Lesson 5 - Prelude To The Main Event

Dances with Witches by Pearle

Summary: Severus Snape loses a magical bet. The consequences? The Tango! My answer to the codpiece challenge on Wiktt. HG/SS

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc. of the Harry Potter series are not mine they; belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

~~~~~ Dances with Witches ~~~~~

Chapter 9. Lesson 5 - Prelude To The Main Event

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Hermione's study group had left at 6:30pm. Promptly.

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Eyeing the door with something akin to fear as he approached it, Edmund turned to face Hermione.

"What is the problem?" she asked him.

"He's not going to come bursting through that door like last week, is he?" He wanted to make sure it was safe to leave. The others were standing to the side watching Edmund and Hermione. It had taken quite a bit of convincing on Edmund's part to get Deanna to show up this week. After running into Professor Snape in the hallway last Thursday, the girl had adamantly refused to return to Hermione's flat for this week's study session. Edmund wanted to make sure they were not going to run into the esteemed Professor again.

Hermione's voice was snide as she answered him, "Would you like me to look in the hall and make sure the big bad wolf is not there?"

Lisa was eyeing Hermione uncomfortably. "I still don't see how you can stand to give him lessons. After the way he treated us at Hogwarts, why would you want to spend any more time with him?"

"I already explained to you, I am obligated to complete Professor Snape's lessons." And she had no intentions of explaining anything further. Hermione pointed her wand at the door. "Perluceo-lucere," she intoned. The front door immediately became transparent.

"There," she gestured at the doorway, "you can see the hallway is clear. You can leave safely. Honestly, even if you did see him again, what do you think he would do to you?" Hermione ended the charm and the door reappeared.

"I'd rather not find out. I will see you tomorrow in Charms." Edmund and the group left quickly still worried about Snape making a sudden appearance.

Hermione held back the urge to shout 'boo' as they left. She did not have time to scrape them off the ceiling. "My god, how childish can you get?" She shook her head as she watched her front door close.

The cuckoo clock on the wall read 6:31. She had better hurry. The Professor would be arriving in a half hour. Hermione hummed a wordless tune as she turned towards her bedroom to change for the evening's lesson.

Her black jumper and a pair of Muggle jeans lay crumpled in the corner as Hermione applied the finishing touches to her hair. A little voice in her head, sounding very much like Harry, said "What the hell are you doing? It's only Snape." It was a dance lesson. Nothing more. So why was she so apprehensive? Nevertheless, she checked her image in the mirror one more time before leaving the bedroom.

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Hermione answered the door on the second knock. "Good evening, Professor. Come in."

Instead of her usual black leotard and dance skirt, Hermione was wearing a silky black dress that hugged her curves. Her hair had been swept back at the temples and hung in soft curls down her back.

Severus thought she looked lovely. He looked around the flat, noticing it was empty. "Good evening. Where is your study group, Miss Granger?"

Her eyes danced with amusement. "Oh. We finished early tonight."

Severus chuckled. "I see. I managed to scare your friends off. Was last week too much for them?" An eyebrow was arched in question.

"You do have a reputation, Sir," Hermione said, laughing as she took his cloak and hung it on the coat rack next to the front door. Crookshanks strolled casually into the room. He stopped near the sofa to clean his face while eyeing the two humans.

"Do I not scare you, Miss Granger?" Severus watched the witch as she moved.

"Not anymore, Professor. There was a time I was terrified of you. But I am no longer a little First Year trying to fit in. You can no longer assign detentions, deduct house points, or threaten me with expulsion. I think we might be approaching even ground." Hermione looked up at him. She was wearing heels and he was still several centimeters taller.

Severus looked down his nose at the witch, 'Arrogant little chit,' he thought. "I believe you will need to grow a few more centimeters if we are to be on even ground." He was pleased to see a smile break out on her face at his comment.

