You Know What They Say about Necessity...

"Surrender" is by Elvis Presley.

Disclaimer: ItKR'sKR's. All of it.


Chapter Fourteen: Surrender


Severus wheeled himself within a few feet of Harry as Harry sat in the living room watching American baseball on the telly. “Well, Mister Potter?”

Harry smirked as the batter for the Red Sox struck out. That man wouldn’t last five minutes in a Quiddich game. Muggle sports seemed so simple in comparison. It took him a few seconds to register that Snape had spoken to him. “Sir?”

“When are you going to prepare dinner?” Snape asked.

“What happened to your being afraid of me putting poison in your food, or me being an inadequate cook?” Harry couldn’t resist asking.

Snape shrugged. “You haven’t killedyet,yet, either through poison or atrocious cooking. And contrary to the comment you voiced a few days ago, I do have to eat food, just like other human beings.”

Despite himself, Harry smiled. “Well, as touching as your words are, sir, I won’t be cooking dinner tonight.”

Snape cocked an eyebrow. Harry felt his smile become a grin.

“Remus will.”

Snape grimaced. “to wto what do I owe the… pleasure of Lupin coming to cook?”

“I’m going out for dinner,” Harry replied.

“With Miss Granger?” Snape asked, dreading the answer. Though he didn’t exactly hate Lupin, neither did he consider him a friend.

“No, Mione will be here as well,” Harry answered. “You won’t be left alone with the big, bad werewolf.”

Snape gave him a brief glare and wheeled away.

“He’ll be here in about an hour,” Harry called.

“Lovely,” was S’s m’s muttered reply. “Just enough time for me to get some sleep to fortify me against what I’m sure will be an enchanting evening.”

“Professor, do you need some—” Harry called.

“More than you can possibly provide, Potter,” was Snape’s response as he headed for his bedroom.

His arm muscles protested from all the abuse he’d heaped upon them over the day. He knew he should have let Potter take him in, but the knowledge that Lupin was arriving to replace Potter for nig night had set him on edge. One was not necessarily better than the other. Lupin had been a Marauder, after all. But he wasn’t Potter’s son. He groaned as he settled into bed with a massive effort. That was the biggest problem with disliking almost everyone, Severus realized. It became harder to prioritize one’s aversions. Well, at least Hermione was not leaving, too.

When she’s asked him to recount the incident with Lucius, he’dn con completely honest in what he described. What he had deliberately not mentioned was how Voldemort had seen into her mind to confirm what he’d witnessed as he had arrived. Severus knew Hermione well enough to know she would immediately feel terribly guilty over the event, though the guilt would be entirely unmerited. She had no innate skill for Occlumency, and even if she did, one one with training of the inherent gift would have been powerful enough to fool Voldemort. Precious little had ever escaped Voldemort, and there was little escape for those who ever tried—and failed in—deceiving him.

Severus shivered, despite the warmth of the room. Lucius had not exaggerated when he’d praised Severus’ power in the art. Many a time at a revel it had been the only thing that had saved him while others had suffered. He continued to practice it even now, because… well, because. It was not something he wanted to be without. And were it not for Lucius, he could be doing so right now; clearing his thoughts of all the clutter that seemed to have collected into neat piles in his mind. Severus was in the middle of considering the possibility that he now detested Lucius Malfoy even more than Harry Potter when he fell asleep.

“Severus?”

The voice was soft. He opened his eyes to see Hermione sitting on the edge of his bed. He blinked blearily at her. “Hermione?”

She didn’t answer, only gave him a sultry smile. He stared at her, perplexed.

“What is it?”

“I know why you got so hateful,” she whispered. “You’re jealous.”

“What?” Severus exclaimed. He was about to laugh and tell her she had lost her mind when she suddenly moved closer to him. Much closer.

“You’ve no need to be jealous, Severus,” she whispered. She began unbuttoning her blouse. His eyes followed her fingers until she had pe the the garment away, revealing a lacy purple bra and some rather impressive attributes enclosed within it. “You’re the one I want.”

His mouth went dry. She stood up and in five seconds had removed her jeans to reveal a tiny pair of silky purple knickers. She all but crawled her way up him, straddling him carefully so as not to hurt his legs. When she stopped her face was only a few inches away from his. “You want meo, do, don’t you?”

