CHAPTER ELEVEN
'Unnggghhhaaaa!'
Hermione closed her eyes as she threw her head back against the stone wall of the prefect's showers as her climax rippled through with full-force. Taking a moment to slow her breathing and smiling to herself with a light panted giggle; 'Merlin, I needed that'. With the knowledge that she had full permission to do so made it that much more satisfying. Thinking of him, and the way he smelled, the feel of his green and black linen on her soft skin, the weight and strength of him. It was unimaginable, and incomparable to anything she thought she could experience. It made her giddy.
As she inhaled deeply, bringing her hands up, to wipe away the droplets of water from her eyes, continuing them up, over her head, to push her heavy, wet hair down her shoulders. Allowing her hands to come to rest on the back of her neck, she pulled her head forward, to stretch out the hunch of her shoulders, allowing an audible and satisfied exhale to leave her body. Tilting her head back up to stare at the high marble ceilings of the elegant bathroom. The stone wall was cool to lean against, balanced by the steam and hot water of the shower. Hermione straightened herself and stepped forward to stand under the cascading water from above once again. Her mind was clearer now she was able to move past the task that controlled her thoughts all afternoon. I wonder who he had to go to? Which friend… Odette crossed her mind, and just the thought of them together pinged the green jealousy monster within. Shaking the thought out of her mind, she realised she had been biting the tip of her pinkie finger.
The prefect's bathroom was always peaceful and enjoyable; only being shared between twenty-four students at most, and whomever they might sneak in, from time to time. It was a privilege to access these amenities from year five to seven; but one would be a fool not to take full advantage. Hermione herself, had been present on more than one occasion when a fellow prefect and their person of the moment, made use of the relatively secluded facilities. She never minded, of course. Nothing but a quiet giggle and roll of the eye to dismiss the sneaky behaviour, not without a slight jealousy. Sometimes, it was even a bit of a turn-on to hear the pleasurable antics of other sexually active beings, knowing she was not alone in her desires.
Hermione turned the water off at the taps, and wrapped her warmed towel around herself. Gathering her thick, damp hair to one side over her shoulder to expel the excess water; she took her toiletries bag off the hook and glanced down in search of her toothbrush. As she opened the door to her shower stall, still engrossed in the contents of her bag, something in her peripheral caught her attention and she froze. Glancing up through her eyelashes, she could already make out the silhouette. Tall, slender, platinum blonde, grinning the identical mischievous Cheshire cat grin as his father has before him. Draco.
Raising her head slowly, she took in the sight before her of the proud Slytherin. Draco was leaning on one arm against the stone bench, still broad and gratified, wearing nothing more than a tightly wrapped towel around his waist, with a smaller hand towel draped around his neck. A dark green toothbrush in the other hand. Smiling smugly from ear to ear. Hermione was almost instantly irritated by his presence, before recalling what she had been up to mere moments ago. Was he here for that? Did he hear me? She attempted to appear stoic and cold, refusing to reveal any emotion that would satisfy Malfoy's assertive disposition, dominance even. Her gaze longed to fall, submissively to the floor, but not to him! She would not give him any indication that she would succumb before him. Not to this wretched, wormy, horrid…fit, tall, … that jaw line... No! Nope, no. Hermione. Absolutely not.
Malfoy had definitely filled out in all the right places over the years; well, except for his maturity. Any time her mind began to even tread the line of considering him as theoretically attractive, she would take a trip down memory lane of all the horrible things she witnessed him do and say. Although, she could not deny, nor ever admit out loud, that physically he was… something.
Hermione met his steely grey gaze and vexatious demeanour, determined not to be the first to break it. This was hardly the first time they had run into each other in the bathroom, although it had been a while since the last and not this late, nor alone.
They stood there no more than a minute, even if it felt like more, Draco grinning and Hermione frozen. She watched his eyes dip from her own, surveying her towel clad body and back again. She could not help but to mimic the same trail down his own frame and back up. Even if, she lingered on a prominent cotton covered bulge a little longer than she should. He caught her too.
"Out late tonight, aye Granger? He sneered. Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed at him.
"Can't get nothing past you, Malfoy. Outstanding" she retorted, as she returned to the bag in search of her toothbrush once again, moving towards the sink he currently had occupation over. She came to a stop at the next available basin to his right, attempting to prove his intimidation-through-proximity tactics would not work. He observed her, as she passed behind him. He turned to rest against the bench, folding his firm forearms across his toned chest. Hermione observed the muscles along his arms flex and relax once again as they settled into a new position. He really was quite tall, especially when standing this close to him. Wait, he said something. What did he say? Just pretend to ignore it, finally pulling her toothbrush free from the depths, she ran it under the sink briefly before tapping it twice on the side of the basin.
