From Confidants to Competitors

The evening passed like a bright, gaudily coloured blur. Dinner preceded the ceremony to give awards and honour those who contributed to the great victory. Afterward, the party began, and libations of both wizarding and Muggle variety flowed in copious amounts, easing the interactions on and around the dance floor.

Hermione honoured her promise to Snape to dance with him, but his fears of being ostracized were unfounded, and they parted after only a couple of dances, entreated by other partners.

The Elixir had cast aside their inhibitions, and both Snape and Hermione enjoyed themselves, smiling and laughing with each other before including others in the fun.

Thus it was that Hermione found herself being twirled away expertly by an exceptionally charming Oliver Wood, on break from training with Puddlemere United, where he had moved up from the Reserve Team, while Snape gazed unblinkingly at the stately Irina Todorova, part of the Board of Governors at Durmstrang, in charge of putting the Dark Arts knowledge there back in balance.

Snape was mesmerized, partly because Irina was beautiful: tall and slim, with long red hair and green eyes...dammit, he had thought he had exorcized that particular ghost...and partly because she was clearly fiercely intelligent; he felt a kinship to the way she spoke about the Dark Arts, asking for his opinions about the exotically dangerous subject.

After merely talking for a long while, Irina flicked a glance at the teeming mass beyond them and slanted a sultry smile at Snape. "Vile I have greatly enjoyed talking vith you, Severus, I vos hoping to dance also. Vould you be villing to dance with me, or should I seek another partner?"

Snape leant forward, the Elixir making him bold and his attraction making him feel possessive. "It would be my pleasure to dance with you, Irina. Please."

He stood, offering his hand to her. She rose gracefully and followed him to the dance floor, where a slow song had begun moments before. They pressed together, eye-to-eye with her in high heels.

Snape's gaze roamed over her face, watching her pupils dilate and seeing her tongue dart out to moisten her lips. Her breasts were warm and soft against his chest, and the impish look in her eyes told him that the sway of her hips against his groin was calculated.

He pulled her closer still, one hand sliding down to caress her lower back and hip, and his lips spread in a slow smile. Leaning forward, he purred in her ear, "I was right: it is my pleasure to dance with you."

Her sigh wafted over his ear, exposed as it was with his hair tied back, and she whispered, "It vould be even more pleasure to spend more time vith you elsevhere vunce the Gala is over."

As outgoing as he felt with the Elixir chasing through him, he was still stunned by the brazen come-on. He spun Irina, gazing about, seeking Hermione. He saw her across the dance floor, Oliver holding her just as closely as he held Irina, and their expressions were identical in their mutual interest.

A flutter of disappointment in his gut was quashed by the amazed surge of triumph that the beautiful woman in his arms was most definitely expressing interest in him, as opposed to guarded looks and hesitant reactions to his tentative advances. He pressed a gentle kiss to her ear and murmured, "Your place or mine?"

Irina voiced a low croon of delight and ground her hips against him again. "I have a private room at a London vizarding hotel. It is vhere ve usually stay vhen ve come to this country."

"As you wish."

Irina began manoeuvring them toward the edge of the dance floor, eventually pulling away and leading Snape into a dimly lit side corridor. Once they were around the corner, the noise of the crowd abated, and Irina pushed Snape against the wall, pressing her body against his and closing in on him with a forceful kiss.

Again, shock warred with excitement, and it took a moment for Snape to respond in kind, opening his mouth to her onslaught, tasting the wine she had favoured earlier still heavy on her tongue. His trousers were suddenly far too tight, and it didn't help that Irina was rocking against his erection, drawing grunts of pleasure from his throat.

"Ve do not have to vait until the Gala is over, do ve?"

Snape was torn between wanting to go straight to her rooms to continue their dalliance more privately and wanting to stay at the Gala to let people finally see that he was desirable. The idea that perhaps noticing Irina clinging to him like a lamprey might help others recognize that he was valuable as more than just a friend...and perhaps incite a sting of jealousy...led him to purr, "But the anticipation can make things even better..."

Irina pulled back and made a moue of petulance, and Snape ducked in to nip her pouting lower lip, sending them into another heated snog. Eventually, they parted, and Irina smirked as she started wiping her smeared lipstick off his mouth and face. "Hmm, you do have a point. Then ve should join the party again before ve make even more of a spectacle of ourselves."

Snape pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and scrubbed at the stains on his face. Irina borrowed it and touched up her makeup after cleaning away the colour spread beyond her lips. When they no longer looked like a pair of randy teenagers, complete with telltale mussing, Snape led her back onto the dance floor, confident that his night would end even better than he could have imagined.

