The Bond

CHAPTER TEN


When Hermione exited the bathroom the next morning, it was to find Severus, already dressed and ready for the day, standing at the foot of their bed and staring at the pile of shopping bags sitting on the bench.
“What are you staring at Severus?” She asked as she pulled a set of crimson and gold robes from her closet.
“I thought you said you didn’t do much damage?” He said, eyeing the multicolored bags.
“I didn’t, and its not like you’d notice, you really have more money than you need, you should consider donating some.” She told him as she tucked her wand into her robes.
“I donate plenty. It’s a good thing I’m well off by the looks of it.” He picked up a glossy black bag with the name Witch’s Boudoir scrawled across the side in bright pink letters. “What is this?” He asked, pushing through the bright pink, scented tissue paper to see what treasure lay buried beneath all the fluff.
“It’s for you.” Hermione said, smiling as she tied the laces on her boots.
“I doubt anything for me would be packaged in…..pink.” He said as he continued to dig through the brightly colored tissue. Finally, he reached into the bottom of the bag and slowly withdrew the prize within. A long, satin sheathe of silvery green emerged. Thin straps at the shoulders, black lace edged the bodice as well as the long, side split that would show a good bit of leg. He stared at it, confused at first. “I don’t think it will fit me.” He said rather drolly. Hermione had to laugh; it wasn’t often that Severus made a joke.
“Not for you to wear.” She sauntered slowly to where he stood. “For me to wear, and for you admire.” She said softly, taking the gown from his hand and laying it across the foot of their bed.

His eyes followed her, dark and swimming with passion, the little witch was teasing him. He liked it.
“Are the rest of these for me too?” He asked, gesturing towards the remaining bags.
“Most of them.” She said with a smile.
“Bloody hell woman, if that’s the sort of thing you buy, then feel free to bankrupt me.” He muttered, his gaze shifting hungrily between her and the gown. She smiled a smile that unsettled him somewhat, as it almost looked as though his wife were attempting a seduction. She stepped close, pressing her breasts into his chest and reaching up on her toes. She slid her hands over his chest, resting them on his shoulders.
“No need, I bought plenty for now, besides, I don’t figure they will stay on long.” She pressed her lips to his. She squealed when his arms locked around her tight and she was lifted from the floor. His lips claimed hers in a rough, passionate taking that left her breathless, and staring at him in shock when he broke the kiss and simply held her there, suspended in his arms.
“You should learn that it’s not polite to taunt a wizard, sweet.” He said in a soft, husky whisper. “It’s not nice to tease.”
“I wasn’t teasing.” She replied, tangling her fingers in his hair and holding his head still as she assaulted his lips with hers. “Now, let me down Severus, I have to get to class.” She said smiling. She could feel his aroused flesh pressed into her belly, knew that she was exciting him and reveled in the power of it.
“That was just mean Hermione.” He said, and she burst into fits of laughter as he attempted to simulate a pout.
“Oh, Severus. Please darling, stick to brooding, pouting just doesn’t become you.” She smoothed down the silky strands of his hair from where she had mussed it.
“Very well.” He sighed. “Good thing I wear roomy robes.” He muttered. “Where are you assigned today, so I will be able to collect you for lunch?” He continued to hold her loosely in the circle of his arms, though he had set her on her feet.
“Oh, actually I’m assigned to DADA this week with Lucius.” She saw at once the look of possession that crossed his face. His eyes drifted to the side of her neck and before she could say another word, he had dipped his head and pulled her skin between his lips, sucking hard and pressing his teeth into the tender flesh.
“Severus!” She shoved him away, noting the smirk on his face when he looked at her. She hurried over to the mirror and looked at the mark he had left. “Why do you insist on marking me?” She asked. This was the second time he had done so in less than a month.
“Now every time Lucius looks at you, he will see my mark on your neck and remember to whom it is you belong.” She touched the purple mark and frowned.
“It’s barbaric Severus, and its not only Lucius who notices you know, Dumbledore smiles at me in a most unsettling way, Hagrid turns beet red, and the students all stare and snicker.”
“Good, then everyone knows that you are mine.” He said, crossing his arms over his chest and smirking down at her.
“You know, if you weren’t so cute, I’d probably hex you.” She said, shaking her head.
“Cute? I am certainly not CUTE. Scary…intimidating……brooding, yes, Cute? Absolutely not!” He looked genuinely appalled.
“Okay, you’re not cute, dark and dangerously handsome, how’s that?” She asked laughing.
“Fine, I can live with that.”