Draco was clearly waiting for an answer to whatever he had said, still smiling down on her. Hermione ignored the glare she felt burning into the side of her face, squeezed some toothpaste on to her brush and began brushing, observing herself in the vanity mirror. He turned himself back to the basin and rinsed off his own toothbrush before resuming their staring competition through their reflections. Hermione noticed, he was completely dry, even standing in his towel, although she was sure no one else had been in the bathroom when she had arrived, and she had not heard anyone enter since.
"Nothing to say for once? Not one word?" He goaded.
"Why are you dry?" she blurted out.
"Oh, I haven't showered yet" he smirked, "I thought I would let you… finish first".
So, he had heard. Beginning, middle or spectacular end, I wonder? Hermione continued brushing, without granting him the satisfaction of reaction he was clearly determined to achieve.
"Such a gentlemen. Who knew?" she sarcastically muffled through her mouthful of toothpaste.
He leaned down close and spoke softly; "I didn't want to interrupt. Or maybe, I should have joined you? Gotten both of us there, faster".
Hermione needed to relieve herself of the minty foam, however took the chance to dramatize the action. Forcefully expectorating before exclaiming, "Not in your wildest dreams, Draco".
"I look forward to them later tonight then, wont I?" He was still close to her face.
Hermione felt her heart pounding; she was confusingly nervous and excited at the same time. An emotion that was beginning to occur more and more frequent these days. While she believed Draco would never act on such a violation, a small voice inside still told her to warrant caution. Her wand was buried in her bag and it wouldn't be easy to summon for protection if need be. She swallowed apprehensively.
He appeared to straighten himself with this simple gesture of discomfort.
"So, the rumour is true then. You really do know how to have such fun, Granger".
"What? What does that mean? What rumour" she exclaimed, incredulously.
Draco eyes glimmered with victory, having successfully forcing her to rise to the occasion. He shrugged and stood up straight; "I heard you were rather fond of the potions lab". He popped his toothbrush in to his mouth, raising his eyebrows and strode towards the shower stalls.
Hemione's eyes widened momentarily as she connected the dots.
Oh, Theo. What did you say? Who else have you told…? Don't ask anything more. Don't fuel the fire. Calm down" she internally began to calm herself, while simultaneously going in to damage control.
"Goodnight Granger" he called over his shoulder. Draco pulled his towel off as he reached the stalls, revealing his pale, bare behind to her as the stall door closed over.
Hermione picked up her bag and threw her pyjamas on record time, finding her wand at the same time. Arificus, she called as she tapped it to her wet hair to dry, messily. Throwing her towel in the provided launder hamper on her way out, she headed towards the exit.
Just as she reached the door, she heard a soft but intentional groan from behind her echo around the bathroom. Rolling her eyes, Ugh, Draco…
xXxXx
The Manor was dark and lifeless as Snape stepped out of the Floo, following Lucius into his grand drawing room. He had been here hundreds of times, over the lifetime of their friendship; but somehow the manor had never felt more foreign. All the candlelight had been extinguished, portraits that lined the walls were empty and Petra was no where to be seen with her big eyes and cheery elfish smile. They were moving hastily down the corridor that lead to Lucius' home office. As they entered the study, Lucius flicked his wand as the candlelight and fireplace roared to life. Snape observed the unusual manic demeanour of his friend as he moved behind his desk and lifted the small piece of parchment towards him. Snape took hold of it gently and read it quickly;
My Lucius,
I am taking some time to visit Aunt Marion at her estate in Provence indefinitely, as I need this time apart to reconcile these emotions I have been experiencing. I shall not return until I am ready. I will send word to Draco, and will write when I am ready to talk again. I think you should also take this time to consider what you truly value in our marriage and the choices you have made. I hope during this time you may reflect on your own actions and future decisions.
Your Cissa x
Rereading it once more, he studied the words, unsure of the appropriate response. Lucius was leaning over his desk, apprehensively watching Snape for initial reactions. From his own understanding, it was almost in some sort of code, one only to be deciphered between spouses; vague in the wording, indirect and without specifics. But the message was there; she was gone and he was her motivation. Looking to his friend, then the parchment, and back; he slowly placed the letter back down on the desk. They stood silently for a moment, Severus contemplating;
'At least you know where she is…" he finally spoke.
