Chapter Seventeen
BETAs: RaynePheonix2 & Sab81790

Tuesday June 19th

"Marla, is Hermione in her office?" Hermione heard Jonquil ask through her closed office door. She paused in her reading of The Daily Prophet while listening to Marla tell her that Hermione wasn't busy, and she could go on in.

"Morning, Jonquil!" Hermione greeted with a smile as her friend entered the room. "How's it going?"

"I'm doing alright," she answered distractedly while taking one of the chairs in front of her desk.

"What's up?"

"I was just wondering if you've had anyone contact you for legal representation in the Muggle office about this –" The beautiful ebony woman tossed the newspaper on her desk. Hermione met her eyes curiously before taking in the headline of the morning edition of The Times.

SERIAL RAPIST STRIKES AGAIN
Fourth Attack in a Month
By: R. Ford & B. Ellery

19 June 2007.
Fear grips London's streets as reports come in of another victim of the Serial Rapist.

Lita Melbourne, 21, became the fourth victim this month, ten women in total, to fall prey to the attacker. Melbourne was assaulted on her way home from her job as a waitress yesterday afternoon and hospitalized overnight due to injuries sustained during the attack.

Captain James Smithey reports that Melbourne has given a full account of her attack and that it fits the modus operandi that has been established by the other nine women.

"Other than all of the victims residing in London, there have been no other similarities regarding their age or physical appearance. As more information becomes available, we will have a better profile available to the public. In the meantime, we are advising all women 18-40 not to travel alone, as we have had attacks in Edmonton, Sidcup, Lambeth, and Hillingdon, so it seems that no borough is safe."

*Met Police have released a statement saying, "Every effort is being made by Law Enforcement to bring this person to justice. At this time, we ask for the public's help by staying vigilant at all times." This comes as the government is being criticized for cutting public funding of the Met Police. *

Hermione looked up from the article to see Jonquil picking at her nails agitatedly. "I caught the last one in the paper as well," Hermione said softly. "It's terrible."

"Have you been contacted at all for representation?" Jonquil repeated her earlier question.

"I haven't."

"Oh." Jonquil seemed to mull that over for a moment. Then she sighed. "There's just something about this that's rubbing me the wrong way – I want our hands on it."

Hermione cocked her head, looking at the dark-haired woman through new eyes. Hermione had also been following the case, she just hadn't seen this morning's paper as of yet. There was something pulling her towards the case as well. Unfortunately, there wasn't much she could do about it. "If I hear anything, I'll let you know. I have a case on Thursday, and I'll be at the Muggle courthouse."

"Sounds good."

"How are things going with your new guy?" Hermione smirked while raising an eyebrow. "Have you slept with him yet?"

Jonquil's face changed immediately. "No," she replied, but was leaning forward with a grin on her face. "But it wasn't for the lack of trying. He told me, and I quote, 'I like you too much, I really just want to take things slow.'"

Hermione let out an unprofessional giggle as she reached for Jonquil's hand. "That's wonderful! A nice change from the last guy you were seeing."

"I know, I –" But they were interrupted by the tapping of an owl at the window.

Hermione gave an apologetic smile before moving quickly to open the pane. "Oh, hey Pigwidgeon!" she exclaimed, surprised as the little owl zoomed into the room making a loopty-loop before landing on her outstretched arm. There was a scroll around his leg. She pulled it off before reaching for an owl treat on her desk and presenting it to the little thing. Pig hooted in thanks, nipped the owl treat from her fingers and took off with just as much enthusiasm as he had always had.

"That bird is a ball of energy!" Jonquil exclaimed with a laugh.

"Always has been," Hermione agreed. "You'd think the fact the damn thing is going on fifteen-years-old; he'd slow down some. No go." They both chuckled as Hermione unrolled the scroll.

She's here!

Lily Luna Potter
5lbs 10 oz
9:49AM

Ginny's great! Come to Grimmauld after dinner tonight! Lily can't wait to meet her Auntie Hermione!

Love,
Harry

Even though she knew it could be any day now, Hermione could not help the tears that filled her eyes. She had a new little niece! And they had named her Lily – Severus was going to sincerely love that. She was positive.

"Are you okay?" Jonquil's voice startled her, and she looked up, realizing the tears had fallen.

"Oh, yes!" she gushed. "Harry and Ginny had their baby girl this morning. It's the birth announcement." She passed the scroll to Jonquil who glanced it over.

