Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Book One - Master Mine: A Lesson in Submission	By : Lissa & snowblind12 Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 58471 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with JK Rowling or The Harry Potter franchise in anyway. I make no money off my stories.

Chapter List
- 28
- 29
- 30
Chapter Twenty-Nine
BETA: Raynephoenix2
“Hey!” Hermione called with a grin on her face. She stood on her tip toes and waved, trying to catch Snape’s attention. She was waiting for him outside Thistle & Thorn, a greenhouse in Hogsmeade, so they could start their standing Saturday date.
“Good afternoon.” Snape did not return her greeting until he was within distance to talk in a normal tone and Hermione popped up on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck and press her lips to the corner of his mouth. She giggled as his face remained stoic in nature. There were too many people around on this lovely Saturday in late March for Snape to be outwardly affectionate. It didn’t help that they were definitely being watched. Snape never did much care for a crowd and it was the first time they had decided to venture out in the Wizarding world together. She heard a shutter click and scanned the throngs of people, positive their photo would appear in some gossip rag tomorrow. She wasn’t worried, however, after a long discussion, they decided they no longer cared if the public knew of their relationship.
“What’s the plan?” he asked, gesturing towards the shop she was in front of.
“It’s time for me to get my terrace garden planted, I thought this could be something fun for us to do together,” Hemione said loftily, lacing her fingers through his. “Do you keep a garden?”
“No,” he admitted, pushing open the door of Thistle & Thorn and guiding her through. “Luc does. I tell him what I want, he grows it. Herbology was always a passion of his.”
This revelation brought Hermione up short. “Lucius gardens?”
“Yeah?” Snape didn’t seem to understand why Hermione found this incredulous.
“Lucius Malfoy?”
“Yes, Hermione,” Snape snapped, and Hermione dipped her head, chastened. She sometimes forgot how impatient he could be. As their relationship had grown and their feelings had deepened, his patience with her seemed endless for the most part. Every once in a while she would push buttons, though.
“And you don’t see why that’s amusing?” She paused their stroll up one aisle of plants to look up at him as she leaned against his side. “Prim, proper, and perfect Lucius Malfoy digging in the dirt?”
He had been looking down at her with narrowed eyes, but she caught his lips quirk at the corners. “I suppose you do have a point.”
“Have you ever seen him in the garden, Severus?” she murmured. “Or do you think it’s the house elves that garden for him?” She cocked her head to the side her eyebrows raising in question even with the teasing lilt to her voice.
“Huh,” Snape seriously considered her question while trying not to laugh. “Now that you mention it.”
They exchanged a conspiratorial look and both broke into laughter which caused a little, elderly witch that had been watching them across the isles to squeak with surprise – Hermione figured seeing Severus Snape laugh would be a novelty for many people. “You’ll have to offer to help him sometime, Mine,” Snape teased after a couple moments and a glare at the witch, who put her nose to the ground to continue with her shopping.
“I will!” she enthused. “I always enjoyed gardening and Herbology.”
“What are you getting today?” Snape turned his attention to the rows of plants before him.
“A mixture,” she said. “I grow some herbs and potions ingredients, but I also enjoy flowers.” She pulled a rumpled list out of her pocket and smoothed it. “I need shrivel fig, dittany, and valerian. I love lavender and peppermint and they’re also good for a few of the potions I make myself. I need a new aloe pl – hey!”
“You make potions yourself?” Snape was suddenly very intrigued and pulled the parchment from her fingers.
“Yes, I do! I happened to have a great teacher!” Hermione exclaimed, trying to swipe the piece of paper back.
His face softened perceptibly and she smiled brilliantly at him. “You were a great teacher, completely terrifying at times but a great teacher none-the-less.”
“What do you brew at home?”
“Headache relief, hangover relief, sober up, basic healing salve, my contraceptive – ”
“What contraceptive do you use?” His face was serious as his eyes shot to hers.
“Once a month, period every three months.”
“The Impedio Gravidum?”
“Yes.”
“Good to know. You have arnica and nettles on here – for bruise paste and boil cream?” he looked up, trying to keep his face straight. “Have trouble with boils, do you?”
She busted out laughing and smacked his arm lightly before responding. “No! Oh my Gods!” She covered her mouth and snorted, her mirth taking over. She pressed her forehead into Snape’s chest, trying to calm herself and shivered when he wrapped one arm around her waist and held her there for a moment, burying his smile in her hair. The witch from before was gaping at them again and he closed his eyes in frustration. This was going to be something he would have a hard time getting used to. He didn’t like sharing his private life with others.
Hermione took a deep breath and pulled away, finally starting to look at plants. She placed one in the cart as she told him. “It’s for Ron’s Aunty Muriel. Molly asked me if I would make it a couple years ago – she says hers never turns out too well.”
“A likely story.”
“I’ll bring you some of the fertilizer on Easter, it takes a little over a week to brew and strengthen,” Severus said as he gently pressed the last bit of dirt around the repotted aloe plant.
“That sounds perfect, I’m excited to try it!” Hermione agreed before looking down at herself. “Merlin, I’m filthy,” Hermione sighed, pushing herself into a standing position and brushing her hands together. Grimacing, she took in the sight of her dirt-caked nails and the creases of her knuckles, which looked like black spider veins.
“Hm, I think we established that on day one of our reacquaintance,” Snape teased, wrapping one earth-dusted arm around her waist from behind before burying his nose in the side of her neck.
She chuckled, arching her neck to the side to give him more room before wiggling her bum against his burgeoning arousal.
“Take-away for dinner?” she asked, gently unraveling herself from his arms.
“Sounds good.” Snape frowned, it was odd for her to pull away from him. Usually he was the one ending their embraces.
“Chinese? Thai? Pizza?”
“Thai sounds good,” he said softly.
“Why don’t you go shower? I’ll order food and then shower when you’re done.”
Snape watched her as she danced across the living room into her tiny kitchen to wash her hands, frowning slightly. He felt like she was keeping something from him because she had avoided letting him deepen their intimacies all day, which was very unusual. Typically, she was just as eager as he was when it came to their limited alone time.
As he attempted to brush off the niggling feeling that something wasn’t quite right, he made his way into the bathroom and started the shower. This made him second guess himself again, which was irritating. He wasn’t used to not knowing his own mind. Why didn’t she say she would join him; why wait to shower until he was done? They’d shared numerous showers at this point. Ever since Lucius had given her the green light for oral sex and touching, he had spent a few nights with her every week.
That in itself was a huge step for Snape. Never before had he shared a woman’s bed. On the flip side of that, the maybe-handful of women he’d had in his bed over the years were few and very far between. This was something he and Lucius had in common and something they had talked about over the years. Lucius would have never disrespected Narcissa by bringing another woman into their home, let alone his bed. In fact, as far as Snape was aware, the only woman Lucius had ever taken to his own bed was his late wife.
Snape, on the other hand, had only shared a bed with four women. Two because they were his friends first. Lily, for their one and only time when they had decided to give each other their virginities before their fifth year and before he had lost her friendship, and Natalia. Then there was Britt, of course, when they had dated exclusively before Voldemort rose the second time. Finally, Hermione. If he was honest with himself, she was the one who mattered the most, especially when looking back.
In fact, he had shocked himself when he had insisted she stay with him after their first time. Usually, he didn’t bring women into his quarters, let alone beg them to stay after he had fucked them. He often couldn’t get them out the door fast enough.
“Knut for your thoughts?” Hermione asked softly from the doorway.
Snape looked up quickly from where he sat on the edge of the tub, he had been so lost in his musings that she had startled him.
“Did I do something to upset you?” It was out before he considered the words and how vulnerable the question made him – how weak and pathetic it portrayed him as.
Shock registered on her face and she moved to him with haste. Settling to her knees before him, Hermione clasped both his hands in hers. “Why would you think I was upset with you?” she queried, worry marring her features.
“You have been…” Snape was struggling. Showing his feelings was not something he ever did, but somehow she made it easier than he had ever found it before. “You’re always so reactive to my advances, Hermione. You’ve been shrugging them off all day.”
