The Coldest Summer, XII
Title: The Coldest Summer
Team: Spy for the Order
Word Count: 8x100
Rating: PG-13
Challenge: Coldest Winter
Characters: Hermione, Severus
A/N: Previous sets: part I, part II , part III, part IV, part V, part VI, part VII, part VIII, part IX, part X, part XI.
From the way Snape’s back stiffened, Hermione thought at first that he was not going to answer her question at all.
‘This isn’t an easy question to answer,’ he said at last. ‘However, I’m not surprised you asked it - and I believe I do owe you an explanation, after my … somewhat erratic … behaviour since yesterday.’
Considering his words carefully, he continued: ‘First of all, I want you to know that I don’t expect anything to happen, so you needn’t worry too much. That’s not to say that I don’t find the idea of something happening appealing - I do.’
* * *
He shifted a bit, pulling out a pillow and standing it up against the headboard to make himself more comfortable.
‘When I saw you at the station yesterday, I was - surprised. Shocked, even. I hadn’t expected to meet someone from my old life, here. Certainly not you. My first reaction was … worried. I didn’t know what you would do.’
He looked at Hermione.
‘As I said, I’ve been thinking about returning to Britain. But I want to do it on my own terms, when I’m ready for it. My plans did not involve having someone else reveal my identity.’
* * *
Hermione nodded, understanding what he meant.
‘When I realised that you seemed willing to play along, so to say, I saw an opportunity,’ he continued. ‘I started to think how I could turn the situation to my advantage.’
Noticing that Hermione begun to bristle at that, he put his hand on her arm. ‘I apologise. It was not personal. You must understand what my life has been like. Constant planning, thinking on my feet, always having to have several escape routes plotted out … I wouldn’t have survived this long without this ability. It’s become part of who I am.’
* * *
‘So you’re not saying that you planned to take advantage of me?’ she asked, just to be sure.
‘Indeed. I was going to take advantage of the situation, which involved you, but not you. Although I must confess that once I noticed what an attractive young woman you’ve turned into, the thought did cross my mind,’ he said. ‘Only briefly though, as I felt it would not work to my advantage in the end.’
Hermione couldn’t help blushing at his confession. ‘But you still decided to - to tease me.’
He shrugged. ‘I noticed the appreciative way you eyed me yesterday.’
* * *
Looking more serious again, he added: ‘I realise it must come as a shock for you, but I do have a more - playful - side. In other words, teasing you was fun. But I did have another reason for doing it. You could call it testing the waters.’
Hermione couldn’t decide whether to be infuriated or fascinated with this man. She didn’t like being toyed with. But as infuriating, scheming and sneaky as he was, she liked it. This new, playful Snape. Even if he was being the cat and she the mouse and she was quite out of her depth.
* * *
‘You still haven’t told me what you’re expecting - or planning,’ she said after a few moments of silence.
‘As I said, I’m not expecting anything. I find you attractive. After watching your reactions to me yesterday, I believe you might not be adverse to my advances either. But I’d also like to have someone on … my side, once I return, and I’d rather not do anything hasty to ruin my chances in the long run.’
He sent Hermione a calculating look. ‘I’m not interested in anything casual - I had my share of that during the year before coming here.’
* * *
Snape paused for a moment, taking a look at the intricately carved clock on the wall.
‘It’s nearly time for us to get back. We can continue this conversation later.’
‘Oh! I’m supposed to be in a meeting in half an hour!’ Hermione exclaimed. ‘And I haven’t even had a bath yet!’
He smirked. ‘You look lovely. A little tousled, but I’m sure no one at the conference would notice … and if they do, it would only confirm what they likely already believe.’
Hermione glared at him. ‘I’d rather not be thought of like that, thank you very much!’
* * *
That infuriating smirk was still there.
‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist.’ He leaned closer and gave her a light kiss, which she accepted without any sign of protest. ‘The bathroom is over there. There should be a shower in there too, I believe, if you’d prefer that.’
Hermione sighed, looking at the time again. ‘At times like this I’m really glad I’m a witch. Getting ready and back to the station would be impossible otherwise.’
Snape nodded in agreement. ‘Go on then. You should find anything you need there - towels and soap, at least. I’ll Apparate us back once you’re done.’
