A Series of Seemingly Unconnected Events

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 41. A Series of Seemingly Unconnected Events

"How do you feel?"

"Why do you keep asking me that? I told you I feel fine. What's the problem?" Hermione stood and walked to the railing overlooking the jungle floor, her annoyance evident in her stance.

"You didn't notice anything different back there, when you were talking to Rancine?" They had returned to the suite after the 'incident,' as Severus referred to it in his mind. Hermione seemed disoriented, but otherwise, no worse for the wear. Whatever the source of the strange magic had been, and he strongly suspected the glowing pendent had something to do with it; it seemed to have stopped, for now.

They sat on the small veranda outside the doorway of the tree house. Severus summoned a tea tray, originally intent on slipping Hermione a calming draught until he could figure out what had happened. He held off, worried the draught might mask some undetected spell.

"Rancine." Her eyes flashed with indignation at the mention of the wizard's name. But to the Potions master's relief, the air, as well as her eyes, seemed to remain unchanged. "I don't believe that vile little man would do this to me. I have a good mind to turn him into a toad!"

Hermione seemed to be...Hermione. No change, so what the hell was that display in the Lecture Hall?

"Hermione, when you were pointing your wand at Rancine, did you think of any silent spells? Did you feel different?"

Hermione crossed her arms defensively across her chest. "Are you going to tell me what you're going on about? What're we doing up here? We could have gone to the Trade Hall instead of coming back to the suite."

"Did you..."

"No more questions until you tell me what's wrong."

"Sit down." He sighed heavily as he relayed his impression of the events. When he was finished, Hermione looked more dazed than ever. "And you don't remember anything different? Saying anything different, even if it was just to yourself?"

"No, I just remember feeling furious with Rancine and wanting to... well, I wanted to hurt him. But no, nothing different. What do you think happened?" Her voice was quiet, almost fearful.

"I don't know. I believe it involves that pendant you're wearing. Why don't you take it off for a while?"

Hermione's hand shifted to the leaf. "It means a lot to me; you gave it to me. You and Harry both said I wouldn't have recovered if I hadn't been wearing it when I fell. Look, I feel fine. Maybe it had nothing to do with magic, just some quirk in the air system. Let's go down to the Trade Hall. You mentioned something about showing me a new cauldron you were interested in? The lecture on potions procedures starts in less than an hour. And besides, I'm famished. We really should grab a bite to eat while we still can."

He'd preformed several spells on the pendant when they had first returned to the suite in an effort to detect harmful intent. As far as he could tell, there was nothing wrong with it. But he knew looks could be deceiving, he had only to look in his own mirror to have that adage proved to him. "All right."

It greatly worried him that he could not identify the source of the strange magic. Strange magic? There was something about that phrase that he thought he should remember. Magic. Magical surge. Hermione...

"Are you going to stand there all day? We have less than a half hour until the next lecture starts. I love you, Severus, but I have no intentions of staying here in 'Eden,' until much later tonight. Shall we?" Hermione tapped her foot restlessly. She understood something had unsettled the wizard, but everything was fine now, so why not just forget it? Besides, the conference was in full swing ten floors below them and she had no intention of missing any more of it than necessary.

Whatever connection his brain was about to make, was gone now. "Of course. I think we could both do with a bite to eat."

"What did you think of Michael Tenbrook? Can he really brew Wolfsbane properly? He's awfully young to be a master. It almost seemed like you knew him."

Severus groaned. Michael Tenbrook. Well, why shouldn't she be full of questions considering the circumstances of their meeting? "I've had occasion to be in contact with the man a few times in the last few years. At one point, he was looking for some of the rarer ingredients for the Wolfsbane. He's qualified in the field of potions. What did you think of him?"

'I know what I think of the man. He's a Potions master, much younger than I am, not an ex-Death Eater, most likely much more social than I am, and would probably be more accepted by your friends on general principles alone, but still, I'd like your opinion of the wizard while I just stand here and hex myself into oblivion,' he thought, as he silently waited for her answer.

"You don't think he's a little odd? Sort of one of those nutty scientist types? Or an absentminded professor?" Hermione fumbled in her bag for the packet she'd received when she originally registered for the Symposium. In addition to the lecture schedule, they had included a small packet of coloured parchment squares. Each had the date and a meal designation printed on it. She fanned through the papers – looking for Friday, November 28, 2001: Lunch – as they walked through the main hallway. A witch, roughly about her age, stood in the doorway of the Dining Hall collecting the squares before directing them to a seat. "Here it is, the green one, right?" Hermione smiled at the witch as she handed her the square.

"Yes, all the lunch coupons are green, you just need to watch the dates since they won't reissue them if you turn in the wrong date. Table for one?" the witch asked as she collected the square.

Severus's rich baritone sounded to the left of Hermione as he corrected the witch. "No, the lady and I are together. A table for two, please."

