Disharmony in the Dungeons Chapter 3, a harry potter fanfic

A/N: There was really no way to edit this buggering scene down so I removed the detailed account. If you'd like to read it in its explicit glory, you can visit my website for the "blow by blow" lol.

WARNING: Very brutal, graphic sex scene between Hermione and Severus coming up, followed by disturbing scenario of how it is dealt with between the couple.

Disharmony in the Dungeons Part 3

Severus rested against Hermione's prone body, his face buried in her hair, scenting the sweet jasmine as he felt her rising and falling beneath him. After a moment, he rolled off, lying beside her on his back, his face turned toward her. Hermione's hair covered her face wildly and he pushed it away so he could study her. Her eyes were somewhat glazed and jumped up and down a little. Severus realized she was falling asleep with them open, she was that exhausted.

The Potions Master pulled Hermione gently on top of him, sliding her down so she could nestle her head against his chest. The witch sighed contentedly as he caressed her hair softly. Severus listened as her breathing became slow and rhythmic. She had been good and he was sated for the time being. Fucking Hermione this way wouldn't be an everyday act, but it was nice to know when he was in the mood, she could and would accommodate him. He pulled the sleeping witch up a bit, so he could press his lips against her temple. How had he ever lived without her?

Wrapping his arm around his wife, Severus let sleep come.

He could ask Hermione how she liked it tomorrow.

If the Potions Master had asked his wife how she enjoyed anal sex the night before, he would have gotten a much more amicable answer than he did in the morning. The moment Hermione rolled off her husband and landed on her back on the bed, the ache hit her. The obscenity that flew from her mouth woke Severus.

"Are you all right?" he asked his wife, his sleep-filled eyes full of concern.

Hermione grimaced at him as her ass throbbed.

"Did you use your tool last night or a white hot pole?" she replied, "Severus, you didn't say anything about it hurting this much afterwards"

The Potions Master had the grace to look sheepish at least.

"Well, you were more concerned about the act itself, so naturally that's what I addressed," he responded. "I was thinking about the 'here and now,' not the 'morning after.'"

Hermione tried to sit up and quickly went prone again. She looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"This hurts more now than when you actually were buggering me," she said.

Severus blinked at her, then started, remembering the pain and healing potions he had brought from his stores. He reached a long arm to the night table and gathered up the vials.

"But I did think about you, see?" he said, opening the purple vial and helping her to lean up, "Drink this. You'll feel better."

Hermione scowled at him as he brought the potion to her lips, but drank it down. She looked at him for a few moments, then sighed with relief and sat up. Severus offered her another vial.

"Healing potion," he said, "There has to be a little rawness…"

"A little?" Hermione snorted. "I'd like to see how 'little' rawness you'd feel after someone shoved a bat in you a few times."

Severus didn't know what to say to this. He had never been buggered, and didn't intend to be. He was the buggerer, not the buggeree. He handed her the potion, and she drank that down too.

The Potions Master looked rather helpless as his black eyes gazed at her worriedly. Hermione blinked at him, and her heart softened a little.

"You're lucky I love you so much," she said, giving him a little smirk.

Severus visibly relaxed at this declaration from his wife and looked at her soberly. He thought this too. It was the same sentiment he held from the first time he deflowered her years ago. It was a sentiment that would probably never change.

"I know," Severus said shortly. Then he kissed her on the mouth. "Thank you for loving me so much, Hermione."

Hermione almost melted.

"It wasn't so bad after you got started," she said, "but I haven't fallen in love with it like Denise did."

Severus stiffened. How did she know Denise's name? He told Hermione about the women he was involved with, but never their names. The Potions Master stared at her, his brow furrowed.

"Hermione, how do you know Denise's name?" he asked her.

Shit. She hadn't meant to let him know the witch had come by to see him. Hermione felt her husband starting to probe her mind and dropped her mental walls down like a portcullis. Severus looked at her. His wife had become quite a good Occlumens. The only reason he felt her close herself off was because she wanted him to. She could discern him entering her mind almost every time he tried it now.

"Why don't you just wait until I answer you instead of trying to pry it out of my head?" Hermione chided him.

"I'm waiting," he said darkly.

"She came here looking for you one day. She didn't know you had married, and we chatted a little while," Hermione replied.

Severus didn't know what to say. If a wizard Hermione used to fuck came by wanting to see her, the Potions Master certainly wouldn't be interested in having a little chat with him. He'd beat the shit out of him and send him on his way. He looked at Hermione. There was no need to ask her what they talked about, since her comment about not liking anal sex as much as Denise said it all.

"That must have been awkward for her," Severus said, imagining in his mind what it must have been like for her to come to his rooms looking for sex and finding a young, pretty wife instead of him. She had to have been pretty randy to visit him. Denise had never sought the Potions Master out before. He always went to her. Ah well. He had a wife now. Denise would just have to find someone else to plug her.

"Yes," Hermione said, "I felt a little sorry for her."

Severus quirked an eyebrow at his compassionate wife.

"Really? Maybe I should have given her a farewell ream, then," he said grinning slightly.

"Not if you want your tool and your nads to remain attached to each other," Hermione replied, her eyes narrowing. "I didn't feel THAT sorry for her."

It was one thing for him to soullessly do Death Eaters for Voldemort's twisted pleasure in the course of his duty as a spy…but the idea of him shagging a woman for his own pleasure drove her almost as mad as it did Severus when he thought about another wizard touching her.

Severus reveled in the powerful emotions of jealousy radiating from his wife. It reassured him immensely about how she felt about him, though it was a pretty dangerous emotion to pull out of her. His morning erection throbbed.

"I was joking, Hermione," the Potions Master said placatingly.

"Well, I wasn't," Hermione said, her nostrils flaring as she attempted to climb over him and leave the bed. He grabbed her, trapping her straddled on top of him. She looked down at him, aware of the glint in his eye.

"Severus, no…" she started to say as the Potions Master shifted, holding one of her arms tightly and positioning his hard organ against her entrance. With a grunt he thrust his hips upward strongly, penetrating Hermione. She gasped as he parted and filled her in one long slide. He felt delicious as he always did and she went limp for a moment.

"Yes," he replied, his eyes going half-lidded with pleasure as he began to shag her.

When Hermione finally escaped the bed, she was in a much, much better state of mind.

Hermione successfully completed university and received as usual, the highest marks in years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, and was a Spells Mistress in good standing. She had hardly made it off the podium before the owls started arriving, offering her positions in both the private and the public sectors.

Severus was proud of her, but also apprehensive. The honeymoon was truly over now, and the Dark Lord was anxious for Hermione to join his ranks. Hermione presenting the evil wizard with a list of conditions wouldn't be taken well, but Severus knew Voldemort. He would make allowances, particularly when he found out just how accomplished his wife was.

After graduation, the Potions Master had to endure Hermione's graduation party. It was the first time Severus had ever had a celebration in his private quarters. They had opened the door between Hermione's rooms and his own to accommodate their guests. Albus and Minerva were there, as well as most of the Hogwarts staff who had taught her over the years. Harry was there as was Ron and his wife, along with Tonks and Kingsley. Ginny also put in an appearance with her latest conquest, a delicious dark-haired, dark-eyed olive-skinned young wizard who spoke with a middle-eastern accent and reeked of sensuality. The red-haired witch didn't stay long, saying Ahmed was extremely tired and needed a 'lie-down." Hermione laughed and waved her off. Same old Ginny.

Remus Lupin put in an appearance, looking pale and tired as he helped himself to some chicken wings. Although Severus was still working on a cure for him, the werewolf was fast declining. The potion that kept him lucid while in animal form was not working the way it used to. He had to drink almost four liters of it to keep his humanity now. It broke Hermione's heart to see Remus like this, and she talked to him for a few minutes, promising that she would work with her husband to find a cure in time. He smiled at her sadly.

"Maybe it would be better if you didn't find a cure in time, Hermione. I'm so tired. The idea of eternal rest is quite attractive to me, " he said, "No more struggle, no more pain, no more fear that I am going to come to one morning covered in the blood of some poor bloke I ran across in my werewolf form."

Hermione placed a sympathetic hand on his cheek.

"Remus, if you're cured, life will get better. No one will be able to hold you back or put restrictions on your life. You could work, find a wife, and have lots of little Remuses. You could live a good life. Please, don't lose hope. We'll find a cure for you," she said.

Severus watched his wife interact with Remus. As jealous as he was, he didn't feel threatened. The werewolf was in too bad a way to have designs on any woman, much less his wife. It was only because Hermione cared about the tainted wizard so much that Severus didn't stop working on a cure for him. The Potions Master never forgot Remus had almost killed him, due to a prank by Sirius Black. It wasn't the werewolf's fault, but still it happened, and Severus wasn't a forgiving soul by a long shot. The situation also put him in a life debt to Harry's father, James…who had saved him from a horrible death. A life debt he worked out by protecting his son, Harry Potter to the best of his ability.

At least he didn't have to watch over the Auror as much now. He was a grown wizard, and had acquired quite a few skills and was capable of saving his own ass. Harry was in the Order, and still considered the best weapon against Voldemort, due to the Prophecy. Severus didn't believe in destiny per se. He believed men created their own destinies by their own acts. Albus was of the mind that they should do nothing about Voldemort, other than thwart his evil plans whenever he attempted them, and arrest his Death Eaters at every turn. But as far as attacking the Dark Lord himself, the Headmaster was waiting for the confrontation between Voldemort and Harry to settle the matter once and for all. Severus thought this stupid, and had decided that he and Hermione would kill the Dark Lord if and when the opportunity arose, and would work toward that end. Fuck Albus, fuck Harry and fuck the Prophecy. This madness had gone on long enough. The Potions Master was ready to be free of both Albus and Voldemort. True, Albus was kinder than the Dark Lord, but just as focused and demanding. He expected his orders to be carried out.

Since marrying Hermione, Severus got a glimpse of what his life could be like. Working for the Order had been his whole life because he had nothing else to live for when he entered Albus' service. The Potions Master looked at his smiling wife, working the crowd of guests, his dark eyes softening somewhat. He had something to live for now. His own happiness with a witch that for some reason loved him deeply. He even thought of having a family, being a father, a whole new generation of Slytherins bursting from his loins.

There had been a scary moment the year before when Hermione thought she might be pregnant. She had been scared to tell him, and at first he was very upset about the possibility, especially concerning their plans for the Dark Lord. But when she came to him one evening and told him it was a false alarm, he had felt a twinge of disappointment. A small twinge, but he was aware of it. It shocked him that he wanted to be a father, and see Hermione waddling around the castle, big with his child.

If they could kill the Dark Lord, then that dream could become a reality. Severus was determined to destroy Voldemort, and not for the noble purpose of ridding the wizarding world of his evil, but for the selfish purpose of being free to live his own life. It was this desire that made Severus Snape even more dangerous to Voldemort than Harry Potter or any Prophecy. The Potions Master let no one get in the way of his plans, even the most feared wizard in the wizarding world. As far as Severus was concerned, Voldemort's days on this earth were numbered…and he was the one counting them down.

