Say You Love Me

Chapter Nine
There Are No Rules To Attraction

Severus knew that he shouldn't be feasting on Hermione's mouth but the Death Eater in him was gloating and urging him on. He deliberately rubbed his upper body against her, wanting to feel her nipples against his chest. Remembering the flash of her breasts that he'd seen when he'd stopped Weasley made him want to clamp his mouth on one and suck until she screamed.

"Let me," he groaned, pressing hot kisses to her neck, aroused beyond control.

His words penetrated through the sensual haze of need Hermione was feeling, and panic broke out as she remembered her earlier dream.

"No!" She shoved him, hard.

Her sudden denial caught Severus off guard and he stumbled, tripping on his cape. Hermione fled down the hall and down the stairs, leaving him highly excited and breathing hard.

Severus leaned against the wall; eyes squeezed shut, trying to calm his libido down. It was hard to quell the urge to chase her down and force her to his will. He wanted her, wanted to mate with her, to be as deep inside her body as he could get. He wanted to spray his seed against the mouth of her womb and mark her as his. The animalistic predator in him was full blown at the moment and she was irresistible to him. He had an erection that was hard as wood.

Damn her.

~*~

Hermione ran until she was panting and unable to breathe. Some of the portraits on the walls had been roused from sleep by her pounding feet and peered at her sleepily.

"You all right then, love?" One motherly matron asked. "Is Peeves up to his old tricks tonight?"

"No." Hermione sucked in much needed air. "I mean I am fine but no I have not seen Peeves."

"Why are you out of breath?"

"I was in a hurry," Hermione lied, wishing that her heart would quit pounding so fast. "I need to get to bed."

"You are awfully late making your rounds tonight." The woman yawned. "I believe I will go back to sleep since you are okay."

"Sorry I disturbed you."

Hermione slowly made her way back to her rooms, where she warded the door with new wards and made sure the fireplace had some as well. She didn't trust Snape and she also had a feeling that wards would not keep him at bay should he want in.

She should be happy that he wanted her. This was what she had dreamed of and now that it was happening, she was scared out of her wits.

~*~

Ecclestia was draped over Severus' favorite armchair drinking a firewhiskey when he returned to his rooms. She wore only a bit of chiffon that passed for a night robe, and was idly swinging a slender leg.

"So, my husband returns," she sneered. "I trust that you have secured this pile of rock and dust for the night?"

"Why are you not abed, Ecclestia?" Severus stalked to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a healthy draught.

"I thought that I would wait up for you, darling." She sat the glass down and uncoiled herself from the chair. She was naked under the chiffon, a fact that was apparent as she walked over to him. She made sure that he could see flashes of thigh as she moved.

"I have no need for anyone to wait up for me, let alone you," Severus bolted the firewhiskey in one motion, and then refilled his glass.

"Tut, tut. You mustn't be so grumpy. I have just the thing to put you in a better mood." Ecclestia's hand went to his chest, starting to undo the buttons on his frock coat.

"Take your hands off me, Ecclestia." He jerked away from her. His erection had thankfully died a quick death once he entered the room. He knew just exactly what she had in mind and he was not playing her game. "Go and find Lucius. I'm sure he will be glad to accommodate your twisted games that you prefer to play."

"At least Lucius knows how to recognize a real witch. All you seem to lust after are inadequate little girls."

"I have no idea to what or whom you are referring."

"You know exactly to whom I am referring, Severus. I will warn you here and now. If I catch you touching her, I will destroy you both. You are mine and I do not share what is mine."

"I belong to no one, woman, and do not threaten me. You will not harm anyone under the roof of this school."

"Oh yes, I forgot. Dumbledore will do me in. My, my. What a formidable enemy."

"It is not the Headmaster you have to worry about."

"I'm certainly not worried about that Granger girl. She isn't capable of matching the magic of a fully grown witch of my expertise."

"I would not be too sure of that, Ecclestia. Miss Granger is known for being very clever."

Ecclestia snorted loudly.

