Twenty-Five

For logistical reasons which I won't bore you with, I had to keep this chapter quite short. But have no fear, there are about ten more to come of this story, all longer than this!

I wrote this chapter based around some ancient words which to me seemed so appropriate to the sensuality of the relationship between these two.

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They returned to Hogwarts in time for lunch, Severus immediately retreating into his comfortable persona of snide schoolmaster.

Hermione attended Potions as usual in the afternoon, and they both smoothly kept their secret morning to themselves. To anyone observing, there was nothing unusual about the dynamics between the knowledgeable teacher and his most brilliant student. Ginny glanced at her occasionally, but Hermione merely smiled mutely.

After the lesson, Snape called for her to stay behind. Ginny rolled her eyes; she had clearly been wanting to catch up with her friend.

When the classroom had emptied, Hermione sauntered slowly over to him and immediately reached up to his buttons. She was surprised when he stopped her, removing her hands.

"Go and change and come back here immediately. What you wore this morning will do."

Hermione was startled, but excitement swept through her and she immediately did as he requested. Despite the distance between her room and the dungeons, she was back in different clothes within ten minutes.

When she walked in, she visibly jumped with surprise. He too had changed clothes.

Hermione's jaw fell open. He was wearing a dark Muggle suit, with a crisp white shirt underneath. He wore no tie with it, but the cut was sharp and the material black and finely woven. It accentuated his broad shoulders and slender torso. On his feet were black leather shoes which gleamed with a dazzling shine. He looked stunning.

She exhaled a laugh in wondrous delight but could not speak.

He approached her. "You are right. You must be sick of trying to justify yourself to me. There is no need. It is I who must gain your trust and respect. Come."

With that he gripped her round the waist and she immediately felt the ground slipping from under her. When the feeling stopped, they were once again in a side street surrounded by tall granite buildings. He led her along it. Hermione was back in Edinburgh, and soon found herself standing outside a luxury hotel on Prince's Street.

Severus started to pull her up the steps but she held him back. He turned with a slight frown, clearly wanting to get her inside as soon as possible.

"Thank you," she breathed up to him.

He smiled back. "You are welcome. Come along."

He pulled her up the steps and together they walked into the lobby. It was an opulent but tasteful hotel, with marble floors and gilded mirrors. Hermione immediately saw that they were drawing glances, although she noticed this time they were more admiring than curious. Women stared at him with approval, men with jealousy when they saw the beautiful young woman on his arm.

Severus approached the reception desk. "Good afternoon. I have a room booked for two nights. Professor S. Snape."

She was surprised but encouraged that he had used his real name.

"Certainly, sir." The receptionist busied herself with processing his booking.

Hermione glanced up at Severus. For someone who had exhibited such insecurities earlier, he now seemed completely at ease. He was clearly someone who needed the reassurance of a firm decision to ease his mind.

The receptionist eventually handed over the key with a smile and directed them to the room.

They made their way up silently, not speaking. Hermione felt a touch on her hand. She looked down; he had encircled her fingers in his. It was a bizarre feeling; to be walking freely and openly without rousing suspicion or reproach.

They reached the room. It was spacious and elegant with a large four-poster bed. Hermione could not contain her excitement and ran over, jumping onto it.

"Oh god – this is brilliant! Severus, it must have cost a fortune; you must let me pay for some."

"That is clearly ludicrous." He spoke with dry certainty.

She leapt off the bed again and crossed to the window, looking out as dusk settled over the city. The room looked out over the Prince's Street gardens up to the castle.

Hermione sighed with happiness. Here she could breathe. Here she was away from the oppressive atmosphere, the constant need for deception and secrecy. She didn't quite know what to do with herself.

Hearing footsteps behind, she turned a little to see Severus approaching her. "Thank you for bringing me here."

He reached down to kiss her, sweet and tender. Hermione sighed into his open mouth. His hands came down her arms, stroking smoothly as they went. She brought hers up and cupped his head, questing into his mouth with her tongue. Then she moved away and simply stood looking at the man before her. He frowned in momentary confusion but indulged her whim. She stood smiling enigmatically at him.

Slowly, gently, they undressed each other, planting soft, warm kisses on the flesh that was revealed to them little by little. Eventually they stood naked, the warm light of the room imparting an other-worldly glow to their bodies. They could not take their eyes off each other.

Then Hermione spoke, words that she had studied in her own time, at home in holidays; words that had captured her imagination in their vivid, sensual detail, and the paradox of their origin.

"My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand."

She started to walk around him, slowly and deliberately, as if appraising him. Her hands came up and she kissed him momentarily again, caressing his high cheekbones.

"His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven." Bringing her fingertips lightly over his hair, she then rested them again on his cheekbones, capturing his gaze.

"His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.

"His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh." Her finger ran lightly over his mouth. Again, despite the temptation to draw it into him, he resisted, enjoying her sensual words as much as her touch. Her voice continued to caress him in tune with her hands. She moved behind and drew her hands down his arms to entwine his fingers in hers.

"His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires."

As she listed the parts of his body, her hand drew itself languidly over each one, hovering, lightly caressing, but never lingering too long.

"His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

"His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely." She finished with a tender smile, and leant up again to kiss him warmly.

When she drew away, the smile still on her lips, he asked softly, "I take it those are not your words."

"They are not."

"They sound old."

"Indeed. Where do you think they are from?"

"An ancient text from India? A Medieval love poem?" He huffed with frustration, clearly not enjoying her possessing knowledge he did not. "I do not know. Tell me."

She was still smiling. "It may surprise you. It's from the Bible, the scriptures. The Song of Solomon – the Song of Songs. It is beautiful, isn't it?"

"Hmm ..." This time, he leaned in for a kiss, then pulled back to fix her with his eyes, staring at her with a gaze so intense she nearly had to look away. "I will be worthy of you."

She shook her head in confusion. "What makes you think you are not already worthy of me? You are so far beyond being merely worthy of me, Severus."

"You must accept the job at the Ministry. I will look for work elsewhere and resign from my position."

She was startled by his sudden declaration. "There is no rush, not as far as you are concerned."

"Yes, there is. I wish you to know the strength of my feelings."

"I ..." But before she could answer he had lifted her in his arms and placed her on the bed where he immediately thrust deep into her. He moved smoothly but urgently, never slowing his strokes. Their eyes remained locked and it wasn't long before they both came, powerfully but tenderly, drawing out the other's pleasure in rapt concord.

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The next chapter will be along soon. Any thoughts so far? LL x