He was horrified when a small chuckle left her and it must have shown clearly on his face because she was instantly apologetic. “No,” she promised, “Severus, no. I have not been shrugging off your touch or your kisses, love. I have simply not been allowing us to lose ourselves and let things go too far.” She bit her lip.
Snape thought for a moment and realized she was telling the truth. She had been as affectionate as she always was but didn’t let herself get out of control like she often did. “Why?” he quizzed.
She gave another short laugh and he was intrigued to find her cheeks flooding with pink. “What’s this?” he murmured, brushing the blush with his thumb. “You’re embarrassed about something?”
“It’s just,” she started before pausing briefly to close her eyes, “I have my menses.” It was said so quietly he almost didn’t catch it over the sound of the shower running. He was too stunned to answer right away. The witch had been denying him intimate access because she was bleeding? Was she joking?
“I could honestly care less about that,” he told her, watching in fascination as her blush grew darker.
“Well…I do,” she protested, pushing herself to stand. “I will not engage in sexual activities while I’m on my period. Especially as we are limited to hands and mouths.” She actually shuddered which made Snape laugh outright.
“Have you had this conversation with Lucius yet?” he asked curiously, his smirk deadly.
Hermione found she didn’t like the look in his eyes at all and crossed her arms defensively over her chest. “No, why?”
“Lucius also won’t care that you’re cycling,” he told her, the gleam in his eyes positively wicked. “He and I are of the same mindset, Mine. He’s not going to let you off the hook because of a little blood.” Snape laughed at her worried expression and watched appreciatively as her eyes flashed with anger. He loved riling her up.
“Lucius has always been reasonable. If I tell him how uncomfortable it makes me, he’ll understand. Besides, I’m not adverse to other play. If I’m wearing a tampon, there won’t be a mess. He can fuck my mouth or my arse.”
Snape growled lightly as he stood and pulled her to him, twisting her so her back was to his front. Hermione let out a whimper of surprise as he pulled both hands behind her back and locked her wrists together, pushing out her breast while the other hand traversed her abdomen. His fingers dug into her low belly, just above her pubic bone in a show of possessiveness.
“You like being fucked in the arse, Mine?” he hissed, his voice rumbling darkly.
Even though she was shaking with immediate desire by his blatant show of Dominance, Hermione was able to hold her own. Lucius had stroked her confidence to the point where very little could make her embarrassed enough to become non-responsive. In a calm and controlled voice, she answered, “Yes, sir. Very much.”
If he was surprised by her answer, he didn’t show it. Instead, he released her wrists to use that hand to angle her neck so she could mouth kisses onto her shoulder while his fingers started to slip towards the waist band of her cotton joggers.
“No,” she said softly and covered his hands with hers even as she shudder from his mouth. “I’m serious, Severus. I’m not comfortable. I don’t want things to be awkward between us, please let me have this.”
He paused in his movements, his breath hot on her neck. His irritation and frustration were palpable, but he closed his eyes and gave a stiff jerk of his head. “I’ll let you have it, for now. But just so you know, Mine. When I have collared you, you will not tell me no because of a little menstrual blood, so start thinking about that now. Wrap your head around it.” Snape tilted her head up, locking their eyes. “I will have you where I want, when I want, and however I want. There will be…no…barriers.”
Hermione’s breath hitched, finding his declaration extraordinarily arousing, before she gave a slight nod as he brushed his lips against hers in a tender kiss.
Saturday March 24^th
8:42 P
Dear Master,
Severus told me today that you enjoy Herbology and gardening. This is something we have in common, although my little gardening terrace is probably nothing compared to what you have to offer on the Malfoy Estate. I would love to tour your gardens sometime and would wager a guess that you have a greenhouse as well. Maybe this is something we could do soon?
Sleep: Midnight to 8:00.
Brunch: Full English around 10:30a.
Dinner: Take out Thai.
Exercise: Morning yoga session.
I know my eating wasn’t the best today, but I had brunch with Harry and Ron and it was so much I wasn’t hungry again until dinner time. Not even I can be perfect all the time! (Teasing, of course!)
That brings me to my final bit of information, which is really more of a concern. I started my period yesterday evening. Being I’m on the Impedio Gravidum, I only bleed every three months. I fear it caused a bit of tension between Severus and I today when I rebuked his advances – the man certainly doesn’t like being told no.
I am not comfortable with play during my menses. Please let me know what you wish to do for our sessions this week.
Yours,
Doll
Saturday March 24^th
9:02P
Dearest Doll,
Thank you very much for the chuckle this evening. I will forever savor the fact that you told that bastard no while you still could. Don’t be surprised if he makes that word disappear from your vocabulary eventually. He’s always had a way with pushing submissives beyond their limits and making them love it.
As for our play this week, I will respect your wishes to an extent. I will permit no vaginal intercourse during your monthly, you may wear a tampon. We will not cancel our sessions, however. Orgasm during your menses can be intense as well as beneficial to relieving cramps, headaches, and other symptoms. Therefore, you will not be completely off the hook. Your ability to make me compromise in areas where I wouldn’t ordinarily do so is uncanny, love. I hope you realize that, little witch.
Your food intake today is sufficient, as you said not every day can be perfect. You’ve been very, very good about your diet during our contract, only having a few slip ups over the last three months. Being a full English is more than half your needed intake for daily calories, the spanking you will receive will be more for pleasure than punishment.
I did not realize you enjoyed Herbology. I knew your best subjects to be Charms and Transfiguration. Though I probably should have realized that a young woman such as yourself, who received almost all Outstandings on all her OWLs and NEWTs, would have a vast interest in all subjects. I’m delighted to have this in common with you. If you are available, why don’t you join me at the Manor tomorrow around three o’clock? We’ll spend some time perusing the gardens and I’ll show you both greenhouses. I have some very prized roses, and Severus keeps his Asphodels there as well. I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing both.
Dress casually and we’ll take an early dinner on the terrace as it is supposed to be a beautiful day.
Love,
Master
It had been three months since M had appeared and Draco had yet to speak to her. He knew he was being cowardly. So many times he had come close and then a random memory would come to mind of him being awful to her and he would lose his nerve again. Absently, he played with the straw in his drink as he watched the buxom Mistress chat amiably with two Dominants, Curtis and Taylor.
Hermione watched her blond friend and felt a mix of pity and impatient weariness. “Draco, really. This has gone on long enough. Just go talk to her. She’s actually kinda…well, I won’t say nice, but she’s relatively approachable.”
Draco shot Hermione a curious look. “When did you speak to her?”
Hermione shrugged. “After she spanked me on stage. Your father made me seek her out a few days later to thank her.”
Draco looked back at the voluptuous object of his obsession. “Did you have an actual conversation with her?”
“Well, no…not really. I thanked her and told her it was nice to see her. She smiled at me, although I wouldn’t say it was a…friendly smile. It was kind of a…if Lucius wasn’t here I would string you up in my basement and have my wicked way with you kind of smile.”
Draco groaned, and his chin collapsed onto his fists which were stacked on top of each other on the table. “What I would give for that look,” he bemoaned with a wistful, childish pout.
All focus was redirected when the formidable Malfoy senior arrived. Lucius held his hand out to Hermione and nodded in greeting to his son. Draco tipped his head in return and continued to mope as Hermione stood and took her Master’s hand. She discreetly shot Draco a look of encouragement as she was being led off towards the basement.
Sitting alone and stewing in his thoughts, Draco watched M, hoping the opportunity would present where he could speak with her alone. His eyes lazily glanced up and down her luscious form. She was tall, almost as tall as he was and while he typically preferred more petite women, he found himself sexually stirred by her curves. He couldn’t help but consider it might be a nice change to be Dominated by a witch who could give the illusion of being able to overpower him. It would be an illusion, no doubt. He was still taller and more broad and he did not remember her being particularly strong magically.
Dressed in a simple black wrap around dress with stiletto heels, Draco felt she looked far sexier than the Dominatrices who walked around in studded, leather corsets. He enjoyed a practically-naked witch as much as the next wizard, but it was far more arousing to imagine what was hidden beneath silky fabric than to have it all displayed out in the open.
