Sorry for the delay, but I have never been entirely pleased with this part of the story (I'm still not!). As always huge thanks go to my wonderful betas for all their work and support. I must take full credit for any and all mistakes, however. Do not blame these lovely ladies. I've got no warnings for you in this chapter, except, well... sexy times lie ahead! I don't know what to say, this was always going to happen ; )

I have nearly finished the fourth chapter and will be posting it as soon as I can. It contains even more lemony goodness and a bit of laughter.

I own nothing. Enjoy ~Lil~

Part Three

Hermione Granger Visit # 4 (cont'd)

Thank all the gods! She was starting to think she'd broken the wizard. Or he'd had a stroke. He had just sat there, unmoving, for more than a quarter of an hour. She had expected him to have to think about it, but mercy! He hadn't even blinked!

Standing, she smiled and started to remove her dress. With a gentle push, the straps were over her shoulders. She reached behind her back and touched the magical closure. It released, causing the dress to pool at her feet. She wore nothing underneath.

The wizard across from her drew a sharp breath, though somehow his face remained impassive.

Hermione retook her seat. "You doing okay, Severus?" she asked.

He didn't answer, not verbally, just nodded, both of his hands resting on the arms of that incredibly plush chair of his.

"Are you comfortable?"

This time he didn't even nod, leading Hermione to believe he was already concentrating on his focus point. Perhaps he had been for some time.

Good.

The intense look in his eyes, plus the fact that she was sitting bare-arse naked on his frilly-looking settee, had her quite excited already. Hermione brought her right hand slowly up her body, stroking her hip, her belly, her sternum until she found her right breast and palmed it. Pinching the nipple lightly, she allowed herself to enjoy the sensation. She also allowed a soft sigh of contentment to escape her mouth.

Her intention was to feel everything, enjoy it. Not fake it. Even if he wasn't using Legilimency - something she was certain he hadn't done (another thing to address, but not now), at least not with her, she would have known - as perceptive as he was he would have known if she was 'putting on a show'.

She was starting to moan already. And I'm probably about to ruin his sofa, she thought. She didn't want to seem too eager… just in case this didn't end as she hoped it would. Trying to school her reactions, Hermione drew a deep breath and engaged her left hand, caressing her thigh, then pinching her skin in hopes of distracting herself.

It didn't work. Frankly, the very small amount of pain just made her wetter. That's new!

Bringing her left hand up to her other breast, she pinched and pulled on both nipples, letting her head fall to the back of the sofa. Gods, but she was enjoying this! It had been too long. And she had never just wanked in front of a man before. She had no idea how erotic it could be. The mere anticipation of what she was about to do had her creaming herself.

She raised her head and studied the man across from her. He was completely focused on her body. His eyes were intense, not yet blank as they would be if he was utilising his shields. She knew he could cover the 'blankness', or at least must have been able to do so in dealing with Riddle. It would have been too obvious when trying to fool the Dark wizard, but she also knew that he'd not hide it with her now. That would do neither of them any good.

It was time to turn up the heat.

Hermione ghosted the fingertips of her left hand down her torso, teasing her skin lightly, until she reached the juncture of her thighs, widening her legs as her hand moved. She then spread her lips apart, brazenly displaying herself, her wetness, for the wizard.

"Do you see how wet I am for you, Severus?" she asked, not expecting an answer. "I'm already close." And she was. She'd have to be careful to give him enough time to reach his focus point because damnit she wanted him to succeed!

She let her right hand slowly make its way to her centre. Once there, she was careful to avoid her clitoris. The hard little bud was like a bomb about to go off. Instead, she dipped a finger into her opening. Shit! She was even wetter than she had thought. The act caused a bit of moisture to trickle out; it ran down the crack of her arse. Closing her eyes, she inserted two fingers and tossed her head back as she stretched herself. Fuck! Her hips rose, meeting her hand.

Her focus was now on her own pleasure; she had completely forgotten about the man across the room. As she continued to fuck herself, feeling the moisture covering her hand, hearing the obscene squelch of her juices, she had the sudden sensation of a presence very close by.

Opening her eyes, she found Severus standing over her. His eyes dead, lifeless. He stared like that for several seconds, a minute. Hermione didn't remove her hand, but stopped fucking herself. It suddenly occurred to her that he was not following her directions. He wasn't supposed to move.

She was frozen in indecision (and overwhelming lust!). Gods… he's magnificent! Should she say something? Admonish him for his blatant misbehaviour? Oh, fuck it! He had engaged his shields and he could collect his reward early for all she cared!

His shields dropped, his eyes once again expressive. "Do not stop," he instructed. "But do not come."

At his command, she felt herself constrict around her own fingers. Hermione nodded and got back to work. She watched as Severus effortlessly slipped behind his shields once again. Gods, but it turned her on even more to know that he had accomplished his task, that he had managed, after more than two years, to find and erect his shields then pull them back down and erect them once again.

