Oh, Brother (Ch. II)

Disclaimer: JKR owns Snape, Hermione, etc. Icarus, however, is MINEMINEMINE. However, if you ask v. nice-like, I might lend him to you.

A/N: ZOMG I updated. Who is shocked more than I am? NOBODY, that's who. My NY's resolution is to try to get all of these finished. Sorry to all of the readers who have been waiting for this for nearly a year. BIGlove to all of you. Now, I'll quit babbling (until the end) so you can get to reading!

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The story so far . . .

On rounds, Hermione ran into Snape and a 'mysterious' and fit person. Turns out, he's Snape's brother. And boy, does Hermione have it bad for him. She manages to irritate Snape into helping her snare Icarus. The latter even invites Hermione for dinner (cooked by Snape). Hermione manages to get a dress (from Madame Malkin) and show up on time.

Onward . . .

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

By the time dinner was served, I was a puddle of happy Hermione goo.

I spent the entire time babbling to Icarus like a complete loon as he sat, as silent as his brother, watching me. Listening too, I hope. At least, he looked amused (and I think I told amusing stories - I don't remember, honestly). I'd ask him questions too, of course. Mostly about his childhood, where he went to school (Hogwarts) and his brother.

But mostly, I babbled. All with this loopy grin smeared all over my face.

Can you blame me, honestly? I mean, here I am sitting with this very attractive man and might possibly be snogging him later.

Of course, if it were up to me, I'd be snogging him now. However, I must not act like a slag.

Oh, and Icarus has yet to make a move. Then again, he does have his brother in the next room.

And I don't really want to have Snape/Severus walk in on us. That would be mortifying.

Plus, he'd probably accuse me of molesting his brother and hex me in half.

So I deigned to being the epitome of lady-likeness (minus the excessive talking). It was when I was in the middle of rambling (hopefully, not saying what was on my mind, as dictated above) when Snape walked in, two plates floating behind him.

I looked down as one landed in front of me. It was some sort of pasta that smelt of basil and garlic and all around deliciousness. If I weren't supposed to be a lady, I would have inhaled all of it.

But I merely ogled.

Oh yeah, I am good.

Then I noticed Snape opening the door to the hallway.

'Where are you going?' I asked, grimacing as it came out as a demand.

He turned to glower at me. 'Rounds, not that it's any of your business.'

But we got the list two days ago, the new one. He didn't have rounds. Not then, at least.

I realised what he was doing just as the door shut behind him.

'Excuse me again,' I told Icarus, apologetically. Without awaiting a reply, I was out of my chair and out the door.

. . . and Snape was half-way down the hall. Damn, that man walks fast.

I tried to run after him but couldn't. Having hardly worn heels, I nearly broke my ankle trying to take anything more than baby steps.

So I slipped them off.

Stiletto straps hanging from two hooked fingers, I ran (lady-like, I hoped) after him. 'Severus! Wait!'

He turned just as I reached him. Looking highly annoyed, he warned, 'Miss Granger . . .'

I don't know what he thought I was going to say and I didn't inquire on it too long.

Instead, I smiled up at him. 'I just wanted to thank you. For being so great about this, and all. And helping so much. Even though I annoy you.' My breaths were coming out in puffs and in, in gasps.

'Yeah,' he sneered, 'Well, don't make me regret it more than I already do.' But more than his usual sneer, he looked angry. Really angry. Like, the sneering was keeping him from choking me. Just barely.

'I promise not to lay a finger on him and to have him back by curfew,' I jested.

He frowned.

'And . . .' I tried to continue it but Snape interrupted.

'Miss Granger, I have left my flat so that you two can be alone and you are out here babbling to me. See a problem with that?' He cocked an eyebrow.

. . . oh. I left poor Icarus alone. Quickly, I said, 'Right, well, I just wanted to thank you for, you know, helping and--'

'Being great, yes, yes, I know. Now go,' he ordered.

Then I did something I never thought I'd do. And I did it because I was so very grateful and overcome with joy.

I wrapped my arms around his middle and squeezed.

Yep. I hugged Severus Snape.

His response?

