All right. I've been reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin and it strikes me as the perfect Hermione/Snape storyline. With absolutely no intent to infringe of Ms. Austin's amazing story, or onto JK Rowling's either, I merely want to see if the possibility for the fic is as good as it seems. I'm not going to follow strictly to the book, it was just a jumping off point.
Disclaimer: That said, again I want to make it clear that I claim none of this as my own. Im making no money or other gain except a few hours free of boredom.
Summary: Hermione and Severus have never gotten along, but after a chance meeting they can't seem to avoid each others company. Neither is willing to admit the other might not be as loathsome as previously thought.
Rating: Probably M to be safe, but I'm not sure just yet. Language, themes, sex..yadda yadda
All inspired by this quote;
"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."
Before I Knew
By Poet
The cheer in the room was stifling. Severus Snape had taken all he could and the smiles on the faces of the drunken horde before him were starting to make him nauseous. So much joy and raucous laughter hurt his ears. Biding his time, he knew it would be only moments before someone found him lurking in the darkest corner he could find. 'No doubt that miserable fool Dumbledore' he thought, sneering in disgust. Present countenance aside, he'd be hard pressed to admit that he did indeed hold a soft spot for the old man. Even with his attempts at dragging Severus into the bliss Albus undoubtedly thought attainable, he couldn't harbor any real reason to despise the older man. He merely played his long assumed role. The bitter and rude bastard. Cynical. Cruel. Greasy. An all around git according to any one bothered enough to form an opinion. And most people could be bothered for that particular one. Never one to lose sleep over the things other people whispered, Severus had almost welcomed the spite of his colleagues and students. It kept him out of things like engaging in drunken festivities he now witnessed.. 'Or making an arse out of one's self.' His grin, however pleased it was, vanished when he felt the hand touch his shoulder. Suppressing the groan that had risen the pale man turned to face the twinkling eyes of Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts.
"Headmaster." His tone was cool and even. But inside he could not help but feel dred at the conversation he knew was coming yet again.
"Severus! It wont do to have you lurking here in these shadows with so much happiness to partake in. Come my boy, have a drink. Or perhaps a dance with a pretty witch here. There are many who are without partners, and I am sure they would be pleased to dance with one as skilled as you. Come!" The headmaster was absolutely jubilant.
'Perhaps those Weasley demons put more in the punch then just punch,' was all Severus could muster before Albus had taken a firm grip on his shoulder and led him towards hell. Thankfully enough they had stayed more or less on the outskirts, the old man more attuned to the discomfort of his colleague then the young man realized. Catching glimpse of the sneer still set on Severus's face, Dumbledore stopped and with a wave of his hand, gestured to all the room.
"Headmaster, I really don't see the need for me to mingle with these..." Stopping whatever Severus had intended to call the revelers, Albus merely shook his head.
"I will not press you if that is truly what you want. It would do you good I think, to be out among people. Especially these people, who call you their friend."
"Yes. Friend after I sacrificed nearly everything I had. But what friend wouldn't have, especially for this lot!" It wasn't a question, merely a statement tinged in the coolness of his voice. Severus bristled slightly, wishing to do nothing more then to brood in his home or even the dungeons he spent so much time in. Anything other then this place.
"You know Severus, that there were some who trusted you above all others. Despite the treatment they received from..other parties." Albus leveled a slight glare at the man next to him, but said nothing as to the identities of the 'other parties'.
"Oh really, and who might that be, that stood up for me so fastidiously without my knowledge or any indication of such actions?" Now he couldn't help the sarcasm dripping from his words.
"Ms. Granger!" For a moment Snape balked at the name until he saw Albus looking slightly behind him. Turning, there indeed was the bushy haired know it all he despised. Lip curling in slight disgust, he glared at her. She took no notice, offering a warm smile to both men, though much kinder when she looked at the headmaster.
"Hello Professor Dumbledore. How are you this evening?" Now she was ignoring him.
"Oh I am very very well Hermione. How are you? I did not see you earlier and was wondering if you were coming. Young Mr. Potter told me there was something of a tie up at work?" Hermione laughed softly and nodded.
"There was a slight accident. But it's been taken care of I expect. I was wondering if there would be time later, to speak with you about the letter you sent? I don't mean to impose on the festivities, but I haven't had a moment to even owl my reply."
"There is time now. No, I insist. In fact why don't we discuss it over some of those fine treacle tarts Mrs. Weasley has brought." The headmaster turned to Severus and for a moment he palled, fearing that he was about to be invited to a tea party with a coniving old man and the know it all. He was surprised when Albus merely gave him an appraising look, as if half expecting the young man to read his mind.
'Well forget it, I'm not that bloody easy!' And with a curt nod at the two, Severus turned wordlessly to retreat back into his shadows.
XXX
"I don't believe that man has ever liked me." Hermione spoke softly, trying hard to keep her voice even. Hearing Dumbledore's soft chuckle she could not help but smile.
