Walking the Gray Line Part 2

As she undressed, Hermione watched the Potions Master do likewise, his dark eyes resting on her coolly as he opened his robes, peeled them back and slid them off. As before, all he wore underneath were his boxers, socks and boots. He sat down on his bed and removed his boots then socks, stuffing them inside his boots and sliding them under the bed. Hermione could see his boxers were tented as the wizard leveled his eyes on her. She had removed her shoes, skirt and blouse and now stood before him in plain white knickers and bra.

"Hurry up," the wizard said, frowning at her slightly.

Hermione scowled back at him and removed her bra insolently as if to say "Is this what you want to see?"

"Your knickers," Severus said, his eyes resting on her full breasts. He still evidenced no other sign of desire but his tented boxers.

Hermione removed her knickers, revealing her curling chestnut hair. The Potions Master's eyes rested on her bush for a moment then he stood up.

"Get in the bed," he said to the witch.

Hermione stalked past him and climbed into the bed, falling on her back and looking up at the wizard. She too was acting as if unaffected, but the truth was his ordering her about turned her on immensely. No other wizard had ever talked to her that way. The Potions Master was so dominating.

Severus knew she was turned on just by the scent of her, which was quite strong and musky. He faced her, standing over the bed, his eyes drifting over her body and remembering how she reacted to the Wheezer. He bent and drew down his boxers. Hermione's eyes widened and she shifted in the bed, her legs spreading unconsciously. Her eyes became quite heated.

Severus looked down at his erection and then at the witch. Without a word the Potions Master climbed into the bed and rolled on top of Hermione, positioning himself between her thighs. He studied her face, bringing to mind what he had learned about masochists. The Potions Master shifted and leaned on one elbow. He then reached down and positioned himself between Hermione legs, pressing into the depression that led to her entrance, the witch letting out a small gasp as she felt his hardness resting against her.

Hermione's hands rested on either side of her head. She didn't think she should embrace the Potions Master. He was so cold after all and this wasn't an act of true passion.

The wizard shifted back over Hermione, rose up on his hands and slowly slid inside her, biting his lip as her softness wrapped around him tightly. Hermione groaned as the wizard slid his thickness into her body, stretching her around him.

"Mmmm. Nice," Severus groaned and began to stroke the witch gently, focusing on the delicious caress of her flesh he stared down at her. He slid his full length in and out of the witch, bumping her cervix lightly. She felt good this way, but it was going to get better.

Hermione was sighing with pleasure as the wizard gently filled her, but at this rate…she'd orgasm next month. She wished he would show more strength…more power. Why was he so gentle?

The witch wound her hips to goad him on and the Potions Master gasped as she whirled him inside her. He responded by whirling his pelvis in return and the witch keened as he stretched her body in ways it had never stretched before…but he was still very controlled and easy with his stroke.

"What a waste," Hermione breathed, then her eyes widened as she realized she said her thought out loud. The Professor stopped moving, his black eyes narrowed as he looked down at her.

"What did you say?" he snarled.

"Oh, you're great?" the witch breathed up at him.

Severus lowered himself to Hermione's body and rested on his elbows, embedded firmly inside her. He studied her face as the witch looked up at him rather bewildered. Why had he stopped?

"It seems you are dissatisfied with my method of shagging," the wizard said, his brows furrowed. "It feels good to me. Doesn't it feel good to you? I realize I am taking advantage of my patron's rights, however it doesn't have to be unpleasant for you. Tell me what's wrong?"

Hermione blinked up at him. No wizard wanted to be told he couldn't shag. So she lied.

"Nothing's wrong," she responded. "You feel all right. You're big and that helps."

Severus' nostrils flared. He was just "all right?" Being big "helped?" Not a glaring compliment of his sexual prowess.

"Yes, I have a big tool," he agreed, "However, it has been my experience that witches want me to be…controlled and gentle with it, otherwise sex could become…uncomfortable for them. I could take them too hard. Cause a terrible ache. I imagine you want the same thing, don't you Miss Granger? Gentleness?"

Hermione looked up at him, torn. No wizard had ever asked her how she wanted it. She wanted to tell him to use his tool, to stroke her hard…but the words wouldn't come out. She was still fearful she'd be seen as some kind of sick freak to want to be treated so brutally. She didn't want the wizard to have that to hold over her head, so she didn't answer him. But the gush of hot lubrication that rolled over him answered for her.

The wizard hissed as he felt her flow.

"Now what was that, Miss Granger? A yes or a no?" he said to her, his beautiful voice washing over her like silk.

Hermione still didn't answer him.

The wizard studied her face for a moment, then pulled back and rammed into her hard, slamming against her cervix. Hermione shrieked and buckled, her mouth dropping open and her eyes glazing as she looked up at him rather wildly, panting from his ache.

"That is what I could feel like if I didn't restrain myself," Severus purred at her.

Gods, it had felt good to drive into her that way. Freeing. The Potions Master shuddered a bit as he forced his hungry body under control. It wanted more. Much more.

"Is that what you want, Miss Granger? Or this?"

He gave her several slow, easy strokes. It was pleasurable for him, but shagging the shit out of the witch would be much more enjoyable. Hermione bit her lip as his length went the depth but not the distance, and she arched beneath him, her eyes glistening. Severus stopped again.

"Tell me how you want it, witch. This may well be the only time I give you a say in how I possess you. Don't let the opportunity pass," he said to her persuasively. "I thought honesty was a Gryffindor trait."

Hermione's mouth quivered and she tried to shift her hips and make the wizard start moving again, but Severus pressed his loins down hard and held her still.

"Tell me, Hermione," he breathed, "Tell me what you want, witch. I can give it to you. I am bound to meet all your needs."

The witch started at Severus' use of her given name. It sounded delicious on his lips as did his urging. Could she tell this dark wizard what she really needed? Would he understand it?

Severus wanted to hear Hermione say she wanted him to pummel her hard, to take her body and ride it like the Wheezer did. Only he would be much better than a sex toy. And yes, the Potions Master understood her need…he made it a point to understand it, studying it like he did any unfamiliar subject. There was a bit of darkness in everyone longing for release. He would release hers.

"Share your secret," Severus hissed, becoming impatient now. He was throbbing inside her hungrily, his body wanting friction, slide, depth, possession. The witch's silence was maddening.

Suddenly, the wizard slammed into the witch again, plowing deep inside her, feeling her shift. Hermione let out a perfectly beautiful shriek, the Potions Master pulling back and falling still again as the witch quivered in reaction beneath him.

"You're a stubborn little witch," Severus whispered, suddenly feeling the desire to kiss Hermione. But he didn't do kissing. What the fuck was wrong with him?

"Oh my gods," Hermione hissed in a quaking voice, tears rolling from the sides of her eyes as she looked up at Severus as if she had never seen him before. "I…I…need you to do that again…I'm so…so close…"

Severus looked down at the witch, surprise in his dark eyes.

"Close?" he repeated.

"Yes…so close…please Professor," Hermione gasped up at him, her eyes full of desire. Suddenly he wanted to hear her say his name, not his title.

"Call me Severus, witch. I'm no longer your teacher and am buried in you to the hilt. You can drop the formalities," he said darkly.

"Severussssssss," she sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling at him, lost now. "Pleeeease. So close."

She was close? What about him? He hadn't really gotten the chance to do anything yet but sample her. But what a luscious sample it was. Still…

The Potions Master drew back and slammed into Hermione brutally once more. The witch cried out again, then melted around him, shuddering and whimpering, her body clutching at his hardness, squeezing as the witch's release rolled over his length. The wizard groaned, fighting back his own urge to release…and failing as Hermione murmured his given name again, her small hands sliding down his back and nails digging lightly into his flesh

"Fuck!" the wizard cursed, throwing his head back and pressing deep into Hermione's body as pleasure burst through him, filling the witch and adding to her wetness.

"You little minx," he growled down at her through his pulsing. "You made me come."

Hermione didn't care as she came down from her own orgasm, feeling the wizard pulsing inside her as he emptied. Her eyes were closed and she wore a sexy little smile in counterpoint to Severus' frustrated frown. It was hard to purposely frown while coming, but the Potions Master managed it, despite his physical pleasure. Finally his pulsing stopped and he stared down at the witch.

Hermione opened her eyes.

"Now that was good," she said softly.

Severus gave her his blackest look yet.

"No, that was a premature ejaculation," the Potions Master said angrily, "Brought on by your reluctance to admit you want me to bust a new orifice in you. I am highly displeased, Hermione," he hissed at her.

"Like it's my fault you came?" the witch replied, "I don't see what you're so upset about. Wasn't that your objective? To reach climax? Plus you gave me an orgasm. That's a big plus in my book. I didn't think you would do it."

"But we didn't fuck, witch. That was the whole purpose of bringing you to my bed," the wizard said, exasperated. "I wanted to fuck you."

"But you did," Hermione replied, coloring at the thought of those delicious hard strokes. She hadn't needed many, that was for sure.

Severus rose up on his elbows.

"I most certainly did not, witch," he seethed down at her as he withdrew from her wetly. "I merely pricked you."

Hermione fought back a giggle at his "prick" statement, but the wizard didn't miss the mirth in her eyes. Furious, he rolled out of the bed, walked over to his robes, pulled out his wand and scourgified her, then himself.

He walked back over to the bed and sat down on the edge of it, looking back at her.

"You find this funny, witch? I assure you…it won't be funny when I recover," he said darkly, fiddling with his organ as if he could speed up the process. Severus was so angry he almost said something about the Wheezer, but caught himself.

Hermione was still randy however, and found his threats a turn on.

"Maybe you'll last longer next time," she said by way of comfort.

It had the opposite effect.

"Why you little…" the Professor snarled, his fists clenching for a moment before he grabbed Hermione and slung her out of the bed to her feet, the witch shrieking as he did so.

"Get on your knees! Now!" the wizard hissed.

Oh shit.

Hermione was creaming herself already. She knew what was coming and dropped to her knees. This was like a fantasy coming true for her. Who knew the snarky Potions Master would be the kind of wizard she dreamed about?

Severus caught her by her hair and dragged her forward, Hermione shuffling on her knees to keep him from pulling any hair out.

"You're going to help me recover witch…then I'm going to give you the shagging of your life," the wizard seethed.

Severus jerked Hermione forward until she was face to face with his long, limp organ, which was already showing signs of rejuvenation.

"I know you know how to perform fellatio," the Potions Master snarled, lifting his organ and pressing the head against the witch's lips.

Hermione obediently took him into her mouth, sucking softly, then began to bob. The wizard hissed as her warm mouth moved over him. Severus' scowl eased as he looked down at her sucking him submissively and without protest. He felt a bit vindicated.

"That's right witch. That's right," the Potions Master crooned, helping her along by pulling her head back and forth by the hair. Hermione couldn't remember being so turned on in her life. Her inner thighs were already soaked.

"Do a good job, Hermione…then we'll see just how long I last."

The Potions Master let his head fall back and bit his lip as Hermione showed him her skill at giving blowjobs. The witch was not only using her mouth, but her hands as well, stimulating the wizard completely. Severus didn't let go of her hair, but continued to help her, though the witch needed no help

What was happening was that Severus was getting into his role as a dominator. He had never treated a witch like this in his life. Yes, he had received blow jobs before, but the most he would do would be rest his hand on the witch's head lightly. But with Hermione, it was different. She was a willful little witch and always had been. Even as a student she would challenge him publicly in class. The Potions Master always set her to rights, but she was the only one who dared question what the rest of the students considered Potions gospel.

"This is how it is, Miss Granger…at least until you can prove otherwise," the Professor would say to the witch in exasperation when she would continue to question him on some point, "Now sit down and shut up."

Hermione would sit, but look at him mutinously. He could almost hear her thoughts.

"I'm going to prove you wrong one day."

The wizard thought he wouldn't mind Hermione proving him wrong…in essence, proving the established beliefs wrong and giving the Potions field new knowledge to work with. He had such high hopes for the witch. Then she went to university, then the private sector.

Suddenly Severus thrust forward, pulling Hermione towards him and gagging her. Hermione pulled back, letting his organ slip out of her mouth and gasped…her eyes watering as the Professor looked down at her with a slight smirk. He had done it purposely. Private sector indeed.

"So sorry," he purred, not sounding sorry at all, and putting the witch back to work.

As was said, Severus had never treated a witch like this, though there had been times he wanted to just let loose…be free in at least one area of his life. For the wizard, he always had to be disciplined, controlled, withdrawn. His life had depended on his ability to contain himself for many years under Voldemort, and his intermittent sex life also required the same behavior. He was a controlled wizard, but in essence a slave to that control. True, he swung his authority over the students like a hammer and for a few hours in his classroom was the Master but even then, there were rules that restrained him.

Severus looked down at the witch. Hermione didn't want him restrained, though she didn't admit it. That didn't matter. He knew and realized that in her need to relinquish control of her body and mind she would be giving him what he needed as well. Freedom. Release. Liberation.

"Enough," the Potions Master hissed, pulling Hermione back by her hair, his organ sliding out of her mouth, glistening with her saliva. He was hard as a rock. Hermione's lips looked swollen as the witch stared up at him. There was a hungry look in her eyes.

"Back in the bed, witch," Severus said, sitting up and watching Hermione climb past him and lay back down on her back.

He slid back and lay on his back next to her, their eyes meeting. The wizard's eyes were still cool however. Hermione couldn't help wonder how he could look so detached after the blowjob she'd given him. Gods, Severus Snape was such a hard man…in more ways than one. Her eyes drifted down to his erection. What a monster it was. The witch looked back up at the Potions Master and licked her lips.

What was he waiting for?

Severus' eyes narrowed. He was waiting for just what she gave him. That look of impatience.

The Potions Master rolled on top of her, nestling his hips between her thighs in the missionary position again, his thick organ caught between them. The wizard rose up on his hands and ground into Hermione hard, and she gasped at his hardness.

"Gods," the witch groaned as he looked down at her. Hermione looked into those black eyes and for the first time saw heat in them, Severus' expression sober, his hair a lank curtain around his face.

The wizard shifted back and with one hand once again pressed into the depression that led to her entrance.

"No more questions," he breathed, sliding into the witch with a bit of power. Hermione hissed as his girth once again stretched and filled her, the hiss ending with a choked sound as her body checked his stroke. Oh, that was sweet.

"Your body will confess what your lips would not," Severus said to the witch underneath him, then he began to take her…hard, drawing back and ramming into Hermione with abandon, jerking her small body roughly, plowing through her incredible softness and tightness hungrily, growling, punctuating each stroke with a grunt, his dark eyes locked to her face as he did so.

Hermione arched as the wizard connected with her powerfully, crying out as his possession grew in speed and power, her hands spasmodically gripping at his lower back as the wizard flexed over her, his lean, muscular body stroking rhythmically, his loins slapping against hers as the Potions Master buried himself in her over and over, his face contorting with his effort and his pleasure. The wizard looked down at his plunging organ, thick and glistening with Hermione's juices and growled, arching into the witch and holding himself deep inside her softness, feeling her clutch around him as she keened.

"Yesssss," he hissed, returning his gaze to the witch's face, which was contorted prettily, her hair wild and falling across her features. Looking down on her like this while piercing her curvaceous little body over and over, the wizard had to admit Hermione Granger was quite…beautiful.

"It only because I'm taking her the way I am," he thought to himself as he pressed deep into Hermione, feeling the warmth and life of her body wrapped around him, wet and pulsing. He had never thought the witch beautiful before this.

"From the back…do me from the back," Hermione begged him, her voice husky with ache and passion.

Severus stared down at Hermione a moment, still straining into her, and the witch's amber eyes opened, wet and wild. He began to stroke her again, slower but still hard and deep, his eyes fluttering as her tight sleeve caressed him deliciously. A growl of delight escaped from the back of his throat. Merlin, this was good.

"Please," Hermione cried out as she buckled.

Severus heard her, but it was hard to stop to change positions. Hermione just felt too good to pull out of. He continued to stroke her for several more minutes, sweat running down his back and dripping on her body, oiling her, the sheets underneath the witch soaked. Hermione's cries were becoming hoarse and the Potions Master felt the sting of several scratches the witch had unknowingly carved into his back. But damn the pain was worth it as he plunged into her over and over. He had never felt so free as took his pleasure of his charge.

Yes, patronage had its high points.

Hermione was beginning to writhe wildly beneath him and Severus dropped to her body, pinning her with his weight and curling his hands over her shoulders, pulling her down into his stroke, burying his face in her hair, her mouth close to his ear. He began to piston into the witch furiously, his long body hunching, the wizard gasping and grunting as he hit bottom over and over, Hermione tightening around him like a long, velvet fist, her hot fluids gushing over him, splashing his loins as she orgasmed.

Severus grimaced as the urge to ejaculate hit him…but he wasn't going this time. He pulled out of the quaking witch and turned her over, pulling her to her knees and plunged into her so hard Hermione howled and orgasmed again, the wizard falling still and panting, willing himself to calm as she pulsed over him, squeezing him in a living vise. To distract himself, Severus ran his pale palms over the witch's back. Her skin was soft, warm and slick with their mingled perspiration. He petted her, noting how she trembled under his hands. After a minute or two, he was able to move again, and gripped the witch's small waist for leverage, and began to drive into her again.

Hermione was babbling now, lost to the wizard's possession. He was hard, strong and insatiable. She had never had sex like this before…it was everything she wanted as his ache hit her over and over again. Nothing else mattered other than the Potions Master keep doing her this way. So what if he were a snarky, cold bastard? If he could make her feel like this, she'd deal with it. Gods, he was so good.

Severus released Hermione's waist and bent over her, his hands on either side of her bouncing body, the top of her head beneath his chin. The wizard closed his eyes and continued stroking her, his loins slapping against her buttocks, his belly rippling against her back. As he curled around Hermione, the Potions Master was taken by how well her small body fit against him. She could only gasp now, the wizard having taken her voice. Severus froze as the witch came again with a stuttered squeak. He smirked at the sound she made.

"The terms of patronage don't seem so terrible now, do they witch?" he breathed against her ear, unable to help himself, giving her several hard fast strokes that made her head hit the headboard.

Oops.

Severus shifted back and dragged her after him, plunging back inside her

The witch was all his now. Severus fell to the side, dragging Hermione down with him, not missing a stroke as he moved into the home stretch. He wrapped his long arms around her quaking body and let loose, tearing into her violently, trying to bust through her body, the witch jerking helplessly under his stroke, tears streaming as she underwent her final surrender. As far as Hermione Granger was concerned, Severus Snape could shag her to death and she'd die a happy, sated witch. She felt his arms tighten around her as he sped up, the wizard's body starting to shudder. Her mouth dropped open at his power, and everything began to grow dim as Severus took everything she had. The witch went completely limp.

Severus was oblivious to Hermione's condition…all he knew was her soft, accepting body, and he stroked every blessed inch of it until everything in him tightened, his pleasure forming a tight knot then releasing, the wizard letting out a roar as his orgasm tore through him, far more intense than his first. He clutched Hermione against him, firing jet after jet into her prone body, biting his lower lip so hard against the pulsing stream of bliss he drew blood. After several minutes the wizard was spent, but continued holding the witch, his pelvis still moving against her slightly.

Damn. Damn.

Then the Potions Master realized Hermione wasn't moving and pulled out of the witch, quickly turning her towards him. What was wrong with her? Had he hurt her? Injured her? Severus studied the witch, then he gave a sigh of relief.

Hermione was sound asleep, a look of total peace on her face.

Relieved, Severus rolled her to her back, then reached over her prone body to the nightstand where his wand rested, picked it up and scourgified her, as well as the bed, which was soaked. He didn't scourgify himself however, and breathed in the scent of sex clinging to his body with satisfaction. Normally, when the wizard was done with a witch, he washed the scent of her off of him as soon as possible…but Hermione had been the first witch that didn't try to restrict him, who let him take her wholly. He wasn't ready to let that go yet. He also wasn't ready to put her out of his bed. Severus was physically sated, but for some reason…he thought he might indulge himself a bit more with the witch later on. It made no sense to put Hermione out then have to retrieve her again. She might as well stay in his bed.

He lay down next to the witch, his body turned toward her, studying her face as she slept. She wasn't beautiful, but pretty enough to turn a wizard's head. She didn't wear the usual warpaint witches used to embellish their features, which Severus hated, and she had stopped using that damned jasmine shampoo. She smelled female…that was all she needed to smell like as far as he was concerned. All in all, he was quite pleased with the witch.

The wizard's eyelids drooped as the adrenaline in his system died down and exhaustion settled on him. The Potions Master had expended quite a bit of energy on the witch and was feeling it now. His eyes fluttered and Hermione shifted out of focus, her blurred outline the last thing the wizard saw before sleep overtook him.

The Potions Master awoke suddenly to a weight on his body and his mouth being gently assailed. His black eyes snapped open and reflexively he shoved the weight off him, sitting up in the bed startled and looking down at a disheveled and rather surprised Hermione Granger.
"What are you doing?" he demanded of her, frowning. Still his eyes drifted over her naked body before returning to her face. Hermione sat up too.

"I was trying to wake you up," she responded.

"Like that? You could have simply called me. I would have awakened," he replied.

Hermione looked at him a moment.

"Yes, I suppose I could have done that…but I thought kissing you awake would be better," she said softly.

Severus just stared at her for a moment.

"Why do you think that would have been better witch?" he asked her, noticing he'd been scourgified.

Hermione shrugged and turned a bit crimson.

"Well, if you wake most wizards up that way, they are usually receptive to more sex," the witch replied.

Severus looked at her, his head cocked slightly.

"If you wanted me to take you again, you could have just asked me," he replied.

Hermione's brow furrowed.

"You told me at the beginning of your patronage that you would not be my "stud service." I didn't want you to turn me down," she said, her voice a low whisper. "I thought I might have a better chance if I persuaded you physically."

"I don't do kissing," the Potions Master said tightly, lying back down on his back, placing his arms behind his head. Hermione's eyes swept over his long, lean, pale body and drew in a breath before looking back to his face.

"Why?" Hermione asked him, lying down too, her body facing his.

Severus was silent for several seconds.

"It's too intimate," he responded shortly.

Both of Hermione's eyebrows rose.

"And sticking your tool in me numerous times in numerous ways isn't?" the witch asked him incredulously.

"It's a different kind of intimacy. Kissing suggests emotions are involved. Feelings are being exchanged. What we are doing is purely physical," the wizard answered her, his black eyes studying her face.

Hermione looked back at him and drew in another breath.

"You know, Professor…" she began.

"Severus," the Potions Master corrected her.

"Severus. You know whenever a witch has sex, emotions are going to be involved," the witch said, wanting to run her fingers through the wizard's lank hair.

"That's not my experience. I've been with several witches who easily spread their legs and left, never to return," the wizard said coldly. "They had no interest in any 'emotional' connection. They just wanted sex, plain and simple. And I gave it to them."

He looked at her.

"Surely you have slept with wizards and not stayed with them," the wizard said, his eyes narrowing.

Hermione nodded.

"I have been with wizards who just didn't pan out. But it wasn't for lack of emotion. Something was just missing," she admitted, "And we did kiss when we made love."

Hermione knew what was missing. What the Potions Master had just given her. She couldn't stay in a relationship where her needs wouldn't be met. She'd be miserable, and never had the nerve to tell any of her partners what was missing in the bedroom.

"That's the difference, witch. I didn't make love to you. I fucked you. Fucking doesn't require kisses," the Potions Master said.

Still, for a passing moment the wizard had felt a strong desire to kiss the witch.

Hermione looked at the wizard and decided to try another tack.

"You gave me three orgasms, Severus. I think you deserve some kisses for that," she said softly, letting her hand fall gently on his chest, half afraid he would demand she move it.

But he didn't. The wizard continued to look up at the ceiling, though his eyes fluttered just a bit as her small warm hand made contact with his skin. She wanted to touch him. Suddenly he turned his head and looked at her.

"Three?" he asked her.

Hermione smiled at him and nodded.

"Hm," he said looking up at the ceiling again.

"You might have given me more if I hadn't blacked out with pleasure," Hermione crooned, stroking the wizard's ego. "You're the best lover I've ever had."

Severus tried not to react to this, but his chest swelled anyway.

Hermione smirked.

"So strong. So passionate. I never would have guessed you were so passionate," Hermione continued, her voice low and sexy, "You hide it so well. But now I know."

She slowly slid her hand down to the wizard's rippled abs. The witch noticed he was beginning to slowly swell.

What Hermione didn't know was that if Severus had not seen her with the Wheezer, he would have been a much different lover and probably wouldn't have given her the satisfaction she experienced with him if not for his spying on her.

Severus looked at the witch sharply.

"You are trying to seduce me," he said.

"Yes, I am," Hermione said, feeling bolder now that he was reacting to her. "I've decided to get all the sex I can while you're here. The gods only know how many more months I'll have to wait until you need me like this again."

Severus fell silent, studying the witch so intently Hermione felt as if he were looking deep inside of her. Suddenly the wizard rolled over on top of her, grasping her wrists and holding them down as he adjusted his body, fitting himself between Hermione's open thighs.

"Possibly you will not have to wait months, witch," he breathed down at her. "However, I have to ask you…are you in any pain from our last encounter?"

Hermione shook her head.

"I went to your medicinal potions stores and drank a few of your purple potions. You don't mind do you?" she asked, her eyes glistening as she looked up at the wizard.

Severus' face softened just a bit.

"No," he replied softly, "I don't mind at all."

When Severus left the next morning, he found it quite an effort, particularly since when he woke up and went to shower leaving the witch asleep in his bed, Hermione woke up and forced her way into the stall with him. Slippery and covered in suds the wizard shagged her against the tiled wall, the witch clinging to him for dear life and shrieking his name as he took her.
It was Sunday, and he could have stayed…but part of him said "Escape." The wizard felt as if Hermione had cast some kind of lust spell on him…and even checked himself to see if he were under a magical influence, but he wasn't. Eli made them both a huge breakfast, a broad smile plastered on his elfish face as the couple ate in silence. The house elf knew the in-outie had been good. He could hear Hermione's passionate cries clear in his cupboard, and the Master hadn't put her out as he did the other scant witches he had brought to his home over the years.

Severus accepted the rolled up parchments duplicated from Harry's original score, bid the witch goodbye rather gruffly, wrapped his robes around himself dramatically and disapparated back to Hogwarts.

