Hallowe'en or Time To Face The Music, Literally

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.

A/N: This chapter is unbeta'd since Nakhash is quite ill. So Nakhash, this is dedicated to you. I miss you - not to mention I need your expertise. Feel better soon!

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

Chapter 32 – Hallowe'en or Time To Face The Music, Literally

"Relax, Minerva. I'm sure everything will be fine." Albus's smile did nothing to alleviate the feeling of impending doom.

Minerva searched the Great Hall for a glimpse of her favorite ex-student and the dour Potions master. Hundreds of carved pumpkins, soft candlelight shinning through maniacal smiles, floated suspended in the air below the enchanted ceiling. Magical bats swooped back and forth between the pumpkins. The house tables had been removed to allow space for a dance floor and a raised dais, currently being set to rights by Ted Prittchard, along the back wall in place of the High Table for tonight's dance exhibition.

The room was overflowing with students and visiting guests. Word of tonight's 'special entertainment' had spread rapidly. Rumors had run through the school as to the nature of tonight's entertainment. Leading guesses ran the gamut from a duel to a demonstration of the Dark Arts. After all, what better day than Hallowe'en to practice a bit of Dark magic? It wasn't until breakfast, that morning, that the Headmaster announced the dance exposition, staring the Prittchard's with special guests, Hermione Granger and their own Professor Snape.

No one wanted to miss seeing Professor Snape dance, in costume, with Hermione Granger, no less. The students had been accustomed to seeing Hermione sitting and talking with Professor Snape during meals and never gave it a second thought. Most assumed she was doing some kind of post-graduate work in potions if they even spared a thought for her at all. Even the times they were at dinner, or the rare times they were seen in Hogsmeade, appeared to be no more than two "colleagues" conversing. That is, until the true nature of their relationship came to light after Severus's surprise visit to Amsterdam.

It might have amused Severus to know he was the number one topic of conversation among the student body after his presence at the Potions conference became common knowledge. Actually, it was not his attendance at the conference, so much as whom he was seen escorting after the conference and where they were seen. The students watched with barely contained curiosity as Hermione showed up at the castle the next weekend. Whatever was supposed to happen - didn't. No roses appearing out of thin air. No romantic embraces. No kissing. Nothing. It didn't take long for the students to lose interest and move on to the next piece of gossip, until now.

"Don't you think it was enough that you made him take dance lessons? But to have him dance with Hermione in front of the student body...it's just too much." Minerva continued to scan the room for a glance of her friend and colleague. She noticed quite a few witches and wizards standing in small groups in addition to the students. "Albus, why are the Weasley's here?"

"I'm sure they're here to see Hermione. What other reason could there be?" Albus's twinkling eyes were about to blind the annoyed witch.

"Everything is set to go. We just need Hermione and Snape and we can start. The band can use the stage when we're through. I'll take it down later." Ted commented as he and Vanessa joined the two.

"It's not too late to call this off. I can't believe you, of all people, would subject Severus to such ridicule." Minerva glared at the Headmaster.

Vanessa noted her tight expression. "Minerva, I haven't seen Severus dance, but Hermione assures me he has mastered the Tango. I'm positive she would not allow him to look foolish. I spoke with her just the other day with much the same concerns as you have. And again she assured me they were ready to perform. I don't know Severus well, but I find it hard to believe Hermione would do anything that wasn't in his best interests."

Minerva turned angry eyes on the witch. Vanessa twinkling eyes were as bad as Albus's. 'You don't know him,' she thought, 'yet you stand here addressing him by his given name as if he were an old friend of yours.' Her tone was cold. "Whatever happens, I hold you two responsible for the consequences of tonight little demonstration," she said, the wave of her hand indicating Albus and Vanessa.

"As you should, Minerva, as you should." If at all possible, Albus's eyes glowed brighter with delight; the rest of his comment was lost in the buzz of voices as the doors to the Great Hall opened.

