Even though she had been teaching transfiguration at Hogwarts for the past three years, Hermione could never quite get accustomed to the vastness of the transfiguration classroom. The large space and high windows felt all-consuming in their openness, and were a stark contrast to many of the other rooms at Hogwarts, particularly the potions classroom. When Minerva McGonagall was appointed as the new headmistress and hired Hermione to take her place, she told the young witch that she had always felt happy in that classroom because it let in so much light. Now, however, as Hermione sat at her desk marking papers, she realized that she found just as much, if not more, happiness in the dark.
The sunlight streaming in through her windows was glowing orange as a lilac sky crept in. Two essays that she had deliberately stuck at the bottom of the stack were all that stood between her and her free time.
Suddenly, the large iron door at the far end of the room swung open and slammed loudly behind an intruder in a long frock coat. Hermione jumped at the sound as it broke her concentration. His footfalls echoed through the room as he walked directly up to Hermione's desk.
"Severus! No, no-wait! I only have two pieces of parchment left to grade," she exclaimed as she held up a hand to signal that he stop.
Professor Snape smirked before pulling out the chair adjacent from her and sitting down on the opposite side of her desk. "I'll wait," he said calmly. Snape plucked an hour glass from her desk and turned it over between his forefinger and thumb. He fidgeted patiently while Hermione finished marking.
"Alright," she said as she added the last paper to her neat stack."Done."
Professor Snape replaced the hourglass on her desk, ensuring that Hermione saw all the sand at the top when he did. She bit her lip as it slowly fell through to the other side.
"Professor Granger," he began in a voice so heavy with need that it made Hermione feel weak all over, "kindly come stand here." She cringed when his chair scratched against the floor and he pushed back to make space for her between his splayed thighs and the desk.
When Hermione rose she realized that his coat was draped over the top of her desk; beside her quills. His sleeves were rolled up and she was happy to see him in his casual state. She hadn't notice him taking the coat off, but that wasn't surprising since she had to be hyper-focused whenever she finished marking in his presence so as not to become distracted.
Hermione could feel her heartbeat quickening as he grabbed her hips to pull her tightly between his legs. He smelt of firewood and the eucalyptus that she had hung in his bathroom. She inhaled deeply and felt safe.
"On a scale of one through ten, how have you felt most of the day?"
The question was one she knew well. She thought for a moment. "Seven."
Severus let his hands linger on her hips for several long moments before he began unbuttoning her teaching robes. He slowly slid the garment over her shoulders and tossed it on top of his frock coat. His hands returned to her hips momentarily before he caressed the curves of her body and began untucking her shirt from the skirt she wore beneath her robes. He pulled it over her head in one, swift movement.
He left the pink bra she was wearing alone and stood from the chair and turned it around so that if one were to sit in it they would be facing away from the desk. She watched curiously until one of his hands found the small of her back, and he gestured to the chair with the other. He gave her a small nudge forward, indicating that he wanted her to kneel on the chair. Slowly, Hermione moved into position and placed one hand on the high back before climbing up.
Once she was situated and seemed to be relatively comfortable, Severus used his hands to push her feet together and then he forced her knees apart. The chair wasn't large, but the slight change in position made it impossible for her to not stick her arse out, albeit slight. Once he was satisfied, he pushed up her skirt until it bunched around her waist. He was very pleased to see that she was wearing a thong, and he slipped one finger beneath the elastic to rub her soft skin.
Hermione rested her face against the upholstered back as he walked behind her desk and sat in her chair. After a few moments he opened her drawer and took out a piece of parchment. Professor Snape then selected a quill and dipped it into her inkwell before beginning to write.
Hermione shut her eyes and tried to imagine that time was a deep lake. Even though she didn't know the depth, she knew that she would reach the bottom eventually. She imagined herself weighed down with a large rock in an effort to sink more quickly.
She didn't know how much time had passed when the scratching of the quill stopped. Hermione was startled by the silence and she realized immediately that her legs were numb. Her body ached and she felt particularly vulnerable in positions like this. Sticking her arse out like that made her look needy and she knew it. She peeled at him over the top of the chair.
Severus was in the same place behind her desk, no longer writing, but sitting back comfortably and looking almost smug. He said nothing, and the silence threatened to drive Hermione mad. She directed her attention to the hourglass, which was about halfway done keeping time. She felt proud that she had gone as long as she had without checking.
Hermione closed her eyes again and tried to pay attention to her breathing to keep her legs from shaking. She inhaled deeply and tried to hold each breath for as long as she could before exhaling.
Some time later, Hermione was startled when Snape stood up and walked slowly around her in a circle. His steps were slow and deliberate and she could track his movements even though she did not open her eyes. He knelt down behind her and she could feel his eyes on her skin like fire.
"Professor Granger," he began in a quiet and steady voice, "it seems that your knickers have gotten wet." He grazed the spot with his finger. Her back arched slightly and the intimate contact made her want to moan.
Severus stood up and was so close to her that the placket of his trousers nearly touched her bum. Hermione held her breath as his right hand found its way into her hair and he collected the loose curls into a ponytail with his fist. Hermione hadn't realize how much she was leaning into the back of the chair until he pulled her head up to expose her throat. He didn't pull hard enough for it to hurt, but in that moment she had given over all control to him. Her brain felt fuzzy and she could hardly make out the hourglass when her eyes began to water.
Severus leaned over her body to whisper in her ear. "You look beautiful like this, I hope you know."
Hermione relished as his words washed over her.
"Now you are going to stand up very slowly."
She tried to nod.
He released her hair and Hermione's head felt very heavy. As she mentally prepared to stand for him, she wasn't surprised that her legs started to quiver. She hissed as her cramped muscles elongated and she gripped the chair tightly as she stepped backwards. Severus wrapped his arm around her waist to help steady her.
"Careful," he intoned as he supported her weight easily and pulled her body against his. Hermione's legs were shaking and she rested her head against his chest. She didn't always feel this debilitated after something like this, but at this moment she knew she'd be in a puddle without his support. Severus held her for a long time as her breathing regulated and slowed. Once she began to take some of her own weight, he loosened his handhold around her waist.
"Take your knickers off," he said simply.
"Hmm?" She tilted her head up to look at him and his soft cotton shirt brushed against her face.
"You can't wear wet knickers to dinner. I won't have it," he said. "Give them to me, please"
Hermione hesitated momentarily before backing away from him and removing the small swatch of fabric. Severus held out his hand and, when she gave him the undergarment, he shoved the article into the pocket of his trousers.
Severus smoothed her skirt back into place before dragging her shirt back over her head. "Do you feel alright?" She nodded.
"Good," he replied, "I will see you in The Great Hall then."
Severus tossed his coat over his arm and turned abruptly on his heel. He strode deliberately through the transfiguration classroom, but as he did, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the wet fabric to smell Hermione's scent. He shoved her knickers back into his pocket as quickly and confidently as he'd sniffed them.
The heavy door slammed behind him and Hermione returned to her desk chair. She took several deep, steadying breaths and let it all wash over her. Her mind felt clear and her body was tired. A satisfied feeling washed over her and she felt incredible.
Severus' spidery scrawl caught her attention and she picked up the parchment he had left behind. She chuckled as she read what he had written: a recipe for cherry tarts, a list of various ingredients, a lesson plan about shucking bindyroot, a description of the room, and then, at the very bottom, something that made her smile tremendously. It read:
"How fortunate am I to be in the presence of such beauty and excellence."
She folded the paper and put it in the top drawer of her desk before her eyes fell on the hourglass just in time to see the last few grains of sand slip through the small gap in the glass bulb.