Lesson Eight ? A New and Varied Rhythm

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 23. Lesson Eight – A New and Varied Rhythm

"Snape?"

The student union was unusually quiet for a Monday afternoon as Hermione waited for the rest of her study group. She looked up from her textbook as Edmund sank into the chair next to her. "Good afternoon to you, too."

"My cousin works for the Ministry. She was at Arthur Weasley's house Saturday night and just couldn't wait to owl me. Snape? You're dating Snape?" Edmund looked as if he had just swallowed a lemon, whole.

"Not that it is any of your business, but yes, I am." Hermione's countenance was growing rapidly darker as Edmund made the mistake of speaking again.

"Snape?"

"You keep saying that. I believe I already know Severus's last name. What is your problem?"

Edmund was having difficulty wrapping his mind around the fact that Hermione was seeing Snape, now she was calling him Severus, too? "Severus?" The name was wrenched from his lips in a strangled whisper.

"Severus Snape. Very good. Would you like to try Harry Potter or Hermione Granger next?" Really, what was wrong with this idiot?

"How can you call him Severus?"

"Well, I can't really call him Professor Snape when we shag, can I?" Hermione smirked as Edmund clutched his stomach.

"Shh...shag? Do you know what his was, what he is?"

Hermione had just about enough. "I would watch what you say, Edmund. You would do well right about now to remember that Severus is a war hero. I do not take kindly to people that insult those I care about."

Hermione stood as Susan and Kathy approached the table.

"Sorry were late. Hermione, where are you going?" Susan noticed the angry glare Hermione was giving Edmund.

"I'll be right back. I am going to get myself a cup of coffee and try to cool off. If not, I may just turn Edmund into a rock when I get back. Or maybe a small rat, I can't decide which would be more appropriate. Maybe I'll turn him into a rock, anyway. Anything would be an improvement at this point." Hermione could hear Susan asking Edmund what he said to make her so mad as she walked away from the table.

Hermione sighed to herself. Severus had warned her, people would talk.

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Classes had gone as well as could be expected, considering it was Monday. The little dolts seemed to have a hard time refocusing their attentions to the task at hand after having the weekend off. He could still get the third year essays graded before supper if this little command performance didn't take too long. It had surprised him when Albus stopped him in the hall just before his last class, requesting his presence upon its completion. Severus sighed as he rode the moving stairs to the top. He wondered what the Headmaster wanted now.

"You wished to see me, Albus?" Severus stood before the oversized desk in the crowded office. Fawkes offered a cry in greeting.

"Severus. Sit. Make yourself comfortable. Tea?" A full tea service stood to the left of the aged wizard.

"Yes, thank you." Severus sat in the indicated chair, wary of the Headmaster. A smiling Albus was a dangerous Albus.

Albus served the tea accompanied by chocolate and lemon snap cookies. "So, how are you, my boy?"

Severus looked skeptical. "You asked to see me, late on a Monday afternoon, to ask how I am?"

"Yes, well, I just felt we don't talk enough." Albus smiled benignly.

"We never talk, Albus. You tell me what you think and I listen, whether I want to or not. What seems to be the problem?"

"Severus..."

"What is it, Albus?" He wanted his desk cleared before he left the castle Wednesday night. He had no intentions of arriving back any earlier than 12:59a.m. This was not helping to expedite matters.

The aged wizard sighed. "Hermione."

Severus's eyes narrowed considerably, his tone menacing, "What about Hermione?"

"I can see you care for each other and I am truly happy to see you two together."

"But?" The word came out as a hiss. Enough was enough. "Albus, I have work to attend to. What seems to be the problem?"

"Severus, I am aware you stayed at her flat last weekend. If she stays at the castle, she cannot be seen leaving your quarters early in the morning. It would give the wrong impression to the students."

Severus snorted. "Very well, we will not leave my quarters all weekend. No one will be the wiser. Now, if there is nothing else, I shall return to my office?"

"Severus."

"Do what you will, Albus. Give her rooms in Gryffindor Tower with a door that opens into my sitting room. Connect our fireplaces. Hand her Potter's old invisibility cloak. Whatever method you choose. I am sure you can find someway for her to discreetly enter my quarters without the prying eyes of the students." Severus could tell the aged wizard was up to something.