Over at the refreshment tables, Hermione stood with Oliver, chatting and laughing and enjoying the firmness of his muscles under her hands as they remained entwined from dancing. Though they had stilled, Hermione's gaze kept flicking out over the crowd, seeking Snape and his elegant partner. After a while, she realized that they were no longer in the dance hall, and a sizzle of discontent flared in her chest. Chin lifting in defiance, she pressed closer to Oliver, who had bent to murmur compliments in her ear. It was then that she saw Snape leading Irina back into the hall, both of them looking like cats who had managed to eat both canaries and cream.

Irina's hands wound around Snape's neck, threading through his ponytail, and she rested her head on his shoulder as they danced. Eyes narrowed, Hermione copied her actions and wrapped herself around Oliver, beaming up at him. He grinned back, lilting, "Oh, what you do to me, Hermione. I can't take my eyes off you."

A surge of power washed over her, and she said, "Indeed. And I can't keep my hands off you." He sucked in a breath and closed his eyes for a beat. When he met her wicked gaze again, she added, "What is it that I do to you, Oliver? Or better yet, what would you like me to do to you?"

His eyes widened and his jaw twitched as he clenched his teeth. He pulled her tight against him and guided her back onto the dance floor, his arousal evident in the hard heat between them. His voice was rough as he said, "I would like for you to not toy with me. I'm sure it's obvious how much you affect me."

A shiver of wanton desire skittered over her, leaving goose flesh in its wake, and she stretched up to breathe in his ear, "I'm not playing." She punctuated her statement with a nip to his earlobe, then nuzzled her way down his jaw to match his vehement kiss with her own. When they parted again, Hermione could see desire mixed with reticence in his dark eyes, and she murmured, "I'm not a schoolgirl, Oliver. And I'm quite capable of knowing what I want."

His brows rose, and he quirked a lopsided smile at her. "I believe you! What's hard to believe is that I'm the lucky bloke that you want."

They chuckled together, and Hermione pressed against him harder, whispering, "Let's just say that I would very much like to get to know you better, now that we're adults. Would you care to escort me home tonight?"

He sucked in a deep breath and rumbled, "I'll go wherever you like."

The heady combination of the Elixir and the power rush of attraction raced through her, and she pulled him down into another kiss.

The rest of the evening sped by on merry feet, and eventually everyone began saying their goodbyes in preparation for leaving. Hermione clung to Oliver's arm as they waved and nodded to their former schoolmates, but she steered him toward where Snape and Irina were talking to some Ministry officials.

"Severus! I do hope you had a pleasant evening. Oliver and I had a splendid time, didn't we?" Hermione smiled brightly up at Oliver, who blinked but nodded confirmation.

"'Deed I did. Congratulations again, Professor. I heard about your change in fortune as well. I daresay you deserve some luxury after all this time!" Oliver offered his hand and Snape shook it solemnly.

"Thank you, Mr. Wood. May I introduce Miss Irina Todorova?"

Irina flashed a regal smile and inclined her head as she said, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Vood. And you, Miss Granger."

Hermione tilted her head and trilled, "Likewise. Well, Severus, Floo me when you plan to go to the Manor. Have a good night, you two."

Hermione's tone was a trifle arch, and Irina's eyes narrowed. Smooth as silk, she said, "Ve vill. You as vell."

At that, Hermione and Oliver exchanged a look of anticipation, and Hermione drawled, "We plan to," slanting a challenging look at Snape, who met her eyes with a similar look of steely determination.

Once Hermione and Oliver were out of earshot, Irina murmured to Snape, "Let us go to my rooms... finally."

Snape's lips spread in a slow smile and he guided her to the Floos. As soon as they arrived in Irina's rooms, she shoved him against the just-closed door and pounced on him with a vehement kiss, her hands roaming and pushing at his robes. When his mouth was free...her lips were latched onto his neck...he panted, "Irina, I want to be perfectly clear here: what do you want?"

Pulling back to level a blazing-eyed look of lust at him, she purred, "You. All of you. Preferably out of these robes and in me."

His eyes rolled back and a strangled groan bubbled up before he could rasp, "Well then, in that case..."

Irina's peal of delighted laughter accompanied their frenzied stripping, but was silenced the moment Snape pressed her onto the bed with a deep, exploratory kiss.

