Saving Miss Granger (Small Edit)

Chapter 30 ~ Epilogue

Marcus Delaluci bounced down the main stairwell after spending the night in the infirmary under the watchful eye of Poppy. He was completely healed and looked no worse for wear. The gashes that Severus placed on him were only superficial wounds. They bled profusely as part of the spell, but were not deep and healed without scarring. Marcus suspected the arena’s magic had a lot to do with that.

Well, he’d been beaten but he thought he’d made a fairly decent showing. If he had been just a bit faster going for his wand, Marcus was sure he would have been the victor. Let the Potions Master have the witch. There was plenty other untapped pussy to be had after all.

It was very early and only a few students were apparent, on their way to breakfast. They looked at him curiously to see if he bore any marks. He didn’t. The pupils went on to the Great Hall, talking about how tough the DA teacher was.

As Marcus reached the main floor, the main doors opened and a woman entered. Marcus paused, his violet eyes taking her exotic form in. She was a black woman, wrapped in a yellow sari with matching turban and sandals. Marcus let out a low whistle as his eyes raked across her figure. She was extremely curvaceous, with full breasts and an ass he could set a glass on. She wore a number of colored wooden bangles and her eyes were honey brown.

Marcus straightened his robes and ran his hand through his thick blonde hair as the woman entered Hogwarts, her eyes shifting about as she walked. The wizard strode up to her.

“Good morning,” he said smiling at her. “My name is Marcus Delaluci and I am the Dark Arts teacher here at Hogwarts. Can I help you?”

The woman eyes washed over the wizard.

“Yes, you may. My name is Cassandra and I am here to see Albus Dumbledore,” the woman replied in a lilting Caribbean accent. Marcus thought it was the sexiest accent he had ever heard. The woman’s voice was like music.

“Allow me to escort you to his office,” Marcus said smoothly, offering the woman his arm.

Cassandra looked at him consideringly before taking his arm.

“Thank you, Dragon man,” she said soberly.

Marcus paused in shock.

“Dragon man?” he said.

How in the world did this woman know his ancestry?

Cassandra nodded.

“Yes, Dragon man. And a wicked one at that,” she said as they mounted the stairs, Marcus staring at her. Was the witch a seer?

“I am no witch. I am Obeah. Much different,” she responded to his unspoken thought. “And yes, I have the Sight, among other things. But no worries, Dragon man…your secret is safe with me. Obeahs hold many secrets.”

Marcus’ eyes washed over her, wondering what secrets she had hidden under that sari.

Cassandra’s mouth made an “O” as she looked at Marcus.

“You are a very wicked wizard,” she said, scowling at him slightly, “Rude too. Such thoughts. But you like women, so it is to be expected.”

Marcus smirked. Liked women? That was an understatement if he ever heard one.

“You don’t live in England, do you?” he asked her.

“No, I am only here to get supplies and see the Headmaster. I will be leaving tomorrow for my island,” she replied, studying the handsome white wizard with a bit of interest.

He was not a bad man, although a wicked one when it came to women. Much blood surrounded him. Old blood. Once he was a killer, but not now. But his heart, his heart though dark was not totally wicked, just closed.

“Tomorrow, eh?” the wizard said thoughtfully, “What are you doing tonight?”

“I am staying with my friend Endora,” the Obeah replied, smiling slightly. She knew what the Dragon man was going to ask.

“Perhaps I could take you to dinner tonight,” Marcus said, surprising himself. He’d only taken one or two witches to dinner in his entire life. Maybe Snape's tactics were rubbing off on him.

Cassandra looked at him appraisingly.

“Perhaps you could,” the Obeah replied, “Convince me it would be worth my time, Dragon man.”

Marcus smirked as they stepped onto a landing that carried them up to the next level.

“You’ve still got it, Marcus,” he thought smiling down at the Obeah. Then he began to talk his ass off.

By the time they reached Dumbledore’s office he got his date with the curvaceous, exotic woman. He left Cassandra with Albus, departing with a smile on his face and a strong craving for chocolate.

Once again DA teacher Marcus Delaluci had landed on his feet.

