The Eve of Things To Come

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.

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Note: At the time I started this story, Severus's birthday was not known. I chose November 4th as it fit with my timeline - after Hermione's birthday (Sept 19th) and the dance but before the Christmas holidays. JKR has since announced his birthday is Jan. 9th. I had thought about changing it, but that would change other events as well, so I decided to leave it as is. Well, that and Severus threatened to hex me into next year if I changed it since The Thong is scheduled to make an appearance and he has no desire to wait any longer.

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

Chapter 31 – The Eve of Things To Come

"Mr Weston, are you colour blind?" Severus towered over the first year Hufflepuff. His scowl and tone causing the boy to shake with fear.

"No, sir," came the timid response.

"No? Then what colour is your potion?"

Weston looked into his bubbling cauldron. "Uhm, pink, sir?"

"Uhm pink. You're not sure, Mr Weston?"

A small chuckle ran through the classroom. Severus looked around the room. The students quieted immediately lest they be the next objects of his attention.

"For those that find this amusing, may I suggest you look at your own cauldrons? What colour, Mr Weston?"

"Pink, sir."

"Pink. And what colour should the Forgetfulness Potion be?"

The boy dropped his head. "Green, sir."

"Green. Pink is not green, is it? Two feet on why chopped daisy roots should be added after lacewings to the Forgetfulness Potion. I also see several red potions. Red is not pink, either, is it Mr. Weston?"

The boy shook his head.

"Can anyone tell me what would turn the potion red instead of pink?" His tone was fairly mild considering the headache that was threatening to form. "No one? Fine. I expect four feet Wednesday on why the potion turned red or pink instead of the required green. I expect you to include the steps that could have been taken to correct this. We will repeat this potion Wednesday. Clean your cauldrons and get out."

Albus had told him his mood seemed to be blacker on Monday mornings, lately.

'Hermione would have known how to fix the potions. Oh, she's not here, is she? Course she would have brewed it right in the first place.' He told the voice in his head to bugger off. Was it any wonder he hated Mondays?

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, if only he could get away from teaching first years. His hatred of Mondays grew exponentially.

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Hermione would have agreed with Severus's assessment of Mondays had they compared notes. She was currently trying to knock some sense into Edmund about the new charm they were studying, with very little success.

After spending a great weekend, it galled her to return to this. Saturday night had passed in a haze of sexual pleasures to be followed up with an equally enjoyable dinner out on Sunday at Witchcraft. They had spent the meal discussing several new processes in potion making she had read about. Severus was very old-world in his approach to potion making and did not agree with some of the methods presented in the article she had shown him. The methods and equipment mentioned seemed to be fashioned after a Muggle Cuisinart. It made perfect sense to her. She would have to get a Cuisinart and show him the differences.

"How many times do you have to be told? You say the first incantation, flick, swish left twice, right once and your book is now a tadpole. Say the second incantation, flick, swish right twice, left once, and your book should now be a frog. You reverse the process and you have a book again. It's all right there in the notes." Hermione's annoyance was palpable as she stabbed the page of notes with her finger.

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm just not as good as you, okay?" Edmund couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with her. There was no way he was going to ask if she'd had a fight with Snape to cause this mood. Ever since the conference, he had been trying to forget he ever saw them together.

Hermione sighed. "All right. Let's try it again from the top.

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They practised for well over an hour, their feet falling into the familiar rhythm. Hermione arched over his arm, her breathing rapid. The last half hour had been torture. Each time they brushed against each other, each time Severus pulled her to him only to release her just as quickly, each time his eyes met hers, each touch, each movement only served to heightened the sexual tension between them. The air seemed to crackle in the close quarters of her flat. She was all too aware of her body's effect on him. It was the same every time they danced. It seemed to awaken a raw desire for each other, not that they ever seemed to need a reason to desire each other.

Hermione stepped to the side. Her muscles tight, she moved into a stretch. She shrieked as Severus pulled her down on top of his lap. They landed on the sofa, her legs falling haphazardly on either side of his thighs. His black eyes seemed to darken even further with unspoken lust. With a growl, he pulled the ribbon holding her hair in a messy tail, allowing the mass to cascade down her back. Threading his fingers through the tangle of her hair, he pulled her to him for a passionate kiss.

She felt the tingle of magic on her skin as her clothes disappeared. She could feel the heat of his skin as her nipples rubbed across his chest. Without saying a word, he lifted her up, allowing gravity to impale her on his hardened shaft.

Hermione arched her back at the sudden sensation of fullness. Her movements brought her breasts to his eye level. Ever one to take full advantage of a situation, Severus feasted on her nipples, laving one turgid bud and then the other. Her moans of pleasure caused his cock to twitch impatiently. He slipped one hand between them, teasing her clit, bringing her to edge of reason, but not letting her slide over the cliff.

