A Busy Day

Severus Snape peered into the glass cases in the jewelry store. It was determined that this trip to Diagon Alley would be uneventful and so Mad-Eye Moody had accompanied them(though why Albus thought Moody and uneventful could go together he didn't know). His presence was an annoyance; the jumpy retired auror saw conspiracies at every turn and nearly every noise had him reaching for his wand and whirling his magical eye around, eager to hex something. Hermione and Mad-Eye were currently on the other side of the shop along with Ginny Weasley who Hermione wanted to accompany her. He glanced over to where the two girls had their heads together, furtively whispering about what stones to get. Severus was a little surprised she was putting so much thought into this decision, but was glad she had enlisted the aid of a pureblood who knew the traditions to help in this, even if was a Weasley.

He had to choose a ring now, and was weighing the options of the various stones and cuts to be included. He had waved off the proprietors' cheerful help and questions about his hopes and dreams for the marriage. Somehow, he didn't think answering with; "I want for her to stay out of my hair yet be ready to service me at command" would have gone over well.

But, what did he really want to choose for this? He knew he wanted to maintain his typical level of quiet solitude and privacy for the most part. He wanted to keep her safe...that was the whole point of this marriage anyway. In regards to marital relations, his only real hope was that she would be trainable and would learn to enjoy being at his service. However, she was strong-willed and not necessarily compliant. He doubted if she would have ever considered experiencing anything other than typical sex if it weren't for the fact that she was engaged to him through necessity.

The Ruby for passion would be prudent...but not as the main stone. Passion could be fierce too, and would drive her temper...that wouldn't do. The Sapphire would be a good calming influence to counteract the more volatile effects of the Ruby. And to protection...the tiger's-eye signified protection, but it was another stone of volatile force ...no, he wanted something docile for her. Peridot also signified protection of a gentler sort. However, high quality peridot was rare...most were cloudy, it was typical of the stone, but it would be best to find as clear a peridot as possible if it were to go well with the ruby and sapphire. He glanced over the stones and paused at the diamonds. They signified true love, yet he well knew that there would be no true love in this marriage...however, if she thought that was a hope of his it could help with her attitude towards him.

On the other side of the store Hermione and Ginny examined the various stones. Traditionally, they weren't to see what ring was chosen for them until it was placed on their fingers in the ceremony, and so they had been whispering as they discussed which stones to get.

"Are you sure you want that for the central stone rather than the diamond?" Ginny asked in a whisper.

"Yes...this isn't about true love, and really that's not my biggest hope for the marriage. I should include something to signify protection too...what would that be again?"

"Tiger's-eye or peridot," Ginny answered.

"Excuse me," Hermione said to the clerk, "could I see a selection of your available peridots please?" She didn't think tiger's-eye would look right for the ring.

"Oh yes, right over here," said the clerk as he pushed aside one display case to reveal the various cuts of peridot. Several were large, round cut, one carat gems...there were other half-carat rounds, and half and quarter carat square cuts. Hermione didn't want to get anything too large, he didn't want something gaudy and she would respect that.

"How about the wedding bands...can I see your selection of those?" she asked. The clerk moved down the counter to show the wedding bands. Some were quite wide and large, a few in a nuggety looking wrought gold, but the ones she looked to were the simpler bands. However, she couldn't see him wearing gold...not only would it go badly with his skin tone, it could potentially react with potions. The platinum bands looked very nice and her eye fell on one in particular. It was brushed platinum, giving the ring a matte sheen rather than the shiny patina of the other bands. The store clerk noticed her attention to that particular one and pulled it from the display case for her to get a closer look.

"It is charmed so that the brushed effect will not wear off," he informed her helpfully.

"And what about fittings for the stones?"

"You choose the band and the stones and then they are magically sealed into the ring. You will not have to worry about loosing gems."

"Hmmm, ok, that sounds good.

Twenty minutes later they had both selected rings and were ready to leave. Hermione hoped her selection would be appropriate and she couldn't help but wonder what he had purchased for her. He walked next to Hermione and gathered her arm in the crook of his elbow. He was aware of the scrutiny of Moody beside and slightly behind him, but honestly didn't care. Let him glare and have his suspicions. He noticed the scrutiny of people on the street as well, several of his former students happened to be around and they did a double take when they recognized their former potions master walking along with a young girl on his arm. He relished being able to glare at them triumphantly.

"Um...Severus? Would it be possible to go into muggle London today? There were some things I wanted to pick up."

Alistair Moody spoke up instead, "Sorry, Miss Granger, but I've got orders from Dumbledore himself to see you back to Hogwarts as soon as possible. No can do today."

"Oh..."

"If it can wait until next weekend, I will accompany you then," Severus said.