A groan as though he just heard a terrible tune.

Before he could hex me, I released him and grinned up at him.

'Bye!'

Though not at full speed, I ran back to his office door.

Taking a few deep breaths, I composed myself and walked in.

Icarus stood up upon my arrival. His grin faltered as he took in my appearance. 'Are you OK?' he wanted to know.

I was breathing normally and my hair had managed to stay in place (mostly) so I was confused by his concern. 'Yeah, why?'

He pulled out my chair and, as I sat down, answered, 'Well, your face if flushed and you aren't wearing your shoes.'

I was still holding them. Oops.

Flushing, I put them on. 'Yes, I'm fine.' I purposefully didn't tell him why they were off and why I was flushed (as he clearly wanted to know) because that meant I'd have to tell him I had his brother setting us up.

I know its not very mature. Oh well.

Fortunately, he didn't inquire further and sat down. Shortly thereafter, we dug in.

The food? Delicious, I don't think I have to tell you. I nearly fainted from the taste. Plus, I love Italian food anyway.

When I was done, I looked over at Icarus. Surprisingly, his plate was still full. And he was ogling at me over his fork.

Without a word, he shook his head incredulously and continued eating.

Just as I was debating going to the kitchen to get seconds, there was a silent popping sound. I looked at my plate to discover that it was again full.

I love that man.

'What man?' Icarus wanted to know.

You might laugh but I swear I thought for a second that he read my mind. I realised, however, that I actually just said it out loud.

'Snape - Severus, I mean. For the food. And the automatically-filling plates.' As he chuckled, I, mortified, shoveled food into my mouth lady-like. At least, I held my pinkie up.

When we were done (and I felt like exploding), we moved to the parlour to talk.

Well, I talked. He mostly listened.

And I am completely dense because it took me a bit to realise that his face was probably not getting bigger. It was, in fact, moving closer.

I know, durr, right?

So, smartly, I shut up and . . . we kissed.

Don't get me wrong. I mean, he was a pretty decent kisser. Not that I've had a lot of experience or anything but from what I figured, he wasn't bad.

But it was strangely . . . anti-climatic.

I mean, my heart sped up when I realised what we were about to do (finally) but when it happened, it was like, 'oh, ok.'

Instead of 'Va-va-vrooom!'

Icarus was the first to speak. And it took me a second to process his words.

He asked, his voice quiet and gentle, 'You didn't feel anything, did you?'

At first, I wondered if I was supposed to feel an extra tongue or something. Then I realised what he meant. I felt really bad about it but I answered honestly. 'No.'

He combed his fingers through his hair. 'Me neither.'

'Really?' I felt much better about it. I wasn't even hurt.

He smirked and my stomach toppled over. Stop it! I ordered it. Because I had the same feeling I had after I dated Ron. That feeling that I actually didn't love him. Not like that.

'I have a confession to make,' he said after a pause. His dark eyes met mine. 'I'm in love with my ex-girlfriend.' Then he grimaced. 'Ugh. Smooth, Icarus, real smooth. I'm sorry, Hermione.'

I shook my head. 'You're fine.' And he was.

Sighing, he rested his head on his hand. 'See, I thought if I went out and dated other people, I'd forget about Matilda. But girl after girl . . . they each just reminded me of her. Or I'd wish they were like her. And I met you and you were perfect! Very unlike her but also beautiful and smart. And for once, I wasn't thinking of her. . . Until I kissed you. I am really sorry.' Boy, did he look like he felt worse than dirt.

I hurried to assure him that I was fine and not angry or hurt at all. 'And,' I added, 'I don't have feelings for you either.'

He chuckled. 'Oh, that I figured.'

I wondered at this and told him.

Reminding me of a fourteen-year-old, he rolled his eyes. 'Oh, come off it. You obviously have a thing for my brother.'

My heart, which had been mid-pump, suddenly deflated like a balloon. Stammering, I demanded, 'T-tell me you ha-have more than one brot-brother.'

'Nope.' He smiled. 'Just the one.'

He thought I fancied Snape! 'That's preposterous! I don't like your brother. I mean, h-he's Snape!' I snorted (unattractively). 'I mean, get real. Seriously, he's . . . t-too tall.'

