Disclaimer: All belongs to the great JKR, except the plot.
A/N: Thank you to Sunglow999 for beta reading. And now a round of tumultuous applause foooorrrrr...Sonia! She's come up with the new title of..wait for it, wait for it.... "The Union of the Snakes". Congratulations Sonia, I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek of chapter 3. WARNING: Those pesky lemons have escaped again - please be on the lookout further in this chapter, and don't read if you're allegic!
Chapter 3 - Dear Hermione
They were late for dinner, and entered the great hall to a round of applause. Severus flushed slightly but Hermione grinned and acknowledged them with a curtsey. The others watched as Severus carefully seated Hermione next to him and held her hand possessively in his.
"She'll need that hand to eat with, Severus." Remus said slyly.
"Unless you're going to feed her, in which case I don't think my stomach could stand the sight." Sirius gagged.
"And you don't want any comments about cradle-snatching or babies, do you?" Hooch chortled. Severus glared at her.
"I think that's enough teasing for now." Dumbledore smiled.
"Or do you want to carry on with any more infantile comments?" Severus said sourly.
"You said it!" Sirius was gasping with laughter by now. Hermione removed her hand from Severus' and grasped her wand under the table. Pointing it in Sirius' direction, she muttered something only Severus could hear. There was a bang, and Sirius' chair shot out from beneath him, dumping him on the floor. He leapt up, wand at the ready.
"Children! Children!" Dumbledore tried to take control before dinner turned into a brawl. Severus stood up, ready to defend Hermione.
"Enough!" the uproar ceased as Dumbledore finally got everyone's attention.
"We will now sit down like the adults we supposedly are, and eat. Severus and Hermione; I'm sure you will forgive your colleagues their.."
"Idiocy?" Severus finished wryly.
Severus listened as Hermione was drawn into conversation by Flitwick; soothed by the sound of her low voice and gentle laughter. He caught Remus' eye and smiled slightly as the other man raised his glass to him.
~~~
Making their way to Dumbledore's office after dessert, Hermione slipped her hand into his and squeezed gently. He looked down into her eyes and smiled. Remus had been right; he should be down on his knees at her feet.
Albus was rustling some papers on his desk as they sat down and he looked up to see the younger man raise Hermione's hand to his mouth for a kiss. He smiled to himself.
"Ah, here we are." He waved a sheaf of papers that looked suspiciously like letters. Severus stiffened defensively.
"And they are?" he enquired.
"Letters from parents."
"If it's about our relationship, then I take full responsibility." Hermione spoke up.
"Spoken like a true Gryffindor." Severus said dryly.
"No, no, my dear. Even if there had been any inappropriate comments made about you, your impending announcement would negate the need for me to say anything."
"Then if they're not letters calling for my resignation, what are they?" Neither Severus nor Hermione realised that there hadn't been any students around apart from Draco when he'd swept her down to the dungeons, so gossip was only confined to the faculty members.
"They are letters from parents, Hermione, praising you for your help with their children over this last year. Would you care to explain?"
Hermione reluctantly related the story of Neville and how it had all snowballed from there.
"So you've been Hogwarts Agony Aunt all year? Have you ever thought of counselling as a career choice?"
"No..."
"We had thought that Hermione could continue her education here." Severus explained his idea to Dumbledore.
"An excellent idea, my boy. I'm sure the teachers would enjoy the challenge, and I would like Hermione to continue her work with the student body. Someone nearer their own age to relate to regarding any problems they may have, can be beneficial, rather than approaching the somewhat more intimidating figures of the faculty." Dumbledore twinkled over glasses at Severus.
"It would mean more studying.." Hermione's thoughts raced at the possibilities.
"When has that ever deterred you?" Severus smiled at her.
"I'm sure I will have the full support of the school governors, and the position does come with a small salary..."
"Yes! I'll be happy to help, Headmaster." Hermione smiled at him. Severus grinned to himself. This would solve all their problems, and she would stay with him.
