.

Approach


"Come in…" her voice sounded hesitantly from the other side of the door.

I eased into her room, only to find her fully dressed and standing as far away from the bed as possible, her mass of hair shining bronze in the firelight. I swallowed thickly.

"Is something amiss?"

She motioned no, but then slowly shook her head yes. "My laces are knotted and I… I can't get them loose," she whispered, looking mortified.

"I am sorry. I had forgotten… I will secure you a lady's maid tomorrow." I felt chagrined myself. Just because I didn't have a valet, preferring my teaching robes to complicated fashionable dress, didn't mean my wife didn't need aid with her toilet. "Come, I will help you," I said with more bravado than I felt. Women's clothing was nothing if not a mystery.

She crossed to me, turning away and dragging her mass of hair over her shoulder. I surveyed the back of her dress with a critical eye. Gently I unclasped the necklace dripping with rubies and discarded it on a small table. I realized suddenly, looking at the curve of her neck, just how fragile she was. I could crush her with my bare hands. I cupped her shoulders carefully, wondering at what point she would stiffen and pull away. Instead, she leaned back into me, her head tilting to the side. I lowered my lips to her shoulder, my dark hair slipping forward to brush against her pale skin.

She sighed.

Suddenly I imagined sending her away, to someone else, to ask for money. The thought of having another man caress her made me ache with sorrow and yet enraged me simultaneously. Nothing could ever be allowed happen that was not in my power to shelter her from. I couldn't imagine sanctioning anyone the opportunity to use and wound her.

"Is something wrong, Master Snape?" Hermione glanced over her shoulder at me.

"Hermione, do you know my given name?" I strained to keep my tone light.

"Of course," she blushed anew.

I tightened my hold on her slightly. "Use it."

"Severus," she breathed.

I shook off the unpleasant thoughts. "Nothing is wrong, Her-mi-on-e," I drew out her name deliberately.

Tugging on the dress for a few moments, I grew frustrated and drew my wand. She blinked up at me trustingly. I wondered what her reaction would be if she knew the kinds of spells this piece of dark wood had known. With a quick flick, the silk was pooling around her slippers.

"I should have thought of that," she muttered ruefully.

I picked her up out of the sea of fabric and carried her to the bed. Glancing down at the other white and lacy garments, the names of which I did not know, I grimaced.

"How infuriating."

She giggled as I lay her amongst the pillows and leaned forward to kiss her gently. She reached up and tangled her hands in my hair as my caresses became more demanding.


She's beautiful, and therefore to be wooed; She is woman, and therefore to be won. [Shakespeare – Henry VI]

Edited for grammar, capitalization & spelling on March 22nd, 2013 [courtesy of renaid, who knows how the gowns are fashioned].

And thanks to orlandoswitch [who moderates Severus and his wayward tongue].

Edited for formatting and author's notes March 3rd, 2015.