The Rules of Engagement

Chapter 30

hue n.

1.The property of colors by which they can be perceived as ranging from red through yellow, green, and blue, as determined by the dominant wavelength of the light.
2.A particular gradation of color; a shade or tint.
3.Color: all the hues of the rainbow.
4.Appearance; aspect: a man of somber hue.


I have to give a heartfelt THANKS to Estrilda and Karen for beta-ing this chapter for me. Hopefully, I’ll get better so the task will be easier next time ~_*

Glinda



A Weasley Hue
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Snow had finally arrived at Hogwarts, coating the once grim and muddy landscape with a blanket of equalizing white. Equalizing, because everything appeared almost as a blank canvas, ready for the artist’s first brush stroke. Hermione wasn’t particularly fond of the cold, but the view from the west tower window was breathtaking. She could make out several snow battles; each group in the midst of heavy combat. Seamus, Neville and Dean appeared to be having a time defending themselves against the combined efforts of Ginny and Harry. As Hermione watched, Ginny tackled Dean by the legs and plunged him head first into a snow drift. Hermione chuckled to herself, thinking the boys should have known better than to mess with the youngest Weasley.

Turning her attention to another battle, Hermione saw a fuchsia colored head pop out from behind a tree, then duck back into hiding. Tonks had taken to spending her free time at the school in the company of her extremely proud fiancé. As Hermione watched, Ron circled around the tree and surprised the woman from behind, wrapping his arms around her. Though, as Tonks was an Auror, Hermione seriously doubted the woman hadn’t known he was there.

“Taking in the view, Miss Granger?”

Hermione turned her head to see Remus standing next to her. He leaned on the opposite sill with a small smile. He’d been back at Hogwarts for nearly a week. He certainly looked much healthier, and indeed younger, after the mating was complete, than he had in the whole of the time Hermione had known him, but something in him remained distant. Remus had changed. He had lost his usual upbeat disposition that he had held even at his sickest.

“It’s pretty from up here,” Hermione said, looking back out the window. “With the extra added bonus of no snowballs in my face,” she said with a giggle.

Remus gave her a polite chuckle then gazed out of the window himself, his eyes falling to the now entwined snogging couple. Hermione watched him watching them, a distant look in his eyes.

“Have you talked to Tonks?” she asked carefully. He made an acknowledging sound without turning his attention from the window. They stood in silence for a few moments.

“She looks happy, doesn’t she?” Remus finally said. Hermione nodded her agreement, watching her professor closely.

“Does that upset you?” she asked before she could stem the question. Remus turned her an honestly surprised expression.

“No, I’m quite happy for Tonks.” His face turned more serious. “Even if I had had the inclination, Hermione, I could not have helped her because of my . . . status,” he said, snapping the last word out in disgust. “Ron is obviously crazy about her. He’ll take care of her in all the important ways. She seems rather fond of him, as well.”

Remus turned his now soulful gaze back to the window. Hermione sighed and looked back out also, seeing that the Gryffindors had apparently ganged up and were lobbing snowballs at the affianced couple. Chewing her lip, she tried to believe what Remus said, but his countenance was still solemn.

“Have you heard from Annya?” she asked, changing the subject. His eyes shifted briefly to her, then away again.

“Yes, I received a post this morning from Miss Leonov. She inquired after you and Severus, as well.”

“I’ll write to her in a day or two. Will she come visit soon?” Hermione asked, then worried her lip watching him for his response.

“Miss Leonov has a position at Durmstrang Institute. Responsibilities. She takes being the Keeper of the Lycanthrope Archives very seriously.”

“Of course,” Hermione said quietly. “Will you visit Durmstrang, then?”

Remus snapped an annoyed glare in her direction. “Do not try to make my life into some adolescent girl’s romance novel. Miss Leonov provided her services, for which I am indebted. Nothing more.”

Hermione knew she was treading on dangerous ground, but could not keep the sharp tone out of her voice. “Then why are you so angry?”

