Survival of the Fittest

“I’m pleased you are up,” Severus stated as he followed her, deftly changing the topic. “I think we should practice.”

Hermione’s brows knitted together. Her expressions were always wide and animated. Her reaction last night had been worth the effort it had taken him not to reach across the bed and seduce her.

“Practice what?” she questioned.

Unable to contain a smirk, Severus met her gaze. “Intimacy, of course.”

“I b-beg your pardon,” Hermione stammered.

Severus schooled his features as numerous expressions crossed over her face. “Dumbledore is a skilled Legilimens. He will know if we are trying to deceive him,” Severus stated flatly. “Therefore, I suggest we ‘get to know one another’ better.”

--

“I-I don’t think that would be a g-good idea.” Great, Granger! Why don’t you just jump on the bed and tell him to take you now. No! Of course not! You have to stand here stuttering like a nonsensical dolt.

Severus looked puzzled.

“Haven’t we, uh, been intimate enough already?” Hermione busied herself, shelving the book. “Haven’t we demonstrated our ability to ‘play act’ with one another? I s-see no reason why we should ‘practice’ that kind of ‘intimacy.’” Besides, it only leaves me frustrated.

Sneering, Snape chuckled. “I would no more want to practice that kind of intimacy with you than I would want to practice Legilimency on a hippogriff.”

“Yes, I know,” Hermione retorted. “You’ve made that perfectly clear. Instead of sniping at one another, perhaps we should work together to get out of here.”

“That was precisely the point I was trying to make,” he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Hermione listened with skepticism.

Heaving an exaggerated sigh, the Hogwarts’ potions master sat on the wicker sofa and crossed one leg over the other. “We’ve already practiced physically intimacy, but the headmaster may ask questions about you for which I have no answers.”

Comprehension dawned on Hermione and she formed a small “o” with her lips. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Now that we’ve established that I am right, shall we commence with the unfortunate ‘nicety’ of familiarizing ourselves with one another.”

“It would help if you stop insulting me every time the opportunity presents itself,” Hermione mumbled through clenched teeth.

“I’ll add easily offended to the list of your character traits,” he sneered.

“And I’ll add sarcastic bastard to yours,” she retorted automatically.

She didn\'t dare look away from his unwavering gaze, as she did not want him to best her again. But he continued to sit there, looking smug and saying nothing. She walked across the room, grabbed some parchment and a quill, and set it on the desk.

“Perhaps we should limit our conversation to the barest of essentials,” she suggested with a nonchalant wave of her hand over the desk. “I’ll write down questions for you and you can write down questions for me. That way we can just go back to the way things were when we were ignoring one another.”

Hermione handed him the paper and the quill and backed away. “While you’re writing your questions, I’ll be in the bedroom eating. Then I intend to shower and go swimming. That way I’ll be out of your way most of the day.”

And with that said, she left the room.

--

It was fortunate she left, for the temptation to give her what she so obviously wanted had grown beyond his control. Why did she insist on baiting him? Didn’t she realize that every argument fueled the combustible nature of their relationship?

“Those are definitely questions I’ll never ask,” he murmured sullenly, setting the parchment and quill next to him and thinking of other questions he would like to know the answers to.

How many lovers had she had? She had so much fire in her. Surely that passion could be tamed. What are their names so he can kill them?

Yes, he knew the answers to more mundane questions like how she preferred sugar in her tea. He knew how restlessly she slept. Even when he hadn’t been sleeping in the bed, Severus could hear her toss and turn in her sleep. Last night, he found that she talked in her sleep as well. Her words had been incoherent as she melted against him, her subconscious welcoming the soft repose of his hand upon her stomach.
His thoughts had meandered throughout the twilight hours as he caressed her and tortured himself. Just thinking about the feel of her softness had him painfully aroused. At this rate, he would need to take another cold shower.

More inappropriate questions bubbled to the surface of his mind. What would it feel like to have her?