He looked over at his wife, who turned and caught him staring at her. She gave him a bright smile that seemed to envelop the entire study in a bright glow. Yes, he had to kill that fucking despot, and be free of him once and for all.

The very next day, Hermione and Severus sat down to discuss her taking the Mark. There was a ritual involving sex with several Death Eaters that all female inductees had to go through, which was witnessed by Voldemort and the entire army of Death Eaters. Hermione blanched at this.

"Can't I make it a condition that I don't have to go through that ritual?" Hermione said.

"No. It is Voldemort's way of becoming intimate with his female followers, seeing them at their most vulnerable, most primal state, as well as removing any sense of self-worth and modesty. He breaks them down before he accepts them," Severus said, his dark eyes focused on his wife's face.

"Severus, I don't want to be gangbanged by Death Eaters," she said. Surely her husband wouldn't want other men having sex with her.

"I don't want you touched!" Severus said vehemently, "There may be another way, but it will still require you to be publicly fucked, wife. By me. And not nicely either. The Dark Lord might accept you being taken by me, as long as it is not a loving act. I would have to brutalize you in order to satisfy him," the Potions Master said, his heart sinking. Hermione had no idea how brutal he could be in the Dark Lord's service.

"So you would have to do me in front of Voldemort and all the Death Eaters?" she asked him.

"Yes, if we are to accomplish our goal," he said, "of course, it is your choice Hermione whether or not to take the Mark. But know this, if you do not, my life is forfeit. And if that occurs, Voldemort's evil will run more rampant than it already does."

Hermione was angered that Severus would even think she would abandon him. She had come into this marriage knowing she would be required to take the Mark and to do some things that she would find unsavory, just as Severus did. She could also alleviate some of his duties under Voldemort…such as his being forced to sexually entertain him. Then he would be solely hers in body as well as heart. She looked at her husband.

"Severus, I would never abandon you. I'll do what I have to do to take the Mark," she said.

Severus was proud of his wife's courage. She was strong. He reached across the table and covered her hand with his.

"Thank you, Hermione," he breathed. "If you like, I will administer a potion to you that will enable you to detach yourself from the act. It is invocable, and will be painless, although you will still have to act and sound as if you are being brutalized."

Severus knew he would have to take Hermione completely for the Dark Lord to be satisfied. No part of her could be left untouched. Basically, he'd be expected to treat her like a whore. He would be able to do it, simply because if he didn't it could mean both their deaths. But it didn't give him pleasure to think of treating his wife as he did those willing women in the Dark Lord's circle. She had always been so good to him. Then he steeled himself. There was more at stake than his one-time brutalization of Hermione. It would be worth it in order to have her gain Voldemort's confidence. She had already presented him with an idea to kill the Dark Lord that sounded very promising, involving her ability to alter spells. The only problem would be Peter Pettigrew…but he could be dealt with.

Hermione considered her husband's offer to give her a potion that would allow her to detach herself and remove the pain. She thought this a good idea.

"Yes, Severus. I'll need the potion," she said. He nodded, and pushed the parchment and quill that lay before him toward her.

"Now we need to write the conditions of your service to the Dark Lord. He will first wonder why a friend and staunch ally of Harry Potter would take the Mark, regardless of your being my wife. He has heard of your loyalty, so this will be an issue with him that must be allayed," Severus said.

Hermione thought about this.

"The Dark Lord probably understands self-interest quite well," she said thoughtfully. "and he knows I am a person of logic and intellect. I can tell the Dark Lord that I have been around Harry for many years and don't believe Harry or the Order is capable of defeating him, and that he will be victorious in taking over the wizarding world. It would be in my best interest to serve him and be on the winning side when that happens," Hermione said.

Severus nodded. It was a very good reason…one that would also inflate the Dark Lord's already inflated ego. Voldemort would look quite kindly on Hermione for expressing such belief in his abilities. The Dark Lord was, like most tyrants, extremely vain and enjoyed praise.

"That will work," he said, "Put that down at the top."

Severus and Hermione worked on the list for hours until they were both satisfied they worked in as many conditions as possible. All were understandable. The Dark Lord would hedge, but Severus was sure he would concede. Hermione was too valuable. Of course, Voldemort could just decide to threaten to kill Severus if she didn't join him, but there was the possibility that he could lose both of them if he went that way.

Voldemort had tried that with Narcissa Malfoy, and she wouldn't budge on it, despite Lucius' beatings and his subsequent torture by the Dark Lord. Voldemort finally realized that Narcissa would let Lucius die if she had to, and left her alone. The Mistress of Malfoy Manor certainly would have let her cruel husband die and was rather disappointed when he didn't.

The list completed, Severus made a duplicate of it and gave it to his wife, then rolled up the parchment and walked into his bedroom, followed by Hermione. She watched as he changed into his robes and skull mask, pulling his pointed hood over his head, her amber eyes widening at her husband's transformation into one of the most hated beings of the wizarding world. A Death Eater.

Severus looked at her through the eyeholes of the half-mask, his charcoal eyes glinting and it made her blood run cold. The Potions Master didn't attempt to kiss her goodbye. He reached out for Voldemort mentally, asking to come into his presence. The Mark began to burn, and he grimaced, grasping his forearm.

Hermione moved toward him, but he held up one pale hand to stop her.

"I'll be back," he said…and disapparated.

Severus appeared before the Dark Lord's throne, and bowed to the scaly wizard occupying it. Voldemort was dressed in silver robes, with a green silk snake coiling around it. The eyes of the snake flashed whenever the Dark Lord moved.

"My Lord," Severus said, straightening.

"Ah, Severus. Your wife has done well at university I hear, and is a Spells Mistress of the highest caliber, unparalleled. I am quite pleased," the Dark Lord lisped in his high-pitched voice. "Has she agreed to join me?"

"She has my Lord, but with some reservations," Severus replied coolly.

"Reservations? What reservations?" Voldemort demanded, frowning.

"My wife is not a dark individual, my Lord. She is governed by logic. I had to discuss her service to you frankly…tell her the things that would be expected of her, as well as my duties to you as well. She did not like much of it, my Lord," he said. "She said she would join you if certain duties were not forced upon herself…or me."

Voldemort scowled.

"She would set conditions on her joining my ranks?" Voldemort asked, his expression growing dangerous.

"Yes, my Lord. But you must be aware that she does indeed want to serve you. She has grown up with Harry Potter and believes that he will not be able to defeat you. You are a greater wizard and have more power. She wants to be on the winning side, my Lord. She just does not want to be subject to or part of certain aspects of serving you. Considering her talent at Spell Making, the few conditions she has set forth are no great loss. What she will willingly provide you will more than make up for her lack of participation on other levels. Once she takes the Mark, her loyalty is assured, my Lord," Severus said persuasively.

Voldemort thought about this.

"What are the conditions, Severus?" he asked the Potions Master.

Severus handed the rolled parchment to a Death Eater at the right of Voldemort's throne. The Death Eater unrolled the parchment, examined it then handed it to the Dark Lord with a low bow. Voldemort read the parchment…his eyes widening and narrowing as he did so.

He looked at Severus. "Quite an extensive list. No revels. No spying. No sexual acts. It seems all she wants to do is work on Spells," he said.

"Yes my Lord. She is extremely focused," he said.

"She also wants to take away my favorite toy. She doesn't want you to entertain me any longer," the Dark Lord said.

"No, my Lord. But that is understandable. She is my wife and doesn't like the idea of me engaging other women. It causes her great distress that I must do so. Plus, my Lord, there is word that among your ranks there are several wizards quite well endowed that would be excellent substitutes for me. Someone new might increase your pleasure after all these years," Severus said.

The Dark Lord looked thoughtful. Maybe observing others would be equally rewarding, but Severus was tried and true, and knew what the Dark Lord liked to see.

Severus divined his thoughts.

"My Lord, I would teach them how to perform to your liking," he added. Severus could oversee the wizards until they became familiar with the Dark Lord's preferences.

Voldemort's red eyes rested on the Potions Master.

"Yes. Maybe it would be stimulating to have some 'new meat' as it were. Very well. I will relieve you of your duty and you will focus on Potions, working in tangent with your wife. I will also agree to the conditions. I have plenty of female Death Eaters to do my bidding. Plus, she is a muggle-born. Keeping her out of the presence of my loyal followers might not be a bad idea. However, she must participate in the ritual when she receives her Mark, Severus. That cannot be conditional," Voldemort said.

"My Lord, she does have some issue with the ritual," Severus said, "but I have thought up a way that might satisfy the need for her public subjugation. I will brutalize her myself, my Lord. Fully."

The Dark Lord's eyebrows rose. Severus was extremely brutal, which was why he liked to watch him. He used his tool like a weapon and beat women down to broken, sobbing shells of themselves.

"Your wife agrees to this?" the Dark Lord asked.

"Rather than have several men ravage her, yes my Lord," Severus replied.

"Is she aware of how brutal you are, Severus?" the Dark Lord asked. The Potions Master was as bad as several Death Eaters in Voldemort's estimation.

"No, my Lord. I have never hurt her," he said. Well, he may have a little, but nothing like he was capable of.

Voldemort smiled. The mudblood would be ravished and broken by her own husband. That would adequately show her how much power he had over Severus. It could be even more damaging to her than being gangbanged, since this was the man she so loved. And he would do it publicly. Yes, he liked the idea very much.

"I would expect you to be even more brutal than usual in this case, Severus. She is your wife, and you might feel obligated to hold back. I will not accept that. If I give you the dispensation to take your own wife in the ritual, it must be done in a way that my other Death Eaters will not be willing to try and emulate if their own wives join," he said to the Potions Master.

"I will take her as if I do not know her, my Lord. I assure you, it will be a violent act, suitable to the ritual's requirements," the Potions Master said to the Dark Lord. Voldemort smiled his approval. Severus never said anything he didn't mean. His wife would be brought low before his throne.

"Very well, I will accept you as her only assailant for the ritual. When she is sufficiently broken, I will give her the Mark, and she will be one of mine. She will be excused from the revels, and other duties. She will not receive random punishments for my pleasure, although she will be subject to punishment if she displeases me in any way. She will be excused from sexual duties to me or other Death Eaters. However, she will still be a Death Eater's wife, and your brothers may approach her for sex, Severus. I do not expect you to harm them. It is her choice whether or not to receive them," the Dark Lord said. "No more Blood Right claims over her."

Severus scowled slightly.

"As long as they do not attempt to force themselves on her as Lucius did, my Lord, I will do nothing to deter them," the Potions Master said. Of course, it was a lie. He doubted many brothers would approach her after what happened to Lucius. But then again, Hermione was quite desirable. There might be a wolf or two among the sheep.

"Fair enough, Severus," the Dark Lord said, eyeing Severus with a familiar look. "Since these conditions will not go into effect until your wife receives the Mark, I might as well get my last bit of entertainment out of you."

