The Rules of Engagement

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Struggles
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She hurriedly unbuttoned his shirt, after nearly pulling the buttons off his wool coat. Severus gasped when she lost patience and ripped the shirt open the rest of the way. The cool air had barely registered on his skin before those perfect pink lips latched onto one of his nipples, forcing them to harden and they weren’t the only thing hardening. He tried to pull her up into a kiss, but she was having none of it. He hadn’t realized she was opening his trousers, until they fell to his feet, quickly followed by his boxers, though her lips never ceased their suckling at his nipples.

The next thing Severus knew, he was pushed back roughly onto the bed. She drew her wand and magically removed the remainder of his clothing and her own. Casting her wand aside, he could tell she was in no mood to slow her assault.

“Please.” He whispered frantically. By the feral gaze he was receiving, he knew his pleas were useless. She grasped his throbbing shaft firmly and enveloped half of it with her mouth, bobbing her head up and down in a steady rhythm. The feel of her hot wet mouth and tongue were nearly his undoing, but when she sucked on the tip of him hard, he had to push her off.

The chit laughed at him. A deep throaty laugh that told him he was in for more of the same. She crawled up his body, skimming his skin with her long brown curls, and captured his mouth as she straddled his hips. This lovely creature had become a lustful demoness intent on her ultimate goal.

Severus let out a groan into her mouth, when he felt his shaft entering her. He wanted desperately to slow her down, to savor the experience, but she was driven. When he was fully buried within her, she sat up, looking down at him with a ferocious hunger and a rather evil grin. Her hands went to her breasts, squeezing and displaying them for him, plucking at her nipples as her hips ground rough jerky circles over his own.

Crying out at the rough treatment, Severus grabbed her hips to try and slow her movements. She laughed again and leaned forward, moving her hips up and down as her breasts grazed his chest and her tongue lapped teasingly at his lips.

“Please.” eruserus repeated breathlessly in between kisses over and over to no avail.

Finally, he felt her inner walls clench his shaft tightly as she growled out her finish in his ear and it was his undoing. He roared out his climax as he pressed up into her and felt his world go black as she squeezed his deflating length and laughed softly in his ear.


~*~

Severus rolled over with a groan as he felt the evidence of last night’s dream in his boxers. Ever since Hermione had aggressively kissed him after their date, his nights had been interrupted with dreams of Hermione taking him. Forcing her desires upon him and secretly, he liked it. He liked the idea of a woman wanting him so badly she could not control herself. He liked the idea of not being the aggressor for once.


Throwing back the bedding, Severus got up to start his day. Whipping off the offending garment, he stepped into the shower. His mind wandered back to the time he had spent in the laboratory with Hermione. She had been helping him work on some routine potions for the infirmary, and the nutritive and Wolfsbane potions for Lupin. She was surprisingly good company. He never had any doubt in her potions skills, of course, but he had never liked to have someone in his lab while he was working. Hermione had been a pleasant exception. She seemed to instinctively know when he needed silence to concentrate and when he was receptive to conversation. She also seemed to know what tool he would need before he did, as she set before him each implement before he could even ask.

A question began floating in the back of his mind. What did Hermione want to do after graduation ? She would surely have her pick of fields of study, but what did she ‘want’ ? Perhaps that was a subject they should discuss over the weekend at the manor. That brought other disturbing thoughts of his future in-laws. Nice muggles, though they seemed to be, what would it be like to spend the entire weekend with them ? Severus sighed tiredly. And Merlin help him, what would Wubby think of them. As far as he knew, Wubby had never met a muggle, and she was not the most patient of creatures. But they needed to meet each other. If the emergency portkeys were used, all parties would need to get along.

Severus dried off, dressed, picked up a red vial from the shelf for Lupin and set off towards the Great Hall. Seriously hoping the werewolf was not too chipper this morning.


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Stilelineling in a mood, Severus came into the Great Hall through the staff entrance and took his seat. To his surprise, Lupin had not yet arrived. The dark man’s brow furrowed as he scanned the hall. This was most unusual. Lupin was always here early, even when he had not been eating.

Severus poured himself coffee and placed some toast on his plate. After spreading marmalade on the toast, he looked around the hall again, paying particular attention to the Gryffindor table. Hermione was there, chatting away with her friends. She turned her head, catching his gaze and smiled. He successfully refrained from smiling back and instead inclined his head to her politely, inexplicably making her smile broader. As he continued to search the hall for the missing werewolf, his eyes caught sight of Rosemond Green. The boy sat at the Ravenclaw table staring like a lovesick puppy at the future Madam Snape. Severus’ grip on his coffee mug tightened and he didn’t notice when Lupin slipped into his customary seat. Therefore the jovial ‘good morning’ that was chirped next to him was startling and he sloshed coffee on the table. After a few quietly said expletives and a cleaning charm later, all was in order again.