"I don't believe that nonsense. She's a mere girl and one of Potter's close friends. I'm surprised that our Master hasn't used her for entertainment at one of the gatherings by now."

"Voldemort will not touch her."

Ecclestia looked at Severus closely. She'd just given herself an idea.

"Fine, Severus. Tonight you win. But watch your back."

"I always do."

He watched her change clothes and she slammed the door behind her when she left. Going to visit Lucius, no doubt, Severus thought. Good. He needed a rest, and maybe he would wake up later and find that he had just had a bad dream tonight.

~*~

Ecclestia bowed down before Voldemort and kissed his ring.

"What brings you to seek me out, Ecclestia? I have not summoned you."

"I am troubled, Master."

"Have you not resolved your problems with your husband?"

"No, Master. My husband refuses to consummate our union."

"I have already punished him for his insolence."

"That is not the reason that I seek your help, Master. I have found that my husband desires the affection of another."

Voldemort remembered the brief flash of Severus kissing someone that he'd seen before the thought had been blocked from his view. This was proving to be extremely interesting.

"Continue," he said, leaning back in his chair.

"This young woman is a threat to our union. As long as she is alive and accessible to him my husband will never bow to your wishes."

"And why do you think this?"

"I can tell by his behavior. He looks at her with lust in his eyes, Master."

"He is a male wizard, Ecclestia. I do not find his behavior out of the ordinary."

Anger welled up in Ecclestia but she did not dare vent it for fear of repercussion.

"He has not mated with her?"

"Absolutely not. I will not allow that."

"I hardly think you have a choice in it."

"I am his wife!"

"Ecclestia, I do not have the time to waste on trivial matters such as this. I have demanded that Severus comply by mating with you so that you become his wife in truth. If he does not obey, I can punish him. But I will not continue to focus what energy I have on this issue."

"I want you to kill her, Master."

"Who?"

"Hermione Granger."

Granger. Where had he heard that name before? Voldemort stroked his cheek with a knobby finger.

The red slits that served as eyes for the Dark Lord narrowed.

"Potter's friend?" he spat.

"A very powerful witch."

Powerful? How interesting, Voldemort thought. Perhaps Severus was far wiser than he gave him credit for being.

"How powerful?"

"I heard that fool Dumbledore bragging that she was the brightest and most powerful witch that the school had seen in at least a hundred years, Master."

"Severus fancies her."

"Yes."

"And yet he has not followed his instincts?"

"No. He would not dare."

"I do not think you could stop him should he choose to do so."

Ecclestia sputtered angrily, her face turning red.

"Dumbledore would not allow it. She is a student," she nearly shouted.

"Lower your voice when you speak to me, you insolent tart," Voldemort hissed, becoming angry at her manner.

"I beg your pardon, Master," Ecclestia whispered while thinking what a bastard he was.

"Severus always showed too much honor," Voldemort said aloud, more to himself than to Ecclestia.

"Besides, Master, the girl is a virgin and of use to no one."

So, Severus had chosen a mate of great ability. Foolish man. Had he informed Voldemort of his interest, Ecclestia would not have been chosen for him. It sounded as if the Granger girl might be an excellent asset to their cause for several reasons, the most important being that it would bring Harry Potter to him where he could destroy him once and for all.

"Bring the girl to me, Ecclestia. I will deal with her."

"As you wish, Master." Voldemort had played right into her plans. The Dark Lord would destroy Granger, and she would have Severus all to herself. "It may take me some time, as Dumbledore is vigilant and it may be hard to lure her off Hogwarts grounds."

"I will count upon you to figure that one out. You have wasted too much of my time as it is. You might get Lucius Malfoy to help you. He's a nasty individual just like yourself, and I am certain he might enjoy the fun."

"I should let Lucius have her," Ecclestia said.

"You are not to harm her in any manner," Voldemort glared, his good hand tightening on his wand. "I want her alive and untouched. I have plans for her. Lucius is not to mate with her. Now, be gone from my sight. If I need you I will summon you. Otherwise, I do not expect to see you again without the girl."

"I will do my best, Master." Ecclestia bowed. Hermione Granger's days were numbered.