Four

Anti-Litigation Charm: None of the characters belong to me. They belong to JK Rowling, who let my entire reason for reading the Harry Potter series bleed to death on the floor of the Shrieking Shack. I'm building a better world.

Author's Notes:

This story is a birthday gift to the great Sempraseverus, whose art has inspired every fanfic I have ever written. If you know her art, you understand completely. If you do not know her art, go to deviantArt now, and look at her stunning work, before you start.

Big hugs and kisses and a big bottle of Gewürtztraminer to my beta, stgulik, who is faster than the speed of light, and brilliant at buffing the story up to a pearly sheen. Thank you so much.

This story is about a Dominant/submissive relationship. It is not meant as an instruction manual on the lifestyle. This chapter contains explicit sexual content. It is a work of fiction and meant for entertainment purposes only.

---

And how we'd wished to live in the sensual world; you don't need words--just one kiss, then another.

Stepping out of the page into the sensual world...

And then our arrows of desire rewrite the speech, mmh, yes, and then he whispered would I, mmh, yes,

Be safe, mmh, yes, from mountain flowers?

---

Learning to be a Dominant was thrilling and terrifying in equal measures. The responsibilities were enormous; Severus Snape was not a wizard that I could fuck about with. He was a brave, complicated man, and he deserved my best. With every passing day, I learned more about him, and even more about myself. In the back of my mind, also, was the thought that he might one day decide that he didn't want me to Dominate him anymore, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't just as addicted to Dominating him as he was to submitting to me.

I had spent literally my youth trying to please this man. Up to this point I could never reconcile myself to the fact that I would never be able to, because he had chosen, for whatever reason, not to acknowledge my talents. Now that the tables were turned, I had to pinch myself on a daily basis that he was trying so hard to please me. I swore I would never be as unyielding or vicious as he had been.

I told myself that he had mitigating circumstances, justifiable reasons to treat me thus. I could not refrain from asking him if he had always been cruel because he had to. With typical Severus candor, he explained that, as a first year, I had irritated him to distraction. Later on, it was through necessity. I had to laugh. I had been an irritating little shit when I was younger, and for the same reason he was so vile to me: I was afraid. Fear has a lot to answer for in a lifetime. We were conquering our fears, one day at a time.

---

Like me, Severus is a bit of a swot, and we approached this new and exciting relationship with the same single-mindedness as we had school: researching the submissive side of a D/s relationship. It was something he found fascinating and, thankfully, enjoyable. He and I both snorted over the silly 'costumes' as he called them, deciding that prancing around in leather pants and studded cuffs was always going to be beyond him. I couldn't see it myself; this was not a game of dress up; we were playing for keeps.

I found that he absolutely loved being bound and blindfolded. When I asked why, he replied, "Because I don't have to think about anything but you." He hated being gagged, but I saw no reason to stifle a voice that beautiful. The first time I spanked him with my hand, he came without permission, and I had to punish him.

We made lists of those experiments we wished to try; we agreed on safe words. We discussed a D/s contract, and I had Ginny give me a copy of the one she and Harry had agreed upon, but I didn't tell Severus the source of my information. Severus grew calmer, more centred, less agitated, less wary. He knew he was safe in the house, and not having to make any decisions was something that he found surprisingly liberating. He had been in charge of conflict and stress for so long that lying back and being told what to do by me seemed to be a holiday for him.

As he said, in a drawling tone, "Your every command isn't going to potentially kill me. It's a refreshing change." He was still snarky and sarcastic at times, but his peevish sense of humour appealed to me, and I found myself liking him. I had already fallen in lust with him the moment he dropped to his knees.

We soon established a regular routine. Severus became the 'househusband', and I the breadwinner. We both enjoyed our roles and were comfortable with them. His household duties never threatened his pride. In fact, he seemed happy to relinquish it. He told me over and over that pride had been his downfall at every turn in the road, and he did not wish to make that mistake again.

When he would place his trust in me, it was a physical thing for him. He would literally open his arms, exposing his body to me, as if offering himself up as a sacrifice. The gentler I was with him, the more he relinquished his self-hatred and the softer he became. I made him stand and look at himself in the mirror while I bound him, touched him, made him come. He watched his body with a look of puzzlement and confusion, as if truly seeing it for the first time.

Stroking him, wearing the most provocative underthings I'd ever owned, I would murmur, "Who are you?"

He would automatically answer, "I am your precious submissive. I am your prize, your treasure. I am your beloved. I am beautiful."

