Chapter 4
Chapter 4 of 4
kellychamblissSeverus thought he'd already imagined every possible order the Dark Lord could give him. He was wrong.
Set at the end of GoF.
Reviewed~ / ~ / ~
Chapter 4
Severus had his back to the bedroom door when he heard Minerva step inside, and he waited for her to cross to him, not moving until he felt a light hand on his arm.
When he finally turned to her, he saw first that she'd removed her glasses, and then that she'd actually done as he'd asked: she'd let her hair down to fall over her shoulders, long and straight and silvery-black.
It was the first time he'd ever seen it loose, and the thought of how it would look brushing against her bare breasts was enough to make him abandon his vague plan for lengthy foreplay. Instead, he pulled her towards his bed, opening his robes as he went.
~ / ~ / ~
Once she lay naked before him, he realised that her skin was nearly as pale as his own; she would probably bruise easily, the way he did. The idea wasn't displeasing to Severus, and he bent over her, tracing his lips along her collarbone and then nipping sharply at her neck.
She cried out, and he felt her legs open under him. A flush of triumph surged through him.
"Desperate for it, are we, Minerva?" he whispered, squeezing her breast, which filled his hand as nicely as his fantasies had suggested. In answer, her hand went directly to his erection and closed tightly around it, taking him just to the exhilarating edge of pain before she eased off. She knew exactly when to stop, and it occurred to him briefly that Minerva's past might be more interesting than he'd ever suspected.
Then there was no more space for thought as she began stroking him, softly at first, and then harder, the fingers of one hand wrapped hotly round him, the thumb of the other brushing lightly over the head of his cock.
He tried to bite back his groan of pleasure, but failed, and she chuckled. "Desperate, are we, Severus?"
He snorted with what he hoped was sufficient disdain, but inside he relaxed a bit. This was a game he knew well: one way or another, it was the one he and Minerva had played for years. Back and forth, one up, one down—that was his relationship with her in daily life, and as far as he was concerned, it made for a fine dynamic in bed, too.
With a sound that even he wasn't sure whether he'd call a snarl or a laugh, he leant back to balance himself and then took hard hold of her, pulling her hands off him, muttering a charm that pinned her wrists to the bed. She was at his mercy.
But he'd reckoned without Minerva's abilities with wandless magic. Suddenly he was frozen in place, and tantalizing prickles of heat and cold—he could scarcely tell which—began to trail down his back and then around to his abdomen, the touch feather-light and highly arousing. She was the one in control now. He couldn't move, his cock was throbbing, it was almost too much…and then just as suddenly as the sensation had started, it stopped. Either Minerva couldn't maintain the spell for long without her wand, or else she didn't want to wait any more than he did.
Whichever, it didn't matter. Severus was ready. As soon as he could move again, he levered himself over Minerva and entered her swiftly. It felt good—glorious, in fact—but not so overwhelming that he missed the satisfying way he'd made her gasp and arch beneath him.
He paused, motionless, until she wrapped her legs around him and lifted her hips, which was probably as close to begging as she'd ever bring herself. Only then did he release her hands and begin to move.
~ / ~ / ~
Severus awoke to a thin, grey dawn and the unaccustomed heat of another person in his bed. He lay still for a moment, feeling nothing in particular, certainly none of the awkwardness he might have expected, given that he'd spent the night having sex with a woman older than his mother, a woman he'd once thought he disliked and who could still thoroughly unsettle him.
Things will change, Minerva had said, and of course it was true. Change was something Severus knew well. Lily Evans had once been his life, and now she was little more than his convenient shield against the world. Albus Dumbledore had once been his saviour, and now he seemed just another demanding master. Lord Voldemort had once been dead, and now he was alive.
What could any new change matter after those?
He turned to look at Minerva. She slept on her side, facing him, her expression as stern in sleep as it was in waking. At some point, she'd thrown off the blankets, and now he took the opportunity to appraise her body as he had not been able to do the night before, what with the dim candlelight and the bedclothes and his own driving need.