Her soft whimpers fed his arousal. Sliding his hands under her bum, he helped her to start pumping. "So...tight," he whispered, licking the shell of her ear; feeling satisfaction at the shiver he felt run through her.

Her nails dug in the flesh at his shoulders as she worked to increase her rhythm. She moved one hand to the back of the sofa in an attempt to gain greater leverage.

"Harder." She managed to gasp and Severus obliged. He thrust into her with abandon, feeling her muscles tremor around his shaft.

It didn't take long for Hermione to reach the top. Severus's pounding pace brought about a shattering climax. He continued to move, reaching for his own end as Hermione collapsed on his chest.

She felt his body stiffen, a sudden warmth flooding her womb. Her name was a quiet moan from his lips. Severus's arms tightened around her as she settled into the crook of his neck. A quiet murmur and the coverlet floated out of her bedroom to fall gently over them.

Hermione crooked one brow. "I thought Prince Charming always carried the fair maiden to her bed chambers?"

Severus' eyes were closed, his breathing finally even. His voice held a wry tone. "When he shows up, we'll ask him,."

They sat that way for several minutes, just enjoying the feel of one another. Hermione's even breathing had convinced Severus she'd fallen asleep. He tried to gently shift her to her right a bit. He didn't want to wake her, but he had lost the feeling in his right leg.

Her sudden chuckle startled him. "Problems?"

"Possibly a solution. Albus can't expect me to dance if I can't feel my right leg." He tried flexing his feet, his movement causing Hermione to giggle harder. "Enough out of you."

Hermione shifted to the side so she could watch his eyes, laying half in his lap and half on the sofa. "Better?"

"Oh, infinitely so."

"I spoke with Vanessa today. Albus has offered them accommodations at Hogwarts for the night. They'll arrive early in the afternoon." Hermione drew lines across his chest and shoulders, enjoying the feel of his skin.

"Have you completed your costume?"

"I still have two weeks until the dance."

It was Severus's turn to raise a brow questioningly. "You don't have it, or you don't want me to see it?"

Hermione smiled. "Not quite done. It will most likely be similar to the dress I wore for the Exposition. I liked the way that one moved. Listen, your birthday is the week after the dance. Since it falls during the week, I thought I could come out to the castle. Any chance you can get the night off from your duties?"

"I'm fairly sure I can guilt Albus into it."

She stared deep into his black eyes, lost in the intensity of his gaze. Slowly, she lowered her lips to his. Her eyes drifted shut, giving herself over to her emotions. It was several minutes before they separated.

Her voice was breathy as she asked, "And what would you like for your birthday?"

His birthday. He couldn't ask her.

"What?"

"Whatever you chose."

"No, there's something you want, and you don't want to tell me. What is it?" She watched him intensely, waiting for him to answer her.

Severus drew a deep breath. "Do you belly dance?"

"You want me to belly dance for you?"

His cheeks coloured slightly as he thought of her belly dancing in The Thong.

Hermione noted the flush to his cheeks. "You want me to belly dance in the nude for you?" she guessed.

"No, not exactly nude," he managed to mumble.

The voice in his head had reached a fever pitch. 'THE Thong, you berk. Say the words! You're an ex-Death Eater, for god's sake! The Thong! You idiot! Tell her you want to see her belly dance in The Thong!'

Hermione was puzzled. "In costume? The Tango costume?"

Severus shook his head.

She ran her hand across his chest. "Whatever it is, just tell me? Enough with the twenty questions; it can't be that bad."

'THE Thong!' He was almost sure she could hear the deranged voice in his head.

"Do you recall an article of clothing I came across in your flat a while back?" he asked quietly.

Hermione tried to think. What clothing could he be talking about? Her puzzled expression forced him to continue.

"I thought it was...an eye patch. A black eye patch." He did not think the lingering pain of the Cruciatus Curse was half as bad as what he was feeling right now.

He could see her mind literally sorting through neatly categorised events until suddenly her expression brightened. "My thong? You want me to belly dance for you wearing just my black thong? Not in the Great Hall, I hope."

"I would rather be the only recipient of your charms." He relaxed slightly. Evidently, she didn't seem to think it was an odd request, after all.

The voice in his head was having a field day. 'Yes! The Thong. God, I can just see her now.' His body started to respond to the image his mind was creating. Hermione, her hair wild, face flushed, her lithe body undulating to the music, shimmering in the firelight, wearing just – The Thong; his birthday present.

