Five

Going to any party in the Wizarding World was difficult enough for Hermione. She was still Harry Potter's friend and nothing more, but she used to at least have a boyfriend. It was almost enough to make her rethink her current status as a free agent, showing up to parties alone. And it wasn't as though she could just not go, either. Harry had asked her to attend on his behalf, and she said yes out of duty to him. He had promised to make it up to her somehow, and she hoped that it included a deep-tissue massage at the new salon in Diagon Alley.

Harry had assured her that Remus would be in attendance, but she was having a time trying to locate him in the crush. Bodies seemed to be everywhere, but then they were in a restaurant rather than at the Ministry or some other Ministry-sanctioned meeting hall. There was a silent auction, but Hermione didn't really care about what she bought or how much it was. Harry had given her unlimited access to his accounts at Gringott's to bid with, so she assumed that whatever she purchased, it would need to be expensive. And small. Harry did not want to go through the hassle of bringing anything large to his home, and Hermione did not like the idea of shrinking something expensive and possibly antique down in size.

Hermione decided to give up trying to locate Remus and instead concentrated on finding a suitable item to bid on, as well as a glass of something alcoholic.

"...practically running a crusade of her own," she heard a familiar-sounding voice say. She hoped it was Remus.

"All the better, dear chap," another familiar voice answered. "A woman on a crusade is infinitely preferable to one on a mission."

"I fail to see the difference, Lucius."

Hermione stopped short. Severus Snape. Lucius Malfoy. Oh no! She turned towards the sound of their voices and saw them, tall and imposing against the rather mundane decorations of the restaurant. One was silvery white while the other was impeccably black.

So much for Snape attempting to keep his reputation clean by not hanging around with shady characters.

"Hullo, Mister Snape," Hermione said. "Mister Malfoy."

Lucius looked Hermione up and down just as he usually did, an expression on his face as though he found her to be the most distasteful being on the face of the earth.

"Miss Granger, how...unexpected," Severus said, also looking her over. She felt suddenly like a painting that they were both critiquing.

This wasn't going well. Time to cut and run. "Yes, well, that's how things are from time to time. Sorry to have intruded, I'm just trying to find Remus Lupin. Nice to see you both."

"Won't you have a glass of champagne with us, Miss Granger?" Lucius asked, snagging a glass from a waiter. As always, he was dressed as though he belonged in Regency-era London, from his highly polished black Hessians to his costly white silk gloves. He was perhaps one of the most handsome men to ever live.

"I'm sure that Miss Granger has other things..." Severus began.

"If it's alcoholic, I'm drinking it," she mumbled, reaching for the glass.

Lucius smiled and delicately placed the champagne flute into her ungloved hand. As it was after five o'clock in the evening, she really should have been wearing them. The laws of decorum amongst the Magical were very clear on bare hands after a certain hour for formal occasions. However, Hermione did not consider a cocktail-and-silent auction-party to be a formal occasion, so she had left hers off. She was relieved to see that Severus had as well. His bare hands were clutching a tumbler of firewhiskey, and Hermione wondered how he had managed to get so lucky. As in Hogwart's, his dress clothes consisted of Victorian-era regalia. Black trousers, black cut-away, and a surprising crimson waistcoat. He actually looked nice.

"How charming you look this evening, Miss Granger," Lucius said after he gave her a moment to sip her champagne.

"Thank you, Mister Malfoy," she murmured. Hermione had decided long ago that if she was going to embrace the Wizarding World and dress like an eccentric witch, she would choose the Medieval period as her model. For the silent auction, she had chosen a silver underdress with a blue velvet surcoat over it. Her sleeves were belled and the open sides of the dress were embroidered with knotwork.

"Hermione! There you are!"

Hermione turned to find a smiling Remus Lupin approaching her. He was also wearing a crimson waistcoat, but his Edwardian suit was khaki. She didn't even have to look at Lucius to know what he felt about khaki at an evening event. "Hello, Remus. I thought you'd forgotten all about me."

He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. "Of course not, love. Have you had a chance to look at any of the items up for auction yet?"

"I was just going in that direction when Mister Malfoy offered me a glass of champagne."