~~~
Hermione dragged Severus to the library after they left Dumbledore's office. He stood beside her as she gathered the books she was after, handing them to him; self-help books, psychology, parenting...parenting? What did she want those for?
"Hermione? Parenting books?"
"Yes. The terrible teens, hormones etc. Didn't you have them as a teenager?"
"Not that I remember. I do have them now, though." He dumped the books on a nearby table and pulled her into his arms.
Dragging her to a dark recess, he lifted her against him, raising her thigh to angle her closer to him so she could feel how she affected him. She slid her hands into his hair and tilted her head to give him better access to her neck.
"We shouldn't.." she moaned
"What, the Library's sacrilege?"
"No.."
"The books can't see."
"Don't be so sure. The restricted section..." she panted
"Is nowhere near. Don't tell me you've never thought about doing it in here?" he growled, sliding a hand under her skirt and up over her satiny thigh. He was shocked, and aroused, to find that she'd neglected to put on any underwear.
"Hermione!"
"Shocked you, eh?"
"What am I going to do with you?"
"I'm hoping you know by now.." one of her hands was undoing his shirt buttons and delving inside, working its way lower to the obvious bulge in his trousers.
Quickly freeing himself, he lifted her up against a bookcase and thrust into her wet depths, groaning as she clenched tightly around him. One hand holding himself steady against the shelf and the other cupping her bottom, he stroked in and out, waiting eagerly for the small mewling noises she usually made when they made love. There was silence.
He looked down into her flushed face and saw her mischievous eyes glowing back at him, her lip caught between her teeth. Her eyes widened as he circled his hips, but she refused to make a sound. So that was how she wanted to play, was it? In dead silence? He smiled wickedly and ground against her, feeling her tighten. Her nimble fingers made short work of the buttons on his shirt and the slid round to his back, raking her nails lightly down his spine. He shuddered slightly and kissed her, sweeping her lips open with his tongue, knowing it played havoc with her senses.
Hermione didn't know how long she'd last. He was pushing all the right buttons, and a few more she didn't know she had! The shelf was digging into her back, but the thrill of what he was doing made up for any small discomfort. He pulled out and lowered her feet to the ground. She nearly protested, but this was her fantasy; making love in complete silence. She wondered if he could do it, as they'd been quite vocal down in the dungeons.
He dropped to his knees and slid his hands under her skirt, lifting it up slowly and baring her thighs to his gaze. His thumbs on the inside of her thighs, he leaned forward and followed them with his mouth, working his way to the top where the curls glistened at him. She leant back and parted her legs, tilting her hips forward for him. His tongue snaked out, tasting her, and he caught the sound of her harsh breathing. Her white knuckles were clenched against the bookshelf, and her thighs were trembling in his hands.
His mouth moved against her slick folds, the heady scent of her arousal in his sensitive nostrils, her taste on his tongue. He slid two fingers into her, searching for that spot that he knew would send her over the edge. Together, his mouth and hand worked in perfect harmony, and she rocked against him, one hand now buried in his silky hair holding him in place. He glanced up and saw what was possibly the most erotic sight he'd ever seen. Her head was thrown back and the hand not in his hair had wrenched open her shirt, unsnapped her bra and was cupped under a breast, teasing the dark nipple to a hard point. He shuddered and twisted his fingers inside her, feeling her ripple around him. His mouth worked around her and she shuddered as she came with a soft gasp, arching over him, her hands falling limply to his shoulders. He stood up slowly and caught her close to him, feeling her shaking in the aftermath of her orgasm. She raised her head and drew him in for a kiss, tasting herself on his lips. Her hand dropped to his own arousal and he tightened his hand on hers, thrusting towards her.
Hermione pulled back and sank to her knees, her eyes meeting his and then dropping to their hands. Leaning forward, her tongue licked a path from the base to the tip, brushing his hand away. Her eyes captured his again and didn't leave as he watched her tongue circle the tip and then her mouth engulfed him, plunging him into her wet depths.
