Friendship And Sweet Chocolate

Severus made several more trips to the café over the next few weeks. He and Hermione set up a ritual of chess playing and coffee drinking. They discussed his on-going Potions studies, books they had both read or would like to read, and differences in the varieties of coffee she had on hand.

One particular conversation captivated Severus' attention. To his surprise, he needed to coax her into talking about it.

"How long have you owned this place?" he asked.

"A year," Hermione replied vaguely as she moved her knight across the marbled board. "I like this much better than Wizard's Chess," she stated.

Severus contemplated his next move; the one that did not pertain to chess.

"You are changing the subject, Hermione," he said in a matter-of-fact tone as he moved his piece in turn.

"It's a very short story that would bore a man of your stature," Hermione teasingly retorted.

"Try me," he dared and raised a brow.

"Well, you know my mum and dad are dentists. Right?"

He nodded and she went on.

"Right. Well, during my years at Hogwarts, I learned the healing properties of chocolate." Hermione took a deep breath and continued. "I was never able to have sweets as a young girl. My parents just wouldn't allow it, but the medicinal benefits of chocolate far outweigh the negatives."

Severus could see her eyes well up with unshed tears.

"After the war, things just weren't the same," she whispered.

"You need not go on if it's upsetting." Severus spoke just above a whisper.

"No. I'll be fine." She dabbed her eyes with a cloth napkin and said, "As I said, things just weren't the same. I wanted to help more. Therefore, I went to school to become a chocolatière. I found that chocolate does not benefit only magical people. It actually has natural healing elements that benefit Muggles as well. The darker the chocolate is, the better, but I make a variety."

Severus saw her face lighten as she spoke of happier times. He picked up his chocolate treat. "You make these?" he asked.

"Oh yes!" She beamed. "I thought you knew."

"No," Severus answered. "How would I know?"

Hermione smiled at his sarcasm and took a long look at him before she spoke. "Sometimes, I forget that you used to be my professor, and then you come up with comments like that to remind me."

Severus was not sure how to take that, but decided to test her. He reached out and touched her hand. "Well, as you know," he emphasised, "things just aren't the same anymore."

He saw the surprise in her eyes, but he felt her hand turn and close around his.

"You're right," she agreed as she stood. "I'd better get back to work."

Detaining her by continuing to hold her hand, he asked, "Are you making sweets today?"

Smiling at him she said, "I am, actually. Would you like to watch?"

Severus almost choked on the mouthful of coffee he had just taken. A flash of Hermione naked, save for splashes of chocolate over her breasts and thighs, and pleasuring herself, entered his mind.

"Excuse me." He coughed and cleared his throat. "I would enjoy watching you work, Hermione."

"Fabulous!" she exclaimed as she gathered their dishes. "Follow me."

Severus Disapparated home and went to the bedroom. He set a box of finished sweets on the bedside table next to the enchanted book, removed his coat, and placed it neatly on a nearby chair. He had had a long day and needed a shower.

Standing under a stream of hot water, he reflected on his day.

He and Hermione had spent the afternoon making a variety of chocolate sweets and enjoying each other's company. They had lost track of time and were surprised when Marcus came in to tell Hermione that he had closed up for the night. Then, he offered to stay if she needed him.

Severus let out a laugh as he remembered the pointed look the prat had given him. Hermione just laughed and reassured Marcus that she was in good hands with her old professor.

Severus stiffened at the memory of being called "old."

"I will leave you to your young man then," he told Hermione as he gathered his coat.

"Thank you, Miss Granger," Severus replied all too formally as he took the box. "Good night."

Severus finished his shower, dried off, and wrapped the towel around his waist. He returned to his bedroom and stared at the unopened box.

"Old. I do not stand a chance with her. She thinks I'm old," he said to the box as he ran his fingers through his damp hair.

That is not what she meant, and you know it, Severus, his subconscious voice interjected.

"I know nothing of the sort," he argued.

Today was a fine day for you both. Do not ruin it by putting words into her mouth.

"Those words came out of her mouth. I did not put them there," he claimed.

What a pretty little mouth she has, too, his inner-voice teased.

Hermione's smiling face entered his mind. Her bottom lip was slightly swollen from being caught between her teeth. He could not remember if she had that habit in school, but he could not get it out of his mind now. He remembered that the drawing of Hermione had bitten her lip just before calling his name.

Severus shivered and licked his own lips at the memory of her as he reached for the book and began thumbing through the pages. He passed the section where the illustrated Hermione was pleasing herself, the section pertaining to male masturbation, and idly skimmed Daytime Fantasies ~ How to Have Them In Public Without Anyone Noticing. His mind wandered to another of the day's events.

She finished making a batch of milk chocolate and mint squares and made a rather large mess in the process.

Hermione placed her hands on his shoulders and said, "You're doing all right except for one thing." She slid her hands from his shoulders, along the length of his arms, and took hold of his hands. "Like this," she said, close enough to his ear so that he felt her breath brush it. She began to move their hands together as one pair.

Severus felt his body heat and tighten as he imagined her touching him again.

She would not have touched you that way if she truly thought you too old, the voice reminded him.

Severus ignored the argument as he sat on the bed, set the open book next to him, and stared at the shimmering silver bow-tied green box.

He closed his eyes and imagined Hermione dressed in a green silk dress with a narrow silver strap that graced the bodice, accentuated her breasts, and tied beautifully behind her slender neck.

Severus opened his eyes and found the box in his hands. He slowly pulled on the ends of the silver bow, sliding it gently off the corners of the box, and lifting its lid. The scent of heaven permeated his senses.