Remus pushed himself off of the sill in a huff and stalked off. A pretty fair imitation of the Potions Master, she mused in passing. Severus. Damn, she thought, glancing at her watch; it was almost two. Severus would be waiting for her in the laboratory.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bustling about his laboratory, trying to organize everything just so, Severus chided himself again. He knew he should not be acting this way. It was not as if Hermione had never been with him in the lab. Alone. He leaned back on the edge of the worktable, loosely crossed his arms and closed his eyes. This would be the first time they would be alone together since . . . that night. That sensuous, seductive evening, when Hermione openly displayed herself for his pleasure. Breathing deeply, he valiantly tried to push back the images of her naked and wanton body before him. It didn’t help that he often dredged up those same images to help him relieve the sexual tension within him.

The weaker part of his mind asked if it would be so terrible for his fiancée to become pregnant a month or so early? That Muggle doctor told her she could have problems conceiving. It most likely would not even happen before the bonding. ‘No’, he thought, shaking his head. Those were dangerous thoughts and, for once, Severus would not allow himself to be selfish. ‘And what do Muggles know anyway? No, Hermione welcomed his touch and his kisses. For now, that would have to suffice.’ He took a deep breath, feeling much more in control of himself.

Severus started preparing the already laid out ingredients for the experimental potion they would be making. The theory was sound, but Severus never trusted something that looked good on parchment. He insisted on a practical run and it seemed a good opportunity to have Hermione help him.

A soft knock sounded at the door. “Enter,” he said, trying not to sound too eager.

The door opened and Hermione stepped in, giving him a small smile, and closed the door behind her. She walked up to him and planted a chaste kiss on his lips that he bent to receive. Severus could tell something was not quite right with his intended. After a brief exchange of small talk, she set about preparing the ingredients laid out, yet her mind did not seem on the task. He knew something was amiss when she cut the lavender stalks into chunks, instead of dicing them as the notes called for. Before he could correct her, Hermione set the knife down hard in the cutting board and put her hands on either side of it.

“Have you talked to Remus, since he’s been back?” she asked suddenly.

“Yes, of course I have,” he answered.

She spun to face him, looking mildly agitated. “I don’t mean ‘good morning, pass the butter’. Have you asked him about the mating or Annya?”

“No,” Severus answered straight away. “I did not see the need to pry into his affairs.”

Hermione’s countenance became thoughtful. “Well, no wonder he nearly bit my head off.”

“What!,” Severus said sharply, not liking the implication of anyone abusing his wife . . . fiancée.

“Figuratively speaking, of course. We were talking about Tonks and I brought up Annya to change the subject.”

Severus relaxed again, slowly stirring the base for the potion. Hermione gazed at him, while worrying her bottom lip, an action that always got his attention, as it drew his notice to her full rose colored lips.

“Remus snapped at me and stalked off. I think he could use a friend right now.” She continued to nibble gently on her lower lip. Severus was mesmerized by the slowly deepening shade of pink it was becoming.

“A ‘male’ friend.”

He was also appreciating the slight, teasing view of cleavage displayed by her Muggle shirt.

“A male friend his own age.”

Severus was treated to an even better view of supple flesh, as Hermione had crossed her arms under her breasts, plumping them up. Cotton wool seemed to have formed in his mouth.

“Severus, are you even listening to me?”

The harsher tone of her voice broke into his lecherous thoughts. Dark eyes snapped up to annoyed brown ones. They looked at each other for a breath and a half, then Severus turned and fussed with the jars and containers on the shelf behind him.

“Of course,” he snapped, trying to cover his embarrassment at being caught leering at his young fiancée. “You were speaking of Lupin.”

Silence echoed in the room.

Severus dropped his hands to his sides and closed his eyes. If Hermione made advances towards him now, he doubted he could resist. From where he stood, he could smell the alluring combination of fragrances: shampoo, perfume and Hermione that had become familiar to him. Having her so close and willing . . .

“Severus?” A delicate hand brushed his back tentatively. He tensed under her touch and the hand withdrew. “Maybe I should go.”

Severus turned to look down into her face. This was not what he wanted. He wanted to spend time with his intended, but his bloody libido was mucking it all up. At his silence, she turned to leave. His hand shot out and grasped her arm.

“Hermione . . .” He could think of nothing else to say. They had so little time together, he didn’t want to ruin it. She studied his face for a moment then tentatively circled his waist with her arms and hugged him. Severus’ long arms encircled her, drew her in and he buried his nose in her hair.

“Are you still sure you don’t want to have sex until after we’re married?” Hermione asked quietly from the vicinity of his chest. He let out a soft sigh.

“Can you truly not understand the logic of it?” he asked gently. She drew her head back and looked up at him.

