A/N: Hello everyone, see I'm a good girl! As promised I am updating again, and only made you guys wait 1 day this time. Seems that the story is flowing along nicely now, and I will be beginning chapter 23 as soon as I am done uploading this and take a quick tea and smoke break :) I do hope that you are all very happy with this chapter, and I must warn you to have a big bucket of ice handy, because you are going to need it! ;) and that is all I am going to say about that he he...
decadentserenity: As usual my dear, yours was one of the first reviews I recieved, and as usual it put a big smile on my face. I am glad that the tingling is creeping ever upwards, but just as a warning, you may need a towel for this particular chapter ;)
seph7: Well, dammit I figured it was about time. Nothing like a little Lucious action to make the big git soften up a little and maybe realize just what it is he has within his grasp. Of course, we all know our dear Severus won't stay Mr. Charming forever, best to enjoy it while we can.
Alaksandra: Ahh the sweet sweet tension, you know I love it. And don't worry my dear, they will do far more than simply share a bed soon enough.
Song Angel: Gasps Lucius! Creepy? Okay, well yes maybe a little, but he is just quite simply divine, ahh how I adore that man. Besides, I think he adds a nice bit of spice and tension to the plot, always meddling and making Severus realize things about himself.
insariosyiel: (do you have any idea how hard your name is to spell?) He he.. anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and see you didn't have to wait long for more :)
Velvet Storm: Hello again my dear, no Lucious Lucius action this chapter, I am teasing you guys a little and making you wait to see what develops at Malfoy Manor, though I promise it will most definitely be worth the wait, however, do not fear, this chapter more than makes up for the abscence of Lucius. And thank you, school was fun, but I'm glad it's over.
dubtheeunforgiven: Now my dear, don't sit too close to the screen, I would hate to know that my fic is responsible for making you go blind! he he Glad you liked her wee little confession, one that Severus most certainly uses to his advantage this time around.
KGDiva: Thank you so very much! That little scene where her mind betrayed her was actually taken from an experience I had a couple years ago, where in a moment of weakness (and no where near enough sleep) I blurted out to one of my friends that I had wanted to sleep with him for several months, I was mortified, so I certainly know how Hermione feels right now. And everything about the party will be revealed all in good time I promise.
LittleMermaid325: Well darling, hopefully I have inspired that delightful feeling again with this update. And as a piece of advice, you might want to read this chapter alone too ;) And thank you very much, I appreciate your wonderful comments :)
Well, I think that is just about everyone that reviewed this chapter, hopefully you will all be happy to see another chapter up and knowing that the next is already in progress. As always, thank you for the wonderful things you say, you all bring huge smiles to my face and make me blush like crazy. Anywho, enough from me, on with the show. Enjoy!
Pale light danced over his eyelids as Severus exhaled in a sigh of contentment, something which in his opinion happened about as often as a Weasley saying something intelligent - never. A warm weight rested against the right side of his body, fragrant tendrils of hair tickling his nose causing him to sniff and snort softly, his left hand rising sluggishly to sweep the offending curl from the tip of his nose and coming to rest upon on a tangled mass of hair. Reflexively his fingers curled within the soft cloud, tenderly stroking the scalp beneath before trailing down to caress a smooth forehead, tracing the delicate arch of an eyebrow before teasing the silken curves of long lashes that proceeded to flutter beneath his fingertips.
"Good morning" an angel's voice murmured through a mighty yawn that was soon followed by a soft and feminine chuckle.
"Mmm good morning indeed…." Serverus replied while barely restraining his own jaw-breaking yawn, his body slowly beginning to regain some control over itself. His nose twitched as another unruly curl brushed against it teasingly while the warmth beside him stretched and arched like a cat, pressing succulent curves against his all too male body while nimble fingers brushed against the small expanse of skin revealed by his partially opened shirt. While his left hand continued it's gentle exploration of the face of the angel within his arms, the fingers of his right splayed across her back, drawing her closer into the crook of his shoulder, a small buzz of electricity running through him when a pert little nose nuzzled it's way inside his shirt collar to brush against the tender and sensitive flesh of his neck. A purring moan escaped his lips at the feel of heated breath flowing over his skin, tousling his hair and causing it to pool at the nape of his neck, all the while slender fingers continued to dance over the skin of his chest, slipping ever further into his shirt sending tremors of pleasure pulsing through him. Suddenly his back bowed and a hissing breath of desire whistled past his lips as one carefully manicured nail scraped across his nipple, casting his mind and body into a whirlwind of sensation and need.
