Chapter 50
Aurora arrived at the staff party two hours before it was due to begin. She looked gorgeous in the slinky, form fitting black laced dress she wore. Her hair was tied back in a severe bun and so the bare back of the spaghetti-strapped garment was visible. She knew she wouldn't only make Severus drool wearing this.
She found herself shuffling around the party-room that was an annex to the main drinking area of The Three Broomsticks. She checked that there were suitable amounts of party food. It was mostly innocuous snacks – sandwiches and the like- but there were also a few tricks such as canary creams etc. Aurora wondered at Rosemerta's intentions in providing these.
She had a fluted glass in her hand already; a little champagne never hurt anyone. It also gave her feasible cause to meet many of the wait staff prior to the gathering. Two gentlemen had been on the receiving end of a little flirtation. Aurora simply intended to lay the foundations in case Severus did not choose to partake of her charms. She felt fairly villainous, but in reality Aurora thought of herself as a reasonable witch. She felt that Severus and anyone else was fair game. Aurora wasn't out to hurt anyone; her main aim was to have fun and find some interesting and enjoyable company. There was nothing wrong with that.
Neville assessed his reflection. He looked smart with his black trousers and Gryffindor red shirt. He assumed that he'd match Hermione – obviously she'd be sporting house colours – and this should send her a subconscious message that they should spend some time together. He'd felt furious when he'd seen Draco leaving her room that morning, but I reality he was simply jealous. Now though, he'd decided to try and put it behind him. He knew Draco well and his attentions weren't to be held by one woman.
Neville saw Hermione as his perfect match and this fling with Draco was nothing. He would show her that he was interested at this party. He intended to take a little Dutch courage, ask her to dance and then ask her out. The plan was fool-proof. Hermione was way too lovely to say no.
Draco stood at Astoria's door and pulled at the collar of his grey shirt, the picture of the clichéd suitor nervous at the arrival of the object of his desire. The event was a mere hour away and he'd decided to arrive a little early to her home. Although she lived with her parents, the home was almost a large as Malfoy Manor so he didn't expect to see them unless Astoria wanted that. Draco was prepared to spend time with them if it would please her.
Astoria appeared at the door, a vision of perfection. Draco coughed and handed her the bouquet of pale peonies that reminded him of the flush in her cheeks on the night he'd taken her. He was wise enough to keep this to himself though.
"You look ravishing, Astoria," he proclaimed. She flushed in response and he was thrust back to that night briefly.
"Come in, Draco. I'm not quite ready. Call Pepper if you would like a beverage. My father is in his study working, but otherwise, we're alone." With that she flounced off to prepare herself.
It was a mere ten minutes later when she reappeared in a Ravenclaw blue gown that accentuated her assets. He walked towards her as if imperiused. He reached his hands out towards her. Draco tugged her against him and kissed her deeply. He could feel her responding and he ran his hands over her derriere. She moaned gently into his mouth.
Wham.
Draco looked around dazedly. He was on his arse.
"Astoria, wha-"
"Don't push it Draco."
Severus stood outside Miss Granger's room in irritation. The portrait guarding her chambers was regarding him with faint disgust and outright disapproval. He felt somewhat hypocritical. After warning her of the importance of secrecy, here he was poised to escort her to the staff party. His nose wrinkled in disgust as he considered the term.
Miss Granger suddenly appeared with a shy smile on her face. Severus was shocked at her transformation. She wore a long sleeved laced emerald dress. It dipped to reveal a beautiful pale cleavage and revealed a small waist. The skirt flared out and fell to her mid-calf and therefore he could see that she wore black silken tights. On her feet were black heeled shoes with pretty little bows at the heels. He wild mane flowed over her shoulders. By the time he looked back to her face she was biting her lip.
He huffed out, "Gods," before taking the two strides required to bring himself flush against her. "Miss Granger, you're beautiful." If he'd had time to think, he may have felt a little foolish at his awed declaration. Instead, he placed a long fingered hand at the small of her back and another behind her head and pulled her in for a gentle kiss. His passion wasn't gentle, but he was awed by her beauty. She responded as prettily as ever.
Severus pulled away slightly and looked deeply into her eyes. How he wanted to push her back into her rooms and have his way with her.
"I am a fortunate man, Miss Granger," he told her.
"No, Professor I'm the…"
"I am a fortunate man for you belong to me. You are mine, girl," he kissed her less gently this time. She began to moan and writhe against him and he used his body to push her back into her rooms. She submitted willingly.
"Ahem."
Severus looked up to see the portrait smirking somewhat enviously at him.
"May we help you?" Severus sneered. He was annoyed at himself. They could have been seen by anyone and they had been. Bloody hell, paintings were much more difficult to cow into obedience.