“I think I understand. I know you’re doing for it me, but I hardly see you outside of the classroom anymore. It’s because of the last time we were together, isn’t it?” Hermione said, her gaze dropping. “You’re disgusted with me.”

His bent finger lifted her chin, so he could see her eyes. “I am not disgusted by you, far from it. You are a beautiful, desirable woman whose company I enjoy greatly.”

“Then why is this the first time in weeks we’ve been alone?” she asked challengingly.

“I . . . have not trusted myself,” Severus said. A smile slowly spread across Hermione’s face.

“Then trust me,” she said, watching him carefully. “I’ve kept my promise.”

Severus thought on this. Yes, she had; even though they had been sexual with each other, they had not had intercourse. Now that he thought on it, he’d missed the companionable evenings they’d spent in his quarters. Surely time spent together would be enough for now. She was still watching him as the corners of his lips turned up.

“Yes, you have,” Severus admitted. Her grin broadened.

“So . . . back to this potion,” Hermione said, disengaging from him and walking back to her cutting board. All was business again.

Chopping, grating, slicing and straining kept them both busy for a long while. They discussed many things and nothing. Severus found the afternoon particularly enjoyable. He was watching Hermione’s delicate hand stirring the potion slowly in a clockwise direction when a thought began to form in his mind. The corners of his thin lips turned up in a wicked smirk.

Quietly, he removed his greatcoat, setting it on the now clean bench, and with the stealth of years of spying, he walked up and stood directly behind Hermione, hungrily eyeing the sensuous curve of her neck exposed after she put her hair up. She was fully engrossed in her work and did not notice his proximity. Slowly, his lips followed his eyes, running lightly down her soft skin. She jumped a little at first contact, but his hand on her shoulder kept her from moving away. He could feel the quickening of her pulse below his lips. His tongue darted out to taste her.

“Se . . . Severus,” she stammered, seeming a little breathless. “Wh . . . What are you doing?”

He turned her slightly and captured her chin. “Trusting you,” he whispered huskily, before claiming her lips in a possessive manner. He chuckled to himself at the daze he seemed to have put her in. However, the daze was short lived and the passionate woman he knew came to the surface as she returned his kiss with gusto.

Eventually, she pulled back to look at him, a glint of mischief in her eye. “What are your intentions?”

“No more than to be close to you,” he said, releasing her hair and running it through his fingers. She cocked an eyebrow at him in return.

“I had hoped to take a nice long bath tonight.”

Severus cocked his head to the side slightly, holding her eyes. “I believe that could be arranged.”

He was gratified to see a moment of surprise cross Hermione’s face. Really. Did she think he would not rise to the challenge? Hmmm, and ‘rise’ he was sure he would.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Hermione sighed with contentment. The water in the large bath was the perfect temperature and the bubbles gave off a warm rich scent. She literally could not remember the last time she had a bath and was certain it had not felt this good.

Picking up the sodden flannel, she started to wash her shoulder, only to have the cloth removed from her hand. “Allow me,” her bath partner whispered in her ear. Chuckling softly, she allowed herself to be leaned back against a slippery hard chest, her head resting on a lean shoulder.

Wonderful, sensuous hands washed her shoulders, arms, neck and paid special attention to her breasts. Eventually, the pretense of using the flannel was given up as a bad job. Severus ran his hands over her soapy front, while a very warm and hard part of him pressed into her backside.

“For someone that didn’t want to be alone with me a few hours ago, you’ve certainly come ‘round.”

Lips pressed to the skin below her ear and sucked gently. “I am still relying upon you, but that does not mean I will not enjoy . . . pressing your resolve.” His long fingered hand went lower into the bubbly water and between her legs.

“That . . . that isn’t fair,” Hermione said breathlessly, her hips tilting to allow him better access.

“Whoever said life was fair?” he whispered seductively while both hands rubbed over her sex. Lost in the sensation, she pressed first into his hands, then back, wiggling against his hard shaft. His hips started rocking slightly, pressing his hardened passion firmly along the slickened crevice of her backside. She started to sit up and turn around, but he stopped her.

“I want to touch you,” she whimpered. Severus froze momentarily then resumed his movements.

“No, my dear. Relax and let me touch you,” he said softly. His warm breath on her wet skin added to the multitude of stimulus running through her body.

