From Competitors to Conspirators

School was back in session at Hogwarts, but neither Snape nor Hermione were there anymore. While he was still welcome to continue teaching either Potions or DADA, Snape took the opportunity for a well-deserved sabbatical, and Hermione helped him move his things from both the school and Spinner's End to Snape Manor.

Thus it was that they were once again sitting in the garden, taking a break from organizing Snape's rooms and lab and relaxing in the warmth of a September sun.

Snape toyed with his tea, gazing into it, his expression cloudy. Hermione sensed his disquiet and broke the lengthening silence.

"You know, we still haven't had our tea-and-biscuits date. Is the set I gave you in one of those boxes you still haven't unpacked?"

His gaze snapped to hers and he quirked a smile. "It is. I should have thought about using it when you're here, instead of whatever Lazarus has."

Wrinkling her nose in mischief, she said, "But my lord has china of such delicate beauty, I'm sure my utterly pedestrian set couldn't possibly compare."

Snape grimaced and drawled, "They may be beautiful, but they're also strange and sometimes make me feel like an impostor. There's definitely something to be said for the loveliness and comfort of familiarity."

He frowned at the teacup as if it had offended him, then pushed it away with a moue of frustration. Hermione murmured, "And something tells me you're not just referring to the tea set..."

Snape cut a sheepish glance at her and heaved a cleansing sigh at the sight of her gentle, encouraging smile. "How well you understand me, Hermione. You're quite right. I don't know what to do."

"About what? Or should I say about whom?" Her voice was kind and devoid of judgment, and a surge of gratitude welled up in Snape's chest.

"Astute, as always. It's about Lucretia. She's latching on rather strongly, even though I had made my intentions plain enough. I don't want to be a brute, but I honestly can't continue with her."

Hermione chuckled. "I thought that might be the case. Have you been keeping up with the gossip pages? After that photo was printed of you two at that party, I pretty much knew things would head this direction. Did you see the possessive looks photo-Lucretia was shooting at the rest of the guests?"

Snape tossed his head and scowled. "I don't pay attention to those rags."

Hermione favoured him with a pointed look. "You should. You're a celebrity now, Severus, whether you like it or not, so it's only smart to keep a weather-eye out for what the gossip-mongers are putting out there."

Sulking, he snapped, "What do they say about you?"

Hermione smirked. "Oh, you should see the comments they make about me. I'm a woman, so of course anything I do is doubly scrutinized and held to a different standard. When I was seen out to dinner with Ahmed, the scandalized intimations they printed were ridiculous! Oh, the pearl-clutching... You'd think I had straddled him right there in the restaurant or something."

Snape choked, taken aback by the brazen image she had just put in his head. Hermione laughed.

"Don't worry. I waited until we were in private before having my way with him. I do have some decorum."

Snape cocked a chastising eyebrow at her, then said, "Yes, well, what do I do with Lucretia? I don't want to hurt her, but I have to move on."

"So, tell her! Haven't you ever heard the 'It's not you; it's me' line? She got what she wanted...she just doesn't get to keep it."

"And what is it she wanted?"

Hermione flashed a wolfish grin. "Into your pants, of course."

Snape rolled his eyes and huffed.

"Oh, come on! You've shagged her. Don't even try to deny it. Guess you'll just have to live with the consequences of being so good in bed that she wants to stick around."

"Oh, for mercy's sake..."

Hermione laughed at the flush staining his cheeks. "Nice to see you're not conceited about it. Of course, if you're that good, then perhaps you owe it to womankind to spread yourself about a bit."

Snape actually cradled his heated face in his hands and groaned. Hermione laughed even harder in response.

"If you're really that prudish, then you better hope she doesn't get her hands on a Pensieve and show off to her friends!"

At that, he couldn't take any more and hissed, "Really, Hermione, that's quite enough!"

Still giggling, she said, "Fine. But this is just the tip of the iceberg, Severus. Get used to it. And practice your 'It's not you; it's me' speech so it comes naturally for all the rest of the women who will follow Lucretia."

Slanting an acid glare at her, he said, "Is that what you did with Ahmed?"

She shrugged. "Didn't have to. I made myself clear from the start, and he didn't get clingy like Lucretia did. I've got the easier end of the deal when it comes to casual flings. Generally men won't turn down the chance if offered, and they're not the ones who want to get all emotional and exclusive in those instances anyway. On the other hand, you've just experienced the difficulty of trying to keep things casual with women...even though you were up front about what you wanted, she changed her expectations after she got into it. It's a shame, really."