"Do not fret my dear. He is merely being the Severus we've known all along." The girl beside him made a soft 'hmph' sound and Albus chuckled again. "Now tell me Ms. Granger about your answer to my letter. Will you be joining us this year at Hogwarts?" That had done it. Hermione's mind switched from indignance to work in a matter of seconds. Trying hard not to gush or to stumble over her words she nodded to the man beside her.
"I would love to Professor Dumbledore. I had no idea Professor Flitwick was retiring already though."
"Ah yes. The professor has family he wishes to be with now. His daughter is to be married in the spring and he and his wife are moving to be nearer to them. You know, yours was the first name mentioned as suitable for his replacement." The twinkle had reappeared in the old man's eyes and Hermione couldn't help but blush as she smiled.
"I would be honored Professor. I have missed Hogwarts fiercely. With everything that has happened there hasn't really been time to visit."
"Then it is settled. As you know school begins on September 1st, but the staff arrive on August 15th. If you wish the Hogwarts Express will take you to the school or if you have other means feel free. Now, enough business. There is a marriage here to celebrate and I believe young Mr. Potter and his fiance have been eager to see you." With that Dumbledore smiled and wished her a pleasant evening. Hermione turned in search of Harry, Ginny and Ron. The first two she found locked together by the hand, their gold bands shinning in the dim light. Rushing up to them Hermione was pulled into a hug.
"Oh congratulations! I'm so happy for you." She said, speaking of their engagement. Harry and Ginny had finally gotten their respective acts together. With the ever increasingly unsubtle hints about what a fine son in law Harry would make coming from Mrs. Weasley, Harry had finally gotten around to popping 'the question.' After two years of courtship, a war, death and love they had come together. The wedding was set for spring, at the Burrow and Hermione's invitation had only just recently been recovered from an ever growing pile of mail to sort. Grinning at the happy couple as they joked and laughed, Hermione found herself reminiscent of her time at Hogwarts.
Broken from her reverie by a lanky arm sliding around her shoulders, a slurred sentence was uttered entirely too close to her ear. Turning to level a glare at who ever would dare, she was met by the red face of a very inebriated Ron Weasley.
"Alrigh there 'Ermion?" He reeked of Fire Whiskey. How she hated the stuff. Ron had always been a bit loose with alcohol, since the day he could get his hands on it. Tonight it seemed he had once again overindulged and intended on having his friends join him in drunken bliss. Unable to contain the slight look of disgust, Hermione picked his arm up by the wrist and dropped it unceremoniously from her shoulder. Ginny raised and eyebrow at her before glaring at her brother.
"Ronald! Lay off of her and that shite you insist upon drinking." The redhead's temper more then matched Molly's and inwardly Hermione smiled.
"S'matter? It's a party isn't it? Come on Herrrmioneeee. Let me 'ave this dance, eh?" His slurring seemed to grow worse by the minute. Ron was a friend, a great one at that. But drunk Ron was an idiot, and very, very volatile.
"No Ron, I don't think so. I was just on my way out. I have work in the morning. I just wanted to wish Harry and Ginny a happy marriage." Her voice, the practiced no-nonsense from so many incidents with unruly first years returned in that instant. Somehow Ron seemed like nothing more then the immature prat he had been to her when they had met. The reminder was not flattering. Without a word Hermione turned and began making her way towards a side door. Catching Ginny's shrill voice yelling something like 'Leave her alone! Look what you've done, again..." gave her the sinking feeling that Ron may have decided to give chase. Still, she pushed on, towards the door and allowed herself a moment of hope as her hand brushed the handle. Then she felt the hand come to grip her arm, tightly. Whirling, she met the now angry expression of one of her best friends.
"Where you going? We have a dance love."
"No, we don't. And I hate it when you call me that. One month doesn't justify it! One month, four years ago, certainly does not warrant it anymore! I am tired Ron, and you're drunk. Go and sleep it off, then maybe we can talk." She turned to walk away but his grip tightened and he pulled her roughly against him. With a hasty look, Ron yanked open the door and shoved Hermione through it to the outside.
"Thas no way to talk to me. Gonna teach you respect. Someone shoulda, all these years. You're still acting like you know it all. " Malice she had never heard from him before, dripped from his every word as he pulled her down a path in the garden. Fighting to bite back the sob that threatened, Hermione bit down into her lip hard. Tasting copper, the only thing she could feel was the fingers digging into her arm.
"Ron, let me go!" Panic rode a tight line through her voice and she knew she was close to losing it. Thinking of nothing else, her hand raised and as Ron turned to scream at her she felt her palm connect hard with his face. The slap stung her but it didn't seem to do anything but enrage the man holding on to her.
