58- So Far, and yet, So Close: Part One

Standard Disclaimer goes here. Don't Sue. It's not nice.

Author's Note: Profound gratitude to my fantastic beta, Ladyofthemasque (whose published works are for sale at your local Barnes and Noble and online!), and to Horserider, Bewarethesmirk, and SnivellusSnape for prereading and feedback. Even more profound gratitude to you loyal readers who kept checking on me, wanting to know that I hadn't abandoned this behemoth. LOL Never! Real Life was just holding my head underwater and laughing. Sounds rather like a Dudley-ish thing to do, don't you think? As always, feel free to check on what's up with me at my Livejournal: http://pern-dragon.livejournal.com/ My most humble apologies for the unconscionable delay, and I do hope that the fact that this chapter (in two parts due to its length of over 15000 words) makes up for it. Enjoy!

Chapter 58- So Far, and yet, So Close: Part One of Two

Appearing in Hermione's room, Snape was assailed by an overload of sensory information.

It was dark, save for a faint glow from her nightstand, which was partially blocked by a hovering magazine; even though it was dark, there was a noticeable humid warmth in the room; his ears were filled with the sounds of uneven breathing, punctuated by minute coos and grunts; and his nostrils flared at the thick, musky scent of sweat and sex.

It was enough to send his mind reeling and rivet him to the spot as he blinked furiously, trying to make sense of the overwhelming input.

When his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he stared incredulously at what he could now discern to be Hermione lying atop her rumpled sheet, her covers kicked down into a tangled heap at her feet, legs spread to allow her hands access. Snape's lungs seemed to stall, and he couldn't breathe as he realized what her hands were doing: one was clamped tightly around the end of a milky white object that she was pumping into her, and the other was intently rubbing between her glistening pussy lips. Her breasts were bouncing slightly with each thrust and trembling with every gasping sigh. Her face was hidden behind the floating magazine, which threw a shadow over her raised knees, but the edge of that shadow migrated with each undulation of her hips as she rocked and ground down onto the toy.

What felt like an eternity was in reality barely a couple of seconds, and Snape finally regained control of his faculties, only to freeze in indecision instead of shock.

However, the rasping sound of him desperately sucking in oxygen startled the writhing witch, who also gasped. She batted the magazine away, wrenching the toy from within her body and slamming her knees together as she scrambled to reach the covers to conceal her nudity. The stunned confusion and embarrassment on her face transformed into fear at the sight of Snape staring at her in silence, looking as if he were going through some terrible ordeal. Yanking the covers to her throat, she squirmed back toward her headboard, terrified of what was bound to come from his discovery. They locked eyes across the room.

The constriction in his chest was almost unbearable. The burning agony of Dumbledore's actions returned, this time abetted by the shock and pain of Hermione's wanton secret. Unable to come up with the energy to fight against circumstance again, Snape gave in to the crushing despair that had always threatened to drown him, but which he had fended off through sheer tenacity for so long.

Hermione watched in rising horror as the excruciating tension in Snape's body drained away. Every muscle went slack, and the ensuing blankness of expression, the dearth of any evidence of his personality as he dropped heavily to his knees, listing to one side, sent an icy stab of dread through Hermione's heart.

It was like watching a marionette fall when the puppeteer released the strings. But more frightening than the physical collapse was that the light had extinguished in his eyes. Though there was little illumination in her room to begin with, his eyes no longer reflected it with their usual snapping vigour. Now, they were flat and dull, seeming to suck the very light and warmth from the room, raising goose flesh along her skin.

He was sagging bonelessly against the side of her armchair, head lolling. Muffling a shriek behind a hastily raised hand, Hermione launched herself from the bed, dropping to her knees in front of him and cupping his face, instantly forgetful of her nudity. Tears welled up at the utter blankness she found in his face.

In a choked voice, she said, "Severus? Oh gods, Severus, what's wrong?"

A frisson of hope sang through her at his fleeting frown. It was better than the blankness. Peering into his eyes, she shuddered at the shadows there. Frantic to dispel the darkness, she glanced around for her wand. It was too far to reach without leaving him, so she began rooting through his robes to use his.

Her heart thudded again in relief that he roused enough to try to knock her fingers away. At least that much self-preservation still survived. Determined, she followed his hand to where it clutched his wand protectively in a pocket. Clasping her hand around his, she whispered a spell to light the rest of the candles in her room.

Squinting at the brightness, Snape scowled, and Hermione once again cupped his face, gazing intently into his eyes. The satisfaction she felt when he finally focused on her, instead of glaring unseeingly past her, ebbed at the ineffable sadness that had quenched his vibrant personality.

Snape dully looked at Hermione, noting the tears streaking over her cheeks from eyes that brimmed with worry and love. His abused heart thumped weakly, trying to perk up at the love he saw, but the tidal wave of despair that had only gained in strength since Dumbledore's earth-shaking revelation submerged that spark of hope.

Urgently smoothing his hair back, Hermione searched his face for some clue to what had happened. Lips trembling, she said, "Severus, please, talk to me. I need to know what's wrong, love."

His jaw twitched against her palm and his brow creased at her endearment. Gazing at her with what she could only interpret as reproach, he croaked, "Et tu, Brute?"

