Warning: Lemony bits!

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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – IN DREAM AND IN WAKING

Severus inhaled the heady aroma that was tickling his nose and let out an appreciative sound. So delicious. In an effort to escape the early morning chill that threatened him from behind, he pressed closer to the warmth ahead of him; the warmth that smelled so divine. He hummed his appreciation of the soft heat, noting other parts of him appreciated it a lot more. Severus' eyes flew open with the same violent fervor he used to open doors. Bloody hell. The delectable smelling heat he was currently driving his erection against was none other than Hermione Granger. He released a long string of swears and dark promises inside his head, but he did not pull away. He evaluated his shocking predicament. He was firmly pressed flush along her body, his left arm under his head, his right hand was gripping her hip rather tightly. Slowly he relaxed the fingers one by one until his hand rested calmly where it had been clutching only a moment ago. Finally, he let himself become aware of precisely where his hardened cock was digging. He couldn't help himself, he groaned. His length strained along the crevice between her firm little arsecheeks.

Hermione started wriggling and Severus held his breath, not daring to move. She settled back into place with a ridiculous little wiggle of her behind that caused his cock to pulse. Before he really thought about it, he arched forward, pressing harder against her. Hermione made a small sound of approval and pushed back. His grip tightened on her hip again, a solid assurance she would not wiggle away the next time she moved. Sleepily, Severus bent his head forward to bury his nose in her hair. Bloody hell she smelled magnificent, it only took him a few sniffs and few unconscious rolls of his hips to determine the scent, honeysuckle and rose. Once more he urged his hips forward, seeking the simultaneous relief and thrill of the pressure of his cock against her arse.

The river raced away from her, twisting and turning through the mountains that rose away from the water in sharp angles. The loose dress she wore fluttered and flickered in the wind, a bright white flurry amidst the dark colors of the earth all around her. A lock of hair loosed itself from Hermione's bun and danced across the skin of her cheek. Arms wrapped around her and she beamed at the black sleeves. Severus whispered in her ear, sweet nothings in a low rumble that made her ache and warm. Her legs shivered. He stabilized her against his body, against the marvelous hardness of his erection. She groaned and pressed back against him. He freed her hair from its confines, letting it rush forward against her face, and buried his nose against her neck. He rolled against her in an urgent movement against her backside, again and again. She panted, grinding back against him, desperate and seeking. They moved against each other in sleepy, slow movements, delaying the building magic inside them, waiting, waiting for the sun to burst over the mountain tops and spray its light into the gushing water below. The tension was too much, building, building until the sun exploded over the mountain tops and like wild animals Severus and-

Hermione woke from her dream with a cry, gasping Severus' name, her body shuddering.

Severus' eyes flew open, his mind ripped itself from its half-conscious state the same moment his body jerked forward, his hand gripped so tight on Hermione's hip it hurt. His body throbbed again uncontrollably but his mind was racing. What had he done?! He sucked in air, trying to find sense and self control. Clarity came quickly, a hyper awareness of the woman he clung to and the slick mess in his boxer briefs. He exhaled just as sharply and felt the rapid pulsing of Hermione's breath. He felt shame and anger crawling up his spine; really? Was that all it took for him these days, to be half asleep and pressed against some girls arse? His jaw tightened.

Hermione tried to lie perfectly still, hoping her cries hadn't woken Severus. Her chest was heaving still and she tried to ignore the fact that he really was pressed all along her back. In fact, his hand on her hip actually hurt. He smelled good, it was a shocking revelation and what was worse was the intoxicating smell went straight to her soaked nether regions. Embarrassment flamed hot. She didn't dare move or make a sound. She didn't want him to know what had happened, he couldn't know. Then she felt him peeling away from her slowly, and she realized he was definitely awake. He removed his hand from her hip finger by finger and slowly moved his hand away from her, then his hips, legs, finally his torso, each movement deliberate. As if he was trying not to wake her. She waited until the weight of him was on the other side of the bed before turning over gingerly, trying not to cause too much movement. He sat on the edge of the bed, his face in his hands. He looked tense. He stood and took a few steps towards the bathroom before he seemed to notice she was awake and he looked positively murderous about it.

"Go to sleep, Miss Granger." He kept himself turned away from her.

"I'm sorry if- if I woke you." She mumbled.

