Happy Traditions to our lovely pinch-hitters!
Title: Samhain Magic, Part 2
Author: ???
Gift For: pinch hitters (and all of our lovely participants)!
Pairing(s): Severus/Hermione and Draco/Harry
Summary: Harry, Draco, Hermione and Severus are trying to figure out what Dumbledore had planned for them, in case Voldemort ever attacked the school. Unfortunately he's dead and didn't leave any clues behind. It's decided that they will have to go to the source and ask the man himself. Includes themes from Samhain traditions and ancient magic.
Rating: NC-17 for sexual content and nudity
Warnings: rimming (tiny bit), oral, m/m, het, voyeurism, anal
Author's notes: This is an exchange fic for midnightdesire, who expressed an interest in Samhain and old magic, so this is my first attempt at writing about those topics. This is AU, since I haven't yet finished the series (bad fan, I know) and I want to keep Snape around a bit longer. :)
Word Count: 25,000ish
Beta: Thanks to greenwizard for all of his hard work! I've never used his services before this fic, so don't think you can figure out who I am from his name! :D He was awesome and edited the heck out of this baby. He was also the inspiration for the ritual aspects of the fic, so thank you Mr. D. If there are still boo-boos, it's because I was editing up to the last minute and making changes.
Part 1
Samhain Magic
Harry and Draco lay in their big rumpled bed, later that night. Normally Harry stayed at the castle a good part of the school week, but he'd chosen to return to their shared home in London that night to discuss their plans with Draco. Of course since he hadn't seen his handsome partner in several days there had been a few urgent things to get out of the way first. They'd been together for some time now, but Harry didn't think it was possible that he'd ever feel anything less for the blond than he did now. They were both fiercely in love, lust, and like of each other. Anyone who spent any amount of time with the men could see that clear as day.
“So this will be safe, correct?” Draco murmured from where he rested against Harry's shoulder. “I won't be forever infected with bits of Gryffindor will I?”
Harry's body shook with a soft chuckle and his voice rumbled against Draco's ear. “Not that I'm aware of...aside from bits of me that is,” Harry joked.
Draco hummed in pleasure as Harry's hand came up and he gently stroked the blonde's pale hair. “If you believe it safe, I will do it...for you.”
“And for you,” Harry said softly, raising his head slightly to place a kiss on Draco's head. “I'm not sure how self-aware you'll be during the process, but it might be your chance to make a little peace with him. Snape seemed to believe that beyond a little amnesia, you should be fine.”
“How can I make peace with the old codger if I don't remember the experience?” Draco grunted.
“You'll feel it,” Harry said with a firm confidence.
“What makes you so sure?” Draco asked, rising up on his elbow and looking down at his lover, his expression just a little sad. Draco was a master at hiding his emotions, except with Harry. With Harry he was an open book and didn't seem bothered by it in the least. “How do you know?”
Harry sighed and reached up to stroke Draco's hair back from his face. “I don't for sure, but I believe it.”
Draco snorted and flopped onto his back. “Gryffindor,” he grunted, as if it were an insult.
Harry grinned and rolled over until he was half covering the slim blond. “You say that like it's a bad thing love.”
“It is,” Draco said, eyes slightly hooded. He spread is long legs and sighed softly as Harry settled between them. “You lot are far too trusting and noble for your own good. You stumble into the worst possible situations, believing that somehow you'll succeed despite the odds.”
“Mm true,” Harry grinned, leaning down and nipping at Draco's jaw, “But it worked with you didn't it? As I recall, it took months to get you to believe that I really did want you. If I'd been a Slytherin you'd never have accepted me. You probably would have thought I was trying to get something out of you...rather than just trying to getting you out of your trousers.”
“Is that all you want me for?” Draco asked with a laugh, “My body?”
“Definitely,” Harry purred teasingly, burying his face in Draco's neck and grinding his awakening erection into Draco's already rampant length. “I love your body, and your hair, and your eyes....” He groaned low and ran his right hand up Draco's side, plucking at the blond's tiny, flat nipple. He smiled at the sharp intake of breath that his tease brought forth and rose slightly to take his lover's lips harshly.
“That'd better not be it,” Draco said petulantly, biting lightly at Harry's bottom lip and grinding his hips upward.
Harry chuckled and leaned into the kiss again, his tongue hungrily sliding out to taste the warm, moist heat of his lover. He loved kissing Draco almost as much as he loved fucking him. He loved the slide of Draco's lips and tongue against his; the nips of his teeth, and even more, the low groans that would slide from the blonde's throat as his excitement increased. “It's not. I love everything about you,” Harry murmured into Draco's mouth. “I love the way you look riding your broom, all happy and free up in the clouds. I love the way you reach for me in your sleep. I love it when you say my name and every way you say it. I love the way you are honest with me, like you've never been with anyone else. You know I love you Draco. That'll never change.”
“I know,” Draco said with a soft smile. He nipped teasingly at Harry's lip again and wrapped his legs loosely around Harry's thighs. He ground upwards, his hands sliding down his lover's well muscled back and coming to rest in the tight buttocks at the base. Harry had a lovely ass, wonderfully rounded and muscular from years on a broom and training for the war. Draco would never admit it out loud, but the sight of Harry's naked ass, whether he was walking across a room, or spread beautifully under Draco, made his mouth water in anticipation.
Draco trailed his fingers lightly down the valley and smiled into their kiss as Harry groaned and pressed into the touch. Harry's body was still slick from their previous joining, making it easy to slide two fingers into the tight heat nestled between the two hard mounds. He slid his tongue into Harry's mouth tasting him as he quirked his fingers, searching for that spot that made Harry beg so very sweetly.
“Oh fuck,” Harry groaned, pulling slightly away from Draco's lips as his slick entrance contracting around Draco's invading fingers.
“Sore?” Draco asked, pausing briefly and then making sure to keep his caress slow and gentle just in case. Harry swore when he liked something and swore when it hurt, so Draco had quickly learned to double check with his lover when 'fuck' wasn't followed by 'yes', 'more', or 'I love you'.
“Not really,” Harry panted against his mouth, lifting his hips and pressing backward onto Draco's fingers. “It's a nice ache, and I wouldn't care anyway.” Harry occasionally hinted like that, making Draco think that his lover might want a little something 'more' during their lovemaking. He hadn't asked yet and Harry hadn't come right out and said anything about it either. Their relationship wasn't really all that new, but there were still a few things here and there that they hadn't gotten around to talking about.
“You're insatiable Potter,” Draco mumbled with a teasing smile and nip at his lover's lips. “Do you want me to fuck you again, or are you too sore to handle me?”
“Never,” Harry replied, pulling away from Draco and straddling his hips with a grin. “I'm a Gryffindor, remember? We're not afraid of a little thing like pain.”
“So you're all a bunch of masochists then?” Draco asked with a snort, half teasing, half serious. “I had no idea that you were such a kinky lot.”
“Mm, you have no idea,” Harry purred, tilting his head and smiling wickedly. He lifted his hips and slowly slid down over the rigid length of his lover, eyes sliding shut and a groan slipping from his parted lips.
Draco arched and gasped as Harry's body enveloped him slowly, squeezing his cock in soft pulses of contracting muscle. He'd never tire of the sensation of Harry all around him, hot, tight, and slick with his cum. He felt a fierce flood of possessiveness, unsure if it was the Slytherin in him or not. It didn't matter anyway. All he cared about was that Harry was his, and his lover didn't think twice about turning down the numerous offers he got from other men and women. Harry was a handsome man and drew the appreciative eyes of most when they went out. Of course Draco got his own fair share of intimate offers, but really he couldn't be bothered with any of them. Harry was far too tasty to give up over a stupid affair, and more than satisfying to be with. For a long time he'd convinced himself that what they had would just be a fling, but as the months had passed he'd slowly grown attached to his one time rival until one day he realized how very deeply in love he'd fallen. Fortunately for his fiercely protected heart, Harry had felt the same and they hadn't looked back since.