*************************************************

Harry came by Hogwarts to visit Hermione on his lunch break a few weeks later and the witch noticed immediately that the-man-who-lived had a glow about him. A very happy glow. She brought him a pumpkin juice and sat down in the armchair next to his, looking at him and smiling.

“Who is he, Harry? I can see you are in love,” Hermione said.

Harry sipped his pumpkin juice and set it down, his eyes happy but turning dark.

“I would rather not say, Hermione…but he is good to me and knows exactly what I need,” the wizard said softly. “For the first time in my life, I feel truly happy.”

“Does he feel the same way about you?” Hermione asked.

Despite Harry’s happiness, she felt something distinctly wrong.

Harry looked at her.

“It feels like he does, Hermione, and that’s all that matters,” the wizard said, “It’s enough for me, though we keep our relationship secret. He says it is to protect me since I am still hiding my orientation. He says people aren’t all that understanding about things like this, though they pretend they are. I agree with him.”

Hermione suddenly scowled.

“You went to Lucius, didn’t you Harry?” she asked him, horror rising in her belly. Gods, not Lucius Malfoy…he was an animal.

Harry didn’t answer her.

“Harry, Lucius is a cruel man. He has no feelings for anyone but his wife. He doesn’t love you. He’s using you to slake his own twisted desires,” Hermione said to him.

Harry scowled back at her.

“I’m just as twisted as he is, Hermione. Believe me,” the wizard said, his eyes meeting hers steadily. Hermione could literally see the darkness behind them. Damn, Lucius had turned him out. “And I am happy with him.”

“Harry, he could hurt you,” Hermione said, frightened for her friend.

“Not too badly, Hermione. There’s something to be said for pain if it is used properly,” Harry said, sounding like a poster wizard for S&M.

Hermione stared at Harry. She felt a bit guilty. His words made her think of Severus, who also used pain to bring pleasure. But somehow, it wasn’t the same.

“Harry…” she began.

“Hermione,” Harry said warningly, “Be happy for me or just don’t say anything. Please.”

“Fine,” Hermione said, feeling as if she had stones in her belly.

They changed the topic, but the visit wasn’t too long after that, Harry having to get back to the Ministry. He kissed her cheek and looked into the witch’s worried eyes.

“It’s all right, Hermione, believe me,” Harry said, “He makes me very happy.”

Hermione watched her friend exit her rooms, then sat down on the sofa and softly began to cry.

*****************************************

After several months, Severus finally decided to cash in on his win at the Bee’s Knee’s and tell Hermione what he wanted her assistance on.

“I want you to continue your work on that Libido Potion,” he said to the witch as they lay together comfortably in his bed.

The newness of their relationship had worn off, and they spent much more time enjoying each other’s company, though there was still plenty of very satisfying sex. Yet there was so much more. Dinners, dancing, short jaunts to shows, even muggle movies, which fascinated the wizard. There were also conversations, debates and downright arguments about everything under the sun. The arguments were mostly Severus’ fault. He was very possessive and extremely chauvinistic when it came to certain things, and Hermione wasn’t having it.

When Severus told her she should stop wearing jeans and stick to skirts and dresses, she told him if he wanted to see more skirts and dresses, then he could wear them. This resulted in a huge argument which Hermione ultimately won, threatening to cut off his pussy supply. Severus caved in, but the next time he fucked her…he fucked her good. Six vials of purple potion were in order by the time the wizard got off of her. It didn’t take long for Hermione to see the pattern of rough sex following him losing arguments with her. Severus vehemently denied doing anything untoward, and said his ardor was because she aroused him so greatly. Hermione snorted, but there wasn’t really anything she could say.

“The Libido Potion? Why?” she asked the Potions Master.

“Because when Lucius took you, he confided in me that he used deatheater magic to try and gauge your pain tolerance. You had no reaction to it under the spell. If you tweaked it, the spell could be used to protect female Aurors and Order members from the effects of deatheater rape should they end up in their hands. Most women who go through it never recovered and have to be removed from society since they cannot deal with men on any level. Your spell would be a great help, Hermione,” he said sincerely.

Hermione didn’t know about that aspect of the spell. It really was worth looking into. She looked at Severus.

