... of Joyful Bliss

Chapter 12: ... Of Joyful Bliss

Hermione's heart raced as she followed Snape into his bedroom. She felt suddenly shy and awkward, like an inexperienced naïf. She moved to stand by the bed as he began to remove his robes and coat, just as he had the last time she'd been in this room, on Halloween.

"Do you remember your first night here?" she asked.

His eyes travelled the length of her body, and a provocative smile curled his lips. "Of course. I haven't been able to look at this bed without picturing you stretched across it in that damn dress."

Her eyes widened, but his confession calmed her nerves. He had finished removing his jacket and had started on the buttons of his bright, white shirt when she admitted, "I couldn't stop watching you undress." She focused on his fingers, as she had that other night, and said, "You have amazing hands."

His fingers stilled at her words, and she brought her eyes back to his.

"I'm glad you approve," he said, and his voice made her imagine those hands on her body, at last on her bare skin.

Feeling suddenly warm, she unfastened the clasp on her robes and shrugged out of the heavy material, throwing the bundle onto a chair in the corner.

His lips quirked at the quickness of her actions, and he crossed the room slowly to stand before her. The smile was smooth as he looked down into her face. "You're not nervous, are you?" he asked.

"A little," she replied honestly. "It's been a very long time..."

He emitted one single, deep chuckle. "I believe I win that particular contest."

He placed his hands on her shoulders and began absentmindedly stroking her arms, shoulder to elbow, and back again. He was watching her mouth the entire time with a slight frown.

"In fact," he began with a quick glance at her eyes before returning to her mouth, "you should bear in mind that I spent fourteen years without the ability to move. And the last two months being tempted daily by a certain witch..."

"Minerva?" she asked innocently and was rewarded with another chuckle. Hermione was astounded to realise that he actually looked nervous, which had to be a first.

"Hermione, let's consider this first time as something of a trial run. I might not be able to... sustain... for the time required to properly... That is, for the necessary duration in which to..."

"Tell me, Professor Snape," she interrupted him, remembering the words he had spoken to her on Halloween. "Is it often your habit to prattle on endlessly like this?"

The wry smile seemed to reflect the humour sparkling in his eyes. "No: it's a special treat for our first night together," he answered dryly.

She returned his smile, touched that he recalled the reference and remembered her answer. She placed her palms on his chest and delighted in the freedom to touch him and the feel of his crisp, cool shirt against her hands. "Well, then. I will grant your proposition for a trial run. You have piqued my scientific curiosity."

He slid his hands down to her hips, and when he slid them back up, his fingers drifted beneath her jumper, skimming her sides before encircling her bare back and pulling her against him. "We have all night to review our findings," he said in a silken voice before capturing her mouth against his.

She closed her eyes, letting go of all the fears and doubts that had plagued her and allowing herself to just feel. His lips were warm, and she could almost taste the restraint in his kiss, hinting at the hunger simmering beneath. She fumbled with the remaining buttons on his shirt as he continued to explore her back, his fingers impossibly skilled when he unhooked her bra in one smooth motion. Finally reaching the bottom of his shirt, she slid the fabric down his arms where it hung on his elbows. Free to roam, she glided her hands over his bare chest, the kiss deepening with her touch. He released her mouth long enough to pull her jumper up over her head, taking the unhooked bra with it. His eyes stayed on her bare breasts as he stepped back and unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt, allowing it to fall to the floor.

Hermione felt herself blushing hotly under his stare.

"Don't," he ordered quietly when she began to cross her arms in front of her chest self-consciously. "I've imagined the way you would look... standing here, just like this. Let me enjoy the sight of you."

Hermione lowered her arms. "It was a better sight when I was in my twenties."

"According to you. From my perspective, you have only improved with age," he informed her.

The words caused a warmth to spread throughout her body, making her suddenly braver. Hands trembling ever so slightly, she reached behind and lowered the zip on her long wool skirt. She let go, and the skirt fell to the floor, pooling at her feet.

His hands clenched reflexively at his sides as his gaze travelled down her body. She imagined she made quite a sight, standing there in nothing more than a pair of lacy black knickers and her knee-high black boots.

The boots presented her with a sudden conundrum, and she realised she should have taken them off before stripping her clothes. She didn't care for the idea of sitting half-naked on the bed and struggling to remove them; it was not the image she wished to make on their first truly intimate encounter. There was really no graceful way to shed them at this point, and after a moment's consideration, she chuckled nervously. "This isn't quite the order I normally do this in."

"Perhaps it should be," he told her appreciatively. Then he gestured pointedly at the remaining articles she wore and said roughly, "Continue."