Surely, she would be no different than any other woman you’ve had.

Severus scoffed at the thought as visions of sating himself and casting her aside swarmed in his mind. He’d never met a woman as strong-willed as she was. Would she yield to him or would she scratch and claw his back as he quenched his needful thirst within her?

Merlin’s balls, Snape! Your phrasing sounds like one of those insipid romance novels you are continually confiscating in class.

--

She had done it. She had actually made it through the day without talking to him. Most importantly, Hermione had gotten through the day without begging him to make love to her. Putting the finishing touches on her “essay,” Hermione waited for the ink to dry.

All of the questions were safe questions. After all, she really didn’t want to know anything about Severus Snape that wasn’t absolutely necessary.

She walked into the sitting room and set the assignment on the table in front of him. “I’m finished,” Hermione stated flatly. “Do you have questions ready for me?”

He motioned toward the writing desk, but said nothing.

As had become her custom around him, she eyed him warily and backed toward the desk.

He smirked and reached for her parchment, gasping slightly as the list of questions unrolled and the end of the parchment hit the floor. “Overachieving again, Miss Granger? This may take me weeks to sift through.” Running his hand over the paper, Severus measured it and ripped it in half.

“Ah! That’s not very fair,” she said angrily. “How am I supposed to answer questions Professor Dumbledore may ask me?”

“There are ten questions left,” Severus replied smugly as he held the paper up to his nose and started reading.

Hermione sputtered. Arrogant prat! “Fine! Then I will only answer ten of your questions.” In a huff, she sat down at the writing desk and straightened his paper before her. Glancing at it, she fumed. There were fewer than ten questions on his list.

Instead of balling up the parchment and throwing it at him, she concentrated on answering the questions.

1. Seeing as you are a Muggle-born, I assume you appreciate Muggle entertainment. What kind do you enjoy?
2. You made some of the highest N.E.W.T scores in Hogwarts’ history. Why did you become a librarian? Why did you accept the position at Hogwarts? Do you plan on staying at Hogwarts?
3. Do you have any other ambitions you have yet to realize?
4. Is there possibly anything you “don\'t” know something about?
5. Do you want children? If so, how many?
6. Are you planning on doing anything with your hair?
7. What kind of cuisine do you enjoy?

“Oh what a relief,” drawled Hermione sarcastically. “I was afraid you were going to ask what my favorite color was.”

He largely ignored her as he took quill to paper and started scratching what she assumed were his answers. Since Severus was ignoring her, she started answering the questions.

1. I’m quite fond of Muggle technology, but seeing as the technology does not work around magic, I’ve learned to live without it. I don’t really care for the telly. But I do like the cinema. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the last movie I saw, it’s been so long. I have an extensive collection of Muggle authors in my personal library. I would have to say that I enjoy mysteries most.
2. I love books. Because Dumbledore offered me the position and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to annoy you. How long I stay remains to be seen.
3. Yes.
4. Probably not.
5. Yes. I don’t know.
6. I refuse to answer that.
7. Sweets.

Hermione looked at her answers and grinned. Most of the answers were quick and to the point because the questions were leading and she refused to give him any more ammunition to use against her. She leaned back in her chair and watched him stoop over the table.

The position looked very uncomfortable. Then something occurred to her. He probably needed glasses. Severus scribbled on the parchment furiously, as though he was being timed on an exam. When he finally looked up at her, he was scowling.

Perhaps all of her questions weren’t as innocent as she considered them to be. In an effort to try and lighten the mood, Hermione asked, “Have you ever thought about getting glasses?”

He looked puzzled by her question. “No, why?”

“You obviously need them,” she stated.

“I do not need glasses,” he retorted. “There is nothing wrong with my eyesight.”

Hermione smirked. “I’ll add ‘will not grow old gracefully’ to the list.”

“Shall we exchange lists then?” Severus asked, holding the paper as if it were some token peace offering.