“Didn’t mean to startle you, Severus. Yost hst have been deep in thought.” Lupin said, quickly putting some sausage and egg on his plate. Severus removed the red vial from his robes and set it on the table next to fair haired man.

“You are late.”

“I didn’t realize you were waiting for me, Darling. Next time, I will be sure to be on time.” Lupin said with a grin. Severus glared at him, then raised an eyebrow.

“Why were you late ? You customarily come to breakfast early. What has changed ?” As Severus looked again at the man beside him, he noticed a definite ‘cat who ate the mouse’ insuppressible grin. Lupin opened the vial and downed the contents, handing the empty back to Severus.

“I really must thank you for that little miracle working concoction. Let us just say it has improved ‘all’ of my appetites.” The man said with a decidedly wolfish look in his eye. Severus brow furrowed, then his recoiled in absolute shock.

“You spent tvenivening with a courtesan ?” The dark man said in a accusingly harsh whisper. The werewolf had the audacity to laugh.

“Don’t look so shocked, Severus. You were the one who told me I had abstained far too long for a man of my . . . . . um . . . . . constitution. Besides, she was a very nice . . . . . . courtesan. She knew her business well.” Lupin said, then tucked into his breakfast. Severus wasn’t sure whether to be disgusted or envious. He went back to his own breakfast.

“You will need to go into the lab to get the Wolfsbane potion Saturday evening. Do you remember where it is and how to access it ?” Severus said.

“Yes, of course. So, you and Hermione will be leaving this afternoon ? Looking forward to getting away with your bride-to-be?” rus rus thought about it for a moment and discovered that yes, he was looking forward to time with Hermione, even if her parents would be there as well.

“This will be your third date together, won’t it ?” The wolf said, then nudged his side in an annoying manner.

“Yes, technically, I suppose it would. What of it ?”

“The ‘third’ date ! Come on, Severus. Surely even you must know what happens on the third date.”

“I have no idea what you are getting at.” Severus snapped. The fair haired man leaned in close to him to prevent others from listening.

“The third date is most often when a couple becomes . . . . . . closer.”

“Closer ?”

“For Merlin’s sake man, it’s usually when the sex happens.” Lupin nudged him again. Severus was appalled.

“That is not why . . . . . . . I have no intention of . . . . . . . . Bloody hell, Lupin, her parents will be there.”

“Unless you are all staying in the same room, I don’t see why that should stop you.” The werewolf said with a laugh. It seemed nothing would sway the man out of his jovial mood. Severus wiped his mouth and threw his napkin on the table, ready to leave when a hand on his arm restrained him. He turned an icy glare to the owner of the hand.

“At least tell how how you feel, Severus. You both deserve that much.” At the earnest look in the fair haired man’s eyes, Severus sighed and nodded, then left the hall. He was not sure what he would say to Hermione this weekend, but he would think about what the insufferable werewolf had said. He certainly knew Hermione better than Severus did, he might be right. But what if she did not return his affections, they were still to be married and she was insisting on becoming pregnant. He would be unable to make love to her if he knew she loathed his touch.

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Hermione stood outside the Ravenclaw common room waiting for Rose to emerge. She had convinced Luna to ask Rose to meet her after classes. Under the circumstances, Hermione did not feel right keeping the gifts Rose had given her. She thought it best to return them, though it had taken her this long to make that decision. The portrait opened and she saw the tall raven haired youth step out. He looked at her suspiciously.

“Hi, Rose.”

“Hello, Hermione. What did you want ?” Right tsinesiness then. Shouldn’t have expected anything less from him, she thought. Hermione pulled out the reduced book and periodical he had given her.

“I thought I should return these.” Hermione held out her hand offering the items. Rose looked at them and if anything, his countenance became stiffer.

“Those were gifts, Hermione. I do not expect them back. Is ‘he’ making you do this ?” Her brow furrowed.

“No. I just thought . . . .o, So, Severus wouldn’t make me give them back.”

“Severus, now is it ? You two have gotten quite cozy.” Rose crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at her with a look that reminded her of the Potion Master’s classroom stance.

“Well, we are to be married.” He acted as if she had punched him in the gut, then looking down shook hea head.

“Why, Hermione ?”

“It was the right thing to do for everyone, Rose.”

“You said that re.”re.” Rose spat back. “What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean ? Can you truly tell me you will be happier with him than with me ?” He suddenly stepped forward and grabbed her arms. “Can you say I meant nothing to you ?”

“Rose, I . . . . “

“Mr. Green ! You will unhand my fiancé at once !” A deceptively silky voice snarled behind her and Hermione groaned internally. Rose released her, but stepped around to put himself between her and Severus.

