Severus had a very serious dilemma. He looked down at the bushy-haired chit in his bed. Again. It seemed as if he may have been staring down at her for hours. Everything about the picture was perfect: Hermione, in his bed, with his book, studying Occlumency, peacefully asleep, smiling. She must have been exhausted from staying up all night with him. And he had no doubt that she had done just that.
But looking down at her now, with her lips parted slightly, her hair a wild mane across his pillow, her eager hands clenched around an advanced text, and her soft body gently rising and falling with each peaceful breath, she was the image of perfection. It was late, however. Hermione had slept the rest of the day, after making sure to do the required brewing for the Wolfsbane. He didn't want to disturb the perfect peace that she presented, but he was exhausted as well. His body was still sore, his bones aching, his head throbbing. And he needed rest.
Thus, he was presented with a dilemma. He could crawl into bed with her—by far the most tempting option—and face the consequences when he woke, clutching her to him like last time. He could leave her in peace and go sleep on the couch (except that that would definitely break with his role as her evil captor). Or, he could do what Severus Snape was supposed to do under these circumstances and wake the chit up to demand the return of his bed. Severus sighed, allowing himself another moment to watch her sleeping in peace. There wasn't a choice. Not really.
"Granger," he growled menacingly. Her eyes popped open, but she did not immediately look up at him. Rather, she took her time yawning and stretching her sweet body out across the length of his bed, before turning to him.
"Yes, Professor?" she said sweetly. He felt a stirring in his trousers at the huskiness of her voice and the picture she presented him with.
"As I recall," he heard himself saying, "I offered you a perfectly adequate couch. Now, get out of my bed before I drag you from it." Her eyes opened wide at that, and her lips were parted in shock at his sharp words.
"Actually I find I prefer the bed, professor. But thank you anyway." She replied sweetly, though he could see the fire dancing in her eyes. Fuck. Now he was going to be forced to make good on his promise to drag her out.
"Granger, don't make this more difficult than it needs to be," he warned.
"Oh, but Professor, I thought that was what you wanted in a woman, remember?" What?! Severus blanched at the reminder of his words to Malfoy and was utterly perplexed that she had had the gall to remind him of it now. What is she playing at?
"I see no woman," he bit back wickedly and saw the momentary hurt leave her eyes to make room for fiery anger. Then, a sudden mischievous grin spread across her face and he felt himself growing hard.
"As you wish, Professor. I am in need of a bath and some dinner as it is. I'll let you get settled first." She slipped out of the bed and into the bathroom, leaving her book behind and Severus was momentarily frozen in place. What the hell?! He didn't want to strip down if she was going to be coming right back, but he really was tired. And yet, the sound of a bath running on the other side of the door brought delicious images to his mind. As he sat down on the edge of the bed, he found he was already throbbing with need. Damn that insufferable chit! Surely the girl was too much of an innocent to know the effect she had on him.
But something surfaced in his mind's eye; a memory; something she had said. It was after the Christmas party when Severus had told her that she should 'just say 'no.'' She had replied with something like "I learned that one the hard way," But the blush that had blossomed in her cheeks told him that she was not referring to McLaggen. Krum? It made him sick with jealousy just to imagine another man's hands on her; another man's mouth capturing her sweet lips.
He could hear her humming through the door and belatedly realized that it had been left cracked an inch. Had she done that on purpose? It was unlike Granger to be so careless, and yet, it was unlike her to be so bold. Perhaps she was teasing him. Yes, that was the most likely possibility. After all, he had just insulted her womanhood. Perhaps now her plan was to torture him into admitting his lie. Oh, but he never would.
Not even when the steam from her hot bath was wafting sweet fragrances into his bedroom and he could hear the water splashing softly with every movement she made. Now he was painfully hard as he allowed himself to picture her lathering the sweet soap over her soft body with that fluffy sponge thing she kept in there. Her humming was interrupted by a little moan of contentment and he thought he might explode from the pressure building inside of him. He was frozen at the foot of the bed, fully clothed, his entire body throbbing with desire, and he couldn't even see her! Damn that foolish girl!
"Professor?" She suddenly called out and Severus jumped up in a pang of nervous guilt as if she had caught him thinking about her.
"What?" he bit back harshly.
"Have you eaten already?" From the sounds of the water splashing, she was rinsing herself off as she spoke to him and he found that unbelievably hot.
"I wasn't hungry." He replied, trying to infuse his response with as much impatience as humanly possible.
"You need to eat, professor!" she scolded through the door. "Your body needs to heal!" He had no reply for this. "What would you like to eat?" she continued eventually.
"Nothing," was his immediate reply.
"Don't make me choose for you, sir. I will do it."
"Leave me alone, Granger. You're worse than Molly Weasley." He heard her giggle pleasantly and felt a pang of longing in his chest. Merlin, if he could just go to her now and play along with her silly banter, and kiss her lovely lips, and help her lather that sweet soap all over her soft, beautiful body… Severus realized that she had just said something and was now waiting for a response, but he couldn't imagine what it was she had said.
"Professor?" she continued impatiently.
"What?" he growled. He heard her huff of frustration and couldn't help a smile.
"Could you please send for Dobby to bring us something to eat?"
"I'll make you a deal, Granger," he began deviously. "I'll send for Dobby if you promise not to say another word for the rest of the night." Silence. Then the water stirred again. She was considering.
"Deal." He heard her say, and he smiled in satisfaction.
Hermione rinsed out her hair. If he thought that her inability to speak was going to hinder her in any way, he was sadly mistaken. In fact, by the end of the night, if she played her cards right, he'd be begging her to say something. She stepped out of the bath, squeezing as much water from her hair as she could, and grabbed the towel. As she dabbed the water from her skin, she contemplated her wardrobe. What should she wear to piss him off the most?