Nibbling her bottom lips between her teeth, Hermione stood up, walked toward him and handed him her answers, snatching his in return. She walked back to the desk and sat down, unfolding the paper and reading his first answer.

1. You don\'t like most people, but why do you hate Harry so much more than anyone else? That is not true. I just don’t care for ignorant people. As to why I despise Potter… That is between him and me.

“I knew you wouldn’t answer any of the questions seriously,” Hermione muttered under her breath.

“And you call these answers?” Severus countered. “Sweets are not a cuisine!”

“I knew this was an exercise in futility,” Hermione sighed, wading up the parchment and throwing it into the fire.

“For once we are in agreement,” he snapped.

“I’m going to bed,” Hermione tossed over her shoulder as she stormed out of the room.

--

In the name of Merlin! Albus better hurry up, Severus groused mentally. He would stay the course and make Hermione Granger as sexually frustrated as he was. Besides, he wasn’t about to go back to sleeping on the wicker sofa from hell.

Most of her questions had been benign with exception of that one about Potter. How dare she ask about his animosity toward Potter! And then to admit she had taken the position at Hogwarts to annoy him! The wench!

Grinning maliciously, Severus stood up and started taking his shirt off. Yes, it was snowing outside and there was a slight chill in the cottage. But her reaction to him last night had been extremely gratifying. He might as well go to bed before she got too comfortable.

--

“Admit it, Albus,” Minerva said, her brogue thick with irritation. “You’ve failed.”

Some of the portraits in the headmaster’s office sniggered while others went about their limited existence with little interest. Albus steepled his fingers and glanced at the witch across his desk. Perhaps she was right.

“And it isn’t fair to Hermione,” Minerva continued. “She’s been in there for several weeks. There is no telling what Severus has done to her.”

“Hermione is safe, I assure you,” Dumbledore attempted to assuage the Transfiguration professor.

Clucking her tongue, she stood and started to pace. “You and I both know Severus will never yield. He’s so stubborn. That’s how he survived so many years with Vol—Vol – You-Know-Who.”

“Perhaps I have underestimated his resolve,” the wizened wizard admitted begrudgingly.

“So what are you going to do about it?” Minerva asked snappishly.

Albus picked up the snow globe and stared at it, disappointment etched in the lines of his face.

“And how long do you think you can keep teaching Potions? Most of the first and second years have had to send off for new cauldrons. The school’s supply of cauldrons is exhausted. You just can’t go around melting cauldrons all day long, Albus. It isn’t fair to the students.” Minerva was staring at him.

Sighing, Dumbledore set the globe down. “I had so hoped that Severus would find some happiness. And I was sure that Hermione Granger was the right woman for that job.”

Minerva cleared her throat in annoyance and gave him a disapproving glare. But then her features softened, as did the tone in her voice. “It’s up to Severus to find his own way, Albus.”

Trying to shake the melancholy off, Albus forced a smile. “I’ll retrieve them first thing tomorrow morning.

--

Surfacing from another night of erotic dreams, Hermione didn’t want to open her eyes. The sensations of her dreams lingered and she groaned, shifting to allow better access to the hand that was caressing her upper thigh.

“Yes,” a husky male voice encouraged. “Open those delectable legs for me and let me touch you, Hermione.

Her eyes snapped open and she tensed.

Severus’ warm lips placed passionate kisses on her shoulders. “It’s time, Hermione. It’s time for us to stop waltzing around one another and give in,” he coaxed softly.

Feeling his erection nestled against her arse, she groaned. He was right. At this rate, she would beg him to take her. She would toss her pride and any moral objections out the window. She couldn’t help herself as she wiggled her bum against him.

With a hiss, Severus danced his hand across the valley of her thighs, upward to the top of her knickers. His fingers hesitated, giving her the opportunity to stop him. She covered his hand with hers and turned onto her back, kicking the blankets off and opening her legs for him. Her eyes fluttered closed.

Arching her back, Hermione cried out as he placed fervent kisses on her neck and combed his fingers through her damp curls. Severus groaned as his fingers delved between her weeping lips.