Draco sat up straight when his chance to talk to her finally seemed to come. Curtis and Taylor had turned towards another table and M was walking in Draco’s direction, probably heading downstairs to catch some of the Friday night displays.
Just as she was about to pass his table, Draco stood and gave her a small smile. “Hey, Millicent.”
She paused her steps and looked him straight in the eyes, causing him to swallow. She didn’t say anything for a second or two but then turned to fully face him.
Her unblinking and intense gaze caused him to nervously shift his focus towards his own feet. After another beat she responded, “Well, that’s a name I haven’t heard in a while.” She paused and then added, “Millicent doesn’t exist anymore. She’s been gone a very long time.”
Draco swallowed and met her eyes once again. “Look…M…Millie…whatever you want to be addressed as, I…well, I’ve been wanting to speak to you for a while. It’s just that I know I was the biggest arsehole on the planet back at school and as an adult, I’m ashamed of myself. I’m sure you want nothing to do with me, but I at least wanted to tell you I was sorry. I haven’t had the bollocks to approach you because I’m so…mortified.”
M looked at him curiously and then cast a dismissive shrug. “I have no idea what you are talking about. You were certainly a prat, but honestly, I hardly knew you at school, now did I?”
Draco shifted his feet. “Well, I’m glad it was of no bother to you, but I’ll never forgive myself for that night on the tower.” His gaze was downcast but when he glanced up to catch her reaction, there was a flash in her irises which proved she had not forgotten. She didn’t say anything but continued to watch him with the same piercing gaze that gave nothing away.
She was not making this easy for him. “Look, I just want to say I’m sorry. And if you ever…well,” he shrugged, hopelessly. “Never mind.”
“If I what, Draco?” Her tone was a touch sharp.
He swallowed.
When he didn’t answer she sauntered closer, tilting her head and throwing him a coy smile. She glanced from his eyes to his lips as she scraped a long red nail along his jaw. Her voice became smooth as silk. “What Draco? If I ever want to fuck? Is that what you were going to say?”
“No!” Draco replied vehemently.
She stepped back and smiled, knowingly. “Ahh. Play it your way then. You aren’t exactly subtle. You’ve been watching me like a hawk since New Year’s, Draco. I’m not only a woman, but a well-versed Dominatrix and I know libidinous lust…and need…and want when I see it. This sweet little dog and pony show you’re putting on is entirely unnecessary. Millicent, the school girl is long gone, but Mistress M will spank your little bottom every shade of red from the Sahara sunrise to the Hawaii sunset if you desire it.”
Draco’s jaw was halfway to the floor. He was at a total and complete loss what to say. Was this a trick? Was she testing his motive? His sincerity? Was she telling the truth?
“Aww, you look confused. So, I’ll make it easy for you. We were never friends, so let’s not pretend we should have been. If you want to scene with me, it’s very simple, really. Just fall to your knees and beg like a good little boy and we’ll see what happens.”
As much as he wanted to take her up on her offer, it just felt wrong. He looked down and took a breath before meeting her eyes once again. His voice was resigned and quiet. “Honestly? I really do want to be your friend. But that’s fair if you aren’t interested. In truth, I don’t deserve it.” He spotted Snape heading down the back hall. “See ya around, M.” He gave her small hesitant wave and stepped away, walking towards his Godfather. He needed to get away from her. He shouldn’t have hoped the conversation would go differently, it had left him as disappointed as he had assumed he would be.
If he had eyes on the back of his head, he would have seen a look of contemplation on the Mistress’ face as she watched him walk away.
Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. Dressed in a floral, flowy dress with a V-neck, long sleeves and a skirt that fell to just below her knees, she looked every bit the proper witch ready to spend Easter with her adopted Weasley family. The only thing she was missing was her date. She was pretty sure he’d be arriving any minute.
Fairly sure.
Well, a little bit sure.
He had said he would accompany her, after all. But now that Easter Sunday had arrived, Hermione found herself unbelieving. After all, this was Severus Snape she was talking about. In truth, it was a tough sell to imagine him helping with an Easter Egg hunt, or even passing the ham salad for that matter!
She was putting the finishing touches on her minimal eye makeup when she heard the unmistakable sound of an arrival via her floo. It could only be one person and the muscle in her chest fluttered nervously as the reality that she was about to present Severus Snape as her boyfriend to the entire Weasley clan took hold. Not that they didn’t already know he was coming, but…still.
She turned to greet him as he entered her bedroom, giving him a big smile. “You look very handsome, Severus.” He was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a grey button up shirt which was paired with his dragon hide boots and a black leather belt. He had a very nice body, a body which Hermione felt was often covered in too many layers. Today his attire accentuated his fit form and Hermione felt he looked rather sexy. She stepped close and brushed the front of his shirt as she threw him a coquettish glance. “Actually, quite…hot.”
His eyes narrowed and as he opened his mouth to say something that Hermione was certain would be self-derogatory, probably something about her needing glasses. She pressed up on her toes and touched her lips to his before any words could spill. One of his hands wrapped around the back of her slim neck, holding her in place as he deepened the kiss. Snape’s other hand eased up her thigh, under her dress, and delicately traced her skin to the waistband of her bikini-cut knickers. He plucked and snapped the band. “Hmm, any chance I can persuade you not to wear these?” He pulled back to meet her eyes with a roguish smirk.
“Not a chance,” she replied with a cocked brow.
He merely smiled teasingly with an unspoken promise of limits to be pushed in the future. She rolled her eyes and turned back towards her mirror, re-applying and fixing her now smudged lipstick.
He stepped behind her, watching her blot her lips before allowing his gaze to move down and back up again via her reflection in the mirror. His voice was rich and sultry, “You look beautiful, Mine. Deceptively innocent in your flowery dress.” His hands reached around and cradled her breasts, his eyes on his thumbs as they flicked her nipples, causing the now erect peaks to be visible against the thin fabric. His pupils blackened perceptibly as her body reflexively arched back into his. Her eyelids fluttered closed as his hands continued to knead her breasts and then work their way to her hips. When his fingers began to pull up her skirt, she exhaled lightly and opened her eyes. Her hands rested over his as she straightened and put a stop to what was about to happen.
She slid around to face him, and his hands gripped the dressing bureau behind her, pinning her in place. His lips found purchase on her neck as her hands slid around his waist. “You do realize we have to leave, don’t you? Working me into a state of frenzy right now would be hardly helpful.” She admonished, playfully.
He contemplated her words with an inscrutable stare. Nodding his apparent agreement, he conceded, “Hmm. Yes, perhaps you are right. It would be much more fun to work you into a state of frenzy after we arrive.”
Pushing him away, she stepped sideways, wiggling out of his hold. She often found it difficult to decipher when he was teasing, and she wanted him to understand what today meant to her. Her pleading eyes met his inscrutable ones. “Severus, please. Promise me you’ll behave. Today is important. This is the only family I have, and I really want everyone to...”
“What? Like me?” he chuckled. “Not likely to happen. Although they might pretend for your benefit.” Severus watched the nervous anguish on his witch’s face and took pity. “Relax, Hermione,” he whispered in his smooth baritone as he reached out and pulled her back to him. “I understand what today is and will endeavor to make you happy.”
Hermione stared at his eyes, searching for any hidden mirth and not finding anything but sincerity, teased lightly, “Ok…just not…too happy.”
Catching her meaning, he chuckled. “I shall try to control myself.”
Hermione smirked.
“Why is that not more reassuring?”
He laughed. “You sound like Lucius.” He grabbed her hand. “Come, see what I brought you.”
Hermione let him lead her back to her living room. He dropped her hand and picked up a small jar. “Here is some of the fertilizer I told you about. A pinch once a week will suffice.” He put the jar down and then lifted a beautifully potted Easter Lily. “I brought this for us to take to Molly,” he gestured towards her sofa table, “and your tea roses are already in a vase.”
Hermione felt such a flush of affection for this man before her, she couldn’t help but throw her arms around him. “Thank you, Severus. I was going to only take wine, but the Easter Lily is a lovely touch. And thank you for the tea roses, as always.” Hermione felt tension melt away as she held him and nestled her cheek into his chest. His hands rubbed soothingly up and down her back.