Grasping the wrist of that torturous little hand he drew it towards his lips, pausing to place a kiss upon the tip of each finger before rolling onto his side and slowly opening his eyes to look down into liquid brown pools filled with warmth and light, and then he froze. With one finger a hair's breath from being plunged into his mouth he froze in panic and fear as he saw Hermione's face staring back up at him. Her eyes were heavily lidded, her lashes drifting ever closer to her cheeks while her chest rose and fell steadily beneath the worn and somewhat threadbare fabric of her over-sized sleeping shirt, her breaths labored with desire and anticipation.
"Miss Granger" he gasped breathlessly as fear gripped his heart and made his fingers tremble around her wrist.
"Yes Professor?" she whispered as silkily as Lucius Malfoy, though her voice held none of the sting and hidden poison that his did, instead it spoke only of tenderness, a need for his touch and the possibility of so much happiness that were Severus a weaker man he would have wept simply at the sound of it.
"Time to get up Miss Granger" he said flatly, somehow managing to keep the longing from his voice yet unable to invoke it with even an ounce of his trademark bitterness. He watched with bated breath as she blinked her eyes a few times to clear her still slightly fuzzy mind and then slowly rise to lean on one elbow while looking at him with a puzzled expression furrowing her brow.
"Professor?" she asked in confusion, the skin of her wrist still tingling from his touch, the scent of him still lingering in her nostrils and her body now aching to feel the comforting solidarity of him pressed against her once more.
"I said time to get up Miss Granger" he replied with a little more bite in his voice, though still it was weak in comparison to even his most gentle of reprimands. Quickly withdrawing from her, Severus swung his long legs over the side of the bed and thrusting the bed curtains apart rose to his feet, padding across the room towards the bathroom, the swiftness of his movements almost toppling a bewildered and slightly irritated Hermione from the bed. Sighing in exasperation when she heard the soft click of the bathroom door closing Hermione flopped back on the bed, her arms stretched out to either side of her on the spacious bed as she mentally berated the man in the other room. Bloody man, you would think my touch burned the way he recoiled from me! One minute he's hot, mmm so very hot and the next he is as cold as ice, what in the name of Merlin is his problem? But soon her mental reprimands drifted away, becoming fragmented and slurred as she slipped back into sleep, unconsciously burrowing down into the blankets and curling around the pillow that still held Severus' warmth and spicy scent.
Meanwhile Severus lounged sullenly against the cool tile wall in the shower, barely registering the sensation of the almost scalding water cascading over his chest and abdomen. With a growling sigh he roughly rubbed his hands over his face to expel the lingering weariness from his mind and to perhaps inspire some common sense in his muddled thoughts. Gods that be give me strength he thought desperately as he squeezed his eyes shut all the tighter and pressed the heels of his hands to them groaning at his own weakness and the crippling emptiness he now felt at not having her nestled in his arms. This girl has somehow managed to bewitch me, what dark power does she possess that I can be so easily swayed by the softest of touches and the most tender of voices? Is this some cruel trick, wherein soon I shall wake and find this all to have been a dream? Sweet Merlin, this girl is going to be the death of me he thought as he slowly lowered his hands from his face. Tilting his head back to rest against the tiles beneath the arching snake shower head Severus let the water run unobstructed down the long sweeping line of his throat, pooling in the sunken hollows of his collar bone before running in winding rivulets down his chest, curving around and over the unending roadmap of scars that littered his flesh, each a testament to the trials and torments he suffered through without recognition or gratitude.
Growling low and rough at his own thoughts of weakness he pressed his shoulder blades against the tile behind him further extending his abdomen into the flow of the water causing his back to arch in a way that perhaps some would consider sensual. Since when have I cared for gratitude? When did I suddenly require thanks for the things I have done? It is foolish to wish for these things, and receiving them would surely be a swift death sentence. If the Dark Lord knew of my duplicity the Dementor's Kiss would be a blessing compared to the tortures he would bestow upon his most traitorous servant. Long and masterful fingers glided over prominent hipbones, tracing the dips and swells of flesh that so many women admired and desired upon a man, the slender and almost feminine curves of his hips that swept down to meet the well-toned and defined muscles of his thighs with their light dusting of black hair. Severus was no fool, he had no false notions of beauty or even a pleasantness of features, however he knew that beneath the many layers of scars and hex wounds his body was certainly not repulsive, he was slender, perhaps a little too much so, with well defined muscles and little body hair. Granted he was as pale as death himself, but did that not add to his allure all the more? His arms while as slender as the rest of him were surprisingly strong and any who had received his touch new the miracles that his skilled fingers could perform with the greatest of ease.