Lucius scoffed at this, shaking his head. 'How could she do this to me? Just up and go… leave a note with the house elf… AND send word to Draco at school'.
Severus opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by two fists slamming down on the desk in front of him. "Sev, why am I such a fucking fool!" It was a statement, not a question, "I did this. It is all my fault".
"Just hold on a moment" Severus attempted to instil some calm upon the situation.
Lucius dropped into his grand leather desk chair with a defeated thud.
Severus stepped to the bar cart against the wall and poured two glasses from the fine, aged whiskey decanter into the crystal glassware, and handed one to the Senior Malfoy.
He watched him throw the entire glass back in one go, as Severus took but a mere sip of his own.
"Okay Luc, do you want comfort or hard truth?" Severus took a seat in one of the two guest chairs before the impressive mahogany desk. Lucius did not answer the question but looked to his friend sullenly.
"Alright. Yes, it appears that Narcissa has temporarily left you, and it is because of your actions", he paused. "However, she has stated she is taking some time and she is allowed to do that".
Lucius huffed placing his head in his hands.
"I have never asked this, but what exactly was your arrangement with Narcissa?" Severus raised a curious eyebrow. He had always respected the privacy of his best friends' marriage, as it should be, but it was different now. He had never witnessed his friend in this distraught state.
Lucius stood and moved to the bar cart, returning to his seat with the entire whisky decanter. He poured himself a generous double and took a swig before audibly sucking back air between gritted teeth. Clearing his throat with a humph through the burn of the whisky.
"When we got together after graduation, I was well established in our lifestyle. My submissive girlfriend at the time, you remember her? Renata? She introduced us. They were clerking together at the Ministry in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. So, Cissa knew my proclivities and she attempted to get involved. Merlin, did she try to please me" Lucius looked up to the ceiling, and took another gulp of his whisky.
Severus was leaning on one elbow with his index finger pressed firmly against his bottom lip, listening intently to his friend. So far, nothing knew to be revealed.
"After we got married, she declared that she would not participate in any more community activities. She wasn't interested and didn't understand. It shocked me, Sev. I thought she enjoyed some of it, but she was only ever trying to please me. I should have seen it, should have known she would never be the total submissive I craved. Always too strong, definitely dominant traits. I should have known".
Severus sipped his drink, "… but how did you come to this arrangement you have now?".
Lucius was staring at a blank space on his desk, as he contemplated his answer. He glanced at Snape and then back to the same spot once more. He closed his eyes briefly, and sighed; "You know, she fell pregnant with Draco and I took a break from it all for those two years but I missed it. I needed it. I adore Cissa, and we have always had an enjoyable sex life… but it wasn't the play that fully satiated me. Then one evening, we sat down together after Draco had gone down for the night and I confessed it all to her. How part of me was missing without the chance to express my dominance".
He closed his eyes again, as he continued to speak, almost relieving the past behind his eyelids privately; "She cried and yelled and we argued. Eventually, she agreed to allow me to make contact with the community again and if I promised to remain discreet. I started attending gatherings again, making private arrangements for one on ones. Only ever holding the gatherings here at the manor when she was away and erasing every piece of them before she returned home, as you know".
Severus continued to listen silently, nodding his head when appropriate.
"Fourteen years we have operated like this, and it seemed to be working for both of us. Or so I had assumed…" Lucius gulped another mouthful of his drinks. "She was always the priority. I always put her events and socialising before my own needs. She needed me at a gala, I was there. Organised a dinner, I was there. We referred to my own engagements as meetings, we could have been discussing my work or community plans. I was desperately subtle. I thought we had an arrangement that worked?"
"She was never fully on board. I observed that, but it was not my place to say anything, Luc", Sev spoke quietly; "what wife wants to share her husband on a weekly basis. On the grounds that she could not satisfy your desires, the way you truly wanted or needed?".
"We only ever had a handful of moments that resulted in an argument after I had had a meeting. However, Sunday evening was a different matter. It felt different, she wasn't just angry, she was hurt. She kept saying that I'm almost forty and just looking to fuck around with younger witches, and how pathetic I was" Lucius closed his hands over his eyes.
Severus couldn't help but roll his eyes, why do they always assume it's only young witches in the community. Wouldn't they be surprised to find out we had women in their fifties still active.
