Disclaimer: The same as before, I own nothing, except for the pattern these words I have strung together make. My inspirations are JKR, those wonderful women at WIKTT, Queensryche, and my sister Allison who introduced me to FanFiction. Thanks to all who reviewed the first chapter. Just a warning, most everyone is ooc, at least a little.
Chapter 2
"Albus, what a completely expected surprise," Severus exclaimed in mock delight as he opened the door to his quarters bidding the headmaster to enter.
"Ah Severus, I see sarcasm still reigns supreme in the dungeons." The elder wizard smiled and sat down in a worn leather chair in front of the fireplace. He waved his wand and where the books and scrolls were scattered over the coffee table now sat tea service complete with cucumber and watercress sandwiches, scones, fruit, and petit fours.
"As to be expected," Severus set to work pouring tea and placing an assortment of pastries on a small plate and handing them to the Headmaster. He served himself and sat back patiently; following the routine that had not changed since the day he arrived back to Hogwarts seeking sanctuary. Greet each other with witticisms, eat, exchange mindless pleasantries, then they could talk about the true matter at hand.
"I find it hard to believe how fast these past seven years have flown by." Albus said mistily. "And that is saying quite bit coming from an old dinosaur like myself." After not getting any more of a reply than a noncommittal grunt from the direction of the sofa, he continued on "I have come to talk to you about Miss Granger."
"I thought you might. I assure you nothing untoward has happened between us." Severus stated.
"I knew that."
"Of course you did," he replied eyeing the omniscient man with an ever growing suspicion. "Albus, what precisely do you want to tell me?"
"I have been in a great deal of contact with Mr. and Mrs. Granger these weeks past. They agree with me that their home is not the safe haven it once was for their daughter. When Miss Granger steps off the Hogwarts Express, her parents will collect her and they will make their way to America, it seems that they have relatives there."
Severus raised his eyebrow, "and Miss Granger agreed with this plan?"
"Not to the extent that I was hoping, she refuses to stay away indefinitely which is not surprising, but she has agreed to stay for the summer holiday."
"And after that?" Severus asked Bloody Gryffindor Stupidity he thought. He had a sinking feeling he knew exactly where this conversation was headed, and he didn't like it.
"She will be returning to Hogwarts." Albus replied with a smile. He sat back taking a sip of his tea, looking like that was the perfect answer to all the worlds problems.
"Returning… To Hogwarts? Wha…" Severus's brow furrowed, "In what capacity?"
"Don't fret so, dear boy." He chuckled and popped a petit four into his mouth, brushing stray crumbs from his beard, seeming oblivious to his companions increasing agitation. "Miss Granger will be continuing her education, apprenticing and assisting as needed. Not surprisingly, she cannot contain her interests to one field and therefore is going to be working on independent studies with each of the professors and Poppy as well. We will come up with a formal arrangement upon her return."
"I see," He muttered darkly, "I swear old man, you are going to be the Death of me"
"I rather thought you would be pleased. She will be safe here, and of course, I must insist that she remain at the castle until Harry returns from Auror training and we move forward with our plans. In the interim however, what Miss Granger chooses to do with her personal time would be her business and no one else's. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Indeed." He rose swiftly, "Please forgive me for terminating our interview so abruptly, there are some matters I need to attend to before this evening."
"Of course," Albus replied, eyes twinkling as he watched Severus hurry into his bedroom. "Oh, and Severus…" he called.
"Sir?" the response called as he poked his head out of the bedroom door.
"Wash your hair." Albus said with a chuckle. Severus rolled his eyes and disappeared again behind the door.
Tonight was going to be entertaining indeed.
"Raise my eyes, she stands.
Holding out healing hands…
Are you happy now?"
The Leaving Feast was rather uneventful, all things considered. He sat at the table casting surreptitious glances her way. Gryffindor won the house cup, again. Albus gave his speech and reminded the Seventh Year's that their leaving celebration would begin in one hour. The professors stood and watch as the students filed out of the great hall. Once the final student was gone, Albus clapped his hands and the doors closed behind them. They set to work transfiguring and decorating.
By the time the Seventh-year students returned to the hall dressed for dancing and partying the Great Hall had been transformed. Towards the front of the room there was a raised platform for the band to perform. Albus stood on the platform with the band, who were tuning their instruments. There were different colored loveseats along the walls grouped around low tables. The floor had been transformed into a dance floor that would light up under the dancers while the music was playing.