"Aww, congrats, Auntie."

XXXXXXXXXX

"…police are desperately in search for eyewitnesses for yesterday's attack in Grosvernor Square. The serial rapist, who reporters have tagged the 'Ray Ban Rapist' due to his daylight attacks and the consistent victim report that he is wearing the popular brand of sunglasses, has eluded police for almost four months now. If you have any information in regard to this case, please call –"

Hermione sighed deeply before lifting the remote control for the telly and clicking it off. "Fucking case." She grimaced and picked up her plate, moving to the kitchen as she muttered under her breath, "A rapist in the Muggle world, someone trying to nab Muggle-borns in the Wizarding world. Sick. People are just sick."

She scrapped the remains of chicken leftovers into the rubbish bin before placing her plate and fork into the sink. Pulling out a glass to fill with water, she spied the small arrangement of calla lilies and roses on the dining room table and smiled into her water cup. As much as Severus Snape tried to hide his soft underbelly behind his sarcastic whit and buttoned up armor, it was times like this that she knew he was just a big softy. The card nestled in the flowers hand his spikey handwriting, saying the words,

Lilies for the newest Lily in our lives. I'm sure you're as beautiful as your grandmother was. Welcome to the world.

Next to the vase was a small, incredibly soft tan teddy bear. It was a beautiful, classic bear with round ears, black button eyes, and a stitched nose. The limbs were posable, and it wore a lovely checkered dress in pale pink and green with a floral apron over the top and a matching checkered bow adorning one adorable ear. "Lily" was sewn in a loopy font on the bottom of the left foot. It was every little girl's dream teddy, and she knew that Ginny and Harry would be very touched by the sentiment.

Hermione's own bag of gifts was next to the bear and flowers and was stuffed to the brim with footie pajamas and frilly outfits with matching head bows. It seemed decidedly less personal then Severus' sweet present, but she knew it would be appreciated all the same. She had chosen larger sizes, knowing how everyone loved to gift the itty-bitty newborn sizes the most.

Summoning a box, she arranged the gifts inside before shrinking them down. Then she gathered the box close and spun on the spot with a crack of Apparition, excited to meet her newest niece.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Friday June 22nd

Shaking off the stressors of the day, Hermione audibly exhaled when she arrived at The Dungeon via the office floo.

"That bad?" Severus asked, distractedly, his eyes scanning the parchment he was writing on.

Hermione walked to her hunched over wizard and kissed his cheek. "Just a busy day," she responded, tiredly.

He paused his work long enough to look at her. His sharp eyes narrowed. "Perhaps an early night, then. I should be done by nine."

Hermione's shoulders relaxed and her eyes softened. "That sounds…utterly brilliant. But I need to finish up The Dungeon's May…"

Knowing what she was going to say, Severus reached out and placed his hand over her forearm and interrupted with, "It can wait, Pet. You've worked late several nights this week and left earlier than normal. Besides, contrary to what you may think, Lucius and I are actually quite competent at managing our club. We did it for years before you showed up." He winked to make the words softer. "You don't need to look over every crossed T and dotted I."

Hermione rubbed her eyes. "I know, I know. I can't help it, though. If I don't go through it, I'll just think about it and lose sleep over it."

Severus shook his head, smirking slightly. "Insufferable, little control freak."

Hermione grinned. "You're just figuring that out?"

"Off with you," Snape responded with a small smile and dismissive wave of his hand. "You can go through it all in the morning, but tonight we are taking an early night if I have to tie you to the bed in order to do so." His eyes were light from their banter and Hermione giggled.

"Oh yeah, because that won't be the least bit distracting or stimulating." She bent over his chair to press a kiss to his temple. Severus leaned into her touch, one hand coming up to brush the side of his face as he chuckled.

"Have a good evening, Hermione. I shall strive to finish up by nine. I'm just finishing up some notes on the quarterly meeting Lucius, Draco and I had earlier today."

Hermione trekked up the back stairs to Severus' flat and changed into a pair of denims and a light, black cotton pullover. It wasn't a submission night and she felt no compunction to wear her typical club attire. She would head down and say hello to whomever was around and then likely head back up and do some work until Severus could join her. Nine was barely an hour away.

When she made it to the main room, she slipped on her mask before entering. While she was perfectly comfortable not wearing her disguise in the private, members only parts of the club, it was unlikely there would ever come a time that she would out herself in the public areas.