Back in Hermione's flat, she and Oliver were curled together on her sofa, languidly kissing while deconstructing Hermione's hairdo. Oliver was in shirtsleeves and trousers, his dress robes and shoes discarded in a nearby chair. When Hermione's hair was back to her usual riot of curls, she backed away and began removing her jewellery, setting it on the coffee table by all the hairpins and her gloves. Oliver tilted his head inquisitively toward her heels, and she smiled, nodding. He knelt in front of the sofa, placed her foot on his leg, and unbuckled her shoe. His hands caressed her stockinged foot, sliding up her leg before repeating the same actions on her other foot.

Hermione leant back on the sofa and peered down at Oliver through heavy-lidded eyes. Slowly, he trailed his hands up her legs, pushing her gown upward to bunch in her lap. When her knees were bared, he ducked down to press open-mouthed kisses to them, his breath hot against her silky stockings. A quavery moan issued from her parted lips, and she spread her legs further in invitation, reaching to feather her fingers through his hair as he inched higher, passing the tops of her stockings where they were clipped to the suspenders, his tongue darting out to taste her smooth skin.

Gazing up at her, pupils wide, Oliver breathed, "You asked me at the Gala: what did I want you to do to me. Your turn. What do you want me to do to you?"

Hermione bit her lower lip and arched in pleasure as his fingers slid higher beneath her gown to trace her hips. Voice throaty, she said, "Follow me to my bedroom. Pick up where we left off. Then... keep going."

His fingers gripped her thighs in a spasm of lust as he surged forward to pin her with a fervent kiss. Then, he backed away and stood, his trousers obviously tented, and offered his hand. Hermione took it and he pulled her to her feet. Smirking at each other, they hurried down the hallway to her bedroom, where they stayed through the night.

*****

"Hermione? Are you there?"

Snape's voice issued from her Floo, and Hermione called back, "Be right there!" She shrugged into her dressing gown and padded out to the sitting room. "You can come through."

Snape spun out onto the hearth and spelled away the soot as Hermione curled up on one end of the sofa. "Would you like some tea?"

"That would be lovely, thank you." Snape sat down on the other end of the sofa, body and demeanour stiff.

Hermione waved her wand to start a tea service flying about in the tiny kitchen and turned to frown at him. "Honestly, Severus, what's with the formality?" Huffing faintly, she caught the tray and shoved the detritus of her Gala accessories to one side so she could set the service between them on the coffee table. Suddenly, she smirked and slanted an impish glance at Snape. "I thought we were supposed to use your tea set to share a cuppa with those biscuits I gave you."

Her reminder set Snape at ease and he flashed a grin. "We can Floo back to my quarters if you like. You might want to change first."

Hermione laughed. "That's all right. We can stay here this time. You'll still owe me tea at your place...complete with biscuits!"

They chuckled together and busied themselves with the tea. When they had both sat back with their steaming cups, Snape said, "That's actually what I was coming over to ask about..."

"Tea?"

"No. My place. As in, finally going to the Manor. You said you'd go with me." His eyes flickered with wary hope.

Hermione surged forward. "Yes! Of course I will. When do you plan to go?"

He cleared his throat and said, "Well... today, if you're free." Hermione beamed at him, nodding, and his cautious expression cleared. Smirking, he said, "I'll wager you'd still want to change."

Hermione grimaced at him, making him laugh, and stretched out one leg to poke him with her painted toes. "And what, pray tell, does my lord require that one wear to be seen in his elegant home?"

One hand snapped down to grip her ankle, and his breath caught in his throat at the silky warmth of her skin. Staring at her pewter-coloured nails, he murmured, "Just be yourself as usual, Hermione. You don't have to pretend anything differently for me. I'm me, not my home."

Her teasing smile faded, replaced by wistful affection. "I know that, Severus. I promise I won't let the Manor change how I feel about you."

He nodded, and his thumb rubbed gentle circles on the point of her ankle. After a long moment, he gave one last squeeze and released her, turning his attention to his tea.

Hermione drew her foot back, tucking her legs beneath her again, and said, "I can go change now if you want to head over as soon as we're done."

He lifted his sober gaze to meet hers and quirked a wan smile. "Why not? May as well get the first shock over with."

She cast a reassuring smile at him and rose, setting her cup on the tray. "I won't be long."

Snape watched her retreat down the hallway to her bedroom, scandalizing himself with the sudden thought that he wanted to follow her there and find out if the rest of her skin was as soft as her ankle was. He took a deep breath and focused his thoughts elsewhere, fortunately regaining his equilibrium before she returned, ready to go.

