When In Doubt
Go to the Library
Miriam walked slowly down the deserted corridor and felt the gooseflesh cover her arms as a chill trickled down her spine. The moonlight spilled across the worn stone floors, and the only sounds were the rustle of Miriam's dress and the click of her heeled boots. Tonight, the castle was silent as the grave. In fact, Miriam encountered no living souls, and only one ghost thus far on her rounds. Yet despite the desolation, Miriam couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched.
Miriam pushed open the doors to the library and cast the uneasiness from her mind. She allowed herself a rare moment of indulgence, and inhaled deeply. The scent of parchment and old, leather-bound books brought a smile to Mia's heart-shaped face. She lit the tip of her wand to guide her and walked deeper into the stacks. Miriam knew she could easily finish the rest of her time here in the library before returning to her chambers and falling into bed—alone. Mia frowned at that; she'd much rather fall into bed with a certain dark wizard, but it wouldn't do to seem clingy.
Silent and unseen, Severus stepped into the library and watched as Miriam walked into the stacks. His heartbeat quickened as he studied her silhouette before it was lost to shadow. Her Victorian dress—or, rather, what was under it—had been on his mind all day. The dark blue material was almost black; the skirt fell to the floor in three tiered layers, with two cream-colored silk lines accenting each layer. Over the dress, Miriam wore a fitted dark blue blazer with long, bell sleeves. The blazer sported a wide collar, double-breasted buttons, and cream-colored silk trim accents. It had a corseted back, and a ruffled hem that accentuated the demure bustle of her skirt.
Days had passed since Severus was last able to have Miriam for himself. His normally logical and ordered mind was a jumbled mess. The only coherent thought Severus kept returning to was how he could get Miriam alone, and that focus was what currently had Severus trailing Miriam through the castle like a besotted adolescent. Severus froze in the shadows as Miriam stopped and glanced over her shoulder. He idly wondered if Miriam would finally notice him, but the witch simply frowned and continued on. Bemused, Severus followed Miriam; something must be on her mind.
Something, or rather someone, was definitely on Miriam's mind. It surprised her how often Severus occupied her thoughts. Was it normal to think about him as much as she did? Miriam did not know. Oh, how foolish she once was to think that sex was something she could pick up and set aside at her leisure. It was currently a topic of study for her and Severus, and her desire for him was quickly becoming a need. While Miriam was certain Severus felt the same, she was once again conflicted over whether their insatiableness was proper.
As she turned a corner, Miriam chuckled lowly. How ironic, that her feet took her to the library—the place Miriam always turned to when she needed answers. Sadly, Miriam knew the shelves held no answers for her this time; she and Severus were on their own to navigate this new facet of their relationship. Miriam stopped short once she realized where, exactly, she was. Tucked away in the stacks, Miriam stood at the end of a shelf and gazed at their table—the one she and Severus used as students. Her grey eyes drifted to the stained-glass window; a wistful sigh escaped her as happy memories filled her mind.
Suddenly, Miriam was grabbed by the shoulders, spun around, and pressed against the shelves. A gasp of surprise escaped her, and her apprehensive expression quickly turned to one of yearning when she gazed into Severus' pale face. A deep, urgent kiss occupied Mia's lips; it spoke of desperation and want. Several books fell to the floor around them as Severus leaned into the kiss and Miriam shifted against the shelves.
Severus' kiss was raw and powerful—all Miriam knew was their exchange of devouring and being devoured. Another book by her head threatened to fall until Severus' large hand shoved it flush with the others. Her hands twisted around Severus' robes as Miriam pulled him closer, and she felt his large hands slip into her hair.
Neither of them wanted to stop. They pressed on, unrelenting, until self-preservation won out. A quick shared gasp of the same breath, and the kiss resumed. Gradually, the kiss became less frantic as the couple calmed and lingered in the moment. For several minutes, they took turns returning to each other's lips. Miriam took another breath and opened her eyes. Severus' face was illuminated by Miriam's wand still clutched in her hand, and in his eyes the witch saw unchecked desire.
