Tests and Adjustments

A rhythmic, droning noise permeated her sleep. It was a rumbling sound of something like a rusty hinge, unused to movement, groaning its protests. Hermione shifted, rolling over...the unfamiliar feel of satiny sheets slipping against her bare skin woke her further. She raised her head in the mostly dark room...a single candle burned on the chest across the room, its flicker illuminating the unfamiliar room which she slept in. What was that noise? The rumbling repeated and she looked over to see her husband who was on his back, mouth agape, snoring loudly.

Quite loudly.

Hermione watched him for a moment, irritation rising. After he had told her he would have her sleep in the other room if she snored so as not to disturb his sleep, it turned out he snored. She eased back down onto her pillow, now completely awake. He seemed to get louder. Good grief, how was she going to sleep like this? She rolled over and shut her eyes, trying to block the sound out.

Ten minutes later she sat up in frustration. There was no way she could sleep through that noise. She scowled down at his sleeping form, noting how one arm hung off the bed; the other was flung up over his head. The various cures for snoring ran through her head, stories of wives elbowing a snoring husband in the side and telling him to roll over, tickling him on one side to cause him to roll over in his sleep...silencing charms. Somehow, she didn't think he would take kindly to any of the methods. But, she had to do something...she was tired.

Cautiously, she reached over to his far side and ran her fingers along his ribs lightly. She withdrew her hand quickly when he snorted and tossed his head, the arm hanging over the edge of the bed flung back to rub against his side. Just as she thought it had worked, his breathing had turned quiet for a moment and she lay down snuggling into her pillow and pulling the heavy, warm duvet over herself, he started again.

Sighing deeply, she went to the loo since she was up anyway and got a glass of water for herself. She could still hear him clearly in the bathroom. Well, nothing more could be done tonight, so she went into the living room and checked the clock...3:40...way too early. Her skin prickled into gooseflesh in the chilly room.

Instead of trying to get back to bed and sleep, Hermione entered her own room, rummaging in the wardrobe for some sweats. She looked over her books, hoping to find something for a good late night read, selection made, she settled down on the couch to read for a bit. After a while she was sure to be tired enough to sleep through the snoring.

****

Severus rolled over in bed, groping about to find his young bride for an early morning tryst. He smiled, realizing his life of celibacy and restraint had come to an end at long last. Being cooped up in Hogwarts left him little time to pursue personal matters. However, his hand found nothing but cold sheets and when he blearily opened his eyes he found his bed was empty. He frowned at the empty space where his wife should be and got out of bed.

He found Hermione, after a brief search, in her room, a book resting open on her chest as she slept on the couch in abysmally dumpy looking muggle clothing. He stood over her, crossing his arms and scowling. This was a situation which needed to be fixed, certainly. And so, he fixed his best Potions Master glare upon her face and cleared his throat.

Hermione stirred, stretching her arms out over her head and yawned deeply as she woke. She hadn't meant to fall asleep reading, but she was certainly feeling better now. She opened her eyes and yelped in surprise at what she saw. A penis...hanging just over a foot from her face...attached to a scowling, and completely naked, Severus Snape.

"Se...Severus! Um...hi," she stammered when she had recovered from the shock.

"Was the prospect of sleeping nude with me so horrid that you had to retreat to your own room to sleep?" he asked, smirking in amusement at her startled reaction.

"Um...I couldn't sleep," she answered, sitting up on the couch.

"You seemed to be sleeping just fine in here, Hermione."

"Well, yes, I was. It was quieter in here." Hermione looked away and decided to go put her book back on the shelf...carrying on a conversation with someone naked was distracting.

"Quieter? I've never had trouble sleeping in my room before." His eyebrows rose in question.

"Well, do you remember how you told me you would have a bed put in here if I snored?" she asked, changing her approach.

"Yes, but I was undisturbed last night, and so I can assume you do not snore. Therefore, I have no need for you to sleep in here."

"Well, funny you should say that, Severus. You see...you snore...loudly, in fact."