"No matter." He didn't sound forgiving. He started towards the bathroom again.

"Is something wrong, sir?" She was certain he was walking funny.

He froze mid-step and he looked like he was tensing up again. She could practically hear him grinding his teeth. "I'm fine." He growled.

Hermione didn't trust that tone so she slipped from the bed and took two quick steps to Severus, ignoring the mess in her underthings, and gripped his shoulder. As if she was releasing a spell, Severus' tense body rotated toward her at the grip of her hand. His eyes flashed fire and ice and made her insides churn. Her eyes dropped to break contact with his eyes and immediately she saw the issue. It took her much longer to process it and she flushed brilliantly.

"Oh." She squeaked, a sound that was barely there.

Severus knew he was doomed the moment she asked what was wrong, so when she placed her insanely small hand up on his shoulder he let the barely there pressure turn him towards her. He caught her eyes, daring her to say something, daring her not to. Her gaze fell and the second she turned red he knew his doom had come. He waited, not breathing, hoping she didn't say anything at all. The oh that fell from her lips was dainty and innocent and he felt his shame race to take hold of him, but simultaneously a flash of desire rose up and drowned him, a volcano he hadn't known was there. He took a predatory step forward, feeling strangely victorious at the shock on her face.

"Do you have something to say, Miss Granger?" His purred lowly.

"Erm, no… I…" she breathed shakily.

"Good." He hissed.

He moved to complete his short journey to the bathroom, inhaling sharply, and then he froze again, his eyes locking onto hers. He saw her swallow. That scent reached him again, honeysuckle and roses and he thought he might start grinding against her again. Suddenly he breathed in the aroma of something else; her. Her scent, rich with want and pleasure and he understood that he had not imagined it when her body had convulsed against his. The smell of her desire wafted and intermingled with honeysuckle roses and he forgot about grinding on her; he was going to rip her sodden knickers from her form and really experience what it felt like when he made her cum.

Severus sucked in air, spun on his heel and strode to the bathroom, shutting the door with a loud resounding crack.

SHSHSH

After over an hour and two very cold showers later, Severus and Hermione were able to look at each other long enough for him to gruffly tell her he'd be back after breakfast so they could go pick up their orders from Knockturn Alley. She had nodded and he was gone. She was relieved to be in the room alone, finally able to close her eyes and fully revel in her embarrassment but that didn't last long. The burning image of Severus' ruined briefs floated across her vision like a taunt. She tried to force the image away but thought better of it when the replacement image was the one from her dream. Which had come first - the dream or her grinding on Severus? Why had either of those things happened? And why had he been spooning her? No matter how hard she thought about it, the only thing she received for her efforts was a renewed desire for the dark man.

Frustrated and confused, Hermione nibbled on her breakfast in silence but was unable to eat much. She was ready by the time Severus opened the door to fetch her. Without exchanging words, she followed him down to the apparition point. She was loathed to touch him for side-along, afraid she's never let go. She thought he probably felt equally if not more distain for the situation. When they arrived in the alleyway she released him immediately. It relieved some of the tension, all of which came back when he doused her in the glamour spell again. His magic pulsed in waves down her body and she shuddered. She strode towards the robe shop alongside Severus, her posture stiff and formal, like any proper pure blood. She caught her reflection in shop windows, the same white haired beauty stared back at her, but this time her hair was pulled away from her face in a tasteful chignon. If it weren't for their awkward morning, Hermione would have asked Severus about his hair styling techniques. They entered the shop with tight smiles and were immediately greeted by name.

"How lovely to see you again, Madam Carlyle." The young DeLair purred. His voice was not as low and sonorous as Severus'. It irked her.

"Julian," she smiled, very cat-like.

"Come, we will gather together your things and made sure you are pleased." He emphasized the last word pleasantly.

"Just a moment." Severus snapped. "Did Madam Carlyle perhaps indulge in sleepwear?" Severus did not look at her.

"No, sir, I do have a ready collection she can choose from, though."

"Yes, make sure that happens." Severus turned away from them, marching behind DeLair senior to a corner of the shop.

Hermione was seething. What did he care if she had sleepwear? Though she supposed if he was still paying… She smiled up at Julian. "Will you show me to the sleepwear?"

