One, Two, Unbuckle My Shoe

Snape found himself wandering morosely towards the woods. There was no chance of him finding Hermione while she remained in there, but if she didn't emerge soon he would just have to swallow his pride and start calling for her. He'd never forgive himself if she was lost, prey to who-knew-what, just because he'd chased her away. Sunk deep in his thoughts he almost missed the clothes draped over the bushes, but when he spotted them his heart leapt into his mouth. What did it mean? Had his Hermione been accosted by the likes of that Blue fellow? Wait a moment, when did she become his Hermione? Oh, no time for foolish questions; he had to find her and quickly.

Hermione opened her eyes as a shadow fell across her. Suddenly aware how underdressed she was if this was the Wolf come back for her she struggled to get up, only to find herself engulfed in a pair of strong arms and a meringue of a dress.

"Severus! I was just getting some sun while I waited for my clothes to dry then I was going to come and find you. Listen, I'm sorry about earlier, I--" Severus cut her off.

"Do you realise how worried I was? Anything could have happened to you. I thought you'd been assaulted by that pervert 'Big Boy' Blue or something." Seeing the unspoken question cross her face he gave her a brief description of his run in with Blue, until he noticed a twinkle in her eye. He held her at arms length and shook her gently.

"So you think it funny to be kissed by someone who disgusts you, do you? Well, let's see how you like it."

Severus leaned in to take Hermione's mouth firmly with a kiss, raw and strong and filled with relief that she was safe and well. Breaking away he waited for her to react. When she failed to pull away, no doubt in shock at his presumption, he pulled her close again, pushing his tongue into her slightly parted mouth as his skirt rose up and covered them. After a few minutes he stopped to catch his breath and make sure she'd learned her lesson.

"Well, Hermione, what do you have to say now?" She quirked an eyebrow as she looked up at their impromptu parasol.

"I say it's about time we got rid of this bloody crinoline"

Severus sighed in relief as her nimble fingers found the fastenings, and he was finally able to lose the dress. It was quite heavy and cumbersome regardless of any other issues he had with it. He noticed Hermione was looking at him as he stood there naked to the waist and only the ridiculously frilled draws preserving his decency, if not his dignity. Only then did he realise that she was if anything more exposed, only a few scraps of satin and lace covering her most feminine charms.

"Perhaps it might be best if we check on the condition of the rest of your clothes."

Severus shifted uncomfortably as his natural reaction to this desirable and near naked woman tried to manifest itself. Instead of heeding his advice, she tapped her chin with a finger and ran a critical eye over him.

"You know, there's nothing wrong with your body that a little sun now and again wouldn't fix. Not much, just enough to boost your vitamin D levels. It can do wonders to improve your mood, too." Just as he was going to make a sharp comment about keeping her advice to herself, he felt Hermione's hand running up his arm.

"You have very good muscle tone, and you're not too thin, either." The hand brushed across his shoulders before trailing down and across his firm stomach. Severus bit hard into his tongue, willing his body into quiescence.

"I wonder how the rest of you compares?" Hermione tugged at the ribbon holding his draws up, and he batted her hand away.

"Don't play with me, Hermione. I'm not a child and neither are you. There are consequences to this type of game between adults."

Hermione looked him in the eye. His dark, near black eyes said more to her than the man could speak out loud. She knelt before him, loosened his boots and slipped them from his feet. She stood and pulled the ribbon from his head before curling an arm around his neck, pulling him forward until he felt her lips brush against his ear.

"You're the one who started this game, and in case you haven't figured it out, Severus, I find you far from disgusting." Hermione's whisper sent shivers down his spine, and he lost himself in her sweet kiss.