One by one, the students fell silent as they witnessed the couple that passed by them, those in the back row clamoring for a glimpse of Hermione and Severus. It was an odd reaction. Those in line with the couple fell silent only to start whispering anew after they passed.

Severus kept his eyes fixed on the far wall of the Great Hall, his pulse pounding in his ears as he crossed the dance floor with Hermione on his arm.

"You look great. Don't worry; we'll be fine. Just focus on me and it will be over before you know it." Hermione tried to squeeze his arm reassuringly as she felt him stiffen with tension.

"The only way I will be fine, is if we continue through the back door, out through the rose garden, and get as far away from this blasted castle as we can." His scowl deepened as he caught sight of Albus and Minerva talking with Ted and Vanessa.

The sound of voices reached unprecedented levels as the girls exclaimed over the Potions master's sexy costume. The tights fit Severus like a second skin and enhanced the subtle movement of muscle and tendon as he walked. They were treated to the image of a well-toned torso, long legs, a nicely sculpted bum, and of course - the codpiece and the imagined delights it hid. In the history of Hogwarts, no one had ever-witnessed Professor Snape dressed in such revealing attire. Even his dueling costume consisted of a vest, frock coat, and barely tailored trousers.

If the girls had found a new idol to worship, the boys were another story. A rival was a rival, even if it was the greasy git, who no longer looked the part of the bat of the dungeon, or greasy for that matter. As Severus's sex appeal multiplied among the female population of the castle, students and staff alike, the male population started to feel threatened. Several boys voiced the possibility a spell had been cast to enchant those in the Great Hall. Most were told to shut up, some not so politely. All the boys could do was shake their heads and wonder if they had gone mad. A possibility that would increase after Hermione and Severus danced the Tango.

Minerva stood wide-eyed as she watched Severus and Hermione walk toward her. She decided it wouldn't matter whether he fell flat on his face or danced on air, just witnessing his confident stride, his command of his surroundings, his general physique, was enough to dispel her fears for his reputation after tonight. She was sure he would be the topic of discussion for a long time to come, but not for the reasons she originally thought.

"I don't believe it." Minerva couldn't help but agree with the awe in Irma's voice. "Has he always looked like that?" asked the amazed librarian.

"I think he's taking better care of himself since he's been seeing Hermione." Poppy and Irma Pince stood next to Minerva, watching the approach of a man they had dismissed as something other than an annoyance.

"Sort of makes me sorry I didn't help him with that book order in August. Who knew he looked like that? Do you think it's some sort of Dark spell?" Irma asked, staring at Severus in wonder.

Minerva shook her head. "It wouldn't have changed things. No matter how good he looks, I can't say he became any nicer until he started to see Hermione. If anyone worked any magic it would have to be her." It was a startling revelation for the witch. Severus's transformation had little to do with outward appearances. The true change was from with in. He was calmer these days, easier to talk to, especially if Hermione was around. She had even caught him smiling while reading a journal in the teacher's lounge. Severus would always be a dangerous animal, but Hermione seemed to have done the unthinkable and tamed the wild beast.

"Hermione, a pleasure as always. Severus, my boy, you look wonderful." Albus greeted the two as they reached the group.

"All ready to dance?" Ted smiled at Hermione. From what he knew of Professor Snape, he found it hard to believe the Headmaster has insisted on that particular costume, but a wizard bet is a wizard bet.

"Severus, you look divine!" Vanessa knew the man was seething over the very public display of his person, a display he would rather have died before agreeing to in the first place. She smiled as she watched the unspoken communication between Hermione and the Potions master, a severe scowl darkening his already angry look.

She knew from Albus, the relationship between the two had changed. She'd heard rumors, the infamous trip to Amsterdam confirmed the growing attachment between the two, but this was the first time she had witnessed it with her own eyes, observing the obvious feelings they had for each other. Vanessa was truly happy for the pair, life was hard enough to get through on your own. It was nice to have someone to share it with. And from everything she'd heard, from all that Albus had told her, Severus was a man who deserved a bit of happiness.

