Five Steps To Mastering The Senses

Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter characters and I am not making any money from writing this
story.


Co-written by Snapesflower and Corazón

Being a bookworm, Hermione is unable to see beyond the philosophical concept of the five senses, which is an essential element when learning Advanced Transfigurations. When someone unexpected suggests to her that they cannot be found in a book and where they might be she takes him up on his offer, but just how far will she go to gain such knowledge? This is pure PWP and nothing more. *evil grins*

Five Steps To Mastering The Senses

Taste

Hermione slowly ran her fingers through the stray brown locks of hair that draped across her face. Her hair was loosely pulled back, twisted into a bun and held in place with her wand. Closing the book she had been reading for the past hour, she placed it on a large stack of books and then selected another book from the pile she had yet to read.

“Mastering Transfiguration,” she mumbled, reading the title of the book. Casually looking up, her eyes slowly scanned the library, trying to locate Madame Pince. There were only a few students in addition to a couple of professors, one being Professor Snape, but she did not see Pince anywhere. Hermione reached down by her book bag and pulled out a cup of coffee. Taking several large sips, she placed it back down and continued reading. She had been spending a majority of her time in the library for hours on end and she needed the coffee to help her stay awake and to keep focused on her objective.

Turning to page one, Hermione begin reading. Transfigurations fascinated her and she quickly lost herself in the book, loosing track of time. It wasn’t until the light became so dim that she wasn’t able to read, causing her to look up. Again, Hermione pushed the strays locks of hair out of her face to see what or who was blocking the light.

There, standing over her was Professor Snape. With his arms crossed, his robes were drawn closed. His hair fell across his face, but did not interfere with the intensity of his dark eyes that bore into her. His expression was as solemn as always, giving no indication to his mood.

Shifting in her chair, Hermione swallowed hard, but did not look away. She had learned that Professor Snape was a man that fed off of intimidation and by looking away she would be playing into his game.

“It’s not in a book,” he simply stated. His voice was deep but quiet and it lacked the sarcasm that was always associated with it. Hermione looked at him for a few seconds, comprehending what he had said.

“What is not in a book?” she asked. She sat up a bit straighter, preparing herself for his response. Talking to Professor Snape was like conversing with a snake – one never knew when it would strike.

The only movement he showed was his eyes. Glancing at her transfiguration notes and then back at her, he raised an eyebrow; slightly nodded his head and left. Hermione watched his robes billow behind him as he silently left the library.

Sitting there, stunned, Hermione slowly closed the book she had been reading. Placing her notes and quills in her book bag, she hastily stood up, knocking her coffee over in the process. Cringing, she withdrew her wand from her hair and waved it, cleaning the mess before Madame Pince discovered it.

Hermione had spent hours in the library trying to find answers to her questions and the closest thing she had to answer just swept out the door. Biting her bottom lip, her eyes narrowed a bit, thinking about her next move. She put her robes on and fastened them around her neck, smiling. She decided what she was going to do. She placed the strap of her book bag over her shoulder and took off after Professor Snape.

She stood in the doorway of the library, trying to decide which way to go. On her left was a group of students who were laughing, clearly enjoying themselves. On her right was group of students who wore scowls on their faces as if they had just encountered Professor Snape. Hermione smiled and took off to her right.

Entering the dungeons was something she loathed. Even though the war was over, it was still apparent the war between Gryffindor and Slytherin was not and for her to enter the Slytherin area, alone was a daring task in itself.

The chill of the dungeon was instant as she took her first step into the corridor. Pulling her robes around her, she quickly yet cautiously ventured onward to Professor Snape’s office. Upon reaching his door, she stopped.

‘What are you doing, Hermione?’ she asked herself. ‘Trying to get a N.E.W.T. in Transfigurations,’she answered. Biting her bottom lip, she quickly knocked on the door before she could change her mind. Her heart leap with the echo of it and she feared that she had made a mistake.

“Enter,” said Professor Snape. Hermione closed her eyes and slowly exhaled. It was not until now that she realized she had been holding her breath. Pushing her hair back out of her face, she pushed the door open.

The first thing she noticed inside his dimly lit office were the vast piles of books, on the floor, the shelves, and his desk. Some were opened and stacked on top of each other. Some contained several bookmarks and others looked so worn she would have been afraid to touch them out of fear that they would fall apart but it was evident everyone had been thoroughly read.

In addition to the books there were stacks of parchment and piles of scrolls. One who was not familiar with Professor Snape would see this as chaotic clutter, but Hermione knew that every piece of parchment, every book and scroll and every marked page was accounted for and if just one was moved out of place, he would know.

Professor Snape was standing next to his desk, assuming the same position he had in the library. His eyes followed hers, noting what she was looking at, studying her reaction. He sensed her hesitation as she cautiously approached him and he forced the smirk that threatened to surface on his face to remain hidden. Here she stood, in front of him with her big brown eyes full of desire to learn and fear to inquire about such knowledge. He remained silent, gazing at her until … she adverted her eyes from his gaze. Raising one eyebrow while slightly tilting his head to the side, he accepted her defeat.

“What brings you to my office, Miss Granger?”

“Sir, in the library you mentioned that – that what I’m looking for is not…” she was looking at the floor while she forced the words from her mouth. She hated how he intimated her. In his gaze alone he was able to belittle her.

