Once again the disclaimer: I bow in awe of J.K. Rowling genius. All characters and things in the Harry Potter world are hers. Please do not sue me. I make no money and you would undoubted piss readers off if you delay in continuing the saga as we anxiously await your next book. I have cited other fan fiction articles which have inspired me to incorporate their ideas in this story as well. I encourage you to read them. Please read and review. Thanks~ Leyna
Chapter 22: Besame Mucho
Snape floated to the dungeons that night, more uncomfortable than he had been in years. She knew just what to say. Her tone of voice was a powerful thing in and of itself, seductive and soft. Oh, to have kissed her sweet lips. He had watched her bite them, and drink wine and he was jealous of the attention she gave her glass. She was close to him at the end of the evening and he could smell the fragrance of her perfume, lilies and rain. She smells like lilies and rain.
She also had the ability to frighten him to death, turn him to putty and anger him to madness in the span of a few minutes. Gods, she was a wild one. Before tonight he had not thought it possible to forage headlong into a romantic venture, that was a pleasure he hadn't afforded himself in years. His current line of work didn't offer many opportunities, nor did his temperament. He enjoyed Hermione's company and dismissed previous gestures as polite or civil, even very Gryffindor of her. She extended the use of her lab and her home. Snape rationalized that she did so "for the good of the Order." His talents in potion making were rare after all. Certainly his trustworthiness was rarer still. Before he had dreamed of her, thinking she cold never want him, but somehow she seemed to be signaling the opposite. She kissed him. She had lingered he thought, as his cheek, not swift enough to be considered merely friendly. He hoped.
He entered his quarters, where not long ago he had found himself recovering from Voldemort's punishment from a failed attack on Muggleborns from the previous night. He'd been cursed by the Dark Lord immediately following the retaliation of Aurors he had tipped off. Wearing a mask, he could not avoid the hexes of his brothers. Snape's eyes caught the sight of the necklace but he did not put it on. He was amazed at how quickly he had healed and wondered how it had been possible. He really would have to thank her. Otherwise tonight might not have happened at all.
He dreamed of Hermione, as he drifted off to sleep. She could be seen through the mist and it seemed to take forever to reach her as he walked toward her. He reached out for her and kissed her like he had wanted to before. He buried his hands in her curls and embraced her deeply.
She woke up in a frustrated heat. Sweating, she groaned aloud with the release of another wave. This was it. Her own mother had waited over 700 years and she should've considered herself lucky. She was only 23. Had there been more of the Clisha remaining, she may have had to wait many more centuries for the transformation. He could still say no. The doubts crept in her mind.
It was morning and she decided to go for a morning run. Five miles later she returned exhausted to the apartment and made breakfast. Waffles. It reminded her of earlier in the week. God, it doesn't seem like a week. It seems like a year. Her casual freedom about her life had utterly changed when she had confronted Malfoy. Severus had been so understanding really. He was a proud man. Slytherins liked to show their prowess and she had robbed him of that by taking matters into her own hands. She appreciated his confidence in her abilities to care for herself.
Hermione turned on her stereo and selected the classical music she imagined Severus might choose. Stravinsky's Firebird. Not really good breakfast music, but good Slytherin music. Maybe a little Rachmaninov…the Cello Suites by Yo-Yo Ma.
She walked to her bedroom and cleaned the flat. But, this wasn't all there was. Opening the door underneath the rug that covered it, she took brooms and dustpans and her wand to set to cleaning up the rest of the house. She charmed them and made neat work of the enormous bedroom that lay hidden from view. The magnificent four-poster bed had been moved from her father's estate home. It was a deep mahogany, each post ornately carved in Celtic fashion. She wondered how many of her family had slept here. The notes echoed down into the chamber and vibrated in her ears. This was as clean as she could make it. The fireplace was ready, with a small divan and a table with cognac and glasses. She replaced it with wine, goblets, and a tea service.
The bathroom upstairs was a closet compared to the sanctuary that lie directly below it. Hermione took pride in her creating the work. After experiencing the vast Prefect's bath at Hogwarts, she made her best attempt at extravagance when she moved in. Living in isolation, she had plenty of time for charm work. The bath was a testament to old world elegance. Rough marble floors, fluffy white towels and a shelf of essential oils, salts and lotions adorned the minimalist walls. A tall waist high vase from the floor held fresh flowers she had ordered. Tall white lilies.
