Chapter 25 - Help from a House Elf
Snape had never enjoyed the few days after Christmas. The excitement of the holidays took a long time to wear off, and the students were always restless. With his strict teaching style he had no trouble in subduing them, of course, but getting their minds truly on their work was no easy task. This year found him almost as distracted as the students. He thought of the holidays; his terrible days alone, the letter from Hermione, their perfect time together and, naturally, the still unanswered question of whether or not Hermione was pregnant. Not a state of mind particularly conducive, he thought, to driving home the finer principles of the delicate art of potion making to a bunch of adolescent incompetents! It was only his strong will and self-control that enabled him to keep his mind on his work.
Several floors above her lover's classroom, Hermione was facing a serious looking Madam Pomfrey.
"Pregnant, Hermione?" the witch was asking her, surprised. "I admit that you are not someone I would have expected to be having this conversation with." Hermione said nothing and Madam Pomfrey continued. "When do you think it might have happened?"
Hermione told her that it had been on the day after Christmas. It suddenly occurred to her that the Matron did not know that she knew about the spell on Hogwarts, and it was crucial that she play along and pretend to be ignorant of this. Only a teacher could have told her, so she had to keep this information to herself.
The inevitable lecture began, as Madam Pomfrey stood to rummage in a cupboard for something. It was all the things that Hermione had expected – relationships not to be taken lightly, should wait, if possible, take appropriate precautions if you must, disappointed in Hermione's carelessness, usually such a sensible girl – and she listened on the grounds that she had little choice. Throughout the lecture, Hermione was more interested in watching the matron than listening to her. She eventually found a small box which she brought back to the desk with her. She took out what looked like an old fashioned watch on a chain and dangled it in front of her, then she instructed the girl to lay on the little table she had in the office. Holding the device above Hermione's stomach, she muttered a complex spell, the words of which Hermione could not pick out.
Hermione held her breath as the 'watch' was held for several minutes, then examined carefully. At Madam Pomfrey's instruction, she sat up and returned to her chair by the desk. Madam Pomfrey sat opposite her, a somber expression on her face.
"Well, Hermione," she began. "I'm sure you will be pleased to know that you are not pregnant."
It took a moment for Hermione fully to register this information. Not pregnant! The emotions that hit her were unclear, but the overwhelming feeling she got was simply that, good or bad, at least now she knew
Thanking Madam Pomfrey, Hermione got up to leave, but the matron had other plans. Because the spell around Hogwarts was totally secret, there was no way that Madam Pomfrey could tell Hermione about it, so the girl realized that they would both have to keep up the pretence. The lecture was far from over, and it was almost another half hour before Hermione was finally able to escape. For a moment, her guard had almost slipped when she was asked what form of protection had been used except for the day when they 'forgot'. She had been on the point of saying that they had prepared a potion, but the matron would know that the potions were difficult, and that not all of the ingredients were easily available. Thinking quickly, Hermione did the best thing all round, and told the older witch that that had been the only time, and that he wasn't even a Hogwarts student. This seemed both to pacify her a little and worry her at the same time – on the one hand, there was relief that the student was not in an ongoing sexual relationship, but this also implied that the event had been entered into without much thought or even in a steady relationship.
Finally, Hermione managed to escape the Hospital Wing, and her feet led her straight to the dungeon.
Snape held the woman he loved in his arms, and kissed the top of her head. She was trembling, and he embraced her tightly, as though trying to absorb the shakes into himself. She wasn't pregnant. She had arrived ten minutes earlier, and headed straight for his arms. The news had been whispered into his chest, and since then they had remained together, simply holding each other.
The relief was strong. He had been so worried for her; now was not the time for her to get pregnant. She had exams coming up, whether in a few months or a year, and with the problems with her parents, her friends, the fact that they were still loving each other in secret, it would have been all wrong. No, not wrong – there would have been something perfectly right about Hermione carrying his child - but not now.
Lovingly, he stroked her back, enjoying the feeling as she relaxed into him. It was only now that he had heard the news that he felt a weight lifted from his shoulders and realized how much of his restlessness had been due to this uncertainty.
"Someday, Hermione, we are going to have beautiful children," he whispered gently, "but it will be when the time is right." He felt her nod against his chest, and sighed deeply.
The beginning of the new year was unusual for the Potions Master in another way as well. He had never been in the habit of celebrating his birthday, but following the discussion about their ages at Christmas, Hermione had insisted on knowing the date. January 9th was only a few days after the start of term and this time the date would not go unnoticed. As his birthday fell on a Thursday, they both had lessons, but had arranged to spend the evening having a romantic dinner in his rooms.
He woke that morning with her warm body pressed against his.
"Happy Birthday, Severus," she smiled as they lay together.
"Maybe I should send a message to the Headmaster to say that I am sick and need to spend the day in bed," he murmured, lazily.