Hermione's mind was creating a few images of its own. Severus sitting in his black silk dressing gown, the erotic beat of the music as she danced around him, scarves fluttering back and forth. She'd wear her thong, but a few well-placed scarves would complete the sexy attire. "I think that can be arranged."

'Think how surprised she'll be when you rip it off with your teeth before ravishing her!' The deranged voice seemed to have a newfound purpose – it would drive him crazy, past the point of mere distraction now that he would actually get to see one of his dreams come true. His mind vowed it would not concentrate on anything else until his birthday. He was sure the next few weeks would pass in slow torture.

Hermione wiggled against him, aware that he was aroused again.

"Don't start something you cannot finish, my dear."

She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Care to give it a quick go?"

Severus laughed. "As enticing as that offer is, I have to be back at the castle in fifteen minutes. But I will take you up on it on Saturday."

They had never discussed it formally, but he assumed they would continue as they had been. She would come to him on weekends, unless he had the weekend off, and he would come to her during the week.

"Mmm, I have a few errands to run, but I'll be there by lunch time." She draped the coverlet around her as she moved off of him. She snuggled down onto the sofa to watch him dress.

As with everything else Severus did, his movements were precise and exacting. A few spells, a bit of foolish wand waving and his clothes were clean and once again covering his frame.

"Stay, you look far too comfortable to get up. I shall see you on Saturday."

A quick kiss goodbye and he was gone. Hermione pulled the covers around her, the scent of spices and Severus filling her nostrils. She always missed him most just after he left, when she could still smell him; feel him in her flat.

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The days passed quickly. Severus sat in the Friday morning staff meeting wishing he were anywhere but there. The meetings were held every three weeks and were worse than any curse he had ever been subjected to. And today's meeting was no exception.

"Our final topic of discussion is an upcoming dance by the Ministry, a sort of goodwill event. They are attempting to raise funds for research at St Mungo's and asked that Hogwarts staff and Order members attend." Albus's eyes twinkled as he made the announcement.

Severus' snorted. "Really, Headmaster, as if the Ministry cares about the Order?"

"While I do not care for the underhanded dealings of the current administration, the purpose of the event is quite noble."

"What a surprise." Severus mumbled under his breath, tuning Albus out.

"Did you just volunteer, Severus?"

His head snapped up. Damn it, he was thinking about Hermione again and missed the rest of Albus's comment. He shifted in his seat, trying to backpedal. "No, we cannot all leave the castle; I would be willing to stay and oversee the students."

Albus smiled broadly. "As I said, to avoid any conflict, the dance will be held here at Hogwarts the week after Hallowe'en." Albus looked pointedly at the Potions master. "And everyone is required to attend."

Severus chose to glare at Albus rather than dignify the comment, so obviously aimed at him, with a remark. He stood abruptly and bowed formally to his friend. "If you are through, Headmaster? I have a few things to attend to before my charges descend on my classroom and attempt to blow the castle up." Without waiting for an answer, he swept from the room, his robes billowing out behind him in trademark fashion.

"His charges? My, he's in an awfully good mood this morning," Minerva said with a laugh. The rest of the staff agreed.

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Just what he needed, another Ministry sanctioned event. It was bad enough the Order attended the celebration of the defeat of You-Know-Who every year, now they had found another way to torture him. Well, it wouldn't be too bad - Hermione would be there. They had attended such events before, but never as a couple. He had always watched her from across the room, moving from person to person with a quick smile and a warm hug.

Since it would be held at the castle, maybe he could get her to slip away with him and attend to a few more pleasurable pursuits than the moronic event with the idiotic duo fluttering around her. Even if he couldn't get her to leave early, he would do more than hug her when he got her alone, that was for sure. While not wholly accepting of their relationship, Potter was at least civil about it. Severus chuckled; of course, he had Miss Weasley, Molly, and Hermione to answer to.

He failed to notice two Ravenclaws that pulled back against the stone wall at his passing. The two had never seen him grin before and wished whoever he was after a quick death in the face of his wrath.

He headed for his office, intent on using the time before classes to make fast work of the essays he had to grade. His weekends were taken up with a certain witch and the research they were pursuing, when not pursuing each other. He no longer had endless hours to mark the essays and assignments.

Without noticing it, his life had become fuller, more complicated. He had slipped into a comfortable pattern; one he barely noticed. It would have surprised him, if he ever stopped to think about it; for the first time in his life, he was happy. Really happy just being, Severus Snape.

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The next two weeks passed in a pleasant fog of normality. Severus spent Wednesdays at Hermione's practising for the dance, followed by a quick bite to eat, and an evening of making love.

