The Human Cure

Chapter 9: The Cold Embrace

A/N: I think this is the longest chapter I've written for this story, and while it wasn't originally my intention, the story just directed me to do it. I thank all who are reading and reviewing, and let's just say that there is going to be a little more of a calm before the storm. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Hermione awoke to the feeling of gently being touched. Cold fingers ran up and down her forearm, causing her to shiver slightly. She smiled into the chest of a person she once viewed as a complete arse. Then she remembered his words: I want to kiss you. It was a sentence so simple – so innocent.

"Are you comfortable?" Hermione asked in a whisper.

Her alarm clock indicated that the sun would rise in another hour or two.

"You forget what I am." Severus responded as he clutched her a little tighter.

She toyed with a button on his collar, not knowing what to do next. Up close, she could see a fading scar on his neck, presumably from Nagini's attack. Now that she was awake she also noticed how cold she was.

"Your legs must be exhausted."

And with that Hermione gently pulled away from Severus. She crawled back into her bed under her comforter on the side that she didn't usually sleep on, offering up the other half to him. She wasn't tired, but she wasn't really ready to start her day just yet.

Slightly nervous, Severus removed his shoes and accepted the invitation offered to him. Facing each other, Hermione dared to close the gap between the two. Not once looking into his dark eyes, she burrowed into him. Wrapping both of his arms around her again, a repeat of what happened only hours before, he heard her murmur into his dead flesh…you're so cold. Rather than retreat from him, she held onto him, hoping that some of her warmth could be passed onto him.

Not knowing what else to say the two remained silent until the sun made its presence known. Rather than prepare a breakfast, the two began the day with a walk around the neighborhood and breakfast at a café Hermione claimed had the best bagels. The weather was rather gloomy, and given the previous happenings from the day before, gray skies were rather welcomed.

While Severus only nibbled on his bagel, watching the happiness on her face as she spread cream cheese and preserves on her poppy seed bagel made him smile inside. Claiming to pick up the idea in California for such a combination, she admitted that such a meal could only be treated as a treat, not something she could indulge in too often, but if such a thing could bring a smile to her face then he would tell her to eat such a thing every day.

"I think we should continue our lab work." Hermione stated as she finished her tea.

"You don't believe Judith's claim?" Severus responded.

"I'm not saying that, but it wouldn't hurt to continue our research as a backup. Just in case…"

"Just in case I don't find someone to fall in love with – someone to die for."

Hermione knew that he used those words on purpose. Ever since Judith revealed all of the details of her transformation, she felt a small shift in Severus. Yes, what they shared hours earlier was spectacular, but she knew withdrawl when she saw it, and ever since they left her flat he had been doing just that. She wasn't stupid enough to push aside the new door that had opened in their relationship. Was he implying that she was to be part of that equation, or could never be a part of it?

Still, she couldn't help but feel that he was holding back from her. There was something that he wasn't telling her, and rather than run with her suspicions, she left well enough alone. When he was ready to reveal it all, he would. She hated the hot and cold act; it was something she expected to experience at Hogwarts, not now, after months of working together.

Sighing, she thought twice about what she wanted to say.

"I agree with you in that it's too simple. I guess it's just because we've spent all these months trying to create a potion and here comes a woman slash former vampire who claims that it is all a matter of emotions."

"There's the Hermione Granger I've always known."

"She was always there Severus – she just decided to take a leave of absence for a while." Hermione said, smirking at him.

"But then again, maybe my parents were right. They would always quote a line from that bloody Beatles song. Love is all you need. It's funny."

"How so?" Severus asked.

"Love can't always save you. If that were the case…if that was the case then I wouldn't have broken my wand all those years ago. I could have found a way to protect my parents and friends."

He wanted to tell her the truth in that moment. He wanted nothing more than to admit his part in their unfortunate demise. He only kept his mouth shut. If he spoke, he could only arouse her suspicion, and he couldn't bare the thought of it at that moment.

XX

Still curious after her revelation, Severus rang Judith three days later asking if he wanted to meet her for tea in the late afternoon. Knowing he still had some questions regarding her transformation, she accepted his invitation.