Hermione thought for a moment about the best way to get her blasted boots off without looking completely ungainly and ridiculous. She turned and walked to the chair where she'd thrown her robes. With her back to Snape, she raised one leg, placing her foot on the seat of the chair. Then she bent forward to unfasten the zip which ran from her knee down to her ankle. She repeated the process with the other boot before turning back to face him.

A part of her knew she had just unintentionally delivered an interesting little show. And she was surprised to discover that another part was secretly pleased at her own daring. She looked at Snape's face to see his reaction and was a little dismayed to find his eyes closed. His hands were still clenched into tight fists at his side, his breaths shallow.

"If you'd like this to last more than five minutes, I'd suggest you save the theatrics for the next round." He opened his eyes and pierced her with a look of unbridled lust.

Emboldened by his words, and rather in awe of the notion that she could be having any impact on making this powerful man's control slip, she chuckled softly and shrugged one shoulder. "You're the one who wanted them off." She hooked her thumbs in the sides of her knickers and lowered them slowly, gracefully stepping away when they fell to the floor.

"My, my," he said in a very low voice. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

She noticed he was staring at the area between her legs, which was completely devoid of hair. She gave another small shrug and explained, "University trip to Brazil; there are some amazing magical salons there. I tried it as a dare, but I kept it...I like the way it feels."

His eyes darkened as he slowly approached her. "I believe I will, as well."

She frowned slightly. "Um... it's not exactly new territory for you. You didn't notice that in the alcove?"

His nostrils flared with the memory. "I was distracted." He lowered his head towards her and whispered, "An oversight I fully intend to remedy now."

She shivered as his lips touched hers. Their arms remained at their sides, bodies slightly apart; it would have seemed quite chaste if not for the fact that she was standing there naked and completely aroused. The kiss deepened, his tongue exploring her mouth, and still he did not touch her. Hermione began to tremble as his tongue stroked hers in perfect thrusts that made her mind race. Delicious thoughts of him repeating the same motions on a very different part of her body made her moan quietly.

Finally unable to resist the need to touch him, she reached her arms around his neck and pressed her bare chest against his. The reward for her boldness was instantaneous: his arms wrapped around her roughly, dragging her against him. He seemed to have only been waiting for her prompt. His hands were everywhere now, fisting in her hair and then caressing every area they could reach – her back, her thighs, her bottom, her sides – all the while feasting on her mouth as if he could somehow devour her entirely and fill himself up.

Desperation took hold, and Hermione fumbled with the catch on his trousers, frantic with the need to touch all of him, see all of him. The button opened at last, but her fingers soon met with another. As she struggled madly, she heard the fabric tear, yet she still couldn't open the blasted pants. Breaking the kiss, she hissed, "Damn it!" and bent her head down to look at the offending closure. Her eyes were frustratingly unfocused.

"I'll do it," he said in a ragged voice, his breath coming in rapid gasps before his mouth was on hers again, and she lost all thought. She kissed him hungrily, wanting to memorise his taste. She abandoned his mouth and let her lips explore, kissing the line of his jaw, the powerful muscles in his neck, the four perfect shiny scars from the snakebite, and the hard plane of his shoulder. Then she returned to centre, kissing his throat, the resonance of his groan vibrating against her mouth. She licked at the small hollow spot in the middle of his collarbone, thrilled when he shuddered against her.

"This is ridiculous." His voice was breathy, strained.

She had no clue what he was talking about and had ceased to care. The backs of her knees touched something, and she was stunned to find herself being lowered onto the bed. She hadn't even been aware they had crossed the room. She welcomed the feel of his weight as his body covered hers. Then he was gone. She tried to focus her vision and raised herself on her elbow, watching him remove the trousers that had stymied her. His hands shook. Hard.

He flung the clothes away and started back to her.

"Wait," she said, holding up a hand.

His eyes narrowed on her dangerously, possessively. "It's too late for that."

"I just want to look at you," she told him. Obediently, he straightened himself to his full height.

She drank in every inch of his body, admiring the dramatic contrast between broad shoulders and narrow hips. Then she lowered her gaze to his powerful thighs and stared at his erection, noting that the size exceeded her expectations. She swallowed. Hard.

"I take it you approve?" he asked with a knowing smirk.

She returned her eyes to his, and although she couldn't hide her smile, she also couldn't resist shrugging her shoulders and saying, "I suppose it'll have to do."

He chuckled deeply. "You'll pay for that." He lowered himself to the bed and placed one knee between her legs to spread them apart, pushing her shoulder back so she lay flat before him.

