A/N: Once more it has taken me far too long to return to this story… the plots are forming and reforming, twisting, turning and basically choosing not to settle. However, I have been feeling the call of Severus for a few days now and so decided to put fingers to keys and let him out to play. This idea literally came to me last week and has been bubbling away in my consciousness and so today I present…
Chapter 16 – After Dinner Prince
The ascent up the stairs was silent, with the exception of shallow breathing at the anticipation of a few more hours spent in each other's passionate embrace, Severus leading his young lover by the hand. Hermione planned to jump straight into his arms the second the bedroom door closed behind them. He, on the other hand, planned to close the door by slamming her against it, pulling her legs up around his waist and turning her into a puddle of need with one frenzied, searing kiss.
Neither was to quite get their way as they reached the pinnacle of the stairs, Hermione's Gryffindor courage roared and she reached out with her free hand to do something she had wanted to do for longer than she cared to admit – she pinched the gorgeously muscled arse of her ex potions professor.
Severus spun toward her on the long landing, just as she reached the top step.
"Are your Gryffindor tendencies so out of control, Miss Granger, that you are incapable of restraining such lewd impulses until we reach the bedroom?" Severus asked. His face decidedly showing the disgruntled expression Hermione remembered from being in his class. If not for his eyes, blown wide with lust, she'd almost believe he was going to take house points.
Catching on quickly, whether it was his game or not, she decided to make it one….
"I'm so sorry, Professor; I won't do it again. I just had to try it once; I've wanted to for so long now, you see. Please, Professor; please don't take points from Gryffindor. I'll do… anything."
Hermione sensed the tiniest flicker of amusement in his eyes as he either accepted her premise or delighted in her catching on to his. Later, they would both argue that their favourite roleplay had been their own idea - stubbornness was a trait rife in both Gryffindors and Slytherins.
Severus waved a hand at her as he backed himself against the wall, wandlessly and wordlessly transfiguring her clothes into a very small, very tight version of her old school uniform – grey pleated skirt covering only the bare essentials, crisp white shirt lacking buttons but tied under her chest, and a black robe, complete with Gryffindor crest hanging open. Looking down, Hermione realised with a gasp that in addition to transfiguring her clothes, in that single hand gesture, Severus had also vanished her knickers. That's at least three spells in one go – the man really is brilliant, Hermione thought.
When she looked back up, Hermione realised her lover had also altered his own clothing; he stood with his back ramrod straight, arms folded across his chest, glowering at her just as he had done for years previously; his iconic and intimidating black robes covering every into of him, except for his face and his hands. The only difference from the past being the wicked gleam in his eyes as he curled the index finger of his outstretch right hand and beckoned her toward him.
"On your knees, Miss Granger." Severus demanded in the most acerbic facsimile of his former self he could muster.
Despite knowing they were playing a game and that her former professor actually did care for her, maybe even love her, Hermione still had to fight the shiver caused by even the act of him being so formidable with her. She also had to fight, tooth and nail to suppress the grin that threatened to betray her supposed-to-be-contrite face. All those hours spent imagining this in his classroom and it was finally happening.
"Yes, sir." She replied, slowly taking the five or six steps to where he stood, feigning fear.
She noticed as she descended to an upright kneeling position that the bulge before was already impressive and threating to break free of its fabric prison.
"If I must instruct you further Miss Granger, you do not deserve the title of 'Brightest Witch of her Age' and I will deduct points for falsifying yourself as such as well as making me explain myself and for failing to prepare. Do you understand?"
His tone dripped with distaste and Hermione shuddered at the artificial disgust of his tone; it was strange that it should feel comfortable to hear it, like something felt right with the world again if he was acting so 'Snape-ish'. It caused a deluge of wet heat to pool between her legs and she let out a low moan to display his effect on her; not needing to look up at his face to know a smirk of supreme smugness was in place. Slytherins, she thought, burying the urge to roll her eyes.
Determined to show off her own wandless skill, despite her surging lust, Hermione waved her own hand over the fabric in front of her and all fabric surrounding his beautifully rigid erection vanished; a foot wide circle of his delicious flesh exposed, framed by the remaining fabrics of his robes.
Leaning forward, Hermione licked the bead of moisture from the tip, allowing her tongue to wiggle for a second longer than necessary in the weeping slit. Snape growled a little above her and she had to fight a smirk of her own as she ran her tongue, flattened, up from base to tip before sliding her lips over the head and constricting her mouth to pulse quickly over it; her tongue painting small circles where head met shaft.