Her hands caressed his legs on either side of her. “I want to pleasure you, too,” she said. His response was to move one of his hands up to splay across her lower belly, pressing her into closer contact with him, drawing a groan from deep in his chest, also vibrating through her.

“Do I not seem ‘pleasured’ to you?”

Hermione relaxed into him. ‘Well if he’s happy,’ she thought with a grin, ‘I’m definitely happy’. Finally relaxing into his touch completely, she felt him gently push a finger inside her, his thumb flicking playfully over her hardened nub. She pulled his free hand up to her breasts, rubbing it over them herself. His warm chuckle sent a shot of desire through her system. It gave her an idea.

Bringing his hand to her mouth, she kissed each of his fingers in turn. A barely audible rumbling from his chest urged her on. She licked the pad of each finger and felt him add another finger inside her. All of Severus’ movements seemed to have more urgency after that, so she thought she would help him along. Opening her mouth, Hermione took in as much of his middle finger as she could, sucking hungrily and licking his digit, drawing a startle gasp from the man.

Listening to the water sloshing around them, it didn’t seem long before bliss would overtake them. She drew both his middle and ring fingers into her mouth, treating them as if they were another part of him. Severus’ breath was ragged, the movement of his hips became jerky. Knowing he was about to explode, Hermione dipped one of her hands below the water and stimulated herself to send her over the edge. Her high-pitched whine, vibrating around his flesh in her mouth, was followed by a surprised grunt from him. She could feel the strong pulses that ran along his shaft and the warmth of the load they delivered.

They stayed together, allowing their breathing to calm. Severus withdrew his fingers from inside her, but kept his hand there, covering her sex reverently. Hermione still clasped his other hand and held it to her, letting out a long contented sigh.

“Merlin, I needed that.” Later in the evening, neither could remember which one of them said it.


~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

The mid-day meal in the Great Hall was as boisterous as usual. Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table with her friends, but she was not adding to the general din. With only three weeks until the bonding ceremony, the bride-to-be scratched out last-minute notes on a piece of parchment of things that still needed to be done. Ginny was helping where she could, as she had agreed to stand for Hermione during the ceremony. Ginny had even offered the use of the Time-Turner to help get things done; however, Hermione adamantly declined.

“Where’s Ron?” Harry asked from his place beside her. Hermione looked up and around at those gathered at the table. She hadn’t realized Ron wasn’t sitting with them. Now that she thought about, she hadn’t seen Ron all morning. Hermione cast the youngest Weasley a questioning glance.

“Don’t look at me. I don’t know where he is,” Ginny answered defensively.

“I saw him heading out of the dorm early this morning,” Neville offered. “Don’t know where he was off to.”

Hermione’s brow furrowed in thought and her eye caught that of the Potions Master, who raised an inquiring brow. Holding up the parchment to show him, she mouthed the word ‘bonding’ and gave him a small shrug. Severus nodded his understanding and had turned to resume his conversation when his attention was drawn to several owls that had just flown into the Great Hall. Owl post had already come at breakfast. Hermione looked up curiously, watching one owl land in front of Remus, another in front of Severus, and several more making their way along the head table. Still more birds landed along the Gryffindor table, as Severus read his scroll, raising an eyebrow. A scowl formed on Remus’ face as he read his.

“Merlin’s beard!” Harry let out, reading his scroll, while Ginny gasped, Neville chuckled and Seamus’ loud ‘whoop’ could be heard farther down the table. Extremely curious now, Hermione unrolled her scroll and read it.


‘Mione,
Sorry this is so quick and in a letter, but I didn’t have time to tell you proper. I talked with Dora (Still can’t believe she’s letting me call her that.), and she agreed we didn’t want to wait, but we didn’t want to interfere with yours and the Professor’s bonding ceremony. So we’re getting married, tonight! Can you believe this beautiful, amazing woman will be Mrs. Ronald B. Weasley by the end of the day? I’ve asked Harry to stand for me, but I need you there, too. You are such an important part of my life, Mione. I couldn’t start out married life without you there.’


Hermione smiled faintly, feeling her eyes become moist. Blinking a few times, she read the rest of the letter.


‘I’ve invited Professor Snape, as well. I know you seem to be getting on with him alright, but I wish you could be as happy on your wedding day as I am.

See you tonight,
Love, Ron.