Never in his life had anything felt so good, or wicked. There was always the possibility of discovery, so he kept her hidden, thanking the founders of Hogwarts for the design of voluminous robes. Her mouth moved slowly on him, taking her time to discover what pleased him and what made him shudder. He felt his release building and tried to withdraw, but she held his hips firmly in her hands, pleading with her eyes. With his hand on the back of her head, he nodded, guiding her movements in time with his thrusts. He bit down on his lip to keep from crying out as he came, just the sound of their harsh breathing audible in the dark recess.
He sank to the floor and brought her across his lap, enfolding their semi-nakedness in his robes. He kissed her, gently clipping her bra together with shaking fingers and fumbling with the buttons of her shirt.
"I win." She murmured.
"What?"
"Our bet."
"What bet?"
"You said I wouldn't be able to keep quiet."
"Well, it is the Library."
"But doing it here wasn't part of the fantasy."
"So I made it easy for you."
"And just how does that figure?"
"You're always silent in the Library."
"Severus Snape!"
"Hermione Granger!" he grinned at her and pulled her in for a kiss. When his knees felt steady enough, he helped her to her feet and they straightened their clothing properly. Hermione re-buttoned her shirt and helped him tuck his shirt back into his trousers. He batted her hands away when they attempted to linger at his fly.
"Behave!"
She laughed and hugged him, squeezing his backside affectionately. A cough sounded and they sprang apart, turning to see Madam Pince three bookshelves away. Gathering up Hermione's books, they left the library, praying she hadn't seen anything.
Madam Pince smiled to herself. It was a good job she had excellent hearing, or it would have been quite embarrassing for them if she'd returned these books half an hour earlier...
~~~
"And just where did you learn that?" Severus's deep voice came from the depths of their bed. Hermione snuggled closer.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"That didn't answer my question."
"You didn't answer mine."
"Yes, you know damn well I enjoyed it, now tell me where you learned it!"
"I read about it in a book."
"That's in a book?"
"Yes."
"Which one?"
"I'll show you." She hopped out of bed and delved into her trunk, then dived onto the bed, scrambling under the covers.
"'The Art of Seduction'? Where on earth did you find this?" Severus was flicking through the book, eyes widening at some of the graphic nature of the content.
"Remember at Christmas when we bumped into each other at the bookshop? You were in the self-help section."
"I can't remember which section I was in. All I can remember is retreating there when I saw you come in."
"You were hiding from me?"
"You'd been haunting me from the time we started the new term. I had no idea why you affected me the way you did. All I knew was that every time I saw you I panicked. If I'd known this was your bedtime reading..."
"You'd have made a move sooner?" she whispered seductively.
"I may have been a bit more prepared." He corrected. He was still reading the book and Hermione peered over his shoulder.
"See anything interesting?"
"I hope you're not going to be handing out this sort of advice?"
"No, there aren't any more young teachers to seduce, seeing as you're taken. And God help any seventh year who takes it into her head to try while I'm around."
Severus turned to her, surprised at the stormy expression on her face.
"Jealousy?"
"I don't share."
"Why on earth would I want anyone else? No one has ever seen past the greasy bastard persona, except you."
"But you're not anymore."
"No, but a few cosmetic charms can solve that."
"No, my love. I want everyone to see what I fell in love with. Anyway, you'll be wearing my ring too."
"On my finger, I hope, not through my nose."
"Oh, I don't know, a ring in your ear would be quite fetching.."
"I'll get my ear pierced the day Sirius gets his nipple pierced."
"Ah, Severus..."
"Yes, my love?"
"Prepare yourself.."
"Don't tell me.."
"He had it done at Christmas."
"How the hell do you know?"
"Hagrid let it slip. Apparently he saw him down by the lake."
"Gods, I think I'm going to be sick..."
"I'll make an appointment for you, shall I?"
"Hermione.." he tossed the book aside and lunged for her. She squealed with laughter as he pulled her underneath him.
"I think a nice silver snake shaped ring..."