She filled the bath, scolding herself for too much wishful thinking as she did so. Petals from a variety of fresh flowers were available to throw in at the appropriate time.
She ascended the stairs, reminded of the time she saw Severus at the back of the club. A familiar ache flooded her body at the thought of him and she barely caught herself as she climbed out of the room, crouching to gather her composure as yet another wave fled her limbs. I don't know how much more of this I can take.
She closed the door and adjusted the rug, looking up find Severus looking at her.
"God! Don't do that, you gave me a start."
"Clearly, I haven't had the complete tour."
"No, not entirely." She took a breath. "I hope you don't mind, but I'm needing some private time today. Is that alright?" Her eyes winced a bit.
He looked a bit disappointed. He still hasn't solved it. "Why would I mind? I just came for some notes." He said abruptly. A bad lie and a painful one for her to hear as she anticipated their meeting tonight.
"Besame Mucho." An angry way to say such an affectionate phrase. The door swung open and he disappeared behind it coldly. It's like night and day. Did last night even happen?
The broken cauldron ahead of him reminded him that it did, and the voice behind him called to him.
"Severus, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have greeted you that way." She touched his shoulder and he turned to face her. No trace of pain was evident on his face, but he hid feeling well. "I'd like to continue our conversation where it left off, tomorrow? Is that too soon?" She wanted to respect his space and not press, but also reassure him so her intentions were clear.
"What about tonight?" He surprised her.
"Um, I have plans. I could break them if you wish…" she lead hoping he wouldn't.
"No, no that's ok." He sighed a resigned sigh of what she hoped was relief. "You do whatever it is you need to." He said this with a hint of a smile. He grabbed at some parchment which appeared to be of relatively low importance. Maybe she was forgiven.
He left and she resumed her lengthy preparations for the evening. She liked getting ready slowly. She paid special attention to each strand as she wove her long locks up. She twisted and pulled and braided until her hair was beautifully secured back. A small tendril fell forward caressing her cheek. She put on her makeup carefully, for the performance of her life. Hermione practiced all of the songs, smiling at she vocalized each true phrase. She imagined finally revealing her deepest secrets.
Eight o'clock was rapidly approaching.
Severus quickly threw himself together. He put on a simple dark suit. Did he have only black in his closet? He chose a more formal suit than the one he wore yesterday evening, The Fat Cat Lounge was a place that attracted a well dressed crowd and he wanted to fit in. Almost forgetting, he slipped on the necklace which warmed immediately, sending a wave of reassurance through his mind. He was nervous. He rummaged in the door for the letter. He had saved it over the years, rereading it in moments of despair. Resow your love by passion, repair your spirit by faith. Those last lines posed such a challenge to him. Maybe she could help me sort it out.
He gathered his coat and apparated to the London street. When he entered the club he was greeted by the owner, he knocked to someone near the back. "Good evening sir, may I take your coat?"
"Thank you." It had his wand in the pocket and he was a bit anxious to keep it with him.
The club was filled with two dozen or so circular tables, most filled with well dressed customers, sipping wine and chatting amiably, not just with people from their own tables but with others as well. White tablecloths adorned candlelit tables, and the wait staff wore formal uniforms. Most looked like they were dressed for the elegant 1920's.
The manager simply escorted him to a table in the back and hung his coat neatly over one of the chairs. Severus took a seat and found this table was meant for him. There was a note with the same note seal. There was nothing written on the card, just the seal as the greeting.
Jerry returned with an old bottle of wine in a bucket of ice and two glasses. He uncorked it to let it breathe. Severus's palms sweated as he searched the club for anyone who might resemble the stranger he was looking for. He hoped he wouldn't have to stay too long and then the lights dimmed noticeably.
He could hear the horns and violins warm up as the band prepared. The stage was dark and he wasn't really paying attention as he looked for a watch he wasn't wearing. Where was she?
Her heart fluttered as she walked up from the stairs shaking off her nerves, searching for the smooth chords she knew could erupt from her voice. She towered over the audience and smiled to herself as she made out the shape of Severus Snape.
The violins and flutes started and then the strumming Spanish guitar… no turning back now… she emerged from the darkness into the light with the beginning or the deep alto tones.
Bésame…bésame mucho…
That phrase…he looked up. Hermione. His mouth fell agape.