Deliberately scheduling the meet up on a day when Hermione volunteered to teach an organic chemistry class as a favor to Carla who needed a day off, Severus didn't want Hermione there for their conversation.

"Please tell Judith I said hello." Hermione said as she packed up her books and lecture notes.

"I will." Severus replied tersely.

"I don't know if we're going to be able to do anything to the blood samples tonight, but if you're willing to try something, by all means, be my guest. I don't know when I'll be home, I'm afraid."

Moving towards her, Severus rubbed his hands against her shoulders. She smiled that girlish smile that he adored bringing out of her. She kissed him lightly on the cheek before grabbing her stuff and walking out the door.

"Now now Miss Granger, I think we are past little pecks on the cheek, don't you agree?" Severus stated as he gently grabbed her arm and kissed her on the lips.

"I've got to go." Hermione said, blushing at his actions.

Through her window, he watched her walk towards her destination, wondering all the more if she was the one who would be able to bring him back. She was no innocent, but he knew that taking things slowly with her in regards to their physical relationship was the best thing to do. He had never been so conflicted, but he couldn't stay away from her.

He would join her in her bed a few hours after she would turn in for the night. She didn't seem to mind, or even notice on some nights. He knew that it would be best to just return to his own flat, but yet again, he couldn't stay away. Rather than sleep, he would watch her. He knew she felt his presence when she would bundle up her sheets a little closer to her. It was almost as if she were sleeping with a ghost.

While in the lab, they still had the modicum of professionalism when it came to doing their work. He would never turn down the chance to brush aside her hair and lightly kiss the back of her neck, or her lips if they were offered to him. Often, and as soon as the sundown, they would take walks, sometimes even holding hands as they strolled down the streets. Hermione knew she was no longer acquainted with the Severus Snape she knew at Hogwarts. This was one who wasn't afraid of small tokens of affection.

He didn't mind her rambling when she spoke about her fascination with camera-less photography techniques when they one afternoon randomly decided to visit the Victoria Albert Museum. While he pretended to listen, he instead hung off every word and the gleam in her eyes as she explained her interest in such a thing. She could have been talking about dung beetles and he would have found it utterly fascinating.

She never did ask if the old folk belief of vampires not being able to be photographed was true, and he was rather thankful for it. (No truth to it whatsoever.) Even if he wouldn't have been a vampire, he still wasn't crazy about having his picture taken.

Still, while some may have viewed their museum trips and walks as wasted time, it was their way of becoming more familiar with each other. He wondered if she touched herself and pretended it was his hand as he did her many times, but looking at her made him feel like a pervert for thinking such thoughts. The desire was there, yes, but it was the best kind…the one that slowly burned. He only had to be patient and wait for the dam to burst, and he knew could wait. He was a vampire right? Yet, the nagging only persisted that he shouldn't get too close.

Shaking himself back into the present reality, the meeting with Judith today would allow him to express his insecurity in regards to Hermione's fondness towards him. He was scared out of his mind because he knew that the only way they could be together was if she knew the absolute truth. His mortality depended on it.

XX

Judith and Severus had been lightly conversing over simple things, almost catching up like old friends, for close to an hour before Judith cut straight to the point.

"I like Miss Granger. I think she suits you well. Why isn't she here?"

"A friend of hers needed a favour. Miss Granger was kind enough to help this person out."

"I know you don't think of her as 'Miss Granger' Severus." Judith knew him too well, a female version of Albus Dumbledore almost.

"Hermione's a very talented young woman. I wish for her to go back to Hogwarts and teach over there."

"What, and give you up?" Judith snorted. "Come now Severus! Don't be stupid. I know you're not daft enough to miss the small detail that there is a connection between the two of you."

"She could never love me." Severus whispered.

"And please do tell me Severus why she could never do such a thing." Judith replied.

"Because if she knew what I knew then she would never be able to forgive me. I reckon that she would never want to speak to me again."

"It can't be that bad Severus. Killed a boyfriend, maybe a little competition?" Judith spoke, a twisted humor in her voice.

