Disclaimer: I own nothing but the name " Arianne Clark ". Everything else belongs to JKR, including Snape's sexy lower lip. Darn it. She is a lucky woman. Thanks to my sweet Aeryun for the beta!

A Storm In The Common Room

By: LovesRickman

I was curled up on a settee in the Teacher's Common Room. It was a much more comfortable room than the staff room where we relaxed between classes. Only teachers knew of this room and there were careful wards to keep students and poltergeists at bay. Ghosts could enter but rarely did so knowing how much we teachers needed, indeed, relished our privacy. It was very late at night and there was a loud, violent rainstorm working it's way across our lands. I love a good rainstorm. The fury of it is somehow relaxing as well as awe inspiring. I had conjured up a pair of lavender scented candles and placed them on the end tables flanking the settee I had adjusted to face the huge picture window that faced the Black Lake. They provided the only light in the room as well as a soothing contrast to the raging tempest outside. I sat there for over an hour in blissful solitude. Just watching the trees and grasses blow from the whipping winds and watching the water lashing at the shore. I was utterly relaxed, nearly dozing when I heard the door creak open behind me.

"Pardon me. Professor Clark. I didn't realize anyone was here."

I glanced over the back of my seat to see Severus Snape standing there looking as if he was about to exit as swiftly as he entered.

"No, please, stay if you like. I wouldn't mind the company at all." He hesitated then walked over to the liquor cabinet.

"May I get you a drink?"

"A brandy would be nice." I replied as I returned gazing at the tempest outside. The sounds of clinking glasses and liquid pouring made me glance back to him. His staid black robes swirled a bit as he turned holding the brandy snifters. He handed me one and then glanced about clearly trying to decide where to sit.

"Please, join me. There is plenty of room here. " I requested, patting the cushions next to me. Plenty of room was a bit of an exaggeration as the settee wasn't much bigger than a two-person love seat. He looked hesitant for a moment then sat at the other end, his robes billowing out and partially covering mine.

We sat in silence for what seemed like ages watching the storm. Sipping at our brandies, not even glancing at each other. It wasn't exactly a calm silence, there were a lot flowing in the room that had nothing to do with any possible intrusion from the Hogwarts ghosts. A feeling of genial companionship between contemporaries was foremost. But there was a definite hint of awkwardness as well. Severus was a private man, not given to hanging about in our common room. Usually he was working in his chambers, either on a potion or tending to classroom business.

Myself, I was a fairly new Professor at Hogwarts. I'd only recently taken on the role of Muggle Studies teacher. I was becoming more and more at ease at Hogwarts, and the other teachers had welcomed me warmly into their ranks. Professor Snape, however, was polite but a bit standoffish. I had attended BeauxBatons as a girl so I was very new to Hogwarts. I loved living there though. It had such a glorious, mysterious demeanor, much like the Gothic Romances I'd favored in my youth.

From time to time, I glanced at the man next to me. While our eyes didn't meet, I could feel his gaze when he did look my way. He was not a classically handsome man. He had sleek black hair and thin, yet finely sculpted lips that never really smiled. Smirked yes, and when amused his lips would quirk quickly but I'd never heard more than a low, short chuckle come from him. From the stories I heard from the students, they hadn't even heard that. He had a fearsome reputation and his students either feared or loathed him. Nevertheless, all tempered their feelings with respect however grudgingly it was given. He was a renowned Potions Master as well as a very strict taskmaster; potions were his passion and he didn't care who knew it. He might scare the living daylights out of his pupils but the diligent ones learned more about Potions than the other schools bothered to teach. He did not suffer fools gladly and any one not paying strict attention in his classes suffered his wrath.

For myself, I'd only been teaching for a few years. I started out teaching at BeauxBatons and then accepted the position when it opened here. From what I could discern, I had the reputation for being sweet but strict. Not a bad one if I thought so myself. Students didn't hesitate to come to me and I was fond of all my pupils. I was Muggle-born, indeed, I didn't realize I was a witch until I'd received my letter from the headmistress of BeauxBatons announcing my acceptance. My family was quite as shocked as I was. I had always been considered a bit strange, but a witch? I could only assume, had my family not been living in France at the time, I would have received a letter from The Salem Witches Institute instead. I loved BeauxBatons; finally, I wasn't totally the "strange one". I was a bit of an oddity with my American accent and ways but both my peers and Professors accepted me with affection. Madame Maxime seemed particularly fond of me, as she too knew what it was like to be "different". I could always go to her for understanding and wise advice. The sound of Severus clearing his throat snapped me from my reverie.