Severus groaned inwardly. The Dark Lord clapped his hands together twice. Two Death Eater females walked up to Severus and started undressing.

One of the women was a curvaceous raven-haired beauty, the other was the redhead he had taken last time he performed for the Dark Lord. She looked at him, licking her lips as she disrobed. Considering how badly Severus had brutalized her, he was sure something was very wrong with the witch. By the time he had finished with her, there was blood on his organ. Obviously, she liked that kind of thing. So be it.

Voldemort watched as the women removed their robes, his thin hand sliding beneath his robes, the tip of his forked tongue vibrating between his scaly lips. A mattress appeared.

"I'd like to see a doubleheader," the Dark Lord said, smirking as the naked women attacked the Potions Master's robes.

When Severus returned that night, he was exhausted. Hermione was already in bed when he suddenly appeared with a crack of thunder. He stared at her a minute without speaking, his black eyes haggard, then removed his robes and mask, put them away and grabbed a pair of silk boxers from the lower drawer of his wardrobe. The Potions Master then walked into the bathroom and hit the shower. He stayed under the spray almost an hour, trying to wash the scent of the women off of him. Finally he exited the shower, dried himself off and pulled on his silk boxers. Walking back into the bedroom, he climbed into the bed and lay down next to his wife. He stared up at the ceiling, silent.

Hermione's eyes swept over him.

"Are you all right, Severus?" she asked him. The Potions Master turned his face toward her.

"Yes, I'm fine, Hermione," he replied.

Hermione knew he wasn't fine. She knew what the long showers after visiting Voldemort meant. She moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. She rubbed his chest lightly

"The Dark Lord accepted your conditions," Severus said, "Your induction into his ranks will be held the night of the next full moon. All Death Eaters will be in attendance. Several other women will be taking the Mark that night."

"And the ritual?" Hermione asked, her stomach tightening.

Severus looked at her.

"I will be your sole assailant for the ritual," he said, his voice sounding strained.

"Assailant?" Hermione asked, her brow wrinkled.

Severus turned his whole body toward her.

"Hermione, I will not be playing the part of your husband during the ritual. My job is to totally break you, and subjugate you. You will be experiencing a side of me that you have never seen before. The potion will take away the pain, but not the horror. Do you understand me? You won't feel the full force of my penetration, my abuse of your body as it happens. However, you will emotionally experience the roughness, the callousness and the cruelty in my treatment of you. Because I am your husband, and I will not be treating you the way you are used to being treated. The ritual is violent, Hermione. And I will be violent.

I will be putting on a show for the Dark Lord, and he expects me to be particularly brutal to you, Hermione. I am going to have to be, or there will be consequences. I will not beat or hit you, but I will handle you roughly, and have to take every orifice convincingly. I wish there were another way, but there isn't, Hermione. I need you to be prepared for what will happen that night. I only hope…" the Potions Master hesitated.

"You hope what, Severus?" she asked him, worried at the look on his face.

"I only hope you will be able to separate the man I am from the man I become in order to complete the ritual and get you the Mark. I don't want you to turn away from me afterwards, Hermione. If there were any other way to get you the Mark, I swear I would do it.

"I know you would, Severus," she said softly, caressing his cheek to comfort him.

As I said, the potion will ease the pain of my penetration of your body when it is occurring. But later, you will feel what I've done to you. Hopefully I will have you home and treated before the aftermath hits you. It will require me to use the elixir," he said quietly.

The elixir? Severus would only use the elixir made from her virginal blood in extreme circumstances.

"It's going to be that bad, Severus?" she asked him.

"Yes, Hermione. It really will be," he said. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him so tightly she could hardly breathe. He seemed to realize he was crushing her and loosened his grip. He looked at her.

"I need you to remember that I love you, Hermione. Promise me that you will hold that thought in your head when we are in the Dark Lord's presence," he whispered passionately against her hair.

"I'll remember, Severus," Hermione said, her heart so full of ache it hurt. Her husband was torn to the point of being emotional. She had an ordeal to face, but so did he.

The Potions Master tossed and turned the entire night, crying out Hermione's name in his sleep, waking the witch several times. She did her best to soothe him, sweat running down his brow. She had no idea what his nightmares consisted of. She was tempted to slip into his mind as he slept, but decided it was probably best she did not know. She was worried enough.

Hermione was aware there was a very dark side to her husband. A very angry, vengeful side that he kept from her. When he had left her the night she was almost killed by the assassins, and she read about the mutilated bodies found the next day, she knew in her gut that Severus had wreaked a horrible revenge on the two men. The violence of his act had sickened her, but she knew he did what he felt he had to do to protect his own. Her husband was not going to leave them alive to attack them again. Hermione suspected that someone sent the men, and Severus' method of killing them was meant to send a message. She believed whoever was behind the attack, had gotten that message loud and clear.

This was the alternate world her husband lived in, a world of pain, violence and death. A world where power wasn't given him in large amounts, and even the direction of his destiny was determined by others. He was a servant of the Dark Lord, a servant of Albus Dumbledore and a servant of the wizarding world at large. Even move he made was within the confines of those boundaries. Hermione realized the Potions Master's only respite, was her. And now she was being brought into his dark existence, his ultimate hope that she would be able to help him free himself.Hermione felt if Severus could be freed, his darkness would recede. Not totally, but enough to make him a happier, more content man. As he was now, he wasn't free to live or even love as he would like. She had to help him. If that meant going down into the darkness with him, she would do it, and help break the chains of servitude that bound him. As far as Hermione Snape was concerned, Voldemort was as good as gone.

The night of the full moon was upon Hermione and Severus. The couple had spent the night before making tender and passionate love over and over, the Potions Master trying his best to drive his love deep into his wife in such a way that it would stay with her through the ordeal he was going to put her through.

Severus donned his Death Eater robes, but not his mask, then brought her the potion. It was a thick, black concoction and tasted of licorice and coffee. Hermione drank it down, and after warning her not to repeat it out loud, the Potions Master told her the word that would invoke its powers.

"Don't say the word until I am actually standing before you, Hermione. It is important that you say it just before I take you. Understand me?" he said to her, holding both her hands tightly in his.

"Yes," she said nervously. Then Severus kissed her tenderly. "Don't eat or drink anything you are given," he said. "Just decline it."

She nodded.

Severus gasped, and grasped his forearm as the Dark Lord's summons made itself known.

"It's time, Hermione," he said, pulling on the half-skull mask and putting up his hood. He took her by the arm. "Remember everything I've told you. And remember, I love you."

They disapparated.

They reappeared in a great, circular throne room. In the center of it sat the Dark Lord, resplendent in a shimmering scarlet robe with the image of Mors Mordre embroidered in golden thread on his breast. His red eyes glowed with excitement. He loved ritual nights. The room was filled with masked, hooded Death Eaters, milling about excitedly and talking to one another. Several looked at Hermione hungrily. Severus took her and walked her toward the throne.

"Remember to curtsey and not to rise until he gives you leave," Severus hissed at her. "And always address him as 'my Lord.'"

Hermione swallowed as they approached the most evil wizard in existence.

They stopped before the throne, Severus bowing and Hermione curtseying.

There was a moment of silence as the Dark Lord studied the couple.

"Rise," he said, and both Hermione and the Potions Master straightened.

Voldemort's red eyes fell on the witch and glittered.

"Ah, Spells Mistress. Welcome to my abode, and in a little while, my ranks," he said in his high-pitched voice.

"Thank you my Lord. I am grateful for this opportunity, particularly since I am a muggle-born," she responded.

"Nice," Severus thought with approval.

"The misfortune of your parentage is not something you can help. In your case, it is of little consequence. Your intelligence and accomplishments make you worthy to be one of mine. You will be under my protection," he said, his eyes sweeping over her. It was unfortunate her conditions stated she was not to perform for him. She was a pretty little piece.

"As long as you produce, that is," the Dark Lord added, his eyes narrowing.

"Then I should be under your protection for the rest of my life, my Lord, for I intend to use all of my resources to serve you," Hermione responded, curtseying again.

The Dark Lord smirked with approval. Severus kept his face studiously neutral.

"Very well, Hermione. We shall see," he said, clapping his hands. Two female Death Eaters approached and took Hermione away.

The Dark Lord looked at Severus with a glint in his eye.

"Your wife is quite lovely. I shall enjoy seeing her broken," he lisped at the Potions Master, "Do not disappoint me, Severus. Go and prepare."

"Yes, my Lord," Severus said, bowing and walking away.

Hermione was taken through a door into a large, empty room with several other new inductees. A bench wound around the wall, and several large, fragrant tubs sat on the floor. Next to each tub was a small bottle. The witches escorted Hermione next to a tub and began to undress her.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, pulling away from them.

"You must be prepared for the Mark," the red-haired woman said, eyeing Hermione. So this was Severus' wife. She was very small. How did she handle such a wizard?

Hermione submitted as the women stripped her naked, surreptiously looking her body over. She was small but very well formed. The Dark Lord would be pleased.

The women bathed Hermione, then oiled her body until it gleamed. Then they brought out what looked like a black leather harness and fitted it over her body. It criss-crossed between her breasts, separating and lifting them slightly and was fastened at the back with hooks. Two leather garters were slipped over her thighs and attached to the harness by two leather straps. Then a silk robe was draped over her. It was scarlet and only had two fasteners.

The other inductees were all dressed the same as she was.

Another Death Eater female entered with a platter that held several drinks. She offered one to Hermione, who shook her head.

"It may be a long while before you have the chance to have a drink," the woman said, trying to persuade her.

"No thank you," Hermione said. The woman looked at the other Death Eater females for a moment. They shrugged, and she moved on to the next inductees, who all took a glass and drank thirstily.

"When you are called, you will enter the throne room and go through the ritual. Afterwards, you will receive your Mark and be free to go. There is a recovery room for those of you who will require it," the redheaded Death Eater said with a rather nasty smirk. All of them would require it.

All of the Death Eater women left.

The women all sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Hermione felt slightly restricted by her harness. It was so tight, it was restricting her breathing somewhat. She looked over at the other women. They looked a little flushed. She wondered if she looked the same.

They sat there for half an hour before the door was flung open.

"Cecilia Mumsforth, arise and be counted," a male voice called.

A tall blonde haired witch stood up, took a deep breath and proceeded to the door, walking through. It closed firmly behind her.

Hermione listened closely, but couldn't hear anything. The room must have a silencing charm on it to keep them from knowing what was going on. But Hermione knew. The woman was being ravished in front of Voldemort and the Death Eaters.

After about forty-five minutes, the door opened again.

"Vanessa Evans-Horthwards," the voice bellowed. "Arise and be counted!" A short, rather chunky witch with black hair exited the room. The door closed again.

Hermione watched as witch after witch was called and the room emptied out. Finally it was her and another witch left. Hermione noticed the witch squirming slightly and rubbing her hands along her thighs.

"Lust potion," she thought, "Obviously the Dark Lord wanted the inductees hot and panting.

The door opened again.

"Liza Figglesworth," the male voice said. "Arise and be counted."