She continued to watch him carefully, waiting for him to return. Her plans were already a bit derailed; he wasn't supposed to be in charge here, she was! But he was succeeding and about to get his reward (and hopefully, so was she!). Who was she to deny him his request?

As the cloud cleared from his eyes once again, he pushed up the sleeves of his tee shirt and blindly kicked the coffee table away a couple of feet. "Done," he said as he dropped to his knees in front of her. "Now, I believe you said… in any way I want you, correct?"

Hermione slowly nodded.

He smiled. His eyes shown with a mixture of lust, menace and mischief. Reaching for her hand, that was still buried between her legs, he pulled it out. Her wet fingers glistened in the early afternoon sunlight. "All of you…" He sucked her fingers into his mouth and closed his eyes in obvious delight. His tongue licked her clean, working around both digits as he hummed his enjoyment as he released her.

"You may have just made a deal with the devil, Miss Granger," he said before ducking and driving his tongue deep inside her.

o0o0o0o0o

When Severus found his shields - easily, if he were being honest - he was more than a bit shocked. They were right there where they'd always been. As they slipped into place it felt like being covered with a warm blanket of nothingness. It felt like they'd never left him. Which they hadn't, of course. Granger was right. He must have known it on some level. They'd been holding back the Darkness all these months, keeping him sane, even if he wasn't in control of them consciously. The absence of nightmares was the biggest clue, but he had refused to believe it.

His focus point had changed again - that too was a surprise - just as when he was a child it had formed on its own, without his aid whatsoever. What his mind had chosen to use to centre him was odd in the extreme, but it worked and that's all that mattered.

At this point, he decided to move closer. He could see everything more clearly whilst behind his shields, the world was sharper, sounds more distinct. Even his sense of smell was enhanced. Thank the gods!

Granger was lost in her own pleasure and he frankly wanted a better view.

He saw everything: the rise and fall of her chest, her pebbled nipples, the small beads of sweat on her forehead, her clavicle, her sternum. And oh, the sounds! She was taking quick, shallow breaths interspersed with gasps and moans. It was very nearly musical in its rhythm. A lovelier sound he could not remember hearing. Her hand was creating an erotic symphony of its own, working her juices to a crescendo. He could smell her too, of course. Her scent growing stronger the closer he got. Standing over her as she fucked herself, he knew what he wanted.

Her eyes opened, meeting his and willed his shields to drop. She should witness his victory. They dropped, disappeared without a stutter. She stopped moving.

Oh, we can't have that. "Do not stop," he told her. "But do not come." That orgasm belonged to him. He was owed it.

The witch nodded, then her fingers started to move once again. He immediately focused on resurrecting his shields.

Her request was quite ingenious. Raising them once meant nothing, but to drop them and raise them again meant that he was in complete control. She was a brilliant, delectable little thing and he was about to consume her.

She was focused on his face as she continued to masturbate. He watched for a full minute before letting his shields go for the final time. Pushing his sleeves out of the way, he kicked the coffee table back and said, "Done." As he dropped to his knees between her splayed thighs, he breathed deeply. The smell of her sex was intoxicating. "Now, I believe you said… in any way I want you, correct?"

Granger nodded once again, her eyes wide and slightly apprehensive. He smirked, it probably came off a bit evil but he didn't care. He grabbed her hand out from its naughty hiding place. "All of you," he said before sucking her fingers clean. By the gods did she taste delicious! Once finished he couldn't help but making one more attempt at frightening her. "You just may have made a deal with the devil, Miss Granger." He knew she wouldn't renege; she was a Gryffindor, after all. Lowering his head, he dove in.

Her cunt tasted even better at the source. He drove his tongue deep inside her as he held her down. The witch's hips bucked up, trying to break his nose but some gentle pressure on her hips kept her firmly in place. Severus took his time, enjoying every drop, every moan, every needy cry, before trailing his tongue through her folds and finding her distended little clit. It was ripe and ready.

He pulled back, causing her to whine piteously. "Was there something that you needed, Miss Granger?" he asked in a casual voice. Regaining control of his shields had given Severus an extra strength dose of self-confidence and he was about to put it to good use.

"Please!" she begged.

Slipping a single digit between her dripping lips, he said, "Please… what?"

"Oh, fuck! Snape! Make me come!" she growled angrily.

"My, my, Miss Granger, you seem very out of sorts."

She leant up a couple of inches. "If you don't touch my clit in the next five seconds and make me come, you'll see just how out of sorts I can get, you selfish bastard!"

Severus chuckled. She really was an interesting little witch. Too bad she was just here in the capacity of 'Occlumency Healer'. He wouldn't mind keeping her… for a while, anyway. "Okay, Miss Granger. No need to get stroppy." She did deserve an orgasm, of course. Lowering his head once again, he worked his tongue through her pussy, lapping at her until he reached her clit.