Hermione smiled to herself as she walked back to her bedroom. Her body still had a delicious ache as she dropped into her bed for a bit more sleep. The potions could help only so much but she didn't mind. The sex had been mind-blowing and she discovered that the Potions Master was a flesh and blood man after all, with all the weaknesses that designation entailed, especially very poor resistance to an offer of good, hot sex.

Hermione rolled over, her face in the pillow and gave another knowing smile.

The snarky wizard would be back, she was sure. And it wouldn't take him months, and it wouldn't be just to collect receipts.

Severus appeared in his bedroom with a crack of thunder and immediately removed his robes, boots and socks, changing into his black housecoat and slippers. The Potions Master planned to take his meals in, preferring not to mix with other staff today. He fished in his discarded robes pocket and retrieved the score Hermione had worked so hard on. According to the witch it was two-thirds completed.

He sat down on his bed and studied the notations. The witch had done quite a good job with it, considering she was not a musician herself. But writing music had a mathematical basis, so it was no surprise the brilliant witch showed an aptitude for it.

Hm. Potter's soul was quite complicated. To the Potions Master the music seemed to actually reflect the young wizard's life. There were a number of deceptive cadences, not that Severus found that surprising considering how sneaky Potter had been at Hogwarts. He was supposed to have been a Slytherin after all, and only was placed in Gryffindor by request.

The Potions Master's black eyes scanned the parchment. Both major and minor modes abounded, several intermezzos, a few areas that would require a couple of pizzicatos, the strings plucked rather than bowed. All in all, the music of Harry's soul was mostly a polyphony, combining a number of individual but harmonizing melodies. It was a complicated piece. Severus didn't understand how one person could play the entire piece. But then again, with magic…anything was possible.

The wizard stood up and walked into his study, his nose in the parchments as he walked over to a section of bookshelf, pulled back a false front and removed his violin case. He carried it over to the fireplace and set it and the music down in the armchair. He then strode over to the corner of the room and retrieved his magical music stand. It was a small podium that automatically turned pages so he wouldn't have to stop playing to do it manually. Severus placed the parchment neatly on the stand, then opened his case, removing his violin, his pale hand caressing it almost lovingly as he did so. He had just had it and the bow professionally serviced. The pegs had been refitted and greased, the neck and fingerboard planed and readjusted, and a new bridge cut and fitted. The strings had been replaced with the finest quality strings available. It had cost a small fortune to keep his instrument in perfect condition, but the violin was worth it.

It was a Stradivarius.

Severus began playing violin when he was seventeen and was self-taught. The young wizard would cast a silencing spell around his private room in Slytherin, turn on the wizarding wireless and play along to the classics. He could play beautifully before he could read music. Severus found it soothing to his soul, particularly after confrontations with the Marauders. His ability to lose himself in the music he played probably kept him from blasting the bastards into bloody bits. It was another outlet and always soothed him.

In his mid-twenties, Severus risked Azkaban by illegally using a time turner given him by Albus to visit the year 1708 and a small violin shop run by one Antonio Stradivari. He had a bag of gold with him and asked the muggle to sell him a violin. Antonio presented him with a fine specimen. Severus drew the bow across the strings, his face twisted in bliss as the perfect, golden tones filled the shop. He then presented Antonio with the bag of gold who protested that he was paying too much.

Severus replied, "I assure you sir, that a violin made by your hands is worth many more bags of gold than this. You are a true Master. Thank you."

The muggle watched the strange robed wizard exit his shop then stared down at the bag of gold. He'd be able to make quite a few violins with that.

Severus reverently placed the Strad under his chin and drew the bow across the strings, closing his eyes, a slight smile on his face as the lovely tone filled the study. His pleasure for his music was only rivaled by the pleasure he had found with Hermione the night before, and before that…there was only his music.

Severus translated and played that newly discovered pleasure, concocting an original melody full of passion, desire and something he couldn't identify as he lay bow to string, his lean body swaying, dark eyes closed in concentration, lank hair swinging as he played Hermione's Song, lost to his memories of the passionate witch, water cascading down her body and the music swelling over him, lifting him higher and higher, the bow flying across the violin, blurring as it flew.

If the wizard had opened his eyes, he would have seen a subtle glow, an aura of white light on the verge of turning golden pulsing around his frame. But the Potions Master always closed his eyes to deepen the purity of the sound, unless he were reading music. In that case, the glow didn't manifest.

Hermione had no idea she had been shagged by the only Harper in the wizarding world.

"I understand your concern, Headmaster, but this council would be amiss if it used the resources of our society to handle a purely muggle concern," Professor Figglesworth said to a scowling Albus.
The Head of Hogwarts stood in front of a podium, having just addressed the Ministry Council on the issue of the possible discovery of Dementors in India, where the creatures were feeding off of the Untouchables.

"But Minister, it should be clear to you that should the Dementors increase their numbers they will be a threat to both the muggle and the wizarding world," Albus said, "They care not where they draw their souls from. These Dementors have no allegiance to any government authority. They are predators. We must find them and destroy them."

Figglesworth looked over the paperwork before him, scowling slightly.

"There is no mention of Dementors here. Just the condition of the unfortunate muggles…which for all we know could have been brought on by any number of things. It is not our affair, Headmaster. Let the muggles handle their own problems," the Minister said with finality. The other council members murmured agreement.

"This council is just as blind and pig-headed as when Fudge was in office. You refuse to see the impending danger until it is upon you," Albus seethed, power crackling around him in his ire. The council drew back collectively as nervous Aurors took a step forward. No one wanted to fuck with an angry Albus.

"Fine then. I myself will find a way to deal with this situation. For a wizard who runs Hogwarts, I do an awful amount of Ministry work," the wizard said. "And I assure you, when this business is handled, your reluctance to help will be made common knowledge. You will not receive one iota of credit Figglesworth…neither you nor your empty-headed cronies!" Albus declared, gathering up his paperwork, turning with a great swirl of robes and exiting the boardroom.

The thunder of apparation followed him. No one should have been able to apparate out of the Ministry building…it was a breach of security, but simple wards could not contain Albus Dumbledore. The gods bless them if they tried to arrest him for it.

"He could be trouble, Minister," one of the councilmen said nervously.

"He's always trouble," Figglesworth spat. "Dementors in India. What business of that is ours? Let their Brahmins take care of whatever is striking those people down. They should be glad something is thinning out their population."

The other council members mumbled agreement as they departed the boardroom.

Damn Dumbledore. The old wizard was always drumming up trouble where there was none.

"Right through here, Headmaster," the medi-witch said, opening the door and letting the tall, elderly wizard walk through.
"Thank you, my dear," Albus said to the witch, who nodded and closed the door behind him.

Albus sighed and looked around the sterile white room. St. Mungos didn't allow extras in these type of patient rooms. It made no difference to those interred. Albus walked over to the small cot and looked down on Professor Minerva McGonagall, his former Transfiguration student and lover. She was small and wasted now, her reddish-gray hair completely white although she was only in her eighties, just reaching middle-age.

The old wizard sighed, drew up a small folding chair and sat down, taking the witch's slender hand in his own as he wiped a tear from under his half-moon spectacles.

"Ah, Minerva my sweet. Here we are again," he said softly, blinking down at the witch. Her thin chest rose and fell slightly beneath the white paper gown she was kept in.

"How I miss you," he breathed, his thumb moving back and forth over her knuckles. Then his eyes hardened.

"Those idiots at the Ministry have once again turned a blind eye to a growing danger. Dementors are in India, Minerva…and I have no doubt that they are breeding. It seems, my dear, I am once again going to have to take matters into my own hands and send Order members overseas in search of the creatures," he said, pausing as the witch's hand twitched.

In the beginning when this happened the wizard hoped that the witch was returning to him. The healers all assured him it was an involuntary motion. Minerva's limbs were exercised each day to lessen the loss of muscle mass as they kept her alive. Some healers believed victims of Dementors should be allowed to die, and those who could not afford the constant care often did. Albus paid for Minerva's continued care, unable to let the witch go. At least he could see her. It was incredibly selfish of him…but there it was.

"Albus! Albus!" Minerva called from the darkness, hearing the Headmaster's voice. She banged on the invisible walls as she had every time he visited her for years, her eyes glistening. "Albus! I'm here! I'm here!"

A low hiss echoed around her. The witch turned red with rage at the sound.

"You damnable creature!" Minerva shouted at the noise of her captor, "Release me!"

The Dementor ignored the small, irritating voice. The soul had been shouting at it for release for more than eight years now. It was used to the noise, but would be glad when the human's body died and it could absorb someone more…peaceable to maintain its half-life. True, it had absorbed others for the express purpose of breeding, but Minerva was its core soul, the one that powered it. Only the death of the witch's body would release her to the afterlife.

The creature shifted deeper into the shadows of the ruins and settled in to dream of vengeance against the wizarding world.

Albus stayed with Minerva for over an hour, having a one-sided discussion concerning how he would go about garnering volunteers to hunt Dementors, not knowing Minerva was listening to every word. She was happy that the horrible creatures would be hunted down and destroyed, but also realized that when the Dementor that held her spirit died, she would too. No one had ever revived when a Dementor was destroyed, so the soul it contained must have been destroyed as well.

This saddened her, but sacrifices had to be made. If she died, then her death would be worth it. The Dementors had to be stopped, no matter the cost. Gods, if she could just see Albus…just look into those kindly, twinkling blue eyes just once more, she'd gladly go to the Afterlife…

"Goodbye, Minerva my love," the old wizard said, kissing her hand, then laying it carefully by her side, his eyes glistening. "Until next time, my sweet."

Albus slowly rose from the chair and lifted his glasses, wiping at his eyes as he always did when he left the witch he loved. He put the chair back and looked at Minerva once more before departing the room.

He would find those damned Dementors and this time make sure every single one was wiped from the face of the earth. They had taken the only woman he had ever loved intimately.

For that, they would pay.

Albus took a leave of absence from Hogwarts, leaving Professor Flitwick as temporary Headmaster. He had not yet let anyone know about the possibility of the Dementors living in India and breeding. After much consideration, he decided Minister Figglesworth had a point…no one had seen the Dementors. He decided it would be best if he went to India to find out for certain what had stricken the Untouchables. Hopefully there would be stricken muggles to examine. In India, they let them die. It was hard enough for the poor to feed those of their families who weren't in such a state. To feed someone who could not contribute made no sense.

Hermione continued to work on Harry's song, now adding the underlying notations, upgrading the intricate score to an absolute symphony. She also began to advertise for skilled musicians for a "private project." To pull them in, she offered two galleons for their time.
What a fiasco that was. Every poser in the wizarding world must have shown up outside of the Potions Master's gate. Hermione was glad Severus wasn't on the premises. Some hexes would have certainly flown. Hermione quickly drew up an application and with a few well placed spells made it self-judging…those unqualified were immediately spirited back to whence they came. Then she placed a spell on it to duplicate itself each time an application was taken, placed them in a box and had Eli go outside and attach the box to the fence.

The very first question was: "Can you read music?"

Two-thirds of the musicians disappeared immediately.

Eli scowled out of the living room window at the crowd.

"The Master wouldn't likes this," he complained to Hermione, who was in the other window holding a clipboard and watching person after person pluck applications from the self-filling box she had attached to the picket fence.

"Well, let's just be glad the Master isn't here," she said.

The name and appointment times of those witches and wizards who met the requirements magically appeared on the clipboard. Hermione was glad she had thought to make a one day deadline otherwise she would have been overrun. As it stood, she had over two hundred possibles to review by the time the sun went down. It would take a couple of weeks to see them all.

Severus didn't return to his home for more than a month, although he found himself thinking of Hermione often. Too often in fact, his body reacting to the very thought of the witch. The wizard was hoping "out of sight" meant "out of mind", but it wasn't the case. A few nights he needed the assistance of a sleeping draught to help him sleep. Severus was a stubborn wizard, and felt his attraction for the witch was not a good thing. It was undisciplined, something he wasn't in control of. He knew the moment he saw Hermione he'd want to take her to his bed and lose himself in her again.
He had heard the term "pussy-whipped" before. Had this affliction befallen him? He had only been with the witch once, well twice if he counted the first time…which was a mere shadow of intimacy compared to what he experienced with the witch.

Only his music served to take his mind off her. He had learned the main melody of Harry's song, picking it out from among the hundreds of notations. He had to admit it was a hauntingly beautiful strain. When he played, Severus could feel the young wizard's difficult life flow over him, feel the discordance, the impending darkness in the movements of his song...and almost hear the accompaniment of hope, strength, courage and destiny, the unplayed parts of the symphony still coming to life beneath his bow. But that was impossible. It had to be in his head.

Severus avoided using his security mirror to look in on Hermione. He felt it would lower his resistance even further, but one Saturday afternoon he couldn't help himself and took the mirror out from its hiding place and focused on Hermione. His eyes widened as he saw the witch sitting in her lab behind a long table with a stack of parchments piled on it, apparently listening to a wizard playing a flute. A music stand was in front of him, and Severus saw the parchment.

Hermione must have finished Harry's music and was auditioning musicians, hoping to find a Harper. By the way the witch's face was set, she wasn't impressed with the playing. She motioned to the wizard to stop and said something. The wizard's face contorted angrily and he shouted something at the witch, waving his flute about and striding toward her.

Hermione's wand was out in an instant, and the wizard froze as the witch looked at him narrow-eyed. She slid two gallons across the table. The glowering wizard picked it up and Hermione flicked her wand at him and he was gone. She lowered her head and rubbed her brow in exasperation. After several moments she stood up, picked up a parchment and examined it, then walked to the lab door and opened it. Severus could see she had set up wooden chairs in the small space and a number of witches and wizards sat there, looking at her expectantly.

She said something, and a witch with a huge cello made her way inside. Hermione pulled up a chair for her, and lowered the music stand so the witch could read the music, and returned to her seat. The woman began to play and Hermione looked interested for a moment, but then her eyes began to dull. Suddenly she waved her hand at the witch and shook her head.

The witch began to cry. Hermione looked contrite as the woman rose and collected her two galleons. The woman looked at Hermione reproachfully and said something rude by Hermione's shocked reaction. Then the woman picked up her cello and exited in a huff. Hermione stared after her and suddenly looked extremely tired and worn.

Musicians were a volatile lot under the best circumstances, and they were wearing the witch down. Severus was curious as to how they played the score. He sat there a moment in indecision. If he went to the house now, he would have something to distract him from Hermione, at least for the time being.

He sat there a long moment, watching the next applicant, a burly man with a tuba. He shook his head. No way could a tuba capture the spirit of the symphony of Harry's soul. He knew how it should be played.

Suddenly the wizard stood up, strode over to the bookshelf, opened the false front and retrieved his violin and bow.

After all her hard work, Hermione deserved to hear the song as it should be played. He was no Harper, but he felt he had captured the essence of the score.

Besides, she needed someone to help her judge. Someone who didn't mind telling another person they weren't good enough.

Someone like him.

Severus returned the security mirror to his desk drawer, walked into his bedroom and apparated, arriving in his living room with a crack of thunder, startling Eli, who looked extremely fearful at the sight of his Master. He was sure to be displeased at all the strangers in his house.

"M-m-master," the elf began, babbling.

Severus held a pale hand up.

"I already know, Eli," he said to the elf. Then Eli saw the violin and his green eyes widened.

"You means to play the magic music, Master?" the elf asked him, excited.

Severus scowled at him.

"Possibly. But I am primarily here to help Hermione rid herself of these posers," the dark wizard responded, reducing both bow and violin case and depositing them in separate pockets. Then he walked to the door leading down to the labs, pulled it opened and walked through.

Every eye looked up as the Potions Master swept down the stairs, scowling blackly at the group and walking through the lab door as if he owned the place.

"Hey!" some voices rose behind him.

Severus slammed the door in their faces, shocking both Hermione and the wizard with the oboe. He looked at the witch and felt his stomach clench with desire…but he covered it well. He was gratified to see however, that Hermione's eyes heated up the moment she saw him. She too fought it back.

"Severus, what are you doing here?" she asked the wizard as he dragged a chair over to the table and sat down next to her, his dark eyes resting on the oboe player.

"I am here to help you judge," he said, "I know how the song should be played and am an actual musician. I can make better decisions than you."

Hermione smiled at the wizard gratefully.

The oboe player looked disgruntled.

"Can I continue?" he asked with irritation in his voice. He was just falling into his groove when the tall, pale wizard entered.

"Go ahead," Severus replied, leaning back in the chair and crossing his arms. Hermione thought it wasn't a very receptive position.

The oboe player began at the beginning. He had only played two measures when Severus said, "No."

The wizard pulled the woodwind out of his mouth.

"What do you mean no? I hardly played a note," he complained, his face reddening.

"And thank the gods for that," Severus replied. "You don't have the proper instrument or skill for this piece. Depart."

The oboe player looked mutinous, and Severus' face took on a darker mien as if to say…"Please give me a reason to hex you."

"What about my two galleons?" the wizard asked, looking at Hermione pointedly. The witch avoided looking at Severus and pulled two galleons out of a bag resting on the table. A rather big bag. The Potions Master's eyes narrowed.

"Is that MY money?" he asked the witch.

Hermione nodded.

"It's part of the project. You said not to use my own money," the witch said in a small voice.

Severus stared at the witch for a moment. He had a flashback of Hermione pinned against the tiled wall of the shower, soaked, her legs wrapped around his slippery waist and amber eyes glazed with passion as he possessed her. The wizard blinked and the witch was restored. His black eyes fell on the oboe player.

"Take it," he said.

The wizard walked up and retrieved the coins. He looked as if he wanted to say something nasty, but the Potions Master's eyes glinted at him warningly, and the wizard exited without a word.

Severus suddenly rose.

"Wait here," he said to Hermione, exiting the lab and closing the door behind him.

Suddenly she heard a lot of grumbling and a couple of blasts. She rose from her chair and was about to go to the door when it opened and Severus walked back in, fixing his robes.

"Sit down," he said to her imperiously. "I've just removed half of your applicants. Those with brass and woodwinds. They aren't the proper instruments and I don't want my galleons wasted. Strings. Only strings can began to capture the essence of that song, though I seriously doubt you will find your Harper this way."

Hermione sat down, her face crestfallen. Severus found he didn't like it, but there was little he could do. He wouldn't give the witch false hope.

"Next!" he bellowed.

Severus and Hermione sat through ten more applicants, almost all of whom the Potions Master tossed out after grudgingly giving them their two galleons. But there was one young girl of about seventeen who played decently. The Potions Master believed she could be taught the proper way to play the piece if given time. Her name was Christa, and she had the most beautiful blue eyes Hermione had ever seen. However, Hermione shook her head and leaned over to Severus.
"When a Harper plays, there is an increase of magic that can be felt by those who listen, as well as a slight glow that increases. Neither occurred with Christa, though she played beautifully," the witch said sadly. "It makes no sense to accept her when she doesn't fit the description."

Severus nodded. The witch was right. The wizard complimented Christa on her playing and told her to continue practicing, giving her three galleons and a half smile before she departed.

Hermione felt a little twinge of jealousy but didn't say anything. But Severus wasn't smitten with the young witch. It was the music which made him act less than snarky. Hermione didn't know that however and it took a moment or two for the knot in her belly to loosen.

"What am I going to do?" she said softly, rising to retrieve the music from the stand. "Who am I going to find to play this? According to Ministry records, the last recorded Harper died over ten years ago. It is a very rare gift."

The witch's eyes began to glisten.

"Oh Harry," she sighed.

"Leave the music, Hermione," Severus suddenly said to the witch. Hermione froze by the music stand.

"Why?" she asked him.

Severus rose and removed both the violin and the bow from his pockets resizing them as the witch looked on, her eyes rounding.

"You play violin?" she asked the wizard.

Severus frowned at her.

"No, I play the drums," he replied rather snarkily. "I carry them in this special case to throw people off. Now come sit down."

Severus opened the case, then began unbuttoning his robes as Hermione sat down, looking up at him, a bit of heat forming in her belly as she watched him, remembering the last time he removed his robes. But this time he wore a white shirt and black trousers beneath them. He really had come to assist her. The witch felt a twinge of disappointment.

"I find robes restricting when I play," the wizard said to her, picking up his bow and violin, then striding over to the podium. He leafed through the parchment, studying the new finished product, nodding as he scanned the notations. He looked up at Hermione.

"Well done," he said to the witch, who flushed at his praise. The Potions Master never gave false praise.

"You are the first human being other than myself to hear me play," he stated, "I presume this is a magic stand?"

Hermione nodded.

Severus brought the violin to his chin and closed his eyes, preparing himself to play the opening strains to Harry's music.

Hermione blinked as she felt a slight stir in the air. She looked around the room, wondering if there was some kind of draft.

Then Severus began to play.

Hermione was immediately caught up in the clear, lovely, haunting tone of the violin as it sang the first few notes…but there was something odd about them, as if there were another undertone. Again there was a shifting of atmosphere, almost as if an oath were being taken.

Severus began to play faster, and the feeling of accompaniment grew stronger though it was nothing audible, more like something she felt. The Potions Master played beautifully. Hermione thought she never heard anything more poignant or seen a man more sensual as the wizard fell into the song, his bow flying across the strings, his eyes closed, a look of pleasure on his face as if he were making love with music, his lean frame swaying, turning slightly, his arm flexing, body following, hair swinging and tossing in time with his motions. Hermione's eyes widened and stayed that way as Severus played the song as if his own soul depended on its proper conclusion. He played the last quiet ebbing strains, then ended with a flourish, lowering the violin, his black eyes opening and resting on the witch who was staring at him as if he had grown another head.

"Well?" he said to her, "Was that an adequate rendition in your rather flawed opinion?"

Hermione stared at him, her jaw working but nothing coming out.

Finally she squeaked something.

"What?" the Potions Master asked. What was wrong with the witch?

"You're a Harper," she said in a low, awed voice. "I felt the magic…and…and…"

"And what?" Severus snapped at her.

"And you glowed," she finished, staring at the wizard. "You have the magic of music, Severus. You can fix Harry's soul."

Severus blinked at her.

"You're mad," he breathed, walking back around the table and putting his violin away, "I didn't glow. It was your imagination."

Hermione scowled at him.

"It was not my imagination, Severus. You glowed and I can prove it. Use Legilimency to see what I saw and experience what I felt," she said, leaning toward him.

The wizard hesitated. The witch sounded quite sure of herself. But no. No, she couldn't be right...could she?

"Fine. Legilimens," the wizard said, looking into her recent memories. He started.

Dear Merlin…he WAS glowing. A fine white light silhouetting him at first, then changing to a slight golden hue…and she also felt the accompaniment, as if several other violins were playing with him, completing the symphony. And then, the unmistakable swirl of magic. He pulled out of her mind, his black eyes astonished.

"You saw it. You're a Harper," she breathed.

Suddenly Hermione's arms were around his neck pulling him down and she was kissing the startled wizard, her soft lips moving against his mouth as her curves pressed against his body.

Severus was torn. His first reflex was to push her away, but his secondary reaction urged him to let her continue the kiss…and the third reaction was loin-based, definitely the most convincing reaction of the three so he wrapped his arms around the witch and gave himself over, allowing her access to his mouth, her sweet, seeking tongue entwining with his own. The wizard growled, crushing the witch against him, pressing his growing erection into her belly with some force. Hermione gasped into his mouth.

Severus lifted the witch and sat her on the table, pulling away from her mouth.

"What are you wearing under your robes?" he hissed at her, the blood in his brain draining quickly. Nature didn't give men enough blood to maintain two heads at once and at the moment, the Professor's lower region needed the corpuscles more.

"A skirt," Hermione panted back at him, pulling him back down into another kiss. But the Potions Master's arms didn't go back around her, because his hands were too busy pulling his shirt out and unfastening his trousers.

Hermione took advantage of his lust. She released his mouth.

"You'll help Harry?" she asked the wizard as he opened his shirt, his eyes on her thighs.

"Harry who?" he breathed, lowering his trousers, then his boxers, his huge organ springing out, dripping so fiercely it looked as if it were drooling. He pulled her forward, impatiently pushing up her robes and skirt.

"Harry Potter. Will you help him, Severus?" the witch asked before shrieking a bit as the wizard pushed her rather roughly down on her back on the table and ripped her knickers off.

Severus grasped Hermione's waist and rammed into her with a groan, his eyes rolling up in bliss as the witch cried out at his sudden penetration. Severus leaned over Hermione, catching her wrists, black eyes blazing and began to possess her hard and fast.

"Yes, yes, yes," the wizard groaned as Hermione cried out rhythmically as her patron once again claimed his right to her body, his huge tool hitting her just right, the witch rolling her pelvis in reaction, causing the wizard to change his angle, realizing what she wanted. He shifted his hips, hitting a different part of her with each stroke, Hermione urging him on.

"Gods, Severus…oh damn!" she cried out, making the wizard increase his ardor, the entire table beginning to move. Hermione orgasmed strongly, her release squirting out of her, wetting his loins and his shirt, but the wizard didn't care as he hissed, feeling her clench around him. He stopped, looking down at the witch, watching her face contort with bliss, his nostrils flaring as the scent of sex filled them. Fuck, he hadn't meant for this to happen…but when she kissed him and pressed against him...

The wizard began to stroke her again, slower this time, easing her through the last bit of her climax, the witch purring now, her amber eyes half open as she jerked back and forth gently. He still felt delicious, his hardness filling her, caressing her, claiming her, his dark eyes meeting hers hungrily. Hermione found her voice.

"You'll help Harry, won't you Severus? We need you," she said softly, reaching up and caressing the wizard's lank hair as he stroked her gently.

Severus looked down at her, pleasure thrumming through his body as he immersed himself in her softness over and over. Suddenly Hermione bore down on his shaft, making the wizard gasp in reaction.

"You'll help me, Severus?" she asked again, "Please?"

The witch was a minx. How could he say no when he was burying himself up to his balls inside her? He could say no…but why?

"Yes, I'll help you," he breathed, "now be quiet."

Hermione shut her mouth for a moment before it went slack, her amber eyes growing hotter as he stroked her, her body starting to writhe. She wanted more.

Severus' face contorted.

"Better yet, don't be quiet," he hissed, pouring on the power again.

Upstairs, Eli shook his head as he heard Hermione's cries.