"Indeed you are, my pretty boy, my pet, my lovely little treat." He learned to preen and purr beneath my caresses, and he would sit for hours at my feet while I brushed his hair, or fed him, or had him read to me in his stunning, silken voice. When I told him I was pleased with him, his gratitude was so great it moved me to tears more than once. He could be the thorny and cantankerous professor of my youth, but he could turn on a Sickle and be a snuggling baby when I wanted him to be. He was a very quick learner.

He took better care of his appearance. His hair was always freshly washed, his clothes tidy. When we went to restaurant in Muggle London (we went nowhere in Wizarding London; I had no time for the sharks and dogs that would hound us for photos or gossip), I would sit beside him, sliding my hand between his thighs, feeling him obediently spread his legs so I could caress his cock.

He never wore underwear now. I demanded access to him at all times, and when I realised that this little thrill of being hidden away and touched in public excited him, I made use of my opportunities to feel his velvety member slide between my fingers, even as I ordered my meal. It was a little game we played; his years of playing a double role never truly left him, and I was always delighted how calm he sounded when asking for the filet mignon, while my fingers tickled the underside of his shaft.

If a pretty waitress tried to flirt (and quite a few did), he would very respectfully turn his attention to me. He took great pains to make sure I had no reason to be jealous. He wanted there to be no doubt in my mind as to who was most important to him. It grieved him to risk my displeasure. I could shame him almost to tears with a reproachful look when he disappointed me. It didn't happen often, but it almost killed him when it did.

Afterward, I was always quick to remind him that I was pleased with him, and how proud I was to be seen with such a handsome man. The day I knew he believed me was the day I brought him to stunning orgasm and removed the blindfold and the restraints, and he took my face in his hands and looked at me with wonder and ecstasy. "Am I truly as beautiful as you say, Mistress?"

My throat tightened, and for a moment, tears threatened to fall. "You are the most beautiful man I have ever known."

He closed his eyes, and something in his face showed acceptance. When he opened his eyes, he whispered, "Please, Mistress, may I kiss your lips?"

I pulled him into an embrace, and touched his lips to mine. His mouth was warm and soft, and I knew if I allowed him to slide his wicked tongue into my mouth I'd be the slave, not him.

---

On the following Friday, I told him, "We have a guest coming round tomorrow. I want you to look your best."

Looking up from his Potions journal, Severus looked mildly curious, but nothing more. "Yes, Mistress. Is there anything in particular you wish for me to wear?"

I took a deep breath. Nonchalantly, I replied, "I wish for you to wear your formal robes. The ones that resemble your old teaching robes."

I forced myself to look at him. I could tell it made him uncomfortable, but he didn't reply. He merely nodded, and returned to his journal. But later that evening, as I sat beside him on the sofa, nestling in the crook of his arm, he casually asked, "May I ask why you wish for me to dress... the way I looked when you were in school?"

I turned, and fighting the urge to bury my nose in his armpit (he smells so delicious – you'll just have to take my word for it – I sniff at him all the time. It's the one time he truly laughs), I replied, "It's a surprise. You do trust me, don't you, Severus?"

He immediately responded, "Yes, Mistress."

I laughed, and this time I did sniff him appreciatively. As he chuckled, I replied, "You know, Severus, I would never do anything to hurt or humiliate you deliberately."

He gave me a little rumbling purr. "I know." He drew me closer, and kissed my forehead. "I know you love me."

I sat up straight and looked at him. "And what do you feel for me, Severus?"

He took my hand and kissed it. "I feel the same for you." He stroked my palm with his long, calloused fingers. "I have never told anyone I love them. It is not a thing that comes easily to me. Or, rather, it didn't in the past."

Still reeling from these words, I stammered, "You needn't feel obligated to say it. In fact, I'd rather not hear it if you cannot say it without prompting." I tucked a wayward strand of his soft hair behind his gracefully-shaped ear. His hair was fine and straight, and as blue-black as a cormorant's wing. It slid through my fingers like strands of silk, and made me sigh with envy. I hated my own hair. I cupped his cheek in my hand, and he leaned into it, closing his eyes.

Softly, he whispered, "How could I not love you? You are the only one who has ever understood my needs. You're the only one who has ever forced me to acknowledge and understand them myself. You are the only person who has ever accepted me, and loved me in return."

We resumed watching telly, but I don't remember a thing about the programme. All I could remember was the tone of Severus' voice when he said, "I know you love me."