Hermione blinked, puzzled by his cryptic rejoinder. Agile mind rapidly extrapolating what he could mean, she tilted her head in inquiry and coaxed, "What do you mean? Severus, who are you talking about? Surely you can't mean I betrayed you!" His eyes slowly closed, and she continued, "Severus! Please! I love you. I didn't do anything, I swear!"

The stubborn part of him that struggled to persevere in the face of adversity strove to escape from the mire of despair, catching her declaration like a lifeline. That faint glimmer of fight forced him to wrest his wand from his pocket, pointing it toward her bed and snarling, "Accio!" The wax toy sailed toward them, dropping harmlessly to the floor at his side.

Hermione cringed in embarrassment and guilt, aware of how much of a shock it must have been for him to witness what had transpired. But a faint, indignant voice piped up in her head, demanding to know why he had shown up at all, especially in light of their purported strictures. Pushing the vague irritation away in favour of more pressing issues, she swallowed hard and forced herself to meet his eye again.

"I can explain everything, honestly. Severus, please listen to me! You're scaring me." Her breath caught on a suppressed sob, and she sniffed, blinking away the tears that clouded her vision.

Snape merely stared at her, withdrawn enough that he didn't even issue a challenging glare. Such apathy chilled her even more, and she shivered. Ducking her head, she spun quickly to reach for her blanket, yanking it from the foot of her bed and wrapping it around herself. At least she felt a little less vulnerable. But, when she looked back at Snape and saw no reaction to the fact that she had been kneeling naked in front of him, she knew things were grave, indeed.

She glanced down at the reconfigured candle, trying to figure out where to begin and what to say. The awkward silence stretched on, making her even more nervous. Finally, she blurted it out as simply as she could.

"I wanted to be able to enjoy the first time we made love, so I decided to... rid myself of my... maidenhead." Her cheeks flushed hotly, and she vainly tried not to falter under his gaze.

Her words seemed to reach Snape from far away, echoing in his skull. His numb mind thawed a trifle, processing her admission. His eyes refocused and his eyebrows twitched, which spurred Hermione to continue.

"I want so much to be with you, and we both know I'm a virgin... I read about how a woman's first time can be painful and traumatic, and I didn't want to have to worry about that when we finally got a chance to be together. I know you'd worry, and I'd worry, and it'd be a mess! So, I figured I could... practice."

At that, she cringed in mortification again. Closing her eyes, her voice dropped to a whisper as she said, "I kept reading and imagining, and remembering everything we've shared already, and I couldn't help but get aroused..." She flicked a glance at the magazine where it lay sprawled on the floor by her bed, pages twisted even as the photos performed their erotic acts. Then, her inner Gryffindor reared its head and she turned a sheepishly defiant look on Snape, her cheeks flaming.

"I can't help it! I can't stop thinking about you all the time and I get so turned on that I just have to sate the urge! And there's no reason for you to be upset about it!"

Snape stared at her, silent. The part of his soul that needed Hermione resurfaced, gasping for air. It was like the first time they had come to an understanding, that day by the notice board, and he had realized she cared for him. Desperate, he did the same thing he had done then.

Hermione gasped when Snape's hands snapped up to frame her face, cradling her head in a fierce grip. His eyes blazed to life with a sudden piercing quality as he breathed, "Legilimens."

The breeze in her mind that bespoke his presence buffeted her, surprising her with its unusual roughness. Any finesse he may have possessed for the act had disappeared under the strain of his turmoil. Struggling to relax and open herself to his probing, she felt him rifling through her memories of every evening since she had first decided to implement her plan. The barrage of heated moments ignited her body again, making her blood thrum in her veins with thwarted desire.

Snape's battered heart began a painful recuperation, and the ambitious Slytherin within him roared its defiance of fate's attempts to destroy him, making for the beckoning shore of Hermione's love and desire for him.

Hermione's hands covered Snape's on her face, and her eyes rolled back in reaction as he abruptly pulled out of her mind. Dazed, she blinked rapidly, trying to regain her sense of self. Thus, she was taken aback by his savage kiss, allowing it to utterly possess her.

It took only a fraction of a second for her to respond, then she threw her arms around him, squirming toward him and straddling his legs. Snape's hands slid down over her shoulders and pulled her closer, pressing her half-bared breasts to his chest.

Their kisses were nearly manic at first, hands groping and clawing, as if they were trying to become one. Snape's lips trailed over her jaw and down her throat as she tilted her head back, groaning in relief. He clung to her, burying his face into the curve of her neck as she murmured, "Oh, thank the gods, Severus, you're back. You've come back to me..."

He heaved a great shuddering breath, pressing his stinging eyes against her shoulder. Hermione felt his body trembling beneath her hands, and she caressed his back, crooning comforting nonsense, soothing him.

The ferocity of his grip eventually eased, and she peppered his hair with kisses, stroking his head and back. Sensing that his desolation had lifted, she dared to whisper, "Love, what happened? Surely my ridiculous plan wasn't enough to hurt you this much, was it? I promise I was not betraying you, dearest. I would never do that."

She felt the movement of his head turning from side to side, and his voice was a choked rasp as he said, "Not just you..."