Severus's breath hitched in his throat as her mouth descended his shaft, slowly.
I'm getting head from Hermione Granger. Good head. Sweet Salazar, this girl is amazing at everything."
"Good girl, Miss Granger. Ten points to Gryffindor."
Hermione smiled a little around her mouthful, slowly dragging back up, teeth lightly grazing against his sensitive and engorged muscle.
"Ten, sir?" Hermione asked; an innocent look on her face. "I think we can do better than that." The innocent expression on her face vanished into a wicked grin as she descended once more; this time bringing one hand up to massage, tickle and tease at his tightening balls.
She alternated for several minutes between teasing and determined, her head bobbed up and down first vigorously, then with languid patience, finally settling on a fast rhythm, every third descent pushing him deep into her throat and holding him there until her eyes almost watered, then with a quick swallow and hum to add to his sensations, she ascended once more.
Unable to take her teasing for much longer, Snape thrust his hands into mass of curly chestnut hair that obscured the vision of his own body from the waist down and made to hold her steady to fuck her mouth. At first thrust however he felt the wards ripple; he rolled his eyes back in frustration.
"Shit." He murmured under his breath but not quietly enough to be unheard by the witch at his feet. Hermione pulled herself back and for the first time since their landing tryst had begun, looked at him.
"What is it?" She asked, confused that his face was not lost in the throes of ecstasy she wanted her ministrations to bring him.
"The wards." He explained, not meeting her eye. "My mother is here."
Hermione's eyes went wide and she made to stand up. Snape, however, seemed to have other idea.
"One hundred points to Gryffindor if you can finish what you started before we are discovered." He said with amusement lacing every word; his hand pressing onto her shoulder to return her to her position.
"But…"
"But nothing. I am still tied to Hogwarts, the offer of house points is genuine and I cannot greet my mother like this." He gestured to his still rock solid erection.
Hermione seemed to gather herself for a moment before giving the staircase a slightly unsure look; when her eyes returned to Severus however it was with a determined look …
"Yes sir." She said with way too excitement at the prospect of besting his challenge.
Hermione took to her new 'assignment' with gusto. She gave too cursory bobs of her head before taking him deep, hollowing her cheeks and sucking like her life depended on it until her eyes crossed. Her hand reached up to tug gently on his balls, once, twice, three times and she let two fingers push just against the flesh behind his sack, pulsing as she kept him locked into the back of her throat.
He gripped her shoulders as she held him in this state of deep suction, ball tease and perineum massage until he exploded into her throat, gasping for breath as a low growl escaped him.
"Sevvy, darling… are you here? It's your mother. Are you in the library?" A feminine voice from the lower floor; it seemed vaguely familiar to Hermione but she couldn't place it. She shook the notion off that she would be familiar with Severus's mother. It wasn't possible that she could be.
Snape has a mum; weird.
"That was quick. Good job I know what I'm doing, huh?" Hermione sassed, entirely too pleased with herself.
Snape smirked at her.
"Go and make yourself a little more presentable." He said, waving her into the bedroom before transfiguring his clothes back into something a little more casual than teaching robes with a hole charmed out of them at the crotch. He descended the stairs.
"Good evening, mother. It's good to see you."
"Don't you come all that distant and untouchable stuff with me, Severus. I'm your mother and I thought you were dead, I deserve a damn hug."
"Yes mother." He said stiffly, reaching his arms out around his mother just inside the library.
Eileen Prince returned the embrace of her son stiffly but with an affection tap on the shoulder.
"What are you doing here, mother? Is everything well at the castle?"
"Everything is fine, dear. Minerva has the whole castle in hand. I think everyone is more afraid of her than they ever were of Albus… she's formidable. I always did like her."
"Of course you did." He said smirking before realising he really should let his mother know they had company. "Erm… mother… we have a guest."
"I know dear, I overheard Mr Potter telling Minerva that Miss Granger was with you. The only logical place you would come is here. Where is the dear girl? I'd like to thank her for saving my dear boy's life." She said, squeezing Severus's cheek as only his mother could get away with.
"She'll be down soon. We, erm… weren't expecting you." He said, a little shamefully at almost getting caught. A tinge of pink highlighting his cheeks which only Eileen Prince was capable of provoking. It did not go unnoticed.
"Severus Tobias Snape." She exclaimed in a sharp, incredulous voice. "If you have corrupted that sweet young girl… Severus she saved your life! "
"Mother, it's not like that. We're…"
"Sevvy, darling…" his mother placated, her tone softening. "She's half your age. I know you're a good man and clearly she does too but our world will not look kindly on this."