Figglesworth? Hermione knew that name. Was this witch related to the Minister of Magic?

The witch rose and almost ran from the room. Hermione watched her go.

Now it was only her in the room. Hermione guessed Voldemort wanted to save her for last, being that she had only one Death Eater engaging her. Severus.

For some reason she shuddered.

It seemed like hours before the door opened again.

"Hermione Snape, arise and be counted!" the voice said.

Hermione took a calming breath, and exited the room.

It was showtime.

WARNING: SEXUAL BRUTALITY/VIOLENCE/ABUSE IN THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS. SQUEAMISH READERS, SKIP IT!

Almost four hundred Death Eaters watched Hermione approach, standing silent, masked, their eyes glittering. The witch was escorted between two male Death Eaters to the area directly in front of Voldemort throne. She could smell sex in the air, and the floor before the throne was stained with fluids. Hermione held her bile down as they stopped in front of Voldemort. Hermione curtsied, and the two Death Eaters bowed and withdrew.

Voldemort looked down at her.

"Arise, Hermione Snape," Voldemort lisped. Hermione stood and kept her eyes lowered to the ground.

"You come to me of your own free will, willing to take my Mark and become one of my illustrious Death Eaters? Swearing fealty to me unto death? Swearing obedience in all things? Swearing to serve me before all other things of earth and heaven? Willing to submit to my will?" Voldemort asked the witch.

"Yes, my Lord," Hermione answered him.

The Dark Lord extended his hand offering her his ring. It was a large golden serpent, with opal eyes that flashed as if alive. Hermione mounted the dais and pressed her lips to the ring. The Dark Lord lifted her chin and studied her face. Hermione took in the thin scales of flesh that covered his skin, his slitted nostrils, his thin, lipless mouth. His tongue flickered out, tasting her skin. He sighed.

"You are a beautiful witch, Hermione Snape," he hissed, "A pity I will have to have you vicariously. You may return to the floor."

Hermione back down the dais and stood before Voldemort.

His red eyes glittered at her.

"You have sworn your loyalty to me, now you must prove it and bear your body and soul to me," he said, clapping his hands.

Hermione was suddenly aware of movement behind her and turned to see motion in the crowd of Death Eaters behind her. They were being jostled as someone passed through them. She could make out a half-skull mask.

The Death Eaters parted, and Hermione caught her breath as Severus walked out from their midst. He was naked, and erect, his pale, muscular body bound in a harness much like hers, but studded with flat metal studs. His body was oiled. He strode toward her, his motion fluid, dangerous. But it was his eyes that frightened her, glinting through the mask. They were hard, cold and focused. He stopped next to her, looking up at the Dark Lord.

"Disrobe, Hermione Snape," the Dark Lord commanded as Severus turned to face her. There seemed to be no recognition in his eyes as they looked down on her. His jaw was clenched, and his nostrils flared.

Hermione hesitated for a moment. She had to do this.

She unfastened both clasps and let the scarlet robe fall to the floor, her bound body glistening in the torchlight. Severus stood still as a statue, looking down on her, every muscle tight, his erection huge.

"Nullus Dolor" Hermione whispered under her breath, invoking the potion as Voldemort's red eyes swept over her appreciatively.

"Take her!" he lisped.

Severus' hand shot out and gripped Hermione by her hair and forced her down to her knees, forcing his cock into her mouth and thrusting into it roughly, his black eyes unchanging as he dragged her over him, gagging her. She didn't feel any pain, but felt horror at his violation of her before all these people as he pumped into her mouth rabidly, puffing loudly, then grasping both sides of her head and driving as much of his organ into her mouth as he could.

Hermione wanted to scream at his treatment of her, but couldn't for the obvious reason. Severus bent his knees and pushed her back, following her down causing her to unfold her legs and fall to her back, laying over her, raising up on his arms still thrusting into her mouth, his legs straddling her upper body. She felt as if he were trying to choke her to death as he pistoned into her mouth. She felt him dip into her throat and shudder. She was having trouble breathing.

Severus stopped and rose up off her for a moment, then looked down at her, his eyes still hard and unaffected. He reached down and grasped her harness between her breasts and dragged her to the lower dais, throwing her body on the short flight of stairs. Then he dropped and lifted her thighs, pushing her upward until she was almost doubled over, then he shoved his member into her rectum. Hermione felt him split her and screamed out hysterically, not in pain, but in horror and shame as he plunged inside her so brutally she felt her ass suddenly loosen abnormally. Wetness and warmth flowed down. She kept screaming. She didn't have to pretend.

"Yes Severus! Yes!" Voldemort screamed at the Potions Master, who fucked Hermione's ass wildly, his body slamming into her so hard he was sliding her up the staircase. She could feel the stairs digging into her back, but there was still no pain. Severus fucked her this way for almost twenty minutes, the Dark Lord egging him on. Hermione kept screaming as she looked up at him. He wasn't looking at her, but staring ahead as if focused on something distant, slamming himself into her over and over, sweat staining his harness and dripping on her.

Suddenly he stopped and turned her over. For a moment she glimpsed his organ. It was covered in blood. He had torn her. Hermione screamed again at this realization as the Potion Master plunged his bloody member into her and plowed her against the stairs, arching into her, jerking her body, shoving his entire length and girth into her brutally, actually lifting her up with each stroke. Hermione felt a shifting, then a bursting inside her, not an orgasm but something she knew would be extremely painful if she could feel it. Something that wasn't right, that shouldn't have happened. The Potions Master gripped her shoulders so hard, he left finger marks in her fair skin. His loins slapped against her loudly, and blood was smeared on her buttocks, which were turning red from his body banging against her so brutally

He seemed to take her forever, and Hermione stopped screaming, her voice too hoarse to continue. And still he rode her, bathing her body in his sweat. Her breasts had lines in them from the stairs, and they were bruising terribly. Suddenly the Potions Master stiffened and plowed into her so hard that she slid up the stairs almost to Voldemort's feet. Severus came, pulling out of her and spraying her back and hair with his come, his hand wrapped around his tool, red with her blood, directing when his jism landed. Finished, he stood, turned to the Dark Lord and bowed. Then he turned without a further look at the broken witch before him, strode back through the crowd and disappeared.

Hermione lay at Voldemort's feet, bleeding from both orifices. She couldn't feel the pain but she felt the warmth, and knew it wasn't from an orgasm.

She felt Voldemort move, and his scaly hand grip her arm and turn it over, touching his wand to her forearm. He whispered something, and Hermione felt warmth on her arm. She knew it hurt to take the Mark, so she gave a hoarse scream, and kept it up until she felt the warmth fade.

"You may go, faithful servant," Voldemort breathed down at her. "Await my summons."

Hermione felt strong arms grip her and pull her to her feet. She felt weak, and her legs would hardly support her. She looked down and saw blood everywhere, and paled. That was her blood. She felt the silk robe slipped over her, and she was led away.

In another room, Severus removed the harness, and stared down at his bloody cock. He blinked several times before he whispered "scourgify" and all signs of his wife's violation were cleansed from him. Hurriedly he dressed, and burst from the room to try and reach his wife before the potion wore off. He fought through the Death Eaters who were all trying to congratulate him on such an awesome performance. They held him up, crowding around him in an ever-widening circle.

When Hermione was taken to the recovery room, she was sat on a bench and left alone, blood staining her scarlet robes. The other witches were gone. Her legs were smeared with blood, and she could feel a slight pulsing inside her that intensified. She began to register soreness at first, which seemed to fill the entire half of her lower body. She dealt with it, realizing the potion was wearing off. The soreness was quickly became a fire inside her, burning her and she doubled over, slipping from the bench and curling into a fetal position as the pain hit her. Severus had torn her rectum and ripped her vaginal walls between her anus and her pussy. She was still bleeding.

The door burst open and Severus ran in. He did not have on his Death Eater mask or hood. He looked on his blood-soaked wife, cursed himself, then scooped her up as gently as he could and disapparated.

Severus apparated with Hermione into their bedroom and gently laid her on the bed and divestoed the robe and harness from her body. His black eyes swept over her bruised breasts and belly and rested on the blood between her thighs. Then he looked at the Mark on her forearm. She wouldn't be wearing any short-sleeved shirts or tank tops for a while. He was sure she would find a way to cover it eventually.

The Potions Master carefully rolled Hermione over and saw the bruises from the stairs on her back and her reddened buttocks from his body pounding against him. He spread her cheeks and closed his eyes against the ripped flesh oozing blood. He had torn her badly. Normally the sight of such damage didn't move the Potions Master, he was practically immune to the sight of blood and mutilated flesh. But this was different. This was his wife, and he was the cause of injuring such a loving creature.

He continued to examine her. Blood also flowed from between her thighs. He swallowed, picked up the elixir he had left waiting on the nightstand and rolled the witch over. Hermione was unconscious, overcome by pain. He knew there had to be internal damage as well…he felt her shift too much, then tear inside.

Severus sat down on the bed, lifting Hermione slightly so she partially rested in his arms.

"Ennervate," he said softly.

He hated to bring her to consciousness, but he had to get the elixir down her. Hermione groaned and attempted to curl up in his arms. Tears began to stream from her eyes. Severus uncorked the bottle and held it to her lips.

"Drink, Hermione. It will heal you," he said softly, tilting the elixir against her lips.

Hermione began to feel immediate relief as her torn rectum sealed itself, and her broken inner wall repaired itself. Severus watched as her bruises lightened, then disappeared, her skin taking on its normal glow. Hermione sighed against him and fell still.

Severus scourgified his wife and the bed, removing all the blood. He turned the covers down and slid Hermione under them, tucking them around her securely. He looked down at her a moment, then extinguished the torches and left the room.

The Potions Master walked into the study and removed his clothing until he was left in his silk boxers. He transfigured his Death Eater robe into a blanket and lay down on the sofa, pulling it over him and tried to go to sleep. Gods, what he had done.

Hermione awoke in the morning looking for her husband. She felt no pain, and the night before felt as it if had been a horrible nightmare. Then she looked at the Mark on her arm and knew it had been very, very real. Severus had brutalized her violently, fucking her until she bled from both orifices, tearing her open. He had warned her it would be a terrible act, but she hadn't known what the wizard was truly capable of sexually. She did know now. She wondered how many witches he had damaged for the Dark Lord's pleasure, then decided she didn't want to know. She looked at the bed. Severus hadn't slept with her. This was the first time since they were married that he did not share her bed.

Hermione rolled out of the bed, her eyes falling on the bloody robe and harness, bringing the horror of the night before back in full relief. Her wand was in the top drawer of her dresser. She retrieved it and transformed the robe and harness into parchment, then burned them, scourgifying the ashes. She then walked to her wardrobe and pulled out her housecoat, tying it around her securely. She used the loo, brushed her teeth and washed her face, then left the bedroom and walked into the study.