He reached for her hand and escorted her from their apartments and to the doorway of Lucius’s class. He kissed her gently, and handed her a vial of the elixir. It was sweet really, if one could overlook the fact that as soon as their lips parted he stood to his full, intimidating height, and glowered at three fifth year Gryffindor who were gawking at them.
“Do you think that if you stare long enough I might do a trick?” He snarled, sending the terrified students fleeing into the classroom. “I will see you at lunch dear.” He said before looking up at Lucius who was making his way into the classroom. “And do keep your hands off of my wife today Lucius.” He turned on his heel and stalked away, his voluminous black robes billowing behind him.
“Well isn’t he charming this morning.” Lucius drawled, leaning down to kiss Hermione on the cheek. He looked down at the mark on her neck and smiled. “Marking his territory I see.”
“I don’t know what to think about that man sometimes.” She said with a shake of her head.
“Oh, he’s not so bad, I think you’re good for him Hermione. He needed someone to shake his quiet little world up a bit, he’s been alone too much these many years.”
“I hope so.” She sighed as he disappeared around the corner, she really did miss him when they were apart, and it had nothing to do with the bond.




“No, Hermione, give me back the jacket.” Severus demanded of his wife who was currently holding his jacket hostage.
“Yes, Severus, we aren’t going to socialize with Lucius now are we? There is no need for you to be constantly buttoned into a suit; we need to start expanding your wardrobe.” She put the jacket, which covered him from knee to neck and contained at least twenty buttons, back onto a hanger and into the closet.
“Now, wear the green shirt.” She indicated the dark green button down shirt she had bought him on her shopping trip with Ginny that was now lying on the bed.
He was standing there in his slacks, shoes and socks, completely shirtless. He was acting like a child who didn’t want to get dressed for church. She had never seen Severus in anything other than his stuffy black suits, and once, in his Death Eater Garb years ago. She longed to see how he looked in rich, vibrant colors.
“You could go topless.” She said with a shrug. “It’s either the green shirt, or nothing Severus, because short of stunning me, you are not getting into this closet.” She crossed her arms in a perfect imitation of his own stubborn stance.
“I could always transfigure….” He began, reaching for his wand.
“Do it and you will never see me in the green nightie.” She said low, her eyes narrowing as she glared at him.

She watched, barely holding back her smile, as he capitulated and reached for the shirt.
“I don’t see why I can’t just wear my suit, I like my suits.” He muttered.
“Suits are fine for teaching Severus, but when we are socializing, it would be nice to see you out of them.”
“You can see me out of them any time you want my dear, simply say the word.” He said with a smile that could only be described as rather sardonic.
“You have a one track mind Severus.” She said, stepping up to him so she could button his shirt and straighten his collar. He was perfectly capable of doing it alone; he did after all have a muggle father. But he did love it when she fussed over him; no one had ever done that for him before.
“Me? That’s sort of like the cauldron calling the kettle black isn’t it, given that you are making me go and watch Lucius give a little performance just for you?”
“He’s not doing it just for me, I think he likes being watched.” She smiled. “He certainly has a flair for the dramatic.”
‘You have a point there, but I think it has more to do with you than anything else. I think he fancies you.” Severus was frowning when he thought about it.
“Hardly. He wouldn’t sully his bloodline with the likes of me. “ She said, smoothing the Egyptian cotton fabric over his shoulders.
“No, Lucius adores you, I can see it on his face when he looks at you.” Severus said.
“Maybe, but its not sexual. I don’t see it, but it would be nice to be adored.”
“Hermione?” He nudged her chin, lifting her face to look at him. “I adore you.” He said softly. She felt as though an entire army of butterflies were fluttering in her stomach.
“You shouldn’t say things like that Severus.” She said softly, her eyes closing.
“And why not?” He asked, sliding his hand along her shoulder to cup the back of her neck.
“Because when you do, I come undone.” He kissed her then. Their lips molded and formed to each other. These kisses between them, without the drive of the bond behind them, were overwhelming. His lips, so severe most of the time, were so soft, so warm and giving when he kissed her. His taste was indefinable, a mixture of the smooth, spicy brandy he favored, and the sweet silky chocolate he couldn’t resist. So much about him, was unexpected.
“Those are dangerous words to say to me Hermione.” Severus could hear his own voice, rough and broken by his ragged breathing.
“Severus, I think….” A soft buzzing hum filled the room.
“The portkey, it’s active. “ He said, reaching for the beribboned key on the dresser. He kept his arms around her. “Hold on.” He whispered. She wrapped her arms tighter and buried her face in his neck, she hated traveling by portkey. With a quick jerk, they were pulled up and into a small vortex in the ceiling of their room.

****Wine in hand, kids with grandma, nothing but me, my MP3 player.....and plenty of movies of Alan Rickman to get me motivated.....we are on our way to some smut LOL!!!!