It Starts With A Dance

Chapter 7: The Feast and A Nightcap


After she'd seated herself beside Severus, Hermione looked around the Great Hall. Minerva and the staff, along with the house-elves, had truly outdone themselves for the opening feast of the year. The returning students were all seated at lavishly spread tables, set up buffet-style. Hermione thought it odd that the food was already laid out, remembering back to the opening feasts during her tenure as a student, with empty plates and magically appearing food. She laughed as she recalled the surprises all the brand-new students had to look forward to, especially in her class, and Severus's; she did still shiver when she recalled his opening speech in her very first potions lesson. She smiled at the thought and at then at the man next to her.


Severus glared at his returning students, occasionally hissing at an insubordinate Slytherin. The Ravenclaws stalked by, heads held high.


"Damned arrogant gits," Hermione breathed, watching the Ravenclaws and their grace. That had always irked her; why were they not only universally intelligent, but so damned beautiful and graceful? "Not that I'm jealous; I can dance just as well as they can.


Severus quirked an eyebrow at Hermione, which caused her to blush. All these years later, and she could still remember the first time she'd ever felt as graceful as the Ravenclaw beauties. In his arms, dancing with him. Severus didn't need Legilimency to read her thoughts. Hermione ignored his arrogant smirk and turned her attention back to the student body.

The Hufflepuffs that remained to be seated tried to slink by to escape Severus's notice, but all they could manage by and large was an unseemly trudge. Hermione smiled kindly at a few of them, and more than a few of them that had been lowerclassmen while she'd been a student got cocky, bowing deeply to her and even blowing her a kiss or two.


Severus bounced a few Itchy-Nose hexes at the most impudent of the lot.


"Randy dunderheads," he hissed. They scurried off like first-years caught in the Forbidden Forest and Hermione glared at Severus.


"I know you care more for the student body than that, Professor Snape," Hermione said, trying to be stern at the man who was still smirking at her.


"I can only think of one 'student body' that truly concerns me," Severus said, his voice velvety; his eyes were lidded as he slid them up and down Hermione's seated form and then away from her, widening at Minerva McGonagall's expression.


"Ah, Severus, I see that you are doing your best to make our Hermione feel welcome?" Minerva said, a smile quirking the corners of her mouth. She'd picked up quite a few of Albus's traits since his death and her elevated position.


"Yes, Severus, we all owe you something for saving our Hermione, don't we?" Tonks chimed in from just beyond Hermione. Severus had to swallow a hiss; Hermione was his, for Merlin's sake, even if she didn't know it yet.


Tonks and Minerva shared a smile over Hermione and Severus's heads, and Tonks turned to wink at Remus Lupin. Remus winked back and decided to get in on the fun.


"Yes, Severus, how kind of you to help our Hermione. Now, my dear girl, may I pour you some pale rose ale? Rosmerta sent it over for our Hermione, so she could have a stiffer drink without regrets," Remus said, barely keeping a straight face. Hermione was beginning to catch on, but a look from Tonks held her tongue.


Severus couldn't take it anymore.


"Shut up, all of you! She is not 'our Hermione'! She doesn't belong to any of you! I saved her because she's m~" he hissed, stopping short, breathing heavily. He was not going to say anymore, and he refused to be goaded any more during the feast. He had low tolerance for dunderheads. "Shouldn't we all be making sure that everyone who is supposed to be here is here, and that no-one who is not supposed to be here is not here?"


Tonks and Hermione shared a look while Remus coughed and looked away. That left Minerva.


"I think we all understood what you said, there, my boy, but just in case, I'll just keep counting heads. You, too, because you're my second," she said, sitting down and looking at her list, while Severus glared at anyone who made the mistake of meeting his gaze. Hermione sighed; she hoped there would be dancing, else her night was ruined. She waved to students she knew, and chatted with her seatmates.