"Severus, the staff..." Albus's eyes twinkled brightly.

"If this is an issue, Headmaster, perhaps I can resolve the matter for you. I should like to formally request the one hundred and forty weekends off that I was entitled to but did not avail myself of. You may want to set up a rotating schedule with the staff to cover the weekends for Slytherin, starting Saturday morning and ending Sunday evening, as I do not plan to be in residence in the castle during those weekends."

"One hundred and forty weekends?" Albus was trying not to laugh. "Would you care to tell me how you came up with that figure?"

"One weekend off per month, nine months a year, less December and March due to Christmas and Easter, or seven weekends per year for twenty years that I was entitled to take off and did not. This past weekend was the first I have taken off in twenty years."

"And you plan on taking them consecutively?"

Severus smiled. "No, not exactly consecutively. Three at a time; I am still entitled to one weekend off a month during the current academic year. I shall fill in the rest of the month with the previously unclaimed days."

"I was under the impression the unclaimed days did not carry over from year to year."

"Then you are mistaken, Headmaster. You really should read the contracts you yourself have the staff sign."

"I suppose it would be easier to give Hermione rooms in the tower and connect your fireplaces. At least she can be seen entering and leaving her own room."

"Whatever you believe will resolve the problem, Albus. If there is nothing further?" Severus waited a minute for Albus to broach another subject. When none seemed to be forthcoming, he nodded and left the office.

Albus burst out laughing. A side door opened noiselessly. He addressed the figure that stood in the doorway. "Now do you believe he is sincere in his actions?"

"Albus, you must know I truly care for the man. I just have an obligation to see that Hermione will not be harmed." Minerva sat in front of the desk.

"You cannot protect her at every turn, Minerva. Severus is a good man. Let them be."

Minerva nodded. "Very well." While she agreed with the Headmaster's opinion of Severus, she still worried about Hermione. Albus tended to overlook the obvious where Severus was concerned. The girl had no real family. Keeping an eye on them, she decided, would still be a prudent measure.

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Wednesday night snuck up on her faster than she thought it would. She was researching a paper on the properties of Bladderwrack root for her Advanced Potions class, when a knock at her door interrupted her concentration.

Hermione hastily rushed to open the door. A quill tucked haphazardly behind one ear, an open text book in her hand. Absentmindedly, she opened the door and turned to walk away as she continued to scan the book.

Severus looked at her retreating back and frowned as he walked into the flat. "Good evening. Yes, I missed you, too," he drawled.

"Severus, I'm sorry. I seem to have backed myself into a knotty corner trying to prove this theory. Just one minute." She returned to the coffee table and flipped through another book.

Hanging his cloak on the hook next to the door, he stopped to watch her. She was young. Though she could match anyone ten times her age in intelligence and logic, she was still twenty-two, and still a student. He suddenly felt very old.

"Aha, I knew I was right! The Bladderwrack root cannot be used unless harvested under the first phase of a new moon or it has to be combined with sea salt to change its cycle." Hermione smiled triumphantly as she snapped the text shut. Moving to where he still stood near the front door she looked up into his eyes, her arms twined around his neck, feeling his arms encircle her in response. "Are you okay? You look worried about something?"

Severus shook his head and smiled. "I am fine. Just a bit overworked, that's all." He captured her mouth in a kiss that was slow and easy. An unspoken level of comfort, in the knowledge of what pleased her, seemed to ease his mind as he elicited small moans and whimpers from the curvaceous witch.

"I seem to be running behind all day today. Give me a minute to change and I will be right with you." Hermione disappeared through the doorway of her bedroom.

"You need not change on my account." Severus scanned the bookcases lining the wall. She had an impressive library. Several rare books were included in the collection. He made a mental note to show her a companion edition he had in his study to one of the books she had here. It was a rare copy, something he was sure she would be interested in reading.

"I prefer to dance in a skirt. It helps to set the tone of the dance. Kind of like having the proper tools to begin with." Hermione appeared wearing a black leotard and skirt. Pulling her hair back from her face, she smiled at Severus. "You're welcome to borrow any that strikes your fancy, though I highly doubt I have anything of interest to you, considering the size of your library."