“Fuck you feel good,” Harry groaned, rising up and sliding down once more, relishing in the sensation of Draco’s pulsing cock inside him. He was sore and it stung a little, but in a way that made him want to feel it, to remember how Draco had tackled him the moment he stepped through the floo that evening and taken him hard across the cool sheets of their wide bed. Of course that had been partially Harry's doing, as he'd been sending naughty little notes to his lover all week.
Draco was a passionate and creative lover, never failing to draw every ounce of pleasure that he could from Harry and himself. There were nights where Harry was left feeling quite weak from their lovemaking and unable to move. He'd planned to spend all weekend in bed with his lover, thus the use of notes to get him riled up. He'd come home sooner than planned this week though, and it was worth it. They could go out and have a nice autumn picnic somewhere and laze out just as nicely anyway. He enjoyed lying in the grass with the blond and just chatting about what their future would be like once Voldemort was gone.
Draco didn't reply, he simply tightened his grip on Harry's flanks and rocked upward, eyes closing in pleasure. Harry panted softly as they flexed against each other, eyes raking over his blonde Adonis appreciatively; feeling a thrill that such a handsome man loved him so deeply. Draco was lightly muscled and tall, passing Harry up by half a head. One of his favorite features aside from Draco's finely chiseled face was his wonderfully long fingers. His hands were delicate, almost too much so for a man, but not enough to actually look feminine. Those long slender digits could be gentle and tender, or delightfully wicked; reaching high into Harry's body, or skillfully pinching and stroking him into a heightened state of ecstasy.
“Harder,” Harry groaned to his lover, turning his attention more fully to their current activities.
“I don't want to hurt you,” Draco gasped, hips jerking reflexively at Harry's sweet request.
“I don't care,” Harry insisted, grinding down hard and squeezing around Draco, “just fuck me!”
Draco growled appreciatively and yanked Harry downward, biting roughly at his corded neck. Harry groaned at the aggressive gesture and ground his leaking length into Draco's belly in appreciation. After a few hard thrusts Draco rolled them over and slid out of Harry. “Turn over,” he commanded, his face flushed with lust and excitement.
Harry groaned and quickly turned onto his belly in the cage of Draco's long arms and legs. His breathing hitched as Draco slid into him once more, not taking the same care this time and hitting bottom in one thrust. His mouth dropped open and he panted into the pillow as Draco thrust hard again and then again. “Oh yes,” he whispered passionately, “Like that...Draco...fuck!”
“This how you want it Potter?” Draco growled, teeth gritted against the rising orgasm in his loins.
Harry nodded jerkily, loving the way Draco always reverted back to using his last name when he was fucking him like this. It was a reminder of what they'd been during their school days, and what they could have been instead. Hermione liked to remind him that she'd always suspected that their tense boyhood relationship would eventually have to give one way or the other. “Yes,” he grunted, burying his face in the pillow and groaning long and low, “Fuck yes.”
Draco hummed his acknowledgment, leaning down to nip at the back of Harry's neck as he thrust firmly against his lover. He marveled at Harry's openness and capacity for passion in the bedroom. Of course the man was a Gryffindor, and would try anything at least once or even twice just for the thrill of it. They were perfect together, Draco was creative and crafty, and Harry open to trying anything that Draco dreamed up without question. That was true in and out of the bedroom. They'd gone on some fairly daring adventures since they'd been together and Harry had happily gone along for the ride each time.
Draco's breathing hitched as his balls began to tighten and that wonderful tingling sensation at the base of his cock warned him that he was going to come...and soon. “Fuck Harry,” he grunted. “Tell me you're close.”
“I am,” Harry gasped, pressing backward onto Draco's length.
“Fuck...fuck!” Draco gasped, knowing he should stop for a moment. He was too close and unable to control himself enough to summon up the willpower. It was too good and too close. He groaned low and with a strangled grunt and a full body tremor, spilled himself into Harry's tight channel.
Harry mewled in frustration as Draco froze against him, jerking as his cock pumped his seed deep inside. He was close, but without the stimulation of Draco's body rubbing up against him and pressing him hard into the bed, his orgasm began to recede rapidly. “Please,” he groaned, pressing back into Draco and squeezing around him.
Draco hissed and gritted his teeth at the sensation against his oversensitive cock, pulling out of his lover with a small grimace. “Patience love,” he soothed. Panting slightly from his exertions, he began to kiss down the long muscled back of his lover, flicking his tongue out to tease sensitive spots and dip into pools of sweat that had begun to gather against Harry's tan skin. “You taste so good,” he murmured, sucking in a breath as his sensitive cock pulsed slightly in interest. There really wasn't any way he'd get hard again any time soon, but that didn't make Harry any less sexy and arousing.
Harry groaned low and jerked his hips into the bed as Draco dipped downward and traced his tongue over the sensitive hollow at the base of his spine. Harry always smelled good, kind of spicy and earthy, but here he smelled darker, richer. There was a deep earthy smell that always drew a groan of excitement from Draco. Harry jerked and grunted as Draco nipped at one firm cheek, rubbing his cheek across the tanned skin.
“Please Draco,” Harry groaned, arching his ass upward and pleading in desperation.
Draco growled softly and bit at Harry again. “Please what?” he purred and flicked his tongue over the spot he'd bitten.
“I'm not going to beg,” Harry grunted into the pillow.
Draco chuckled softly and traced his tongue lightly up the valley of Harry's muscled ass, tasting himself there. When Harry whimpered in excitement at that, Draco grinned and pulled his cheeks apart, dipping his tongue between the soft mounds of flesh and inhaling the delicious scent of his handsome lover. His own scent and taste was stronger as he slid his tongue just inside Harry's body. It sent a raw thrill of possessiveness through him that would have left him achingly hard if he hadn't already spent himself twice in the last few hours.
Harry was slick, warm, and wet, his body gently clenching around the invading tongue. He arched and pushed backward trying to impale himself further. “Oh fuck me,” Harry groaned long and low, muffled by the pillow he was now clutching. Draco hummed and sucked lightly, inwardly grinning as Harry jerked erratically. He was still close, but Draco was keeping him just on the threshold of the climax he craved so desperately. “Draco,” he whined softly, “Please, for fuck's sake....”
Draco chuckled against Harry's rosy skin, pushing his tongue forward once more and sucking hard, drawing another groan from Harry before pulling away and turning Harry onto his back again. He tickled his tongue up the quivering ridge of Harry's cock, teasing him just a little more before taking Harry fully into his mouth.
Harry sighed and arched as he slid slowly into Draco's throat, the blonde demonstrating his easy skill in this. He thrust upward, gasping and groaning as Draco sucked and nipped at the tight flesh in his mouth, drawing Harry's orgasm to the surface once more and skillfully teasing him to even higher levels of arousal. “Oh Draco,” he groaned, sliding his fingers into the blonde hair that was tickling his belly and thighs so evocatively. “That's so good. I love you. I love you....”
Draco hummed in agreement around the thick length buried deep in this mouth, rasping his tongue against the sensitive head as he pulled briefly upward. He felt Harry's fingers tighten in his hair and the faint jerk of his hips that indicated that he was close. Reaching under Harry he slid two finders back into him, quirking them slightly and pressing just enough to make Harry whimper delightfully. He grinned inwardly, and groaned deep in his chest as Harry tightened his grip more and began to gasp and swear; twitching and tightening before finally spilling out his passion with a strangled grunt and one jerky thrust. He ignored the urge to gag as Harry pressed into his throat, pulsing hard and spitting bitter seed across the back of his tongue and down his throat.
After a few seconds of paralyzed euphoria, Harry went limp, sighing in contentment. “That was amazing Draco,” he slurred, his eyes lightly closed and a small smile on his lips.
Draco pulled away, letting Harry slip from his lips with a parting nip that made his lover jerk. “Satisfied now?” he asked teasingly, moving up to lie next to Harry and kissing him lightly.
Harry kissed him back, tasting himself and Draco mixed together on the blonde's lips. He pulled back after a moment and nodded. “More than,” he sighed. “You were brilliant love.”
Draco smirked and reached down to pull up the covers that had ended up on the floor during their passionate scuffle. “You shouldn't expect anything less from me, you know that.”
