Surprise! Surprise!

Disclaimer: The characters mentioned in this story are not mine in any way, shape, or form. They belong to Ms. J.K. Rowling and she receives the cash and full credit. I'm only holding them as temporary hostages to satisfy a whim. I promise to put them back undamaged and fully functional. My reference to "Castle Anthrax" was part of the criteria for the TPMM Button Challenge. "Castle Anthrax" is property of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Chapter 3 - Surprise! Surprise!

"I feel like a new wizard," Severus said as he sauntered into the bedroom. He unwrapped the green bath towel that covered his lower torso and started to fold it. He noticed the frock coat, that had been sent out to be repaired, was laid out neatly on the bed. It was set next to the rest of the attire he had planned on wearing that night. He laid down the towel, picked up the coat, and inspected the newly replaced button.

"Mmm, not bad for a forty-something wizard."

Snape jumped and tried to cover himself with his frock coat. "Rosmerta!" he exclaimed. Severus was not sure whether to be angry or pleased with her intrusion.

Rosmerta had been standing in the main room, but after hearing Snape in the bedroom, had decided to investigate.

"Oh!" Rosmerta started to laugh. "I didn't mean to scare you. The elf I saw out in the hallway told me that you were expecting me."

"Not for at least another hour," Severus said a bit tersely. He could feel a slight blush rise to his cheeks as the embarrassment of his reaction registered. He was supposed to be so cool and controlled under adverse situations.

"I was able to get someone to manage the pub a little earlier. I really didn't think you'd mind." Rosmerta smiled at him, acting coy and batting her lashes. "Honestly, I'd say my timing was impeccable." She looked Snape up and down, lingering over certain prominent areas.

By now, Severus had gathered his wits about him and decided to relax and play along. He dropped the frock coat on the bed and started towards Rosmerta. With a menacing glint in his eye and speaking in his best intimidating voice, he said, "I'd say your timing is most unfortunate, Miss Rosmerta. Disrupting the teacher will cost you dearly."

The low silkiness of his voice triggered a series of reactions in Rosmerta. Just his act of speaking could suddenly touch off her sexual desires, yet make her feel shy and vulnerable. His dark eyes, examining her closely, were hypnotic, calming and dangerous all at once. It caused a mixture of wanting to fully offer herself to this man and a natural fear of exposing her soul to the devil. She giggled nervously and started backing up.

"Now you dare to laugh at me? My, you really are quite insubordinate." As Severus spoke, he strode slowly and deliberately towards Rosmerta. He surveyed his intended prey, stalking her with controlled intensity.

"What would be a just and proper punishment for the likes of you?" he continued. His dark eyes continued to gaze steadily at his victim, contemplating her weakness, which would indicate the appropriate penance.

Rosmerta kept backing up as Snape continued towards her. There was a mixture of anxiety and anticipation working itself up within her. The natural reaction of fight-or-flight grew stronger, but was surpassed by her sexual appetite. She had never played naughty schoolgirl with Severus and didn't know how far he would take the game. The thought was provocative.

"Detention, perhaps?"

The words dripped off his lips, and Rosmerta found herself wanting to spend a lifetime of detention with this luscious man. She felt a familiar tightness develop quickly in her lower belly, and her nipples became painfully taut.

"Public flogging? I could set you as an example for other students." A slow smile crossed Snape's face.

Rosmerta's back was now up against the wall, and Severus was almost upon her in all his delectable nakedness. She started to wriggle against the barrier, stifling her laughter. Snape kept drawing closer and closer. She could see and smell his desire, and the need to throw herself at him was nearly more than she could manage.

"Oh, please, sir! I've been a wicked, bad, naughty girl, and I must pay the penalty!" Rosmerta said in a slightly desperate tone. "There is but one punishment for this, you must tie me down on a bed and spank me!"

Ah, the Castle Anthrax scene, thought Snape. I wondered if she was into spankings. He was amused at her attempt at role-playing. This could be very interesting, indeed, and the thought of tying this beautiful woman up and having her at his mercy excited him even more.

Trying hard to stay in his formidable character, Snape continued. "After I have spanked you, I will have to deal with you as I wish."

As he said this, Severus reached Rosmerta and placed his hands against the wall, on either side of her head. He stared into her face, and Rosmerta immediately became lost in the dark depths of his eyes. It was that strange, hypnotic feeling that she felt whenever he stared at her, and she wanted to swim in those onyx pools forever. Her instincts, however, told her to break eye contact. When she did, Rosmerta noticed a large erection straining out to meet her. At the mere sight of Severus' engorged member, her clitoris began throbbing stronger, her inner muscles spasmed slightly, and she gasped. A warm wetness formed between her legs as she tried to hold herself steady.

Severus was upon her now. She was fully captured. Rosmerta felt his hardened cock press slightly against her thigh. She pulled her hips from against the wall and tried to get better acquainted with him. Snape continued to look into her face. His predatory look was replaced with something more tender, loving, and passionate. He was driving her crazy with desire.

Forget the spanking, for now, she thought. What I really want is to waste no more time, rip my clothes off and ride him like a wild, dark stallion across the moor.