With mocking eyes, he drawled, 'Oh, compelling argument. Apparently, the fact that I'm taller than him didn't matter?'

As I struggled to back-peddle, he just laughed.

'Like I said, he's Snape. Professor Snape! I j-just . . .' My heart, re-inflated, was now beating up my lungs, it felt like.

'Hermione.'

'What?' I practically snapped.

'Every time we talked, you talked about him. Any questions you had for me, were about him.'

Oh god!

You might wonder how someone could not know they liked someone. I wonder that too. But when I thought about it, all the things I liked about Icarus, were the things he had in common with his brother. And how, when I'd hugged Snape in the corridor a bit ago, I'd felt more than when I snogged Icarus.

I felt a lot more.

And Icarus was just Snape 2.0.

'That's one way to put it, I suppose,' agreed he.

Drat! I need to learn to keep my thoughts inside!

Thankfully, that one did stay inside.

The following did not.

'Oh man, what am I going to do? I can't like him! It's suicide!' I tried to reason it. 'Maybe it's just an infatuation. Yeah, that sounds good. Or maybe, maybe it's just lust. I'm just warm for his form.'

That sounded very plausible.

Icarus chimed in, 'Normally, I'd say if that were the case then just go hit on him. Because no single guy is going to turn down a shag with an attractive woman. However, I think Severus is too moral for that. You know, since he threatened to hex off my bullocks if I touched you in any way.'

'He did that?' I glowed at this.

'Yeah, probably still thinks of you as his student.'

Drat.

Let me not bore you with the rest of the evening. The conversation merely turned to him and his beloved and how he planned on seeing her the next day. We decided to be friends, and I could see him as one I'd like to keep. Eventually, we parted with a hug.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

'I want you to meet her.'

I nearly shit myself. There I'd been, grading papers in a seemingly empty room and suddenly, Icarus was standing in front of me.

'Sheesh! Did you have to scare me like that??' I asked, willing myself from having a heart attack.

He grinned. 'No.'

As I caught my breath, he continued. 'Matilda and I are having supper tonight and I'd like you to come meet her.'

'Oh, so things turned out well when you saw her today?'

Looking like a boy on Christmas, he nodded. 'Yes. It appears that she had feelings for me too. The whole time.'

'Good for you!' I meant it, too. 'I'd love to come to supper but don't you guys want time alone?'

'Nah. We had plenty of time earlier today.' The grin was both secretive and salacious. Then he enticed, 'I'll be paying.'

'Well, free food? Why not? I'd love to go.'

Satisfied, he told me where and when and I said I'd meet them there.

Though after he left, I realised I had the same conundrum I'd had the night prior:

I had nothing to wear. I mean, I had the dress Madame Malkin made for me but I couldn't wear that two days in a row.

All I had left was Grand-mum's black dress.

Oh, bother. It'd have to do. Good thing the restaurant was a fancy one.

Ok, so I did have something to wear. But it was meant for a date, not for meeting your colleague's brother's ex/new girlfriend.

But I had no other choice. So when it came time, I pulled that on and applied (Le gasp!) eye makeup. I looked in the mirror and was pleased with the results. I also slipped on shoes with a lower heel so that I didn't nearly snap my ankle with each step.

With plenty of time left, I made my way out of the castle.

. . . And I nearly ran right into another person while turning a corner.

I nearly fainted right there. Because the person I'd ran into was you-guessed-it Severus Snape.

Wearing a black-on-black suit. With a black tie.

Can you say swoon?

As I was taking in his appearance, Snape was taking in mine. 'Where are you going?' he wanted to know.

'Oh, I'm going to go meet Icarus for dinner.'

This warranted me a very confused expression from Snape.

I asked him what was wrong.

'Icarus invited me to dinner as a thanks.'

He hadn't mentioned Snape.

'Well, he wanted me to meet his girlfriend.'

'Girlfriend?!' Snape parroted. 'What girlfriend?'

I explained about last night. Minus the whole me-realising-I-was-in-love-with-Severus part. I managed to leave that out.