Como si fuera esta la noche, La última vez…
It was off the shoulder and had a long slit which revealed her right leg as she walked forward. The thin flesh-colored fabric was studded with black crystals which swirled beautiful patterns and glittered across her body reflecting the lights of the club. She looked straight at him, singing to him, showing some of her soul.
The audience clapped and whistled, welcoming her back, applauding her
choice of music. She was clearly a favorite and Severus could her the whispers…
"S'like old times, it is." He saw her wave and make eye contact with some of
the patrons who obviously knew her.
He heard the Spanish stanza again, kiss me. My sentiments exactly.
He sighed as he slowly processed the gifts she had bestowed upon him. He shook his head and touched the warm charm beneath his suit. He looked up and saw her finger hers as well. She's worn that pendant for years. Hermione had been the one who healed him. She had been dreaming of him and saved him. She smiled at him. Gods she was beautiful. Wait, she had to be seventeen when she gave me the letter. His head was spinning from the revelation as she launched into the next song. All of her movements and gestures enhanced each phrase, she touched the air around her and spoke to the crowd with her fluid rhythm. Her hips swayed and her hands followed her frame as she felt the music.
Each time I see a crowd of people… sounds of the tinkling of piano keys…more clapping Just like a fool I stop and stare… It's really not the proper thing to do… But maybe you'll be there.
I go out walking after midnight… Along the lonely thoroughfare... It's not the time or place to look for you but maybe you'll be there…
Hermione was blissful. She felt right, reassured, still nervous but happy to see Severus smiling more than she had seen ever. It was easy to perform up here because it meant she had more time postpone the thought of what she would say.
Song after song she sang… No Ordinary Love, S'Wonderful, and Lush Life. He could scarcely believe that beautiful rich vibrato belonged to her.
As she ended, the audience stood cheering and clapping, whistling. "Thank you. I missed you too." She said in a comically seductive voice and with a smile. That earned a laugh from the crowd. Someone shouted a request and she held up a hand and obliged after the clapping ensued again urging her on. One more, she held up a finger and cued the band.
At laast… my love has come along…
Severus looked at her absorbing each note.
A dream that I could call my own… I found a thrilll to press my cheek to…A thrill lthat I have never known…
And you smiled… and then… the spell was cast… and here we are in heavennn... for you are mine, at last.
A tear escaped down her cheek, She smiled at him and replaced the mike in its stand. The clapping continued but she gracefully bowed and exited as the next performer took the stage. She made her way down the left side of the club as the dark parted around her. She walked slowly and approached him touching his shoulder and she sat in the chair he pulled out for her. She took the wine and poured each of them a glass. He regarded the vintage. The label wasn't clear at all. The wax seal on the bottle read 1673.
"It won'r poison you, it has been well preserved by a fine wizard." They drank and he looked at the glass, truly a fine red.
"I'm speechless." He didn't know what to say.
"I'm afraid I'm to blame." She winked. "I guess I really haven't told you everything. Are you angry with me?"
He shook his head, his right hand rested on her arm. "Hermione, why did you mention something earlier?"
She covered his hand with hers. "I really don't think my explanation would've been well received by you seven years ago, do you?" She sipped again and smiled at him. "It took me eight months to figure out how to make this," she poked at the pendant underneath his shirt. "Elemental magic, you know. Uruz…the earth sign. C'est moi. I'm glad you found it of use."
"I found the poetry more helpful actually," he volunteered.
"Really? I hoped… I figured you were probably lonely and needed some comfort. I couldn't be that person for you when I was a student, but I felt it from you. You felt… so low. I couldn't bear it."
She sensed he apprehension. He thought she was pitying him. "No, no, no…" she shook her head and put down her glass. "It's not that at all. There is much more. Come with me?" Her expression changed to a lighter one.
They looked at each other for a long while. And Jerry looked on the couple with pride as he saw the young girl he knew grow into a fine woman. They rose from the table, taking the wine with them, and she left after waving to Jerry. The owner was confident everything would work out. She wished she had his confidence.
They entered her flat and she put down her purse. But she didn't stop in the den. She led him to the bedroom by his hand and he followed. "Besame mucho," she whispered. The bookcase swung open and she walked into the lab, retrieving the keys and they entered the long corridor. They walked side by side. And she inserted the key. She turned and looked at Severus.
"Severus, what I am about to share with you I have told no one. My father made this and most of these items belonged to him." She opened the chest as her thumb made contact with the brass.
