Chapter 10

Hermione creaked open the door to the Gryffindor sixth-year girls dormitory, hoping to find Parvati and Lavender already asleep. Main curfew had already passed, but her own prefects' curfew still had another half hour to go. Of course, she had no such luck. The two girls were sprawled on Parvati's bed in their night clothes, a copy of Witch Weekly open between them, and they were giggling madly at something contained within the brightly coloured pages.

Both young witches stopped laughing, and looked up at her as she entered the dorm, and Hermione cursed herself that she had not bothered to put her uniform jumper and tie back on, and just roughly shoved them into her bookbag as she hot-footed it out of his classroom.

She'd been more bothered about the fact that she had left her knickers in Professor Snape's bedroom, something she had discovered about a dozen steps down the corridor as an errant draught swept around her thighs. Worrying about exposing her naked bum, she had given no thought to the dishevelled state the rest of her now appeared to be in.

It was only a jumper and tie, but since Hermione Granger was well known to always ensure that she appeared in regulation uniform at all times, it was enough to arouse the suspicions of the two girls, who could sniff out gossip with the skill of bloodhounds.

"Been running, Hermione?" Lavender asked her, a catty tone to her voice.

Hermione gave her a withering look, and turned to attend her chest of drawers to procure a pair of pyjamas. She would go into their adjoining bathroom to wash and change.

Unfortunately that had been the wrong thing to do. She heard whispering behind her, and immediately spun around to face her dorm mates.

"Was there something?" she demanded, crossly, although Lavender was already off the bed and walking towards her, like a hunting animal stalking its prey.

"Your hair looks even worse than usual, Granger," she teased, "almost as if it had spent the last few hours being fucked into a mattress."

Parvati reached out a hand and grabbed a handful of the flattened, bushy mess on the back of Hermione's head. It was knotted and tangled, clearly the result of laying on her back for an extended time whilst Professor Snape had been …

Oh fuck.

These witches didn't miss a trick.

Parvati kept a vicious hold on her hair and spun her around to face Lavender, who took it upon herself to undertake a visual inspection.

"Your neck is flushed, your pupils are dilated and your shirt is all creased."

She ran a long fingernail down Hermione's cheek, satisfied with her unscientific appraisal.

"You better not have been with Ronald."

Hermione looked at her incredulously.

"When would I have had the time?" she spat. "You've always got him locked within kissing distance, like a co-dependent limpet."

"So you mean you would, if I wasn't around?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. Lavender was too thick to pick up on the insult.

"No, you stupid bimbo. I was just pointing out it would have been impossible for me to be with Ron without your knowledge, since you are always with him. Not that I would want to be with him. He and I are just friends, as you well know."

"So you say, anyway," hissed Parvati, from behind.

"Parvati, let go of my hair. I want to get ready for bed."

They ignored her.

"So," said Lavender, as if she was salivating over a particularly juicy steak, "who has been making Hermione Granger's knickers all wet, I ask myself?"

"Fuck off, Lav. I was in the library."

"Bullshit. I know a shagged-out face when I see one. Distinct lack of stubble rash though, Granger, nicely done on the snogging front."

Before Hermione realised what was happening, Lavender had yanked up her skirt, running her hand quickly up her thigh to find her wet underwear to crow over. She was to be disappointed as her hand came into direct contact with uncovered pubic hair. Lavender screamed, and snatched her hand away.

"Bloody Merlin, you dirty slut! Walking around school with no knickers on! Fucking hell!"

Hermione jerked her hair free of Parvati's grasp, swept up her pyjamas from the bed, and headed for the bathroom.

"I told you to mind your own business, girls."

"Who the fuck have you been shagging, Hermione?"

"Like I would tell either of you," she retorted, disdainfully, shutting the connecting door, and distinctly hearing Lavender exclaim that it was always the quiet ones that were the sluttiest.

Being in the locked bathroom gave Hermione space to breathe. She looked in the mirror, and her hair was indeed a fright, so she wet her hands and began to dampen down the frizz. It needed a good wash and condition, but that could wait until the morning, she was exhausted.

