Gentle Rain

Chapter 9 - Gentle Rain

"Harry, it worked, it worked, he did it again, but I didn't lose my power. I was nothing but amused! Do you understand how important this is to me? It's brilliant, I feel like I'm a whole different woman now. This is a breakthrough, I'm so excited!" Hermione yelled, her cinnamon eyes shining, like of a child who has just learnt how to ride a bike, or broom, for that matter.

"Oh great, so you came here to tell me you want to have sex with me as an indication of gratefulness?" Harry yawned, arising slowly from underneath his warm bedcovers. Hermione looked as she was about to scream, but instead she grabbed a feather pillow from his bed and smashed it with all her might onto Harry's ruffled up head.

"You filthy little twisted-minded psycho, I wouldn't sleep with you even if I had to choose between you and our malicious ex-Potions Master, do you hear me!"

"Hey, woo, calm down now lady, it was just an innocent question," Harry mumbled, spitting feathers out of his grinning mouth.

"Innocent... if that's your comprehension of innocent, I should buy you a new dictionary as a Christmas gift." Hermione said rolling her eyes, amused though.

"Besides," Harry continued as if he hadn't heard Hermione's last comment. "It's surprising to hear that you keep Professor Snape in so high value, maybe you did take my advice too literally? You know, I didn't exactly mean you to start loving him... uh..."

"Why are we having this conversation? I'm going nuts because of you, you helpless, little brat."

"Not so little, not so little at all, don't you dare to underestimate something you refuse to take a look at..." Harry said, raising his cover enthusiastically.

"Aargh, I'm going now, see you at breakfast, dressed, I hope." She looked at Harry under her eyebrows and left trying to hide her giggle, so that Harry wouldn't hear it.

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It was the most beautiful morning. Snow had descended, gracefully covering Hogwarts' realms with its blessed beauty, and some early sunrays made it glimmer like a diamond blanket. Hermione was in an exceptionally good mood, and she was loading her crispy and golden toast with a good amount of apple jam.

Hmmm... what do we have, yes, first is a double lesson with fourth year Gryffindors, what an excellent class they are. Then... I have one free hour and afternoon's lessons are with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years. Great. A sudden urge to turn dragged Hermione out of her thoughts, as if there was something tingling slightly on her neck. Peeking behind, she saw a raven black figure moving nearer, his carbon black eyes nailed to her. Startled Hermione turned quickly to face her plate and tea mug. Well, isn't that nice, Mr Gloomy is back on his feet again, thanks to me I suppose? Severus Snape whirled straight past his benefactor and sat down next to Professor Flitwick. Right after that Hermione felt, really felt and not so slightly this time, tingling in her neck.

"Oh Harry, you made it before noon. Good for you!" She teased her sleepy looking colleague.

"I'm so blessed; both my lover boys came inside almost at the same time. Life can't possibly get any better..." Hermione scorned and noticing that Harry was just about to twist her words and make another ambiguous joke, she stopped him with such a sharp voice that everybody in the high table turned to look at them, Professor Snape included. "You don't want to say it, you'll be so sorry if you do! Get a life and quit tormenting me with your dirty imagination, you sex maniac!"

Hermione blushed heavily as her last words were echoing between the dignified walls of the ancient Great Hall. She saw Professor McGonagall raise her brows to the shape of a question mark. Wish I wouldn't have said that last part... so loud. She thought and when hearing the unbounded titter of Madam Sprout and the very condemning snarl of Professor Snape, she tried to invent some ingenious new spell that could erase her words from their ears.

"Look at what you got me into. Now everybody thinks... uhh, I don't even dare think about what." Hermione hissed to Harry's ear. "I go now, and you start treating me with a little more respect... when we are in the middle of other people."

"Okey-dokey, babe."

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All of a sudden Severus didn't feel like eating anything, except that little git's head. He is SO like his father. Sometimes it makes me wonder if it really is him, messed with a time-turner and new pairs of eyes. Her eyes...

Of course I know that despite many similarities, he is not alive anymore, but can't a man wonder.

Severus drank his coffee with a swift movement of his arm and rushed to his class. For his relief, after only ten minutes wait, he got to throw his anger onto the group of innocent and fearful students. It always worked, and after five hours of constant yelling, snarling, picking and scolding, he almost felt like he was back on track again. He didn't feel like working late today, which was quite an exception to his normal working routines. Instead of staying in his office and painting essays and exams with red ink, he withdrew in peacefulness of his dear chambers. While there, he undressed his robe, the secret of his impressive looks, and loosened his tight black vest. Then, after a short glance at his cache, he found an old bottle of port and brew some relaxing mix of herbs with it. Inhaling a wonderful aroma of a red and spicy drink, he sat down on one of his antique leather armchairs and closed his eyes. I wonder will any amount of vine be able to drown this lust either. He thought adapting words he had written once he finished his long bath a few days ago. Ha... I'm not trying to be any poet, I know better than that, but scrawling my thoughts into a visible form allows me to reflect on them more objectively. He snatched a book with a beautifully ornamented cover from the floor and summoned his quill. The book contained bare hand-written text and was only half full. He flipped through the pages before stopping to read aloud:

"I wonder, will any amount of water
Be able to wash away
This lust.
I turn over,
Again and again
Still remembering
Your name."

Disgusting... but true, he thought, smiling to himself.

"One moment is enough
To fill my need
Soft drops of silence
Drums behind the veils
Just a little bit of wilfulness
And it touches
Like a gentle rain"

Severus sipped delicately from his glass and put the book away. Nothing to add here, he thought, except how unbearable Potter JR is, but I'm not going to pollute the pages of my valuable book with his name. I'll save that space for something more essential, like how the hell am I going to get my insanity back! It certainly is not wise to fall for... what? An ex-student? A woman? Or... just her? Is it because of her personality? Then why the hell have I fallen in the first place? It's not my style to become attracted to anybody just because she has a pair of boobs and a cunt.

Or hands as soft and skilled as hers...

Taking a sip so big that he almost emptied the whole glass, he wondered what was bothering him the most. It was definitely a matter of serious thought, so he poured some more of the excellent warm and spicy port into his glass and sank deeper into introspection.

If I could have her, though I never will since I'll never let her know in the first place... And yes, I'm clearly aware she wouldn't want me even if she knew, and honestly, I don't blame her.

Where was I? He said to himself wanting to quit that train of thought.

What would I do if I could have her?

Shag her senselessly?

Possibly.

So is that it? Is it the reason for all that inner turmoil, my natural needs too long neglected? For heavens sake, Severus, you can do better than that. When has it been a reason to... feel anything towards a woman?

You are getting old, I fear, old and soft as a rotten pumpkin.

It's not about just getting laid this time, is it?

Answer me you pathetic moron, is it?

There was a long and silent pause inside his head.