"Mates," he said knowingly, going to prepare dinner. The couple would be quite hungry indeed when they finally came upstairs.

Severus' black eyes returned again and again to Hermione's tangled hair as they ate their supper quietly. He had scourgified both himself and the witch, but there was little he could do for her hair. It was a glaring reminder of what they had done in the Spells lab. He found he liked her locks wild and untamed when he was the cause of it.
"You're very quiet, witch," he said to her, cutting a piece of steak and popping it into his mouth and chewing.

"That's because I have next to no voice left," she said in a near-whisper.

Severus smirked. The witch made him feel as if he were the best lover in the world.

"I'll give you something for that and your other aches after supper," he said

"Thank you," she said softly, looking down at her plate.

The wizard studied her.

"Look at me," he demanded.

Hermione's eyes rose slowly and she leveled them on the wizard's face.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked her, putting down his utensils.

Hermione took a long drink of sparkling pumpkin juice. Her throat immediately felt better. She looked toward the kitchen a bit suspiciously, suspecting Eli added something extra to her drink.

Severus cleared his throat impatiently, and Hermione remembered he asked her what was wrong.

"I was just wondering when you would be returning to Hogwarts," the witch said, thinking the wizard was sated and wouldn't stay.

"Not tonight," he replied.

Hermione smiled before she could help herself, then quickly looked down at her plate again.

Severus didn't miss her smile. The witch was happy he was staying. Genuinely happy. The wizard couldn't remember anyone being happy about his presence, except maybe the Dark Lord when he was being tortured.

"However, I am going to be magnanimous tonight. You have a choice whether to sleep in your own bed alone, or in mine with me," he said to the witch. He was testing her of course. "I must warn you…if you choose to sleep with me there will be a hefty "sleep tax."

Hermione laughed out loud, she couldn't help herself as she looked at the sober wizard.

"A sleep tax? Is that what they're calling shagging now?" she asked.

"No. That's what I'm calling it for the time being. So what will it be witch? Your bed or mine?" the wizard asked, his black eyes glinting.

"I've always paid my taxes," she said with a smirk, "there's no reason to stop now."

Severus felt a little swell in his chest and caught himself.

"I hope you realize that your sleeping with me makes no difference in the larger scheme of things. This is still a purely physical arrangement," he said sharply.

"I know," Hermione said, trying to hide her smile.

The wizard snorted in irritation as he saw it.

"I mean that, Hermione. Purely physical," he declared.

"I'm not complaining. I've accepted the terms of patronage, Severus," she responded, finishing her green beans, still wearing the annoying smile. "I know where I stand. And where I lie, bend, twist…whatever."

"Good. I don't want you trying to work any of your witchly wiles on me," he continued, finishing his steak. "I won't fall for them."

"Of course you won't," Hermione agreed. "This is just a temporary arrangement after all."

Severus' belly tightened uncomfortably when she said that.

"Yes it is. Be sure to remember that," he snarked.

But the tightness in his belly wouldn't go away. He changed the subject as Eli entered with fresh fruit and cleared their plates away. The elf was smiling broadly, which also irritated the Potions Master.

"Do you have to walk around here grinning like an idiot, Eli?" he snapped at the elf.

"Why, yes sir," the elf replied jauntily, walking back into the kitchen with a little skip to his step.

Hermione covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

"You are making my elf insubordinate," Severus accused Hermione.

She scowled at the wizard.

"He wasn't being insubordinate. He just answered you," the witch said, biting into her peeled pear.

"Yes he answered me. Far too frivolously I might add. He wasn't like that before you arrived. He cringed at my every word," the wizard said, cutting a piece of his own pear and eating it.

"People change. Maybe house elves do too," Hermione replied with a smirk.

Severus snorted and they finished their dessert in silence. Severus rose first.

"Come with me into the living room. We need to talk about this situation with Harry," the wizard said, striding from the table and walking right past Hermione. The witch sighed, pushed her chair out, stood up and followed him. The Potions Master had absolutely NO manners.

He sat down in one armchair and gestured to Hermione to sit in the other.

"You have no idea what Harry's situation is," he said to the witch, his eyes resting on her.

Hermione frowned.

"What do you mean I have no idea of his situation? I visit him constantly. I see what's happened to him," she said, affronted.

The Potions Master sighed.

"You know outwardly, but not inwardly. You have no idea exactly how much of him is here…with us. No idea what goes through his mind, if anything. How do you expect to heal him, Hermione if you don't know what he knows or doesn't know? You have to investigate that. I'm surprised you haven't perform legilimency on him," the Potions Master said evenly. "This is what I meant when I said your research skills have atrophied. The old Hermione would have done such a thing right off."

Hermione stared at him, shocked. How did she miss something so glaringly obvious? It was disconcerting to realize she was so far off her game. Then she looked at the wizard thoughtfully.

"No. I think you're wrong, Severus. You are the one who is going to repair his soul as soon as I learn the ritual from the Harmonics book. You should be the one to find out what is going on inside him. It may help you," she said.

Both of Severus' eyebrows rose.

"Me? In Potter's head?" he said, shivering a bit. He remembered going into the wizard's mind years ago when trying to teach the idiot boy Occlumency. It hadn't been pretty and ended quite badly. The wizard's black eyes washed over the witch. He didn't have to do it. He could decline and still have sex with her.

But the truth was, the situation fascinated him. If he were a Harper, it meant he had untapped powers. He would like to try them out, and currently trying to heal Harry was the only way to do it.

"Very well," he said. "I'll do it."

Hermione gave him her brightest smile yet.

Severus knew to Hermione it sounded as if he had agreed to do something wonderful for another human being, when actually he had selfish motives. It worked out well in a Slytherinish kind of way. Plus, he was now her hero.

They hashed out the details. Hermione would research the actual ritual and Severus would spend the week practicing the score. They would visit Harry over the weekend and if feasible, attempt to restore him.

Hermione's face was shining with hope and appreciation as she looked at the wizard. He was going to help her…and Harry.

"How will I ever thank you, Severus?" she asked him.

The wizard looked at her a moment, then stood up and caught her by the arm, pulling the witch from the chair and half-dragging her toward his bedroom.

"I'm sure you'll find a way," he purred.

Albus had seen some horrible things in his lifetime, but the plight of the Untouchables of India chilled him to his core. These were individuals believed born into the lowest strata of life because of the accumulation of sins from their previous lives. Hindu texts described these people as foul and loathsome, and any physical contact with them was thought to be pollutive, those of higher caste believing even the very presence of these poor people near the vicinity of their residence would pollute them to the point they could be denied their reserved place in heaven. As a result, the Untouchables were beaten and often killed freely and without any inquiry. No one cared what happened to an Untouchable.
Which made them perfect fodder for Dementors.

Untouchables were not allowed to wear shoes, ride bicycles, use umbrellas or hold their heads up while walking in the street in the presence of those of "higher caste" or position. Those in urban India lived crowded together in squalid slums, while in rural India, where the vast majority lived, they were exploited as landless agricultural laborers and ruled by terror and intimidation. There were over one hundred and sixty million of these unfortunates, most of which suffered from poverty, malnutrition and other diseases born from contaminated water and the filthy, unhygienic environments they were forced to live in.

The first day of his arrival, a somber faced Albus Dumbledore walked through a dumpsite that thousands of these poor people called home, located on the outskirts of the city, asking questions of the occupants via his Translation charm. The dump didn't even have solid soil for setting up temporary housing, the ground just a pile of accumulated waste from the city, predominantly plastic and other non-biodegradable refuse which emitted fumes whenever there was a slight rain.

Some of the Untouchables did manage to make houses out of discarded materials with plastic sheets for roofing and fine steel filings mixed with carbide waste collected from nearby steel foundries for the ground. This flooring caused blisters and cuts on their bodies since they had nothing else to lie on. Albus wandlessly healed hundreds of them, but soon had to disillusion himself and flee to the rural areas because a crowd began to follow him, calling him "Father" and begging him to save them from their evil lives. He left with a heavy heart.

It was in the rural areas that the attacks were occurring. The authorities ignored the situation completely. So many Untouchables disappeared or were stricken with illnesses under normal conditions that no one cared to investigate when they turned up alive and unmoving, their dark eyes empty and staring. As far as those in power were concerned it was just another disease, and another way to be rid of them.

Albus moved from mud hut to mud hut, questioning the occupants. His heart ached when he saw all the beautiful, malnourished children scavenging and begging. He had nothing for them and shook his head sadly, showing his empty hands and pockets. Such misery was here. No wonder the Dementor chose such a place. But despite his searching, he could find no one who actually saw one of the fearsome creatures.

"One night, I lay beside my wife and child and the air grew cold. We heard screaming and fled. The next morning we found our neighbor, his wife and his little girl on the ground staring up. They were breathing but did not move or see. They have since died, having no one to care for them. It is very hard here for those who are not ill. The sick have short lives," one man said, carrying a load of human feces on his head. He made his livelihood clearing "night soil" which was illegal.

Albus thanked the man. The description of coldness and the condition of the family told him what he needed to know. In the next village he was fortunate enough to find a young woman who had recently been attacked. The wizard took one look at her and knew immediately that yes, she was a victim. Her mother questioned him frantically as to how to bring her back, and when Albus told her he knew of no way, the woman collapsed to the ground wailing and throwing dirt into the air in grief.

He was about to leave the village when a little boy of about eight years old walked up behind him and tugged on his robes. Albus turned and looked down his crooked nose at the boy. He was so skinny, the wizard could count his ribs.

"I have seen them," the boy whispered, looking around. "Others have seen them too, but are afraid to say so…afraid it will bring them back."

Albus nodded and he and the boy walked away from the huts to the edge of a thick jungle.

"They come out of the bush at night. They are demons. Black demons without legs that float above the ground. They are covered, with long gray hands and black nails. They sound as if they have trouble breathing but are still quiet," the boy breathed up at Albus, his brown eyes wide. He started to tremble and the wizard placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"What else?" the wizard asked him.

"They bring cold with them…a hard cold that goes into your bones. And sadness. I can feel the sadness long before they come and throw wood on the fire and huddle on the other side of it," the boy continued. "They do not come near fire. My back gets burned sometimes."

Albus took this in. The boy could sense Dementors before they appeared. He surreptiously tested him for magic, flicking two fingers in his direction. There was a slight signature. He wasn't as dark as many of the Untouchables. Maybe he was a half-caste whose family were Untouchables because of how they lived rather than birth. The signature, however slight…meant he was an heir to the wizarding world.

The black-haired youngster was only dressed in a ragged pair of dingy red shorts and barefoot. He turned and showed Albus his back, which had a number of shiny welts from heat blisters. The wizard grimaced at the thinness of that back.

"Where are your parents?" Albus asked the boy.

"I have no parents. They were killed when they tried to go to the police to complain about my younger brother being murdered for picking flowers near a Brahmin's home. It is only me. My name is Bharadwaj. It means "lucky bird". But everyone calls me Bara."

"Lucky bird," Albus repeated, studying the young boy. "How long have you been alone? Will no one take you in?"

The boy shook his head.

"I am but another mouth. No one will help me. I must help myself. My parents have been dead seven months now. I scavenge and kill snakes to eat, even though they are sacred. Nothing is sacred when your belly is empty, except maybe the cows. But there are not many snakes left now."

Albus' face contorted as he looked at the boy. He swallowed not knowing what to say to this statement and instead asked, "You say these demons come out of the bush?"

Bara nodded.

"Out of the jungle late in the night. They float to the sleeping and kiss them," he said, his trembling becoming more pronounced.

Albus nodded and looked into the bush. The boy continued.

"There is a place there where the monkeys used to live. An old temple. They have always lived there…the temple is as old as the stars. Now, they are gone," Bara said meaningfully.

"How far is this temple?" Albus asked.

"Maybe five kilometers. It is not very far," the boy replied.

Albus studied the boy, wondering if he were strong enough to accept what was unacceptable to most.

"Bara, do you know what magic is?" Albus asked him.

The boy nodded.

"There are many magicians in the city. They climb ropes and disappear, stick pins through their bodies and leave no holes," he said knowledgably. "They are very powerful."

Albus smiled.

"I am also a magician…a wizard to be exact, and I can do magic," Albus said to the boy, his blue eyes looking on him kindly. "I am here to find out where these demons are, and to bring others to destroy them."

"With your magic?" Bara asked excitedly.

Albus nodded.

"Yes. With very powerful magic like you have never seen," he replied, "but I need a guide to the temple so I will be able to locate it. Will you guide me?"

Bara looked up at the white bearded, kind-eyed old wizard. He was very brave.

Bara was brave too.

"Yes, I will show you," the boy said staunchly, "And I will help you. I hate them. They are evil things."

Yes they are," Albus agreed.

The old wizard and young boy looked at each other for a moment.

"We can go now. The jungle is cool, but we must hurry and come back. If night comes…they may come," Bara said.

The boy was a bit frightened by this possibility, but he wouldn't show Albus any fear. If the old man could face them, so could he.

"I am a wizard, Bara. We will not have to walk the whole distance. Take my hand," Albus said, holding out his hand and looking toward the village to see if anyone was watching. Many were.

"I think we need to go into the jungle a bit more. I don't want everyone to see my magic," Albus said to the youngster, who had gripped his hand firmly.

"No. If they see your magic, they will crowd around you and not let you leave," Bara said, leading Albus into the jungle by his hand. They stopped when the village could no longer been seen.

"Five kilometers in that direction?" Albus said, pointing into the bush.

"Yes. That way," Bara confirmed.

"All right, Bara…hold on to my hand firmly. There will be a loud noise like thunder, but that is just the power of the magic. Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid," the boy declared, although his grip on Albus' hand tightened.

The wizard smiled and disapparated.

All of the Dementors resting in the dark interior of the temple ruins started and began milling about, hissing.
They could feel Albus. The Great Power from the final battle. His phoenix patronus had destroyed hundreds of Dementors, as did powerful blasts of white light that issued from his palms. They remembered Dumbledore collectively and were frightened.

"Go!" a Dementor hissed, and one by one they floated through a crack in the temple wall and into the jungle's interior. That the Great One was near boded no good. They were discovered.

Minerva could feel Albus too, through the fear of her captor which pulsed around her.

"Ah, you're running now, aren't you?" she taunted. "On borrowed time…all of you."

The Dementor hissed in irritation as it glided through the dark, leafy green of the bush, putting distance between itself and the approaching wizard. Damn this soul. It talked far too much.

"He knows you're all here. He will destroy you," the witch goaded, her eyes glinting maliciously as she stared into the darkness all around her. "I may have to go with you, but it will be worth it. You are all abominations and the world will be much better off without your like in it."

The Dementor hissed angrily.

Shut up you old bird.

Minerva smiled victoriously.

"Ah, talking now are we? You must be scared to death as you well should be. Albus Dumbledore will hunt you to the ends of the earth. All of you to the very ends of the earth."

The angry Dementor disappeared into the jungle, cursing the day it kissed this witch.

Albus and Bara stood about two hundred yards from the ruined temple. It was overrun with creepers and vines, only small parts of the stonework showing through the winding stalks. Large stones were scattered about, as were broken statues of lesser gods. There was a kind of clearing in the front temple where the sun blazed down. No Dementor would dare exit that way.
"What is behind the temple?" Albus asked Bara.

"Jungle. Right up to the walls. Very thick. Only the front is cleared," the boy said. "But I cannot feel them. I do not think the demons are here."

Albus nodded. They probably felt him and fled. But it didn't matter. He only wanted to locate the temple, not confront them alone. He didn't know how many there were, and although he was powerful, there was a chance he could be overcome if he entered their domain.

Bara watched as the wizard walked up to a vine covered statue that hadn't toppled yet. The old wizard placed his hand against it, and it glowed bright blue for a moment. Bara's mouth dropped open as the statue returned to normal. Albus walked back over to him.

"What did you do to the god?" Bara asked in a low voice.

"I turned it into a port key destination. When I send others to destroy the Dementors, they will arrive here," Albus said to him. "Now I must return to England to plan the attack."

"England?" Bara repeated, looking up at the wizard rather sadly. The boy had been alone so long. Albus had been the first human being to speak kindly to him in months. Others only shouted at him to move along.

"Yes, England," Albus said, "Wizarding England. A very special place."

Bara nodded. It made sense a wizard would come from a special place. A place with magic.

"Can I go with you? To England?" the little boy asked, startling the old wizard.

"To England?" the Headmaster asked in astonishment.

Bara nodded.

"Yes to England. I will be your servant. Every great man needs a servant, even a wizard," the boy said, looking up at Albus.

The old wizard looked down at the boy. He had no family. The Headmaster wasn't sure how long he could last alone. Bara seemed a bright boy…and he did have a slight magical signature. Technically, he wasn't a muggle.

But if he took Bara, then he would be responsible for him. The wizard was used to being responsible for a number of children, it was his job after all. But one boy?

Bara looked up at him with his big brown eyes.

"I don't need a servant, Bara," Albus said gently. The boy's face fell.

"But I can always use another friend," the wizard said kindly, placing a hand on the boy's head and ruffling his thick black hair. The boy's brown face split with a broad, bright smile.

"Let us go," Albus said, taking the boy's hand firmly and disapparating.

Traveling by port key was quite a frightening experience for Bara. Albus clutched the boy tightly in his arms as they flew through colorful wormholes, space twisting in upon itself, winds roaring by them, the wizard's white locks streaming as Bara hid his face in his chest. It took over forty-five minutes for them to return to England, landing in front of the Hogwarts gates with a gut-wrenching drop. The moment Albus put the boy down, Bara bent over and wretched…nothing coming out. Then the boy staggered, Albus catching him before he fell. He lifted Bara into his arms and apparated directly to the infirmary, startling Poppy who had been putting away some supplies.

The medi-witch wiped her hands on her blue pocketed apron and quickly walked toward Albus, who headed for the closest bed, pushing through the black privacy curtain. Poppy entered after him and gasped as she looked at the emaciated young boy.

"Oh Albus, who is he?" she asked the wizard, pulling out her wand and passing it over Bara, who looked up at her through half-lidded eyes. "Oh, the poor thing is half-starved!"

She put her wand away, her lips tight with disapproval. She did note the slight magical signature. The boy was a wizard, although not a very powerful one.

"His name is Bara, Poppy. I brought him back from India. Both of his parents are deceased and he has been living on his own for the past seven months," the wizard replied, looking down at the boy with concern.

Poppy's eyes washed over the boy's prominent ribs, then focused on his face.

"He's so young. However did he survive?" she asked Albus.

Bara stared at the medi-witch. He could understand the Headmaster because he wore a translation charm, but the woman spoke a language he wasn't familiar with.

"Well, as far as I know, his diet consisted primarily of snakes," the wizard replied.

Poppy's eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline in horror.

"Snakes? Dear gods, the poor thing. Let me get him some potions to boost his system," she said, bustling off.

"Who is she?" Bara asked Albus weakly. His head was spinning.

"She is our healer. She will make you feel better, Bara," the old wizard replied, stroking the boy's hair for a moment. "Drink what she gives you."

Poppy returned with several bottles. A blood cleanser, a blood replenisher, pepper-up potion, healing potion, a colonic, and an innoculation potion that covered a variety of muggle and wizarding diseases.

"Now, these aren't going to taste very good," she said to the boy, helping him to sit up. Bara's brown eyes stared into the witch's pale face. Was everyone white-skinned like the old wizard here? He had seen white-skinned people before, but only from a distance. As an Untouchable, he wasn't allowed near them because they were in a high caste area. It could have meant his death. He couldn't understand Poppy, but her eyes were kind.

Poppy opened the first potion and held it to Bara's lips, her blue eyes concerned about how he would react to the bitter taste, but Bara drink it straight down without so much as a grimace. He obediently swallowed down the rest as well. The medi-witch was quite impressed when the boy downed the innoculation potion. It was the nastiest tasting potion she had in her stores.

Bara immediately began to feel better. He thanked Poppy, bowing his head reverently.

Poppy looked at Albus.

"What did he say?" she asked him.

"He said 'Thank you.' Didn't you hear him?" the wizard asked her, his brow furrowed.

"I heard him, but he didn't say 'Thank you.' I have no idea what he said," she replied.

Albus realized that neither Poppy nor Bara had a translation charm. He quickly took his charm off his neck and draped it over Bara's head.

"Now you can talk to Madam Pomfrey yourself," he smiled at the boy.

"Madame Pomfrey," Bara repeated looking up at the medi-witch. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome," Poppy replied, liking the exotic inflection in the young boy's voice. "Are you hungry?"

Bara nodded eagerly.

"Yes, I am very hungry. I haven't eaten in four days," the boy said.

Again Poppy looked horrified.

"Four days! Oh you poor thing, wait right here," she said, hurrying over to the floo and ordering her infamous gruel from the kitchens. Bland but nutritious. Everyone hated it, but she shoved it down the throats of sick students and staff alike.

Albus looked at the boy.

"Er…Bara, this might not taste too good, but it will be good for you. You must eat it all," Albus said. "It will strengthen you."

A house elf winked in with a steaming bowl of gray gruel and a spoon. Poppy took it from the small creature and rushed back over to the boy, the bowl held high and spoon in feeding position.

"Would you like me to feed you?" she asked Bara, who scowled slightly and looked at Albus, not knowing what to say. He could feed himself but didn't want to offend the kind woman.

"You can feed yourself if you like, Bara," the wizard said, smirking as Poppy frowned. She would have preferred to feed the boy to make sure he ate every drop. His chest was as thin as a bird's chest.

"I would like to feed myself," Bara said, extending his hands and cupping them.

Poppy passed the boy the bowl and spoon. Bara spooned up a bit, blew on it then inserted the spoon in his mouth. He pulled it out and smiled.

"This is good," he said and began eating hungrily, both Albus and Poppy looking at him in astonishment. No one…no one liked Poppy's gruel, but the boy was wolfing it down as if she had served him some tasty delicacy. He quickly finished the bowl of gruel and looked up at both of them, licking his lips.

"May I have more please?" he asked Poppy, his brown eyes pleading.

Bara was used to eating as much as he could as quick as he could whenever he got hold of something edible because he never knew when he would eat again, or if someone would steal what he had. The reason the young wizard was able to drink down the disgusting potions so easily was because many of the things he had been forced to eat in order to survive didn't taste good. At times he had to cook animals that were already dead, skinning them with a sharp stone and cooking them thoroughly over a fire he either asked for or stole with a quickly thrust branch from other Untouchables. Sometimes Bara got sick after his gleaned meals, but not too sick. He had no condiments to make the food taste better, so learned to stand the taste.

Sometimes the boy ate fruit he found on the ground that had fallen because it was overripe, brushing the ants or other bugs off of them before feasting. Once he had gotten quite drunk because the fruit he'd eaten was so fermented. But those days of scavenging for food were over now. He was under the protection of Albus Dumbledore, though what that meant for the youngster was still up in the air.

Poppy was glad he liked her gruel, but too much of a good thing wasn't good. She shook her head.

"No, no more food right now, Bara. I want you to sleep now and rest your body. It needs rest, my dear," Poppy said, helping the boy lie down. She took her wand out and scourgified him as best she could. He became a shade lighter when the dirt was removed.

"He needs a bath, Albus…or a shower at the very least," she said to the wizard.

Bara wondered where the river to bathe in was. And what was a "shower?"

"After he is rested and in better shape Poppy," the Headmaster replied. "He will be washed and fitted with suitable clothing and shoes."

Bara's brow furrowed as sleepiness came over him.

He had never worn shoes but saw them on the higher castes, their toes all closed in and soles wrapped in heavy leather. Shoes didn't look comfortable at all. He would rather walk in his bare feet than have them suffocated. But he didn't protest right now. He was too tired.

Bara's eyes fluttered closed, the last thing he saw being Albus, smiling down at him as he adjusted his half-moon glasses.

Albus and Poppy withdrew to the medi-witch's office and sat down to discuss Bara.

"Whatever will you do with him, Albus?" Poppy asked the wizard, her fingers drumming the desktop lightly. "He's far too young to attend Hogwarts, and I doubt he has the education to get in even if he were old enough."

Albus looked at the medi-witch.

"Well, I thought I might keep him," the wizard said quietly.

Poppy looked shocked.

"Keep him? Albus, you don't know the first thing about caring for a child. Plus you're too old," she chided him, hoping to talk some sense into the wizard.

"Too old? I have seventy-five good years left at least. He only requires a decade or so," the Headmaster responded, looking a bit hurt.

"How do you plan to keep up with him? He'll be all over the place," she said.

"There's nowhere in Hogwarts or on the grounds where he can go and I can't find him. I still have the Marauder's map, Poppy. I can locate anyone in Hogwarts with that parchment," Albus responded firmly. "And I can certainly bring him directly to me if he is being difficult."

Poppy looked a bit taken aback. Albus was right. He could pluck anyone from anywhere at Hogwarts if he wished. Still she pressed on. Albus with a child? Preposterous.

"Well, what about his primary education, Albus?" the medi-witch said. "He doesn't even speak English and I highly doubt he can read."

Now Albus really did scowl.

"Have you forgotten I was once a teacher, Poppy? A very good one at that. I taught first years on," he said archly, puffing out his chest a bit. He really had been a very good Professor.

"But…still Albus," Poppy began.

The wizard's eyes darkened.

"What would you have me do, Poppy? Place him in the Wizarding Foster Care system? Have him tossed from home to home, orphanage to orphange, unloved, uncared for until every good trait has been torn from him?" the wizard said darkly. "I didn't bring him here for that."

Albus was thinking of Marcus Delaluci, his Dark Arts teacher who was orphaned at an early age and passed around the wizarding world like refuse until he ran away to live on the streets alone. He had a hard life, and eventually was recruited by the Ministry as part of an elite and clandestine group of political assassins called "The Eradicators." For years he multilated, raped and killed for the Ministry using Dark Magic or any other necessary tool until they were finally disbanded. Then he served abroad as a mercanery for hire until he returned to England and was hired by Dumbledore. He was the only wizard who lasted in the DA position longer than a year. Until him, it was believed the position was cursed.