The weekends, by mutual agreement, were spent at the castle, even his weekends off. They spent hours researching and testing the Wolfsbane Potion refinements, making quite a bit of headway in the process. If they continued on at the current rate, and fate continued to be kind to them, they would be ready to test the improved potion over the winter break.

The remainder of the weekends was spent reading, discussing their various interests, and of course, making love.

Hermione had finally shown him her costume. It was styled along the lines of the dress he had seen her wear the night she had danced at the Exposition. The top had a deep 'vee' that showed quite a lot of cleavage, in his opinion. While not as 'backless' as the one she wore before, this one still showed a large expanse of skin. The left side was slit to the thigh, allowing her to pull it back and forth as she danced. It was one thing for him to admire her assets; it was quite another for the student body and other males present to enjoy the 'view' as well.

The gauzy material hugged every curve. The flow of the fabric accented the sensuality of her movements. The edge of the sleeves and the hem of her skirt were cut unevenly and fluttered around her body when she moved. The overall effect was one of smoldering sexuality.

They had just finished their final practise session when she modelled her costume for him. He had been admiring her form, but his heart skipped a beat when he locked eyes with her. While he had been appreciating her, she had been admiring him. He could see the naked desire, the raw lust in the look she directed at him; all that passion, all that intensity directed at him alone.

Until he had started to see Hermione, he would have said his life was tolerable. He was fortunate to have survived the war, something that still amazed him. He had enjoyed his days of research and academia, living at Hogwarts, and interacting, even on a limited basis, with the few people he considered his friends. Teaching would have been better if he didn't have to deal with the lower levels, but you can't have everything. All in all, his life the last few years had been...tolerable, even pleasant.

It paled in comparison to the time he now spent with Hermione. Even arguing with her, he was more alive, more in the present than he had ever been. While the thought of dancing before the school should have sent him screaming for the hills, the thought of holding Hermione, feeling her eyes on him alone as they danced, feeling her body enticing his, was enough to get him though the ordeal. She had assured him they were ready. He believed her.

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Severus had been on edge all day. He knew Hermione had planned to Apparate to Hogwarts after her last class. He expected her to arrive sometime after four and made a vain effort not to haunt the main foyer waiting for her.

With the arrival of Ted and Vanessa Prittchard, he decided it was time to retreat to his office. He politely thanked the two for their assistance with tonight's dance and left them to seek out Albus on their own.

He sat marking second-year essays, the red ink bleeding across the stack of papers next to him as he waited for Hermione. It was with great relief he felt the tingle of magic on his skin signalling her arrival as his wards recognised her.

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Hermione watched Severus adjusting his costume in the mirror. She still thought he looked like a pirate in the black and dark green shirt and black tights. Even though she had enlarged the codpiece after the first fitting, it still appeared to fit a little too snug against his form. She knew from the size of the bulge, impressive as it might look now, it was nowhere near the size he would reach if he became aroused anytime tonight. An occurrence that seemed to happen a lot; particularly after they danced the Tango.

Severus turned to Hermione, his arms out. "Well?" He would have preferred to wear his robes and only appear in costume for the Tango. Albus had officially vetoed that idea by requiring everyone to come in costume only. No exceptions.

"You look great. Mouthwatering, in fact."

He reached out and pulled her to him. Crushing her in a passionate embrace and equally passionate kiss.

Severus was an extremely private man. Hermione had become used to his affectionate hugs and kisses behind closed doors, his touch whenever he walked past her. His humour, while wry, was often erotic in nature. As sarcastic as he could be to everyone else, that was how playful he could be with her. Something she would have never guessed from his outward appearance.

The image he presented to the outside world was that of a closed man. Layers of fabric, bound by rows of buttons and high collars, closed him off from the world. Set him apart from everyone else. It was the opposite of the man she had come to know. The man he allowed her to see. He was comfortable in his own skin and would wander around her flat, nude, without a second thought. While he shunned the touch of others in public, he couldn't seem to get enough of her in private.

He was a complete contradiction in terms. The public man the exact opposite from the very private man she had come to know and cherish, to care for. She felt a loss when they were in the company of others. Severus was reserved, aloof. He cared. She knew he cared. He felt their show of affection to be a private matter, not for public viewing. She understood. It did not change the fact that she missed his touch, but she understood.

He could have told her he was helpless to resist his need for her, his desire, his uncontrollable lust when she looked at him 'that' way.

The kiss turned passionate; his hips ground into hers. It took Hermione a second to register the fact he was fully aroused, something that did not show just a minute ago. Hermione's hand slid between them, caressing and stroking his engorged member.

"You can't walk out there like this unless I tattoo my name across the top so everyone will know you are off limits." Hermione grinned at the scowl on his face.