Gods. The Blood of Merlin himself and the blood of Leyna Rountree. Snape's mouth hung open as he stared at the words. Merlin. Now he really was speechless.
A few moments passed until Severus let out a breath he'd been holding.
"Your parents?"
"Yes. Merlin was my father." She gazed at him.
After waiting another long moment, he noted her father's wand mounted behind the vials. "How is it possible?"
"Like elemental magic is possible? Like vampires are possible? Like you are possible." Her eyes penetrated his cavernous gaze. She turned and he followed her slowly. She locked the lab behind her, and removed the rug.
Hermione knelt to lift the door, but he brushed her hand aside sweetly. He was at least going to do this much. She descended the staircase first into the warm room. With a wave of her hand there was a crackling fire, and the candles were lit by the time Severus reached the floor. He was surprised at the intimacy of the room. Obviously I haven't seen everything. She took a seat by the fire. The room was cool like his dungeons and decided he was comfortable.
He sat beside her, and she put down the wine bottle. She took his hands in hers and regarded him. She was searching for something. Maybe it was her nerve.
"So you didn't give me the complete tour," he said with his usual sarcasm.
Your going to get a complete tour all right if I have anything thing to say about it. Desire. So striking. Focus Hermione, focus. The wave welled up inside her. "I think bringing you here last weekend would've been a bit of a shock."
"I like surprises." Spit it out woman. Gods, was I just coy?
"It's not really fair for me to tell you this all at once."
"Forget about fair. It's not. I watched you, excuse me, we the teaching staff and your friends all watched you suffer for years with your visions and these bursts of energy. I've waited long enough for a straight answer from you."
"Okay." She took a deep breath. Here goes.
"I am the last of my line. My mother is a Clisha," she began. "She was clairvoyant, among other things, and she was cursed by her feelings for a man she would not meet until she was 763 years old. Clisha take one mate for all time. A life of celibacy must have be difficult stretched over hundreds of years waiting for her beloved. She dreamed of him for years before his birth. The women of my people are a passionate lot. They are consumed by a life of service and it was a dangerous one at that. Despite their long life they are mortal. Most died out during war time. My mother died in childbirth. She passed on my father's seal to me, a seal they made together, a representation of both of their families."
Severus stared at her. He was stunned. Hermione, in a life of celibacy…dreaming of her one love… for all time. It began to sink in.
She reached for the small brass piece on the table and handed it to Severus. "Thankfully, I of course am only twenty-three. Customarily my ancestors married vampires and other dark creatures. Their blood, love and compassion changed them forever, the union making them mortal, but long lived. Therefore Merlin lived a great deal longer than 200 years. He was the first wizard the Clisha had ever chosen for a mate."
She took a deep breath and whispered the next sentence. "You're the second." She waited.
Gods. He understood but didn't budge. His lips parted in wonder.
"You choose me?" A sharp intake of breath.
"In away, I suppose I did. I never thought predictions included choices, but it must actually be a reflection of the choices we will make." Her thumb traced his knuckles in a circle.
His skeptical and acid nature claimed hold of him, he was closing up fast, the familiar defensive mechanism that protected him for years by shutting off others was getting in the way of this unforeseen event. She felt it and grimaced inwardly at his disbelief. He did not trust easily. She was afraid.
"Why me? Why choose me… not Harry Potter, or Lupin?" He shook his head. You're crazy. I'm not the one you take home to meet your folks.
"The first time I knew…I dreamed of you that Christmas. Do you remember seeing mist in the lessons?"
"That was me? You were 16!" This is absurd. You were a child and how could you know? Gods you're still young. His heart searched for a logical way out, and escape to the safety of the dungeons. But there was no one waiting for him there.
"I was deeply troubled then, but your presence during those lessons strangely comforted me. I knew you were not the most outwardly kind person I'd ever met, but when I saw you it made perfect sense. I felt your emotions many times over that year… when I was still struggling to control my gifts." Hermione said this with a voice of utter calm and serene composure. Unshakable, focused, definitely a reflection of her schooling.
"You fell in love with your teacher. I hurt you, don't you remember?" His voice was harsh but unconvincing.
"You saved me, from what would've otherwise resulted in my death or permanent coma. If you hadn't pushed me so hard, I would've never got control." He scoffed atthat. He didn't believe that for one moment.
"Don't sell yourself short."
