Saving Miss Granger (Small Edit)

Chapter 16 ~ Setting Off

At four-thirty, Hermione closed up her lab for the evening and headed for her rooms, butterflies in her stomach. She had to get ready for her date, and she was going to knock the Professor’s boots off. She let herself into her rooms, closed and warded the door behind her and took off straight for the bathroom, divestoing her clothes as she passed through the bedroom.

Hermione took great care showering, washing her hair several times over and conditioning it well before exiting and drying off. She moisturized her body well and brushed her teeth and tongue thoroughly. She cast a deodorizing spell on her underarms then walked out into the bedroom and straight to her wardrobe. She opened it, went to her underclothes drawer and took out a pair of white cotton knickers. Picking up her wand, she transformed them into a very pretty pair of lacy Slytherin green knickers. Being a Spells Mistress really came in handy.

She slipped them on, highly doubting the Professor would see them tonight…she couldn’t be too easy after all, but still it would make her feel extra sexy to know she was wearing his favorite color underneath her dress. Maybe, if she felt naughty enough, she’d tell him.

Hermione had already decided to accept the snarky wizard for her lover, but she wasn’t going to rush into it. She’d let him court her a while. She wanted to see the other side of Severus Snape. He had really surprised her by inviting her out to dinner and dancing. She wondered what other surprises the wizard had up his sleeves. He might not be as creative a lover as either Marcus or Lucius, but he could be trained to give her what she wanted. Hermione had no problem expressing her needs in any case.

The witch looked through her wardrobe. She had a sexy, sequined red dress that tied behind her neck halter style, scooped almost to her buttocks in back and fit her deliciously, accenting every curve. She picked it up by the hanger and flicked her wand at it, turning it Slytherin green. When the light hit the sequins, they flashed silver. Yes, the wizard would like that. Hermione looked at her shoes and decided to wear low heels, though she looked very good in high ones. But she wanted to dance so low heels would be best. The shoes were also red, and she changed their color to match her dress. She decided not to wear hose, but go bare-legged. Her skin was smooth enough to get away with it.

Hermione slipped on the dress and looked at herself in the mirror, spinning slowly. With her hair down and curled, she looked like a seductress. But she couldn’t wear it that way. She sat down at the dressing table and pinned her hair up, transforming an elaborate hair clip to sparkling Slytherin green as well. She pulled two tendrils out on either side, picked up a mirror and held it up so she could see the back of her hair. It looked very nice.
She picked up a pair of earrings and transformed the sapphires to faux emeralds to match her dress, then applied a bit of make-up that was magicked to look fresh all night. She did her eyes and then her lips, pursing them flirtatiously in the mirror. Despite her actions, she seriously doubted she would flirt with the Potions Master. He didn’t seem the type who would respond to it. She could hear him now as she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“Is there something wrong with your eyes, Miss Granger?”

She would just focus on trying to enjoy herself and let the night go as it would. Hopefully the wizard wouldn’t tromp all over her feet when they danced, or drop her to the floor trying to dip her. She didn’t know if the wizard had any real skills at dancing. When would he have developed them?

What Hermione didn’t know was that as a death eater, Severus knew his way quite well around the dance floor. The Dark Lord often began his revels with a dance, and would Crucio anyone who was inept on the dance floor. Consequentially, the Potions could Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, Swing, Salsa and even Tango quite well.

The witch took one more spin in the mirror. She looked delicious, if she thought so herself. The Potions Master would definitely be pleased. She spritzed on a light, floral scent and walked out into her study and sat down to wait. It was a quarter to seven.

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Severus showered and applied the moisturizer and hair care product Adam provided for him, combed and brushed his hair to silkiness, then put on a bit of sandalwood oil. He dressed with care, his suit fitting him perfectly. The wizard looked at himself in the mirror. He cut a rather fine, if dark figure. Sam really knew his business.

The wizard walked into the study and slid back a false front, revealing a cubbyhole. He reached in and took out a ring box. He opened it, took out a ring and slipped it over his finger. The ring had a platinum band formed of twisted serpents, mouth to tail. In the center was a stone made of onyx, and an ornate letter “S” was carefully carved in the center of the stone. He hadn’t worn the ring in a long, long time. It heated slightly on his finger and he smirked at it, then looked at the time. It was five to seven.

He took one more look at himself in the mirror, took a deep breath and headed out of his study. It was time to retrieve Hermione.

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In the dungeons corridor, Marcus Delaluci stood disillusioned and hidden in a niche. He was waiting to see the couple depart for their date. He was curious. He heard the door open to Severus’ office and watched as the wizard exited. He was immaculate in a tailor made black suit and shining black dress shoes. That suit looked as if it had cost a small fortune. Marcus scowled. Damn.

Severus walked down to Hermione’s door, hesitated a moment then knocked.