The witch flushed as she took his coupon. "Sorry, Professor Snape, I didn't realise it." She waved two fingers at another witch standing toward the middle of the room. "If you will follow Linette, she'll seat you." The young woman eyed Hermione jealously as Severus led her away.

They sat at a cosy table for two, the young witch seating them, reminding them they had about twenty minutes until the next round of presentations started. A fast order of coffee and sandwiches later, found Severus still curious as to Hermione's comment about Tenbrook.

"What did you mean when you said 'nutty scientist' type when you were describing Tenbrook?"

Hermione shrugged. "Sort of odd, you know? He might be intelligent; actually, I get the feeling he's probably knowledgeable about a great many things, but he's...not all there. Like he's not really connected to reality. I'm not sure I can explain it any better than that."

"So, have you ruled him out?"

"No, actually, I was wondering if you thought we should meet him to discuss the Wolfsbane. I do have a few questions he might be able to answer about the apprenticeship, too." Hermione glanced at her watch. "We have about ten minutes, tuck in."

"Really good mate, don't let it go. Keep pushing until she tells you she can't wait to shag him. Or at least model our Thong for him."

Had the annoying voice in his head been a corporeal entity, Severus would have hexed him right about now. Our Thong? 'We' don't wear that type of undergarments, he reminded the voice. And since when did the voice have any rights to the witch, anyway?

"You think he's odd?"

Hermione laughed. "And you don't? I think he might be interesting to work with, if I don't have to keep reminding him to live in the real world and not a test tube. I can't imagine how he gets dressed in the morning, not that he looked all that together. Most likely, he has his head in a book or his nose glued to his research. Not everyone handles intelligence well. Not everyone can be you, Severus." Hermione patted his hand. "Damn it, we've got two minutes. I really don't want to miss the lecture on phial properties. They're supposed to present a new stasis charm. Come on, let's go."

Severus watched astonished as Hermione gulped the last of her coffee. His head in a book? How did the fact she could have been describing herself when she was at Hogwarts seem to escape her attention? It appeared as if she really didn't have any interest in Tenbrook, other than on a professional level. He released a breath he didn't realise he was holding. "All set. Is this one of the masters you're interested in?"

"No, I just thought a new stasis charm might help us with our research. Professor Wickfield's lecture is right after this one. He's one of the masters I thought about, but he's doing research at a private facility in Asia. It's further away than I thought about going." She was moving with amazing speed, matching his long strides as they moved toward the Lecture Hall. "I looked at the schedule. We should have a bit of time to look through the Trade Hall again later."

This morning's events forgotten, or at least put to the side for now, Hermione charged on through the day.

The lecture, entitled "Factoring Phials," went into great detail about a new procedure that strengthened the normal stasis charm cast on most lab phials. The charm was based on a complicated series of Arithmancy equations designed to allow the user to substitute the 'X' factor in the equations for the ingredients in the potion they were using, thus keying the strengthening charm to a specific item. The 'X-Phials Solution', as the professor called it, had more than doubled the length and power of the stasis charms in his experiments.

Hermione was fascinated by the calculations, knowing if they really worked, they would be able to preserve the Wolfsbane, at full strength, for longer periods of time. To the logical mind, Arithmancy was the most practical solution to any problem. Analyse the problem, deduce the cause, calculate all possible outcomes and, logically supported by tried and true equations, arrive at the solution. She was fascinated with the procedure and quickly grasped the mechanics the lecturer was attempting to present to those assembled.

Severus chuckled quietly to himself. While proud of the witch next to him, he knew that look in her eyes. He had spent seven years on the other side of a desk, groaning every time her eyes lit up in the manner they did now. True to form, Hermione was giving the professor a run for his Galleons, questioning and attempting to revamp the processes each step of the way.

"Severus, do you realise what this would mean for the Wolfsbane if this procedure actually worked?"

"I do, but did you happen to notice all five experiments used potions containing some combination of fox glove and scully grass? Those two ingredients, when combined properly, help to increase the stability of a potion, even if the ingredients are unstable themselves. I'm not quite sure it will have the same effect on other potions."

"Meaning, it would only give other potions a small boost, not double the charm as he originally claimed?" she asked.

The 'he' in question cleared his voice, stopping further speculation on the procedure's effects.

"Professor Snape is correct, in so much as the Arithmancy equation helps to enhance the already existing properties of fox glove and scully grass; however, it does boost the stasis charm placed on most phials." Professor Vaughn looked uncomfortable as he glanced between Severus, Hermione, and the rest of his audience. He had hoped to find a commercial backer for his process. Knowing that the procedure would not produce such dramatic results in all potions would hinder the marketing of it.

With less than five minutes left to the presentation, Professor Vaughn attempted to reassure the assembled that the problem Severus identified was one he was in the process of correcting and would soon have the procedure ready for sale if anyone were interested.

An owl sounded marking the end of the presentation and, once again, an impromptu question and answer session sprung up around Severus and Hermione as they tried to leave the room.

