Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything form this story. The things you recognise belong to JK Rowling and the things you don't, well I've made them up.

sSs

A/N:- We only take baby steps in this chapter, as usual I've edited the lemons to make them M rated. If you wish to find the MA version it is available on AO3 for your enjoyment. Pleasant reading…

hHh

Chapter Eleven – Merlin's Pet Baboon

Severus and Hermione were chatting quietly as they entered the hall hand in hand, suddenly chairs were scraping as the occupants leapt out of them. "Hermione, oh thank Merlin," said an obviously relieved Minerva, "We've heard all sorts of things."

The approaching stampede took the quietly conversing couple completely by surprise. Poppy was suddenly pulling Hermione into the light, "Let me see your face," then she demanded, "Who treated it?"

"Have you finally taken leave of your senses, Poppy?" Severus growled, pulling Hermione away from her.

"But Hermione's face," she glanced at Minerva. "We heard…"

Severus caught on, he'd forgotten about that after all the more pleasant events of the day. "Oh, I did!" he stated in obvious irritation. "What in the name of Merlin's hairy ba..."

"Severus," Hermione cut him off swiftly, "Children," she gave a pointed gesture down and he saw two sets of eyes gazing up at him, their arms firmly around Hermione's waist and leg. "Oh," his breath escaped in the exclamation.

His face became even tenser when the littlest piped up, "Merlin's hairy what's, Mister?" Her pale blue eyes were full of mischief.

Severus floundered a minute, Hermione thought Neville was going to have apoplexy that his daughter had dared question the terrifying Potions master. Severus appeared to think of something and crouched down, "And who are you, young lady?" His voice was kind.

The little girl let go of Hermione's leg and puffed out her chest, making Severus almost lose this battle to remain serious, "I's is Xanthia Herwmiome Longbottom, and you hasn't answered my question."

"Well, Miss Longbottom, it is a little known fact that the great wizard Merlin actually had a pet baboon."

The curious three year old gave him a very astute look of suspicion, and he heard a wave of distinct titters from the other teachers, as she turned to her father, "Daddy do yous think that Auntie 'Mione's boyfriend is fibbing to me?"

Neville picked up his daughter, "No, sweet pea, if Professor Snape says it, it must be true. But you shouldn't assume that the professor is Auntie 'Mione's boyfriend," Neville's voice stuttered. It was now full of admiration but very uncertain.

"Sowey, Daddy," the little girl bowed her head.

A very pale Neville bravely took another step forward and offered his hand to Severus, "It is really good to see you again, sir."

"You also, Professor Longbottom," Severus turned and nodded to Luna, "Madam Longbottom." Luna stood holding her baby daughter and encouraging little Frank out from behind her skirts, where he'd taken refuge when his sister had been so forward.

Severus felt Hermione's arm weave itself around his and squeeze. He looked around at the circle of eager faces and said, "We are very sorry to have worried you all. We had no idea you would have heard anything. As you can see Poppy, Hermione is perfectly fine," he smiled at his betrothed, "Possibly a little worse for wear emotionally, but it's been a very diverse day." Hermione leaned her head on his shoulder and he continued, "Today did however, convince me of something important," turning his head, he kissed Hermione's curly head. Surveying the shocked and avid listeners once more he said, "It made me realise I couldn't go another day without making this lovely woman mine, permanently."

Hermione found her left hand being grabbed by a very excited matron, her eyes wide, "Oh Minnie look, isn't her ring beautiful?"

Minerva was next to Poppy, in an instant she was taking Hermione's hand. Then everyone was hugging Hermione, "We're just so happy for you both," the Headmistress asserted as Hagrid let out a howl of happiness.

Luna kissed her cheek and whispered, "What did I tell you, love."

"I know Luna, I should have believed you," Hermione hugged her around little Alice.

They were all finally making their way back to the table, when a little voice chimed merrily, "Sees Daddy I was right, Fessor Shwap is Auntie 'Mione's boyfriend, silly Daddy," and she shook her mop of blond curls.

This broke everybody up. Even Severus couldn't help laughing as they finally sat down to their meal. A very red faced Neville, sat his eldest daughter in her chair, "Yes, sweet pea," then aside to Luna, "I wonder if we have a Slytherin in the making here?"

Unaffected by it all as usual, Luna sighed, "That'd be nice wouldn't it."

