A/N: This is my entry for #Scratch-That-Niche Fest with the prompt Dancing Around One Another. It is rated M and pairs HG/SS with minor mentions of NL/LL, HP/GW and RW/LB. Its depicted in A/U and has warnings for lemons (they will be surrounded in * if you want to skip) and language.
Disclaimer: I do not own or have any affiliation with Harry Potter.
Hermione woke up startled. Her head was pounding, her mind was spinning and everything she looked at was blurry. She was slightly hung over and quite confused. Upon further observation, she realized there was a strong arm wrapped around her.
What the hell? Who is holding her?
She had broken things off with Ron years ago when she found out he was fucking Lavender behind her back: so, it definitely was not him. It wasn't anyone from work either that she could tell. Hermione was now the potions professor at Hogwarts after taking over for Professor Slughorn so he could properly retire. Besides Neville, she was the youngest professor at the school. Everyone else was much older and most of them were women.
She started breathing heavier as she started to panic. She could now smell men's cologne since regaining her senses. It floated around the room as well as the subtle scent of sweat and sex.
Shit.
She evaluated herself and realized she was nude under heavy black satin sheets and in a four-poster bed that was not hers. Her eyes started to adjust to the darkness, and she could tell she was in a very large bedroom. All the windows were covered by thick curtains that allowed almost no light to leak in. She mentally scrutinized herself for how much alcohol she consumed the previous evening and for not remembering much after she left the ball held by the ministry. She could now see her gown from the previous evening lying in a heap on the floor in the middle of the room. Her shoes were thrown by the door and her panties rested on the footboard of the bed.
What happened last night?
Hermione had been asked to attend a ministry officiated ball for the newly appointed minister through a personal favor from Minerva McGonagall. Minerva had been unable to attend the affair due to "unexpected circumstances" after an incident at Hogwarts. Being Headmistress, it was understandable. (More like a lame excuse to not attend in Hermione's opinion.) Hermione had gone in her place anyway, and as a Deputy Head of Hogwarts, it was the appropriate thing to do. Someone had to be there to represent the school. Hermione had bought herself a beautiful black gown during a recent trip to Paris with her parents that she had worn to the event. It was floor length with a daring slit up the left leg and a very low back. The front of the dress covered up to her collarbone in a tight almost choker like fashion. It complemented her small frame and the length didn't make her look frumpy which she was pleased with, unlike most dresses she came across. She spelled her hair into a fancy do that looked like a crown around her head and curls cascading down her back. She never did plan on taking a date with her. She knew enough people who were going that she was comfortable going by herself.
Then why did she wake up in someone's arms this morning?
During the early part of the evening, she had seen Harry and Ron of course. They had made it through Auror training after school and was now heads of their respective squadrons. Ginny had been standing there with Harry, leaning on his arm like a child to a parent. She had gained a type of arrogance to her since they got married. He was like a trophy to her and she tried to show off their "love" every chance she got. Ron had married Lavender after finding out he had gotten her pregnant out of wedlock around three years ago. Anyone who looked at them now would be able to tell that the marriage was not one out of love. It was obvious they hated each other but at least kept up the ruse for their little boy.
Who else was there?
After talking to Harry and Ron, Hermione had walked through the ballroom mingling with many people while taking many glasses of champagne to drink and tasting multiple appetizers. She had seen Horace Slughorn first. They had talked about her job at Hogwarts and how he was starting to miss teaching again. He asked how her apprenticeship and mastery in potions had gone as well. She told him that everything had gone as planned and she had finished out her education with high honors from her master. He congratulated her and went on his way.
Arthur and Molly Weasley had stopped to invite her to a get together over the summer holidays. They also asked her to visit the burrow more often. They missed having her come over. She said she would consider it; however, she would much rather stay away from the bed where Ron had taken her virginity as well as cheated on her multiple times. She of course didn't make any promise for an appearance there but at least said she would check for availability in her "busy" schedule before they were pulled away to chat with another ministry official.
Neville and Luna said a brief hello too. Neville was the Herbology professor at Hogwarts and saw Hermione often, but Luna was working for the ministry under the department for magical creatures. They married soon after Luna came back from her travels around the world while training in her field. She was amazing at what she did and had been awarded the year prior for her achievements.
All of the people she remembered thus far is definitely not someone she expected to share a night with.
So, who is this man behind me?
Taking a deep breath again, she turned carefully to look at the man behind her. He was sleeping soundly. She could hear a deep tone to his breathing. His arm was still over her waist. She could tell he was topless but was unsure about what he wore under the sheets. She looked up at his face and about choked when he saw the long black and shiny hair strewn about. His big nose was poking out of the strand that fell over his face.
Snape. Severus. Fucking. Snape.
How had she gotten here? What the hell happened?