"Yes, thank you, I would appreciate that."

****

Harry and Ron looked up as Ginny and Hermione entered the common room through the portrait-hole. They both thought it suspicious that the girls looked happy, as if they had simply been out shopping together and not shopping for a ring for the bastard. Harry still couldn't believe that she had chosen Snape, and though he knew on one level that she did make her choice based on whatever strange logic she had come up with, he still felt it was a personal affront for his best friend to pick his worst enemy to bind herself to. Maybe she had to do it, but she sure as hell didn't have to look like that...she should be miserable, not laughing and talking with Ginny as if everything was normal. He glared moodily at her.

Hermione scowled in return but decided to try and act friendly. Ron and Harry had barely spoken to her since she decided to accept Professor Snape over Kingsley, and she knew Harry especially took it personally. "Hello Ron, Harry...how are you two doing today?"

"Oh okay," answered Ron. "How about you two...did the ring shopping go alright?"

"Yes, it went fine. Ginny helped me pick out the stones for the ring; I think I found something appropriate."

"Oh? Did you get something black, for mourning?" Harry snarled.

Hermione glared at him, wondering how to handle this. She felt like slapping that look off his face, but she knew that despite his current attitude, he was still her friend and she wanted to remain friends with him. "No, Harry...I didn't. I will be married to him for quite a long time and there is absolutely no reason I have to look at this with mourning and if you would get your head out of your backside you would realize that. What's the matter with you, do you want me to be miserable? Just because I didn't choose to marry your friend doesn't mean I have to be. Will you just get over yourself Harry?" she ranted. The common room had gone very still and quiet during her tirade, everyone looking up with shock at the members of the formerly inseparable trio. She watched as he clenched his jaw and looked down, clearly considering what she had said.

"I don't want you to be miserable," he finally conceded quietly. "But, I just think it's strange that you seem so happy. Hermione, the man is absolutely horrid, can't you see that?"

"I understand that you see that, but there is more to him than that. He has actually been fairly nice about this. He even risked his life last week when Malfoy tried to take me in Diagon alley. My life isn't going to be over, Harry. I'll just be living in the dungeons...really, not that much will change," she said, softening her tone. "Harry, don't be like this, please. We've been friends for so long, and I don't want for that to change."

"She's right, Harry," Ginny interjected. "He was really very polite today."

Harry looked at Hermione for a long moment as his jaw relaxed and his scowl receded. He sighed heavily and finally said, "You're right, 'Mione. Sorry I've been an ass about this." He ran a hand through his messy black hair.

"Thanks Harry," Hermione said with a relieved smile. "Now, I have to go put this away. How are you doing on your Arithmancy?" she asked.

"Um...kinda bad actually...would you mind helping me?" he asked, hoping he wasn't asking too much, too soon, but he was glad when she complied.

****

Severus Snape sat in his armchair, ring in hand, wondering if he had made the right decision on the stones. Now that he had the ring he found himself besieged by new thoughts. First, it brought home the fact that this would be permanent...Hermione Granger would be his wife for the rest of his life. The firelight caught the sparkle of the gems with a warm glow...this was the ring he would place on her finger in just under two weeks when they were bound together. It was one thing to think of her as a new toy, a welcome distraction and reward...but this would be permanent.

He felt as if the responsibility weighed more heavily upon him now. Simply protecting her was a responsibility he could deal with. Using her body in exchange for his protection had seemed only reasonable. But now, he had to wonder what the long term effects he would have upon her.

Severus knew he did have the advantage of her inexperience. What he introduced to her, if he did so correctly, she would view as normal and acceptable, he could even adjust her behavior and attitudes to those which would be less wearisome. But now, watching the firelight glimmering in the array of stones on the platinum band, he knew he would have to be very careful.

She may be the mother of his child one day. He still had not spent much time considering children, but now it was high time he did so. The Snape line was an old one...one which, until recent generations, was venerated as a family of renown. There was no reason his family line could not once more take a prominent place in wizard society. His child, or children, must be well brought up. He knew, from his many years as a teacher, that one could tell what kind of parents a child had from their behavior, that no matter what they were taught at school, the impressions upon the child of three years, five years, and seven years had far reaching consequences upon the person they would become. He had seen the effects of weak-willed mothers, or weak fathers, and even the strong mother and hen-pecked father, but most detrimental was the mother who had once been strong and who had been pushed past the breaking point by an overbearing husband.

Yes, it would be possible to train his wife to the point where she would kneel before him and lose her individuality and temper around him while still maintaining a somewhat normal personality when out of his presence...but if they were to have a child together, that would require them to work together as equals in parenting one day.

