A Different Kind of Magic--UNDERGOING EDIT

Thanks to my awesome Beta Stephanie aka VIVAvivacious for her great beta work!

Warning: Lemons ahead. From here on out after this chapter there is some dark stuff in this fic. I do not mince words so if you are squeamish at all than heed this warning. I will post warnings at the beginning of each chapter. Thanks for reading!


It took a long moment for Severus to fully take in the entire room he had just entered. It reminded him briefly of Malfoy Manor, with its vaulted ceiling and faux décor. Whoever had been in charge of this part of the Manor had certainly put a lot of work into it. Hermione had neglected to mention the enormous Greek water fountain that dominated the center of the room. It looked to be made of bronze; a large overleaf covered three cherubs sitting back-to-back, playing instruments of varying types. Fake flowers of clashing colors sat amongst the feet of the cherubs. Water gently fell from atop the overleaf, sending a gentle spray onto the angelic cherubs below. A clear bowl surrounded the great fount which housed Japanese koi, the size of which indicated whoever put them there had money to spare; he doubted it was the Ministry. He wondered how, in the dead of winter, there was water available to power the great fountain without magic.

After his gaze had drunk its fill of the enormous fount, Hermione indicted a spot across the room that housed an alcove. They crossed the expanse, weaving in and around various benches and worn couches, obviously meant for the residents and staff to come and relax. Several more bookcases graced darkened corners, stuffed with worn volumes cast aside by the previous owner. A Muggle television set had two off-duty nurses watching a soap opera by one of the two great fireplaces adorning the walls. He had underestimated the size of this estate.

The guard followed them conspicuously, making it well-known they were going to be under constant scrutiny. This irritated Severus to no end. “Do you mind, sir? The lady and I are attempting to have a private, civilized conversation, something I am quite sure is out of your league,” he said, scowling crossly at the guard.

“You greasy son-of-a-bitch –” The big man took two menacing steps forward before Hermione ran in front of him, putting one hand on his chest to stop him.

“Ralph, please, he’s been under a lot of stress. This is his first time out of the hospital room. Please cut him some slack. Don’t report us to Dr. Shaw!” she pleaded.

Severus merely raised an eyebrow, waiting to see what the hulking lump that passed for a man was going to do.

Ralph looked at Hermione with what seemed to be indecision on his face, apparently undecided as to how to proceed. After a few tense moments, he backed off a little bit, sneering rudely at the Professor. “See that your patient minds that fat gob of his, Miss, or next time, he’ll get a fistful of this in that big beak of his!” The large man brandished a beefy fist in Snape’s direction.

Ralph stepped back around the corner, joining the two nurses watching the television program. He kept one surreptitious eye on Hermione and Severus. She thanked him profusely and strode quickly back over to Severus. “Watch your mouth around the guards, Professor! Do you want to get me sacked?” she hissed.

He leaned against a stone pillar, yawning as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “A young woman such as you shouldn’t be in a rotten place like this, anyway. I’d simply be doing you a favor if they sent you packing.” Severus’ eyes gleamed off the reflected firelight. He studied her while she calmed herself. She put on a straight face that was meant to try and cow him.

Hermione grabbed his arm, pulling him into the alcove that housed the telescope. “Severus, it’s not just about getting sacked. If I get in trouble, Brian said he would deal with us personally.” Oh shite – she had already said too much. Her face went white as tears threatened to spill again.

Glancing around the corner at Ralph, whose name he thought sounded like someone sicking up, Snape saw the man engrossed in the soap opera with the two off-duty nurses.

He roughly took hold of Hermione’s arms at her hesitation, demanding, “Why? What has that mental defective threatened you with? You tell me, Hermione! If he has threatened you, I swear I’ll beat the living shite out of him!”

She stood tight-lipped in front of him, fixing her gaze on a button of his Muggle shirt.

“You will tell me, Hermione!” He shook her harder just then, squeezing her arms so tight she bit her lip not to cry out. He was definitely getting his strength back.

“I don’t know,” she whispered into the air. “Brian said if we helped the patients try to escape, or got into any trouble, that he would deal with us directly. I don’t know what that means, but I’ve heard whispers from some of the staff that some of the girls have gone missing from another wing of the Manor. I tried to blow it off as gossip, but after seeing Brian’s eyes today at the staff meeting…. Oh god, Severus, I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into! I’ve never seen him look so cold and cruel! What am I going to do?”

Her lips quivered then, the stark fear apparent on her tired face. He let go of her arms, and instead pulled up her chin with two fingers, looking into her eyes. “I don’t know what gives the Ministry the right to think they can treat such beautiful young women so terribly, but I will tell you one thing I want you to remember. I will not let them hurt you. I don’t care at what cost to myself it may be, but I give you my solemn oath not to put you in danger again with my comments.” His shoulders sagged a bit in defeat. “My life was forfeit long ago, Hermione. The only comfort I can take is in your and Deidre’s company before I am sent… away.”