"I sincerely hope..." she began, pausing to let out a surprised gasp when his mouth clamped down hard on her breast, "...so," she finished breathlessly. He drew the nipple into his mouth and sucked hard before scraping his teeth against her flesh, then circled his tongue around and around until she cried out in divine torment.

He released her breast and trailed his face across her chest to the other one, being as gentle with this one as he'd been rough with the other. Hermione moaned and wound her fingers into his hair, then stroked her hands over his strong shoulders, raking her fingernails against his skin. He moved his face along her chest and up to the base of her throat, and she trembled at the roughness of his cheeks and chin scratching against her delicate skin.

She craned her head back, writhing in delight over the things his mouth was doing to her throat and neck. His hands explored her body, and she moved against him in desire so overwhelming it was almost unbearable. He seemed to be touching her everywhere at once until she felt her body would explode from the pure pleasure of it all.

He rose above her. "Look at me."

She blinked rapidly, finding his face at last and registering the passion in his eyes. The smile froze on her face as his hands moved to her legs, stroking the soft flesh inside her thighs. He held her gaze as he trailed one hand along her thigh and then up to the point where her legs met. She tried to keep her eyes on his, but they slid out of focus when he parted her skin and slid one long finger inside. His thumb circled her clitoris once, twice, then lightly flicked over it repeatedly until her body clenched around his finger. She arched her back, vaguely aware of his breath hissing as her chest rose towards him. A curse erupted from his throat, but she was oblivious to everything but the suddenness of the orgasm and the surprising force with which it shook her. She called out his name roughly, over and over.

Pulses of pleasure swept through her body, but she was given no opportunity to savour them. The lingering shudders had not yet stopped when his finger was hastily removed, and he roared, "Now!" His voice sounded unfamiliar and urgent as his body covered hers. Before she could even open her eyes, he was plunging deep inside her, thrusting with a force that made her scream out again.

"Damn it!" he ground out.

She heard his strangled curse but was too lost in the sensation to do anything more than cling to his shoulders, gasping and moaning. As his thrusting continued, the pace became faster, the force harder. The sound of their flesh slapping rhythmically mingled with their frantic breathing, but neither heard. Lost in a thick haze of ecstasy like nothing she'd ever experienced, she found herself trying to match his intensity, thrusting back ferociously. However hard they came together, it wasn't hard enough, and soon, incredibly, she felt another orgasm bursting through her body. She cried out in shock, throwing her head back. Seconds later, his movements changed and his body shuddered violently; he buried himself within her and joined in the final release.

Several minutes passed before their bodies stopped trembling and their breathing returned to normal. They lay on the bed intertwined, a tangle of legs and arms. She knew she had a silly smile on her face but lacked the energy to force it away. He had collapsed on top of her, his face nestled in her hair, his chin on her shoulder. She breathed deeply and inhaled his familiar scent, and her smile widened.

As her chest rose with the effort of breathing, he stirred and very gently removed himself from her, shifting his weight and rolling over to the side.

Hermione winced and uttered a tiny groan, her body protesting the loss of his.

Snape raised himself up on one elbow and looked down at her carefully, his eyes hooded. "Are you all right?" he asked with concern. "Did I hurt you?"

"I can't feel my legs," she said with a laugh.

He seemed relieved by her laughter...if not her words. "It was not my intention to be so rough," he apologised.

"I don't believe I was complaining."

He smiled. "Nevertheless... I had planned on using a bit more finesse."

Hermione grinned at him. "As did I. But after I tore apart your trousers, I gave up."

Chuckling appreciatively, he placed his palm on her stomach and slowly slid it to the side of her waist, then up her ribcage and back over her breast, smiling when she shuddered.

"Your body trembles at my slightest touch," he said, almost to himself. He seemed entranced by the sight of his hand on her midriff.

"I noticed," she agreed, already beginning to feel that now-familiar ache for him.

"Do you have any idea how erotic it is to watch you respond to me?" he asked as his fingers lazily skimmed over her breast, causing her to gasp. He circled her nipple with one finger and looked into her eyes.

She was having a difficult time thinking straight, but managed to focus on his face, which she suddenly found quite exquisite.

"Tell me I'm uncommonly beautiful again," she whispered.

He smiled and rolled his eyes slightly. Then he gazed at her seriously and said, "Let me show you, instead." He kissed her with such tenderness, such deliberation; she felt certain she could hear the sound of her heart beginning to crack.

They moved together again. The rushing and urgency had subsided: this time they savoured, teased, discovered. There was time now for beauty and compliments and celebration as they worshiped each other, each intent on watching the other experience pleasure.