"Speak for yourself."
A grimace told her he'd been implicated in his own statement.
"I saw the wooden puzzle box on your desk during a test. You were occupied in thought and I could sense your feelings of unworthiness. You were so wrong. Love isn't earned or deserved, it's freely given. How can we know why or how? It simply is. You are a fine and honorable man, Severus. Over the years you've made great and painful sacrifices anonymously, personally, professionally, spiritually… I can identify with that. I suppose that makes you the ideal choice for a Clisha, for me. Even if I had to choose from all of the men of the world I would still choose you. My mother… I couldn't imagine waiting 700 years for you. Seven has been hard enough already." Tears came to her eyes and she raised her hand to touch his cheek.
The contact was too much for him. He stood up sharply and staggered backward. "You're crazy." His tone was laced with icy disbelief.
"You bet I am. Don't rub it in." She tried to make the situation lighter. This approach wasn't working with this stubborn man.
She took it as a compliment. How dare she?
" I'm disagreeable. I don't play well with others."
"Obviously." She managed her best impression of her former Professor.
He turned to her. "I don't know what you see in me." A whisper. He made no eye contact.
You want me to go there? Fine. She slowly approached him mindful of his body language. Is he afraid of me? Can he receive a compliment? Maybe not, but he's not retreating.
Severus watched her glide toward him, non-threatening but he was fearful nonetheless. He still tried to look down, turning from her a bit. She knew he could lash out, but he wouldn't not to her, not now. She walked more slowly now and craned her neck to look up at him.
Meeting his gaze she spoke quietly but with strength. "Severus, you are the most dedicated and honorable man I've ever known. I see it not just in how you conduct your classroom, or because of your efforts as a spy. Your actions speak for you. You have your own code, and you stand by it. You make no excuses; you don't feel the need to explain yourself. It may not make sense to anyone else but it does to you. You don't wear your heart on your sleeve. You get little recognition from anyone for what you do and the fact that you're a Slytherin and do these brave and honorable things anyway, with no glory, astounds me. And you listened to me. Really listened… not just to my ranting about potions and classes but you waited for me at the flat. After Malfoy. You were genuinely concerned for my welfare, me, not some nameless individual. How could you think after all of that, that I could not desire you, not love you?" She raised her hand again and touched his left arm gently.
He shook his head as the confused feelings welled within him. She felt his proximity and another wave roared underneath her skin. She could not resist and crouched low, closed her eyes almost in pain and a harsh breath escaped her lips. The burst of light expanded throughout the room and through Severus' body as well. "Can't you feel it?" She gasped. He knelt beside her and grasped her shoulders gently guiding her to the couch by the fire where she could relax. Her skin was warm from the fire glow and from the recent phenomenon. "I choose you, Severus. What do you want?"
He let out a breath as he tried to catch his bearings. "I have spent most of my life a secluded man. It was purposeful. At first I isolated myself after leaving the Death Eaters to turn spy. Then it was a penance. I didn't deserve to have a normal life. Then I began to like it, the solitude. I can hardly think of me living any other way now." Hermione saddened a bit at this and felt the rejection coming. Severus noticed her expression right away and changed his tone. "However, I have noticed you a long while, and felt guilty for those thoughts. I've watched you grow into a beautiful woman, and now, after you tell me of all this, and your determination...." He took a deep breath and tipped her chin to meet his eyes. "You're so radiant, I can scarcely bring myself to touch you. I don't know how you can care for me, but thank you."
"You have feelings for me?" she asked insecurely.
"Gods, Hermione! Of course I do, how could I not? I cared for you even before I knew about your connection to the seal." He was holding her at arms length now, trying to avoid pulling her into an tight embrace.
He brushed the lock of hair behind her ear desiring to touch her face. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
Gods, marriage. Years of bachelorhood, isolation. Now this? His vision swam.
"If I say yes, what will it mean?" He asked seriously.
She thought carefully about her response. "You and I would live a long and beautiful life together. Some of my family have lived for over two thousand years before their deaths. I know not everyone would sign up for that." She took another breath. "I am the last of my line. I am certain we would bear many children."
Children, hadn't thought about that. The last of her line though…
Another breath, "and it is not uncommon for each partner to acquire some of the gifts and abilities the other possesses. Long life is one. Clairvoyance, telepathy, elemental magic, and teleportation."
"You mean apparition, don't you?"