Cleaning her teeth, she found it curious that she didn't feel the least regretful, despite the fact she had just had sex with the castle's most dangerous teacher, taking the wizard's long-overdue virginity, no less. Her body was still churning after the all-consuming climax he had brought her to with his skilful, searching fingers.

She had no idea what would happen next, if anything at all.

- xxx –

Severus awoke, and for a split-second, all was well. Then reality hit.

There was an ache in his cock that was being stretched by a stupendous piece of morning wood, standing tall and awaiting attention as if it hadn't been fucked to within an inch of its life the previous evening. He snatched up his wand and shot a spell at his traitorous prick to douse its enthusiasm, he did not have time for that this morning.

He had seduced and fucked a student. He had broken every ethical and moral rule in the teachers' code of conduct. He was a pathetic excuse for an educator.

However.

Unless Miss Granger decided to make a complaint, and this seemed unlikely since it had been her idea in the first place, it seemed he may well get away with it, and whilst he did not approve of his actions, Severus had to admit that being forced to leave his job in disgrace was not exactly what he needed at the moment. He would simply have to ensure that it never, ever happened again.

He would distance himself from the girl, cancelling her private lessons since it had been proved that he could not control himself around her, and behaving in exactly the same manner towards her as he did the other students. He should be heartily embarrassed by the way he had behaved, thinking with his dick and not his brain. He would add it to his list of flaws that made him such a failure as a human being.

Thankfully, he did not have the sixth years for Defence class today, which left only mealtimes where he might see her. Breakfast and lunch could be managed, as he would take these in his chambers, and by dinner time he had no doubt that he would have better control of his runaway emotions. He felt fourteen, not almost forty.

You stupid fucking bastard, he thought.

He would not allow himself to remember how transcendent it had felt to fuck her.

- xxx -

Hermione had saved places for Harry, Ron and Ginny at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, the general hubbub of dinner chatter echoing off the walls. The food had not yet been served, so she occupied herself with 'The Standard Books of Spells, Grade Six' whilst sipping pumpkin juice from her goblet.

She was surprised when a boy slunk in beside her, who was most definitely not Ron, or Harry.

"Granger," drawled Cormac McLaggen, slipping his arm around her, "I have a proposal for you."

She wriggled her shoulders to try and shrug off his arm, but he seemed blind to her efforts.

"Slughorn's Christmas party, Granger. I don't know about you, but I'm getting mightily sick of being harassed by girls who want me to take them as my partner. I'm sure you've having the same, well, not with girls though."

Cormac gave a sickly laugh at his own joke, as if he had said something terribly funny.

"So what say we go together? Piss them all off? I'd be more than happy to have you on my arm, Granger."

He began to trace small circles on her shoulder with his meaty fingers, which far from being alluring, actually made her flesh creep. There was a sudden noise from the doorway that made them both look up, and Ron and Lavender entered, joined at the mouth as always, before being admonished by Professor McGonagall for inappropriate behaviour in the Great Hall.

Hermione had been intending to take Ron to the party, but remembering Lavender's attitude the previous evening, it would probably be far more trouble than it was worth.

There was no denying that McLaggen was popular amongst the older girls, and mostly likely several of the younger ones, too. Tall, broad and handsome with curly dark-blond hair and a strong jawline that reeked of aristocratic breeding, it was just a shame his personality was that of a bad-mannered, horny Erumpent in the height of mating season. She suspected that Lavender fancied him too, but then, she fancied anything in trousers.

So Hermione made her decision. She needed to take someone to the party, and McLaggen was going anyway. How bad could it be? Turning fully around to face him, causing his heavy arm to fall from her shoulders, she smiled.

"Actually, Cormac, that sounds like a great idea. Why not?"

"Why not, indeed," he drawled, a self-satisfied smirk crawling across his face. "I'll be looking forward to getting to know you an awful lot better, Granger. Make sure you wear something pretty. I won't disappoint you."

He leaned forward and placed a long, wet kiss on her cheek, as if he were sealing a promise of delights to come, and swaggered back to his place further down the Gryffindor table with the other seventh-years, receiving a few high-fives. Clearly, they had all known what he had planned to do.

"Mr McLaggen, please refrain from accosting Miss Granger, there will be no kissing in the middle of the dining hall. Five points from Gryffindor!"