TBC
A/N: Thank you to Sunglow999 for beta reading. And now a round of tumultuous applause foooorrrrr...Sonia! She's come up with the new title of..wait for it, wait for it.... "The Union of the Snakes". Congratulations Sonia, I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek of chapter 3. WARNING: Those pesky lemons have escaped again - please be on the lookout further in this chapter, and don't read if you're allegic!
Chapter 3 - Dear Hermione
They were late for dinner, and entered the great hall to a round of applause. Severus flushed slightly but Hermione grinned and acknowledged them with a curtsey. The others watched as Severus carefully seated Hermione next to him and held her hand possessively in his.
"She'll need that hand to eat with, Severus." Remus said slyly.
"Unless you're going to feed her, in which case I don't think my stomach could stand the sight." Sirius gagged.
"And you don't want any comments about cradle-snatching or babies, do you?" Hooch chortled. Severus glared at her.
"I think that's enough teasing for now." Dumbledore smiled.
"Or do you want to carry on with any more infantile comments?" Severus said sourly.
"You said it!" Sirius was gasping with laughter by now. Hermione removed her hand from Severus' and grasped her wand under the table. Pointing it in Sirius' direction, she muttered something only Severus could hear. There was a bang, and Sirius' chair shot out from beneath him, dumping him on the floor. He leapt up, wand at the ready.
"Children! Children!" Dumbledore tried to take control before dinner turned into a brawl. Severus stood up, ready to defend Hermione.
"Enough!" the uproar ceased as Dumbledore finally got everyone's attention.
"We will now sit down like the adults we supposedly are, and eat. Severus and Hermione; I'm sure you will forgive your colleagues their.."
"Idiocy?" Severus finished wryly.
Severus listened as Hermione was drawn into conversation by Flitwick; soothed by the sound of her low voice and gentle laughter. He caught Remus' eye and smiled slightly as the other man raised his glass to him.
~~~
Making their way to Dumbledore's office after dessert, Hermione slipped her hand into his and squeezed gently. He looked down into her eyes and smiled. Remus had been right; he should be down on his knees at her feet.
Albus was rustling some papers on his desk as they sat down and he looked up to see the younger man raise Hermione's hand to his mouth for a kiss. He smiled to himself.
"Ah, here we are." He waved a sheaf of papers that looked suspiciously like letters. Severus stiffened defensively.
"And they are?" he enquired.
"Letters from parents."
"If it's about our relationship, then I take full responsibility." Hermione spoke up.
"Spoken like a true Gryffindor." Severus said dryly.
"No, no, my dear. Even if there had been any inappropriate comments made about you, your impending announcement would negate the need for me to say anything."
"Then if they're not letters calling for my resignation, what are they?" Neither Severus nor Hermione realised that there hadn't been any students around apart from Draco when he'd swept her down to the dungeons, so gossip was only confined to the faculty members.
"They are letters from parents, Hermione, praising you for your help with their children over this last year. Would you care to explain?"
Hermione reluctantly related the story of Neville and how it had all snowballed from there.
"So you've been Hogwarts Agony Aunt all year? Have you ever thought of counselling as a career choice?"
"No..."
"We had thought that Hermione could continue her education here." Severus explained his idea to Dumbledore.
"An excellent idea, my boy. I'm sure the teachers would enjoy the challenge, and I would like Hermione to continue her work with the student body. Someone nearer their own age to relate to regarding any problems they may have, can be beneficial, rather than approaching the somewhat more intimidating figures of the faculty." Dumbledore twinkled over glasses at Severus.
"It would mean more studying.." Hermione's thoughts raced at the possibilities.
"When has that ever deterred you?" Severus smiled at her.
"I'm sure I will have the full support of the school governors, and the position does come with a small salary..."
"Yes! I'll be happy to help, Headmaster." Hermione smiled at him. Severus grinned to himself. This would solve all their problems, and she would stay with him.