"My lack of action guaranteed the death of her parents." Severus stated bluntly with no emotion.

Judith looked up from her cup of tea, giving Severus her full attention.

"Towards the end of the war, Voldemort only told one person, me, about his plan to kill the Granger's. He suspected that I had betrayed him at some point, so it was a test of my loyalty. I knew the Granger's were going to be killed, but I didn't tell anyone because if they would have been saved, then my position would be threatened. I basically handed them to Voldemort on a silver platter."

Placing her cup of tea down, Judith's breathing increased, a small detail Severus definitely noticed.

"Voldemort killed them and no one else was there to witness it. Her parents…" Severus began to falter with his words.

"There wasn't anything that would raise too much suspicion. It was simply a case of electrical wires starting the fire according to the muggle authorities, but anyone in the magical world would know better. If Dumbledore would have been alive, then I know he would have supported the decision that I didn't want to make, but had to for the greater good. Hermione can never know that I could have saved them."

"Severus, you do know that you're going to have to tell her. If you love her, she has to know the complete truth of it all."

At those words, Severus scoffed and nearly threw his napkin off the table.

"Who said anything about love?" His face was void of emotion.

"It's getting there." Judith solemnly replied. "You know it is."

It took him a few seconds to respond. He knew that she was right, and he respected Hermione too much to paint their relationship as anything less than what it really was.

"Twenty years ago, hell, ten years ago I would have said to bugger all and just keep your mouth shut, but you know what the right thing to do is." Judith said, placing her hand on his.

"I don't think I could bear to do it. I was there when she found out." Severus said, panic now in his features.

"The reason why you feel this way, this fear, is because you know that it must be done."

Judith was right, and he hated to admit it.

"You don't understand Judith. She's still not over it. She's lost so much already, and the death of her parents killed her spirit more than the deaths of her best friends."

"Does that explain the scar on her wrist?" Judith asked.

"I didn't think you noticed." Severus replied.

"If one looks close enough, one can notice anything."

"I can't tell her. I'm afraid of what she might do. She deserves to be happy, and for once, it seems as if she has found some form of peace. I will not be the one to take it from her again."

Judith smirked, "Who would have thought? Severus Snape is afraid of something."

"Call it what you will." Severus solemnly replied.

"Yet you claim it isn't love."

"It isn't!" Severus stated.

"If it isn't then why does the thought of her finding out tear you up inside? You barely had a conscious when we first met, and when I changed you, that was practically tossed out of the window. Just because I am no longer like you doesn't mean that I don't remember Severus."

He didn't speak because he knew that she was right. Rather than admit it out loud to her, he preferred just to let her speak.

"She will be angry with you, but I believe that she will forgive you. She is a wonderful woman Severus, and time does heal. Never underestimate the power of both love and forgiveness. In fact, I reckon that they are one in the same."

"It's never that easy Judith. She still mourns for them. She believes that the person who betrayed her family died in the war. If she knew otherwise, I think she'd want their blood on her hands. She would want MY blood in particular."

"Yes, and that's completely natural. She also seems to be a very rational woman who will understand how difficult it was for you. Severus, you have to tell her. Promise me."

"Judith, this is madness." Severus said, wanting to walk away from both the table and the conversation. His pensiveness apparent, he tried not to show how much the truth affected him.

"Promise me Severus."

"Fine!"

He wanted to add in that if she heard about a murder on the BBC in Bloomsbury then she had better pay extra attention, but kept his mouth shut. Severus was quick to change the subject and ask about her own family, anything to get the focus off of Hermione. While he did enjoy hearing about her new life, their previous topic sat in his mind, stewing.

XX

"How was your day?" Hermione asked as Severus walked into her flat. She was on the purple couch, flipping through her book on the Romanov's when he walked into their lab. Gently grabbing her hand and kissing it, he sat next to her. He could smell something in her oven.

There was something different to him today, even more so than the past few days. It was more than something just being off, and ever since the two of them had discovered what the supposed cure to his condition could be, Hermione was flat out worried. He had always been closed off in some way, but now, there was a wall that seemed to be impenetrable. A part of her felt as if their days working together were numbered.