To this day, the wizard loved no one or nothing, plowing through witches like water and looking for trouble where there was none in his need for excitement, adventure and danger. Fortunately, Marcus knew how to keep a good cover, and was never caught actually dirty, though he was involved in quite a few scandals from time to time. And because of his background, he made an excellent Dark Arts teacher. He was a dark wizard, but his demeanor never openly revealed it. He was well liked by all the students and knew how to stay in everyone's good graces. He was quite an accomplished actor.

Still, the system had failed him. Albus would not subject Bara to the same terrible situation.

"Of course not, Albus," Poppy said hesitantly, "but still, it takes a lot of work to raise a child…"

Albus looked at her.

"Have you ever heard the quote that says it takes a whole village to raise a child?" the wizard asked her.

Poppy nodded.

"Well, Hogwarts is a whole village. I have my staff as well as myself," the wizard said, "With all of us, the boy will be well looked after. Our specialty is producing fine witches and wizards after all. I have no reason to believe we will fail Bara if we work together."

Poppy blinked at him.

"You mean to make him a mascot for the school, Albus?" she asked him.

"If that is the best way to take care of him, yes," the wizard replied. "The boy will be loved and watched over. He will have access to some of the best teachers in the wizarding world. I will not hand him over to the fostering system, Poppy. I will not!"

Poppy studied Albus. It seemed he was going to stand firm on caring for Bara.

"There will have to be a hearing for guardianship, Albus," the medi-witch said quietly. "The Council has to approve you taking the boy out of the system and taking him under your care."

Albus gave the witch a wan smile.

"I don't think there will be a problem with that, Poppy. I believe they would assign me guardianship in the hope that the boy would keep me so busy I wouldn't have time to take them to task as much as I do. I am quite the pain," he said smirking. "No doubt they would give their blessing immediately."

If they didn't, he would would make them. Dumbledore had quite a dark side himself when crossed. When he wanted something to occur, it did. Poppy saw a shadow pass over the wizard's visage. She was quite aware that Albus had the potential to be extremely nasty. She hoped it wouldn't come to that. She sighed.

"Very well, Albus. You have my support," the medi-witch said. "I will help all I can."

Albus smiled at her broadly.

"Thank you, Poppy. Now, I must go and prepare a report for the idiots at the Ministry. I will give them one more chance to do the right thing, before I take matters into my own hands," he said, rising.

"A report? A report about what, Albus?" the medi-witch asked, curious.

"You will know soon enough, Poppy," the wizard replied, "Take care of Bara and tell him I will come to see him in the morning. Good night."

"Good night, Headmaster," Poppy replied as the wizard exited her office, glancing toward the privacy curtain that held the small boy he had brought back to Hogwarts.

Albus had high hopes for him. A youngster as resourceful as Bara should turn out to be a fine wizard, providing his magic was strong enough. The Headmaster hoped it was a simple matter of exercising his talents and his magic would strengthen with use. If not, Bara could still live a full and satisfying life…much better off than if he had remained where he was.

The Headmaster left the infirmary looking thoughtful. Now that he had Bara settled in, there were other matters to attend to.

Important matters.

Now that Hermione had completed Harry's music and located a Harper in her patron, Severus Snape, she immersed herself in the Harmonics book, and learning every aspect and nuance of repairing a broken soul.

She found that the body of the victim was to be outstretched in a protective pentacle or five pointed star drawn with a wand of willow, the head, arms and legs spread in star-like position completely inside the diagram, the head pointing north. A protective circle was to be drawn around the pentacle in a counter clock-wise direction starting from the head in one continuous line with a wand of willow, the line of the circle touching the tip of each point of the star. Around this circle was to be drawn another clock-wise circle with a wand of willow five feet larger in diameter than the inner circle. The section between was called the Circle of the Soul, or Soul Space. Outside of this circle was drawn "The Harper's Circle" counter-clockwise with a wand of ironwood, which was then divided into twelve equal sections, the first section directly above the head of the victim. Here was where the Harper would stand and play the healing strains.

It was recommended that any observers also be surrounded by a protective circle drawn with willow to the south of the original pentacle, since when the Harper began to play, lurking dark influences would be seeking to penetrate and possess any available soul in a bid to claim a physical, sensate life of their own, crowding into the person and taking over the body. People possessed in this manner became slaves to sensation, lewd, lascivious, taken to drink, sexual promiscuity and all forms of debauchery.

It was also suggested that several fey, or earth spirits be asked to join in the ritual using their natural resistance to the dark influences to help protect the human participants.

"Fey? Where on earth would I find fey?" Hermione said to herself. But it was only a suggestion. The ritual could be performed without them.

Hermione leafed through the book, trying to find a description of what exactly would happen when the Harper began to play but found nothing. It was a mystery that would be revealed during the ritual and not before.

Hermione practiced creating the protective circles on the floor of her spells lab, using her expanded wand to draw glowing lines. Drawing a pentacle and circles freehand in this manner was quite difficult, and it took Hermione three days to get the technique correct, placing Eli in the center of the pentacle in place of Harry. The elf enlarged himself to Harry-sized for this, surprising the hell out of Hermione.

"You can grow bigger?" she asked astonished.

"Oh yes," enlarged Eli said, his voice much deeper now. "When we has work that requires it. We can grow as large as trolls we can or as small as flower fairies."

At the mention of the fairies, Hermione thought about the book's suggestion that fey be used as an extra protective measure. She looked at the elf speculatively.

"Eli, do you know anything about the fey?" she asked the house elf. Eli looked decidedly shifty.

"Fey, Miss?" he asked her.

Hermione scowled slightly.

"Yes, fey. Earth spirits. They would be helpful with the ritual," she said to the elf, who sat up excitedly.

"To fix Harry Potter?" Eli asked, his chest heaving. The elf shrunk back to normal size in his excitement.

"Yes," Hermione replied, wondering why the elf was so animated.

"House elves is fey," Eli said, "We is once called 'kobolds' back in the wicked times. But our true name…no man knows."

The elf looked rather proud about this.

"That is our one freedom," he added.

Hermione stared at the elf. She could have all the fey she wanted at the ritual, house elves were so accommodating. Harry had several elves at his home that were very loyal to him. The witch smiled.

She had her fey.

Better yet, she hadn't had to open one book of Dark Magic to get to this point. But she still had needed Severus. If he hadn't given her Damius' journal, she would never have found out about the music of the soul.

And if she had never agreed to accept the snarky wizard's patronage, she would never have had her boots knocked as good as she did.

Hermione had noticed marked changes in the wizard. He came back to her in one month, rather than three this time, and now she sometimes caught a bit of heat in his dark eyes when he looked at her, though he would scowl fiercely at her to hide it.

Hermione smirked. Severus Snape might have been a celibate when she entered into this agreement, but she suspected the wizard was developing a taste for her. She already had a large appetite for him. He was amazing and even managed to make her appreciate a slow, easy shagging…something that had always left her dissatisfied before. But to date, the easy possessions were mere interludes between the rough-riding. It was easy to be appreciative when she knew she would get more of what she really wanted. The witch didn't think that type of sex would fulfill her completely. She loved the ache too much.

Hermione wondered how the wizard was doing with his practicing. He had sounded perfect to her when he played, but she suspected Severus was a perfectionist when it came to his playing skills. The wizard was certainly something to behold when he took to the strings, dark, intense, sexual…radiating power as he wove his tapestry of sound, those dark eyes closed in bliss.

Severus was to perform Legilimency on Harry Friday night, and if all went well, they would spend the night and complete the ritual Saturday night with the assistance of Harry's house elves and Eli, who begged and begged to be a part of it. To do a ritual protecting both the Miss and Master from the "nasty darkness" would be the ultimate service for the loyal elf.

Hermione had an idea that Eli knew exactly what they would be facing, but no amount of cajoling could get the elf to say anything.

"House elves has secrets too. You musts follow the book. The book says it is mystery," the elf said sagely. "But we be there. We helps holds back the dark until the light comes."

This only served to peak Hermione's curiosity even more and she stubbornly pestered the house elf for the rest of the week, all the while knowing he wouldn't reveal a thing.

During the day, Severus went about his work as usual at Hogwarts, alternating between terrorizing and teaching his students, snarking about the corridors, snubbing fellow staff members and gleefully busting copulating students on his nightly rounds.
But during the lulls, the Potions Master could be found in his study perfecting Harry's score, eyes closed in concentration, playing until he was soaked in perspiration. Severus had taken to tying his hair back into a ponytail, unbuttoning the first two buttons of his shirt, then removing his boots and socks so he could move more naturally, not knowing his Harper powers were beginning to manifest and he did indeed need to be in physical contact with the earth in order to keep his own soul from taking flight during his performance. The wizard had tried to find a book on Harpers, but failed to do so on his own, so hired a trusted book hunter to scour shops, libraries and private collections in the hopes of discovering something that could educate him as to what use this gift of music could be put to. Hopefully something profitable.

The wizard was glad he had something to occupy his thoughts in the evening to the exclusion of all else, including one Hermione Granger. The witch was a fucking succubus, or at least had to have some veela blood running through her veins. Something.

Severus found the witch creeping into his head while he ate, graded papers, or walked through the silent halls of Hogwarts, listening for the sounds of heavy panting. And every time he thought of Hermione, he thought of sex. Hot, dirty sex, with the witch's legs wrapped around his waist, her voice ringing shrilly and his loins slapping wildly against her thighs as he buried himself in her juicy, tight sleeve over and over. No witch had ever given herself to him the way Hermione did. The worst part was, it seemed no matter how much he took of the witch, he wanted more.

Damn her. Damn her for worming her way into his psyche with that annoying little smile.

Severus hoped Harry had a king-sized bed in his guestroom. Otherwise they were going to be a tight fit. The witch better not even suggest they sleep in separate rooms. If he was going to delve into Harry's head for her, he was certainly going to be delving into her body afterwards. Besides, he found that after sex with Hermione, he physically felt better. More relaxed. The Potions Master used to have frequent headaches, at least one every other day… but after his second interlude with the witch, he didn't get one for over two weeks. And he hadn't had a single episode since their last bout of sex.

Hermione certainly beat headache elixirs, that much was for certain.

Friday morning, Severus was on his way to the infirmary to deliver Poppy some wound sealer when he saw a small brown boy dressed in black robes bouncing what appeared to be a ball against the corridor wall outside the tall double doors. He paused and watched him. The child was much too young to be a student here, and much too thin as well. Everyone at Hogwarts ate well. This child looked half-starved.
The boy hopped up to catch the ball and the wizard saw that he was barefoot under his billowing robes.

"You boy! What are you doing here? Who are you?" the wizard demanded, striding toward the child who caught the ball and turned to look at the approaching wizard. He said something, but Severus couldn't understand him.

The tall wizard stopped, looming over the child and scowling down at him.

"Who are you?" the wizard asked the boy again.

Bara looked up at him and said something else in his language, then seemed to realize what was wrong. He fished in his pocket, drawing out a bit of string and some lemon drops before pulling out a necklace. Severus watched as the boy took his time putting it on.

"I am Bara. Who are you?" he asked, craning his neck so he could see the pale wizard clearly. He was certainly unpleasant looking.

"I'll ask the questions," the Potions Master replied. "What are you doing here?"

"Playing," Bara replied, bouncing the ball on the floor and catching it, completely unfazed by the Potions Master. He had seen Dementors after all, and no matter how unpleasant this extremely white-faced, hook-nosed wizard appeared, Dementors were a thousand times worse.

Bara bounced the ball again, but this time Severus snatched the ball out of the air before he could catch it.

"You're too young to be a student at Hogwarts. What are you doing here?" the Potions Master asked again, growing exasperated. Child or no child, when the wizard wanted answers he wanted them immediately.

"I live here. Please give me back my ball," Bara said, cupping both his hands before the wizard.

There was something about the way the small child held his hands that made the wizard place the ball in them. Bara bowed his head to the wizard politely.

"Thank you," he said, smiling.

Severus scowled and strode past the boy without saying anything. Poppy would give him the lowdown. He pushed open the door and strode down the center aisle.

"Poppy!" he called, fishing the bottle of wound sealer out of his pocket.

"I'm here, Severus," Poppy said, walking briskly out of her office with a smile. She took the bottle from him. "Thank you. I needed this. The Quidditch scrimmage cleaned me out of every bit of potion I had. They really went at each other. It was just terrible. Blood everywhere. I don't understand why Albus allows them to be so brutal to each other."

The witch shook her head disapprovingly.

"It builds character," Severus replied.

It had been his Slytherins against Gryffindor house. There was always a bit of bloodletting when their teams came together. It was expected.

"Who is that boy out in the corridor, Poppy?" the Potions Master asked the medi-witch.

"Oh, that's Bara," she said matter-of-factly as if that said it all. The witch turned to walk to her stores and put the new acquired potion away, Severus stalking behind her, his face pinched with aggravation. Poppy could be quite thick at times.

"And Bara is whom?" he inquired, forcing himself to sound polite.

"Albus' charge and Hogwarts new mascot," she said, opening a cabinet and setting the bottle in. She turned to face the wizard. "He's from India…"

Poppy proceeded to tell Severus how Albus had rescued the orphaned boy from his terrible plight and how Bara had been forced to make his own way in rural India. Severus found it difficult to believe the child had survived seven months on his own under such harsh conditions.

"He ate snakes to survive," Poppy added, her eyes twinkling because a serpent was Slytherin House's representative animal. "Among other things."

"He's very thin," Severus said by way of observation, ignoring her jibe.

"He was much worse when he arrived. He's filling out a bit. He loves my gruel," she said brightly.

"A sure sign that he's lived a deprived life," the Potions Master quipped, smirking as Poppy scowled at him.

"I'll have you know a bowl of my gruel contains all a person needs for a third of their daily requirements," she groused.

"It is also horrible enough to make a person lose every bit of 'daily requirement' acquired in one heaving mass," Severus responded, his nostrils flaring as he remembered Poppy ladling it down his throat every time he returned from the Dark Lord. It was torture on top of torture.

"Well Bara appreciates it," she said, walking past the Professor in a snit.

Hell, considering where he came from, the boy would appreciate anything hot that filled his belly. Severus followed Poppy, drawing up alongside her.

"He doesn't speak English. Albus needs to get rid of that translator so he's forced to learn," Severus said.

Poppy turned towards him, her hands on her hips.

"And what do you know about children?" she asked.

"Enough, considering I am trapped in a classroom with the little bastards a third of my day five times a week," the wizard replied. "In every instance, a student with a language barrier learned our language quicker without a translator. Albus needs to take it away from him."

"Then he'll be in a strange place unable to understand anyone. Really Severus. You are too cruel for words," the witch scolded.

Severus turned to go.

"I simply believe in children learning without shortcuts that only hinder them in the end," he replied. "Goodbye, Poppy."

"Goodbye Severus," the witch called after him as he exited through the door.

Bara was still bouncing the ball when the Potions Master exited the infirmary. Severus stopped and looked down his nose at the boy.

"You'll never learn our language if you keep using that charm," the wizard said to him, frowning. Then he strode down the hall.

Bara looked after him, his brow furrowed, then lifted his translator and studied it before looking back at the unpleasant wizard disappearing around the bend with a billow of robes.

Slowly, Bara removed the charm and stuck it in his pocket.

He wanted to learn.

Everything.

Armed with her wand, a long wand of willow, another of ironwood and the Harmonics book, Hermione waited in the living room for the Potions Master to appear. Eli was doing a walk-through of the house, making sure he had secured everything properly. It was the first time he would be away from it in over eight years. The house elf felt a bit of separation anxiety already…not that anyone who knew Severus lived there would ever dream of entering.
Hermione had the equivalent of a large flock of rocs flying about in her belly and not just because of the situation with Harry, but because she would be seeing the Potions Master again. It had only been less than a week since she had laid eyes, and more than eyes on the snarky wizard, but she still felt excited they would be together over this weekend. She had no idea if the wizard would exercise restraint because they would be domiciled at Harry's house, but she hoped not. She made sure to put on a fresh contraceptive patch after her shower just in case Harry's restoration wasn't the only ritual they'd be involved in.

At six o'clock sharp a crack of thunder sounded and Severus appeared in the living room, tall, pale and dour as ever. The wizard's black eyes washed over Hermione. She was dressed like a muggle, in a brown print skirt and white blouse. Her hair was in a bun and she wore sensible brown shoes.

"You look like a school marm," Severus said by way of greeting…but already he was thinking about hiking that skirt up around the witch's waist.

"Hello to you too," Hermione replied, fighting her impulse to kiss the wizard. She didn't think he'd appreciate such a familiar greeting, despite the fact he rode her like a hippogriff. She didn't want to press him.

Severus had his violin case with him.

"Do you have everything you need?" he asked the witch.

Hermione nodded.

"I'm just waiting for Eli. He's doing a final check on the house," she answered.

Severus snorted.

"This house is always well-protected. If anyone tried to get in here, there would be nothing left of them," the wizard said with a growl. "If the repelling wards are tampered with, they become…shall we say…stronger."

Hermione blanched as she imagined what horrors would befall the unfortunate person who attempted to enter Severus' house uninvited. The Potions Master gave an ugly little smirk before bellowing for Eli.

"I is here, Master," the elf said, running into the room.

"Good, let us go," Severus replied, looking at Hermione imperiously.

The witch walked over and slipping her arm through his, feeling its lean musculature beneath his sleeve. She didn't look at him as she offered her hand to Eli, who took it firmly in his claw.

"All right then, we're off," Hermione said.

The three disapparated.

They reappeared in front of Harry's home. Severus turned and surveyed the beach, his black eyes washing over the rolling surf. Sea birds wheeled in the sky issuing their haunting cries. He turned back and looked at the house. It was set up on short pilings to raise it above the tide should it come inland. A large porch with a banister ran the length of the front of it. Several wicker chairs, a wicker couch, a few potted plants and a hammock were arranged prettily on the porch. There was also a wooden rocking chair, flanked by two folding wooden chairs. The rocker contained Harry Potter, who was staring at them blankly. He was belted in.

Hermione walked up the three short steps that led to the porch, followed by Severus and Eli. Harry looked up at her.

"Hello Harry. It's me, Hermione. I've come to visit and brought Professor Snape with me," she said. She started to ask if he remembered Severus, but her voice caught.

She knew he didn't.

Severus walked up to Harry.

"Hello Mr. Potter," the pale wizard said, taking in the wizard's blank expression. Although Harry was sitting down, Severus could see the young wizard was as tall as he was now, though thicker. Harry looked up at the pale wizard through his glasses.

Then he smiled and grasped the Professor's hand. Severus didn't pull away, but simply looked at the wizard's trusting smile.

"He's happy to see you," Hermione said to Severus.

"Probably for the first time in his life," Severus snorted, sitting down on the folding chair next to Harry, who still held on to his hand. He propped his violin case against the wall.

Hermione sat down on the other side, and Harry took her hand too, smiling at the witch, and then the wizard and then the witch again.

"Hello Master Potter," Eli said, placing his hand on his chest and bowing to the great killer of the Dark Lord, "We hopes to help you come back."

Harry didn't have another hand for Eli, but laughed in delight at the elf for a moment, then fell silent, returning to looking at both Hermione and Severus, his head swiveling back and forth as if watching a tennis match.

"I is going to go inside and sees what service I can do," Eli said to his Master who nodded.

The elf pulled open the screen door and disappeared into the house. A large wave broke on the shore and suddenly Harry looked out over the water, staring, still holding on to Severus and Hermione.

After several minutes of silence, Severus asked Hermione, "Is he always like this?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. He stares out over the water as if he is looking for something. But he never lets go of my hand until it is time for me to leave. Then he cries."

Severus studied Harry's profile as he gazed at the rolling surf.

"So he does have rudimentary feelings of pleasure and sadness," the wizard said thoughtfully.

"Yes. It's almost as if he is autistic," Hermione said.

"Autistic?" Severus repeated.

"Yes," Hermione replied, "Autism is a complex developmental disability that usually appears during the first three years of life." It's the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functions of the brain, and as a result affects social development and communication skills."

"I see," Severus said as Harry suddenly squeezed his hand without acknowledging it.

"People with autism show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure activities, but it's considered a spectrum disorder which means it affects each individual differently. Treatment is usually tailored to the individual."

"Have you thought about possibly getting Harry treatments?" Severus asked.

Hermione shook her head.

"Harry's condition has a magical basis. The normal muggle ways of treatment would have no effect on him. Part of his soul has been torn away. Muggles talk about the soul, but most don't believe in it I think. I am sure the medical community doesn't. And his soul is what has to be repaired," she replied, running her fingers through Harry's unruly black hair. He gave a faint smile.

Severus nodded as he looked at Harry, or the shell of who Harry used to be. His dark eyes drifted down to the wizard's hand, which held on his own firmly. It was as if the young wizard was attempting to ground himself through touching another human being. He wondered if Harry felt any connection despite his seeming distraction.

The Potions Master found it rather unsettling to see the historically irritating Gryffindor wizard reduced to this blank shadow of what he used to be. It was hard to maintain his legendary dislike for the wizard like this. Severus would prefer him his old pompous, swollen-headed self. If all went as hoped, he would soon be the boy-he-loved-to-hate again.

Severus' black eyes flicked over to Hermione, who was watching Harry with a sadness in her amber eyes. She loved this wizard, had loved him for years. But it was a familial love, a sibling-like love…nothing remotely sexual…Severus believed. Then again, there was no telling where this innocent love might have gone once Harry was free of the onus of Voldemort. They might have become more.

If Harry was restored…they still might.

Severus swallowed back the strong, unfamiliar jealousy that welled up inside him at this thought. For the slightest moment, he considered backing out…but he couldn't do it. As much as he hated to admit it to himself, he wanted to make Hermione genuinely happy…and on a darker note, to make her owe him big, beyond his patronage.

The wizard had already been thinking about the dissolution of their arrangement, though most likely it was a few years away. Once he was no longer Hermione's patron, he would lose the right to sleep with her.

The wizard scowled.

Why was he even thinking about such things? He had her now…that was enough. Severus shifted in the chair and Hermione looked at him.

"I think now is as good a time as any to perform legilimency on Harry. It's best to get it out of the way," the pale wizard said. "Release his hand. I will maintain contact with him as it will deepen our connection."

Hermione found she felt a bit apprehensive, though she didn't know why. Severus was both an accomplished Legilimens and Occlumens. He knew what he was doing. She let go of Harry's hand and watched as Severus half rose and moved his chair in front of Harry, blocking his view of the surf. Harry smiled at him as the Potions Master sat down in front of him, a soft, pleased smile.

Severus' black eyes met his child-like green ones.

"Legilimens," he breathed.

Hermione watched as the wizard fell still, immersed in the mind of her best friend.

She hoped there would be no unforeseen difficulties.

She wanted Harry back.

Severus found himself inside of Harry's head much as if he had entered a pensieve. This wasn't unheard of when invoking the legilimency spell and usually occurred if the person who's mind was being viewed was unusually receptive. Since Harry was disconnected from the world for the most part, there was no resistance and the Potions Master could enter fully.
This was the first time Severus had ever entered a mind and found it totally blank. There were usually images flickering all about, images that could be locked on to and the memories involving it read. Severus walked forward through the blank space, then stopped as he came to a wall that seemed as if it were made of black water. It shimmered and rippled.

Severus experimentally poked a finger into the wall, and concentric circles rippled outward. He pushed his finger deeper and felt space on the other side. Maybe Harry's memories were on the other side of this strange wall. It might represent the part of his soul that was unbroken but separate. Severus walked forward, passing through the wall, feeling it ripple over him. On the other side was more black space.

Nothing.

Severus took another step forward then suddenly pitched forward, falling into space, tumbling over and over, his robes and hair streaming upward as he fell. All around him, he could see images now, but strange images that kept pace with him.

An old, bald wizard with age spots on his head. Prisoners manacled to walls. Then a black ball unfolding and forming a Dementor.

What was this?

Severus watched as what was apparently the history of the creatures flashed by him. Then suddenly he was sucked forward and wracked with pain as he flew threw the darkness, his arms and legs wheeling frantically as he was pulled toward the unknown. Try as he might the Potions Master couldn't break the connection. He saw people whiz by him, beating on what appeared to be invisible walls, screaming at him for help.

His eyes widened as he saw Minerva, who was waving at him frantically!

"Go back! Go back Severus! You're going to be taken! Go back!" the terrified witch screamed at him, banging on the nothingness as he flew past.

Taken? Oh good gods! Thank you, Hermione.

Severus was staring at Harry, Hermione looking on when suddenly the wizard fell back into the wooden chair, all his limbs stretching out and his eyes rolling up into his head. He began to shudder violently.

Hermione screamed and leapt out of the chair, grabbing the wizard and shaking him, terrified, her heart pounding as spittle began to form on his lips.

"Severus! Severus, break the connection! " she screamed, slapping the wizard in an effort to wake him.

"ELI!" the witch screamed at the top of her voice.

Eli, who had been arguing with Dobby about being given a chore to do, froze…then his green eyes widened in horror.

"Come!" he screamed at the other elves, streaking through the house at an amazing speed and running on to the porch. He took one look at Severus and launched himself on to him clutching him close. Dobby and the other elves were right behind him.

"Come help me!" Eli screamed at them, and the other elves also piled on Severus, clinging to him and each other as Hermione watched, tears of terror pouring down her face. Harry still looked out over the water serenely oblivious to what was happening.

The elves clung to Severus' body tightly.

"I goes in," Eli cried.

Suddenly the elf was flying through the darkness, streaking after his Master. He could feel him, and he could feel the evil that was pulling him away.

"You will not claim my Master," the elf swore, "He is not yours."

Eli streaked through the water veil and dove downward, passing the images of Damius and the Dementors without interest…he was here for a reason. Unlike Severus, he wasn't falling…he was flying at almost supersonic speed, his ears flat against his head from the wind. Suddenly he flew right into a dark tunnel and saw a number of trapped souls.

"That way! That way!" Minerva called as the elf streaked by, "Hurry!"

Eli could see the billowing tangle of robes that was Severus flying before him and increased his speed until he was close enough to grab the wizard's ankle, stopping him from going any further.

"I has you Master. You is safe now!" the elf yelled over the terrible wind whipping past him.

Severus looked down and saw Eli. He sighed with relief.

"Get me out of here, Eli," he called to him.

"Yes, Master," the elf said.

Slowly Eli began to drag Severus back up the tunnel.

They passed Minerva.