Spotting Etan and Rose, Hermione made her way over. She stopped dead in her tracks when she realized who they were talking to, however. Not wanting to be rude or too obvious, Hermione continued her committed path and cautiously approached the small grouping.

"Well, we've missed seeing your face. You were always such a regular and when you disappeared on us, many were wondering where you had gone off to," Etan was saying.

"I just needed a little breather from the lifestyle. It's been…good for me."

The green eyes of the gorgeous redhead turned to Hermione which prompted Rose and Etan to follow her gaze.

"Hi," Hermione offered, hoping the hesitation she was feeling wasn't too obvious.

"Hi, Doll!" Etan offered with his usual warm smile. It was obvious that Rose wasn't allowed to converse when her eyes grew wide, but her mouth remained closed. When the typically exuberant woman didn't wrap Hermione in a hug, or even touch her for that matter, it was clear that touching was restricted for the submissive as well. The poor girl looked like she was about to bust out of her skin.

The redhead had a small, somewhat awkward, smile on her face and Hermione felt quite certain her own discomfort was as apparent. Hermione held out her hand in attempts to remain gracious. "Hi. I don't think we've ever actually been introduced. I'm…"

Britt immediately gripped her hand in return and said, "I'd have to have lived under a fairly large rock for a very long time not to know who you are." It was not said unkindly. On the contrary, Britt's face took on a slight blush and she seemed almost humbled. "I'm Britt," she added.

Hermione did not release the girl's hand as she offered the redhead a genuine smile. "I know who you are as well, Britt. It's a pleasure to finally be introduced."

Their hands fell back to their sides and there was pause in conversation, everyone understanding the dynamic and not quite knowing what to say. Well, except for Rose – who looked like she had a lot to say without the ability to do so.

"Good evening, all." Lucius' rich voice was like a magnet and pulled Hermione's focus instantly.

"Master Lucius," Britt offered, quietly.

"Lucius! Good to see you," Etan responded.

Lucius' grin at Rose proved his immediate understanding of the young witch's predicament.

"Hi, Lucius," Hermione added. Etan and Lucius were the only two male Dominants that Hermione was allowed to converse with in the club, even when not submitting.

Lucius' grey eyes focused on the Irish beauty. "Britt, you've been missed."

"Thank you, sir. I've just needed a little…break."

Lucius' eyes were soft, and his words were spoken with sincerity. "Well, we've all been there. I'm just glad you are back."

Hermione swallowed the ping of disgusting jealousy. She really was happy to see Britt now that the awkward moment had passed. The emotional hell of miscarrying a baby was a terror Hermione could hardly imagine, and she was happy that Britt was picking up the pieces. But when it came to Lucius (and certainly Severus, as well) Hermione felt a proprietorship that was hardly her right. It was irrational. Wrong.

You are better than this! Hermione reproached herself as Lucius and Etan continued to engage the redhead in conversation.

"Britt, have you tried the new flatbread pizza we are serving?" Lucius asked with no small amount of pride in his voice.

Britt smiled. "Pizza? Really?"

Hermione laughed, unable to help herself. Lucius and his damn pizza. "Oh, you haven't lived until you've tried it!"

Lucius held his hand out to his friend's former submissive. "Come, you must have some. On the house, of course."

"How can I refuse when offered like that?" she responded with a smile that lit up her face and made her even more stunning. She looked back at Hermione, Etan and Rose. "I guess I'll see you a little later."

The abandoned trio offered their farewells and, despite not wanting to, Hermione couldn't seem to break her eyes away from the retreating pair. She noticed Rose's hand twitch slightly and though her friend was going to reach for her hand when Etan cleared his throat sharply. Rose stilled and met Hermione's eyes with a rueful little smile.

"Wench."

Hermione rolled her eyes at the new voice. "Ferret," she responded, turning to face the Slytherin who had just appeared at her side.

Draco offered greetings to Rose and Etan who returned the solicitations and then made their exit.

The blond then cocked a knowing brow as he stared down at Hermione.

"What?"

"You know what. Don't play dumb. I've told you; you're a terrible actress."

"It's fine."

"Uh-huh." Draco gave her a non-believing look.

"It is! I'm glad she's back!"

"I take it back. You're an abysmal actress."

"I don't know what you want me to say."