Inside, Hermione’s heart pounded as she heard the Professor’s knock. She stood up and walked to the door, then took a deep breath to calm herself. She opened it and looked up at the wizard.

“Oh my gods,” she breathed as she looked at his beautiful suit and his long silky hair, “You look absolutely wonderful, Severus.”

The wizard did indeed look good enough to eat. He had gone through a lot of trouble for this date. Hermione definitely approved as her amber eyes washed over him.

Severus stared at the witch. She looked absolutely delectable in the tastefully clinging, sequined Slytherin green dress which fell slightly above her knees and her hair up. She had lovely legs and even her nails were painted in his house colors. Hermione looked beautiful. He would be the envy of many wizards tonight he was sure.

“You look lovely, Hermione,” he said silkily, raising her hand and kissing it gallantly, his black eyes glittering in appreciation.

Hermione could have swooned. He was so smooth.

Severus then tucked her arm in his somewhat possessively. He wasn’t going to let the witch out of his sight all night if he could help it.

“Let us go,” he said, guiding her up the hall. “Our carriage awaits.”

They walked right past Marcus, who was practically drooling as he ogled Hermione. She was showing quite a bit of skin. He followed the couple at a discrete distance as they headed for the main hall.

“Thank you for inviting me out, Severus,” Hermione said to the wizard, who looked at her with an intensity that went right to the witch’s belly.

“Thank you for accepting, Hermione. You do me a great honor. I will see to it that you have an enjoyable night. Maybe it will be the first of many pleasurable nights for us,” the wizard replied, his voice rich with meaning.

Marcus scowled. The Potions Master certainly wasn’t wasting any time was he? Who would have thought the snarky bastard could be so smooth? This didn’t look good at all.

Severus and Hermione walked into the main hall, then headed for the double doors. Severus released the witch’s arm, opened them and let Hermione walk through, then followed her, taking her arm again.

Hermione gasped.

In front of the castle rested a gleaming black carriage, complete with a top-hatted coachman and four beautiful black horses pawing the ground anxiously. They were very handsome creatures, their necks arched and coats shining in the moonlight. They seemed to be wearing oddly shaped blankets on their backs.

“Oh Severus, this carriage is gorgeous…and the horses,” she breathed. Then she looked up at him, “but they could never get us to the Bee’s Knees by seven-thirty. It’s too far by carriage.”

”Not for these particularly horses,” Severus replied, nodding at the driver, who tipped his hat, flicked the reins and whistled.

Suddenly there was a rush of wind and Hermione gasped for a second time as what she thought were blankets revealed themselves to be large, beautiful black wings. The horses flapped them lightly, neighing and anxious to fly.

“They’re Pegasii,” Hermione whispered, her eyes shining as she looked at the beautiful and rare creatures. “How did you manage this, Severus?”

The wizard walked Hermione to the carriage, opened the door and helped her in, his pale hand coming in contact with the soft flesh of her back. Circe, she was soft.

”I managed it, because I wanted nothing but the best for you,” he responded, “Rare beasts for a rare woman.”

He entered the coach behind the witch and closed the door, locking it and drawing the velvet curtain to keep out the wind.

Marcus stood on the step of the castle with his mouth open at the opulence of the carriage. Pegasii? How had the wizard managed that? Marcus cursed under his breath as the driver whistled again and flicked the reins, the horses trotting at first then breaking into a perfectly synchronized gallop before leaping into the air, drawing the carriage behind them.

Damn the wizard. Damn him to hell.

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Hermione ran her hands over the crushed velvet seat appreciatively as Severus watched her from across the coach. He was sitting opposite the witch so he could drink her in. She was really with him, and seemed quite impressed. She peeked out of the curtain at the night sky. The moon seemed close enough to touch. It was beautiful. She closed the window and looked at Severus. His black eyes rested on her and he was very silent. But the witch could see that he was quite taken with her, and it was quite flattering that he went through so much trouble in other ways to make her night with him memorable.

Hermione thought about his conversation with Marcus in the corridor, how he said he wanted an exclusive relationship with her. Severus was the first wizard she knew of who wanted something like that. Most were afraid of commitment, wanting only to be fuck buddies. But then again, those were wizards her own age. Severus was much more mature and probably tired of trysts with different witches. She noticed his ring.

“What a handsome ring,” she said to him, trying to make conversation.

Severus looked down at his hand.

“Yes. It is a very old heirloom, passed down from Snape to Snape for generations,” the wizard said.

“May I examine it?” Hermione asked.

Severus looked hesitant for a moment, then held out his hand. His eyes looked a bit cautious as the witch grasped his hand and traced her finger over the stone. The wizard let out a breath when nothing untoward occurred. Hermione wasn't a Snape after all.

Hermione looked up at him.

“Are you all right?’ she asked the wizard.

“Yes, I’m fine,” the wizard said, aware of the softness of her hand clasping his as she looked at the ring.