Hermione shook her head vehemently, her eyes hardening at his words with her damned feminine defiance. “No, Severus, your life is not forfeit! I will fight for you! I haven’t nursed you back to health only to have you get tossed back to the wolves. Minerva gave me her word the Minister was granting you asylum from Azkaban!”

“What a load of rubbish!” he scoffed. “Do you really think the Minister to be an honorable man? That position corrupts anyone who steps foot into that office. ‘Absolute power corrupts absolutely,’ and don’t you forget it. Besides, whom do you think the orders came from that you received today at your meeting?” he finished softly, tangling one finger in a stray curl of her hair.

She looked crestfallen, small, and defeated in a world she had chosen to share with him. They were both trapped within these walls, on a remote shore of Scotland, with no magic. It would be a pipe dream to think he wouldn’t end up in Azkaban. He knew this, and he knew she knew it as well; maybe it would do her some good to face the hard facts. She began to sway slightly, the emotional exhaustion taking its toll on her. As if of their own volition, her feet took the two steps separating their bodies, and he felt her arms snake around his waist, holding him in her warm embrace.

Ten thousand megawatts jolted through his body at the feel of her soft, pliant form yielding to his sharp, bony planes. His mind’s eye flashed back to a recent dream of her, holding her just like this, while she looked into his eyes with desire and hunger, right before he stooped to lay a sweet kiss upon her lovely lips. He had to be dreaming now, but she felt real enough. Her grip around his waist was tight like a vise, holding on for dear life. He could feel her hot breath through the thin fabric of his Muggle shirt, causing delicious reactions to stir in his groin.

Quietly, carefully, as if he were about to hold a newborn child, he enveloped her in his arms, laying his head atop her sweet-smelling crown. She must have just showered before her shift; she smelled faintly of jasmine and patchouli. It was a scent he wanted to continue to inhale, as if it were his life’s blood. It was sustenance for his soul, long dead leaves swept away from the grave of his heart, with this sweet, innocent witch clutching at him for a bit of protection from the terrible, blinding storm of unfortunate circumstance. She had only been following her heart, and look where it landed her. It had dumped her in Hades with the greasy git. He didn’t want her suffering on his hands; he had caused enough of that for others worth ten lifetimes of guilt.

They stood, locked in a desperate embrace, two unlikely people thrown together by war, taking comfort where they were able. He could feel her heartbeat through her breast. God, she smells good! He knew that if they kept this up, he was going to kiss her. Severus didn’t think he could stomach the rejection; he reluctantly pulled away from her and straightened up.

None too soon, as Ralph the Brute popped his head around the corner to glare at the two, simply standing there looking at each other, rather than at him. “Remember, no funny business, Miss Hermione. I’m watching that greasy bastard like a hawk.” She nodded her abeyance. His ugly sneer laughed momentarily at Severus.

Snape wished he had his wand to give this fucker a taste of the Cruciatus Curse. As if to taunt him further, Ralph salaciously got an eyeball of Hermione, looking back at Snape while addressing her. “Say, Hermione, when you get sick of babysitting this creep, you can come sit on my lap.”

Hermione took it in stride, rolling her eyes at him. “Stop trying to provoke him, Ralph. You’re only going to get me into trouble, and then I won’t be around for you to ogle, will I?” She pretended to give a sniff and inspect her fingernails.

Ralph held up both hands. “I give up, Miss, but remember, there’s always better company waiting outside your door than a filthy Death Eater!” With that, he sauntered back around the corner to the telly, plopping his fat ass next to one of the two witches. Looking around to make sure the coast was clear, Ralph pawed at the unlucky, but willing, witch, trying to fondle her discreetly.

Severus was filled with wrath at the insolence the misbegotten cretin had gotten away with. He vowed that somehow, he was going to get out of this place and get his wand back.

Hermione managed to placate him temporarily by turning their attentions to the telescope. This was something he knew; Severus was well-versed in astronomy, taking pleasure in showing her the various constellations on display. He stood behind her while she took a turn looking at the moon, gasping when she could see the various craters and valleys on its surface.

“Oh, Severus, it’s magnificent,” she breathed, as enchanted with the night sky as he was with her firm, round, plump derrière so close to his hips. When was the last time he had taken a woman to his bed? Sweet Circe! He knew he would regain his raging libido at some point, but it seemed to have returned full-force with the restoration of his health; more than full force, actually. He felt like a fucking maniac, ready to let loose on all creation if he didn’t get some relief soon. The problem was, someone was with him twenty-four seven, and that didn’t look as if it would change anytime soon. He had to find a way. Between restraining himself around that idiot Ralph, and the stupid fucker Brian, there was no way he was going to be able to hold himself back in a sexual capacity much longer, or his temper was going to get the best of him.

Hermione backed into him suddenly, thinking he was off to her side. She ran smack dab into Severus, and what was invariably a very large bulge in his trousers. Briefly, she froze; abashed at the situation she had staggered into. Hesitation won out to her tripping hastily over his feet as she tried to move aside. She gracelessly piled onto the floor in a heap of apron and skirt.