"Tonks, what happened to Oliver?" Hermione said quietly, not wanting to stir Severus's wrath for bringing up the situation. She was still contemplating leaving and going to Ron in the States, no matter what Severus thought she'd agreed to.


"Well, after Neville brought him back here, Pomfrey took a look at him. I was there as back-up, in case he tried anything while she examined him. He coughed up some vile-looking black water; I have the sheets that it soaked into so Severus can look at them later. However, and you'll need to tell him this, the water got very hot and then very cold before it regained room temperature. In fact, the sheet's a little burned from the heat. I imagine that's important. Try not to get too distracted that you forget," Tonks grinned evilly. The grin melted away shortly, though: "But we don't know who put him up to the deed. Oliver's going to take the blame."


Hermione paled, and she gave Severus a quick glance, making sure he was ensconced in his glaring before she continued. She bit her bottom lip as she thought a moment. She fought the urge to twirl her hair while she spoke.


"Tonks, what if I were to not press charges? He only did it because he was under someone else's control. I have no problem with Oliver himself," Hermione said thoughtfully. He was a friend, and she didn't want him to pay for something that wasn't his fault. She could just imagine what Severus would say if he heard what she was saying.


"Hermione, the wizarding world doesn't work like the muggle world. If a woman is attacked, she can press additional charges, but she can't withhold all charges," Tonks said, leaning back in her chair. "Because of things like the Unforgivable Curses, assorted charms, and the plethora of behaviour modifying potions, the Wizengamot is automatically notified and the accused tried."


"That's ridiculous, Tonks. He attacked me, not the Wizengamot! Can I do anything to help him?"


"You can be at his trial this coming Thursday morning. Can we talk on Wednesday? The feast is about to start, and Severus is going to get curious if we continue to chat like this, with you chewing your lip."


Hermione blushed, and turned to observe the hall. Everyone was assembled. Minerva rose from her seat, and Hermione held her breath as her as her favorite part of the opening feast commenced: the Sorting.

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"That was wonderful!" Hermione laughed, smiling as she and her colleagues sat a while after the prefects and Head Boy and Girl escorted the youngest students to their dorms. Tonks was a little tipsy, and Remus was supporting her. Hermione knew that the house-elves didn't put anything strong in the drinks, but Tonks liked to have a wee bit of fun every once in a while. On top of that, it was obvious Tonks was acting; Remus would have had kittens if she'd actually gotten herself snockered at a school feast. Not to mention Minerva. She turned her attention to Severus.


"I believe that when the upperclassmen get back, the dance portion of the night will begin?" Hermione said, standing and smoothing the robes Severus had transfigured for her. It was a brand new tradition that Minerva had started that very year; classes would start a little later on the first day so the night of the Sorting Feast the 5th through 7th years, along with the staff, could have some fun. A ball was just what they all needed.


"I call the first dance with Hermione!" Tonks laughed, removing herself from Remus's lap. Severus glared at her, but Remus caught on to the fun.


"Well, then I call first with Severus," Remus said, trying not to laugh. Hermione kept her mouth closed, but she was smiling.


"I think it should be up to the ladies of the table," Hermione said finally, as the older students arrived with their dates and friends, the music starting up in a faster waltz. "Professor Snape? Lupin?"


"I'll show you 'lady'," Severus growled, grabbing Hermione and dragging her onto the dance floor in the midst of all the school. His hands gripped her waist, bringing her close to him before he changed position his arms coming 'round her just under her ribs, supporting her back as he twirled her in large circles and turns around the room. Hours passed as he danced her 'round the floor, barely pausing to let her catch her breath. Finally, a slow song came on, and Hermione recognized it as a muggle song. She let the music wash over her as he held her.


She was pressed up against him, aware of his height in contrast to her own average height, his hardness against her softness. She let him ply her body against his, flexible and graceful with the music as it moved them, before it became a much slower, more erotic rhythm. Severus's hands slid lower, coming to rest just above her bottom, heating her back and making Hermione shiver. She raised her eyes to meet his, wide and sparkling. She licked her lips before turning her gaze aside and letting him lead her in the dance.


