Chapter 7

It was a week before he contacted her again. This time it was an owl confirming their first official outing per their arrangement. He had chosen the Ministry sanctioned charity auction and masquerade at Malfoy Manor as it provided a somewhat neutral ground. He also knew that Lucius would provide protection should anything get out of hand. Severus knew that the public was already abuzz with talk of him and Miss Granger, especially after being photographed together at the café a week ago.

Severus thought back to that afternoon and he hardened. He had found himself thinking of the young woman with more frequency that he felt comfortable with which was why he had not called on her sooner. The distance he thought would allow him to corral his growing regard for the woman. He adjusted himself and readied before his mirror. He hadn't thought he would feel anything for the chit, but in all honesty he'd enjoyed their conversation, and not to mention the taste of her in his mouth. She had been so eager, so completely willing to give herself to him. The way she'd pulled him against her, her hands digging in his wet hair. It made him hard all over again and it took everything he knew to keep from apparating to her office and taking her on the top of her desk. He had revisited the memory of their meeting all week, both during and after his waking hours. Often waking up with a hard on not unlike those he'd had as an adolescent at school. He found that it was her name falling off his tongue as he climaxed in his bed or the shower. He wondered how much of it was just his own fantasies of possessing the woman or whether she actually felt something for him.

He shook the thought from his mind as he got another glimpse of himself in his mirror. He was an awful thing to look at. He was all hard angles and scars, no woman wanted this, so he'd heard time and again. They wanted young men with hard bodies and pretty faces. This evening at least she wouldn't have to stare at his face; the dark mask covered most of it leaving free only his jaw and thin lips. This allowed a brief respite from his harsh features, albeit momentarily, for the young woman.

Beckoning Tero he sent him to the young woman with instructions on where they should meet. He also sent along a beautiful mask he had procured especially for her. It was enchanted to match whatever color dress she chose and the style she wished to use, with one last look at the clock, he apparated away to Malfoy Manor.

She'd barely been able to hold herself up before he was gone again. Her clothes spelled closed in a heartbeat, she was left soaking wet in an alley and Hermione couldn't be happier.

She hadn't ever experienced anything like that and from the wobbly way her legs were moving, she imagined she wouldn't again.

While outwardly she was ecstatic, a part of her felt just a bit dejected. She knew this was part of their arrangement. They were to be almost anonymous meetings, but they weren't. It was him. His voice, his eyes, his hands on her body, she shivered slightly at the feeling of euphoria the memories gave her. She couldn't believe she was so aroused again so quickly. She definitely hadn't imagined she would be feeling real emotions towards the man.

The brief time they had conversed she had found they shared a lot of common interests and she found his company more than a little agreeable. Not many men or women for that matter could really stimulate Hermione's intellectual palate. She found an almost-equal in Severus when she'd finally stopped looking at him like her former professor and simply looked at him like a man.

It was a week before she had heard from him and it was to invite her to their first official outing. He had decided the ministry auction and masquerade at Malfoy Manor would set enough tongues wagging. She sought the help of Lavender Weasley nee Brown to help her choose a gown.

Her former classmate had married the eldest Weasley and opened a shop and spa in Hogsmeade. Hermione trusted the young woman and was not disappointed when she chose a red backless gown that accented all of Hermione's buxom curves. The long slit allowed for just enough leg to still be classy and its length was respectable and sexy. The stylists at the spa gave Hermione a whole makeover that accented her face and hair's natural color and style.

Fingering the mask Tero had just dropped off she pulled a white cloak over her dress and apparated away to the manor.

Severus attempted to look busy with the cuff of his sleeve but in reality he was utterly enthralled with the woman that had just entered the great hall of the manor. He watched as the men in the room turned their heads as her smile lit up the room. Severus waited for her to hand off her cloak before walking over to greet her. Bowing slightly he took her hand and bought it to his mouth. His mouth lingering longer than expected as his eyes met hers.

"Miss Granger."

"Professor…"

She smiled and tucked her hand into the crook of his proffered arm. They made the rounds of the room and Hermione watched with rapt attention as the once taciturn man mingled with dignitaries of the ministry and former students. He wasn't charming per se but maintained a regal and somewhat affable manner that lent itself to pleasant conversation. Hermione conversed briefly with Kingsley and Arthur all the while never taking her eyes off her former professor. She worked her way around the room to greet others from the ministry. As Severus found his way back to Hermione's side they met with the hosts of the party.