"Is that a hint you would like to see me in higher heels, sir?" Was she really flirting with him? Merlin help her, what was she getting herself into? "In any event, I am no longer afraid of you. There is really nothing you can do to me."

"Don't be so sure of that." Severus's voice was pitched low and velvety.

Hermione smiled as a tingle shot up her spine. "Shall we start your lesson, Professor?"

Severus nodded and took her in his arms as the music started. He was immensely pleased she was not afraid of him. On the contrary, she seemed to enjoy bantering with him. One step at a time. He really was a patient man. He had endured Voldemort for more than twenty years, waiting until the time was right to destroy the Dark Lord.

Take it slow Lupin had said. Maybe the man had something there.

"All right, Professor, let's practice what we have already learned." A wave of her hand and the music started. Hermione shifted her stance and leaned into the Potions Master as Severus moved towards her. The blood pounded in his ears.

Their movements flowed with a different grace this time, both keenly aware of each other's movements. They moved through the practiced steps, forward and back three times and then a circle to move them in a new direction, a side step and then the El Retrocesa, a two-step that moved them backwards. The beat of the music remained slow and Severus was just barely able to move through the steps.

"This is where the sacada would come in. Let's try it slowly." Severus nodded and concentrated on not kicking her leg or stepping on her foot. It was a bit awkward, but they managed to move through the steps without permanent damage to her person. "Not bad, sir. I would like to show you a new step before we practice with the faster tempo tonight. It's called an Ocho. Ocho is Spanish for eight. The steps resemble a figure eight. An Ocho can be forward or backward. The woman performs the Ocho around the man. You just have to guide me around you. A Double Ocho requires us to both move in the same direction using the same steps in mirror form. Your steps will be to your left, while my steps are taking place on your right. Let's try the simple Ocho first. "

Severus was trying to pay attention to what Hermione was showing him. He was getting lost in the smell and feel of the woman in his arms. The silk felt exquisite to his touch as it shifted across Hermione's back. He could feel the heat of her body through the silky fabric. He had managed to quiet the voice in his mind that was wont to make lewd comments but a new 'voice' seemed to have taken over.

'Just how interested was she in getting to know him? Could they be friends? Could they be more than friends?' He thought the questions seemed to be coming from some corner of his mind that held his adolescent hopes and dreams. A time before he ever took the Dark Mark that changed his life forever.

Not to be outdone, the Slytherin in him decided to throw in his two knuts worth. 'Maybe she just wants a reference for potions from you? Why would you want anything to do with a Gryffindor anyway, even if the idea of her in her scant knickers might be interesting? Why set yourself up for ridicule? When are you going to accept the fact that you are destined to be alone?' The last thought had rolled around his head for as many years as he could remember.

He had always enjoyed his solitude. A wife and family had never held much interest for him. He knew what others thought of him and did nothing to discourage that image. The image helped to hide his role as a spy for the last twenty years, never allowing anyone to get close to him. Feminine entanglements had been far and few between. He thought he had accepted his fate, now he was not so sure. He would hex Albus the next time he saw him for putting him in this position.

From the first time he held her more than six weeks ago, she had invaded his thoughts. He had flinched the first time she touched him. He was not used to such close contact with another human being. Now the feel of his arms around her as they danced would come back to him at off moments and created a longing he was not used to.

Hermione invaded his dreams almost every night since their first lesson. Some of his dreams were highly erotic in content while others were of a more mundane nature. He felt a profound sense of loss when he awoke to an empty bed every morning. It was sweet torture to be here holding her week after week. He had always admired her mind and quick wit.

These past few weeks had given him a greater insight into who she was and he found himself wanting her even more. He felt a childish jealousy that she was here at University with others her own age. He knew it was uncalled for, he meant nothing to her. Even if Lupin had said she had no interest in boys her age he was still twenty years older than she. He wished circumstances were different. Damn Lupin, it was his fault he was even entertaining thoughts about Hermione.

"Professor? Are you all right?" Hermione's concerned eyes met his. "I seem to have lost you there for a minute. Do you want to sit down?"