On the other hand, he really didn't want to compromise on some things. He could possibly accept that in potions making she would be acceptable to work beside, but otherwise, he desired power. He would not be satisfied with having her in his bed and simply making do with performing the requirements of the law and leaving her alone the rest of the time. He had already told her what she could expect...if he did not follow through with that he knew she would be very difficult to manage in the future if she believed he would not do as he said. Yes, he wanted her submission...but not her complete subjugation.

He rolled the ring over and over, observing it still. On a whim, he rose from his chair and crossed the living room to enter Hermione's room. She had already started moving her things in. There were already a number of books on the shelves, many muggle paperbacks but he saw a number of classics amongst the newer books. He perused the titles, noting that she had good taste in books, and that many of these were books he had copies of as well. He found nearly an entire shelf filled with the extensive works of Mark Twain, though he did not recognize many of the titles, American muggle literature not being his forte...a good collection of W.H. Hudson; several tomes by Kipling; a boxed, leather-bound set of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He came across an extensive collection of books all bearing the word 'Oz' in the title...hmm, Frank L. Baum, another unfamiliar name but the illustrations on the bindings led him to believe this was a children's series. He also found a book of the collected writings of his namesake, Marcus Aurelius (or at least the middle names his parents had burdened him with).

He scanned the paperbacks and saw that one author seemed prevalent in her library, Robert A. Heinlein, a name he hadn't heard before, apparently a favorite of hers judging by the fact that there were well over thirty titles. Though the books were paperbacks, he could sense the charms she had placed on them to keep the books new; and could see the care she took with her books and he briefly wondered why she had not obtained leather-bound copies of such obviously favored works. He assumed the lack of anything relating to any of her school subjects was due to the fact that she would keep them around to study in the two weeks remaining before she would live here.

She had filled the wardrobe with off-season clothing and she had already arranged personal effects on the walls. He scowled at the portrait of Hermione, Ron, and Harry which had been taken in their first year, along with a collection of the trio and even a few of Potter on his broom. He was definitely glad for his decision to give Hermione her own room, the thought of waking up to the Boy-Who-Lived smiling and waving at him from a picture frame confirmed it was the best decision.

He looked over the odd mixture of muggle and wizard photographs which adorned the wall, surprised that she would have started her move so quickly. She had done most of this while he was teaching class, during her free periods. He had given her permission to enter his quarters for that purpose, as well as the key and password to his quarters. That had been a decision he had wondered about...but he supposed it would help her make the transition easier.

He still hadn't put a door in here for a separate entrance...this seemed the best time to do so and he withdrew his wand and pointed it at the wall adjacent to the dungeon corridor. His attention was drawn away by a knock on his door. Wondering who could be bothering him now, he stalked to the door and flung it open. He was somewhat surprised to find Albus standing in his doorway.

"Good evening, Severus. I understand you had a successful trip to Diagon Alley this morning?" he asked.

"If by successful, you mean we were not accosted by jealous would-be suitors, then you would be correct," he replied. "I suppose you want to come in?" he asked sourly.

"Oh thank you Severus, don't mind if I do at all," the Headmaster replied jovially. "I see you have made a change to your quarters," he said when he noticed the open doorway.

"I thought it best that Miss Granger have her own room," he stated, deliberately keeping his tone short and clipped to discourage further talk on that subject.

"I see then," he said and strolled inside. "She has started moving already then...that is a good sign. I believe she will adjust quite well to this."

"If she keeps to her own space then I am sure we will have no problems."

"Oh yes...true," he said as he looked around the room. "Of course, I am sure that if you want her to keep her distance, you will be providing a bed for her in here as well. After all, the terms of the law could be achieved in less than five minutes a week; you hardly need to share a bed." Albus turned and regarded him with an unreadable expression.

Severus stiffened and clenched his jaw. The last thing he wanted now was Albus bloody Dumbledore prying into his marriage and making decisions for him. While the headmaster was the one who had maneuvered him into the position of being engaged to Hermione, he would not stand for him trying to interfere and manipulate him now and if he had a problem with that then he could stow it and his bloody lemon-drops.

"Oh I see how it is then, Severus," Dumbledore chuckled with twinkling eyes and a knowing smile. "You do think there could be more here than just a convenient arrangement. I am happy for you Severus, really I am. I did hope Hermione would make the right choice, and I was right in believing that she would see past what her friends thought was obvious. May I see the ring, Severus?"

Scowling, Severus handed it over. Albus held it in his hand, rolling the platinum band over and over. He smiled as he looked to the stones. "Very good choice, Severus, very good choice," he said with a nod and handed the ring back. "I do believe this is very appropriate, and I believe that the hopes it represents will be realized."