Remus looked up at her companions in shock. "Malfoy! Snape! How...what a chance."

"Lupin," they both sneered simultaneously.

Remus ignored their tone and indicated Severus's firewhiskey. "Where did you pick that up?"

"At the bar," Severus bit out. "I suggest you go and find it."

"Oh, all right, all right. Bloody arsewipes. You ready, Hermione?"

Hermione nodded and he grabbed her hand, ready to lead her off.

"Miss Granger is with us, Lupin. I suggest you find your own date."

Hermione gave a little laugh and squeezed Remus's hand. "Sorry, Mister Malfoy, but I am Remus's date for the evening. Thank you so much for the champagne. Mister Snape, I'll see you on Monday."

Lucius looked very angry for some unexplained reason, but Severus simply nodded his head to her and took another sip of his firewhiskey. Hermione was sure that the last thing he'd want to do would be to spend the evening entertaining her, especially since they usually spent every day together.

"I'm sorry I'm late, but I was unavoidably detained."

"I forgive you."

"You look beautiful."

Hermione looked up at Remus and smiled. "Thank you. How were you detained?"

"I ran into Bill Weasley. He told me something about a few of the items up for auction tonight. Were Snape and Malfoy beastly to you?"

"They were quite pleasant. What did you learn? And I thought that Bill was in Kazakhstan."

"He was in Russia, actually. Do you know the story of Swan Lake?" He pulled her to the bar and ordered them both a firewhiskey. Hermione pushed her champagne glass away, anxious for something a little harder.

"Of course I do. My parents take me to see either The Nutcracker or Swan Lake every year."

Remus smiled. "I thought as much. Royal Ballet?"

"Of course. So, yes, I know all about Swan Lake. I even used to watch this stupid VHS when I was little of the story in cartoon form. It left out some of the major plot points, but it was fun for me. Very precious. What do you know about Swan Lake that you aren't telling me?"

Remus smiled and leaned in close. "It all happened."

Hermione widened her eyes and forgot about her drink. "So the Evil Wizard Von Rothbart..."

"Was an actual evil wizard who would steal young maidens away from their families. He would steal other things as well, apparently. You really should talk to Bill about it. He said that there were these rooms hanging from the castle turrets like birdcages. He said that there were no doors to go inside, so they theorized that Von Rothbart probably Apparated within."

"How many?"

"I didn't ask. He was in a rush, and so was I. Apparently, a Muggle who was visiting family just outside of Minsk went missing for three weeks. It got to the point that some of our people became involved looking for the man-I'm not sure how, but the Russian version of Aurors found the man dead around what looked like a ruined castle. Being Aurors, however, they sensed magic and began to detect the wards that were protecting the castle. Rothbart's power was so strong that the wards and protection spells were just now, hundreds of years later, are beginning to wane."

Hermione felt giddy. "How was Bill called in?"

"Well, he wasn't the only Cursebreaker called into the job, but the fact that he works for the Goblins landed him in charge. Some of the artifacts that were recovered are here tonight, available by auction."

Hermione frowned. "Who decided ownership of the artifacts?"

"The International Federation of Wizards. Your friend Malfoy was on the board."

"Naturally. Whose artifacts are up for auction?"

"That's the odd part. The Goblins are selling theirs and will donate fifty percent of the proceeds to the Wee Wizard Orphanage."

Hermione nearly choked. "Donating? The Goblins?"

"I didn't get any of that out of Bill, but yes. The Goblins are donating their artifacts. It's highly unusual."

Hermione took Remus's hand and led him away from the bar. "Come on, let's have a look!"

In the end, Hermione ended up purchasing a bowl of seven Pisanka eggs, all of them lovingly detailed with various symbols that would be fun to research. She decided that she would ask if she could keep them as a birthday present. Harry would not likely say no, and she rarely asked for anything from him.

"I think I have a few books on Russian Folklore at my apartment," Remus said. "Would you like to come by?"

Hermione looked up at him. Was he asking what she thought he was asking? His wolfish grin told her yes. What would it be like, making love with a Werewolf?

"Sounds lovely."

Remus pulled her close and was just about to Apparate them when Lucius approached.

"You're not going, are you?"