"I don't care what everyone else says about Severus and I, Mrs Snape. There is no one else in the world, magical of muggle that I would ever consider…" Hermione's voice heralded, determined from the door but came to an abrupt halt at the woman standing across the library. "Madam Pince?"
"Good evening, Miss Granger. Eileen Prince." The older witch said, offering out her hand to be shaken.
"But… but… what?" Hermione stuttered, even as she took the proffered hand of whom was essentially now her mother-in-law.
"Give her a second, mother. Your arrival caught us unawares and your identity is more than likely a little surprising but Hermione isn't called the brightest witch of her age for nothing."
Eileen nodded, smiling at her son.
"Weston." The Prince matriarch called. "Tea, please, Weston." She added when the elf appeared, not giving him chance to greet her as he would like.
"Yes, Mistress."
"Erm…" Hermione said tentatively from her place still quite near the door. "Could I have a little firewhiskey instead please, Weston. I think I need it."
"Of course Miss." The elf replied as Snape let out a deep blast of laughter and Eileen snickered to herself.
"Irma Pince…" Hermione began tentatively, "is an anagram… of… of either 'I'm a Prince' or 'I am Prince'. Oh Merlin, how did I not see it before?" her voice getting more animated. "Of course you're his mother and of course you'd be protected by Hogwarts. Severus would've made sure of that, not to mention Dumbledore. And I can see where he gets his love of books from now, I mean of course you're his mother; I can see it. The dark eyes, the height, the brooding over thoughtlessness, whether it's about quiet in the potions class or quiet in the library, it's still a similarity I should've picked up on. Oh this makes so much sense. Does anyone else know?" she asked to both of them.
"The staff of course." Eileen explained. "Minerva and I have been close for years. We attended Hogwarts together you know? She was two years ahead of me and we played opposite each other on the Quidditch pitch. I was a Ravenclaw seeker."
"Wow. That's amazing Madam… erm… what should I call you?" Hermione asked, a confused look marring her features.
"Well, officially I am still Madam Snape but given the past I prefer to go by my maiden name, although with you knowing me by my pseudonym, I think it may be safest for you to call me Eileen."
"Well, it's lovely to meet you, Eileen… officially I mean. And I suppose if we've moved onto a first name basis, you should start calling me Hermione. I'm no longer a student; at least not at the moment. I want to return for my N.E. ."
"Hermione, I want to thank you for saving my darling Sevvy, here. He's such a good boy and now he gets to live a free life again, thanks to you."
"Mother." Severus warned Eileen for the sickly sweet endearments she used.
"Hush, darling. The ladies are talking now." She said linking arms with Hermione. "You can join us if you want to but keep your snarkiness to yourself. I'm sure Hermione has had quite enough of it to last her a lifetime."
"I think I like your mum, Sevvy." Hermione sassed as Eileen led her to the seating area of the library.
"Don't," Severus began sharply as Eileen laughed at the Gryffindor girl's bravery, "…call me Sevvy. She only gets away with it because she's my mother. And mother, please for the love of Merlin, don't encourage her."
He stalked out of the library and toward his private potions lab with the familiar air of displeasure and Hermione had no doubt that if he was wearing robes they would be billowing; leaving the two most important witches in his life to get better acquainted, hoping they didn't cook anything up between them other than more embarrassing endearments.
The first fifteen minutes of conversation were taken up with war stories, light on details to not bring the mood down. Weston had brought the bottle of firewhiskey and two glasses, at Eileen's request as the conversation turned more personal.
"So, I got the impression from Severus before you came downstairs that there is more going on between you than a professor/student relationship."
Hermione blushed at the memory of their activities and wardrobe just before Eileen's arrival.
"Well yes. It was completely unexpected but… well, I've had a bit of a crush since my second year and after everything that he sacrificed, everything he went through, how could I not fall…" Hermione stopped abruptly at the wide eyes and dropped jaw of her companion.
"You're in love… with my Sevvy?" The older witch asked incredulously.
"Erm… well, actually, yes." Hermione said in a very small voice; her cheeks scarlet and her eyes dropping to her knees.
"Oh, Miss Granger; you dear sweet girl. What have you let yourself in for?" Eileen asked rhetorically, smiling.
