phoenix_writing & Southern_Witch_69

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Hermione took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Severus Snape had just snogged the living daylights out of her. Again, apparently. He'd said he'd come to talk, but he looked more as though he wanted to finish what he'd started a moment ago and shag her senseless. Given that she was Hermione Granger and he was Severus Snape, this was more than a little unexpected.

He'd called her by name before he'd kissed her, though, so he seemed to be well aware of who she was. He'd clearly tracked her down as a result of the ball, but had he kissed her just now because of who she was or in spite of it?

Did he think that she would be interested solely in sex? Could she blame him if he did? She'd been all over him at the ball, and his actions just now suggested that he assumed that she'd be willing to take up where they'd left off.

But he'd said that he'd come to talk. Her mind was running a mile a minute as she tried to fit everything together, and she said the first thing that came into her head.

"I need to put the groceries away."

Snape...Severus, she told herself firmly, since she'd grabbed the man's erection...blinked at her. "I beg your pardon?"

She leaned down to pick up the bags that she was glad she had not been holding when he'd startled her; the post was scattered about the floor and rather damp. "I'm making bouillabaisse for Bill and Fleur's anniversary; there's seafood in here that needs to be refrigerated."

She'd made it across the living room before she saw that he was still standing at the entrance. "You said you wanted to talk. Come on."

As he passed the framed portrait of her, Ron, and Harry, Severus muttered, "Ah, the ever-present triadic powerhouse."

Hermione decided it would be better to pretend she hadn't heard him. If they were going to fight, it wouldn't be about that; she didn't want to behave like an immature schoolgirl now. She was nearing thirty, for heaven's sake.

By the time the food had been safely stowed, she was nodding to herself. "You called Voldemort the Dark Lord and Kingsley by his given name. And you were so damn interested in what I thought of the headmaster of Hogwarts. I should have realized it was you." She'd been trying not to think about the whole incident, to be honest. "Did you know it was me the whole time?"

He frowned faintly and shook his head. "I learnt today."

"How?"

Looking almost disgruntled, Severus removed an object from his pocket, un-Shrunk it, and held it out to her. It was her shoe.

"Mate-Matching Charm. Molly showed it to me."

Hermione's eyebrows rose. "Why did you have the shoe in the first place? A keepsake?"

"Well, I certainly didn't keep it with the intention of wearing it!" Severus snapped. "I wanted to find you, infuriating witch."

She snatched back her shoe. "Now you have done. Thanks for the shoe."

"Is that your version of talking?" he mocked.

"A sight better than your attempt at the door," she snarled back. "What do you want?"

"I thought I made that rather clear," he said dryly.

"I know I gave the impression of being completely wanton," she tried to explain, "but I'm not really...I don't want just...I..."

Severus interrupted her, sounding rather exasperated. "If all I'd wanted was sex, I would have given up in the arms of one of the many women that I've found while searching for you."

"What?"

Reluctantly, Severus described the hunt which had led him to what amounted to practically half of the women Hermione knew in the wizarding world. By the time he'd finished, she was in stitches of laughter and clutching at the counter to keep herself upright.

"I fail to see what is so amusing."

She looked up at him, taking in the eyes and hair that were so very dark and such a contrast to what she had seen at the Ministry ball. But they had laughed and chatted and enjoyed themselves thoroughly even before they had wound up in that secluded corner in the Atrium. Those masks had hidden their faces, but perhaps the anonymity really had permitted them to be more free than they usually were, to do things that they wanted to do but wouldn't normally dare.

Maybe Severus wouldn't ever have cut in and struck up a conversation if he'd known who she was, but she wouldn't have approached him, either. They hadn't known then, but thanks to Severus's persistence, this was their opportunity to do something about it. He'd come all this way, and he was still here even through her fit of the giggles.

"Severus," she chided, "that's possibly the most ludicrous tale I've heard in years." She smiled at him tentatively and admitted, "It's also the most trouble that anyone's ever gone to for me, and the ball was the best time I've had in ages."

"I suspect we could greatly improve upon that best if given the opportunity," Severus said smoothly.

Hermione felt her heart rate begin to increase. "Do you think so?"

Severus took a step closer. "Undoubtedly."

If Hermione was going to protest, this was the moment. But she felt a bit as she had in Slughorn's classroom back in sixth year the first time she'd smelled Amortentia. It was heady and arousing...and right here and right now, it was real.

She leaned up to meet Severus's kiss.

He couldn't believe it. She wanted him even though she now knew her secret beau had once been her dread Potions professor. Their shared rapport at the Ministry, both the conversation and sensual interlude, made so much sense now. Pushing those thoughts away, he gave all attention to the witch whose lips were pressed against his and slid his arms around her, drawing her closer. His tongue found hers, tangling and exploring; breath became something unnecessary.

