Turn of the Die

DISCLAIMER

This entire work is based around the setting of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Universe, and some plot parodying of "A Hazard of Hearts" (Barbara Cartland novel/movie). This fic is not set in the regency period of AHOH, but is rather set several years after the golden trio's seventh Hogwart's year (alternate timeline/universe, as historic events diverge around book five).

CHAPTER 1


"Just put that over there," Hermione sighed, retying back her hair for the third time that day. Her wand was in one of the lockers at the front desk of the small Wizard community center, as some of the plants and animals residing there were sensitive to magic. "Just a few more boxes and we can quit for the day."

"Merlin." Ginny huffed and set the box down, "How did we let them talk us into volunteering again?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Civic duty and all." Straitening her back she groaned at the audible pops. "And then Ron bailed on us. This is not exactly how I imagined Post-Graduation celebration."

"I still have two years yet to go." Ginny frowned, "And you graduated with top honors with a double major, a year early! How do you do that with holding down your jobs too?"

"A lot of sleepless nights," Hermione yawned, recollecting university days. Scholarships had carried her most the way, but her mother had taken ill, leaving her parents with little money to spare her. A part time job at Flourish and Blott's and a job as a mail in private tutor had allowed her to make ends meet, but the pressure on her time had been difficult. For three years she had been constantly busy, and had made no friends beyond the ones she already had. At least Ginny had joined her after the Weasley girl graduated, and had been a bolt of sunshine in Hermione's mad dash to graduate. Hermione planned to earn more money over the summer, and if she could not find an apprenticeship, hoped to land a scholarship to one of the elite graduate schools offering advanced degrees.

"Hermione!" Ginny shouted.

Hermione almost dropped the box she was holding. "What?"

"Check this out!" She waved a magazine wildly in front of Hermione, who finally noticed the back issues of Witch's Weekly spilling out of the tilted box Ginny had just stacked. "Never in a million Years! Although jeepers, Hermione, he was hot!"

"Who?" Hermione tried to grab the waving paper but failed.

"Look!" Ginny danced around, finally opening the magazine to the centerfold and reading aloud. "June 1987, the sexiest bachelor of the year according to the annual Witch's Weekly Poll. This man -" Ginny omitted the name, "This man describes himself as intellectual, level headed, and committed. 'Dark chocolate and silver roses.' Ginny dropped her voice, attempting to sound seductive as she read from the interview section, 'If a girl is mine she is mine, and the pour soul who lays a hand on her would wish himself in Azkaban.' Hobbies of this years somewhat reluctant bachelor include solving logic problems, potions brewing, inventing new hexes and of course, charming the ladies."

"Just show me the picture." Hermione snorted. "Who is it?"

"Guess," Ginny grinned.

"Fine, fine." Hermione mused for a moment, "I cannot say I know many lady charmers who are intellectuals. Unless Lockhart won and the whole thing is a lie."

"Oh try harder!" Ginny smirked. "You had a crush on him once!"

"He must be older than me then." Hermione frowned, mentally going through her short checklist. "Are you sure I had a crush on him?"

"Most definitely, back in my sixth year. Now think." Ginny tossed her head, red hair flying. "Smart, dark, and a killer at potions."

"Snape?" Hermione blurted out then clamped her hand over her mouth.

"Ding ding ding." Ginny held open the centerfold.

It took Hermione a moment to recognize the man, lounging as he was lengthwise on his couch dressed elegantly in dark green. It was a handsome man, the kind in romance novels and movies, aristocratically pale skin and fine dark hair. His teeth were strait and white, his face well balanced with a perfect, aquiline nose. A few silver scars traced his features in places, but there were no pockmarks or yellowed spots, and his skin screamed to be touched. The man stared at Hermione for a moment as if looking through her, then half smiled as if he knew just how fast her heart was racing. He waved casually with the hand not holding a glass of expensive wine, then had the audacity to wink.

Hermione nearly dropped the magazine. There was no way that could be Snape, even with the customary Witch's Weekly scrawl of XOXO Severus across the page. To his credit, the handwriting looked annoyed. "Who are you imposter?" She glared at the page. The man in the photo paused his cocky flirtations and stared back, as if given pause. Finally, he took the robe half draped over the couch and wrapped it back around his unbuttoned shirt, glowering at Hermione with a familiar sneer.

She tucked the magazine into her purse almost in shock. "It is Snape," she whispered.

"Of course it is." Ginny nodded as if it was the purest truth of the world. "But we should finish up and head over to Hogsmeades. My treat for butterbeer!"


Time calls sweetly

Give it wine

Time calls haunting

Give it mead

Time calls thirsty

Give it sand

Time calls angered

Give it blood

~from "Nursery Rhymes & Cradle Songs of the Ancient and Esteemed Houses", purchasable in Knockturn Alley at Tomes & Terrors for a mere 1682 galleons, 3 sickles, and 23 knuts.