Hermione laughed. "That would be very un-Snape-like," she said. "It's possible that Dumbledore would be suspicious."
"Then we should get moving and make up for the missed time this evening."
Despite finally being forced to accept that house elves did not want to be freed, Hermione was still never comfortable in asking them to work. At some point, she hoped to be able to make a difference in their lives by making sure that all were fairly treated, but for now her aim was simply not to add to their burdens. For Severus' birthday, however, she realized that if she wanted to do something special, she would need Zecky's assistance.
"Miss Granger would like Zecky to help arrange a surprise for Master Snape?" he asked. "Zecky would be happy to help!"
She had not spoken to the elf very much until now, due to Severus' preference to use the elf's services sparingly, and it surprised and pleased her to find out that he was not as fawning as most of them. His manners were polite and cheerful without obsequiousness; a welcome change from her dealings with other elves.
It did not take long for them to make their plans. All Hermione had to do was to keep her lover away from his rooms for a little while before supper.
Over the Christmas holidays, Snape and Hermione had become accustomed to taking long walks through the woods each day. At school this was more difficult, so he was happy when she suggested a walk in the grounds. By the time they returned, their cheeks were red from both the exercise and the biting air.
The spell they used in the grounds allowed them to walk unseen by others and leave no footprints, but let them see each other as long as they held hands. Reaching the castle, however, Hermione switched to a disillusionment charm as she followed in the wake of the teacher.
"Severus," called out a voice as they headed towards the dungeon, "Pomona and I are just about to have a drink before dinner. Will you join us? I hear that it's your birthday!"
The Potions Master turned towards the tiny form of Professor Flitwick.
"Thank you, Filius," he said stiffly, "but I do not celebrate my birthday. I will not be attending dinner in the Great Hall tonight, as I have work to do. Good evening."
Flitwick sighed and shook his head as the tall wizard strode on his way, followed by an unseen and silent Hermione.
When Severus opened the door to his rooms, he smiled. The living room was lit only by candles and firelight. The dining table was set elegantly for two, with crystal glassware and silver utensils over a black tablecloth. In front of one of the place settings lay a package wrapped in silver paper with green ribbons.
Hermione poured each of them a glass of wine. They drank, then kissed tenderly. "This is wonderful, Hermione," he said softly.
"I arranged it with Zecky," she confessed. "Open your present."
The package was rectangular, but too thin to be a book. He opened it with interest, and out fell what was clearly a muggle magazine. "Logic Problems," he read. He slowly flipped through it, seeing pages of writing and grids. Attached was a sharp pencil. He was familiar with pencils, but they were not common in the wizarding world.
"I remembered the puzzle you set to guard the Philosopher's Stone in our first year," Hermione told him. "I thought you might like to try some muggle puzzles."
He smiled and drew her to him. "What a wonderful idea," he murmured. "Thank you."
After the amazing meal that Zecky had prepared for them, they sat together by the fire and he once again flicked through the magazine.
Hermione giggled. "I can see you're itching to try out your puzzles," she said. "I'll get my book while you get started, and we can finish our wine. Not too long, though - I have plans for you in the bedroom!"
He smiled. "That sounds like the perfect end to a wonderful birthday."
By the end of the first week back at school, Snape had received all three of the sixth-year Potions project drafts, and reviewed them with interest. Rivers and Cornfoot had done some exceptional work on poisons and antidotes, and their draft showed some promising results. He had called them both into his office, and given them carefully restrained praise for their efforts, along with some stern words about the areas where they needed to improve, and a warning about ensuring that their work was unique. "If I find that your final reports are simply re-phrasing of each other," he told them, "I shall assign a percentage for the whole project, and split the marks between you both!"
He reflected for a moment on the way that he spoke to students. He had always been severe on them, and had found it to be an effective approach. It made them want to work hard to avoid scorn and criticism. True, it terrified some of them, such as Longbottom, to the point where they were barely able to function in the class, but these were few and far between, and it did them good. The world was a tough place, and if they couldn't cope with an overbearing teacher, how would they cope with the harsh reality that was life? Whatever other people – even Hermione – thought about it, his style of teaching worked. Rivers and Cornfoot stood in front of him as he gave them his comments on their work, heads held high, and confident in themselves. The ones that had the sense enough to learn knew when he was pleased with them. The others struggled along acceptably, and for the worst – well, for every total incompetent, there was a helpful colleague to whisper instructions. He made sure that they never sat too far apart. His methods might not make him the most popular teacher in the school, but he found them effective.