She had taken a seat for her dinner at her assigned table. Since she was filling in for Minerva last minute, they were not able to finagle the seating arrangements, so she was sitting at one of the head tables. All was well with this though. She had stricken up a pleasant conversation the head of the Wizengamot. They were talking about the new rights ordered for the magical law enforcement groups. She didn't notice right away when the newly appointed Minister of Magic sat down at the table with them and took a sip from his glass of whiskey.
"Always the Know – It – All, eh Miss Granger?"
She knew that voice from anywhere. She looked up and saw the stoic man sitting across from her at the round table. She couldn't help the smile spread across her face at the title he had so "graciously" given her during her years as a student at Hogwarts.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, sir. Congratulations on your appointment to Minister. I hope the job is treating you well."
"It is indeed. It was tough getting my affairs organized at first, but I was able to amend that quickly. It has been – as they say – smooth sailing since."
"That is wonderful to hear, Sir."
They had continued to make pleasantries with the rest of the people who had joined the table before the meal, and after dessert, most of them had went to the floor to dance. Severus saw Hermione sitting and watching the people make their way around the floor in a synchronized waltz. She was wearing a gorgeous black dress that accentuated her body amazingly. She looked absolutely beautiful. He decided to move into a chair next to her.
"Have you been fairing well since you received your mastery?" he asked as he sat down gracefully.
"Yes, sir. Thanks to you, I have been appointed one of the Deputy Heads at Hogwarts."
"Is that why you are here then? Taking Minerva's invitation?"
"Yes, it was a personal favor. She had "unexpected circumstances" come up. I actually think she just trying to get out of the obligation."
"I can understand that. These events can get quite grueling after a while."
She nodded at this. "Yes, but unfortunately, now you will be stuck attending every last one of them, Minister."
He smiled when she used his official title. He leaned over to her like he was going to tell her a secret and she leaned into him too.
"Yes, I agree with you there. I will, unfortunately, have to start attending many of these events. And, I liked it better when you called me Master." His voice was a low growl. Her blush crept up her neck before she could think, and she could feel the heat spark in her belly. How she longed to have him as her master again. To spend her time with him and to learn from him again. Alas, her education and mastery had ended, and she was accepted as the potion's professor at Hogwarts. Severus's letter of recommendation had granted her a spot as a Deputy Head of the school as well. She was in a great spot in her life. If only she would be able to share it with him again.
"I miss it too. You are such an incredible teacher and master of potions. I still can't thank you enough for allowing me my apprenticeship."
They looked at each other in longing. Hermione felt a warmth in her heart whilst remembering the feelings she suppressed for this man. They suddenly came flooding back. She could tell he was thinking the same thing.
Hermione cut in again. "It would have been inappropriate for us to have acted upon our feelings for each other at that moment in time. I was your apprentice. I was getting out of that relationship with Ron. I was in a terrible mental state and would have only used you to get over him."
He took another long sip from his drink. "So, you say. However, I remember being the one that kissed you first."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat when he mentioned the kiss. He was not wrong about that. She had been sulking after the breakup with Ron and contemplating the next step in her career path. Severus had been watching her and was trying to keep her mind off the obvious. It had gotten to the point where she didn't think she was good enough or smart enough for Ron. Severus stepped in at that point. He reassured her quite completely that she was more than adequate for someone who actually deserved her, unlike Ron. He confessed his feelings for her in a rage about how she shouldn't blame herself for something only an idiot would do and how he would be honored to have her as his. After he had finished his confession, she had been in complete shock. She was speechless.
Then he kissed her. He blatantly kissed her. It was full of want, full of need, and full of lust. His hands pulled at her waist and he picked her up into his arms. She wrapped her legs around him and allowed him to set her on the table. He made sure she was kissed thoroughly, but then he allowed it to die down. He had to remember the circumstances that brought them there. She was grieving from a breakup. He was being selfish. She was confused. He wanted her more than he had ever wanted another woman in his life. He needed to stop. To apologize. To hopefully save this master and apprentice relationship before it got strange. And he was able to save it, thankfully. They talked about their feelings for one another and agreed to keep things platonic at least until after she had finished her mastery. Nothing else had happened after that. Their lives were going two separate ways at that point and things would not have worked out well at that time.
Hermione looked up at Severus with sadness in her eyes. "I can not argue with you there. I wish we could have figured something out between us. I have thought of you often and have wondered where we might have been by now."
A slight tension started to rise between them. Severus knocked down the rest of the alcohol in his glass and stood. He put his hand out for Hermione to take. She just looked up to him perplexed.
"May I have this dance, Hermione?"
She huffed out a chortle and allowed a meek smile to grace her lips. She grabbed his hand and allowed Severus to lead her to the floor. There were still people dancing but not as many as before when dessert had first ended. He led them off to the left side and took Hermione into his arms. She felt his hand slide into the small of her back, skimming the bare skin there making her shiver. There was a faint smile at the corner of Severus's mouth which showed him to be pleased with her reaction. The band began to play another waltz and he started to spin her around the dance floor. It was impossible to ignore the amount of people staring at the couple as they continued to dance with one another.