"Why look away from me, Hermione? Are you still that little 4th year Gryffindor, afraid of the body and the admiration it gained you?" Severus said, his breath hot on her ear as he whispered to her in a velvety voice. The tip of his tongue traced the shell of her ear, and Hermione shivered again. She leaned into him, shaking and trying not to writhe. His grip was silk-covered iron, a torment she needed to endure, else she'd lose her mind. "Or are you the proud tigress, prowling the dance floor in my arms?"


She gave in; her body responded to his violently, heat flooding her stomach and flushing her face. There were plenty of faculty to watch over the students still dancing, and she suddenly felt that there were more pressing matters that she must attend to. She stretched up on the tips of her toes, nipping at his ear, not saying a word.


Severus partially released her, removing one arm so he could escort her from the hall. Tonks and Remus had already left, making their own grand exit. Minerva carefully ignored the fraternization among her employees; her eyes were misted as she thought of her own missed chances and lost love.

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Hermione let Severus lead her off the dance floor and out into the corridor, where they froze for a moment. Severus looked around before he grabbed her arms and pulled her up and against him, pressing a hard kiss against her mouth. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, but danced away when she opened her mouth.


"Not here," he whispered, his hand flat against the small of her back. The robes he'd transfigured for her clung to her body with the exertions from their dances. His eyes were lidded, and for a moment they shone a vibrant emerald green, like the one at her throat.


"Then where?" Hermione sighed against him, snuggling her mouth in the hollow of his throat. She wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anything before, more than she thought she could ever want something. She had been through so much; didn't she deserve to have what she wanted?


"Your quarters?" Hermione asked softly, her breath mingling with his. It was too much for Severus, but he knew that wasn't where they needed to be.


"Not tonight, my dear," Severus said, gently removing her from his neck. Hermione's eyes glistened in embarrassment; what was he saying, doing? Why stop now?


"Tonight, your rooms, Hermione," he said, getting hold of her hand. "If you'll lead the way?"


Hermione was startled; Ron had always taken the initiative, so she had no experience in such a role. He'd initiated the act, and she'd complied. Not that she didn't enjoy herself, but she wasn't used to the idea of being the lead. She liked to be. . . well, she preferred bottom to top, not that anything had ever progressed too far along that particular tack. She blushed and led him to her rooms. She'd hoped things would be different with him; perhaps he had the same tastes she did.


They walked along quietly, an almost-awkward silence between them. Hermione was nervous about what he wanted her to do, and Severus was nervous about what she expected from him. His own experience was not. . . broad. A few anxious couplings when he was just out of school. And an encounter he'd prefer not to remember, with Bellatrix Lestrange; he couldn't imagine another encounter with someone who delighted in nearly castrating him. Since that time, he'd been celibate; twenty years of celibacy after so little experience spelled virgin for him.


Hermione shook a little as she whispered her password; the painting covering her portal swung open with a small creak. Hermione was glad she'd oiled the hinges ~ she definitely didn’t want someone coming to check on her while she was inviting the potions master into her room. The candles and fireplace were charmed to come on when she entered, so the room was bright and warm as they stepped through the doorway. Hermione blew out a few of the candles so the room wasn't blazing, and she smiled.


"I like plenty of light to read by," she said simply. She straightened a few random things and shoved them on a shelf, making room in her little parlor.


"As do I, Hermione," Severus loved the taste of her name in his mouth. When he said her name, he could taste her. He sat on the sofa and smirked at her reaction.


"What are you doing, Severus?" Hermione said, cautiously coming round the sofa to stand in front of him.


"You cleared off the sofa. I assumed that we were going to sit and stare at one another until we had to get ready for class," Severus said with a straight face. He was enjoying the predicament he was putting her in, but he was also a wee bit nervous. At least she was nervous, too.