He grunted in acknowledgment. "So, should I send her a letter, Floo call, take her out in public?"

Hermione tilted her head in thought. "If you take her out in public, you run the risk of ending up in the gossip pages again, especially if she makes a scene. But, sending a letter?" She shook her head and grimaced. "That seems a bit cowardly to me. Have the guts to face her. Perhaps you could invite her over here for a talk and then you'd have privacy."

"Couldn't that be seen as a bit mean, too? Bringing her here to remind her of all that she won't have? You know I can't help but think they're only interested in me for the fortune."

Nodding, she said, "Then maybe you can ask her if you can come meet her at her place to talk, and if things get dodgy, you can beat a hasty retreat."

He slid down in his chair, slumping back, and flung his hands up to cover his face. "Ugh. Now I know why staying single and celibate was a good choice."

Hermione snorted and said, "Honestly! It's only one break-up... well, not even that, really, since you made it clear you weren't exclusive to begin with. It's part of relationships, and you'll have to go through it to varying degrees until you find the person you want to stay with. Which could happen at any time, so do you want to stay with someone who isn't that person?"

Snape sighed again and let his hands drop to his lap. Gazing sombrely at her, he said, "What would I do without you, Hermione?"

She grinned and shot to her feet to bob a curtsey. "Why, my lord would be dead, of course."

He rolled his eyes and snorted at her saucy wink, then rose and caught her hand. "My lady is wise, indeed. You have my undying gratitude. Always."

He dropped a light kiss to her knuckles and she ducked her head to hide her blush at the tingle that wormed through her before murmuring, "Happy to help."

Snape kept his grip on her hand and guided her along with him back to the Manor. "Let's go unpack that tea set. I could use some more comfort right about now."

*****

It was the first week of October, and the decidedly frosty nip in the air led Snape and Hermione to lounge in the deep window seat of his massive bedroom while they shared their at-least-weekly tea-and-biscuits date. If Snape had been female, Hermione might have been inclined to call their meetings "gabfests," but such a silly term just didn't seem right for someone as dignified as he was...even though she felt closer to him than she had to any previous friends, regardless of gender. Inevitably, they talked about their respective love lives, as their friendly competition was still alive and well.

"So, Kumiko didn't last long. You're with Julia now, right?"

Snape tossed his head. "Kumiko may as well have asked me for my autograph on her body, for all she seemed interested in me. At least she didn't cling like Lucretia did. But yes, Kumiko was quite quick through the door and out again, and yes, I'm seeing Julia now. We have another date in a couple of days."

Hermione swallowed her bite of chocolate biscuit...they were traditional now, for these chats...and said, "Mmm, so has she notched your bedpost yet?"

Snape slanted a reproving gaze at her and she grinned at him, completely unrepentant. Lips twitching in an effort to hold back his answering smile, he said, "'Tis but a scratch...so far."

Hermione giggled and leant forward with a conspiratorial air. "Aah, so will the scratch cut deeper next time?"

He let the smirk surface and cast an appraising look at the sumptuous four-poster bed dominating one wall. "You know, it's a good thing these notches are hypothetical...that frame is antique."

Hermione's gaze followed his, and she found herself staring at the rich pewter coloured bedclothes, imagining Snape entwined with a woman within them, engaged in lascivious activity. Her pulse sped up, and a blush crept up her throat to stain her cheeks. She sucked in a deep breath and shook her head, trying to dispel the images...along with the frisson of desire that they had incited.

Snape's head leant back against the window frame as he stared pensively toward the bed, exposing the long line of his throat, and Hermione fought the urge to lean forward and drag her tongue along it. Instead, she cleared her throat and said, "It's just as well that Kumiko was here and gone again so quickly, or you'd be trailing behind."

At that, Snape turned his attention to her, one brow raised in entreaty for her to explain. "What happened to Umberto?"

"Back to Spain last week. Then I met Allen. We're getting together tomorrow night. So, I may only have the lead for one day, provided your date with Julia goes well."

Snape snorted, one corner of his mouth quirked up in amusement. "Even more incentive to be as charming and seductive as I can manage with Julia..."

Hermione's gut clenched at the devastating purr in his voice. Airily, she said, "It's really not fair that you, just by virtue of being male, have to work so much harder than I do to get a leg over."