Snape leaned into her with his mouth barely touching hers and whispered, "I can arrange that, if that is truly what you wish."

The look of comprehension and surprise on Rosmerta's face caused Snape to chuckle.

"Legilimency does have its advantages," he said with a wicked grin.

Severus removed his right hand from the wall and lightly stroked Rosmerta's face with his slender fingers. He ran his thumb back and forth across her cheekbone. As he felt her smooth skin, he studied her face and committed it to memory for the nights that they wouldn't be together. He debated whether to continue on with this game or just give into what they both desperately desired; for he was not only punishing her but himself as well. The ache in his manhood begged for release. Severus knew that if he didn't act soon it would be too late. Control was not his forte tonight. He let his hand trace Rosmerta's chin, neck and down across the tops of her breasts.

"This is torturous." Rosmerta groaned.

"Hmm... long, drawn out punishments not to my lady's taste? Perhaps, she would like it more swift and sure." Snape accentuated the end of his sentence with a sudden jab and grind of his pelvis into her groin.

Rosmerta's breath hitched in her throat, and Severus felt her knees buckle slightly. He leaned his face into hers again and slowly licked her parted lips before kissing her firmly and passionately. Rosmerta responded by seeking his mouth with her tongue, running her hands up and down his long torso only to land firmly behind his perfect derriere. She held onto it as if she never wanted to let go. Her hips began to sway back and forth as she tried desperately to rub her clitoris against Severus' stiffness. The dark wizard let out a small moan and grabbed at Rosmerta's long skirt. In one fluid motion, he managed to lift the fabric up above her hips and proceeded to pull her undergarments down.

As Severus was about ready to take Rosmerta against his bedroom wall, he heard a cough in the other room. It startled the witch and she quickly grabbed Snape's hands in order to stop him.

The Potions Master rolled his eyes. "Wonderful timing," he growled sarcastically. Then he whispered, "It's just our dinner. The elves are delivering it in the other room. I'll get rid of them."

Snape tried tugging at Rosmerta's undergarments again and got a playful slap on the hand. He gave her a mischievous grin, and she shook her finger in his face.

"Dobby, just set the dinner on the table and then let yourself out!" Snape said a little agitatedly. "Oh, and please give it a warming spell before you go. We will be a little detained."

Severus leaned into Rosmerta's ear and whispered again. "My lady still has to pay her dues and must submit to her punishment." As he said this, he snaked his hand under her knickers and fingered her swollen nub.

"It's not Dobby, sir!"

The alarm in Snape's head went off and he froze. He recognized that aristocratic, sneering voice anywhere.

"Damn it!" Snape said through gritted teeth. "This can not be happening to me. Not now!"

He quickly removed his hand from its warm, wet enclosure. Rosmerta pulled her skirt down and tried to straighten herself.

"Malfoy! This is neither the time nor the place for an impromptu visit nor am I in the mood for one of your informant's meetings."

"I have something to discuss with you Professor, and I'm sure you will want to hear what I have to say," Draco Malfoy said smugly.

"I'm sure whatever gossip you have about Mr. Potter can wait till tomorrow. Now go, if you value your life!"

"Oh, it's not about Potter, sir. It's about you."

Rosmerta knew enough about the Malfoys to decide that she didn't like the tone of this young wizard's voice and where this conversation may be going. She sensed that her lover was not going to get out of this predicament by standing bare-naked in the bedroom. He was going to have to face the little ferret in person. She reached into her pocket and retrieved her wand.

"Clathas operire," she said softly.

The clothes on the bed flew across the room and placed themselves onto Snape's body. He looked slightly astonished as he realized that his nakedness was covered.

Rosmerta smiled sweetly and stated matter-of-factly, "An old trick I used in my wilder, more promiscuous days."

Snape looked at her with his eyebrow arched. "You'll have to show me later what other talents you learned in those promiscuous days. Right now, I have to deal with a spoiled little serpent that needs to know his place."

The fully clothed man marched out of the bedroom and into his main quarters. There stood Draco, smiling that self-righteous smile of his. Severus wanted nothing better than to hex it off and send the boy that owned it to the depths of hell.

"Mr. Malfoy, I have asked you to come back at another time, yet you refuse to do so. Do you mind me asking – but do you have a serious death wish?"

"No, sir," Malfoy said as he continued that damnable smile. "I believe, however, that you do."

"Are you threatening me, Mr. Malfoy? If you are entertaining any thought of such a deed, I highly suggest that you watch out with whom you are dealing with at present. As much as I commend you practicing such talents, I warn you to exercise them on someone more comparable to your ability."

Draco wavered slightly and then continued. "I'm sure that my father will not like to hear about the detention that you gave me today. In fact, I think he will become quite upset. He could make your position at Hogwarts quite unpleasant if word got to him about this matter."