He took her hand and led her through the Floo to Snape Manor, where they were greeted by an ancient house-elf.

"Greetings, Master Severus. Oggy will tell Master Snape you is here."

The elf disappeared with a pop, and Hermione turned wide eyes on Snape. "Did you know there would be house-elves here?"

Snape blinked and shook his head slowly. "No. I only saw the Manor itself in Lazarus's mind, not any elves."

In a faint whisper, Hermione said, "I wonder how many there are..."

They were surprised by Lazarus bursting into the room, beaming at them as he threw his arms wide and declared, "Welcome to Snape Manor, Severus! Welcome home!"

Lazarus flung himself at Snape, enveloping him in an effusive embrace, leaving Snape to goggle awkwardly at Hermione, who bit her lips to suppress a slightly hysterical giggle. Snape cleared his throat and said, "Thank you, Lazarus."

His great-uncle released him and fell back a step, his delighted expression taking in both Snape and Hermione. "You know, I rather thought I'd give you the grand tour, but then I realized that it would likely be more comfortable if you were let go at your own pace, without me distracting you with tale upon tale of ancient history. You'll have plenty of time to get caught up if you wish. So, you're welcome to roam at will, and if you have any questions, just summon Oggy. You're welcome to stay for supper, too, of course. Oh, and if you see a room you want to claim, it's yours...well, except for mine. I'm too old to go moving things about, you see."

Snape looked rather overwhelmed, and Hermione furtively clasped his hand in comfort. "Certainly. Thank you, Lazarus."

Lazarus grimaced and extended an entreating hand. "Oh, call me Uncle. I'm proud to have you as family, my boy."

Snape inclined his head and murmured, "As you wish, Uncle."

Lazarus clapped his hands and beamed at them. "Right then. I'll leave you to explore. Oggy will be able to find me if you need anything."

Both Snape and Hermione chorused, "Thank you," as he doddered out of the room, exchanging owl-eyed looks of bemusement.

Hermione squeezed Snape's hand and whispered, "I'm glad he decided to go. He's a bit wearing as it is, and I know you'd be positively frazzled if he kept up a running commentary through this whole place."

Snape snorted and quirked a lopsided smile. "You do know me, Hermione."

She grinned and leant against his arm. "And I know you're eager to see everything, so let's go!"

Turning to smile fondly down at her, he said, "My lady doth command, and I must obey."

Their laughter blended into a pleasing harmony as they exited the room on their journey into the past preserved as Snape Manor.

Hours later, after traipsing from floor to floor, exploring beautiful room after room, they were out in the grounds, admiring the gardens and lush expanses of green in the mellow late afternoon sunlight. Snape led them to sprawl under a shade tree, and Hermione leant against the trunk while Snape stretched out with his arms crossed under his head, staring up into the foliage above.

A companionable silence blanketed them in the drowsy heat, broken only when Snape heaved a deep sigh and said, "Thank you for coming with me, Hermione. And thank you for last night, too. You have quite the knack for making my life better ever since you saved it."

He flashed a warm smile at her, and she grinned back. "I did what any true friend would do, Severus. As for last night, we hardly spent any time together after the first couple of dances. I told you you had nothing to worry about. I had nothing to do with Irina being absolutely enamoured of you."

She averted her eyes for a moment, picking grass off her trousers, but met Snape's earnest gaze as he said, "You did so. I would never have been so carefree if you hadn't suggested that 'liquid courage.' Another brilliant idea; so, thank you."

Hermione flashed a faint smile of demurral. "Fine. You're welcome. I'm glad you had a good time. I mean... you did, right? Have a good time?"

She saw his eyes gleam with lascivious pleasure as he smirked. Then, he schooled his expression into a more polite one and said simply, "I did."

Eyes narrowing, she accused, "You spent the night with her, didn't you?"

He cut a sharp glance at her, prickling at her tone, and flung back, "Just as you did with Oliver."

They stared at each other for a long moment, charged as if they could dissolve into a row at any second, until Hermione drawled, "Problem?"

Snape looked away, frowning, and said, "Of course not! You can do whatever you like..."

She cut him off, snapping, "So can you!"

He cut a warning look at her and continued, "As long as you consent to it, the world is your oyster. But if anyone ever hurts you, Hermione, I promise you that I will make them regret it."

She blinked, taken aback by his vehemence. "While I can appreciate the sentiment, I assure you that Oliver did nothing I didn't want..." she paused and melted into a mischievous grin, "...and several things I did want."