She pulled back, lifting his chin gently and smoothing his hair back from his face. Brow furrowed in concern, she searched his eyes, noting that they were no longer flat and dull, but they were still shadowed with sorrow. "Severus, please talk to me. I can't help you until I know what happened."

Snape gazed at her, marvelling at how truly lucky he was to have found her. The searing pain he had felt at the thought of having lost her as well had dissipated under her tender ministrations, and he realized that he had made the right choice to come to her in his hour of need.

Closing his eyes and frowning, he swallowed hard, saying, "Albus."

Hermione's eyes flew wide in anxiety. "Has he found out about us?"

Snape shook his head. Hermione sighed in relief, then frowned in perplexity. "What did he do?"

Snape pinned her with a glare that simmered with rage and she blanched. "He said I betrayed him, but he's the one who betrayed me and sabotaged my future."

One hand flew to cover her mouth as she gasped. Eyes wide, she whispered, "I don't understand..."

She flailed for balance as he abruptly thrust her from him. He shot awkwardly to his feet, leaving Hermione huddled on the floor gazing up at him in surprise. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his scowl deepened as he breathed heavily, containing his wrath. The air around him crackled with energy and he quivered with pent-up emotion before shooting across the room to her window and gripping the frame as he glared balefully into the night.

Hermione, shaken by his reaction, struggled to her feet, adjusting the blanket around her before snagging her nightgown, slipping into it instead. Tentatively crossing to him and laying a hand on his rigid shoulder, she ventured, "Take your time, love. We've got all night. I'm not going anywhere... and neither are you until I know what's wrong."

Snape's head dropped, his hair cloaking his face. After a long silence, during which Hermione gently smoothed her hand over his tense back, he exhaled harshly and murmured, "I want so much to make a place for us, and he ruined my chances."

Hermione's breath caught at his confession. A surge of love brought new tears to her eyes. She wanted to speak, but she bit her lip to keep quiet, aware that he wasn't finished.

"I can't stay here, Hermione. You know that..."

She stepped closer and pressed her cheek to his back, murmuring, "I know, dear heart. I know."

Snape took a steadying breath and continued. "I may as well tell you..." He trailed off, and Hermione waited expectantly. "I realized that we needed to have a place to go when school finished, since I fully expect our relationship to cause a scandal. We haven't talked about it, but... I want you to know that I'll do everything in my power to take care of you, of us; so if you want to be with me come summer, I'll have a place ready for you."

Hermione pressed a kiss to his back, squeezing him gently. Snape spun, leaning against the sill and gazing down into her upturned face. His expression was earnest and solemn when he said, "I've reclaimed Spinner's End, my... home." He faltered over the word, doubly so since the thought of "home" usually conjured up thoughts of Hogwarts, and in light of the current situation, he felt like his sense of home had been ripped from his grasp.

Hermione could well imagine what it had cost him to be willing to go back to his childhood home, and she clasped his hands firmly, conveying her admiration and gratitude through her touch. Snape's lips trembled and twisted as he forced himself to go on.

"I know I'll need to find a new job, and I owled Slug and Jiggers, hoping they would be willing to hire me on in their Apothecary." His eyes narrowed, white-hot rage boiling up within him, and his nostrils flared as he breathed heavily through his nose, his jaw clenched shut and teeth grinding. Hermione blinked at the daunting transformation.

Each word was practically spit from his lips as he said, "They apparently owled Albus to inquire about my employability, and he..." his teeth bared in a fierce snarl "...he threatened them to keep them from hiring me!" Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief. "They replied, saying glowing things about my reputation in potions, and yet they turned me down...because that manipulative old man said he'd pull all of Hogwarts' business from them if they took me on!"

Hermione's chin dropped in astonishment. It was so difficult to believe, but it had to be true, or Snape wouldn't be so upset. Righteous indignation welled up, and she hissed, "That selfish, horrible, Machiavellian..." she trailed off, at a loss for words, until she burst out with, "...bearded bastard!"

There was a flicker of appreciation in Snape's eyes before they widened in apprehension and he gripped her arms, whispering, "Shhh! Not so loud!"

Hermione shook her head vehemently and hastily reassured him. "I've already cast an Imperturbable Charm. We're safe!"

He frowned, confused. "Why would you have already cast an Imperturbable?"

Hermione blinked, feeling her cheeks flush. Swallowing, she flicked her glance sheepishly at the magazine lying askew on the floor. Snape followed her look and cottoned on, releasing her arms, his brows shooting to his hairline and a startled, "Oh!" breaking the uncomfortable silence.

They stared at each other, the air heavy with awkwardness, until Hermione's face fell, her gaze sliding over to the magazine again as she crossed her arms defensively. Snape watched the flush creeping up her neck and face, and was abruptly overwhelmed with a surge of love at her endearing combination of innocence and maturity. Deeply grateful to her for rescuing him from his collapse and reminding him he had much to live for, he gently prised her hands from beneath her arms, gripping them firmly and lifting them to his lips.

At the feather-light kiss on her knuckles, Hermione lifted her eyes to Snape's, her heart fluttering with joy at the tenderness in his gaze. Snape's eyes closed briefly, and he barely intoned, "Thank you."