He pinned her with an intense look, leant toward her, and said, "It's not just by virtue of you being female...you being beautiful surely helps immensely. I have my looks to overcome, as well as my dazzling personality. I know full well that if I didn't have this inheritance and the ridiculous fame the media insists on foisting upon me, I'd be stuck quite alone."

Hermione bridled instantly. Eyes narrowing, she leant forward and gripped his chin, making his brows shoot up in surprise as she hissed, "Severus Snape, you listen to me! There is nothing wrong with either your looks or your personality...except for your apparent penchant for self-derision. As for being stuck alone, that will never happen. I will always be here for you. Do you hear me? Always."

Their gazes locked, and the moment grew charged. After several rapid-thudding heartbeats, Snape wrapped his hand around hers and slid her fingers from his chin to press against his cheek. Then, he turned to drop a feather-light kiss to her palm and murmured, "My lady is too kind."

Hermione swallowed hard, tingles shooting from her palm through her body and ending in her centre. Desperate to settle back into their friendship, afraid that if she responded to her attraction, she would ruin their connection, she rasped, "Is this how my lord manages to be 'charming and seductive'?"

Snape blinked, taken aback by her query, and cleared his throat awkwardly. He shook his hair forward to hide the flush warming his face and gingerly released her hand, backing away until he was against the window frame again. "A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell, my lady."

Hermione sank back and busied herself with the cooling dregs of her tea. "As you wish, my lord."

He lifted the teapot to pour a fresh cup for her, only to find it empty. He Summoned Oggy, and the brief interlude of requesting refills gave them time to regain their composure and settle back into their camaraderie.

A while later, Snape asked, "Have you received your invitation to Kingsley's Bonfire Night ball? He said the entire Order was invited last I talked to him."

"Mmm, yes. I was wondering if he was going to end up throwing a Halloween ball instead, since it falls on the weekend and he wants it to be a fancy dress party, but apparently he preferred Guy Fawkes Night...and an excuse to orchestrate a Weasleys' Wildfire Whizbangs extravaganza!"

"Who will you be taking as your plus-one?"

Hermione flashed him an impish grin. "Why, I haven't the slightest. How could I possibly know now who I may be involved with in a month's time?"

Snape nodded. "Fair point. Good thing he's not requiring an RSVP until the week before. Have you thought about what costume you'll wear?"

"Not much yet. I daresay I'd rather have something that goes with my date. What about you?"

He grimaced. "He would choose something obscure like 'Muggle television shows or movies' for a theme. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Arthur didn't put him up to it. I'm obviously not very familiar with anything that has come out since I was a child."

"Then think about what you remember from then and go with it. It should be fun, Severus."

"I may need more 'liquid courage' to get all dressed up like a character. Of course, I'd feel much better if you were there with me again."

She beamed and said, "Never fear, my lord, your lady shall be there."

They chuckled together at her exaggerated curtsey as she stood. Snape rose and bowed in return, then said, "Same time next week, my lady?"

"Indeed, my lord. Unless our dates require an emergency meeting, complete with Firewhisky or ice cream...whatever the situation may warrant."

She winked and he snorted, and they linked arms for him to escort her to the Floo.

*****

"Hermione? Are you there?"

Snape's voice issued from the Floo, and Hermione emerged from her bedroom, saying, "Be right there!"

When she edged around the sofa and dropped onto it, Snape said, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

She waved an airy hand and said, "Not a bit of it! I was just putting laundry away. What's up?"

Snape's expression was distorted by the green flames, but Hermione thought he looked uncomfortable. "Well, it's Halloween..."

He trailed off, and after a pregnant pause, Hermione said, "And...?"

His eyes closed in a brief pained look, and he said, "Would you come over? I... would rather have company today."

Hermione frowned in confusion for a moment, then comprehension dawned. "Oh! Oh, of course! Just let me finish a few things here and I'll come right over. I'm sure we can come up with something to distract you, Severus."

Snape gazed at her gently sympathetic expression and relief washed over him. His voice was low as he said, "I am so grateful that you understand me so well, Hermione."

She flashed a smile and he nodded. "Anytime. I'll see you soon."

"Thank you." And with that, he disappeared.

That evening, they were once again lounging in his window seat, enjoying hot cocoa after a delicious dinner, when Hermione said, "So, who are you taking to Kingsley's party? You sent your RSVP back in time, didn't you?"

Snape nodded but shrugged. "I responded, but I'm not taking anyone."