"Anyway, I slept in the guest bedroom at the opposite end of the hallway Sunday night. Although, Monday morning, she was there at the breakfast table, smiling at me as I handed her a tea. She kissed me goodbye as I left for the office. And it was life as norm, until today…"
There was a sudden pop as Petra appeared in the room, "Begging your pardons, Masters. I have prepared some supper for you in the dining hall', she politely squeaked.
"Thank-you Petra. That will be all", Lucius dismissed the house elf shortly.
"Mmm", Severus adjusted himself in his chair, as his stomach rumbled. He had not had much to eat today and probably should not have been enjoying such a potent alcohol on an empty stomach.
"What am I supposed to do, Sev?", Lucius was mentally and emotionally depleted.
"Honestly… I think you need to give her the space she has requested right now"
"But what am I supposed to do? he emphasised.
"Well, what do you want? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear that question?" Snape pressed.
"Cissa", Lucius answered without hesitation, leaning back in his seat for the first time.
"Right", Severus observed his friend; "You can leave the community, done and dusted. Close that chapter". He watched as Lucius' mouth opened to oppose but no words followed. "Or, you can try to come to another agreement or arrangement with your wife. Those are the decision you need to battle with, if you want to keep her".
"I don't know who I am, without my Dominant side" He sighed.
"Nor do I" Severus agreed; "however, I have never married because I have never met the right witch. Submissive witch. I could never settle for an ordinary sex life".
"Maybe, you just haven't met someone worth settling for?" Lucius opposed.
"You know I haven't", Severus confirmed. "Although, this time apart seems like it may benefit the both of you".
"What do you mean?" Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not suggesting you go on a bender, Luc. But you have your freedoms when Cissa travels. You should consider stretching your wings, and reach out to the community. If you can't give up Cissa, then you may need to give up this lifestyle. A last hurrah, if you will"
Lucius almost looked confused by this suggestion. Severus persisted; "Honestly, I don't believe you can leave this side of you behind. However, I cannot speak to the dynamics of marriage. Her note specified indefinitely, so at this point in time, she will not return home anytime soon".
Lucius was thinking to himself, whether or not he was taking in anything Severus was saying was unclear. They sat in silence momentarily before Severus stood up.
"Luc, I really need something to eat. Can we take this to the dining hall?" he pleaded.
Lucius looked up to his friend for the first time in a while and simply nodded once in agreement. He rose up from his chair and picked up the decanter and his glass as he headed to leave his office. Severus followed after him, salivating as they approached the hall with the smell of something delicious in the air.
Petra had set Lucius' usual spot at the head of the dining table, and then a setting for Severus to his right. As they took their places, Petra appeared with two levitating cloche covered plates. They came to rest in their places before the two wizards. With a snap of Petra's fingers, the cloches disappeared, revealing steaming hot chicken Alfredo linguine with broccoli. Severus picked up his fork and dug in, as Lucius poured himself another glass of whisky before even touching his cutlery. They ate quietly as Severus focused on devouring his plate and Lucius picked away at his.
A short while passed before either of them spoke up again.
"How was your evening with Odette?" Lucius queried as he twirled his fork around.
Severus smiled at the memory of the previous Saturday's activities, "She seems great. Usual, happy witch. It was her birthday last week. A whole twenty-five", Severus chuckled lightly.
For the first time, Lucius actually cracked a small smile. "Remember being twenty-five?".
Severus nodded, "Mmhmm. Draco was a chaotic three-year-old and for me, it was Lydia Caldwell".
"Oof!" Lucius exclaimed, "that dark haired, hourglass".
"That ass, and those tits were just something else" Severus relished in his friend's returning smile.
"I can whole heartedly concur" Lucius smiled over the edge of his glass as he took a sip.
Severus froze, "Excuse me?... You didn't?"
Lucius grinned, "It was a couple years later. We ran in to each other and had a session or two. She was good fun. A near perfect and beautiful submissive".
Severus chuckled shaking his head, "Do you know what happened to her?"
Lucius nodded, "She married an ambassador, someone-Watson. Lives in Sweden now".
"Well, there you go. Lucky, lucky wizard, Mr. Watson", Severus grinned as he took another bite.
"And how about those detentions with Granger? Has she been sufficiently punished?", Lucius raised his eyebrows mischievously.
Severus paused chewing, looking around the table. Lucius patiently waited for an answer.