"Judith sends her regards." He replied.

"You seem rather solemn."

"I just have a lot to think about."

Hermione didn't want to pry into what they spoke about, but she knew internal conflict when she saw it. Looking down at her book, she tried to focus on the words splashed across the page. He doesn't see you like that Hermione. He never will. The thought of him with a former student! Judith has made him realize it; he's obviously still attached to her. But if he isn't attached, then why is he affectionate? Why does he lie next to you at night…even if he never places a hand on you? He may indeed be still attached to Judith. Trying not to let her emotions and jealousy get the better of her, she pretended not to care. Still, he held her hand.

"Hermione…"

"Yes?" She asked, not bothering to look up from her book.

"I want…I need to tell you something."

It was then that the timer on the kitchen oven ended what she felt was going to be his rejection of her.

Standing up quickly, not thinking too much about pulling her hand away from his clasp, she walked into the kitchen and tended to the meal in her oven. As she grabbed her oven mitts and tried to practice a forced smile, one that spoke that they could remain good friends, she grabbed the roast that she had prepared. Letting it rest on the countertop she knew that he followed her into the kitchen. She wouldn't let him see her cry. She wouldn't crumble in front of him.

Figuring she'd beat him to the punch, Hermione didn't even think about what she wanted to say.

"Are you going to seek your cure elsewhere?" Hermione asked, not even turning around to face him.

"What?"

"Well isn't that what you were going to tell me? Maybe Judith talked some sense into you."

"The roast looks lovely." Severus spoke, trying to find a way to reassure Hermione.

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THE ROAST!"

She felt him walk up to her, but she still couldn't bring herself to turn around. It was only when she felt his arm reach around her and his cold hand cup her cheek did she finally let herself break in front of him. She kissed his palm, hoping that such an action could transfer everything she felt towards him.

"Please don't leave me." Hermione spoke, finally turning around to face him. She hated what he had turned her into, a desperate female begging a man to stay in her life.

"Hermione…"

"Let me help you, even if you could never to feel the same. I…I need you to stay in my life." She whispered the last line.

There it was – the confirmation. He knew that he had to respond, but in that moment he was frozen. Hermione took his silence as fuel to her idea that he didn't want her the way she wanted him. She cried into his chest, not caring if her tears ruined his shirt. Still, there was nothing from his part.

Closing his eyes and giving in, he wrapped his arms around her and she cried even harder. Kissing her hair, he knew that he couldn't tell her everything in that moment. The silly girl thought that he was going to abandon her. She thought that he didn't feel anything for her.

"You see that's my problem Hermione. I do feel the same."

Not giving her the chance to respond, he kissed her. The truth would have to be revealed some other time, but he knew that it was his way of putting off the inevitable. He just wanted to revel in the knowledge that she wanted him.

"I'm so afraid of what I feel." Severus admitted into her ear after breaking apart the kiss. He could feel her heartbeat quicken, knowing that they were soon going to breach a point of no return.

Feeling the rush of excitement and emotions that come with the mutual acceptance of something, he continued to talk and rant, hoping that when she did find out the ultimate truth, she wouldn't doubt his feelings towards her.

"I can't control myself when you're near me; I don't want to control myself sometimes." He continued, but didn't use the word love. He wasn't ready to say it yet, even though he knew Judith was right. If they weren't there yet, they were getting there.

Hermione didn't know what to say, and rather than do so she let him speak his mind as she continued to bask in his cold embrace.

"I want nothing more than the two of us continuing to work together. I want to hear you talk about your love of Gothic architecture, Islamic art and crazy forms of photography when we visit museums. All of those things that interest you I want to hear about them. I want to see the smile on your face as you prepare those bloody bagels. I just…I just don't know where exactly to go from here."

Hermione didn't have any words for him. She instead showered his face with kisses, trying to cover every inch of his face.

"I really want to try a piece of the roast." Severus admitted.

Hermione laughed at his admission, her doubts erased in regards to their relationship. She knew he did it to quell the tension.

