A Change of Venue

Chapter 7 ~ The Scenario (Short Chapter)

Hermione and Severus entered the long corridor, Hermione wondering which door the Potions Master would take her to, which scenario he thought suited tonight. The wizard paused for a moment, then turned to her, his dark eyes intense.

“Before we continue, Hermione, I feel I should be honest with you concerning tonight and our earlier appointment,” the wizard said silkily, “In the eighteen months I practiced this vocation, I’ve serviced a large number of witches. In almost every case it was a matter of being practiced and focused, having a goal and reaching it. There was some pleasure on a physical level, how could there not be…but for the most part…my hand could have provided the same level of enjoyment. In other words, I was a talented actor…a skilled performer who played his role to the hilt…no pun intended.”

He gave Hermione a slight smirk as the witch tried to figure out where this conversation was going.

“I can honestly tell you, Hermione…there was not one witch, no matter how pretty, curvaceous or rich that I actually wanted on a personal level, not until I caught you peering into my window. I couldn’t believe my eyes, which was why when you scooted away I opened the door and called you back. I never pursue potential clients. Hundreds of women have looked inside my shop and walked away. I never called them back. Either they entered or they didn’t. It wasn’t that way with you,” he said softly.

“Still you charged me a consultation fee,” Hermione said, “And you told me I had to pay for your services as well.”

Severus’ brow furrowed.

“Of course I did,” he snapped, “How would you have responded if a man in my profession told you he wanted to see you on a personal level, but still carry on in his vocation? Would you have taken that well?”

Hermione thought about it, her eyes flicking over the dark wizard. She was no angel after all.

”I might have…if the man were you…especially if I was going to get for free what everyone else was paying for,” Hermione replied honestly, “I mean…I’ve always found you attractive, Professor and I’m nowhere as rigid concerning casual sex as I was when I was in school. People change when life becomes…well…real. Besides, I would have saved five hundred galleons. I’m always looking to save a sickle or two.”

Severus stared at her for a moment, shook his head slowly then burst into deep, rich laughter.

”You are a delight, Hermione” he chuckled, “Only a Gryffindor would speak about something like this with such candor. Save a sickle or two?”

He burst into laughter against, bringing one pale hand to his eyes as if to wipe away tears of mirth as Hermione smiled slightly. She was just being honest.

Presently Severus stopped laughing and caught her hand.

”Come with me, witch. I am going to enjoy you,” he purred walking down the corridor and past all the doors until he came to the last room…the room Hermione knew was empty.

Severus gestured to the door.

“Go in,” he urged.

Hermione looked up at him.

“What’s in there?” she asked him.

Severus quirked an eyebrow at the witch.

“I don’t know, Hermione. That depends on you. The scenario will appear when you enter. If I were to enter first, mostly likely all that would appear would be a very large bed,” Severus said to her, his eyes glittering, “That bit of furniture and your presence would be all I needed…it would most likely suffice…but I am curious as to what will appear for you. So if you please…”

Again he gestured toward the door.

Hermione grasped the knob, swallowed, then slowly opened the door, walking into the room as Severus held back.

She looked around for a moment, then a look of confusion crossed her face.

“What is this? This doesn’t look romantic,” Hermione said as Severus glided in behind her and looked about.

“Obviously there is something about this scenario that appealed to you,” he said silkily, taking a seat, “Come join me and we’ll explore it together.”

Hermione slowly walked to the armchair opposite Severus. A circular table sat between them, on which rested a silver tea service, cakes, small crustless sandwiches and scones. Tasteful pictures of men and women erotically entwined graced the cool blue walls. The room had recreated Severus’ consultation room. Hermione sat down a bit nervously as Severus leveled his eyes on her.

“So tell me, Hermione…our consultation…it did something for you did it not?” he asked her, “It must have been quite…affecting for this scenario to recreate itself. You found it arousing. Memorable.”

”Yes,” she admitted, looking at the wizard. It was the consultation that made her so willing to engage him.

“And you found it arousing because…” he pressed, watching Hermione shift a bit in the chair.

“Because…because you sounded as if you knew my most secret desires,” she breathed, “Desires that I’m not even aware of.”

”And most likely because you wished I would have shown you what those desires were at the consultation. I saw the way you looked at me, Hermione. If the hunger in your eyes could have been expressed as a true appetite where I could be consumed, I believe there would have been nothing left of me,” he purred at her, “Not even bones.”

Hermione flushed at his description. She had wished he could have taken her then…right across the scones. She tried valiantly to explain herself.

“Yes. You left me curious and used my curiosity to land the appointment I made with you,” Hermione said, frowning slightly.

“Let’s continue to be honest with each other, Hermione. You were curious when you came for the consultation, witch. More than curious,” the Potions Master said, “I have never had a witch come for a consultation who did not return for more. You were already mine. All that was needed was…consummation of that fact. A consummation you would have liked immediately. That is why there is this scenario. That is why we are here…to recreate that original consultation, with a different…ending.”

Hermione blinked at him. A different ending? Oh gods…could he really take her back to that point? It was too delicious to think about.

“To be honest, Hermione…the same thought had crossed my mind before you left my presence,” the wizard said, drawing his wand and placing it against his temple to amplify the memory of their consultation, “but there was the little matter of my fee which stopped me. If you had the five hundred galleons with you, it would have been “immediate and thorough” service, I assure you. As I said before witch, you were the first potential client I actually wanted.”

Hermione stared at him, hippogriffs flying in formation in her belly at this second admission of his sexual attraction to her. She watched as he looked thoughtful, then nodded his head, putting his wand away.

”I believe, Hermione that you wanted an interlude that is…earthshaking,” he purred, leaning forward and pouring himself a cup of tea. He took a careful sip of the brew then looked over the edge of the cup at her.

”Prepare yourself for a ten on the Richter scale, witch,” he crooned, setting the cup down and loosening the collar of his robes.

******************************************
A/N: Sorry for the shortness of this chapter. Not feeling very well so will most likely be writing in spurts so you all have something to read. ****