"I most certainly do not snore," he retorted firmly, frowning at her.

"Yes, you do." Hermione looked at him incredulously. Actually, she was surprised he hadn't woken himself up with the noise he'd made. And now, he was going to deny it completely.

"I am not going to continue this ridiculous conversation with you. I do not snore, and that is final," he finished firmly. He wasn't going to have her distract him from his purpose in seeking her out. He would have to get to the root of her reasoning behind the preposterous story she was using as an excuse for leaving his bed. "I was going to ask if you are feeling sore from last night."

"Oh...a bit, yes."

"I have a potion to ease the soreness. Remove your clothing and wait in bed for me. I will join you momentarily," he declared and turned on his heel and left the room.

'And the weirdness continues,' Hermione thought as she rolled her eyes and headed for the bedroom. There was still an hour yet before it was time for breakfast. The sheets were silky and smooth against her skin as she slid between them and propped two pillows up behind her back. It was less than a minute before Severus walked in and gave her a rather unsettling smile while holding up the small potion bottle.

"I do believe this will help," he purred as walked around the bed and pulled the covers from Hermione, sitting on the edge next to her. He glared at her a moment when he saw her knees were pressed firmly together. "This particular potion requires direct application to the affected areas," he explained, nearly patiently, and with a hint of amusement in his voice. He poured a dollop of the liquid over his fingers and reached down between her legs, which parted after another warning glare.

"Have you been studying for your test?" he asked lightly as he teased his fingers over her folds, applying the potion gently.

"Oh...um...I've been studying the pictures," she said nervously. His fingers were doing a good job of distracting her as he rubbed along her clit, teasingly dipping a finger inside and laving the potion over her slightly sore labia.

"That will be five lashes for forgetting the correct form of address," he informed her, smirking as her eyes flew wide. "Do you think simply watching a picture will be adequate preparation?" he continued, pouring another dollop of potion and inserting two fingers inside her.

"I don't know, sir," she answered hesitantly.

"I suppose you will find out." He finished applying the healing potion and got off the bed. "Come now, off the bed. Your punishment for incorrect address awaits."

Hermione took a deep breath and eased herself from the bed. She saw his cock twitch and begin to swell as she stood before him. 'Just a game,' she told herself. Really, just a game...she could learn the rules quickly.

"Bend over, rest your elbows on the bed," he directed. Hermione did so, unable to keep her heart from leaping into her throat as she did. She waited as he walked from the bedside to the wardrobe and watched as he reached inside and pulled out a whip. It had a handle of a foot in length and dozens of leather thongs attached. He chuckled when he saw her staring, wide-eyed and open-mouthed at what he held.

"That's right...you won't get off so easily this time," he told her as he walked back around the bed. "If you move or try to get away, your punishment will be tripled."

He brought the flogger down upon her buttocks, the force of the many strands spread from her upper thighs to her lower back and she yelped. Four more times he flogged her, increasing the force of the blow and adding a flick of his wrist to the last three to cause the ends of each of the straps to slap with more stinging force.

After the first blow, Hermione had bit down hard upon the insides of her cheeks, but was unable to stop from moaning with each stroke. After taking a deep, shuddering breath, Hermione began to straighten, but was stopped when Severus's hand clamped down on her shoulder. "I did not tell you to move." He rubbed his hands over her bottom and Hermione sighed as it seemed to soothe the stinging. He moved his hand lower, cupping the curve of her buttocks before slipping his long fingers within her again for a moment.

"Get on the bed now; kneel in the center as I had you do last night."

Hermione took a deep breath and moved to comply, nervous about what he was planning to do next. She spread her knees and sat back with her back straight, heart pounding and adrenaline coursing through her body. The bed shifted as Severus moved onto it to come behind her, pressing his body against hers, and spreading his own thighs around her hips. His hands came around her torso, pinning her arms to her sides, one lightly stroking down between her legs, while the other trailed upwards, circling her breasts and then higher to stroke up and down her throat. His lips descended on her neck and nibbled lightly in a trail up to her earlobe.