“Miss Granger, it’s painful enough to have to hear a Gryffindor stutter, so allow me to finish for you.” Hermione’s head shot up and glared at him. She saw a flicker of a smirk in his expression, but he continued, “You are seeking the properties of the five senses for Transfiguration.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied, trying to muffle the excitement in her voice.

“As I stated earlier, it is not in a book.”

Confused, she asked, “Then where is it, sir?”

Never taking his eye off of her, he stepped closer and slowly circled her. Hermione closed her eyes at his nearness, almost afraid to breath as if he would sense her fear. Standing behind her, she felt him lean closer to her. His fingers delicately pulled her hair back, revealing her ear. Leaning his body against hers, his warm breath slowly rolled against her ear and he finally spoke.

“You cannot teach a blind man to see.” His voice was like silk as the words rolled off his tongue. “You cannot teach a deaf man to hear. You have not touched until you have touched with your soul. You have not tasted until you have tasted life. You have not smelled until you have breathed life.” Hermione opened her eyes at hearing his words, but she didn’t comment. Instead she watched arms reach around her and his hands in front of her. Snapping his fingers he conjured a dark, green silk scarf and brought it to her eyes.

She should have protested, but she didn’t. Allowing him to tie the scarf around her eyes, she submitted to his silent demand.

“Very good, Miss Granger,” he whispered, “We have established trust.” Her body quivered from the word trust. She had always trusted him. She feared him, but she trusted him.

Severus placed his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Her body molded into his. With his free arm, she could feel him move it slowly about. His movements were slow and steady. It was then her nose picked up the heavenly scent of chocolate.

“Taste,” he whispered.

Slowly parting her lips, she felt the warm chocolate drizzle on her mouth. Her tongue slowly tasted it. Never had she tasted such an exquisite liquid. It was like sweet silk spreading on her tongue. Another drop drizzled and she tasted it too and then another and another. On the next drizzle, she felt the chocolate being gently spread on her top lip. Stretching her tongue out a bit further, she licked the delectable substance from her lips. Each drop was bringing her a need, a craving, a desire for more.

Severus dipped his fingers in the chocolate again and allowed it to drizzle into her open mouth and lips. His eyes were enraptured with the slow, unhurried movements of her tongue. Watching her tilt her head up, she extended her mouth, showing a silent plea for more. Desire took over as her mouth reached for more. He lowered his fingers a bit closer to her mouth.

Her tongue caressed and stroked the source of the chocolate. She froze, realizing she was sucking on her professor’s fingers, but as the chocolate coated her tongue and mouth, she closed her lips around them. She slowly moved her tongue over the pads of his fingers to the tips and around to the tops, sucking ever drop of chocolate she could taste.

When the chocolate was cleaned from his fingers, she continued sucking his fingers. She moved her tongue back to his fingertips, feeling the calluses and scars from years of preparing potion ingredients. Painfully aware of his past, she refused to think of any other possible activities that could have caused these scars. She ran her tongue along the tip of his nails, not surprised that it was smooth and trimmed, consistent with his appearance.

Severus become mesmerize with the movements of her tongue. His eyes studied her face, her mouth, her beauty. She stood in front him, blindfolded, seductively sucking his fingers and his body was quickly responding.

‘Taste,’ he told himself. He looked at her swollen, darkened lips moving about his fingers. ‘Taste,’ he thought again. He needed to taste those lips.

Slowly pulling his fingers around from her mouth, she followed, unwilling to give them up. He managed to guide her so that she was now facing him. Severus licked his own lips before moving his mouth closer to hers. He removed his fingers, and placed his lips onto hers in one smooth movement.

It took Hermione by surprise but she did not hesitate in exploring this new offering. Taking his bottom lip into her mouth, she gently sucked on it, drawing it through her teeth. She ran her tongue along the underside and then on top, noting the softness and its texture. Releasing it she ran her tongue across his top lip, not sure if the essence of the chocolate was from her or him. When his tongue touched hers, she responded by claiming his mouth. She was in search of gratification and tasting him would bring it.

Stepping closer to her, Severus leaned his body into hers, forcing her head back even further. His slender body towered hers, but she did not move. Kissing him, she leaned into the warmth of his solid form. Leaning into each other as their only connection was the kiss. They slowly explored each other’s mouths and a shiver traveled down her body. It was this kiss that brought gratification to feelings and desires she was never aware of. They way he answered her caresses and responded by kissing her deeper she knew she would never kiss another this passionately. She would never taste another with this much intensity or desire.

‘More,’ her mind cried, ‘more…’ She brought her hands up to embrace him, to pull him closer, but she was stopped. He held each of her wrists with his strong hands while slowly ending the kiss. The blindfold fell off and she slowly opened her eyes. She looked at him and then at his hands holding her wrists.

“Taste,” he whispered. He let go of her hands and stepped back. Crossing his arms, his expression was once again stern. “That is all for tonight, Miss Granger.” His voice was deep and smooth, giving no indicating that what had occurred between them. Hermione didn’t know how to react. Her body was screaming for more, but looking into his eyes, she knew more would not come.

“Yes, sir,” she said. Her voice cracked a bit, and she looked away, not wanting to acknowledge just how much he had affected her. The warmth rose in her cheeks. She was well aware that she was blushing. Taking her book bag in hand, she quickly left.

Severus bent down and picked up the blindfold. A smug look spread across his face as he neatly folded it and put it away.


TBC