When the Headmaster had left, Severus sat again in Hermione's room, wondering if perhaps he had done a disservice to Hermione in showing her only pictures. She would glean some understanding of the physical acts through them, but would likely not understand everything involved. She wasn't naturally submissive, he knew that. Though he knew it would be a bit out of character for him, he decided it would be best to introduce some games before they were married in a less threatening way. Something simple, perhaps even something silly...he wasn't silly, but when dealing with an eighteen year old girl, silly could work to break through certain barriers.

And so he got up, transfigured a separate entrance for Hermione's room, and headed out of the dungeons to have a talk with her once more.

****

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were seated on the floor around the coffee table in her sitting room. They had spent the last three hours working through arithmancy homework and Hermione had been able to get them through several points on which they had been having a difficult time. Harry was obviously trying to get over his issues with her impending marriage. She was honestly surprised that Ron wasn't the one with problems, but then again, they had broken off any kind of romantic liaison last year. He was likely relieved that he wouldn't have to marry her.

A knock sounded on the door and Hermione called out, "Come in!" It was nearly curfew, but it could be a prefect or someone else who needed to go over business with her on Head Girl duties. The door opened and she was surprised to see her fiancé there. Harry and Ron both looked stunned.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, good evening," he said dryly. Harry and Ron both stared at him.

"Good evening, Professor Snape," said Hermione, a bit nervously. Harry looked back and forth between Hermione and Snape.

"We were just leaving," Harry said, getting up and gathering his notes and books. "See you in the morning 'Mione."

"Oh...ok, if you're sure you've got this stuff down then?"

"Um, yeah...we've got it down," Ron spoke up, catching the pointed gaze of Harry. They quickly gathered their things together.

"Would you like to sit down, Professor Snape?"

"Yes, thank you," he replied and took a seat on the couch, watching the two boys as they packed their things without looking at him. When they had both left and the door was closed he turned to his fiancé. "I suppose you are wondering why I am here?" he asked.

"Well, yes," she replied and sat on the couch about two feet from him.

"I wanted to talk to you some more regarding our marital arrangements." He shifted to face her on the couch, placing a hand on the back of the couch not far from Hermione's shoulder.

"Okay...anything in particular? I thought we had already talked about most of it, right?"

"We have covered many of the practical issues, yes. That is not why I am here," he said. "I am confident that we will be able to cohabitate with minimal strain. However, I was concerned that you may not understand fully what I will expect of you."

"Well," she said, shifting uncomfortably in her seat, "Um...I know you will want me to ...experience things which are a bit...well, extreme by normal standards."

"Yes, but there is more to it than that," he said carefully. "Tell me, what are your perceptions on how you will adjust to submission?" he asked.

Hermione thought for a moment. She had perused the pictures in his book nearly every evening. Though the first time she saw them she was shocked, she realized that most of the pictures detailed activities which, while they would be uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, they would not be actually damaging. "I suppose I thought it would be something I could tolerate...I'm not sure how enjoyable all of it will be, but I know you aren't going to seriously hurt me."

"So you're saying that you are looking at it as something to endure passively?"

"Um...yes, I suppose so."

"I want you to understand that I will require more than your endurance of my attentions...I will require your active participation and willing submission. There are going to be times at which you will find this difficult."

"Difficult in what way?" Hermione asked. This was already a highly uncomfortable topic of conversation, and his bold, matter-of-fact presentation, which was quite similar to his lecture of last week on the properties and uses of moonflower extract, didn't make it any less uncomfortable.

"You will be uncomfortable with some things emotionally, and other things will be physically demanding. I know through your years in my class that you are not naturally submissive and so I thought it best to inform you in more detail what I expect. My book gave you a general idea of the physical acts themselves, and to be honest I had thought that would be enough to scare you from making the decision to marry me. And so, you have an incomplete picture of what to expect. I hope to complete that picture at this time."

"Why now?"

"Because, once we are married, I expect you to submit to me without hesitation or struggle," he said and looked her straight in the eye. "If you are not prepared for what this entails, your adjustment to life with me will be much more difficult." He paused to judge her reaction. He knew she would be thinking about his agreement not to hurt her on their wedding night and so continued, "Now, just because I have agreed to hold off on some things which will be painful, does not mean that I will expect anything less than obedience and submission from you. Obedience will bring rewards, which you will enjoy, and disobedience will bring punishment, which you will not enjoy. I want you to know this now, and I want to hear from you that you will do your best to submit to me."

"Um...you did say this was supposed to be...well...fun at one point, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did. Submission can be very enjoyable, and even fun, if you submit. However, if you enter into marriage with me with only the hope to endure, you will be in the wrong state of mind to find satisfaction. It may seem to you that I am placing excessive emphasis on what will be the physical aspects of our relationship?" he made it a question and raised his eyebrows in an open expression, inviting her to answer.