“The band is made of serpents end to end,” she said, “They almost look alive. Wonderful craftsmanship went into the making of this ring.”

Severus nodded.

”That, among other things,” he said obliquely.

Maybe one day he would tell her the full story about the ring, but not tonight. Tonight it was about her. He arched an eyebrow at the witch.

“Do you tango, Hermione?” he asked her.

“Yes! I love to tango,” the witch replied, smiling brightly.

“Well then, we must tango tonight,” he said, his dark eyes glinting at her.

Wow. The Professor could tango? That was amazing. Gods, this was going to be a good night, she could feel it.

Presently the carriage touched down. The ride had been quite smooth, but there was a slight jolt as they touched down that made Hermione’s belly drop a bit. They came to a stop and in a moment the door was pulled open.

“We’ve arrived, sir,” the coachman said, bowing.

“Thank you, John,” Severus said, exiting the carriage then catching hold of Hermione’s hand and helping her out.

“We will be several hours,” he said to the driver, who bowed again.

“We’ll be waiting, sir. Enjoy your night,” he replied. Then he looked at Hermione

“And you too, Miss,” he added politely.

“Thank you,” Hermione said, smiling at him.

The driver mounted the carriage again and flicked his reins, taking it to the waiting area, which was filled with carriages and small fires as the coachmen socialized among themselves.

Hermione looked at the restaurant. The Bee’s Knees was housed in a large, well-lit building that resembled a small castle. A covered portico and immaculate cream colored carpeting led up to a set of glass double doors. A well-dressed wizard stood next to the doors, a small pad in his hand.

Severus offered Hermione his arm.

“Shall we go?” he asked

“Yes,” she replied, excited.

Severus led Hermione up to the doors and stopped in front of the wizard waiting there.

“Good evening. My name is Terrance. Welcome to the Bee’s Knees,” he said, smiling at the couple. “May I have the name the reservation was booked under?”

”Severus Snape,” the wizard replied, his eyes resting on the wizard. There had better not be any fuck-ups.

Terrance looked over his pad.

“Ah yes, here you are. Seven-thirty reservation for two, VIP table set on the ballroom level. Please go right in. Alexander will take care of you. Have a wonderful evening,” Terrance said, giving them another bright, but expectant smile.

Severus scowled and slipped him several galleons. Hermione wanted to laugh. It seemed the wizard wasn’t big on tipping, but was trying to be socially correct.

“Earning galleons for just standing outside a door and reading off information I already know,” the Potions Master muttered under his breath as they walked through the glass doors. “It’s robbery. Plainly picking a patron’s pocket.”

Hermione grinned as she walked beside him. She was rather glad to see Severus was retaining his snarkiness. He wouldn’t be half as appealing to her if he were completely agreeable.

Potted plants filled the foyer area, and a tall stately wizard with a monocle and a pencil mustache stood behind a podium, a huge book opened in front of him. A long line of patrons stood waiting to be taken to their tables. Severus frowned as they got in line. They were going to have to wait a while if he didn’t do something.

He glanced down at Hermione, who was looking at all the well-dressed people standing in front of them. Furs and jewelry abounded. This was a very elite group of patrons. It must cost a fortune to eat here.

Seeing the witch wasn’t paying attention to him, Severus looked at Alexander, then concentrated, the ring warming on his finger. Suddenly the wizard looked up rather startled and stared directly into Severus’ frowning face. The maitre’d paled and scooted from behind the podium. He quickly walked over to the Potions Master.

“Ah Mr. Snape, please come with me,” Alexander said, leading the couple past the grumbling line of patrons who eyed Severus and Hermione curiously, wondering who they were to receive such special treatment.

They had no idea that Alexander was simply trying to keep his good looks. He believed that the dark wizard would waylay him at some later date if he didn’t cater to him tonight, and beat the hell out of him. It was completely possible too. Severus was taking this outing with Hermione quite seriously.

Outside, Terrance looked up from his notepad and smiled broadly as an immaculately dressed wizard strode up to him.

“Lord Malfoy,” he said by way of greeting, “So good to see you sir.”

”Hello, Terrance,” Lucius said, slipping the wizard a ten-galleon piece, “I assume my regular table is ready?”

“Oh yes, sir. You can go right in,” the wizard gushed.

Lucius looked at his date. She was a curvaceous little blonde he had his eye on for quite a while. First he’d feed her, then take her back to the manor for a night of fun. She had very full lips, and he couldn’t wait to have them wrapped around his cock.

“Come along, witch,” he said to her, pulling her a bit roughly, “Let us eat quickly. We have quite a night ahead of us.”

The witch looked as if she would melt into a puddle right there on the carpet.

“Yes, my Lord,” she said obediently, following him in.

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A/N: Well they are at the Bee’s Knees…and so is Lucius. Lol. This ought to be very interesting. As you can see, Severus borrowed Percival’s carriage. Classy. Lol about him complaining about the tip. Please review.