“So wet,” he panted against her cloth-covered chest.

Lifting her hips, Hermione pushed down her knickers, desperately trying to get him to touch her more deeply. She whimpered at the loss of his fingers as he withdrew his hand, only to shove her nightshirt higher in an attempt to kiss her flesh.

He balanced on his elbow, suspended above her, yet no longer touching her. Hermione opened her eyes, surprised at what she saw. His dark eyes were glazed over as though he were waging an internal battle. It was as though he was being forced to do this against his will.

“Please,” she whimpered, clutching the hand that now rested on her stomach.

“Yes,” he growled in response, and claimed her lips in a bruising kiss. It wasn’t a teasing affection. It was a kiss of lascivious intent.

This was it. There was no going back now. He would have her and she would give him whatever he wanted. Deftly, his tongue swept into her mouth, imitating the dance of his fingers within her depths.

She couldn’t stop the traitorous thrust of her hips as she gave herself over to the sensual pleasure he evoked, and she whimpered pleadingly when he broke the kiss. Her whimpers were strangled gasps as he licked a path down to her breasts. As his fingers mimicked a primal rhythm, Severus feasted, flicking his tongue between her two sensitive nipples.

Threading her fingers through his hair, Hermione held Severus to her chest.

“Please,” she mewled, “don’t stop.”

He moaned between her fleshy mounds and licked a path to her navel in response.

Closing her eyes, she let the waves of lust carry her closer to release. She could feel the heat and smell the sex.

“I will have you,” he affirmed as he withdrew his hand from her and crawled to the edge of the bed, pulling her with him. Hermione kept her eyes closed, not wanting him to see the desperation in her eyes. But his weight never settled between her legs.

Instead, his shoulders nudged her thighs wider apart and his hands guided one of her legs over his shoulder. Hermione’s eyes snapped open in surprise. She had read about cunnilingus, but had never experienced it firsthand. Ron had always had the same predictable pattern – grope, grope, shag.

The humor of her thought was lost as she felt the first confident licks of Severus’ tongue against her clit. Instinctively, Hermione pushed her hips upward, seeking more of his attention, which he bestowed readily.

“I need to hear it, Hermione,” he murmured between sampling her obvious want. “Say it.”

Feeling the blush crawl up her body, Hermione writhed. “I – I –” she hesitated as her dream played out before her. Giving a strangled gasp, she arched her back as Severus consumed her. She could feel her carefully constructed discipline slipping as he thrust fingers into her in tandem with the attention his tongue laved upon her.

The tension splintered and she surrendered to the primal force Severus summoned from her depths. Hermione made no noise as she came, the smell of sex and the sound of his contented moan holding her over the precipice.

“-- Love you,” Hermione cried out.

--

A stab of guilt lanced through Severus as he coaxed the last tremors from her body. He had woken from a highly erotic dream, one where he had Hermione bent over a table. He was using her, using her to ease the long-denied ache that had taunted him ever since her arrival at Hogwarts.

Her passionate response had been more than he had ever hoped for. But to declare love for him was preposterous. Love was uncomfortable, an intangible cost, which people placed such a high price. Love led to so many things. Love had started wars. Love was ammunition. The opportunistic bastard within him would twist her love, mold it to his will and have her until he was sated. Yes, she would hate him eventually. Every woman he’d been with had. She would be no different. He would trifle with her affection and let her leave once she realized loving him was fruitless.

For now, he would have her. A herd of galloping Hippogriffs couldn’t stop him. Kissing his way up her body in precise methodical movements, Severus positioned himself at her entrance. The heat surrounding just the tip of his cock made his head swim, driving him forward with a vicious thrust.

Her muffled sob did not go unnoticed by him and he stilled within her. Severus hissed. Her passage was tight and she was obviously experiencing a measure of discomfort. Her purported sexual prowess was a lie.