"Hands behind your back," he whispered in her ear. "Good girl," he said as she moved to comply. He shifted slightly to bring his erect member in contact with her hands. "Hold me," he directed.

Hermione felt him out, grasping his shaft in one hand, and closing the other around his glans. He moved one hand down her arm, gently removing her hand from the head of his shaft and guided her fingers around his sac, curling his hand around hers and squeezing gently. She took up the motion on her own, caressing and rolling his balls in her hand while her other hand stroked up and down his shaft. "Just like that, yes, that's good," he whispered softly, sending shivers down her body as he trailed his fingers back up her arm.

Hermione leaned her head back against his shoulder, arching her back as his palms slid across her nipples. He explored her body as she caressed his balls and inexpertly pumped his shaft. Despite the fact that she really didn't know what she was doing, it seemed to produce results if his gasps and muted moans were any indication. She would be lying if she told herself his attentions weren't having an effect on her. The nibbling at her neck and shoulders and his fingers moving over her body in light strokes caused her to arch into his touch.

"Turn around, Hermione...on your back," he whispered in her ear and pulled away. When she had done so he eased himself over her; his knees pushed her thighs apart and he brushed the tip of his cock against her mound teasingly. She looked up at him; his gaze was unflinching as he studied her, causing her to feel uneasy despite the tingling pleasure of his hand moving across her shoulder lightly. "I must say, I was disappointed to find you in your room this morning...I think this would be a nice way to wake up, even if just on the weekends, wouldn't you?"

Hermione was wondering how to answer that when he bent down to kiss her...it was long and slow and she melted into it, sliding her arms up his shoulders and along his back. He pulled away slightly and asked, "You want it, don't you?" as he shifted his hips, grazing his cock lightly between her labia and pulling away again. He nipped down her chest and captured a nipple in his mouth, suckling and biting lightly. Hermione arched up and tilted her pelvis to meet him. She really did want it, the tingling produced by his hands and mouth seemed to focus her need for him.

"Yes," she whispered, lost in bliss...she remembered just in time and added, "Yes, sir."

He answered with a chuckle before entering her, beginning to move slowly in a steady rhythm. Hermione met his strokes, closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of having him inside...the soreness from last night was gone, leaving only pleasure as he moved...the rhythmic pleasure which built steadily, the gentle tingle of his hands on her body. When he reached between their bodies to add further stimulation she moaned and arched her body.

Afterwards, she felt sated and relaxed as she lay in the bed, it would be time to get to breakfast soon but for the moment, she was content to snuggle in the sheets while Severus showered and dressed. Ginny had been right, this was something she could enjoy. As Severus dressed, Hermione went to shower.

When Hermione emerged from the shower, she found the bedroom empty and the bed made up already. A piece of parchment was folded to stand upright on the closer edge and she walked over to see what it was.

Test tonight. 10pm. Do not be late.

-SS

Well then. Apparently there wouldn't be much of a honeymoon. Hermione went to her room and pulled out her jeans and a sweatshirt, aware of the slight tingle remaining in her nether-regions. It was a new, but not unpleasant feeling. Even the 'punishment' hadn't been all that bad...rather, it had focused her for the time, causing her arousal to build.

She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and left through her door. The halls had a few students heading for breakfast, and when she arrived she took a seat at her normal place. Harry, Ron and Ginny looked at her as she sat down.

"Morning guys," she said. Ginny smiled at her, and Hermione gave her a look which said 'talk about it later' and so Ginny quelled the questions which would be entirely inappropriate for the breakfast table in front of the boys.

"Morning 'Mione," Ron answered, smiling at her hesitantly as he gave her an evaluating look. He seemed satisfied that she was unharmed and went back to eating his kippers.

"So...are you alright?" Harry asked, brows furrowed as he watched her for any possible sign of discomfort.

"Yes...I'm fine. I'm married, not ill."