Between Hermione and Severus they explained as many details of the incident at the Leaky Cauldron. The details of their subsequent 'rest' in the middle of the day for Hermione to recover though were sketchy.

Hermione then explained the shopping trip and the fact that they had only just returned to Hogwarts to brew some more potions.

Minerva in turn told them that the floo at the Leaky Cauldron was now closed for repair, because Harry Potter had blasted it in his rage. He had made himself even more unpopular in the process, as several people in the gathered crowd had been injured.

"Then," Poppy stated almost excitedly, "there was a brawl at Weasley Wizarding Wheezes."

Minerva then took over telling the story again. "Now according to Albus, who spoke to the Fat Lady, who heard it from her friend Violet. Mathilda Blott's portrait in Flourish and Blotts, said the entire Weasley family had descended on the George's shop to break up a hexing match between Harry and George. Apparently," Minerva continued conspiratorially, "Molly ended up taking Ginevra and the children with her, and Ronald appeared from nowhere taking Harry to settle him down."

"It's also said," Poppy cut back in, "That Tom at the Leaky Cauldron was none too pleased at the display of the Chief of the Aurory in his pub, and is suing Harry Potter for damages to his premises."

xox

This conversation got them all the way through dinner, and now Severus and Hermione were in his lab, seeing if they could keep their hands off one another long enough to brew the further ten potions they had decided earlier they would complete tonight, before they went to bed. So far they were doing a passable job and were about half way through their task. Severus was pleased Hermione seemed to understand that while they were in the lab, there was to be no fooling around. It was just too dangerous. Not to mention painful if hot liquid spilt on sensitive bits. So they were working at opposite ends of the lab, each with five cauldrons lined up. Hermione had just finished the first of her potions, and was almost finished another. Severus had chosen five of the more complicated and hadn't completed any of them yet.

Hermione kept casting longing looks over at Severus, who was working minus his frock coat with the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up. Her eyes kept wandering to how well his delicious tight bum so beautifully defined in his trousers. She wondered vaguely how defined the front of the garment was as well. Of course there was a perfectly practical reason why he worked dressed like this. It was very hot, what with the heating charm to counteract the bitter cold of the corridors and larger communal areas, and the ten cauldron fires, it was almost swelteringly hot. Hermione mopped her brow with a conjured cloth, and decided to follow his example. She'd already shed her jacket when they'd come home, she now rolled up her sleeves and popped several buttons on her blouse.

In due course Hermione finished first, she soon had all the vials packed and labelled and was wandering over to Severus' side to see what she could do. Seeing the intricate nature of his work she decided against doing anything to disturb his concentration. He had instructed three of the brews to stirs themselves, had finished one and was incanting over the remaining one. Hermione just finished filtering his completed brew and was dividing it into doses for him. She was almost finished this job when his arms encircled her waist, "Thank you," he murmured, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek, before going back to his now two remaining potions. She noticed his eyes lingering on her substantially exposed cleavage, but he didn't comment.

Finally all ten potions were completed. "You know I noticed this morning that the bath in my chambers is enormous," Hermione said, stretching the kinks out of her neck, and sighing as Severus' hands arrived there to finish the job.

"Indeed, what did you have in mind?" he inquired, kissing her ear.

"A bath of course, with plenty of room for play," she looked around at him, and appeared to steel herself. "But first I have something I want to show you."

"It's a pity we don't have a door directly between our rooms," Severus mumbled thoughtfully. At that moment the room appeared to shudder slightly, there was the sound of stone scrapping on stone and behind them a door obligingly appeared in the wall.

Hermione gasped, "It really is an amazing castle, isn't it?"

"It most certainly is," Severus commented testing the door. "After you my minx," Hermione smiled as she walked into her own sitting room.

Heading straight through into her bedroom, Hermione was carrying a book which she enlarged as she walked into the sitting room. Severus had organised wine and two glasses. He wordlessly asked as she came back in, "Mmm, yes please," she smiled.

Severus followed her to the lounge with the wine. He cocked his head towards the book "What's that?"

"I found it in Binn's study yesterday," she bit her lip, "I'm feeling guilty for having taken it, but it intrigued me."

Despite her practical attitude to start with, Hermione turned beetroot red as soon as Severus took the book because she saw understanding lighting his face. He recited the French title before glancing at Hermione and saw how flustered she was, but ignored it. "Do you know what it means, my love?"