~~~
Hermione dragged Severus to the library after they left Dumbledore's office. He stood beside her as she gathered the books she was after, handing them to him; self-help books, psychology, parenting...parenting? What did she want those for?
"Hermione? Parenting books?"
"Yes. The terrible teens, hormones etc. Didn't you have them as a teenager?"
"Not that I remember. I do have them now, though." He dumped the books on a nearby table and pulled her into his arms.
Dragging her to a dark recess, he lifted her against him, raising her thigh to angle her closer to him so she could feel how she affected him. She slid her hands into his hair and tilted her head to give him better access to her neck.
"We shouldn't.." she moaned
"What, the Library's sacrilege?"
"No.."
"The books can't see."
"Don't be so sure. The restricted section..." she panted
"Is nowhere near. Don't tell me you've never thought about doing it in here?" he growled, sliding a hand under her skirt and up over her satiny thigh. He was shocked, and aroused, to find that she'd neglected to put on any underwear.
"Hermione!"
"Shocked you, eh?"
"What am I going to do with you?"
"I'm hoping you know by now.." one of her hands was undoing his shirt buttons and delving inside, working its way lower to the obvious bulge in his trousers.
Quickly freeing himself, he lifted her up against a bookcase and thrust into her wet depths, groaning as she clenched tightly around him. One hand holding himself steady against the shelf and the other cupping her bottom, he stroked in and out, waiting eagerly for the small mewling noises she usually made when they made love. There was silence.
He looked down into her flushed face and saw her mischievous eyes glowing back at him, her lip caught between her teeth. Her eyes widened as he circled his hips, but she refused to make a sound. So that was how she wanted to play, was it? In dead silence? He smiled wickedly and ground against her, feeling her tighten. Her nimble fingers made short work of the buttons on his shirt and the slid round to his back, raking her nails lightly down his spine. He shuddered slightly and kissed her, sweeping her lips open with his tongue, knowing it played havoc with her senses.
Hermione didn't know how long she'd last. He was pushing all the right buttons, and a few more she didn't know she had! The shelf was digging into her back, but the thrill of what he was doing made up for any small discomfort. He pulled out and lowered her feet to the ground. She nearly protested, but this was her fantasy; making love in complete silence. She wondered if he could do it, as they'd been quite vocal down in the dungeons.
He dropped to his knees and slid his hands under her skirt, lifting it up slowly and baring her thighs to his gaze. His thumbs on the inside of her thighs, he leaned forward and followed them with his mouth, working his way to the top where the curls glistened at him. She leant back and parted her legs, tilting her hips forward for him. His tongue snaked out, tasting her, and he caught the sound of her harsh breathing. Her white knuckles were clenched against the bookshelf, and her thighs were trembling in his hands.
His mouth moved against her slick folds, the heady scent of her arousal in his sensitive nostrils, her taste on his tongue. He slid two fingers into her, searching for that spot that he knew would send her over the edge. Together, his mouth and hand worked in perfect harmony, and she rocked against him, one hand now buried in his silky hair holding him in place. He glanced up and saw what was possibly the most erotic sight he'd ever seen. Her head was thrown back and the hand not in his hair had wrenched open her shirt, unsnapped her bra and was cupped under a breast, teasing the dark nipple to a hard point. He shuddered and twisted his fingers inside her, feeling her ripple around him. His mouth worked around her and she shuddered as she came with a soft gasp, arching over him, her hands falling limply to his shoulders. He stood up slowly and caught her close to him, feeling her shaking in the aftermath of her orgasm. She raised her head and drew him in for a kiss, tasting herself on his lips. Her hand dropped to his own arousal and he tightened his hand on hers, thrusting towards her.
Hermione pulled back and sank to her knees, her eyes meeting his and then dropping to their hands. Leaning forward, her tongue licked a path from the base to the tip, brushing his hand away. Her eyes captured his again and didn't leave as he watched her tongue circle the tip and then her mouth engulfed him, plunging him into her wet depths.