Granger moaned as he circled the bundle of nerves with the tip of his tongue and slipped first one, then two fingers into her core. After a little exploring, Severus found the spongy inner tissue of her front wall and pressed. She grunted and bucked. That's it, girl, give it to me. He sucked her clit into his mouth as he stimulated her g-spot and she dug her fingers into his hair, holding him in place, riding his mouth.

"That's it! Ahhh… Ooooo… Fuuuck!"

He didn't let up, just continued to finger fuck her through her orgasm. Her verbal praise carried on. She was just as loquacious in sex as in her everyday life, it seemed. Evidently she 'loved his mouth, his fingers and his tongue!'. When her hips finally relaxed onto his now ruined divan, he pulled his hand free, kissed her clit and sat back on his heels.

The witch looked spent. And she was, no doubt. Eyes closed, chest heaving, she was simply stunning. After several minutes she opened her eyes and smiled. "Magnificent," she said in a breathy whisper. "What's next?"

Next? Oh, yes. She had said whatever he wanted, or somesuch. "My bed might be more comfortable… If you're so inclined?" Why did he suddenly feel self-conscious?

Granger smiled. "I certainly am so inclined." She stood. "Lead the way. But stay close, if you don't mind. My legs are a bit… wobbly."

He rose and stepped towards the hallway that led to his room, but was stopped by her hand on his elbow. "Severus?" she said.

"Yes." He turned, noticing that she was standing right next to him, almost touching.

"Could you call me Hermione?" She raised her hand, smoothing it over his chest. "Miss Granger is so…"

"Hogwarts?" he interrupted.

She giggled. "Well, yes. Not that I mind, of course. But unless we're playing 'caught out after curfew', it feels a bit formal for what we just did... and are about to do."

"'Caught out after curfew?'" he asked. "Do I even want to know?"

"I suppose that depends. But just remember, I'm a dab hand at Transfiguration. My dress can become a pleated skirt and oxford in a heartbeat." She winked, then turned and looked to her right. "Oh, is that the bathroom? I need it for just a mo, if you don't mind," she said as she dashed off.

"Bloody hell…" he whispered as he opened the door to his room.

o0o0o0o0o

The tea had gone right through her. After using the loo and washing her hands, Hermione checked out her reflection. Shit! She looked half-fucked already. She giggled. I suppose I am.

Looking around the neatly organised bathroom, Hermione couldn't stop herself, she opened the medicine cabinet. Nothing too exciting: toothpaste, toothbrush, a comb, a brush, shaving cream, a straight razor - hmm… he shaves rather than using a spell, interesting - and oils, lots of oils. That explained his intoxicating smell. She picked up one of the jars, opened and gave it a sniff. Bergamot, sandalwood and cucumber? It shouldn't have worked but it did.

Putting it back, she closed the mirrored cabinet and turned. She didn't want to just walk into his room naked. Her eyes fell on the back of the bathroom door. A dressing gown and a couple of white shirts hung there.

Hermione smirked as she chose a shirt, slipping it over her shoulders. It smelt of him, his oils.

Things were going exactly to plan. He had his shields back; that had been her main goal, of course. Getting closer, much closer, was just a bonus. Whether or not this could become something more, she did not know. A girl can dream.

She hadn't intended to seduce him, at least not at first. Visit number one had gone just as she had expected it to. He was still a git. Her desire hadn't really intensified until she had watched him handle the cursed cameo. His power was intoxicating. The discovery wasn't surprising, however, as it wasn't the first time she'd noticed him. That had happened years before. Defense classes had started becoming… interesting about halfway through the year. Oh, she wasn't the only girl who found their dark, brooding professor at least a little attractive.

Hermione always had a hard time finding wizards that could challenge her. Mentally, well, not to brag but she was simply smarter than most men she encountered. She was also incredibly powerful, which tended to intimidate a wizard usually before they even met her. She was well known, after all. Her job didn't exactly help either. On top of all that, Hermione didn't like wasting her time with mediocre sex. No, not again! Severus, if his oral display just now was any indication, would be far from mediocre.

Drawing a deep breath, Hermione opened the door.

She found him sitting on the edge of his bed, looking, well, adorable, if she was being honest. He'd removed his shoes and socks and was just wearing the dark jeans and tee shirt combo she had come to love.

Standing, he shoved his hands into his pockets. "That's my shirt."

"And here I always thought you hated it when someone stated the obvious," she said with a smirk. "I suppose you're the exception to the rule?"

He brought his hands up, crossing them over his chest and then let them fall to his sides as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with them. Oh, was he… nervous? She was gonna eat him up!