"Why you little slut! You're going to pay for that. I was gonna make this easy for you but now, you'll get none of that. I'm gonna give you what you was beggin' for. Remember, the night we almost did this. But you had to stop it. You had to be so bloody prim and fucking proper. Well, I know what you want love. I'm gonna give it to you right now." He grabbed forcefully at her robe and with a hard yank had ripped it nearly from her shoulder.
"Ron...please."She had fallen over the edge of self control and now the tears and the terror flooded her.
"Ah! Now yer beggin' me fer it. Well soon enough love. Soon enough I'm gonna f.." He didn't finish speaking. Instead a deep grunt fell from his lips and his eyes glazed. For a moment Hermione was confused but then his grip weakened and she wasted no time in crawling out from under him. Then she was being hauled from the wet grass by a pair of strong hands. She watched Ron fall to the side, immobile, suddenly realizing he'd been cursed. Someone had saved her. Turning, her mouth fell open when she looked upon the darkened features of Severus Snape.
XXXXXX
Severus had found himself a nice dark spot near the side door in which to brood. His eyes fell over the occupants of the room before settling on Potter, the Weasley girl and Granger. Apparently the headmaster had finished his discussion with Hermione, freeing the girl to see her friends. Then that idiot Weasley had shown himself, drunk and acting foolish once again. Watching as he cast himself on Hermione, Severus half expected the girl to hex him. 'Come on, show some of that Gryffindor courage.' He urged silently. Hoping for a spot of entertainment to make his night worth while. Instead he saw her remove Weasley's hand and turn away. Stepping further into shadow, Severus watched the woman approach him, obviously angry and eager to leave. She passed no more then ten feet from him and as she reached to open the door there was Weasely once again. This time the only thing written on his features was anger. Brief snippets of their conversation drifted to him through the shadows, enough to tell him that Ron was being an imbecile and disgracing his family once again.
Severus rather wished Molly Weasley would walk by, but a quick glance told him there would be no such luck. With a sigh Severus pushed himself away from the walk, intent upon stopping the argument. Too late he saw the door was closing, the two were outside. His paces quickened and his hand slid inside his robes for his wand. Fingers dancing over it to reassure himself, he reached for the door handle.
"Severus, sneaking off already?" The headmaster's voice couldn't have come at a worse time. Cursing silently, the man turned around. Dumbledore was walking towards him rapidly, worry betraying his usual jovial appearance. "Do what you must Severus. Make sure she isn't harmed, and if you can help it, do well to keep Mr. Weasely safe. Take Professor Granger to Hogwarts, I will be there shortly." The man had drawn close, whispering to Severus. Amazed at the old man, he didn't move for a moment.
"And what Headmaster, am I to do with Mr. Weasely?"
"Leave him. I will send Molly out for him when we see Ms. Granger is safely home. Go lad, before it is too late." Without another word, Severus had pulled the door open and disappeared into the darkness.
It took him a moment to get his bearings as he surveyed the unfamiliar garden. Briefly, he thought he heard a voice, muffled but raised, just a few hedgerows over. Cursing softly, Severus set off down the nearest garden path.
"...You had to be so bloody prim and fucking proper. Well, I know what you want love. I'm gonna give it to you right now." Stepping around a corner he clearly heard the sound of ripping fabric and knew he was almost out of time. He broke into a light jog, rounding another corner. Now he clearly heard the voices and the rustle of clothing and foliage.
"Ron...please." She sounded terrified. He couldn't catch his breathe. He kept running.
"Ah! Now yer beggin' me fer it. Well soon enough love. Soon enough I'm gonna f.." He came upon them suddenly and without thought thrust his wand out and managed to gasp 'Imobilous', freezing the redheaded brute, before he could think of a proper curse. Inexplicably the world started to whiten around him as the lack of oxygen overcame his system. Placing hands on his knees for a moment, he caught what breath he could before he saw her struggling to sit up. Stepping forward he reached for her and pulled her up gently. Ensuring she was able to stand he released her and she turned.
"T...thank you Sev..." She collapsed suddenly and were it not that she was facing him, he wouldn't have caught her. Laying her gently on the ground he stepped towards the immobilized body of Weasely the younger. Giving his most malicious look, reserved for, well reserved for Potter and Weasely he bent down. With a few uttered words Ron was restored to mobility but no sooner then his first jerky movement, Severus magically bound and gagged him.
"I leave you for your mother to find boy. Be thankful that you are no longer a student. But you are most certainly no kind of man either." Without another word he returned to Hermione and with her in his arms, apparated to Hogsmeade, for their journey to Hogwarts.
xxxxxxxx
A/N: I hope that was suitable. This is considerably longer then anything I've written thus far. And I like that. Reviews are appreciated, good, bad, whatever, I take them all. I'm going to pace myself with the chapters, past experience has taught that it's easy to burn out on story with too much overexcitment. I don't want that to happen. Plus, I still need to finish Pride and Prejudice. Chapter two will be here within this week I swear, if that's what you want, anyway.
Poet