"Tell Albus that they are frightened, Severus! And tell him I've heard every word he's said to me these past years and that he is right, the Ministry Councils are idiots and he will have to take their destruction into his own hands!" she yelled at him, her hands cupped around her mouth. A terrible hissing rang out all around them.

"Shut up you blasted shadow!" Minerva shouted at the noise. She looked back at Severus.

"And tell him I love him and I always will!" she cried to the pale wizard.

Severus looked at Minerva astonished. He didn't believe she was a figment of his imagination. She looked too real. Severus realized that he was seeing Minerva McGonagall's trapped soul and that the witch was very much alive, though separated from her body.

"I will tell him, Minerva!" he yelled back at the witch as Eli began to drag him upwards.

Now Severus was able to see the images clearly. He was rather shocked to see Albus and Bara standing on the edge of a jungle, looking at a ruined temple. Then he saw Dementors exiting out of the back of the temple into the deep jungle.

This had to be recent. Bara had just arrived at Hogwarts. How would Harry know this? Well, he didn't know…he retained it.

Then Severus realized that Harry was connected to the Dementors. He had been partially absorbed into one before it was destroyed. He saw how they bred and wondered did they each retain the experiences of others since in essence they were all reproductions of the original?

And if Minerva was alive…and the wizard had no doubt that she was, could she be retrieved? Up to this point everyone believed the Dementors fed on souls like food and the souls were lost forever. But now he realized that the souls were kept intact and whole, most likely to keep the creatures alive. They were using the souls, not destroying them.

Eli brought Severus back through the veil of dark water and set him down.

"You can gets out now, Master," the elf said, bowing.

Severus looked at him.

"How did you do this Eli?" Severus asked him.

"I is bound to you, Master…bound to your very soul," the elf replied smiling. "Nothing can hides you from me. I will always finds you. I go now."

Eli winked out. Severus quickly broke the connection…and woke up to find himself covered in house elves.

"What is this?" he bellowed, flailing his arms, kicking his legs and scattering the chittering creatures Harry's house elves all scampered back inside the house, with the exception of Eli who knew to climb off his Master the moment he returned. He didn't warn the others however, and grinned as they fled. It wasn't very nice of him, but Eli had his own snarky little ways.

Suddenly, the Potions Master found himself smothered in kisses and softness and witch.

"Oh Severus, you're all right!" Hermione cried, kissing him all over his big hooked nose and clinging to him like a house elf.

"Yes…yes," he replied, struggling, his voice muffled because Hermione was all over his mouth and face. "And I didn't survive just to be suffocated by your kisses. Get off me witch!"

Hermione got in another kiss or two on his eyelids, then released him, happiness and relief in her amber eyes as the wizard shrugged his shoulders and fixed his robes.

"What happened?" she asked him, lowering herself back into her seat and sitting on the edge of it. "You started seizuring terribly. Eli and the other house elves came to your aid. It looked as if…as if you were dying."

Hermione face went very pale as she said this, fear returning to her eyes. Severus looked at her and realized the witch had honestly been scared to death for him.

"I'm fine," he said, "but it seems Harry is connected to the Dementors…"

Severus paused.

"And I saw Minerva McGonagall. She's alive, Hermione. Alive and trapped inside one of the Dementors."

Hermione looked at him incredulously.

"Minerva? But Severus, that just can't be. She was kissed years ago. She would have been digested by now. It must have been a hallucination," the witch said.

"No, it was no hallucination, witch. It was Minerva, and she gave me a message to give to Albus. The souls Dementors take aren't destroyed, Hermione. They are used to keep the creatures alive. Every stricken victim is a prisoner and still alive," the wizard said, his voice low.

Hermione stared at him.

"If they are still alive, Severus…then that means there must be a way they can be retrieved," she said in an awed whisper. Her eyes began to shift back and forth rapidly. Severus knew that look. She was thinking about how the trapped souls could be saved.

Hermione began to chatter, vocalizing her thoughts as she considered the problem and the possible solutions.

"When a Dementor dies, no one ever wakes up. I bet they die shortly afterwards. No one could have made the connection because no one knew Dementors kept their victim's souls. When a Dementor dies, the soul dies too, then the body follows" she breathed, looking at Severus, her eyes aglow. "Inversely, I imagine when a body dies, then the soul inside the Dementor dissolves as well, and it has to seek a new one. Severus…this is HUGE! I've got to go get Damius' journal!"

The witch rose, ready to disapparate when Severus grabbed her with one pale hand.

"One miracle at a time, witch. We are here for Harry right now. The trapped souls will still be there," he said to the witch silkily. Gods, she was brilliant. Despite his brush with death, Severus felt a pulse of desire. He would like to take Hermione right now. But it was too early.

Hermione sat down sheepishly as she realized she was about to abandon her friend in a mad dash for knowledge.

"You're right, Severus. I just got excited. Damius tells all the ingredients of the potion he created to make the original Dementor…there's agistani flower, tandiem root, basilisk heart and blood, kneedock blossom…some others. I'm sure with the right ingredients, the potion can be changed to one that will destroy them while keeping the souls intact long enough to return to their original bodies."

Severus stared at Hermione, a stricken look on his face. He had stopped listening after Hermione said "Basilisk heart." She needed a basilisk's heart?

Oh no. No. Shit.

The wizard pinched his nose. The very gods themselves were against him.

Still staring out over the water, Harry laughed.

An irritated Dobby prepared a nice light supper of sweet and sour chicken, salad, a delicious pumpkin/pineapple juice mix and sliced fruit for dessert. He was irritated because Eli tried to add his own touches to the meal. A house elf fight almost broke out until Severus ordered Eli out of the kitchen.
The elf sat on the front porch brooding as Severus and Hermione ate their meal. Hermione gave the Potions Master the details of the ritual, and about the protective circles he, Harry and herself would occupy as well as the house elves' participation.

Severus chew a piece of chicken and swallowed.

"Remember when you draw the pentacle and surrounding circles to focus on the intent as to why you are doing it. To keep negative forces out and protect the people within. This is very important. When I first began to collect my books on Dark Magic, I was almost taken by a demon trapped within the pages of one of the tomes. When reading books of this nature, a protective circle should always be drawn, and not haphazardly. I created the circle but didn't focus on its nature, so it did not have the magical strength necessary to protect me. Fortunately I slipped the creature's grasp. Apparently it could only take one swipe per book opening, so I escaped being taken," the wizard said, taking a sip of the ice cold pumpkin/pineapple juice. "Needless to say I never made that mistake again."

Hermione nodded, taking this in. She hadn't known she would have to be protected from the Dark Magic books in this manner. If she had access to them immediately, she might have been taken. Severus would not have been as helpful as he was now. She would have had to pry information out of him. She looked at the wizard. She had been so close to losing him today. Thank the gods for Eli. He was a good, loyal elf and obviously very powerful. She was glad she had him and the others to help with the ritual. After what happened to Severus just looking into Harry's mind, she was quite apprehensive. She wanted to regain Harry but not lose the Potions Master in the process.

Harry was seated at the table with a large bib tied around his neck. Hermione tried her best not to watch as Dobby fed him. The wizard's food was ground into paste, and he dribbled out as much as he swallowed as the house elf patiently spooned the food into his mouth, the wizard gurgling like an oversized baby. It was heartbreaking to see.

Severus noticed the tears glistening in Hermione's eyes, and took her mind off Harry by describing some of the Dementor history he had seen. This worked nicely and Hermione was distracted for the rest of the meal. Severus' black eyes drifted toward the door as Hermione said she was going to do some more reading in the Harmonics book to be sure she hadn't overlooked anything.

Severus wiped his mouth and rose from the table.

"I believe I will go down to the beach," the wizard said, departing…Hermione looking after him as he strode out into the night.

She retired to Harry's unused study and tried to read, but her mind kept drifting to Severus alone on the beach. Finally she put the book down, removed her shoes and exited the house, taking the direction she thought the Potions Master might have gone. She removed her shoes to keep sand from getting into them, and the cool sand felt good under her feet. She stopped and wriggled her toes in it.

Eli watched Hermione walk toward the shore and smiled, his ears pricking forward. He slid off the chair and slipped back into the house. Now that both Hermione and Severus were otherwise occupied, Dobby was going to give him a service to do or claws would cross.

A full moon hovered in the sky above, shedding its monochromatic light on the shore. It didn't take Hermione long to find the Potions Master, who was standing close to the water and looking out over it as if deep in thought. He drew his wand.
"Divesto," he said.

Suddenly the wizard was nude, his clothing and shoes appearing neatly folded behind him on the sand. He tossed his wand on top of the pile and began to walk out into the surf, his lean, muscular body clearly visible in the moonlight as he suddenly dipped beneath the waves.

Hermione felt quite a bit of heat as the naked wizard reappeared and swam out into deeper water, slipping through the incoming waves. Gods, he swam like a naiad. A male naiad that is.

The witch began to slowly walk toward the shore.

Severus backstroked in a large circle then flipped over and did a few breaststrokes. He had come down to the shore to think about his predicament with the witch. If Hermione pursued a project involving releasing the souls trapped in the Dementors, she was going to need a basilisk heart and blood. Currently, a dried heart and dried blood were quite difficult to get. The Agistani flower was now grown commercially. A single bloom was once worth millions because the flower was so rare and no one knew how it reproduced itself. A young wizard discovered the secret, patented it and began growing the flowers in bulk. They were still quite expensive, but nothing like before. Severus could easily afford it.

But his beautiful, pulsing basilisk heart. How could he part with it? Then again, the witch didn't say how much of it she would need…pieces could be shaved off without killing it for quite a long time.

Hm. Maybe he could put a condition on letting the witch use it…something like extending their sexual relationship for five years after their agreement was dissolved. The wizard smirked before feeling a slight choking sensation.

Damn it. The oath of patronage wasn't going to let him get away with that. He had to provide what she needed if he could. And since he possessed a viable basilisk heart, if Hermione asked him for the ingredient…he was bound to give it to her.

There were benefits to being Hermione's patron, like access to her nice, tight pussy…but there were disadvantages as well, case in point…the sharing of his beloved basilisk heart. The Potions Master scowled, then dived, swimming strongly toward the shore, then rising, the water cascading down his body as he wiped his face with his hand. He started.

There, standing on the shore was Hermione, watching him.

Witch and wizard looked at each other, Severus standing chest deep in the rolling surf, small waves breaking over him. His hair was plastered to his head, and the moonlight lent a glow to his pale body that made him seem a bit unearthly, as if he really were a male naiad, or spirit of the deep.

Severus blinked, and when he opened his eyes, Hermione was still standing there.

But now…she was naked, the moonlight shining down on her pale body. The wizard's heart rate quickened as the witch began to walk into the surf, her eyes on him. Severus felt an immediate reaction in his lower region and began to walk toward the witch, the water level dropping lower, stopping just above his waist as he and the witch met. He looked down at her.

"Moonlighting as a water nymph, Hermione?" he asked her with a growl. The spray of the surf made her skin glisten as if covered with little diamonds. This was the first time the witch had ever made the first move to initiate sex between them and gods, what a move it was. Severus didn't count her attempted seduction or the shower incident after he took her for the first time. This was a real, start-from-ground-zero sexual advance. Hermione didn't answer his remark, but looked up at him, her amber eyes glistening with desire…and something else. Finally she spoke.

"You're risking so much for me, Severus. You almost died today," she said softly.

"It wasn't my first time facing death witch, and I am sure it will not be my last," he replied.

Hermione looked at him, swallowing a bit. She looked a little apprehensive.

"Severus, let me have you the way I want," the witch said, her voice trembling with emotion "Let me show you how much better this can be for us. I'm dying to show you."

Severus' black eyes glittered down at her.

"I thought I did give you what you want, witch," he said in a low voice. "Judging by your orgasms I believe I was 'hitting the mark.'"

"You do hit the mark. You're the best lover I've ever had Severus. I told you that…it's just, I want to give you more. You have no idea how much I can give you," Hermione said, "How much more satisfying it could be. If anything happens tomorrow, I would hate that we never experienced more with each other."

Severus looked at her, his head cocked.

"Are you going to show me some new and delightful sexual position?" he asked her. They were mere inches apart now, Hermione moving closer to Severus' pale body as she spoke to him.

She smirked.

"No," she said. "But I want the freedom to do what I want to you, the way I want."

Her eyes rested on his mouth hungrily.

Severus understood now.

"Oh. You want to "make love" to me as opposed to "fucking" me," he said, his lip curling cynically. "Fucking is fine with me. I need nothing more."

Hermione's eyes darkened. She was going to have to go for blood if she wanted this from the snarky wizard.

"But I do. I feel dissatisfied," the witch said. "I didn't want to tell you because I thought it might…well make you feel inadequate."

Dissatisfied? Inadequate? What the hell was the witch talking about? He shagged the shit out of her every time they had sex. When he put his tool to her, Hermione lubed up and came so much it was as if someone had turned an internal spigot on inside the witch.

Severus scowled blackly and felt himself throb with a vengeance. She'd pay for that remark. Dissatisfied. Hmph. She had some fucking nerve. She stood before him, her breasts floating like pale, peaked balloons on the surface of the water. He fought the urge to touch them as he continued to scowl at her.

Hermione stuck the barb in, now she twisted it.

"I know you don't have any experience with kissing, touching, using your mouth or things of that nature…but that's all right, Severus. I can teach you how to do it. You don't have to be ashamed about it," Hermione continued, loving the angry glint in his eyes.

The Potions Master nearly spluttered at this insinuation. Of course he knew how to kiss and caress a witch. And he could use his mouth with the best of them. Foreplay was just something he didn't feel the need to do. Insertion followed by numerous thrusts until a satisfying ejaculation was reached was his approach. It never failed him. Though Severus realized on some level he did make a concerted effort to please Hermione. More of an effort than he had with any other woman. It made him feel powerful when the witch shrieked and orgasmed, clutching at him as if he were the last stronghold on earth.

"And you've never felt what it was like to have my mouth on you, except for the blowjob I gave you. Severus, I can make you feel so much more if you would just cooperate. I'm very good," the witch said persuasively, " You have no idea how good I can make you feel."

"And how good you could make me feel," the witch thought as she looked up at the wizard.

Severus' jaw tightened but he didn't reply as he looked down at the naked witch. Her hair had twisted into ringlets now because of the waves. Slowly, Hermione brought her hand to his chest and stroked it. Severus stood tense and silent, his dark eyes resting on her, his face expressionless.

Hermione drew in a silent breath, then removed her hand, replacing it with her warm, soft lips, kissing the wizard in the center of his chest softly, then licking his flesh with her tongue. The wizard's belly suddenly tightened, but that was his only reaction. Hermione began to kiss his torso in earnest, moving over his pale skin, sucking lightly, tracing circles with her tongue. She felt him beginning to relax.

Severus had to admit to himself that Hermione's mouth felt good moving over him. It made him feel…wanted. Oh it was sexual, but more than sexual. He had never had a witch do more with her mouth than suck him off. His encounters weren't like that. The wizard shuddered, then closed his eyes, letting his head fall back as Hermione's mouth locked on to his nipple and sucked gently, tapping the tip with her tongue until it hardened. Little pulses of pleasure shot through him, and his hands reflexively moved to the small of her back, then over the curve of her buttocks, her flesh soft and pliant beneath his palms. He felt the witch tremble strongly as he caressed her. Experimentally, he did it again, with the same results, the witch moving to his other nipple and laving the same attention on it with more ardor. Hermione was pressing against his erection now, and he wanted to take her.

Yet, her mouth felt exquisite. Suddenly, Severus felt Hermione's small hands slide up his chest, over his shoulders and lock on to his head, pulling him forward and downward. He didn't resist and hissed as the witch began to lick, suck and kiss his throat. A small groan issued from the back of his throat.

Maybe there was something to this.

Suddenly the Potions Master lifted the witch in his arms and began striding toward the shore, Hermione still sucking and licking his throat, her fingers lightly scratching his scalp. It felt wonderful.

"I'll humor you," he said gruffly, his eyes half closed with pleasure at the witch's ministrations.

"Yes!" Hermione thought, mentally pumping her fist victoriously as her mouth moved over the wizard's Adam's apple, which was working up and down furiously.

Severus Snape wasn't going to know what hit him.

Severus carried Hermione to the shore and with some effort, pried her from his throat and stood her on the damp sand. The wizard was fully erect and his nostrils flared as he looked down at the witch. Suddenly he grasped her waist and attempted to take her down to the ground, but she resisted.

He glowered at her.

"What's wrong," he growled.

"I want you to lie down on your back," Hermione replied, her eyes glittering up at him.

"Me?" the wizard responded, looking at the damp sand. They were just above the surf-line.

Hermione nodded and said, "Humor me," and kissed his chest again.

The Potions Master let out a sigh and let his long pale body down, rolling on his back. He hoped no sand would work its way into uncomfortable places, but he was greatly aroused at the thought of taking the witch outdoors in the moonlight. He stretched his body out and looked up at Hermione, whose eyes were sweeping over him, pausing at his erect organ for a moment then shifting back to his face.

She looked starved, her eyes hot and hungry.

Severus felt a bit out of sorts as the witch looked down on him this way. It was a bit like role reversal. Normally it was he looking down on her body, stretched out before him like a sexual smorgasbord. But the witch looked delicious in the moonlight, the moon making her petite curvaceous body as pale as his own, her chestnut hair shining silver, the peaks of her breasts dark and tight.

Hermione lowered herself and mounted the wizard, straddling his body on her knees. Severus looked up at her.

"Different?" she asked him as his eyes swept over her.

"Yes," the wizard said rather hoarsely as he felt the heat of her core on his belly, his eyes resting on her spread thighs.

Hermione lowered her mouth to his throat again and began to suckle, her breasts mashed against the wizard's chest. Severus closed his eyes. Yes…this was pleasurable. Hermione's lips worked up the side of his jaw, the wizard turning his head to give her access. She stopped by his ear, letting her warm breath wash over it as she breathed, "Touch my body Severus. You never touch me. I want to feel your hands on my skin. Please."

Hermione began to suckle his throat again, and Severus granted her request, running his hands down her back, into the dip and over the swell over her buttocks. Hermione sighed as the wizards large, slightly roughened hands moved over her skin, leaving trails of fire on her moist skin and the witch moved to his mouth, her lips capturing and pulling at his softly at first, but with increasing ardor.

Severus responded, kissing the witch back, then opening his mouth in invitation, his eyes half-lidded, watching her head move sensuously, his fingers tracing her flesh. Then her body began to join in, her flesh sliding against his own, heating up. Her mouth was hot as fire and the wizard soon lost himself in exploring it fully, his hands locking into her wet mane of hair and guiding her head motions, his own body beginning to arch as he was drawn into Hermione's passion.

The couple began to kiss hungrily, exchanging saliva, their mouths devouring each other, the wizard completely caught up in the witch's responses. Hermione was near whimpering as she felt Severus become more aggressive, taking over the kiss, scouring her mouth with his tongue and sucking hard. His body was so hot, and hard, his hands sliding up over her shoulders and sweeping down again.

Hermione attempted to pull away from the Potions Master's mouth to his throat again, but the wizard pulled her head back, hungrily possessing her mouth, then rolling over with the witch so he was on top of her, still kissing her, his dark hair falling around her face as he continued. He slid his body against hers sensually now, rhythmically, and his mouth slid down to her neck, surprising Hermione. She swept the sand off his back as she caressed it, tracing his scars, and gasping loudly at the feel of his mouth on her throat.

"Oh Severus…Severus," she breathed.

In response, the wizard moved lower, one pale hand sliding up the witch's waist and gripping her breast, fondling it, and tweaking her nipple between his fingers as his other hand gripped the top of her head tightly. The witch buckled and groaned…this was the first time the wizard had touched her breasts in any prolonged manner and the witch hissed, her body undulating beneath him. Severus then brought his warm mouth to her nipple and suckled it gently, then began to lightly bite the full flesh of her breast before returning to worry the taut nipple again.

Hermione arched so hard she actually lifted the wizard for a moment. She felt a low chuckle against her belly, then the wizard moved to her other breast, dragging his tongue across her body and covering as much of her breast with his mouth as he could, his tongue swirling in circles over her flesh. Hermione was in heaven, and felt a pulsing ache between her thighs as she pumped them against him.

Severus found he enjoyed the witch's wild reaction to his mouth and hands. He didn't know how to use them, eh? Shit. She'd see. He planned to torment her.

Severus moved lower, kissing and licking Hermione's skin. He felt the surf lick his elbow as he grasped both of her breasts. He rose to his knees, bending over the witch, moving steadily downward, Hermione arching upward again, then lifting her head to see his long black hair dragging down her belly.

"Oh gods…yes Severus…oh fuck," she hissed as the wizard's lips pulled at her pubic hair. Then suddenly he stopped and looked up at her, his eyes narrowed. Hermione's hips bucked upward insistently.

"Oh…don't stop now," the witch cried out, pushing his shoulders downward. Severus stubbornly didn't move.

"You'll teach me how to use my mouth, will you witch?" he breathed, his dark eyes glinting as he lightly caressed her inner thighs with his hands. The smell of Hermione's sex filled the air, mingling with the scent of the sea. His mouth watered. He hadn't feasted on a woman in so long he'd forgotten what one tasted like. The tide was creeping up the shore, tickling their bodies lightly.

"No…I was wrong. You know how to use it," Hermione said desperately, "show me how much you know, Severus! I'm dying to feel you!"

"Dying to feel my mouth?" he asked her, lowering his head to her pubic hair and letting his lips move through its softness, "Or my tongue?"

The Potions Master slowly and teasingly licked her labia and the Hermione squealed, attempting to capture his head with her thighs but Severus expected this reaction and held them spread.

"Which?" he purred at her, his black eyes drinking in her lust as she writhed.

"Both! Both!" Hermione hissed, locking her hands in his hair now. The witch was so aroused her grip was too tight, but Severus took the pain. It was…arousing to feel the normally gentle witch losing it.

He decided not to make Hermione wait any longer and moved downward, lifting her thighs over his shoulders, spread her wide with his fingers and lowered his mouth to her. He took a large lick, drawing her flavor in…his eyes closing in bliss as her sweet, musky taste coated his tongue. He swallowed.

"Damn," he breathed, then proceeded to eat the hell out of the witch's core, licking and sucking, holding her firmly as she bucked, writhed and yanked on his hair, letting out a string of muggle obscenities as his tongue and lips lashed her, the pleasure almost unbearable. She shrieked when he began to thrust his tongue in and out of her deeply, collecting her juices.

Suddenly the world shattered and Hermione was soaring, letting out a cry that rang through the night so loudly, the elves stopped bickering in the kitchen for a moment, their ears flicking back and forth, before they resumed, Eli on the offensive.

"Yes, witch," Severus thought as he drank down the wildly writhing witch's flow, Hermione pushing her core against his mouth, straining as she climaxed. He swallowed every drop of the witch's release, staying with her until she fell still, her breasts rising and falling with a rather shocked satisfaction.

If Hermione thought the wizard was going to give her a bit of respite, she was wrong. Severus launched himself over her body, pulling her thighs up, locking his glistening mouth to hers and entering her brutally, the witch shrieking into his mouth as his huge organ plowed into her hungrily. She could taste herself as he burrowed his tongue and his organ deep inside her and began to possess her strongly, the waves now splashing over them.

Severus drove into Hermione, slamming into her undulating body with a vengeance, sliding the gasping witch across the wet shoreline, their bodies leaving a deep groove as the surf crashed around them. Hermione clutched at his shoulders and the wizard stared down at her lustfully as her tightness sucked and clutched at him.

"You're beautiful," the Potions Master hissed without realizing it. "Give me everything, witch."

Hermione let out a whimper as Severus lifted himself up on his hands, stopping their wet slide across the beach and began slapping his loins between her thighs loudly, driving into the witch with all his strength and ardor, then dropping to her mouth against, kissing her almost frantically as his back locked and his thrusting became involuntary, instinctual, animalistic. He couldn't stop if he wanted to. His body was past control.

Hermione let out a screech as she orgasmed, swallowing down water as she exploded over Severus, the wizard slamming into her cervix brutally, groaning as her heat flowed over him. She gasped something. Something unexpected. Something that brought the wizard back to himself, staring at her in astonishment.

Severus slowed his stroke, gentling as the witch babbled a string of words he knew he wasn't meant to hear as if at Pentecost. The witch would never say these things to him if she were lucid. She knew he was not the kind of wizard to say such things to, that he had no real heart. But Hermione wasn't lucid…she was lost to him, and the wizard dropped on her soft body, his face buried in her wet hair, his ear close to her lips so he could hear every murmured tabooed word as he flexed into Hermione slow and easy, drawing out almost completely, then sliding back in so she could feel every inch of him savoring her complete and utter surrender. He shouldn't be listening to this, but found he wanted to hear her anyway. No woman had ever said the things to him that Hermione was whispering as the waves washed over them.

It was just the sex. It was too good to her…that's what it had to be. This…this couldn't be inside her…not the way he treated her. Why would she….? How could she…?

"Severus…Severus," Hermione breathed, her voice full of tenderness. He lifted his head and looked down at her. The witch's eyes were soft and deep as the ocean itself as she looked up at him. He felt as if he could fall into those amber eyes and tumble forever, never wishing to touch ground again. Then he caught himself.

Nonsense. Utter insanity. He wasn't himself…and it was Hermione's fault.

"You're a succubus," he breathed, his face contorting, kissing the witch hungrily then returning to his hands and taking her once again with a vengeance, driving her up the shoreline.

"An addiction! A weakness! A tempting bit of fluff!" the wizard hissed, riding Hermione for all all he was worth. "That's all you are, Hermione Granger, Spells Mistress. Potions Mistress. That's all you'll ever be to me! Don't try to be anything more, witch. I don't want it!"

He made this last declaration savagely as he rammed so deep into the witch, he felt her shift inside and begin to quake powerfully, increasing the wizard's pleasure as her vibrations ran up his plunging shaft.

"Damn you," Severus groaned as he felt himself drawing to the edge, "Damn you for making me feel you, witch! Damn you for invading my thoughts…my dreams. Damn you for making me want this. And above all, damn you for making me want you!"

Again Severus dropped to the witch, locking his mouth to hers as he pistoned into her almost limp body, taking every bit of Hermione he could, his hips blurring as pleasure poured over him like the surf. Then he slammed deep into the witch with a curse and came and came and came, his body shuddering, his own voice a whimper as he pulsed, filling Hermione to overflowing, the waves washing his gushing release away.