“I do,” Harry agreed with a sleepy, satisfied grin on his face.
Draco pulled Harry's warm body against him and sighed. After a moment he asked, “When are we doing this summoning then?”
Harry was silent for a moment and Draco almost thought he'd drifted off, until the brunet sighed. “Three weeks, during Samhain.”
“Ah,” Draco said with a nod. “That would be an appropriate time wouldn't it?” He placed a slow open mouthed kiss against Harry's jaw just beneath his ear and sighed. “You can count on me love. Just let me know what I am to do and I'll be there.”
“Thank you,” Harry said, turning his head to smile at his lover. “I appreciate this.”
“I know,” Draco replied softly.
“And I love you,” Harry added, leaning forward and kissing him tenderly.
“And I you,” Draco said, kissing him back and then snuggling comfortably under the covers, relaxed, sated and happy.
***
“Enter!” Severus called from his desk, glaring at a particularly idiotic piece of scribbling that a student dared call a proper report on the uses of basilisk scales in potions. First of all, it was obvious to him they'd copied it almost word for word out of the assigned book on the subject, being that he had written the text and knew it by heart. Secondly, they'd drawn all the wrong conclusions when they did attempt some originality of thought. To make it even worse, he'd seen almost the same exact answer five papers back in his finished pile. Honestly, did they even try?
A feminine chuckle from the doorway drew his eyes from the paper upward. Miss Granger stood leaning against the frame, arms crossed comfortably and her eyes twinkling with amusement. “It can't be all that bad Severus.”
“It can, and it is,” he grunted, scrawling a nasty note about plagiarism across the bottom and marking it with a grade so low the student was probably wincing from it already. He tossed his quill aside and rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. “I can't comprehend how very stupid some of them are. Do they even read the class text? I don't believe that what I assign is so impossible that they can't at least do a decent job of figuring it out.”
“They are young and have far more interesting things going on in their head than the uses of unicorn blood in healing potions, or the five ways to stir a potion counterclockwise,” she said, straightening and coming into the room.
He grunted, flicking his dark gaze over her, taking in the snug fit of her red sweater and gray trousers with more appreciation that he should probably have for a witch so much younger than himself. Still, ever since his blunder three days prior, he couldn't help but think of her, at least a little, in several different inappropriate ways, most of them ending up with her nude (and usually gasping his name repeatedly). “Perhaps,” he agreed, pushing away his musings impatiently, “but you obviously succeeded, so why can't they?”
“Because I'm brilliant,” she said nonchalantly, settling into the chair before his desk and crossing one leg comfortably over the other. She smiled at him as he raised a brow. “You know I am, so don't even think of disputing it,” she warned playfully. “Besides, as you now know, I didn't allow myself the same...distractions that most teens do.”
Severus averted his gaze to his desk, flushing lightly. He had to force down the raw rush of arousal at the reminder that she was still wonderfully untouched. The primitive male beast inside roared in frustration, urging him to take her in ways that she'd never imagined, let alone experienced. He wondered if she'd accept an advance from him though. It was hard for people to understand, that despite is cool demeanor and strict lifestyle, he was indeed still a rather young man, and a prize like Hermione Granger was difficult to resist on so many levels. “Yes, of course...I...” he started, gritting his teeth for a moment. “Has Minerva spoken to you yet...about my social blunder from the other night?”
“About proposing marriage?” she asked, grinning outright when he flushed and stiffened. Taking pity on him when he started to look supremely uncomfortable, she sighed and let her grin drop into a small smile. “She did, and I understand it wasn't your intention to either propose or proposition me. Consider it forgotten.”
He relaxed visibly and nodded. “Still, I do apologize,” he said sliding his gaze up to meet hers. “Normally I'm quite aware of what I say, so I was quite surprised that I'd done something so foolish unknowingly. If I'd requested such a thing from a pureblooded young woman I might very well be facing wedding bells at this moment. I thank you for your understanding,” he said politely.
She smiled wider at him. “Are you saying that you don't relish the thought of being married to me Severus? It wouldn't be a dream come true?”
“More like a nightmare,” he grunted unconsciously, drawing a startled laugh from her.
“So cruel,” she sighed in amusement as he smirked lightly at her. She studied him for a moment and then cocked her head, “What if I had understood it and accepted...what then? Would you have married me...the Gryffindor know it all?”
He raised a brow and her. “I'm not sure I could properly answer that question,” he said feeling a rush of panic at her bluntness. “You do understand that my work as a spy would make that nearly impossible.”
“But if the war were over and we were free to do as we liked, what then?” she pressed, not understanding why his answer was suddenly so important to her.
“Perhaps...perhaps I would consider it,” he admitted not looking directly at her. Merlin she was a forward woman. His groin pulsed faintly as he wondered just how forward she could be. “You are intelligent enough that I could discuss my work with you and not feel like I was forever teaching a student. You are also, as I mentioned before, quite attractive, and you have a pleasing personality. I'm sure I could live quite comfortably with a witch such as yourself.”
She beamed at him, blushing at his startling praise of her charms. When Severus Snape complimented you, you took it at face value. He didn't waste his time on false praise with anyone but the Dark Lord, and that was more a matter of life and death than anything else. “Thank you,” she said, her gaze falling to the floor modestly for a moment. Finally she looked up at him through her lashes and asked softly, “And the other part of your unintentional request? Would you have been willing to personally collect the blood you value so much?”
His heart began pounding in his chest at her surprisingly daring question and he realized that she was flirting with him, albeit subtly. Women rarely flirted with him so lightly. Most were rather direct in their praise and intention. Hermione actually looked a little nervous about what his response would be and that made him feel more desirable than any other witch had. While others had thrown themselves at him, attracted by his dark attitude and bad boy facade, she looked like the answer was rather important to her.
He studied her silently for a moment, cocking his head slightly in consideration. She was rather attractive in her own way; short and wonderfully curvy, yet not overly so. Her hair still tended to have a life of its own, but it was rather easy to imagine what it would look like completely untamed and spilled across his pillows. Her lips drew his attention as well. She tended to nibble at the bottom lip when she was thinking or nervous, so it was often plump and red from abuse, making him wonder what her lips would look like after being thoroughly kissed or, even better, wrapped around his cock.
He rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and brought his long fingers together against his chin as he pondered his words. Finally he said slowly, “I believe that it would be a task that I could take on with great pleasure and interest.”
She blinked and blushed a deep crimson, as if hardly believing that he'd actually admitted that to her. He smiled slowly as the tables turned and he took control of the conversation. “And you Miss Granger... Hermione,” he purred, “Would you be willing to give such a prize to a man like me? Would you be willing to take me into your body, holding me in such an intimate embrace that none other can come close in comparison?”
He clasped his fingers together and willed himself not to take his penetrating gaze off of her as she flicked her eyes to the still open door and the much anticipated lip nibbling began. “Well I...” she stuttered softly, blushing prettily for a moment before visibly gathering herself and straightening in her chair. She was still blushing, but she lifted her eyes and with all her Gryffindor bravery, met his gaze and said, “Yes, I believe I might.”
“That is interesting,” he murmured, dark eyes glittering with something she couldn't identify. He quirked one corner of his mouth up in amusement, meeting her eyes silently for a moment before sighing and releasing her stare abruptly. He leaned forward on his desk and raised one brow. “So, there must have been some reason for you to visit me down here, other than a little verbal sparring,” he murmured, amusement dancing across the normally severe line of his mouth.
She nodded and relaxed slightly, shifting in her chair as she tried to reset her mind and direct it towards her purpose for coming there. “Yes, I thought we might do a quick run through of the ceremony and it's spells so I know what I need to work on over the next few weeks,” she said, standing up and turning to walk to his fireplace. She traced her slender fingers over the bricks for a moment, distracting herself and gathering her scattered wits.
Allowing her a moment to 'hide', as it were, he simply nodded and said, “That would be acceptable Miss Granger. When would you care to meet?”