Severus grasped Miriam's wand and sat it on a shelf above their heads before his hands settled on either side of her; his black robes plunged them into darkness. The sound of Severus' slow, measured breath filled her ears, and Miriam felt drawn to the intense heat of his body as her hands lingered on his wool frock coat.
Severus found Miriam's lips by her trembling breath, and he kissed her lightly, then pensively pulled away. "You seem rather distracted, Professor," Severus breathed.
She turned towards the sound, and her voice wavered when she felt Severus' lips brush her cheek. "Really?" Miriam whispered.
"Indeed. You must be more vigilant—there are creatures that roam the castle, after dark. Creatures that would eagerly devour you."
Miriam's knees buckled, and Severus' arms immediately wrapped around her. As he chuckled, Severus walked backwards towards the table. Once there, Severus made sure Miriam could stand on her own before he swept his robes aside and sat on the worn wood. He scooted back until his body rested against the stone wall, the stained-glass window to his left. Gently, Severus grasped Miriam's hand. "Come here," Severus told Mia as he pulled her towards him.
Drawn in by his voice, Miriam went willingly and settled between Severus' legs. She draped her legs gracefully over one of his as Miriam nestled into his embrace. Severus grasped her chin and tilted her head back slightly. "Whatever has you so out-of-sorts?" Severus inquired.
"You." The word slipped past her lips before Miriam even had time to think. She blushed, unsure how Severus would react to her admission.
Severus studied Miriam for a lingering moment. Finally, he spoke. "You've been on my mind all day as well."
Miriam's breath caught in her chest as she watched Severus lower his lips to hers. Her eyes closed as Severus bestowed on her a kiss just as deep as their last. With a featherlight touch, his large hand moved to cradle the side of her face and support her head. Severus kissed her until Mia could no longer tell where she ended and Severus began. A shudder rippled through her as Severus slowly caressed her jaw with his fingertips. He paused briefly, and looked down on her with hooded eyes before his lips fell to hers once more.
"Severus," Miriam whispered as he kissed his way over to her ear. She leaned her head to the side and wove her fingers into his black hair. A tiny noise of pleasure escaped her as Severus nibbled gently on her earlobe.
"You're wondering if this is proper; professors carrying on in the library like two hormonal sixth-years." Severus felt his desire stir as Miriam shivered in his arms. "Tell me to stop," Severus demanded.
"Never!" Miriam groaned at the maddeningly light touch of Severus' lips as they brushed against her neck. "I don't want you to stop." Miriam placed her hand on Severus' cheek. "Let me come to you, later."
Miriam's grey eyes burned into his as they stared at one another. "Mia," Severus began, but his lips were quickly silenced. Miriam wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. Severus growled lowly and leaned over to better lay Mia across his lap. His hand drifted down her chest, over the swells of her breasts, and down to her waist where Severus felt Miriam's hand cover his. She guided it under her jacket, and Severus pulled back slightly. "You tempt me, truly," he breathed.
"Touch me!" Miriam pleaded. "I want to feel your hands on my body, Severus. Let me come to you later," Miriam demanded again, long past caring if she sounded desperate.
Miriam kissed him again, and her tongue tapped lightly against his lips Severus deepened the kiss, and released a button on her jacket. If they continued as they were, there would be no later, Severus thought. The material of Miriam's dress felt soft under his searching fingertips, and Severus could make out the stays of her corset beneath it. Though he wanted to touch her, there were simply too many undergarments in his way, Severus realized.
Undeterred, Severus slowly ran his hand over Miriam's hip and down her thigh. When he moved over her knee, Severus drew up her leg and continued down her calf. More fabric halted his progress; impatient, Severus pushed the yards of material and crinoline aside.
"Mmm, Severus, yes," Miriam breathed against his lips as his hand slid up her stocking-clad leg.