"Oh excuse me, Lord Stephan," came Miss Granger's voice. "May I introduce Professor Snape?" They went about introductions and pleasantries. Severus observed her manner with the painting and found it very similar to the affect she had assumed during her interaction with Marcus.
"Lord Stephan, I must demand your discretion," Severus stated.
The painting replied with assurances and Miss Granger didn't seem at all uncertain of his trustworthiness. She continued to talk to the painting who was very solicitous, not to mention complimentary. Severus observed that, if another person spoke to her in such a way, he would be quite furious. It didn't sit completely right with him as it was, but she appeared to really like the portrait. She was very animated and comfortable with it. He decided not to make his discontent known.
Severus conspicuously glanced at his watch, "Come, Miss Granger, it's time we left. Goodbye Lord Stephan."
She and the portrait exchanged heartfelt goodbyes. For him the portrait only said, "Professor."
As they walked towards the gate, Severus felt the urge to reclaim his territory. Her interactions with the portrait had been innocent, but he wanted to see her flushed with need once more before he was forced to surrender her to a room full of strangers. They were alone on the path; he cast a quick spell to make sure.
"Miss Granger, I must tell you again. You are beautiful to me. It will be a chore to hand you off when we reach the pub," her fingers clutched his forearm and she hummed noncommittally.
"I wish I could stay with you all night, Sir," she said softly.
"I am proud of you for coming. I am very aware of how difficult this is for you, but I am certain that you will enjoy yourself," he said.
She didn't respond verbally, possibly to avoid a disagreement.
"Perhaps a wager is in order," Severus suggested. She simply looked at him quizzically. He was pleased to see that she'd come out of her shell more and more in recent days. He enjoyed her deference in sexual situations, but there were times were he would be pleased to encounter the feisty young woman he'd known.
He answered her unspoken query, "Well you seem certain you will not enjoy yourself. I am equally certain that you will. Shall we have a bet?"
"For money?" her nose wrinkled in distaste.
"Oh I'm sure we can think of far more interesting stakes, my dear," he smirked at the juxtaposition of excitement and wariness in her face.
"What would you like, Sir?"
"Everything you have to give, but specifically for this wager: when I win, you will bare your beautiful breasts to me."
Her said it with such certainty that she shook a little and nodded. Hermione considered this. It was perfectly possible that she would enjoy herself and be subject to his demands. This puzzled her a little, but she merely said, "And if I win?"
He smirked at her, "What would you have of me?"
She didn't think at all before saying, "Punish me, physically. Spank me."
Hermione bowed her head a little as he frowned, "No, Miss Granger, I have explained the requirements for that. Might I make a suggestion?" he didn't wait for her response before continuing, "If you win, I will…"
"No, Sir, I know what I want," Hermione realised her error in his deep frown of annoyance, "Sorry, Sir. I want to taste you please. If I win, let me please you with my mouth."
"What a good girl you are," he proclaimed, seemingly appeased by her apology, "You have created a wager in which I cannot loose. If you win, you will take me in that sweet little mouth and follow my every direction. If I win, you will reveal your breasts and follow my every direction. Do we have a deal?"
She agreed and they walked on.
"I can hear your mind whirring, Miss Granger. What is wrong?" he said the words with patience.
"I don't quite understand, Sir. I will do as you say anyway. Why don't you simply tell me, right now, make me reveal myself to you," Hermione knew she'd be unable to obey if he did that, but she simply wanted to understand him.
"Don't seek to understand my methods, girl. Simply obey. That is your role in this," he was firm and his silky voice made her shiver.
"Yes, Sir."
"Excellent. Now, tell me about your undergarments."
Severus was amused by her surprised huff.
"Excuse me, Sir?"
"What are you wearing beneath that pretty dress?"
"A bra and some knickers," she whispered.
"Describe them to me. Titillate me. I wish to be able to picture you without that dress whenever my mind wanders this evening," he said it as though he were asking about the ingredients of a particularly complicated potion.
"Well, Sir… they are black and lacy. They are a matched set. Semi-transparent," she reeled off the details afraid that they weren't interesting to him. Severus was all but salivating. He could see them clearly in his mind's eye.
"And the knickers, Miss Granger, are they wet?" he asked.
"They are damp, Sir."
He tutted and shook his head, "That simply won't do. If I am to have any chance of seeing your breasts this evening," he saw her eyebrows raise at that, "we must ensure they are soaked."
They passed the gates and now were on the deserted trail between the school boundaries and the small town. He pulled her a few steps off the beaten path and her delightful little pants began again.
"Pull your tights down, Miss Granger."
"But-but, Sir…"
"No-one can see you. Now do as I say."