McGonagall's strident tones had rung shrilly out across the Great Hall, drawing everyone's attention, and her face burned.

Cormac had only laughed, proud of himself, loudly crowing that it had been 'worth the five points'. Hermione had smiled too, but only because of the look on Lavender Brown's face as she and Ron had sat down opposite, as if she were sucking on a raw Ashwinder egg. It would be worth spending an evening with McLaggen, if it pissed off her dorm-mate. Lavender had been a complete bitch last night. And at least Cormac was good looking.

It wasn't until she glanced up at high table, where the professors were seated, to see the look of jealous fury upon Professor Snape's face, that she regretted her decision.

As the puddings were being served, Hermione saw Snape rise, from the corner of her eye, a black shadow heading towards the Slytherin table. He jerked his head to indicate that Malfoy should follow him, although Draco had already been getting to his feet, and the two of them walked briskly down the side of the Great Hall and out of the main entrance. As the heavy doors closed behind them, Hermione distinctly saw Draco clutch at his left arm in pain. They had been summoned.

- xxx –

Severus stood in rank with the other Death Eaters, dampening down every thought in his cluttered mind that did not pertain to the service of the Dark Lord. It was being discussed how to break out their members that were currently being held in Azkaban after the battle in the Department of Mysteries, Draco's father among them.

"How long will it be before the Dementors can be fully turned, My Lord?" called out Macnair, "once we secure their loyalty, they can release any one we choose from Azkaban."

Voldemort had turned to face him, anger in his slit-like eyes.

"You speak out of turn, Walden. Our work with the Dementors is ongoing, as you well know. And they will release anyone whom I choose, not we."

Macnair was hit with a Crucio before he had time to apologise. The short, ugly Death Eater was forced to the floor, his body constricting with the application of Cruciatus. The Dark Lord did not release the curse until he heard the first bone snap.

"Severus."

Shit.

"Lord Voldemort appreciates that yourself and Draco are unable to participate fully in this discussion, since you are both obliged to be within Hogwarts. However, I would not wish for your journey here tonight to have been in vain, so come. Tell me how your work progresses."

Severus knelt before Voldemort and allowed him to Legilimise into his mind, Occluding strongly.

"I do not see anything here that will assist our cause, Severus. I am disappointed. As yet you have not been able to tell me where Dumbledore goes, all the times when he has been absent from the school this year."

"I am sorry my Lord. I will continue to do my best to find the information that you have requested."

"A likely story," jeered Bellatrix. "He's too happy sitting pretty and comfortable at Hogwarts, while the rest of us do the dirty work."

He fucking hated this insane bitch. Just die, he thought.

"Is that true, Severus? Do you rest on your laurels within the school whilst your brothers here toil in my service?"

"Not at all, My Lord."

Voldemort pointed his wand at Severus' face, sending a petulant slicing curse that slashed him from his forehead to chin, hitting his cheek on the way down and narrowly missing his eye. He did not lift his hand to stem the flow, but stood straight and resolute before the Dark Lord, his own blood dripping down his face, into his mouth and down his neck, accepting his punishment.

"You will find out where Dumbledore goes, won'tyou, Severus?"

"I will, My Lord."

There was a collective gasp from the assembled audience as a dangerous black tendril of thick smoke sped between them with the speed of a cyclone, pushing them out of the way and transforming itself into a magical whip and thrashing Severus once across the back, with enough force to knock him to the floor with a sickening thud.

"What was that you said, Severus? Lord Voldemort did not quite hear you."

"I will find out immediately, My Lord, and report back to you. I understand that the information is imperative."

"Much better."

The insane bastard allowed the smoky whip to thrash him once more whilst he was crouched on the floor, all the wind knocked out of him. No doubt it had broken the skin on his back, even through his layers of clothing.

"Take Professor Snape back to Hogwarts, young Draco, and be grateful that I have not called upon you to document your progress tonight."

Draco did not need to be told twice, and yanked Severus to his feet, pulling him out of the room, through the main hallway and out of the front door of his family home. As they walked down the gravel path towards the main gates, Severus shook himself free of Draco's grip; no matter how sick with pain he felt, he did not wish to be supported by the little shit that was currently causing him so many problems.