"I am sure I could find...something here that I might fancy."

"I meant the books."

Severus raised one brow. "So did I."

Hermione shook her head. "Ready, Professor?"

Severus pulled her into his embrace and moved into position as the music started. Holding her in his arms had taken on a new meaning since making love to her. The subtle shift of skin against his hand conjured images in his mind of a very nude Hermione riding his body. His fingers slowly caressed the soft skin of her back. Without knowing it, his dancing had become more fluid, more sensual. He was unconsciously mimicking the act of making love.

They practiced the opening steps of the dance. Their bodies moving together in this new rhythm, recognizing their desire for each other, as they turned to circle one another. Hermione's head snapped back; Severus moved in to nuzzle the side of her neck, executing a Sacada in the process. Eight weeks of lessons had taught him the steps. One weekend of making love had taught him how to move. The combination of the two was an extremely potent visual expression of their desire.

The final strains sounded as Severus drew Hermione in for a soulful kiss. He grinned as he released her. "Well?"

"You do seem to have a better grasp of the movements. The next two steps I want to show you shouldn't be too much of a problem considering how well you're doing."

Severus scowled. "Two more steps? I thought we were through? Did you not say we just had to practice?" He had the petulant air of three-year-old that had just been told Christmas was rescheduled to January 20th because of a prior engagement.

"Severus, I told you last week, we have two more steps and a few Adornments to cover. You have two more required lessons and then three weeks until Halloween. I thought we could still practice on Wednesday after the lessons are finished, if you wanted to. I will probably need to have you try on your costume again sometime in the next month, just to check the fit."

"Yes, indeed, that bloody pirate's costume. You still need to come up with a codpiece. Have you decided what your costume will look like?"

Hermione grinned. "I thought I'd go for the serving wench look. Sort of match your pirate outfit. Maybe a slit up the side, scoop neckline, the peasant-look. Something off the shoulder with a bit of a ruffle, I really have to sit down and look through a few books this week and finalized the image I'm looking for."

"What does one wear under a wench's costume?" His eyes darkened with lust as he thought of The Thong he had mistaken for his codpiece a few weeks ago.

"You will just have to wait and see. Now for this week's lesson. Last week we worked on the La Salida. I think you're doing better with the side-by-side steps. This week, let's start with La Cunita. La Cunita is called a cradle rock. It has a few flashy toe taps called Adornments. The taps also emphasize the rocking action of the move. This will ease you into what I was talking about - embellishing the dance."

Severus nodded as he watched her feet. He listened carefully as Hermione outlined the step, performing the movements as she spoke.

"I mirror your steps. Step forward with your left foot and bring your right foot to the back of your left foot and just "tap" the floor with your toe. Now, step back with your right foot and bring your left foot up to the front of your left foot and just "tap" the floor with toe as you did before. Hold the position for a two count before shifting your weight to your left foot. Then we'll transition into a two-step from here."

They slowly walked through the step and then repeated it three more times, increasing the tempo with each try. They moved through the dance again, Hermione inserting the step into two places in the sequence. They practiced the Cierre, a three-step sequence that Severus had a few problems with the last lesson. Through-out the next hour and a half they worked on the steps and practiced the movements several times.

Hermione's stomach had taken to growling loudly by the end of the lesson. Severus looked questioningly at her. "Did you eat lunch?"

Hermione shrugged. "I think so. How about a pizza?"

Severus frowned. "What do you mean you think so? One either eats lunch, or not. There are only two options."

"Well, sometimes 'one' can forget or 'one' can grab a late bite or 'one' may not be hungry at lunch time. Pizza. Yes or no?"

"Pizza will be fine. Where is the paper? I will charge it to my account. You really need to take better care of yourself."

Hermione smiled. "Yes, Professor."

"I would rather not look for a replacement dance partner at this stage in the lessons. I hardly have the time to teach potions, let alone teach someone else to dance with me if you are not able." Severus watched the paper glow as he tapped the square for payment.

"Mmm, that's all I am to you, a dance partner?"

"Did you desire to be something more?"

Hermione's eyes gleamed as she softly kissed his lips. "Pizza first, something more later."

