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Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 7 ~ Coming to Terms
If Severus got a perverse amusement out of driving Hermione into fits of frustration, it was nothing compared to how much he enjoyed stalking her. It was a whole new world of cat and mouse. It was immediately clear to him that confident, know-it-all Hermione Granger knew next to nothing about the dynamics of men and women, nor how to handle the feelings he elicited in her. For Severus, it was like Christmas every day.
The Potions Master was quite familiar with hunting, as it was one of his pastimes. Every pickled creature he had in his Potions office, he had tracked down and killed himself. Hermione was now game, only the Potions Master wasn’t tracking to kill, he was looking for the trophy. He proceeded to study her habits, patterns and mannerisms closely. It wasn’t as easy to do as it sounded, because after the night the golem kissed her, Hermione avoided the Potions Master as much as possible, leaving rooms when he entered, turning around when he approached, and ignoring his prodding and pickings until she could slip away.
The occupants of Grimmauld Place noticed the change immediately. No longer were they woken up out of their sleep to the sounds of Severus’ and Hermione’s brawls, or pushed aside by a rapidly leaving Potions Master or even more rapidly pursuing Hermione. There were no more fights about the lab. Hermione had abandoned using it completely. No one knew exactly why but peace had come to headquarters. Well, no one except Tonks and Kingsley that is.
“Yep, Hermione’s in stage one, Denial,” Tonks said to Kingsley as they sat in the living room going over the training roster and watched Severus walk into the kitchen. Hermione came bursting out two seconds later, red-faced. She took the stairs to her room as if pursued by a pack of werewolves.
Kingsley chuckled, “Severus is going to have to exchange his boots for a pair of trainers if he wants to catch that young woman. She’s not handling this well at all.”
“No, she’s not,” Tonks said thoughtfully, “But Severus is loving it. He feels he’s the one with all the power now, because Hermione is definitely out of her element. Normally, it’s the woman who controls these kind of situations…but she doesn’t have the experience.”
“Well,” said Kingsley, “He’s going to back her up into a corner sooner or later. Probably tonight. We have that Order Meeting and everyone is required to attend. Then there will be the mixer, and you know Albus, he’s going to make sure everyone stays for it. Hermione won’t be able to leave. Perfect opportunity for Severus to move in on her.”
“Yeah, but what will he do? She’s scared to death of him now,” Tonks said, “She won’t stay still long enough for him to say two words to her.”
Kingsley looked at her.
“Have you talked to her again since the first time?” he asked Tonks.
“No,” the Auror replied, “She left in a huff. I thought I’d let it sink in for a bit.”
Kingsley looked thoughtful.
“I know you were candid with her, Rabbit, but somehow her reaction seems a bit extreme. Surely a simple talk didn’t make her start to avoid him the way she is doing. Why don’t you try and find out what happened to make her start running from him like that?” Kingsley suggested, “I know you have to be curious about it. I know I am.”
Tonks looked toward the stairs thoughtfully. She put the parchments down on the coffee table and stood up resolutely.
“I believe I will find out what’s up, Kingsley,” she said, heading for the stairs. “I’ll clue you in later.”
The Auror trotted up the stairs and turned down the hallway towards Hermione’s room.
Kingsley smiled. If anyone could get to the bottom of this, Tonks could.
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Tonks strolled down the hallway, stopped in front of Hermione’s bedroom and knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” called Hermione’s voice.
“It’s Tonks, Hermione. I want to have a chat,” Tonks called back through the closed door.
Tonks heard the bed springs creak, then the door opened. Hermione peeked out cautiously.
“Come in, Tonks,” she said, opening the door wider.
Tonks walked into the bedroom and looked around. There were plates and cups everywhere.
“What’s this? You’ve been taking all your meals in your room?” Tonks asked her, moving a plate off a chair so she could sit down.
“Most of them. Yes,” Hermione admitted, not looking the Auror in her eye.
“Why Hermione? We have a big kitchen and dining room downstairs. Plenty of room to have a meal, and some company while you eat. Why are you locking yourself away?” the Auror asked her, frowning.
Hermione dropped her head and didn’t say anything.
“It’s Severus, isn’t it?” Tonks said softly.
Hermione nodded.
“Did he do something to you?” the Auror asked. “I mean, something worse than usual, that is.”
“Well, not him, precisely,” Hermione said. The witch went silent for several moments. Tonks sat quietly, waiting.
Hermione blurted out, “Oh Tonks, you were right! I am attracted to Severus. And I don’t want to be. He is cruel, sarcastic, and a total asshole.”
Tonks fought back a grin.
“So tell me, Hermione, was it my little talk that convinced you?” Tonks asked.
“No, not completely. It was something else,” she said obliquely.
But you can’t be oblique with Tonks. The Auror sat up on the edge of her chair.
“All right, Hermione. Out with it. Tell me everything, right now!” Tonks said in her interrogation voice.
Egged on by Tonks, Hermione told the Auror about her visits to the ROR in the middle of the night to fight the Severus golem, and how the last time she went, the golem had kissed her, and how she responded to it.