"No, the way I returned from Malfoy Manor was instant, no incantation. Sheer will brought me here, and I don't know how I did it. Doubtless I will need a bit more practice."
"You sure do lay a lot on someone for a second date." He laughed a bit.
"I told you it was a long story. Are you okay? Do you require an enervation potion or something? Smelling salts?" She vainly attempted to lighten the mood with sarcasm. He was much better at it.
The firelight reflected in her eyes making them flicker. Ten minutes must have passed before he spoke. She let the silence hang. He took her face in his hands and in his deep tone said, "Hermione, I have waited for someone like you all of my life." I choose you.
He leaned in to kiss her, and her, her love. As their lips drew together in their kiss, the wave—years of want unbearable no longer, pushed out of her being and engulfed him. He gasped and continued the kiss, letting the feeling overcome him. She shuddered with the contact and embraced him intensely. He smelled of musk and sweetness. Tears streamed from her eyes as she felt the relief of acceptance. He accepted.
Severus caressed her face with his hands and examined her features, memorizing each curve and line with his fingertips. He brushed away her tears of joy. She loved the way he looked at her. She adored him. She kissed him deeply again drinking him into her, and she lost herself for a moment. They explored each other, tongues darting in and out of each others mouths, tasting and sucking. He kissed her ear and nibbled her neck. She almost passed out with the delight of it.
She had fantasized for years about what she would do but now it was a distant blur.
He pulled her close to him and she was on her feet. His hand was resting between her shoulder blades and he held her like a dancer. She felt supported and warm. Reassured. Intimate.
She risked a bit more. "I love you, Severus. Thank you so much."
"Oh, Hermione." He looked deeply into her being and returned her gesture. And I love you, Hermione. He couldn't speak. He tenderly brushed her lips with his, and she felt excitement catch in her throat. The audible intake of breath brought him to a place of arousal he had not anticipated.
Leading her to the bed, he unzipped her evening gown as she slipped her hand under his coat removing it in one fluid motion. Her fingers floated over the buttons as she deftly unfastened each one. She kissed his chest as she did so but he brought her chin up to meet him and he turned her back to him pressing her close to him. His hands explored her hips and waist, caressing her lovingly as he kissed and nuzzled her neck. She groaned with pleasure as he enjoyed her. "Musical one aren't you?" he murmured low in her ear, unzipping the side of the dress with excruciating slowness.
That timbre was too much. He pulled the dress off her right shoulder and it fell to the ground revealing her exquisite figure. She gasped again as feeling thewarmth of him next to her bare skin.
She pulled away and turned to look at him. She tugged at his shirt and his lip curled in a smile of approval at her forcefulness. "Turnabout is fair play." She removed his shirt and let her fingers trail down his well defined arms. Her eyes never left his but he was soon preoccupied with the sight of her lacy black undergarments. Her nipples, taut from provocation pushed at the lace in her delicate bra, the black in sharp contrast with her porcelain skin. She wore a garter belt and silk hose, beautifully decorated with a floral motif at her thighs.
Gods, her thighs. He felt her reach for his waistband and pulled him toward her. Hermione kissed him hard and with the passion of her people. Previous joinings had been near battles. Each partner tried to devour the other. She doubted this would be any different.
He was shocked as she knelt quickly breathing on him and grasped his fingers pulling them to her mouth as she stood again slowly, making sure each part of her body touched him intimately. She threw him a seductive look as she put his fingertips to her mouth brushing her lips. She flicked her tongue out at them and slowly took one in her moist mouth. She sucked on his index finger. Then his thumb. His eyes widened with surprise at her daring. I don't deserve this.
"Yes you do," she whispered.
"Stop doing that," he scolded playfully.
"I c-can't. I imagine it won't be long before you can read me. Can you imagine how much more interesting this could get?" Her voice was a whisper in his ear, she used each word to advance his pleasure. She turned him around and unhooked his slacks with a flick of her finger.
She painfully unzipped them as his sex pushed outward yearning to find its own way free from the confines of fabric. He shuddered and she was pleased with her methods. He stepped out of the pants and left them in a heap on the floor. He pulled her to him again, their bodies touching. His breath was hot on her face and neck. Severus' hands trailed down her back to her buttocks and he put one knee between her thighs.
Oh God. He heard her whispers of pleasure echo in his mind. Hermione.
Yes, Severus. Don't stop...