"I do enjoy watching a storm." He said. "It has so much power and passion in it ". His words seemed to make him a bit uncomfortable and he quickly sipped his brandy.

"I agree…I always have loved watching and listening to them. It relaxes me somehow." I replied, looking over at him. He held my gaze for a few moments, the candlelight dancing in his black eyes.

"I heard this one outside the windows of my chamber and decided to come enjoy the view, I'm quite glad I did. " He said softly still holding my attention. I started to feel like I was drowning in the depths of his midnight eyes and quickly turned my attention back to the windows.

"I'm glad you did as well." I replied in a near whisper. We sat there for a few minutes, feeling a growing tension in the room that had nothing to do with the storm outside.

"Nice candles." He muttered.

I smiled to myself and merely responded with a "Thanks". After that, our eyes would meet and hold for a minute, but nothing would be said and we would return our gazes to the window.

"How are your classes going Severus?"

"If I could keep those dunderheads from melting their cauldrons and not confusing salamander eggs with frog eyes they would be much more pleasant. As it is, I am wishing that the fools would at least request non-melting cauldrons when they buy them." He scowled.

I couldn't help but laugh softly.

"And your classes, Professor Clark?"

"They are going quite well. Thankfully there are no cauldrons to melt," I answered with a impish smile. His lips quirked and that rare chuckle emerged from the depths of his chest.

He stood up and held his hand out for my snifter.

"Another brandy, Professor?"

"A small one and please, call me Arianne."

He nodded shortly, went to liquor cabinet, and returned with our drinks. He handed me mine and sat down again, a good bit closer to me than before. We stared out at the storm quietly enjoying watching the lighting strikes and listening to the rolling thunder. After a few minutes, he settled his left arm along the back of the settee. I made no comment, indeed, made sure not to react as to not cause him to regain his more cautious pose of before.

I had been attracted to Severus from the day I met him. His mysterious ways and quick biting wit was hard to resist. However, since we were working together, I did not want to make him uncomfortable or act in a way he would consider unprofessional, so I would just have to let him make the first move if he felt an attraction to me.

It was a powerful storm outside but it was showing signs of abating. The grounds would be a mess tomorrow. I pitied those who had to go out in the muck and was sure Filch would be patrolling the doors ready to pounce on those foolish enough not to wipe their feet. No doubt he would even pounce on a few that had.

I was about to chance another glance at Severus when I felt a gentle hand stroking the length of my hair. He made no comment and I didn't dare move. Softly he twisted strands around his long fingers, rubbing the locks with his thumb. I could barely breathe. I rubbed my head against his hand without looking at him, hoping he would be encouraged. A soft click on the end table said he had set down his brandy snifter. He gently plucked mine from my fingers and set it next to his. I could stand it no longer. My hair still entwined in his fingers, I leaned my head back on the settee trapping his hand where it was.

I stared searchingly into his dark eyes. He looked serious, almost stern, but I could see a bit of nervousness as well. He cupped my cheek with his free hand and slowly stroked my lower lip with his thumb. I stared at his mouth. His upper lip had a bold indention that made it perfect for his infamous scowls and smirks but his lower lip was lush, sensual and I had an intense urge to make that lip mine. Nip it with tiny bites and sooth the stings with my kisses. His strong neck affected me the same way. I wanted to spend at least an hour working my way up and down his neck pausing only to nibble the ears that hid in the curtains of his black hair.

My desire must have been as obvious to him as it was to me. His ebony eyes were half shut and focused solely on my mouth, watching his thumb tracing the contours of my lower lip. Severus leaned forward and replaced his thumb with his lips. It was a slow, masterful kiss. Gentle as a first kiss should be but I could feel the passion that had risen in his veins lurking behind the tenderness. He pulled back slightly and stared at me cautiously, as if he was wondering if I was going to slap him or pull him back for more. I slid my right hand behind his head and twisted my fingers in his silky hair, putting a gentle pressure on the back of his neck to bring his lips to mine again. Our eyes closed as our lips met in a scorching kiss. His tongue flickered along my lower lip before caressing mine as the heat between us began to build. Our arms were literally shaking with the strain of holding each other's necks tight so as not to miss a single moment of contact. The storm outside was almost finished but the one in the Common Room had just begun.