She saw Severus tucked uncomfortably on the couch, a blanket halfway covering him. He was frowning in his sleep. She knew why he was out here. He couldn't bring himself to sleep with her after what he had done to her. It was horrible for her, but it had to be horrible for him. He never looked at her once when he violated her. He couldn't bring himself to watch what his body was doing to hers. But he did what he had to do to get her the Mark. At what price?

Hermione walked up to him, and shook his shoulder gently.

"Severus? Severus, wake up," she said softly.

The Potions Master opened his eyes. They were horribly bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept. He hadn't really, drifting off only after the sun had been up for at least an hour. His black eyes shifted to Hermione's face. He rolled to a sitting position, looking up at her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked her quietly.

"Fine. I'm fine Severus. Not in any pain at all," she replied, hoping to comfort him.

"That's good," he said shortly.

They were both silent a long while. Finally Hermione asked him if he wanted breakfast.

"No," Severus responded, not looking at her, "I'm not hungry." The fact was he felt he would never eat again, his stomach was in so many knots. "You go ahead and order breakfast for yourself."

Hermione didn't like the way he sounded. She sat down next to him and started to place her hand on his thigh. He jumped and looked at her as if he had never seen her before.

"Severus, I'm all right. Don't torture yourself. You did what you had to do, and I'm fine," she said softly.

"Hermione, you have no idea how much I damaged you," he replied. "How torn up you were."

"I felt it, Severus. I know what happened to me. But I also know you didn't want it to happen. You took no pleasure in it. And you healed me so I'm good as new," she said.

"I healed you physically, Hermione…but how about emotionally? The elixir doesn't cover that," he said, his voice low with self-loathing.

"Severus, it all seems like a dream to me. A nightmare I woke up from this morning," she said sincerely.

Severus looked at her, not believing her. How could she just let what he did to her go? Yes, she was warned, and expected the worst…but she still went through it. A wizard that claimed to love her still hurt her horribly. If he really loved her, he would not have brought her into this web of violence and deceit. He didn't feel Hermione in his mind, but knew she was when she gasped at him, then scowled.

"Severus, I want to help you fight Voldemort. You did what you had to do to make it possible for me to do just that. Don't question your love for me. I know you love me. You didn't look at me once last night except when you first entered the throne room, and even then you were detached, not a part of what was happening. The you I love wasn't in the wizard that brutalized me last night. But the you I love is here now. Please don't punish yourself for something that had to be done. I willingly went to the Dark Lord, knowing what would happen. I am as much a part of it as you are, Severus. Now we are in the position to do something. I don't want you pulling away from me now. The worst is over," she said, placing her hand on his thigh again.

This time he didn't react. Severus just looked at her, the image of her torn, brutalized body still playing in his head. He stood up.

"I need to get some air, Hermione," he said.

In a flash he was dressed. He used magic. That was rare. He enjoyed the ritual of dressing himself.

"I'll be back in a while," the Potions Master said, walking to the study door, opening it and exiting. The wall lowered behind him.

Hermione didn't see her husband for the whole day. It was now after ten, and she had gone to bed. She heard a noise in the study and sat up, listening. Severus whispered something quietly. Hermione eased out of the bed and walked into the study. The Potions Master was back on the couch, covered in the blanket, his eyes closed. She walked over to him.

"Severus, come to bed," she said softly.

The Potions Master didn't answer her.

"I'm not used to sleeping alone, Severus. I want you with me," she said to him.

He still didn't respond, and she was starting to get angry. She pulled the covers off of him, and he opened his eyes. He was dressed in his boxers.

"Severus, now you are punishing me too, and I've already been through enough. I want you off this couch and in the bed now!" she said, putting her hands on her hips and stomping her foot.

The Potions Master looked at her, then rolled off the couch and silently walked into the bedroom, followed by a scowling Hermione. He lifted the covers and climbed into the bed. Hermione slid in after him.

Severus turned over and faced the wall. Hermione lay there looking at him. At least he was in the bed. She decided not to push him further. He needed to work this out. It was almost like he was grieving. She sighed and closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep, hoping that her husband would come around soon.

Things continued as they were for about a week. Severus slept in bed with Hermione, but wouldn't touch her, he felt so much guilt, and guilt was an emotion the Potions Master was completely unfamiliar with, as was remorse. His entire life he had done what he had to do, knowing that was his only option. In the case of Hermione taking the Mark, he had followed his usual path…but his heart was so invested in his wife that he couldn't come to terms with what he'd done. He felt in his heart that Hermione should hate him. Hate him and hate his touch.

Hermione talked to Severus until she was blue in the face, to no avail. But the worst was yet to come. Hermione was missing Severus' loving. She still desired her husband and wanted him to be intimate with her. Severus wouldn't make any attempt to do this. Finally, Hermione attacked him while he slept, sliding under the covers and giving him a blowjob. Severus woke up immediately and tried to make her stop, but she didn't…at first. After a couple of minutes, it was clear that the Potions Master wasn't responding to her attentions at all. For the first time in his life, Severus Snape, sex god, couldn't get an erection. His guilt simply ran too deep.

Hermione did what any good wife would do. She reassured him and said it could happen to anyone, and he was bound to get better. She snuggled up to him and kissed him, but after a while he slipped his arm out from under her and turned to the wall again, as he had been doing every night.

In class, Severus was a complete monster. He lashed out at his students like a scourge, tearing points from the flesh of their houses, whipping them with detentions with Filch for the slightest infractions, real or imagined. And many were imagined. When Albus tried to talk to him about his behavior, Severus actually told him to mind his own bloody business. The Headmaster was taken aback by this, but realized the Potions Master had to be truly out of sorts to address him in such a manner. He thought he'd better speak to his other half.

Albus was aware that Hermione took the Mark, and had already indoctrinated her into the Order. He knew the requirements of taking the Mark, and didn't want to think of Hermione going through that. They sat down and had a candid talk, and Hermione revealed that Severus was the one who brutalized her, rather than a group of Death Eaters, and that he had done great damage to her, but brought her back and healed her instantly. She hesitated about telling Albus what had happened to his virility because of it, but found the Headmaster very understanding about it. He had gone through something similar years ago, when he had been forced to sacrifice some members of the Order when fighting the evil of Grindelwald back in 1945. He lost his fire immediately afterwards much to the chagrin of one Minerva McGonagall.

"What did you do, Headmaster?" Hermione asked him.

Albus looked over his glasses at her.

"I did much like Severus is doing now. I turned away from Minerva and lashed out at others. I was quite a bastard if I say so myself," he said, looking a bit distant.

"I mean, did you ever get your 'fire' back?" Hermione asked him, blushing slightly. Discussing the Headmaster's ability to get an erection was a conversation she never dreamed she'd be having, particularly with the Headmaster himself.

"Ah yes, with some help from Minerva," he said.

"I've tried 'helping' Severus. Nothing happens," Hermione said glumly

"Oh, well Minerva tried the usual means as well, to no effect," Albus said, blushing a bit himself. "She had to find another way. Quite sneaky. It definitely placed her in the shadow of Slytherin house. But it worked."

"What did she do?" Hermione asked, hoping Albus would reveal it.

"Quite simple really. A lust potion in a glass of pumpkin juice. I couldn't help but find my fire after that. And once found, it has never been extinguished again," he said, grinning at her.

Hermione suppressed a shudder. She liked the Headmaster, but didn't want to imagine the old wizard still getting wood.

"Of course, a lust potion! Why didn't I think of that?" Hermione said, frowning.

"You were probably too caught up. Sometimes the simplest answers are the hardest to come by," the Headmaster said. "So I trust you will get our Potions Master back up to snuff. The houses are all running out of points. Even Slytherin is running low which is completely uncharacteristic on Severus' part."

Severus rarely ever took points from his own house. Just more proof the wizard was definitely not himself.

"You certainly can trust he will be restored. Hopefully tonight. But I need a chance to raid his stores…"

She looked at the Headmaster consideringly

"Headmaster, do you think…" she began.

"Of course I'll distract him," Albus replied, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Do you think you can work him up to want a drink when he returns?" Hermione asked the Headmaster who looked at her soberly.

"Hermione, I don't think there is a time that Severus doesn't want a drink after spending time with me," he smirked. Hermione laughed. He was right. Severus always went straight to the liquor cabinet when he returned from a meeting with Albus.

The Headmaster rose.

"I will contact him before the end of his last class so he comes to my office immediately afterwards. How long will you need?" Albus asked her.

"Around forty-five minutes," Hermione replied. She probably didn't need that much time but better safe than busted.

"Forty-five minutes it is then," Albus said, heading for the study exit. He turned to her.

"I wish you luck, Mrs. Snape," he said his blue eyes bright, "in returning our Potions Master to the upstanding wizard we know he is."

Hermione groaned at the thinly veiled joke as Albus left, then shook her head and looked at the clock. Severus would be done with his last class in an hour. She'd wait a few minutes, then slip into his classroom, unward his stores and get the strongest lust potion he had. He kept an assortment to keep his supply well rounded. Getting him to drink the potion was another story. He would discern the taste in a drink. Possibly she could get him to down a shot. It would be swallowed before he could identify it. He'd be furious, but then…

Hermione smiled wickedly. Then it wouldn't really matter, would it?

At precisely ten minutes after four, Hermione opened the study, walked through Severus' office and into his classroom. He was gone. Albus had snagged him. Hermione walked to the potions stores and unwarded the doors. She knew the wards well, since she often had to get healing potions after vigorous nights with her husband. How she missed those vigorous nights.

She opened the door, and a torch immediately flared. That was new. Severus must have gotten tired of turning it on and off with magic. She shuffled through the potions and found was she was looking for. She read the label.

Intercourse Eternal.

That sounded about right. She read the instructions. Two drops in fluid. She could do that. But she didn't want to take the whole bottle. She poked around in the pull out drawers beneath the shelving near the floor of the storeroom and found a cache of eyedroppers. She carefully opened the lust potion and drew out two nice sized drops. She cast a containment spell on the dropper so the contents wouldn't be accidentally squeezed out, resealed the bottled and returned it to its proper place. She then re-warded the storeroom and hurried back to the study. She had a few other preparations to make for her husband.

Severus stepped through the floo scowling, to find Hermione sitting in the armchair. She was dressed in her housecoat and her hair was damp. He could smell the jasmine scent she wore. It smelled good.

"Hello, Severus. Had a visit with Albus?" she asked him.

Severus looked at her suspiciously.

"Yes, but how did you know?" he asked her.

"You have a certain scowl you wear after visiting with him," Hermione smirked. Severus didn't doubt it.

"The man is infuriating. He had me up there discussing his problems with Minerva. It seems he needed an ear. It was horrible. I now have images of Minerva and Albus swimming in my head that should not be there," he said, shuddering a little and starting for the liquor cabinet.

Hermione jumped up.

"Sit down, Severus. You're all stressed out. I'll fix your drink for you," she said.

"Thank you," he replied, taking a seat in the armchair she just vacated. Normally he would have kissed Hermione hello when he stepped through the floo, no matter his mood. But, since the night of the ritual…there wasn't even that kind of contact.