The Potions Master collapsed on her, exhausted, letting the water wash over them for a few moments more before withdrawing and pulling Hermione higher up on the beach, worried she'd drown. Sand clung to her soaked body and he brushed at it, staring down at the witch, who lay on her back, her breasts rising and falling gently, her unfocused amber irises peeking out from beneath her partially closed lids. Her legs were still parted and her hair a mass of dark, wet tangles.

With an effort, Severus sat up, his long legs bent, leaning back a bit and resting on his hands. He stared at Hermione a bit longer then turned his head and looked out over the dark waters, breathing deeply, feeling as if his entire world had just turned upside down, the pivotal point, the witch sleeping on the sand beside him.

The witch who had opened up her soul to him.

When Hermione awoke, the first thing she was aware of was a familiar ache inside, then being in a bed, then her body wrapped up tight in the sleeping Potions Master's arms, her back against his chest, his chin on top of her head. He was snoring.
The witch realized she was in a short silk nightgown, and could feel by the fabric resting against her buttocks, that Severus was wearing boxers. Why were they dressed? She didn't bring a nightgown since she slept in the nude. The wizard must have created it for her. How had she gotten here?

The room was lightening. The sun was coming up.

Hermione shifted slightly, unable to believe the wizard was sleeping with his arms around her. The last thing she remembered was his taking her on the beach, driving her across the sand with his body. Gods, he had been so good. He gave her foreplay for the first time and was quite good at it. Hermione had hoped to get a dominant position in on him, but the wizard had flipped her over…and that was the end of that idea.

The witch felt a bit of warmth in her belly as she remembered the wizard kissing her deeply as he stroked her. He was right…kissing did make sex seem more intimate…Severus' kisses made her feel as if he cared about her beyond sex, but that was her emotional reaction to that type of intimate contact, not reality. Hermione did know the wizard desired her however. He was hooked and she knew it. But sexual desire did not equate to actual care.

She shifted again, then let out a little gasp as Severus' arms tightened around her and his loins pressed against her ass. She could feel him swelling inside his boxers. The snoring stopped and she felt the wizard's head shift, his lips resting against her ear.

"Be thankful my erection is just because I have to piss, witch. I don't think your body can take around round with me," he purred, releasing Hermione and rolling out of the bed, picking up a small case off the nightstand and walking into the bathroom. He didn't close the door.

Hermione heard him using the loo, the stream strong as he relieved himself. It flushed, then she heard water running in the basin, then the sound of brushing.

Hermione shifted to the edge of the bed. She had to pee.

"Are you going to be long?" she called to Severus. The brushing continued and Hermione stood up and minced over to the bathroom door, holding her legs together tightly. Severus was facing the mirror, brushing his long tongue.

"I have to go," Hermione squeaked. Severus' reflection scowled at her in the mirror.

"Go then. I'm not finished," he said, returning to his brushing.

Shit. Go with him in here? She stood in the doorway unmoving.

Severus' reflection looked at her again, the wizard lowering the toothbrush.

"Witch, I have swallowed fluids that come out of you. Stop being modest and pee already," he snarked.

Hermione colored. He was right. She hurried over to the loo, lifted her nightgown, sat down and peed.

"Owww!" the witch complained as the hot urine stung her delicate parts.

Severus smirked. He knew it would sting.

"I didn't bring any purple potion with me, but I imagine Dobby has a supply here. You should ask," the wizard suggested before cupping his hand under the faucet, sipping up some water, swishing it about and spitting it back into the sink.

Hermione stood up, wiped herself carefully, wincing as she did so, then tossed the tissue into the loo and flushed it. She walked around Severus to the other basin to wash her hands and noticed her toothbrush case on the counter. Severus must have retrieved it last night. Hermione opened it, took out the brush and rinsed it with cold water.

She looked into the mirror. Both of them standing side by side this way looked quite domestic. Severus cut his eyes toward her in the glass.

"Can I have a bit of your toothpowder?" Hermione asked the wizard.

"If it will rid you of that dragon's breath, you can have the entire jar," Severus replied, placing the toothpowder next to the witch.

Dragon's breath?

Hermione cupped her hand and breathed into it.

She took a sniff and immediately regretted it as she nearly gagged. Wow. She didn't have dragon's breath. Dragon's breath smelled better.

The wizard arched an eyebrow at her reaction as he rinsed and put his toothbrush away in its case.

"That is the main reason you were spared a morning ride," Severus said, exiting the bathroom. He began to dress.

Hermione took a lot of time brushing her teeth and tongue. When she finished, she walked over to the shower, pulled the door open and turned on the water.

Severus appeared in the door fully dressed as she started to remove her nightgown.

"You don't need a shower. I bathed you last night when we returned from the beach. You had sand everywhere and I couldn't sleep with half the beach in my bed," he said silkily, then disappeared from the doorway.

Hermione did feel completely clean, but taking a shower in the morning was an automatic act. He had bathed her? She must have really been out of it. She had no recollection of being brought back to Harry's house. The witch turned off the water and exited the bathroom

Severus was gone.

Oh well. Any questions she had could wait until later. Then her belly tightened. Later they would be doing the ritual.

Hermione quickly dressed in a pair of brightly colored cotton shorts, a white t-shirt and a pair of sandals. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, then exited the room to find Severus and Harry already at breakfast. Harry was again in a bib, his black hair damp from his morning shower. He looked straight ahead as Dobby fed him.

"Good morning, Harry," Hermione said.

The wizard's green eyes shifted toward her and he smiled just as Dobby tried to slip the spoon in his mouth, the contents dripping down his chin and falling to his bib.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Dobby," she said to the elf, who looked at her.

"He drops food whether you is here or not, Miss. Dobby is used to it," the elf replied, wiping Harry's chin with a napkin and going at it again.

Hermione sat down and had a slice of toast with jam. She also had a cup of coffee. That was it.

Severus looked at her disapprovingly. After last night, the witch should be on her second plate of food. The gods knew he had a hell of an appetite.

"Is that all you're going to eat?" he snapped at the witch, who looked up at him rather startled.

"Yes. I'm not that hungry," Hermione replied, chewing her toast slowly to make it appear filling. The truth was she was nervous about the upcoming ritual, and when Hermione was nervous…she didn't eat a lot. Food had a habit of coming back up.

"You're going to need energy," the Potions Master said, leveling his dark eyes on her, "You expended quite a bit last night."

Hermione thought she saw a flash of heat in those black eyes as the wizard looked at her.

"But then again, I'm not your mother. Eat what you want," Severus finished, resuming his meal.

Hermione ate a small piece of sausage and then left the table. She walked through the house until she came to a bedroom with posters of Quidditch players all over the walls. It must be Harry's bedroom. The witch walked into the bathroom and looked through the medicinal potions stores. Yes, there were several bottles of purple potion. She drank two down and immediately felt Severus' ache leave her. She let out a sigh, then went to her own room where she retrieved her Harmonics book, then exited the house, walking outside to the porch. Eli was busily sweeping the wood flooring and smiled a greeting at her. He had work to do and was quite pleased.

Hermione sat down on the wicker loveseat and leafed through the book to the ritual instructions again. She knew them by heart, but this was Hermione. Checking and rechecking was natural for her.

The screen door opened again and Dobby exited the house holding Harry by the hand. He led him down the steps and toward the beach for his morning exercise. Hermione watched as Harry shuffled along behind the elf, staring over the water. When they came to the shore, Dobby let him go and Harry promptly dropped to his hands and knees and started working his hands back and forth in the sand, making large furrows then throwing sand into the air. Dobby was scolding him because the sand fell back into his hair, but Harry was oblivious and continued to play.

Suddenly, Hermione heard music…violin music. Severus was in the study warming up, ready to do another run-through of Harry's song. Hermione quickly got up and hurried into the house, locating the Potions Master.

She entered the study and looked at the wizard, who was standing robeless in his bare feet, wearing a partially opened white shirt and black trousers, his hair pulled back in a ponytail. His eyes were closed as he swayed, drawing the bow lovingly over the instrument. Hermione thought he looked delicious.

Suddenly Severus' eyes snapped open and he lowered the instrument, looking at Hermione blackly.

"Get out," he said, "I want no distractions."

"I just want to hear…" Hermione began.

"You will hear tonight. Now get out witch," Severus said warningly, taking a step towards her threateningly.

"Fine," Hermione spat, leaving the room in a huff.

What a bastard.

Severus smirked as Hermione stalked off, then walked over to his robes and pulled out his wand. He cast a silencing spell around the room and warded the doorway. The Potions Master could still be seen since the study was open and there was no actual door, but no one could enter or hear him. The wizard wouldn't be disturbed.

He played the opening strains to Harry's song.

Harry suddenly looked up from the hole he was digging in the sand, staring toward the house intently.
"What is it, Master?" Dobby asked. Harry rarely focused on anything more than a moment, but he was looking at the house, his brow slightly furrowed.

Suddenly the wizard stood up and bolted for the house.

"Master!" a shocked Dobby yelled after him as the wizard ran.

Harry never ran. His gait was normally a shuffling step, almost like an old man's walk. He certainly wasn't shuffling now.

Hermione had just exited the house when she saw Harry running toward her, Dobby hot on his tail. Running?

"Harry?" she said as the wizard leapt up the stairs, ran past her and into the still open door, Dobby sprinting behind him. Hermione ran into the house behind Dobby.

Harry headed straight for the study where Severus was playing, running right into the ward, which was like hitting a stone wall. The wizard crumpled to the floor, knocked cold, blood running from his nose and his face badly bruised.

"Master!" Dobby cried, falling to his knees beside the unconscious wizard.

Hermione ran in after them, gasping and bringing her hand to her mouth as she looked at Harry. Dobby had his head in his lap and was stroking his hair.

"He never runs before," the elf was saying, "He never ever runs since he comes here."

Hermione looked up at Severus, who was completely lost in his playing, his body twisting, eyes closed as he drew the bow over the violin quickly. She couldn't hear what he was playing, but apparently…Harry could and responded to it

Dobby healed Harry's broken nose and cut lip with a touch of his long, scaly finger. Then he stood up and levitated the unconscious wizard to his bedroom, the other elves following, chittering worriedly.

Still playing, the Potions Master had no idea what had occurred. He was lost in the music, his shirt sticking wetly to his back as he poured all that he was into the song, feeling it swell his very soul. The wizard began to glow, Hermione watching his magic manifest itself. Even through the ward, she could feel his power.

If this was how Harry reacted to his song, he would have to be restrained in the circle tonight. Although she was upset about what happened to the wizard, Hermione was glad she found this out. Something horrible might have happened during the ritual if Harry launched himself at Severus.

The Dementors milled about in the shadows of the ruined temple, bent and hissing with pain. Minerva was taunting her captor as usual.
"Upset belly?" the witch asked, an ugly smile on her face.

"Shut up before I tear you out of me!" the Dementor hissed.

"Hah! If that were possible, you would've done it long ago. They're closing in on all of you. Your days are marked!"

Once again the Dementor wished it had found another victim those many years ago.

One that was mute.

Suddenly the pain was gone, and the creatures all hissed in relief.

The moment Severus began to glow, a dull pain shot through all the Dementors and each felt the sensation of something tugging inside them. They had no idea what was happening, but whatever it was, they hoped it was the last time they experienced it.

Dementors gave pain just fine but they weren't made to deal with it.

Later that morning Hermione told Severus what had happened to Harry while he was playing the music.
Severus arched an eyebrow.

"I placed a rather strong silencing charm around the room. He couldn't have heard the song. It had to be an internal reaction," the wizard said as they sat at the kitchen table.

Hermione nodded, looking thoughtful.

"His broken soul reacted," she replied, "It felt what was missing and drew him to it in an attempt to heal itself. That must be it."

"You say he ran directly into the ward?" Severus asked the witch.

"According to Dobby, yes," Hermione said, "I didn't see it for myself. He was already unconscious when I got there."

"Still running towards the unknown full force," Severus said, sneering a bit, "His soul might be broken but apparently some idiot behaviors never change."

Hermione scowled at the Potions Master.

"That's a terrible thing to say," she snapped at him.

The Potions Master looked at her coolly.

"Since I am the one who will be standing in a circle, risking life and limb and no doubt my own soul for the wizard, I believe I am entitled to say what I think," Severus said pointedly. "Unlike you, who will be standing a safe distance away."

"That's not fair. I'd gladly exchange places with you if I could, Severus," Hermione said.

Severus looked at her, his eyes going harsh.

"If we bring Potter back, Hermione…I want you to remember your body is mine for the duration of our agreement," he said darkly.

Hermione stared at him in disbelief.

"What? You think I'd shag Harry?" she asked him incredulously.

Severus' eyes washed over her. He looked quite possessive as he did so.

"I think it is possible that your joy could translate into something physical, yes," he replied, "Such things have been known to happen. Two friends sharing joy or grief finding comfort in each others' arms."

"Well, that's not going to happen. Anyway, the patronage oath wouldn't allow it," the witch said frowning at the wizard.

"Fidelity is not a true part of the patronage agreement," the wizard said quietly, "Even though you agreed to it, the magic might not bind you. You might be able to indulge yourself with another wizard if you truly wanted to."

Hermione stared at Severus for several moments. He was trying to hide it, but she could see that this possibility didn't set very well with him. His mouth was drawn in a thin line, and his eyes rather hard.

"You don't have to worry about that, Severus. You meet my current physical needs, if not my emotional ones. Having Harry back will give me that. He loves me," she said softly, her eyes growing a bit distant. "And I love him."

Severus felt a pulse of jealousy and for a moment was tempted to tell the witch all that she whispered to him last night as he impaled her. How would she deal with that knowledge? It was clear she had no recollection of her words, but a quick look into his mind would remedy that. He shifted in his chair slightly, trying to decide if he would tell Hermione or not.

Dobby walked in.

"I is going to fix lunch now. No more eating after that. Ritual," the elf said. Eli walked in behind him, scowling.

"Tonight I will leads the elves in the chanting. Is my Master we is protecting," he declared.

Dobby frowned at Eli.

"No…is MY master that is being protected!" he argued, "I shall leads the chanting."

Both elves began to hiss at each other, claws crooking and sharp pointed teeth showing as they snarled and began to circle each other.

"Severus, do something before they hurt each other," Hermione said to the Potions Master.

"Eli, stop it," the Potions Master said, "You will be in charge of preparing the ritual area. The sand needs to be smoothed and cleaned of any foreign objects, torches set up for light to see by and wards put in place so no one inadvertently disturbs us. You will also hold the wands while Hermione draws the protective circles and protect her when the ritual starts. That is your work for this evening."

Eli bowed.

"Yes, Master. I will go and start preparing the beach now," the elf said, giving Dobby a smirk. He had more work to do than the other elf did and gloated. The happy Eli exited the kitchen, a frustrated Dobby looking after him.

"Will be glad when that one goes home," the elf muttered, walking to the cooler and taking out some sliced meat and making Hermione and Severus two rather dry, thin ham sandwiches and giving each a glass of pumpkin juice.

"Must check on the Master," he said, exiting the kitchen.

Severus and Hermione looked down at their plates.

"Maybe we need to eat less for the ritual," she said, lifting the bread and looking at the two thin slices of meat. There were no condiments. Just bread and meat.

Severus nodded.

"Perhaps I should have assigned Eli's work after Dobby made our food," the Potions Master said, sure that lunch would have been much better had he done so. He bit into the dry sandwich and chewed. Food was food. He'd had worse.

Hermione ate her sandwich half-heartedly. She liked lettuce, tomato, cheese, pickles and mustard on her ham sandwiches. Dobby was punishing them, she was sure. House elves were subservient, but obviously they could show their displeasure in ways that wouldn't get them in trouble or ruin their service. He had fixed them lunch like he said he would. He didn't say it would be a good lunch.

Severus finished his food, washing it down with the rest of the pumpkin juice and watched Hermione as she finished her food, his dark eyes unreadable. When the witch put down her empty juice glass, the wizard said, "I believe we should get some rest before tonight."

Hermione thought this a good idea so she could be fresh and sharp.

"Sounds good," she said rising from the table, "I'll see you later on."

She went to walk by the Potions Master, who caught her by the arm, his eyes glittering

"Where do you think you're going, witch?" Severus asked her, rising.

"To my room," Hermione replied.

"You have no room here," the wizard replied, beginning to lead her down the hall to his guestroom. "You will sleep with me."

Hermione didn't protest. She wouldn't win. Severus would push her into his bedroom anyway so she might as well cooperate.

Severus brought her into the room, plucked her wand out of her shorts pocket, then warded the bedroom door securely. He then began to unbutton his robes, looking at her.

"Undress. Down to your bra and knickers," he said, slipping off his robes and working on his shirt.

Bra and knickers? Obviously the wizard didn't intend to have sex with her. That was good because she would be terribly tired afterward.

Hermione removed her sandals and undressed as Severus pulled off his shirt and undid his trousers. He then sat on the bed and removed his boots and socks, tucking the socks inside the boots and sliding them under the bed. He then stood up and removed his trousers, stepping out of them. His silk boxers were only slightly tented as he looked at the witch in her white bra and knickers. His eyes swept over Hermione and there was a noticeable pulse under his shorts.

"Get in the bed," he said, watching the witch climb in and slide under the white sheets. He joined her, pulling the sheets over his long pale body and sticking her wand under his pillow.

"Come here," he said, lying down facing her.

Hermione moved closer and Severus forced her to turn over so her back was facing him and pulled her tight against his body, wrapping his arms around her, pressing his erection into her buttocks.

"I'd take you but we both need to be in top form tonight," he said, sliding one hand over her belly slowly, caressing it. Hermione caught her breath. "And I imagine if we are successful, you will be spending a bit of time with the wizard bringing him up to date on what has occurred over the years. Understandable. But I will not be neglected, Hermione. And you still have work to do under our agreement. I don't want you slacking because Mr. Potter is back. Do you understand me? I don't want to have to come and retrieve you, witch."

Hermione realized she was going to have to tell Harry that Ron was dead.

"He doesn't know about Ron," she said in a small voice. "I'm going to have to tell him."

Severus was silent for a moment.

"Yes you will. It is best to tell him quickly with all the details," the wizard replied. Severus had a lot of experience being the bearer of bad news. It was best to be direct and thorough so as not to have the person asking all manner of questions, making the bad new worse. He felt Hermione shaking slightly.

She was crying.

"Blast woman. Ronald Weasley has been dead over eight years now. Why in the world are you sobbing?" he asked her, his nose wrinkled in irritation.

"Because most likely to Harry, his death will seem like it just happened. I just find that so sad," the witch sniffed.

"The world is full of sadness, Hermione. Harry has dealt with loss his entire life. He will deal with this too," the wizard said by way of comfort. He felt Hermione cover his hand with her own and squeeze it gratefully.

She said nothing else as they lay there.

Severus didn't know why he was holding her like this. Presumably so she wouldn't sneak out. She was soft and warm and felt good pressed against his body. He rubbed against her possessively and felt the witch shudder.

Yes, she felt him.

The wizard closed his eyes and pulled Hermione against him tighter.

If something happened to him tonight, at least his last good memory would be having a relatively willing witch in his arms.

He wouldn't have spent his last hours alone.

Nightfall came quickly, and the couple woke up and prepared for the coming ritual. Hermione went to her room and showered, then donned a white robe, wearing nothing beneath it. She kept this little detail from Severus, not knowing if he would be able to resist taking a bit of advantage of her nudity. She didn't think the wizard beyond going for a quickie. Eli appeared in her doorway just as she brushed out her curls.
"I is here," Eli said, gathering up both the long willow and ironwood wands. "The beach is prepared, and Master Potter has been puts to sleep by Dobby. They is ready to follow you out, Miss. And the Master is ready also."

"Thank you, Eli," Hermione said looking at herself in the mirror. She took a deep breath, turned and walked from the room. Severus was standing on the porch, barefoot, in his white shirt and trousers, his hair pulled back in a ponytail. He held his Strad and bow in the crook of his arm, looking at the lighted beach.

He turned to look at Hermione as she exited in her pristine white robes. His mouth quirked.

"Now don't you look ready for defilement?" he purred at her.

"Stop it. This is a serious matter Severus," she snapped at him. His eyes went cold.

"Don't you think I realize that witch?" he said sharply. "I'm going to be inside that circle."

Hermione didn't say anything but moved aside as the house elves exited the house, Harry levitated between them as they walked two abreast, two behind with Dobby bringing up the rear. They seemed to be chanting under their breaths.

"They is ready Miss," Eli said to Hermione, who nodded and walked down the stairs, followed by Eli, Severus and the elves. The strange procession walked toward the shore. Eli had set up several torches that spread a red glow over the area. The atmosphere was heavy as if pregnant with expectancy.

Everyone watched as Hermione carefully drew the pentacle in the sand with the long willow wand, saying a quiet invocation under her breath as she drew the circle around it, making sure the tips of the star connected with it. She made it large enough so that Harry could rest inside it with his limbs spread. She then drew the Soul Circle, then switched wands and drew the Harper's circle, carefully dividing it into twelve equal sections. She stepped back to look at her handiwork. Yes, it was a good job.

A greater heaviness seemed to fall on the space, and the elves' chanting grew a bit louder.

"Place him inside the pentacle," Hermione said, "Be careful not to step on any of the lines"

The elves carefully maneuvered Harry's body over the pentacle, extending his arms and legs in mid-air, then lowered him gently to the ground. Then they exited the circle, surrounding it, heads bowed and still chanting.

Suddenly a blue light flared up around Harry in the shape of the star and faded away.

"Makes your circle quick!" Eli hissed, looking about worriedly. "Master, takes your place! Quickly.

Hermione quickly drew a protective circle with the willow wand and stepped into it, as Severus took his place above the head of Harry. Eli stood in front of Hermione and began to chant as the air was suddenly filled with black shadowy shapes that whipped about frantically. Hermione was reminded of a school of fish in a feeding frenzy. The black things were tadpole shaped and began to attack both Severus and Hermione, crashing against the invisible barriers that protected them.

Hermione could see they had skull-like faces and wore hungry, lustful expressions as they pounded against the barriers. These must be the creatures that sought entrance into the physical world. They were horrible.

The elves began to chant louder and the things writhed about as if in pain, but still kept trying to get at the witch and wizard.

"Play Master! Play!" Eli cried out suddenly. "We can't holds them off too long!"

Severus started. He had been staring at the attacking spirits as if mesmerized.

He brought the bow to string. The moment it touched the instrument, a powerful golden light flared up around the Professor and telescoped around the outer circle, lighting each space, almost blinding Hermione with its intensity. The shadows around them fled a distance away but continued darting and whipping about almost angrily.

The light faded and Hermione's jaw dropped.

"Oh my gods," she breathed, unable to believe her eyes.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR INTERACTIVE STREAMING MP3 FILE
theburningpen . com Slash Gray Slash snapeh . m3u

Hermione stared at the circle in amazement. It seemed the question as to how all parts of the score would be played. Standing in a circle around Harry, eyes closed and bows in different positions stood not one, but twelve Potions Masters, each with a violin. Initially Severus and the Severus next to him played the opening strains, then three others joined in, and the participation increased thereafter, with duets, solos, quartets and all manner of combinations, the passion and power increasing. What was amazing was that each Severus appeared oblivious to the others as he played.
Streaks of light flew from the instruments and into Harry every time a bow touched string, the wizard looking as if he were in the center of an electrical storm as the music became more intense. Above the circle a swirling cloud formation appeared, darkening and spinning, a hole opening up in the center, a powerful wind issuing from it. The Severuses played wildly, their bodies twisting rhythmically and sensually as their bows flew over the violins. For a moment, Hermione wished she was in the middle of that circle.

The dark shadows screamed and tried to flee but were sucked up into the strange cloud which began to flicker with its own light as the music became more powerful, all the Severuses playing passionately. Suddenly there was a loud clap of thunder and a ball of white light shot out of the opening and landed in the Soul Circle. There was so much static in the air, Hermione's hair was standing up as energy crackled around the glowing sphere as it hovered in the circle. Then slowly it began to circle Harry, starting to elongate, four tendrils of light dropping down, a bulb of light stretching from the front and more tendrils stretching upward. The bottom tendrils fleshed out and began moving as the body of light became recognizable. Hermione gasped, covering her mouth.

Prongs.

It was Harry's patronus, in the shape of his father's animagus form, a stag. It galloped around Harry, horns lowered as if charging some unseen creature. It ran faster and faster until it was a blur of light between the Severuses and Harry. Suddenly the music came to an end and the light expanded, covering all of them, then coalesced into a small glowing ball and hovered above Harry, dropping lower.

Suddenly Harry gasped, his mouth falling open and a long tendril of light issued from the orifice, reaching up and entwining like a constricting snake around the glowing orb. It snapped back inside Harry, who made a choking, coughing noise. The Severuses suddenly telescoped back around the circle, slipping into the original Potions Master, whose eyes flew open. He looked over at Hermione, then his dark eyes dropped to Harry, who lay coughing in the center of the pentacle.

The elves stopped chanting and stared at Harry, Dobby especially, his ears pricked forward.

"Comes on, Master," he breathed.

Hermione stood frozen staring from Severus to Harry to Severus.

The Potions Master watched Harry shudder and cough for a moment, then scowling, handed the nearest house elf his violin and bow, strode over to the pentacle, pulled Harry up by one arm and beat him on the back.

"Severus! What are you doing?" Hermione called from the protective circle, horrified as the wizard pounded Harry's back.

"He's choking," Severus called back. Suddenly Harry sucked in a huge amount of air and the coughing stopped. Severus let him go, and the green-eyed wizard looked about him blankly.

Hermione felt her heart dropping at the blank expression on his face. Harry looked up at Severus.

"Professor Snape…what are you doing here? Where am I? Where's Voldemort?" the wizard rattled off at the Potions Master.

Severus frowned at him then looked over at Hermione.

"He's fine," he sniffed, walking out of the circle and retrieving his violin and bow.

The wizard started walking back towards the house and he heard Hermione shriek. It must have just hit her that the boy-who-lived was truly back.

"Harry!" Hermione screamed, bolting from the circle and diving on the startled wizard, taking him down into the sand.