Severus chuckled. "I am fine, Miss Granger. Shall we proceed?"

Hermione grinned. "Wool-gathering, Professor? I don't think I have ever seen you distracted before."

"Rest assured it is not an everyday occurrence. Perhaps being forced to learn a dance I have no desire to learn may have something to do with it?" Severus's eyes gleamed in amusement.

"Pretty much like those dunderheads you teach that do not want to learn potions, Professor?" Hermione's smirk was evident as she went for the jugular.

Severus's eyes widened and his voice was hard as he answered, "Are you comparing me to the students I teach? And calling me a dunderhead in the process?" My god, the little witch had nerve, he thought.

"If the cauldron fits, sir." Had she gone too far? Until the last comment he had seemed amused.

Severus leaned into Hermione. A wisp of his hair brushed her cheek. His voice dropped an octave as he whispered in her ear, "I am magically bound to complete our lessons, Hermione. But there will come a time when that will no longer be a fact. I have a very long memory. You will have to pay in some form or another for what you have put me through." He watched the witch as he straightened up. Her eyes were dilated and he could see a pulse at the base of her neck. Maybe Lupin was right. "Shall we continue, Miss Granger?"

Hermione felt herself blush. Dear god, what he could do to her with just his voice and a few comments. Her mouth had gone dry at the images his words had brought forth. She licked her lips. "Okay, Professor. Let's, umm, let's try again." Her breathing was slightly irregular as he took her in his arms and they moved through the dance steps again.

"All right, Professor, let's try the Ocho at this point in the dance. Just stand and guide me around you." As Hermione moved through the steps she added a few toe taps to make the movement a bit flashier. "Okay, now the Double Ocho, slowly."

They spent the next hour practicing the new step before repeating the dance again at both the slow and faster tempos. Hermione looked up as the cuckoo clock sounded the hour. It was nine o'clock. They had been working for just over two hours. "For homework," she stopped to see if he was going to protest as he did the last time she mentioned homework.

Severus schooled his features to remain neutral. He would be damned if he was going to give her the upper hand. His eyes glittered dangerously as he watched her. "Yes?"

Hermione smiled, "For homework, I need you to continue practicing the steps we have been working on. Also, I want two feet on the history of the Tango by our next lesson. Please stay within the required length."

It seemed to take a moment before her last comment registered. An essay? An essay! "You little...witch. Of all the cheek. After all the essays I have been forced to endure during your seven years at Hogwarts that went ten times beyond the required length. If you think for one minute I am going to write..."

Hermione burst out laughing. "All right, fine, no essay. You know, if I had complained every time you gave us an assignment, I would still be in the dungeons cleaning cauldrons. Without magic."

"And it would serve you right," he said with a smirk.

"I know it is getting late. Did you still want to talk about the Wolfsbane Potion?" Hermione was on edge waiting for his answer. She had felt exhilarated talking with him last week and had spent most of this week replaying their conversation in her head. She was sure his interest had been a fluke and he would sweep out of her flat and be done with her.

Severus walked to the front door and reached for his cloak. Hermione's stomach dropped. She felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment. 'What did you expect?' she thought angrily. 'You were an annoyance for seven years. Why should that change now?' She sighed deeply, "So, I will see you next Thursday then?"

Severus turned from the door, a thick sheaf of parchment in his right hand. "Next Thursday? If you are tired, Miss Granger, we can continue the discussion next week. I have made some notes on the properties of the ingredients that could be altered but it can wait if you are not feeling up to it."

"No, I am not tired at all, Professor. When you went for your cloak I had assumed you were leaving. Wait. I will get my papers." Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she disappeared into the other room.

Severus had moved to the sofa and was reorganizing his information. He was deep in thought when Hermione reappeared.

She lowered her book bag to the coffee table before taking a seat at the end of the sofa. "Would you like some tea, Professor?"