"Well, to be honest...I thought it was a bit much, yes." Hermione had actually wondered if Professor Snape was just a bit on the sex crazed side...or maybe it had just been too long for him.

"I do have good reason for this. We will not likely spend large amounts of time with each other. I will be busy with teaching and my research, and you will be busy with your schoolwork and friends. In the future I can see the possibility of collaborating on projects and eventually in raising a child together whenever you decide you are ready for that. But, in the immediate future much of our interaction will be of a sexual nature and because of that I think it is vital that you have a better understanding of what that will mean."

"Oh...well, that does make sense then."

"If you would like, I will give you a practical example of what I am talking about at this time. It is something more easily understood through experience than through explanation," he said, his voice had lowered slightly from his previous lecture-like quality.

"What kind of practical example are you talking about?" she asked firmly.

"A simple example of a task, a possible reward for achieving the task, and a possible punishment for failing the task, nothing extreme, I promise." He watched as Hermione thought about it. She looked skeptical. "Tell me Hermione, did you enjoy our kiss the other night?" he asked and moved his hand to brush her hair back from the side of her face, resulting in Hermione shivering slightly and closing her eyes momentarily.

"Um...yes, I did actually," she answered somewhat shyly, but also with desire.

"Then that can be the reward," he purred suggestively and moved his hand down to the nape of her neck, where he traced small circles.

"And the punishment?" she asked, forcing her voice to remain steady.

"Ten swats with my hand," he replied firmly.

"I see...and the task?"

Severus smirked at her. "If I told you the task before you have agreed to it, it wouldn't be much of a test would it?" he asked. "However, I will give you two conditions. First, it is nothing at all sexual. Second, it is not anything painful."

Hermione regarded the slightly amused expression on Severus's face for a few moments, mulling over the possibilities. What could this game be? And the reward was to kiss him? She thought it sounded a bit conceited on his part, but she remembered last Monday evening quite well. It really had been nice. On the other hand...she would be agreeing to a spanking if she was unable to accomplish the task he set for her. But, she'd experienced that as well, only last time he had been angry...this time it was a game, would it be different?

Finally, she said, "Okay...I agree."

She watched the glimmer in his eye as he reached into a pocket in his robes. Her heart began to pound as she watched his long, slender, fingers reaching to pluck out some mystery object. Soon enough, he pulled his hand out and held it before her face in a fist, hiding what was held within. She could hardly breathe as he turned his fist over and opened his hand to reveal the object in his palm.

Hermione blinked a few times in confusion. "A cherry?" she asked.

"Yes," he said, "a cherry. Allow me to demonstrate," he declared with flair and popped the cherry, stem and all, into his mouth. She watched as his jaw worked, shifting back and forth as he rolled it around, looking at her with glimmering eyes the entire time. After a short time, he parted his lips and on the tip of his tongue, which was protruding slightly past his lips, the cherry rested. She looked closer and saw that the stem was tied in two knots. With a deft flick of his tongue, he sent the cherry flipping through the air and caught it neatly in his palm. "Your task is to tie a knot in a cherry stem with your tongue."

"You've got to be kidding!"

"I assure you, Miss Granger, I am quite serious," he said in a low, breathy voice which sent chills up her arms. He reached into his pocket and withdrew another cherry. "Here you are. Place the cherry in your mouth, tie a knot in the stem, and receive your reward. Fail in your task, and accept your punishment."

Two minutes later Hermione withdrew the cherry from her mouth; sure that she had achieved her task. She had twisted and turned the cherry stem in her mouth and had finally had managed to bend and turn it enough that it should be knotted. However, when she withdrew it she was alarmed to see that she had not succeeded.

"You have failed, stand up now," Severus said with a smirk and stood up to glare down at her.

"Wait, I can do this, let me try again," Hermione said and began to put the cherry back into her mouth.

"NO. You may have another attempt after you have been punished. Now get up."

Hermione rose shakily to her feet, feeling absolutely ridiculous. What had possessed her to agree to this? She could see that her pervert of a fiancé looked absolutely elated at the thought of spanking her.

"Come here," he said and walked around to the back of the couch. She followed, stomach flopping erratically. "Place your hands on the back of the couch, Miss Granger. Do not speak, or I may have to increase your punishment."

Hermione gritted her teeth and moved to the back of the couch. She paused to still her breathing and to try to convince herself it wouldn't be that bad...really, just ten swats, she could deal with that, right? She bent over and placed her hands on the burgundy cloth of the couch and waited, growing more nervous by the second.

"No, this won't do at all," Severus said from behind her. "Your backside is covered in denim which is much too thick. Lower your trousers and knickers," he ordered.

