Snape's POV

"Well! Let's go then!" I shot up and said, a little too enthusiastically. Although a part of my mind was trying to tell me to stop acting so childish, I did not care. I was ready to really see what this was all about. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued, but also somewhat fearful of what I was about to learn.

Lucious chuckled, grabbed my hand, and took me back out into the hallway. He led me into a large room, where there were several people, in various stages of undress. My face got hot as I was trying desperately to keep my eyes to myself. I didn't want to make eye contact with anyone, and I was so embarrassed and ready to run. That fire whiskey took all my coldness and confidence, and I feel like a child.

Lucious sat me down at a booth, and handed me some water. He pointed to one corner of the room, where a woman was kneeling on the ground, wearing only a collar. She wasn't facing us, but I could clearly see the outline of her naked body, and I could feel the heat of my embarrassment increase dramatically. Her head was bowed and she was next to a man who was speaking to another patron. He gently stroked her hair during her conversation and she seemed utterly serene.

"That is Master Bates and his submissive Ana. They have been members here for about 2 years, but have been in a BDSM relationship for over 7. See how she kneels, calmly and obediently next to her Master. She is quiet well behaved, but even so she is known for her brat tendencies. I don't believe a week goes by when Master Bates doesn't have to punish her, because of her mouth."

"Punish? What do you mean, punish?" My face was even redder now, and I sipped the water slowly to try and calm myself.

"Well, it depends on the sub, the severity of the infraction, and their arrangements with each other. In Master Bates' case, Ana is usually in for a sound spanking. Some Dominants will punish their subs publicly, but Master Bates prefers privacy. He will occasionally..." Lucious broke off as Master Bates rose turned and scolded Ana. She looked up at him, with a defiant face, and said something we could not hear. Master Bates turned to his companion, apologized for the interruption, stood and picked Ana up, slapped her bare bottom hard three times, and marched her out of the room. "... occasionally give her warning swats in public, if she does something to embarrass him, as you have just witnessed."

I looked around to see if anyone else had noticed the scene, but most people were too busy with their own roles. In the center of the room, a female Dominant was showing some other couples how to tie their partners up with her wand. She seemed to know several fancy spells that did the most exquisite knot tying that I had ever seen.

"Ah yes, that is Mistress Stacy, and her submissive Wesley. They work here at Imperium, as couple trainers. They take on new couples who want to begin the lifestyle together. That rope work you see, is one of their specialties. They create new ways to be tied. The incantations they use are quite unique. Remember how I told you that submissive hold the power? Well, if a scene gets too intense, and the submissive wishes to stop and be untied, all they have to do is say the safe word. As soon as that happens, the binding disappear and cannot be replaced until the submissive allows it." Lucious explained.

"Why would they even allow themselves to be tied up and be vulnerable like that. Like why not say the safe word immediately to prevent it from happening at all?" I asked.

"That is an excellent question. Generally speaking, the submissive wishes to be dominated. The submissive wants to be tied up or punished or told what to do. Some couples live this way full time, others choose only to do so in the bedroom. There is an amount of freedom and release that a submissive feels when they give themselves over to their Dominant." Lucious looked at me, and smiled softly. "It allows the submissive to get out of their own heads and let someone else take control, someone else to take care of them."

I could see how that would be nice, but I didn't understand how being tied up could be freeing. Not having to worry about anything would be really nice. I wouldn't have to think about Lily, my parents, my life that is going nowhere, my worthless existence...I was spiraling. This is why I hate fire whiskey.

"Fuck. I need to leave. Now." I almost yelled. I'm in a full panic. People looked over at Lucious and me, and I spared a glance at Lucious. I couldn't tell how he was feeling. Lucious told me to stand and took me to a separate room and sat me down.

"All right, that's enough. I brought you here, because I think this is just what you need. You need to be trained. You need to learn to let go, and trust that someone will take care of you. You need structure and discipline." His tone was authoritative, and he seemed to be getting impatient. He was trying to sound kind, but there was no denying the edge in his voice.

"You will not be my Dominant. I will not serve you or sit at your feet. Fuck! That!" I was getting heated, and I didn't care anymore. If he thinks that I'm just going to bend to his will, he's got another thing coming.

"That is quite enough." It wasn't Lucious speaking.