"I know he's not the easiest man in the world to love but I don't seem to have any trouble with doing so. I've forgiven him being… terse with me in the past, I know it was all part of the act; an exaggerated level of distaste of everything around him while he walked such a knife edge. It's part of why I saved him, so he would know he is truly forgiven and that I understand. I want him to feel comfortable with me, safe and free to be himself. I'm not sure when he last had that, if ever as an adult and it breaks my heart that he's lost half his life to battle of good versus evil. It's not fair and I intend to give him every happiness I can possibly offer, whether he lets me or not."
Eileen was in tears by the end of Hermione's speech and the young witch comforted her unknowing mother-in-law with a side-on hug before she spoke again.
"I'm sorry, Eileen. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Oh, you haven't sweetheart. It's just that… well, I never hoped Severus could find such an understanding witch, especially after his associations with darkness and Slytherin. You have such a pure and open heart dear, and I am sure deep down my Severus is extremely honoured that you're gifting him with it. After what that Lily girl did to him… cutting him off after one burst of temper; I was livid with her until the day she died. Perhaps I should not speak ill of the dead dear but well, it still gets my goat."
"I understand Eileen, honestly. I mean he's your son and he was hurt. Of course you felt protective of him and his feelings. I obviously don't think of her with the same loathing given whom her son is but I can appreciate your point of view and Severus's."
"Thank you Hermione. That is very mature of you… and generous."
Hermione gave a half-laugh, half-sigh as she looked into the older witch's eyes.
"Maturity was foisted upon me unfortunately when I…"
"Nonsense." Eileen interrupted. "You were always a mature young girl, and so studious. I remember keeping the library open past curfew just for your studying and that was back in second year."
"In my defence, I was trying to figure out what was petrifying students."
"Which is why the book where you found the answer came directly from my private collection; I placed it in your pile of tomes when you went to the bathroom.
"What? Really?"
"Of course, dear. It was quite obvious to me that it would be you and your friends who had to save us all from that nasty basilisk. Sadly, prophesies are a nightmare to get out of once the ball gets rolling and by then it already was. I was at school with Tom Riddle, he was the year above me; I was there the day they took Myrtle's body out of the bathroom."
"Oh, Merlin, that's…; does Severus know?"
"He knows I was at Hogwarts at the same time. He doesn't know that Myrtle was my cousin.
"What?" Hermione's eyebrows shot into her hairline.
"Sadly she was thought to be a squib at a young age and sent to be raised by muggles, times as they were back then my aunt and uncle were embarrassed by her supposed lack of magic. It was 1937, I was eight and she was seven; I'd been spouting accidental magic for three years, she hadn't so much as fluttered the pages of a book. The family used me as a yard-stick for our generation of magic and then one day she just wasn't there and no one mentioned her name. I asked about a month after her disappearance about her and both my parents and hers looked at me like I had gone round the twist. It seems everyone involved was obliviated except for me, it's illegal to obliviate under the age eleven and as I was only eight when the adoption happened, it was assumed I wouldn't remember anyway; records were magically wiped or sealed and it was all forgotten about. Eventually her accidental magic showed but by then she was ten years old you see and it was three years later. She got called to Hogwarts under her adopted muggle name and was sorted into Ravenclaw.
"Aren't you a Ravenclaw though? Surely you must have recognised her."
"Yes, I was; and I still am I suppose. I didn't recognise her at the sorting ceremony when she started the year after I did but it the common room later she looked a little scared so I went over to her to see if I could calm her down. I'm sure you remember what the first night at the castle is like."
"Of course. Exciting, petrifying with the constant fear that with the size of the place you're going to get lost or that you might fall off the top of the moving staircase."
"Quite. Of course the vacuum spell in the centre of the stairwell stops that happening but as a first year it takes a while to learn that." Eileen said, her lips smiling for the first time since the beginning of her story.
"So what happened when you realised it was her?"
"A very good question," echoed the deep, baritone resonance of Severus from the door. Both witches jumped.
"Oh, Severus darling, you scared me."
"Don't play innocent with me, mother. Why didn't you tell me?" His voice dripping with genuine disdain now that Hermione hadn't seen for a while.
"It was all in the past darling. I wanted to tell you but I was sworn to secrecy. That night Myrtle and I spoke for several hours, catching up and finding out about each other. I explained a lot about the castle to her and helped her unpack her trunk. It was nice. The next morning, I went to see the Headmaster, it was Armando Dippet at the time; he told me that there were no such records pertaining to Myrtle being of the Prince family and that I should stop feeding the rumour mill and making things up; no one believed us but we knew the truth; we remembered each other. I tried speaking to my parents again and Myrtle's parents but of course they were non-the-wiser and had a similar opinion to the Headmaster; I was grounded all Christmas that year.