In his opinion only Potions Masters and Pianists had fingers such as these, long, deft and capable of drawing the most exquisite of moans from male and female lovers alike. But how long had it been since he had done such a thing? How long since he had heard softly whimpered pleas whispered against his ear, or felt the sudden flood of heat race through another's body as they reached their pinnacle? How long since he had found his own release and felt the waves of calm extend through his own body? Too long he surmised as he felt the familiar stirrings within his abdomen, the tightening and flexing of muscles in his pelvis and the swelling of long unattended flesh. Graceful fingers moved of their own accord, sliding effortlessly over water slicked skin, following the gentle curve of his stomach, passing through the fine trail of soft black hair that lead down to the junction of his thighs where his flesh now stood tall, proud and aching for his skilled touch.
A growling moan of pleasure fell like a prayer from his lips as those long tapered fingers wrapped around the hardened mass of tingling nerves, pulsing veins and straining muscles, his eyes fluttering shut as his head rolled from side to side against the tile. However, it was the thoughts that raced through his mind and not his masterful ministrations that caused his hips to jerk forward suddenly, thrusting his own aching flesh through his clasped fingers, it was the memory of Hermione's sumptuous body pressed against his own that caused his blood to pound like thunder in his ears, and an almost choking tightness to surround his chest. A deep crease furrowed his brow while his eyes danced rapidly beneath their lids, his lips parted just enough for his breath to whistle past them with great speed and heaviness, his tongue hovering just at the edge of his teeth, occasionally darting out to moisten his lips. The memory of her body arching so sensually as she awoke slowly, the bowing of her back pressing her surprisingly womanly breasts against his side, the small bud of a nipple scraping across his flesh even through the layers of her shirt and his own. A jarring shudder ran through him, causing his legs to bow slightly and his breath to hitch in his throat as the thought pushed him swiftly excruciatingly close to the edge.
"Sweet Merlin!" he gasped breathlessly as his hand reflexively pulsed around his straining flesh, imitating the feel of another body surrounding him. Suddenly his head whipped sharply to one side, his back arching at an almost impossible angle, hips thrust forward, his teeth biting into the swell of his bottom lip with almost enough ferocity to break the skin, his arms beginning to spasm as his legs trembled and threatened to give way. A wave of bubbling heat that began at the base of his skull moved with amazing speed down his spine, spreading out to every inch of his body, setting each tiny nerve and cell ablaze with sensation until all his body felt like raw and exposed nerve endings. Muscles tightened and strained, skin tingled and flushed, and blood flowed like a tidal wave crashing over him until there was nothing but the deafening rush in his ears and the barely restrained cry of almost agonizing release.
It was several long moments and many more shuddering breaths before Severus had regained enough of his faculties to slowly open his eyes, his lids heavy with a renewed exhaustion, his entire body still trembling as tightly wound muscles began to relax and loosen, and his blood slowed to a normal pace in his veins. His throat was dry and hoarse from his labored breaths while his lungs burned with the need for oxygen. Gradually he pushed himself away from the wall to glance down at his feet, watching as the last evidence of his release flowed down the drain, leaving in it's stead a consuming shame at the thoughts that had flooded his mind when at last sweet relief had come. A single flash of memory whispering through his mind caused him to groan in frustration as once again flesh began to tighten and throb with a dull aching need. Oh no, not again. I will waste no more time with this folly he scolded himself as he swiftly turned and stepped from the shower, the water immediately cutting off, leaving him cloaked in silence and a thick heated steam.
Quickly completing his morning routine of shaving and brushing his teeth and hair Severus dressed plainly in black snug fitting trousers and a crisp white linen shirt, the stiff collar left unbuttoned to reveal a small glimpse of his chest. With a lazy wave of his hand the thick steam dispersed leaving nothing but a faint trace of it's heat upon the air, and then with a forced scowl set on his face he stepped into the bedchamber and paused several feet from the bed. The bed curtains still hung partially open where he had left them, a small crack on the other side giving just enough space for a small shaft of pale sunlight to spill through and flow over the figure still curled in his bed. Plump lips pursed as a low and soft moan rumbled from her throat, the sunlight catching the small wisps of hair around her face causing them to shimmer and glow like fine threads of gold, creating a nimbus of wavering light around her creamy flesh.