After a moment he spoke, and she realized she had lost herself in his embrace. His whispered words reminded her they needed to leave. “Aren’t we going to be late?”
She regretfully pulled away. “Yes, yes you’re right. Let’s get going.”
As they walked down her street towards the Apparition point, Hermione suddenly was seized with panic. Charlie! What if Charlie’s there? She had not seen him since their nice, but slightly awkward, Christmas romp. Her eyes shifted nervously to the wizard walking next to her and she pondered saying anything. Should she tell him? She decided against it but then changed her mind at the last minute. “Oh, umm, just so you know, Charlie Weasley and I…we had a one-night thing at Christmas.” She grabbed his arm and Apparated before the wizard could respond.
The minute they landed, Snape spun her around to face him. She looked up at him with wide eyes and suddenly realized it had been unfair and foolish to spring that on him in such a way. She watched as he closed frustrated eyes and opened perfectly calm ones. “I see. Anything else I should know?”
Swallowing heavily, she went for full honesty. “Umm…he tied me up?”
Severus rolled his eyes and tried not to sound impatient. “Any other partners, besides Ron or Charlie, that I will be in the company of today?”
She shook her head and answered, her words coming out faster the more she spoke. “No, Severus. His name hadn’t entered my mind in months and I just thought of it and panicked, and I spurted it out without thinking and I’m…” She took a calming breath and swallowed. “I just don’t want to have any secrets like that from you. I want to be as honest as possible.”
Looking down at her earnest and beautiful face, Severus nodded and whispered, “Thank you for telling me, Hermione.” He took her hand and kissed it as they started to walk the small path towards The Burrow.
Hermione smiled as they got closer, the familiar Weasley holiday soundtrack was already in progress – squeals of mirth from small children as well as adult laughter and chatter could be heard. As Severus and Hermione rounded the Dancing Azalea (a species of magical Azalea that shook and jiggled its branches when laughter was nearby) they came upon the large clan nestled about several tables. An unusual warm spot of weather had hit for this time of year, and Molly opted to move the celebration outside once again.
Hermione tried to maintain her calm as no less than ten sets of eyes turned their way. The chatter had stopped and there was a dead silence as the group watched Hermione and her date approach. They seemed to remember themselves quickly enough and the conversation resumed as Harry and Ron were the first to jump up from the table and rush towards them.
Snape dropped her hand and watched as first Ron and then Harry threw themselves around the witch in a group hug. Hermione pulled back. “Uhh, guys? You remember Severus.”
Harry nodded and put his hand out to shake. “Of course. Great to see you again, sir.”
Severus took Harry’ hand and shook it firmly. “Potter.”
Ron, looking a bit uncomfortable stuck his hand out as well. “Hello…profess…uhh, sir.”
Severus shook the offered limb and tried to suppress the random and delicious body-disposing methods that came into his mind. “Weasley,” he drawled, barely able to keep the derision out of his voice. It wasn’t the fact that Ron had dated Hermione that bothered him. He didn’t like it, but he could live with it. However, he held no respect for a wizard who slept with a witch for two years and couldn’t be bothered to give her an orgasm. It was unfathomable and simply…rude.
As the four of them walked towards the large assembly, others jumped up to offer hellos and good wishes. Ginny was the first and Severus was suddenly taken aback by her pregnant state. Somehow, he had missed that detail when he had seen her in the dressing room of Twilfitt and Tattings. “Hi Severus, great to see you,” she beamed radiantly at him. He couldn’t help but feel it was a genuine greeting and offered one his own rare smiles in return. “Ginny, nice to see you again.”
When Luna stood, looking even more pregnant than Ginny, Severus turned to Hermione and whispered, “Do not drink the water.”
Hermione giggled as Luna stepped over to them. She hugged Hermione and seemed to study the black-haired wizard for a moment. He was just beginning to feel uncomfortable when she smiled up at him and said airily, “Hello, Professor Snape.” She reached out to shake his hand.
“Hello, Miss…Weasley now is it? Please call me Severus, for I am no longer a professor, much less yours,” he replied as he took her offered hand to shake it.
Hermione watched in curious disbelief when the minute their hands touched, Luna turned pink. Hermione had never seen Luna blush before and found herself suddenly concerned over what had brought on such a reaction. Luna didn’t say anything and watched Snape closely for a minute as she let her hand fall back to her side. “You can call me, Luna…sir.” Neither Hermione nor Snape missed the tacked on ‘sir’. Luna seemed to regain her composure and looked at Hermione. “Plant extra aloe, Hermione. It has soothing and healing properties. I think you’ll need it for the foreseeable future.”
Hermione knew she was blushing. Damn Luna and her clairvoyance…frankly, Hermione felt Luna could be declared an outright Seer at this point. Snape was giving Hermione a questionable glance and Hermione whispered, “later.”
George, Angelina, Bill, Fleur, Percy and Audrey waved their greetings with friendly smiles and barely concealed curious glances as Hermione and Snape headed into the house to find Molly. Of course they found her in the kitchen. “Hermione,” she beamed, pulling the young woman into a hug. Turning her attention to the tall and cautious wizard at her side, Molly smiled warmly at him. “And Severus. We are so pleased you could join us today.”
Severus held the Easter Lily out to her, “Thank you for the invitation.”
Molly looked surprised by the gesture for a hair’s breadth of a second before she took the plant and thanked him. “Thank you, Severus. So beautiful.”
“Luna suggested these varieties of wines, Molly, I hope I brought enough.” Hermione laid out the eight bottles as well as a bottle of Arthur’s favorite whisky. It was a tradition that Hermione brought Arthur an occasional bottle of Ogden’s Special Reserve. The wizard would never treat himself to such a purchase, so Hermione made it a point to surprise him randomly with a bottle.
“More than enough, my dear. More than enough. Now out with the two of you!” She started to shoo them from the kitchen. “I have cooking to do, and you know I don’t like obstacles in my kitchen.”
Hermione laughed and grabbed Snape’s arm.
“Oh and take some of those bottles with you.” Molly gestured towards the wine as she donned a dragon mitt on her right hand. Snape was stunned when she opened the oven door and the mitt shot fire. Catching his curiosity, Molly beamed. “It’s for roasting and browning. Such a wonderful gift from Charlie.” Her pride and joy at the thoughtful gift was obvious.
Hermione and Severus each grabbed two bottles and started out of the kitchen.
“Mom, I couldn’t find the yellow ones, but these…oomph!” Just as Hermione was walking out the door, Charlie was walking in. He was too distracted looking at the cloth napkins in his hands to be paying attention and plowed right into the witch, causing her to lose her balance.
Both wizards instinctively reached out to grab her, Snape from behind and Charlie from the front. Charlie had the unfortunate luck to have his hands slip from her arms to her breasts as she fell back.
The world seemed to come to a stop as Charlie looked up with horror into the formidable eyes of his former potions professor, his hands still resting on Hermione’s chest. He yanked them back instantly. “Oh, hey Hermione! Sorry – didn’t see you there.”
“Obviously,” Snape droned out.
“Hey, Charlie!” Hermione squeaked, her voice a bit strained and a lot less natural than she would have liked it. She righted herself and stepped to the side, allowing Charlie to pass. Somehow, she had managed not to drop a bottle.
Charlie, trying to make the best of an awkward situation, held his hand out to Snape. “Hey, Professor. It’s good to see you.”
Snape tucked the bottle in his right hand under his left arm and grasped Charlie’s hand and gave it a firm shake. “Charlie Weasley, how goes the world of dragon taming?”
“Ahh, you know, same ole, same ole.”
Hermione felt like she had stepped into an alternate universe as the two men carried on a conversation that she felt seemed a bit forced. “Severus, we should probably get this wine outside.” She turned back to Charlie. “See you outside?”
“Sure, sure. Be right out.”
Hermione led the way, simply anxious to get away from Charlie. It wasn’t that she felt uncomfortable around him, he was sweet and harmless, but Snape and Charlie talking was wigging her out a bit.
