Chapter 26
Minerva had raised her tumbler of whiskey to her thin lips for another sip as she heard the ominous grumble of the stone stairway delivering someone to her office door. She anticipated the clack of the griffin door knocker, but was instead met with the swirling black robes and the angry, black look of Severus Snape. Usually, when Severus was in such a temper she considered him seriously and took pains to evidence her sincerity. Tonight, her sobriety was tenuous at best and she fought to keep her face straight.
"Back so soon, Severus," it was a statement, not a question. Long years of dealing with the cantankerous wizard had taught her that he hated questions to which the answers were obvious.
"Yes, Minerva. I was leaving your office to return to my rooms when I met a concerned Miss Granger," he began.
"For heavens' sake, Severus. When are you going to use her proper title? Or even afford the girl some informality," Minerva whined. She picked up on the whiney note in her voice and slid her tumbler away and out of her own easy reach. While it was her right to settle to a nice drink of an evening, she was sat in her office and dealing with the apparent grievance of a member of staff.
"Leave it, Minerva," he warned. He was warning her. Severus didn't do this often; didn't remind her of the power he still held in this castle. The power he held over her. Why was this point such an issue for him? She thought about it in the uncomfortable silence that fell over them. Perhaps he was just annoyed about something else. Minerva could not think of a reason why he would react in such a way regarding his address of Hermione.
He calmed himself and continued, "Miss Granger has informed me that there is to be a mandatory staff gathering this weekend. I've come back to complain of the obligatory nature of the evening." Severus was reining himself in. He'd clearly seen his own folly in reacting so harshly to such a trifling matter.
"Ah well, Severus. I feel it would be a good way to welcome the new staff. Surely, it's a small ask? Show your face then leave if you must," Minerva sensed that the best way to deal with the wizard right now would be to talk him 'round.
He seemed to be pondering her suggestion, "Well, fine, but what if there are other members of staff who would prefer not to attend?"
Minerva felt her own face contort in confusion. Why was he asking about other members of staff? "Severus, if other members of staff would prefer not to attend then they may give me a valid pre-existing commitment or they will be given the same option as you. To attend briefly and leave, if they would prefer."
Severus considered her answer briefly and then thanked her for her time. Rather than leave the way in which he'd re-entered, he went via the floo barely pausing to say good evening.
Minerva reached for her tumbler, silently cursing Aurora and her ludicrous idea. This was more trouble than it was worth.
Hermione wandered back to her room, feeling both excited and concerned by her encounter with Professor Snape. She loved the idea of him taking care of the matter for her and thus taking care of her, but she was concerned by the idea of meeting someone. Who was this Marcus?
Finally, she arrived outside her rooms and looked up into the smiling face of Lord Stephan.
"Good evening, my dear, how are you?"
"Quite well, my Lord," she replied, but the lack of conviction in her words was clearly contradictory to their meaning and Lord Stephan picked up on this.
"I do not relish doubting a young lady's veracity, but the lie that has slipped from your lips is too blatant to ignore," he replied. He left it there not pressing her for more, but clearly desiring it.
"Well, I just have a few things on my mind…" she began.
"Cast a charm to conceal our conversation from prying ears, my dear, and then share with me your biggest concern," there was a commanding note in his voice that Hermione had hitherto either not noticed or not been privy to.
"Yes, my Lord," Hermione did as she'd been told, but noticed she didn't feel the rush of heat and pleasure that she got from obeying Professor Snape, but she did as she was told regardless.
"Now begin, sweet lady, tell me what is concerning you," he coaxed. His sincerity was written all over his face.
Hermione thought about the staff do and the mysterious Marcus. She thought about Neville's odd behaviour and Draco's too. Then she thought about Professor Snape and his ban on self-harm. The way Professor Sinistra had looked at her. She thought about her own deficiencies. She raised her eyes to Lord Stephan's and began to talk.
"I just feel so useless sometimes. I depend on everyone for everything and lately, I've been depending on one person in particular. I hate to become a burden but I need… I need what he provides," she trailed off, looking up at Lord Stephan in desperation. She knew what she wanted from the portrait. She wanted him to validate her dependence or to condemn it.
Lord Stephan looked down at her, his gaze solemn. He was surely considering his words carefully.
"Professor Granger, you may depend upon my complete discretion. Tell me, what precisely does 'he' provide?" His wording again was an order. Was he doing this intentionally? Again she preferred the direction from Professor Snape, but still felt a wash of compulsion to obey.
"He well, he… He tells me what to do. Gives instruction and I – I need it. I need to obey him. I want to," her eyes were trained on her shoes. She felt a quiver of shame in her description, but also pride and excitement. The emotions warred inside her.
The pause extended and she felt tears well up in her eyes when she heard him chuckle a little and he began to talk, "Is there any sight in this world more beautiful that a freshly illuminated submissive accepting the inevitability of her need?" He seemed to address the question to himself. The portrait's eyes glazed. Apparently, he was thinking about a young lady he'd once known.
"Professor Granger, surely 'he' has explained to you. This is completely natural," he probed.
She looked at him, biting her lip and willing him to continue.
"Surely, he hasn't suggested there is something wrong with you?" He said sharply, the hint of a threat in his words.
"Oh no, no!" she's found her voice and began to use it in earnest, "Lord Stephan, he hasn't explained nor has he used the term 'submissive' and I'm certain he doesn't see me like that. He's a good man and he'd helping me."
Hermione waited patiently for Lord Stephan to collect his thoughts.
"Professor Granger, listen carefully to what I have to say. You desire instruction. You need it. Obedience excites you. It brings you physical excitement. The desire to please him is pleasure itself and when you succeed and he is pleased with you… that's when you know peace," his words were intoxicating, "I know I'm right; you know it too. Know this. This is natural; there is nothing wrong with you. There is a certain calibre of gentleman who would love to capitalise on this and I count myself among their number. Were I flesh and blood rather than oil and canvas, I should have you at my knee at this very moment," he stopped there and allowed her to absorb his words. "Now, we shall speak no more of this tonight. In fact, I shan't raise the subject again. If you desire to discuss this further, however, I expect you to bring it to my attention."
She nodded briefly, still astounded that he was able to articulate her feelings in such a way. Hermione was also shocked by his candid announcement of what he would like, but for her it only inspired hope that Professor Snape might want the same.
"Yes, my Lord. Jude," she replied, supplying the password.
"Goodnight, Professor Granger. Sleep well." He admitted her and immediately disappeared from his frame.
Once in her rooms, Hermione undressed and got straight into bed. She couldn't believe what Lord Stephan had said to her. She needed to know more about 'submissive' and decided to search the library tomorrow. Sleep proved elusive for hours.