Hermione shot up and turned around, eyes wide. "I didn't agree to that!"

"Yes, you did, though if you were of the mistaken impression that you could remain covered for your punishment then I apologize," he purred and sneered at her, sounding completely unapologetic. "Now, lower your trousers and knickers...it's nothing I won't see in two weeks anyway, don't be shy."

Hermione gritted her teeth and glared at him torn between doing as he said and refusing outright. She realized it must have been those fingers twirling on the back of her neck which had caused her to give in. Amazing what he could do with those fingers, really. The air seemed to crackle with tension as she worked through the problem. Yes, she had agreed to be punished, though it had been unfair of him to not mention anything about spanking her bare bottom. However, she was beginning to realize that these games would be quite a bit more than just enduring rough sex. Maybe it would be a good idea to have a preview, though it wouldn't be pleasant.

Sighing heavily she turned around again to face the couch and unbuttoned her jeans. Her fingers fumbled with the button and zipper but she carried on. Her thumbs hooked in the top of her jeans and she hesitated momentarily before swallowing her modesty and lowering her jeans. She hadn't gone far; the waistband of her jeans was still above the dip which marked the end of her bottom and the beginning of her thigh. Flushing hot with shame, she bent over slightly, just far enough to reach the top of the couch.

"That is not acceptable. Lower them at least another four inches."

Hermione bit her tongue and followed directions, clamping her thighs tight and attempting to bend as little as possible so as not to expose any more than just her bum.

"Bend over more, your back should be straight," he prompted. Hermione closed her eyes and straightened her back, causing the bend at her hips to sharpen. Hermione hoped she didn't look as exposed as she felt. He was certainly taking his time here too. He stood behind her, admiring the view. Though she had clamped her thighs together, he could still see just a peek of her nether lips above her jeans and cotton knickers which were bunched around her upper thighs. He paused to cast a silencing spell then stepped to her side and placed a hand on her lower back. He drew back with his other hand and brought it down on her round, firm bottom.

Hermione jumped slightly and let out a startled yelp. It stung...but was surprisingly not that painful. She gritted her teeth and waited for the second blow to fall. This one was on her other cheek and stung a bit more than the first, but she kept her lips clamped shut, not uttering a sound. His cock swelled and stiffened uncomfortably in his pants, he would have to take care of that once he was back in his quarters an in a hot shower later.

Severus counted out ten swats on her backside...he wasn't hitting as hard as he could, but he arranged the blows to cover as full an area as possible, overlapping each blow slightly from the last. When he finished he was quite pleased to see ten discernable handprints in red and pink. He rested his palm over the top of where the handprints began and caressed the welts. "Very good, Hermione," he said softly as he stroked over the handprints. "You may get up now."

She reached down and grabbed the waistband of her jeans and cotton knickers and yanked them up, then zipped and buttoned them swiftly. Her heart was pounding and her bottom was tingling...it had hurt, but not badly...and she had shivered when he stroked her backside, the light pressure over the stinging skin had produced an entirely delicious sensation, much to her chagrin.

"Come sit with me again, Hermione," he said softly behind her ear. She marveled at what a flexible voice he had. It could be so commanding, it could strike someone cold with fear, or it could sound so seductive...so dangerous but so wonderful. She took a deep breath and walked around to the front of the couch. It had been embarrassing, she had felt exposed, slightly angry, though somewhere between the fifth and eighth blow she had realized how absurd it must look. Somewhere in there she realized that getting upset and ashamed about it was the wrong way to look at it. It was uncomfortable, it hurt a bit, but it was hardly dreadful. Really, the worst part had been waiting for it to happen.

She took a seat and Severus sat beside her, much closer this time. He observed her closely to see how she had reacted...she didn't seem horribly traumatized. He raised his hand to trace along her jaw line with an index finger, tilting her face up to look him in the eye. She was aware that the tingling in her bum had moved forward a bit, and her stomach was flip-flopping in a completely different way now. "I am willing to give you another chance to earn your reward," he muttered softly as he leant forward and brushed his lips against her ear, sending shivers down her spine. She swallowed briefly and tried to think as he nipped softly along her neck and down to her shoulder, producing a myriad of delicious sensations.

He moved back up her neck slowly, he was almost to that spot that felt so good and she moved her head aside to allow him better access, closing her eyes in anticipation. Just as he was almost there he pulled back. "So what do you say? Will you try again...or are the consequences of failure too much?" he asked with a smirk.