"Am I touching you enough?"
"More," Miriam implored; Severus chuckled and kissed Miriam as his hand continued its leisurely exploration.
The sound of footsteps and the aggravated voice of Madam Pince as she complained about students mistreating her books came from the library entrance. Miriam and Severus broke apart, their eyes wide as they stared at one another—apparently, they weren't the only ones still wandering the castle. They both heard the gravelly voice of Filch agree with Pince, and he lamented that the old punishments—which were no longer enforced—would definitely curb such behavior.
Disappointment clouded Miriam's grey eyes. Silently, Miriam slipped off the table and scurried over to where her wand sat on the shelf. Severus stood and straightened his clothes as he watched Miriam do the same. She smoothed some of her curls and repositioned her top hat fascinator. Her slender fingers wrapped around her wand, and Severus watched her walk to the end of the stack. Miriam then turned and looked at him with longing before she quickly disappeared from view.
Alone, Severus let out a shaky breath; it took all his willpower to stop himself from going after Miriam. It was clear she wanted him—and he wanted her. He heard Miriam's soft voice greet Irma and Argus. They exchanged brief pleasantries, and then Miriam took her leave of them.
Severus frowned as he drew his wand and disillusioned himself. Miriam had a reason to run into Madam Pince and Filch; he did not, and it would look suspicious if he left the library shortly after Miriam. Severus impatiently waited for Irma and Argus to resume their conversation. Once they did, he moved silently and walked right past the two, unseen.
Severus kept an eye out for Miriam the entire way to his chambers, but he did not see her. He'd no idea where the witch ran off to, and he regretted not chasing after her earlier. A wave of his wand removed the disillusionment spell, and Severus pushed his door open. It closed behind him with a heavy thud, and Severus squinted as his eyes adjusted to the darkness that permeated his sitting room. Another night, alone. With a heavy sigh, Severus turned towards the door as he slipped off his robes. Severus absentmindedly waved his hand at the fireplace, which roared to life. Just as Severus placed his robes on their hook, a soft voice spoke his name.
With a scowl, Severus whirled around. He drew himself up to his full height as he took in the object of his earlier musings. Miriam ardently stared at him from his favorite leather chair. She'd removed her hair pins and fascinator; her dark curls framed her face and tumbled over her shoulders. As his eyes moved lower, Severus noticed Miriam had taken off her jacket. He studied the satin and lace trim of her low neckline, and the short, puffed sleeves that left her slender arms bare. Miriam rose from the chair. As she sauntered towards him, Severus saw a glint of mischief in Miriam's eyes.
Miriam stopped in front of Severus and intently studied his face. Severus cleared his throat. "You must have been in quite the hurry when you left the library."
"Well, I had a later engagement," Miriam said coyly.
"Oh, really?" He took a step closer, and looked down his hooked nose at the witch.
"Unless you want me to leave, later is now, Severus," Miriam whispered.
Severus drug his fingers lightly across Miriam's collarbone before he drew one down her exposed chest. The scooped collar of her dress halted his progress, and Severus slowly shook his head no. "It would truly be a tragedy, to waste an opportunity such as this," Severus mused.
"Agreed," Miriam breathed.
Severus suddenly lunged forward; startled, Miriam stepped back. Severus pursued Miriam until he had her backed up against the wall. He then pressed his sharp lines against her soft curves, his lips on hers before they quickly moved lower over her chest. With a soft whimper, Miriam grabbed the back of Severus' head while her other hand splayed across the stone wall. Severus' lips returned to hers, and Miriam ferociously kissed him back. One arm wrapped around his neck while her right hand started to undo the buttons of his frock coat.
"So pushy," Severus murmured against her lips as she yanked on his buttons.
"Says the wizard who keeps pinning me against things," Miriam shot back. She groaned as Severus sucked on her neck, and she felt his lips curl into a smile as she moved against him.
