Her flat was cold, dark and she had to admit, rather forbidding. A quick flick of her wand had the lights up and she took a step back reluctantly. His arms around her were warm and the cold soon flooded in where his body had been pressed against hers. At least the place was tidy.

"Make yourself comfortable, I'll get us some coffee." She scooted out the room and into the kitchen before she could say another word. Now they were in the light and out of the heady atmosphere of the Great Hall, she flushed with embarrassment. What in Merlin's name was she thinking? The kettle flicked off and she poured the drinks. Still, conversation with Severus was never a bad thing, she thought as she carried the coffee through to her small living room.

"Your flat is freezing," Severus said as she handed him the coffee. He'd already found the blanket she had mentioned before and pulled it over his legs. Hermione nodded and joined him underneath it.

"I very rarely spend time here," she shrugged as she wrapped cold fingers around her mug. She noted that he did the same as he took another sweeping look around the place. There were no Christmas decorations up, not much of anything at all really; it was sparse and clinical now she thought about it.

"Where were you planning to spend the holidays?" he asked.

"Here, well, between here and work really." He raised a brow at this admission, "Oh come now, I can't imagine your rooms in the dungeon being festooned with trimmings and other such nonsense."

"No, the castle does it for me," he replied drily.

"And I can see you find that a terrible nuisance." She sipped her coffee and stole a sidelong glance at him. She noted the smirk grow at the corner of his mouth, which he covered hastily with his mug. "Truth is, I'm at a loss what to do this year."

"Oh?"

"Without my parents, Ron or Harry around, I figured I'd just work through it. Sounds pathetic now I think about it."

"It's how I spend most of mine," he replied, "There's nothing pathetic about it." He spoke confidently yet his eyes looked troubled. Slowly, the realisation that he may be as lonely as she was hit her and she placed her mug to the side. He looked down at her and her heart lurched. Her pulse quickened and she knew she had to use every drop of her courage to get through this first barrier. Taking his hand in hers, she gave it a soft squeeze. He laced his fingers between hers and just looked at her. His intense gaze made her shift her weight in a way that was not too dissimilar to how it made her feel in class.

The look in his eyes reflected hers and she realised, without a doubt, that he desired her. His eyes flicked over her face, focused on her mouth for a moment before finding her gaze once more. Slowly, the distance between them closed and her lips brushed against his. They were soft and moist, the sensation of them on hers sent a gentle tingle down her spine and when he pulled back an inch, she found she wanted more.

"I shouldn't have done that," he mumbled under his breath. Hermione answered by kissing him again. This time, her hand came up to caress his cheek. The skin was cool and smooth under her hand. Slowly, she pushed it into his fine, black hair, holding it just behind his ear. His movements became explorative too and she knew he wanted to examine her as she'd begun to do so with him.

Breaking the kiss a moment, she whispered, "It's alright, I think we both want this." With that, his hands were in her hair, holding the nape of her neck while his tongue probed her lips. She yielded instantly, granting him access to her mouth. His taste engulfed her senses, coffee, wine and something else, something unique, something that must be him and him alone. It was intoxicating. Her tongue curled around his, anxious to consume more of his sweetness. She wanted to take all he had to offer her and by the way his mouth moved over hers, he was of a like mind.

This time, he was the one to pull away. Her eyes ravaged his face and she noted that he was flushed and a little short of breath. Her heart pounded in her ears, "What are we doing?" he whispered. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his usually confident face and she brushed her hand over his cheek once more.

"I can't say, but I don't want to stop." She silenced his response with her mouth, once more taking all she could from his sweet lips.

A hand crept to her shoulder and drew her closer. Finding herself pressed against his chest, she kept their mouths together, not wanting to part just yet. His unique flavour flooded her once more and she shifted to find the best angle in which to plunder his mouth. The scent of his clothes hit her as she moved, sandalwood and masculinity washed over her, sending a shiver straight to her centre. Hands circled her waist and shifted her, pulling her into his lap.