"Master!" Dobby screamed, diving into the small pileup.

The other elves all chattered and danced around in joy, doing somersaults and handstands.

Harry spluttered, spitting out some sand as both Hermione and Dobby clung to him.

"Talk to me, Harry! Say something! Anything!" Hermione said breathlessly, her bare legs showing above mid-thigh. Harry looked at her legs.

"Hermione, are you wearing anything under your robes?" Harry asked, his eyebrows raised to his hairline.

"No! No I'm not!" Hermione yelled joyously, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him on the mouth happily.

Harry pulled away from her kiss.

"Then I really don't think you should be kissing me like this. It feels…well…weird, knowing you are naked under your robes," the wizard said, adjusting his glasses. "Now if I were Ron…well then…"

Hermione colored and released Harry. He had mentioned Ron.

Ron and Hermione had been showing a marked interest in each other when the Final Battle came upon them. In fact, Hermione lost her virginity to the red-haired wizard the night before he died. Hermione hadn't wanted them to die virgins.

"But I'm not a virgin. I got some from Padma last year," Ron had told her and almost ruined his chances as the witch tried to scramble away, furious.

But he managed to convince Hermione it was just a friendly shag between friends, and that this would really mean something to him because he liked her so much. It wasn't a declaration of love, but they really weren't in love yet, just extremely attracted to each other.

So Hermione cast a contraceptive spell on herself and they did it. There had been a bit of pain, some very fast humping, then hot wetness. That was all Hermione had gotten out of it, though she told Ron it was good. This was part of the reason she had so few lovers. She initially thought sex sucked and was highly over-rated. It had been too fast and not hard enough. Overall, Hermione's first sexual experience left her more frustrated than anything.

"What am I doing here? And where's Voldemort? The last thing I remember is killing him. I did kill him, didn't I?" Harry asked the witch.

Hermione nodded.

"Yes you did kill him Harry. You're a hero," she said softly, wondering how she was going to tell him he had been a walking vegetable for the past eight years.

"I don't care anything about being a hero as long as that slithery bastard is dead," the wizard said, standing up and brushing the sand from his robes, then shaking his leg because Dobby was clinging to it, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Let go, Dobby," he said to the elf.

Dobby released him, staring up into his face, tears rolling freely. Hermione stood up too and watched as Harry looked around at the torches, then the circle he was standing in. He looked up at Hermione.

"Something went wrong, didn't it Hermione?" he asked her in a low voice.

The witch nodded.

"A Dementor grabbed you and kissed you while you were distracted by Voldemort," she said in a trembling voice. "Draco blasted it away from you, but not before it absorbed part of your soul. It didn't get everything, but you were left…well kind of empty…not totally like the other victims. Dobby has been taking care of you," she said softly.

Harry looked down at the elf.

"For how long, Dobby?" he asked the elf, a knot forming in his stomach.

"For eight long years, Harry Potter," the elf replied.

Harry's eyes went round and he looked at Hermione again. Yes, she was definitely older, a grown woman…then he looked down at himself. He was much broader than he remembered.

"Eight years, Hermione?" he asked for confirmation.

"Yes, Harry. Eight years," she confirmed.

The wizard stared at her.

"Where's Ron?" he asked suddenly.

Hermione swallowed and her eyes began to glisten. Harry bit his lip.

"He's dead, isn't he?" he asked her, his voice cracking a bit.

Hermione nodded.

"He fell at the Final Battle. He's a hero too," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Harry blinked rapidly several times.

"Ron," he said in a hushed voice.

He stood there in silence for several minutes, Hermione and the elves staring at him. Finally he looked up at her.

"How did you bring me back?" he asked her.

"Sev…the Professor did it. He's a Harper," she replied. "I helped."

Harry knew that if the Potions Master brought him back, Hermione must have done more than helped. That snarky bastard never did anything without a reason.

"What's a Harper?" he asked.

Hermione sighed. There was so much to explain to Harry now that he was back. Standing on the beach wasn't the place to do it. She caught the wizard by his arm.

"Come on, Harry, let's go back to your house and talk there. I have a lot to tell you," the witch said.

"My house?" the wizard mouthed as Hermione led him up the beach, followed closely by Dobby and the rest of the elves. Eli picked up the wands, put out the torches and removed the wards.

"My Master is the most powerful Master in the world," the elf thought to himself. "He can fix souls."

Smiling, Eli walked behind the others, his chest poked out with pride.

Severus paced in the guestroom for a while, tempted to head back to Hogwarts. Hermione would be occupied with Harry now and most likely wouldn't even act as if he existed. He didn't feel like sitting in and listening to her go over every boring detail of the last eight years, or watching her gush over Harry.
Well, she had one of her best friends back, which meant that her attention would now be divided between him, her work and Harry. He was concerned that something might flare up between the two, and even if Hermione didn't sleep with the boy-who-lived, the Potions Master still didn't like the idea of the wizard waiting in the wings for his patronage to end. It would feel like the wizard was in his bed.

He had to do something to nip the possibility in the bud and soon.

Severus sat down on the bed to think, wishing there was some firewhiskey about. But Harry had no use for it at the time. The Potions Master scoured every memory he had of Harry at Hogwarts his last year, trying to find something that could help him.

He sat there a good hour before it came to him. A slow, rather evil smile crossed the wizard's pale face.

He knew what to do.

Feeling much better, the wizard divestoed his clothing and climbed into bed. He could count on spending the night alone.

At about three o'clock in the morning, the wizard felt someone climbing into the bed and made a grab, wrapping his arms around a soft almost nude body. He took his wand off the nightstand with one hand and turned up the torches.
"Hermione?" he said, looking at the witch in surprise.

"Yes, Hermione, unless you have other witches that climb into bed with you at this time of morning," she replied, yawning. She was in her bra and knickers.

The surprised wizard released her and watched as she slid under the sheets and turned toward him, her eyes sleepy.

"I thought you would be with Harry until the wee hours of the morning," the wizard said, studying the witch.

"It is the wee hours of the morning," she answered him sleepily.

"But you are in my bed. Surely Harry won't approve of this," the Potions Master said.

"I told him about your patronage and how you helped me bring him back. To say he was happy about the arrangement would be an overstatement…but he has to accept it. I'm not a child. He can't tell me what to do or who to be with," she said, her voice growing heavy.

"But you didn't have to sleep with me," the Potions Master said, his eyes glinting at the witch.

"Yes I did," Hermione murmured, moving closer to him and curling up against the wizard. "I don't have a room here, remember?"

Severus didn't say anything to this. He just looked down at the witch resting her head on his arm and curled into him like a child. He felt himself hardening. It would be a simple thing to take her. But he held back.

She had come to his room of her own free will…to sleep.

He'd let her.

The next morning, Hermione awoke to find Severus gone. She went to her room, showered and dressed then turned up in the kitchen to find Harry gorging himself on a huge stack of pancakes. A pile of sausages were in front of him and a large platter of scrambled eggs. Dobby was watching him put the food away happily. No more bibs and spoons for his Master.

"Good morning," Harry said around a mouthful of pancakes.

"Hi Harry," Hermione replied. The wizard thought she looked a bit distracted.

"Have you seen the Professor this morning?" the witch asked him.

Harry nodded.

"Yes, he had a bit of breakfast and left. He said he had to go see someone," Harry replied. "Sit down and have some breakfast. Everything tastes great."

Hermione sat down and joined Harry, but her thoughts were on Severus. Where did he go?

Ginny Weasley sat at her kitchen table reading the Daily Prophet and sipping a cup of black coffee. The red-headed witch laughed as she read Rita Skeeter's column, which was full of its usual outrageous commentary.

Ginny worked at the Owl Post. It was a good, secure job with benefits and she loved working with the owls. They were intelligent creatures and clean. She could have done worse for herself. She had a small flat in Little Hangelton and lived a rather quiet life, enjoying her solitude after being raised with six boisterous brothers. She had five now. Losing Ron had broken her heart. He was the brother closest to her in age and she always felt a special bond with him. She was inconsolable for a long time about him…and about Harry.

She and Harry had a relationship. He had taken her virginity the same night Hermione lost hers. But there was a difference. She had loved Harry Potter. Yes, it was young love but the only love she ever really had for a wizard. She had dated and slept with a few wizards over the years…but never met one that moved her the way Harry had.

She visited him quite frequently at first, but eventually she couldn't take his condition any longer. It was so sad, and he would never get better. He didn't even know who she was…so her visits became less frequent and finally she stopped coming all together. But she thought about him often, and how life might have been for them if the Dementor had been destroyed in time.

She turned the page of the Prophet, then set it on the table, preparing to get another cup of coffee when there was a knock on her front door.

"Who could that be?" Ginny wondered as she set her cup down, picked up her wand and looked out the peephole.

She nearly fainted. It was Professor Snape. What on earth could he want?

She opened the door and stared up at the dark wizard, who nodded to her.

"Good morning, Miss Weasley," the Potions Master purred, "I wonder if I might have a word with you."

"A word with me? Professor, I haven't seen you in years…and I wasn't even a student of yours after the class became elective. What could you possibly want to talk to me about?" she said suspiciously.

Professor Snape always seemed a little shady to Ginny. She thought he'd have no problem raping a witch if he was so inclined. She held on to the door, wand poised for action, waiting for him to answer.

"Two words," he said smoothly, arching an eyebrow at the witch.

"Harry Potter."

Harry and Hermione were sitting in the kitchen, talking about how they would announce his return to the land of the living. Harry still hated the limelight, and wanted to do it as quietly as possible. Hermione didn't think it would work. The return of the wizard who killed Voldemort from a Dementor-induced state was going to be big news, no matter how they tried to tone it down. She and Severus would also be in the limelight.
Harry decided his first appearance would be at Hogwarts. He wanted to see Albus, and had an idea how to do it that Hermione really didn't approve of…but that didn't matter. Harry had a right to startle the hell out of Dumbledore if he wanted to…she just hoped the old wizard's heart could take it. That, plus what Severus had to tell him about Minerva might just put him over the edge. Maybe they should meet him in the Infirmary, just in case.

Suddenly there was the sound of apparition outside. Hermione and Harry looked toward the front door. Severus must have returned. Sure enough, the screen door opened and the wizard strode in. There was someone with him.

The Potions Master made sure he blocked their view of the guest he brought as he billowed through the house, but Hermione saw who it was first, and she scowled darkly.

Ginny.

Hermione hadn't forgiven Ginny for bailing on Harry after two years of visiting him. She was supposed to have loved him, but stopped coming to see him. She didn't deserve to be here now.

"I'm back," Severus said, looking down his nose at Harry, "I brought someone to see you."

The pale wizard stepped aside and Ginny stood there, her brown eyes glistening. Hermione watched as Harry slowly rose, his eyes locked to the red-headed witch. His last remembrance of Ginny was making love to her the night before the Final Battle, and unlike Ron and Hermione's first time, he and Ginny connected fully.

Harry had known it was coming, and he wanted to make sure he knew what to do and how to do it, so he went to Remus Lupin and had a candid talk with the werewolf. Remus' love life was erratic to say the least. His werewolf part was very animalistic and always present in carnal situations, and any witch who tangled with Remus was in for quite a pounding until his first ejaculation. After that, he was able to relate to a witch like a human. When he discovered this, Remus found a way to make love to the witches he wanted by making plans with them beforehand, then going to the brothel first and shagging the shit out of a prostitute, then showering and going to meet the witch he wanted.

This worked well for him until the witches found out…then he was out in the cold again. Not one understood the reason he did this. They only saw that he had shagged a whore first. As a result, Remus had a lot of scorch marks on various parts of his body from pissed off witches. But, he was a very good and considerate lover once the onus of the wolf was off of him and he told Harry exactly how to treat Ginny.

"This is her first time and yours. Stay close to her, kiss her and caress her throughout," the wizard told Harry, "And take your time, no matter how good it feels. Go slow and be sure to connect with her emotionally as well as physically. Witches need contact and to feel appreciated. Give her that, and she will be very happy. If you are lucky, you will give her more than that."

Harry loved Ginny, and when they came together, it was awkward at first, but soon became good, with Harry kissing and caressing the young witch the entire time. Ginny responded to him powerfully and their first time had been wonderful and filled with love. Both had been very satisfied.

This was what Harry remembered as he looked at the witch.

"Ginny," he said hoarsely, walking over to the witch as if under the Imperious Spell, Severus looking on with a very obvious look of satisfaction, and Hermione frowning with disapproval. Harry stopped inches from the witch, looking down at her. Yes, Ginny was older and she had filled out nicely. She was very slender when they were together, but a bit of Molly's genetics had come into play, and now Ginny had a very curvaceous shape, toned down by her father's tall, lean build. Ginny was tall…about five foot ten.

"Harry," Ginny whispered, "Harry…you're back. I can't believe it."

"Believe it, Ginny. I don't feel as if I've been anywhere," he said softly, his green eyes full of passion.

Ginny swallowed and looked over at Hermione, who was scowling at her. Ginny felt guilt wash over her and looked up at Harry. She could clearly see the love in the wizard's eyes, and her belly tightened. She had missed him so much. So very much. But still, she had abandoned him in the end.

"Harry…I stopped coming to see you," she said, "I gave up on you. I'm so sorry. I just couldn't stand seeing you that way. I wish I had been stronger."

Hermione harrumphed. Surely Harry wasn't going to fall for that.

Harry looked down at her and gave her a tender smile.

"To me, we were just together, Ginny. I don't feel as if you've abandoned me. I feel like you love me," the wizard said, "You do, don't you?"

Ginny stared up at him. She had never loved any other wizard than Harry.

Hermione stiffened. Oh good gods. She'd better not say yes.

Severus' black eyes shifted to Hermione and he smirked. Yes, this was working just the way he thought it would. He'd just…help it along, otherwise Hermione was going to blast the witch and ruin a truly romantic moment.

Before Ginny could answer, the Potions Master cleared his throat.

"Perhaps it would be best if you two talked in private," he said silkily.

"You could go into the study," Hermione suggested, trying to head off any more intimate setting. Harry looked at her and was about to agree when Severus cut in again.

"Actually, there is an unused guestroom with a door just down the hall. That would offer you more privacy," the wizard said.

He was directing them to the bedroom Hermione was supposed to have occupied. The only place they could sit was on the huge four-poster bed. Severus hoped there wouldn't be much talking.

Harry nodded.

"That sounds good, Professor," he said, catching Ginny by the hand, "Come on, Ginny."

Harry led Ginny down the hall and into the guestroom, then closed the door behind them. It clicked.

"I hope they use a silencing charm," the Potions Master said, looking at Hermione who was red-faced and nearly shaking with rage.

"She has some nerve coming here after abandoning Harry like she did," the witch seethed, "And look at him. He's just…just fawning all over her."

Severus looked at Hermione.

"So, you condemn Miss Weasley because she couldn't handle the pain of seeing Harry in such a state, Hermione? Not everyone has your threshold for pain. I understand she visited him in his vegetative state for two years before she stopped and moved on with her life. What was she supposed to do? Stop living as well?" the wizard asked the witch. "Become his nursemaid? Cut off her young life when it was just coming into bloom? It is obvious by the way she looked at him that she's never stopped…loving him."

Severus made this observation with a bit of a sneer.

Hermione just stared at the wizard.

"Besides, it is obvious Harry still loves her, Hermione. After eight years I believe a bit of trim is in order. It will ground him," the Potions Master purred.

Hermione looked at the Potions Master shocked.

"You brought her here so Harry would sleep with her," she said to the wizard accusingly.

"Call it 'rehabilitation,'" Severus responded, smirking at the witch. "You weren't the only one who missed him, Hermione. And you don't have a monopoly on the wizard's time. As a matter of fact, I believe Miss Weasley's re-introduction into his life will free you up for your other pursuits. She can clue him in to the latest developments in the wizarding world just as well as you can."

"But I was the one who came to see him over the years," Hermione complained, looking back at the room. "I was here for him."

Severus sat down.

"He has no recollection of that, Hermione. At the time of his attack, Miss Weasley was the one closest to him, not you. He loves you as a friend, Hermione…but he loves Ginny as his…shall we say 'woman.' She can give him what you can't. No matter how much time you spent holding his hand over the past eight years, his strongest connection right now is with Miss Weasley," the wizard said.

Hermione dropped her head. The Professor was right. No matter how she felt about Ginny, Harry still loved her as much as he did eight years ago. If she tried to interfere, most likely he would turn away from her and continue to see the witch. Hermione wasn't about to let that happen.

"Oh Harry!" Ginny's voice gasped loudly.

Severus gave a wicked smile as he heard Ginny cast a silencing spell. Hermione's eyes went as wide as saucers.

"She's letting him…" she began.

"I believe she is," Severus purred victoriously.

Well, the problem of Harry and Hermione getting too close was solved nicely.

Hermione stood up.

"Perhaps I should head back to the house," she said glumly, "There's not much more I can do here right now. Not with Harry 'making up' with Ginny. They might be locked down for days."

Severus cocked his head at the witch, his eyes sweeping over her. He could think of several interesting things to do.

"I doubt that. Miss Weasley has a job to go to," Severus said, "Besides, Harry is going to need support when he returns to the wizarding world. As his friend, I would think you'd want to be there for him. Don't abandon him because Miss Weasley is in his bed. After all you've gone through to get him back, it would be a terrible waste."

Hermione sat back down. Again, Severus was right. She was acting like a petulant child.

"Yes, he does need me. He wants to go to Hogwarts tomorrow and see Albus. I don't like the way he wants to do it, though," she said.

Severus looked quite interested.

"And how does he want to do it?" he asked.

"Well, we talked about it and adjusted the plan a bit. We plan to go to Poppy first and…"

Hermione told Severus the plan. The wizard quirked his lip as he listened.

"I want to be there," he said, his eyes glittering. "I have a message for Albus."

Hermione was glad the wizard offered to accompany them. She didn't know if she had the nerve to do it with just her, Harry and Dobby. Severus would be a strong presence.

"You're welcome to come," she said, relieved.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her, his dark eyes growing a bit hot. Hermione colored.

"I didn't mean that literally," she amended.

The Potions Master stood up, walked around the table and grasped the witch by the arm. She had spent over twenty-four hours in his presence without being touched. Far too long.

"Too late," he said silkily, helping Hermione to her feet and escorting the witch to the guestroom.

"Invitation accepted."

About four hours later, a very disheveled Ginny Weasley and a smiling, tired Harry Potter emerged from the guest bedroom. Their "talk" had been quite draining. Harry walked Ginny to the door and after kissing her passionately and getting promises that he would see her again soon, let her apparate back to her flat.
He walked back in the house to find Dobby fixing him supper. A big one.

"Master needs nourishment after in-outie," the elf sang, smiling as he quickly grilled a large steak and fried a pan full of potatoes and onions.

"I'm starved, Dobby," the wizard said.

Harry was barefoot and dressed in scarlet boxers with an open housecoat over them. He sat down at the table, sniffing appreciatively. After a moment, Severus walked into the kitchen, also barefoot, in black boxers and an open housecoat, his large nose pulsating as he smelled supper. The pale wizard sat down and Dobby quickly put on another steak.

He and Harry looked at each other.

"I imagine your 'talk' with Miss Weasley went well," Severus said, his black eyes washing over the wizard across from him. His torso was visible, and he had indeed filled out.

Harry looked at the Potions Master. He knew the wizard had been shagging Hermione. He still had to come to terms with that. Yet, he was engaged in the same activity with Ginny, and it had been wonderful. He couldn't get enough of her.

"Yes, it went very well, Professor. Thank you for bringing her," Harry replied.

Severus nodded as Dobby served Harry his steak with potatoes and a side of salad.

"Yours will be along soon, sir," Dobby said to Severus, returning to the stove.

Severus watched as Harry tore into his steak. The wizard certainly had an appetite. Dobby turned to look at his Master, then put another steak on the grill. He was quite hungry. It must have been excellent in-outie.

The edge of his hunger sated, Harry looked up at Severus.

"I don't know how to thank you for what you did, Professor. Bringing me back like you did. Hermione told me how you did it. Amazing," Harry said to the Potions Master who leveled his eyes on the wizard as Dobby placed his meal in front of him.

"You can thank me, Mr. Potter, by paying the bill I will be sending you shortly," the Professor replied.

"Bill?" Harry said, staring at the wizard.

Severus cut into his steak.

"Yes, bill Mr. Potter. I rendered you a service just as if I had brewed you an elixir. I am entitled to compensation," the wizard said coolly, inserting a piece of steak into his mouth and chewing. It was medium rare. Perfect.

"Besides," the wizard said, "Given our history…I am sure you would rather pay me than feel you owed me for the rest of your life," Severus said, arching an eyebrow at him. "It would put us back on equal footing. Your gratitude means nothing to me after all, but your galleons…"

Harry nodded. Now this was the Professor Snape he knew. He felt rather relieved. It was a bit difficult to swallow the snarky Potions Master doing him a kindness. Now that money was involved he felt much better.

"How much?" Harry asked him.

Severus took a sip of the ice-cold pumpkin juice Dobby set on the table.

"How much is your repaired soul worth, Mr. Potter?" the wizard responded.

Harry blinked at him.

"I don't know," Harry said honestly.

"Well, neither do I. I will have to figure it out…but I assure you, it will be quite expensive," the Potions Master said as he speared a fried potato with a bit of onion.

Harry had no doubt about that.

The two wizards finished their meal in silence. Severus had Dobby fix another plate of food and carried it back to the guestroom, presumably to re-energize Hermione when she woke up.

Harry returned to the guestroom and crawled under the covers. The bed smelled of Ginny and he snuggled down in it, breathing in her scent deeply. He needed his rest.

Tomorrow, he would return to Hogwarts.

Poppy was in her office when she heard the floo. The medi-witch put down the quill she was using to make updates on a few student files, wiped her hands on her apron and exited her office. She stopped for a moment when she saw Dobby, Harry and Hermione.
"Well, it's time for Harry's bi-annual check-up already, Dobby?" Poppy asked frowning a bit.

Dobby looked a little shifty but nodded.

"Yes Miss, though we be a bits early," the elf replied, his ears flattening at the blatant lie.

Poppy looked at Hermione.

"Ah Hermione, good to see you. I suppose you were visiting with Harry?" she asked the witch.

"Yes Poppy," Hermione responded, "And it's good to see you too."

Poppy walked over to the nearest privacy curtain and pulled it back.

"Bring him over here, Dobby," the medi-witch said.

Dobby took Harry's hand and the wizard shuffled along behind the elf, staring blankly.

Poppy's eyes saddened as the young wizard shuffled past. Such a shame Harry had ended up like this. He had been so brave and full of life. Dobby helped the wizard sit up on the cot. Poppy walked up to him and caressed his cheek gently.

"Hello Harry," she said softly.

Harry gave her a bright smile for a moment, then his face sobered. Hermione rolled her eyes. He certainly was hamming it up.

Poppy patted his hand.

"Poor dear," she said.

Suddenly there was another "foomph" from the floo and Severus Snape entered. Poppy walked away from Harry and pulled back the curtain as the Potions Master walked up.

"Good morning, Severus," she said to the pale wizard, whose eyes washed over Harry, Hermione and Dobby before he answered.

"Good morning Poppy. Mr. Potter is here for his check-up I see," he said, sneering.

"Yes he is, Severus," Poppy replied, frowning at the wizard's obvious dislike for the young hero. Harry had been through enough. Severus needed to get over his hatred.

"Well, don't let me disturb you. I just brought a few bottles of healing potions for your stores. I'll put them away," Severus said, walking to the back of the infirmary.

"Thank you, Severus," Poppy said, turning around and walking over to Harry, pulling out her wand.

"Um, Poppy. Do you think we should tell Albus Harry is here?" Hermione suggested. "I'm sure he'd like to see him."

Poppy smiled.

"That's an excellent idea, Hermione. He said he meant to stop by and see him…this is much more convenient. Give me a moment," the medi-witch said, leaving the enclosure and walking over to the floo. She threw in a handful of floo powder she retrieved out of a box off the mantle and called Albus.

"Headmaster? Headmaster!" she called.

There was the sound of a drawer closing, then, "Yes, Poppy?"

"Albus, Harry Potter is here for his check-up. I thought you might like to see him," the medi-witch said.

"Why yes I would, Poppy. I will floo in momentarily," Albus replied.

"All right," Poppy replied, leaving the floo and returning to the group. "Albus will be here shortly. Now let's see how you're doing, Harry."

Poppy pulled out her wand and proceeded to examine Harry.

Albus pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. So Harry was here. He had meant to go and see him but hadn't got around to it. It took the old wizard a couple of days to prepare himself to go see the stricken wizard. It was difficult to see him like this, a shadow of the vibrant lad he used to be. How cruel fate was to finally free him from the curse of Voldemort only to have half his soul torn away so he could not experience that blessed freedom to the fullest.

The wizard sighed and put his glasses back on. Behind him, Fawkes let out a joyous trill, his beautiful eyes whirling in his head as he shifted back and forth on his perch excitedly.

Albus turned to the bird.

"Fawkes, what's gotten into you?" the wizard asked.

Fawkes bobbed his head at the wizard, but sent him no image…which was strange.

Albus looked at him, puzzled.

"Aren't you going to show me what has you so excited, Fawkes?" the wizard asked the Phoenix. The bird shook its head in the negative. That was rare.

Albus gave Fawkes a little scowl.

"All right, I'll find out soon enough I suppose," Albus said, walking over to the floo.

Fawkes let out another bright, happy trill and Albus shook his head. He threw some floo powder into the flames.

"Infirmary," he said, stepping through.

The Headmaster arrived in the infirmary and heard Poppy exclaiming.

"My Harry, your vital signs are much stronger. A very marked improvement. What have you been feeding him, Dobby?" the medi-witch asked excited as Harry stared straight ahead, not reacting.

"The sames," Dobby replied, his ears still flattened. Suddenly the curtain was pulled back and Albus entered. He smiled when he saw Hermione.

"Hermione, how wonderful to see you," he said, opening his arms and embracing the witch. Severus reappeared at the curtain.

"I've stocked your stores, Poppy," he said as Albus turned to him. "Good morning, Headmaster."

"Hello Severus," Albus replied, "I've come to see Harry."

"So good for you sir," Severus said dryly.

Albus' eyes darkened for a moment, then he turned and walked up to Harry. He took both of the wizard's hands in his, and looked into his green eyes sadly, his own blue eyes full of grief.