Hermione blinked in confusion. "But... what happened to Siobhan?"

He slanted a wry look at her and said, "How does it go? It wasn't her; it was me."

"Oh, Severus, what happened?"

Heaving a sigh, he said, "She got what she wanted. Granted, she had a little more tact than Kumiko, but..."

Hermione grimaced and murmured, "I'm sorry. I had no idea. I was expecting you two to go to the ball."

Snape tossed his hair back and leant against the wall. "What about you? Who's the lucky man?"

She snorted and said, "No one. I'm going stag."

Brows rising in disbelief, he said, "I thought you were seeing Isaac."

"It wasn't working out, so I ended it. I certainly didn't want to be saddled with him for a party."

"I see. That's a shame."

"No, it isn't." Hermione's face lit up and she leant forward with an excited grin. "We can go together! Just think how much fun we could have, Severus! Like at the Ministry Gala."

Snape smiled at her enthusiasm. "I always have fun with you, Hermione." Then, his smile wilted and he wrinkled his nose. "What do we wear?"

Hermione chewed her lower lip in thought, and Snape's gut clenched with the desire to kiss that lip, but he blinked and focused on his cup instead.

"Well, what ideas did you have up to now? Did you come up with anything you remember watching on telly as a child?"

He squirmed and kept his eyes on his cup, sloshing the remainder of his cocoa in circles. "I don't remember much, but there was one show that my father used to watch. I was just a child, but he watched it regularly, and as long as I kept quiet, I could watch too. The characters were spies."

"Ooo, what was it? That sounds fascinating."

"I don't remember the name, but the man wore sophisticated suits and had an umbrella with lots of secret bits. He also wore a bowler hat. His colleague that I remember most often wore these sort of jumpsuits...all one piece...but very figure-hugging. She had several different colours...even one of black leather! I remember that one because my father liked it quite a bit. I thought it must have been hot." He snorted at his youthful folly.

Hermione chuckled and said, "I think I saw that show in reruns. I say go for it; you'd look quite fetching in a three-piece suit and a bowler, complete with umbrella."

Shaking his hair forward to shadow his flushing cheeks, Snape said, "Yes, well, it's not my costume that would be the problem."

Head tilting and brow furrowing in confusion, Hermione retorted, "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's a bit awkward to ask a woman to wear skin tight black leather to a party..."

She snorted. "It's not like it's revealing! I mean, honestly, my Gala gown was much more provocative..."

Snape's head snapped up and he pinned her with a heated look, cutting her off. "Indeed."

Hermione blinked, sizzling tingles worming through her. Suppressing a shiver, she murmured, "It's a costume, Severus. I think it'll be fun."

He held her gaze for a long moment, then broke away, clearing his throat. "Very well then. It's settled. We'll go in those costumes, and we'll endeavour to enjoy ourselves as we did at the first Gala."

Remembering how dashing he had looked, Hermione swallowed hard and said, "Exactly. I look forward to seeing you in costume, my lord."

At that, Snape slanted a smouldering look at her and said, "And I, yours, my lady."

Hermione sucked in a breath and gingerly got to her feet. "I better go do some research to see just what I need to transfigure for my costume. The party starts at six, so shall I meet you here, or would you rather meet at my flat? Or, we could meet there."

Snape could hear the nervousness in her voice and restrained himself once again. The last thing he needed to do was leer at his closest friend and alienate her. Rising and offering a polite bow, he said, "I'd be honoured to fetch you from your flat, my lady."

She smiled and he quirked a faint smile in return. "Then I'll see you before six on Thursday. Goodnight, Severus."

"Goodnight, Hermione."

On impulse, she darted forward and enveloped him in an embrace, pressing her face against his chest and squeezing him tight. His arms wrapped around her instinctively, and he bent his head to rest his cheek atop her curls. They stayed that way for a long, contented moment until she drew back and lifted her face to his. Millimetres separated their lips, and Snape raised a hand to caress her hair.

Hermione's gaze was trained on his mouth as he murmured, "I'm sure we'll have a grand time. As I said earlier, I always enjoy your company."

She felt giddy with desire, but wrenched herself back from the brink and said, "Likewise." Reluctantly, she backed away, her hands sliding over his back and waist until they dropped to her sides again. "Sleep well."

Snape simply nodded in response, and she crossed to the door, glancing back to see him watching her with dark eyes, before taking her leave.

