.

"Roll on Yule" she said outloud.

(To be continued...building things up slowly but stay with me) apologies for layout - huge issues with the app crashing at the moment.