Severus laughed. "As you wish." He retrieved his journal and joined Hermione on the couch. "I have the notes from last weekend. While we eat, let me show you the data comparisons for the four cauldrons. The iron and silver cauldrons show the most promise. I believe we need to focus on the difference between the two to determine which will benefit the Wolfsbane the most."

They spent just over an hour comparing and refiguring the results of the past weekend's work before Severus was satisfied with the results. Hermione, for her part, found it exhilarating to be a part of the scientific process, to know this was not just a lab experiment but also a part of something important and revolutionary.

Severus took in the gleam in her eye, her flushed cheeks, and smiled. "May I assume you find the work to be interesting?"

"I was just thinking how much more interesting this is than just the lab experiments we have been doing in class."

"Experiments are useful tools to teach you the process. You must learn to walk before you can fly."

Hermione laughed. "I think the expression is, you have to crawl before you can walk."

His expression was thoughtful, "Is that the Muggle version?" They were sitting side by side on the couch. Severus gently pulled back on her arm, drawing Hermione back into his lap and into his embrace."

"Could be? Are we finished with discussing the potion for now?"

Severus's voice was muffled as he nuzzled the side of her neck, slowly trailing kisses on his way to the hollow between her breasts. "You may continue if you like, I believe I have found other interests for now."

Hermione moaned. A thrill ran through her at the feel of his lips on her skin. She felt a rush of heat start to build at the thought of making love to him again. "Severus?"

"Mmmmmm."

She shuddered as the vibration of his response shot straight to her sex. She wanted to feel him. She wanted to reach that level of pleasure he had brought her to last time. Another wave of electric shocks shot through her body in response to his ministrations. Severus worried her hard nipples with his teeth through the thin fabric of her leotard. His hand drifted along her side, gently caressing her thighs with feather light touches before slowly raking his nails along the sensitized flesh.

Hermione was barely able to get the words out, her breathing ragged. "My bedroom." She could feel his erection hot and hard beneath her bum. She moved a bit, drawing a moan from him.

Severus shifted his hold on the witch, sliding his arm under her legs. He silently cast a weightless charm on her and stood from the couch. Hermione was doing her best to distract him. Playing with his ear, nipping and sucking his ear lobe, and licking the sensitive flesh just below it.

He lowered her to a standing position next to the bed before crushing her to him in a fierce embrace. Her arms locked around his neck, her body molding to his. Their kisses were passionate, fierce, and filled with longing. A whispered spell later and they were both nude. Hermione could feel his engorged member pressing against her belly.

His hands moved to massage the rounded globes of her arse, pulling her sharply against him. She moaned as she felt his hardened shaft pressed against her. His husky whisper in her ear sent another wave of shocks through her, "Do you trust me? Would you like to try a different position?"

Her eyes were glazed with lust, desire shot through her. "Please, I just want to feel you buried inside me."

Severus smiled, his own eyes mirroring her lust. "Turn around, kneel on your hands and knees."

A look of fear came into her eyes. "You're not going to put it ..."

"No, trust me. You will enjoy this. I promise you, I would never hurt you. I will not do anything you do not want me to do." He had never met a witch that didn't like this position. The angle of his cock hit the 'G' spot perfectly. She was afraid he was interested in her arse. It told him volumes about her experiences.

Perhaps he could get her interested in some experimentation in the future. Some wizarding sex books might be of use to put her mind at ease and interest her in some of the variations he had previously indulged in. Though it had only been a few days since the last time they had made love, his desire for her was overwhelming.

"Just relax," he whispered as he caressed her arse cheeks. He gently toyed with the slick folds of her opening. She was already wet. He carefully positioned his shaft at her slick opening and slid into the welcoming heat of her body.

Hermione arched her back. A whimper escaped as he sheathed his member in her heated flesh. Severus stilled, allowing her body to adjust to the sudden fullness. His hand moved to play with her breast. He planted several kisses along her spine and was pleased to feel her shudder as he licked a sensitive spot by her shoulder.