When I returned to Hogwarts after Christmas, I was summoned to Dumbledore's office. He was teaching Transfiguration then and I was worried about the essay I'd handed in just before the holidays so I went without question." Eileen took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Once I was there, he warded the door and we sat down. He told me he was aware of my familial connection to Myrtle Warren, that he had connections within the Ministry and knew that I'd been asking questions. Apparently Dippet must have spoken to him."
"Can that man not stay out of anyone's business?" Severus said in a highly frustrated tone.
"He had to hone the skill somewhere darling." Eileen tried to placate her son before continuing. "Anyway, I was told in his kindly but brokering no argument sort of way that he would continue to make discreet inquiries and work to have the matter resolved on my behalf; I was given permission to remain close to Myrtle but I could not speak of it to anyone else in case anyone wanted to stop the truth coming to light; which would put both Myrtle and myself in danger."
"Who would want it not to come to light? How would it become dangerous? In light of what happened to her, surely her being a pureblood rather than a muggleborn might have prevented her death." Hermione asked, desperate for more information.
"Yes it probably would have but there's a snippet of the story that you don't know yet. Something I have never spoken of, to anyone." Eileen said, sadly before looking at her son with wary eyes.
"Spit it out, mother. You've kept these secrets long enough." Severus clipped.
Eileen took several deep breaths and avoided her sons eyes altogether, focusing on Hermione.
"I don't really know how to say this but…"
"It's ok, Eileen." Hermione said, grasping the older witch's hands in her lap. "Whatever it is, we're here for you and whatever has happened is never beyond forgiveness. Just look at all the nasty comments I've forgiven Severus for. It can't be worse than that."
Eileen gave a weak smile to Hermione for her understanding and kindness as Severus snorted.
"Ok, well, in my third year, I started dating someone."
Severus paled in understanding.
"You have to understand, he was very charming. So, very attractive and I…"
"I don't think I can listen to this." Severus said, standing to walk for the door.
"Severus Snape," Hermione began with a very sharp tone… standing up, hands on her hips and eyes flashing with fury. "If you walk out on this story you will never forgive yourself and I will never let you hear the end of it. Eileen needs to be able to remove this secrecy from her life. It is clearly a heavy burden which needs to be lifted. Surely Severus you know what that feels like. Don't you dare walk away."
Severus sighed and turned back around causing Hermione's tone and stance to soften but she wasn't done.
"Think about how it has felt in the last few days to know that I know your secrets. That you don't have to carry them alone. To have them lifted from your shoulders and shared. You have been so much happier than I've ever seen you the last couple of days and I know that can largely be attributed to the disintegration of snake-face but I hope in some small way it's because of me. Given our situation, it had better be."
"Very well, Hermione, you've made your point. I'll stay. Just promise to obliviate me afterwards, I know where this is going."
"I'll think about. If you promise to keep giving Gryffindor house points." She replied, trying to lighten the mood.
He smirked at her and then gestured for his mother to continue.
"Ok, so as I said, in my third year I started dating someone; the very young, very handsome and very charming, Tom Riddle."
A/N: So here we are at the end of another chapter. Honestly I could run and run on this little bit of back story I came up with. The chapter didn't go anywhere near how I planned; it was going to be much more light-hearted with a couple of hilarious jokes which I'll probably bring in later with a different character – maybe Harry. Anyway, hope you all like it… please review, favourite and follow (all the good things for loyal Slytherins to do).
A couple of things to mention, I have taken a little artistic licence with Eileen Prince; although it's common for her to be considered Snape's mother, I have changed her house and her sporting prowess of the past - I like the idea that she has been friends with Minerva since school, I like that it was Ravenclaw that nurtured her love of books which led to the natural choice that her seclusion being spent as the Hogwarts Librarian. There is a lot more of her story to come and it will feed some drama for our lovebirds. I haven't taken hundreds of liberties from canon as I the original story is wonderful and I hate to mess with it too much but sometimes it's necessary to change a few things for my little trope-fest tale. The specific reason I made Eileen and Minerva friends is because I was felt that Minerva took Snape a little under her wing considering he was a Slytherin and this would be an amazing reason why. Also, when she evicted him from the school at the beginning of The Battle of Hogwarts, that's all she did, evicted him; she didn't shoot to kill (so to speak).
P.S… I know it's another cliff hanger but honestly, it's me, you should be used to them by now. :D