"Well, I mean...did Snape...was he..." Harry trailed off uncomfortably, obviously trying to ask if Snape had brutalized or distressed her.

"Harry," she began in a warning tone, "I'm fine, really. The vampire theories are false, no fangs, really. Now, I'm hungry," she said and reached for a muffin. The last thing she would do now is tell her friends she'd been flogged before breakfast. Besides, people had sex all the time, she was sure she had been nearly the last virgin in seventh year, so why did he seem to think it would be some horrible experience for her?

"Harry, get off her already," Ron said between mouthfuls of scrambled eggs. "It's not like he would tie her up and whip her or something, right 'Mione?"

"Yeah...right Ron," Hermione answered, wondering what Ron would think if he knew how close to the truth he was.

"I suppose you're right Ron." Harry nodded and went back to his own breakfast, but still cast evaluating glances in her direction. She didn't seem traumatized, but she didn't look like an elated newlywed either. However, considering what she'd had to do last night...he shuddered as an unwanted mental image crossed through his brain.

"Harry, you alright?" Ginny asked.

"Um, fine Ginny."

"Oh guys...I was thinking, maybe we should go over our Astronomy notes today...there's a test next week."

"Good grief...most people aren't thinking about Astronomy homework the day after they get married...we figured you'd give it a rest for a little while at least.

"Ron, really...our class schedules haven't changed, and we still have tests coming up to study for.

"We've got Quidditch practice today...we'll be too tired to study after that."

"Hermione," Ginny interjected, "I was wondering if you would mind helping me with my Muggle Studies report?"

"Yeah, that would be good."

"Why isn't Professor Snape at breakfast?" Ginny wondered, glancing up to the high table.

Hermione glanced up as well. "Don't know really," she said and shrugged as she picked up another strawberry from her plate and bit into it.

*****

Severus spent his day in the usual pursuits, grading papers and reading up on Potions publications. His accustomed level of tension had been abated somewhat, though he was still holding back quite a bit. It wouldn't do to have Hermione running to breakfast in tears the day after her wedding. He would likely be holding back for a while though...too much too soon would break her, he knew. However, he felt confident that she would be up to handling his more...exuberant...attentions within a few months.

It truly was a marriage of convenience. Well, convenient for him anyway. Now that Lucius Malfoy was out of the picture, and his son Draco seemed to be disinclined to exact revenge, his role as protector would not require much attention. Of course, he would still remain aware of her movements and would continue to observe Draco Malfoy for any signs he may still be contemplating harm to Hermione, but for the most part he would continue with his life as usual, with a few added benefits.

*****

The day turned out to be a fairly typical Saturday for Hermione. She spent a few hours helping Ginny with her report and then went down to the Quidditch pitch to watch the Gryffindor team practicing. That evening they sat in the common room, performing the typical activities.

Back in her own room at 9pm Hermione went to retrieve the book Severus had loaned her. He hadn't asked for it back, and so it was on her shelves. She was a bit nervous...testing on fellatio seemed a bit silly, but after watching the moving picture on page 93 for a while, she felt confident that it wouldn't be all that difficult. She was a bit nervous about what might happen if she messed up, but with the added fifteen bonus points from last night, she figured she couldn't do that bad a job at it.

And so, after she had observed the picture for a while and thought about the best sequence of events, she pulled out her potions homework. An essay was due on Monday and she wanted to read over her assignment once more to be sure everything was presented correctly.

At fifteen 'til ten a knock sounded on the door between her room and the living room of Severus's quarters. But, really, she corrected herself, it was their quarters now, despite the fact that all her stuff was in one room.

"Yes?" she called out. The door opened and Snape stood there with a look of mild impatience.

"You do realize that your test is to begin in fifteen minutes, do you not?" he asked.

"Yes, I realize that. I was just finishing up some homework," she answered.

He nodded and turned to go to the bedroom. She undressed, feeling a bit self-conscious about being naked, but did her best not to allow it to show. He wasn't in the bedroom when she entered, and the sound of the shower came through from the bathroom.