"How about, 'if that Weasley-resembling-she-hag tries to sink her talons into my man, I'll claw her eyes out.'"

"No, I would never say that. Or do that! That's all you."

Draco scoffed. "Hardly. A Slytherin would never be that direct. Or make it that quick. It would be a much more drawn out bit of pain and revenge."

Hermione rolled her eyes and walked away, heading towards the last empty booth. Not easily dismissed, Draco followed and slid in across from her.

"Honestly," Hermione said with wide innocent eyes. "I harbor no ill will. Severus is with me now. I trust him. I'm who he wants."

"Well, I know that. I'm supposed to be the one convincing you of that after to you rant and rave about her return and become completely irrational."

"I'm sorry, but I am perfectly capable of seeing the situation for exactly what it is," she replied in a much haughtier tone than she realized. "Perhaps Britt and I can even become friends."

Draco shook his head in disgust. "Well, you've proved to be such a disappointment."

At the same time, Draco and Hermione spotted Lucius and Britt eyeing the room, looking for a table to eat at. Lucius was levitating a pizza and Britt was carrying two drinks. A malicious, knowing little grin crept over Draco's mouth. He stood slightly and waved. "Father, there is plenty room here. Join us!"

Hermione forced a smile on her face as the pair accepted the offer and slid in next to them, with Britt next to Draco and Lucius next to Hermione.

"Please help yourselves," Lucius offered as more plates magically appeared. Hermione, having lost any appetite she might have been contemplating, politely declined but Draco dug in.

Hermione maintained a pleasant and at ease expression as Lucius and Britt fell into easy conversation about her new job as a buying agent for Provocouture, a high end, couture clothing store that had just opened.

"Well, I'll simply have to stop by!" Lucius offered, clearly genuine in his excitement.

Honestly. The man really is a peacock, Hermione thought as jealousy slowly corroded her veins. Before she could stop herself, her fast-firing mind could see it all so plainly. Lucius as Britt's Master. Worse, them falling in love.

"You okay, there Doll?" Draco asked with knowing eyes. "You're looking a little… green."

Lucius' concerned expression turned to her at Draco's comment. Lines of worry were etched across his forehead. "Yes, you do look a little off. Are you alright?"

"Yes, Master, I'm fine," Hermione responded automatically.

"Excuse me?" Severus' deep, terse bass made everyone at the table start slightly.

There was a tense moment of silence, where everyone's eyes bore into Hermione. She glanced quickly around her, not understanding what was wrong. She took in Britt's slightly ajar mouth and Draco, who was uncharacteristically biting his lip.

In the end, it was Lucius who made her aware of what she had done. She met his eyes; they were boring into hers with a flash of intensity that quickly morphed into regret.

"Doll," he said gently. "You addressed me inappropriately. I am not your Master."

Instantly, Hermione's gaze flew to meet Severus', her hand coming up to cover her mouth. "Oh, my god!" She closed her eyes, horrified by her mistake. "Master, I'm so sorry. It…it was just an automatic response…I didn't…I didn't even th –"

The heat smoldering in Severus' stare was enough for Hermione to break herself off. Whether it was anger or jealousy in his expression, she wasn't sure. What she was positive about, however, was that she was making excuses. That would get her nowhere; she needed to own her mistake. Her eyes fell contritely to her lap as tears sprung to her eyes. How could you screw up so bad? she chided herself.

"Excuse me, Master Lucius," she whispered. "I need to get out of the booth."

No one else said anything, and the small quintet continued to be silent as Hermione and Lucius shuffled their positions. Severus' stare bore into her, she could feel the intensity of his displeasure. Though, with her eyes downcast, she didn't see the apologetic look that Lucius exchanged with Severus.

She sunk into Nadu at Severus' feet; her face glued to his dragon hide boots. "I'm so sorry, Master. I made a grievous error. Please tell me what to do to make it right."

She heard Draco swear lightly and a release of a knowing breath from Britt.

Lucius spoke quietly, directing his comment at Severus. "It was an accident, my friend."

A beat of silence followed before Severus, his voice more controlled then Hermione expected, answered, "I understand that, Lucius. I will take that fact into an account with her punishment. But there will be a punishment, Mine. Understood?"

So much for their early night.

"Yes, Master. I deserve it," she whispered, hating how her voice was tight with unshed tears. Stupid. Stupid, Hermione! she chastised herself. It was a rookie mistake, and yet it wasn't. She had been spending so much time with both of them over the last few weeks and, with her and Lucius' history, it was no wonder that the moniker slipped. Especially when she was emotional.