Severus pulled back slowly, almost to the point of withdrawing before taking her body again. Hermione rocked against him and, between the two, they moved into a rhythm of pure pleasure. He filled her as no other. His cock was hitting spots she didn't know she had. He shifted his hips every few strokes. She was incredibly tight. Her muscles twitched as he picked up the speed of his thrusts.

His hand slid along her skin until he reached his destination, the small bundle of nerves that would send her over the edge. He stroked and gently pinched her clit. Her moans caused his balls to draw up further as he clamped down on his own release.

Hermione felt the familiar tightening of her groin, the feeling building along her nerves. A sudden deep thrust brought her to climax.

Severus felt her walls tighten, her muscles clamping down on his shaft as she came. Holding her hips, he drove into her, reaching for his own release. His movements became erratic. With a final thrust, he came deep in her body, spilling his seed.

He kissed the indentation between her shoulder blades before pulling free, feeling slightly bereft at the loss of contact as he collapsed on his back next to her. He closed his eyes, still trying to catch his breath.

"Oh my, god." In a minute she was all over him planting kisses on his eyelids, the bridge of his nose, his cheeks, and finally his mouth.

He chuckled at her exuberance. "Am I to assume that pleased you?"

"Oh god, yes. Yes, I am most pleased. I've read about the 'G' spot, but I never felt it like that before." Hermione kissed him again before snuggling into his side. "Oh my, god."

"I believe you have already said that. It is nice to see you have retained the use of your higher brain functions." Severus smiled as he watched her grab the coverlet and get comfortable. Her checks were flushed and her eyes sparkled in the dim light. He gently brushed the hair away from her face, his fingers tracing the line of her cheekbone. "I don't think you have ever looked lovelier than you do right now. I'm glad you liked that. I told you, I would never hurt you or force you to do something you do not wish to do, but there is so much I can show you. So much more for you to feel, to experience."

Hermione watched his eyes as he talked, lost in the intensity of his gaze. She did trust him. She truly believed he would never harm her. She pulled him to her for a kiss. It was soft and sweet and clutched at his heart. He could feel her trust, her unshakable faith in him and vowed silently to never do anything to destroy that faith, no matter what.

"What time do you have to leave?" She had settled into his side, her leg over his, one hand splayed across his chest.

"I must return to the castle by 1:00a.m." Severus noticed her yawning. It was just after midnight. "Perhaps I should leave now and let you get some rest."

Hermione's hand tightened on his chest. "No, don't go. It gets lonely here when you're gone."

Severus rubbed her shoulder. "Rest for a few minutes. I will wake you before I leave."

"Don't you dare leave without telling me." Hermione's words lost some of their force as she continued to yawn.

Severus watched her sleep, a half smile on his lips. She fit perfectly along the side of his body. The last few nights, sleep had eluded him. He laid alone in his bed, remembering the feel of her body against his, the soft, silkiness of her skin. He buried his nose in her hair. The scent of strawberries and peaches touched his senses. He was content to watch her, to hold her, to have her to himself for even this small bit of time. All too soon he would have to return to the castle, to his empty bed.

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Severus shifted. "Hermione, I must leave. I need to return to Hogwarts." He kissed her furrowed brow and tucked the coverlet around her as he got out of the bed. A quick spell and he was dressed. He watched as she stretched, barely awake.

"I have an 11:00 a.m. appointment with my advisor Saturday morning. I will be at the castle sometime after that." She snuggled back into the covers with a sigh and fell back asleep.

"I will see you Saturday, then." Severus gently kissed her before leaving.

He stopped in the living room and gathered his notes. Crookshanks wound himself around his legs, trailing orange fur on his black trousers. The half-kneazle butted his head against Severus's legs, demanding attention. In spite of himself, Severus patted the animal on the head. "Take care of her," he said quietly to the cat.

With a last look at the bedroom doorway, he was gone. The cat cried plaintively as the door shut behind him.

TBC

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.

Bladderwrack is also known as kelp or seaweed. Bladderwrack has proved most useful in the treatment of under active thyroid glands and goiters.

A grateful thank you to my beta, Nakhash, for her corrections and suggestions. Another set of eyes is always helpful, the mistakes, however, are still mine

Still to come: Hogwarts, Harry and Ginny, and a few surprises. Enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always, thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are always welcome.

Regards, Pearle

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