"I would say the fact that it is I dancing with you had drawn all of the attention, but it would be a lie." His voice was low, his mouth close enough to her ear that his breathe tickled her as he spoke.
"And what would be the truth?" Hermione asked. Of course people would be watching the newly appointed Minister of Magic. Especially if he was dancing with one of his old students.
"That you cut a very lovely figure in this gown and they are wondering how long it will be wasted on the Old Greasy Git from the Dungeons." His ink – black eyes seemed to sparkle as he drew back from her, successfully turning her with the twirl of the hand above her head.
"Footwork and flattery, colour me surprised. However, I don't believe others see you as the Old Greasy Git from the Dungeons any longer. You wouldn't be here if they did." She mused as she returned to him. Severus' expression grew serious.
"There is much you don't know about me, Granger." Her fingers curled tighter over his hand. The band passed its crescendo and as they both slowed, she steeled her nerves. He heart could have beaten out of her chest.
"If that is an invitation to learn more, then I accept." The music had stopped as he let go of her hand and stepped back in a bow.
"Hermione, do you mind going somewhere private?" Severus asked as a new song began.
All Hermione could do was nod. They both practically ran off the dance floor. They made their way out to the atrium of the ministry and Severus lead her to one of the elevators. He punched the button for the floor that held his office and the elevator was off. Severus could not take it any longer. He grabbed Hermione and crashed his lips to hers. It was pure bliss. They barely heard the ding of the elevator when they had reached his office.
"Know – It – All." Severus' voice rumbled the password out loud. The door swung open. Hermione was surprised yet again. He had used her nickname, coined by him, as the password to his office. He dragged her into the large office and slammed the door behind him. He grabbed her up again and kissed her thoroughly. She felt something hit her back and realized it was his desk. He hoisted her onto it with ease without breaking the kiss. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him in closer.
"Hermione." He said in between kisses.
"Yes, Master?" He growled when she said this. She started kissing him down his neck then and nibbled on his collarbone. She was utter bliss. Oh, how he had wanted this.
He pulled her head up gently and looked her in the eyes. "If we continue, I will not be able to hold back this time. I have wanted you for so long. I won't be able to control myself."
Her breathing increased again. She was getting even more aroused then she was before. "What is it you want from me then?" she said in a low voice.
It was his turn to breathe heavily. "Everything."
She slowly put a hand on his cheek and looked him square in the eyes. "What are you going to do to me, Master?"
He almost broke there. He had to hold out for her, though. He would not continue until she was fully ready.
* "Hermione. I want to make love to you tonight. I want to take you to my bed where I will throw you down and thoroughly kiss every inch of your body." She suddenly felt a gush of pleasure soak her panties. Severus felt her try to close her legs, but he stepped into them, trying to get as close to her as possible.
"After that is complete, I will make you have your first orgasm of the night by eating your pussy out so completely that you will scream my name in pleasure so loud they will hear it at the ball." Severus flipped open her dress to expose her sodden wet panties. She was panting in anticipation, but he decided to play a little more.
"Then, while you are still coming down from your high, I will shove my cock into you and fuck you until you come for yet another orgasm. I want to feel myself inside you. I want to know that I am making you feel incredible. I want you screaming my name under me. I want to know that I have pleasured you, in my bed and on my terms." He slowly dragged his hand up her leg to feel the wetness of her panties. He rubbed his two fingers over the fabric and watched as Hermione threw her head back in pleasure.
"Just wait, Hermione. If I can make you feel like this now, just wait until I have you at the brink of orgasm." *
That was enough though for Hermione. She could not take the teasing anymore. She somehow regained control of her body and grabbed Severus by the lapels of his tux and crashed her lips onto his with as much fervor she could muster.
Severus picked her up yet again and took her near the fireplace. He stood her up for just a moment. Just long enough to activate the floo and throw a large handful of powder in.
"Prince Manor." He said.
Hermione and Severus were pulled through the network quickly. Once settled in, Severus pulled her straight up to his bedroom where he made sure every one of his promises made to her prior were fully upheld.
After replaying the previous night in her head, Hermione couldn't help but feel a bit giddy. She had slept with Severus. Sleeping with him was something she had been dreaming of since she was his apprentice and he had confessed his feelings for her. She didn't have to think of the what if's anymore. He was hers and she was his. All would be well.
Suddenly, Hermione felt Severus shift and stretch. After a moment though, he regained his hold on her and spoke.
"Hermione?"
"Yes, Severus?" She looked up at him and saw him staring down at her.
"Are you ready for round two?" He asked as his hold on her tightened.
"I thought you would never ask."
A/N: A huge thanks to every single one of you have read my story and reviewed it. I can't be anymore grateful. I will not be adding on to this story because this is solely meant for #ScratchThatNiche fest. I will be posting another one, though! I am thinking about maybe adding onto that after the contest is over.
-CassyLove23