She shook her head, "Pleasures with those you love." Seeing her blush, he took her cheek in his hand. "Where's my brazen little exhibitionist? If the book turns you on, darling, which is of course its purpose, then show me your favourite pictures," he caressed her cheek, "We will explore them together."

She was very shaky, but managed to say, "I was hoping you'd say that."

Severus flipped another page, "Was this the only book you found?"

"I must admit that I was so flustered by this one that I didn't look, why?"

"Because I know these books, this one is part of a set," he saw her become even more interested, "Each volume deals with different mode of sexuality. Severus was flipping casually through more pictures. This volume deals with trios and quartets of various combinations. There are other volumes exploring solo adventures," he gave her a kiss on the forehead, "Which from what I've heard so far, you seem to have mastered without any book. Then there are two other volumes one on straight couples and the other on same sex combination."

"How old are they?"

"They were created last century in France. The volumes are actually much more than mere artful pornography, they are very misunderstood and are in fact banned here in England as dark artefacts." Severus heard Hermione's intake of breath, "Which, my darling doesn't automatically make them so. Wizarding Britain became so prudish during the Victorian period, anything that wasn't rated for general consumption is treated as bad," his eyebrow rose, "No, they are I suppose, a little like a Wizarding version of the Karma Sutra."

As he'd been talking Severus was examining a picture, Hermione saw his hand go to his crotch to adjust himself, she watched the movement. "Let me see," she murmured leaning towards the book. It was a picture near the back, Hermione took in the details, there were the same two wizards as she'd seen the day before, but this time there were two witches as well. The witches were in the middle and a wizard on either side, "Ohhh," Hermione groaned curling up next to him, "I'd love to know what it feels like to do that?" She was intently focused on the picture.

Looking up from, Severus asked, "That is a brave fantasy, my angel."

Hermione blushed crimson, "I've never actually admitted that to anyone," she said quietly.

"Really?" He kissed her heatedly, before murmuring, "What other fantasies do you have?"

Giving him a spicy grin, Hermione shivered, "Too numerous to mention, but that's the only lesbian one I think I have. Mind you I may have told Mirror things."

He cut her off, wicked grin playing around his features, "Ah yes, Mirror. I'd almost forgotten about him, come on." He pulled her to her feet. "I want you to visit your mirror for me." He was literally licking his lips in anticipation, as they started walking. "And don't worry we'll work on finding you a companion to fulfil your fantasy," Severus smoothed.

"I guess that's a long term project though, it would have to be someone we both trusted, like we do Lucius."

"Yes, it will take some time I believe," Severus gave her another heated, open mouthed kiss in the doorway.

Tearing his eyes away from Hermione's smouldering orbs, he looked dubiously at the mirror.

Hermione bit her lip, "I've never tried to coax him to play with another person present," she supplied.

"Well," he looked her up and down, "Allow me to prepare you for play," a few intricate flicks and swishes of his wand and her skirt slithered off, her blouse fell open and her bra joined her skirt. His heated gaze ran the length of her, "There, now for me," Severus tapped his head with his wand and shimmered out of view, although Hermione felt him take her arm, "Do you think this might work?"

"Oh I believe you've solved the problem." He chuckled, and encouraged her forward.

Once she was standing in front of the mirror, she revelled in the sight of her open crimson silk blouse, red knickers, black stocking and red stilettos. Running her hands up her body she pushed the blouse aside with her hands.

The face ghosted into life, "Hello little dove, and what would you like tonight?"

"I just thought I'd spend some time with my mirror," Hermione was shocked at how husky her voice sounded. She was much more turned on than usual, after their recent discussion and having Severus right beside her. "I told you this morning I'd still want you, that we would find ways to enjoy you."

Hermione purposefully rubbed her thighs together and sighed, "Are you a needy, my little dove?" Hermione nodded and bit her lip. "Show me," the mirror demanded, and Hermione quivered as her hand reached down to push aside the material. She then settled into her favourite chair and Severus watched her pleasure building. Finally, slouched back into the chair panting, she inquired, "Did you enjoy that, Severus my darling?"

"I most certainly did," his disembodied voice vibrated through her, before kissing her stomach.

"Show Mirror that you're here, darling," she caressed the invisible head she felt on her stomach, his eyes obviously still trained at the apex of her thighs. "I want him to see you." Severus shimmered back into view, his inscrutable gaze lifting to his two dimensional counterpart's.