He took the box and book and positioned himself against the headboard. He moved his attention to the book and returned to the segment where he could see Hermione drawn across both pages. He reached into the open box where the sweets lay individually wrapped in green and silver foil. He unwrapped one and placed it in his mouth. It immediately melted on his tongue; he closed his eyes as the sensation ignited his desire and his mind continued to undress Hermione Granger.

He slid the silvery fabric from her neck and over her soft shoulders. Running his hands down the length of her arms as she had done to him, he placed gentle kisses on the nape of her neck and on each bared shoulder.

Severus groaned as he imagined Hermione reach behind herself and touch his growing erection. She pressed her palm against him and then released his heat with a wordless charm. He ate a piece of the chocolate mint and held another in his hand, ready to be devoured as he fixated on her. He could feel the soft cotton of the towel on his now sensitive skin. He imagined it as the silk of her dress brushing against him, and he raised his hips to increase the sensation. His free hand moved the towel aside to feel himself, skin on skin. He imagined her small soft hands caressing gently, tracing the pulsating veins along the lengthening shaft. Feeling a drip of wetness begin at the tip, he reached with his other hand, grasped himself firmly, and stroked downward.

It was then that Severus remembered the chocolate, which had melted in his hand. He sighed as he lifted his hand to display a creamy mess. At that moment, he could feel himself begin to tingle where chocolate had met sensitive skin.

Mint, he thought to himself as the sensation grew. It was a cool feeling that seemed to be enhancing his heat.

Severus glanced at the book drawing of Hermione. She was licking her fingers. "Finish what you started," the caption read.

And he did.

He reached down and used his chocolate-covered hand to envelop his hypersensitive casing. Each stroke became longer and deeper as the candy melted and absorbed into his skin. The mint enhanced the intense feeling tenfold.

Severus leant forward, propped himself up with his free arm, and released a deep breath as he imagined himself straddling Hermione and sliding his heat between her candy-covered breasts. His breath reached his mint-covered flesh, and Severus felt his body rock with renewed passion at the fresh sensation. It was as if smooth ice mixed with the heat in his fisted hand. His breathing ragged, movements quick, hips thrusting with each downward stroke brought quick release.

Severus lay back down and squeezed his eyes shut as the moment passed. He envisioned Hermione in the café, closing the door between them and leaving him outside on the pavement.

He was alone in life and in his dreams.

Severus ignored the posts she had written over the past two weeks, each asking if she or one of her employees had done something wrong. The most recent lay open on his sofa table.

Dear Severus,

Hermione

"She paid you well to wait for a reply, didn't she?" Severus spoke to the fawn-coloured owl perched on the edge of the table. It softly hooted in reply.

It has been a fortnight, Severus.

"Not nearly long enough," he argued with himself.

You will never get her out of your system this way, the voice contended.

"I can try." Severus stared at the owl as he paced the floor.

Coffee, he thought and sighed loudly.

"Fine. I'll go," he conceded. "I'll go for the coffee."

You keep telling yourself that, the voice inside dared.

Severus walked towards the café, turned back and walked to the Apparition point.

"You're here," he said aloud. "Just go see her."

Severus turned on his heel and marched to the café's door. As he reached for the handle, the door swung open and Hermione tumbled into his arms.

"Severus!" she exclaimed as he held her upright, yet firmly against him.

He looked down into her smiling face. "Going somewhere?" he asked with a scowl on his face.

"Yes!" She gently smoothed his coat with her hands. "I was coming to retrieve you."

"I replied to your last post," he pointed out as he released her. "Did you not believe me?"

"Yes," she laughed, "but Marcus saw you going back down the street. He said you looked like you had changed your mind."

"I did, at that," he admitted.

Hermione jovially placed her arm in the crook of his. "I'm happy you changed it back, then!" she said as she pulled him inside.

Severus and Hermione were playing a short game of chess when Mykell brought Hermione two large cups and set a carafe on the table. "Enjoy," she said and smiled happily at the couple.

Severus looked over the chess pieces and inquired, "What's with her today? She's too happy."

Hermione sat thinking for a moment. He could see her mulling over what to tell him. She obviously opted for the truth. "I told her that I had planned on seeing you today."

"And?" he prompted.

"And nothing." She stared at the board, considering her next move.

"Why would that make her happy?" he prodded further.

Hermione, giving up on the game, sat back in her chair and carefully watched her former professor.

"Because it's Christmas!" she stated sarcastically.

Severus moved the game aside and then leaned toward her with an amused look upon his face. He was sorely tempted to employ his Legilimency skill upon her, but thought better of it.

"Honestly?" she asked.

Severus nodded and could see her gather her Gryffindor courage as she straightened her spine and began to speak. "It made her happy because it made me happy." Hermione stared openly at him.

Severus hid the excitement he felt at her confession. He reached for his copy of the enchanted book, which he had wrapped in Christmas paper, and set it before her.

"Happy Christmas, Hermione," he said softly.

Smiling brightly, she took the gift and quickly unwrapped it. The look on her face became one of pure shock. She looked down at the book and then back up at him. "I already have this book, Severus."

"Yes, I know. However, you piqued my interest with your purchase that day," he replied as he reached and opened it to the chapter on self-pleasure for women. He noticed her glance down at the animated drawing.

"I made a slight modification in my copy," he stated.

"That's me," she said, astonished.

"I know," he replied as he stood to leave. He moved in behind the surprised woman, leaned into her, and inhaled her scent. Releasing a soft breath on her neck, he whispered, "It's better with chocolate."

~fin~