He had professed his love to me, and he sensed I might love him too, though I had never fully formed the thought in my own head. Why couldn't I say it out loud? Why couldn't I admit it to myself? I realized I was ready for a new level to our relationship, and hoped my new plan would help.

The next evening at the appointed hour, the Floo chimed, and our dinner guest stepped out of the flames. Ginny Weasley was wearing a red dress and thigh-high boots, looking every inch the Dominant female. I was honestly surprised she wasn't wielding a whip instead of an innocuous bottle of Gewürtztraminer.

I knew Severus by now enough to know he was surprised that she was our guest. He had lived virtually apart from Wizarding Britain for the last few months. We had more Muggle friends than Wizarding ones. His face was as inscrutable as ever, but I saw him take her in, clothing, personality and all, in one encompassing glance, and he changed. He looked as skittish and beautiful as a thoroughbred.

Recovering quickly, Severus moved to shake her hand, but she bypassed his arm and gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. "Mr. Snape, it's a pleasure to see you again. Especially looking so well." She beamed at him, and he gave me a look that strongly resembled the classic 'deer-in-the-headlights.' Now he was starting to realise why I had him dress in his formal robes.

Finally, he remembered himself and replied, "Likewise, Miss Weasley."

She gave him a calm appraisal, taking in his appearance. "I really wish you'd call me Ginny, Mr. Snape. Or Ginevra, if you feel 'Ginny' is too informal."

He gave a courtly little nod. "Then I must also ask that you call me Severus, Ginevra. Mr. Snape sounds as if we are discussing schooling, and I think you'd understand that I'd rather not invoke that sort of tone to the evening," he said, ruefully looking down at his clothing. "In spite of my manner of dress."

Ginny rewarded him with a flashing smile. "Absolutely! Severus it is, then. And I think you look very nice. Your teaching robes always suited you very well."

I stepped forward and Ginny and I hugged, and placed a chaste kiss on one another's lips. The gesture was not lost on Severus, nor had I thought it would be. I turned and took his arm. "It's wonderful to see you again, Gin. Let's go into the kitchen. Dinner's almost ready."

The three of us ate and talked companionably, our conversations meandering from subject to subject. Ginny was the perfect guest, as always; she could talk to anyone about almost any subject and had the enviable gift of making everyone feel at ease. Our dinner was excellent, and afterward, we retired to the front room.

Severus was still a little guarded but was nonetheless a gracious host, and as he opened the excellent bottle of wine brought by Ginny, he asked, "Forgive me if I am being presumptuous, Mis- Ginevra, but do you and Mr. Potter still entertain an understanding?"

Smiling at his rather arcane vernacular, Ginny replied, "We do indeed, Severus. Which brings me very nicely to one of the reasons I'm here this evening." She turned to me. "Hermione, would you do me the pleasure of being my Maid of Honour? It would mean a great deal to us both."

Beaming, I gave Ginny a hug so huge I almost tipped her chair over. "I'd be the one honoured! Thank you, Gin!"

The two of us laughed, and Severus offered a toast. "Mr. Potter is a very fortunate man, Ginevra. To new beginnings."

Three glasses clinked, and three voices said in unison, "To new beginnings."

As I sipped the sweet wine, some of my happiness at Ginny's request dimmed. "Gin, what about your mother? She's not exactly thrilled with me right now."

Ginny made a dismissive wave of her hand. "Oh, don't worry about her. I'll deal with Mum. Ron's off in Venice with Lavender, and it's not like it was when you two called it quits." Something like mischief gleamed in Ginny's eyes, and she told Severus, "When Hermione told Ron to shove it, you would have thought she had AK'd him, the way Mum reacted -" Ginny froze. Her eyes grew large, and she gasped at her faux pas and put a hand over her mouth, as if to hold back words already sailing around the room.

She whispered, "Oh, Severus, I'm sorry. That was completely tactless – "

Severus held up his hand, and something like a gentle smile graced his lips. "It's alright, Miss – Ginevra. I'm not the first wizard who used the curse, and I won't be the last." A sadness stole into his expression, and I stroked his arm gently.

"That was another life, Severus," I said, quietly, and he nodded. "This is a new beginning, remember? That's what we toasted to."

He turned to me, and kissed my hand. "Of course, Mist- Hermione."

I laughed, thanking the gods he'd given me an in without having to go through any clumsy segue. "It's alright, Severus. Ginny knows." Hastily, because his eyes were growing large, I added, "She and Harry have the exact same relationship."