Severus stood in a corner with Remus watching the students enter. He had removed the teaching robes that he wore to the leaving feast earlier. Black eyes glittering he watched for her, only half listening to what his friend was saying. That man would talk on for days. Yes, he was wearing a long sleeved transparent black top and leather trousers with snakeskin boots, but no, Remus was not going to fall over dead from the sight.
"Listen Severus," Remus laughed, "Have you made sure that Poppy is ready for all the extra work you are going to send her way this evening when the children get an eye-full of the Bloody Bastard Snape dressed as a Sex God?"
"Shut-up Wolfboy," he growled in response. He did not know what the future would bring, but he had made the decision to give her this one night. Where they went from there would be up to her after she returned. He felt selfish and guilty and insecure.
"There…" Remus pointed out. Hermione had just entered the hall with the rest of the Gryffindors. "I told you…"
He let his eyes travel slowly up her body. She was wearing black high heeled boots that came to her knees and a black leather skirt that was short enough to be improper. He was sure that if she bent over he would be able to see what color her knickers were. "If she's wearing any at all," unbidden the thought came to him. Her shirt only covered the front of her with deep v at the top and ties wrapped around her waist. He could not tell what the material was but it looked like pure liquid silver flowing over her breasts, the cool silver accentuated the warmth of her golden skin. Her chestnut hair was hanging loose in riotous curls to her waist and when she turned to speak to a classmate, he saw her entire back was bare. The student headed over to sit down, "Gods," he whispered.
"I don't think they will be able to help you this time, old chap," Remus replied good naturedly. "She is like a silver bullet mortally wounding my heart."
"It's not my heart I am worried about," Severus replied straight faced. Remus laughed and slapped him on the back before walking away to tease Minerva who was guarding the punch bowl, intent on spiking the brew himself.
Albus introduced the band and the music began. From his corner he watched as Hermione danced with Potter, then Weasley. His eyes narrowed as he watched Malfoy ask her to dance. His chest tightened as she accepted. She had to know that the boy was a death eater and only remained at Hogwarts to feed Voldemort information on Potters comings and goings. What the hell was that chit doing? Enduring angry stares from Gryffindors and Slytherins alike they moved to the center of the floor. Draco Malfoy held her back to him, his arms wrapped around her waist. She had one arm resting on Malfoy's and the other raised and wrapped around his neck as they moved in time with the pulsing beat. Severus felt his stomach lurch as Malfoy bent his head to whisper something into her ear and she laughed. What kind of game was she playing? And who exactly was she playing it with?
Not knowing what to trust, he turned to leave, and found that his way was being blocked by Minerva. "Severus, you aren't leaving with out a dance are you? After getting all dressed up… And I must say you look positively edible."
"Leave me alone woman," He said through gritted teeth as he tried to brush past her.
She reached out and caught his arm in an iron grip. "Think with the head on your shoulders for just a minute Severus, after dancing with Draco Malfoy, who is going to think twice about her dancing with her Greasy Git Potions Master?"
"Thank you ever so much Minerva. But I cannot watch them any longer – I am just going to go get some air. That is… if you will release my arm," he replied.
"Of course," she replied smiling.
He escaped outside and walked for a while before sitting down on a stone bench in the middle of the garden. Elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together he closed his eyes. Head bent, hair falling forward he rested his head on his knuckles. The heady scent of flowers in bloom enveloped him. He could feel the music as the song changed from a frenzied techno pop number to something slower more sensuous.
"Severus," he heard her say in a husky whisper. He lifted his eyes and she held out a hand to him. "I believe this is what you promised me."
He rose and wrapped his arms around her. Swaying to the music, he looked down and watched the moonlight dancing in her hair. His cock ached and his heart ached and his tongue felt like it was too big for his mouth. He was a bumbling seventeen year old again, would she be disappointed? He felt her nipples tighten as they rubbed across his chest. Tightening his arms he brushed his lips across her forehead. "Are you an angel, or a demon?" he whispered into her hair.
"Depends," she whispered back, "which turns you on more?" She looked up at him smiling, and squeezed his bum.
"Definitely the demon," he chuckled.
"I walk the Thin Line for you.
Do just what you say to,
With fear as my friend,
I walk the Thin Line one more time for you."
tbc
A/N No, I really don't think this is Rickman!Snape but he is yummy. Anyone willing to do a constructive critique of my writing? I would be grateful, please email to mlgray920@yahoo.com