“Hermione is not your property, Snape.” Hermione drew in her breath as she saw the dark man’s eyes narrow.

“I did not say she was my property, Mr. Green. I said we are affianced and you would do well to remember that fact.” Severus reached around the Ravenclaw and grabbing her arm, pulled Hermione to stand next to him. “20 points from Ravenclaw for rough handling of a fellow student. Now I suggest, you go down to dinner before I think of a reason to give you detention with Filch as well.”

“Hermione ?” Rose looked at her and she could see he really was worried for her welfare.

“Go ahead, Rose. I’m fine.” He looked at the Professor again glaring at the hold the older man was still maintaining on her arm. “Really, it’s alright.” He finally nodded and walked away.

Severus lead her bodily to an oak door she hadn’t noticed before. He lead them into an unused office and slammed the door closed when they were both inside. Pressing her back against the door, he loomed over, gr, glaring daggers.

“What were you doing ?” Severus asked in a low venomous voice.

“I . . . .I came to return the books he bought me.”

“Is that all ?” He asked as if he thought it was a lie.

“Yes.” Hermione snapped back, meeting his eyes.

“Then why was he touching you ?” Severus hissed out between his teeth. Hermione furrowed her brow and glared back at him. What was he getting at ? When she didn’t answer, Severus slammed his forearm and fist against the heavy wood door over her head making her jump.

“I will NOT be cuckolded before I am even married.” He shouted.

“Cuckolded? We were talking in the middle of a public hallway !” Hermione shouted. “And I, Severus Snape, will not be treated like some trollop ! I have done nothing wrong.”

“You do not think it wrong to give the boy false hope that you will come back to him ?”

“I did nothing of the kind !” Severus grabbed her much as Rose had done, nearly lifting her off her feet.

“You sought him out. That alone will give him hope that you will go back with him.” He had stopped shouting, but the intensity was still there.

“I was never ‘with’ him.” She snapped back. The expression on the dark man’s face changed. His dark eyes danced over her face as his breathing became more ragged. Setting her down, hosenosened his grip, but did not let go. A battle appeared to be going on behind his eyes and Hermione had just about had enough. She grabbed his teaching robes and pulled him to her, crushing their lips together. Severus was momentarily stunned, but recovered quickly and with enthusiasm. Putting one hand behind his head, she held him more firmly as she assaulted his mouth. He groaned into her mouth and she could feel his body tremble as his tongue delved deeper, drawing a moan from deep within her chest.

After several tes tes they parted, looking anywhere, but at each other. Hermione reached into her pocket and pulled out the books. She held out her hand to show him the shrunken books.

“I really was trying to give these back to Rose. He wouldn’t take them.”

“You should stay away from him.” Severus said, but when he saw the angry look coming back he added quickly. “Not because of me. The kindest thing you can do for him is to leave him alone, believe me, Hermione.”

She stared down at her shoes. “I really thought I was doing the right thing.” He pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead.

“I know. If you really do not want to keep them, then send them back by owl.”

“That seems so cold.” She grimaced at the suggestion.

“It makes the point clear. Boys this age tend to be a bit thick.” Severus said, making Hermione laugh. She knew that was true all too well since most of her friends were boys. She felt Severus sigh.

“Forgive me, for losing my temper.” The dark man said.

“If this is going to work, you will have to trust me.” She looked up to see his eyes clenched shut. When he opened them, he looked down to meet her gaze.

“I know. But this is all new to me, Hermione. I have never had a woman I could call my own.”

“Never ?” She asked, and she saw a flash of panic cross his face, then he looked away and stepped back from her.

“Not for a very long time.” Severus said walking to the door. “Were you ready to leave ? We should be in the manor to receive your parents when they appear.”

“Yes, I shrunk my bags.” Hermione said patting her other pocket. Severus held the door open for her and they walked out into the hall. They walked quietly. Suddenly, Hermione giggled and Severus ld atd at her questioningly. She turned to him and raised an amused eyebrow.

“Cuckolded?” She said with a giggle. “We realled ted to bring your vocabulary into this century.”

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*** http://dictionary.reference.com - for any terms people may not have read before.


A/N – POINTS AWARDED

Kait (LovesThePotionBoy) has won 20 points for her house, Ravenclaw, for guessing what Ginny is up to. But for obvious reasons, I am not telling you her guess. You will just have to wait to read it in the story, and it may be a few chapters.


I can already hear the grumbling, so let me reiterate. In the interest of reasonable size chapters and timely updates, I have to break the story at logical places. The whole of the weekend will be one or two chapters, so I thought it best to leave them on their own.

Please review !! Your thoughts mean soooooo much.

Toodles . . . . . . . Glinda



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