A/n Written for the 'Senses' Challenge over on GrangerSnape100 on Livejournal.

Stress Relief

Sight

Hermione sighed as she watched the last of the trainees leave the classroom. It had been a long first day of term. Even with only six students the course was demanding from the start for both student and teacher.

Sitting down, she cast the spells needed to tidy up the room and made sure that the desk was tidy enough for the next teacher.

There, now to go home and see Severus, she thought with a small smile. Collecting her bag and cloak she walked out of the room quickly, eager to see her new husband after her long day.

Sound

Walking into the living room area of their quarters at Hogwarts, Hermione dropped her bag on a chair and put her cloak onto its peg. It was lovely and quiet in the room, just the sound of the wood burning in the fireplace and the occasional gust of wind against the windows.

Severus wasn't in his chair as he usually was when she got home so, after taking off her shoes, she made her way to the bedroom door.

I hope he's not asleep, she thought, as she opened the door quietly. I'm in the mood for some… stress relief.

Smell

Hermione smiled as she walked through the doorway and into the bedroom. He'd run her a bath, from what she could smell on the air.

Jasmine, vanilla… and something else.

"Severus?" Hermione called, removing her robe and placing it at the foot of the bed.

"In here," he replied from the direction of the bathroom.

She walked in slowly and found him lounging in their bath, glass of wine in hand.

"Hard day?" he asked, a smirk on his face.

She shook her head and took off her remaining clothes. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," she answered.

Taste

"Move up," Hermione said, settling herself in the bath at the opposite end to Severus.

"Here, drink this." He handed her a glass of red wine once she was settled and she sipped slowly at it.

Leaning her head back against the rim of the bathtub, she sighed. "Mmm, this is nice."

For a few moments they didn't speak, then, "It could be nicer, you know," Severus said softly.

"Oh, indeed?" Hermione raised her head to look at him questioningly.

He nodded and put his glass down by the side of the bath and leant forward conspiratorially.

"Oh yes, indeed."

Touch

His hand moved under the water, so it was hidden beneath the bubbles where it grasped Hermione's ankle.

"Severus?" Hermione asked playfully. "What are you doing?"

He didn't reply, merely pulled her leg towards his end of the bath a little before moving his hand up her leg, past her knee and idly along her inner thigh.

Hermione smiled and, placing her wine glass down on the edge of the bath behind her, let her head fall back to rest against the edge.

Moments later his fingers brushed against her clit, making her sigh in relaxation.

Oh yes... much better.