"It is… ongoing", he replied slowly with just the hint of a smirk.
"Don't tease. Give me the details", Lucius insisted, as he took the biggest bite of his dinner so far. A positive sign, Severus was hard pressed to deny his friend in his time of need.
"She's still very keen. I am genuinely interested in showing her this world and she has promising prospects to be a good submissive. After training, of course. I discussed it on Sunday with Greta, who has invited her to tea, to offer her a woman's touch to her introduction", Snape cleared his throat.
"Why are you so formal?" Lucius was intrigued.
"It is not a subject I am going to be out and open about, especially while she is my student and I, her professor?", He clarified.
"Ah. I see" Lucius nodded in understanding. "Will you introduce her to the community some day?".
"I have it under consideration. Again, it's not an environment that I wish you bring attention to, how we know each other?".
"She is in Draco's year. So, she is seventeen?" Lucius quizzed.
Snape nodded and took a larger sip of his whisky, feeling the burn in his throat.
"Petra!" Severus called, as the little elf appeared with her signature pop. "Water?".
"Right away, Masters" she squeaked before disappearing once more, only to reappear instantly with a clean tumbler and jug of water. "Thank-you. Leave the jug, if you will, please", Snape gulped his water.
"Speaking of, does she call you Master now?" Lucius was clearly interested and not going to change the subject anytime soon.
"No. She calls me, Sir. It is easier being on the grounds full time. Wouldn't want her to slip up in the middle of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Imagine trying to explain that one", he answered simply.
"Have you had sex with her?" Lucius spoke softly, almost secretively.
Snape mentally ran through the handful of times he had been inside of her these past few days; Days? Is that all this has been? Feels like more…
"Yes, we have", he was remaining nonchalant throughout this discussion, even though he and Luc shared everything in detail.
Lucius chuckled again, "what a punishment, I'm sure".
Severus couldn't help but smile in return, "she told me she had only had sex twice before, and now with me. I tried to focus particularly on foreplay and warm up".
"Presumably with another student or two, and then with you? Well, well…" Lucius grinned from ear to ear eagerly.
"She's had Praesidium each time, for contraception and to calm the nerves. She responds well with it".
"What instruments have you introduced her to?
"The paddle, but mostly just my hands" Snape watched the gleam in Lucius eyes at the details; He loves every minute of this. How could he possibly give this lifestyle up?
"Not the whip?"
"I believe she is not ready for that just yet. You know how heavy handed I can be with it".
"Indeed. Many a red-cheeked witch in our community after you've had your way with them", Lucius laughed out loud, "and yet, they still come running right back".
Snape laughed at the insinuation of him being some 'Dominant God', from the senior, most-wanted wizard in the community. Lucius sat, cutlery in hand, quietly smiling at his friend.
"What!?" Severus finally demanded.
"… Is it good?" he finally smirked.
"What do you think?", he answered sarcastically.
"I just wanted to hear you say it".
"She's soft, fit … eager … tight" he almost muttered, "Beautiful. More than just the smart mouth, know-it-all I've been exposed to before this".
Snape noticed Lucius momentarily bite down on his bottom lip, while he was describing his little kitty, play thing. He couldn't deny he was looking forward to tomorrow evening and resuming their play. Perhaps, it could be something a little more adventurous than his personal quarters tomorrow. Mentally, he began planning an alternative to his original notes he had been working on earlier in the day.
"I'll keep you updated as she progresses, but you must swear to me to keep this solely between us. No one else can know", Severus felt dirty saying out loud but he knew it to be true if they were to continue on this path.
"I understand, my friend, you have my word", Lucius smiled in return, "Does she know about me… in the community?".
"Yes, she does. She was a little surprised by the fact", Severus confirmed.
Lucius laughed, "perhaps you will introduce us one day", he raised his eyebrows.
"Watch yourself, Malfoy. You don't get to have a hand on everyone" Snape cautioned again.
"I still haven't had Odette, have I?" Lucius chuffed.
"I don't think you ever will, surprisingly. The only witch to ever say No to Lucius Malfoy", he smirked.
Lucius tutted in retort, "we shall see…".
Severus was glad his friend's mood was able to pick up over dinner, although he couldn't help but worry about him. He would need to be more invested over the next few weeks, encourage him to stay on track. He couldn't see his longest friend leave the community they were so deeply engrained in together, and yet he could not understand the lengths someone else would go for, for love.