Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or places associated with Harry Potter books and movies. All rights and ownership belong to J.K. Rowling (the lucky girl).
Chapter Ten – Payback's a Bitch
Hermione made her way to Gryffindor tower after breakfast to meet up with the late rising Ginny. Ginny was absent from the morning breakfast and had used the time to sleep in. Hermione had so much to tell her about the events of last night and this morning. Research could wait until after she talked to her friend. She needed help in deciding how she should act after her bold move this morning.
When Hermione entered Gryffindor tower she found Ginny in the common room, surrounded by a group of girls. They were laughing and talking about how she nabbed one of the most famous wizards around. Ginny glowed in all of the attention, but excused herself as soon as she saw Hermione.
"'Mione, I was hoping I would see you this morning. I wanted to tell you 'good show' last night. I could read Snape's reaction from where I was sitting. Please tell me you made that man squirm." Ginny hugged her friend good morning and started to lead her to the fireplace couch.
"I actually have a lot to tell you, but we need a little privacy. Can we head up to your room?" Ginny understood immediately and began to bound up to her room. Hermione followed her quickly and prepared to tell her all about the 'game' that she was playing with Severus, and about the letter she received from Lucius.
Ginny was bubbling with excitement about the news. She tried to stay away from the subject of Lucius, because she didn't want to upset Hermione anymore than she already was. She just confirmed to Hermione that Severus and Albus would keep her safe; but if something happened, there was always Harry to save the day. Hermione smiled at her friend's ability to make it all seem easy and simple, without a worry in the world.
"Well, I didn't go to my brewing session this morning after breakfast, because I was afraid to see Severus again so soon. I am unsure of how to act around him now."
Ginny got up from their position on the bed and went to the armoire in her room to get her wand. She conjured up a book with a few simple words and handed it to Hermione. "Here, this should help you in the future when I'm not around to give you advice. It helped me get my man. Plus, I know how you love books; they always have the answers."
Hermione looked at the small book curiously and read the title, How to Drive Your Wizard Wild with Desire. "I don't think these kinds of tricks will help me Ginny. Let us not forget that Severus is a stubborn man that made my affections for him a game." Hermione tucked the little book into her robes and crossed her arms in frustration. "Oh, Ginny, what am I going to do? It took everything in me to stop that little make-out session we had this morning. It felt so good to be in his arms, feeling his hands on my body, his lips caressing mine, and hearing him moan in response to me. I was just so afraid to let it go any further, and it only be a game to him."
Ginny hugged Hermione in a comforting way and told her to cheer up. "We'll get him to realize his true feelings for you sooner or later. In the meantime, you have to ignore him now. Act like nothing happened between the two of you. No doubt he's expecting you to come on strong again, and is prepared this time. Play it the other way. Let him make the next move. I think you'll be surprised by his reaction."
Hermione smiled in a defeated way and conjured up a little courage. "I will try." Hermione pulled out the small book Ginny had just given her and fingered through the pages swiftly. Stopping at one page she read the title and started to laugh. "I do not think licking chocolate off of his stomach is the type of advice I need right now."
Ginny started to laugh with her. "That's for later Hun, much later." Hermione got up from the bed and made her way to the door while she tucked the little book back into her robes. She knew she had to go now, she was already late for her brewing session with Severus, and he would be furious.
*******
Hermione walked slowly into the private labs in the dungeons and timidly made her way over to a studying Severus. She heard him growl in acknowledgement to her arrival. He looked up from his research and eyed her angrily.
"I hope you have a good reason for being late this morning. This is important work Hermione; I would expect better work ethics from you."
"I had to talk to Ginny this morning and inform her of the letter that was sent by Lucius last night. I want her to be knowledgeable about all of the news in case we should need her help, or Harry." Severus scowled at her when she mentioned Harry, and she knew he was still not a fan of the 'boy-who-lived'.
"Well, we should get started on the latest version of our potion; unless you have a need to torture me further." Severus got up from his seat and made his way over to their usual cauldron.
Hermione immediately wanted to come back at him and yell at him for starting this little game in the first place. But she calmed herself down and decided to play it cool. "I have no idea what you are talking about Severus. I am always a professional."
Severus snorted quietly at her last comment and started to gather the ingredients that they would need. "As long as we understand each other, let's begin." Severus flicked his wand grandly towards the board that loomed over the front of the lab, and the latest version of their instructions appeared on it. He always did this so they would remember every little detail that they had changed from version to version of the potion. Hermione started to line up the ingredients in order that they were needed, while Severus lit a small fire under the cauldron that contained their base potion. He started to stir it counter-clockwise in a slow fashion while Hermione chopped up the mandrake root that would be used this time. They both knew that mandrake root would make an unusual outcome for the potion; but both agreed that it would be worth their time to find out what type of results could be brought forth from it in this field of research.
Time went by quickly while they brewed in complete silence. Hermione paid a lot of attention to the cauldron and the instructions that were at the front of the room. Only in brief moments, when she thought he was not looking, she would glance over at Severus and watch the way he moved. She loved to watch a true master at work. He made every move with precision and exact measures. He had no room for faltering. She couldn't help but wonder if he was as graceful and sure of himself in other areas.
Hermione took over the stirring and would be at it for a long time. She used the time to daydream about Severus and his ability to make her melt. Severus watched Hermione as she stirred the potion and noticed the glazed look in her eyes. He had noticed the stolen looks she had been taking throughout their entire brewing session. It was only a matter of time before he took his revenge.