Gods. Reaching between her legs, he lifted herup to face him, setting her on the high bed. She slid backward and turned in a half crawl, exposing her hip and buttocks to him beckoning him to climb in.
Vixen.
She grinned at him and bit her lower lip reaching out for his hand and pulling him into bed.
His black glossy mane hung around his face shadowing his features as he knelt down to kiss her. He teased her flesh with his teeth and tongue, rewarded by her small groans of pleasure. His attentions moved from her chin to her neck and breasts, breathing heavily on her skin, barely touching her, threatening to withdraw at she became more excited with each nip. She tried to refrain from stirring, willing him to have his way with her. Excruciating as it was, she focused on each erotic touch and pat. He took her right nipple in his mouth pushing at the firmness of it though the lace. He explored her frame with his hands lightly sending electric currents through each part of her.
It was his turn to gasp as an ocean of ecstasy flooded her body radiating out to catch him. They were connected now, earth and water, body and spirit. He felt the waves as she did, her destiny had claimed him as a partner and he felt inextricably linked to her. It was her turn to torture him.
She fixated her eyes on his as she pushed him over, firmly positioning the palms of her hands on his inner thighs. Mentally she pushed her body heat toward her finger tips and his eyes widened as he recognized the power of it. Her lips parted returning his expression, kissing and caressing his chest with her lips, brushing his erection with her bra. Frustrated, he quickly removed her bra, exposing the delicate flesh tight from stimulation. He looked at her lovingly, longingly as she returned his gaze and began teasing him with kisses below his pelvis. She slipped a finger under the waistband of his shorts and tugged at them, pulling them to his ankles. She followed the lines of his finely sculpted body, not bothered by the multitude of scars. She kissed each one sweetly, and unexpectedly one by one they began to fade. Love is a healing thing.
A number of Clisha had been healers. Hermione never thought that was a process that could come about during love making. She thought of the dark mark, one she might be able to help with, if he chose. It belonged to him, to his experiences. She saved the thought for later, and refrained from kissing other cursed places. These were sacred memories and scars that could not vanish with a mere kiss.
What is it? He had noticed her moment of distraction, and she refocused her kindnesses in using her mouth and teeth to lightly graze his inner thighs, looking up at him as she did so. She tried to keep eye contact with him, he liked to watch her exploring and tasting his flesh. She touched and stroked him with the lightest of touches and he stiffened. At this she longed to feel his lips under hers and as she rose slowly her breasts grazed him tauntingly, she kissed each part of him on the way to his face.
What was that look? It looked pained, and joyful. Disbelief? "Severus? What is it love? What can I do for you?"
He exhaled and held her close to him, whispering in her ear, "I just can't believe, I can't believe I'm finally holding you." They lay there a minute, enjoying the warm embrace, lying in the intimate awareness of their emotion as they kissed and appreciated each others faces.
"I just want to look at you. You could have said no, y'know? God, you could have said no." She shook her head and felt hot tears behind her eyes. "That would've been more than I could bear. There's no one else I've ever dreamed of. No one, since my first vision of you." She held his face in her hands and looked deeply into the black pool of his stare with affection that could only be possessed by someone who loved him. She loved him.
She kissed his eyes and face and neck and returned to her previous objective. She only wanted to please him, to delight in the music of his excitement. Her breasts grazed his testicles sending shivers of unexpected pleasure through him. Smelling and licking his skin, she descended on him teasing the tip of his penis with her fingers and tongue tasting his early arousal, and blew warm breaths blew down the length of him. His shaft pulsed with the sensation of her, his hands responded behind her neck. He attempted to free her hair from the confines of the ribbon that secured it.
"Not yet," she whispered. She nudged her nose below his shaft and sucked on the rounded flesh, pinching his thighs as she did so. She imagined kissing his lips fully as she did this and he gasped suddenly, he didn't know where she was. How could she be in two places at once? Gods, woman. She sucked repeatedly and slowly leaving him breathless. The sensations overwhelmed him and he let out a low growl.
Rolling her on her back, he removed her garter and stockings as he kissed her belly and hips. His hands spread her legs slightly apart and warmed her moist sex as he began to stroke and probe her soft curls to search her wet folds in search of erogenous places. Slowly he stroked her, licking and sucking her small nub until she cried out his name. That alone almost made him come. He studied her responses as an experiment, and stimulated her until she was furious with excitement. A finger found it's way inside her, shallowly rubbing the prominent mound of pleasure. Nnnnn…ah! She cried a bit as he teased her.