For a moment, I thought this might have been a big mistake, letting the cat out of the bag. He looked at me, his liquid dark eyes unreadable, and then looked at Ginny.

Rather serenely, Ginny added, "I, for one, am glad you found Hermione. You two are perfectly suited for one another, and for this lifestyle, and I'm very happy to see you so relaxed."

He didn't reply, but I could see his shoulders tense. I asked, "Severus, are you uncomfortable, knowing about Ginny and Harry?"

His brow furrowed, and he contemplated the question. In his quiet, hypnotic voice, he replied, "I suppose I'm merely surprised. I had thought Mr. Potter to be more... assertive."

Ginny grinned. "Arrogant, you mean? I can understand that, Severus." She grew serious. "But think on: he had an abusive childhood, he was in turns bullied, lauded and shunned, he fought against wizards far more powerful than he thought himself to be, he lived his life afraid and angry and uncertain of himself and his abilities, and he had a complex about his physical appearance because of the scar."

Severus looked at me in astonishment. A hand fluttered up to his throat before he could catch himself, and he recovered by reaching for his wine. I knew his own scar troubled him.

He bit his lip and nodded. "When the facts are stated thus, I can understand a little better. The fact that you are comparing Mr. Potter with similar traits in my own life is not lost on me."

"But not calculated, either, Severus." I took his hand. "Ginny and I are strong females who want to take care of our men. We are shaping the world we want to live in. We have created this sensual world for our men. You both need us in this way, and we're working hard on your behalf, to make sure of your acceptance of yourselves, as well as your wellbeing."

Ginny toasted me with her glass. "Hear, hear." Something like a mischief expression stole onto her pretty face. "And speaking of wellbeing, I wanted to show you my new toy," she replied, with a wicked little grin. She set down her wine glass, and from her handbag, she withdrew a small rectangular box, which she enlarged with a tap of her wand and placed on the coffee table. "Go ahead, Severus. Open it."

After looking to me for approval, he reached forward, and with steady hands, he lifted the lid of the box and withdrew a large, round, flat wooden paddle. It was thin, only about a quarter of an inch thick, about six inches wide. Holes had been randomly drilled in the paddle. It looked positively lethal in Severus' large, pale hands. For a moment, I could picture him holding it and swinging it down on my backside...

"What do you think, Severus?" Ginny was saying. "Would you like to try it?" He looked at her with an almost frightened expression.

When he did not reply, Ginny leaned in close to him. "Your Mistress tells me you have a lovely body, Severus."

Now he looked worried. He laid the paddle onto the table, and flexed his hands, as if they suddenly hurt.

Gently, I said, "Severus, I want you to remove your trousers. I want to show Ginny what a beautiful man you are."

He looked at me with such naked vulnerability I almost recanted. The last thing I wanted to do was to humiliate him. It was Ginny who took control of the situation. She placed a calming hand on his arm, and he flinched as he spun around to face her.

Ginny was very gentle with him. "Severus, you vowed to obey your Mistress. She vowed to never put you in harm's way. Do you trust that she has your best interests at heart? That she is asking this of you to lift you up? To bring you to a higher level as her submissive?"

He looked from Ginny to me, and then slowly nodded. I sat close to him, and speaking softly in his ear, I murmured, "Let go, Severus. I am here. No one will harm you. I will reward you for your perfect submission, my beautiful boy."

As if in a trance, Severus began to unbutton his trousers, his eyes never leaving mine. I crooned to him, stroking his face, calling him my good boy, as he lifted slightly and slid his black trousers down hips that were as pale and smooth as the moonlight. Ginny watched him as intensely as I.

Between two women, their concentration focused solely on him, Severus' breathing quickened. His cock, rising from the nest of wiry black curls at the base, was semi-erect. Ginny smiled at him. "That is indeed a beautiful cock, Severus. Your mistress is one lucky witch."

I smiled. "I think so." I leaned forward and kissed his smooth, cool cheek. "Undress for me completely, pet. I want to show you off."

By now, Severus was almost in subspace, his fingers moving slowly and smoothly, removing his cravat, his waistcoat, unbuttoning his shirt. Ginny and I leaned down and removed his boots and socks, and slid his trousers from his legs.

"Stand up, my lovely boy," I said, more aroused than I thought possible, and totally uncaring that Ginny was there. I was dripping wet already; I honestly thought we might have to have another session with the 'doppelphallus', as Severus had jokingly coined the dildo I'd given him. His inhibitions were a great deal lower now, but I honestly knew we were off the map now.

