I'm not going to recap anymore. You should know what this is about, because you should've read the previous chapters, ne? Yes, well, tut tut if you haven't. Don't worry, I love you anyway.
We walk back to Severus' bedroom, not going along with my idea of going to Minerva's office and snogging passionately just to spite her. We'll just do that tomorrow at breakfast, where Potter and company can witness it too. Mwahaha.
Severus locks the door behind us as I go to sit on the bed, swiftly taking the bag from his hand. I pull out the leather-studded corset.
"Care to explain?" I ask.
"Yes," he replies. "That's mine."
"Oh, really?"
"Yup." And with that, he takes the corset and goes into the bathroom. I sit, grinning, on the bed, waiting for his return. After about ten minutes, he emerges, corset in hand, wearing just his boxers (silk, with little purple stars).
"Too small," he tells me. "What don't you try it?"
I cock an eyebrow, taking in the sight of his semi-nakedness, then stand up and go to try the corset on myself. Surprise, surprise, it fits perfectly.
"Sneaky little bugger," I say, opening the bathroom door just a crack. "You knew this wouldn't fit you."
"No, I swear I'm normally that size!" he approaches the door. "Does it fit?"
"Yes…" I say, cautiously.
"Show me then!" he swings the door open, not giving me enough time to hide behind the shower curtain. "My, my, my…"
"What?" I ask, defensively, putting my hands on my hips.
"Oh, nothing. Just needs to have the laces tightened a bit."
"I'm already practically coming out the top!" I proclaim, but he starts yanking the laces tighter anyway.
"Stand still," he tells me.
"I… can't… breathe…."
"Really?"
"No, I can. I swear, you're only doing this to cop a feel."
"Oh no," he says. "I would cop a feel anytime. OK, done. Look in the mirror."
Reluctantly, I turn to see my reflection in the mirror.
"All I need is the thigh-length boots and a whip to really look like a dominatrix."
"That could be arranged," Severus says, grinning.
"No!"
"All right, save that for tomorrow… joking!"
"This is really uncomfortable, you know," I say, trying to adjust myself.
"Take it off then," he tells me, will a mischievous glint in his eye.
"No, I think I'll keep it on, thanks," I go back into the bedroom. "What time is it?" I ask.
"Um… nearly eight."
"I'm getting tired."
"It has been a long day. How about you get changed into something more comfortable and I'll make us something to eat."
"Sounds good," I yawn widely and take the nightdress about of the Ad Libitum bag to go get changed. Once I'm in the bathroom, I try to undo the laces of the corset, but to no avail. Fumbling around with tired fingers, I realize it's tied quite tightly and haven't a hope of doing it alone.
"Severus," I moan sleepily. "I can't get this thing off."
He comes bustling out of the kitchen. "Allow me, mademoiselle." Skillfully, he undoes the knot, and I have just enough time to grab the corset before it falls down. Severus grins, "too bad," and goes back into the kitchen. The nightdress fit well, though more the kind of well that would be appealing to Severus, rather than myself. Clingy in all the right (or wrong, depending on your viewpoint) places, and extremely comfortable. It shows an unfortunate amount of cleavage, however, which I feel could be distracting and/or dangerous. Somewhat reluctant, I enter the kitchen where Severus is just pulling something out of the oven.
"Smells wonderful in here," I declare. "What is it?"
Not turning around, Severus responds, "roast chicken, roast potatoes and garlic asparagus."
"You made an entire roast meal in ten minutes?" I ask, incredulously.
"One of my many talents. It'll be ready in a couple minutes, so you can take a seat." He indicates over to the table in the corner. It's big enough to seat at least ten people, but only two places are set, opposite each other in the center. I take my seat and examine the lovely silver cutlery. Two minutes later, Severus comes over, carrying to plates of delicious looking food. Just as he's setting them down, he looks up at me. His jaw drops.
"What is it now?" I ask impatiently.
"The… uh… the…" he stammers.
"Come on!"
"Well, it's just that… uh… you look… very nice…" he gulps.
"Uh… thank you… I think…"
"Very… nice…"
"This food looks very nice, too," I pick up my fork. "Are you going to eat?"
"Yes, of course…" he takes his fork and makes an attempt to stab a potato, but stabs his napkin instead.
"If you don't remove your eyes from my cleavage, you're going to end up stabbing yourself with the fork."
"I'm not…" he grins. "Sorry."
And despite this apology, he still remains fixated on my chest for the rest of dinner, making any conversation I attempt rather one-sided. When the last scraps are cleaned off my plate, Severus takes me by the hand and leads me back into the bedroom. Almost immediately, I collapse onto the bed.
"Tired, are we?"
"Just a bit…" I climb under the warm, heavy covers. Severus makes for his sleeping bag on the floor, but I clear my throat loudly.
"This bed was made for two."
He grins, and joins me.
"Now for some dessert," he declares, producing the chocolate body paint he had purchased from Honeydukes earlier.
"Not to put you off or anything," I say. "But, I am so stuffed from that wonderful dinner. Why don't we save that for later?"
"Whatever would please my lady."
I snuggle up closer to him and lay my head in the crook of his next.
"Besides, all I need for dessert is you."
With a flick of his wrist, the lights go out.
To be continued…
Just to clarify, Mercury and Severus do not have sex. I am all for sappy, unconventional romances (like this one), but I refuse to go into graphic detail. So, all you folk looking for some dirty love scene can just put your smutty minds back into the gutter where they belong because I'm having none of it. I must ask you a question though - what do you think Mercury/I looks like? I've never given any description, so I'm wondering if you've just formulated your own visions or are just too busy fantasizing about Snape. In any case, I'd like to know what you think.
On a different topic, I saw Lord of the Rings a week or so ago (twice, actually), and it pains me to say it, but it was much better than Harry Potter. I think Ian McKellan (Gandalf) would've made a wonderful Dumbledore. The guy who played Aragorn could definitely be Sirius Black. Personally, I think Liam Neeson should be Lupin, he's yummy. Angelina Jolie should fit in there somewhere; she's a fox. Ha, ha, ha.
Mother Mercury (who definitely wouldn't refuse if Snape/Alan Rickman wanted to use chocolate body paint with her)