She waited for a few minutes on the edge of the bed, wondering how this evening would go, when she came to a conclusion. Perhaps, it would be best to take a little bit of initiative here. After all, he had said he wanted her 'active participation' and if she took a step forward here, she didn't think it would feel the same as simply waiting for his next command. She had never been one to simply sit idly by and wait for something to happen to her. The last several weeks had been tumultuous, filled with life-changing events which had been completely out of her control for the most part; though she had made the best decision to retain the most control of her future, in doing so she'd given up control of herself. Now, perhaps it would be a good time to reestablish her typical approach to life.

"Sir?" she called, standing outside the shower door.

"What is it Hermione?"

"Would you mind if I join you, sir?" she asked. There were several moments of silence, and she wondered if she had overstepped her bounds.

"Yes, you may," he finally answered and opened the shower door, evaluating her as she stepped inside the chamber. Hermione stood for a moment in the steam-filled shower and gave him a small smile.

"On your knees, now," he growled.

Hermione obeyed, surprised by his sudden command. She watched as he looked down at her and then went back to his shower, using the bar of soap through his hair. That certainly answered the shampoo or no shampoo question. No wonder his hair looked like that. Still, she felt a bit put off that he would have her come in just to kneel on the hard shower floor and watch him.

"Take the soap and wash my feet. If you want to be in here you will make yourself of use to me," he said as he handed her the bar of soap and sat on the bench along the side wall of the shower.

Hermione began lathering the soap in her hands and began washing his feet. It certainly wasn't what she'd had in mind when she came in here. This wasn't the romantic, steamy shower scene Lavender had talked about for sure. Of course, this was Snape too.

"That is sufficient, wash my cock now," he said as she finished washing between his toes. He moved forward slightly to sit on the edge of the shower bench. Hermione scooted forward between his spread legs, lathering the bar of soap once more between her hands. She began washing him as she had last night, taking the opportunity to note how he grew and stiffened under her hands.

"You know, your father insinuated when he came to confront me a month ago that I might find this marriage law to be convenient. Of course, I told him I thought it was deplorable...I really do, in fact. But, I have to say that I believe now that it is quite convenient for me."

Hermione stopped her movement and looked up to him in shock.

"I didn't tell you to stop," he said. "Don't look so shocked, girl. Yes, this is quite convenient; for now you don't appreciate the situation as I do, but you will grow accustomed to it, do not fear," he purred. He leaned forward and placed his fingertips on her shoulders, tracing down to circle her breasts, watching as the shower spray trickled down her body, running in little rivulets off her nipples.

Hermione closed her eyes as his fingers traced to her nipples and he pinched them both between thumb and forefinger, lightly at first and then firmer.

"Open your eyes...look at me," he commanded, squeezing more firmly for emphasis. "Does this hurt?" he asked lightly as he pinched and rolled her nipples...not too hard, but enough to cause some pain.

"Yes sir," Hermione answered, biting her lip and resisting the urge to pull away.

He increased the pressure, smiling as she winced. "That hurts more, doesn't it?"

"Yes sir...please..." she gasped, feeling embarrassed at his handling of her body and the way he asked of her pain as if it were a matter of nothing more significant than the weather.

"Please what? Please stop?"

"Yes sir...please stop,"

"I think not," he replied and twisted his fingers, causing pain to lance through her body. "You see Hermione," he said, his voice lowering to a whisper as he bent down to graze his lips across her ear, "your pain is my pleasure." He pulled back, observing her face and the flash of anger and fear that crossed her features. "Perhaps now you begin to understand what I meant? Remember, you agreed to this..." he trailed off as he bent forward to claim her mouth in a kiss, invading her with his tongue roughly thrusting between her lips as he tugged her towards him by her breasts.

He pulled away after a moment and stood up, rinsing the remaining suds from his body and then turning the water flow off. "Come, we will see how quickly you can learn from pictures."