"Attention," Severus demanded. Hermione scrambled to comply with the command, quickly pulling herself into standing and straight as a soldier.

"Denims and knickers to your knees." Hermione couldn't help it; shock drove her eyes to meet his.

"Here?" she squeaked.

"Who are you to question me right now?" It was a growl, and Hermione couldn't help but notice that both Draco and Britt's heads were down, contemplating their food. Lucius was behind her; she could not see him. "You're making it worse for yourself, little girl."

Quickly, Hermione undid her jeans and shoved them and her knickers down to her knees together as instructed. Severus stepped aside. "Nose in the corner." He jerked his head in the direction of the plus-sign shaped timeout column where another submissive was standing.

Hesitantly, Hermione met his stare again, still not quite believing he was serious. There wasn't the slightest softness to his obsidian eyes. She started to move forward and was shell-shocked when an extremely hard slap landed on her rear end. She stumbled slightly as she yelped, causing many sets of eyes to focus on her. Feeling her face flood with color at her humiliation, Hermione waddled as quickly as her jeans would allow and pressed her nose into the column. Slamming her eyes shut, she rested her forehead into the corner, not surprised when hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Her arse was presented to the rest of the room, and she could just imagine the large, Severus-sized handprint that must be standing out on her skin, pink outlined by the contrasting cream of her pale bottom.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Severus," Lucius murmured lowly, watching anger war with hurt on his best friend's face. "It was an innocent mistake."

Snape grunted, his eyes burning holes into Hermione's back from a distance.

"You'll regret it if you're too hard on her."

"Why do you think she's standing in timeout?" His words were hard and clipped. "I need to calm myself."

Lucius let out a controlled breath. "I'm not saying that she doesn't deserve a punishment," he told Snape, "because she does. It was a quite the slipup. I'm just asking you to keep in mind that there was no malicious intent behind it. She didn't even realize she had said it!"

Severus glanced to the table where his submissive had been sitting, only to find the remains of a partially eaten flat bread pizza and half-filled glasses. Both Britt and Draco had quietly made themselves scarce. There were a few sets of curious eyes on them, however, so he silently cast a wandless Muffliato.

"You act as if I'm going to drag her to a private room and beat the living shit out of her," he snarled, turning fully to face Lucius. "I am capable of controlling myself. I've been doing this longer than you, even. Or have you forgotten?"

Lucius took a short step back from the Potion's Master, surprised by his venom. Not that it wasn't deserved, just not for reasons his best friend was likely aware. Dreading the answer, Lucius couldn't stop himself from snapping defensively, "Do you think I provoked this?"

He watched as Snape's entire body seemed to go lax. One hand came up to drag down his face before settling to rub his jaw. "No," he said softly. "No, I don't think you provoked it." A heavy breath left him. "I think things have gotten very confusing. We've been spending a lot of time in each other's company. You two spent months together training, there's a history. I realize it was an honest mistake… I'm just feeling… Fuck." The hand on his jaw moved to pinch the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

Shame filled Lucius' gut as his mind supplied the word Severus was undoubtedly omitting. Jealous. The one emotion that really didn't belong in this lifestyle, but happened because – well – they were human, weren't they? Wizards or not. Highly trained Dominants or not… Jealousy was part of life.

"I understand, Severus," Lucius was contrite, "I apologize." He couldn't help the way his mind was racing. He would never be able to forgive himself if things went bad between Severus and Hermione because of him. Once again, he told himself he needed to bow out. He needed to tell Severus it was just too hard to keep his feelings removed from their ménage a trois. With every interaction, those emotions intensified, new feelings emerged, feelings he'd had for such a…

He mentally shook his head. He'd sunk himself in a pile of shite a bit deeper every time he kissed her. Every time Severus gave a nod of approval or a smirk of delight. Every time he shared their bed… Twice in the last few weeks. And every single time, it felt a bit truer. He fell a bit harder. He would never be able to walk away if he didn't do so soon. Now.

But he pressed his lips in a thin line, cursing silently because he knew – he knew – he wasn't ready to let her go. If he was honest with himself, he wasn't ready to let either of them go. The warmth and deep-seated feeling of coming home with them was too addicting to give up because of one little mistake. It was a mistake… it's was a slip of the tongue. Just one wrong word… One wrong word that he wished wasn't wrong.