"Is there a problem here? May I ask why you are gathering in the doorway? You only have ten minutes to the next lecture. Is someone hurt, or in need of assistance? We have qualified medical staff on call for just such an emergen..." A voice in the corridor grew louder as those gathered in the doorway moved aside to allow the wizard through. His look of annoyance faded into something akin to terror as the wizard in question took in the group gathered in the room, his eyes stopping to rest on Hermione and Severus. Rancine nodded curtly as he started to back out of the room. "Professor Snape, Miss Granger."

Severus glanced at Hermione, relieved to see her breathing normal, her general appearance - normal; even the pendant she still wore appeared to be – normal, nothing more than a simple piece of jewellery, at the moment. He watched her eyes widen at the sight of Rancine stumbling over his own feet, but still, nothing unusual seemed to occur. Everything as it should be, no glow, as far as he could see.

"I...uh, I believe I'm needed elsewhere. If you'll excuse me." Rancine tripped as he tried to turn and bolt from the room. "Sorry, really, I need to run."

Severus watched, amused, as the oily little man scrambled out. While still concerned over what could have caused Hermione's display of power, it seemed to have resolved one problem: it 'magically' transformed Rancine into a pathetic lump. "I don't think he'll bother you anymore."

"He looked terrified." Hermione watched the doorway in amazement, still shocked at the wizard's sudden departure.

"You were quite impressive this morning." Severus managed to extract themselves from the group and propelled Hermione toward the door. His breath was hot in her ear as he murmured, "You looked like a Goddess, calling forth hellfire and damnation. If I were Rancine, I'd run too."

While his comment was benign, the timbre of his voice and the proximity of his body brought on an immediate flood of desire. The tone was one he often used to whisper lascivious and suggestive words and comments when they made love.

Severus smiled, watching a slight flush appear across Hermione's cheeks. He had plans for the witch later, when he could manage to tear her away from the Symposium. His hand at her back, laying claim to the young woman, gently directed her to the left. "Wickfield's lecture is this way. What's he speaking on?"

"I think health and beauty-enhancing potions; the lecture is titled: Is There A New You In Your Future? How to Improve Your Life With a Few Simple Potions."

Severus snorted. "As if any of those actually work."

Hermione gave Severus an odd once-over. "Do you mean to say you've tried a few potions of that nature?"

They'd reached the Lecture Hall and were settling themselves into seats as far back and out of the general view as possible.

"Of course not. I am who I am, faults and all. I told you that before. But I've had to reverse enough potions and charms when a few of the students have got it into their heads to 'better' themselves. You can find fake enhancement charms at the back of almost every magazine the little idiots read. The only thing that gets enhanced is the manufacturer's bank account. I've never seen one work yet."

A now-familiar voice interrupted Hermione's attempt to answer.

"There you are and looking fit, I must say, glad to see it. I was afraid you wouldn't show after this morning. If it's any consolation, I would have been happy to see either of you hex Rancine. The man gets on my nerves faster than any wizard I've ever met. Considering Wickfield, too? Not a bad choice, but deals in too much fluff, if you ask me. Enhancement potions, eh, should try something more substantial. Snape, have you thought about meeting me? I'd still like to discuss the Wolfsbane with you two if you're open to it." Tenbrook's discourse finally came to a stop when the need to breathe asserted itself. The wizard took a deep breath and looked expectantly between Hermione and Severus.

His eyes gave off an odd sparkle in the bright lights of the room that reminded Hermione of the Headmaster, or at least someone who might be a distant cousin of his. "Uhm, Professor Tenbr..." she started hesitantly before he interrupted her again.

The wizard smiled broadly. "No, no, it's not Professor. Why don't you just call me Michael? Might make things easier."

Severus wasn't sure what to think. Closer examination confirmed Hermione's assessment of the wizard. He was odd and barely pulled together, even the bottom of his robes were closed wrong, the last three buttons not lining up correctly.

Hermione had teased him about the number of buttons on his own clothing, even going so far as to say she was going to replace them with Velcro, so she could tear his clothing off quicker. An inappropriately placed open-mouth kiss had stopped her from making any further comments. While he would have lost his job if he'd had that knowledge firsthand – and he'd had absolutely no interest in her during her student years – it would have been helpful to know that kissing certain areas rendered her speechless.

A furtive glance at the impressive scowl forming on Severus's face told Hermione exactly how he felt about the wizard. She suspected it was his caveman persona resurfacing, again. For some reason, he'd seemed to feel the need to remind her they were together, quite often, in the last day and a half. Seeing Stephen might have triggered that particular insecurity to surface. It was something she wanted to discuss with him later.

She'd've laughed if she didn't think both wizards would've thought her off her rocker. Severus Snape, bastard extraordinaire, ex-Death Eater, Potions master, master of the Dark Arts, and one of the most powerful wizards alive – insecure, and over Tenbrook, no less. Who would have thought such a thing possible?

"Uhm, Michael, it's nice to see you again. I'm not sure what our schedule is, can we get back to you later?"