“Wow, turned on by a golem. Now that’s pretty kinky, Hermione,” Tonks grinned at her. “I guess you figure if Severus’ golem could do that to you, then the man himself would be …er…overwhelming. Actually, it sounds pretty hot to me. Why are you running from him? I’d be running to him.”
“Well, I’m not you, Tonks. We’ve had nothing but bad blood between us for years, ever since I was a student at Hogwarts. Now I’m supposed to just spread my legs for him and let him have his way with me simply because my body is acting out of sync with my brain?” Hermione spat.
“That wasn’t ‘bad blood’ Hermione,” Tonks said, “That was misplaced aggression. You two have wanted each other for years but were both too stubborn to admit it. Besides, this is a two-way corridor, girl. You want to have your way with him too. It’s not all him, you know.”
“What’s so bad about it, Tonks, is that he seems to know what’s going on with me. I can see it in the way he looks at me now. It’s not the same snarky look. When he looks at me, everything inside just starts moving around and going crazy. I can’t seem to think or anything. I feel stupid…out of control,” Hermione said, her eyes glistening.
“It’s called LUST, Hermione. Lots of Unresolved Sexual Tension,” Tonks said. “And there is a cure for that.”
“There is?” Hermione said eagerly, “What is it, Tonks?”
“Fuck him,” the Auror replied with a wicked grin.
“Tonks!” Hermione cried, appalled.
“That’s where all this is headed anyway. You won’t be able to run from it forever, Hermione. You’re a woman. He’s a man,” Tonks shrugged, “Anyway it’ll be good for you. You’re a healthy young woman…you should be getting your F elixir at least twice a week. It’s just unnatural you not getting laid. You need to give him a chance. Like I said before, he’s dead sexy. And if that golem was any indication…”
“Tonks, you’re really not helping any,” Hermione said.
“You’re just saying that because I don’t agree with how you’re handling this. You’re not a child, Hermione, but you’re acting like one. If you really don’t want to deal with the man, then you should at least tell him so. He hasn’t actually even made a move on you. Just because you think he’s looking at you different doesn’t mean he is. It could just be your perception of it. He might not be pursuing you at all,” Tonks said.
Tonks knew damn well Severus was interested in Hermione. She was just trying to find a way to make the witch stay put when he approached her, instead of running away. If those two were put in close proximity, Tonks was sure nature would take its course. Three years of foreplay was bound to pay off.
Tonks decided to try another tack to get the witch back on her game.
“Listen, Hermione…you are one of the toughest witches I know. Running away doesn’t suit you. You’re a Gryffindor. He’s a Slytherin. What about House pride? Even if you are having mixed emotions, you need to stand up to him and handle your business. You can’t let a man cow you. You’re giving him all the power. You have to take your power back.”
There. That should do it. Tonks stood up and looked around the room again.
“Want me to take some of these dishes down with me?” she asked.
Hermione looked around the room. She suddenly realized how childishly she was acting, hiding in her room. She was a grown woman, a soldier of the Order. Why was she letting her emotions get the best of her? She was disciplined. She could handle her situation better than this.
“No, Tonks. I brought them up here. I’ll take them back down and clean them up,” she said. “And I’ll be eating downstairs from now on. No more hiding.”
“Good girl,” Tonks said, smiling inwardly. It sounded like her Hermione was coming back.
“Well, I’d better get back downstairs. Have to get set up for the Order Meeting this evening, then the mixer,” the Auror said, heading for the door.
“You need some help?” Hermione asked her.
“Sure,” Tonks said, smiling at her, “But you know, Severus might be down there. He usually helps Kingsley set up the tables and such.”
“I don’t care if he’s there or not,” Hermione said, her brow furrowed. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“All righty then,” Tonks said smiling, opening the door, “See you in a few.”
The Auror exited the bedroom.
Hermione looked around her room for a moment, and then started gathering up all the dishes and glasses. She was reclaiming her room and her life.
There’d be no more hiding from Professor Severus Snape.
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A/N: Yes! Ok Hermione, you’re back. Handle your business gal. Please review.
HAPPILYJADED: Wow gal. You just opened the gates and let the plot nifflers run wild didn’t you! Lol. Hey, I do the “eyes meeting across a crowded room” thing once in a while.(I think. Nah, maybe not) Well, she does shudder a lot. That’s like shivering, right? Anyhow, I get tired of subtlety, or the shy, retiring, romantic fluff. Let someone else write it ::g::: Give me raunchy (or bananas dipped in white chocolate sauce) any day. I have a distinct appreciation for things raw and untamed. The more blatantly suggestive the better. If it makes you blush, you can be sure I intended it to. And nobody 13 should even be reading this stuff. (brrr)
In “Maid in the Devil’s Manor”, Hermione was being blatant. She was not trying to be subtle at all. That Hermione was a sexual Hermione with needs who knew what she wanted and how she wanted it. She wanted to arouse the Potions Master to the point he couldn’t help himself. To turn her into a shy little flower when it came time to do the dirty deed would have just been wrong. Couldn’t do it. But I appreciate you taking time to write your suggestions. Thanks for the review.
The Burning Pen
Love Can Be a Battle or a War
by Ruth Solomon