His mouth tasted of brandy and his tongue was on a quest to make me mad with desire. I couldn't resist. I gave a nip to that gorgeous nearly pouty lower lip and then laved it with my tongue. The smallest flinch was followed by a decided growl and he proceeded to show me that two could play that game very well indeed. I felt his fingers fumbling with the fastenings of my outer robes and I quickly started to unfasten his. Pulling away to toss off our cloaks, we eased back and stared at each other.

He had left off his frock coat and was wearing a white cotton shirt and thin cotton pants along with his usual boots. I was wearing a Chinese blue blouse that had dozens of tiny cloth covered buttons that resembled ones on his usual waistcoat along with black pants and white trainers. I was such a notorious klutz that I rarely wore any other kind of shoes and was well known for the brightly colored laces I wore with them. Rather incongruous with the rest of my wardrobe but it also gave fair warning of my outgoing streak. Outgoing streak indeed. I hadn't had much more than a dozen private conversations with this man and now we were kissing as if we going mad.

Severus pulled me to him again and hungrily claimed my lips. Our tongues clashed in hot combat and I could feel him pulling me closer to him. One hand on the back of my head, fingers once again wrapped in my dark chestnut hair and the other one clasping my waist, pulling me closer to him.

His lips left mine and began to travel down my chin and along my jaw to my ear. I was ready to die by this point and the feeling got more intense as he slowly kissed and licked his way up and down my neck and throat, pausing for little nips now and again. Oh my, what had I started with the nipping? The next time he got to my chin, I caught his face and proceeded to show him just how much he had gotten to me with that little escapade.

Holding him firmly, I returned the taunting kisses and nibbles along his neck and ear. I barely felt his strong hands pulling me onto his lap, but I definitely noticed something that was making sitting on his lap very interesting. Oh yes, it was most certainly making its presence known. He pulled his head back, shaking the raven strands away from his face, his eyes glowing with a dangerous fire. He was breathing fast and I felt like his gaze was burning the very clothes from my body.

He whispered my name and like a moth to a flame, I returned to his kisses. Merlin, but I loved his mouth. I had been covertly watching it for days, weeks, and now it was mine to do with as I would. To kiss, lick and nibble all of which he returned with equal fervor. Particularly the nipping. What had I gotten myself into? I wasn't sure but I wasn't about to stop lavishing my attention on him. My hands were pressed against his firm chest and I simply couldn't help starting to unbutton it. I wanted so badly to see what was hidden behind that black-buttoned waistcoat he invariably wore. Damned thing reminded me of something a Quaker would wear it. Not that Severus even knew what a Quaker was I was sure, but he kept every inch covered and I knew I was not the only woman who wondered what hid behind that sober cloth. I was rapidly finding out that it was a very passionate man.

His hands were as busy as mine, roaming up and down my spine and quite happily stroking and squeezing my bottom with his strong hands. His right hand now cradled my head and his left hand slid up my thighs and along my waist to start slowly popping open each of the buttons on my blouse. He nudged my head back and began kissing his way down my throat and into the neckline of my blouse. His hands were strong with long slightly roughened fingers and I felt my skin flushing with each button that popped. I longed for a more intimate touch and when I felt his hand cup my breast covered in a lacy sapphire blue bra, I thought I would explode. His caress was like his kisses. Slow, masterful, firm yet gentle. His tongue was back in my mouth and mimicking the taunting movements of his fingers. I could feel his arousal pressing against my left buttock and I could tell he was as excited as I was.

The bongs of the Grandfather clock in the corner struck twice and caught our attention. Realizing that if someone were to come in and see our half dressed state, everyone would be intensely embarrassed, he whispered.

"Arianne, come to my room, please."

I could only nod. We stood up and with equally shaking hands, finished our brandies. He banished the snifters to the kitchens. Blowing out the candles, we scooped up our cloaks and with a pinch of Floo Powder, stepped into the fireplace and went to his chambers.

A/N: Want to see what happens in his rooms? Let me know by reading and reviewing please. TA!