Forbidden Lover

Chapter Five
Snape Buys a Christmas Present


Snape stayed with Hermione until Ron and Harry pounded on her door, demanding that she open it and go to supper with them. He looked at her in alarm, kissed her a last time, and then simply melted away.

Wish I knew how to do that, she thought. She would disappear from Harry and Rons' sight. She had been perfectly happy albeit still grumpy, lying in bed with the Professor all day long. All night too would have suited her as well. At least now she knew that he didn't want her to stay away from him, nor had she offended him.

It wasn't that she didn't know about sex. She did and she knew the mechanics of what would happen physically when male and female joined. She just didn't know how to get to that point. She was still so awkward that the few times she'd tried touching her self, it hadn't resolved the erotic feelings she'd been having. Lately, being around Professor Snape had made her want to touch herself, or better yet have him do the touching.

She tossed the covers back and threw the door open, glaring at Harry and Ron in irritation.

"Get dressed and let's go," Harry said. "Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and we're ready to party."

"I don't want to," Hermione said, thinking that the two probably already had their plans made and their liquor stashed.

"Awww, Hermione, come on, don't hang here."

"What kinds of plans have you two made?"

"Well, Draco is meeting us in private. We're going to use the tunnel and sneak out to Hogsmeade."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You can come along if you want. There's no sense in you staying here holed up in your room," Harry said.

"No thank you," she turned around and went to grab her clothes from a chair.

"But Herm.." Ron began.

"I said No, Ron. I have plans of my own." She didn't, but she wondered where Professor Snape was going to be tomorrow night.

She went into the bathroom to change.

"She must be ragging," Harry said to Ron, who nodded in agreement. "You ought to give her a nip of that whiskey we have put up. Might stop the cramps and glares." He grinned, and they laughed.


Severus went back to his rooms. Christmas was always a lonely holiday for him. He usually celebrated by getting drunk. In Death Eater days, he and Lucius used to go on a lewder than normal path of debauchery, egged on by Voldemort himself. He was one of the few teachers that never received presents from students or family. If he really let himself think about it, Christmas was a depressing day just like the other days of the year.

This time, he was thinking and decided to head out to Diagon Alley and skip the evening meal. The shoppes were open late because of the Christmas season. It was snowing heavily outside but he donned the heavy velvet hooded cape he'd had as a Death Eater. It still served him well after all these years.

The warm lights from the shoppe windows were shining out onto the thick snow on the path as he trudged up the street.

You know Severus, you are being stupid as hell buying a gift for a teenager whom will never love the likes of you. You're old enough to be her father, and an ugly git too.

Severus swallowed hard, his insecurities coming back. He didn't know what love was anyway. He went into the jewelry store, ignoring the insistent thoughts that had been branded into his mind. It didn't take him long to choose what he wanted since he'd had an idea to begin with. He took the green velvet box from the jeweler and slid it into a hidden pocket of his suit. It'd been well worth the galleons he spent on it he thought, as he went back to Hogwarts to figure out how he was going to pluck up the courage to give it to Hermione.


The object of his affections had endured supper with Ron and Harry, who had to behave because Dumbledore was present. She was wondering where Professor Snape was. Only McGonagall was there besides the two Ravenclaws. When dinner was over she went back to her room and sat there, thinking. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. She wished that she'd thought to get Professor Snape a gift.


After some concentrated thought, she grinned. She had an antique copy in leather of a book by Thomas Hardy called "Life's Little Ironies" that he might enjoy. She would wrap it up and give it to him. She hoped he didn't have plans for tomorrow and would be in his rooms.



Christmas Eve dawned dark and full of flying snow. Most of the occupants of Hogwarts hid in their rooms. Even Dumbledore and McGonagall were closeted together, which Hermione thought was sweet.


Harry and Ron had snuck out early. They were going to meet Draco and a friend he was introducing Harry to. It was just as well, she thought as she dressed. She was going to go downstairs and see if Professor Snape was still here and not visiting relatives or a girlfriend.