"Yes, thank you. I have talked to Lupin about your theory. He has consented to be a guinea pig when we are ready for the testing stage. It seems having a werewolf around will finally come in handy," he said with a half chuckle as he returned to the papers he was sorting. "If all goes well, I would think we should be ready by the Christmas holiday to run a few trials. I have not spoken to Albus, but the castle has guest accommodations. I am sure there will be no a problem securing rooms for you. No doubt Minerva will have my hide if I offer any of the rooms in the dungeon near the Potion's lab, even if they would prove to be the most convenient." Severus looked up from his papers at the young woman sitting quietly next to him. "Miss Granger?"

"When you said you wanted to continue our discussion, I thought that meant, you wanted to continue our discussion. You are talking about moving forward with actual research, not just an academic exercise." A small silver tea service floated out of the kitchen and landed gently on the coffee table in front of them.

"Miss Granger, I believe your theory has practical applications on a variety of potions. The Wolfsbane Potion will be the first step in proving that theory. Eventually, I expect to publish our findings in Ars Alchemica. What I propose is this, you will receive sole credit for the original theory but I believe we could agree on joint credit for the research and trials as well as the final outcome and eventual application." Severus turned back to the papers on the table. "Perhaps you will be free on a few Saturday's between now and then? We could do some further reach in my private lab. I will set the wards to recognize you in the event I am not present when you arrive at the castle."

Hermione continued to sit quietly on the sofa, her mind whirling with the implications of his words. She was thunderstruck with the knowledge that Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and probably the leading Potions Master in the United Kingdom, wanted to collaborate with her.

"Miss Granger, am I to assume from your silence that you agree to this idea?" Why wasn't she saying anything he wondered? "Perhaps if I narrow the choices for you? Yes or No, pick one," he said with a smirk.

Hermione's smile was brilliant, "Yes, of course. Professor, did I hear you correctly? Did you just propose?"

Severus sighed, "Merely a figure of speech, Miss Granger."

Hermione put out her hand, "I believe we have a deal, Sir."

Severus laughed as he looked at the young woman next to him. Shaking her hand he said, "Indeed, Miss Granger."

"Professor, could I ask a favor of you?"

One brow rose in question, "And that would be?"

Hermione blushed. "Calling me Miss Granger makes me feel like I am back in seventh year potions. If this is to be an equal venture, then I would like you to call me Hermione."

"I see." His black eyes bored into hers as he asked, "And I suppose, Hermione, you expect to call me by my given name as well?"

"That would seem to follow, would not it?"

"Well?"

Hermione looked puzzled. "Well, what?"

"I am waiting. I wish to hear you call me by my given name." Severus sat back and crossed his arms. A slight grin was evident as he waited for her to say something. She still thought of him as her instructor. He was waiting to see if she could get past that.

Hermione poured a cup of tea. "Would you like lemon with your tea, Severus?"

He laughed openly as he took the cup from her. "No, black is fine. Are you ready to start or is there another problem we should address first?" He indicated the ingredient lists he had prepared. "I thought we could examine the properties of the traditional ingredients first."

And with that statement they were off and running.

It was eleven o'clock before they realized how late it was. Hermione had kicked off her heels and was sitting on the floor against the sofa with her feet tucked under her. Papers and books were strewn across the sofa, coffee table, and floor. Sometime in the last two hours they had discarded the tea set in favor of a bottle of red wine Hermione had forgotten she had in the back of her refrigerator. A half empty box of biscuits was lying on its side under some papers on the sofa.

Hermione set her empty glass down on the coffee table. "What if we were to infuse the hellebore with gingko biloba extract using a heat infusion formula to bind the two ingredients together? One of its main properties of gingko biloba extract is to strengthen mental acuity." She was writing notes on a pad at her side. "We need to chart the combinations that will be the most effective."

Severus watched Hermione as she wrote notations on the pad in front of her. She was truly remarkable, her mind moved with lightening speed from one concept to the next with full clarity. He was looking forward to working with her. "Have you considered the various properties and effects a change in cauldron material will make?"