Hermione pulled out a shot glass, poured in some firewhiskey and stealthily slipped the dropper out of her pocket and added the drops of potion to the drink. She replaced the dropper into her pocket, picked up the shot and carried it over to Severus.

"I wanted a drink, not a shot," he said, taking the small glass and glaring at it.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Severus. I'll fix you a larger drink," Hermione said, walking back to the cabinet, holding her breath.

Severus looked at the shot of firewhiskey for a moment and decided not to waste it. He chucked it down. Then his eyes went wide. He turned to Hermione.

"Hermione, you put lust potion in that drink!" he said accusingly.

"I most certainly did. I believe it was called 'Intercourse Eternal,'" she said smiling and walking back toward him, her hands untying the sash of her robe.

"Intercourse Eternal! That's the strongest lust potion in my stores," the Potions Master said, scowling at her.

Hermione slipped off her robes, revealing a rather sheer negligee in Slytherin green. It left nothing to the imagination.

"It sure is. I want you, Severus. You haven't touched me in over a week and I'm randy. I've just made certain that you're going to be horny too," she said walking toward him slowly.

Severus ran a finger around the collar of his robes. He was starting to feel rather warm. He didn't know if it was from the potion or what his wife was wearing. More than likely, both. He felt a stirring in his loins as his cock began to swell.

Hermione watched his robes start to tent and gave her husband a lascivious smile.

"Welcome back, little Severus," she said, grinning at the Potions Master's boxers, "You've been sorely missed."

Severus began to unbutton his robes, looking a little helpless.

"Hermione, I don't want to do this," he said as his fingers flew down the front of his robes.

"That's not what little Severus says," Hermione replied moving in front of him. Then she sobered.

"Severus, I love you and I miss you. I need this. I need you." she said softly.

"But Hermione…I might hurt you," he said as he peeled off his robes. The potion had put his body on automatic, but his mind was still stuck on stupid.

"Severus, you've never hurt me in a bad way. Certainly there is some ache, but it's a good ache. You aren't at the ritual now. You'll be good like you always are," she said soothingly, pressing her body against him, as he unbuttoned his cuffs. She moved away so he could access his shirt.

The Potions Master's eyes were dark with lust as he looked at his wife. The potion had worked his way into his system. Hermione creamed herself at that look. It felt like forever since he'd looked at her like that.

"I can't be held responsible for what I'm about to do to you," he growled, pulling off his shirt, dropping it on the floor and going at his pants with a vengeance.

Hermione's eyes glowed as she watched him remove his pants, shoes and socks. His silk boxers were drawn up tight, he was so engorged and extended.

"Little Severus isn't so little," Hermione said, biting her lip and looking up at her husband. "As a matter of fact, I believe he's going to make a 'huge impact' on this evening's activities."

Albus must have rubbed off on her.

Severus growled in response, and moved into Hermione purposefully.

All the Potions Master wanted was to bury himself inside Hermione. A part of him still balked, but the lust potion drove him forward. He felt he would explode if he didn't take her. Hermione's negligee was the first casualty of the lust potion. Severus wasted no time tearing it off her, knickers included. There was no foreplay. The Potions Master lifted her by her waist and slid her on to him, growling as he entered her warmth.

Hermione gasped, wrapped her arms around him and immediately orgasmed, tucking her face into his shoulder as she shuddered, whimpering against him. Severus hissed as she clamped around him, her pussy pulsating deliciously as her release rolled over him.

Beneath the haze of lust, Severus' mind registered that his wife had responded to him powerfully. He might be driven by the lust potion, but Hermione wasn't. Her reaction to him was a true one. She did still want him despite what he'd done to her. He knew she told him that, but he felt she was just trying to ease his guilt. But her orgasm upon receiving him was proof that she still desired him. With Hermione, that meant she still loved him. Desire and love went hand in hand with the witch.

The Potions Master felt his desire for her ease in intensity. It was still there, still strong, but he felt more in control of it. He was able to feel more than the urge to pound into her until he climaxed.

Severus was as susceptible to potions that altered emotions as anyone else, but as a Potions Master who often tested elixirs and substances that affected the body, he acquired the ability to override them to some extent. He could recover quicker than most people. His realization that Hermione still accepted him was having the effect of nullifying the lust potion, allowing him to regain control of his reactions to her. So instead of possessing her through her orgasm, he held her tight against him, letting her ride it out.

"I told you I needed you," Hermione said softly against his throat, still pulsing around his cock.

"Yes, you did," he replied, stroking her hair.

Suddenly Hermione pulled her head back from her husband's shoulder and looked at him, shocked.

"You shouldn't be talking. You should be shagging," she said.

Most people under the influence of a lust potion didn't speak, intent only on slaking their desires. Since her husband responded to her comment, Hermione could only surmise that the lust potion she gave him must have been expired or faulty.

"Damn," she said, thinking Severus was going to put her down and withdraw from her again. But the Potions Master still held her, not moving, looking at her intensely, his cock still inside her

"I really think that should work the other way around, Hermione. We should be talking, not shagging. I sense a conspiracy here. You had Albus distract me so you could raid my stores, didn't you?" he asked her.

When Hermione didn't answer him immediately, he gave her a little thrust, making her gasp.

"Yes," she sighed, trying to move on him, but he pulled her to him so she couldn't budge. But he had to admit, it felt good to be inside her, to feel her around him again.

"The effects of many potions don't last too long with me, Hermione, being that I constantly test them," Severus said, his black eyes locked to hers as he held her. "The lust potion you gave me has been overridden. That was a very selfish and Slytherin-like act on your part, wife, forcing me to perform for you."

"I didn't know what else to do, Severus. You wouldn't respond to anything I'd say or do, or even talk to me. I feel abandoned by you. As if you don't have any feelings toward me anymore. And it's not fair. I went through all of that to be by your side in your fight against Voldemort, and you turn away from me afterwards. You don't touch me anymore, you sleep with your back to me. You spend hours away from me. It's like you're punishing me," Hermione said. "I don't deserve to be treated like this."

Severus sighed and lifted his wife off of him, setting her gently on the floor. He took her hand and they walked into the bedroom. Severus lifted the covers of the bed and Hermione slid in. He slid in after her, and lay on his back, offering her his arm. She slid into his embrace. He noticed however, that his erection didn't go down. That was a positive sign.

"Hermione," he said, "My reaction might seem terrible to you, but your lack of reaction is equally upsetting to me. I can't understand how you could go through what you went through and not show any effects of it. You were brutalized in front of hundreds of people by your husband, and physically damaged by him. Hermione, if not for the elixir, you would have died from the damage I did to you. That's something I find hard to deal with. How can you not feel some anger and resentment for me? If I were a woman, I am sure I wouldn't want the man who did that to me to ever touch me again," he said to her.

"Severus, I did have a reaction, but it isn't focused on you. Voldemort required that violence, not you. I have so much hatred in my heart, Severus, but it isn't directed at you. It is directed at the Dark Lord. I hate him for putting us through what he did. He expressly told you that you had to be as brutal as possible to me, and I knew you had to follow his directives to get me the Mark. You did all you could to keep me from suffering. Perhaps if I felt the full impact of what you were doing, then I would back away from you. If I felt you tearing me, maybe I would be afraid to have you inside me again. But I was spared that. Yes, I felt the pain afterwards for a short bit of time, but I knew I would be healed, that I would get through it."

"Severus, I had to come to terms with your darker side, your violent nature long before now. You killed Lucius. I had to deal with the fact that a wizard lost his life because of me. Then later, you carved up those two assassins, also because of me. Yes, I know it was you. Someone sent them after us. You sent whoever it was a strong message in return. In a horrible way, what you did made sense, and I'm sure that is just the tip of the iceberg of the things you've done before you were with me. But you are never violent without reason, or without a purpose. Your violence serves you. It's a tool that allows you to move through the worlds you do. It enables you to survive."

"Severus, you've been subjected to constant violence throughout your service to the Order. I knew from the beginning I would be required to suffer violence as well if I were to be any help to you. It would have come down to violence Severus, whether through you or not. Yes, I feel something about what happened that night. But I have put it all into getting revenge. I want to kill the Dark Lord so badly, that the thought of him dead makes me want to come," she said vehemently, a black scowl on her face.

Severus was taken aback by Hermione's murderous look and mien. Her eyes were narrowed and an almost unholy light fueled her expression. He pulled the witch tighter to him in reaction, listening as she continued.

"He had you do me that way to drive himself between us, Severus. So his presence will taint our lives together. I've managed to join him without him being able to exercise his full power on me, and even taken you beyond his reach. He hates me, Severus, as much as he needs me. He has your service, but I have your love and that is a challenge to his authority. Right now he's hoping we have become divided because of the ritual. In my mind, it is him and not you that brutalized me. He tried to destroy us. He was the one who told me to disrobe. I was left at his feet when it was all over. You were the instrument of torture, but he was the one wielding the instrument. He was the one who hurt me. He is the one who will pay."

Angry tears began to roll from Hermione's eyes as she stared at the wall, not seeing anything but Voldemort dead, her rage pouring out of her, wetting Severus' chest. Severus was wincing. During her outpouring, she had begun to dig her nails into his side, and she still clutched at him, drawing blood without knowing it. The Potions Master didn't move, he took it. At least she was showing some reaction, some feelings about what happened to her. And he was getting some understanding as to how she was dealing with it. She was right. It was as if Voldemort were in their marriage bed, lying between them, letting his evil wash over them like poison. He had to cast the Dark Lord out of his psyche, he'd done enough damage to them. He'd pay for what was done to Hermione. Severus knew exactly how he'd pay too, if he had his way. Exactly.

The Potions Master looked at his wife. She was still crying. Well, he'd let her cry herself out. Then they could work on the healing.

Severus pulled her even closer and listened to her sobs, relieved that she'd finally let it out.

Now that Hermione and Severus had come to terms with the ritual, they began to mend. It wasn't immediate, but a slow gentle rebuilding. They had yet to make love, but the contact was re-established. It was almost as if they were courting again. Their bonding strengthened as they began to plan their retribution on the Dark Lord.

Hermione listened carefully as Severus described the routines of Voldemort. The Dark Lord was extremely paranoid, never slept and let only one Death Eater attend him. That Death Eater was Peter Pettigrew, the wizard who had betrayed James and Lily Potter, killed a slew of muggles and let Sirius Black take the blame. He went into hiding with the Weasleys, transforming into his animagus form of a rat and living with them for more than twelve years before he was discovered.

Escaping justice, Peter found Lord Voldemort and restored him. He had served as the Dark Lord's personal aide ever since, preparing the life-sustaining elixir Severus had developed for Voldemort and administering it to him every three days or so. This elixir was the only sustenance the Dark Lord required, and the only thing he ingested. The elixir was the key to his destruction. He was too powerful to risk a direct attack. Tampering with the elixir could weaken him enough so he could be killed either by magical or physical means. Severus was hoping for physical.

