A Delicate Obsession

Chapter 14 – The Little Library

It all belongs to Rowling, except what you don’t recognize.


“Dobby, there you are!” Hermione gave her best smile. She had finally found him just as she was ready to leave the kitchens.

“Miss Hermione Granger! What a pleasure! Do you has more S.P.E.W. literature for Dobby to hand out?”

Hermione blushed. “No, no I don’t. Oh, dear Dobby, are those my knickers on your head?”

“Why, yes they are! Dobby been meaning to thank you.”

“Well, Dobby. I don’t think the color suits you.”

“You don’t?” Dobby’s ears flopped down.

“How about this?” Hermione handed him a chartreuse vest covered with purple embroidered stars, moons and suns. “I made it especially for you, Dobby.”

“You did?” Dobby’s ears ng bng back up.

“But I need the knickers back!”

“Ooh no! NOT Miss Hermione Granger’s knickers. They do smell so nice. I couldn’t possibly.” His ears quivered.

Hermione blanched and decided on plan B. “Dobby, what if I gave you the pair I have on right now?”

Dobby’s eyes became the size of saucers. “Oh now that would be a fair trade!”

Hermione noted a tiny bit of spittle had escaped the corner of the elf’s mouth. A shiver went down her spine. “Turn around then.” When Dobby had complied, Hermione slipped her blue and white flowered knickers off. “Here you go, but I’ve got to ask a favor.”

Dobby practically grabbed the still warm knickers from her hands and embraced the undergarment to his scrawny chest. “What would that be?” he said, removing the pink lacy pair from his head.

“If anyone asks you where you got them, say they belong to Pansy Parkinson!”

&&&

Albus Dumbledore entered the Leaky Cauldron. He was disguised as a young man. He had his natural brown hair back again and was wearing dark glasses to hide his sparkling blue eyes. He also wore a glamour to make him appear clean shaven with short hair. He hoped that the youth potion would be enough to throw off any potential witnesses to his meeting with the spy.

He sat in the booth and ordered a red current rum. He waited. The spy came in and sat down opposite him.

“I think I threw them off, but I can’t stay long.” He spoke quickly and in a whisper. “The siege will begin around the Yuletide. They figure students will be gone and it will be easier to take Hogwarts without the extra support. They plan to use hostages from Hogsmeade to draw you and Harry out.” He handed over a large scroll. “Here’s a list of curses, and some counter curses, they plan on using.” The spy stood up. Dumbledore pocketed the scroll. Without another word, the spy left.

The meeting had lasted all of two minutes. Dumbledore left his rum. He didn’t get out much and the youth potion would last another hour or so. He was faced with a hard decision. Enjoy the delights of the women of Knockturn Court or a Sundae at Fortescue’s. Although his rejuvenated body was screaming out for the women, Dumbledore’s sweet tooth, yet again, won out. A Sundae it would be!

&&&

Snape waited nervously at the teahouse for his beloved. He sat and attempted to drink a cup of tea. He then got up and paced. Suddenly, she was there at the door. Snape felt la gia giant invisible hand had grabbed his heart and squeezed. Laura, his Laura. She seemed scared. And then she mastered herself and smiled.

“I’ve missed you, terribly.” She said. Snape swept over to her and enfolded her in his arms. He didn’t kiss her right away. He felt strangely protective of her and suddenly, a bit shy. He kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him and pulled him down to her lips for a deep, long kiss. When Snape eventually pulled away, he realized that they were both trembling. He turned and walked away trying to pull himself together.

“Is there anything wrong?” Hermione stepped over to him.

“No, no I…” Snape exhaled deeply and turned back to her. “Where are we heading with all this?” he harshly demanded, his black eyes blazing. He hadn’t meant to confront her so soon, wanted to protect her from his darker instincts, but the anxiety was too much.

Hermione looked like he had just struck her. “I’m leaving.” She’d been afraid this might happen after her running off last time; that there would be a reckoning for her secrecy. She headed for the door.

“NO! Stop right there. Aren’t I allowed a simple question without you running away?” His voice had lost all its silk and smoothness. He felt barely under control of himself. He grabbed her arms. “Why did you use the quill-rite? What are you hiding?”

Hermione had to think quickly. She didn’t want to lie, however…what choice did she have? She laughed, “Oh, is that what this is about? I’m ashamed of my chicken-scratch handwriting that’s all. Why? Oh no!” Her eyes went wide with disbelief. “Did you think I was one of your students?”

“Or ex-ones.” He slightly wilted under her scrutiny. He did feel slightly ridiculous now that he had said it out loud.

“Well, I suppose that’s a occupational hazard, right? Having students fall in love with you.” Hermione smiled innocently.

Snape laughed. It was a harsh, raw sound tinged with bitterness. “Obviously, you have never been one of my students.” He felt much better having rid his mind of that suspicion.

“Oh?” Hermione said politely. Inwardly, she sighed knowing that the inevitable had, once again, been put off.

“Would you like to visit that cottage you saw near the beach?” he asked in spite of his chagrin.

Hermione’s eyes lit up. “Yes. I’d love to.”

He held her in his arms and they Apparated to the sand dune just beyond the cottage gates. They walked to the front door arm in arm. Before he could open it, the door swung open and a house elf stuck his head out.

“Ah, young Master Snape, Jinx have just been finishing cleaning up. And there is tea and food for you should young Master wish it.” The elf walked through to the living room and gestured at the table actually sete foe for high tea than an afternoon one. “So, if there be nothing else, Jinx will depart as young Master wishes.”