"Hello my boy," he said softly to Harry.

"Hello, Headmaster," Harry said back, smiling broadly.

Albus froze, tightening his hold on the young wizard's hands so hard, Harry winced. Poppy stood straight up, frozen too…staring at Harry.

"Did…did you just speak to Albus?" she asked the wizard, her voice trembling.

"Yes I did. And now I just spoke to you, Poppy," Harry said to the medi-witch.

Suddenly Harry was grasped by the lapels and shaken strongly by Albus.

"Harry! Harry! Are you really back! This…this isn't some cruel trick is it? Not some…illusion or…or glamour is it?" Albus demanded his blue eyes wide.

"No sir. No tricks. It's me. I'm back. Hermione and Professor Snape brought me back," the wizard said.

Albus stared at him, and tears began to roll down his face.

Suddenly he crushed Harry to him with all his strength, sobbing, "My boy! My dear, dear boy! It's a miracle."

Severus watched the touching scene thinking it wasn't a miracle as much as it was a lot of damn hard work on his and Hermione's part.

Hermione, Dobby and Poppy were all crying as Albus clutched Harry to him, the wizards' arms wrapped tightly around each other as they rocked back and forth.

"Oh good gods," Severus sighed as he watched the blubberfest with a wrinkled nose. Albus or Poppy could have at least fainted.

"Headmaster…Headmaster I can't breathe," Harry gasped. Albus reluctantly let him go. Poppy replaced him immediately, though her embrace was much gentler.

"I just can't believe it. You're back from…from the Dementor's kiss," the Albus said.

"A partial Dementor's kiss, Albus," Severus corrected, getting Dumbledore's attention. "However, I have something that you need to see as soon as possible sir."

Severus produced a small sealed pensieve from his robes pocket.

"Before we restored Mr. Potter, I performed Legilimency on him and was sucked through his mind toward what seemed to be a clutch of Dementors. I was rescued by my house elf Eli, and on my way back I saw you and Bara standing outside a ruined temple…but that isn't all I saw sir," Severus said in a low voice.

He handed the pensieve to Albus.

"I know about this clutch, Severus. I am making plans as we speak on how to destroy it. What else did you see?" the old wizard asked.

Severus arched an eyebrow at him.

"In this case sir, I think it will be easier to believe if you saw it as I saw it. Then we can go into the details. I think you may not want to destroy the Dementors at this time, sir," the Potions Master said silkily. "At least not until we explore other options."

Albus looked at Severus. Other options? What possible options could there be for Dementors other than destroying the cursed creatures? He looked down at the pensieve. He started to unseal it. Severus stopped him, covering his hand with his own.

"Not here, sir. I advise you to wait until you are alone. Once you see it, you will understand why," Severus said.

"Very well, Severus," Albus said, burning up with curiosity but putting the pensieve away and turning back to Harry, his eyes shining.

"I can't believe this. We must retire to my office and you all can tell me how this miracle came about from beginning to end. Severus I will send a substitute to cover your class," the Headmaster said. Severus nodded.

"I think sir, that you should precede us and view the pensieve. We will give you half an hour, then follow," the Potions Master said, "Then we can explain more fully what we did to bring Harry back and what are theories are concerning the Dementors."

Albus was anxious to see what was in the pensieve and so agreed, hugging Harry again then departing for his office.

Fifteen minutes later found Albus seated behind his desk, his eyes running once again.

Minerva. Severus had seen Minerva.

And she was very much alive…her message more than proved that. He had spoken to no one else about the Ministry.

Her soul was still alive…she wasn't gone, only separated from her body.

Severus and Hermione had managed to bring Harry back when he only had half a soul.

Maybe they could bring Minerva back as well. His Minerva. His one true love.

The wizard wiped his eyes and felt himself fill with a new resolve, a new strength. Minerva McGonagall was alive and trapped inside one of those shadowy monsters.

He would get her back if he had to suck her out of the Dementor himself.

Dobby returned home and Harry, Severus and Hermione went to the Headmaster's office to discuss matters. Hermione led the conversation, Severus sitting back in an armchair listening to the witch, his black eyes resting on her as he considered what a marked difference there was between the confident witch speaking so knowledgably and the passionate witch that surrendered to him so completely behind closed doors. He felt a slight throb and adjusted himself in the chair, forcing himself to listen and not think.
"So the Dementors haven't been digesting souls, they've been using them to sustain their own lives," Hermione told Albus. If the body of a victim dies, the soul dies with it and the creatures kiss someone else to replace it. If the Dementor dies, the soul dies and the body of the victim dies shortly afterwards."

Albus looked thoughtful.

"So, if we destroy the Dementors, then we lose the soul they possess as well," Albus said to Hermione.

"Exactly. No one has ever revived after a Dementor's kiss, and after the Final Battle, many victims that were doing well under care sickened and died. We didn't put it together then. One of the Dementors that escaped holds Minerva's soul."

"How can we retrieve her?" the Headmaster asked.

Severus looked at Hermione.

"I believe we are going to have to count on the Gryffindor brain once again, Albus. She's already brimming over with theories and ideas, chomping at the bit. She almost left Mr. Potter in her zeal to attack the problem," the Potions Master said silkily.

Hermione flushed.

Albus thought he detected a bit of pride in Severus' voice…just a slight inflection when he spoke of Hermione's readiness to start the project. The Headmaster learned with a bit of surprise that Hermione was under the dark wizard's patronage. He wondered if the agreement was with full rights. Severus was quite a cold, contained wizard who didn't dally with witches much, if at all.

The Headmaster wondered at first if it was purely a monetary arrangement. Hermione was brilliant and no doubt would make a pretty galleon for the wizard, but then he surreptiously watched Severus and saw signs of possessiveness in the wizard's body language when Hermione spoke. When she shifted position, his slightly shifted as well in a shadow movement. A sure sign of someone invested.

Maybe the wizard was finally coming out of his shell and living a little. Albus certainly hoped so. Hermione was an amazing witch. Perhaps she could give the snarky wizard a new lease on life, or at least a bit of happiness. No man should go through life without experiencing what it was like to be truly happy.

"I have Damius' journal that tells how he made the original Dementor that is the progenitor of all that followed. The ingredients he used are available if expensive, with the exception of the basilisk heart and blood. What I'm going to have to do is create a couple of Dementors…"

Everyone stared at Hermione as if she were insane.

"Small versions. Using nifflers," she amended.

"Nifflers?" Harry said, imagining small furry cloaked creatures floating around Hermione's lab hissing and attempting to suck out the souls of all they came in contact with. "Are you sure that's safe, Hermione?"

"Certainly. I will have my patronus, and they will be small enough to bat away. Most likely they will go after other nifflers," she said.

"But animals are not believed to have 'souls" Hermione," Severus said, his brow furrowed.

"No. They don't have souls as we have souls, but they do have spirits. I'm working along the theory that in the case of Dementors they gravitate to whatever generates their 'kind' to power them. In the case of a human-generated Dementor, they require human souls. But in the case of a niffler-generated Dementor, it would require a niffler spirit to maintain itself. If it weren't so, the Dementors could kiss any living thing and survive. But they only kiss humans," she said.

It made sense. Still Harry shuddered at the idea of a bunch of them drifting about, hissing.

"Then after I create the nifflers and they kiss the others, I can work on developing a kind of anti-potion, and a method of delivery. I already have some ideas. The Agistani flower was used for the Restorative Elixir…"

"Which is banned now," Severus said darkly.

Hermione ignored him. She couldn't be bothered with little details such as legalities. She continued.

"…which can restore someone on the brink of death to full life, with a completely renewed body. The basilisk heart and blood are deadly, and it is that ingredient which I believe turns the user, bringing him to the brink of death, releasing the soul, then the Agistani flower catches them but invigorates the soulless body created instead, without a soul or spirit. It becomes an altered creature then seeks a soul to power it. Most likely if it doesn't find one within a certain period of time, it dies. I think by experimenting with increasing the amount of Agistani flower to the amount of basilisk blood and heart, I can create an elixir that will allow…"

Here Hermione took a deep breath because she knew her idea would sound positively insane.

"…that will allow a Dementor to be "kissed." Only the soul will not be absorbed by the kisser. It will have no place to go since a soul will already occupy the kisser's body and will return to its original host body. The Dementor it was taken from will be stricken much as a human is and eventually die if unable to retrieve another soul. At least…that's the theory I've come up with."

Everyone stared at Hermione. Kiss a Dementor? Dear Merlin. Who on earth would be willing to do that?

Plus it meant someone would have to drink a potion made with ingredients from a basilisk…any parts of which being very, very deadly to humans.

The room fell very quiet as the wizards looked at the witch.

"What?" she snapped. She knew they thought she was attempting to do the impossible. If there was one thing Hermione Granger loved, it was proving people wrong.

Severus' black eyes rested on the witch. Her jaw was thrust out stubbornly and her amber eyes flashed with challenge.

"I think, Hermione, that you would be challenged to find someone to drink such a potion," Severus said carefully.

"After all my tests, it will be safe to drink. I wouldn't give anyone anything that would kill them," the witch spat, "And if I can't find anyone brave enough to drink it, then the Headmaster can take me to the temple and I will kiss them myself!"

Everyone started protesting except for Severus. He was a Potions Master. He understood Hermione's faith in her abilities. There had been times he had to drink his own creations, unable to find anyone willing to test them.

"Hermione you are mad!" Harry shouted at her. "I won't let you drink basilisk's blood!"

"There will be other ingredients that will alter its effects Harry. You know nothing about potions and the interactions of ingredients…so be quiet!" Hermione shouted back at him. "Besides, you aren't my father."

"But I'm your friend," Harry said, quieter now. He looked at Severus for help.

"Professor, tell her this is madness," he said to the wizard.

Severus looked at Harry coolly.

"She's a full Potions Mistress, Mr. Potter. Far be it from me to tell her what she can and cannot do with her brews," Severus replied.

"But you're her patron! You can restrict her!" Harry said, now shouting at Severus who gave him a dangerous look.

"Restriction is not part of our agreement. If she creates something that proves to be profitable, then she has fulfilled her part of the deal. I have no say over what she creates," he said with deceptive softness. "And I advise you to lower the bass in your voice when you speak to me unless you wish to cross wands, boy."

Harry scowled at the wizard furiously, but didn't say anything.

Albus had stopped protesting when Hermione stated she knew what she was doing. The wizard was torn. He wanted Minerva back so badly. Hell, he would drink the potion himself if he could…but he knew he couldn't. Most likely he wouldn't even be able to be present when they went for the Dementors. They could sense him and would flee. He was going to have to play general again…making the plans, giving the orders and waiting to find out if it worked or not. He sighed.

"What I think we should do is let Hermione do her experiments and create this elixir. As to how it is delivered and by whom can be hashed out later. We need to get a plan in order how to contain the Dementors so they cannot escape when the time comes. And if Hermione cannot create a viable elixir…"

Here the Headmaster's heart dropped.

"We will have to simply destroy them. There is no other way," the wizard said. "In the meantime, we will have to send aid and medi-witches to India to help maintain those Untouchables who are stricken so they can be saved should Hermione be successful. How long do you think you'll need, Hermione?"

The witch did some mental calculations.

"I'll need eight months at least…if my patron will allow me to focus solely on this project," Hermione said, looking at Severus. "In the event that it does work, all the remaining Dementors will be destroyed and there will be nothing with which to make a profit. So it will be all loss…financially."

Severus stared at the witch. So, it was all placed on his shoulders.

"I will help with the costs," Albus said, trying to take some of the heat off his Potions Master.

Severus looked into Hermione's eyes. This was a test to see if he was really as black-hearted as others believed. Then the wizard looked over at Albus. Hope was in his eyes. If this worked, he would get Minerva back. Harry sat sullenly in the armchair. He didn't like any of this.

Severus looked back at Hermione.

"That won't be necessary, Headmaster. Hermione is my charge. I will support her project fully. There is other recompense besides galleons," he said silkily, his eyes drifting over the witch. "I even have the basilisk heart and blood she needs. Living and viable. It's still pumping."

Hermione's eyes widened at this revelation.

"What?" she said, her voice thick with disbelief.

"I have a living basilisk heart and blood. They are at your disposal when you need them," the wizard said.

Hermione gave the Potions Master a look that made Harry and Albus absolutely blush. No doubt she was going to show her patron how grateful she was in no uncertain manner. Even Severus swallowed at the way Hermione looked at him.

The witch turned to Albus.

"So we are in agreement then? Eight months?" she asked the wizard.

Albus nodded.

"Yes. I will organize aid for the stricken as soon as possible," the wizard replied. Hermione then looked at Severus.

"Headmaster, would you mind terribly if I borrowed the Potions Master for the rest of the day. We have a lot to…discuss," she said, not taking her eyes off the wizard.

"Certainly you may, Hermione. I can provide a substitute for today," the Headmaster said, his eyes twinkling now.

Harry continued to sit quietly, brooding. Snape was supposed to protect Hermione as part of his patronage. He wasn't doing shit to protect her.

"Thank you, Headmaster," she said warmly, then she looked at Harry. "Are you coming with us?"

"No. I want to talk to the Headmaster," he said darkly. "Alone."

Severus' black eyes shifted to Harry, who looked back at him scowling. No doubt Albus was going to get an earful from the wizard. Harry was still an idiot. He didn't see the bigger picture here. He wouldn't get far with the Headmaster though. Severus rose and walked over to Hermione, looking down at her.

"We should go," he said, his eyes glittering. He wondered what would happen when they got back to the house. The witch was certainly on point when she gave him 'that look.'

It was quite promising.

Hermione said goodbye to Harry and Albus and exited through the floo with Severus, returning to his rooms with him.

She turned and looked up at him.

"You really have a basilisk heart…a living one, Severus?" she asked him.

He scowled.

"I wouldn't make such a claim if it wasn't so, witch," the wizard replied, "Do you think I would lie about such a thing?"

"No…it's just so unbelievable that you would have exactly what I need," she said softly. "In more ways than one," she added meaningfully.

The wizard looked down at her and felt a powerful throb.

"You keep speaking to me that suggestively witch, and I'll give you what you need," Severus growled.

"What about what you need, Severus? What you really need?" the witch replied.

"I have everything I need. My work. My books. A convenient little charge to keep my wand wet. What more do I need?" he asked her.

Hermione looked toward his bedroom door, then pulled out her wand and cast a silencing spell. The wizard didn't protest. Hermione grasped his pale hand and pulled him toward the bedroom.

"You need this," she said quietly, drawing him through the door.

As Hermione walked a surprisingly compliant Severus through his bedroom door, she was thinking hard. She had been in this position at the beach, one of control…then he flipped the script on her and she hadn't been able to give the wizard what she wanted. Severus had his own ideas of the roles of witches and wizards sexually, and from his view, he was the one who dominated the situation.
Hermione wanted to be the first witch to reverse this, to show him what it was like to surrender. She felt that was what he needed to experience, what it was to be wanted. Hermione stopped in the middle of the room, pulled out her wand and closed the door, warding it. Severus looked at her with an eyebrow arched.

"Locking me in, witch?" he asked her.

"Yes," Hermione replied, replacing her wand in her robes pocket.

She felt a bit nervous. The Potions Master was going to be livid…she knew it. Hopefully by the end he will have accepted what she'd done and not want vengeance. She looked up at him.

"Severus, you have been kinder and more supportive to me than I would have ever thought possible. I just want you to know I appreciate that very much," she said softly, reaching up and beginning to unfasten his robes.

"If by being kind you mean fucking you into conniptions and doing my part as your patron, your appreciation is duly noted." he replied, his dark eyes resting on her as she worked on his robes.

"You didn't have to help me restore Harry, but you did. I think that was kind," she said as she parted his robes, walked around them and slid them off his shoulders. She carried it over to the chair, folded it and set it down.

Severus sighed as she came back and started on his shirt.

"Hermione, the main reason I helped Harry was because I wanted to see exactly what my Harper powers could do, and how. The only way I could do that was to participate in your project. Were it not for that, I would not have helped either of you," he said evenly, "You are reading things into my character that are not there. I could care less if Potter remained as animated as a piece of broccoli for the rest of his life."

Hermione scowled slightly as she unbuttoned his shirt.

"I don't believe it. I still think you would have helped even if you weren't a Harper. You offered to play the music for me to show me how it should sound before we knew of your power. You helped me judge too. You didn't have to do those things," she said, pulling his shirt out of his pants, then opening his cuffs.

"I only helped you judge because you didn't know what you were looking for and that made you waste valuable time you could be using on other projects. It was expediency, not kindness that moved me to assist you," he said coldly as she slipped the shirt off his shoulders and also placed it on the chair.

Hermione walked back to the wizard and knelt down in front of him, removing first one boot and sock, then the other. She tucked the socks into the boots and slid them under his bed.

She began to open his trousers which were very tented, looking up at him as she did so.

"I think you did the things you did to make me happy," she said to the wizard.

"And why would I care if you were happy or not?" the wizard questioned her…scowling at her attempts to turn him into a nice guy. He wasn't nice, no matter how she interpreted his treatment of her. He had never been "nice."

"Because it's better to shag a happy witch than an unhappy one," she replied, drawing down his trousers. Severus stepped out of them. This was the first time a witch ever undressed him.

"There might be a bit of truth to that, if I didn't enjoy you crying as much as I do," the wizard growled.

This was true. He often had Hermione absolutely sobbing when he took her. This was a recent development though…just like his roughness. He wasn't always this way. There was just something about the witch's masochism that plucked a chord in him and turned him into an animal.

"Yes, but I'm not crying from sadness in those situations, Severus. Passion and ache bring those kinds of tears. Sometimes I want to cry when you're on top of me and am far from unhappy in that case," she said softly as she hooked her fingers into his boxers and drew them down.

Severus let out a little growl when she said she wanted to cry under him. He was fully erect, his stiff member poking Hermione in the belly as he stood before her naked…the witch fully clothed. Hermione ran her hands down his pale torso, over his ridged belly and down his lean muscular thighs on either side of his swollen organ. She didn't touch it. Severus hoped she was going to give him a blow job. It had been a while.

"Now what about this "gratitude?" he asked Hermione impatiently, thrusting his hips forward and actually stabbing her in her belly on purpose this time.

"Get in the bed," she said to the wizard…a bit of command in her voice.

Severus looked at her as if deciding whether to obey her or not. He wasn't used to being ordered about by witches. Then he remembered the look she gave him in Albus' office and found himself curious as to what she would do. So the wizard got into the bed, and lay down on his back, looking at the witch.

Hermione took a deep breath, pulled out her wand and hit Severus with a restraining spell. There were no ropes or bindings, but he couldn't move his arms, legs or even his hips. The wizard struggled, his face black as an incoming storm.

"You little minx! What the fuck do you think you're doing? Release me immediately!" he shouted at her, furious.

Severus hated feeling helpless and at anyone's mercy.

Hermione shook her head.

"No. If you were free, you would take over. I don't want you to take over. I want to be the one in control of sex this time," she said.

"I'll let you be in control," the wizard lied.

Shit, he was going to bugger her for this indignity. The angry glint in his eyes told Hermione it was too late to release him. She might as well go for broke.

"No you won't. You don't ever relinquish control, Severus. It's 'wizard on top' all the time. I'm capable of giving you pleasure in other ways. You shut me down at the beach…took over completely. I never had a chance to do any of the things I said I wanted to do to you. You did what you always do, dominated me."

Severus frowned at her. His erection was at half-mast now.

"You want to be dominated," he said, "From day one you wanted me to fuck you like an animal. I've only done what you wanted, Hermione. Now you tie me down insisting I relinquish control. You've always been in control witch. You've set the rules of engagement, not me. I may control the where and when…but you control the how. Now let me loose."

Hermione shook her head.

"No," she said flatly.

"LET ME LOOSE,WITCH!" Severus roared, making Hermione cringe for a moment as his black eyes flashed at her murderously. He looked as if he would kill her if she let him loose. The witch had never seen an angrier wizard.

Maybe she miscalculated.

But gods, he looked delicious restrained in the bed, every muscle flexing as he struggled against his invisible bonds. Severus ceased struggling as he looked at the witch looking at his body hungrily.

"You like seeing me like this. Helpless. It turns you on, doesn't it, Hermione?" he said quietly, rage still in his eyes.

"Yes," she said a bit hollowly. "You're like a beautiful animal. So strong. Untamed. Powerful."

"And at your mercy," he added, relaxing somewhat.

"Under my control," she said in a near whisper, her eyes glistening as she pulled out her wand again. She pointed it at herself.

"Divesto," she breathed.

Instantly, the witch was nude, her clothes appearing neatly folded on top of Severus' own. The wizard looked at her petite, curvaceous body and swallowed. Despite his situation, he began to harden again. He couldn't help reacting to her. One thing was for certain, there were layers to Hermione's sexuality. She wasn't just a masochist. Severus wasn't exactly sure what this meant, but he hoped that there wasn't a sadist hiding inside her twisted little nature.

Though he didn't mind a little pain connected with sex, preferably in the form of nails raking down his back mid-coitus. Another new discovery since bedding Hermione. Come to think of it…Severus realized discovered several new avenues of sexual pleasure since forming the patronage agreement with the brilliant witch.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. No, he didn't like being at anyone's mercy. He'd had enough of being bound and punished during his service to Voldemort. He didn't think Hermione meant to punish him. That was more his nature, not hers.

He watched as the witch approached the bed and looked down on his body. She certainly looked appreciative as her eyes drifted over him. Then they flicked up to his face.

"You're going to get me for this, aren't you?" she asked the wizard.

"Most likely, witch," he replied. "Even if I find what you do to me pleasurable, there is still the matter of you binding me against my will. Such an indignity requires…punishment."

Hermione sighed, then climbed into the bed, straddling the wizard's stomach, her wet core juicing up his flesh. Severus hissed as he felt her heat and wetness. He could smell her too. She really was turned on.

"I guess I'd better enjoy you all I can right now then…but this is about your pleasure, and your surrender, Severus," she said softly.

The wizard's eyes grew hard.

"I surrender to no one witch," he replied. "Not you…not anyone."

"How about surrendering to pleasure?" she said softly, leaning down and licking his Adam's apple slowly, tasting his skin. Severus closed his eyes as her soft, limber muscle washed over him.

"That feels good, doesn't it?" she asked him, her voice husky.

Severus didn't reply and Hermione licked his throat again.

"Imagine what my tongue would feel like all over your body," the witch whispered, "Has a witch ever worshipped your body with her tongue, Severus? Bathed you from head to toe? Left no part of you untasted?"

Severus felt as if he were going to explode as Hermione questioned him.

"No," he said hoarsely, his hands clenching and unclenching. He couldn't even buck his hips.

"Would you like to know what it feels like to have a witch do such a thing?" she asked him.

"No," he responded, trying to keep the control.

"You liar," Hermione chuckled, flicking her tongue behind his ear, making the pinned wizard shudder, "But it doesn't matter. I've been dying to run my tongue over you for weeks now. I always knew it would have to happen this way or you wouldn't stand for it. Why are you such a hard man, Severus Snape?"

"I have a naked witch on top of me," he replied, ignoring the deeper question.

"Yes you do," Hermione agreed, beginning her slow, thorough worship of the wizard's tall lean frame, slipping and flicking her tongue over every inch of his body, beginning with his face, the wizard grimacing and twisting his head as she did so, claiming she was acting like an overzealous canine. But he couldn't help leaning his head back as her mouth washed over his throat and shoulders, then his arms, forearms hands, and sucking on his fingers with he found totally erotic. For a moment he was tempted to grab hold of her hair and twist until she was forced to let him go, but realized her wand was on the chair, so it wouldn't have made sense to do it.

Besides, her tongue felt exquisite. So, this was gratitude, was it?

Hermione moved back to his torso, licking every inch of it, her head moving sensuously as she laved his sides, her full breasts dragging across his lower belly, and her body climbing over him as she switched sides…then she moved lower and his organ was caught between her breasts, and she purposely moved her body up and down as she licked him, caressing his shaft between her full globes. Severus closed his eyes and groaned, wishing he could push them together tighter over him. He couldn't even hump against her.

"You are a cruel witch," he said, the silkiness of his voice washing over Hermione. He sounded so delicious. Hermione moved lower, flicking her tongue into the wizard's navel. He couldn't even buckle against the tiny penetration. Then she followed the trail of black hair beneath his navel, her chin skimming over his tool.

Severus held his breath as she exhaled, letting warm air wash over his shaft, then moving her head to the right then left, licking the tops of his thighs, then moving lower, down his legs, over his ankles, even his feet, repeating what she did to his fingers to his toes, sucking them and running her tongue between them. Gods, that felt incredible.

Hermione worked her way back up the Potions Master's legs until she reached his juncture. She stopped, wrapping her hand around the base of his huge, pale erection and holding it upright.

Severus lifted his head to watch as Hermione began to lick it like a lollipop, bathing him in her saliva until he glistened, moving down to the base and running her tongue over his sensitive scrotum, the wizard groaning as it snaked around drawing him into her mouth momentarily then blowing his flesh out through her pursed lips, which felt amazing. She ran her lips back up his shaft and began bathing his organ again, the wizard groaning now, his voice full of desire as she teased him unmercifully, pursing her lips around the tip and wriggling them, refusing to swallow him down as she slid the silken skin back and forth over its core of iron with both her small hands.

"Suck me," the wizard hissed at her, feeling he would shatter into pieces if the witch's warm mouth didn't slip over his pulsing organ.

"Say the magic word," Hermione asked, her eyes full of heat and mirth as she looked up at him, her hands still working up and down his length.

"Suck me, NOW!" he demanded through gritted teeth.

"Not enough magic," Hermione replied throatily, starting to lick and torment the wizard again.

Gods, when he got loose, he was going to gag her mercilessly with his tool.

Hermione worked him over until Severus' erection was almost completely red with unrequited need. Finally the Potions Master could bear it no longer. With an effort, he forced the blasted word that would bring him relief out.

"Please," he hissed, his head falling back and sighing with pleasure as Hermione's warm mouth quickly slid over him, sucking gently as she bobbed. Damn, it felt so good.

But he had to say please.

Which meant Hermione would have to shriek it before this day was over.

A/N: This is the end of Part 2. Thanks for reading.