THE STORM

"Severus, where are we going?" Hermione asked; feeling a little put out the mood had shifted again.

"You'll see, just trust me, mm-k??" Severus pulled her down the hallways and up the steps, till he reached the 4th floor corridor. Severus stopped at an odd painting of a fuzzy pink bunny. "Password," the bunny asked.

"I love Sirius Black." The painting swung open.

Hermione choked at the password. Severus shrugged and said, "Would you guess that??"

"No, makes perfect sense," she laughed.

They began climbing a circular set of stairs, leading high up into the very top of the castle. At the top was a Dark Green door. Severus swung it wide and motioned for her to precede him. She stepped into the most incredible room.

The room was huge, octagon shaped like the top of the towers. Like the Great Hall, the ceiling was enchanted to reflect the weather outside. All around the perimeter were floor to ceiling windows, covered in Forest Green velvet drapes. Outside, she could see the wind howling and blowing, but the room was secure against the forces of nature.

Severus walked to the fireplace and with a flish of his wand, got a roaring fire lit. Two wingback chairs flanked a long sofa in front of the hearth.

To one side of the fireplace, a large cherry wood four-poster bed stood. Bed curtains to match the windows hung around it. A silver satin comforter graced the mattress.

To the other side of the fireplace, a large bath was sunken into the floor. It was edged in Grey marble tile and could easily accommodate two.

He motioned to a door behind the tub. "The dressing room and bathroom are through that door."

Hermione held her arms out and slowly turned around, taking it all in. "What is this place?" she asked.

Severus stopped her revolutions and moved them in front of the sofa. He sat down and pulled her down next to him. He wrapped one arm around her and gathered her close. "You know that during the war, I was a Ministry spy." He felt her nod her head against his chest.

"Well, Voldemort was not known for his kindness. He frequently tortured and abused even his followers. He took an especial interest in making me suffer, probably because I was able to physically and mentally withstand more than the others."

Hermione sat up beside him and raised her hand to his cheek. "Oh Severus," she whispered and kissed him gently.

"Now, Hermione, let me finish, please." He pushed he away a bit and settled her against him again. "Voldemort was particularly fond of the Cruciatus curse. As you know, someone who has been exposed to crucio is very hypersensitive to light, sound, touch, for quite a while afterwards. Albus let me have these rooms to recover after my visits with the Dark Lord. After the war, he said I had earned them and they were mine. I only use them in the summer and on Holiday breaks."

"Unfortunately with a house like Slytherin to keep an eye on, I must remain in the dungeons when the students are here."

"So, I now have a question for you, Hermione." He lifted her back up, so he could see her face as he asked, "Would you care to spend the holidays here, with me?"

Hermione got shakily to her feet. She walked to the window and looked out at the blowing snow. "Severus, I know this is the fumes talking…."

Severus had her by the shoulders, spinning her around to face him. He ducked his head, so he could look her right in the eyes. "Hermione, this is not the fumes. I told you downstairs I could feel it; I meant I could feel it wearing off. They're worn off."

He kissed her then, passionately, with every fiber of his being. He crushed her to him, so that she could hardly breathe. Still he continued on, assaulting her senses with his mouth. He moved down her neck, sucking and biting his way to her collarbone. She knew she would have marks, but she didn't care. She grabbed his hair and drug him back to her mouth.

Her obvious encouragement spurred him on. With a feral cry, he swept her into his arms and moved to the bed. He whispered a word against her mouth and the bed was turned down. He lowered her onto the softness of brushed flannel sheets.

Above them, around them, the wind howled. Within the room, the storm brewed just as fiercely.

With shaking hands, they divested of each other's clothing. By the light of the fire, Severus looked at the woman below him. He learned her body. He memorized that when he touched her here, she moaned; a suck there and her back arched; a lick and her hips were bucking.

She followed the same course, learning what made him stop breathing, groan, even scream her name.

They had pushed each other to the edge. His hands moved down, to prepare his entrance. She cried out as one, then two fingers slipped inside of her; while his thumb worked the sensitive flesh above.

Her hips rocked against his hand and he could wait no more. He moved above her, and settled himself between her legs. She shifted below him, trying to bring her hips up, to force him inside her.

"Gods, Severus. Now. Please."

With a thrust he buried himself in her. He stopped and looked at her face. The fire was reflected in her eyes; but the fire behind them was hotter. His eyes never left hers as he began to move. Slowly, he began so slowly. He withdrew almost completely time and time again. And time and time again, he returned.

Her eyes rolled back and closed. He stopped moving. "Open your eyes," he ordered her. When her gaze was fixed again on him, he began moving again.

Hermione struggled and fought. Her senses were so overwhelmed by the sensations running through her body that she just wanted to throw her head back and ride the wave. But he wouldn't let her. He grounded her, forcing her to see him. Denying her if she closed her eyes.

The climb was longer this way, for both of them. But, the pinnacle was so much higher, too. A final, hard thrust pushed her over the edge. The sensation of her muscles milking him, drug him down with her. Together, they flew down the side of the slope. Together, they lay entwined at the bottom.

Outside, the storm raged on. Inside they slept in warm flannel, wrapped warmly against the cold night outside.

The next morning, they awoke to bright shining sun. The blizzard was over. Hermione stretched languidly and smiled as she felt the man behind her react.

He brought his mouth to her ear and said, "You never answered my question, Hermione. Will you spend the holidays here, with me?"

She wiggled her bottom against the hardness pressed up against her backside, earning a groan from him for her troubles. "I thought that subject was settled, but if I must spell it out, then, Y-E-S I will."

Then, she looked over at the fireplace. On the hearth was a wrapped gift.

"Severus, what's that??"

His head popped up beside her and he noticed the box, too. "I don't know. Hop out and grab it."

She did as she was told and when she turned around, she saw the desire in his eyes as he watched her. "You just wanted to see me naked, " she accused and dove back under the covers.

"Yes and what of it?" Severus captured her mouth and began to explore her once again.

"Wait. C'mon, the tag says it's for you. Open it," she ordered.

"Wait? The bloody box can wait, Christmas isn't for 3 days yet." He continued his attentions.

Hermione pushed his mouth away again. "I said open the box, or you'll be waiting for 3 days, too."

He sat up and yanked the box from her hands, mumbling to himself "I thought Christmas was about love and feelings, not about presents." He tore the silver paper from the box. His complaints continued, "Just trying to get a little love and maybe cop a feel or two." He lifted the lid. He mimicked her in a falsetto voice, "Ooooh, Severus, look at the pretty present. Oooh you have to open it NOW!!! Ooooh"

He moved the tissue aside and his jaw dropped. A piece of paper fluttered to the bed, where Hermione snatched it up quickly. She read out loud, "Severus, I heard about the unfortunate situation that Peeves has caused there. I hope Miss Granger is not too disappointed about missing her visit with Harry." She looked up at Severus, who was still staring at the box. "How does he find these things out? Oh well, anyway. 'I've owled the Potters and let them know what happened so they won't worry. Hopefully this little gift will help make your holidays a little merrier for both of you. Sincerely, Albus."

"Severus, what's in the box?"

Severus was actually blushing. "I'd like to know where he gets his information, too." He reached into the box and pulled out an assortment of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Body Paints.