Her lips trembled in a smile as she murmured, "Anything for you, love. Always."

In the quiet moment of descending peace after so much upheaval and turmoil, Snape felt his body going weak, and he swallowed, saying, "Let's sit, shall we?"

Hermione nodded and Snape sank onto her bed, twisting to draw his legs up and leaning against the headboard. His head lolled back and his eyes closed, almost weary with emotional strain. Hermione, instead of crawling between his stretched-out legs and curling up with him, climbed further down the bed and settled herself between his feet, sitting cross-legged and tucking her fists within the curve of her legs. She gazed at him solemnly, trying to assess his mental state.

There was a long silence...so long that Hermione began to wonder if Snape had fallen asleep...that was only broken when Snape finally heaved a deep sigh and opened his eyes to find Hermione staring at him.

He gazed at her thoughtfully, then murmured, "I know I shouldn't have come here..."

Hermione interrupted him, saying, "No! It's all right. I'm glad you did." She clasped his calves, thumbs rubbing circles on his trousers.

Snape inclined his head in gratitude and exhaled on a long note. "You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that."

Hermione flashed him a warm smile, squeezing his legs. Snape cast a tilted look at her through his lashes, his lips twitching in response. In an attempt to lead him on to more positive thoughts, Hermione said, "So... now will you tell me your plans?" Her eyes lit up with the eager interest she couldn't hide if she tried.

Snape saw the avid sparkle in her eyes and was ambushed by a rush of delighted affection. His mouth twisted into an amused half-smile and he struggled to contain the bark of surprised laughter that bubbled up. Rolling his eyes and affecting exasperation, he grumbled, "Are you still on about that?"

Hermione bit her lip and shrugged ingenuously, throwing him a coy glance. Her voice was low as she retorted, "I just think it's a splendid idea."

Basking in her warmth, Snape welcomed her evident pleasure at his plan as a balm to his soul. Enjoying her reactions, he fed her bits of information about his designs, finding himself going into greater detail in response to her fascinated queries. Somewhere along the way, he realized that he no longer felt distressed, and he marvelled anew at how comfortable he was with her, and how well she could bring him out of the depths of despair.

While discussing the details of his plans for Spinner's End and his options for when the school year was over, he was suddenly struck with the realization that they were planning the future...their future, together. The sense of peace and contentment that blanketed him reminded him of how right it had felt when they had shared such simple domesticity as brewing tea. Once again, a fierce joy swelled his heart, and he found himself gazing at Hermione as if she were the utter opposite of a Dementor, pouring happiness into his soul until he felt fit to burst.

A silence fell between them, and Hermione sensed the change in the way Snape was looking at her. The intensity of emotion blazed in his black eyes, causing a rush of heat to wash over her. Like a magnet, her gaze was locked onto his. In the quiet, she could hear their breathing quicken.

Snape watched Hermione's pupils dilate, and a coil of molten desire settled low in his belly. At the sight of the flush slowly creeping up her throat, his mouth went dry, and he swallowed thickly, sucking in a ragged breath through his nose. Finally, he managed to speak. In what could only be described as a purr, he said, "Well, you've learnt of my 'secret project.' I daresay it's only fair for you to tell me of yours."

Hermione's eyelids fluttered as she gasped, letting out a shuddering breath at the jolt his voice sent through her core. She saw his jaw throb as he clenched his teeth in response to her spastic grip on his legs. Her pulse racing, she tore her gaze from his and looked down at the sprawled magazine on the floor. Flicking a glance back at him, she squirmed toward the edge of the bed and leant down, gingerly picking it up and shaking the pages back into place.

Deliberately laying the closed magazine in front of him, between Snape's knees, she once again cast a swift glance at the man who was watching her with a consuming expression. Swallowing hard, she stretched her hand out, inclining her head pointedly at her wand on the nightstand, indicating that Snape should give it to her. He quickly snatched it and handed it over. Attempting indifference, though she could feel her cheeks warming even more, she averted her eyes from his and twisted slightly, pointing her wand at the makeshift toy that still lay by the armchair where it had fallen after Snape had Summoned it.

"Accio." The waxy white toy sailed through the air to land in her open palm, and she heard Snape's sharp intake of breath. Still silent, she placed the toy in front of her and dragged the magazine around, flipping through the pages to the beginning of what she had been enjoying.

Her voice was low and throaty as she explained. "I think about you, and what we've done, and I get aroused. So, after relaxing with a long soak, I cast an Imperturbable on my door, get comfortable in bed, and... play."

Snape swallowed hard, holding his breath for a brief moment before exhaling through his nose as he stared at her, rapt, his trousers tightening.

Hermione, looking up at his expression, felt a tingle chase through her, and she thrilled at the raw lust gleaming in his eyes. Emboldened by his reaction, she picked up the toy, lightly dragging her fingers down its length, feeling the sticky spots from her juices still coating it. With a whisper, she pointed her wand at it and cast the reversal spell, shrinking it back down to the normal size, then quickly cast a cleaning charm.