“Morgana’s tits!” he swore, grinding his teeth and trying to withdraw from her.

Deep brown eyes opened and pleaded with him. “Don’t stop,” she keened, wrapping a leg around his thigh and pulling him further into her depths.

“Hermione,” Severus panted against her lips as he made precise measured movements inside her. Instinct dictated he fuck her hard and take his leave, but the vision of her stretched out beneath him would be forever ingrained upon his soul. Most alluring was her hair as the errant curls moved in time with each charge of his body. Her soft warm eyes were half closed and her bottom lip between her teeth. It was an expression of deliberation – one where she was desperately trying to follow him into nirvana.

Breaking their intimate connection, Severus rolled over onto his back and pulled Hermione on top of him. She was like a child’s rag doll, totally pliable to his every whim. “Take me,” he commanded, his voice gruff.

Trembling, Hermione lifted herself and rubbed her damp core over his pubic hair. She tried again, but was unable to mesh their bodies together. Her expression was one of frustrated confusion. She shivered and buried her face against his chest, mumbling something he didn’t hear.

“What?” he asked huskily, reveling in the feel of her hair against his chest.

“I don’t know how,” she confessed nervously. “I’ve never…never done it like…like this before.”

Smiling, Severus tugged on her hair and forced her to look at him. With patience he was unaware he possessed, Severus took one of her hands and brushed his lips against her knuckles. He pulled her hand toward his stiff length, gently wrapping her fingers around it.

“It would be best if you guided me,” he instructed softly. He could feel her pulse beneath his hand. Closing his eyes, he coaxed her movements and moaned as they completed their union.

The mewling noises she made almost pushed him over the edge. Hermione started an uncertain rhythm, rocking back and forth. Her depths gripped him like a delectable vise, causing something profound and unfamiliar to stir inside him. But it was quickly forgotten as his lover quickened her pace.

His entire reason for existing had led up to this moment. Having had few epiphanies throughout his life, this one caused him to pause.

He needed her.

He needed to commit the sight of her above him to his Pensieve. The curtain of her hair caught the sunlight streaming in through the window.

He needed to feel her climax around his cock, just as she had around his fingers. He would never forget the expression of bliss etched so clearly on her face as she surrendered to his possession.

Most importantly, he needed her to love him.

Hermione started to rock experimentally on top of him, a look of wonderment on her face. Physical need consumed his thoughts, erasing the last vestiges of his restraint. Grasping her hips, Severus quickened the pace. Once she had matched his rhythm, he pulled one of his hands away and slipped into their intimate connection, seeking the pearl within her folds.

Mere moments passed before he felt his witch reach the pinnacle of her pleasure. With renewed vigor, Severus grasped her hips and held her above him, pounding relentlessly into her until he spent himself within her moist heat.

Severus could feel the fine sheen of sweat covering him and he started making plans to carry her into the shower and taking her against the wall. He’d had her. He had tasted her. And he wanted more.

Even sated, he was still semi-erect. If she kept shifting and trying to get comfortable on top of him, he would take her again. It was as though she were trying to climb off him. But he held her still.

Listening to the sound of their ragged breathing, Severus stroked her back. The lull of this romantic setting had finally worked the old wizard’s magic.

Lost in his introspective thoughts, Severus nevertheless tensed when a single sound heralded an end to this amour. It was the sound of the Floo in the other room.

Albus had finally come for a visit.

*****

A/N – As some of you know, I am a social worker and I live in Florida. Many of Katrina’s evacuees have relocated throughout the country. This mass exodus is most noticeable in the southeastern states. The lucky ones have family they are living with. Other lucky ones are living with angels who were kind enough to open their hearts and homes. I will be working disaster relief for the next few weeks, possibly longer. I don’t know when I will be able to update next. It may take me two to three weeks to get the next chapter posted. Thanks to all who are reading along and leaving feedback.

As always, I must extend my deepest gratitude to Kathy Rose for beta reading and Larilee for the constant encouragement.