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CHAPTER THREE: A Naked Guest





Hermione had spent the better part of her day just trying to figure out where in the hell everything was in the monstrosity she now called home. So far she had found over fifteen bedrooms, two fully stocked libraries, four sitting rooms, a ballroom, formal and informal dining rooms, a media room, a gym, no less than twenty bathrooms, a music room, an indoor swimming pool with hot tub and sauna, a sunroom, kitchens and a nursery near the master suites.





She knew there were dungeons below, having been acquainted with them previously. The grounds boasted elaborately designed and immaculately groomed gardens, a hedge maze, gazebo near the lake, outdoor pool and pool house and the wide, stone terrace she enjoyed so much.





His home, while beautiful, was a monument to decadence and excess. She couldn’t imagine why anyone needed such space, when would they ever have enough company to require the use of fifteen bedrooms? Sadly, she still hadn’t completed her tour. She was exhausted already as she lowered her body onto a chaise lounge and stared out over the gardens.





She could smell the sweet scent of the roses that climbed the stone walls of the terrace around her and she smiled. So far, the first couple weeks of her marriage had been mildly pleasant. Lucius joined her for meals, and would usually accompany her for a walk after dinner through the gardens. He was rather amusing most of the time, frequently making jokes, usually at her expense, or making rather witty observations about one thing or another. His jovial demeanor shocked her somewhat.







In the past, on the few occasions they had met he had been arrogant, aloof and rather dominating to be quite honest, at least when his wand hadn’t been pointed at her.

She supposed his lighthearted banter on the topic of the war should have offended her, but she really didn’t believe he took it as lightly as he projected. She assumed, that like everyone else, he chose to deal with it in a way that worked for him, and for Lucius that was to look back at his participation as an ‘oops’ and joke about it.





He had been gone for the last several days, having gone to Tuscany to collaborate with Draco on some business deal or other. She lost track of the many pies in which Lucius had his fingers. The man had an uncanny ability to make money, handy really.





She had gone to London with Ginny Potter to shop, and guiltily she had sent an owl to Lucius and apologized for spending so much money on books and videos. His reply had been a howler…only it hadn’t screamed and yelled, only laughed at her as his voice proclaimed that his boxer shorts cost more than what she had spent on an entire days shopping.





He was rather generous with his money, she couldn’t deny that. He spent it freely and encouraged her to do the same. Though she rarely indulged, it was nice to know she could if she wanted to.



Hermione glanced up and saw the dark clouds beginning to gather and released a disappointed sigh. She pushed up from her seat and made her way through the large glass doors off the terrace and through the hall. She stopped just outside the pool room when she heard splashing coming from inside. Who was swimming? Had Lucius come home already? She knew it couldn’t be the house elves, they were terrified to breathe in the house thanks to her arrogant spouse, they wouldn’t even consider using his pool.



She stepped inside, surprised to see a man standing at the end of the room, his back to her as he scrubbed a towel over his head. Her eyes widened slightly and the corners of her mouth lifted in a slight smile. ‘Whoever he was, he had a really nice ass.’

She thought as she admired the long, leanly muscled form of her unknown guest.



“Excuse me.” She called across the room. The unknown swimmer stopped drying his hair and hooked the towel around his shoulders as he turned slowly and smirked at her from afar.



“Hello Ms. Granger….how nice to see you again.” Hermione’s jaw dropped and she backed into the wall in shock.



“P-p-professor Snape!” He was naked as the day he was born, standing there staring at her with his white towel around his neck. His hair was wet and messy from his aggressive attempt to dry it when she walked in. She couldn’t help but stare, she had never imagined she would one day see her potions professor in his birthday suit, much less be so appreciative of the sight. Despite being a right bastard, he was a damned fine looking one.



“Oh, I think you can call me Severus.” He said, so nonchalantly that she almost laughed. “Was there something you needed or did you just stop in to ogle?”



“What are you doing here?” She said, trying to keep her eyes up and failing miserably. How could she not look at it, it was hanging there in all its impressive glory just begging her to look.





“Lucius invited me for the weekend. He should be here soon. He didn’t tell you?” Why couldn’t the man cover himself! Did he always go about showing his bits to the wives of his friends?



“Um, no, he didn’t tell me….I’ll just go make sure the elves know we have an extra person for dinner.” She pursed her lips slightly when she noted the sly smile on his own lips. Her eyes narrowed as she realized he was enjoying her discomfort, seemed that Lucius and his closest friend shared a few personality traits. “Good to see you again Severus. It’s been….educational.” She said, staring pointedly at his crotch before she turned and walked away. She could hear him laughing behind her.



Goodness, was she to constantly stumble over naked death eaters in her home? And why did she have to enjoy it so much?







****Okay, so I suppose you are all realizing this will not be one of my more angsty tales....