“I was thinking tomorrow after supper,” she said, glancing at him over her shoulder. “It's Friday night, so I'll have all weekend to work out the kinks and still get my grading done.” She turned and took a few steps back towards him. “Perhaps we might do a second run through next Friday, as Samhain will begin the following weekend.”
“Of course,” he said with a small nod of acceptance. “I will make myself available tomorrow evening and we may begin at, say, eight o'clock?”
“Alright,” she agreed with a nod. “That should be fine for me as well. I'll simply get the Heads to complete my rounds for me, so that won't be a problem.”
She moved towards the door, pausing as she reached its arched framework. “And Severus...thank you,” she said softly and then was gone and down the hallway.
He stared at the empty space, wondering if she was thanking him for helping her with her practice, or for admitting that he'd gladly take her virginity from her. Though for a woman who previously thought men didn't find her attractive, he rather thought it might be the latter. Smiling slightly to himself, he picked up his quill again and went back to grading. Even the abysmal attempt that stretched over the parchment before him couldn't kill the strange thrill that raced through him as he pondered his exchange with the willful and tempting witch who'd just left the room.
***
The next evening Hermione knocked on Severus' door, feeling a little nervous about talking to him again. There had been a rather sudden shift in their interactions within the last few days, enough of one that she was feeling a little baffled by it all. He was being strangely nice, which was a rather new turn of events in of itself. That's not to say he had been cruel before. When she'd returned to the school to teach he'd automatically accepted her as just another colleague. He'd ceased his sneering at everything she said like he had been prone to while she was a student, and simply watched her speak with a politely blank face.
Politeness...that was what it was. He had been achingly polite and proper with her whenever they spoke, up until he inadvertently propositioned her the other night. Now...well at least since yesterday, he smiled slightly at her when their eyes met, and he had actually flirted with her the night before. It was a little odd to say the least. She wasn't quite sure how to process this other side of the man she thought she'd known for over ten years, realizing that the man was just that, a man.
“Enter!” he barked in his professor voice. She bit back a smile and pushed the door open. He was scribbling away at his desk like before, though this time he wasn't frowning, so apparently he wasn't grading at the moment. “Well, speak up, can't you see I'm busy?” he snapped, not looking up for a moment as she stood before the wide desk.
“Charming as ever I see,” she said, her smile clear in her tone.
His eyes jerked upward and his face relaxed minutely. “Ah, Miss Granger...Hermione, I apologize,” he said, dropping his quill and standing up. “Students have been pounding on my door all evening, to the point that I had considered hexing the damn thing.”
“You have office hours for a reason Severus,” she reminded him with a small smile.
“I'm well aware,” he grunted, turning and striding towards the fireplace. “I've set up a space for us to practice in the forest, if you'll follow me,” he said, abruptly changing the subject.
She shook her head and sighed softly. So much for a little conversation before they got right to work.
“We'll floo to the Headmistress' office and then portkey from there,” he explained, taking a bit of floo powder and dumping half of it in her hand. “It's a rather long walk and I thought perhaps you'd wish to spend less time traveling and more actually working.”
“Yes,” she said with a nod and a smile, “That would be preferable. Thank you.”
He shrugged and tossed the powder into the fire, calling out “Headmistress' Office!” In a whoosh he was gone, leaving her momentarily alone in his small office. Glancing around, she had to reign in the temptation to poke around a bit. She wondered what she could find out about the odd man from this room, but knew it would have to wait for another time. With a sigh she tossed her own bit of powder in the flames and followed him through.
With a startled shriek she ran right into his broad, black clad back.
He grunted in surprise and then quickly turned to grab her as she stumbled backward, very nearly falling back into the fireplace. She stared at him with wide eyes as startlingly strong hands held her suspended over the heat of the fire at her back. His own surprised look turned to a curiously calculating gaze before shutting down completely and she was being tugged firmly to her feet. “If you're ready,” he said abruptly, walking briskly to the Headmistress' desk and picking up an old shoe.
She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes for a brief moment to gather herself. Hermione was having a difficult time assimilating all of these unfamiliar faucets of Severus' personality. He was nothing like the man she knew from her school days. He allowed her to see brief moments of unguarded emotion and he was actually rather open with her when she asked him personal questions; something that would have had him snarling at her only a few short years ago. This new Severus was a baffling man, but one she had a certain amount of interest in getting to know.
With a quick shake of her head she marched to his side and gripped the outstretched shoe, preparing for the sickening tug and swirl of portkeying. She clenched her teeth as her stomach did an abrupt 360, rather like hitting a loop and then a drop on a roller coaster. It made her grateful that supper had been a light fare that night.
They landed somewhat ungracefully in a large clearing in the Forbidden Forest. She let her hand drop from the shoe and looked around curiously. The forest would have been rather pretty had it not been for her knowledge of the giant spiders and dubiously friendly centaurs in it. She'd run into the latter during her years in school and she wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of doing it again.
The clearing was quite wide, easily big enough for two bonfires to be set without the trees cringing back in horror, but closed off enough that no one would be able to see what they were up to. The ground was flat and lightly sprinkled with grass, weeds, and wildflowers. She couldn't see what kind they were in the darkness of the night, but she imagined that it all look quite pretty with the sunlight touching the trees and flowers all around them. “This is a nice clearing. How did you know about it?” she asked, turning to gaze up at him.
“Firenze pointed it out,” he said with a shrug. “He knows the forest better than I and was most useful in finding this location for me. He also made sure that no forest creatures claimed this clearing as their personal property. It's a common area of sorts, so we should be accepted as just another tenet...hopefully.”
Hermione nodded and set out to explore the area a bit more carefully. She trusted Firenze, even if the other centaurs terrified her silly. They were an unpredictable species, and once angered, difficult to reason with. Firenze was sort of an exception to that rule. He was rather rational and serene, able to understand his human peers better than most of his kind; even when those humans did something terribly irrational and stupid. Perhaps his long-time friendship with Dumbledore had something to do with that, but she wasn't sure.
“You might point out this clearing to Minerva,” she suggested, tracing her fingers over a large flat rock. It would probably work rather well as an alter should the need arise for one, or at least a workbench to place their supplies on. “The ritual is best done out in the open like it was in old times, but this would do very nicely for the security issues that we have.”
“I agree,” he said with a nod. Severus watched as she paced around the clearing, inspecting every aspect of it. She looked lovely, dressed in black slacks and a white sweater that flattered her curves wonderfully. He felt a clench in his belly as she bit at her lip thoughtfully. Even in the poor light of the moon he could see the habitual gesture; it made it sexier to be able to see what she'd look like in the darkness of his bedchamber.
She turned and looked at him, smiling softly. “You did nice work Severus. This will work very well.”
He felt a strange rush of masculine pride at her praise. “Thank you,” he said softly. His belly clenched again when her smile turned warm in the pale light. Clearing his throat and reaching into his pocket he pulled out a minimized bag. “Shall we get started?” he asked, waving his wand over the bag and muttering a quick spell. The bag grew in his hand until it very nearly touched the ground.
Her eyes widened. “What on earth is all that?” she asked curiously, moving quickly towards him and peering into the large bag.
Severus inhaled softly as her scent flooded his senses. She smelled so feminine and pretty, like violets and warmth. “Just this and that; supplies that we'll need for the summoning.”
She nodded in understanding, reaching in and pulling out candles and the book on the subject. “Will we practice the entire thing, minus the actual spells?”
“More or less,” he said with a nod. “It would be a good idea to get it worked out so the final ritual goes as smoothly as possible. Fortunately for us, should the first time not go as we would like, Samhain lasts approximately three days, so we might have a second chance. I'd rather not risk it however, so let's do our best now to prevent such an occurrence.”
“Alright,” she agreed with an understanding smile. “Shall we get started then?”
He smiled slightly and nodded. “Yes. Perhaps you could set out the candles and I'll set the circle? Then we can begin.” He watched in fascination as she set to work, face set in serious determination. What an intriguing woman she had become, one he found himself wanting more and more to get to know better; more intimately. After a moment he sighed and set himself to his own task, promising himself to consider the new curiosity that was Hermione Granger.