He nodded, looking around for a seat. Much to Severus's relief, the only seats available were toward the front. He watched the wizard sit next to a middle-aged witch, her hair streaked green and silver to match her robes, her laughter overly bright as she responded to something Tenbrook said.

The room quieted as Wickfield took the podium. "Good afternoon, it's nice to see so many friendly, smiling faces. Today I'd like to acquaint you with both the common and uncommon health and beauty enhancing potions normally used, not that any of you need them."

As expected, a ripple of laughter ran through the room.

"Doesn't he remind you of an older version of Lockhart?" Hermione whispered.

"That's what I was thinking. Must have used a few of those potions on himself."

The man was tall and thin, with bright blue eyes and a full head of curly brown hair that fell to his shoulders. Severus placed his age at roughly 95. He would have liked to endorse the man as a top choice for Hermione, if he hadn't sounded like a complete idiot. "Are you really considering studying with him?"

"His last published article compared healing agents against the body's own immune system. I just didn't realise he was using these properties to whiten teeth and soften skin. Michael was right: this is pure fluff. Imagine what he could do if he applied this theory to nerve regeneration or diseases. What a waste." Hermione shook her head, another one crossed off her list. Two down and two to go. At the rate the masters were dropping, only Michael Tenbrook would be left.

Michael! Did you hear her call him Michael as if they were old friends? This can't be good. You need to take her back to Eden and shag her senseless, while you still can. Hell, maybe you should lock her up in the dungeon. Forget what you told Minerva, if you keep her chained to your bed, you'll always know where she is.

Severus thought the annoying voice had a point with that last comment, though he didn't think Hermione would be too cooperative after a few hours of forced captivity. Stifling a yawn, he let his mind wander as Wickfield went on to describe his forty-two point system of skin rejuvenation, followed by his sixty-three steps to whiter teeth.

Periodically, Tenbrook would glance over his shoulder and smile in Hermione's direction.

Do you think she'd notice if we shot a few hexes at him? Nothing devastating, maybe a Dropsy Hex, or how about the one where you keep tripping over your own feet?

The presentation ended with information on how those assembled could purchase Wickfield's personal line of health and beauty potions. Severus sneered in Wickfield's general direction, thinking the pompous wizard was worse than Lockhart.

Half a dozen witches, ranging in age from fifty to at least one hundred, as well as quite a few wizards, were vying for the man's attention. Wickfield's exaggerated arm movement above one witch's head could only mean he was explaining the addition of a charm to enhance a 'gravity defying' hair potion he had invented.

"I'm not sure if the part of a dandy is real, or just an act. It's hard to tell in his case," Tenbrook commented, joining them and laughing heartily as he followed Severus's line of sight. Seemingly unconcerned as the Potions master turned his annoyed countenance toward him, the wizard continued, "Ah yes, well, I did say he was fluff, didn't I?"

"He reminds me of Gilderoy Lockhart, just not as ... dim." The boys had never told anyone the complete details about what had happened to Lockhart in the Chamber of Secrets, but Hermione had her suspicions.

"I suspect Wickfield is a far sight more competent than Lockhart ever was. Such a waste of talent; look at the fools flocking around him." Severus gestured in Wickfield's general direction.

"Yes, he could do so much more. I seem to recall Lockhart was at Hogwarts at one time, before his unfortunate accident, wasn't it? Well, no matter." Tenbrook was interested in training the witch. He could tell the young woman had a mind of her own; she obviously had an untapped intellect he could put to good use developing some of his more obscure potions for his own end.

He thought the key to Hermione was Snape. Even someone with no prior knowledge of their relationship, someone living in a cave the last few weeks and not privy to The Quibbler and its multitude of articles on the two, calling Hermione 'The Sleeping Beauty That Magic Awakened,' although stopping short of calling Snape 'Prince Charming' – no one in their right mind would want to anger the dark wizard, and you could hardly call the man charming – could see his protectiveness where she was concerned.

Still, it was obvious how much Snape cared for Hermione: his tone, the way he looked at her. The articles had detailed his constant presence at her bedside, her subsequent awakening from her coma, and Snape's aid in her recovery. There had even been an in-depth interview with one of the nurses detailing her eyewitness account of the pair from start to finish, when Snape had Apparated the young woman away to Hogwarts.

"Rather than continuing to bother the two of you, since I'm sure you don't need my presence as your chaperone, shall we set a time, say tomorrow afternoon, to meet and talk?" Michael hoped his smile, if not neutral, looked at least encouraging; the look on Snape's face was almost enough to send him reaching for his wand.

Tenbrook might have been the most qualified master to train Hermione, but he got under Severus's skin. He'd sooner spend a fortnight vacationing with Lupin than have to deal with Tenbrook again. Which is why it made no sense at all when he agreed they should meet for lunch the next day, after Tenbrook's presentation: better to commit to a short, timed meal, than be stuck with Tenbrook for the evening.