Heat was once again pulsing in her centre, and she could feel the slippery tickle of her arousal squeezing from within her as she squirmed on the bed, keenly aware that she had no knickers on to soak up the wetness. Still focusing her attention on the toy, she continued, "I've been practicing with the Engorgement Charm to enlarge it each time I play, so I don't hurt myself, but still manage to get rid of the impediment of my hymen."

She flicked a glance at him again before dragging her fingertips over the end where she had moulded it into the curved tip. Tilting her head at the stack of other books and magazines, she said, "I saw this shape and thought it was interesting, so I tried it." Her eyes closed briefly at the memory. "I think I figured out what it was that you had... touched... that felt so incredible."

She licked her lips in the pause that followed her admission, and Snape startled both of them with the low growl that rumbled up from his chest. Hermione's eyes widened as she snapped her gaze to his, and she felt the energy radiating from his tensed body. Snape's hands were clenched into fists at his sides, crumpling the bedding within them as he fought to control his urge to ravish Hermione.

Through tight lips, Snape said, "What were you looking at?" Hermione's face fell, abashed, and Snape leant forward, his voice low and compelling. "Show me."

Licking her lips again, Hermione inhaled deeply and reached out a trembling hand to turn the magazine back to him. The photos of the wizard and witch engaged in lascivious behaviour commanded their attention.

Snape's heart was pounding, and he could feel his blood pumping through his body, seeming to end in his rapidly swelling cock. Reaching forward, he slowly turned the pages, watching the progression from snogging and groping to removing clothing and caressing nude bodies. Eventually, wet kisses were trailed down over nipples and bellies, and when the couple turned on their sides, the woman stroking the man's cock and sucking on it, and the man burying his face between the woman's splayed thighs, Snape paused, his brain fogging with desire.

Hermione watched his eyes travel from picture to picture as he turned the pages. When he stopped, and his gaze stayed riveted on one photo, she looked down to see what had stalled his progress. The image of the pair in the sixty-nine position sent a flash of goose flesh over her. Sucking her lower lip between her teeth, she waited for Snape's attention, unknowingly caressing the toy in her hands.

Eventually, Snape wrenched his eyes from the magazine and pinned Hermione with a fiery gaze. Raking her with a scorching look, he saw her nipples peaked under the fabric of her nightgown, and her fingers stroking the length of the toy and circling the tip. It was too much to bear; he pushed forward, bending his legs to bracket her, clutching the magazine between them. Hermione gasped, and her lower lip glistened wetly at him, bearing teeth marks. One hand reaching up to tangle in her hair at the base of her skull, he pulled her toward him as he leant forward, drawing her into a passionate kiss.

After barely a few seconds, Hermione whimpered, her hands scrabbling to grip his shoulders as she struggled to rise onto her knees. Snape thrust the magazine to one side and cradled her head in both hands as she moved, determined not to break their connection. Hermione managed to pull her nightgown from under her legs and hike it up as she crept closer, one hand holding the hem and the toy while the other firmly pressed his knee down. He cottoned on and lowered his knees, and Hermione impatiently straddled his legs, nearly bowling him over.

Snape wrapped his arms around her, feeling her settle against his pelvis, her mound grinding down on his erection and enveloping him in damp heat. His groan was muffled by their kiss. Breaking away, panting for control, he ground out, "Hermione, if you want me to leave, tell me now; I'm perilously close to the edge of that slippery slope."

The vehement denial that surged through her at his words made her decision for her. Before hearing why he had done so, she would have been upset that he had violated their rules and come to see her unannounced. But in the wake of all that they had gone through, she didn't want to be alone, and more importantly, didn't want him to be alone. Her breath was hot against his ear as she whispered, "Stay. I need you."

The part of him struggling to maintain his self-denial collapsed under the weight of her words. Flashes of all that he had suffered to keep them in check, mixed with his dogged insistence of duty, swirled in his mind. At the thought of his previous resolution to not betray Dumbledore's trust in him, a white-hot blast of fury rose within his chest, choking him, and he ruthlessly flung the promise away. A reckless exhilaration welled up, and he pounced on her with another demanding kiss.

His hands slid down her body, caressing her legs on either side of his hips and sneaking under the bunched hem of her nightgown and up her thighs, curving around her bare hips to cup her arse. She rocked against him, moaning into his mouth. His breathing ragged, he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers, grabbing the magazine where it still lay opened to the page that had arrested his attention. Lifting it to eye level, he pressed against her cheek, turning their faces toward it, and murmured, "Does that interest you?"

The quavery whimper that met his ears gave him her answer. His lips stretched into a predatory grin as he dropped the magazine again, returning his hands to gripping her arse. He delighted in the little mewling cries issuing from her throat as he trailed nibbles over her jaw and ear, suckling on her earlobe as his hands stealthily lifted her nightgown higher.

Hermione felt the cool air against her skin and made an approving noise, wriggling to allow Snape to pull the garment over her head and toss it away. Her hair tumbled into her face, but she didn't care, as Snape had already lowered his lips to her breasts, cupping them as he laved her nipples. Her head rocked back, and her tangled hair fell away from her face, a few strands still sticking to her damp lips. Her hands cupped his head, guiding him, until they slid down his neck and over his shoulders, muzzily realizing that even though she was naked once again, he was still fully clothed...a situation she was determined to rectify.