The two decided to enjoy their meal on the purple couch. Hermione, sitting cross-legged and trying not to laugh too hard at stories Severus told her about old essays he had the unfortunate experience of grading back during his time at Hogwarts.

He felt as if they were a married couple, shocked that such a thought could come from him. Brushing aside the realization as she explained the importance of having a wonderful pair of trainers when one visits San Francisco, he couldn't help but yearn for the day they would be able to see such a place together. It was a fantasy he had no right to imagine, but couldn't help and wonder.

XX

It had started innocently enough. Severus heard that a local theatre was going to have a back-to-back feature of Nosferatu and the original version of Dracula with Bela Lugosi. Interesting in seeing both films, Hermione took him up on his offer.

Hermione didn't consider it a date, but merely an outing of friends who had the potential to move forward. It was odd sitting in the old theatre; neither expected the double feature to be sold out, but it was rather refreshing to people watch everyone and there were moments where the two had trouble covering up their laughter at the cheesiness of the vampire characteristics presented in the films.

Thankful that they were sitting in the back of the theatre, Severus found her nothing less than irresistible when she used his arm as a shield for her laughter. Her giggles were infectious, and as he wrapped his arm around her and leaned into her touch, the two felt a light-hearted folly with what they were witnessing.

After the films ended, Hermione and Severus walked out of the theatre, ready to discuss the various discrepancies they witnessed.

"I can't believe how Hollywood just took the legend and ran wild with it." Hermione said as both she and Severus walked towards the tube station.

Draping his arm around her shoulder, he was about to say something when they both heard a female voice.

"Granger?"

Turning around, they both saw the woman walk towards them.

"Carla!" Hermione spoke with surprise. "Lovely to see you here."

"I didn't know you were a vampire fan Granger!"

"You'd be surprised" Hermione added, now noticing that Severus' arm was still on her shoulder.

Hermione could tell by the look on Carla's face that she knew just who her companion was.

"Hello, my name is Carla." she said, while reaching to shake Severus' hand.

"I've heard a lot about you."

Hermione could feel Carla virtually melting upon hearing his voice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." Carla responded.

"Dr. Toby Prince, professor, well former professor of Chemistry." Severus lied.

"Still at Berkeley?" Carla asked.

"Unfortunately no. I grew a bit tired of California, and retired a few years ago."

"That's rather unfortunate." Carla said as she gave her friend a look that said, now I know why you took the year off.

After Carla introduced Nate as the guy that she recently started seeing, Hermione hoped that her cheeks weren't as red as she hoped they were. Even in the darkness, she knew that a blind man could see it.

Hermione and Severus found out that Nate was studying folklore, and while that afforded the two men time to chat for a bit, Carla pulled Hermione aside with a look on her face of absolute shock.

"That's him!" Carla mouthed to her friend.

"Please don't make a big deal out of it." Hermione begged.

"Oh darling, if I had that attached to me, I would be making as big a deal out of it as possible. So, are you two...?"

"Seeing each other? Well, I don't know." Hermione genuinely was a bit perplexed.

"Granger, I seriously envy you and the shagging you must be doing."

Hermione saw Severus turn his head slightly in the direction of their conversation and knew he heard every word coming out of Carla's mouth. Not knowing what to say, Hermione kept her mouth shut and tried to think of some excuse as to why she had to leave.

Severus came in for the save and mentioned to Carla that they had another engagement to attend to. Saying their goodbyes to one another, Hermione was silent as the two made their way to his flat. It was closer, and she found that she didn't care where they went.

"Toby Prince?" Hermione asked.

"It's an alias I've used for years. It's more common than my given name, so it makes it easier to hide."

"That's what I figured when I first heard it. You know, Carla will probably try to find some information about you online."

"I'm so concerned about that. We are, after all, shagging. She may try to woo me away from you." Severus said, mockingly.

Lightly slapping his arm, Hermione tried to pull it away from him, but he placed her arm around his waist. Feeling something foreign in her, she let him take the lead.