She had few chances for coherent thought, but when they occurred, she told herself to hold on to these moments, to memorise each sigh and touch and nuance of their bodies, to tuck it away in a safe place so that she could hold some small piece of him inside her forever.

When the need eventually became unbearable, they clung to one another, marvelling at the beauty and wonder of this incredible thing they had found. Then they separated slowly, with soft kisses and gentle caresses.

She lay next to him and stared up at the ceiling, a smile playing along her lips as she recalled the events of the evening. Several hours had passed. She should have gone to sleep, but she found herself more interested in the sound of his even, measured breathing beside her.

She turned her head on her pillow to watch him, and her smile grew. He was sprawled on his stomach, his face mashed in his pillow but turned towards her. In that instant, he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. The things she had experienced with him in just one night were more amazing than all her previous relationships added up. With a shake, she forced her gaze away from him and slowly shifted towards the edge of the bed. Although inexperienced in such matters, Hermione suspected that spending hours watching her lover sleep was surely not a good sign she was holding her heart in cheque.

His arm snaked out for her before she could get up, and he expertly wrapped it around her waist, pulling her back into bed. He turned on his side and fitted her back neatly against his front. His arm draped over her waist, he easily circled the expanse, tucking his hand back between the mattress and his side. She was certainly not going to sneak off to her own bed like this, and she found the small, sleepy gesture of possession incredibly powerful.

He nuzzled his face into her hair, breathing deeply. "Stay," he commanded.

Hermione chuckled. "Shall I fetch and roll over, too?"

"Mmm... roll over, perhaps. I'll let you know in the morning..."

Leisurely, she stroked his arm where it lay tightly wrapped around her waist. She made no other movement, but was aware of the change in his breathing moments before she felt him stiffening against her lower back.

"How about now?" she asked.

"Now is acceptable, too," he said as they began to make love again.

After that, she did fall asleep. The soft sound of hissing and sputtering woke her in a few hours as the candle on the bedside table gutted itself out. She guessed it was almost dawn, although it was impossible to tell in the dungeons. She slid one rather stiff leg off the side of the bed when again, the arm reached out for her. This time, he snagged her hand and tugged on it gently. Turning her head, she was surprised to find his eyes alert and focused. She sat up in bed and wondered how long he'd been lying awake beside her.

"Stay," he told her again.

Hermione cocked an eyebrow at him. "Shall I remind you what happened the last time you said that?"

He smiled seductively. "I'm testing a scientific theorem," he said, refusing to release her hand when she would have drawn it away. "I need to see if the outcome remains the same over repeated trials."

Hermione laughed. "Oh, I see. It's all for the cause of science..."

"What else?"

She smiled at him, feeling as if she would melt when he asked, "How shall I convince you to stay?"

"Tell me more about this theorem of yours."

"It's genius in its simplicity," he said in the tone reserved for student lectures. "Basically, I tell you to do something, and you actually do it."

An unladylike snort was her immediate response. "While I applaud your efforts, I really don't foresee that one working out for you, mate."

One dark eyebrow rose higher. "And yet, I told you to stay, and here you remain."

Her attempt to hide the grin was unsuccessful. "I remain merely to disabuse you of the notion that your hypothesis has merit."

"I see. Share with me the undoubtedly brilliant reasoning you've used to dismiss my thesis so easily."

She made her voice deliberately imperious. "Well, for one thing, you've changed far too many variables. I'm afraid the study's quite useless now."

With a bark of laughter, he flopped onto his back and hauled her on top of him, so she straddled his waist. Then he slid her lower, dragging her along his hardened length. His face held a look of satisfaction as her mouth formed a small "o," and her eyes widened.

"How shall we proceed, Professor?" he asked, one eyebrow quirked in challenge. "Is there nothing salvageable from our previous research?"

"I'm afraid not. We'll have to scrap our earlier findings and begin the entire investigation over again." Her nails raked across his torso, leaving faint red lines to contrast against his pale chest. She found it very difficult to continue their playful banter. The ability to concentrate on words was replaced with the sudden conviction that she should bite him, lick him, taste him.

"The sacrifices I make for..." he began, but she cut off his words by bending forward and fixing her mouth firmly to his. A part of her brain couldn't believe they were doing this again and briefly wondered if he was trying to make up for lost time. Then his hands slid up her thighs possessively, and she lost the power to wonder...to think...at all.

A chapter of pure smut... I hope you approve. Next up: actual plot advancement! As always, I'm grateful to Karelia and little_beloved for their amazing beta skills and to lettybird for Brit-picking. Special thanks to the lovely Melenka for keen suggestions on smut improvement!