She continued to close the distance between them. Once she was less than a foot from him, she reached out, placing both hands on his chest. "Have you tried them again?" she asked.

He nodded. "Of course."

"Any problems?"

"None."

"Excellent." Smoothing her hands down his torso, she let her nails scrape at his abs as she asked, "Have you thought about what you want to do next?"

"I have a question first."

"Ask away."

"Is this pity? Or just your all-consuming need to save someone?" He took a step back, just out of her reach. "I do have a little bit of pride left, Granger."

Hermione sighed. "I don't pity you, Severus. But yes, I do want you to be… better, I suppose. All-consuming? That's a bit overstating it, don't you think?"

"You Gryffindors are so melodramatic…"

"You're one to talk with your billowing robes and 'bewitching the mind'." This wizard… he was so bloody stubborn! But worth it, she told herself. "Can you look?" she asked. "I'm willing to open my mind and let you see my intentions."

Severus stared at her for several seconds before looking away. "I'm… not sure. I haven't attempted Legilimency in… quite some time."

Oh, of course. "Give it a try, Severus."

Suddenly his wand was in his hand and pointed at her temple. "Legilimens!" Then he was inside her mind.

Hermione easily pushed forth every salacious thought she'd recently had about the wizard; the way she had checked out his arse the day she'd brought him the cameo; how she'd felt when he accosted her in his foyer: turned on, yes, but a little put off by his faked aggression. Then, for good measure, she shoved an image of her pleasuring herself in her bathtub to images of him fucking her.

When he retreated, he was breathing heavily but his eyes still looked wary. "You are a self-proclaimed master Occlumens, how am I to believe what I've just seen?"

She rolled her eyes. "First of all, congratulations, you've still got it. And secondly…" She brought her hand up to the bulge in his jeans, cupping him roughly. "... I suppose this comes back to trust."

Severus bucked into her hand, closing his eyes for a millisecond. "Fuck it!" he mumbled, as his hands came up to clutch at her shoulders. When his eyes opened he raked them down her body. "You look positively sinful in my shirt... Hermione."

Her name on his tongue was basically the last straw. With a gentle shove, she had him sprawled on the bed. Though caught off guard, he quickly recovered as Hermione followed, straddling his hips and lowering her head to his. "I want to kiss you, Severus. Then I want to strip you and taste you. Is that acceptable?"

The wizard groaned, his hips surging upwards as he gripped her head tightly, pulling her down until their lips met. Though his actions were aggressive the kiss was somehow tender, almost sweet. When he brushed her lips with his tongue, Hermione opened obligingly, allowing him in. Severus teased her, however - she knew how long that tongue was, had felt it in her quim - licking the corners of her mouth, her teeth before finally stroking her tongue, lapping at it.

She moaned and let her body relax further into his, her hands gripping his hair, tugging, pulling. Fuck, but this wizard did something to her that she simply could not explain. She had felt it before, these fleeting moments of attraction, in sixth year but had shrugged it off as teenage hormones. When she had found out about his sacrifices after the battle, she had felt an overwhelming sense of admiration and guilt, even though it was unreasonable for her to have known his true allegiance. That was the point of a spy, was it not? The trial had been excruciating. Watching his life paraded in front of the Wizengamot and the Wizarding public caused Hermione to hurt, almost physically, for the man. And when Minerva had told her of his attempt to end his life… she was angry. How dare he? How dare he deprive them of his brilliant mind, his expertise, his knowledge, his…. Him?

She was brought out of her musings by a sharp but enjoyable pain just under her ear. "Are you still with me, my little saviour?" he whispered against her abused flesh.

"Of course," she replied as she sat up, pushing against his chest. "I want to see you, Severus." Moving her hands to the hem of his tee shirt, she nudged it up his stomach, keeping an eye on his face to see if he might object.

He did not. Instead, he sat up and tugged the garment over his head, tossing it to the floor. "There's not much to see, Granger," he said.

She was back to Granger, then? A defense mechanism, she decided. "I'll be the judge of that, thank you very much." As her hands danced up his sides she noticed a quirk of his lips. Is Severus Snape… ticklish? Wouldn't that be a coup?

"Don't even think about it," he warned.

"I wouldn't dream…" She continued her journey, storing the information for another time - please let there be another time - until her hands found his flat nipples. His sharp inhalation of breath told her that he was pleased and she lowered her head, taking one of the nubs into her mouth. Severus' hands instantly found her hair, holding her close as he bucked up, his still clothed erection grazing her centre.

"Gods… Hermione…" he moaned. It very nearly sounded like a plea.

She retreated, sitting back on her heels and taking him in. He was thin, but not as thin as he once had been, she suspected. His scars were numerous, of course, but not unexpected. Besides, she had her own and he would have seen them in his sitting room earlier. Scars didn't bother Hermione, not in the least.