Hermione patted his arm, ignoring the dangerous growl that was his only answer. The image of a Muggle lion tamer in a cage with a wild animal, imagining Hermione and Severus in the key roles, rose unbidden in Minerva's mind. "Albus..." her voice held the contempt she felt for the man at this moment.

"All set, Ted. Ready when you are." Hermione turned to her friend and mentor, her smile genuine. "It's fine. Really. I think you might even be surprised."

"I know I am." Irma remarked quietly before Poppy elbowed her in the side.

Severus turned glowering eyes on the pair, his scowl deepening. Hermione had managed to extract a promise of temperance from him. It was a variation on the old Muggle adage, "If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all." It was his own fault he was in this ridiculous position, hexing someone or resorting to verbal abuse would only make matters worse. At least for tonight, he agreed to restrain from attacking anyone, verbally or physically.

"Right. Then shall we all proceed to the side of the stage? I thought you and I would dance the Samba and the Merengue, Vanessa and I will dance the Cha-cha and a Foxtrot before you and Snape finish up with the Argentine Tango. We can alternate the dances." Ted outlined the schedule for the show as he walked, not realizing Hermione was not walking with him.

Hermione turned to Severus, a gleam in her eye. "Ready?"

A curt nod was all he could manage. His anger at Albus warring with his desire to flee, to be anywhere but in the Great Hall.

"You will be great, just focus on me." Rising on tiptoes, she lightly kissed his cheek before dashing off to join Ted at the side of the stage.

Severus rose to his full height, his cheeks stained a light red in reaction to Hermione's kiss. "I will deal with you later," he snarled at Albus before heading for the stage. He might as well find out when his public display of humiliation was scheduled. No sense in waiting for the axe to fall on its own.

He had recognized quite a few witches and wizards as they had walked through the Great Hall. Several from the Order, Potter, Weasley, the whole bloody family from what he could tell. If not for Hermione, he would have chucked it all, regardless of the consequences. He supposed that said something if he was not willing to abandon her, regardless of his fate.

The lights dimmed as a sudden quiet settled over the assembled. A nervous twitter could be heard here and there through out the Great hall. A spotlight lit the stage as Ted stepped out between the curtains. The announcement was similar to that at the first exposition.

"Good evening, my name is Thaddeus Prittchard and I would like to thank you all for allowing us to entertain you tonight. I run a small dance studio called Lighter Than Air. Tonight we would like to perform just a few of the many dances my studio teaches. If any of you have an interest in dancing and want to take lessons, my wife and I will be available to answer questions after the show. Tonight we will be performing a variety of dances - The Meringue, the Samba, and the Foxtrot to name a few. So relax, tap your toes, feel the music, and enjoy the performance." The light went out, and the stage was dark once more.

The room buzzed as the lights came up to gently illuminate the stage. The silhouette of two people standing motionless could be seen against the back curtain. It was the same opening Severus had seen them perform at the exposition, scripted to be as dramatic as possible. The man and woman on stage were in profile to the audience. They appeared to be frozen in time. The man held the woman in his arms, ready to dance. The woman appeared to be looking down. As the lights brightened, an overhead announcement proclaimed, "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Samba."

A sharp note sounded into the silence. The woman's head snapped up. A second and third note sounded as the two looked into each other's eyes. A strong Latin beat started to play in earnest as Severus watched Hermione and Prittchard move into the dance. While not as suggestive as the Rumba or the Tango, the Samba was still an erotic dance.

The dance was as he had remembered. Their moves were exact as Prittchard spun her around turn after turn, the movement causing her skirt to flutter around her body. Hermione's hips rocked to the beat. Their lower torsos moved forward and back suggestively with each step. The Potions master's breath caught as he watched the sway of Hermione's hips, the image of her moving above him as they made love caused a tightening in his groin.