Part 3
Author: ???
Gift For: pinch hitters (and all of our lovely participants)!
Pairing(s): Severus/Hermione and Draco/Harry
Summary: Harry, Draco, Hermione and Severus are trying to figure out what Dumbledore had planned for them, in case Voldemort ever attacked the school. Unfortunately he's dead and didn't leave any clues behind. It's decided that they will have to go to the source and ask the man himself. Includes themes from Samhain traditions and ancient magic.
Rating: NC-17 for sexual content and nudity
Warnings: rimming (tiny bit), oral, m/m, het, voyeurism, anal
Author's notes: This is an exchange fic for midnightdesire, who expressed an interest in Samhain and old magic, so this is my first attempt at writing about those topics. This is AU, since I haven't yet finished the series (bad fan, I know) and I want to keep Snape around a bit longer. :)
Word Count: 25,000ish
Beta: Thanks to greenwizard for all of his hard work! I've never used his services before this fic, so don't think you can figure out who I am from his name! :D He was awesome and edited the heck out of this baby. He was also the inspiration for the ritual aspects of the fic, so thank you Mr. D. If there are still boo-boos, it's because I was editing up to the last minute and making changes.
Part 1
Samhain Magic
Harry and Draco lay in their big rumpled bed, later that night. Normally Harry stayed at the castle a good part of the school week, but he'd chosen to return to their shared home in London that night to discuss their plans with Draco. Of course since he hadn't seen his handsome partner in several days there had been a few urgent things to get out of the way first. They'd been together for some time now, but Harry didn't think it was possible that he'd ever feel anything less for the blond than he did now. They were both fiercely in love, lust, and like of each other. Anyone who spent any amount of time with the men could see that clear as day.
“So this will be safe, correct?” Draco murmured from where he rested against Harry's shoulder. “I won't be forever infected with bits of Gryffindor will I?”
Harry's body shook with a soft chuckle and his voice rumbled against Draco's ear. “Not that I'm aware of...aside from bits of me that is,” Harry joked.
Draco hummed in pleasure as Harry's hand came up and he gently stroked the blonde's pale hair. “If you believe it safe, I will do it...for you.”
“And for you,” Harry said softly, raising his head slightly to place a kiss on Draco's head. “I'm not sure how self-aware you'll be during the process, but it might be your chance to make a little peace with him. Snape seemed to believe that beyond a little amnesia, you should be fine.”
“How can I make peace with the old codger if I don't remember the experience?” Draco grunted.
“You'll feel it,” Harry said with a firm confidence.
“What makes you so sure?” Draco asked, rising up on his elbow and looking down at his lover, his expression just a little sad. Draco was a master at hiding his emotions, except with Harry. With Harry he was an open book and didn't seem bothered by it in the least. “How do you know?”
Harry sighed and reached up to stroke Draco's hair back from his face. “I don't for sure, but I believe it.”
Draco snorted and flopped onto his back. “Gryffindor,” he grunted, as if it were an insult.
Harry grinned and rolled over until he was half covering the slim blond. “You say that like it's a bad thing love.”
“It is,” Draco said, eyes slightly hooded. He spread is long legs and sighed softly as Harry settled between them. “You lot are far too trusting and noble for your own good. You stumble into the worst possible situations, believing that somehow you'll succeed despite the odds.”
“Mm true,” Harry grinned, leaning down and nipping at Draco's jaw, “But it worked with you didn't it? As I recall, it took months to get you to believe that I really did want you. If I'd been a Slytherin you'd never have accepted me. You probably would have thought I was trying to get something out of you...rather than just trying to getting you out of your trousers.”
“Is that all you want me for?” Draco asked with a laugh, “My body?”
“Definitely,” Harry purred teasingly, burying his face in Draco's neck and grinding his awakening erection into Draco's already rampant length. “I love your body, and your hair, and your eyes....” He groaned low and ran his right hand up Draco's side, plucking at the blond's tiny, flat nipple. He smiled at the sharp intake of breath that his tease brought forth and rose slightly to take his lover's lips harshly.
“That'd better not be it,” Draco said petulantly, biting lightly at Harry's bottom lip and grinding his hips upward.
Harry chuckled and leaned into the kiss again, his tongue hungrily sliding out to taste the warm, moist heat of his lover. He loved kissing Draco almost as much as he loved fucking him. He loved the slide of Draco's lips and tongue against his; the nips of his teeth, and even more, the low groans that would slide from the blonde's throat as his excitement increased. “It's not. I love everything about you,” Harry murmured into Draco's mouth. “I love the way you look riding your broom, all happy and free up in the clouds. I love the way you reach for me in your sleep. I love it when you say my name and every way you say it. I love the way you are honest with me, like you've never been with anyone else. You know I love you Draco. That'll never change.”
“I know,” Draco said with a soft smile. He nipped teasingly at Harry's lip again and wrapped his legs loosely around Harry's thighs. He ground upwards, his hands sliding down his lover's well muscled back and coming to rest in the tight buttocks at the base. Harry had a lovely ass, wonderfully rounded and muscular from years on a broom and training for the war. Draco would never admit it out loud, but the sight of Harry's naked ass, whether he was walking across a room, or spread beautifully under Draco, made his mouth water in anticipation.
Draco trailed his fingers lightly down the valley and smiled into their kiss as Harry groaned and pressed into the touch. Harry's body was still slick from their previous joining, making it easy to slide two fingers into the tight heat nestled between the two hard mounds. He slid his tongue into Harry's mouth tasting him as he quirked his fingers, searching for that spot that made Harry beg so very sweetly.
“Oh fuck,” Harry groaned, pulling slightly away from Draco's lips as his slick entrance contracting around Draco's invading fingers.
“Sore?” Draco asked, pausing briefly and then making sure to keep his caress slow and gentle just in case. Harry swore when he liked something and swore when it hurt, so Draco had quickly learned to double check with his lover when 'fuck' wasn't followed by 'yes', 'more', or 'I love you'.
“Not really,” Harry panted against his mouth, lifting his hips and pressing backward onto Draco's fingers. “It's a nice ache, and I wouldn't care anyway.” Harry occasionally hinted like that, making Draco think that his lover might want a little something 'more' during their lovemaking. He hadn't asked yet and Harry hadn't come right out and said anything about it either. Their relationship wasn't really all that new, but there were still a few things here and there that they hadn't gotten around to talking about.
“You're insatiable Potter,” Draco mumbled with a teasing smile and nip at his lover's lips. “Do you want me to fuck you again, or are you too sore to handle me?”
“Never,” Harry replied, pulling away from Draco and straddling his hips with a grin. “I'm a Gryffindor, remember? We're not afraid of a little thing like pain.”
“So you're all a bunch of masochists then?” Draco asked with a snort, half teasing, half serious. “I had no idea that you were such a kinky lot.”
“Mm, you have no idea,” Harry purred, tilting his head and smiling wickedly. He lifted his hips and slowly slid down over the rigid length of his lover, eyes sliding shut and a groan slipping from his parted lips.
Draco arched and gasped as Harry's body enveloped him slowly, squeezing his cock in soft pulses of contracting muscle. He'd never tire of the sensation of Harry all around him, hot, tight, and slick with his cum. He felt a fierce flood of possessiveness, unsure if it was the Slytherin in him or not. It didn't matter anyway. All he cared about was that Harry was his, and his lover didn't think twice about turning down the numerous offers he got from other men and women. Harry was a handsome man and drew the appreciative eyes of most when they went out. Of course Draco got his own fair share of intimate offers, but really he couldn't be bothered with any of them. Harry was far too tasty to give up over a stupid affair, and more than satisfying to be with. For a long time he'd convinced himself that what they had would just be a fling, but as the months had passed he'd slowly grown attached to his one time rival until one day he realized how very deeply in love he'd fallen. Fortunately for his fiercely protected heart, Harry had felt the same and they hadn't looked back since.