"You still don't want to stop?" He asked when he surfaced for a breath.

"Oh no. I could go on kissing you like this for a very long time," she replied. He placed a gentle kiss on her neck, nibbling as he descended to her collarbone. Those long fingers twinned in her hair and she gasped as his wet tongue suckled on her skin.

"I may not be able to stop if this continues."

Moving so her knees were either side of his narrow hips she grinned, "Me neither," she replied. All traces of uncertainty had left his face, replaced with a look of wolfish lust. She felt as though he were about to devour her and a wave shocked through her. His hands dropped to her bum and she wiggled against him.

Hands plucked at the buttons of his coat as she resumed her assault on his mouth. It wasn't one sided. He found the zip of her dress and tugged it down as she pulled open the neck of his collar. Her mouth was on his neck, nibbling and sucking as he to her. It was here that she discovered the extent of his desire and lust. Nudging her crotch as she moved, his erection sent a clear message. She bumped against it and he let out a gasp.

Slowly, she eased off him and got to her feet. His expression was shielded by his black hair but she managed to catch the look of disappointment as she rose. Holding out her hand, he took it and she led him silently to her bedroom. "My couch isn't going to be the best place for this."

A smirk curled up the edges of his usually harsh mouth and he nodded. Not needing a further prompt, Hermione placed her hand on his chest and urged him backwards to the bed. As she moved, the dress she wore slipped from her shoulders and pooled at her feet. Stepping out of it, she saw his eyes widen at the sight of her in nothing but her underwear. "Now this is hardly fair!" she said as he sank onto the edge of the bed.

"What do you mean?" he frowned.

"I'm hardly wearing anything and you're still dressed." Her hands began working on the buttons of his coat once more. He batted her hand away and did the job himself. Seconds later, he was shirtless and looking at her expectantly. Hermione took a moment to admire him, he was lean, not particularly muscular but the strength was evident in his wiry body. He was scarred, most of them white and faded now and a smattering of black hair covered his chest and descended beneath the belt of his trousers. "Those too!" she pointed insistently. He rolled his eyes at her and rose.

"Ever the bossy one…" he muttered as he flicked his belt loose, "I must insist you lose the shoes," he added as he worked at the button. She complied with his request and slipped out of her heels. His trousers joined the rest of his clothing on the floor and she raised a brow. His black satin underwear wasn't what she'd been expecting and she smirked. She didn't know what she had been expecting but that wasn't it! "Get over here," he insisted.

"Don't have to tell me twice…" she answered and strode over to him. His arms curled around her and she found herself gently placed on the bed. His warmth engulfed her once more and their mouths collided. Curling her hands around his shoulders, she pulled him close against her, writhing up as his body covered hers. "Merlin, you smell wonderful," she whispered as his scent hit her once more. He snorted at her compliment but didn't dispute it.

Then his hands began to wander over her body. He shifted to the side of her and began his explorations. She watched with a curious eye as he gently ran his palms down her shoulders and arms and then back up again. The hairs on her arms stood on end and she shivered. It had nothing to do with the cold air. His hand cupped her breast, still hidden in her bra and she sighed. As he pinched her nipple between his fingers, her teeth tingled and a jolt hit her core. Unable to keep her hands to herself, she brought hers up and began her own explorations. Doing her best to find his sensitive spots, she ran her nails over his back, delighting in the sharp intake of breath he made.

"Does that feel good?" she whispered. He grunted a response and fumbled with the hook of her bra. Rising slightly, she allowed him easier access and the garment fell away moment later. His mouth replaced his fingers and it was her turn to groan.

"Tell me," he purred in that rich dark brown voice of his, "Does that feel good?" She smiled as he used her own question against her and nodded. The throbbing between her thighs intensified and she arched against him.

"Make love to me…" she hissed.

His smile was wolfish and his hand moved to slip beneath the waistband of her knickers. A finger slid into her cleft, finding her slick, "You're certainly ready for me," he said. The smirk on his face gave him away. Determined to make her point clear, she slipped her hand into his shorts and nodded when her hand contacted his hardness.