"Mmm. Gold, silver, base metal, glass, and wouldn't the stirring implement affect the potion if used it at the proper stage of the incantation?"

"Yes, I suppose we will have to try several scenarios before actually creating the potion. Would you be available to come to Hogwarts on Saturday? We can start testing the cauldrons in my lab." Severus hoped he sounded nonchalant. He felt anything but calm right now.

"No. I can't this weekend. Unfortunately I already have plans with Edmund for Saturday and Sunday." Hermione was still writing notes on the pad in front of her or she would have noticed a change come over the Potions Master. "I can come out next weekend if that would be all right?"

"I believe that will be adequate. I shall see you promptly at seven o'clock on Thursday." Severus rose stiffly and moved to the door. He was a fool, an old fool. Of course she would have plans. She was young. Why wouldn't she be interested in some young wizard, this Edmund? Why in Circe's name would he ever think she would be interested in him? He needed to leave before he said anything foolish.

Hermione looked up. Severus's voice had sounded odd to her. It had sounded cold. He had been open and friendly all evening. What happened? Suddenly he had slipped back into full Potions Master persona. He was reaching for his cloak when her hand on his arm stilled his movement. "Severus, are you all right?"

"I am fine, Miss Granger. I will see you on Thursday. Now if there is nothing more, I need to return to Hogwarts." Severus was still facing the door, not looking at her.

"We're back to Miss Granger, now? I thought you agreed to call me Hermione? What just happened here?" What was his problem?

Severus wheeled around abruptly, dislodging her hand from his arm as he faced her. "Fine, Hermione. I will see you next week. Is that better?"

She took an involuntary step backward. The ice in his voice baffled her. "No, it is not better. Will you please tell me what you are so angry about?"

"I understand you have a busy schedule but I do not recall you mentioning locating a costume for either one of us to wear. Perhaps sometime between now and next week you can find time to complete that task. I will see you on Thursday. Enjoy your weekend, Miss Granger." He needed to leave. He could see the hurt in her eyes. She had done nothing wrong. It was his fault for creating a scenario that did not exit. 'No fool like an old fool,' he thought. His voice was softer as he said, "I will see you next week, Hermione."

"I cannot imagine you would be upset because I did not find us some skimpy little costumes to wear. Severus, I am sorry I cannot come on Saturday. I have an Advanced Charms project, with Edmund, to finish for Monday's class. He is worse than Ron when it comes to getting work done. If I push him hard enough, we might be able to finish early on Sunday. Maybe I could come for a few hours?" She did not want him to leave in the mood he was in. Things seemed to be going so well. She really thought they were becoming friends.

"You are working on a project this weekend?" He knew he sounded foolish. The words sounded foolish to his own ears. Did she say skimpy little costume?

"Yes, an Advanced Charms project with Edmund. He was here last week. You might remember him, he almost tripped in his hurry to get out the door."

They were standing next to her front door, his cloak forgotten on the rack. Severus's black eyes locked with Hermione's. He thought he saw flecks of gold in the warm brown of her eyes. "You would not object to coming out to Hogwarts? What if Edmund objects to hurrying through your project so that you can leave?"

"Edmund would be thrilled to have me do the project. I would hex him if I thought Julie wouldn't get mad. Honestly, some days he is a bigger child than Harry and Ron put together. I don't know how she stands him."

"Julie?"

"Edmund's girlfriend. Wait. You didn't think Edmund and I...?" She was not sure what had happened, but he seemed to have relaxed a little.

'Leave while you still can,' the voice in his head was screaming at him. It was advice he thought he would do well to follow. Instead he smiled and asked, "And that is not the case, Hermione?"

Her smile was bright. "No, that is not the case. I am not...um...seeing anyone." Oh god, maybe the floor could open up and swallow her whole before she said something even stupider

"And why would that be?" His voice had taken on a husky quality.