“Fuck you feel good,” Harry groaned, rising up and sliding down once more, relishing in the sensation of Draco’s pulsing cock inside him. He was sore and it stung a little, but in a way that made him want to feel it, to remember how Draco had tackled him the moment he stepped through the floo that evening and taken him hard across the cool sheets of their wide bed. Of course that had been partially Harry's doing, as he'd been sending naughty little notes to his lover all week.
Draco was a passionate and creative lover, never failing to draw every ounce of pleasure that he could from Harry and himself. There were nights where Harry was left feeling quite weak from their lovemaking and unable to move. He'd planned to spend all weekend in bed with his lover, thus the use of notes to get him riled up. He'd come home sooner than planned this week though, and it was worth it. They could go out and have a nice autumn picnic somewhere and laze out just as nicely anyway. He enjoyed lying in the grass with the blond and just chatting about what their future would be like once Voldemort was gone.
Draco didn't reply, he simply tightened his grip on Harry's flanks and rocked upward, eyes closing in pleasure. Harry panted softly as they flexed against each other, eyes raking over his blonde Adonis appreciatively; feeling a thrill that such a handsome man loved him so deeply. Draco was lightly muscled and tall, passing Harry up by half a head. One of his favorite features aside from Draco's finely chiseled face was his wonderfully long fingers. His hands were delicate, almost too much so for a man, but not enough to actually look feminine. Those long slender digits could be gentle and tender, or delightfully wicked; reaching high into Harry's body, or skillfully pinching and stroking him into a heightened state of ecstasy.
“Harder,” Harry groaned to his lover, turning his attention more fully to their current activities.
“I don't want to hurt you,” Draco gasped, hips jerking reflexively at Harry's sweet request.
“I don't care,” Harry insisted, grinding down hard and squeezing around Draco, “just fuck me!”
Draco growled appreciatively and yanked Harry downward, biting roughly at his corded neck. Harry groaned at the aggressive gesture and ground his leaking length into Draco's belly in appreciation. After a few hard thrusts Draco rolled them over and slid out of Harry. “Turn over,” he commanded, his face flushed with lust and excitement.
Harry groaned and quickly turned onto his belly in the cage of Draco's long arms and legs. His breathing hitched as Draco slid into him once more, not taking the same care this time and hitting bottom in one thrust. His mouth dropped open and he panted into the pillow as Draco thrust hard again and then again. “Oh yes,” he whispered passionately, “Like that...Draco...fuck!”
“This how you want it Potter?” Draco growled, teeth gritted against the rising orgasm in his loins.
Harry nodded jerkily, loving the way Draco always reverted back to using his last name when he was fucking him like this. It was a reminder of what they'd been during their school days, and what they could have been instead. Hermione liked to remind him that she'd always suspected that their tense boyhood relationship would eventually have to give one way or the other. “Yes,” he grunted, burying his face in the pillow and groaning long and low, “Fuck yes.”
Draco hummed his acknowledgment, leaning down to nip at the back of Harry's neck as he thrust firmly against his lover. He marveled at Harry's openness and capacity for passion in the bedroom. Of course the man was a Gryffindor, and would try anything at least once or even twice just for the thrill of it. They were perfect together, Draco was creative and crafty, and Harry open to trying anything that Draco dreamed up without question. That was true in and out of the bedroom. They'd gone on some fairly daring adventures since they'd been together and Harry had happily gone along for the ride each time.
Draco's breathing hitched as his balls began to tighten and that wonderful tingling sensation at the base of his cock warned him that he was going to come...and soon. “Fuck Harry,” he grunted. “Tell me you're close.”
“I am,” Harry gasped, pressing backward onto Draco's length.
“Fuck...fuck!” Draco gasped, knowing he should stop for a moment. He was too close and unable to control himself enough to summon up the willpower. It was too good and too close. He groaned low and with a strangled grunt and a full body tremor, spilled himself into Harry's tight channel.
Harry mewled in frustration as Draco froze against him, jerking as his cock pumped his seed deep inside. He was close, but without the stimulation of Draco's body rubbing up against him and pressing him hard into the bed, his orgasm began to recede rapidly. “Please,” he groaned, pressing back into Draco and squeezing around him.
Draco hissed and gritted his teeth at the sensation against his oversensitive cock, pulling out of his lover with a small grimace. “Patience love,” he soothed. Panting slightly from his exertions, he began to kiss down the long muscled back of his lover, flicking his tongue out to tease sensitive spots and dip into pools of sweat that had begun to gather against Harry's tan skin. “You taste so good,” he murmured, sucking in a breath as his sensitive cock pulsed slightly in interest. There really wasn't any way he'd get hard again any time soon, but that didn't make Harry any less sexy and arousing.
Harry groaned low and jerked his hips into the bed as Draco dipped downward and traced his tongue over the sensitive hollow at the base of his spine. Harry always smelled good, kind of spicy and earthy, but here he smelled darker, richer. There was a deep earthy smell that always drew a groan of excitement from Draco. Harry jerked and grunted as Draco nipped at one firm cheek, rubbing his cheek across the tanned skin.
“Please Draco,” Harry groaned, arching his ass upward and pleading in desperation.
Draco growled softly and bit at Harry again. “Please what?” he purred and flicked his tongue over the spot he'd bitten.
“I'm not going to beg,” Harry grunted into the pillow.
Draco chuckled softly and traced his tongue lightly up the valley of Harry's muscled ass, tasting himself there. When Harry whimpered in excitement at that, Draco grinned and pulled his cheeks apart, dipping his tongue between the soft mounds of flesh and inhaling the delicious scent of his handsome lover. His own scent and taste was stronger as he slid his tongue just inside Harry's body. It sent a raw thrill of possessiveness through him that would have left him achingly hard if he hadn't already spent himself twice in the last few hours.
Harry was slick, warm, and wet, his body gently clenching around the invading tongue. He arched and pushed backward trying to impale himself further. “Oh fuck me,” Harry groaned long and low, muffled by the pillow he was now clutching. Draco hummed and sucked lightly, inwardly grinning as Harry jerked erratically. He was still close, but Draco was keeping him just on the threshold of the climax he craved so desperately. “Draco,” he whined softly, “Please, for fuck's sake....”
Draco chuckled against Harry's rosy skin, pushing his tongue forward once more and sucking hard, drawing another groan from Harry before pulling away and turning Harry onto his back again. He tickled his tongue up the quivering ridge of Harry's cock, teasing him just a little more before taking Harry fully into his mouth.
Harry sighed and arched as he slid slowly into Draco's throat, the blonde demonstrating his easy skill in this. He thrust upward, gasping and groaning as Draco sucked and nipped at the tight flesh in his mouth, drawing Harry's orgasm to the surface once more and skillfully teasing him to even higher levels of arousal. “Oh Draco,” he groaned, sliding his fingers into the blonde hair that was tickling his belly and thighs so evocatively. “That's so good. I love you. I love you....”
Draco hummed in agreement around the thick length buried deep in this mouth, rasping his tongue against the sensitive head as he pulled briefly upward. He felt Harry's fingers tighten in his hair and the faint jerk of his hips that indicated that he was close. Reaching under Harry he slid two finders back into him, quirking them slightly and pressing just enough to make Harry whimper delightfully. He grinned inwardly, and groaned deep in his chest as Harry tightened his grip more and began to gasp and swear; twitching and tightening before finally spilling out his passion with a strangled grunt and one jerky thrust. He ignored the urge to gag as Harry pressed into his throat, pulsing hard and spitting bitter seed across the back of his tongue and down his throat.
After a few seconds of paralyzed euphoria, Harry went limp, sighing in contentment. “That was amazing Draco,” he slurred, his eyes lightly closed and a small smile on his lips.
Draco pulled away, letting Harry slip from his lips with a parting nip that made his lover jerk. “Satisfied now?” he asked teasingly, moving up to lie next to Harry and kissing him lightly.
Harry kissed him back, tasting himself and Draco mixed together on the blonde's lips. He pulled back after a moment and nodded. “More than,” he sighed. “You were brilliant love.”
Draco smirked and reached down to pull up the covers that had ended up on the floor during their passionate scuffle. “You shouldn't expect anything less from me, you know that.”