*****

Thursday evening, Hermione stood in front of her full-length mirror and surveyed her reflection, making minute adjustments to the jumpsuit and smoothing her straightened hair. The costume had her clad completely in skin-tight black leather except for her hands and face. Even her throat was cinched in a high collar with a silver buckle. The zippers along her shoulders and hips were purely decorative, but the functional one spread from her neck down to her navel, where another silver buckle hid it behind the built-in belt. With every move, she heard the creak and rustle of shifting, stretching leather, and her cheeks flushed at the kinky ideas that kept creeping into her head, feeling very much like she looked like some sort of dominatrix.

At the sound of Snape's voice issuing from her Floo, she called back, "Come in! I'll be right there."

Sliding her wand through her belt, she strode into the sitting room, only to pause in delight at the sight of Snape standing there in a beautifully tailored charcoal three-piece suit and matching bowler hat, leaning on a black umbrella. He tipped his hat with a smirk, but it quickly faded as he stared at her, eyes sparking with attraction. His voice was a low rumble of appreciation as he said, "Oh, Mrs. Peel, you're definitely needed."

Hermione blushed and laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment. You look smashing, Severus. I adore the bowler and umbrella!"

Quirking a lopsided grin, he doffed the hat again and twirled the umbrella. "It really is just an umbrella. No secret bits, I'm afraid. But, thank you, my lady. You are quite the vision, indeed. I can only imagine how many men will be entranced by you tonight."

Hermione rolled her eyes and wrinkled her nose. "My lord is gracious. However, I have to wonder how many of those men might be harbouring rather alternative ideas about me upon seeing this outfit..." She trailed off, then burst out, "Honestly, Severus, I feel like I should have a flogger or a crop instead of my wand!"

One brow arched in response, and Snape purred, "And just what would you know about such activities?"

Hermione held his gaze and said, "Enough. I'm not a complete naïf. There is something rather titillating about being wrapped in all this supple, smooth leather."

His surprised look melted into one of calculation, and he murmured, "Yes, well, your tendency toward bossiness may stand you in good stead in that case..."

Her mouth dropped open in astonishment.

Snape shrugged and continued, "What? I'm serious. If your predilections run that direction, then your innate ability to control would work in your favour. You've already proved that your attitude toward sexual freedom is quite expansive. I'm certainly not here to judge."

Blinking rapidly, she said, "You... could see me... like that?"

His lips spread in a wicked smirk. "In that outfit? Oh, yes."

Torn between being affronted and flattered, she blushed even more and smacked his arm, saying, "Severus!"

"Ah, see? Now you're on the right track."

She gaped at him, about to smack him again, but stopped when she saw his wolfish grin and heard his dark chuckle. Instead, she propped her hands on her hips and fixed him with a fierce glare. "Very funny."

Snape lifted his hands in surrender, still laughing, and said, "Please, my lady, I have a peace offering!"

He hung the umbrella over his forearm and held his jacket out to delve into the inner pocket, presenting a small potion bottle with a flourish.

Hermione squinted at it, then her brows rose as she whispered, "You didn't."

"I did. I told you before that I would rather have more liquid courage like we did for the Gala. You don't have to partake if you don't wish to, but I will definitely have more fun with it in my system as well as you by my side."

Hermione plucked the bottle from his hand and eyed it for a long moment. She looked up at him and met his challenging gaze. Eyes narrowing, she opened it and downed a dose like a shot, wiping the back of her hand across her lips before cocking one brow and handing the bottle back.

Snape's eyes lit up with unholy mischief and he smiled before he copied her actions. Then, he tucked the bottle away again and said, "Now I'm ready. My lady?"

He offered his arm and she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. The Elixir-induced euphoria spread through her, and she flashed a wicked grin. "If you think my attire and personality are so suited to control, then perhaps you should do what I say tonight, Severus."

His eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in consideration. Heat rushed over him and he murmured, "Just what did you have in mind?"

"If I tell you to find me someone to dance with, you will. If I tell you to dance with someone, you will. If I tell you to get me some refreshments, you will. If I tell you to cater to my every whim, you will."

Snape found himself edging closer to her, drawn in by the desire prickling his skin. His voice was a deep rumble as he said, "Oh, my lady, you do know me..."

Hermione felt giddy with power and the Elixir, and she leant forward, her eyes on his lips as they came closer. Then, before they met, she breathed, "Take me to the ball, my lord."

He snapped back, straightening in an instant, his eyes dark and heavy-lidded. Lifting his hat and inclining his head, he said, "As you wish, my lady," and Apparated them to Kingsley's party.