--
On to part XIII.
Team: Spy for the Order
Word Count: 8x100
Rating: PG-13
Challenge: Coldest Winter
Characters: Hermione, Severus
A/N: Previous sets: part I, part II , part III, part IV, part V, part VI, part VII, part VIII, part IX, part X, part XI.
From the way Snape’s back stiffened, Hermione thought at first that he was not going to answer her question at all.
‘This isn’t an easy question to answer,’ he said at last. ‘However, I’m not surprised you asked it - and I believe I do owe you an explanation, after my … somewhat erratic … behaviour since yesterday.’
Considering his words carefully, he continued: ‘First of all, I want you to know that I don’t expect anything to happen, so you needn’t worry too much. That’s not to say that I don’t find the idea of something happening appealing - I do.’
* * *
He shifted a bit, pulling out a pillow and standing it up against the headboard to make himself more comfortable.
‘When I saw you at the station yesterday, I was - surprised. Shocked, even. I hadn’t expected to meet someone from my old life, here. Certainly not you. My first reaction was … worried. I didn’t know what you would do.’
He looked at Hermione.
‘As I said, I’ve been thinking about returning to Britain. But I want to do it on my own terms, when I’m ready for it. My plans did not involve having someone else reveal my identity.’
* * *
Hermione nodded, understanding what he meant.
‘When I realised that you seemed willing to play along, so to say, I saw an opportunity,’ he continued. ‘I started to think how I could turn the situation to my advantage.’
Noticing that Hermione begun to bristle at that, he put his hand on her arm. ‘I apologise. It was not personal. You must understand what my life has been like. Constant planning, thinking on my feet, always having to have several escape routes plotted out … I wouldn’t have survived this long without this ability. It’s become part of who I am.’
* * *
‘So you’re not saying that you planned to take advantage of me?’ she asked, just to be sure.
‘Indeed. I was going to take advantage of the situation, which involved you, but not you. Although I must confess that once I noticed what an attractive young woman you’ve turned into, the thought did cross my mind,’ he said. ‘Only briefly though, as I felt it would not work to my advantage in the end.’
Hermione couldn’t help blushing at his confession. ‘But you still decided to - to tease me.’
He shrugged. ‘I noticed the appreciative way you eyed me yesterday.’
* * *
Looking more serious again, he added: ‘I realise it must come as a shock for you, but I do have a more - playful - side. In other words, teasing you was fun. But I did have another reason for doing it. You could call it testing the waters.’
Hermione couldn’t decide whether to be infuriated or fascinated with this man. She didn’t like being toyed with. But as infuriating, scheming and sneaky as he was, she liked it. This new, playful Snape. Even if he was being the cat and she the mouse and she was quite out of her depth.
* * *
‘You still haven’t told me what you’re expecting - or planning,’ she said after a few moments of silence.
‘As I said, I’m not expecting anything. I find you attractive. After watching your reactions to me yesterday, I believe you might not be adverse to my advances either. But I’d also like to have someone on … my side, once I return, and I’d rather not do anything hasty to ruin my chances in the long run.’
He sent Hermione a calculating look. ‘I’m not interested in anything casual - I had my share of that during the year before coming here.’
* * *
Snape paused for a moment, taking a look at the intricately carved clock on the wall.
‘It’s nearly time for us to get back. We can continue this conversation later.’
‘Oh! I’m supposed to be in a meeting in half an hour!’ Hermione exclaimed. ‘And I haven’t even had a bath yet!’
He smirked. ‘You look lovely. A little tousled, but I’m sure no one at the conference would notice … and if they do, it would only confirm what they likely already believe.’
Hermione glared at him. ‘I’d rather not be thought of like that, thank you very much!’
* * *
That infuriating smirk was still there.
‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist.’ He leaned closer and gave her a light kiss, which she accepted without any sign of protest. ‘The bathroom is over there. There should be a shower in there too, I believe, if you’d prefer that.’
Hermione sighed, looking at the time again. ‘At times like this I’m really glad I’m a witch. Getting ready and back to the station would be impossible otherwise.’
Snape nodded in agreement. ‘Go on then. You should find anything you need there - towels and soap, at least. I’ll Apparate us back once you’re done.’
--
On to part XIII.