"We'll be attending your lecture at 10:30 tomorrow morning, why don't we have lunch together after that? You can answer Hermione's questions about what an apprenticeship entails, and we can fill you in on the alterations we're working on. I know you've brewed the Wolfsbane properly in the past, it can't hurt to have another master look at it."

Severus ignored the look of abject shock on Hermione's face; his reasoning was solid. It didn't matter if the annoying voice in his head was calling him a few choice names for allowing Hermione to be on the same continent as Tenbrook, let alone arranging for her to break bread with him. The wizard seemed hell-bent on speaking to them, most likely to curry favour with Hermione. Word of her display that morning, coupled with her work on the Wolfsbane alterations, adding to the fact that she was a heroine of the war, and her sudden availability as an apprentice again, made her the most sought after candidate on Cambridge's program list.

Two masters had approached her with apprentice offers just before Rancine had showed up at the last presentation. A third was scared off when he realised Hermione was with him.

"Wonderful, wonderful! Miss Granger, Snape, I'll take my leave. See you tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your day." Tenbrook executed a small bow before turning and slipping off into the disbanding crowd.

"Who are you and what have you done with Severus Snape?" Hermione put her hand to his forehead before holding his face in her hands and peering intently into his eyes. "No fever. Yep, that's you in there. You agreed we would have lunch with him? Have you gone mad?"

Severus pulled Hermione's hands down. "Stop that," he said gruffly.

"You see? Even she thinks you're crazy. Maybe you can arrange a romantic weekend away for the two of them?

The annoying voice was really starting to...annoy him. The only time his conscience had left him alone was when he'd been recovering from theCruciatus Curse a few months ago, and then it'd only been quiet for a day or two. "Sod off," he mumbled quietly.

"What? Did you just tell me to sod off?" Hermione stared at Severus; she'd heard him mumble something, she just wasn't sure what it was he'd said.

"No, I didn't tell you to sod off, and I haven't gone off the deep end. I have the feeling Tenbrook will follow us around like a lost Puffskein until you agree to listen to him. Might as well get it out of the way. It wouldn't hurt to have another master look at the calculations for the alterations." Severus sighed dramatically. "He has brewed the Wolfsbane before. We've a bit of time to spare, would you like to have a look through the Trade Hall before we change for dinner? I rescheduled our reservation from last night."

They walked in the direction of the main hall. Severus deliberately ignored Hermione's look. He was in no mood to discuss anything calmly at the moment, better to wander around the bits and baubles for a while than get into a discussion about control and 'their relationship.' This was exactly the reason he'd avoided a relationship for so long. They took work. Unless you had the other person chained to a wall in the dungeons, you really had to stop and consider their feelings.

Hermione was rapidly running out of qualified masters to train with. He didn't like Tenbrook on general principle, but he might as well see what the wizard's agenda was, before hexing him into nothingness.

It was times like this that Severus almost missed the war. He could have made Tenbrook 'disappear' without anyone being the wiser. If caught, he could always blame one side or the other for the wizard's untimely demise. A Death Eater that thought Tenbrook was a spy for the Order, or visa versa, would have suited the situation nicely.

Why don't you just call me Michael? Bah! Maybe if he brought Crookshanks round, the half-Kneazle might attack the wizard. There was no love lost between himself and Hermione's familiar, but they both had her best interest at heart. Perhaps he could casually drop the beast in Tenbrook's lap. Even if the half-Kneazle didn't find anything wrong with the wizard, he might do substantial damage to his person just by digging in with his claws when he jumped off. It was something to think about.

Severus caught Hermione's attention, "We have just enough time to change if we want to make our reservations." He was looking forward to a quiet dinner and some private time, alone with the witch. He'd been social enough for one day.

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Dinner at Agata e Romeo was every thing Severus had promised it would be: a small intimate restaurant with food that was out of this world. By tacit agreement, they avoided discussing Tenbrook, focusing on a wide variety of other topics instead. Severus knew they would have to talk about the Potions master at some point, since the possibility of Hermione training under him was becoming more of a distinct probability, especially at the rate the other masters were disappearing from her list. Now, back at 'Eden,' he had other things on his mind.

Severus gently nipped at Hermione's bottom lip, his hand running slowly up and down her back, the feel of her silk dress, sensuous as it slid through his fingers, when he stopped to knead her bum. He wondered what she was wearing under the gown, the only indication of an undergarment, was a thin string at her hip-line. "How adventurous do you feel tonight?" he whispered huskily.

"What did you have in mind?" The added height of her dress heels brought her mouth in line with his ear. Hermione smiled when she heard his nearly silent growl as she licked the sensitive shell of his ear before nibbling on his earlobe. She could feel his erection as his knee insinuated itself between her legs, pressing against her, adding to her arousal.

Hermione moaned as Severus's hand created a slow sensuous path up her side to her breast. He played with the hardened nipple through the silky fabric, alternately pressing the hard peak back down into her full breast, and then roughly pulling on it again, the erratic sensations sending waves of lust straight to her core.