Hermione knocked softly on the door to Snape's rooms, crossing her fingers in hope that he was still here.

Severus heard the soft knock, and hoped it was Hermione. He was wearing only his black pants and a white shirt with the top few buttons open. He opened the door and she was standing there, clutching a silver wrapped parcel.

"Hi Professor," she said.

"Hello, Hermione," Severus stood back and motioned her in, shutting the door behind her.

"I was afraid you'd left since tomorrow is Christmas," she explained. "You don't mind my coming down do you?"

"I would have been disappointed if you hadn't."

She smiled at him, noting that for the first time he didn't have on his full robing. Snatches of black chest hair were visible under the thin white shirt he wore, making her want to touch it.

"I brought you something, Professor," Hermione said, holding out the gift.

Severus looked at it.

She's brought me a present?

He didn't know what to say or do, for that matter. How did one accept a gift without making more of an idiot out of one's self than one already was?

"Open it," she nudged him as he sat down beside her on the sofa.

Slowly, he unwrapped the small gift. Old brown leather came into view with gold embossing on the cover that read: Life's Little Ironies by Thomas Hardie.

"He's a muggle author," Hermione explained.

Snape held the book in trembling hands, opening it and running his index finger over one of the gold edged pages. He didn't know what to say. He was thrilled with her gift.

"Thank you, my dear," he forced himself to say. "I have not read many muggle books."

"That one is quite interesting. I've read it several times. I thought you might like it."

He leaned over and kissed her gently, making her blush.

"I have something for you also." He pulled a green velvet box from his pocket and opened it, taking from it a necklace on a long silver chain. On the end of the chain hung a small snake made of silver with tiny emerald eyes and a ruby tongue.

Hermione looked at the necklace, and at the Professor who seemed to be looking at her with hope in his eyes.

She lifted the tiny snake.

"It's beautiful, Professor."

"Let me put it on you," he said.

She lifted her hair and turned so he could hook the necklace around her neck. The snake nestled lightly between her breasts.

She smells so good.

He nuzzled the nape of her neck, and Hermione giggled at him. She pulled out her wand and with a single flick produced two steaming china cups, handing him one.

Severus sniffed the liquid, trying to discern what it was.

"What is this?" He asked.

"Spiced cider with cinnamon. Muggles drink it on cold days, especially at Christmas. They also drink spiked egg-nog."

He grinned and tasted it, finding it to his liking.

"I could make some of this without magic if you had a kitchen," Hermione said.

Severus shook his head.

"With the house elves, we don't need one."

"True," she agreed.

She was wearing a scoop necked, plaid flannel dress. He was looking at the twin white mounds of her breasts that cradled the snake. Beautiful, he thought.

"Can we look at the book again?" she asked. Being on her menstrual cycle had made her unusually naughty.

She wants to look at the book with me?

"Do you really want to do that?"

Play her game Severus, and then you can fuck her.

"Yes."

Is he going to be upset with me for saying yes?

He went and got the book off the floor where it had lain since she dropped it. He sat down close to her and they opened it together. It didn't take Severus long to get an erection, looking at the book and having Hermione next to him.

They turned the pages silently, staring at the erotic images. Hermione squirmed a bit, feeling shivers run up her spine as she imagined Professor Snape inside her.

Severus felt her shiver.

"Are you cold?" he asked, putting an arm around her and cuddling her close.

"No," she replied, snuggling against him. "I was just thinking..."

"About what?"

I wish you would think about me.

Hermione looked at the Professor, unsure as to whether she should tell him what she was thinking or not. But he hadn't fussed at her before for speaking her mind.

"I was thinking about how we would look together like this."

Her words hung in the air while it penetrated his lust filled mind. She was talking about him, about him being inside her. About letting him touch her.

She was alarmed that he wasn't saying anything.

"I'm sorry," Hermione apologized. "I did it again. I am so dumb."