Hermione and Snape came in on the tail end of a conversation about naps. They set the bottles on the beverage table and then stepped towards the group who were situated around a picnic table large enough to accommodate the entire party.
Fleur spoke with the knowledge of a mother who had more experience than the other parents at the table. “All I know eez you must force ze babeees to zleep. Uzerwize, they are cranky and very difficult. Ve must have our adult time in ze evenings.” She cut a flirtatious look back at Bill and then glanced at the others, daring them to disagree.
“Well, I find that if I lay down with them, they tend to rest. Or perhaps, I’m asleep and don’t know the difference,” Luna chimed.
Hermione felt herself disappointed that once again the conversation revolved around something she could provide absolutely no input. This was not an easy situation for her to be in. Being highly educated, not to mention a lawyer, Hermione held opinions about many things. Being unable to contribute to these conversations furthered her alienation.
As though he could read her mind, Snape pulled her to his side and onto his lap as he sat at the end of the table. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she felt a slight blush at the show of intimacy. She tucked her hair behind her ear and peeked down the table finding herself curious as to what the reactions would be. Conversation had once again stopped, and every eye was on them. George whispered something that earned him a smack on the head from Angelina and a giggle from Audrey. Percy looked too gob-smacked to respond. However, within a matter of seconds, the shocked and curious expressions faded, and conversation resumed. Hermione relaxed back into Snape relishing not only his affection, but the long-awaited joy of not being an odd wheel.
All eyes moved to the Weasley patriarch as he approached the table with a smug look of satisfaction. “Grandpa strikes again. Got them all down,” he boasted with a wide smile. It was a little argued fact that no one held more esteem and awe to the Weasley grandchildren than Grandpa Arthur. He also had a talent for getting them to nap.
“C’mon, admit it, Dad. You’re sneaking them shots of firewhisky,” Bill teased.
“Son, it’s all about delivery. A well told story and a warm blanket and off they go with the sandman.” Arthur’s eyes lit up when he spotted Hermione. She hopped off Snape’s lap and met Arthur halfway as he approached her. Pulling her into a monster hug, Hermione relished the comfort of the man who had become a father figure to her over the years. Her knowledge of Muggle devices, ways, and technology only furthered his delight in her company. After releasing Hermione, he stepped around to Snape, who was now standing, and shook the taciturn man’s hand. “Ah, Severus. So glad you could join us today. Welcome.”
“Thank you, Arthur.” His response was spoken quietly but his handshake was firm.
Hermione stepped back to the beverage table and poured wine for herself and Severus. “Can I get anyone a drink?”
Percy jumped up. “I’ll take a cider. Anybody else?”
Ginny looked back over her shoulder towards her brother as she shielded her eyes from the sun. “Anything non-alcoholic over there?”
“Coke? Dandelion and Burdock? Pumpkin juice?” Percy asked as he took over the role of beverage host.
Hermione eased back to Snape and sat next to him as others jumped up from the table to grab drinks.
She handed Severus his glass with a small, teasing grin. “The label has an adorable Labrador puppy on it. Let me know if you like it.”
He took a sip and was about to respond when Charlie approached, his hands full of napkins and silverware. He glanced amongst his siblings. “Up you get. Mom’s hit level three and wants the table made.”
The group groaned and stood. George, who was now sitting closest to his former professor, explained. “You don’t want mom to hit level five. Trust me. We need to head this off at the pass.”
Hermione laughed lightly. “She just wants everything to be perfect and can get a little frustrated with this motley crew.” She looked at Severus as she helped spread the table cloth and continued to explain. “Over the years they’ve developed numerical code for her escalating – ”
“Craziness,” chided George.
“More like insanity,” corrected Bill.
“I was going to say…impatience,” Hermione said with a scolding look at the two Weasleys. Looking appropriately chagrined, they chortled as they helped.
The table cloth was spread, and placings were set with napkins, plates and silverware within a matter of minutes. The group resituated themselves around the table while the conversation fell into a comfortable chatter. Hermione was relieved to realize Snape’s appearance was drawing less focus. The cries of the infant, Molly, in Audrey’s arms pulled the conversation back to the delights of having children and Hermione sagged into Snape’s side resignedly. His hand stroked her bare thigh under her skirt and as it moved towards dangerous territory, she slipped her hand on top, causing its explorations to cease immediately.
“Well, I adore children.” Ginny was nestled back into Harry’s chest, his arms wrapped around her. Her hands were absently playing with the fingers of his right. “I could actually see myself having a slew of them. Eight or more.” Hermione noticed Harry grow slightly pale with this statement and stifled a chuckle causing Ginny to shoot her a reproving glance. Others around the table were outright laughing as Ginny lectured, in a surprisingly Molly-Weasley-like way. “Just wait, HG, once you have your first you’ll understand. It’s the most powerful magic of all, the feeling of a baby inside you.”
“Yeah, but eight? Or more? You’re mental, Gin,” Ron chided his sister from across the table.
“You realize, the uterus is not a clown car,” Severus said simply as he cut the red-headed witch a curious look, his silky baritone carrying easily over the crowd.
Silence.
Then George snorted.
And that was it. The entire table fell into uproarious laughter and guffaws. Harry was laughing so hard he had tears streaming down his face. Snape merely smirked as he sipped his wine and held onto his witch. Hermione was giggling not only in humor but in the relief that Snape’s joke had been well received. If it had not been for a culture expedition where Hermione and Harry had dragged the entire Weasley clan to a muggle circus the prior summer, the tease would have fallen flat. She looked back over her shoulder at her man and smiled widely, the wine leaving her emboldened. “Haven’t I told you, Severus? I’m thinking a baker’s dozen!”
All eyes immediately were on Snape, certain a sarcastic or a scalding remark would follow such a proclamation.
“Hmm, I was thinking along the lines of two or three,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. The words may have been said quietly but everyone heard, and jaws were practically on the plates. Hermione couldn’t help the blush that crept over her skin. No one at the table could doubt his affection for her after saying such a thing. Even if the context had been under a playful foundation, this was Severus Snape.
When Hermione glanced back around the table, the looks towards them were more contemplative in nature, accepting even. Luna was smiling serenely at them. It was Charlie’s knowing gaze that caused her to flush. He wagged his eyebrows and smiled before picking up his drink and turning to speak to Percy on his right. Hermione chewed her lip as she realized Charlie had more insight into her relationship with Snape than anyone else at the gathering, save Luna perhaps.
Just then, Molly approached with a dozen platters levitating at her side towards the table. Not wanting to eat before the children woke from their naps, the platters were placed under a stasis charm but laid out for all to admire. Ham, potatoes, hot cross buns, roast beef, carrots and green beans were just a few of the dishes placed on the table. While Hermione and Snape were still a curiosity, the obvious stares had stopped, and Hermione felt herself relax. So far, her inclusion of Snape had gone quite well.
An hour later the children had joined them, and the feasting had begun. Unfortunately, the little ones were eager for the egg hunt and were not terribly interested in eating. In years past, the children’s fun had been in the morning prior to lunch and naps. However, this year, the schedule was changed due to Luna’s insistence that the snorklerooks were breeding in the morning grass and disturbing them would bring terrible luck on all their heads. She had been quite adamant. However, judging by the furtive glances between Fleur and Ginny, next year the old schedule would be reimplemented, snorklerooks be damned!
The children were just beginning to become unbearable, feeding off each other’s impatience and bad-behavior, when the most shocking thing happened.
In his signature teaching voice that had tormented each and every one of them at the table at some point or another, (excluding Molly and Arthur, of course) Snape looked the four oldest children in the eyes and said, “Victoire, James, Aries and Apollo, look at me. Listen very closely.” The two-year old, Dominique looked up, seemingly irritated that her name hadn’t been included.
“Yes, you as well, Dominique,” he added as he met her large, blue eyes.