This dress was cut up the side in much the same manner as the dress she had worn the night of the exposition. The fabric moved sensuously with each turn, exposing a generous length of leg and thigh. Her hair was loose, pulled back from the crown and allowed to cascade down her back with a life of its own, swaying with her movements.

The dance continued through its sensual moves, Hermione shifting around Ted's body as they concentrated on each other, moving in step to the music. The music increased in tempo as they mimicked the beat. Severus watched Prittchard's hand glide along Hermione's hip as they stepped out to do a forward and backward walk together. He felt anger flare through his body as another man touched his witch. Never mind the fact Hermione might have hexed him to tomorrow and back for the archaic comment, she was his.

Ted pulled Hermione in and spun her around again. The spin ended with her landing hard against his body. Severus felt his gut wrench in response. Prittchard stood mid-stage. He spun Hermione out and back one last time. His arm around Hermione's lower back anchored her in place as she moved into the ending stance. She arched her back, threw her head back and kicked her foot back as the music reached its downbeat. She held this position for the last few notes of the song.

Severus watched the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she tried to catch her breath. He barely heard the applause as the blood pounded in his ears. He needed to rein in his emotions before he did something he might not regret, namely casting an Unforgivable on Prittchard before spiriting Hermione away. Magical bet be damned.

Prittchard and Hermione stood side by side as the music ended and bowed to resounding applause. They turned and slipped back through the curtain as the lights dimmed again.

Cheers and catcall, mixed with the applause, could be heard coming from the assembled. The crowd quieted as the couple reappeared on stage and was silhouetted against the back curtain. The lights brightened in time to the start of the music. A voice overhead announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Foxtrot."

Vanessa and Ted moved to the beat of the lively dance. Their movements alternated between a lively double step and a slow double step combined with a rocking turn. They moved as one with practiced agility back and forth across the stage.

"Severus?"

Hermione's voice and the feel of her hand resting tentatively on his arm brought the dark man from his reverie as he met her concerned stare.

"Are you all right?"

Severus nodded his head, for once, not trusting his voice. He pulled her back against his chest as she turned to watch the dancers, his arm resting possessively across hers.

Hermione snuggled back against him in the semi darkness surrounding the stage, taken with the unexpected gesture. She could still feel the result of his arousal pressed against her bum, even if it wasn't visible to anyone else. "They dance well together, don't they? But not as well as we do," she said with a knowing smile.

His voice was low, silky, and sent a shudder of desire through her body as he whispered in her ear. "All I could think of as I watched you dancing with Prittchard, was your naked body moving above me as I made love to you." Severus smiled as he felt her shudder against him; ever grateful for the enchantment he had placed on the codpiece.

"Hold that thought. I have to dance with Ted again."

Severus watched Hermione move to the side of the make shift stage as the couple finished their dance. The audience applauded as the Prittchard's took their bows before the lights dimmed again. He could see the curtain part in the dim light as the new couple took their stance on the stage. Hermione's silhouette was easily distinguishable in the half-light, her hair forming a riotous halo around her head. The mechanical voice announced once again, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Merengue."

The lights brightened with the music. "Hot, hot, hot!" The chorus played over the rhythmic beat and soon had the audience repeating the words. Severus watched as Ted and Hermione moved through several varied steps around the stage. Hermione's hips shifted alluringly as they moved. The Samba and the Tango required a rolling movement, punctuated by an occasional thrust. The Merengue's hip movement was different. It seemed to require an up and down motion that was executed in time with the dance steps.

To the crowds delight, the beat seemed to speed up as the song played. As the music hit an accelerated beat, Ted dipped Hermione, only to have her bounce up again, hips shaking with the movement as the song reached the end. Once again the two bowed to the applause before the lights dimmed.

As before, Hermione appeared at his side as the voice announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Cha-cha."

Hermione watched his eyes as Severus watched the pair on stage dance. "Are you ready? We're up after this number. Just focus on me. Trust me, you will be wonderful. I won't let you do this if I didn't think otherwise."

