Chapter 36

Severus looked down on the witch. He needed to go slowly with her. He had been surprised at her claim about orgasms. She seemed hot and ready almost constantly around him, but she was a virgin and it wouldn't surprise him if she'd explored herself in a rather limited way.

Her claims (and the way in which she'd explained them) indicated that there were certainly self-esteem issues, but this was not surprising and possibly those issues fed her self-harm. He needed to go slow with her and take care of her. Severus was coming to accept how much he wanted Hermione Granger and to accept all the ways in which he wanted her.

Of course, there was the sexual element, but there was much more than that. She was sat in the appropriate position silently. She was awaiting direction, but he watched her and she was stiff and tense. She was afraid that he would request more than she was able to give, but that wasn't the point at all. He wanted to remind her of the element of submission that she had already experienced and enjoyed. He would highlight that Dominance and submission existed outside of the bedroom.

"You adore being on your knees for me, don't you?"

"Yes, Sir," she responded dutifully, but he could see the tension still evident in her shoulders.

"You wish you could always get on your knees for me, don't you? You see me at the high table in the great hall and you want to fall at my feet," he saw her shifting.

"Yes, Sir. I always want to be on my knees for you," ah those musical little breaths had returned.

"Good girl," he realised he'd needed her to admit her need before he could properly proceed, "You will learn, Miss Granger, that I expect very much of you and that Dominance and submission extends far beyond the bedroom. I mean that both physically and metaphorically. I may ask you to do things that, to the casual observer, are unrelated to sex or sexuality, but I guarantee that that sweet little quim between your legs will soak your little knickers."

She moaned rather ferally and Severus smirked internally.

"Yes, you understand me, I believe. Now, stand up and walk over to my bookshelves," he was pleased when she instantly followed the direction, "Select one of the periodicals to the far left, fourth shelf and come and sit at my feet facing away from me."

She did so and sat patiently. He waited silently for four full minutes. He could tell she was wondering, but she did not speak.

"Good girl. You waited very patiently. I believe I shall test this patience in the future. Now hold still while I release your pretty tresses. When you come to me for any purpose unrelated to work, research or legilimency your hair will be loose. Do you understand, Miss Granger?"

Hermione looked up at the man in awe before nodding quickly. She didn't want him to mistake her wonder for disobedience. She was certain that all his punishments would not be as benign as lack of proximity.

"I prefer verbal responses."

His tone was somewhat cold but his fingers were already caressing her hair and thus the harshness of his words was softened.

"Yes, Sir."

"Good girl."

The magic in those two words could not be overstated. Her fingers reactively clutched the copy of The Practical Potioneer in her hands and she whispered a frantic apology.

"Never apologise for your reactions to me. It pleases me that they are unconcealed and somewhat unconstrained," his voice excited her, perhaps even more than his words.

He gently undid her hair with the patience of Job, the biblical figure. She enjoyed the attention and fought not to fight a single reaction.

"What an excellent little submissive you are, Miss Granger. Now that your hair has been addressed, I should like you to read to me," he said is smoothly.

Hermione was a tad taken aback, but nonetheless, opened up the journal and began to read the first article. She could hear Professor Snape settling back into the cushions behind her. She liked the idea of his getting comfortable while she sat this way and catered to him.

Hermione was fascinated with the article which discussed the philosophical issues surrounding the current attempt to circumvent Gamp's First Law. When she finally finished the article some thirty minutes later, Hermione expected to be thanked and dismissed. She was incorrect. Professor Snape stayed in his relaxed position, but instructed her to turn to face him. He began an in depth discussion of the article and probed for her opinions and insights. She thoroughly enjoyed this and was quick to express this enjoyment to the man seated in front of her when the discussion found a satisfactory conclusion.

He raised an eyebrow, "Your enjoyment was quite evident, Miss Granger. I will warn you: while you are entangled with me you will be in this position often. I am a Dominant who makes the most of even aspect of his submissive. I am quite fortunate that you possess a formidable mind and I mean to enjoy it just as much as I will eventually enjoy your body."

And just like that he had morphed a purely cerebral pleasure into a joyously physical one.

"Now, I have imposed upon your free time quite enough, but I do expect to see you at luncheon. Arrive at precisely 1pm. If we are alone at the table, you have permission to prepare my plate," he stated, "Do you have any questions?"

Hermione replied in the negative, but in reality she was desperate to know more about the nature of their interactions. He'd not made any move at sexual intimacy – although he had indicated that he would in the future – he hadn't even tried to kiss her. She wished he would because she longed to taste his lips again.

Hermione looked up at him in askance when he stood at the fireplace with her waiting for her to exit through the floo. He offered nothing and she dared not ask.