Was she really going to talk about her love life, or rather lack of it, with him? "I don't know. Boys my age annoy me. All they ever want to talk about is Quidditch. It would be nice to have an intelligent conversation for a change."

Her breath hitched in her throat as he moved a step closer to her.

"Say a conversation about potions perhaps?"

His words were said with a sexy drawl. Hermione thought she would just melt onto the floor and get it over with. She wasn't sure her legs were going to continue holding her up much longer. She was pinned to the spot by his gaze. "Potions would definitely be interesting." Was he flirting with her?

"More interesting then Quidditch?"

"Infinitely more interesting than Quidditch."

Severus laughed at her comment. "Tell me what you want, Hermione." He was lazily stroking her arm from the shoulder to the elbow and back again with the barest of touches.

Hermione found it hard to breath. "I want...I want you."

"Are you sure?"

Her eyes drifted close as she smelled the unique scent that was Severus. "Mmmm. Yes. I'm sure." His touch was mesmerizing.

"Tell me to leave, Hermione. I am an old fool. Too old for you. You need a young wizard, not a man who has lived his life in the shadows. Tell me to leave and I will return next week as your work partner, nothing more. Tell me to leave before we both do something we will regret."

She was staring up at him. Hunger shone in her eyes as she reached for him.

They were only a few centimeters apart. He gently cupped the side of her face, looking deeply into her eyes as his thumb traced sensual patterns against her skin. "I'm not an easy man, you know," he whispered, closing the distance between them just a little bit more. 'She must have washed her hair in vanilla,' he thought, as the scent drifted up to him.

"What makes you think I'm any easier?" she asked. She could feel the vibration of his laugh at her comment. The movement caused her stomach to flip as want for him raced through her body. His warm breath and the gleam in his eyes were sending tingles through to her very core, not to mention the hand sensually massaging her bum, pulling her tightly against his arousal. She was playing with the silky hairs at the nape of his neck as she ran her other hand over his back, slowly caressing his shoulders. Just enjoying the feel of the man in her arms. They had held each before when they had danced. Every move had been a prelude to this, this dance of wanting, of needing, of feeling.

"Last chance, Hermione." His eyes were dark with lust as he watched her. His body was responding to the closeness of the witch in his arms. Her scent, the softness of her skin, the press of her breasts, and the hard nub of her nipples against his chest were overwhelming his senses. He found it hard to believe she wanted him as much as he wanted her. But her eyes reflected his lust, his desire. Her hips rocked against his hardened member in a dance as old as time.

Her eyes fluttered closed as she rose up on her tiptoes to meet his lips. He lowered his head to hers, embracing her passionately. The sparks flew, fanning the fire between them.

Their kiss held the promise of unrestrained passion as it moved them into uncharted waters. Severus had meant to take it slow. This was not to be a one-night stand but the heat of the moment seemed to be devouring them. He wanted more than just sex from her, however his straining member was vehemently protesting that thought. The voice in his mind spoke up, 'You may not be some hormonal teenage, but just feel the heat coming from this witch. Just think how good she will feel wrapped around you. Just lift her up and go for it I say. Do you think she is wearing The Thong?' A small portion of his mind wondered how he could go about exorcising the voice in his head. The rest of his mind and all of his body was focused on Hermione. Slow or not, a bit of snogging could not hurt.

Severus's tongue pressed against her lips, seeking entrance. His tongue found its way into the hot, wet cavern of her mouth. Their tongues danced against one another, learning the feel of each other, tasting one another. His hands played over the gentle curves of her body, enjoying the sound of her moans as they kissed. His hand drifted to the side of her body as he slowly brushed his fingers against the side of her breast, drawing a groan from the aroused witch, a groan that seemed to travel straight to his groin. His hand continued its path down her side to caress her hip before drawing her forcefully back into his embrace.

Electric shocks were coursing through Hermione's blood. She could feel the pounding of Severus's heart as he crushed her to his chest. Her head swam with the intensity of her feelings, with the undeniable feeling of pleasure as her body responded to his touch.

