A spuff off Remains of the Day movie with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson with a mix in of Severus Snape.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything and I don't make a profit off this story.
Severus looked up from his reading and frowned. The room he was in, was no longer his study. Instead it appeared to be a much older fashioned study. While his was of green furnishings and black wood, this study had warm colored caramel wood, the pillows and chairs were mismatched in homey colors and a fire was roaring in the fireplace.
He had not lite the fire before he had begun his reading for the night. Something had happened. He needed to find out exactly what that was.
Stepping into a hallway, he looked at the stone floor, feeling the cold and deadness of it. Severus hurried down a passage, shocked at the stillness of everything. Finding stairs he quickly found himself outside, staring up at the manor he had left.
There was no hum of magic and a quick feel to his pocket confirmed his wand was missing.
"Clearly I am not in Hogwarts anymore."
"Hermione! I can't believe you did that!" said Harry, shocked at what he had just witness. Hermione colored.
"I didn't know what else to do Harry! Ever since the fall of Voldemort, everyone who was bad has been trying to kill Professor Snape. Earlier, I heard Malfoy planning something — it was for his own good!"
"Hermione, Snape can take care of himself."
"Yeah Hermione! You didn't need to send him into a book for protection!" nearly shouted Ron.
"Hush Ron!" shouted Harry and Hermione. She sighed.
"It was foolish I know but for now, it'll keep him safe."
"For now?"
She nodded, tucking the book where Severus Snape was hiding into her book bag.
"Till I learn the spell that will let him out."
"What! You put him in there without knowing how to get him out!"
"Hush children or you must leave!" warned the librarian in passing. They all nodded before looking at Hermione. She made sure no one could hear them.
"I can get him out but it will take some time... I can only do so much."
"What do you mean Hermione?"
She looked at her friends.
"Professor Snape has to complete a task first, to get out of the book. A task that only he and the wizard in the book know."
"The wizard in the book?"
She nodded. "The spell book says that by putting a witch or wizard into a book, another must be present there as well. They are the only one's who can get the witch or wizard to leave the book. Otherwise, Professor Snape will be trapped."
"I thought you said you can get him out." whispered Ron. Hermione nodded.
"I can. But only after he has completed his task." she shrugged. "To be honest, I don't understand how I will know when the time is right. If it will ever be."
Severus Snape stared up at the beautiful, dark manor. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the door open nor see the man who stood there, till he spoke.
"Mr. Snape, the master will see you now."
Severus jerked his head to the butler, who hadn't waited for him to follow. Not knowing what else to do, Severus followed him back inside.
Walking through the manor, Severus was almost painfully aware of its lack of magic. The constant warmth of his own magic was gone, leaving him feeling exposed and child like. Wanting comfort from the familiar. Severus didn't know a time when he had never felt the absence of magic like he did now.
"In here sir."
It was a sitting room, dark and the fireplace did little to lighten the room. Severus froze, seeing who was sitting by the fire. The butler left, the door creaking loudly before closing. Severus merely stood there.
"You are probably wondering where you are and how you got here."
"Yes... sir."
Albus smiled. "Honestly Severus, I am no longer your professor — I prefer Albus."
"Why am I here?"
The older man smiled, looking into the fireplace.
"Miss Hermione Granger thinks your life is in danger."
Severus snorted. "Because of that Skeeter woman, it is. More so then normal." he admitted as an afterthought. Albus smiled.
"As you and I both know. However, Miss Granger doesn't know everything about you. She does have the sense that you need protecting. So, she has placed you in this book."
"What! I am in a book? What a silly, foolish idiotic girl!" He thundered. "I will be easily killed now! Merely tossed into a fireplace!"
"Hush Severus, you need not worry. I am aware of course as to where she has placed this book. You shall be safe."
"What is my task?" he asked slowly, eyes narrowing. "If you are here as my wizard, it can't be good now can it?"
Albus's eyes twinkled. "Oh it is very good my friend. Very, very, good."
Severus frowned, not at all liking how he was sounding. There was a soft knock on the door before it opened and a woman, clearly the housekeeper stepped in.
"Lord Dumbledore, I brought you some tea."
The wizard brightened. "Aw, Miss Kenton how thoughtful of you."
The woman laid down her tray before she noticed Severus. Severus felt her eyes as she took in his dark form. She straightened.
"You must be Mr. Snape."
"Severus this is Miss Sally Kenton, my new housekeeper. Miss Kenton, this is Severus Snape. He has only gotten back from his holiday today."
Severus's eyes flashed to the old man's before the woman was shaking his hand politely.
"I hope you travels went well and that you are well rested, Mr. Snape. I have only heard praise from the staff concerning your work here. We must meet later to discuss how you see things are running here."
"Of course Miss Kenton." he said politely. Miss Kenton turned to Albus, bowed her head before she turned and left the room quietly. Severus frowned, turning to Albus.
"Holiday?"
"Yes Severus. You took a two week holiday, in which I hired Miss Kenton as Miss Jennings the old housekeeper ran off with one of the under butlers. You are my head butler and manservant. You and Miss Kenton will be working together, making sure that everything here at the estate goes smoothly. I think you will find Miss Kenton more then capable to run the estate efficiently."
"I am a butler? What book is this?" he demanded, hotly. Albus grinned.
"A book that I myself have not read but I think I will once this is over." He smiled. "As you know, you must take the role of the dutiful butler as to not ruin the story it's self. I am the Lord here and will also be playing that role. This might be rather fun Severus, if you let it. Not at all a bad way to send some time away from work."
"You mean being imprisoned."
"There is plenty of books in your parlor about being a good English butler. I am sure you will be very convincing. Good night Severus." He smiled. "Though from now on I shall be calling you Mr. Snape, as it would not be proper for me to call you by your christen name."
Severus growled to himself. "I haven't been called mister Snape since I was in school."
"Oh and I am sure you already noticed — this is a Muggle book and there is no magic here."
Severus was able to find the parlor he had first arrived into the story in, knowing that it was indeed his own parlor. Reading a few spines, he found many books on being a butler and proper manners. Taking one down, he flipped it open at random before taking a seat by the fire. Severus looked up at the knock on his door.
Miss Kenton's head popped in and she smiled softly before stepping inside. She had a vase of flowers.
"Hello Mr. Snape. I brought some flowers for your parlor. Thought it might brighten the room a bit."
Severus, having read enough of his manner's book, stood.
"Thank you, Miss Kenton."
"The estate has beautiful gardens." she smiled, arranging the flowers on his mantle. Severus watched her, not sure as to how he should respond to her conversation. She paused by the fire.
"The conference will be starting next week and I wanted to talk to you as to the staffing."
"The conference."
"Yes. Lord Dumbledore has made it quite clear that this conference is very important. I was thinking it would be wise for you to give the staff a prep talk, so to speak. I hear from the other staff that you are quite good at getting the very best from them."
"Of course Miss Kenton. I will see to it."
She smiled at him, stopping at his door and wishing him a good night. Severus looked into the fireplace.
"Good night Miss Kenton."
Tell me what you think. This story is already done but I am always interested in your opinion and thoughts.