"You are not dumb," Severus said quickly, taking her face in one hand and making her look up at him. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are dumb. You are the smartest, most intelligent witch I've ever met. And no, you didn't upset me."

"You're not mad?"

"No, why would I be?"

"Well, I'm sitting here and fantasizing about you and I expected you to get upset."

"Hermione, I..." he hesitated.

What should I say? No one has ever wanted me?

"I haven't had a female tell me that before."

She stared at him in surprise. "You're teasing me. You're a grown man and I'm sure you've had lots of women."

Severus wasn't going to tell her about his shameful past, not now.

"I just never had one tell me in such plain terms," he lied.

"Would you touch me?"

Hermione, you're shameful.

"I want to touch you," he quietly admitted. "But If I do, it might get out of control."

"How?"

"You are so innocent. I don't know if I could control myself."

"You can't get out of control," she said.

"And why not, pray tell?"

"Well, you're Professor Snape, and he doesn't lose control. And I'm bleeding so I don't think we could do anything anyway."

Did I just tell him I was bleeding??? Hermione blushed deeply in mortification.

She's on her period?

Severus swallowed hard. She shouldn't have told him that. He was like a vampire when it came to blood. It had been the blood and gore that attracted him to the Death Eaters along with their cruelty. He'd been hurting inside himself at the time and wanted to hit back at the world for hurting him. The sight of blood at raids they'd made had made him feel somewhat vindicated. It'd taken him years to figure out that hitting back didn't resolve anything or make the hurt inside dissipate. Hermione should not have told him that. The Death Eater that still lurked inside was licking his lips.

Quit!

"Do not have that kind of confidence in me, Hermione," he warned. "I have dark things in my past."

"Do you mean the mark Harry said you have, or because you were a Death Eater?"

"Only partly. Your innocence would be put at risk if we were to experiment with one another."

Don't run her away you fool. You almost have her where you want her.

The Death Eater inside him hissed, making Severus flinch internally.

"I'm innocent, yes, but it doesn't mean I don't know anything," she replied.

Deep red blood, think about it Severus. Hot blood. The smell of it. And she would probably let you do what you like with her.

No! He was not going to do it, not to Hermione. Badly as he wanted the physical contact he was not going to misuse her or give her cause to hate him. He shut his eyes, trying to keep a grip on his escalating desires. Damn his dark side to hell. Of course, it already WAS living in hell; one of it's own making.

Open your dress for him, Hermione.

The little voice inside her mind whispered. She slowly unbuttoned the buttons on the front of her dress, and pushed it open before she allowed her self to think about it. Her breasts were revealed to him, encased in the lacy bra she wore. She was shaky inside; afraid that he might laugh at her or worse yet, tell her to button her dress back up. Hermione had never done such a thing before, but the emerging woman in her was urging her on without caution.

Severus looked at her and then at the expression on her face. Hermione looked as if she might jump up and run from him any second. Her eyes seemed to be both scared and begging at the same time.

He remembered once when there had been a girl he'd fallen in love with, back when he'd first came to Hogwarts as a lad. He'd foolishly told her about it, hopeful that his feelings would be returned. The girl had laughed in his face and promptly told all her friends. Everywhere he'd went he'd been pointed at and made fun of. He could tell Hermione was afraid he was going to reject her. Gods, he wanted her. Badly. But he was tempting fate if he touched her.

Go ahead, Severus, let's have a little fun. Inflict a little pain. Pay back. She's asking for it.

No, I won't hurt her, he argued with the voice even as he reached out a trembling hand to lightly touch one of the soft, lace encased mounds Hermione was offering him. She was trembling herself. Tension between them was thick; both of them frightened of the emotions they could feel for one another.

Hermione watched his fingers clasp her and it felt like hot fire came from them. Severus could barely see the tempting dark pink of her nipples through the hazy white fabric and lace.

"That feels so..... heated," she said.

Severus watched her nipple harden for him as he stroked it. Amazing.