As she scooted back, stepping off the bed, she said, "Head on the pillows, Professor," in her bossiest tone. The one had used to make the boys finish their revision and STOP talking about Quidditch.

Severus complied, shockingly. With only a raised eyebrow, he moved to get comfortable at the head of the bed. "Now what, Miss Granger?" he asked as he rested his hands behind his head.

"As much as I enjoy them, the jeans have to go." Hermione crawled between his legs and attended to the buttons and zip, focusing her attention to her task and not the fact that in a few short seconds she'd have her most hated former professor's cock in her mouth. No. Her nerves just wouldn't allow her to concentrate on that at the moment.

Once the garment was on the floor with his shirt, she raked her hands up his lightly furred legs. Good, she thought. Some men were so… hairy. His pants were a simple pair of black boxer-briefs, unsurprisingly and were generously tented, displaying his endowment for her perusal. Peruse she did. She was drawn from her study by his voice, however.

"You don't have to do that, you know," he said.

When she looked up she found him leaning on his elbows, staring down at her. "I know; I want to," she explained. And she did, oddly enough. He hadn't requested it but she found herself salivating at the mere idea. "Just relax, Severus. Do you suppose that I often do things which I don't want to do?"

He shook his head as he let his body fall back onto the bed and Hermione took the waistband of his pants, tugging them down, not stopping until he was free of them. She then returned to his erection, now bared for her.

Oh… my…

She wasted no time. All traces of anxiety gone, Hermione took him in hand, feeling the weight of him. It was considerable, the largest she had personally encountered, she realised (much to her delight). Steel wrapped in silk, dripping with excitement (much like herself). She wanted him inside her, but first...

Her tongue snaked out to catch the drop of precum that glistened on the tip. Severus hissed above her, but she paid him no mind as she let her tongue travel up the length of his shaft, getting to know him a little better. Once she'd reached the top again, she took him in but just the tip, wetting it and lapping at it like a much-desired lolly.

"Bloody fucking hell…" he cursed as his hips surged towards her mouth, causing Hermione to moan in triumph.

Suddenly his hands were in her hair, holding her close, pushing her down. She wasn't offended, not really. He wasn't exactly manhandling her, just… directing a bit. Pulling back, she managed to release him with a loud plop. "Okay, Severus, this is your prize. How do you want it?" she asked.

He seemed confused for a millisecond then he smiled. "Lose the shirt, Hermione," he instructed.

o0o0o0o0o

Oh, if all his decisions could be so… delicious. Did he come in this wonderful little witch's mouth or her hot cunt? Hmmm… There really was no competition. The short blow job had been delightful, but he wanted nothing more than to feel her tight heat wrapped around his cock.

When he instructed her to, lose the shirt, she sat up and slowly unbuttoned his white lawn shirt, with a distinctive gleam in her eye. It was tossed to the floor with a flick of her wrist and then she was once again bared to him; her delectable little body on display.

Severus sat up, rising quickly to his knees to grip her. One hand went behind her head the other on her naked hip. "I will have you as the gods intended, witch," he said before taking her lips in a fiercely possessive kiss.

Hermione responded in kind, her fingers snaking into his hair, her nails scraping at his scalp. She nipped at his lips, sucked on his tongue and moaned as they made out like a couple of randy Puffs.

Taking advantage of her distraction, Severus pulled her even closer, twisting them and pushing her down onto the bed in one smooth move. Though shocked, Hermione did not relinquish hold of his mouth, simply squealed against his lips. Ending the kiss, Severus dragged his lips across her jaw, nipping as he went, wanting to savour every bit of her flesh until he found her fragrant throat once again. He worried the mark he had made moments before; she would have to cover it magically if she wanted to hide the proof of their tryst.

The witch moaned, her nails digging into his scarred back. Speaking of scars… She hadn't even blinked when he had bared himself to her. That had been surprising and yet in a way… not. She had her own scars; the one on her arm was particularly disturbing. Bella-fucking-trix, his mind cursed. He had heard about the Trio's escapade at Malfoy Manor, but had yet to actually see the evidence of the psychotic witch's torment of the young woman until she had removed her jumper in his sitting room. He had started searching for his shields at that moment, desperately reaching for them.

The sex trick had worked, obviously, but he wasn't sure that she couldn't have just shoved that awful word, etched into her arm, in his face and scared them into place.

He moved lower, finally finding her perky breasts. The breasts of a young witch. How long has it been since I've had access to tits like this? he wondered as he pinched one erect bud between his thumb and forefinger. Years… a decade? No matter, he thought as he closed his lips around the other tip, first gently biting then sucking it into his mouth.

Hermione sighed, moaned then whined as Severus switched sides.