"I'll keep the punishment personal," Severus said quietly, breaking Lucius out of his thoughts. "We'll go to my flat, not a room. It'll be between us as both a couple and a Dom and his sub. Like you said – she deserves a punishment, she made an error. However, it was innocently done."

Lucius nodded, feeling absurdly remorseful. "I think that sound like the perfect plan."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"You may pull up your trousers and follow me." Severus' voice startled Hermione. She had been so caught up in scolding herself silently, she hadn't heard him approach.

Gingerly, Hermione eased her knickers and jeans up over her rump, wincing slightly as the fabric chaffed the emblazoned handprint on her arse. She looked up in time to see the black clad figure of Severus rounding the bar and heading towards the back corridor that would lead to his flat. She wasn't sure if she should be relieved or not. Quickly setting a pace to catch up with him, she couldn't help it when her eyes were pulled to Lucius. His arms were crossed over his chest and he gave her a small smile and a nod that conveyed encouragement. A little of her anxiety bled out of her at the gesture and she felt herself nod in understanding.

Severus was halfway up the back stairwell before she caught up with him. She pushed herself faster in order to put herself two steps behind him, as he preferred. There was no preamble when they entered the flat. He allowed her to slip past him and closed the door behind them, flicking his wand to engage the locks.

"Strip fully," he commanded, "then I want you in Humble."

"Yes, Master." Hermione was complying before he finished speaking, pulling her shirt over her head as she toed off her shoes. Within twenty seconds, she was on all fours with her hands crossed in front of her.

The room was silent, and Hermione was aware that he had left the open concept area for the bedroom. She heard him before she saw him when he returned.

"Transgression?" It was a question and she wasn't going to pretend to be uncertain about what he was asking.

"I accidently called another Dominant Mas – Master," she whispered to his boots. Saying it aloud broke her and she started to cry in earnest. Not embarrassed tears, like the ones at the timeout column, but real, penitent tears that made her chest heave and her throat tight. Her fingers dug hard into the carpet, her knuckles going white. She felt herself start to shake.

Severus seemed unmoved by them. "Why was that a transgression, pet?"

"Because you are my Master, no one else." She whimpered in her throat as she tried to stall her tears.

"And you're being punished?"

"Yes, Master. I'm being punished."

"Why?"

"Because I made a mistake and I need you to correct me. And I want to atone because I need you to forgive me. I need to be your good girl again." The whole confession was said through sniffles and hitching breath. "I'm so, so s-sorry."

There was a beat of silence and then, "Apologize again, after." The words were gruff. "Stand and kneel on the stool, put your torso over the arm of the couch."

Hermione complied quickly, not even an ounce of hesitation in her movement. She was sick with her remorse. She wanted – no, needed – this punishment.

"Six strikes with a large paddle." Severus tone was clipped, and Hermione had to bite the insides of her lips to keep from starting to sob all over again. Immediate and vivid memories of the time Lucius punished her with the large paddle began swimming in her head and her bum cheeks automatically squeezed together. It had been awful.

"I will not pause long between each strike. Best for you if we move right along. You will apologize after it's over. Understood?" She wasn't able to stop her cries after that directive, she wasn't sure she'd be able to speak after it was over, but she would try.

"Yes, Master," she gasped between her tears.

Severus was silent for a long time, letting her cry. When it became obvious that she needed some sort of reassurance before they began or she wouldn't be able to calm, he gently laid the palm of his hand flat on her lower back before gently swiping his thumb back and forth.

He was in full Dom mode; she was struggling to put herself in full sub mode. So, he assisted her. Each swipe of his thumb against the small of her back seemed to help her relax, helped her sink into the mindset she needed. After about thirty seconds she was able to suck in a deep breath. After a minute, she was quiet except for a few sniffles. He removed his hand.

"Arch your back." His voice was still stern, with little emotion laced into it. Severus was not one for emotion, however. Hermione knew this about him. He watched as she slowly arched her spine, presenting him with her pretty, heart shaped bum. His handprint was quite faded at this point, and there were a couple of very light cane bruises in their final stages of healing. Her arse would be right purple in less than ten minutes, though. He wondered if she would ask him to heal it after they finished, remembering how she had refused healing after Lucius had punished her all those months ago.