"Can I...see it?" he asked.

Don't ask her, tell her to strip for you, Severus.

Without a word, Hermione reached up and he saw her unhook the bra from the front. She shut her eyes, took a deep breath and prayed he would like what he saw. She pushed the cups away, freeing her small but firm breasts and baring them to his black-eyed gaze.

He sucked in his breath at the beauty of them, so white and creamy under the candles that lit the room. Their tips were rosy pink and rapidly hardening as he looked at them. He could not believe this girl was sitting there, willingly baring herself to his lustful gaze, and riling the Death Eater as well. There was a part of him that was greedily taking all she would offer and the other, frightened part was still thinking that this was all a dream, which he would wake up from and be alone again.


Excruciatingly slowly, Severus touched the bare tip of a breast. Hermione moaned softly, his touch light and teasing against it. Encouraged, he rubbed it. She shivered. He palmed the entire breast.

"Gods, Professor."

He thought about the book, about the eroticism of taking her nipple into his mouth. He looked at her. Maybe he should kiss her first.

Severus took her mouth in a drugging kiss, his other hand coming up to cup and stroke her other breast. Slowly he explored her face, nibbling at the sensitive skin below her ear that made her shiver.

He was nervous as hell by the time he reached her nipple and his heated breath flowed over it making it harden more. Hermione arched into his mouth as he closed it around the peak. A groan issued from her throat as her head fell back and her hands went to his hair of their own violition.

His mouth was wet and hot as Severus' tongue circled her nipple. Hermione felt the almost painful throb clear to her center. She settled against him, letting him do as he pleased, enjoying the touch and feel of his mouth pulling at her. She wanted to wrap herself around him as he suckled greedily.


Severus was reveling in touching her, and not being screamed at or fought against. Hermione's fingers were soothing in his hair, urging him on. His own erection was hurting; it was so hard and so aroused. It marveled him how her breasts swelled into his hands, fitting them perfectly, their surface like silk against his palms.

Rip the rest of her dress off. Remember how it used to be between a woman's thighs, Severus? Remember the release you used to get? It can be that way again.

Go away! He commanded the Death Eater inside his head, determined that the weaker side of him self was going to win.


Hermione's voice broke into his arguing.


"Can I touch you?" she asked.

Severus took one of her hands and led it to his chest as he released her nipple, leaving her breasts wet and gleaming palely in the candlelight. She released the buttons on his shirt eagerly; afraid he would change his mind. The shirt was shoved aside to crumple on the sofa next to them.


His chest was lightly covered with a dusting of fine, straight black hairs. His flat male nipples were camouflaged in it. Hermione rubbed her cheek against them, almost purring in her delight. Severus nearly jumped out of his skin when she slowly licked one. His belly was getting damp from the excretions oozing from his excited cock. He was breathing hard, her touches making his desire for her stronger than it had ever been before.

Her sweet mouth locked onto his nipples as he had hers, laving them with her wicked tongue, making them sharpen into peaks that made him ravenous to have her.

Remember Severus, pin her down and then she can't fight you. Let her scream. Down here they can't hear her if she does. Let her cry, too. Tears won't have an effect on you. Think of your own pleasure.


No, no, no, he thought. I can't and I won't. I may be the world's biggest fool but I will not hurt this girl. Besides, just because we are playing with one another, it doesn't mean that she will let me in her bed. She's young, and she's curious. I'm an old man compared to her....


Severus wanted her, but he was still nervous and unsure. He made him self be content that day with stroking her breasts, even though he needed relief from his own erection. He just didn't have the courage to take her to bed, plus he was not going to listen to the Death Eater urges he was having. Hermione would not understand his blood lust. Maybe later.........


They spent Christmas Eve on his sofa, teasing one another and nibbling at bits of food Severus had the elves send down. Hermione didn't act like she wanted to leave his arms and he didn't suggest it.

It was the only Christmas Eve that Severus had ever had that he was not alone. He wanted her in his arms, forever.