Just like that, his preoccupation with her lovely arse was annihilated by her sudden movement, the very same object of loveliness coming to plant itself right on his stiff, roaring hard cock. He was petrified. No, mortified. Holy shite, he wanted her. Right there, right then, he wanted her. Never had he wanted another woman so badly in his entire life, not that there had been many. Chalk it up to abstinence, proximity, or raging lust, but no other thought was able to enter his brain, save one; Hermione’s sweet, beautiful petals, melting over his raging hard-on.

Then she tripped over his feet, and the vision was lost. In a flurry of movement, he helped her up off the floor, boring into her gaze with wanton abandon taking flight behind it. He heard her emit a soft gasp of surprise at the virulence that one look held. He dared not speak, lest the spell be broken. All the words he could not say passed between them in a heartbeat. The anguish, the soul-crushing loneliness of his existence, and the futility of his desire were borne on the wing of that one look, and she understood. She nodded carefully, comprehending most explicitly.

Hermione peeked around the corner to check on the guard. He was busy snogging the one nurse that was left behind, while the telly droned on about how to make cheese. She pulled herself back into the alcove, pressing her body against him once more, this time purposefully, almost dutifully. Her hands slipped down to join with his, making the journey up to her breasts. She placed them there with a firm touch; looking into his eyes to show him this was something she was willing to do for him, to ease his suffering.

Severus was quite sure he was going to expire from her touch. He was positive that at any moment, the great brute was going to swing round the corner and catch their libidinous embrace. He didn’t give a flying fuck. Let them be caught. He only had eyes for the beautiful Hermione, pressing her gorgeous body against his of her own volition. His breath caught when he found his hands on her soft mounds, unable to utter a single syllable.

His feet were rooted to the floor, while one of her devilish hands dropped to the fabric of his trousers, nimbly rubbing against his rock-hard erection. Her other hand was stayed on top of his own, urging him to knead her breasts while she furtively did her utmost to bring him off.

It didn’t take long; there was too much pressure built up under his brusque exterior. Severus stifled a groan as fireworks began to dance in front of his eyes, hands desperately gripping the gorgeous breasts, cock straining against her feather light touch over his flaming erection. He felt a freight train speeding down to his groin, threatening to roar past his lips in carnal satisfaction.
Sensing his impending release, Hermione stood on tiptoe, roughly shoving her lips against his own, capturing a fistful of lanky black hair in the process while she suffocated the thunder threatening to give them away to the guard. She felt it when he reached his release, for his strong hands were lifting her off the floor by the arse, grinding his hips into her skirt, jerking erratically in barely-suppressed fury.

He was plundering her mouth mercilessly, taking no prisoner, his orgasm ripping him apart momentarily. The edge of unconsciousness wavered at the side of his vision, stars dancing before his eyes.

Slowly, the stars faded from view, and the blackness receded. He pulled back his head, realizing he had ground his erection right into her groin. Her feet were off the floor, knees braced against his hips. Her skirt was hitched up to her thighs, face flushed and a twinkle in her eye. By Merlin’s dead balls, she had not only just given him the most fantastic orgasm he had ever experienced, she had done it with her clothes on, looking as though she enjoyed it! It dawned on him that he also had a tight grasp of her arse as he lowered her back to the floor, watching her straighten out her skirt. Looking down, there was a large wet spot on the front of his trousers.

Hermione noticed this as well, trying to hide a smile, with little success.

“What’s so funny?” he ground out, thoroughly sussed and embarrassed.

“Oh, nothing. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” She took him firmly by the hand, dragging him around the corner in time to startle Ralph the Brute from his snogging session. Severus tried to resist, hissing to her about getting caught out, before he had to shut his mouth as they came within earshot.

Ralph was annoyed at being interrupted when he had been enjoying himself so thoroughly. He stood to the full six foot five inches of his bulky frame, trying to intimidate the pair. One looked at Severus and he laughed, a great, ugly sound that reverberated throughout the large room. “Pissed yerself, huh? Some great wizard you are.” He slapped a big beefy hand on his thigh, thoroughly enjoying his little joke.

Hermione elbowed Severus just as he started to move forward. He grunted and acquiesced, very obviously willing himself to obedience in front of the guard.

“Ralph, I am going to take the patient back to his room to clean him up and get him settled for the evening. Would you please escort us back?”

“With pleasure, Miss, with pleasure!” he sniggered, managing to get them all back to the room without further incident.

Severus didn’t know whether to beat Hermione over the head with the table, or kiss her thoroughly once the door was shut. He was exhausted, though, so he did neither. She helped him undress and settle in for the night. Right before she lowered the lights and stoked the fire, he called out to her. “Hermione?” She looked at him over her shoulder. “Thank you for this evening,” he intoned, his voice husky and dark with pleasure.

Hermione replied, “Severus, the pleasure was all mine.”