Snape grinned against her skin as he kissed and licked, feeling her fingers pulling at his clothes. When he didn't stop his ministrations and give Hermione better access to disrobe him, she voiced an inarticulate noise of impatience and pushed him backwards. Using the weight of her body to overbalance him and push him flat on his back, she straddled him. His eyebrows shot up at her aggressive move, and he blinked up at her.

She peered down at him imperiously, lips pursed and one eyebrow arched, resolutely pulling at his clothes. "We've gone over this before: now, let's be fair."

A thrill of delight raced over him, ending in a throb of his cock, and he smirked at her as she went to work stripping him. Teasing her, he made no attempts to assist her, and she scowled at him, huffing. At the wicked sparkle in his eyes, she knew he was being deliberately unhelpful, so she decided to take a different tack.

Bending low so her breasts brushed his chest, she flipped her hair to one side and breathed against his ear, murmuring, "You do realize that the sooner we get your clothes off, the sooner I can taste you..."

Her surprised squeak echoed in the room as he responded in a flash of movement, legs bending and thrusting her further up his body even as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her tight against him. Unbalanced, Hermione couldn't even react before he had rolled them over, pinning her to the bed with his heavier frame.

Her eyes flew open wide, meeting his heated gaze as he pulled up and peered at her between the curtains of his hair. Suddenly, he sat back, her legs still curled around his pelvis, supported by his bent legs as he sank back on his heels. Shaking his hair out of his eyes, he watched her silently, quickly discarding his robes and shirt, leaving him clad only from the waist down. The repeated hitching of her breath as she raptly stared at every bit of revealed skin fired his ardour, and he wasted no time in lifting her legs from around him and squirming back off the end of the bed.

Hermione struggled onto her elbows, watching him as he got to his feet. He toed off his boots and socks, kicking them away impatiently, undoing his trousers at the same time. Her head was swimming, and her breasts were jiggling with the rapid rise and fall of her heaving chest. As he stepped out of the trousers pooled at his feet, he paused, his boxers tented with a moist stain at the tip of his cock.

Taken aback by his sudden stillness, Hermione blinked, wrenching her gaze from his erection to his face. His expression was inscrutable, and she frowned in perplexity. "Go on."

Snape's lips twitched with a ghost of a smirk, and Hermione wondered how his eyes had managed to turn even blacker. His purr of, "Not yet," made Hermione shiver, her eyes closing briefly. A feral grin spread his lips as he bent forward, climbing back onto the bed. A delicious tingle pulsed in her centre at the possessive and predatory look on his face.

Her voice was faint as she managed to say, "Why?"

Snape had crawled over her, and Hermione dropped to her back again, off her elbows. He hovered there, watching her, and she felt the tickle of the sparse hair on his thighs against the backs of hers. His cloth-covered cock was mere millimetres from her pussy, and she could feel the heat radiating from him. He dipped down to nuzzle her ear, suckling her earlobe.

Determined to not let him distract her, she swallowed back her moan and said, "I-If you don't take them off, how can we... emulate that photo?"

A wicked chuckle rumbled at her throat, where Snape was nibbling. "Not. Yet."

Brow furrowing, Hermione drew breath to argue her point, but it all burst from her in a whoosh as Snape swiftly slid further down her body, caressing one breast and palming the nipple as he sucked the other one into his mouth and circled it with his tongue. Arching into his touch, rational thought abandoned her, and she moaned a long quavery note of bliss.

Riding the high of his reckless exhilaration, Snape focused on one thing: Hermione. The trauma and stress were behind him now, and he had come to a decision. Before the night was through, he would do as he had wanted for several months and taste Hermione's juices from the source. When he had allowed his mind to back away from the horror and fury, his senses had returned. From the moment he had turned his attention to Hermione's wanton activity, he had noticed her scent in the air, still lingering from before his untimely interruption.

He spent several minutes lavishing Hermione's breasts with attention, revelling in the whimpers and coos bubbling from within her. Her arousal increased, and his watchful eyes noted the deepening of the flush expanding over her chest and face. Her heady aroma strengthened as well, and finally, he couldn't resist any longer.

Slithering back more, he trailed wet kisses over her trembling belly, grinning at her spasms and squeals when he tickled. His hands gently caressed her legs, stroking her hips and thighs as his lips paused to press a kiss at her navel. Her breath caught, and he took that moment to lift his eyes to her face, drinking in the sight of her, abandoned to ecstasy.

Lifting his face from her body, he kept his eyes trained on her face as he carefully dropped his cramped legs over the end of the bed, anchoring himself on the balls of his feet, braced shoulder-width on the floor. His cock was sandwiched between the bed and his belly, pulsing against him in time with his racing heartbeat.

At his shifting, Hermione opened glazed eyes and peered down at him. As her mind nervously screamed what he was about to do, she felt dizzy with endorphins, adrenaline, and anticipation. Her body tensed in anxiety; Snape, sensing her disquiet, locked solemn eyes with her and murmured, "It's all right, love. I promised I'd never hurt you."

With those tender words of comfort, Hermione's eyes closed and she let out a deep shuddering breath. Snape pressed gentle kisses to her thighs, licking and nibbling with his lips, slowly travelling closer to his destination.