When he stood before Ginny and me, he looked stunningly beautiful, like a decadent, fallen angel. His skin was luminous in the firelight, his body was finely shaped, and months of good cooking had filled out the 'starving greyhound' look he had when he first arrived on my doorstep. Severus was a beautiful man, with the lean body of a Roman soldier. Illness had atrophied some of his muscles, but he was still wondrous to behold. I know my admiring expression matched Ginny's.

"Beautiful," Ginny murmured. She rose and walked around him. He stood still, his eyes locked onto mine. I gazed back at him calmly, willing him to relax.

"When was the last time you disciplined your beautiful boy, Mistress?" Ginny said, sounding throaty and thoroughly dark. Severus' cock twitched.

"It has been awhile," I confessed. "I've not had reason to as of late." I smiled at him, at his dark, lovely eyes. "He's such a good boy, aren't you, my pet?"

He gasped slightly, as Ginny put a warm hand on Severus' back. "Disciplining is essential. It promotes trust and establishes the roles of both the Dominant and submissive. Receiving discipline perfectly comes with reward."

She rose on tiptoe and whispered into Severus' ear. "What reward do you crave most, submissive? Would you like to have your Mistress suck your cock, or would you like to lick her cunt?"

Severus expelled the breath he'd been holding, and looked at me with eyes that blazed into life with lust. He unconsciously licked his lips, making me pant a little.

"Her – her cunt." His eyes slid closed with decadent languor. When they opened again, they were infused with desire. He purred softly, "I want to lick her cunt."

Hearing him say this – hearing this wizard say that about me nearly sent me over the edge. There was a ragged sound to his usual silky tones, and no man has ever made the word cunt sound so dirty, or sweet, so clipped and precise; as if he already tasted it on his tongue.

Ginny said, "Is this something you enjoy doing?" Behind Severus' back, she winked at me. She knew the answer.

Severus, his eyes still locked with mine, whispered, "I have not earned the right yet."

"I see." Ginny picked up the paddle. "Will you accept your discipline, pretty one? Would you give yourself to me and allow me to paddle your lovely bottom, to earn the right to pleasure your mistress?"

Severus closed his eyes, and he held out his arms. I knew this was his ultimate gesture of surrender, and I relaxed. His velvety voice was like chocolate when he whispered, "Yes, Mistress Ginevra. I accept your discipline."

"Beautifully said, Severus. I know your Mistress is very pleased."

I smiled at him, and Ginny instructed him quickly. She made him straddle me on the sofa, so that his knees were on either side of my hips. I had access to his chest and his belly, and his cock was already hard and straining toward me. Ginny bade him grasp the back of the sofa, so that he was face to face with me. I crooned and baby-talked him and stroked and petted my lovely boy to calm him. He was ghostly pale, his eyes enormous and fearful, but they remained trustingly locked onto mine.

"Do you know how to count, submissive?" Ginny said, standing behind him.

Severus nodded. "I do know how to count for you, Mistress Ginevra." He was already sweating, and I stroked his flanks. He shivered, making his skin pebble into goosebumps and his nipples harden. Beneath him, I looked up and caressed him again.

Unable to stop myself, I commanded, "Lean down, my darling. I want to lick your pert little nips." He leaned toward me, and moaned sweetly as I licked and bit his tiny little caramel nipples.

The first smack startled both of us, and we jumped together. It sounded like the crack of a whip, and Severus' eyes flew open, then squeezed shut. "Thank you, Mistress; that is one."

The second seemed harder, and focused on his left bum cheek. Severus began to pant. "Thank you, Mistress; that is two," he said, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

Ginny paused, and gently cupped his balls in her hand. "Gods, you are beautiful man, submissive. You are making your Mistress very proud. I wouldn't be surprised if she gives you a second reward." The next smack of the paddle caused Severus to cry out, and tears sprang to his eyes.

By the time Ginny had spanked him seven times, his cock was rock hard and I was sucking it with abandon. I honestly didn't care that I was breaking the rules. He looked so marvelous, shuddering with each slap of the paddle, his cock bobbing in my face. I couldn't resist it.

Ginny was laughing at me. "Typical Hermione! You're such an overachiever! Save something for later, girl!" Reluctantly I pulled his cock from my greedy mouth, and he whimpered at the loss, as our eyes met in anticipation of the next blow.

The last three strokes were horrible to hear. Ginny was not holding back, and by the time he sobbed, "Thank you, Mistress; that is ten," he was weeping openly, and I was kissing the tears from his face.