"As are you…" The look on his face changed from wolfish to needy. He tugged her knickers down as she removed the last of his clothes. His cock sprang free and it was her time to smirk. She attempted to sit but a hand on her chest had her back on the soft mattress. He crawled between her knees and picked up his wand, waving it wordlessly over her belly.

"It's been a while," he said calmly.

She placed her arms around his waist and drew him to her mouth slowly, "Me too." She caught his mouth once more, reassuring him with her kisses. As he leaned forward, a familiar pressure built between her thighs. Merlin, was she really about to let him into her? She was. Relaxing a little, she reached between them and guided him into her. Next thing she felt was him filling her. He let out a sigh and they lay there, lips locked together, as she became accustomed to his length within her.

Slowly, achingly slowly, he began to withdraw. The shiver of him moving inside her had her breath hitching and her heart thudding against her chest. Her hand brushed her cheek as their lips parted. His breath brushed the sensitive skin of her neck and his scent consumed her. Keeping the slow pace, he moved forward again, filling her once more. "Feels good," she murmured. She wanted to express her thoughts yet the use of mere words made that difficult. Instead, she wrapped her legs around his waist and encouraged him to move with her.

"You're so slick…" his words were as lame as hers and she smiled. Arms now around his waist, she arched into his lazy thrusts, wanting more yet savouring the tang that his movements sent through her. When he leaned up on his elbows, she saw the look of desire in his eyes and she swallowed hard.

"Move with me," she said. A quick nod and he began to move a little quicker. The soft sounds of his breathing and the scent of his skin made her writhe a little more. His cock sent waves through her, right down to the tips of her toes and she groaned when he caught her mouth once more. His tongue thrust into her mouth just as he thrust into her body.

The familiar build of tension began at the base of her spine as he picked up further speed. His grunts had turned to moans. His hair tickled her cheek and she squeezed her thighs around him. Every small movement sent another wave through her; she knew she was getting close. The sounds from her own lips she barely recognised as hers. Hands curled into his hair and pulled it into a tail as her hips rose and fell to meet his. She clenched around him and he hissed.

"Do that again I'll come," he whispered. He didn't slow. The tension ran up her legs and she bucked a little. His thrusting became erratic and she knew he spoke true.

"Come then," she groaned. Her own release was a couple of thrusts away. Moments later, the tension began spiralling out of control. Building until she thought she would cramp up and ruin the moment. Instead, her muscles twinged, pulsed and she was free. A cry was torn from her lips; She could feel everything, his every movement deep within her. Nothing mattered but the place where they joined and the rippling sensation of her orgasm. As she floated on the verge of oblivion, she heard his shout, felt his cock pulse and he burst deep within her.

Moments later, he collapsed beside her. Breath heaving and mind swimming, she knew he was in a similar state of passion. When her breathing returned to normal, she turned to look into his black eyes. "That was amazing," she whispered before placing a kiss on the tip of his nose.

A smile brushed his mouth and he scooped her into his arms, "Yes, it was."

She pulled the blanket over them so the cold air wouldn't chill their flesh too much and wrapped an arm over his chest. Leaning her head on his shoulder she sniggered. "Not bad for an old man!"

"I believe the endearment was decrepit." He kissed the top of her head and she chuckled.

"I believe it was," she nodded as her eyes drift shut.

"Tired Granger?" he snorted.

"Resting my eyes…" she replied. Her lips pressed to his cheek as he chuckled.

"I should leave you to your rest."

"Don't think about going anywhere." She opened an eye and ran a hand over his chest slowly. "It's cold and I need you to keep me warm." He seemed to appreciate what she said as his arms curled around her further. They lapsed into silence and soon, his breathing became even and regular, letting her know he had drifted off into a doze. Her own slumber wasn't far behind but before she fell into the realm of sleep, she wondered whether the ball hadn't been so bad after all.