Their exhaustive lovemaking extended far beyond what they would've normally been able to tolerate. Each stopped before entirely pleasing the other, as Severus begged her to stop and pulled her down on the bed. They were covered in sweat, panting heavily, their anguish far beyond pretty. "I want you inside me, please!" He obliged her teasing slowly at first until he felt the pressure, pushed firmly into her stroking her slowly and exploding in her pleading wetness. They came together—swallowed again by the light, the final detonation of their desire, finally permitted release.
Consumed by love, they held each other. They kissed and appreciated the calmness as they finally heard sounds of rain and thunder previously drowned out by their cries of passion.
He lifted his left arm to brush damp hair from her face and gasped as he noticed the pale skin. "Oh my God! Hermione! What happened?" He looked at the virgin skin on both arms free of the cursed scars that littered his body, free of the dark mark which bound him to Lord Voldemort, forcibly released from his service.
"Oh, Severus!" She teared up and cried, "I'm s-so sorry. I didn't mean it!"
"What are you talking about woman?! I certainly hope you meant it! Thank you, thank you…" he looked positively filled with joy.
"Y-you're ok with it? I th-thought… you can no longer be a spy. Won't he know? I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing." He silenced her with a flurry of kisses. She laughed.
"I thought you'd be mad. You have a lifetime of experiences, Severus. You're scars represent those things. When I kissed them before and they just vanished, I stopped. I w-wanted it to be your choice."
"That is kind of you, but first of all," he said silkily, "as you have notified me before, I have clearly not had a lifetime of experiences…" he trailed a finger along her waist. "We have many lifetimes ahead of us, I believe. I don't need a physical reminder of my past, my memories are quite sufficient reminders of my mistakes. I don't miss them."
"Now, is there anything else you haven't told me?" he asked sarcastically and with a roll of his eyes. He was mocking her.
She patted his shoulder playfully, "No.. I don't think so."
The smile disappeared from her face. "Wait, there is one thing. I didn't mate with a vampire tonight."
"I noticed."
"I mean I didn't free a dark creature as my people are famous for, and I have the opportunity to…"
"Remus?" He sounded excited. "How?"
"Yes, I can help him before the next full moon. It's kind of personal, so don't get jealous or anything. One kiss and he'll never transform again, if he wishes it. Of course, we can still work on the Wolfsbane research. A cure will still be valuable."
"I have been very impressed with your research into the cure for vampirism, Hermione. I know that I haven't been the most encouraging colleague. But, your work is brilliant. It really makes me more optimistic about our lycanthropy problem."
Our lycanthropy problem. We are a we. An us. "Severus, I know I couldn't tell you so many things before, but I promise I won't hold back anymore. There's so much I kept to myself out of necessity, I'm so glad I have you to share my life with."
"Feeling renewed are we?"
"Yes, very much."
"That dream I had about you—you were dying in the forest but I couldn't help you. I kept waking up screaming because I thought you were dead. I didn't know when it would happen."
"Sibyll did."
"What?"
"She arranged for all my classes to be covered for several days, I imagine she knew we'd be 'occupied' as well. Professor McGonagall is teaching Potions untilnext Wednesday." He smiled a wicked smile.
Hermione blushed. "Well then. Would you like a bath?" She raised an eyebrow, an attempt to mock him. He laughed out loud and tickled her. She laughed andheld up a finger warning him off. She slid out of bed asking him to wait.
She heated the water in the large bath, an enormous marble square adorned with candles. She scattered the flowers and added salts and oils.
She peeked out and blindfolded him with her hands beckoning him to come in. When she released his eyes, he stared at her beautiful figure. She pulled the ribbon from her hair, and he watched as the cascade of hair fell, playing about her legs, an attribute of many ancestors before. Breathtaking. They slid in together spooning each other and washed one another. Severus smiled as he saw the lilies. You smell like lilies and rain. Lilies and rain.
She heard him and smiled.
Author's Notes
"At Last" has been performed by a multitude of singers, and can be heard with many other fine songs such as "Lush Life" sung by Queen Latifah, on the Living Out Loud Soundtrack.
Besame Mucho, S'wonderful, and Maybe You'll Be There are all on Diana Krall's the Look of Love Album.