Snape sneered and nodded. He sighed as the elf disappeared. Jinx had known his wis whole life and he still felt like a three year old whenever the elf was around.

Snape turned to Hermione and looked to see what she thought of the place. Hermione wasn’t there. Snape himself had been rather impressed with the house elf’s cleaning skill. The place looked quite presentable after several years of neglect. There was a fire roaring in the fireplace and the furniture, dilapidated to begin with, had been restored to a near new quality. It was a small cottage, consisting of only a kitchen/dining area and living room on the ground floor with a bath and bedroom on the top. Its charm was that every wall was lined with bookcases from ceiling to floor. In fact, the cottage was called “The Little Library” and it was used almost exclusively for whenever someone wanted to get away from the world with a good book. Snape heard a noise overhead.

Curiosity had brought Hermione up the small rickety stairs and into a tiny hallway. On one side of the hall was a cramped bathroom with an old-fashioned sink, tub and toilet. On the other side was a slightly bigger room, containing a brass bed, dresser and bedside table. The bed was covered by an emerald chenille bedspread and there were white lace curtains in the two dormer windows. The bed was newly made with crisp, clean-smelling sheets. Suddenly Hermione had the urge to see exactly how crisp these sheets were. She stripped off her clothes, leaving just her knickers and bra, and scooted between the sheets. They were cool and soft in spite of their crispness. They smelled faintly of lavender. She heard Snape’s voice calling to her from downstairs.

“I’m up here.” She stretched out and sighed. She saw him in the doorway; he’d had to bend a little to not hit his head on the lintel. She was amused by his shock that she was already undressed and in bed. “It’s perfect. I love it here.”

“I’m so glad. Did you even look at the downstairs?” he tried hard not to smile.

“No, should I?” she purred.

Snape took off his shoes and socks and got on the bed next to her. He looked at her and gave into the smile. “No, I guess not.” He took her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers very gently. He felt tender again towards her, now that he was no longer feeling angry or suspicious. And he didn’t want to rush this, especially not with her traumatic trip to St. Mungos. He nuzzled her neck and was rewarded by her moans.

Hermione was so ready. She’d thought of nothing but him, his lips, his hair, and how much she wanted to touch him all morning. And finally she had him here. She stroked his hair and his back as he made her melt under his caresses. Her breath came in gasps and she pulled away to look at him. “I love you, but I need you, right now. Please?”

She watched as his face darkened with passion. But then he stopped and reaching into a pocket in his robe, he pulled out a tiny vial. “Drink this first, the protection should last about six months.”

While she uncapped and drank down the contraceptive potion, he quickly unbuttoned the top of his robes and shirt and slipped them up and over his head. He pulled his boxers down over his long, lean hips. And he got next to her between the sheets. “Better?” He took her in his arms.

“Much” and she kissed him deeply and completely. Flicking her tongue into his mouth, her spirits soared. She loved the sensation of his naked body rubbing against hers. She felt him reach behind her and remove her bra and then he slipped off her knickers. His rigid cock was pressed up against her stomach. She unwrapped one of her hands from his hair to put it down between them and to stroke him. She shivered and lay on her back pulling him with her. He took the hint and placed himself between her legs. She felt his fingers first against her clit and then searching lower to find her entrance.

She gasped when she felt the head of his cock inside of her. They were both aware that her first attempt at vaginal intercourse had been a disaster and she sensed that he was being particularly careful not to let her feel rushed. However, her desire was to get past the trauma as quickly as possible. She needed to reassure herself that without the incredibly strong barrier of her hymen she could, indeed, have normal pleasurable feelings down there.

“Severus, please come in me all the way. I do want you.” She half pleaded with him.

His black eyes studied her for a second, before he continued to go into her. Hermione closed her eyes and felt him gradually, and with incredible control, slowly fill her. Then he was in all the way. She felt his balls resting below her vagina. She opened her eyes and looked at him with relief. In response, he gave her little kisses all over her face and then her shoulders. He gently rocked against her with his hips, barely going in and out of her.

Hermione placed her hands on his hips and encouraged him to increase his pace. He brought himself further out and in, going faster but watching her for any signs of discomfort or panic. But Hermione felt none of those feelings. Instead she was riding higher and higher on a delicious crest of desire. She never felt so full, nor so complete as in having him buried inside her. She raised her legs higher, forcing him into her ever deeper. “Yes, harder now, please, yes.” She whimpered and Snape complied. Instinctively she tightened and relaxed her inner muscles, rewarded each time with spasms of intense pleasure.

Finally she could take it no more and she dug her fingernails into his back and screamed out his name while her entire body pulsed in orgasm. Severus, forgetting momentarily about her trauma, thrust himself harder and harder into her. Very soon he reached him own release, and quietly moaned, “Laura.” He was careful not to collapse on her, but rolled to her side while still inside of her.

They stared into each other’s eyes, sweat drying on their bodies in the cool autumn air. They were too drained to say or do anything but lay there enjoying their post-coital bliss.

Eventually Severus found the courage to ask, “Was it all right?”

Hermione merely nodded and wrapped herself around him reveling in the feel of his warm muscles and the man smell of his sweat.

Then Severus asked, “By the way, there’s a Halloween Ball coming up at Hogwarts. You’ll join me won’t you?”

Hermione wondered what she’d ever done to be so damned.


A/N: Many thanks to my reviewers Jen, Rei, Halo, BeautifullyMalicious, Laerai, Otherside, Ezmerelda, Kitty D, Lady Aidil and Taya.