Another soft whimper of contentment escaped her lips as she shifted in the bed, drawing the pillow he had slept upon closer to her body, her nose burrowing into the black silk pillowcase as it had nuzzled into his shirt collar, the memory of it making him shudder involuntarily. Heaving a sigh of frustration at the little twit in his bed and himself for being even more of a fool and actually harboring such inappropriate thoughts about her he squared his shoulders stiffly and loudly cleared his throat. Receiving a soft snore rather than the desired effect of rousing the young woman Severus growled and muttered a few obscenities under his breath as he moved around to the other side of the bed and with a small smirk perched on his lips he quickly drew back the curtains, flooding the bed with light. A delicate but rather viciously swung hand flew towards him as Hermione let out a groggy and irritated groan, seeking to bury her head beneath a pillow. Adopting his trademark stance Severus crossed his arms over his chest, a sneer of contempt firmly planted on his face, his dark brooding eyes glittering in the bright sunlight while his bare foot tapped soundlessly on the floor.
"Do you plan to stay abed all day, Miss Granger?" he groused, though his voice held the tiniest hint of amusement as he watched her writhe and stretch upon the bed as though the touch of the sun burned her beautiful alabaster skin.
Drawing the sheets over her head Hermione curled into a tight ball, wrapping her body around the pillow that smelt like a delicious combination of spices, musk and a scent that was wholly and completely Severus. All but purring in pleasure Hermione began to slip back in the quiet and safe realm of dreams, dreams that if she admitted them aloud would make her blush as crimson as her Gryffindor scarf. The warm serenity of sleep surrounded her like the most tender of embraces, feeling like silken and smooth fingers running along the line of her spine, a mew of pleasure falling from her lips as she arched back into that heavenly touch. A heated weight moved closer to her as those wonderful fingers continued their trail up and down her spine, tickling and teasing her flesh through her shirt, feeling like tiny feet marching over her body. So pleasurable was the gentle touch that she made no protest as the sheet was slowly pulled from her grasp, slipping silky smooth over her skin to rest upon her hip. Gasping with delight Hermione felt warm breath flowing over the skin of her cheek, sliding over the flesh of her neck and tickling the shell of her ear, soft and sweet smelling it engulfed her, tantalizing her senses and making her ache with a sudden need.
"Hermione…" the voice purred, as dark as rich chocolate, sinfully sweet as it flowed through her, touching places she hadn't even known existed within her own body, awakening some carnal beast that immediately was demanding more. "Hermione…" it repeated, the source of it now closer, lips barely brushing her ear enabling her to feel them shape each syllable of her name. Never had her own name sounded so sultry, so sensual and tempting, never had she so desired to hear it again.
"Please…" she whimpered through the dreamy haze that hung over her mind.
Smirking Severus drew closer to Hermione as she lay just beneath the veil of sleep, her mind clear and yet fuzzy at the same time, eliciting a truthfulness that she would not possess in waking. While his fingers continued their lazy exploration of her back, trailing down to just above the delicious swell of her backside he let them slide up and over the curve of her hip, drifting up along her side, tickling over her ribs causing her to arch back against him. Only just managing to restrain a growl of lust from flowing past his lips and by some grace of Merlin stopping his hips from bucking forwards to meet the soft cleft of her ass. Leaning closer to her Severus pressed his chest against Hermione's back, feeling each shuddering breath she took while his lips moved against her ear.
"Please what, Hermione?" he whispered, his voice thick with lust and mischief as he saw the tremor of her lips, her eyes dancing wildly beneath her lashes.
"Please… fingers…" was all she managed to murmur breathlessly as Severus swept the tip of his tongue along the edge of her ear.
"These fingers?" he rasped, his own voice now difficult to control as the blood in his brain made a quick and thundering detour to lower regions. Swirling his fingers in lazy circles over the curve of her shoulder he observed with great delight as she nodded slowly while chewing upon her succulent looking bottom lip, her body writhing before him, brushing against him in the most maddening of ways. Soft as a feather his fingers glided along the length of her extended arm, reaching her wrist where he wrapped dexterous digits around her wrist, stroking the sensitive flesh he found there until she was whimpering for more.
