Seven

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I make no money here.

Many thanks to my beta, Alley B, for all of her help.

“Really? You’ve been seeking out men who remind you of me?”

“Not intentionally. Purely subconsciously, I'm sure. Actually Luna was the first to notice; then she asked Draco if he could see any similarity in my boyfriends. Once he realized what it was, he nearly died laughing at me.”

“He found the idea that you were attracted to me... amusing?” He growled.

“He did, until Luna told him if she weren't committed to him, she would totally do you too. That shut him up.”

“Once again, too much information. Miss Lovegood, while lovely, is not for me, to be sure.”

He leaned back to study her closely. Before this evening, he would never have considered pursuing Hermione Granger, not because he didn't find himself attracted to her, but because he'd never thought he stood a chance. That had all changed tonight at the manor, though, the way she'd boldly challenged him, teased him, made him ache for her. That, combined with Lucius' urging him on, and now to discover she had been secretly (or maybe not so secretly), lusting after him all this time... His brain was telling him to “go slowly,” but his libido was telling him, “don't wait.”

“Hermione?” He spoke softly.

“Yes, Severus?” She could just melt at the sound of his voice.

“What are your feelings in regards to traditionally long courtship rituals?” He kissed her lightly because her lips were just begging to be kissed.

“Hmmm... personally, I think they're extremely highly overrated,” she answered, kissing him back firmly, her fingers toying with his buttons.

“Oh, sweet Merlin!” he breathed as he gathered her close, pulling her onto his lap, nuzzling her neck and lightly sucking that oh so soft skin, just above her collarbone. “I was really hoping you would say that.”

“I think you'll discover that I'm a thoroughly modern witch, Severus,” she informed him as she pulled away from him to make quick work of opening his shirt. “Not afraid to take charge when the situation demands,” she continued as she moved down from nibbling his ear to sucking lightly on his neck, to licking his chest and finally latching onto his flat brown nipple.

“Guhhh... Holy bloody fucking hell!”

“Is that a good thing?” she asked with a smirk on her face.

“Oh, yes, it is. I think I could easily get used to a witch who takes charge.”

Hermione laughed out loud with joy. Sliding off Severus' lap, she held out her hand for him. “Come along with me, dearest; I'll show you my bedroom and my extensive smut collection.”

“Oh yes, the smut. I forgot we were going to read to each other.”

“Yes, and as I read, you can re-enact the events, and vise-versa. Doesn't that sound like fun?”

“Sweet Circe's tits, girl, I'm not sure I can keep up. You will surely be the death of me.”

“But what a way to go, Severus,” she responded with a cheeky grin. “What a way to go!”

FIN

AN: Severus survived not only that night but for many, many happy years to come.

The first 7 parts of the story were written for the granger/snape100 challenge 'truth or dare.' When I decided to continue this story, I had an idea where I wanted it to go. I fully intended for it to be a hot, steamy, PWP, 3-some. But when I got around to writing the rest of the story, it just didn't play out that way. It seemed the characters had other ideas of what was supposed to happen, so eventually I had to let them have their way. (They can be so difficult sometimes!) I hope you liked the way it turned out. I certainly had fun writing it!