Severus moaned softly as Miriam's hand abandoned his buttons and slid over his chest and down the front of his trousers. He slipped his hand behind her back and tugged the ribbon loose that held her dress closed. Severus then curled his fingers and ran his hands up and down her corseted waist as his kisses again moved lower. Wanting to see more of her, Severus roughly pulled her dress down.
Miriam gasped as the cold air prickled her skin, followed by the warmth of Severus' hands as he cupped her breasts. Gently, Severus squeezed her breasts together. "Oh, gods," Miriam whimpered when Severus moved slowly from one to the other as he laved them with his tongue.
Miriam hooked a leg around his to pull Severus closer. Her breath came in short gasps as her body rubbed against his, desperate to find relief for the ache inside her. Severus dropped one hand to his side and began to bunch up Miriam's dress. He worked his hand under the yards of fabric and crinoline, and settled it between her thighs. Lightly, he rubbed his fingers over her damp knickers, and Miriam inhaled sharply as her hips came off the wall.
"Please! Severus…"
Severus growled lowly and tugged Miriam's knickers aside. His trailed his lips to her neck and pressed his fingers inside her, curling them in a come-hither motion before he delved in again. Severus felt Miriam's knees buckle; he straightened as he pressed forward and pushed himself against her, trapping her once more between his body and the wall.
"More?"
"Y-yes!"
"Yesss," Severus hissed as his fingers went to work. Severus' dark eyes glittered as he watched Miriam respond to his touch. Her lower lip trembled and her eyes went half-lidded as she moved helplessly against him. Miriam moaned softly as Severus sped up and slipped another finger inside her. "You like it when I touch you, don't you, Miriam?" Severus breathed down at her. Rendered speechless, Miriam said nothing as her lips moved, and Severus smirked. He knew she was too far gone to reply, and it thrilled Severus to see the pure emotion beneath Miriam's brilliant mind.
He pressed his cheek against hers, and Severus bit his lip to fight the urge to just take Mia against the wall. She was so close; Severus brushed his nose over the shell of Miriam's ear. "It's been too long," Severus breathed. "I shouldn't have to chase you through the castle to get you in my arms, witch."
Miriam shrieked his name and clutched him to her when Severus bit her earlobe. Severus immediately grabbed Miriam and swooped her up into his arms. He strode across his sitting room and kicked open his bedroom door. He laid Miriam across his bed, and his hands went immediately to his buttons. He gazed down at Miriam's flushed face, and he hesitated as he looked at her dress. It was simply too much, so Severus drew his wand and wordlessly cast the spell.
Miriam felt Severus' warm hands wrap around her ankles and slide slowly up her bare legs. Laughter escaped her as he lightly caressed her thighs.
"Something wrong?" Severus asked innocently. Weakly, Miriam shook her head no, and Severus grinned. It was quite an ego boost for Severus to render Miriam speechless. He moved his hands over her hips and across her belly; delighted, Severus watched Miriam lean into his touch. He settled over her and brushed her curls aside.
Miriam looked at Severus as he stared down at her. She caressed his cheek gently with a manicured finger. "Tell me again, Severus. What, exactly, has been on your mind all day?"
"We've already established that—you."
"What about me?"
Severus felt Miriam's foot tease up the back of his calf before she wrapped her leg around his hip. "Cheeky witch," Severus breathed as he captured her lips with a quick kiss. As her hands slid up and down his back, Severus reached between their bodies and sheathed himself inside her. A small hiss escaped Severus when he felt Miriam's nails dig into his shoulders. He dropped to his forearms and kissed Miriam slowly.
Miriam sighed against his lips and returned Severus' kisses. Her hands slipped into his hair as her head dropped back against the pillows. Severus' tongue skated across her throat, and then she felt him nibble his way up behind her ear. At this rate, she'd leave with marks all over her neck, but Miriam didn't care. Right now, all she cared about was Severus' roaming hands and the feel of his lips on her body.