"Oh, gods…" she whimpered. "Want you inside me…"

He could not argue with that. His cock was dripping on her thigh, hard as steel and starting to ache. Severus slid a hand between them and checked her readiness. Fuck! he thought as he slipped his fingers through her folds. She was even wetter than when he had eaten her. He hadn't thought it possible.

Raising up on one elbow, he asked, "Are you absolutely sure…?"

"Severus," she said, clutching his shoulders tightly. "Fuck me, please!"

He smirked as he drew the head of his cock through her wetness, coating himself liberally before pushing forward. Bloody hell, she was tight! He pulled out almost completely then thrust in. Halfway there, old man. Again, he rocked back, pulling out, then pressed forward, and...

"Oh, yes, Severus!" she shouted, her nails digging into his back as the head of his cock finally managed to kiss her cervix. "Gods, that's good!"

"Fuck!" he moaned against her chest, trying to get acclimated to being inside of another person after so many years. Too long, he thought. It's been too damn long.

"Me too," Hermione said, her lips pressed against his shoulder. "I forgot how much I like sex!"

I said that out loud. Shit! "Well, as in everything, you are quite good at it, Granger," he said, trying to get back on the right foot. "Been studying? There are lots of books on the subject, after all." He had paused his thrusts while speaking so that he didn't sound like a winded old man in the process.

Her hands slipped down to his buttocks, gripping him tightly. "Don't be a git while you're fucking me, Severus!" She emphasised her point with a swat to his left arse cheek. "Harder!" she demanded.

Never one to let a lady down, Severus resumed his thrusts, picking up his rhythm and wrapping his arms up under her back to give himself even more traction and thoroughly enjoying the amount of contact the position afforded. Her skin was so soft, so fragrant. The witch was lovely and kind and brilliant. Why in Merlin's name was she letting him fuck her?

He continued to pound into her, wishing he could just stay inside her for eternity. It was much better than planning his own death. More physically taxing, of course, but much more pleasurable. Damnit! His lower back was starting to tingle and his balls were…

He leant up, intent on slipping his hand between them to stimulate her clit, but Hermione beat him to it, and he watched as her hand slid down her belly to her centre.

"Close," she growled, her bright amber coloured eyes shining up at him. "Oh… fucking fuck, I'm close, Severus!"

His hips surged forward at her words, faster and faster as he felt her starting to flutter and constrict around his cock. She had felt wonderful at the first thrust but as her walls closed in on him he was certain he had never felt such exquisite pleasure in his miserable life.

Bright white light flashed as he mind blanked out and he emptied himself into the vocal witch beneath him. She held him tightly - something which he was quite grateful; he wasn't sure that he could keep himself tethered to Earth without her strong arms holding him so close - as she shouted her completion. She did not let go, however, even after her responses quieted down.

"Shhh… I've got you," he heard her saying, but had no idea why she was soothing him. It made no sense. He was floating; still experiencing the otherworldly high of his orgasm. He felt fantastic! He didn't need coddling, for Merlin's sake!

He tried to move, his weight must have been too much for her smaller frame, but she wouldn't allow it. She continued to hold him tightly and she also continued her comforting words. "I'm right here. I'm not leaving you. I promise," she whispered, her words interspersed with gentle kisses to his damp cheek, his forehead, his eyes.

What is she talking about? he wondered as his head dropped to her shoulder. "I'm hurting you," he protested.

"You'd never hurt me, Severus," she said as she wiped the moisture off of his cheek. "But we can move if you'd be more comfortable."

Gods… he was even sweatier than he had imagined. His cheeks were wet… so wet… Oh, who cares. He felt her turning them until he was sprawled, half on her, half on the bed. His head nestled against her naked breast. He was so tired, he just wanted to sleep. Just for a bit…

o0o0o0o0o

Hermione lay, Severus sleeping across her chest, carding her fingers through his damp hair. The man deserved it. He'd not only given her some of the best orgasms of her life, but he'd clearly had some kind of emotional breakdown. She wasn't sure exactly how to feel about reducing a wizard to tears with sex.

Is that good, or bad?

Well, he had gone through a hell of a lot that afternoon. Perhaps it was a combination of everything. Not just the sex.

I certainly hope it wasn't the sex!

Holding up her hand, she silently called for her wand. As soon as it hit her palm she flicked her wrist and the pair of them were covered with a light blanket. The perspiration was cooling her quickly and she knew she'd be freezing in no time. Well, except for the parts of her that was covered by the exhausted wizard. That would be quite a bit warmer.

She sighed and closed her eyes, contenting herself with a nap. Her eyes snapped open when she suddenly remembered Purdy. Oops. How had she forgotten her darling owl? She waved her wand at the window on the far wall, opening it, then laid the piece of wood on the bedside table and snuggled against Severus. Yes, a short kip would be nice before he woke and realised just how much of himself he had exposed to his former pupil.

Because then all hell was going to break loose.

