Daddy Dearest - (No Update, Edit)

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 41 ~ Hide and Go Get Her

Severus immediately shifted into Spy mode, moving through the three-bedroom, two-bath house silently as he sought out Hermione. The wizard sniffed the air delicately, his large nostrils pulsating as he picked up the slight scent of her jasmine shampoo. The wizard smirked and stealthily moved down the hallway towards the bedrooms. He paused in front of the bathroom, then stepped inside, looking behind the door, then yanking the shower curtain aside. He paused by the sink, looking at the vanity with narrowed eyes. Hermione might be small enough to fit under there if she folded up tight. He leaned down and pulled open the cabinet.

Nothing.

Severus exited the bathroom, closing the door and warding it with his wand so Hermione wouldn't sneak in there while he was checking other rooms. He crept into the first bedroom. This was obviously a guest room. Quietly he lowered himself and looked under the bed. Hermione wasn't there. He then opened the closet, looking up at the upper shelves as well. No witch. He exited the bedroom and warded it also.

Next he entered Mathias' room, a bit taken aback at how spartan it was for a young wizard's room. It was painted white and spotless, containing a neatly made bed, desk, chair, lamp, bookshelf and dresser. There was nothing on the walls and nothing on the wood floor. Severus was amazed because his bedroom was much the same, furnished without bells and whistles.

The wizard looked under the bed, and in the closet. Still no witch. One more bedroom was left. Hermione's. Severus walked into her bedroom. She had a huge king-sized four-poster bed. The Potions Master looked at it with approval. It would do nicely. He looked under it, pulling the covers high so he could see through. No. No witch. He frowned and looked at his watch. More than five minutes had gone by. He then checked her walk-in closet, moving every piece of clothing aside, and checking the upper area. Still no witch.

Scowling now, he checked the bathroom, opening the cabinets, linen closet, vanity and shower. He silently cursed. The witch had run back this way…where the hell was she? He exited Hermione's bedroom, scowling blackly. He had to find the witch. He slowly walked back up the hallway. Hermione kept her house spotless. Not a speck of dust anywhere…

Suddenly the Potions Master stopped, his black eyes resting on the floor. A small sprinkling of dust lay there forming a rather scattered perpendicular angle. He studied it for a moment, then looked up. There was a small square indentation above him, framed by molding. The way into the attic.

The wizard smiled slowly.

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Hermione was on her hands and knees in the dark, staring at the closed attic entryway. A dropdown ladder was attached to the door. The witch could see light around the seams, and watched the Potions Master's shadow pass underneath her hiding spot, holding her breath each time he did so. The way to open the attic door was a blank switch panel on the wall. You just had to press it. But it was rather mugglish and the Professor might not know how to do this.

Hermione held the face of her watch to the crack and read it by the dim glow. There was only two minutes left until this game would be over. If Severus didn't find her she might not have to do this tonight. Hermione met that thought with mixed emotions. She found herself very excited at the prospect of him finding her. Excited and somewhat frightened. She watched as his shadow stopped underneath the attic door. Her heart began to pound when he didn't move. Gods, did he know she was up here? How could he know? Nervously, she leaned forward, trying to put her eye to the gap and see what he was doing. Her hand pressed the door accidentally.

The Professor stared up at the attic door, and a bit of fine dust floated down. He watched it drift slowly to the floor resting on top of the dust already there.

Confirmation.

Severus looked upward, a wicked grin on his face.

"Hermione, come out, come out. It's time to play, my little Gryffindor," he purred up at the ceiling.

He heard a sudden thump and scuffling fading away into the distance. It seemed the attic ran the entire length of the house and Hermione had just ran toward the living room area. Severus looked around. There didn't seem to be any way into the attic. How had she gotten up there? No matter.

Severus whipped out his wand. He didn't tell the witch he wouldn't use magic after all. He pointed the wand at the ceiling.

"Alohamora," he hissed.

The door dropped open and a ladder came down.

The wizard began to climb.