As for Hermione's project – it was excellent, of course, but somehow it lacked the energy that he had expected. Technically, it was faultless, although it did sway heavily on the side of Potions, with less emphasis put on the Historical aspects, but he had been expecting more impact – more of her enthusiasm to come through. He would have to talk to her about that. In the meantime, the person he needed to see first about it was Professor Binns. He had received his own copy, and their comments back to the student would have to cover both subjects. He set off for the staffroom, to find him in his usual chair by the fire. They discussed Hermione's results, and agreed where she needed to focus her work. Definitely more research needed on the history side – probably a deeper analysis of whether the wizards in question were developing truly unique approaches, or were simply continuing earlier work. Snape almost smiled at the uncharacteristic enthusiasm Binns showed in the project. It seemed that Hermione was one of the few students who took a genuine interest in the History of Magic, and it was unusual to see the ghost acting as though he were not dead, for once.
Snape turned to leave the staffroom, but stopped as Professor McGonagall entered. "Ah, Severus. Just the wizard I wanted to see," she smiled. "May we talk?"
"Of course." They moved to two armchairs at the side of the staffroom and sat down, Severus wondering what this would be about. Probably nothing, he told himself. Just House business – nothing to do with Hermione Granger.
"It's about Hermione Granger," began McGonagall.
Snape managed to get some impatience into his voice. "What about her, Minerva?"
McGonagall faced him squarely, clearly showing some puzzlement. "Albus told me of your wish to put her in for her Potions N.E.W.T. a year early, and I was curious as to your reasons."
He fielded this with a question. "Don't you think she's ready for it?" he asked her, knowing that she could give only one answer.
"Of course she's ready, Severus," came the quick reply, " but over the years that you have been teaching here, there must have been plenty of other students who would also have qualified. What is so special about Miss Granger?"
Everything was special about her - the way she smiled, her hair in the sunlight, the touch of her hands on his bare skin, her moans of pleasure as they made love. He caught himself, and forced his thoughts back to the conversation. He could go on for hours about what was so special about Miss Granger, but that probably wasn't what her head of house meant!
He steepled his fingers together in front of him. "Ms. Granger is an exceptional student, Minerva, and you know that I am not one to over exaggerate the competencies of a student. Not only does she have ability far beyond anyone I have ever taught, she also has a genuine 'feel' for Potions. She understands the mystery and the art, and I do not feel that I could, with conscience, hold her back."
McGonagall considered this, thoughtfully. "I don't doubt that," she said, "but why should that imply she should take the test early? Surely, she would be better to remain in the class to continue learning, even if she is well beyond the rest of the year?"
"Ms. Granger is no longer learning much in my class," he stated, truthfully. "There is little value in a lesson that cannot challenge an agile mind, and I cannot give her that challenge without taking time from the rest of the class. If she chooses to pursue her Potions studies after completion of her N.E.W.T., which I am confident she will do, then I would be more able to challenge her by involving her in more complex subjects."
"Are you suggesting independent research during her final year?"
Why was she interfering like this, he wondered, irritably. "I am suggesting that she take the exam at the point when she is ready for it, and that she decides on the further direction, when the time comes!"
McGonagall at last seemed to accept this, even if she was not completely satisfied with the answer. Once Dumbledore had agreed, there was little for McGonagall to do but accept, but he supposed he couldn't question her wish to protect the interests of the woman he loved.
After a long pause, the deputy Headmistress smiled, and said, "Very well. I see no reason why Miss Granger should not be permitted to continue, if this is what she wishes."
"Thank you, Minerva," he replied, trying his best not to sound too cold, despite his irritability. Whatever happened in the future, maintaining civility now would likely make life easier. He nodded to the Professor, stood from the chair, and left the staffroom.
On the Tuesday of the following week, Severus studied Hermione's naked body as she slept beside him. It was morning and soon she would have to get back to Gryffindor tower, but for now she was all his. He traced the lines of her body with his eyes – her soft face, those tender breasts, smooth skin – his gaze fell on the pendant he had given her for Christmas. It lay against her chest, glowing softly, and he smiled. Thinking of that had been a moment of inspiration, and he knew how much she loved it.
He would not be seeing her that evening, and he thought regretfully about the fact that he had to last the whole day without her. He woke her with a kiss, and she stretched luxuriously as she stirred. The arching movement of that lithe, supple body made his own respond quickly and visibly. Leaning over her, he pressed his hardness against her thigh, and she smiled at the touch.
"I can tell you're wide awake this morning," she whispered.
By the time he fell into bed, alone, that night, he would look back on this moment and reflect that making love to Hermione that morning had been the only good thing that had happened to him all day.
Author's Note: 4-Sept-2018
My apologies for this chapter taking so long to publish. It's been a tiring few weeks, and very busy with my kids off school. Hopefully, now that I have a little more time to myself, I will be able to update more regularly again.
Logic Problems is a magazine that I used to get when I lived in England. Whenever family or friends visit, I always ask them to bring me back a copy of the latest edition.
Please review. I love hearing what people think of each new chapter.