He didn't warn her, the request for position was warning enough in his mind. The first strike landed, the clap reverberating in the room, and Hermione's entire body tensed. The echo of the slap hadn't ceased before the second blow struck. He registered her gasp of breath just as the third blow landed. She had yet to move an inch, her muscles coiled so tightly he could see them trembling.

The fourth blow hit in a sort of slow motion in his head, even though Severus continued the process in real time. He watched the swing, how it was perfectly lined up to hit right over the meat of her bum. Saw it connect with her skin and the delicious sink and jiggle of her arse. She cried out with it, vocal for the first time, her pain and tears evident. It was garbled on a cry and he went rock hard, his cock straining against his trousers in mere seconds. She was sobbing in earnest now, her shoulders shaking. It wasn't that he was indifferent to it, he was just that deep in his Dominant mentality. While punishment scenes were rare, he couldn't deny that he found them immensely arousing. It was the ultimate display of submission, after all. The ultimate display of humility. There was no greater gift a submissive could bestow her Dominant, and he refused to regret how it fueled his desire for her. Two bright red spots had bloomed on her arse cheeks and one of her legs kicked as her bum dipped, curling away from the offending implement.

"Right yourself," he commanded succinctly. Hermione complied immediately, continuing to cry audibly. His affection, pride, and lust in her submission to him quadrupled. She was forgiven by the time the fifth swing struck. This time, she kicked both feet in multiple successions. Severus noted her burying her face into the cushion of the couch, heard the scream.

He gave her a brief break and counted slowly in his head. One… two… three…

"Remove your face from the cushion." His voice was silky in his demand, rough with his arousal. He knew the tone registered with her, and he needed her to breathe. The last thing he wanted was for her to black out. "Final strike, Mine." His tone was gruff, the spots on her arse were brick red going on purple. It was gorgeous; she was gorgeous. She was such a good girl… His good girl. Hermione righted herself fluidly and he let the words slip out. "Good girl, Mine. Good girl." And then he swung one last time.

She took the blow stoically before she collapsed into the cushion, her sobs guttural as she choked out her apologies. "I'm so sorry, Master. I deserved this, and I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I'm so sorry."

Severus didn't even realize that he had dropped the paddle, his fingers were trailing down her spine, relishing in the way she arched like a cat into his touch.

"You're forgiven, love," he said quietly, over and over again. "You were so good, such a good girl, Hermione. Such a good girl, Mine." His hand smoothed over one destroyed arse cheek. She curved into the touch; her skin was blazing hot and the bruises were darkening. He couldn't take his eyes off the perfect globes of skin. She sighed heavily, the sound stuttering in her chest and his fingers glided over the other side of her bum. The sigh turned into a moan as he dipped further down, grazing the soft curls over her pussy lips. He wasn't surprised when he didn't find her aroused. She had been utterly repentant in her remorse and extremely distraught. The punishment had brought her no pleasure.

Her submission and willingness to comply and make amends, however, had turned him on to the nth degree, and he would give her pleasure now.

Severus removed his hand from her mound and sucked two fingers into his mouth, covering them with saliva before returning them to her slit. Gently, her parted her labia and smoothed the natural lubricant over her clit, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from his beautiful witch.

She sighed heavily as he stroked her clit with two fingers while softly smoothing his other palm over the paddle spots on her bum, connecting the pleasure and pain in a way that he knew would have her drenched in moments.

Grinning a bit maniacally when he next dipped his digits gently into her core, he cheered silently. Her cream was leaking out of her in droves. She was drenched, and he had barely touched her.

Severus wasn't going to tease her; not after she had been so utterly perfect in her submission. Not after she had been so contrite and took her punishment with no complaint. He pushed his fingers farther into her, relishing the gasp – now of delight – as he gathered her slick before sliding to seek out her clit again. Hermione's hips jerked and she let out a sob of pleasure through her sniffles. "Please," she whispered.

"You're so wet, Mine," he groaned, tenderly swiping his fingers around the rapidly hardening nub at the apex of her thighs. "I've barely touched you."

"I didn't like it," she sniffled, he could see tears still leaking out of her eyes. "I swear I didn't. Your fingers feel so nice, though. I really am sorry, Master. Please say I'm forgiven again."

"I can imagine you didn't like your punishment." His voice was deep and soothing now, and he felt her body relax under the soothing, but persistent movement of his fingertips. "But you needed it. And you are forgiven, Mine. I forgave you before I landed the last blow. You did so well."