Hermione's eyes were on the face in the mirror, which smiled slyly and promptly started making demands.

Severus reared up to his full height and glowered, "You're an upstart bloody piece of furniture, aren't you?" he snipped.

Hermione laughed joyously, "Remember I created him to be just like I remembered you to be... well like I thought you would be like in this situation," she picked up the hand resting at his side, and started to play with it, "I was actually pretty close. I love you telling me what to do in this context. It's so masterful and you do it so well with that beautiful chameleon voice of yours."

"Well I think it might be time for that bath you mentioned before," Severus insisted, glaring at the mirror, "No mirror is telling me what to do." Severus gave said mirror a fierce scowl, but when he lent down and picked Hermione up, his eyes and voice had softened, "Wrap your arms around me tight, angel."

Hermione clung to him and he rose, "I didn't expect you to give in to him, you know," she murmured while sucking and kissing his neck as they walking to the bathroom. All he could think was, Thank Merlin for wandless magic. He filled the bath and allowed her legs to slither to the ground, disrobing them with a hand movement she watched him as he got in and sat.

Severus held his arms out to her, "Straddled my lap, sweetheart."

"Oh yes," she shivered as his hands grasped her around the waist and lifted her up in the water.

"Put me in the right place," Hermione leant under her and positioned him, "Here we go my beauty, ride me." Hermione groaned and sighed in delight when she lifted to her knees then sank back onto him, feeling every wonderful inch sliding into her. The water surged around them, gently lapping the sides of the tub. "You're so beautiful, that's a girl."

She was starting to establish a steady rhythm. Severus was fascinated with the bounce of her breasts into the water every time she slid down his shaft, combined with the mewling little grunt she gave. "Faster, angel," he encouraged, his face contorting in pleasure with each of her movements. Soon she was slamming herself down the water splashing noisily around the tub, but Severus had charmed it not to spill. He was bucking up to meet her with each on her downward strokes.

"Oh Severus, so close," she sighed, leaning further forward so every stroke caught her deliciously. The water felt amazing sloshing around their bodies. Severus reached forward and enclosed a nipple in his mouth and Hermione screamed, clamping down hard on him. The walls of her sheath convulsing and squeezing, Severus arched up and gave one more push before a guttural howl left his lips and he surged up into her one last time.

They sat there holding on another in the comforting warmth. Oblivious to anyone or anything, totally sated and relaxed. Severus stroked Hermione's back in long languid caresses and lazily kissed her. She felt so good against him, so real, he didn't want to get up, ever. But of course they'd end up wrinkled prunes if they stayed here too long. Gently pushing Hermione upright, he picked up the wash cloth. Feeling his spent member slither out of her, he chuckled and kissed her when she gave a little moan of disapproval. Severus caressed her body with the cloth in long languid strokes, softly washing away the cares and tensions of the day. She sighed blissfully, "Today has been like a dream come true," she murmured softly.

"Indeed," her dark eyed companion sighed. "How I ever live without you with me, I'll never know. He laid her back against the other side of the bath, and began adoring her softly once more.

All Hermione could do sigh, letting the sensations wash over her. She had never known such tenderness existed, or that his man was capable of it. She pushed back a little and started to run her own hands over the planes of his body in return, but eventually water cooled and she shivered.

"Let's get into bed so we're more comfortable," Severus murmured, she sighed and snuggled in further a moment, finally she rose and getting out, handed him a towel.

Drying each other, they were soon in bed cuddled up and speaking softly. Hermione asked, "The rest of those books, if Binns had them would they still be in his rooms?"

"No, when the elves tidy up, as we humans inevitably tell them to do. Anything that is not generic or Hogwarts issue goes to a special storage area only the Headmaster or Mistress can access."

"How about past Headmasters?" she waggled her eyebrows.

"Well there's a point, how 'bout I take you there in the morning and we'll see. Any contraband of course, will have to be stored at our rooms in the Manor," Hermione nodded her understanding and Severus started kissing her gently. "The books are not that important anyway, Lucius has the whole set."

"Of course he does," Hermione laughed but a yawn slipped out at the same time.

"Go to sleep Angel," he kissed her head.

"Good night Severus," she leant forward to kiss him.

"Mmm, good night," he returned.