“But I don’t understand, Severus…how will my working on the spell be of service to you?” she asked the wizard.

The Potions Master’s eyes took on a far away look.

“It will be of service to me because I urged you to do something for the good. Something that would protect others. I have not had much opportunity to make up for the wrongs I’ve done. It would help ease the guilt, Hermione. Not erase it, but ease it somewhat. I have much to make up for witch,” he said quietly.

Hermione looked at him.

“You helped destroy Voldemort, Severus. Surely you feel some redemption for that,” she said softly.

“I also helped that despot spread his evil for many years. I kept him alive,” the Potions Master said darkly, a slight frown on his face. Then he turned and looked at Hermione.

“You will do it, won’t you Hermione?” he asked her, an almost pleading look in his eyes.

Hermione felt her heart go out to the wizard.

“Yes, Severus. I will do it,” she responded.

The Potions Master slipped his arm under the witch and pulled her tight against him and closed his eyes. Hermione listened to him breathe.

Presently Severus said, “I’m blessed to have you in my life, Hermione Granger. I can’t imagine being without you now. You know that don’t you?”

“If you say so, Severus,” she said softly.

“I say so,” he breathed, opening his eyes and looking at her intently before sliding his pale hand slowly up her thigh, lifting her nightgown, then rolling on top of her, rising to his knees for a moment to lower his boxers, his eyes resting on her face soberly.

Hermione felt a thrill go through her as he gently lay back down on top of her, and for the first time since they had become lovers, Severus Snape made love to her, gently, tenderly and passionately, their bodies moving as one, his penetration…a loving caress that lifted her slowly toward ecstasy, his lips and hands moving over her body, turning her and twisting her until she reached her peak and orgasmed, feeling as if she were falling through a world of bliss, clutching his strong body, and crying out something…something that made the wizard stiffen for a moment, then become ardent, stronger, rushing forward like an incoming storm and folding over her, then expelling his lightning with a shuddering groan, clutching her now, pulling her to him tightly as he released. They stayed molded together long after their climaxes died away.

Hermione felt him withdrawn slowly with a sigh, and his lips cover hers in a final kiss as he slid off her. He was silent, but this was a heavy kind of silence, not the sleepy sated quiet that followed their sex.

“Severus?” Hermione said softly as she looked at his profile. His eyes were closed.

“Mmm?” he responded

“Are you all right?” she asked him.

Severus turned his head toward the witch, opening his eyes.

“I am fine, Hermione. In fact, I have never, ever been better,” he said, slipping his arm around the witch and drawing her close. “Now sleep.”

Hermione closed her eyes and in a few minutes was sound asleep.

Severus lay there. His eyes was closed but sleep no where to be found. But he didn’t mind. When Hermione asked him if he were all right, he told her the truth. He had never, ever been better.

Especially since the something Hermione cried out in the midst of her passion was, “I love you, Severus.”

The snarky Potions Master knew it would take some time for him to say it, but he felt the same way toward the witch. It was just so confounded hard to admit it. The image of cherubs, flowers and hearts came to mind, and he felt a touch of nausea as he pushed the horrid images away. Why did love have to come with such irritating romantic trimmings? It was a logical progression after all. Sex, companionship, more sex, a meeting of minds, more sex then love. Very simple. He knew when he finally told the witch, there would be sickeningly sweet, emotional scene he'd have to go through with her. Hopefully they could get to the sex fast.

The Potions Master's brow furrowed as the truth of the matter set in.

If the witch had not accepted him, he would still be prowling taverns and brothels, having meaningless, soulless sex with women who meant nothing to him. He would still be spending his life alone, with no one to connect to, no one to connect to him, being despised by those around him and giving as good as he got. His life would have probably been one spent in loneliness and self-pity for the rest of his days.

He kissed Hermione on the temple. She sighed and sidled closer to him, not waking.

He looked down on the witch, his normally harsh eyes turning tender as he realized that by saving Miss Granger, he had ultimately saved himself.

THE END

******************************************
A/N: And that is the end of “Saving Miss Granger” Fluffy fluffy. Lol. Well, on to the next story which is already started. See you there. Please leave a last review. ***