“I do,” Harry agreed with a sleepy, satisfied grin on his face.
Draco pulled Harry's warm body against him and sighed. After a moment he asked, “When are we doing this summoning then?”
Harry was silent for a moment and Draco almost thought he'd drifted off, until the brunet sighed. “Three weeks, during Samhain.”
“Ah,” Draco said with a nod. “That would be an appropriate time wouldn't it?” He placed a slow open mouthed kiss against Harry's jaw just beneath his ear and sighed. “You can count on me love. Just let me know what I am to do and I'll be there.”
“Thank you,” Harry said, turning his head to smile at his lover. “I appreciate this.”
“I know,” Draco replied softly.
“And I love you,” Harry added, leaning forward and kissing him tenderly.
“And I you,” Draco said, kissing him back and then snuggling comfortably under the covers, relaxed, sated and happy.
***
“Enter!” Severus called from his desk, glaring at a particularly idiotic piece of scribbling that a student dared call a proper report on the uses of basilisk scales in potions. First of all, it was obvious to him they'd copied it almost word for word out of the assigned book on the subject, being that he had written the text and knew it by heart. Secondly, they'd drawn all the wrong conclusions when they did attempt some originality of thought. To make it even worse, he'd seen almost the same exact answer five papers back in his finished pile. Honestly, did they even try?
A feminine chuckle from the doorway drew his eyes from the paper upward. Miss Granger stood leaning against the frame, arms crossed comfortably and her eyes twinkling with amusement. “It can't be all that bad Severus.”
“It can, and it is,” he grunted, scrawling a nasty note about plagiarism across the bottom and marking it with a grade so low the student was probably wincing from it already. He tossed his quill aside and rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. “I can't comprehend how very stupid some of them are. Do they even read the class text? I don't believe that what I assign is so impossible that they can't at least do a decent job of figuring it out.”
“They are young and have far more interesting things going on in their head than the uses of unicorn blood in healing potions, or the five ways to stir a potion counterclockwise,” she said, straightening and coming into the room.
He grunted, flicking his dark gaze over her, taking in the snug fit of her red sweater and gray trousers with more appreciation that he should probably have for a witch so much younger than himself. Still, ever since his blunder three days prior, he couldn't help but think of her, at least a little, in several different inappropriate ways, most of them ending up with her nude (and usually gasping his name repeatedly). “Perhaps,” he agreed, pushing away his musings impatiently, “but you obviously succeeded, so why can't they?”
“Because I'm brilliant,” she said nonchalantly, settling into the chair before his desk and crossing one leg comfortably over the other. She smiled at him as he raised a brow. “You know I am, so don't even think of disputing it,” she warned playfully. “Besides, as you now know, I didn't allow myself the same...distractions that most teens do.”
Severus averted his gaze to his desk, flushing lightly. He had to force down the raw rush of arousal at the reminder that she was still wonderfully untouched. The primitive male beast inside roared in frustration, urging him to take her in ways that she'd never imagined, let alone experienced. He wondered if she'd accept an advance from him though. It was hard for people to understand, that despite is cool demeanor and strict lifestyle, he was indeed still a rather young man, and a prize like Hermione Granger was difficult to resist on so many levels. “Yes, of course...I...” he started, gritting his teeth for a moment. “Has Minerva spoken to you yet...about my social blunder from the other night?”
“About proposing marriage?” she asked, grinning outright when he flushed and stiffened. Taking pity on him when he started to look supremely uncomfortable, she sighed and let her grin drop into a small smile. “She did, and I understand it wasn't your intention to either propose or proposition me. Consider it forgotten.”
He relaxed visibly and nodded. “Still, I do apologize,” he said sliding his gaze up to meet hers. “Normally I'm quite aware of what I say, so I was quite surprised that I'd done something so foolish unknowingly. If I'd requested such a thing from a pureblooded young woman I might very well be facing wedding bells at this moment. I thank you for your understanding,” he said politely.
She smiled wider at him. “Are you saying that you don't relish the thought of being married to me Severus? It wouldn't be a dream come true?”
“More like a nightmare,” he grunted unconsciously, drawing a startled laugh from her.
“So cruel,” she sighed in amusement as he smirked lightly at her. She studied him for a moment and then cocked her head, “What if I had understood it and accepted...what then? Would you have married me...the Gryffindor know it all?”
He raised a brow and her. “I'm not sure I could properly answer that question,” he said feeling a rush of panic at her bluntness. “You do understand that my work as a spy would make that nearly impossible.”
“But if the war were over and we were free to do as we liked, what then?” she pressed, not understanding why his answer was suddenly so important to her.
“Perhaps...perhaps I would consider it,” he admitted not looking directly at her. Merlin she was a forward woman. His groin pulsed faintly as he wondered just how forward she could be. “You are intelligent enough that I could discuss my work with you and not feel like I was forever teaching a student. You are also, as I mentioned before, quite attractive, and you have a pleasing personality. I'm sure I could live quite comfortably with a witch such as yourself.”
She beamed at him, blushing at his startling praise of her charms. When Severus Snape complimented you, you took it at face value. He didn't waste his time on false praise with anyone but the Dark Lord, and that was more a matter of life and death than anything else. “Thank you,” she said, her gaze falling to the floor modestly for a moment. Finally she looked up at him through her lashes and asked softly, “And the other part of your unintentional request? Would you have been willing to personally collect the blood you value so much?”
His heart began pounding in his chest at her surprisingly daring question and he realized that she was flirting with him, albeit subtly. Women rarely flirted with him so lightly. Most were rather direct in their praise and intention. Hermione actually looked a little nervous about what his response would be and that made him feel more desirable than any other witch had. While others had thrown themselves at him, attracted by his dark attitude and bad boy facade, she looked like the answer was rather important to her.
He studied her silently for a moment, cocking his head slightly in consideration. She was rather attractive in her own way; short and wonderfully curvy, yet not overly so. Her hair still tended to have a life of its own, but it was rather easy to imagine what it would look like completely untamed and spilled across his pillows. Her lips drew his attention as well. She tended to nibble at the bottom lip when she was thinking or nervous, so it was often plump and red from abuse, making him wonder what her lips would look like after being thoroughly kissed or, even better, wrapped around his cock.
He rested his elbows on the arms of his chair and brought his long fingers together against his chin as he pondered his words. Finally he said slowly, “I believe that it would be a task that I could take on with great pleasure and interest.”
She blinked and blushed a deep crimson, as if hardly believing that he'd actually admitted that to her. He smiled slowly as the tables turned and he took control of the conversation. “And you Miss Granger... Hermione,” he purred, “Would you be willing to give such a prize to a man like me? Would you be willing to take me into your body, holding me in such an intimate embrace that none other can come close in comparison?”
He clasped his fingers together and willed himself not to take his penetrating gaze off of her as she flicked her eyes to the still open door and the much anticipated lip nibbling began. “Well I...” she stuttered softly, blushing prettily for a moment before visibly gathering herself and straightening in her chair. She was still blushing, but she lifted her eyes and with all her Gryffindor bravery, met his gaze and said, “Yes, I believe I might.”
“That is interesting,” he murmured, dark eyes glittering with something she couldn't identify. He quirked one corner of his mouth up in amusement, meeting her eyes silently for a moment before sighing and releasing her stare abruptly. He leaned forward on his desk and raised one brow. “So, there must have been some reason for you to visit me down here, other than a little verbal sparring,” he murmured, amusement dancing across the normally severe line of his mouth.
She nodded and relaxed slightly, shifting in her chair as she tried to reset her mind and direct it towards her purpose for coming there. “Yes, I thought we might do a quick run through of the ceremony and it's spells so I know what I need to work on over the next few weeks,” she said, standing up and turning to walk to his fireplace. She traced her slender fingers over the bricks for a moment, distracting herself and gathering her scattered wits.
Allowing her a moment to 'hide', as it were, he simply nodded and said, “That would be acceptable Miss Granger. When would you care to meet?”