Hermione had to fight to keep from rolling her eyes "Yes, we are. I'm sorry, I thought you had left already."

Lucius smiled back. "I would not have left without at least trying to say goodbye. Do you require an escort?"

"What do you think I am?" Remus asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Oh, I've waited years for you to ask that question. For starters..."

Hermione stepped between them. "That's enough, Mister Malfoy. Thank you for your kind attention this evening. I am sure that I will see you again soon."

Lucius reached into his coat and removed a silver-leafed card. "Here is my card, Miss Granger. You may call on me whenever you like. Please enjoy your eggs. Their beauty alone makes them worthwhile."

Hermione took the card. "Thank you, sir. Now if you'll excuse us, we must be off. Please give my best wishes to your friend."

Lucius gave a quick nod, and Hermione leaned against Remus as he put his arm around her. With a "crack", they were off, and a moment later, they were standing in front of Remus's flat. He opened the door and ushered her inside, only to push her against the door and immediately pull her into an open-mouthed kiss so hot that it nearly scorched her. He was rough and demanding, and she found herself out of breath even attempting to keep up with him.

Remus took her hand and led her to the bedroom. It was decorated with dark reds and gold. A large tapestry hung on one wall, and sheer white curtains hung from the bed cornice. The room looked like something created in ancient times, but the bed itself was a wonder. It was high-so high that she would need a stepstool to climb onto it. Before she could wonder why Remus would want a bed like that, he grabbed her again and began to undo the laces on the back of her gown while kissing her in his same rough style. When he was finished, both her underdress and her surcoat slithered to the floor in an elegant heap. Instead of pouncing on her corset, however, he simply took a step back and began to peel off his layers, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Hermione wasn't entirely sure what she should do, as Remus continued his maddeningly slow progress. His hands were now at his collar, and she decided to help him. He did not push her away, he simply allowed her to undress him while he unbuttoned his cuffs with his arms behind her back. When his shirt dropped to the floor, she dropped with it and set to work on his trousers. Remus, however, seemed to have a different idea and instead backed her up to the bed, which turned out to be just the perfect height for him to bend her over.

He did not bend her over it, however, simply pushed her against it and lifted her rear so that she was straddling his hips. Again, it wasn't so much that he was rough, but he certainly was not gentle. Hermione had never been treated with anything other than kidgloves.

Remus began to kiss her again, only this time it was nips and sucks and then a bit of tongue, and then his teeth sank into the softness of her neck as he untied her corset strings and thrust against her. The pressure of her breathing separated the strings a little, and he reached his hand in to free one of her breasts. With his free hand, Remus used his wand to spell away the rest of their clothing, and without even preparing her, thrust home.

Hermione gasped. He felt so large-larger than any of the others she had been with. Looking down in wonder, she saw that he was very well endowed indeed, and he chuckled.

"Hold on, Hermione. This is going to be a bumpy ride."

With no other preamble, Remus grabbed her buttocks with both hands and began to thrust with wild abandon. The feelings were so odd-he hurt her, and yet it felt so good at the same time. There were only two items that she could hold onto, the bedpost, and his shoulder. Both shuddered with each thrust, and one groaned with every dig of her nails on his flesh.

Her first orgasm was quick and violent, and Remus allowed her no time to ride it out. Instead, he did what the bed was made for and flipped her over, pinning her torso onto the mattress as he once again thrust into her. He held one hand against her belly while his other hand held her thigh aloft. Each thrust hit against her G-spot and she fisted the bedcovers with each hot stab of pleasure. Soon, she was muttering incoherently, and only barely noticed when his hand abandoned her thigh and sank into the hair at the back of her head. He roughly pulled her head back and began to thrust so hard that he was practically spanking her with his body. He tugged on her hair again and pulled her hips sharply against his, shattering any control that she had left. She began to scream with pleasure. Loudly. This time when her orgasm broke, it was monumental. She had heard of this phenomenon, female ejaculation, but she had never experienced it before now.

With a howl of pleasure, Remus climaxed and continued to thrust until his legs gave out and he collapsed onto the hardwood floor. Without his support, Hermione fell on top of him, and they stayed there all wet and sticky and sweaty for quite some time.