He sobbed helplessly, and Ginny quietly said to me, "Let him cry. He needs the release. The pain on the outside has finally matched the pain on the inside."

Severus' legs were trembling, and Ginny made him actually sit on my lap and put all his weight on me. He wept like a heartbroken child, shaking uncontrollably, and it was heart wrenching to watch. He literally put his head on my shoulder and sobbed.

It seemed that every tear he had been denied since childhood was waiting in line, streaming from his lovely dark eyes. He held onto me like a lifeline. I put my arms around him. I rocked him and held him as Ginny took a large jar of something from her bag, and quietly said to me, "This will take away the sting."

I murmured into his ear, "Mistress Ginny is going to make the pain go away."

He simply shook his head, cried harder. "Will she? Will the pain ever go away, Mistress?" It was the most pitiful thing I'd ever witnessed, and I could only hold him, to allow the pain and the release to spend itself.

"Severus," Ginny said, very gently, "I'm going to rub this into your bottom now. It will make the pain go away, as your Mistress said. You were perfect in your submission, beautiful Severus, and you will receive a wonderful reward from your Mistress."

She began to rub the salve into his skin. She smiled at me. "His arse is so warm and rosy now. It's lovely." She spread the cheeks of his bottom, and Severus moaned and shook his head.

"No..." he whimpered in my ear.

He turned around to face Ginny. "Please, don't bugger me!" he cried, and returned his head against my shoulder, like a frightened child. I tried to comfort him, but he was too distraught.

"Shh, my lovely boy," Ginny soothed, gently rubbing the salve around his tender anus. "I won't hurt you, my pretty one. I'm going to make you feel better."

As she soothed his burning backside, Ginny suddenly leaned forward into Severus's ear. In a low, dispassionate voice, she said, "The last year before Voldemort was killed, just after you were appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts, the Carrows caught me trying to defend a first year from being hexed. They took me to Mr. Filch and told him to cane me.

"They made him manacle me to the wall and pull down my knickers, and they watched and laughed as Mr. Filch gave me twenty-five lashings with a birch rod. I was screaming by the time they left me with him."

Ginny scooped more of the salve and rubbed it into Severus' skin as tenderly as she would a child. "Mr. Filch was crying when the Carrows left, and he took this exact salve and rubbed it into my bottom, Severus, just as I am doing to you."

Her soft voice, her gentle hand, her story, were all calming Severus. Ginny continued, "He said to me, 'Just you wait until the new headmaster hears about this. He won't let this foolishness happen again.' I cried harder. I said, 'But Snape will be worse! Please don't let him find out!' Mr. Filch shushed me and said, 'No lass! You mark my words: Professor Snape is on the right side. He's Dumbledore's man. You mark my words. This will be the last time the Carrows can hurt you, lass.'"

Severus was still crying, but he had calmed somewhat. Ginny continued to place the cooling salve on his blistered skin. "By the time Mr. Filch had finished, my bottom no longer hurt. He was very gentle, and now and again his fingers would..." She smiled at the shocked look on my face. "I will only say he was very gentle with me, and he was right.

"We gradually got it through our thick skulls what you were doing. Sending us to detention with Hagrid; having Aberforth bring us food. We never thanked you."

Ginny leaned forward and kissed his lips softly. "Thank you, Severus, for saving my life. For saving all of us." She kissed him again, "Thank you for staying alive and submitting to my best friend and making her happy." She kissed him again, for the final time, and he returned the kiss gently, gratefully.

Severus, exhausted, collapsed against me, his tears cleansing and life-affirming. As I watched them fall, I looked up at Ginny, with tears in my own eyes. "I'm being completely selfish, aren't I?"

Both Ginny and Severus looked at me. I took Severus' hands in mine. I could hear the rising anxiety in my voice as I cried, "Am I being too possessive? I want you all for myself, I want you to be my submissive for the rest of my life and maybe I'm holding you back!"

Ginny was shaking her head, and Severus looked at me as if I'd gone mad. Tenderly, he took my head in his hands. "What are you talking about? Holding me back from what?"

I began to cry. "Severus, I just want to tuck you in my pocket and keep you here with me forever. A time will come when the Wizarding world will accept you and you will be able to do anything, go anywhere in Wizarding society. You'll want to get on with your life and I'll have to let you go!" I was the one sobbing now. I could almost feel the times changing, his own confidence blooming. "One day, you'll no longer need my Dominance. You'll no longer need me to command you. You'll be commanding yourself."