She was old, the Dark Lord had said, but Severus's experiences with the naked young were not so numerous that he had much to compare her to. Her skin might be a little less taut, her breasts a little less firm than had been true of his other few bedmates, but she had felt the same—wet and warm, a potent combination of soft and tight, her lips smooth on his chest, her nails sharp on his back.
He had no complaints.
And if she were to conduct a similar appraisal, what would she think of him? He knew what she would see: a man pale, lean, and bony, his chest only sparsely-haired, his feet absurdly narrow, with that long second digit his mother had called "the Snape toe." "A toe like a finger," she'd say, and Severus had always felt its oddity.
Well, Minerva hadn't seemed to object to his body when she'd been lying underneath him, urging him on with her hands on his arse. He'd not been particularly gentle with her, but she hadn't seemed to want him to be. Nor had she been gentle in return; she'd met him thrust for thrust with an intensity that he'd liked and supposed he should have expected. Minerva was fierce and hard and demanding in everyday life; why should she be any different in bed?
He touched her throat lightly, grazing the mark he'd left there; he wondered if she'd keep it.
And he wondered if she would be willing to continue sleeping with him, for the summer, at least. The Dark Lord would expect the relationship to continue, and Severus admitted to himself that he wouldn't mind it, either. No strings, of course…but an affair could help them both pass a time that always felt out-of-joint to Severus, outside of real life. Especially now.
What might happen when the summer ended, he didn't let himself consider. With the Dark Lord back, he saw no point in planning much of a future.
But for the short-term…
For the short term, maybe he could share his bed with Minerva. If she wanted to. If the idea didn't repulse her. Maybe they could even manage to keep the liaison a secret from Dumbledore.
He found himself anticipating their next encounter. They could take things slowly, could tease and tantalise and test each other. They could even kiss, something he didn't think they had done, this time. They could…
Next to him, Minerva stirred and turned over, curling in on herself. She might be cold, Severus thought; his room was chilly. He considered drawing her into his arms, spooning behind her and warming her, but he didn't.
Instead, he drew his old quilt over both of them. Then he settled on his side, his back to Minerva, and let sleep take him once more.
~~fin
A/N -- And here "Mutability" ends. I hope this final chapter isn't too disappointing for those of you who prefer more closure, but like Samuel Johnson in Rasselas, I often write "conclusions in which nothing is concluded." I like stories that are ambiguous or open-ended.
But I can promise you that I'll be writing about Severus and Minerva again; I find that I'm not yet finished with them. I may even try a sequel to this particular story, if further inspiration strikes.
My grateful thanks all my readers and especially to those of you who have sent me such kind and welcome reviews. I'm always so pleased to hear from you.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Mutability
26 Reviews | 6.54/10 Average
At first I thought it was going to take him ages to make a move. All that second guessing and what ifing. I was certainly wrong wasnt I? Woot!
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
He doesn't waste time, our Sev /g/. Thanks for reading.
I disagree Severus! I think you should tell Minerva what Riddle wants. What this isnt a democracy? I dont get to vote? ((frumps)) okay then its on your head Snape if when Minerva finds out.
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Ha! Severus appreciates your vote, but agrees that this isn't a democracy. He's willing to take the consequences of his secrecy -- or so he says.Thanks for reading and commenting; I appreciate it.
That went far too easily ;-)
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Ha! Well, sometimes things work out even for Severus -- but only in a Snapey way, of course. Thanks for reading.
*snip*But then Fate stepped in, as it so often did, in the form of Albus Dumbledore.*chuckles* Gotta love that Albus.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*"It will change things, Severus," she said quietly.Brilliant, as usual, can't expect any less from Minerva.
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
I hope there wasn't too much Albus-bashing for you! He's a complex man, with lots of layers to him.Thanks for reading and commenting.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Oh no, you've been kind enough - and I'm leaving my preferences at home while I read your yarn so I don't get too upset that Severus is stealing Albus' woman - haha!You do write the characters well.
Such vintage Severus, and the dance, so self-conscious and meticulously choreographed.Love this: "But then Fate stepped in, as it so often did, in the form of Albus Dumbledore."Severus would think the game would be his, wouldn't he?