The need for oxygen reluctantly ended the kiss for both of them. Severus's breath was ragged as his arms tightened around her. His voice was rough and husky, "I think I had better go. I am not sure I will be able to stop if I do not leave now."

Hermione found she could not read the emotion in his eyes. Her hands continued to caress his back and buttocks. Her voice was a whisper, "What if I don't want you to stop? Or maybe you don't want..." She ached to feel him, to have him buried within her. Why was he stopping? Maybe he didn't really want her, but that couldn't be true. She could feel his body's response to her. The hardness of his member, pressed against her stomach.

Severus looked at the witch in his arms. Truly amazed at the depth of feeling he had for her and even more amazed that she wanted him. "Even if we did make love tonight, you have class in the morning and I have to be back at Hogwarts tonight for hall duty. Hermione, I want more than one night with you, not just a quick release. Make no mistake, you are what I want and we will be together. But we need to face each other as equals, not as student and teacher. We need to get to know one another better. I do not want this to be something you will regret because we acted too quickly. After all, you have spent far more time hating me than wanting me." He played with the mass of hair running down her back, hypnotizing her with the movement.

"I've never hated you, scared of you yes, but I didn't hate you, Severus." Her eyes shown with warmth as she regarded him.

"Never?"

"Never." Hermione smiled mischievously, "Equals, not as student and teacher. Or more like predator and prey?"

Severus chuckled darkly. Predator and prey had come to mind, though he could not have said which one of them was which. Severus leaned closer to Hermione. He gently bit the outer shell of her ear, sending shock waves through her body. He could feel the slight tremor in her arms as he held her. "And when we do make love, there will be no question as to how much I want you."

He pulled back and looked intently into her eyes, eyes glazed heavily with lust. The voice in his head was screaming at him, 'You could have her now, what in the bloody hell is wrong with you?' But he wanted their joining to be about more than just lust. He was afraid to put a name to what he really wanted from her. Truth be told, he was overwhelmed with the feelings that had surfaced within him tonight. He needed time to clear his head. The feel of her body against his seemed to erase all thought, all reason from his brain.

He had kept a tight rein on his emotions for more than twenty years, never allowing anyone to get close to him, always worried about the possibility of betrayal. One night was not enough to release that hold. He had not allowed himself the luxury of feelings or emotions in so long that he was not sure he was still capable of acting on those feeling. This was foreign territory to him. Seduction he could do. He was not ready for anything more. Except his mind thought his heart might have other ideas.

Severus lowered his mouth and kissed her possessively, forcefully. The kiss left her breathless as he moved to the side of her neck and bit the sensitive flesh there, marking her. His voice was low and smooth as he whispered in her ear, "Good night, Hermione. Until Sunday." He reached up and grabbed his cloak off the hook.

Hermione was breathless as she answered him, "Good night, Severus."

A gentle brush of his lips across hers and he was gone.

Hermione leaned against the closed door much as she had the week before, wrapping her arms around herself. Her breathing was ragged and her face was flushed. Her body was alive with feeling and ached from wanting him. She would have gladly jumped him if he had given her half a chance. 'Oh my god,' she thought. 'All that from a few kisses?' Dear god, she could not wait until they actually made love!

TBC

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A/N: The steps and form of the dance (as well as those that appear in future chapters) are from this web site: Tango tutorial - http://64.70.140.102/ourdance.htm. Challenge rules can be found following chapter one.

Perluceo (pelluceo) lucere (luxi) is Latin for to shine through or to be transparent.

Gingko biloba extract is a natural herb known for enhancing memory, mental acuity, and focus. More information on natural herbs can be found at this web site : Forms of Herbs http://holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/hol_herb-forms.htm

Next up, Sunday at Hogwarts, a talk with Ginny, and some interesting combinations in the Potion's Lab. Enjoy. Review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are always welcome.

Regards, Pearle