Hermione took a deep breath and leaned forward, resting her hands on the shower bench before her. Her nipples still ached, but his kiss had started her entire body thrumming with desire. She stood, wincing as her stiff knees straightened. She toweled off and went to the bedroom, where Severus was sitting on the edge of the bed, arms crossed, watching her with a smirk as she tried not to look at his jutting penis. Hermione forced herself to walk forward, and when he snapped his fingers and pointed to the floor, she knelt. At least the rug was here so her knees weren't against the cold, stone floor.

"I believe you have all the equipment ready for your exam, you may begin," he announced. It was the same phrase and the same tone he used to announce the beginning of a practical Potions exam.

Hermione's eyes dropped from his face and to the object of her test. She closed her eyes, recalling the methods she'd seen in the book and she leaned forward, meeting the tip of his cock with her tongue. With one hand, she grasped the base of his cock and with the other, caressed his sac lightly. She circled with her tongue and decided to take him in her mouth. It was large enough that she had to stretch her jaws to accommodate his girth and sucked lightly, and was glad when she heard a sharp intake of breath. Deciding she was off to a good start she began to bob her head up and down. However, she didn't hear any more from him, and so, when he announced; "Five points off for a limp tongue," she was dismayed.

She began again, this time applying her tongue to his length as he was in her mouth, swiping it back and forth. However, her jaws soon began to ache and she pulled away and used her hand to stroke him for a moment and close her mouth to ease the soreness.

"Five points off for taking your mouth off of me before you are finished," he said. Ten points already off...at least she had the fifteen points extra-credit from last night. But still, he couldn't expect her to be an expert on her first try, could he? Hermione plunged down upon him again, taking him quickly in her mouth and she heard a sharp intake of breath as his shaft scraped against her teeth.

Through clenched teeth he hissed, "Ten points off for attempting to flay me with your teeth."

Hermione cringed; this really wasn't as easy as it looked in the picture. She tightened her lips over her teeth so as not to scrape him again and tried to simply imagine what had gone on in the picture and focus on her task, the feel of his skin sliding under her lips and tongue, the soft feel of his skin over the hard flesh underneath...she found a comfortable rhythm again, using her hand in conjunction with her mouth and decided to take him deeper. He slid to the back of her mouth, but as soon as he touched the tip of her throat she gagged and had to pull quickly away to keep from biting down on him.

"Five points off..." he intoned.

Hermione began again, starting to worry now that she was doomed to be terrible at fellatio. Maybe it was like broomstick riding, which she was terrible at. She'd never had this many points off of a test in her life and she worried that she could be in danger of having to experience some of the 'punishments' for the lower grades he'd described in his note. However, she already had a pretty good idea of what she shouldn't do. Her jaws were aching after a few more minutes and this time, instead of pulling away, she moved him out of her mouth to lick up and down his shaft and then to circle the head. Remembering a particular move, she pulled his foreskin forward and slid her tongue between the skin and his glans...which actually seemed to produce a positive response.

And so, she seemed to get it down...she would take ten strokes with his mouth, and then pull back to circle around the tip of his cock with her tongue. This kept her jaws from getting tired too quickly and after a while longer of repeating this she felt his testicles draw up and heard his breathing go ragged as his hips began to thrust slightly.

When he finally ejaculated, she tried to ready herself...but when his semen hit the back of her throat, the salty substance burned and she choked. However, she was able to recover herself for the most part, and managed to swallow a portion of his seed, the rest trailed from her mouth, dripping from her chin and onto her chest.

"Not too bad for a first try, however, that will be ten points off for not swallowing and another five for choking. Now, tell me your score." He crossed his arms and glared down at her, waiting for her answer.

"Um..." she began, feeling absolutely ridiculous; his semen dripping down her body felt disgusting and she wanted nothing more than to wash herself right now, but she tried to remember the points he'd taken off as she wiped her chin with the back of her hand. "Um....does that include the extra credit I earned last night?" she asked.

"Yes, it does."