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
"Severus would think the game would be his, wouldn't he?"Hee -- and Minerva might think otherwise. So there's plenty of room for continued competition (which is one of my favorite elements of MM/SS).Thanks for commenting.
I first read Mutability over on another site and really enjoyed your characterizations of Minerva and Severus. Any chance that this will be an expanded version on this site?? I would really enjoy more of these two in these personas and their interactions. Although they end up where they end up (not wanting to give any spoilers), I believe there's still lot's of opportunity for character and backstory development. 
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
I think I'll just post the original version for now. But I'm not ruling out a sequel at some point; I agree that there's a lot more to be said.Glad you enjoyed it.
No surprise that Severus had to have the relationship be consummated under his own terms. Of course, once they decide where they go from here, there's no reason not to put the misinformation plan into effect. He just has to frame it as since we're together anyway, and Voldemort might pick up on it...It'sa very plausible tale that you weave here. It leaves me at once heartened to imagine that they might both find some solace in the other's arms and saddened to imagine how, imevitably, whatever they might have would be reft apart a mere two years down the line at most.Brava, my dear.
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. This story is one my favorite of my MMSS fics, if I do say so myself. I like your ideas about how the relationship might continue.
He tried to bite back his groan of pleasure, but failed, and she chuckled. "Desperate, are we, Severus?" Minerva is so quick with the come-back. This made me laugh out loud!When he secured her wrists to the bed, I could imagine his sense of triumph–until she did him one better. That's the Minerva and Severus we all know and love.Clearly Minerva cares enough for Severus to willingly share his bed. Clearly Severus cares enough to care that she cares enough. Clearly both of them (and me, too) are giddy with your parting statement: But I can promise you that I'll be writing about Severus and Minerva again; I find that I'm not yet finished with them. I may even try a sequel to this particular story, if further inspiration strikes. YAY!!!What? You haven't started yet? Weeeelll... chop-chop. And thank you for an entertaining way to spend my time today.Beth
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
I'm so pleased that you reviewed all the chapters; thank you, thank you. Such a treat. I've got about five fest deadlines facing me, so I can't return to this story at the moment, but it's on my mind. After Christmas, maybe!So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.(Yep, sex as competition -- that's our MM/SS /g/)
But then Fate stepped in, as it so often did, in the form of Albus Dumbledore. I swear Dumbledore could mess up a mayonnaise sandwich!I was surprised that Albus' plans for them played right into Severus' own plans. His tentative steps in letting Minerva know that he found her attractive has seemingly brought a reward, but I don't think Severus is really thinking of her as a "reward" to be won or lost depending on his attempts at seduction. I have to believe that even though Severus is acting on Voldemort's "orders" this is something that he would have wished for had times and conditions been different... sans a Dark Lord.Will she follow Severus to his bedroom? At this point I have to say that I have no idea, but I know what I would like to see happen. So I'm off to the next chapter to quiet my curiosity!Beth
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
You see the relationship just as Ido: that Voldemort's orders gave Severus an excuse to do something that he wanted to do anyway, but circimstances and personalities being what they are, he can't.Thanks again for the lovely review.~~Kelly
Beginning with Minerva's apology to Severus, you have written a most believable relationship between these two. I can see this scenario happening with them, and the way you've described the small steps through the years, it seem entirely plausible."Your winnings, Severus," she'd said, handing him a satisfyingly-heavy bag of coins. "Try to keep them safe. If you can, that is.""You plan to burgle my rooms?" he'd enquired dryly."I plan to win them back." I think both of them would respond to wagers and competition. It's the sort of flirting that would appeal to them.I love how Severus imagined the way things would go if he just told Minerva about Voldemort's plan: It was a reasonable plan, but…god, what if Minerva, being the damned Gryffindor martyr that she was, insisted on sleeping with him as her contribution to the war effort? Severus could just imagine her stripping nobly off, her face aglow with the glory of being the Heroic Strumpet, or whatever-the-hell word she'd use, whoring herself for the Greater Good. She'd probably even get off on the idea. I couldn't help laughing out loud... until I read what followed: What mattered was that in the end, she would do it because she wanted Severus Snape. That totally got my attention! I think for the first time I actually realized how much it meant to him that she would want him.Another great chapter, Kelly!Beth