It was a dare, and she knew it. Normally, she wouldn't allow herself to be pulled into a dare, but this was different, her reaction to this would set the stage for her future and she was not going to let him think he scared her. Yes, it was a game...and yes, her attitude would make the difference. It would take quite a bit more than a simple spanking to scare Hermione Granger. Okay, so she might get a bruised bum once in a while...but really, she got hurt worse falling on her backside on hard-packed snow while skiing yet she still got back up and kept at it. She realized that there would likely be more painful things to come, but there was no sense in being afraid of it.

"Give me that cherry," she stated firmly, returning his smirk.

"I believe I must also teach you to address me with proper respect," he said in a warning tone.

"Please give me the cherry, sir," she corrected and lowered her head slightly in a display of submission. It was just a display, she told herself. These 'games' with Professor Snape...Severus...would require more involvement than she had previously thought, but it was rather fun...at least this was.

"You are a sharp student in more than just potions, I see," he said as he placed a fresh, deep red cherry between her lips. It was difficult to hold himself back as he watched her lips part and take the berry, but the rewards for his restraint now would be much better than taking her too quickly. Yes, allow her to enjoy a game here and soon enough she would be willing to do so much more.

*****

Harry and Ron sat in the common room, wondering why Snape would be visiting Hermione in her room. They didn't like leaving early to make room for Snape, but they weren't going to stay there either and apparently Hermione wasn't going to ask Snape to leave. Harry thought it was a bad sign of things to come and sulked through two games of wizard chess with Ron.

"Maybe they're just getting to know each other better Harry? I mean, they will be married in two weeks...they'll have to...do it," he said with a wince.

"The last thing I want to think about is that git pawing all over Hermione," he said with a shudder of disgust. "He'd better not hurt her."

"Well, isn't the whole point for him to protect her? Dumbledore wouldn't have suggested he marry her if he thought he would hurt her, right?"

"Dumbledore doesn't know everything and I think he has a blind spot when it comes to Snape. I've got a bad feeling about him, Ron. Have you noticed how Hermione acts around him?"

"She seems a bit nervous, yeah. But, that's understandable."

"Did you see her when she came back from dinner with him last week? I've never seen her like that...she looked...well, like she'd been snogged. I'll bet he thinks this is just going to be a great way for him to get laid on a regular basis."

"Ewww, Harry...listen...I'd really rather not think about it alright!"

"I'll bet he's up there snogging her right now," he muttered angrily as he frowned at the chessboard, not really caring that he was losing by a long shot.

"Who is 'snogging' whom, Mr. Potter?"

Harry and Ron both looked up to see Professor McGonagall standing in the common room looking stern. "Uh, no one Professor McGonagall," Harry lied unconvincingly. Their head of house pinned them both with a glare.

"Actually, I don't think they're snogging...it's just that Snape dropped by to see Hermione. They're probably talking about more wedding plans," Ron said.

"And Professor Snape is up there now?" she asked sharply.

"Well, we left when he came in there about half an hour ago," Harry said.

"I see," she said and turned to head up the stairs to the Head Girl's room. Harry and Ron watched and exchanged worried glances. Both were surprised when they heard their head of house yell from the doorway of Hermione's rooms.

"SEVERUS SNAPE! GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF MISS GRANGER IMMEDIATELY!!"

The door slammed and Harry and Ron's eyes grew wide before they both exchanged disgusted looks. But Harry looked back to the doorway and his expression clouded with anger. There was something seriously wrong if Hermione would let that greasy git touch her before she absolutely had to, and he was going to find out what it was.

****

Hermione had succeeded on her second attempt and was enjoying her reward. She moaned softly into his mouth as his hands roamed up and down her back, clutching at her hip or shoulder at intervals. He broke away from time to time to nibble down her neck, and she had even experimented with some of the same techniques on him.

She'd experienced a few fumbling attempts at making out with Ron, but this was so different. He knew exactly what he was doing, and she was enjoying herself immensely. He was moving one hand down her shoulder and towards her breast...too caught up in the pleasure of the moment to be shy about her body she thrust upward into his hand and shuddered as his fingers brushed across her nipple through her blouse and bra. He shifted position, spreading his legs and moving one thigh to fall across hers, their legs dangling off the couch together. He made no move to direct her explorations, but she was more than eager to caress his shoulders and the hard planes of his chest. She began to think that it was really too bad he was wearing so many layers.

Hermione curiously explored lower, approaching his waistband but unsure if she should continue. "Go ahead, Hermione," he breathed heavily into her ear, prompting her to explore where she would. She reached past his waistband and down to where his erection was straining against the cloth, wrapping her hand around it and trying to measure his length and girth.

Just then, a noise at the door caused them both to snap their heads up as the door to her room was hastily opened. Hermione was horrified to see a very angry looking Professor McGonagall standing there.