When they entered his flat, Hermione decided that she didn't want to overanalyze the moment. She didn't want to think. All she wanted was to be as close to him as possible. As soon as he locked the door and turned around, she fiercely kissed him, hoping that he wouldn't think her too much of a lush for approaching him in such a manner.

He knew that she took Carla's words into consideration, and let Hermione take control. As the two began to walk towards his bedroom, Hermione knew that she wouldn't regret her actions in the morning. She wanted this. She wanted him, and the fact that he wasn't pushing her away only served to empower her.

The two collided on his bed, still connected at the lips. He slid his hands down her torso, knowing that the hairs on her skin were rising, even underneath her shirt. She began to unbutton his shirt, needing to see all of him, what was once covered by robes, and now by regular clothes. He didn't stop her in her mission. As she pushed his shirt off of him, he brought his lips back to hers, trying to remove the shirt that restricted their ability to meet skin with skin.

When he finally accomplished his goal, she pushed him on his back, her strength forgotten by him in that moment. As she straddled him, he still was wearing his trousers, she, still in her knickers, softly traced her fingers up his torso, his pale flesh pebbled under her touch.

Staring at her, he couldn't break his black eyes away from her. He was afraid that if he did, he would wake up and realize that everything was a cruel dream.

He noticed her unzipping his trousers, knowing what she wanted to touch and possibly even taste him. Lost in thought, he still didn't notice her pull off his clothing. He was brought back into reality when he felt her free his cock from his own underpants.

Severus knew that she wasn't used to doing such a thing – he could sense it. A part of him wanted to tell her that it was all right, she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to. But he knew Hermione Granger too well. If anything, she was nothing less than eager to please. Just as she kissed the tip of his weeping cock, he grabbed his aching erection and covered it with his remaining piece of clothing. She didn't have to ask why; she could tell that he wanted it, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

"I want to." Hermione said reassuringly.

"No. I don't want your first memory of our intimate relations being of such a thing."

Hermione started placing kisses right above his belly button and slowly made her way up. Her hair softly grazed his chest as she moved her lips up towards his. He knew that she could feel his hardness, and while instinct told him to fill her with him, he waited. She was to be in control.

When her lips met his, she grasped his face in her hands. She knew that he would never take advantage of her; she trusted him. They spent the next few minutes softly snogging, his body slightly warming up from her heat. As she placed her head in he crook where his neck met his chest and wrapped her arms around him, Hermione finally did speak, the only words she could come up with were ones she already spoke to him.

"You're so cold."

Not waiting for a response, she continued.

"I want to make love to you."

She placed kisses where her lips could reach in such a position, her skin slightly grazing his nipples. He was at war with his body and mind. His body wanted to slam into her heat and shag her into oblivion, but his mind knew that it wasn't truly the right time. As her head moved lower and he felt her tongue on a nipple, he knew that he was doomed.

"I want nothing more than to go there with you Hermione, but I think it would be best if we wait just a little longer."

"I'm not afraid Severus." Hermione said, their noses touching.

"I know you aren't; I'm rather intrigued and turned on by the lioness I see before me, but I just don't think we're ready yet."

He kissed her, hoping that she wouldn't doubt where he was coming from. She placed her head back into the place it previously occupied. He was the first man she had ever known to turn down sex, and while most would find it foreign, she smiled, knowing that he was doing it out of concern for her. Most guys would never consider a woman's feelings, but then again, Severus Snape wasn't one to fit into such a category.

And in that position they remained. Hoping that his hard on would die down, he thought of what her reaction might be if he told her the truth about her parents. That killed his lust for the time being. Feeling her heartbeat slow down a bit, he brushed her hair behind her ears. The last thing she remembered before nodding off were his arms wrapping around her.

A while later she felt his cold touch tracing up and down her back. Realizing that she wasn't content with mere flesh on flesh anymore, she sat up, straddling him. He watched as she reached around her back and undid the clasp to one of the last remaining pieces of her clothing. Not shy, she set aside the garment.

He saw her in all of her glory, no nerves, no shame - only pure unadulterated desire. Not knowing what to do, she made the first move and grabbed his hand and placed it on her breast, his cool touch immediately making her nipple pebble. Feeling the rise and fall of her breathing, he cupped her breast and saw her give in to the pleasure of such intimate contact.