Somehow Hermione's heartfelt confession the night before had emboldened Severus and planted a small seed of hope deep within the dark recesses of his heart, as well as a glimmer of mischief within his brain. With her mind fogged with sleep he planned to fully explore the depths of her desire for him and have a certain amount of fun at the same time. He would snatch the briefest of tastes of her to help him through dark times to come, always knowing that for a small instant he had held her in his arms and heard her whisper his name like a prayer. Sliding his fingers back up the underside of her arm Severus let out a strangled gasp of his own as she suddenly bucked back against him, pressing the soft globes of her ass against his now straining trousers. Barely keeping his eyes from rolling back into his head he quickly grasped her hip and ground himself against her, gritting his teeth as he growled wantonly against her ear,
"Oh Hermione…"
"Please Professor…" was the sultry whisper that spilled from her lips, her hand moving to cover his, securing it against her hip and stroking his long fingers. For a moment Severus' mind swirled and danced in a vortex of desire, the rough sound of her voice stoking the fires within him until a wild blaze was tearing through his veins, igniting each nerve as it flowed from his mind to his curling toes. And then an ice cold flood of panic raced over him, quick on the heels of his lust as the logical, rational and utterly traitorous part of his mind told him that he should stop immediately. She called you Professor! his brain screamed, trying desperately to be heard over the pounding of lust enflamed blood in his ears. Yes, it shows that she wants me despite my position, despite my cruelness and dark past, she wants me a quavering voice of hope replied. It means that this must end now he scalded himself, the shame and guilt he felt having an instant though not entirely deflating effect upon parts of his anatomy. You must be responsible, you cannot cross this line between professor and student his mind continued in a berating tone. But she wants me! he simpered pathetically, sounding even to both sides of himself like a weeping and pitiful child. Do you think she will still desire you after what she sees tonight? a malicious part of him scowled, the remainder of his lust vanishing as chilling dread washed over him.
Quickly removing himself from the bed Severus grimaced as the soft whimper of protest that rose up from the bed caused a sharp pain in his chest and his breath to catch in his throat. Enough weakness you fool! If you continue to fawn over her like this you will never survive tonight, and neither will she. How do you think she would enjoy being Lucius' little toy? The cruel and cold tone of his own voice within his mind quickly dispelled any lingering desire or weakness he felt as he gazed down upon the still sleeping woman.
"Get up Miss Granger" he muttered coolly as he moved to the wardrobe to retrieve his boots, turning once he had them grasped in his hand to see that she had not moved an inch and was still deep in sleep. Pinching the bridge of his nose and inhaling a deep breath between clenched teeth he moved once more to stand beside the bed. "Miss Granger, get out of that bed this instant!" he growled loudly. His eyes grew as large as saucers, finding himself utterly speechless as a voice that was typically nothing but sweet and respectful growled with sleepy harshness,
"Sod off… having a nice dream…" Completely flabbergasted Severus stood frozen for a moment staring in bewilderment at Hermione as she snuggled back down into the sheets, a contented smile clinging to her lips. Somehow restraining his anger enough to stop himself from reaching out and swiftly throttling the insolent little wench into oblivion thus releasing both her and himself from the torture they were no doubt about to endure at Lucius' hands, he leant over the bed and scooped her up into his arms sheets and all and proceeded to carry her into the bathroom.
A resounding scream of "bloody fucking asshole!" echoed through the dank dark corridors of the dungeons causing an aimlessly wandering Filch to jump and scurry away quickly into the shadows, a hissing and bushy-tailed Mrs. Norris close on his heels. Meanwhile, in the dimly lit bathroom in Severus' chambers a scowling and now sopping wet Hermione stood in the shower as the freezing water continued to rain down on her. Her usually warm brown eyes glittered a dangerous black in her flushed face, the furious heat of her blood successfully battling against the frigid water that plastered her hair to her face.
"I hate you!" she snarled venomously as her hands curled into fists as her sides, her features pinched in a delightful way as she scowled at him like a petulant child. With a deep smirk Severus took several steps towards her, feeling a great swell of amusement in his chest when he observed her taking a couple hesitant steps backwards in retreat.
"Be that as it may Miss Granger…" he intoned silkily taking several more steps in her direction. Leaning towards her until his nose was barely inches from hers, ignoring the freezing water striking the side of his face and plastering his own hair to his cheeks he continued, "you still quiver with desire for me, do not deny it." Hermione's eyes grew wide, her mouth gaping open like that of a fish as she struggled for some kind of response as he withdrew himself from the shower and murmured a quick drying charm. "Now, I suggest you get cleaned up while I order some breakfast" he stated calmly and with a smug grin on his face before he turned and swept out of the bathroom with his usual flourish and grace.
"I'm not quivering you great git, I'm shivering!" Hermione yelled defiantly through the partially open door, followed by a shrill yelp as the water momentarily turned scalding hot and then settled on a more pleasant temperature. "Bastard" she grumbled as she slowly began peeling off the now completely sodden shirt and sheet, dropping them unceremoniously on the floor and proceeding to bathe her still weary body.