~*~*~*~

"A word, please, Miss Granger," Severus said.

Hermione cast a stasis charm on her cauldron and ducked into his office. "Sir?" She couldn't help but notice that he looked decidedly uncomfortable.

"Miss Gra...Hermione. I wish to speak with you. Not as a superior or a colleague, but as more of a friend, if that is possible."

Hermione sat down in the chair across from his desk, her interest thoroughly peaked. "Regarding what, sir?"

Severus sat in his chair and twirled a quill in his fingers. "Regarding...Miss Gr...Hermione, I understand fully that this is none of my business, and indeed, I could be released from my position for even bringing this up to you, but I feel I must meddle, with all good intentions."

"Meddle?" Hermione exclaimed. "Mister Snape, what could possibly be the matter?"

Severus slammed the quill onto his desk and drew his shoulders up squarely. "Hermione, I know that Lucius propositioned you at the party Friday night. He told me that he intended to, and then boasted that he had."

Hermione blushed at his words. "I see."

"You are a bright woman, and I know that this probably does not need to be said, however, Lucius has a way about him. Women can't seem to resist him for whatever reason. I must caution you, Hermione, do not waste even a moment of your life with him. He is my friend, and always will be, but I would hate to see your life destroyed by him."

Hermione processed his words, her mind unable to comprehend any of it. "Why are you telling me this, sir? I...yes, Lucius did give me his card and ask me to call on him. I do not intend to. I will tell him this myself. I do not wish for his attentions."

Severus snorted. "All women say that at first. It signifies nothing to him."

"If he persists, he'll only annoy me. That is not conducive to romance."

"Lucius is very persuasive. It's a gift that he has. When you're away from him, all you can think about is how much you hate him. When you're with him, however, it's a completely different story. I am not attempting to tell you what to do by any means. I sincerely do not wish to see you become another of his conquests; particularly considering who you are, and the friends you keep."

"Oh, I see. You think that Lucius would use me to garner respect? I daresay his galleons would work better. I'm Harry Potter's whore, remember? Not only that, but I'm keeping the respected Weasley daughter from having her Happily Ever After. I don't see how his befriending-or even seducing-me could do much for him. You'd better remind him of those things."

Severus once again looked decidedly uncomfortable. "I'm not saying that he definitely has an ulterior motive; sometimes a seduction is a means to an end in itself. I find it highly unlikely, however, that he would attempt a seduction without also gaining something more."

Hermione stood. "Well, consider me dully warned, though I honestly have no intention of ever paying a call on Lucius Malfoy. My friends are indulgent, but any sort of relationship with him would gain me a one-way trip to Saint Simon's Center for Magical Mental Maladies." She gave Severus her best smile and went to the door, noting that he was frowning at her. "Really, sir. Lucius won't continue to sniff around me after I've rebuffed him enough times. There are many witches out there who are beautiful and talented in ways that I never will be. Thank you for your concern, though. It's appreciated." She stopped at the door and turned back to him. "If I may ask, since we are being informal, why are you still friends with him if you dislike him so?"

Severus pushed a parchment around his desk for a moment. "Sometimes, it really is better to be with the devil you know than the devil you don't," he answered. "Good day, Miss Granger."

"Come out with me tonight."

Severus looked up, surprised. "Beg pardon?"

"Tonight. Come out with me. I'm meeting Harry and Ron at The Wand and Pestil. Come with us. Ginny will be there, and I think Ron will have a date. You can...you can be my friend. Just friends. You can leave whenever you like, but at least have one drink."

He actually looked as though he were considering it for a minute, but it didn't surprise her when he declined. "Some other time."

Hermione nodded. "I might not be a devil, sir, but at least you know me," she said just before she walked out the door.

TBC

AN: If you want to see what I think Hermione's party dress looked like, go here: http://www.mwart.com/xq/ASP.product/pid.1087/qx/ladys-overdress-surcoat.htm

And would you look at that! Hermione and Snape have actually made some progress! I'm so happy, I could hug them both.

Big thanks to all the reviewers. It's like getting a nekkit picture of "Luscious" Malfoy everytime I see a review notice in my inbox.