The fire warmed the backs of Hermione's bare legs and she was starting to feel hot all over. She grabbed the hem of her jumper and pulled the garment over her head. It quickly joined her skirt on the floor and Severus felt his dick throbbing at the sight. Her stockings accentuated her shapely thighs and her bra pushed her breasts up and together. He suddenly wanted to run his finger along the furrow between her breasts, but he resisted. He continued caressing her thighs.

"I feel like I've been thinking too much today. I just need to clear my head," Hermione said and Severus' hands moved around her waist and grab her arse. "And whether we want to acknowledge it or not I just can't believe that you were going to turn me away an hour ago…"

He squeezed her round bottom a little harder this time and grumbled at the mention of his moodiness before letting go of her to run his thumb across the damp spot on her knickers. She hissed and then continued speaking. "I never thought you'd try to turn me away like that."

"Hermione," he interrupted and he stilled his ministrations, "I am never going to help clear your head if you keep talking. Silence, please."

Hermione swallowed and nodded. He continued touching her slowly and, with the crackling of the fire the only sound she could hear, she could feel her heart rate coming down. She closed her eyes. Everything began to slow and she felt content. This was so remarkably comfortable that she quickly went to a familiar place.

Severus used his hand around her waist to pull her toward him. She moved slowly; as if she were in a dream. Her eyes remained closed and she instinctively followed his lead as he pulled her into his lap once more. This time, however, she was straddling him. With one knee between his splayed thighs and the other between his leg and the chair's arm, she sat flush again his left thigh. He draped the top half of her body across his chest and the chair arm. Positioned this way, Severus could see the curve of her plump, round arse as it stuck out and was warmed by the fire. He caressed it once before pressing against the small of her back so she'd stick it out even more.

"If it's any consolation, I didn't want to send you away," his voice snaked through the air until it reached her ear and the words registered. She opened her eyes. "I felt like I needed to send you away."

Hermione listened, but decided not to speak. Severus continued, "I'd told myself I'd never touch you like I did earlier."

Hermione turned her head to look up at him from beneath the crook of his arm, but her body remained still. "Why did you make that decision?"

He shook his head and brushed her hair over her shoulder with his hand. "I wasn't going to let it get so intimate. Little did I know that I'd lose such control…."

"Maybe it's for the best," she said. "I've wanted more for a long time."

"Why didn't you say anything?" The question was sincere.

Hermione shrugged. "I didn't want to scare you off and ruin what we have." She turned her head to lay back down over the arm of the chair. "And clearly I was right."

Severus chuckled as his right hand caressed her back and made its way to her arse. He rubbed the round, fleshy skin in gentle circles until he felt Hermione's body relaxing against his. Her breathing slowed. He knew her eyes were closed. He suddenly felt bad for being such a prick, and he was going to make her feel incredible now. The next time he spoke, his tone had changed. This voice, she liked. It was slow and melodious and matter of fact and he was going to use it to give her exactly what she needed. He could read her cues precisely and she melted into his warm body.

"You are going to clear your mind now, Miss Granger, and I want you to relax," he began slowly. "Trust that I will make it feel good. Nod if you understand." She nodded and he began rubbing her arse more earnestly.

"Recall now, if you will, that some of the most freeing pleasure is found in the bright spots between pain. I will never hurt you, but I want to make you uncomfortable tonight," his voice enveloped her and she heard his words. She felt concerned, but excited. If experience had taught her anything it was that he always knew exactly what she needed and would give it to her gladly. There was no need to ask questions.

Before she had a moment to process, his hand left her bottom and came back down with a hard smack. Hermione jumped.

"Ow! Severus!" She turned to look at him as he rubbed the spot he'd just hit. After the initial sting was gone she realized she didn't mind the way he was rubbing her.

"Shhhh," he began calmly. "Relax."

"That hurts," she whined.

"Did it not hurt when I've had you stand in once place or kneel for an hour straight? This is just a different kind of sting," he said.

Hermione was quiet for a moment. "I think I'm supposed to have a safe word or something," she said and he chuckled. "I'm serious."

"You've never asked for one before, and I've put you through worse," he said and Hermione stayed quiet.

He spanked her again and she hissed. "Say mango, if you must," he said as he rubbed the red spot.

"Mango? That's ridiculous-" he smacked her again and she jumped.

Severus leaned forward to whisper into her ear. "I don't plan on you using it. Now are you going to be quiet or are we finished for tonight?"

Hermione shook her head earnestly.

"Very good." Severus leaned back in the chair and resumed rubbing her bottom. He felt Hermione's breathing slow and decided it was time. He swatted her rump 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 times in rapid succession. Hermione tensed and then let out a low whine as the last smack fell. Her body relaxed again as he rubbed, and a large red mark spread across her flesh.

A moment later, he did it again. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Then he rubbed. Hermione was chewing her bottom lip. Again, five quick smacks. Her arse was starting to burn, but he quickly rubbed the sting away and she felt warm all over. Five smacks fell again against her but this time she focused on a different sensation. With every smack her body jumped and rubbed against his. Between her legs an aching sensation was growing that was confounded by the way she was positioned and rubbing against his thigh.

Five more heavy smacks fell against her arse and she whined as she buried her face into the side of his body. She was chewing her lip hard. One hand gripped the arm of the chair and the other sought purchase amongst the buttons on his shirt. She pulled at each source of material to try and steady her grinding, needy body.

"Relax," he muttered as he rubbed the sting away. He was entranced by the blossoming handprint on her round arse. He smacked her five more times and, on the third, Hermione arched her back.

"I'm going to come all over your trousers," she groaned as the worried words escaped her lips. Severus chuckled as he watched the rocking of Hermione's hip. She couldn't stay still if she tried. Between the smacks she continued grinding against him like a needy animal who wanted its back scratched. He hit her round, red arse five more times, but this time they fell harder than they had before.

Hermione moaned loudly as she pressed against his thigh; seeking any purchase she could find. She begun to shake, albeit subtlety, and Severus decided it was time for a break.

"Alright," he said as he began unfolding her from him, "that is all, for now. Go stand in that corner, please." He gestured to the bookcase in the corner of the room, beside the roaring fire.

Hermione was panting as she pulled herself out of the crook of his arm to look into his face. Her knickers were wet and she was breathing heavy. She felt tired, but not at all spent. She complied and Severus went to fix another drink as he watched her go to the corner in nothing but her undergarments; back and chest heaving from excitement, exhaustion, and arousal.