Never in his life had anything felt so good, or wicked. There was always the possibility of discovery, so he kept her hidden, thanking the founders of Hogwarts for the design of voluminous robes. Her mouth moved slowly on him, taking her time to discover what pleased him and what made him shudder. He felt his release building and tried to withdraw, but she held his hips firmly in her hands, pleading with her eyes. With his hand on the back of her head, he nodded, guiding her movements in time with his thrusts. He bit down on his lip to keep from crying out as he came, just the sound of their harsh breathing audible in the dark recess.
He sank to the floor and brought her across his lap, enfolding their semi-nakedness in his robes. He kissed her, gently clipping her bra together with shaking fingers and fumbling with the buttons of her shirt.
"I win." She murmured.
"What?"
"Our bet."
"What bet?"
"You said I wouldn't be able to keep quiet."
"Well, it is the Library."
"But doing it here wasn't part of the fantasy."
"So I made it easy for you."
"And just how does that figure?"
"You're always silent in the Library."
"Severus Snape!"
"Hermione Granger!" he grinned at her and pulled her in for a kiss. When his knees felt steady enough, he helped her to her feet and they straightened their clothing properly. Hermione re-buttoned her shirt and helped him tuck his shirt back into his trousers. He batted her hands away when they attempted to linger at his fly.
"Behave!"
She laughed and hugged him, squeezing his backside affectionately. A cough sounded and they sprang apart, turning to see Madam Pince three bookshelves away. Gathering up Hermione's books, they left the library, praying she hadn't seen anything.
Madam Pince smiled to herself. It was a good job she had excellent hearing, or it would have been quite embarrassing for them if she'd returned these books half an hour earlier...
~~~
"And just where did you learn that?" Severus's deep voice came from the depths of their bed. Hermione snuggled closer.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"That didn't answer my question."
"You didn't answer mine."
"Yes, you know damn well I enjoyed it, now tell me where you learned it!"
"I read about it in a book."
"That's in a book?"
"Yes."
"Which one?"
"I'll show you." She hopped out of bed and delved into her trunk, then dived onto the bed, scrambling under the covers.
"'The Art of Seduction'? Where on earth did you find this?" Severus was flicking through the book, eyes widening at some of the graphic nature of the content.
"Remember at Christmas when we bumped into each other at the bookshop? You were in the self-help section."
"I can't remember which section I was in. All I can remember is retreating there when I saw you come in."
"You were hiding from me?"
"You'd been haunting me from the time we started the new term. I had no idea why you affected me the way you did. All I knew was that every time I saw you I panicked. If I'd known this was your bedtime reading..."
"You'd have made a move sooner?" she whispered seductively.
"I may have been a bit more prepared." He corrected. He was still reading the book and Hermione peered over his shoulder.
"See anything interesting?"
"I hope you're not going to be handing out this sort of advice?"
"No, there aren't any more young teachers to seduce, seeing as you're taken. And God help any seventh year who takes it into her head to try while I'm around."
Severus turned to her, surprised at the stormy expression on her face.
"Jealousy?"
"I don't share."
"Why on earth would I want anyone else? No one has ever seen past the greasy bastard persona, except you."
"But you're not anymore."
"No, but a few cosmetic charms can solve that."
"No, my love. I want everyone to see what I fell in love with. Anyway, you'll be wearing my ring too."
"On my finger, I hope, not through my nose."
"Oh, I don't know, a ring in your ear would be quite fetching.."
"I'll get my ear pierced the day Sirius gets his nipple pierced."
"Ah, Severus..."
"Yes, my love?"
"Prepare yourself.."
"Don't tell me.."
"He had it done at Christmas."
"How the hell do you know?"
"Hagrid let it slip. Apparently he saw him down by the lake."
"Gods, I think I'm going to be sick..."
"I'll make an appointment for you, shall I?"
"Hermione.." he tossed the book aside and lunged for her. She squealed with laughter as he pulled her underneath him.
"I think a nice silver snake shaped ring..."
TBC