He knew that he could take her. He could drink from her and she wouldn't hesitate for one second. Feeling his both his bloodlust and his stiffing member, he moved his other hand to the breast that begged for his touch. Slowly torturing her, he wanted nothing more than to bring her to release. She grasped his forearms, wanting him to move his hands, wanting him to do more. As if reading her mind, she felt her shoulders being grabbed as she was gently flipped onto her back.

Kissing her, he slowly slid one hand down to her final item of clothing. Looking at her wanton gaze, he knew that if he completely removed her knickers they were both in trouble. There were so many things he wanted to do, and the voice in his head told him to do it. She was willing. She was doing all but beg for it, but he knew that it wasn't fair. As long as he kept the truth about her parents to himself, he couldn't, in good conscience, completely consummate their relationship with both lovemaking and bloodletting.

Instead he cupped her mound, hearing the effect such a simple touch could have on her. Spreading her legs for him, he continued to stare into her eyes as he pushed aside the fabric and slowly slipped one finger into her. Now leaning on his side and using his free hand to stroke her breast, he slowly used his finger to explore and tease her most intimate area.

Lowering his head to her face, he licked her ear before whispering into it,

"I'm going to make you come."

"How wet am I for you?" Hermione whispered back.

Shocked that such words could float from her lips, he kissed her lips and felt her moan as he inserted another finger into her.

"Miss Granger, I never knew you had such a dirty mouth."

That seemed to get a rise out of her. Not wanting to pick up the pace too quickly, he continued the sweet torture as his lips latched onto her breast. After a few moments of contact, he replied to her question.

"By the way, you are very…very wet."

His enunciation of the final word caused her chest to rise off of the bed.

"I don't see an ice queen in front of me. No, I see a woman on fire. I would testify for you my wanton goddess."

That elicited a moan from her so erotic that he quickened the pace of his fingers. He could hear her heartbeat's rapid jump, taste the slight sheen of sweat on her skin as she sweetly begged for him to make her come.

"Please," she repeated, "I want you to make me…I want you to see me explode. Make me yours."

Severus knew that there would be a time for her final request.

"Let me touch you." She insisted as he allowed her fingers to stroke his erection. As soon as she touched him, he knew that he was doomed to be her slave. She stroked him slowly, trying to draw his own pleasure out like he was hers, and he knew that she was close to her own release when her hand began to slow down.

When she came, he hoped to all things holy that her neighbours weren't awoken. Hermione Granger was a bit of a screamer, and somehow he had always expected it. Her euphoria made her muscles contract, body rise off of the bed, and her veins protrude from her neck.

Gently moving over her center, Severus rubbed his aching member over her, giving her a slight preview of just how fast paced he could enter a woman if he so willed it. He grunted every time, pretending that he was entering her, knowing that there was a chance it may never happen. He was reminded that this may possibly be the closest he would ever get to her, and while such a thought had the ability to ruin the moment for him, Hermione reached down and cradled his balls in her hands, her words pushed him over the edge.

"Come for me Severus." Hermione whispered as he continued to rub his cock over her covered entrance.

He continued to move, feeling himself tighten up before he achingly growled and came. His seed landed on her stomach, and while there was a slight embarrassment to such a thing, he was utterly astonished when she took a small bit and tasted it. That was enough to make him reveal his fangs – his penis getting aroused again already.

"Now I have a part of you in me." Hermione said, referring to the blood he took from her some time ago.

Not being able to resist, he took his fingers and spread his fluids over her flat stomach. It was his demented way of marking her. The coolness of it made her shiver as she watched him in awe. She could see his fangs, and wondered if they would hurt. Before she could think anymore of it, she felt his finger with another small drop of his release touch her lip. Staring into his eyes, she darted out her tongue and took his offering.

Looking at her in wonder, he could only utter one word before he moved beside her.

"Mine."

He didn't have to wait for her response before pulling her close to him. Their bodies still coming down from what had transpired. Her response was short and simple.

"Yours."