Her lush body never failed to turn him on. To have free range to every sweet curve she possessed was sheer heaven. A small wave of doubt washed over him, making him wonder if he should continue on the course he started tonight, hoping that he would not risk alienating her affections. He thought he'd read her right; she seemed to respond to his rougher handling the night before. At least he hoped he was right.

He pulled her close, his arms encircling her body. "Do you trust me?" he asked in a velvety tone, his hot breath on her ear adding to the heat in her blood. She could feel the wetness gathering between her legs at the suggestion in his tone.

Hermione tried to move back but Severus held her tightly against his body. She felt a thrill run through her at the thought she might be 'trapped.' She was sure if she pushed he would let her go, but the feeling of being held so tightly, the erotic tone of his voice, sent her mind reeling. She trusted him implicitly. She trusted him with her life. Her voice came out a lust-strangled whisper, "I trust you, always."

Not releasing his hold on the witch, he lowered his mouth to hers, his tongue demanding entrance, not waiting for her response as he plunged forward, tasting her. His kiss was forceful, demanding, and utterly erotic as he explored the warm cavern of her mouth, leaving no part untouched. The hand at her back slid upward to cradle the back of her head through her hair, drawing her even closer.

Hermione moaned at the new sensations; this was a Severus she hadn't experienced yet, and it was turning her on to no end. "Severus..." she said breathlessly when he finally released her mouth. The pressure of his lips along the column of her neck meant she'd have a mark there later, the thought added to the wetness growing between her thighs.

Severus manoeuvred Hermione back toward the bed; gently, he lowered her to the soft duvet. The bed, not moving, was still set on the more traditional setting. He pulled back to look into her eyes, his gaze intent. "I want you to remember I love you ...and that you trust me."

"Severus?"

A wave of his hand and Hermione suddenly found herself laid out spread eagle, her hands and feet bound by soft ropes to the four corners of the bed. She shrieked at the sudden restriction, ready to take him to task for not saying something first. The comment died in her throat as she looked into his eyes. His expression was one of pure lust, of want, of naked desire. She could barely make out the irises of his eyes, his dilated pupils obscuring whatever trace of colour that might exist.

Slowly, Severus ran one hand along her leg, trailing his fingers up under the hem of her robes. Her breathing grew ragged as he softly traced the line at her thigh, igniting the sensitive skin between her body and leg, his fingers brushing softly against her mound. The silky material of her robe bunched against her heated skin as his fingers travelled higher, following along the edge of the thong she wore.

He groaned as he caught sight of the thong. It was just as abbreviated as the others she'd worn before. This one was made from the same silky fabric as her robes and coloured a lovely Slytherin green.

"Merlin's beard, another thong. Dear God, did you see that?"

She'd charmed a small snake to crawl across the face of the thong, trailing off one side to reappear somewhere else along the edges. Fascinated, he followed the snake's path back and forth, Hermione squirming at the feeling.

"Have you ever been restrained before?" He spelled away her robes, the thong now the only article of clothing covering her lithe body.

"Once."

"I see." Casually, he rose from the bed. Once. She'd... he pushed the thought away. The past was the past; dwelling on it did neither of them any good.

"Severus?"

He stopped and looked at the young woman spread out before him. Leaning down, half-kneeling beside her prone body, he kissed her. The kiss was soft, gentle, meant to put the witch at ease. "Are you all right with this? We can stop now..."

Adamantly, Hermione shook her head. "No, please..."

He touched a finger to her lips. "...or we can continue. If we go on, you need a safe word. I would never hurt you, you have to know that. But I want you to feel safe with what happens. I want you to know that you have control. Understand that the word 'no' will not stop me, only your safe word will."

Hermione nodded. She'd read about sex games before. Only one of her previous partners had been willing to experiment, a wizard she met at University. He didn't have the presence, the sheer force of will that Severus did. Her body shook with unbridled lust at the thought of what this amazing man could do to her.

He'd shed his formal robes and frock coat when they'd returned to the suite. Now he shucked his boots and socks off, tossing them haphazardly to the side. The remainder of his clothing followed. He turned back to the young woman, smiling as she licked her lips, her eyes locked on his engorged member.

Once again, Severus stretched out beside her; his hand roamed her body, stopping periodically to knead her breast, cup her mound, pinch a nipple, or just stroke along her exposed flesh. He raked his nails along her side, then ran his fingers back down the sensitised skin in soothing circles, only to repeat the maddening touch elsewhere.

"Let me see, what should be your safe word?" His nails gently scraped the underside of one breast; he bent his head, his tongue following the previous path of his fingers. His tongue swirled around one pert nipple, the heat of his mouth making the skin furrow further. "Any suggestions, love?" he asked around a mouth full of breast.

Hermione arched into his touch, she could feel the heat of his body as he lay next her. "Severus," she whimpered.

"No, I don't think my name would work. You seem to be saying it quite a bit tonight." He suckled at her breast, tugging roughly on her nipple. Without warning, he slid her thong to the side and plunged one long finger into her throbbing sex.