“Hermione…” he gulped as her hands went to but buttons of his crisp white linen shirt. “I don’t think…”
he trailed off, vocal cords choosing that moment to betray him and keep him from protesting.

“Good,” she murmured. “Don’t think. Just relax and enjoy it. You know you want to.” She’d unbuttoned his shirt and was doing the same to his trousers.

He tried again to speak, to move, anything: but he was as helpless as a newborn. He felt her gentle, strong hand wrap around his member and stroke with a firm surety. His voice returned, but now all he could do was groan. She chuckled. He writhed beneath her, realizing that at any moment he was going to lose control of himself and explode…

“AH!” Severus cried out. He shot up in the bed.

He was quite alone.

He blinked in the pale light. A dream. It had all been a dream. But Gods, what a dream…

He listened to see if Hermione or Potter had heard him, but apparently he’d not been as loud as he’d thought. Neither of them came rushing to his door. Which left him with his relief, confusion… and a throbbing erection.

He groaned. What in the nine levels of Hell had brought that dream on? Certainly he rather enjoyed her company, but the idea that he wanted her to seduce him was utterly insane. The age difference aside, because that wasn’t really an issue, she was a Gryffindor. Not just a Gryffindor. She was part of the Golden Trio. She was, for Nimue’s sake, best friends with Potter. Potter, who was the bane of his existence. What possible attraction could he have for such ason?son?

None of these rationalizations, however, made his erection subside. He glanced at the clock. Another twenty minutes before Lupin was due. He could try meditating. Or a quick cold shower. But that would entail getting Potter. Or he could…

No. It was absurd. And yet… she was attractive. It was only fantasy, and it had been a while since he’d indd ind in any self-gratification. No one would know but him. There was no harm, was there?

It didn’t take him long to convinceselfself, and he deftly unfastened his trousers. The enchantment Albus had put on his clothes to transfigure them didn’t take effect unless it was at least 9 pm when he laid down, for which Severus was glad. He didn’t want to be in a nightshirt every time he took a kip, for goodness sake. That would not be dignified. Not that what he was about to do was a dignified thing to begin with.

His right hand closed around his erection, which was just as hard as when he’d awakened. He settled back into the pillows and closed his eyes, his mind searching for the point where the dream had left off…

Wait.

He opened his eyes, cursing himself for his lack of forethought. He reached over and grabbed several tissues. No handkerchief, not with him being unable to cast a cleansing charm. He wasn’t about to have to explain this to Potter. He quickly lay back down and shut his eyes again, once more recalling the images…

Hermione released his hardness and sat up, fingering the straps of her bra. “Would you like me to take this off, Severus?” she asked coyly.

“Oh, yes, my dear,” he smirked. “I certainly would.”

She smiled, slowly pulling down one strap, and then the other. Her fingers brushed against her smooth skin. Then she reached behind her and undid the clasp. She teasingly pulled it away and tossed it on the floor, revealing a gentle swell of red fed flesh to his greedy eyes. Her rosy nipples were hard and stood up against her fingers as she caressed herself.

“Come here,” he ordered huskily as he sat up against the headboard.

She needed no urging: she slid up to him, kneeling with legs spread wide, resting her hands on the wall behind them so that her breasts were quite literally in his face. He returned her smile as he cupped them in his palms, gently pressing them together before slipping a nipple into his mouth.

She cried out softly and arched against him, shaking as he moved to the other breast, then she grabbed his face and kissed him. Her taste was like nutmeg and blackberries, and he responded eagerly to her mouth. When she pulled back he made to grab her breasts again, but she laughed and smacked his hands. Then she moved back down the bed to his aching cock and took him into her mouth.

“Yes,” he hissed. Her mouth was tight and wet and made him want other parts of her, but he was in ecstasy from what she was doing to him. She wasn’t exactly skilled, but her enthusiasm more than made up for that as she licked her way around his length and then brought him back into her mouth. She began to suck on him, tentatively at first, just taking in an inch or two while his hips writhed beneath her. She used her forearms to press him down into the bed, and he nearly cried out when she slowly took all om inm in.

She didn’t rush, and he fought off the urge to thrust. She slid him back out and wrapped one hand around him, and began to stroke with both her hand and mouth, gradually increasing her speed as he gasped encouragement. He felt the hot little fingers of her other hand slip to his sac and fondle his testicles.