All four, including the three two and half year old’s, stopped and looked at Snape as though mesmerized. He gazed at them seriously, but not cruelly and lifted his wand. He tapped it lightly on the table, causing a few sparks to shoot up into the air. Hermione sat stunned as the children were captivated. “Each of you will find a surprise on your plate. A surprise that is hidden. It could be under your potatoes or it could be under your beef, but it is hidden and can only be uncovered by ingesting – That. Is. To. Say. Eating. – what is on your plate.” His eyes shot to James’. “Ah, James. Yes, I can see your mind working out the puzzle. It won’t work. Simply moving the food around your plate will not unearth the mystery. It must be eaten.”
Victoire, the oldest of all the children at almost seven, looked doubtful and cast a glance from her plate back up to the wizard with the dark eyes. Severus met her gaze with a signature cocked brow which caused her to promptly shoot her ice blue eyes back to her plate.
No one said a word. They simply watched in amazement as the children slowly began to eat with their focus intent on their plates, waiting for this great secret to reveal itself. Hermione tilted her head to her wizard on her right and whispered, “What’s the secret?”
He shrugged as he sipped his wine. “I’ve no idea. We have about three minutes to enjoy the peace and think of something.”
Hermione felt her heart race with panic. “Severus, what were you thinking? The children are expe…”
He smirked. “Relax, little one.”
She froze and noticed the mirth in his eyes. Realizing he had been teasing her, she play punched him in the arm. “Oh you!” When she looked back towards the table, it was to find thirteen pairs of adult eyes staring at them. While it was unlikely anyone had heard their words, the playful exchange was certainly noticed as was her playful brutality and scolding of him. A reprimanding glare from the witch caused them each to return their focus to their own meals.
“Wow,” Victoire whispered in amazement as she swallowed the last bite of food. Her eyes were glued to her plate and the other children were watching with wide eyed curiosity.
“Well, what ish it?” Ron asked, his mouth full of green beans. He leaned closer to his niece and smiled as he glanced down on her plate. The toile design of the plate morphed its lines and angles into magnificent colors and moving spherical designs as though looking thorough a kaleidoscope. Victoire picked up her plate and moved it around causing the designs to shift and the colors to change.
The other children rushed through their meals, eager to see what Victoire had found to be so enthralling.
Snape looked at Molly. “Molly, I assumed the plates are charmed not to break?”
“Oh, of course. They’ve been charmed since Bill and Charlie were in nappies.”
The adults around the table mouthed words of thanks to Snape as the children finished their meals and became engrossed with the designs on their plates. It was a brief period of reprieve, but provided enough for the adults to enjoy a little peace as they finished their meals and enjoyed light conversation.
Hermione squeezed Snape’s knee under the table in gratitude. The day was going better than she could have imagined.
After the feast, Hermione and Snape sat quietly and watched as the children dashed about looking for the elusive eggs. Charmed eggs that dashed and hid to avoid being spotted and caught. Hermione laughed as James dove for a yellow egg that slid two feet to the left when he made his grab, causing him to slide in the grass and guffaw with merriment.
“Hmm, he tied you up, did he?” The whispered question tickled her ear as she felt her belly clench in an almost Pavlovian response to his seductive Snape-tone.
Playing dumb she leaned closer. “What was that?”
His hand snaked around her waist and pulled her closer as he watched the children run about. “What else did he do to you?”
“It was nothing. It was just one night. I told him what I wanted, and he did it without making me feel like a tart for asking. He’s a good man. Don’t hex him.”
Hermione sipped her wine as his hand rubbed her hip. “Did he bring you to orgasm?”
She swallowed, her eyes searching for the wizard of their discussion. “Yes, twice.” She whispered, spotting Charlie laughing as he held Apollo’s hand and helped him catch eggs.
After another brief pause, Snape asked, “Why only one night?”
Hermione smirked as she stood with the intention of helping a frustrated James capture some eggs. Leaning over, she placed a tender kiss against his forehead before responding, “Because he wasn’t you.” She turned and shouted to James as she trotted up to take his hand and pull him into the thick of things, completely missing Snape’s look of surprise.
Hermione was coming out of the loo when Charlie came around the corner and spotted her. “Hey you,” he said with a small smile.
She paused her steps. “Hey yourself.”
“So, Snape, huh? How’d that happen?”
Hermione glanced out the window and spotted Severus talking to Molly. “It’s a rather long story, actually.”
When her attention turned back to him, he asked softly. “Does he make you happy? Does he…meet your needs?”
Hermione felt herself blush. “Charlie, that’s really none…”
“I just want to know you’re in a good place, Hermione. I know it didn’t rock your world, you know, that night. But it has stuck with me. I’ve found myself craving…well, let’s just say I liked what we did. Only I don’t know where to meet witches who are into that kind of stuff. I mean it’s not something you blurt out and ask.”
Hermione watched him for a minute, her lip twitching into a small smile. “You liked that, huh?”
Charlie rubbed the back of his neck as a small blush crept over his cheek and ears. “Hell yeah, I liked it. Where do I go to get more of that?”
Hermione couldn’t help but laugh. After a minute she decided to help him. “There’s a club. It’s secret kept in Knockturn Alley. You’ll find many like-minded individuals there. It has a general area that non-members can have access to if they are invited. I can meet you there on a Tuesday or a Thursday to introduce you around. Severus is really the person you should talk to about it.”
Charlie turned completely white. “Uhh, that’s a conversation I’d rather not have. I’d like to keep my testicles, thank you very much.”
“Relax, he already knows about you – I told him. Besides, he’s an owner of the club. He’s a good person to talk to. There are others I can introduce you to as well.” She could see the nervous trepidation written plainly on his face.
Hermione spoke reassuringly. “Come to the club, Charlie. You can talk to Severus or you can meet others who might be able to guide you a bit. You can at least see that you are not alone.”
He stared at her for a minute and then sighed. “Ok.”
“I’ll owl you a calling card with the address. It will grant you entry.” She watched him another minute. “Charlie, don’t tell anyone, ok? I’m not ready for…“ She looked out the window at her adopted family. “I’m not ready and it’s not their business anyway.”
Charlie’s eyes softened. “Hermione, it’s our secret. I would never disclose anything like that and…thank you, ok?”
She smiled warmly at him. “Of course, Charlie.”
Severus watched Molly from across the table as she beamed at her grandchildren. Now that he was really looking at her, the resemblance was striking. Granted, Lucinda Prewitt had been a more petite witch, but the red hair and the brown eyes were similar. Even the shape of their mouths and noses were similar.
Severus proceeded cautiously. “You have an Aunt Lucinda? What is she up to these days?”
Molly turned to him, astonished surprise on her face, her lips turned up in a smile. “How do you know Lucy?”
Severus held back his chortle. Lucy? She would have whipped him raw if he had called her that. “I knew her twenty-five or so years ago. Not very well, mind you.” That was a lie. Severus knew his training Mistress intimately and had thought of her often over the years.
Molly sighed. “She has become somewhat of a recluse. She married about six or seven years ago and moved to his estate in Holland.” She sighed. “I haven’t seen her in over twelve years. I receive the occasional owl.”
Snape’s brows peaked. He had not heard she had married. Did Lucius know?
“Married, huh?”
“Hmm, yes. We were all surprised. I’ve not met him, but Aunt Muriel says he’s a well-respected and powerful wizard in Holland. “
And likely submissive, Severus concluded thoughtfully.
Molly watched Severus and he could see the cogwheels turning. “Like I said, I really didn’t know her very well. But seeing you today brought her memory back and I was merely curious.”
Seeming mollified, Molly looked back at her family scurrying around in the grass and bushes. She would keep her opinions to herself about her aunt, a woman who had always been quiet and shy and a bit odd in Molly’s opinion. Molly just couldn’t identify with a woman who had no desire for children. Then there was the time a young Molly had been visiting her Aunt’s home and found a secret room off the basement. A room full of items which at the time merely left the young girl curious. However, as an adult, Molly knew exactly what kind of room that had been and just what kind of activities her Aunt had gotten up to. Glancing another peek at Severus she briefly wondered, but then tossed the thought aside. After all, Severus would be a good fifteen to twenty years younger than Lucy.