Finally focusing on his prize, Snape saw her curls, darkened and coated with her juices. Excitement sent a jolt through his gut, and he had to suck in a deep breath to keep himself from diving into the glistening treasure before him. That deep breath filled his head with her musky scent, and the urge to devour her pulsed stronger. Thumbs gently rubbing the sensitive flesh at the join of her thighs to her pelvis, he flicked his eyes repeatedly between her face and her core, dipping lower and bathing her damp curls with his breath.

Hermione's eyes closed and her head canted back. Goose flesh erupted along her body and sparks flashed against her closed eyelids at the feel of Snape's fingers sliding along her cleft, exposing her. His exultant groan vibrated against her skin as his tongue drew a long, savouring swipe between her swollen lips. Her resultant gasp seemed to suck the air from the room, leaving her no choice but to let it explode from her lungs again at the second delicate slide of his tongue.

Snape was drowning. Just like he had fallen over the precipice to drown in the love swirling in her eyes the day he had confessed his own love for her, he was now submerged in the essence of Hermione, blanketing his senses. Drawing his tongue up one side and then the other, he covered each part of her heated flesh and sucked it between his lips, capturing every drop of moisture from every crevice, his expression one of complete beatitude.

Hermione's hands flew distractedly about: gripping the bedding; sailing to cover her mouth in a vain attempt to stifle her moans and gasps; reaching up to grip the headboard; tangling in her hair and pulling; sliding down her throat and over her breasts, cupping them; ghosting over the crown of Snape's head as if hesitant to disturb him...

Nose and chin coated with moisture, Snape's fingers spread her wider, revealing the throbbing centre of her delight. Dipping down, he thrust his tongue as deep into her drenched cunt as he could reach, noting that even he could tell that her hymen was no longer as much in the way as he had previously encountered. The breathless shriek that met his ears at the probing of his tongue made him clasp her thighs tighter, holding her still as he slowly dragged his tongue up to her clit, where he circled around it before covering it with his lips and gently suckling, massaging it with the tip of his tongue at the same time.

It was a good thing he had strengthened his hold, as Hermione bucked and flailed, her back arching as she keened in shocked rapture. Her hands sought out Snape's head, and she latched onto his hair with a fevered grip, keeping him from backing away. Her incoherent cries of encouragement were enough to entice him to stay without the need for physical force. Continuing his carnal assault, Snape called upon decades of self-discipline to maintain the rhythm and pressure, slowly building the force of her eventual reaction.

After the initial sizzling shock of delight, Hermione's body accepted the pleasurable sensations as a new and exciting addition to her growing wealth of experience, and she relaxed into it, enjoying the transport into euphoria. The steady rhythm lulled her into a languorous daze, and she revelled in the continual climb toward the pinnacle of ecstasy.

As the minutes stretched on, Snape's zealous application to his task began to wear on him, unused to this use of his tongue as he was. The overwhelming fog of lust dissipated enough for him to recognize the fatigue that was creeping up on him... more specifically, in his jaw. Doggedly focusing on his goal, he peered up at Hermione's undulating body and flushed face, listening to her luxurious moans and coos. Willing them to sustain him, he resolutely kept up the pace.

Hermione had come to a plateau of pleasure. Feeling as if she were hovering at the edge of a spectacular plunge into delight, she vaguely sensed that she needed more. Her hands loosened their grip in Snape's hair and began stroking, her nails lightly grazing along his scalp even as she rocked her hips into his mouth. Snape took that as a signal and increased the intensity of his ministrations, earning him a squeal and hum of approval, coupled with a convulsive tug of his hair.

Even with the increased stimulation, it seemed as if Hermione would not crest the plateau. The heated focus of Snape's mind splintered more and more as he became aware of the ache in his jaw, the cramp in his legs and lower back, keeping him balanced over the edge of the bed, and the awkward pinching of his painfully-hard erection between himself and the mattress. Frustration crept up on him, followed by the disappointing thought that he would fail at his attempt to bring Hermione to orgasm, no matter how hard he tried.

In a last-ditch effort, he increased the speed and force of his activity, and Hermione tensed, giving him a fleeting hope, but when she remained at that stage of tension, he mentally wailed in defeat, aware that he just couldn't continue.

His mental wail was followed by a vocal groan, and just as he was about to wrest himself from Hermione's grasp, he was taken aback by the sudden convulsive shudder that had Hermione pressing him harder to her while her legs squeezed around his ears. Her head flew back as a triumphant shriek burst forth, muffled to Snape's ears by her tightly clamped thighs.

Stunned by the sudden explosion, Snape managed to eke out a few last seconds of movement from his exhausted tongue, riding out her climax. When her legs relaxed, falling to either side as her hands slipped bonelessly from his head to flop by her limp limbs, Snape gingerly released her, inching stiffly backward, ducking his head even as he stretched his jaw.

The quiet following her scream of rapture was marred only by her ragged breathing and Snape's hisses of discomfort as he crawled off the end of the bed, carefully trying to ease the strain in his muscles. Staggering a bit, he stepped backward and dropped wearily into her armchair, looking almost as worn out as Hermione did.