"Then...seventy-five," she said quietly.

"That's right, seventy-five points even with your fifteen extra-credit points from yesterday. That is most certainly a C minus. And, as you forgot to address me appropriately, not once but twice, you will receive an additional three lashes for your forgetfulness," he said as he stood and walked over to the wardrobe. "Assume the position," he barked as he pulled a very wide paddle from within the wardrobe.

Hermione sat stunned for a moment, but a warning eyebrow raised and she unsteadily stood and leaned over, arms shaking with anxiety as she rested them on the side of the bed.

"You will count out each stroke after it is delivered," Snape said and positioned himself to one side of Hermione and drew the leather paddle back, swinging from a high arc to connect with her buttocks. She heard it before she felt it...a 'whoosh' as the paddle cut through the air. Though she had tried to brace herself, she couldn't hold in the shout of pain when it connected and caused her to jump.

"One," she gasped. Each successive stroke seemed more painful than the last...it wasn't like the spanking he'd delivered by his hand, or like the flogger she'd experienced that morning. It was like fire, stinging and burning, much more than she would have thought. By the time he'd finished, she was barely able to choke out; "Six" through her sobs which she was trying desperately to rein in.

This didn't feel like a game anymore.

"You know, your backside turns a lovely shade of red when paddled," Severus said as he stroked over her red, burning buttocks with his hand.

For Hermione, it was the last straw. She felt absolutely humiliated and couldn't hold the tears back any longer.

"Stand up," Severus directed as he pulled lightly on her shoulder to guide her to a standing position. Hermione tried to sniff quietly and started to raise her hands to wipe her tears away but was stopped. "No, no...don't wipe your tears Hermione," he said as he moved to stand in front of her. He pulled her face up towards him with a finger under her chin, observing her reddened eyes and nose and the way she was biting her lower lip, her body shaking with uneven breathing. Her eyes were lowered as far as possible without actually being closed and she held her body stiffly in humiliation. He raised a finger to her face, gently tracing the path of her tears down her cheeks, and the splattering of his semen down her neck and chest. He caught the way her nose wrinkled slightly in disgust as he did this.

"Don't be ashamed," said softly. "I'm the only one who will see you like this, and it pleases me. Look at me."

She did, grinding her teeth as she looked into his eyes. She didn't like anyone to see her cry...and she had never had anyone simply observe her like this. The feeling of exposure caused more tears to well up in her eyes and spill out over her cheeks; she was mortified when he really did seem pleased at that. She knew she was going to have to learn to control her reactions better...she couldn't give in like this simply for his amusement.

"You do know you've pleased me, don't you? Answer me..." he said with a start of warning in his tone.

"Yes, sir," she answered, but he knew that tone, she really didn't like this at all.

"Let's try this again, this time I will direct you. Come now," he said gently as he sat back on the bed. Hermione knelt between his legs, surprised to see he was erect again so soon.

*****

The week following her wedding was mostly back to normal for Hermione. Potions class had been much the same, though Snape was the only one who had changed immediately to addressing her as 'Madam Snape'. It had produced a few snickers, resulting in a few lost house points for the Slytherins in the class who had decided this was funny. Other than the form of address, his behavior hadn't changed one whit in class. He still ignored her when she raised her hand for questions, and the times he didn't ignore her were much the same as before they were married. Though now, she knew what was under all those layers of black wool.

She still spent most evenings in Gryffindor Tower assisting her friends with homework and would return to her room in Severus's quarters before curfew. Other than at nighttime, she didn't see Severus alone. He was usually gone when she woke in the mornings, occasionally he would be at his place at the high table for breakfast, but sometimes not, and she didn't see him again until she entered the bedroom late in the evening.

She was also getting used to sex on a regular basis. He hadn't pulled any more paddles or floggers out, but had used ropes several times to tie her hands to a bedpost or behind her back. He was rather rough, and she spent most of the week with sore muscles from their activities, but nothing more extreme than what she would get from the skiing or horseback riding she did on her summer and winter vacations from school. Her nipples continued to be sore as he seemed to take special pleasure in pinching and twisting them, but she found that when he did so while pleasuring her with his tongue she really didn't mind all that much.

