Within and Without

Three

She was certain that she hadn't heard him right. But she had and soon she was sliding into the tub with her master. This was a tense situation in many ways. One, Hermione didn't know what he had planned. Two, she wasn't sure of her own feelings at the moment and three, she wasn't sure what to do. In light of that, she just asked him if he wanted her to wash his hair, after all that's technically why she was here.

And once she got into it, she couldn't control herself. Hermione had never heard Snape purr with such obvious pleasure. And such honest vulnerability made her want to continue. Well, that and she was curious about the way his skin felt. And as her hands slid over his muscles she wanted to moan too. He was so fit and just….real. In the bath like this he was less of the scary, intimidating figure in her head. In here he was a man. One whom she suspected desired her. One she desired as well. Was it wrong for her to want him? To want Snape? Probably yes. But she offered him that kiss anyway.

"What an interesting birthday present," Master Snape drawled and she could feel his hands grabbing her waist underwater. But he didn't kiss her. He pressed her body flush against his own as they stared into each other's eyes. She wondered if he would appreciate hearing how she felt about him in its entirety. Would he care that she still wanted to believe that he was different? There were so many signs that showed he was. He didn't hurt her or abuse her in any way. He fed her and gave her access to his library whenever she had free time. She even had her own room and it was nice. Not at all what a slave would typically receive from her master. And not at all what she believed Snape would give her. He had to be different. Why else was he so kind to her?

Hermione had no more time to think about this because Snape bent his head and ran his tongue slowly along her lips. She could feel him smirk when she eagerly let him in. For a while their tongues played hide and seek within the crevices of each other's mouths, twisting and turning, sending shivers down both Snape's and Hermione's spine. She moaned into his kiss, her hands clutching his damp locks. His hands had traveled down the length of her back currently groping her arse. She groaned, and pressed her body even closer to his.

They snogged heavily for a few minutes. Snape's hands found their way all over her body, going everywhere except the area she needed most. Hermione felt guilty to be with him like this, but at the same time it felt incredibly right. Finally they had to part for air and Hermione rested her forehead against Snape's. In the back of her mind she worried that she had revealed too much. Now he knew that she desired him. After all, during that kiss she was a more than willing participant. "Sir?"

And just like that, the spell was broken.

"You may leave Miss Granger, I wish to enjoy the rest of my bath alone," Her master said dismissing her. She would have felt completely bereft had he not kissed her again softly mumbling, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she replied, turning her back on him and standing up to exit the tub. The water sounded noisy and loud to her ears in the otherwise silent bathroom. Hermione had not expected for their time together to be cut so short. But maybe it was for the best. That kiss had been ridiculously intimate. Less like master and slave and more like....lovers. But Hermione knew it didn't change anything. She was still his prisoner. And even if she encouraged Snape's advances she could do little to stop him if he decided to press his advantage. The real question was whether it was acceptable for her to want him even more now that they had shared such a passionate embrace.

Wrapping herself in one of his olive towels, Hermione tiptoed out of the bathroom and headed down the hall to her room. The moment she was alone with the four navy walls that made up her room, Hermione sighed. Closing her eyes as she replayed the last few minutes she spent with Snape. If this is what the morning was like, what would happen later on tonight? Would she go to sleep only to find him sliding into her bed? Did she want him to?

She didn't know.

Hermione didn't feel like putting on any lingerie so she simply donned a sheer rose colored robe with fur on the rim, over her nude and freshly moisturized body. She took extra care with her curls and applied minimal makeup. Severus had gotten her some to wear the night of the poker game but she hadn't touched the stuff since. However with today being a special day she thought it couldn't hurt. That done she slipped on a pair of strappy rose gold heels and made her way out of her room towards the library which doubled as Severus's study. Her chores were mostly done and she didn't know how long he would take or if he wanted to see her so quickly after their kiss. But if he did...what was wrong with looking like bait? Grinning to herself, she sat on the leather sofa, legs crossed as she propped open a large book on her lap. Just as she was getting into the story, the floo activated. A bloody body came tumbling out that was decidedly male. Upon further inspection Hermione realized she knew who that was.

"Remus?!"