Hermione lay on the bed, ears ringing, feeling like she was melting into the mattress. Desperately trying to moisten her parched mouth, she swallowed, eventually prying her eyes open and blinking dazedly. She tried to peer down past her body to see where Snape had gone, but couldn't spot him. So, gathering her strength, she lifted her head enough to notice him sitting in her armchair. Barely able to hold her head up, she gazed at him, incredulous, before croaking, "Holy... mother of... good gods...!" With that barely coherent statement, her head dropped back to the bed and she sighed deeply again.

Snape, feeling both exhausted and uncomfortable, watched Hermione's weak attempts at movement. Still, he couldn't help but swell a tiny bit in masculine pride at her clearly positive reaction. Gingerly working his jaw, he, too, moistened his mouth and cleared his throat. His voice was low as he said, "Are you all right?"

Hermione's hands lifted above her and her fingers splayed as she uttered an emphatic, "Fucking brilliant!" As she finished, her arms slammed down on either side and she thrust herself up onto her elbows, focusing on his lean form. Her sweat was cooling on her body, and she was slowly returning to a normal heart rate. Flashing him a nearly-worshipful lopsided grin, she voiced a dry chuckle. "Unbelievable... How did you know just what to do...what I needed?"

Snape stared at her like a deer in headlights. Blinking, he squirmed and murmured, "What do you mean?"

Hermione hauled herself about and grabbed a pillow, curling on her side and facing Snape, the pillow under her head. Still marvelling at him, she retorted, "Now you really know the effects of your voice."

Snape's brows shot up in surprise, and a sheepish grimace washed over his face. Awkwardly averting his eyes, he attempted to look nonchalant but failed.

Hermione lay there, staring at him, taking in his dishevelled state: his hair was tangled and stuck out wildly from her pulling and twisting it; his lips were swollen and dark from his extended activity; his chin bore evidence of both her arousal and chafing from her coarse hair; and he filled her armchair with his ungainly sprawl, accentuated by the beacon of his stained, tented pants.

After a moment, it dawned on her that Snape looked decidedly uncomfortable, and her brow furrowed. "Severus... are you all right?"

Snape cut a glance at her and lifted one hand to his jaw, massaging the joint as he stretched and worked his jaw again. Licking his lips, he ventured, "I think so."

Hermione's eyes went wide as she understood. A flood of embarrassment sent a flush to her face. "Oh gods..."

Alerted by her tone, Snape's gaze snapped to hers. His brows rose as he realized his mistake. Hastily gathering himself and reaching toward Hermione in reassurance, he said, "Wait! That's not what I meant!"

Hermione was curling up in a foetal position, hiding her face. "I didn't mean to hurt you!"

Snape shoved forward, staggering a step before he dropped to his knees at the foot of her bed, hand outstretched to caress her comfortingly. "Love, listen, it's not like that..." Hermione peeked through the fingers covering her eyes. Snape took a steadying breath and forged on. "You didn't hurt me. I did. I mean... Obviously I'm not used to that!" He grimaced, snorting half-heartedly as Hermione came out from behind her hands, gazing at him anxiously.

Seeing his rueful half-smile, the humour of his admission struck her and she retorted, "I should think not..." Snape's lips twitched more, and Hermione frowned and said, "So, it wasn't my fault?"

Snape shook his head decidedly, his messy hair swinging against his face. "No. I daresay it's my fault for not being as good as I had hoped."

Eyes widening in indignation, Hermione sputtered, "Not good? Excuse me, but were you here a few minutes ago? Mercy, Severus, that was incredible!"

His face twisted until he finally burst, "That was a fluke! I was giving up, and out of nowhere... it worked!"

Squinting in confusion, Hermione voiced an inelegant, "Huh?"

Rolling his eyes and covering his face in defeat, Snape sank back onto the floor, his elbows on his now-raised knees. "I just couldn't keep it up anymore. I had hoped to be able to satisfy you, and it wasn't working! I couldn't help but groan in despair, and that's when... well, you know..."

Hermione stared, speechless, for a moment, before falling onto her back again in a fit of giggles. Peals of laughter echoed off the ceiling, and when she opened her eyes to peer at Snape, he was eyeing her with a scowl of wounded vanity.

His voice full of reproach, he muttered, "It's not funny."

Hermione rolled onto her elbows and knees, crawling to the end of the bed where she heaved to her feet and stood directly in front of Snape, gesturing for him to take her hands and stand. The fact that he couldn't help but notice her crotch right in front of him...his eyes kept darting between there and her face...made her smile even more.

"It's not funny, per se. But it's just so ridiculous that you can give me one of the best orgasms of my life and still think you're not any good. Add to that the fact that once again we've nearly broken you in our zeal, and I can't help but be amused." She continued to grin down at Snape. "Come on, I'll help you up."

Snape pinned her with an aggrieved gaze, but allowed her to grip his hands and help him rise. As he straightened, his trapped erection brushed against her mound and trailed up her belly, making them both gasp and look down.

When Hermione lifted her gaze to meet Snape's eyes, there was a heated gleam in them. Licking her lips, she murmured, "How about now?"

***End Part One. Please Proceed Directly to Part Two***