*****

Much like the Ministry Gala, Kingsley's Bonfire Night ball swept by in a riot of festivity. Snape and Hermione, riding the high of the Elixir, spun onto and off of the dance floor, both together and with whichever person they picked for each other to approach. It became quite the game for them, with Snape leaping to follow Hermione's every command, but always with a devious gleam in his eyes that sent the clear message that the tables would turn eventually.

When the throng assembled out on the grounds to watch the Weasleys' Wildfire Whizbangs extravaganza, Snape impressed Hermione with his quick reflexes, snapping open his umbrella to shield them from runaway fireworks while those around them dove for cover, shrieking. She hugged his arm, crowding close to avoid the cinders blowing around them, and locked dancing eyes with his, beaming. His answering smug smirk elicited a tingle in her core, and she murmured, "Hmm, and I didn't even have to tell you to protect me."

Snape's smirk faded into a sincere, sober expression and he leant closer to say, "I thought I had made myself clear long ago, Hermione. I will always protect you and do everything in my power to keep you safe." He clasped her hand and lifted it, dropping a warm kiss to her knuckles before moulding her palm to his cheek and adding, "My lady."

Hermione thrilled to his touch, and her Elixir-enhanced desire roared through her veins. As much as her being was clamouring for her to pull him into a heated snog, hopefully followed by scorching sex, she didn't want to ruin their perfect companionship, and she clamped down sternly on her impulse. Voice trembling, she said, "My lord's words move me, indeed." Then, she slipped her hand from his, dropping it to her side again and said, "Let's go in, shall we?"

Snape nodded and closed the umbrella that had hidden their intimate exchange from view. Wrapping her hand around his arm, he said, "As you wish, my lady," and led them back to the dance floor, where they scoped the returning crowd for more possible partners.

By the time the evening wore down, Hermione was engaged in conversation with a junior member of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts office dressed as James Bond, and Snape's attention was held rapt by a young woman dressed as Daphne from the Scooby Doo cartoon. Snape had chosen the Bond fellow because of how well Hermione responded to the dapper tuxedo, and Hermione had directed Snape to the Daphne lookalike due to Snape's weakness for lovely redheads.

Bond seemed to be scoring points for being charming and debonair, as suited his character, and Hermione found herself enjoying his subtle quips about her provocative outfit, offering her own innuendo to spar with his double entendres. The sexual tension had ratcheted as tight as a bowstring, and Hermione decided she may have just found her outlet to release the desire that had surged forward for Snape.

Daphne had gone a little flustered when she realized who Snape was, and the stars in her eyes did wonders for his ego. After so long of her attraction becoming clearer and clearer, Snape took the chance and asked her if she'd like to see the Manor, and her instantaneous, excited response lit a fire in him, knowing that she would end up in his bed before morning.

Attendees started taking their leave, and Snape excused himself long enough to cross to Hermione, catching her eye as he strode up behind Bond. She nodded and excused herself as well, and they met off to one side, voices low as they spoke.

"I see you've found your next victim, my lady."

Hermione wrinkled her nose and said, "You may be more right than you know. Liam seems... intrigued and quite taken with my outfit's sensibilities."

Snape snorted. "Well then, I hope your experiments prove educational and enjoyable. For both of you."

Hermione cast a quick glance over at the redheaded woman watching them apprehensively. "You better not leave her alone too long, or she'll go to pieces with nerves. Will you be escorting her home? Liam will take me back to my flat, so you needn't worry."

"Fair enough. As for Carmen, she's agreed to come see the Manor..."

She cut him off, with a wicked grin, saying, "Or at least your bedroom in the Manor. Though I supposed you could give her the Knut tour in the morning."

He favoured her with a frosty glare and drawled, "Perhaps."

Hermione giggled, covering her mouth to stifle the sound. "I'll let you get back to her. But Severus, I have one last order for you."

He snapped to attention again, his gaze riveted on hers. "And what would that be?"

She pulled him closer to murmur in his ear, "Rock. Her. World."

A deep rumble issued from his throat in response to her words, and he backed away to pin her with a smouldering look. Mischief lit his expression as he purred, "Always," and edged away, flashing her a feral grin before spinning to rejoin his latest conquest.

A shiver ran over Hermione, but she firmly redirected her lust and turned her attention back to Liam, intent on exploring just how far beyond vanilla she wanted to go.