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thank you for this detailed response; I really love knowing what lines work for readers. It's good of you to take the time. I agree that wagers are exactly how they would flirt!Thank you.~~Kelly
It is the same!--For, be it joy or sorrow, The path of its departure still is free: Man's yesterday may ne'er be like his morrow; Nought may endure but Mutability. ShelleyIf I didn't know better I would think Shelley was writing about our Severus. I don't think he would have been able to survive for long if he weren't able to change like the winds. Whenever he encountered an obstacle, he had to adapt his persona, his mannerisms, his thoughts even... or risk immediate annihilation.I can't wait to find out how Severus handles this order. Will he be able to carry out the Dark Lord's plan? Will Minerva be so willing to change her point of view? Or will she be able to change Severus? Will he be able to continue working for the chance to live for himself alone? or will he be changed?Interesting beginning!Beth
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thank you!! I did have Shelley in mind (Wordsworth, too). I'm so glad you see the connections.I appreciate the feedback.~~Kelly
Personally I have a love/hate relationship with open endings. This one is bugging me because I want to find out what happens when Minerva finds out Tom was behind it all! Fireworks! My fingers are crossed the muse comes for a visit with sequel thoughts. Thank you again. 
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thanks for the review! I like to think that Tom is not behind it *all* -- I think he served as a convenient excuse for something Severus wanted anyway. But will he be able to convince Minerva of that? That's the big question.~~Kelly
A sequel would be great! I really liked this story. I couldn't get chapter 3 to load so I'll check tomorrow! I wanted to wait to read 4 after I read 3 but couldn't! LOL
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
I hope Chapter 3 cooperates tomorrow! But it's quite a compliment that you couldn't wait to read the end /g/.Thank you.~~Kelly
This is awesome. I like where it's heading! Nice set-up between Severus and Minerva...
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thanks for reading! Glad you're enjoying it.
I really liked the give and take of their relationship. This feels like a beginning for them as a couple, but you've left it ambiguous enough to be uncertain. I'm sure Minerva could be a right nippy-sweetie if she thought she was bedded only because Voldemort ordered it.
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you don't mind the ambiguity. Though it might be fun to write an epilogue of Minerva's reaction if she did find out about the "orders."
Response from quaffswinegaily (Reviewer)
I actually like the ambiguity. Everything tied up and clear cut would not seem right for these two.
That's IT?*snorts*Okay.... fine... *grins*Brilliantly written, if not exactly what I was expecting - you do leave me wondering and wanting for more explanation - especially from Minerva's stand point - honestly - Severus? What on earth drove her to that?An interesting read - shame you don't enjoy writing longer stories - I think this one had a lot of potential for various arcs. Good job none the less!
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
I do apologize /g/. You aren't the first person to feel a bit cheated by this story, I fear. It really did seem finished to me when I wrote it: Severus as a person who literally lives his life one day at a time, always feeling (or so I would think) as if he's on the edge of a cliff with only black nothingness stretching ahead of him. Stories with closure just seem not to fit him.But I think you're right that there are several directions this one could have taken, and I think I might like to return to it one day.Thanks for being such a reliable reader and commentator; I really appreciate it.~~Kelly
The Heroic Strumpet - that's priceless !! An interesting insight into the sexual psyche of Snape - that sex with an actual person seems - cleaner... The resident medi-shrink would have a field day with that...
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
"The resident medi-shrink would have a field day with that..."Oh, indeed. Poor Severus. He's a case history if I ever heard one. Thanks for the comment!
Yet mutual attraction did help explain the undercurrents he felt in their unending attempts to get a leg up on one another. So to speak. - I so love this lineWhat mattered was that in the end, she would do it because she wanted Severus Snape. - and this one. Severus may be completely wretched, but he's got pride. Though I daresay he could do with slightly less pride and a bit more wanking, and be a happier man ;-)
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Ha -- I agree. Wanking wouldn't have made Severus's dealings with Voldemort any easier, but it might have made him calmer. And it would have given him a bit of fun.Thanks for commenting.