Severus turned to look at the witch standing in front of him. The fact was, he did trust her, implicitly. "I know. Let's just get this over with already," he growled.

They moved to the side of the stage. Ready to move into place when the current number finished. The crowd applauded as Ted and Vanessa executed the final steps and stopped to bow. Hermione and Severus passed the pair as they slipped through the curtain.

Vanessa called softly as they passed, "Good luck. I know you'll be great."

The stage had gone totally dark. Severus and Hermione moved into their practiced opening stance. She could feel the tension in his shoulders as they waited for the announcer. "Relax, it's just you and me."

The crowd had gone silent, tension palatable in the air. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we offer a rare treat. The Argentine Tango, performed by Miss Hermione Granger and your very own Potions master, Professor Snape." The lights brightened to reveal the two in the traditional opening stance. A strong beat sounded as they moved into the opening steps. The sensual sound of the backbeat, coupled with the feel of the witch in his arms, fueled the fire running through his blood. The room fell away as Severus locked eyes with Hermione. They were back in her flat, dancing for no one but each other.

The steps were exact and performed in a rapid movement and then just as suddenly they shifted into a slow sensual turn. The shift from side to side and back was overstated as they slid against each other. Severus exaggerated the rocking motion of the cradle rock as he tapped his toe. His groin snapped forward and back, their bodies colliding against each other. Desire obvious in each movement.

"Albus?" Minerva watched in shock as the two danced on the stage. The sensual movements brought a slight flush to her face.

"A vertical expression of a horizontal desire. It's obvious those two have been intimate. I don't think I have ever seen the Tango danced with such desire, such passion, before. They look good together." Vanessa turned to Ted. "Do you think they would agree to dance at the next exposition? I know you usually dance with Hermione, but it just doesn't have the same emotion as those two. You can feel the heat between them."

Albus chuckled lightly. "They do seem to go together well, don't they?"

On stage the pair were oblivious to those around them. Each movement, each touch, further ignited the already raging emotions they were feeling. Her breasts were crushed against his chest one minute as she was forcefully pulled to him and then released the next.

They locked gazes as the dance moved from high speed to almost a stop before picking up momentum again. She could see Severus's eyes darken as he moved against her. She could feel the physical evidence of his arousal, even if no one could see it, as he pulled her body back against his. Hermione could feel the heat, the lust, radiating off her partner. The pulse in her ear matched the beat of the music as their bodies collided against each other before shifting apart.

The music reached its ending crescendo. Hermione arched over his arm, her breathing as ragged as his. One hand held high over her head, the other braced around his shoulder. Her breasts were thrust forward against the thin fabric of her dress by her stance. Severus bent forward to place a kiss in the hollow of her cleavage just as the lights winked out. The crowd broke into thunderous applause as the couple snapped back to themselves, realizing they really weren't alone in her flat.

They stood to take their bows as the lights came up. Ted moved to the side of the stage to allow the pair their minute in the spotlight. He stepped forward, assuming the applause would die off. He was wrong. If possible, the applause grew louder.

Albus joined him on stage. It was another minute or two before the audience was willing to settle down. "I wish to thank the Prittchard's for taking the time to entertain us tonight. Mr and Mrs Prittchard are available if you have any questions regarding their dance studio. And a heartfelt thank you to Miss Granger and Professor Snape for sharing their talent with us. If you will give us a few minutes, the Weird Sisters will set up and we can continue with tonight's festivities."

Vanessa met Hermione and Severus as they left the stage. "You two were amazing. I have never seen the Tango danced with such heat before. Perhaps you will consider dancing for us at the next exposition?"

Hermione smiled. "We were good, weren't we?"

Exposition? What in the bloody hell was the witch talking about? He was just glad he had managed to make it through without falling flat on his face. Did she really think he would ever do that again? In fact he was planning a nice little bon fire as soon as they returned to his quarters. He thought the tights and codpiece would burn rather nicely.