"Well, if that's all you want to do," Hermione said, sitting next to him. She smoothed her robes and watched him for a reaction. She leaned over him to snuff out a candle and she knew she'd won.


A hand shot out and grabbed her arm, turning Hermione so she was on her back across Severus's lap. He stared down into her eyes, black on caramel.


"If I let you up, you can go to bed, I'll leave, and you wont' have anything to regret," Severus said hoarsely, his breath hot and heavy over her.


"Do I have another option?" Hermione breathed, her voice husky. Severus levered her up and into his arms, rising from the sofa effortlessly.


"I was hoping you'd say that."

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Hermione was shivering under Severus's direct gaze. She'd tried to dim the room until there was barely any light, but he'd stopped her. He'd said he wanted to see her; there was time enough for darkness when they slept.


Severus had closed kicked her bedroom door closed behind them, Hermione still in his arms. He'd only let her slide down to her own feet when they were standing by her large bed. He laughed as he looked at the monstrosity.


"Are you laughing at me, Severus?" Hermione felt off-balanced; first they were about to make love, then he was laughing at her. She had the feeling that was how it would always be between them ~ never know what would happen next. And I'm already imagining a future for 'us'. . .


"I just imagined that you would be one for the large, gaudy four-poster covered in some god-awful pink," Severus said, smiling. He was enjoying toying with her. She glowered at him, and he slid his hands up and down her arms.


"Not here," Hermione said. She was wondering what his rooms looked like; were they all in Slytherin colors? Her room was largely in Gryffindor colors, but she'd thrown in some gray and blue as well. Needless to say, most everything clashed somehow.


"I'll have to show you my rooms. I think you'd quite like them," Severus said, moving his mouth to her neck, parting her curtain of hair and pressing a kiss to the soft curve of her throat. Her life pulsed beneath his mouth; he couldn't help himself and he nipped her ~ hard. She moaned and pressed against him harder than before. Severus cursed himself for it, but her reaction was nothing short of erotic.


"Severus," Hermione drawled, dragging an arm across her own chest, trying to draw his attention. He looked in her eyes, fell into the liquid caramel pools; her eyes were darker, creamier, deeper than before, bedroom eyes was the term, a deeper part of Severus told him. The robes he'd transfigured for her were practically see-through by then; transfigured clothing never lasts too long.


"Hermione," he said, pushing her hair back and out of his way as he nipped and bit along her neck and collarbone. Little welts were rising on her skin, and blood welled up in a few of them. He moved to her mouth, sucking hard on her lips until she opened her mouth for him. He shoved his tongue into her mouth, drawing hers into his own mouth and biting down on it. She gasped again, and he tore the robes from her form.


Hermione kept her mouth pressed against Severus's, more excited than before. He'd torn her robes, and it was only fair she get him back. She dragged her hand down his front, ripping the buttons from his shirt. A great cloud of black and silver silk fell to the floor, pooling around their feet. She gazed over the length of his body, clad only in black silk boxer shorts. His skin was translucent, not sallow, like it had been for all those years while he danced the double-edged sword of espionage. Scars marred the flesh of his lower abdomen, but his chest and upper back were relatively clear. The scarring started down below the boxers, wending their way to just above his navel and around to about the same height on his back. She kissed his jaw and pulled back slightly, allowing him to pull her robes completely from her body. Her knickers were brief, and her braless breasts stood high and firm, nipples pert in her excitement.


Severus brushed the knuckles of one hand over her breast before he palmed the globe. He brought his mouth down to her breasts and kissed each, nipping before he spoke.


"If I had only known what was under those robes," Severus said, sucking on one nipple while he palmed the other.


"We'd never had made it to the feast," Hermione breathed, pulling his head from her bosom. She brought his head up until she could look in his eyes. "Severus, I want you on that bed, the sooner the better. Everything else can wait."