She nodded, agreeing with him silently for a moment before she whispered. "I did, I really did need it. Thank you, Master." He recognized that her mind was sunk lightly into subspace, she wasn't in deep, but enough that it allowed her body to calm rapidly from the pain. His fingers moved a bit quicker and he watched her chest hitch – from excitement, not tears this time.

Severus could tell she was close to the edge. He kept moving his fingers as he used his wand with his other hand to divest himself of his trousers. "You look so gorgeous like that, Hermione. Bent over my couch in submission, after taking your punishment so well. Your arse looks incredible… beautifully purple. Are you going to come for me?"

She whimpered a sound of affirmation just as he pressed the tip of himself to her core. Back arching, she hissed, "Yessssss!"

Hermione's cunt was so hot and wet that Severus swore as he continued to sink inside of her. He was positive he had never been so hard in all his life. He loved taking her from behind, she was so tight in this position it felt as he she was strangling the life out of him by his cock. "Fuck, you feel so good."

"Please, Master. Please, please!"

Severus retreated an inch before pushing back in with a little more force and they both moaned loudly. "Bloody-fucking-hell," he rumbled as his mind went blank. There was nothing but pleasure and he lost himself.

Grasping Hermione's hips with both hands, he pulled her back as he surged forward. "GODS!" she cried out, her hands scrambling at the cushions of the davenport. "Please fuck me, Master!" she begged.

He complied, losing himself in her desperately. He pounded into her heated flesh, registering her first orgasm as the dam inside her burst and shoved him out of her quim with its force. His sack and legs were soaked as she squirted forcefully, her voice sounding crazed as she praised him nonsensically through her pleasure.

He pulled her off the couch and spun her around in his arms. One arm supported her back as he impaled her quim on him again, her legs curling around his hip bones as he thrust in a brutal rhythm. He watched her face intensely as her fingernails dug deeply into his shoulders, her eyes were rolled up into her head. Her hair, which was in a ponytail, had baby curls springing loose over her brow and next to her ears. Tears were mixed with sweat, her eyelashes clumped together. There was mascara smeared under one eye. She was bloody gorgeous, and she was his. Severus wanted her to remember that all day, every day, forever, so he fucked her harder and felt her come again. This time without the waterworks. Her jaw fell open and her back arched and she screamed louder than he had ever heard a woman scream in the throes of passion.

Hermione collapsed against his chest as he carried her, with his cock still buried in her cunt, across the flat and into the bedroom.

Severus dumped her on the bed, "Get into the middle," he growled at her, watching her wince as her arse dragged across the comforter. He chuckled. "I promise I'll rub some nice, cool cream on your arse, but only after I fuck you through this mattress, Mine," he whispered hotly in her ear as he covered her body with his own before sliding himself back into her heat.

"Gods, yes!" she mewled. "Oh, yes." She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and dragged his mouth to hers as he set another wicked pace, hitting every pleasure point in her perfectly.

Severus returned her kiss violently, crushing his mouth over hers and scraping her tongue with his teeth. His bollocks were so tight, he was surprised the damn things were still on the outside of his body. Legs locking around his hips again, he felt Hermione start to meet his thrusts for the first time that night. She ripped her mouth away from his with an elated gasp. "I'm going to come again!" she crooned before latching her teeth over his pulse. Hips giving one last roll, she bit down hard, her nails adding to the painful pleasure as they scored his back. Then her pussy spasmed and sucked his cock so deep he could feel her womb welcome him with a deep kiss. Her cry of completion ended it for him, and he erupted with a roar while his hands fisted into the blankets beneath them.

His orgasm lasted forever, spurt after spurt filling her to the brim. Later, Severus would swear he had never come so hard in his life. He literally felt as if he poured his magic and his soul into her. He was no longer able to support himself and collapsed on top of her.

It took several seconds to realize that he must be suffocating the tiny witch beneath him, and he rolled slightly to his side, dragging her with him. Instinct told him that he could not separate from her. Not yet. Not after that… Not after that perfect, incredible, terrifically extraordinary scene. "Fuck," he muttered before tangling a hand in her hair and pulling her face to his. "You were fucking perfect, witch," he hissed, his stare boring into hers. Her dark eyes were luminous and full of heat and affection… Dare he say love? "Perfect. Hermione, you are perfect." And he kissed her with all the emotion he had.