Albus joined them as he stepped off the makeshift stage. "I suspect there will be quite a few witches that will view our Potions master in a new light when classes resume on Monday. Well, my boy, this completes the consequences of the bet." With a wave of his hand and a puff of smoke, a small card with Severus's name materialized in his hand. "All obligations fulfilled." Albus held the card up by one corner and gently blew on it. The card glowed red before disappearing entirely in a cloud of smoke.

Severus watched the display, relieved to be free of the bet as he felt the corresponding release of magic tingle across his skin. He was surprised to feel a twinge of sadness mixed with the emotion. While he hated being on display for the school, he had enjoyed the weekly lessons with Hermione. Perhaps she would be willing to teach him another dance or two. He smirked as he thought about what the private lessons could lead to. His mood darkened again as Ron and Harry joined the group.

"Hermione, that was...amazing. Really, I'm at a loss for words. You two were..." Harry turned red as he recalled their dance.

"We were good together. We are good together." Hermione smiled smugly, happy for the opportunity to prove her friends wrong. She had been listening to their "concerns" for the last few weeks. Their comments ran from - you will make a fool out of yourselves - to - you can't really be serious? You aren't really going to dance in public...with Snape? What will people think?

"I am...impressed, Severus. That was a... remarkable ...display." Minerva appeared to be at a loss for the proper words to express her opinion of their performance.

Hooch was not having the same trouble. "You two were unbelievable. Talk about hot!"

Poppy and Irma merely nodded their heads in agreement, though to which comment, Severus was not sure. He coloured slightly at the praise, though secretly pleased he had managed to provoke such a pointed response in his colleagues.

Hermione jumped in before Severus could comment. He had kept his promise to remain noncombative. She wasn't sure how much longer he could hold out.

"While we thank you all, I believe Severus and I have a prior engagement to attend to." Hermione reached for his hand, ignoring the silent question his raised eyebrow projected. She knew from past experience the dancing had left him feeling just as randy as she was. The enchantment might have hidden the obvious result of his arousal from those around them, but she could feel the steel of his erection as he pressed against her backside. The Tango was foreplay at its finest and never failed to arouse the two of them.

"That was rather tactful." Severus commented as they untangled themselves from the group.

"What did you expect me to say, please excuse us, we need to retire to the dungeons so we can shag like bunnies, or perhaps we could just slip behind one of these tapestries for a moment?"

Severus chuckled. "I would like nothing better than to ravish you. To carry you off and have my evil way with you, but I believe I can wait until we reach my quarters."

Hermione stopped just as they reached the doorway exiting the Great Hall, a determined gleam in her eye. "Then what's stopping you? Let's see you carry me off."

It seemed just as many witches, wizards, and students that had watched their arrival, were watching their departure from the Great Hall. Severus looked the resolute witch in the eye. "You don't think I will, do you?"

A knowing smirk was his answer. "I know you only danced the Tango because you lost the bet. But no, I don't think you would act that out of character." Hermione turned to exit the Great Hall. She missed the mischievous glint in his eye.

She shrieked in delight as the world tilted on its axis before it righted itself as she landed against his chest. She could feel his erection, even at this angle, pressed hard and heavy against her bum. She giggled as she shifted in his arms. "Is that a wand in your tights or are you just happy to see me?"

"Stop that," he growled, but the desire she saw shining in his eyes and the roughness of his voice told a different story. Severus turned to the assembled, he had gone this far - he might as well play it for what it was worth, he could always blame it on the bet. He dropped the enchantment on the codpiece as he bowed to the crowd. "And to all, a good night." He turned with her in his arms and left the stunned group in silence.

"Did you see...?" Minerva stopped short. She didn't see what she thought she saw, did she? How could she admit she had been admiring his...codpiece as he was leaving? Thinking they would probably never get another chance to see Severus in that type of outfit again. It was unthinkable that said codpiece seemed to grow and bulge.

"See what?" Albus asked, his eyes sparkling.