At first, she wasn't as bold as she had been at the Ministry, the loss of her anonymity obviously the cause, but soon, her hands began to wander over his chest, then around his back to cup his arse, causing him to grind against her.

"Oh," she said, voice breathy, as she pulled back to gaze into his eyes. "It seems," she undulated her hips, "that you're quite excited already."

He appreciated her attempt to be at ease with him. "So it does."

"As you suggested, we should definitely take this moment to improve upon our last meeting." One hand moved around to his crotch, brazenly caressing the bulge tenting his trousers. She then grinned broadly, causing him to bristle.

How dare she toy with his affections? "What is so funny?" he demanded.

"I was thinking of a ridiculous joke."

"At this moment?"

"It has to do with a farrier and being hung like a horse. When I..." She stepped closer, becoming serious. "If I might be so bold, Severus," she squeezed him firmly, "this is quite impressive."

Pride filling him, he replied, "I am prepared to further inspire your appreciation." He quickly set about learning her body: his mouth once again exploring hers as his hands became acquainted with her breasts. Unable to help himself, he kissed a trail down her neck, over her collarbone and parted her blouse with his fingers, causing buttons to fly and land with small pings.

"Beautiful," he commented as he saw ivory, satin-covered breasts. An inviting row of lace curved over the top of her lush mounds; Severus dipped his head, his lips finding one hardened peak through the fabric, eliciting a moan from Hermione. The soft scent of her perfume was intoxicating, and he groaned in return. She was his... for the moment, for hopefully more. One of his hands slid beneath her skirt and traced the hem of her knickers.

"Not here," she said...even while she pulled his head closer to her breast. "The bedroom," she nodded to the left, "just there."

Needing no further explanation, he lifted her and hurried through the doorway, deftly placing her on the bed while hurriedly kicking off his shoes. As if reading his mind, she did the same. He was able to pull his trousers and underpants down just as she shed her knickers and tried to draw him closer by digging her heels into his thighs.

He paused to look down at her, feasting on her provocative appearance. Her blouse was completely open, her still-covered breasts heaving as she breathed, and her skirt was hiked up to her waist, revealing her slender, long legs and, more importantly, her neatly trimmed center.

Lust took over. Hands pushed the bra up as his lips and tongue assaulted her stomach and worked their way up to her breasts. He groaned as she took his cock in hand and began stroking him as her feet helped his trousers further down his legs to give him freedom...freedom to take her, to make her his. Needing to feel her, he slid a hand down her writhing flesh and traced her labia, enjoying the wet heat he felt there.

Yes, she wanted him. Badly, if her moving hips and pleas for fulfillment were any indication. Pushing one finger into her gave him the desired reaction: she bucked against his hand and tightened her inner-flesh around his exploring digit.

"More," she murmured.

His mouth moved to taste and savor what his hand had already claimed, and she began to pull at his hair, practically pressing his face against her. Only gifting her with a few swipes of his tongue over her bundle of excitement, he could wait no longer and thrust his hips closer, allowing her to guide him inside.

It was heaven. More.

"Yessss," he hissed, pushing deeper, and began the slow rhythm of lovemaking. The intensity that they'd shared at the Ministry returned full force, and he found the sight of the woman beneath him overpowering; mingled with her husky words of need, he rotated his hips as he pushed all the way in, wanting to stimulate her as much as possible. Faster. Harder. Deeper.

And then...

"Mmmhph... Severusss!"

He felt a tremor run through her body and settle in her core, pulsating around him with a rush of heat unlike anything he'd ever experienced. He could do nothing but follow.

The next thing he knew, he lay on his side as she nestled against his chest, both still half-dressed. He'd never had such a frantic encounter with anyone. And now... how to describe it?

"What's wrong?" she asked, tilting her head to look up at him.

"Ineffability is something new."

"Meaning?"

"Us... it's as though I can't find the proper words, that I shouldn't. I've never felt such a connection with anyone."

"Would you believe I feel the same?"

He nodded. How could he not? This was utterly unexpected, yet not unwanted.

"So, Severus, what were you doing with your time before searching for me?"

"Researching pairs of homologous chromosomes and the effects on a potion if one alters the traits of one magically."

She snuggled closer. "Tell me more."

Only Hermione Granger would truly be interested in such a subject, and he found that just as pleasing as their lovemaking. Well, almost. "Perhaps during a bath?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. After all, he still intended to show her exactly how impressive he could be. To think I almost didn't go to the ball. I would have missed our masked beginning.

Saturn's Notes: This is the final week of the Playoffs for the Intergalactic Quidditch Cup Tournament! We hope you've enjoyed this little tale! Please continue to review, we love hearing from you!!

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Prompt Words Used: Bouillabaisse, Triadic, Keepsake, Amortentia, Ineffability, Farrier & Homologous. All 7 words were used!