“Gods, Hermione…” he groaned.

She continued her sweet torment. His body was a prisoner of her hands and mouth, and he had no desire to escape. He was on fire; all rational thought had fled and all that was left was for him to…

Severus arched his back and moaned quietly as the warm musky fluid spurted from him into the tissues. He shuddered with the release, they sty still for a moment while he collected himself. He carefully cleaned himself off, disposing of the tissues in the wastebasket near the bed, and adjusted his clothes as his erratic heartbeat subsided. When he was sure he was composed again, he called loudly for Potter.

To his chagrin, however, it was Hermione who opened his door. “Yes, professor? Can I help you?”

“Where is Potter?” he croaked, disconcerted at seeing the object of his fantasy smiling at him.

“Talking to s. As. Are you ready to come back out?” Hermione asked. She had gotten over her irritation with him as he slept. After all, he was not his usual self. Not that he was very pleasant when he was, by any means. But she wasn’t going to hold his behavior against him. He’d had a rough time today what with all those exercises and the prodding and poking by the therapist. He did have a tendency to snap at people when aggted.ted. It wasn’t right, of course. But this wasn’t the time to tell him so.

He nodded. She moved over to assist him, wondering why he seemed nervous around her. Surely she was mistaken. She’d never known Severus to be a nervous person. But for some reason he didn’t seem to want to meet her eyes.

“Severus? Is something wrong?”

He shook his head. “No, Hermione. I’m fine.” He forced himself to look at her before she got suspicious. “I am merely wondering what a werewolf cooks for dinner,” he said as a means of distracting her.

She laughed. “Well, our werewolf is apparently fixing some Beef Wellington and a nice salad.”

“Our werewolf, Hermione? I didn’t realize we owned Lupin,” Severus purred.

“You know what I meant,” she came back with a grin. “Come on, I want to say bye to Harry.”

“If you insist,” he sighed.

“You are so difficult,” she told him as she wheeled him down the hall.

“And this is something new to you?” he smirked.

“No,” she said. “I just like to tease you.”

“Is that so?” he murmured, and she felt blood rush to her face from the husky tone of his voice. How could one simple shift in his inflection wreck so much havoc?

Severus was nothing if not observant. He saw her flush and wondered at it. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear it was from…

“Hermione!”

Hermione beamed at Remus as she and Severus entered the living room. “Hi, Remus!”

He smiled. He looked so much better since the war had ended. He’d gained some weight and lost the gauntness he’d had. With the Order’s help, backed by the Ministry (amazing what being a war hero could do) he’d even found a decent job he enjoyed. He was part of a team working on developing hybrid charms in the Ministry’s R&D division. And, of course, the biggest reason for his new lease on life: he had recently gotten engaged to Tonks.

“Hi yourself, sweetie,” he grinned, giving her a big hug. He inclined his head at Severus. “Severus,” he said, his tone pleasant.

Severus returned the gesture. “Lupin. I understand that you have finally convinced Miss Tonks that she cannot live without you?”

Remus laughed. “Well, let’s just say I didn’t let up until she agreed.”

“The usual Gryffindor approach,” Severus said. “Winning through stubbornness.”

“Hey, if it works,” Harry said as he entered the living room. He was dressed up and carrying a small black box in one hand.

“What’s that?” Hermione asked, indicating the box.

“Earrings for Ginny,” Harry replied as he opened it. “Silver with moonstones.”

Remus shook his head. “A Gryffindor who likes silver better than gold.”

“I find that refreshing,” Severus said.

“You would,” Remus snorted. “I’m off to do dinner.” He headed for the kitchen.

Hermionggedgged Harry. “You looeat.eat. She’ll love the earrings, too.”

“Thanks,” he said. “It wasn’t an easy job transfiguring them. I got soapstone the first few tries.”

Hermione laughed. “Go on, and have a great time. Tell her I said hi and I’ll see her tomorrow.”

“Will do,” Harry answered. He nodded at Severus. “Have a good evening, professor.”

“Likewise, Potter,” Severus drawled. “Give my regards to Miss Weasley.”

Hermione turned to look at him after Harry left. “Did yout sat say something nice? To Harry? Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Let’s just say that I am in an… amendable mood,” Severus replied.

“Well, I’d love to know what brought that on,” she said.

He smiled mysteriously, but didn’t comment.