It was decided that Hermione would develop a spell as a gift for the Dark Lord, to get into his good graces. They decided it would have to be destructive in order for him to appreciate it. Hermione hated the idea of giving the Dark Lord yet another weapon, but there was no help for it. In the meantime, Severus went to work duplicating Voldemort's elixir so he and Hermione could work on finding an ingredient that would negate its power. That would be only half the battle. Getting it to the Dark Lord was the other half.

Hermione came up with a plan to do just that, which Severus absolutely hated and at first staunchly refused. Hermione and he bickered over it for days until she finally made him see that it was probably the only way to gain access to the potion. He took it with bad grace but conceded.

Hermione and Severus were in the kitchen preparing dinner when Hermione suddenly cried out and grasped her forearm. The Mark was burning. Voldemort was summoning her. She had to go before him alone. Grimacing, she donned the mask and robes that had been brought to her by a great black owl one morning two weeks ago when they attended breakfast. She grabbed the parchment that held the instructions for the new spell she had developed, and kissing an obviously worried Severus, she disapparated to the Dark Lord.

Hermione appeared before the Dark Lord's throne and curtsied, letting her mental walls drop around all things concerning her plans against the dark wizard as she did so.

"My Lord," she said, straightening.

"Remove your mask, Hermione," the Dark Lord commanded her.

Hermione stood, lowered her hood and removed her half-mask, shaking out her hair. The Dark Lord drank her in, his red eyes glinting.

"It is good to see you were strong enough to survive the ritual, Hermione. I feared the loss of blood might have done you in. How is your husband?" the Dark Lord lisped. He peered into Hermione's mind, and she let him see Severus turned away from her, knowing it would please him.

"He is fine, my Lord," she said, hesitating slightly as if she did not want to talk about him.

"Good," the Dark Lord replied, "I have had a lab built for you to begin your work for me. I will soon be giving you a list of spells I would like created, describing what each is to do. I would like you to examine the lab and tell Peter what you need to aid you in your work. Your lab is adjacent to Severus'."

"Thank you my Lord," Hermione replied, "I have a small gift for you, if you would be kind enough to accept it."

The Dark Lord's eyes lit up.

"A gift? What kind of gift?" he asked her excitedly.

"A spell, my Lord. Meant to entertain you. It could come in handy, however," Hermione said. She took out the parchment. Voldemort motioned for her to approach him. She did and handed him the parchment.

The Dark Lord read it, noting the wand movements. He lifted his wand.

"My Lord," Hermione said quickly. "I suggest aiming the spell toward an open area."

Voldemort did so, copying the wand movements written on the parchment and saying the incantation.

A stream of sustained fire erupted from the end of his wand, much like a flamethrower. Delighted, Voldemort swished the stream back and forth, laughing wickedly. Finally, looking at the parchment again, he did the motion that would end the stream. Smiling, he turned to Hermione.

"What a delightful spell, Hermione. It will bring me hours of entertainment, roasting mug…er things," the Dark Lord said, catching himself. But Hermione knew he meant to say muggles.

"I am glad you like it, my Lord. As I said, it's just a small gift," she said, thinking how much she wanted him to die.

Voldemort smiled and clapped his hands. A door opened and Peter Pettigrew walked out. He approached the throne and bowed low.

"Yes my Lord?" he asked, his squinty little eyes flicking toward Hermione then back to the Dark Lord.

"Show Hermione her labs," the Dark Lord said distractedly. He was memorizing his new spell.

"Yes, my Lord. This way, Hermione," Peter said politely. He took her through the door he had just left. It opened on a long hallway with doors on either side. He walked her to the second door on the right and opened it, letting her walk through. He surreptiously looked at her curves. Peter had fantasized about the witch since the ritual. He was a brother after all…he could ask her if she would indulge him. Fuck Severus.

Hermione examined the lab. It had the standard equipment, and plenty of space. She looked around, and nodded.

"This is more than adequate," she said to Peter, "but I will need supplies."

"Certainly. Just give me a list of what you need, and I will provide them. I'm the one to come to when you need anything, Hermione," he said, grinning at her. "I can usually get the Dark Lord to agree to anything. I'm a good wizard to know."

Hermione arched an eyebrow at him, and leaned back against the counter, her robes falling so they emphasized her full breasts. Peter's eyes widened at the display.

"Are you really?" Hermione said, her voice dropping low.

Peter cleared his throat. "I can get you anything," he said.

"Anything? That's sounds very appealing Peter. My Anything man," she said, grinning at him a bit sexily.

Peter felt a bit heartened. It seemed Hermione was interested in him. She called him her "Anything man". That was quite suggestive. His eyes swept over her. He remembered how she looked naked and felt a throb in his pants.

Hermione took a peek in his mind, and saw an image of the fat little wizard shagging her. It was gross. She pulled out quickly. Well, he was definitely interested.

"Er…Hermione, you know as the wife of a Death Eater…" Peter began slowly.

"I'm entitled to bed any brother who appeals to me," she finished for him, looking at her levelly.

"Yes," he said sounding strangled.

"And I guess you're wondering if you appeal to me," she continued, wanting to gag on her words.

"Yes," Peter said, holding his breath. He didn't get to have sex as often as he liked. Being Voldemort's personal servant did get him some trim, however. He would certainly like to do Hermione. She was his size, and lovely. Most women were taller than he was.

"Well, you do hold quite a powerful position as Voldemort's personal servant. You have his ear. That is rather appealing. Suffice it to say, Peter, that I don't find you unappealing…but I think I need to get to know you better before I make a decision," Hermione said smoothly.

That wasn't a no. Hm. He would just have to turn on the old Pettigrew charm and be nice to the witch. Maybe she'd give in to him after a few weeks.

"Well, we'll be working closely together. My own small lab is just down the hall," he said.

"Really? May I see it?" Hermione asked him, pushing off the counter and approaching him, stopping inches away, and inhaling so her breasts puffed up. Ginny taught her that. Peter's eyes fell to her chest. He wasn't supposed to take anyone to his lab, but…hell it couldn't hurt.

"Certainly," Peter said. Hermione looped her arm in his, and the smitten wizard guided her down the hall to a door at the end. He opened it and let her in, standing close behind her as she looked around. Basically all he had was a cauldron, a burner, two glass distillers and a number of beakers and containers. Several bottles of ingredients stood on a side counter.

"What do you make here, Peter?" Hermione asked him. She already knew but wanted to see if he would divulge it.

"Voldemort's elixir. He could not survive without me," Peter boasted, trying to impress her. Hermione acted very impressed.

"You certainly are important, Peter," she gushed, hating herself. "A very important man to know. Maybe one day you'd let me watch you work. I LOVE to see a wizard working on potions. It's kind of a fetish of mine," she confided, her eyes going a bit hot. "That's how Severus got me. Doing potions."

Peter looked at her. So that's how Snape managed to keep such a luscious witch. He knew they were forced to marry, and wondered why they stayed so. Now he knew. He wasn't supposed to let anyone in while he prepared Voldemort's potions, but hell, this was some high-end stuff. Plus, she was working for the Dark Lord too. A fellow lab worker. It shouldn't be a problem.

"Sure you can watch. I'll let you know when. It will have to be after you've settled into your labs," he said. Hermione clapped her hands together.

"Oh, thank you," she said, and steeling herself, she kissed the wizard on his cheek. Peter grinned widely. He was certain he'd have Hermione if he were patient.

Hermione looked at her watch.

"Oh, I need to get back, Peter. I will get you the list of supplies as soon as the Dark Lord lets me know what spells he wants developed," she said, walking toward the door.

"Fair enough," Peter said, following her and closing the door securely behind them.

They walked back up the hall and exited into the Throne room.

"Thank you for showing me the labs, Peter," Hermione said to him, taking his hand. Peter squeezed her fingers firmly.

"You're welcome. And remember, you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask me, Hermione," he said, lifting her hand and planting a wet kiss on the back of it. Hermione felt like wiping it off against her robes. But that would send the wrong message.

Hermione removed her hand from his, smiled and walked back across the throne room to the Dark Lord, who was busily shooting streams of fire, practicing his aim and adjusting the bursts. He was quite a quick study. Hermione stood safely to the side of his throne.

"My Lord?" she called to him. Voldemort turned and looked at her, a thin smile on his scaly face.

"Yes, Hermione?" he lisped.

"The labs are perfect. As soon as you give me your list of spells, I will let Peter know what I need," she said.

"Very good, Hermione. You may go," the Dark Lord said, invoking the fire stream again. He couldn't wait to try it out on something alive. The next revel would be very interesting.

Hermione grimaced at him and disapparated.

Severus was in the study pacing when he heard the thunder crack in the bedroom. He ran in and saw Hermione removing her robes, getting out of them as fast as possible. She hated being a Death Eater.

Severus grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her all over, as if to see if she had left a part of herself behind. Hermione laughed.

"I'm fine, Severus. He just wanted me to see the lab he had constructed for me," Hermione said.

"And the spell?" Severus asked, still looking at her worriedly.

"It was like a new toy. He loved it, though I hate to think what he's going to do with it," Hermione said with a shudder. "Oh, and I talked with Peter Pettigrew. He showed me his lab."

Severus' eyebrows went up with surprise.

"He took you to his lab? Peter never lets anyone back there," he said, frowning at her slightly.

"Well he let me. It might have had something to do with his wanting to exercise his right as a brother…" she said, keeping her face straight.

"What?" Severus roared, "He asked if he could fuck you? I'll cut him up like a pig! A fat little pig!"

"You will do no such thing, Severus Snape. We need him. And anyway I held him off. He didn't ask me directly, more like hinted around at it…said he was a very important wizard, had the Dark Lord's ear, etc. He told me I could watch him make the Dark Lord's elixir too," she said.

Severus' mouth dropped open. That was a definite no-no. Peter could be killed for letting anyone in the lab when he was distilling the elixir. He scowled at his wife.

"Hermione, what exactly did you do to get Peter to agree to let you in the lab while he was brewing?" he asked her. He trusted his wife, but she was very determined to get Voldemort…she might be capable of anything.

Hermione frowned at him.

"You look like you think I gave him a blowjob or something," she said, her eyebrows drawn together.

Uh oh. Severus knew he had to defuse this quick.

"No, I don't think that. I'm just wondering how you persuaded him. He could be killed for letting you in there," Severus replied.

Hermione looked at her husband. She knew the thought of her doing something to Peter had crossed his mind. Men were so fucking thick.

"I simply told him watching wizards brewing potions turned me on, and it was how you got me," Hermione said.

Severus frowned. So Peter was letting her in hoping she would get so excited she'd shag him. He felt like twisting the fat, little wizard's head off his body. He looked at Hermione, jealousy burning in his breast. Sure, Peter was nothing compared to him, but he still had a tool, and he still wanted to stick it in his wife. Suddenly the Potions Master felt the need to reclaim his territory.

"You know something wife? I think it's time we re-consummated our marriage. I need to remind you just whom you belong to. I know I agreed to you manipulating Pettigrew, but I'm having a hard time with your flirting. So is little Severus," he said, his eyes dropping to his quickly tenting robes. "You were too successful, too quickly for my liking."