Minerva McGonagall & Kingsley Shackalbolt

She woke up just before dusk. Looking around the room, Hermione found Prudence perched on the back of the chair that sat at the writing desk under the opened window. Severus must have gotten warm; he had rolled away and he was facing the other direction, his back touching her side.

Standing, she stretched then grabbed his shirt and motioned for her owl to follow her out of the room. Of course, being a smart little thing, Purdy quietly flew from the chair to Hermione's shoulder. Once in the hallway, the bird took off through the house and the witch stopped off in the bathroom.

Hermione quickly used the facilities and cleaned up before heading back out into the hall. Her stomach growled as she passed through the sitting room. Food, she thought. He must have something to nibble on around here. And indeed he did. She found cheese, crusty bread and a plethora of fruit. After making a plate (and a pot of tea), she went back to the sitting room, Prudence following in her wake.

The pair were just finishing up their little feast when the knock came, scaring them both. Prudy screeched; Hermione squeaked and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, Severus was standing in the doorway of the sitting room.

"Of course! I should have known!" he growled before surging forward towards the small foyer.

Hermione followed, curious about what it was he 'knew'. That's when she noticed that he was only wearing his jeans and nothing else. Yum!

He jerked the door opened with almost a feral look of anger in his eyes. "Come to collect your fixer, then?" he said to the confused looking witch and wizard on his doorstep.

"Severus!" Minerva said, averting her eyes (but not until after getting an eyeful, Hermione noted). "Why, in the name of all things magical, are you answering your door half naked?!"

Hermione was still standing back and to the side; the Headmistress had yet to notice her.

"Because I just finished debauching Miss Granger, of course. As if you didn't know!" Severus said with a sneer.

"What are you talking about, Severus?" Kingsley asked.

"With all due respect, Minister, sod off!" the angry wizard said before turning and storming into the sitting room. He stopped halfway between Hermione and the front door, hands on his hips as he fumed.

The pair followed, shutting the door behind them, and finally saw Hermione.

"Hello," she said with a little wave of her hand, suddenly remembering her state of dress. "Nice to see you two." She tried to ignore the heat in her cheeks as she smiled at the pair.

"Her-mi-o-ne…" Minerva said, her wide eyes taking in the younger witch toe to head. "Ah, are we… interrupting?"

Kingsley smiled rakishly and said, "Clearly we are, Minnie," with a chuckle.

She'd been distracted with her mentor and the Minister for BLOODY Magic and had failed to notice that Severus had turned around during their greeting. "Are you fucking kidding me?" He moved to stand next to the scantily clad witch. "You actually expect me to believe that you knew nothing about this?"

Minerva drew up, her lips thinning, as she glared disapprovingly at her former co-worker. Her laugh, however, betrayed her. "You think that we are aware of all of your… doings, Severus?" She turned to Kingsley, then smacked him on the shoulder. "Stop gawking at Miss Granger's legs, Minister!"

Despite his anger, Severus stepped in front of Hermione, shielding her from Kingsley's wandering eyes. "No, Minerva, I think that you sent her!" he said, folding his arms over his chest.

"Hey!" she tried to interject, but was thwarted by the recent arrivals…

"We did no such thing!" Minerva protested.

"... didn't even know she was here!" Kingsley argued.

Severus held up his hand, but it didn't work, both Minerva and Kingsley continued to proclaim their innocence, which was, of course, true. Hermione hadn't told them of her plan. Like she could tell her prim former Head of House that she was going to seduce Severus' shields back into place. Sure! That would happen right after she told Molly Weasley that her brisket was a bit on the dry side (and always too salty)!

"I don't want to hear it!" Severus shouted, bringing an end to the bickering. He turned to Hermione. "I almost trusted you, you know." His tone was softer, almost… hurt.

"They didn't know," she said, reaching for him, but he stepped away. "You're…" She drew a deep breath. "You are this angry because they just showed up?" Even for him, this didn't make a lot of sense.

"The timing is a little suspect, Miss Granger, don't you think?"

"Severus, you have to believe me…"

"Prove it," he demanded.

"How?" Hermione asked. "How can I possibly prove this to you?" It suddenly occurred to her that this was about far more than the appearance of their friends. This was about… everything. He had been so vulnerable, so open to her for hours and hours. His shields are definitely up now… More like walls!

At that moment Prudy hopped from the sofa to the comfy chair then onto Severus' shoulder. "Ouch! Damnit!" He wasn't wearing a shirt and her little claws must have hurt like the devil. Gently, so much gentler than she would have imagined in the circumstances, he reached up and nudged the bird onto his hand. "What's your problem?" he growled in the owl's direction.

Prudy hooted, cocking her head first to one side then the other.

"I'm not giving you a damn biscuit right now, Prudy!" he said, then looked at Hermione. "Why is she here?"