Hermione arched off the bed, her hips rocking as she tried to impale herself on his hand. A second finger followed the first. He used his thumb to spread her secretions around, tracing the outline of her sex before moving to tease her clit. Her hips rose and fell in rapid succession as she tried to ride his hand; he offered her just enough to keep her on the edge, slowing down when she tried to reach her climax.

"Severus."

"I thought we'd decided that my name was not acceptable?" Despite her groan, he pulled his hand back. His fingers shown wetly as he held them up. "Have I ever told you how much I enjoy your body? You taste like ambrosia to me."

Hermione watched as he licked his fingers, his eyes sliding shut as his tongue lapped at the juices. She could feel herself growing wetter at the erotic picture he presented.

His black eyes bore into hers. "I believe I know just the word, a name actually, that can put a stop to our fun. The mere mention of it should be enough to bring both of us up short. Rancine."

"Rancine?" Hermione's eyes narrowed in anger.

Severus chuckled. "It's a name you're not likely to mention in the throes of passion. I believe his name is enough to sufficiently kill the mood for both of us. Unless you'd rather use Harry Potter. I'm sure that will work just as well."

"No, Rancine will do."

"Fine." His finger trailed over her stomach, en route to her sex once again. Lightly, he slapped at her thigh. "Stop moving. So tell me, what other sexual practices have you engaged in?"

Hermione's breathing was ragged as she tried to hold still, her focus on the hand slowly petting her sex.

"I asked you a question."

The pitch of his voice sent a throbbing ache straight to her core. "Some bondage ... a bit of light spanking ...oh." She drew a sharp breath, her thong magically sliding from her body as his finger travelled past her nether lips to stroke her arse instead.

"Hermione."

"Uhm, I've never... I mean, I tried anal sex once, but it hurt too much. You're not going to..."

"No, you need to be much more relaxed than you are right now. One step at a time, love." Silently, he called his handkerchief to him, a flick of his hand and it transformed into a blindfold that floated through the air and landed gently across Hermione's eyes. She felt the cloth settle against her skin, blocking out her sight. She immediately mourned the loss of his heat as Severus moved from her side. The bed lost its solid feeling, swinging as the lever shifted from solid to hammock.

Severus stood to the side, watching Hermione. He could see the tension build as she strained to determine his location. He retrieved the goblet of red wine he'd left on the dresser and moved between her legs.

Deliberately making a sound, so as not to totally startle the witch, he dribbled the cold liquid over her mound, letting the wine drip down along her sex.

Hermione shrieked at the sudden sensation, the sound turning to a moan when she felt his tongue lapping up the chilled fluid. He licked and nipped at her clit before sucking the sensitive bundle of nerves between his teeth. One finger, then two, slid into her welcoming heat. He could feel her muscles twitch as her orgasm approached.

The witch tried to grind against his mouth, her bonds not allowing much room for movement. Severus pumped faster, his fingers shifting as he moved. He held onto Hermione as her orgasm hit, her body rocking with the force. His cock throbbed with need, seeking release of its own.

A quick spell and the bed acted as a real hammock, swinging back and forth, the rope splitting down the middle to allow him access to Hermione. Severus stood between her legs and positioned his turgid member at her opening. He pulled the hammock forward and buried his cock in her heat in a single thrust. His need was too great as he pumped in and out of the young witch, using the swinging motion of the hammock to pound into her.

Hermione moaned, the force of his thrusts causing a second orgasm to build within her. She could feel her stomach clench as Severus thrust heavily into her body, her muscles clutching at his member as it pistoned in and out of her, each thrust seeming to drive him deeper and deeper.

He spelled the blindfold away, needing to look into her eyes as he came. He could feel his balls pull up, a tingling starting low at the base of his spine and bursting forth as he climaxed, pumping his hot seed deep into the recess of her body, riding out the final thrusts as he pounded into the witch. The last few thrusts were enough to bring Hermione to another shattering climax, the intensity of his stare intensifying her orgasm even further.

Severus slumped forward, his knees buckling from the force of his movements. A quick spell and Hermione's hands and feet were released. He crawled along side of her and collapsed, holding her tight as the design of the hammock rolled her body into his.

It took a few minutes for the two of them to catch their breaths. The thought that he should turn the hammock back into a bed if they were going to get a good night's sleep crossed his mind. Hermione's kisses, planted across the bridge of his nose, derailed that thought.

He graced her with one of his rare smiles. "From your present activity, am I to assume you enjoyed yourself?"

Her laugh was warm. "You are amazing. Will you always keep me guessing like this? I'm not complaining; just the opposite, actually. How long do you think you can manage to keep me off balance?"

"For as long as you like. I actually had more planned for tonight, but the sight of you tied spread eagle to the bed was just too much. Next time, if you desire a next time, I promise things will move slower."

"God, of course there'll be a next time."

"Good. Then what do you say to transfiguring the bed back into a bed, flipping the lever to make it stop swinging, and us getting a good night's sleep?"