After about ten minutes of stirring Severus walked over to the cauldron and stood behind Hermione. Hermione was brought out her daydreams and suddenly aware of his proximity to her. She quickly remembered the last time she was in this situation and knew she had to keep calm and steer clear of kissing him.
Severus made slow and enticing movements as he directed her aside with a slight push of his hands on her hips. He lingered on her hips for a few moments and kneaded the curve of her waist lightly. Hermione was at full attention from his ministrations, and knew she was in for a long day.
Severus removed his hands from her waist and inspected the potion one last time. Deciding that it was time to add the final ingredient, he took a small bottle from the table and added a few drops of Hydrochloric Acid. It was a muggle ingredient that Hermione had introduced to him. It was rather dangerous to the body, but mixed with this potion it would be neutralized enough to make it okay to ingest. Hermione immediately stopped her stirring and turned the flames down slightly under the cauldron. Now they only had to wait a half hour while it simmered to perfection.
Severus watched Hermione gather the remaining bottles and bags that were left on their work table as she started to place them back in their assigned spots. That's when everything changed.
Severus swiftly came into contact with Hermione's body as he pulled her against him. She was facing away from him with his body pressed up against her back. Hermione sucked in a small breath of air as she felt Severus wrap one arm around her waist and use his other hand to wrap it around her neck and push her hair aside, exposing her neck to him. "What is it that you want from me? Hmmm? Tell me, are you trying to infuriate me, or is this just some sort of game for you?"
Severus breathed heavily along her neck and placed a small kiss on the back of her neck just below her ear. Hermione moaned in appreciation and lost her ability to stand on her own. "Oh god." Hermione shuddered and lost all sense of reason; she knew she was in his control.
"Why me, Hermione? Do you laugh at me with your friend Ginny? There must be some reason." Severus pulled away from her and turned her around to face his cold black eyes. He stared intensely into her green orbs of desire and waited for a response.
"I only want you Severus. Is that too hard to believe? I want to feel you near me." Hermione pleaded with her eyes, but knew it was hopeless. She only saw anger and hatred in return.
In a flash her world was turned into a frenzy. Severus pushed Hermione forcefully against the wall behind her. He claimed her hands with his own above her head pinning her against the wall. She was helpless to fight back. He took her mouth in his with a deeply passionate kiss. Pressing his body closer to hers he felt her leg wrap around his waist. They were both breathing hard; in short gasps as Severus released her from the kiss long enough to say a few breathy words. "Is this what you want?"
Hermione nodded in satisfaction as she moaned in utter desire. Severus released her hands and started to kiss her neck as he pulled her top off her shoulders, exposing more flesh to him. Everything was rushed and frantic. Hermione needed to feel him closer to her. She grabbed his waist and pressed her abdomen into his. She began to rock her hips against his, eliciting a moan from his mouth.
Severus pulled her from the wall and pushed her up on a table nearby. He pushed her onto her back and climbed up on top of her. Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist and hugged him closer to her. Severus began to unbutton her top and work his way down her chest with each opened button. Hermione moved her hands to his hair and guided his exploration. She wanted to feel more of him. She felt his desire for her pressing into her abdomen.
All of sudden Hermione felt cold with the absence of anyone near her. She opened her eyes to find Severus stepping away from her catching his breath. "What's wrong?" Hermione was barely able to speak in her state of arousal.
"I told you, Hermione, if you play this game you will get burned."
Hermione sat up and looked enraged. "Oh no you don't Severus! You love me, I know you do. You want me just as much as I want you. I felt what I did to you, and you can't deny that."
Severus smirked in an evil way and let a small chuckle. "You are such a child. Poppy could elicit that kind of response from me if she rubbed up against me in that suggestive sort of manner. There is a difference between lust and love Hermione. Don't get your hormones mixed up with your head."
Hermione screamed in utter anger and grabbed the nearest bottle to her. She thrust the bottle across the room at Severus. Severus ducked in just enough time as the bottle flew past him and shattered against the wall. "I hate you!"
Severus just grinned, "Well at least we are back to the way things used to be when you were my student." Severus turned to check on the potion simmering in the room, as Hermione gathered herself up and ran from the room.
********
Hermione slammed her door as she ran into her quarters, away from Severus.
"I can't believe him. Why does he do this to me? All I can think about is how much I want to finish what he started; but at the same time, I can't stand the sight of him. I must be crazy." Hermione flung open her door to her bedroom and flopped down on her bed. Crookshanks hissed as he ran from the bed, trying to avoid being squashed. Hermione stared at the ceiling and thought about what had happened. Things would have to change if she was going to make Severus realize how much he loved her. She knew he couldn't be that good of an actor.
Hermione sighed in defeat, knowing that she was falling hopelessly in love with the most stubborn and incorrigible man on the face of the earth. Hermione rolled on her side and looked at her nightstand to see the music box that Ginny had given her. She reached over to open the box, and waited in anticipation of the music. The melodic tunes of Bonnie Raitt drifted into her room. Hermione listened and recognized the song immediately; I Can't Make You Love Me. "Ughhh….not you too." Hermione slammed the closed the music box in frustration. She didn't need an inanimate object mocking her.
TBC
Author's Note: Here's another installment in only a couple of days….go me. I hope you all enjoy my revenge, Severus style. I know he seems like quite the ass right now, but I promise he will come around. He just has to be knocked over the head a few times. I don't want him going all lovey-dovey in an instant. It must be truly Severus, in a slow, agonizing change. More to come as soon as possible, I promise.