“I was thinking tomorrow after supper,” she said, glancing at him over her shoulder. “It's Friday night, so I'll have all weekend to work out the kinks and still get my grading done.” She turned and took a few steps back towards him. “Perhaps we might do a second run through next Friday, as Samhain will begin the following weekend.”
“Of course,” he said with a small nod of acceptance. “I will make myself available tomorrow evening and we may begin at, say, eight o'clock?”
“Alright,” she agreed with a nod. “That should be fine for me as well. I'll simply get the Heads to complete my rounds for me, so that won't be a problem.”
She moved towards the door, pausing as she reached its arched framework. “And Severus...thank you,” she said softly and then was gone and down the hallway.
He stared at the empty space, wondering if she was thanking him for helping her with her practice, or for admitting that he'd gladly take her virginity from her. Though for a woman who previously thought men didn't find her attractive, he rather thought it might be the latter. Smiling slightly to himself, he picked up his quill again and went back to grading. Even the abysmal attempt that stretched over the parchment before him couldn't kill the strange thrill that raced through him as he pondered his exchange with the willful and tempting witch who'd just left the room.
***
The next evening Hermione knocked on Severus' door, feeling a little nervous about talking to him again. There had been a rather sudden shift in their interactions within the last few days, enough of one that she was feeling a little baffled by it all. He was being strangely nice, which was a rather new turn of events in of itself. That's not to say he had been cruel before. When she'd returned to the school to teach he'd automatically accepted her as just another colleague. He'd ceased his sneering at everything she said like he had been prone to while she was a student, and simply watched her speak with a politely blank face.
Politeness...that was what it was. He had been achingly polite and proper with her whenever they spoke, up until he inadvertently propositioned her the other night. Now...well at least since yesterday, he smiled slightly at her when their eyes met, and he had actually flirted with her the night before. It was a little odd to say the least. She wasn't quite sure how to process this other side of the man she thought she'd known for over ten years, realizing that the man was just that, a man.
“Enter!” he barked in his professor voice. She bit back a smile and pushed the door open. He was scribbling away at his desk like before, though this time he wasn't frowning, so apparently he wasn't grading at the moment. “Well, speak up, can't you see I'm busy?” he snapped, not looking up for a moment as she stood before the wide desk.
“Charming as ever I see,” she said, her smile clear in her tone.
His eyes jerked upward and his face relaxed minutely. “Ah, Miss Granger...Hermione, I apologize,” he said, dropping his quill and standing up. “Students have been pounding on my door all evening, to the point that I had considered hexing the damn thing.”
“You have office hours for a reason Severus,” she reminded him with a small smile.
“I'm well aware,” he grunted, turning and striding towards the fireplace. “I've set up a space for us to practice in the forest, if you'll follow me,” he said, abruptly changing the subject.
She shook her head and sighed softly. So much for a little conversation before they got right to work.
“We'll floo to the Headmistress' office and then portkey from there,” he explained, taking a bit of floo powder and dumping half of it in her hand. “It's a rather long walk and I thought perhaps you'd wish to spend less time traveling and more actually working.”
“Yes,” she said with a nod and a smile, “That would be preferable. Thank you.”
He shrugged and tossed the powder into the fire, calling out “Headmistress' Office!” In a whoosh he was gone, leaving her momentarily alone in his small office. Glancing around, she had to reign in the temptation to poke around a bit. She wondered what she could find out about the odd man from this room, but knew it would have to wait for another time. With a sigh she tossed her own bit of powder in the flames and followed him through.
With a startled shriek she ran right into his broad, black clad back.
He grunted in surprise and then quickly turned to grab her as she stumbled backward, very nearly falling back into the fireplace. She stared at him with wide eyes as startlingly strong hands held her suspended over the heat of the fire at her back. His own surprised look turned to a curiously calculating gaze before shutting down completely and she was being tugged firmly to her feet. “If you're ready,” he said abruptly, walking briskly to the Headmistress' desk and picking up an old shoe.
She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes for a brief moment to gather herself. Hermione was having a difficult time assimilating all of these unfamiliar faucets of Severus' personality. He was nothing like the man she knew from her school days. He allowed her to see brief moments of unguarded emotion and he was actually rather open with her when she asked him personal questions; something that would have had him snarling at her only a few short years ago. This new Severus was a baffling man, but one she had a certain amount of interest in getting to know.
With a quick shake of her head she marched to his side and gripped the outstretched shoe, preparing for the sickening tug and swirl of portkeying. She clenched her teeth as her stomach did an abrupt 360, rather like hitting a loop and then a drop on a roller coaster. It made her grateful that supper had been a light fare that night.
They landed somewhat ungracefully in a large clearing in the Forbidden Forest. She let her hand drop from the shoe and looked around curiously. The forest would have been rather pretty had it not been for her knowledge of the giant spiders and dubiously friendly centaurs in it. She'd run into the latter during her years in school and she wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of doing it again.
The clearing was quite wide, easily big enough for two bonfires to be set without the trees cringing back in horror, but closed off enough that no one would be able to see what they were up to. The ground was flat and lightly sprinkled with grass, weeds, and wildflowers. She couldn't see what kind they were in the darkness of the night, but she imagined that it all look quite pretty with the sunlight touching the trees and flowers all around them. “This is a nice clearing. How did you know about it?” she asked, turning to gaze up at him.
“Firenze pointed it out,” he said with a shrug. “He knows the forest better than I and was most useful in finding this location for me. He also made sure that no forest creatures claimed this clearing as their personal property. It's a common area of sorts, so we should be accepted as just another tenet...hopefully.”
Hermione nodded and set out to explore the area a bit more carefully. She trusted Firenze, even if the other centaurs terrified her silly. They were an unpredictable species, and once angered, difficult to reason with. Firenze was sort of an exception to that rule. He was rather rational and serene, able to understand his human peers better than most of his kind; even when those humans did something terribly irrational and stupid. Perhaps his long-time friendship with Dumbledore had something to do with that, but she wasn't sure.
“You might point out this clearing to Minerva,” she suggested, tracing her fingers over a large flat rock. It would probably work rather well as an alter should the need arise for one, or at least a workbench to place their supplies on. “The ritual is best done out in the open like it was in old times, but this would do very nicely for the security issues that we have.”
“I agree,” he said with a nod. Severus watched as she paced around the clearing, inspecting every aspect of it. She looked lovely, dressed in black slacks and a white sweater that flattered her curves wonderfully. He felt a clench in his belly as she bit at her lip thoughtfully. Even in the poor light of the moon he could see the habitual gesture; it made it sexier to be able to see what she'd look like in the darkness of his bedchamber.
She turned and looked at him, smiling softly. “You did nice work Severus. This will work very well.”
He felt a strange rush of masculine pride at her praise. “Thank you,” he said softly. His belly clenched again when her smile turned warm in the pale light. Clearing his throat and reaching into his pocket he pulled out a minimized bag. “Shall we get started?” he asked, waving his wand over the bag and muttering a quick spell. The bag grew in his hand until it very nearly touched the ground.
Her eyes widened. “What on earth is all that?” she asked curiously, moving quickly towards him and peering into the large bag.
Severus inhaled softly as her scent flooded his senses. She smelled so feminine and pretty, like violets and warmth. “Just this and that; supplies that we'll need for the summoning.”
She nodded in understanding, reaching in and pulling out candles and the book on the subject. “Will we practice the entire thing, minus the actual spells?”
“More or less,” he said with a nod. “It would be a good idea to get it worked out so the final ritual goes as smoothly as possible. Fortunately for us, should the first time not go as we would like, Samhain lasts approximately three days, so we might have a second chance. I'd rather not risk it however, so let's do our best now to prevent such an occurrence.”
“Alright,” she agreed with an understanding smile. “Shall we get started then?”
He smiled slightly and nodded. “Yes. Perhaps you could set out the candles and I'll set the circle? Then we can begin.” He watched in fascination as she set to work, face set in serious determination. What an intriguing woman she had become, one he found himself wanting more and more to get to know better; more intimately. After a moment he sighed and set himself to his own task, promising himself to consider the new curiosity that was Hermione Granger.
Part 3