"I told her to come…" She looked down, feeling absolutely ridiculous now that she was standing - in Severus' shirt, no less - in front of the Headmistress of Hogwarts, the Minister for Magic and an angry Severus Snape.

"Why?"

"Because…" Her voice failed. She couldn't - wouldn't. Shaking her head, she turned and, as ladylike as she possibly could, grabbed her dress and cardigan. "This was a mistake. I'm sorry. Just let me change and I'll leave. Prudy and I… we'll leave." Then she dashed into the bathroom.

o0o0o0o0o

When he had woken up and realised that he had spilled not only his seed but actual tears at the moment of his sexual release, he'd been devastated, humiliated. After a few minutes of self-recrimination, he'd gotten up to face the consequences of his actions - some Slytherin he'd turned out to be - only to find the meddling duo at his doorstep. Of course they'd set it all up. Why else would a beautiful young witch so willingly throw herself at him in such a manner?

But she did seem sincere when she had begged him to believe her… didn't she?

Severus watch the witch's retreat with a sinking heart. Was she telling the truth? Impossible! This was all some sort of… of set up by his so-called friends! It was just the sort of thing they'd do. They had stopped him every chance they got. Checking on his brewing. Sending Aurors to follow him. They were the cause of his continued existence. All he wanted was to… to… He should be dead, damnit!

That's what he wanted, wasn't it?

Not according to his fucking Boggart.

Why had Miss Granger - Hermione, you called her Hermione while you were making love to her - why had the witch made him look at himself so closely? Why had she…?

"Severus?" Kingsley said.

He didn't turn to face the other wizard. "What?"

"It wasn't us, mate. We didn't know - don't know why Hermione's here." There was a pause. "How long?"

"What?" Severus asked again.

"You had her owl a while back when you sent me that nasty letter. Has this been going on…?"

"Nothing's going on, I assure you," Severus said, his eyes still fixed on the point where she had disappeared from view.

"It doesn't appear as if it's… nothing," Minerva said. "I told you once, my boy, that woman cares for you. And you left her all of your books. I have tried to figure that out more often than I care to admit." He felt her hand on his shoulder. "Severus, why did you will Hermione your library?"

He knew, of course, he'd always known. His lie to the girl had been a convincing one, or so he thought, but it was a lie nevertheless. "Because… Because I care about them, my books. She… I knew she'd take care of them. She's… she is a good person. Kind. Generous. Caring."

"That she is," Minerva said, with a squeeze, she let go of his shoulder. "And would a good person lie to you about something so important?"

"She would not," he heard himself saying and felt his body moving toward the hallway. "See yourselves out, please."

He barely registered the front door closing as he had started the process of raising his shields. It wasn't necessary at the moment, but it was reassuring. His focus point, if nothing else brought him comfort. As the witch was taking her time, he took a moment to bask in the serenity his mind had provided. It was, oddly enough, the back garden of his cottage. Though it didn't resemble the garden as it currently looked. No, it was in full bloom, covered in plants both magical and Muggle. His point of view was from the small porch and he could see a curly headed witch tending to the plants. She rose, shaded her eyes from the bright sunlight and waved, a brilliant smile on her lips.

Serenity indeed, he thought as he released them and returned his focus to the matter at hand. Standing in front of the bathroom, he waited. Maybe a minute later the door opened.

"You're a good person," he said in place of a greeting, startling her.

"Oh, um… thank you?" She had clearly been crying: her eyes were bloodshot and her nose red. He wondered if that was why she had lingered. Was she waiting until the tears had stopped?

"You would not lie to me, would you?"

She shook her head.

"Why is Prudy here, Hermione?"

"Well, ah..." Her head dropped, her eyes falling on the rug beneath them.

Severus put his finger under her chin, pulling her face up. When their eyes met once again he said, "Please."

She huffed, an endearing little sound before speaking. "Fine. I had… hoped that we'd be staying - I'd be staying and I didn't want her to be alone… at my flat. She can hunt, of course, but she does better with me."

He stepped forward, moving his hand to cup her cheek. "It seems, perhaps, that she and I have something in common."

Hermione smiled, but there was a question in her eyes. "Have what in common?"

"I do better with you as well," he explained.

"Oh…"

"Will you stay, Hermione? You and Prudence? I understand that you have an extended holiday and I'm sure we can find many pleasurable things to fill up three weeks of your time," he said, moving slowly towards her. Once he had her backed up against the closed door, he lowered his head, kissing the obvious love bite on her neck. "It is summer, you know. The castle is devoid of students. Perhaps we could revisit that 'caught out after curfew' idea you had earlier…"

The witch's breathy laughter sounded like a resounding 'yes' to Severus.

As I said, one more to go! Hope you liked this smut-filled chapter. Please let me know. Thanks so much for reading. ~Lil~