Hermione pulled him down for a soulful kiss. "I say that sounds great." She slid from the hammock with an ease he didn't think he possessed at the moment. "Be right back, I need to use the facilities a minute. She stopped at the doorway to the loo and flicked the lever back to 'bed.' Her smile was wicked as she grinned at him. "Tomorrow night's my turn. I may just have to tongue your cock till you come."

Severus groaned. There were distinct advantages to having a young lover; he just hoped her enthusiasm didn't kill him.

.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

They managed to make breakfast the next morning, the young witch from the day before still guarding the door. She smiled sweetly at Severus as she collected his meal ticket, while shooting daggers at Hermione.

The first lecture of the morning, "A Historical Look At Healing Potions," was being presented by Hermione's third choice for apprenticeship, Professor Phineas Rhinegold.

Severus scanned the crowd entering the Lecture Hall. Much to his relief, Michael Tenbrook was nowhere to be seen. He directed Hermione to a seat near the back and sat down, ready to endorse Rhinegold on known facts about the wizard, alone.

The man taught at an exclusive girls' school in the south of France. At age eighty-five, he was a confirmed bachelor that spent his spare time researching hybrid plants for potions' use. Severus thought he was perfect.

Until he started to doze off during Rhinegold's presentation. While the topic was one he was sure would be of interest, the wizard's delivery and constant monotone worked better than any sleeping draught Severus had ever taken. He thought the man would be doing the wizarding world a favour if he could bottle the presentation and sell it as a non-narcotic sleeping aid.

"Are all professors over the age of fifty as boring and dry as he is? He's even more boring than Galestorm!"

"I wouldn't know. I'm still a few years short of that birthday, myself."

Frustrated, Hermione pulled a notepad out of her bag and crossed off Rhinegold's name. Only one name remained - Michael Tenbrook. Maybe it was time to expand her search. "I didn't mean you. I've always enjoyed your lectures."

Severus crooked one brow in question, "Always?"

"Yes, always. Your voice..." Blissfully, Hermione closed her eyes and smiled. "Though I'd much rather hear you whisper in my ear, these days."

"Would you now?"

"I can't believe three out of four masters are that bad." Hermione sighed heavily as she consulted her schedule. "All right, Michael's lecture is next. Room 408. That should be down this corridor."

Michael?

Severus had a bad felling about this. "What's he lecturing on?"

Hermione consulted her schedule once again. "A Comparative Study of Muggle Methods and How They Can Benefit the Wizarding Word at Large. Oh, look here, it says: 'finding the chemical structure of certain poisons can increase the success of brewing an effective antidote. I always thought it was ridiculous to ignore Muggle science methods. Some are very effective."

"Wonderful."

Hermione gave the Potions master an odd look. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Here we are, Room 408."

Once again, they took seats near the back. Severus felt as if a Hippogriff was stomping around in his stomach. He could only hope the man would be as boring as the other presenters.

No such luck. His presentation was concise, informative, and fascinating. He joked throughout the lecture, putting his audience at ease immediately. Even the most difficult of information was presented in such a way as to make it readily understandable to those with little past knowledge of the procedures. The last ten minutes of the presentation were taken up with a lively question and answer session, Hermione asking the lion's share.

An owl sounded signalling the end of the session. Tenbrook waited for them to reach the front of the room. "That was most interesting, Hermione. You have an amazing mind."

Hermione coloured slightly at the unsolicited praise, secretly pleased she had been able to keep up with the debate.

Tenbrook smiled brightly and clapped his hands together. "Well, ready for lunch?"

TBC

A/N: As per usual, I wrote more than I planned, so the Symposium arc will be a bit longer than the original three chapters I thought it would be.

From Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - A Puffskein is a long-tongued custard-coloured little furball that makes a calming purring noise. These pleasant creatures are often kept as pets, particularly by wizarding children; Ron Weasley used to own one until Fred used it for Bludger practice. As scavengers that will eat anything from leftovers to spiders, they are very easy to care for.

The "X-Phials" is a nod to my son who, I'm happy to say, is home again. We have been slowly working our way through the first three seasons of the X-Files on DVD. While I'm sure Mulder would have been interested in meeting Severus, I can't say the reverse would be true.

The snake thong was inspired by Marquise's amazing centrefold of Severus in this month's Playwitch. Of course, I only work there to help out with the articles and ads. Thought I heard Ancientgirl and Marquise say the same thing...grin.

A grateful thank you to my beta, Nakhash, for her corrections, suggestions, and never-ending supply of commas, she is truly the best of the best. And a quick get well wish, as well. Remember, sleep is your friend. Another set of eyes is always helpful, the mistakes, however, are still mine.

Still to come: more of the symposium, lunch with Tenbrook, a surprise meeting in Florence, the unexplained magic (which will make sense soon), the Wolfsbane Potion, Christmas break (including breakfast at The Burrow), and more. Enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always, thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are most welcome.

Pearle