"Nothing, nothing at all." She said, shaking her head. It must have been a trick of the light and shadows. But had she voiced her thoughts, she would have found she was not the only witch to notice the change in the codpiece in question. Even witches near the couple had a hard time admitting what they too had been eyeing and the subsequent change that occurred.

"Lucky little witch."

Minerva nodded absent mindedly, agreeing with Irma's whispered comment. The hall seemed to come alive again as the Weird Sisters moved into their first set.

"Harry..."

Harry shook his head. He thought he knew what he saw, but even he wasn't going to comment on Hermione and... Snape. He shuddered at the thought. "Let it go, mate. We'll talk with Hermione tomorrow, or during the week. I suspect she might hex us right now if we went looking for her." Harry turned to Ginny with a smile as the music started. "Dance?"

"I'd love to." Ginny laughed, moving into Harry's arms. She turned to her brother before Harry swept her away. "I'm sure there are any number of witches that would be willing to dance with you. Go dance, and let them be."

Ron shook his head. It had been so much easier when they were students and he knew who was on what side. Harry and Ginny. His baby sister. Hermione and Snape. Well, they did seem well suited for each other, but Snape! A young witch approached him. He vaguely remembered Ginny saying she was one of the new apprentices at the school. Clara Something. He flashed a knowing smile. "Hi, didn't my sister tell me you were a model for Witch Weekly?"

The young witch blushed. "Hardly. I'm the Herbology apprentice. Clara Watkins."

"Are you sure I haven't seen you in a photo layout somewhere, a pretty witch like you?"

Clara laughed. "No, I tend to spend most of my day following Professor Sprout around, replanting herbs, and grading papers."

"Ah, in that case, would you like to dance?" Ron led the young witch to the dance floor. Hermione and Snape were long forgotten as they started to move to the beat. "So, what do you think of Quidditch, Clara?"

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Severus shifted his hold on Hermione as he turned sharply to his right, moving thorough the open doorway leading to the lower levels and the dungeons.

Hermione nuzzled the side of his neck. "You can put me down now. I can walk, you know. I wouldn't want to you to tire yourself out."

"And have you run off before I have my wicked way with you? I don't think so." While he was not as young as he used to be, he still had a few tricks up his sleeve, one that involved shortening the distance to his quarters to start with. He stopped abruptly before a tapestry about hundred yards into the corridor.

Hermione barely recognized the English translation of the Latin phrase Severus had mumbled. The tapestry shimmed before dissolving. She looked through the opening, only to see the tapestry of the snake guarding the entrance to his chambers several floors below them. "Isn't that your doorway?"

Severus stepped through the portal, the opening closing behind them. "So it is." She had never taken note of the painting opposite his doorway before. It was a replica of the image on the tapestry they had stepped through.

"Are there other connections like this?"

She felt the tingle of magic as his wards recognized them, the tapestry disappearing as his door opened automatically. Severus lowered her to the floor before hungrily devouring her mouth. He had been aroused even before their performance in the Great Hall. Her constant wiggling as he carried her only served to feed that arousal.

Hermione's arms wound their way around his shoulders, one hand playing with the hairs at the nape of his neck as their kiss deepened. She moaned as he roughly kneaded her breast, her stomach tightening as electricity surged through her veins. Tingles seemed to run up and down her body before pooling in her groin. "Severus."

Severus managed to turn the eager witch around and set her on the edge of his desk. They could take it slow later, right now he was overcome with the desire to have her. From the sound of her moans it seemed she was in complete agreement. He slipped one hand up her thigh, reaching for her knickers. Sliding the thin scrap of fabric to side he was pleased to find her wet and ready for him.

A whispered spell and the codpiece dropped to the floor, another spell and the front panel of the tights disappeared. Severus positioned his hardened member at the slick opening of her sex. "Hermione." He whispered, impaling the willing witch with one swift thrust. She groaned in response, as she lay back on the desk, pulling him down with her. Papers and books cascaded over the sides as they moved. She was hot, and wet, and tight, and everything he had every wanted.