It wasn’t until after seven in the evening that Hermione and Snape made it back to her flat. She was exhausted and had not realized how much tension she had been holding until it began to slowly work its way out of her over the course of the afternoon. Now that Easter was behind her, and had gone so very well, she felt like a wet noodle. She was certain Severus would feel the same way, it couldn’t have been easy for him.
As they took off their cloaks, Hermione turned to him. He stepped to her and pulled her close, enveloping her small form into his arms. “I’m wiped,” she whispered.
“Yes, it was a…long day.” His voice held no disdain or irritation. He merely sounded as tired as she was.
She peeked up at him. “Thank you, Severus. Thank you for going with me and thank you for…”
He smirked. “Behaving?”
“You exceeded expectations. You managed to tolerate Harry and the entire Weasley clan without throwing a single hex. You even managed to make them enjoy your company.”
“And there it is. I was certain you had a bit of madness within you just itching to make itself known. You were entirely too perfect.”
She matched his smirk. “Oh stop. You are excellent company when you choose to be, Severus Snape, and now my family knows it as well.”
His eyes lit up and a playful grin crept over his growing five o’clock shadow. “Exceeded expectations, huh?”
She chewed her lip and nodded, playfully.
“And just what reward does an Exceeded Expectations earn an ornery old wizard such as myself these days?”
“Well, I don’t rightfully know.” She chewed her lip. “A cup of tea, perhaps?”
“Hardly inspiring, witch.”
“A biscuit with your tea, maybe?”
“I’m quivering with excitement, “ he drawled lazily.
“How about I draw you a bath and prepare your tea and treat while you bathe.”
“Hmm, I think I’d prefer my treat while I’m bathing.”
She looked up at him coyly. “But then your biscuit will get all wet and soggy.”
The corner of his lip drew up as his look became a touch predatory. “Well, it just so happens that wet and soggy is exactly how I like my biscuit.” He slapped her bottom causing her to squeal.
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back towards the bath. “Come, wench, I find myself very dirty and feel I require your assistance with a vigorous scrubbing.”
Hermione giggled as she followed him, ignoring the small niggle at the back of her mind. A tickle reminding her of her usual Sunday companion and she couldn’t help but wonder how he spent his Easter. Realizing she would be seeing him the next night as they had agreed to postpone, she pushed him to the back of her mind and focused on the wizard who was looking down at her with very needy eyes.
Needy eyes that made her guilt bloom for waiting over two weeks to tell him she was able to be fully intimate with him. Of course she had her reasons, she had been nervous and intimidated at first. She had worried that taking the next step too soon would cause a problem. By the time she had been ready to move forward, Aunt Flow turned up and she had bled through the following Saturday morning. (Her periods, because they only came four times a year, were always heavy and usually lasted 6-8 days.)
She waited until they were in the shower and Snape’s were hands lazily rubbing soap into her curves before she turned to him, eyes lifting to meet his briefly before demurely looking away. Lucius’ words of “don’t deny your nature, but no scening” tumbled through her head.
“What is it, Mine?” he said, automatically recognizing her needs and assuming the Dominant role just as she assumed the submissive one.
“I think what I am going to tell you will upset you, but I ask that you remember I had my period this week,” she started softly.
“Look at me.” It was a command and she immediately raised her eyes to his. “Tell me.”
“I have been told we can be intimate. No scening, but we do not have to deny our natures.”
Snape’s body froze in shock as his eyebrows raising clear to his hair line. “And when were you told this?” His voice was cautious, she had already told him she felt he would be upset.
“Please don’t be mad,” she murmured.
“Hermione,” he said softly, cautiously, “tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.”
“The twenty-first,” she whispered, her eyes roaming his face anxiously. She hated the way his expression went blank as he hid his emotions from her.
“Why?”
“Why did I wait?”
“Yes.”
“I was scared,” she admitted, her voice wavering.
“Why scared?” It was obviously not what he was expecting, his head tilted as he studied her contemplatively. Snape reached behind her for the shampoo, working very hard to control not only his disappointment, but his insecurities as well. He didn’t understand why she had needed over two weeks to be ready to be intimate with him. He poured a handful of the fragrant soap into his hands before turning her again and tilting her head back. He would let her talk it out before reacting, he had found that if he reacted before she explained things that he often came out looking like a jerk. Her reasons were almost always understandable.
“Because the last time we did this, everything backfired,” she confessed, “but to be frank with you, I had no intention of waiting this long. I had figured out by the following week I was ready. I know we are in a much better and more secure place and that I was just being silly and over thinking it,” she was rambling, but the guarded look on his face was breaking her heart. He worked the shampoo through her curls with practiced ease that made her want to moan in pleasure. “But then I didn’t see you until Friday, and my period showed up and, oh Gods, that feels good,” she sighed. “At that point I figured it would be best kept to myself until I was in the clear, or you would undoubtedly talk me into sleeping with you while I was on the rag. And, well, I want it to be special – don’t get me wrong, I’m not expecting romance and candles and all the jazz – but I definitely don’t want to be a bloody mess (literally) when it’s done. That would be mortifying. And – ”
“Hermione.” Good Lord, the witch was exasperating when she was nervous. That trait certainly hadn’t changed at all in the last fifteen years. She rambled almost nonsensically until someone made her stop. “Be quiet,” he insisted and chuckled when her mouth snapped shut with an audible clack of her teeth. “You have explained yourself, and I understand your reasonings even if I’m not pleased with them.”
Again he nudged her, indicating she turn around before taking her jaw in one hand and gently tilting her head back into the shower spray, rinsing away the foamy soap. He watched in admiration as the white suds sluiced down her form and over her breasts calling his cock to immediate attention; it filled rapidly with his arousal.
He pulled her back out of the spray, but kept his fingers firmly at her neck, forcing her to look at him. “While I will not punish you for your secrets this time, mostly because I am not allowed to, I will make you pay for making me wait two weeks longer than necessary to bury myself inside you.” Hermione’s eyes widened in surprise, even as they darkened with growing desire. “It’s been months, witch. Months. And I have wanted you badly ever since the morning you crawled out of my bed back in November.”
“Severus.” It was said imploringly, with a deep seated need that left him breathless. He answered the siren’s call with his lips, crashing them to hers like waves against the deadly rocks of Sirenum Scopuli.
Snape kissed her hungrily as the hand encircling her throat slid into her damp hair. He twisted and yanked her head back roughly, taking her pained gasp into his mouth before trailing his tongue and teeth down her chin to nip at her jaw bone before suckling her neck. He smirked against her pulse point, knowing exactly what he intended to do to make her suffer in the most pleasurable way possible.
He pulled away carefully before reaching behind her to pick up the loofa. He handed it to her, smirking when she gave him a confused look. She was panting with desire, her eyes clouded with lust. “Wash me,” he demanded, “thoroughly, and well.” Hermione’s expression flickered with understanding and he gave her a wicked grin.
“Severus, please no more,” she begged, her eyes brimming with tears of frustration. She was so hot that her body was covered in a sheen of sweat from being poised to climax for too long. The coil in her womb ached with the need to spring free. Not that she hadn’t learned her lessons of being edged well over the last few months; she would even go so far as to say edging was a delicious form of foreplay and made the following orgasms explosive, but she couldn’t take any more. She had lost count of how many times she had been a breath away from detonating only to have him back off. Hermione was well aware he was just proving to her she was in for a world of scrumptious hurt when he was her Master. However, his point had been made and she was definitely not above begging.
Hermione’s heart literally stuttered to a stop in her chest when his eyes raised from his torture of her quim to meet hers. They simmered like glowing coals and a sly smirk split his features. “I have to admit,” his silky voice sent a visible shiver down her spine and his smile widened, “you lasted much longer than I had anticipated.”
She froze. Had this been a test of some sort? Cautiously she replied, “And does that please you?” The huskiness of her voice startled her, but his eyes only darkened impossibly further in response. Snape rose above her, pressing a kiss to her jutting hip bone before trailing light kisses up the center of her abdomen.
He nipped the underside of her left breast, causing her to gasp and arch. “Very.” He nipped the other breast. “Very.” He tongued the valley between, and she could feel his heavy, turgid erection press against her inner thigh and whimpered. “Much.” His warm, honied breath caressed her face just as he settled his lips over hers in a deep, toe curling kiss – the first since they started this excursion in the shower.