This is very intriguing - I really enjoy the way you write Snape - its quite realistic, he's so resentful and twists so many realities - even if he does understand the basis for things, especially others' feelings - and motives - he twists everything just so much, just a tad... so that everything looks suspicious through his eyes, and nothing is sacred, or even, just plainly there - everything, every hint of emotion or motive has some alternate meaning behind it, and according to Severus, malicious intent is always suspected and believed.I can't help but feel sorry for your Severus - that his view on the world is so dark, and that he can't even understand a simple apology - or accept that people can be kind and good - but alas, he makes his own decisions and his own bed, and perhaps he's just not willing to accept that there is good in the world - sad but so many people are like that.Not my preferred pairing - and yet you still have me quite enthralled, worried even, for Minerva's sake.Keep on! I'm cheering for you, and of course, for Minerva.
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thank you for this detailed review. I feel sorry for this Severus, too -- he has to be suspicious of the world in order to survive, but I do think he finds it all too easy, as you say, to see "malicious intent" everywhere.I'm glad you're giving Severus/Minerva a try even if it's not your favorite pairing. I hope they'll make it worth your while!~~Kelly
I started reading this on a whim, just saw it there and though, what the heck... and its brilliantly written - really! I was pleasantly surprised that my whim turned out to be something quite interesting... you write Severus and Voldemort very well.
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thank you! I'm pleased you enjoyed it, and I hope you'll like the rest.~~Kelly
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Just asking - I don't want to spoil anything - but I just wanted to ask ahead of time - is this fic going to depict Dumbledore in a poor light? Being as I'm a hard-core Dumbledore fan, I try to avoid fics that upset me... just curious.And again, well done! Poor Minerva! *cringes*
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
There will be another scene with Dumbledore, seen through Snape's pov. Severus is angry with Albus, and in a cynical frame of mind about everyone, so he probably won't be particularly generous in his thoughts. But Albus's actual behavior should be open to interpretation.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Thank you for being honest ... I'll be brave and keep reading. 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Hey Kelly - I was looking over some of your previous work and noticed most of them are one-shots - is this piece going to be a multi-chapter piece or fairly short? Or maybe you don't know! I'm nosey so I'll apologize ahead of time. *grins*
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
I'm expecting just a few more chapters; my mind doesn't usually run to really long or plotty stories. I wrote a 27K fic once and felt as if I'd climbed Everest.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
He he he.... okay, looking forward to the next installment!
Love the title - immediately thought of the poems - Shelley's, and Wordsworth's... ah yes, Voldy's offering of more worthier witches over Sev's Mudblood and his seemingly disdain for all things carnal, all things concerning the matters of the heart... except for the powers it brings him... Love it that Minerva
has been 'targeted' - great angst!
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thanks for the review! And I did have the Romantic poems in the back of my mind; I'm glad you mentioned them. I really do think that someone like Voldemort would find sex off-putting, for all sorts of non-healthy reasons. He turned out to be very interesting to write,
What a painfully lonely and unhappy Severus. Intriguiging reference to Bella and Narcissa - what did they believe before they fell in love?
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Even though I like to write a semi-cheerful fic for Severus occasionally, I think that deep down, he *is* painfully lonely and unhappy, poor man.Thanks for commenting!
He was working for the chance to live for himself alone.That line was like a gut punch. I feel such sympathy for Severus always pulled between Riddle and Dumbledore.
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
I agree -- whatever his flaws, poor Severus lived under terrible pressure. Thanks for commenting!
Ah, our Severus is going to have to resort to every Slytherin wile he possesses. You've captured him beautifully here. And I adore the snarky assesment of St Albus.
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thanks for rereading, my dear! I'm always pleased when you think I've caught SS's character, since you do such a fine job with him yourself.
Ooo such an intriguing beginning! I can't wait for the next update!
Response from kellychambliss (Author of Mutability)
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Update soon.