Oh! Bloody hell, forgot to tell you, the wedding is at the Burrow at 7:00 tonight.’


With a smile, Hermione looked up at the others, who had finished reading their scrolls. Ginny let out a disbelieving laugh, Neville had a broad grin and Harry looked . . . well, stunned.

“Ron’s asked me to stand for him,” Harry said, wide eyed.

“Is that so strange?” Ginny said. “You are his best friend, you dolt.”

“Well, yeah, I know, but he has five brothers. I just assumed . . .”

Ginny’s face pinched tightly, “Four brothers he’s speaking to.” Then she added softly, “besides, you know you’re one of the family, Harry.” A look bespeaking of both love and pain passed between them that made Hermione’s heart clench. After a long moment, Harry looked back at his letter, hiding his expression from them. Hermione met Ginny’s eyes and tried to tell her silently she ‘had’ to talk to Harry. The redhead bit the inside of her lips, appearing to weigh the pros and cons then looked up at someone standing behind Hermione.

“Miss Granger.”

Hermione turned and looked up into her intended’s eyes. A soft smile broke out on her face.

“I see you have received an invitation to the Weasley’s, as well. I take it you wish to attend?”

Hermione was mildly annoyed with his tone, until she saw the corners of Severus’ lips twitch with the hint of a grin. He was just playing with her. Maybe she should have him on a bit, as well.

“Well . . . I will have to find a proper escort and it is awfully short notice,” she said, letting just a hint of mock exasperation out. Severus’ eyebrow lifted and he cocked his head to the side, trying to read her face then his eyes lit mischievously and he bowed formally to her.

“If I may be so bold as to offer my services . . .”

Playing into it, she replied, “Yes. I think you’ll do nicely.”

Severus was about to give a retort when a loud ‘smack’ echoed in the hall. Severus looked up and Hermione turned to see Draco rubbing his quickly reddening cheek and Hannah Abbott stomping away, her strawberry-blonde hair flying behind her in indignation. Draco glanced at the room seeming very embarrassed. He stood taller and headed out of the hall. Hermione started to stand, but a large warm hand on her shoulder held her in her seat. Her head turned around to glare at Severus, who leaned down, putting his lips to her ear.

“I will speak with Draco when I can and find out what has transpired.” Giving her a meaningful look, he exited the hall. Hermione was left to wonder what had passed between her friend and his soon-to-be fiancée.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Severus collected Hermione from her room at precisely 6:30pm. They made their way to the entrance hall along with others who were attending the Weasley wedding. Near the front doors, the couple caught up with Harry, who seemed to be moving slowly.

“Alright there, Harry?” Hermione asked, as they caught up to him. Her friend startled a bit, his head snapping back to look at her.

“Um . . .yeah. I’m okay.”

Harry fell into step beside them once they were out the front doors, on their way to the front gates to Apparate to the Burrow.

“Nervous, Mr. Potter?” Severus asked with a hint of amusement. Green eyes cut across Hermione and looked up at the Potions Master.

“Yeah, guess I am, a bit,” Harry said thoughtfully. “Who’s standing for you, Professor?”

“Professor Lupin.”

“Oh.” Harry’s face drew up in consternation at this bit of information. “You don’t have any relatives to stand for you?”

“It is generally the choice of either the bride or groom of who will stand for them. Relation has little to do with it. The groom is relying on that person to assist them through one of the most important days of their life,” Severus said.

Hermione glanced up at him, then turned to see Harry weighing this statement.

“Yeah,” Harry said slowly, as if he were just understanding, “yeah, that’s right. Ron would want me ‘cause we’ve been through thick and thin together.”

“Emphasis on the thick.” Hermione heard Severus say under his breath. She let out a soft surprised chuckle. Harry seemed not to have noticed.

“He knows I won’t take the Mickey out of him for being nervous. Yeah, it makes more sense now,” Harry stated with a grin. “See you there.” Her friend jogged on ahead, leaving Hermione and Severus alone.

“I think you made Harry feel much better,” Hermione said, squeezing her fiancé’s arm a little tighter.

“That was not my intent, I merely answered his question.” Severus held the gate for her and looked down into her eyes as she passed him. She smiled up at him and walked into his embrace, ready for Apparition.

“You don’t fool me for a minute, you know.”

Severus quirked an eyebrow and pulled her tighter against him; then she felt the whirl of Apparition begin.


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