After I was finished, Snape asked, 'And you are fine with this?'

I shrugged and decided to tell him part of the truth. 'I realised that I was in love with someone else. And Icarus had the qualities of that person. We've decided to be friends.'

He still looked perplexed. 'So, you are going to meet Matilda. Why did he invite me? And lie about it. I feel like I'm being set up but I can't figure out why.'

I could.

But I didn't have to answer because at that moment, I heard a pig squeal.

Then I realised that it was a shriek from down the hall. I turned to see Ginny hobbling. And she was headed toward us, a worried Harry in tow.

When she reached us, she was all smiles. Namely toward Snape.

'So this,' she asked me, 'is Icarus.'

'He looks just like Professor Snape,' grumbled Harry. 'How can you be attracted to him if he looks just like Snape?'

Ginny hit her husband in the chest. 'No, his chin is different, see? He looks kinder too.'

Severus glowered at the pair. Then, to me, he ground out, 'I'll meet you by the door, Miss Granger.'

The redhead gasped. 'And he calls you that too!'

As soon as Snape was gone, I rounded on them. 'You know, sometimes I really wonder at the intelligence of you two.'

Both looked confused.

I elaborated. 'That was Professor Snape. We are going to meet Icarus and Matilda.'

'Matilda?' echoed Harry. 'Who's that?'

Briefly, I gave them the same version of events that I gave Severus.

'Ohhhh,' was their reply.

'Now, would you two like to walk me to the door?'

Unfortunately, I didn't get away so quickly. I mean, I wanted to tell Ginny about the whole Severus Revelation but I didn't want to tell Harry. I mean, he was kind of biased toward the man.

However, as we walked, Ginny's questioning about how I dealt with the 'let-down' wore me thin until, just around the corner from the entrance, I decided to tell them.

In a low voice, I hissed, 'I realised that I loved someone else, alright?'

'Who?' asked Ginny. At the same time, Harry wondered, 'Ron?'

I shook my head.

Here goes . . .

'No,' I hissed conspiratorially. Then I jerked my thumb toward the entrance.

Ginny peeked very obviously around the corner. I hoped Snape's attention hadn't been on this particular corner.

When her gaze landed on mine, Ginny's was twice my size.

'You are kidding.'

I shook my head again. 'No. I'm not. I really am in love with him.'

'But couldn't you have picked someone more obtainable like . . . I don't know . . . Prince William?'

Harry, apparently unaware of where we were and who was over there, looked around the corner. Then he jerked back as though a viper had snapped at his face.

'You're in love with Snape?? Professor Snape?' He asked incredulously.

Except he didn't ask. Nooo, that would have been too easy. No, he bellowed it. And a glance around the corner told me Snape had heard his outcry.

And was headed in my direction.

I need new friends.

Ginny, looking like a frightened rabbit, grabbed Harry by the sleeve. 'I think it's time for us to pay Hagrid a visit.' And without another word, she hobbled off with surprising speed, dragging her husband.

Leaving me alone.

I turned around to try to head Snape off to find him right there at my nose.

Ow.

Rubbing the tip, I avoided his Cheshire grin. 'Well, we best be going to supper. Don't want to be late.'

I sounded like my mother.

My attempt to skirt around him was thwarted when he grabbed my arm. It wasn't a very firm grip, but it stopped me nonetheless.

Forced to meet his eyes, I reiterated, 'We're going to be late.'

His expression was very hard. That's the only way I can describe it. It was the look he gave me, not his grip on my arm, that held me in place. 'Miss Granger, why did Potter yell that?'

'Yell what?' Eyes wide, lips pouting, bat those eyes! I figured/hoped he might have misheard.

'"You're in love with Snape??" At least, I'm assuming he wasn't talking to Miss Weasely.'

. . . damn.

I was so tempted to say that he was. However, I knew that would only blow up in my face.

Especially since she didn't do anything wrong.

But I did lie.

'That's not what he said.'

One inky eyebrow shot up.

'Yes, he said . . .' I searched my brain for a similar sounding phrase. 'He said . . . "For above the snake . . . endeavor Snake!" See, it's a poem.'