Something Gryffindor, of course. Nightgown? No, shorts. Short shorts, she smiled deviously. Oh, he was attracted to her, alright. And she was going to remind him. It wasn't just that he had insulted her femininity, but that he was so arrogantly aware of the power he had over her. Well, she was going to be sure that he knew how much power she had by the end of the night. Hermione pulled on a soft, fitted tee and some comfortable shorts and transfigured them to be Gryffindor crimson. Eck! No. Too bright.Perhaps Slytherin green? Mmmm… too obvious. When she turned the t-shirt white, however, and left the shorts that deep, dark green, she was finally happy. Perfect. A mischievous grin spread across her face in the reflection of the mirror and headed for the door. As she reached for the handle, she hesitated. Perhaps I should wear a bra… Nah. Hermione gathered her courage and stepped from the room.
Severus Snape was already curled up under his covers when she left the bathroom in a cloud of steam. She almost opened her mouth to scold him before remembering her promise. Instead, she went around to the side he was facing and placed her hands on her hips, her message clear. Her little huff of indignation was enough to make him open his eyes and he sneered at her. "Your dinner is in the living room, Granger," he said before letting his eyelids shut once more. She gasped in anger. That was not the deal! Shaking his shoulder, she was gratified to see his scowl when he opened his eyes again. "What?" he bit out, then grinned maliciously and closed his eyes.
Her anger was building inside of her as she shook his shoulder again. When he looked at her, his impatience was clearly written across his face so eloquently that she took a step back from him. "I will not be joining you, Granger, as I have already finished my portion. So, you see, I have fulfilled my end of the bargain." She glared at him. Hesitating another moment, she left him there in a huff. Well, she would make it up to him after she satisfied the rumbling in her tummy.
Severus could not sleep. No matter how much his body craved the rest, he could hardly keep his eyes closed let alone slip into slumber. He turned over onto his back and threw the covers off, leaving only the thin sheets. He had not wanted Granger to see that he was naked beneath the blankets, but his skin was far too hot to stay buried as he was. Severus looked down at the sizeable tent he was creating. He couldn't keep neglecting himself, like this. Merlin, this girl will be the death of me, he mused.
When she had finally emerged from the bath, he had almost grabbed her and pulled her under the covers with him. Her long, beautiful legs were bare and her tiny shorts showed off her soft, little arse. The t-shirt she was wearing was practically transparent and he had throbbed at the notice that her nipples hardened when she was mad. Gods the girl was beautiful! Severus pulled his knees up, planting the soles of his feet on the mattress and let a hand slip down to grip his hard length. If she came back after her meal, as she inevitably would, it would not do for him to be hard-up all night.
In his mind, she was back in the bath, her naked body slippery with that soap he loved so much. He would step over to her, letting her blush under the heat of his gaze before lowering himself into the bath with her. His tub was plenty large enough for the two of them. For a moment, they would just stare at each other. Then, he would pull her naked body to his, stretching his legs out beneath her, forcing her to straddle him. She would be shocked to feel his naked length beneath her, but he would calm her with sweet caresses all the way down her slick, beautiful body.
Then, he would pull her down to him, kissing her softly on the mouth as his hands came up to cup her breasts. She had such perfect, round, soft breasts. That he knew from experience. Suppressing a groan, Severus imagined that she would kiss him back passionately and he would slide a hand between her legs, showing her the pleasure he could bring her. She would move against him, desperately, as he kissed her deeper, biting her plump, little lip. Finally, he would lift her up, and bring her down slowly onto his shaft. She would moan as he filled her to the hilt.
Severus was enthusiastically pumping himself by now to appease the mounting pressure inside of him. Oh Merlin! She would begin to move against him, tentatively at first, then eagerly. His control would snap as he raised his own body to meet hers. And he would flip them over, taking the lead. He would pound into her as she cried out in ecstasy…
The door began to open and Severus ripped the covers over himself, turning away from the door and panting with unsatisfied need. He heard the insufferable girl tiptoeing over to his bed and cursed her horrible fucking timing! He felt her slip into bed behind him and bit back a groan. He could take her right now if he wanted to. After all, he had warned the little fool that he wanted her for himself. She ought to know better than to tempt him! Unless… unless she wanted him to take her…
No! Don't be a fool! He reigned in his impulsive desire to roll on top of her right now. Of course she doesn't want that! She has no idea what you would do to her! The damned innocent.
He could smell her hair. The throbbing between his legs was so painful that he thought he might just burst. He had been so close! If he could just think of a ruse… he should have warded the damn door! But then, she never would have come to him. Severus let out a shuddering sigh and turned onto his back, careful to lift a knee to hide his pulsing erection.
"Granger," he growled in a much huskier voice than he had intended, "what are you doing?" When she didn't respond, he looked over at her. Their faces were just inches away on his pillows and her eyes glittered with laughter. Slowly she brought a finger to her lips, drawing his attention to that inviting mouth. He longed to suck one of her plump, red lips between his own and nibble on it. And thrust his tongue between her teeth. And then he understood her message: he himself had asked her not to speak.
"Granger, get out," he bit out harshly. She shook her head in defiance. "Yes, Granger. Now!" Infuriatingly, she just turned onto her back and stretched out, her pert, little breasts standing at attention, her nipples hard. He heard himself growl (at least it wasn't a moan) as he suppressed the impulse to grab one of them. He couldn't take it anymore! Wandlessly rolling her off of the bed, he threw the covers down on top of her and was in the bathroom by the time she managed to escape her newfound cocoon.
Cold shower it is, then.
Teehee. Don't hate me! The time isn't right yet, guys! We'll get there. And anyway, didn't you enjoy that little fantasy? I know you're all ready for them to get together, but your patience will be rewarded. In the meantime, how'd you like that little teaser?