Severus's manner turned haughty. "I will thank you to keep your hands to yourself, Miss Granger. That is private property you are manhandling."

Hermione stepped back. "I don't recall you complaining the other night." She grinned at his discomfort over his very obvious erection. But a look at the codpiece told another story. Nothing showed. No erection. Nothing other than a rather prominent bulge. She reached out and ran her hand over his genital area. She could feel the erection under her palm, pulsating with life. He obligingly rocked his hips, allowing her to feel the length and stiffness of his member.

"Have a problem keeping your hands to yourself, do you?" Severus couldn't hide the amusement in his eyes over her obvious dismay.

"What did you do? A glamour?" She pointed to the codpiece. "That is not you. I can feel how hard you are!"

"Every time I hold you in my arms, I become aroused. I have since the first time I danced with you. Making love to you has only served to heighten the feeling. Surely, you did not expect me to walk out on the dance floor in full view of the students, not to mention that gaggle of old hags, and flaunt my wares at the first feel of you in my arms?"

Hermione caressed his hardened member again, fascinated by the bulge she could see and the erection she could only feel.

Severus chuckled. "Unless you plan on doing something more, may I suggest you wait until later to continue your ministrations, or I will not be responsible for my actions."

"You're going to keep that hidden? Not that what they can see won't cause a stir already." Her hand kept drifting back to the codpiece.

"Perhaps I will drop the spell when we are ready to leave for the evening. Give the old witches something to cackle about."

"Severus."

"You've read Macbeth. Is it any wonder the old hags gathering around the cauldron bear a striking resemblance to Minerva, Poppy, and Irma?"

"Shakespeare was hundreds of years ago. They're not that old. Is that how you're going to refer to me fifty years from now?" Hermione swatted his shoulder.

Severus dropped all pretense of play. His eyes blazed with intensity as he pulled her hard against his chest, his arms tightening around her. "Will you still be here in fifty years?"

The sudden change in his manner startled Hermione. For all his bravado, Severus was still unsure about the two of them at odd times. She looked into his eyes, her arms encircling his neck. "I'll be here if you're still here." She pulled his head down to hers. Only the sound of the fire crackling could be heard for the next few minutes.

Severus's voice was thick with emotion when they broke apart. He stopped to adjust the unobvious result of their foreplay. "We need to go upstairs."

Hermione grinned as she watched him. "Interesting spell. Wouldn't a Deflating Draught have been easier?"

His answering grin was evil. Severus leaned forward, his hand on her arm. He gently nipped the shell of her ear before speaking directly into it. His breath hot as he said, "This is for you. Every move we make, every time you slide against me, you will know what you do to me. How long will you last?"

Hermione's breathing was harsh at the image his words conjured up. The feel of his engorged flesh rubbing against her every time he held her. He was right. Damn him. Just knowing he was aroused would affect her.

Severus held his arm out to her. "Shall we go, my dear?"

"You'll pay for this, you know?" she said, taking his arm.

His low chuckle went straight to her core. "We shall see, won't we?"

The two left for the dance and their performance. The Tango, the vertical expression of a horizontal desire, a desire they both had become addicted to.

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.

A repeat of the Note at the beginning, for those of you that missed it and now want to email me and let me know the correct date of Severus's birthday: At the time I started this story, Severus's birthday was not known. I chose November 4th as it fit with my timeline - after Hermione's birthday (Sept 19th) and the dance but before the Christmas holidays. JKR has since announced his birthday is Jan. 9th. I had thought about changing it, but that would change other events as well, so I decided to leave it as is. Well, that and Severus threatened to hex me into next year if I changed it since The Thong is scheduled to make an appearance and he has no desire to wait any longer.

Technically, the next chapter will complete the challenge requirements this story was supposed to be an answer for. So those of you happy with the dance aspects can consider that an end, since we have reached the conclusion of that aspect of the story.

Having said that, it comes to pass, there is more story to tell. Of course, that's not to say a dance or two may not creep into a chapter here and there. Not to mention the fact that several events (the Ministry Ball, for one) have popped up on their own, in addition to multiple events and plot points we have yet to reach. Add in the fact that Hermione agreed to belly dance in The Thong for his birthday, well, Severus would hex me into oblivion if I ended here, never mind his threat if I were to change his birthday.

A grateful thank you to my beta, Nakhash, for her corrections, suggestions, and never ending supply of commas. Another set of eyes is always helpful, the mistakes, however, are still mine.

Still to come: The Hallowe'en dance, a Ministry celebration, The Thong will make an appearance (at some point), a mystery woman, the symposium, the Wolfsbane Potion, Christmas break, and more. 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