I ducked my head. "I love you so much."

He looked at me for the longest time. With more tenderness than I ever thought possible, he brushed away my tears. In the gentlest of voices, he said, "Oh, Mistress, since when have I given a toss about Wizarding society? Since when was being accepted by them important to me? And what makes you think that just because I may one day no longer need to submit to you emotionally that I won't want to?" He shook his head, smiling at me. "I'm in love with you, you dippy cow! I'm already riding around in your pocket because I crawled in there myself the first night I came here!"

He turned to Ginny, completely unashamed now of his nakedness. He sniffed, and wiped away his tears. With strength and confidence in his voice, he said, "Mistress Ginevra, thank you. Thank you for this evening. Thank you for teaching me the beauty of emotional release. I hope I'm not being rude, but would you mind if we had a little time alone?" He turned back to me and gave me a look of such warmth I felt my face burn. Never taking his eyes off me, he murmured, "I think my Mistress and I need to properly make love, and while I find your company charming –"

Ginny was already heading toward the Floo. "Say no more, sweet submissive. Take your reward," she said with a grin. "You've earned it."

As she approached the fireplace, I pointed to the paddle. "Oh, Gin!" I sniffed, and conjured a tissue. "You forgot your paddle."

Her grin widened. "Why don't you keep it? I think you might find it very helpful." With that, she blew us a kiss, and left in a flash of green fire.

Once we were alone, Severus stood, and offered his hand to me. I stood up on legs that were shaking and he put his arms around me and drew me close. "You silly little witch," he purred, kissing my ear, demolishing the last of the control of my wobbly legs. "I'm never going to stop wanting this. It's the only thing I've ever wanted." He looked down at me with bright, shining eyes. "Acceptance, love, desire. And the fact that you feel the same way..." He pondered my face for a moment, and then lowered his lips to mine.

This was our first real kiss. I had sucked his cock, kissed his cheeks, his hands, his forehead, licked almost every square inch of his body, but except for brief pecks on the lips, we had never kissed. His arms felt secure and safe, and the trust and care I'd spent weeks lavishing on him were returned eightfold, and when his warm, soft lips closed over mine, and suckled me like a baby, I was lost to him forever.

He teased my mouth open with his warm tongue, coated in wine and salt tears, and I opened for him like a flower, my body so hungry for him I felt faint. Our tongues battled and teased and flicked against each other's and he plunged into my mouth, sucking my tongue hard, grasping, moaning, and we nipped and tore at one another like animals. I felt him pick me up, but I couldn't stop plunging into that hot, sweet mouth. His tongue was like candy, and I caressed it with mine, and slanted the angle of my head so that I could delve into his mouth greedily. He gave me everything I wanted. He held nothing back from me.

We fell onto the bed, me tearing at my robes until I found my wand and magically removed my clothing, both crying out in delight at the feel of skin on skin. And then his sweet, succulent mouth was kissing the skin around my nipple, nuzzling the hard bud with his large nose, teasing me until I was almost out of my head. All these months of controlling every orgasm Severus was allowed to have, of dictating what he ate and wore and did, and now he was taking me over, and it was ecstasy.

His hand toyed with one nipple, then the other was teased and suckled. His mouth was silk and velvet and sugar and magic. He played and nipped and sucked my nipples until I was purring with the pleasure and my hands were buried in his silky hair. I felt a terrible loss when he abandoned my breasts and moved downward, planting burning hot kisses along the way.

He kissed my thigh, my knee; his wicked tongue flickered across the instep of my arch. He sucked each toe into his mouth, and nipped and bit and licked them. I had never realised I had a foot fetish until that moment, but I was one hundred percent sure of it when he moved to my left foot and started again, working his way upward.

The look of rapture on his face as he literally worshiped my body with his was beyond orgasmic – it was spiritual, beautiful beyond anything I had ever experienced. When he finished with my legs, and nestled himself between my thighs, I thought I had known pleasure. I thought I understood it, right up to the point where this beautiful, dark-eyed man pushed my thighs wide apart and gazed at my cunt with so much desire and love I wanted to die of it.

"So plump and wet," he breathed, talking to himself. "Such a sweet little peach." Then, his mouth was on me, his tongue swiping between my nether lips, nuzzling down until he was buried in my dripping cunt, his nose and tongue and teeth playing and fondling my swollen clit.