"SEVERUS SNAPE! GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF MISS GRANGER IMMEDIATELY!!" she yelled and stepped into the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Professor McGonagall...I can explain," Hermione said and attempted to remove herself from the vicinity of her fiancé but he clamped the leg over her thigh down firmly, preventing her from moving.

"Hermione Jane Grange,r I cannot think of anything that would explain this!" she exclaimed with barely contained fury.

"I'm sorry..." she began to speak but was cut off by Severus who had yet to unclamp her thigh and was still resting one hand on her shoulder.

"Hush, Hermione," he snapped at her before turning his attention to his colleague. "Minerva, is it not customary to knock before bursting through doors? I am sure I have heard you espouse the virtues of respecting the privacy of students within their dorms on a number of occasions."

Hermione didn't think it was possible for Professor McGonagall's eyes to get any bigger, but they did, and her jaw began to work, opening and closing as if she wanted to say something but it just wouldn't come out. Finally she found her voice. "Severus Snape, this has gone too far. How dare you come in here...and with a student...it is an outrage!"

"Minerva, my fiancé and I are simply becoming better acquainted," he said in a controlled, but impatient voice. Hermione turned from watching her head of house to look at Severus with astonishment that he didn't seem the least bit concerned about the position they had been found in. In one swift, smooth motion he rose to his full height and stepped forward to look down at McGonagall. "You know very well that I do not take advantage of students, and you also know very well that Miss Granger and I will be married in two weeks. You have no say here regarding relations between us, and you have no business attempting to make her feel that she has done anything wrong here."

"I certainly do have every right, I am responsible for the safety and well-being of students within my house," she hissed.

"And as her soon-to-be husband I am responsible for her safety and well-being. In fact, legally my authority overrides yours in this matter," he said venomously.

Hermione was quickly getting over her shock of having McGonagall walk in on her in the midst of very heated...well; it could possibly be considered foreplay though she wasn't sure where they might have been headed if they hadn't been interrupted. Now, she was quickly becoming annoyed that they were arguing about her as if she couldn't hear them. School by-laws were being quoted now, and it looked as if neither one of them was about to give up the argument. She stood up and walked over to stand to one side of the bickering pair.

"Excuse me please," she called to both of them. It seemed they had forgotten her presence in the midst of their arguing. "Professor McGonagall, I know you don't like this, but I am doing my best to adjust to the fact that I will be married in two weeks. There were some things I was concerned about and Severus was just helping me to adjust to what will be required by the ministry of magic once we are married."

"Hermione," she said, "I know you are to be married in two weeks, but Professor Snape should not be taking advantage of you because of that."

"He was not taking advantage of me. We were simply becoming better acquainted, just as he said," Hermione answered firmly, but politely. Severus smirked triumphantly.

McGonagall looked back and forth between the two of them distrustfully. "Was he trying to pressure you into anything, Miss Granger? Don't be afraid to answer me, girl," she said while casting suspicious glances towards Snape.

"Absolutely not, Professor. In fact, I'm afraid I may have been the one trying to pressure him into more than he thought appropriate at this time," Hermione said with a convincingly abashed expression.

"Well, I shouldn't have to remind the two of you that there are rules in this school and behaviors which are expected of staff and students, especially from the Head Girl. I do not want to walk in on another display like this again! Good evening," she said stiffly and turned and left.

Severus watched the door click shut with satisfaction. He was about to congratulate Hermione on her handling of the situation when he saw she was facing the door, he couldn't see her face, but her shoulders were shaking as if with suppressed sobbing. Likely the embarrassment of the situation was more than she was able to handle.

"Hermione?" he prodded gently. Her shoulders shook more...oh bugger, he did not want to deal with her crying over something like this. He was about to snap at her to suck it up when she turned to face him and he realized that she wasn't crying...far from it, she was barely containing her laughter. She let it burst forth from her lungs as she stumbled over to the couch to flop back ungracefully.

"Oh gods! The look on her face...it was priceless!" she gasped out between laughs.

"Yes, quite," he answered as he watched her.

"Really, I don't mean any disrespect to her...I've just always thought she needed to loosen up a bit." She laughed some more. "I wonder..." she mused.

"Wonder what?"

"What would have happened if she had walked in ten minutes ago?"

"I would likely have had to obliviate her of the memory," he drawled sardonically. He maintained his stiff expression as she looked up at him, trying to figure out if he was serious or not. He decided to let her remain unsure. His mission to both set her at ease, as well as set her up for ease of training had gone well this evening, he thought. She'd had the perfect opportunity to go crying to McGonagall about supposed abuses, and with the handprints which were still likely visible on her bottom, and the book he had loaned her she would have had ample evidence to have him under constant scrutiny regarding what went on in the privacy of their quarters and she had stepped forward to defend him and to diffuse the situation instead. Things were looking up, indeed.