Severus, meanwhile, was intent on eliciting the next sigh or gentle caress from Miriam. He truly enjoyed watching the witch lose everything but her baser instincts when she was under him. Once he knew she was completely satisfied, only then would he allow himself to let go. Every touch, every movement had a purpose, and Severus was deliberate and affecting as he read Miriam's reactions to him.
It had been too long—for both of them—and Severus knew their first encounter would be short. The way Miriam trembled under him told Severus she was close, and their movements became more urgent. Miriam's voice washed over Severus as he whispered to her how desirable she was, their climaxes practically on top of one another's.
For several breaths, neither of them moved. Eventually, they rolled to their sides, facing one another. Miriam pillowed her head against Severus' chest, and Severus wrapped his arms around her. Her ran his fingers through her curls and down her back before returning again and again as they laid tangled together. The minutes passed in blissful silence as they simply enjoyed holding one another.
"Are you satisfied with our first encounter of the evening?"
Miriam felt Severus' words reverberate around her. She smiled and lightly kissed his chest. "Very. Since you said first, I assume you want me to stay the night?"
Severus pulled back slightly. Miriam tilted her head to look into his eyes as Severus regarded her with a somber expression. Then, Severus grasped her hand in his and brought it to his lips. His mouth moved over her knuckles as his dark eyes pulled her in.
"I want you"—Severus kissed her hand— "tangled up with me, in my bed"—another, lingering kiss— "all night, so I can see you off in the morning absolutely exhausted, yet satisfied." Severus turned her hand, and placed several kisses on her open palm before ending with one on her wrist.
"Severus," Miriam breathed. "Keep talking like that, and I'll never leave. What would people say then?"
Severus shrugged. "I'm not concerned about other people's opinions—just yours."
Miriam hesitated. She didn't want to ask, but she needed to know. "Do you think the frequency of our little get-togethers is too much?"
"No," Severus answered smoothly. He frowned and lifted Miriam's chin slightly as he regarded her, his look calculating. "Have you been staying away when you want to come to me?"
Miriam blushed furiously. "It sounds awful when you phrase it like that, Severus. I just don't know what's proper in a situation such as ours, and I didn't want to seem needy."
Severus' face softened. "I've never once thought you needy, Mia. As long as we remain discreet, I think we can decide what's acceptable for us." He brushed his thumb across Miriam's cheek and his eyes darkened slightly. "Do not deny me the pleasure of your company just because you're worried about what's proper."
Miriam shivered at the possessive tone of Severus' voice. "I won't."
"Good," Severus breathed before he lowered his lips to Miriam's. As he kissed her, Severus congratulated himself; his decision to follow Miriam proved to be quite fruitful. She was where she belonged—in his bed—and Severus planned to enjoy her repeatedly. For the first time in his life, he had someone who wanted him, and Severus wasn't going to waste a second of it.
Severus' kisses quickly stirred Miriam's passions. Miriam needed Severus closer, so she slid her hand down Severus' back and pressed her body to his. Her eyes popped open, and she stared wide-eyed at Severus. Severus' erection rested against her thigh, ready and waiting. A sly grin crossed her face. "Already?" Miriam breathed.
Severus stared at her heatedly. "You do have that effect on me," Severus admitted as he rolled on top of her.
Miriam feigned surprise. "Do I?" Severus laughed, and Miriam joined him. "I didn't think it would be so soon," Miriam admitted. "You're committed to leaving me absolutely exhausted, I see."
"Well, you know what they say," Severus said offhandedly. Miriam looked at Severus quizzically and shook her head no. Severus lowered his head and placed a lingering kiss by Miriam's ear. He felt her breath catch, and his lips curled into a smile. "There's no rest for the wicked, witch," Severus purred.
/-/-/-
A/N: This is a short little excerpt from Things That Come to Pass. It's a brief interlude that takes place shortly after Severus and Miriam agree to explore a casual sexual relationship. I think most people can relate to that feeling when a relationship is new and you think about the person all. the. time. Thanks for reading!