Snape laughed right out loud and then changed his demeanor to something more serious. "Mr. Malfoy, if that is the best you can do, please go back to your room and work on your delivery again. Your father will know about your classroom antics and it won't be from you. I am positive that he will be quite upset. Upset that his only male heir was behaving so Gryffindorishly. Cunning, resourcefulness, and determination are what I praise in a Slytherin... not foolhardiness, boorishness and imprudence. Now get out of my sight before I make you wish that you had never stepped foot in Hogwarts."

"Yes, sir," Draco said with some resentment. He turned around and headed for the door.

"Draco?" Severus asked with more control. "Out of curiosity, how long have you been standing here in my quarters?"

Draco turned around and smiled devilishly. "Long enough, Professor Snape. Have a very good evening, sir."

The professor glowered at Malfoy as he stepped out the door. He would have to have a little chat with the Headmaster about this open door policy that was set in place at the beginning of the school year. Dumbledore felt it was necessary after some unfortunate student landed in the hospital wing.

So the security wards set in place were too severe... Served the little prat right! thought Snape. Potter should have thanked me. He got a week's worth of rest, relaxation and enough chocolate frogs and cockroach clusters to last him the rest of the semester.

"Our intruder is finally gone, I take it?"

Rosmerta entered the room and took her place behind Severus. She rubbed his shoulders briefly and proceeded to run her hands down his back, delighting in the feel of such fine fabric. Her nose lightly touched his back, and she took in a deep breath. The smell of Severus body was enticing. It smelled of the ginger and eucalyptus bath salts he had been soaking in prior to her arrival.

"I believe we have some unfinished business to attend to, my dear Professor."

Her hand reached around to Snape's front, and she gently ran her hand over the buttons on his trousers. She felt him respond to her caress, and she smiled wickedly.

"So many buttons, so little time. What is a poor witch to do?"

Severus turned around and faced her with an equally wicked smile. "All the better to torture you with, my dear. I could assist you with the task of removing all these buttons, but I think we'll see how well you handle the responsibility yourself."

"I love a challenge," Rosmerta said with a slight moan. "Perhaps, I will keep one as a souvenir of my conquest."

Her hand reached up to the top button of Severus' coat, circled it with her finger and proceeded to unbutton the black object slowly. This first button was stubborn and Rosmerta had difficulty getting it through the buttonhole.

"I hope you haven't charmed them in any way. That would be cheating," Rosmerta softly chided Severus.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he whispered in her ear.

His warm breath against the side of her face caused Rosmerta to stop, close her eyes and concentrate on the sensation.

"You are distracting me, Professor Snape," her voice wavered slightly.

"What a pity, Miss Rosmerta," Severus said smoothly. "Perhaps, you need to learn how to focus your attention on one object at a time."

Her body reacted to his low, sensual voice, and Rosmerta found herself clutching his coat for a moment. When the feeling had passed, she was able to continue with the undertaking of unbuttoning the long line of buttons. She fingered the second button and promptly kissed it for luck before she dislodged it from its position.

"Two down, fifteen more to go." Snape said silkily.

Rosmerta looked into his eyes and smiled as she undid the third one. "I never told you this before, but the night I first noticed you, I was drawn to all of your buttons. I found myself absolutely fixated. "

As the witch continued to undo each button, slowly, she kept on speaking. "I wondered to myself, what it would be like to have to button and unbutton each of those, day in and day out? How I would like to be the one to open you like a wonderful present at the end of each day. Many nights, I wished that I would find one of your black treasures lying on the pub floor."

Snape looked at Rosmerta with some fascination as he never had such an adoring fan. "What would you have done with it?" he asked quietly.

"I would have kissed it, played with it, slept with it. I would have hung it on a silver chain and worn it next to my heart. "

Severus reached up to touch Rosmerta's face and hair and then pressed his lips to hers, kissing her deeply and without reservation. He wanted to taste her mouth, her skin, the breasts hidden under her bodice. After a brief moment, he pulled away and looked longingly into her eyes.

"I think that we should move to a more suitable location," he said as he grabbed her hand.

Severus gently pulled her to the bedroom and over to the bed. He sat down on the edge of the mattress and placed his hands firmly around Rosmerta's waist. As he leaned back onto the duvet, the wizard pulled his lover down upon him.

"Proceed with your task. If you succeed, I will gift you with more than a button."

Rosmerta giggled with the anticipation of the rewards she would receive. She sought out the rest of the buttons and pressed on.

The door in Snape's main room opened up and the tinkling of glass and metal was heard as a cart moved along the floor.

"Master Snape! Your dinner is served!"

Suddenly, the bedroom door slammed shut and Dobby jumped at the sound.

"Ah, Master Snape?" the house-elf said a little timidly. "I will just put a warming spell on the food, and you and your guest can eat at your leisure."

Dobby waved his hand over the food, mumbled a few words and with a sharp "POP" he was gone.

From the bedroom, Rosmerta could be heard squealing and laughing. "Button, button, who's got the button?"

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A/N: "Clathas operire" is a spell that I devised. It can be quite useful in delicate situations. If you feel the need to use it, please ask and I will enlighten you on the proper wand technique. Again, thanks to Susan for taking the time to beta my story. I'd also like to thank my fellow Snapeaholics for encouraging me.