My orgasm so took me by surprise that I actually cried out, "No! Not yet! Not yet!" Luckily, Severus ignored my babbling and sucked my clit into his mouth and flicked it hard with his tongue, and I screamed my release into the room. For several seconds, I was completely infused with him; every part of my being was centred at the little nub he worried with his teeth.

I could actually feel my clit thumping and throbbing against his tongue, and his long fingers slid into my quivering cunt, and unerringly found the little, spongy spot and rubbed it ruthlessly. The pleasure was crippling and devastating, and I was almost gone when another sly finger slipped into my anus.

"Severus..." I could hear myself, and I grabbed his hair and tried to pull him away, but he dropped his shoulders and locked himself against my thighs and wouldn't be moved. The second orgasm shook me like a ragdoll in the jaws of a beast, and I tried to reach for Severus, but I was too helpless. I began to cry. It was too perfect and I felt Severus withdraw from my body and I reached for him. "Please don't leave me!"

His warm, heavy weight covered me and he kissed me deeply. "Don't be silly. I'm never going to do that." His body felt like heaven, and I put my arms around his waist. He smiled down at me. "But I am going to enjoy doing this," he crooned, and without warning, he slid sweetly home.

"Oh, fuck, yes, Hermione," he moaned, and the look on his face almost made me come again. It was transported with rapture.

Eyes closed, his beautiful mouth was slack and swollen from my kisses, his face open and smooth and looking like a boy my own age.

"My beautiful, beautiful boy," I crooned, and he opened his liquid, black eyes and looked down at me with love and happiness, and my tears started again. He kissed them away.

"Don't cry, my precious Mistress," he purred, and kissed me with such tenderness. Seeing this stern, dour man change to this stunning, austere beauty filled me with crushing joy. I was part of it. I had been the catalyst to this. The muscles of my pussy contracted, and he broke the kiss and looked down at me with delighted surprise. A little smile curved his sensuous lips. "Wicked little girl," he marveled.

That's when he started thrusting. Hard. Oh, fucking hell, yes. Our bodies were made to fuck each other.

I didn't want him to be gentle; I wanted him to possess me, to make me his, as I had made him mine. "More," I whispered, and his mouth fused with mine and we crashed together like storm fronts colliding. "More," I pleaded, and my wizard gave me more. Merlin, he gave me everything.

His hips rolled and churned and snapped against mine, driving his cock inside me like arrows shafted into my womb, and he filled and stretched me to the point of madness. As I looked down between us, I saw him moving in and out of my body like a piston, my cunt pulling him back home, sucking his cock like a mouth.

Severus looked like a god rearing above me, taking me with all the force, the ferocity I needed, and as he felt my body gathering to climax, he slipped his arms under mine, and gripping the backs of my shoulders with his large hands, lowered himself against me and drove me hard into the mattress.

I felt my body lift, and I melted around him, coming hard again, contracting around his cock. I felt his mouth clamp down on my throat and his hips were snapping against mine so hard I was crying out with every breath.

Suddenly, he cried out, and in my ear he sobbed, "Oh gods, Mistress... I'm going to... please... oh, fuck, please..."

"Come, Severus, yesss!" I screamed and felt him stutter and his hips broke their driving rhythm and he shuddered and shook, and his come spurted into my body like lava. He cried out over and over, and my name sounded like an invocation on his lips.

His face was a mask of erotic intensity. It was so breathtakingly lovely I simply stopped and watched him. I had seen him come so many times at my command, but I'd never seen this much ecstasy on a man's face. I don't think I've ever felt so validated for something I had done.

He finally collapsed against me, gasping for breath and kissing me hard. I was laughing, giddy and euphoric, and suddenly he was laughing with me. It felt so damn good, to laugh and kiss, after all the tears and pain we'd shared. To see Severus Snape throw back his head, tangled hair flying, and laugh with delight, knowing I was the reason for his joy; it was the greatest thing that had ever happened to me.

With Severus, there was no 'Golden Trio', no war hero status, no bookworm. I was just his Mistress, and he was my submissive. It was an unusual relationship by many standards, but it was perfect for us.

I kissed him with all the tenderness I could muster in my post-coital exhaustion. "Severus Snape, you are mine."

He looked at me for a long time. He tucked a stray curl from my face. "Thank you."

I don't remember falling asleep, but the next morning he brought me breakfast in bed, and we fed each other. We made a terrible mess in the bed, and later we had to shower – I shan't begin to tell you how a lot of crumbs ended up – well, where they ended up.

---

Opening words from The Sensual World, by Kate Bush

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