Look innocent, look innocent!

'You expect me to believe that.'

Sheepishly, I admitted, 'I hoped.'

I tried my other tactic again. 'Well, your brother is waiting!'

Except Severus pinned me to a wall, one hand on each side of my head. Unfortunately, it wasn't to snog me.

'Miss Granger, we aren't going anywhere until you explain.'

His words were angry but his voice wasn't. He sounded . . . worried.

I tried to reason with him. 'Listen, can't you just let this go? Please?'

Feverishly, he shook his head. 'No. Tell me.'

Because I was particularly dumb at that moment, I decided to tell him the truth. 'Ok. He did say that I was in love with you.'

Severus's expression said, duh.

'. . . and he wasn't lying.'

He just stared at me, as though trying to figure out what sort of creature I was.

So I started babbling. 'But I can assure you that I'm under no delusions whatsoever that you're attracted to me. So I'm not going to be following you around like a puppy or anything. In fact, I fully plan on acting as I have been. And I won't tell anyone else, I promise. So can you please not make a big deal of it?' I sounded desperate and rightly so.

Snape combed his fingers though his hair. 'Why didn't you tell me this before?'

'I didn't realise it until last night. Icarus helped me realise it.'

' . . . and you were into him because he was as close to me as you could get.'

'Right. Now, can we go?' I begged.

Snape didn't move his hand from beside my head. The one in his hair returned to the spot on the other side. 'Why didn't you tell me this as soon as you found out?'

Is he serious?

'Quite.'

Damn.

'You honestly expect me to just come up and tell you?'

He didn't answer. 'Why me?'

I shrugged, even though there were a billion reasons.

'Are you sure? What if it's a mistake, as with my brother?'

'It's not.' I told him. Why are we doing this?

'It had better not be,' he warned.

And suddenly, he was kissing me.

And I stood there like a mannequin. About as intelligent as one too.

Finally, I pushed him back. 'Wait, what are you saying?'

'I'm not saying; I'm kissing.' He tried to go at it again but held him off. Not easy considering his height. And my wanting to kiss him too. But after a two-day hiatus, my brain returned.

'You're attracted to me too?'

Gasping for air, he replied, 'Yes, of course. And before you asked, I set you up with my brother figuring that it might help me get over you. Because usually, any woman my brother dates becomes instantly ugly to me. However, it didn't work for your case. Especially when you showed up in that.' He eyed my outfit very hard.

And then I was no longer in shock. I grabbed him by the back of the neck and, only vaguely marveling at how I never would have seen myself doing so, kissed him so hard, it made me dizzy.

'Ten points from both your houses!'

I nearly leaped over Snape in shock when a voice trilled that into my ear.

I turned to see a very wide-eyed Minerva.

'Severus? Hermione??' Her gaze flitted from me to Severus. 'I thought you were students!'

I was still too star-struck to speak. Severus, however, wasn't. 'Apologies, Minerva. We shouldn't be loitering in the corridors. We're just heading out.'

Flashing me a you-better-explain-later, Minerva said only, 'Alright, you two have a good night.'

Severus started leading me to the door but I grabbed his sleeve.

'You know the whole reason Icarus invited us to dinner right?' I asked. 'To set us up.' On it's vacation, my brain seemed to pick up a heaping glob of courage.

Severus nodded.

'Well, that work is done so . . . what's the point of going? Besides, there's a debate going on that I'd like to settle once and for all.'

I was lying of course, but it seemed like a good idea.

'What debate?' he wanted to know, clearly not on to me.

'The length of your wand, of course.' I started off in the direction of his quarters. 'Either way,' I called. 'I bet it's hardwood.'

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

A/N: BAH! I couldn't resist a good wand innuendo. Can you blame me?

This isn't as good as the first chapter, in my opinion but I'm pretty happy with it.

I changed the plot (entirely) but originally, I was going to reveal that Matilda is Madame Malkin. But of course, you are all v. brilliant and probably figured it out already.

More updates are on the way for my other stories. But don't expect them daily because I'm also writing a novel.

Thanks for those who have stuck with me!