Hermione grinned at him.

"Can I help it if I'm good at turning on the sex?" she asked him.

Severus pulled Hermione against him, pressing his erection into her belly.

"No. But I need to remind myself just how good you are at turning it on for me, and only me," he replied, lifting her up and kissing her roughly before falling on the bed with her.

Sometimes having a jealous wizard for a husband has its perks.

Severus wrestled with Hermione as he kissed her. The couple rolled on the bed, each trying to get on top of the other. The feel of her husband's body pressing against hers so urgently was making Hermione wild with desire. She was already starved for sex. True, she had orgasmed when she gave him the lust potion, but he hadn't taken her like she needed. She wanted his urgency, his power, his desire.

Finally she gave in and let Severus roll on top of her fully clothed body. Severus claimed her mouth greedily, reveling in her warmth and willingness, burning with the need for more of her. The idea of her purposely arousing another man made him wild, and he intended to possess her until he was all she knew. He missed his wife like this, and the fact that she was responding to him so hungrily put more fuel to his fire.

Severus pulled away from her mouth and grabbed her wrists, pinning them above her head.

"You are my witch. Your body is for my pleasure. There is no one I would ever share you with. I'd kill Peter if we didn't need him for even suggesting you let him taste what is mine," he breathed down at her, his eyes blazing.

He fell on her mouth again, working his body against hers, making Hermione gasp into his mouth. He turned sideways, pulling her with him, his mouth still locked to hers as his hands slipped down to her breasts, fondling them, feeling their fullness beneath her shirt.

"Yes, Severus," Hermoine groaned against his lips. "Touch me. It's been so long since you've touched me."

"I'll do more than touch you," Severus said, pulling back from her and beginning to unfasten his robes. "Stand up and undress, Hermione." He wanted to see her strip for him. Hermione stood up, toed off her trainers, then bent and took off her sock. She then, pulled her long-sleeved shirt over her head, revealing her bra-encased breasts and her Mark…the Mark she took for him.

Severus' black eyes glinted as he removed his robes and stood up to work on his shirt, his eyes on his wife as she unfastened her jeans, and slid them down over her thighs and calves, stepping out of them, dressed in white knickers. He could smell her arousal. They must be soaked. He licked his lips as he peeled off his shirt. He couldn't wait to taste her. He started on his pants as Hermione pulled her bra over her head, her full breasts and hardened nipplies bouncing into view. Severus's nostrils flared.

Hermione was watching her husband undress with great anticipation as she slid her knickers down and stepped out of them, noting his eyes fall to her bush, then back to her face. He opened his pants and pulled them down along with his silk boxers, revealing his erection, watching her face as her eyes fell on it, glowing with lust before they flicked back up to his face. He sat back on the bed. He had forgotten to remove his boots, and did so now, pulling off his socks, then finished removing his pants and boxers.

They drank each other in, Severus' eyes raking over Hermione's small, curvaceous body, and Hermione gazing at her husband's lean, pale, muscular frame, and the huge organ pointing at her in readiness. Severus held out his arms.

"Come here, wife. It's time to reacquaint myself with what is mine," he breathed.

"I have some reacquainting to do of my own," Hermione said moving between his legs and dropping to her knees.

"Hermione," Severus breathed as she grasped him.

"Relax, Severus," she crooned at him. The Potions Master fell back on his elbows, watching her with heated eyes as she began kissing his member lovingly, her warm lips and tongue moving over the head, and down his shaft. She felt good and she looked beautiful, her eyes half-closed, taking obvious pleasure in what she was doing to him. Severus gasped and bucked his hips as Hermione slipped her mouth over him, then sat up, bent over her slightly. Hermione began to hum, sending vibrations down his length. Severus gripped her head on either side and pulled her back.

"Where did you learn to do that?" he rasped.

"I went back to the library," Hermione smirked, her lips glistening, going back down on him.

"Wicked, wicked, witch," Severus groaned, throwing his head back and letting Hermione do her thing, one hand on the top of her bobbing head. He leaned back a little, thrusting his hips slightly as she pleasured him.

Hermione felt wonderful, her tongue swirling in intricate patterns, her warm hand working the delicate foreskin back and forth, and gods, the humming. Severus was seriously considering making a donation to the library to expand the restricted section's sexual education area.

Hermione was quickly moving him towards release and Severus leaned forward again, enjoying the sensations just a bit longer before he pulled Hermione away, and up into the bed so she was on the edge of it, on her back, then slipping down on his knees between her thighs. He didn't want to release yet, and he had a taste for something sweet.

The Potions Master lifted Hermione's thighs and pressed them back so far her legs almost rested on her shoulders, opening her up wide before him. His black eyes looked at her core, and he bit his lips as the scent and heat of her need hit him full in the face.

"You've got the prettiest pussy I've ever seen," Severus said to her, thinking it was the juiciest too. Hermione was extremely turned on, and her labia glistened with her juices. Severus lowered his head and drank every drop of it in, sighing with pleasure as he savored the musky, sweet taste of her. Hermione cried out fitfully, sensitive to the feel of his tongue and lips nibbling and flicking over her core.

"Oh shit, Severus," she hissed as he held her straining thighs in place. Her husband was feeling so good she would have kicked her legs straight out in reaction if he didn't hold her firmly, his muscles flexing as he did so. Hermione's legs were strong. Hermione looked down at her husband but all she could see was his silky hair draped over her belly, his head moving sensuously as he laved her, nibbling and licking, then thrusting his tongue deep inside her warmth, making her shriek as he rolled and twisted it within her. Hermione grabbed his hair and tugged it, straining against him, ready to release, when Severus came up for air and to keep her from pulling his hair out by the roots.

"Arrrrgh, let go Hermione!" he gasped, one pale hand reaching up and grasping hers.

"More," she purred, not releasing his hair, but trying to push him back down.

Severus sighed and lowered his mouth to her again, this time with a vengeance, attacking her with all his skill, making her call out his name and twist her body wildly. Hermione released Severus' hair and her fingers curled into the mattress on either side of her, catching the sheets and pulling them upward as she thrust her hips against his mouth on the verge of exploding. Her flow seemed endless, Severus felt as if he could swallow down gallons of her and never be sated, her cries of pleasure driving him to the brink, his member throbbing. Her thighs began to quake and for a moment Severus was in a quandary, not knowing whether to bring her to orgasm with his mouth or with his tool, which was aching to bury itself in her wetness.

His tool won out. Severus straightened and thrust deep inside his wife, who yelped as his girth parted and filled her in one strong stroke.

Severus! Oh my gods…please," Hermione panted.

The Potions Master began to take her, jerking her body roughly with the strength of his penetration. He was reclaiming Hermione, intent on reminding her who she belonged to, holding on to her waist and pulling her down to meet his strokes, his mouth slack with pleasure as he watched her breasts bounce rhythmically. He bent over her, drawing a nipple into his mouth and sucking hard as he slammed inside her, her beautiful voice rising, a siren's song drawing him closer. She felt so good around him, her body caressing him in warmth and wetness, tightening around him convulsively as he drove deeper, seeking the pearl inside her. Severus pulled himself up, trapping her legs between them, burying his himself deep inside her, his loins slapping against her as he increased his speed, his black eyes fixed on her contorting face.

"Who's are you?" he panted at her as he dug deep, holding, straining into her.

"Yours!" Hermione gasped, looking into those burning black orbs.

"Yes!" he agreed and plunged into her, resuming his powerful stroke, taking all of her, reaming her body, rolling his pelvis so he touched every part of her.

"Do you love me, Hermione?" he gasped, driving into her hungrily, "Tell me you love me. Only me."

"Only you, Severus," Hermione gasped at him, tears beginning to fill her eyes as her husband returned to her, passionate, demanding and hungry for her. "I love only you."

Severus dropped on her, claiming her mouth, slipping his hands around her shoulders and hunching into her faster and faster, his back locking into the rhythm. He couldn't have stopped if he wanted to, and he didn't want to as she squished around him, bathing his loins in her juices, tilting her pelvis to give him the most pleasure. Severus possess her selfishly, greedily, coveting every cry, every whisper, every obscenity pouring from her sweet mouth as he took her He cold feel the love inside her, and he was immersing himself in it, being renewed, and restored by her need and acceptance. His lover, his wife, his hope.

Severus had meant to do more, to take Hermione and bend her and twist her body several different ways, but he was too driven, too lost in the pleasure of her to do anything but take her just like this, crossways on the bed, his toes digging into the floor for added strength, his arms wrapped around her body, his tongue tangled with hers. It just felt so good, so right to have her like this…to have her back beneath him, loving him, giving him all that was inside her body and inside her heart without reservation. The acrobatics could come later.

"Hermione," he groaned, overcome with emotion as he felt himself tightening. She had to come with him. He rammed himself deep into her core quickly, rotating his hips as he did so, trying to find the spot that would trigger her. Hermione screamed and bucked, and he knew he hit it…and drove straight into that spot over and over again, Hermione arching upward lifting him before she exploded, her release crashing over him as she let out a long, soul-shattering shriek of pleasure, dragging Severus down into her pulsing depths, triggering his release.

Severus shuddered as his climax hit, bliss racing down his spine as his balls drew up tight and his seed burst from his cock in a powerful, pulsing stream that seemed to go on forever. He let out a gutteral sound, something between a shout and a groan as he filled his wife's pulsating pussy, pressed as deep as humanly possible inside her, his mouth locked to hers, immersed in her totally, mind, body and soul. This was his wife, his lifemate, his witch and his woman. She belonged and would always belong to him, and he to her. Not even the evil that was Voldemort would come between them. They were two but one, and he reveled in the oneness he felt with her now, shuddering against her, and feeling her answering quake as they remain entangled, entwined, heartbeats and pulsing slowing together, time reasserting itself, stealing away the endless moment they just shared.

They lay there, still connected, bathed in perspiration, skin to skin, mouth to mouth, soul to soul, panting. Finally they eased from the kiss, but still lay contentedly together, Severus' silky hair covering Hermione's face, Hermione's hair tickling his large nose. After several minutes, Severus stirred. It took three tries before he was able to roll off her, his cock slipping out of her as he rolled to his back, his legs bent, feet on the floor. He felt as if every drop of sperm he had ever generated was now floating about in his wife's body.

"Gods, that was fantastic," he breathed, turning his face to look at the wild mane of hair that was his wife.

Hermione stretched like a cat, turning towards him, brushing her tangled locks from her face and giving him a brilliant smile, that special, loving smile that was only for him. Severus slid closer and kissed her gently, letting his black eyes drift over her face, taking in her glow of satisfaction.

"I've got you back," she said to him softly. "My Severus."

"Yes,' he agreed, nuzzling her with his nose.

He was back, and made a silent vow right at that moment, that he would never allow anything or anyone to come between them again.

A/N: Whew. What they don't do for the Greater Good. :::shakes head::: Next, the final chapter to "Disharmony in the Dungeons." Thanks for reading.