"Of course, madam, right this way." Julian's fingers whispered against her back as he guided her to a back corner of the shop, opposite where Severus and Mr. DeLair were speaking, and pulled back a curtain.

Shelves and shelves of folded cloth spread out before Hermione and she blinked a few times. How was she supposed to find anything? "I require something warm for winter and cooler for summer, what would you suggest?"

Julian's lip twitched and he turned to face the room and waved his wand. A varied selection of clothes unfolded themselves from their spots and floated towards the pair, displaying themselves in a ridiculous manner that made Hermione giggle. There were long flannels, a selection of gossamer sleepwear for summer, shorts (which shocked her), and lingerie. She flushed furiously at the lingerie.

"Those will not be necessary." She did her best to wave off the lingerie like it offended her and Julian's face became somewhat curious and teasing.

"Are you and Master Snape, not together?"

Hermione made a strange sound. "Definitely not."

"But he has so graciously paid for your things…?"

"I am as confused about that as you are Julian. Perhaps he will make me pay him back." She hadn't thought about that.

"I think not. He must be enamored with you to volunteer to spend so much."

"There has to be another reason."

He shrugged. "Perhaps. However, since you deny your involvement, perhaps I could take you out sometime."

It was a statement, a suggestion, not a question and Hermione liked the certainty of it. She smiled slyly and turned her attention to the sleepwear and pointed out what she liked and didn't like, taking a few suggestions from Julian.

Severus had finished collecting his order before Hermione was done with the sleepwear and he watched passed the curtain as Julian made clothes float and Hermione's laugh. They seemed to distract themselves with a deep conversation before items started making a folded pile in the air or swaying back to where they had come from. Severus felt a violent heat rise in his chest watching them. Why was Miss Granger smiling so much? He could not remember her ever being so entertained during the summer.

Eventually, finally, after what felt like eternity, Hermione returned to the front of the shop with two large bags, much like his own, chatting animatedly with the younger DeLair. Severus eyed them, his nostrils flaring. The DeLairs exchanged some words and Mr. DeLair gave Severus his total. He slammed the galleons on the counter and walked out, leaving Hermione scurrying to catch up.

"What's the matter?" She asked the same time he spun on his heel in the alley and she toppled into him.

He righted her then pushed her away from him. Severus did not give an answer but gripped Hermione's wrist like he loathed touching her and apparated them back to Malfoy Manor. He lifted the glamour from her, sent his bags flying inside and up the stairs and then promptly left again. Confused, Hermione retreated to their room and put her things away, she took hold of the tank top and leggings she wore to sleep in and held them a moment, thinking about the shocking way in which her day started, then stuffed them in her beaded back. Now, the only things she had left in the wardrobe were her wizarding robes, all her muggle things were put away.

SHSHSH

Severus apparated to a bar in the shadiest part of wizarding London he could think of, found himself the darkest corner, and ordered himself the largest firewhiskey they had available. He figured if he drank enough he could dilute the feeling that had caused him to want to make Julian DeLair's pretty face not so pretty. He recognised his jealousy for what it was, he had experienced it before with Lily and Potter, but he didn't want to acknowledge it. To acknowledge it would mean that he would have to evaluate why he would be jealous, and that was not happening.

It was well after midnight by the time Severus swayed into the bedroom. He was drunk but not enough, in his opinion. He shed his layers of clothing onto the floor, pulled his full bags of robes off the bed and onto the floor, and flopped onto the mattress. It was only then that he realized his bed was empty. He sat up in a flash and looked around for Hermione. There was a curtain around the nook that hadn't been there before. He trudged over and pulled back a corner of the curtain. Before him, Hermione was curled into a tight ball on a cot she must have transfigured from one of the chairs. He stared at her a long moment.

Coming back to the house Severus had been fully tempted to finish what he started, to grind his cock up against her arse until Hermione was good and ready to be taken, stripped of those stupid muggle things she slept in and utterly ravished, but the curtain and the cot were a solid barrier smashing into his mind, clearing his alcohol soaked brain until he understood one thing with perfectly clarity. Hermione Granger didn't want him. He shut the curtain and fell back onto the bed, not bothering with his flannels or the blankets.

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Thank you to my friend EG for taking over being my beta since chapter 4, you've done a great job. Unfortunately this means all chapters from now on no longer have a beta, so please excuse any errors you see.