"As you will," Severus said, picking Hermione up and throwing her down on the bed. A part of him panicked, though; what if she didn't like what he'd been doing? What if she found it repulsive, and wrong?


Hermione smiled shyly up at him from the nest of blankets and covers, her eyes a sea of passion and storms. Severus knew from her blush that she must have liked at least some of what they'd been doing.


No matter. So long as I can have her at all, it doesn't matter that I can't do those things, Severus thought to himself, moving his hands shakily over her body, testing her for readiness, refusing to hurt her anymore that night. He kissed her softly, before moving down her body to her mons.


Severus kissed the curls carefully, smoothing them aside to lay a kiss against her softest skin. The tension in his groin and the room was unbearable.


"I'm glad you don't shave, my dear," Severus said, and almost coughed in an effort not to laugh at the look on her face.


"How~ How can you say something like that?" Hermione said, her face redder than ever. Prime example of how you'll never know what he's going to say or do next, a voice told her.


Severus plunged his tongue into her core, stretching her just a bit with his softest muscle. Hermione gasped as Severus began to lap at her, long strokes that threatened to rob her of her sanity.


Severus was worried, though; he was on the large end of average. Well, no, actually, he was on the shorter end of 'almost too big'; it was part of why he didn't engage himself too often. Women had complained that he was too big, too wide; he didn't want to hurt her, or to have her refuse him later.


And I'm already contemplating 'later', Severus thought to himself as he moved from her core to her mouth. She's as wet as she's going to get tonight, a voice said to him. Just take her and have done with it. Get her out of your system. Severus shook his head of that thought. He was well and truly caught; she was oblivious to how she'd ensnared him.


"Severus," Hermione's insistent voice broke him out of his reverie. "Come to me."


Severus moved his hand down to pleasure himself. He wouldn't put her through this. Hermione grabbed his hand and stopped him.


"No. I want you."


Severus moved so she could see how large he was, how painfully aroused he was. His erection stood tall and Hermione wondered when he'd lost his boxers; she also noticed a knot of scar tissue around his base and sacs. She decided to ask him later; he needed her in that moment, just as she needed him.


"I don't want to hurt you."


"Even if I asked nicely?"

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Once Hermione said that, Severus couldn't stop himself. He braced himself on his elbows, over her, positioning his head at her slick entrance. He rubbed himself against her a few times, gauging her, teasing her a bit with his tip until she was raking her nails up and down his back. She tried to get more of him, but he held himself from her.


"What happened to asking nicely?" Severus breathed in her ear, his breath hot and wet, his tongue gliding along her lobe.


"Fuck that, Severus. Take me!" Hermione was near shrieking when she said that. Severus shoved himself into her core, one long, hard, fluid moment. He slid in until he felt her cervix against his tip. Hermione gasped for breath at the intrusion; she'd never been so filled before in her life. "Oh, Merlin, Severus. Gods, keep doing that."


Severus pulled himself out slowly, carefully pushing his way back into her. He did that for a while until Hermione raked a particularly sharp nail down the side of his neck.


"Harder, please, I won't get there if you don't," Hermione pleaded, her voice husky and thick. "Don't leave me behind."


That was it for Severus. He started slamming into her, practically bouncing off her cervix, moving the entire bed as she rose up to meet his every thrust. It wasn't long before both were shouting, screaming each other's names.


"Severus, please, Severus, now, I want, now ~ngh!" Hermione cried as she clamped around him, milking him for all he had to offer.


"Hermione!" Severus said, crashing into her. He was still hard; he couldn't stop yet. He was creaming her but he couldn't stop moving. Finally, his body seemed to give out on him. He collapsed on Hermione, who rolled over a little bit so Severus was actually on the bed and not her, but not too far from him. She nestled into his side, snuggling deep.


"Get some rest," Hermione said, kissing him softly.


"You, too. You have your first classes tomorrow," Severus said, dropping a kiss on her head.


"I meant because it is only 1 am and we don't have anywhere to be until 11 am."