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Hermione heard Severus tauntingly call her name and realized he had discovered her hiding place. She panicked, and ran toward the far end of the attic. There were all kinds of boxes there. She could hide behind one of them until the time ran out. There was only a minute left. She slipped behind the farthest box she could, crouching, almost curling into a ball. She heard the ladder drop and the Potions Master climbing up. Then there was silence.

Hermione tried to still her heart. It was pounding so loudly he had to hear it.

"I've found you. Come out!" Severus called, holding up his lit wand and looking at his watch. Damn it, he only had forty-five seconds left. "Come out, Hermione and take it like a witch."

But Hermione didn't move. If he didn't have his hands on her in the next forty seconds, she'd win.

Severus scowled as he held up his wand and saw all the boxes. There was no way he could sort through all of them in time. The witch thought she had won.

Severus grinned evilly. She hadn't won. He pointed his wand at the boxes.

"Accio Hermione Granger," the wizard said.

Suddenly there was a shriek and the sound of boxes being shoved out of the way. There was another sustained scream growing louder as Hermione flew through the air and into the Potions Master's extended arms. He grinned as he clutched the struggling witch against him.

"Gotcha," he said silkily as Hermione squirmed.

"You cheated!" she cried, "You used magic!"

Severus wrestled her around until he had her in his arms in a carrying position.

"I never said I wouldn't use magic," he breathed, walking to the attic door with her. He stopped, looking at the ladder. She was going to have to climb down.

"I caught you fair and square, witch. Down the ladder with you," he said, setting her on the floor.

Scowling at the wizard, Hermione climbed down the ladder. Severus quickly followed her, but she bolted again when she hit the floor. This time Severus took off after her, his eyes as predatory as any hunter chasing prey.

"Now who's cheating?" he called after the fleeing witch.

Hermione ran into the living room again, running around the sofa, trying to put it between her and Severus. She shrieked as the wizard tore into the room behind her and cleared the couch with a leap. He snatched at the witch but she darted for the armchairs this time…she almost made it, but Severus zipped forward and caught her by her hair. Her legs almost ran out from under her as he held her locks securely.

"Ow!" Hermione cried, then cursed at him.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her.

"Such language," he said, making a tsking sound of disapproval. He yanked her back into his arms. The witch continued to struggle as Severus turned her to face him, pulling her close against his body.

"You little hellcat," he said to her, totally enjoying her trying to fight him. "This will calm you."

The wizard pressed his lips to Hermione's mouth. The moment he did, Hermione stiffened, then slowly melted as the Potions Master kissed her. It wasn't even a complete, overpowering kiss. He didn't ravage her mouth, he simply moved his lips against hers, gently caressing and suckling them, his dark eyes half-lidded as the witch ceased struggling and molded her curves against his body, trembling with urgency. He pulled away from her mouth and looked at her face. Her eyes were heated and half-opened looking up at him.

"Music isn't the only thing that calms the savage breast," he said softly, a smirk on his face.

Hermione didn't respond, but continued to press against him. She couldn't speak, not feeling his body against hers like this. Every nerving ending was screaming for more contact. Instinctively, she slid her body up and down, her belly rubbing against the Potions Master's growing erection. The witch let out a moan as she felt him throbbing against her.

"You're ready to stop running now, Hermione?" Severus asked her, pressing into the witch, loving the feel of her body so wantonly working against him. "Are you ready to accept me…me and not a shadow of me? The real man and not an eleven-year-old memory? Tell me, witch. Tell me, now."

He pulled Hermione back from his body with some difficulty, the witch groaning a protest while pushing parts of her body forward to continue the contact. Severus pulled his hips back. His erection was enormous.

Hermione looked up at him almost drunkenly, intoxicated by her desire. Severus studied her face, his dark eyes drinking in her obvious need.

"If you had looked like this eleven years ago, Hermione, I might have known not all was right with you. But in this case, it isn't alcohol, is it witch?"

"No, it's you," she breathed up at the wizard. "All you."

"That's all I needed to hear," he growled, sweeping Hermione up into his arms and striding towards her bedroom.

"It's time to get real, witch," he breathed down at her, "I'm going to make sure you remember me this time."

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A/N: Short chapter I typed out at work. It's on now. Lol at his accio spell. Very effective, Severus. Please review.