- xxx -

Hermione had secreted herself in a hidden alcove above the entrance hallway. She could not have slept without knowing that Professor Snape had returned safely from wherever it was that he had been called to, now that she had seen so clearly that the wizard had no one else to care. She had brought along a book, preparing herself for a long wait, and was using a Lumos to read, a tiny beam of light cast from the end of her wand.

Hours, and two serious foot cramps later, not to mention well past curfew, she heard the enormous main doors open, and she doused her light, twitching the curtain back just a fraction to spy on whoever had just entered the castle.

It was them.

Draco looked grey-faced and actually terrified, but apparently uninjured. She heard Snape order him to bed with a stern growl, clearly brooking no argument. When he turned into the light, she could see one side of his face covered in blood, and he was walking as if his back was hurting. He began to head towards the Defence corridor, before seeming to change his mind, turning completely around and walking in the other direction. He must be heading towards the hospital wing.

She had two floors and an uninjured body on him; she could easily get there first. Hermione sped off as silently as possible towards the infirmary, pushing open the door of the silent, empty ward to find Madam Pomfrey in her office. Did that witch ever sleep?

"Miss Granger. Are you ill? What are you doing out of bed this time of night?"

"Period pain, Madam Pomfrey. It's really bad, I can't sleep."

"Do you not have a painkilling potion in your dormitory?"

"I don't, I'm sorry, I ran out. I wanted to wait until morning, but this pain is making me feel quite sick," she whined, clutching a hand to her stomach for additional veracity.

"Merlin save us from the trials of being a witch. Very well, dear. Come and sit on this bed and I shall fetch you a pain potion."

Whilst the Medi-witch was measuring the dose she would need for Hermione's height and weight, the door to the infirmary opened with a crash, as she knew it would, and Madam Pomfrey looked up, her face turning pinched and worried as she saw Professor Snape heading up the ward, lurching and bloody.

"Excuse me, Miss Granger. An urgent case."

"That's no problem, Madam Pomfrey. Go right ahead, I'll wait here."

Hermione settled herself down on the metal-framed hospital bed and Pomfrey pulled the curtains around her, leaving her in an excellent position for unobserved eavesdropping. Her mother would be unimpressed at her lack of good manners.

"Severus!" she heard Pomfrey exclaim, "what on earth has happened this time?"

"I can heal my face," he growled, crossly, "I only need you for my back. Magical whip."

Hermione heard the sound of clothing being removed, followed by Madam Pomfrey's sharp intake of breath.

"Merlin, Severus!"

"Just heal it. I cannot see to do so."

"I will heal it. I just want to clean your face first. Then you can heal it yourself if you wish, or you can allow me to do it, since that is my job. Bloody hell, you are lucky to still have your eye!"

There was no more talking beyond the odd muttered oath of pain, or a whispered instruction from the Medi-witch. As Hermione lay there, her eyes were filled with tears for his silent and stoical acceptance of the treatment that had been heaped upon him. Torture that the headmaster knew was happening, and allowed to happen.

"Stay on your front, Severus. Those wounds are knitting together. You won't be going anywhere for a good hour yet, so you might as well make yourself comfortable. Wait here, I have another patient I must quickly attend to."

Hermione heard the swish of the curtains as Pomfrey left Snape's cubicle, and another swish as she entered hers.

"Miss Granger! I am so sorry. An urgent case takes priority. Oh, you poor lamb, I know you are in pain, but don't cry. This potion will soon take effect."

Pomfrey passed Hermione the dose of pain potion and she took it quickly. It was harmless, even though she didn't really need it, and she wiped the brimming tears from her eyes.

"By the time you have walked back to Gryffindor Tower the pain will be gone, I promise."

"I know. Thank you, Madam Pomfrey."

"You are welcome, dear. Off you go."

The Medi-witch pulled back the curtains that had been around the bed, and headed back to her office, closing the door behind her. Hermione was desperate to go and see the professor, but knew there was no realistic way she could do that. She began to walk up the centre of the ward towards the door.

"Nice try, Granger."

His deep, instantly recognisable voice came from behind his curtains. She grinned, and continued walking.