The humiliation she'd felt after her test was waning with time. She set her logical mind to the task of sorting it out, and while it was true that she wouldn't want anyone to see her as Severus had, he really was the only one who would be seeing her like that, and since he was the one to produce that situation she concluded it wouldn't do much good to spend emotional energy feeling dejected and embarrassed around him because of it. However, she had determined to not allow him to reduce her to tears again. She would retain at least some level of control.

Harry, fortunately, had decided to keep his opinions about Snape to himself for the week. However, Hermione still noticed he watched her closely, and would glare at Snape when he was present for meals in the Great Hall.

Ron had returned to acting oblivious, which Hermione found the most comforting. It was life back to normal. However, Hermione realized he wasn't really oblivious. There were times when Harry would begin to brood again and Ron would find a way to pull him out of it through a joke or prank. In a way, it reminded her of a lesser version of how Headmaster Dumbledore used his somewhat barmy act to defuse tense situations.

Ginny, on the other hand, seemed determined to get details. Hermione had shyly avoided her questions, but had said that she was enjoying herself, which wasn't a lie. She really was...sex was fun, even if she was being told what to do and when to do it. Severus produced reactions with her body she hadn't thought possible. The rough nature of their coupling seemed a perfect tension release, and she found it easy to drift to sleep afterwards, which was nice since she could fall asleep before he started snoring. It still woke her up a few times a night, but she was finding it easier to fall asleep afterwards.

Friday evening came quickly and Hermione decided to spend the evening in her room to do her homework alone for a change. She liked helping her friends, but most of the time they held her back and she was currently studying beyond the curriculum. She was glad for the added privacy of her room in the dungeons; no one bothered her here. When she had been immersed in a few texts on potions for about an hour there was a knock on her door, the one connecting to the living room.

"It's not locked, come in," she called.

Severus opened the door and walked over. "Potions homework?" he asked.

"Partly...I've got the assignments for the next several weeks done already; I just wanted to study the effects of the blood lily further," she explained.

"And what have you found thus far?" he asked.

"The blood lily offers a substitute for vampires who need to drink blood, but it doesn't have properties of blood when used in potions at all. I'm trying to learn why that is..."

"An admirable pursuit, if you would like, I have a few books in my private collection you may find helpful on the subject," he offered.

"Yes, that would be nice, thank you."

"However, you would have to earn them," he said, his voice dropping as he trailed a finger up her neck, causing her to shudder with chills.

"Earn them?" Hermione asked, knowing what he meant, and wondering exactly what he would be doing to her.

"Yes, put this aside for now, I wish to have some time with you. You may have use of the books after tomorrow. Disrobe, and come with me." Severus watched as she pursed her lips. She had a rebellious streak which would take time to work out; she followed his directives while she resisted with her mind. He could see the thoughts which flashed so perceptibly across her face...her irritation, apprehension, even embarrassment. It was delightful to watch her internal struggle to maintain control. He wasn't going to go all out tonight, but she was still in for a long night.

When she had removed her clothes and placed them in the hamper he turned and walked to the bedroom where he had already set his preparations. He was standing in the open space in the room, near the chain hanging from the ceiling when she walked in and took in the chains and ropes, the flogger and paddle and other sundry shiny instruments with wide eyes and a sharp intake of breath. He smirked as he picked up a rope and motioned for her to come. "Do you need to visit the lavatory before we begin?" he asked.

Y-yes, sir," she answered. In the very least, she needed another moment to steady her heart rate and breathing.

"Go ahead then." He waited for a few moments and after hearing the flushing of the toilet and the running of the sink she cautiously returned. He pulled her arms in front of her, holding her wrists together. "Tonight," he said as he twisted the rope around her shaking forearms, "you will be learning quite a bit."