Snape glared at her and rolled his eyes. "Fine. I don't need the details."

"Indeed. And you needn't give me the details of your liaison with Irina." There was a pregnant pause, and Hermione said, "Are you going to be seeing her again?"

Snape snorted. "I doubt it. She's all the way at Durmstrang, and I got the impression that she is quite the free spirit...not one to tie down to any one man."

Eyes twinkling, Hermione lilted, "Oooh, but did she tie you down? Kinky!"

Snape squawked in protest and flailed toward her, succeeding in batting at her knee even as she tried to dodge him, laughing. "Really! You said you didn't want details."

He cocked one eyebrow at her in challenge and she giggled some more. "Hmm, so I wonder if you'll just be a convenient shag whenever she comes to England..."

Snape snorted and drawled, "Honestly, Hermione, have you ever known me to be convenient?"

Brows shooting toward her hairline, she crowed, "Aha! So you did shag her! The first post-war notch in your bedpost..."

Jaw thrust out in defiance, he said, "So what if it is? I'm not the only one."

She tilted her head, eyes narrowed, and said, "What do you mean?"

Favouring her with an aggrieved look, he said, "Oliver."

Hermione drew herself up loftily and said in a dangerously low voice, "And?"

He shrugged. "And nothing. Like I said, you can do whatever you like."

"Including having casual one night stands with professional Quidditch players?"

"If that's what you want!" He scowled and slanted a worried look at her. "That doesn't put Mr. Weasley back in the running if he manages to get in with the Cannons, does it?"

Hermione buried her face in her hands with a groan...Snape knew full well that her former infatuation with Ron had fizzled out as soon as they had attempted fumbling kisses in seventh year. She heard Snape's wicked chuckle and glared at him through her fingers. "No. It does not." She dropped her hands and stuck her tongue out at him, making him snort. "But, if Viktor were to come 'round again..."

Snape actually burst out laughing and said, "Touché!"

A lull fell between them, until Hermione broke the silence, saying, "You know that Irina was just the first of many, right?"

He snapped a perplexed frown in her direction and said, "Excuse me?"

She tilted her head again and offered a gentle smile. "You're a decorated war hero with a fascinating life story, you were absolutely stunning at the Gala, and now you're even rich to boot! You'll have a parade of women wanting to add notches to your bedpost."

Shifting uncomfortably, he retorted, "I could say the same to you...except for the surprise inheritance part. But, of course, being a beautiful, intelligent young woman is quite the embarrassment of riches that makes up for actual money."

Hermione blushed and ducked her head, at a loss for words.

Snape stared into the branches above them and murmured, "Even if what you say is true, how can I trust that anyone would be interested in me and not my inheritance or what I can give them?"

She sighed, acknowledging his problem. "You can't, at least not right off the bat. But, honestly, Severus, right now, why even worry about that? Take the chance to have a little fun. Go into it with your eyes open and enjoy what they're offering."

He turned to stare at her, eyes wide. "Are you suggesting that I use them?"

Rolling her eyes and huffing, she shook her head. "No! At least, not any more than they might be using you. You never got to sow your wild oats, so take the opportunity now. There's no reason you should immediately be searching for someone to settle down with right away."

His startled expression shifted to one of contemplation and he said, "Is that what you're doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you sowing your wild oats before looking for someone to settle down with?"

Eyes narrowing again in suspicion, she said, "And if I am?"

Snape's lips spread in a smirk. "So it's okay to just have some fun of the carnal persuasion?"

Her chin lifted and she matched his smirk. "As long as you're honest about what's going on, then sure. These are enlightened times, Severus."

He laughed, and she grinned at the exuberant sound.

Voice rich with humour, she added, "I'm sure you and Lazarus will have plenty of parties in which you will be besieged by lovely ladies interested in your... company. You could become quite the playboy."

Grinning, he slanted a calculating look at her and said, "You matched me in my extravagance in formalwear. Will you match me in the excesses of this endeavour?"

Her lips pursed in surprise and she held his challenging gaze. Letting her expression soften into an impish smirk, she murmured, "That sounds like quite the competition...one in which everyone wins."

Snape quirked one eyebrow in response, and she chuckled. He held out his hand and drawled, "Are you game, my lady?"

She shook his hand and murmured, "Oh, indeed, my lord."

They locked wicked eyes until Snape shoved to his feet and pulled her up, his face alight with mischief. "Let the games begin."

Their laughter trailed behind them as they raced back to the Manor.