"Miss Granger, it is an honor to have you in my home," Lucius bowed as he kissed her hand, his lips were soft and his breath warm on her hand. She watched as his eyes raked over her body, the feeling it elicited was not unwelcome, and she saw Severus smirk at his friend's lecherous ways. She had never felt desirable before but the recent meetings with Snape had caused an awakening in her. She felt sexy; she wanted to be looked at, desired. As Snape greeted Narcissa and Draco, Lucius led her onto the dance floor.

"Dance Miss Granger?"

She let him take the lead. His hands were strong and his form was practiced and flawless. Hermione felt a momentary lack of confidence but his ease and grace made up for any uneasiness Hermione might have felt.

"You look lovely this evening Miss Granger," Lucius charmed.

"Thank you Mister Malfoy."

"Lucius, please call me Lucius. I thought you might feel some discomfort being here especially after the less then hospitable way you were treated the last time you were our guest."

"I prefer not to dwell on the past; some things are best left unsaid. I hope you understand."

"I hope then that we can begin anew?"

Looking and finding Severus in the crowd she felt a thrill come over her at the way his eyes drank in her form. Turning to face Lucius she agreed. Their dance ended and he walked her over to Severus' side.

"You have a lovely dance partner Severus, I would hold onto this one." With a sly wink he was gone back to his wife's side, his haughty laugh could be heard over the music that began to play again.

"Come," Severus held out his hand and walked her over to a small hallway off the main room. Beautiful and intricate tapestries lined the walls, lit sconces and moonlight poured into the hall from the windows of the manor. The shadows danced around the two as they took in the splendor of the manor.

Hermione felt his hand at the small of her back, his fingers caressing the exposed skin.

"Did you enjoy your dance?"

"I did, very much so."

"Did you notice every man in the room was watching you? Undressing you with their eyes?"

His hot breath at her ear and his hand on her naked back had her shivering lightly. She nodded, afraid to voice what she was feeling. He turned her to face him, his strong hands on her bare arms.

"You like that don't you? You like being watched, being desired, don't you. Answer me!"

"Y-yes,"

"In here, now."

He pulled her into a darkened room; the only light was the moonlight shining in through the elegant stained glass windows.

At the center of the room was a striking billiard table covered in elaborate carvings. Severus removed his outer robes tossing them on top of the table as he leaned against it. Hermione started to remove her mask but he stopped her.

"Leave it on."

She looked startled for a moment as she took in the room around her. From where she stood in the room she could see a mirror on the back wall behind where Severus stood and behind it a faint shadow of a man watching them.

Pulling out his wand he tapped it to the mask she wore and the room went dark for Hermione. She gasped at the sudden darkness.

"Relax Miss Granger, time for your next lesson."

Hermione could feel her knees weaken. She was alone with him and they were being watched. Her knickers were damp with need at the thought. Severus walked around her, his hand caressing her naked back until she felt him stand before her. His fingers caressed the sensitive skin of her arms from hand to shoulder.

"So soft, Miss Granger," he whispered, his face close to hers. Every touch was intensified, her senses on alert. She could smell faint traces of whiskey on his breath and the rich scent she knew to belong only to him. She inhaled deeply, feeling him seep into her very core.

His hands moved to bunch the material of her dress at her thighs and lifted it up slowly, his fingers caressing her sides gently as he pulled it over her head. The cool air from the room made her nipples peak. She stood naked from the waist up in knickers and her stockings.

"Beautiful…"

He gently caressed her thighs, his hands massaging the warm flesh of her arse. One hand came up to cup her naked breast as his fingers tweaked the hardened nipple. Then she felt his mouth on her, his tongue licking the skin of her breast, his mouth suckling the pebbled peak. Hermione grasped his head, her hands burying themselves in his long hair as she pulled him to her.

"Mmmm yes…" she moaned.

His hand squeezed her arse, pulling her closer and his mouth sucked harder. She felt the buttons of his waistcoat against her and the hardened evidence of his arousal. This time she didn't hesitate to reach out. Wrapping her hand around his cloth covered cock, she squeezed.

He growled as he released her nipple with a resounding pop.

"Careful Miss Granger, that isn't part of the arrangement."

"Fuck the arrangement," she hissed, her hand massaging his cock, "I want you."

"As you wish Miss Granger, on your knees," he ordered.

She still couldn't see but she could hear, and the next few sounds made her mouth water; the rustling of cloth, the jangling of a buckle, and the sound of a zip.

"Open your mouth Miss Granger."

And she did.