Snape did not enter her yet, even though he was practically on death’s door with the need to. Instead, he gave her the deep, penetrating kiss she had been wanting for almost the last hour. He reveled in the way she melted under him while her arms twined around his shoulders and her nails dug into the muscles surrounding his shoulder blades.
In the back of his mind, he was more than impressed with her this evening. He had edged her, by his count, twenty-three times in the last fifty minutes or so. Not once had she tried to take over their intimacies, not once had she tried to direct her wants. The minx had taken everything he had given her.
Oh, of course she had groaned her protests, of course she had sobbed her need. For a moment, when he had told her to make him come, she had looked at him with such a mix of anger and frustration he had almost laughed out loud. But she had never contradicted him. Had it been a test? Had he been challenging her resolve? Her abilities as a submissive? Perhaps a little. Mostly though, he had been determined to make this moment in their lives memorable and he felt he had more than succeeded.
Very slowly he brought their kiss to an end, nibbling and sucking on her lips until they were both calm and still. Snape pulled back, running his nose along hers before pressing tender kisses onto each of her closed eyes. “Hermione?” he whispered against her cheek. He drew back just a bit, waiting for her eyes to flutter open. “Tell me again.”
She knew just what he wanted. He had told her he wouldn’t fuck her until she begged him. “Please, Severus,” she murmured as she tilted her face up to kiss his lips chastely. “Please come into me.”
“Keep your eyes on me.” The command was soft but firm. He slid one arm under her shoulders, pulling their upper bodies tight together before moving the other between their legs to line his cock up with her opening.
Snape could read every emotion on her face, and the blatant affection, trust, and adoration in her eyes made his chest tight with feeling. As he pushed himself into her more than primed pussy and felt her incredible heat envelop him, a primal growl was ripped from his throat even as her breathy moan met his ears. Her body trembled almost violently beneath him.
“Oh, Severus,” Hermione whispered. Her eyes were locked to his as he had instructed and were wet with tears. Instinctively he knew the tears were good, that she was as overwhelmed as he was. “Oh, God,” she choked while he seated himself fully into her. “Oh, please…” It was a whine and a gasp and Snape had no way to answer her. His jaw was clenched so tight at the inundation of pure fire and emotion of having his witch wrapped around him.
It was…
Sublime.
Magnificent.
Transcendent.
Better than the first time by leaps and bounds.
Nothing had ever felt so much like being welcomed into a warm, cozy, and perfect home. When he bottomed out inside her, her legs automatically wrapped around his hips to draw him in that last precious inch, making them both sound their pleasure audibly.
She moved her arms and traversed the grooves of his trapezoids to his deltoids to finally cup his face. Brushing her fingers over the rigid lines of his features, she spoke. “Tell me,” she begged as a tear leaked out of one corner of her eye. “Severus, tell me it’s the same for you. Please.”
Snape could see the fear in her eyes mixed with the wonder and the need and the desperation. He could see her desire for reassurance. Her need to know that this connection they had, that had exploded in a silence of epic proportion when they joined to become one, was felt on his end as much as hers.
He knew what she wanted from him – and it wasn’t an orgasm, it wasn’t friction, it wasn’t just lust needing to be fulfilled. It was his dedication, his commitment. She needed him to confirm that this magnetism that started all those many weeks ago was reciprocated. That the accumulation of their ups and downs, their rights and wrongs had all come together in this moment to create a bond neither of them had had the full knowledge of.
That their time abstaining, of getting to know each other, of building a true foundation to their relationship had been worth it for this one moment alone. That this one moment would be the fertile soil where more could blossom. That this one moment was the catalyst that would lead to hundreds of thousands of moments in their lives together.
The part of him that was so used to being alone, so used to hiding himself from everyone, told him to get the fuck out of there. To end it. To guard his heart. To hide his soul. However, the part she had opened begged him to give her the answer she wanted. That she wouldn’t hurt him. That she wouldn’t leave him. That she was different from every other woman he had ever known.
So, against his better judgement, he listened to that part – the part one would call their heart. “Yes,” he choked out in a raw voice. “It’s the same for me, Hermione.”
Hermione searched his eyes, her own flicking rapidly between, and she must have seen the truth in his words because she let out of small sob of relief before leaning forward to seek his mouth with hers. Snape could taste the salt of her joyful tears as he nipped the seam of her lips, demanding entrance. She granted it just as he pulled his hips back and then pistoned forward.
He swallowed her cry of ecstasy and moved again. The heat of her around his cock was enough to boil him from the inside out. Her inner muscles twitched, spasming around him, sucking him into her with each forward movement. He was never going to last, never mind that she had made him come less than thirty minutes ago. The whole experience was mind blowing, utterly overpowering in its intensity. Wrapping one arm around the small of her back, his other hand sought purchase from her headboard. He angled her hips up and set a grueling rhythm.
Snape caught her every cry in his mouth, keeping their kisses slow and deep even as their hips rolled together frantically reaching for mutual release. It seemed as though she couldn’t keep her hands still; they grasped for leverage in his hair, the nape of his neck, his shoulders, and his upper back. Her nails scored his scalp and bit into his muscles.
Too soon – much too soon – she was ripping her mouth away. “I need to come – please let me come. Oh God, please!” It was a desperately frantic plea as the movement of her hips against his became erratic and syncopated.
“Yes!” he growled into her neck, nipping her collar bone. “Come, Mine. I’ve got you. Fall apart for me.” He lifted his head and caught her tawny eyes, which were wild with need and emotion. “I’ve got you,” he promised her and watched her nod her acceptance.
It only took a few seconds more, and Snape’s eyes didn’t leave hers. He watched with more satisfaction then he had ever felt in his entire life as her eyes rolled back a breath of a second before her jaw dropped and she let out a feral, guttural cry of completion. Her body shuddered and spasmed and he cursed when her muscles clamped down so tightly on his cock that his movements were brought to an immediate standstill.
He shouted into her neck, surprised when her crushing orgasm milked his own straight from his bollocks. His control over his own body was lost as she surrendered herself to him completely.
Snape rocked through his orgasm, attempting to draw out both their pleasure as long as he could but he was trembling and was unable to stop himself from collapsing on top of her. He sought her mouth again, and her nails dug into his back, trying to pull him closer as she opened for him, their tongues tangling wildly.
Eventually, her legs unraveled from around him and slid down to the bed and her hands loosened in his hair. Absentmindedly, he realized he must be crushing her with his weight, so he shifted and took some pressure off her by placing it on his elbows. Their kisses slowed and she pulled back with a lazy, contented smile on her lovely face.
Hermione opened her mouth to say something but seemed to catch herself and Snape wondered if she had been about to share the same words that were tumbling around his head. She had refrained herself, however, and he was grateful. No matter how much he wanted to hear them, no matter how much he wanted to say them in return, it was too soon and would only make him want to run scared. How well she must know him already to recognize that.
Carefully, he rolled off her and pulled her with to keep her tucked to his side. He waited for her to talk, but she never did. She just ran gentle fingers through his chest hair while simultaneously pressing soft kisses to his skin every now and again. A few minutes resting thus and she tilted her head up to look at him.
Snape was already watching her, a soft expression on his face. An expression that curled her toes and made her want to giggle like a love-sick teenager. Hermione smiled and reached to trail her fingers along his cheek and over the bridge of his nose before adjusting herself to place a series of gentle kisses to his lips.
“Some water?” she asked quietly when she’d had her fill. He nodded wordlessly but did not loosen his arm to let her go. She chuckled quietly and snuggled back down into him, closing her eyes when she felt him pressing a tender buss to the top of her head. It was a bit later that she heard his breathing deepen and she realized he had fallen asleep holding her. Her eyes prickled with happy tears as she burrowed a bit deeper into his warmth before extending her arm to summon the blankets from the end of the bed.
It was effortless to fall asleep in his arms, never realizing she hadn’t completed her journal for the first time since New Year’s.
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Book One - Master Mine: A Lesson in Submission