They moved against each other with an urgency created by their need for one another. Severus could feel her muscles tightening around him as she clutched his shoulders, his torso bent over her body as he thrust in and out of her welcoming heat. He could feel his own orgasm building at the base of his cock. His balls tightening and pulling up as he tried to hold on. He felt the first twitches of her orgasm as her muscles tried to clamp down on him and gave into his own end. He drove deeply into her body, her whimpers spurring him on. With a final thrust, he groaned as he emptied his seed into her, his hips continuing to piston reflexively as he rode out his release.

Hermione pulled him to her in a fierce hug. He tried to move to the side in an effort not to crush her, their bodies still joined together. "No," she whispered, not wanting to break the mood. "I want to feel you." Gingerly, he lay partially on top of her, both of them breathing hard from their efforts.

He locked eyes with her, moving to softly brush her lips with his. His kiss was surprisingly gently and held a world of promise for the two of them. Finally, sliding from her body, he sighed deeply.

"Well that was fun," she said with a smile.

"I suppose a long soak in a hot tub is in order."

"Are you going to carry me there?"

"Carry you? My, my, how spoiled you've become. Carry you all the way to the bath? Must I teach you how to walk again, too? Perhaps I should just chain you to my bed. Then it won't matter whether you ever walk again." Severus scooped her up in his arms and headed for the bathroom.

"I was joking! You can put me down."

"Mhmm. We'll talk about it later."

Hermione settled into his embrace. "How did you mange to remove the front of your tights? I don't remember that panel being there."

"Obviously you're not male. How did you expect me to use the loo? Take off the tights?"

Hermione's laugh was warm as they crossed the threshold of the bathroom. "I suppose I really hadn't thought about it."

He set her down on her feet before turning to close the door.

She turned an appraising eye in the direction of his exposed groin. "You know, it's a good look for you. Maybe it will catch on."

"Hermione."

"After the looks you received tonight, it wouldn't hurt if I tattooed my name where everyone could see." She ran her hand across the flat plane of his pelvis. "P-r-o-p-e-r, right here. The 'P' should start here and the 'r' would finish up here." She ran her finger from the very base of his penis to tip of his foreskin. He was starting to harden again at her touch.

Severus looked puzzled. "Proper? Why would you want me to have a tattoo that said proper?"

"Not proper. It would only read 'Proper' in your...relaxed state. I think there is enough room to tattoo - Property of Hermione Granger down the length of your erect cock." As she spoke the words appeared along the length of his penis, the phrase not fully legible in his semi-erect state. "However, I better be the only one who sees it that way. All anyone else should be able to read is the beginning of the first word and the end of the last - Proper."

Severus stared at her before breaking into uncontrollable laughter. He moved to sit on the edge of the tub as he held his stomach. "And how long have you been waiting to pull that on me?" he asked through his laughter.

Hermione moved between his splayed legs and shrugged. "A while."

"You really are amazing." He shook he head before pulling her into his embrace.

.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

It was no surprise to anyone that Severus and Hermione missed breakfast in the Great hall the next day.

Or lunch.

Or dinner.

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.

Technically, this chapter completes the challenge requirements this story was supposed to be an answer for and this chapter, while not the end of the story, could conceivable be an ending, but don't worry, there is still more story to tell.

If you missed the note at the beginning, this chapter was not beta'd by Nakhash. She has been quite ill and has my wishes and thoughts for a speedy recovery.

I assumed you would rather have the chapter; even unbeta'd then wait. When she is better, I will edit for any error she encounters, until then, the mistakes are mine alone.

Still to come: A Ministry celebration, The Thong will make an appearance, 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.

P.S. I have it on good authority that the words in question at the...end ... of the story, faded away in the hot, soapy water with just a minimal amount of rubbing. *.Grin.* Just thought you might want to know.

Regards,

Pearle